Boxoffice-May.15.1954

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE EDITION 

MAY 15 1954 

/he TuUe eif ine /P/G^to&tv TictuAe yncLd^ 

. . Story on Page 22, 

Ann Blyth and Fernando Lamas, among the tall pines of the North 

Woods in an idyllic setting from MGM's "Rose Marie," winner 

of the April BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award . 

OS serofv} ^!c- '^p Pojf Office !5t Komo!

•Hooray!" 

^ 

1 

fsSeji^fe 

^P 

i 11 

You should have seen our Sales Execs doing hoop-las in the 

projection room last 

week when we screened an advance print 

of the sensational "SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS" 

in CinemaScope— color, too. 

It stars Jane Powell, Howard Keel 

and a screen full of young talents all-out for love-making. Some 

folks call me King of the Musicals. All right, so it's true! 

The Broadway scene is very Lion-ish (that's me, pals). For instance: 

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL: Sensational "EXECUTIVE 

SUITE" {starring Academy Award tvjnner William Holden and 

June Allyson, Barbara Stanivyck, Fredric March, Walter Pidgeon, 

Shelley Winters, 

Paul Douglas, Louis Calhern, Dean Jigger, 

Nina Foch) — acclaimed by the critics and applauded by the 

public, successor to another Music Hall record-breaker, 

"ROSE MARIE" (CinemaScope- color; Ann Blyth, Howard 

Keel, Fernando Lamas) — to be followed by "THE STUDENT 

PRINCE" (CinemaScope— color; An)i Blyth, Edmund Purdom 

and the singing voice of Mario Lanza). 

STATE: Box-office music as fans applaud lovely Lana Turner, 

even more exciting as a brunette {with Pier Angeli, Carlos 

{continuk

'continued) 

"Don't listen to 

kill-joys!" 

'Inside 

StuflFI" 

Thompson) in the fiery romance, "FLAME AND THE FLESH" 

(Technicolor). 

VICTORIA: Exploitation natural grips Times Sq/TRISONER 

OF WAR" [Ronald Reagan, Steve Forrest, Dewey Martin, Oscar 

Homolka). 

GLOBE: Thrilling drama of Navy's jet pilots bombs Broadway^ 

"MEN OF THE FIGHTING LADY" (Color; Van 

Johnson, Walter Pidgeon, Louis Calhern, Dewey Martin, Keenan 

Wynn, Frank Lovejoy). 

TRANS-LUX 52nd St.: That phenom of show business, 

"LILI," continues to pack them in, in its 2nd year. 

(Incidentally, 

it's a clean-up in repeat bookings everywhere since it 

won so much praise, not to mention the Academy Award for 

music. Inquire!) 

Random Thought: A lot of those gloomy folk who predicted 

the rout of movies by TV are now confessing they don't turn on 

their sets nearly as much as formerly. 

The movie-going habit is 

getting to be a habit again. Nothing to equal a good movie. 

Where else can you see great color musicals like "The Student 

Prince" or big, star-studded attractions like "Executive Suite." 

Only in the movie theatres, natch! 

When the tip-off comes from as 

experienced a movie judge as 

publisher Billy Wilkerson of Hollywood Reporter, lend an ear! 

In a front page editorial of his April 13 

issue Mr. W. reports a 

group of M-G-M screenings in Hollywood, advance prints of 

" 

"THE STUDENT PRINCE and "SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN 

BROTHERS," also "BRIGADOON" and "BEAU BRUMMELL" 

{all in CinemaScope and Color) in stages of completion. He wrote 

"We sat in on 'Brigadoon' and can report high enthusiasm, not 

only for this picture but for the others. There's no better way of 

impressing anyone than by showing them the goods and that's 

what M-G-M did." When you see for yourself, you'll join Mr. W. 

in his "high enthusiasm." 

•

EVERY SHOWMAN WHO SAW IT IS SAYING 11 

PERFECT 

3 Dimension 

in the hitchcock manner 

andWARNERCOLOR 

"Superb and full of suspense!" Harold Barnes 

Central States Theatre Corp., Des Moines 

"A terrific picture! Should be great at the 

boxofRce !" 

a. H. Blank, Pres. 

Tri'States Theatre Corp.,Des Moines 

"One of the best thrillers of recent years!" 

John Blass 

Fenway Theatre, Boston 

"Excellent! 3D at very best!" Mrs. Ann Blount 

Bristol Theatre, Memphis 

/'A fine motion picture! Should do terrific at the 

boxoffice!" 

Harold H. Brown 

United Detroit Theatres Corp. 

"The best mystery show I've seen in years !" 

The best murder story I've ever seen !" 

J. T. Callahan 

TheOregonian 

Mike Callahan 

Times Theatre, Seaside, Oregon 

"Finest picture of its type I've 

ever seen !" Mary Flynn 

Upstate Theatres, Albany 

"This one will bring top grosses !" 

m. C. m 

John Hamrick Theatres, Ortoi 

"Plenty of suspense! Should be a real 

money-maker!" 

Gerry Frarej 

Fox Bay Theatre, Wwcosi 

"Here's one to bring out the S.R.O. sign!" 

Hal

I 

"Better 

' 

. "Everything 

"Has every ingredient for smash hit!" 

Lester J. Sack 

Sack Amusements, Dallas 

"It's right up our alley and I'm eagerly looking' 

forward to our May 28th opening!" 

Robert K. Shapiro 

Exec. Manager, N. Y. Paramount 

"Best -made suspense -mystery in years ! Definitely 

top entertainment!". 

Stan Smith 

Irvington Theatre, Oregon 

"One of the best murder mysteries I have ever 

seen !" 

B. J. Tales 

Interstate Theatres, Dallas 

"Excellent! Should do top business!" 

Wm. H. Thedford 

Evergreen Theatres, Seattle 

"Extremely good from all viewpoints!" 

Earl Vandiver 

Palace Theatre, Kennett, Mo. 

"This is real motion picture entertainment!" 

Arthur Keenan 

New England Theatres 

"Really great! Held us spellbound from 

beginning to end !'' 

Mr. & Mrs. R. Kunselman 

Adamson's Theatre, Portland, Oregon 

than the stage play — so it should be an 

even greater hit!" 

Julius Lamin 

Colony Theatre, Cleveland 

"Terrific! Hitchcock at his best!" R. L. Lightmcm 

Dist. Mgr., Malco Theatres, Memphis 

"My enthusiasm reached an all-time high for our 

business after viewing 'Dial M'! It is perfection, 

and will rank as one of the top boxoffice attractions 

of the year!" 

Frank Mantski 

Northwest Theatre Service Co., Minn. 

about it looks like big boxoffice!" 

§ Willard Mathews 

"^ 

C & F Theatre Co., Providence 

"Most interesting Hitchcock picture I have seen 

m years I" 

H. M. McHaffie 

Marmet Theatre, W. Va. 

'"An outstanding picture, and business will be the 

same!" 

William Ostenberg 

Gibraltar Enterprises, Denver 

"Excellent! Enjoyed every minute of its 

suspense I" 

T. J. Vernes 

Yorktown Theatre, Cleveland 

"Without a doubt, one of the finest pictures seen in 

a long, long time ! Should prove a tremendous 

attraction at the boxoffice!" Dave Wallerstein 

Great States Theatres, Chicago 

"Very best of Alfred Hitchcock !" 

Harry I. Wassermon, Div. Mgr. 

American Theatre Corp., Boston 

"Should do very big at the box-office!" 

Joe WeinsteJn 

Stanley Warner Circuit Management Corpj 

"Finest suspense picture I have ever seen!"^ 

Raymond Willie, Jr. 

TransTexas Theatre, Dallas 

"Best yet in 3D! Hitchcock's best!" 

Bill S. Wright 

Bijou Amusement Co., Wisconsin 

"A show to make any 

showman happy!" 

Robert Zeitz 

Zeitz Theatres 

New Bedford 

"The picture's even more exciting than the play!' 

Hazel Parker 

! 

Parker Theatres, Oregon 

"Will surely be a smash !" 

Samuel Rinzler and Emanuel Frisch 

Randforce Amusement Corp., 

Brooklyn 

IE :k KNOn who wrote the International Stage Success 

DIRECTED BY 

ALFRED HITCHCOCK 

DMPOSED AND CONDUCTED 

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MAY 

Vol. 65 

1 5, 1954 

No. 3 

TURNING BACK THE CLOCK 

D.HERE have been enough references 

of late to tlie "blessings"' of block booking almost 

to indicate a trend— at least of thinking, even 

among those who caused it to be abolished. Not 

the least of those, who now sees merit in that 

former system of selling and buying pictures, is 

Abram F. Myers, board chairman and general 

counsel of National Allied, who was in the forefront 

of the campaign against it. 

At the North Central Allied convention held in 

Minneapolis this week, Mr. Myers made the following 

reference to block booking: 

". . . but the great majority of independent 

exhibitors did have pictures; indeed, under a 

selling system that required them to buy all of a 

company's pictures in order to get the really good 

ones, they were often in an over-bought condition. 

That sometimes seemed a hardship, but 

ivhat exhibitor wouldn't a thousand times rather 

be over-bought than starved for product, as he is 

today?" 

At a recent Kansas-Missouri Theatre Ass'n 

board meeting, two members reflected on the advantages 

of the old block-booking system over 

the catch-as-catch-can scramble for film today. 

Virgil Harbison opined, "We used to be able to 

buy enough pictures for a year at one time and 

there was bound to be a 'sleeper' or two among 

them on which we made money. Now it takes as 

much time every week or so to book as it used 

to take us for a whole year—and we had the 

rest of the time to run our theatres. Also, the 

sleepers now are tagged for percentage." 

George Baker added, "We have to admit, it 

was the exhibitors who killed block booking, but 

we just didn't know when we were well off." 

Pat McGee, who so ably co-chairmaned the 

drive to remove the federal admissions tax, went 

a step or two further when, at Little Rock this 

past week, he suggested that it might be a good 

idea if producers were encouraged to own a few 

theatres. "My only hope to see daylight again," 

he added, "is to climb out by the same means 

which brought us here. When producers had 

theatres they were guaranteed a certain amount 

of playing time and thus they made more 

pictures." 

Those who remember the fight that Allied 

launched against block booking will also recall 

Mr. Myers' acknowledgment that, while its elimination, 

would bring about higher fihn rentals, 

exhibitors would much rather pay more money 

for the better pictures than to have to play or 

pay for a lot of poor ones. The better pictures, 

it was openly averred, would make more money, 

please more patrons; and by eliminating the 

"forcing" of pictures on exhibitors, give them 

freedom in their buying, etc., etc. 

"The right to buy" became another campaign 

slogan and the pressure therefor had its part in 

the proceedings that broke up affiliation of 

One 

theatre circuits with distributing companies. 

such link still remains, but it is soon to be severed. 

It would take many pages to relate the full 

story of the internecine warfare that ensued and 

which, even after the end results were obtained, 

continued to worsen rather than better the complained 

of conditions. 

The product shortage that has so much been 

decried in recent months had its beginning in the 

elimination of block booking. It was heightened 

when, through loss of a ready market in their 

own theatres for their smaller pictures, producers 

began to eliminate them from their schedules. 

Moreover, the outlawing of franchise agreements 

resulted in single jjicture selling, upheaval 

of systematic clearances, regular releasing schedules. 

And, in the wake of this, came "test runs" 

and other methods of bringing about higher film 

terms. The flow of product slowed up, then it 

began to dry up. More disadvantages than advantages 

resulted from the new conditions. 

As the KMTA members so well observed, the 

change in method of selling and buying has required 

so much exhibitor activity in just searching 

and dickering and bickering for product, that 

there is little time for anything else. Perhaps 

that's part of the cause for unkempt theatres, for 

inadequate showmanship and promotional effort, 

among other neglects that add up to loss of patronage 

and profitless operations. 

Can the clock be turned back? Can the industry, 

even if there were unanimity in the desire 

to do so, put things back to where they were? 

Mr. McGee thinks that guarantees of playing 

time to producers, without theatre ownership, 

might be effective. He is mindful of the declared 

illegality of franchise agreements and that restrainer 

of "conditioning the sale of one picture 

on the sale of another." That applies to producer-distributors 

who are parties to the government 

consent decrees, but others, evidently, are 

not affected. "It might even require an act of 

Congress to permit it," he says, "but that might 

be the choice between staying in business and 

going out of business." 

Allied has made another choice—encouraging 

netv producers by giving them guarantees of 

playing time for a full year's output. Since there 

is no legal bar to block booking here, this is one 

way of backing into a restoration of this method 

of picture buying. If enough product can be 

acquired from new sources, it may help. But, it 

must be remembered, the crux of the situation is 

what some have termed the "freeze" on supply 

from established major sources. 

\^Ji^^ /yA/^fO-'t^^

CSCOPE FILMS IN STANDARD 2D 

LATER IN YEAR. SAYS 20THFOX 

Further Shift in Policy 

Aimed to Help Those 

Who Can't Convert 

NEW YORK—Cinemascope pictures will 

be made available late this year in standard 

sized prints, 20th Century-Fox announced 

this week. 

Tradepaper reports from the North 

Central Allied convention in Minneapolis 

indicating that some members were dissatisfied 

with the concessions made by the 

company at the round table discussion with 

nearly 1,000 exhibitors caused Al Lichtman, 

director of sales, to issue a statement Thursday 

(13> in which he said that the company 

was not "back-tracking" on any 

promise made at the exhibitor forum. 

IF IT WAS EXHIBITORS' WILL 

At that time the company agreed to make 

Cinemascope films available with four-track 

magnetic sound, with single-track magnetic 

sound, with single-track optical sound, and 

in "two-dimensional versions with singletrack 

optical sound, if this was the will of the 

majority of exhibitors." 

"Following complete expression and discussion 

from the floor," Lichtman states, "we 

decided to make Cinemascope productions 

available with the three sound systems, so 

that a great many more theatres may share 

in the wonders of this new process. 

"We pointed out that it is possible to make 

2-D prints of Cinemascope pictures. Tliese 

prints will not be available starting July 1, 

which is the date we previously announced 

for the first Cinemascope prints in the optional 

sound systems, but will be ready at a 

later date this year. 

"It is our feeling that the vast majority of 

exhibitors are anxious to see Cinemascope 

continue in its most successful form, that is 

with full stereophonic sound. They have 

provided us with much encouragement along 

these lines, and their response to our meeting 

has resulted in hundreds of orders for Cinemascope 

installations, the majority of them 

with magnetic sound. 

FEEL AN OBLIGATION 

"We do feel an obligation to every exhibitor 

and where there is a major difficulty in 

converting to Cinemascope, we are prepared 

to service our product in 2-D. We must repeat 

that to show Cinemascope in 2-D would be 

retrogression and add nothing to the artistic 

or economic advancement of the industry. But 

If it Is the will of any exhibitor to prefer 

showing our pictures in 2-D, as soon as these 

prints can be made, we will make them available. 

Our laboratories have ordered machinery 

to optically reduce Cinemascope prints 

to 2-D, and they are al.so working night and 

day to make the recordings with the different 

.sound tracks as described." 

The new freedom of choice will not immediately 

relieve the product shortage, but it 

win remove the friction that has developed 

between exhibitors and 20th-Fox. 

Spyros P. Skouras touched on this in his 

welcoming address to over 500 exhibitors 

FOX DROPS PROFIT 

GUARANTEE 

FOR EVERY CINEMASCOPE DATE 

Minneapolis — Twentieth Century - Fox 

has dropped its plan of guaranteeing a 

profit on ClnemaScope pictures and deals 

will be negotiated hereafter on the basis of 

the exhibitor's ability to pay, according to 

a telegram received by Ben Marcus, Allied 

president, and Abram F. Myers, board chairman 

and general counsel, at the North Central 

Allied convention in the Nicollet hotel 

Tuesday (11) from Al Lichtman. 

Marcus had been told previously of the 

new plan during his visit to New York the 

previous week. 

"Originally, as an inducement to exhibitors 

to expend the necessary sums for equipment 

to enable them to show CinemaScope 

with stereophonic sound we did make the 

statement and pursued the policy of guaranteeing 

a profit to any exhibitor that installed 

the system and played our Cinemascope 

pictures," Lichtman wired. 

"However, since this policy has been 

altered in the manner now well known to 

you, we also had to revise our sales policy 

to some extent. Originally the first picture, 

'The Robe,' was sold 70-30 with a guarantee 

of 10 per cent of the gross as profit to each 

exhibitor. This was self-adjusting and 

worked out very satisfactory. 

"Feeling our way with a new process, we 

made all subsequent pictures in most instances 

50-50 with the condition we would 

review the results and if the 50 per cent 

of the gross was not justified the same would 

Thursday (6) by saying "our sole anxiety has 

been to improve our business in this industry 

and enable small exhibitors, particularly, to 

survive the crisis that struck them with the 

competition of free home television." 

Single-Track 'Scope 

Prints Out in June 

NEW YORK—First prints of Cinema- 

Scope films with single track magnetic 

sound will be made available by 20th 

Century-Fox in mid-June and prints with 

single track optical sound will be forthcoming 

in July. 

Cinemascope prints with the optical 

.sound will be in a screen ratio of 2.40 to 

1, instead of the 2.55 to 1 on all other 

Cinemascope prints. This is because the 

optical .sound track requires more room 

than tlie four-track magnetic sound 

which runs in narrow lines on each side 

of the narrowed sprocket holes. 

For single track magnetic the picture 

ratio will be the same as for the present 

Cinemascope films. 

be adjusted down to the point where the 

exhibitor would have a reasonable profit. 

Many adjustments have been made on this 

basis. 

"Last Friday I had a meeting with my 

branch and division managers and instructed 

them we do not see our way clear 

to have a uniform system. All rental terms 

will have to be based on the exhibitor's 

ability to pay and I would prefer to do away 

with reviewing every engagement and renegotiating 

every contract after the engagement, 

as this entails a tremendous amount 

of accounting and physical work. 

"Therefore, I have instructed my men as 

follows: 

"1. To keep our promise to all those who 

have been sold on the old basis of a profit 

and to readjust such contracts where present 

terms did not result that way. 

"2. All deals to be made on the basis of 

what our experience with each account 

justifies with protection afforded both the 

exhibitor and ourselves. The basic principle 

of our policy is that we must have successful 

exhibition if we are to have successful 

production and distribution. Of course, you 

gentlemen know there are theatres, even if 

we paid them to run our pictures, still would 

not show a profit. Exhibitors or ourselves 

could not have control over this any more 

than exhibition could guarantee us a profit 

on every picture regardless of what we spent." 

Al Lichtman, as sales director, elaborated 

by saying: "It is not pleasant to fight with 

lifelong friends and customers." He predicted 

that sound heads will be available 

eventually at $1,100 a pair. Then he added 

that the claim advanced by some that stereophonic 

installations in drive-ins would cost 

from $12,000 to $15,000 was "exaggerated." 

Skouras predicted that any stereophonic 

and Cinemascope installation could be 

amortized in 15 months. 

Several references were made to five newtype 

lenses developed for 20th-Fox by Bausch 

& Lomb. 

Perspecta sound was barely mentioned during 

the round table discussion. Casual questioning 

disclosed that a large percentage of 

those present had not heard it. 

Perspecta has three sound channels on 

single-track optical sound, but this will not 

be used by 20th-Fox, because of the belief 

of the company's technicians and the principal 

executives that magnetic sound is 

superior to optical. Some of the exhibitor 

spokesmen agreed on this point. 

So, if Paramount and MGM produce all 

their pictures in Perspecta, projectors will 

need both the magnetic sound button-on and 

the Perspecta attachment, which enables an 

(Continued on page 24) 

8 BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

15, 1954

: 

DOMESTIC PICTURE BRIGHTER. 

FOREIGN IN DOUBT: JOHNSTON 

Greater Achievements Due 

For Films in the U.S., But 

See Obstacles Abroad 

NEW YORK—A "somewhat brighter 

picture" for the industry in the U.S. during 

the coming year has been predicted by 

Eric Johnston, president of the Motion 

Picture Ass'n of America, in his annual 

report published Wednesday (12). 

At the same time, reporting as president of 

the Motion Picture Export Ass'n, Johnston 

noted further gains in foreign markets in 1953 

despite many commercial and monetary restrictions. 

However, he saw the possibility of 

increased trading obstacles in the future. 

FACTORS FOR OPTIMISM 

Describing the domestic scene, Johnston 

gave as factors for optimism, but not overconfidence, 

a faster pace in technological 

advances with apparent staying power, an 

accent on higher quality pictures, and economies 

"along the line, including those at 

production sources." 

He said that these factors "help counteract 

the competitive effects of other media, 

generally higher costs and the still staggering 

array of restrictions and trade barriers 

abroad." He added that a survey of problems 

"along with the solid showing of progress" 

led him to believe that the industry has 

greater achievements ahead. 

Technological advances will not mark the 

close of a period of transition through which 

the industry is moving, he predicted. Substantial 

investments in laboratory research 

and experiment on the set are still being 

made, and there will be "heartening progress" 

so that "Hollywood's tempo of advance and 

achievement" will keep pace with "the dynamic 

expansion of modern society." 

"The forward-looking spirit which motivates 

the industry makes certain further 

dramatic change and even better film presentations 

in the future," he said. 

DISCUSSES CODE ADMINISTRATION 

Discussing the production code, Johnston 

said: 

"I think it is reassuring to note that the 

overwhelming number of film makers recognize 

their responsibility to the public they 

serve. The few who ignore self-restraint invite 

governmental censorship and incite public 

comdemnation. 

"It is an easy mistake to regard those who 

press for unbridled license as champions of 

originality and creativeness. But there is 

nothing romantic or artistic about those who 

reject self-regulation in favor of open warfare 

against public morality. They are 

derelict in their obligations to the public." 

He said he was convinced the public will 

continue to support pictures produced in 

adherence to the production code. 

"Self-regulation," he said, "is the democratic 

answer to governmental censorship. In our 

industry, we feel that the motion picture, 

embracing art, education and information, 

as well as entertainment, is fully entitled to 

the same freedom as the press under the 

Constitution." 

Observations on the Year's Product: 

A comparative view of 1953 subjects by 

general category discloses that movie patrons 

saw fewer western and crime pictures, fewer 

musicals and fewer films devoted to social 

problems. Showing increases were feature 

documentaries, adventure stories, mystery 

melodramas and pseudo-science thrillers. 

Military themes, such as "Prom Here to 

Eternity," "Stalag 17" and "Cease Fire," were 

neither more nor less numerous than the 

preceding year. 

* « * 

Although the total feature output was below 

that of the year before, both the number 

and percentage of films made in color 

were at an all-time peak. Reflecting recognition 

that film subjects with chromatic hues 

generally draw larger audiences, color films 

have more than doubled in the last six years. 

Comparative figures 

Year 

Black 

Total 

& 7o of % of Fea-

: 

GoldwYn Productions Plans 

7 Films via States Rights 

First two, "The Westerner" and "Dead 

End," for May release; others at 30-day intervals, 

backed by special promotions; Robert 

Mochrie, vice-president, has named 14 franchise 

holders to date. 

• 

Loew's May Ask New Date 

To Divest Its Theatres 

Company doubtful whether it will be able 

to sell ten more theatres under antitrust consent 

decree; only foui- previously sold; postponed 

date before from February 6. 

• 

Clark Gable. Buddy Adler 

Get 20th-Fox Contracts 

Gable to a multiple-picture pact and Buddy 

Adler, who produced Columbia's "From Here 

to Eternity" gets long term; Gable to star 

in "Tlie Tall Men." historical western. 

* 

Paramount's First Quarter 

Net Rises to $1,404,000 

Consolidated estimated earnings are at the 

rate of 65 cents per share on the 2,217,044 

shares outstanding; last year rate was 59 

cents per share for quarter on 2,339,471 

shares outstanding then. 

• 

UA Theatres Pays $890,000 

For 40% of Todd-AO Stock 

Disclosed in annual report, which also 

shows net income of $177,324 and $238,580 

of undistributed profits, compared with $491,- 

013 net and $235,967 undistributed profits previous 

fiscal year. 

• 

Atlas Increases Its Shares 

Of RKO Pictures Stock 

Had 675,000 common shares March 31, according 

to SEC report; acquired "substantially 

more" since; owned only 76,000 shares 

end of 1953; Atlas spokesman says not interested 

in control. 

• 

CinemaScope Test Films 

OHered by SMPTE 

Will continue to supply C-S pictures and 

sound test films to theatre service engineers 

and theatre owners who are equipped to 

show C-S features complete with four-track 

magnetic sound. 

• 

Membership in TOA Is Voted 

By Montana Theatres Ass'n 

Decision reached by independent gioup at 

Great Falls convention with Carl E. Anderson, 

president, presiding; Robert R. Livingston 

and J. J. Rosenfield represented TOA, 

which now has 28 state and regional units. 

• 

Warners, Paramount, MGM 

Join in Perspecta Shows 

Three companies cooperating on demonstrations 

In Great Britain; deals under discussion 

for manufacture of integrators by 

British firms, including J. Arthur Rank's 

GB-Kalee, 

Features, Shorts Approved by MPAA, 1935-1953 

FEATURE-LENGTH FILMS: 

Domestic Production: 

Mfmber Companies 

Non-member Companies. 

Foreign Production 

Member Companies 

Non-member Companies 

191,1 ims 19u

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ALL THE VAST PAGEANTRY THE TOWERING EXOTEMENT 

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A

IS THERE A MOVEMENT TO BRING 

BACK BLOCK-BOOKING POLICY? 

Myers Indicates System 

At Least Gave Theatres 

Enough Pictures 

MINNEAPOLIS—Abram F. Myers, general 

counsel for Allied, declared here this 

week that exhibitors were much better off 

when pictures were sold on a block-booking 

basis. It was this form of selling which 

Allied States Ass'n bitterly opposed and 

was successful in terminating when the 

government brought its antitrust suit 

against the major distributors. 

Myers did not use the phrase "block booking," 

but in pointing to the good old days 

when distributors "saw to it that their pictures 

were made available to theatres in all 

cities from the largest metropolis to the 

smallest village," he made this observation: 

'BETTER TO BE OVER-BOUGHT' 

"But, the great majority of mdependent 

theatres did have pictures; indeed, under a 

selling system that required them to buy all 

of a company's pictures in order to get the 

really good ones, they were often in an 

over-bought condition. 

"That sometimes seemed a hardship, but 

what exhibitor wouldn't a thousand times 

rather be over-bought than starved for product?" 

he asked. 

Myers statement made in a speech to the 

North Central Allied convention carried special 

significance in the exhibitor fight for 

increased product. Last week, Pat McGee, 

prominent in Theatre Owners of America 

and co-chairman of COMPO's tax campaign 

committee, speaking in Little Rock, declared 

some franchise system or guaranteed playdates 

may be necessary to stimulate increased 

picture production. 

Myers topic was "Roadblocks on the Road 

to Recovery." He was generally optimistic, 

despite his cry of product starvation. 

These roadblocks, however, he said, are 

artificial barriers erected by "the advocates 

of fewer pictures and less theatres." 

HIS REASONS FOR OPTIMISM 

But for these barriers, Myers says all can 

agree that after seven years of dwindhng 

receipts, "the motion picture business has 

turned the comer into Prosperity Road and is 

headed not merely for recovery but toward 

new and greater achievements." 

He said there are good reasons for the 

optimism he feels. 

"The motion picture industry has demonstrated 

that it can take television's Sunday 

punch and now there are signs that it is 

really going to fight back. With technology's 

potent aid industry products are being presented 

through new and interesting media. 

There has been resurgence of the spirit of 

adventure and enterprise. E^êry day there 

is something new and while this has led to 

a somewhat chaotic state, there are signs 

that order will be restored eventually." 

With all this optimism, Myers stUl contends 

the industry is being "stymied on the road to 

recovery because the chief executives of the 

major film companies who have the power to 

Allied States Considers 

Own Equipment Setup 

MINNEAPOLIS—Allied States Ass'n, which 

several years ago threatened to set up a cooperative 

equipment buying combination, is 

now considering the feasibility of operating 

its own sound and other equipment assembly 

plant. 

The board of directors meeting here this 

week authorized appointment of a committee 

to investigate such an operation. The 

purpose it was stated was to avoid alleged 

profiteering and to reduce equipment costs 

for independent exhibitors. 

This, said Abram Myers, board chairman, 

is because of "unconscionable" profit markups 

by companies that assemble the parts and 

sell the finished product to the theatres. 

The board also took cognizance of what 

it termed exhibitor "rebellions" throughout 

the nation because distributors allegedly are 

getting the major share of the increased boxoffice 

revenue resulting from the admission 

tax adjustment. 

The board trained its guns on the distributors 

in a move to halt what's denounced as 

an "injustice." President Ben Marcus was 

directed to appoint a committee to call on 

rebuild the industry for the benefit of all engaged 

therein are thinking only of their immediate 

interests and not in terms of a 

happy, prosperous and united industry." 

Allied Is 'Gratified' 

At C'Scope Decision 

MINNEAPOLIS—National Allied States 

board of directors is gratified because of 

the new 20th-Fox Cinemascope policy, 

making pictures available in all forms. 

It so expressed itself in a resolution addressed 

to Spyros Skoiu-as. 

Adopted at the board's spring meeting 

here, the resolution conveys the directors' 

congratulations and thanks to 

Skouras and his company for "their contributions 

to the new processes and 

methods which have reawakened public 

interest in the movie business and made 

for a brighter future." 

Most of the board's gratitude, according 

to the resolution, is occasioned by the 

fact that Skouras and his company "are 

proclaiming, practicing and holding to the 

principle that when an exhibitor shows 

a motion picture he is entitled to and must 

make a profit in order to remain in business 

and make his contribution to our 

industry's prosperity, goodwill and progress." 

sales managers in an effort to straighten the 

situation out. 

Explaining the cause of grievance Myers 

took the floor to point out that on percentage 

pictures with sliding scale terms, grosses 

automatically increase when exhibitors retain 

the tax savings. But, he avers, the effect 

is to raise distributors' percentage share at 

the exhibitors' expense. The bulk of the benefit 

now is being drained off to the film 

companies, he charges. 

Inasmuch as exhibitors defrayed half of 

the cost of the campaign to eliminate and 

reduce the admission taxes "and did most of 

the work," they should not be deprived of 

the benefits, Myers contends. 

The Allied States committee will ask distributors 

to revise percentage terms to halt 

the automatic increases now occurring. 

The board also voted to ask Allied members 

to donate three days' boxoffice tax savings 

to a Col. H. A. Cole fund to be used 

when emergency legislation or other matters 

beyond present scope require expenditures. 

Next board meeting will be at White 

Sulphur Springs, Va., August 24. 

"They have abandoned long range planning 

and are devoting themselves wholly to the 

pursuit of the 'fast buck,' " he declared. 

During the days when the industry advanced 

from barns to studios and from 

nickelodeons to cinema palaces, the executives 

were industry-minded, he said. They 

saw to it that for one branch to prosper, all 

branches must prosper, he added. 

"I am not indulging in a flight of fancy 

nor am I exaggerating the condition for 

rhetorical effect when I say independent exhibitors 

are being starved for product," he 

charged. He said that in the east there is 

not enough new product in sight to keep the 

small-town and subsequent run theatres open 

during the next three months. 

"And because the film companies are 

hoarding their better attractions for the fall 

season, most of those that will be available 

are of the so-so variety." 

Myers also attacked the "must" percentage 

picture policy as the "worst thing ever introduced 

into the motion picture industry. 

"This fixed policy now appUes to most of 

the big pictures—the pictures that the industry 

should be proud to exhibit to every 

man, woman and child in the country—and 

as a result the total audience per picture is 

dwindling." 

"Enraptured by the heavy grosses rolled up 

by certain of their outstanding successes, the 

heads of the big companies have ceased to 

think in terms of customers and potential 

customers. Past money appears to be their 

(Continued on page 20) 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

15, 1954 

17

20.K C E N1 

CinemaScoPE I 

are being ma i 

GENUINE 4 -TRACKS 

DIRECTIONAL -STER 

for this the exhibitor requires proper screer i 

"button-on" soundheads, and three speakers e 

1 -TRACK HIGH-FIDEI 

for this the exhibitor requires p( 

tion attachments, and "penthiu 

1 -TRACK OPI 

I 

for this the exhibitor requires proper scij< 

% A #E express our most sincere appreciation to those exhibitors who 

" • attended our forum and whose advice and guidance have aided 

our decisions. 

We thank exhibitors of the world who have installed OnemaScoP^ 

complete with stereophonic sound, and who have so whole-heartedly 

supported its presentation in the manner in which it was conceived for 

exhibition. 

As the company which pioneered and developed CinemaScop£, we 

wish to make it clear that we will continue to advocate that all

; 

screen, 

Fox 

) 

J RY- 

RODUCTIONS 

i 

available in 

5H-FIDELITY MAGNETIC 

EOPHONiC SOUND 

lorphic projection attachments, "penthouse" or 

I the screen "surround" speakers ( are optional 

nr MAGNETIC SOUND 

anamorphic projecor 

"button-on" soundheads 

CAL SOUND 

iid anamorphic projection attachments 

J 

\ 

CinemaScopC productions be presented as originally designed with 

genuine 4-track, high-fidelity 

magnetic directional-stereophonic sound, 

which we believe vital to the best interests of the exhibitor for the finest 

presentation and fullest audience enjoyment of CinemaScopC 

I 

We now extend a warm welcome to the many more exhibitors who 

will equip for CinemaScop£ with proper screen and anamorphic projection 

attachments, and show it—in accordance with their own desires, 

1 resources and public demand—either in 4-track magnetic stereophonic 

sound, one-track magnetic sound, or one-track optical sound.

" 

NCA COMPLAINS ABOUT TERMS 

AS TOO TOUGH' FOR SURVIVAL 

Allied Leaders to Map 

Campaign to Achieve 

Selling Changes 

MINNEAPOLIS—North Central Allied at 

its convention here was told that the production 

situation and "confiscatory" percentage 

demands menace many exhibitors 

and that, despite a number of recent favorable 

developments, the outlook is cloudy. 

Deciding to do something about it. the 

organization authorized its directors to 

map out a campaign to try to remedy the 

situation, taking whatever steps are necessary. 

PAINTS PICTURE OF GLOOM 

Ben Marcus, Allied States president, and 

other national organization heads and directors, 

painted the gloomy picture that they 

attributed to a picture shortage, percentage 

terms that allegedly prevent subsequent run 

and small-town theatres from playing top 

films and a move by distributors to raise percentages 

so that exhibitors will be "robbed" 

of the present tax saving benefit. 

Marcus, Wilbur Snaper, NathAn Yamins and 

Col. H. A. Cole, Allied States' toppers, as well 

as NCA President Bennie Berger accused 

film companies of creating an "alarming" 

condition that threatens to put many theatreowners 

out of business. 

Film companies have done this, the Allied 

States heads charged, by production curtailment 

and by not making the best boxoffice 

pictures available for a large percentage of 

exhibitors who are unable to meet 'conscionable' 

terms. 

Pointing out that exhibition needs a much 

bigger picture supply, Marcus assailed what 

he called "the producer-distributors inane and 

harmful economy of plenty of scarcity" the 

likes of which never have been witnessed in 

any other industry. The stage has been 

reached, he claims, that finds many people 

who have no place to go much of the time 

because we can't make enough weekly changes, 

and these people turn to television for their 

entertainment. 

ONLY AN ARMISTICE 

"We've only won an armistice," said Marcus, 

referring to the 20th-Fox and MGM 

"surrender" on stereophonic sound. "We're 

in trouble on account of the scarcity of pictures 

and still don't have peace." 

The NA president asserted it's vital to keep 

all branches of the industry and that if 

one of these branches, exhibition, is sick, 

the illness finally will spread. 

It's an obligation and duty of the producersdistributors 

to provide us with enough pictures, 

and if they'd do this ours could be 

the greatest business in the world, contended 

Marcus. 

"Instead of taking steps to curtail the decline 

in theatre attendance, the distributors 

are guilty of stimulating it because we are 

left with too few goods to sell," asserted the 

NA president. "Instead of helping us, they're 

aiding our foremost competitor, television." 

Marcus also scolded Columbia and Uni- 

BEN MARCUS BENNIE BERGER WILBUR SNAPER NATHAN YAMINS 

High 

versal for their allegedly excessive "From 

Here to Eternity" and "The Glenn Miller 

Story" terms "which are depriving 20.000,000 

people of the chance to see them because the 

theatres which they patronize can't afford 

the bookings. Those by-passed people, who 

could be weaned back into the theatres by 

such fine pictures, are being thrown to the 

TV wolf," he claimed. 

"If production thinks it can survive by 

playing top pictures in only a minority of the 

nation's theatres, it's cockeyed," declared 

Marcus. 

The crux of all exhibitors' problems is inability 

to pay 50 per cent rental and earn a 

profit, according to Marcus. 

NEED ADEQUATE SUPPLY 

Yamins, a former Allied States president 

and a New England circuit owner, declared 

TV could be coped with if exhibitors were 

able to obtain an adequate supply of good 

pictures which now is lacking. He also 

charged that a policy has developed among 

two film companies, "which will spread if this 

pair is able to get away with it," to raise 

percentage terms in a way that will enable 

distributors to pocket the additional boxoffice 

revenue accruing from the saved admission 

tax retention. 

The fact that Paramount has released 

"Knock on Wood" to a Boston theatre exclusively 

for two months, refusing to make any 

contracts for it in the rest of the New England 

territory, was cited by Yamins as an 

example of alleged distributor high handedness. 

Cole, veteran Allied States leader and Texas 

exhibitor, told the convention he's disturbed 

because whereas in the past seven years there 

has been a 35 per cent drop in boxoffice 

intake, distributors' income Is only 22 per 

cent off. He lashed out against 20th-Fox and 

MGM for their stereophonic sound demands 

at a time when there was a dearth of good 

pictures for general release and exhibitors 

generally were "screaming" for product. 

"It was a time," said Cole, "when we needed 

good pictui-es the most, but we couldn't get 

them unless we installed ClnemaScope equipment. 

They told us 'Do as we say or get 

Percentage Terms, Product Shortage Their Beefs 

out of buslne.ss.' 

Cole also took exhibitors to task for failure 

to organize and finance their tax relief campaign 

sooner. He asserted the 10 per cent admission 

tax cut could have been achieved five 

years ago if exhibitors and been willing to 

contribute a small percentage of their boxoffice 

income to the necessary fund for financing 

the campaign "that would have 

saved the industry 125 million dollars." He 

wondered how long there'd be any of tax 

saving benefit at all left for exhibitors, what 

with distributors "greedily" grabbing it off 

piecemeal. 

Snaper, who preceded Marcus as Allied 

States president, joined other speakers in deploring 

the present projection technique 

"confusion" and demanded that film companies 

act immediately to end it. 

He doesn't regard 20th Century-Fox and 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as good Samaritans 

for relenting on stereophonic sound. Instead 

of being prompted by a desire to give exhibitors 

"a break," he said, they were forced 

to action because their recent pictures 

haven't been producing sufficient boxoffice 

returns and 20th-Pox, especially, needed to 

recoup more of its Cinemascope expenditures. 

Calling the situation "appalling," Al Sindlinger, 

industry tax analyst, estimated that 

the industry is tossing away 16 million dollars 

May and June revenue by holding back 

top pictures until July and August. He also 

contended that failure to produce enough 

pictures is driving people away from the theatres 

to TV. 

"We just can't make Hollywood believe people 

are in a mood to return to the theatre," 

lamented Sindlinger. "They don't understand 

what's going on. If they did they'd be making 

more pictures—not ordinary pictures, but 

good ones." 

Block Booking? 

(Continued from page 17) 

only passion and they seem not to realize 

that as grosses mount due to high film rentals 

and increased admission prices, the pictures 

are being seen by fewer and fewer people. 

"The finest products of the motion picture 

industry are unknown to millions who are 

dependent on their nearby theatres for movie 

entertainment. Not being able to see the best, 

their interest in motion pictures subsides and 

they find forgetfulness in other forms of entertainment. 

They cease to be actual customers 

of the theatres that are ready and 

eager to serve them and they cease to be 

potential customers for all theatres and all 

forms of motion picture entertainment. 

"In bringing about this condition, the movie 

executives not only have failed the exhibitors, 

they have let down the American people." 

20 BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

15, 1954

. 

m-^- 

LONDON'S GREATEST MONEY MAKER IS 

Cfi 

DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE 99 

5I- In the fourth week of its run at the Odeon, Leicester Square—London's premier theatre 

— it took more money than any other film in a similar period since its opening in 1937. 

5> Simultaneously the 2,564 seat New Victoria Theatre also recorded its greatest 

week's business since it opened in 1931. 

vl- 

Simultaneously the 2,147 seat Dominion Theatre, Tottenham Court Road, 

recorded the best week's business since 1948. 

^ More records were broken at Gaumont Theatres in their first runs at Bournemouth, 

Luton, Coventry, Rochester, Chatham, Dover, Portsmouth, Reading, Southend . . 

DISTRIBUTION 

.S.A. and LATIN AMERICA 

J. Arthur Rank Organization Inc., 

445 Park Avenue, 

New York 22, N. Y. 

The J. Arthur Rank Organization presents 

Dirk BOGARDE'Muriel PAVLOW* Kenneth MORE^Donald SINDEN 

in 

DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE 

Color by TECHNICOLOR 

Also Starring KAY KENDALL . JAMES ROBERTSON JUSTICE • DONALD HOUSTON • 

Adapted from his own novel by Richard Gordon • Screenplay by Nicholas Phipps 

Directed by Ralph Thomas • Produced by Betty E. Box 

DISTRIBUTION 

CANADA 

J. Arttiur Rank Film Distributors 

(Canada) 

Ltd., 

277 Victoria Street, 

Toronto, Ontario.

MGM's 'Rose Marie' Is 

Awarded 

ANN BLYTH AS THE TEMPESTUOUS ROSE MARIE 

WITH FERNANDO LAMAS AS THE TRAPPER, JIM 

Blue Ribbon for April 

By DOROTHY F. 

MARTIN 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Cinemascope production of "Rose Marie," the tried-and-true 

story of the Mounties and the time-tested music of Rudolf Friml and Oscar Hammerstein, 

has won the Blue Ribbon Award given each month by BOXOFFICE magazine to the picture 

best suited for family entertainment. The winner was chosen by members of the National 

Screen Council. A Mervyn LeRoy production, the film has been given all-out mountings 

with Eastman Color reproducing the Canadian Rockies in breathtaking splendor, an excellent 

cast and splendid voices and orchestra. 

THE COMEDY TEAM OF MARJORIE MAIN AS 

LADY JANE AND BERT LAHR AS McCORKLE 

HijiVAHli ktti II, THE ROLE OF THE MOUNT IE 

MEETS WITH MEMBERS OF THE INDIAN TRIBE 

"Ro.'ê Marie" is the third winner for 

MGM in the 1953-54 season while for the 

producer-director it is the ninth Blue Ribbon 

plaque since he first scored as the director 

of "Gold Diggers of 1933." George 

Froe.schel, co-author of the screenplay, has 

won an award from BOXOFFICE on four 

previous occasions, while for Ronald Millar 

the plaque for "Rose Marie" is the first he 

has received. 

In the estimation of members of the 

National Screen Council the stars of the 

winning production were well-nigh perfectly 

cast. Time and again in the comment 

section of the ballots Howard Keel, Ann 

Blyth and Fernando Lamas were mentioned 

as offering sterling performances. The comedy 

team of Bert Lahr and Marjorie Main 

also seemed to meet with the approval of 

the voting members. 

At this writing 18 key cities have reported 

first run figures on "Rose Marie," bringing 

its average to 152 per cent. To showmen 

over the country this means the film has 

attained considerably higher than hit rating 

and grosses in subsequent run situations 

may be expected to follow the pattern 

already set. Exploitation to be rewarding 

need only refer to the long success of the 

theatrical production of "Rose Marie" and 

its long run on Broadway, to its numerous 

revivals by outdoor theatres and its previous 

successful production as a motion 

picture vehicle for the great popular stars. 

Jeannette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, of 

another era. 

Like "Show Boat," "Desert Song," and 

"Oklahoma," "Rose Marie" has become a 

classic of the American theatre with every 

amateur baritone and .soprano essaying its 

hit songs. One day tunes from these great 

musicals will be the folk .songs our young 

people will learn as a matter of course. 

Already this music strikes a re.sponsive 

chord in the memory of most of us—and on 

this fact may depend the great popular 

response to this latest revival in our newest 

entertainment medium. 

The April winner was carried to success 

principally by the distaff side of the Council 

membership. Women members throughout 

all the years the award has been given 

have shown a marked preference for musicals 

as family entertainment. Typical of the 

comments received was this one from Mrs. 

J. J. Cowan who is a representative of the 

Better Films Committee of Knoxville, Tenn. 

"When you have beautiful music, a good 

plot, gorgeous scenery. a.s you have in 'Rose 

Marie,' you build up inside of you your 

own 3-D and CinemaScope and it explodes 

into still another medium—appreciation!" 

Mrs. Volney W. Taylor of San Antonio, 

who is a motion picture chairman of the 

General Federated Womens Clubs, writes, 

"To the more adult, 'Rose Marie' brings 

nostalgic memories; to the next generation, 

a delightful evening of entertainment." 

Mrs. Lawrence Delay, of the Springfield, 

Mass., Motion Picture Council, says simply, 

"Scenery is beautiful and the music enchanting. 

A delightful picture." 

Thus showmen should have a reliable 

guide by which they may judge whether the 

April Blue Ribbon Award picture will be 

successful at the boxoffices of their own 

theatres—which is the only place in which 

such success attains any real significance, 

however much acclaim the film may receive 

elsewhere. 

Rose Marie 

Mike Malon.e 

Jim 

Barney McCorkle 

The Cast 

Ann Blyth Lady Jane 

Marjorie Main 

Howard Keel Wanda Joan Taylor 

Fernando Lamas Inspector Appleby 

Ray Collins 

Bert Lahr Black Eagle 

Chief Yowlachie 

Producer -Director Mervyn LeRoy 

Screenplay 

Ronald Millar, 

George Proeschel 

Original Operetta by Otto Harbach, 

Oscar Hammerstein 

Music by 

Rudolf Friml, 

Herbert Stothart 

Musical Direction 

George Stoll 

Musical Numbers staged by 

Busby Berkeley 

Production Staff 

[n Cinemascope 

Photographed in Eastman Color 

Director of 

Photography Paul Vogel, A.S.C. 

Art Directors 

Cedric Gibbons. 

Merrill Pye 

Film Editor Harold F. Kress, A.C.E. 

Recording Supervisor Douglas Shearer 

Women's Costumes 

Designed by 

Helen Rose 

Makeup William Tuttle 

^ This Award is oiveii each month by the National Screen Council on the basis of outstandinQ merit 

and suitability for family entertainment. Council membershiii com{)rises motion picture editors, radio 

film commentators, and representatives of better film councils, civic and educational organizations.

I 

4 1 [I]. ill 111' 

mim 

SHS SnZUNG PACE ! 1DPS AT RANDOIPH, 

mm.! SMASH DAY AND DAH OPENING AT 

IRPHEUM AND STATE IN DOSTON! NEXT RIG 

OPENING SI FRANCIS IN SAN FRANCISCO! 

COLUMBIA PICTURES presents 

Jennifer 

JONES 

Mon| 

CllFT 

&f an (jt/m£/tica/Ki Wi£^ " 

PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BvVITTORIODeSICA

CmemaScope 

Continued 

The president of 20th Century-Fox addresses the New York meeting on stereophonic 

sound requirements for CinemaScope as Charles Einfeld, vice-president in 

charge of publicity and exploitation, looks on. 

(Continued from page 8) 

exhibitor to use these films with one or more 

horns. 

Drive-ins will be urged to install wider and 

brighter screens for CinemaScope and other 

new projection systems, but they will be able 

to get these pictures without stereophonic 

installations. If some drive-ins in a competitive 

area use up-to-date sound with the 

two or three-cone car speakers, it is predicted 

that the public will soon come to realize the 

difference and will tend toward the drive-ins 

with the best sound. 

Some speakers at the 20th-Fox meeting 

contended that the sound made no difference. 

There have been no comparisons in 

mast exhibition areas to date, so the contention 

will be proved or disproved by experience. 

Leonard H. Goldenson, head of American 

Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres, 

pointed out that improved sound on records 

brought that industry from the deepest doldnmis 

to peak prosperity. 

LICHTMAN ASSURES PROTECTION' 

Early during the meeting, Lichtman told 

those present that the company was willing 

to make concessions. Some exhibitors had 

discussed these concessions in advance with 

Skouras and Lichtman. Several speakers 

raised the point that they would lose their 

competitive advantage after spending large 

sums for the full installations, Including 

stereophonic sound, and Lichtman assured 

them they would receive "protection." 

There was no unanimity on the matter of 

protection. Allied members .said they wouldn't 

ask for it, taking the stand that audiences 

which had become accastomed to 

stereophonic sound would go where they could 

find It and that competition would bring 

about these installations by exhibitors now 

opposed to it after they have made money 

with wide-screen films. 

I. J. Hoffman of New England was one of 

the first to Inquire about protection at the 

morning session. Ben Marcus, president of 

Allied States Ass'n, immediately made his 

position clear. He had already stated his 

position to Skouras in advance of the meeting. 

"I, too, spent money on CinemaScope and 

stereophonic sound at the start, but let's forget 

protection and think in terms of the 

over-all good of the industry. I think the 

patrons will make the decisions. They will 

decide whether they like old-fashioned .sound 

or the new. I favor the competitive viewpoint. 

I hope that every theatre will put in 

a large screen. Let's not worry about competition." 

Nathan Yamins, former Allied president, 

took the same stand. "I don't ask for any 

special consideration because I was one of the 

first to install CinemaScope in all my theatres, 

both closed and open. How can the industry 

as a whole benefit? 

"Nobody should have a monopoly of CinemaScope. 

Those who have introduced the 

new medium deserve credit. It helped get 

people into the mood for returning to the 

theatre, but the impact of CinemaScope 

wasn't wide enough. Now we need an impact 

on the missing patrons and the way to get it 

is through installations in more theatres. 

Why not make the impact, throughout the 

country? 

"Make CinemaScope available with or without 

stereophonic sound, or in single-track 

optical sound. If a large number of theatres 

cannot afford the full sound, you limit the 

impact. Fourteen thousand theatres haven't 

got the money. Give them pictures in any 

form. They will make some money and then 

will in-stall better equipment later. Teach 

exhibitors they need improvements." 

Irving DolUnger, another Allied leader, 

echoed these sentiments, and Wilbur Snaper, 

former Allied president, followed along the 

same lines. 

Sam Plnanskl, former TOA president, 

agreed with all this by telling the 20th-Fox 

executives that holding the discussion was 

"one of the smartest things they had ever 

done." 

"If I can't afford a Cadillac," he said, "I 

think I'm entitled to a motorcycle with a 

sidecar." 

He then diverged by suggesting that the 

system of publicity and advertising should 

be revamped, if the industry is to get back 

30,000,000 missing customers. 

Louis Schine took up this line of thought 

and said he had been "proud to go along" 

with CinemaScope at the start, but added the 

statement that, if the 30,000,000 missing patrons 

were to be returned, it would be necessary 

to release more pictures, "the good ones, 

with the lousy ones," in order to have a 

steady flow of product. 

As the discussion progressed, it became apparent 

that some exhibitors were not clear 

on how four-channel magnetic sound could be 

played on a single track. 

Skoiu-as called on Earl I. Sponable, technical 

expert, to explain this. Sponable advised 

against using a mixer. This was tried by 

Walter Reade jr. in two theatres several 

weeks ago. It was "not entirely feasible," 

Sponable said. He said the company would 

make three types of prints available—the 

four-track magnetic, one-track magnetic and 

the standard optical sound track, but he was 

emphatic in saying that he didn't think anything 

could equal four-track magnetic .sound. 

HOFF CHALLENGES STATEMENT 

J. Robert Hoff . sales manager of the Ballantyne 

Co. and himself an exhibitor, challenged 

this statement by saying that drive-in 

patrons did not know the difference or care. 

Three weeks ago, he said, he introduced two 

sp)eakers for each car in a drive-in and used 

a trailer to explain that they should be 

hung on opposite sides of the car. 

He had men circulating among the cars 

after the start of the show and found that 

50 per cent had two speakers on one side 

of the car or were using only one. After 

the intermission, he said, at least 30 per cent 

of the cars were using only one speaker. 

He did not mention the three-cone speaker 

invented by Claude Ezell and Associates or 

the other three-cone types introduced recently. 

Leonard H. Goldenson, head of AB-PT 

Theatres, said the 20th-Fox concessions would 

be an "empty victory," if exhibitors went 

back to horse-and-buggy sound. 

"Exhibitors haven't learned to use stereophonic 

sound," he added. "If they don't go 

forward, they will go out of business. They 

should have the free choice, however." 

The entire discussion was conducted in a 

friendly way. 

Because some speakers had expressed the 

opinion that stereophonic sound was unnecessary, 

Skouras invited them upstairs to see 

a CinemaScope screen with stereophonic 

sound in a small projection room. 

Justice Dept. Knew About 

CinemaScope Protests 

WASHINGTON—A Senate Small Business 

Committee staff report drawn up only for 

Committee members revealed on Friday (7^ 

that the Committee has conferred several 

times with the Jiustice Department on the 

withholding of CinemaScope films from theatres 

which do not install stereophonic sound. 

The report noted that 20th Century-Fox 

and Loew's have now agi-eed to license 

CinemaScope films without the stereophonic 

requirement, and noted that "removal of this 

restriction means that drive-ins and thousands 

of small neighborhood theatres which 

for financial or technical reasons could not 

install stereophonic sound facilities will now 

be in a much improved competitive position 

witli relation to large metropolitan theatres." 


: May 

15, 1954

The perfect crowd-puller for all 

top playing 

time during the late spring and early summer! 

A startling story of violent love and violent adventure! 

Backgrounds never before seen on the 

screen — filmed by Paramount on the breathtaking 

summits of the wild Andes mountains! 

"-Oft 

^ • «•• **Ou„ *

— 

Jane Wyman receives bad news from her attorney, Gregg Palmer, in this scene with 

Barbara Rush from "Magnificent Obsession," Universal-International's Technicolor 

filmization of the widely read Lloyd C. Douglas classic, co-starring Rock Hudson 

'Magnificent Obsession' Is 

Destined for Top Grosses 

Helen Phillips, Jane Wyman is given a part 

ideally suited to her well-established talents: 

and, as was to be expected, she drains it to 

the ultimate of its dramatic possibilities. It 

is the delineation of Rock Hudson as the 

repentant playboy. Bob Merrick, that will be 

the offering's most widely di.scussed and extravagantly 

lauded performance—not becau.se 

it is superior to La Wyman's achievement, 

but due to the fact that it is 

indescribably superior to anything he has 

here>tofore accomplished. Previously limited 

to rugged, he-man action parts, Hudson is 

herein confronted with an assignment that 

demanded talent and finesse, and in his 

remarkable mastery thereof he establishes 

himself as one of the current screen's outstanding 

dramatic artists, one whose stock 

will skyrocket, particularly among femme 

fans. 

Running the toplining twosome a close 

race for acting honors are several supporting 

troupers, most notably Barbara Rush, an 

unusually promising newcomer, and veterans 

Agnes Moorehead and Otto Kruger. 

It should not be necessary to call the attention 

of shrewd showmen to the exciting 

exploitation possibilities of so many superior 

ingredients in one feature. Even without 

high-powered merchandising, "Magnificent 

Obsession" is dependable to do recordchallenging 

business, but the theatreman who 

intensively sells the film to his potential 

patrons can be doubly sure of a bumper crop 

of tear-soaked handkerchiefs and canceled 

ticket 

stubs. 

By IVAN SPEAR 

\117HILE the smug sophisticates may snidely 

designate Universal - International's 

"Magnificent Obsession" as a tear-jerker, the 

average ticket buyers—most especially those 

on the distaff side—who unabashedly enjoy 

a joust with honest emotions will have nothing 

for the picture but praise and patronage. 

Inasmuch as the latter constitute a preponderant 

majority of movie fans, inescapable 

is the conclusion that the film will record 

long and profitable runs in all of its bookings. 

Considering the vintage and theme of the 

Lloyd C. Douglas novel upon which the feature 

is batsed, it would have been easy, perhaps 

natural, for the filmization thereof to 

plunge irrevocably into the maudlin. It is 

valiantly rescued from that fate, however, because 

of the sterling qualities of every factor 

that entered into the movie's manufacture. 

In the first place, the screenplay by Robert 

Blees and the adaptation by Wells Root 

cleverly contrive to capture the over-all aura 

of the original without unduly stressing its 

sentimentalities. The message of faith 

common to most of Douglas' works—is there, 

but it is subtly and tastefully projected without 

re.sorting to heavy-handed preachment. 

The characters are noble without being cloying, 

and the passages that treat with love and 

devotion are stirring and inspiring rather 

than saccharine. 

All of which accord the screenplay an air 

of modernity that safeguards against any 

consideration or accusation of the offering's 

being dated. This touch of freshness is 

admirably crystallized by the lush, eye-filling 

production mountings with which Ross 

Hunter endowed the vehicle. The film's early 

sequences were photographed at Lake Arrowhead, 

among the natural and rugged beauties 

of California's San Bernardino mountain 

range. Interiors during this footage were 

supplied by utilization of lavish resort residences 

at Arrowhead, and reflect the highest 

quality of set decoration. While some process 

cinematography was employed in those scenes 

localed in Switzerland, the same flawlessness 

obtains. The opulence and beauty of these 

physical attributes are rendered the more 

impressive because they are expertly lensed 

in Technicolor. Comparable top standards 

are attained by virtually all other technical 

and artistic ingredients; Music, gowns, art 

direction, sound and film editing, to name 

some. 

But regardless of the sterling nature of 

the above-listed factors, it is a galaxy of 

superb performances that contributes the 

greatest segment to the picture's excellence. 

Under the expert and sensitive direction of 

Douglas Sirk, a wisely selected cast establishes 

a thespian level found only in comparatively 

few photoplays. 

In the difficult role of the long-suffering 

Universal-Internotional 

Presents 

"MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION" 

Running Time, 108 Minutes 

Color by Technicolor 

THE CREDITS 

Produced by Ross Hunter. Directed by Douglas 

Sirk. Screenplay by Robert Blees. Adaptation by 

Wells Root. From the novel by Lloyd C. Douglas. 

Director of photography, Russell Metty. Special 

photographic effects by David S. Horsley. Art 

directors, Bernard Herzbrun and Emrich Nicholson, 

Film editor. Milton Carruth. Set decorations 

by Russell A. Gausman and Ruby R. Levitt. 

Dialog director. Jack Daniels. Sound Leslie I. 

Corey ond Corson Jowett. Music by Frank 

Skinner, Musical direction, Joseph Gershenson. 

Gowns, Bill Thomas. Makeup, Bud Westmore. 

Hair stylist, Joon St. Oegger. Assistant directors, 

William Holland and Gordon McLean. 

THE CAST 

Jane Wyman, Rock Hudson, Barboro Rush, 

Agnes Mooreheod, Otto Kruger, Gregg Polmer, 

Sara Shane, Paul Covonagh, Judy Nugent, George 

Lynn, Richard H, Cutting, Robert B. Willioms 

Will White, Helen Kleeb. 

Plans Havana-Made Film 

On the Life of Batista 

MIAMI— Col. John Hirschman, head of 

Blue Ribbon Pictures of Hollywood, has been 

discussing plans with Bob Castine. actor, to 

produce a film in Havana. Hirschman. who 

has been in Miami prior to his departure for 

Cuba, wrote the script which is based on the 

life of Pulgencio Batista. He got the idea 

in 1933 while on a newspaper assignment to 

cover the Batista overthrow of Machado. 

ITie Cuban government has for some time 

been trying to build up its motion picture 

industry by offering to finance one-third of 

the budget of any made-in-Cuba picture. 

Hirschman will discuss his project with the 

Cuban president to whom he has a letter of 

introduction from James Roosevelt. Amusement 

editor George Bourke suggests that any 

film on the life of Batista would have to be 

cleared through Edmund Chester, author of 

"A Sergeant Called Batista." 

Hirschman is quoted as saying he favors 

Cesar Romero for the Batista role. Cubans, 

however, considering their resistance to the 

idea of a Mexican playing the role of the 

patriot Jose Marti, may not take to Romero 

because of his association with so many 

dancing lothario roles. Bati.sta will be asked 

to read the script and mention any changes 

he favors. 

Norway Sets Pact Terms 

NEW YORK—The Norwegian industry is 

demanding that 45 per cent rentals terms be 

eliminated from any new pact with the U.S. 

These have beeij allowed for U.S. films considered 

to be of de luxe quality. The industry 

wants the same rentals for all imports. 

Another demand is for a government subsidy 

amounting to 60 per cent of the state 

tax. This was increased last year from 12':.. 

to 25 per cent. 

26 BOXOFTICE May 8, 1954

^ Z^WZ^D[LZ^[I][L * 

FOR 

eiN£RAL RBU^Bf 

^Release Date JULY 1st

Nalional Theatres 

Earnings in a Dip 

LOS ANGEXES—Attributing the drop in net 

income to three factors—a shortage of highquality 

pictures, higher film rentals and the 

development of TV competition in four areas 

where the company operates, National Theatres 

on Monday ( 10) reported a consolidated 

net. after all charges, of $1,307,050, equivalent 

to 47 cents a share on 2,769.486 outstanding 

shares of stock, for the 26 weeks ending March 

27. 1954. 

President Charles P. Skouras, in his 

report 

to stockholders, said the consolidated net for 

the corresponding 26 weeks ending March 28, 

1953, was $1,458,529, or 53 cents a share. 

DROP IN QUARTERLY NET 

For the 13 weeks ending March 27, 1954, 

the consolidated net of NT and its votingcontrolled 

subsidiaries was $661,468, or 24 

cents a share, compared to the corresponding 

quarter of 1953 when the net was $913,832. or 

33 cents a share. 

Included in the earnings for the 26 weeks 

ending March 27. 1954. is a net—less applicable 

taxes—of $26,000, resulting from dispositions 

of real estate and theatres which 

were sold either for economic reasons or to 

comply with the consent decree in the government's 

antitrust case, Skouras said. The 

comparable amount included in earnings for 

the first 26 weeks of the preceding fiscal year 

was $64,000. 

Skouras said the shortage of top pictures 

has been "a serious problem during the past 

few months." and opined that the situation 

"appears likely to become even more acute 

during the near future." adding that he does 

not expect it "to continue indefinitely." 

The NT president noted a "substantial" 

decline in attendance in cities in the midwest. 

Rocky Mountain, Pacific northwest and 

northern California areas where video competition 

has recently developed, but hailed 

as "most encouraging" the "continued satisfactory 

operations" in localities where such 

television competition has been "intense for 

a number of years." 

OPERATING LESS THEATRES 

The recent reduction in federal amusement 

taxes is helping to offset the current decline 

in gross income, Skouras declared, and the 

"general effect of this long awaited tax relief 

is certainly beneficial to our company 

and to the entire motion picture industry." 

He reported that as of March 27, 1954, NT 

and its controlled subsidiaries operated 375 

theatres, as compared to 411 on March 28 of 

the previous year, and the number of closed 

theatres as of March 27, 1954, was 43, as compared 

to 51 a year earlier. Approximately 15 

additional ojierating showcases remain to be 

divested under terms of the consent decree. 

Pointing out that Cinemascope and stereophonic 

.sound installations have now been 

made in 220 NT houses, Skouras also called 

attention to the recent opening of the circuit's 

new Centre Theatre in Denver and 

said the new Pox in Portland, Ore., will make 

its debut about July 1. 

UA Has a 35th Anniversary Party 

Philadelphia's Variety Club tent feted United Artists on its 35th anniversary last 

week. Present to blow out the candle on the birthday cake was one of the founders 

of the company, Mary Piekford. In the photo also are, L to R, Robert Benjamin, 

UA board chairman; actor Phil Silvers, actresses Jane Russell and Rita Gam, and 

Arthur Krim, UA president. 

Moe Silver and Harry Kalmine of Stanley 

Warner theatres, at left, join George 

Hoover, Variety's international chief 

barker; UA's Robert Benjamin. 

Dais guests, L to R, included Herman 

Robbins, National Screen president, UA's 

Arthur Krim; George Schaefer, of 

Kramer Productions. 

Max Youngstein (L), United Artists 

vice-president in charge of advertising 

and publicity jokes with Jack Beresin of 

Variety, past international barker. 

Jane Russell, now producing films for 

United .\rtists, poses with husband Bob 

Waterfield (R) ; Sol Schwartz, RKO Thetres 

head. 

Marcel Gentel Re-elected 

PARIS—Marcel Gentel. RKO manager for 

France, has been re-elected president of the 

Franco-American Syndicate, industry trade 

organization, for the fifth time. 

Dais guests, L to R: Eugene Picker, Loew's, Inc.; Charles Boasberg, RKO Radio; 

Jay Emanuel, tradepress publisher; Arthur Krim; Ted Schlanger of Stanley Warner. 

28 BOXOFFICE 

: 

: May 

15, 1954

! 

..front page NEWS 

irom St. Louis (jjiaouru 

ON THE AMAZING 

St. 

Louis First-Rnn Grosses 

'Variety estimates that MAR- 

TIN LUTHER'S U. S. and 

Canada gross will reach 

$3,500,000." 

_T|ME Magazine 

EXAMINE 

)OX-OFFICE RECORD .f 

LOUIS de ROCHEMONT'S 

iVlajrtiii3u 

And remember . . . the 

St. Louis run was 

matched by long, smash 

box-oflBce runs in Minneapolis, 

New York, Chicago, Detroit, Birmingham, 

Boston, Washington, D. C, 

Houston, New Orleans, Denver, Philadelphia 

^- and many more, big and 

small, from coast to coast! 

THE PICTURE THAT IS 

EQUALING AND BEATING 

OME OF THE CHAMPION GROSSERS OF ALL TIME! 

low... important NEWS for every exhibitor: 

jviax-tiij^tii.ejr 

VILL DEFINITELY BE WITHDRAWN 

FROiVl DISTRIBUTION ON 

JULY 31, 1954 

n KITATT 'O'J'^ '^^ Rochemont Associates . 

U 1^ I M\. I 

Cresson E. Smith, 

35 w. 45th St., N. Y. 36, N. Y. Gen'l Sales Mgr, 

NO GIMMICKS! 

NO H^t^^tA^^ 

S^TÂi!!rRt^S 

NO WIDE SCREEN! 

NO SUPER SOUND! 

JUST A GOOD PICTURE! 

BOOK IT 

OR SALES REPRESENTATIVES IN MOST EXCHANGE AREAS: 

NOW! 

The money-making sensation of the 

year is presold to an organized audience 

of 62 '/2 million. You get your 

regular audience . . . the"lost audience" 

—and a new audience that's never been 

in your theatre before 

BETTER GET YOUR SHARE ! 

of great good will and many good 

dollars — while it's available. July 31st 

is the absolute withdrawal date for 

"MARTIN LUTHER"! 

ALBANY: Wjlliam Rosenow, Theatre Service Org. of BufFolo, 170 Franklin St., Buffalo 2, N. Y. ATLANTA; John W. Mangham, Mansham Enlere», 

193 Walton St., N.W., Atlanta, Georgia. BOSTON: Albert Swerdlove, Screen Guild Prodi, of N.E., Inc., 54 Piedmont St., Boston 14, Man. BUFFALO: William Roienow Theatre Service Org. 

iuffolo, 170 Franklin St., Buffolo 2, N. V. CHARLOTTE: R. F. Pinson, Astor Pictures Exch., 300 West 3rd St., Charlotte, N. C. CHICAGO: Charles llndou. Max Roth, Capitol Film Exch., 1301 S. 

bosh Ave., Chicago, Illinois. CLEVELAND: M. A. Mooney, Academy Films, 2142 Payne Ave., Cleveland, Ohio. DALLAS: Harold Schwarz, Tower Pictures, 310 S. Norwood St., Dallas, Texos. DENVER: 

1 Bailey, Boiley Distributing Co., 2071 Broadway, Denver, Colo. DETROIT: Albert Dezel, 2310 Cass Ave., Detroit, Mich. INDIANAPOLIS: Charles Cooper, Charles Cooper Enterprises, 441 Illinois St., 

ionopolis, Ind. KANSAS CITY: W. H. Golfney, Dixie Enterprises, 118 W. 1 8lh St., Kansas City 8, Mo. LOS ANGELES: Joseph Kennedy, Astor Pictures, 1928 S. Vermont, Los Angeles 7, Calif. 

MPHIS: Clifford E. Wallace, Colonial Pictures of Tenn., 361 So. Second St., Memphis, Tenn. MILWAUKEE: William Benjamin, Lippert Pictures, 704 W. State St., Milwoukee, Wise. MINNEAPOLIS: 

ik Montlke, Bill Soper, Northwest Theotre Service, 411 Plymouth BIdg., Minneapolis 3, Minn. NEW YORK CITY: George Waldmon, 430 Ninth Ave., New York, N. Y. OKLAHOMA CITY: Harold 

won. Tower Pictures, 310 S. Norwood St., Dallas, Texas. PHILADELPHIA: Joseph Engel, Screen Guild Prod, of Philadelphia, 1315 Vine St., Philodelphia, Pa. PITTSBURGH: F. D. Moore, Come 

Theatre Service, 402 Miltenberger St., Pittsburgh 19, Po. PORTLAND: Jock J. Engermon, Zollie Volchok, Northwest Releasing Corp., 1804 N.W. Keorney St., Portland, Ore. SALT LAKE CITY: 

Bailey, Bailey Distributing Co., 240 E. Isl St. S., Salt Lake City, Utah. SAN FRANCISCO: Fred I. "Pat" Patterson, 250 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco, Calif. SEATTLE: Jock J. Engermon, 

i» Volchok, Northwest Releasing Corp., 2414 Second Ave., Seattle, Wash. WASHINGTON, 0. C: Myron Mills, Equity Film Exchowgei, 1001 New Jersey Ave., N.W., Woshlngton, D. C.

— 

Three Coins in Fountain 

Gay, Topflight Comedy 

By IVAN SPEAR 

"TWENTIETH Centm-y-Fox's 

thoroughly delightful 

"Three Coins in the Fountain" is 

qualified to do as much for the tourist business 

as for the motion picture theatres that 

exhibit the feature, Unromantic and unimaginative 

indeed the ticket buyer who doesn't 

react to the picture's boundless beauties 

by feeling the urge to pack his toothbrush 

and post-haste take off for Italy. Unhappily, 

in the majority of instances such precipitous 

behavior will be economically impossible, so 

the movie patrons will do the next best thing 

(undoubtedly showmen will consider it the 

first best thing)—they'll tell everyone within 

earshot that seeing the film is an inescapable 

must; and it's entirely likely that they themselves 

will catch it a second time. 

With such highly favorable, enthusiastic 

word-o'-mouth buildup—and giving consideration 

to the numerous, naturally exploitable 

assets that are a virtual guai-antee of capacity 

initial attendance—the feature handily merits 

unequivocal appraisal as a top-money, longrun 

booking in any theatre equipped to 

exhibit it. 

Even were it materially less of a photoplay 

entertainment-wise, the offering would be well 

worth the price of admission for the sheer 

magnificence of its scenic backgrounds 

Rome, Venice and the Italian countryside. A 

critique of the film could be entirely devoted 

to these scenic facets and still not adequately 

describe them. An ingenious, masterful 

blending of the modern and antique glories 

of today's Italy, they must be seen to be 

fully appreciated. At this point in the development 

of the new techniques in photographing 

and exhibiting motion pictui-es, it 

should be unnecessary to report that the 

above-mentioned scenic marvels are further 

accented through application of Cinemascope 

and De Luxe color. 

So much for the packaging—and many 

spectators will encounter difficulty in determining 

which merits the more superlatives, 

it or its contents. 

The picture itself is a warm, engrossing, 

slick romantic comedy, superbly scripted by 

John Patrick from a widely read novel by 

Twentieth 

Century-Fox 

Presents 

A Cinemascope Production 

"THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN " 

Running Time: 101 Minutes 

In Color by De Luxe 

THE CREDITS 

Produced by Sol C. Sicgcl. Directed by Jeon 

Negulesco. Screenplay by John Patrick. From a 

novel by John H. Secondori. Muwc by Victor 

Young. Director of photogrophy, MiTton Krosncr. 

Art direction by Lyie Wheeler and John De Cuir. 

Set decorations by Wolter M. Scott ond Paul S. 

Fox. Film editor, William Reynolds, Wardrobe 

direction by Charles Lc Moire. Costumes designed 

by Dorothy Jeokins. Song, "Three Coins 

in the Fountain." by Jule Styne and Sammy 

Cohn. Orchestration by Edward P. Powell. Assistant 

director, Gaston Glass. 

THE 

CAST 

Clifton Webb, Dorothy McGuire, Jean Peters, 

Louis Jourdan, Moggie McNomara, Rossano 

Brazzi, Howard St. John, Kothryn Givney, Cathlecn 

Ncsbitt, Vicente Padulo, Mario Silctti, 

Alberto Morin, Dino Bolognese, Tony De Mario, 

Jack Mattis, Willord Wotermon, Zochory Yaconelli, 

Celio Lovsky, Larry Arnold. 

Two scenes from "Three Coins in the 

Fountain." In the top photo are the trio 

of feminine stars—Jean Peters, Dorothy 

McGuire and Maggie McNamara. Below 

are Dorothy McGuire and Clifton Webb. 

John H. Secondari. Into the screenplay are 

woven three distinct romances, each of which 

has its unavoidable boy-meets-glrl qualities 

but transcends the formula banalities thereof 

through the skillful interpolation of subtle 

comedy and bright, sophisticated dialog. 

Armed with productional and literary ammunition 

of such high calibre, the starencrusted 

cast recorded a galaxy of expectedly 

sterling performances. In the topline, 

past master of the clipped accent and sardonic 

retort, Clifton Webb, found benchtailored 

to his distinctive talents the role of 

an ironically humorous, expatriated American, 

and it is his lines that generate a goodly 

share of the vehicle's laughs. Contributing 

more to the plot's structure are the collective 

and individual portrayals etched by the trio 

of femme stars, Dorothy McGuire, Jean 

Peters and Maggie McNamara. Each is excellent, 

but if an extra and exclusive orchid 

is to be bestowed, it is the just due of Miss 

McNamara. whose initial appearance in motion 

pictures c'The Moon Is Blue"i won her 

an Oscar nomination, a distinction that conceivably 

can be repeated as a result of her 

delineation herein. 

Supplying the remainder of the male romantic 

quotient are Louis Jourdan and an 

Italian actor. Ro.ssano Brazzi, who will be a 

newcomer to most American movie fans. 

Both must be credited with praiseworthy 

thespian stints, and Brazzi's charm will have 

the distaffers awaiting his further casting in 

Hollywood product. Supporting roles are 

executed with comparable effectiveness, even 

unto those entrusted to bit players recruited 

in Rome, all of whom were selected with an 

expert eye to types. 

It naturally follows that such a plethora of 

thespian quality owes much to the expert and 

sensitive direction of Jean Negulesco, who 

was no stranger to the exacting chore of guiding 

a threesome of femme stars through the 

intricacies of a brittle Cinemascope comedy. 

He it was who megged the highly successful 

"How to Marry a Millionaire." 

The superior production ingredients with 

which Sol C. Siegel endowed the picture do 

not end with the magnificent backgrounds. 

Virtually every other element he mustered 

for the fabrication of the feature is of equal 

flawlessness. More noteworthy, perhaps, are: 

Victor Young's stirring musical score, constructed 

on the title song, which is already 

approaching hit status; set decorations so 

lavish that in opulence and magnitude they 

rival the eye-filling exteriors; and the wardrobes, 

which will have the femme fans 

a-drooling. 

While "Three Coins in the Fountain" undoubtedly 

will appeal first and most to discriminating 

and sophisticated patrons, there 

is ample diversity of entertainment for massaudience 

tastes, and the final audit of its 

every appearance should reveal plenty of 

coins in the cash drawer. 

Malcolm Kingsberg Named 

Magna Theatre Treasurer 

NEW YORK—Malcolm Kingsberg, former 

president of RKO Theatres, has been named 

treasurer of Magna Theatre Corp., the distributing 

company for the Todd-AO process. 

Another appointee to the Magna board of 

directors is Frederick Warburg, a partner of 

Kuhn Loeb & Co. 

The completed list of corporation officers 

is as follows: Joseph M. Schenck, chairman; 

George P. Skouras, president; Michael Todd, 

production executive; Arthur Hornblow jr., 

vice-president for production; Ralph B. Neuburger, 

secretary; Kingsberg, treasurer; Bernard 

J. Reis, acting controller and assistant 

treasurer; Joseph Faehndrich, assistant 

treasurer; James M. Landis, assistant secretary. 

F*roduction is scheduled to start July 7 on 

the Rodgers and Hammerstein film, "Oklahoma!" 

Sol Schwartz Re-elected 

As RKO Theatres Head 

NEW YORK—Sol A. Schwartz, president 

of RKO Theatres, was re-elected by the 

board of directors at the first meeting following 

the annual stockholders' meeting of 

May 6. 

Other officers re-elected were: Albert A. 

List, chairman of the board; WiUiam W. 

Howard, vice-president; Thomas F. O'Connor, 

vice-president and treasurer; William 

F. Whitman, general counsel and secretary; 

H. E. Newcomb, controller; Louis Joffe and 

Milton Maier, assistant secretaries, and 

Arthiu' E. Bell, assistant treasurer. 

Waller Signs Solomon 

NEW YORK—Leo Solomon, former New 

York Associated Press editor, has become 

Washington, D.C. representative of Tom 

Waller Associates. 


: May 

15. 1954

, 

"^^1^^^^ 

Serkowich Services; 

Ad, Publicity Head 

PEORIA, ILL.—Funeral services for Benjamin 

H. Serkowich, 60, veteran publicity 

and advertising exec- 

utive, who was director 

of advertising and 

publicity for Colum- 

' 

^B|^^^^^ 

Mr^ 

T 

I 

i bia Pictures from 1946 

^' to 1949, were held at 

'' 

the Gauss mortuary 

, May 10. Serkowich 

^^ 

died in the Veterans 

^^^ 

Administration h o s - 

^^^ ^ ^^^ 

pital, the Bronx, N.Y., 

B. H. Serkowich 

Serkowich was 

born in Peoria and 

went to work there at 17 as a reporter for 

the Star and, a year later, moved to another 

paper, the Ti-anscript, as sports editor. 

In 1919, he took his first job in the 

film business, as director of advertising and 

publicity for the Robinson circuit, later 

called the Great States Theatres of Illinois. 

In 1924, after three years back in the newspaper 

business, Serkowich became associated 

with the :ffalaban & Katz Corp., a 

subsidiary of Paramount, where his duties 

involved advertising, publicity and exploitation. 

Prom 1926 to 1929, he was a promotion 

executive with Paramount Publix Theatres 

and edited Publix Opinion, a company publication. 

A term with RKO Pictures followed and, 

Arbitration Conference 

In New York May 24 

NEW YORK—May 24 has been set 

the date for the conference on arbitration, 

and the place will be the Hotel Astor. 

Eric Johnston, president of the Motion 

Picture Ass'n of America, will send invitations 

to all exhibitor organizations. 

That was decided Monday (3) when a 

subcommittee of the MPAA general sales 

managers committee made its final report 

to the main body, headed by Charles 

Boasberg of RKO. Boasberg emphasized 

that the distributors will enter the meeting 

with completely open minds except for 

the topic of film rentals, which has been 

barred from discussion. He said there was 

no- set formula and that any topic but 

rentals could come up at the conference. 

National Allied has gone on record as 

insisting on a discussion of rentals. 

There is practically no chance that it 

will have representatives at the meeting. 

in 1932, he returned to Balaban & Katz and 

later was assigned the task of publicizing 

the fan dancer, Sally Rand. From 1936 to 

1946, he was publicity director of the Capitol 

Theatre, New York. After leaving Columbia 

in 1949, Serkowich was in business 

for himself, with special publicity and exploitation 

assignments for various film companies. 

» 

He is survived by three brothers, Jules, 

David and Hyman, and two sisters, Carrie 

and Hannah, all of Peoria. 

as 

Bell & Howell Sets Plans 

For CS Lens Campaign 

CHICAGO—Bell & Howell Co. is settting 

up plans for a full-fledged sales campaign 

on Cinemascope projection lens attachments, 

it was announced this week by A. H. Bolt, 

the company's director of professional sales. 

According to Bolt, "increased orders for 

standard cylindrical type CinemaScope lenses 

indicate renewed enthusiasm on the part of 

theatre owners to install CinemaScope immediately." 

Bolt said the new sales campaign, prefaced 

by a major reduction in the price of the lens 

announced recently, includes "hard-hitting 

ads" in various industry trade papers. 

Also, a new direct mail campaign furnishing 

technical data and information to theatre 

owners and theatre equipment dealers is 

under way. The campaign will be handled 

from Chicago, supplemented by the efforts of 

Bell & Howell's Hollywood, New York and 

Washington offices, and more than 20 district 

sales managers covering the 48 states. 

Lindbergh Biography Wins 

1954 Pulitzer Prize 

NEW YORK—Charles A. Lindbergh's "The 

Spirit of St. Louis," which will be produced 

by Leland Hayward in CinemaScope for 

Warner Bros, release, was awarded the 

Pulitzer Prize of 1954 in the biographical 

field. "The Teahouse of the August Moon," 

Broadway comedy hit by John Patrick, which 

stars David Wayne and John Forsythe, both 

also film players, was awarded the I»ulitzer 

Prize in the field of drama. 

COLUMBIA PICTURES ANNOUNCES THAT PRINTS OF THE 

FOLLOWING 

PICTURES ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN 

JenoiferjONES-iontperyCiiFT 

in 

of an GAYisAJicam, Wife" 

PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY \aTT0R10 DeSICA 

OUR EXCHANGES FOR SCREENING 

ALAN LADD 

mmhmm IB9I 

Color by 

TECHNICOLOR 

with lEIZEL. Basil Sydney • Stanley Baker 

mm 

Screenplay • by ALEC COPPEL and MAX TRELL Adaptation by RICHARD MAIBAUM Based on the novel Ttie While South" 

by Hammond Innes Associate Producer George W. Willoughby Produced by IRVING ALLEN and ALBERT R. BROCCOLI 

Directed by MM ROBSON • A WARWICK PRODUCTION 

General 

Release: 

July 

minw sTA\i 

Color bv 

TECHNICOLOR 

PHIL DOROTHY BILLY 

- CAREY- PATRICK- GRAY 

story and Screen Plaj by 

DAVID LANG 

Produced by V»ALLACE MacOONALO 

• Directed b( FRED F. SEARS 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

15. 1954 31

Branch Managers Should 

Be Relied on More: Levy 

ATLANTA—Distributors must stop trying 

to dictate to exhibitors how they should run 

their theatres and they should rely more on 

their branch managers to handle distributorexhibitor 

relations, Herman M. Levy, general 

counsel of Theatre Owners of America, said 

Tuesday (11) at the joint convention here 

of the Alabama Theatre Ass'n and the 

Motion Picture Owners and Operators of 

Georgia. 

Levy also charged that some presidents of 

distribution companies have been usurping 

the powers of their sales heads, a practice 

that "necessarily results in a cold, unintelligent 

and no-man's-land relationship" 

He additionally congratulated MGM and 

20th Century-Fox for abandoning their 

stereophonic sound requirements, up to a 

week ago a source of controversy. 

"The entire controversy," Levy said, "has 

highlighted a major problem which confronts 

this industry and which can be solved 

only by a change in philosophy and policy 

of the part of distribution. Distributors must 

abandon their attempts to invade the province 

of exhibition by dictating to exhibition 

how exhibitors shall run their theatres. 

"It is unfortunately true that the top sales 

personnel of most of the distributing companies 

have little or no knowledge or understanding 

concerning the problems involved 

in the operation of theatres today. The men 

best equipped to handle distributor-exhibitor 

relations are at the local level—the branch 

managers who are, for the most part, capable, 

intelligent, conscientious men who could 

do so much to dissipate the ill-will which 

now, as never before, saturates distributorexhibitor 

relations. 

"Yet, despite the urgent pleas of exhibitors 

for years, branch managers, again, for the 

most part, have no more authority now than 

they had before. For these top sales personnel 

to attempt to advise or to determine how 

exhibitors shall run their theatres is presumptuous 

and unsound. The results speak 

for themselves. What logic was there in 

embarking on a policy of destroying the 

clearance and run pattern that had been 

working fairly successfully for years by requiring 

the installation of stereophonic sound 

and licensing Cinemascope pictures only to 

those houses that installed it?" 

Levy deplored "another tendency" in that 

some distribution company presidents "have 

been usurping the powers of their sales 

heads." 

"This practice means," he said, "that the 

fate of exhibitors with those companies rests 

in the hands of men with whom the exhibitors 

have little or no means of contact, and 

necessarily results in a cold, unintelligent 

and no-man's-land relationship. This practice 

should be stopped immediately. If 

branch managers are not to be given sufficient 

authority to do their job effectively, 

then, at least, let not that authority be centered 

in management as distinguished from 

sales?' 

Paramount to Rereleose 

'Greatest Show' July 1 

NEW YORK—"The Greatest Show on 

Earth," Cecil B. DeMille production, will be 

rereleased nationally starting July 1 and 

will be handled like any new release, according 

to A. W. Schwalberg, president of 

Paramount Film Distributing Corp. He said 

it will prove a still better picture in theatres 

equipped with wide screens. Rerelease plans 

will be completed at field meetings. 

COLUMBIA PICTURES ANNOUNCES THAT PRINTS OF THE FOLLOWING 

PICTURES ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN OUR EXCHANGES FOR SCREENING 

CHARLES STARRETT 

.THE OLD 

WYOMING TRAIL 

with 

DONALD GRAYSON 

BARBARA WEEKS 

and the 

SONS OF THE PIONEERS 

Screen Play by ED EARL REPP 

Directed by FOLMER BLANGSTEO 

BILL ELLIOTT and TEX RITTER 

PRAIRIE GUNSMOKE 

FRANK MITCHELL • VIRGINIA CARROLL 

Screen play by FRED MYTON 

Directed by LAMBERT HILLYER 

CHARLES STARRETT 

,n TWO-FISTED 

RANGERS 

with 

IRIS MEREDITH 

SONS OF THE PIONEERS 

Original Screen play by FRED MYTON 

Directed by JOSEPH H. LEWIS 

-J (oil reprints) |- 

LONE STAR 

MOONLIGHT 

with 

THE HOOSiER HOTSHOTS 

(Hezzie, Ken, Gil and Gabe) 

KEN CURTIS • JOAN BARTON 

GUY KIBBEE • ROBERT STEVENS 

Screenplay by LOUISE ROUSSEAU 

Produced by COLBERT CLARK 

Directed by RAY NAZARRO 

BILL ELLIOTT and TEX RITTER 

in 

NORTH OF THE ROCKIES 

with 

FRANK MITCHELL 

Original Screen Play by HERBERT DALMAS 

Directed by LAMBERT HILLYER 

In the Newsreels 

Movietone News, No. 39: Widespread havoc caused 

by another Greek earthquake; diplomatic break starts 

on exodus; Red Indo-Chino chief at Geneva; ice 

skaters cut fancy figures; British men of war meet 

the queen in Mediterranean; Congress hears Canadian 

leader; Vishinsky goes home; Italian KOs 

Turpin in first; cycle speedsters in tough tussle. 

News of the Doy, No. 273: American braves iron 

curtain to rescue children; help for 'quake victims 

in Greece; flying engineers; first atomic survival 

house; smart cottons set summer styles; at last—the 

four-minute mile; Turpin stopped in comeback try. 

Paramount News, No. 76: New 'quakes rock Greece; 

Dulles returns from Geneva; mother of the year; 

Vishinsky sails; message of freedom; four-minute mile 

cracked; tennis; boxing. 

Universal News, No. 567: Dulles reports; Conadc's 

chief addresses Congress; freedom balloon; uprising 

quelled; Miss Berlin; timber toggery; motorcycle hill 

climb; yachting opening. 

Warner Pathe News, No. 78: Washington Democrats 

get together; rain washes out greeting for 

Mossey; Aussie envoys go home after Moscow break; 

Geneva—Vietmen delegation joins peace parley; little 

colony gives queen big welcome; army convicts Dickenson 

of betraying GIs; Vishinsky off for Russia; 

Illinois—Mary hod o little lamb; sports—motorcycle 

mayhem. Bannister first to run four-minute mile; 

Mitri belts out Turpin. 

Movietone News, No. 40: Red bid to seat Indo- 

China rebels fought at Geneva; Dien Bien Phu fall 

stirs Parisians; Rhee attends children's fete; Israel 

honors Queen Juliana; Queen Frederika has new 

nephew; Ike pays tribute to famous mother; Truman's 

birthday celebrated in New York; Little Mo 

stars in German matches; Bannister breaks fourminute 

mile borrier. 

News of the Day, No. 274: Tension in France over 

fall of Dien Bien Phu; Israel marks Independence 

day; Jordan's armed forces parade; royal children at 

Malta review; Hawaiians here to boost statehood; 

Truman's 70th birthday; President honors famous 

mother; monkeys for polio test; Bannister cracks 

four-minute mile. 

Paramount News, No. 77: Royal fomily in Malta; 

Truman marks 70th birthday; Variety Clubs present 

Heart oward; Dien Bien Phu—the end of saga; 

Bannister's mile in England. 

Universal News, No. 568: Truman's birthday; 

Japan— the temple bell; New York—Voriety Clubs; 

France— Legion home; Napoleonic occents on New 

York styles; Holland—tiger cub; California—elephant 

lift. 

Warner Pothe News, No. 79; Royal tots steol show; 

Hawoiions in U.S. press for statehood; Japon—village 

rejoices over return of bell; Pans— Indo-Chino 

crisis stirs French unrest; California— giant sun oven 

generotes 8,500 degrees heat; navy crew rows to 

24th in a row; Bannister—a four-minute mile; the 

Dancer returns first as usual. 

American Newsreel, No. 619: Geneva conference 

opens; Warrant Officer James C. Toylor cited for 

heroism; Atlanta housewife and artist; Lincoln university 

observes charter day. 

Telenews Weekly, No. 19: Thirty-one perish in 

Greek 'quake; the nation—California, Texas, New 

Hampshire, California; royalty in the news— King 

Hussein, Queen Elizabeth; news flashes—Scotland, 

Bavaria; Dulles orrrîes, Vishinsky departs; Dickenson 

guilty of oiding Reds. 

Motiograph Reports Sound 

System for Small Houses 

NEW YORK—Motiograph has developed 

a new low-cost four-channel stereophonic 

sound system for theatres of 1,000 seats or 

less that is complete in the way of sound 

equipment, according to a letter written by 

Fred C. Matthews, vice-president, to Al 

Lichtman, 20th Century-Fox distribution director. 

Tlie cost is $4,058. 

Components are two penthouse reproducers, 

four pre-amplifiers with tubes and 

cabinet, four 20-watt power amplifiers with 

three tubes and cabinet, one suppressor amplifier, 

one equalization and changeover 

switch, one system selector switch, one horn 

switching panel, one ganged fader, one power 

unit, one monitor amplifier, six auditorium 

speakers and three Altec Lansing speaker 

systems plus cables and cordage. 

Matthews also reported the availability of 

a new three-channel system costing $3,530 

including installation cost. 

32 BOXOFFICE 

: 

: May 

15. 1954

IMMEDIATE 

DELIVERY 

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for CinemaScope Productions 

Approved by 20th-century Fox May 6, 1954 

2 Ballantyne Magnetic Reproducers SX400 984.00 

per pair 

1 Ballantyne Pre-Amplifier SX452 275.00 

1 Wide Screen 

2 Anamorphic Lenses 

1.25 

sq. ft. 

(Current 

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DriV©- In Theatres ! can take advantage of big CinemaScope 

money making attractions during the current season by ordering Ballantyne Magnetic 

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not buckle, 

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A heavy 1.30 oz. Alnico V 

magnet gives THREE to 

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For the best reproduction of either magnetic or optical 

sound, Ballantyne Dub'l-Cone Speakers are unsurpassed 

and here's why! 

UNIQUE DUB'L-CONE 

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ôUffcmod êfiont 

Busy Production Schedules 

At MGM and Paramount 

From MGM and Paramount came virtually 

simultaneous announcements of accelerated 

production schedules that will contribute substantially 

to keeping picture-making activity 

at higher levels than is normally anticipated 

during spring and summer months. 

Over at MGM. Dore Schary outlined plans 

for the addition of six subjects, all in color, 

to Leo's docket for June. July and August, 

while Paramount set late-May. June. July and 

August starting dates on a quartet of Vista- 

Vision entries. 

Pictures to be launched by MGM during the 

summer include: 

"Love Me or Leave Me," the biography of 

songstress Ruth Etting. starring Ava Gardner, 

produced by Joe Pasternak and directed 

by Charles Vidor. 

"The Prodigal." Biblical drama with a cast 

headed by Edmund Purdom and Taina Elg. 

to be megged by Richard Thorpe for Producer 

Charles Schnee. 

"Moonfleet," a John Houseman production 

starring Stewart Grainger. 

"Hit the Deck," film version of the Broadway 

musical, toplining Jane Powell, Vic 

Damone and Ann Miller, produced by Pasternak. 

"Interrupted Melody," a Jack Cummings 

production to star Eleanor Parker. 

"Fair Weather," a romantic comedy to be 

produced by Arthur Freed, starring Gene 

Kelly. Scripters are Betty Comden and 

Adolph Green. 

The.se will supplement a May lineup that 

already includes "Jupiter's Darling," "Athena," 

"Many Rivers to Cross" and "The Glass 

Slipper," while already in work are four 

others — "Rogue Cop," "The Last Time I Saw 

Paris," "Green Fire" and "Deep in My 

Heart." 

At Paramount, a late-May starter will be 

"Run for Cover," a Pine-Thomas outdoor 

action drama in Technicolor and VlstaVision, 

starring James Cagney, Viveca Lindfors and 

Warner Bros, to Produce 

Indo-China War Film 

Headline-snatching specialists from 

'way back, the Brothers Warner have 

again dipped into the world news grabbag 

with the disclosure that the company 

has .scheduled "Jump Into Hell" as 

a dramatic entry, semidocumentary in approach, 

dealing with the current war In 

Indo-China and the death struggle for 

the fortress of Dien Bien Phu which re- 

.sulted in the lo.ss of the stronghold to 

the invading Communist forces. 

Planning the earliest possible camera 

start. Warners delegated Irving Wallace 

to prepare the screenplay, with David 

Weisbart assigned the production chores 

and David Butler drawing the megaphoning 

stint. The offering hasn't as yet been 

cast. 

By 

IVAN SPEAR 

John Derek, with Nicholas Ray at the directorial 

helm. 

Three other Vista Vision vehicles will follow: 

"Hell's Island." rolling in June with John 

Payne and Mary Murphy toplined. Phil Karlson 

to direct. 

"Blue Horizon," starting in July as a Pine- 

Thomas production, with Charlton Heston portraying 

Clark in a story of the Lewis and 

Clark expedition. 

"The Court Jester." set to go in August as 

a Danny Kaye starrer, to be produced independently 

by Dena Productions, the unit 

headed by Kaye, Norman Panama and Melvin 

Frank. It will begin shooting on location in 

England, finishing up at the studio. 

Toung at Heart/ Hit Tune, 

Set for Lensing by WB 

Short takes from the sound stages: "Young 

at Heart." Frank Sinatra's latest hit record, 

is to be transformed into a Warner musical, 

co-starring Sinatra and Doris Day, and to be 

produced by Henry Blanke, with Gordon 

Dougla-s directing . . . Jay Robinson, one of 

the topliners in "Demetrius and the Gladiators," 

20th Century-Fox's sequel to "The 

Robe," has taken off on a five week crosscountry 

one-man ballyhoo campaign for the 

picture. His itinerary includes personal appearances 

at schools, PTA meetings, service 

clubs, veterans and children's hospitals, and 

will wind up in New York on June 16, when 

the film will have its world premiere there . . 

Producer Carl Krueger has set an early-June 

starting date for "The Honor and the Glory," 

an aviation drama, as a followup to "Sabre 

Jet." which he made last year for United 

Artists release. "Glory" will be shot partly 

on location at Wright-Patterson air force base 

in Ohio, with Louis King directing . . . Walter 

Wanger's production, "Riot in Cell Block 11," 

made for Allied Artists, has been cited as one 

of 1954's outstanding films by the Motion 

Picture Division of the General Federation 

of Women's Clubs. A formal citation will be 

presented June 4 at the organization's annual 

convention in Denver. 

Pickup in Literary Market 

With Four Yarns Bought 

A brisker-than-usual pace was noted in 

the story market, with four sales having been 

recorded. 

Filmakers, the independent unit headed by 

Collier Young and Ida Lupino, picked up a 

Harry Essex original, "Mad at the World," 

and booked Essex to script and direct the 

opus, dealing with the subject of contemporary 

juvenile unrest and delinquency ... To 

Sam Katzman. for production in the fall as 

a Columbia release, went "Riot on Pier Six," 

an original by Orville Hampton treating of 

cargo thefts on the New York and San Francesco 

waterfronts. Hampton will prepare the 

-screenplay ... A Ben Hecht short .story, 

"Miracle in the Rain," was acquired by the 

independent Frank P. Rosenberg Productions 

as his fourth production this 

year for Allied Artists by Lindsley Parsons 

was "The Intruder." from a suspense novel 

by Helen Fowler. The tome, a Literary Guild 

Paramount Plans Filming 

^Say It 

With Music' 

A busy lad—thLs Irving Berlin. 

The prolific tunesmith and .show business 

veteran has just set a deal whereby 

Paramount will undertake the filming of 

a new musical opus, "Say It With Music" 

(the title of which, of course, derives 

from one of Berlin's song succe.sses). The 

commitment brings to three the number 

of Berlin properties transferred to filmdom 

in the recent past—Paramount having 

recently completed "White Chri.stmas." 

starring Bing Crosby and Danny 

Kaye, while over at 20th Century-Fox 

the Cinemascope cameras are being 

warmed up to lens "There's No Business 

Like Show Business," an all-star extravaganza 

featuring a thespian lineup that 

includes Ethel Merman. Donald O'Connor. 

Mitzi Gaynor and Dan Dailey. 

"Say It With Music" had originally 

been planned by Berlin as a Broadway 

stage musical. The decision to have it 

made by Paramount in film form was 

reached while Berlin and Don Hartman, 

the studio's executive producer, were returning 

a week or so ago from Europe 

aboard the He de France. As did the 

above-mentioned "Christmas." it will costar 

Crosby and Kaye and will be photographed 

in the VistaVision process, with 

camera work tentatively set to start next 

spring. 

selection, involves a psychopathic former prisoner 

of war who tries to kill his buddy's 

family. 

'Oklahomal' Scheduled 

For Cameras July 7 

It's now official—the Rodgers and Hammerstein 

film production of "Oklahoma!" in 

the Todd-AO wide-screen process will go before 

the cameras here on July 7, with Fred 

Zinnemann, megging. All equipment for the 

Todd-AO cameras, with which "Oklahoma!" 

will be lensed, has arrived in Hollywood, and 

Zinnemann, who has been conducting tests 

on an MGM sound stage, has scheduled 

further tests in the San Rafael valley, near 

Tucson, and in Claremore, Okla., before the 

formal production start. 

Rehearsals of cast principals—none of 

whom have as yet been set—and the ballet 

numbers will begin early next month. Agnes 

de Mille is in charge of choreography. Robert 

Surtees will be the cameraman and Joseph 

Wright is the art director, with Oliver Smith 

in charge of production design. 

Dudley Nichols Scripting 

'Lewis and Clark' Opus 

Dudley Nichols is at work on the .

Para. Will Up Production When Good Subjects Are Found 

NEW YORK—The two pictures which 

Ponti-De Laurentiis has been producing in 

Rome for Paramount release in the U.S. and 

Europe have been made in an aspect ratio 

of 1:66 to 1 but can be shown on widescreen, 

Don Hartman, Paramount executive 

producer, said last week on his return from 

Europe. One, "Ulysses," is already here for 

dubbing. The other is "Mambo." The deal is 

for ten pictures a year. 

Asked about the product shortage complaints 

of exhibitors, Hartman said Paramount has 

been producing between 20 and 22 features 

make still 

a year and that the company will 

more if good subjects can be found. He said 

the policy could not be changed "just to get 

out celluloid," and that a lot depended on 

such contingencies as the availability of good 

directors 

and casts. 

Hartman spent five weeks abroad, visiting 

London, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome and 

the south of France. While conducting property 

conferences, he met with producers, 

branch executives and exhibitors and gave 

them details on VistaVision. Loren Ryder, 

head of Paramount research, will leave 

shortly to conduct actual VistaVision demonstrations 

in Europe, the first in London. 

Hartman said he was glad to see that production 

attention again is focused on the 

story rather than screen dimensions and 

AT PARAMOUNT ACADEMY AWARD 

PARTY—Paramount last week hosted a 

cocktail party at New York's Hotel Pierre 

for Academy Award winners Audrey Hepburn 

and William Holden. Shown with 

them is Don Hartman (L), Paramount 

Pictures executive producer who has just 

returned from Europe. 

technological developments. Production is a 

balanced proposition, he said, with settings, 

acting, direction and screen size not detracting 

from the story, and the sound should be 

used judicially. He dismissed 3-D with the 

comment a theatre marquee should carry 

the line: "Come in and we'll beat the hell 

out of you," referring to objects "thrown" at 

the audience. 

Why do good American pictures have international 

appeal while foreign films do not? 

Hartman said he had tried to find the answer 

but hadn't succeeded. It could be their 

great artistic merit, he said; glamorization 

partly through better clothing and sets, or 

escapism from the routine ba-kgrounds of 

home. Asked if it could not be just interest 

in the American way of life, backed by a 

desire to live here, he pointed out that 

"Roman Holiday," which was made in Rome, 

was very successful there. He left for California 

after the interview. 

SMPTE Journal to Carry 

Ads for the First Time 

NEW YORK—Advertising will be carried 

for the first time in the Journal of the Society 

of Motion Picture and Television Engineers 

in the July issue. The decision, which has 

been under consideration for many months, 

is based on the need for additional revenue. 

SMPTE is also waging a campaign for sustaining 

members, and has reported success. 

It has estimated that its expenses this year 

will be $230,000, 

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1069 MARKET ST., SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. 

TELEPHONE: MArket 1-8834 

BOXOFTICE :: May 15, 1954 35

Universal Maps Summer Promotions 

.More than 30 of Universal's field and home office advertising, publicity and promotional 

representatives gather at the New York home office for "Summer Showmanship" 

meetings with Charles Simonelli presiding and David A. Lipton participating. 

Seated around the table are, left to right: Julian Bowes. Robert Gillham, Philip Gerard, 

Clark Ramsay, Lipton, Simonelli, Jeff Livingston, Herman Kass, Robert Ungerfeld 

and Ben Katz. Standing and seated in rear, left to right, are: Lowell Benedict, Cliff 

Cane, Evelyn Turner, Burt Hirschfeld. Paul Kamey. Morris Alin, Sig Maitles, Milt 

Livingston, David Polland, Duke Hickey, William Gandall, Harold Gutman, Alfred 

Mendelsohn, Sheldon Gunzberg, Ben Hill, John Antonuk, Guy Biondi. Estelle Nathan, 

Tony Chevins, Charles Simonelli jr.. Gene Giambalvo, David Weiss and Herbert Bogart. 

NEW YORK—To reach the maximum audience, 

every step in the selling and promotional 

campaign of a picture must be coordinated 

in advance. David A. Lipton, Universal-International 

vice-president, told advertising, 

publicity and promotion men of 

the company at the opening Monday (10) of 

a three-day meeting. 

Lipton called for close cooperation between 

production, distribution and "our own phase 

of this over-all problem." often starting the 

moment a story property is acquired. He 

cited the success of "The Glenn Miller Story" 

as an example of an integrated campaign. 

Lipton also pointed out that the steady 

growth of U-I busine.ss. culminating in successive 

records, had been paced by a corresponding 

increase in its budget for publicity, 

advertising and promotion. This year its national 

magazine advertising budget will be 

double that of 1953, and much of it will be 

applied to "Magnificent Obsession," "The 

Black Shield of Falworth" and "Sign of the 

Pagan." At the same time, appropriations for 

local selling have been equally increased and 

the publicity and promotion staffs broadened. 

FuU u.se of national women's magazines is 

being made in "The Magnificent Obsession" 

campaign, including those circulated through 

the major food chains as well as the general 

women's magazines, the "confe.ssion" group, 

the teenage group and the fan magazines. 

Advertising plans also include the top circulation 

general magazines. Those ads are 

.scheduled to break during July and August. 

More than 30 promotion representatives attended 

the sessions, the first joint gathering 

in two years of such field and home office 

personnel. Charles Simonelli. eastern adver- 

tising and publicity head, presided. Other 

speakers included Clark Ramsay, executive 

assistant to Lipton; Philip Gerard, eastern 

publicity manager; Jeff Livingston, eastern 

advertising manager, and Henry A. Linet. 

sales promotion manager. 

Decca First Quarter Net 

Up Sharply Over 1953 

NEW YORK—Consolidated net earnings of 

Decca Records. Inc.. for the three months 

ending March 31. including the company's 

share of the undistributed earnings of Universal 

Pictures. Inc.. were $635,238. equal to 

42 cents per share. In the same period of 

1953 Decca reported earnings of $234,685. 

equal to 23 cents per share. The 1953 quarterly 

earnings did not include Decca's then 

proportionate share of Universal's undistributed 

earnings. 

On March 31 Decca owned 672.996 shares 

of Universal common, approximately 67 per 

cent of the total outstanding. 

Brandt Handles 'Battalion' 

NEW YORK—"Barefoot Battalion," a feature 

filmed entirely in Greece, will be distributed 

in the U.S. by Leon L. Brandt Associates. 

Produced by Peter Boudores and directed 

by Gregg Tallas, the cast is headed by 

two professional actors, Maria Costi and Nlcos 

Permas. and includes 40 teenagers recruited 

from orphan asylums and other public institutions. 

The picture will open at the Globe Theatre, 

New York, following the run of the current 

"Men of the Fighting Lady." 

U-I to Lens 12 Films 

Next Three Months 

HOLLYWOOD — Demonstrating its continued 

optimism as concerns filmdom's future. 

Universal-International is embarking 

on a 12-picture production slate during the 

next three months—.seven of them in Technicolor 

and one in 3-D. 

Kicking off the intensive schedule was 

"Destry." Technicolor western starring Audie 

Murphy, which began shooting Wednesday 

i5). It will be follow-ed by: 

"Five Bridges to Cross," a crime drama 

starring Jeff Chandler and Julia Adams. 

"Panama," action drama in Technicolor. 

"Smoke Signal." Technicolor western toplining 

Dana Andrews, 

"The Stuntman." an Abbott and Costello 

comedy, 

"To Hell and Back," Audie Murphy's autobiography 

of his World War II experiences. 

in which he will portray himself. 

"Captain Lightfoot." to be shot in Technicolor 

on location in Ireland, starring Rock 

Hudson and Barbara Rush, 

"Pillars in the Sky." historical western in 

Technicolor, 

"Spring Song." a Technicolor musical in 

which Bert Lahr will have a leading role. 

"Lady Godiva of Coventry," historical costumer 

in Technicolor, title-roling Maureen 

O'Hara. 

"The Shrike," film version of the Pulitzer 

Prize play, to star Jose Ferrer in Technicolor. 

An untitled 3-D sequel to "Creature From 

the Black Lagoon." 

Hayworth Honeymoon Film 

Prompts $4,000,000 Suit 

HOLLYWOOD—Charging that a scheduled 

world premiere of "Champagne Safari," 

a pictorial documentary record of Rita Hayworth's 

honeymoon with Aly Khan, was canceled 

because of "coercion and threats," a 

$4,000,000 damage action was filed Monday 

(10) in superior court here by Defense Film 

Corp.. which has distribution rights, and 

Jackson Leighter Associates, which produced 

it. The defendants, Columbia Pictures and 

its president, Harry Cohn. are alleged to have 

induced Fox West Coast to cancel a planned 

April 16 premiere at the Cinema Theatre in 

San Francisco, 

In the complaint, Herbert Bregstein. president 

of Defense, alleges the defendants notified 

exhibitors that "reprisals would follow" 

if any of them booked "Safari." and because 

of this the loss in value to the property 

amounts to $2,000,000. Another $2,000,000 is 

sought as punitive damages on the grounds 

the defendants acted in malice. A codefendant 

in the action is the Beckworth 

Corp., which produces Hayworth starrers for 

Columbia. 

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Landau Resigns UW Post 

NEW YORK—Cyril S, 

Landau has resigned 

as secretary of United World, subsidiary of 

Universal-International, effective Friday (Ht. 

He had been with the company .since 1946. 

Pieviou.sly he was trial counsel for RKO and 

represented Mayfair Productions. Jules Levey, 

Leo Spitz and others. 

Cinerama's 13th U.S. Date 

NEW YORK — "Tliis Is Cinerama" will open 

its 13th U.S. date July 1 when it starts a 

two-a-day run at the Melba Theatre. Dallas. 

the first date in the southwest, according to 

Lester B. Isaac, director of Cinerama exhibition. 

This follows by less than two weeks the 

opening in Cincinnati June 21 at the Capitol, 

36 BOXOFFICE 

: 

: May 

15, 1954

Albany Tent Salutes 

Boys Camp Friends 

ALBANY—Hope for the continuance ot 

"the happy marriage," which the Variety 

Club made with the Times-Union in 1941 and 

the equally happy union effected with the 

Albany County Restaurant and Liquor Dealers 

Ass'n in 1949 to aid in financing Camp 

Thatcher for underprivileged boys, was expressed 

by camp chairman Charles A. Smakwitz 

at a Variety Club dinner Monday saluting 

officials of the paper and of the Eissociation 

Monday. 

Honorary memberships in Variety International 

were presented to Gene Robb, publisher; 

Con J. Heffernan, city editor; Mark 

D. Bohen, cuTulation manager; John E. 

Prime, president of the restaurant-liquor 

group, and to Frank Corenti, former president 

and current chairman of the board. Fifty 

members and guests applauded the presentations 

and brief addresses of acceptance. 

RECREATION HALL PLANNED 

Smakwitz disclosed that the County Restaurant 

and Liquor Dealers Ass'n planned to 

submit to its directors a project for building 

the long-needed recreation hall at the camp. 

A previous offer to construct the hall, in which 

the boys could play on rainy days, did not 

materialize, because it was hedged with too 

many "strings," Smakwitz explained. He believed 

that, with some contribution of materials 

by various local firms, the stnicture 

can be erected for $15,000. The job will not 

be started this year, but should be under way 

by 1955. 

Smakwitz revealed later that an Albany 

bank had promised to loan the necessary 

money for the construction to any responsible 

organization, which could amortize the costs 

over a five-year or longer span. 

Robb, in accepting the honorary membership, 

stated that he had observed Variety 

Clubs elsewhere, particularly in Washington, 

and Baltimore, that they always ai-e comprised 

of "enterprising, energetic, dedicated, 

wonderful people." He expressed hope for a 

"broader base" in all community activity, 

pledging cooperation of the paper. 

NEWSPAPERMEN ARE LAUDED 

Heffernan was praised by Smakwitz for his 

unfailing cooperation in publicizing the Variety-Albany 

Boys Club camp and the 

Denial day drive—that name was taken over 

from a depression-days promotion which the 

Times-Union had conducted. Smakwitz also 

lauded Bohen. In a tieup with his circulation 

department the camp fund had received 

$1,480 this year, and about $800 last year 

The Stanley Warner zone manager reported 

that the Variety Club had contributed $125,000 

to the expansion and financing of the camp 

since its initial gift of $1,500 in 1941, when 

the mountain retreat was "about to fold." The 

Variety Club has paid all indebtedness incurred 

and has "money in the bank this year," 

Smakwitz added. 

O'Herlihy Promoting Film 

NEW YORK—Dan O'Herlihy, 

Who makes 

his debut in "The Adventures of Robinson 

Crusoe," began a round of radio, television 

and press interviews during the week in 

behalf of the United Artists film. 

Gabriel Scognamillo will be the art director 

on Warners' "Strange Lady in Town." 

COMPO Ad Points Out 

Industry 'Buoyant' 

NEW YORK—"Tliere is an indestructible 

buoyancy in the motion picture business that 

seems to prevail from the top to the taproots, 

and it was never more in evidence than today," 

says the 11th in the series of Council 

of Motion Picture Organizations advertisements 

published in Editor & Publisher. 

The ad says "There is a renaissance in the 

making and it promises a new look for the 

new show season, a very exciting new look." 

It is attributed to the new inventions contributed 

by production men, specialists, technicians 

and experimental laboratories. 

"These phenomenal new processes," the ad 

says, "give to the movies a technological perfection 

that no other existing media can 

approach or provide. The horizons of motion 

picture entertainment have been immeasurably 

widened. The new look is here. Many 

fine films have been released or are being 

readied in the new miracle media and moviegoers 

by the millions are finding new magic 

within the portals of their local theatre." 

The ad quotes the Mankato (Minn.i Free 

Press as saying: "The movie industry has 

proven, not alone that there are new frontiers 

in this country, but that we still have pioneers 

with the guts and initiative to conquer 

them." 

The 12th advertisement will continue emphasis 

on the technical accomplishments of 

the industry, showing that "the local theatre 

is backed by an immense talent pool." Behind 

the typical motion picture are 300 production 

specialists and 35 unions and guilds "for every 

performer imaged on the film." 

Contributing to it are 15 non-actors who 

work behind the camera, film laboratories, 

property houses, animal compounds, transportation 

firms, research agencies, catering 

companies and camera and lighting equipment 

makers. For the sake of realism, thousands 

of miles are traveled for authentic 

backgrounds. 

"The local movie house," the ad says, "is 

the nerve center of a vast and continuing 

accomplishment called production. At times 

as many as 33,000 persons have worked directly 

for the important motion picture studios. 

There also have been 154,000 workers 

who put in regular hours for t.ie 4,570 commercial 

establishments or the 2,500 industrial 

firms which directly or indirectly serve the 

film makers and the Bijou." 

Remand J. J. Antitrust 

Suit to District Court 

NEW YORK—The antitrust suit brought 

by J.J. Theatres and the Luxor Theatre 

against 20th Century-Fox, Skouras Theatres 

and other major companies has been remanded 

by the circuit court of appeals for 

re-trial in the U.S. district court. 

The plaintiffs had charged that the defendants 

had favored other Bronx houses in 

product availability over the Luxor and had 

asked $3,000,000 in damages. Judge Edward 

Weinfeld rendered a decision in favor of the 

defendants in February 1953, J. J. and Luxor 

appealed the decision and the circuit court 

upheld the motion for a new trial. 

Suit Asks $50,000 Damages 

Over Fireworks Accident 

AMHERST, VA.—The $50,000 damage suit 

over a Fourth of July fireworks accident at 

the Amherst Drive-In has gone to the jury 

in county circuit court. Plaintiff in the suit 

is F. L. Murphy, Madison Heights merchant, 

who is suing the Amherst Amusement 

Co., operator of the theatre. 

Murphy seeks a judgment against the 

company for injuries to a hand suffered in 

an accident during the exhibition of fireworks 

at the theatre on July 4, 1952. 

RECEIVES HEART AWARD—In the presence of 950 film industry executives, civic 

leaders and screen celebrities at the Waldorf-Astoria. William J. German was honored 

with the New York Variety Club's first annual Heart award in recognition for his work 

as president of the club's Foundation to Combat Epilepsy. In the photo, German 

(fourth from left) receives the award from Barney Balaban, president of Paramount 

Pictures. Looking on are Spyros P. Skouras, president of 20th Century-Fox; Harry 

Brandt, head of Brandt Theatres, and Russell Downing, president and managing director 

of Radio City Music Hall. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

: May 

15, 1954 37

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

Rep), 

— 

— 

— — 

'Executive Suite Sets Nonholiday 

Mark in First Week at Music Hall 

NEW YORK—"Executive Suite" did the 

big business appropriately enough, on the 

Broadway first run scene and set a new 

nonholiday mark at the Radio City Music 

Hall for its first four days. Rave newspaper 

reviews resulted in long waiting lines every 

evening during the week. Two other MGM 

pictures, "Prisoner of War" at the Holiday 

and "Men of the Fighting Lady" at the 

Globe, also had good opening weeks. 

The other pictures, all of them holdovers, 

were headed by two Paramount films, "Elephant 

Walk," in its third good week at the 

Astor, and "Knock on Wood," in its fourth 

strong week at the Capitol, followed by 

"Flame and the Flesh," which held up 

strongly in its second week at Loew's State; 

"River of No Return," now the only Cinema- 

Scope picture on the Main Stem, which had 

a good second week at the Roxy, and "Creature 

From the Black Lagoon," which held 

up well in its second and final week at the 

Paramount. 

Most of the others were down from previous 

weeks, including "Carnival Story," 

which completed four weeks at the Criterion 

and was followed Friday (14) by the longawaited 

"The F^-ench Line" in 3-D. Also 

opening during the week were two Universal 

pictures, "Rails Into Laramie" and "Playgirl" 

at the Holiday and Mayfair, respectively. 

In the art houses, two French pictures, 

"Beauties of the Night" in its seventh strong 

week at the Fine Arts; and "Ht of Loneliness," 

in its fifth good week at the Normandie; 

the British "Genevieve," in its 12th 

big week at the Sutton, and "Sensuahta," 

Italian picture in its second big week at 

the World, led the field. "This is Cinerama" 

is Hearing the completion of a year's run at 

the Warner after 35 weeks at the Broadway 

further up the street. Evenings are still 

sellouts. 

{Averoge Is 100) 

Asfor Elephant Wolk (Paro), 3rd wk 125 

Boronet The Mudlark (20th-Fox), 8th wk. of 

Alec Guinness Festival 105 

Capitol Knock on Wood (Para), 4th wk 130 

Cinemo Verdi Torontello Napoletana (IFE), 

4th wk 95 

Criterion Carnival Story (RKO), 4th wk 110 

Fifth Ave Diary of a Country Priest (Brandon) 

5th wk 90 

Fine Arts— Beouties of the Night (UA), 7th wk.. .130 

Globe Men of the Fighting Lady (MGM) 120 

Guild—Out of This World (Kupferman), 4th wk 110 

Holiday—Witness to Murder (UA), 4th wk IOC 

Little Carnegie La Ronde (Hakim), 8th wk 115 

Loews State Flome and the Flesh (MGM), 2nd 

wk 120 

Moyfoir Jubilee Trail 2nd wk 95 

Normandie Pit of 

I 

Loneliness (Davis), 5th wk...1IO 

Palace Laughing Anne (Rep), plus voudeville . . 1 05 

Paromount Creature From the Black Lagoon 

(U-l), 2nd wk 120 

Paris The Moment of Truth (Arlan), 2nd wk. ..105 

Plaza Julius Coesar (MGM), moveover, 28th 

wk 90 

Radio City Music Noll Executive Suite (MGM). 

plus stage show 200 

TELL YOOR PATRONS 

WITITA 

always/ about it 

GOOD! 

ALWAYS 

ON TIME.' 

FILMACK 

TRAILER 

1327 S. WakHt Cklc*(*. HI. HO NhiHi An. - Niw Ytik, N. T. 

Roxy River of No Return (20th-Fox C-S), 2nd 

wk 120 

Sutton Genevieve (U-l), 12th wk 125 

Trans-Lux 60th— Lili (MGM), 61st wk 110 

Trans-Lux 60th The Pickwick Papers (Moyer- 

Kingsley), 6th wk 115 

Victoria Prisoner of War (MGM) 120 

Warner This Is Cineromo (Cineramo), moveover, 

47th wk. of two-a-day 1 30 

World Sensuolita (IFE), 2nd wk 125 

'Suite' and 'River of No Return' 

Lead Buffalo Grosses 

BUFFALO — "River of No Return," in Cinemascope, 

Technicolor and stereophonic 

sound at the Center, and "Executive Suite" 

at Shea's Buffalo ran neck and neck this 

week in tacking up some very satisfactory 

grosses. "Carnival Story" at the Century also 

was strong, especially over the weekend, 

when some good weather set in and kept 

Mothers day celebrants in town. "The French 

Line" weakened at the Lafayette and ended 

its local run with a second week. 

Buffalo Executive Suite (MGM) - 1 65 

Center River of No Return (20th-Fox) 160 

Century Cornivol Story (RKO) 150 

Cinema—O.K. Nero (IFE) 105 

Lafayette The French Line (RKO) 95 

Poramount Riding Shotgun (WB); Golden Mask 

(UA) 115 

Teck Beachhead (MGM), 2nd wk 90 

'Executive' Wins Holdover 

At Pittsburgh Penn 

PITTSBURGH—"Executive Suite" turned 

the trick at Loew's Penn and won a holdover. 

The Penn's former moveover house, 

the Ritz, closed and is being remodeled into 

a store. Fifth avenue, which used to have 

a half dozen theatres, now has orly the 

Warner, where "Cinerama" is in its sixth 

month, and the independent State, directly 

across the street from the Warner, which 

plays a last run policy. 

of Diablo (U-l); Fireman, Save 

Fulton 

My 

Ride 

Child 

Clear 

(U-l) 50 

Harris The Siege ot Red River (20th-Fox) . . . . 60 

Penn Executive Suite MGM) 150 

Stanley Cosanova's Big Night (Para) 50 

Warner This Is Cineramo (Cinerama), 21st wk..130 

175% for 'Executive Suite' 

Leads Baltimore Grosses 

BALTIMORE — "Executive Suite" and 

"River of No Return" opened strong and 

gave a substantial boost to boxoffices. Weekend 

crowds maintained a better than average 

pace and resulted In generally good gross 

reports for the week. 

Century Executive Suite (MGM) 1 75 

Hippodrom.e Dangerous Mission (RKO) 100 

Keiths Queen of Sheba (LP) 85 

Little Julius Caesar (MGM) 125 

Moyfair War Paint (UA) 90 

New River ot No Return (20th-Fox) 140 

Playhouse—Genevieve (U-l) 110 

Stan ey Elephant Walk (Paro) 100 

Town Prince Valiant (20th-Fox) 4th wk 75 

Acquire Ben Hecht's Story 

Screen rights to Ben Hecht's short story, 

"Miracle in the Rain," have been acquired by 

Frank P. Rosenberg Productions. 

SELBY ^ SCREEN TOWERS 

for Drivc-ln Theatres 

12 Sfandord Sizes 

SELBY INDUSTRIES, INC. 

nsO Ghent Hills Rd. MOntroso 6-2886 

Akron 13, Ohio 

LOEWS VETERAN—Mrs. Bessie Dove, 

one of Loew's oldest employes in point 

of service and most recently manager 

of Loew's Avenue B. Theatre, shakes 

hands with Joseph R. Vogel, vice-president 

and general manager, on her retirement 

May 7 after 43 years with the 

company. Mrs. Dove began at Loew's 

American Theatre and Music Hall as a 

cashier. In 1929, she was named manager 

of Loew's Embassy on Broadway and 

subsequently managed the Ziegfeld, Criterion, 

42nd St.. VVoodslde and 86th St. 

Theatres. 

Reade Books Fight on TV 

For Asbury Park House 

NEW YORK—The St. James, Walter Reade 

Theatre at Asbury Park, will be the nearest 

theatre to New York to carry the closedcircuit 

telecast of the Marciano-Charles 

heavyweight fight June 17. The telecast, arranged 

by Theatre Network Television, will 

be barred from theatres within a 50-mile 

radius of this city. 

The St, James has presented every major 

fight available through closed-circuit telecasts. 

It has a Trad large screen TV projector. 

It will close after the matinee show 

and reopen in early evening with a film program. 

The fight will start at 10:30 p.m. 

Tickets are priced at $3.30 for orchestra and 

balcony and $4.40 for boxes and loges, federal 

taxes included. 

Reade also hopes to present the fight at 

two of his drive-ins, one in New Jersey and 

the other in New York, but there is some 

doubt about the availability of telephone 

company service. 

'This Is Your Army' Shown 

For Industry Leaders 

WASHINGTON—Over 40 distributor and 

exhibitor executives on Thursday (13) were 

guests of Army Chief of Staff Matthew 

Ridgway and viewed the army-produced 

75-minute film, "This Is Your Ai'my " After 

the screening, General Ridgway in a discussion 

period asked the industry leaders 

for suggestions about how the army could 

secure theatre exhibition of the film. 

Ajnong those attending were Abram F. 

Myers. Allied board chairman and general 

counsel; Robert Vogel. head of Loew's Theatres; 

Elmer Rhoden, Kan.sas City; Harry 

Arthur of St. Louis; Ed Reek, of Fox Movietone 

News and producer of "This Is Your 

Army"; Prank Ricketson, Denver, Spyros 

Skouras jr., and many sales executives from 

distribution companies. 

Edward J. Kay has been set as music director 

on Allied Artists' "Wanted by the F.B.I." 

38 BOXOFFICE May 15, 1954

. . Rock 

. . Spencer 

. . William 

BROADW AY 

. . B. G. Kranze, 

TXTalter Branson, RKO general manager of 

all foreign operations, flew to Havana 

for conferences with Michael Havas, RKO 

Latin American supervisor, and Francisco 

Rossi, manager for Cuba . 

general sales manager of United Artists, represented 

the company at the motion picture 

industry conference at the Pentagon building 

in Washington held under the auspices 

of the army Thursday (13). 

Ed R. Svigals, Buena Vista sales representative, 

left for Atlanta to set up deals for 

Walt Disney's "The Living Desert" with 

southeast theatre circuits . . . Jesse Chinich, 

sales assistant to Irving Ludwig, domestic 

sales manager for Buena Vista, left for New 

Orleans to set up "Living Desert" deals . . . 

Jack Goetz, of Republic-Consolidated left 

for a four-week visit to the company's 

Hollywood studios . . David A. Lipton, Uni- 

. 

versal vice-president, is in New York for 

home office conferences and promotional 

meetings. 

Wolfe Cohen, president of Warner International, 

flew in from the coast following 

PIONEER CONTRIBUTORS TO ADVANCEMENT—The Society of Motion Picture 

and Television Engineers at its semiannual convention honored members with 

30 or more years of service. Here are (left to right) : John G. Frayne, SMPTE executive 

vice-president, and award recipients John A. Norling, president, Loucks & Notling; 

John I. Crabtree, Eastman Kodak Co., and C. A. Dentelbecli, Famous Players Canadian 

Corp. 

a ten-week global tour of foreign offices . . . 

Leon Roth, west coast publicity coordinator 

for United Artists, was in for home office 

meetings with Francis M. Winikus, 

national 

director of advertising, publicity and exploitation 

. . . Mike Simons, MGM e.xhibitor 

relations head, attended the Allied convention 

in Minneapolis . . . George D. Burrows, 

Allied Artists executive vice-president and 

treasurer, returned to the coast after a tenday 

stay in New York. 

Jules Lapidus, Warner Bros, eastern and 

Canadian division sales head, went to Washington 

. . . H. M. Bessey, executive vicepresident 

of Altec Service Corp., was on a 

tour of offices in Cincinnati, Louisville, Nashville 

and Atlanta ... F. J. A. McCarthy, 

Universal southern and Canadian sales manager, 

left for Atlanta. Irving Sochin, short 

subjects sales manager, left for Chicago and 

other midwest cities . . . Joe Longo, RKO 

field man in Boston, left for Los Angeles to 

work with Don Prince, Pacific coast field man, 

on the campaign for Disney's "Pinocchio." 

Benjamin Thau, MGM studio executive, 

sailed for Europe on the Liberte May 14 to 

scout locations for "Quentin Durward" to be 

made abroad . . Edith Head, Paramount 

fashion designer, 

. 

planed to Paris May 12 to 

create costumes for Alfred Hitchcock's 

"Catch a Thief," which will be filmed in 

Cannes. John Jayes, Robert Burks, Patrick 

Cummins and John Dumoulin, Paramount 

studio crew on the picture, flew to Paris 

David E. Rose, producer; Edward 

May 11 . . . 

Dmytryk, director, and Arthur Kennedy, 

actor, planed to England May 9 via BOAC 

Monarch . Hudson, Universal star, 

flew to Dublin, Ireland, to make "Captain 

Lightfoot" . Tracy, MGM star, 

sailed May 9 on the Mauretania for England 

to begin work- on "Highland Fling" . . . 

Marta Toren, former Hollywood star now a 

Rome resident, flew in for ten days of rerecording 

her role for the England sound 

track of "I*uccini." 

Charles Laughton and Paul Gregory flew 

in from Hollyw'ood May 10 for conferences 

with James Agee and Davis Grubb on the 

film version of "The Night of the Hunter" 

for United Artists release . . . Laraine Day. 

starred in Warner Bros. "The High and 

Mighty," has arrived in New York to be with 

her husband, Leo Durocher, for the current 

baseball season . . . Lana Turner, MGM star, 

returned to the coast after a week in New 

York . Holden, Paramount star, 

and his wife, Brenda Marshall, flew back to 

Hollywood May 12 . . . Betsy Palmer, TV 

star, who is making her film debut in Columbia's 

"The Long, Grey Line," was married to 

Dr. Vincent Merendino in New York, before 

returning to the coast after eastern location 

scenes at West Point with Tyrone Power and 

Maureen O'Hara, the stars. 

. . Bernard Jacon, IFE Releasing 

. . . 

Arthur Silverstone, assistant general sales 

manager of 20th Century-Fox, has been released 

from Mt. Sinai hospital after an 

emergency operation and is convalescing at 

his home . 

Corp. vice-president in charge of sales and 

distribution, checked into the Flower hospital 

Leo Pillot, 

May 12 for minor surgery . . . 

20th-Fox special events director, got back 

May 11 from Indianapolis where he set plans 

for the saturation opening of "The Rocket 

Man" Beverly Garland, featured in 

Columbia's "The Miami Story," signed autographs 

in the Paramount lobby in the morning 

and evening of opening day Friday (14). 

Mervin Houser to Coast 

To Take New RKO Post 

NEW YORK—^Mervin Houser, eastern director 

of advertising, publicity and exploitation 

for RKO for the past year and a half, 

left over the weekend for Hollywood to become 

executive assistant to Perry Lieber, national 

director of advertising, publicity and 

exploitation. 

In the new setup in the New York office 

Ben Grimm will act as liaison between the 

east and west as well as advertising manager. 

Dave Cantor will head the exploitation department 

and Al Stem the publicity department. 

Samuel Feldman Is Named 

Ascap Sales Assistant 

NEW YORK—Samuel E. Feldman, a veteran 

of the American Society of Composers. 

Authors and Publishers, who started as field 

representative in the Ascap Baltimore office 

18 years ago, has been named assistant sales 

manager, according to Jules M. Collins, Ascap 

sales head. 

Feldman's new duties will be primarily in 

connection with radio and television. For the 

past five years, Feldman has been Ascap 

eastern division manager and, previous to 

that, he has successively been manager of the 

Baltimore, Cincinnati and Cleveland offices. 

Stanley Adams, Ascap president, was master 

of ceremonies at the annual Ascap Musical 

Matinee held by the National Press Club 

in Washington May 13. 

Max Youngstein to Europe 

On Production Activity 

NEW YORK—Max E. Youngstein, United 

Artists vice-president, left for Europe Saturday 

(15) to establish a base in Rome, where 

he will spend several months concentrating 

on promotion activities for the company's 

forthcoming product. 

Joseph L. Mankiewicz is completing production 

of "The Barefoot Contessa" in Rome 

and Youngstein will be in contact with this 

and other productions being made abroad for 

UA release. He also will visit other European 

capitals and attend the first meeting of the 

UA European publicity men in Paris about 

June 15. The UA men in Europe now include: 

Richard Condon and Charles Moss, both of 

the I>aris office, and Youngstein plans to add 

additional manpower. 

Picker Reaches Stockholm 

ST(3CKHOLM—Arnold M. Picker, United 

Artists vice-president in charge of foreign 

distribution, arrived here Thursday (13) to 

discuss releasing plans with UA personnel 

and exhibitors. He is winding up a tour of 

key European cities and will return to the 

U.S. May 28. 

BOXOFTICE : 

: May 

15, 1954 39

filed 

Honor Norman Rydge 

At MPAA Luncheon 

NEW YORK—"In Australia, movies provide 

relaxation and entertainment to half of 

the nation's population week in and week 

out," according to Norman B. Rydge, Australian 

industrialist and film executive, who 

was guest of honor at a luncheon at the 

Harvard club given by Eric Johnston, pre.sident 

of the Motion Picture Ass'n of America. 

"No other industry in the world gives so 

much to so many people at such a small 

cost," Rydge said. 

Commenting on relations between Australia 

and the United States, Rydge told the 

group of over 40 film executives that the 

country has always treasured its friendship 

with America. 

HERE TO STXTDY TECHNIQUES 

Johnston also praised the "firm and fine" 

friendship between the two countries and 

noted that Australia and the United States 

were alike in their "devotion to freedom of 

the mind and spirit." 

Rydge was introduced to the group by 

Spyros P. Skouras, president of 20th Century- 

Fox, who praised Rydge as "one of the ablest 

and best ambassadors of goodwill among the 

English-speaking nations of the world." 

Rydge told the group that he was visiting 

the U.S. primarily to study the new techniques 

and advances in the motion picture 

art, which add up to a "very good and 

healthy confusion." As managing director of 

the Greater Union Theatres of Australia, a 

chain of 135 houses, Rydge expressed the 

opinion that the "producers generally do a 

better job of making films than exhibitors 

do in selling them." 

He said that emphasis in the management 

of his theatres was placed on three things; 

111 selling the picture to the community; (2) 

vesting the broadest possible responsibilities 

in the theatre manager, and (3) cultivating 

the spirit of incentive and competition by 

setting as a continuing goal the successive 

eclipse of previous theatre records. 

PLANS THREE WEEKS IN U.S. 

Rydge arrived from London Sunday (9) 

on 

his way back to Sydney via the Pacific route. 

He will be in this country about three weeks. 

He left Australia March 22 and spent 

about 14 days in Italy before going to London. 

This is his first trip here in five years. 

General business conditions, including theatres, 

are excellent in Australia, he said. The 

admission tax, which ran from 30 tx> 40 per 

cent, has been abolished. Experiments were 

made in some spots on passing the saving 

along to patrons, but they met an unexpected 

reception. Patrons thought there was something 

wrong with the pictures, so prices were 

restored. The .scales run from 17 cents to 

85 cents. 

In addition to Johnston and Skouras, tho.se 

who attended the luncheon were; 

Capt. Horold Auten, Norton E. Ritchey, Edward 

Morey and Wiiliom Sctori of Allied Artists; Joseph 

McConville, LeRoy Brauer, Locy Kostner and Bernard 

Zccmon of Columbio; Som Burger and Morton Spring 

of Locw's; George Wcltner, J, Williom Piper and Al 

Deone of Poramount; Richard Altschuler, Douglas 

Yates ond Theodore Black of Republic; William 

Clork, Walter Branson and R. K. Howkinson of 

RKO; Murray Silverstone, Emanuel Silverstone and 

Edwin Froser of 20th Century-Fox; Arthur B. Krim, 

Robert Benjamin and Louis Lober of United Artists; 

John J. O'Connor, Americo Aboof and Felix Sommer 

of Universal; Wolfe Cohen ond John Glynn of Warner 

Bros.; Walton Amcnt of Warner Pathc News; Joseph 

I. Brcen, Ralph Hotzel, Fred DuVall, Sidney Schreiber, 

George Vietheer, Manning Clagett ond Alfred Corwin 

of the MPAA. 

NEWSREELS HONORED — Earl O. 

Shreve (standing), national director of 

tlie U.S. Savings Bonds Division, presents 

citations to tlie film industry's five 

newsreel organizations for their "outstanding 

support" of the savings bonds 

program at a Harvard Club luncheon in 

New York. Taylor Mills (seated) of the 

Motion Picture Ass'n of America, and 

newsreel editors and short subjects managers, 

were the recipients of the citation. 

Section Drive Executives 

Of UJA Named by Schimel 

NEW YORK—Industryites directing drives 

in subsections of the motion picture and 

amusement division of the United Jewish 

Appeal of Greater New York have been identified 

by Adolph Schimel, chairman, and 

vice-president, secretary and general counsel 

of Univer.sal Pictures, as follows; 

Laboratories, William J. German; foreign 

producers and distributors, Jacques Grinieff 

and Harold J. Klein; record section, Leonard 

W. Schneider; talent committee, Nat Lefkowitz 

and Robert Weitman; exchange committee, 

Abe Dickstem and Leonard Gruenberg; 

publicity, Maurice A. Bergman and 

Max E. Youngstein; music publishers, Julius 

Collins and Abe Olman: publications. Jack 

Alicoate, Charles Alicoate, Chester B. Bahn, 

Sherwin Kane, Martin Quigley sr., Martin 

Quigley jr. and Sumner Smith. 

Schimel said all committee effort will be 

directed toward insuring the .success of the 

annual industrywide UJA luncheon Thursday 

(20) at the Hotel Pierre, at which Spyros 

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

will be honored for his services to the industry 

and humanity. Reuven Dafni, Israel 

consul in New York and director of the Israel 

office of information, will be the main 

speaker. The motion picture amusement division 

has set a campaign goal of $750,000. 

Residents Seek Injunction 

HUNTINGTON, W. VA.—A suit seeking 

an injunction to close the Burlington Drive- 

In if something isn't done about an alleged 

dust nuisance has been filed at Ironton by 

29 Burlington, Ohio, residents. They charge 

that dust from a dirt road at the entrance 

to the theatre is "endangering health" and 

"damaging property" in the village. The 

suit names Clyde McCoy as theatre operator. 

Decca Registers Stock 

For Universal Trade 

WASHINGTON—Decca Records Monday 

(10 1 a statement with the Securities 

and Exchange Commission seeking registration 

of shares of its 50 cents per capital 

stock, to be offered in exchange for shares 

of the common stock of Universal Pictures 

Co. 

The exchange ratio was not submitted 

with the original prospectus, but will be 

supplied later. According to the prospectus. 

Decca Records owned 672,996 shares (66.2 

per cent) of the Universal stock as of May 

1, leaving 344,338 shares in the hands of 

approximately 1,783 other stockholders. 

In addition, there were warrants outstanding 

for the purchase of 79,873 shares of 

Universal common at $10 per share, held by 

others than Decca. Any Universal stock acquired 

upon exercise of these warrants may 

be tendered for exchange under the proposed 

Decca offer. 

Decca explained to the SEC that it is acquiring 

the Universal stock for investment 

and not with a view to distribution. It has 

retained Georgeson & Co., New York, to 

solicit tenders of Universal stock pursuant 

to the exchange offer. 

Atlas Increase Holdings 

Of RKO Pictures Stock 

NEW YORK—Ownership by Atlas Corp. 

(the holding company) of 675,000 shares of 

RKO Pictures common stock March 31 was 

disclosed Thursday (13) in a report to the 

Securities and Exchange Commission, which 

requires such reports from any one holding 

more than ten per cent of the stock of a 

company. Since then Atlas has acquired 

"substantially more" of the stock. At the 

end of 1953 it owned only 76,000 shares. 

An Atlas spokesman said the stock acquisition 

"is in the nature of a good investment, 

as we can always get $6 a share for 

the stock. It doesn't mean any contest for 

control." 

It has been well known for a long time 

that Floyd Odium, head of Atlas, and Howard 

Hughes, owner of RKO, are good friends 

and that any fight between them is highly 

unlikely. 

Herman Kass Named Head 

Of Universal Field Men 

NEW YORK—Herman Kass, who has been 

supervising the field exploitation men for 

Universal since March 1953, has been named 

eastern exploitation manager, a new post, by 

David A. Lipton, vice-president. He joins 

the eastern promotion cabinet made up of 

Charles Simonelli. eastern advertising and 

publicity department manager; Philip Gerard, 

eastern publicity manager; Jeff Livingston, 

eastern advertising manager, and Henry A. 

Linet, sales promotion manager. 

Poe Handling German Film 

NEW YORK—Cellini Films will distribute 

"Sunderin," a German film starring Hildegarde 

Neff and Gustav Froehlich, in the U.S., 

according to Seymour Poe, president. The 

picture opened at the Bridge Theatre. San 

Francisco, May 6. 

40 BOXOFFICE 

: 

; May 

15, 1954

— 

Promotion Meet Held 

For 'Julius Caesar' 

NEW YORK—Ai-thur Canton, eastern divisional 

press representative for MGM, explained 

various phases of promotion in connection 

with "Julius Caesar" to more than 

50 independent and circuit theatre managers 

in the New York area at the home office 

May 10. The picture completed a 11 >:: -month 

first run at the Plaza Theatre Sunday (16 1. 

"Caesar" will open at Loew's Metropolitan. 

Brooklyn. May 21 and in Newark and Jersey 

City the same date. It will open in 50 neighborhood 

houses of the Loew's. Century, Randforce. 

Interboro, Skouras, Prudential and other 

circuits June 2, before the summer closing of 

schools. 

MGM is offering a $100 bond for the best 

all-around advertising, exploitation and publicity 

campaign on the picture, these to be 

Judged by showmanship editors of three 

weekly trade papers. Loew's will not be 

eligible in the contest. 

Those attending the meeting included; 

from Century Circuit—Frank Fontana, Community 

Theatre: Allen Grant, Patio; Ed 

Bernhardt. Bliss: L. Ai-onson, Kingsway; 

Harry E. McGann. Plaza; Bernie Siden. Prospect; 

Edward Freiberger, Fantasy: L. W. Mc- 

Eachern and Charles Call. Meadows: Ben 

Lauritz. Mayfaii-; Tom Mailer. Broadway, and 

Michael Fitzula, Carlton. Prom Randforce 

Edwin Gold, publicity and advertising director: 

Irving Berman and Mui'ray Alper, and 

Julian Katz, Meserole Theatre. From Skouras 

—Jerry Savoie. Victoria; Leo Woods, Bronxville; 

Louis Klinger, Great Neck; Max Cooper, 

Cfive; Robert Osborne, Bronx: Marge Keinath, 

Jackson Heights, and Nat Harris. Pi-udential. 

Also on hand were; Paul Baise. Reade Theatres: 

J. Pisapia and Sam Horowitz, Interboro 

Circuit; Elias Schlanger, Fabian's St. George, 

Staten Island: M. Rochelle and J. Crawford, 

RKO Theatres; Irving Schmentz. Forest Hills: 

Jules Pincus, Rainbow, Brooklyn: A. W. 

Johnson. Beacon. Port Washington; Mrs. 

Corneille. Engelwood Theatre; John Endres. 

Calderone. Hempstead, and Peter Manzione, 

Brook. Flatbush. 

Rita Hayworth Suit Seeks 

Accounting From Columbia 

NEW YORK—Rita Hayworth filed suit in 

federal court May 12 against Columbia Pictures 

seeking a financial accounting on the 

distribution of four features made by Beckworth 

Corp., of which she holds 450 shares 

of common stock. 

Miss Hayworth said that the ' Beckworth 

was formed in 1947 to produce pictures for 

Columbia and since that time she has appeared 

in "Loves of Carmen." released in 

1948; "Affair- in Ti'inidad, released in 1952; 

"Salome." released in 1953, and "Miss Sadie 

Thompson," in current release. The suit alleges 

failure by Columbia to make a detailed 

accounting of the costs and proceeds from 

the domestic and foreign distribution. More 

than $13,000,000 in production and distribution 

expenses have been charged against 

Beckworth and charges are continuing, Miss 

Hayworth claims. She also asks termination 

of the distribution agreement. 

Films produced under an agreement between 

France and Italy enjoy all the privileges 

which both countries grant to their own exclusively 

national productions. 

Atlantic City Theatre 

Becomes Bingo Parlor 

Atlantic City—Local amusement men 

are waiting to see what effects if any the 

new bingo legislation will have on motion 

picture business. While many feel it is 

too young in the game to predict any 

trends some point to the fact that a number 

of applications are being submitted 

for permits. In Atlantic City these two 

developments have talien place: 

The Lyric Theatre has been discontinued 

as a motion picture house and is 

now featuring "Playo," which is an offshoot 

of bingo. A license has been granted 

for the same. While the Lyric has 

been darli during the winter, it for years 

has been used in the spring and summer. 

It was sold recently to people representing 

a game operation. 

The Stanley Theatre on the Boardwalk, 

one of the finest picture houses, 

is being advertised as "available for 

bingo games" (for those having the necessary 

permits). Meanwhile it is dark. 

Russell Moss Is Candidate 

For lATSE Veepee 

NEW YORK—Russell M. Moss, executive 

vice-president of Home Office Employes 

Union, Local H-63, lATSE, has agreed to become 

a candidate for the office of ninth vicepresident 

of the lATSE at its coming convention 

in Cincinnati in August. This office, 

which has been held for a number of years 

by Louise Wright of Dallas, represents the 

special department locals on the general 

executive board of the International. 

Moss made this decision at the urgings of 

the officers, executive board and other members 

of Local H-63, as well as other special 

department locals in the east, he said. Moss 

has been business manager for H-63 for 11 

years in its growth from 300 to 3.000 members. 

Circulars announcing Moss' candidacy 

have been sent out and the various 

eastern locals have agreed to contribute to 

the financing of the campaign. 

Local H-63 has been giving serious consideration 

to an application for an "A" charter 

and has had discussions with Richard F. 

Walsh, international president, on this situation. 

This move would jump the local's delegates 

at the convention from two, a-s at present, 

to 30, if the "A" charter is granted. 

Local H-63 now represents home office employes 

at Warner Bros., Loew's, 20th Century- 

Fox, RKO, Universal, United Artists, Republic, 

RKO Theatres, Stanley Warner and various 

laboratories, newsreels and music publishing 

companies. Paramount is the only 

company with which a new wage contract is 

still unsigned. Moss said. 

'Gone With Wind' Stars 

To Appear at Opening 

NEW YORK—When "Gone With the Wind" 

has its 15th anniversary opening Thursday 

i20> at the Grand Theatre, Atlanta, Ann 

Rutherford and Cammie King, two members 

of the original cast, will make personal appearances. 

George Murphy, Hollywood goodwill 

ambassador and under contract to MGM, 

also will appear. 

Emery Austin, MGM exploitation head, will 

arrive there two days before the opening, 

which is gett.'ng heavy promotion. 

Loew's May Ask New 

Divestiture Date 

NEW YORK—Loew's is doubtful that it will 

be able to divest itself of ten theatres ordered 

for divestiture by the antitrust consent decree 

by August 31, the date for complete divorcement 

of its picture and theatre interests, and 

probably will seek a second postponement 

from the government. The first date was 

Feb. 6, 1954, 

The decree called for divestiture of 14 

theatres. Four of them have b.3en sold. If 

a new postponement is requested, it may relate 

only to theatre divestiture, the company 

otherwise splitting up. Preparations toward 

that end are already under way, with new 

space allocations being made. 

The theatre company will take over the top 

five floors of the Loew's State building, assume 

ownership of the building and rent thfe 

remaining space to the picture company. 

Joseph Unger Services; 

Veteran Film Executive 

NEW YORK—Funeral services for Joseph J. 

Unger, partner in Rogers and Unger Associates, 

were held at the Riverside memorial 

chapel Friday (14i. Unger died from a cerebral 

hemorrhage in his New York apartment, 

where he was found May 11. 

Rogers entered the motion picture field as 

a booker for General Film Co. in 1920. In 

1921. he joined First National Pictures as 

branch manager and transferred to Paramount 

in 1924 in a similar capacity. In 1928, 

he was named Paramount district manager, 

then eastern division sales manager in 1932 

and eastern and Canadian sales manager in 

1939. He later became western sales manager 

for United Artists before being named general 

sales manager in 1946. He resigned in 

1948 to form his association with Rogers. 

tTnger is survived by three brothers and 

three sisters. 

Harry W. Reiners 

NEW YORK—Funeral services for Harry 

W. Reiners, 61, well-known industry publicist, 

who died Wednesday (13) at Miami of a 

brain tumor, will be held here Monday (17) 

at the Riverside chapel. He leaves his wife. 

Reiner had managed his own publicity and 

promotion business at Miami. His last connection 

with the film industry was promoting 

the opening of "The Miami Story" there last 

month for Columbia. He had previously been 

a publicist with Loew's and RKO Pictures 

and RKO Theatres. He had also served with 

touring units of stage shows. 

Max Levin 

NEW YORK—Funeral services were held 

May 8 for Max Levin, 50, former office manager 

of Confidential Reports, who died two 

days previously. Interment was in Riverside 

cemetery. He leaves his wife, four 

brothers. Jack, Nathan, Abraham and Joseph, 

and a sister, Jean. 

Mark Twain Film Preview 

NEW YORK—Mark Twain society members 

attended a special preview Friday (14) 

of "Man with a Million," romantic comedy 

based on the author's "The Million Pound 

Bank Note." The film will open soon at the 

Sutton Theatre. 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

15, 1954 41

. . Walter 

. 

. 

. . Cinemascope 

. . Mrs. 

I 

ALBANY 

. . . 

. 

. . . 

Teuton Levins took over as office manager 

and head booker at Columbia. He moved 

from Warners to replace Saul Shiffrin, who 

resigned Norman Jackter. Columbia 

manager, was scheduled to fly to Boston for 

a district meeting Reade jr. is 

now featuring a motorized carousel among 

the free attractions for children at the 9-W 

The Star-Lite Drivein, 

Drive-In, Kingston . . . 

Watertown, offers free rides weekends 

Harry Lamont's Vail-Mills Drive-In admitted 

free all persons bringing a copy of 

its newspaper advertisement. 

Weekend rains bolstered grosses at local 

indoor theatres, but drained them at driveins 

.. . The Madison, Stanley Warner second 

run, is installing Cinemascope for a 

May 20 opening of "The Robe." Cy O'Toole, 

chief .sound engineer for the circuit in New 

England and New York, and Lou Green his 

assistant, are handling the installation. The 

1,450-seat Madison is managed by Oscar J. 

John Gottuso, assistant at the 

Perrin . . . 

Palace, received a cut lip when a young man, 

angered because Johnny requested him not 

to open an exit door and let afternoon light 

into the auditorium, unleashed a swinging 

blow. 

The Rustic Theatre, West Sand Lake, is 

advertising, "We give S&H green stamps" . 

John and Peter Marotta, as a Mothers Day 

. . . Fred 

tribute offered free gardenias to the first 

300 women entering the Carman Drive-In, 

Johnny Gardner offered 

Guilderland . . . 

free popcorn to the kiddies Friday in the 

Turnpike Drive-In, Westmere 

Meier's Colony, Schenectady, opened Sunday 

with "The Secret Conclave," film depicting 

the life story of Pope Pius X, who is to be 

canonized this month. 

The Strand used a new 3-D viewer, distributed 

to patrons in cellophane envelopes, 

for "Creature Prom the Black Lagoon." A 

clip-on style was available for those who 

wear regular glasses. The broader surface 

and the sanitary handling won customer 

commendation, but lobby squawks still were 

heard from people disliking either the viewers 

or 3-D pictures themselves. 

. . . 

Richard Harper, MGM sales executive conferred 

here Monday with Jack Mundstuk, 

Buffalo manager. They and Jack Goldberg. 

Albany manager, dined at the Variety Club 

the same evening Harry Lamont reported 

good results with tests of Gloversville 

newspaper copy, four nights a week, 

accepted in lieu of admission from persons 

bringing the clipping to the Vail Mills Drive- 

In. Satisfactory returns were also registered 

on an experiment with broadcasts over a 

Gloversville station, the mention of a particular 

program conductor being the password 

for a free admittance. A competing 

Amsterdam radio outlet also figured. Cliff 

Swick manages the Vail Mills. 

Jim Blackburn, in charge of the stage at 

Fabian's Palace, and his wife visited the 

famed shrine of St. Anne de Beaupre in 

Quebec during a week's trip to Canada . . . 

Sam Davis, former operator of the Phoenicia, 

Phoenicia, and of a theatre in Wood- 

.stock, as well as present operator of the 

house In Fleishmann's, visited Fllmrow 

Monday. He wintered in Florida. Davis will 

GOOD BOXOFFICE—A combination of 

sound public relations and promotion resulted 

in Ralph Lanterman, left, city 

manager of the Walter Reade Theatres in 

Morristown, N.J.. presenting a cheek to 

Howard Morrison, president of the local 

United World FederaUst chapter, as their 

share for selling tickets to a benefit performance 

of "The Little World of Don 

Camillo." The film is part of the Reade 

circuit's program of showing of art films 

in New Jersey and upstate New York communities 

which would not normally support 

this type of entertainment for a 

regular run. 

reopen the Fleishmanns situation Memorial 

day. His wife is not well. 

The 162-seat Strand, Johnstown, has been 

permanently removed from the theatre map. 

Workmen are demolishing the building, on 

the site of which a large store will be erected. 

Mr. and Mrs. Leland Warner were the latest 

lessees. Clarence Dopp, who owned and operated 

the house for years, has moved his 

offices to another location in Johnstown. 

Etopp conducts theatres in Frankfort, Poland 

The Observer- 

and Northville . . . Budget of Troy suspended publication because 

of continued rising costs of operation. 

Drive-Ins Participate 

In Hospital Fund Drive 

BUFFALO—Area drive-ins participated in 

the Children's Hospital building fund campaign 

by running contribution shows 

Wednesday (12). As part of a five-year program, 

airers devote one day each year to 

this fund raising program. Patrons were 

admitted to the shows upon a contribution. 

Participating in the benefit were the Aero, 

Broadway, Buffalo, Delaware, Lake Shore, 

Niagara, Park, Sheridan and Star. 

Marvin Jacobs retired, who sparked the 

drive-in plan, is also chairman of Tent 7's 

heart committee. He announced that 25 per 

cent of the opening day gross receipts in the 

stock car races at Civic stadium will be 

given to the hospital fund. The races are 

put on by Dewey Michaels, past chief barker 

of the Buffalo Variety club and head of the 

Michaels circuit. 

Miller Wins Sales Drive 

BUFFALO—Dave Miller and his U-I exchange 

won first prize in the Charles Feldman 

sales drive. The award earned him 

about $1,200 with each member of the sales 

staff getting $600. Each booker was given 

$240. Dave Miller celebrated with a vacation 

in Miami with his wife. 

BUFFALO 

. . The 

n rthur Krolick, UPT dLstrict manager, and 

wife, vacationed in New York . 

fact that Flint & Kent, big downtown Buffalo 

store had copies of the gowns as 

those featured in MGM's "Executive Suite." 

on sale, gave Ed Meade and Bill Carroll 

of the Shea ad-pub department an opportunity 

to promote a three-section window 

tieup on the picture now current at Shea's 

Buffalo . Elmer F. Lux, wife of the 

head of Elmart Theatres and Common Council 

president, has been appointed associate 

director for Erie county's civil defense warden 

service. 

William P. Rosenow, Theatre Service Co. 

and Skyway Drive-In Theatres executive, 

is moving into a new home in Orchard 

Park . added substantially 

to Bau.sch & Lomb instrument sales last 

year, according to President J. F. Taylor. 

Pointing out that the fir.st lens attachments 

were delivered to 20th-Fox in Hollywood just 

about a year ago, he said the company since 

then has produced 248 camera attachments 

and more than 7,000 projection attachments 

for theatres throughout the country. Competition 

is stiffer today than ever before, he 

said, but the outlook for business is generally 

favorable. 

Tent 9 Plans Golf Tourney 

ALBANY—The 12th annual Variety Tent 

9 golf tournament and dinner will be held 

at the Shaker Ridge Country Club June 28. 

Harry Alexander and Aaron Winig are cochairmen 

of the committee on arrangements. 

Sylvan Leff has charge of ticket sales and 

Chief Barker Jules Perlmutter. of prize 

solicitations. 

William Snyder has been signed to photograph 

"The Conqueror" for RKO. 

Jay Golden Sees No 

Peak in Show Business 

Buffalo—The phenomenal success of 

the rereleased "Pinocchio" at the Palace 

in Rochester has convinced Jay Golden, 

district RKO Theatres manager, that 

there is no peak in show business ... or 

if there is, it hasn't yet been reached. 

An estimated 42,000 children and grownups 

saw the 14-year-old Disney cartoon 

feature at the Palace in its extended 

nine-day presentation in Kodak town. It 

established a record for Disney films, and 

possibly for all pictures at the Palace, 

according to Golden. That doesn't mean 

a money record. The ticket price was 

relatively low, and financial grosses 

couldn't be compared to much higherpriced 

hits such as "The Robe." 

What cheers the moviemakers the most, 

according to Golden, is to know that the 

children haven't forsaken the theatres in 

their devotion to TV's cowboys and space 

riders. On the other hand Golden 

wouldn't be caught making any predictions 

about the future of movies for the 

kiddies. The fact that cowboy-conditioned 

youngsters bought "Pinocchio" with all 

their fervent little hearts has cured him 

of any disposition to make prophesies. 

42 BOXOFFICE May 15, 1954

. . . George 

. . Howard 

. . The 

. . Filmrow 

PHILADELPHIA 

Dube Shapiro, Alden Theatre, is 

now handling 

the distribution of Zeiss 35mm projection 

lenses for the east coast . . . Charles 

Goldfine, who operates the South City Drivein. 

was the man of the houi' at the recent 

20th-Fox Cinemascope policy forum attended 

by exhibitors from all over the country. 

Goldfine's resolution was the one adopted 

by the gathering. 

Jim Dukas' Grand Theatre in Edwards ville, 

Pa., is now- being serviced by Tristate Theatre 

Sandy Gottlieb's Ti-istate 

Service . . . 

is also doing the booking and buying for 

H&M Enterprises' Starlight in Quakertown 

and the Caledonia Theatre in Ortanna. 

Claude Schlanger serviced these theatres 

previously . . . Arlin M. Adams, attorney for 

distributors, is the father of twin boys . . . 

Mrs. Rhea Friedman, widow of Percy Friedman, 

is now doing her own booking and 

buying for the Yeadon Theatre. 

At the Variety Club's testimonial dinner 

to United Artists on its 35th anniversary, 

McCarthy and Schine were in attendance. 

No, they were not the famous senator and 

private. The McCarthy was the Rev. Sylvester 

McCarthy, the priest who gave the 

blessing at the dinner, and the Schine was 

Louis W. Schine of the Schine hotel and 

theatre chain, uncle of the noted private . . . 

Mel Fox's new Levittown Theatre is scheduled 

to open at the end of this month. 

. . 

Samuel Dembow, related to the Dembow 

family with local exhibition interests, is one 

of the spark-plugs in the new producing company. 

Amalgamated Products, Inc. . . . Al 

Haubert, Stanley Warner Theatre electrician, 

returned to work after being bed-ridden by 

the mumps . Max Epstein, Stanley Warner 

billing department, is planning a three-week 

stay m Vienna . father of Irv Lomis, 

film buyer for Stanley Warner, died recently. 

Ed Gabriel's Capital Films is now handling 

all British Information subjects in this territory 

. . Allied Motion Picture Theatre 

. 

Service is servicing the Harvest Moon Drivein 

in Linden, Pa. . . . Variety Tent 13 auxiliary 

has a "Gay Paree" theme for its annual 

donor luncheon on May 18 at the Warwick 

hotel. Ruth Chatterton, stage and 

screen actress, as guest of honor, will receive 

the group's first charity award. Mrs. 

Jack Engel, president, will make the presentation 

honoring Miss Chatterton's unselfish 

devotion to charitable causes. 

. 

. . . 

George Resnicli, from Dell and Cayuga 

theatres is recuperating from an operation 

Moon, Warner Brothers' maintenance 

man, has returned to work after an 

operation Minsky, Paramount 

mideast division manager, was in Detroit 

William G. Mansell, Warner Brothers 

district manager, became a grandfather 

again when Mrs. Renee Sappington, his 

daughter, gave birth to a girl . . . Joseph 

Solomon, formerly with Hallmark, is now 

agent for Alexander Film Co. in this area. 

Oscar Neufeld, beauty contest producer 

and operator of a model bureau who once 

was known as the mayor of Vine street, left 

his estate to a niece in one-sentence will 

dated January 4 which has been probated. 

Written on stationery of "Charm Unlimited 

—Oscar's Models Bureau," it reads: "In event 

of my death everything I own to be turned 

WINS WATCH AWARD — George A. 

Crouch, right, zone manager for Stanley 

Warner Theatres, presents a watch to 

Edward Purcell, center, manager of the 

Virginia Theatre at Harrisonburg, Va., for 

doing the best job in the circuit's sixmonth 

Real Job drive. Charles V. Grimes, 

district manager, is shown watching the 

award presentation. 

over to Mrs. Dorothy Barenkopf to be disposed 

of as she wishes." Neufeld, who had 

been a prominent member of Variety Club, 

Tent 13, had a varied career ranging from 

distribution of films and trucking to operation 

of a model and charm school. In recent 

years he had been active in the Mrs. 

America and Miss Universe pageants. 

The RoebUng (N.J.) Theatre has reopened 

under the auspices of Volunteer Fire Co. 

No. 3, Inc. J. Sabo jr. is doing the booking and 

The Garden Theatre in West 

buying . . . 

Chester has been renamed the Harrison. 

BALTIMORE 

pred Perry will 

have George Mahoney, gubernatorial 

candidate, speak from the 

. . Jack Sidney, 

stage of his Edgemere Theatre. A parade of 

firemen, police and Moose lodge members will 

be part of the rally program . 

city manager of Loew's here, was a 

judge in the Baltimore press photographers' 

second annual photographic contest . . . 

Gilbert Peacock, projectionist at the Times, 

has returned home after surgery at Maryland 

General hospital. 

Ted Kirwan, manager of the New, spent 

the weekend in New York attending Broadway 

shows . . . H. David Thomas, assistant 

at the Little, is the author of "The Ivory 

Tower" which was given its premiere performance 

over the weekend by the Baltimore 

department of recreation. 

Local exhibitors who attended the 20th- 

Fox meeting in New York included Maurice 

Hendricks, Albert Lang and Stanley Baker, 

who are booker, office manager and general 

manager, respectively for the Hicks Theatres; 

Walter Gettinger, part owner of the 

Howard; Bob Gruver of the New Glen, Aaron 

Seidler, of the New Albert; Milton Schwaber 

owner of the Schwaber Theatres; Joe Grant, 

of the Northwood and Leon Back, president 

of the Allied Motion Picture Theatre Owners 

of Maryland. 

The Windsor Theatre Corp. will soon sell 

its Windsor, neighborhood house, at public 

auction . . . Walter Eberlein, projectionist 

at the Pennington, died last week after a 

heart attack. 

WASHINGTON 

. . . 

Tnternational Variety Chief Barker George 

Hoover has appointed Jake Flax to serve as 

representative covering Baltimore and Washington 

Jack Fruchtman, chief barker of 

. . . 

Tent 11, has appointed George A. Crouch, 

Sam Galanty and Albert W. Lewitt to serve 

as co-chahmen of the annual golf tournament 

and dinner dance to be held Fi-iday, 

September 24, at the Woodmont Country club. 

Alvin Q. Ehrlich has been appointed to serve 

as chairman of the annual dim,er dance to 

be held November 20 at the Statler hotel, as 

well as to head the dinner dance program 

committee The Variety Club board of 

governors will meet the second Monday of 

the month in June and July, the dates being 

June 14 and July 12 . . . Victor J. Orsinger, 

1953 chief barker, and Mrs. Orsinger are 

parents of a daughter, their sixth child. 

Earl Taylor, formerly booker with Educational 

Kctures and later with 20th-Fox and 

Columbia, has gone into Will Rogers Memorial 

hospital for treatment . . 20th-Pox 

. 

Manager Ira Sichelman spent Wednesday in 

Baltimore . managers held theiimonthly 

luncheon meeting in the Congressional 

hotel Friday. 

Sid Zins, Columbia exploiteer, lunched with 

screen star Broderick Ci-awford . . . RKO 

booker Don Bransfield is passing out cigars 

after the birth of his third child, a boy . . . 

RKO Manager Joe Brecheen spent a day in 

Richmond visiting exhibitors . . . Exploiteer 

"Hank" Howard was in town working on publicity 

for "The French Line" which opened 

at the TransLux Theatre . . . United Artists 

Manager Sid Cooper spent a day in Baltimore 

visiting exhibitors . . . Allied Artists salesman 

Mark Silver was still confined in Sinai 

hospital with a heart ailment. 

Al Landgraf, Republic office manager, and 

Mrs. Landgraf celebrated their 24th wedding 

anniversary this week . . . Republic 

Branch Manager Jake Flax went to Baltimore 

this week . . . MGM; branch operations 

head, A. F. Cummings, was an exchange 

visitor . . . MGM eastern sales manager Jules 

Lapidus visited the office. 

Federal Regulation Sought 

For Radio and TV Nets 

WASHINGTON—Federal regulation of 

radio and television networks would be established 

under a bill introduced on Thursday 

(13) by Sen. John Bricker (R., Ohio), 

chairman of the Senate commerce committee. 

Bricker said that networks now dominate 

the broadcast field and that the fate 

of individual stations often depends on 

whether they can secure network affiliations. 

At present, the Federal Communications 

Commission has the power to license only 

individual radio and TV stations. 

Poulelli CODDARD 

JonfS SnWART 

Dsretliy lAMOUl 

FndMocMUIIRAr 

VIctar MOOtt 

Hnvy FONDA 

Hnry JAMES 

MERIDITH 

BOXOFFICE May 15, 1954 43

. . . Ray 

PITTSBURGH 

Xirilliam L. Brown, former Tarentum ex- 

. . . 

. . Floyd A. L. 

hibitor, will serve as chairman of the 

Salvation Aimy campaign among state employes 

in the Pittsburgh district . . . Homestead 

merchants cooperated with the Leona 

Theatre in contributing to a full page advertisement 

in the Daily Messenger, exploiting 

"Jack Slade" and "The Wild One" 

Mrs. Charles Trozzo will close the Central 

Theatre in Herminie June 1 with plans 

for reopening in September . 

Bender, former Millvale theatre manager, 

is coming here from Illinois to celebrate 

the 50th wedding anniversary of his parents 

. . . Variety Legion Post 589, hosted the Variety 

Family night party May 14. 

. . . 

Hollywood Theatre at California, Pa., is 

being painted and decorated and Cinema- 

Scope equipment is being installed . . . Art 

Kunes of Auto Drive-In, Titusville, visited 

on Filmrow and said that he was remodeling 

and enlarging his giant outdoor screen tower 

Ken Woodward, manager of the 

Manos at Uniontown, screened "Executive 

Suite" for civic and business leaders and 

used their comments as advertisements for 

the MGM hit . . . Sam Navari, who had been 

ill, has recuperated and is back on the job 

at the Eastwood Theatre and bowling alleys 

Ayrey, SW contact manager, is the 

father of a son William Kevin, born on 

Mothers Day. 

. . 

Emanuel Pappas turned over the Temple 

Theatre in Sheridan to the Kiw'anis club 

The 

for the staging of a benefit show . 

J. P. Harris and the Stanley here are expected 

to present the closed circuit TV showing 

of the Marciano-Charles scrap on June 

Variety Club and the Ladies Theatrical 

17 . . . 

club are co-sponsors of "A Night to Re- 

member" dinner-dance Sunday (30) at the 

Twin Coaches on Route 51. A benefit of the 

Catherine Variety Roselia fund, the entertainment 

will feature Tony Martin. Reservations 

are $15 per couple . . . SW Ambridge 

has a new manager in George Boyle, formerly 

with the Butterfield circuit in Michigan 

Mr. and Mrs. Durward Coe, Washington 

. . . county indoor and outdoor exhibitors, 

have adopted twin infants, Marsha and 

Marshall. 

Admission prices are increased for the 

ninth season of the Civic Light Opera, which 

will present only eight shows opening June 

21 in Pitt Stadium. New prices are 75 cents 

to $3.50 . . . Country store night will be a 

regular Tuesday feature at the Leona Theatre 

in Homestead, beginning May 25. U. S. 

Super Markets is sponsoring the entertainment-giveaway 

Variety Tent 

program . . . 1 will work with the Post-Gazette Dapper 

Dan club celebrities golf tournament at the 

Baldoc Hills Country club on September 10 

and 11 . . . Melvin Katz, manager of the 

1

he mcftibn iîctuM meAxJiojwIUlnn^ GuijcU 

SECTfON OF BOXOFFICE 

HUGH E. FRAZE 

Associate Editor

78 JOLSON SONGS ON RECORDS 

TO HELP SELL FILM REPRINT 

Radio-TV, Orchestras, Music Stores Available for Tieups 

Showmen who played Columbia Pictures' 

heart-warming film, "The Jolson Story." 

when it was first released in 1946 will have 

little difficulty recalling the enthusiastic 

reaction of the general public to the songs 

and music in the picture as they were sung 

by the internationally famous Broadway 

star. Al Jolson. The general promotion of 

the music from the thrilling production 

approximated complete saturation with 

every radio station, orchestra, jukebox and 

music store public address systems throughout 

the country playing the Jolson recordings. 

The musical appeal of these nostalgic 

melodies will again prove invaluable in all 

local promotions for return engagements, 

with new realism added to the representation 

of "The Jolson Story," now converted 

to wide screen and stereophonic sound. 

Since the record album based on the 

music from the film, "Jolson in Songs He 

Made Famous," was released eight years 

ago, Decca has produced eight additional 

albums and two special recordings, a total 

of 78 different song classics, most of them 

available In three speeds in addition to the 

singles. Decca distributors have been 

alerted to give full cooperation in promoting 

local playdates and are being furnished 

with album covers, counter cards, lithos, 

ad mats and special 17x22-inch window 

streamers, a rough of which is reproduced 

on this page. 

With the playdate set, contact should be 

made with the Decca distributor for co-op 

newspaper ads, sponsorship of contests and 

records to be sent to local disk jockeys for 

Jolson air programs. Television offers an 

excellent medium for exploiting the picture 

via a talent contest for the best Jolson 

imitators. A similar stunt may be worked 

on the theatre stage with promoted records 

presented winners. Scene stills should be 

exhibited in all music store window and 

counter displays and recordings played on 

all PA systems. 

Jolson's greatest song hit, "Anniversary 

Song," which sold over a million copies, 

may be used as a theme for local anniversary 

events or store sales, and recordings 

of the number might be presented to local 

couples celebrating their eighth wedding 

anniversary. The sheet music of the songs, 

published by a dozen different firms listed 

in the pressbook, should be featured in displays, 

played by store pianists and distributed 

to all radio, TV and hotel orchestra 

leaders. 

Record manufacturers estimate that the 

largest segment of the population which 

purchases records, the teenage group, completely 

changes over a period of six or 

seven years. A new generation and a new 

market for the music has come along since 

the picture was originally released. The 

i^TTT^

Amateurs Do Tricks 

On Street Corners 

For 'Magician' 

OTwo 

weeks in advance, Publicity Manager 

Paul Levi launched his campaign for "The 

Mad Magician" at Abner Plnanski's Pilgrim 

Theatre in Boston by planting cross-trailers 

plugging the picture at ten neighborhood 

houses. 

Over 50 weekly newspapers in the area, 

as well as the daily press, received special 

material on the picture. Several thousand 

heralds were distributed throughout the 

city, and trucks of local magazine distributors 

carried banners tieing in with the 

show. Radio spot announcements began 

ten days before the opening, while TV shots 

were used for five days up to the premiere. 

Several contests keyed to the theme of the 

fUm included a telephone quiz and song 

title and limerick contests. Radio and 

telecasts proved particularly effective in 

plugging the picture through the entire 

area, in which over 150 playdates were Involved. 

A special screening for the local chapter 

for the Society of American Magicians 

inspired amateur prestidigitators to stage 

street corner demostrations and distribute 

heralds to the crowds they gathered. Local 

department stores and specialty shops arranged 

special window displays featuring 

O 

tricks of magic and a special false front, 

decorated with large-size cutouts of the 

picture's stars, was constructed. 

o 

Contest on Soldier Ants 

Costs Few Free Tickets 

An effective radio contest that aroused 

considerable interest in the engagement of 

"The Naked Jungle" at the State in Cortland, 

N.Y., was arranged by Manager Bob 

Anthony for the price of a few guest 

tickets to the show. The announcer told 

his listeners to send postcards to the radio 

station with their descriptions of the deadly 

Marabunta soldier ants and suggestions as 

to where they might be found. 

Theatre and picture credits were mentioned 

and many phone calls were received 

asking for information on the 

Marabunta. The first 20 entries with the 

correct answers were given free tickets to 

the picture. 

Special Fox Pressbook 

For Six CS Pictures 

A group of six selected Cinemascope 

short subjects are included in the special 

pressbook distributed by 20th Century-Pox. 

Publicity stories, two and one-column newspaper 

ad slugs and a description of the 

story and musical exploitation suggestions 

are available for each of the following 

productions: "The First Piano Quartet," 

"New Horizons," "Robert Wagner Chorale," 

"The New Venezuela," "Haydn's Farewell 

Symphony" and "Tournament of Roses," 

all photographed in Technicolor. 

VALUABLE LINCOLN DOCUMENTS 

REPRODUCED FOR LOBBY EXHIBIT 

Hugh Borland Puts Over Theatre Promotion at Chicago 

Manager Hugh S. Borland of the Louis 

Theatre in Chicago had an inspiration when 

he viewed an exhibition at the Chicago 

Historical Society of five different versions 

of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address. 

It occurred to him that reproductions of 

these rare documents, valued at $500,000, 

would make an unusual and interesting 

lobby exhibit at his theatre for the week of 

Lincoln's birthday, and he contacted the 

society for information on how he might 

obtain reproductions for such a display. 

Borland was undismayed when he learned 

that he would have to obtain permission 

from several sources to secure the reproductions. 

He immediately set about contacting 

the Cornell university library, which 

owned two of the original versions of the 

address, the Illinois State Historical Society 

library, which also owned two copies, and 

the Parke-Bernet Galleries of New York 

City, which was able to supply a copy of 

the fifth version, which is privately owned. 

In addition to obtaining reproduction of 

these five historical documents, Borland 

Lou Hart Concentrates 

On Schools for Caesar 

A promotion campaign directed at 26 

junior high, senior high, central and parochial 

schools in town and environs helped 

Manager Lou Hart promote "Julius Caesar" 

at the Avon at Watertown, N.Y. 

Discount coupons, study guides, educational 

one-sheets and other publicity material 

available for this specialized campaign 

was sent to all schools and near-by 

Clarkson college and St. Lawrence university. 

Attractive windows with picture 

plugs were set up in a bookstore in the 

business section of town and 25 window 

cards were distributed to other stores 

throughout the city in a tieup with the local 

distributor of Pocketbooks. 

Displays were set up in libraries and two 

high schools, 2,000 heralds were inserted 

in Sunday papers and 700 letters were sent 

to a selected mailing list. Cultural organizations, 

meeting in town, received telegrams 

advising them of the playdate, which 

they were asked to read to their members. 

Hart also promoted the Greer Garson 

recorded talk on "Julius Caesar" over radio 

station WWNY at no cost. 

Sets Records With 'Vadis 

Manager Michael King concentrated his 

promotion on "Quo Vadis" at the Alhambra 

Theatre, Toronto, on special posters and 

decorations for the theatre itself. Although 

it was the fom'th showing of the feature in 

town, the effective promotion helped the 

picture to break all house records and be 

held over for the second week. 

BOXOFnCE Showmandiser : : May 15. 1954 — 159 — 

of the manu- 

also was offered a facsimile 

script of the address belonging to Edward 

Everett, famous American orator and 

statesman. 

The exhibit, which was placed in the 

theatre lobby, received art and story breaks 

in the daily newspapers as well as radio 

plugs throughout the area. Borland included 

a short editorial on the cover of 

the theatre program, and distributed copies 

of the program to schools and homes in 

the neighborhood to publicize the display. 

Letters of thanks were received from school 

principals and the heads of other community 

organizations praising Borland's ingenuity 

and thoughtfulness in presenting 

such an interesting and educational exhibition. 

The theatre is in the heart of the Negro 

district of Chicago and is the last to run 

pictures in the area, but Borland's determined 

efforts to put over a promotion 

worthy of bigger theatres and circuits 

throughout the country resulted in fine 

public relations and was well worth while. 

Greyhound Sponsors 

'Playboys' Bus Trips 

An all-expense vacation trip to Washington 

and New York for two, sponsored 

by the Greyhound Bus Co. and the Bowery 

Boys, was promoted by Manager John Godfroy 

of the Paramount Theatre in Ashland, 

Ky., to tie in with "Paris Playboys," in 

which the Bowery Boys are starred. 

The entire stunt was paid for by the bus 

company, which cooperated in all phases 

of the campaign. In addition to local 

newspaper ads and radio spot announcements, 

posters were distributed throughout 

the city and prominent displays were set up 

in bus terminals and theatre lobby. Attendance 

during the three-day engagement 

was the only requirement for entering the 

contest, and the widespread publicity given 

the event helped attract record crowds to 

the theatre. 

Due to the success of the contest in Ashland, 

the management of the Atlantic 

Greyhound Bus Lines plans to try it in 

other cities on their route. 

Oldsters in 1906 Austin 

Ride for 'Genevieve' 

Publicist George Mooney managed to 

promote a 1906 Austin to use as part of his 

stunt ballyhooing "Genevieve" at the Auckland 

Embassy Theatre in New Zealand. As 

passengers, Mooney also managed to get 

hold of a local resident 103 years old and a 

woman companion 83 years old to ride in 

the car as guests on opening night.

Smart Ideas In 

Displays 

This music store window, arranged by Ben Geary, manager of the Athena Theatre in Athens, Ohio, 

illustrates what can be done with this kind of promotion when an experienced showman sets out to do 

his best. A manikin with a rose tied to her wrist and one in her hair, large blowups from "Rose Marie" 

and sign cards were included in the display which measured 6x7x14 feet. Two flasher spots and 

music from the film on loudspeakers added to the effect. 

Carl Rogers promoted o dictaphone for recording 

of patron comments in the lobby of Loew's 

Theatre at Dayton, Ohio, and selected a Miss 

Secretary to help out. The recordings were 

played back to those wishing to hear their 

own voices. 

There was actual dancing in the street when 

"Southwest Passage" premiered at the Rialto in 

Atlanta. Local citizens square-danced to a 

hillbilly band, which also rode around town in 

a bannered buckboard. 

BELOW: 

Cutouts achieved maximum effectiveness in this lobby arrangement by Richard Skluckl, manager of the 

Birmingham (Mich.) Theatre. The signs made from cutout letters as well as the large star figures 

were hung from the ceiling by smoll wires. 

'f*^M 

Death Dive Display Set 

Up on Theatre Front 

Not every theotre has os lofty a front os the 

Golden Gate in Son Froncisco, but this display 

gimmick con be duplicated elsewhere on a 

smaller scale. Here two life-like manikins and 

banners were secured to a ladder, extended 70 

feet up the front of the Golden Gate building. 

They attracted ottention three weeks in advance. 

— 160 BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : 

: May 

15. 1954

I 

o 

Motion Picture Material 

In the Magazines 

The June issue of Good Housekeeping 

recommends "Dial M for Murder" for 

adults, and "Magnificent Obsession" as a 

picture for the whole family. 

Cosmopolitan for July selects "Susan 

Slept Here" as the best comedy of the 

month: Shirley Booth in "About Mrs. 

Leslie" for the best performance; "The 

High and Mighty" as the best production, 

and. as the most interesting musical, 

"The Student Prince." 

Cosmopolitan for May features six pages 

of art and stories on Walt Disney's heroines 

and the girls who inspired them. Writerillustrator 

Jon Whitcomb made use of 

original drawings from Disney's famed 

feature-length cartoons, contrasting them 

with his own portraits of the personalities 

who served as models and supplied the 

voices for the picture heroines. 

The August issue of Screen Fan, on 

the newsstands in June, will feature 

a cover of Debra Paget along with a 

story on its inner pages including 

photographs from three forthcoming 

productions in which she stars, "Demetrius 

and the Gladiators." "Princess 

of the Nile" and "The Gambler." 

A portrait of 

Marilyn Monroe decorates 

the cover of Cue for the issue of May 1 

and a story on Inner pages gives details of 

the blonde star's experience in filming 

20th-Fox's "River of No Return." Other 

films reviewed in this issue by Jesse 

Zunser: "Creature Pi-om the Black Lagoon." 

"Jubilee Trail," "The Moment of 

Truth" and "Angels One Five." 

Many Fine Promotions 

Vie for April Awards 

LeRoy Ramsey Lem K. Lee 

The April shower of promotions turned 

into a deluge of excellent campaigns, making 

the task of selecting Citation Award 

winners for the month that much more 

difficult. The torrent of many lobby displays, 

all of them good, created a problem 

in this respect, but Bob Nelson's comprehensive 

decorative scheme for promoting 

"The Cruel Sea" at the Broadway Theatre 

in Timmins, Ont., was finally chosen for 

the award in this group. 

Two Citations presented for the most 

original ideas submitted during the month 

go to L. K. Lee, president of Lee Theatres, 

and LeRoy Ramsey, manager, for their 

clever promotion to celebrate the fourth 

anniversary of the Monaco Drive-In, Denver, 

Colo., and to District Manager Jim 

Cameron for his "Little Boy Lost" campaign 

at the Port Arthur and Fort William, 

Ont., theatres. 

Twin winners in the ballyhoo class are 

Bob Broadbent, for his spaceman stunt 

plugging "Riders to the Stars" at the 

^Jl^ 

Delia R. Cole 

Alberta Pike 

Esquire Theatre in San PYancisco, and 

H. Kaplan, an award winner in 1949, for 

his prizefighter bally on "The Joe Louis 

Story" at the Banco Theatre in Brooklyn. 

Delia R. Cole of the American Theatre 

in Bonham, Tex., wins a Citation for the 

effective newspaper ad announcing student 

rates as the result of the tax cut on 

tickets, and Harlan Argo earns an award 

for his several co-op newspaper ads promoted 

during the film festival at the El 

Rancho Theatre, 'Victoria, Tex. 

In the public relations field, John 

DiBenedetto's well-publicized tie-in on 

"Act of Love" at Loew's Paramount Theatre, 

Boston, Mass., was rated the top entry 

while Jerry Silver won a Citation for his 

theatre front on "Riot in Cell Block U" 

at the Ritz Theatre, Grand Prairie, Tex. 

The final Citation for April was won by 

Alberta Pike, owner-director of the 'Vogue 

Theatre in Denver for the comprehensive 

promotion that created a lot of excitement 

and directed attention to "Genevieve." 

Redbook for June selected "Knock on 

Wood," Danny Kaye's starrer for 

Paramount, as the Picture of the 

Month. 

The Mystery Writers of America presented 

the Edgar Allen Poe award to "The 

Big Heat" at their annual prize banquet, 

referring to the Columbia picture as "the 

outstanding mystery film of 1953." The 

"Edgar" was presented as a joint award to 

the screenplay author Sidney Boehm, and 

to William McGiveran. who wrote the novel 

upon which the picture was based. 

Newsweek features a full-color pose 

of Barbara Stanwyck and William 

Holden as they appear in MGM's 

"Executive Suite" on its cover for May 

3. A five-page feature article under 

the heading. "Hollywood Discovers the 

U.S. Busi7iess Drama," discusses previous 

productions with business backgrounds 

and carries a review on "Executive 

Suite" with reproductions of 

scenes fro7n the film. Comments by 

Producer Houseman and star Holden 

are included in the article. 

John DiBenedetto Jim Cameron Herb Kaplan Harlan Argo 

'Incas' on Camel TV 

The full schedule of Camel cigaret company's 

extensive radio and T'V programs 

will be utilized in promoting Paramount 

Pictures' forthcoming "Secret of the 

Incas." Clips from the picture will be used 

in addition to spot announcements and 

Camels will also feature the film in its 

national advertising. 

Former POWs Invited 

Former Korean prisoners of war living 

in the neighborhood were invited by Manager 

Lou Cohen to attend the opening 

of "Prisoner of War" at the Hartford Poll. 

BOXOFFICE Showmandiser May 15, 1954 

— 161 — 

Sermon on Cinerama Is 

Being Mailed to 175,000 

Dr. Norman 'Vincent Peale, pastor of the 

Marble Collegiate church in New York, 

used Cinerama as the topic of a sermon entitled 

"The Touch That Turns Failure 

Into Success." The sermon, which described 

the minister's visit to the motion 

picture show as "a tremendous experience," 

is being mailed to 175,000 people. 

Dr. Peale concluded: "I went out of that 

theatre with the old thrill in my heart at 

the unlimited possibilities that exist, not 

only in this universe, but in human beings. 

People have third-dimensional powers, too."

BOXOFFICE 

Manager Lou Cohen thought up a neat 

stunt that provided a lot of word-of-mouth 

pubUcity as well as a story break in the 

local paper on his re-engagement of "Gone 

With the Wind" at Loews' Poli Theatre in 

Hartford, Conn. Cohen instituted a search 

for families whose children had been named 

"Scarlett" or "Rhett" after the two 

"GWTW" characters in the film, when it 

was first released about 15 years previously. 

Eligible youngsters were asked to write or 

call at the theatre to be guests of honor 

when the picture re-opened. 

Manager Dick Davis picks up a little 

extra revenue for the Dubuque dowai 

Drive-In by arranging a recorded musical 

program to entertain early arrivals. For 45 

minutes before the opening of the evening 

show, Davis stages what could be called a 

drive-in disk jockey program, via recordings. 

It includes news and announcements 

of sports events. The program, which is 

run every night, is sponsored by a number 

of local merchants and Davis promotes it 

by means of. a screen trailer and window 

cards around town. Patron requests for 

music, movie and sports information are 

deposited in a box near the concession 

stand and for additional interest a few 

pa.sses are distributed each night for the 

best queries submitted. 

The Royal Theatre in Miami had an unexpected 

exploitation feature on opening 

night of "Rhapsody." Assistant Alec Moffat 

said that one of the ushers. Richard Lewis. 

a member of the high school orchestra, 

volunteered to play his violin outside the 

theatre, a la Vittorio Gassman in the film. 

"It was very nice," said Moffat, "and people 

enjoyed it." 

A new projection device manufactured 

in Wisconsin was used by advertising director 

E. J. dumb to advertise "Rose 

Marie" at the Riverside Theatre in Milwaukee. 

Fourteen 35mm colored slides, with 

copy describing the songs and giving full 

Search NY for Millions 

To Publicize UA Film 

As an unusual tie-in stunt to publicize 

the premiere of "Man With a Million," 

the United Artists publicity department 

is making a thorough search for New 

York's Millions to attend the local openin?. 

The metropolitan telephone directories 

revealed that there are only a few 

Millions in the five boroughs that make 

up greater New York, and taken all together 

thiy would not fill a single row 

of the theatre. Word has spread that if 

your last name is Million and you live 

within commuting distance of the Sutton 

Theatre in Manhattan, get in touch with 

the publicity department, United Artists 

Corp., and receive a ticket to the show. 

NUGGETS 

picture and playdate mformation, were projected 

on a 17 -inch screen placed above 

the candy counter in the inner lobby of the 

theatre. Many interested spectators stopped 

to watch the display as they entered and 

left the theatre. The machine was moved 

to store windows in the business section 

of town during the engagement. 

A fish-guessing contest proved an effective 

gimmick in promoting "Creature From 

the Black Lagoon" at the Paramount The- 

Jk.^!**^ 

atre la riau Fraiici.sco. A neigliboring department 

store set up an aquarium display 

backed by show cards and stills from the 

picture and offered winners guest tickets 

for those guessing closest to the number 

of fish contained in a large tank. 

Former prisoners of war in Korea reenacted 

the death march in a parade 

through the downtown streets of San 

Francisco to promote "Prisoner of War" 

at Loew's Warfield Theatre. 

An unusual stunt that had spectators 

doing a double take as they passed the 

theatre was arranged by Manager Watson 

Davis to exploit "It Should Happen to 

You" at the Malco Theatre in Memphis, 

Tenn. A local manufactm-er set up a complete 

display of bathroom fixtures in the 

theatre lobby, and Davis blew up a bubblebath 

still of star Judy Holliday to lifesize 

and placed it in the bath tub. Passersby 

read the co-op merchant and picture credits 

when they stopped to take a second look 

at the startling display. 

Has Punch and Judy Show 

Manager A. C. Vallet booked a live Punch 

and Judy show as an added attraction for 

his Easter show at the Parsons, Flushing. 

N.Y., and publicized It via special throwaways 

distributed throughout the neighborhood. 

Vallet saw the act on a TV show. 

Providence Manager 

Risks Police Ire With 

'Rose Marie' Stunts 

Although street stunts are against the 

law in Providence, R.I., Manager Bill 

Trambukis risked police action with two 

street ballyhoos as part of his "Rose Marie" 

promotion. 

Trambukis dressed two ushers in a cow's 

costume with signs that read, "This is no 

'Rose Marie' is the first great 

bull . . . 

musical in Cinemascope, at Loew's State." 

In the other, he had an usher walk around 

the city inside a giant two-sided MGM 

record, a variation of the giant walking 

book idea. 

The Loew's manager also had a false 

front constructed, including full transparencies 

for all three sides of the marquee. 

It was by far the most pretentious 

display ever used in this city and the flash 

created considerable comment. At night, 

the brightly lighted front overshadowed all 

other electric displays on the street. 

Particularly successful was the music 

tie-in with participating stores featuring 

"Rose Marie" windows and imprints on 

record bags. 

In addition to regular radio, television 

and newspaper coverage, Loew's management 

broke into the Brown university 

Daily Herald, which also services the nearby 

Pembroke coed college, with a "Rose 

Marie" queen contest. The 5,000 circulation 

paper proved an effective medium as it is 

mandatory reading at both schools for 

class notices. 

Heads Scout Activity 

Always on the lookout for another ouuec 

for publicity, Evans Thompson of the Fox, 

Hackensack, N.J., has been reappointed 

public relations chairman for the North 

Bergen county council of the Boy Scouts of 

America. This council covers quite a few 

towns beneficial to the Fox boxoffice, and 

their periodical will help carry theatre news 

to the scouts and their friends. 

Many 'Jubilee' Displays 

A fine book store and music shop promotion 

was put over by Ray McNamara for 

"Jubilee Trail" at the Alljm Theatre in 

Hartford, Conn. Six book stores featured 

window and interior displays plugging the 

picture with copy, "Read the book. See the 

picture—in Trucolor!" Six music shops 

also played up the musical score from the 

picture. 

Screening Aids 'Desert' 

Manager Ray McNamara received fine 

advance newspaper publicity for "The Living 

Desert" at the Allyn Theatre in Hartford. 

Conn., by arranging a special screening 

of the film for school authorities and 

newspaper folk. A specially designed 

throwaway presented some details and 

notes on the production of the film. 

— 162 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : 

: May 

15, 1954

NATIONAL PRE-SELLING GUIDE 

A report on new films for which nationo! pre-selling 

campaigns hove been developed. Listed with each picture 

are tie-ins which have been created, plus tips to exhibitors on how to use these pre-selling aids to exploit the picture locally. 

CAPTAIN KIDD AND THE SLAVE GIRL 

UA 

Treasure Stunt: Cards with keys inserled 

ami witli piclure and theatre credits are 

available for a "Captain Kidd" treasure chest 

contest to be staged in the theatre lobby. The 

cards with the keys are to be distributed 

generally with but a few of the master keys 

opening the lock on the chest at the theatre. 

Winners to receive guest tickets or promoted 

prizes. 

HoNEVBUcs Slippers: This manufacturer features 

Eva Gabor, star of the picture, in one 

of its magazine advertisements for this 

product. Contact local dealers for displays 

and local co-op advertising. 

CoLOR-iN Mat: Two line drawings, Tony Dexter 

and Eva Gabor on separate mats, with 

picture credits, are available for newspaper 

contests and throwaway imprints. Both drawings 

on one mat (2H), on order from National 

Screen. 

Accessories: A selection of art stills for special 

display purposes, Nos. CK-.4RT-1, 2, 3, 

and 4, are available from National Screen. 

THE FORTY-NINERS AA 

Dixie Cup Tieup: Photos of Wild Bill Elliott, 

star of the picture, appear on ice cream containers 

made by this company. Spot display 

cards in local stores featuring photos from 

the 

picture. 

Comic Books: Dell 

Publishing Company distributes 

Wild Bill Elliott Comic Books via 

newsstands, drug and variety stores. Spot 

credit posters at point of sale and promote 

back issues from local distributor as giveaways. 

Accessories: A special posed still can be 

blown up for a life-size cutout of Elliott, order 

free WBE Still No. 66 from Allied Artists 

Exploitation Dept., 4376 Sunset Drive, Hollywood, 

Calif. 

RIVER OF NO RETURN 20th-Fox 

Music: RCA Victor, Decca, Capitol and Coral 

Records are all releasing recordings by name 

artists as well as excerpts from the sound 

track of "River of No Return." Marilyn Monroe 

singing the title song from the film will 

be available under the RCA label. An inviting 

portrait of the blonde star appears on the 

covers of the sheet music for the four songs 

from the CinemaScope production. All the 

music offers opportunities for a variety of 

tieups with radio and TV disk jockeys, music 

and department stores, and hotel orchestras 

in town. Have displays featured wherever 

music is sold and recordings played on phonographs 

in all departments. A Marilyn Monroe 

lobby record, free from the Pressbook Editor 

at 20th-Fox, is perfect for plugging your playdate 

via theatre and lobby P.\ systems. 

Radio and TV: A single transcription containing 

one 60-second, one 30-second and one 

20-second announcement, each spot open-end, 

for local playdate credits. Order your free 

copy from the Pressbook Editor, 20th Century- 

Fox, 444 West 56th St., New York. Two TV 

campaigns are also available for local telecasts. 

One set of three TV cards for a 20- 

second spot announcement, featuring action 

poses from the film and a single TV card for 

a 10-second spot. Be sure to give full particulars 

when ordering slide or Telop. 

Photoplay Magazine: The April issue of this 

publication announced Marilyn Monroe as the 

year's most popular actress and presented her 

with their Gold Medal award. Lobby displays 

composed of the magazine cover and the inner 

page feature story will make up an attractive 

40x60. 

-Accessories: A special group of five stills 

picturing Marilyn Monroe in provocative poses 

is available gratis, on ordering "Special Marilyn 

Monroe Art" from the pressbook editor 

of 20th-Fox's home office. Reproductions on 

mat form of these poses for merchandise tieins, 

newspaper features and news breaks are 

available on Mats SP-IA, SP-IB, SP-2A, SP- 

2B, and IC from National Screen. Two trailers, 

one in CinemaScope and the other in 

regular 2-D style, for your advance campaign, 

on order from National Screen. Banners, 

streamers, valances, auto bumper stripe and 

ushers' lapel badges, all in fluorescent satin, 

are also available on the film. For general 

distribution and co-op tieups, order your heralds 

from National Screen. 

THE STUDENT PRINCE MGM 

Music: The seven popular songs featured in 

the CinemaScope production have been recorded 

by Mario Lanza in two RCA-Victor 

albums, one a 45 RPM extended play and 

the other a 12-inch LP. RCA-Victor has 

scheduled the following promotion in connection 

with these albums: window streamers 

for dealers; mailing of LP record to its "A" 

list of disk jockeys and the release of their 

Red Seal disk to other platter spinners and 

juke box operators and supplying dealer coop 

mats in three sizes. Contact should be 

made with local RCA-Victor dealers and 

distributors for display and promotional tieins, 

arrangements should be made for local 

disk jockeys to feature the music and tieups 

may also be made with other recordings of 

the Romberg music, released previously by 

MGM, Victor, Coral, Capitol, Columbia, 

Decca and Mercury. All seven songs, four 

composed by Romberg and three by Nicholas 

Brodszky, have been published by Harms 

Music, Inc., and contact should be made with 

local music stores for window and counter 

displays featuring the sheet music. 

Tie-in Tips: The picture's release coincides 

with the SOth anniversary of the 

operetta, and special programs of the 

music should be arranged as a salute to 

Romberg through local disk jockeys. Use 

a singing "Student Prince," dressed in 

colorful Heidelberg costume, as a street 

bally. In a number of cities and towns 

throughout the country an important segment 

of the population includes Germans 

and German-Americans. Use special promotion 

to publicize the picture's re-creation 

of Old Heidelberg, its students anil 

drinking songs. Smalt beer mugs, often 

carried by novelty, department or chain 

stores, can be attached to a card with appropriate 

copy and sent to mome critics 

and disk jockeys to further publicize the 

playdate. 

McKettrick -Williams Dresses: McKettrick- 

Williams have designed dresses inspired by 

those worn in the film by Ann Blyth, and over 

8,000 stores throughout the country will cooperate 

in tieups with the production. Black 

and white stills from the picture will be used 

in ads, window and counter displays, and 

fashion shows. 

Radio and TV Campaigns: A set of three TV 

cards, 20-second spot and a single 10-second 

spot, furnish call letters of the station and 

specify either slide or Telop with order. Two 

one-minute and two 15-second trailers for 

spotting on local TV programs, a teaser trailer 

and a regular TV trailer are available from 

local MGM exchanges. Prepared radio copy 

in the form of one minute live announcements, 

a half-minute live announcement, and 50 and 

35-vvord live announcements, are contained 

in the pressbook. 

• 

Accessories: A coaster, to be printed locally 

and distributed in bars, cocktail lounges, ice 

cream parlors and other recreation places, is 

available on Mat 2XA from National Screen. 

For the drawings and column by Wiley Padan, 

author of the syndicated feature "It's True," 

on the "Student Prince" and its stars, Ann 

Blyth, Edmund Purdom and John Ericson, 

order Mat (2X) from National Screen. Special 

two color heralds, 11x17, with theatre 

imprint, are also available on the picture. 

WITNESS TO MURDER 

UA 

Ulysse Nardin: A coast-to-coast contest sponsored 

by this company offers 50 watches 

valued at $7,000 as prizes for the best answers 

to the statement: "The most imusual 

event I was ever WITNESS TO . . ." Material 

including counter cards, a 40x30 lobby 

poster and special mailing cards carrying picture 

and star credits were contained in a kit 

sent to Ulysse Nardin dealers throughout the 

country. A special mat (4A) of the contest 

entry blank was also provided. For further 

information write Special Events Dept., UA 

Corp., 729 Seventh Ave., New York. 

Tie-in Tips: Contact local Ulysse Nardin 

dealers for their free display poster and 

arrange a lobby display of the watches 

to be awarded as prizes. Imprint locally 

entry blanks {Mat iA) and distribute via 

jewelers, lobby, mailing lists and on 

streets. Arrange cooperative newspaper 

ads and distribute postcard mailers of 

Barbara Stanwyck. 

Hollywood Bread: This tieup features Barbara 

Stanwyck's portrait in newspaper ads, 

coinciding with playdates on "Witness to 

Murder." Window streamers have been furnished 

to all dealers and contact should be 

made with them for displays and tie-in ads. 

Aquascutum: Tliis manufacturer of raincoats 

is sending a three-foot standee of Barbara 

Stanwyck, carrying picture credits and wearing 

their product, to dealers throughout the 

country. Contact local merchants lor tie-in 

advertisements and window displays. 

L&M Cigarets: A full page color ad in top 

national magazines pictures Barbara Stanwyck 

with full film credits. Cooperate with 

local dealers on window displays. 

Royal Jackson China: A photo of Barbara 

Stanwyck posed with this china service, sold 

in leading jewelry and department stores, is 

reproduced in 100,000 booklets in full color 

distributed nationally. Counter cards carrying 

the photo and picture credits will be provided 

dealers for window and store displays. 

Tie in with local outlets for promotions including 

a lobby display of the china. 

W&J Sloane: This furniture firm is cooperating 

on all playdates via window and store 

displays and sending material to their customers 

publicizing the picture. Contact local 

W&J Sloane stores for a variety of tieups. 

Accessories: A lobby record and radio spots 

on one disk contains 1-minute, 30-second and 

15-second announcements, available from the 

Exploitation Dept., UA Corp., 729 7th Ave., 

New York. A Crime Quiz as a feature for local 

newspapers or as a throwaway teaser 

offers patrons the opportunity to play armchair 

detective. 

BOXOFFICE Showmiandiser : 

: May 

15, 1954 — 1G3 —

-SVERÂc 

BOXOFFICE 

BAROMETER 

This chart records the pertormonce 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 ore 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 as 

"normal," the figures show the gross rating obove or below that mark. 

B\\fe°\ 

^^ /'*°/7/lB

NEWS AND VIEWS OF THE PRODUCTION CENTER 

(Hollywood Office— Suite 219 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd.: Ivan Spear. Western Manager J 

Threat From Unions 

To Opening of 'Salt' 

HOLLYWOOD—The projected Thursday 

(20) local opening of the controversial "Salt 

of the Earth," produced by persons allegedly 

identified with the Communist party, may be 

freight-ed with fireworks. Both the AFL Central 

Labor Council and the Greater Los Angeles 

CIO Council took occasion this week to 

blast the film. 

At the same time the upcoming booking 

precipitated a complex inter-AFL situation 

inasmuch as lATSE projectionists, affiliated 

with the AFL, have a union contract with 

the Marcal Theatre, Hollywood Boulevard 

showcase, where "Salt" is slated to begin its 

run. The showcase was secured for the purpose 

from the owner of the property, Mark 

Hansen, by the M&S Theatre Corp., headed 

by Simon Lazarus, via a sublease thi'ough 

John Wolfberg, who has been operating the 

theatre for the past several months. 

No official lA policy anent "Salt" had been 

adopted as of the middle of the week, but 

Carl Cooper, lA vice-president, indicated the 

situation was being exhaustively explored to 

determine whether lA boothmen could legally 

refuse to handle the assignment in view of 

their contractual commitments. 

Currently running in New York and San 

Francisco, "Salt" was produced by Paul 

Jarrico, directed by Herbert Biberman and 

written by IVDchael Wilson, all of whom were 

characterized as "unfriendly" witnesses in appearances 

before the House Un-American 

Activities committee. Lazarus also was 

branded an "unfriendly" witness. 

* * * 

Continuing to wax hotter was the race for 

the presidency of the lATSE as Roy M. 

Brewer, former lA studio liaison and now an 

Allied Artists executive, disclosed he is taking 

a three-week leave of absence from his 

AA post to make a tour of lA locals throughout 

the country. Brewer said that on the 

basis of his findings during the junket he will 

decide definitely whether to become a candidate 

to oppose Richard F. Walsh, incumbent 

lA leader. He now claims support of more 

than 100 of the lA's 880 locals, latest to join 

the Brewer camp being Local 789, Cinetechnicians. 

New lA officers will be chosen early in 

August at the union's biennial convention in 

Cincinnati. 

Gottfried Reinhardt to Speak 

HOLLYWOOD—Gottfried Reinhardt, who 

recently left his post as an MGM director, 

was to speak at the Saturday (15) annual 

American Legion pilgrimage to Santa 

Cruz. Reinhardt's topic was "The Battlefields 

of Europe Today." 

Feldman and Wilder Due 

To Film 'Seven-Year Itch' 

HOLLYWOOD — "The Seven-Year Itch," 

stage hit to which film rights were recently 

acquired by Charles Feldman, will be produced 

by him and Billy Wilder as a Cinema- 

Scope entry for 20th-Fox, it was announced 

jointly by Feldman and Darryl F. Zanuck, 

20th-Fox studio chief. It will star Marilyn 

Monroe and will be directed by Wilder. The 

play was written by George Axelrod. 

Meantime 20th-Fox reactivated another 

property, "Pink Tights," which had been 

scheduled as a Mom'oe starrer but was temporarily 

shelved when the actress balked at 

the assignment and was placed on suspension. 

This time around the Cinemascope musical 

will topline Sheree North, with Samuel G. 

Engel producing, and will go before the cameras 

this fall. Miss Monroe recently was removed 

from the suspension list and is now 

starring in "There's No Business Like Show 

Business." 

AFL Asks Solons to Talk 

Over 'Runaway' Filming 

HOLLYWOOD—Its continuing concern 

over so-called "runaway" production of films 

abroad by American companies was again 

manifested by the Hollywood AFL Film 

Council when the organization extended invitations 

to Senator Thomas H. Kuchel and 

Rep. Samuel W. Yorty to discuss the subject 

at some future council meeting. The council 

contends such overseas production is largely 

responsible for the picture making slowdown 

in Hollywood and the consequent dwindling 

of studio payi'olls. 

MEET THE PREXY—Arthur Freed, left, 

veteran MGM filmmaker, has been 

named new president of the Screen Producers 

Guild. He succeeds Carey Wilson, 

also of MGM, with whom Freed is shown 

here conferring on the SPG agenda for 

the coming year. 

Dore Schary Lectures 

On Responsibility 

HOLLYWOOD—"Motion pictures must 

educate and inform, as well as entertain," 

Dore Schary, MGM vice-president and studio 

head, declared when he delivered the 17th 

annual William Snyder lecture before some 

1,500 educators, civic leaders and students 

at Los Angeles city college. Schary, whose 

topic was "Executive Responsibility: A Case 

History," noted that the success of any motion 

picture has nothing to do with any of 

the dimensions or color processes, but is related 

only to the queries, "Who's in it," 

"What's it about" and "How well is it done?" 

"An executive in any field is a happier 

man," said Schary, "and a less frightened 

man, if he adopts the attitude of 'let the 

competition worry about what I'm going 

to do,' rather than worry about what his 

competition plans to do or is doing." 

•- * * 

Roy M. Brewer, Allied Artists executive 

and former lATSE studio liaison executive, 

has been re-elected president of the Motion 

Picture Alliance for the Preservation of 

American Ideals, with other officers including: 

Charles Coburn 

Cedric Gibbons 

Ward 

Kane 

Bond 

Richmond 

Charles Cane. 

of committee: 

Mabel 

Members 

Walker Willebrandt 

the executive 

Borden Chase 

Cliff Lyons 

Ralph Clare 

Tom MacLeod 

Robert Arthur 

John Lee Mahin 

Phil Benjamin 

Knox Manning 

Mortin Berkeley 

Ben Martinez 

G. Ralph Bronton Adolphe Menjou 

Gary Cooper 

Alan Mowbray 

Cecil B. DeMille 

Richard Powers 

Irene Dunne 

LeRoy Prinz 

John Ford 

Mike Rosenberg 

Clark Gable 

Morrie Ryskind 

Leon Gordon 

Robert Taylor 

Richard H. Gordon 

Dimitri Tiomkin 

B. B. Kahone 

Joseph Tuohy 

Lew Landers 

John Wayne. 

Gunther Lessing 

A plaque naming her Mother of the Year 

was presented Esther Williams, MGM's swimming 

star, by the Save-a-ChUd Guild of the 

Mount Sinai hospital and clinic. 

» * * 

Piper Laurie, Universal-International contractee, 

has been named Miss CivU Defense 

week of Hollywood and participated with 

Sheriff Eugene BiscaUuz on Monday (10) in 

dedicating the Hollywood civil defense headquarters 

at the sheriff's substation. 

Fire Damages Studio 

HOLLYWOOD—Damage estimated at more 

than $200,000 was caused when a fire of 

undetermined origin destroyed the lumber 

mill and two generators at the General Service 

studios, a rental lot now devoted primarily 

to telefilm production. 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

15, 1954 45-

Blurbers 

STUDIO PERSONNELITIES 

Independent 

Services were held Saturday (8) for WALTER E. 

KLINE, pioneer public relotions counselor, who had 

been active in Hollywood since 1918. 

The LOU SMITH-AL HORWITS publicity-public relations 

firm is being dissolved, effective June I, with 

Smith to retain the company's present offices and 

Horwits, formerly with Universal-International, planning 

to hang out his own shingle. 

Cleffers 

Allied 

Artists 

Set OS music director on 'Wonted by the F.B.I 

was EDWARD J. KAY. 

Meggers 

Allied Artists 

FORD BEEBE will produce ond direct "Killer 

Leopard." next in the Bomba series starring Johnny 

Sheffield, which is being geared to start late this 

month. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

ARTHUR FREED will produce "Fair Weather," on 

originol romantic comedy by Betty Comden ond 

Adolph Green, as a starring vehicle for Gene Kelly. 

20th Century-Fox 

JEAN NEGULE5C0 was signed to a new tour-year 

exclusive directorial pact, under which his first ossignment 

will be the Cnarles Brockett production, 

"A Woman's World." 


Maureen O'Hara's upcoming starrer, "Lady Godivo 

will be directed by RUDY MATE. The 

of Coventry, 

" 

Technicolor film is a Robert Arthur production. 

Warner Bros. 

LESLEY SELANDER has been pacted to direct 

"Toll Man Riding," film verison of a story by Norman 

A. Fox, which will stor Randolph Scott. 

Options 

Allied 

Artists 

LAURETTE LUEZ will enoct the femme lead in 

"Jungle Gents," upcoming Bowery Boys comedy, to 

be produced by Ben Schwolb. Cast additions were 

PATRICK O'MOORE, WOODY STRODE, RUDOLPH 

ANDERS and HARRY CORDING. 

Columbia 

Set to team with Judy Holliday, Jack Carson and 

Jack Lemmon in "Phffft," romantic comedy being 

produced by Fred Kohlmar, was KIM NOVAK. The 

picture IS being megged by Mark Robson. 

S^cecuiuê 

Ea.sl: David A. Lipton, Universal-International 

vice-president in charge of advertising 

and publicity, planed out for New York 

for home office conferences to be followed 

by a swing around the company's foreign 

exchanges in Europe. 

* * * 

West: Robert W. Coyne, counsel for 

COMPO, checked in from New York on a 

brief 

business trip. 

* • • 

East: Loren L. Ryder, Paramount studio 

engineering-recording chief, took off for 

London to set up a series of demonstrations 

of the company's new wide-screen Vista- 

Vision process. Meantime Dick Harmel, an 

executive of the Schlesinger circuit in South 

Africa, arrived from Johannesburg for a 

gander at the VistaVision system. 

* * « 

West: George D. Burrows, Allied Artists 

vice-president and treasurer, returned from 

Independent 

Booked to share the stellar honors with Ida 

Lupino in Filmokers' "Privote Hell 36" were STEVE 

COCHRAN, HOWARD DUFF and DEAN JAGGER. 

Rolling early next month, the film will be directed 

by Don Siegel. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

Handed a new long-term contract was KEENAN 

WYNN, who has appeared in 40 of the studio's 

films during his 12-year tenure. 

WALTER PIDGEON will portray J. J. Shubert, noted 

stoge impresario, in "Deep in My Heart." the musical 

biography of composer Sigmund Romberg, starring 

Jose Ferrer. The Roger Edens production is being 

directed by Stanley Donen. 

TAINA ELG, Finnish ballerina recently inked to o 

term contract, has been cast in "The Prodigal," 

upcoming Biblical dromo starring Edmund Purdom, 

which Charles Schnee will produce. 

VICTOR McLAGLEN has joined the stellar cost, 

headed by Robert Taylor and Eleanor Porker, in 

"Many Rivers to Cross," frontier drama to be 

directed by Roy Rowland for Producer Jack Cummings. 

Paramount 

Productions to screenplay "The Comedian," from the 

magazine novelette by Ernest Lehman, which will 

be the first in a planned series of pictures to be 

mode by Gloss. 

Warwick Productions, headed by Irving Allen and 

A. R. Broccoli, inked RICHARD MAIBAUM to write 

the screenplay for "Zark Khan," from an adventure 

novel by J. P. Bevan. 


"1980," a science-fiction original by Harry Essex, 

will be screenployed by EDWARD G. O'CALLAGHAN. 

It will be produced by Sam Marx. 

Warner Bros. 

DUDLEY NICHOLS will pen "Lewis ond Clark," the 

historical opus which will be produced in the Cinerama 

wide-screen process. 

Story Buys 

Handed a featured role in "Run for Cover," o 

Pine-Thomas western in VistaVision and Technicolor, ni i . 

n 

was GRANT WITHERS, now freelancing after 11 1 eCjIIllCCIllV 

years under term contract to Republic. The picture, * 

being megged by Nicholas Ray, stars James Cogney, 

Viveca Lindfors and John Derek. 

RKO Radio 

THOMAS GOMEZ will portray a Mongol ruler in 

"The Conqueror," the upcoming John Wayne-Susan 

Hoyward starrer, to be produced and directed by 

Dick Powell. 


Honded a character role in "Destry" wos EDGAR 

BUCHANAN. 

Warner Bros. 

SARA SELBY drew a character part in "Battle 

Cry," the CinemaScope picturization of the World 

War II novel by Leon Uris, which Rooul Walsh is 

directing with o cast headed by ^/on Heflin, Nancy 

Olson and Aldo Ray. Added to the cost was KAY 

STEWART. 

DORIS DAY and FRANK SINATRA will be starred 

in "Young at Heart," a romantic musical deriving 

Its title from the hit recording made by Sinatra, 

In CinemaScope and WarnerColor, the picture has 

been set as a Henry Blanke production, with Gordon 

Douglas to direct. 

RAYMOND MASSEY will have one of the starring 

roles with Julie Horns and James Dean in "East of 

Eden," based on the John Steinbeck novel, which 

Elia Kazan will produce and direct. 

Scripters 

Independent 

RICHARD COLLINS was signed by George Gloss 

^^laoe/e^ 

a ten-week stay in Gotham on business. 

* 

West: Roy O. Disney, president of Walt 

Disney Productions, checked into the studio 

after a series of eastern conferences 

* * • 

East: Producer David Rose and director 

Edward Dmytryk planed out for London 

to scout locations for "The End of the Affair," 

which Rose's Coronado Productions 

will make for Columbia release. 

* • « 

West: Don Hartman, Paramount executive 

producer, returned to his studio after 

a five-week European tour, during which 

he conferred with the company's foreign 

managers and leading exhibitors. 

* * • 

East: Wolfe Cohen, president of Warner 

International, arrived from Tokyo and spent 

a day in conference at the studio before returning 

to his headquarters in Manhattan. 

Independent 

The Filmokers Co. purchased "Mad at the World," 

on original by Harry Essex dealing with contemporary 

luvenile delinquency, and signed Essex to script and 

direct the property. 

Frank P. Rosenberg Productions acquired the screen 

rights to Ben Hecht's short story, "Miracle in the 

Rain," and Hecht has been inked to draft the 

screenplay. 

Actor Sterling Hoyden purchased "Mad Anthony," 

original by Frederick Johnston, os a starring vehicle 

for himself. It deals with the Revolutionary War 

exploits of Moj.-Gen. Anthony Wayne. 

Allied Artists 

Crew assembled for "Jungle Gents" includes ALLEN 

K. WOOD, production manager; AUSTEN JEWELL, 

assistant director; DAVID MILTON, ort director, and 

HARRY NEUMANN, cameramon. 

Independent 

JOSEPH WRIGHT was set as art director on the 

Magno-Todd-AO production, "Oklahoma!" 

RKO Radio 

"The Conqueror" will be photographed by WIL- 

LIAM SNYDER. 


An assistant art director for the past two years, 

BILL NEWBERRY has been promoted to a full art 

director's status. 

Warner Bros. 

GABRIEL SCOGNAMILLO will be the art director 

on "Strange Lady in Town." RUSS SAUNDERS will 

be the assistant director. 

Title 

Changes 

Paramount 

"The Ruby Virgin" to HELL'S ISLAND. 

HCC Decides to Shun 

Fund-Raising Activities 

HOLLYWOOD—As a means of avoiding 

public confusion over the relative functions 

of the Hollywood Coordinating Committee 

and Theatre Authority, the HCC has eliminated 

from its agenda any connection with 

benefits or other events in which the purpose 

is direct fund-raising. George Murphy, HCC 

president, said the move was designed to 

eUminate the "growing impression" that approval 

of a benefit by Theatre Authority 

"implied a commitment" by the HCC to deliver 

the artists. 

The HCC's function. Murphy emphasized, 

"is to clear- talent for patriotic and public 

service events where there is no sale of 

tickets and no money is collected." 

Pine and Thomas Ready 

To Start 'Hell's Island' 

HOLLYWOOD — Producers William Pine 

and William Thomas have added "Hell's Island," 

an adventure drama starring John 

Payne and Mary Murphy, to their slate for 

Paramount. With Phil Karlson directing, the 

Technicolor-VistaVision subject will roll early 

in June. 


: May 

15, 1954

— 

" 

Angels Theatre Burns; 

Interior Total Loss 

ANGELS CAMP, CALIF.—Fire of undetermined 

origin gutted the interior of the 

Angels Theatre here recently, just after the 

theatre doors were opened and within one 

minute of the time the projectors were to be 

started for the evening show. 

The fire first was discovered by Mel De- 

Lay, local police officer who was attending 

the theatre with his wife. He turned in the 

alarm, then sought out Ernie Durham, theatre 

manager, and with him directed patrons 

outside the building. There was no panic. 

About 55 persons were in the building at 

the time. Another theatre patron said he 

saw a bit of fire drop from the ceiling over 

the stage. He said he thought it would be put 

out easily, but suddenly the curtains caught 

fire. 

The theatre is owned and operated by 

Robert Patton, who also operates a house in 

Sonora and one in San Andreas. 

"All programs will be rescheduled," Patton 

said, "and the Calaveras Theatre in 

San Andreas will be open six nights a week, 

effective immediately." 

Within five minutes after discovery of the 

fire, flames belched out the main entrance 

doors with a speed which filled the vestibule 

with flame. Every inch of the interior 

was charred and all seats were destroyed. 

Fire department officials were amazed at 

the speed with which the flames engulfed 

the building. John Lamb, former chief of 

police, suffered burns on both hands when 

he and Ernest Durham, manager, were 

caught by flaming falling draperies on the 

stage. Another fireman suffered minor injuries 

when thrown from the truck and 

Fire Chief Jack Twisselman was overcome 

by smoke. 

Extent of damage to the building was undetermined. 

Former MGM Producers 

Join Television Series 

HOLLYWOOD—Two former MGM producers. 

Z. Wayne Griffin and Leon Gordon, 

have been recruited by Revue Productions 

to function as supervisors in charge of the 

new General Electric video series, of which 

Ronald Reagan will be the master of ceremonies. 

The programs, part live and part 

film, are slotted for CBS beginning in September. 

While with MGM, Griffin produced a pair 

of Clark Gable starrers, "Key to the City" 

and "Lone Star," while Gordon turned out. 

among others, "Kim" and "The Green Years." 

Ready to Process CS 

HOLLYWOOD—Installation of facilities for 

processing and printing CinemaScope has 

been completed in Pathe's west coast laboratories, 

it was disclosed by O. W. Murray, vicepresident. 

Similar equipment has been in 

operation in Pathe's New York plant for 

some time. 

Railroad TV Series Planned 

HOLLYWOOD—Video rights to the files 

of railroad special agents have been secured 

by Al C. Ward, writer-producer, from the 

Ass'n of American Railroads. Ward is now 

preparing a TV series based on this material. 

veal what magi of the film trade first 

opined that "there's nothing wrong 

with this business that good pictures will not 

cure." Although that observation, through 

constant usage down through the years, has 

assumed apocryphal proportions, it also was 

much like Mark Twain's weather—everybody 

talked but did nothing about it. 

Not until comparatively recently, that is. 

If product now in distribution, as well 

as that approaching release, and the announced 

intentions of Hollywood's ranking 

film makers are criterion, there is irrefutable 

testimony that industry brass is beginning 

to believe in the potency of the 

above-mentioned cure, and are definitely 

doing something about it. The swing toward 

such highly necessary action has been in 

evidence for some time, and the month of 

April brought it into sharp focus. 

During Easter Week, for example, in Los 

Angeles—and in many other key cities 

were simultaneously released three outstanding 

features, 20th Century-Fox's "Night 

People," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's "Executive 

Suite" and Paramount's "Knock on Wood." 

A brief look at the record establishes how 

excellent is that trio, as concerns critical 

acclaim, favorable fan reactions and, most 

importantly, profitable patronage. 

Of the three, "Knock on Wood"—starring 

Danny Kaye and made independently under 

the Dena Productions banner by Kaye in 

association with Norman Panama and Melvin 

Frank—hit the highest opening figure, a 

hefty 250 per cent of normal business. It is 

now in its sixth week, and still going strong. 

"Executive Suite" and "Night People" both 

opened simultaneously in the Los Angeles 

sector a few days following the "Knock on 

Wood" bow. In their respective first stanzas, 

the former finished with an impressive 180 

per cent estimate, the latter collaring a 

smash 200 per cent. "Suite," an all-star 

treatment of the best-selling novel about 

big business, had a highly successful fourweek 

run; "Night People," the Gregory Peck 

starrer, has just begun its fifth week and 

from all indications will be held over for 

some time to come. 

Nor is there any indication that the torrid 

threesome can be considered a flash in the 

pan. Among the finished film unfurled for 

previewing: during April, and still to be released, 

was a number of comparable excellence 

and financial promise. Among them: 

Warners' science- fiction thriller, "Them!", 

20th-Fox's new CinemaScoper, "River of No 

Return," Universal-International's "Magnificent 

Obsession," Warners' "Dial M for Murder" 

and "The High and the Mighty," produced 

by Wayne-Fellows for release through 

this company, and Paramount's new Martin 

and Lewis comedy, "Living It Up." 

Still more exciting as regards what Hollywood 

has in store for theatre operators is 

the impressive and masterfully produced 

trailer, "The New Look at Warner Bros.," 

which was recently unreeled at special showings 

for exhibitors and press members in 32 

key U.S. cities. Filmed in CinemaScope and 

WamerColor, the short outlined the company's 

present stockpile of completed celluloid 

and its future production plans, and 

featured a screen appearance by Jack L. 

Warner, executive producer, who waxed understandably 

enthusiastic over the outlook 

for the future. 

Assembled for the trailer was footage from 

such upcoming releases as "The Command," 

"Ring of Fear," "A Star Is Born," "King 

Richard and the Crusaders" and "Battle Cry," 

while Warner—emphasizing his conviction 

that "great books, great plays and great 

stories make great motion pictures"—cited 

more than a dozen properties now in preparation 

which had their genesis in novels, 

stage successes and screen originals. Said 

the studio chieftain: 

"We have confidence in the future of motion 

pictures. Our program consists of the 

greatest effort we have ever undertaken. 

Yes, we have confidence, or we would not 

at this time be making the most important 

and the highest budgeted productions in the 

history of our company." 

Brave words, those, encouraging words, 

stimulating words. But a gander at "The 

New Look at Warner Bros.," plus due consideration 

for past and current performances 

by their Burbank bailiwick, establish them 

as far from hollow words. 

Verily, the oft-prescribed cure is in the 

process of being applied. And if application 

in its present form doesn't wean the socalled 

lost audience away from its television 

sets, nothing will. 

Block 11' . . .in the current 

John Flinn, Allied Artists' Achillean adjective-agitator 

enthusiastically relates the 

given . . . Walter Wanger's 

"High praise . . . 

. . . 'Riot in Cell 

issue of The Prison Journal, issued semiannually 

by the Pennsylvania Prison Society." 

Undoubtedly such favorable reaction would 

sell a lot of tickets if the lads who read 

it could rush right out and buy them—and 

don't think they wouldn't like 

Shocking intelligence from Howard Strickling's 

rover boys that "Esther Williams steps 

out of her bathing suit . . . for . . . number 

in MGM's 'Deep in My Heart.' 

Even code-defying Howard Hughes never 

dared to try this routine. 

At hand is intelligence from Teet Carle 

that 'Pauline Kessinger, Paramount commissary 

manager, returns to her duties . . . 

after an extended illness." 

Ptomaine, perchance? 

Hardly had Paramount scheduled "The 

Ruby Virgin" as a forthcoming action melodrama 

when the studio's title-tinkers 

switched its tag to "Hell's Island." 

Possibly the change was made in the belief 

that Senator McCarthy wouldn't like 

the former handle—the color, not the state 

of being, that is. 

to. 

BOXOFnCE : 

: May 

15, 1954 47

Los Angeles First Spot to 'River LOS ANGELES 

With Resounding 200 Per Cent 

LOS ANGELES—That outdoor action 

fare 

is still a prime favorite with the cash customers 

was again demonstrated when two 

such entries, "River of No Return" and 

"Johnny Guitar," finished in the No. 1 and 2 

spots, respectively, among local first run 

bookings. "River" hit a resounding 200 per 

cent and "Guitar" wasn't far behind with 

175. 

I 

Average Is 100) 

Chinese— River of No Return (20th-Fox) 200 

Egyption, Stote— Executive Suite (MGM); Blockout 

(LP), 4th wk 75 

El Rey—One Summer of Hoppiness (Fovonte), 

I2fh wk 60 

Fine Arts—Genevieve (U-l). 5th wk 85 

Four Star—Rhapsody (MGM), 6th wk 140 

Fox Wilshire—Night People (20th-Fox), 4th wk.. 90 

Hillstreet, Pontages—The Cornivol Story (RKO); 

The Soinf's Girl Fridoy (RKO), 3rd wk. . 100 

Hollywood, Downtown Poramounts—A Girl for 

Joe (WB); Guy With o Grin (WB), reissues.... 75 

Orpheum, Fox Hollywood, Uptown— Drive o 

Croaked Road iCol); BaMIe of Rogue River (Col) 90 

United Artists—We Want a Child (LP), 2nd wk.. . 75 

Vagabond—The immortal City (Cappi), 4th wk.. 90 

Warners Downtown, Wiltern, Vogue—Johnny 

Guitar (Rep), The Sun Shines Bright (Rep) 175 

Warners Beverly—Knock on Wood (Para), 

5th wk 

130 

Warners Hollywood—This Is Cinerama 

(Cinerama), 54th wk 95 

Jane Russell's Trench Line' 

Attracts Frisco Patrons 

SAN FRANCISCO—Jane Russell and 

"The French Line" came through to win top 

honors for the week with a barometer read- 

TELL YOUR PATRONS 

'always/ about it with A 

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ing high of 150 per cent, in its first week 

at the United Artists Theatre. 

Fox—Night People (20th-Fox) 110 

Golden Gate—Carnival Story (RKO); Saints

DENVER 

. . Joe Stone, 

. . . Joseph B. Scully, 

\T J. Dug:aii, 20th-Fox manager, and Robert 

Garland, Fox Intermountain executive, 

went to New York to attend the Skouras 

conference on Cinemascope . 

National Theatre Supply manager, went to 

Great Falls to attend the Montana Exhibitors 

Ass'n convention 

Republic auditor, completed his work at the 

local exchange and returned to New York 

. . . Harold Green, Columbia manager in 

Salt Lake City, was in on a sales trip. 

Herb Mclntire, RKO division manager, 

conferred with Marvin Goldfarb, local manager, 

and Al Kolitz, district manager . 

. . 

Parke Agnew, RKO home office representative, 

is spending a couple of weeks in the 

territory calling on theatres . . . Edward and 

Caroline Lewis of the Peerless, Holyoke, 

Colo., are the parents of a baby girl. 

Hall Baetz, former district manager for 

Pox Intermountain here, was in from Seattle 

for the opening of the new Centre, and revealed 

that he is going into the theatre business 

on his own in Seattle. 

. . Ruth 

Paulette Goedert, secretary to the manager 

at the RKO exchange, is engaged . 

Morris, Paramount picture report clerk, is 

spending her vacation in Toledo. 

Filmrow visitors: C. E. McLaughlin, Las 

Animas; Mr. and Mrs. Don Monson and Mr. 

and Mrs. M. L. McFarland, Rifle; Dorrance 

Schmidt, Bridgeport; Glenn Wittstruck, 

Meeker; Claude Graves, Boulder; Lyle Myers, 

Yuma; Lloyd Greve, Eagle; Frank Burdick, 

Moorcraft, Mont., and Paul Cory. Basin, Wyo. 

PORTLAND 

Jay Robinson, 20th-Fox actor who plays Caligula 

in "The Robe" and in the forthcoming 

sequel, "Demetrius and the Gladiators," was 

to appear here on the 17th and 18th. Oscar 

Nyberg, Oriental manager in charge of the 

Robinson appearances, set up a busy schedule 

which includes personal appearances at 

schools and before civic groups followed by 

a dinner with cast members of "Mr. Roberts," 

current civic theatre production. 

Joe Longo, RKO representative, conferred 

with Dick Lange, RKO manager, on "Pinocchio," 

booked for a June date at J. J. Parker's 

Broadway. A Disney animator will be in the 

area to lecture and discuss the Disney technique 

at schools and before civic groups. The 

promotion wUl cover the local metropolitan 

area as well as Vancouver, Longview, The 

Dalles, Pendleton, Eugene, Corvallis, Roseburg 

and other cities in Oregon and southwestern 

Washington. 

"Martin Luther" will open at the suburban 

Irvlngton Theatre May 26. The Irvington is 

one of the few theatres in the country to admit 

children under 12 years of age free when 

accompanied by their parents. 

Films 'Harry Tracy' for TV 

HOLLYWOOD—Cameras began turning on 

"Harry Ti-acy," 19th in Studio City Television 

Productions' "Stories of the Century" 

series, with Steve Brodie in the title role. 

William Witney directs and Edward J. White 

produces for Republic's video subsidiary. 

OFFICE PARTY—Personnel of the Columbia exchange in Los Angeles help Mary 

Benjamin, standing at center, celebrate 25 years of uninterrupted service as office 

clerk. The cake which Mary is poised to cut contained—unknown to her—25 silver 

dollars as a small token of the staff's esteem. 

Lee Theatres Opens 

Wadsworth Airer 

DENVER—The new Wadsworth, yeararound 

drive-in, walk-in theatre, with a 

capacity of 1,000 cars and 600 walk-ins, 

opened Saturday night to a packed house. 

It is one of the two drive-ins here that is 

Cinemascope equipped. The screen is 103x69 

feet, and as far as is known here, the largest 

yet made without a seam. It is a new type 

of installation. The basic coat of Gunite, 

sprayed on the finished surface, consists of 

aggregate and white cement. 

The opening night capacity crowd also 

made good use of the cafeteria-type snack 

bar with stainless steel counters and all 

types of steam and fry tables, including 

ovens for "pizza." The counter accommodates 

four lines of patrons, with four cashiers. 

Above the indoor theatre and snack bar is 

a three-bedroom apartment for LeRoy Ramsey, 

manager, and his family. The projection 

booth adjoins the penthouse, and is equipped 

for Cinemascope and stereophonic sound. 

L. K. Lee, president of Lee Theatres, 

builder of the drive-in, came to Denver in 

1945 from Oklahoma in a 1936 auto, very 

little money, but with a dream of a theatre 

very much like the Wadsworth. His first 

business venture in Colorado was a partnership 

in the Arvada (Colo.) Theatre. He 

built the Motorena Drive-In in Greeley in 

1949, and also had a hand in building a 

drive-in at Torrington, Wyo. He was a partner 

in the Kar-Vu at Brighton, which was 

sold. Next he built the Monaco Drive-In, 

which is the only drive-in within the Denver 

city limits, and now serves also as the headquarters 

for the Lee Theatres. Lee Theatres 

also has two drive-ins at Colorado Springs. 

LeRoy Ramsey, for several years manager 

of the Tower, Denver, is the manager of 

the new Wadsworth. 

TV Series for Jon Hall 

HOLLYWOOD—Jon Hall has inked a 

new 

two-year ticket with Television Programs of 

America under which he will star in 204 

more episodes of the "Ramar of the Jungle" 

series. 

Cameo Theatre Renovated 

TACOMA, WASH.—The Cameo Theatre 

has completed renovation work, including 

reconstruction of the concessions stand and 

installation of a refreshment bar. Color 

scheme throughout the lobby marquee is In 

coral and charcoal grey. Stairs leading from 

the main floor to the balcony are now within 

the doors from the lobby, eliminating the 

old entrance from the foyer. 

has been installed off the lobby. 

A new restroom 

Preminger Signs RKO Space 

HOLLYWOOD—Shooting space has been 

secured at RKO by Otto Preminger's Carlyle 

Productions for the lensing of "Carmen 

Jones," Cinemascope film version of the 

Broadway stage hit which Preminger will 

produce and direct for 20th-Fox release. 

Pearl Bailey has been set for one of the 

key roles. 

a screen game, 

i 

HOLLYWOOD fakes top 

honors. As a box-office attroction, 

it is without equoL It hos 

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 Wobaili Av*nu* • Chicago S, llllnoll 

SELL YOUR THEATRE PRIVATELY 

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

Highest reputation for know-how 

and fair dealing. 30 years experience including 

exhibition. Asl< Better Business Bureau, 

or our customers. Know your broker. 

ARTHUR LEAK Theatre Specialists 

3305 Caruth. Dallas, Texas 

Telephones EM 0238 - EM 7489 

CONFIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE INVITED 

BOXOFFICE :: May 15, 1954 49

. . . Howard 

. . Emil 

. . Fred 

. 

. 

" 

SAN FRANCISCO 

fhe Hanlon Theatre In Vallejo was destroyed 

by fire last week with damages Facilities for 3-D and Cinemascope will be 

at the Parks air force base in Pleasanton. 

of more than $100,000. No one was present added in the near future . . . Ruth Hussey 

when the fire started in the balcony from and Gene Lockhart starred in the dramatic 

either a cigaret or defective wiring, and presentation, "Mother of All," as part of the 

burned to the ground. 

national Franciscan Marian Congress. Others 

who appeared in the show were Kathleen 

Lockhart, Cameron Mitchell and Paul 

George A. Oppen, well known San Francisco 

philanthropist realtor and former theatre 

chain operator, died recently in Monte 

Picerni. 

Carlo, according to word received here by Gordon Allen, bos.^man at the Motor 

his daughter. He owned theatre property Movies in Hayward, has come up with a sensational 

throughout California and once was 

promotion. May 25th is the day 

president 

of the L&O circuit. 

a free Chevrolet, free, admission and free 

entertainment, featuring performers from a 

A 1,000-seat theatre was officially opened local radio station. All Gordon asks of his 

Says Mrs. "QUALITY OF YOUR 

E. W. SHARP FILMS AND SERVICE 

President, W. A. Simons 

Amusement Company IS OUTSTANDING 

Missoulo, Montana 

/>îvi^sbmbnt^^^^^; MONT*NA 

UTAH 

Unit*'' *^ i!,tte Street 

2UW9 Cbf,;f 8, Ml^^°^^' 

Kansas fansas City ^^"^ m ^f led 

Z 

you're --ir-^ber.£rvorc^n-.fer 

of a '^°" _.,,tv -'• 

„,^st of all, **^t/t,hotoRraphy' 

m f 

^^ -rofof -a sound ^^^,,3te 

^^=°"'' ' „on 

Third, fMf/ons act u.on ,,,i «s 

acceptance i%vf/3 ^„essa.es. 

— 

patrons is that they be present and come 

early. Everything is for free. 

Carol Nathan, who sold his Marine and 

El Presidio theatres in 1951 and moved to 

Los Angeles, is convalescing after an operation. 

The Nathans soon will celebrate their 

44th wedding anniversary in the new home 

they have Just purchased in Cheviot Hills. 

Schulz, Ackerman-Roesner circuit, 

was wearing a most attractive necktie 

. . . Emanuel Giannaros, Clovis Theatre, 

was on the Row. 

The Variety Club moved to its new location, 

176 Golden Gate Ave., last week. The 

open-house celebration was so lively someone 

notified the fire department. Firemen 

went throughout the club hunting for the 

fire but went away satisfied that "the joint 

was Just jumping" . . . Julian Harvey was in 

town from the Village, Sacramento, after 

installing stereophonic sound and Cinema- 

Scope and, according to Julian, "all the 

various scopes to bring my theatre up to 

the minute in theatre presentation." 

"Buck Camp, here we come on May 29," 

is the slogan of many of the theatremen. 

About 20 exhibitors will join Rodda Harvey 

at his Buck Camp for a bit of fishing and 

fun. Incidentally, Rodda, the Buck camp 

king, is now busy in Sacramento valley 

stretching drive-in screens like accordians. 

Venn Stewart was vacationing from the 

cashier department at Warner Brothers . . . 

Henry Herbel, WB west coast manager, was 

along the Row . Palermo, accom- 

. . . 

panied by his secretary Ruth Clark, was 

doing bit of booking and buying . . The 

a 

. 

Rio at Monte Rio will be taken over by Arch 

Booking and Buying as of May 29. The 

house was booked by Ed Rowden 

Sunset Theatre in Riverdale was closed 

again. 

Tony Bautista, Star Theatre at Gonzales, 

was in on business . Dixon of United 

California Theatres is now booking for the 

United Artists theatres in San Jose, Berkeley 

and Richmond; the Varsity in Palo 

Alto and the Alhambra in Sacramento . . . 

S. L. Kirby, Ponderosa Pines Theatre, Bass 

Lake, and Bill Wagner of Antioch were in. 

Vogue here will present the west coast 

premiere of "Golden Coach" about May 

26. The campaign is now being set up by Norman 

Dorn, publicist for San Francisco Theatres. 

sf;dkr3s.'.» -^ :;r: 

due to tn« g^^cereiy 7° 

Edna *il- 

^ 

Mel Klein, Columbia, was seen rushing 

down the avenue and looking fit as the proverbial 

fiddle . . . Joe Brandy jr., assistant 

.shipper at Republic, was vacationing. 

. . 

. . . 

Bob Holtzer, E. I. Rubin, is collaring all 

popcorn customers and showing them the 

first picture of his first child, seven-week 

old Linda . H. S. Levin has returned from 

a South African tour Kolmar Associates 

has moved from 25 Taylor St., to 885 Stevens 

... J. Robinson of 20th-Fox was in town 

for promotional work. 

UNITED FILM SERVICE, 

•rancii 

Hcodquaitcri 

Olflc* 

Kansos City, Missouri 

INC. 

oHicct ...Chicago...CI«veland... 

Detroi t...S an Francisco 

"Sunderin," which had its American premiere 

at the Bridge Theatre, attracted the 

biggest opening day crowd the theatre has 

ever had. Irving Rubine, president of Cellini 

Films who handled the picture, was 

in town for five days to make the radio and 

TV circuit ... All mothers over 60 were 

admitted free of charge as guests of Fox 

West Coast Theaties on Mother's Day. 

50 BOXOFHCE : 

: May 

15, 1954

Para. Findings Properly Admitted Three LA Theatres 

In Evidence, Cinema Tells Court To Screen Fighi TV 

WASHINGTON—The findings in the 

Paramount case were properly admitted in evidence 

in the antitrust suit of Cinema Amusement, 

Inc., of Denver against Loew's, 20th 

Century-Fox and RKO, Cinema Amusements 

told the Supreme Court on Thursday (13i. 

Cinema Amusements' brief asked the Supreme 

Court to turn down the appeal of the 

distributors for a review of the case, in which 

the exhibitor won a $300,000 verdict. Loew's 

and 20th Century-Fox argued that the Paramount 

findings were improperly admitted in 

evidence against them. RKO, against which 

the same findings were not admitted, argued 

that since the findings were absent, proof 

of conspiracy against RKO was also absent. 

On the subject of the Paramount case. 

Cinema contended it, "had first established 

by a mass of competent and credible additional 

evidence that the petitioners pursued in 

Denver the identical practices which had been 

found in the Paramount case to be the result 

of collusion among the petitioners and the 

other major distributors." 

In their appeal for a review, the distributors 

had cited the great number of cases 

around the nation in which plaintiffs intend 

to rely upon the Paramount decree, and said 

a final ruling by the Supreme Court "would 

bring to an end much of this litigation which 

is bottomed upon this untenable premise." 

The distributors argued that the Paramount 

decree involved a general conspiracy, and not 

a specific conspiracy in Denver, and thus 

should have been excluded in court consideration 

of the Denver case. 

The Cinema brief, filed by Thurman Arnold, 

former government antitrust chief, contended 

that evidence introduced by the exhibitor 

was sufficient to sustain a verdict 

against the distributors even without reference 

to the Paramount decree. 

The exhibitor charges the distributor defendants 

with conspiring to withhold first 

run from the Denver Broadway. The distributors 

argued that the Broadway is an 

"old opera house type of theatre which the 

exhibitor knew to be a move-over house 

when he leased it." 

Ed DeRudder Buys Airer; 

Plans to Screen Tower 

BRIDGER, MONT.—Construction of a 

new screen tower got under way at the 

Bridger Drive-In here immediately following 

its sale to Ed DeRudder by Aldrich & Co. 

and Marshall Wells store, the two firms 

which bought the business earlier at a sheriff's 

sale. 

Replacement of the screen tower was 

necessitated after a heavy windstorm last 

summer destroyed the old tower. George 

DeRudder, son of the owner, wUl manage 

the ozoner and two other sons, August and 

Frank, will assist. 

Improvements at Ski Hi Drive-In 

HELENA—Improvements at the Ski Hi 

Drive-In include an entrance way parking, 

new landscaping and a complete playground 

installation. 

Motion picture boxoffice receipts in Italy 

for January 1954 were $90,000 higher than in 

January 1953. 

Allied Legion Post Holds 

Americcuiism Dinner 

LOS ANGELES—With some 400 Legionnaires, 

civic, film industry and business leaders 

in attendance. Allied Legion Post 302, 

staged its 12th annual Americanism diimer 

meeting Friday di) at the Ambassador hotel. 

It marked the 12th consecutive year in which 

Charles P. Skouras, president of National 

Theatres and an honorary colonel in Post 302, 

has co-sponsored the gathering. 

A highlight was the presentation of medals 

and citations to five ROTC cadets who were 

adjudged winners of a manual-of-arms drUl. 

Entertainment was supplied by Patricia Wilcox, 

singer, and the Roosevelt high school 

ROTC cadet band. Among participants in the 

program were: 

Gen. Omar Bradley, Superior Judge Thomas 

J. Cunningham, Lt. Gov. Harold J. Powers, 

John S. Gibson of the Los Angeles city council. 

Col. Ai-thur L. Cabel, Cmdr. Richard E. 

Larson, Maj. Richard Kerr, Samuel Leask jr., 

and Superior Judge Philip H. Richards, chairman 

of the post's AmeriCEinism committee. 

Eastern Arizona Airer 

Slates June Opening 

CLIFTON, ARIZ.—The Three-Way Drive- 

In, now being constructed six miles south of 

here, is expected to open in June. Designed 

to accommodate 450 cars, plans call for a 

possible future expansion to a 600 capacity. 

The airer will be equipped with RCA projectors 

and sound system and a 90 by 40 foot 

screen tower. 

Claude E. Davis, formerly of Pecos, Tex., 

owner-manager, is also constructing an 

apartment at the base of the tower structure. 

Initial investment, including the cost 

of the land, is estimated at $100,000. 

SCTOA Heads to Attend 

Arbitration Meeting 

LOS ANGELES—The Southern California 

Theatre Owners Ass'n delegates to the arbitration 

conference called for Monday (24) 

in New York by Eric Johnston, president of 

the Motion Picture Ass'n of America, will 

include Harry C. Arthur jr., board chairman, 

and Al Hanson, of the SCTOA directorate. 

Writers Guild to Meet 

HOLLYWOOD—A special Screen Writers 

Guild membership meeting has been called 

for Wednesday (19) to vote on a proposed 

plan for reorganization of the entire scrivening 

field. The project calls for formation 

of one national organization of motion picture, 

TV and radio writers, split into eastern and 

western regions. At the session, members 

also will be asked to vote on the continuation 

of a 1 per cent dues assessment. 

Airer Construction Begun 

LIBBY, MONT.—W. F. Kienitz has started 

construction of a drive-in on a five-acre 

plot. It will accommodate 250 cars. The 

Model Theatre Co., Seattle, wUl furnish and 

install the complete equipment. 

LOS ANGELES—Three local showcases 

will carry Theatre Network Television's 

closed-circuit telecast of the June 17 Ezzard 

Charles-Rocky Marciano heavyweight championship 

boxing match. Fox West Coast is 

installing General Precision large-screen TV 

equipment in its Fox Wilshire Theatre, while 

the fight also has been booked by the Downtown 

Paramount and the Orphnum. 

The Wilshire has set a $3.30 to $6.60 tab, 

including tax; the Orpheum, a unit in the 

Metropolitan circuit, will charge $3.30 and 

$4.40, including tax; and the Downtown Paramount's 

price scale, including tax, ranges 

from $2.00 to $4.00. Elroy Hirsch will emcee 

the Paramount show and Hank Weaver the 

Orpheum program. 

Lippert and Realart Shift 

At Denver and Salt Lake 

DENVER—Tom Bailey, Lippert Pictures 

franchise owner here and Salt Lake' City, 

has sold the Salt Lake City franchise to 

Tommy McMahon and Jack Swanson, in a 

deal that sees the latter two also taking on 

the Realart franchise for that territory. 

BaUey has taken on the Realart franchise 

for the Denver territory, along with his Lippert, 

Filmakers and other products, including 

"Martin Luther" which he will continue 

to sell also in the Salt Lake City area. 

Bailey has added the Realart force to his 

staff, including Laura Haughey, booker, and 

Paul Allmeyer and Joe Clark, salesmen. 

Close Prineville Lyric 

PRINEVILLE, ORE.—The Lyric Theatre, 

erected here about 30 years ago and one of 

central Oregon's oldest fUm houses, has been 

closed and now is being remodeled to provide 

space for three business firms. The Lyric for 

the last 20 years has been operated by Kenneth 

Piercy, who also owns the Pine Theatre 

and drive-ins both here and at Madras. 

First CS in Alaska 

ALASKA — CinemaScope 

ANCHORAGE, 

made its first bow in Alaska recently at the 

Fourth Avenue Theatre here. Manager Sid 

Raynor supervised installation of the 

Cinemascope screen, new projection equipment 

and sound system. In line with the 

opening of "The Robe," the theatre was also 

recarpeted. 

\ 

HE'S BEEN DOING IT 18 YEARS... 

HAS HE MADE ONE FOR YOU? 

, TRAILERS 

7 MOTION PICTURE SERVICE CO. 

us Hyde Street, San Francisco (2) California 

GEBAUD L KAPSKJ PPES ******* * * * 

Western Washington Theatres 

Town 1800, big draw. Modem building, nice apartment. 

Subrental. Wide screen. Good grosses. 

Others, write for list 

THEATRE EXCHANGE CO. 

5724 S. E. Monroe 

Phone Evergreen 

Portland 22, Ore. 

1.7100 — 1-1606 

BOXOFFICE : : May 15, 1954 51 

J

# # # 

ÔU niTHA 

Take advantage of the tremendous buying power of BOXOFFICE readers. 

Reach this wonderful market at a cost you can afford. Tell and sell to the 

many buyers in yoiu" own territory who are always in the market for 

something. Practically every exhibitor you know reads BOXOFFICE. If 

you need help in wording your message, ask us. No charge. 

BOXOFFICE 

Published Weekly in 9 Sectional Editions 

52 BOXOFFICE 

: 

: May 

15, 1954

FOX SHIFT ON SOUND WILL HEAD 

DISCUSSIONS AT OZARKS LODGE 

KMTAMITO Meeting 

To Discuss Details 

Of CS Sound Plan 

ST. LOUIS—The 20th-Fox decision to release 

Cinemascope pictures with one-channel 

sound will be a highhght of exhibitor 

discussions at the second annual joint session 

of the Kansas-Missouri Theatre Ass'n and 

the Missouri-Illinois Theatre Owners at Arrowhead 

lodge on the Lake of the Ozarks 

next week (18-20). 

AT NEW YORK MEETING 

Many area exhibitors, members of both 

organizations, attended the meeting called 

by Spyros Skouras in New York last week, 

and interest in the 20th-Fox announcement 

is high among area theatre circles. Lester 

R. Kropp of St. Louis, president of the MITO, 

and Tom Bloomer of Belleville, 111., immediate 

past president, attended the gathering 

on behalf of that organization. George Barber 

of Tuscola and Jack Keller, Columbia 

Amusement Co., Paducah, were among other 

exhibitors attending. 

Other subjects scheduled to come before 

the joint meeting will include drive-ins and 

their profitable operation, COMPO, sound 

and projection equipment and problems, 

concessions operations in indoor and driveins, 

national and local legislative matters, 

industry arbitration, advertising and promotion, 

product and print shortages, insurance, 

public relations and Cinemascope installations 

in small towns. 

Senn Lawler of Fox Midwest and Tom Edwards, 

Parmington, Mo., will serve as moderators 

for all of the general sessions. 

SPEAKERS LINED UP 

Speakers will include Leo Hayob, president 

of KMTA; Kropp; Herman Levy, TOA general 

counsel; Walter Reade jr., TOA president; 

Mike L. Simons, MOM sales promotion 

manager; State Senator Edward Long, 

Bowling Green, MITO director; George 

Gaughan, TOA field representative; Pete 

Gloriod, Poplar Bluff; Edward Lachman, 

president of Lorraine Carbons; Ed Harris, 

Neosho; Jack Braunagel, Commonwealth 

Theatres; Bill Powell, Midwest Theatres, and 

Eddie Clark, Metropolis, ID. 

Those attending the joint parley may 

check into their rooms at the Arrowhead 

lodge any time after noon Tuesday, and from 

arrival until 5 p.m., registrants will be free 

to fish, rest, visit, swim or take advantage 

of other lodge facilities. 

At 5 p.m., United Film Co. will host a 

cocktail party, preceding a steak dinner. At 

9 o'clock, registrants wUl view "Corn's A 

Poppin'," film production of Elmer Rhoden 

jr. 

On Wednesday, breakfast will be served 

individually, except for KMTA and MITO 

directors, who will hold an 8:30 breakfast 

conference to finalize program details. The 

first general business session and open forum 

discussions will begin at 10 a.m., and 

luncheon wUl be served at 12:15. The final 

$1000,000 Judgment 

Given to Ed Durwood 

KANSAS CITY—The eight-year legal 

battle 

between Edward D. Durwood, president 

of the Durwood Theatres circuit, and his 

brothers Irwin and H. W. Dubinsky and the 

late Barney Dubinsky, ended in circuit court 

here this week with a judgment of nearly 

$1,000,000 awarded to Durwood. 

Sam MandeU, attorney for the Dubinsky 

brothers, said a motion for a new trial would 

be filed. 

In the ruling by Judge Joe W. McQueen, 

Durwood was given the privilege of purchasing 

at cost three theatres and their 

profits. The theatres were acquired by Irwin 

and H. W. Dubinsky while they were in Durwood's 

employ from 1946 to 1949. 

They are the Starview Theatre, Lincoln, 

Neb.; the River Lane, Rockford, 111., and the 

Altwood, Wood River, 111. The court judged 

the value of the houses at $900,000 and ruled 

that Durwood can buy them from his brothers. 

Durwood would pay about $105,000 for 

the properties after all considerations are 

settled. The Rockford house was valued at 

$375,000, and with rent, interest and other 

considerations, Durwood can buy it for 

$43,828.13. The Starview was valued at 

$325,000 and Durwood can buy it for $120,209. 

The Altwood, with a value of $200,000, can be 

bought for $59,330. 

The order states that the defendants must 

present deeds to the theatres within 60 days 

and that Durwood has ten days after that 

to pay for the properties. 

In effect, the court judgment confirmed 

the December ruling of Paul Barnett, former 

city court of appeals judge who was named 

referee in the case. At that time, Barnett 

held that Durwood was the intended victim 

of a "conspiracy to defraud," and that a contract 

between the brothers had been violated. 

The contract, established in 1946, in which 

business session will be at 2 p.m., followed 

by a 6:30 p.m. chicken dinner. At 8:15, registrants 

will board the cruiser Larry Don 

for a two-hour ride on the Lake of the 

Ozarks. Cocktails will be served on the 

Larry Don by Manley, Inc., Kansas City. 

Hosts aboard the cruiser will be Exhibitors 

Film Delivery of Kansas City and A. V. 

Ganger Film Service, Inc., headquartering 

in Independence, Mo. 

Advance registrations sent in by Zella 

Faulkner, executive secretary for KMTA, 

and Myra Stroud, MITO secretary, assure 

that attendance will be good. The management 

of Arrowhead lodge has arranged with 

owners of other lodges and motels to take 

care of the overflow crowd. All meals will be 

served at Arrowhead. Those attending are 

asked to wear western attire. 

Durwood employed his brothers, prohibited 

the brothers from engaging in the theatre 

business directly or indirectly from 1946 to 

1959 in Leavenworth, Kas., St. Joseph, Kansas 

City or Jefferson City. The contract also 

gave exclusive rights to Durwood of the 

names Dubinsky Bros, and Dubinsky Bros. 

Theatres in those cities. 

The court ruling cited the brothers for 

operating a theatre business under the name 

Dubinsky Bros. Theatres, Inc., with offices 

in St. Joseph. 

Durwood was awarded the profits until 

1949 of the firm set up by his brothers, $121,- 

185. plus interest of $38,971, for a total of 

$160,156. Judgments against Durwood will 

bring the total down to $119,364. 

The court ruled that if Durwood elects to 

purchase the three theatres, he also would 

be entitled to $64,000 a year in rentals from 

1949 to the date of purchase. 

Attorneys for Durwood said later this week 

that they would take legal steps to acquire 

the theatres. In the event that the motion 

by the Dubinsky brothers for a new trial is 

refused, they can appeal to a higher court. 

Such an appeal with bond would prevent 

steps by Durwood to claim the theatres. 

The judgment finds that Durwood will pay 

Mrs. Ruth Dubinsky, widow of Barney 

Dubinsky, a total of $31,056 for wages and 

interest owed to him. Barney Dubinsky died 

in 1948. 

The McQueen opinion was 21 pages long 

and covered the 306-page report submitted 

by Barnett, who worked on the case six 

months. There were more than 2,000 exhibits 

and 4,000 pages of testimony. Judge 

McQueen had worked on it since December 

and the vast number of records was kept on 

a hand cart in his chambers. Court costs 

have exceeded $19,000. 

Arrowhead lodge is located on Highway 

54, which intersects with cross-state Highway 

50 at Jefferson City. 

Some of those attending have arranged 

to check into the lodge Sunday or Monday. 

Included in the early arrivals will be Kropp; 

Bill WiUiams, Union, Mo.; A. B. Magarian, 

East St. Louis; Tom Bloomer; Levy; Gaughan 

and Miss Stroud. Miss Stroud has arranged 

for a number of attendance prizes 

to be given during the meeting, including a 

case of Lorraine carbons from President 

Lachman of that company, and an emergency 

lighting system, being furnished by 

William C. Earle, St. Louis manager for 

National Theatre Supply. 

Edgar Buchanan has been handed a charactre 

role in Universal's "Destry." 

BOXOFFICE : : May 15, 1954 53

Highlights of Allied Convention 

KANSAS CITY—Exhibitors "sitting tight" 

on adding new equipment until the dust 

settles on the present confusion seem to 

be those who are lucky enough to have no 

competition. Colonel Cole, who is lucky in 

that respect, quoted: "Be not the first by 

whom the new is tried, nor yet the last to 

cast the old aside." He contends he has been 

offered 3-D equipment for nothing by exhibitors 

who have become disillusioned, and 

that the angel Gabriel could not bring people 

Into a theatre to be entertained if they had 

to worry with those first poorly constructed 

glasses. 

"Before I would put in any of this new 

equipment,"' Cole said, "I would want to 

know how many pictures I could get and 

from how many companies. Al.so, how soon 

could count on getting my money back." 

I 

* * 

There seemed to be agreement that the 

wide screen is an improvement which is universally 

approved. As for stereophonic sound, 

the idea that it can be used successfully in 

drive-ins met considerable skepticism. Colonel 

Cole, w-ho expressed himself frequently and 

caustically during discussions, referred to 

the Ezell three-w'ay speaker as an "abortion." 

"Anybody who thinks you can get directional 

sound on speakers so close together is 

crazy," said Cole bluntly. "There is only 

one way that you can get better drive-in 

sound and that is with a six-inch instead of 

a four-inch speaker, and they seem to have 

settled on the four-inch — as standard. The 

six-inch gives better ah " E. D. Van Duyne 

supplied "frequency range" for him. Beverly 

Miller said six-inch speakers are available 

through a St. Louis firm. 

* * « 

Beverly MUler says he and his associates 

have found that street-marking paint is fine 

for use on drive-in screens . . . Don J. Shade 

from Ottawa, Kas., said he has put a wide 

screen and 3-D equipment in his Tauy Theatre, 

but that is as far as he will go until 

they settle on something definite . . . Charles 

V. Crocker of Ulysses, Kas., who brought Mrs. 

Crocker along, said they were not going to 

put in new equipment until some standard 

method was agreed upon. The Crockers do 

plan to put in a wide screen this fall in their 

indoor house, the Crocker. They also have 

the Uly.sses Drive-In. 

J. W. Stark of Stark Enterprises in Wichita 

said this had been a good season for Snack- 

Bar supplies and playground equipment which 

his firm handles. It has the largest warehouse 

in Wichita. As representative of the 

Triple "AAA" Root Beer Co. of Oklahoma, 

Stark installed a Sho-Bar in Gene BuUard's 

new Ark-Vue Drive-In at Arkansas City. 

Irving Zussman, president of the Inter-State 

Popcorn Co., with a plant at Fremont, Neb., 

announced Stark would be the representative 

for the Kansas area. 

Ml-, and Mrs. Porter Smith, who have the 

Chief at Coldwater, Kas., attended their first 

convention. As Smith expressed it, "We're 

here to learn something." Left at home to 

run the theatre were theii' 18-year-old son 

and 14-year-old daughter. The Smiths also 

have the Cozy at Gravette, Ai-k. They have 

been in theatre business about four years. 

O. C. Alexander, who has the Kansas Theatre 

at Kiowa, says he is waiting to see what 

the film companies are going to settle on and 

how far they are going to break the exhibitors 

before he puts in new equipment. Alexander 

has no competition. Donald Farmer 

from the Ti-ibune (Kas.) Theatre and G. L. 

Johnson from Lakin seemed to be of the 

same mind. 

Fred Harpst made the cocktail party 

Thursday C6i night before the banquet a 

more enjoyable occasion because of the 

music he played on the Hammond organ. 

It was the kind of music that one used to 

hear in theatres in the old silent days, creating 

nostalgia among the older members 

and guests who listened. 

Everything passed off pleasantly at the 

banquet, with Abram F. Meyers showing in 

his talk how to be humorous and yet in the 

best of taste, while Mike Simons demonstrated 

the "friendly company's" tolerant attitude 

toward any criticism of producers and 

distributors which came up in the meeting 

by passing it off with good-natured appraisal. 

President Beverly Miller presided 

with ease and kept things moving along at 

a fast pace, concluding with a travalog on 

the .slums of Europe recently visited, adding 

a little flag-waving—and some anecdotes. 

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This ad-- 

Registrations 

KANSAS CITY—Among those registered 

at the Missouri-Kansas Allied convention 

here last week: 

Missouri 

KANSAS CITY 

Ronald Means 

Jay Means 

Alex Shniderman 

Beverly Miller 

Mildred Harris 

Bob Smith 

L. Abrams 

Al Adier 

C. F. Bishop 

Guy L. Bradford 

Betty Caruso 

Harvey S. Cole 

Roger Copple 

Arthur "Count" 

de Stefano 

Mel W. Downey 

Harry Gaffney 

Ed Hartman 

L. J.Kimbriel 

Jim Lewis 

Jack Longon 

Syd Levy 

J.T. Manfre 

Gladys Melson 

Sid Morley 

Louis Patz 

Morry Relder 

Howard C. Thomas 

E. D. Van Duyne 

Mrs. H. 1. White 

James D. Wichter jr. 

Jock Winninghom 

Lester Zucker 

Ben Shiyen 

Velma West Sykes 

E. C. Rhoden jr. 

Earl Dyson 

CAMERON—A. E. Jarboe, W. C. Silver. 

CARTHAGE—W. Brodfield. 

COLUMBIA—Herbert Jeans. 

INDEPENDENCE—T. R. Couger. 

JEFFERSON CITY—Hub Miller. 

JOPLIN—Hal Parish. 

MARYVILLE—C. E. "Doc" Cook, J. Ray Cook. 

NEOSHO— Ed Harris. 

NEVADA— Komp Jorrett. 

SEDALIA—J. T. Gosen. 

SENECA—Albert Tourtillott. 

ST. LOUIS—Roy G. Colvin. 

WEBB CITY—Howard Lorsen. 

Kansas 

ARKANSAS CITY—Gene Bullard, Fred Munson. 

BETHEL— F. C. Westbrook jr. 

CLAY CENTER— K. H. Ehref. 

COFFEYVILLE—Tal Richardson. 

COLDWATER— Porter Smith. 

COUNCIL GROVE—Cle Bratton, 

DODGE CITY—Glen Cooper. 

EL DORADO—Frond J. Hall, W. B. Adams. 

HUTCHINSON—Chuck Embick, Jay Wooten. 

KANSAS CITY—C. H. Potter. 

KIOWA—O. C. Alexander. 

LAKIN—G. L. Johnson. 

LAWRENCE— E. D. Laudau. 

LINCOLN—Roy Musselmon. 

MINNEAPOLIS—C. E. Musgrave. 

OSAGE CITY—LeRoy Hitchings. 

OTTAWA— Don Shade, Glen J. Underwood. 

PARSONS— Louis Stein. 

5ABETHA— Louise Block. 

TRIBUNE—Donald L. Farmer. 

ULYSSES—Charles V. Crocker. 

Others 

CHICAGO—Joseph R. Mock, Lou Kravitz. 

DALLAS—E. L. Harris, Col. H. A. Cole. 

FREMONT, NEB.— Irving Zussman, 

GLENDALE, CALIF.—C. Charles Chathom. 

NEW YORK—Mike Simons. 

Jack Campbell, 45, Dies; 

Christopher Manager 

CHRISTOPHER, ILL. Jack Campbell, 45, 

manager of the Globe Theatre, died Saturday 

(8) in the Marshall Browning hospital 

in Du Quoin. He had been rushed to the 

hospital after suffering a stroke. His condition 

was not considered critical, but subsequent 

heart complications caused his death. 

He is survived by his wife and four small 

children ranging from 2 to 9 years and a 

married son, 23 years old. The body was 

shipped to Hutchinson, Kas., his former 

home. He had been with the Fox Midwest 

circuit about 12 years and came to southern 

Illinois from Hutchinson about four years 

ago. 

To Operate Benton Airer 

BENTON, ILL.—The 400-car Park Drive- 

In in the Benton municipal park, formerly 

operated by Sam Stuart Marshall, former 

mayor of Tamaroa, this year will be under 

the management of Clifford Mantle of St. 

Louis, who did the booking and buying for 

the theatre last year. Marshall, a dentist, 

last year moved to Chicago. 

Joseph Wright has been set as art director 

on the Magna-Todd-AO production, "Oklahoma 

1" 

54 BOXOFFICE 

: 

: May 

15, 1954

— 

— 

—— 

— 

Chicago Scores Stay 

Near Level of 200 

CHICAGO—Big boxoffice news among the 

newcomers was "River of No Return" at the 

State Lake, while "Executive Suite" at the 

Chicago, "Carnival Story" at the Woods and 

"Pinocchio" at the Loop set a fast pace for 

holdovers. A spring vacation for some 

schools was considered responsible for a 

much heavier than usual teenage attendance. 

(Average Is 100) 

Carnegie This Happy Breed (Dezel) 165 

Chicago Executive Suite (MGM), 2nd wk 230 

Esquire The Man Between (UA) 170 

Eitel's Paloce This is Cinerama (Cinerama), 

40th wk 250 

Grand Dragonfly Squadron (AA); World for 

Ransom ( AA), 2nd wk 1 65 

Loop Pinocchio (RKO), reissue, 5th wk 245 

McVickers Casonovo's Big Night (Paro); Cease 

Fire (Para), 2nd wk 145 

Monroe Best Years of Our Lives (RKO), reissue, 

2nd wk 195 

Oriental Prince Valiant (20th-Fox), 4th wk 220 

Roosevelt Riding Shotgun (WB); The Boy From 

Oklahoma (WB) 170 

State Lake River of No Return (20th-Fox). . . .215 

Surf The Holly and the Ivy (Pacemaker) 180 

United Artists Playgirl (U-l); Drive o Crooked 

Rood (Col), 2nd wk 175 

Woods Carnivol Story (RKO), 4th wk 235 

World Playhouse Heidi (UA), 4th wk 195 

Ziegfeld Beauties of the Night (UA) 1 80 

Garard Theatres Remodel 

DALLAS CITY, ILL.—The Dallas Theatre 

here; the Woodbine, Carthage, and the Warsaw 

at Warsaw, all owned and operated by 

Justus Garard of Carthage, were reopened 

after being closed three days for remodeling 

and decorating. New wide screens were installed, 

concessions stands remodeled and redecorated 

and new carpeting laid. 

Sets Midweek Family Nights 

SALEM, ILL.—Cluster's Drive-In on Route 

37 south of the city limits, which was reopened 

April 29, has scheduled Tuesdays and 

Wednesday as Family nights, Loren Cluster, 

owner, has announced. 

Charles Sherman Heads 

Rialto at St. Joseph 

ST. JOSEPH, MO.—Charles B. Sherman 

has taken over the management of Dickinson's 

Rialto Theatre here. Sherman formerly 

managed Durwood's Uptown for seven years 

and then opened the Trail Theatre for Dickinson, 

Inc., later becoming city manager for 

the company. Last year he was in Indiana 

where he was city manager for the Illinois- 

Indiana Theatres, Inc., at Laporte and later 

operated the Keith Theatre at Indianapolis. 

Bud Nelson, who has manag 'd the Rialto 

for the past year, took a week's vacation 

and then became manager of the company's 

Lux Theatre in Joplin. Leo Colvin, former 

manager had resigned. 

"Blue Moon' in Ninth Week 

At Kansas City 

KANSAS CITY—"The Moon Is Blue" went 

Into its ninth week here at the Esquire, still 

doing average business, and "Genevieve" at 

the Kimo chalked up 165 per cent on its 

fourth week. "Casanova's Big Night" was 

somewhat disappointing at the Paramount 

with little better than average patronage, 

while "The Wicked Woman" at the Midland 

and "The Queen of Sheba" at the Missouri 

were poor grossers. Even "Night People" 

with Gregory Peck in the four Fox houses 

attracted only mild crowds. 

"The French Line" was still holding up at 

the Roxy. Vogue's two reissues played only 

the one week, with "The Holly and the Ivy" 

coming in. 

Esquire—The Moon Is Blue (UA), 9th wk. (held). .100 

Kimo Genevieve (U-l), 4th wk. (held) 165 

Midland Wicked Woman (UA); Tennessee 

Chomp (MGM) 85 

Missouri The Queen of Sheba (LP); Blackout 

(LP) 80 

Paramount Casanova's Big Night (Pora) 110 

Roxy—The French Line (RKO), 3rd wk. (held).. 125 

Tower, Uptown, Fairway and Granada Night 

People (20th-Fox) 1 05 

Vogue—Stoge Door (RKO); Top Hat (RKO), 

reissues 110 

Indianapolis Grosses Hurt 

By Transit Strike 

INDIANAPOLIS—A streetcar and bus 

strike toppled grosses to the lowest point 

in years. 

Circle Casonovo's Big Night (Para); Mon From 

Cairo (LP) 50 

Indiana Night People (20fh-Fox) 50 

Keith's Best Years of Our Lives (RKO) 40 

Loew's The Wild One (Col); Goit (Col) 50 

Lyric—Wicked Woman (UA); The Assassin (UA) 45 

Cozy Installs New Screen 

AUGUSTA, ILL. — The Cozy Theatre, 

owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Rex 

VanHorn, is Installing a new panoramic 

screen. The interior of the theatre is being 

redecorated with new wood panelling and 

new carpeting. 

Install at Springfield Roxy 

SPRINGFIELD, ILL.—New Cinemascope 

and stereophonic sound equipment recently 

was installed in the Prisina Amusement Co. 

Roxy. 

Phone CLifton 9390 

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BOXOFnCE : 

: May 

15, 1954 55

. . . Glenn 

. . Tom 

. . Other 

. . Mrs. 

KANSAS CITY 

ITarold Lyon, Paramount manager, played 

host to James Cagney and A. C. Lyles 

from the Paramount studio publicity department 

Saturday (8), who were here for several 

hours. They were enthusiastic about 

"Run for Cover" which Cagney is making 

in VistaVision for Paramount . . . Lester 

Zucker, Universal district manager, went to 

Des Moines last weekend for the opening of 

the company's remodeled offices there. The 

new building here will be ready for occupancy 

in July or the early part of August 

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SHREVE THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

217 W. 18th S(. Kansos City, Mo. 

Colton, manager of Commonwealth's 

Sunset Drive-In at Washington, 

Mo., sends word a baby .son born Wednesday 

(5) has been named Craig Edmonds. 

. . . 

. . . 

Bernie Evens, MGM exploitation maestro, 

John 

.spent the past week in St. Louis 

Tonge, booker, was back at the office recovered 

from accident injuries . . . Ben Marcus, 

Columbia division manager, made a trip to 

Omaha . Baldwin fished the past 

weekend, apparently with negative results 

Ken Levy, head booker, took a week's 

vacation trip to Des Moines. 

Charles Johnson, lawyer, has taken over 

the Admiral Theatre as of May 5. He purchased 

it from Herman Levine and Sam 

Fineberg. Mrs. Mildred Blackmore will act 

. 

as manager. She has had many years of 

theatre experience, at the Easttown (formerly 

Central) and at Waverly, Kas. 

Jack Braunagel's mother, Mrs. 

. . 

Maude Mahoney, 

died Saturday (8) night at San Francisco. 

Mrs. Braunagel left for there Sunday 

(9) and Jack, who was attending a convention 

in Atlanta, was to meet her there. 

. . . George Baker has 

. Copeland, Allied 

Howard Strum and Charles Shepard of 

Popper.s Supply showed the Roto-Grille at 

the National Restaurant Equipment show in 

Chicago last week 

placed a Hol'n One Donut machine in Doc 

Cook's Starlite Dude Ranch Drive-In at 

Maryville, Mo. 

Artists 

. 

manager, 

. R. 

was 

M. 

home ill a few days 

. . . Dudley Doolittle's Lyric at Cottonwood 

Falls, Kas., is reported closed; also Gib 

Crocker's Rialto at Lyndon. Crocker has 

been in the hospital but is reported improving 

. . . George Owen, who operates the 

Owen at Seymour, Mo., and his son Harold, 

who has the Air-Drome at Good Hope, flew 

in Monday. Harold also operates a flying 

service from Seymour . RKO visitors 

reported were George Nescher of Valley 

Falls, Kas., and Virgil Harbison of Tarkio. 

Mo. 

Les Durland, film buyer for Consolidated 

Agencies, and Bob Withers, Republic manager, 

went fishing last weekend at Lake of 

the Ozarks. The fish were not biting but 

they visited John White of the Lake Theatre 

at Camdenton and ran into Frank Banford, 

concession buyer for Fox Midwest. Banford 

and his wife were visiting her folks for 

Mother's day, at Purvis Beach . . . National 

Theatre Supply sold several pairs of Super- 

Scope lenses after the demonstration at the 

Allied convention. They went to the Dickinson 

circuit. Doc Cook at Maryville, Mo., 

Ray Walsh at Chanute, Kas., and W. D. 

Fulton in Kansas City, Kas. 

Woodie Latimer of L&L I»opcom now has 

about 85 Buttermat machines in Fox Midwest 

houses, around 30 in Commonwealth 

locations and has Installed one in each of 

the Durwood theatres as well as in many 

mdependent houses. Customers are assured 

of ready service since all essential parts are 

available In the Kansas City office. Profits 

on buttered popcorn have been further enhanced 

now, Latimer said, due to the releasing 

of butter surpluses, resulting in 

bringing down the price . . . Ken Winkelmeyer 

visited the KMTA offices the past 

week, glad to be back In business at his 

Casino in Boonville. It was closed several 

months for remodeling after a bad fire. 

Martin Stone of the Mercury Advertising 

Co. (tape recordings), announces the birth 

of a daughter named Laura Ellen. The 

Stones have a son 2'i years old. Phyllis Jelf 

has replaced Mrs. Stone as his office stenographer 

. D. A. Bisagno was in from 

Augusta, Kas., on Monday learning what the 

well-dressed theatre should wear these days 

from Bob Smith and Arthur de Stefano at 

National Theatre Supply . . . Alex Shniderman 

bought a pair of Super-Panatar lenses 

for his Strand Theatre at Concordia, Kas. 

New Skyline Drive-In Bows 

In St. Louis City Limits 

ST. LOUIS—The new Skyline Drive-In, 

also known as the Broadway, of 700-car capacity, 

the only drive-in inside the St. Louis 

city limits, held its grand opening Friday 

(14). Ray Parker, mayor of Brentwood and 

his business associates in the operation of 

the Skyline Drive-In Theatre on Natural 

Bridge road opposite Lambert-St. Louis Municipal 

ah-port, also own and operate the 

new Skyline. 

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56 BOXOFFICE 

: 

: May 

15, 1954

| 

Star Charlton Heston CS Relaxation Ups 

Crowns Branson Queen 

Branson, Mo.—The first visit to Branson 

Big Screen Orders 

Popcorn Processors— In our 80th Year. 

by a Hollywood personality took KANSAS CITY—Filmrow seemed to have 

place Thursday (13) when Charlton received a shot in the arm with the news 

Heston arrived to take part in the local 

high school's Buccaneer ball. The activities 

last week that Cinemascope pictures would 

started in nearby Springfield with a 

luncheon sponsored by the Chamber of 

Commerce and the Lions club, and was 

followed by a motorcade to Branson 

where Heston was presented a key to 

the city by Mayor Tom Epps. 

Heston's two-day visit was at the invitation 

of the high school students to 

crown their queen of the ball Thursday. 

The event was presented at the Owens 

Theatre under the supervision of Manager 

Steve Miller. 

INDIANAPOLIS 

Jlmong those who attended the Cinema- 

Scope forum in New York were Dale 

McFarland, manager of the Greater Indianapolis 

Amusement Corp., and Manager R. 

L. Conn of 20th-Fox . . . The Lyric, Grand 

and Palace, Louisville—colored patronage 

houses, will be operated by Jack Powell. 

Allan Moritz, owner, is on an extended vacation 

. . . Leo Pillett, 20th-Fox exploiteer, 

The Pendleton F>ike Drive-In 

was in . . . 

is installing a screen, 102 feet wide and 48 

feet high. 

all its houses and ordering wide screens for 

The Princess at Portland has been closed 

all indoor situations. No decision has been 

for the summer . . . The Mars, operated by made yet as to the drive-ins. 

George Andriokus, closed . . . Jack Safer 

At National Theatre Supply Co., however, 

of Safer Films, returned from a business 

Arthur de Stefano called attention to the 

trip to Chicago where he visited Alliance 

fact that Dan Blair of Smith Center, Kas., 

circuit officials . . . Irving Dreeben, Columbia 

salesman at Louisville, Ky., conferred 

whose drive-in screen tower was blown down 

recently, ordered Cinemascope replacement. 

with local Manager Devaney . . . Harris 

Orders are coming in so fast for wide screens 

Dudelson, Buena Vista Productions, called 

and Super-Panatar (Gottschalk) lenses that 

on local exhibitors. 

deliveries are having to be marked up. 

The Gene BuUards are equipping for 

Cinemascope in the new drive-in they will 

open soon in Arkansas City, feeling that it 

were wiser now to wire for both stereophonic 

Kernel Prunty Says: 

sound and for in-car heaters rather than to 

have to tear up the ramps later when they 

look forward to adding them. 

"Are you using the variety of popcorn At the Stebbins Theatre Supply Co., C. H. 

Badger said more inquiries about wide 

your trade likes best?" I offer today, 

screens and anamorphic lenses were coming 

f.o.b. St. Louis, my four brands of popcorn 

as follows: 

same thing—renewed optimism in all phases 

in than for some time. It aU adds up to the 

of the industry. As one of the boys expressed 

RUSH HOUR $ 8.50 

it, "We're back in business again." 

SILVER HULLESS 8.50 

GOLDEN HULLESS 10.25 

POP KING HULLESS 9.50 

Per 100-pound sack. 

1,000-pound lots 25c 100 less. 

Send for pricelist of "Toien Trays, Hot Dogs, 

Sandwich and Popcorn bags, cartons, etc." 

PRUNTY POPCORN DIVISION 

620 North 2nd St. St. Louis 2, Mo. 

be sold with or without stereophonic sound 

by all companies. 

At 20th-Fox, Joe Neger, manager, commented 

that the company still feels progressive-minded 

exhibitors will want to add 

stereo sound. There are 3,800 theatres in 

the United States already fully equipped in 

that respect, he said. All any exhibitor now 

needs to play "The Robe" and other Cinema- 

Scope films are a wide screen and anamorphic 

lenses. 

The regular Cinemascope prints are now 

available, of course, for theatres who have 

mixers to handle the stereosound tracks, 

while prints with either one magnetic or one 

optical soundtrack will be available around 

July 1. 

Salesmen are pleased because now whatever 

the exhibitor wants, 20th-Fox has it, 

for there will still be 2-D pictures (a minimum 

of one a month), there wiU be 3-D 

pictures such as "Gorilla at Large," and 

there will be Cinemascope at its best. For 

the small exhibitor who feels he cannot equip 

for directional sound, there will still be 

Cinemascope. 

At Commonwealth Theatres, General 

Manager Bob Shelton remarked that as a 

result of the decisions of last week by MGM 

and 20th-Fox, Commonwealth is surveying 

Seek Theatre Burglars 

McLEANSBORO, ILL.—Sheriff George 

Taylor of Hamilton county and the city 

small. 

[^ 

no end. to 

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Often, even we're 

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end-result . . . after a 

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MANUFACTURERS— 

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DISTRrBUTORS— 

Upholstery fabrics and 

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police force are conducting an investigation 

into the theft of the night's receipts and the 

money kept for change from the safe of the 

McLean Theatre, a unit of the Pirtle Amusement 

Co. circuit, the night of April 28. The 

burglars carried the light safe from the theatre 

to the rear of the Roger, James & Co. 

mill, where it was battered open. Entrance 

to the theatre was gained by breaking a rear 

door. Byron LassweU, manager of the theatre, 

indicated the sum taken was comparatively 

theatre seat 

service co. 

160 Hermitage Avenue 

Nashville, 

Tennessee 

theSstre equipment 

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BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

15, 1954 57

. 

has 

" 

. . . Ted 

CHICAGO 

X>ea Lourie, Columbia manager, said Harry 

Walders will take over as sales manager 

here, effective May 17. Walders, who 

been IFE representative in this area, 

succeeds Oscar Bloom, recently deceased . . . 

Fred Niles, Kling Studios vice-president, announced 

the production of new TV film commercials 

for Williamson Dickie Mfg. Co., 

O'Cedar Corp., Carling's Brewing Co., Sentinel 

Television and Frigidaire division of 

General Motors. 

mounted in the lobby 

The six-foot sailfish 

of the Monroe Theatre was caught by owner 

James Jovan and his son Eddie while they 

were on a Florida vacation recently . . The 

. 

0^ S(tys Mrs. 

E. W. SHARP 


Amusement Company 

Missoulo, Montono 

Variety Club of Illinois has directed its energy 

toward efforts to help a charter member 

who has been stricken with a severe 

heart attack and will be hospitalized for several 

weeks. A committee headed by Manuel 

Smerling, chief barker; Jack Rose, property 

ma.ster; J. J. Jones, international representative, 

and Joseph Berenson, canvasman, has 

started a move for funds to aid the member, 

who is in an oxygen tent. 

Abe Fisher has been appointed assistant to 

RKO Central Division Manager Herbert 

Greenblatt. Fisher's headquarters will be 

in Chicago . . . Sam Kaplan of Albert 

Dezel said "The Bigamist" has been booked 

"QUALITY OF YOUR 

FILMS 

IS 

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. . The 

Chicago Used Chair Mairt has just completed 

rebuilding the seats in the De Luxe. 

The De Luxe, closed for refurbishing, has 

been reopened by new owner Duke Shumow. 

Sam Levinsohn, head of the Chicago Used 

Chair Mart, said his company bought the 

entire lot of seats from the Chicago Arena. 

The arena has been cleared for CBC's local 

television operations. 

Burtus Bishop jr., MGM division sales 

manager here, retui'ned from a fishing vacation 

in Florida waters . . . Tom R. Gilliam, 

20th-Fox manager, went to New York for 

Paul Montague has 

a company meeting . . . 

been admitted to the theatre publicists 

union . . . Nick DeLuca of the Alex is now 

at home recuperating following an operation. 

. 

. . . Fred Mindlin, 

The Jackson Park Theatre has installed 

Cinemascope Ziegfeld building has 

been purchased by a Chicago syndicate for 

an undisclosed amount 

manager of the Ziegfeld, is back on the job 

following a short session in the hospital . . . 

AlbM't Dezel has been given distributorship 

of "This Happy Breed," currently showing 

at the Carnegie. 

Alton, 111., Booth Dispute 

Settled by Two Houses 

ALTON, ILL.—Two area neighborhood 

theatres, closed because they could not continue 

to operate under then existing financial 

conditions, reopened Friday (7), after 

reaching agreements with lATSE Local 268 

for a reduction in the projection staff from 

two operators at $65 per week to only one 

at $90 per week. The theatres are the Norside, 

owned and operated by Eugene K. Elfgen 

and dark since April 26, and the Uptown, 

owned by Joseph Goldfarb, which 

ceased operations May 2. 

A third neighborhood, the State, owned 

and operated by Charley Goldman of St. 

Louis and Harry H. Beck of Alton, closed 

April 26 and has not yet announced plans 

for reopening. 

Beck, Elfgen and Goldfarb, in a joint statement 

April 27, pointed out that tn addition 

to paying the two projectionists $65 per 

week, they also had experienced a sharp 

increase in other operating costs, including 

film rentals. The result was that all three 

theatres had been operated at a loss. The 

original offer of the theatres to the union 

when a reduction in the number of projectionisis 

was asfced was $84 a week, but 

that proposal was turned down at a meeting 

of the union the morning of April 27, according 

to Wallace Foster, business agent. 

Durwood Company Drops 

Television Application 

JEFFERSON CITY—The L. H. P. Co., a 

Missouri corporation owned by the Durwood 

family interest for the purpose of applying 

for Channel 13, has withdrawn in favor of the 

Jefferson Television Co. Durwood operates 

motion picture theatres in Kansas City, St. 

Joseph, Jefferson City and Leavenworth, 

Kas. It also operates TV station KEDD, the 

NBC affiliate in Wichita. 

Stanley Durwood, vice-president and general 

manager of the Durwood interests, said 

his family withdrew the application in the 

best interests of the community. With three 

contestants going into the hearing, several 

years might elapse before Jefferson City 

could receive television from its own station. 

AT UA SESSION—Snapped at the recent United Artists regional sales meeting 

held recently at Chicago in behalf of the UA 35th anniversary drive are, left to right: 

James Velde, western division manager; Alex Halperin, Stanley Warner, zone manager; 

Herb Wheeler, Warner Theatres district manager ; Aaron Schlessman, Warner Theatres 

booker, and Harry Goldman, UA Chicago manager. 

Waynesville Airer Bows 

WAYNESVILLE, MO. — The Wood Lane 

Drive-In, 300-car capacity, on Highway 17 

has been opened by the Commonwealth 

Amusement Co., Kansas City, which also operates 

the 450-seat Wayne and the 1,232- 

seat Fort Wood Theatre, conventional houses, 

in the Waynesville area. 

Renovation at Portageville, Mo. 

PORTAGEVILLE, MO.—The Maxon Theatre, 

owned by Mrs. Prank DeGuire, has 

been reopened after extensive repairs and 

redecorating. 

Herman Tanner Installs 

Wide Screen at Vandalia 

VANDALIA, ILL.—The installation of a 

new huge screen, nearly twice the size of the 

old one, has been completed at the Liberty, 

owned by Herman Tanner. The new screen, 

which is 30% feet wide, covers the full length 

of the theatre's stage, which has been enlarged. 

Considerable remodeling was necessary 

to make room for the screen. New exits 

had to be constructed and the stage brought 

forward several feet. Tanner has ordered a 

pair of the new SuperScope lenses for his 

theatres in Vandalia and Pana, HI. 

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BOXOFTICE : 

: May 

15, 1954 59

ST. 

LOUIS 

tJarry C. Arthur, general manager, Fanchon of its engagement there. It started its thirteenth 

week Sunday (9). 

& Marco, has returned from the west 

coast . . . Carson W. Rodgers, president and 

The Silver jubilee of Brentwood, Mo., as 

general manager. Rodgers Theatres, has returned 

to his headquarters in Cairo after 

an incorporated municipality was celebrated 

with a three-day program arranged by Mayor 

Ray Parker, one of the owners of the 

several weeks in Florida with his mother 

Mrs. Grace Rodgers, who is recovering from 

Skyline Drive-In on Natural Bridge road 

a recent illness . . . Jimmy Frisina of Taylorville, 

buyer for the Frisina Amusement Co. 

and the new SkyUne Drive-In on South 

Broadway in St. Louis. Earl Rafferty, a 

of Springfield, participated in an amateur 

member of Local 143, was chairman of the 

golf tournament at French Lick, Ind. 

celebration committee. The program for April 

Ralph Puller, manager of the Fort Wood 29-May 1 ended with a big street dance. 

Theatre, Waynesville, is making a satisfactory 

recovery from his recent illness. He The annual employes party of Fanchon & 

hopes to be back on the job soon . . . Maurice 

Schweitzer, manager, Allied 

Marco-St. Louis Amusement Co. and affiUates 

took place at the Imperial club Friday 

Artists, 

called on exhibitors in Paducah, Cairo and a). The event started late to enable all 

Harrisburg . . . Jack Stein, proprietor of the 

of the theatre workers to enjoy the dinner 

tavern at the northeast corner of Leonard dance. 

avenue and Olive street, has been 111. 

The population of the St. Louis metropolitan 

area as of January 1, 1954, was es- 

Thomas Bailey, MGM manager, was called 

to Cleveland May 4 by the death of his timated at 1.805,000, an increase of 124,000 

brother-in-law, an employe of the General since April 1, 1950 according to a report by 

Electric Co. Funeral services were on May the St. Louis chapter of the American Statistical 

Ass'n. The rate of increase, 7.4 per 

6. 

Word from Washington, Mo., is that Robert 

Marchbank, district manager for Com- 

6.6 per cent. St. Louis proper increased only 

cent, was ahead of the national average of 

monwealth Amusement Co.. continues to 1.3 per cent from 856,800 to 868,000, but 

show a fine recovery from his illness of several 

weeks ago . . . "This Is Cinerama" con- 

000, an increase of 77,651 or 19 per cent. 

St. Louis county rose from 406,349 to 484,- 

tinues to do big business at the Ambassador. 

A check indicated that it had played The Skyline Drive-In on Natural Bridge 

to 

145,000 cash customers in the first 12 weeks road presented on its stage in person cowboy 

acts Tom London and Texas Rose, Red 

Watson and Audie Andrews. The screen 

feature was "Wings of the Hawk." Prices 


were 50 cents for adults and children under 

12 years of age free. 

"always/ about it with A 

GOOD'. 

A demonstration of the Pola-Lite system 

for 3-D pictures was given at the Fox Theatre 

Thursday (13). It was arranged by Her- 

ALWAYS FILMACK 

ON TIME! 

man Gorelick and George Phillips of Realart 

Pictures of St. Louis, territorial distributor 

TRAILER 

for the system . . . Charley Moore, Motiograph 

factory representative, Chicago, 1327 S. Wakask - Ckicat*. III. 630 Niatk An. • Ntw Yirk, N. T. plans 

L^reetLina6 . . . 

All 

members and guests of 

KMTA and 

MITO 

Moy you have a pleasant and profitable joint meeting at 

Arrowhead Lodge, Lake of the Ozarks, May 18, 19 and 20. 

to attend the joint KMTA-MITO meeting at 

Arrowhead lodge May 18-20. 

James Cagney was awarded a Scouting 

Oscar as a highlight of the second annual 

Boy Scouts Jamboree at Kiel auditorium 

convention hall May 8. Cagney was the 

guest star and master of ceremonies for 

the jamboree, which was attended by more 

than 10,000 boys and leaders of the St. 

Louis Boy Scout council. 

The dollar volume of department store 

sales in St. Louis the week ended May 1 

showed a gain of 2 per cent, compared with 

the corresponding week of 1953, the Eighth 

District Federal Reserve bank reported. 

The district as a whole had a gain of I 

per cent . . . The new color film. "John 

Wesley," based on the life of the 18th century 

evangelist and founder of Methodism, 

had several showings May 9, 10 at Grace 

Methodist church . . A. B. Jefferis, president 

. 

of Midcentral Allied Independent 

Theatre 

Owners, has returned to his home in 

Piedmont, Mo., after attending a board 

meeting of National Allied in Minneapolis. 

Twentieth-Fox Films Corp., et al vs. Jay 

Means et al was docketed in the U.S. court 

of appeals here May 7 on notice of appeal 

from the western district of Missouri at 

Kanass City. 

Harry C. Arthur jr., general manager, 

Fanchon & Marco, was to leave for Washington, 

then will go to New York City before 

returning here May 24. He will be in 

New York City for the arbitration hearings 

. . . Edward B. Arthur, general manager, 

Fanchon & Marco Service Corp. and the 

Amusement Co. 

Fanchon & Marco-St. Louis 

circuit, had a prominent part in the formal 

dedication of the new South Side Day 

nursery May 8. It was financed by funds 

from the St. Louis Variety Club's Heart fund. 

Edward B. Arthur is chief barker of Tent 4. 

The Taneycomo driving range adjacent to 

the Taneycomo Country and Golf club on 

Lake Taneycomo near Forsyth, Mo., will 

open for the season May 19. The driving 

range and club are owned by Bess Schulter, 

owner of the Columbia Theatre, St. Louis 

and Jimmy Tapella, formerly associated with 

the Columbia, Ivanhoe and Roxy here. 

Jimmy now devotes his entire time to the 

project near Lake Taneycomo. The club will 

be opened in June and its program will include 

square dancing parties each Wednesday 

and Friday evenings. 

The St. Louis Police circus came to a close 

at the Arena Sunday (10), with about 10,000 

persons enjoying the final performance. It 

was estimated that 135,000 cash customers, 

including children, attended the 17 performances 

during the U days of the engagement 

here this year ... St. Louis county businessmen 

attended the showing of a film, titled 

"It's Everybody's Business," at the Gem in 

St. Louis county May 7. The film was shown 

by the Community Chamber of Commerce as 

part of Business-Education day. 

ST. LOUIS THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

"Everfthing for the Theatre" 

3310 Olive Street St. Louis 3, Mo. Phone JE. 3-7974 

Arch Hosier 

Shifted to Clinton, Mo., Airer 

CLINTON, MO.—Jim Head, new manager 

for the 52-Drive-In, comes to Clinton from 

Kingman, Kans. A native of Columbia, he 

received his degree in public administration 

from the University of Missouri. He has been 

with Commonwealth since 1942. 

GO 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

15, 1954

READE ASSERTS PROSPERITY 

LIES IN 

Alabama and Georgia TOA 

Units Rename Kennedy 

And Thompson 

By DON HASSLER 

ATLANTA—Straightout facing of the fact 

that motion pictui-es are confronted with 

greater competition today and every exhibitor 

must put forth his best efforts in selling his 

product, this was the message given by Walter 

Reade Jr., president of Theatre Owners of 

America, at the seventh annual joint convention 

of the Motion Picture Opierators and 

owners of Georgia and Alabama here Tuesday. 

"One of the biggest troubles with theatres 

today," he said, "is that exhibitors are afraid 

of the big, bad monster, television, and are 

not getting out and exploiting their pictures 

as completely as they should. Most managers 

today are content, as they have been for years, 

to put up a one-sheet or 22x28, and let it 

go at that. 

EXPENSIVE SAVINGS 

"A 40x60 would do a better job, but because 

smaller accessories are cheaper too many 

managers will not use them because they 

think they are saving money. As a matter 

of fact, they are losing money." 

More than 500 exhibitors and film folk attended 

the Monday and Tuesday sessions. 

J. H. "Tommy" Thompson was re-elected 

president of the MPTOO of Georgia for his 

eighth term, while Richard M. Kennedy was 

renamed president of the MPTOO of Alabama. 

"Years ago," Reade said, "small boys often 

came to theatres asking if they might help 

out, not for any money, but because they were 

interested in the movies, which they saw each 

Saturday afternoon. Today, you will not find 

that happening much in any city of our 

country because theatre managers are neglecting 

one very important phase of their 

business. 

OVERLOOK YOUNG HELPERS 

"By helping these yoimg boys to get work, 

by giving them bonuses at Christmas time 

and a little extra money for them to take 

home to mama, theatre operators will be 

helping to build up their business. 

"We have great competition in the country 

today, but we must face it, and get out and 

advertise our product in every way possible, 

the same as the large department stores, 

same as newspapers do. 

"Every theatre manager must do more than 

run the theatre, he must be an exploitation 

man; he must devise every means to build 

up his business, now more than ever. 

"We must not 'throw in the sponge,' but 

fight harder than ever. Yes, some theatres 

might close, or some that are closed might 

not open in the smaller towns, but it is not 

because of lack of good pictures, of money 

in the communities, but the locality of the 

theatre itself. 

"With the help every theatre executive 

and manager received in the tax cut which 

Congress passed, with better pictures being 

promised by the producers, we are going 

forth to better and larger things. Our business 

will improve with the year. Let's all put 

BETTER PROMOTION 

President J. H. Thompson snapped with several prominent convention guests. 

Standing are A. W. Schwalberg of Paramount and Mayor William Hartsfield of Atlanta. 

Seated: Thompson, Frances Langford and Gov. Herman Talmadge of Georgia. 

our shoulders to the wheel and work together." 

The Tuesday luncheon was hosted by Nehi 

Corp. 

With the excise problem out of the way, 

plus a cut in personal and corporation taxes, 

and the new processes problems nearer a 

solution, exhibitors have every reason to be 

very "enthusiastic and to expect great 

things" in the immediate future. President 

Thompson asserted at the Monday luncheon. 

"The only problems that would prevent us 

from having a good business during the current 

year are the shortage of product and 

failure by production to standardize projec- 

A 'RamaScope Phonic 

Talking Back' Session! 

Atlanta — This was the "RamaScope 

phonic, talking-back" joint convention of 

the Motion Picture Theatre Owners and 

Operators of Georgia and Alabama! 

J. H. Thompson, president of the 

Georgia exhibitor association, in his address 

at the opening luncheon Monday 

at the seventh annual session of the two 

organizations, emphasized that every eshibitor 

was not only invited to do some 

"talking back" at the open forums, clinics 

and informal discussions, but "it will be 

expected of you." 

"Many individuals and committees have 

worked faithfully, to make this a 'good' 

convention," he said. "We have obtained 

the best talent possible to inform you 

and answer your questions about your 

business and about the new developments. 

"I know everyone is pretty darned tired 

of hearing what's wrong in our business. 

So for a change, let's talk about what's 

right in our business." 

tion and sound," he said. "Unless the producing 

companies give us more and better 

product and standardization of sound we can 

expect more theatres to close. 

"I personally refuse to believe the producers 

and distributors want to see more theatres 

close; yet it's hard to understand 

their thinking. Good entertainment has 

always solved our problems. 

"The greatest undeveloped resources of the 

motion picture industry are the people in it. 

If we overcome our prejudices and fear of 

change our problems will become amazingly 

simple to solve. 

"The much that is right in our industry 

greatly outweighs that which is wrong." 

Thompson pointed out that people "down 

in Georgia" have been living pretty anxious 

lives, what with a half a dozen or more 

death-dealing tornadoes, the H-bomb explosions 

and the continuance of the cold 

war. 

"The children particularly don't know 

which will get them first," he said, "the tornado 

or the H-bomb. They are anxious, they 

are frustrated and they're just plain worried 

to death. What do they need? Ask an expert, 

a psychiatrist. He says, 'They need to relax, 

to get out of themselves.' 

"Here is where we are needed by people 

of our communities—to do the job which we 

can do better than anybody else; to dispense, 

if you please, relaxation, escape, entertainment." 

Here Thompson warned against being led 

astray by hot-eyed extremists who would 

turn exhibition to teach and propagandize. 

"But for us as exhibitors, there is no other 

reason for our being other than entertainment." 

He emphasized: "We don't need censorship. 

(Continued on next page) 

m 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 15, 1954 SE 61

Speakers See Good Business Where 

There Is Better Showmanship 

(Continued from preceding page) 

Those of us who have our life's savings in 

theatres will always have the good sense to 

keep their respectability in the community. 

"We as exhibitors have a vital responsibility 

in these days of crisis and emotional 

Let us meet this challenge and 

strain . . . 

by our attitudes convey to the public that 

we are in a 'happy business' and that some 

of our stock in trade has rubbed off on us." 

* * • 

Thompson introduced William Jenkins, one 

of the top showinen of the south, who in 

turn introduced William B. Hartsfield, mayor 

of Atlanta. Jenkins said Bill Hartsfield had 

done more for the industry and the exhibitors 

of the south than any man. Hartsfield 

said he believed in the film industry and 

would always help it whenever he could. 

FRANCES LANGFORD INTRODUCED 

Nat Williams, the humorist and theatre 

executive from Thomasville, gave a very 

witty introduction to PYances Langford, who 

currently was appearing at the Joe Cotton's 

Steak ranch. Nat said she had appeared 

before more GIs and marines than any other 

movie celebrity. 

Bill Boswell introduced Gov. Herman Talmadge 

of Georgia. 

The Atlanta Variety Club held open house 

for conventioners Sunday night, serving dinner 

between 6 and 9 p.m. Observed among 

the many present were John Moffitt, Moffitt 

Theatres, Montgomery; Nat Williams, Thomasville; 

Mr. and Mrs. Weis, Savannah; R. B. 

Wilby, Wilby Theatres, Atlanta; Mr. and 

Mrs. Johnnie Harrell, Martin Theatres: Paul 

Engler, Birmingham; Lex Benton, Benton 

Bros., Rim Express; Hap Barnes, ABC Tlieatrical 

Enterprises; H. P. Rhodes, drive-in 

operator at Montgomery and Macon; Fred 

Young of Atlanta, and L. J. Duncan of West 

Point. 

VISTAMSION DEMONSTRATED 

Loew's Grand was nearly filled for the 

demonstration of VistaVision Monday morning 

by Paramount. Gordon Bradley introduced 

Al W. Schwalberg, president of Paramount, 

who.se main point was "we should 

not be afraid of the big, bad monster, television." 

As long as the producers continue 

to produce the very best pictures, the people 

will turn out en masse to see them, and 

with the new process VistaVision, we have 

every right to be proud of our industry, he 

said. A few scenes were shown from Paramount's 

forthcoming pictures—Irving Berlin's 

"Wliite Christmas," starring Bing Crosby, 

Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney; Hal 

Wallis' "Three Ring Circus," starring Dean 

Martin and Jerry Lewis, and "Strategic Air 

Command." with Jimmy Stewart and June 

Ally.son, all three in Technicolor. 

The first reel shown contrasted the 

"postage stamp" size picture of some years 

ago up to the pre.sent time of Cinemascope, 

and showed the difference of VistaVision 

from the others. The exhibitors present 

agreed VistaVision was beautiful . . wonderful. 

. 

They were e.specially impressed with 

the fact that present projection machines 

can be used without going to the expense of 

buying and installing new equipment. 

Schwalberg introduced Dr. Charles Dailey, 

one of the developers of VistaVision who explained 

the workings of this process. "All 

the work is done in the negative," he said. 

"It is up to you theatre managers and operators 

to have the finest equipment, always in 

the best of shape, the best and largest screens 

you can secure; VistaVision will do the rest." 

Every detail of the scenes shown were very 

clearly brought out, even the far distant 

mountains in several scenes of "Strategic Air 

Command," and the buildings in the far background 

of the circus scenes. 

C. E. Parker, general sales manager of 

Alexander Film Co., Colorado Springs, commented 

he saw VistaVision in New York, and 

"it is marvelous . . . clear and without blurring." 

Stopping in the Alexander Film suite at 

the Biltmore Sunday, we also met C. O. 

Heffery, southeast district manager; E. D. 

Collins and M. Box, Alabama salesmen, and 

F. J. Stanton of Georgia and W. D. Barnes, 

Tennessee salesman. Ed Brauer, Republic 

manager, was there. 

J. D. Bush, owner of the Slappey Drive-In 

at Albany, Ga., and booker Howard Schuessler 

were conversing together in front of the 

registration desk. Also met Mr. and Mrs. 

Ferber Mincey of Claxton, who have not 

missed any of the conventions. 

Jasper C. Yeomans was passing out cups of 

free Coca-Cola, one of America's favorite 

beverages. 

* * 

Eugene Rhodes, Rhodes Sound Service Co. 

of Savamiah, was seen talking with exhibitors. 

O. C. Lam, Lam Amusement Co., arrived 

early from Rome, Ga., while his son Tommy 

got in late that night. 

Wil-Kin Theatre Supply held open house 

in its suite at the Biltmore. FYank Peterman, 

Tennessee salesman, was busy poui'ing the 

"drinks." 

Paul Jenkins and Johnson were conversing 

with E. E. Whitaker of Georgia Theatres, 

Kichard M. 

dent of the 

Ass'n. 

Kennedy, re-elected presi- 

Alabama Theatre Owners 

George Meyer of National Carbon Co. and 

Mr. and Mrs. Ferber Mincey. 

* * * 

Saw Bill Griffin of Cullman Theatre, Cullman, 

Ala. He said he expected to have a 

big time at the convention and take 

home some new ideas. Sam Perloff, office 

manager of MGM, was noted talking with 

Howard Schuessler. Willis Davis of Wilby 

Theatres, signing the registration card at 

the desk, looked very "sharp." W. P. Gammon, 

Ocilla (Ga.) Theatre, was walking 

through the lobby of the Biltmore greeting 

friends. 

* * 

Winston Blackwell, Linco Theatre, Lincolnton, 

Ga., said he had to persuade his 

wife to come to the convention this year, as 

she wanted to visit with her mother on 

Mother's day. 

Harry Ballance, attired in a natty new 

blue-gray suit, was busy talking to exhibitors 

in the lobby. He is the 20th-Fox division 

executive. Ditto Leonard Allen, publicist for 

Paramount, who recently returned to Atlanta 

to make his headquarters. 

• * * 

A box was placed in the lobby off from 

the registration desk, with a sign, "Theatre 

Clinic Question Box," and a pad and pencil 

for exhibitors to drop their questions pertaining 

to anything regarding operation of 

theatres and new sound and screens, etc. 

Sample candy and drinks were available 

for the exhibitors at the registration desk 

and in the suites of the various supply companies. 

Favors and door prizes for the women 

were donated by the following firms: Capitol 

Theatre Supply, Dixie Theatre Service 

and Supply, Globe Ticket Co., National Theatre 

Supply, Queen Feature Service, Southeastern 

Theatre Supply and Wil-Kin Theatre 

Supply. 

• * 

The women were given a buffet luncheon 

at the Piedmont Driving Club Terrace. 

The President's banquet was held on the 

Biltmore Terrace Tuesday night, with 

Thompson and William McCraw, executive 

director of the Variety Clubs of America, 

speaking. A $300 prize was donated by Benton 

Bros. 

Miami Censors Ask Ruling 

On Film Screening Rights 

MIAMI—Miami's censorship board is seeking 

to find out whether or not it can expand 

its activities to include films, according 

to a story in the Miami Herald. The 

Miami board of review, Mrs. Regina Mc- 

Linden, chairman, voted to ask for a ruling 

from the city attorney on whether it has the 

power to demand advance screenings of 

movies so it can decide whether they contain 

objectionable material. The board was 

set up by the city commission last year primarily 

to screen lewd publications from 

Miami newsstands. 

John Ritchie Buys Airer 

YORK, S.C—John Ritchie and his son 

Howard of Lincolnton have purchased the 

York-Clover Drive-In from Pi-esh Air Theatres 

of Charlotte. Ritchie is former owner 

of the Moonlight Drive-In at Mount Holly. 

Ritchie plans extensive remodeling at the 

York-Clover, with new buildings and equipment 

and newly graded ramps. 

fi2 BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

15, 1954

. . 

Gala 'GWTW Premiere 

For Wide Screens 

ATLANTA—The re-release of "Gone With 

the Wind" will premiere here Thursday (20) 

on wide screen with ceremony reminiscent 

of MGM's original gala opening here in 

1939. First nighters then saw the burning of 

Atlanta on a screen 16 feet high and 21 

feet long; this Thursday, the flames will 

soar on a screen 26 by 40. 

The occasion will also honor the late 

Margaret Mitchell, author of the book which 

David O. Selznick made into one of the 

greatest money-making films in motion picture 

history. Proceeds from the $5 to $50 

tickets will go toward establishing a $90,000 

scholarship fund for Smith college as a living 

memorial. Miss Mitchell attended Smith. 

Premiere plans also include a reception 

for purchasers of the 200 $50 ducats to be 

followed by a ride from the club to Loew's 

Grand in buggies. 

Reigning over the premiere and its activities, 

will be a "Miss Scarlett O'Hara of 

1954" to be selected on a series of television 

shows over WSB-TV, co-sponsors of the contest. 

The emcee for the festivities will be 

George Murphy. 

Other celebrities who will attend include 

Ann Rutherford and Vera-EUen. Clark Gable 

has, according to MGM officials, neither accepted 

nor rejected the invitation extended 

him. 

Cammie King, who when 4 years old played 

Bonnie Blue Butler, will also attend the premiere, 

having been too young to attend the 

original in 1939. 

Variety Club Holds Party 

ATLANTA—Eight former chief barkers 

were honored at a Variety Tent 21 dinner 

party recently. A. B. Padgett, present chief 

barker, acted as emcee and introduced the 

honored guests, former chiefs, including: 

Harry Ballance, Jack Dumestri jr., Paul Wilson, 

Charlie Durmeyer, E. E. Whitaker, Fred 

Coleman (who was absent) and John Pulton. 

Guy Brown, also honored, was in New Orleans 

but wired a message to the club. 

H. Roller Heads Jaycees 

SANFORD, FLA.—Herbert Roller, young 

manager of the Ritz Theatre, received the 

congratulations of President Leon D. Netter sr. 

and other executives of Florida State Theatres, 

upon his election to the presidency of 

the Junior Chamber of Commerce for Seminole 

county. A resident of Sanford for less 

than a year. Roller has found that it is good 

for his theatre to take an active part in civic 

affairs. 

1,100 at Skyway Service 

CHATTANOOGA.-The Skyway Drive-In 

here was the scene again this year of Easter 

sunrise services sponsored by Lutheran 

churches. The fourth annual service was attended 

by 1,100 persons. A huge painting of 

Christ hung in the center of the drive-in. 

The service was broadcast by local radio 

stations WDOD and WAGC. D. C. Shaw 

is manager of the Skyway which is located in 

the Brainerd suburban area. 

JACKSONVILLE 

piorida State Theatres President Leon D. 

Netter sr. has named LaMar Sarra a 

vice-president of the circuit. He will continue 

as the general counsel. A former University 

of Florida 

football star, Sarra is 

a member of the state 

advisory council on 

education. 

Cecil Cohen packs a 

full house of children 

into the Murray Hill 

Theatr e each Saturday 

morning to see 

his jumbo-sized programs. 

He offers for 

15 cents a western 

feature, cartoon and 

LaMar 

Sarra 

serial. All patrons are allowed to keep their 

seats and stay through the adult afternoon 

program, if they can last that long. On a 

recent Saturday, Cohen sold 5-cent bags of 

popcorn and reported that he sold nearly as 

many of these as he sold of 10-cent bags, 

v/ithout any harmful effect on the sale of 

the latter. Of course, that day he had 15 

cartoons and the crowd was unusually large 

. . . Milton C. Moore, who operates the small, 

independent Lake Shore Theatre, showed his 

devotion to motion picture exhibition by 

negotiating a new lease in the face of dwindling 

business at the boxoffice. 

. . . 

It is reported that Buddy Weeks is doing a 

fair business at the reopened Dixie Theatre, 

a suburban house Jim Sauls, acting 

manager at the Palace, carried through a 

fine Mother's day program. A stage program 

at night, with Larry Glick as master of ceremonies, 

offered valuable prizes donated by 

downtown merchants going to the youngest 

and oldest mothers in the audience and the 

one with the most children. Five pairs of 

shoes, two complete ladies' ensembles, a record 

player, a wrist watch, many orchids 

were given away and every mother attending 

the show that day became eligible to receive 

a free 8x10 portrait at a leading photographer's 

shop. 

Col. John Crovo, manager of the Arcade 

Theatre, did not get to count the receipts 

from one of his two boxoffices the other 

night. A cashier's money box was taken from 

her by a gun-pointing bandit a few moments 

after she had closed the boxoffice 

on Pilmrow were Harlow Land, 

. . . 

Mayo 

Seen 

exhibitor, 

and Paul Mize, manager, Delray 

Drive-In, Delray Beach. 

A selected group of Florida State Theatres' 

managers and ad men were called to a special 

meeting here by Howard Pettengill, PST 

publicity chief. This was in hne with a policy 

recently made by Louis J. Finske, circuit 

vice-president, to carry out full-dress 

exploitation programs well in advance of 

booking dates. Meeting with Pettengill were 

his assistant, Al Hildreth, and the following 

theatre managers: H. A. "Red" Tedder, 

Palatka: Bob Corbit, Daytona Beach; Fred 

Lee, Hollywood, and Bob Skaggs sr., this city. 

The ad men were Bill Dock, Miami, and 

Walter Tremor, St. Petersburg. 

Bob Harris, FST confections sales man- 

returned from a swing around theatres 

ager, 

in Frank Bell's west coast district . . . The 

FST film rental department has been moved 

from this city to the headquarters of the 

FST accounting department in Atlanta. 

Laurel Barton, former film rental head, has 

new duties in the FST home office here. 

Leonard Allen, who has resumed his job 

as Southeastern publicity man for Paramount, 

was receiving congratulations along 

Georgians in town included 

Filmrow . . . 

H. J. Wells, Kingsland; C. L. Jackson, Woodbine, 

and Nat Williams jr., Thomasville 

"Creature Prom the Black Lagoon," 

. 

booked 

into the St. Johns Theatre by Sheldon Man- 

. . . 

dell, was partially made on location at 

Wakulla Springs in northwest Florida 

Patrick O'Neil, featured in the new Columbia 

picture, "The Mad Magician," is a native 

of Ocala, Pla. 

Role in Italy-Megged Film 

Tonio Selwart was handed a character role 

in Warners' "Helen of Troy," Cinemascope 

costumer being megged in Italy by Robert 

Wise. 

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BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

15, 1954 63

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Ohannon Theatre, Portageville, Mo., has installed 

a 30-ton air conditioning system 

purchased from National Theatre Supply . . 

Mrs. Zula McDougald, owner of the Dixie 

Theatre, Monticello, Ark., has purchased a 

complete Cinemascope equipment system . . 

Sidney Wharton. Pastime Theatre owner, 

Warren, Ark., is putting in Cinemascope. The 

same type of equipment is al.so being installed 

at the Saenger Theatre, Pine Bluff, owned 

by United Theatres Corp. 

National also reported the sale of air conditioning 

equipment to the following: a 60- 

ton unit to the Haven Theatre, Brinkley, Ark., 

thus completing air conditioning of the entire 

Haven circuit: Delta Theatre, Ruleville. 

Miss., owned by B. F. Jackson; Joy 

Theatre, Pontotoc, Miss., owned by Grady 

Cook, and the Lm-a Theatre, Augusta, Ark., 

owned by Mrs. Lura Malin. 

. . 

Norman Fair has completely rebuilt his Fair 

Theatre, Somerville. Term., which had been 

burned to the groimd about a year ago . 

S. T. Freeman has reopened his Dell (Ark.) 

Theatre which had been closed for some time 

. . . Ben Hill, Universal, Dallas, was here 

working on "Fireman, Save My Child," which 

opened at Malco Theatre . K. H. Kinney, 

the Hays, Hughes, Ark., and Lyle Richmond, 

the Richmond. Senath. Mo., were in town on 

business. 

. . . Paul 

Mrs. M. R. Steger, Palace Theatre, Tunica, 

Miss., was booking on Filmrow 

Harrington. Ruffin Amusements Co.. Covington: 

R. E. Gillett. the Ritz, Dyersburg, and 

Dougla.ss Pierce, Jackson Drive-In. Jackson, 

were among visiting west Tennessee exhibitors 

U. Walker has opened his new 350- 

. . . car Sunset Drive-In at Winona. Miss., booking 

and buying out of Memphis. Mr. Walker 

built and sold the 270 Drive-In, Sheridan, 

Ark., and the 41 Drive-In, Amory. Mi.ss. 

Memphis is still talking about how the 

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. 

atlanfa, go. • charlotte, n. c. 

First Unitarian church called the bluff of 

Memphis censors and got away with it. The 

chiu-ch announced it would .show Charlie 

Chaplin's "Carmen." which had been banned 

previously. Lloyd T. Binford. censor chairman, 

spoke of "sending police," but the 

church board, which saw nothing wrong with 

the film, had it rescheduled, announced and 

shown. No police came and Binford had 

no comment. 

'Torever Amber," the black and white print 

banned in Memphis by the board of censors, 

is doing a lively business at the Sunset 

Drive-In, across the river from Memphis in 

Arkansas, according to Manager Bob Kilgore. 

A color print of the film, which was passed 

by the censors, was shown in Memphis several 

years ago. 

Arkansas Editor Attacks 

Censorship of Films 

CONWAY, ARK.—An editorial 

on freedom 

of the screen, decrying the activities of censorship 

bodies, appeared in the Log Cabin 

Democrat here on the day "The French Line" 

opened at the Conway Theatre. Written by a 

columnist Gene King, the editorial pointed 

to the censorship activities in nearby Memphis, 

and Censor Lloyd Binford's long reign 

of film control. The columnist also explained 

why some films are never shown in some 

communities because of pressure group opposition. 

"In our democracy, each individual 

should have the freedom to choose for himself 

what is good and what is bad," he said. 

Sid Robinson of the Conway and Grand 

theatres collected the material on censorship 

and turned it over to the newspaper for development. 

He suggested theatremen clip censorship 

material in their files and turn it 

over to the editor when a problem arises 

in the community over the showing of a film. 

IFE Southeast Assignment 

Goes to Jarvis, Williams 

NEW YORK—Bernard Jacon, sales vicepresident 

of IFE Releasing Corp., has named 

John Jarvis southeast district manager and 

David Williams southeast sales manager. They 

succeed Albert E. Rook who resigned. They 

will work out of Atlanta and supervise the 

New Orleans. Memphis. Jacksonville and 

Charlotte as well as the Atlanta areas. Jarvis 

was formerly with Selznick Releasing Corp. 

and Williams was with Eagle-Lion and MGM. 

Byron Cooper Sr/s Services 

PLANT CITY. FLA.—Byron Cooper sr., 

manager of the Capitol Theatre, died on the 

steps of the theatre following a heart attack. 

He had managed the Capitol for many years. 

Prior to that he managed the Arcade at 

Port Myers. He is survived by his son Byron 

Jr., manager of the Roxy at Lakeland. 

Display Frightens Child 

LAKELAND. FLA.—A gangster display in 

front of the Lake Theatre was ordered removed 

after an irate mother had complained 

to police that the exhibit had frightened her 

small son. The display was that of a lifesize 

wax figure in a model of an electric 

chair. 


: May 

15, 1954

. . 

— 

ATLANTA 

TJernie Jacon, general sales manager for IFE 

Releasing Corp., visited here to select 

a new district manager to replace Al Rook, 

resigned . . . Two hundred mothers and 

children will receive ten-day vacations this 

summer at Mountain View summer camp, 

operated by the Salvation Army and sponsored 

by the Atlanta Variety Club. 

Paramount presented the southeastern 

demonstration of VistaVision at Loew's Grand 

Monday (10) . . . Southeast exhibitors attended 

the Bailey Theatres' demonstration 

of Pola-Lite Tuesday (111 at the Negro 

patronage Ritz. 

Al Rook's film booking office has moved to 

new offices upstairs at 160 Walton St., N.W. 

. . . Marguerite Stith, booking agent, is now 

buying and booking for Cleveland (Tenn.) 

Drive-In, owned by Walter Morris, who also 

owns the P>ike in Knoxville. George Odium 

is no longer connected with the Cleveland 

Drive-In . . . The Wellston at Warner Robbins, 

Ga., a Martin & Thompson theatre, has 

been renamed the Rama. 

Exhibitors in town: Paul Gaston, Griffin, 

Ga.; R. L. Johnson, Tocoma; Mr. Carrington. 

All American Newsreel cameraman, up 

from Miami on the way to New York with 

his wife. 

Carl Floyd Theatres has taken over 

oper- 

. . Astor 

ation of the Tower Drive-In at Tampa 

, 

Prances Langford, star of radio, television 

and the screen, was playing at Joe Cotton's 

Steak Ranch this week. Recently featured in 

"The Glenn Miller Story," she and Her 

Fellas came here from Las Vegas . 

Pictures screened for Mel Brown, Pea^htree 

Art Theatre executive, and Christine 

Smith, city censor, "Cavalleria Rusticana" 

and "La Traviata" in the RKO screening 

room. 

Drive-In Manager Resigns 

CLEVELAND, TEHSTN.—George B. Odium 

resigned as managing director of the Cleveland 

Drive-In. He will announce his plans 

after a trip 

to New York. 

Meyer Theatre Installs CinemaScope 

BILOXI—The Meyer Theatre has installed 

Cinemascope and stereophonic sound at a 

cost of more than $10,000. H. T. Fayard is 

the manager of the theatre, which is owned 

by O. Meyers and his son, C. C. 

Skyway Drive-In Opens Playground 

CHATTANOOGA—Independent Theatres' 

Skyway Drive-In opened its new kiddy playground 

featuring several rides, including a 

merry-go-round. 

CinemaScope at Ocean Drive-In 

OCEAN BEACH, S.C—Manager Grady 

Johnson of the Ocean Drive-In expects to 

have his CinemaScope equipment completely 

installed this month. 

Remodeled Roxy Reopens 

OLD FORT, N.C.—Mr. and Mrs. Al Jennings 

reopened their Roxy Theatre which 

had been closed for remodeling. 

'Carnival Story' at 150 

Is Top Memphis Gross 

MEMPHIS— "Carnival Story" led 

Memphis 

boxoffices with 50 per cent above normal 

business in an otherwise average week. The 

picture opened just as the cotton carnival 

began. 

MqIccj— Make 


Haste to Lire (Rep) 75 

Palace Carnival Story (RKO) 1 50 

State Executive Suite (MGM), 2nd wk 100 

Strand The Miomi Story (Col) 1 00 

Warner The Mad Magician (Col) 100 

Lakeland City Key Given 

Capt. Roy Thompson Ir. 

LAKELAND, FLA.—In ceremonies at the 

Polk Theatre Capt. Roy Thompson jr., a 

veteran of the Korean war, was awarded 

a key to the city. At the ceremony, which 

preceded the showing of "Cease Fire," the 

battlefield movie in which he appeared. 

Captain Thompson said: "When I came 

back to Lakeland a few days ago Mayor 

Wooten gave me this key to the city. A lot 

of men who served in Korea can't come 

home to be welcomed and to receive keys 

to their home towns. It is to them, to the 

men who were killed in battle that I want to 

dedicate this key." 

Thompson was the lieutenant in charge 

of a patrol action on the last day of the 

war, and the scene was actually filmed on 

the battlefield with a cast of soldiers instead 

of professional actors. 

Princess Theatre Reopens 

CROSS CITY, FLA.—The Princess Theatre 

has reopened after undergoing a complete 

renovating job. Some of the improvements 

include a panoramic screen, new 

sound equipment, projection machine and 

masonry front, and a remodeled interior. 

Burglars Ransack Airer 

ST. PETERSBURG—The 28th Street 

Drive-In was broken into and a storeroom 

and cigaret machine ransacked. Entrance 

had been made through the concession 

stand. 

Set to team with Judy Holliday, Jack 

Carson and Jack Lemmon in Columbia's romantic 

comedy, "Phffft," was Kim Novak. 

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BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

15, 1954 65

. . Mrs. 

MIAMI 

. . 

. . . 

JJ{ore than 28,000 Miamians saw "Elephant 

Walk" during its first week, according to 

Florida Stat« Theatres . The Florida State 

circuit's Olympia presented flowers to the 

first 100 mothers attending the theatre 

The neighborhood Parkway 

Mother's day . . . 

is showing "The Robe" for the first 

time here at regular prices . . . Walter 

Klemenfs booked a preview of "Caged 

Women" at the Mayfair Art Theatre following 

regular performances of "The Man Between" 

The neighborhood Essex had a 

pre-Mother's day feature Friday evening, 

giving orchids to the youngest, oldest and 

to the mother with the most children as 

well as to the youngest grandmother. 

Sylvia Sidney, film actress who appeared 

in a legitimate production here, was guest 

of honor at a Sponsors of Israel luncheon 

. . . Charles Moskowitz, vice-president and 

treasurer of Loew's, was in town on his an- 

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1 

nual spring vacation . Theodore Beck, 

chairman of the day for hospital day, made 

Variety's open house a gala occasion. The 

big days for the children will be Saturday 

(15) and Sunday when Jack Leonard is to 

give a piece of jewelry to each child . The 

. 

$1,000 contribution from Home Milk Co. to 

the Variety committee of 1,000 fund, was a 

big boost toward the goal of $100,000. 

NEW ORLEANS 

"The WOMPIs held its annual luncheon at 

the St. Charles hotel here with President 

Loraine Cass presiding. City Councilman Vic 

Schiro spoke. It was bosses day at the 

luncheon, with all of the bosses of the 

Women of the Motion Picture Industry as 

special guests. Councilman Schiro spoke of 

the great public relations job the WOMPI 

unit is doing in the Crescent city with its 

charitable activities among needy children. 

"The Yellow Tomahawk," playing day and 

date in four New Orleans drive-ins and one 

suburban conventional house, received a 

rousing sendoff. United Artists arranged a 

parade in downtown New Orleans complete 

with cowboys and Indians on horses and 

Dean Martin and Jerry 

sound trucks . . . 

show in the Municipal 

Lewis were here for a 

auditorium. 

. 

. . . 

Paramount Manager Bill Holliday and 

host of exhibitors were in Atlanta for Paramount's 

southeastern demonstration 

^ 

20th-Fox manager, 

of 

VistaVision . 

went to 

. Bill Briant, 

New York for the meeting on 

Cinemascope HaroM "Babe" Cohen is 

back from a Lippert meeting in Chicago. 

Exhibitors in Manitoba 

To Write Legislators 

From Canadian Edition 

WINNIPEG—Ken Beach, secretary of the 

Manitoba Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass'n 

urges every exhibitor in the province to 

write a personal letter to his legislator expressing 

his disappointment that the recent 

budget did not provide reduction in the 

amusement tax rates and stating his view's 

on the matter in relation to his own theatre. 

It could be pointed out in the letter that the 

recent American 50-cent exemption and the 

reduction in the amusement tax is the salvation 

of hundreds of borderline-operation 

theatres, and that a similar situation exists 

here among the smaller theatre, chain and 

independent. An amusement tax committee 

from the MMPEA met R. D. Turner, provincial 

treasurer, on two occasions prior to 

the sitting of the house and presented to 

him the strongest po.s.sible arguments for 

lowering of the amusement tax rates. Continued 

action is considered by the directors 

of the association at subsequent meetings. 

In order to facilitate better public relations, 

the MMPEA is compiling a list of organizations 

to which exhibitors of the province 

belong. A questionnaire sent out to the industry 

asked whether filmmen belong to local 

service clubs. 

Actor Sterling Hayden has purchased "Mad 

Anthony," as a starring vehicle for himself. 

Igor Gouzenko Story 

Filmed in Montreal 


MONTREAL—Shooting of scenes for "Igor, 

the Spy" has been started in Montreal and 

vicinity. Igor Gouzenko, Canada's mystery 

man, will portray himself in the U.S. film. 

Produced with his consent and cooperation, 

the picture is based on the former Russian 

code clerk's experiences since he went into 

hiding eight years ago following his defection 

to the west, which led to the smashing of 

an international Soviet espionage ring. 

The picture is being made entirely on location 

by a company from New York headed by 

Fred Feldkamp, the producer. Jack Alexander 

is the director. United Artists will release 

the picture, part of which has already 

been completed on locations at Ste. Adele, in 

the Laurentians and at Ste. Genevieve, some 

ten miles out of Montreal. Future location 

sites will not be announced until Gouzenko 

has completed his role and has safely left the 

vicinity. He is under Royal Canadian Mounted 

Police protection. 

The former Soviet Embassy employe's appearance 

before the cameras will be highlighted 

in an epilog to the film for which he 

will wear a mask to conceal his features. He 

will say, in part: "I know that the Soviets 

never forgive and never forget, but I am determined 

to continue my work helping to 

expose the Communist conspiracy." 

Throughout the picture Gouzenko is portrayed 

by Harry Townes, making his motion 

picture debut in the film. Co-starred is Irja 

Jensen, a Finnish actress, who plays Gouzenko's 

wife. Jacques Aubuchon heads the featured 

cast, and the screenplay was written 

by Paul Monash. 

Cane Theatre Remociels 

NATCHITOCHES, LA.—The Cane Theatre 

has been closed for repairs and renovations, 

according to Manager Mack Jarrett. A large 

screen will also be installed. 

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HAZEL RESNIK 

66 BOXOFFICE 

: 

: May 

15, 1954

Homes Canvass Gives 

Theatregoing Habits 

From New Englond Edition 

BOSTON—In an effort to determine reasons 

for a sharp decline in patronage at 

one of its neighborhood theatres, American 

Theatres Corp. has conducted a house-tohouse 

canvass of 300 homes near the theatre. 

Two women, experienced in such surveys, 

handled the questions, i^ppearing at the 

homes between the hours of 10 and 12 a.m. 

They asked the same questions at each house. 

Results were so enlightening that ATC is 

conducting a similar survey at another of 

its neighborhoods. 

The first survey was conducted in a city 

with a population of 100,000, but the survey 

was limited to an area within a one-mile 

radius of the theatre. It is a strictly residential 

section in the lower middle-class 

bracket. The spot checking was done in a 

systematic circular route around the theatre 

itself. This theatre has a change of 

program twice weekly and there are other 

competitive houses near it. 

It was interesting to ATC officials that 

one out of every three persons attends a 

show at least once a week. A large percentage 

of this group goes to the ATC house 

because of its accessibility. A large percentage 

walks to the theatre. Another point 

brought out by the survey is that the problem 

of baby sitters took precedence over the 

television habit as a reason for not attending 

more often. Monday nights, traditionally 

the worst night for neighborhoods, 

came out far ahead of others as a favorite 

TV listening night. 

As soon as the returns from the second 

survey are in, the ATC officials will reevaluate 

them to try to arrive at the best way 

to combat the patronage drop. They are 

considering devising a better method of exploitation 

to impress those in that area who 

do not attend regularly that they are missing 

the finest in entertainment. 

Results of the first survey of 300 homes: 

How Often Do You Go to the Movies? 

Ill—Once a Week 

49—Once a Month 

23—Twice a Week 

19—Once a Year 

10—Once Every Three Months 

Favorite Stars Remain 

About Same in Minn. 

From Norrh Central Edition 

Minneapolis—Minneapolis Sunday Tribune's 

Minnesota Poll found the state's 

favorite movie actors and actresses are 

about the same as they have been for the 

past several years. FoU asked a representative 

cross section of men and women, 

21 and older, living in small towns and on 

farms in all parts of the state the names 

of their present favorite film stars. 

According to the poll, the best-liked 

actors are Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, Bing 

Crosby, James Stewart, Bert Lancaster, 

Spencer Tracy, Bob Hope, Gene Autry, 

Alan Ladd and Gregory Peck. 

Actresses that rate highest in Minnesotan's 

affection are Bette Davis, Barbara 

Stanwyck, June Allyson, Loretta Young, 

Betty Grable, Marilyn Monroe, Greer 

Garson, Jane Wyman, Lucille Ball and 

Doris Day. 

72—Not Very Often 

16—Never Go 

Reasons for Not Going Often or Not at All 

44— Baby Sitter Trouble 

36—Because of TV 

8— Prices Too High 

What Theatre Do You Attend Most Often? 

232— Local ATC Theatre 

23—Other Theatres 

20—Go in Town to make a night of it once or 

twice a year 

9—Go anywhere there is a good movie 

16— Never Go 

Why Do You Attend These Theatres? 

215— Because the theatre is neor 

14— Because of better pictures 

11— Because of dishes 

7— Because it is clean and orderly 

28—Go into town 

16—Do not attend any theatre 

What Method of Transportation Do You Use to Get 

to the Theatre? 

216—Walk 

48— Drive 

20— By Bus 

16—Never Go 

How Do You Like the Time of the Movies? 

200—7:45 p.m. 

51—Would like to start at 8 p.m. 

17—Would like it continuous 

16—Would like it earlier 

15— -No comment (never go) 

What Is Your Favorite Radio Program? 

130—None 

76—Music 

40—Stories 

28—News 

26—Arthur Godfrey 

What Are Your Favorite TV Programs? 

51 —Arthur Godfrey 

50— I Love Lucy 

34— Bishop Sheen 

30—Studio One 

35—Jackie Gleason 

15— Robert Montgomery 

15— Dragnet 

15—Our Miss Brooks 

15—Groucho Marx 

40— Have No Favorite 

Whc? Is Your Favorite Listening Night? 

78—Monday 

34—Tuesday 

55—Wednesday 

48—Thursday 

15— Friday 

16—Saturday 

13—Sunday 

24—No favorite night 

17—No TV at home, but watch if elsewhere. 

Do You Have a Movie Budget? 

4—Yes 

296—No 

Do You Attend the Drive-Ins? 

149—Yes 

151— No 

TV Executive Explains 

Industry Innovations 

MIAMI—Leonard C. Ti-uesdell, vice-president 

of the Zenith Radio Corp., told local TV 

dealers that the newest innovation in the industry 

would be Phonevision, a "pay as you 

see" system, and not the much talked about 

color television. 

The new system will allow producers to cut 

costs by charging the viewers for the privilege 

of watching the extra-expensive programs. 

Set owners will either be billed through their 

local telephone company or deposit coins in 

a jukebox-like attachment on the set. 

Ti'uesdell stated that the mechanical aspects 

of the system have been perfected. He 

noted that ruling by the FCC was all that 

was needed before the plan was put into 

effect. Approval is expected within a year, 

he said. 

RESEARCH BUREAU 

f or 

MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS 

ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMATION 

The MODERN THEATRE 

PLANNING INSTITUTE 

825 Van Brunt Blvd. 

Kansas City 24, Mo. 

Gentlemen: 

5-15-54 

Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU 

to receive information regularly, as released, on 

the following subjects for Theatre Plarming: 

n Acoustics 

n Air Conditioning 

Architectural 

Service 

n "Black" Lighting 

Q Building Material 

n Carpets 

n Coin Machines 

D Complete Remodeling 

Decorating 

n Drink Dispensers 

Drive-In Equipment 

n Other Subjects . 

Theatre 

Seating 

Address 

City : 

State 

Capacity.. 

Signed 

n Lighting Fixtures 

n Plumbing Fixtures 

n Projectors 

n Projection Lamps 

n Seating 

D Signs and Marquees 

G Sound Equipment 

n Television 

n Theatre Fronts 

Q Vending Equipment 

Postage-paid reply cards for your further convenience 

in obtaining information ore provided in The MODERN 

THEATRE Section, published with the first issue of 

each month. 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

15, 1954 

67

'?fUÛe4 /4t€ êttex Ûk S

Dallas WOMPI Plans 

National Meeting 

DAI-X.AS—Plans for forming a national 

association of Women of the Motion Picture 

Industry were made public at a business meeting 

of the Dallas WOMPI. The first convention 

for the proposed association has been 

tentatively set for September with invitations 

extended to the groups in Atlanta, New Orleans 

and Memphis to attend. 

The Dallas WOMPI's also announced the 

details for their second anniversary luncheon 

to be held May 27, at which time Gerry 

Johnson will install the new officers, with 

Maxine Adams, FYontier Theatres, as the new 

president. Felix R. McKnight, editorial director 

of the Dallas Morning News, will be 

the principal speaker and will be introduced 

by News amusement writer, Fairfax Nisbit. 

The committee for the luncheon includes 

Marilyn Brag as chairman assisted by Susie 

Coleman, Margaret Falls and Rosemary 

White. 

Eastern Oklahoma 

By ART LAMAN 

In Tulsa, your correspondent is still battling 

for business at the Rlalto. The latest 

gimmick we worked out was a big superduper 

talent show held on Friday and Saturay. 

May 7, 8. Seats were filled and the 

patrons really liked the 50-minute show. 

We just completed a run of "Creature 

From the Black Lagoon" in three-dimension. 

Worked out a swell idea on this one to draw 

plenty of small fry business. It was a drawing 

contest, with part of the Creature already 

outlined. The outline sheets were obtained 

from the Herrick Press here and we had 

about 2,500 drawings out in five days. 

All local drive-ins are planning Fourth 

of July fireworks displays. 

• • • 

W. J. Nelson and J. D. Miller, owners, had 

a big special show for their V. A. Drive-in's 

second birthday May 4 at Velma. A big 

double feature program was offered on the 

60-foot panoramic screen and everyone was 

admitted for a dime. Many patrons were 

turned away. Mrs. Nelson, known to all the 

Velma folk as Maudie, is always working up 

some special event for the home town people. 

May 10 was one of- these events. A 

special show was given for the Velma Music 

club. Entire proceeds went to the club. 

The extra goodwill built with these promotions 

pays off many times over at the 

boxoffice. 

GOOD WORK REWARDED—Texas exhibitors feted Col. H. A. Cole for his leadership 

in the tax relief campaign by presenting him a new Cadillac and completely redecorating 

his Dallas offices. Seated, in the colonel's refurbished office, left to right: 

Al Sindlinger, Cole and Phil Isley. Standing: Ed Green, Charlie Wise, Rubin Frets jr. 

and his father, Debbs Reynolds, Lynn Smith, L. J. Piwetz, H. A. Daniels, Charles 

Weisenburg and Paul Short. 

College-Owned Theatre 

To Install Wide Screen 

COLLEGE STATION, TEX.—A new CinemaScope-type 

screen will be installed in 

Guion Hall this summer, according to Tom 

Puddy, manager of the Texas A&M-owned 

theatre. The screen will be the first of a 

series of improvements scheduled for the 

2,000-seat house. New anamorphic lens and 

amplifiers will be added when funds are 

available, P»uddy said. 

The new screen will measure 40x16 feet, in 

comparison with the 14xl9-foot present 

screen. F>uddy said the installation can be 

made without extensive remodeling of the 

house. 

Installs New Lighting 

HUMBLE, TEX.—Forrest Gamble, manager 

of the Jewel Theatre here, is installing 

new indirect lighting in the theatre lobby. 



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GRAND SALINE, TEX.—S. G. Fry, owner 

of the Grand Theatre, has installed a new 

wide screen and anamorphic lenses. In addition, 

the theatre is being repainted on the 

exterior, in the foyer and main auditorium, 

with color combinations of pink and green. 

New prices put into effect by Pry are 

adults, 35 cents, and children under 12. 

ten cents. 

Barre Lyndon is penning the romantic costume 

drama. "The Loves of Omar Khayyam," 

for Paramount release.

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You'll have a more profitable 

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Buckingham and Everfrost Drink 

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Cretors and Star Popcorn Machines 

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Opening of Cinerama 

At Dallas on July 1 

DALLAS—Ti-ans-Texa,s Theatres will close 

the Melba Theatre May 15 in order to begin 

the extensive alterations necessary to convert 

the house for Cinerama. 

The plans call for the installation of a 

screen 70 feet wide and 24 feet high with a 

diameter of 58 feet. The scheduled reopening 

date is July 1 with Dallas becoming the 13th 

city to show this feature. 

The circuit is replacing the Melba as a fir.st 

run liouse with the Rialto, which was closed 

May 12 for remodeling, scheduled to reojjen 

Mav 26. 

Pete Kempf Observes 

20th Year in Industry 

MIAMI, OKLA.—Pete Kempf, manager of 

the local theatres, recently celebrated his 20th 

year in theatre business with an anniversary 

party in the Coleman Theatre. Families and 

groups of up to six persons were admitted 

to the theatre for 50 cents total admission, 

and favors were given to children attending 

the show. 

Kempf entered show business at Altus, 

Okla., in 1934, and he recalls that color pictures 

were just being developed, while the 

then-new sound processes were in their infancy. 

He predicts that the next few years will 

bring even greater achievements to the screen. 

"Wide screens, third-dimension, Cinema- 

Scope, stereophonic sound and other improvements," 

he said, "are bringing in the greatest 

era of revived interest and prosperity that 

the theatre has ever known. Hollywood has 

turned from small budget pictures to master 

productions. These pictures have selected 

scripts, with the finest actors and production, 

and are playing to extended runs." 

SAN ANTONIO 

. . Azteca 

T ouis Babb, Angora Theatre, Rocksprings, 

has purchased a tract of land on the 

Sonora-Rocksprings highway where he plans 

to erect a drive-in this summer . 

and Clasa-Mohme visitors: Mr. and Mrs. 

Dave Parker, Mooring; Mrs. V. H. Craig, La 

Coma Theatre, Lyford; Humberto and Horacio 

Gonzalez, America Theatre, Bishop; 

Genaro R. Trevino, Alta Vista Theatre, Beeville; 

Julian Suarez with his sons, Julian jr. 

and Pepe, Tropical Theatre, Midland: and 

Jose Garcia, Nacional Theatre, Asherton. 

The Gonzalez brothers have installed a new 

neon marquee on their theatre in Bishop. 

Dallas and New Orleans 

Lead in UA Sales Drive 

NEW YORK—Uniti'd Artists' Dallas. New 

Orleans and St. John (Canada) exchanges 

retained the lead in the company's 35th anniversary 

sales drive honoring Arthur B. Krim. 

UA president, as the drive went into the 25th 

week. The drive ends May 15. 

Atlanta was the runnerup to Dallas In the 

first group, Charlotte followed the New Orleans 

branch in the second group and New 

Haven trailed St. John in the third group. 

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. 

— 

Cokato, Minn., Merchants 

Agree on Saturday Show 

From North Central Edition 

MINNEAPOLIS—Larry Buck is relighting 

his Cokato Theatre at Cokato, Minn. And 

the reason is that the town's merchants have 

agreed to keep open again on Saturday nights 

in order to get the showhou.se back. 

Buck shuttered the theatre last January 

after the stores started their Saturday night 

closings and his business fell off so badly 

on what had been the week's best evening 

that the operation went into the red. The 

exhibitor let it be known that he couldn't 

exist with the stores closed on Saturday 

nights, but he was willing to give it another 

try if they would open again. 

Merchants as well as townspeople didn't 

relish a theatreless town and the business 

people, prodded by citizens, finally met Buck's 

terms. 

It's the second recent Instance in the territory 

of an exhibitor waging a successful campaign 

to bring about Saturday night reopening 

of stores as a boxoffice aid. 

In Slayton, Minn., after the stores closed 

Saturday nights and his theatre business fell 

off as much as 50 p>er cent on what was formerly 

the week's best boxoffice evening, exhibitor 

L. G. Rauenhorst used enough pressure 

on the merchants to induce them to recant. 

And when the stores resumed Saturday 

nights, Rauenhorst's grosses came back, 

too. 

Rauenhorst didn't even have to threaten 

to close the theatre. He just explained his 

plight and used persuasion, also agreeing to 

run full page ads in the weekly newspaper 

with a list of the stores that would be open. 

DALLAS 

Toe Caffo, chairman of the membership committee, 

announced that the following 

names had been recommended for induction 

into Variety Club: Howard B. Anderson, Motion 

Pictures for Television; Prank W. Baker, 

Midway Theatre, Lubbock; Fred M. Banks, 

Central Popcorn Co.: Joshua B. Dowdell, 

J. B. Dowdell Co.; Newsome W. Gay, Ti-acy 

Locke Co.; Louis C. Higdon, Frontier Theatres: 

Dr. Tom E. Kelly; W. Eric McMaster, 

Branham Co.; Charles Marcus; Maxey H. 

Mayo, Mayo Printing Co.; Eugene M. Muller, 

Varsity Drive-In, San Antonio; Morris 

Schafer, Atlas Mfg. & Supply Co., and 

George A. Stevens, WFAA-TV. 

. . . 

Bill Lewis, formerly manager of the Capstan 

Theatre, was back from a "Julius Caesar" 

tour in Missouri and Kansas . . . The WOMPI 

baseball team, under the sponsorship of 

Modern Theatre Equipment Co., is at the 

top of the league, having won all games so 

far. The WOMPIs defeated Johnson & 

Johnson 7 to 6, and against American Fore 

Ins. Co., 25 to 3, after winning two previous 

games . . Col. H. A. Cole attended an 

. 

Allied board meeting in Minneapolis 

Charles E. Garden, Palace manager. Fort 

Worth, created unusual attendance and interest 

on a special promotion for "Arrow 

in the Dust." The first 100 children who 

brought an Indian penny to the theatre were 

admitted free. All other children who 

brought an Indian penny received two pennies 

for the Indian head. A coin expert was 

on hand to look for the premium pennies 

and the theatre paid accordingly. 

Alfred Sack, managing director of the 

Coronet Theatre, said that "Sunderin" (The 

Life of a Sinner), starring HiHegarde Neff 

and Gustav Froehlich, broke all weekend 

records in the six-year history of the house. 

The picture had its U.S. premiere at the 

Coronet May 7 and crowds have been so 

good that it has been necessary to place the 

film on a schedule of three runs each evening. 

Louis Littlefair Shifted 

BURICBURNETT, TEX.—Louis Littlefair, 

manager of the Palace and Burk Theatres 

and the TEX OK Drive-In, has been transferred 

to Gainesville. In his new position, 

he will have charge of three theatres and a 

drive-in. 

Delbert Mann, television director in New 

York, has been set by the Hecht-Lancaster 

organization to pilot "Marty" lor United Artists 

release. 

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BOXOFTICE : : May 15, 1954 71

$100,000 Theatre Begun 

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VANCOUVER—Local interests in the Colwood 

area, suburban district of Victoria on 

Vancouver Island, have planned a $100,000 

theatre. Other Canadian theatres now under 

corustruction include Myer Rabchak's 300- 

seat house at Brownvale, Alta., and a theatre 

in Smylie, Sask.. by Jake Dobni. 

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INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS 

Speakers Say Success of 

Makelim Will Spur on 

Other Producers 

MINNEAPOLIS — Final North Central 

Allied convention sessions were largely devoted 

to enlisting support for independent 

film production. Speakers emphasized that it 

must be encouraged in order to create a 

larger film supply. Abram F. Myers, Allied 

States general counsel, and Hal R. Makelim, 

a producer, asked exhibitors to line up behind 

the project designed to remedy the 

threat to exhibition in consequence of curtaUed 

film production. 

Myers also called upon NCA members to 

join in resisting present film terms. 

Both men expressed confidence that the 

wheels of independent production can be got 

going in a way to benefit independent exhibitors 

greatly. If exhibitors do their part in 

allying themselves with independent producers, 

progress will be achieved in eliminating 

the one big "roadblock" still obstructing 

exhibition recovery—adequate product supply 

and fair film prices, they said. 

COMMENDS MAKELIM PLAN 

Asserting there isn't a sufficient supply 

of pictures now to keep many theatres open 

during the next three months when they'd 

be experiencing their boxoffice peak, Myers 

commended the Makelim plan to provide 12 

pictures a year. 

"Twelve pictures won't solve your product 

problem," said Myers. "But if this plan succeeds 

other independent producers will be encouraged 

to adopt it and make the same exhibitor 

tieups. When major producers see 

their markets sliding away, it's a cinch they'll 

sit up and take notice and resume picturemaking 

on a normal scale. They're already 

worrying about this development. The ultimate 

effect also will be better picture terms." 

Myers charged that "heresy" has come into 

the thinking of film company heads. He referred 

to what he said was their belief that 

they can thrive on fewer theatres and fewer 

pictures. 

CALLS IT INSANITY 

"The film companies' erroneous belief that 

they need only the best 6,000 theatres as 

customers and can get along without the 

revenue from the rank and file of theatres, 

a shortsighted and ridiculous conclusion, has 

led to an amazing and tragic situation that 

will get worse," declared Myers. "That situation 

finds most of the top-grossing pictures 

of the past five years having been excluded 

from the majority of the nation's theatres 

because those theatres can't meet the exorbitant 

rental demands for them. 

"This depriving of millions of people of 

the chance to see the best pictures and driving 

them to television is insanity." 

Myers construed a telegram from Al 

Lichtman, 20th-Fox sales manager, as a 

decision to fix rentals according to exhibitors' 

ability to pay. 

He also read to the convention a telegram 

from Spyros Skouras, 20th-Fcx president, expressing 

gratitude to Allied States directors 

New 20th-Fox Policy 

Spurs Wide Screen 

Minneapolis—A flood of rush orders 

for wide screens and lenses poured in 

on local equipment houses following: 

announcement of 20th-Fox's decision to 

make CinemaScope pictures available 

without stereophonic sound. 

Many of the orders came from drive-in 

theatres which previously had no plans 

for CinemaScope pictures if stereophonic 

sound was required. It had been indicated 

that if 30th-Fox had adhered to 

its original CinemaScope policy, not 

more than one of the area's ozoners 

would liave taken steps to qualify. 

for the thanks wired to him because of his 

company's new CinemaScope policy. 

Makelim declined to name successful pictures 

produced by him and to state his experience 

in film production, saying he didn't care 

to go into that at this time. He, however, 

called attention to a page ad inserted in two 

Hollywood tradepapers by studio craft members 

who extolled his abilities. 

Relative to distribution's excessively high 

costs and profits which he also hopes to 

eliminate, Makelim cited the case of "Pickup" 

which, he said, Hugo Haas produced for 

$58,000 and sold to Columbia for $65,000 and 

which will gross $1,500,000. 

Makelim disagreed with a Berger assertion 

that "anybody with enough money to employ 

first-rate directors and actors and pay for 

good scripts can go out to Hollywood and 

make good boxoffice pictures." A "knowhow" 

also Is involved, such as proper casting, he 

asserted. 

"What to hell did W. R. Frank (local circuit 

owner who has produced a number of 

pictures) know about making films?" asked 

Berger. 

Makelim was accompanied here by John 

Wolfberg. Los Angeles circuit owner and 

member of the Allied States film committee, 

and Sam Nathanson, the plan's sales manager. 

Wolfberg pointed out that Allied States is 

Bennie Berger who was re-elected 

president of North Central Allied again. 

18-Month Trial Proposed 

For an All-inclusive 

Arbitration 

behind the plan wholeheartedly and he and 

Allied 's other top officers have signed up for 

the pictures. Berger also announced that 

he had lined up all of his theatres behind 

Makelim. 

It was indicated that the plan's local quota 

would be oversubscribed. 

Makelim described himself as "a little fellow, 

who is being shot at by major distributors" 

because of his plan. 

Berger heatedly lambasted distributors because 

of their "unconscionable" percentage demands 

which prevent many exhibitors from 

playing top pictures. Except for popcorn and 

candy sales, he declared, 90 per cent of the 

independent exhibitors would be out of business. 

MANN CALLS FOR SUPPORT 

Mann, the only other president the organization 

has had and who served one term, 

scolded the many exhibitors whose financial 

and other support for NCA hasn't been forthcoming. 

There are too many who attend the 

conventions, but pay no dues, he asserted. 

Pointing out the need of organization, he said 

that if NCA is to live there'll have to be 

fewer "free riders." 

Berger was re-elected president without 

opposition. Also renamed were E. L. Peaslee, 

Stillwater, first vice-president; R. J. Risch, 

Appleton, second vice-president; Al Lee, 

Minneapolis, secretary, and Sim Heller, Minneapolis, 

treasm-er. There also were 29 directors 

elected. 

At the opening session, Berger initiated a 

move to get distributors to agree to an 18- 

month trial period for "all-inclusive" arbitration, 

including "must" percentage demands 

and film rentals generally. Any other kind 

of arbitration would be "a snare and delusion 

to the exhibitor," contended Berger who was 

authorized to contact film company heads 

regarding his proposal. 

TV NOT BIGGEST PROBLEM 

"Film companies themselves have damaged 

the small theatres much more seriously than 

TV," he said. "TV is not the bugaboo we have 

made it seem to be. Our biggest problems have 

arisen from distributors' imposition of terms 

which prevent the showing of the only pictures 

that the pubhc will pay to see. 

"The film companies must return to the 

oldtime flexible sales policy that made the 

motion picture industry great. It's absolutely 

imperative that all small theatres are able 

to buy the top pictures at reasonable prices." 

Berger praised MGM "for its continued 

policy of selling flat to the smaller situations." 

He expressed the hope that other companies 

would follow suit. He abjured exhibitors to be 

on their guard against state and local moves 

to impose admission taxes in place of those 

eliminated and reduced. 

Berger said he's a strong believer in arbitration, 

"but if the companies come up with 

(Continued on next page) 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 15, 1954 NC 73

— 

— 

— 

Rally Allied Support 

Behind Independents 


a must percentage picture, the question of 

percentage is one that an exhibitor should 

be able to bring to arbitration. Any faii'- 

minded person can readily and quickly see 

that when a dLstributor has the power of 

placing prohibitive terms on his product, 

without exhibitor recourse, arbitration will be 

a snare and delusion. 

"Why not give this all-inclusive arbitration 

an 18-month trial? If it's not successful, 

it then can be tossed out the window. 

However, I predict the distributors as well as 

the exhibitors would find it of great value. 

It certainly would eliminate a large number 

of lawsuits and end the strife which now hurts 

the industry. 

"Unless a picture is very good, the public 

now stays home and watches the free but 

usually poor TV entertainment," said Berger. 

"From this development it follows that if a 

theatre is to exist it must have all of the good 

pictures made. 

"It was the oldtime flexible sales policy that 

made the motion picture industry great. Prices 

of pictures formerly were based on ability to 

pay. The boys with the adding machines 

have changed all that and the film companies 

are insisting on 40, 50 or 60 per cent, regardless 

of the theatre or town's size. 

"Never in the history of our business have 

all theatres been able to pay identical terms. 

ALWAYS 

GOOD! 

ALWAYS 

ON TIME! 

TELL YOOR PATRONS 

ABOUT IT WITH A 

FItMACK 

TRAIiER 

l»T $. Wakaih • Chkago, III. 630 Nlilh An. - Niw Vtrk, N. T. 

:?*!^!! 

. fkcLusiycLy 

.„iil|| 

And today, with out present high operating 

costs, it is an impossibiUty for a small grossing 

theatre to pay the same terms as a large 

metropolitan first run." 

Mike Simons, MGM exhibitor relations 

head, told he's addressing business groups in 

various towns, pointing out how essential it 

is for their community to have a theatre and 

how it helps their sales. He feels he has 

been successful in lining up support for the 

local showhouse in his present campaign. 

President Berger appointed Fred Schnee, 

Litchfield, Minn., and Mai'tin Lebedoff and 

Ten Mann, Minneapolis, as chairmen of the 

nominating, finance and resolution committees, 

respectively. 

There was a rising vote of thanks for Col. 

Cole before he started to talk. This was in 

recognition of the part which he played in 

the successful admission tax fight. 

Martin Lebedoff Buys 

MAC'S St. Paul Capitol 

MINNEAPOLIS—The Minnesota Amusement 

Co. has cut down further on its local 

holdings with the sale of its St. Paul Capitol, 

neighborhood house, to Martin Lebedoff, 

owner of a Minneapolis subsequent run theatre. 

At the same time, the circuit made known 

that two of its three remaining St, Paul 

neighborhood theatres also are available for 

purchase. One, the Uptown, is not for sale, 

according to Harry B. French, MAC president. 

During the past several years, the Minnesota 

Amusement Co. has relinquished two 

downtown and two neighborhood theatres in 

St. Paul, one Minneapolis Loop and four 

neighborhood theatres. It also has reopened 

one theatre here, the downtown Aster, with 

a last run twin-bill 25-cent policy. The circuit, 

too. recently renewed its lease on the 

Minneapolis neighborhood Uptown, where 

Cinemascope equipment has been installed. 

The Aster, since its reopening several 

months ago, has been doing very well, according 

to French. 

Geneva Theatre Remodels 

LAKE GENEVA, WIS.—The remodeling 

the Geneva Theatre calls for a new front 

and boxoffice as well as an enlarged vending 

area which will be accessible from the sidewalk 

as well as the theatre lobby. New seats 

and a new aii- conditioning system ai'e also 

to be installed. According to Manager Marvin 

Coon, the renovation program will be 

completed without interfering with shows. 

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TOWN 

NAME •! 

STATE.. 

POSITION 

of 

'Mission' Scores 115 

As Leader in Omaha 

OMAHA—Downtown business snapped out 

of a slump last week but none of the first 

runs showed dazzling results. The Brandeis 

reported a 115 per cent week with "Dangerous 

Mission" and "Spaceways." Weekend 

weather was wet and cold and boxoffice 

receipts profited, as contrasted with the previous 

weekend of gardening weather. 


Admiral-Chief The Golden Mosk (UA); Personal 

Affoir (UA) 90 

Brendeis Dangerous Mission fRKO); Spaceways 

(LP) 115 

Omaha Ride Clear of Diablo (U-l); Dragonfly 

Squadron (AA) 110 

Orphcum Lucky Me (WB) 110 

State Act of Love (UA) 100 

Town Phonfom Stallion (Rep); Strange Womon 

(SR); The A-B-C's of Love (SR) 95 

'Julius Caesar' in Sixth Week 

Tops Minneapolis Gross 

MINNEAPOLIS — Two newcomers came 

through reasonably well last week, "Night 

People" and "Wicked Woman." But it was 

"Julius Caesar" in its sixth and final week 

that headed the boxoffice grosses. 

Gopher Naked Jungle (Pora), 2nd wk 85 

Lyric—Wicked Woman (UA) 95 

Radio City Executive Suite (MGM), 2nd wk 100 

RKO Orpheum Night People (20th-Fox) 110 

RKO Pan Queen of Shebo (LP); The Man From 

Cairo (LP) 80 

State Witness to Murder (UA) 90 

World Julius Caesar (MGM), 6th wk 125 

Bill Miskell Asks Relief 

From Post at Tri-States 

OMAHA—William Miskell, who resigned as 

Tri-States western district manager, effective 

June 1. asked to be relieved of his post 

immediately because of the press of other 

duties. 

Miskell and Ralph Blank already have 

started construction of their new $320,000 

drive-in. Don Shane, manager of the Orpheum, 

is filling the position pending announcement 

of the new western di-strict head. Tri- 

States also has the Omaha Theatre here and 

others at Grand Island, Hastings and Fairbury 

in Nebraska. 

Bondholders Sell Theatre 

KENOSHA, WIS. — Announcement has 

the Gate- 

been made by the bondholders of 

way Theatre that proceeds from the sale of 

the theatre are now available, and that the 

trustees have asked circuit judge Alfred 

Drury for a hearing to liquidate the trust. 

The trustees noted that all assets of the 

theatre have been converted into cash and 

the money is available for distribution on the 

basis of $257 per $1,000 in principal. The 

theatre was sold to Kenway Properties, Milwaukee, 

for $50,000, 

Don Ameche to Speak 

DUBUQUE, IOWA.—Don Ameche, the 

film star, will give the commencement address 

at Loras college on May 30. Ameche is 

an alumnus of Loras where he completed 

prelaw studies in 1928 before entering the 

entertainment field. Ameche's wife, their 

four sons and two daughters are now living 

in Dubuque. The baccalaureate sermon, the 

same day, will be delivered by the Most Rev. 

William E. Cousins, bi.shop of the Catholic 

diocese of Peoria, 111. It will be Loras college's 

115th commencement exercises. 

74 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

15, 1954

. . The 

— 

. . Jack 

. 

Scale Cu! atMAC Lyric; 

Holds Line at Others 

MINNEAPOLIS—The Minnesota Amusement 

Co. dropped the admission at its Lyric 

Loop first run house, from 65-85 to 50-75 

cents. The reduction, the first by MAC since 

the federal tax reduction, was due to the fact 

that the Lyric, for the most part, plays lesser 

pictures than those booked into MAC'S two 

other first run theatres, the Radio City and 

the State, it was explained. 

When pictures are moved over from the 

State and Radio City, which will continue 

their present scales, to the Lyric for extension 

of the first runs, the latter will raise 

its admission diu-ing the engagements to the 

level of those two houses, 65-85 cents exceprt 

for Cinemascope and some other pictures 

when it's $1 or higher. 

While the pick of whatever product RKO 

Theatres books goes into the Orpheum, for 

the most part, that circuit has a 65-85-cent 

scale at the Pan, located across the street 

from the Lyric, the same as at the Orpheum. 

William Whelan, RKO Theatres city manager, 

says no decision has been made as to 

whether the Pan now will follow the Lyric 

lead in dropping its scale. No admission reduction 

is contemplated for the Gopher, 

asserts owner Bennie Berger. 

MAC has also dropped admissions on 

Cinemascope productions to 75 cents, a 10- 

cent cut, at Austin, Fairmont and Mankato, 

Minn.; Eau Claire and Superior, Wis., and 

Mitchell Huron and Watertown, S.D. 

Charles Jones of ITOA 

Buys Northwood Show 

NORTHWOOD. IOWA—The formal 

opening 

of the Northwood Theatre under the 

ownership of Charles L. Jones will be held 

May 16. Jones, formerly of Elma, purchased 

the theatre from Nathan Sandler of Des 

Moines May 2. He has been in the theatre 

business for 20 years and owned and operated 

the house at Elma for eight years 

before it was destroyed by fire last March. 

Jones said: "We looked over many towns 

before deciding on Northwood. The fine 

record of theatre business here and the 

spirit of cooperation which is evident appealed 

to us." Jones is secretary of the 

Iowa-Nebraska ITOA. L. E. Whitcome, 

manager of the Northwood during the last 

12 years, will remain with Jones while he 

is getting established but wiU retire soon 

for reasons of health. 

Two Theatres Shifted 

OMAHA—Two theatre changes were announced 

here last week. Everett Olhausen 

has taken over the theatre at Sutherland, 

Neb., from D. C. Henry. At Avon, SX>., James 

Hayward is the new owner of the Avalon, 

formerly operated by S. E. Petrik. 

Leon Arfmann Redecorates 

LOHRVILLE, IOWA—The Royle Theatre, 

operated by Leon Arfmann here, 

was closed 

for several weeks for improvements which 

included redecoration and installation of a 

new wide screen. 

Edward G. O'Callaghan will screenplay the 

science-fiction original by Harry Essex, "1980," 

for Universal. 

OMAHA 

fjarry Hummel, elected one of the directors 

of Iowa-Nebraska Allied, has been given 

another honor. He was elected to the board 

of education at Scribner, where he has been 

an exhibitor many years . State Theatre 

at Red Cloud was the scene of the city 

school's annual spring musicale ... Ed Cohan, 

Columbia salesman, has a new company Ford. 

£ddie Rostermundt, retired United Artists 

salesman, was reported still in serious condition 

. . . I. M. Weiner, Universal manager, 

went to Des Moines where the branch there, 

under Lou Levy, opened its newly remodeled 

R. E. Falkinburg sr.. Majestic 

quarters . . . 

at Lexington, showed a film of the civic 1953 

Plum Creek day parade at a Rural Homemakers 

day sponsored by the Chamber 

Commerce women's division. 

of 

A rash of drive-in break-ins broke out in 

Omaha, including the Golden Spike and 76th 

and Dodge. In Lincoln, Irwin Dubinsky's 

West O and Starview also were burglarized 

. . . MGM has two new shippers: Bob Willard, 

formerly with Film Transport, who is head 

of the department, and Jim Huskey, his 

assistant . . . Walter Creal, operator of the 

Beacon and Center, went to Grand Island for 

the opening of the new horse-racing layout. 

Herman Gould, who has the 84th and 

Center Street Drive-In. brought a box of 

baby orchids to Mrs. Jack Renfro and Erma 

DeLand of Theatre Booking Service, similar 

to the ones he presented to mothers visiting 

his drive-in on Mothers day . . . Bill Wink, 

Warner salesman, is back on the job after a 

week's vacation. 

Sam Deutch, Universal booker, has a luxurious 

growth of facial shrubbery started 

and is setting the pace on Filmrow in observance 

Mrs. Ed 

of centennial activities . . . 

Cohen, wife of the Columbia salesman, as 

president of the Christ the King Church 

Guild, announced a parish get-together and 

dance at Peony park May 19 . . . Western 

Theatre Supply installed Cinemascope at the 

Broadway in Council Bluffs. 

Bea Jodlowski, MGM contract clerk, is back 

after a throat infection . . . MGM Office 

Manager Evelyn Cannon and a number of 

staff members attended the wedding of Dorothy 

Kosiut, former cashier, to Alden Lincoln 

at St. Francis church . . . Three MGM office 

members went home for Mothers day: Shirley 

Baker, stenographer, to Ida Grove; Marilyn 

Strosnider, biller, to Creston, Iowa, and 

Virginia Struble, cashier, to Castana, Iowa. 

F. A. Van Husan, purchasing agent for 

R. D. Goldberg Theatres, and his wife went 

to Seattle because of the illness of Mrs. Van 

Husan's sister Lucille Martin . . . Fred 

Fejfar, MGM salesman, and his wife visited 

relatives at Mitchell and Wagner, SJD. . . . 

Barbara Deardon, Co-Op Booking Service 

secretary, visited her sister in Kansas City . . 

Eddie Reising, National Screen Service, who 

has a 160 bowling average, drew a spot on a 

television kegling program . Shwidelson. 

Allied Artists salesman, said his son 

Butch, 8, is slowly improving after suffering 

a ruptured appendix. 

Exhibitors on Filmrow were lowans Roy 

Warfield. Sioux City; Mr. and Mrs. Frank 

Scott. Moville, and Nebraskans Jim Travis, 

Mllford; Frank HoUingsworth, Beatrice; Mr. 

and Mrs. Fred Schuler, Humboldt; Ollie 

Schneider, Osceola; Cliff Shearon, Genoa, 

and Charles Thoene, Lyons. 

Jim Burrus Birthday 

CRETTE, NEB.—Jim Burrus. local theatre 

owner, was flooded with greeting cards on his 

78th birthday, which fell on Easter Simday 

this year. A large number of cards came 

from Omaha's Filmrow. Home for the occasion 

was his grandson Larry, who is studjflng 

in Chicago. 

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BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

15, 1954 75

. . Charles 

. . Earl 

. . William 

. 

MINNEAPOLIS 

pen Marcus, Columbia manager, was in from 

Kansas City . . . 20th-Fox branch is a 

beehive of activity following the announcement 

of its new Cinemascope policy. Inquiries 

regarding the booking of "The Robe" 

and other Cinemascope pictures started pouring 

in when the exchanges opened Monday 

morning. Many were from drive-in theatre 

owners who see the advantage of playing boxoffice 

hits . . . Cliff Luzar, Northwest Variety 

Club steward, is back on the job after flying 

to Boston to attend the funeral of his 

father-in-law. 

Bennie Berger, National Allied director, entertained 

members of the board with dinner 

0^ Says Mrs. 

W. SHARP FILMS 


Amusement Company IS 

Missoula, Montono 

AMU 

semenLS.?.- 

W.A.smoe, 

BOOKlf OFFICE = 

1Q i April 

?8, 

Kansas 

,ea. «- «-^^^"\^^3,.„e. " re--r/e of-Ûon 

re"«e;;te ênêreo 

of a^^^^"' aT-cTeci» films i^ Vtine, 

, of all, tbe a^f^fo'.rapl^y, ^^^^ 

?/lll ^folof 3r7 ô""^ • 

3„e accurate 

^'^'^'^^ 

, nanaUn. i= ^-=^"^' -'^^ 

^^ ^..ufyi^^ 

3econa, yo- 3,eeptance i^lf/s Lssa.es. 

at his Schick's cafe . Perkins, salesman 

with Independent Film Exchange, has 

replaced Clyde Cutter as Theatre Associates 

booker . Perrine. Mumesota Amusement 

Co. executive, was written up in the 

Minneapolis Star's Tow'n Toppers series of 

brief profiles of leading citizens. 

. . . 

St. Paul's Strand landed "Genevieve," 

highly regarded British comedy, for its Twin 

Cities first run and Manager Jimmy Eshelman 

gave it a strong personal endorsement 

Ev Lovelett, veteran Columbia salesman, still 

is confined to his home by illne.ss but is on 

the road to recovery . B. Zoellner, 

MGM newsreel and shorts sales representa- 

"QUALITY OF YOUR 

moreover, '^ ^se our ^^ giso T 

,v,p merchants "f^ '•^'^^Vo capat-ly- 

Fourth, ^^^^le 

not o-^J/îces 

them so 

flue to tnc g^^cereiy J 

Su^^rn^^ 

Edna 

Nilma 

Sharr 

AND SERVICE 

OUTSTANDING" 

UNITED FILM SERVICE, 

Htadquarltra 

Offic* 

Kansas City*, Missouri 

ranch Offlcti. . . C h i C 

fl 

INC. 

. . . CI • V 1 1 H d . . 

Detroit. ..San Francisco 

. 

tive, was a visitor . . . Six of the theatres in 

the RKO division under Harry H. Weiss, including 

the Minneapolis and St. Paul RKO 

Orpheums, will play "Carnival Story" day and 

date, starting Memorial week. 

. . . Frozen underground 

Bob Karatz, local circuit owner, acquii-ed 

the 730-seat Meyers and the smaller Apollo, 

conventional theatres at Jonesville, Wis., from 

the Fox Wisconsin circuit and will continue 

W. R. Frank, 

to keep the latter shuttered , , . 

circuit owner and Hollywood producer, plans 

to hold the world premiere of "Sitting Bull" 

at Rapid City and Sioux Falls, S.D. . . . Pola- 

Lite's new single strip 3-D projection system 

is being installed by the Minnesota Amusement 

Co. in its local loop State and St. Paul 

downtown Riviera 

caused the Hilltop Drive-In to shutter for one 

night immediately after the Minneapolis Star 

had run a photo showing patrons watching 

"Red Garters" in a snowstorm. 

Exhibitor inquiries regarding "Gone With 

the Wind" are pouring in to MGM here although 

the picture isn't to be rereleased here 

until July . . . Ben Spew'ak, theatre financier, 

hosted a cocktail party at the Hotel NicoUete 

for members of Alhed's board of directors. 

. . . Charley 

The luncheon that opened North Central 

Allied's two-day convention brought out 

record-breaking attendance 

Jackson, Warner salesman, has received word 

from Los Angeles of the death of Tom Kress, 

former film salesman here in the 1920's, who 

is still remembered affectionately by many 

oldtimers. 

G. V. Fleming Seeks Aid 

To Reopen Walnut House 

WALNUT, IOWA—G. V. Fleming of At- 

former operator of the Walnut Thea- 

lantic, 

tre here, has been contacting local businessmen 

to gain financial backing for a 

theatre venture. Howard Brookings of Oakland, 

latest operator of the Walnut, has 

moved the last of his equipment from the 

building after surrendering his lease May 1. 

Fleming said he has all the necessary 

theatre equipment and could start operations 

with a loan of about $1,000 from local 

businessmen. It was reported, however, that 

his inquiries were being received with only 

lukewarm interest. Fleming gave up the 

operation of the theatre last summer after 

a short period. He said a new equipment 

setup w'ould eliminate lagging attendance 

during the summer. Meanwhile, Clarence 

Walter, owner of the theatre building, has 

it up for sale. 

Plainfield Closes Doors 

PLAINFIELD. IOWA — The Plainfield 

Theatre here has bowed to television and 

resultant poor attendance. Owners Kenneth 

B. Orcutt and Lloyd Koob closed the 

doors on May 1. The short-lived theatre 

was opened in April 1949 by Mrs. Florence 

Mason and her son Robert. Orcutt and 

Koob took it over in August 1951. Since 

December 1953 the Plainfield has shown a 

loss each month. 

E. Olhausen Buys Sutherland 

SUTHERLAND, IOWA.—Everett Olhausen 

has purchased the Sutherland Theatre business 

here from Don Henry. Olhausen signed 

w two-year lease on the building with an 

option to buy. He plans to install a new wide 

screen in the near future. 

76 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

: May 

15, 1954

. 

RESEARCH BUREAU 

for 

MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS 

UNITED ARTISTS MEETING IN CHICAGO—During a three-day regional 

gathering at the Blackstone hotel in Chicago, United Artists executives and liey sales 

personnel from the midwest area and Canada discussed distribution plans for UA's 

35th anniversary slate. In the photo, clockwise from left: Joe Imhof, Milwaukee 

branch manager; Abe Feinstein, Winnipeg branch manager; Ralph Amacher, Kansas 

City branch manager; Sam Kunitsky, Montreal branch manager; Harvey Romberg, 

Calgary branch salesman; Abbot Swartz, Minneapolis branch manager; Morris Hamat, 

Montreal branch salesman; Harry Woolf, Vancouver branch manager; Irving Siegel, 

Toronto branch salesman; I. J. Davis, St. John branch manager; Robert Radis, Calgary 

branch manager; George Heiber, Toronto branch manager; Charles S. Chaplin, 

Canadian district manager; B. G. Kranze, general sales manager; William J. Heineman, 

vice-president in charge of distribution; Max E. Youngstein, vice-president; 

James Velde, western division manager; F. J. Lee, midwest district manager; Arthur 

Reiman, eastern and southern contract manager; Harry Goldman. Chicago branch 

manager; Sid Rose, Chicago sales manager; Oscar Bernstein, Chicago city salesman; 

Ray Axelrod, Chicago salesman; Art Rosenthal, Chicago booker; Morris Hellman, Chicago 

salesman; Marty Greenberg, Winnipeg salesman; D. J. Edele, St. Louis branch 

manager, and D. V. McLucas, Omaha branch manager. 

Tighter Film Ad Laws 

Enforced in Ontario 

•^rom Canadian Edition 

TORONTO—Under the new Ontario theatres 

act, Chairman O. J. Silverthorne of the 

provincial board of censors has tightened inspections 

of theatre and film advertising. 

Binford Pleads It Isn't 

True He Banned 'Kings' 

From Southeast Edition 

MEMPHIS—Lloyd T. Binford, 88-yearold 

chairman of the city board of censors, 

said he was getting a little weary of being 

referred to as tlie man who once banned 

"The King of Kings" from Memphis. 

Tlie occasion was the annual return of 

the picture to Memphis for showings by 

church groups. 

"Writers have been saying for 20 years 

that I banned 'King of Kings,' " Binford 

said. "I did not ban that picture. It was 

back about 1929. We previewed the picture. 

"It was a scene before the crucifixion. 

It was where they stripped Christ and 

put a crown of thorns on Him. Mrs. 

M. V. Smith, a member of the censor 

. board, said the scene was rough, and I said 

it was one of the few places just like it 

was in the Bible. In the Bible they even 

spat on Him." 

Binford said Mrs. Smith and the other 

censor voted to delete the scene and he 

did not vote. The producers wouldn't permit 

a deletion and the picture was not 

shown, Binford said. The producers obtained 

a court injunction against cutting 

the picture, Binford said, but on appeal 

the higher court upheld the censor board. 

A number of organizations had complained 

that some displays were too sensational. 

One comment was that the advertising had 

become so exaggerated "that words had lost 

their meaning." Chief criticism was directed 

at announcements for independent or European 

films for which there has been no 

pressbook for consideration by the censors. 

The new law requires film distributors to 

submit all pieces of advertising for examination, 

while exhibitors and theatre managers 

must send duplicate proofs of original displays 

to the board, which will return one of 

the proofs if it has been given the stamp of 

approval. 

Under the former statute, an offense with 

respect to the use of unapproved advertising 

meant a fine, on conviction, from $20 to $200. 

The new penalties scale from $50 to $500. 

Hydrogen Bomb Reels 

Given Civic Screening 

Manager Len Crate arranged for a 

front-page display that effectively publicized 

the showing of the newsreel hydrogen 

bomb pictures at the Union Cinema in 

Dunstable, England. Special invitations 

were sent to the mayor and other prominent 

citizens, and the sequence of explosions 

was shown several times to the interested 

audience. A lively discussion followed 

the screening and the local civil 

defense officer and others who attended 

expressed their thanks. The fine public 

relations established will help Crate in 

future promotions. 

Robt. Cohn Produces 'Dead Pigeon' 

Robert Cohn will produce for Columbia 

release "Dead Pigeon," a Broadway play by 

Lenard Kantor, to be scripted by William 

Bowers. 

ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORM.ATION 

The MODERN THEATRE 

PLANNING INSTITUTE 

825 Van Brunt Blvd. 


Gentlemen: 

5-15-54, 

Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU 

to receive information regularly, as released, on 

the following subjects for Theatre Planning: 

n Acoustics 

n Air Conditioning 

Architectural 

Service 

n "Black" Lighting 

n Building Material 

D Carpets 

n Coin Machines 

Lighting 

Fixtures 

n Plumbing Fixtures 

n Projectors 

n Projection 

n Seating 

Lamps 

Signs and Marquees 

n Complete Remodeling ^ ôund Equipment 

n Decorating 

D Drink Dispensers 

n Drive-In Equipment 

D Other 

Theatre 

Seating 

Address 

City 

State 

Subjects 

Capacity- 

Signed., 

Television 

D Theatre Fronts 

D Vending Equipment 

Postage-paid reply cards for your further convenience 

in obtaining information are provided in The MODERN 

THEATRE Section, published with the first issue of 

each month. 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

15, 1954 77

. . The 

D E S 

MOINES 

•pill Toney, Tri-States executive, has resigned 

to take a position with Wilkins 

Theatre Supply Co. in Atlanta. Ga., his 

native state. While cleaning house in preparation 

for the move, Toney found an old 

Gladstone bag given to him by his mother in 

1943. Deciding it was no longer useful, he took 

it to a city dump. Several days later. Myron 

Blank and others at Tri-States gave Toney 

a farewell party. There were several gifts— 

a clock, a briefcase—and finally, a large 

package, neatly wrapped. Inside was the old 

Gladstone bag, which he took with him! 

Just how it got back, he doesn't know. 

78 

Howard Ross, Allied Artists manager, has 

DELIVERY 

We oim to make delivery 

on lenses ond screens 2 

weeks after receipt ot order. 

We try to get you the hardto-get 

items so that you don't 

have to make them locally. 

Our engineering service, plus 

the engineering service of 

our many large factories, 

places us in a much better 

position to ghre you the best 

of new equipment under 

these trying times. Ask to 

have our representatives call 

on you for further Information. 

For use on both drive-in and 

indoor theatre screens. For 

both 2-D and 3-D pictures. 

"UNI-MAX" Metallic 

Screen 

WE ARE 

Paint 

. . . 

accepted a position with Edward L. Alperson, 

independent producer. Alperson is establishing 

foreign distribution of his films and Ross 

will represent him abroad. Sol Francis, 

Omaha manager, will supervise the exchange 

here until a new manager is named 

Mrs. A. H. Blank gave a tea for nurses of 

Raymond Blank Memorial hospital for children 

at the Blank home last week. Pediatric 

nurses and heads of some departments of 

Iowa Methodist hospital were guests. 

Patricia C'rossland Manchester, former 

Warner employe, visited the exchange, accompanied 

by her daughter. The Manchesters 

were here to visit relatives. Pat's hus- 

TO SELL YOU 

Complete 3-0 Equipment 

Stereophonic Sound 

25" and 26" Magazines 

For 

Wide Angle Lenses 

CinemaScope Lenses 

Century—Motio—Simplex 

F-2 Speed Aperture plates, 

also new gates, if needed 

CinemaScope Screens 

Standard Metallic 

Silver Screens 

2 weeks delivery 

Wide Angle Curved Screens 

2 weeks delivery 

DES MOINES THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

1121-23 High Street Phone 3-6520 Des Moines, Iowa 

band is now a lieutenant colonel. They also 

brought news of another former Filmrow 

employe, Donnie Snow, who is now working 

at the Cherry Point marine air base in 

North Carolina. 

A 7 -year-old boy, mis.sing from his home 

in Council Bluffs for 12 hours last week, 

was found asleep at the drive-in theatre on 

the South Omaha bridge road! Leonard 

McKee was reported missing from school 

and PTA members. Civil Defense Auxiliary 

Police and Council Bluffs police were all 

active in the search before Leonard was 

found! . Sheldon Drive-In Theatre 

in Sheldon opened April 30 for the 1954 

season. According to Manager Lionel Wasson, 

new individual speakers for all cars 

have been installed. 

12-Hour Search for Lad 

Ends at Drive-In Theatre 

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA—A frantic 

search for an 8-year-old boy missing from his 

home since noon ended at midnight when 

he was found asleep at the Manawa Drive-In 

on the sound side of town. 

It was not learned how he got from his 

home on the north side to the theatre four 

miles away. The lad, Leonard McKee, has a 

speech and hearing impediment. 

When he didn't return home from school 

his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Marion McKee. 

sounded the alarm. Two dozen auxiliary 

policemen and Parent-Teacher Ass'n members 

joined the search and spread the alarm. 

Theatre Helps School Prom 

LEXINGTON, NEB.—Mr. and Mrs. Loton 

Todd of the Todd Drive-In were hosts to 

Lexington's teenagers at an after midnight 

showing as part of the junior-senior prom. 

Ralph Falkinburg of the Majestic Theatre 

contributed free popcorn. 

Marcus Merchants Back Free Shows 

MARCUS, IOWA.—Local businessmen will 

sponsor a series of free films at the Mar- 

theatre during the summer. Shows will 

land 

be each Saturday night. Tickets will be obtained 

without obligation from merchants in 

the area. Theatre owner Charles Nielson is 

cooperating in the ventm-e by altering his 

program schedule for the free showings. 

Sidney Fox Installs Desert 

SIDNEY, NEB.—The "Living Desert" came 

to life in the lobby of the Fox Theatre in 

connection with the showing of the Disney 

production when the theatre installed a 

miniature desert in the lobby, including a 

cage of desert animals which were sent in 

by Earl Harvey, zoo owner. 

Wide Screen Installed by Gem 

MOVILLE. IOWA—A new wide screen 

has been installed at the Gem Theatre. A 

large crowd was on hand for the first showing 

on the new screen. 

Drive-In Admission Set 

PLATTEVILLE, WIS.—John O'Conner has 

set an admission price of 50 cents for his 

drive-in this sea.son. Children under 12 are 

admitted free. 

Ford Beebe will produce and direct "Killer 

Leopard," next of Allied Artists' Bomba series. 

BOXOFFICE :: May 15, 1954

MILW AUKEE Exhibitors Attending WB Screenings 

ITarris Dudelson, formerly with Lippert Pictures, 

has joined the Buena Vista sales 

Don Deakin, Dells Theatre, Wisconsin 

staff . . • 

Dells, was on Filmrow booking for 

the summer season. 

The antitrust suit brought by the Colonial 

Theatre against the major film companies 

ended after a 42-day trial. Federal Judge 

Robert E. Tenhan ordered attorneys to file 

briefs within 30 days. 

Airers Cool to 'The Line/ 

Same as First Runs 

MINNEAPOLIS—Having failed to sell 

"The French Line" into the conventional 

theatres in this area except at the St. Paul 

independent downtown Strand, where it 

opens next month, RKO is now offering the 

picture to drive-ins. 

As far as can be learned thus far, however, 

no ozoner has bought it. Moreover, 

it has been definitely turned down by the 

Minnesota Entertainment Enterprises which 

operates five drive-in theatres in the Twin 

Cities area and is the largest outdoor theatre 

circuit here. The MEE, for one thing, 

declined to deviate from a policy not to play 

any pictures on percentage. 

RKO Theatres is not booking "The 

French Line" in its three Twin Cities' first 

run theatres. Houses that played "The Moon 

Is Blue" in the face of lack of seal and 

Catholic disapproval, including the Minneapolis 

and St. Paul independent Worlds, are 

passing up "French Line." So is the Minnesota 

Amusement Co., which turned thumbs 

down, too, on "The Moon Is Blue." 

Wally Johnson Purchases 

Sale Barn at Friend, Neb. 

FRIEND, NEB.—C. W. "Wally" Johnson, 

theatre owner here, has branched out into 

another enterprise. He has purchased the 

Friend sale barn. Johnson and Robert 

Kohout, manager for five years, announced 

some general repairs and improvements will 

be made. Johnson also has a cafe in Friend. 

Former owner was Irvin Miller. The amphitheatre 

seats 750 and the sales ring is paved. 

There is a lunchroom just off the sales pavilion. 

Screen Pierced by Stick 

MANITOWOC, WIS.—One of a trio of 

boys hurled a hard-tipped popsicle stick 

through the Capitol Theatre's $3,000 Cinema- 

Scope screen. Manager R. S. Guiterman 

reported that this was the third time an 

object thrown from the front rows had 

pierced the screen. The boys hurriedly left 

the theatre before being apprehended. 

John Newcomer to Manage Page 

SHENANDOAH, IOWA—John Newcomer 

of Lawrence, Kas.. has taken over the management 

of the Page Theatre. He replaces 

Don Nutter, who has resigned to enter college 

under the GI bill. Newcomer has spent 

the past 18 months with the Commonwealth 

Theatres Co., of Kansas City, owner of the 

Page. Prior to that he served as a manager 

with Fox Midwest for nine years and Griffith's 

14 years. 

Minnesotans attending the recent screening of the Warner Bros. "Report to the 

Nation" short included, left to right: Ernie Hill, Warner Bros.; Paul Lundquist, 

Northwest Theatre Service Co.; Don O'Neill, Minnesota Amusement Co.; Fred Miner, 

Miner Amusement Co.; Franli Mantzke, Northwest Theatre Service Co.; Woody Prought 

and Bill Bonning, MAC, and Freeman Parsons, Sauk Centre, Minn. 

Top photo shows Omaha area exhibitors: Guy G. Griffin, Plattsmouth, Neb.; 

R. D. Goldberg, Omaha; Frank Hannon, WB manager; Don Campbell, Central City; 

Richard Johnson, Bed Oak, Iowa, and Wayne Sweeney, Omaha. Lower photo, Des 

Moines area viewers: Joe Gerbrach, Ames; Dave Kramer, WB salesman; Don Allen, 

Kermit Carr, Herbert Blass, A. H. Blank, Tom Kelly, Don Bell, Ogden Dwight and Joe 

Anchor, all of Des Moines. 

Circuit Head's Son Resigns 

MINNEAPOLIS—Harry B. French jr., son 

of the Minnesota Amusement Co.'s president, 

has resigned from the MAC publicity and 

promotion department and will move with 

his family to San Diego, Calif., to enter a 

new line of business. 

George Mott Buys Theatre 

NORTH BEND, NEB.—George Mott of 

Verdigre has purchased the Joy Theatre 

which has been operated by John Waybill. 

New Operator for Princess 

GUTTENBERG, IOWA—Kermit Dubbels, 

a former resident of Guttenberg, returned 

from Cedar Rapids to take over the operation 

of the Princess Theatre. 

Legion Opens Theatre 

As Community Project 

LAKE BRONSON, MINN.—The American 

Legion post here is reopening the town's 

only motion picture theatre, which has been 

closed for nearly a year, and will operate it 

as a community and civic project. Post 

officials say they feel that it's vital for the 

town to have a showhouse, experience having 

demonstrated that the lack of one has been 

bad for the young people and the business 

interests. If there's an operating deficit, 

the post will raise funds to meet it, officers 

announced. 

J. E. Minton Sells Mellen Theatre 

MELLEN, WIS.—J. E. Minton has sold 

the Mellen Theatre to Leon J. Kalmon of 

Medford. 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

15, 1954 79

— 

Ideas still 

pay! 

Anyone can find 

ideas, 

but successful exfiibitors 

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. 

From 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 tures—every day in every way . . . For good 

dividends in show business. Men in high ideas in the news and in the service departplaces 

and men in low places all have ments, read and use each issue of 

learned that it pcrys and pays to promote pic- 

BOXOFFICE 

Nine Sectional Editions - To Fit Every Distribution Area 


: May 

15, 1954

— 

—— 

— — 

Motor City Grosses 

Score No Real Highs 

DETROIT—First run business looked unexpectedly 

strong. Patronage was well distributed 

over a number of pictures, with no 

real "highs." 


Adams Executive Suite (MGM) 130 

Broadway Capitol Highway Dragnet (AA); 

Dragonfly Squadron (AA) 85 

Fox— River of No Return (20th-Fox); Stormy the 

Thoroughbred (Buena Vista) 150 

Madison Indiscretion of on American Wife (Col), 

2nd wk 100 

Michigan Elephont Walk (Para); Monte Carlo 

Baby (Filmakers) 150 

Palms The Mad Magician (Col); Jesse James vs. 

the Daltons (Col) 130 

United Artists Prince Valiant (20th-Fox), 

3rd wk 70 

Storms and Tornado Warning 

Hurl Cleveland Boxoffices 

CLEVELAND—Heavy weekend rain storms 

and radio warnings of a possible tornado 

caused havoc with theatre business both 

downtown and in the neighborhoods. The 

public was advised to either go home or 

stay home. Result was that only two pictm-es 

made much of a boxoffice showing. 

These were "The Mad Magician" t3-D) and 

"The Moon Is Blue." 

Allen The Miami Story (Col) and Drums of Tahiti 

(Col) 85 

Hippodrome The Moon Is Blue (UA) 1 20 

Lower Mall Conquest of Mt. Everest (UA) .... 85 

Ohio—From Here to Eternity (Col), 3rd wk 100 

Palace The Mod Magician (3-D Col.) 150 

State Elephant Walk (Para) 90 

Stillmon Executive Suite (MGM) 3rd d.t. wk ...100 

"Executive Suite' at 135 Leads 

In Other^vise Slow Week 

CINCINNATI—Business continued at a 

rather slow pace, with one picture hitting 

135 and the others going 100 and below. 

"Executive Suite" at the Albee made 135, 

and "The Moon Is Blue," 100 at Keiths in its 

second week. 

Albee Executive Suite (MGM) 135 

Grand Riding Shotgun (WB); The Saint's Girl 

Friday (RKO) 90 

Keiths The Moon Is Blue (UA) 100 

Palace The Mad Magician (Col) 95 

Fire Marshal Edward Hall 

Retires After 35 Years 

DETROIT—Edward W. Hall, fire marshal 

here the last eleven years, will retii-e 

July 10 after 35 years in the fire department. 

During his incumbency, HaU and the men 

working under him have been in close contact 

with the operation of theatres in the 

city. Hall's knowledge of fire prevention and 

safety in theatres has been the source of 

two articles published in Modern Theatre. 

Makelim at Detroit 

DETROIT—Hal R. Makelim spoke at a 

special luncheon meeting of Allied Theatres 

of Michigan held here Wednesday at the 

Statler hotel. He discussed details of his 

new filming plan. A closed meeting of 

Allied's board of dii'ectors followed the luncheon 

and discussion. 

Toledo Buses Restarted 

TOLEDO—Local bus service was resumed 

Saturday (8) after a 12-day strike which cut 

boxoffice receipts at all theatres. Downtown 

retail business also was reported much below 

normal, with auto drivers delaying shopping 

plans because of heavy traffic congestion. 

Harold Brown Addresses 

Detroit MPC Luncheon 

DETROIT—The first national convention 

of the newly organized Federation of Motion 

Picture Councils, Inc., will be held at the 

Statler hotel here next spring, Mr-s. Max 

Williams, national president, announced at 

the annual luncheon meeting of the Detroit 

Motion Picture council. 

Harold Brown, president of United Detroit 

Theatres, discussed the new developments 

in the industry, listing the series of swift 

changes during the past 18 months. 

"If you ladies are getting confused," he 

noted, "what do you think about us?" 

Pictui-e quality will win out. Brown predicted—"The 

average person going to a 

theatre doesn't know what process was used 

—how wide the screen is. He only knows 

whether he liked the picture. We think the 

developments are wonderful, because they 

give the producer a choice of different media. 

Tlie public, however, picks and chooses on entertainment 

value. 

"The end is not in sight. A year from now 

you'll have three or four new processes. One 

of these days, there will be the startling 

revelation of a combination of screen and 

projection—where we will not be tied down 

to films, but will use electronic projection 

for motion pictures." 

Guests representing the motion picture industry 

were: Alice Gorham, exploiteer, United 

Detroit Theatres; Ruth Blumenthal, Film 

Exchange projection room; Dick Osgood, radio 

and' television commentator on motion 

pictures; Ai'thur Leazenby, manager, Cinema 

Theatre; Jack Sage, Michigan Theatre; 

August Sermo, Madison Theatre; Frank J. 

Downey, manager at 

MGM, who was introduced 

as "the father of the Motion Picture 

Council," and Haviland F. Reves, BOX- 

OFFICE. 

Cleansing Spray Devised 

By Universal Company 

CLEVELAND—A new spray cleansing process 

to remove dirt and residue between theatre 

chairs with a minimum of effort has been 

developed by Universal Chemical Co. of Cleveland 

and is now being used by many local 

exhibitors. 

Sidney Schoen, general sales manager for 

Universal, said the new system "works faster, 

is more efficient and more economical than 

any previous methods of accomplishing this 

difficult 

task." 

"It is very simple to use," he said. "A small 

amount of a new detergent, which was developed, 

diluted with warm water and put into 

a spraying apparatus, sprays off the accumulated 

dirt, ice cream droppings and stale butter 

from popcorn in a matter of minutes. 

A clean mop completes the operation. We 

furnish the sprayer without cost to the theatre 

and maintain it in A-1 condition. The 

material used does not harm the seats or 

seat upholstery." 

No Drive-ins Install CS 

CLEVELAND—There are no drive-ins in the 

Cleveland ai-ea which have contracted for 

Cinemascope either with or without stereophonic 

sound, the local 20th-Fox exchange 

confirms. However, it is reported that one 

theatre in the Cincinnati area, the Belmont 

Auto in Dayton, has installed Cinemascope, 

but without stereophonic sound. 

Huntington Exhibitor 

Abe Hyman Dead at 75 

HUNTINGTON, W.VA.—Abe Hyman died 

Monday (3) in a hospital here of a chronic 

heart aliment. 

Hyman was born in 

Baltimore 75 years ago, 

and when quite young 

moved to Pocahontas, 

Va. The first theatre 

he owned was the 

Lyric in Huntington. 

He later expanded his 

chain of theatres to include 

the Keith Albee, 

Orpheum and State 

theatres. He was vicepresident 

of the Boulevard 

and Plaza Realty 

companies in Charles- 

*• ^- Hyman 

ton and the Oak Ridge (Tenn.) Theatre. His 

activities outside of the theatre included 

many civic duties, president of his temple 

congregation, B'nai B'rith, and many unpublished 

philanthropies. 

Besides his wife Elsie, he is sui'vived by 

two sons, two brothers and two sisters. 

Many exhibitors and film men attended 

the funeral, and among the honorary pallbearers 

were managers Edwin Booth, MGM; 

Herbert Gillis, Paramount; Jim Abrose, Warner 

Bros.; George Kir by. Republic. Other 

pallbearers were: Charles Midelburg of the 

Capitol Theatre, Charleston, and M. E. and 

William Thalhimer, exhibitors of Logan, 

W.Va. 

Verlin Randall Purchases 

Louisville Downs Theatre 

LOUISVILLE—The Downs Theatre here 

now is being operated by Verlin W. Randall, 

Lexington, Ind., farmer, who exchanged his 

farm for a lease on the house with Roland 

D. Foster, who had operated the theatre 

since last June. 

Simultaneously, Randall signed a contract 

with projectionists Local 163, which 

then took the Downs off the unfair list 

where it had been listed since last July. 

Chester Demaree, business agent for the 

union, said that Randall had agreed to pay 

the union projectionist the standard rate 

for neighborhod theatres. 

Local 163 picketed the Downs in July to 

back up demands that Poster assume the 

union contract of the previous operator, 

Liboria Ciacio. 

Cii'cuit Judge Stuart Lampe held that 

Foster did not assume the contract and 

banned picketing on July 13. Foster had 

testified that he and his son Dudley ran 

the projectors and could not afford to hire 

projectionists. 

Few Feet Cut by Censor 

DETROIT—The Detroit police censor reviewed 

413,000 feet of film during April. 

The total was only slightly under the 418,000 

feet reviewed in March. Only 525 feet were 

eliminated this month as compared to 5,900 

feet in March. The foreign footage, 111,000 

feet, was divided as follows: Italian 8,000 

feet; Mexican 83,000 feet and German 20,000 

feet. The bureau inspected 52 theatre fronts 

and eliminated only two. 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

15, 1954 ME 81

. . Floy 

. . Robert 

. . Fred 

. . Mrs. 

CINCINNATI 

. 

Dobert McNabb, 20th-Fox manager, was in 

New York Thursday i6i for the meeting 

called to discuss Cinemascope . Circuit 

. . 

ow'ner Louis Wiethe also attended the New 

York meeting and returned that night in 

order to complete aiTangements for the opening 

of his drive-in at Mount Healthy the next 

day Ruthemeyer, U-I inspector, 

. 

fractured her arm when she fell down the 

office steps last week Mochrie, 

Samuel Goldwyn F>roductions, was in to confer 

with RKO manager Lloyd Krause. 

Among visitors on the Row were: G. B. 

Lively, Huntington; Roy Wells, Dayton; Fred 

Krimm, Dayton; J. S. Joseph, Parkersburg, 

Says Mrs. 

E. W. SHARP 


Amusement Company 

Missoulo, MonJono 

BOO KING OFFIt^^ ,00 SOUTH, l^l?^ 

W. Va.; Barton Cook, Chillicothe, Ohio; J. H. 

Davidson, Lynchburg, Ohio; Frank Mandros, 

Cabin Creek, W.Va.; Harold Moore, Charleston, 

W.Va.; Harley Bennett, Circleville, Ohio; 

Frank Nolan, Athens, Ohio; Goode Homes 

and Don Kessling, Bramwell, W.Va.; F^-ed 

Helwig, Charleston, W.Va.; Joe Mai'shall, 

Danville, Ky. . Helwig has disposed of 

his theatre at Smithers, W.Va. 

Arthur Schruhl, who operated the now 

closed Sissonville, W.Va.. theatre, hopes to 

open his new Frontier Drive-In, Charleston, 

W.Va., the middle of June . . . Dr. Leon Wells, 

Pola-Lite inventor, was in Cincinnati last 

week. His new system was just installed at 

QUALITY OF YOUR 

FILMS 

IS 

AND SERVICE 

OUTSTANDING" 

MONTANA 

UTAH 

the Twin Drive-In. operated by the S&S 

Amusement Co. 

National Tlieatre Supply installed Cinema- 

Scope equipment in the Colonial Theatre, 

Bluefield. W.Va.. owned by Max Matz . . . 

NTs also installed a wide screen in the Pocahontas 

Theatre. Welch. W.Va.. ow-ned by 

Lloyd Rogers. 

Mrs. Sam Weiss, president of Variety Wives, 

reports over 400 attended the donor dinner 

dance at the Beverly Hills Country club 

Wednesday (5), the proceeds of which went 

to the Variety Foundation for Retarded 

Children. 

. . . Harris 

Harris Dudelson, midwest division manager 

for Lippert Pictures, joined the Buena 

Vista organization, a subsidiary of Walt 

Disney Productions, in a sales capacity, making 

his headquarter.^ in Chicago 

Dudel.son's daughter Sally gave birth to a 

Paul "Bud" Wessel of States Film 

baby . . . 

Service, was in New York to attend the National 

Film Service stockholders meeting. 

. . . 

Walter Macintosh, Paramount auditor, was 

at the Cincinnati branch . Ruth Hermann 

has been promoted to bookkeeper of 

Realart and Lippert Pictures; and the new 

biller is Mrs. Dorothy West Joe Goldberg. 

Realart salesman from Louisville, was 

in for a sales meeting conducted by Jay 

Goldberg. Also present were Don Duff, who 

recently rejoined Realart as head booker, 

and Harold Hoffert, West Virginia and southern 

Ohio salesman . . . Al Bondy, of General 

Electric, called on Ed Salzberg of Screen 

Classics, who distribute gratis reels for G.E. 

Unites' Fi!:":tte Street 

Secona, you. ^-'''^J^^^,^... .. ^^^^^J^ 

- sU7e 

s 

moreover, ^^tr our scree ^^^^ ^^. 

Fourtl", ^ T,ve riot

Retired Western Star 

Dead in Hamtramck 

DETROIT—Vincent Marko, known in 

motion 

pictures as Tom Tyler, died at St. 

Francis hospital in suburban Hamtramck following 

a heart attack. A longtime resident 

of the Detroit suburb, where he gi-ew up, he 

had lived here for the past couple of years 

since his retirement. At one time he was 

a top western star, appearing relatively recently 

in "Cheyenne," "San Antonio" and 

"She Wore a Yellow- Ribbon." 

Odium Resigns at Drive-In 

CLEVELAND—G. B. Odium, managing director 

and part owner of the Cleveland 

Drive-In Theatre Co. has resigned and plans 

to enter another theatre operation, either 

in the east or further west. Odium still owns 

a portion of the stock and will remain until 

a successor takes over the management. 

Odium, who had previously been with the 

Paramount home office in New York and 

had operated the Uptown and City Theatres, 

New York City, opened the Cleveland Drivein 

in 1949. 

'We Want a Child' Opens 

DETROIT—"We Want a Child," distributed 

through Dezel in Chicago and Detroit, opened 

its first run Detroit engagement at the Roxy, 

the opening day's gross reportedly establishing 

a new house record for this theatre. The 

film, approved by the Detroit police censor, 

is being exhibited in conjunction with local 

health department and medical authorities 

tieups. 

Mike Simon Resigns 

DETROIT—Mike Simon, Paramount manager, 

has resigned effective at the company's 

convenience. With Paramount since 1928, 

Simon plans to return to his home town of 

Buffalo. No successor has yet been named. 

Buys Drive-In Interest 

PADUCAH—Hot Gilliam has purchased an 

interest in the Bel-Air Drive-In from R. E. 

Renfro, local contractor. 

Service Ports Repairs 

DETROIT POPCORN CO. 

READY-TO-EAT POPPED CORN 

Corn - Seasoning - Boxes - Bags - Salt 

DISTRIBUTORS OF CRETORS' POPCORN MACHINES 

5633 Grand River Ave. Phone TYIer 4-6912 

Detroit 8, Mich. Nights- UN 3-1468 

RCA 

Dealer 

You can alwoys 

depend on RCA 

quality. 

214 W. Montcalm 

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DETROIT 

. . Dolores 

Day Branch of the Film Truck Service just 

returned from a month's vacation at Hot 

Dick Wai'saw of the same 

Springs, Ai'k. . . . 

office is getting over an attack of the gout 

. . . Lillian Colton, secretary at United Artists, 

was hostess at her home of a dinner and 

stork shower honoring Helene Curl. Among 

those present were Gertrude Applebaum, head 

cashier at Allied Artists, and Florence 

Marshall of the Film Exchange projection 

room . . . The Clark Theatre Service is now 

liandling buying and booking for the Van 

Houdt Corp's Time Theatre here . 

Mize, AA secretary, has resigned in favor of 

domesticity . . . Moms Katz and Ralph 

Ruben have been relief operators for Phil 

Schare at the Film Building booth, while 

Phil is on sick leave. 

James Sharkey jr., son of the film buyer for 

Cooperative Theatres, has been hopping 

around on crutches after suffering fall . . 

. a 

Paul Broder, new owner of the newly reopened 

Cinema Theatre, was host at a screening 

of IFKs "Pit of Loneliness" . . . Rita 

Kurlandsky, secretary at Warners who sings 

professionally under the name of Rita Collins, 

was introduced recently on the Stars of Tomorrow 

TV program over station WWJ-TV 

by Renee Rose, secretary to Sidney Bowman, 

manager at United Artists. 

William Dinan is the new booker at Warner 

Bros., replacing Pierre LaMarre, who is 

now with Cooperative. Dinan was a student 

at the University of Detroit school of accounting, 

and completed service in the navy recently 

. . LaMarre has succeeded Prank 

. 

Howard as booker at Cooperative Theatres. 

Howard retired and moved to Ajt-izona. 

Ruth Blumenthal, partner of the Film Exchange 

projection room, who is chairman 

of the installation dinner of the B'nai B'rith 

chapter of the Business and Professional 

Women, reports contracting Eddie Casper 

and his orchestra to play at the dance. 

Jack Krass, circuit operator, became a 

grandfather for the fourth time. All four 

are boys. Ki-ass has closed the westside Graystone 

Theatre which he has operated for 

sometime . . . Salesmen John Himmelein and 

Walter Corey and booker Dave Gouda have 

left the Paramount staff . . . Alex Schreiber, 

head of Associated Theatres, is on an extended 

torn- in Europe. His son Max is managing 

his western theatre interests in the 

interim . . . Sidney J. Deneau, Paramount 

executive, is acting as manager of the local 

exchange. 

Ken Duncan, formerly an associate of Tim 

Taylor, former western star, was able to attend 

the latter's funeral. Pallbearers included 

Florian Manteuffel of the Martha Washington 

Theatre and Willian Napier, operator at 

the Duke in Ferndale. The deceased star, 

whose real name was Vincent Marko, was a 

brother-in-law of Leonard Slepski, former 

Detroit theatre owner. 

Thomas Jefferson Ramsdell, whose family 

operate the Ramsdell Theatre at Manistee, 

recently became the fourth member of his 

family to serve as mayor of the town . . . 

Jack Carlisle uncovered the history of UDT 

exploiteer Alice Gorham's venture into songwriting, 

and her resolution never to try it 

again. 

Bob Snyder, former film salesman who 

used to be with various exchanges here, recently 

was in town on a dish deal . . . Norman 

Meyers, managing director of the Adams 

Theatre, was called to Cleveland by the death 

of his mother-in-law . . . Jack Dickstein, who 

sold his store on Third street, will take a 

vacation before deciding on his next show' 

business venture . . . Theodore Rose, manager 

at the Rogers Theatre, reported a 

theft of $450 from the house safe during 

the weekend. Staffer James Brooks made the 

discovery. 

Herman King of King Bros. Production 

was in Detroit to arrange advance publicity 

in connection with the opening of "Carnival 

Story" at the Palms Theatre, May 14. 

Sells Airer at St. Johns 

JOHNS, MICH.—The Family Drive-In 

ST. 

one mile north of here on U.S. 27, formerly 

owned by James Blackburn of Ovid, has been 

sold to Howard Cortes of Portland. Cortes 

owns and operates the Sun in Portland. He 

will operate the Family Drive-In, including 

the concession stand, which last year was 

leased by the L. N. Concession Co. of Detroit. 

Blackburn plans to devote his entire attention 

to the Starlite Drive-In at Lansing, 

which he built last year. 

In the Cinemascope version of Thomas 

B. Costain's historical novel, "The Silver 

Chalice," a Warner film, Virginia Mayo will 

play the feminine starring role. 

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: May 

15, 1954 83

. . 

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CLEVELAND 

lâxwell Joice has resigned as manager of the 

Parma Theatre and was succeeded by Don 

Jacobs, former manager of the Berea Theatre, 

Berea . . . Abe Kramer of Associated Theatres 

bought a winter home in Golden Beach, 

Pla. . . . Jerry Steel, owner of the Apollo 

Theatre, Oberlin, returned from a Florida 

Bert Lefkowich of the Community 

vacation . . . 

circuit is building a motel in Youngs- 

town ... It is rumored that Associated circuit 

is taking over the Uptown and Variety 

theatres, two of the local Stanley Warner 

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. . . 

M. B. Horwitz, general manager of the 

Washington circuit, and wife spent a couple 

of weeks in Martinsville, Ind. . . Nat Lefton, 

. 

retired film distributor now spending his 

winters in Florida and his summers in Michigan, 

was in town briefly. He and Mrs. Lefton 

are planning to go to California. 

Alan F. Cummings, in charge of MGM 

branch operations, spent most of the week 

in Cleveland Bernie Rubin of Imperial 

Pictures was in Chicago attending a Filmmaker 

franchise ow'ners 

Belden bought a pair of 

meeting . . . Park 

Simplex XL projectors 

from National Theatre Supply's Frank 

Masek . of the prize winners in the 

Press "Heidi" coloring contest was BOX- 

OFFICE correspondent Elsie Loeb's 10-yearold 

granddaughter Jill Loeb. 

Irving Field, who took over the Cortland, 

Cortland, the first of the year, is making 

. . . 

a bid for summer business by installing aii' 

conditioning Sam Gorrel, just back 

from Florida, brings greetings from George 

Jacobs, a well-known distributor in these 

parts some 30 years ago and now in the real 

estate business in Florida. 

BOWLING 

DETROIT—The Altec Sound Service team 

won the championship on the last day of the 

season. The winning team consisted of Albert 

Doyle, Welber Haartge, Ralph Haskin and 

Nick Forest, captain. 

Team standings are as follows: 

Team Won Lost 

Altec Sound 61 51 

Ernie Forbes 59Va 52% 

Amusement Supply 57% 54% 

National Carbon 55% 56% 

Projectionists 199 54 58 

National Theatre 48% 63% 

The following individual scores were recorded: 

Carl Mingione, 226-209 for 621; Nick 

Forest, 211 for 555; Edgar Douville, 232 for 

250; Francis Light, 524; Ralph Haskin, 517 

and Jack Colwell, 510. 

Robert Armstrong took permanent possession 

of the Jack Hall trophy by winning it 

for the third time. He won it this year for 

improving his average by nine points. William 

Swistak won the merit award for trying 

to increase his average and help his team. 

Roy Thompson w'on the highest average 

award with his 183. 

Division scores were as follows: 

Division 1—High single, Roy Thompson 256; 

Francis Light 254. High three, Roy Thompson 

652; Edgar Douville 631. 

Division 2—High single, Nick Forest 231; 

Virgil Lazarus 221. High three, Matt Haskin 

577; Welber Haartge 574. 

Division 3—High single, Floyd Akins 222; 

Roger Valiquette 204. High three, Floyd Akins 

559; Roger Valiquette 539. 

Division 4—High single, Frank Quinland 

219; Kenneth Grenke 211. High three. Prank 

Quinlan 527; Joe Foresta 528. 

Team high single— first. National Carbon 

792; .second. Amusement Supply 752. 

Team high three—first. National Carbon 

2,116; .second. National Theatre Supply 2,082. 

Samuel Taxey, Detroit, Dies 

DETROIT— Samuel Taxey. 63, 

former owner 

of the Filmrow drug store, died here recently. 

He is survived by two daughters and 

five grandchildren. 

COLUMBUS 

. . 

gusiness has been so brisk at the World for 

the showing of the once-banned "The 

Moon Is Blue" that Charles Sugarman has 

added Saturday midnight shows, an innovation 

for the North High street art house . 

Mrs. Lelia Stearn, operator of the Southern, 

downtown subsequent run house, ran a 

coupon offer in local newspapers, giving admission 

on one night to two adults upon presentation 

of the coupon and 45 cents. 

"The Joe Louis Story" had its local first 

run at the Empress and four Miles circuit 

Lee Hofheimer of Miles Thea- 

drive-ins . . . 

tres is a grandfather. His daughter Joyce 

Strelitz of Norfolk, Va., gave birth to a daughter, 

Bonnie Lee, May 1. 

Loew's Broad and the Columbus Citizen are 

cooperating in a contest to select the Perfect 

Secretary of Columbus and central Ohio. 

Wimier will receive a trip for herself and 

companion on the Ohio river packet Delta 

Queen, July 17-24 from Cincinnati to Kentucky 

lake. Contest is being held on "Executive 

Suite," which opens May 28 at the 

Broad. 

Downtown theatre operators are watching 

with interest the efforts of city officials to 

induce the state government to select a Civic 

Center site for a proposed multimillion dollar 

state office building. Such a structure would 

house hundreds of state employes and would 

be near all downtown theatres. 

Harry Rice, Columbia exploiteer, was in 

town in advance of "It Should Happen to 

You" . . . Eddie Booth, MGM Cincinnati 

manager, was a recent local visitor. 

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: May 

15, 1954

Trench Line' Is Seized; 

Showmen Accused 

SPRINGFIELD—Following a week of hectic 

activity climaxed by police seizure of 

"The French Line" prints, the arraignment of 

the manager and operator of the Court Square 

on a charge of offering immoral entertainment 

and the subsequent blacking out of the 

house, a district court judge impounded the 

film as evidence, continued the case to May 

21. and permitted the Court Square to reopen 

when another print was flown in from 

Boston. 

The summons which brought Manager Burton 

Bonoff and Samuel Wasserman, president 

of Samuel Wasserman Enterprises, into 

court said, "You did give and present an indecent, 

immoral and impure show and entertainment: 

you did give and present a 

show and entertainment suggestive of indecency, 

immorality and impurity: you did give 

and present a show and entertainment manifestly 

tending to corrupt the morals of youth." 

George H. Foley of RKO's legal staff in 

Boston was here for the hearing. The penalty, 

if the charges are sustained, provides for imprisonment 

of not more than one year, or a 

fine of not more than $500. or both. 

lack Sanson Observes 

47 Years in Industry 

HARTFORD—Jack Sanson, manager of the 

Stanley Warner Strand, is observing his 

47th year in the motion picture industry. 

The veteran Warner employe started in the 

business as a projectionist at the Bijou Theatre, 

Jersey City, moving from there to Middletown. 

N.Y., and Bristol, Conn., still as a 

boothman. He turned manager in the latter 

city, later assuming managerial assignments 

in Danbury, New Britain, New Haven and 

Hartford, finally moving into the State, Manchester, 

in 1926. 

He returned to Hartford in 1929 to manage 

the Princess, moving to the Colonial and 

State in 1935. 

He resumed managership of the State, 

Manchester, later that year, remaining in 

Manchester until assignment as manager of 

the downtown Strand here in 1953. 

During his many years in the Hartford 

area, he participated in the opening of numerous 

theatres, including the Lenox and 

Lyric in 1922 and 1923. 

Summer Stock in Doubt 

PRAMINGHAM, MASS. — Lloyd Mills, 

Cinema manager, announced that for the 

first time in three years, there will be no 

summer stock company this season. 

However, in New York, Lee Falk, the cartoonist 

and stock producer, said he plans to 

spot about three shows in the Cinema this 

summer. He and Al Capp have an option on 

the theatre for one more season, but last 

autumn the Cinema installed a Cinemascope 

screen that will be costly to remove for stage 

shows. It is understood the Smith circuit 

would just as soon retain film shows. 

Drive-In Erects $10,000 Fence 

HARTFORD—The Blue Hills Drive-In has 

installed an eight-foot high fence around its 

entire property at a cost of $10,000. Installation 

was supervised by Milton LeRoy, 

theatre corporation secretary. 

Boston Projectionists 

Elect Joseph Caplan 

BOSTON—Joseph Caplan was elected president 

of the projectionists Local 182 at the 

annual election of officers held Tuesday (4). 

Also elected were Fi-ank Sullivan, vice-president: 

Benjamin Bearman, financial secretary; 

James Gibbons, recording secretary: Jack 

Rosenberg, treasurer, and Ralph Frazier, 

business representative. The executive board 

consists of the above officers and Morris 

Goldman, Henry Gleken and Frank Laby. 

The seniority board consists of Albert Goldman, 

Fred Jones, Morris Myers, Henry Perry 

and Alexander Tradd. The trustee is Michael 

Keller. Elected delegates to the lATSE convention 

were Walter F. Diehl. Joseph Nuzzolo, 

Joseph Caplan, Ralph S. Frazier. 

Joseph Nuzzolo, an officer 38 years, the 

last eight years as president, did not run for 

re-election. He is chief projectionist at the 

Boston Theatre, where "This Is Cinerama" is 

playing. Caplan, the new president, has been 

an officer and treasurer of the group for the 

past six years. He is the chief projectionist 

at the Oriental, Mattapan. 

Ralph Frazier, elected business agent, has 

been vice-president the last two years. He 

resigned as projectionist at the Center here 

to assume his duties at the union headquarters 

at 45 Winchester St. 

Summer Stock Tent Theatre 

Slated for Wallingford 

NEW HAVEN—A tent theatre for the 

presentation of summer stock will go up in 

suburban Wallingford late this spring. The 

theatre will seat 1,500, with a parking area 

for 750 autos. 

Ben Segal, managing director of the Shubert, 

and Robert Hall, former manager of 

the Yale Athletic Ass'n, are principals in the 

$70,000 venture. Carlson Spear, former assistant 

manager at the Shubert, later associated 

with a summer stock company in Washington 

and now in the real estate business here, will 

serve as adviser. 

The theatre will adjoin historic Oakdale 

tavern off the Cross parkway. Zoning clearances 

have been obtained from town authorities 

in Wallingford. 

Hartford Owner-Manager 

Interviewed by Paper 

HARTFORD—Martin H. Kelleher. Princess 

Theatre owner-manager, was the subject of 

a Hartford Courant interview. He was quoted 

as backing the family style theatre. The 

article noted that Kelleher catered to the 

children in the audience by presenting, in 

addition to a double feature, at least two 

cartoons and suitable short subjects. 

Kelleher, who was once connected with 

First National Pictures, took over the theatre 

15 years ago from Warner Bros. 

'Heidi' Booked Day, Date 

HARTFORD—"Heidi" was booked day and 

date into the Stanley Warner Strand, Hartford: 

Embassy, New Britain; Cameo, Bristol, 

and Palace, Danbury. 

Drive-In Safe Looted 

HARTFORD—The new Mansfield Drive-In 

lost more than $700 to thieves. Manager 

Harry Finger reported that thieves broke into 

safe during the night. 

250 Persons Attend 

Barney Pitkin Fete 

NEW HAVEN-^Nearly 250 persons gathered 

here Tuesday night (4> for a testimonial dinner 

dance for Barney Pitkin, RKO manager, 

who has been in the industry for 35 

years. The affair, at Waverly Inn, Cheshire, 

was spoi^sored by Variety Tent 31. 

Pitkin, who has been with RKO the last 

28 years, the last 20 in New Haven, recently 

returned from a long stay in the hospital 

during which he underwent aniputation of 

an arm. 

New York RKO executives turned out in 

goodly number for the event. They included 

Charles Boasberg, general sales manager: 

Mervin Houser, eastern director of advertising 

publicity and exploitation: Sidney 

Kramer, short subjects sales manager; Nat 

Levy, eastern-southern division sales manager: 

Pi"ancis J. Mooney, north-south sales 

manager: William J. McShea, branch operations, 

and Edward J. McGuire. 

Others were: Robert Folliard, Washington, 

D. C, district manager; Charles Zagrens, 

Philadelphia manager, and Hatton Taylor 

and John Downing, Boston exchange. 

Leo Samuels, Irving Ludwin and Joe Berk 

of Disney Productions, and Robert Mochrie, 

Goldwyn Productions, also were present. 

The committee which handled the arrangements 

included Harry F. Shaw, Julia Smith, 

Lou Cohen, Matt Saunders, Ben Simon, 

Peter Perakos, Max Hoffman, Morton Katz, 

Lou Brown Harry Feinstein, Phil Gravitz, 

John Pavone, Sam Rosen, Walter Silverman, 

Ted Jacocks, Henry Germaine, Max 

Birnhaum, Sam Wasserman Sam Germaine, 

Albert M. Pickus, Ray McNamara, Herman 

M. Levy, Maurice Bailey, Pat Goode, George 

Weber, James Darby, George H. Wilkinson, 

Morris Jacobson, Robert Elliano, Jack Halperin 

and Rudy Frank. 

Local industry leaders present included 

Harry Browning, district manager for New 

England Theatres: Harry Shaw, division 

manager, Loew's Poll, New England Theatres, 

and Harry Feinstein, SW zone manager. 

Toronto Newsman Wins 

4th Brotherhood Award 

TORONTO—The fourth citizen to receive 

the Brotherhood award of Beth Sholom synagogue 

was Joseph S. Atkinson, Toronto 

newspaperman who administers the Atkinson 

charitable foundation. Mac Shore, president, 

and Harry Polevoy, chairman of the special 

events committee, officiated in the ceremony. 

Previous recipients of the honor have been 

Ontario Premier Leslie M. Frost, Jack Kent 

Cooke, president of the Toronto Baseball club 

and a member of the Toronto Variety tent, 

and J. J. Fitzgibbons, president of Famous 

Players Canadian and director of the Canadian 

Council of Christians and Jews. 

George Mott Buys Theatre 

NORTH BEND, NEB.—George Mott of 

Verdigre has been operated by John Waybill, 

effective the middle of May. 

New Operator for Princess 

GUTTENBERG, IOWA—Kermit Dubbels, 

a former resident of Guttenberg, returned 

from Cedar Rapids to take over the operation 

of the Princess Theatre. 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

15, 1954 NE 85

. . Charles 

. . . Harry 

. . Sympathy 

. . Harry 

: May 

1 

BOSTON 

Tea. Vincent of the Playhouse, Enosburg 

Falls. Vt.. was on the Row for the first 

time since the death of his mother April 

30 ... M. Bernstein and Joe Lieberman of 

the B&L Theatres. St. John. N.B.. who al.so 

operate the State and Modern in Madawaska. 

Me., were recent visitors . Booking 

. . 

at Allied Arti.sts with Charley Wilson 

was Leonard Francoeur. new lessee of the 

Island Theatre at Portsmouth. 

Michael Ruttenberg, son of Meyer Ruttenberg 

of Coulter Premiums, was one of the 

12 winners of the Massachusetts Science 

Fair sponsored by MIT and the Boston 

Globe. A sophomore at Boston Latin School, 

Michael took first prize for research science. 

The contest was open to all high school 

students. 

"La Ronde," now playing the Beacon Hill 

Theatre, has not been approved for Sunday 

showing by the Department of Public Safety, 

the state censorship board, so that Sam 

Richmond, managing director of the theatre 

has substituted "A Streetcar Named Desire" 

for the first Sunday. The film opened to 

excellent business after two dialog cuts were 

deleted at the suggestion of the city censor. 

Bill Horan, Warner salesman, reached the 

golfers' paradise when he made a hole-inone 

at the Hill Crest Country Club in 

Worcester . Brooks, exhibitor from 

Maine, was in two days buying and booking 

for his four regular houses and two driveins, 

the Fort Kent and the Presque Isle, 

which reopened for the .season May 7 , . . 

John Gannen has sold his Palace in Lowell 

to a group which will convert the building 

into store space. The booth equipment, seats, 

carpets and drapes are for sale. The Palace 

has been closed for several months. 

Among New England exhibitors attending 

the 20th-Fox exhibitor discussions on Cinemascope 

in New York May 6 were Nathan 

Write 

Today! 

NOW! 

SAM GERTZ 

414 Wellington Ave. k> 

Chicago 14. III. _ f 

ÂRÂlNi PR\CE-S 

OR MOT—WE COME 

CAR-O ? 

Yamins, Leonard Goldberg, Norman Glassman, 

Melvin Safner. Herbert Brown. Lloyd 

Clark and Harry Zeitz . . . Theodore Fleisher. 

general chairman of the 1954 Jimmy 

fund drive, has announced that the trailer 

will feature Joan Crawford and Ted Williams. 

Every theatre in New England is 

urged to play the trailer to aid and assist 

in theatre collections. The drive starts September 

2. 

A Housewives matinee will be held every 

Friday starting at 1 at the Boston Theatre 

for "This Is Cinerama," for patrons who wish 

to beat the rush-hour traffic home, people 

who desire to shop downtown after the 

show and for mothers who wish to meet their 

children after school. Another matinee will 

start at 3:30 p.m. 

When Warners' "Dial M for Murder" opens 

June 5 at the State, New Bedford, it will 

be in 2-D as a test engagement, with officials 

of the Warner exchange watching 

the results with great interest. The film 

will play later at the Zeitz circuit's Civic 

in Portland, Me., in 3-D. Harry Zeitz, president, 

was in New York to attend the 20th- 

Fox meeting on Cinemascope last week (6i 

Segal. UA manager, attended the 

eastern area three-day session in Philadelphia. 

Mrs. Phil Eng-el. wife of the publicist at 

20th-Fox, was seriously ill at AUerton hospital 

RKO's 'The French Line" was 

. . . shown at the Empire in Portland. Me., a 

Snider circuit house. The Ma.ssachu.setts 

opening was at the Court Square in Springfield 

May 2 and the second showing at the 

State. Pittsfield. on the 6th. The film was 

not shown on Sundays at either of the 

Massachusetts houses. 

Backed by a solid radio. TV, billboard and 

newspaper campaign, RKO's "Carnival 

Story" was given its New England opening 

CAR-O 

JACKPOT TOHIGHT 

$150^9 

00 n-'^ycAff-i 

)p0UBL£.O OUR/S 

BUSINESS!. 

âN>i 

fe% 

at the Keith-Memorial Wednesday (12). Joe 

Longo, publicist, brought Herman King, one 

of the producers, into town for press and 

radio interviews, and arranged for a display 

of Anne Baxter bathing suits on TV programs 

and at R. H. White's department 

store. After setting up the Boston campaign, 

Longo toured cities outside Boston, helping 

managers with their exploitation. 

Michael Redstone will be the treasurer of 

the 1954 Jimmy fund drive, according to 

Theodore Fleisher, general chairman. Redstone 

has three open-airers in New England, 

two in New York and one under construction 

in Fairfax county. Va. He is a longtime 

member of the Variety Club of New 

England in which he is an officer and is 

one of the tireless workers for the Children's 

Cancer Research foundation and the Jimmy 

fund. For the past two years, he has been 

co-chairman with James Mahoney of Interstate 

Theatres of the drive-in committee for 

the Jimmy fund drive. 

Independent Exhibitors of New England 

has called a board meeting for Tuesday (18 

when Nathan Yamins will report on the 

Makelim plan on his return from the Allied 

board meeting in Minneapolis. Other important 

business matters will be brought up. 

Irving A. Isaacs, president of lENE, will preside 

. to Stanley Sumner, owner-manager 

of the University, Cambridge, 

in the death of his mother Mrs. Nellie Stanley 

Sumner . Dyer, former assistant 

at the Center, Boston, has been named manager 

of E. M. Loew's Brewer-Bangor Drivein, 

Bangor, Me. 

Fines Imposed on Youths 

Discourage Vandalism 

FALL RIVER. MASS.—Manager Ray Allard 

of the Westport Auto Theatre, states that 

the fines imposed in district court against 

ten youths accused of larceny involving the 

stealing of loudspeakers from open air theatres, 

can be credited for the decrease in vandalism 

noted by Fall River area theatres. 

The youths fined, had been linked with only 

one specific complaint but the arraignment 

has discouraged the hotrod zoot suit crowd 

from further wholesale appropriation of 

costly speakers. 

Theatre personnel declared that the losses 

had been reaching alarming proportions before 

the arraignments and convictions. Youths 

were ripping and cutting speakers from 

stands. Some with electronics experience 

were hooking the speakers to car radios for 

rear as well as front seat reception. Other 

youths merely used the speakers for decorative 

effects. 

Youths Admit Thefts 

DERBY, CONN.—No charges were filed 

against six Aiisonia youths who had admitted 

the theft of several speakers from the Center 

Drive-In. The youths, who had no previous 

record, agreed to pay the damages. 

Vancials at Fall River 

FALL RIVER, MASS.—Damage amounting 

to $112 was caused by vandals at the Royal 

Theatre. Owner Antone Moniz reported that 

two screwdrivers were also stolen. Fire extinguishers, 

the camera volume control and 

two door panels were damaged. 

86 BOXOFTICE 

: 

15, 1954

— 

— 

— 

—— 

— 

: May 

— 

. . . Film 

. . . Raymond 

. . The 

. . 

t 

'Walk' Grosses 125, 

Holds at Boston 

BOSTON—Cold, 

damp weather with more 

and m.ore rain caused business to drop off 

with only three houses over average. "Elephant 

Walk" at the Metropolitan warranted 

a holdover. "Knock on Wood," in its third 

week at the Astor, was slightly better than 

average, while "La Ronde" at the Beacon 

Hill hit a good mark in its first four days. 


As;or Knock On Wood (Poro), 3rd wk 120 

Beacon Hill La Ronde (Hakim); four days, split 

with lost week of The Man Between (UA)...125 

Boston This Is Cinerama (Cinerama), 18th wk, . , 90 

Exeter Street—Genevieve (U-l), 3rd wk 95 

Memorial Yonkee Posho (U-l); Ma and Po Kettle 

at Home (U-l) 90 

Metropolitan Elephant Walk (Para); Alaska 

Seas (Pare) 125 

Paramount and Fenway Casanova's Big Night 

(Para); White Mane (UA) 80 

S*a*e and Orpheum Beachhead (UA); Gypsy Colt 

(MGM) 85 

Hart.'ord Theatregoers Go 

For 'Elephant Walk' 

HARTFORD—First RKO release to play 

the E. M. Loew's in months, "Dangerous 

Mission," did nicely. The strongest downtown 

trade was registered by "Elephant 

Walk" at the Allyn. 

Allyn Elephant Walk (Para); Black Glove (LP) .125 

Art— Beauties of the Night (UA) 90 

E. M. Loew Dangerous Mission (RKO); Saint's 

Girl Friday (RKO) 110 

Poll— Prisoner of War (MGM); Saadia (MGM).. 90 

Palace Yankee Pasha (U-l); Miss Robin Crusoe 

(20th-Fox), 2nd wk 85 

Strand Beachhead (UA); Riders to the Stors 

(UA) 100 

Screening Projectionist 

29 Years,^ 

Charlie têath Retires From RKO 

BOSTON—Charlie Heath, RKO screening 

room projectionist, is retiring because of ill 

health. Exhibitors in this area will miss 

Charlie. He has been a projectionist since 

practically the start of pictures. He ran a 

machine back in 1906 in Goldwith's pickle 

store, a nickelodeon which was part of the 

old Bowdoin Square Museum. He then spent 

a year with Barnum & Bailey's circus, running 

early films in the black top tent. In 1908, 

he joined the lATSE projectionists union in 

Lynn, Mass., and in the same year, became 

a 

member of the Boston local. 

He ha.s been the projectionist at the RKO 

screening room for 29 years and probably has 

seen more films than any man in this sector. 

He has lived through two mergers during 

his tenure with RKO; first from Producers 

Distributors Corp. to Pathe, and from Pathe 

to RKO. 

Charlie has been a theatre manager and 

an electrician but his greatest love is the 

projector and he has been happiest when in 

complete charge of running off films for his 

exhibitor friends. After a particularly good 

screening, Charlie has been known to dash 

out front to greet his friends, and exclaim, 

"Man. wasn't that a honey of a film? You'll 

make a hunk of dough with that one." 

He is a past commander of the American 

Legion Post 270 and is a charter member of 

the Lt. A. Vernon Macaulay post. This group 

gave him a farewell dinner May 7 at the post 

Charlie Heath is shown here at his 

projector in the RKO screening room. 

Charlie, now retiring, has handled this 

position for the past 29 years. 

headquarters, with John Downing, also of 

RKO, president of past commanders, in 

charge of arrangements. 

Charlie and his wife Mary have sold their 

Dorchester house and bought a trailer in 

which they and their 11 -year-old daughter 

will travel to Florida. They plan to .settle 

near St. Petersburg. Their son Charles jr. is 

with the marines on duty overseas. 

New Haven Grosses Rise; 

Three Have Good Scores 

NEW HAVEN—Three of the downtowners 

experienced exceptionally good business this 

week. 

The features were "Rose Marie," "The 

Mad Magician" and "Beachhead." 

The Mad Magician (Col); Three Steps to 

College 

Murder (Regal) 1 50 

Paramount Ride Clear of Diablo (U-l); Ma and 

Pa Kettle at Home (U-l) 70 

Poll Rose Marie (MGM) 140 

Roger Sherman Beachhead (UA); Riders to the 

Stars (UA) 135 

NEWHAMPSHIRE 

TATSE Local 195 in Manchester has elected 

Leo Mclntyre, president; Arthur Smet, 

business agent: Thomas Swist, secretarytreasurer; 

Samuel Cooley, recording secretary, 

and George Nightingale, Ernest Gunderman 

and Maurice Watts, executive board. 

Peter Latchis of Newport, owner of several 

theatres in that area, served as best man at 

the wedding of James Spero Latchis and 

Miss Marina Filides at the Greek Catholic 

church in Concord May 1 . . . "Tex" Marshall 

and his trained horse, Teco, made personal 

appearances at the Manchester Drive-In and 

the Sky-Ray Drive-In Theatre in Hooksett 

May 7. 

Harry Shaw Starts Trip 

NEW HAVEN—Harry Shaw, division 

manager 

of Loew's Poli-New England Theatres, 

left on a three-week business trip to the 

west coast. He will serve as relief manager 

at the company's Warfield Theatre, San 

Fi'ancisco. during the regular manager's annual 

vacation, then go on to Hollywood. 

Willimantic Union Ads 

List Two 'Fair' Theatres 

WILLIMANTIC, CONN. — The Central 

Labor Council has been placing ads in local 

area newspapers reminding readers that the 

Capitol and Gem "are the only theatres in 

the Willimantic area employing local union 

motion picture operators affiliated with the 

AFL." The ads were believed aimed at the 

newly opened Mansfield Drive-In. 

The ads were "endorsed" by the Central 

Labor Council, United Steel Workers of 

America, Local 4123. and Textile Workers' 

Local 460. 

"Patronize Them," point out the ads. 

Willimantic's other theatre, the independent 

Strand, was not mentioned. 

BRIDGEPORT 

John Connors, projectionist, has been ailing 

Massey of Wilton will leave 

late this summer for England where he will 

film his own play, "The Hanging Judge" . 

"Rose Marie" was held for a second week at 

Loew's Majestic . White Barn Theatre 

in Westport, founded by former film 

actress Lucille Lortel, will relight on May 23. 

. . . 

Lee Bergman, in ahead of "The Miami 

Story," arranged a screening for local, Stratford 

and Fair Field police officials . . The 

. 

Globe lost "The Fourposter" when touring 

company canceled all New England dates 

Playhouse in Clinton will reopen June 26 

actor Barry Sullivan was house 

hunting in this area. 

Cowboy Star at 

Fall River 

FALL RIVER, MASS.—Cowboy star Tex 

Marshall and his horse. Teco, featured with 

the Cisco Kid on TV, made guest appearances 

at the Park, Dartmouth Auto Theatre and 

Westport Drive-In, all Yamins enterprises. 

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BOXOFFICE : 

15, 1954 87

. . First 

. . William 

HARTFORD 

fêorge E. Landers, division manager for 

E. M. Loew's Theatres, has been supervising 

installation of 76-foot-\vide screens at 

circuit drive-ins in Connecticut and western 

Massachusetts. Already installed are units at 

the Hartford Drive-In, Newington: Farmington, 

Farmington; Norwich-New London, 

Montville, and Riverdale, West Springfield. 

Mass. A similar screen will be installed following 

extensive remodeling at the Milford 

Di-ive-In, Milford. 

A theatreman can always provide interesting 

news copy for the press. George H. Wilkinson 

jr., operator of the Wilkinson, Wallingford, 

and president of the MPTO of Connecticut, 

was among ten prominent Wallingford 

businessmen used for newspaper interviews 

in that town on the subject of parkins 

meters. Wilkinson was quoted: "I am opposed 

to installing parking meters at the present 

time. I do not think we have reached the 

point to have them. First, we've got to provide 

parking areas for people to use, and 

we shouldn't have meters until we have ample 

facilities. The people have got to park somewhere." 

. 

E. M. Loew, head of the E. M. Loew circuit, 

is in Europe . . . Lou Ginsburg, Amalgamated 

Buying & Booking Service, was in town, 

conferring with Joe Giobbi, Crown Management 

Corp. Morgan, Stanley 

Wai-ner Strand assistant manager, has resigned. 

George Palmer of Hartford replaced 

him. 

A Willimantir projectionist, Gerard R. 

Lussier, member of Local 453. has been elected 

president of the Willimantic Central Labor 

union . drive-in project for the Nick 

Kounaris-Paul Tolls interests, the 815-car 

capacity. $125,000 Meriden Drive-In, will be 

The 

in operation by July, according to Tolls. 

theatre is being constructed in the rear of the 

K-T's first run Meriden, Meriden. One feature 

will be a screen measuring 120 feet 

wide. 

Nick Kounaris, partner in K&T, returns 

late this month from a lengthy vacation in 

Clearw'ater, Fla. In the meantime, his partner 

has completed wide-screen installations 

at the Newington, Newington, and at Meriden, 

Conn. Newington measurements: 32x15 

feet: Meriden. 36x18 feet . . . Mrs. E. A. 

Grecula, wife of the Hartford Theatre circuit 

executive, has recovered from a lengthy illness. 

She was a patient at St. Francis hospital, 

Hartford. 

WORCESTER 

IJrthur .1. Sullivan, projectionist at the 

Loew-Poli for more than 20 years, died 

last week in his home. Two surviving brothers 

are also operators . . . Guy Palmerton 

will operate dramatic stock this summer at 

the Whalom in Fitchburg and may stage the 

same shows at the Playhouse in Worcester, 

. . . 

E. M. Loew is playing many of his pictures 

.simultaneously at the Plymouth in town and 

his drive-in in suburban West Boylston 

Miss Jessie Schnare of the Capitol was married 

in St. Margaret Mary's church to Edward 

Gifford. formerly of the Warner. 

Leo A. Lajoie, manager of the Capitol, is 

chairman of the committee on theatres in the 

cerebral palsy campaign. 

The office at the Olympia was broken into 

and $30 taken from a cash box. Two young 

men were arrested later and held for hearing 

Peter J. Marrone, manager of the 

. . . Sturbridge Drive-In, attended a round table 

discussion on Cinemascope in New York . . . 

White City park was sold by George Hamid 

to Larry Knohl of Philadelphia, who said he 

plans to spend $100,000 to modernize the 

amusement center. 

Garfield Rodenhizer and Samuel Horenstein 

of Waltham haven't given up hopes of 

opening a drive-in in Marlboro. A hearing 

was set by Mayor Romeo Gadbois on their 

application to build an open-airer on the 

Boston Post road, on a site the city previously 

rejected. In the meantime, some of 

the opposing abutters are reported favorably 

inclined to the project. 

Thieves Enter Drive-In 

EAST WINDSOR, CONN.—Thieves 

broke 

into Lockwood & Gordon's East Windsor 

Drive-In and stole $600 in cash and a quantity 

of theatre tickets. Police believe the 

prowlers entered through a roof ventilator 

and then ripped off the safe's bottom. 

Maria English has been borrowed from 

Paramount to star with Edmond O'Brien in 

"Shield for Murder," a United Artists film. 

NEW HAVEN 

n large Connecticut delegation attended the 

meeting on stereophonic sound at the 

20th-Fox New York office Thursday (6). The 

group included Jack Fi.shman, Fishman Theatres; 

Sam Rosen, Rosen's Film Delivery 

Service; Herman Levy, general counsel, 

TOA; Al Pickus, Stratford Theatre; I. J. 

Hoffman, Connecticut Theatres, and Ben 

Simon, 20th-Fox manager here. 

A special screening of "Executive Suite" was 

given for delegates to the New England meeting 

of the National Secretaries Ass'n in 

Waterbury Saturday (8). Bob Carney, manager 

of Loew's Poll in that city, arranged a 

late evening private show after the convention 

banquet. 

Allan VVasserman, son of Sam Wasserman, 

independent promoter of screen and stage 

programs and a member of Variety Tent 31, 

has been named business manager of the 

Michigan State college publication . . . Harry 

Shaw, division manager, Loew's Poli-New 

England Theatres, made a complete swing of 

the circuit before leaving for the coast. 

A stage and screesn show for the benefit of 

Boy Scout Troop 3, the unit of handicapped 

youngsters sponsored by the film industry 

in this area, was held at Loew's Poll Saturday 

(15), donated for the affair. Tickets 

were sold at all central theatres and by industry 

workers here . . . Jim Darby, manager 

of the Paramount, attended a New England 

district meeting in Boston. 

HANDY

— 

— 

— 

— 

'Valiant' Scores 

As Toronto Leader 

TORONTO—With occasional rain, cool 

weather and daylight saving, Toronto theatres 

lost stride, although four engagements 

were holdovers. "Prince Valiant" had the 

percentage leadership for the Odeon against 

a second week of "Elephant Walk" at the 

Imperial and of "Rhapsody" at Loew's. "The 

Living Desert" was in its seventh week at 

the Towne. 


Eglinton, University Forbidden (U-l) 1 00 

Hyland The Kidnappers (JARO), 4th wk 100 

Imperiol Elephant Walk (Para), 2nd wk 100 

Loew's Rhapsody (MGM), 2nd wk 100 

Nortown Casanova's Big Night (Para), 2nd 

d. t. wk 100 

Odeon Prince Valiant (20th-Fox) 120 

Shea's The Miami Story (Col) 105 

Tivoli, Capitol She Couldn't Say No (RKO); 

Dangerous Mission (RKO), 2nd d. t. wk 100 

Towne The Living Desert- (Disney), 7th wk 90 

Uptown Mo and Po Kettle at Home (U-l) 105 

Vancouver Business 

Far Below Average 

VANCOUVER—The theatre business was 

away below average with only two theatres, 

the Capitol with "Hell and High Water" and 

"Hobson's Choice," a British picture at the 

small-seater Studio (45), doing average business. 

Daylight saving and night sports plus 

income tax payments and TV were blamed 

by showmen. 

Inclement weather made the early spring 

financially dubious for drive-ins and business 

still is only fair. 

Capitol Hell and High Water (20th-Fox) Good 

Cinema Gypsy Colt (MGM); Docks of New 

York (SR), reissue Fair 

Orpheum Casanova's Big Night (Para) Fair 

Paradise Sabre Jet (UA); Golden Idol (AA)....Fair 

Plaza Bock to God's Country (U-l) Fair 

Strand The Boy From Oklahoma (V^B); Top 

Secret ( IFD) 

Studio Hobson's Choice (IFD), 3rd wk 

Moderote 

Good 

Vogue 

Mo and Po Kettle at Home (U-l) Fair 

Picture Booking Office 

Opened at Winnipeg 

WINNIPEG—The Paragon Theatre Booking 

Office was opened on Filmrow last week 

at 310 Colony St. opposite the MGM offices 

by Joe Harris and Hugh Vassos to book and 

buy for independent indoor and drive-in exhibitors 

in this film exchange territory, which 

comprises all of Manitoba, the eastern half of 

Saskatchewan and a western portion of Ontario. 

Joe Harris, former booker-salesman with 

Empire-Universal, and recently manager of 

the Roxy and Pi-incess in Melville, Sask., is 

chief booker and buyer for Paragon. Vassos, 

the president, is at present general manager 

of the Stardust Drive-In Co., which operates 

the three houses in Melville. To date over 

35 owners of theatres and drive-ins have 

turned over their buying and booking to 

Paragon, which also looks after their advertising 

accessory requirements. 

Most Are Italian Films 

TORONTO—The sophisticates kept "Hobson's 

Choice" at the International Cinema 

for a tenth week, while Italian pictures filled 

the bill at other specialty houses here. "Lebbra 

Bianca" was attracting them to the 

Pylon; "Paolo Francesco" was at the Studio, 

"La Sepolta Viva," at the Major St. Clair, 

and "Three Forbidden Stories," at the Savoy. 

Kitchener Moves for Ban 

On Midnight Showings 

KITCHENER, ONT.—The city council has 

moved for a ban on midnight shows at local 

theatres, with the exception of the late performance 

on New Year's eve. The action followed 

complaints by citizens about noise by 

theatre patrons on the streets in the early 

morning hours after a film presentation. 

Midnight performances have long been restricted 

in Toronto and Ottawa to holiday 

occasions for which permits are required 

under police bylaws. The one exception is 

Christmas eve, when owl shows would conflict 

with midnight masses and other late church 

services, but exhibitors in both cities are permitted 

to conduct midnighters on the eve 

of Boxing day, which is the recognized holiday 

immediately following Christmas day. 

Ontario government regulations permit the 

start of Sunday owl shows at 12:05 a.m., but 

patrons who have bought tickets during the 

previous week are allowed to enter a theatre 

late Sunday evening. 

Toronto Barkers Selling 

Ads for Benefit Program 

TORONTO—The sale of advertising is going 

nicely for the souvenir program for the 

annual benefit baseball game June 11 at 

Maple Leaf stadium in aid of Variety Village 

Vocational School for Crippled Boys. Toronto 

Leafs will play Buffalo in the International 

league. 

The printed program is one of the chief 

revenue producers for the Variety Club-sponsored 

game. Last year, advertising and sales 

at the game added approximately $30,000 to 

the total take of around $56,000. Deadline 

for ad copy is May 28 and the barkers are 

hustling. 

Chairman of the general program committee 

is Bert Brown of Famous Players and his 

associates are James R. Nairn, Jules Wolfe, 

J. J. Fitzgibbons jr., Sam Wacker and Don 

Summerville. 

St. 

Catharines Palace Aids 

Tent 28 With Benefit 

TORONTO—A substantial contribution will 

be made to the Variety Tent 28 Heart Fund 

through the annual benefit performance Sunday 

night at the Palace, St. Catharines, under 

the auspices of the Niagara Peninsula Theatre 

Managers Ass'n. 

President Harry Rosenberg, manager of the 

Centre, St. Catharines, Secretary Verd Marriott, 

Vern Hudson, Roy Miller and F. Kozlo 

were chief workers. 

23 TV Stations Are Slated 

For Canada by Year's End 

OTTAWA—Theatres will face the competition 

of 23 television stations across Canada 

before the end of 1954, when three-quarters 

of the population will be within range of 

programs. 

Of the nine TV stations now operating, 

five are units of the government's Canadian 

Broadcasting Corp. and all are located in the 

largest cities, Toronto, Montreal (two), 

Ottawa and Vancouver. The next will be 

Halifax and Winnipeg. 

Before 1955 there will be seven CBC and 

16 private stations, with Famous Players Canadian 

Corp. having two outlets, at Kitchener, 

Ont., and Quebec City. 

Theatremen Protest 

Proposed New Airer 

ST. JOHN—Theatremen joined other local 

groups and residents in protesting to the city 

planning commission against the proposed 

construction of a drive-in theatre in the adjoining 

town of Lancaster, newest of the 

maritime cities and composed of the erstwhile 

villages of Fairville, Beaconsfield, Milford, 

Randolph and South Bay. 

The Maritime Allied Exhibitors Ass'n, the 

Gaiety Theatre at Lancaster, Mitchell Franklin, 

vice-president of Franklin & Herschorn 

Theatres, St. John, and several civic groups 

protested the proposed airer. 

Maritime Allied indicated that two years 

ago the organization took a clearly defined 

stand against locating and operating a driyein 

inside cities. 

Other objections to the ozoner were based 

on increased traffic hazards, disturbance of 

the sleep of children and depreciation of 

property values. 

Construction of the proposed airer was 

blocked previously when the Lancaster city 

council refused to grant a building permit. 

The council said that even though the town 

planning commission had approved the application 

of Rodney Wiggins of Lancaster, the 

commission failed to poll residents of the 

area on the question. 

In behalf of the applicant, it was charged 

"a concerted effort had been made by opponents 

of the application to drum up as 

many last-minute objections as they could lay 

their hands on" in an effort to prevent construction 

of the theatre. . 

National Services Drops 

1954 Managers Contest 

TORONTO—National Theatre Services, of 

which Sam Fingold is president, will not 

stage its usual circuit competition for managers 

at this time. 

A year ago the winner was Bert Steinhoff, 

manager of the Roxy at Chesley, and the 

1952 victor was Fred Leavens, Elmdale, Ottawa. 

The Canadian Odeon circuit is deep into 

its annual Canadawide drive, called the 

Odeon Big Show, which is scheduled to close 

at the end of June, with Jim Hardiman of 

the Toronto head office providing the 

impetus. A leader is Jacques Martin of the 

Montreal Mercier, who captured the chief 

prize for the 1953 campaign in honor of 

General Manager Dave Griesdorf. 

Unfair Bingo Methods 

Discovered in Ontario 

OTTAWA—While a committee of Parliament 

is 

studying measures for the restriction 

of bingo, lotteries and other gambling under 

the criminal code, the report of an incident 

at Chatham, Ont., was received as an example 

of underhanded bingo methods. 

A Detroit woman pleaded guilty in Chatham 

court to a charge of intent to defraud 

and was fined $424 and $90 costs. It was 

found she had a counterfeit bingo card, 

which was discovered in a check by representatives 

of the sponsoring club. 

A similar case was uncovered in connection 

with a Kinsmen club bingo at Ottawa when 

police seized the automobile prize and told 

the wanner to get out of town. 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

15, 1954 89

. 

. 

WINNIPEG 

Cam Winrob, with the Odeon-Morton Theatres 

here, has been transferred to the 

Victory in Saskatoon . . . Cyril Wynant has 

returned from the interior of Saskatchewan 

where he canceled most of his bookings on 

"Tit-Coq" because of the severe winter 

weather prevailing there. The majority of 

Saskatchewan roads remain saturated with 

water from the recent rains and snowfall. As 

soon as weather conditions permit, Wynant 

will resume his bookings of this Frenchlanguage 

picture throughout the prairie provinces. 

There are a large number of small 

scattered French Canadian communities 

throughout the territory where the receipts 

are quite lucrative for this Quebec produced 

picture. Wynant has the western rights on 

the picture in both 16mm and 35mm. 

Mr. and Mrs. Sam Craman planned a stay 

in Hollywood this month. He is co-owner of 

the Oak in Winnipeg and Mrs. Craman is 

a member of the Miles family. The Cramans 

will stay at the Biltmore in Los Angeles . . . 

Canadian Pacific Express driver Chris Mehner 

died at the age of 60. Mehner spent 

most of his life on the film exchange route 

and helped many a shipper when emergencies 

arose. 

The J. Arthur Rank Organization is giving 

Free F^-ess columnist Fi-ank Morriss the "VIP" 

treatment. Arriving in the United Kingdom 

by air. Morriss was greeted at the airport 

with bulb-flashing cameramen, a film starlet, 

and the head representative of the JARO 

publicity department, who whisked him off 

90 

giant 

screen 

FROM 

EVERY ANGLE 

to London and the British studios for his 

interview with British stars. Morriss writes 

that Hollywood never has greeted any newspaperman 

in this fa.shion. 

. . 

Muddy conditions on the private road to 

the Copacabana club where Eddie Shell was 

recently maiTied caused a mass traffic stalemate, 

with a large number of guests unable 

to move their cars either to or from the 

Main street highway . New business assessment 

notices have been mailed to all theatres 

for the first time. Some exhibitors were 

shocked at the new evaluations and the subsequent 

10 per cent to be paid . . . Paramount 

film salesman Norm Simpson relates he went 

through many harrow'ing incidents when he 

was caught in the multiple blizzards in the 

"wilds" of Saskatchewan during his recent 

three-week trip. 

MGM Manager Abe Levy was home with 

mumps . . . RKO Manager Barry Meyers has 

"transferred booker Rube Helman to salesman. 

Dave Babier, Paramount shorts booker, moves 

to RKO as head booker. 

Max Shnier's Circus Drive-In in Portage 

La Prairie puts out a compact monthly program. 

Each woman patron attending on 

Thursdays or Fridays receives a piece from 

the 25-piece Crown Rose tea service. On 

Saturdays and Mondays the women receive 

free Keen-Cut cutlery. On each program is 

a number. On the last Friday of the month 

a draw is held, if the holder of the number 

drawn is present he or she will receive SlOO 

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Incorporated into the signature cut is the 

theme. "Save the cost of a baby-sitter, bring 

the kiddies." 

As we write this two drive-ins have not 

opened a.s yet, the Lockport and the Circus . . 

Bruce Peacock writes that a contract for 

construction of a theatre at Shellbrook. Sask.. 

by the Elks lodge has been awarded to Diener 

& Sons of Tisdale. The building will be 

60x125. with a seating capacity of more than 

500. and provisions for wide screen presentations. 

"Martin Luther" played 15 days at advaiiced 

admissions in the Rex, Regina. and 

chalked up a gross for the .size of the house 

and the population of the city, according 

to exhibitor Jack Watson. A hefty advance 

campaign was carried on through churches 

in Regina. clergymen were guests at a preview 

and 35,000 coupons entitling bearers to 

reduced admission rates were mailed out to 

FYank Morriss writes 

provincial points . . . 

from England that Britishers visiting theatres 

eat more than Winnipeggers. 

Tribune ê^êwe^ Ann Henry asks in a 

lengthy article. "Why can't we see 'Love Thy 

Neighbor' in Winnipeg?" The short is in 

color, produced by National Film Board's 

Norman McLaren. Miss Henry writes she 

made inquiries from exhibition and distribution 

and was told that the reason exhibitors 

did not book the short was because they 

felt that Winnipeg showgoers wouldn't particularly 

like it and might be shocked to boot. 

. . . "Moulin 

Bob Hope was at the Auditorium for one 

night. Tickets sold from $4.80 to $2 . . 

. 

"Kidnapers" went into its third week at 

the Odeon. The regular Saturday matinee 

show was suspended at the Osborne during 

the run of "Julius Caesar," which is playing 

every matinee as well as evening during the 

week. "Hell and High Water" went into its 

second week at the Capitol 

Rouge" came back to Winnipeg to play at the 

Garrick at regular admissions. "Shane" was 

also returned, showing at the Met also at 

regular admissions. 

Ernie Diamond gave free candy to 

the first 

100 kiddies who attended the early morning 

show at the Rialto on Saturday ... A handy 

excuse for low receipts in theatres this summer 

will be the baseball games in Winnipeg's 

new baseball stadium. Organized baseball 

has returned to this city after an absence of 

12 years. 

Joe Barnicki of the Valour writes in a special 

ad "Ai-e You Thrifty?" extolling the 

thrift matinee from 5:45 to 7 p.m. at which 

time the admissions are considerably lower . . 

Federated Mutual sponsors Fi'ank Morriss on 

radio station CKRC every Sunday evening 

at 10:30. 

With the opening of MGM's "Julius Caesar" 

at the Osborne, the Ti'ibune offers Winnipeg 

school children the opportunity to win a trip 

to Stratford Shakespearean festival in June. 

Students from any high school in the city 

are invited to send in an essay in 250 words 

on "I liked the movie version of 'Julius Caesar' 

because ..." The winner will be given 

for himself, and one guest, a free trip by air 

to Toronto and Stratford to attend the festival. 

Capitol Manager Bill Novak was co-host 

with the Winnipeg Tribune on Mother's day 

BOXOFFICE :: May 15. 1954

. . Rodney 

. . George 

to the Tribune carrier boys who brought 

400 of their mothers and 157 grandmothers 

for a special advance showing of "Rose 

Marie." One 14-year-old boy brought his 

mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. 

on AW A 

•The second CinemaScope installation here is 

under way at the Odeon, where Jim Chalmers 

is manager. The first Ottawa equipment 

went into the Famous Players Capitol 

some weeks ago . Forhan jr., manager 

of the Montcalm, a Famous Players unit 

in Hull, has been transferred to the Capitol 

at Welland. His father is a theatre manager 

at Belleville. 

Clare Chamberlain, manager of the Glebe 

Cinema, where "The Kidnapers" has been 

held for a fourth week, went to his home in 

Peterborough because of the illness of his 

mother . Erie, assistant to Manager 

Fred Leavens at the Elmdale, was married 

May 8 to Bernice C. Sheffield of Lyndhurst, 

near Kingston, where he formerly 

assisted Ernie Crawford at the Biltmore. The 

ceremony was performed at Lyndhurst. 

After lengthy treatment at the Civic hospital, 

Paul Frost has finally made nice recovery. 

He is the assistant manager at the 

Capitol . . . Three projectionists at the Capitol, 

James P. McGuire, A. B. Zumar and 

Peter Kehayes, are looking forward to their 

induction into the 25-Year club of Famous 

Players Canadian. 

Manager Bill Cullum of the Regent got two 

weeks out of "Shane" in a return local engagement, 

following news from Hollywood on 

its Academy award. Bill Hartnett jr., assistant 

manager at the Regent, has been granted 

leave of absence for two months and will 

vacation in the Adirondacks. 

Representatives of 20 community organizations 

in nine Canadian cities attended the 

first annual meeting in Ottawa last weekend 

of the film society division of the Canadian 

Film Institute under the direction of Bernard 

Cowan, Toronto. Features included an address 

by Mrs. Robert Flaherty, widow of the 

noted film producer, and the screening of 

National Film Board pictures, including "The 

Stratford Adventure," dealing with the Canadian 

Shakespearean festival, and "The Seasons," 

judged the film of the year in the 

1953 Canadian FUm awards. 

VistaVision to Be Shown 

In Toronto in Late May 

TORONTO—Arrangements have been made 

for a test run of VistaVision at a Famous 

Players Canadian Corp. house here toward 

the end of the month. The demonstration 

will be similar to the inaugural presentation 

at Radio City Music Hall, New York, which 

was witnessed by thousands of exhibitors 

and trade representatives. 

Dr. Charles Daley of the technical research 

division. Paramount Studios, has spent some 

time in Toronto looking over circuit theatres 

in preparation for the Canadian demonstration. 

Stage Actor in 'Rogue Cop' 

Robert Ellenstein is being imported from 

the New York stage to portray a racketeer 

in MGM's "Rogue Cop." 

MARITIMES 

Oarardo, claiming he is a three-time royal 

command performer, is touring the maritimes 

as a combo hypnotist, illusionist, 

escaper and pickpocket. Another mesmerist 

entertaining thi-ough the maritimes calls 

hunself Thorez. They are booking the theatres 

from three days to a week at a top of 

$1.50. After a lapse of a half century, the 

hypnotists seem to be returning to the boxoffice 

trail in the maritimes. 

The entrance, lobby and waiting rooms at 

the Oxford in Halifax will be enlarged and 

beautified this summer. The Oxford, in the 

Odeon chain, is owned by Abe Garson of St. 

John . The wife of Ned Murray, manager 

. . 

of the Gaiety at Halifax, also is a member of 

the staff, and replaces him when he is ill 

or absent tlirough other cause. Before going 

into theatre work, Murray was a film salesman 

out of St. John. Later he worked around 

the erstwhile Gem and also for the Opera 

House, both in St. John. The Gem was operated 

by the late Fred Trifts, victim of one 

of the unsolved murders at St. John. 

Graham Wallace of British Lion Films has 

been sent to Newfoundland to assemble information 

for a film story on Sir John Alcock 

and Sir Arthur Brown, who took off from St. 

John's on an early trans-Atlantic flight. Wallace 

has been gathering photos and facts 

for the proposed picture. He also has been 

seeking information on Han-y Hawker, birdman, 

who flew to Newfoundland in 1919. Wallace 

revealed that Kenneth Moore, English 

screen actor, has been chosen for the part of 

Alcock. The choice for Brown has not been 

made. 

Atlantic Films & Electronics of St. John's, 

Nfld.. has contracted with the Newfoundland 

provincial government to make five more 

films about the province; one at $20,000, one 

at $15,000 and three at $10,000. Currently, 

Atlantic Films, which is financed by the 

provincial government, is employing 50 permanent 

and 15 temporary staffers. The government 

lately loaned $200,000 to the company 

. . . Poto-Nite has been introduced at 

the three Franklin & Herschorn ozoners. in 

addition to the Mayfalr and Regent theatres 

in St. John and the Vogue, Mayfair and 

Dundas in Dartmouth. 

Weather conditions this spring have been 

most unfavorable for outdoor theatres since 

they appeared in the maritimes. Snowstorms 

have followed cold rain and wind, and temperatures 

often have been below freezing. 

A second film theatre may be built on the 

islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon about 15 

miles off Newfoundland. They are the only 

French possessions remaining in North 

America . . . Baddeck, on Cape Breton Island, 

where "The Kidnappers" was filmed in part, 

was the summer home of the late Alexander 

Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone, and 

on his estate there he was interred. "The 

Kidnappers" was screened recently at the 

Casino in Halifax. 

Set to Firm Price Line 

TORONTO—Local Famous Players Canadian 

houses have settled down to a policy of 

regular prices, even for subsequent runs of 

Cinemascope, for the balance of the spring 

season. Recent newspaper advertisements 

have listed the complete scale of regular 

prices for chain units following variations of 

recent months. 

Foreign Films in Canada 

Jump to 109 in 2 Years 

TORONTO—In the annual report of chairman 

O. J. 

Silverthorne of the Ontario board 

of film censors, which was released for publication 

May 10, Silverthorne said the number 

of non-English feature films from ten 

foreign countries jumped from 59 to 109 in 

the last two years. 

In the 1951-52 fiscal period 

the total was 34. 

The Ontario board classified eight features 

under the new restricted attendance adult 

classification, two each from the U.S.. Great 

Britain, Fi-ance and Italy. "Only a small 

number of such subjects will be approved 

annually." the board chairman said. 

Censors reviewed a total of 591 features 

from the U.S.. Great Britain, Italy, France, 

Austria. Hungary. Mexico, Poland, Germany 

and the USSR. Of these, 495 were approved 

without treatment or classification—401 from 

the U.S.. 81 from Britain and the balance, 

with one exception, from France. Italy and 

West Germany. 

Alternations or classifications were given 

48 U.S. features. 16 British and 32 other 

European films. 

Silverthorne declared "there was a tendency 

in advertising to over-emphasize sex even 

for pictures which dealt sparingly with sex 

problems." but a control agreement has been 

reached with exhibitors and distributors for 

the submission of advertising material, particularly 

for European pictures. 

Only 229 out of 31.592 pieces of film advertising 

were rejected. 

Dm-ing the year. 575 theatre licenses were 

issued for an increase of 11. Seven theatres 

closed permanently and six others were 

temporarily dark. The theatres branch issued 

licenses to 1.084 projectionists, a slight increase. 

Silverthorne reported two theatres 

had been prosecuted, one for blocked exits 

and the other for admitting unaccompanied 

children. 

MR. EXHIBITOR 

I I I I 

• • • • 

We now have a library of good 40- 

second sound trailers (odfilms) for 32 

different business classifications, covering 

every type of merchant in your 

town. 

We con tie in the merchant's name, 

slogan, etc., with appropriate voice 

message and SELL this service for you 

LOCALLY and PROFITABLY in English 

or 

French. 

Our Trailers run a full week in each 

theatre at every performance and we 

have enough DIFFERENT subjects to 

give a maximum 26-week program 

during the year. 

For CONSISTENT extra revenue— at no 

extra cost 

Write, wire or phone 

FRED T. 

General 

ADFILMS 

SriNSON 

Manager 

77 York Street 

LIMITED 

Toronto, Ontario EMpire 8-8986 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

15, 1954 91

. . Alex 

. . Irene 

. . The 

MONTREAL 

Dill Trow, president of Montreal Poster Exchange 

and Quebec Cinema Booking, and 

Mort Prevost, manager of QCBL, motored 

to below Quebec at Riviere-du-loup, Rimouski 

and Mont Jolt on a business trip . . . 

T. H. Trow, owner of the Imperial, Three 

. . . 

Rivers, attended the 20th-Pox special 

Cinemascope meeting in New York, Thursday 

(6). Others who attended the meeting 

were Bill Lester, second vice-president. 

United Amusement Corp.; Gerry Chernoff, 

manager at 20th-Fox: Donat Paquin. owner 

of the Laurier Theatre at Hull with Manager 

Paul Lafontaine Alfred Perry, Toronto, 

president and general manager of Empire 

Universal, was here to ready showing of "The 

Glenn Miller Story." 

Robert Murphy, Paramount manager; William 

Young, booker, and Romeo Goudreau, 

salesman, will attend the Paramount convention 

in Toronto May 20-22 . . . The 

Cinema Royal, Mont Joli. Quebec, initiated 

its installation of Cinemascope with a show- 

ing of "Knights of the Round Table" . . . 

Cinema Lachute, Lachute, will also present 

the same picture May 15 to initiate its 

Cinemascope ... La Scala scored another 

long run with a six weeks showing of the 

French language film "Les Enfants de 

I'Amour" . . . Police reported an attempted 

holdup at the Princess Theatre, but the 

robber was frightened away by patrons and 

fled without getting any money . 

ley Films won first prize at the first annual 

American film assembly in the home and 

family category with "The Frustrating Fours 

and Fascinating Fives." 

Allen Adams, Paramount auditor from New 

York, is at the local office ... J. P. Pageau, 

Warner Bros. 16mm manager, has left on 

The Centre Theatre at 

a business trip . . . 

. . . 

Magog has had a wide screen installed. 

Omer 

It 

is owned by Lionel Gaudreault 

Belanger and Gerard Gauthier. co-owners of 

. 

the Laurentien Theatre at Mont Laurier, 

have made arrangements for installation of 

Cinemascope . 

Dingwall is the new 

secretary to Ted Atkinson, Cardinal Films 

manager . . Jack Roher, president of Peerless 

Films, has left on a business trip . . . 

Armand Besse, Montreal manager for 

Perkins Electrical, visited Quebec City . . 

. 

Jeanne Lemieux, a staff member for many 

years at Regal Films and later with Leo 

Choquette circuit, died. Her brother Albert 

is assistant shipper at Warner Bros. 

Exhibitors in town included Mr. and Mrs. 

Benoit Gagnon, the St. Felicien at St. 

Felicien: E., Simoneau, the Croydon at Croydon: 

Georges Champagne, manager at Shawinigan 

Falls, and Maurice Duhamel, booker 

for the Auclair circuit. 

TORONTO 

/ânvasman George Altman of the Variety 

Tent 28 has added a further $500 to the 

Heart fund to bring his total to more than 

$10,000 in proceeds from his scrap-metal 

drive through the cooperation of exhibitm-s 

and others, with materials being picked up 

by his Mavety Film Delivery Service . . . Altman 

and Lionel Lester, the latter manager of 

the Studio, are co-chairmen of the film group 

of the United Jewish Appeal here, having succeeded 

Syd Spiegel of Super Pufft Popcorn 

and Herb Allen. 

Gordon Simms of National Theatre Services 

head office has been appointed manager of 

the circuit's Scarborough Drive-In at West 

Harris, film critic of the 

. 

. . 

Hill, Ont. 

Globe and Mall, is making the rounds of 

Hollywood studios, just as the late Roly 

Young of the same newspaper used to do . 

Formerly operated by National Tlieatre Services, 

headed by Sam Fingold, the Seville at 

Montreal has been taken over by United 

Amusements. The house manager of the 

Seville was William Boal, formerly in charge 

of the Roxy at Georgetown, Ont. 

Barry Carnon of the Hyland and R. Motton 

of the Christie combined in staging a morning 

juvenile show Saturday (8) for the presentation 

of JARO's "The Kidnapers," now in its 

fourth week . . . Lou Appleby had quite a 

combination at the Casino in "Godiva" on 

stage and "The Sinner" on screen. No one 

under 18 years of age was admitted. 

Arch H. JoUey, executive secretary of the 

Motion Picture Theatres Ass'n of Ontario, has 

been busy on plans for cooperative film deliveries 

around the province, because of the 

threat of another railway strike. However, 

he attended the luncheon meeting of the Ontario 

Safety league, of which he is a director, 

on May 11 at the Royal York hotel. 

For the Saturday morning Movie club show. 

Manager Nick Langston of the London Odeon 

conducted a drawing for Roy Rogers holster 

sets. The screen feature was "North of the 

Great Divide." 

'Saskatchewan' at Three 

TORONTO—Despite criticism of the portrayal 

of the Mounties by members of the 

Canadian Parliament, "Saskatchewan" has 

continued its course at Toronto theatres, 

playing as the moveover attraction at three 

Odeon units this week, the Danforth, Fairlawn 

and number. 

VANCOUVER 

. . . Harry Pearson 

TWTaynard Joiner, Famous Player supervisor, 

was on a vacation in eastern Canada . . . 

Sydney Summers. Orpheum stage manager, 

and Buck Taylor. Strand maintenance manager, 

are new members of the FPC 25-Year 

club. They have been in local show business 

Ernest Doctor, assistant manager 

since 1908 . . . 

of the International Cinema, was in a 

hospital for minor surgery 

jr. is the president of Local 118 of the 

stagehands union, with Sydney Summers of 

the Orpheum as treasurer. 

Hector Quogliotti, owner of the Colonial 

here, and E. W. Bickle, who operates four 

Vancouver Lsland theatres, are near 80. Both 

are still active in their theatres. Jack Randall, 

former Strand manager, was in town 

on a vacation. He now is in California . . . 

Barney Regan, manager of the Victoria Road 

Theatre, was at the FPC district office getting 

briefed for a spot in the booking department 

under Lou Karp. 

Bert Nixon of the Fox in Victoria was a 

Pilmrow visitor. He reported Cinemascope 

was doing outstanding business in his suburban 

house, playing nine-day runs. Most 

regular pictures play three days in his theatre. 

Nixon was the first independent exhibitor 

in western Canada to Install complete 

Cinemascope equipment. A visiting 20th-Fox 

official reported that in Washington state 

there are 50 Cinemascope installations to 

date. British Columbia only has five so far. 

. . . 

Jack Aceman, owner of the Avon, who was 

charged with violating the Lords Day act, 

won a dismissal in court. A stage show of 

"The Moon Is Blue," with the proceeds going 

to the British Columbia polio fund, was presented 

on Sunday The projectionists 

union and Odeon Theatres have settled on the 

same basis as Famous Players—a 25-cent 

hourly increase and other concessions with 

retroactive pay dating back to September 

1953 . . . Mary Ruddick, former FPC cashier, 

is in charge of the ticket sales for the Briti.sh 

Empire games which will be held here in 

July. The ticket sales are expected to approximate 

$450,000. 

The new drive-in proposed by local interests 

near Abbottsford in the Fraser Valley 

will not be built. The residents objected and 

the council refused a permit . . . Two new 

ozoners, the Cassidy on Vancouver Lsland 

and the Westholm near Powell River, will 

open this month. Both were equipped by 

Harry Howard of Theatre Equipments of 

Vancouver . Paradise Theatre team 

won the season's title. It was composed of 

Alice Ettinger. Jack Armstrong, Bob Harris, 

Bob McMillan and Lenny Kean. The Plaza 

team under Dolly Inkster was the runnerup. 

328,000 Shares FPC Sold 

MONTREAL—An investment dealers syndicate, 

headed by Wood, Gundy & Co.. 

Greenshields & Co. and W. C. Pitfield & Co., 

reported quick oversubscription to an offering 

of 328,000 common shares of Famous 

Players Canadian Corp. at $23.50. They were 

made available for distribution in Canada 

by Paramount International Films, a wholly 

owned subsidiary of Paramount Pictures 

Corp., which after the distribution, will still 

own about 51 per cent. 

92 BOXOFFICE 

: 

: May 

15, 1954

t...,. 

— 

OXOFFICEdJDDiUJJi/îJJDS 

The EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY about piaum 

ALLIED ARTISTS 

Flat Top (AA)—Sterling Hayden, Richard 

Carlson, BUI Phipps. If you've passed this 

one by, better grab it. One of the best sea 

and air pictures in years. Allied Artists is to 

be congratulated on turning out so much 

better product in the past year. Most of the 

kids and some of the adults, too, came to 

see this both nights. Played Frl., Sat. Weatjier: 

Mild.—Norman Merkel, Time Theatre, 

Albert City, Iowa. Small-town and rural patronage. 

COLUMBIA 

Let's Do It Again (Col)—Jane Wyman, Ray 

Milland, Aldo Ray. Although many have reported 

good business on this one, it flopped 

badly here—boxoffice 65 per cent. However, 

pur competition was exceptionally strong so 

maybe this explains It. Everyone seemed to 

enjoy it. Personally, I think "The Awful 

Truth" was better. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: 

Cool and clear.—James H. Hamilton, Fine 

Hill Drive-In Theatre, Picayune, Miss. Smalltown 

and rural patronage. 

galome (Col)—Rita Hayworth, Stewart 

Granger, Charles Laughton. Played this one 

a little late but still did nice business. Everyone 

seemed pleased who saw it. Played Pre- 

Tiie, Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair.—Garland 

Lamb, Crown Theatre, Lincoln, Ark. Smalltown 


Serpent of the Nile (Col)—Rhonda Fleming, 

William Lundigan, Raymond Burr. Although 

Rhonda Fleming looks luscious in 

Technicolor, the boxoffice figure after the 

picture was not so well rounded. Costume 

dramas die here about as fast as musicals. 

Columbia made the price right, though, so I 

broke even. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather*. 

Cool.—Norman Merkel, Time Theatre, Albert 

City, Iowa. Small-town and rural patronaga. 

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER 

(MGM)— 

AD the Brothers Were Valiant 

Robert Taylor, Stewart Granger, Ann Blyth. 

A nice picture with a good cast that did 

disappointing business that can likely be 

explained by two things—Holy Week and 

the f£u;t that we are all landlubbers hereahouts 

and don't know much of the tradition 

of the sea. We have had Kurt Kasznar so 

much lately the regular customers think he 

works here. Don't pass this—under better 

olrcumstances it should do well. Played 

Tues., Wed., Thurs. Weather: Good.—Paul 

Ricketts, Charm Theatre, Holyrood, Kas. 

Small-town and rural patronage. 

Band Wagon, The (MGM)—Fred Astaire, 

Cyd Charisse, Nanette Fabray. Pretty good 

musical that did below average business here. 

Business is off here, now, but this picture hit 

a record low for Sunday and Monday showing. 

Weather: Cold.—L. Brazil jr.. New Theatre, 

Bearden, Ark. SmaU-town and rural 

patronage. 

Easy to Love (MGM)—Esther WUhams, 

Tan Johnson, Tony Martin. I guess our patrons 

don't like swimming or Esther or something 

because they didn't turn out for this 

picture and we just wasted a play date. No 

fault of anyone's except it "just ain't the 

type" to draw average business. At that, it 

was better than some. Played Sun., Mon. 

Weather: Fine.—Mayme P. Musselman, Roach 

Theatre, Lincoln, Kas. Small-town and rural 

patronage. 

Escape From Fort Bravo (MGM)—William 

Holden, Eleanor Parker, John Forsythe. I 

expected to do some nice business on this 

western in color but I was disappointed. I 

think it was too old when MGM finally let 

me have it and it had played aU around me. 

I lost on the deal. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: 

Good.—E. M. Freiburger, Dewey Theatre, 

Dewey, Okla. Small-town and rural patronage. 

Give a Girl a Break (MGM)—Marge & 

Gower Champion, Debbie Reynolds. Sort of 

an in-between musical. Not high brow and 

yet not one that causes you to hum the tunes 

for a couple of days. Business was satisfactory 

considering that we opened Holy Week 

with it. TV came to this area last summer 

and our Christmas slump started right after 

Labor Day and then Lent started right after 

Christmas. Compared to other recent grosses 

this held up pretty well. Played Sun., Mon, 

Weather: Good.—Paul Ricketts, Charm Theatre, 

Holyrood, Kas. Small-town and rural 

patronage. 

Merry Widow, The (MGM)—Lana Turner, 

Fernando Lamas, Una MerkeL This one has 

been around for a while but still proves to be 

a remarkable picture with excellent boxoffice 

appeal. Attendance above expectations. 

Good Stories Needed More 

Than New Methods 

To EHHS: 

We are now confronted with new processes, 

new methods of presentation, but 

none of them, inclnding Cinemascope, 

will make a poor picture a breadwinner. 

It always has been, is now and forever 

will tie, the story that counts. Go down 

the line and how good is the story in each 

one? Look at the boxoffice hits—they all 

had a good solid story; tear-jerkers and 

slapstick comedies will always go over. 

We need, desperately, good scriptwriters 

and directors m'ore than processes of 

presentation. I looked at shots of eleven 

new features from one company recently 

and nine of them show a gun, a fight or 

some violence. I feel that the women, who 

are a big potential of movie patronage, 

instinctively resent violence in movies, 

and will not attend when they see the 

trailers. Bloodshed, fighting, et cetera, are 

completely over done in so many recent 

movies. By all means give us good storyscripts 

and eliminate at least half of all 

the violence. 

LEONARD J. L£1SE 

Roxy Theatre 

Randolph, Nebr. 

Played Tues., Wed. Weather: Exceptional.— 

Donald H. Haymans, Candler Drive-In Theatre, 

Metter, Ga, Small-town and rural patronage. 

Mogambo (MGM)—Clark Gable, Ava Gardner, 

Grace Kelly. Here's one that disappointed 

me a lot. I really expected a full house 

on it. We've had a couple dozen pictures 

that outdrew this. In fact the last Ma and 

Pa Kettle picture did twice the business this 

one did. Can't understand it since "Mogambo" 

is one of the best African pictures 

I've seen. Ten years in this business and I 

still can't figure movie fans out. Played Sun., 

Mon., Tues. Weather: Mild.—Norman Merkel, 

Time Theatre, Albert City, Iowa. Small-town 


Quo Vadis (MGM)—Robert Taylor, Deborah 

Kerr, Peter Ustinov. Played this again 

for four days and business picked up each 

night. After a year, folks wanted to see it 

again! It proves the good ones will pull them 

back. Saw a lot of new faces at the boxoffice, 

too. We played the trailer for about 

ten days previous to the engagement. Played 

Wed., Thurs., Pri., Sat. Weather: Fair.—Nate 

Oglesbee, Ramona Theatre, Ramona, Calif. 


RKO RADIO 

Hitch-Hiker, The (RKO)—Edmond O'Brien, 

Frank Lovejoy, WUUam Talman. This was a 

little old when I played it but I spent some 

extra money on advertising it and so showed 

a profit. Played Pri., Sat. Weather: Good. 

E. M. Freiburger, Dewey Theatre, Dewey, 

Okla. Small-town and rural patronage. 

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (RKO) 

—Disney Cartoon Feature. I have waited 

years to repeat this wonderful full-length 

cartoon. Although we did not have the 

grownups we wanted, we did really outstanding 

business with the help of the children. 

Capacity matinees all the time. Still, in our 

opinion, the masterpiece of cartoon making. 

Played Wed. through Sat. Weather: Rainy. 

—Dave S. Klein, Astra Theatre, Kitwe- 

Nkana, Northern Rhodesia, Africa. Mining, 

business, government patronage. 

Tall in the Saddle (RKO)—Reissue starring 

John Wayne. Here is a western that did all 

right for me. Don't be afraid to play this 

one again. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair. 

Garland Lamb, Crown Theatre, Lincoln, Ark. 


Where Danger Lives (RKO)—Reissue. Robert 

Mitchum, Faith Domergue, Claude Rains. 

Here's one I put off for a long time because 

Mitchum doesn't mean a thing here. No business 

whatever but the show was fairly good. 

Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Good.—Ralph 

Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. 


REPUBUC 

Pals of the Golden West (Rep)—Roy Rogers, 

Dale Evans, Estelita. Double billed this 

with "Strange Gamble" (UA), a Hopalong 

Cassidy western. Gave us our best Friday- 

Saturday business in three months, so I 

can't kick on that. Some smart film company 

ought to grab Roy Rogers away from 

TV and we all could make a little dough 

again. Weather: Mild.—Norman Merkel, Time 

(Continued on following page) 

>- 

< 

< X 

O 

I- 

X X 

o z 

BOXOFFICE BooldnGuide : : May 

15, 1954

Maybe 

— 

' 

The EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY 


Theatre, Albert City, Iowa. Small-town and 

rural patronage. 

Tropical Heat Wave (Rep) —Estelita, Robert 

Hutton, Kristine Miller. Don't worry, the 

heat wave isn't too hot—and neither is the 

show. Double bill this one. Played Wed., 

Thuis., Pri., Sat. Weather: Cold.—Harold 

Bell, Opera House Theatre, Coaticook, Que. 

Small-town and rui-al patronage. 

CENTURY-FOX 

20th 

Farmer Takes a Wife, The (20th-Pox) — 

Betty Grable, Dale Robertson, Thelma Ritter. 

Another big helping hand to Cinemascope. 

This is about the worst musical we have 

played in a long time. Could it be that Pox 

just hasn't time for any good 2-D pictures? 

Played Wed., Thui-s., Fri., Sat. Weather: 

Cool.—Harold Bell. Opera House Theatre. 

Coaticook, Que. Small-town and rural patronage. 

Mr. Scoutmaster C20th-Pox)—Clifton Webb, 

Edmund Gwenn, George Winslow. This is one 

of Clifton Web's best. Tie it in with your 

local Boy Scouts and it will go over well. 

Lots of comedy in this picture—the Winslow 

boy does his part well. Played Sun., Mon. 

Weather: Good.—James Hardy, Shoals Theatre, 

Shoals, Ind. Small-town and rural patronage. 

My Darling Clementine (20th-Fox)—Reissue. 

Henry Fonda, Linda Darnell, Victor 

Mature. A western that should be played 

again. Think this was the fourth time around 

for us and it still stood up. They made pictures 

in those days. Hem-y Fonda is greatly 

needed on the screen. It's in black and white 

but we had a clean print, showing the fine 

points of production. Ti-y it again. Played 

Pri., Sat. Weather: Good.—Nate Oglesbee, 

Ramona Theatre, Ramona, Calif. Small-town 


Powder River (20th-Pox)—Rory Calhoun, 

Cameron Mitchell, Corinne Calvet. Color and 

scenery good but orJy a fair western. Comments 

varied, business fair. Played Fri., Sat. 

Weather: Good.—Fred L. Murray, Strand 

Theatre, Spiritwood, Sask. Small-town and 


Three Young Texans (20th-Fox) — Mitzi 

Gaynor, Keefe Brasselle, Jeffrey Hunter. A 

young cast with a good western story laid 

in Texas along the border. There is some 

excellent scenery and the color is very nice. 

The only kick I have is that I think I 

could have gotten away with this one on a 

Sunday-Tuesday change. Played Wed., Thurs. 

Weather: O. K.—D. W. Trisko, Runge Theatre, 

Runge, Texas. Small-town and rural 

patronage. 

Vicki (20th-Fox)—Jean Peters, Jeanne 

Crain, Elliott Reid. Good mystery. These 

Fox films produced just before their conversion 

to Cinemascope do not have the high 

production quality usually associated with this 

studio. With heavy, continuous rain one night 

this still drew 129 per cent. Played Thurs., 

Fri. Weather: Clear one night, rain the 

next.—James H. Hamilton, Pine Hill Drive- 

In Theatre, Picayune, Miss. Small-town and 


White Witch Doctor (20th-Fox)—Robert 

Mltchum, Susan Hayward, Walter Slezak. 

This one really surprised me! The weather 

was awful and I didn't think the pictm-e 

would have much drawing power but we had 

a very good Sunday night. Better than usual. 

Didn't hear any comments on the picture 

but there were no complaints so I guess 

everybody was happy : I was, for sure. Played 

Sun. Weather: Cold, snow.—Marcella Smith, 

Vinton Theatre, McArthur, Ohio. Small-town 


UNITED ARTISTS 

(UA) —George Montgomery, Tab 

Gun Belt 

Hunter, Helen Westcott. An excellent superwestern 

based on a good moral story loaded 

with action. George Montgomery plays the 

role of a reformed outlaw and keeps his 

nephew, Tab Hunter, on the side of the law 

by displaying his honesty. Played Sun., Mon. 

Weather: Fair and cold.—Donald Haymans, 

Candler Drive-In Theatre, Metter, Ga. Smalltown 


Says EHHS Is His 

Booking Bible 

•To EHHS: 

I haven't contributed any comments 

on pictures in quite a spell; have been 

reading, however, all the fine comments 

from fellow exhibitors. That's one part 

of the magazine I read very closely as I 

use these comments for my "booking 

bible." Generally speaking I find that 

patrons in the rural situations over the 

whole U.S.A. like about the same type 

features. 

Played a mighty fine show here this 

past Sunday-Monday. It was WB's "Blowing 

Wild," which fetched nothing but 

fine comments. It has sufficient action 

to keep the younger fry In their seats; 

has an excellent plot and, of course, very 

good acting throughout. With warm weather 

and spring planting, the farmers 

are staying away from the show, so business 

is off 30 per cent. 

Vernon Theatre, Vernon, Fla. 

Starlight Drive-In, Chiple.v, Fla. 

Veil Theatre, Cottondale, Fla. 

I. ROCHE 

Joe Louis Story, The (UA)—Coley Wallace, 

Hilda Simnis, Paul Stewart. Poor continuity, 

acting amateurish, but some very good shots 

of Louis's title fights. Boxoffice weak—too 

many fights on TV. It's the same old story 

of the forgotten hero. Played Fri,, Sat. 

Weather: Warm, fair.—C. H. (Buck) P>ryce, 

Alma Theatre, Alma, Wis. Small-town and 


Red Light (UA)—George Raft, Virginia 

Mayo, Gene Lockhart. This picture is very 

old but it is a good drama, if you can get a 

decent print. I had a poor one. After I 

checked it and made a few splices it went 

through without trouble but the sound track 

was not very good. My patrons liked it and 

it will draw well. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: 

Fair.—Fred L. Murray, Strand Theatre, 

Spiritwood, Sask. Small-town and rural patronage. 

Sabre Jet (UA)—Robert Stack, Coleen Gray, 

Richard Arlen. This really had it—enough 

jet flying for the teenagers and enough 

heartbreak for the Kleenex set. Between the 

two we did satisfactory business and wish 

now that we had played it on Sunday-Monday. 

We had lots of good comments. Played 

Fri., Sat. Weather: Good.—Paul Ricketts, 

Charm Theatre, Holyrood, Kas. Small-town 


UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL 

Back to God's Country (U-D—Rock Hudson, 

Marcia Henderson, Steve Coctoan. Best 

Sunday we have had since "Eternity" and it 

.seems that this type is what they are looking 

for because we did very well with another 

of similar theme recently. Priced right and 

it will do business on your best time. Played 

Sun., Mon. Weather: Fine.—Mayme P. Musselman, 

Roach Theatre, Lincoln, Kas. Smalltown 


Lawless Breed (U-I)—Rock Hudson, Julia 

Adams, Mary Castle. Good western in Technicolor. 

This one has a little different twist 

—not too much ridin'-shootin'. Has a better 

than average story. My patrons enjoyed this 

picture. I have a good western situation and 

enjoyed good business. Played Fri., Sat. 

Weather: Pair.—Fred L. Murray. Strand Theatre, 

Spiritwood, Sask. Small-town and rural 

patronage. 

Little Egypt (U-D—Rhonda Fleming, Mark 

Stevens, Nancy Guild. A fair picture in 

Technicolor which went over pretty well 

here. Business just fair. Played Fri., Sat., 

Sun. Weather: Pair.—L. J. Seidl, Star Theatre, 

Oshkosh, Wis. Subsequent run city patronage. 

I 

Ma and Pa Kettle on Vacation— (U-I) Marjorie 

Main, Percy Kilbride, Ray Collins. What , 

a crop of corn! These get sillier all the time 

—but who cares when business on them is 

j 

i 

so terrific? Gave us the best Sunday gro.s.s 

since "Salome" last September. Played Sun., 

Mon., Tues. Weather: Mild.—Norman Mei'- 

kel. Times Theatre, Albert City, Iowa.—Smalltown 


Project M 7 (U-I)—James Donald, Robert 

Beatty, Phyllis Calvert. If, by any chance, 

you have some enemies in town, book this 

one in and ask them to attend a free show. 

Lock the doors and make them sit through 

this little epic. What torture it is! This holds 

the all time record for walkouts. To get a 

date on "Creature" I was saddled with 

"Project M 7" —U-I is so ethical in their business 

practices. Played Pri., Sat. Weather: 

Okay.—Donald Donahue, Novato Theatre, 

Novato, Calif. Small-town and rural patronage. 

WARNER BROS. 

Blowing Wild (WB>—Gary Cooper, Barbara 

Stanwyck, Anthony Quinn. I think the 

Calamity Jane (WB)—Doris Day, Howard 

Keel, AUyn McLerie. All I have to say is 

wow ! it's Doris Day, maybe it was the 

trailer, maybe the weather, but I had one 

of the biggest Friday-Saturdays in many a 

moon. The story is a lot of fun, mainly a 

western satire with gun-totin' Calamity filling 

every scene. If you don't fall for that 

gal when she sings "Secret Love" to you, see 

a doctor. Thank you, Warner Bros.! Played 

Fri., Sat. Weather: Just fine.—Nate Oglesbee, 

Ramona Theatre, Ramona, Calif. Smalltown 


Operation Secret (WB)—Cornel Wilde, 

Steve Cochran, Phyllis Thaxter. I had hoped 

Warner's .salesman would have dropped in 

to see this during one of the two nights. I 

didn't even take in the film rental. Tlie show 

was good. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Cool, 

—Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. 

Va. Small-town and rural patronage. 

No Adults Allowed (WB)—Vitaphone Variety. 

An extra good black and white reel 

that kids and adults alike went for. Show it 

on your kid nights. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: 

Good.—Paul Ricketts, Charm Theatre, Holyrood, 

Kas. Small-town and rural patronage. 

only complaint on this was that it wasn't 

in color. Should please all types. Does anyone 

ever remember Stanwyck in a bad per- 

formance? Boxoffice 117 per cent. Played 

Sun., Mon. Weather: Warm, clear.—James 

H. Hamilton, Pine Hill Drive-In Theatre, 

Picayune, Miss. Small-town and rural patronage. 

j 

BOXOmCE BookinGuide 

: 

: May 

15, 1954 

'M

A 

An interpretive analysis of lay and tradepress reviews. The plus end minus signs indicate degree of 

merit only; audience classification is not rated. Listings cover current reviews, brought up to date regularly. 

This department serves also as an ALPHABETICAL INDEX to feature releases. Numeral preceding title 

is Picture Guide Review poge number. For listings by compony, in the order of release, see Feature Chort. rîm 

DJijirr 

tt Very Good; + Good; — Fair; — Poor; — Very Poor. In the summary ~ is rated 2 pluses, ~ as 2 minuses. 

A 

1499 Abbott and Costello Meet Or. Jekytl , 

and Mr. Hyde (77) Comedy U-1 8- 1-53 + 

1577 About Mrs. Leslie (104) Drama Para 5- 1-54 ± 

1546 Act of Love (105) Drama UA 1- 2-54 ff 

1503 Actress, The (90) Drama MGM 8- 8-53 ++ 

Adventures of Robinson Crusoe (90) Drama. UA 

1515 Affair in Monte Carlo (74) Drama AA 9-19-53 it 

14S3 Affairs of Dobie Gillis, Ttie 

(73) Comedy MGM 6-13-53 ± 

1488 Affairs of Messalina, Tlie (108) Drama... Col 6-27-53 + 

1555 Alaska Seas (78) Drama Para 2- 6-54 — 

1497 All American, The (S3) Drama U-l 7-25-53 + 

1486 All I Desire (791/2) Drama U-l 6-20-53 + 

1524 All the Brothers Were Valiant (101) 

Adv-Drama 

MGM 10-17-53 H 

1555 Annapurna (58) Documentary. .Mayer-Kingsley 2- 6-54 + 

1527 Apsointment in Honduras (80) Drama... RKO 10-31-53 — 

1573 Arrow in the Dust (80) Drama AA 4-17-54 + 

1488 Arrowhead (105) Superwestern Para 6-27-53 + 

+ 

B 

1544 Bad for Each Other (83) Drama Col 12-26-53 i 

l,S17Back to God's Country (78) Drama U-l 9-26-53 + 

1562 Bait (79) Drama Col 2-27-54 ± 

1508 Bandits of the West (54) Western Rep 8-22-53 + 

1496 Band Wajon, The (112) Musical MGM 7-18-53 ff 

1562 Battle of Rogue River (71) Drama. Col 2-27-54 ± 

1573 Beauties of the Night (84) Comedy UA 4-17-54 ff 

1553 Beachhead (89) Drama U 1-30-54 + 

1564 Beat the Devil (S9) Drama UA 3- 6-54 — 

1511 Beggar's Opera, The (94) Mas-Corn WB 9- 5-53++ 

1542 Beneath the 12- Mile Reef (102) Drama 

(Cinemascope) 20th-Fox 12-13-53 ++ 

1528 Bigamist, The (78) Drama Filmakcrs 10-31-53 — 

Big Chase, The (..) Drama LP 

1518 Big Heat, The (89) Drama Col 9-26-53 + 

1496Big Leaguer (71) Comedy-Drama MGM 7-18-53 + 

Big Rainbow, The (..) Drama RKO 

1566 Bitter Creek (74) Western AA 3-13-54 + 

Black Glove (84) Drama LP 

Black Horse Canyon (..) Drama U-l 

1576 Blackout (87) Drama LP 4-24-54 ± 

1512 Blades of the Musketeers (57) Drama.. Howco 9- 5-53 — 

1515 Blowing Wild (90) Drama WB 9-19-53 ++ 

1499 Blueprint for Murder, A (76) Drama. 20th-Fox 8- 1-53 + 

1547 Border River (81) Western U-l 1- 9-54 ± 

1520 Botany Bay (94) Drama Para 10- 3-53 + 

1551 Both Sides of the Uw (94) Drama U-l 1-23-54 + 

Bowery Boys Meet the Monsters (..) 

Comedy 

AA 

1550 Boy From Oklahoma, The (88) Drama WB 1-16-54 + 

c 

1504 Caddy, The (95) Comedy Para 8- 8-53 +f 

1528 Calamity Jane (101) Musical WB 10-31-53 ++ 

1565 Captain John Smith and Pocahontas 

(76) Drama UA 3-13-54 — 

Captain Kidd and the Slave Girl 

( . . ) Drama UA 

Captain Scarface (72) Drama Astor 

1518 Captain Scarlett (75) Drama UA 9-26-53 ± 

1530 Captain's Paradise, The (77) Comedy UA 11- 7-53 ff 

1570 Carnival Story, The (95) Drama RKO 3-27-54 + 

1563 Casanova's Big Night (85) Comedy Para 3-6-54 + 

1574 Cat Women of the Moon (64) Drama.. Astor 4-17-54 ± 

1535 Cease Fire! (75) Documentary Para 11-28-53 ++ 

1517 Champ for a Day (90) Drama Rep 9-26-53 * 

1492 Charge at Feather River, The (96) Sup-West 

(Three-dimension) WB 7-11-53 ++ 

1544 Charge of the Uncers (74) Drama Col 12-26-53 ±: 

1512 China Venture (83) Drama Col 9-5-53 + 

1488 City of Bad Men (83) Western 20th-Fox 6-27-53 ± 

1535 Clipped Wings (65) Comedy AA 11-28-53 + 

L519 Combat Squad (72) Drama Col 10- 3-53 ± 

1552 Command, The (94) Drama (CinemaScope) . WB 1-23-54 ++ 

L510 Conquest of Cochise (70) Westtrn Col 8-29-53 + 

i542 Conquest of Everest, The (78) Doc UA 12-19-53 + 

.548 Cowboy, The (69) Documentary LP 1- 9-54 + 

.520 Crazylcgs' (88) Drama Rep ID- 3-53 + 

.558 Creature From the Black lagoon 

(89) Drama (Three-dimension) U-l 2-13-54 +

REVIEW DIGESr 

fl Very Good; 

' Good; Fair; Poor; = Very Poor In tKe summory W is rotod 2 pluses, — at 2 minuses. 

1 

= 1 s|l*.-=i 

xa; la.S Izo I 

1550 Gorilla at Urge (S3) Drama 

(Three-dimtnsion) 20th-Fox 5- 

8-54 + 

5-53 + 

1537 G/eat Diimond Robb«ry (69) Cooiedy. . .aGM 12- 

1531 Great Gllbtrt and Su!li>an, Th« (112) 

Mnlcal 

UA U-14.S3 H 

SS06 Great J(ue Jama Raid (73) Drama LP 8-15-53 + 

1489 Gttat Sioux linriilni), Tlia (80) Drama U-l 7- 4-53 + 

1552 GrealBt Lovt. The (116) 

(American Dialog) Drama I.F.E. 1-23-54 -f 

5- 8-54 ± 

1579 Guilt Is My Shadow (86) Drama. .Stratford 

1496 Gun Belt (77) Western UA 

7-13-53 -^ 

1525 Gyn Fury (83) Superwestem 

(Thret-dlmension) Col 10-24-53 H 

1553 Gypsy Colt (72) Drama MGM 1-30-54 + 

+ -I- 

+f 

± 

+ 

+ + 

+ ± 

+f 

->- + 5+ 

5+5- 

-(- ++ H 13+ 

3+3- 

+ + * 7+1- 

± + 3+8- 

- 1+2- 

+ + ± fr+1- 

W tt + llH-1- 

n + 7+1- 

H 

ISOO Half a Hero (75) Comedy MGM 8- 1-53 + 

1490Hannili Lee i78) Western. .Jack Broder Prod. 7- 4-53 + 

Heat Ware (.) Drama LP 

1548 Heidi (97) Drama UA 1- 9-54 ++ 

1556 Hell and High Water (103) Drama 

(CinemaScore) 29t*-F(W 2- 6-54 ++ 

Hell Below Zero (..) Drama Col 

1558 Hell's Halt Acre (91) Drama Re» 2-13-54 ± 

1580 Hell Raiders of the Deep (93) 

Documentary I.F.E. 5- 8-54 + 

1526 Here Come the Glrli (78) Mosical Para 10-24-53 -H 

1553 Highway Dragnet (72) Drama AA 1-30-54 ± 

1493 Hindu, The (83) Ferria 7-11-53 + 

1545 His Majesty OKeefa (88) Drama WB 1- 2-54 + 

Hollywood Thrlll-Makert (60) Drama LP 

Home From the Sea (..) Drama AA 

1536 Hondo (83) Drama (Three-dimension) WB 12- 5-53 -1+ 

1551 Horse's Mouth. Tile (77) 

Comedy Mayar-Klrmslay 1-23-54 + 

1533 Hot News (eflf/a) Drama AA 11-28-53 + 

1477 HoiidinI (106) Drama Para 5-23-53 + 

1332 How to Marry a Millionaire (95) Drama 

(CinemaSeop*) 20tli-Foit U-14-53 ++ 

1494 Hundred Hour Hunt (84) Drama Grethler 7-11-53 ± 

I 

1479 1 •lleve in Yoa (91) Drama U-l 5-30-53 -H- 

1498 I. the Jury (87) Drama UA 7-2S-5S + 

157S Indiscretion of an Amffltan Wife 

(64) Drama Col 4-24-54 + 

1498 Infvoa (83) Suf-Wtft (Tln'aedimension) 

20tk-Fox 7-25-53 -H 

1S69 Iron Gl0»t. The (77) Drama Col 3-27-54 + 

1504 Island In th< Sky (109) Drama WB t- B-SS * 

1550 It Should Happen ta You (87) Omady .Cai 1-16-54 + 

1508 It Started in Paradise (88) Drama Aslar S-2X-S3 + 

J 

1526 Jack Slada (89) Drama AA 10-24-53 + 

1S29 Jmnifcr (73) Drama AA U- 7-5J — 

19S4 Jma James •>. the Oattona (65) Wcatem. Cnl 1-30-54 + 

I5S2JlTaro (92) Drama Para 1-23-54 + 

1320 Joe Lmli Story, Tho (8B) Drama UA 10- 3-53 + 

1!;79 Johnny Guitar (110) Western Rep 5-8-54* 

1551 Jubilee Trail (103) Drama Rep 1-23-54 •(+ 

l-»4 Julius Caesar (122) Historical Drama. MGM 6-13-53 -H 

K 

1496 Kid From Lett Field, The (80) 

+ + ± + 14 

+ * + * 

H- tt 

7+2- 

5+2- 

4+ H -H ++ + + 12+ 

+ tt + *+ 

± :t + ±. ± ± 7+6— 

- + 2+1- 

+ + + + + + 8+ 

+ ± -ft ± ± 7+4- 

d: + + 4+1- 

H + + -H -H- + IIH- 

++ + + ff H -t 11+ 

+ + 3+ 

i: ± + 4+2- 

+ + ++++ + + 9+ 

4+ It H +f -H- ^+ 14+ 

+ + + + 5+1- 

Cmady 20tli-Fax 7-18-53 ++ -H + -H + + + 10+ 

L537KIII» Am The (68) Drama Cot 12- 5-53 * ± ± * ± - 5+6- 

1354 Klllifs From Spaca (71) Drama RKO 1-30-54= — ± + - ± 3+6- 

1543 King o« the Khybar RinH (99) Drama 

(CInemaScooa) ... 20tli-Fo« l>-»6-BS |l + + + -tt + + 9+ 

15]« Kite Me Kate (109) Moiittl 

i: + 

* ± ± 

± ± ± + H 

44 

— ± 

(Thrce-dimeniimi) MGM 11- 7-53 ++ -ft « H H •(+ + 13+ 

1345 Knigkti of the Round Tahle (12

I 

W Very Good; + Good; - Foir; — Poor; — Very Poor. In the summary H- is rated 2 pluses, = as 2 minuses. 

RCYlcW U GEST 

1S56 Personal Affair (82) Drama UA 2- 6-54 + 

1664 PKantom of ttie Rue Moriue (84) 

(Three-dimension) WB 3- 6-54 -|- 

Phaotom Stallion (54) Western Rep 

1574 Pickwicl< Papers (109) Comedy M-K 4-17-54 -H 

1575 Playgirl (85) Drama U-l 4-24-54 ± 

1503 Plunder of (te Son (82) Drama WB 8- 8-53 -t- 

1570 Pride of the Blue Grass (70) Drama AA 3-27-54 it 

Princess of the Nile (..) Drama. .20ti)-Fox 

1571 Prince Valiant (100) Drama 

(CinemaScooe) 20th-Fox 4-10-54 ff 

1528 Prisoners of the Cashah (78) Drana Col 10-31-53 — 

1569 Prisoner of War (81) Drama MGM 3-27-54 ± 

Prirate Eyes (64) Comedy AA 

1511 Project Moon Bate (63) Draaia LP 9- 5-53 — 

1541 Project M-7 (86) Drana U-l 12-19-53 ± 

-f ± 

H 

+ -I- 

-(- -f -I- 

5+1- 

frfZ- 

+ H- + 6+ 

- + 4-f4- 

-)- ++ ± 4 8+2- 

+ ± -)- 6+3- 

Q 

1541 Queen of Staeba (99) Drama LP 12-19-53 -|- 

1567 Queen's Royal Tour, A (S4) Documentary. .UA 3-20-54 -|- 

R 

1570 Raeino Blood (76) Drama 20th-Fax 3-27-54 ± 

1568 Rails Into Laramie (82) Drama U-l 3-20-54 -|- 

1558 Red Carta's (90) Musical Para 2-13-54 -H 

1545 Red River Shore (54) Western Rep 1- 2-54 -f 

1499 Return to Paradise (89) Drama UA 8- 1-53 -f- 

1560 Rhapsody (115) Husicsil-Drama MGM 2-20-54 ff 

1555 Ride Clear of Diablo (SO) Drama U-l 2-6-54-)- 

1552 Riders to the Stan (81) Drama UA 1-23-54 -J- 

1486 Ride, Vaquero! (90) Western MGM 6-20-53 ± 

1566 Riding Shotgun (84) Western WB 3-13-54 ± 

K57 Riot in Cell Blotk 11 (SO) Drama AA 2-13-54 -H- 

Ring of Fear (..) Drama (CinemaScope). .WB 

Breer Beat (..) Drama LP 

1576 River of No Return (90) Drama 

(Cinemascope) 20th-Fox 4-24-54 -ff 

1536 Rob Roy, the Highland Rogus (84) Drama. RKO 11-28-53 4- 

1518 Robe, th« (135) Drama (CS) 20th-Fox 9-26-53 +t 

Robot Monster (62) Drama 

(Three-dimension) 

Astor 

1578 Rocket Man, The (SO) Drama 20Ui-Fox 5-1-54-)- 

1489 Roman Holiday (119) Comedy Para 7- 4-53 + 

1564 Rose Marie (102) Musical (CinemaScope). UGM 3- 6-54 -|^ 

1519 Royal African Rifles (75) Drama AA 10- 5-53 -|- 

S 

15«73aadla (82) Drama MGM 1- 9-54 ± 

1513 Sabre Jet (96) Drama UA 9-12-53 -f 

1512 Saginaw Trail (56) Western Col 9- 5-53 =t 

1502 Sailor of the King (83) Drama 20th-Fox 8- 1-53 + 

1568 Saint's Girl Friday, The (68) Drtima RKO 3-20-54 -f 

1573 Salt of the Earth (94) Documentary IPC 4-17-54 + 

Saracen Blade (..) Drama Col 

1562 Saskatchewan (88) Drama U-l 2-27-54 ± 

1567 Scarlet Siiear, The (78) Drama UA 3-20-54 + 

1525 Sea of Lost Ships (85) Drama Rep 10-24-53 ± 

1495 Second Chance (S2) Drama 

(Three-dimension) RKO 7-1S-53 -)- 

K09 Secret Conclave, The (80) 

(American Dialog) Drama I.F.E. 8-29-53-)- 

Secrct of the Incas ( . . ) Drama Para 

Sensualita (91) Drama 

(American Dialog) I.F.E. 

B40Shadow Man (77) Drana LP 12-12-53 i: 

1522 Shadows of Tombstone (54) Westero Rep 10-10-53 + 

1467 Shane (117) Western Para 4-18-53 +f 

1531 Shark River (80) Drama UA 11-14-53 -)- 

1549 She Couldn't Say No (89) Comedy RKO 1-16-54 + 

1568 Siege at Red River. The (86) 

Drama 20th-Fox 3-20-54 f). 

Siege, The (..) Drama LP 

Silver Lode, The (..) Drama RKO 

1533 Sins of Jezebel (75) Drama LP 11-21-53 -f 

1507 Sky Commando (69) Drama Col 8-22-53 ± 

1515 Slavu of Babylon, The (82) Drama Col 9-19-53-)- 

i411 Snows of Kilimanjaro (114) Drama. .20tJi-Fra 9-27-52 ff 

.522 So Big (101) Drama WB 10-10-53 ff 

.511 So Little Time (88) Drama MacDonild 9- 5-53 ± 

.495 S« This It Love (101) Musical WB 7-18-53 ++ 

523 Something Money Can't Buy (82) Comedy.. U-l 10-17-53 ± 

536 Song o( the Land (71) Documentary UA 11-28-53 -)- 

571 Southwest Passage (82) Drama 

(Three-dimension) UA 4-10-54 -f 

490S«icmys (76) Drama LP 7- 4-53 + 

473Slala, 17 (120) Draaa Para 5.9-53+1 

36 Stand at Atach* Unr. Tta (77) 

Sa»BTn$t»a g., 8-15-S3 -)- 

ipXOFnCE BoolrinGuide : : May 15, 1954

Let 

Wayne 

Johnnv 

j 

Dan 

5 

' 

Leo 

Oscar 

I Barry 

. . .D. 

. 

. 

D. 

. 

. 

. .M. 

, 4 

. 

f Pf)rUJl£ DIJi]i)T 

1 

Feoturc productions by company in order of release. Number in squore is national release date. Running 

time is in parentheses. Letters and combinations thereof indicate story type os follows: (C) Comedy; (D) 

Dramo; (AD) Adventurc-Oroma; (CD) Comedy-Drama; (F) Fantasy; (M) Musical; (W) Western; (SW) Superwestern. 

Release number follows. denotes BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award Winner. Photography: 

Q Color; u.iril. Veronica Hursl. Itoy Glenn 

i} Yellow Balloon (80) D . . 5430 

.\mlre\v Itiy. Kathleen Ryan, Kenneth More 

n)Hot News (6O1/2) D..5327 

Stanley Clrmenls. (iloria Henry. Ted Deforila 

ii Jennifer (73) D..5407 

Ida Liipino. Howard Duff, Kobert Nichols 

[8] Jack Slade (89) D . . 5406 

Mark Sleien.^. Hornthy Malone, Bartim .MacLane 

jl Vigilonte Terror (70) W. .5422 

Wild Hill Kllliitt, .Mary Ellen Kay. 0. Wallace 

I 

S ©Fighter Attack (80) D. .5402 

Sterlini; Hayden, Joy Page, Naish 

J. Carrol 

S 6] Private Eyes (64) C. .5321 

CO Gorcey. Hnntz Hall, Joyce Holden 

j 

^ 33 Texas Bad Man (62) W . 

r^ 

j 

. 5335 

Morris, Elaine Riley, Myron Healey 

COLUMBIA 

61 6 

From Here to Eternity 1 1 1 8) . . . . D . . 

Hurt l,;irii\i>t.'r, .Mi.iiti;Nniery Cllft, D. Kerr 

©Conquest of Cochise (70). . . . W. .610 

.hihii IlDdl.ik. Uolierl Slack, Joy I'age 

China Venture (83) D.. 609 

Kilninnit O'Brien. B;trry Sullivan. Jucelyn Brando 

Sky Commando (69) 

D. .61 I 

Dan Din-yei. Francis Glfford, Touch Conners 

Saginaw Trail (56) . .W. .576 

Gene .\titry. Smiley Burnette, Connie Marshal! 

Big Heat, The (90) D. .615 

Glenn Ford. Gloria Grahanie. Uohert Burton 

©Slaves of Babylon, The (82). . D. .612 

. 

Itlcharcl Conte. Linda Christian. Terry Kilhurn 

Combot Squad (72) D. .613 

.hilKi Ireland. Lon McCallisler. Hal March 

©N/Gun Fury (83) SW. .617 

liock 

Last 

Ilinlsoii. 

of the 

Diinna 

Pony 

Hied, 

Riders 

I'hil 

(59). 

Carev 

. . W . .573 

Gene .\utiy. Smiley Burnette. Kathleen Case 

Paris Model (81) D. .621 

Paulelle Goddard. Marilyn Maxwell. K*a Gabur 

©Prisoners of the Cosbah (78).. D.. 622 

Cesar Konierti. Gloria Grahame. Turhan Bey 

Killer Ape, The (68) AD. .626 

Jolinny Weissmuller. Carol 'illurston. .M. Paltner 

\y©Nebraskan, The (68) D. .618 

Phil Carey, IJoherta llaynes. Wallace Ford 

LIPPERT 

Li] Project Moon Base (63) D. .5315 

Donna Marlell. Ifiiss Ford. Hayden Horke 

[0] Normon Conquest (79) D. .5303 

Tom Conway, Eva Bartok 

(a Undercover Agent (69) D. .5306 

Permot Walsh. Hazel Court 

m The Fighting Men (63) D . . 5222 

Kossano Itrazzl. Claudine Diipuis 

H Shadow Man (77) 

D..5316 

Cesar Romero. Kay Kendall, V. .Madcrn 

@ ©Sins of Jezebel (75) D . . 5225 

Paulette Gixidard. George .\ader. John IloyI 

H Mon From Cairo, The (83)... 

George Raft. Gianna Maria Canale. 

D. .5302 

M. Serato 

B Terror Street (83) D. .5304 

Dan Diiryea. Elsy Alblin. Ann Gudrun 

H] Limping Man (76) D. .5318 

Lloyd Bridges. .Muira Lister. Alan Wlieatley 

M-G-M 

4J Holf a Hero (75) C. .401 

Red Skelton. Jean Hagen, Charles Dingle 

H Terror on a Train (72) D . . 402 

Glenn Ford. Anne Vernon. Maurice Denham 

@ Actress, The (90) CD . . 403 

Spencer Tracy, Jean Simmons, Teresa Wright 

S ©Mogombo (119) 

D..404 

Clark Gable. .\va Gardner, Grace Kelly 

@ UToreh Song (90) D . . 405 

Joan Crawloril. Mirliael Wililing. Gig Voung 

a ©Take the High Ground! (101). .D. .406- 

Rich.ard Widmark. Karl Maiden, E. Stewart 

El ©All the Brothers Were Valiant 

(101) AD. .4071 

Robert Taylor, Stewart Granger, Ann Blj1h 

] ©xYKiss Me Kote ( 1 09) M . . 4081 

Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Ann .Miller 

[4] ©Escape From Fort Bravo (98). . D. .409 

William Holden, Eleanor Parker, John Forsythel 

l©Easy to Love (96) M..410 

Esther Williams. Van Johnson. Tony Marks 

>-jg Golden Idol, The (71) D..5315 

°^ I 

Sheffield. .\nne Kimhell. P. Cuilfovle 

gj Yukon Vengeance (68) D . . 533 

I 

2 

^ 

I 

Kirhy Grant, (\irol Ttinrston. Monte Hale 

Igt] World for Ransom (82) D..5408 

Duryea, Gene Lockhart, Patrlc Knowles 

Highwoy Drognet (72) D . . 5405 

Joan Bennett. Richard Conte, Wanda Hendrk 

ca !j BIMer Creek (74) W. .5423 

Wild Bill Elliott, Beverly Garland, C. Young 

S Riot in Cell Block 11 (80) . 

.3-1 

Neville Brand. Bmile Meyer, Frank Faylen 

m Paris Ployboys (62) C. .5418 

p^ 

Goreey. Hunt/, Hall. Viola Volin 

2^ la Mr. Potts Goes to Moscow (93) C..5400 

' 

«^ Hiiniolka. .N'adla Gray. George Cole 

S 21 ©Dragonfly Squadron (83) . . . D . . 5-2 

*=• 

.lolui llmllak. Barbara Brllton. Bruce Bennett 

3i Loophole (79) D. .5414 

Sullivan, Doruthy Malone, C. McGraw 

g] ©Pride of the Blue Gross (70). .D. .5410 

Lloyd BrldBe.i. Vera Miles, M. Sheridan 

S| ©Arrow in the Oust (80) D..5404 

Sterling Hayden. Coleen Gray. Keith Larsen 

9] Forty-Niners, The (7O1/2) W..5424 

Wild Bill Klliolt, Vireinla Grey. Denver Pyle 

gj Bowery Boys Meet the Monsters 

(..) C. .5419 

Leo Gorcey, lluniz Hall, Laura ,Ma.son 

m Desperado. The (. .) W. .5426 

WayiH .MurrK. Beverly Garland, J. Lydon 

12 Home From th« Sea ( . . ) D . . 5409 

Jan SterUnc, Neville Brand, Roherl Arthur 

©Africon Fury Doc . . 

Boot Hill W. . 

Wild Kill Klltull 

©Ghost of O'Leary, The D . 

Yumne hvCarl". David Mven, B, KllJicerald 

Jungle Gents C. . 

[.,(•0 Goree>. Hunt/, Hall 

Quontrill's Raiders W . 

Wild Bill 

Klllr.tt 

Two Guns and a Badge W. . 

W-iyne MiiirK. Iiamlan O'Klynn, K. Barcrofl 

Wanted by the F.B.I D. . 

John Ireland, Dorotli)' .Malone, Keith Larsen 

Bod for Each Other (83) D.. 624 

Charlton lleston, Lizaheth Scott, D. Foster 

©\»'Drums of Tahiti (73) D. .628 

I'.itrieia Medina. Dennis O'Keefe. F. L. Sullivan 

El Alomein (67) D . . 620 

Scott Brady. Edward .Ashley. Rita .Miirena 

©Paratrooper (87) D. .619 

.Man Uidd. Susan Stephen. Leo Genn 

. 623 

©Charge of the Lancers (74).. D. 625 

Paulette Goddard, .lean Pierre .\umont 

©>3'Miss Sadie Thompson (91). . .630 

Rita Hayworth. .\ldo Itay. Jose Ferrer 

(Special prerelease) 

Wild One, The (79) D . 

.Marlon Brando. .Mary Murphy, Robert Keith 

Boif (79) D. .639 

Cli-ii MiMire. John .\ttar. Hugo Haas 

D. .637 

©Bottle of Rogue River (71). . . 

George Montgomery. .Martha Hyer. R. Denning 

It Should Happen to You (87). .C. .631 

Judy Holliday. Peter l^wford. Jack Lemmon 

Drive a Crooked Road (82). . . .0. .638 

Mickey Rnoney. Dianne Foster, Kevin McCarthy 

©Iron Glove, The (77) D..634 

Robert Slack, I'rsula I'heiss. R. Stapley 

©\)^Jesse James vs. the Doltons 

(65) W. .629 

Brett King. B.iibura Lawrence. James Griffith 

yMad Magician, The (72) D..640 

Vincent Price. .Mary Murphy, Eva Gabor 

Massacre Canyon (66) W. .635 

I'hll Carey, .Vudrey Totter, Charlit.l 

Miami Story, The (75) D. .641 

Barry Sullivan, .\dele Jergens. Luther Adler 

Indiscretion of on Americon 

Wife (64) D. .636 

Jenidfer .lones, .Montgomery Cllft. V. DeSIca 

©Hell Below Zero (..) D. . 

Alan lîild. Joan Tetzcl, Basil Sidney 

©Soracen Blade ( . . ) D . . 

RIcardo .Monlalban, Bella St. John 

©Black Knight, The D . 

Alan L.i.ld. Palrlna .Medhia 

©Coine Mutiny, The D. . 

Humi)llrey Bogart, Van Johnson, Jose Ferrer 

Father Brown CD. . 

Alee Guinness, .loan (Jrecnwood 

©Fire Over Africa D. . 

M.ioreen tlllaia. Macdonjild Carey 

Human Desire D. . 

Gloria Graliame, Gleroi Fortl, B, (>awfurd 

©oLong Grey Line, The D . . 

Tyrone Power. Maurei'U O'Hara 

\yMain Event D . 

Brodi'rlek Crawford, Itnherta Hayncs 

©Outlaw Stollion, The D. . 

Phil Carey, Dorolhy Patrick 

©They Rode West D . . 

Iliil>eil Francis. Donna Reed, Phil Cjirey 

©riThroe for tho Show M. . 

Belly Grable. Marge and (lower Cliatnplon 

m White Fire (82) D. .5317 

Scott Brady. Mary Castle, Eerdy Mayne 

@ Hollywood Thrill-Makers (69). . D. .5321 

James (llcasun. Bill Henry 

a Block Glove (84) D . . 5305 

Ale.K 

Nicol 

HI Queen of Shebo (99) D . . 5325 

Special cast 

63 We Want a Child (76) D . 5324 

Special cast 

m Blackout (87) D. .5309 

Dane Clark. Belinda Lee, B. A. Davles 

B] Fangs of the Wild (71) D..5311 

Charles Chaplin jr.. .\Iargla Dean 

H Heat Wove (..) D..5310 

.«ex .N'icol, Hillary Brooke 

li River Beat (..) D.. 

Phyllis Kirk. John Bentley 

Terror Ship ( . . ) (3 D . . 

Si] ( . 

William Londlgan 

The Big Chase, 

. ) D . . 5328 

Lon Clianey, Gleiui Langan 

a Poid to Kill ( . . ) D . . 5326 

Dane Clark 

Siege, The S ( . . ) D . . 5323 

Special cast 

Deodly Gome, The D. .5402 

Ll.iyil Hi Idol's. Flnlay Curric 

Race for Life, A D . . 5403 

Uicliaril Conte. Marl .VIdon 

Unholy Four, The D. .5401 

Paulelle Goddiird 

til ©Give a Girl a Break (82). . .412 

Marge and Gower Champion, Debbie Reyonlds 

51 U©oKnights of the Round Toble 

(126) D. .413 

Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner. Mel Ferrer 

g Great Diamond Robbery (69) .... C .. 4 1 4 

Red Skelton, dm Wlllianus, Dorolhy Stlckn ey 

[l]©Soadia (82) D. .415 

Cornel Wilde. Mel Ferrer. Rita Gam 

SI 0©Long, Long Trailer, The 

(103) C. .416 

Lucille Ball. Desi Arnaz.. Marjorie Main 

Julius Caesar ( 1 22) D . . 462 

Marlon Brando. James Mason. Louis Calhern 


S] ©Tennessee Chomp (73) D. .417 

Dewey Martin. Shelley Winters, Keenaii Wyiin 

H ©oRose Marie ( 1 02) M . 

Ann Blyth. Howard Keel, Fernando Lamas 

m ©Gypsy Colt (72) D. .41 

Donna Corcoran, Ward Bond, Fr-uices Dee 

Sll ©Rhapsody (115) MD.,420 

Elizabeth Taylor, Vlttorio Gassman. J. Erirson 

William Holden. Barbara Stanwyck, J. Allysun 

, 

. 421 J| 

@ Monster From the Oceon Floor 

54j ©Prisoner of Wor (81) D..427 

Itonald Reagan. Dewey Martin, Forrest (. .) D. .5328 

Steve 

Anne Kimhell. Stuart Wade 

m ©The Cowboy (69) Doc. . 5308 

Narrators: Tex Bitter, Bill Conrad, lohn Deliner 

m ©Flame and the Flesh ( 1 04) D . 

Lana Turner, Carlos Thompson, Pier Angell 

Ii]©Men of the Fighting Lady (80) D. .425 

Van Johnson, liewey Martin. Waller IMdjieon 

I ©oStudent Prince, The ( . ) M 

. . 

Ann Blyth, Bdmiind I'urdom . John Ericson 

©oAthena M . 

J;inc I'u\mII. VIo It.-imonc, Debbie Keynolds 

©Beau Brummell D. 

Kllz;ilH'th 'i;tylor, Stewart GranEcr 

©Betrayed D. .428 

I*in;i Tiirrnr. Cliirk (iable. Victor Mature 

©cnBridc for Seven Brothers, A.M.. 

Jane rortill. Himanl Ivi'el. Stete Punesl 

©oBrigodoon MD. .430 

tJene Kelly, Vim .lolinson. Cyd Chiirlsse 

Crest of the Wave D. . 

(Wuv K.Ilv. .lohn Jusllii, Jeff Richards 

©Her Twelve Men CD. ,429 

(Jri'cr (;ar^;on. ItnlMTt Uyaii 

©Invitation to the Donee M. . 

(iene Kelly. Itollla. Tamiira Toiimanova 

©Lost Time I Sow Paris, The. . . .D. . 

Ktiz;ih(Ih Tayliir. Van Johnson, Donna Ron! 

©Volley of the Kings D..427 

lioluTt Taylor. KU-anor I'arkor. Carlos Thomi'son 

1

.C 

. 

, 

. 

. 

. 

. 

21 

FEATURE 

CHART 

PARAMOUNT 

URomon Holiday (119) D. .5301 

Grepoiv Peck. .Viiilrey Hepburn. Eddie .\lbert 

Coddy. The (95) C..5302 

iH'aii .Marlin. Jerry Lewis, Donna Reed 

RKO RADIO 

REPUBLIC 

[DEI Paso Stampede (54) W..5244 

.\llan "Rocky" Lane. Phyllis Coatcs, E. Waller 

! Shadows of Tombstone (54) . . . W. .5233 

Rex .\llen. Jeanne Cooper, Slim Pickens 

» 20TH CENTURY-FOX 

©City of Bod Men (82) SW . 

. 328 

Uale Itubertson, Jeanne Crain, Lloyd Bridges 

Blueprint for Murder, A (76). . . .D. .332 

Joseph Cotten. Jean Peters, Gary Merrill 

Mr. Scoutmaster (87) C. .331 

Clifton Webb, Frances Dee. George Winslow 

9Wor of the Worlds, The (85). D. .5303 

Gene Barry. .\nna llnbinson, Les Tremayne 

Little Boy Lost (95) D. .5304 

Bins Ciusliy. Clamle Dauphin, Nicole Maurey 

©\' Those Redheads From Seattle 

(90) M. .5305 

lilionda Fleming. Guy Mitchell, Teresa Brener 

. . . . 405 

^^ ©Appointment in Honduras 

(80) D. .406 

.\nn Slierid:ui. Glenn Ford. Zachary Scott 

Doc 51 ©x^Louisiana Territory (65) . 

Val Winter. Leo Zinser, Julian Meister 

@ Marry Me Again (73) C. 404 

Marie Wilson. Robert Cummings, Jess Barker 

USaRobe, The (135) D..335 

Victor Mature, Richard Burton, Jean Simmons 

(Prerelease) 

Thy Neighbor's Wif^ (77) D. .333 

Hugo Haas, Cleo Moore, Ken Carlton 

Vicki (85) D..334 

Jeanne Crain, Casey Adams, Jean Peters 

O 

r-> 

O 

00 

©Botany Boy (9-4) D . . 5307 

.Man Laild. .laracs Mason. Patricia Medina 

t9\"Flight to Tangier (90) D . . 5306 

.li>an Fontaine. Jack Palanee. Corinnc- Calvet 

Js! ©Decameron Nights (87) CD. .461 

Joan Fontaine, Louis Jourdan, Binnie Barnes 

^©cdHow to Marry a Millionaire 

(95) CD. .336 

Betty Grable, Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall 

©Inferno (83) (2-D) SW..346 

Rhonda Fleming, W. Lundigan, Robert Ryan 

O 

< 

DOm 

TO 

©Here Come the Girls (78). . . .M. .5309 

Bob Hope, .\rlene Pahl. Tony Martin 

SU Red River Shore (54) W.. 

Rex .\llen. Slim Pickens, Lyn Thomas 

51 Champ for a Day (90) CD. .521 

.\lex Nicol, Audrey Totter, Charles Winninger 

©oBeneoth the 12-Mile Reef 

(102) D. .337 

Robert Wagner, Terry Moore, Gilbert Roland 

Man Crazy (79) D . . 339 

Neville Brand, Christine White, Coleen Miller 

Man in the Attic (82) D . . 340 

Jack Palanee. Constance Smith, Byron Palmer 

Om 

r-> 

DOm 

TO 

f Cease Fire! (75) Doc. .5308 

Korea Documentary 

Forever Female (93) C. .5226 

Ginger Rogers, William Holden. Paul Douglas 

©Jivaro (92) D. .5311 

Fernando Lamas, Rhonda Fleming. Brian Keith 

! Killers From Space (71) D. .409 

Peter Gr.ives. Barbara Bestar. James Seay 

(H Trent's Last Case (90) D . . 521 

Michael Wilding, Margaret Lockwood. 0. Welles 

©oKing of the Khyber Rifles 

(99) D. .401 

Tyrone Power. Terry Moore, .Michael Rennie 

©Three Young Texans (80) . . . D. .402 

. 

.Mitzi Gaynor. Jeff Hunter, Keefe Brasselle 

> 

TO -< 

Alaska Seas (78) D. .5313 

Robert Ryan. Jan Sterling. Brian Keith 

©^Money From Home (1 00) . . . 531 

Dean -Martin. Jerry Lewis, Pat Crowley 

. 407 

dl ©^French Line, The ( 1 02) M . 

Jane Russell, Gilbert Roland, J. .McKenzie 

gl She Couldn't Say No (89) C. .408 

Jean Simmons, Robert Mitchum, A. Hunnicutt 

M ©Rob Roy, the Highland Rogue 

(84) D. .494 

Richard Todd, Glynis Johns, Finlay Curiie 

H Sea of Lost Ships (85) D. .5213 

John Derek. Wanda Hendrix. Walter Brennan 

iiSl Phantom Stallion (54) W. .5331 

Bex Allen. Carla Balenda, Slim Picteis 

SSCraiylegs (88) D..5224 

Lloyd Nolan. Joan Vohs. Elroy fcsch 

©DHell and High Woter (1 03) . . D 

. 

. 403 

Richard Widmark. Bella Darvi. David Wayne 

©Miss Robin Crusoe (75) D..338 

Amanda Blake. George Nader, Rosalind Hayes 00 

TO 

c 

> 

TO 

< 

©Naked Jungle, The (93) D. .5315 

Chailtim Hestnn, Eleanor Parker, W. Conrad 

©Red Garters (90) M..53I4 

Rosemary Clooney. Jack Carson. Guy Mitchell 

[E ©-^Dangerous Mission (75) D..410 

Victor Mature, Piper Laurie. William Bendix 

[2 Flight Nurse (90) D..5301 

Joan Leslie, Forrest Tucker. Jeff Donnell 

©aNew Faces (98) M..409 

Eartha Kitt. Ronny Graham, Robert Clary 

©Night People (93) D. .407 

Gregory Peck, Broderick Crawford, A. Bjork 

©Racing Blood (76) D. .410 

Bill Williams, Jean Porter, Jimmy Boyd 

> 

TO 

©Casanova's Big Night (85) . . . C . .531 6 

Bob Hope. Joan Fontaine. Basil Rathbone 

m Saint's Girl Friday, The (68). . . D. .411 

Louis Hayward. Naomi Chance, Sidney Tafler 

©Carnival Story, The (95) D . 

Anne Baxter. Steve Cochran, Lyle Bettger 

a Geroldine (90) CD . . 5302 

Mala Powers. John Carroll, Kristine Miller 

©Laughing Anne (91) D..5305 

Wendell Corey. Margaret Lockwood, F. Tucker 


m Untamed Heiress, The (70) C. .5325 

Judy Canoâ. Donald "Red" Barry 

©Prince Valiant (100) D, .411 

Robert Wagner. Janet Leigh, James Mason 

Rocket Mon, The (80) D. .412 

Charles Coburn. Spring Bylngton, G. Wmslow 

©Siege at Red River, The 

(86) D. .404 

Van Johnson, Joanne Dru, Richard Boone 

> 

©Silver Lode, The D, . 

John Payne. Lizabeth Scott, Dan Duryea 

S Tobor the Great ( . . ) D . 

Charles Drake, Karin Booth, Arthur Shields 

H ©Jubilee Trail (103) W. .5303 

Vera Ralston, Forrest Tucker, Joan Leslie 

©x/Gorilla at 

©Elephant Walk ( 1 03) AD .. 53 1 7 

Elizabeth Taylor. Dana .Andrews, Peter Finch 

©Knock on Wood (103) MC. .5319 

Danny Kaye. Mai Zetterling, Darid Burns 

©Secret of the Incas (. ,) D. .5318 

Charlton Heston, Robert Young, Yma Sumac 

©Big Rainbow, The ( . . ) D . . 

Jane Russell. Gilbert Roland. Richard Egan 

©Susan Slept Here (. .) C. . 

Dick Powell, Debbie Reynolds, Glenda Farrell 

dl Hell's Holf Acre (91) D, ,5304 

Wendell Corey, B\elyn Keyes. B. Lanchester 

About Mrs. Leslie D. . 

Shirley Booth. Robert Ryan. .Uex .Nicol 

©Bridges of Toko-Ri D. . 

William Holden, Fredric March, Jllckey Eooney 

©Conquest of Space AD. . 

Waiter Brooke, William Redfield, G. Johnson 

©Living It Up C. . 

Dean .Martin. Jerry Lewis, Janet Leigh 

©Mombo D . . 

Silvana .Mangano. Shelley Winters, V. Gassman 

©Rear Window D , . 

James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Thelma Ritter 

Sabrina CD . . 

Humphrey Bogart, .\udrey Hepburn, W. Holden 

©oThree-Ring Circus C . . 

Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis. Zsa Zsa Gabor 

©Ulysses D. . 

Kirk Dougla.':. Silvana Mangano, \. Quinn 

©aWhite Christmas M. . 

Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney 

. 

229 

Americano, The D . 

Glenn Ford. Cesar Romero, Ursula Theiss 

Heavy Water 

©Jet Pilot (119) 

Doc. . 

D . . 

John Wayne. Janet Leigh. J. C. Flippen 

Sins of Rome D . 

Ludmilla Tclierina, Massimo Girotti 

©T^Son of Sinbad AD , 

Dale Robertson, Sally Forrest. Lili St. Cyr 

©This Is My Love D . 

Linda Darnell, Dan Dtirvea, Faith Domergue 

©Where the Wind Dies D. , 

Cornel Wilde, Yvonne DeCarlo, Lon Chaney 

©Johnny Guitor (110) W . . 5307 

. 

Joan Crawford. Sterling Hayden, Scott Brady 

5306 

Moke Haste to Live (90) D . 

Dorothy McOuire, Stephen McNally, P. Hem 

Mighty Melvin, The CD. . 

.Mickey Rooney 

©Outcast, The D . 

John Derek, Joan Evans, Harry Carey jr. 

©Trouble in the Glen D. . 

Margaret Lockwood, F. Tucker, V. McLaglen 

Shanghai Story D . 

Edniond O'Brien, Ruth Roman, Whit Bissell

i 

Beicrly 

,. 

. 

1 

. 

. 

9 

2- 

FEATURE 

CHART 

a. 

< 

O 

O 

liNITED ARTISTS ^Ji 

No Eseapo (76) D..53I5 

il. 

XCSobre Jet (96) D..5326 

ll.cixri suck, Coleen Gjiy, Elchird Arlcn 

a 99 River Street 183) D. .5327 

Juim I'ajne. hêlyn Kcycs. Frank Faylen 

a Joe Louij Story, The (88). . . .0. .5328 

I'oky Wallace, Hilda Slmms, Paul Slewart 

S Foke, The (80) D. .5322 

Wi*an 'n 

liinnis OKiPfe. Coleen Cray, Hugh WUllams 

g Do novon'i B rain (81) P. .5329 

Hiding (79) D..5330 

I'lul llcnrcld, Lois Maxell. Hugh Sinclair 

a Steel Lody, The (84) D. .5331 

SDrogon's Gold (70) D. .5332 

Hod Cameron, Tab Hunter, John Dchner 

a 

a 

J,.|in .\ichor, Hillary Brooke, Nod Cravath 

Villoge, The (98) 0. .5333 

Jolin JusUd, Eva Dahlbeck. Slgfrlt Btelner 

Stronger on the Prowl (82). . . D. .5335 

5336 

I'airl .Muni. Joan I»rrlng, Viltorlo Manunla 

. 

•i ij OShork River (80) D 

. 

Slme Cochran. Carole Mallbews, W. Stevens 

23 CCoptoln John Smith ond 

Pocahontas (76) D. .5337 

Anthony Uciter, Jody Lanrance, Alan Hale Jr. 

aOSong of the Land (71) Doc. .5338 

3] Yesterday and Todoy (57). .Doc. .5344 

George Jessel 

i^Coptoln's Paradise, The (77). .C. .5339 

Alec (julnness, Yronne DeCarlo, Ctlla Johnson 

[g OGreot Gilbert ond Sullivan, The 

(112) M..5341 

Maurice &ans, Robert Motley, B. Herlle 

H Wicked Woman (77) D..5345 

llirharls. Richard Egan, P. Helton 

HGo, Man, Go! (82) D..5403 

liane Clark, Harlem Glnbetrottera, I'at Breslln 

SOConquest of Everest (78) .. Dec. .5401 

Hum -Hillary Bxpeditlun 

g QRiders to the Stan (81) P. .5346 

OBeochheod (89) D. .5408 

Tony Curtis. Mary Murphy. Frank Lovejoy 

Mon Between, The (99) D. .5340 

James Ma.son. Claire Bloom, Hlldegarde Nefl 

©Overland Pacific (73) W . . 541 

Jack Miilioney, I'cggle Castle, A. Jergens 

Personal Affair (82) P. .5402 

Gene Tierney. Leo Ccnn, Glynla Johns 

GTop Banana ( 1 00) M . . 5409 

Phil Silvers. Hose Marie, Danny Scholl 

Act of Love (105) P.. 5406 

Kirk Douglns, Dany Robin, Bobert Strauss 

Bcot the Devil (89) P.. 5347 

Humphrey B'Wirt, Jennifer Jones, R. Morlcy 

OGolden Mask, The (88) P. .5412 

Van ll.flin. Wanda llendrlx. Eric Portman 

eScorlet Speor, The (78) P.. 541 

Martha Hyer, John Benlley, Morail 

Heidi (97) P.. 5405 

EMielh Slemund. Helnrtch Oretler, T. Klamcth 

©Lone Gun, Tho (73) P.. 5416 

(i'-nrKe M(tnti;omerv, Dorothy Malone 

0\l Southwest Passage (82) . . . . P. . 5415 

Rod (nmiTon. .Iranoe Iiru. John Ireland 

Queen's Royol Tour, A (84). .Poc. .5413 

Witness to Murder (83) P.. 5420 

H,irli;ir;i Slanuvck, Ciry Merrill, 0. Bandera 

OCoptoin Kidd and the Slave 

Girl (. .) P.. 

Ev.i Cihor, .^mhonv Pexter, Al.in Hale Jr. 

OYcllow Tomahawk, The (..).. P . . 

Rory Calhoun, Peggie Castle, Noah Beery 

ILong Walt, The (93) D. .5421 

An'hony Uulnn. Charlfs Ciihurn, Gene Evans 

QAdventurcs of Robinson 

Crusoe (90) D., 

flan lill.illliy, Jimes Permandcl 

Malta Story, Tho (103) P.. 

Alec Guinness, Jack Ilaukliis, Flora Bobsoa 

O Apache D . 

Burl Lanctsier. Jfan Peters 

OBarcfoot Contesso, The D. . 

ll'jmphrey Bogart, Ava Gardner, E OBrlcn 

OGog D . 

R chard Egnn. Constance Dowllng, H. Marshall 

CCrofsed Swords D. , 

Errol Klvnn, Cina Udlobrlgirla 

^Diamond, The P, 

Iirnnli O'Keefe, Margaret Sbcrldan 

GKhybsr Potrol D,. 

Rlrhiril K/tn, hiwn Addnms 

OMon With a Million (90) D.. 

(;r5Glas» Web, The (81) D..401 

Edward 0. KeblnTOn, John Forsyihe, K. Hufhes 

©Bock to God's Country (78). P.. 403 

Hock Hudson, Steve Cochran, M. Henderson 

©Veils of Bogdod (82) P. .404 

Victor Mature, Marl Blanchard, Quy Rolfe 

©Tumbleweed (80) SW. .405 

Audie Murphy, Lorl Nelson, Chill WlUa 

©Wolking My Baby Bock 

SS ©Thunder Over the Plains 

Home (95) 

M..406 (82) SW..313 

Donald O'Connor, Janet Leigh, B. Hackett Randolph Scott, Phlllla KJrk, Lex Barker 

Project M-7 (86) P. .483 

Phyllis Calvert, James Donald, Eobert Beatty 

©Border River (81) W. .409 

Joel McCrea. Yvonne DeCarlo, P. Armendarla 

Both Sides of the Law (94) P.. 

Anne Crawford. Terence Morgan, Peggy Cummins 

Forbidden (85) P.. 407 

Tony Curtis. Joanne Dm, Lyle Bettger 

©War Arrow (78) D . . 408 

Jeff Chandler, Maureen O'Hara, Susan Ball 

UOGIenn Miller Story, The 

(120) MP. .412 

James Stewart. June Allyson, George Tobias 

0>yToza, Son of Cochise (80).. P.. 410 

Bock Hudson, Barbara Bush, Gregg Palmer 

^Creature From the Black 

Lagoon (89) P.. 415 

Richard Carlson. Julia Adams, Richard Denning 

©Genevieve (86) C..481 

Dinah Sttrrldan. John Oregson. Kay Kendall 

©Ride Cleor of Diablo (80) P.. 413 

Auiile Murrihv. Dan Duryca, Susan Cabot 

©Saskatchewan (88) D. .414 

Alan Ladd. Shelley Winters, J. Carrol Nalsh 

Mo and Pa Kettle at Home (81).C. .418 

Marjorle Main. Perev Kllhrlde. Alan Mowbray 

©Roils Into Laramie (82) D..419 

Jolin Payne. Marl Blanchard, Dan Durvca 

©Yankee Posho (84) P.. 417 

Jeff Chandler, Ulionda Fleming, Lee J. Cobb 

Fireman Sove My Child (80). . . .C. .421 

Binldv llackelt. Hugh O'Briaii, Adele Jergens 

Ploygirl (85) P. .420 

Shelley Winters, Barry Sullivan, G. Palmer 

©Block Horse Conyon (..) P. .423 

Joel MrCrea. Marl Itlanehnrd. Murvyn Rye 

©Drums Across the River (..).. P.. 422 

Audle Murphy, Lh>a Gaye, Walter Brcnnaa 

©Bengal Rifles D. .434 

11. irk Hudson. Arl.ne ll.ihl 

©criBlack Shield of Falworth, The D. ,430 

Tony Curl Is. Jiini'l l.eluh 

©Dawn ot Socorro D.,431 

Rory Calhoun. I'lnir Laurie 

©For Country, The D, 

James Sle^wirt. Itu'h Roman 

Francis Joins the WACs C..427 

Donald (i'Conotir, Julia Adams, Znsu Pitts 

©Johnny Dark D,.424 

Tonv Ciirlls. IMprr Laurie, Ilka Ctinsc 

Mo and Pa Kettle Go to Wolklkl C. . 

Manorle Main, i'rtev Kill. ride, Lorl .N'flsnn 

©Magnificent Obsession P.. 528 

Jnnr Wvman, Itork Hudson, Otto Kniger 

©rnSIgn of the Pagan P. . 

Jeff Cluin'ller. Rlla Gam, Jack Palanre 

©Tongonylko P. .425 

Van H.nu). Ittilh Roman 

WARNER BROS. 

E) Island in the Sky (109) D. .301 

John Wayne, Lloyd Nolan 

H ^Moonlighter, The (77) D. .303 

Barbara Biaowyck, Fred MacMurray 

^©Beggar's Opera, The (94) . . . MC. .304 

Sir Laurence Olivier, Stanley Holloway 

[a ©Lion Is in the Streets, A (88) . . D . . 305 

James Cagney, Barbara Hale, Ann Francis 

El Blowing Wild (90) P. .306 

Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck 

gBOSo Big (lOI) P. .307 

Jane Wyman. Sterling Hayden, Nancy Olson 

(0]©Calamity Jane (101) M..311 

Doris Day, Howard Keel, AUyn McLerle 

g3©Diomond Queen (80) P.. 302 

Fernando Lamas, Arlene Dahl, Ollhert Roland 

) ©Three Soilors and a Girl (95). .M. .314 

Jane Powell, Gordon MacRae, Gene Nelson 

[Il©>yHondo (83) P. .312 

John Wayne, Geraldlne Page, Ward Bond 

BII©Hit Majesty O'Keefe (88) P. .315 

Burt Lancaster, Joan Bice. Andre Morell 

©Eddie 

! 

Cantor Story, The (116) M. .316 

Keefe Brasselle, Marilyn Ersklne, W. Rogers jr. 

S ©tnCommond, The (94) D . 

. 3 1 

Guy Madison, Joan Weldon, James Whltmore 

H ©Boy From Oklohoma, The 

(88) P.. 320 

Will Rogers jr., Nancy Olson, Lon Chaoey 

a Crime Wove (74) P . . 308 

Sterling Havden. Gene Nelson, P. Kirk 

El Duffy of Son Quentin (78) P.. 321 

Louis Hayward. Joanne Dru, Paul Kelly 

©T^Phontom of the Rue 

Morgue (84) D,.322 

Karl Maiden, Claude Daupbln, P. Medina 

H ©Riding Shotgun (84) W. .323 

Randolph Scott, Joan Weldon, Wayne Morris 

l3©aLucky Me (109) M. .324 

Doris Day, Phil Slivers, Robert Cummlngs 

EI ©aRing of Fear (. .) P.. 

Pat O'Brien, Clyde Beatty, Mickey Spillane 

(©nKDIoI M for Murder (105) P. .327 

Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Bobert Cummlngs 

ajThemI (94) D. .328 

James Wtiltmore, Joan Weldon, Edmund Qwenn 

©Bottle Cry P. 

Van lleriin. .\ldn Ray, Tab Hunter 

0\' Bounty Hunter, The SW, . 

Rarid(.lpl] Seoll, Marie Windsor 

©Duel in the Jungle P. . 

Dana .Andrews. Ji'anne Crnln, David Farrar 

©Helen qf Troy D . . 

Rossana I'otlesla. .Iari]ues Serna.s, C. llardwlcke 

©riHiqh ond Mighty, The D. . 

John Wayne. Ciaire Tievor, Larahie Day 

©oKing Richard and the 

Crusaders D . . 

Virginia Miivn. Rex Hirrlson. WUtun Graff 

©Land of the Pharaohs D,. 

Jack Hawkins, Dowey Martin 

©mStor Is Born, A M.. 

Judy Garland, James Mason, Amanda Blake 

MISCELLANEOUS 

ASTOR 

Girl on the Run (63) P.. 12-15-53 

Richard Coogan, Rosemary Pettlt 

Turn the Key Softly (81).. P.. I-15-S4

. 

. 

. 

.10- 

. Apr.-54 

Short subjects, listed by company, tn order of release. Running time follows tttk. FIrtt Is national 

raleose, second the dote of review In BOXOFFICE. Symbol between dotes Its roting from BOXOFFICE 

r«vlew. ff Very Good. + Good. ± Fair. — Poor. = Very Poor. O Indicates color photogrophy. uJDjir>j fJIJi)i]-T 

Columbia 

Prod. No. Title Rel Date Rating Rw'd 

ALL-STAR COMEDIES . 

S412 A taunting They Did Go 

(ISI/2) 10-29-53 + 11-21 

6413 Down the Hatch (I71/2) .11-26-53 

6414 Doggie in the Bedroom 

(16'/,) 1- 7-54 ± 2-27 

6415 Tooting Tooters (17) . . . 

5-13-54 

ASSORTED FAVORITES 

(Reissues) 

£422 Silly Billy (18) 10-22-53 

6423 Strife of the Party (16) . 12-17-53 

6424 Oh, Baby! (ISi/j) 2-11-54 

6425 Two Nuts in a Rut (IS) 3-11-54 

6426 She Snoops to Conquer 

(171/2) 4-29-54 

CANDID MICROPHONE 

(One- Reel Specials) 

6552 Subject No. 2 (9V2) .... 12-10-53 

65.S3 Subject No. 3 (10) 2-18-54 ± S-2t 

6554 Subject No. 4 (10) 3-18-54 ±5-8 

6555 Subject No. 5 5-20-54 

( . . ) 

COLOR FAVORITES 

(Technicolor Reissues) 

6602 Fiesta Time (7) 10-8-53 

6603 Room and Bored (7) 11- 5-53 

6604 A Boy. a Gun and Birds 

(Tl/g) 11-26-53 

6605 Sl;eleton Frolic (7/2) •• .12-17-53 

6606 Tree for Two (7i/j) 1- 7-54 

6607 Way Down Yonder in the Corn 

(7) 2-11-54 

660S Dog. Cat and Canary (6) 2-28-54 

6609 The Egg Yegg (71/2)... 3-31-54 

6610 Tlie Way of All Pests 

(71/2) 4-15-54 

6611 Amoozin' Btft Confoozin 

(8) 4-29-54 

6612 A Cat, a Mouse and a Bell 

(7) 5-13-54 

6613 The Disillusioned Bluebird 

(7) 5-27-54 

COMEDY FAVORITES 

(Reissues) 

6431 Half Shot at Sunrise 

(16) 10-15-53 

6432 Meet Mr. Mischief 

(17'/a) ...U- 12-53 

6433 Lovt at First Fright (16) 1-14-54 

6434 Get Along Littl« Hubky 

(19) 2-2S-54 

6435 Slappily Harried (16>/t) S- 4-M 

MR. MAGOO 

(Technicolor) 

6701 Magoo Slept Here (7) . .11-19-53 -|- 11-a 

6702 Magoo Goes Skiing (7) 3-11-54 ff 4-10 

SCREEN SNAPSHOTS 

6SS2 Hollywood Laugh Parade 

(10) 10-22-53 -1- 11-21 

6853 Men of Oie West (10) . .11-19-53 

6554 Hollywood's Great Entertainers 

.(10'/2> 12-24-53 -I- 2-2a 

6555 Mefnories in Uniform 

(101/2) 1- 2-54 -f 2-Z7 

S856 Hollywood Stars ta Remember 

(10) 2-25-54 -I- 4-10 

5SS7 Hollywood Goes to Mexico 

(IO/2) 3-25-54 ±5-8 

6C58 Hula From Hollywood 

( . 

. ) 5- 6-54 

SERIALS 

:140 Jungle Raiders (reissue) .12-31-53 

IS Cliaoters 

6160 Gunfiahters of the 

Northwest 4-15-54 -f 4-24 

15 Cnapters 

STOOGE COMEDIES 

C401 Rip, Sew and Stitch (17) 9- 3-53 -f 10-24 

6402 Bubble Trouble (16!/2)..10- 8-53 + 10-31 

6403 Goof on tlie Roof 

(16>/2) 12- 3-53 

6404 Income Tax Sappy 

(ISVi) 2- 4-54 ± 2-27 

6405 Spooks! (16), 2-D 

Version 3-18-54 

6406 Pardon My Baclcfire (16) 4-15-54 

6407 Musty Musketeers (16).. 5-13-54 

' 

THREE-DnyiENSION STOOGE 

COMEDIES 

5440 Pardon My Backfire (16) 8-15-53 -|- 9-2« 

THBttLS OF MUSIC 

(Reissues) 

6951 George Towne & Ordi. 

(10) 9-24-53 

6952 Boyd Ratkurn A Orch. 

(U) 

6953 Claude Thornhill 

U-26-53 

& Orch. 

(11) 12-24-53 

6954 Machilo & Ortb (10

SHORTS CHART 

5323 Dinky in the Timid 

Scarecrow (7) Noy.-53 + U-14 

5324 The Talking Magpies 

in Log Rollers (7) No».-53 + 11-14 

5325 Mighty Mouse in Spare 

the Rod (7) Dec.-53 + 12- 5 

5326 Terry Bears in Growing 

Pains (7) 0ec.-53 + 11-21 

5401 Little Rwguefort in Runaway 

Mouse (7) Jan.-54 

5402 Oimwit in How to Relax 

(7) Jan.-54 

5403 The Helicopter (7) 

(reissue) Jan.-54 .... 

5404 The Talking Magpies in 

Blind Dale (7) Ftli.-54 H- 1-30 

5405 Nonsense Newsreel (7). . .Feb. -54 + 2-13 

5406 Much Ado About Nothing 

(7) (reissue) Feb.-54 

5407 Mighty Mouse in the Helpless 

Hippo (7) Mar.-S4 -I- 3-20 

5408 Terry Bears in Pet Problems 

(7) Maf.-54 -f 3-27 

5409 The Frcn and the Princess 

(7) (reissue) Mar. -54 

5410 Little Roquefort in Prescription 

for Percy (7) Apr. -54 + 4-3 

5411 The Talking Magpies in 

Satisfied Customers (7).Apr.-54 

5412 Mighty Mouse in the Wreck of the 

Hesperus (7) (reissue) .A|r. -54 .... 


Prod. No. Title Rel Date Rating Rev'd 

COLOR PARADE 

B384 Three Years to Victory 

(6) 10-19-53 -f 1-23 

1953-54 SEASON 

Go South Amigos (9) . . 2- 8-54 -f 2-13 

9381 

9382 Royal Mid-Ocean Voyage 

(9) 3- 1-54 4- 3-20 

9383 Rolling in Style (..).. 4-12-54 

9384 Fair Today (..) 5-10-54 

EARTH AND ITS PEOPLES 

8372 Mountain Farmers (20) . 9- 3-53 H 10-31 

8373 Adobe Village (19) 10- 5-53 ff 11-14 

MUSICAL FEATURETTE 

8309 Camp Jaboree (18) 10-8-53 4-11-21 

8310 Fabulous Dorseys (16) . .10-29-53 + 1-16 


9101 Carnival in April (18) 

(3-D) 11-12-53+ 1-23 

9301 Carnival in April (18) . .11-12-53 

9302 David Rose and His Orchestra 

(IS'/j) 12-24-53 ++ 1-30 

Hawaiian Nights (17) . . . 1-22-54 + 2-13 

9303 

9304 Jimmy Wakely's Jamboree 

(I51/2) 2-26-54 -f 3- 6 

9305 Rhythm and Rhyme (15) 4-23-54 — 4-10 

SPECIALS 

9201 Perils of the Forest (17) 2-14-54 ±3-6 

VARIETY VIEWS 

8345 Bolivar Bonanza (9) 9- 7-53 -f 10-24 

8346 Behind the Wall (10) 9-24-53 ++ 11-14 

. . 


9341 Byways to Broadway 

(9) 11-16-53 + U-21 

9342 Bow River Valley (9) . . 1- 4-54 ± 1-30 

9343 Brooklyn Goes to Chicago 

(91/2) 2-22-54 + 2-13 

9344 Moving Through Space 

( . 

WALTER LANTZ CAHTUNES 

. ) 4-12-54 

(Technicolor) 

8330 Belle Boyi (6) 9-14-53 + 10-24 

8331 Maw and Paw in Plywood 

Panic (6) 9-28-53 1-23 

8332 Hot Noon + 1-16 

(6) 

1953-54 

10-12-53 

SEASON 

9321 Chilly Willy (6) 12-21-53+ 1-30 

9322 Socko in Morocco (6) . . . 1-19-54 + 2-13 

9823 A Horse's Tale (6) 2-15-54 +3-6 

9324 Alley in Bali (6) 3-15-54+ 4-10 

9325 Under the Counter Spy 

(6) 4-10-54 

9326 Dig That Dog (6) 4-12-54+ 4-10 

9327 Hay Rube (6) 6- 7-54 

WOODY WOOOPKCRER 

(Reissues) 

9351 Smoked Hams (6) 2-22-54 

9352 Coo Coo Birds ( . . ) 3-29-54 

9353 Well Oiled ( . ) 4-26-54 

. 

9354 Overture to William Tell 

. ( ) 5-30-54 

9355 Solid Ivory ( ) . . 6-28-54 

9356 Woody the Giant Killer 

( ) 7-26-54 

Warner Bros. 

Prod. No. Title Rel Date Rating Rtv-d 

BLUE RIBBON HIT PARADE 

(Technicolor Reissues) 

1301 Old Glory (7) 9-12-53 

1302 Walky, Talky Hawky 

(7) 10-17-53 

1303 Birth of a Notion (7).. 11- 7-53 

1304 Eager Beaver (7) 11-28-53 

1305 Scent. Imental Over You 

(7) 12-26-53 

1306 Of Fox and Hounds (7) . 2- 6-54 

1307 Roughly Soueaklng (7). 2-27-54 

1308 Hobo Bobo (8) 4-3-54 

1309 Gay Antics (7) 4-24-54 

BUGS BUNNY SPECIALS 

(Technicolor) 

1723 Duck! Rabbit, Duckl (7) 10- 3-53 + 10-31 

1724 Robot Rabbit (7) 12-12-53 + 1-30 

JOE McDOAEES COMEDIES 

1401 So rou Think you Can't 

Sleep (10) 10-31-53 + 11-21 

1402 So You Want to Be an 

Heir (10) 12-19-53 + I- i 

1403 So You're Having Neighbor 

Trouble (10) 1-30-54 + 2-20 

1404 So You Want to Be Your 

Own Boss (10) 3-13-54 + 4-24 

MELODY MASTER BANDS 

(Reissue) 

1801 Desi Arna; and Band 

(10) 10- 3-53 

1S02 Hal Kemp & Orch. (10) 11-14-53 

1803 Rhythm of the Rhumba 

(9) 1- 2-54 

1804 Songs of the Range (9) 2-27-54 

1805Jammin' the Blues (..) 4-17-54 

MERRIE MELODIES 

(Technicolor) 

1701 A Street Cat Named Sylvester 

(7) 9- 5-53 ff 9-19 

1702 Zipping Along (7) 9-19-53 f 11- 7 

1703 Easy Peckin's (7) 10-17-53 11-14 

1704 Catty Cornered (7) 10-31-53 11-21 

1705 01 Rice and Hen (7) . .11-14-53 12- b 

1706 Cats A-Weigh (7) 11-28-53 + 12-5 

1707 Punch. Trunk (7) 12-19-53 +| 1- 9 

1708 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+ 4-24 

1711 Wild Wife (7) 2-20-54 ff 4-24 

1712 No Barking (7) 2-27-54 ± 5-8 

1713 Design for Leaving (7) . . 3-27-54 + 4-24 

1714 The Cat's Bah (7) 4- 3-54 ± 4-24 

1715 Bell- Happy (7) 4-17-54 

SPORTS PARADE 

(Technicolor) 

1501 Royal Mounties (10) .... 9-19-53 ff 11- 7 

1502 Sea Sports of Tahiti 

(10) 10-24-53 + 11-14 

1504 Arabians in the Rockies 

(10) 12-12-53 + 11-14 

1503 Born to Ski (10) 1-16-54 + 2-13 

1505 When Fibh Fight (10)., 2-20-54 +5-8 

1506 Heart of a Champion (10) 3-20-54 + 4-24 

1607 Carnival in Rio (..)... 4-24-54 

TECHNICOLOR SPECIALS 

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 ff 12- 5 

1004 Don't Forget to Write 

(17) 12- 5-53 + 1-16 

10B5 Winter Paradise (20)... 1- 9-54 + 2-13 

1006 Hold Your Horses (20) . . 2- 6-54 + 4-24 

1007 Monroe Doctrine (20) 

(reissue) 3- 6-54 

1008 Continental Holiday (20) 4-10-54 

VITAPHONE NOVELTIES 

1601 Hit 'Im Again (10) 9- 5-53 

1602 Say It With Spills (10) 10-24-53 + 11-21 

1603 Magic Movie Moments 

(10) 12-26-53 

1604 1 Remember When (10). 3-20-54 + 4-24 

WARNERCOLOR SPECIALS 

Black Fury (32) 0ct.-54 

MISCELLANEOUS 

Prod. No. Title Rel Date Rating Rev'd 

Republic 

SERIALS 

5382 Return of Captain America 9-30-53 

15 Chapters (reissue) 

5383 Trader Tom of the China 

Seas 

l-U-54 

IS Chapters 

THIS WORLD OF OURS 

(Trucolor) 

9224 Japan (8) 10-1-53 

9225 Hong Kong (9) 1- 1-54 

Independents 

Aloha Nui! (10) Dudley + 9-19 

White Mane (40) Snyder ff 1-16 

Look Who's Driving (8) 

Aetna Casualty Co ff 1-23 

Crucifixion (14) Noel Meadow -f 3-27 

Martin and Gaston (lli/i) 

George K. Arthur ff 5-27 

Return to Glennascaul (26) 

Mayer-Klngsley ft 3-27 

Royal 

United Artists 

Symphony. The (26) 

+ 3-27 

Sunday by the Sea (14) Noel Meadow ff 3-27 

SHORTS REVIEWS 

Casper Genie 

Paramount (Casper Cartoon) 7 Mins. 

Good. Casper, the engagi.ig ghost 

who would rather be Iriendly than 

frighten people, has another amusing 

adventure. Casper sees a little 

1725 Captain Hareblower (7). 1-16-54+ 2-20 

1726 Bugs and Thugs (7) . . 3-13-54 + 4-24 

1740 Lumber Jack-Rabbit (7) (3-D) 

boy reading about Aladdin and his 

CLASSICS OF THE SCREEN magic lamp so he pretends to be a 

1101 Minstrel Days (20)... 9-26-53 

1103 Spills tor Thrills (18) . 

.11-21-53 

genie and turns the boy's bedside 

1102 They Were Champs (20) 1-23-54 lamp into a magic lantern. Everything 

goes along beautifully until a 

1104 This Wonderful World 

( . ) 3-27-54 

, 

burglar steals the lamp hoping to 

put it to evil use. Quick as a wink, 

Casper gets busy and puts the 

burglar behind bars. But the youngster 

reminds Casper that he is a 

genie and must sleep inside the 

lamp. 

Million Dollar Playground 

Paramount (Pacemaker) 10 Mins. 

Good. Entertaining as well as a 

plug for the world-famous Jones 

Beach, this will be of particular interest 

to people who live in New 

York or on the eastern seaboard. 

This pleasure spot attracts some 

80,000 people on an average summer 

day. Shown is the training 

system for its 150 lifeguards, who 

demonstrate some typical beach mishaps, 

including a little boy who continually 

gets lost. 

What's Wrong Here 

Paramount (Pacemaker) 10 Mins. 

Good. A novel short which will 

entertain audiences by giving them 

the chance to test their powers of 

obsemration, this is similar to the 

many popular quiz programs on TV. 

As a short mystery yarn is unfolded 

on the screen, the audience is told 

it contains several "boners" in the 

story. The story is then replayed 

and a narrator points out each 

"boner" and audiences will enjoy 

finding out how many they detected. 

RKO 

DonaWs Diar'y 

(Disney Cartoon) 7 Mins. 

Very good. One of the most original 

and engaging of the fi.ne Donald 

Duck cartoon series. Whistling 

and walking down the street, Donald's 

thoughts go back to what he 

had written in his diary that morning 

about "meeting the girl of his 

dreams." Daisy, sitting in her apartment 

window, spies Donald and 

makes every effort to win his attention. 

A series of love scenes follow 

and then Donald's dreams of married 

life. When Donald really spies 

Daisy, he runs away and joins the 

Foreign Legion. 

RKO 

Golden Gate 

(Screenliner) 8 Mins. 

Good. An interesting history of 

San Francisco, nicknamed "The 

Golden Gate." This is a Cook's tour 

of the city, starting with its history 

when the gold rush brought fame 

and expansion to the city. The camera 

takes the spectator to Chinatown, 

the largest Chinese settlement 

outside Asia; the navy yard, 

the fishing wharfs and on the 

world-famous cable cars. 

RKO 

T'wo for the Record 

(Marquee Musicals) 8 Mina^ 

Very good. Originally a portion| 

of the Disney episode feature, "Mak^ 

Mine Music," this is an entertaining 

cartoon in its own right with Bennj^ 

Goodman's name lor marquee value; 

Goodman's band plays two num-i 

bers, "All the Cats Join In," sung by 

the Pied Pipers as animated teenagers 

jitterbug wildly in a neighborhood 

soda shop, and "After 

You've Gone," in which instrumenti 

ore used as characters and even th( 

piano's keys turn into dancing fig 

ures. 

Bell-HoppY 

(Hippely Hopper Cartoon) 

Warner Bros. 

7 Mini 

Good. There are a lot of laugra 

in this for any audience. Sylvester; 

the alley cat, is blackballed 13 times 

as he tries to join a feline social 

club. Then a baby kangaroo showS| 

up and is believed to be a gia: 

mouse. Attempts to capture the ka: 

garoo result in considerable da: 

age to club members, so fhoy pro: 

ise membership to Sylvester if 

will put a bell around its neck 

warn others of its approach. 

, 

finally succeeds and becomes gra; 

exalted poobah. 

Carnival in Rio 

(Sports Parade) 

Warner Bros. 10 Min 

Good. Mombo, god of pleasure, 

king during the annual three-da 

festival at Rio de Janeiro and th 

revels over which he presides a; 

both colorful ' and fantastic. Spe.( 

tacular floats and merrymakers i 

the streets and fashionable figun 

in society hold forth at the colorft 

opera ball. To anyone who hi 

been in Rio, this will awaken noi 

talgic memories. To all the fil: 

should be interesting. 

Continental Holiday 

(Technicolor Special) 

Warner Bros. 

20 Mini 

Good. More interesting views in 

film tour of Europe. Seen are Mor 

Saint Michel, Omaha Beach, Paris* 

the Austrian Alps, Lourdes, Venicej 

Arezzo, the French Riviera, Pamplona, 

Spain, during the fiesta season, 

including the passage of dangerous 

bulls through the city streets, and 

then the Statue of Liberty and homj 

again. 

No Parking Here 

(Bugs Bunny Special) 

Warner Bros. 7 Mis 

Very good. This has above-average 

gags, imagination and drawing. 

Bugs refuses to vacate his 

home hole in the ground when a city 

engineer starts the construction of a 

traffic thruway. All kinds of tempts are made to oust Bugs, froi 

at-, 

persuasion to dynamite, with col 

sistent failure and consequent da; 

age to the engineer's frame and dii_ 

i 

position. In the end. Bugs wins. 

The engineer excavates around 

Bug's home, leaving it a spire reaching 

high up into the air. 

10 BOXOFFICE BookinGuide : 

: May 

15, 1954

i.sac? BOXOFFICE May 15, 1954 1581 

Opinions on Current Productions; Exploitips 

— 

uUm,Î . 

mvjM Mmm 

„i.U. JJL JMllip. i^r.,.ri,T,Jpj,pfliL^î^^J.1^ :;;JsiMBl38S; 

(FOR STORY SYNOPSIS ON EACH PICTURE, SEE 

REVERSE SIDE) 

Men of the Fighting Lady 

F ^^ti (letirolor, 

MGM (425) 80 Minutes Rel. lune U, '54 

Exploitation-minded exhibitors who book this semidocumentary 

feature will not want for material with which to 

bait their merchandising hooks, and may do so with confidence 

of hauling in a reasonably satisfying catch. Worthy 

ol consideration as such lure are an impressive array of 

marquee-worthy male stars, from whom come characteristically 

good performances; top quality Technicolor photography; 

on engrossing insight into operations of a modern aircraft 

carrier and jet planes, made possible because of authentic 

footage supplied by the Department of Defense; and a suspenseful 

climactic sequence. Unfortunately, there are factors 

which may mitigate against the film's being generally 

accepted as prime entertainment, to wit, the fact that the 

Korean war is no longer a subject of wide popularity; the allmasculine 

cast; and the formula aspects of the story. Competently 

directed by Andrew Morton for producer Henry Berman. 

Van Johnson, Walter Pidgeon, Louis Colhern, Dewrey Martin, 

Eeenan Wynn, Frank Lovejoy, Robert Horton, Bert Freed. 

ice S\ 

roiindj 

OOOttv^ 

ited V 

Drums Across the River 

F 

Ratio: Western 

2-1 (Technicolor) 

Univ.-Inf'l (422) 78 Minutes Rel. June '54 

As a gander at the title and cast clearly indicates, this is 

about Injuns—Utes to you. But its only appeal—other than 

to the most devoted of sagebrush fans—must depend upon 

the drawing power of that cast and Technicolor. A frail 

screenplay jeopardized the venture from scratch, because 

the scriveners unsuccessfully attempted to incorporate therein 

memorable situations and atmosphere from too many outstanding 

westerns of the past. The result is a hodgepodge 

of action, heroics and scenery that is entirely unconvincing. 

Handicapped further by the mallet-fisted direction of Nathan 

Juran, the troupers were helpless and performances are considerably 

inferior to those of which the topliners are capable. 

While production values are seemingly opulent, carelessness 

in assembling footage shot on several locations with contradictory 

backgrounds is so obvious that it discounts the 

ensemble. Produced by Melville Tucker. 

Audie Murphy, Walter Brennan, Lyle Bettger, Lisa Gaye, 

Hugh O'Brian, Mara Corday. lay Silverheels, Emile Meyer. 

The Silver Lode 

RKO Radio ( ) 80 Minutes 

Ratio: 

1:S5-1 

Rel. 

Western 

(Technicolor) 

Technicolor photography and an impressive array of reasonably 

well-established troupers give promise of a far better 

picture than this Benedict Bogeaus production turns out to be. 

It is upon that pair of ingredients that the film must depend 

for whatever initial business it may attract and to which the 

theatreman must resort for merchandising material. The venture 

was launched with two strikes against it because of a 

painfully faltering, single-situation screenplay that, in an effort 

to transcend sagebrush formula, got itself mired in unnatural 

heroics and implausible dramatics. Pre-doomed 

thereby—and further handicapped by the dated direction of 

Allan Dwan—the cast came through with little more than 

mouths full of monotonous dialog. Even the title (a town's 

name) is misleading: The silver is dross and the lode runs 

out during the feature's early minutes. It will generate laughs 

in the wrong places. 

John Payne, Lizabeth Scott, Dan Duryea, Hugh Sanders, 

Morris Ankrum, Edgar Barrier, Alan Hale jr., Harry Carey jr. 

Pit of Loneliness A 

°""" 

Arthur Davis 84 Minutes Rel. 

Despite a title which is an obvious attempt to capitalize 

on "The Well of Loneliness," the novel which created a 

furore some years ago because of its Lesbian theme, this 

French-language picture is tastefully handled with only a 

suggestion of unnatural love between two women teachers. 

Edwige Feuillere, who has starred in many French films, 

and Simone Simon, looking no older than when she made 

her last Hollywood pictures a decade ago, will have marquee 

draw in the art houses, as will the screenplay author, Colette, 

of "Gigi" fame. Of course, it is adult fare, not suited to 

family audiences. Based on a novel by Olivia and directed 

by Jacqueline Audry against the background of a girls' 

school, this is certainly an all-feminine film. However, it is 

slow-moving and promises more sensationalism than is 

actually delivered. Marie-Claire Olivia contributes a sensitive 

portrayal. Davis is at 55 West 42nd St., New York City. 

Edwige Feuillere, Simone Simon, Yvonne de Bray, Marie- 

Claire Olivia, Suzanne Dehelly, Danielle Delorme. 

Oreg.^ 

—il tOr- 

The Yellow Tomahawk F (coiorcorp"oflmerica) 

United Artists (5414) 82 Minutes Rel. May 20, '54 

A good, old-fashioned "cowboys vs. Indians" western with 

Rory Calhoun for marquee value and excellent photography 

in the Color Corp, of America process, which enhances the 

beauty of the Wyoming desert backgrounds. This will satisfy 

wherever action pictures or cowboy fare is favored and will 

make a good supporting dualler in any neighborhood house. 

The blonde Peggie Castle and the dark-skinned Rita Moreno 

supply the romantic interest with Miss Moreno also adding 

some comedy touches in her pursuit of Noah Beery, as a 

devil-may-care Mexican adventurer. Except for a few tent 

sequences, the entire production takes place outdoors with 

thrilling Indian attacks during which many cast members, 

both Indian and white, bite the dust. Warner Anderson 

stands out as a handsome U.S. major who slaughters Indians 

and is finally revealed to have Indian blood in him. A 

Schenck-Koch production, directed by Lesley Selander. 

Rory Calhoun, Peggie Castle, Noah Beery. Peter Graves, 

Warner Anderson, Rita Moreno, Lee Van Cleei. 

•iile 

We have all reviews which have appeared 

in BOXOFFICE for the past 15 

years; this may not be a record, but it may 

serve to assure you of the respect we accord 

your evaluation of motion picture 

product. We have found your reviews to 

be honest, impartial; at times cold-blooded, 

enthusiastic where deserved, but always a 

constant measure of a picture's worth. 

T. ROSS, 

Mayer Enterprises, Ltd., 

Vancouver, 

B.C. 

y LI 

i.OIIII, 

Mail Your Renewal Today 

Every exhibitor has a daily need for the news and 

helpful material in BOXOFFICE. 

For your convenience, use blank on other side for a 

new or renewal subscription. 

Wiiti 

YOUR REPORT OF THE PICTURE YOU 

HAVE JUST PLAYED FOR THE 

GUIDANCE OF FELLOW EXHIBrrORS. 

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. . . and 

. . Beats 

FEATURE REVIEWS 

Sfory Synopsis; Adiines for Newspaper and Programs 

THE STORY: 

"Druma Across the River" (U-I) 

Even though it breaks a treaty between Ule Indians and 

the government, Lyle Betlger loments a plot to move men 

into Ute territory to prospect lor gold. Over the violent 

objections of Waller Brennan, his father, Audie Murphy 

joins the project. Brennan, who runs a wagon-freight service, 

tries fruitlessly to get the sheriff to stop the parly, then rides 

out after the gold-seekers alone. Brennan rescues them from 

a Ute hunting party, but Betlger and his henchmen violate 

a truce agreement drafted by Brennan with the Ute chieftain. 

Now convinced that his father is right, Audie stops Bettger'a 

efforts to organize a full-scale invasion of the Indian lands, 

but Betlger pulls a fast one and frames Audie for murder. 

However, Audie leads the Bettger faction into a Ule trap; the 

heavies are massacred and Audie is cleared oi the murdei 

charge. 

CATCHLINES: 

Flaming Adventure in Indian Territory . . . Where a Man 

Looked Naked Without a Six-Gun . . . And Violence Flared 

Between Renegade Whites . . . And Vengeance-Bound Utes 

the Blood-Smeared War Path. 

Who Hit 

THE STORY: 

"Pit oi Loneliness" (Davis) 

Edwige Feulliere is headmistress of an exclusive girls' 

finishing school in France and her partner, Simono Simon(, 

has become a neurotic, jealous of the attentions paid her by 

the youthful students. Marie-Claire Olivia comes to the 

echool froni an unhappy home and, when her attempt to be 

friendly to Miss Simon fails, she becomes more attached to 

Edwige, who reads to the girls every night. At a Christmas 

parly, Edwige tries to become reconciled to her partner 

without success and eventually Miss Simon takes an overdose 

of narcotics and dies. Edwige sadly takes leave of the 

echool and leaves the girls disconsolate. The cook comments 

that, when the school reopens, nobody will be back. 

CATCHLINES: 

A Frank Treatment of Abnormal Emotionalism in a Girls' 

School . . . Written by Colette, of "Gigi" Fame, Starring Two 

Great French Actresses, Simone Simon and Edwige Feuillere 

... An Outstanding Film Success in France, Switzerland and 

England . . . Startling—and Moving. 

f-27-5 

MF' 

P; 

THE STORY: 

"Men of the Rying Lady" (MGM) 

It's Christmas Day in Korea—just another day for the aviators 

who comprise the Panther Squadron, commanded by 

Frank Lovejoy. Its members include Van Johnson, impassive 

pilot, and Dewey Martin, young and sensitive. As the squadron 

makes another run over the same old target, word is 

flashed that Martin has suffered a direct hit and is frozen 

at the controls. Johnson goes after the stricken plane, which 

Martin is flying by reflex. The first problem is to get the 

dazed Martin to reverse directions—for he is now headed 

directly away from the squadron's carrier base. Screaming, 

pleading, joking, Johnson keeps up an endless radio conversation, 

herding Martin back over the 200 miles to the sea. 

The carrier is alerted; on his first pass at the carrier's deck 

Martin is wide, but Johnson brings him around again—this 

time to a successful landing. 

CATCHLINES: 

A Routine Mission ... a Routine Dive ... a Puff of Smoke 

Then a Paralyzing Scream Shatters the Radio Silence 

. . . "I'm Hitl" . . . and Two Forgotten Heroes Write Another 

Page in History. 

THE STORY: 

"The Silver Lode" (RKO) 

As John Payne and Lizabeth Scott are being married in 

Silver Lode, four men headed by Dan Duryea, who identifies 

himself as a U.S. marshal and the others as deputies, interrupt 

the ceremonies to arrest Payne, declaring he is wanted 

for murder for shooting Duryea's brother. Lizabeth and 

Payne's many friends rally to his support when Payne claims 

he killed in self-defense. He asks for two hours in which to 

attempt to clear himself, and Duryea agrees. But Payne finds, 

when he tries to send a telegraph message, that the wire 

has been cut. Next he manages to bribe one of Duryea's 

posse to confess that Duryea carries forged papers and 

Is not a marshal at all. The ensuing violence reaches a climactic 

peak when Payne kills Duryea in a gunfight; Payne 

is absolved of the murder charge, and peace comes to 

Silver Lode. 

CATCHLINES: 

Four Desperate Men . . . On a Cruel Errand of Greed and 

Violence . . . Unleash a Reign of Terror in Silver Lode . . . 

Until the Innocent Target oi Their Guns . Them to 

the Draw. 

8 

S 

i 

-I 

Enclosed is $3.00 for o year's subscription 

to BOXOFFICE. This is a wonderful 

magazine for the film industry, and I 

not miss one copy. 

must 

MRS. CHARLES J. WATERALL, 

Waterall Theatres, 

Bayou La Batre, Ala. 

I 

RATES: 15c per word, minimum $1.50, cash with copy. Four insertions for price ol three. 

CLOSING 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 

Are You the Man We Want? Managerial jobs 

open in growing drive-in circuit. Positions available 

in east coast and midwest. 52-week deal 

with extras. The right men showing ambition 

and pride in their worli can make a fine career 

with us. Write and we will arrange appointments. 

Smith Management Co.. c/o Arnold Berger, 

S2 Xewbur.v St., Boston, Mass. 

Drive-in theatre manager wanted for large theatre 

in major city. Must have background of real 

experience ajid ability and gilt-edged references. 

Write, giving complete details first letter. Boxoffice. 

5492. 

Wanted: Operator for drive-in and indoor theatre. 

Must be general maintenance man. State 

salary wanted. Prefer married man. can use wife. 

Write. K, \. Greer, Wallace Theatres, Andrews, 

Texas. 

Top manager for drive-in in Maine. Salary $125 

per week. Year-round employment guaranteed. 

Write, stating qualifications, to 38 Church St., 

Boston. Mass. 

Wanted: Theatre manager for first run, downtown, 

upper midwest metropolitan city (operated 

by small independent chain). Willing to pay 

good salary for a first cla^s manager capable of 

doing all exploitation and handling staff. Please 

state qualifications and salary expected. .Ml replies 

confidential. Boxoffice, 5502. 

Wanted: Manager with film buring experience 

for 400-seat de luxe art house. A. B. Coleman, 

Tiger Theatre. Columbia, Mo. 

POSITIONS WANTED 

Experienced manager wishes position in North 

or Sijulh Carolina. References. Boxoffice, 5479. 

Projectionist, electrician, manager, exploiter. 

Own repairs, sound projectors, speaker reconing. 

Have mobile home. Permanent. $62 take home. 

Boxoffice. 5480. 

Manager, age 36, 14 years experience. Available 

now. South preferred. Boxoffice, 5489. 

Theatre executive-potential! Young, curious, circuit-trained 

manager (presently employed) wants 

opportunity to learn intricacies of industry from 

a circuit, distribution or exchange home office. 

Have experience in advertising, publicity and exploitation 

plus complete knowledge of house operation. 

College degree, late model car. Veteran. 

Write for complete details. Boxoffice, 33. 

9 Rockefeller Plaza. 

Projectionist, seven years, wants job Earl Mc- 

Clintock. 1767 N. Las Palmas, Hollywood, Calif. 

Projectionist, 25 years experience, .\vailable 

June 1. Arthur Blair, Alto, Texas. 

Manager-operator. 6 years ex"perience. all types, 

situations. Good art and exploitation man, desires 

return to show business. Young, draft 

exempt Prefer southwest. Boxoffice. 5503. 

GENERAL EQUIPMENT—USED 

DeVry dual 35mm projection and sound. Rebuilt 

like new, $895. Send for bulletin DEVPBO. 

Holmes dual outfits, excellent condition. $550. 

Time deals available. Dept. CC, S.O.S. Cinema 

Supply Corp., 602 W. 52nd St., New York 19. 

Scnarc lamps, super Simplex, 5 point bases. WE 

soimd heads, etc, $695. Rialto Theatre, Amarillo. 

Texas. 

Attention. Canadian small town exhibitors! Four 

pairs of 35mm Holmes projectors, like new, complete 

wiih 1,500 watts Mazda lamp and new 25 

watts amplifier, $800 a set. Single projector, 

$300. New amplifier, $20. Write or phone, 

Yvan Morin, Saint-Prosper Comte, Dorchester, 

P Q.. Canada 

Complete booth equipment, $500. Denver Exchange 

area. Simplex heads, RCA soundheads, 

amplifier, stage horns, booth monitor. Peerless 

low intensity lamphouses, generator. All in good 

condition. Write Boxoffice, 5493. 

Comdete theatre equipment with 550 seats, 

Vallen curtain control and track, two unit ticket 

machine, carpet, $3,500. Dixie Theatre, 439 

Dorr St., Toledo, Ohio 

Two Western Electric Universal bases with soundheads, 

top shape. Good for drive-ins, make offer. 

Mr. Grant, Durwood Theatres, 1806 Baltimore. 

Kansas City, Mo. 

Two Holmes Rexarc Projectors, used 30 days, 

complete with Strong arcs and rectifiers and lenses, 

45-watt amplifiers, speakers. $2,000. Also Holmes 

Rex Mazda, demonstrator, $295. .\merican Theatre 

Supply Co.. 439 Dorr St.. Toledo. Ohio. 

Public auction. May 24 at 2 p.m. The Royal 

theatre located at 830 South Sixth St., Milwaukee. 

Wis, For further information and equipment 

lists. j:ontact Ointonviile Sales Corp.. 

Cl.ntonrille, Wis., Brokers. 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

15, 1954 

GENERAL EQUIPMENT—NEW 

Masonite marquee letters, fit Wagner. Adler, 

Bevelite signs: 4" — :i5c; 8"—50c: 10"—60c; 

12"— S5c: 14"— $1.25; 16"— $1.50. Dept. CC. 

SOS. Cinema Supply Corp., 602 W. 52nd St.. 

New York 19. 

Mirro-claric represents best value in metalized 

purpose screen, only $1 sq. ft. Seams absolutely 

all 

invisible! KoUmorgen wide angle lenses, 

special apertures immediately available: Dept. 

CC. S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp.. 602 W. 52nd 

St . New York 19. 

Bargain, 5c each. Brand new magic viewers and 

I'ola-Lite 3-D glasses. Limited supply. First come. 

first served. Malco Tlleatres. Inc.. Purchasing 

Dept., P.O. Box 2853. Memphis 2. Tenn. Telephone: 

37-1096. 

Special Purchase! Brand new Holmes 35mni pro- 

.ectors. with magazines, cables, lenses, in original 

factory cases, $650 pair. Star Cinema Supply. 

447 West 52nd St., New York 19. 

BUSINESS STIMULATORS 

Bingo with more action. $4.50 thousand card^ 

Also other games. Novelty Games Co., 106 

Rogers Ave.. Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Comic books available as premiums, giveaways 

it your kiddy shows. Large variety, latest newsitand 

editions. Comics Premium Co., 412B Greenvich 

St., N. Y. C. Publications for premiums 

exclusively) since 1939. 

Bingo die-cut cards. 75 or 100 numbers. $4.50 

per M. Premium Products, 339 W. 44th St., New 

York 18, N. Y. 

Build attendance with real Hawaiian orchids. 

Few cents each. Write Flowers of Hawaii, 670 

S. Lafayette Park Place, l.os Angeles 5. Calif. 

For sale: Fire engine for drlve-ln theatres. Take 

the kiddies for a ride before the show. Seats 20 

children. '37 LaSalle motor and chassis, new tires 

ind mechanically good. Bright red, all chrome 

rails: siren, hells, ladders, etc. Cost $1,500 to 

hulld; sell for $500 cash. Associated Drive-In 

Theatres, 72 Van Braam St.. Pittsburgh 19, Pa. 

No matter what kind of promotion you're planilnt;, 

you need an announcement trailer to sell 

I. There are no trailers better or quicker 

hall you get from good ol' dependable FILMACK! 

j 

:!25 So. Wabash Ave., Chicago 5, III. 

Balloons are your best ad for Kiddle Matinees, 

special pictures, drive-in openings and annlveraries. 

Printed with name and date or plain. 

Send tor samples and prices. Southern Balloon 

Co., 146 Walton. Atlanta. Ga. 

Ideal offering for continuity deals, avoid petty 

complaints. "Pro-tec-ur-dor" rubber auto door 

stop. Needed by every car owTier on parking lots. 

Write, free literature, plans. Lindner, 153-BO 

West 33rd. New York. N. Y. 

Two color die-cut bingo cards, 100 numbers 

with bingo title cut-off. Any quantity, $3.25 per 

1.000. Sam Gertz, 414 Wellington Ave., Chicago 

14, 111. 

Marilyn Monroe brand new calendar. Different. 

Exclusive. Three samples postpaid. $1. Free Ust, 

special boxoffice builders. Mack Knterprises, 

Centralia, 111. 

Now Available! Beautiful marquee plastic colored 

pennant streamers. Sample string of 100 

pennants, $6.50, postpaid. Satisfaction guaranteed. 

Times Square Distributing Co.. 225 West 34th 

St.. New York 1, N. Y. 

Need Extra Cash? Sell advertising specialties, 

calendars, etc. For details, write, L. B. Horton, 

Advertising Specialty Co., Lansing, Mich, 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE EQUIPMENT 

W-l-D-E screen pays off! Wide angle lenses, 

special apertures immediately available. Motorized 

carbon savers, 9, 10, 11mm, for angle trim 

arclamps. (Mighty 90, etc.), $59.50. Dept. CC. 

S.O.C. Cinema Supply Corp., 602 W. 52nd St., 

Sew York 19 

Drive-in theatre speakers with straight cords, 

$H,50. Car-side speakers, $8.15. Replacement 

speaker cones, $2.25. Dawo Corp., 145 .N. Erie, 

fnleilo, 

Ohio. 

Drive-in theatre tickets. Send for samples of our 

apeclal printed stub rod tickets for drlve-Ins. 

Safe, distinctive, easy to check. Kansas (^ty Ticket 

Co.. Dept. 10. 109 W. 18th St., "Film Row," 


Simplex in-car speakers and cords, working 

order. Lots of 100 at $3 each, F.O.B. South City 

Drive-In Theatre, Broad and Pattlson, Phi'adelphia 

48. Pa. Howard 2-9886. 

THEATRES FOR SALE 

For sale: 500-car drive-in established 5 years. 

Thoroughly estiiblished going business. Net annual 

income 20% of investment. RCA criuipment, 

beautiful steel structure screen tower on 40 acres. 

Located in center of 40,000 population. Partnership 

disagreement. Golden opportunity. Write, 

R. L. Strauss, Benton, ni. 

Drive-in for sale. 308-car capacity. Has very 

nice screen, booth, snack bar. restrooms, playground. 

Located within 25 miles of Columbia. 

S. C , near large industrial development. Drawing 

potential. 20,000. Now in operation. Total 

price. $9,500. Boxoffice, 5482. 

Modern small town theatre, farming community. 

Ideal family operation. Money maker. 264 seats, 

equipment good condition. North central Illinois. 

Ritz Theatre. Chenoa. 111. 

Best cash offer buys. Good equipment. County 

seat town, good prospects. Roach Theatre, Lincoln, 

Kansas. 

For sale by owner: 2S8-seat theatre, in oil and 

wheat town, central Kansas. Boxoffice, 5497. 

For sale by absentee owner: New modern theatre, 

building, equipment. Located, Midaryville, Ind. 

Price $22,000. one third down. For details, 

write or wire. J. B. Harper, Campbell, Mo. 

Modern, 500 seats. Rapidly growing town 7,000. 

northern Illinois. Motiograph equipment, push-back 

seats, reasonable. Boxgffice, 5501. 

Theatre, lease, sale. 425 seats. Modern, latest 

equipment. Good deal experienced operators. 

A. B. Coleman. 109 N. 5th St., Columbia, Mo. 

700-seat modern theatre for sale in heart of 

TVA area and close to Oak Ridge. Owner will 

sell home. Boxoffice, 5498. 

Central Pennsylvania: Only theatre in town over 

3.000. Large drawing area, Sunday movies. Just 

lemodeled, large screen, apartment. Ideal family 

operation. 400 seats. Owner lives away, has other 

intfrests. $10,000 down. Must be seen to be 

appreciated. Boxoffice, 5481. 

Florida. Small 200-car drive-in. Ten acres on 

U.S. Highway 41. Total price $21,000. Description 

and location available. Florida Theatre 

Sales. 1587 Main St.. Sarasota, Fla. 

Oregon small town theatre in Willamette valley. 

Draw 10,000. Modern block building, about 

300 seats. Wide screen. Others, write for list. 

Theatre Exchange Co., 5724 S.E. Monroe. Port- 

Imd. Ore. 

Theatres for sale, theatres wanted, a confidential 

service. Write. J. D. .\rakeliaii. Theatre 

Broker. 25 Taylor St.. San Francisco. Calif. 

STUDIO 

CLEflfllOG HOUSE 

AND PRODUCTION 

EQUIPMENT 

Capitalize your experience, shoot local newsreels, 

TV commercials, documentaries. Arrange advertising 

tie-ups v\ith local merchants. Ask for film 

production catalog ST-10. Dept. CC, S.O.S. 

Cinema Supply Corp., 602 W. 52nd St., .New 

York 19. 

FOUNTAIN SYRUPS 

Make your own fountain syrups for 05c a gallon. 

Write for FREE SAMPLE, which makes two 

gaFons. National Sernce, Dept. B, P. 0. Box 

2573, Arlington Station. Baltimore 15. Md. 

SIGNS 

Easy Way to Paint Signs. Use letter patterns. 

.\void sloppy work and wa.'^ted time. No experience 

needed for expert work. Write for free samples. 

John Rahn. B-1329, Central Ave.. Chicago 51, HI. 

THEATRE TICKETS 

Prompt service. Special printed mil tickets. 

100.000. $28.75; 10.000. $8.95; 2.000. $4.95, 

Each change In admission price, including change 

In color. $3.50 extra. Double numbering extra. 

F.O.B. Kansas City, Mo. Cash with order. Kansas 

City Ticket Co.. 109 W. 18th St.. Kansas 

City. 

.Mo. 

THEATRE SCREENS 

One 9x12 screen, 4 years old. Contact. Belle 

IM.iin Theaire, Belle Plain, Kas. 

THEATRE SEATING 

Need Chairs? Send for chair bulletin showing 

all makes and types from $4.95. Dept. CC, 

S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp.. 602 W. 52nd St,, 

New York 19. 

Convert your hard seats to soft spring seats 

quickly, easily, inexpensively. Write today for 

details. Fensin Seating Co., Chicago 5. 

Chair Supplies. E\erythl g for theatre chairs. 

Ken--in Seating Co., Chicago 5. 

Used chairs, guaranteed good. Advise quantity 

wanted. Photographs mailed with quotation. Fensin 

Seating Co.. Chicago 5. 

Seat covers: Sewed combinations, all makes, all 

styles. Send your sample for quotation. Fensin 

Seating Co., Chicago 5. 

Patch-0-Seat cement. Patching cloth, solvent, 

etc. Fensin Seating Co., Chicago 5. 

Upholstery Fabrics: All kinds. All colors. Send 

your sample for matching. Fensin Seating Co., 

Chicago 5. 

Tighten loose chairs with Permastone anchor 

cement. Fensin Seating Co., Chicago 5. 

Parts for all chairs. Send sample for quotation. 

Fensin Seating Co., Chicago 5. 

New and used rebuilt opera chairs: Write for 

iihotos. state incline and quality. Paris for all 

chairs, send sample for quotation. Patch-A-Seat 

to repair torn seats, $6 complete kit. specify color. 

Firmastone to anchor loose chairs, $5 carton. 

F.O.B. Chicago. General Chair Co.. 1308 Elston 

.\ve.. Chicago 22. 111. Phone ARmitagc 6-0022. 

Theatre chairs, screens, complete equipment. 

Lone Star Seating Co., Box 1734. Dallas. Texas. 

How About Some Spring Tonic on your chairs 

lo improve the comfort—to get back some of the 

customers you lost. We have a large stock of late 

type chairs that will meet any requirement. 

if you are interested in rebuilding your chairs 

or in the market for better than you have, write 

for additional information. Prices very reasonable. 

Eastern Seating Co., 138-13 Springfield 

Blvd . 

Springfield Gardens, L.I. N.Y. Phone: 

LAurelton 8-3696. 

POPCORN MACHINES 

Popcorn machines, all makes and styles. Retlacement 

kettles for all poppers. Complete renlacement 

unit fits most machines, $185. 120 So. 

'lalsted. Chicago. III. 

Popcorn warmers. New 1953 Hollywood Servemasters, 

five only. Natural wood finish. Fully 

guaranteed, big savings at only $345. Boxoffice, 

5495. 

THEATRES WANTED 

Theatre, Nebraska, western Iowa, northern Kansas. 

No brokers. Over 400 seats. Town of 1,800 

population or over. Confidential. Experienced. L. 

.J. Burkltt. Sparta, Wis. 

Trade finest new all year income property In 

east Denver, value $100,000, for good theatre 

ur drive-in. Bel Air Motel Apts., 1467 Jollet 

St., Aurora, Colo. 

SNO-CONE MACHINES 

Free Trial! Sno-Master sanitary electric Sno- 

Cone machine- Contact your nearest National 

Theatre Supply Co. branch or write to Sno-Master 

Mfg. Co., Baltimore 1. Md. 

HOT DOG MACHINE 

40 Chefmaster hot dog steamers, used, excellent 

condition. $35 each. Hollywood Servemasler Co., 

114 West 18th St-. Kansas City 8, Mo. 

THEATRICAL 

PRINTING 

Window cards, programs, heralds. Photo-Offset 

iirinting. Cato Show Printing Co.. Caio. .\. Y. 

Banners, 3-sheets, 1-sheets, window cards. 

Prompt service. Jamborey, 204 N. Spring, Tyler, 

Texas.

I 

ALLIED ^«^ 

"Oeslgnecl for use with ,^^ ClnemaScopG Rctures! 

it 

^MiÛAâ 

new will and^FaT5mourirTor^'^T

Boxoffice-May.15.1954

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