Boxoffice-June.26.1954

JUNE 26, 1954
^JJie lulu eij- i^ /yf&to&n. T^ctuAe yncLd^
'.v^-vi..'^« -/I."';.-
CHARLES P.
SKOURAS,
President of National Theatres,
receives the congratulations
of His Eminence James Francis
Cardinal
Mclntyre, along
with an honorary degree
of doctor of laws, conferred
upon him at Loyola's 42nd
annual
commencement
exercises in
Los Angeles for
his "outstanding Americanism
and unselfish service to
the community."
Film
Coordinator
Named by TOA to
at Mw PMt O't.x- ..t J.,
by Attociote :
'Os,
City, Mo SulH lei
Htton. $3 00 per year, Notional Euition, 17 50
I^TIONAL EXECUTIVE EDITION
Mini Ihi Stctiontl Ntwi Ptgu of All EillliORi
Boost Production
Poge 8

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**

THANKS, EGYPT,
for the Best Promotion
Campaign of the Year!"
The Year's BIGGEST
Adventure Drama!
Skyrocketed to fame
By the Year's Biggest
Publicity break!
The timing is perfect!
Just when M-G-M
Begins to launch
"VALLEY OF THE KINGS,"
Egyptian scientists
Discover ancient treasures.
And the news is on
Every Front Page Everywhere!
M-G-M's Spectacular Sensation
Was filmed on the
Scene of the
Widely publicized discoveries!
It parallels in many ways
The true-life episodes.
CASH IN ON THIS GREAT
ATTRACTION WITH THIS
SHOWMANSHIP ANGLE!
Thanks, Egypt! Let's go, America!

and SPILLANE I
Mickey Spillane
^^
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.41
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I Movie-Star Now !
:y circus
llVli^Jt-iil-^Jr in Action, in
HOWARD GRANT produced ev ROBERT M. FELLOWS a WAYNE-FELLOWS production- directed by JAMES EDWARD GRANT
• distributed by WARNER BROS.

iJt
CavaiiaDie available in m
for Labor Day
from 20th Century-Fox
-^:^is^^a

l«JW«»»1Ml j WWHWWy j »iii^yiiii
THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY
Published in Nine Sectional Editions
BEN
SHLYEN
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WILL ROGERS HOSPITAL
DONALD M. MERSEREAU. .Associate
Publisher & General Manager
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NATHAN COHEN. .Executive Editor
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J
U N E
Vol. 65
2 6, 19 5 4
No. 9
J/o'OW to spread the story of what
the Will Rogers hospital does for men and
women in all branches of the industry is the
problem facing the board of directors and others
interested in carrying on the work. If all those
in studios, exchanges, theatres and unions had
a clear idea of the kindly care that is being given
those afflicted with tuberculosis, the restoration
of hope to those who have lost it, and the high
percentage of the patients who return to their
regular work, the fund-raising problem would be
solved.
Every man, who has visited the hospital, has
been so deeply impressed that he has become
an enthusiastic supporter. This was illustrated
last year when Richard F. Walsh, lATSE president,
took a special trainload of members there.
Walsh had always been a worker in behalf of the
hospital. In a short time, following the visit,
there were hundreds more in the ranks. As a
result, the union's contributions rose sharply
during the winter.
The Christmas Salutes have brought the hospital's
problems closer to thousands of industry
workers, but apparently it will take something
more than these to make every film worker
feel that this is his hospital, that it is ready to
offer him and members of his family free treatment
in case of need. It is the one institution,
except the Permanent Charities Fund on the
coast, which is dedicated exclusively to the
service of entertainment industry workers. It is
a beacon in periods of storm.
Patient after patient has told the story of how
he was received as a guest and made happy
during his stay. Every welfare organization in
the industry and every Variety Club Tent should
help out. The outlook is much brighter than it
was five years ago and there is no reason why
it can't be brightened still more.
Some Details
Needed
Walter Reade jr. put the pent-up bitterness
of exhibitors over the product shortage into emphatic,
and at times emotional, words in addressing
the Motion Picture Industry Council,
just before the directors of Theatre Owners of
America started their coast meetings. He favors
an alliance between producing talent and exhibition.
That leaves much to the imagination. The
Allied-Makelim tieup, which guarantees playdates
to Hal Makelim's pictures and thereby
helps him to get financing, is the only arrangement
bypassing distribution that has been suggested
recently. Even Makelim will need to have
distribution. This ought to be easy to get, for
there are several companies ready to take on
likely looking product on a fixed fee basis.
But Reade wants a cheaper form of
distribution.
He may have something worked out.
There certainly has been abundant discussion of
the product situation in recent months, but nobody
has come up with a plan. Reade's method
of presentation is emotional. It attracts attention,
which is what the current problem needs.
It may induce more producers of medium-budget,
profit-making pictures to revise their production
schedules now that it is becoming apparent that
the whole exhibition world is not going to rush
into wide screens in a single season, but if any
new production-exhibition setup is to be developed
on a scale broad enough to upset current
practices, somebody will have to come forward
with a wad of money and a willingness to devote
full time to a huge organizing task.
• •
cheers for
Broidy
Steve Broidy, vyiied Artists president, announced
on the eve of his conference with Theatre
Owners of America directors, that he would
boost his production schedule next year to 40
features from the current 26. If he succeeds, he
will receive three cheers from hundreds of exhibitors.
Mr. Broidy said the pictures would be in three
categories: Top, with directors like John Huston,
Billy Wilder and William Wyler with budgets
running up to $800,000 or more; exploitable
films running to $300,000, and others down to
$175,000.
That's variety for small as well as big tovras.
Also, it is realism that discards the theory that
medium-sized subsequent runs can survive on a
limited diet of super attractions.
• *
Dewey Makes Fast
Move
Mayor Wagner of New York thought he had
tossed a hot potato into the hands of Governor
Dewey when he told the theatremen to go to
Albany and ask him to repeal the ticket tax bill
then under consideration by the Board of Estimate
and the city council.
Governor Dewey reacted like a pitcher trying
to throw a runner out at second base. He read
the full-page ads addressed to him by the theatremen
and replied by wire that he would name
a commission to study the desirability of the tax.
A law passed in 1947 authorized cities and towns
to impose ticket taxes. The governor intimated
that conditions might have changed since then
and it might be necessary to repeal the law at
the next session of the legislature.
This postpones the hoped-for relief to next
winter, unless another special session is called,
but, even so, it was the most encouraging news
exhibitors in the Empire State have received in
several weeks.
—/. M. JERAULD

.
.
TOA EARNEST ABOUT PRODUCT;
TO GET IT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER
May Form Company on
First National Lines, or
Spur Independents
LOS ANGELES—Strongly indicating that
the organization may back up its oft-voiced
demands for an increase in the flow of
Hollywood product to the nation's showcases
by entering the filmmaking field,
either directly or indirectly, the executive
committee of Theatre Owners of
America concluded a three-day special
meeting here Saturday (19) by passing a
resolution calling for the appointment of
"a qualified and experienced" person to
act as an "industry coordinator."
Duties of the newly created post, according
to the resolution, will encompass "all matters
relating to the exhibition, production and
distribution of motion pictures and the financing
thereof, whether that financing be
direct or indirect, and whether it be by way
of support to independent producers or
through a company in broad principles substantially
similar to those of the orginal First
National."
Further details anent the move remain to
be prepared under supervision of a seven-man
planning committee. The proposal will be
presented to the full TOA membership at its
upcoming annual convention, to be held in
Chicago October 31-November 1-4.
That the TOA's executive committee would
take action along some such lines had been
indicated earlier when Walter Reade jr., eastern
circuit operator and TOA president, in a
speech before the Motion Picture Industry
Council here, lashed out at the trade's distribution
segment for its "chaotic" selling
methods. In those remarks he urged cooperation
between production and exhibition
to step up the supply of marketable celluloid,
and blasted distribution for curtailing the
quantity of releases.
During the opening session on Thursday
(17) the TOA executives had as guest speakers
Irving H. Levin and Harry Mandell, president
and sales chief, respectively, of Filmakers
UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINS TOA BOARD MEMBERS
Exhibitors attending the TOA board meeting prefaced their business sessions with a
party at which executives of Universal-International were hosts and U-I stars were additional
hosts. In the left upper photo, L to R are Alfred Daff, U-I executive vice-president, with
U-I board chairman Nate Blumberg and Walter Reade, TOA president. In the upper right
are Robert Livingston, Lincoln, Neb., starlet Leslie Gaye, and Albert Pickus, Stratford,
Conn.; L to R, in the lower photos are: Starlet Gloria DeHaven, exhibitor Nat Williams
of Georgia, and director George Marshall; Tom Bloomer, Belleville, III., actresses Jeanne
Crain and Lori Nelson, and Noah Bloomer of Los Angeles; and, in photo at right, circuit
owner Harold Field, Minneapolis, with Miss Grain.
Releasing Organization. They outlined FRO's
plans for the production of six "exploitable"
features during the next 12 months and discussed
the comjmny's "exhibitor guarantee"
plan, whereby celluloid is sold for release
during production for the best acceptable
offer in any given territory.
Friday's meeting was highlighted by the
appearance of Steve Broidy, president of
Allied Artists, accompanied by Walter Mirisch,
executive producer, and G. Ralph Branton,
vice-president. Broidy, taking issue with TOA
complaints of a product shortage, said his
company wants playdates, not financial
Text of TOA Resolution on Industry Coordinator
The full text of the Theatre Owners
of America resolution to stimulate increased
production of motion pictures
and employ an industry coordinator
to direct the program follows:
After considerable discussion it was
the unanimous vote of the board of directors
and executive committee that:
(1) The officers of Theatre Owners of
America, with the approval of the executive
committee, be and they hereby are
authorized, directed and empowered to
obtain for Theatre Owners of America
the services of a qualified and experienced
person to act as "Industry Coordinator,"
whose duties shall be as determined
by the officers and the executive
committee;
and
(2) That the officers and the executive
committee of Theatre Owners of
America prepare and execute the plan
defining the duties of the "Industry
Coordinator," such plan to comprehend
all matters relating to the exhibition,
production and distribution of motion
pictures and the financing thereof,
whether it be by way of support to independent
producers or through a company
in broad principles substantially similar
to those of the original FMrst National
Picture Corp.
(3) That the plan be presented to the
full membership of TOA for implementation
at the annual TOA convention in
Chicago October 31-November 1-4.
assistance, and declared the gamble in production
is "much greater" than in exhibition.
"If you want insurance, you must pay a
premium." Broidy told the TOA delegates.
"The amount of pictures delivered by Allied
Artists in the future will be determined by
the availability of reasonable playing time .
In my opinion, the solution lies in the exhibitors'
hands."
Also participating in Friday's discussions
were Charles P. Skouras, president of National
Theatres and Fox West Coast, and
Robert L. Lippert. president of Lippert Pictures.
Skouras analyzed the causes leading
up to the current alleged scarcity of product.
In apparent agreement with the TOA resolution
later adopted, he suggested that the
most effective way of alleviating the shortage
would be "along the lines of First National."
Lippert expressed the belief that stimulating
activity among independent film makers also
would result in a boost in production among
the majors. "Small" pictures are "coming to
the end of tlie line." he declared, but the
"middle-bracket" offering is "surefire."
Use of TV and radio to stimulate theatre
patronage has "proved its worth." Earl Hudson,
vice-president of American Broadcasting-
Paramount Theatres, told the TOA executives
at Saturday's session. He urged both distributors
and exhibitors to exploit product through
all available media and called theatre owners
"the public relations officers of the motion
picture industry."
Herman M. Levy, TOA general counsel, reported
that in the past eight months a "strong
(Continued on page 10)
BOXOmCE June 26, 1954

SHARP CINEMASCOPE ADVANCE
SHOWN IN 20TH-FOX TEST FILMS
Color Is True, Focus Depth
Adds to Pictorial Beauty;
Sound Quality Enhanced
NEW YORK—Cinemascope has been improved
remarkably in the year since "The
Robe" was unveiled. The new Bausch &
Lomb lenses, the new color, and the improved
sound apparatus have worked wonders.
The entire screen is in sharp focus,
both in the foreground and background and
out on the edges.
Some of the outdoor scenes are outstandingly
beautiful and Darryl F. Zanuck, 20th-
Fox production chief, made the statement
that the mountains in the background of
one scene were 25 miles away. This clarity
gives a new feeling of depth and participation.
The demonstrations Tuesday (22) at 9 a.m.
in the Roxy, New York, and at the Boulevard
Theatre, Los Angeles, at 9 (PST), were
the first of a series designed to cover 32
key cities by July 9. These will be followed
by Canadian and foreign showings.
Being presented is a picture called "The
Advancing Technique of Cinemascope," with
a special subject titled "The Miracle of
Stereophonic Sound." designed to show the
difference between four-track magnetic
Ten Scopes^ Two Standard Set for Fox Release
NEW YORK—Twentieth Century-Fox wUl
release ten Cinemascope productions and two
standard films between July and December.
This will raise the Cinemascope total to 18
and the standard films to ten for this year.
All but one are in color.
The — lineup follows:
July "The Royal Tour of Queen Elizabeth
and Philip," in Eastman Color; "The Gambler
Prom Natchez," standard film from Panoramic
Productions, starring Dale Robertson,
Debra Paget and Kevin McCarthy, produced
by Leonard Goldstein; "Garden of Evil," starring
Gary Cooper, Susan Hayward and Richard
Widmark.
— August "The Raid," a Panoramic production
in Technicolor, starring Van Heflin,
Anne Bancroft and Richard Boone; "Broken
Lance," starring Spencer Tracy, Robert Wagner,
Jean Peters and Richard Widmark.
September—Darryl F. Zanuck's Cinema-
sound recording, single track magnetic sound
and single track optical sound.
As an example of what can be done with
the improved process the first picture was
Scop>e production, "The Egyptian," starring
Edmund Purdom, Jean Simmons, Victor
Mature, Gene Tierney, Bella Dar\'i and
Michael Wilding.
— October "Carmen Jones," in Cinemascope
and Technicolor featuring Harry Belafonte,
Dorothy Dandridge — and Pearl Bailey
November "Desiree," starring Marlon
Brando, Jean Simmons and Victor Mature;
"Black Widow," in Cinemascope and Technicolor,
directed by Nunnally Johnson and
starring Gene Tierney, Van Heflin and Peggy
Ann Gardner.
December— "White Feather," last of ten
from Leonard Goldstein's Panoramic Productions,
in Cinemascope, starring Robert Wagner,
Terry Moore; Dale Robertson and Jeffrey
Hunter; "There's No Business Like Show
Business," starring Marilyn Monroe, Ethel
Merman, Dan Dailey, Donald O'Connor, Mitzi
Gaynor and Johnny Ray.
outstanding. The subject material is made
up of scenes from "Broken Lance," "A
Woman's World," "Untamed," Irving Berlin's
(Continued on page 10)
Al Lichtman (L), director of sales for 30th-Fox, chats with Ned
Depinet, former RKO president, in photo at left. Others in pictures,
left to right are: Charles Einfeld, 20th-Fox vice-president, with
Robert S. Benjamin, United Artist board chairman; Cresson Swett,
of DeRochemont Associates, with Herman Robbing, National Screen
AT THE NEW YORK DEMONSTRATION
president; a trio comprised of Zeke Miller, assistant manager of the
Roxy Theatre, George Skouras, and Abe Dickstein, 20th-Fox branch
manager, New York City; and Spyros S. Skouras, head of Skouras
Theatres and William and George Brandt of Brandt Theatres in
the New York area.
Spyros Skouras, 20th-Fox president, was at the coast demonstration,
and is shown in the photo at left with Fred Metzler, head
of industrial relations at the studio. Others, left to right, are:
Walter Reade jr., TOA president, with Al Lichtman, director of sales
for Fox; Albert Pickus, Stratford, Conn., with Leo Pallay and Jesse
AT CINEMASCOPE SHOWING ON COAST
Jones of Portland; Veteran A. H. Blank of Des Moines and Robert
Livingston, Omaha; and in photo at right, Herman Levy, TOA
general counsel (standing), with Myron Blank of Des Moines and
Harold Field, Minneapolis. The latter also attended the TOA executive
board sessions.
BOXOFnCE June 26, 1954 9

PuUc ^e^nU
British Exhibitors Repeat
Call for Worldwide Unit
Cinema Exhibitors Ass'n notes cooperative
agreement effected with Continental Europe;
leaders will approach TOA directors Leonard
H. Goldenson and Mitchell Wolfson, now in
London, and Alfred Starr and R. J. O'Donnell,
due there later.
•
N.Y. State Investigators
Completing Tax Survey
If report of Governor Dewey's group is
critical of 5 per cent city levy imposed by
Mayor Wagner, the legislature in regular session
next January could withdraw its permission
for levy granted in 1947.
*
Schine Theatres and Majors
Named in Antitrust Suit
Carl B. Moore of Van Wert. Ohio, charges
preferential treatment In a $450,000 action
filed in Buffalo; four Schine subsidiaries included;
majors are Paramount, Fox, RKO,
Loew's, WB and UA.
*
Ohio ITOO Continues Drive
For Lower Carrier Rate
Horace Adams, president, says companies
should not ask increased rates at a time when
exhibitor profit margin is small; carriers
point to no increase in past years and to
service record.
*
World's Largest Drive-In
Opens in Westbury, L. I.
Edifice, costing $600,000, covers 28-acre
tract with a 2,000-car capacity; 124x56-foot
screen also is world's largest, surpassing
Radio City Music Hall by approximately 50
feet; operated by Saul Lerner.
*
Antitrust Fine Hearing
Scheduled for July 2
On that date House of Representatives in
Washington will hear arguments on measure
that would increase monopoly violations from
$5,000 to a maximum of $50,000.
*
Stanley Warner to Ask
More Time to Divest
Present deadline is July 4; circuit was to
have disposed of approximately 55 theatre
properties by Jan. 3, 1953; had 22 to go at
the time of the last extension in January.
*
Network Color Telecast
Set for Fall by CBS
Will present at least 40 major network programs
this fall, starting with Ed Sullivan's
•'Toast of the Town" August 22; expect
60 to 70 stations to be equipped by then.
*
Mississippi Theatre Owners
To Convene June 27-29
Gathering will be at Edgewat«r Park, MLss.;
annual election scheduled; both Tushinsky
SuperScope and Gottschalk Super Panatar
variable anamorphlc lenses will be shown.
Distribution Officially
Ignoring Reades Attack
NEW YORK—Distribution will take no concerted
official action on the vigorous attack
on it of Walter Reade jr., president of Theatre
Owners of America. It has been left to
officials of the various companies to reply
to it if they wish. To date, only James R.
Grainger, BKO president, has replied. He
didn't get excited.
The decision not to issue a joint statement
was reached Monday (21) at a meeting of the
general sales managers committee of the
Motion Picture Ass'n of America. The committee
said afterwards there had been "a
brief discussion" that pertained to "a speech
that was made June 16 before the Motion
Picture Industry Council in Hollywood by
the president of the Theatre Owners of America."
It added that "it was felt that this
matter was purely one for individual company
consideration."
Off the record, individual company executives
were either burned up over Reade's
charges or inclined to laugh them off as too
extreme to merit attention. Some executives
turned the tables on reporters by pretending
TOA
(Continued from page 8)
and effective" liaison had been developed between
the organization and the Cinematographer
Elxhibitors' Ass'n of Great Britain and
Ireland. Reade was authorized to appoint
a committee to seek "even closer" association,
not only with CEA but with other exhibitor
groups throughout the world.
It also was announced that Alfred Starr,
chairman of the board and of the executive
committee, and possibly R. J. O'Donnell,
would meet late this month or early in July
*ith CEA representatives in London.
Chai-ges of tardiness in the preparation of
pressbooks and paper on 1954 product and
the allegation that such material often is
prepared in insufficient quantity were brought
before the meeting by Roy Martin, president
of Martin Theatres of Columbus, Ga. Martin
introduced as evidence a communication from
National Screen Service, assertedly indicating
that producers and distributors "very often"
do not supply the necessary material to NSS
for consumption by exhibitors. Reade was
authorized to put the complaint on the agenda
for discussion at the next meeting between
TOA representatives and company sales
managers.
"Favorable and immediate" action to correct
the situation was promised by E. K.
(Ted) O'Shea, Paramount sales executive, and
Jerry Pickman, vice-president of Paramount
and advertising-publicity-exploitation chief,
both of whom attended the Saturday meeting.
Also attending the meeting were: Carl E. Anderson,
Kalispell, Mont.; L. S. Hamm, Son Francisco; Harold
Field, Minneapolis; Daniel Field, Los Angeles; Tom
Bloomer, Belleville, III,; Jesse Jones, Portland, Ore.;
A. H. and Myron Blank, Dos Moines; R. J. O'Donnell,
Dallas; Jotin Rowley, Dallas; Herman M. Levy, Hamden,
Conn.; Alfred M. Pickus, Strafford, Conn.; Robert
L Livingston, Lincoln, Neb.; Cfiarles P. Skouras and
John Lovery, Los Angeles; Julius Gordon, Beaumont,
Tex.; Leo Palloy, Portland, Ore.; Charles Gilmour,
Denver; Not M. Williams, Thomasville, Go.; Robert
Bryant, Rock Hill, S. C, and Sol Schwartz, New York.
to interview them on the charges. But with
most of them the charge that distribution had
"grown fat" on "the creative genius" of the
MPIC and on the "tremendous investments
and showmanship" of exhibitors did not
set well. It seemed to them that Reade was
trying to split distribution and production
and establish closer business relations of
the latter with exhibition by making unfair
and exaggerated statements.
Grainger wired Reade it did not become
him to "criticize other men in this industry,
particularly those men who have reached the
top from the bottom by their own ability,
hard work and experience, and have a reputation
for integrity."
Grainger added: "Furthermore, Walter, in
my years I have never seen any exhibitor on
the breadline."
Grainger's telegram went to the coast where
Reade was to remain until the first of the
week. Herman M. Levy, TOA general counsel,
who has been credited with helping Reade
frame the speech, was returning by train
and expected here late in the week.
CinemaScope
(Continued from page 9)
"There Is No Business Like Show Business,"
"Garden of Evil" and "The Egyptian." This
part of the show has explanatory interruptions
by DaiTyl F. Zanuck. An exhibitor
could sell tickets for it without starting a
complaint. The beauty of the photography
and the drama of some of the scenes are
absorbing.
The scenes had been previously shown on
the coast to the board of directors of Theatre
Owners of America, some of the members
of which were photographed expressing their
feelings about the new CinemaScope. All were
enthusiastic. These scenes done in black and
white were tacked on the end of the longer
picture which ran over an hour.
It serves both as a demonstration of the
technical advance in the CinemaScope process
and as a trailer for forthcoming 20th Century-
Pox product. Seven folders containing stills
and information about the productions have
been sent out to exchanges and field representatives.
In addition, Zanuck, standing behind his
desk at the studio, discussed the titles and
sales of a number of books that ai-e scheduled
to start in the next few months. This
was warmly received by the TOA boai-d members
and also exhibitors at the Roxy who have
been talking so much about a product
shortage.
That portion of the show giving compari-
.sons of four-track and single-track magnetic
sound and single-track optical sound was not
entirely convincing. The Roxy is equipped
with wall speakers and when the operator
wants to put on what is called "surround"
sound he can blast a spectator out of hLs
.seat. Handling that fourth track for thunder
and other effects apparently requires the
services of an expert.
Pictures were shown in the regular 2.55 to 1
CinemaScope ratio, 1.85 to 1 and the standard.
10 BOXOFFICE :
: June 26, 1954

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You'll love Joan as the legendary
woman knovs^n as Vienna...
...She was the Dancing Kid's girl
and rode with Lonergan's bunch...
..Yet Johnny was her man, a
roving troubador who looked
naked in a lawless country
without a six-gun!

\ THIS TURBULENT, IMPASSIONED DRAMA!
HERBERT J.
YATES
presents
M
JOAN CRAWFORD
in
JOHNHYGUfTAfZ 1
Starring
STERLING HAYDEN SCOTT BRADY MERCEDES McCAMBRIDGE
.,. BEN COOPER • ERNES! BORGNINE • WARD BONO • JOHN CARRAOINE
Screen Play by PHILIP YORDAN • Based on the novel by ROY CHANSLOR
Associate
Producer-Director NICHOLAS RAY • a republic picture

:
JOHN
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HERBERT J. YATES
presents
HELL'S HALF ACRE
starring i COREY • EVELYN KEYES • ELSA UNCHESTER .„. mar:e Windsor NANCY GATES
Wnlten by STEVE FISHER • Associate Pcoducei and Oicecloi JOHN H AUER
A REPUBLIC PICTURE
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bUllLI * lUlRnUUU ' lUbltLll OnlNLII PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY HERBERT WILCOX ^^^^'^
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A REPUBLIC PICTURE
» ''Cfc
MAKE
HERBERT J. YATES
presents DOROTHY
HASTE
M'GUIRE STEPHEN M'NALLY
TO LIVE
»lth MARY MURPHY • EDOAR BUCHANAN JOHN HOWARD • RON HAGERTHY
mmm
Scre«n Play by WARREN DUFF • Based on the Novel by THE CORDONS • Associate Producer-Director WILLIAM SEITER
A REPUBLIC PICTURE
HERBERT J.
YATES
presenli
DLREK * JOAN EVANS «iih hm davis • Catherine mcleod
• ben cooper
Screeii Play by JOHN K BUTLER and f ICHARD WORfriSER • Baled upon an Esquire MaEaiine story by TOOHUNTER BALLARD • Directed by WILLIAM WITNEY
A REPUBLIC PICTURE
pretentiTHE SHANGHAI
HERBERT I. YATES
AHOWSR WONDERFUL ROMANCE FROM THE AUTHOR OF "THE QUIET MAN"
iTYTiTTTTTW^
HERBERT I. YATES
mi
HERBERT WILCOX
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Screen Play by FRANK S NUGENT • Fiom Ibe story by MAURICE WALSH • Produced and Directed by HERBERT WILCOX
A REPUBUC PICTURE
OHCE THE GRAND HOTEL OF THE ORIENT... NOW A BRUTAL
STORY
CONCENTRATION CAMP!
RUTH ROMAN • EDMOND O'BRIEN ..th RICHARD JAECKEL «»sii hutsomi . ««( cfRRiAu . 8ab«t mmi . pwp «kn
Scrttfi Pljy by SETON I MILLER and STEVE FISHER • Baied on the itory by LESTER TARD • Associate ProducerDtrector A REPUBLIC PICTURE

Blind Bidding Ordered
Out by Denver Court
SALT LAKE CITY—A federal court judge
this week set a film distribution precedent
when he signed an injunction ordering Pai'amount
Pictures to open bids for its pictures
before all interested parties prior to awarding
the bid.
Judge Willis W. Hitter's injunction also
divided Salt Lake City into two zones to
determine how Paj-amount's first run pictures
may be distributed, with all theatres entitled
to bid for product.
The injunction came as a result of a verdict
handed down in an antitrust case in which
the Villa Theatre sued Paramount Pictures
and Intermountain Theatres, which was a
Pai-amount affiliate until production and distribution
were divorced from theatres. In
that suit, Village Theatres, which operates
the Villa, contended that it had been discriminated
against for first run pictures.
The jury returned a verdict of $20,000 damages
and Judge Ritter increased this to
$60,000 under the triple damages provisions of
the antitrust laws. In addition, the judge
this week also added $27,500 in fees for the
plaintiff's attorneys and $9,700 in court fees
to the amount to be paid by the defendants.
The coui't denied motions for a new trial,
but stayed the injunction for ten days to
permit the defendant companies to prepare
an appeal to the higher courts.
Makelim Reports Added
Contracts for His Plan
HOLLYWOOD—Hal Makelim, independent
producer, who is to supply 12 features under
the Makelim Plan through assured playdates
from exhibitors, appeared before the TOA
board here last week. He reported additional
commitments from John Rowley of United
Rowley circuit; Charles Gilmour of Gibraltar
circuit of Denver: and the J. J. Rosenfield
cii'cuit of Spokane.
Makelim is to start the second half of his
tour of exchange cities to meet exhibitors
June 28 when he will be at the Fox Theatre
in St. Louis for a session of MidCentral
Allied. He said additional circuits added since
he returned to Hollywood recently include
Video Theatres of Oklahoma City; Affiliated
Theatres of Boston; Rube Shor's circuit,
Cincinnati; and Dollinger's Theatres of New
Jersey.
K.C. Local Endorses Brewer
KANSAS CITY—lATSE Local 170 here has
voted to endorse Roy M. Brewer and his
complete ticket at the forthcoming biennial
convention in Cincinnati, beginning August
9. Brewer is running against Richard F.
Walsh, incumbent president of lATSE. The
local also voted financial assistance for
Brewer's campaign. George B. Barrett, business
representative of Local 170, will be nominated
on the Brewer ticket for an international
vice-presidency.
Pope Hits Immoral Films
ROME—Pope Pius XII has asked Roman
Catholic film commissions to firmly condemn
immoral films without regard for their possible
artistry or the interest of their subject
matter. He stated his views in a letter to
the International Cinema meeting in Cologne.
Todd-AO,on 65mm Film,
Previewed for Trade
The men behind the new Todd-AO wide-screen process are assembled here with
the camera at the first demonstration of the system. L to R: Fred Zinnemann, who
will direct "Oklahoma!", the first in the Todd-AO process; Richard Rodgers and Oscar
Hammerstein; Michael Todd, whose name combines with that of the American Optical
Co. to form the Todd-AO organization, and Dr. Brian O'Brien, who developed device.
HOLLYWOOD — The Todd-AO process,
widely ballyhooed newcomer to the bigleaguers
among new techniques for photographing
and projecting motion pictures, was
demonstrated here Tuesday (22) for members
of the Hollywood press and a sprinkhng
of studio executives. Ebihibited on an MGM
studio sound stage, and utilizing only experimental
and test footage, Todd-AO gave the
impression of being a combination of Cinerama
and Cinemascope.
Michael Todd, theatrical producer and one
of the initial partners in Cinerama, whose
name combines with that of the American
Optical Co. to form Todd-AO, personally shot
some of the footage with a special "bug'seye"
lens which is a feature of the camera's
use in the process.
It consisted of a ride on the roller coaster,
a bull-fight in Spain and scenes of Venice,
Italy. The other celluloid comprised test
shots made by director Fred Zinnemann for
"Oklahoma!" the film version of the popular
Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, which
will be the first feature in which Todd-AO
will be employed.
Following the demonstration. Dr. Brian
O'Brien, head of research and vice-president
of the American Optical Co., answered questions
regarding the new technique, which
revealed that in order for a theatre to avail
itself of pictures photographed therein they
will have to be equipped with new AO projectors,
cuiTently being built by the Phillips
Co. of Holland. It was stated that these projectors
will be in the same price range as current
standard machines. The projectors used
at the demonstration were Ernemann machines,
converted for the purpose.
The screen on which the demonstration was
made was of the same material as used in
first run theatres. Its dimensions are 51 feet
across (60 feet along the curve) and 25 feet
high, a ratio of 2 to 1. The depth of the
curve is 13 feet at the center. The film used
for the test was in 65mm Eastman color,
processed by Consolidated Film Laboratories
at Port Lee, N. J. The cameras which shot
the footage used four lenses, ranging from the
122-degree wide-angle lens down to 64, 48
and 37-degree lenses.
Oscar Hammerstein, one of the creators of
"Oklahoma!" was present at the demonstration
and joined Dr. O'Brien in explaining its
technical details and claimed advantages;
among the points stressed were:
The screen for Todd-AO can be made in
any size. While new screens for a theatre
utilizing the projectors are recommended,
they are not essential.
The new projectors, while designed specifically
for Todd-AO, can accommodate any
films regardless of the process in which they
are photographed.
RKO Regional Meets Finish
At New Orleans, Chicago
CHICAGO—RKO Radio sales executives
converged on the Blackstone hotel Thursday
(24) for the third of a series of regional
sales meetings. They came here directly from
New Orleans where a two-day session was
held at the Jung hotel.
James R. Grainger, president, led the discussions
p.t both places. Charles Boasberg,
general sales manager, presided.
Home office executives at both sessions
were: Edward L. Walton, executive assistant
to the president; Harry Gittleson, executive
assistant to Boasberg, and Prank Derwin,
assistant to Walton. Sidney Ki-amer, short
subjects sales manager, joined the group in
Chicago.
The New Orleans meeting opened Monday
with a screening of "Susan Slept Here."
Later releasing plans were discussed. A
Superscope demonstration was given at the
theatre under the direction of Joseph Tushinsky,
co-inventor of the process with his
brother. Scenes from "Son of Sinbad" were
featured in the demonstration.
BOXOFnCE :
: June 26, 1954 15

THE LINE
BEGINS
WHERE

Burglaries, Holdups
Plaguing Theatres
KANSAS CITY—The film industry Is being
plagued with a rash of burglaries and
holdups in both the United States and Canada,
particularly in the drive-in field. Biggest
haul of the most recent outbreak was
at the Leawood Drive-In Theatre, a Dickinson
circuit operation, on the outskirts of Kansas
City where three bandits last week held
up Robert Simmons, the manager, took $1,300
and locked him in the trunk of his car. Simmons
was on the way to the bank with the
weekend receipts.
Through the country, theatremen have lost
thousands of dollars in recent months to
burglars and holdup men. It has become
such a problem that many circuits have held
meetings with managers and other personnel
in an effort to develop a foolproof method of
keeping receipts out of the hands of thieves.
No sure method has been evolved. The subject
also has come up for subrosa conferences
at a number of exhibitor conventions,
the purpose of the secrecy being that drive-in
operators didn't want word to get around that
outdoor operations have been hit pretty regularly
by holdup artists and burglars.
At a number of drive-ins in metropolitan
areas where Brink's operates, this moneyhandling
service has been used, but it is considered
too expensive for most operations. In
addition, one drive-in operator said the cut in
insurance rates when Brink's service is taken
on isn't deep enough to warrant the cost.
The Commonwealth circuit here, with two
outdoor theatres in the Kansas City area,
uses Brink's for one drive-in and a prayer
for the other. The results have been satisfactory
at both.
Texas, Florida and Ontario appear to have
had the greatest number of robberies. Cash-
Don't Follow Procedure
In
Handling Receipts
Kansas City—The best defense for a
drlve-in theatre against robbery is to
have no set procedure in handling receipts.
This is the advice of Jack
Braunagel, head of the drlve-in department
of Commonwealth circuit. Although
he and his managers have discussed the
problem of safeguarding theatre funds,
they have been unable to come up with
any system which they believe is a sure
thing.
Theatremen should not get into a set
routine of handling money, he advises.
If a night depository is used one night,
the receipts should be kept in the office
safe the next. Nor should receipts be
taken to the bank at the same hour each
day. "Leave at 10 a. m. one morning,
11 the next, at noon another day,"
says Braunagel.
"It is always best to have two men
along on the trip to the bank. The very
presence of an extra hand in the car has
the effect of discouraging holdup men,"
he believes.
iers in theatres on both the east and west
coasts of Florida have been victimized in
recent weeks. In Altamonte Springs, in west
Florida, the Prairie Lake Drive-In was held
up by two gunmen, one of whom poked a
gun through the boxoffice window while the
second went into the booth and scooped up
the night's receipts.
In Texas this week. Jack Farr's Skyway
Drive-In at Houston was robbed of $334.42
by burglars who broke into the safe. Also in
Houston, earlier in the month two armed
bandits got into the office of the King Center
Drive-In, owned by Julius Gordon, posing as
job applicants. Then, at the point of a gun,
forced Manager Carl Stroud to open the
safe. They took $1,300 and fled in Stroud's
automobile. Another Texas drive-in robbed
this week was the Rose Garden at Tyler.
A gunman, wearing a woman's stocking over
his face, forced Lois Blackstone, the cashier,
to hand over the receipts of $158. At the
Decker Drive-In, Baytown, Manager Floyd
Bengston was slugged and robbed of $600.
In Canada, there appears to be a wave of
holdups in the Toronto and Hamilton areas.
At Hamilton, two men slugged and gagged
Manager William Woodbeck and tied up three
of the employes, then helped themselves to
$1,000 in receipts. In Toronto, the Parkdale,
Donlands, Hollywood and Apollo theatres
have been robbed in recent weeks. A $2,600
loot was obtained at the Parkdale.
Theatres robbed of $500 or more in recent
weeks include: Nona Theatre, Lafayette, La.;
Regal Theatre, Durham, N. C; Ski-Hi Drive-
In, Youngstown, Ohio; Corral Outdoor Theatre,
Minneapolis; Surf Drive-In, Lake Charles,
La.; East Windsor Drive-In, East Windsor,
Conn.; Pawnee Drive-In, North Platte, Neb.;
Mansfield Drive-In, Hartford.
Editors Told New Faces
Make Interesting Copy
NEW YORK—New personalities in
motion
pictures make good newspaper copy, according
to the 18th In the series of institutional
advertisements placed in Editor & Publisher
by the Council of Motion Picture Organizations.
"You would be amazed," the ad says, "at
the excitement generated by new faces that
have appeared recently on the screen of your
local theatre. Two years ago it was Marlon
Brando, last year Marilyn Monroe and this
year it might well be Edmund Purdom."
The ad says the development of new faces
is no accident, but part of a definite program.
It notes the interest aroused by the
Detroit Free Press in running a series of
brief biographies and human interest stories
on new personalities, written by Helen Bower.
Special MGM Film for TV
HOLLYWOOD—A 15-minute subject showing
the Egyptian locations used as background
for "Valley of the Kings" is being prepared
by MGM for use on TV, in schools and
other public institutions. The Sam Zimbalist
production, directed by Robert Pirosh, was
lensed entirely in Egypt, with Robert Taylor
and Eleanor Parker as the co-stars.
PRESENTS AWARD IN ROME—Robert
Wise (right), director of "Executive
Suite," the MGM production which won
the BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award for
May, is presented with the BRA plaque
by Ben Shlyen, publisher of BOXOFFICE,
while on the set of "Helen of Troy" which
Wise is making for Warner Bros, at the
Cinecitta Studios in Rome, Italy. Shlyen
is on a tour of several European countries
surveying production and exhibition conditions
on the continent and in England.
Ask Tax Help, to Gel
More Films on TV
WASHINGTON—Special tax advantages
to persuade film companies to release old
films to television and to encourage Hollywood
figures to make more films specially for
television were suggested on Tuesday (22)
to the Senate Commerce Communications
Subcommittee.
The subcommittee on Tuesday wound up
its lengthy hearings on the trials and tribulations
of the new ultra high frequency TV
stations and was told that unless something
is done immediately as many as one out of
three of UHF stations now on the air will
shortly go bankrupt.
UHF interests asked for a number of steps
including a new freeze on very high frequency
station licenses, shifting of all present
and future stations to XJHF bands to equalize
the competition, government regulations forcing
networks to give programming to the
newer outlets, and tax advantages.
VHF interests, on the other hand, said no
good would be accomplished by reducing all
television to the lowest level. Representing
82 operating VHF stations and 53 others who
hold permits or are seeking permits, W. Theodore
Pierson, said that the ITHF programming
difficulties might be solved if more
film were available.
Pierson said the film producers have been
afraid of reprisals from exhibitors and have
also feared loss of income if exhibitors go
out of busine.ss, and hence have not released
their film libraries. Even when they have released
films, the prices have been too high
for small TV stations, he said.
His solution was to permit film companies
to pay taxes on earnings from sale of film
to TV at the low capital gains rate rather
than the high corporate rate. Thus, the extra
earnings might on the one hand cause the
companies to forget any loss of higher-taxed
revenues from theatres and on the other
hand, enable the companies to sell film to
TV at lower rates.
18
BOXOFFICE
:
: June 26, 1954

UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL
PURSUING ITS
FREQUENTLY-STATED
POLICY OF SUPPLYING
ALL OF ITS
PICTURES
TO ALL THEATRES,
ANNOUNCES
THE BLACK SHIELD
OF FALWORTH" WILL
BE RELEASED
IN CINEMASCOPE
AND WILL ALSO BE
MADE AVAILABLE TO
THEATRES WITH
ALL OTHER TYPES OF
CONVENTIONAL
PROJECTION...
CINEMASCOPE PRINTS AVAILABLE WITH FULL STEREOPHONIC
4-TRACK SOUND, DIRECTIONAL SOUND OR WITH CONVENTIONAL SOUND TRACK

Capacity Draw;
Fight Is
200,000 in Theatres
The Rocky Marclano-Ezzard Charles bout
for the world's heavyweight title last week
drew capacity audiences In virtually every one
of the 61 theatres across the U.S. to carry the
telecast. No official figures have been given,
but about 200,000 fight fans paid from $1.80
to $6.60 for seats—and satisfied customers
were reported everywhere. A sampling of reports
sent in by BOXOFFICE correspondents
follows:
Five Houses at Virtual
Capacity in L. A.
LOS ANGELES—Five theatres here showed
the telecast of the Marciano-Charles bout
and did virtual capacity business. Approximately
12,000 fight enthusiasts filled the Fox
Wilshire, Warner's Huntingdon Park and
Downtown theatres, Downtown Paramount
and Orpheum and paid a reported $42,000 at
the boxoffice. Admissions ranged from $1.80
for a limited number of seats in the Paramount
to $6.60 for the de luxe chairs at the
Fox Wilshire. Technically reception was excellent.
Two Theatres Are Filled
For Cleveland Telecasts
CLEVELAND—Approximately 6,000 sports
fans jammed the Allen and Palace theatres
for the Marciano-Ezzard Charles fight, and
there were standees at both theatres. At the
Palace, a feature, "Princess of the Nile," was
offered with the fight which brought the
fans in early. The Allen had a program of
shorts and sports subjects following the fight.
Berger May Sue Over
Losing Fight Telecast
MINNEAPOLIS—The closed circuit telecast
of the Marciano-Charles championship fight
at Radio City here was a huge boxoffice success.
The 4,108-seat house was filled to
capacity at $2.50 per seat, including tax, and
more than 300 were turned away.
With the theatre retaining $3,984.76 of the
net $9,325.16 gross, a neat profit was chalked
up by the big Minnesota Amusement Co.
house and Harry B. French, MAC president,
was highly pleased with the result.
TV reception was excellent and the further
fact that the fight was a good one left the
customers highly pleased. The theatre's regular
feature picture attraction, "Three Coins
in the Fountain," in its second week, was
shown following the telecast.
This was the only fight telecast in the
entire area, although the St. Paul Paramount
and Bennie Berger's Gopher Theatre here
also are equipped for large screen theatre TV.
MAC decided against running the telecast
in the St. Paul Paramount, but Berger
wanted it for his 1,000-seat Gopher and he
said his lawyers are still studying the original
agreement with Theatre Network Television
to decide if grounds exist for a breach
of contract suit.
French wouldn't take the fight telecast for
Radio City unless he could have it exclusively,
but he made it clear to TNT that he wouldn't
object if it gave the attraction to the Gopher
on the same basis.
A day prior to the fight, Berger said that
French phoned him that he would have no
objection if the Gopher also were given the
telecast. But by that time Berger asserted
he felt it was too late to publicize the attraction
properly.
7,000 Fill Two Houses
In Detroit Showings
DETROIT—The Marciano-Charles telecast
proved that competing theatres could book
a top sports attraction and do capacity business.
Both the 4,039-seat Michigan and the
2,955-seat Palms were filled at $3.85 for reserved
seats and $2.75 for general admission.
San Francisco Sells Out
Two Days Before Fight
SAN FRANCISCO—The fight telecast at
the Paramount Theatre was a sellout two days
before the show, despite the fact that the
fight took place here at the dinner hour.
$500,000 Brings $3 Million
In luther' Film Rental
Minneapolis—Delegates to the Lutheran
Free Church's annual conference at Thief
River Falls, Minn., were told by Dr. Paul
C. Empie of New York, National Lutheran
Council's executive director, that it took
less than a year for the Lutherans who
invested $500,000 in the Louis DeRochemont
production of "Martin Luther" to
regain their investment.
The picture has been seen by 10,000,000
persons in 3,000 theatres and already has
grossed more than $3,000,000, he said.
Despite a nominal advertising schedule, there
was no difficulty selling out at $3.30 and $4.40.
Capacity at Varied Ticket
Prices in Chicago
CHICAGO—Balaban & Katz spokesmen
proclaimed that the theatre telecast of the
Marciano-Charles championship fight last
Thursday was an unqualified success. The
three big Balaban & Katz houses, the Tivoli,
Marbro and Uptown, were packed to the
rafters. The same was true of the Crown,
Essaness owned, which also carried the bout
via closed circuit TV. Customer reaction indicated
that the $3.60 per person admittance
fee to witness the fight in an air-conditioned
theatre was well worth it. The four theatres
grossed $55,000, with the B&K houses playing
at $3.60 top and the Crown priced at $4.80
for each of its 1,200 seats.
Dinner Hour Fight Time
No Denver Handicap
DENVER—The large screen theatre television
of the Rocky Marciano-Ezzard Charles
fight, shown at the Paramount, was a success,
although not quite a sellout. Out of the
2.200 seats, about 2,000 were sold at $2.75.
with Manager Jack Wadell speculating the
house would have been fuUy sold out several
days before the fight had the fight not been
broadcast on radio. Concession sales were
away up from the usual average for the theatre.
Many came to the theatre direct from
work, and with the doors open 45 minutes before
fight time the customers had plenty of
time to catch up on their eats.
Come as Late as 8th Round
At Kansas City Showing
KANSAS CITY—Phil Blakey, city manager
for Commonwealth Theatres, reported the
telecast at the outlying 1,200-seat Ashland
Theatre played to capacity. Tickets were sold
up until the eighth round as many said they
were driving around listening to it on the
radio and decided to come in and see it. They
paid $3.30 just the same. About 10 per cent
of the crowd consisted of women fight fans.
Advertising had been held to a minimum.
ONE MAN'S FAMILY—When GeorRe Hoover, international chief barker of
Variet.v, arrived at the Grand Rapids, Mich., airport last week he was greeted by a
dozen members of the Fred Barr family—Chief Barker liarr of the Grand Rapids tent,
his wife and their ten children. Hoover is shown kneeling with the youngest of the
tribe. He was In Grand Rapids to award the Heart Citation to the Variety Club in
that city.
'Mrs. Leslie' Premieres Set
HOLLYWOOD—With Producer Hal Wallis
and his partner, Joseph Hazen, in attendance,
"About Mrs. Leslie," Shirley Booth starrer
made by Wallis for Warner release, was
slated to be world-premiered Sunday (27) at
the Victoria Theatre In New York. Its west
coast premiere is slated for Tuesday (29) at
the Four Star.
20 BOXOFFICE
: : June 26, 1954

says:
"THE CAINE MUTINY
takes on the boxoffice power
of such money-making giants as
'Gone With The Wind' and The Robe'."
THE CAINE MUTINY
-4a?*
mm^jiii i^Kif^w*
^^rwi"
STARRING
Humphrey Bogart - Jose Ferrer
Van Johnson - Fred MacMurray
and
Introducing
ROBERT FRANCIS- MAY WYNN
COtoo Br TECHNICOLOR
Screen Plajr bi STANLEY ROBERTS
'
Baud upon Ihe PuliUei pnie oinnini novel by HERMAN WOlIK
omtedb, EDWARD DMYTRYK • A COLUMBIA PICTURE • A STANLEY KRAMER PROD.

A/EM^ YORK NOW CAMPAIGNING
FOR REPEAL OF ADMISSION TAX
Full Publicity Treatment
To Be Given Closings of
Houses. Economic Impact
NEW YORK—The city's 5 per cent ticket
tax levy has been officially enacted, with
Mayor Robert Wagner's signature attached
to the ordinance over the weekend. However,
exhibitor fury has not abated even
though the furor has calmed down awaiting
the next move.
Meanwhile, meetings continued to be
held looking toward a campaign to kill
the tax at the earliest possible date. Details
of the campaign were given the press
confidentially as they developed, but with
the warnings that publication might be
harmful and that later developments
might force changes in plans.
NO BLUFF ON CLOSINGS
However, it can be said that the theatremen
weren't bluffing when they told Mayor Robert
F. Wagner that at least 83 theatres will
have to close, and that as the closings occur
the city administration and the public will
be fully informed about them. Unions allied
with the industry will work hand in hand
with the exhibitors in making the unfortunate
news public in such a way as to give it extra
impact.
The investigating group named by Gov.
Thomas E. Dewey to study the industry's
claims, repeated forcibly at a five-hour session
June 18 before the mayor, was hard at
work.
It is the Temporary State Commission on
Fiscal Affairs of State Government, headed
by Frederick L. Bird. It was represented at
the five-hour session after which Wagner
signed the bill into law. It heard not only
industry representatives attack the bill with
statistics that challenged the tax estimates
of Abraham Beame, budget controller, but
also Emanuel Celler, Democratic congressman
from New York, intimate that the
federal government may deduct from its financial
aid to the city an amount equal
to the tax yield.
SAYS CONGRESSMEN ANGERED
Rep. Celler spoke of the wrath of some congressmen
over the imposition of the local tax
after the Congress had recognized the need
of theatres for tax relief and had met that
need in part by reducing the federal tax
from 20 to 10 per cent. He said the mayor
was using the theatres as "guinea pigs" and
was opening for himself a "Pandora's box of
grief and trouble."
Just when the state's investigation will be
complete Bird could not predict.
A jam developed early in the week when
theatre owners and the ticket companies were
having trouble in learning from the city controller
what language should go on the new
tickets. The city has control over that. However,
the controller ruled mid-week that the
theatremen will have 60 days after July 1,
the effective date of the tax, to use up their
present tickets without any corrections on
them so long as the price plus tax is prominently
displayed and a correct inventory is
kept.
Another jam which developed chiefly concerned
the legitimate theatres and baseball
parks. Tliat was the problem of collecting
the tax on tickets sold in advance for shows
after June 30. Collection of the extra cash
at the theatre door and baseball park turnstiles
could cause traffic jams and shorten
tempers. An alternative would be payment
of the cash by the theatres, but they say
they can't afford it. So the city has been
asked to waive the tax on admissions paid
for before July 1. It was noted the situation
was unfortunate at a time when the New
York Summer Festival is opening in the hope
of luring more out-of-towners here.
Only two motion picture houses are affected
by the situation. They are Radio City Music
Hall and Cinerama, which sell tickets weeks
and sometimes months in advance. They
are joining with the others in the protest.
A close watch was being kept on various
municipalities throughout the U.S. which
might copy the action of New York in taking
local advantage of the federal tax reduction.
The Council of Motion Picture Organizations
stood ready to lend assistance if requested,
and Motion Picture Ass'n of America was
ready to aid. The big circuits were in close
touch with the situation through their widely
spread theatre holdings. The hope was expressed
that exhibitors learning of any local
intention to impose the tax would notify
COMPO and MPAA.
COMPO especially, through its skillfully
conducted campaign for federal tax reduction,
has a wealth of campaign material
available, but it cannot supply financial
assistance. The major distributors here are
helping exhibitors defray the cost of the
local campaign, but are chary about saying
so for fear of requests for financial aid elsewhere
they could not afford to meet.
Minnesota Cities Ask
Ticket Tax Enabling Act
MINNEAPOLIS—T he
Minnesota
League of Municipalities has voted to
make an admission tax enabling act a
part of its 1954-55 legislative program.
The league comprises city, town and village
officials and sponsors proposed measures
designed to improve municipalities
finances.
The enabling act would permit any
Minnesota town to enact its own admission
tax, just as New York City recently
did. North Central Allied will combat the
proposal vigorously, said S. D. Kane, its
executive counsel. During the last several
legislative sessions the league unsuccessfully
sponsored a similar measure, with
NCA leading the fight against it.
The fact that the federal admission tax
has been reduced or eliminated and that
municipalities are now in greater need of
more Income sources will spur the league
on to renewed efforts to put the measure
over, its heads have made clear.
BMI Sends $5-$ 15 Music
Contracts to Theatres
NEW YORK—As its first move to collect
performance rights fees from theatres. Broadcast
Music, Inc., has sent contract forms to
exhibitors with fees asked only for the playing
of intermission music. The contracts mention
that the license shall apply to performances
by means of phonograph records and other
mechanical recordations of music while no
motion picture, stage or other presentation
is being given.
In addition, the license includes the use of
BMI copyrighted music by live talent during
one evening in any calendar week as an incidental
portion of a film program. The contracts
will become effective July 1.
The rates, which range from $5 to $15, depending
on seating capacity, are: Up to 600
seats, $5; 601 seats to 1,200 seats, $7.50; 1,201
to 1,500 seats, $10, and over 1,500 seats, $15.
For drive-ins: Up to 200 cars, $5; 201 to 400
cars, $7.50; 401 to 500 cars, $10, and over 500
cars, $15. If a motion picture theatre is
operated for a period of not more than 26
weeks during a contract year, rates are onehalf
of these figures.
Public to See Warner Bros.
20-Min. Promotional Film
NEW YORK—The 20-minute presentation
of Wai'ner Bros, with comments by Jack L.
Wai'ner on forthcoming product which has
been shown to exhibitors at special gatherings
in all key cities is now to be shown to
the public in theatres throughout this country
and Canada.
The film contains highlight scenes from
"Dial M for Murder," "Them!", "The High
and the Mighty," "King Richard and the
Crusaders," "A Star Is Born," "Battle Cry,"
"Land of the Pharaohs" and "Helen of Troy."
Twelve other stories to be produced later
also are discussed.
Ben Kalmenson, vice-president in charge of
distribution, estimates that 80,000,000 persons
in the United States and Canada and 40,000,-
000 abroad will see the picture.
George Hoover Visits L.A.
For VC Conclave Plans
LOS ANGELES—As part of a nationwide
tour of Variety Club tents, George Hoover,
Florida showman and international chief
barker, stopped briefly here for conferences
with the crew of Tent 25, 'Variety Club of
Southern California, concerning plans for the
organization's annual convention in 1955,
which will be held locally next May.
Hoover and John H. Rowley, first assistant
chief barker, huddled with Charles P. Skouras,
permanent big chief barker of Tent 25; W. H.
"Bud" Lollier, chief barker; Ezra E. Stern,
first assistant chief barker; Lloyd Ownbey,
property master, and Al Grubstick, international
representative for Los Angeles and
San Francisco.
22
BOXOmCE
:
: June 26, 1964

THE FANS
Aubrey
Schenck
'
Presents
Slarfing
UA
ROMf(lllOUNPeG6IE(ME
Featuring NOAH BEERY WARNER ANDERSON • PETER GRAVES -LEE VAN CLEEF-RITA MORENO
A SCHENCK KOCH Production Produced by HoWard W. KOCH • •
Directed by LeSley SELANDER
c .... >... PirhorH Alon QIMMHMC

:
Theatre— Police Tieup Helps Reduce
Traffic Hazards in
Newington, Conn.
In photo: William E. Halleren, police chief, and Mrs. Frank J. Surowiec, policewoman,
are on the job at Newington (Conn.) school crossing.
By ALLEN WIDEM
HARTFORD—Take it
from Walter Kordek.
manager of the Kounaris and Tolls Newington
Theatre, seven miles from downtown
Hartford
A tieup between the theatre and the Newington
police department, now in its third
year, has spelled tremendous public relations
on the small-town level.
Three years ago, Kordek, ex-New Britain,
Conn., theatre manager, and Newington
Police Chief W. E. Halleren sat down to
work out an incentive for the elementary
school youngsters to obey traffic safety rules.
"The police chief and myself were agreed
on one thing from the outset," Kordek says
with reflective calmness in his tastefully decorated
office. "We were determined to cut
down on the potential of traffic hazards for
youngsters of school age throughout Newington."
This is a suburban community, mid-way
between two larger cities, Hartford, the state
capital with half a million people in its immediate
proximity, and New Britain, primarily
a hardware manufacturing city, with
100,000 persons. Kordek's patrons are suburban
dwellers who either work in New
Britain or Hartford.
Continuing, he comments: "I agreed to supply
20 theatre tickets each week as awards
to school youngsters who had best observed
traffic safety rules to and from school each
week.
"Weekly, therefore, the police chief gives
two pa-sses each to the ten policemen and
women on duty at the traffic crossings for
Newington's .six elementary schools. On FVidays,
the officer on duty at each school
crossing presents passes to the two youngsters
who best observed traffic rules during
the week."
Newspapers in the metropolitan Hartford-
New Britain area have been cooperative in
the publicity phase of the longe-range plan.
Each week, newspapers in Hartford and
New Britain carry a one-paragraph notation
under Newington heading, reading. "The Police
Department has presented theatre tickets
to the following elementary .school pupils as
traffic safety awards for the week ending ..."
This move is carried a step further through
bulletin board recognition of the lucky young-
.•^^ters in the six schools.
"We don't encourage show-offs, and we
don't encourage holier-than-thou attitudes
among the kids," adds Kordek, a tall, slim,
serious-eyed theatre manager. "We believe
sincerely in cutting down on rough-housing,
which can lead to traffic fatalities at cro.sswalks,
in encouraging calm application or
safety standards in crossing the block. And, by
and large, when a youngster wins a pass, why,
he seems to take a better interest in the entire
situation, and goes out of his way to remind
a fellow student that he's perhaps not doing
the right things when it comes to walking
into the line of traffic, or going against the
light.
"Don't forget that this program now is in
its third year. Multiply ten students by 40
school weeks per year and you've got quite
a few walking examples of better safety
applications.
"Some of the youngsters who were small
three years ago, now are in junior high
school, remember, and the lesson they learned
for being good at the traffic corner is perhaps
remembered and has saved a life cr
two."
Behind this shrewd thinking is more of the
Kounaris-Tolis concept of making the Newington
a part of the community. Nick Kounaris
and Paul Tolls, operators of the Crown
Ice Cream Co., New Britain, also own and
operate the de luxe Meriden Theatre, 15 miles
south of Hartford. Moreover, they are building
a $150,000 drive-in theatre in the rear
of the Meriden.
Kounaris and Tolls have long advocated
children's programs at theii- theatres. "Make
the theatre the center of the community,
and you don't have to worry about the community,"
reasons both Kounaris and Tolls.
And their example at Newington Ls shining
proof of that application!
'Greatest Show' Returns
As Rerelease July 4
NEW YORK — Cecil B. DeMille's "Tlie
Greate.st Show on Earth" will have its rerelea.se
opening July 4 at the Al Ringling Theatre,
Baraboo. Wis., former base of operations
of the Ringling enterprises. Jake Eskin is
owner of the theatre and Pershing Moyle is
manager.
The Paramount picture played the Ringling
Theatre originally in July 1952. It has shown
the picture twice since then. Paramount plans
special promotion, Including parades.
Pledges Industry Aid
To JDA Campaign
NEW YORK—The industry will unite with
the American Jewish Committee and the
Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith in
the campaign to combat bigotry and discrimination
and protect democratic liberties, William
J, German said Thur.sday il7i. His appointment
for the second year as chairman
of a drive in behalf of the Joint Defense Appeal
was reported by Irving M. Engel. AJC
president. JDA is seeking to raise $5,000,000
for AJC and ADL. The New York .share is
$75,000, up 15 per cent over that of 1953.
The reappointment of German was hailed
by Louis Phillips, assi.stant general counsel
of Paramount, who called 1954 a crucial year.
German gave the campaign aims as advancing
constructive relations between Catholic,
Protestant and Jew, alerting all Americans
to Communist threat, educating the public
to the un-American nature of prejudice, exposing
professional bigots, hatemongers and
demagogues and anti-American propaganda,
and mobilizing public opinion in favor of equal
employment opportunities and against discrimination
in housing, resorts and public accommodations,
and quota systems in educational
institutions.
Engel said the Supreme Court decision of
May 17 in the school segregation case was an
historic and sound one that in the long run
would unify the country and make it stronger.
He said AJC research had helped to lay the
foundation for it.
Three Sponsors Buy Time
On 'Disneyland' TV Show
NEW YORK—Three sponsors
have bought
time on "Disneyland," the 60-minute Walt
Disney television show which opened Wednesday
evening (23) over the TV network of the
American Broadcasting Co. They are the
American Dairy Ass'n, American Motors Corp.
and Derby Foods. American Motors will
sponsor a half hour every Wednesday. The
other half hour will be sponsored by the
other two companies on alternate weeks.
Robert E. Kintner, ABC president, will announce
the format later. ABC is a division
of
American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres.
Million Dollar Hailstorm
And 17 Cars Show Up
ST. CLOUD, MINN.—Movie patrons in
Minnesota are hardy folk, and drive-in
theatres operating in such weather extremes
as subzero in the winter and 100
in the shade in the summer, are u:ied to
meet ng emergencies. Last week, the St.
Cloud area was caught in a 30-minute
cloudburst and a hailstorm which cau.sed
nearly a million dollars in damages. Yet
the St. Cloud Outdoor Theatre drew 17
cars, and the customers stayed through
the entire show. The theatre escaped
.serious property damage and the customers
were none the worst for the
experience.
24 BOXOFFICE June 26. 1954

NewU.S.-FrenchPac!
Reached for 2 Years
NEW YORK—After months of negotiations
the U.S. and France have reached an agreement
on a new film pact. It is for two years
and is retroactive to July 1, 1953. It is not
complete, lacking some details to be fixed
later, but it is a working agreement.
There will be remittances at the rate of
$200,000 a month and at the official rate,
compared with $120,000 allowed since July
1. 1953. France will start next month making
up the difference monthly so that by the
time the pact expires the member companies
of the Motion Picture Export Ass'n will have
received $960,000 more than the $2,400,000
allotted
for the current fiscal year.
Import permits for the current fiscal year
will be 90 plus perhaps as many as 20. Six
of eight in dispute for the previous fiscal
year have been approved by the French
v/hich, added to the probable total of 109
set for the previous year, would bring the
total to 115.
Also to be decided later is the 21 per cent
reserve fund set up under the 1952-53 agreement.
This amounts to about $700,000 since
the MPEA is assigning about 32 per cent to
the French government for film uses. There
apparently are no restrictions on the uses.
Before leaving recently for the near east,
Eric Johnston, MPEA president, predicted an
early signing of the French pact. He said
then there were still "wide differences" in
negotiations with Italy. He planned to stop
off in Rome on his return trip to the U.S.
British negotiations will start September 23
in Washington on the U.S.-Anglo pact that
expires October 1. No great difficulty in
reaching an accord is expected.
Lipton Back From Europe;
Holds New York Meets
NEW YORK—David A. Lipton, Universal
vice-president and director of advertising and
publicity, returned from Europe Wednesday
(23) on the He de France after more than
six weeks abroad visiting the offices in London,
Paris and Rome and participating in
the European sales convention in Barcelona.
After a series of meetings with Universal
home office executives, including Charles
Simonelli, eastern advertising and publicity
manager; Philip Gerard, eastern publicity
manager; Jeff Livingston, eastern advertising
manager; Herman Kass, eastern exploitation
manager, and Henry A. Linet, sales
promotion manager, Lipton returned to Hollywood
Saturday (26).
Dick Dickson Now Back
In Los Angeles Area
LOS ANGELES—With no immediate announcement
as to his future plans, Dick Dickson,
who resigned recently as executive director
of the Roxy, a National Theatres holding
in New York, has returned here. Dickson
held the post for approximately a year, prior
to which he was for several years southern
California division manager for Fox West
Coast, NT's largest subsidiary.
Dickson had been associated with FTVC
and NT since 1929, with the exception of four
years—from 1941 to 1945—during which he
was active in the production field.
BOXOFnCE June 26, 1954
Intensified Merchandising Stressed
At Paramount Sales Meeting
Paramount home office and studio executives were participants, with personnel of
the Los Angeles exchange, in a three-day sales session. At left (smoking cigar) is
Y. Frank Freeman, vice-president and studio head; sitting by him at extreme left is
H. Neal East, assistant western division manager. Others, facing camera from left:
Don Hartman, executive producer; George A. Smith, western division manager;
E. K. (Ted) O'Shea, vice-president of Paramount Film Distributing Corp.; Jerry
Pickman, vice-president in charge of advertising, publicity and exploitation; Robert J.
Rubin, assistant to President Barney Balaban. Others are members of the Los Angeles
sales branch.
LOS ANGELES—Merchandising of Paramount
product is to be intensified "for maximum
results at the boxoffice," Jerry Pickman,
vice-president m charge of advertising,
publicity and exploitation, emphasized during
the course of a three-day meeting of
home office, studio and Los Angeles branch
personnel which ended Wednesday (23).
Held at the Paramount House in Beverly
Hills, the sessions were attended by Y. Frank
Freeman, vice-president and studio head, and
Don Hartman, executive producer. They discussed
plans for future production and pictures
currently shooting, including "We're
No Angels," Alfred Hitchcock's "To Catch a
Thief," and two Pine-Thomas productions,
"Run for Cover" and "Love Is a Weapon."
All are in VistaVision and Technicolor.
Hartman, underlining the fact that the
studio tries at all times to include "the most
attractive" showmanship ingredients in each
picture, said there is also concentration on
merchandising to determine the elements
"that will be most saleable to the public."
ACCENT ON LOCAL PROMO'nON
A major topic at the meeting was the coordination
of national and local merchandising
to permit exhibitors to reap maximum
benefits from both efforts. The pin-pointing
of tailor-made promotion and merchandising
campaigns in a given area at a given time
also was discussed.
E. K. "Ted" O'Shea, vice-president of
Paramount Film Distributing Corp., and
Pickman discussed details of the sales and
promotion program, stressing that the presentation
of each picture must be given individual
attention. Each territory will be
analyzed individually for the best approach,
they agreed, and the merchandising value of
every release will be accented for "best results
in that particular area as these values present
themselves at that particular time."
O'Shea, Pickman and Robert J. Rubin, assistant
to Barney Balaban, Paramount president,
constituted the home office team attending
the sessions. Also participating were
George A. Smith, western division manager,
and his assistant, H. Neal East; A. R. Taylor,
Los Angeles branch manager, and exchange
personnel including Robert Abelson, sales
manager; Harlan Brunt, booking manager;
Jim Merry, office manager; salesmen Eugene
Beuerman, Max Factor and Gail Parker;
Lester Coleman, assistant to Smith; Robert
Blair, field representative for Los Angeles
and San Francisco, Teet Carle, studio publicity
director, and Cy Baer, VistaVision engineer.
The Los Angeles meeting was one of a
series of 27 Paramount local level conferences
held throughout the nation.
Popularity Is Predicted
For 30-Minute Pictures
NEW YORK—Films of 20 to 30 minutes in
length serving as short features will become
standard as a result of the popularity of the
Paramount "Calling Scotland Yard" series,
Oscar A. Morgan, general sales manager in
charge of short subjects, newsreels and special
features, said on leaving for a mid-western
trip. He said they have proved successful
in completing double bills and supplementing
single-bill programs.
Morgan, who is meeting with branch executives,
said Paramount may make several
such short films in VistaVision. He will return
July 6. His itinerary included Chicago,
Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Des Moines, Omaha
and Detroit.
Einfeld Sails for Europe
On 'Egyptian' Openings
NEW YORK—Charles Einfeld, vice-president
of 20th Century-Fox, left for Europe
on the Flandre Wednesday i23i to supervise
the setting of openings of "The Egyptian" in
Cinemascope in EXirope this fall.
Einfeld will meet with government officials,
prominent exhibitors and representatives
of 20th-Fox in England, BYance, Germany,
Spain, Italy and Scandinavia to discuss the
plans for launching the picture with simultaneous
openings in all European capitals.
The openings are planned on a larger scale
than those for "The Robe," mainly because of
the increased number of key cities now
equipped for Cinemascope.
Mrs. Einfeld accompanied him and he is
expected to return to New York in about
six weeks.
25

. . . Overseas
—
Eddie
. . Jane
. . . Two
^MfMcod ^efi4int
Several Independents Announce
Plans for New Productions
Coincident with the urgent call by members
of the Theatre Owners of America's
executive committee—who recently concluded
a three-day session in Hollywood—for independent
film makers to step up their schedules
so as to increase the over-all flow of
celluloid to the nation's showcases, came announcements
from several members of the unaffiliated
production fraternity of plans to
embark on new picture-making projects.
Among them was Reginald LeBorg, producer-director
who a short time ago completed
"The White Orchid," starring William
Lundigan and Peggie Castle, for United Artists
release. His next will be "Corrida," a
bullfight yarn which will have Armande Silvestre,
Mexican actor, in a top role; this will
be followed by two dramas, "Queen's Mate"
and "The Distant Voice." Releasing plans
on the latter two will be discussed when Le-
Borg takes off for New York with a print of
"Orchid."
A partnership has been formed by Albert
de Courville and Ai-thur Kelly—who formerly
and for many years was associated with UA
to turn out a film version of "Nightshade," a
mystery drama by Ken Englund and Sidney
Fields. No starting date has been established
for the offering, which made its bow as a
stage attraction at the Pasadena Playhouse.
And entering the ranks of independent production
are two talent agents. Rosalie
Stewart and Laura Wilck, who are combining
to back the filming of "Children of the Wind,"
a novel by Burgess Drake. Scenarist Anne
Morrison Chapin, who has acquired screen
and dramatic rights to the tome, has completed
a film adaptation.
Japanese Film Trade Heads
To Look at 'Hell's Gate'
Short takes from the sound stages; Leading
figures in the Japanese film trade were
to be guests of the Academy of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences at a Sunday (27)
Screening of "Hell's Gate," a Daiei production
which won the highest award in the
recent 1954 Cannes film festival. Expected
to be oh hand were Masaichi Nagata. president
of Daiei and head of the Federation
of Motion Picture Producers of Southeast
Asia, as wgll as chairman of the board of
directors of the Japanese industry; Kenzi
Mizoguchi and Kazuo Miyagawa, who respectively
directed and photographed "Hell's
Gate," and Yukihiko Tamura, Daiei's foreign
department chief . . . Yvonne DeCarlo planed
out for Germany to be a guest of honor at
the Berlin film festival. Thence .she junkets
to Munich for conferences with Producer
Arthur Brauner on "Star of Rio," a Technicolor
musical in which .she will star next winter
. . . Jane Wyman, who recently starred in
Universal-International's "Magnificent Obsession,"
Inked a multiple-picture ticket calling
for a minimum of three U-I pictures. Her
first will be "All That Heaven Allows," a romatic
drama which Ross Hunter will produce
department: MGM has decided
to film "Sacred and Profane"—formerly
"The Paris Story" —on location in
By
IVAN SPEAR
England and France, and the production reins
have been taken over from Sam Zimbalist by
Henry Berman. It'll star Anne Baxter and
Steve Forrest. Meantime, an Italian unit
called Pantheon Films booked Rhonda Fleming
to star in "Woman of Babel," a mid-
July starter in Rome, to be lensed in Technicolor.
MGM Preparing Special Film
For Egyptian Government
Taking advantage of the international interest
aroused by the recent fabulous archeological
di-scoveries made in and around the
pyramid of Cheops in Egypt. MGM is preparing
a special 40-minute film comprising
clips of the various location sites utilized in
the making of its "Valley of the Kings,"
which was shot on location in that area.
The film, being assembled by Robert Surtees
tor the Egyptian government, is narrated
by Carlos Thompson, who co-starred with
Robert Taylor and Eleanor Parker in the
Sam Zimbalist production. It will be presented
to the Egyptian state tourist bureau.
Alfred Hitchcock Scheduled
For Third at Paramount
Destined to be Alfred Hitchcock's third
project in a row for the studio. Paramount
piu-chased "The Trouble With Harry," a suspense
novel by J. Trevor Story, which
Hitchcock will produce and direct this fall.
Currently he is grinding out "To Catch a
Thief," starring Gary Grant and Grace Kelly,
on location on the French Riviera, while
Hitchcock's first for Paramount, "Rear Window,"
toplining Miss Kelly and James Stewart,
is due for release this summer. "The
Trouble With Harry," being scripted by John
Michael Hayes, concerns a little boy who finds
a dead body, and how the discovery causes
chaos in a small New England community . . .
'Oklahoma!' Top Roles
Now Definitely Set
With the scheduled launching of production
now a matter of only two weeks
or so away—it will roll on location July 14
near Tucson—Rodgers and Hammerstein
have at long last officially confirmed
ca.sting announcements on the top ten
roles in their film version of "Oklahoma!"
which is to be made in the wide-screen
Todd-AO process.
The players, chosen after months of
interviews and tests by Arthur Hornblow
jr., who will produce, and Fred Zinnemann,
the director, are:
Gordon MacRae as Curly; Gloria
Grahame as Ado Annie; Shirley Jones
as Laurey; Gene Nel.son as Will Parker;
Charlotte Greenwood as Aunt EUor;
James Whitmore as Andy Carnes (Ado
Annie's "paw") ; Albert as Ali
Hakim, the peddler; Rod Steiger as Jud
Fi-y; Barbara Lawrence as Gertie, and
J. C. Flippen as the rancher.
Another story acquisition was that of "The
Lone Hand," an original by Henry Morrison,
by Mathlon Productions, the independent unit
recently organized to lens "The Bob Mathias
Story," film biography of the renowned athlete
and Olympic Games decathlon champion.
With Mathias portraying himself, this one is
now in work for Allied Artists distribution;
"The Lone Hand" also will star Mathias, but
no releasing arrangements have been set.
'Untamed' to Be the Last
For Tyrone Power at Fox
Fulfilling his final commitment to 20th
Century-Fox and thereby ending an 18-year
. . .
association, Tyrone Power has been set to costar
with Susan Hayward in "Untamed," African
adventure yarn. Thereafter Power will
concentrate on the independent field in partnership
with producer Ted Richmond
Randolph Scott has not one, but two leading
ladies in his current galloper for Warners,
"Tall Man Riding." Heading the femme contingent
are Dorothy Malone and Peggie Castle
Powell will be Maid Marian to
Howard Keel's Robin Hood in MGM's planned
musical version of "Robin Hood," hardy film
perennial first essayed in silent-screen days
by the late Douglas Fairbanks sr. . . . Anna
Magnani, the Italian star, will share the
honors with Burt Lancaster in "The Rose
Tattoo," film version of Tennessee Williams'
Broadway play, which Hal Wallis is preparing
to produce for Paramount release . . .
RKO Radio booked Abbe Lane, songstresswife
of orchestra leader Xavier Cugat, for a
song-and-dance specialty in "The Americano"
British players, Kathleen Ryan and
Finlay Currie, drew character leads in U-I's
"Captain Lightfoot," a CinemaScope-Technicolor
entry being .shot on location in Ireland.
Columbia Will Distribute
Second From Frankovich
Supplementing its 1954-55 slate, Columbia
has arranged to distribute a Maureen
O'Hara-George Sanders co-starrer which is
scheduled to go into work in England early
in September as an independent venture to
be produced by Mike Frankovich. Tagged "Interruption,"
the mystery melodrama is
adapted from a story by W. W. Jacobs and
will be directed for Frankovich's Film Locations,
Ltd., by Ai-thur Lubin.
It's the second such deal to be consummated
between Columbia and Frankovich.
Earlier the company took over the releasing
commitment on "Fire Over Africa," with Miss
O'Hara and Macdonald Carey, which will go
into distribution in October.
Henry Ginsberg to Produce
London Palladium Story
As his second independent production venture,
Henry Ginsberg will bring to the screen
the story of the famous London Palladium,
in which project he will be associated with
Moss Theatre Enterprises and Val Parnell,
the Palladium's managing director. The film,
an international story revue featuring top
performers in the entertainment world, will
be made in London, New York and Hollywood,
with Parnell in an advisory and consultant
capacity.
Ginsberg currently is teamed with producer-director
George Stevens and Edna
Ferber in the preparation of "Giant," from
Miss Ferber's novel, which they will make at
Warners for release by that company.
26 BOXOFFICE
:
: June 26, 1954

BOXOFTICE June 26, 1954 27

'More Producers Should
Seek Exhibitor Advice
NEW YORK—More independent producers
should visit exhibitors throughout the U.S.
to get suggestions on future productions and
get their opinions on their current pictures,
according to Albert R. 'Cubby" Broccoli, coproducer
of "Hell Below Zero" and the forthcoming
picture, ""The Blaclc Knight," both
being distributed by Columbia.
Broccoli, co-partner with Irving Allen in
Warwick Productions, also produced "Paratrooper,"
already released in the U.S., and will
made three more for Columbia release, starting
in the fall. "Paratrooper," which was
called "The Red Beret" in England, recouped
its negative cost in that country alone and is
doing very well in the U.S. All of these first
three completed pictures starred Alan Ladd,
whose name is a guarantee of success, and
were made abroad.
FINDS ADVANTAGES ABROAD
Ladd gets a guaranteed salary, plus a small
percentage, on each of these three pictures.
Broccoli was one of the first American producers
to go abroad to film his pictures on
actual locations and he maintains that his
budgets would have been doubled if the pictures
were made in the U.S. In addition to
the authentic locales obtained in England
and the Continent, technicians and other
studio workers cost much less than in the
U.S. and the studio facilities at Elstree are
"excellent," Broccoli said. For "Hell Below
Zero," the company spent three months in
the Antarctic filming the whaling episodes,
and for "The Black Knight," the company
lensed scenes in Spain.
Broccoli and Allen have signed another
contract for three more features for Columbia
release, all to be made abroad, according
to present plans. The first, "Prize of Gold,"
will star Richard Widmark, American star,
and Mai Zetterling and Nigel Patrick, British
players whose pictures have played in the
U.S. "Safari," the second, will be made in
Africa in CinemaScope and "Cockleshell
Heroes," a story about the British marines,
will also be In CinemaScope and Broccoli has
already shot 3,000 feet of CinemaScope backgrounds
at the Royal marine base at Portsmouth,
England.
OTHER STORIES PURCHASED
With five writers under contract. Broccoli
has several other story properties in preparation,
including "The Golden Fleece," by
Robert Graves; "The Naked Lady," by Robert
Falk; "Zarak Khan," by A. J. Beven, and a
play, "In All Dishonesty."
"All of our pictures, while made under the
British quota, have appeal to both British
and U.S. audiences and play 17,000 playdates
to strong returns," instead of the ordinary
British picture which plays mainly art house
dates in the U.S., Broccoli said.
Broccoli and Daniel Morrison an officer
of the whaling factory ship used in the filming
of "Hell Below Zero," started a tour of
17 cities from Boston to San Francisco June
21 to promote the Columbia release for July.
Both will participate in newspaper, radio and
television in each city they cover. Morrison
will end his tour in Detroit where he will
ALBERT R. BROCCOLI
stay for three days to engage in activities in
connection with the 70 saturation bookings
in that exchange area July 12-14. He also
visited San Francisco, June 22, 23, and Los
Angeles, June 24-26, and will also visit Salt
Lake City, June 28, 29; Denver, June 30-July
1; Des Moines, July 2, 3; Boston, July 6, 7.
and Chicago, July 8-10.
Broccoli visited Cincinnati, where the
picture opened at the Albee June 22; Dayton,
where the picture opened at the Keith, June
23, and Dallas, where the picture opened at
the Palace June 24-26. He will also visit
Memphis, June 28, 29; Houston, June 30; New-
Orleans, July 1-3. and Chicago, July 8-10.
New Cartoon Technique
Introduced by Lantz
HOLLYWOOD—Out of several months of
experimentation, a method of filming cartoons
so that they may be projected in an
aspect ratio from the standard 1.33 to 1 up
through CinemaScope dimensions, has been
evolved by Walter Lantz, who produces animated
pen-and-ink subjects for Universal-
International.
The new system—a combination of camera
changes and drawing techniques allowing for
elasticity of cartoon characters—was developed
by William Garity, production manager for
Lantz, and Morris Weiner, U-I studio manager.
First Lantz subject to utilize the technique
is "Pig in a Pickle," now in work.
All-Purpose Terrytoons
Coming Twice a Month
NEW YORK—Paul Terry starting this
month will make two all-purpose Terrytoons
subjects available to exhibitors on a
monthly basis through 20th Century-Fox.
The shorts can be adapted for projection in
CinemaScope through anamorphic lenses or
can be .shown in standard or wide-screen
sizes through 35mm lenses.
Estimate Board Rates Two
Of Seven for Families
NEW YORK—Two features are rated for
the family of a total of nine reviewed in the
June 15 issue of joint estimates prepared by
the Film Estimate Board of National Organizations.
They are "Black Horse Canyon"
lU-Ii, which is also rated as acceptable for
children's programs, and "Challenge the
Wild" lUAi.
The following are rated for adults and
young people: "Men of the Fighting Lady"
(MGM) and "On the Waterfront" (Col), both
of which are additionaly rated as outstanding
pictures; "Arrow in the Dust" (AAi, "Dial
M for Murder" iWB 3-D) and "Secret of the
Inca.s" iParai. Rated for adults are "Silver
Lode" (RKOi and "Captain Kidd and the
Slave Girl" (UA).
lATSE Elects John Shuff
Eighth Vice-President
NEW YORK—John A. Shuff of Akron,
Ohio, business agent of the International
Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes and
Moving Picture Machine Operators of the
U.S. and Canada. AFL, Akron Local 364,
since 1932, has been elected eighth vicepresident
of lATSE at a meeting of the general
executive board. He succeeds the late
Roger M. Kennedy of Detroit, who died
March 19.
During his more than 20 years with the
lATSE Akron local, Shuff completed 100 per
cent organization of theatres within a 30-mile
radius of the city. He was previously secretary
of the local, which he joined in 1921.
Altec Service Engineers
To Aid C'Scope Showings
NEW YORK—Two Altec Service Corp. engineers
will help 20th Century-Fox supervise
the showings of "Advancing Techniques of
CinemaScope," according to E. O. Wilschke,
Altec operating manager. He has assigned
Martin Bender and Fred Pfeiff.
Pfeiff was assigned Monday (21) to the
demonstrations at New Haven, Boston, Atlanta,
Jacksonville, New Orleans, Oklahoma
City and St. Louis. Bender was assigned to
those at Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Cincinnati,
Detroit, Cleveland and Buffalo.
Wilschke recalled that Altec engineers were
used during earlier CinemaScope demonstrations
and during the openings of "The Robe."
Seeks Information Center
For the Entire Industry
NEW YORK—Leonard Spinrad, business
consultant, has proposed establishment of an
information center here which would be a
clearing house for all types of motion picture
information to the press, civic groups, public
officials and the motion picture industry. He
said its cost would be le.ss than $37,500 a
year, that it would require a minimum of personnel
and that it could be set up in a few
weeks. He suggested that major industry
groups support it financially.
'Romeo and Juliet' to UA
NEW YORK—"Romeo and Juliet," produced
by the J. Arthur Rank Organization in
Italy, will be released by United Artists in
this country, according to Arthur B. Krim.
president.
28 BOXOFFICE
:
: June 26, 1954

Cinerama Premiere
Held in Cincinnati
CINCINNATI—The Capitol Theatre here
became the 12th Cinerama installation in the
world with an elaborate premiere Monday
(21). Patrons came from Indiana and Kentucky
as well as Ohio.
The Cincinnati Club sponsored the opening,
which was attended by Gov. Frank Lausche
of Ohio, Lt. Gov. Harold Handley of Indiana,
Frank Jessup, Indiana police superintendent;
Charles O'Connell, Kentucky secretary of
state, and many business and social personages.
For the first time the city rerouted traffic
on Seventh street, where the theatre is
located, on a Monday night, traditional shopping
night. Lamppost signs welcomed Cinerama.
Searchlights and bands made Seventh
street colorful. Proclamations were Issued by
governors and civic organiza-
the three state
tions.
Also attending were Si H. Fabian, president,
and Harry Kalmine, vice-president of
Stanley Warner Corp.; Harry Goldberg, SW
advertising manager, and Nathaniel Lapkin
and Samuel B. Rosen, vice-presidents.
Lester B. Isaac directed the Cinerama theatre
operations, and his assistant, Clifford
Giesseman, sales director, supervised the local
installation.
Clark Raps Lowell Thomas
For Misrepresentation
NEW YORK—LoweU Tliomas, news commentator
of the Columbia Broadcasting System,
has been taken to task by Kenneth Clark,
vice-president of the Motion Picture Ass'n of
America for repeating statements in the Ben
Hecht book, "A Child of the Century," that
are "unfair and detrimental to the industry."
The angle that Thomas took was that Hollywood
films exert a harmful influence abroad.
Clark in a letter to Thomas called it a
"blanket and unwari'anted attack" and a
"flagrant and ill-considered departure from
your usual high standards of impartiality and
objectivity." He added: "Surely on reflection
you can't believe that it was just or right or
accurate."
"As you must be aware," Clark said, "numerous
outstanding and impartial authorities,
at home and abroad, have hailed the American
motion picture for the great good it is
doing in behalf of our country and of democracy
wherever it goes abroad. On this record
we are proud to stand."
East-West Coast Opening
For Franco-Italian Film
NEW YORK—An east coast-west coast
opening, involving the Walter Reade Baronet
Theatre, New York City, and the Bridge
Theatre, San Francisco, will be held in July
for the Franco-Italian feature, "Daughters of
Destiny," to be distributed in the U.S. by
Arlan Pictures.
The three-part feature, starring Claudette
Colbert, American actress; Michele Morgan
and Martine Carol, French stars, and
Eleonora Rossi Drago, Italian actress, will
open at the Bridge Theatre July 1 and at
the Baronet, July 5, both dates during the
July 4 holiday period.
R. J. O'Donnell Honored
With Tom -Tom Award
HOLLYWOOD^An aura of good fellowship
and warm admiration for the man selected
to be the recipient of the organization's second
annual Tom-Tom award characterized the
Thursday (17) luncheon at which the Publicists
Guild and representatives of the
trade's production branch paid tribute to
R. J. "Bob" O'Donnell, vice-president and
general manager of the Interstate circuit in
Texas, for his "long and distinguished service
in behalf of the motion picture industry."
O'Donnell, in accepting the award, exuded
optimism over filmdom's future and cited current
and forthcoming releases as being
harbingers of a prosperous summer for the
nation's theatres. Television, with its home
screens, "cannot compete" with what Hollywood
is today turning out in the way of top
product, the Texas showman declared.
Presented with a life membership in the
PG by Nat James, incoming president of the
blurber's organization, and with a symbolic
tom-tom and scroll by Dorothy Lamour,
O'Donnell concluded his brief acceptance remarks
with the declaration:
"I wish I was as worthy as you think I am."
James, taking over the rostrum from Walter
Compton, retiring as PG president, sketched
the Guild's 17-year history and growth and
predicted it will become "the greatest single
selling force in the world today."
Last year's—and the first—Tom-Tom award
winner. Prank Whitbeck, veteran MGM studio
advertising executive, briefly recounted
O'Donnell's career and achievements, both as
a showman and as a whole-hearted backer of
charitable causes. O'Donnell, he said, "believes
there never was a picture so bad that
there isn't a peg somewhere in it that a campaign
couldn't be hung on." Whitbeck also
took the occasion to excoriate Ben Hecht for
what he called the "rotten, shameful, bitter
R. J. O'Donnell (right), vice-president
and general manager of the Interstate
circuit in Texas, accepts the Tom-Tom
award. With him are Nat James, incoming
publicist chief, and Dorothy Lamour.
slop dished out" about moviedom in Hecht's
new autobiography, "A Child of the Century."
Keynote speaker was Jerry Wald, Columbia
executive producer, who touched upon his
experiences with motion picture publicists
and praised O'Donnell for his work.
Also among the speakers were Robert Fellows,
partner of actor John Wayne in Batjac
Productions; Walter Reade jr., president of
Theatre Owners of America, which on Saturday
(19) concluded a three-day session here
of its executive committee, and Jack "Dragnet"
Webb. Sei-ving as master of ceremonies
was Stan Margulies, committee chairman.
COLUMBIA PICTURES ANNOUNCES THAT PRINTS OF THE FOLLOWING
PICTURES ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN OUR EXCHANGES FOR SCREENING
TWO ACTION HITS!
RANDOLPH SGOTT
in
^"'^
starring
'"•"
MARGUERITE CHAPMAN
wi,. George MACREADY Wi - EILERS • Edgar BUCHANAN
Scteenpiiy by Kenneih Gim«t •
Adapted ffom the novel "Coroncr Creek"
by Luke Short -Directad br RAY ENRIGHT* Produced by HARRY JOE BROWN
General Release: August
starring
BARBARA
.III. BRUCE CABOT .
CHARLEY GRAPEWIN • STEVEN CERAY
FORREST TUCKER CHARLES KEMPER • GRANT WITHERS
..-DOROTHY HART
'
sciiiiiiii ii III! [laii Uifki Irtm Zaiia Ciei'i niiil, 'I^in SoDtiitti'
Dliicled Cy GEORGE WAGGNER . Pioduced by HARRY JOE BROWN
BOXOFFICE June 26, 1954
29

—
Drive-In Aid Sought
For Rogers Hospital
NEW YORX—A plan providing additional
financial support of the Variety Clubs' Will
Rogers Memorial hospital at Saranac Lake,
N. Y., was approved Monday (21) at a meeting
of general sales managers of distributors
affiliated with the Motion Picture Ass'n of
America.
Suggested by Abe Montague. Columbia general
sales manager and president of the hospital,
it provides for sufficient pictures for
drive-in theatres that will stage benefit
shows, all the proceeds of which would go to
INTERIM
the hospital.
Such benefit shows have already been arranged
for July in northern California. Many
other drive-in operators are expected to cooperate.
Al Lichtman of 20th Century-Fox, distributor
representative on the three-man governing
board of the Council of Motion Picture
Organizations, reported on distribution plans
for "This Is the Army," the film which the
Department of Defense will sponsor along
with COMPO.
The army will be asked for permission to
release one version for double-bill theatres
which would run about 50 minutes, and another
for single-bill theatres which would run
about 30 minutes. Rentals of both would be
nominal. COMPO will prepare the advertising
and promotion campaign. The release
date is yet to be set.
REPORT
Hollywood, June 17, 1954
'GWTW Grosses Near
Half Million Mark
NEW YORK—"Gone With the Wind" in
its fourth reissue and fifth time around has
grossed almost $500,000 in seven openings.
MGM has reported. Its first three weeks at
the State Theatre here brought in $200,000.
The $500,000 gross compares to about
$90,000 for the second time around in six
theatres without including the State, according
to MGM. For the third time around, it
did about $60,000 in the same six theatres,
and the fourth time it did $155,000.
Loew's Warfield in San Francisco did
$70,000 in 23 days, Atlanta $65,000 in 31 days,
Syracuse $30,000 in 18 days, Houston $55,000
in 18 days. ICansas City $40,000 in 18 days
and Providence, R.I., $30,000 in 11 days.
In Atlanta the Selznick production was
$25,000 ahead of its previous time around. In
San Francisco the gross bettered the combined
second, third and fourth runs. In Syracuse
it was $13,000 better than the last time around.
and in Houston it was almost $30,000 better
than the last time around. In Kansas City
the figure was $10,000 better than the fourth
time around, and in Providence it was almost
$10,000 better than the fourth and fifth runs.
At close to the half way mark in the completion of The Makelim Plan
I have the honor to report, with deep appreciation, the validation of
firm contracts aggregating close to $2,000,000.00, and linking 1,600
theatres in harmonious cooperation.
To the thousands of earnest showmen who have given me so generously
of their time, attention and contracts at Allied meetings on my
first nationwide tour on The Makelim Plan, and to the trade-press which
has reported so fairly and faithfully the progress of the project, I
the occasion of this interim report to express abiding gratitude.
take
A special expression of gratitude to Mr. Abram F. Myers and the entire
Board of Directors of Allied States Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors,
whose vision and foresight in accepting The Makelim Plan
has so generously helped me to bring this plan before all the exhibitors
of America.
And to those other thousands of exhibitors whom, irrespective of organizational
affiliation or other categorical status, and to the many
who have written for information on The Makelim Plan, 1
hope to see
in person at meetings being arranged for in Albany, Atlanta, Buffalo,
Charlotte, Chicago, Milwaukee, New Haven, Salt Lake City, St.
Louis,
Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and many other intermediate
points that are requesting full details for participation in
The Makelim Plan
U-I to Apply CinemaScope
For 'To Hell and Back'
HOLLYWOOD—"To Hell and Back" in
Cinemascope—that's the treatment projected
by Universal-International for its upcoming
fUm version of the battlefield experiences of
Audie Murphy. World War II hero, who will
portray himself in the Aaron Rosenberg production.
It rolls next month with Jesse Hibbs
megging.
Decision to apply the CinemaScope widescreen
treatment to the property was reached
during studio conferences in which the part.cipants
were Alfred E. Daff, executive vicepresident;
Edward Muhl. vice-president in
charge of production; James Pratt, executive
studio manager, and other company officials.
U-I has two other CinemaScopers currently
in work—"Captain Lightfoot," a Rock Hudson
starrer, being lensed on location in Ireland,
and "Chief Crazy Horse." with Victor Mature
in the title role. Completed and awaiting
release are another pair in CinemaScope,
"Black Shield of Falworth," with Tony Curtis,
and "Sign of the Pagan," starring Jeff
Chandler.
Venice Festival Choices
NEW YORK—Tlu-ee film selections for the
Venice Film Festival were made Tuesday (22)
by the major company foreign managers at
a Motion Picture Export Ass'n meeting. They
are "Tliree Coins in the Fountain" (20th-Fox),
"The Caine Mutiny" (Col) and "Executive
Suite" (MGM).
Believe me, 1
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30
BOXOFFICE June 26, 1954

Reade Is Criticized
On Trench Line' Ad
NEW YORK—Walter Reade jr. has stirred
up a rumpus by his advertising of a showing
of RKO's "The French Line" at his
Majestic Theatre, Perth Amboy. Large ads
appearing in the local paper noted that the
picture had been denied a production code
seal and had been disapproved by the Legion
of Decency.
Reade's headquarters explained the ad by
saying they did not want to be accused of
showing a criticized film under false pretenses.
Catholic residents of Perth Amboy
retaliated with ads saying: "Remember the
Legion of Decency pledge. Uphold the moral
code."
Executives of the Motion Picture Ass'n of
America w-ere critical. They charged intentional
exploitation at the expense of the code,
and they noted that the Theatre Owners of
America, of which Reade Is president, had
gone on record as favoring the code.
Queen Elizabeth to
Open
Italian Week in London
LONDON—Queen Elizabeth of England will
officially inaugurate the second Italian Film
Week in London next fall, according to word
received by Italian Films Export from Rome.
The queen will be guest of honor of the
Italian ambassador to Great Britain October
25 at dinner, following the film celebration.
Pi-incess Margaret and other members of the
Royal Family also will attend a charity ball
for the benefit of the Italian hospital in
London as part of the week's festivities.
"Love in the City." new IFE release, was
shown for the first time in America at the
University of Minnesota "Art of the Film"
conference June 24.
UA Reports Big Bookings
Of Its Film of Fight
NEW YORK—The Marciano-Charles fight
film has been booked solidly through July, William
J. Heineman, United Artists distribution
vice-president, said Tuesday (22). There
are now 667 prints available, 337 more having
been run off.
Heineman said that more than 700 key
bookings have been set for the first week
following release of the film June 18, and
that more than 1,200 dates have been scheduled
for first nin theatres during the second
week. Distribution is by air and express
truck pickups.
'Caine Mutiny' Opening
Gets Special Treatment
NEW YORK—A breakfast and parade preceded
the opening of Columbia's "The Caine
Mutiny" at the Capitol here Thursday (24).
Sixty winners of promotion contests conducted
by disk jockeys on the air, radio and television
sponsors of the contests and Robert
Francis and May WjTin, who play in the film,
were among those at the Hotel Statler.
A motorcade went up Broadway from the
hotel to Times Square, from where it was
escorted to the theatre by a navy band.
Randolph Scott will have two leading
ladies, Dorothy Malone and Peggie Castle
in Warners' "Tall Man Riding."
Celebrate Finish of 'Cinerama Holiday
Louis DeRochemont, producer of "Cinerama Holiday" (center), gives a tine
American portable radio to Fred and Beatrice Troller of Switzerland (on the left)
and an equally fine gold Swiss clock to John and Betty Marsh of Kansas City, Mo.
They appear in the film. The presentation took place at a New York party Tuesday
(22) signaling: completion of production. S. H. Fabian, head of Stanley Warner, was host.
NEW YORK—Completion of the production
in Europe of "Cinerama Holiday" was celebrated
with a party Tuesday (22) at the
Rockefeller Center Luncheon club in honor
of John and Betty Marsh of Kansas City
and Fred and Beatrice Troller of Zurich,
Switzerland, who played the leads in the
Louis DeRochemont film.
Several hundred members of press and national
magazines staffs attended and saw the
Kansas City pair receive a Swiss gold clock
and the Swiss couple an American portable
radio.
The hosts were S. H. Fabian, president of
the Stanley Warner Corp., which controls
Cinerama; Sam Rosen, SW, and DeRochemont.
The refreshments were foreign in
character, including a cheese fondu. Music
from the film was played by an accordionist.
Fabian and DeRochemont spoke briefly.
Showings will begin in August.
Pickford and Rogers Note
Wedding Anniversary
NEW YORK—Mary Pickford and Buddy
Rogers celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary
Friday (25) with a moonlight cruise
up the Hudson for the benefit of the Junior
Republic. Others abroad were Nita Naldi,
Ricardo Cortez, Royal Gano and Harry Hershfield.
The Junior Republic is a community near
Ithaca, N. Y., where teenagers live, work, go
to school and run their own miniature United
States, with a president, cabinet and other
legislative and judicial officers.
The cruise was the sixth sponsored by the
Foreign Commerce club of New York to help
finance the project, which has attracted
worldwide attention since its founding in
1895 by William R. George.
Mirisch Sells AA Shares
NEW YORK—Harold J. Mirisch, vicepresident,
sold 18,125 shares of Allied Artists
common stock in May, decreasing his partnership
holdings to 29,760 shares, according to a
report to the Stock Exchange under Securities
and Exchange Commission regulations.
S. H. Fabian, head of Stanley Warner
(left), and Louis DeRochemont, producer,
talk over editing details of "Cinerama
Holiday," the production of which in
Europe and the U.S. has been completed.
World premiere is scheduled in New York
in mid -August.
Altec and Reade Theatres
Sign Service Contract
NEW YORK—Altec Service Corp. will
service the optical and stereophonic sound
equipment of the 26 Walter Reade Theatres
in New Jersey and New York, effective July 5,
The contract was negotiated by Marty Wolf,
Altec assistant general sales manager, and
Edwin Gage, circuit vice-president.
Service engineers have been assigned by
L. J. Patton, head of the Altec eastern division,
and C. S. Perkins, manager of the
northeastern division. They are H. W. Compton,
J. C. Tasto, F. B. Evans, S. P. McGuigan,
J. Gnirrep, W. W. Wehr, H. Neuberger and
C. M. Henry. .Six drive-ins are included in
the group.
BOXOFnCE :
: June
26, 1954
31

—
Utn
1
—
—
—
JyNO New CinemaScope Pictures Open
Very Strorig at Music Halh Roxy
^fEW YORK—Three new pictures, two of made, had a good second week at the Transthem
in CinemaScope. "The Student Prince" Lux 60th Street.
and "Demetrius and the Gladiators," had "The Caine Mutiny" opened Thursday (24
strong openiiig weeks on Broadway as the at the Capitol and another Columbia film,
holdovers lagged during the sunny weather "Indiscretion of an American Wife," opened
which sent weekend crowds to the beaches. at the Astor and "The Royal Tour of Queen
Two new art house films, "Hobson's Choice" Elizabeth and Philip." in CinemaScope,
and "Mr. Hulots' Holiday," had long waiting opened at the Globe,
lines during evenings of their opening weeks.
(Average is lOO)
"The Student Prince" followed a six-week Astor— Elephont Walk (Para), 9th wk 100
run for another MGM film, "Executive Suite," Boronet-The Speil of irelond (Celtic), 6th w^. ... 110
„ ,, , .
.„j Capitol—Knock on Wood {Para), I wk. lUU
at the Radio City Music Hall and is expected cntenon—The French Line iRKO), 6th wk no
to play through July. "Demetrius and the
^'V,^ 5A--_i7,:;i^,„«:Ve:,s'L Mh'wk"' ".'.; : : : lag
Gladiators" followed a big four-week run lor
p.^p Arts— Mr. Huiot's Hoiidoy (independent) 200
"Three Coins in the Fountain" at the Roxy. Globe—Gorilio at Large (20th-Fox), 3 days ot
^^
The third new picture. "Them!," aided by q^,i^—The Unconquered (Margories)'. !'. '.
120
TV advertising, attracted the thrill-seekers to Holiday—The Westerner, Dead End (Goldwyn),
reissues, 3rd wk 1
"J
the Paramount Theatre. Little Carnegie—Lo Rondc (Hokim), 14th wk 105
Best among the many holdovers was "The Loew-s^tate-Gone With the wind (MGM), reissue,^
^^
French Line." which started playing a 2-D Mayfair-^Johnny Guito'r' (Rep), Vth' wk 110
version at the Criterion June 22 in its sixth
'^°;^"l°^^:,^^:„X"\vTt\u. '^JuL^iie!".'-. : : itS
week and will stay until July 2, the longest paramount—Them! (WB) 125
run at this theatre in more than a year and
;°-^^^^'XoZs o^Lo've (Dalis); 3rd wk. :;:::;;: loo
a half. "Knock on Wood" and "Elephant Ra^.o City Music Hail—The student Prince
walk" ended ten and nine-week runs at the
"°
,„^'^lVn,1ir,u"s"lndX =G?a"diotors
Capitol and Astor theatres, respectively, and (20th-Fox C-S) 150
o thii-H O'jT-Qmnnnt film "^prrpt nf thp Tncas
—Genevieve " Sutton (U-l), 18th wk 105
a thu-d Paramount mm, secret OI me lliud.*,
Trans-Lux 52nd street— Lili (MGM), 67th wk 1 10
ended a four-week run Saturday (26i. victona—Secret ot the incos (Pora), 4th wk lOO
"Johnny Guitar" held up well enough in its
^"Tth^k^of ' two-o"°ar !^'.".'."".°.*: ."°":°'''.'i35
fourth week at the Mayfair. Meanwhile,
"Gone With the Wind," in its fourth week
of its fifth time around, had a strong week Tremendous 425 Per Cent Reported
at Loew's State and is expected to play p^^ 'Line' in Philadelphia Bow
through July. "This Is Cinerama" also was
PHILADELPHIA — "The French Line"
capacity in its evening two-a-day perform-
^.^^^^^ ^^ ^ sensational gross of 425 per cent
ances for a 54th week at the Wamer Theatre.
.^^ .^^ Philadelphia bow. Business otherwise
"Hobson's Choice" had the best openmg
^.^^ generally off, with the exception of "Exweek
at the Paris since "The Captam's Para-
^^^^.^^ g^.^^,, .^ j^ jg„j.^jj ^egk, "Three
dise" last fall and "Mr. Hulofs Holiday," a
^^.^^ .^ ^^^ Fountain" in its fourth and
French film, was the best in months at the
..gggret of the Incas "
'
Fine Arts Theatre. Still holding up strongly,
.
,.,^„, ^^. ,„„
....
, J ..T Arcadia Executive Suite (MGM), 4th wk 190
With waitmg lines on weekends, was Le g^^^ This is Cineroma (Cinerama), 36th wk 85
Plai-Sir," in its fifth week at the Normandie. Fox—Three Coins in the Fountain (20th-Fox),
4th wk '05
"The Red Inn," also a Franch film, had a Goldman—The Golden Mosk (UA) 75
good second week at the Fifth Avenue Play- Mastbaum— Men of the Fighting Lody (MGM). ... 85
f , „ 1 ._ »,. r^ , .. r, ,. -i,
Midtown Secret ot the Incos (Para) IIU
house and "Scotch on the Rocks, a British- Randolph— Diol m tor Murder (WB), 4th wk 80
Stonley Saracen Blade (Col) 55
Stanton Drums Across the River (U-l); Rails Into
Laramie iU-l) 80
Trans-Lux Rhapsody iMGM), 7th wk 80
Trans-Lux-World The French Line (RKO) 425
'Demetrius' Takes Top Position
In Buffalo With 180 Per Cent
BUFFALO — "Demetrius and the Gladiators"
copped top position, with the Center
tacking up a healthy 180. "Them!" at the
Paramount also kept the tm-nstiles spinning,
with 145. "Indiscretion of an American Wife"
was only fair in the Lafayette.
Buffalo Men ot the Fighting Lady (MGM) 95
Center Demetrius ond the Glodiotors (20th-Fox) 180
Century Saracen Blade iCol) 75
Cinema La Ronde (Hakim), 3rd wk 90
Lafayette Indiscretion of an American Wife
(Col) 90
Paramount Them! (WB) 145
Teck The Westerner (UA); Dead End (UA), reissues
95
Them!' and Fight Films Reported
Leaders in Baltimore Grosses
BALTIMORE — With the exception of
"Them!" at 130 and the Marciano-Charles
fight films, paired with "The Fi-ench Line,"
reporting 125, Baltimore grosses were all below
average.
Century Men of the Fighting Lady (MGM),
2nd wk 85
Hippodrome The French Line (RKO), 3rd wk.;
Marciano-Charles fight (UA) 125
Keiths Indiscretion ot an Americon Wife (Col),
2nd wk 85
Little Julius Caesar (MGM), 8th wk 80
Mayfoir Big Leaguer (MGM); Gypsy Colt (MGM). 90
New—Three Coins in the Fountain (20th-Fox),
4th wk 85
Playhouse Genevieve (U-l), 9th wk 80
Stanley—Them! (WB) 130
Town Hans Christian Andersen (RKO), reissue. . 90
Third Week of "Coins' Stays
High in Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH—"Three Coins in the Foimtain"
continued its merry pace and won a
fourth week at the Fulton. Theatre managers
and all businessmen breathed easier
when the 35-day trolley-bus strike ended and
distributors announced new releases for
downtown theatres.
Fulton Three Coins in the Fountain (20th-Fox),
3rd wk 120
Horns Drive o Crooked Road (Col);
The Saracen Blade (Col) 40
Penn—Men ot the Fighting Lady (MGM) 60
Stanley Secret of the Incas (Pare) 55
Warner This Is Cinerama (Cinerama), 27th wk.
.
.120
NTFC Meeting Takes Up
Problems of Color TV
NEW YORK—Color television film problems
were discussed Thursday (24) by adverti;;ing
agency representatives and producerj
headed by Dr. Alfred N. Goldsmith, electronics
engineer and board chairman of the
National Television Film Council, at a
luncheon
meeting. Melvin L. Gold, NTFC president,
presided.
The meeting resulted from a suggestion by
Bert Hecht, vice-president of the NTFC production
division. Another meeting on color
TV film will be held later and will include a
demonstration at the RCA studios.
THREE-CITY PREMIERE—Local civic leaders join Hess Bros, department store
officials at the three-city opening of "Rolling in Style," Universal color short subject,
at the Earh', Allentown, Pa., one of the locations for the short, which deals with the
Ili-vs Bros, mobile fashion caravan. Standing in front of the Earle boxoffice are. left to
right: Max M. Korr, head of Korr Enterprises which operates the Earle; Paul M.
flreascr, director of Hess Bros.; Mayor Brighton C. Diefenderfcr. Allentown; Irving
Sorbin, Universal short subjects sales manager; Nat Silvers, manager of the Earle, and
.Arthur Cohen, who directed "Rolling in Style."
Loew's Elsemere Leased
NEW YORK—Loew's Theatres has lea.sed
the 1,600-seat Elsemere Theatre, Crotona
Parkway. Bronx, to I. Rosenberg of the Elsemere
Theatrical Corp. Irving H. Greenfield
represented Loew's while the lessee was represented
by Samuel Maness. Berk and
Krumgold, theatre realty specialists, negotiated
the deal.
12
BOXOrnCE :
: June 26. 1954

. . . Richard
. . Howard
. . Adolph
. . Henry
. . Yvonne
. . Cesare
. . Eva
. . Walter
. .
Stamp Collectors Welcome
New George Eastman Issue
NEW YORK—Members of Cinema Stamp
Collectors, of which Leon J. Bambei-ger of
RKO is president, will
attend the July 12
ceremonies at Eastman
House. Rochester, N.Y.,
commemorating the
centenary of the birth
of George Eastman.
They will have a special
interest in the
release at that time
of a U.S. postage stamp
honoring Eastman be-
New postage cause they, along with
stamp honoring directors of Eastman
George Eastman. House and directors of
the Eastman Kodak Co., obtained government
approval of the stamp issue.
The organization cun-ently endorses proposals
for new stamps considered worthy
and appropriate and passes its recommendation
along to the U.S. postmaster general.
It was organized in 1946 and is composed
mostly of men and women associated with
the film industry and other amusement enterprises.
European Exhibitor Unit
Approves VistaVision
NEW YORK—VistaVision has been selected
as the ideal pattern for theatres by the general
assembly of the International Union of
Exhibitors, meeting in Paris, according to a
report to Paramount by Loren L. Ryder, head
of studio engineering and recording. Ryder
said that in defining the ideal pattern, the
assembly gave a perfect description of Vista-
Vision.
The assembly chose the 1.85 to 1 ratio as
combining the best conditions of "clearness
of image, comfort of visibility for the audience
and adaptation to the structure of existing
theatres." It called attention to the
"financial consequences of stereophonic installations,"
and noted the wish that "all exhibition
copies retain the usual optical sound
track."
Japanese Showings of W
Win National Attention
NEW YORK—Demonstrations of Vista-
Vision in separate Japanese and English versions
have attracted national attention at the
2,560-seat Ernie Pyle Theatre in Tokyo, according
to reports to Paramount. The showings
were standing-room-only affairs attended
by exhibitors and the press. Louis Mesenkop,
studio technical expert, was present.
Favorable comments were made by Ohno
Shochiku. director of the Exhibitor Board:
Hori Nikkatsu, Exhibitor Board president;
the Rengo News, far eastern news service, and
newspaper film critics. They spoke about
clarity, sharp images, depth and aspect ratio.
BROADWAY
IJarry M. Kalmine, Stanley Warner Corp.
. .
. . Charles
executive, returned from Europe on the
Queen Mary and will visit Buffalo, Toronto
and Montreal soon in preparation for showings
of "This Is Cinerama" in those cities .
Joseph H. Moskowitz, 20th-Fox vice-president
and eastern studio representative, left for
the coast . . Jules Lapidus, Warner Bros,
.
eastern and Canadian division manager, went
to Philadelphia and Washington .
Moskowitz. vice-president and treasurer of
Loew's, came back from Hollywood . . . Hugh
Owen, executive assistant to the Paramount
distribution vice-president, came in from
Washington . Dietz, MGM vicepresident
and director of advertising and publicity,
planed to the coast to look at new
product.
. . Phyllis Perlman Bamberger,
E. F. Clarke, Walt Disney executive, arrived
from Europe on the He de France, which
returned to Europe with George Jessel and
his daughter aboard . DeCarlo
left London via BOAC Monarch . . . Joseph
V. Heffernan. financial vice-president of National
Broadcasting Co., sailed for England
on the Queen Mary . . . Ronald Neame, MGM
writer, arrived from the coast, then planed
to England .
press agent, sailed for Europe on the Liberte
Heermance. assistant to Walter
Mu-isch. Allied Artists executive, has returned
from London, where he set up final plans
tor filming "The Black Prince" in Cinema-
Scope this summer . Schimel. Universal
vice-president, retm-ned from Paris.
Karl Knust, former manager for 20th-Fox
in the Netherlands, is in New York en route
to Rio de Janeiro to take over his new duties
as Brazil manager . Gordon, Paramount
International special representative,
planed to Havana and Panama and will return
in two months . Girosi, producer
for Tltanus Films, Rome, arrived by
plane for a two-week visit in both New York
and Hollywood . . . Guy Trosper, MGM writer,
planed to London . . . W. S. Tower, managing
director of Western Electric, London, subsidiary
of Westrex Corp., is here from England
. Gabor, who completed "They
Had to See Paris" for MGM, planed to London
via BOAC.
Van Johnson, who arrived in New York to
attend the opening of "The Caine Mutiny,"
in which he stars, at the Capitol Thursday
(24), left on the United States the following
day for England to co-star with Deborah
Kerr in the David Rose production, "Th
End of the Affair." both pictures being Columbia
Debbie Reynolds, star
releases . . .
. . Robert
of RKO's "Susan Slept Here," returned to
Hollywood June 24 after five days in New
Mark Stevens left for Hollywood
York . . .
to star in Allied Artists' "Ketchikan," which
will go into production in mid-July .
Aldrich, director of "Apache," United
Artists picture which will open at the Mayfair
in July, and his wife, planed in from
Hollywood June 24 via American Airlines . . .
Russell Holman. Paramount eastern production
manager, is back from Hollywood, where
he spent a week conferring with Y. Frank
Freeman, studio vice-president.
Ann Hershkowitz. secretary to
Neal Astrin
. . .
.
of United Artists playdate department, will
be married to Samuel Kollander in New York
Sunday (27) Lotte Vorcheimer, secretary
to Jerry Plckman, Paramount advertising-publicity
vice-president, and Helen
Feibelmann, secretary to Sid Blumenstock,
advertising manager, left June 26 for two
weeks vacation in Hollywood. George and
Paula Eraser of the Paramount home office
advertising and publicity department got
back from a two-week vacation upstate
Sandra Block, secretary to Eddie Solomon,
20th Century-Fox assistant exploitation manager,
has announced her engagement to Sidney
Cohen of New York . Manley,
Republic's special representative in Canada,
is the proud father of his second child, a
girl, born to Mrs. Manley at Jewish hospital
in Brooklyn.
Schwartz Signs for Drive
NEW YORK—Sol A. Schwartz, president
of RKO Theatres, was the first film executive
to sign the certificate of permission for
the New York Arthritis and Rheumatism
Foundation, now required by New York state
law."
EUROPEAN SHOWING OF VISTAVISION—Barney Balaban (left), president of
Arthur Rank at the first European
Paramount, now on a tour of Europe, chats with J.
demonstration of VistaVision at the Plaza Theatre, London. John Davis, managing
director of the Rank Organization, and Loren L. Ryder, head of technical research at
the Paramount Studio in Hollywood, who put on the British demonstration, are at
the right.
BOXOFFICE
: : June 26, 1954 33

. . The
. . Bob
. . Ruth
,
ALBANY
TJob Friedman is the new .salesman at U-I,
promoted from booker in the Philadelphia
exchange. He succeeded Harry Alexander,
who resigned to take a lease on Harry Lament's
Middletown Drive-In . . . Harry Amove.
Warner booker, plans to .spend his July
vacation visiting his -son in Miami. Young
Amove, a former assistant manager of the
bed .since suffering a stroke last January . . .
Rep. Bernard W. Kearney, Gloversville Republican
and father-in-law of George V.
Lynch, chief buyer for the Schine circuit, has
announced that he will seek a seventh term
in Congress.
Manager George Lourinia, Saratoga Drive-
In,
Little River, now
Latham, reports that figures for
operates
the
a concession
season
so far are
in
a Miami
ahead of the
supermarket.
comparable period
last year . Barbara Rothman married
H. Simon Ullman, younger son of Fa-
The Madison sneak-previewed "The Royal
Tour of Queen Elizabeth and Philip" . . . Ethel
bian Division Manager Saul J. Ullman. Irwin
.secretary, starts
Anameier. U-I managers Ullman, an older brother and manager
her vacation the first week in July
of
. . . The the Mohawk Drive-In, acted as best man.
SW Lincoln. T^-oy. closed for two weeks The groom, formerly on the Palace night
for employe vacations . Case, manager
of Harry Lament's Sunset Drive-In,
management staff, is now a student at Albany
law school.
Kingston, entertained 20 members of the Walter Reade jr.'s 9-W Drive-In, Kingston,
George Washington school's projectionist
charged $3.30 per person, not less than four
club and explained, with operator Lou Meyers,
customers to a car, for its telecast of the Marciano-Charles
world championship heavy-
the operation of the latest RCA sound equipment.
The Kingston Daily Freeman printed weight bout. Single pedestrian tickets also
a picture, taken in the airer's booth, of the were advertised for sale. One insertion in a
junior projectionists, the school principal. Kingston paper indicated 1,000 persons were
Case and Meyers.
expected to attend the first outdoor presentation
in the Hudson valley of a closed-circuit
Seymour L. Morris, publicity and exploitation
manager for the Schine circuit, was or-
telecast. Copy was placed in Kingston, Beacon
and other neighboring city dailies.
dered to take a week's rest at home following
discharge from the Littauer hospital in Gloversville,
where he had been a patient for sion with no reservations for the Marciano-
Proctor's in Troy advertised a $3.30 admisfive
weeks after suffering a heart attack . . .
Charles fightcast. Manager Larry Cowen had
Albany theatres entered a float in the Thursday
(24) Cradle of the Union parade. SW show, the first the 2,500 -seat theatre had
charge of arrangements for the televised
Zone Manager Charles A. Smakwitz was one offered. Advertisments scattered through the
of the aides to the grand marshall. Congressman
Leo W. O'Brien.
stressed the exclusive nature of the telecast.
theatre pages of the Troy Record papers
The same approach was employed in Albany
Among industry people who attended the and Schenectady copy for the presentation
Marciano-Charles telefight at Fabian's Grand at the Grand here. Proctor's and the Grand
were George Lourinia, Saratoga Drive-In are Fabian houses.
manager; Irwin Ullman, Mohawk Drive-In
manager; John Guttuso, assLstant manager at Outdoor operators visiting Filmrow had
the Palace; Pat Patterson, Leland manager; more optimistic reports to make than did
Charles A. Smakwitz, SW zone manager; Jim indoor men. Morris Klein of the Hi-Way
Blackburn and Warren Jones, the Palace; Drive-In, Coxsackie, and Mountain Drive-In,
Al LaFlamme, Strand manager; George Hunter, which is managed by his younger
Schenck, Tri-State Automatic Candy Corp. brother Raphael, said business was "good,"
manager; Roy Tyrell and Stanley Potrezuski, although product was "tougher" than for
Tri-State; Margia Flanagan and Helen a comparable period last year. Alan Iselin,
Schreck, Palace cashiers, and Marie Beaudoin.
Strand cashier.
patronage as good. George Thornton, who
Auto-Vision, East Greenbush, also described
. Attending the recent Saturday afternoon
staff, and his wife left for a pilgrimage to picnic of Colosseum Loge 24 in Thatcher park
the shrine of St. Anne de Beaupre in Quebec were Gordon Bugie and Howard Schmidt,
84-year-old mother of Warner Manager
Ray Smith has been confined to her Appell and Herb Schwartz, Columbia; James
Paramount: Gene Lowe, Universal; Harvey
Moore, Warners. Their wives and children and
a number of friends also were present.
LOOK
Like
TO
father like daughter! Sylvan Leff, operating
theatres m Utica and Watertown, had
hLs 11 -year-old girl Barbara with him on a
booking trip to exchanges
FOR THE Monday afternoon.
FINEST
ANNOUNCEMENT
A2
IKTS, Wiktih . Chieui, ill. m Ninlk Ai.. New - Y.ili N. Y. has conventional theatres in Saugerties and
Johnny Capano, U-I booker and operator Windham, commented, "Business down my
of the State, Ti-oy, attended a dance studio way is never good in June." Johnny Capano
recital at the Mu.sic Hall in which his fiveyear-old
daughter was a participant . . . brisk Sunday; not too good Satiu-day. Clar-
said trade at the State, Troy, was fairly
20th-Fox held a Cinemascope trade.showing ence Dopp of Poland and Northville thought
at Schine's Rialto, Amsterdam, instead of customer visits were "picking up a little."
Fabian's Palace, Albany, as previously
planned
. . Ray Sedlak, Palace technical
George Thornton, conducting theatres in
Saugerties and Windham, was accompanied
by his nine-year-old daughter Linda on the
same mission on the same day. Barbara is
m the sixth grade at St. Agnes school in
Loudonville, while Linda is in the fourth
grade of St. Mary's parochial school at Saugerties.
Patricia Newman, daughter of Arthur
Newman, Republic manager, is a classmate
of Barbara.
James M. Moore jr., 14-year-old .son of
Warner salesman Jimmy Mooi'e, has won a
scholarship to Christian Bros, academy. In
the graduating class at St. James .school,
young Moore, an athlete of note, pitched
the church team to victory over Sacred Heart
church in the CYO city league finals. The
youngster is joining a team of larger boys
representing the Fort Orange American Legion
post.
Neil Hellman Will Build
Motel and Swimming Club
ALBANY—Continuing to expand his operations,
Neil Hellman has leased land on
Northern Boulevard for construction of a
$1,750,000 motel and swimming club. The Albanian,
operator of two indoor theatres here,
a drive-in at North Philadelphia, and an
airer near Levittown. Pa., and owner of the
Mount Vernon motel, adjacent to the Auto-
Vision Theatre in East Greenbush, has taken
a 99-year lease on a l,200x400-foot plot which
County Clerk Donald L. Lynch recently purchased
from the Hudson Valley Credit Corp.
and Fred I. Archibald, former publisher of
the Times-Union.
Hellman plans to start construction about
August 1 of a central administration building,
including a coffee shop and cocktail
lounge, and two wings containing 100 rooms.
This is to be ready next spring. A second
unit of 100 rooms, a swimming pool and a
cabana club will be put under construction
in 1955 for completion in 1956.
Smakwitz Co-Chairmans
Albany Colonial Ball
ALBANY—Charles A. Smakwitz, Stanley
Warner zone manager, and Forrest L. Willis,
station WTRY per.sonality. are serving as cochairmen
of the Colonial ball w-hich will be
held at the Washington Avenue Armory
June 25 to climax the city's celebration of the
200th anniversary of the Albany Congress,
first of its kind in this country. The "Cradle
of the Union" observance was authorized by
a joint congressional resolution, sponsored
by Congressman Leo W. O'Brien, a speaker at
two Variety Club dinners. President Eisenhower
appointed a committee to represent the
federal government at the week-long festivities.
UA's "New York Confidential." due for a
July camera start, will have Richard Conte
and Broderick Crawford as stars.
INCORPORATIONS
. ALBANY
Paramount Pictures Corp.: A New York concern,
registered a certificate thot its capital stock hos
been reduced from $3,042,512 to $2,916,912.
Wodsworth Amusement Corp.: Motion picture business
at 321 Wolden Ave., Buffalo. Capital stock,
200 shares, no par.
CinemoSound Stage Corp.: Theatres and entertainment
in Now York Copital stock, 100 shares, no
per. Incorporators: Edwin T. and Borboro C. Kasper,
Martin and Nancy L. Ransohoff.
Kcnnts Film Service: In New York, Copitol stock,
400 shores, no par
De Luxe Operating Corp.: Motion picture theatres
in Brooklyn. Capital stock, 20 shares, no par.
BOXOFFICE June 26. 1954

. . . Moe
. . Loew's
BUFFALO
IJurglars broke into the UPT community
Niagara, early one morning last week and
damaged the combination on the safe but
could not get the strongbox open. They then
ransacked the candy counter and stole a
small amount of cash from a popcorn machine.
The burglars forced a steel rear door
of the theatre and then jimmied the office
door, accordinj to Bill Colson. manager.
The telecast of the Marciano-Charles fight
in the Center Theatre was a complete sellout
several days before the event. Manager Leon
Serin also sold a large number of standing
room tickets at the same price as the regular
admission of $3.50. The regular show preceded
the fight telecast. There was a big crowd
waiting for the opening of the doors that
evening and District Manager Arthur Krolick
arranged to have a large number of police
in the house to maintain order.
According: to word reaching Buffalo, the
big annual Canadian national exhibition to
be held in Toronto is facing a union jurisdictional
feud, CNE General Manager Hiram
McCallum plaiis to present Roy Rogers, his
wife Dale Evans, their horses and accompanying
performers. The American Guild of Variety
Ai-tists has threatened to blacklist the
CNE and prevent Rogers from appearing
unless all the performers belong to AGVA.
According to McCallum, no action has yet
been taken by the union. Jack Arthur, former
Famous Players Canadian executive, will
again produce the show this year,
Marvin Jacobs, retired partner of Sportservice
and chairman of the Heart committee
of Variety Tent 7, was in the hospital
last week for a checkup. He came through all
right and is now back on the job aiding the
Children's hospital building fund campaign
Balsam, former conductor of the
Shea's Buffalo and Paramount orchestras,
will conduct the orchestra at the big Punorama
to be staged July 2 in the Buffalo
Civic stadium for the benefit of the police
death and pension fund.
Jim Tranter, former radio editor of the
Buffalo Evening News and now a WBEN-TV
producer, is recuperating in Buffalo General
hospital following an operation, Jim is a relative
of Bill Brereton, Basil circuit ad-pub
chief.
Shea circuit publicist Eddie Meade and Buffalo
Manager Carl Rindcen are trying to
locate young persons named Rhett and Scarlett
in connection with the coming opening
of "Gone 'With the 'Wind" . , . Arthur Krolick,
UPT district manager, dug up a Motion
Picture magazine, dated July 1914, from his
home library and sent it to Ai-dis Smith,
drama editor of the Buffalo Evening News,
who found much of interest in it . . . Edward
Ray Goetz, 68, Broadway composer and producer,
who died the other day in Greenwich,
Conn., got his theatrical start as treasurer
of the old Star Theatre, which in those days
was managed by the late Dr. Peter C, Cornell,
father of actress Katharine Cornell,
. . . Leon
There was a big turnout for the Monday
luncheon in the Buffalo Variety Club, one
of a series of similar events which are being
held by Chief Barker Billy Keaton to promote
good fellowship in Tent 7
Herman, Republic manager, and Arthur J,
Newman, Albany manager, visited Oneida the
HONORS FOB SKOUBAS—Spyros P.
Sliouras (right), president of 20th Century-Fox
who received an honorary degree
of Doctor of Humane Letters from
New York Medical college, chats with
Gabriel P, Gregoratos, a native of Greece
who received his doctor's degree, and Mrs.
Eva Gregoratos, a graduate of the college's
School of Nursing, at the 96th annual
commencement at the Academy of
Medicine, where Skouras delivered the
commencement address.
. . .
. .
other day Herb Gaines, Warner salesman,
and Debby Adverse of Brooklyn were
married June 19 and are honeymooning in
Mexico
, The latest model Astrolite screen
manufactured by the Glowmeter Corp., has
been installed in the Center Theatre, according
to Manager Leon Serin.
Censors Head Sees Work
As Public Welfare Need
BALTIMORE—Chairman Sydney R. Traub
of the Maryland board of motion picture examiners
disagreed with two Baltimore county
candidates for the house of delegates who
have come out against state censorship.
The candidates, both Democrats, Daniel
Brewster, seeking re-election, and Alice B.
Hess, seeking a first term, were invited by
Traub to visit his offices to go further into
the matter. Traub said that persons in
high places at all levels of government are
convinced that the preregulation of films by
the state is essential to public welfare, particularly
with respect to juveniles.
'Seven Brides' Showings
Open to All in Industry
NEW YORK—All members of the industry
regardless of affiliation will be eligible
to attend MGM territorial showings of "Seven
Brides for Seven Brothers" in Cinemascope.
Other eligibles will include members of civic,
musical and educational organizations, and
representatives of the press, radio and television.
Admission will be by tickets distributed
by MGM branch executives.
Tlie New York showing has already been
set for Thursday evening (1) at Loew's Lexington
Theatre. Home office and exchange
executives of all companies will be among
those attending.
R. Egan Leads in "Air Rescue'
Ivan Tors F*roductions has signed Richard
Egan for the male lead in "Operation Air
Rescue," a United Artists film.
SYRACUSE
lyiore than .$600 worth of coins was plunked
into the attractive fountain set up on the
sidewalk in front of Schine's Paramount theatre
where "Three Coins in the Fountain"
is in its second week. The fountain is sponsored
by the Daughters of Columbus and
the money will go for the aid of the Syracuse
chapter for mentally retarded children.
On each side of the fountain is a statue of a
lion from Rome where the picture was filmed.
Each morning Manager Max Rubin tosses
a silver dollar for good luck.
Harry Unterfort, zone manager of the
Schine Theatres, and Mrs. Unterfort returned
from a week's vacation at Bill Hahns in
Westbrook, Conn. They stopped over in New
York City on their way back . State
Theatre is doing record business with "Gone
With The Wind," according to Manager Sam
Oilman. Opening day guests were Rhett
Michael Sweeney, 14, and Scarlett Hitcock,
13, who were named for the hero and heroine
of the film. Local library displays have been
playing up the film of the Pulitzer prize novel
by Margaret Mitchell . . . Sol Sorkin, manager
of RKO Keith's, became "father of the
bride" when his daughter, Phyllis was married
to Syi-acuse University graduate Mel
Besdin.
Stanley Warner Reports
Sales Drive Winners
PITTSBURGH—Winners have been named
in the special three-month sales drive honoring
M. A. Silver, local Stanley Warner Corp.
zone manager. The prizes were extra weeks
of vacations. Sid Jacobs, district manager,
supervised the drive.
The winners, all of Pennsylvania, are Lou
Fordan, Memorial, McKeesport: Bill Decker,
Butler, Butler; Earl Gordon, Squirrel Hill,
Pittsburgh; James Laux, Hollywood. Pittsburgh,
and Bob Neilson. Nittany, State College.
Silver Merit awards and silver dollars were
given to outstanding managers, as follows:
Jules Curley, Haven, Olean, N, Y.; Anthony
Collincini, Manos, Greensburg, Pa.; Howard
Higley, Allen, Cleveland; Paul Jacobs, Laroy,
Portsmouth, Ohio; Al Goddard. Rowland,
Wilkinsburg.
Also Gus Nestle, Wintergarden, Jamestown,
N. Y.; Dick Kline, Liberty, New Kensington,
Pa.; Julius Lamm, Colony, Cleveland; Earl
Gordon, Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh; Bill Wyatt,
Virginian, Charleston, W. Va.; George Sarvis,
Liberty, Warren, Pa.; Henry Rastetter, Warner,
Erie, Pa.; Lora Ainger, Wilson, Tyrone,
Pa.; "Doc" Elliott, Ohio, Lima, Ohio; Max
Silverman, Manor, Pittsburgh; Harold James,
Lyric, Portsmouth, Ohio, and Frank Brown,
Penn, Titusville, Pa.
The over-all drive was supervised by Henry
Burger and Phil Katz, advertising and publicity
zone managers, respectively.
'f
**
Miss Booth to Get Award
NEW YORK—Shirley Booth will receive
an Actors Equity award at the benefit opening
Sunday (27) of her new Hal Wallis-
Paramount picture, "About Mrs. Leslie," at
the Victoria Theatre. She is now starring in
the Broadway musical, "By the Beautiful
Sea." Proceeds from the opening will go to
the Actors Fund of America.
in
BOXOFFICE June 26, 1954 35

. .
.
, .
.
.
. . . 20th-Fox
. . Harry
PHILADELPHIA
"The press agent at the Trans-Lux Theatre
went looking for everyone in the Philadelphia
area named Million so he could give
them free passes to the premiere on Wednesday
(30> for "Man With a Million." He could
only find four people with that name .
20th-Fox will present a special demonstration
of "The Advancing Techniques of Cinemascope"
at the Fox Monday (28) at 10
a.m. The showing will include a special subject.
"The Miracle of Stereophonic Sound,"
illustrating the operation of the four-track,
high-fidelity magnetic stereophonic sound
system, as compared with the ordinary onetrack
optical sound. Included in the film
footage will be scenes from "Broken Lance,"
"A Woman's World," "Garden of Evil" and
"The Egyptian."
David Supowitz, theatre architect, drew a
perspective sketch of the new Towne when
he was designing it several months ago. To
make the sketch look realistic, he wrote an
imaginary attraction on the marquee: "Marilyn
Monroe, Cinemascope, Technicolor,
Stereophonic." Actually, this makes Supowitz
a fortune teller. Although he had no
way of telling, when the Towne opened in
Levittown. the opening show was Maj-ilyn
Monroe in "River of No Return," in Cinema-
Scope, Technicolor and stereophonic sound . .
Model Jul Merlino got dressed in a simulated
leopard bathing suit and carried a little bag
which was supposed to contain a Tanganyika
love potion to publicize Universal's "Tanganyika."
Peter Rosian, Universal district manager,
was in town . . , Mel Heinbach and Al Mazer's
Starlight Drive-In in Brandonville and
Pocono E>rive-In in Pocono are no longer
.
being serviced by Tristate Theatre Service.
Heinbach and Mazer are planning to build
a new 800-seat drlve-in near Allentown, and
Sol Shocker, general manager, is taking over
booking and buying of all the theatres
The Liberty Theatre in Exeter and Taft in
Olyphant have closed for the summer . . .
Dave Rosen is now handling the distribution
in this territory of "Planet Outlaws" and
"The Pickwick Papers." Rosen is also handling
a General Electric reel, entitled "The
Atom Goes to Sea."
Ben Harris has revived an old publicity
stunt, and he has all of Vine street talking
about it. He stenciled the streets in the
central city area, and especially on Filmrow,
with the Goldwyn pictures, "Westerner" and
"Dead End," for which he ha,s the franchise,
with ten more films to follow. Bob Lynch,
MGM, told Ben Harris when he saw that every
pavement in front of Loew's local exchange
was stenciled with Harris' product that Harris
should be congratulated for having the nerve
to stencil such a me.ssage on the sidewalk of
a major exchange and that Lynch would let
the message stay on the pavement until it
disappeared from ordinary wear and usage .
Bill Kanefsky, manager of William Goldberg's
Studio, was on vacation in Hollywood.
During the first four months of 1954 the
city has realized $2,900,000 from amusement
tax receipts . . . Priests of 16 Catholic
parishes in Perth Amboy. N. J., took paid
advertising space in the Perth Amboy livening
News to ask their followers to "accept
the challenge" which they said had been
issued by Walter Reade's Majestic in advertising
"The French Line" as being "condemned
by the Legion of Decency and refu.sed
a Production Code .seal." The Reade ad had
been published 13 inches high in four colums
and had concluded w-ith a statement:
"But we .say let our audience decide!" An
official of the Walter Reade Theatre claimed
that the ads. with an illustration of Jane
Russell in her dance sequence costume, were
run so that the company could not be accu.sed
of misrepresentation or withholding information
about the film.
At the invitational premiere of "Men of the
Fighting Lady" Larry Graver, manager of
the Mastbaum. and the commandant of the
fourth naval district acted as hosts . . . Jack
Vandevere. head of Triangle Studios, was
happy over the graduation of his son Jack
jr. from Villanova imiversity with a degree
Anthony Lincoln
in mechanical engineering . . .
Forte, the son of Joseph Forte, manager
of the Waverly, Drexel Hill, graduated from
Jefferson medical college.
Joseph J. Kelly, manager of the Broad and
with A. M. Ellis for over 15 years, died . . .
Arthur J. Meyrick, 78, an employe of the
Avenue since it opened, died . . Jacob
.
Hurwitz, Universal shipper, was on vacation
Family club went on its annual
outing in Gallen Hall, Wemersville .
i
J. Abbott, president of Local 307 and third
international vice-president of lATSE, was
,
happy over the fact that his .son Joseph Leo
Abbott graduated from Jefferson medical
college.
. . . Alexander
Lester Wurtele, Columbia manager, went
to Washington to call on Jack Fi-uchtman,
Fruchtman Theatres, about the Waynesboro
situation, which is operated by the circuit but
serviced out of Philadelphia
Tate, formerly owner of the Taft in Olyphant,
is one of the principals in the purcha,se of a
part of Lake Ariel and its adjacent amusement
park in Wayne county for a consideration
in excess of $100,000.
AT OLD POINT COMFORT—Five of the original founders of the Virginia Motion
Picture Theatre Ass'n who attended this year's convention at Old Point Comfort
June 8-10 are seen in the top photo. Left to right: Jeff Hofheimer, Norfolk; Sam
Bendheim jr., Richmond; Bertha Gordon, Newport News; A. Frank O'Brien, Richmond,
and Syd Gates, Norfolk. The lower photo shows the president of the VMPTA, Leonard
Gordon, Newport News, back center, with Syd Gates on his left and Roy Richardson,
Suffolk, on his right. Seated are Mrs. Richardson. Mrs. Gordon and Mrs. Gates.
New Theatre to Open July 1
In Downtown Philly
PHILADELPHIA—The downtown lights
will be brighter here when the all-new Viking
Theatre holds its opening on Thursday (1).
The opening night ceremonies will feature
a special preview of "The Student Prince."
It will be a special dedication program spon-
.^ored by the Chestnut Street Ass'n and the
Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce for the
benefit of the United Service club.
The Viking replaces the old Stanley Warner
Corp. Aldine, at 19th and Chestnut
streets. The new theatre is owned by Harry
Sley. local garage and parking lot operator,
and was designed by William H. Lee, nationally
known theatre architect.
All that remains of the original Aldine are
four walls and the roof. The facade and the
interior are completely new. The graduated
levels of the Aldine have been replaced with
a single level graded floor and the seating
capacity was reduced by 300 to 991 for more
comfortable seating.
All of the equipment necessary to the current
wide-screen techniques has been installed,
including an all-purpo.se screen 57
feet wide. The Viking is completely air conditioned,
contrasted to the Aldine which used
to have to close for the sununer.
On the outside, the largest theatre sign
in the city will be featured. Another feature
will be automatic doors that will open with
only a slight pressure of the hand on a
pushbar.
36 BOXOFFICE :
: June 26, 1954

. . Ben
. . Tommy
. . Jeff
. . Manager
, . District
. .
. . . George
. . Louis
WASHINGTON
STAR OF TOUR—Mary Ellen Kay, feature
player in "The Long Wait" who is
making a personal appearance tour on
behalf of the picture, was welcomed to
Richmond, Va., by Manager George
Peters of Loew's and Mr. H. V. Schenck,
president of the Virginia Chamber of
Commerce and escorted on a tour of the
historical city.
RICHMOND
. .
TJill Dalke jr. reports that a wide screen has
been installed in his Community, Woodstock
. . . P. W. Carper has installed a new
concession stand at the Family Drive-In,
Bassett . . Pitts circuit has taken over the
.
Plantation Drive-In, Suffolk . The English
Bros, have taken over the Alta Eh'ive-In,
Alta Vista . Faw has installed Cinema-
Scope in his Pulaski Drive-In, Dublin, as
has John A. Lester at his Mlllwald, Wytheville.
. .
Allied Artists Manager Milt Lipsner was in
Winchester . . . Sgt. David G. McCoy, former
manager of the Beacon, Hopewell, has returned
to Ft. Hood, Tex., after spending a
furlough with his parents . Rosalie Bishop
is the new assistant manager at the Beacon,
Hopewell, replacing Susan Wilbun, who resigned
. . Universal District Manager Joe
.
Gins and Manager Harold Saltz were in
Richmond . Hoffheimer, Hoffheimer
circuit, Norfolk, flew to Washington on business
Max Matz, Colonial, Bluefield, is
. . . vacationing in Florida.
Bert Farries, Schoolfield, Schoolfield, is
vacationing in Florida . . . E. E. Ours, Royal
Drive-In, Winchester, visited MGM in Washington
. Fields, son of T. D.
Fields, Fields circuit, Abington, graduated
from the University of Maryland.
Independent Theatre Service is booking and
buying for the Alta Drive-In, Alta Vista . . .
Ed Mills is the new Equity salesman covering
the Shenandoah valley.
Francis-Wynn Team Tours
East for 'Caine Mutiny'
NEW YORK—Robert^ Francis and May
Wynn of Columbia's "The Caine Mutiny" began
an eastern series of personal appearances
Friday (25) at the Astor Theatre, Boston.
They were to appear Monday (28) at the
Randolph, Philadelphia: Thursday (1) at the
Beach, Atlantic City; July 5-7 at Keith's,
Washington, and July 8 at the Hippodrome,
Baltimore. They were then to split up as a
team and cover individually a number of midwestern,
southern and western cities.
fay Robinson, who portrays the part of Caligula
in "The Robe" and "Demetrius and
the Gladiators," was a Washington visitor and
was lauded by Washington drama critics for
his outstanding performance in the picture.
During recent weeks, Robinson has visited 20
cities, made 130 press and radio appearances,
70 on television, and has spoken before the
pupils of 100 high schools . . . Booker Sara
Young and Mrs. Ben Lust of the Ben Lust
Theatre Supply Co. are spending a week's
vacation in Florida.
Caroline Norris, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Glenn Norris, eastern sales manager, was
voted the most outstanding girl in hei senior
cla.ss by her teachers and was given the highest
scholastic rating in English upon her
graduation from high school. Miss Norris is
planning on entering the University of North
Carolina in the fall . . . Office Manager Art
Shaftel celebrated a birthday on Saturday.
. . . Effective July Olin
Mrs. Jack Fruchtman, her daughter Kay
and son Jackie jr. are visiting Mrs. Fruchtman's
mother in Savannah, Ga. . . . Mrs.
Joe Gins is spending the week in Boston
apartment hunting. Daughter Brenda is entering
the University of Illinois in .September
Walter Gettinger is taking over the
. . . Beacon, Baltimore
Thrush is taking over management
1,
of the
Mrs. Lucille Buchanan
Barton. Barton, Md. . . .
was to close her Majestic, Piedmont,
Irving Martin,
W. Va., Saturday (26 1 . . .
manager of Loew's Columbia, Washington, is
vacationing in Miami Beach.
The Motion Picture and Television Council
of the District of Columbia held its annual
luncheon meeting in the Willard hotel Thursday.
Guest speaker was Herbert Barnett of
New York, executive vice-president of Cinerama
and president of the Society of Motion
Picture and Television Engineers. His subject
was "Motion Pictures Today and Tomorrow."
Mrs. Virginia Collier, council president, introduced
the guests, among whom were the
ambassador from Uruguay and Senora De-
Mora, Mrs. Harold H. Burton, Mrs. Tom
Clark, Signor Clemente Boniver, commercial
counselor of the Italian embassy; Shoichi
Inouye, commercial counselor of the Japanese
embassy; D. K. Hingorani, education attache
of the Indian embassy; Kenneth Clark, vicepresident
of the Motion Picture Ass'n of
America; Milo F. Chiistiansen, superintendent
of the District recreation department,
and Mrs. Arthur G. Davis, president of the
District Federation of Women's Clubs. The
Uruguayan ambassador, Signor Boniver,
Inouye and Hingorani spoke briefly on phases
of the motion picture industry in their respective
countries.
.
"Cubby" Broccoli, co-producer of Columbia's
"Hell Below Zero," was in to meet the
press and make radio and television appearances
prior to the opening of the picture at
Warners' Metropolitan . Manager
Sam Galanty went to Cleveland
tioners included Mary Petrone
. . .
and
Vaca-
Isabel
Fine.
MGM Southern Division Manager Rudy
Berger visited the Jacksonville and Atlanta
offices .
Herb Bennin went to
Charlotte . . . RKO Manager Joe Brecheen
visited the Baltimore exhibitors . . . Office
Manager Joe Kushner is vacationing
District Manager Bob Folliard visited the ex-
.
. . .
change .
ner is in
. Allied Artists
New York.
Manager Milt
His secretary
Lips-
Florence
Garden is spending her vacation in Burlington,
Iowa Ann Fleming, Universal assistant
cashier, is on vacation.
Exhibitors seen on Filmrow included "Doc"
Westfall, Bobby Levine, Jeri-y Carter, Bill
Freedman, Denver Aleshire, Bill Dalke jr.,
Lewis Bachrach, Rube Shor, Howard Waggonheim
and Messrs. Payne, Martin and
Richardson of the Pitts ciixuit.
John Broumas has resigned from the Roth
circuit . . . Kurt Smith, Alamo, Grundy, Va.,
came in to visit Senator Byrd .
Theatres' Lucille Brown went to Richmond to
visit her brother, who is in St, Phillips hospital
Equity cashier Ann Sknerski underwent
. . . surgery in Providence hospital.
BALTIMORE
n aron Seidler,
manager of the New Albert,
is vacationing in Atlantic City . . . T. D.
Fields of the Fields circuit, Abingdon, Va.,
was here to attend the graduation of his
son Thomas from the University of Maryland
Walker of the Garman circuit
was in Washington on business as was Douglas
Connellee of the Elk at Elkton . . . Eva
Holland, member of the Maryland state board
of motion picture censors, is taking her vacation
to coincide with her son's leave of
absence from the armed forces.
Dan Sattler, Hiway at Essex, was visiting in
Washington . Seiber, president of
the projectionists local, suffered a relapse
. . .
. . .
of a spinal ailment and has been returned to
Franklin Square hospital, where he may
undergo surgery George Hendrix, manager
of the Mayfair, is vacationing in Atlantic
City. His substitute is Willard Fagan
Frank Stang, manager of the Hampden, fell
while in the theatre and suffered several
fractured ribs . . . Walter Gettinger, partowner
of the Howard, is booking for the
Beacon.
Two leading subsequent run houses, the
Centre and the Linden, are changing over
to an art theatre policy. The Centre, owned
by Morris Mechanic who also operates the
New, has been leased by the I. M. Rappaport
interests. It will be renovated and redecorated.
The Linden, one of Milton Schwaber
Theatres, closes this week and will be entirely
remodeled. The seating will be approximately
500 and its name will be changed to
the Cinema, according to Howard Wagonheim,
vice-president of the circuit. The opening
is scheduled for July 30.
WASHINGTOI
D. C.
EDDIE BRACKEN,
pRisciiiA
LANE'
WEEKENDfi
920 New lersEK
A,.Nw
!i,fc TOM CONWAY
BOXorncE June 26, 1954 37

. . Diane,
. . Lightnmg
. . Harry
. . Super
. . Ralph
. . The
. . . Dora
. . The
. . VFW
PITTSBURGH
n mbridge school district, which didn't show
renewal of its amusement tax in its published
budget expectations, is continuing this
levy, which has been declining in recent years.
In 1953-54. the amu.sement tax return will be
. . .
S12.000, or about $3,000 less than was anticipated.
Under the new budget setup for the
Ambridge school district, this tax is "not
likely to yield more than $12,000 in 1954-55"
Elmer Hasley states that his Terrace
Theatre on Bessemer Terrace in East Pittsburgh
will not be ready for reopening until
early in September. A windstorm several
weeks ago carried off half of the roof which
is being replaced, together with a new ceiling,
decorating, etc.
Joe Warren, who recently opened the 1,000-
car CinemaScope-equipped greater Pittsburgh
Drive-In east of Wilkinsburg, has reduced
admission price to 55 cents at his Rose Drivein
near Jeannette . . . More than 9,000 fight
fans filled the three downtown theatres,
Perm, Stanley and Harris, to capacity to
witness the Marciano-Charles battle. Four
men trying to scalp tickets to theatre telecasts
of the fight were arrested when they
tried to peddle their wares to city detectives.
UA, distributing the film ver.sion of the
scrap, screened a print for the Filmrow gang
Monday noon i21).
Mark Kirkpatrick, Johnsonburg theatre
manager, his wife and daughter Susan have
been vacationing in Florida for two weeks . . .
John Betters will construct a swimming pool
.
in the rear of the Roof Garden Drive-In neai'
Somerset second daughter born
to Mr. and Mi-s. Zay Bass of the Family
Drive-In at New Kensington, when one week
of age was serenaded by a radio program
which honored the mother and infant with
the song "Diane" and other tunes, plus best
wishes.
. .
Dorothy Vogeley, wife of the assistant manager
of the Freeport Sunset View Drive-In,
George Vogeley, a patient at the Will Rogers
Memorial hospital for several months, is much
improved in health . Ben White is opening
a grand new concession stand at the White-
Way Drive-In, Warren. It is designed for
parties, dances, banquets, etc., and will be
open through the winter . .struck
the .screen tower at the Larkfield Drive-In,
Grove City, and chewed away the upper left
section while a show was being exhibited.
The screen, being enlarged, permitted the
picture to continue in operation. A ramp boy
was stunned by the flash of lightning and
was hospitalized, but the -shock wore off
Roof of the unoccupied
in a short time . . .
store room adjoining the Rase, Cambridge
Springs, was lifted in a wind storm and
authorities closed the theatre as a precaution.
Ray Woodard, general manager of the
Kayton Amusement Co., has returned to
Franklin after vacationing for several weeks
SAM FINEBERG I
TOM McCLEARY
||
JIM ALEXANDER I
84 Von Broam Street ||
PITTSBURGH 19, PA. 1
Phone EXpress 1-0777 i

fhe metibft THctuAs me^ixJi(inclUma^ G-mcU
FLORIDA THEATRE
uftiaii
A unique front display, utilizing very few props, was set up by Ralph Puckhaber, manager of the Florida
Theatre, Miami, for "Tennessee Chomp." Puckhaber used several miles of colored Scotch tape and eight
hours of his own time to decorate the big glass doors of the theatre. In the middle he pasted a sixsheet
cutout of Shelley Winters, framed with double strips of tape. Boxing gloves were drawn on Dayglo
paper and pasted at diagonal corners of the frame. He pasted yards of tope diagonally across the entire
front to look like a big ribbon, on which, in contrasting tape, he spelled out the name of the picture, using
two colors for each letter to give a shaded effect. Star names were lettered in tape on the doors.
HAL- SLOANE
Editor
THE
HUGH E. FRA2E
Associate Editor
SECTION OF
BOXOFFiCE

FIRST
CAMPAIGNS
GONE WITH THE WIND' GETS
A NEW-PICTURE APPROACH
Theatremen Across the U.S. Selling the All-Time
Grosser Behind Whirlwind of Promotional Activity
KANSAS CITY: An old-fashioned corrioge, with a
Southern Belle model and driver, scored a hit in
downtown Kansas City, reports Manager Maurice
Druker of the Midlond.
CONSULT YOUR ft. R.
REGARDING
FARES AND SCHEDULES
TO KANSAS CITY, MO.
TO SEE
LOEW S MIDLAND
!M! THUR, JUNE 3
In towns through the Kansas City area, 14 by 22
cards were placed in railroad and bus depots, calling
attention to the playdate. Agents were given
information regarding the engagement.
Rolled through the downtown Kansas City district
was this huge book, built on a platform with rollers.
It is not the least expensive of stunts, but for a
first run engagement does a terrific selling job.
Exhibitors in seven areas took on the
rere^ease of that all-time money maker.
•Gone With the Wind," on its third time
around and handled it like a new feature.
The campaigns had all the excitement and
energy generally reserved for the new and
big productions, and the fact that grosses
m every situation were record-breaker.5
frcm the date at Loew's State on Broadway
to Loew's Warfield in San Francisco
indicates that the campaigns paid off.
In all of the campaigns, exhibitors, aided
by MGM fieldmen. did not forget the nostalgia
which could be created by recalling
the first appearance of "OWTW" on the
movie horizon. But. on the whole, the
campaign materials and approaches were
new.
One of the most effective preselling efforts
was a street survey, in which individuals
were asked whether they had seen
"Gone With the Wind" and if they had.
would they like to have it come back; or.
if they hadn't seen it, would they like to.
In some of the cities, members of the theatre
staff conducted the street question
and answer project; in others, local girls
were hired. Another approach to this same
treatment was a "whispering" campaign
in which members of the staff, starting
weeks ahead of the playdate, asked questions
about the picture of everyone they
met.
Following are reports on initial campaigns:
KANSAS CITY:
An areawide promotion, the biggest to
be launched in many a moon by Loew's
Midland in Kansas City, has been credited
for the fact that "Gone With the Wind"
in its comeback engagement at that house
outgrossed the previous records established
by the same picture in 1941 and
1947.
Bernie Evens. MGM exploiteer. and Maurice
Druker, Loew's Midland manager.
were credited with setting the promotional
pace, tieing up with bus companies, railroads,
drugstores and other merchants.
Attention-getter of the entire campaign
proved to be a horse-drawn carriage with
a driver, traditionally clad in dark suit,
top hat and white gloves, and a trim young
woman posing as Scarlett O'Hara and
dressed in hoop skirt, bonnet and carrying
an old-fashioned parasol. Bannered with ^^
playdate announcements, the open carriage Kj
toured downtown streets and attracted
considerable comment.
As an added street ballyhoo, Druker and
Evens got up an "ambulating" book, some
Overtime Parkers Saved by the Belle (Southern, That Is)
PROVIDENCE—One of the most effective
stunts in the 50-point exploitation
campaign on "Gone With the
Wind" staged by William J. Trambukis,
manager, Loew's State Theatre, "saved
the skins" land fines i of several overtime
parkers.
Coincidental with the opening of the
film. Trambukis dispatched several
members of his staff to check local
parking meters. When a car was found
parked at a meter which indicated that
the parking time had run out. the
Loew's staff member dropped a nickel
in the meter giving the negligent motorist
an additional 30 minutes leeway. At
the same time, a ticket, exactly in size
and color to the parking tickets handed
3Ut by traffic patrolmen was affixed to
the windshield wiper, customary "summons-spot."
Only this time the ticket
read: "Your Parking Meter Had Expired.
Taken care of by GWTW. Call
GAspee 1-2987 for full Name of Benefactor."
Startled motori.sts who thought they
had a police summons were so happy
Your Parking
EXPIRED.
Meier Had.
TaLen care of Dy
a w. T. w.
Call GAspe« 1-2987 for full Nam*
of
Benefactor.
and relieved at wliat they read that they
instantly called the given phone number
to thank their "benefactor."
Their reaction was a grateful and
ready acceptance to attend "Gone With
the Wind" when they discovered the
origin of the stunt. Many were so
pleased that they passed the word
around among friends and more than
one impromptu theatre party followed.
— 206 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiaer June 26. 1954

SYRACUSE: A Southern Belle passed out
Beechies chewing gum in appropriate envelopes,
as well as widebook matches to coll attention
to the wide-screen angle of the rerelease.
Caught on as stunt, reports Sam Gllman of
Loew's
State.
SAN FRANCISCO: Dressed as Scarlett O'Hara
and Rhett Butler, this pair paraded the streets
of the Golden Gate city to call attention to the
playdate. Manager Boyd Sparrow of the Warfield
a so promoted a Scarlett O'Horo rose with
a local florist, and flowers were presented to
the first 300 ladies on opening day.
PROVIDENCE: An effective stunt worked out by
W. J. Trambukis of Loew's State was a sidewalk
survey by attractive Providence debs, asking residents
whether they would like to see GWTW
again and other pertinent questions.
Six feet tall, with caster rollers, which was
pushed through the downtown area by
Midland ushers.
The theatre had a lobby display, bannered
with "Greater Than Ever on Our
Wide-Vision Screen," set up a month prior
to the opening.
Kansas City News Distributors trucks
carried placards announcing the film
opening, and the Katz drug chain, largest
in the city, set up counter and window
displays. Bookshop window displays were
arranged and store window displays were
set up at two downtown women's apparel
stores. Peck's and Berkson's. Window cards
were put up in the Greyhound bus terminal
and in railway ticket offices downtown,
and the Kresge stores offered a "GWTW"
sundae, placarding its soda fountains with
advertising for the ice cream treat and
the film.
A total of 10,000 booKmarks was distributed
to libraries throughout the city,
and the picture gained added recognition
through programs on television and radio.
Evens and Druker arranged a contest to
find a boy and girl who had been named
after the main characters in the film.
Rhett or Scarlett. No Scarlett was found,
but Rhett Shaughnessy, born in June 1940,
was found. His mother had seen "GWTW"
in January of that year. Rhett was taken
out to dinner and was given passes to
the show.
The Sunday edition of the Kansas City
Star devoted top-of-the-page art and a
lengthy story to the reopening of the picture
here, outlining the history of the picture
in its many playdates over the last
14 years.
PROVIDENCE:
PROVIDENCE—Using a 50-point exploitation
program, William J. Trambukis,
manager, Loew's State Theatre, "kicked
off" "Gone With the Wind" more auspiciously
than any other screen attraction presented
in the history of motion picture business
in this state.
Carefully planned out seven weeks in
advance of the opening date, Trambukis,
ably assisted by his staff: Tony Andruezewski
and Robert Walker, assistant managers:
Marie Violo. secretary, and Floyd
Fitzsimmons, MGM representative, set up
a campaign, the like of which has never
been seen in Rhode Island.
Five weeks in advance, Bradford H.
Swan, noted movie reviewer and critic on
the staff of the Pi-ovidence Journal-Bulletin,
ran a box stoi^y with proper credits.
This was followed up with virtually a full
page, incidentally page one of the amusement
section of the Providence Sunday
Journal, complete with two and threecolumn
stills from the film. The Times,
in nearby Pawtucket, ran a double-column
still, as did the Providence Evening Bulletin.
All of the advertising inserted in local
newspapers by Loew's State carried underlines
"... days until GWTW." This was
followed out for the four weeks prior to
showdates.
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : : June 26, 1954
207 —
Continued on next page
SYRACUSE:
'Whispering
Campaign'
Starts a Promotion
One ol the most extensive campaigns for
"Gone With the Wind" was staged in Syracuse.
A jour-week drive, it was plan ed by Sam
(jilman. Eugene Moulaison, Arthur Canton
and Steve Pirozzi. Highlights Irom the campaign
included:
Whisperiimc Campaign: A "whispering campaign"
started as soon as the playdate was
set. Members of the theatre staff asked almost
everyone they met whether they had seen the
picture, whether they wanted to see it again,
or if they hadn't, would they like to have it
brought back. Almost all answers were in the
affirmative. The stunt brought many telephone
inquiries about the playdate.
LncAL Rhett and Scarlett: Search started
for local boy named Rhett and girl named
Scarlet. Both were found, and radio, TV and
press cooperated in the promotion. Youngsters
were guests at prominent restaurant,
appeared at opening of picture. Works out as
cute stunt.
Scarlett O'Hara: When "Gone With the
Wind" first played Syracuse, a local Scarlett
O'Hara was selected locally. As an added pron)olion,
a hunt was started to locate the original
Scarlett. Both radio-TV and the press
helped. Ads were run in the classified ad
columns.
Street Ballyhoo: Two stunts were used:
(1) a horse-drawn carriage, w ith appropriate
banners and a model dressed as a Southern
Belle and a costumed driver, was driven
through the streets for three days prior to
opening of the picture; (2> the Southern
Belle model, on downtown streets, passed on
Beechies chewing gum in appropriately captioned
enveloped and wide bookmatches selling
the wide screen angle of the new engagement.
Scarlett O'Hara Cocktah.: A half dozen
of the better bars and restaurants featured
a .Scarlett O'Hara cocktail. Used announcement
cards on their bars and tent cards at
tables.
Place Mats: Three local restaurants used
OWTW p'ace mats several days before the
opening. These had been successful with the
"Rose Marie" engagement.
.School .Approaches: A survey was held to
determine how many students had seen the
picture and how many wanted to see it. This
was coupled with letters to all principals,
history teachers, etc., to call attention In the
educational values in the film.
\t the Theatre: For seven weeks prior to
opening, displays ranged from small teaser
cards, hand-colored enlargements and special
small displays to a 15-foot set piece in the
lobby. The entire front of the theatre was
covered with colored lights, streamers and
flashing spotlights. In addition, a false front
was created, using a montage of important
scenes from the picture.
The campaign also included TV and radio
coverage through disk jockey tieups, commercial
programs, press stories, book store
promotions.

MIAMI: Gone With the Wind' . . . Cont.
MIAMI—What is probably the largest color reproduction of an actual scene
from a motion picture appeared last week in the amusement magazine of the Miami
Daily News.
Several newspapers
have tried unsuccessfully
to reproduce such
scenes, but failed—and
the reason given has
been that the movie
film quality is considerably
poorer than that
which is obtainable via
a still camera.
However, the News
has had good success
with its color photography,
and the experts
on the color photo engraving
staff did the
trick. With extra care they took a frame right out of the original film. The frame
measured ^s inch by 13/ IG—or a square inch of 65/128. a shade less than a
half inch square.
From this microscopic film, they obtained an enlargement in reproduction of 26
diameters, or 732 times the over-all size of the original. In area, it measured 316
square inches compared to the original's 65/ 128th inch. The News feels that this is
an important achievement in color photo engraving as was "Gone With the Wind"
in picture entertainment.
Successful with this experiment, the newspaper plans to make another mammoth
reproduction of the famous love scene in "Demetrius and the Gladiators."
MS; wms
PROVIDENCE:
Continued from previous page
A giant 20-foot by 8-foot display over
the marquee for six weeks in advance
carried the same teaser copy as the newspapers.
This brilliantly illuminated sign,
changed daily, could be seen several blocks
away.
Trambukis hired an old-fashioned "one
horse shay," and on the opening date, despite
local regulations banning "street
ballyhoos for commercial purposes," sent
an attractively clad "Southern belle" and
"top-hatted Southern gentleman" on a
tour of the downtown streets. Two gaudily
painted signs on the rear of the vehicle
advertised the film. Falling in with the
"spirit" of the occasion, local gendarmes
either "failed to see the violation," or enjoyed
the gag so much they neglected to
interfere.
Other highlights of the promotional
campaign included the printing and dis-
play of scores of store window and door
display cards reading "Closed today to see
•Gone With the Wind' at air-conditioned
Loew's State." This was unusually timely
inasmuch as a feud is raging between all
the downtown retail stores; half of said
stores remaining closed on Mondays so
that employes can enjoy a double-holiday,
while the remaining 50 per cent refuse to
follow the trend.
When Trambukis approached the "Closed
Monday" stores, they were as quick and
willing to display the cards as Trambukis
was in "cashing in" on the highly publicized
"battle."
Tod Williams, Rhode I.sland's leading
disk jockey and radio personality, on the
invitation of Ti-ambukis, conducted a live
radio broadcast in the outer lobby of
Loew's State. During the half-hour quiz
program. "Gone With the Wind" received
more than a score of "plugs."
All of the leading restaurants, chop
houses and many hotel dining rooms used
specially imprinted paper place-mats, both
before and during the screening of the
picture.
On opening night, a bevy of beauties,
hand-picked from the cream of this city's
prettiest damsels, all lavishly dressed in
old Southern costumes, greeted Loew's
patrons with all of the Southern charm
and hospitality of genuine Dixie belles;
their "gifts" were special "Gone With the
Wind" programs. This made a decided
hit with all patrons and was the "talk of
the town" for many days after.
Special cardboard frames, beautifully designed
and colored, were used to surround
all of the mirrors in the restrooms and
powder rooms. Special advertising "personally
pointed" was used to promote the
film.
Other outstanding highlights included
"samplings" of patrons reactions to the
film; an airplane towing "Gone With the
Wind" banners; department store window
dress-ups featuring Scarlett O'Hara attire.
CLOSED TODAY
to
see
GONE WITH
THE WIND
at Air-Conditioned
LOEWS
STATE
This oMrocMve trim for o mirror wos used in the In Providence, Manager Trambui

L
I
FRONTING FOR THE MOVIES ACROSS THE U.S.A.
o
Oldtime showmanship has been given a 1954 twist by theatremen across the
nation in special lobby, front and marquee displays, which have proven novel
enough to stop crowds. On this page are examples of exhibitor initiative.
pVINC DEiSERT"
"'^0 "BEN « M£
I'
Arll^^vyU l\l! The separate-from-the-theatre marquee
of the Shady Oak Theatre in Clayton was covered
with a cutout replica of a Joshua cactus tree,
with a wild cat on top, similar to a scene in "The
Living Desert" to promote that film for Manager How-
new JCIxOCi! City Manager Ted Davidson rigged up this circus decorative scheme
in the inner lobby of the Majestic in Perth Amboy to advertise coming feature attractions, under
the heading, "Carnival of Hits."
ard Albertson. It proved to be an eye-stopper.
»,«KA »-»*.* **...«! •*.».„• „* »
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TECm
EXCITING
jO »•«•>••« O.J?, J> 9 O B B •
iiiiiiiiin—[—iiiiiMl—Mir—Ml iitfiii I -Hill
I
rLwKlUAl A mammoth guitar ten feet high had
passersby stopping to pluck the strings in the lobbies
of the Paramount, Beach and Gables theatres in Miami.
Cutouts of Joan Crawford and the "Johnny Guitar"
title made up the background for the guitar, which was
made of plywood and had strings of heavy wire.
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : : June 26, 1954
W Adnirivl I V/ll' Manager Harry Stone devised an eye-catching marquee display, top,
with a poster cutout on "The Eddie Cantor Story" at the Roxy in Tacoma. Bottom: Patrons
were out in a western mood with the replica of a covered wogon which disguised the boxoffice
at the Tacoma Music Box for "Escape From Fort Bravo." The front was arranged by Manager
Russ Schmidt, who also made effective use of large cutout letters to advertise the film's title
on the marquee. The arrow-pierced banner further attracted attention to the billing on the front.
— 209 —

—
Title Song 1st in Three Coins' Promotion
Barrage of Records, Advertising Already Available
For Local Tie-ins -Rome Trip Among Other Promotions
Among several good promotional opportunities
offered showmen for plugging local
engagements of 20th Century-Pox's Cinemascope
production, "Three Coins in the
Fountain," the outstanding musical number
bearing the title of the film should rate
first consideration in all campaigns. Currently
a featured number on air shows that
cover the country, the tune is among the
leaders on the list of the nation's ten top
songs.
RECORDINGS BY SIX STARS
Six recording companies have rushed
platters of the fast-climbing hit into distribution,
each of them featuring a popular
song personality's version of
the number
Pi'ank Sinatra on Capitol, Dinah Shore on
RCA Victor, Julius LaRosa on Cadance,
Four Aces on Decca, Toni Arden on Columbia
and Marti Stevens on MGM. The
record companies also have launched their
separate promotion campaigns whose cumulative
effect should arouse plenty of
public interest in the picture, as well as the
song, in months to come.
Approximately 50,000 records have been
sent radio and TV station music staffs and
disk jockeys as well as newspaper and
magazine music editors and reviewers. In
addition to the barrage of advertising and
promotion material mailed all dealers,
every music store and department sections
selling records has received display pieces
for windows, counters and listening booths,
throwaways. cutouts and brochures that
should be used to focus attention on local
showings of the picture.
SCRIPT TO ALL DISK JOCKEYS
A three-page script of selling copy on
the film also has been mailed to every disk
jockey in the country by 20th-Fox with
helpful suggestions for plugging the picture
every time they play a record. Requests
should be made to local DJ's that
they include theatre playdates on all occasions.
Another song from the picture that
should be included in the air
campaign is
"Anema e Cora," an Italian number sung
by Eddie Fisher under the RCA Victor
label, A special interview record containing
brief comments by three of the film's
stars—Clifton Webb, Dorothy McGuire and
Jean Peters—to be used to introduce the
songs on the air, has been sent to disk
jockeys in the nation's key cities. Copies
for other locations may be had gratis upon
request.
Twentieth -Fox also will send free one
of the six recordings on "Three Coins in
the Fountain" to all showmen booking the
picture if the request is received three
weeks before opening date. For further
information, see the National Pre-Selling
Guide.
Music stores and record sales outlets in
town also should be appraised of playdates
weeks in advance and plans made to
get the most out of the music promotion
every day, up to and continuing through
the opening. Furnish stills and posters for
window and counter displays; arrange for
all merchants to participate in a co-op
new'spaper ad; promote free records for
giveaways to lucky patrons or as prizes in
tie-in contests, and have records played
over store PA systems. Two issues of the
sheet music on the picture have been published,
one with a standard style cover
and another featuring portraits of those
who have recorded the song, one on each
cover. These should be included in the
over-all music promotion.
The book upon which the picture is
based, "Coins in the Fountain," now is
available in its best-selling edition in all
book stores, and a new movie edition, with
scenes from the film and full picture credits,
soon will be in distribution. Tie in with
book, drug, variety and all stores carrying
the different editions with copy calling attention
to the film version thus, "Read the
book—See the Picture."
A one-column book mark with suitable
copy (use Mat 110 1 may be inserted in the
books and a wrap-around paper strip improvised.
Blow up the cover for a walking
book bally to be displayed around town.
The cities of Rome and Venice provide
backgrounds for the action in the picture
and suggest tieups with ship and plane
offices, tourist information bureaus, Amer-
THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN
br JU1£
WJBBINS HUMC COHPOMirON •50'....
SIYNE
Since fhe title song of "Three Coins in the Fountain"
already is in the hit tune roting, exhibitors will make
free use of the sheet music in tieups. Two issues
hove been published. The above is the stondard
style. Other copies feature popular singers who
have made recordings of the song.
Clli£MASC0PE
!N tttf tiOHiitM OF wcHrioanv DUtCOIONAlSrmOrHONIC mmho
CUFTON WEBB DOROTHY WIRE
JEAN PETERS
LOUIS JOUROAN
MAGGIE M'NAMARA
THREE COINS
IN THE FOUNTAI
The three coins pictured in the three-sheet poster
reproduced above can be cut out and mounted on
cardboard for use as marque hangers or for lobby
decorations.
ican Express offices and travel agencies.
Borrow posters on Italian travel from them
for lobby displays as a co-op gesture and
plant picture and playdate credits in their
office windows. A special set of six travel
stills for these tie-ins will be sent free upon
request to the pressbook editor.
For fashion merchandising tie-ins, Italian
fashions in particular, with department
stores and specialty shops, use blowups of
Still No. 898/A3 for background effect.
Suggestions should be made to beauty
salons to cooperate with window displays
featuring Italian hair styles. Two other
stills. 898/13 and 895/66, will prove helpful
in setting up luggage and leather goods
store displays.
Parents' Magazine presented its Medal
of Special Merit to the picture in its July
issue. Blowups of the honor may be posted
in the lobby and cooperation should be
•sought from local women's clubs and film
councils for endorsements. School authorities
and the PTA also should be notified
of the award.
NATIONAL AIRWAYS TRIP CONTEST
A national contest sponsored by 20th-
Pox and the Pan-American Airways offers
three free all-expen.se-paid trips from any
part of the country to Rome and return to
those who write the three best letters on.
"Why I Would Like to Spend a Week in
Rome." The contest is to be conducted on
a local basis, in every towTi and city in the
country, beginning a week before opening
and continuing through the engagement of
the picture. Tie-ins can be made with local
— 210 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :
: June 26, 1954

I
Pan-American offices in key cities or with
local travel agencies.
All entries, which will
be accepted up to Dec. 31, 1954, are to be
mailed unopened to "Three Coins in the
Fountain" Editor, 20th Century-Pox Corp.,
444 West 56th St., New York.
A few ideas for exploitation stunts are
suggested by the title of the picture. Three
penny coins, or pieces of the aluminum
play money on sale in most five and dimes,
may be attached to a printed throwaway
or inserted in an envelope bearing picture
credits and suitable copy should be distributed
to local editors, critics, broadcasters
and personalities around town to
create word-of-mouth publicity. Distribution
also may be made by a ballyhoo stationed
near a fountain in town, if there is
one. Soda stores may feature a specially
priced sundae: "Pay Three Coins at Our
PVjuntain and Enjoy Our Roman Treat."
If a small fountain can be set up in the
theatre lobby, borrowed possibly from a
local florist, tie up with a charitable organization
through the Women's club offering
them all money tossed into the fountain by
patrons. "Make a wish, throw Three Coins
in the Fountain' and help a worthy charity."
Banks in town can cooperate by arranging
a display of Roman coins, ancient
and modern. Large cardboard replicas of
coins should feature the front decorations
and an oversize coin, with picture and theatre
copy on one side, may be wheeled
through town.
Accessories on the picture include a free
20-second television trailer on 16mm, a TV
card for ten-second station identification
spots, a Cinemascope and regular trailer
for advance theatre plugs, a free radio spot
transcription, a free lobby musical record,
fluorescent banners, valances, streamers,
and badges and a folder herald. For further
information on these items see the National
Pre-SeUing Guide.
Bogart Month Adds
Variety to Schedule
Manager J. W. Turner of the Savoy Cinema
in Cheshire Sale, England, presented
a series of Humphrey Bogart films during
April which proved very popular with the
star's numerous fans in this district. The
series, advertised as "Humphrey Bogart
month," ran on consecutive Sunday evenings.
Turner arranged a contest to determine
which were Bogart's best pictures, and
had entry blanks printed listing six of the
star's films. Contestants were to mark
those they considered the three best films
and mail their enti-y to the theatre. Prizes
were promoted through a local men's outfitter,
and the winners were awarded a
gentlemen's shirt, a handsome tie and guest
tickets to the Savoy.
'v Photographs of the film star were dis-
J played in the theatre lobby and at the
men's store, and entry blanks were distributed
at the store, the theatre and in
the street.
In addition to the publicity in connection
with the contest. Turner arranged for the
display of several large pwasters throughout
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :
: June
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES DANCE
ON AIRER PATIO AT LATE PARTY
Kiwanis Club Works With Manager on
Promotion
Members of the Liberty High school graduating doss ore shown dancing on the patio of the Cloco
Drive-In as port of the evenings entertainment provided for them by airer Manager Bob Collier and
the local Kiwanis club.
The Claco Drive-In near Liberty, Mo.,
operated by Consolidated Agencies of Kansas
City, gave a party for the graduating
class of the Liberty High school on May 21,
and the idea met with such success that it
is being planned as an annual event.
Working with the Kiwanis club of Liberty,
the Claco arranged to give a late party after
graduation ceremonies for the 75 graduates
and their dates. Kiwanis club members and
their wives acted as chaperones.
The free party started with a light lunch
donated by local merchants and consisting
of a variety of sandwiches, cold drinks, coffee
and potato chips. Then the students were
shown a preview of the forthcoming feature
at the theatre.
After the show, there was dancing on the
patio with fine music, and additional snacks
were available to the end of the party. There
town, with copy reading: "Humphrey Bogart,
the Man of the Month, Here for a
Month for You!" A story and picture of
the star was inserted at no cost to the
theatre in the local newspaper and ran for
two weeks. The series played to excellent
business, and a number of patrons already
have requested another "Bogart month."
Bolsey Promoffng 'Line'
The manufacturers of Bolsey photographic
equipment are participating in a
national tieup with their 20,000 dealers
throughout the country and RKO's "The
French Line." Picture credits will be carried
in the Bolsey Corp.'s national advertising
and dealers have been sent promotion
kits with photos and display material
plugging the Jane Russell starrer.
26, 1954 — 211 —
were special drawings for numerous gifts
donated by local merchants.
The theatre gave each girl a Claco the
Clown pin—a lovely red, white and gold
brooch-type pin featuring the drive-in's
trademark insignia, the clown. Gifts also
included a season's pass to the Claco, several
coupons for gasoline, various toilet articles
for the girls and other items. There was a
contest during the dancing period and a cash
prize was given the winning couple.
The promotion was worked out by Bob
Collier, manager of the Claco.
Kiwanis club members served as waiters
for the graduates and the youngsters enjoyed
the party immensely. More than 300 sandwiches
were consumed. Collier said.
The class took care of its own decorations
at the Claco, decorating the patio with
lanterns to give the setting a festive look.
Sharp Idea Merits Extra
Publicity for 'Redheads'
Manager Paul Turnbull used a teaser
gimmick that tickled the risibilities of the
local paper's film critic enough to warrant
a column of publicity plugging "Those Redheads
From Seattle" at the Granada Theatre
in Hamilton, Ont. John Robinson, of
the Hamilton Spectator, was curious
enough to answer Turnbull's telegram asking
him if he would like to meet the sharpest
red head in town. In due time an envelope
was delivered to his desk which contained
a thumbtack with a red head. He
got the "point," and Turnbull got the story.
Over 1,000 similar envelopes, with thumbtacks
and appropriate sales copy, were distributed
in downtown Hamilton.

BOXOFFICE
BAROMETER
This chart records the performance of current ottroctions 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
ore reported, ratings ore added and overages revised. Computation is in terms of percentoge in
relation to normal grosses as determined by the theatre managers. With 100 per cent as
"normal," the figures show the gross rating above or below that mark.
3 H
Arrow in the Dust (AA)

NEWS AND VIEWS THE PRODUCTION ce:inter
(Hollywood Office— Suite 219 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd.: Ivan Spear, Western Manager
j
SPG Press Luncheons
ToResumeMonday(28)
HOLLYWOOD—Resumption of its series of
roundtable luncheons at which members will
meet informally with the press to discuss
industry problems was scheduled for Monday
(281 by the Screen Producers Guild.
Plans call for rotating producer-hosts at
monthly luncheons with alternating groups of
editors and publishers, the trade and lay
press, foreign correspondents and columnists.
George Flaherty, Hollywood representative
for the lATSE, was the guest of honor at a
testimonial dinner dance held Saturday (26)
by projectionists Local 165 at the Statler
hotel. In charge of the arrangements committee
was Merle Chamberlin.
• * •
Re-elected to the presidency of the Hollywood
local of the Radio and Television Directors
Guild was Robert L. Robb, with other
officers including Anthony Barr, vice-president;
Stuart Phelps, secretary, and Robert
Packham, treasurer.
Mate to Direct 'Horizons'
HOLLYWOOD — Pine-Thomas Productions
signed Rudy Mate to direct "Blue Horizons"
story of the Lewis and Clark expedition,
which will go into work on location in Wyoming
next month. Charlton Heston and PYed
MacMurray have the starring roles in the
Technicolor-VistaVision opus.
DeCarlo Feted in Berlin
HOLLYWOOD—A guest of honor at the
Berlin film festival, a ten-day affair which
began Friday (18) was Yvonne DeCarlo, who
just completed a starring role with Cornel
Wilde in the Benedict Bogeaus production,
"Passion," for RKO release.
Cugat and Wife for Drama
HOLLYWOOD — Orchestra leader Xavier
Cugat and his songstress-wife Abbe Lane
have been signed to a two-picture deal by
the Sam Katzman unit at Columbia. Their
first assignment will be "Chicago Syndicate,"
a gangland drama.
New Sound Firm President
HOLLYWOOD—Gordon Glennan has succeeded
R. A. Warn as president of Sound
Services, which offers motion picture and
TV sound recording facilities. Glennan was
vice-president and general manager of the
firm.
BOXOFFICE June 26, 1954
Journalists Name 'High'
As 'Picture of Month'
HOLLYWOOD—With those associated in
its making as guests of honor, the Hollywood
Foreign CoiTespondents Ass'n at its
monthly luncheon on Thursday (24) paid
tribute to "The High and the Mighty," a
Wayne-Fellows production for Warner release,
as the orgamzation's "picture of the
month."
Guests included Robert Fellows, who produced;
Dimitri Tiomkin, who composed and
conducted the musical score, and cast members
Claire Trevor, Robert Stack, Jan Sterhng,
Karen Sharpe and Gonzalez-Gonzalez.
Wyman and Heston Inked
For 'Lucy Gallant' Roles
HOLLYWOOD—Jane Wyman and Charlton
Heston have been signed by Pine-Thomas
Productions to star in "Lucy Gallant," slated
to begin camera work in August for Paramount.
The romantic drama, to be ler.sed in
VistaVision and Technicolor, is from a story
by Margaret Cousins, for which a screenplay
has been prepared by John Lee Mahin.
Heston currently is before the cameras in
another P-T production for Paramount, "Blue
Horizons," in which Fred MacMurray and
Donna Reed also are toplined.
French-Arabic actress Kerima has joined
the cast of Warners' "Land of the Pharaohs."
SHOWMAN FROM DOWN UNDER—
While in Hollywood recently to gander
newly completed product, Ernest Turnbull,
second from left, managring director
of Hoyts Theatres, Sydney, Australia,
paid a call
on officers of National Theatres.
Shown here with Turnbull are Alan
May, left, NT treasurer; Charles P.
Skouras, president, and John B. Bertero,
legal
chief.
Studio City TV Makes
Two More Telefilms
HOLLYWOOD—In rapid succession. Studio
City Television, Republic's video subsidiary,
knocked off Nos. 24 and 25 in its "Stories
of the Century" with the filming, respectively,
of "Ben Thompson" and "Tom Horn." both
produced by Edward J. White and directed
by William Witney. Cast toppers throughout
the series, of which a total of 52 are
planned, are Jim Davis and Mary Castle.
Richard Simmons is the title-roler in "Ben
Thompson" and Louis Jean Heydt has the
lead in "Tom Horn."
"Cochise, Chief of the Apaches" has been
added to the TV film lineup of Roy Rogers
Productions, which for the last three years
has been confining itself exclusively to the
manufacture of telefilms starring Rogers and
Dale Evans. The new series, to be produced
under supervision of Art Rush, will go into
work late this month when shooting begins
on a pilot film in color. Jack Lacey will produce,
with Mike North as his associate and
Bob Walker directing.
* «
Dick Jones, who has been Jock Mahoney's
saddle pal in the "Range Riders" video film
series produced by Flying A Productions, is
embarking on a new telefilm ventm-e of his
own as the star of another Plying A venture,
"Buffalo Bill, Jr." Armand Schaefer is the
executive producer and Louis Gray the producer
of the new series, which George
Archainbaud will meg.
• * *
Two pilot films for a projected new series,
"Hollywood Road to Fame," have been completed
by Eugene Frenke, with Anna Sten in
the starring spot. Lew Landers directing and
Producer Walter Wanger making a guest appearance.
Warners Seeks Kentucky
Site to Shoot 'Boone'
HOLLYWCXJD—Headed by William Guthrie,
studio location manager, a Warner contingent
planed for the Cumberland mountain
areas of Kentucky to scout locations for
"Daniel Boone," upcoming Gary Cooper starrer,
which will be produced by Milton Sperling's
United States Pictures for Warner release.
It will be given Cinemascope treatment.
Accompanying Guthrie were Oren Haglund,
assistant director; Leo Kuter, art director,
and .Toe Barry of the location department.
39

Cleffers
STUDIO PERSONNEUTIES
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
DR. WALTER DUCLOUX, chairman of the USC
school of music's opera deportment, was engaged os
musical director, conductor ond technical adviser on
opera sequences in "Interrupted Melody."
Set OS musical director on "Kelvaney" was JEFF
ALEXANDER.
Options
Allied Artists
ANN KIMBELL, GARY GRAY ond WILLIAM
CHALLEE were added to the cast of "The Bob
Mothias Story," which William E. Selwyn is producing
with James L. Fallon os the executive producer.
Bob Mathios stars ond Francis D. Lyon directs.
Cast in "The Police Story," starring Gary Merrill
ond Jan Sterling, under the direction of Joe Newman,
were CLAUDE AKINS ond VINCE BARNETT. The
picture is bemg produced by Hoyes Goetz.
Columbia
Replacing Douglas Kennedy, who hod to withdrew
because of o conflicting commitment, RAY TEAL
was inked for "Wyoming Outlaws," Technicolor western
starring Phil Carey. The Wallace MacDonald
production is under the directorial guidance of Fred
F. Seors. Cast as a sheriff was ROY ROBERTS.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Handed a comedy part in the Robert Taylor-
Eleanor Parker vehicle, "Many Rivers to Cross," was
RHYS WILLIAMS. The CinemaScope entry, a Jack n. n
Cummings production, is being megged by Roy Row- otOfV DUVS
Moking his screen debut, MICHAEL KIDD, stage
ond screen choreographer, will star with Gene Kelly
in "It's Alwoys Fair Weather," musical comedy which
Kelly and Stanley Donen will direct tor Producer
Arthur Freed.
JOAN GREENWOOD, British stage and screen
actress, will be the femme lead in "Moonfleet."
GLENN FORD will portray the husband of Marjorie
Lawrence in "Interrupted Melody," starring Eleanor
Parker as the internationally famous operatic singer.
Jock Cummings produces, with Curtis Bernhardt directing.
Eight-year-old SANDY DESCHER wos signed to a
term contract and goes immediotely into a key role
in "The Prodigol." Signed for character roles in
the picture starring Lano Turner ond Edmund Purdom,
were. HENRY DANIELL and FRANCIS L. SUL-
LIVAN. The Charles Schnee production will be photographed
in Cinemascope, with Richard Thorpe as the
director.
Paramount
Charocter actor RALPH DUMKE was signed for the
Pine-Thomos production, "Love Is a Weapon," being
megged by Phil Korlson with John Payne and Mary
Murphy in the starring roles.
The roll of Boko, the master builder, in Cecil B.
DeMille's "The Ten Commandments" was drown by
VINCENT PRICE. He joins a cast heoded by Charlton
Heston, Anne Baxter, Cornel Wilde, Yul Brynner and
Sir Cedric Hordwicke. The Technicolor-VistaVision
opus IS scheduled to begin filming on location in
Egypt this foil.
RKO Radio
Songstress ABBE LANE was inked to star in o
song-ond-donce speciolty in "The Americano," while
GEORGE NOVARRO, LEON BOVARD and JOE
DOMINGUEZ olso were oddcd to the cost.
20th Century-Fox
British actor JOHN JUSTIN wos inked for "Untamed,"
the Tyrone Power-Susan Hoyward starrer
which will roll late in July as o Bert Friedlob-William
Bocher production in CinemaScope. Henry Kino is
the director.
Replacing Rita Moreno, who hod a conflicting
commitment, DEBRA PAGET was set for one of the
storring roles in Leonard Goldstein's Ponoromic production,
"White Feather," which will go before the
comeros next month with Robert Webb directing
Also toplined ore Robert Wogner and Dale Robertson.
United Artists
Ivan Tors Productions signed RICHARD EGAN for
the mole lead in "Operation Air Rescue," Koreon wor
dromo which rolls next month, with Herbert Strock
directing from o script by Molvin Wold.
RICHARD CONTE will stor with Broderick Crawford
in "New York Confidential," to be produced by
Clarence Greene ond Russell Rouse in association with
Edward Small. Its due for a July camera start.
Universal-International
Signed for o feotured role os Kirk Douglos' sidekick
in "Man Without o Star," Technicolor western
l;cing directed by King Vidor and produced by Aaron
Rosenberg, was WILLIAM CAMPBELL. Jeanne Croinc
has the feminine topline. JESSE WHITE, former
...ruodwoy comedion, was handed o feotured role
RICHARD BOONE drew o top featured role.
British octor FINLAY CURRIE will portray on Irish
spy In "Coptoin Lightfoot," Rock Hudson-Borboro
Rush starrer being shot on location in Ireland. With
Douglas Sirk directing, the Ross Hunter production is
in Technicolor and CinemaScope. KATHLEEN RYAN,
British actress, drew a feature part in the adventure
dromo.
MORRIS ANKRUM was bonded o double assignment
in "Chief Crazy Horse," portraying two Indian
chiefs—Conquering Beor and Red Cloud— in the William
Allond production. Topliners in the Technicolor-
CinemoScope western, being megged by George Sherman,
ore Victor Mature, Suzon Boll and John Lund,
DAVID JANSSEN, young contract actor who received
his army discharge recently, returns to the screen in
o featured role in the picture. PAUL GUILFOYLE also
was signed for o featured role. JAMES MILLICAN
was cast os on army fort commonder.
MACK SENNETT, veteran comedy producer, is portraying
himself in "Abbott and Costello Meet the
Keystone Kops," slapstick entry being produced by
Howard Christie and directed by Chorles Lomont.
Warner Bros.
LORNE GREENE will portray Peter the Apostle in
"The Silver Cholice," CinemaScope adaptation of the
Thomas B. Costain novel, being produced and directed
by Victor Seville with Virginia Mayo, Pier Angeli and
Jock Polance in the top roles.
French-Arobic actress KERIMA joined the thespic
roster of "Land of the Pharaohs."
Randolph Scott will have two leading ladies,
DOROTHY MALONE and PEGGIE CASTLE, in "Tall
Man Riding." Lesley Selander directs and David
Weisbort produces. Handed a feotured port wos
WILLIAM CHING. The role of a cowpoke went to
LANE CHANDLER. The role of a western lond boron
went to ROBERT BARRETT.
Independent
Mathlon Productions, headed by James L. Follon,
acquired "The Lone Hand," on original by Henry
Morrison, as o starring vehicle for Bob Mathios, who
currently is before the cameras in Mathlon's "The
Mathias Story," to be released by Allied Artists.
Paramount
"The Trouble With Harry," o suspense novel by
J. Trevor Story, wos purchased for filming this fall
by Producer-Director Alfred Hitchcock.
Technically
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
WILLIAM DORFMAN was set os the unit manager
ond ARVID GRIFFEN as the ossistont director on
"The Prodigol."
Warner Bros.
Set OS diolog director on "Eost of Eden" was GUY
THOMAJAN.
Crew assembled for "Toll Man Riding" includes
PHIL QUINN and CLAUDE ARCHER, assistant directors;
STANLEY FLEISCHER, art director, and IRENE
MORRA, film editor.
RUSS SAUNDERS will be the ossistont director on
"Strange Lady in Town."
Title
Changes
United Artists
"Down Three Dark Streets" (Edword
ductions) to THREE DARK STREETS.
Small Pro-
DISCUSSING BO()KIN

Scores of Exhibitors
Attend CS Showing
LOS ANGELES—Scores of exhibitors, representing
both the southland and scattered
points throughout the country, as well as
members of the trade and lay press and executives
of other studios attended local showings
here Tuesday (22) of 20th-Pox's demontration
reel which pointed up advancement
in Cinemascope filming technique and accompanying
improvements in stereophonic
sound.
EXHIBITORS ATTENDING
Attending a studio showing were A. H. and
Myron Blank of Des Moines; R. J. O'Donnell,
Interstate circuit, Dallas; John Rowley, Dallas;
Roy Cooper, San Pi-ancisco; Herman
Levy, New Haven, Conn.; Nat Williams,
ThomasvUle, Ga.; Robert Livingston, Lincoln,
Neb.; Walter Reade jr.. Red Bank, N. J.;
Albert Pickus, Stratford, Conn.; Fred
Schwartz, New York; Robert Bryant, Rock
Hill, S. C: Charles Gilmour, Denver; Jesse
Jones, Portland, Ore.; Dan Field, Los Angeles;
Harold Field, Minneapolis; Tom Bloomer,
Belleville, 111.; Carl Anderson, Kalispell,
Mont.; J. J. Rosenfield, Spokane; Roy Martin,
Columbus, Ga.; Art Adamson, Portland, Ore.;
Sol Schwartz, New York; L. S. Hamm, San
Francisco; Julius Gordon, Beaumont, Tex.,
and Leo Pallay, Portland, Ore. All were recent
delegates to a special summer meeting
of the executive committee of Theatre Owners
of America.
The trade and lay press, as well as executives
of major and independent film companies,
was on hand for another screening
at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. In attendance
were Jesse L. Lasky, Samuel Bischoff.
George Mai-shall, Hal Wallis, Walter
Wanger, William Goetz, Samuel Briskin, Herbert
Yates, Arthur Hornblow jr., George Pal,
Otto Preminger, Y. Frank Freeman, Don
Hartman, Jack L. Warner, Walt Disney, William
Wyler, Edward Muhl, Edmund Grainger
and other filmmakers.
SHOWN TO WB STAFF
The subject also was shown at the Warner
studio for personnel of that production company.
A showing at the Pox Boulevard Theatre
was attended by such southland exhibition
figures as Lester Blumberg, Principal Theatres;
Bert Pirosh, Frank Prince and Ed Zabel,
Fox West Coast; George Aurelius, Paramount-Phoenix;
H. L. Nace, Phoenix; Jack
and Izzy Berman, Eastland circuit; Hugh
Bruen of Whittier; Milt Arthur, Gabart circuit.
Long Beach; Harry C. Arthur jr., Fanchon
& Marco; Paul Dietrich and Manny
Feldstein, Consolidated Theatres; James Edwards
and Myrl Cavanaugh, Edwards circuit;
George Diamos, Tucson; Marco and Roy
Wolff, Hollywood Paramount Theatre; Jerry
Zigmond, Downtown Paramount; Harry Vinicoff:
Ben Wallerstein and Leo Miller, Stanlay
Warner circuit; Evart Cummings,
Downey; Grover Smith, Glendale; Milt Hossfeld,
Gamble-O'Keefe circuit; William Oldknow,
Sero Amusement; Fred Stein, United
Artists; Sherrill Corwin, Metropolitan Theatres;
Gus Metzger and O. N. Srere, Metzger-
Srere circuit, and Robert L. Lippert.
Introductory remarks at the Cinemascope
screening at the Chinese Theatre were made
by Spyros Skouras, 20th-Pox president.
Ill
AST YEAR the Publicists Guild initiated
II its annual Tom-Tom award, ostensibly
created for the purpose of honoring a
member of the blurb fraternity for meritorious
performance. The kickoff kudos went to
Frank Whitbeck, veteran MGM press agent,
and was bestowed upon him at a luncheon
noteworthy for its bright, homey and heartwarmingly
humorous atmosphere. Carefully
avoided was any hint of stuffiness or the
maudlin, and the clambake wisely was never
permitted to grow too serious, even though
an impressive list of top brass guests paid
obviously sincere tribute to Whitbeck and his
accomplishments.
Because of his long and varied experience
in the gentle art of space-snatching. Whitbeck
was an outstandingly natural selection,
and none could quarrel therewith. But while
observers of the Hollywood scene unanimously
concurred in the PG choice, some were prone
to conjecture about the problem of determining
a candidate for the second annual award.
There's only one Whitbeck—and could PG
members, confronted with the necessity of
choosing someone less unique, do so without
precipitating the politics and petty jealousies
that are so often the by-products of such
undertakings?
Apparently not—because voted to be recipient
of 1954's Tom-Tom accolade was R. J.
"Bob" O'Donnell, widely known showman who
is vice-president and general manager of the
Interstate circuit of Texas and who has given
generously of his time and efforts on behalf
of Variety Clubs International, COMPO, the
"Movietime, U.S.A." and similar campaigns,
the March of Dimes and other charitable
events.
There is no gainsaying that Exhibitor
O'Donnell, because of his unwavering industry
and public spirit, is richly deserving
of being greatly and continuously honored
by his fellow-members of the trade. But, in
this opinion, that recognition—and there has
been much of it to date—should come from
the branch of the business in which he so
admirably serves.
In an effort to justify selection of the Texas
showman, spokesmen for PG point out that
O'Donnell's tireless activities have added
materially to the over-all public relations of
motion pictures, which is unquestionably true.
But his contribution in that direction is principally
as a theatreman, not as a publicist. If
the Tom-Tom competition is to consider accomplishments
in fields other than that of
unequivocable publicity, there are scores of
motion picture prominents who might be suggested
on the same basis—Spyros Skouras,
his brother Charles, Barney Balaban. H. J.
Fitzgerald, Si Fabian, Walter Reade jr. and
others too numerous to list. And from those
stalwarts of the trade it is just one short and
possible step to the top echelon of the production
and distribution branches, which
could supply even longer rosters of potential
candidates.
By the very nature of its name—and that
of its annual conferment—one is led to expect
that the PG would honor a publicist for distinguished
achievements within his sphere.
For the organization to invade other divisions
of the trade to find a worthy nominee
indicates one of two things: The blurbers are
not very high on the effectiveness of their
contemporaries; or they are tactfully eager to
avoid treading on tender or jealous toes.
In either event it is a sad commentary, and,
resultantly, the Tom-Tom fails to record as
praiseworthy and promising a beat as it did
in its debut just a short year ago.
Heretofore operating; under the banner of
Wayne-Fellows Productions, the independent
unit headed by John Wayne and Robert Fellows
has undergone a change in its corporate
name and is now doing business as Batjac
Productions.
After the grosses are counted on its most
recent effort, "The High and the Mighty,"
the new moniker will possibly have meaning
—there should be plenty of jack to bat
around.
Praise pundit Perry Lieber burdens the
mail with a morsel to the effect that
producer-dii-ector George Stevens came up
with what Lieber described as some "you
scratch me, I'll scratch you" remarks about
what a whale of a job was done by Harriet
Parsons, RKO Radio producer, when she and
Stevens shared the podium at the recent
convention in Denver of the General Federation
of Women's Clubs motion picture
division.
Here we go, a-laughin' an' a-scratchin'.
Minutiae from Bill Hendricks that Charley
Murray, Hollywood barber, drew a bit part
in Warners' "The Silver Chalice"—as a
barber—and told producer- director Victor
Saville that early Christian era barber tools
compared reasonably well with those of today.
But, oh, what's happened to the prices!
A fashion note from Paramount's praisery
alleges that 50 young French girls, recruited
for bit parts in Alfred Hitchcock's "To Catch
a Thief" on location in Cannes, Fi-ance, "revolted
when asked to use conventional
. . . American bathing suits instead of their own
bikinis." The mademoiselles finally were convinced,
according to the communique, that
"their own abbreviated suits weren't acceptable
to American audiences"—the "convincers"
being Cary Grant, male star of the
picture, and his wife, Betsy Drake.
The single males among "American audiences"
will thank the Grants for jolly well
minding their own business.
From MGM publicist, word that director
Roy Rowland shot sequences for "Many Rivers
to Cross" along the Russian river.
Hey, McCarthy!
BOXOmCE
:
: June
26, 1954 41

Annual Salt Lake Roundup Brings
Out Enthusiastic Exhibitor Crowd
SALT LAKE CITY— Arlie Beery, district
representative of the Manley Popcorn Co.,
won the annual golf tournament of the Salt
Lake Variety Tent 38
Arlie
Beery
and motion picture
roundup. He captured
the prize by finishing
on top in a playoff
with Elliot Wolfe. Russ
Dauterman and Jack
Swonson. Beery and
the other three wound
up the regular 18-hole
tournament at Fort
Douglas Country club
here with identical
scores of 68 net. Wolfe.
Dauterman and Swon-
.son took second, third and fourth, respectively,
after the playoff.
Others in the first ten included Dick
Makoff. Kayo Swonson. Chick Lloyd, Bus
Campbell. Ray Miller and Hugo Jorgen.son.
The golf tournament was just one of the
highlights of the ninth annual roundup of
the motion picture industry in the Salt Lake
area. The event drew a slightly smaller, but
nonetheless enthusiastic number than in past
years. However, more than 100 exhibitors and
distributors and their wives from all western
The three-day affair was
states were present.
conducted June 16-18.
Another highlight was the dinner dance,
which closed the affair. Present for this
occasion were George C. Hoover, international
chief barker; Ben Goffstein. international
press guy, and Rotus Harvey, district
representative.
Hoover outlined the general purpose of
Variety. Then, with Harvey and Goffstein,
he exhorted Variety Tent 38 to get behind
whatever charity it chose and "give it everything
you've got." Prizes also were awarded
winning golfers at the dinner dance.
Beside the tournament and dinner dance.
the visitors attended a Calcutta, luncheons
and special .screenings. One of the treats was
open house at the Variety clubhouse. Recently
redecorated and refurnished, the club presents
a picture of great beauty for visitors. The
main floor now contains a miniature stage
and has been given more space by relocation
of the stairway. Much of the work was done
by club members. Draperies and other fur-
This was a scene at the Salt Lake City
roundup of Variety Tent 38 and the film
industry. George C. Hoover, third from
left, international chief barker, admonishes
A. L. "Bus" Campbell, second from
left, to keep the Salt Lake tent clinking.
Ben Goffstein, left, international press
representative, and Rotus Harvey, district
representative, look on.
ni.shings, costing several hundred dollars, were
donated by AI C. Knox, first assistant chief
barker.
Activities of Ladies of Variety included a
stagette, golf tournament and teas. Mrs.
Pete Paulos won the women's golf tournament
for those with a handicap, and Mrs.
Russ Swonson won the tournament for
women without a handicap.
The roundup was in charge of a general
committee headed by A. L. "Bus" Campbell,
chief barker. Chick Lloyd and Dick Stafford
headed the general arrangements committee.
Those attending were Russ Eteuterman,
Ray M. Hendry. Art Watts, Robert Braby,
Dick McGillis, Bill Han-ison, Jim Griffin,
Arlie Beery, Larry Boyce, Chick Lloyd, Frank
Larsen jr.. Hank Smith. Pete Paulos, George
Engar, John Krier, Bob Workman, Hilmer
George, W. J. Garrett, Clyde Blasius, Joe
Solomon, Bud Schubert. Ted Wherry. Giff
Davison. Ken Friedman. Carl Lind, Lou
Sorenson, Roy Pickerell, Charles lacona,
Hilmer George jr.
A1.S0 Herb Turpie, Irv Gillman, Ed Montague,
Sid Marks. K. O. Lloyd. Lou Athas, Vern
Fletcher, Len Tidwell, Max Lloyd, Jack Swon-
son. Dr. Vaughn Hunter, Shirl Thayne, Hugo
Jorgenson. Elliot Wolfe, Sid Cohen, Dick
Stafford. Don Tibbs. O. J. Hazen, Ed Terhune,
Bus Campbell. Ray Miller. Dick Makoff, Joe
Young. Sam Gillette. Tom Philibin. George
Smith, Kayo Swoason, Irv Sax, Eugene
Jelesnik, James Ecker, Clyde Anderson, Al
Knox. Fi-ank Larsen .sr., Charles Walker and
Stewart Grow.
Eight Troupers Return
From Southern France
HOLLYWOOD — An eight-member Hollywood
Coordinating Committee unit returned
from a 22-day tour of army and air force
stations in southern France. The troupe comprised
Johnny Grant, Ludwig Dreyfuss,
Yvette Dugay, Virginia Hall, Ginny Jackson.
Paul Nero. Elizabeth Talbot-Martin and
Joy Windsor.
* * *
Hall Bartlett, independent producer, returned
from Sacramento after addressing the
tenth annual banquet of the Califorina department
of correction on his forthcoming
film project, "Unchained." which will roll in
July at the Califorina Institution for Men
at Chino.
* * *
With George Murphy as master of ceremonies,
the National Conference of Christians
and Jews held its sixth annual Brotherhood
Testimonial dinner Thursday (24 1 at the
Ambassador hotel. Lt.-Gen. Ira C. Eaker was
general chaiiTnan and Gov. Howard Pyle of
Arizona was the featured speaker.
Masquers Present Show
HOLLYWOOD—The 1954 edition of their
all-star revel was presented Sunday and Monday
(20, 21) by the Masquers at the Wilshire
Ebell Theatre, with Harry Joe Brown as general
director. Among those in the entertainment
lineup were Frank Fay, Johnny Ray,
Con.stance Moore, Jane Wyman, Fred Clark,
Vince Barnett, Wallace Ford, Edgar Buchanan
and Rhys Williams.
Appoint Lou Greenspan
HOLLYWOOD—Lou Greenspan, who has
been acting executive secretary of the Motion
Hctui-e Industry Council for the last
two months, has been named permanent successor
to Art Arthur in the post. Arthur,
originally granted a leave of absence, resigned
in order to devote full time to duties
as an associate in Ivan Tors Pi'oductions.
Samuel Engel Speaks
HOLLYWOOD—Samuel G. Engel. 20th-
Fox film maker, lectured Tliursday (24) before
the cinema department at UCLA on the
function of the motion picture producer.
His appearance was set up by the lecture
division of the Screen Producers Guild.
Eddie Cantor Signs With Ziv
HOLLYWOOD—Eddie Cantor has inked a
.seven-year ticket with the Ziv-TV Co.. under
which he will produce, direct and stai- in 39
half-hour telefilms annually, with shooting
to start in Julv.
At left is one end of the main room of tlu- newly renovated Nariety Tent 38
clubhou.sc in Salt Lake City. Shown before the fireplace, left to right: Mrs. Howard
Pearson, Ladies of Variety treasurer; Ray Miller, Joe Solomon, Mrs. Solomon, Howard
Ccrf and Mrs. Cerf. At right, George Smith, Magna, Utah, exhibitor, and Mrs. Robert
Braby stage an impromptu duet at the piano on the new stage built in the clubhouse.
Davenport House Gets Wide Screen
DAVENPORT. WASH.—Gerald Neilson has
installed a wide screen and new sound system
and projectors at his Roxy Theatre.
12 BOXOFnCE :
: June
26, 1954

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
DENVER
nrlie Beery, district manager for Manley,
Inc.; W. H. Turpie, division manager at
Los Angeles, and C. L. Lloyd, Salt Lake City
salesman, and their wives went to Las Vegas
for a three-week vacation following the film
roundup and golf tournament in Salt Lake
City. Manley has taken over the concession
business at the Flatii-on and the Holiday
Drive-In, Boulder. The deal was made by
Graves & Williams, owner, so the owners
would have more time to devote to running
the theatres . . . Frank Smith, western sales
manager for Paramount, was host at the
Brown Palace hotel at a luncheon attended
by a number of the region's theatre executives
and other members of Paramount's sales department.
Pat McGee, general manager of Cooper
Foundation Theatres, received an invitation
to have lunch with President Eisenhower at
the White House June 29 . . . National Thea-
. . .
tre Supply has taken over the distributorships
of candy and popcorn concessions from
the Mile High Enterprises. The sale was
made by Ned Collins so he could more efficiently
service his many concessions
W. L. Cahill, 33, salesman for Universal, was
killed in a auto accident at Lupton, Ariz., as
he was returning from a California vacation.
The car went out of control and skidded 300
feet, crashing into an Arizona highway building.
Funeral and burial were in Los Angeles,
where his parents reside.
Theatre folk seen on Filmrow included Tom
Murphy, Raton, N. M.; Ed Ward, Silver City,
N. M.; Nathan Greer, Santa Pe; William
Ostenberg jr., and William Ostenberg III,
Scottsbluff, Neb.; Pete Laney, Casper, Wyo.;
Fred Anderson, Eaton; Merle Gwinn, Benkleman.
Neb.; Sam Rosenthal, Buffalo, Wyo.;
Selma and John Sawaya, Trinidad; D. E.
Shanks, Estes Park, and B. A. Weill, Evergreen.
Northern Calif. Variety
Fetes M. Spencer Leve
SAN FRANCISCO—More than 125 members
of the Variety Club of northern California
gave a testimonial luncheon to M.
Spencer Leve, who is leaving here to become
assistant general manager of National Theatres.
Leve has been northern California division
manager for Fox West Coast Theatres for
five years. He will be succeeded in that post
by James C. Runte, district manager for
FWC's Valley division.
Among those paying tribute to Leve were
Herman Wobber, western sales manager for
20th-Fox; Abe Blumenfeld, Blumenfeld Theatres
cii-cuit, and Jack Parsons, Telenews
manager and chief barker.
Peggy Lee for TV Series
HOLLYWOOD—Songstress Peggy Lee will
star in, and John Beck's Westwood Productions
will manufacture, a new TV series,
Everybody Comes to Peggy's, scripted by Rodney
Amateau and Bernard Drew.
The telefilms
will be lensed in Hollywood and Palm
Springs and will have a dramatic format with
musical interludes.
'Demetrius' Grosses Big 275 During
First LA Week; 'Mighty' Also High
LOS ANGELES—A whopping 275 per cent
recorded by "Demetrius and the Gladiators"
in its opening week placed the sequel to the
record-shattering "The Robe" well out in
front of its competitors along the local first
run rialto. Other strong contenders included
the sensational 210 per cent garnered in its
fourth week by "The High and the Mighty,"
and the strong 160 attained in their openers
by "Dial M for Murder" and "Them!"
(Average Is 100)
Beverly Canon Young Wives' Tale (AA) 100
Chinese Demetrius and the Gladiators (20th-Fox) . 275
Egyption The High and the Mighty (WB),
4th wk 210
El Rey—Barefoot Bottolion (Bouteres), 2nd wk... 60
Fine Arts Hobson's Choice (UA) 90
Four Star A Queen's Royal Tour (UA), 2nd wk.. . 75
Fox Ritz Sunderin (Cellini), 4th wk 60
Fox Wilshire Three Coins in the Fountain
(20th-Fox), 4th wk 1 50
Fox Hollywood, Palace Secret of the Incos
(Para) 130
Hawaii, State Men of the Fighting Lady (MGM);
Poid to Kill (LP) 130
Hillstreet, Pontages Pinocchio (RKO), reissue;
Marciano-Charles fight pictures (UA) 150
Hollywood, Downtown Paramounts Them! (WB).160
Orpheum, Vogue Elephant Walk (Para), plus,
Orpheum only. Undercover Agent (LP), 4th wk.. 90
United Artists Striporoma (Manhattan), 2nd wk. . 40
Warners Beverly Dial M for Murder (WB) 160
Warners Downtown, Wiltern Hans Christian
Andersen (RKO) 80
Warners Hollywood This Is Cinerama (Cinerama),
60th wk 1 00
"Demetrius' Reports 200 Per Cent
In Its Seattle Opening
SEATTLE— "Demetrius and the Gladiators"
opened to a terrific first week at the Paramount
with 200 per cent. Still holding up
very well with a strong 175 at the end of its
third week at the Fifth Avenue was "Three
Coins in the Fountain." "Men of the Fighting
Lady" paired with "Stormy the Thoroughbred"
also did well with 135.
Blue Mouse Monster From the Ocean Floor (LP);
Queen of Shebo (LP) 110
Coliseum Overland Pacific (UA); Challenge the
Wild (UA) 100
Fifth Avenue Three Coins in the Fountain
(20th-Fox), 3rd wk 1 75
Liberty Men of the Fighting Lady (MGM); Stormy
the Thoroughbred (Buena Vista) 1 35
Music Box Intimate Relations (Carroll), 2nd wk.. 90
Music Hall Dial M for Murder (WB); Laughing
Anne (Rep), 3rd wk 110
Paramount Demetrius and the Gladiators
(20th-Fox) 200
'Guitar' Leads Frisco With 150;
Many Holdovers Downtown
SAN FRANCISCO—"Johnny Guitar" in its
first week at the United Artists topped the
other downtown houses with a bright 150
per cent. Second spot honors went to the
third week of "Three Coins in the Fountain"
at the Fox with 120.
Fox—Three Coins in the Fountain (20th-Fox),
3rd wk 120
Golden Gate She Couldn't Soy No (RKO); Rob Roy
(RKO) 100
Loew's Worfield Gone With the Wind (MGM),
reissue, 3rd wk
I QQ
Paramount The High and the Mighty (WB),
3rd wk 100
St. Francis Dial M for Murder (WB), 2nd wk. ..100
United Artists Johnny Guitar (Rep) 1 50
'Demetrius' and 'Them!' Vie
For Honors in Denver
DENVER— "Demetrius and the Gladiators,"
showing at the Denver and Esquire, held over
at both houses. "Them!" packed the Paramount
to a holdover, and "Three Coins in
the Fountain" was good enough at the
Centre to get it three days on a fifth week.
Broadway Always a Bride (U-l) 90
Centre Three Coins in the Fountain (20th-Fox),
4th wk 95
Denham Secret of the Incos (Para) 90
Denver, Esquire Demetrius and the Glodiators
(20th-Fox) 1 60
Paramount Them! (WB); Outlaw Stallion (Col).. 150
Tabor Monster From the Ocean Floor (LP);
Queen of Sheba (LP) 1 00
Marciano-Charles Fight Filtiis
GOO in Portland Opening Day
PORTLAND—The interest in the Marciano-Charles
match continued after the telefight
when first run films of the event
opened at the Century to a record-breaking
600 per cent. "Them!" and "Genevieve" registered
as leaders among the regular features,
both reporting top grosses of 300.
Broadway Pinocchio (RKO) 1 50
Century Limelight (UA), reissue 125
Century Square Shooter (Col), reissue; Marciano-
Charles fight film (UA), opening day 600
Guild Genevieve (U-l) 300
Liberty Them! (WB) 300
Oriental River of No Return (20th-Fox), 4th wk..l35
Orpheum Three Coins in the Fountain (20th-Fox),
4th wk 135
United Artists— Heidi (UA) 1 20
Seattle Censor Powers
Broadened by New Law
SEATTLE—Mayor Pomeroy of Seattle has
signed into a law a new ordinance reorganizing
the board of theatre supervisors and
broadening the powers of the censors to regulate
the showings of motion pictures deemed
objectionable.
The measure also repeals a former city law
under which the mayor had the power to
appoint and remove members of the board.
The mayor, who signed the bill reluctantly,
said:
"The ordinance seems to carry out, in part,
the suggestions of the present censor board.
However, it is noted that you have seen fit
to change the method of appointment of the
members of the censor board by giving them
staggered terms and requiring confirmation."
AA Adds Studio Building
HOLLYWOOD—Allied Artists has completed
the construction of a new two-story
mill and carpentry shop at the studio.
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BOXOFFICE June 26, 1954 43

'
274S.S.E.
. . Mel
. . Larry
. . Margia
West; Robert Blumofe, United Artists vicepresident
in charge of west coast operations,
returned from two weeks of home office huddles
with President Arthur Krim and Robert
Benjamin, board chairman.
* • • .
East: David O. Selznick planed to Manhattan
for a brief huddle with representatives
of Light's Diamond Jubilee, for which the
producer is preparing a two-houi', multinetwork
video show scheduled to be telecast
October 24.
* • •
Elast: Frederick Brisson, president of Independent
Artists, flew to New York for
meetings with Floyd B. Odium, a member of
the production firm's board of directors. Brisson
was accompanied by Bruce Odium, his
executive aide on the next lA project, "The
Girl Rush," to star Rosalind Russell. It will
go before the cameras in August for RKO
release.
* • •
West: James Pratt. Universal executive
studio manager, returned from an overseas
tour during which he visited Ireland and
company offices in London and Paris.
* * *
West: Howard Dietz, vice-president of
Loew's Inc., in charge of advertising and
publicity, checked in from New York for a
week's stay to view newly completed MGM
product and confer with Dore Schary, studio
head.
* * *
West: Richard Heermance, assistant to
Walter Mirisch, Allied Artists executive producer,
returned from London, where he set
up final plans for the summer filming of
"The Black Prince" in Cinemascope. It will
be a joint AA-20th-Fox venture.
* * •
East: Jack L. Warner, vice-president in
charge of production at Warner Bros., took
off over the weekend for Rome to check the
status of "Helen of Troy," being lensed in
Italy.
* * «
West: Joseph H. Mo.skowitz, 20th-Fox vicepresident
and studio liaison, arrived from
New York for a two-week west coast stay.
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Highly Decorated Front
Pulls Crowds for 'Robe'
OREGON CITY, ORE.—Pete Corvallis of
the State Theatre here reports that his
seven-day engagement of "The Robe" broke
Pete Corvallis stands in the doorway
of his Oregon City Theatre which had
a gala dress for the showing of "The
Robe." Corvallis reports that the picture
brought out residents who haven't gone
to a motion picture in the last ten or
15 years.
all boxoffice records at the theatre for the
last three years.
Corvallis dressed up the front of the house
with posters and put in a lobby display that
attracted wide attention. He used a velvet
drape and a huge sword against a silver background
as well as posters publicizing the picture
for the lobby sign.
Corvallis operates the theatre with John
Praggastis and Les Thornton. They also
operate the Ross Theatre in Monmouth, Ore.
Wide-screen equipment has been installed in
the Ross.
The Oregon City State is the only theatre
in Clackamas county with Cinemascope and
stereophonic sound, Corvallis said. He has
Altec speakers in the 500-seat house. Many
of those who came to see "The Robe" were
those who haven't visited a motion picture
theatre in ten or 15 years.
Son Wins Scholarship
WESTPORT, ORE.—Roderick Neitzel, son
of the Russell Neitzels. owners of the Westport
Theatre, and a member of the Seaside
high school graduating cla.ss, has been
awarded a $2,000 scholarship from Crown
Zellerbach Corp. Neitzel will enter Oregon
State college in the fall and will major in
mathematics.
Reopens for Weekends
SOUTH BEND, WASH.—Dwight L.
Spracher has reopened the Harbor Theatre
for a three-day weekend operation and appointed
Clare Blackman manager. Free kiddy
matinees are being presented each Saturday
afternoon, sponsored by local merchants.
Becomes a Grandfather
HOLLYWOOD—John S.
Harrington, Allied
Arists supervisor of prints and accessories,
became a grandfather Monday (21) when his
daughter Mrs. Joan Sanzo became the mother
of a baby boy.
LOS ANGELES
'LJugh Bruen has dubbed his new drive-in,
now under construction in Whittier, the
Sundown and is aiming at a late-July opening.
Bruen al.so operates the Whittier, Wardman
and Roxy. conventional houses, in that
community . Mo.ses, who operates
the Monterey in Monterey Park, is reopening
the Garvey in Garvey. which is being leased
from the James Edwards circuit.
Joe Sarfaty, Warner salesman, underwent
surgery at St. Vincent's hospital . . Vacationing
.
in Detroit, where they'll pick up a new
car, are Al Boodman, Columbia salesman,
and his wife and three children . . . Also
on holiday are Janet Roth, Warner stenographer,
and Margaret Scott, PBX operator at
that exchange . Berman, daughter
of Izzy of the Eastland circuit, has been
retained as a kindergarten teacher in Manhattan
Beach following her recent graduation
from UCLA.
. . . Chuck
Jerry Persell, Columbia salesman, picked
Vacationing is Wayne Ball,
up a new car . . .
Columbia manager . . . Mary Niemas is back
on the job as Warner stenographer after
Booking-buying visitors
breaking a toe . . .
included Clair Allison, operator of the Wilshire
in Pullerton, and his wife
Newman, who recently resigned as a Paramount
salesman, has joined 20th-Fox as a
replacement for Brian Kniffen, recently
upped to assistant to Herman Wobber, western
division manager.
Installed as commander of American Legion
Post 253 in Beverly Hills was John Evans,
manager of the navy booking service on the
Row . Hulling, partner of Howard
Stubbins in the west coast Allied Artists franchise,
took off for Apple valley after huddles
here with Stubbins ... A local visitor was
Graham Slobom, general manager of Australia's
Consolidated Theatres . . . Glimpsed
on the Row was Sam Terry, operator of the
Surf in Huntington Beach.
Weekiwow Drive-In Opens
In Western Montana
POLSON, MONT.--Tlie Weekiwow Drivein,
located five miles south of Poison on
Highway 93, was opened Friday (ID) by
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Shell, who also operate
a local indoor theatre.
The name Weekiwow was cho.sen in a contest.
It means a large gathering or lodge in
the Indian language.
The Weekiwow features a 66x40-foot screen.
Five to Bally 'Seven Brides'
HOLL"ywOOD—Five of the seven brides in
MGM's "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers"
have been set to make personal appearance
tours throughout the country. Julie Newmeyer,
Nancy Kilgas, Betty Carr, Virginia
Gibson and Ruta Kilmonis left on the trek
June 19.
Installs Free Playground
DALLAS, ORE.—Manager Don Wernli of
the Motor-Vu Drive-In has installed a free
playground for the kiddies which includes
swings, teeter-totters. Miracle Whirl, tether
ball and other attractions. Horseshoes and
archery have been set up for the adults.
i4 BOXOFHCE :
: June 26, 1954

CITATION FOR RIOT—The
General
Federation of Women's Clubs at the Denver
national convention awarded Allied
Artists a citation for its "social study of
good significance" in "Riot in Cell Block
11." Denver Manager C. J. Duer accepts
the award on behalf of the company from
the organization's president Mrs. Oscar A.
Alhlgren, left, and Mrs. Dean Gray Edwards,
chairman of the motion picture
division.
SALT LAKE CITY
lyratt Freed, Hallmark Productions producer,
was in for a few days for the opening
of his picture, "Karamoja," at the Woodland
Drive-In . . . Bill Pine, Pine-Thomas productions,
was here for a few days en route
from Durango, Colo., to Jackson Hole, Wyo.
He is now completing filming of "Run for
Cover" at Durango. After that he will make
"Lewis and Clark" in the Jackson Hole country
. . . Frank H. Smith, Paramount manager,
has returned from Denver with salesmen
Dick Stafford, Carl Lind and Gene Jones
and Office Manager Bert Turgeon. They attended
a sales meeting with Ted O'Shea and
George Smith.
Utah is truly a center of film making this
month. John Wayne, Susan Hayward and
Dick Powell are the principals in making
"The Conqueror" for Howai-d Hughes in St.
George and they expect to be in the Utah
city a month before finishing up. Over at
Moab, the hot uranium town, Dana Andrews
and Piper Laurie are starring in "Smoke
Signal" for Universal. Motion Picture Theatre
Productions wiU make "Canyon Country"
in the same area, and Universal is expected
to shoot "Foxfire," starring Jane Russell and
Jeff Chandler, also in that general vicinity.
Three top films have been awarded the
Lyric in Salt Lake's many-sided bidding situation.
"The High and the Mighty," "The
Caine Mutiny" and "Knock on Wood" will
be shown in that order.
Richard F. Iba, son of Richard J. Iba of
Allied Artists, has received the American
Spirit of Honor medal as the outstanding
inductee in his navy class . . . Glen and
Eldon Yergenson of Cedar City and Monroe
and Robert and Van Anderson of Richfield
and Salina were among exhibitors on Salt
Lake City's Pilmrow.
Four hundred feature length 35mm films
were imported into Australia during 1953, according
to the Australia film censors.
Exhibitors Registered
At Seattle Convention
SEATTLE—Registrants at the annual convention
of the Theatre Owners of Washington,
Northern Idaho and Alaska at the
Olympia hotel here recently included:
SEATTLE
El Keyes
George DeWaide
Pete Higgins
Bill Stahl
Lou Pressler
Vic Gauntlet!
Frank Newman sr.
Merry Saffle
Delmo Larison
Bob Clark
Bud Saffle
B. C. Johnson
Mrs. K. Arthur Fox
John Hamrick
B. F. Shearer
K. Arthur Fox
Mrs. Walter Coy
Walter Coy
E. W. Smith
Bob Anderson
H. B. Sobottka
William Thedford
Roy Sparks
Will Conner
Mrs. L. O. Lukan
L. O. Lukan
John Riley
J. M. Hone
Fredric Danz
Hal Oaigler
Robert Graham
EPHRA1A—Corbin Ball.
ANACORTES—Charlie Schuler.
MOUNT VERNON—J. B. Gardner.
BELLINGHAM—A. R. Larson, Frank Pratt, Ralph
Wahl.
BLAINE—George Borden jr.
WALLA WALLA—F. D. Nessel.
WENATCHEE—Pat Toppan.
SPOKANE—Morrie Nimmer, Joe Rosenfield.
PORT ORCHARD—George Broughton jr.. Rex
Thompson.
TOPPENISH—A. H. Darby.
REDMOND—L. C. Dowley, Gene Dowley.
SEQUIM—Howard Taylor.
BREMERTON—Mrs. Gary Olund, George Bloir, Gary
Olund.
SHELTON—Walter Graham.
Andre.
KENT—Will
KENNEWICK—Fred W. Hair.
RICHLAND—Ray DiLorenzo.
YAKIMA—Fred Mercy jr.
TACOMA— Russ Schmidt, John Kane, Red Pratsch.
ROSLYN—Blanche Greenough, Joseph Valione.
EATONVILLE—A. G. Pecchia.
PUYALLUP—Don Barovic.
BOTHELL—William Evans.
PORT BLAKELY—Glenn Nolta.
COULEE DAM—Rod Hortman.
EDMONDS—J. B. Giezentanner.
NACHES— E. A. Darby.
OLYMPIA—W. B. McDonald.
WILBUR—E. W. Rettkowski.
AUBURN—Henry Mullendore.
McCLEARY— Eorle Stierwalt.
RAYMOND—Dwight Spracher.
RENTON—Erwin Fey.
FAIRBANKS, ALASKA—Mrs. R. O. Kinsey.
HARTFORD, CONN.—Albert Pickus.
NEW YORK— -Walter Reade jr., Herman Levy.
SAN FRANCISCO—Roy Cooper.
PORTLAND
fredric Hess, Allied Artists, is on a twoweek
vacation touring southern Oregon . .
Jackie Levy, secretary to Jack Felix, manager,
leaves to accept a similar position with Pan
American airlines.
Mrs. William Rowlands, formerly Alberta
Myers, Paramount Theatre secretary, is the
mother of a girl, Pamela Marie, born last
month at Permanente hospital in Vancouver,
Wash. . . . Lou Metzlaar, Evergreen booker,
is on vacation. The Metzlaars will spend
some time on the Oregon coast.
New Owner Settles Fight
PORTLAND, ORE.—Sherbie Cherbikoff has
purchased the Sellwood Theatre from the
Moyer family and signed a contract with
projectionists Local 159, thus removing the
house from the union's unfair list. The Sellwood
had been picketed since last August
when the Moyers refused to honor their contract
with the local. Moyer's Division Street
Drive-In remains nonunion and on the unfair
list.
Increase in Italian Industry
An increase of 17.6 pr cent in Italian film
production for the first quarter of 1954 over
the same period in 1953 is reported by the
Italian Films Export.
CHURCH AND THEATRE COOPER-
ATE—The Dogie Theatre of Newcastle,
Wyo., has found invaluable friends among
the local churches. The theatre, which is
owned by the Black Hills Amusement Co.
of Rapid City, S. D., and managed by
Frederick E. Wade, presents at its Saturday
matinees only those films which
have been approved by the Legion of
Decency and the National Teachers magazine.
By doing this, attendance has been
built up from an average of 30 to 600
on Saturday afternoons because the local
churches have reminded their members
that the Dogie management recognizes
their wishes in selecting films. The
friendship that prevails between the
Dogie and the churches was indicated rerecently
when a new Methodist church
was opened and the Dogie sent a wreath
of flowers and Burl Ives, above right, attended.
Also attending the function was
the Wyoming Bishop Glenn R. Phillips on
the left. The pastor, the Rev. Kenneth
Rice and his wife, in the center, and
their daughter, in arms of Ives.
Buys Vacaville Theatre
VACAVILLE, CALIF.—The Associated
Theatre Co. of San Francisco has purchased
the Vacaville Theatre and appointed William
Hayden, co-owner of the Suisun Theatre,
manager. Hayden said that among the future
plans is the installation of a refrigeration
air conditioning system.
CS for Forest Grove, Ore.
FOREST GROVE, ORE.—P. A. and Don
Watrous have purchased Cinemascope equipment
for their Forest Theatre.
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PROGRAM PRINTING CO.
34 Hyde St., San Francisco. Calif.
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THEATRE
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Phone Evergreen 1-7100 — 1-1606
1
BOXOFnCE June 26, 1954 45

. rrapbook
.
. . Cinemascope
SEATTLE
^orthwest Releasing Corp. has acquired rights
for the controversial film, "Violated."
Censor approval has been received on "We
Want a Child," also handled by Northwest,
and the film will open July 9 at the Blue
Mouse. Al Larpenteur, NRC salesman, returned
from trips to eastern Oregon and
the Yakima valley.
SEATTLE MEETING—Attending a two-day Panimount sales meeting called to
discuss new product and sales policy were, from left, standing: Walter Hoffman,
merchandising representative; H. Neal East, assistant western division sales manager;
Robert Rubin, executive assistant to the president; G. A. Smith, western division sales
manager; E. K. O'Shea, general sales manager; Frank Doty, salesman who was
awarded a gold pin and membership in the 100 Per Cent club, and Glen Brogger,
salesman. Seated are .lohn Kent, salesman; Henry Haustein, Seattle sales manager;
Dave Dunkle, booker and office manager, and Wayne Thiriot, Portland manager.
SAN FRANCISCO
. . Jess
. . . Mel Hulling, Allied
T Arthur Rude is opening his Pinecrest Theaatre
at Pinecrest for the summer .
Levin, General Theatrical, who recently took
over Redwood Drive-In at Cotati. was along
the Row . . . The Coronet Theatre has installed
Bruce Bemis,
a new Bodde screen . . . son of Robert Bemis of Walter G. Pi-eddey,
graduated from high school and is vacationing
before leaving for Utah and university . .
Rose Rivas, AlUed Aj-tists, went to Santa
Cruz for a vacation
Artists bossman, returned from a southern
trip . . . Grace Heller, cashier at United Artists,
returned from a Palm Springs vacation.
Bill Wheeler, local salesman for Warner
Bros., takes over the teiTitory formerly serviced
by Arthm- Baron, who is leaving for the
Philippine film stars
Portland branch . . .
Tita Dura:i and Pancho Magalona were hosted
around town by Earle Williams, Royal Theatres,
and introduced to the press and newsreel
people . . . E. J. Remington came in
Mrs. Loren Stocking
from his Fair Oaks . . .
was in from Booneville.
The Associated Theatre Co. has purchased
the Vacaville Theatre. William Hayden of
Vacaville, formerly associated with the theatre
and at present co-owner of the new
Suisun Theatre, has been appointed resident
manager . . . Stanley Lefcourt, former Filmrower,
is returning after headquartering the
last few years in Los Angeles, to take over
as regional director of the new Honolulu Co.,
combining the Principal Theatres of Los
Angeles, Cal-Pac Theatres and Royal Theatres.
The newly organized company has not
found offices here yet . . . Nate Crevitz,
Blumenfeld Pittsburg Theatres, is back on
the job as district manager after a leave
of absence due to Illness.
The Fox Theatre on June 28 celebrates its
2T,ih birthday. Herman Kersken, who came
up from San Jose to manage the theatre, ref
all.s the opening festivities of the $5,000,000
ihealre. According to Kersken, who has a
to prove it, 50,000 persons jammed
.N^urket street to watch the full-fledged prer^.i
.rt. A tralnload of Hollywood personalities,
including Will Rogers, were introduced at an
outdoor stage. A stage show and "Behind
That Curtain," starring Warner Baxter, were
featured on the program. In celebration of its
birthday, "Demetrius and the Gladiators"
will be presented. Ker.sken. who oversees
activities at the Fox: Ei-nie Hoffman, chief
projectionist, and Leo Kowalski, chief engineer,
are all of the original staff.
. .
The Skyview Drive-In in Sacramento has
installed Cinemascope Joe Boyd, California
Theatre at
.
Kerman: Robert Patton,
Uptown Theatre at Sonora, and Phil Gardner.
Vallejo, were on Pilmrow.
Forty motion picture films were produced
in Italy the first three months of this year
as compared to 34 of the same period last
year.
HELPING HAND—To make Uiinys a
students at the Washing-
mite easier for
ton Elementary School for Handicapped
Children, located near the Filmrow sector,
the Los Angeles Motion Picture Salesmen
contributed a hydraulic lifter, being
demonstrated in this photo by one of the
youngsters. Others in the picture, from
left: Milt Frankel, Warner Bros, booker;
Harvey Lithgow, Warner Bros, office
manager; .lules Gerelik, Universal salesman
and LAMPS president; Ken Darby,
Paramount booker; F'rank Prince, Fox
West Coast film buyer, and Max Factor,
Paramount salesman.
"Pinocchio" opened Friday (25) at the
Palomar, addressed primarily to summer vacation
children. Along the same line, the
Ballard will hold summer matinees of PTAapproved
and supervised films every Tuesday
afternoon during the summer.
Walter Hoffman, Paramount northwest
publicity director, returned from San Francisco,
where he worked on promotion for
"Knock on Wood . has been
mstalled in the C. J. Theatre in Bridgeport,
owned by R. W. Reneau ... On September
8, 9 a stage production of "The Caine
Mutiny Court Martial" will come to the Orpheum,
with Paul Douglas, Steve Brodie and
Wendell Corey. The proceeds will go to the
Seattle Symphony orchestra's sustaining fund
. . . Jack Benny and his Variety revue will
open July 12 at the Met for a two-week stay.
"Picnic," starring Ralph Meeker, is coming
the Met August 9 . . . Seattle impressarjo
to
Hugh Becket has booked the Dublin players
direct from Ireland for next December, possibly
for the Moore Theatre.
Filmrow visitors included Andrew Pisk,
Olympic. Arlington; Hazel O'Connel, Diamond,
Black Diamond; Florence Benson, Friday
Hai-bor; Robert Rosenberg, Avalon, Bellingham;
Al Fernandez, Callam Bay; Rex
Thompson, D&R. Port Orchard and Roxy,
Gig Harbor; Robert Hagman, Metalline Falls
and lone, and Vance Weskil, Colfax.
More than 2,000 Times carriers and their
friends attended a forenoon theatre party at
the Coliseum as guests of the newspaper and
the Evergreen Theatre management. Frank
Graham, Alaska big-game hunter and Arctic
explorer, made a personal appearance and
showed scenes he filmed in the northern wilderness.
They have been incorporated into
an adventure film "Challenge the Wild," for
United Artists. Graham also displayed trophies
of wild animals plus live exhibits, including
cougar cubs, husky dogs and other
trained animals. "Challenge the Wild" will
open a regular run at the Coliseum soon.
Zones Property for Airer
KENT, WASH.—Mrs. Thomas Bridges won
her fight to have her property zoned to permit
the construction of a drive-in when the
county commissioners overruled the planning
commission which had previously denied her
request.
New Las Vegas Airer Opens
LAS VEGAS—Howard Cahoon, owneroperator,
has opened his newly constructed
900-car Sky Way Drive-In. A feature of the
new airer is its modern cafeteria -style snack
bar behind which, in a completely fenced-in
area, Cahoon has constructed a free kiddy
playground.
BOXOFnCE :
: June 26, 1954

Illinois Variety Club
To Fete Joe Swedie
CHICAGO—Members of the Variety Club
of Illinois will honor Joe Swedie at a testimonial
luncheon Tuesday (29) at 12:30 at
the Glass Hat in the Congi-ess hotel. Swedie,
for the last six years or more, has entertained
children of La Rabida sanitarium with
motion pictures once a week every week, summer
and winter.
Since adding Michael Reese, Little Company
and Illi-
of Mary, Herrick House at Bai'tlett,
nois hospitals to his list, Swedie is devoting
five days a week to furnishing motion picture
entertainment for unfortunate children.
He also conducts a private showing for two
palsied childi'en in their home. Swedie, known
as "Uncle Joe" to the young fans who rely
on him for entertainment, asks no assistance
in his project, although it costs him $22 a
week for film service.
Navy Parade to Highlight
'Mutiny' Chicago Debut
CHICAGO—A feature highlighting the
opening of "The Caine Mutiny" at the State
Lake Wednesday (30) will be a navy parade.
Robert Francis, who is due here June 29, 30
for personal appearances, also will take part
in the parade.
Bob Weiner, who heads the local publicity
crew for Columbia, has gone all out for a
continuous and hefty program exploiting
"The Caine Mutiny." One of the tie-in angles
comprises a two-week talent contest on radio
WOPL.
station
Through 300 Webster-Chicago dealers, first
prize will be a Webcor tape recorder. The
overall winner will receive a full year's
scholarship to the American Academy of
Dramatic Art, with a one-time role on the
U.S. Steel program on ABC-TV. American
Airlines is furnishing the winner with a
roundtrip air fare to New York City.
In addition, Higgins & Prank, swank
clothier, will carry out a "Caine Mutiny" display
theme in its show windows and will carry
the Aquascutum coat for sale as a special.
During the exploitation program, 200 book
stores will feature the book telling the story
of "Caine Mutiny."
Spends $20,000 to Remodel
CHARLESTON, MO.—According to Mrs.
Dick Logan, manager of the McCutchen, over
$20,000 has been spent in the last six months
to redecorate the house. New Alexander
Smith carpeting has been laid throughout
the lobby, foyer and aisles, and all the walls
have been repainted or papered. The theatre
installed Cinemascope equipment about three
months ago.
W. Baldwin Reopens Waverly
WAVERLY, MO.—Walter Baldwin has taken
over the management of the Waverly Theatre
and reopened it for Saturday, Sunday
and Wednesday night showings. He will be
assisted by the local Merchants club for the
first three months of the reopening. To promote
the house in the community, Baldwin
offered a free showing the opening night.
Closes Theatre for Summer
ARTHUR, ILL.—The Lamar Theatre, 265-
seater, owned by W. H. "Bill" Hoffman, has
been closed for the summer.
Fox Midwest Managers at Springfield
Fete George Hunter on Anniversary
SPRINGFIELD, MO.—George Hunter, city
manager of Fox Midwest's four theatres here
(Fox, Gillioz, Kickapoo, Landers) was honored
by the house managers and their staffs with
a special week—called George Hunter's Tenth
Anniversary week. Lobbies were decorated
and ballyhoo spirit was rife in the theatres.
An outstanding job was done in selling
the occasion: the event was publicized by
telegrams received from film producers and
distributors as well as stars. Among these
were C. B. DeMille, Virginia Mayo, John
Payne, Jean Hersholt, John Wayne, Randolph-
Scott, James Cagney, Walter Pidgeon, Jane
Powell, Henry Wilcoxon and Doris Day.
The Springfield News-Leader-Press referred
to Hunter as "Showman-Churchman-
Civic Leader Hunter" in a feature story about
Circus Parade for 'Show/
Nets Wire Service Story
CHICAGO—Dave Friedman of Paramount's
publicity staff has returned from Wisconsin,
where he helped lay plans for the reshowing
of "The Greatest Show on Earth." The film
opens July 4th at the Ringling Theatre,
Baraboo, Wis.
The Hegen Bros, circus parade launching
the midwest kickoff for the reissue was so
favorably regarded by United Press that it
broke the wire service's national network.
To round out the aura of circus performance,
Friedman arranged for one of the Hegen
Bros, circus elephants to deliver the print of
the film to the theatre.
Clarence E. Kerns Dies
HUTCHINSON, KAS.—Clarence E. Kerns,
prominent in Kansas theatrical circles for
many years and stage manager for five
years for the late Sigmund Romberg, died
Saturday (19) at the age of 64. A resident
of Hutchinson most of his life. Kerns had
also traveled with Phil Spitalny and his orchestra
and was business manager of the
lATSE. He was active in Boy Scout work,
with the Salvation Army, and served six
years on the Reno county selective service
board. He is survived by his wife, a son
and a daughter and a brother Edgar Kerns
Managers and employes
of the four Fox
Midwest houses in
Springfield, Mo., gave
City Manager George
Hunter a new desk lamp
upon his tenth anniversary
in that position.
Making the presentation
is Keith Wells, former
manager. Looking on,
left to right: Phil Holloway.
Tyndall Lewis,
Robert Hicks, Russell
Rhyne.
^
his 25-year career in the industry and told
of the high esteem in which the local citizem-y
holds him. Radio stations KGBX and
KTTS devoted five 15-minute programs each
to outlines of the happenings dm-ing the ten
years Hunter has been in town. Special
scripts were prepared on pictures played during
the two years to which each program
was devoted, and Hunter's civic activities
were emphasized for those periods. The radio
programs also plugged current Anniversary
Week attractions.
What gratified Hunter as much as anything
else was that all the fuss renewed interest in
the theatres and what they had to offer in entertainment.
It was a big week in all four
houses, with the Gillioz doing 300 per cent
of average.
Arraignments Continued
On 'Line' Obscene Charges
INDIANAPOLIS—The arraignment of four
and the RKO manager on
theatre operators
charges of possessing and exhibiting obscene
pictures was continued until Tuesday (29).
The charges, filed by Prosecutor Frank H.
Fairchild, grew out of the refusal of the
operators and manager to halt the showing
of "The French Line."
William M. Evans, attorney for RKO, requested
Judge Saul I. Rabb to continue the
arraignments in order that he might have
additional time to prepare necessary motions.
The five defendants were originally scheduled
to appear in court Saturday (26).
Lockout Ends at Drive-In
DANVILLE, ILL.—Projectionists Local 156
members returned to work at the Skyway
Drive-In after Manager Jack Butler agreed
to hire two operators on the same terms as
hired in 1953. A lockout had been in force
for more than six weeks over the theatre's
demand to hire only one projectionist.
Urbana, 111.,
URBANA, ILL.—The Family Wide-Screen
Drive-In has installed Cinemascope, it was
reported by Manager Marshall Rnckard.
Airer Installs CS
BOXOFFICE June 26, 1954 47

. . . Dewey
. . MGM
. . Ruth
. . WB
. . Ben
. . Marguerite
. . Dewey
—
KANSAS CITY
Toe Neger, 20th-Fox manager, wants every
* exhibitor in the area to attend the showing
of the special Zanuck film at 2 p m. July
9 at the Orpheuni Theatre.
"Not only will exhibitors
gain a lot of
knowledge fj-om this
showing, but its- message
is important to
the future of the industry,"
Neger com-
^ _ .
mented. He also called
,
MIL ^J '' ^flBH attention to the time
error as reported—the
^^I^^^^^^Bj
^^^^^^r ^^H film lasts
'''''^'^
m^l >flBk. ^IH
instead of twoand-a-half
hours. Alex
Alex Harrison Harrison, western sales
. . . Irene Sharpe, inspector,
manager, will be here to introduce the film
to its local audience
caught her finger in the film ma-
chine and will be out a week or ten days
while it heals . Shirley Walker replaces
. .
OUR BUSINESS IS SOUND'
PHONE 3-7225.
TOPEKA
THEATRE SERVICE CO., INC.
827 Wayne ToPEKA. Kansas
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Carpets — Door Mats
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R. D. MANN CARPET CO.
928-930-932 Central, Victor 1 171, Koniot City, Mo.
4SS Paul Brown BIdg., Chestnut 4499, St. LeuU
9>, yo44A SeAuict Sutc* 1i99
STEBBINS THEATRE
IB04 W,.nJ,M* Si.
KANSAS CITY S, MO-
Equipment Co.
Judy Gabbert Lemos in the 20th-Fox office.
Judy i.s moving out of town.
. . .
Theatre Supply has
Bill Flynn was in recently from Great Bend,
Kas., and reported Audrey is in Saint Rose
hospital recovering from pneumonia
William Z. Porter, home office field representative,
has been in the Kansas City Allied
Artists office consulting with Manager Ray
Copeland
sold
. .
Charles
. Stebbins
Swiercinsky's Major at Washington,
Kas., a Hilux Raytone wide sound
screen and a pair of Hilux wide-angle projection
lenses . . . Don Walker, Warner Bros.,
made a flying trip to Des Moines, Omaha and
Spr.ngfield (111.) to set up "The High and the
Mighty" exploitation angles . head
booker Charles Oliver insists he caught plenty
of good-sized fish on his recent vacation at
Bull Shoals . Perkins is on an extended
auto trip covering Washington, Oregon
and British Columbia.
. . . Bob
RKO has been notified that the roof of the
Planeview Theatre at Wichita fell in Sunday
morning (201 and that temporarily the theatre
is closed. Benny Taylor who operates the
Planeview expected to reopen in from two
Arthur Jacobs from the
to four weeks . . .
home office visited at Paramount
Shelton, Commonwealth general manager,
spent Tue.sday i22) in Shenandoah with District
Manager M. B. Smith and with Finton
Jones. On V^ednesday (23 1 Shelton held a
group meeting at Columbia . Marcus
division manager for Columbia, was in Minneapolis
Saturday (19i for a sales meeting,
returning home that night.
Gregory Harris, nine-year-old son of Mildred
Harris, Commonwealth booker, fell from
a plank fence at the home on Wednesday
(16) and suffered internal injuries. He was
taken to St. Luke's hospital for examination
and was found to be hemorrhaging. He will
have to remain quiet in bed for a couple of
weeks while the wound heals. He is at home
Balls has resigned as manager of
Commonwealth's Royal at Hoisington, Kas.,
and will go into the grocery business with a
brother. Charles Masner, formerly at Lindsborg,
is temporarily replacing Balls and Herbert
Dahlene has gone to Lindsborg.
Missouri Theatre Supply reports two Dickinson
theaters, the Kaw at Marion and the
Ritz at Stafford, are installing new RCA
Dyna-Lite all-purpose screens. Durwood's
Roxy in Kansas City is putting in the same.
as are the Blair at Smith Center, Henry
Beardsley's Chief at Oberlin, the Pite at El
Dorado. Ray Winch's Regent at Winlield is
being equipped with complete RCA Stereo-
Scope. W. D. Fulton's Lake Park Drive-In
is also receiving complete RCA Stereoscope
. . . Salesman
George Regan has returned
to his 20th-Fox rounds after a vacation in
Florida . Manager William Gaddoni
has returned from a vacation trip
with his wife and two children to New Rochelle,
N.Y. ... At Columbia, Dolores Jagels
is back from a two-week vacation and Dorothy
Warneke is away.
With Cinemascope on optical sound prints
becoming available at 20th-Fox, the exchange
here is being flooded with requests . . . Vern
Skorey's daughter Jacqueline is home for the
summer after graduating from the Minneapolis
high school . . . Walter Bollinger and
son Mac were in the 20th-Fox office Monday
(21). After running the EUinwood for eight
weeks at EUinwood, Kas., they came in to
check on Cinemascope installation. Bollinger
bought the EUinwood from Commonwealth.
Nick Sonday, general manager for Consolidated
Agencies who was hospitalized at
Wichita last week, returned to Kansas City
and was sufficiently improved to visit his
office Wednesday (16). However, another
severe attack nece.ssitated sending him to
Research hcspital where he will undergo surgery
for gall bladder removal.
Woodie Latimer of L&L Popcorn was out
sick for three days . Smith of
Allied Artists gave a dinner party for several
of her office associates at her home in Kansas
City North. Present were Bea Freeman, Ethel
Johnson, Zella Faulkner and Eleanora Martin
.. . Ed Hartman's Booking Agency has
a new account, the Turon at Turon, Kas.
Its owners, Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Pelton, and
their three daughters were in last week to
make the arrangements . Utterback
of Wellington, who also has a half interest
in the Rainbow Drive-In at Wichita, visited
the Kansas-Missouri Allied office.
National Theatre Supply reports the sale
of Gottschalk Super-Panatar variable-type
anamorphic len.ses which handle both 2:35
optical and 2;55 magnetic-type Cinemascope
prints as well as the forthcoming VistaVision
squeezed prints, to the following: Kansas
Ray A. Walsh's Mainstreet at Chanute, Mildred
Blair's Blair at Osborne, Floyd Moore's
Mac at McPherson, Fred Munson's drive-in
at Scott City, D. A. Bisagno's Augusta at
Augusta, A. W. Pugh's State at Columbus,
Frank Northrup's Northrup at Syracuse, Dan
Blair's Blair at Smith Center, John Neely's
Star at Lyons, Alex Shniderman's Strand at
Emporia, Glen Cooper's Cooper at Dodge
City. Missouri—J. Glenn Caldwell's Princess
at Aurora, Shelby Ai-mstrong's Marty-Ann at
Milan, Harley Fryer's Plaza at Lamar, Commonwealth's
Plaza at Trenton.
Ralph Rhodes is the new manager of Commonwealth's
Ashland. He was formerly with
Francis Edwards
the Dickinson circuit . . .
has taken over the local management of the
Paola at Paola, Kas., as well as the Midway
Drive-In and of the Osawa at Osawatomie.
All are Midcentral operations. Former manager
Chester Cowger has moved to Junction
City to manage the Junction and Colonial.
Edwards lives in Osawatomie, which is only
seven miles from Paola . . . Paul Pagano's
Dancing Feet of 1954, a revue from a local
dancing school, entertained at the Tower
James Pier.son has taken over manager
. . .
duties in the Uptown at Carrollton, Mo.
He was formerly connected with a theatre
at Spokane, Wash., and this is his first Commonwealth
post.
Norris B. Cresswell, manager of the Aladdin,
is driving to Canon City, Colo., to meet his
son Edward Porterfield Cre.sswell at a camp
there. Young Cresswell is a student at Kansas
university, majoring in geology. Cresswell
visited BOXOFFICE this week and reported
that he had the youngest patron on record
at his theatre the other day—a six-day-old
baby. The baby was in the hospital only one
day and 19 hours, and the mother brought
the baby to the theatre five days later. Cresswell
has been manager of the theatre since
June 10, 1952.
48 BOXOFFICE June 26, 1954

. . . Ray
, Memphis,
—
—
—
——
—
. . William
ST.
LOUIS
llarry C. Arthur jr., Fanchon & Marco general
manager, has gone to the west coast
G. Colvin, TEDA executive director,
reports that the sale of booth space for the
jo.nt
TESMA-TBDA-TOA and popcorn processors
meeting at the Conrad Hilton hotel,
Chicago, October 31-November 4, has been
moving at a record pace. Colvin returned
here from Old Point Comfort, Va., where he
spoke at the Virginia Motion Picture Theatre
Ass'n convention.
Frank Plumlee, Farmington, was here with
his wife and son on their way to Oklahoma
City to spend a vacation with relatives . . .
George Gaughan TOA field repin
town briefly between
resentative, was
planes en route from the gathering of the
Virginia MPTO Ass'n to a conference at
Peoria. He plans to spend three or four weeks
in the Illinois territory.
Exhibitors seen along Filmrow included
Bernard Temborius, Breese; Dody Stout, Uptown,
Cairo: Charley Weeks jr., Dexter; Mr.
and Mrs. George L. Faith, Linn, Linn; John
Rees, Wellsville; Charley Beninati, Carlyle,
and Russell Armentrout, Louisiana.
. . .
Dave Arthur, head of Fanchon & Marco
booking department, visited Chicago
. . .
Bernie McCarthy has been upped to a district
manager Herb Washburn, >fational
Screen manager, and his wife are vacationing
at Pine River, Minn., to enjoy some of that
fine fishing in Lake Ada. They will be away
for two weeks . . . Paul Ki'ueger, co-general
manager of the Fred Wehrenberg circuit,
and his son Ronnie are vacationing at Vergas,
Minn.
. , George
Mr. and Mrs. David Tischannen, who were
recently married, are honeymooning m New
Orleans and vicinity. She is the former Betty
Rose Guinan, daughter of William Guinan
who is on the staff of the McCarty Theatre
Supply Co. Tischannen is with the Union
Electric Co. of Missouri .
who operates the Linn, (Mo.)
L. Faith,
Theatre and is
president of the Linn Chamber of Commerce,
attended the recent gathering of the Missouri
C of C's at Columbia.
The Weeks Theatre at Dexter will observe
its 47th anniversary July 4-10. Charley Weeks
jr. reports the program will include free
shows and lots of surprises in the way of
gifts for customers including a dinette set,
bicycles and passes . . . Lester Bona, WB
manager, called on officials of the Columbia
Amusement Co., Paducah; the Rodgers Theatres,
Cairo; the Marlowe Amusement Co.,
Herrin, and Turner-Farrar Theatres, Harrisburg.
Leo Keiler, president and general manager,
Columbia Amusement Co., Paducah, and his
wife have returned to that city after visiting
Hawaii and California . . . Henry C. Ruester,
president of the Ludwig Music House, celebrated
his 49th anniversary as head of that
78-year-old firm June 15. Ruester in the old
days of the Grand Central Theatre was its
drummer and marimba player. The theatre
was razed for a parking lot some months ago.
Carson W. Rodgers. president of Rodgers
Theatres, Cairo, flew to Florida to visit his
mother who is ill . . . "Gone With the Wind,"
returns to Loew's State July 3. according to
Frank Hensen, manager.
BOXOFnCE June 26, 1954
Chicago Scores Soar
During Heal Wave
CHICAGO—The cool darkness of theatres
became an oasis during a blistering heat
wave and all grosses were good. "This Is
Cinerama," which will celebrate its first anniversai-y
here in a few weeks, remained the
top grosser. Next in line was "Johnny
Guitar" in its second week at the Chicago.
The Loop's consistently strong business was
maintained with the opening of "Prisoner of
War."
(Average Is 100)
Carnegie The Pickwick Papers (M-K), 4th wk. . . 1 85
Chicago Johnny Guitar (Rep), plus stage revue,
2nd wk 225
Eitel's Palace This Is Cinerama (Cinerama^
47th wk 275
Esqurre Dial M for Murder (WB) 200
Grand Gorilla ot Large (20th-Fox}; Miss Robin
Crusoe (20th-Fox) 1 60
Loop Prisoner of War (MGM) 205
Mc'i'ickers The Siege at Red River (20th-Fox);
Racing Blood (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 1 75
Monroe Top Bonano (UA), 3rd wk 215
Oriental Three Coins in the Fountain (20th-Fox),
4th wk 215
Roosevelt Them! (WB); Fort Algiers (UA) 185
State Lake The Student Prince (MGM), 2nd wk. . .220
Surf The Finol Test (Continental), 3rd wk 185
United Artists The Mod Magician (Col); Jesse
James vs. the Doltons (Col), 2nd wk 190
Woods Indiscretion of on American Wife (Col). .185
World Playhouse Ana-Ta-Han (The Devil's Pitchfork)
(Arias) 1 90
Them!' Does Big Busines.s With 175
During First Week in K. C.
KANSAS CITY—Three pictures were held
over for an extra week in the first run houses
here, "Genevieve" at the Kimo going into its
nth week, "Secret of the Incas" going into
its third at the Roxy, and "Three Coins in
the Fountain" held for a third week in a
moveover at the Esquire. "Them!" was held
an extra day at the Missouri, but was being
helped at the boxoffice after Saturday by the
Charles-Marciano fight pictures. The weather
has been hot and humid with a fair weekend,
something for which drive-in operators have
been praying.
Esquire Three Coins in the Fountain (20th-Fox),
2nd d. t. wk 1 00
Kimo Genevieve (U-l), I 0th wk 110
Midland Gone With the Wind (MGM), 3rd wk. . .100
Missouri Them! (WB); Private Eyes (AA) 175
Paramount Southwest Passage (UA). 90
Roxy Secret of the Incas (Para), 2nd wk 100
Tower, Uptown, Fairway and Granada Drums
Across the River (U-l); Ploygirl (U-l) 100
Vogue The Promoter (U-l); The Titfield
Thunderbolt (U-l), 2nd wk. of 2nd run 125
Hot and Humid Weather Depresses
Indianapolis Boxofiices
INDIANAPOLIS—Hot and humid weather
kept Indianapolis boxoffices below average.
"Three Coins in the Fountain" made the best
showing with 95 per cent. Other grosses
ranged from 35 to 70.
Circle The Egg and I (U-l), reissue; Fireman Sovc
My Child (U-l) 35
Indiana Three Coins in the Fountain (20th-Fox).
. 95
Keith's Johnny Guitar (Rep) 65
Loew's Men of the Fighting Lody (MGM); 'The
Iron Glove (Col) 70
Lyric Drums Across the River (U-l); Red River
Shore (Rep) 65
Buy Two Bailey Theatres
PRINCETON, ILL.—The Bailey Enterprises,
owner of theatres in Eureka, Minonk and
Washington, has been dissolved and Mr. Traynor,
who had been manager for the concern,
has purchased the theatres in Eureka and
Minonk. The Washington Theatre, which
was not sold, has been closed. Traynor plans
on installing Cinemascope in the two houses
he purchased. Manager Joe McAllister at
Eureka will continue under Traynor.
INDIANAPOLIS
pyron D. Stoner has been appointed Paramount
central division manager. A native
ot Buffalo, N.Y., Stoner will make his headquarters
in Chicago and will supervise film
distribution in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska,
Wisconsin, Minnesota and North and
South Dakota ... In connection with the
"Gone With the Wind" showing at Loew's
Jiere, beginning July 2, Howaru Rutherford,
manager, and John Jones, MGM press representative,
are seeking teenage Rhetts and
Scarletts.
Manager R. L. Conn attended the ATOI
convention at Lake Wawasee. 20th-Fox Division
Manager T. O. McCleaster and execu-
. . .
t ve assistant General Sales Manager W. C.
Gehring of New York also attended
Shipper Donovan Underwood has been elected
presiilent of the 20th-Fox Family club. Assistant
Shipper Roy Baker was selected vicepresident
and Waldo A. Michel, treasurer.
The club plans to hold a picnic Monday (28)
at Northern Beach in the lake regions of
northern Indiana.
.
. . .
Joseph W. Bohn, Realart manager, has been
discharged from the hospital and has returned
to work A. Carroll,
ATOI executive secretary, is spending a weekend
at Lake Wawasee with his family
Mabel Roe of Marcus Theatres is undergoing
treatment at Methodist hospital.
As a screen game,
HOLLYWOOD takes top
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it is without equal. It has
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over 15 years. Write today for complete details.
Be sure to give seating or car capacity.
HOLLYWOOD AMUSEMENT CO.
831 South Wabash Avenue • Chicago 5, lllinoll
sc
EVERYTHING FOR THE THEATRE
St.
Louis Theatre Supply Company
Arch
Hosier
3310 Olive Street. St. Louis 3. Mo.
Telephones JE 3-7974, IE 3-7975
THESTRE EQUIPMENT
442 N. ILLINOIS ST., INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
"Everything for the Theatre"
49

"
. . . Clyde
. . Hugh
M. B. Presley Has 24th Anniversary CHI C AG O
SAVANNAH, MO.—M. B. Presley sponsored
a free show Monday night (21) at his Globe
Theatre in celebration of his 24 years in show
business here. The gratis show was his way
of showing appreciation for the patronage
he has enjoyed through those years. His son
Earl helps him operate the theatre.
Piesley, who has been in theatre busines.s
more than 30 years and who once owned a
theatre in Wheaton, Mo., first came to Savannah
in 1930 "on the streetcar" from Kansas
City. He bought the old Globe from Mr.
and Mrs. Alva Shearer in mid-June of that
year and immediately closed it for remodeling.
He also switched to "talkies" when he
reopened, showing them for the first time in
Savannah.
The name of the theatre was derived from
old, discarded city street lights that were M. B. Presley, is shown above standing
mounted on top of the marquee. When a in front of his Globe Theatre at Savannah,
Mo., where he is starting his
competitor erected a new building on the
for the occasion were won by the following,
with the donors noted: Jack Winningham,
SELBY„^ SCREEN TOWERS sport shirt (Michael's Clothing); Darrel Melson,
ten-pound can of popcorn (L & L Pop-
for Drive-tn Theatres
12 Stondofd SIxos
corn): Cal Forbes, pen (Dixie Enterprises);
SELBY INDUSTRIES, INC. John Dobson, $5 gift bond (Consolidated
1350 Ghent Hllli Rd. MOntroie 6-2886
Akron
Agencies*; 13, Ohio
Bob Boiler, $5 gift bond (Hartman
Globe's present site, he lasted only six 25th year in exhibition.
months. Soon afterwards, Pi-esley moved to
the new building and operated as the New
theatre at the
Globe
same location.
Theatre
In the meantime,
films were shown in the old remodeled
there until 1943, when it was
destroyed by fire. With World War II in
Methodi.st church, now the
progress and
Savannah locker
building permits hard to get,
plant.
it was 1946 before he could rebuild a new
His son Bill took over when his father was
hospitalized. Bill managed the business until
1949 when his brother Earl came to Savannah
to assist their father. They have interests
in .several other theatres in northwest Missouri
and in Arkansas.
COMPLETE
CONCESSION SERVICE
IS OUR BUSINESS 93 Persons Attend
RIO SYRUP CO.
3412 Gravois — St.
Kaycee
Louis
MPA Party
KANSAS CITY—That "rootin'-tootin'
• STU TOMBER MITZI WEINSTEIN party
•
given
FRED
by the Motion Picture Ass'n of
BLASE
HARVEY KAHLE
Greater Kansas City Monday night (21)
turned out to be a festive affair, with 93
attending. Held at Wyandotte County lake,
the "games" started early in that half the
LOOK TO
crowd got lost trying to find the "pavilion,"
which turned out to be the "recreation hall."
However, it is a lovely drive through the
park and those who meandered the most and
arrived the latest had their appetites whetted
FOR THE FINEST
for the lavish and tasty ranch-style refreshments
provided by the committee (courtesy
ANNOUNCEMENT
Milton Neuman).
The entertainment committee consisted of
A2
Woody Sherrill, Ralph Adams, Ralph Amacher,
Syd Levy—and the boys were on the
1327 S. Wikitb Ckican, III. 630 Ninlli Ait. New York. N. Y.
job all evening. President Stan Durwood
brought his wife and a number of other wives
•SELECT" FOUNTAIN SYRUPS
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as he introduced Mrs. Shelton, while other
DRINK DISPENSERS
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as if pleased that a get-together of this kind
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Select Drink Inc.
4210 W. Florissant Ave.
Phon*
S». Louij, IS, Mo.
The bingo games
Mulberry
were well
5289
patronized, the
soft-drink bar was busy all evening, but there
were few dancers due to the humid weather
(or maybe the age group). Door prizes donated
Agency).
50
Two members of projectionists Local 110 are
dead. Leo Del Magro died June 14, and
George E.
Scott Mitchell on June 17 . . .
Stryker has been made assistant vice-president
of manufacturing for Bell & Howell
Co. He was formerly director of operating
services. In his new post, Stryker will head
the firm's manufacturing plant and industrial
engineering functions.
Harold
York
Lloyd was here en route to New
Carol Petersen
from Hollywood . . .
has joined the local staff of F^lmack Trailer
Corp. . Owen, Paramount, New York,
was here for a meeting at the local exchange
Eckhardt was a visitor from California,
the spot of his retirement.
During May, the censor board reviewed 94
pictm-es, of which 20 were foreign and two
were classified for adults only. None was
rejected . . . Invitations were i.ssued by T. R.
Gilliam, 20th-Fox manager, and Ted Todd,
publicist, for the preview of a specially prepared
demonstration subject illustrating the
company's new camera lenses and full possibilities
of stereophonic sound. The demonstration
will be held at the State-Lake Tuesday
(29).
E. G. Fitzgibbons and Dave Friedman have
moved their office in the Paramount exchange
back to the former quarters on the
ground floor. Bryan D. Stoner, new division
manager, occupies the upstairs office vacated
by Pitzgibbons and Friedman. One of Stoner's
first official acts when he took over as division
manager for Paramount was to tour
the six branches in the area, Chicago, Indianapolis,
Des Moines, Milwaukee. Minneapolis
and Omaha. Ted O'Shea, vice-president and
general manager: Herb Steinberg, national
exploitation manager: Hugh Owen, home office
sales executive: Sid Blumenstock, national
advertising manager, E. G. Fitzgibbons,
local publicity director, and Dave Friedman,
handling area publicity, accompanied
him.
The Mc'Vickers Theatre will operate on a
single-feature basis with the showing of
"Adventures of Robinson Crusoe." The film
opens there July
MGM's staff
9 . . . Mae Cummins of the
became Mrs. Aladino Gaggeno
Mike O'Toole of Balaban
on June 19 . . .
& Katz accounting department underwent
surgery at Mercy hospital Friday (18). It is
expected that he will be ho-spitalized for
another week or ten days.
Indians in colorful dress will parade down
State street to herald the opening of "Apache"
at the Roosevelt June 30 . . . The Halsted
Drive-In opened Friday (25) with a single
screen measuring 50x90 feet. However, in a
few weeks the screen will be expanded to
120 feet to accommodate Cinemascope. Regrading
and new ramps to accommodate 1,400
cars have been completed at a cost of $115,-
000. The renovated Halsted was formerly
known as the Pour-Screen Drive-In, and
opened in May 1951 as the first of its kind
in the world, at a cost of $325,000. It remained
closed last season becau.se of projection
booth difficulties arising from Local
llO's requirement of one projectionist for
each of the four screens.
J. O. Grainger, RKO's president, presided
over a sales meeting held at the Blackstone
hotel Thursday and Fi-iday (24, 25). Also
present was Charles Boasberg, sales manager.
BOXOFnCE June 26, 1954

—
PRODUCT, TAXES, PROCESSES
FLORIDA CONFAB SUBJECTS
License and Property
Tax Consideration
Urged by Sarra
MIAMI—Exhibitors from throughout Florida
gathered here Thursday (17) for a oneday
convention of the Motion Kcture Exhibitors
of Florida at the Biscayne Terrace hotel,
and discussions centered primarily on new
film processes, product expectation and various
tax situations.
There were both morning and afternoon
sessions, with a two-hour luncheon recess.
All members and guests gathered for limcheon
on the Starlight roof overlooking Biscayne
Bay, the panorama of islands and the southern
tip of Miami Beach, with the ocean beyond.
DISCUSSES NEW PRODUCT
Horace Denning of Jacksonville, president
of MPEOF, presided. Although the morning
session was a closed one, Arv Rothchild of
Jacksonville, secretary, said the matter of
product was considered. Speaking on that
subject, Rothchild told the exhibitors that
the big film companies have indicated a
trend toward selectivity rather than quantity
for the coming year, adding "we sincerely
hope we'll get that selectivity."
At the afternoon session. Denning called
upon Lamar San-a, Jacksonville, legislative
chairman of MPEOF, who discussed two
phases of the tax situation on which he believed
enough attention had not been centered.
Sarra referred to ad valorem (real
and personal property taxes) and occupational
license taxes. The excise or admissions tax,
he said, is, of course, of first importance, but
these others are taxes too and they have risen
steadily. Sarra recommended that a concerted
effort on the part of exhibitors be
made to see that relief comes from these
directions also.
CONTACT TAX AGENCIES
He had a definite plan to offer the group.
"This is the key year," he told exhibitors,
"for you personally to discuss with your tax
assessor the city and county real and personal
property tax rate."
Sarra stressed several times during his
talk that the tax assessors, tax collectors and
the controller have been cooperative and
sympathetic when approached for discussion,
and are willing to work with theatre
people insofar as they are able toward a
m.ore equitable tax adjustment.
Ad valorem taxes, he said, have been
allowed to rise steadily over a period of
years and a substantial reduction is needed.
There has been no positive attempt on the
part of exhibitors, he pointed out, to explain
to the tax assessor in city and county how
badly this tax reduction is needed and just
what the individual situation is.
There is another opportunity for tax relief
that Sarra thinks exhibitors should try to do
something about. He suggested that they
make a concerted effort to adjust the big
discrepancy in occupational license fees
charged showmen as compared to other business
men.
Sarra said that theatremen consider them-
Seated at the luncheon during the one-day convention of the Motion Picture
Exhibitors of Florida in Miami, left to right, around the table: B. B. Garner,
Lakeland, treasurer; Harry Gordon, Orlando; Paul Harrison, RKO; A. W. Corbett,
Miami, Claughton general manager; Edward Claughton jr., Miami; Lillian Claughton,
Miami; Don Tilzer, Miami, Claughton publicist, and Kitty Harwood, BOXOFFICE
representative.
Above, seated, left to right: Robert F. Green, Elmer Hecht, Van Myers, Elmer
Radloff, all of Wometco, Miami; Paul Bruun, amusement editor, Miami Beach
Sun; Lamar Sarra, Jacksonville; Herbert Wood, Marathon.
selves merchants and believe they deserve to
be recognized as such. "If we believe we are
merchants like any other merchants in our
community," he said emphatically, "then why,
we should ask ourselves, do we pay $300 for
a license when a store pays $30?"
Here again, Sarra pointed out, is where the
exhibitor and the state tax collector should
try to reach a better understanding. Exhibitors
might well feel it their responsibility
to sit down with their tax collector and
Discussing business conditions at the
convention, left to right: Horace Denning,
president of MPEOF, Jacksonville;
Harry Gordon, Orlando; Herbert Wood,
Marathon, and Lamar Sarra, Jacksonville.
freely discuss what most theatremen regard
as a discriminatory tax rate. Experience has
proved, he said, that these officials are glad
to meet with exhibitors for such discussion.
This includes, of course, the state controller,
Sarra added, with whom also it is important
to meet in his over-all supervisory capacity.
Sarra also touched on the admissions tax,
feeling that it is advisable for exhibitors to
keep abreast of what changes, if any, may
be coming up in the matter of amending city
charters. He reminded the group that in Florida,
due to the state sales tax law, cities are
prohibited from levying any amusement tax.
Next on the agenda was a forum discussion
about the various new film processes. James
Partlow of Orlando headed the forum, and
others on the platform were Harvey Fleischman
of Miami. Lamar Sarra, Danny Seaver of
Jacksonville and William Duggan of West
Palm Beach.
First question from the floor was whether
drive-in exhibitors had found that Cinema-
Scop>e features held up at the boxoffice after
the novelty wore off—after the second or
third picture. One exhibitor said that after
the third such feature he had put back his
regular double bill. It was agreed that not
enough drive-ins had shown CinemaScope yet
to make any accurate evaluation. It was the
general opinion, however, that the same pattern
emerged in practically every theatre
(Continued on following page)
BOXOmCE :
: June 26, 1954
SE 51

Product, Taxes and New Processes
Are Florida Convention Subjects
(Continued from preceding page)
.i
a good picture draws the business and a poor
one doesn't, regardless of process.
The problem of whether two .speakers were
desirable for reproduction of new sound systems
was discussed at some length. Drive-in
men were unanimous in saying that two
speakers were "a headache." All thought that
they were not necessary, and that little difference
was noted with two. In fact, it was found
that patrons pretty generally left one speaker
hanging on the post anyway, not bothering
with two.
Other drive-in problems in showing Cinemascope
lenses is so technical it's very hard to understand
or to know what to do."
and the Gladiators," 'Queen of Sheba,' 'Ten
what's coming, to name a few: 'Demetrius
In his talk at the closed session earlier in Commandments,' 'Joseph and His Brethren,'
the day Rothchild outlined forthcoming product
from the major film studios, saying, "from mon's Daughters,' "Pilate's Wife,' 'The Gali-
•The Quest of the Holy Grail,' 'King Solo-
the Broadway stage comes a line of hits in leans,' 'Sign of the Pagan,' 'The Prodigal,'
the making, such as 'Oklahoma!'
'Daniel and the Woman of Babylon,' "The
"Columbia has both 'Pal Joey' and the Miracle' and 'The Silver Chalice.' "
Pulitzer prize winning 'Picnic' on its docket. Rothchild got a laugh from the group when
An impressive array from MGM includes he added, "They must have a wad of dough
Glass Slipper,' 'Hit the Deck,' 'Victoria tied up in Elgypt, because we're going to get
were touched upon, lenses coming
in for mention. The question as to whether Exhibitors noted at the convention included,
film rental increased with the use of wide
left to right: William Duggan,
screen brought a negative reply from the West Palm Beach; James Fartlow, Orlando,
panel.
There was lively talk about flat versus and Harvey Fleischman, Wometco,
Miami.
curved screens. One exhibitor said that after
much talk on the subject, he still was undecided
on what to install in his theatre. That includes 'Sabrina Pair,' 'Country Girl,' 'Liv-
Regina' and 'Kismet.' The Paramount lineup
the curved screen was not satisfactory for ing It Up.' Warners will have 'Mr. Roberts'
drive-in use seemed to be generally agreed and 'High Button Shoes,' and 20th-Fox plans
upon, the flat giving a better picture with a 'Carmen Jones.'
brighter flow of light on the outer edges. "Best-selling novels offer another fine
The entire trend, it was thought, was toward source of forthcoming product, such as 'The
the flat screen.
Caine Mutiny,' just released by Columbia.
Harvey Fleischman said that in the experience
Three films from best-selling books from
of the circuit he represented, with more 20th-Pox will be 'The Egyptian,' 'Desiree'
than 30 houses of various types and shapes, and 'Lord Vanity.' Universal is preparing
it had been found that the shape of the 'Foxfire.'
theatre dictated the type of screen. A fanshaped
theatre, he said, was better off with Eden,' 'Giant,' 'The High and the Mighty,'
"The Warner stockpile includes 'East of
a curved screen, while a long, narrow house 'Quietly My Captain Waits.' UA, from Hechtfound
a flat screen much more efficient. Lancaster productions, has 'Apache' and 'The
Two booklets and a sample of film were Gabriel Horn.' From Edward Small is to
placed on each chair at the afternoon session, come 'New York Confidential.'
describing VistaVision. This process came in "Encouraged by the pubhc reaction to
for some discussion, but as one exhibitor expressed
it, "All this talk of processes and have really discovered the Bible.
'The Robe,' studios will soon show that they
Here's
Around the luncheon table, also, left to right: Arv Rothchild, secretary, Jacksonville;
Bert Jordon, Coca-Cola, Miami; Pete Sones, Tampa; H. T. Spears, Atlanta;
lloUvar Hyde, Lakeland; Louis Gold, Pahokee; Jack Barrett, JacksonviUe, and Jerry
wold, vire-president, West Palm Beach.
a flood from that country much worse than
the famou.s flood of Noah's days. Fox will
bring out 'The Egyptian,' MGM will have
Valley of the Kings,' Columbia will film 'Last
of the Pharoahs,' Universal produces 'Curse
of the Scarlet Sphinx' and Warners plans
'The Land of the Pharoahs." "
Rothchild said that speaking of foreignproduced
pictures, he has become somewhat
suspicious. "It seems," he said, "that the
pattern Ls to feature a Hollywood name at
the top of the cast, though usually none of
the other players are known by American
audiences. Examples of this are Columbia's
Pai-atrooper' with Alan Ladd, 'Hell Below-
Zero' and Black Knight.' "
OUTLINES NEW PRODUCT
Giving a quick rundown of what is reputed
to be important material to be issued
soon, Rothciiild mentioned Allied Artists'
"Arrow in the Dust," Columbia's "Caine
Mutiny," "The Long Gray Line" in Cinema-
Scope, and in 3-D, 'The Great Green Og."
Lippert, he said, had "nothing tremendous
coming, but several of what looked like good
programmers, the kind of bottom-half stuff
that everyone needs. From MGM, there will
come 'Beau Brummell,' 'Betrayed,' 'Brigadoon'
in Cinemascope, 'Cobweb' and others.
"From Paramount we'll have 'Bridges at
Toko Ri,' 'Country Girl,' Rear Window,' 'Run
for Cover,' "Sabrina Fair,' 'Three-Ring Circus,'
'To Catch a Thief and 'White Christmas.'
"RKO will bring out 'Conqueror' and 'Jet
Pilot'; Republic will have 'Shanghai Story';
20th-Fox — 'Broken Lance' in Cinemascope,
Garden of Evil,' Pink Tights,' 'There's No
Business Like Show Business." There will be
lots of pictures from UA — 'Black Tuesday,'
etc. From Universal 'Black Shield of Falworth,'
'Sign of the Pagan,' etc. Warners
has 'Dragnet,' 'Drumbeat,' 'Ring of Fear" and
A Star Is Born." '"
TWO WOMEN PRESENT
Mrs. Edward N. Claughton was in charge
of local arrangements for the convention.
Beside Mrs. Claughton, there was one other
woman exhibitor present, Mrs. C. E. Shingler
of Clearwater.
Those attending the convention from Florida
included Horace Denning, president,
Jacksonville; Arv Rothchild, secretary, Jacksonville;
B. B. Garner, treasurer. Lakeland;
JeiTy Gold, vice-president. West Palm
Beach. Sonny Shepherd of this city is another
vice-president, but due to unavoidable
circumstances could not attend.
Others present included William Duggan,
West Palm Beach; Bolivar Hyde, Lakeland;
Iggy Carbonell, Key West; Louis Gold,
Pahokee; Lillian Claughton, Edward Claughton
sr. and Edward jr., Miami; A. W. Corbett,
Miami; K. T. Barfield, St Petersburg; Jack
Barrett, Jacksonville; Harry Gordon, Orlando;
Ed Campbell, Nate Bernstein and
Walt Woodward, all of Miami: W. P. Mize,
Delray Beach; H. T. Spears, Atlanta; Danny
Seaver, Jacksonville; C. M. Rodberg and Phil
Matthews, both of Fort Lauderdale; S. A.
Ashworth. Hallandale; A. T. Ashworth, Fort
Lauderdale; Al Weiss, Miami; Herbert wood,
Marathon; Harvey Fleischman, Stanley Stern
and Elmer Radloff, all of Miami; Pete Sones,
Tampa; Bob Cannon, Live Oak; Roy Smith,
Jacksonville Candy Co.; Lamar Sarra. Jacksonville;
Robert F. Green, Miami; Mi-s. C. E.
Shingler, Clearwater; E. J. Melniker, Miami;
George Baldwin, We.st Palm Beach; Alvin
Walder and Charles Walder, both of Miami;
Paul HarrLson, RKO Florida representative.
BOXOFTICE :
: June 26, 1954

CHARLOTTE
•irariety's disk jockey contest was won by
Genial Gene of radio station WGIV.
Scott Lett, chairman of the contest, says the
winner got over 10,000 votes. The proceeds
went to the Variety Club children's eye and
Mary Ellen Crump, contract
ear clinic . . .
clerk at Universal, is honeymooning in Florida
Hugh Puckett, Universal booker, is
. . . Bruce Grice,
vacationing in California . . .
former booker at 20th-Pox now in the marines,
was a visitor on the Row Monday.
Bob Simril, manager at National Screen
Service, has been receiving many orders on
his SuperScope lenses . . . Emilie Lowe,
National Screen, is vacationing at Myrtle
Beach, S. C. . . . New owner of the San-Lee
Drive-In, Sanford, is J. R. Mason . . . Luther
Smith, former manager of the Magnolia
Drive-In, Charleston, and the Midway Drive-
In, Fayetteville, is now manager of the
drive-in at Belmont, owned by J. H. "Cy"
Dillon.
Miss Lib Coltharp, in charge of the statistical
department at Consolidated Theatres,
recently married Robert L. McKee of Pineville
. . . Consolidated Theatres revealed that
all of its drive-ins will have wide screens by
July 15. The last one to be installed will be
the Fox at Aiken, S. C.
Charlotte Theatre Supply Co. has installed
Cinemascope equipment in Hall's Drive-In.
West Columbia. S. C, owned by Harold Hall
. . . Lt. Delmar Sherrill. formerly with Stateville
Theatre Corp.. was on the Row while
on leave . . . James L. Hurtt, Independent
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EXHIBITORS' SERVICES
502 South Second St. Memphis, Tennessee
P. O. Box No. 2454
Theatre Supply, has bought a new home . . .
Sixth Vice-President Jonstone gave gold
cards to Charles P. McAllister. W. J. McLendon
and Ollie Moyle at an operators Local
322 banquet held at the Cardinal house.
A small tornado in Aiken played havoc at
the Tower Drive-In, operated by Consolidated
Theatres. The screen was wrecked. Reconstruction
will start immediately and it is
hoped to have it in operation again by
July 10.
RKO home office representative Frank
Zupman is spending some time at the Charlotte
Filmrow Softball team is
branch . . . having a hard time staying up at top place.
The team was one game off last week . . .
Stewart Henderson replaces Charles Root as
assistant shipper at Republic.
Karl Eugene Hargett is the new booker at
UA . . . UA finished in second place in the
Arthur Krim 35th Anniversary drive, after
placing first in the first and third laps . . .
•Wil-Kin Theatre Supply reports Mrs. Margaret
Baker has been transferred from Atlanta
to the Charlotte branch. Wil-Kln has
installed projection equipment and magnetic
sound at the Belmont Drive-In. Greenville;
Cinemascope equipment in the Dreamland
Drive-In, Asheville; Midway, Lancaster;
Greer Drive-In. Greer; Scenic Drive-In,
Spartanburg; Ashcraft superpower lamps and
selenium rectifiers in Skyway Drive-In. Columbia,
and complete concession stand equipment
in the Plaza, Asheville.
. . .
. . Thea-
Lewis J. Whitley has installed new Peerless
Magnarc lamps and rectifiers purchased from
National Theatre Supply Allan Locke,
statistician and booker at Wilby-Kincey Service
Corp., is on vacation in Florida .
. . .
tre Promotions & Booking has opened the
Prince Avenue Drive-In. Athens, Ga.
Margaret Raines, Theatre Booking, is in the
hospital.
On the Row were North Carolinians J. R.
Bolick. Carolina Drive-In, Lenoir; Sam
Trencher, Landis, Landis; J. W. Griffin jr..
Grace, Forest City; Roy Champion, Starlite
Drive-In. Wilson; Jim Highsmith. Robersonville;
Joe Acardi. Skyline Drive-In, Morganton;
F. B. Grigg. Diane 29 Drive-In, Gastonia;
Roy Rowe, Pender. Burgaw; Fibber
McGhee, Winston-Salem Drive-In. Winston-
Salem; George Whitley. Laur-Max Drive-In,
Laurinburg; H. P. Campbell. Skyland Drive-
In, Skyland; O. T. Kirby, Palace, Roxboro;
John Kime, State, Roseboro; R. D. McGowan,
Joyce, Spring Hope; Carry Caudell, Wallace,
Wallace; Gilbert Faw, Badin Road Drive-In,
Albermarle, and Jimmie Earnhardt, Eden,
Edenton.
South Carolinians in town included George
Ward. Chesnee Drive-In. Chesnee; M. D.
Goodnough. Royal, Simpsonville; W. A. Bagley.
Chester Drive-In, Chester; Bob Jeffres.
Fort Rock Drive-In. Rock Hill; R. T. Albright.
Ritz, Newberry; Jodie Holland. Lyman, Lyman;
L. T. Little. Little. Camden; Lelon
Young. Broadway, Clinton: Mr. Cook, Cook,
Walterboro, and Mrs. Curtis Tarlton, Orangeburg
Drive-In, Orangeburg.
Plans C'Scope for Lumberton, N. C.
LUMBERTON. N.C.—The Riverside Thea
tre will install Cinemascope, according
Manager Paul Lewis.
'Prince' Tops Memphis
With 175 Per Cent
MEMPHIS—Loew's State led the attendance
parade with MGM's "The Student
Prince," which did 175 per cent. The Warner
Theatre scored 125 per cent with "Pinocchio."
(Average Is 100)
Worner— Pinocchio (RKO), reissue 125
Palace—Men of the Fighting Lady (MGM), 2nd
wk 100
Strand—Secret of the Incos (Para), 3rd wk 90
Maico—Drums Across the River (U-l) 100
State—The Student Prince (MGM) 175
Welding Torch Sparks
Start Fire on Screen
SHREVEPORT—Sparks from a welding
torch in the hands of a workman enlarging
the screen of the Joy Drive-In here set fire
to the screen and caused damages e.stimated
by F^re Chief Floyd Kendrick at about $10,-
000. The loss is covered fully by insurance.
The damage was repaired sufficiently for
the show to continue that evening.
Installs CS at $25,000 Cost
NASHVILLE—The Colonial Drive-In at
suburban Madison has completed installation
of Cinemascope at a cost of more than
$25,000, according to Manager Joe Hart.
ALWAYS
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ANNOUNCEMENT
1327 S. Wibish - Chiocc III. 630 Ninth A». - New Ytrt N. Y
^B

—
'Three Coins Stunt Aids Variety Fund
MIAMI— Pranklin Maury and Mel Haber,
managing director and house manager, rejpectively.
of Wometco's Miracle here, netted
the local Variety Committee of 1.000 approximately
$550 with their promotion on "Three
Coins in the Fountain." The committee was
established to raise 1,000 gifts of $100 for the
Variety Children's hospital.
Maury and Haber's idea was to simply place
throughout the city a number of wishing wells
or fountains that would boost the feature
and earn a sizable gift for the charity hospital
by giving pa.ssersby the opportunity
for a wish for a coin.
As soon as the picture was booked, they
thought of the wishing well idea and the
tieup with Variety Children's hospital.
Working with Variety, they were able to
get into all the large hotels, restaurants and
even banks. The neighborhood theatres also
cross-plugged it.
They had 50 inexpensive fountains made.
Borrowing a truck from a dealer, they went
to theatres picking up empty popcorn seasoning
cans. They cleaned them thoroughly, and
covered them with a paper printed to simulate
cobblestones. Above each of the wi-shing
fountains a rustic wood panel was attached
that read: "Make a Wish. Help Variety
Children's Hospital. Toss Your Coin in the
Fountain. See 'Three Coins in the Fountain'
in Cinemascope and Technicolor. Carib
Miami—Miracle Now."
The opening date was sniped over the
word now, so that after the picture opened
the date was removed and the rest remained
current.
The idea caught on and they received help
from the local radio and television stations,
as well as the newspapers. In mentioning
the opportunity to contribute to a good cause,
they all mentioned where the picture was
playing. Newspaper columnists used paragraphs
on the stunt, especially Jack Bell of
the Herald, one of Variety's active workers
and prominent in the Committee of 1,000
drive.
They also
made a contact with the record
WE GUARANTEE A PROFIT!
WITH OUR TOP GROSSING
FEATURE ATTRACTIONS
1. "THE MARIHUANIA STORY"
(A new half-million-dollar production)
2. "SIDE STREETS OF HOLLYWOOD"
(In onc-projcctor 3-D or flat)
3. "FOOLISH GIRLS"
4. "FORBIDDEN ADVENTURE"
(Authentic jungle picture)
5. "WILD OATS"
(Fools of desire)
These fcoturcs avoilable for play dotes, or for
sole on on exclusive state right distribution bosis.
A terrific opportunity for exhibitors ond others.
Moke big money on a smoH investment.
DICK
Address
C CRANE
3006 Foir Oaks Tompo, Florida
General Soles Manager for
SONNEY AMUSEMENT ENTERPRISES
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Mel Haber, left, house manager at Wometco's
Miracle, Miami; Franklin Maury,
center, managing: director. Miracle; Jack
columnist on the Miami Herald, are
Bell,
shown at the wishing well in the Miracle
lobby, one of the many set up in behalf
of the Variety Committee of 1,000.
distributor in the area, who furnished them
with the Prank Sinatra recordings of the
theme to send to radio stations. The records
were delivered in person by Maury and Haber
who explained to the stations about the fountains,
the song in the picture and the playdates.
Theatre passes in return for courtesies
were given to the radio people
Records were placed in the local juke boxes,
and processed cards were made up, reading:
"Hear Frank Sinatra sing 'Three Coins in
the Fountain.' See the picture, etc. ..."
These cards were distributed by the local
record distributor to record .shops. The cards
also were placed in the largest department
store in the city, a house normally closed
to publicity stunts, but sympathetic toward
Variety's hOvSpital.
On television. Judy Wallace, featured performer
on WTVJ, opened her show for three
weeks running by tossing three coins in one
of the fountains and making a wish.
For a street stunt a one-sheet was mounted
on a .stand, reading: "Help the Variety Children's
hospital . . . Toss three consecutive
coins into the fountain and win a pass to see
the movie." Publicity for the film consisted
of a couple of lines followed by information
that all coins would be given to the hospital.
The fountain stunt proved to be an easy
and effective way to collect small change
for a worthy charity from a great many
people.
"It wouldn't be a bad idea." Haber pointed
out, "if this plan were put in effect all over
the country in connection with the .showing
of the picture. A Variety Charity could benefit
from the collections, as could a local
hospital or any other worthy project."
Gives Benefit for Fund
SENECA, S. C.—Manager Harry Osteen of
the Fox Drive-In turned one night's proceeds
over to the Patsy Lynch fund. The young
girl, a senior at Westminster high school,
was seriously injured In an automobile accident
over a month ago and has not as yet
regained consciousness. The fund was Inaugurated
to pay the growing hospital and
medical bills.
The Allied Artists film, formerly titled
"Wanted by the F.B.I. ." has been changed
to "Security Risk."
Palsied Youths Attend
Atlanta Scout Camp
ATLANTA—Sixteen boys, victims of cerebral
palsy and attendants at the Variety
Club-sponsored Cerebral Palsy School-Clinic
of Atlanta, .spent six days at Boy Scout camp
Bert Adams in Cobb county last week as
guests of the Buckhead Lions club.
Six of the boys cannot walk and live in
wheelchairs. The others wear leg braces or
use crutches. Some cannot speak, and four
of them must be fed.
J. P. Hunter, Lions club member, accompanied
them on the camping trip, as did Miss
Martha Schnebly, an occupational therapist
with the palsy school. The school receives
much of its financial backing from Variety
Tent 21 and is aided considerably by the
Old Newsboys day sale, held each year in
conjunction with the Atlanta Newspapers.
Inc.
This was the first time most of the boys
had been away from home for as long as a
v;eek, but they plunged into the routine of
camp with determination, living in rough
wooden huts, cooking their own meal one
night, soaking up nature lore, learning to
read a compass, learning to tie knots, to
weave and to do other handiwork. They put
on a skit for the camp one night, entitled,
"Casey at the Bat." Some of the basemen
played from wheelchairs, with Casey himself
wearing leg braces.
Atlanta Variety Holds
Final Summer Meeting
ATLANTA—In its last meeting for the summer,
the Atlanta Variety Club showed a film
of the Old Newsboy day parade and paper
iales on May 14. All of the money raised
Was for the Cerebral Palsy School-Clinic
here.
Many of the members present got a big
kick out of seeing themselves in the film.
Chief Barker A. B. Padgett, who is again back
from an operation which shelved him for a
week, operated the 16mm projector. Questions
were brought up on how the barkers
can do a better job in 1955 on Old Newsboy
day. Marc Barre reported that this year
closed at $66,000, which was about $10,000
more than the previous year.
Paper Censors Title
JACKSONVILLE—Bill Beck, Five Points
manager, ran newspaper ads on "Indiscretion
of an American Wife" which did not reveal
the name of the film, since the title was
alleged to have been censored by the paper.
As the Five Points is a de luxe, first run
house. Beck was forced to double up on his
radio and TV advertising.
New Albany Gets Airer
NEW ALBANY, MISS.—The first drive-in
theatre here, the Union, was opened June
3. The 350-car airer is a Flexer Theatres
project.
Etwoah Lobby Remodeled
ATTALLA. ALA.—Manager Jack Brown reports
he has completed a renovation of the
lobby at the Etwoah Theatre. The concession
stand and the manager's office have been
relocated. Brown's office now has a street
entrance.
54 BOXOmCE June 26, 1954

. . The
. . W.
. . Doris
ATLANTA
ivyrary Ellen Kay, who appears in Mickey
. .
Spillane's "The Long Wait." was in
Manager
for
two days of personal appearances .
Otto Gross said the Central Theatre,
in which a wall-to-wall screen was recently
installed, will now play encore runs of currently
popular films. "Roman Holiday."
"Moulin Rouge," "Lure of the Wilderness."
"From Here to Eternity" and "The Long,
Long Trailer" are booked for coming weeks.
More than 145,000 people during the last
four weeks have stood in lines several blocks
long to see "Gone With the Wind" at Loew's
Grand . Atlanta WOMPIs will elect
officers at the July meeting. Grace Bramblett,
member, was recently installed as worthy
grand matron of the Eastern Star for the
state of Georgia. The WOMPIs national convention
will be September 18, 19 at the
Baker hotel, Dallas. The four clubs taking
part are Atlanta, Dallas, Memphis and New
Orleans.
. . . Lynda
Betty Scott, United Artists, has recuperated
from an appendectomy
Burnett of United Artists and Phyllis Harden
of National Screen are vacationing in Bermuda
at the Elbow Beach Surf club. They
left New York on the Queen of Bermuda.
Leila Hall of Columbia is in Miami visiting
her daughter M. Richardson, Astor
.
Pictures, left on a business trip to New York.
James Bello, Astor salesman, has been in
Jacksonville and other Florida towns
Mrs. Mary Brockett of Crescent
. . .
Amusement
Co., Nashville, fell and broke her right arm
recently.
J. L. Raulerson Gives Free
Melons to Film Patrons
CLEARWATER, PLA.—As a promotion
stunt, J. L. Raulerson, owner of the Outdoor
Theatre, gave away 5,000 watermelons, one
to a patron.
Raulerson has a 75-acre farm at Fort
Meade, Fla., on which he raises the popular
New Hampshire Midget melons which weigh
from one and one-half to six pounds, and
the large 20-pound Congos. The melons retail
for 50 cents and up. Raulerson had a bumper
crop this season and after shipping 22 carloads
of them (800 to 1,100 to a car) decided
to make his customers happy with the rest.
Sued Over Log Accident
ORLANDO, FLA.—John R. Sutton and L.
K. Nass, operators of the Vogue, and Conway
D. Kittredge, a local real estate broker,
are being sued for $13,000 by Mr. and Mrs.
Raymond Stone. She charges she was permanently
injured when struck by a log as
she left the theatre last February, claiming
that Kittredge negligently drove over the unsecured
log on the theatre property which
caused it to fly up and strike her.
Buys Anconorphic Lens
INDIANOLA, MISS.—Manager Ben Jackson
of the Honey Tlieatre announced that
an anamorphic lens has been purchased and
that he expects to present his first Cinema-
Scope picture July 4.
Many Florida Theatres
Install CinemaScope
JACKSONVILLE—All across the state new
Cinemascope screens and equipment are being
installed.
At the Normandy Outdoor Theatre, work
has just been completed on a pair of giant
screens, which Danny Dever, manager, says
is the first outdoor installation of its kind
to be made in northern Florida.
At the Florida Theatre in Vero Beach,
Manager Aixhie Adams reports that his Cinemascope
installation is completed.
Tarpon Springs will soon have the new
screen and sound equipment in operation at
the Tarpon Theatre. Floyd Bowman is manager.
Edward Eckert, owner-manager of the
Palms, has completed installation of a new
screen and other equipment.
At Cocoa, alterations of the State's facilities,
which have been going on for some
time, in order to provide for the installation
of the new Cinemascope equipment, have
been completed. Randolph Ellinor is manager.
Para. Holds Sales Meeting
NEW ORLEANS—A Paramount sales
ference was held Monday (21)
con-
at the Roosevelt
hotel. Among those who attended were
Dr. Charles R. Daily, a member of the studio's
technical research department and an
authority on VistaVision; Herb Steinberg of
New York, national exploitation manager;
Sidney Deneau, New York; Gordon Bradley,
assistant eastern and southern division manager;
Robert Bixler, Dallas, southwestern publicity
and exploitation representative; William
Holliday, Paramount manager, and the sales
and booking staff of the local exchange.
CS for Rockingham, N.C.
ROCKINGHAM, N. C—The Strand Theatre
is installing Cinemascope equipment which,
according to Manager Hughes, will cost approximately
$5,000.
MIAMI
fJarvey Fleischman and Elmer Radloff,
Wometco executives, are leaving on a
one-week cruise to Bimini. They will board
their cruiser at the Rod and Reel club docks
on Hibiscus Island, and anyone who wants to
wave goodbye will have to be up at 5 a. m.,
Fleischman says, as they plan a dawn start.
Ralph Puckhaber, manager of Florida
State's downtown Florida Theatre, is packing
for a vacation that will take him on a leisurely
tour of the state with stopoffs in
Tampa, Sarasota and St. Petersburg. Jamaica
is on his program later . . . Manager Tim
Tyler gifted his patrons with another sneak
preview at the downtown Miami . . . Manager
Walter Klements scheduled "The Passionate
Sentry" as a Friday evening preview dividend.
Amusement editor Paul Gruun of the Miami
Beach Sun devoted a column to the proposed
5 per cent amusement tax which the city of
New York seeks to levy. He printed the letter
which management and union representatives
wrote to Gov. Thomas E. Dewey appealing to
him for aid in their fight against the proposed
plan.
Friends of Earl Potter, manager of the
Tivoli, were sorry to hear of the recent death
of his father. Potter will be absent from the
theatre for some weeks . Beck, chairman
of the women volunteers of Variety Children's
hospital, spoke before the Pilot club
recently. The club has pledged $1,500 for the
Committee of 1,000.
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BOXOFHCE June 26, 1954 55

. . . Manager
. . . Exhibitors
. . James
. . Mr.
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MEMPHIS
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been opened for the first time this year, and
Jack Wright, president of Marshall County
Drive-In Theatre, Inc., has opened the new
300-car Marshall County Drive-In at Benton,
Ky. All will book and buy in Memphis.
Paramount executives met Thursday (24)
at the local exchange. Dr. Charle.s R. Daily,
VistaVision authority of the technical research
department of Paramount; Herb Steinberg,
national exploitation manager, and Sidney
Deneau, both from New York; Al Kane,
south central division manager; Howard
Nicholson. Memphis manager, and Robert
Bixler, southwestern publicity and exploitation
representative, Dallas, attended. Purpose
of the meeting was to discuss forthcoming
Paramount product and VistaVision.
Manager Cecil Vogel of Loew's Palace will
open "Three Coins in the Fountain" July 3
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Arthur Groom will bring "Gone
With the Wind" back to Loew's State on the
Manager Watson
wide screen July 3 . . .
Davis of Malco will open "The Caine Mutiny"
Manager Eli Arkin of Warner
July 22 . . .
scheduled "The High and the Mighty" at the
Manager J. C. Beasley
Warner June 30 . . .
said "Knock on Wood," "Living It Up" and
"About Mrs. Leslie" were summer prospects
Manager Joe Simon of the
he expected . . .
Ritz said "Tlie Pickwick Papers" and "The
A.ssassin" were among summer fare he has
planned.
B. G. Hall, owner, reopened his Home Theatre,
Holcomb. Mo., June 26. He will book
and buy in Memphis . Tate, owner,
closed his City Theatre at Lobelville, Tenn.
A. L. Pilgrim, owner, closed his WNC Theatre
at Flippin, Ark. . and Mrs. J. R.
Keller, Joiner, Joiner; K. H. Kinney, Hays,
Hughes: C. F. Bonner and his son, C. R.
Bonner, Community, Pine Bluff; William
Elias, Murr, Osceola; J. T. James, James.
Cotton Plant, and Gorden Hutchins, State,
Corning, were among visiting Arkansas exhibitors.
W. H. Gray, Rutherford, Rutherford; N. B.
Fair, Pair, Somerville; E. F. Pollock, Strand,
Hohenwald, and Louise Mask, Luez, Bolivar,
were in town from west Tennessee.
From Mississippi came B. F. Jackson, Ruleville;
Ethel Lobdell, Talisman, Rosedale, and
A. N. Rossie, Roxy, Clarksdale . . . Mrs. Elizabeth
DeGuire, Shannon, Portageville; E. G.
Vandiver, Palace, Kennett, and Lyle Richmond,
Richmond, Senath, were in town from
Missouri.
Monarch Theatre Supply Co.
has installed
Cinemascope equipment, with RCA stereophonic
sound and RCA Dyna-Lite screen in
the Bristol at Memphis and the house now is
showing "The Robe." . Katz, Kay
Films, Atlanta, was a visitor . . . Henry Plitt,
New Orleans, Paramount Gulf Theatres, was
in on business.
Seen on Filmrow were Nathan Flexer, Mi-
De-Ga Theatre and Lake Drive-In, V/averly,
Tenn.; J. A. Thornton, Bruce, Bruce, Miss.,
and Howard Langford, Folly, Marks, Miss.
Services has contracted to do
the booking and buying for Joy and Annex
theatres, Pontotoc, Miss., owned by Grady
Cook.
Completes Remodeling
ASHVILLE. N.C.—Imperial Theatre Manager
Frank LaBar jr. reports the completion
of an extensive remodeling program. New
Heywood-Wakefield kick-up type seats have
been installed as have two Chrysler Airtemp
air conditioning units. According to LaBar,
the entire theatre from marquee to screen
has been modernized under a decorative
scheme designed by Six Associates, Inc. The
Imperial Is equipped to show Cinemascope
productions.
Don Wills Graduates to Wometco
FORT LAUDERDALE—Donald Wills, a
uraiiuate from the local high school, landed
a permanent job the day after graduation
with Wometco Theatres. He will serve as
assistant manager of the Gateway.
Tallahassee Houses Loses
$400 to Armed Bandit
TALLAHASSEE—A gunman got away with
$400 in bills from the safe of the Florida Theatre.
Only part of the day's receipts had been
brought in.
Tommy Hyde, city manager of the theatre,
was in his office on the second floor of the
Florida at about 9 p. m. when a man entered
and forced him to open the safe. B. F. Hyde
jr., a brother of the manager, was visiting
him at the time, and the bandit forced
Tommy to tie him up. Then Tommy was
tied. Both men were made to enter a closet,
where they were locked in.
Eunice, La., Gets C'Scope
EUNICE, LA.—The Liberty Theatre Co. has
purchased the equipment necessary for the
showing of Cinemascope and VistaVision
pictures and is installing same at the Liberty
and Queen theatres.
Drive-In Robbed of $75
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FLA.—Two young
men, dressed as cowboys, held up the boxoffice
of the Prairie Lake Drive-In. Theatre
Manager L. P. Mynderse estimated the
loss at $75.
Portrays Redskin in 'Crazy Horse'
Keith Larsen has been cast as a redskin
in the U-I picture, "Chief Crazy Horse," starring
Victor Mature.
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ORLEANS
pNonald B. Fiske, owner of the Fiske, Oak
Grove, Lake and Lake Drive-In, Lake
Providence, who is seeking re-election as Republican
mayor of Oak Grove, took a commanding
lead over his nearest opponent as
the latest official tallies were released . . .
Mitter Adams opened his 200-car Jim and
Tim Drive-In at Florida, Ala., Tuesday (22i.
Buying and booking of the new airer will be
handled by S. A. Wright of Southern Theatres
Service.
. . .
C. Barrett and C. Largove jr. will reopen
the now closed Pox Theatre, Shuqualak, Miss.
M. Holson has sold her Lynne,
G. H.
Brandon, Miss., to G. A. Pollitz . . .
Goodwin has closed the Swan, Bastop
A freak windstorm knocked down the screen
tower at the East Forest Drive-In, Petal, Miss.
J. E. Adams, owner, will rebuild the tower,
which will be completed by July 4.
Gaston Dureau, president of Paramount-
Gulf Theatres, has returned from a threemonth
tour of Europe . . . Ralph Hogan, MGM
salesman, has resigned to join an advertising
firm in Mobile.
JACKSONVILLE
The new Southside Drive-In, managed by
Marshall Fling, opened with "The Best
Years of Our Lives" followed by "The French
Line" and the first local outdoor showing of
"The Robe" . . . The southside's projection
booth was designed by a local man, B. A.
"Doc" Cawthon . . . Elizabeth Bannister has
rejoined the staff of the Empress Theatre . .
Rellie Smith, Imperial assistant, left on a
vacation.
Nellie Green, 20th-Pox film inspector, died
. . . New 20th-Fox employes are Betty Lawrence,
stenographer, and Vernon Flawlins,
film shipper . 20th-Fox shipping depai-tment
now is handling the optical prints,
which had been routed out of New York . . .
T. P. Tidwell, 20th-Pox manager, handed
out promotions to Rachael Pruitt, Anita Mcall
Daniels and Mai-y Thm-man .
the city's industryites turned out for the large
screen TV showing of the Marciano-Charles
fight at the Florida Theatre, managed by
Bob Skaggs. All seats went for $2.75.
Seen on Filmrow were Tom Lewis, booker
and theatre equipment salesman; French
Harvey, manager, Daytona, Daytona Beach;
Bob Daugherty, general manager, Carl Floyd
Theatres, Haines City; Milton Frackman,
Miami, and W. H. Smith, Brooksville.
Harold Spears, B&S Theatres, Atlanta, and
Pete Sones, Baylan Theatres, Tampa, piloted
their own planes to the Motion Picture Exhibitors
of Florida meeting in Miami . . .
Horace Denning left for Atlanta to confer
with Dixie Drive-In Theatres home office
officials . . . Fred Surber, a Texan, is the new
assistant manager at the Palace ... A
sneak preview of "The Royal Tour" was scheduled
at the Florida . . . Jimmy Biddle, Jasper
exhibitor, called on friends.
Installing Wide Screen
NASHVILLE, N.C.—Plans have been completed
to install a wide screen at the Nash,
according to owner W. O. Dickens.
RESEARCH BUREAU
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MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS
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The MODERN THEATRE
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825 Van Brunt Blvd.
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6-26-54
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
n Architectural
Service
n Lighting
Fixtures
n Plumbing Fixtures
n Projectors
n Projection Lamps
n Seating
n Signs and Marquees
n "Black" Lighting
n Building Material
n Carpets
n Coin Machines
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D Decorating
n Drink Dispensers
n Drive-In Equipment
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Address
City
State
Subjects
Capacity
Signed
Television
D Theatre Fronts
D Vending Equipment
Postage-paid reply cards for your further convenienc*
In obtaining information are provided in The MODERN
THEATRE Section, published with the first iitue ol
each month.
BOXOFFICE :
: June 26, 1954 57

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BOXOFTICE June 26, 1954

SAN ANTONIO
RyTrs. Dorothy Sonney of the pictui'e company
bearing her name, spent several days in
town. Two of her pictures played the Prince.
She said that "Glen or Glenda" and "The
Marihuana Story" will be available for playdates
at local di'ive-ins in July.
Burt Lancaster spent seevral hours here
James Hill, producer
from a Mexico trip . . .
of "Vera Cruz." was a one-day visitor here
en route back to Los Angeles.
Lee Aronstein. Joe Hyman. Morris Kelfer,
Harry Novy and Sydney Pearlman were in
charge of the fifth annual theatre pai'ty
given for two performances at the Arts
Wednesday. On the screen was "The Juggler,"
and there also was a special stageshow, with
proceeds going to benefit a Boy Scout troop
and the Agudas Achim brotherhood building
fund. The latter presented the fete.
John Santikos, manager of the Olmos, retui'ned
from a visit in Springfield, Mass.,
where he served as best man at a friends
wedding . . . Tlae Texas will be equipped for
Cinemascope next month. Interstate circuit
Gale Storm stopped over
officials said . . .
here en route from Hollywood to Dallas
where she is appearing at the State Fair
auditorium musicals.
Increases Airer Capacity
PORT LAVACA, TEX.—Arthur Heiling,
local manager for Long's Theatres, reports
that work has begun on the $70,000 project
to increase the capacity from 400 to 1,000 cars,
turning the airer into a twin-screen operation.
Also included in the program is construction
of a cafeteria-style concession
stand and new restrooms.
Add New Air Conditioner
IDABEL, OKLA.—W. A.
"Buddy" Gotcher,
manager of the State here, says that a newair
conditioning unit has been put into operation
at his theatre. The new gas-powered unit
is one of the first of its kind to be used in
southeastern Oklahoma. A water-cooled induction
type unit is also kept ready on a
standby basis in case of a breakdown of the
new unit.
Mgr. Named C. of C. Head
CLEVELAND, TEX.—Glen McClain, theatre
manager, has been named president of
the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce. Mc-
Clain, who originally came here in 1932 to
open a theatre, left Cleveland in 1934 and
was connected with the Long Theatres chain
until his return here as manager in 1952.
Vandals Damage Sign
BIG SPRING, TEX.—Vandals shattered
the electric sign at the entrance to the Jet
Drive-In. Rocks were thrown against the
sign causing extensive damage.
Winds Damage Texas Airer
BORGER, TEX.—Heavy winds reaching up
to 85 miles an hour damaged the Plains
Drive-In. According to Manager Ed Lee, several
fence sections were blown down, a number
of. speakers broken and the marquee severely
damaged.
PARADE FOR FILM—Harold Foreman, manager of the Graham Drive-In,
Graham, Tex., met the competition of the annual Possum Kingdom rodeo in that city
by entering the wagon shown above in the big downtown parade, wliich opened the
rodeo. The wagon and horse were borrowed from a local farmer and the parade entry
was topped with a banner advertising "Ma and Pa Kettle at Home." Total cost of the
stunt was $2.33, used for material for Ma Kettle's dress. Boothman Pete Mason rode
the wagon attired as Ma, and Foreman appeared as Pa. The boxoffice boy was
Crowbar the Indian, and local youngsters were happy to appear on the wagon as the
Kettle family, with their dogs and chickens and other pets. The wagon entry proved
good for many laughs in the parade and the theatre had good attendance, even with
the rodeo competition.
Roy T. Shield Has Returned
From Trip to New York
ENID—Roy T. Shield, owner-manager of
the Sooner, has returned home from Washington
and New York City. In Washington
he visited with Congressman Page Belcher
of Enid and in New York, he visited with his
daughter Virginia. He also visited relatives
in Chicago on his return trip. While in
Washington, he and Congressman Belcher attended
a ball game between the Washington
Senators and the Baltimore Orioles Miss
Shield plays character parts in TV plays
and works in public relations for the TB
Ass'n.
The Enid Drive-In, under the management
of Paul Shipley, treated patrons by admitting
an entire carload for only 50 cents. Business
has been brisk at the Esqu're since the installation
of Cinemascope and stereosound.
Matinee business has picked up since schools
have been dismissed for the summer.
STILLWATEIV-The Campus Theatre has
closed for the summer and will reopen early
in
the fall.
ARDMORE—The StarLite and Skyview
drive-ins recently admitted a carload for only
50 cents.—WESLEY TROUT.
Tyler, Tex., Airer Robbed
TYLER, TEX.^Chuck Johnson, manager of
the Rose Garden Drive-In here, reported that
a masked gunman robbed the airer of $158.75.
According to Johnson, the gunman, who was
wearing a woman's stocking over his face,
approached the ticket booth when Lois Blackstone,
the cashier, was alone and ordered her
to "give me all the money before I shoot you
in the face." The bandit then fled in a car
driven by cohort.
Paris, Tex., Holds 'Pinocchio' Contest
PARIS, TEX.—Truman Riley, local Interstate
Theatre manager, conducted a "Pinocchio"
contest through the Paris News.
Kingsville Gets C'Scope
KINGSVILLE, TEX. — CinemaScope has
been installed at the King's Drive-In, according
to Chester Kyle of Joseph & Kyle who
also said that construction is nearing com.-
pletion on the Rancho Drive-In which will
show some Spanish language pictiu-es.
Murder Stalks The Carnival
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H. C. Sorenson,
Tom
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Modern Theatre, visited Eagle Pass .
Vincent attended the opening of his 3-Way
Drive-In at Clifton, Ariz. . . . A. M. Gaines,
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% ^ Independence, Mo.
owner of the Bronco Drive-In, Beeville, reports
that he will start construction on a
600-car airer about two miles north of the
city and close to the navy jet training center.
Greer Garson, back home from Europe, left
again to report in Hollywood for work on
WB's "Strange Lady in Town" . J.
O'Donnell, Interstate executive, received the
Tom Tom award of the publicists guild in
Hollywood for "having done most for the
motion picture industry during the year."
Actress Dorothy Lamour made the presentation
after Jerry Wald, producer, lauded
O'Donnell.
Sonney Pictures has moved from 308 South
Harwood to 1710 Jackson, suite 210 . . . Hal
Norfleet, who suffered injuries in a recent
car accident, is still in Parkland hospital but
is reported doing very well . . . Neal Houston,
Manley Popcorn Co., is in east Dallas clinic
recovering after an operation.
Vacationers from Paramount include Madee
Bradley, short subjects booker, and Ethel
Charles Darden, C. A.
Hedge, cashier . . .
Dolsen and Ned Colvert showed a Variety
ranch film to Rotary clubs in Kilgore last
week. The picture, which serves as an introduction
to the Turtle Derby, was donated by
KRLD, which had ten 35mm prints of it
made. Colvert plans to tour the state presenting
the film and a talk to various luncheon
clubs.
Visitors at Herber Bros, were H. C. Gunter,
Buckhorn, Cayote, Alice; Ande Sisa, Liberty,
Lewisville; George Smith, Rio, Center; Mrs.
W. A. MacNett, Inez, Maples; Sherman
Leach, Texas. Jacksboro; C. R. Bailey, Ritz
Drive-In, Nocoma; Steve Curley, Arcadia,
Bridgeport; C. E. Campbell, Majestic Drive-
CONCESSION

. . The
—
.
—
OKLAHOMA CITY
TJoward C.
Federer, Center and State theatres,
and his wife are vacationing in
. . R. B. Williams, RKO, was in New
.
. . . George
. . .
. . Theatres and tent
Florida
Orleans for a company meeting
Pomeroy, whose Frontier Theatre recently
burned, is now scouting around for an art
house to operate The Warner Theatre,
now being remodeled, is due to open July 3
with "Johnny Dark" .
shows in Oklahoma recorded 10.42 per cent
decrease in sales tax collection during April
as compared to the same month of the
previous year. The state tax commission reports
$27,279.13 was collected in April.
New Cinemascope Installations include the
Victory at Poteau, owned by O. K. Kemp.
Oklahoma Theatre Supply did the installation.
OTS also installed Cinemascope at
the Empress, Waurika, owned by Ed Crew.
The Empress, in addition, has new seats and
underwent a general remodeling job, costing
about $12,000 . . . The Villa, owned by Charley
Ferris and managed by Bob Busch, has new
Cinemascope equipment. The Uptown, also
Ferris owned and Busch managed, plans to
install C.nemaScope soon . Valley at
Pauls Valley is due to have Cinemascope soon.
L. E. Brewer is the owner.
. .
Cecil and Emmalee Duncan of the Redskin
in Wetumka are planning to install Cinema-
Scope with magnetic sound . Loretta Ferris,
Uptown cashier and daughter of Charley
Ferris, owner of the Uptown and Villa, appeared
on TV recently when WKY-TV carried
the Lutheran hour. She sings in the
Lutheran church choir. She also sang the
lead role in a recent presentation of "Carmen."
Ferris plans to remodel the Villa inside
and out. He is building a large furniture
store adjoining the theatre and plans to have
the Villa's face lifted to coincide with the
grand opening of the store in late July or
early August.
Variety officials, including Connie Riggs
and Sol Davis, executive director and manager
of Tent 22, respectively, estimate the
club's recent fire damage at $4,500. The club
is located on the 24th floor of the Biltmore
hotel. Most of the damage occurred in the
lounge. Fire department officials said the
blaze started in a wastepaper basket after
the club had closed and apparently was caused
by a lighted cigaret.
The Criterion will reopen July 2 after
being closed for more than a month for a
complete inside transformation job. There
will be a new look in the lobby, new seats,
new carpeting, new draperies and a new
lighting effect. There will be a complete new
decor thi-oughout the Cooper Foundation theatre
cu-cuit owned situation. Eddie Thorne is
general manager for the circuit here, and
Gordon Leonard is manager of the theatre.
Seven Stunt Men Portray 'Kops'
Seven stunt men—Louie Tomei, Sailor Vincent,
Eddie Parker. Teddy Mangean, Jack
Shutta, Dick Crockett and Stubby Krueger
will portray the Keystone Kops in U-I's "Abbott
and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops."
Houston Drive-In Robbed
HOUSTON—Jack A. Farr's Skyway Drive-
In was robbed of $334.42 when thieves broke
into the office safe. According to Manager
Bill Jones, someone knocked the lock off a
door on the east end of the screen, entered
a storeroom, knocked a hole in the wall of
his office and then pried the bottom from
the safe.
Frontier Theatre to Open
PECOS, TEX.—Frontier Theatres' new
State will open Wednesday (30), according to
City Manager Al Cook. The CinemaScopeequipped
theatre features a modern concession
stand, six restrooms, push-back type
seats, a glassed in cryroom and year-around
air conditioning.
Bobby Lucchese Wins
SAN ANTONIO—Bobby Lucchese of the
Zaragosa Amusement Co. copped the Willow
Springs Sweepstakes golf tournament Sunday
with a 69-5—64, while Roy Pikes won the
renewal of the weekly sweepstakes of the
Riverside Ass'n with a 78-17—61.
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BOXOFFICE :
: June
26, 1954 61

Abilene Theatre Sold
ABILENE. TEX.—Mrs. Alpha Allen has
sold the Palace Theatre to R. A. Greenwade
of Rochester. Greenwade appointed Dee
Smith as manager. The theatre will show
Spanish-language films on weekends and
American product the remainder of the week.
Abilene Airer Installs C'Scope
ABILENE—Wally Akin. Interstate 's local
manager, reports the installation of Cinema-
Scope equipment at the Park Drive-In.
Lidia Guerrero, 14-year-old Mexican actress,
ha-s been set for a role in Warners'
"East of Eden" by Pi-oducer Elia Kazan.
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Robert Bassler Discusses
CinemaScope for Films
NEW YORK—"While CinemaScope sparked
a tremendous change in the exhibition field,
it has its disadvantages in being unable to
retain intimacy," according to Robert Bassler,
who directed "Beneath the 12-Mile Reef"
for 20th Century-Fox and is now producing
independently.
Ba.ssler admitted that CinemaScope was
"great for spectacle," but in close-up .sequences
the director is always "fighting for head
room" in ca.se one of his characters is seated
and the other is standing. Bassler's first
independent production, "Suddenly," was
made in black-and-white at a 1.75 to 1 ratio.
The picture, which stars Pi-ank Sinatra and
Sterling Hayden, is a "tense, tight melodrama
with a minimum of spectacle" and Cinemascope
would have been unnecessary for it.
The fact that the major companies have
cut down their production .schedules has
opened up new fields for independent producers
and the average independent now has
little trouble securing financing here or
abroad, Bassler said. The independents also
can pick more unusual scripts and any decision
to be made on their productions can
be made quickly, without waiting for approval
from several studio executives.
Associated with Bassler in the production
of "Suddenly," which United Ai'tists will release,
is Richard Sale, author of the screenplay
and the short story which was its basis.
Sale and Bassler were associated in the making
of several pictures during Bassler's 18-
year term with 20th-Pox. In addition to
Bassler and Sale, Sinatra, the star-, and
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I^ewis Allen, the director of "Suddenly,"
have participation deals. Bas.sler believes that
all the participating parties in a picture will
try hard to make it a success and will work
harder to stay on schedule.
Bassler also believes that the production
code has become more liberal during the past
few years. In "Suddenly," the term "rape"
is used and he encountered no difficulty from
the code administrators in keeping it in.
Bassler and Sale returned to the coast
Friday (18i after several days in New York
discussing their next production to be made
for UA release with Max E. Youngstein and
other UA executives. They plan one or two
pictures a year, but were unable to divulge
the name or subject matter of their next.
Bassler hopes to have "Suddenly" ready for
a September release, he said.
Completes Renovation
FRANKLIN, IND.—William Handley, manager
of the Franklin Theatre, has completed
an improvement program which included the
installation of CinemaScope and a new heating
plant as well as the overhauling of the
air conditioning system.
Ezell Installs Wide Screen
BEAUMONT. TEX.—A new 80x40-foot fiber
glass screen has been installed at the Cuxle
Drive-In. according to Manager Frank
Pritsche. The airer is owned by Ezell Drive-
In Theatres, headed by Claude Ezell, president.
Actress Plugs 'Long Wait'
SAN ANTONIO—Mary Ellen Kay, featured
in "The Long Wait," was in town ahead of
the picture's opening at the Aztec. She
appeared on radio and television and met
the press.
Betty Lopez Made Manager
BROWNSVILLE, TEX.—Betty Lopez ha~>
been appointed manager of the Capitol Tlieatre
replacing John Danner, it was announced
by Lew Bray, Ti'ans-Texas supervisor.
Tie n II
St (• N
• iiiiNciivi triiiHS
AL. WOLF, Owner
^ra,la.
3113 OAK LAWN AVENUE
LAKESIDE 3139
DALLAS 19. TEXAS
MORE THAN A QUARTER OF
A CENTURY OF
UNEXCELL ED SERVICE
Remodeling Bishop, Tex., Theatre
BISHOP, TEX. — The Texas Theatre is
being completely remodeled and redecorated,
according to owner T. L. Harville. As part
of the project, Harville is installing Cinemascope
equipment.
HANDY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM
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STREET ADDRESS
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Clyde Goodnight to Run Theatre
HOLLAND. TEX.— Clyde Goodnight recently
took over the operation of the Best
Theatre here. He will be assisted by Mike
Carlisle.
Former Manager Opens Shop
CLAREMORE. OKLA.—Calvin "Doc" Council
who recently resigned as manager of the
Claremore Theatre, has opened an electrical
service shop here.
CinemaScope to Taft, Tex., House
TAPT, TEX.—The Leland Theatre, man-
;i!;rd by R. S. Cook, has been equipped with
a Cinemascope screen.
Gloria Talbott. television actress, will make
lu-r film debut in Paramount's "We're No
Aiii'els."
G2
BOXOrnCE :
: June
26, 1954

. . Actress
. . Edward
—
——
—
Five Si. Paul Thealres
Equipped for C'Scope
MINNEAPOLIS—The sudden rush of St.
Paul downtown theatres to Cinemascope with
stereosound is expected to result in increased
competitive bidding for the pictures in the
other twin city and is considered a significant
development by the film industry here.
Two independent houses installing the full
equipment are the Lyceum and the Strand.
This will make a total of five St. Paul downtown
Cinemascope theatres. Others are the
Minnesota Amusement Co. Paramount, RKO's
Orpheum and the Independent World.
This compares with only two Minneapolis
loop Cinemascope houses, the MAC Radio
City and RKO Orpheum. The independent
Gopher and World and RKO Pan and the
MAC State and Lyric have made no move
to in.stall the equipment, although all have
new wide screens, except the Lyric.
Until recently the St. Paul Lyceum was a
last run, twin bill, low admission house. It
started a few months ago playing occasional
first runs. The Strand is a onetime MAC
house now being operated by its owners along
with the Tower, which they recently reopened.
It has been playing mostly "B" first
run pictures and moveovers. Both the Lyceum
and Tower are expected to vie for Cinema-
Scope moveovers as well as first runs.
Bennie Berger, owner of the Gopher, says
he has no present intention of installing
Cinemascope in that house. He has it installed
or is installing it in three of his circuit
houses, those at Fergus Palls, St. Peter
and Hastings, Minn., but with one-track
magnetic sound.
David City House Sold
To Rozanek Theatres
DAVID CITY, NEB.—The Crest Theatre
has been sold to the Rozanek Theatre Corp.,
owner and operator of the State here.
Dee Butcher, who has been manager of
the State since it opened nearly six years
ago, will assume management of both theatres,
the corporation said. The present policy,
according to Butcher, will be to continue
operation of the Crest. The State will be
operated on a parttime basis.
The Crest has been operated the last six
years by F. J. "Pat" Cook, who recently sold
it to C. L. Shearon of Genoa, who in turn
sold it to the Rozanek organization.
Installs Wide Scren
WADENA, MINN.—A Raytone Hilux 14x25-
foot screen has been installed at the Cozy
Theatre under the supervision of Charles
Creamer, Minneapolis Theatre Supply. The
owners. Mrs. Quincer and her sons, Donald
and Richard, have also ordered new Snaplite
lenses.
Allied Meeting Planned
OMAHA—Elmer Huhnke, operator of the
Minne Lu.sa Theatre and treasurer of the
Nebraska-Iowa Allied, is priming exhibitors
in this ai-ea for the organization's annual
meeting which will be held July 21 at Arnolds
Park, Iowa. The program will combine business
and pleasure.
Jack Yeo Is Honored of Milwaukee
Recently retired after 42 years in the motion picture industry. Jack Yeo was
honored with a dinner given by Milwaukee theatre equipment manufacturer Ben
B. Poblocki and Manager Odette Oberlander, who replaced Yeo at the Plaza Theatre
in Burlington, Wis. The top photo shows, seated, left to right: Olene Oberlander,
mother of the Plaza manager, and Mrs. and Mr. Jack Yeo; standing: Ben B. Poblocki,
Odette Oberlander and Bill Poblocki, who has just taken over as Miss Oberlander's
assistant. The bottom photo shows the rest of the Poblocki clan enjoying the dinner.
MILW AUKEE
•The husband of Vera Mellin is recovering
after an emergency operation at St. Luke's
hospital. Mrs. Mellin is employed by the Wisconsin
Allied . . . M. Harmon of the Fox
Uptown presented a dance studio recital June
10 . . . The Variety Club held a special dinner
for the Milwaukee Braves. Among those
who attended were Gordon Hewitt of Fox
Wisconsin, who brought his young son and
Orville Peterson, U-I office manager, who
attended the affair with his four daughters.
. .
The Marciano-Charles fight was well attended
at the Warner and Riverside theatres,
although the Riverside was blacked out for
the first five rounds due to technical trouble.
However, in spite of the difficulty, only a few
left the theatre and demanded a refund .
Leroy Miller, Minneapolis U-I manager, was
here to confer with the Swirnoff -Marcus circuit.
William Roob, Ozaukee Theatre, Port Washington,
was in town . Polly Bergen
was here to celebrate the opening of the new
Pepsi-Cola building . . . Pi-esident James
Petrillo and 1,600 delegates held their national
convention here last week . Gavin,
U-I salesman, has entered the race for
county register of deeds.
'Desert' Third Week
Tops in Twin City
MINNEAPOLIS—"Them!" and "Johnny
Guitar," helped by school vacations and
somewhat cooler as well as rainy weather,
made their boxoffice presence felt. They
were the only newcomers to stir up appreciable
interest.
(Average Is 100)
Gopher Black Horse Conyon (U-I) 70
Lyric A Yank in the RAF (20th-Fox); Fallen Angel
{20th-Fox), reissues 70
Radio City Johnny Guitar (Rep) 100
RKO Orpheum—Them! (WB) 120
RKO Pan—Massacre Canyon (Col); The Iron Glove
(Col) 75
State The Flame and the Flesh (MGM) 85
World—The Living Desert (Disney), 3rd wk 125
Omaha
'Coins' Top Gross in
In Otherwise Slow Week
OMAHA—First run results continued slow
in Omaha as all reports fell below average.
"Three Coins in the Fountain" did fair in a
second week at the State.
Admiral-Chief Fireman Sove My Child (U-I); Both
Sides of the Law (U-I) 90
Brandeis The Saracen Blade (Col); Jungle
Moneaters (Col) 85
Omoho Southwest Passage (UA) 90
Orpheum Secret of the Incas (Para) 90
State Three Coins in the Fountain (20th-Fox). . 95
Town War Point (UA); Prisoners of the Cosbah
(Col) 90
BOXOFFICE June 26, 1954 NC 63

. . Bill
. .
.
D E S
MOINES
Vacations are in full swing on Filmrow
here. Myrtle Bechtel, Mary Lou
Vaughn and Cloyd Street, all of Warners, are
on vacation. Mary Lou. an inspector, is .spending
her two weeks in Florida, and Cloyd,
booker, is traveling Ui Wisconsin. Illinois
and South Dakota . Waters, jr., .second
booker, and Kathryn Volk. inspector, are both
on vacation from Universal. Paramount vacationers
include Phyllis Chai'ter, Waunita
Goddard and Ilene Perin.
Sidney Smith and Dave Halsey of NSS are
attending reserve training camps ... A
visitor at NSS was Dick Dizon. son of Oscar
Dizon. former NSS manager ... A special
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"Hey Bob" show designed to get Des Moines
.school children safety-minded for the summer
vacation, was held at the Paramount
June 19. Tlie show stressed all types of .safety
traffic, home, industrial, playground, swimming—and
included a children's film and cartoons.
The show was free to all children and
was sponsored by Des Moines Chevrolet dealers
and directed by Romert Hassett, secretary-manager
of the Des Moines Safety
council.
Two Ferry youths have been fined $25 and
court costs on charges of attempting to sneak
into the Perry Drive-In recently. Three other
boys, apprehended at the same time, were
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—
bound over to juvenile authorities . , , The
Corral Drive-In at PeiTy observed its sixth
year of operation last Sunday. Patrons were
given balloons, gum and pencils and there
was birthday cake for everyone. A new bicycle
also was awarded as part of the ceremonies.
Bernice Rudston. managers secretary at
20th-Fox. was a member of the committee
which presented Ruth Kobart, a member of
the National Broadcasting Co. television opera
theatre, in a concert here as a benefit for the
Hadassah Medical center building fund. Miss
Kobart. the daughter of Mr. and Mi's. Morris
L. Kohn. appeared as a tribute to her late
grandmother. Mrs. Anna B. Finkelstein.
A drive-in theatre now is in operation at
Walnut. Shows are every Wednesday night
at Veterans Memorial park . . . The Rex at
Scranton, which has been closed
for the last
few months, reopened June 18 under the management
of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Crose .
M. L. Dickson will install CinemaScope at hi-;
theatre in Mount Pleasant. Dickson said he
hopes to have the necessary alterations completed
around the first of July . . . Writing
in the Wa.shington Journal. Washington.
Iowa. Columnist Bruce Cowden said he believes
motion pictures are substantially better
now than ever before. He said he believe
this is "the result of new inventions and developments,
such as larger screens, threedimension
pictures and the like."
Twin City Airer Showmen
Swing to Wide Screens
MINNEAPOLIS—A swing to wide screen
and other equipment necessary to qualify for
one-track optical sound CinemaScope has
gotten under way among the territory's
drive-ins.
E. R. Ruben is replacing with wide screens
the towers at his outdoor theatres at Moorhead.
Minn.; Grand Forks. N. D., and Aberdeen.
S. D.. which were blown down by windstorms
in recent weeks.
The Ruben theatres will join the Minot,
Minot. N. D.: the 7-Hi here; the Dawson,
Dawson, Minn., and the 14 Drive-In. Highland
Center, Wis., in the ozoner CinemaScope
procession.
In the face of bad weather that has dealt
ten'itory ozoners a heavy blow this spring,
more drive-in construction is under way. New
ones have been announced for Willmer and
Spicer. Minn., and Philips. S.D. New outdoor
theatres also have been opened at Dawson
and International Falls, Minn.
Series of Tornadoes Hurt
Nebraska Boxoffices
OMAHA— Storm warnings over the weekend
played hob with theatre receipts, according
to reports from many Omaha exhibitors.
Turbulent weather brought several
nightly
tornado warnings in succession, with radio
announcers giving the possible areas where
the storms could hit and the hours to be on
the alert.
"We even had several calls from mothers
asking that we send their children home,"
said Don Shane. Ti-i-States manager.
Omaha has not been hit. Closest storms
were in northeast Nebraska, where twisters
have caused extensive damage and some reported
loss of life in rural areas.
;
84 BOXOFFICE ;
; June 26, 1954

. . Kelly
. . Northwest
. . Northwest
. . . On
. . . Rain
MINNEAPOLIS
IJarry B. French, Minnesota Amusement Co.
president, is praying these days that more
closed-circuit television attractions like the
Marciano-Charles fight will come along. The
fightcast packed his 4,100-seat Radio City
to complete capacity and even turned them
away, netting the showhouse a substantial
profit . . . Herman Goldberg, Warner Bros,
home office real estate department head, was
here on a routine visit and renewing old acquaintanceships
. Variety Club
has scheduled its amiual $100 a plate dimier
for September and is starting now to take
reservations. The event is for the purpose of
raising- charity funds.
. . .
Max Torodor, longtime local exhibitor, was
here on a visit. His present home is in Los
Angeles, where he owns and operates a successful
suburban theatre Recent new-
Northwest Variety club members include exhibitors
James J. Randgaard, Staples, Minn.:
Mike Cooper. Grand Forks. N.D., and Mike
Guttman, Aberdeen, S.D. ; RKO salesman Bill
Winters and Alfred Colle Co.'s Lowell Swenson
. Evidon, Don Swai-tz' right hand
man at Independent Poster E^xchange, is at
John Hopkins hospital, Baltimore, for a thorough
medical examination and checkup.
The 20th-Fox screening room here, which
seats only 45, now is equipped for Cinema-
Scope with a new IS'L-xS^i-foot screen, stereophonic
sound and all the trimmings . . .
Northwest Variety clubrooms in the Hotel
Nicollet will be closed July 4-18 in order that
the staff may have its annual vacation and
the usual renovation and cleaning may be
undertaken with house committee chairman
Ab Swartz In charge . . . Ben Mai'cus, Columbia
district manager, went back to Kansas
City after a brief visit here . . . Jack Kelvie.
20th-Fox office manager, is passing out the
cigars on the birth of a boy, the Kelvie's
third child.
The full United Artists crew worked all day
Saturday and within eight hours had booked
solid 25 prints of the Marciano-Charles fight
pictures, which UA is distributing. In the
Twin cities the pictures are being shown at
the Minneapolis-St. Paul Orpheums and the
RKO Pan here . Variety Club's
annual golf tournament is scheduled for Oak
Ridge country club (after several years' absence
from that favorite spoti on September
10, with Gilbert Nathanson again arrangements
chairman. Before he returned to his
present Los Angeles home, circuit owner and
former Chief Barker Bill Elson "fixed it up"
for the club to obtain the Oak Ridge club
for the day.
. . Northwest Variety Club board
Theatrical printer Eddie Schwartz, a Northwest
Variety Club director, is preparing a
roster in the form of a pocket size booklet
of all Tent 12 members, fui-nishing various
bits of information about them . . . Paramount
salesman Bill Mussman is vacationing
in northern Minnesota. Likewise booker
George Engleking and booking clerk Bill
Mikelson .
member Ben "Judge" Meshbesher. long a
Warner Bros, salesman and now engaged in
his own business, has recovered after an operation
. . . Belfield. N.D., still holds the
Cinemascope "The Robe" championship. With
a population of 800 and in a 400-seat theatre,
it ran the picture a full week to a $4,400 gross.
Harry Smoot, Warner Bros.
South Dakota
salesman, is back on the job after a vacation
spent mainly in working around his home
. . . MGM exploiteer Harry Sears is busily
engaged on campaigns for "The Student
Prince," which soon will blanket the ten-itory.
It is set for the St. Paul Paramount late
this month and the Radio City here July 2
competitive bids. Ted Mann's 600-seat
St. Paul World grabbed off "Demetrius and
the Gladiators" there, winning out over the
Minnesota Amusement Co.'s 2,200-seat Paramount.
The same small house landed "The
Robe." too, outbidding the St. Paul Paramount.
In Minneapolis, however, MAC's Radio
City has "Demetrius," just as it had "The
Robe." Mann's local 400-seat World isn't
equipped for Cinemascope.
Lowell Kaplan, Bennie Bei-ger circuit buyerbooker
and, on the side, manager of the
Berger legitimate theatre, the Lyceum, will
have more time for a couple of months to
devote to his regular duties. The Lyceum's
successful season was rung down Saturday
night with the week's final performance of
"The Seven-Year Itch," starring Eddie
Bracken, which did big business despite high
temperatures and a non-air conditioned theatre.
However, the new season resumes August
17 with "Picnic," starring Ralph Meeker, so
that Kaplan's vacation from his Lyceum
chores will be of brief duration.
Don Walker, Warner Bros, exploiteer, went
back to Kansas City after setting a campaign
for "The High and the Mighty," which goes
into the Minneapolis and St. Paul Orpheums
day and date June 30 . . . Warner Bros is releasing
"Lucky Me" to 28-day houses here
on one-track optical sound or stereosound
for Cinemascope and also as a flat picture
didn't deter 20th-Fox from holding
its annual office picnic at Bass lake, but
most of the activities were confined to the
pavillion. Among the features was salesman
Don Halloran's performance on the piano.
Gertrude Weber won plaudits for the manner
in which she carried off the arrangements
chairmanship.
. . . "Genevieve,"
With the weather man predicting five days
of rain, WMIN announcers urged the public
to stay home and listen to radio and watch
TV . . . The St. Paul independent downtown
Lyceum closed for two days during the installation
of stereosound
yet to be seen here although it has played
downtown and at a neighborhood house in
St.
Paul, has been plucked by Ted Mann for
his World. In the St. Paul loop, it played at
the independent Strand.
rr
The St.
Paul neighborhood Randolph held
over "Executive Suite" ... A Filmrow subject
of conversation is the tremendous business
that "The Living Desert" has been doing
at the World here. Its hefty second w'eek's
gross was equalled in its third stanza and it
went to a fourth canto.
Exhibitors are looking forward to 20th-
Fox's Cinemascope tradeshow, with its numerous
features, including shots from forthcoming
product, due at the Radio City here at
9:30 a.m. July 2 . . . Triangle Outdoor Theatre
circuit will appeal from a verdict of
$13,500 damages against it. The award was to
the parents of a youth injured w'hen he
leaped from an auto owned by the circuit's
ozoner at Mankato, Minn. The car was being
driven by a 17-year-old theatre employe. The
theatre management's defense was that the
car had been taken without the theatre's
permission and therefore the management
had no responsibility.
Edgar Merrifield Hurt
In Crash Through Door
MINNEAPOLIS—Mistaking a plate glass
door for an open exit when he made a dash
to catch a bus, Edgar E. Merrifield, 68, doorman
at the loop Lyric Theatre here, sustained
critical injuries at the Minnesota
Amusement Co. building.
As he crashed through the glass he suffered
severe leg cuts which were given first aid
treatment by a witness to the accident. He
was taken in an ambulance to General hospital
where his condition was reported as fair.
Carl Borgstrom, 51, standing near the door
when the glass was shattered, also was cut
by flying splinters and taken to the hospital.
Mrs. Louis Epstein Dead
OMAHA—Mrs. Louis Epstein, 66, widow of
Louis Epstein, prominent suburban theatre
owner, died at her home here. Survivors include
her son Sidney, also widely known in
the theatre business, and two daughters.
Installs C'Scope at Sibley
SIBLEY, IOWA — A new CinemaScope
screen and equipment are being installed at
the Max Theatre by R. C. Max, manager.
Kernel Prunty Says:
"Are you using the variety of popcorn
your trade lii

^^^^^^^

—
—
— —
'Guitar' and Holdovers
Top Detroit Grosses
DETROIT—"Johnny Guitar" took the top
spot for Detroit boxoffices with 140 per cent.
Tw-o holdovers, "The French Line" and a double
bill of "Dial M for Murder" and "The
Saracen Blade," also did well with 100 and
120, respectively. All other grosses were reported
below average.
(Average Is 100)
Adams The rrench Line (RKO), 2nd wk 100
Broadway Capitol The Big Sleep (WB); Kid
Galahad (WB), reissues 85
Fox Three Coins in the Fountain (20th-Fox),
4fh wk 75
Madison Sunderin (Cellini) 70
Michigan Dial M for Murder (WB); The Saracen
Blade (Col), 2nd wk 120
Palms Johnny Guitor (Rep) 140
United Artists Sun Valley Serenade (20th-Fox);
Orchestra Wives (20th-Fox), reissues 70
Cleveland Grosses Drop
As Temperatures Rise
CLEVELAND—It was a dull week for both
first run and subsequent run theatres in the
Cleveland area. Temperature in the 90s attracted
the population to outdoor amusements
including drive-ins, which had a good
weekend. Pour local downtown houses were
playing holdovers. "Three Coins in the Fountain"
drew a good par score in its second
week and "The Moon Is Blue" did so well in
its fourth week of its second run that it may
holdover for a fifth.
Allen Three Coins in the Fountain (20th-Fox\
2nd wk 1 00
Hippodrome Riders to the Stars (UA) 70
Lower Moll The Moon Is Blue (UA), 4th wk.,
2nd run 110
Ohio Prisoner of Wor (MGM), 3rd d. t. wk 100
Paloce Black Horse Canyon (U-l); Mo and Pa
Kettle
'
at Home (U-l) 60
Men of the Fighting Lady (MGM) 85
State
Stillman The Student Prince (MGM),
3rd d. t. wk 100
'Prince' Leads Cincinnati Grosses
During Average Week
CINCINNATI—With one exception, grosses
were passable, but not outstanding "The
Student Prince" at the Albee was the top
grosser, with 135. The hot weather continued,
and it should prove a boon to the air conditioned
theatres.
Albee The Student Prince (MGM) 135
Grand Prisoner of Wor (MGM); Massacre Canyon
(Col) 110
Keiths Princess of the Nile (20th-Fox) 40
Palace Secret of the Incas (Para) 115
Trucking Line Ordered
To Alter Rate Structure
COLUMBUS—Independent Theatre Owners
of Ohio has won a partial victory in its
action to force the Huntington-Cincinnati
Trucking Lines to change its rate structure.
The public utilities commission has ruled that
the carriers' practice of charging 21 cents for
the first pound on each can of film from each
exchange must be changed. If a feature
comes in two or three cans, he is allowed to
charge only 21 cents for the first pound on
the entire shipment. If two features come
from the same exchange, the same rate holds
true. If features come from Realart and
United Artists at the same time, that is considered
one shipment.
Robert Wile, ITO of Ohio secretary, said
that he has a legal opinion that claims for
overcharges can be filed against the Huntington-Cincinnati
carrier. Claims can be made
only for bills rendered within the last two
years, said Wile. He asked that affected theatres
send him bills paid during that period.
Wile said his office w'ould file claims on behalf
of the theatres concerned. Wile advised
theatre owners to watch future bills to see
that the commission's orders are followed.
"If they are not," said Wile, "the carrier will
be cited for contempt."
James T. Hibbert Retires
As Xenia, Ohio, Manager
XENIA, OHIO—James T. Hibbert, who
started in partnership with the late H. L.
Binder in operating the Bijou here in 1918,
has retired as manager of the Xenia, successor
to the Bijou.
He said he has no plans for the immediate
future, but will continue to lease the building
to Chakeres Theatres of Springfield,
which has operated the Xenia since 1937.
Nick Condello of Coshocton has been named
manager, replacing Hibbert.
lames E. Davis Buys House
KEVIL, KY,—James E. Davis assumed the
ownership and management of the 300-seat
Carol Theatre on Sunday (13). Davis had
been a theatre manager for the Dickinson
circuit of Mission, Kas. He purchased the
Carol from Wayne B. Lindsey.
Telenews Firm Buys
Publishing Company
CLEVELAND—Telenews Productions, Inc.,
of New York has purchased the Industrial
Publishing Co. of Cleveland, publisher of a
group of industrial magazines including Industry
and Welding, Industry and Welding
Quarterly, Flow, Flow Quarterly, Occupational
Hazai-ds, Commercial Refrigeration and
Air Conditioning, Applied Hydraulics and
Precision Metal Molding.
Purchase marks the entrance into the trade
publication field of Marshall Field, Chicago
department store heir; Herbert Sheftel and
Alfred G. Burger, who built and operated a
chain of Telenews theatres, and other top
financiers.
Telenews Productions will continue its present
expansion in industrial film production,
as well as in the TV programming under the
direction of Charles N. Burris, general manager.
Burris was onetime manager of the
Telenews Theatres in Cleveland.
Corporate officers of the new company will
be Herbert Sheftel, chairman; Irving B.
Hexter, president; Alfred G. Burger and Lester
P. Auerbach, executive vice-presidents;
Edwain M. Joseph and E. J. Hexter, vicepresidents,
and Robert K. Strauss, secretarytreasurer.
Oral Arguments Heard
In Ohio Censor Suit
COLUMBUS—Judge Ralph Bartlett of
Franklin county common pleas court set
June 24 as the date for hearing oral ai-guments
in an injunction suit brought against
the Ohio censor board by RKO, Independent
Theatre Owners of Ohio, Martin Smith of
Toledo and Horace Adams of Cleveland. Attorneys
for both sides have filed rebuttal
briefs in the case. Plaintiffs are seeking a
court ruling that the Ohio censor law is unconstitutional.
Abe Ludacer Vacations
TOLEDO—Abe Ludacer, manager of Loew's
two theatres here, is vacationing in Pinehurst,
N.C., with Vincent Tripodi. assistant
manager, taking over during his absence.
George J. Stevens Dies;
In Industry 30 Years
CLEVELAND—George J. Stevens, 63, for
30 years associated with theatre management
in Cleveland, died at Euclid Glenville
hospital. During his many years in the theatrical
business, he had managed the Hippodrome,
Roxy and Cameo here and the Vine
in Willoughby. He also was city manager
for Phil Smith's East Side and West Side
theatres when they fii'st opened.
A licensed pilot. Stevens was an official
timekeeper for the national air races when
they were held here. He was a member of
the civil air patrol.
Stevens had been in poor health the last
five years since losing a leg in an accident.
Always an artist—he painted portraits and
ties for a hobby—when unable to continue
in active business, he turned to wood carving.
Surviving are his wife Rose and son Kenneth.
Services were held Tuesday (22) in
Holy Cross Catholic church. The family home
is at 17510 Neff Rd. N. E.
CALIGULA VISITS—Detroit exhibitors are entertained by the visit of Jay
Robinson, who plays the part of Cali^la in both "The Robe" and "Demetrius and the
Gladiators." Left to right, Alden Smith, Mutual Theatres manager; Carl Buermele,
General Theatre Service manager; Robinson; Joseph J. Lee, 20th-Fox manager, and
James F. Sharkey, film buyer for Cooperative Theatres.
BoxorncE June 26, 1954
ME 67

. . Edward
.
. .
. . Walter
. . Harry
. . Charles
. . Hy
. .
. . Howard
DETROIT
fjary H. Lamb, operator at the Music Hall,
went to Oklahoma to visit his mother who
was seriously ill . . . Prank Upton, Music Hall
manager, marked the 1,000th performance of
"This Is Cinerama" Sunday night (20) . . .
Bea DouviUe, wife of Edgar Douville, operator
at the Linwood-LaSalle, who was seriously
ill with acute rheumatic arthritis, is
now well on the road to recovery . . . Frank
Tiernan sr. has moved from the booth at the
Music Hall to the Hollywood.
Clarence Koppin is house manager at the
Linwood-LaSalle with Alex "Scotty" Sutherland
in charge of both that house and the
Avalon
. Denton, former manager
of the Linwood-LaSalle who has been in poor
health, returned to his New York farm .
William Graham, co-manager of the National,
left Thursday (17) for a short vacation
at Lake Worth, Fla. . . . Anthony Gugala,
partner in the Mars Theatre, has built a
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motel, the Flamingo, on the Groesbeck highway.
Saul Korman has registered title to the
Gem Theatre Co. . . . Billy Grubbs, AGVA
representative here, has been succeeded by
Russ Wright . Lee took a showman's
holiday to see a recital, in which his son was
a performing acrobat . . . Variety's Col. William
C. McCraw and Frank Bradley, BOX-
OFFICE representative in Dallas, were Detroit
visitors.
Frank and Herman King, producers of "Car-
. . Stanley
nival Story," are slated to shoot their next
film, "Syndicate," here in Detroit .
Baran of Allied Artists is busily working up
promotion activities for the Film Bowling
league outing August 9 . . Milton Zimmerman,
.
Columbia manager, broke out a large
American flag for a corner display on Flag
day . Corey, who has been managing
the East Side Drive-In, has been named
manager of the Lakewood, operated by Affiliated
Theatres. Richard Darby, formerly with
the Lockwood & Gordon circuit in Washington,
is the new East Side manager for Phil
Smith.
. .
George Haskin is mighty proud of the new
wide screen at the West Side Drive-In
Raymond Rei, former active operator, is
.
now
busy operating Panoram Minute Movies .
George McArthur, supply dealer retired since
the first of the year, was down to look over
the Row with his wife . Simpson of
Central Shipping Bureau has taken over the
former McArthur building for added shipping
facilities.
Jim Beck, formerly with Clark Theatre
Service, has decided to break the two-generation
tradition of being in show business and
is now a drapery salesman . . . Ralph J.
Boudreau. operator at the Family, has returned
home and to work, following a disastrous
winter in Florida where he undei-went
a serious chest operation following a serious
auto accident. His wife, also in the accident,
is still forced to use a walker to get around
the house.
Mrs. Julius D. London, widow of the circuit
owner, was hostess for a reception to celebrate
the double graduation of her sons, Berton and
Edmund, from the University of Michigan.
On hand to a.ssist her were her son Milton,
in charge of circuit operations, and his wife:
and daughter Fay, who ran the Midtown
during the war years, and her hu.sband Herbert
Schnaar of the circuit operation. Guests
included I. J. "Jack" London, former owner
of the old Ferry Park Theatre; another
brother, Sam London: Nathaniel H. Goldstick,
as.sistant corporation counsel, and many
other friends and relatives.
. . Boris Bernard!,
Carl Edwards ha.s succeeded Peter Kavel as
manager at the Duke in Ferndale . . . Wisper
Wetsman reports that Vern Nevenson now
is managing the Eastown, longtime stronghold
of the late Joseph LaRose . Goldman
is managing the west side Lincoln following
Louis Goodman .
supervisor of the Midwest circuit, is
former
managing
Douglas Wil.son is managing
the Roo.sevelt . . . the Tower, and at the Mack Uptown,
Rose Cardia has succeeded James Beck as
manager.
Jack Sage, manager of UDT's Michigan,
loaned his anamorphic lens to a press photographer,
with amazing results that made a
neat two-page rotogravure spread in the
Sunday Detroit News ... Sol Gordon, 20th-
Fox, arranged a special luncheon for exhibitors
to meet Jay Robinson who plays Caligula
in both "Demetrius and the Gladiators" and
in "The Robe" .
Minsky and Hugh
Owen, Paramount executives, were due in
town for a big sales confab and to pay off
the awards in the recent drive.
Saul J. Conn, operator at the Broadway
Capitol, and his wife were beaming with pride
this week as their two oldest sons Albert and
Norman took their degrees simultaneously
from the law school of Wayne university.
Albert is an operator and member of the
lATSE.
Myron 'Mike' Folk Dead
DETROIT—Myron "Mike" Falk, 49, died
Monday (14) at Leamington, Ont., after a
long illness. He was a theatrical booking
agent in Detroit for many years, heading the
office bearing his name, and was a past
president of the Michigan Theatrical Booking
Agents Ass'n. He is survived by his wife
Kathryne, who will carry on the business.
Helen Collins Dead
DETROIT—Helen Collins, wife of Walter
B. Collins, city salesman for Warner Bros,
for about 25 years, died recently.
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BOXOFFICE June 26, 1954

. . The
.
.
.
. .
CINCINNATI
Exhibitors in this area and representatives
of the press, radio and TV wall witness a
demonstration by 20th-Fox of the new improved
Cinemascope lenses and stereophonic
sound on July 2. The showing will take place
at the RKO Albee. T. O. McCleaster, central
division manager for 20th-Fox, will introduce
the subject, which Darryl F. Zanuck
produced and narrates. He mentions all the
properties the company has bought and is
preparing to film in the coming 18 months.
•The Greatest Story Ever Told." "Tigero,"
"Desiree" and 20 other books have been
bought by 20th-Fox for filming. Zanuck
names the casts and presents whole sequences
from such pictures as "The Egyptian," "Untamed."
"Broken Lance" and "The Garden
of Evil." The versatility of Cinemascope and
its ability to convey panoramic and intimate
dramatic effects will be demonstrated in the
preview feature.
A week prior to June 17 all reserved seats
for the telecast of the Rocky Marciano-Ezzard
Charles championship fight at the Albee were
sold out. A limited supply of standing room
tickets was put on sale the night of the
fight, and Joe Alexander, RKO Theatres city
manager, said these went in a hurry. The
fight was also telecast at the Keith. Dayton . .
Hston Etodge, who operates the Elstun Theatre
in Mount Washington, has had extensive
remodeling done in his theatre, which reopened
Tuesday (22) with "Executive Suite"
on its giant wide screen.
Exhibitors visiting the city were Ben Reeves,
Lancaster. Ky.: Harry McHaffie, Marmet,
W.Va.: J. C. Shanklin, Ronceverte, W.Va.;
William Powers. Louisville; Ted Pekras. Columbia:
Charles Behlen, Lexington; J. C.
Weddle, Lawrenceburg, Ind.; Ben Hathaway.
Springfield; John Gregory, Dayton; A. N.
Miles, Eminence. Ky.. and Frank Yassenoff.
H. L. Schwartz and J. C. Knight all of Columbus
. . . The Esquire Theatre, one of S&S
Amusement's houses here, was closed tentatively
. . . Joseph Bellante. brother-in-law of
Don Reda, is managing and booking for
Reda's new drive-in in Richmond, Ky.
Jimmy Minnix, owner of the Ronnie Drivein,
London, Ky., suffered serious injuries
when his car was struck by another car while
Minnix was traveling home from the drive-in.
Minnix had a splintered hip. He was hospitalized
in Lexington, but now is in London . . .
Theatre Owners Corp. now is doing the booking
and buying for the Hyden Drive-In,
Hyden, Ky., owned by HBQ Amusement Co. . .
Charles Penn, former owner of the Overlook
here, who now is retired and lives in Florida,
visited friends on Filmrow.
.
Charles Cassinelli of Mullens. W.Va., was
in for the first time in many years to attend
the showing of the fight pictures at the
Albee. He also brought his son Tony with
him . . Vacationers from Pilmrow include
Bob LaSance. booker at 20th-Pox; Clyde
Kimbrell, head shipper at 20th-Fox; Mary
Carnes, accounting department at Paramount,
and Nancy Weber, clerk typist. Theatre
Owners Corp. . mother-in-law of Vince
Kramer, West Virginia salesman for Paramount,
died.
Howard Minsky, Paramount division manager
whose headquarters are in Philadelphia;
Hugh Owen and Sid Blumenstock of Paramount's
home office held an all-day meeting
with sales and booking staffs. At the luncheon,
a number of local exhibitors were guests
of the Paramount executives, and current
sales and booking problems were discussed . .
Joseph McKnight, Kentucky salesman for
Paramount who underwent sm-gery recently,
is still in the Good Samaritan hospital, Lexington,
after suffering a relapse. Manager
Herb Gillis, and salesman William Meier,
Paramount, visited McKnight recently
Mike Berger, office manager at
. . .
MGM. and
Mrs. Berger have a third son.
SPRINGFIELD
The Regent, State, Majestic and Fairbanks
of the Springfield Tlieatres circuit and the
Liberty, owned by William Settos, are being
repainted. In addition, the Majestic underwent
a $2,000 interior remodeling job, with
a new concession stand and other lobby improvements
under the supervision of Manager
George Bowers.
The rocket space ship to ballyhoo "Rocket
Man" at the Majestic did not arrive here
May 30 as announced in the newspapers. The
tractor trailer rig broke down en route. It
finally pulled into Springfield late for a
three-hour stay during which scores of youngsters
and adults visited it. An advance story
and a photograph with an additional story
were run in the daily and Sunday newspapers.
Albert "Bud" Grote has been appointed
manager of the Lobby Shoppes, Inc., the
concessions subsidiary of Chakeres Theatres.
He recently was discharged from the air
force. Prior to going into service, he worked
in the circuit's accounting department .
Frank Collins, Chakeres Theatres general
manager, is vacationing with his family for
several weeks in Cedarville, Mich. . . . Michael
H. Chakeres, vice-president of Chakeres Theatres,
recently attended the wedding of the
daughter of Mount Pleasant, Pa., exhibitor
Christopher Forgus ... To promote "Three
Coins in the Fountain" at the Regent. Manager
John D. Huffman gave all the local
disk jockeys recordings of the title song four
weeks in advance.
Some personnel changes in Springfield Theatres
were announced by Michael H. Chakeres,
general manager of the circuit. Oliver "Dick"
Hall of East Liverpool is the new manager
of the Melody Cruise-In, and William Jacoby
of Springfield is now managing the Fairbanks,
replacing Robert Fenton, who moved to
Texas. Patrick Collins of Springfield has been
appointed the circuit's assistant advertising
manager.
Charles Zack Dramatizes
Drive-In Wide Screen
DETROIT—The West Side Drive-In, operated
by the Philip Smith circuit, has completed
installation of a new large screen,
96x48 feet, with a potential width of 103
feet for Cinemascope pictures.
Manager Charles Zack has utilized an effective
means of presenting the new screen
to his customers. He starts the show with a
short shown on the standard-width screen,
following which a live announcement is made
calling attention to the new wide-screen size.
The full effect is then achieved as the feature
flashes on the full screen.
ALWAYS
I
GOOD!
theSItmiT
um3
in town! 4|
Generally, after
one of our seating
"treatments," your
attraction
theatre has a feature
every show!
Our rehabilitation work is a
delight to patrons as well as to you!
Let us examine your needs and
estimate the cost for you.
Your show goes on
while we worl

. . . Hank
. . Visitors
CLEVELAND
IJarris Dudelson, salesman for
Buena Vista,
. .
said State Film Service is handling the
distribution, trailers and accessories on "The
Living Desert" and "Ben and Me," the Disney
package released fii'st run in the Palace,
Youngstown; Colonial, Aki-on; Palace, Canton,
and Palace, Lorain. "The Living Desert"
played a seven-week first run engagement
here at the Lower Mall . . . Paul Ellis of Joe
Robin's Warren Theatre organization, is reported
Mrs. Leo
ill in Cleveland clinic . . . Burkhart. wife of the owner of the Crest,
Crestline, is visiting her mother in California
Jack Essick of Modern Theatres has
.
packed his family to the New Jersey coast
for a six-week vacation.
Sylvan Goldfin^er came from Chicago for
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the opening of "Demetrius and the Gladiators"
at the Hippodrome, a trip which coincided
with the big fight telecast . . . Also
.seen at the fight were Joe Robins of Warren
and Jack Sogg, MGM manager . . . Important
visitors in town included Robert Mochrie of
the Goldwyn organization; Norman Moray,
Warner short subject sales manager; J. J.
Maloney, MGM central division manager, and
Paramount's Hugh Owen, Howard Minsky,
Sid Blumenthal and Frank LeGrande.
Bernie Rubin, head of Imperial Pictures,
became a resident of Shaker Heights with
the purchase of a home on Palmerston road
Adams is around these parts book-
ing "Mom and Dad" at the drive-ins . . .
Sally Bergman of the IFE front office has
been vacationing in New York
Slavik of Middlefield will close his Palace,
Tiltonsville, July 7 for the remainder of the
summer Frank Slavik, Wellington, is
moving his family to Mount GUead, where he
has a theatre . . . Exchanges have been notified
that the Park, North Canton, has reduced
its playing time to weekends only
during the summer.
Betty Bluffestone, Imperial Pictures booker,
attended the graduation of her son-in-law
Norman Goldston from Western Reserve university's
school of medicine. He will intern
at City hospital . . . "Highway Dragnet" and
"Dragonfly Squadron" played a successful
simultaneou.s five-day first run in six local
subsequent run theatres. They were the
Ezella. Madison, Parma, Shore, Lorain-Fulton
and RKO East 105th Street.
Twentieth-Fox will hold a sneak preview
of "The Royal Tour of Queen Elizabeth and
PhiLp" at the Hippodrome July 7 at 8:30
p. m. On the same date at 10 a. m., 20th-Fox
will hold a demonstration showing excerpts
of forthcoming product in the various
Cinemascope media . included
Irving Tombach. Warner publicity representative:
Jack Armstrong, Toledo; Walter Lastition,
skyway Drive-In, Warren; E. L. Staup,
Delphos, and Leo Burkhart, Crestline.
COLUMBUS
lyjayor Sensenbrenner and Safety Director
Doyle have promised a crackdown on all
bingo games, whether conducted for charity
or not, following charges that city officials
have been winking at certain charity bingo
games. The charge was made by John J.
Delaney, president of the Milo-Roc-Mendel
Athletic club, that the Peace Bingo club was
permitted to hold a charity bingo game while
his club was refu.sed permission. The mayor
and safety director denied that any such
game had the "blessing" of the mayor's office
or the police department.
. . . William
Robert Wile, secretary of the Independent
Theatre Owners of Ohio, and his family are
vacationing in the Adirondacks
Moore of the Columbus Citizen staff is taking
over Norman Nadel's theatre desk for a
month, while Nadel and his family vacation
in Yellowstone National park and Grand
Teton National park.
"The ."Moon Is Blue" completed a twomonth
run at the World with prospects for
additional playing time. Only one other feature
has had such a long run at the World,
said Charles Sugaxman.
Censor Fight Blamed
For Hissong Action
COLUMBUS—The unexpected resignation
of Dr. Clyde Hissong as chief Ohio film
censor and state director of education, announced
last week, has brought speculation
from theatremen that recent months of
squabbling about the constitutionality of the
Ohio censor law may have influenced Hissong's
decision.
Hissong announced that he will return to
the faculty of Bowling Green State university
at Bowling Green on September 15. He
said he will stay on the job as long as
necessary, but would like to be relieved of
his duties as soon as possible. Gov. FYank
Lausche, in accepting his resignation, announced
no successor.
"I am sorry to see Dr. Hissong leave," said
Robert Wile, secretary of the Independent
Theatre Owners of Ohio, who has been a
leader in the fight to remove the Ohio censor
law. "We have no personal quarrel with Dr.
Hissong. Our only quarrel is with the law,
which he was enforcing as he was bound
to do under his oath of office.
"Dr. Hissong was always keenly aware of
the problems of Ohio exhibitors," said Wile.
"He took a sympathetic view of those problems.
He never arrested an Ohio exhibitor,
as far as I know, except in the test newsreel
case in which we wanted him to do so."
Dr. Hissong has held the dual post since
August 1945, longer than any predecessor.
He said he was convinced he shouldn't stay
away from the teaching profession any longer.
He has been on leave from Bowling Green
State university, with which he has been
associated since 1923.
"He has served the state in a laudable
manner," Lausche declared. "I regret his
leaving, but I can thoroughly understand his
desu-e to get back to the university."
Dr. Hissong is 62. He will resume teaching
education, psychology and philosophy. He is
a native of Miami county, where he has a
large farm. He plans to retire there after
his university career.
Dr. Hissong said he was "caught between
two compelling desires—I wanted to teach
and I liked the position of education director.
I am now convinced that I cannot for
a longer period delay my decision to return
to my teaching career."
TV Fight Fills Two Houses
CLEVELAND—Both the Allen and Palace
were .sold
Charles fight telecast. Not only were 6,000
seats sold, but both theatres sold standing
room to the limit of the law. The Palace
crowds started coming in early because the
current feature. "Prince.ss of the Nile," was
included in the $3.50 admission. At the Allen,
where the screen attraction was an hour of
selected short sports reels, the crowds came
in later. The telecast picture on both screens
was clear.
out for the Rocky Marciano-Ezzard
TV Fight Draws Capacity
DETROIT — The Marciano-Charles
fight
drew capacity houses totaling 7.000 persorus
at the 4,039-seat Michigan and 2.955-seat
Palms theatres. The houses were scaled at
$3.85 for reserved seats and $2.75 for general
admissions.
BOXOFFICE ;
: June 26, 1954

—
. . Rube
Debate on Rebuilding
Springfield House
SPRINGFIELD. MASS.—The que.stion of
renovating and reconditioning the fire-gutted
Phillips Theatre here had not been settled
this week by the building owner, the Philbert
Realty Corp. The theatre was damaged to
the extent of $50,000 in the severe fire, which
started while the roof was being retarred.
Booth equipment, seats and carpets were
ruined.
The theatre was leased to Liberty Theatres,
headed by Herman Rifkin. and had been
operated for many years by the Rifkin circuit.
Charles Hurley, manager of the theatre, was
commended in the Springfield papers for his
adroit handling of the fii-e emergency.
When first he smelled smoke, he telephoned
the projectionist to turn on the house lights,
then he stepped on the stage and asked the
50 matinee patrons to leave the building
quietly. When they reached the outside, he
explained.
"Fortunately, I knew most of the audience
personally," he said. "They did as I asked
and filed out in orderly style, even kidding
and joking with me as they walked out."
The Phillips was a first run theatre.
Peter J. Marrone Seeks
Permit at Shrewsbury
WORCESTER—Application has been filed
with the selectmen in suburban Shrewsbury
to open a drive-in on the Southwest cutoff
the Boston- New York highway which skirts
Worcester.
Peter J. Marrone, treasurer of the Dolly
Drive-In Theatre Corp. of Worcester, which
currently has an open-airer in Sturbridge, is
seeking a license to operate on a 20-acre field.
A public hearing was called by the selectmen.
This is the second drive-in sought for the
cutoff. The E. M. Loew Corp. of Boston
has been granted a license for the site of the
former airport in Auburn, but it has been
delayed pending an appeal by an abutter.
The Oxford Drive-In just off the cutoff
began operating this spring.
Sneak Preview 'Tour'
NEW HAVEN—Loew's Poli and 20th-Pox
sneak previewed "Royal Tour." in Cinema-
Scope, Monday (21) at 3 p.m. between regular
showings of "Demetrius and the Gladiators."
There was no advance notice of the preview.
The midafternoon runoff of "Royal Tour"
was primarily for the convenience of Connecticut
exhibitors, according to Ben Simon, 20th-
Fox manager. Invitations were sent to them
well in advance, but there was no newspaper
or other advertising, as is customary, to inform
the public of the event.
Stars Set for Strawhatter
NEW HAVEN—Several Hollywoodites will
appear at the Ivoryton Playhouse during the
first half of the season at the nearby strawhatter.
Sylvia Sidney and Frank Albertson
will be starred in "The Fourposter," the week
of June 28; Lee Bowman will appear in "An
Old School Tie," starting July 12; Tallulah
Bankhead will have the stage the week of
July 19 in her new play, "Dear Charles," and
Farley Granger is scheduled for "The Hasty
Heart" the week of July 26.
VISITS JAIL SET—Two New England Theatres executives visited the Boston
Charles street jail when U-I was shooting "Five Bridges to Cross." Seen above, left
to right, Joe Pevney, director; George Nador, starred in the film; Jerry Govaun, the
circuit's head film buyer; Tony Curtis, also starred in the film; E. Myer Feltman,
U-I Boston manager, and Martin Mullen, New England Theatres president.
HARTFORD
JJtTS. Paul W. Amadeo, wife of the Pike
. . . Car
Drive-in, Newlngton, general manager,
has been recuperating after surgery
ramp aides at the Pike Drive-In are sporting
all-blue uniforms . Lewis, stage
manager at Loew's Poli Palace and business
agent for Local 84, has been recovering after
surgery.
. .
Leonard Young, formerly with the E. M.
Loew's Hartford division and now on staff
of Monte Carlo hotel, Miami, came north
to visit his brother-in-law and sister, the
Morris Keppners of Burnside Theatre Corp.
and General Theatres . Nick Kounaris and
Paul Tolls, building their first drive-in in
the rear of the first run Meriden, Meriden,
have increased car capacity from 815 to 900.
The screen will be over 100 feet wide, with
estimated cost of construction for the project
over the $150,000 mark. An August 1
opening is planned. Kounaris and Tolls own
and operate the Meriden, Meriden, and Newington,
Newlngton.
Steve Perakos, corporation counsel for Perakos
Theatre Associates, New Britain, has
been appointed New Britain police court
prosecutor. He has long been active in New
Britain Republican party.
The Lockwood & Gordon Danbury Drive-
In has started an encyclopedia-dictionary
giveaway on Monday and Tuesday nights,
first of its kind in a Connecticut ozoner.
Jack O'Sullivan is resident manager . . .
Ross V. Urquhart of Manchester, retired
state police theatre inspector, is now in the
general investigation field, with offices in
Manchester under the name of Connecticut
Research Bureau. Urquhart retired from the
state police department in 1953 after some
30 years of service.
Russell W. Barrett, manager of the Stanley
Warner Capitol. Willimantic. hosted 90
youngsters from the Mansfield state training
school at a screening of "Rose Marie."
Arrangements were made by Otis Fairbanks,
chief projectionist, and head of the Willimantic
projectionists union.
Cinemascope has come to Middletown.
The M&D interests have installed a wide
screen, measuring 35x17 feet, at the Palace
there. Former size was 9x12 feet. Initial attraction
was "Lucky Me." Next for the widescreen
process is the Middlesex, Middletown,
with "The Robe" booked, according to Sal
Adorno sr., general manager of the three
M&D first runs.
Sampson & Spodlck Theatres is installing
an air-conditioning unit at the first run Norwalk,
Henry T. North. 67, pro-
Norwalk . . .
jectionist at the Allyn for many years, is
dead. He was a brother of Charles North,
also an Allyn projectionist.
Sperie Perakos, general manager, Perakos
Theatre Associates, and his wife Nlkkle have
returned from a ten-day vacation stay with
their in-laws in Detroit ... Sol Karp, Manchester
Drive-In, Bolton Notch, made a personal
endorsement of Republic's "Jubilee
Trail" in his daily newspaper ad space. "Its
great story so impressed me that I had to
take this means to pass my recommendation
on to you," said the ad.
The Stamford Junior Chamber of Commerce,
with sanction of Bill Sobel, Starlite
Drive-In manager, sponsored circus parking
on the theatre grounds during the Ringlmg
Bros.-Barnum & Bailey circus one-day stand
in that southwestern Connecticut city.
Another Connecticut
Ozoner Adds C'Scope
HARTFORD^Second Connecticut drlve-in
to offer Cinemascope will be Lockwood &
Gordon's Norwalk Drlve-In. Doug Amos,
Hartford division manager, said that installation
is now under way, with 20th-Fox's "Demetrius
and the Gladiators" set for June 30.
The first Connecticut ozoner to offer the
wide-screen process was the Perakos circuit's
Plainvllle Drive-In, Plalnville, with a
screen measuring 116 feet wide.
BOXOFFICE :
: June
26, 1954 NE 71

—
—
—
—
— —
BOSTON
"The Durfee Theatre, Fall River, owned by
Nathan Yamins, was the first theatre in
this territory to install the Tushinsky Super-
Scope anamorphic lenses distributed by National
Screen Service. Officials of the circuit
were so pleased with the results that they
ordered two more theatres to be so equipped.
Ai-thui- Viano has installed a pair of the
lenses in his Somerville Theatre, Somerville,
while the first drive-in in the area so
equipped is the Milford, Mendun, Mass., which
played as its fii-st Cinemascope production,
"Lucky Me." Other theatres have ordered the
new lenses for delivery soon, including ATC's
Surf at Swampscott.
Ben Willianks, Independent film buyer and
booker, has moved his office from 48 Melrose
St. to 110 Arlington St. . . . Samuel L. Lowe
jr. and his brother Philip L. were grieved by
the death of their father Samuel Lebowich
Lowe, who lived at the Hotel Statler. At one
time, the elder Lowe was the owner of several
pieces of real estate property involving
theatres. His sons now head Theatre Candy
Co., candy concessionaires and designers of
drive-in concession stands. Lowe is also survived
by his wife Carolyn Wyzanski Lowe
and a grandson Perry. Services were held
at Waterman chapel. Boston, with interment
at Mishkan Tefila cemetery, Wakefield.
"The High and the Mighty" is set for a
July 4th holiday booking at the Metropolitan.
"Them!" which played the Paramount and
Fenway, was backed by a strong TV saturation
campaign for this playoff and 150 other
area bookings.
At the third commencement exercises of
Brandeis university. Waltham. it was announced
that the family of the late David
Stoneman had donated money to erect a
new student infirmary building to be called
the David Stoneman infirmary. He was a
founder of the Interstate Theatres Corp..
whose son. the late E. Harold Stoneman. was
president of the circuit before his death two
years ago.
The Boston censors have ruled that the
solo dance of Jane Russell in RKO's "The
French Line" must be cut out before the
film is shown in this city. No theatre has as
yet booked the picture here. Mayor Hynes,
who called a private showing of the film, said
board members were unanimous in the decision
claiming "too much exposure." "The
dance is objectionable from many viewpoints."
he said. "If it were not for that one scene
the board would not have taken any action.
The picture is beautifully photographed and
the costumes are delightful to the eye." Other
members of the board are Police Commissioner
Sullivan, chairman of the Art Commission
Daniel Sargent and the two city censors.
Two new drive-ins opened June 9.
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MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS
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The MODERN THEATRE
PLANNING INSTITUTE
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Gentlemen:
6-26-54
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
n "Black" Lighting
n Building Material
n Lighting
Fixtures
O Plumbing Fixtures
n Projectors
n Projection Lamps
n Seating
n Signs and Marquees
D Carpets
D Coin Machines
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Drive-In Equipment
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Signed
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Postage-paid reply cards for your further convenience
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each month.
VISITS JAIL—Harley Rudkin, film editor
for the Springfield, Mass., Daily News,
spent a couple of days on location in Boston
with the cast and crew of Universal's
'Tive Bridges to Cross." Rudkin, left,
chats between scenes with Director Joseph
Pevney at the historic Charles street
jail.
Conn. Exhibitors Attend
20th-Fox Demonstration
NEW HAVEN—Connecticut exhibitors and
representatives of the press and radio attended
20th-Fox's special screen-and-sound
demonstration at Loew's Poll Wednesday (23).
The company's new camera lenses and the
full possibilities of stereophonic sound were
illustrated at the 90-minute morning show.
The screen program also showed excerpts
from forthcoming Cinemascope pictures.
Present for
the demonstration were Glenn
Norris, eastern division sales manager, and
Jack Bloom, both from the New York home
office, and Jim Connolly, division manager
with offices in Boston.
PROVIDENCE
poasting a large panoramic screen, the new
Quonset Drive-In on Route 1 opposite
Quonset naval station opened auspiciously,
featuring a twin bill of "Rob Roy" and "Lili."
Scores of gifts, free ice cream for the kiddie?
and other novelties drew a capacity crowd .
E. M. Loew's Drive-In baseball team is really
setting fire to the topnotch Amateur league.
Jim Anderson, "winningest" pitcher in the
league, shared pitching honors with Duke
DuPerron in not-ching their fifth straight
victory of the season, trouncing the highly
touted Roosevelt A.C. 9-3. Thus far, the
theatremen remain in the unbeaten column.
William J. Trambukis, Loew's State manager,
treated patrons to a sneak preview of
"The Student Pi-ince." The Loew's manager
is cooperating with the Providence Visitor in
a special promotional stunt whereby ten free
guest tickets are awarded weekly to Visitor
sutiscribers who find their names hidden in
various display advertisements. The newspaper,
in addition to running news stories on
the promotion, inserts a good-sized house ad
every week in which the current attraction
at Loew's State is given a free plug.
"Three Coins in the Fountain" got off to a
rousing sendoff at the Majestic, with considerable
publicity, including constant plugging
of the song by the same name by popular
local disk jockeys.
NEW HAVEN
Arthur Howard, Affiliated
Booking & Buying,
Boston, owner of the Post Drive-In,
East Haven, was a Filmrow visitor . . The
MGM staff held a picnic at Lake Quassapaug
Sid Kleper, manager
Wednesday (23) . . . of Loew's College, promoted 50 ties as
Father's day giveaways . Feinstein,
SW zone manager, was in New York
tor a conference with Si Fabian . . . Zachary
Scott and Ruth Ford were starred at the
Westport Country Playhouse in two short
plays, "The Apollo of Bellac" and "The
Shewing Up of Blanco Posnet," the first time
the strawhatter has paired plays on one
program in 20 years.
Louis Lipman, Morris Kepner's partner in
the Burnside Theatre Corp., paid his first
visit to the street this week . Cairns,
MGM salesman, was on vacation and attended
the graduation of his son Ray jr. from
Norwich university, Northfield, Vt. The latter
has gone into the air force . . Morris
.
Alderman, former booker at 20th-Fox here,
started work in the print department at the
Harold Postman
New York home office . . .
of MGM's home office was in to confer with
Manager Phil Gravitz.
Henry Germaine, manager for Paramount;
Dick Carroll, booking manager, and Chester
Pickman, salesman, were in Boston for a
divisional sales and promotion meeting at
which releases for coming months were outlined
and VistaVision discussed . . . Isabelle
Toce, inspector at MGM, has resigned . . .
Eileen Snow, MGM telephone operator, left
to marry and will make her home in New
Rochelle with husband Donald Levine.
The Loew's Poli-New England chain booked
UA's highlights of the Marciano-Charles
fight for seven houses, with the 18-minute
short going into the Poll theatres in Bridgeport,
Norwich, Springfield and Worcester;
Palace, Meridian: Palace, Hartford, and College,
New Haven . . . The first Connecticut
re-release engagement of "The Greatest
Show on Earth" was at the Allyn, Hartford,
Wednesday (23) ... Ed Lord of the Lord,
Norwich, and Plainfield Drive-In, was among
the many visitors . . . Mary Lou Cohen, just
graduated from high school, has joined the
20th-Fox
booker at
staff as typist
MGM, was ill.
. . . Gloi'ia Ziaks,
Dan Rosenberg, RKO traveling auditor, was
married in New York after completing four
weeks at the New Haven branch. The audit
is being finished by Jack Schmitzer, also of
the New York office . . . Matilda Pisyk, assistant
manager at the Poll, Noi-wich, is spending
her vacation on an auto trip to California
with friends . . . "The French Line" had a
simultaneous New Haven area opening
Wednesday il6i at the downtown Crown;
Bowl Drive-In. West Haven, and Post Drive-
In, East Haven. A private screening of the
Jane Riussell pictm-e was held for Police Chief
Howard O. Young, who said he saw nothing
objectionable.
IMAGE & SOUND SERVICE CORP.
"The Besf Value In Sound Service"
Hancock 6-7984 445 Statler Building
Boston, Massachusetts
BOXOFFICE June 26, 1954 73

. . The
. .
. . The
. . The
WORCESTER
. . .
. . .
The Park, operated by Bill Brown, dropped
"The Moon Is Blue" for its Saturday
matinee The wife of Mike Sullivan of
the Warner underwent surgery in St. Vincent
The Strand in Westboro
hospital . . . was closed two days for installaion of Cinemascope
U-I Publicist John McGrail
had a couple of Worcester newspapermen
down to Boston to watch the filming of
"Five Bridges to Cross."
IVhile "Three Coins in the Fountain" was
playing Loew's Poll. Dick Carmen, a night
club comedian playing here, told Manager
John DiBenedetto of the theatre that Rossano
Brazzi of the film was his prisoner of
war in North Africa . . . The Lake Whalom
stock company in Fitchburg opened this week
under management of Guy Palmerton. The
Merry-Go-Round Theatre in Sturbridge also
reopened, with Jack Perry managing.
Jackie Cooper sent word he'll drive his
Austin-Healy in three races at Thompson
speedway June 27 . . . White City park had
the Billy Williams quartet as its featured
act ... In a poll conducted here, Marilyn
Monroe was voted the most popular actress,
with Loretta Young and Esther Williams runners-up.
John Wayne led the actors, with
Gary Cooper and Burt LancEister next.
Loew's Poll Softball team won the third
game of a series with the Warner, 16 to 4,
W'ith Jay DiBenedetto pitching for the victors
Oxford Drive-In is featuring pony
. . . rides for the youngsters.
The marquee of Loew's Poli got a redecorating
job . . . Three independent drive-ins
played the disputed "The French Line" .
"The Student Prince" got a sneak preview at
Loew's Poli, With Manager John DiBenedetto
inviting a -select group . Whalom in
Fitchburg opened June 21.
White City Park, under new management,
is using big-name acts, with Dagmar and
Gene Krupa leading off the first two shows
. . . Chilton Ryan, formerly of the Westboro
Red Barn, will turn Broadway producer in
the autumn by putting on the musical, "Walk
Tall," with John Greenleaf as co-producer.
Loew's Poli is installing full stereophonic
.sound, with 17 new speakers on the walls of
the orchestra floor and the balcony plas the
.
present three speakers on the stage. Manager
DiBenedetto expects the system will be
Leo Lajoie, manager of
ready for July 4 . . .
the Capitol, is looking forw-ard to a Canadian
vacation Ringling circus drew 9,000
at night but. like the theatres, was 'way off
the matinee.
at
Angle Pappas of the Poli has been attending
the national guard training camp for a
fortnight . . . Manager Bob Portle of the Elm
Street left this week for Waterbury. Conn.,
to substitute during the three-week vacation
of Manager Robert Carney.
LYNN
The Salem city council failed to act on a
petition filed by N. C. Nichols & Co. of
Salem to rezone a residential section at the
Lynn and Salem line to permit the construction
of a $50,000 drive-in with a frontage
of 200 feet on the main highway between the
two cities. Opposition was voiced by home
owners, the clergy of Salem and the chairman
of the committee on ordinances, to which
the petition had been referred, on the grounds
that the noise, lights and traffic would be
objectionable. A similar petition was rejected
two years ago.
Cinemascope pictures are now being shown
at Phillip Bloomberg's Orpheum Theatre in
Danvers . Strand in Gloucester recently
installed Cinemascope, making it the
second theatre in that city to do so . . .
Jack Poster, former manager of the now
closed Plaza in Salem, is now in the real
estate and insurance business with Walter
Conway in Salem.
The Empire in Salem and the Strand in
Peabody closed for the summer .
Frizzell. manager of the Surf.
. . Eddie
Swamp.scott,
was acting manager of an airer at Oxford
for three weeks. Dick Finner of Cambridge
substituted at the Surf.
Jack Simons Joins SW
NEW HAVEN—Jack Simons, formerly with
Stanley Warner in Pittsburgh and onetime
Loew's Poli manager in Hartford, has joined
the SW organization as manager of the Palace,
South Norwalk. He replaces George
Corcoran, who resigned.
HANDY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM
NEWHAMPSHIRE
The five-story Lyric Theatre building, a familiar
landmark on Hanover street, Manchester,
has been doomed to destruction.
The structure has been acquired by the
Amoskeag bank, which will demolish it and
use the site for relocation of Nutfield lane
and establishment of drive-in banking facilities.
The first joint honorary degree in the history
of Dartmouth college in Hanover was
awarded to the famed stage couple. Alfred
Lunt and Lynn Fontaine, at the college's
185th commencement. Dr. John Sloan Dickey,
college president, conferred doctorates
of humane letters on what he described as
"partners without peer in the performing
arts."
There will be an even dozen summer stock
theatres in operation in New Hampshire
this season. In addition, the 13th annual
revival of the old melodrama, "The Old
Homestead," will be presented by the Swanzey
Players in their outdoor theatre in
Swanzey, July 9, 11.
The Strand in Manchester attracted much
attention among youngsters by sponsoring a
coloring contest in cooperation with a local
furniture and appliance store. The competition
was for the film, "Them!"
Five CS Installations
Made by New Haven NTS
NEW HAVEN—The Capitol, Meriden, owned
by Leo Ricci, has been moderninzed with a
34-foot Cinemascope screen, stereophonic
sound, a new booth and new projection equipment.
The first public showing featured
"Three Coins in the Fountain."
The work was done by the New Haven office
of National Theatre Supply, with no interruption
of regular programs.
Other installations by National in the last
few weeks include a Cinemascope screen at
the Plainville Drive-In; 28-foot Cinemascope
screen at the Bantam; 36-foot Cinemascope
at the 20th Century. New Milford, and Cinemascope
and a stereophonic sound system
at the White Way here.
Ralph Mauro. manager of National's
branches here and in Albany, said he has
also received an order for a 34-foot Cinema-
Scope screen from Adolph John.son, owner
of the Strand, Hamden.

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Local 348 Observes
40lh Anniversary
VANCOUVER — Some 350 projectionists,
stagehands, civic and government leaders attended
tiie 40tli anniversary dinner of projectionists
Local 348 at the Flame Supper
club Sunday (13). Local 348 is the largest
local in the Pacific northwest. Bill Tenney,
past president of the local, gave the highlight
address, outlining the history of the
union from the early days to the present.
On April 28, 1908, Tenney said, a charter
was issued to Local B-10 as an auxiliary of
stagehands Local 118.
RECALLS ORIGINAL CHARTER
"Attending that meeting," he continued,
"were Bill McCartney, who is still with us,
and the late "Happy" Wardrop, father of
Ray and George Wardrop. After working for
nearly four years as an auxiliary, the members
petitioned the lA for a separate charter
and on the fourth of June 1912 a charter was
issued. No. 233. Fred Simmons was president.
"Other members at the inaugural meeting
were Bill McCartney, Ray Hansom, Jack
Smith, father of Jack Smith and grandfather
of Dale Smith; Len Burrell, father of Orville
Burrell, Art Corriveau and George Gerrard.
The local was prospering, but a rival union
was formed and when the two unions proposed
amalgamation, some of the members of
the other union refused to come into 233. So
another charter was requested and in June
1914, a combined meeting of the two unions
was held and charter No. 348 was issued.
NAMES GROUP'S FIRST OFFICERS
"Hal Roddan was the first president. Other
members present were McCartney, Joe Lowden,
Hank Leslie, Jack Lucas, "Happy" Wardrop,
Bill Tenney and Harold Simpson. Hal
Roddan now is with MGM in Hollywood and
Simpson is with Local 154 at Seattle. The
members of both unions were reobligated, the
first apprentice to Local 348 was Locksley
Clarke. First journeyman was Bill Myers.
"An interesting sidelight on some of the
proceedings during the early days : Jack Lucas
was working at the Columbia Theatre and the
theatre was running a country store, giving
away groceries. Jack was reported as taking
his weekly salary of $22.50 in $20 cash and
$2.50 in groceries. It was decided that if it
was all right with Lucas, it was okay with
the union.
"In a more serious vein, Joe Thomas,
father of Gordon Thomas, reported as chairman
of the committee on a trip to Victoria
regarding licensing of projectionists. This
was the birth of the examination as we have
it today. That was April 7, 1917. Coaching
committees were set up and the following
were elected: Bob Poster, optics; Hank Leslie,
electrical, and Bill McCartney, mechanical,
and classes were set up in the union. In 1928,
sound came in and during this hectic period
the local expanded and the union membership
was about doubled. That the caliber of the
men taken into the local is reflected in the
conduct of the membership is a fact. Local
348 has never repudiated a contract. During
both wars many men went into the armed
forces, and after each war the local taught
the projection business to many returned exservice
men. Today over 60 per cent of the
membership is exservice men.
Don Gauld Lengthens Lead
In Odeon Managers Race
TORONTO—Don Gauld, manager of the
Odeon, Fort William, Ont., lengthened his
sliowmanship lead to four points over Ralph
Connor of the Odeon at Ti'ail, B. C, in the
ninth week of the nationwide competition for
more than 100 units of the Odeon Theatres
chain.
In the previous week the margin held by
Gauld was only one point. Continuing in
third spot only seven points behind the leader
was Manager Roy McLeod of the Hastings,
Vancouver, with fourth place being held by
the Odeon at Ladysmith, B. C.
Top performer in Quebec at this stage is
Manager Marcel Desjardins of the Rex at St.
Jerome, fifth, followed by the Champlain,
Montreal, sixth. Jean Paul Legris is the
Champlain manager.
The leading theatre in the prairie provinces
is the Broadway at Saskatoon, seventh, while
Nick Langston of the Capitol, Hamilton, Ont.,
stood eighth, and Lin Martyn, Capitol, Niagara
Falls is next.
No change took place in
the zone standing
with the Ontario "C" group, led by District
Supervisor Steve McManus of Hamilton,
maintaining a margin over the Quebec district,
directed by Art Bahen, with British
Columbia thii-d.
A woman manager who is making an excellent
showing in the race is Anne Thompson
of the Park at Vancouver.
Checking the managers reports as they
flood the Toronto head office are Jim Hardiman,
in direct charge of the contest, and
other executives, including General Manager
Dave Griesdorf, Assistant General Manager
Ted Forsyth, W. C. Tyers, dii'ector of advertising;
Harvey Hunt, chief booker, and Tom
Moran, director of the confectionery department.
The winner of the top showman award for
the ninth week was Al Jenkins, manager
of the Vogue, Vancouver.
'Prince' Top Grosser
In Hot Toronto Week
TORONTO—"The Student Pi-ince" took top
honors in Toronto during a hot week. Business
in general maintained average, although
"The Kidnappers" dropped to 85 per cent in
its tenth week.
(Average Is 100)
Eglinton, University Night People (20th-Fox) . . . . 1 05
Hyland Tha Kidnappers (JARO), 1 0th wk 85
Imperial Tliree Coins in the Fountain (20th-Fox),
2nd wk 105
Loew's The Student Prince (MGM) 130
Nortown Rhapsody (MGM) 100
Odeon The Long Wait (UA) 1 05
Shea's Them! (WB) 105
Tivoh, Capitol Orchestra Wives (20th-Fox); Sun
Valley Serenade (20th-Fox), reissues 95
Towne Marlag O (Eros), 3rd wk 95
Uptown Beachhead (UA) 1 05
"No Return,' "Wild One,' 'Maggie' Lead
Vancouver Grosses in Slow Week
VANCOUVER—Business was slow at downtowners,
with only three houses showing
signs of life. Daylight saving time was still
blamed.
Capitol River of No Return (20th-Fox) Good
Cinema Rocing Blood (20th-Fox); Yonk in the
RAF (20th-Fox), reissue Fair
Orpheum Carnival Story (RKO) Average
Paradise Highway Dragnet (AA); Royal
African Rifles (AA) Fair
Plaza The Wild One (Col) Good
Strand The Best Years of Our Lives (RKO),
reissue
Good
Studio Hobson's Choice (IFD), 9th wk Fair
Vogue Maggie (JARO), 2nd wk Good
Montreal Group Plans
To Aid Ernest Ouimet
MONTREAL — A committee of which
Tommy Trow, owner of the Imperial at Three
Rivers, is president, is soliciting subscriptions
to help Ernest Ouimet, grand old man
of the province of Quebec's motion picture
industry. The Ernest Ouimet committee is
composed of Trow, M. J. Isman, Tom Cleary,
Leo Choquette, N. Lazanis, Mike DeRoussy,
William Trow and P. Lambert.
The committee stated that it's unfortunate
that Ouimet upon reaching old age should
need financial assistance but in view of his
numerous contributions to the industry the
cause is considered a just one. The committee
invites contributions and Tom Cleary
has placed the offices of the Consolidated
Theatres at the disposal of the committee.
LAUDS OUIMET AS PIONEER
Morgan-Powell, local critic, in a series entitled
"Memories of Montreal" told of Ouimet's
role in establishing and developing the
motion picture industry. in Canada. He wrote:
"This metropolis was the scene for many
years of the varied activities of Ernest
Ouimet, a French-Canadian who probably
contributed more than any other single individual
to the establishment of the motion
picture theatre as a place of popular entertainment
here in Canada. For Ouimet was
responsible for the establishment in Canada
not only of film distribution but of the present
modern motion picture theatre as a challenge
to the legitimate theatre.
"He had become interested as a youth in
the various experiments which were being
made on both sides of the Atlantic into the
possibilities of the motion picture as a
form of entertainment. He presented Canada's
first motion pictures to the public.
He was one of the first manufacturers of
Canadian films when he photographed and
processed his own newsreels."
OUIMET BUILDS FIRST THEATRE
Morgan-Powell recalls that Ouimet secured
financial help for the erection of the
first theatre devoted exclusively to the exhibition
of motion pictures in this city at
St. Catherine and Montcalm streets. This
was a major historical event in the story
of Canadian public entertainment. The entry
of another energetic optimist into the
motion picture business, however, forced
Ouimet to erect a new Ouimetoscope which
was reputed to be the first de luxe film
theatre in North America. It had 1,000 comfortable
regular theatre seats, a number
of which could be reserved, and a seven-piece
orchestra to play appropriate music for the
six-reel screen program, and various soloists
who sang at interludes throughout the two
daily performances.
It was Ouimet, continued Morgan-Powell,
who organized the fight for film theatre
openings on Sundays and established film
exchanges in Canada, supplying films for
either public or private exhibitions. Ouimet
worked for Pathe and he concludes that
it is beyond challenge that Ouimet's vision
paved the way for numerous film luxury
houses that are now patronized by millions
in Canada.
Maurice Duke is producing "The Atomic
Kid," Mickey Rooney starrer, for Republic
Pictures.
BOXOFnCE June 26, 1954
K 75

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Exemption of Taxes on Low Admissions
Is Goal of Manitoba Exhibitor Assn
WINNIPEG—A discussion involving the
best methods to employ in fighting the provincial
amusement tax was a major liighlight
of the recent Manitoba Motion Picture Exhibitors
Ass'n general meeting held here at
the Marlborough hotel. The association
agreed that a strategy should be mapped out
to get the government to exempt from taxes
all admission of 50 cents and under.
It was suggested that each exhibitor in the
province write his legislature member urging
tax relief and explaining specific reasons
why his particular theatre is in need of the
additional revenues currently going into
taxes in order to stay out of the red. A committee
also was planned to meet with provincial
Treasurer Ron Turner.
Included in other convention activities was
a report from Mesho Triller of the projectionists
examining board, who noted that there
is a current .shortage of students. He suggested
the setting up of a projectionists school
in one of the theatres and the start of a promotion
campaign to sell today's youth on the
idea of embracing this vocation as a life's
work.
A public relations report from Chairman
H. A. Bishop cited the numerous charitable
activities of the association during the last
year, including the donation of a 16mm screen
and projector to the piolio patients at King
George hospital.
B. D. Hurwitz discussed the latest developments
on emergency lighting, the Winnipeg
business tax and garbage disposal. Later in
the meeting, Hurwitz presented the treasurer's
report, stating five new members had
joined the MMPEA recently, as well as three
drive-ins. S. R. Miles, besides presenting the
president's report, outlined the activities of
the amusement tax committee and its endeavors
to reduce the provincial amusement
tax. Special kudos were handed out to Secretary
Ken Beach for his work as a member
on a majority of committees. In the absence
of the ailing Beach at the general meeting,
Ben Sommers took over as acting secretary.
Delegate David Rothstein who had attended
the national councU and national committee
meetings in the east outlined questions handled
at those conferences.
Television also developed into a subject of
major importance. It was generally agreed
that TV is here to stay and that the exhibitor
must learn to live with it. Some
speakers felt it was actually a blessing in disguise
for it is forcing exhibitors to go back
to old-fashioned showmanship. In addition,
it was the incentive that caused the industry
to develop the many recent technological
advances bringing about better pictures and
methods of presentation which have resulted
in enlarged patronage. It was decided to dispense
with one major guest speaker at the
dinner, and instead gather a cross section of
opinion and advice from a wide variety of
industry and nonindustry speakers all of
whom gave short concise talks.
Speakers included J. E. Biggerstaff, vicepresident,
Manitoba division of the Canadian
Picture Pioneers; Phil Geller. president. Winnipeg
Film Board of Trade; Sam Herbst,
labor leader; J. M. Rice, industry dean in
western Canada; Nathan Rothstein, exhibitor;
Robert Baillie, provincial commissioner
of taxation; Earl Simpson, city engineer of
inspection; E. A. Zorn, departing western
supervisor of Famous Players; Johnny Ferguson,
newly appointed to Zorn's post; Ann
Henry, Ti-ibune reviewer; J. Gordon, Free
Press staff member; J. Evans, superintendent
of the Canadian Institute of the Blind; Mesho
Triller, champion of the independents, and
E. A. Turner, lATSE business agent.
ORIGINATED by Gaumont Kalee of
England, the prism type Anomorphic
Lens gives the truest definition across
WINNIPEG
n S2,000,000 downtown fire forced Theatre
. .
Poster Service to vacate its premises, although
nothing was lost or damaged in the
offices. Until permanently located Somer
James is operating from the A&L office and
is shipping advertising direct from Toronto
When
to exhibitors in western Canada .
Empire-Universal Manager Len Norrie
learned that his office had placed first in
the Universal drive, he wrote a friendly thank
you letter to every exhibitor in the territory
for help with playdates and contracts.
It was erroneously reported recently that
distributors would supply 16mm film free of
charge to the polio patients at the King
George and Queen Elizabeth hospitals if the
exhibitors would supply a 16mm projector
and screen. When a projector and screen
was presented to the King George hospital
on behalf of Manitoba exhibitors, an exhibitor
committee of Richard Miles, Harold A.
Bishop and Ben Sommers was informed by
the hospital authorities that pictures could
only be shown to four polio patients at a
time since only four iron lungs could be
conveniently placed together. Members of
the Junior Board of Ti-ade are volunteer projectionists,
but it would require a large number
of runs for all the patients to see a picture
in groups of four and the distributors
were reported to have withdrawn their free
rental offer. Their rental charges are too
prohibitive for the hospital's funds and efforts
are now being made asking distributors
to reconsider their original promise.
Mesho Triller will close the Dominion for
two months and spend over $60,000 facelifting
the house throughout. The project is
prompted by the acquisition of United Artists
first run product. There is a possibility that
other distributors, also feeling a key run lockout,
will join UA in using the Dominion as a
Roy Williams, a
Winnipeg showcase . . .
Walt Disney art director, besides making an
appearance at various schools and department
stores, recently appeared on the stages
of the Capitol and Gaiety in a fast sketching
show of Disney characters. Considerable
amount of space was devoted by the local
dailies to his visit.
PERKINS
ELECTRIC COMPANY LIMITED
Head Office: Montreal, Quebec
Branches at:
Toronto, Vancouver, Moncton ond Calgory
the entire width of any screen.
Delivery from stock. Prices so low,
you'll be amazed.
SEE PERKINS FOR FULL PARTICULARS.
"Executive Suite" was held over a second
week at the Met by Eddie Newman .
United Artists General Manager Charles
Chaplin visited here for several days and
conferred on future company policy with
Manager Abe Feinstein . Bill Minuk
. . .
of the Corona and Ei-nie Diamond of the
Rialto have installed the latest in refrigerated
air conditioning
. Circus Drive-In has
a copyrighted $4,000 jackpot quiz offering a
1954 Meteror, Laundromat Twins, refrigerator
and $25 in cash Valom- Manager Joe
Barnicki tells his patrons that the program
"Imitation of Life" and "East Side of Heaven"
i.i the first in the .series of pictures requested
to be brought back by patrons' request.
Good street, location of J. Arthur Rank
offices, is being widened and paved . . . Frank
Willis held over "The Living Desert" for a
second week at the Gaiety . Garrick
showed the Marciano-Charles fight pictures fl
with sport pages receiving heavy bombardment
from Dave Robertson, GaiTick manager.
76
BOXOFFICE June 26, 1954

. . The
TORONTO
Arch H. JoUey of the MPTAO lost out on
winning the chief $140,000 prize in the
Irish sweepstakes derby because Ms cousin
John, a lawyer at Kitchner, had bought the
lucky ticket. In addition, a friend bought a
coupon out of the same book from which
Ai-ch purchased a ticket. The acquaintance
won $280 on a nonstarter in the race. "How
close can a guy come?" Archie mourned this
week ... A remarkable recovery has been
made by Eva Delaney of the Delaney, Gananoque,
who has been seriously ill at Kingston
General hospital. Mrs. Delaney now is
able to visit her theatre briefly each day,
and she recently made a trip to Montreal.
She has been selected as one of three residents
to represent Gananoque at the opening
ceremony of the Canadian National Exhibition,
Toronto, next August.
Along with a partner, Aich J. Mason, chairman
of the Motion Picture Industry Council
of Canada, has launched a real treasure hunt
in an attempt to recover a reported $3,000,000
in bullion in a pirate ship which was sunk
in 1844 by the British navy in Chocfawhatchee
Bay in Florida. Mason said the project will
cost an estimated $10,000 . . Vice-president
.
Cliff Yoiison of General Theatre Supply,
Toronto, held a tradeshowing of the Pola-
Lite system at the Hollywood Wednesday (16)
with screening of "The Mad Magician."
Following the promotion of Jim McDonough
of the Hamilton Tivoli to district manager at
Halifax, replacing Bob Roddick, who retired.
Famous Players will bring Bob Campbell,
assistant to C. J. Jeffreys at the Sudbury
Capitol, to Toronto to manage the Bloor.
Other changes include Joseph Cardinal, from
the Bloor to the Alhambra from which
Michael King moves to the Nortown, and Don
Edwards of the Nortown going to the Tivoli,
Hamilton.
manager of the Casino, was
Murray Little,
talking about dropping vaudeville because of
the expense and the lack of headline attractions,
when along came Eartha Kitt and the
house was jammed for a week. Little maintains,
however, that television has hurt the
vaudeville situation . . C. S. Chaplin, Canadian
.
general manager of United Artists,
and his wife celebrated a wedding anniversary
with a party at the Royal York hotel.
MARITIMES
Tn advance of the screening of "Easy to Love"
at the Odeon, North Sydney, a collection
of photographs of the Cypress Gardens in
Florida, where the film was shot, was shown
in a display window of the Odeon. The
photos were taken by two residents of North
Sydney during a vacation visit last winter to
Florida. When Johnny Farr, manager of the
Odeon, learned two local men, James Naddaf
and James Rahey, had taken the pictures of
the Cypress Gardens he arranged to borrow
all of them for a display several days in advance
of the opening of "Easy to Love." He
then coupled shots of the film with printed
advertising.
In connection with the Vimy Theatre at
Clark's Harbor, N. S., Royden W. Swim, manager,
operates four bowling alleys, four billiard
tables and a canteen. The Vimy, incidentally,
is named after the battle in the
Asks Union Assistance
On Ticket Tax Fight
TORONTO—According to a report from
Arch H. JoUey, executive secretary, Motion
Pictui-e Theatres Ass'n of Ontario, projectionists
locals have been invited to join the organized
move for amusement tax concessions.
This invitation is the latest development
in the campaign for modification of the
hospitals tax act under which the ticket impost
is collected.
Weekly meetings are being held here by
a committee for admission tax relief on which
there is equal representation from the
MPTAO and Ontario Allied.
JoUey also noted that the MPTAO is
still
pressing for a refund on theatre license fees
because a change in date in the license year
had meant a shortening of the preiod for two
months. The projectionists have also suffered
a similar loss in fee payments.
first World War in which the Canadian soldiers
distinguished themselves. Operations of
the Vimy are four nights weekly. The current
exhibitor was one of the youngest film
exhibitors in Canada. He took over operation
of the Vimy in 1947 at the age of 19. He
succeeded the late Evan A. Swim . . . Maurice
Griffin, shipper at the Paramount exchange
in St. John, was renamed president of the
St. Vincent's Home and School Ass'n.
Newest addition to the Maritimes drive-ins
is one on the outskirts of Chester, N. S., sponsored
by Corkum & Ritcey, who operate the
Standard Theatre in Chester
free to screenings of
. . . Admitted
"Those Redheads From
Seattle" at the Odeon, North Sydney, were
all redheads, male and female, who presented
themselves at the boxoffice in trios . . .
Sid Campbell of Sydney is now connected
with the management of two Cape Breton
theatres. He is manager of the Star at Whitney
Pier, which is part of the city of Sydney,
and assistant manager at the Family, Reserve
Mines, N. S., the latest addition to the
Cape Breton film houses, and with Peter
Blanche as owner.
A boxoffice stimulant for a short at the
Paramount, New Waterford, was a collection
of shots depicting scenes in the soft coal
mines of Cape Breton and particularly the
pits of the New Waterford district. The short
is titled "Diggers of the Deep" and deals with
the soft coal mining operations of Nova Scotia.
The Paramount is in the Famous Players
chain and is operated by Gregor and
R. D. Robertson has opened a
Gouthro . . .
new drive-in about two miles out of Truro,
N. S., to replace one which was situated about
a dozen miles out of Truro. The title at the
new spot is Bel-Air. Program shifts are being
made three times weekly.
Sells Downtown Property
OTTAWA—^A downtown commercial property
owned by Famous Players has been purchased
by Lumor Interests Ltd., as the site
for a new office building. The price was
$115,000, according to A. H. Pitzsimmons &
Son, the agency for the deal. The property
had been held in reserve for a prospective
theatre.
John Bromfield Joins John Agar
John Bromfield has joined John Agar in
the topline cast of the U-I film, "Return
of the Creature From the Black Lagoon."
VANCOUVER
The Skyway Drive-In near Kamloops broke
. .
. . .
its alltime record with the showing of
JARO's "The Kidnappers." The picture was
played ahead of the Capitol indoor house in
Kamloops . The theatre at Theodore, Sask.,
has been purchased for a reported $25,000 by
Leon Wasilishen of Wynyard, Sask., from N.
Butchko. It's a 290-seater, the town's only spot
Jack Hamill, student manager at the
Vogue, was transferred to Odeon's newest
theatre, which will open in Edmonton, Alta.
He will be assistant to Sam Binder, a supervisor
of Odeon's Edmonton theatres. The new
The old Roxy, a 450-
house seats 1,500 . . .
seater, was purchased by the Apostolic church
of Pentecost of Canada.
Roy Brewer, who is running for presidency
of the lATSE in opposition to Richard Walsh,
was in on a fast trip and confeiTed with officers
of projectionists Local 348 . . . Joe Johnson,
formerly with the Cascade Drlve-In,
replaced Sammy Swartz as manager of the
Lougheed ozoner at Burnaby. Swartz, after
a California holiday, will return to Winnipeg
for a new position with the Phillit circuit,
which operates a chain of theatres iii Manitoba
and Saskatchewan ... A 65-mile-perhour
wind did considerable damage to drive-in
screens in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Frank Gow, FPC district manager, announced
that bids are being asked on the
new 1,000-seat theatre at Kamloops, B. C.
. . .
The chain at present operates the Capitol, the
The
town's only conventional house
Cascade Drive-In at Burnaby, formerly operated
by National Drive-In Theatres, which
was the subject of a partnership quarrel
between Johnson and Steele and the company,
was dissolved. The airer was turned
over to the Steele faction by a court decision.
The ozoner holds 750 cars . . . Ted Forsyth,
assistant general manager of Odeon Theatres,
who has been in British Columbia inspecting
the chain's 32 houses, returned to
his Toronto headquarters.
Chilly weather and rain forced the Pacific
Playhouse group to move from the outdoor
Exhibition Park Theatre to the indoor Avon
for a tsn-week period. Manager of the show
said the chilly weather kept patrons away
and caused a loss for the first week. By moving
indoors a healthy increase in business
was shown . . . Outdoor theatres are having
the worst season since they have opened in
British Columbia and the prairie provinces.
A 37 -year-old aerial artist died after plummeting
100 feet from the screen tower of a
Burnaby drive-in. More than 2,000 horrified
patrons of the Paramount Auto Vue watched
the acrobat hurtle to the ground after a
30-foot flexible steel shaft on which he was
performing snapped at the base. He dropped,
bouncing on the edge of the tower before
falling the remaining 70 feet. At the inquest
held in New Westminster, the jury recommended
"government licensing of all public
entertainers, regular test inspection of their
equipment and compulsory pubhc liability insurance
coverage." The drive-in operators
were freed from blame for the accident . . .
Ready for business this month will be the
400-car Valleyview Drive-In near Kamloops,
built by Sucha Singh .
opening of the
Castlegar Drive-In in the British Columbia
interior was delayed by floods.
BOXOFFICE June 26, 1954 77

. . Elizabeth
. . .
Don
. . Manager
. . The
. .
MONTREAL
. . John
The Kidnappers," a J. Ai'thiu' Rank production,
is having a record run at the Kent,
a UAC house. The film is in its nth week,
and adults are agitating to have government
authorities allow children to .see it . . . Jack
Labow. Toronto. Canadian district manager
for RKO. spent a few days here conferring
with Harry Cohen, local manager .
Levitt, Columbia salesman, returned from a
two-week trip as far down the St. Lawrence
as the booming Seven Islands, where shipments
of iron ore from Ungava and Labrador
will begin to be made in late summer. While
in Quebec City. Levitt met Leo Archambault,
manager of the Empire, who told him he put
over an intensive advertising campaign for
"Charge of the Lancers" and "The Iron
Glove" as a double-bill. Business was reported
as "exceedingly good." Manager
R. Gouge. Cartier. Quebec City, claimed "very
good business indeed" with the showing of
"From Here to Eternity." while Manager
Roger Choulnard of the Imperial and the
Princess reported working very hard to put
up advertising campaigns for both houses.
. . .
Art F. Quintal, head booker at 20th-Fox, is
on his annual two-week holiday at his country
villa at Lac des Fi-ancais . . . Lome
Etienne. head of the art department of UAC,
.spent some days at Burlington, Vt., while
Bob Brown and Bill Bourne, also of the art
department of UAC, are on a fishing trip
to Spad Lake in Senneterre park in the
Laurentians Larry Sheehan. artist in
the UAC advertising department, is on a
holiday at North Bay, Ont., spending his vacation
period at the RCAF base.
. . . Edgar
Doreen Impey, cashier at Warner Bros., is
on a two-week holiday . . . Mrs. Jack Weir,
Paramount, is on her vacation
Hamel, accountant for Quebec Cinema Booking,
motored to Boston for a few days
Jack Roher. president of
. . .
Peerless Films, visited
his Toronto office.
Mrs. L. Bertrand, owner of the Princess.
Riviere-du-Loup. arrived back from Miami
.
and Daytona Beach, where she spent two
months Mackay has taken
over the duties of cashier at Cardinal Films
. . Michael Levitt, son of Sol Levitt of Paramount,
.
received his BA degree at McGill
university. He is studying to become a doctor
. . . Jason Cohen, office manager of Quebec
Cinema Booking, is back home recuperating
after a stay at the Royal Victoria hospital.
Exhibitors visiting Filmi'ow included P. E.
Lauziere, owner of the Cartier of Drummondville,
accompanied by Manager Arthur
Morency: Guy Langlols, manager of the
Ma-ska. St. Hyacinthe, a UAC hou.se; Guy
L'Heureux, manager of the Imperial at St.
Johns, also a UAC house, and Eugene Venne,
Avalon. Longueuil.
The record run of more th^n 13 weeks by
"Les Enfants de L'Amom-" at both the
La Scala and Canadien has drawn the attention
of all in the industry. It was estimated
that 185.000 persons have seen the film . . .
Film making has been adopted by the
Pi-otestant school board of Montreal. Eileen
Reid uses a film camera to record the techniques
of children leai-ning physical education,
and it is the intention of the school
board to use the films to show organization,
standards of achievement and types of work
. . . Prof. Lawrence S. Kubie of Yale university
suggested during the convention of
psychiatrists here that psychoanalysts may
one day use films taken during a subject's
sleep in order to have a better basis for studying
a patient's subconscious.
Montreal's long-awaited concert hall, motion
pictiu'e center and general civic auditorium
is moving closer to fruition and
Premier Maurice Duplessis of Quebec met
with J, O. Asselin, chairman of the city executive
committee, and Committeeman Paul
Dozois to arrive at an agreement for the
cultural center. Wide discussion is going on
about the site of the auditorium and if the
premier and city authorities arrive at a
definite site. It could mean that the two city
members will receive approval of the premier
and a promise of tangible financial help. It
is believed that with the help of the provincial
government and funds raised from public subscription,
the rest of the necessary money can
he obtained. Once all necessary approval has
been given the work can be started immediately
and the hall can become a reality in a
year or so.
The Normandie in St. Laurent was the
.scene of an attempted burglary and of the
arrest of two men. Police arrested James
Rogers, who recently was freed of a murder
char-ge on lack of sufficient evidence, and
Gerry Grabina. both of Montreal. According
to police, one of the pair was discovered forcing
the entrance door of the Normandie.
while the other was keeping watch in a
parked automobile nearby. The police arrested
Rogers and Grabina after watching them
for some time in front of the theatre.
Kiwanis Fetes Pat Dwyer
HALIFAX. N. S.—Pat Dwyer, who recently
retired to the Annapolis valley to grow apples
after 23 years on the managerial staff of the
P''ranklin & Herschorn cii-cuit, was honored
by the Kiwanis club of Dartmouth with a lifetime
membership. Dwyer was called the
father of the Kiwanis movement in Dartmouth
becau.se of his role in founding the
group. He had held every office in the local
organization, including the pre.sidency and a
diiector.ship.
OTTAWA
^anager Clare Chamberlain of the Glebe
Cinema has held "The Kidnappers" for
a tenth week, thus keeping pace with similar
runs at the Hyland in Toronto and the Kent
at Montreal
. new drive-in at Arnprior
has been named the Sky Hi. according to
Manager George Jordan. It is the latest unit
of the Ottawa Valley Amusement Co.. Renfrew,
of which the supervisor is Russ Simpson,
former Toronto manager for Paramount .
The ultimate has been reached in the cigaret
price war locally, with packs of cigarets being
given away free at William Farrah's Strand.
One pack is given with each evening admission.
Farrah has been giving free popcorn to
the juveniles at Saturday matinees.
Manager Len Larmour of the Star-Top
Drive-In tied in with Fathers day by staging
a special night for dads with a gift for every
The Auto-Sky
male head of a hou.sehold . . .
Drive-In. operated by Ben Preedman. observed
its third birthday by offering a free
box of popcorn to every child two nights in
a row.
Ernie Warren got four weeks out of "The
Living Desert" at the Little Elgin, then turned
to "Isn't Life Wonderful?" a British comedy
Watts, manager of the Rideau. took
off the adult picture, "The Bigamist." Saturday
afternoon and substituted a "battle of
the Tai-zans" bill for the juveniles. Features
were "Tarzan Triumphs." with Johnny Weissmuller.
and "Tarzan's Peril." with Lex Barker.
After a lengthy illness, Paul Frost has returned
to his job at the Capitol as assistant
manager
. Jim Chalmers of the
Odeon said the Cinemascope installation
there includes 16 auditorium speakers and
three behind the .screen.
Frank Gallop at the Centre did some nice
booking. With Spike Jones appearing at the
Auditorium one night, Frank had "Fireman,
Save My Child" on the screen, along with
"The Square Ring" when all fans were talking
about the Marciano-Charles ring battle.
Vancouver Sun Editor
Aims Dart at Circuits
VANCOUVER—The amusement editor of
the Vancouver Sun didn't like the way the
local Odeon and Famous Players circuit representatives
ignored Joe E. Brown, Teresa
Wright and Charles Coburn when they were
here recently to appear with a stock company.
He ran a boxed feature entitled "Small
Time in the Big Town Tonight," which read:
"When Joe E. Brown arrived in town
Thursday he was met by socialite-sportsman
Austin Taylor and Avon co-producers Charlie
Nel.son and Jack Aceman. But the all-time
movie great who practically has been given
the keys to the city doesn't even rate a
'hello' from the Odeon or Famous Players
theatre organizations. It was the same story
when Charles Coburn and Teresa Wright
came to play at Avon-on-Hastings. This
despite the fact that these three stars in
particular have meant a lot of bread and
butter to the theatre chains. Surely the
theatremen aren't worried about the competition
of a one-horse stock company.
C'mon, fellas. Movies are bigger than ever.
Are you?"
BOXOFFICE :
: June
26, 1954

•
—-
OXOfflCEl ^BQ'A I/\}\B I*
The EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY ABOUT PICTURES
ALLIED ARTISTS
Kansas Pacific (AA) — Sterling Hayden,
Eve Miller, Barton MacLane. Good story, poor
color. This has been done many times before.
Used it only one day. Played Tues. Weather:
Warm.—Michael Chiaventone, Valley Theatre,
Spring Valley, 111. Rural and semiindustrial
patronage.
No Holds Barred (AA)—Leo Gorcey, Huntz
Hall, Bernard Gorcey. The Bowery Boys in
a wrestling picture were enough to lure some
patrons away from their TV sets. Best
Wednesday night in four months. Thursday
dropped down but it averaged out better than
u.sual business. As many kids as we have
for a Saturday night western. Played Wed.,
Thiu-s. Weather: Cool, rain.—^Norman Merkel,
Time Theatre, Albert City, Iowa. Small-town
and rural patronage.
Riot in Cell Block 11 (AA)—Neville Brand,
Emlle Meyer, Frank Faylen. Plenty of suspense
and action but wouldn't suggest playing
it on Sunday as we did. We had an
early date and there were some TV ads but
those who saw them merely commented on
"how NEW your next Sunday's picture is"
and didn't come to see it. Played Sun., Mon.,
Wed. Weather: Warm.—Richard and Audrey
Fritz, Tic Toe Theatre, What Cheer, Iowa.
Small-town and very rural patronage.
COLUMBIA
Juggler, The (Col)—Kirk Douglas, Milly
Vitale, Paul Stewart. Ordinarily I'd have
passed it but those 14 plus marks over a
couple of pages always get me to seeing dollar
marks where most of the time they aren't
and I end up booking one. With Bank Night
as the chief lure, we ended up O.K. Actually
it is an excellent feature and compliments
were many. Really it is too good to pass, yet
you must use an angle. We did fine on it.
Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Lovely.—Bob
Walker, Uintah Theatre, Pruita, Colo. Smalltown
and rural patronage.
Salome (Col)—Rita Hayworth, Stewart
Granger, Charles Laughton. Biblical films
have good pull here. When they're as good
as this, the combination is hard to beat. A
performance by Laughton that's incomparable.
Boxoffice 150 per cent. Played Sun.,
Mon. Weather: Warm, clear.—James H.
Hamilton, Pine Hill Drive-In Theatre, Picayune,
Miss. Small-town and rural patronage.
Wild One, The (Col)—Marlon Brando, Mary
Murphy, Robert Keith. Doubled this one
with "Soared Stiff." "The Wild One" was
definitely the better draw of the two. A
good, suspense filled flicker that really fits
Brando. For good pre-television business, don't
pass this one up. Played Tues., Wed. Weather:
Clear and warm.—Lew Bray jr., Queen Theatre,
McAllen, Tex. English-Spanish speaking
patronage.
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER
Arena (MGM)—Gig Young, Jean Hagen,
Polly Bergen. Wish I could think of the name
of the "film salesman who told me this was
no good. He wasn't an MGM man. I was off
on a get-rich-quick jaunt to Chicago when
came home I found
we used this but when I
it had helped drag in enough to make up
somewhat for the dud I drew in Chicago.
Wonder of wonders, people were looking me
up after two weeks to tell me how good it
was. Doubled with "Great Diamond Robbery"
for the only profitable Sunday program in
March. If you have skipped "Arena" it's a
shame and I hope you'll find I am giving
you a good steer in telling you, "you oughta
book it." Played Sun., Mon., Tues. V/eather:
I was catching Hell in the dust storms but
it must have been lovely here.—Bob Walker,
Uintah Theatre, Fruita, Colo. Small-town
and rural patronage.
Gypsy Colt (MGM) — Donna Corcoran,
Ward Bond, Frances Dee. This is a natural
for small-town theatres. Best attendance to
date. Had many compliments. A fine family
picture—give it youi- best time. Played Sun.,
Mon. Weather: Good.—Walter Eisenhauer,
Kiva Theatre, Slater, Mo. Small-town and
rural patronage.
Long, Long Trailer, The (MGM) —Lucille
Ball, Desi Ai-naz, Marjorie Main. Oh boy,
oh boy. oh boy, I .sure do love Lucy! Pi'esold
to our CBS-TV audience and we saw
lots of people we hadn't seen since they got
theu- television sets last summer—wonder
how long it will be before we see them again.
The picture is very good. Thanks, MGM—
you ARE the friendly company. Played Tues.,
Wed., Thurs. Weather: Fair.—Paul Ricketts,
Charm Theatre, Holyrood, Kas. Small-town
and rural patronage.
Mogambo (MGM) — Clark Gable, Ava
Gardner, Grace Kelly. They left their TV
sets, their plows and their gardens to see
"Mogambo" and I believe more people enjoyed
this than "King Solomon's Mines." A
good jungle picture—and not too many animal
shots. Business was good so it's okay
'Martin Luther' Did Smash
Business for Don Risch
To EHHS:
Just read a review on "Martin Luther"
written by a California exhibitor who
warned other small towns that this picture
won't draw. Although we played
this over six months ago, perhaps now is
a good time to report that we received
excellent church cooperation and grossed
660 per cent of normal business. This
tremendous draw was recorded in spite
of the fact that "Luther" played the same
week in three other towns within 30 miles
of here. If the Californian wants further
evidence about the boxoffice value of
religious films, we can report that "Country
Parson" did 208 per cent of normal
business here. In spite of warnings from
the west coast, we LIKE religious pictures
and wish there were more produced.
DON RISCH
Reno Theatre,
Appleton, Minn.
here. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Cool.
Ken Christianson, Roxy Theatre, Washburn,
N.D. Small-town and rural patron: ge.
Take the High Ground (MGM)—Richard
Widmark, Karl Maiden, Carleton Carpenter.
This can be rated with the best. It went
over better than the over-rated "Shane"
we played a few weeks previously. No need
to worry about boxoffice receipts when we
have one like this. Played Sun., Mon. Weather:
Cold and rainy.—W. J. Breitling and
Ida v., Comfrey Theatre, Comfrey, Minn.
Village and rural patronage.
PARAMOUNT
Caribbean (Para)- -John Payne, Arlene
Dahl, Sir Cedric Hardwicke. Was afraid I
got too many pirates too close together but
this one took the. nudge that Bank Night
gave it and came up like a champion. Had
enough color and action to appeal to the
youngsters but a bit too many knives and
swords for the fair sex. We did nice business.
Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Nice.—Bob
Walker, Uintah Theatre, Fruita, Colo. Smalltown
and rural patronage.
Roman Holiday (Para)—Gregory Peck,
Audrey Hepburn, Eddie Albert. Many have
reported that this didn't do much biisiness.
However, we played this after Hepburn won
the Academy award and did 154 per cent at
the boxoffice. So—no complaints from me!
Wonder why this wasn't in color? Played
Thm-s., Fri. Weather: Warm, clear—James
H. Hamilton, Pine Hill Drive-In Theatre,
Picayune, Miss. Small-town and rural patron-
Shane (Para)—Alan Ladd, Van Heflin,
Jean Arthur. They drove through com fields
to come to see "Shane." Over one-lane gravel
by-roads, through "cricks" and sticks and
fields, they came to see "Shane," and they
enjoyed it as the best western they ever saw.
We showed to capacity crowds every night
although the highway on which our drive-in
theatre is located is closed for reconstruction.
Seldom, if ever, has any one picture incorporated
five top acting performances.
Van
Heflin's star performance is unexcelled as
well as Jack Palance's supporting role. We
advertised "Shane" as the greatest western
of all time. And that's "Shane"—the greatest
western of all time. Played Fri., Sat., Sun.
Weather: Warm.—^Harry Ziegler, Drive-In
Theatre, Thorntown, Ind. Small-town and
rural patronage.
Those Redheads From Seattle (Para)—
Rhonda Fleming, Gene Barry, Agnes Moore
head. This type of picture everyone goes for.
An evening of solid enjoyment for anybody's
money. Plot isn't too involved and tiresome
and there aren't too many musical selections.
Everybody happy, including yoiu's
truly, the cashier! Played Sun., Mon. Weather:
Cold, rainy.—W. J. Breitling and Ida
v., Comfrey Theatre, Comfrey, Minn. Village
and rural patronage.
RKO RADIO
Androcles and the Lion (RKO)—Jean Simmons,
Victor Mature, Robert Newton. The
comments from the first night's patronage
were not fit to print. And the second night
(Continued on following page)
BOXOFnCE BookinGuide : : June 26, 1954

—
—
The EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
(Continued from preceding page)
there were not many patrons to comment
they came for the Bank Nite jackpot. Played
Wed., Thurs. Weather: Warm.—Michael
Chiaventone. Valley Theatre, Spring Valley,
111. Rural and semiindustrial patronage.
Peter Pan (RKO)—Disney Cartoon Feature.
Nice picture and surprised us. We showed to
more kids than adults each night so the
weekly trip to the bank wasn't any unusual
burden. Sold some extra popcorn to the bunch
of kids, though. Under present conditions
we were well pleased. These past few months
we have learned to be thankful for any
gross that tops the operating costs. If it
hadn't rained just at showtime the last night,
it might have done better. Played Tues.,
Wed., Thurs. Weather: Good. Rain last night.
—Paul Ricketts, Charm Theatre, HoljTood,
Kas. Small-town and rural patronage,
REPUBLIC
Hoodlum Empire (Repi—Brian Donlevy,
Claire Trevor, Forrest Tucker. Not too much
action in this one but it was well liked. We
were able to buy this at a reasonable price
and made a dollar. Played Wed.. Thurs., Fri.,
Sat. Weather: Light rain.—Harold Bell,
Opera House Theatre, Coaticook, Que. Smalltown
and rural patronage.
Sweethearts on Parade (Rep)—Ray Middleton,
Lucille Norman, Eileen Christy. This
is ideal for small towns. Needs a lot of
"push" but once you get 'em in they'll come
out happy. One of the best musical comedies
we have played this year. Beautiful music.
The Trucolor extra good in this one. This is
entertainment! Played Wed., Thurs. Weather:
Fair.—Michael Chiaventone, Valley Theatre.
Spring Valley, 111. Rural and semiindustrial
patronage.
20th CENTUEY-FOX
Girl Next Door, The (20th-Fox)—June
Haver, Dan Dailey, Billy Gray. Good color
musical. June Haver should come back to
pictures and make some more like this. Dan
Dailey likeable as always. Business is rather
slow but the farmers are quite busy in the
fields now. Played Sun., Mon. Weather:
Warm.—Norman Merkel, Time Theatre,
Albert City, Iowa. Small-town and rural patronage.
Inferno (20th-Fox)—Robert Ryan, Rhonda
Fleming, William Lundigan. Another 3-D-2-D
affair that didn't pull in average business
at the boxoffice. The acting is good but I
guess too many saw it in 3-D. Played Sat.
Weather: O.K.—D. W. Trisko, Runge Theatre,
Runge, Tex. Small-town and rural patronage.
Invaders From Mars (20th-Fox)—Helena
Carter, Arthur Franz, Jimmy Hunt. This
drove the tots to the lobby. Too far fetched
for adults. The end was a disappointment in
that it turned out to be a dream. (I find
dreaming about grosses doesn't help the bank
account.) Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Chilly.
—Michael Chiaventone, Valley Theatre.
Spring Valley, 111. Rural and semiindustrial
patronage.
Pickup on South Street (20th-Fox)—Richard
Widmark, Jean Peters, Thelma Ritter. A
nice change from our usual western type.
The western fans stayed at home but we
saw lots of new faces. We bought this one in
one of those "flexible" year deals and paid
top film rental for it! Wasn't worth it. Played
Fri., Sat. Weather: Cool.—Richard and Audrey
Fritz, Tic Toe Theatre, What Cheer,
Iowa. Small-town and very rural patronage.
President's Lady, The (20th-Fox)—Charlton
Heston, Susan Hayward, Margaret Wycherly.
Even if this fine film were not what it is,
I would still love it! You see, I saw it being
made. Susan Hayward is one of my very
favorite stars. I met her personally—so how
could this picture turn out any better for
me? But, apart from that, our patrons
lapped this one up. It has all the ingredients
that go to make up a fine boxoffice film. We
did excellent business with it and it is highly
recommended to all houses irrespective of
size and town. Play it—you'U be happy!
Played Wed. through Sat. Weather: Fine.—
Dave S. Klein, Astra Theatre, Kitwe-Nkana,
Northern Rhodesia, Africa. Mining, government,
business patronage.
Siege at Red River, The (20th-Fox)—Van
Johnson, Joanne Dru, Richard Boone. Another
good Fox outdoor picture in the best
color of late—a good action picture with excellent
stars but it left a lot to be desired so
far as the boxoffice was concerned. TV hurts
the westerns most of all, here. Played Thurs.,
Fri., Sat. Weather: Cool.—Ken Christianson,
Roxy Theatre, Washburn, N.D. Small-town
and rural patronage.
UNITED ARTISTS
High Noon (UA)—Gary Cooper, Cameron
Mitchell, Lloyd Bridges. We really played this
one late, but with a picture of this type it
doesn't seem to make any difference. In fact,
I think it is usually in our favor when we
do. This one brought some people in whom
we seldom see any more. Very good. Played
Sun. Weather: Nice.—MarcsUa Smith, Vinton
Theatre, McArthur, Ohio. Small-tow-n
and rural patronage.
War Paint (UAt—Robert Stack, Joan Taylor,
Charles McGraw'. This picture had every
color of the rainbow in it, one color at a
time. First a scene is yellow and then instantly
the same scene changes to blue,
and then back to yellow. The picture itself
is not too much. The cavalry walks around
in circles in Death Valley. I only saw two
Indians in the whole picture—one of each
sex. Played Tues. Weather: Fair.—Michael
Chiaventone, Valley Theatre, Spring Valley,
111. Second run patronage.
Wicked Woman (UA)—Beverly Michaels,
Richard Egan, Percy Helton. A sordid little
melodrama with the emphasis on sex that did
business on a Saturday late show. How this
got a Production Code seal we'll never know.
Made on a small budget and shows it. It
won't make you proud that you're in show
business. Weather: O. K.—W. F. Shelton,
Louisburg Theatre, Louisburg, N. C. Smalltown
and rural patronage.
UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL
East of Sumatra (U-D—Jeff Chandler,
Marilyn Maxwell, Anthony Quinn. Boxoffice
average. I haven't done too well with Chandler
films but those I asked about it seemed
to like this. Played Tues., Wed. Weather:
Warm, clear.—James H. Hamilton, Pine Hill
Drive-In Theatre, Picayune, Miss. Smalltown
and rural patronage.
Forbidden (U-I)—Tony Curtis. Joanne Dru,
Lyle Bettger. Drama with a vivid love story,
leading from the United States to the Orient
and back with Tony Curtis exposing a crooked
racket operated by the fiance of Joanne Dru.
Truly a swell picture. Played Thurs., Fri.
Weather: Heavenly.—Donald H. Hay mans,
Candler Drive-In Theatre, Metter, Ga. Smalltown
and rural patronage.
Francis Covers the Big Town (U-I)—Donald
O'Connor, Yvette Dugay, Gene Lockhart.
Played this just after tax repeal and it's a
good thing or, otherwise, this contract-bait
wouldn't have measured up as the lure it
was supposed to have been and this contract
would have been of doubtful financial appeal.
It just earned its tab by our being able to
deposit what once was tax in oar bank
account. It was a far cry from what Francis
did the f.rst time. Played Sun., Mon.. Tues.
Weather: Lovely.—Bob Walker. Uintah Theatre,
Fruita, Colo. Small-town and rural pa- -
tronage.
(U-D—Rock Hudson,
Taza, Son of Cochise
Barbara Rush, Gregg Palmer. Played this
two weeks after "Broken Arrow" and the
story goes right on from there with Jeff
Chandler dying in the opening scenes and
turning the Chief's feather over to Rock Hudson.
It was well liked by an average crowd.
Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Good.—Paul
Ricketts, Charm Theatre, Holyrood, Kas.
Small-town and rural patronage.
Tumbleweed (U-I)—Audie Murphy, Lori
Nelson, Chill Wills. One of the best westerns
of the lot. Audie Murphy is a favorite and
so we do all right by the students. Comments
favorable. Good weekend for all action
fans. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Cold.—W. J.
Breitling and Ida V., Comfrey Theatre, Comfrey,
Minn. Village and rural patronage.
WARNER BROS.
Black Fury (WB)—peaturette. Not worth
the rental but it wUl have your patroriS talking
as it does not seem possible. Raw, rugged
and a little blood-ch.lling. An unusual featurette
for the bottom half of a twin bill.
Played Tues., Wed. Weather: Fair.—Ken
Christianson, Ro.xy Theatre, Washburn, N.D.
Small-town and rural patronage.
Calamity Jane (WB)—Doris Day, Howard
Keel, Allyn McLerie. Opened to a slow Suiiday
but word got around that this was no
ordinary musical and Monday and Wednesday
built up strongly. All we can do is echo
the fine reports others have made on this
picture. Played Sun., Mon., Wed. Weather:
Cold and wet with an honest to goodness
blizzard for an hour on May 3rd!—Richard
and Audrey Fritz, Tic Toe Theatre, What
Cheer, Iowa. Small-town and very rural patronage.
Crime Wave (WB)—Sterling Hayden, Gene
Nelson, Phyllis Kirk. Routine cops-and-robbers
with enough suspense to hold interest.
WeU made and directed although the script
has been used many tim.es before. Business
only average. Played FYi. Weather: Good.
W. F. Shelton, Louisburg Theatre, Louisbiu-g,
N.C. Small-town and rural patronage.
Island in the Sky (WB)—John Wayne,
Lloyd Nolan, Walter Abel. This is a very
good action picture loaded with good acting
and, of course—John Wayne. We did average
business and our patrons liked the picture.
I don't think that you can go wrong
on this one, providing your patrons like
action and suspense. The story could well
be a true one. Many a similar circumstance
has happened in real life. Should be a terrific
date for any Friday-Saturday. Played
Wed., Thurs. Weather: Good.—Walter H.
Finn, Chester Theatre, Chester, Calif. Lumber,
logging, tourist, sportsmen patronage.
Lion Is in the Streets, A (WB)—James Cagney.
Barbara Hale. Anne Francis. We tried
to run this three days and it sure cost u>
money. It was a good enough picture but
no one seemed interested in Huey Long or
what Cagney was acting about. The only solution
to a picture like this is an FS DB
price, then it might click because there is
color and action. Played Tues. through Thurs.
Weather: Fine. — Mayme P. Musselman.
Roach Theatre, Lincoln, Kas. Small-town
and rural patronage.
BOXOrnCE BookinGuide :: June 26, 1954

An Interpretive analysis of loy and tradepress reviews. The plus and minus signs indicate degree of
merit only; oudience classification is not rated. Listings cover current reviews, brought up to dote regularly.
This department serves also as an ALPHABETICAL INDEX to feature releases. Numeral preceding^ title
is Picture Guide Review page number. For listings by company. the order of release, see Feature Chort.
Very Good; + Good; - Fair; — Poor; — Very Poor.
3

REVIEW DIGEST
very Good,- + Good, = Foir, - Poor, = very Poor In the summory tt is roted 2 pluses,
,1.-
O W O Hi « ^£i
=
1489 Great Sioux Uprising. The (80) Drama
1552 Greatest Love. Die (116)
(American Dialog) Drama I.F.E. 1-23-54 +
1579 Guilt Is My Shadow (86) Drama Stratford 5- 8-54 d:
1496 Gun Belt (77) Western U A 7-18-53 -f
1525 Gun Fury (S3) Sunerwsstern
(Three-dimension) Col 10-24-53 +t
1553 Gypsy Colt (72) Drama MGM 1-30-54 -(-
U-l 7- 4-53 + + + + + + ± 7+1-
ff
+
+ +
+ 3+2-
- 1+2-
± 6+1-
1500 Half a Hero (75) Comedy MGM 8- 1-53 +
1490 Hannah Lee (78) Western. .Jack Broder Prod. 7- 4-53 -|-
Hans Christian Andersen (112)
Musical
RKO 11-29-52 ff
Heat Wave (..) Drama LP
1548 Heidi (97) Drama UA 1- 9-54 +|
1556 Hell and High Water (103) Drama
(Cinemascope) 20th-Fox 2- 6-54 ff
1586 Hell Below Zero (90) Drama Col 5-29-54 +
1580 Hell Raiders of the Deefi (93)
Documentary I.F.E. 5- 8-54 +
1558 Hell's Half Acre (91) Drama Rep 2-13-54 it
1526 Here Come the Girls (78) Musical Para 10-24-53 #
1586 High and the Mighty. The (153) Drama
(Cinemascope) WB 5-29-54 ff
1553 Highway Dragnet (72) Drama AA 1-30-54 ±
1493 Hindu. The (83) Ferrin 7-11-53 +
1545 His Majesty OKeefe (88) Drama WB 1- 2-54 -f
1592 Hobson's Choice (107) Comedy UA 6-19-54 ff
Hollywood Thrill-Makers (60) Drama LP
Home From the Sea (..) Drama AA
1538 Hondo (83) Drama (Three-dimension) ... .WB
1551 Horse's Mouth. The (77)
Comedy Mayer- Kingsley 1-23-54 +
1535 Hot News (601/2) Drama AA 11-28-53 -f-
1532 How to Marry a Millionaire (95) Drama
(Cinemascope)
20th-Fox 11-14-53 ff
1494 Hundred Hour Hunt (84) Drama Greshler 7-11-53 ±
+ +
+ ±
ff -f
ff
ff
ff
+ +
-f
i: ±
+ -f
ff
ff
+ ±
H +
+f -f
± -f fl-
+ ±
+ 10+1-
7+1-
7+2-
5+2-
ff ff ff ff 13-f
+ ff 7+
ff ff + + 12+
+ ff + 7+
+ + 4+
+ ± ± ± 7+6-
f -f -t- + S+
ff ff ff 12+
ff ± + 7+4-
+ + ,4+1-
+ ff ff + 10+
ff -f 8+
12- 5-53 ff ff + + ff ff + 11+
+ + 3+
It ± + 4+2-
ff ff ff ff ff ff 14+
-f + + + 5+1-
1479 1 Believe in You (91) Drama U-l
1498 I. the Jury (87) Drama UA
1575 Indiscretion of an American Wife
(64) Drama Col 4-24-54 + ±
20th-Fox
1569 Iron Glove, The (77) Drama Col
1504 Island in the Sky (109) Drama WB
1550 11 Should Happen to You (87) Comedy. Col
1508 11 Started in Paradise (88) Drama. .. Astor
5-30-53 ff
7-25-53 +
7-25-53 ff
3-27-54 +
S- 8-53 ±
1-16-54 +
8-22-53 +
f+ + +
+
ff
+
ff
ff
ff
1498 Inferno (83) Sup-West (Threedimension)
6+1-
± 5+6—
7+3-
+ 10+
± 5+5-
± 9+3-
-f 11+
± 3+2-
1526 Jack Slade (89) Drama AA 10-24-53 +
1529 Jennifer (73) Drama AA 11- 7-53 —
1554 Jesse James vs. the Oaltons (65) Western. Col 1-30-54 +
1552 Jivaro (92) Drama Para 1-23-54 +
1520 Joe Louis Story, The (88) Drama UA 10- 3-53 +
1588 Johnny Dark (85) Drama U-l 6- 5-54 +
1579 Johnny Guitar (110) Western Rep 5- 8-54 ±
1551 Jubilee Trail (103) Drama Rep 1-23-54 ff
1484 Julius Caesar (122) Historical Drama. MGM 6-13-53 ff
1586 Jungle Man-Eaters (67) Drama Col 5-29-54 ±
ff
ff
± +
± -f
+ ff
-f +
± ff
± +
ff
ff
+ 6+5-
-f 1+2-
+ 5+3-
+ ± 7+4-
ff + + 10+
ff
frfl-
+ 7+3-
+ It + 8+3-
+ ff ffl3+
3+4-
1495 Kid From Uft Field, The (80)
Comedy 20lh-Fox 7-18-53
1537 Killer Ape, The (68) Drama Col 12- 5-53
1554 Killers From Space (71) Drama RKO 1-30-54 =
1543 King of the Khyber Rifles (99) Drama
(Cinemascope) 20th-Fox 12-26-53 ff
1530 Kiss Me Kate (109) Musical
(Three-dimension) MGM 11- 7-53 ff
1545 Knights of the Round Table (126) Drama
(Cinemascope) MGM 1- 2-54 ff
1572 Knock on Wood (103) Comedy Para 4-10-54 +
1510 Landfall (88) Drama Stratford 8-29-53 i:
1531 Last of the Pony Riders (59) Western Col 11-14-53 i:
1578 Laughing Anne (91) Drama Rev 5- 1-54 +
1543 Limping Man (76) Drama LP 12-26-53 —
1514 Lion Is m the Streets. A (88) Drama WB 9-12-53 +
1491 Little Boy Lost (95) Drama Para 7-11-53 ff
1539 Little Fugitive (75) Drama Burslyn 12-12-53 ff
1448 Little World of Don Camillo Tlif (96)
Coi>t

. .
20th-Fox
MGM
Very Good; + Good; - Fair; - Poor; - Very Poor. In the summary H is rated 2 pluses, — as 2 minuses. REVIEW DIGEST
1556 Personal Affair (82) Drama UA 2- 6-54 +
1564 Phantom of the Rue Morjue (S4)
(Three-dmension) WB 3- 6-54 -f
Phantom Stallion (54) Western Rep
1574 Pickwick Papers (109) Comedy M-K 4-17-54 -H-
1575 Playoiri CSS) Drama U-' 4-24-54 ±
1503 Plunder of the Sun (S2) Drama WB S- 8-53 +
1570 Pride of the Blue Grass (70) Drama AA 3-27-54 ±
1571 Prince Valiant (100) Drama
(Cinemascope) 20th-Fox 4-10-54 ff
1591 Princess of the Nile (73) Drama. .20th-Fox 6-19-54 ±
1569 Prisoner of War (81) Drama MGM 3-27-54 ±
152S Prisoners of the Casbah (7S) Drama Col 10-31-53 —
Private Eyes (64) Comedy AA
1511 Project Moon Base (63) Drama LP 9- 5-53 —
1541 Project M-7 (86) Drama U-l 12-19-53 ±
Q
1541 Queen of Sheba (99) Drama LP 12-19-53 +
1567 Queens Royal Tour. A (84) Documentary. .UA 3-20-54 +
R
1570 Racing Blood (76) Drama 20th-Fox 3-27-54 ±
Raid, The (..) Drama 20th-Fox
1565 Rails Into Uramie (82) Drama U-l 3-20-54 +
1558 Red Garters (90) Musical Para 2-13-54 H-
1545 Red Ri»er Shore (54) Western Rep 1- 2-54 +
1499 Return to Paradise (89) Drama UA 8- 1-53 +
Return to Treasure Island (.) Drama.. UA
1560 Rhapsody (115) Musical-Drama MGM 2-20-54 -H-
1555 Ride Clear of Diablo (SO) Drama U-l 2-6-54 +
14S6Ride. Vaquero! (90) Western MGM 6-20-53 ±
1552 Riders to the Stars (81) Drama UA 1-23-54 +
1565 Riding Shotgun (75) Western WB 3-13-54 zt
Ring of Fear (..) Drama WB
is;: Riot in Cell Block 11 (SO) Drama AA 2-13-54 -ft
River Beat (73) Drama LP
1575 River of No Return (90) Drama
(Cinemascope) 20th- Fox 4-24-54 4+
1536 Rob Roy. the Highland Rogue (84) Drama. RKO 11-28-53 +
151S Robe. The (135) Drama (CS) 9-26-53-+
.
Robat Monster (62) Drama
(Three-dimension)
Astor
1578 Rocket Man. The (SO) Drama 20th-Fox 5-1-54 +
14S9 Roman Holiday (119) Comedy Para 7- 4-53 +
1564 Rose Marie (102) Musical (Cinemascope) 3- 6-54
.
+
1519 Royal African Rifles (75) Drama AA 10- 3-53 +
S
1547Saadia (S2) Drama MGM 1- 9-54 it
1513 Sabre Jet (96) Drama UA 9-12-53 +
1512 Saginaw Trail (56) Western Col 9- 5-53 ±
1502 Sailor of the King (83) Drama 20tb-Fox S- 1-53 +
1568 Saint's Girl Friday, The (68) Drama. ..RKO 3-20-54 +
1573 Salt of the Earth (94) Documentary IPC 4-17-54 +
1583 Saracen Blade (76) Drama Col 5-22-54 +
1562 Saskatchewan (88) Drama U-l 2-27-54 zt
1557Scarlet Spear, The (78) Drama UA 3-20-54 +
1525 Sea of Lost Ships (S5) Drama Rep 10-24-53 ±
1509 Secret Conclave, The (SO)
(American Dialog) Drama I.F.E. 8-29-53 +
0584 Secret of the Incas (101) Drama Para 5-22-54 +
1583 Scnsualita (91) Drama
(American Dialog) I.F.E. 5-22-54 +
1588 Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (103)
Musical (Cinemascope) MGM 6- 5-54 +
I 1540 Shadow Man (77) Drama LP 12-12-53 ±
1522 Shadows of Tombstone (54) Westtrn Rep 10-10-53 +
1467 Shane (117) Western Para 4-18-53 -H
1531 Shark River (SO) Drama UA 11-14-53 +
1549 She Couldn't Say No (89) Comedy RKO 1-16-54 +
156SSicfle at Red River, The (86)
Drama 20th-Fox 3-20-54 4+
Silent Raiders ( .
. ) Drama LP
1582 Silver Lode. The (80) Drama RKO 5-15-54 —
1533 Sins of Jezebel (75) Drama LP 11-21-53 +
1507 Sky Commando (69) Drama Col 8-22-53 zt
IFiS Slaves of Babylon, The (S2) Drama Col 9-19-53 +
i:il Snows of Kilimanjaro (114) Drama. .20th-Fox 9-27-52 4+
1522 So Big (101) Drama WB 10-10-53 44-
1511 So Little Time (88) Drama MacDonald 9- 5-53 zt
1495S0 This Is Love (101) Musical WB 7-18-53 44-
1523 Something Money Can't Buy (82) Comedy. U-l 10-17-53 ±
1536 Song of the Land (71) Documentary .... UA 11-28-53 +
1571 Southwest Passage (82) Drama
(Three-dimension) UA 4-10-54 +^

f£ljrUJ]£l]}]|]i]T
Feature productions by company in order of release. Number in square is notional release dote. Running
time is in porentheses. Letters and combinations thereof indicate story type as follows: (C) Comedy; (D)
Drama; (AD) Adventure-Dromo; (CD) Comedy-Dramo; (F) Fantasy; (M) Musical; (W) Western; (SW) Superwestern.
Release number follows. %j denotes BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Aword Winner. Photography:
C Color; \l 3-D; a Wide Screen. For review dates and Picture Guide page numbers, see Review Digest.

FEATURE
CHART
PARAMOUNT | i°

;
Anthony
.
.
.
1
©Boy
.
.
.
FEATURE
CHART
C9
UNITED ARTISTS
Man in Hiding (79) 0. .5330
I'aiil Ileiirrlil. Ub JUiwell, Hugli 81n«liil/
. Steol Lady, The (84) D. .5331
lloil Canifniri. Tab Hunter. John Oehner
,i Drogon'j Gold (70) D. .5332
John Arrli.r, Hillary Brooke. .Nocl Cjivith
a Village, The (98) 0. .5333
Jolui Juslln. Era Dahlbcct. SlBfrlt Steiner
ij] Stranger on the Prowl (82). . . D. .5335
Paul Muni. Joan Lorrlng. Vlttorlo Manunta
iSOShark River (80) D..5336
3trve rocliran. Carole .Matthevts, W. Slevens
2§ ©Captain John Smith and
Pocohontos (76) D. .5337
.Anthony Pciter, Jotly La«rance. .\lan Hale jr.
S ©Song of the Lond (71). .. .Doc. .5338
3 Vesterdoy and Today (57) . . Doc . . 5344
Geurge Jessel
1^ Captain's Paradise, The (77). .C. .5339
Alec Gulimcss. Yionne DeCarlo. Cells Johnson
IS ©Greot Gilbert and Sullivan, The
(112) M..5341
M.-iurioe E>,uis. Robert Morley. K. Herlle
ill Wicked Woman (77) D..5345
Beverly Ulchaels. lUchard Eeta, P. Helton
a Go, Man, Gol (82) D . . 5403
Dane Clark. Harlem Clobelrolters. Pal BresUn
^GConquest of Everest (78) .. Doc. .5401
Hijn!-lll;iar> Expedition
gj ©Riders to the Stars (81 ) . . . .D. .5346
©Beochheod (89) D..5408
Tuny Oirtls. U.uy Murphy. Frank Lorejoj
Man Between, The (99) D. .5340
James Mism. Claire Bloom, Hildegarde NeW
©Ovcrlond Poeifie (73) W. .5410
Jack Malinney. PenBle Cattle, A. Jergens
Personal Affair (82) D. .5402
Cxtiv 'i'ierney, Uo Genn. Glynls Johns
©Top Banana ( 1 00) M . . 5409
I'bll Sille rs, Hose Marie, Danny SchoU
Act of Love (105) D. .5406
Kirk liiuiBla.^. Daily Robin. Robert Strauss
Beot the Devil (89) ;...D..5347
Humphrey Bosart, Jennifer Jones. E. Morley
©Golden Mosk, The (88) D. .5412
Van Mirilii. Waiiiia lleuilrls. Eric Portman
©Scarlet Spear, The (78) D . . 54 11
Martha Hyer, John Benlley. Morasl
Heidi (97) D . . 5405
Elsbetb Slgmund, Heinrlch Oretler, T. Klameth
©Lone Gun, The (73) D. .5416
tieurtie Monteomery, Dorothy Malone
©\'Southwcst Passage (82) . . . . D. . 5415
Rnd CaiDeron. Joanne Dru. John Ireland
Queen's Royal Tour, A (84). .Doc. .5413
Witness to Murder (83) D. .5420
Barbara 8tanvvjck, Gary .Merrill. Q. Bandera
©Captain Kidd and the Slave
Girl (83) D. .5418
E»a Gabor, .Anthony Dexter, Alan Hale Jr.
3a ©Yellow Tomahawk, The (82) . . D . . 54 1 4
Bory Calhoun. Pecgle Castle. Noah Beery
SLong Woit, The (93) D..5421
Uulnn. Charles Cobum, Gene Erans
OChollenge the Wild (72). .. Doc. .5422
l"rarik Gtaham
Hobson's Choice ( . . ) C .
Oiirk-.^ Liughton. John Mills. Brenda De Banzic
©Gog (85) D. .5423
Richard Bean. Coastanre DnwUng, H. Marshall
©Mon With o Million (90).... D..
Gregory Peck, Jane Crlfrilhs, A. E. Matthews
©Adventures of Robinson
Crusoe (90) D . .
Dan O'lltTllby. James Fernandez. C. Lopez
©Apache (..) D. .
Kurt I,anraHter, Jean Peters
©Return to Treasure Island (. .) D. .
Tati Hunter, Dawn Addam.^, Jame.

I 6554
. Apr.-54
.
4-30-54
Short subjects, listed by compony, in order of release. Running time follows title. First is notional
release, second the dote of review in BOXOFFICE. Symbol between dates its rating from BOXOFFICE
review. H Very good.
-J- Good, it Fair. — Poor. = Very Poor. Indicates color photography. UIJUilTi) ClJlJiiJ
Columbia
Prod. No. Title Rel Date Rating Rev'd
ALL-STAR COMEDIES
6414 Doggie in the Bedroom
(I6I/2)
6415 Tooting Tootcrs (17) . .
. 1- 7-54 ± 2-27
. 5-13-54 S: 6-19
6416 Two April Fools (..). . 6-17-54
ASSORTED FAVORITES
(Reissues)
6423 Strife of the Party (16) 12-17-53
.
6424 Oh, Baby! (IS^a) 2-11-54
6425 Two Nuts in a Rut (IS) 3-11-54
6426 She Snoops to Conquer
(I71/2) 4-29-54
CANDID MICROPHONE
(One-Reel Specials)
6552 Subject No. 2 (91/2) 12-10-53
COLOR FAVORITES
(Technicolor Reissues)
6604 A Boy. a Gun and Birds
(71/2) 11-26-53
6605 Skeleton Frolic (71/2) .. .12-17-53
6606 Tree for Two (71/2) 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 The Way of All Pests
(7'/2) 5-13-54
6611 Amoozin' But Confoozin
(S) 5-27-54
6612 A Cat, a Mouse and a Bell
(7) 6-17-54
6613 The Disillusioned Bluebird
(7) 6-24-54
6614 Mr. Moocher (7) 7-8-54
6615 Herring Murder Mystery ,
(7) 7-22-54
COMEDY FAVORITES
(Reissues)
6432 Meet Mr. Mischief
(171/a) 11-12-53
6433 Love at First Fright (16) 1-14-54
6434 Get Along Little Nubby
(19) 2-25-54
6435Slappily Married (I6V2) 3- 4-54
6436 Fiddling Around (171/2). ^ 8-54
MR. MAGOO
(Technicolor)
6701 Magoo Slept Here (7) . .11-19-53 + U-21
6702 Magoo Goes Skiing (7)
. . 3-11-54 # 4-10
6703 Kangaroo Courting (..). 7-22-54
SCREEN SNAPSHOTS
6853 Men of the West (10) . .11-19-53
6854 Hollywood's Great Entertainers
(I01/2) 12-24-53+ 2-20
6S55 Memories in Uniform
(IOI/2) 1- 2-54 + 2-27
6856 Hollywood Stars to Remember
(10) 2-25-54 + 4-10
6857 Hollywood Goes to Mexico
(IOI/2) 3-25-54 ±5-8
6858 Hula From Hollywood
(101/2) 5- 6-54 ± 5-29
6859 Hollywood's Invisible Man
(9) 6-10-54
6860 Hollywood Grows Up ( .
. ) 7-15-54
SERIALS
6140 Jungle Raiders (reissue) .12-31-53
15 Chapters
6160 Gunfighters of the
Northwest 4-15-54 + 4-24
15 Chapters
6180 Batman (reissue) 7-29-54
STOOGE COMEDIES
6403 Goof on the Roof
(I61/2) 12- 3-53
6404 Income Tax Sappy
(I6I/2) 2- 4-54 ±. 2-27
6405 Spooks! (16), 2-D
Version 3-18-54
6406 Pardon My Backfire (16) 4-15-54
6407 Musty Musketeers (16) . . 5-13-54 -f 6-19
6408 Pals and Gals (17) 6- 3-54
THRILLS OF MUSIC
(Reissues)
6953 Claude Thornhill & Orch.
(11) 12-24-53
6954 Machito & Orch (101/2) 2- 4-54
6955 Charlie Barnet & Orch.
(IOI/2) 4- 1-54
6956 Skitch Henderson & Orch.
(10) 6- 3-54
TOPNOTCHERS
6901 Canine Crimcbusters (10) 4-15-54 -f 5-29
6902 Push Back the Edge
(10) 5-27-54
UPA CARTOON SPECLAL
6510 The Tell Tale Heart (8). 12-17- 53 + 10-24
UPA ASSORTED
(Technicolor)
6501 Bringing Up Mother (7) 1-14-54 f^ 2-20
6502 Baliet-Oop (71/2) 2-11-54 4+ 3-20
6503 The Man on the Flying
Trapeze (7) 4- 8-54 4+5-8
6504Fudget's Budget (7)... 6-17-54
WORLD OF SPORTS
6803 Snow Speedsters (10'/2) •11-12-53
6804 Battling Big Fish (11) . .12-17-53 +
6805 Gauchos Down Uruguay Way
(10) 2-18-54 -f
6806 Tee Magic (9) 3-25-54 +
6807 Racquet Wizards (9) . . . 4-22-54 ±
6808 World Soccer Champions
'6553 Subject No. 3 (10) 2-1S-54 it: 3-20
.-
(10) . .
5-20-54
Subject No. 4 (10) 3-1S-54 it 5- 8
-f
6S09 Diving Cavalcade (..).. 6-24-54
K. 6555 Subject No. 5 (..) 5-20-54
Metro-GoldwYn-Mayer
2-28
3-20
4-17
5-29
6-19
Prod. No. Title Rel Date Rating Rev'd
CARTOONS
(Technicolor)
W-535 Three Little Pups
(7) 12 26-53
W-535 Puppy Tale (7) 1-
+ 12-12
23-54
W-537 Posse Cat (7) 1- 30-54 + 5-22
W-538 Drag-along Droopy (S) 2- 20-54
W-539The Impossible Possum
(7) 3 20-54
W-540 Hic-Cup Put (6) 4- 17-54
W-541 Billy Boy (6) 5- 8-54
W-542 Little School Mouse (6) 5- 29-54
W-543 Sleepy Time Squirrel
(7) 6-19-54
W-544 Homesteader Droopy
(8) 7- 10-54
W-545 Bird-Brain Dog (7) . . .
7- 31-54
W-546 Baby Butch (7) 8- 14-54
CINEMASCOPE SPECIALS
K-571 Overture to the Merry Wives
of Windsor (10)
Poet and Peasant K-572 ( . . )
FITZPATRICK TRAVELTALZS
(Technicolor)
H 3-20
T-512 In the Valley of the Rhine
(9) 11-28-53 + 12-12
T-513 Looking at Lisbon (S) 12-26-53
T-514 Glimpses of Western
Germany (9) 2-13-54 H 3-20
GOLD MEDAL REPRINTS
(Technicolor Reissues)
W-562 Springtime for Thomas
(S) 11- 7-53
W-563The Bear That Couldn't
Sleep (9) 12- 5-53
W-564 Northwest Hounded Police
(8) 12-19-53
W-565The Milky Waif (7)... 1- 9-54
W-566 Uncle Tom's Cabana (8) 2- 6-54
W-567 Trap Happy (7) 3- 6-54
W-568 Solid Serenade (7) . . . 4- 3-54
PETE SMITH SPECIALTIES
S-553 Landlording It (9).... 11- 7-53 + 10-24
S- 554 Things We Can Do Without
(9) 12- 5-53 -1- 1-30
S-555 Film Antics (8) 1- 2-54
S-556 Ain't It Aggravatin' (8) 2- 6-54
S-557 Fish Tales (8) 3-13-54 + 3-20
S-55S Do Someone a Favor
(9) 4-10-54 +5-8
S- 559 Out for Fun (10) 5- 8-54
S-560Safe at Home (8) 6-12-54
Paramount
Prod. No. Title Rel Date Rating Rev'd
CASPER CARTOONS
(Technicolor)
B13-2 Boos and Saddles (7) . .12-25-53 +
B13-3 Boo Moon (3-D) (8).. 1- 1-54 +
B13-3B00 Moon (8), 2-D
version 3- 5-54
B13-4 Zero the Hero (7) 3-26-54 +
B13-5 Casper Genii (7) 5-28-54 +
813-6 Puss'n Boos (7) 7-16-54
1- 9
2-13
5- 8
5-15
CALLING SCOTLAND YARD
(English-made)
5351Javanese Dagger (27) Mar.-54 +4-3
5352 Falstaff s Fur Coat (27) Mar.-54 + 4-10
5353 The Missing Passenger -
(27) Mar.-54 + 4-10
5354 The Final Twist (27) Apr.-54 +4-3
5355 The Sable Scarf (27) Apr.-54 + 4-10
5356 The Wedding Gift (27) .
+4-3
GRANTLAND RICE SPORTLIGHTS
R13-2 Mother Was a Champ
(9) 11- 6-53 + 12-12
R13-3 Choosing Canines (9) . .11-13-53 + 12-12
R13-4 Rough Ridin' Youngsters
(9) 12- 4-53 +1-9
R13-5 Water Swimphony (9) . .12-18-53 + 1-23
R13-6 Angling for Thrills (9) 1-22-54 + 2-13
R13-7 Kids on a Springboard
(9) 2-26-54 + 3-20
R13-S Riding the Glades (9) 3-12-54 + 4-17
R13-9 Rough and Tumble Stick
Games (10) 4-30-54 +5-8
R13-10 The Men Who Can Take It
.
. ) 6- 18-54
(
HERMAN & KATNIP
(Technicolor Cartoons)
H13-1 Northwest Mousie (7) . .12-18-53 4+1-9
H13-2Surf and Sound (7).. 2-19-54+ 3-20
R13-3 Of Mice and Menace
(7) 6-25-54 -4- 6-19
NOVELTOONS
(Technicolor)
P13-1 Huey's Ducky Daddy
(7) 11-20-53 + 12-12
P13-2 The Seapreme Court (7) 1-29-54 + 3-27
P13-3 Crazy Town (6) 2-12-54 +f 4-17
P13-4 Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
(7) 4-16-54 + 3-20
P13-5 Candy Cabaret (7) 6-11-54 + 6-19
P13-6The Oily Bird (..).. 7-30-54
PACEMAKERS
K13-2 Society Man (10) 12-25-53 + 1-23
K13-3The Room That Flies
(10) 3-26-54 +5-8
K13-4 What's Wrong Here?
(10) 4-30-54 + 5-15
K13-5 Million Dollar Playground
(10) 5- 7-54 + 5-15
POPEYE CARTOONS
(Technicolor)
E13-3 Floor Flusher (6) 1- 1-54 + 1-23
E13-4 Popeye's 20th Anniversary
(8) 4- 2-54 +5-8
E13-5 Taxi-Turvy (6) 6- 4-54 + 6-19
E13-6 Bride and Gloom (6) . . 7- 2-54
TOPPER
M13-2 Uncommon Sense (10) 1-29-54 + 2-13
M13-3 Wings to the North
(10) 2-19-54 + 3-27
M 13-4 Bear Jam (10) 3- 5-54+ 4-17
M13-5 Three Wishes (10) 4- 9-54 ++ 5- 8
M13-6 In Darkest Florida (..) 7- 9-54
RKO Radio
Prod. No. Title Rel Date Rating Rev'd
COLOR SPECIALS
43,601 Pecos Bill (25) 2-19-54 ++ 2 27
DISNEY CARTOONS
(Technicolor)
44.104 How to Sleep (7) 12- 4-53 + 1
44.105 Canvas Back Duck
(7) 12-25-53 1
44.106 Spare the Rod (7) 1-15-54 + 1
44.107 Donald's Diary (7) 3- 5-54 44 5-
. . .
44.108 The Lone Chipmunks
(7) 4- 7-54 ++ 5.
44.109 Pigs Is Pigs (10) 5-21-54 ++ 6
44.110 Casey Bats Again (8) 6-18-54 6
44.111 Dragon Around (7) . . . 7-16-54 + 6
44.112 Grin and Bear It (7) . . 8-13-54
44.113 The Social Error (7)
44.114 Chips Ahoy (7)
DISNEY MARQUEE MUSICALS
44.001 Two for the Record
(8) 4-23-54
44.002 Jolinny Fedora and Alice
Blue Bonnet (8) 5-21-54 +4 5
44.003 The Martins and the
Coys (8) 6-18-54
44.004 Casey at the Bat (9) 7-16-54
44.005 Little Toot (9) 8-13-54
44.006 Once Upon a Wintertime
(9) 9-17-54
SCREENLINERS
44.204 Ocean to Ocean . .12-11-53 (8) + 1-16
44.205 Report on Kashmir
(10)
44.206 Fire Fighters (8)
1-
2-
8-54 +
5-54 4+3-6
2-27
. . . .
29
.
44.207 Golden Gate (S) . . . 3- 5-54 5-15
44.208 Mission Ship (10) 4- 2-54 5-29
44.209 Black Power (9) .... .
+ 6-19
44.210 Untroubled Border (9) 5-28-54
44.211 Long Time No See ) . . 6-25-54
(
44.212 Riding the Wind (..). 7-23-54
SPECIALS
43.103 The Magic Streetcar
(20) 12-18-53 + 1-16
43.104 Taming the Crippler
(16) 3-26-54 4+ 5-29
SPORTbCOPES
44.304 Wild Birds Winging
(8) 11-27-53 + 1-16
44.305 Summer Schussboomers
(S) 12-25- 53 54 +
44.306 Railbird's Album (8).. 1-22.
44.307 Golfing With Demaret
(8) 2-19.
44.308 Dog Scents (8) 3-19-
44.309 International Road
Race (8) 4-16-
44.310 Leather and Lather
(8) 5-14.
44.311 Desert Anglers (..).. 6-11
SPORTS SPECIALS
43,901 Football Headliners
(15) 12-U-53 + 2-27
43,801 Basketball Headliners
(15) 4-16-54 + 5-22

SHORTS CHART
Royal Symphony. The (26)
United Artists + 3-27
Sunday by the Sea (14) Noel Meadow ff 3-27
SHORTS REVIEWS
1404 So You Want to Be Your
Own Boss (10) 3-13-54 +
Out for Fun
4-24
Universal-International 1405 So You Want to Go to a
(Pete Smith Specialty)
Night Club (10) 5- 1-54
MGM
10 Mins.
1406 So You Want to Be a
Prod. No. Title Rel Date Rating Rev'il
Fciir. Not the best oi the Pete Smith
Banker ( . ) 7- 3-54
COLOR PARADE
shorts, this has Dave O'Brien trying
MELODY MASTER BANDS
1953-54 SEASON
to find relaxation from the hectic
(Reissue)
9381 Go South Amijos (9) . . 2- 8-54 + 2-13
chores
1802 Hal Kemp & Orch. (10) 11- 14-53
of a busy office by playing
9382 Royal Mid-Ocean Voyage
(9) 3- 1-54 + 3-20 1803 Rhythm of the Rhumba
golf—but the balls land in trees or
(9) 1- 2-54
in the sand; hunting ducks in bittercold
-wreather and making model air-
9383 Rolling in Style (9)... 4-12-54+ 5-22
1804 Songs of the Range (9) 2-27-54
9384 Fair Today (..) 5-10-54
ISOSJammin' the Blues (10) 4-17-54
9385 Talent Scout (9) 6-14-54
planes for a hobby.
1806 Cavalcade of Dance 7- 3-54
9386 Star Studded Ride (..) 7-18-54
MUSICAL FEATURETTE
MERRIE MELODIES
Desert Anglers
(Technicolor)
1953-54 SEASON
RKO (Sportscope) 8 Mins.
1707 Punch Trunk (7) 12-19-53
9302 David Rose and His Orchestra
H 1- 9
Good. Of chief interest to fresh
(151/2) 12-24-53 ff 1-30
1708 Dog Pounded (7) 1- 2-54 2-20
$303 Hawaiian Nights (17)
. . . 1-22-54 + 2-13 1709 I Gopher You (7) 1-30-54 + 2-20 water fishermen. A plane takes a
9304 Jimmy Wakely's Jamboree
1710 Feline Frame-Up (7)... 2-13-54+ 4-24 youth to Lake Mojave in the heart of
(151/2) 2-26-54 +3-6 1711 Wild Wife (7) 2-20-54 # 4-24 the desert where it soon becomes
9305 Rhythm and Rhyme (15) 4-23-54 — 4-10 1712 No Barking (7) 2-27-54 ± 5-8 evident that bass can be caught in
9306 Four Aces Sing (15)... 5-28-54
1713 Dcsion for Leaving (7).. 3-27-54 + 4-24
large sizes and numbers. Various
9307 Corral Cuties (15) 6-21-54
1714 The Cat's Bah (7) 4- 3-54 ±: 4-24
1715 Bell- Happy (7) 4-17-54 + 5-15 kinds of fishing tackle are used, such
SPECIALS
1716 Dr. Jerkyl's Hide (7).. 5- 8-54
as hollow glass and split bamboo
1717 Claws for Alarm (..).. 5-22-54
rods,
9201 Perils of the Forest (17) 2-14-54 ±3-6
and plugs, poppers and flies,
9202 The Hottest 500 (16) 6-13-54 1718 Little Boy Boo (..)... 6- 5-54
H 6-12
all with outstanding success. The
1719 Muzzle Tough . . ( . . ) 6-26-54
1720 The Oily American ( . . ) 7-10-54
guide is Jason Lucas, sports magazine
editor and piscatorial expert.
VARIETY VIEWS
1953-54 SEASON
SPORTS PARADE
9341 Byways to Broadway
(Technicolor)
(9) 11-16-53 + 11-21 1504 Arabians in the Rockies
Leather and Lather
9342 Bow River Valley (9) . . 1- 4-54 ±: 1-30
(10) 12-12-53 11-14
9343 Brooklyn Goes to Chicago
1503 Born to Ski (10) 1-16-54 + 2-13
RKO (Sportscope) 8 Mins.
(91/2) 2-22-54 + 2-13 1505 When Fish Fight (10).. 2-20-54 +5-8 Fair. The cowboys and the gauchos
9344 Moving Through Space
1506 Heart of a Champion (10) 3-20-54 + 4-24
(9) 4-12-54 ± 5-22 1507 Carnival
still
in Rio (10)... 4-24-54+ 5-15 ride, rope and brand broncos,
1510 Hunting Dogs at Work.. 5-22-54
as this short shows, but they do it
1508 Off to the Races (..).. 6-28-54
WALTER LANTZ CARTUNES
just as well in numerous feature pictures
about the west. There is little
1509 G.I. Holiday (..) 7-24-54
(Technicolor)
1953-54 SEASON
TECHNICOLOR SPECLALS that is new in this. A few of the
9321 Chilly Willy (6) 12-21-53 -f 1-30
9322Socko
1003 North of the Sahara
in Morocco (6)... 1-19-54 + 2-13
(17) 11- 7-53 ++
9823 A Horses Tale (6) 2-15-54 +3-6
scenes are in Alberta, Canada, some
1004 Don't Forget to Write
in Texas and some in the Argentine.
(17) 12- 5-53
9324 Alley in Bali (6) 3-15-54+ 4-10
1-16
1005 Winter Paradise (20)... 1- 9-54 2-13
One thing novel is a cowboy twirling
a boleadore with an ostrich as
9325 Under the Counter Spy
1006 Hold Your Horses (20).. 2- 6-54 + 4-24
(6) 4-10-54 +
1007 Monroe Doctrine (20)
his
9326 Dig That Dog (6) 4-12-54 +
catch. Montie 4-10
Montana also exhibits
his fancy calf roping.
(reissue) 3- 6-54
9327 Hay Rube (6) 6- 7-54 +
1008 Continental Holiday (20) 4-10-54 + 5-15
9328 Hot Rod Hucksters (..) 7- 5-54
1009 Declaration of
Independence (18) ... 5-15-54
1011 Frontier Days (20) 6-12-54
WOODY WOODPECKER
The Martins and the Coys
1010 Silver Lighting (..)... 7-17-54
(Reissues)
RKO (Musical Cartoon) 7 Mins.
9351 Smoked Hams (6) 2-22-54
VITAPHONE NOVELTIES
9352 Good. A
Coo Coo very well done visualized
Birds (6) 3-29-54
9353 Well Oiled (7) 4-26-54
1603 Magic Movie Moments
ballad of hillbilly fighting folk in
9354 Overture to William (10) 12-26-53
Tell
which the King's
(6) 5-30-54
1604 1 Remember Wrtien (10). 3-20-54 +
Men sing as the
4-24
9355 Solid Ivory (7) 6-28-54
1605 Thrills From the Past
feuding waxes fierce. The upshot is
9356 Woody the Giant Killer
(10) 5- 8-54
that all but one member of each clan
(7) 7-26-54
1606 When Sports Were King. 6-19-54
is killed and take up residence on
Warner Bros.
separate fleecy clouds.
WARNERCOLOR SPECIALS
The two remaining
members, a youth and a
Black Fury (32) 0ct.-54
girl, fall in love to the disgust of the
cloud tenants, but the feuding starts
again with the advent of married
Prod. No. Title Rel Dale Rating Rev'd
MISCELLANEOUS
life. A barn dance scene is strikingly
effective.
BLUE RIBBON HIT PARADE
(Technicolor Reissues)
Prod. No. Title Rel Date Rating Rev'd
1303 Birth of a Notion (7).. 11- 7-53
1304 Eager Beaver (7) 11-28-53
1305 Scent- 1
Republic
Untroubled Border
mental Over You
,„ 6- 5-54
5384 Manhunt in the
and Canada are emphasized
African Jungle
on film,
1311 One Meat Brawl (..).. 7-10-54
(reissue) 4- 7-54 and most interestingly and effectively.
The camera catches many
15 Chapters
BUGS BUNNY SPECIALS
THIS WORLD
points of interest
OF OURS
along what is
(Technicolor)
(Trucolor)
credited with being the longest unfortified
frontier on earth. There are
1724 Robot Robbit (7) 12-12-53 1-30
1725
9225 Hong Kong
Caotain
(9) 1- 1-54
Hareblower (7). 1-16-54 2-20
1726
9226 Formosa
Bugs
(9)
and
5-10-54
Thugs (7) . . 3-13-54 + 4-24
scenes of harvesting, joint use of hospitals,
sports and homes and stores
1727 No Parking Hare (7).. 5- 1-54
1729 Devil May Hare (..).. 6-19-54
1728 Bewitched Bunny (..).. 7-24-54
United Artists
that are uniquely situated half in
1740 Lumber Jack-Rabbit (7) (3-0)..
UAl The Royal Symphony (26)
Canada and half in the U.S.
9329 Broadway
CLASSICS
Bow Wows ( .
. ) 8-
OF
2-54
THE SCREEN
Arctic Rivals
1103 Spills (or Thrills (18) .. 11-21-53
1102 They Were Chamm (20) 1-23-54
20th-Fox (Terrytoons) 7 Mins.
1104 Thli Wonderful World
Independents
(20)
GoocL Willie, the Walrus, is the
3-27-54
White Mane (40) Snyder ff 1-16
1105 Calirornia Junior
Look Who's Driving star of an engaging cartoon about
(8)
,,,.. ^y""*""^
Good. Another page from Warner
Bros, past, this will be particularly
interesting to the old-timers who remember
with fondness the silent
films and their stars. This shows an
excerpt from "Old San Francisco,"
a silent thriller replete with action
and the broad Siyle of acting. Dolores
Costello, looking very beautiful,
the late Warner Oland, who later
became "Charlie Chan," and Anna
May Wong take part in a luridly
melodramatic story which ends with.
the San Francisco earthquake
The Atom Goes to Sea
(General Electric Short)
Al O. Bondy 10 Mins.
Good. Produced by John Sutherland
for General Electric, ihis is an
extremely informative short dealing,
with the use of atomic power in submarines
and it should interest most
patrons. Some of it was filmed in a
submarine, the rest at the Knolls
Atomic Power Laboratory of Schenectady,
N.Y. This is an account
of the USSN-575, the submarine Sea
Wolf, a new type of undersea craft
which will be able to remain fully
submerged for days, even weeks,
by using atomic power. It was written
and directed by True Boardman.
Bondy is at 630 Ninth Ave ,
NYC.
I
10
BOXOFFICE BooldnGuide June 26, 1954

ooking
—
Opinions on Current Productions; Exploitips
(FOK STORY SYNOPSIS ON EACH PICTURE, SEE REVERSE SIDE)
Susan Slept Here F r.66-i (Te'ihSor)
RKO ( ) 98 Minutes Rel. July 4, '54
Crisp comedy this, the tongue-in-cheek, slightly naughty
treatment of which will greatly appeal to sophisticates and
which has a romantic basic story structure to assert comparable
magnetism on theatregoers of more prosaic film
tastes. Inasmuch as that includes a preponderant percentage
of prospec.ive ticket buyers in virtually any situation, it is
difficult to foresee anything for the picture but popularity
and profits. A sterling, humor-heavy script by Alex Gottlieb,
lushly and artistically mounted by producer Harriet
Parsons, accorded a wisely selec.ed cast opportunity for
an aggregation of praiseworthy performances, among which
that contributed by youthful title-roler Debbie Reynolds
is a standout. Her name, bolstered by those of co-stars
Dick Powell and Anne Francis, can spark successful merchandising,
which further should stress Technicolor and
abundance of laughs. Skillfully directed by Frank Tashlin.
Dick Powell, Debbie Reynolds, Anne Francis, Alvy Moore,
Glenda Farrell, Horace McMahon, Herb Vigran.
Sins of Rome
F
Ratio:
Historical
1.33-1 Drama
RKO Radio ( ) 71 Minutes Rel. June '54
In the general American market, chances don't look any
too promising for this import from Italy, despite a valiant try
on the part of its manufacturers to cram a considerable hunk
of history, spectacle, man-to-man combat and man-and-woman
ardor in the days of the Caesars in o its comparatively brief
running time. Probably the feature's best opportunity lies in
bookings in the so-called art houses, the patrons of which
won't object too vociferously to the fact that English dialog
was dubbed—not too skillfully—to replace the original
Italian. There is also the possibility that theatres specializing
in lurid exploita.ion campaigns can successfully use the
film's provocative title to generate audience interest. As
noted above, there's plenty of sweep and scope, but the cast
topliners will be unknown to most with the possible exception
of Ludmilla Tcherina, a noted ballet star. The Spartacus
Consortium production was directed by Riccardo Freda.
Ludmilla Tcherina, Massimo Girotli, Gianna Maria Canale,
Yves Vincent, Carlo Ninchi, Vittorio Sanipoli.
Out of This World F
Ratio: Travel Film
1J3-1 (Color)
Carroll Pictures 75 Minutes Rel.
An outstanding travel feature shot by Lowell Thomas and
Lowell Thomas jr. in the forbidden land of Tibet in 1949, this
is strong fare for the art houses and will make a fine supporting
feature in almost any type of theatre. The Lowell
Thomas name (even more famous since his connection with
"This Is Cinerama") and the fact that they were only the
seven h and eighth Americans ever permitted to visit Tibet's
ccrpital city can be exploited to attract discriminating patrons
(as was done in its nine-week run at the Guild Theatre, New
York City). The color photography, printed by Technicolor,
of the lowering, snow-capped Himalayas and the magnificent
palace of the Dalai Lama, is breathtakingly beautiful. The
early footage is taken up with the difficult journey by muleback
through the mountain passes and the return journey
is even more difficult and harrowing due to the fact that
the elder Thomas broke his hip and had to be carried by
porters for two weeks. Narration is by Thomas jr. Carroll is
at
1775 Broadway. New York City.
Theati
•ated
jdern
d wesr
The Royal Tour of Queen ElizabetbF "'""^
20th-Fox (- -) 95 Minutes
J"'=="'='>^
2.55-1 (Cinemascope,
Eastman Color)
Perhaps the most remarkable facet of this celluloid compilation
by British Movietone News is its illustration of how
effectively CinemaScope can be used in photographing and
projecting documentaries, travelogs and newsreel footage
for, indeed, this is a combination of all three of them. The
offbeat offering merits considerable praise for its thoroughness
of coverage, the expert ediiing by Raymond Perrin,
a splendid musical score supplied by Stanley Wicken and
played by the London Symphony orchestra, and articulate
commentary written by Gerald Sanger and spoken by Leslie
Mitchell. The subject was produced under the supervision
of Sir Gordon Craig. There can be little doubt that it will
prove profitably popular in selected metropolitan situations,
but, none.theless, it presents average showmen with a problem.
It isn't sufficiently exciting or engrossing to go topside
a . niche indicated by the running time—and its
excessive, often repetitious, length makes the picture awkward
for the supporting spot.
The Desperado F l^X
""'""
Allied Artists (5426) 81 Minutes ReL June 20, '54
Because of the above-average quality of the Fcripiing
and acting, this drama transcends by several notches the
run-o'-mill sagebrush saga of its budget class and should, as
a result thereof, command more and better bookings than
are usually the lot of such routine oaters. Obviously, producer
Vincent M. Fennelly shot the bankroll on writing and
thespian talent at the expense of some of the action ingredients
and production values normally allocated to westerns,
but none except the most rabid galloper fans will quarrel
with the bargain. The yarn is refreshingly away from formula,
is logically developed and boasts several new and
suspenseful twists; which literary advantages permitted star
Wayne Morris and a competent supporting cast to register
generally-ingratiating, convincing performances, in which
accomplishment they were materially aided by the praiseworthy
direction of Thomas Carr.
Wayne Morris, James Lydon, Beverly Garlcmd, Rayford Barnes,
Dabbs Greer, Lee Van Cleei, Nestor Paiva, Roy Earcroft.
The Outlaw Stallion F Jti
Western
(Technicolor)
Columbia (705) 64 Minutes Rel. July '54
A western story in Technicolor using the ever-reliable
theme of a boy's love for a horse, this is made-to-order fare
for the neighborhood houses, where family audiences predominate.
Its brief running time makes it an ideal supporting
dualler in almost any type of theatre. Among the picture's
action highlights is a realistic bat Je between a white stallion
and a savage fighter horse and a battle to the death between
the stallion and a man. While the players' name value is
mild, Phil Carey, who has been featured in several action
pic.ures, makes a tall, rugged young hero who takes part in a
rather genteel romance with Dorothy Patrick,
who plays the
v/idowed mother of Billy Gray, who gives a completely
natural performance as the youngster who befriends the
outlaw stallion and eventually tames him. The scenic backgrounds
have been splendidly photographed. Produced by
Wallace MacDonald, directed by Fred F. Sears.
Phil Carey, Dorothy Patrick, Billy Gray, Roy Roberts, Gordon
Jones, Trevor Bardette, Morris Ankrum, Chris Alcaide.
Barefoot Battalion
Drama
Leon Brandt Associates 89 Minutes Rel. June '54
A powerful and realistic semidocumentary dealing with
the Greek resistance to Nazi oppression during World War
II, this Greek-language picture is similar to "Open City"
and other noteworthy foreign-made films of the late 1940's.
Best suited to the art houses or, if heavily exploited, it can
also satisfy in downtown key city spots. Produced by Peter
Boudoures on location in Athens and Salonika, the camera
work by Mixalis Gaziadis is mainly in a low key, which
adds to the authenticity but makes some of the players difficult
to identify. As directed by Gregg Tallas, the non-professional
child actors, most of them recruited from orphan
asylums and public institutions, are completely natural and
always convincing as courageous youngsters who harass
the enemy and help their starving people. The two professionals,
Maria Costi and Nicos Fermas, contribute fine acting
jobs. Brandt is at 148 W. 57th St., New York City.
Maria Costi, Nicos Fermas, Vassilos Frangadakis, Anionioa
J0.081
ich c^
Voulgaris, Christos Solouroglou, Eetty Gyni, Eostos Rigas.
1594 BOXOFHCE
75; 1.
adg>
His Last 12 Hours
Comedy
Drama
IFE Releasing Corp. 89 Minutes Rel.
An Italian-language picture with a popular French star,
Jean Gabin, this is an original fantasy about a man who is
killed, but is given 12 last hours on earth in order to right his
wrongs. Because of Cabin's popularity wi;h art house
patrons, it will do well in these spots, but it will have scant
appeal for general audiences. As directed by Luigi Zampa,
the picture has several amusing moments as Gabin, who had
been a rich industrialist, works frantically to help a former
por.er, who becomes a snob and a hard man to satisfy.
However, there are also several human and touching scenes
with Cabin's wife and daughter, nicely acted by Moriella
Lotti and Elena Altieri, while Julian Carette does an outstanding
acting job as the man who is never satisfied. The
backgrounds of the streets and the crowds of modern-day
Rome are alwcrys interesting. A Cines-Lest Pathe film, produced
by Carlo Civallaro.
Jean Gabin. Mariella Lotti, Julian Corette, Maso Lotti,
Antonella Lualdi, Elli Parvo, Elena Altieri, Paola Barboni.
June 26, 1954 ii;a'i
F

. . A.
. . . Lowell
• A
. . Here
. . The'
. . Amazing,
. . The
. . Dick
. . As
. . Vividly
FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Adiines for Newspaper and Programs
THE. STORY: "The Royal Tour oi Queen Elizabeth" (20'h-Fox)
American theatre audiences have already been accorded
glimpses, albeit they were compdrotively brief, of the global
tour recently undertaken by Britain's royal family, and parts
of which junket this film projects in detail. A major portion
of the footage concentrates on that phase of the tour devoted
to the visit by Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh
to such British commonwealth possessions as the Fiji islands,
Tonga, Australia, New Zealand and other territories in the
South Pacific. The balance of the subject concerns itself with
the British royalty's inspection of the Isle of Malta end the
famed Rock of Gibraltar in the Mediterranean, and how the
queen and her husband were welcomed by their subjects
in those areas before their return 1o England.
CATCHLINES:
A Truly Amazing Motion Picture .... Made Possible Only
by CinemaScope . . . The Only Complete, Feature-Length
Film Record ... Of the Thrilling Six-Mpnth, 50,000-Mile Journey
Made by the British Royal Couple . Historic Tour
by Land, Sea and Air.
THE STORY:
"The Desperado" (AA)
For three years—from 1870. to 1873' —Texas suffers under
the tyrannical administration of a carpetbag governor and
his despotic state police. In John's City, the police are commanded
by Nestor Paiva, and to escape his persecution two
young men—James Lydon and Rayfcrd Barnes—flee to the
Big Bend country. Although professing friendship, Barnes
actually is Lydon's enemy-, jealous because Beverly Garland,
whom he loves, is going to marry Lydon. Barnes and Lydon
join forces with Wayne Morris, a taciturn outlaw, and Barnes
tries to kill Morris to collect the reward offered. Taken prisoner
by the police, Barnes slays Paiva, and Lydon is unjustly
accused of the killing. At Lydon's trial, Morris unexpectedly
appears in his behalf; Lydon is acquitted, and Texas voters
end the carpetbag rule.
CATCHLINES:
The Violent Life of Sam Garrett, Gunslinger With an
They
Infamous Record of
. . .
Cold Terror and Sudden Death .
Counted 18 Notches on His Guns ... the
. .
Day They Set Out
to Bring Him In.
THE STORY: "The Outlaw Stallion" (Col)
Against the orders of his mother, Dorothy Patrick, whose
husband was killed by a wild stallion, 12-year-old Billy Gray
tries to capture a white stallion, member of a herd of horses
running wild on a Utah preserve. A group of horse-riinners,
led by Roy Roberts, make an unsuccessful attempt to corral
some of the animals, but they manage to convince Miss
Patrick that they are actually looking for ranch property. She
befriends Roberts and, to allay suspicion, he captures the
white stallion and gives him to Billy. Meanwhile Phil Carey,
who loves Miss Patrick, gets proof that Roberts is an outlaw
and after he has made a prisoner of Miss Patrick and her
son, 'he pursues him and overcomes him in a savage battle.
When the horse-runners are all rounded up, the white stallion
is given hi.s freedom, but voluntarily returns to Billy.
CATCHLINES:
Killer Horse Against the Killers
Flaming Guns ... A Battle
. . . Flying Hooves Against
to the Death Between Man and
Beast in One of the Great Sagas of the West . . . The White
Animal King of the Wilderness.
. . It's a
. . . With
. . . . The Cruelty Of
%.• iLir
THE STORY:
"Oue of This World" (Carroll)
THE STORY: "Susan Slept Here" (RKO)
Dick Powell, a successful writer of film musicals, finds himself
saddled—over the Christmas holidays—with Debbie Reynolds,
a delinquent girl picked up by the police and facing
a stretch in reform school. Knowing that Powell has been
seeking the opportunity to study a juvenile delinquent as
possible screen story material, the law places Debbie in
his custody during the holiday season. 'This results in all
/27-b
(17-5t
sorts of complications—including a quarrel between Powell
and a predatory society gal, Anne Francis, who has indicated
a strong desire to marry him. After Debbie and Dick
spend a hectic—but platonic—night together in his apartment,
Powell's attorney jokingly suggests he'd better marry
her; taking him seriously, Powell takes Debbie to Las
Vegas, where they are wed. Ultimately they realize they are
genuinely in love, and settle down to marital bliss.
CATCHLINES:
When Susan Meets an Oh-So-Eligible Bachelor .
Palpitating Panic of Crazy, Mixed-Up Romance
Debbie Reynolds as the Delinquent Damsel . Powell
as the Man She Has in Mind.
THE STORY:
"Sins of Rome" (RKO)
In 68 B. C. Roman legions led by Crassus (Carlo Ninchi)
invade Tracia, which suffers under the cruel despotism of the
Roman administrator, Rufus (Vittorio Sanipoli). An outspoken
Tracian rebel is Spartacus (Massimo Girotti), whom Rufus
orders to be arrested and judged by Crassus. Rufus, who
has savagely murdered a Tracian leader, charges Spartacus
with the deed, and Spartacus, along with Amytis (Ludmilla
Tcherina), the murdered man's daughter, are sentenced to
slavery. In Rome, Spartacus becomes a gladiator, loved by
both Amytis and Sabina (Gianna Maria Canale), daughter
of Crassus. Spartacus becomes the leader of a slaves' rebellion.
In a bitter battle with Roman forces, the slaves are
defeated, and Spartacus, his army overwhelmed, is mortally
wounded.
CATCHLINES:
The Lustiest of All Screen Spectacles . Invading
Roman Hordes Strip a Proud City of Its Treasures— and Its
Women . Is Excitement Supreme . Etching
... the Glory Grandeur
Ancient Ropie.
Shortly before the Chinese Communists moved into the
mountain strongholds of Tibet in the Himalayan Mountains,
Lowell Thomas and Lowell Thomas jr. were issued an invitation
by the Dalai Lama to visit that forbidden country and
photograph its wonders. The Thomas expedition took 24
days to reach Lhasa by mule train over the mountains.
There they filmed the religious ceremonies at the palace
and the strange life of the Sacred City, where no wheeled
vehicles are allowed. On the return journey, Thomas sr.
fell from a horse and fractured his hip and had to be carried
in a makeshift bed by two 'porters untilthey were oble to
reach their airplane in Calcutta. In Lhasa, the 15-year-old
Dalai Lama gave Thomas a message to the people of the
United States.
CATCHLINES:
A Fabulous Journey Out of This World Into Forbidden
Tibet . . . The Motion Picture Story of the Last Sealed Kingdom
on Earth—Now Taken Over by Chinese Communists
Thomas, Who Produced "This Is Cinerama," Takes
You to the Roof of the World.
THE STORY: "His Last 12 Hours" (IFE) THE STORY: "Barefoot Battalion" (Brandt)
Jean Gabin, wealthy and selfish industrialist, is killed by
rushing out of his birthday celebration at home
a truck after
to sign some important documents at the airport. Gabin is
unable to believe he is dead until he is confronted by the
Angel of Justice, who tells him his soul is to be damned
l^.rcver. The Angel discovers that Gabin had died 12 hours
id of schedule, so he is permitted to return to life to
,
;ale his sins. He first seeks out Julian Carette, a porter
ai the finance company, who is not easily satisfied with the
gifts Gabin offers and demands many more. Careltes riches
turn him into a tyrant and he makes his daughter promise
to marry a poverty-stricken duke, but Gabin manages to sign
over Carelte's new house to the daughter and her fiance
and thus he saves his soul.
CATCHLINES:
'
'
•
", Foremost French Star, as the Man Who Was
irs to Save His Soul—Or Be Damned Forever
-to Buy Happiness But Only Brought Misery to
A Gay and Delightful Fantasy of Life in Rome.
(.27
In 1943, during the Nazi occupation of Greece, a so-called
"barefoot battalion" of teenage and smaller boys steal food
from the enemy and distribute it to the starving Greek families.
They live in a cellar where they hide an American
aviator until Maria Costi, a member of the underground who
is working for the Nazis, is able to smuggle him out of the
country. 'They also steal oil from a Nazi vessel owned by a
black marketeer which they lalej sell in the market place
ill order to raise money for this purpose. Their story is told
via flashback by one of their youngest members, now grownup,
who catches a young thief and, by telling him these
wartime experiences, is able to persuade the boy to enter the
trade school and home for orphaned youngsters.
CATCHLINES:
As Great as "Open City" . Amazing Story of the
Youngsters Who Robbed the Enemy to Help Their Own
Starving People . Startling—And All of It True
Battalion of Fighting Boys Who Saved a City.

lATES: 15c per word, minimuin $1.50. cash with copy. Four insertions for price ol throe,
CLOSING DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy and answers
Box Numbers to BOXOFFICE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd.. Kansas City 24, Mo.
HELP WANTED
Wanted: Manager with exploitation and promoiooai
experience by theatre chain situated in
>astein states. Top salary, paid vacation, group
nsurance and hospitalization. Please answer, glvng
qualifications, experience and salary expected.
Bo.voffice, 6516.
Wanted: House manager or experienced assistant
.hat knows theatre operation for eastern Maryland.
Air mail, special delivery full qualifications, theatrical
background and salary expected. Boxoffice,
5511.
Wanted: Experienced. exploitation-miDded, nwipush
button, aggressive manager. Apply Manos
nieatre. Inc.. Toropto. Ohio.
Operator for Alto, Texas. Contact 0. L. Smith,
Marlow. Okla. _^_^
Wanted young man 18 to 25 who has some experience
as projectionist and knows theatre equipment
to clerk in theatre equipment supply store.
Good opportunity for right man. Western Theatre
Supply Co.. 214 N. 15th St.. Omaha, Neb.
Theatre circuit supervisor: Good opportunity for
executive type. Experienced in all phases of motion
picture theatre circuit. Some accounting experience
necessary. Giicago area. Submit resume and
salary desired. Boxoffice. 5528.
Wanted: Theatre managers. Write or call Fred
r. McLendon. Union Springs, AJa.
Wanted: Combination operator and electrician.
Operator must be general maintenance man. State
salary. Job now open. Matinee Saturday, Sundays
only. Southeast Missouri Theatre. Address,
Boxoffice, 5535.
Projectionist. Permanent position, immediate
opening. Maintenance and exploitation afternoons.
Small town New Mexico. Air mail qualifications,
references, salary expected. Boxoffice, 5536.
POSITIONS WANTED
Projectionist dtsires permanent position. Experienced
in all booth equipment. References- Boxoffice.
5512-
Theatre manager, 25 years experience, exploitation,
promotion, ad writing. Desirous of locating
in New York area. Boxoffice. 5524.
Projectionist, sober reliable family man, wants
change. Can also manage. $60 week. Boxoffice,
553T
Top caliber manpower. Experienced head buyer,
booker or district manager, concession head. Seeks
top offer. Boxoffice, 5538
Projectionist. Journeyman, 20 years experience.
Cory. 13 Mikes Pike. Flagstaff, Ariz.
GENERAL EQUIPMENT—NEW
Masonite marquee letters, fit Wagner, Adler,
Bevelite signs: 4"—35c; 8"—50c; 10"—60c;
12"— 85c; 14"—$1.25; 16"—$1.60. Dept. CC,
S.O S. Cinema Supply Corp., 602 W. 52nd St..
New York 19.
MirrO'Claric represents best value in metalized
all-purpose screen—only $1 sq. ft. Welded seams
absolutely Invisible! KoUmorgen wide angle lenses,
special apertures immediately available! Dept. CC,
SOS. Cinema Supply Corp., 602 W 52nd St.,
New York 19.
BUSINESS STIMXn.ATORS
Bingo with more action, $4.50 thousand cards.
Also other games. Novelty Games Co., 106
Rogers Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y.
Comic books available as premiums, giveaways
at your kiddy shows. Large variety, latest newsstand
editions. Comics Premium Co., 412B Greenwich
St., N. Y. C. Publications for premiums
(exclusively) since 1939.
Bingo die-cut cards. 76 or 100 numbers, $4.60
per M. Premium Products, 339 W. 44th St., New
York 18. N. Y.
Build attendance with real Hawaiian orchids.
I'ew cents each. Write Flowers of Hawaii, 670
S. Lafayette Park Place, Los Angeles 5. Calif.
For sale: Fire engine for drive-in theatres. Take
the kiddies for a ride before the show. Seats 20
children. '37 LaSalle motor and chassis, new tires
and mechanicaily good. Bright red. all chrome
rails; siren, bells, ladders, etc. Cost $1,600 to
build; sell for $500 cash. Associated Drive-In
Theatres, 72 Van Braara St., Pittsburgh 19, Pa.
Balloons are your best ad for Kiddie Matinees,
special pictures, drive-in openings and anniversaries.
Printed with name and d.ite or plain.
Send for samples and prices. Southern Balloon
Co., 146 Walton, Atlanta, Ga.
We can fill up those empty seats for you without
cost. We know how. A. B. Chewing Co., 411
Liberty National Bank Bldg., Paris, Texas.
DRIVE-IN THEATRE EQUIPMENT
Century "CC" drive-in outfit only $3,495.
Others from $1,595 (send for list.-i). In-car
speakers w/4" cones, $15 50 pair w/jiinction box:
underground cable, $65M. Time deals arranged,
nept. CC, S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp., 602 W.
52nd St., New York 19.
mmm Houst
THEATRES FOR SALE
For sale, lease on 700-car, 340 seats inside
One of Florida's best cities. Year around operation
DeLuxe, $15,000 will handle. Boxoffice, 5613.
GENERAL EQUIPMENT—USED
IKW lamphouses and rectifiers, excellent condition.
$495 pair; DeVry dual projection and
sound, rebuilt. $895; Holmes, $495. Buy on time!
Dept. CC. S-O.S. Cinema Supply Corp.. 602 W.
52nd St.. New York 19.
Top quality screens and lenses at rock bottom
prices! Write us! Simplex rear shutter mechanisms,
rebuilt. $437.50 pair; pair Simplex-Acme
projectors. 50 ampere lamphouses, RCA stabilizer
sound, heavy bases, etc., rebuilt, $1,195; Ashcraft
70 ampere lamphouses, rebui t. $481t.50 pair;
DeVry XD projectors, rebuilt, complete. $745 pair.
Star Cinema Supply, 447 West 52nd St ,
New
York 19.
Senarc lamps, super Simplex. 5 point bases. WE
sound heads, etc, $695. Rlalto Theatre, Amarillo,
Texas.
Two Brenkcrt Enarc 70 amp lamps. One Lincoln
generator 70/140. Guaranteed to be in first class
condition. Ideal for indoor house needing more
light. Only $800 FOB Lubbock. Circle Drlve-ln,
1305 58lh Place. Lubbock, Tex.
KoUmorgen Supersnaplites, one each 2%", 4"
and 5". Used less than month. Good discount.
Bo.vnftlce, 5523.
Dictaphone units, complete, excellent condition.
$175 May take 30 lb. gas peanut roaster with
electric motor in exchange. Boxoffice, 5539.
Drive-in theatre speakers with
Used automatic change maker, several prices.
Lido Theatre, Sturgeon Falls, Ont.
EQUIPMENT WANTED
Wanted: Second hand screen, from theatre putting
in larger screen. Need screen for 25 ft. wide
hnildin;:. Boxoffice, 5517.
Used screen, must be in perfect condition,
seamle-ss. Also pair kw Hi Intensity 40
of 1
ampere lamp houses with 4-tube rectifiers. Need
pair lenses for above. 1 have, for the convenience
of someone else: Pair Strong low lamp houses with
motor generator {perfect condition), IICA finest
screen, seamless (perfect condition). 11 ft. by 13
ft. Pair of Bausch & Lomb lenses. F.2.O., 4.25
EF. throw is 66 ft. Neal Theatre, Box 205,
Lenora, Kas. Ph. 68.

^
with Tushinsky Bros'. Variable Anamorphic
SUPFRSC09EU/VSf
Q^ Can I install SoperScope without shift- A* •^r C^^L SuperScope may be adjusted to right
ing my projection machines? ^ or left without moving projector.
Q^ Con I change my screen ratio easily? A* W^^ih^^Wf
With a "Twist of the Dial."
\
QCan I change from anamorphic to A ^ ^ M
*
_, _,
... ..,, J u ,1. „ W ^.^ ^W Absolutely, with a ''Twist of the Dial!'
standard on a double bill, and back again,
m^^m^^^r
without removing my SuperScope lens?
^^^T ^^^^
Q. Can I install SoperScope without hav- A* ^^ ^ f
^''^ SuperScope /ens mour^ts on the
ing to drill, tap or use special mounts? present lens barrel and is tightened by
^wA/lf
^/
one screw.
n^ Will I get a wide even picture without
A, ^^^m W SuperScope projects a wide even pica
falloff of light at the edges and corners
^^^W^^.^mr ture up to 3 to I ratio.
of the screen?
*Trade Mark Reg. and Polenlt Pending
ONLY
^7^J ^J PER PAIR
NATIONAL SCREEN SERVICE
At Your Local Exchange
^^