Boxoffice-July.24.1954

JUIY 24, 1954
/he /uUe eif me m&to&n. 'HctuAe
TWO STORY CYCLES COMING UP-Semi-documentary police stories and the historical spectacle
are on the upswing on studio production schedules. Studio report starts on Page 26 . . . Police story
scenes above from "The Big Chase" (Lippert), "The Naked Alibi" (U-l), "Shield for
Murder" (UA), historical scenes from "Demetrius and the Gladiators" (20th-Fox), "The Black Shield
of Falworth" (U-l), "King Richard and the Crusaders" (WB).
Report on Studio
Production
Trends
^NAL
PCI year. Notic Pages 26-27
EXECUTIVE EDITION
r

ness, the unique idea, the music, the cast and other facets i
i-^
''
I
I
SEVEN BRIDES SETS 2^
Ail-Time High World-Premiere Promotion Launch
s
M-G-M's Great Musical Hit To New All-Time Recor
1
/no.iIof a series to bring you up to date on
J^jMo us
brides. These seven girls have been sensational attciiii
for the picture. Among the many things on their heaw
was a special event on TV station KPRC with interviews ''
on the selection of the local brides. Also in a tie-up with '«
largest department store, the "Brides" appeared on the 1'^
and on other programs sponsored by the store.
FASHION SHOW
A space-winning effort was the Style Show at Foley '.'^
"Brides" modeled costumes from the picture as well
trick-Williams fashions, with whom M-G-M has a I'lu
promotion. Another fashion idea was the "Brides" int. r\ *
100 local teen-age girls in their modeling school.
iii
m ^^
-

'
I
!
Opening
i
I
EAR HOUSTON RECORD!
Tivo local contest brides join 5 M-G-M
starlet "Brides" in many promotions.
Above: Giant lobby standee and Contest Panel
WEALTH OF STUNTS
was no end to the number and variety of stunts planned for the
3s" in their costumes from the picture. A few.
Romance in a Haystack: With a local jeweler's cooperation,
engagement and wedding rings were planted in a haystack
located on a downtown parking lot, with local girls taking part
in the search.
Snowballs in July: With Houston
!
in the throes of a heat-wave,
the "Brides" were greeted, upon arrival at the airport, by local
critics and celebrities and a giant pile of real snow. A simulated
snow-ball fight took place in 100-degree weather.
"Just Married" Parade: The procession started at the airport
with a parade through the streets of Houston. Open cars carried
the "Brides" and local officials. Flying wedding ribbons and
"Just Married" signs, with banners advertised the picture.
Night Square-Dance: Probably the most colorful opening
night idea in the city's history was the square -dance with
hillbilly band in front of the theatre in conjunction with the
jGala World Premiere.
STORE DISPLAYS
I stores carried posters, counter cards and other materials in
jselling tie-ups. Complete coverage was obtained, especially in
where records were sold, thereby stimulating attention for the
album.
STAGE APPEARANCES
ning day extra was the personal appearance for three shows on
ge of the State Theatre of Howard Keel, star of the picture,
ir with the 5 starlet "Brides" and a popular hillbilly band.
ADVANCE SCREENINGS
Jortant word-of-mouth build-up was obtained by invitational
ngs. Critics and disc jockeys saw the picture three weeks in
e. Then came a screening for record-album promotion, store
lel, TV and radio people and others. A sneak studio preview
lace five days before the opening. At the critics' screening, crying
were given in conjunction with the "Bobbin' Women" song.
IT MAKES HISTORY
exas showmen assert that the range, the diversity, the duration
^-iety of the campaign for "SEVEN BRIDES" set a new high
cjern motion picture showmanship. It is apparent that most of
'ivities, apart from those that involve personal appearances,
a(ly adaptable to any situation.
Local Critic in airport uelconie to
"Brides. " Real snoiv in record heat.

its magnitude will
Magnificence in
propel it into a
prominent place among
the year's top money
pictures!"
ft!
P

IT
^^\J I
OF 'THE HIGH AND THE MIGHTY' WITH
m
I
^
'The Talisman; tumultuous epic of the Qyest for the Holy Sepulchr
GEORGE
LAURENCE
SANDERS HARM
Robert douglas
SCREEN PLA-l
JOHN TWIST
MUSIC BY MAX STEINER
PRODUCED BY
HENRY BLANKE
DIRECTED Bv
DAVID BUTLER

IMI
20th Century-Foys first production in the new, improved
Mm
^e@pfi
WERING
Masterpiece
rved out of
a man's lust for power!
^ ^^te it now
Spencer Tracy
Broken Lance
COLOR by OE LuXE
co-Starring
9Ho
with HUGH O'BRIAN • EDUARD FRANZ
• Directed by EDWARD DMYTRYK
•
Screen play by RICHARD MURPHY
ROBERT JEAN RICHARD KATY
WAGNER PETERS WIDMARK JURADO
Produced by SOL C. SIEGEL
Play it in the Wonder oj thonic Sound!

:
SHLYEN.
: 300
: 282
NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY
)lished in Nine Sectional Editions
JEN
SHLYEN
lor-in-Chief and Publisher
MD M. MERSEREAU. .Associate
Publisher & General Manager
;5 M JERAULD Editor
HAN COHEN. .Executive Editor
.. .Managing Editor
I SPEAR Western Editor
THATCHER. Equipment Editor
VS SCHLOZMAN. Business Mgr.
ation Offices: 825 Van Brunt Blvd.,
s City 24, Mo. Nathan Cohen, Execu-
!ditor; Jesse Shlyen, Managing Edilorris
Schlozman, Business Manager;
rhatcher. Editor The Modern Theatre
n. Telephone CHestnut 7177.
iai Offices: 45 Rockefeller Plaza. New
20, N. Y. Donald M. Mersereau.
ate Publisher &. General Manager:
M. Jerauld, Editor; Hal Sloane,
Promotion-Showmandlser Section:
Stocker, Equipment Advertising,
lone COlumbus 5-6370.
il Offices: Editorial—920 No. Mlchiive.,
Chicago 11, 111., Frances B.
Telephone Superior 7-3972. Adver-
—35 East Wacker Drive. Chicago 1.
Ewing Hutchison and E. E. Ycck,
lone ANdover 3-3042.
rn Offices: Editorial and Film Adver-
-6404 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
lalif. Ivan Spear, manager. Tele-
Hollywood 5-1186. Equipment and
Um Advertising—672 S. LaFayette
'lace, Los Angeles. Calif. Boh ffettmanager.
Telephone DUnkirk 8-2286.
igton Office: Al Goldsmith. 1365
al Press Bldg. Phone Metropolitan
.. Sara Young. 415 Third St.. N.W.
lODERN THEATRE Section is Inin
the first issue of each month.
: 21-23 Walter Ave., J. S. Connors,
gbam: The News. Eddie Badger.
: Frances W. Harding. Lib 2-9305.
te: 300 W. 3rd St., Richard E.
n,
iti: 4029 Reading, Lillian Lazarus.
Id: Blsle Loeb, Falrmount 1-0046.
2008A Jackson, Frank Bradlej.
1646 LaFayette, B. J. Roee.
851T.
Ines: Register-Tribune, Rujs Schotb.
Fox Theatre Bldj., H. F. Reves.
polij: Route 8, Boi 770, Howard
tudeaui, GA 3339.
707 Spring St.. Null Adams.
)dis: 2123 Fremont, So.. Lea Ken.
Hen: New Haven Register. Walter
r.
leans: Frances Jordan. N.O. States.
My: 821 NE 23rd. Polly Trtndle.
911 N. Blst St.. Irving Baker,
ihia: 6363 Berks, Norman Shlgoa.
gb: R. F. FOlngensmitb. 516 Jean-
WUklnsburg. Churchill 1-2809.
I. Ore.: Arnold Marks. Oregon
s: 5149 Rosa, David Barrett.
City: Deseret News. H. Pearson,
tonio: 326 San Pedro. B3-9280.
B. Ketner. S. Tesas editor,
incisco; Gail Lipman, 287-28th
Skyline 1-4355. Advertising : Jerry
I. Howard Bldg.. 209 Post St..
6-2522.
1303 Campus Pkwy, Dave Ballard,
The Herald, Myron Laka.
Lemoync St., Room 12,
Larochelle.
116 Prince Eward. W. McNulty.
1675 Bayview Ave., Wlllowdalc,
-I W. Gladisb.
ot: Lyric Theatre Bldg. . Jack Droy.
Rupertsland. Ben Somraers.
r Audit Bureau of Circulations
as Second Class matter at Post
ansas City, Mo. Sectional Edition.
" year; N.ational Edition. $7.50.
9 5 4
No. 13
X
EFFECT
OF COLOR TV
,ET'S take a look at TV where
product shortage, just a sponsor
there is no
shortage. This lusty industry has felt of the
water and has finally decided to take the plunge
into color pictures this year instead of continuing
delaying tactics by insisting that a 12-
inch color TV set will cost $1,000. The decision
will have repercussions for TV as widespread
and violent as the introduction of CinemaScope
provided for the film industry. Some of them
will be just as unexpected.
Every TV set manufacturer has been looking
over his shoulder at his competitor with increasing
nervousness. Hence the sudden rash of
announcements that 21-inch color tubes will be
ready this year and will be far below the $1,000
level, due to the mass ])roduction. Program
material is being rapidly lined up.
How will this affect films? It won't affect
them immediately, because for some months
there will not be enough color TV receivers in
homes to make any appreciable change in the
listening habits of set owners, but the long-range
effects are unpredictable. At present there are
more than 3,000 old films in use on TV. What
happens to these when color sets go into use in
a big way? Will their programs get better or
worse than the 25-year-old films? Somebody
will have to start production in a big way. The
TV men probably will start scouting for old color
films, but these are not plentiful.
It has already been demonstrated that new
television areas lose their interest within a period
of two years or less. Old films contribute to
that loss of interest. Realizing this, exhibitors
have come to have a lesser fear of the inroads
of television.
Present grumbling of sponsors over the cost of
TV programs will become a first-class roar
when they go into the statistics of color costs.
Even now small stations around the country fill
in their schedules with odd material, some of it
of local origin, because of the costs of big chain
programs.
Complaints are arising. In Los Angeles the
National Ass'n for Better Radio and Television
complained recently that during the first week
of May many programs consisted of old western
films not suitable for children. The association
said over 60 hours of the programs were "objectionable,
with a morbid emphasis on cruelty
and violence."
Only five hours were classified as "excellent."
This proportion of approved entertainment
can't be compared with the proportions approved
for theatre showing by the Film Estimate
Board comprised of national organizations of
women.
It is plain that the advent of color, hailed as
the new steam-up for TV, isn't going to be as
devastating for theatres as was the original
novelty of monocrome television or the subsequent
ballyhoo over UHF which immediately
ran into program troubles. Like the film industr\.
the people have to rely basically on the entertainment
([uality of programs, with techniral
changes as a stimulant for public interest. If
color eliminates the old black and white films,
what are they going to do?
In the picture industry the new printing
processes have contributed greatly to the print
shortages. Laboratories are overwhelmed because
preference is being given to the big moneymaking
novelties. The film footage needed for
the color switchover will be tremendous—so tremendous,
in fact, that exhibitors need not worry
about a fast TV revolution this year or next.
By the time the problem is solved it jiiay be
possible that large-screen color TV will be available
over closed circuits that will provide nonsponsored
programs made especially for theatres.
Talking It Over
As was expected, major company sales managers
have agreed to meet a group of Allied
leaders late this month to discuss the product
and print shortage along with film rental complaints.
The Allied group will include Abram
F. Myers, Ben Marcus. Jack Kirsch, Nathan
Yamins and Wilbur Snaper.
Here are some of the problems to be discussed:
After the enactment of the ticket tax bill, recei])ts
went up from 10 to 20 per cent. This
raised percentages to a higher bracket, it is
claimed, and the tax benefit was immediately lost.
Minimum percentages have been increased.
In widely scattered territories sales representatives
have been insisting the CinemaScope pictures
be played in the order of their release and
none can be skipped, according to exhibitors.
Some theatremen who have installed wide
screens say they have been forced to play
standard-size reissues in recent weeks.
A strong plea will be made to distributors to
release pictures that have been held back, because
too many reissues cut grosses and grosses
have not been satisfactory for some time.
It may be possible to work out some kind of
a compromise in these talks. Face-to-face discussions
are better than voluminous correspondence
that gets pushed around in office routines and
they are also better than telephone conversations.
The disturbed state of mind of exhibitors is
unanimous in the ranks of both national organizations.
As Pat McGee said, he is spending
practically all his time trying to buy and
book pictures and doesn't have time for showmanship
selling. The medium-sized circuits are
completely agreed on this point.
This is no time for recriminations. This is a
condition, not a theory, regardless of how it came
about. Some plain talking may loosen up some
of the fixed mental attitudes held by both sales
executives and exhibitors.
—/. M. JERAULD

:
July
FTC LISTENS TO MPEAS SIDE
IN FRENCH PACT CONTROVERSY
Lawyers of Export Ass'n
Answer Arnall Charges;
Situation Complicated
By SUMNER SMITH
WASHINGTON—The operations of the
Motion Picture Export Ass'n under the
Webb-Pomerene act came up for consideration
Tuesday '20^ at the office of the Federal
Ti-ade Commission, with G. Griffith
Johnson, vice-president; Sidney Schreiber,
general counsel, and Theodore Hope, special
counsel, representing MPEA. They met
with Bernard B. Smyth, chief of the FTC
export trade division.
The discussion grew out of a charge filed
with the PTC by Ellis Arnall, president of
the Society of Independent Motion Picture
Producers, that the new MPEA pact negotiated
with the Fi-ench contains a grant of
a subsidy that is illegal under the Webb-
Pomerene act.
FULL INVESTIGATION ASKED
Arnall asked in a July 2 letter for a
"thorough and complete investigation" of th«
operation of MPEA and its authority under
the law and trade policies of the government,
and of the "terms, conditions and contents"
of the French pact.
The FTC said after meeting with Schreiber
and Hope that the talks were preliminary,
that the situation was complicated and will
require study, and that Arnall may be asked
later to go into more detail.
Arnall also had complained to the Department
of State. He said that Eric Johnston,
MPEA president, while negotiating the pact,
had been acting as a special ambassador to
President Eisenhower and a State Department
representative on a Middle Eastern mission,
and a.sked if the State Department approved
of the pact.
The State Department previously had been
reported as against subsidies. Johnston had
gone on record against them. A subsidy
clause in a pact negotiated by the MPEA with
Italy during Johnston's absence from the
industry while in government service had set
off a campaign against subsidies. Johnston
cut the Italian subsidy, used to promote and
distribute Italian pictures in the U.S., in half
and then aboli,shed it entirely in the latest
pact.
STATE DEFT. ANSWERS ARNALL
It was learned that the State Department
mailed a reply to the Arnall letter Monday
a9\ Questioned about it, the department
.said it wa-s up to Arnall to release it, if It
is released.
Johnston said July 7 on his return from
Europe and the Middle East that the pact was
fair to all. He denied the grant of any .subsidy.
The MPEA has been processing copies of
the pact and now has distributed them to
all member companies. A copy has been
mailed Arnall, who in making his charges
to the State Department and PTC depended
on tradepre.ss accounts.
The pact covers the period July 1, 1953-
June 30, 1955. It is not a single document
Aboaf Warns of Action
If Funds Are Misused
NEW YORK—If the French government
or industry misuses any cash grant allowed
under the new U.S.-Franco film pact, the
Motion Picture Export Ass'n will intervene,
according to Americo Aboaf, Universal-International
foreign sales manager. He made
the statement Monday (19) on his return
from a two-month tour of Europe during
which he visited Spain, France, Italy, Germany
and Belgium.
Aboaf commented on charges that the pact
contained a "subsidy" clause which could
be used for the distribution of French pictures
in the U.S. in competition with U.S.
product. He did so somewhat unwillingly
under the pressure of questioning. He said
nothing in the pact prevented such use of a
money grant, which the Society of Independent
Motion Picture Producers has called a
subsidy and the MPEA has said was only repayment
of a debt, and he refused to express
an opinion as to how the French will use
the money, between $350,000 and $400,000.
If anything, Aboaf was doubtful it would
be used for distribution here, because he said
the distribution experiment with MPEA
subsidy money by Italian Films Export had
not been "too successful." Again in response
to questioning, he said it was entirely possible
the money could be allocated to, say,
the French automobile industry and then
passed along to the film industry sub rosa.
but that the subterfuge would fool nobody.
Prance like other countries. Aboaf said, is
encouraging local production by placing restrictions
on film imports. This is in line with
the ideas of French producers, but French
exhibitors do not like the situation. Some
local productions make money but they don't
as a whole. U-I business in France is "fair,"
but the company would like to have more
import permits.
Aboaf called the U.S. pact with Italy "not
the best in the world but workable." There,
too, local production is favored but exhibitors
need and want U.S. pictures. They have to
be sold at reasonable terms. Remittances
continue at the same level as during the
but a series of communications between
Johnston and Jacques Flaud, general director
of the National Motion Picture Center. The
French insisted on breaking it down into
agreements for each year.
The pact followed one negotiated for 1952-53
which included establishment of certain "re-
.served funds" amounting to 300,000,000 francs
which would be available for u.se by the
companies for "certain purposes beneficial to
the French industry," and a provision for
previous year. He said he was glad the
subsidy to Italy had been abolished. Only
the top Italian pictures are making money.
U.S. pictures are wanted both in France and
Italy because they are quality product.
Television is furnishing some competition
Sundays in Italy. People sit inside and outside
cafes to watch it, then attend the theatres
after dark, but the exhibitors are not
apprehensive, according to Aboaf. While in
Rome, Aboaf was made an officer of the
order of "Al Merito Delia Republica Italians"
by the president of Italy.
In common with others recently returned
from Europe, Aboaf stressed the rejuvenation
of Germany, calling it a market that is becoming
"more and more important." Construction,
including that of theatres, is proceeding
at a fast rate except in bombed-out
Berlin, and local production is being encouraged
by the government. Restrictions are
pending but Aboaf said he was not discouraged
over the prospect. Where two years
ago all the theatres could be sold U.S. pictures,
now some of the smaller ones are n
longer purchasing them, but this situatio
has been compensated by the number of ne'
theatres.
"European exhibitors are making monej
with good American product," he said,
we are concentrating on giving them that
kind of product and not our weaker pia
tures."
Belgium is "still a good market," with U.S
pictures getting a lot of the playing time
Business is "good" in Spain despite government
import restrictions. Quality picture
well in England.
Europe is going wide-screen, Aboaf said
but buying the cheaper types. It is movim
"somewhat .slower" on installing sound because
of cost and layout of theatre inte
Aboaf expressed himself positively on filn
festivals. He said there were too many
them, so that they lost their value, that th'
judging did not always result in "the righ
thing being done," and that there should b
more logical rotation of them to avoid con
flict.
grants of distribution permits under the
heading of the following year. In the negotiations
of arrangements for
the period afte
July 1. 1953. there was strong disagreemen
between the French government and MPK/
over the original intent and final disposltlo
of the above provisions.
MPEA held that, in order to work out ai
rangements, it had to settle the dispute;
issues carried over from the previous
The arrangements, besides resolving oth(|
problems concerning release permits and r
BOXOFFICE
:
24, Iftj

.
exhibitors
America
wrote
this
20th CENTURY-FOX'S DEMONSTRATIONS OF
THE ADVANCING TECHNIQUES
Please turn . .

:
July
No Picture You Just Have
To Play, Advises AITO
._ ,. ..„j.„„„*iv„ofo thp farilities (
INDIANAPOLIS - Allied Theatre Owners ••Don't underestimate the facilities of your
of Indiana, in its current bulletin, tells its theatre as a reason for doing business. If the
members there are no one or two pictures particular picture on your screen were the
•you just have to play" and advised them only reason people came, there would be some
that the only way to discourage the trend of nights that your theatre would be absolutely
empty. A pretty fair Percentage of
high percentage pictures is to pass them up.
••suppose Hollywood never made the picture-you'd
still be in business," the bulletin
your customers are there because the theatre
is a clean, comfortable, attractive place
contends, and adds: "Don't magnify an inquiry
from a couple of patrons into a belief
to go for entertainment and they are always
treated pleasantly and courteously.
that everybody is just clamoring to see the
"The whole idea that the more business
'"^These comments were included in a continuation
of a discussion on "excessive film
rentals" which the bulletin has been publishing
Last week, it was recommended that
a "percentage floor" be established on pictures
which fail to make money for exhibitors.
Continuing the discussion, exhibitors were
°"Most exhibitors will not quarrel too hard
or too long over an occasional picture worthy
of high percentage provided they can stui
retain a reasonable profit that is commensurate
with their gross. We have been
talking about high-fixed percentages and pictures
on which the scales are floored above
20 per cent or 25 per cent, whether or not
the exhibitor is able to show any profit on
the engagement. We are also discussing percentage
rates above control figures-rates
that are so high that they discourage an
exhibitor from spending extra time, money,
and effort to surpass the control figure. Simply
not buying is the only way to halt the
increasing trend toward these
types of deals,
but the average exhibitor is naturally very
reluctant to pass up any good product. To
the increasing number of exhibitors who must
make this decision or surely lose theu^ theatres,
we offer these condolences:
a man does the higher price he should pay
on each unit of sale is not only unique in
this business, but is completely uneconomic.
Your resistance to such a policy is a contribution
to the good of the entire industry.
••This is a business of precedent. When you
give inordinately high percentage terms for
one picture or one company, you will get the
demand again for other
^'^'"^'^'^^^Jl"^^
other companies. By passing up the pic uxe
you are breaking the chain m this vicious
'"''••Son't
think that you are the only exhibitor
who did not play the picture because of
terms. More and more exhibitors are refusing
to commit business suicide with their
fountain pen. And it is also a pretty safe
bet that among the situations that did play
the picture, many did not pay the terms that
were asked of you. National minimum policy
is a fiction for the most part.
"Exhibition with 80 per cent of the industry's
investment, is the branch of the business
that has been taking the beating. Most
producer-distributor profits are increasing by
taking a bigger piece out of a smaller pie^
When you pass the picture, you at least have
the satisfaction of rising in arms against this
inequity."
North Cenfral to Take Action on Own,
If National Allied Bogs on Rentals
MINNEAPOLIS—In case that National Al
lied States doesn't soon succeed in getting
distributors to get off their high percentage
horses and agree voluntarily to sell pictures
to the small exhibitors, including those in
the small towns and the subsequent runs,
or, failing that, bring about government intervention.
North Central Allied will move
on its own to prod federal and state authorities
to action to aid the small theatres.
So says Bennie Berger, NCA president.
"Of course," he points out, "the decision
In this regard will rest with the organization's
board of dh-ectors. But I'll recommend such
a move and I think that my directors will
concur in the recommendation. And we
have many friends ourselves in Washington
and in state legl.slatures."
It perhaps would be better if the territory's
exhibitors boycotted Cinemascope entirely
with Cinemascope pictures selling on
40 to 60 per cent terms, In the opinion of
Berger who also says the same applies to
those non-CinemaScope for which similar
"unconsclable" terms are being demanded.
•Of course, that would mean shuttering
the theatres in many Instances, but perhaps
the exhibitors would be better off in so doing,
and, anyway, most will be forced to toss
in the sponge unless distributors soon change
their selling ways," says Berger.
The only reason that he has Installed
Cinemascope in some of his theatres and the
single explanation why a number of other
small-town and less than a handful of outdoor
theatres in the territory have done so
is because the distributors "have us on the
spot," asserts the NCA president.
"We need to have these pictures to play
if we are to continue to keep our theatres
operating."
Sindlinger on Survey
KANSAS CITY-Albert E. Sindlinger, president
of Sindlinger & Co., business analysts,
left Belleville, Kas., Monday H9) for Colorado
Springs. The company is carrying on
field studies of "Small Town, USA" in Maine,
Ohio, North Carolina, Texas. Kansas and
California.
Substantial Earnings
Gain for Loew's, Inc.
NEW YORK—Loew's, Inc., reported a net
for the 40 weeks ending June 30 (subject to
yearend audit) of $7,345,482. an increase over
the same period for the previous year of
$1 660,298. This was at the rate of 87 cents
per .share, compared with $3,185,871, or 62
cents per share, last year. The net was alter
reserve for depreciation and contingencies.
For the 12 weeks ending June 10 the net
was $2,158,831 before taxes and after de-i
preciation and contingencies compared \vith.
$1,865,697 in the same period of the preceding,
year. After federal taxes the earning? were
$1267 210, compared with $1,014,142 a yeai
ago. 'on a per share basis the 12 weefc
earnings this year after taxes were 25 cents
per share compared with 20 cents in the same 3
quarter of 1953.
Gross sales and operating revenues for tht
40 weeks ended June 10 were estimated a'
$138 250,000 against $133,612,000. For the cur.
rent quarter these were estimated a
$41,144,000 against $39,684,000.
State Data on New York's
Ticket Tax Is Completed
NEW YORK— All the data requested b|
Governor Dewey on the New York City fiV
per cent ticket tiix has been gathered an
will be studied as soon as possible by th
Temporary Commission of the Fiscal Affau
of State Government. It will be studied 8
soon as possible by the commission, state
Frederick L. Bird, chairman.
The material will be presented to the go\
ernor in the form of a report.
Governor Dewey asked that the inform:
tion cover an estimate of how much rev.
nue the tax will return to the city; wh:
the effect of the tax will be on theatrf
and asked whether the 1947 enabling a
should be repealed.
Universal to Redeem Its
$2,393,000 Debentures
NEW YORK—Milton R. Backmil, preside
of Universal Pictures Co., Inc., has clos
an arrangement with the First National Ba
of Boston for refinancing of Its debentur
As a result, the company will redeem
September 1 its outstanding 3^4 per ce
sinking fund debentures due March 1, 19
There are $2,393,000 of these outstanding a
in the hands of the public.
Adds to WB Holdings
NEW YORK—Jack L.
Warner, vice-pre
dent bought 2.800 shares of Warner Bi
common stock in June, increasing his dir
holdings to 277.699 shares, according to
report filed with the Securities and Exchai
Commission.
Stanley Warner to Pay 25
NEW YORK—The board of directors
Stanley Warner Corp. has voted a dlvld
of 25 cents per share on the common si<
payable August 25 to stockholders of rei
August 4.
10
BOXOFFICE
:
24,
'

I am
they said:
"I was thrilled to see the wonderful productions
that will be forthcoming from Fox
Studios. The color, the sound, the complete
focus of the picture at all times will bring a
better form of entertainment in the new
pictures and greater audiences to all of
our theatres. We are most appreciative of
what Mr. Darryl F. Zanuck and Mr. Spyros
Skouras have done for the entire
industry." —A^yron Blank, Centra! States
Theatre Corp., Des Moines, Iowa
"I have been thinking about turning my
theatre into anything I could, and now I
think I will remain in show business."
—Jack Mapel, Barneys Theatre,
Point Marion, Pa.
"Speaking for the small town, Cinema-
Scope is greater than ever. After seeing
the demonstration, am looking forward to
bright future." —Joe Shannon, New Life
Theatre, Woodsfield, Ohio
'*Could forget about T.V. competition after
seeing this."
—Robert Lowrey,
Starlite Drive In, Jonesboro, Ark.
"So greatly impressed with the superiority
of the lenses and stereophonic sound that
going to recommend that my
accounts all install stereophonic sound."
—Alden Smith, Mutual Theatre Service
of Michigan, Detroit, Mich.
"It will do much to bring back more busi
ness to the theatre."
—Frank Panopoulos,
State Theatre, Clairton, Pa.
"It is just, I would say, terrific. This is certainly
a credit to the entire industry and I
would say that the future looks very bright
with pictures of that kind."
—Joseph Dolgin, Pine Drive In,
Waterbury, Conn.

P(dAc1Sc(HU
Exhibitors Win Temporary
Injunction on N. Y. Tax
state supreme court judge signs
order preventing
city from collecting taxes on fractions
which add to more than five per cent;
affects lower price tickets; hearing July 26.
•
Three Companies Increase
Holdings in Common Stock
Reports to stock exchanges show RKO
Theatres increase to 689,550 shares from
150,000. 20th-Fox up to 125,000 from 91,000,
Stanley Warner up to 217.400 from 150,000,
Paramount holdings unchanged at 125,600.
•
Priests Join Parishioners
Picketing Trench Line'
Two are active in marching protest against
three-day showing at Pickwick Theatre,
Greenwich, Conn., when Neil Welty, manager,
decline.s to cancel.
*
University Study Estimates
Drop in Television Viewing
Northwestern reports that among children
in Chicago and nearby Evanston it is from
23 hours a week in 1953 to 21.4 hours this
year; among parents from 19 hours weekly
to 16.5 hours.
•
Sir Alexander Korda Joins
John Woolfs Company
Will release through Independent Film
Producers of England; plans foiu- films annually,
the first of which will be "Richard
III," starring Laurence Olivier.
*
Triple Features Are Back
In Six Chicago Theatres
Among houses offering three features on
their programs are the Oak, Essaness' Crown,
Linden, Kim, American and Crawford; public
acceptance to be watched.
•
RCA Plans to Demonstrate
21 -Inch Color TV Tube
Showing .set September 15; said to have
a picture area of 250 .square inches, about
22 per cent larger than others now available;
price to equipment manufacturers to be $175.
*
House Committee Vetoes
Business Poll Fund
Survey, which would include detailed statistics
for all branches of film industry, was
supposed to have been taken this year, but
Congress refused to vote funds.
•
Rentals of British-Made Films
Gain Nearly 10 Per Cent
First ten months of current Eady year in
Great Britain increased over same period of
previous year; collections amount to 2.257,000
pounds.
IN ROCHESTER FOR DEMONSTRATIONS—Spyros P. Skouras, president of
20th Century-Fox, and Al Lichtman, director of distribution for the company, are
shown arriving at Rochester airport for CinemaScope demonstrations at the Eastman
Theatre and are greeted by Joseph F. Taylor, president of Bausch & Lomb, and
Edward P. Curtis, vice-president of Eastman Kodak. Left to right: Taylor, Skouras,
Curtis and Lichtman. Skouras gave high praise to Eastman technicians and the
experts of B&L for their aid in developing new processes for handling the widescreen
film and for the scientific advances made on lenses.
F7C Listens
(Continued From Page 8)
subsequent film years of complications resulting
from disputes or misunderstandings
growing out of prior arrangements, according
to MPEA.
As a part of the understanding, according
to an explanatory memo attached to copies
of the pact provided the member companies,
they had agreed "to place at the discretion of
a French government institution by July 1,
1954, approximately 31.2 per cent of the
reserved funds (equivalent to 93,500,000
francs), with a further 21 per cent of the
reserved funds (equivalent to 63,000,000
francs) reserved for similar disposition during
1954-55."
The total for the two years thus is 156,500,-
000 francs.
In a letter dated April 25, Johnston included
the following paragraph in a letter
written to Flaud:
"You have indicated your intention of informing
us, in the near future, of your conclusions
regarding the needs of the French
motion picture market for pictiu-es supplied
by our member companies during the film
year 1953-54. It is our hope that you will
find that the needs of the market justify
sufficient dubbing and exhibition permits to
meet the needs of our member companies, it
being understood that this number may not
exceed 110, exclusive of such individual merit
permits as may be granted to the companies.
Taking into account the considerations set
forth above, I am happy to inform you of
the intention of the Motion Picture Export
Ass'n, within a period of two weeks, to place
at the disposition of a French governmental
institution an amount of 96,000,000 francs
(equivalent to 32 per cent of the reserve funds
established in the 1952-53 accord)."
In a June 10 letter to Flaud, Johnston said
he hoped that "mutually satisfactory arrangements"
could be concluded for 1954-55, "in
which ca.se we will be happy to place 63,000,-
000 francs (equivalent to 21 per cent of the
reserved funds established in the 1952-53
accord) at the disposition of a French governmental
institution."
Among the documents there also is the
translation of a June 16 statement signed by
Marc M. Spiegel, MPEA continental manager
stationed in Paris. It follows:
"I. the undersigned. Marc M. Spiegel, acting
as representative of the Motion Picture
Export Ass'n. declare to hold at the disposal
of the Directeur General du Centre National
de la Cinematographie the sum of francs
93,500,000 to be placed at the credit of such
governmental institution which he will sub-'
sequently designate. This sum w'ill be available
as of July 1, 1954."
The sum of 93,500,000 francs mentioned by
Spiegel was a new estimate replacing the sum
of 96.000,000 francs mentioned in the April 25
letter of Johnston.
Spiegel Confers With Johnston
On West Germany Pact
NEW YORK—Marc M. Spiegel, continenta;i
manager of the Motion Picture Export Ass'ni
is conferring with Eric Johnston, president
on the preliminary details of a film pact t

SCENES FROM
Color by Deluxe
CinemJ^coPC
they
said:
"I think the difference shown in this reel
between stereophonic sound and both
optical and magnetic is an eyeopener. It
proves beyond a question that stereophonic
sound is a vital part of proper
theatre presentation. It goes without saying
that the lineup of forthcoming 20th
Century-Fox pictures constitutes the finest
program ever issued by a major studio."
—Dale McFarland,
Greater Indianapolis Amusement Co.,
Indianapolis, Ind.
"I am signing up for CinemaScope right
away. I am very favorably impressed."
—Sam Resnick, Playhouse,
Andover, Mass.
*'This is the first time in my experience that
any film company has ever tried to make
me a rich man. My thanks to all the Fox
officials." -MelKoff, Glenside Theatre,
Glenside, Pa.
"...As Mr. Zanuck said—The future looks
much brighter."
—Russ Leddy,
Orpheum Theatre, Green Bay, Wis.
"Terrific! The sound was especially fine.
Of course you don't have to sell this kind
of product. The sound was marvelous and
the new lenses are out of this world. These
pictures are 'money in the bank'."
—Russ Schmidt,
John Hamrick's Tacoma Theatres
ROBERT WAGNER • JEAN PETERS
0P[
RICHARD WIDMARK KATY • fo.
JURADO '1^'o^L'^.^.
Please turn ,

: July
ALL IS CONFUSION IN KANSAS
Judge Fails to File
Censorship Decision
KANSAS CITY—Confusion has resulted
from the failure of Judge Harry J. Miller jr.
of the Wyandotte county district court to file
the memorandum opinion he handed down
July 14 declaring the action of the Kansas
Board of Review in banning "The Moon Is
Blue" as unconstitutional. The judge left on
a 30-day vacation immediately after rendering
his opinion but failed to complete step 5
necessary to make it effective.
As a result. United Artists booked "The
Moon Is Blue" in the Heart Drive-In and in
the Overland Theatre. When advertising appeared
in the local newspapers, the state
board immediately went into action. Its attorneys
notified the theatres that they would
be violating the law if they showed the controversial
film. Then attorneys for the distributors
appeared before Judge Willard M. <
Benton to discuss obtaining a restraining
order preventing the board from interference
at the theatres if the film were shown.
At the discussion, which was informal, attorneys
representing the board contended that
Judge Miller had not intended to enter final
judgment in the case until his return. Judge
Benton then took the position that Judge
Miller must have had a reason for not entering
final judgment at the time and ruled that
the board's ban on the picture would remain
in effect until final judgment was entered.
Attorneys for the distributors contended
that it had been Judge Miller's intention to
allow the film to be shown, since he notified
writing that he was declaring the
litigants in
censorship law unconstitutional. However.
Mrs. Frances Vaughan, chairman of the
board, told a BOXOFFICE representative:
"Since this suit was filed, the board has revised
its rules and we believe these are more
definitive."
While no plan of action can yet be discussed,
those close to the matter feel that If on
Judge Miller's return the Kansas censorship
law is declared unconstitutional, the case will
be appealed to the Kansas supreme court.
In the meantime, the theatres have put in
substitute films as the safer method to
pursue, and United Artists is holding up
bookings in Kansas.
Rogers Hospital Press Sheet
NEW YORK—A press sheet showing the
widespread coverage given by the trade and
lay pre.ss to the annual inspection of the
Will Rogers Memorial hospital by the board
and other supporters has just been issued.
Drive-ln Changes Name
To Sell Wide Screen
URBANA, ILL.—The first instance of a
drive-ln changing its name to capitalize
on installation of a new screening process
was reijorted near here. The name of the
Family Drive-ln has been changed, according
to Manager Marshall Pinchard,
to Widescreen Drive-In.
K. C. Star Attacks
Film Censorship
Kansas City—Censorship is an affront
to American principles, the important
Kansas City Star declared editorially this
week in hailing a federal court decision
here which knocked out a Kansas state
board of review ban on "The Moon Is
Blue" and declared unconstitutional the
section of the state law on which the action
was taken.
The editorial pointed out that Supreme
Court decisions now have held that such
phrases as "tending to corrupt morals"
and "detrimental to the public good" are
not definitive and that their application
in a censorship code was in violation of
constitutional rights of freedom of speech
and of the press.
"In effect, this lack of definite standards
has allowed individuals to judge
what is fit for the public on the basis
of their own definitions of the words,"
says the Star. "That is a basically dangerous
authority in this land of ours."
"If Hollywood should release a flood
of obscene pictures upon the country,
the situation would require national and
not local attention. And censorship, which
is the right to judge before publication
or release, might not be the answer even
then. Laws to punish offenders after release
or publication would seem sufficient
to prevent such occurrences," the editorial
said.
Elmart of Buffalo Denied
Motion on Divestiture
BUFFALO—Federal Judge John Knight
has denied a motion by Elmart Theatres,
Inc., one of the co-defendants with the
Schine Theatres, Inc. and others in civil and
criminal contempt of court proceedings, for
permission to dispose of certain theatre
holdings.
Elmart sought to contract with the Cumberland
Amusement Co., Kentucky, to lease
four houses in Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky.
The leases, according to Schine attorney
James O. Moore jr., would also contain an
option for the Cumberland company to purcha.se
the properties for $50,000.
The move was opposed by the government
on the grounds that the pending contempt
actions should first be concluded. The contempt
actions are based on a contention that
the Schine chain, its officers and other
corporations, failed to abide by a 1949 antitrust
decree issued by Judge Knight directing
the Schine chain to dispose of certain theatres
and make available first-run films to
competing theatres.
The Schine chain was given permission by
Judge Knight to purchase furniture and other
equipment from the Lake Theatre, Canandaigua,
now being converted to business.
Arbitration Group Near
Accord on Principle
NEW YORK—The so-called arbitration
drafting committee representing exhibition
and distribution held more meetings during
the week and while no statements were issued,
it was understood that agreement
principle had been reached on all but two
controversial trade practices. These are prereleases
and damages.
At least one more meeting will be held
before actual drafting of an arbitration plan
will start. That will not be the function of
the committee, but will be handled by lawyers
representing both sides. However, the committee
will be in a position to exercise some
control over the legal language arrived at
before the plan is formally presented at
full-dress conference like the one last May.
No one is trying to predict right now when
that will be held.
Members of the committee said they were
optimistic about the outcome and little else
Optimistic reports are common when all sorb
of negotiations are going on, whether in tin
fields of business or government. Howevti
it appeared that there was real reason fa
optimism. Certainly progress has been made
Early Cinerama Showings
Abroad Being Lined Up
NEW YORK — Extension of Cinerami
showings into a number of foreign countric
is to start soon as a result of a deal signet
by S. H. Fabian, president of Stanley Warne
Corp., with Nicolas Reisini, president of Robii
International Corp. Matthew Fox started th
negotiations several months ago. He is ai
associate of Reisini.
"This Is Cinerama" will open in London ani
Paris sometime in the fall, to be followe'
by openings in Rome, Tokyo and a city i
western Germany. Extension to other coun
tries will follow these openings.
Robin International, Inc., represents a num
ber of American corporations abroad. Th:
is its first film venture.
Italy's Boxoffice Gain
80% in Five-Year Period
NEW YORK—Boxoffice grosses In It*
Jumped 80 per cent in the five-year perlc
of 1949-1953, according to word received 1
the local Italian Films Export offices. In tl
same period Itahan production increased a
most 400 per cent.
Last year (1953) Italian product gross
$51,666,667, compared with $13,333,334 for tJ
base year of 1949. Total receipts of all fllr
for the comparable periods were $155,000,0
in 1953 and $88,333,334 in 1949.
In the United States during the sar
period, receipts declined 10 per cent.
May TV Set Production
Below 1953 Month
WASHINGTON—Television set produotl
during May was down to 396,287 units, CO!
pared to 481.936 sets manufactured in M
1953, according to the Radio-Electronl.
Television Manufacturers Ass'n. During I
first five months of 1954 a total of 2.301,(
TV sets were made, compared to 3,309,757 s
in the same 1953 period.
BOXOFFICE :
24, Hi

saw
SCENES FROM
^IVOlVlAnv'S TVORIiD
Print by TECHNICOLOR
CinemaScopE
CLIFTON WEBB • JUNE ALLYSON - VAN HEFLIN • UUREN BACALL
FRED MacMURRAY-ARLENEDAHL- CORNEL WILDE <
CHARLES BRACKET
they said:
^
Don
hort change
your P

:
July
I
Firsl Sales Convenlion
Scheduled by IFE
NEW YORK—Italian Film Export Releasing
Corp. is planning its first national sales
convention in August,
according to Bernard
Jacon, vice - president
m charge of sales. All
Bernard Jacon
division and district
managers and salesmen
will meet with
home office executives
at the IPE studio, 233
west 49th St., starting
August 6 and running
through August
10.
Jacon says the outlook
has not been better
since the company started operations 20
months ago.
"We hope to demonstrate that IFE can
play an important role in alleviating the
product shortage about which American exhibitors
are complaining," Jacon states.
Among those attending the convention
will be:
Seymour Schussel, eastern division manoger; Phil
Levine and Sol Di Gennoro of Greater New York;
Mike Sieqal Washington, D. C; Al Herman, northeast
district manager, Boston; Dave Left, Buffalo;
Alex Coaperman, western _ division manager, Los
ral district manager, Cleveland;
:innoti; Bernard McCarthy, midwes
and Samuel Chernoft, both of Chic
Broccoli in Hollywood
After Nationwide Tour
HOLLYWOOD—A. R. (Cubby) Broccoli,
of partner Irving Allen in Warwick Productions,
independent outfit releasing
through Columbia, has joined the ever-growing
roster of Hollywood executive, creative
and artistic personalities who are learning
that the reception of motion pictures, by
both the trade and the public, can be enhanced
materially if those who make them
will spend time and effort contacting the
men who exhibit them.
At a press parley here upon his return
from a four-week cross-country tour, plugging
Warwick's Alan Ladd starrer, "Hell
Below Zero," Broccoli reiterated the views
which he aired originally at an earlier tradepress
conference in New York. He expressed
the opinion that his trek materially aided
the publicity accorded the feature and played
a part in boosting its boxoffice takes.
No Further Taxes. Says
Oklahoma Candidate
OKLAHOMA CITY— William O. Coe, candidate
for Oklahoma governor, has come out
unequivocally against any "additional taxes
of any kind, nature or description upon theatre
owners, theatres and admissions to
amusement theatres."
In a statement to the Allied Theatre Owners
of Oklahoma, Coe said, "I am well
familiar with how great has been the struggle
for survival of the theatres. Only recently
you have received relief from federal taxes.
You need encouragement and not discouragement."
16
Films Ask for Long Life
In
Clever Army Prayer
PITTSBURGH—Grace Neiderberger,
secretary to Jack Judd, Columbia manager,
while vacationing in Puerto Rico
found this message (in Spanish and
I
English in film cans forwarded by the
U.S. Army Services:
The Film's Prayer
/ am Him. not steel: Oh user, have
mercy!
I face danger on every mission. I
travel the world in a tin can tossed
about in heavy trucks, sidewise. flat
and upside down. If my first few coils
are loose, I am bruised and wounded
beyond the power to heal, and my usefulness
is elided.
reach my destination
Even though I
safely, more danger awaits me. A
strong motor drags me over sharp
I sprockets. squeezed through the
am
film gate, held tight by the idlers, and
jerked violently by the take-up reel.
If a careless hand mistreats me, I am
scratched and torn apart. If dirt collects
on the aperture and pressure
plates, my beauty is streaked and
marred, and I must face the world
ashamed and spoiled. Only you can
save me.
Don't rewind me after showing. Let
my owner examine me, heal my
wounds, and give me strength for my
next mission. The next man may not
be as careful as you! Then put me in
my own can, so I will not go astray,
and speed me on my way. Others are
waiting to see me.
I am film, not steel. Misuse me and I
disappoint thousands.
Protect me and I delight the world!
Eight 'Bulldog Drummond'
Features Are Sold to TV
NEW YORK—Eight "Bulldog Drummond"
films originally distributed by Pai-amount
have been sold by Congi-ess Films, Inc., to
Television Attractions, Inc., headed by Arthur
Kerman, for television use. The films were
released originally in the 30s and all its
rights have expired, according to Paramount.
Television Attractions also has acquii-ed
from Regal Attractions 45 features produced
by Hal Roach studios, as well as 52 Laurel
& Hardy two-reelers, 80 Charley Chase tworeelers
and 300 miscellaneous shorts.
Kinematograph Year Book
For 1954 Arrives in NY
NEW YORK—The 1954 Kinematograph
Year Book, 41st in the long series, which
keeps everybody in Great Britain as well as
other parts of the world in touch with developments
in the British film industry, has
just arrived. Tabulations showing how to use
the new film presentation techniques are included
in a five-page technical data section.
As in the past, the entire field of production
and distribution and exhibition are covered
with a wealth of detail. There is a
complete list of companies connected with
the industry.
COMPO Ad Brings Up
High Theatre Rates
NEW YORK—Why do newspapers give free
space to television listings while charging
premium rates for theatre space? This was
labeled "the $64 question" in an editorial
from Editor & Publisher and was used
the basis of the 21st ad in the series
placed by the Council of Motion Picture
Organizations. The ad reads:
"The manager of a group of moving p
ture houses presented a $64 question :
cently when he asked California ad men w
they give free space to television listii
while charging movies premium rates for (
vertising. A show of hands at the meet
indicated about half of those present i
cept local theatre ads at the local rate,
i
other half getting a premium rate.
"The big question involves two questions
should newspapers be giving radio and tele
vision, competitors for the advertising
lar, a free ride in program listings; shoul
newspapers be charging local theatres, wh
do not compete for advertising, premium a
rates?
"The situation is not all black or whil
around the country. A few newspapers hai
found that they can convert free prograi
hstings into paid space, or they can
them entirely without loss of circulatioi
And some newspapers have found that a]
plication of the local rate to theatre adve
tising is advisable and profitable. But tha
newspapers which have done neither
have to face up to the apparent inequit
Why give free space to a competitor?
Lord Grantley. Prominenl
British Film Man, Dies
LONDON—Lord Grantley—Richard Her
Brinsley Norton—62, prominent in the fi
industry, died here July 17 after a long :
ness. He joined United Ai'tists in 1931 a
became a director of Dominion Films a
Pinewood studios. He then became a direc
of production and founded Pinebrook Films
1937. It was the fij'st company to make
i
operative films. He was chairman of i
British Film Producers Ass'n from 1938
1940 and a former dii-ector of the J. Artl
Rank Organization. He became chairman
Pascal Film Productions in 1941 and produil
George Bernard Shaw stories.
Mrs. John Eberson
NEW YORK—Mrs. Beatx-ice Eberson, wic
of the late John Eberson, died in Stamf 1
ho.spital July 15. She was a well-knc
interior decorator. Episcopal funeral serv:*
were held at the Bouton & Reynold.s funi
home, Stamford, July 17. Mrs. Eberson 'S
born in England in 1885. Her New Yk
residence was at 14 Sutton Place South ;i
her Connecticut home at Stamford. Shii
survived by her son. Drew Eberson of Sti
ford; two daughters, Mrs. L. E. Molii- of ( •
cago and Mrs. C. A. Brassert of Pittsbu i.
as well as five gra:idchildren.
Mrs. Robert Savini
NEW YORK—Funeral services for «
Irene Savini, wife of Robert Savini, pi '
dent of Astor Pictures, were held at H '•
ington. Long Island, July 17. Mm. Si '
died at Huntington hospital July 15.
BOXOmCE
:
24,

.
they saw SCENES FROM
T>TiAn
Color by DE LUXE
CinemaScopE
^^
%.
JEAN SIMMONS • VICTOR MATURE • GENE TIERNEY
MICHAEL WILDING • BELLA DARVI • PETER USTINOV
and EDMUND PURDOM as The Egyptian
they said:
"Great technical advances. Greatest lineup
of pictures in the history of 20th
Century-Fox. One of the great thrills of
my life." —R. J. (Bob) O'DonneH,
Interstate Theatre, Texas
"I was tremendously impressed. The
properties which they have started to produce,
gives me a tremendous lift and it is
my wish that other distributors would
follow in line with Fox and use Cinema-
Scope, Stereophonic Sound and good
stories " —Walter Higg'ms, Prudenf/a/ Circuit
^'Unquestionably a display of some of the
greatest pictures we shall have the
pleasure of seeing, for some time to
come."
—Arthur Krolick,
Paramount Theatres, Buffalo
"Zanuck did a tremendous piece of work
on this. I don't see how anybody would not
want to go all the way now. There is no
real substitute or anything 'almost as
good'. This is the real thing."
—Ben Shearer, 6. F. Shearer Co.,
Seattle, Wash.
''Tremendous demonstration of this great
medium from 20th Century-Fox. The
company is to be congratulated on the
forthcoming product and on their scope
and grandeur."
—Robert Folk, Town Theatre,
Mankato, Minn.
Iht
Please turn

|
His Promotion Had a Lot of Cents,
Even If It Now Looks Cents-Less
NEW YORK—Fun is fun. exploitation is
exploitation and promotion is the same
thing, but putting chromium on copper
pennies is tomething else. People like them.
They're nice and shiny, but Albert Greene,
manager of the Avenue U Theatre at 1600
Avenue U. Brooklyn, wants to get back 36.000
chromium plated pennies he used in an
effort to prove that he and his patrons
did not like the new 5 per cent city ticket tax.
The Ti-easury Department says, "take 'em
out of circulation, or else —
It's that "or else" that has Greene disturbed.
How can he get all those shiny coins
back when he doesn't know who has them.
They're all over Brooklyn and maybe Manhattan
and the Bronx.
Greene is no shrinking violet when it
comes to exploitation. He does it in a big,
flamboyant way so that the borough residents
will know where his house is located.
Translated to Brooklynese, the letter read:
"Get them pennies back."
Greene has a 40x60 sign asking his patrons
nwn
SCIIOLAKSHIP CHFXK — Samuel
Goldwyn presents a check for the second
Goldwyn scholarship at the University
of California at the Los Angeles school
of Medicine to Robert J. Elstad as Dean
Stafford L. Warren looks on.
The Goldwyn scholarship was established
in 1953 by the Samuel Goldwyn
Foundation, a charitable organization endowed
by the motion picture producer.
It provides $2,000 for the medical education
of the recipient to be paid in four
annual installments of $500 each and is
awarded annually to a member of the incoming
freshman class. According to the
terms of the scholarship grant, there
will always be, after 1956, four "Goldwyn
scholars" at UCLA Medical sckool, one
in each class.
to return them to keep him out of jail. More
than 600 came back the first four days, but
that still left a sackful of pennies in circulation.
It was a $28 electroplating job and the
chromium will wear off in a short time, but
Greene doesn't know whether the Treasury
Dept. will wait that long. In the meantime,
his friends are doing a remarkable job of
circulating the story.
Greene is paying two copper cents for the
return of each chromium plated cent. That
helps with the kids.
In the meantime business is good.
President's Month Drive
Set by Reade Theatres
NE-W YORK—Walter Reade Theatres will
open a five-week Pi-esident's Month drive
After the tax went
August 5 in honor of its president. There will
into effect he got a
bottle be a
thi-ee feet across and
minimum of $2,500 in weekly and series
put it in his
lobby with signs
prizes
asking
for the
patrons, who
managers of the theatres.
received
their small change in chromium
The drive was arranged by home office
plated
pennies, to put them officials
in the
while Reade was on the coast. Leaders
bottle to be used
for payment of the "Mayor 'Wagner
and judges will be
Tax."
Edwin Gage, vicepresident;
Jack P. Harris, film buyer; Albert
There were other signs about the new highsalaried
political offices created by the present
administration.
rector; Nick Schermerhorn, general manager,
Ploersheimer, advertising and publicity di-
The patrons liked the pennies and
and Paul Peterson, assistant general
kept
manager.
them, using the unpolished copper Minimum weekly prizes of
variety
$100 and $50 will
for
the big bottle. The pennies began go to the
to .show up
two managers who show the greatest
in restam-ants and many other places. Then
percentage increases in grosses. Minimum
a
Secret Service man arrived at the
prizes of
Avenue $500,
U,
$300 and $200 will go to those
followed by a letter from Edgar Brisach, showing the greatest improvements in net
chief criminal division, U.S. Treasury Dept.
returns over the entire period.
Financing of 'Oklahoma'
Is Completed by Magna
NEW YORK—Financing of
the production
of "Oklahoma!" in the Todd-AO process has
been completed by Magna Theatre Corp. with
the aid of the investment banking firm of
Kuhn. Loeb & Co. The cost is estimated at
$4,500,000.
Magna has $6,000,000 of five-year debentures,
12,500 shares of cumulative preferred
stock and 2, 200,000 shares of common stock.
A small group of investors bought the debeniiues,
including National Theatres. United
Artists Theatres, Inc., has agreed to buy
$500,000 of subordinated debentures or preferred
stock if additional funds are needed,
and Magna has an-anged a standby loan of
$1,000,000 for 18 months with the Bankers
Trust Co.
Allied, Sales Heads Delay
Scheduled Conferences
NEW YORK — Conferences of national
Allied leaders with general sales manager.s
on the rental and print -scarcity problems
which were expected to start July 26 have
been set back due to absences from the city
of several top executives.
Ben Kalmenson, vice-president in charge
of distribution for Warner Bros., is scheduled
to attend a sales meeting on the coast; A. W.
Schwalberg is in Europe on vacation. The
Allied committee had planned to spend several
days In town seeing the sales executives
one after the other.
Rules Exhibition Gross
Must Be Taxed as Rent
Washington—Gross income derived
fro.n exhibition of motion pictures must
be ta.ved as rent, and does not qualify
for tax treatment as personal holding
company income or foreign personal holding
company income, according to a Bureau
of Internal Revenue service ruling
this week.
The Bureau, in its rulings, does not
reveal names of those seeking the determinations,
but it said the corporation in
this case obtained all rights to certain
films to be exhibited in the U.S. and elsewhere
in the world. The corporation had
the films distributed and exhibited for a
stated percentage of gross receipts.
The Bureau also held that since such
receipts represent at least 50 per cent of
total gross income, the funds do not
qualify for the more favorable treatment.
Editor & Publisher Ads
On Product Get a Veto
NEW YORK—A proposal that the major
companies place special product advertising
in Editor & Publisher to counteract some
newspaper criticism of the quality of pictures
was turned down last week at a meeting
of the advertising and publicity directors
committee of the Motion Picture Ass'n of
America.
The proposal had originally been made by
Oscar Doob of MGM and approved by the
press committee of the Council of Motion
Kcture Organizations, which took it up with
the MPAA unit. The idea was that the companies
plug their forthcoming pictures in the
same issue in which the 26th and final
COMPO institutional advertisement will appear.
The 22nd weekly ad was printed Sauiiday
124).
Various reasons were given at the meetuii; i
for rejecting the idea, among them the select
circulation of Editor & Publisher which goes
to newspapermen and not the general public.
The MPAA unit elected Gilbert Golden of'
Warner Bros, chairman for a six-month
term. He succeeds Steve Edwards of Republu'
United Artists Has Seven
First Run Films in NY
NEW YORK—United Artists has seven fe,
tures in Manhattan first run theatres diiiii
the week. They were "The Malta Story"
the Guild, "The Diamond Wizard" at
Palace and "'Victory at Sea" at the Tn
Lux 60th Street Theatre, all in their
i
week: "Apache," -starting its third week
the Mayfair; "The Long Wait" at the Criterl
ion and "Man With a Million" at the Suttonl
both starting fourth weeks, and "Hobson'f
Choice" in its sixth week at the Paris.
"Adventures of Robinson Crusoe" is schedf
ulcd to open at the Normandie early
August.
N.Y. Opening for 'Kings'
NEW YORK—The U.S. opening of "Va|
ley of the Kings," MGM color picture filmei
in Egypt, will be July 29 at the Plaza ThefJ
tre here. It was shown first July 21
the Metro Theatre, Cairo, Egypt.
BOXOFFICE :: July 24. 19;

saw
SCENES FROM
Color by De Luxe
Cinem^copC
they
saia:
"After seeing this production, the exhibitors
should walk out feeling two and a half
tinnes better than ever. Thanks to 20th
Century-Fox genius for producing fine
motion pictures. Our industry knows what
the outlook for the future will be."
—Max Chasen, Hollywood Theatre,
Atlantic City
"Without Stereophonic Sound, an exhibitor
is not a competitor."
Mr. & Mrs. John Praggastis, State Theatre,
Oregon City; Ross & Isis Theatres
at Monmouth & Independence, Ore
"The new product looks wonderful. And
the casts they are putting in the pictures
are really something! CinemaScope is
wonderful, but I see they're not relying on
CinemaScope alone. You have wonderful
pictures and wonderful properties."
—Herb Sobottka, John Hamrick Theatres,
Seattle, Wash.
"I think the outlook for 20th Century-Fox
is great and I was agreeably surprised at
the new techniques that have been developed
in the last year." -Mary Burnett,
Loev/'s Theatres, Indiana
"I feel more confident than ever of the
future of this business with such impressive
improvements technically and with
the lineup of such film productions for
future release." —Roy White, Mid-States
Theatres, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio
Marilyn monroe • ethel merman
m DAILEY • DONALD O'CONNOR
MITZI GAYNOR • JOHNNY RAY
^or.
^"nge
'P'^troi
o«,^
'^on
G/'ve
'^^

Irving Mack, founder and president of Filmack, holds a Monday morning conference.
L to R: Violet Dane, Mack's "gal Friday"; Bernie Mack, director of administration;
Pat Cascio, in charge of negative production; Joe Mack, in charge of
positive production; Irving Mack; Lou Kravitz, editor of "Inspiration" and advertising
manager; Don Mack, in charge of TV production and sales; Jim Reddy,
advertising department; Elsa Aylward, customers' service and copy-writing department.
It's
the Personal Touch
That Counts in
Business
Irving Mack Has Used This Principle in Building
Filmack Trailers Which Is
By FRANCES CLOW
CHICAGO — Perhaps nothing quite so
strongly illustrates a company's success as
long years of service. Using this barometer
as a gauge, Filmack Trailer Co., which this
month observes its 35th anniversary, has
reached a mark of achievement. Filmack is
the oldest special trailer producer in the
country.
The man who stands behind this success
story is a friendly gentleman of the industry,
Irving Mack, who started Filmack with a
two-man staff in July 1919. He was a hard
worker, with endless ideas on the merchandising
of motion pictures, when he started out
in business—and he still is a hard worker who
never limits himself to an eight-hour schedule.
In 1919, and for many years thereafter, he
did the selling, the copywriting, copy editing,
liroof reading and all the other chores which
jam up on a young man trying to build a
business virtually by himself. Today, having
proved that "big trees from little acorns
grow," he keeps 102 individuals busy in the
various departments which comprise the Chicago
operation.
Along with this growth in personnel, there
also has been a geographical expansion. In
1940, Filmack opened a New York branch, and
that office now has a staff of ten. In Toronto,
the Filmart Trailer Co. is Irving Mack's
Canadian affiliate, handling all distribution
for the Dominion.
Irving has a lot to talk about, as he looks
back at the company's growth. He is proud
of the achievements gained, and one gains the
impression that he wouldn't mind starting all
over again.
What he likes best about the development
of his company, he says, is that it
has become a .symbol of service. He has a
steadfast belief that service alone makes a
company's existence worthwhile. It is a
philosophy which has been picked up by his
Celebrating 35th Year
three sons, Joseph, Bernard and Donald, all
of whom grew up in the business, and now
are their father's principal aides. Needless
to say, developing in the shadow of father
Irving's doctrines, they, too, have acquired
some ideas of their own in operating Filmack.
It is an accepted fact that the passing
years have brought about some harrowing
changes, particularly for the man who owns
his own business. And, the changing times
have not left Filmack unaffected. As a result,
the boys have favored cutting some
corners—just enough, they urged, to meet
higher costs and wages.
But what can you do, says the young Mack
trio, about a $48,000 overtime bill—an expense
incurred during the last year because
the elder Mack did not want to break the
traditional good service chain.
The Filmack chieftain believes that along
with good service, you have to personalize
your business, whether it is large or small.
That is a basic theory on which he has
built the company. Customers are friends,
and you don't send form letters to friends,
he tells his staff.
As a result, he frowns intensely on the
stereotyped form letter, whether it is a sales
pusher or a simple thank you note. Make it
sound as if that particular customer was tlie
one person in the world on which the success
of the company depended. So, Irving insists
that every letter get individual attention, and
be sent on a personalized basis.
Filmack handles thousands of pieces of
copy which exhibitors want placed on trailers.
One carelessly handled production job can
ruin a job, and lose a customer. So, Irving
has developed a duplicate proofreading department,
of which he is very proud. Every
job gets double proofroom treatment—a system
which works .so well that in each 4.000
pieces of copy handled, the average number
of errors will be two or less.
After 35 years in the business, the company
has organized itself for quick action. A theatreman
can get his copy to Filmack in the
morning's mail and have it produced and >
on
its way back to the theatre in the evening.
"I'll wager that an examination of our
records will show that 60 per cent of our
orders are shipped the same day they are
received," Irving says.
One of the company slogans is "You name
it—We Have it." To live up to that slogan,
Filmack has developed a mammoth art library,
jammed to the rooftop with background
material for any conceivable trailer
idea a theatreman may submit. Christmas,
Labor day, Columbus day, Easter, copy
spur "back to school" drives, the importance
of observing ail-year around fire prevention,
refreshment business builders—these are all
carefully cataloged and cross-indexed so that
staff members can place trailer requests into
production immediately.
Filmack looks like a combination newspaper
office, printing plant, movie studio, film
processing plant Eind mail order house. The
exhibitor getting a 35mm trailer in the mai
wouldn't suspect that a good-sized print shof
played a role in turning it out. But. Filmack
has more printing equipment in operatioi
than the average small-town newspaper-j
three linotype machines, and two
machines which set the larger types,
together 70 different type faces are used t<
allow for maximum variety.
As Irving reminisced, he thumbed througl
a copy of "Inspiration," the mailing piec
which he sends to thousands of exhibitor
and key industry personnel. It is "publishe
monthly by the Filmack Trailer Co. and sen
to those friends with whom we would lik
to visit more often." That's the legend whic
appears on the masthead of each issue. 1
contains what Irving calls "shot in the arm
material. He started it 30 years ago, on
postcard-size scrap of paper, he recalls. 1
was an immediate success, and played a
important part in the growth of the compan:
Today, it is an extremely effective merchar
dising aid to exhibitors. It contains mac
merchandising ideas, through the uniqi
method of cataloging trailer ideas whic
Filmack has developed. It probably is i
thoroughly read a house organ as is publishe
MAILED TO 22,000
At this moment, the monthly mailing stani
at 22,000, but this figure probably will 1
increased, as Filmack has built itself about
complete a list of operating theatres in tl
country as there is in the industry.
Many of Irving's views on business ai
human relationships are expressed in Inspir
tion. For example, he is a stickler for coiu'tes
and he never fails to eulogize that virtue. .
the last Theatre Owners of America conve
tion he screened a 15-minute short subje'
"Courtesy Is Contagious," designed to te£^
theatre personnel how to serve the pub
better.
Looking ahead, Filmack is buzzing wi
ideas for future expansion. Wanting to mi
competitive angles sensibly and lucratively
TV department was created when the coi
pany quarters underwent a renovation pi
gram recently. As a result, Irving now tui
some of his attention to the television flfi
'
acquiring advertising agencies and televis
station personnel as new customers for f
services. It is a tribute to Filmack that <
National Broadcasting Co. channels all '
its Chicago area newsreel production throt^
a company which until recently was
sively motion pictures.
20 BOXOFFICE July 24, )}

.
saw
SCENES FROM
tJON'JrAlMKEjy
«<
Color by De Luxe
SUSAN HAYWARD • TYRONE POWER
they said:
CtmmAScGPt
your patrons!
Give them
^
ClMEMASCOPt
'M think it is the most exciting thing I have ever seen and it proves
that Stereophonic Sound and CinemaScope is the greatest innovation
that has been brought to the millions of movie-goers in the last
25 years. Fox is to be congratulated for their untiring and singlehanded
exhibition in bringing a revival to the Motion Picture
Industry." —Isadore Rappaport, Towne Theatre, Baltimore, Md.
*M think it is wonderful. The coming product is wonderful. I'm glad
I have stereophonic sound."
Mrs. C. 6. Hudson, Colonial Theatre, Portland
"This demonstration shows that 20th Century-Fox and the industry
intend to bring to the public this and even more important techniques
in giving the public a beautiful picture on the screen that
cannot be duplicated anywhere else. Also, it assures us that our
industry will endure."
—f4athan Sandler, Theatre Enterprises, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa
"The outstanding pictures that Fox are making in CinemaScope
should make a great attraction for the people."
—6/7/ Volk, Terrace Theatre, Robbinsdale, Minn.
"It is the greatest thing I have ever seen.
20th Century-Fox is to be congratulated
upon fulfilling all promises, as usual."
—Al Dayts, Dayts Theatres Circuit, Mass.
Please turn . .

Milestone Award to Go
To Schenck Brothers
HOLLYWOOD — The Schenck Brothers,
Nicholas M. and Joseph M., long outstanding
leaders in the motion picture field, have been
selected to be joint recipients of the Screen
Producers Guild annual Milestone award for
historical contributions to the American motion
picture, Arthur Freed, guild president,
revealed. This will be the first time that
there will be two recipients of the kudos.
Presentation of the honor will take place
at the Screen Producers Guild fourth annual
Milestone dinner scheduled to take place in
mid-November.
"The Schenck brothers, who were iinaminously
selected by the Guild executive board
over the weekend," Freed said, "are a distinguished
choice for the Milestone award, as
their historic contributions to the motion picture
industry speak for themselves. Both
men are steeped in the history of the film
industry, including distribution, exhibition
and production, and their contribution to the
producer system as we know it today has
been immeasurable."
Nicholas Schenck is president of Loew's,
Inc., and of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Joseph Schenck currently is devoting his
time to his interests in the United Artists
Theatre circuit of which he is chairman of
the board of the Magna Theatre Corp. which
has developed the Todd-AO process.
SPG last year presented the Milestone
award to Darryl F. Zanuck.
RCA-Smith Drive-Ins Sign
Sound Equipment Deal
CAMDEN, N. J.—RCA has signed a contract
with the Smith Management Co.. Boston,
operator of a chain of drive-ins, for
installation of RCA magnetic sound conversion
equipment in 14 outdoor spots in
eight states, according to J. F. O'Brien, manager
of theatre equipment sales in the engineering
products division.
The appartaus, called PG-391, enables theatres
equipped with single-track optical sound
to project four-track magnetic sound through
existing amplifier systems and convert the
four-track sound into single track magnetic
.sound.
The Smith drive-ins in the deal are: The
66, LaGrange, 111.: Pendleton Pike, Indianapolis:
Ridge Road, Griffith, Ind.: Natick,
Natick, Ma,ss.: East Side, Detroit: West Side,
Oak Park, Mich.: Airway. St. Louis: Hi-Way
40. Independence, Mo.: Manchester Road,
Kirkwood, Mo.: Route 10, Livingston. N. J.:
Route 46, Saddle River Town.shlp, N. J.:
Montgomery, Cincinnati: East Side, Cleveland,
and Bluemound, Elm Grove, Wis.
'Little Fugitive' to UA
NEW YORK—American and Canadian distribution
rights on "Little Fugitive" have
been acquired by United Artists from Joseph
Burstyn. Inc. The deal also includes 47 Commonwealth
areas. International distribution
rights in France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Portugal,
Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, Holland,
Israel and Yugoslavia have been negotiated,
says Fae R. Miske, treasurer of
Burstyn firm.
the
Nicholas M. Schenck Joseph M. Schenck
Army's Far East Theatres
To Take on VistaVision
NEW YORK—All of the Army Motion Picture
Service's 1.500 theatres in the Far East
are to be equipped for VistaVision. The first
film in the process will be "White Christmas."
The decision to use VistaVision followed
the demonstration in the Ernie Pyle Theatre.
Tokyo.
Word has also been received that between
160 and 170 theatres in Great Britain controlled
by the J. Arthur Rank Organization
have been equipped.
Set Three More Franchises
For 'Duel in the Sun'
NEW YORK—Frank I. Davis jr., president
of Selznick Releasing Organization, has
lanta
territory.
Warner 2-Day Coast
Sales Meet Called
NEW YORK—Sales plans for three completed
pictures and preliminary discussions
of other forthcoming product will feature a
two-day meeting of home office sales personnel
called by Ben Kalmenson. vice-president
in charge of distribution for Warner Bros.,
to be held at the Burbank studio July 26, 27.
The completed pictures are: "A Star Is
Born," "Dragnet" and "Battle Cry."
Harry M. Warner, president: Jack L. Warner,
executive producer, and Maj. Albert
Warner, vice-president, wUl attend the sessions
along with studio executives and district
managers from all over the country.'
In addition to viewing completed product
the gathering will look at advance footage
on several productions shooting on location
or at the studio.
Productions to be shown, in addition
those mentioned above, will be: "Helen of]
Troy," "The Silver Chahce." "East of Eden,"
"Land of the Pharaohs." "Drum Beat" and
"Track of the Cat."
Home office executives who will go to the
coast with Kalmenson and Maj. Albert Warner
will be : Samuel Schneider, vice-president;
Wolfe Cohen, president of Warner Bros. International
Corp.: Roy Haines, western
vision sales manager; Jules Lapidus. eastern
and Canadian division sales manager: John
F. Kirby, southern division sales manager;
Norman H. Moray, short subjects general
sales manager; Ed Hinchy. playdate department
head: Bernard R. Goodman, coordinator
of field sales activities: Robert A. Mc-
Guire, auditor of exchanges, and Howard
Levinson, legal department.
Mort Blumenstock. vice - president
charge of advertising and publicity, will bel
one of the principal speakers.
District managers attending will include:
Norman J. Ayres, eastern: William G. Mann
sell, central: Robert H. Dunbar, mideast;
closed three more franchise deals for distribution
of David O. Selznick's "Duel in the A. W. Anderson, North Prairie: W. O. Williamson,
southeast: Ed Williamson, south-
Sun."
The latest deals are with Harold "Babe" west: Henry M. Herbel, west coast; Haskell
Cohen, Lippert Pictures of Louisiana, serving M. Masters. Canada, and Robert Smeltzer.i
the New Orleans territory: Nina Bridges and Wa.shington D. C.
Bob Herrell, United Film Exchange, serving
the Kansas City area, and William M. Richardson.
Capitol Releasing Corp.. for the At-
Altec Gets Service Contract
For 178 Veterans Hospitals
NEW YORK—Altec Service Corp. has been
awarded a contract by the Veterans Administration
hospitals for inspection and maintenance
of 35mm projection and sound equipment
and radio and tran.smission equipment,
states L. D. Netter Jr., general sales manager.
The contract covers 178 hospitals.
Netter handled the negotiations for the
.contract with Martin Bender, commercial engineer
attached to the New York headquarters.
'Roval Tour' Is Pared
NEW YORK—"The Royal Tour of Queen
Elizabeth and Philip." 20th Century-Pox
travelog feature, has been re-edited and the
over-all running time reduced from 96 to 52
minutes. The film was reviewed in BOX-
OFFICE June 26.
Katharine Hepburn Film
Beina Made in Venice
VENICE. ITALY — "Summertime." the film
version of the Arthur Laurents' Broadwaj
stage hit. "The Time of the Cuckoo." weni
into production here July 12 under the direction
of David Lean, who is co-producing th(
United Artists release with Ilya Lopert
Filmed in Eastman Color, with prints to bt
processed by Technicolor, the picture star:
Katharine Hepburn and Rossano Brazzl. wltl
a supporting cast headed by Isa Miranda
Italian film star; Mari Aldon and Darrei
McGavin. The picture has a 12-week .ihootin'
schedule.
Rivoli Reopens August 4
NEW YORK—The Rivoli Tlieatre. close
since Easter due to lack of suitable produc
will reopen August 4 with a benefit perform
ance of Alfred Hitchcock's "Rear Window
The proceeds for the reserved-seat openir
will be turned over to the American-Korea
Foundation. "Rear Window." in Technicolo
starring James Stewart, Grace Kelly ar.
Wendell Corey, is released by Paramour
BOXOFnCE July 24, 19

they saw their future...
WITH THE MOST IMPOSING ROSTER
OF PROPERTIES EVER ASSEMBLED BY
A MOTION PICTURE COMPANY!
DESIREE Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Merle Oberon, Michael Rennie and Cameron Mitchell •
A MAN CALLED PETER • LORD VANITY Samuel Shellabarger's finest novel • DADDY
LONG LEGS Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron • PRINCE OF PLAYERS Richard Burton as Edwin
Booth . THE RACERS Kirk Douglas and Gilbert Roland • THE LEFT HAND OF GOD • SIR
WALTER RALEIGH • BLACK WIDOW Ginger Rogers, Van Heflin, Gene Tierney, George
Raft, Peggy Ann Garner • THE GUN AND THE CROSS • THE ENCHANTED CUP • THE
QUEEN OF SHEBA • KATHERINE • THE GIRL IN THE RED VELVET SWING •
JEWEL OF BENGAL James Stewart • TIGRERO! • THE WANDERING JEW • PINK
TIGHTS Sheree North < THE MAN WHO NEVER WAS • SABER TOOTH • THE TALL
MEN Clark Gable • ALEXANDER THE GREAT produced by Frank Ross • THE IRON HORSE
• THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH Marilyn Monroe • THE KING AND I by Rodgers and Hammerstein
THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD The Greatest Life Ever Lived as told by Fulton Oursler
they said:
"I think the line up of product is very inspiring.
It looks like v/e are in for some great pictures.
Fox should be commended for v/hat it has
contributed to motion pictures, especially in
production."
—A/ Forman, Forman Theatres, (Portland)
"I was never so enthused in my whole life. I sat
there in amazement watching spectacular
product after product. It definitely indicated
the brightest future the Motion Picture business
has ever seen."
—Norman Levenson, Poli Theatre, Hartford
"The showing of advanced product v/as terrific.
I do not see how anything could be better."
—N. A. Rhoades, Woodland, Wash.
"With a line-up of pictures like we saw here we
con face the future with confidence. It was
simply wonderful." -Mr. N/cIc Johnson, Ma;esf("c
and Wisconsin Theatres, Sheboygan, Wis.,
Strand Theatre, Manitowoc, Wis.
"The public is waiting for the product— what
we have just seen is what they want."
—Forrest Pirtle, Pirtle Circuit, Jerseyville, III.
"Future product looks the
best I have seen in a long,
long time." —Vincent R.
McFaul, Loew's Buffalo
Theatre, Buffalo
Please turn ,

j
Cleveland Crowds Give Big Welcome
To 'Obsession
and Its Producer
star to the more than 200 women who braved
the record 99-degree heat to pay her homage.
On Thursday, Miss Moorehead met the public
in the Higbee book shop and autographed
copies of 'The Magnificent Obsession." Their
other activities included radio appearances
and press interviews.
Universal-International staged a cool
party for the stars at the Carter hotel Thurs.
day evening preceding their appearance on
the Palace stage. This was an invitational
affair to which members of the press, radio
and TV received bids.
Responsible for the smooth and effective
promotion of the event were Phil Gerand and
Al Cohan of the U-I home office publicity
staff and Duke Hickey, publicist working
cooperation with Palace Manager Mink.
The world premiere of Universal-International's "Magnificent Obsession" at the
RKO Palace in Cleveland attracted record business. Top photo shows the crowds
lining the streets in front of the theatre as the stars arrive. Below are Max Mink,
Palace general manager; Jane Wyman, star; Ross Hunter, producer of the film;
Agnes Moorehead, film actress, and P. T. Dana, r-I's eastern sales manager.
CLEVELAND—Clevelanders turned out as
if for a circus parade, lining the upper Euclid
avenue curbs to participate in the hoopla
of the Hollywood premiere of "The Magnificent
Obsession" Thursday night (15) at the
Palace Theatre, The world premiere was a
tribute to a local boy who made good in the
Hollywood capital, Ross Hunter, producer
of the film.
Crowds lined the street as early as 7 o'clock,
although it was advertised that the stars,
Jane Wyman and Agnes Moorehead, and Ross
Hunter, would not appear until 8:30.
Bright marquee and klieg lights made the
Palace the most conspicuous spot on Playhouse
Square. A band played in front of the
theatre, and WTAM's Johnny Andrews was
on hand with his mike to keep the crowd entertained
with bits about the picture, the
stars and the producer until the big moment
arrived.
The Palace, closed all day, opened its doors
at 7 p.m. A program of shorts entertained
the early patrons. By the time the distinguished
visitors arrived, every one of the
3,300 seats were occupied and there were as
many standees as were allowed by city ordinance.
The entire house was scaled at $1
for this .special occasion.
Against a background of baskets of flowers,
supplied through the courtesy of the
Cleveland Florists Telegi-aph A.ss'n, Manager
Max Mink turned the stage microphone over
to Johnny Andrews who introduced, first
Ross Hunter, who won the house with his
tribute to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. Puss
who were in the audience, and the schools,
college and theatrical training center to
which he credited much of his success.
A graduate of Western Reserve university, he
returned to his alma mater, Glenville high
school, to teach before staking out a theatrical
career.
Both Agnes Moorehead
and Miss Wyman
gi-aciously accepted the enthusiastic introductions,
but turned the spotlight on Hunter.
"This is Ross' night," Miss Wyman said and
attributed to him much of the picture's
entertainment value.
Because this was declared "Magnificent
Obsession" week by Mayor Anthony Celebreeze,
florists the association named a new
rose the Magnificent Obsession rose. A huge
bunch of these beauties was presented to
Miss Wyman on the Palace stage. The premiere
ceremony was also marked by the
pre.sentation to Miss Wyman of an engraved
silver plaque from the Cleveland Motion Picture
Council. Miss Virginia Beard, council
president, and Mrs. Ethel Brewer, past president,
made the presentation.
The applause at the end of the picture
gave proof of the audience happy reaction,
and the newspaper critics were unanimous
in their praise of the production, directing
and acting.
This was not the only public appearance
of the stars. On Wednesday (141 in the Higbee
Lounge. Miss Wyman was guest of honor
at a tea sponsored by the Cleveland Motion
Picture Council. Mrs. Brewer, chairman of
the entertainment committee, introduced the
1953 Film Theatre Receipts
Drop 17.1% Below 1948
WASHINGTON—Pi-eliminary
estimates indicate
film theatre receipts from customers in
1953 dropped 17.1 per cent below 1948, despite
a 38.5 increase in income from concessions,
according to the Census Bureau on Tuesday
(20). In its first survey of the industry taken
since 1948. the Bureau collected information
from a representative group of theatres
throughout the U.S.
Total theatre receipts, excluding sales by
independent concessionaires operating with
theatres owned by others, was $1.323.838,r""
in 1953, compared to $1,596,665,000 in 1948.
Receipts from admissions were down to
$989,868,000. compared to $1,244,355,000 in
1948. Concession receipts jumped to $126,027,-
000 from $91,005,000.
Receipts from admissions taxes in 1953 were
$207,943,000, of which $194,294,000 were federal,
compared with $261,330,000 in 1948, when
the total was not broken down as to federal
and other.
Tlie Bureau said that there were 18.025
theatres in 1953, compared with 18,509 in 1948,1
or a drop of 1.6 per cent.
'Caine' Dallas Smash Hit,
O'Donnell Wires Montague
NEW YORK—In a telegi-am to A.
tague, vice-president and general sales manager
of Columbia, Robert J. O'Donnell de-'
scribes business on "The Caine Mutiny" at
the Palace, Dallas, as "fantastic" with tht
first four days at absolute capacity.
The telegram follows:
"Know that you will be most happy to heai
of our fantastic business on 'Caine Mutiny'
on our first engagement at the Palace. DaWas
First four days absolute capacity. It's comforting
to know that your company )any ha,"; tht I
I
courage to provide this kind of ,f pnHi.;>::o)
at a time we need it .';o desperat itely. T «i'-
unquestionably be the record-brcakinu r i
week 1954."
Evelyn Van Home to Leavt
Screen Stories Sept. 10
NEW YORK— Evelyn Van Home, id!:
Screen Stories, a Dell publication. Un
past 18 years, will retire September U
devote her time to freelance writing.
Editorial supervision of Screen Stories
:
be taken over by Charles "Chuck" D. SaxOi
and Durbin "Jack" Horner, pre.sent edlhl
and executive editor of Modern Screen. "Of^
editorial staffs of the two publications
be merged.
24
BOXOFFICE July 24. 19fl

S^:f:
and HAVE YOU PLAYED THESE GREAT
20th CENTURY-FOX PICTURES IN
CinemaScoSIr'.
}^n^-%
HELL AND HIGH WATER
• Color by
Technicolor * starring Richard Widmark
Bella Darvi with Victor Francen
MARRY A MILLIONAIRE
by Technicolor • starring Marilyn
>ijoe • Betty Grable • Lauren Bacall and
Him Powell
Leonard Sillman'sNEW FACES * in Glorious
Color • starring Ronny Graham • Eartha
Kitt • Robert Clary • Alice Ghostley
IQIT PEOPLE
• Color by Technicolor
arng Gregory Peck • Broderick Crawford
litlBjork • Rita Gam

Realistic Cops 'n
Robbers,
Spectacles a '54-55 Trend
Wide Screens Bring Cycle of Sweeping Historical
Films;
'Dragnet' Success Spurs Semi-Documentary Police Yarns
"The Black Shield of Falworth" (U-l), story of 15th
Century knighthood, storring Janet Leigh and Tony
Curtis. It's U-I's first in CinemaScope.
"The Silver Chalice," (Warners), Thomas Costain's
Biblical story, with Virginia Mayo and Jack Palance.
"The Golden Blade" (Columbia), Ricardo Montalban
(L) fights off foe in a story based on the Crusades.
By IVAN SPEAR
Gimmicks may come and gimmicks may go
—3-D, wide-screen, stereophonic sound, anamorphic
lenses or what is your current fancy?
—but if there is one thing that Hollywood's
fabricators of celluloid dearly love above all
else, it's a trend. If outstanding critical
and/or boxoffice success is attained by a given
picture of whatever type, it is virtually certain
to be followed by a generous supply of
features utilizing similar themes and story
approaches, a technique that has been employed
with almost unfailing success since the
days of "The Great Train Robbery."
That there is a new trend toward trends
among the manufacturers of theatrical film
fare is clearly discernible from a quick
scrutiny of subjects that have gone into
release in the recent past, others now completed
and awaiting distribution, and still
more in work or preparation. This time
around, there appear to be two obvious trends,
one involving the use of plots with sweeping
historical backgrounds, many of them embracing
the medieval era during which, apparently,
the most popular outdoor sport was
participating in the Crusades; the other
utilizing a semi-documentary, realistic approach
to the familiar cops-and-robbers melodrama.
As concerns the first-named, their present
popularity is undoubtedly traceable, in a
majority of instances, to the need for literary
material abounding in sweep, scope and spectacle,
and for which wide-screen production
and projection techniques appear to have
been made to order. Possibly it's coincidental
that in lining up historical sagas for such outsize
film treatment various studio story departments
and production executives have
turned their attentions to the Crusades.
However, it should be pointed out that yarns
of this type, in which Christians battle
Moslems and try to locate the Holy Grail,
form only one segment of the lineup of current
and upcoming releases which are
i
mounted on the grand scale, and several of
which delve back into ancient Biblical times
or even earlier.
On the other hand, a nod of acknowledgement
probably should be directed toward
(pardon the expression) television as being
the genesis of the other current cinematic
trend, the hard-bitten, behind-the-scene(
semifactual approach to the work of law me
and their pursuit of the criminal elemei
The wide-spread popularity of video shoK
such as "Dragnet," and the fact that
top-rated radio and TV venture already
been transformed into theatrical film fa
for early distribution by Warner Bros.,
doubtedly has been a strong factor in in-j
fluencing other film makers to come up wit
more of the same. In direct contradiction
the old adage, it's apparently their hope
crime will pay—at the ticket window.
In historical vein, most showmen
booked and played them can in all probabilit;
display profitable revenue records in
nection with such entries as MGM's "Knighti
of the Round Table." a Pandro S. Bermaif
production, directed by Richard Thorpe
which was that company's fu-st CinemaScopt
venture; and 20th Century-Fox's Cinema-
Scope. "Pi-ince Valiant," which Henry Hathaviiay
megged for Producer Robert L. Jacfc-
Both were localed in the era of Britain',
fabled King Arthur, and each used wide
screen techniques to full advantage to stres
action, movement and derring-do. On a less
elaborate scale, and without employing wide
screen, Columbia turned out a recent box
office winner in "The Saracen Blade." a San
Katzman production in which the Crusade
formed an integral part of the story line.
Warner has a contribution to this spectacle
and-magnitude theme in a CinemaScope
WarnerCoIor subject. "King Richard and th
Crusades." a Henry Blanke production whic
recently was world-premiered in Hollywow
Directed by David Butler and starrint; Re
Harrison, Virginia Mayo and George Sar.iki
"King Richard and the Crusades" (Warner), which
stars Virginia Mayo, George Sanders, Rex Harrison.
ACTIVITY ON THE PRODUCTION LINE; In the left photo, Victor Sovillc, who is producing
directing "The Silver Cholice" at Warners chats with star Virginia Mayo. In the photo ot the nghi
Gloria Grahame takes time out on U-I's production stage for "The Naked Alibi" to discuss a seen
with Jerry Hopper, the director.
BOXOFFICE ;; July 24, Hi

: July
"
he film is an adaptation of Sir Walter Scott's
Talisman." Also upcoming from this
I'The
(:ompany—and again in CinemaScope and
vVarnerColor—is "The Silver Chalice," drawing
its title from the goblet used by Christ
the Last Supper and subsequently becomng
known as the Holy Grail. |it
Pioduced and
jlireeted by Victor Saville. and starring the
Iforementioned Miss Mayo and Jack Palance.
It's a screen version of the best-selling novel
jiy Thomas B. Costain. Nearing release is
jjniversal-International's "The Black Shield
jf Falworth." in Technicolor and Cinemaicope.
and set in 15th century England during
|tie reign of Henry IV. Produced by Robert
l.rthur and directed by Rudy Mate, it stars
;'ony Curtis and Janet Leigh. Another prop-
Irty on the U-I docket is "The Holy Grail,"
Dcaled in Judea in the year 6 A.D. and due
!)r Technicolor treatment, while the studio
[as completed another high-budgeter with a
ifth-century background, "Sign of the
jagan." a story of the Roman Empire in the
i,iys of Attila the Hun. This one, in Cinemapope
and Technicolor, is an Albert J. Cohen
reduction, starring Jeff Chandler and Ludilla
Tcherina, and directed by Douglas Sirk.
Britain's Richard the Lion-Hearted and his
adership in the Crusades will be the subject
atter of Allied Ai-tists' "The Black Pi-ince,"
Cinemascope opus to be made in England
intly with 20th-Fox. For the record, AA
11 distribute in the we.stern hemisphere,
th-Fox in the eastern; it's being produced
Walter Mirisch and directed by Henry
in. Don't confuse it, please, with Column's
"The Black Knight," made under the
|arwick Pictures label by Irving Allen and
R. Broccoli and starring Alan Ladd in a
jsry of the days of King Arthur. Also set
filming at Columbia is a Fred Kohlmar
iduction, "Richard the Lion-Hearted."
t
ver at MGM, the aforementioned "Knights
(j the Round Table" is to be followed by
•fharlemagne," dealing with the life and
of the eighth-century emperor, and
iies uentin Durwai'd," from a Sir Walter Scott
vel about intrigue and romance in 15thitury
France.
iThen, going back further in historical
cironology, as far back as 1,500 B.C., as a
ijUter of fact, 20th-Fox is soon to release
|he Egyptian," starring Edmund Purdom,
Jin Simmons, Victor Mature and Gene
trney. Personally produced in CinemaScope
k Darryl F. Zanuck, studio head, the topbdgeted
feature was directed by Michael
Ortiz. Also delving into ancient Egyptian
l.tory is Warners' "Land of the Pharaohs,"
a^JinemaScoper being produced and directed
ti Howard Hawks and starring the British
al.or. Jack Hawkins: while, for Paramount,
il B. DeMille plans a fall start, on location
in Egypt, on his "The Ten Commandments,"
for which 'Y^ul Brynner, Anne Baxter
and Cornel Wilde have so far been set as
topliners. It will be accorded Technicolor
and VistaVision treatment. Exhibitors need
hardly be reminded, parenthetically, of the
revenue records thus far attained by two ol
20th-Fox's Biblical dramas, the high-grossine
"The Robe" and the .sequel thereto, "Demetrius
and the Gladiators."
On the cops-and-robbers front, probably
the most widely touted is the above-mentioned
theatrical film version of "Dragnet.
starring and directed by Jack Webb for Warner
release. It's the first instance in industry
annals wherein a TV property has been acquired
for conversion into theatrical celluloid
and in it, of course, are Webb as Sgt. Joe
Friday, Ben Alexander as his sidekick and
other characters known to millions of video
viewers.
Whereas Sergeant Friday, whose "stick to
the facts, ma'am," became a household word
and running gag for the jokesmiths, is unswerving
in his devotion to duty, a staunch,
incorruptible bulldog, several other contemporary
vehicles don't deal so kindly with our
law enforcement officers. Robert Taylor portrays
a detective gone wrong, but ultimately
reformed, of coui'se, in MGM's "Rogue Cop,"
a Nicholas Nayfack production based on a
novel by William P. McGivern and directed
by Roy Rowland: and Edmond O'Brien uses
his legal authority to perpetrate a series of
crimes in "Shield for Murder," an Aubrey
Schenck-Howard W. Koch entry for United
Artists release, also adapted, by the way, from
a McGivern original. A policeman succumbs
to the lure of easy money in Fllmakers' "Private
Hell 36." which stars Howard Duff, Ida
Lupino and Steve Cochran, and was directed
by Don Siegel. We're back on the right
side of the law, however, in Allied Artists'
tentatively titled "The Police Story." toplining
Gary Merrill and Jan Sterling, produced
by Hayes Goetz and directed by Joe
Newman: Universal-Iniernational's "Naked
Alibi," in which Sterling Hayden. a poUce
chief ousted because of his zeal in tracking
down the murderer of three policemen, brings
the killer to justice (this one, a Ross Hunter
production, was megged by Jerry Hopper): a
Robert L. Lippert jr. production for Lippert
Pictures release, "The Big Chase," in which
rookie cops pursue and capture a gang of
bank robbers, using helicopters, yet: an upcoming
U-I entry, "The Outer Darkness,"
from a novel by W. R. Burnett, in which a
veteran police officer penetrates a big city's
slums to apprehend a phantom killer; and
"The Long Chance," independently made by
Aubrey Wisberg, wherein a law man proves
the innocence of a condemned woman.
. . . Police Stories
"Dragnet" (Warner), the top TV show gets into the
movies, with Jock Webb (C) playing his television
role ond Ben Alexander, his TV sidekick.
"The Police Story" (Allied Artists), with Gary Merri
(L) playing a detective in big-town gangsterism yari
"Rogue Cop" (MGM), story of a cop gone wrong,
starring Robert Taylor, Janet Leigh and Anne Francis.
«
1
TIME OUT FROM CRIME: Posed in front of the police station set in Allied Artists "The Police
ory" are (L to R) Hayes Goetz, the producer, star Gory Merrill and Joe Newman, director. Second
lOto shows Aubrey Schenck (L) and Howard W. Koch, co-producers of "Shield for Murder," which
Iey are making for United Artists release.
l^^i^lU. ^3
"The Big Chose" (Lippert), rookie cops get the spotlight,
using helicopters to catch the crooks.
BOCOFFICE
:
24. 1954
27

I
THE SENSATIONAL Aq
IN THE JMIGHTIEKL^QF!
,„M
LANTASTIC
D'JAL
IDENTITY CHARACTER
WHOSE ArAAZlNG
?Xp°0«TS HAVE IWAOE
SlisOTRENVENOOOt^
POPULAR WITH THRIU
FANS FROW SIX TO
SIXTY!
.
c.rcoi
„i,h on annual
25,000,000!
P,e-so.d
here!
.here! every
/T'
this tremendoos
presold
audience
- ot^d
add to it*.
.OelcdWe Comics. Inc. with LEWIS WILSON DOUGLAS CROFl
•
J. CARROL NAISH SHIRLEY PATTERSC^
•
Screen Play by Victor McLeod, Leslie Swabacker, Harry Frazer
Produced by RUDOLPH C. FLOTHOW
Directed by LAMBERT HILLYER

i
4 HERO OF MILLIONS
. ADVENTURE
SERIAL!
serial
.^
w/th just what it takes
to do BIG Bid
J
A
COLUMBIA
EUPER-SERIAL
REPRINT
BASED ON THE BATMAN COMIC MAGAZINE
J
FEATURE APPEARING IN DETECTIVE |
COMICS, WORLD'S FINEST COMICS AND
BATMAN MAGAZINES

: July
No Mill City Resistance
To Upped Admissions
By LES REES
MINNEAPOLIS—They started as dime
entertainment, but movies here now are
largely in the select $1 class locally and no
longer the cheap amusement they used to be,
a survey shows.
Moreover, public resistance or hostility to
the new high admission price is practically
non-existent here, industry leaders say.
Currently, for example, the admission is
raised to $1 at two of the seven loop first
run houses. At another, the World, it's regularly
a bucic. with box seats $1,20. And at
still a fourth, the Century, where Cinerama
holds forth, the prevaihng scale is $2.65 top.
With "The Caine Mutiny" coming in
there'll be five of the seven charging $1 or
more after 5 p.m.
In the neighborhoods, too, admission prices
are up from 60 to 85 cents whenever Cinemascope
and some other pictures are playing the
28-day availability clearance slots, which is
frequent.
One of the effects of the higher admissions
here, however, trade circles feel, is to help
reduce the amount of moviegoing, making the
shopping pubhc more .selective in its choices.
That's one of the reasons why only topnotch
releases, like the legitimate stage's
sma.sh hits, usually have the only boxoffice
chances nowadays, the trade circles figure,
also taking into account the inroads of TV and
other competition like night baseball that
has come on the scene in recent yeai-s.
In the case of "The Robe" the admission
downtown was boosted to $1.50 and some other
pictures also have charged more than $1.
Six Films Nominated
For Directors Award
HOLLYWOOD—George Sidney, president
of the Screen Directors' Guild, has announced
six nominations for the best directed
motion picture in release during the second
quarter of 1954. They are:
"Dial M for Murder" (Warner), directed
by Alfred Hitchcock; a.ssistant director, Mel
Dellar.
UA Gets 'Steel Cage'
NEW YORK—"The Steel Cage," melodrama
based on Warden Clinton T Duffy's "The
San

"^'"f the •djZS^ I
cottiai^ PICT,,,-,
•' «-- '".«. ,,; "• «"». .«.
*
Gfe^^ieC^ THE

. . Other
. . Richard
'i^MfiwMd ^efi^^
By
IVAN SPEAR
Leonard Goldstein to Make
'Young Moses' for UA
That the Bible is
a rich source of dramatic
story material, eminently suitable for transference
to the screen
with sweep, scope and
spectacle, is a fact
long established among
the manufacturers of
celluloid entertainment—as
witness such
record - breaking successes
as "The King
of Kings," "The Robe"
and scores of others.
And among Biblical
characters, upcoming
production plans reveal
that Moses is to
Leonard Goldstein
be the principal subject in at least two properties
now in preparation. Cecil B. DeMille,
of course, has been at work for some time
on a new version of his "The Ten Commandments,"
which he will produce and direct for
Paramount release, and which will deal with
the Exodus of the Hebrew people, under
Moses' inspired leadership, from slavery in
Egypt.
Now comes Leonard Gioldstein, who recently
inked a pact to produce ten films independently
for United Artists release, with
the announcement that he has purchased
"Young Moses," an original by Herb Meadow,
dealing with Moses as a youth—prince of
Egypt, general of the armies, fighter, lover,
roisterer and philosopher, who struggles
against his instinctive sympathy for the
Hebrew slaves and is finally enmeshed in
the web of palace intrigue. This treatment
covers his flight, his marriage to the daughter
of a desert priest and his awakening to
his heritage, at which time he is given God's
Command.
The Goldstein announcement of the story
purchase said that production plans "are on a
long-range basis." Meadow Is now at work
on the screenplay, but no starting date has
been set.
Hal Wallis Gets Rights
To 'Global Mission'
Another story acquisition of more than
pa.sslng interest found Hal Wallis securing
screen rights to "Global Mission," autobiography
of the late Gen. H. H. "Hap" Arnold
and tracing the story of the U.S. air
Mississippi river keel-boater. WUliam Hawks
and William Bacher, who will co-produce (in
Cinemascope, of course) are developing a
story line and Nicholas Ray, who will dii'ect,
has left for Memphis, Natchez and New
Orleans scout possible locations . . Robert
to .
Hardy Andrews sold his original, "Bombay
Boy," to Universal-International, for which
film foundry the property will be produced
by Stanley Rubin. The story, with presentday
India as its background and being
scripted by Robert Presnell, deals with an
American engineer who is sent there to build
a dam. His marriage shattered, and his con-
.struction project doomed to failure because
01 the opposition of the natives, everything
takes a turn for the better when he picks
up a young Indian beggar and gives him a
home.
Independent Units Continue
Busy Planning Schedule
Planning activity continues at a brisk pace
among members of Hollywood's independent
filmmaking brotherhood.
As its initialer on a slate of several features
destined for Columbia release, the recently
formed Copa Productions, in which
Tyrone Power and producer Ted Richmond
are partners, has scheduled "The Stalk,"
Technicolor picturization of a Saturday livening
Post serial by Richard English. Linda
Christian (Mrs. Power in private will
life)
co-star with her husband in the story of
Nazi-Communist espionage and intrigue in
South America.
Richmond is currently in London arranging
for locations—the picture be shot
will
in England and Brazil—and to recruit a
British megaphonist. "The Stalk" will precede
the previously announced "Lorenzo the
Magnificent" on Copa's docket.
Also in the independent field Robert Pirosh,
former MGM writer-director, scheduled "The
Cliff's Edge," from a novel by Marie Hackett,
as his first venture under his own aegis.
It's described as a psychological study of a
woman who stays with her husband during
a period of great emotional torment when
he is a patient in a veterans' administration
hospital for neuropsychiatries. Another property
on the Pirosh slate is "Change of Heart,"
from his own original, which will be filmed
in Prance.
All-Star Cast Increased
For 'Not as a Stranger'
An all-star cast that's genuinely all-star will
. . . .
force from its inception through the historymaking
days of Brig.-Gen. Billy Mitchell and
World War II. Wallis will begin camera characterize Stanley Kramer's upcoming "Not
work on it In the fall, for Paramount release. as a Stranger." Kramer, who will produce
Arnold, the air force's first general, was and direct the film version of the Morton
taught to fly by the Wright brothers In 1911. Thompson novel for United Ai-tlsts release,
His book tells the inside story of how America's
inked Broderick Crawford to join a thesplan
aviation might during the second World roster already comprising such names as
War was forged out of nothing into the Olivia DeHavilland, Prank Sinatra, Robert
greatest military power In history, with Arnold
Mitchum, Gloria Grahame and Charles Bickford
Warners Barrymore
signed Ethel
as commander-in-chief liter-
ary tran.sactions: To 20th Century-Pox went to .star with the aforementioned Sinatra and
"King of the Keelboat Men," a book by two Doris Day in its romantic musical, "Young
at Heart" . . . John Erlcson and Anne Francis
University of Chicago professors, Walter
—she to be the only femme in the picturewill
Blair and Franklin J. Meine, and dealing
with the exploits of the legendary Mike Fink,
share the stellar honors with
Spencer
SIGNS FOR NOVEL RIGHTS—BasU
Estreich (left), executive assistant to
Matthew Fox, signs a SIOO.OOO contract
for the film rights to "The Fall of a
Titan," novel by Igor Gouzenko. The
representative for Gouzenko refused to
be photographed or named because of
security reasons. This precaution is
taken by all who regularly contact the
former Russian code clerk who lives
somewhere in Canada under police protection.
Following exposure of a Soviet
atom spy ring, he began this life in hiding
nine years ago. Estreich previously had
received Gouzenko's consent, cooperation
and participation for United Artists'
"Operation Manhunt."
.
Tracy, Robert Ryan and Walter Brennanri
MGM's frontier saga, "Bad Day at Bl
Rock" Basehart has been
to co-star with Gregory Peck in Moulin
ductions' "Moby Dick," a CinemaScoper
ing directed by John Huston for Wai
release.
Willis Goldbeck Is Signed
As Producer at Warners
\
Short takes from the sound stages: Willi
Goldbeck, a 20-year veteran in the fields o
writing, directing and producing, has beei
signed to a term contract as a producer a
Warners, where his first assignment will b
set shortly. Goldbeck was at MGM for 1
years, where among his directorial credit
were some of the "Dr. Kildare" and "And
Hardy" films, and was also an associate c
David O. Selznick at RKO and Selznic
International . . . Added to Cecil B. DeMille
already extensive array of kudos was th
bronze statuette, "La Victoire," presented hir
when readers of the French fan magazin
voted his Oscar-winning "Tlie Greatest Sho
on Earth" the best "foreign" picture ot 19S
DeMille won the same award a year pn
viously for "Samson and Delilah."
Ray Klune Quits 20th-Fox
For Hecht-Lancaster
After an 11-year association with 20tli Ce)
tury-Fox as executive production niiiiiaitf
Ray Klune has resigned to join tho Horli
Lancaster organization—headed by Hard
Hecht and Biu-t Lancaster—under a loin
term ticket as general production nianafzor.
For the H-L unit, which has a multi-pictu
distribution commitment with United .Arti>
Klune also will personally produce a numb
of features. He'll wind up his duties a! 20t
Fox late this month and take a short vac
tion prior to assuming his new post.
Darryl F. Zanuck, 20th-Fox studio he:
has selected Sid Rogell as executive piodii
tion manager to .succeed Klune.
Rogell joined 20th in 1952, after la yc:
as a top executive at RKO.
32
BOXOFFICE July 24,

'
! top
'
-^-
To Take Stage Unit
On Tour of Keys
HOLLYWOOD—Showmen who for more
han a half-century have looked to this cornpredominant
portion of what
fills their screens are
o in to be offered an
opportunity to buy another
type of made-in-
Hollywood entertainment:
Flesh — and
what flesh!
Frank Sennes, operjtor
of the famous
-
j^. Moulin Rouge night
\ aJ^^M
'^'"'^ here, is currently
^^^^^/ftSSr ^^M finalizing plans for
Ml^ft^r .JlHi taking on a road tour
Frank
—beginning around
Sennes
October 1—his "Voici!
aris!" a $200,000 musical production which
the original floor show when the cabaret
Dened some months ago. In slightly less
lan six months "Voici! Paris!" has played
the Moulin Rouge to an estimated 200,000
istomers. It comprises a series of animal
ts—including elephants, chimpanzees and
)nies—as well as talent including the
arrah Minnevitch Harmonica Rascals, the
eCastro Sisters, Dominique. Chiquita and
j)hnson. the Barbettes and Rudy Cardenas.
ticket scale of $2.50 is being set for
roadshow dates.
|.e
Isennes will take the .show into key cities
a theatre attraction. He estimates that
ly city with a population of 200,000 or more
n profitably play it on runs ranging from
o to four weeks, depending upon the size
the respective communities. He hopes to
it bookings on a percentage basis in first
:n motion picture theatres, but is prepared
lease showcases in situations where such
Hydates cannot be established.
Working with Sennes to help him get
1; show on the road are Harry Levine, who
loks stage shows for the Paramount theatre
( cuit, and Jerry Zigmond. west coast divif
n manager, who are reported to be int
ested in having "Voici! Paris!" open its
t ir at the Paramount Theatre in San Fran-
( CO, the chain's flagship house in that city.
^ven Bachelor Brothers
bund for 'Seven Brides'
"ORONTO—The search for seven bacheli
brothers for a personal appearance in
>sv York for exploitation on the MGM's
";ven Brides for Seven Brothers" paid off
wen the London, Ont., Free Press located
t right
: family on a farm near Port Stanley
ii western Ontario.
leven members of the House family, rang-
'1 in age from Vern, 52, to Raymond, 32,
aepted the invitation to drop their haying
f< the jaunt to New York City, leaving
tlee spinster sisters, Annabel, Marjorie and
All, to look after the chores.
/hen the male Houses were asked why
tly had never married, a family spokesman
relied: "There was always too much work
o:the
farm."
red Jackson, veteran manager of
Loew's,
L.don, rates an assist on the discovery of
til seven bachelors because he suggested the
nlning of an item in the Free Press regiJing
the quest.
AB-PT Net Decreased
In Jan.-June Period
Motion Picture Charities
Sets $1,250,000 Goal
HOLLYWOOD—Officers of the Motion
Picture Permanent Charities committee
have set a goal of $1,250,000 and earmarked
allocations for 17 major health
and welfare agencies in their 1955 campaign.
The drive will be launched in
early September, according to Regis
Toomey, president of the film industry
charity organization.
As in the past, the Los Angeles Community
Chest will be the major beneficiary,
with an allocation of $719,500. Also
$22,000 has been earmarked for the Burbank
chest, $7,500 for the Glendale chest
and $7,000 for the Santa Monica chest.
New Ascap Unit to Handle
Radio, TV Relationships
NEW YORK—The American Society of
Composers, Authors and Publishers has
formed a new station relations staff to service
radio and television stations. The plan is to
establish a closer, more personal relationship
with licensees, says J. M. CoUins, Ascap sales
manager.
The new crew will include John T. Campbell,
with headquarters in Boston; Fred N.
Brown, Atlanta; William J. Barzen, Chicago;
William E. Fox jr., Dallas, and William S.
Hoffman, San Francisco.
Australians Show Interest
In Drive-in Construction
SIDNEY—Australians are developing an
interest in drive-in construction as a result
of the success of the first one opened in
February in Burwood, a suburb of Melbourne.
It is controlled by Hoyt's. More projects are
being discussed for Adelaide and Brisbane
areas. Greater Union Theatres is also said
to be interested in future construction.
NEW YORK — Net profit of American
Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres, Inc., for
the first six months of this year was $1,754,000.
compared with $2,236,000 for the same period
in 1953.
For the second quarter the estimated net
was $1,754,000 against $2,236,000 for the same
period in 1953.
Capital gains for the second quarter and
for the first six months were $25,000 and
$96,000, respectively, as compared with $62,000
and $4,314,000 in 1953. The latter figure was
principally due to the sale of WBKB, Chicago
television station, following the merger with
ABC.
The cash throw-off for the second quarter
and for the first six months of 1954 increased
by $344,000 and $189,000, respectively, over
the same periods of 1953 as a result of increased
depreciation charges. These charges
were due to the installation of wide screens
and sound equipment.
There was a pickup in business during
June, reported Leonard H. Goldenson, president,
in spite of a shortage of boxoffice pictures
and the effects of television for the first
time in a number of communities. The reduction
of the federal admissions tax contributed
to the pickup. Further improvement
is expected in the third quarter. Goldenson
stated, based on the number of fine picture;
scheduled for release.
The ABC division. Goldenson reported,
operated at about the break-even point in
the second quarter and now is setting its
programming for the fall broadcasting season.
Substantially all of the important sponsored
TV programs that were on the network during
the past year have been renewed and several
new sponsored shows have been added.
'Battle Taxi' Final Title
NEW YORK—"Battle Taxi" will be the
title of the air adventure picture heretofore
called "Operation Air Rescue." It's an
Ivantors-Art Arthur production to be released
by United Artists.
Danny Kaye Reports Influence of Films
Throughout World Greater Than Ever
HOLLYWOOD—Motion pictures are now
exerting "a greater influence than ever before"
in spreading goodwill throughout the
world, Danny Kaye declared upon his return
from a 40,000-mile global trip as "ambassador
at large" for the United Nations. The
carrot-topped comic, at a press conference at
Paramount, reported he brought back with
him 9,000 feet of color film as a record of the
humanitarian activities of the UN's International
Children's Emergency fund—devoted
to providing medical and nutritional care for
youngsters in war-torn and otherwise unfortunate
world areas.
Shot by newsreel cameramen as a motion
picture industry service, the celluloid is now
being edited at Paramount, and will be
trimmed to approximately 1,500 feet for
theatrical release. Kaye will do the narration.
He interspersed his UN mission with personal
appearances in London and South
Arica. His itinerary included Nairobi, Bombay,
New Delhi, Rangoon, Bangkok, Hong
Kong, Tokyo and Honolulu.
The comedian's next film will be "The
Court Jester," to be produced by him in partnership
with Norman Panama and Melvin
Frank, for Paramount release.
IB( [OFnCE :
: July 24, 1954
a3

im
IN
RECORD GROSSED
ALL FIRST ENGAGEMENT!
M^©MttM©MM
OUTCROSSING
THE GLENN MILLER STOR
PALACE THEATRE!
BREAKS 20 YEAR HOUSE RECORI
UNITED ARTISTS THEATRE!
SETS ALL TIME U-l
LOEWS GRAND!
HOUSE RECORI
SETS ALL TIME U-l
WARNER THEATRE!
HOUSE RECORI
FIRST THREE DAYS TOP GLEN
MILLER STORY PALACE THEATRE

)BSESSION
JANE WYMAN
ROCK HUDSON
BARBARA RUSH
^Uyv*^
^geHNToOUOf.
'With AGNES MOOREHEAD • OTTO KRUGER • GREGG PALMER
Douglas Sirk • Screenplay by R( Produced by Ross Huntei

BOXOFFICE BAROMETER!
This chart records the performonce 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
is ore reported, rotings are added and averages revised. Computation terms of percentage in
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.
100 145 225 120 115 65 150 90 90 100 100 95 90 130 100 180 105 100 90 116
115 95 185
90 100 100 70
Caine Mutiny, The (Col)
Demetrius and the Gladiators (20th-Fox) 150 180 215 160 250 125 275 110 175 95 150 145 235 135 150 200 176
Dragon's Gold (UA)
Drums Across the River (U-I) 65 100 100 100 90 90
Garden of Evil (20th-Fox) 100 160 200 140 180 130 150
Geraldine (Rep)
Gypsy Colt (MGM)

ILe Mt^itbft T^ictMe ^e/uJianclldina. GuicU
Skouras Theatres in Bergen County, New Jersey, has devised an interesting adaptation of the ever-popular beauty
contest as a summer business stimulant. All patrons of the Skouras houses in that area received ballots to vote
on their choices of Miss Linens of the Week. First prize was a round trip to Hollywood for two, second a food
freezer and third a TV set. Seen above are six of the contestants looking over the list of prizes on the display
board in the lobby of the Fox Theatre in Hackensack, manoged by Evan Thompson.
SECTION OF
BOXQFFICE

:
July
'
PROMOTION OF THE LONG WAIT
BOOK
OFFERS MAJOR TIE-IN
FOR ALL
LOCAL CAMPAIGNS ON FILM
The above suggestion for a street stunt should attract
a lot of attention around town. The back
cover of the book can feature picture credits and
an od for a local store sponsoring the stunt.
Wt^l
flNNfBJRKiM
Three glamorous feminine players, featured
in United Artists' "The Long Wait,"
visited a dozen cities during their crosscountry
tour as part of the campaign to
pre-sell the picture to the nation. The girls
were interviewed by many newspapers and
were featured on hundreds of radio and
television programs that blanketed areas
within at least 50 miles of their stop-off
points. The stunt proved effective in picking
up excellent publicity through exploiting
the more glamorous of two elements for
which author Mickey Spillane's books are
world famous—gals and guns.
MATERIAL TO 100,000 DEALERS
First in importance from a local standpoint
is the book promotion campaign designed
to publicize the picture and all playdates
to the millions of Spillane fans.
Signet Books, the publisher of the special
25-cent movie edition of "The Long Wait,"
is making available to its 100,000 dealers
window posters and tack-up cards that may
be sniped with theatre credits. The books
are distributed in every city in the country
and all outlets in town offer potential plugs
for local showings.
The trucks of all wholesalers and distributors
in every territory should be posted
and their cooperation sought for general
promotion. Illustrated on this page is a
suggestion for an eye-catching bally, with
the back of the book cover to carry theatre
credits and the name of the store or stores
sponsoring the stunt.
GIRL LIVES IN WINDOW
In advance of the New York opening of
the picture, a stunt that really stopped traffic
along Broadway, was put over with the
cooperation of a 5 and 10-cent store. A
young woman made her home in the window
of the store for a week in advance of the
premiere. All her meals were served to her
in full view of passersby, she had a daily
beauty treatment and spent her leisure
hours reading a copy of the book.
A song titled "Once," played continuously
through the picture, is available on .sheet
music and records. All dealers, jobbers and
disk jockeys have been circularized and
arrangements can be made for local tie-ins
via music and department store windows,
radio and TV station disk jockeys and
local band leaders. Billy Eckstine sings
"Once" on MGM platter number 11073
10,000 dealers throughout the country will
receive special publicity material on the
record. Exhibitors can see that all stores
carry the window streamers plugging the
|
records and make tieups w-ith local disk
jockeys. Capitol, Columbia, Mercury and i
RCA Victor also have recorded the number i
and their recordings are in full distribution, i
Co-star Peggy Castle will be featured
with picture credits in an extensive national
advertising campaign launched by
the Playtex girdle manufacturer. These
full-page ads will be reproduced on window
and counter cards for distribution to all
dealers as well as in ad mats in all size!
for local newspaper promotion. All Playtex
dealers in local situations will help
mutually beneficial promotions.
A blue garter figures importantly in tl
plot and may be used as a gag giveaway to
town personalities with theatre and playdate
information printed on an attachec
card. Offer free admissions to girls showing
their blue garters at the boxoffice.
Honeybugs, Inc., the manufacturer o
women's slippers, has based its magazini
and newspaper advertising on testimonial '^
of Peggy Castle and Shawn Smith. A va w
riety of ad mats are available for loca
planting along with store displays repro
ducing the full page advertisements. A)
dealers should be encouraged to tie i:
locally with playdates on the picture.
Newspaper advertisements in citie
throughout the country will feature An
thony Quinn using a Norelco Shaver wif
full credits for picture and star. Counte
I
Continued on next page>
KwJk-ChanEe
MARQUEE LETTERS
This pose of Anthony Quinn and Peggie Castle r(
produced in the six-sheet poster on the pictui
offers good cutout possibilities for
setpiece.
tirsi •American
1
A locol civic problem provided the basis toi
signs carried by ottroctivc girls to publiciic the
Angeles opening of the picture. Similar ticcan
be arranged in all situations where there i;
current civic problem. Merchants also can use
idea in advertising a long owaited sale.
238 — BOXOFFICE Showmandisor
:
24. 1(

.
or
I
I
!
in
I
I
I
campaign
."~c.lllflDSIlJORTH»-.«
OPENING FESTIVAL TONITEI
OIFFEHINT • UNUSUAL
clUflDSUIORTH.
Costing about for o new approach to methods used in publicizing a new drive-in, Vic and Helen Love of Ad-Films came
up with the idea thot maybe folks would take a second look at ads of o cartoon type, and with a humorous type. Here
are five of the ads that were used in the daily papers, and judging from the comment, they produced the desired results
for the new, recently opened Wodsworth Drive-ln Walk-In Theatre, Denver. The theotre is operated by Lee Theotres,
of which L. K. Lee, a firm believer in persistent advertising in order to keep folks coming to his theatre, is president.
The Long Wait'
(Continued from preceding page)
cards will be available to all Norelco dealers
as well as a special film clip to be used on
TV stations timed to meet the picture's release.
Universal electric ranges are distributing
window strips to all their dealers featuring
scenes from "The Long Wait" as well as ads
picturing Anthony Quinn and Peggy Castle
their national trade advertising.
P&P pillow ticks also are participating
in the promotion via a national advertising
picturing Peggy Castle and
carrying full picture credits. A reproduction
of the ad on a counter card is avail-
^able to all dealers including department
stores, specialty shops, etc.
The title of the picture also offers sugigestions
for promotion stunts and gimmicks.
In Los Angeles the theatre tied in
with the local civic problem by having a
girl walk through the business section wearing
a protective gauze mask and carrying a
sign reading: "How about this smog? It's
been a 'Long Wait.' "
A contest may be based on what was the
longest wait experienced or the story of a
successful end to a long wait. Restaurants
other merchants can tie in with the
gag by advertising that it's no "long wait"
for service in their shops. Newspapers
can tie up the international situation with
1 picture title, possibly an editorial cartoon
captioned "The Long Wait" and picturing
the U.S. and Russia waiting each other out.
U)cal department stores can use the line
I for their sales copy: "The end of the 'long
waif! The sale you have been waiting for!"
A special throwaway designed as an
iccordion-type booklet is available in mat
form as an accessory on the picture. Four
rlamorous lovelies are pictured along with
ntriguing selling
copy, for printing locally
vith theatre information added, ask for
«at (6A). United Artists is offering a free
i^'adio spot recording of three announcements
and a free lobby record of sound effects,
each on separate recordings, to be
prdered from the Exploitation Dept.. 729
peventh Ave., New York. A TV Telop or
lilide also is available on the picture from
the sponsor. A 6x9 folder herald may be
prdered from National Screen.
Spook Show Sets Alltime
High Gross for Drive-In
A special Spook Festival proved a smash
hit with holiday theatregoers at the Governor
Ritchie Drive-In in Glen Burnie, Md.
Manager Robert Marhenke coupled the
Academy award starrer, "Stalag 17" and
"Roman Hohday," and followed the regular
show with a midnight screening of two
horror classices, "House of Dracula" and
"House of Frankenstein," for the Friday
evening beginning the Memorial day weekend.
The Spook Festival was heralded a
week in advance by radio commentator
Ray Martin, who broadcasts nightly directly
from the theatre, and by local WASL station
announcers Bob Greenwell, Joe Raymond
and Ed Lenaway.
The special show set an alltime high boxoffice
gross for the drive-in, and Marhenke
regretfully turned people away when every
"seat" had been filled. The theatre's concession
manager also reported a record
sale and was forced to raise a "sold out"
sign before the theatre closed.
Yule Screen Ad Drive
Is Staged in July
A profitable sales campai§:n on screen
ads and theatre tickets for the Christmas
season has been completed by theatre
managers in 30 Florida communities and
home office leaders of Florida State Theatres,
a campaign planned, executed, and
wrapped up for delivery nearly six
months in advance of the yule rush.
Howard Fettengill and Mark DuPree,
FST executives, headed the successful
drive to market "Christmas goodwill packages"
to hundreds of Florida's leading
merchants. The individual package consists
of an institutional screen ad greeting
from a merchant to his customers attending
theatre programs, plus greeting cards
from the merchant to his friends and
patrons, including the enclosure for mail
delivery in December of two or more theatre
tickets with each greeting card.
Theatre managers of the FST circuit followed
through on the advance sales campaign
by clinching the deal with the most
prominent mercantile and professional
prospects in the localities from which
their theatres draw patronage.
Fake Headlines Help
Bally 'Night People'
A fine splash double truck co-op ad.
with a copy line, "Don't be late like the
'Night People,' " breaking in the center section
of the local paper and dominating the
issue, helped Bob Harvey promote the opening
of "Night People" at the Capitol in
North Bay, Ont. As a followup, large-size
ads appeared the next day in the Daily
Nugget tied in with a local service station
in attracting further attention to the playdate.
The garage and service station also
carried large billing on all its gas pumps
and posts in the area.
Harvey spread news of the picture around
town in a number of novel ways, one of
which was to have a boy clean windshields
in all parking lots, then insert a printed
throwaway with copy reading, "Your windshield
was just cleaned to give you a clear
Cinemascope view. Don't miss 'Night
People,' " etc. An usherette walking along
the main street distributed matches paid
for by an automobile finance company,
with a small card attached: "Here is a
light to show you the way to 'Night People.'
"
The Daily Nugget loaned Harvey a dozen
or more copies of front pages from previous
issues with headlines calling attention to
news-making events in Germany. They
were incorporated in a very effective lobby
display under the heading "Timely News"
with credits to the paper and picture.
Harvey reports that three out of five patrons
stopped to read the headlines and
of course noted the playdate on the picture.
Newsboys selling their papers through
town had specially prepared copies with
headlines that read. "Now Cinemascope
rises to new greatness." The fake papers
really surprised the public.
iSOXOFnCE Showmandiser : : July 24, 1954
239 — 39

COINS TOSSED IN
FOUNTAINS AID
ONTARIO CRIPPLED CHILDREN
Primo Camera Opens Drive Tieing in Film Playdate
The need for a fountain at the summer
camp maintained by the Ontario Society
for Crippled Children was the inspiration
for Manager Jack Bridges' well-conceived
and executed exploitation of "Three Coins
in the Fountain." Using the charity angle
to promote the picture, the Timmins, Ont.,
Victory Theatre manager received excellent
cooperation, resulting in a successful response
to the appeal and an enthusiastic
turnout at the boxoffice.
The charity approach was Bridges unique
portion of an over-all campaign that
utilized all available media, and is an aspect
in exploitation that always has the added
benefit of building good public relations.
In developing the charity fountain idea,
Bridges' approach was first to construct an
imitation fountain using sheet metal, to
which he attached a display sign. The
copy called attention to the playdates and
reminded people of the children's need.
Centering the sign was a message reading,
"Your 'Three Coins in the Fountain' will
make a wish come true." Beneath the
fountain's water level, he also placed four
small wire rings and offered theatre passes
to anyone whose coins landed within one
theatre lobby during a special screening
for local civic leaders.
The Fountain room of the Empire hotel
provided a natural setting in this campaign
with its large flowing fountain in
the center of the room. Primo Camera,
who was in town the day the promotion
began, officially opened the campaign for
funds to build the summer camp fountain
by throwing the first three coins into the
hotel fountain. Newspaper stories and pictures
featured Camera as having also
tossed coins into the Fontana de Trevi in
Rome, the actual fountain pictured in the
film.
Radio station CKGB, playing a taped interview
with Camera made at the time
of the stunt, gave the picture several good
free plugs.
Rounding out the charity approach,
Bridges had a number of paper wraparound
bands and cardboard display backs
printed which he attached to 20 small
tin can money containers creating miniature
fountains which he then placed in
various stores around the city. The band
copy plugged the playdate while the cardboard
back featured the donation appeal.
All these promotion stunts provided
local papers with good copy material and
gave the picture a lot of extra publicity.
The radio stations also proved a cooperative
media with, in addition to the Camera in-
of the rings.
The fountain was placed at a busy intersection,
with a uniformed usherette in attendance,
one week before the picture
opened. It also was used at the Retail
Merchants Ass'n annual dance and in the terview, numerous mentions of the film in
vm

Grocery Night Sponsored
By Neighborhood Stores
Manager Lawrence Lindsay of the Swan National Pre-Selling Guide
Theatre in Terre Haute. Ind., who is always
A report on new films for which national pre-selling campaigns have been developed.
active in promoting tie-ins with local merchants,
has enlisted the aid of several in-
Listed with each picture are tie-ins which hove been created, plus tips to exhibitors
terested grocers in sponsoring a neighborhood
grocery night for 11 consecutive Fri-
on how to use these pre-selling aids to exploit the picture locally.
day evenings. The grocers, all within eight THE LONG WAIT
UA
with picture credits, and a counter card reproduction
of it is available to all dealers.
blocks of the theatre, have each donated a
Book: The 25-eent edition of Mickey Spillane's
book is being plugged by posters and
weekly prize of such items as canned goods.
Local furniture and department stores and
specialty shops may tiein with playdales via
chickens, coffee, candy and bags of assorted
staples. For the final week of the 100,000 dealers by the publisher. Distributed
newsstand tack-up cards in full color sent to
floor displays and newspaper advertising.
event, three wholesale houses will also
nationwide by the Local Independent Magazine
Wholesaler, information on the book tie-
second and 15-second announcements for a
Accessories: A free record of 1 -minute, 30-
contribute groceries to help make up five
up and names of local wholesalers can be obtained
from Jack ."Vdams, New American Li-
sound effects record on 78 RP.Vl for automatic
radio campaign and a free transcription lobby
bushel baskets of food as prizes at the
weekly drawing. In return for the donated brary, 501 Madison Ave., New York. Truck changers are available gratis while the supply
goods, Lindsay set a 40x60 in the lobby advertising
the special giveaway and ran Exploitation Dept., United .\rlists Corp., 729 above address. A slide or Telop print is also
posters and tackup cards are supplied through lasts from United Artists Exploitation Dept.,
-Seventh Ave., New York.
available on order from the vender. A special
a roller type trailer on the theatre screen
ihrowaway, designed to fold into an accordiontype
booklet, 3V4x5 inches, for general dis-
with details of the event.
TiE-iN Tips: Have local distributors use
Lindsay conducts a kiddy show at the
posters on delivery trucks, spot newsstand tribution to be printed locally with space for
theatre every Saturday afternoon that is
cards at all sales points, set up racks of theatre information both front and back, on
sponsored by seven local merchants in exchange
for screen advertising.
Mickey Spillane's books in the lobby, Mat (6.\) from National Screen. \ special
promote copies for giveaways and as prizes selection of stills, four intriguing poses of
in contests.
actresses in the picture, four scenes used in
the ad art, a selection of special one-colunm
Music: Sheet music of the song, "Once," which mats picturing Anthony Quinn in romantic
Ned Closer Has Singer
is played in the picture and is in general poses with four beauties, a 6x9 folder herald
distribution, carries full credits on "The Long and an advance trailer are all available at
On Streets for 'Guitar'
Wait." Dealers, jobbers and disk jockeys are National Screen.
Manager Ned Glaser, State Theatre. being notified and a number of recordings by
top artists are available for promotion. Ten
Harrisonburg, Va.. backed his playdate on
thousand MGM record dealers will receive
"Johnny Guitar" with an all-around promotion
campaign that would have done
Awards: The entire membership of the Gen-
MAN WITH A MILLION
UA
special promotion material and window streamers
carrying full credit for the picture. Recordings
include: Billy Eckstein-MGM
eral Federation of
credit to a much larger situation. Glaser
Women's Clubs has received
a letter from the organization's chair-
No.
had a musician, dressed in western costume 11073; Bob Eberle-Capitol ; Percy Faith with
Toni Arden-Columbia No. 39577; BiD Kenney man of motion pictures telling them of a
and carrying a guitar, sing and play cowboy
songs on Main street on Saturday.
Parents'
scroll presented to "Man With a Million."
with Utti Camaratta-Decca ; Richard Hayes-
.Mercury No. 5742; Jan Peerce with Hugo
Magazine has selected the film as the
shopping day for farmers from the outlying
outstanding family picture of the month. Seventeen
picks "Man With a Million'" as the
Winterhalter-Victor No. 20-4318 and Vaughn
areas. Spot announcements were featured Monroe-Victor No. 20-4375.
picture of the month and recommends it to
over two local radio stations, and the title
its readers.
Tie-in Tips: Set up window and A special poster on this last award
counter
song from the film was plugged over several
disk jockey shows. Glaser mailed 800
all outlets, distribute to radio-TV
is available free
displays for sheet music and
from the Exploitation Dept..
records in
United Artists, 729 Seventh Ave., New York.
stations,
boxholders at nearby Madison college cards
local band leaders and pianists, and have
Tie-in Tips: 5ee that all publicity outlets
headlined, "Perfect Way to Relax From
records played on all PA systems.
are aware of these awards— PTA groups,
Exams." He also advertised the picture in
Playtex: Ads in a national magazine
women's organizations, all librar
for this
the Bee, student paper of Bridgewater
discussion groups. Use the St
girdle manufacturer's promotion feature co-star
college, five miles west of the theatre.
Peggie Castle with full picture credits. Winilaw
and counter cards similar to the full page
poster in prominent locations and have
distribution trucks carry billing.
ade, window streamers and newspaper ad mats Mark Twain Society: The story, "Man With
will
Motorcycle
be available to all Playtex dealers.
Display Aids
a Million," was written by Mark Twain and
'Wild One' in Florida
NoRELCo: Newspaper ads in key
an organization founded in honor of the great
cities will
.\merican writer attended a special screening
feature co-star Anthony Quinn using the
Attractive young girls, clad in motorcyclinsiderable
publicity.
of the picture and the stunt received con-
Norelco shaver with full picture and star
boots, blue jeans and plaid shirts credits. Counter cards carrying replicas of this
were stationed in the lobby of the Palace, ad will be available to all dealers along with
TiE-lN Tips: Ifork with schools, libraries
Jacksonville, local radio plugs.
Pla., to explain the attractions
A film clip from the picture
showing Anthony Qiunn using the razor,
and local societies for .Mark Twain da\s.
of the motor sport to teenage fans during
programs or co-op tie-ins. Bookstores
limed with the general release, will be used
the
should feature
booking
Mark Twain's writings,
of "The Wild One" at the on TV stations with credits.
stressing other stories already filmed and
theatre.
A shiny
HoNEYBUcs:
new A three-way promotion based on
plugging the current production.
motorcycle, obtained in a
testimonials of United Artist starlets will be
tieup with .\ccESS0RiES :
Harley-Davidson. was the
A two-column mat for planting
featured in magazine and newspaper ads and
in the local paper or as a blowup for window
Ipiece de resistance of the lobby display over store displays by this manufacturer of ladies
and store display is titled "Gregory Peck's
jwhich the girls reigned. Other new majchlnes
were lined up at the curb in front mats that may be used for a contest, are being
slippers. Counter cards and newspaper ad
Lucky Giris." Order Mat (2-J) from National
Screen. A free radio transcription record with
of the sent to all dealers.
theatre to lend a racing atmosphere.
one-minute, 30-second and 15-second announcements
and a free lobby sound trailer are both
Universal Electric Ranges: Photos from the
picture with credits are reproduced in a 20x15
available on order from the United Artists
window streamer sent to all dealers handling
Exploitation Dept., above address. A TV
DIT-MCO DRIVE-IN SPEAKERS
Universal Electric ranges. Athony Quinn and Telop or slide with or without theatre imprint
Peggie Castle will be featured in this manufacturer's
trade advertising as well as na-
much in evidence in the picture, and a costume
may be had from the vender. Flowers are
tionally distributed Screen Magazines.
flower in 16 different colors, sold at department
stores and specialty shops everywhere,
F&F Pillow Ticks: Peggie Castle is featured is available to all dealers direct from the manufacturer.
in this manufacturer's national magazine ad
DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. '»'
)XOFFICE Showmandii July 24, 1954 241

. . . Courtesy
: July
BOXOFFiCE
Manager Richard MuUins of the Capitol
Theatre in Plant City, Fla., arranged an
effective tie-in stunt with a local camera
store to promote "New Paces." The camera
store supplied film, flash bulbs and
cameras for the theatre cashier and candy
girl to take snapshots of townspeople on
the street the week before the film opened.
One thousand handbills announcing the
stunt were distributed, with copy reading,
"Snap! Your picture has just been taken
of the Arcade Camera Shop.
If you find your picture posted in the 'New
Faces' Picture Gallery in the lobby of the
Capitol Theatre, you'll receive a free guest
ticket for 'New Paces.' " Quite a crowd
gathered on the date of the 'showing' at
the gallery to see if their pictures were
among the 50 photos posted on a large
display board.
Manager John DiBenedetto of Loew's
Poll Theatre in Worcester, Mass., made the
happy discovery that keeping a file of old
pictures, particularly those taken of important
local or visiting celebrities, eventually
pays off in one way or another
Several years ago when Ann Blyth was
only a rising star, she came to Worcester
and DiBenedetto had his picture taken
with her. Recently the actress again visited
town and DiBenedetto tied up her presence
with his playdate on "The Student
Prince" by digging the old photo out of his
file and planting it with the local paper.
The picture ran in the Evening Gazette
with full credits.
Manager Irving Cantor came up with a
new version of an old stunt, a very cool
idea for publicizing "Hell Below Zero" at
the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore, Md.
Cantor had a number of passes to the show
frozen in a large cake of ice and placed it
at a shaded spot in front of a department
NUGGETS
store. Spectators enjoyed the cooler
atmosphere as they waited patiently for
the ice block to melt so they could get the
There's nothing quite like a street bally
attired in an ankle-length coonskin coat
in 90 degree weather to attract the attention
of placid pedestrians. Manager Harry
Wilson of Chatham, Ont., startled a goodly
number of shoppers by having one of his
ushers don a heavy fur coat and carry
a sign reading, "I'm Going to the AIR
CONDITIONED Capitol to see 'So Big.' "
He paraded through the business section
of town on a hot summer's day.
As a goodwiU gesture, Manager James
McDannold makes it a yearly practice
to give St. Petersburg, Fla., graduates of
the city's high schools and the junior college
free passes to the 28th Street Drivein.
This marks the third year that he
has given out over $1,000 worth of passes,
each of which is good for two admissions.
Ray McNamara, manager of the Allyn
in Hartford, Conn., arranged tie-in displays
with six downtown music stores to publicize
his playdate on "Johrmy Guitar."
When "Elephant Walk" came to the Fox
Theatre in Spokane, Wash., Jack Hamaker
promoted the film before and during the
run with usherettes dressed up as harem
girls and a baby elephant named Sammy.
Both appeared in the Lilac parade and
on opening night the girls were driven
about town in an open convertible. The
parade was televised by both KHQ and
KXLY-T'V and was witnessed by about
250,000. Sammy was put in a cage on the
busiest street in town, with posters promoting
the film as a backdrop. His footsteps
were used to mark a trail across
town, ending in front of the Pox Theatre.
— 242 —
What's Exploitable
in the Magazines
Pull-page color spreads featuring photographs
of "Virginia Mayo in her "King
Richard and the Crusaders" costume will
be carried in 15 national magazines as
part of an advertising tieup between Warner
Bros, and the Lustre-Creme shampoo
manufacturer throughout August.
Tempo lor July 19 rates Paramount'
"Living It Up," starring Dean Martin
and Jerry Lewis, as the Movie of the
Week. A color photo of Anne Baxter is
featured on the cover of the issue and
an article on her role in "Carnival
Story" appears on an inner page.
Newsweek for July 19 carries a review
on Jean Gabin's new American release,
"Le Plaisir," and an introductory paragraph
on the French actor under the heading
"And Gabin Goes Gaily On." The issue
also reviews the United Artists release,
"Victory at Sea" and a report of other
motion picture items.
Newsweek for July 5 devotes a full
page review to 20th-Fox's "Demetrius
and the Gladiators." with a two-column
action scene from the Cinemascope
production. Other items on picture
personalities are contained in a small
box on the page.
Motion Picture and Television selects
dual winners, "Magnificent Obsession" and
"Demetrius and the Gladiators," for its
August Movie of the Month award. Scenes
from both pictures are included with the
reviews.
Newsioeck for July 12 reported on a
recent movie festival held in West Berlin
and reviewed three films: "Tanganyika."
"Side Street Story" and
"The Royal Tour of Queen Elizabeth
and Philip." Brief co7n7nents were included
for the ten films recommended
to be seen: Beat the Devil. The Conquest
of Everest, Hobson's Choice,
Executive Suite, Genevieve, It Should
Happen to You, Julius Caesar. Gone
With the Wind. Little Fugitive and
Dial M for Murder.
Cue for June 24 featured a cover portrait
of Jane Russell as she appears in 'The
French Line" and an article by Joe Hyamunder
the title, "Sex and Salvation," will;
photos of Miss Russell in movie roU-s Ii
the same issue Jesse Zunser reviews rin
Caine Mutiny," "Demetrius and the GUidi
ators" and "Indiscretion of an AmirKMi
Wife."
Parents' Magasine for Septcinb
presents its Aroard of Special Merit
MGM's version of the popular Bromlway
mjisical, "Brigadoon."
Manager Charles Goldner conducted a
modeling contest on the stage of the Em-
press in Norwich. Conn., to promote his
engagement of "Playgirl." Prizes were donated
by local merchants, and the pretty Life for July 12 featured a cover por
winner's photo was sent to the eastern talent
trait of Pier Angeli and included a length]
chief for Universal, producer of the picture and story layout on the youn^
film.
Italian actress titled, "Flight of Fancy.'
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :
24, 196]

)
tornado-like
I
The
I
mounted
: July
forthcoming
S15,''Sr '" New York Exhibitors Win
In West Virginia
CLARKSBURG, W. VA.—Several outdoor
theatres suffered extensive damage in the
Temporary Tax Stay
worst storm in recent history. Drive-in
screens collapsed under the buffeting of
winds while shows were in prog-
[ress. Winds up to 85 miles an hour dashed
plate glass from automobiles, and electric
poles within drive-in properties were blown
jdown and tossed about. Power lines also fell,
(leaving many communities without electricity
for as long as two days. A 156-foot community
television antenna here, designed to
(Withstand a 100-mile wind, was buckled.
iThousands of TV home receiver antennas
iwere twisted, broken and missing and com-
|munication wires were knocked out across
jthe entire area.
The violent storm collapsed one-fifth of
jthe Warner's Skyline screen and inflicted
other property damage at this outdoor theatre
at Gobbler's Knob several miles south
of here. Charles and Dale Warner had just
improved the projection booth and the screen
md were ready to present their initial
Cinemascope picture. Workmen were called
immediately to reconstruct the screen, injin
,>tall new screen surface and repaint it. Large
|:elephone poles which had approach road
;;ight fixtures were knocked down. The Warpers'
home on the theatre property sustained
bo damage.
three derricks which supported the
icreen at the Twilite Drive-In at Eldora were
wisted around the sheeting and screen
jnaterial. These large back structures were
;onstructed of three-inch pipe. Efforts were
made to construct a temporary screen at the
rwilite.
At the Lazy-A Drive-In, near Parmington,
he screen collapsed under the wind pressure!
S. L. Wilson, owner, was preparing a temlorary
screen.
At Smithfield, Pa., the Moonlite Drive-in's
lemporary screen, a fabrication which was
Itretched between two 60-foot telephone
Joles, was slashed to tatters. Several weeks
the Moonlite's wood construction screen
|-go,
fas shattered and crushed in a windstorm
Ind the temporary screen was put up four
ays later. The first temporary screen was
eplaced by another strong fabrication sheet
h two days. Meanwhile, Steve Danko, owner,
as been arranging for construction of a
lew permanent steel screen.
>rive-In Solves Problem
Jf Staging Live Shows
iWILDWOOD, N. J.—The problem of pre-
;ntmg a live stage show in a drive-in thea-
•e has been solved by the management of
lie Wildwood Drive-In at Rio Grande, by
lie introduction of a mobile stage. The stage
on a 30-foot truck trailer, with
.rapes, curtains and theatrical lighting.
jCanager Owen Hand will present shows in
>nnection with the regular features beginmg
Monday (19).
Maryland Drive-In Held Up
BEL AIR, MD.—A thief held up the Bel
ir Drive-In and escaped with more than
iOO.
MOM FILM HONORED — Howard
Dietz (right), MOM vice-president in
charge of advertising, publicity and exploitation,
receives from Dr. Daniel A.
Poling, editor of the Christian Herald,
a plaque awarded by the publication in
conjunction with the Protestant Motion
Picture Council, for "The Student Prince"
as the picture of the month.
North Park Drive-In Opens;
First in Rochester
ROCHESTER—The North Park Drive-In,
a Cinemascope equipped airer, opened
Wednesday (21 1. The new outdoorer is the
first drive-in within the city limits. Michael
J. DeAngelis was the architect and Samuel
H. Salone and associates are the owners.
The screen. 84x42 feet, is placed on a laminated
wood structui-e. The North Park is
rectangular instead of the pie-cut shape
which drive-ins usually assume. This was
done to fit the theatre to the available
ground. The concessions building is located
in the center of the ramp area with a center
walkway provided for patrons. The theatre
has 350 open-air seats for walk-in patrons.
Additional attractions are a children's amusement
park located on one side of the screen
area and a miniature golf course on the
other
side.
Arthur Silverstone Tours
Canada for CinemaScope
NEW YORK—Arthur Silverstone, assistant
general sales manager of 20th-Fox, left here
on a swing through western Canada with
Peter Myers, Canadian division manager, to
attend CinemaScope demonstrations.
Silverstone's schedule calls for stops in
Calgary, Winnipeg and Vancouver during a
two-week period. He will stop off in Toronto
on the return trip. During the torn- he will
look over CinemaScope installations in the
Dominion and will hold meetings with exhibitors
on ' product.
Lee J. Cobb has joined Kirk Douglas and
Gilbert Roland in the topline cast of 20th-
Fox's "The Racers."
NEW YORK—Exhibitors scored an important
preliminary victory in their fight on the
5 per cent city tax Thursday (22i. Justice
Nicholas M. Pette in New York .supreme court
for Queens granted a temporary injunction
to prevent the city from collecting taxes on
fractions which add up to more than 5
per cent.
Startled city attorneys immediately announced
they would appeal, becau.se the same
reasoning that Justice Pette applied to the
ticket tax could also apply to the 3 per cent
sales
tax where the city collects a whole cent
for any fraction over one-half cent.
Just how the injunction will work out on
the details of the tax payments will not be
clear until a further hearing scheduled for
Monday (26).
Tickets selling for ten cents or less are not
taxable.
Justice
Pette pointed out that on a ticket
selling for 11 cents the tax would be 55/100 of
a cent and the city would collect one cent, or
at the rate of about 9 per cent. He ruled this
was illegal. Enforcement of the injunction
would bar collections on fractions over onehalf
cent on tickets selling for 20 cents or less.
The 1947 enabling act limits collections to
5 per cent.
The city is expected to file an immediate
appeal, but some lawyers assert the city can
continue collections while a hearing is pending.
Justice Pette set September 13 for a hearing
on whether the injunctions should be
made permanent.
The case went into court July 8 when the
RKO Flushing Theatre, Loew's Willard Theatre,
the Community and Queens theatres.
Century Cii'cuit applied for an injunction
with Edward C. Raftery acting as counsel.
New Kensington, Pa., Tax Hike
Delayed Until Sept. 1
NEW KENSINGTON. PA.—The city council
approved Mayor Raymond E. Gardlock's
resolution asking for a postponement of the
4 per cent amusement tax hike from July 15
to September 1. The increase, from its current
6 per cent to 10 per cent, was enacted
last spring as a means to take care of any
loss in revenue the city may have encountered
by nonpayment of an unconstitutional
portion of the tax. Theatre owners had informed
city officials that they would have to
hike admissions accordingly. The mayor said
that the reason for the delay is that the city
is now in good shape financially.
Republic's 26-Week Net
Shows Slight Increase
NEW YORK—Net profit of Republic Pictures
Corp. and subsidiaries for the 26 weeks
ended May 1 was $480,393 after estimated federal
normal and sm-taxes amounting to
$565,000.
For the 26 weeks ending April 24, 1953, the
net after taxes was $473,150. Taxes were
$546,000.
Universal-International's "To Hell and
Back," is the life story of Audie Murphy.
3XOFFICE :
24, 1954

Broadway Business
Up Slighfly;
Holdovers Dominant Influence
NEW YORK—Business improved somewhat
during the week when a cloudy and rainy
Sunday broke the heat wave that had sent
people to the beaches and sent grosses down.
The upturn was nothing to brag about, but
could be called satisfactory. Holdevers dominated
the picture.
"The Student Prince" ended a fine fiveweek
run at Radio City Music Hall and was
replaced by "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers."
"The High and the Mighty" was strong
in its third week at the Paramount, and
"The Caine Mutiny" at the Capitol and
"Apache" at the Mayfaij- seemed to be set
for long runs.
"Indiscretion of an American Wife" at the
Astor and "About Mrs. Leslie" at the Victoria
were about to end their nans. Cinerama
continued drawing steadily at the Warner
Theatre.
"The Malta Story" opened strong at the
Guild and "Earrings of Madame De" at the
Little Carnegie. The Plaza began playing
MGM's "Valley of the Kings." "Ring of
Fear" (WB C-Si will open Wednesday (28)
at the Paramount. It will replace "The High
and the Mighty" at the end of that picture's
fourth week.
(Average Is 100)
Art Pickwick Popers (Mayer-Kingsley) 110
Astor Indiscretion of on Americon Wife (Col),
4th wk 105
.110
Baronet Daughters of Destiny (Arlan), 2nd wk.
wk 145
Capitol The Caine Mutiny (Col), 4th
Criterion The Long Woit (UA), 3rd wk 125
Fifth Avenue The Red Inn (Davis), 6th 105
wk
55th Street Flamenco (Lewis), 9th wk 110
Fine Arts Mr. Hulot's Holiday (Ind), 5th wk 150
Globe— Hell Below Zero (Col) 115
Guild The Molto Story (UA) 120
Holiday Smart Money (WB); The Roaring
Twenties (WB), reissues, 3rd wk 115
Little Carnegie Earrings of Madame Dc (Arlan) 120
Loews State Gone With the Wind (MGM), reissue.

I
I
. . Willis
. . Anne
. .
. . Norman
. . William
. . Martin
. . Sam
. .
Boardwalk Is
at Gayest for Martin and Lewis Premiere
Here is part of the huge crowd that welcomed the comedy team
at the Warner Theatre, Atlantic City, the evening of July 15, at the
world premiere of the comedy team's latest picture, "Living It Up."
The premiere was attended also by 100 newsmen from 18 cities,
brought to Atlantic City by Paramount for the gala premiere and
ATLANTIC CITY—This town, which has
out
seen them come and seen them go, rolled
the plush welcome carpet last week (15) to
Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis like it was
'never before rolled for a film figure. In fact,
jit was like old hometown week, with the
jresort taking on the role of a proud parent.
iPlanes were flying overhead with streamers,
j'Welcome Home Jerry and Dean"; Missouri
avenue has been renamed Martin and Lewis
jstreet with official signs already up; a big
"welcome home" banner was spread across
;the entire street from the 500 club; a parade
led by Mayor Joseph Altman escorted the pair
from the airport with about 20 carloads of
newspaper writers brought here in busses.
Mayor Altman in an official proclamation
ailed it Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis day.
mth more than 100 topflight news and radio
men as special guests the comedians appeared
at the premiere of their new picture, "Living
It Up," at the Warner Theatre on the Boardwalk.
ROADWAY
Ornery Austin, head of MGM exploitation,
was vacationing . . . Joseph H. Moskowitz.
k-ice-president and eastern studio representative
of 20th-Fox, returned from a three-week
ksit to the coast studio . Baxter
knd Steve Forrest will go to Paris early in
\ugust to start work on "The Paris Story"
'or MGM . Conner, scenic designer,
vent to Madrid for a four-week stay. He has
completed the season with NBC for which he
lesigned "The Voice of Firestone" TV proram.
Marcel Hellman, independent British prolucer,
left for Hollywood . . . Esther Williams
as due in Florida early in the week to make
he final scenes in "Jupiter's Darling" .
larriet Parsons is here to ballyhoo "Susan
51ept Here" at the Victoria . . . L. D. Netter
r., Altec Service general sales manager, reurned
from the National Ass'n of Music
Manufacturers show in Chicago.
Tony Martin has gone to the MGM coast
tudios to work in "Hit the Deck" . . . Marty
Volf, Altec Service assistant general sales
panager, left to visit exhibitors in Washing-
[on, Maryland, Virginia and the Carolinas on
It was here that Dean was introduced to
Jerry. Both were playing Paul D'Amato's
swank 500 Club as singles with neither headlining
when D'Amato suggested they get together.
They tried out a routine. This was
eight years ago; they have been together
and a high success since.
As a gag the city dedicated a Boardwalk
bench with solid bronze plaque and all, as the
place where they worked out their first act.
Janet Leigh, who co-stars in the production,
was here also but lost in the rush. The two
comics were mobbed at Bader Field as they
awaited visiting newsmen and the start of the
parade through the city. A police detail took
pending installation and service contracts for
Cinemascope and Perspecta. He met first
with D. M. Cole, Altec manager in Washington
. Kaphan, MGM home office
photographer, has ended a vacation at Belgrade
Lakes, Me. . D. Kelly, head
of the MGM print department, returned from
a Miami vacation . Bender and
Fred Pfeiff, Altec Service engineers, are back
in New York after aiding in showings of the
"Advancing Techniques of Cinemascope,"
20th-Fox reel.
Herb Coleman, Doc Erickson, John Du-
Moulin and F. Sigle of the Alfred Hitchcock
"To Catch a Thief" Vista Vision unit left for
Hollywood on their return from France .
Howard G. Minsky, Paramount mideast division
manager headquartering in Philadelphia,
was on a vacation with his family in
New Jersey . . . Herbert Gillis, Paramount
Cincinnati manager, was here two days.
eighth anniversary celebration of Martin and Lewis' teaming up.
At the right, Martin and Lewis clown for cameramen with Janet
Leigh. The cake was to mark their eighth anniversary as a team.
They started out in Atlantic City eight years ago at Paul D'.^mato's
swank 300 club.
J. Raymond Bell, Columbia public relations
executive, has been elected vice-president of
them inside a recreation center where admittance
was granted to VIP's only.
Motorcycle escort and the mayor's car took
the two through the city proper and on up the
Boardwalk (usually barred to carsi to the
Traymore hotel and a luncheon.
Earlier in the day they took part in a Dave
Garroway TV show filmed on the Boardwalk.
A rolling-chair parade was held in the evening
to the theatre where ceremonies were
held upon an especially constructed stand
while -several thousand vacationers milled
about. The show itself had been completely
sold out three days in advance.
A private party at the 500 Club topped off
the day.
Officials who have participated in lots of
celebrations declai-ed this the "greatest" yet.
the New York chapter of the Public Relations
Society of America. He has been a member of
the board and has served as chairman of the
admissions committee . Spiegel, producer,
returned from a trip to London, Rome.
Paris and Venice . . . Edith Mendelsohn, wife
of Al Mendelsohn, U-I TV and radio publicity
contact here, has been voted "Town
and Village's Loveliest Mother" in a contest
conducted by the newspaper circulating
among the 42,000 residents of the Stuyvesant
town and Peter Cooper village projects of
the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.
Harold J. Mirisch, Allied Artists vice-president,
will sail August 6 for England to confer
with John Huston on production plans
for "The Man Who Would Be King" and
other stories . . . Kay Armen, singer, will
leave the middle of August for Hollywood to
start work in "Hit the Deck." MGM film . . .
Harold Hecht, partner in the producing firm
of Hecht-Lancaster, has been meeting with
United Artists executives . . . Anna Hill
Johnstone. Warner Bros, costume designer for
"East of Eden," came here to work on Robert
Anderson's stage play, "All Summer Long."
Philip Dunne, co-author of "The Egyptian"
screen play, 20th-Fox film, is preparing the
script for "Prince of Players," which will star
Richard Burton and Edwin Booth . . . Marvin
Kaplan and family were here on a vacation.
He appealed in MGM's "The Reformer and
the Redhead."
bxOFTICE :
: July 24, 1954

. . . The
. . Edward
. . Herb
. . . The
. . John
. . The
. .
. . Marcia
.
ALBANY
gill Kennedy closed the Lyric at Rouses
Point, reportedly due to poor business.
He still operates the Lyceum in Champlain.
Kennedy's Lake in Chazy has not been lighted
this season, according to reports here. The
The amazing business done by "Gone With
the Wind" at the Palace continued to be
the subject of comment by industry men
after the MGM reissue had closed a week's
run. The gross was said to be almost twice
that registered by several other pictures recently
presented there, and to be one of the
biggest the 3,650-seater has had at regular
prices. The closing day's
take was reportedly
close to double some opening day's figures.
An estimated cost of $150,000 for two studios,
16 office sections, a film laboratory,
dressing rooms and engineering and storage
facilities will bring WTRI-TV's total investment
to approximately $650,000, General
Manager Richard B. Wheeler announced
after the FCC had approved a site at 15
North Pearl St. in Menands close to the
Albany city line. Stanley Warner Theatre
Corp. holds a 50 per cent interest in the UHP
station, having purchased the share formerly
owned by Fabian Enterprises. Troy Broadcasting
Company (WTRY) owns the other
half.
The 20th-Fox mobile studio exhibit advertising
"The Egyptian" drew several thousand
visitors during a one-day stand in front of
the W. M. Whitney & Co. department store,
coming here from a tour of New England
LOOK TO
FILMACK
FOR THE FINEST
ANNOUNCEMENT
l»ltt.'llWJWtii'Bniwiwaii«
and leaving for Utica. The Cinemascope
spectacle wUl open at the Strand, probably in
September. The Utica stopoff was to spotlight
a similar showing at Charles Gordon's
Olympic. Charles Smakwitz of SW cooperated
on the Albany visit with 20th-Fox
ass.stant exploitation manager Morton
Schwam and local manager Nat Rosen,
while Mrs. Jane Smith of the Olympic did
the Thousand Islands and Utica . . . The
Mohawk and Saratoga drive-ins advertised
that they are "Scientifically Treated to Protect
Your Family from Annoying Mosquitoes"
Mohawk presented the Kentucky
Bluegrass Boys "Playing and Singing Your
Favorite Western Songs" . . . F. Chase Hathaway
booked a New England act of this type
as an added attraction at Hathaway's Drivein.
Additional Kallet theatres installing Cinemascope,
with single optical sound track
systems, include the Loch, Shelldrake, Margaretville,
Woodburne, Woodbridge, Bolton
Landing and Ticonderoga. Kallet's Uptown.
Utica, will put in full stereophonic sound . . .
Charles Smakwitz, SW zone manager, attended
the funeral in New York of Joseph
Bernhard, 65, former general manager of
Warner Theatres, later a vice-president of
Warner Bros., Inc., president of Film Classics
and head of Cinecolor Corp. Since January
of this year, the veteran executive had
been a management relations consultant
for Stanley Warner Theatre Corporation.
Smakwitz had worked for years under Bernhard.
Tom Walker to Leave Bank
NEW YORK—Tom Walker, special representative
in New York for the Bank of America,
resigned, effective August 31. He has
held executive positions with Bank of America
and its allied organizations for many
yeai-s. At one time he was vice-president and
busine.ss manager for Edward Small Productions
and al.so a vice-president of United
Artists.
BUFFALO
n rthur Krolick, UPT district manager, is
vacationing on Long Island with Mrs.
Krolick . R. Bernstein, daughter of
Abe Bernstein. UA exploiteer. was married
July 11 to J. Siegel of Hewlett. L. I., an
engineer associated with the Minneapolis
.
.
.
.
Border Drive-In proved an adverse factor likewise in Utica.
Honeywell organization. Bernstein has been
new Little Theatre in Plattsburgh
operated by Kingsley Ryan, well-known Wally Wynkoop, operator of the Colchester, in Buffalo working on "Adventures of Robinson
is
north
Little
country
gives the
exhibitor.
border city
Opening
three
of
theatres.
the
Crusoe" and "Apache" at the Paramount
Downsville. returned from a vacation in
Bermuda . Wilhelm, 20th-Fox head and Shea's Buffalo, respectively . . . George
Benton's Strand and Champlain being the
booker and office manager, was back at his H. Mackenna, general manager of Basil's
others. The Plattsburgh and Star-Lit Driveins
enter the competitive picture.
desk after a minor setback following a too Lafayette, and family will drive to Apsley,
quick return after a tonsillectomy ... Barry Shandur Lake, Ont., August 7 for a vacation.
also
son of Nat Rosen, 20th-Fox manager, Elmer F. Lux, head of Elmart Theatres, and
rtosen,
Jimmy Moore, Warner salesman, returned was at a boys camp in the Adirondacks wife will join the Mackennas at the lato
from a week's vacation Schwartz, Manager Jack Swartout appears slim but a week.
for
Columbia salesman, will vacation at the chipper around the Ritz after a long and
The outer lobbies of the
Nev.lle in Ellenville the week of August 2. serious illness . . .
Murray Whiteman, past chief barker o
Herb's brother Marty Ross, who teams with
been smartly repainted
Variety Tent 7, was chairman of the annua
Bob Snyder on a Saturday-Sunday afternoon and redecorated . Delaware, art house,
Variety Club day at the Fort Erie races Monday
(191 and presented a Tent 7 blanket
Fabian's
musical program from the lobby of
was to reopen Friday (23) after a two-week
SW first run have
Palace over 'WABY, is starting a two-hour closedown for vacations. John Brousseau
matinee show of his own via that station.
Paul Wallen
manages the 650-seater . .
the winner
Marvin
of
Jacobs,
the Variety
retired
handicap
former
.
partner
Sportservice and chairman of the heart committee
Filmrow callers Monday included Alan
of the Grand probably will spend part of his
vacation at the New Jersey seashore.
of the Variety Club, plans trips
Iselin. Auto- Vision. East Greenbush; Sam
Pittsburgh and Boston to study the work
Davis, Onteora, Fleischman's; George Thornton,
the heart committees in those cities.
Pat Patterson, Leland manager, was to
Orpheum, Saugerties and Phil Baroudi,
Northwood in North Creek and Lake
In connection with the tl
in Indian
Lake J, Wall, Paramount
wild animal race show the other evening
week vacation. of the
Erie, Schenectady, was to substitute for him. Civic stadium, Eddie Meade of Shea's Buf-i
leave for (23) a New York Friday
Lou Rapp,
on
manager
two-
appearance of
advertising-publicity director in the Albany
Later he may visit his brother, dean of Marietta
College in Ohio . . . Bill With, Palace same as those used in "Valley of the Kings."
falo
and Buffalo districts, made
noted that the racing camels were the
the trek to Atlantic
City for the premiere of "Living It Up."
manager, is another vacationer. Gene Gannott
was relieving during his absence . . .
Edgar S. Van Ol.nda, film critic for the
He offered cash prizes to the win, place and
Times-Union, went
show jockeys in this event with riders selected
with Wall.
John Gottuso of the Palace staff, returned from among volunteers in the audience. The
from a vacation divided between visits to offer got plenty of publicity In the Buf-
the Shrine of St. Anne de Beaupre in Canada,
falo Evening News. Meade also arranged tc
have the camels appear in front of Shea'.'
Buffalo on the afternoon of the stadiun
races and used an ad calling attention to
appearance of the dromedaries.
A drive-in will soon be built a few mile'
north of Buffalo. The Lancaster town boar(
has issued a permit for such a theatre, cover'
ing six acres, to Sarkes Stephen of Kenmon
. . . "Valley of the Kings" received it.s firs
showing at Loew's in Rochester. Accordini
to Manager Lester Pollock, more than 4,00'
posters and 25,000 handbills were distribute
to herald the premiere.
'Valley of Kings' Given
Test Run at Rochester
ROCHESTER—Because of the worldwid
publicity which followed the discovery o
solar boats and other relics of the Cheop
period in Egypt. MGM staged a special te.'
engagement of "Valley of the Kings" at Loew
Theatre, starting Friday (16). The world pre
miere was held in Cairo July 21.
An elaborate campaign of several week
preceded the opening staged under the supei
vision of home office executives. Radio an
television were used freely. Among featun
of the buildup were the posting of 200 specii
one-sheets. 75 three-sheets and four 24-sheet
with 125 de luxe window cards in stores an
.50, 22x28 cards on downtown newsstands.
'Obsession' Set for Aug. 4
NEW YORK— U-I's "Magnificent Obsei
slon" will open at Loew's State August
Jane Wyman has started a series of rad
appearances, syndicate and pre.ss intorviev
in advance of the opening.
th(
BOXOFnCE
July 24, IS

. . . Another
. . The
. . William
. . Charles
. . John
. . The
. . Bob
. .
M. Endres Wins 'Caesar'
xploitation Contest
NEW YORK—J. M. Endres, manager of the
jilderone Theatre, Hempstead, Long Island,
jn the "Julius Caesar" exploitation contest
nished recently. It was confined to managers
the metropolitan area. Trade paper showanship
editors were the judges. Endres
celved a $100 U.S. savings bond.
malley Unit Redecorates
:jOHNSTOWN, N. Y.—The Smalley circuit's
naUey's Theatre has been completely rejcorated,
changing the house from the old
i)anish palace style to modern with the use
blue and rose pastel shades. According
Manager Joe Walsh, a wide screen was
io
installed.
PITTSBURGH
J^GM Manager Ralph Pielow is recuperating Krumenackcr and May Weir of the Warner
exchange vacationed . Ruskin, former
in St. Clair Memorial hospital after
undergoing a second operation. The mother Paramount salesman, now is a repre.sentative
of Max Shabason, assistant manager, died. of the Massachusetts Life Insurance Co. here
The day following her death, the aunt of and is studying to pass the Penn.sylvania bar
Max's wife, who resided with them, died. examination. He is licensed in the legal profession
in the state of New York.
Then Eddie Mackins, head booker, suffered
a ruptured blood ve.ssel in a leg and was told
he could not report to work or put any
weight or pressure on the limb for four weeks.
Mrs. John J. Maloney, wife of the central
sales manager, has been recuperating from
an illness.
"The Egyptian" traveling studio exhibit
promoting the film was seen in Erie Wednesday
in front of the Daily Times and Shea's
Theatre . A. Blatt, local Allied
president, is holding an informal meeting with
area exhibitor leaders Tuesday (27) . . . Exhibitor
Speer Marousis has been named secretai-y
of the New Castle chapter of the Ahepa.
County fair season started in Pennsylvania
with nearly 100 scheduled . . . Erie District
Attorney Damian J. McLaughlin has
cracked down on gambling at carnivals running
in that area . E. Stahl and his
son John S. will devote all of their time to
real estate holdings. The elder showman,
who has retired from exhibition after nearly
half a century, is remodeling both the Elite
and Stahl theatres. Homestead, into oneroom
apartment buildings. Stereophonic
sound equipment, removed from the Stahl,
was sold to the Leona Theatre, Homestead,
operated under lease by the Associated circuit.
Johnny Betters featured Tex Ritter at the
Roof Garden Drive-In, Somerset, Thursday
(22 1, and has Doc Williams booked for August
5. Dusty Owens will entertam there on
August 19 . . . Louis Thomas, Zelienople ex-
077,000 last year.
Columbia Pictures paid $65,000 in May
1954, the same as last year. Loew's Boston
Theatres did not change at $39,000 in May.
Warner's also paid the same dividend diu-ing
both May 1953 and 1954, $742,000. Stanley
Warner, a new corporation, paid $619,000
in May 1954.
Horse Injures Manager
SCOTTDALE. PA.—Bob Stoner, manager
of John Bixler's Strand Theatre, driving
home from a business trip to Pittsburgh's
Filmrow Friday (16), suffered a double left
arm fracture when a horse on the loose ran
into his car.
hibitor, returned from a vacation in Greece.
Tex Ritter still is playing area Manos theatres,
but his recent scheduled appearance at was George Faller, Wheeling exhibitor
On the boat with him, going and returning,
the Cameraphone
. . .
in East Liberty had to be
Also returned from vacationing in
canceled
Greece
because the stagehands union here
was George A. Katselas, East Pittsburgh
demanded theatre
owner .
the employment of three extra
men
Lund Theatre, Carmichaels,
. Grand at Fredericktown is installing
magnetic sound and Cinemascope,
is no longer represented by Moore Theatre
THEATRE ENTRY—Evan Thompson,
Service . . . Ben Stahl sent us a funny
manager of the Fox Theatre in Hackensack,
N. J., offers a few words of advice
reports
postcard
from Cape May, N. J.,
proprietors Lou Stuler and Durward
Coe
where the Atlas
. Wild, national manager of
Theatre Supply mechanic is vacationing .
to the youthful driver of "The Skouras
Cinerama's film department, and assistant Among former Pennsylvanians
Special," the speedy entree he
Tony
named as state
is sponsoring
in the first Soapbox
Costa were here to check operations at
ambassadors to serve during
the
derby downtown
Pennsylvania
to be held
Warner Theatre . . . Hi-Way
week, October 10-17, are
in Bergen county. The Drive-In
Leonard Goldenson.
stunt rated
near
a
Latrobe
picture
in the local paper
and the Evergreen New York theatre executive,
Drive-In
formerly of
and garnered
near Scottdale
some
are being equipped
Scottdale; Lisa Kirk, entertainer, of Roscoe,
to
goodwill for the
exhibit
theatre.
Cinemascope.
and actor Adolphe J. Menjou of Pittsburgh.
The Keenan building in Ambridge, owned
by the Altoona Publix Theatre, Inc., suffered
a $75,000 fire loss Friday evening (16). The April and May Dividends
iHlias Kalisch Is Named
building houses a dance hall, restaurant, shoe Surpass 1953 Period
llide to Burtus Bishop
shop, novelty appliance shop and a CIO union
WASHINGTON—Film industry corporation
headquarters.
NEW The lobby of the Melody
YORK—Elias
ballroom
was
Kalisch, with Loew's
publicly declared dividends in April and May
gutted.
|)r almost
This is the
20 years, has
former theatre
been promoted to
exceeded totals for the same months last
section of the building.
|5sistant to Burtus
Over
Bishop
a period of
jr., midwest sales
year, according to the
lanager. He
many
Department of
years this theatre was
succeeds Sidney Lefkowitz, who
known
Commerce
Thursday (15). Total for April 1954
as the
Regenr,, Senate, Penn ied recently. Kalisch
and finally the
started
State
as an usher
was $1,241,000, compared to $1,216,000 in the
fire
I Loew's
which
83rd
resulted in
Street Theatre
a $75,000
in 1934 and
corresponding month last year.
loss
xume swept through the
assistant manager
Flamingo May 1954
roller rink
before he left in
reached $1,465,000,
in
•39. He
East
compared
Liberty
to
the next
$846,000 in
is a graduate
day (17). This
of New property
York univerty.
He
the
was owned
month last year.
spent
and managed
three
by Julius
years in the air force
District
Navari,
Id then
brother
Theatres paid
of exhibitors
$15,000 in
joined MGM as an
Rudy April 1954,
and Sam
auditor. Rently
Navari
compared to
of the
he has
Eastwood.
$38,000 last year. Republic Pictures
paid $100,000 in April of both years.
been a salesman in the Cininnat;
office.
American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres
paid $1,126,000 this April, compared to $1,-
Pine-Thomas Productions have signed Argentina
Brunetti for an important role in
Paramount's "Blue Horizons."
Jsase Springdale, Pa., House
SPRINGDALE, PA.—The Miami Theatre,
]nch has been open for one change of pro-
!|am on weekends, has been leased by Bart
Httola and Prank Biamonte to Andy Battista
and Don Trepecone. Plans near
for the
Iture include the installation of Cinema-
Sope.
Ben "Bud" Rosenberg of the Parkway in
McKees Rocks was in Philadelphia attending
an American Legion convention. He is commander
of local Post 589 . . . After two years
with the army in Europe, Don D'AquUa has
resumed duties here with the SW booking
department . , . John Larriok has been
named collector of the amusement tax for
the Ambridge board of education . . . Paul
SAM FINEBERG
TOM McCLEARY
JIM ALEXANDER
84 Van Braam Street
PITTSBURGH 19, PA
Phone Express 1-0777 ^.J
Are Better Than Ever How's Your Equipment'''^
toXOFFICE
:
: July 24, 1954
47

. . . The
. . . Glenn
. . RKO
. , Arthur
. . Word
. . Bob
. . . Ed
. . . Ben
. . Doug
. . Jack
. . Ada
. . Exhibitors
. . Carl
. . Tex
. . . Lauritz
. . Sam
. . Oscar
*
'
WASHINGTON
closed . . . Ditto, the Au-port Drive-In,
Doran. Va.
The new Palmer Drive-In was opened by
Louis Bernheimer on the George Palmer
highway Friday evening i23) . . . Allied
Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Maryland
reminds show folks that time is growing short
for mailing acceptances to its annual outing
July 27 at Conrad's Ruth Villa . . . Irving
Martin, manager of Loew's Columbia here,
is pinch-hitting at Loew's Aldine in Wilmington
for three weeks.
The committees for the Variety Club's annual
golf tournament and dinner dance at
the Woodmont Country club September 24
include: co-chairmen. George A. Crouch. Sam
FRtPAY the Um
RUSH Bookings
for
AUGUST 13th, 1954
SPOOK SHOWS I
BELA LUGOSI
. BORIS KARLOFF
ond tnony other outitandlng
THRILLER STARS
ALSO SUITABLE for
WASHINGTON,
MID-NITt SHOWS
MEMPHIS
NEW ORLEANS
D.C.
The engagement of Robert S. Rosenbaum.
son of Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Rosenbaum. Neighborhood
Theatres. Richmond, to Claire Milhiser
has been announced . on
Filmrow included Doc Westfall. Cecil Cui'tis.
Laney Payne, Roy Richardson, T. Martin,
T. D. Fields, Walter Olson, Mike Leventhal,
Wilbur Brizendine, Denver Aleshire, Joe
Walderman.
PHILADELPHIA
Galanty and Albert W. Lewitt; vice-chairmen,
James Simon and Keith Lewis; decorations.
Harry Lohmeyer; handicaps, Harry Candy Gottlieb's Tristate Theatre Service is
Bachman. Gerald Pi'ice. Tom Mudd and now handling the booking and buying for
Buddy Sharkey; dinner and reception. Herbert
Tom McLeary's Park Drive-In in Lock
Sauber. David Sadel. George Nathan and Haven, Pa. This drive-in was serviced pre-
Ralph Grimes; publicity. David Polland; viously by Bert Stern of Pittsburgh . . Paramount
tickets, Ross Wheeler, George Crouch and
Decorating Co. is
.
redecorating
Harry Coonin.
Schwaber's Linden Theatre in Baltimore.
Happy birthday to Robert Miller, Denver
July W. Vincent Dougherty,
This theatre will become a cinema art hou.se
Gabriel. Capital Films, took some time
Aleshire, 28;
off for a vacation at Ocean City, N. J.
July 29; Maurice Brady. I. Shah. July 31;
Kenneth Clark, Augu.st 1; Al Folliard, Paul A farm of 209 acres on Second Street pike
Young, August 2; Joe DeMaio, August 4; at Worthington Mill road, above Richboro.
Jacob Biben, Lou Janof, August 6; Joseph Bucks county, has been purchased by Leo
Oulahan, August 7; George Crouch. August Posel from George M. Pfundt for $108,000.
Posel is a prominent exhibitor Tlie Goldman
8; Sam Gildar. L. Gardner Moore. Charles
Theatre is in the midst of renovations
. . ,
Demma, August 9.
Leonard Kidgely, MGM, and his wife Carolyn
but "Gone With the Wind" continues to go
Three which on. stores, were lea-sed to tenants
are spending their vacation in Detroit
previously, are giving way to more space
Norris, eastern sales manager,
for a lobby for the theatre.
visited the local 20th-Fox exchange . . Columbia
salesman Jack Jackter spent the The Bluebird Theatre, Spanish-language
weekend at Virginia Beach . Folliard, theatre, is now on a weekend policy, for the
RKO district manager, visited the exchange rest of the summer . Engel, Screen
and went to Baltimore with Manager Joe Guild, attended a Lippert franchise holders
Brecheen salesman Charlie Hurley meeting in New York City . Ritter.
and his family were vacationing in Revere cowboy star, was in town to help promote
Beach, Mass. Joe Smith is spending his Lippert's "The Cowboy." He made the rounds
of newspapers, radio and television .stations
HaiTis. American Films, became a
grandfather when his youngest twin daughter.
Mrs. Dotzie Gorman, gave birth to a
baby son at Temple hospital.
Dr. Gualino Again Elected
President of the IFMPPA
NEW YORK—Dr. Renato Gualino has
been elected for the third time as president
of the International Federation of Motion
Picture Producers A.ss'n. The organization
includes representatives of 21 nations. Dr.
Gualino is also chief of Anica's foreign office,
president of the IFE Releasing Corp., dh-ector
general of Italian Films Export and president
of Lux Pilmi.
BALTIMORE
With Oliver Blake signed for the 77th
speaking role, casting ha-s been completed on
Warners' "Drum Beat."
vacation in Florida . . . Paramount booker
Bill Fisher celebrated a bu-thday. Booker
Jane Harrell is vacationing in Pleasantville.
N. Y. Office Manager Bob Grace returned
Irving Lesser, Pacemaker Pictmej executive from a Florida vacation.
The exhibit trailer for "The Egyptian" was
was a visitor ,
Cousins, Jesse
parked in front of Morris Mechanics New
Theatre, returned to Providence hospital Dorothy Riggs, District Theatres, was vacationing
in Massachusetts . Priman,
Theatre in a promotion planned by Hal
with a leg ailment .
has come to
Marshall for 20th-Fox . . . Clifford Jarrett,
us that Harry Cohen. MGM salesman many cashier at the Booker T. Theatres, spent her Warner Bros, representative for Maryland's
vacation in Springfield, Mass. . Hoffman
was vacationing . . . John Broumas.
Garman of the Uptown and Eddie
years, died last week in Freeport. L. I. He
eastern shore, is vacationing at Ocean City
had retired several years ago due to ill health
Castle Theatre. Fincastle. Va.. was booker and buyer, reports the opening of the Perotka of the Aero attended the harness
new offices of the Transamerica Theatre races at Baltimore's Raceway . . . Maryland;
Corp. in the Citizens National bank building Allied expects a record attendance for itsi
in Langley Park . Connellee, Elk third annual outing and crab feast Tuesday
Theatre, Elkton. Md., vacationed at hLs summer
cottage in Sherwood Forest.
tle of the Avenue is committee chairman,
(27) along Maryland's waterfront. Jack Whit-
aided by Wilbur Brizendine, Schwaber Th^.
atres; Bob Gruver, New Glen, and Mike Leventhal,
the Lord Baltimore.
Jacit Sidney, manager for Loew's Centuryj
is enjoying a visit from his father from
west coast . . . Russell Fringer. projectionist
at the New Essex is vacationing in Georgiai
. . . Raynor Stewart. Stanley projection
is on the sick list ... J. Lawrence Schani
berger, Keith's owner, is vacationing in
lantic City . Coblentz jr.. owner
j
the Alpha, Catonsville, is installing Cinen
Scope . Isaacson, of the Stanli
staff, is vacationing in New York . . . Willi)
Whitmore. operator at the Plaza, has
turned home from the University of
land hospital where he underwent treat'
ment for ulcers . . . Charles Grauling. Town'
projectionist, is spending two weeks at Bet
terton.
Charles Dotson, Keiths, is on vacation . .
Newell Howard, Ulman's Theatres, Salisbur;
was visiting in Washington . . . Columbi
salesman Marty Kutner was visiting in Cob
Island . . . Irwin Cohen, owner of the Patap
SCO, was in Washington to list bookings . .
John Manuel, owner of the Bel Air Drive-!:
Churchville. was held up by an armed robb*
who made off with the cashbox cont.iinir
between $450 and $500.
'Valley of the Kings' Open
In New York and Cairo
NEW YORK — "Valley of the King.-
MGM's spectacle starring Robert T;iyli
Eleanor Parker and Cai'los Thomp.^on. w
given two premieres Wednesday i21'. .'iie
the Plaza Theatre here with Dr A!mi
Hussein. Egyptian ambassador, as eii. ,m
honor, and the other at the Metro riua'!
Cairo. Boxoffice receipts at the New Yr
opening were turned over to the scIuhiI
archeology of the University of Cairn
Arias Sets 2nd Release
NEW YORK—Arias Quality Pictur.- v
release its second picture. "The Holy

•
will
. , Arthur
Indian Government Seeks US. Help
In Promoting Its Film Industry
NEW YORK—Tlie government of India is
Macing special emphasis on developing the
jountry's film industry both as a means of
-evenue and as a medium of education. It is
studying the latest techniques developed elsewhere
in the world, especially in the U.S.,
oward that end, and will send technicians
lere for training and invite members of the
ndustry here to go to India as lecturers. It
s backing its own industry with funds and
ith no idea whatever of socializing it.
Moham Bhavnani, head of film production
)r the Indian government, supplied the deails
at an interview in the offices of S. R.
Cunkis, film industry lawyer. He was here
1 an around-the-world tour. From here
go to Canada, then Hollywood, then
pan.
Dntrol over scripts and finished films, it
ill follow a combination of patterns set up
V the Production Code Administration of the
[otion Picture Ass'n of America and by the
anadian Film Board. It will enter selected
ictures at film festivals.
Bhavnani said that at present time only
lie Indian film is being imported into the
S. His industry has the modest goal of
creasing the number to three or four a year
ter after it learns how to slant some of its
ctures to the U.S. market. He will talk that
er with producers in Hollywood.
India has over 100 producers, of whom
)out 18 produce regularly. The rest are inpendents
making one or two pictures a
ar. The production centers are Bombay.
Icutta and Madras. The pictures are well
ceived in the Middle East, parts of Africa,
utheast Asia, Pakistan, Burma, Ceylon and
e West Indies. India welcomes production
SYRACUSE
by foreigners that does not misrepresent
India. It prefers to have an advance look
at a script. An Indian producer can turn out
a good modern story in black and white for
$100,000.
The NFB will be supported by the duties
on raw stock imports, most of which come
from England, with the government augmenting
the fund from other sources. No additional
taxation of films made inside or outside
of India is planned. There is an average
entertainment tax of 20 per cent on Indian
theatres, but that goes to the individual
states and not to the federal government.
The idea of any city tax is frowned upon.
City admissions range from 18 to 75 cents.
More than 90 per cent of the foreign films
shown come from the U.S.
India is sensitive about propaganda in
India now has a Central Film Board, a govrnment
institution. That will become in 1955 films. For instance, it wouldn't permit the
National Film Board with full representalon
When
showing of a Russian film belittling the U.S.
or an American film belittling Russia. The
for all segments of the industry. le government feels the industry can stand
a its own feet, it will step aside. The NFB
Soviets have a distributing center in Bombay,
but few of their films find a market in India.
now setting up an institute which will suply
technical training, pass on scripts and
Quality is varied. They contain propaganda
about Russia, but try to play up entertainment
values.
nished films, and promote Indian films
broad when the time arrives. As regards its India also is sensitive about sexy films.
When they go too far, the government censors
them. Foreign films, but not Indian films,
special preview of "Seven Brides for Seven
Brothers" was given a midnight showing at
lew's State Theatre, according to Sam Gilun,
manager. Press, radio and television
;re invited along with some invitations ised
to radio program listeners . . . H. Ed-
Jd Lurie of United Ai-tists Corp. flew in
)m the west coast to arrange special cov-
Hge for "Apache," which wUl open next
'ek at Loew's State ... In connection with
e showing of "Ring of Fear," Sol. Sorkin,
imager of RKO Keith's, had a clown on
e street distributing "are you lucky?" cards.
1 the number on the card appeared on the

'
pny
: July
a 35^159 Payroll Savers
in Southern Bell • .
.
MR. FRED J. TURXER,
President, Southern Bell Telephone
and Telegraph Company
"Thrift is an old-fashioned virtue that has never gone out of style in America.
It is one of the foundation stones on which our material tvell-being us a
nation is built. The payroll deduction plan for the purchase of V. S. Savings
Bonds provides a particularly convenient tvay for the individual to practice
thrift, to invest in his country, help provide for its security, and accumulate
a stake for the future."
True, thrift has never gone out of style in America. In
fact, thrift is more fashionable today than in any
previous period in our country's history.
For example:
• 8,000,000 thrifty employees of 45,000 companies—
among them the 35,159 men and women of Southern
Bell— are investing over $160,000,000 per month in
U. S. Savings Bonds through the Payroll Savings Plan.
• In 1953, the Series E and H Savings Bonds bought by
individuals— not banks or corporations — totaled
$4,368,000,000.
• Thanks to the support of the Payroll Savings Plan by
industry and business, and the thrift of millions ol'
Payroll Savers, the cash value of Savings Bonds held by
individuals amounted to $36,663,000,000 at the end
of 1953.
What's good for Aniei
• Sales of E and H Bonds in
in 1952— provided cash for oil
and redemptions and still left
net, for the reduction of the i lebt.
s good for 7\merica.
1953-22'/; higher than
E and H Bond maturities
more llian §210.000.000
• Think of the reserve of fiiture purchasing power
js
Bn
lie more tlian $19,000,000,000 in
sh \alue. Iicld jiv ihriftv Americans.
A telegram, jih(Mi(> call nr Irllcr to Savings Bonds
Division, U. S. Treasury 1) ^parluicnt. Washington,
D. C, will bring you all the li el[) you need to install a
Payroll Savings i'lan or buih 1 employee participation
in your presetil |ilan.
The United Slates Government does tu
thanks, for their patriotic
I" mlr,Tllsinf(. The Treasury
diintitioi A Jvei rising Council and
BOXOFFICE
BOXOFFICE
:
24, : *a|

I
HOLLYWOOD
NEWS AND VIEWS OF THE PRODUCTION CEIMTEFL
(Hollywood Office— Suite 219 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd.: Ivan Spear. Western Manager
Hitchcock 'Alumni'
Invited to Premiere
HOLLYWOOD—Every available star who
pas appeared in Alfred Hitchcock pictures
Imade in the U.S. has been invited to attend
Paraniount's Hollywood premiere of "Rear
Window" on the evening of August 11 at the
Hollywood Paramount Theatre.
Among the star-alumni of Hitchcock pic-
:ures asked to the debut are Joseph Gotten.
lane Wyman, Ray Milland, Teresa Wright.
={obert Cummings. A:ine Baxter, Gregory
I'eck. Farley Granger and, of course, the
;tars of Hitchcock's "Rear Window," James
(Stewart, Grace Kelly and Wendell Corey. The
premiere will be given the full glamor treat-
|nent, with the traditional lights, bleachers,
elebrities and radio and television coverage.
"The Cowboy," a Lippert Pictures release
)f the semi-documentary produced and diected
by Elmo Williams, has been set for an
iugust 2 opening at the Baronet Theatre
n New York.
Fanfare and exploitation ballyhoo characerized
the Wednesday (14> premiere of RKO's
Susan Slept Here" at the Golden Gate The-
Xre in San Pi-ancisco. Harriet Parsons, who
iroduced the Dick Powell-Debbie Reynolds
Itarring comedy, and Alvy Moore, featured
p the cast, participated in a round of press
Interviews and radio and TV appearances
Iparkplugging the opening.
"On the Waterfront,"
i Marlon Brando
jtarrer produced by Sam Spiegel and being
jeleased by Columbia, will open locally August
9 at the Downtown Paramount and two
s yet unselected Hollywood theatres.
Jnited Television Holds
Policy Conference
HOLLYWOOD—Top executives of United
television Programs were due in Hollywood
pis weekend for a series of home office polly
and plarming meetings. Among those exjected
from the east were John P. Rohrs,
ice-president and midwestern sales manner;
Tom McManus, eastern sales manager,
pd Aaron Beckwith, vice-president in charge
t the New York region. They planned to
leet with Philip N. Krasne, UTP president;
ick J. Gross, chairman of the board; Lee
avin, executive vice-president; Noel Rubalp,
sales promotion and advertising manger;
Dale Sheets, assistant national sales
anager. and Wynn Nathan, vice-president
charge of sales.
NO KNOCKS HERE—Danny Kaye, star
Paramount's "Knock on Wood," wel-
of
comed home by producers Norman Panama,
and Melvin Frank (center) at press
conference at studio on completion of
Kaye's 40,000-mile trip around the world.
William Broidy Signs
Allied Artists Pact
HOLLYWOOD — Allied Ai-tists executive
producer Walter Mirisch announced Wednesday
(14) that an agreement has been reached
under which William F. Broidy will produce
four pictures for the company this year, and
has an option to make four more during the
next 12 months.
The first picture will roll late this month
with the others going before the cameras at
the rate of one a month through October.
Broidy's initial production under the new
deal will be "Dynamite Anchorage," to star
Dane Clark, with Al Schuster directing. Based
on an original story idea by D. D. Beauchamp
and developed by Gil Dowd, the screenplay
now is being completed by Fred Eggers and
Tom Hubbard. Production will start Monday
(26).
On August 23. the cameras will be turned
on a Richard Conte starrer, tentatively entitled
"Cry Vengeance." Peter Brooke
authored the screenplay.
"Rider of the Ruby Hills," for which a
star and director yet are to be will go
set,
on September 17. The Don Martin screenplay
is based on an original by Louis L' Amour.
On October 18, Broidy will put "Desert of
the Damned," an Oliver Drake original, before
the cameras. Star and director soon
be announced.
will
Petition Circulated to
Recall SEG Heads
HOLLYWOOD—On the grounds that the
present officers and board of directors have
been "derelict" in their administrative duties,
a segment of the Screen Extras Guild has
begun the circulation of a petition seeking
to recall the incumbent leadership. The
petitioners are headed by Philip Friedman
and Charles Cross.
Specifically, the recall advocates contend
that there has been "mismanagement" on the
part of SEG toppers in connection with the
lengthy litigation filed against the organization
by Mike Jeffers, who brought a $200,000
libel suit against the SEG. The group, led
by Friedman and Cross, charges that present
SEG officers were responsible for the publication
in a news letter of statements upon
which Jeffers is basing his legal action.
Such suit, say the dissenters, "to date has
cost $50,000 and will cost twice that amount
before it is concluded."
Commenting on the petition, Richard H.
Gordon, SEG president, called it a "ridiculous
move." coming only shortly after the guild's
annual election, in which all officers and onethird
of the board were elected by "overwhelming
majorities." He pointed out the recall
petition must obtain the signed names of
51 per cent of the total guild membership of
about 3,000 persons, or better than 1,500 signatures,
and called it a "sham recall move which
was launched to embarrass the guild in defending
itself against a lawsuit brought by
a dissident member."
Alan Ladd Guest Stars
On Red Skelton TV Show
HOLLYWOOD—Marking his television
debut. Alan Ladd is set as a guest star on a
Red Skelton show for CBS scheduled to be
telecast Wednesday (21). Ladd will plug his
latest theatrical starrer, "Drum Beat," currently
in work for Warner release.
A syndicate headed by Matthew Rapf, former
MGM producer, has set a seven-year deal
with Fawcett Publications' True Magazine to
produce a TV film series based on stories
appearing in that pubhcation.
Judge Justin Miller, former president and
board chairman of the National Ass'n of
Radio & Television Broadcasters, spoke
Thursday (15) at a monthly meeting of the
Southern California Broadcasters Ass'n.
Judge Miller discussed "My Nine Years With
the Broadcasters."

I
STUDIO PERSONNEUTIES
Barnstormers
Blurbers
Independent
Independent
STANLEY MORRIS joins the /V
Briefies
Columbia
first of the 1954-55 two-reel
36 Besser, went before the comstarring
HITE producing and directing. Ir
JULES V
le portly comedian, others set for feaadditio
,ere Christine
Dent,
^
Rodney Bell and Borboro Bt Screenpla by
Jack White.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Pete
"Man
lith
House,
1954-1955 season.
Warner Bros.
"In 1492" set as tag for two-reel War
ture dealing with Columbu!
the
Cleffers
Options
Universal-International
West Indus
AlUed Artists
RICHARD CUTTING, HOUSE PETERS JR., STEVE
PENDLETON and JOHN MOONEY signed for supporting
roles in "Target Earth," being produced by
Independent
tio?* .?C°;arou^''"are '^V^ILLrA^^' IeN^D^^^^
KENNEDY and ROBERT STRAUSS. Lewis R. Foster
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Tnnimp in "Bwoni Junction," to be produced by
Pond?o Berman. was set for STEWART GRANGER.
WALTER PIDGEON was named to portray the father
of Jane Powell m "Hit the Deck," joining a cast
including Miss Powell, Tony Martin, Debbie Reynolds,
Vic Domone and Russ Tamblyn. Roy Rowland directs
with Joe Pasternak producing.
TONY MARTIN and CYD CHARIS5E will be starred
in "Have Tux Will Travel," musicol comedy by William
Ludwig and Sonya Levien, which Joe Pasternak
will produce. The story was suggested by Martin s
career as a night club entertainer.
Paramount
LEE ERICKSON, 13-year-old televisiori actor will
moke his film bow in "Eddie Foy and the Seven
Little Foys." LINDA BENNETT, child actress, was
ARGENTINA BRUNETTI was signed for an impor
font role with Fred MacMurroy Charlton Heston,
Donna Reed and Barbai
taVision
Pine- William Thomas
production for Pan
Rudy Mate directs.
EDUARDO NORIEGA been
TER REED also was :
RKO Radio
Option of URSULATTHIESS was lifted.
20th Century-Fox
Actress VIRGINIA LEITH was handed a one-yeor
MAGGIE McNAMARA wos pocted for the top
femme role in "Prince of Players," film biography of
Edwin Booth.
BELLA DARVI was chosen for the femme lead in
"The Rocers," LEE J. COBB joins Kirk Douglas and
Robert Wagner
uspended by his
fused to accept the loanout
United Artists
Producer Stanley Kramer booked BRODERICK
^o'm^i^;°f'lm^'e?sir''S? '?he^b'es^-sell?nT"no:el
Z
re;Tous,y'L";To?^hf'd*am^aTereRob°erf"'M,tchum;
Olivia DeHovillond, Frank Sinatra, Gloria Grahame
and Charles Bickford.
Universal-International
MALCOLM ATTERBURY and WILLIAM CHALLEE
were inked for "Man Without a Star.
GRANIA WINGFIELD, 20-year-old doughte of Lord
and Lady Power
debut in "Captaii
filmed on location in ireiana.
RORY CALHOUN and JULIA ADAMS have been
assigned to star in "The Looters," which w.l be
produced by Howard Christie. Richard Simmons >""'»
the screenplay Paul Schneider's original story.
Warner Bros.
OLIVER BL7\KE _,_^ ._. . _ 77th speakornpleted
on "Drum Beat,"
cinern'oSiopeand WarnerColor feature starring Alan
Ladd Delmer Daves is directing and producing.
DOROTHY MALONE and ELIZABETH ERASER were
set for featured roles in "Young at Heart.
GONZALEZ-GONZALEZ joins the cost of "Strange
Lady in Town."
British actor DAVID CROWLEY has been added to
the cast of "Helen of Troy," being shot in Rome-
The Cinemascope film is being directed by Robert
Wise.
RUTH GILLIS, Las Vegas showgirl, hos been signed
for an acting role in the CinemoScope production,
"East of Eden," starring Julie Harris, James Dean
and Raymond Massey. Ella Kazan is directing and
producing.
Scripters
Independent
Producer Sam Wisenthol of Olympic Productions
has retained SAM GRUBER to script his own novel,
"Salt
1
River."
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
RICHARD BROOKS will both write and direct
"Blackboard Jungle," set for a November start.
Story Buys
Columbia
Lewis J. Rachmil has been as .igned to pro
and Arnold Laven to direct the n( wly acquired
Mean Street," novel by Thomas 3. Dewey.
Paramount
Producer Hal Wall secured the screen rights to
"Global Mission," tl late Gen. H. H. "Hop" Arnold's
autobiography It traces the development ot
the US. air force Dm its inception through the
history-making days f Brig. -Gen. Billy Mitchell and
World Wo
fall camera start is planned.
20th Century-Fox
'King of the Keelboat Men," a book by
ondd Franklin J. Meine Mike Fink, legenn,
was purchased
river keelboa
by Wi Hawks and Williom A.
Roy has leen set to direct.
Cast additions for "Cattle Queen of Montana" include
YVETTE DUGAY, CHUBBY JOHNSON, MORRIS
ANKRUM, TONY CARUSO, MYRON MEALY, JACK
ELAM ond TOM STEELS.
Gilbert Roland in the topline cast of the Julian
Blaustein production dealing with European roodracing,
which Henry Hothowoy directs.
Added to the thespian roster of "The Black Widow;,"
suspense mystery being produced directed by
Nunnolly Johnson, wos TV-radio o BEA BENA-
DERET, The opus stars Gene Tii Von Heflin
ond Ginger Rogers.
Replacing Dole Robertson, JOHN LUND
Universal-International
"Bombay Boy," on original story by Robert Hardy
idrews, was acquired and assigned to Stanley
bin to produce. At the same time Robert Presplay.
The story
II was signed to develop the sc
s present-day Indii
bockground.
Technically
Allied Artists
Production crew on "Target Earth"
ENCE EURI5T, production manage
cinemotogropher; JACK MURPHY, o
and JAMES SULLIVAN, ort director.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
ALEX ROMERO was named choreographer on on
exotic, pagan temple dance in The Prodigal.
Paramount
assignnients DcMillc's "The Ten
Stoff
Commar
for
dude
Cecil B.
HENRY ILCOXON,
producer; KENNY DELAND
ogcr' EDDIE SALVEN, ossistant director;
sistant „.
ARTHUR
ROSSEN, Egyptian unit stant.
ant
dii
to the featured cast of Pon
CHICO DAY; LOYAL mic Productions' I
GRIGGS, c notogropher, and 1
WALTER TYLER, art director.
Universal-International .onal
j
Art directors tor two to
ROBERT CLATWORTHY, 'I
and EMRICh
NICHOLSON, "To Hell and B
WILLIAM DANIELS was sit
tography on "Foxfire."
COL. MICHAEL PAULICK Audie Murphys b;
talK con ,_ vas saved by Murp
War gned by the war depo
Title
Changes
'
AlUed Artists
Human Jungle" was selected as the finol
Story," produced "The Police by Hayes
and directed by Joe unable
jr
Uewman. AA
r the original tog.
Second Disneyland
TV Film Under Way
HOLLYWOOD—Maintaining a brisk pro-
,
ductional pace on its Disneyland telefilm
series, which will premiere in October over
ABC-TV the Walt Disney studios gunned its
second entry, "The Story of D. Duck." and
planned to follow it almost immediately with
a third, "How Do You Doodle." The first,
show in the series, "Adventureland," has beeni
completed.
A Thursday (29) start was set by Alex.
Gootlieb for the launching of camera work;
on his new video film series, "Dear Phoebe,"
which will be shot at the American National,
studios with peter Lawford and Marcia Henderson
in the stai-ring roles. Campbell's
Soup will sponsor the program.
With Erie Kenton directing and Pat O'Brier
in the stan-ing spot, shooting was begun bs
Hal Roach jr. on a new teleseries. "Parolt
Chief," written by William Rousseau anc
Richard Saunders. Cast in support of O'Briei
are Irene Hervey and Bob Arthur.
Ronald Reagan will have the starring roli
in "I'm a Fool," first in the new Genera
Electric Theatre series of television dramas
which are being fUmed by Leon Gordon
former MGM producer-writer. Reagan alsv
will serve as host and commentator for th'(
entire series.
"Segment," a half-hour video drama in coIo
for the Ford Theatre, is to be produced b
Michel Ki-aike and dii-ected by Fi-ed F. Sear
for Screen Gems, Columbia's TV subsidiar;
It toplines William Bendix and Ward Bond.
For conferences with west coast executive
anent upcoming production plans, John Sim
president of Ziv Television, checked in froi
his New York office. He is huddling wit
Maurice Unger and Herb Gordon, and ak
planned to talk with Eddie Cantor concernir
the "Eddie Cantor Comedy Theatre," a Z
ventm-e which will begin shooting next mont
Production has been launched on anoth
batch of 26 "Annie Oakley" half-hour 1
westerns by Flying A Productioirs. Lou Gn
produces and Ray Nazarro and Geori
Archainbaud are the directors, under tl
executive supervision of Armand Schai-fer
Sol Lesser to Relief Fund
HOLLYWOOD— Producer Sol Les.st-r li
been appointed to the executive board oi t
Motion Picture Relief Fund, representing t
Screen Producers Guild.
BOXOFFICE July 24, 1!
|i

[
Mitchum's
I
planning
j
It was reported, but not officially con-
that the picture at which Mitchum
balked was "Cattle Queen of Montana," which
j
firmed,
I
HOLLYWOOD—Pi-ospects
!
Broadway
Bob Mitchum Draws
Token Suspension
HOLLYWOOD—Refusal to accept an acting
assignment placed Robert Mitchum, longtime
RKO contractee, on the studio's
pended list.
sus-
The RKO action was more or
less on a token basis, however, inasmuch as
jMitchum's commitment with the company exipires
in mid- August and he did not re-sign,
instead to freelance.
would have been a loanout assignment to
independent producer Benedict Bogeaus.
iStarring Barbara Stanwyck and Ronald
iReagan, the outdoor drama is for RKO replease.
first role as a freelancer will
[be a top part in Stanley Kramer's "Not as a
ptranger." He also is set for the star role
jn the Paul Gregory production, "Night of the
Hunter."
Broadway Angels Plans
Hollywood Affiliate
for independent
jilmmaklng were fm-ther brightened with the
|irrival from New York of Wallace Garland
>awrence Schwab jr., Paula Stone, Howard
Kield and Tom Legate, who announced plans
'or extension of Broadway Angels, Inc., for
jinancing of motion picture via an affiliate
rganization to be know as Hollywood Angels
Inc.
Angels, Inc., of which Garland is
President, assisted in the production financing
of such recent plays as "Tea and Symjathy,"
"Ondine" and "The Pajama Game."
Garland and Schwab, who will serve as
iresident of Hollywood Angels, will function
imtly m guidance of local operations, which
ill provide second money for independent
lotion picture production.
Germans Choose Westerns
Over Other Film Fare
HOLLYWOOD-Not only is the American
jlm holding its own in Germany despite repnt
inroads there by the rejuvenated Italian
pd French industries, but the American
jestern is at present the prime favorite of
iie German people everywhere. Such was re-
Jrted by two visiting German newspaper
iitors, who looked over 20th Century-Pox
udios as guests of
the Ass'n of Motion Picire
Producers. They are Dr. Heinz Bartsch,
lanager of the German news agency (DPAi
?r the state of Wuerttemberg-Baden, and
;heodor M. Jost, chief editor of the AUgelame-Zeitung,
which has editions in Mannpm.
Stuttgart and Karlsruhe.
|arey Wilson Talks to Rotarians
iHOLLYWOOD - Carey Wilson, former
freen Producers Guild president and current
jiblic relations committee chairman, adjessed
the Santa Monica Rotary club at a
jncheon Friday (16) at the Miramar hotel
1'
A Producer Looks at Hollywood." Date
>s set through the guild's lecture bureau
also functions
Iiich
in setting producer
-moers as lecturers at universities and col-
CONGRATULATIONS are due Paul
Gregory Productions, Inc., newcomer to
independent filmmaking circles, for its
acquisition of the .screen rights to "The Night
of the Hunter," best-selling novel by Davis
Grubb. Here is a tome which figuratively
cnes aloud to be converted into a motion picture,
possessing as it does every element necessary
to a spine-tingling suspense drama
and made all the more readable because of
its Mark Twain-ish style of presenting the
simple, religious, superstitious river-bottom
folks whose lives it chronicles.
Pai-tners in the impending screen venture
are Gregory, Charles Laughton, who will direct,
and Robert Mitchum, who will have the
starring role. Gregory, it will be remembered,
has attained conspicuous success as a stage
impresario through his popular presentations
of "The Caine Mutiny Court Martial" and a*
producer of Laughton's road-tour readings,
uicluding "Don Juan in Hell" and "John
Brown's Body." Their upcoming picturization
of "The Night of the Hunter" has been set
for United Artists distribution.
There can be little doubt that most major
studios would have welcomed an opportunity
to purchase and film the Grubb book. For
Gregory and his associates to have snared the
property in the face of that demand reflects
praiseworthy enterprise.
Many readers of the work may quarrel with
the selection of Mitchum to portray Harry
Powell, a homicidal maniac who poses as a
man of God—and really believes himself to be
such—to cover his sinister pursuits The
doubters will opine that it calls for a characterization
radically opposed to Mitchum's
individual brand of thespian talent.
Whether they are proven right or wrong,
their interest in the role and the casting
thereof will materially widen the fascination
of the film version when it appears.
It's just what Jimmy Starr, Hearstian
Pepys, needed. A maudlin mess from Teet
Carle's Paramount praisery notifies that
Pillarist Starr was the "most surprised man'
at the recent premiere of "About Mrs. Leslie"
when, during: a telecast of the proceedings, he
was presented with a "solid g:old" lifetime
press pass to any and aU Paramount premieres.
With it, the Carlean communique
declares, Jimmy can brush past "police lines,
obstreperous ushers and fire captains" and
will be admitted "at any entrance of any
theatre."
Gossiper Starr, the yarn added, "was visibly
touched by the unexpected presentation."
That wasn't surprise Jimmy was registering,
Teet—he always looks that way.
To this warped ol' desk comes a morsel of
rich, beautiful, deathless prose that should
turn workaday Hollywood press agents to an
envious green. Witness:
"Sweeping searchlights burned their powerful
beams into the cloud-spotted sky, flood
lights turned Main street into a Broadway,
banners flipped in the breezes, huge pennants
and valances tossed in the welcomed ocean-
cooled air, giant loud speakers carried the
special musical program for miles, a 30-
minute radio broadcast before the show,
speeches, bows and the arrival of formally
dressed men and women—the latter mostly
m mink and wearing sparkling Jewels—all
added to the general excitement."
That was the premiere of Hallmark Productions'
"Karamoja" at the Analy Theatre,
Sebastopol, Calif. (Pop. 2.000), according to
Hallmark's adjective-happy publicist.
In a recent handout, Milt Watt, director of
studio publicity at RepubUc, refers to associate
producer Joseph Inman Kane.
Cinemania veterans recall the good ol' days
when he was just plain Joe Kane.
According to a local yarn, Jerry Zigmond,
west coast division manager for the United
Paramount circuit, was chastised by the Los
Angeles board of fire commissioners because,
for the large-screen theatre telecast of the
Rocky Marciano-Ezzard Charles championship
fight, he had the cash customers .sitting
in the aisles and blocking the exits.
To which the nation's exhibitors will
chorus, "This should happen to us-often
already."
From Praise Pundit Perry Lieber a modesty
note informing that "One studio in Hollywood
has the 'scope processes sewed up. RKO
studios has got them all. Every one of the
modern methods of filming and projecting
pictures is being used at the Gower street
lot, with the exception of Todd-AO and
Cinerama."
And with the further exception of Lieber-
Scope, let it be hoped.
Paramount drumbeaters inform that
Prank Freeman has junketed to Mexico
Y.
City to participate in the first of a series
of planned demonstrations of the company's
widescreen photographic process, VistaVision.
Editors will find it a refreshing break in
the monotony for Y. Frank to have his picture
taken—in Mexican.
Bill Blowitz, he of the independent spac«-
snatching firm of BIowitz-Maskel, informs
that "Frank Sinatra and Robert Bassler's
production for United Artists release, 'Suddenly,'
was given the most fantastic screening
ever seen in this most fantastic city
(Las Vegas) when the guys and dolls of the
hotels and clubs . . . turned out . . . for a
3 a.m. screening at the neighborhood Huntridge
Theatre."
At that hour, Breezy Bill suddenly went
broke—and that wasn't "fantastic."
At hand from Universal-International
blurbers, "Joseph Gershenson, head of U-I's
music department, left ... for a vacation.
He plans to spend most of his time driving,
but has no planned destination."
Like the one-time hit song—the musician
goes 'round and 'round and comes out here.
'•XOmCE :: July 24, 1954
53

New Sundown Drive-In in Los Angeles
Especially Builf for Wide Screen
East: Producer W. R. Frank took off for
New York with a complete print of "Sitting
Bull" his Cinemascope entry for Umted
Artists release, to screen it for UA executives.
The film, shot in Mexico, is slated for its
world premiere August 19 in Rapid City, S. D.
Following the premiere, Frank will head for
Minneapolis to look after his theatre circuit
interests.
East- Harold J. Mirisch,
vice-president of
Allied Artists, will sail early in August for
England for huddles with John Huston regarding
plans for the lensing of several
properties which Huston will produce ana
direct for AA release.
Architect's drawing of the
Sundown Drive-In front entrance
East; Joseph H. Moskowitz, 20th Century-
Fox vice-president and eastern studio representative,
concluded three weeks of confer-
I
ences at the Westwood film factory and returned
to his headquarters in Manhattan.
WHITTIER, CALIF.—One of the first
drive-in theatres in southern California being
specially equipped to accommodate widescreen
pictures is the
Sundown, currently
toeing built here by
Hugh W. Bruen, veteran
showman of this
Los Angeles suburban
community. The project
represents an investment
of over $450,-
000. The Sundown will
be ready for opening
in August. Bruen is
now operating three
conventional theatres
Hugh W. Bruen here, the Wardman,
Roxy and Whittier.
The new ozoner will cover 14 acres of
It ground. will have a 105x75-foot curved
screen, the largest of its kind in these parts.
The screen surface will be of recently developed
construction, designed to give a
bright picture with clear definition, tree
from joints and seams. It will adapt itself
to any of the various dimension aspects. To
support the screen the architects designed
three pre-cast reinforced concrete frame
structures. These supports will be cast on the
ground and will weigh 44 tons each. When
the frames have been completed they will
be raised individually into a vertical position.
After they are erected, they will tower
to a height equal to a seven-story building.
mn^^Mi^r wmiM^msM
THE SERVICE YOU WANT
THE SERVICE YOU GET
IS
on your Special Trailers from
niDTIDII PICTURE SERVIClCo
V25!im$T$AMFRAMCI$C0(2).CAllF
Gerald I. Kartki.... President
54
The architectural firm of Balch, Bryan,
Perkins and Hutchison designed the drive-in.
A thousand automobiles will be accommodated
in the parking area. The latest projection
and sound equipment is being used
and the car speakers are of a new design
that are made with rain and dust protection.
Other features will be the snack bar, being
designed to handle a maximum crowd,
tables and chairs for those who don't want
to eat in their cars; for the convenience of
mothers, a bottle warming service; an adequately
equipped playground with swings,
slides, merry-go-round and sand boxes.
New Fox in Portland
To Open August 12
PORTLAND—Charles Skouras, National
Theatres president who was here last week
for a meeting of Evergreen division heads
and theatre managers, announced the new
Pox Theatre here will be opened August 12.
The new theatre on Broadway and Yamhill
street will be slightly larger than the new
Centre Theatre in Denver, also a unit of
National Theatres.
A planeload of motion picture stars will
arrive here for the theatre opening, the first
in Portland in 25 years.
The new Fox will represent an investment
of more than $1,000,000. More than $500,000
has been spent for construction and equipment.
Big Kiddy series star.
PORTAND — Sherbie Chudacoff, new
operator-owner of the Sellwood Theatre here,
reported more than 1,000 children were on
hand for the first of a series of special free
theatre matinees for youngster,s. Tlie program
is sponsored by the Sellwood merchants
and is scheduled for Wednesdays during
the summer. Pi'ee ice cream and balloons are
on hand for the children.
East- Producer Robert Emmett Dolai <
went to Dallas to gander the performance o.
Pat Crowley in "Hazel Flagg."
South: Robert L. Lippert jr. returned t.
El Salvador to complete his production, "Th': :
Black Pirates," scheduled to finish Satur;4
day (24) after six weeks' shooting.
Junior was in Hollywood briefly to assembl
and screen footage shot so far on the Lipper
Pictures release, filming entii-ely in Centra
America.
East: Paul Kohner, talent agent, planes t
Europe for a five -week business trip to si
various co-production deals for client.s of h
agency and for productions to be lense
abroad.
North Y Frank Freeman, Paramount vicf
president and studio head, back from Mexu
City where he launched Latin-America
demonstrations of VistaVision.
East:
Walter Lantz, cartoon producer, ar
wife will sail from New York on August :
for a six-week trip through Europe du
ing which time Lantz will visit U-I exchaus;
and meet key exhibitors.
West: Harold Wirthwein. AlUed Aiti>
western sales manager, returned to his stuii
office after spending a week in Denvoi ai
Salt Lake City conferring with branch ma
agers Jack FeUx and Don V. Tibbs, i
speotively.
^^^^^t^^^.
PULLMAN, WASH.—Ed Metxger has beg
the construction of a 544-seat theatre at
drive-in theatre on the Moscow hii:li«
scheduled for completion the middle ol Oc
ber, the 60xl00-foot auditorium is desigi
for wide screen presentations. It is mHw
behind the concession stand and, accorcimi;
MctZKcr, parking space for 400 cars will
available.
BOXOFFICE July '34, 1

: July
Seattle Supply Firms
Report Busy Summer
SEATTLE—Local theatre supply houses
have been busy installing sound and projection
equipment and other items in Pacific
northwest theatres.
National Theatre Supply has just completed
installations of Simplex stereophonic sound
and a wide screen in the Lake at Oswego,
Ore., owned by Johnny McFadden. and at
the Aero in Portland, operated by Mrs. B. R.
Bradt. Plans call for installation of this
equipment in Sid Dean's Lakewood and Rex
in Tacoma.
NTS also installed new Simplex XL projectors
and strong National Excelite lamphouses
in Evergreen's new Fox in Portland.
On hand was R. H. McCullough of Los
Angeles, purchasing agent for Fox West Coast.
Harry Plunket, Seattle manager for NTS, was
in Portland to check installation of new
American Bodi-Form chairs in the Fox.
FOUR CHANNEL SOUND
Bill Stahl of NTS sold a complete fourchannel
stereophonic sound system to Al
Parker and Bill Shell for the Park at Poison,
Mont., and replacement speakers to E. K.
Taylor for his Nu-View Drive-In at Missoula,
Mont. NTS is installing Wilton carpeting in
the Fifth Avenue in Seattle. The work is
being supervised by Bill Hearne.
Modern Theatre Supply has made several
installations of RCA stereoscope sound and
Dyna-Lite screens in the C. J. Theatre of
Bridgeport, owned by C. J. Nick Reneau; the
Princess at Pi-osser, owned by Jack Pearl; the
Princess at Edmonds, operated by Buck
Geisentanner, and in Sterling's Roosevelt,
Admiral and Magnolia here. Modern Theatre
has installed RCA drive-in equipment, including
Cinemascope, in the Country at
yakima, a new 600-car drive-in owned by
Bud Anderson; RCA equipment in the new
Mount Vue Drive-In, Mount Shasta, Calif.,
jwned by Curtis Chcadle; the Starlight at
Roseburg, Ore., headed by Elmer E. Love,
is ivhich also getting Cinemascope and one-
Tack magnetic sound, and in the Libby
3rive-In at Libby, Mont., owned by Gene
JJeOs and Isabel Agather, which opened
Thursday (8).
GREENS INSTALLED
MTS is equipping the Aubert Theatre, Conlell,
Wash., owned by August Aubert, with
Dyna-Lite screen and Cinemascope, and is
nstalling wide screens in the Lee in Ephrata,
ine of the John Lee Columbia Basin theatres;
he Kenworthy at Moscow, Ida., operated by
Jilburn Kenworthy, and in the Havre at
lavre, Mont. It recently completed installaion
of a new screen in the Blaine at Chinook,
Jlont., for Herb Bonifas, and is now putting
n Cinemascope.
Two of Midstate's houses have installed
tereoscope sound and wide screens; tlie Librty
at Sunnyside, Wash., and the Richland
t Richland, Wash., both under the superision
of W. D. Cooley of the RCA Service Co.
Recent conversions to Cinemascope, with
tCA equipment and new Dyna-Lite screens
iclude: the Roxy at Coquille, Ore., owned
y Lloyd C. Claver; the Roxy at Davenport,
Vash., owned by Jerry Neilson; the Eagle at
oncalla, Ore., operated by Golda Wollman,
nd the Tri-City Drive-In, Myrtle Creek,
)re., owned by Marion Kuslek.
At CS Screening in Frisco, Seattle
WESTERN EXHIBITORS—These western showmen were photographed at screenings
held by 20th-Fox in San Francisco and Seattle to demonstrate advances made in
Cinemascope. Above at the screening in the Fifth Avenue, Seattle: Mike Barovic,
Puyallup and Sumner, Wash.; Fred Mercy jr., Yakima; Will Connor, Hamrick Theatres;
Reville Kniffen, 20th-Fox; B. F. Shearer, the equipment dealer, and Ed Yarbrough,
20th-Fox. Below, at the Fox in San Francisco: Jack Erickson, 20th-Fox; Charles
Pincus, Blumenfeld Theatres; Fred William, Consolidated Theatres, Hawaii; Earl
Long, Paramount Theatres, and Herman Wobber, 20th -Fox.
Charity Affair to Open
Burton Jones Theatre
SAN DIEGO, CALIF.—A Tuesday (27) date
has been set for the opening of the Capri
Theatre, a 700-seat house formerly operated
by Fox West Coast as the Egyptian. Dark for
several months, the showcase, now owned by
Burton Jones, has been completely remodeled
and re-equipped.
Opening bill will be "About Mrs. Leslie,"
the Shirley Booth starrer being released by
Paramount, which will highlight a charity
premiere, the proceeds going to the San
Diego Girls club building fund.
Jones also operates the Helix in La Mesa
near here and, in partnership with Darryl
John.son, the Reseda in Reseda, a suburb of
Los Angeles.
Plans to Reopen Labor Day
LOS ANGELES—Tom Muchmore and as.sociates,
local circuit operators, are refurbishing
the Western Theatre for a reopening, tentatively
scheduled for Labor day. In addition
to a complete decoration job, a large screen
and Cinemascope equipment is being installed.
The Western has been closed intermittently
during the past several years, its current
shuttering having lasted six months.
Wyoming Airer Opens
DOUGLAS, WYO.—The Mile High Drive-In
near here has opened after a slight delay in
procuring the necessary screening equipment.
Joe Stallman will manage the airer.
'Genevieve' Car Parade
Includes 1902 Kenmore
PORTLAND—Despite a drizzling rain, a
parade of some 25 vintage automobiles drew
interest in downtown Portland. The event,
covered by U-I newsreel cameramen, wa-s
staged by the Historical Automobile Club of
Oregon in the interest of "Genevieve" at the
Guild. The promotion was arranged by Martin
Foster, Guild manager.
Automobiles of all description, make and
size were on hand. The oldest was a 1902
Kenmore. Other cars included were a 1911
Ford, a 1929 Packard, a 1914 Stevens-Duryea,
a 1910 Studebaker, a 1913 Ford, a 1918 Chevrolet,
a 1918 White fire engine, a 1921 American
La France fire engine and a Murphy
speedster.
The route of the parade lead through town
to the Guild Theatre where members of the
organization were invited to a showing of the
British
film.
Carl Veseth, Malta. Mont.,
To Build L515-Seater
HELENA, MONT.—Carl Veseth, owner of
the Palace Theatre in Malta, plans to construct
a 1,515-seat theatre there to be%iamed
the Villa. He expects to have the house
opened by next spring.
Tom Tully, a featured actor in "Caine
Mutiny," and his bride spent part of their
honeymoon visiting friends in Poison.
Shooting has started on Paramounfs "Blue
Horizons," the story of the Lewis and Clark
expedition, near Moran.
lOXOFFICE :
24, 1954
55

. . . Paul
. . Charles
. . Gene
'
. . Carl
. . The
. . Card
. . Thomas
. . James
. . Dave
. . Tony
.
DENVER
TITestland Theatres is planning to build a
600-car drive-in at the eastern city limits
of Colorado Springs this fall and winter for
opening in the spring . . . Theatre and film
men of 17 states, in the exchange territories
of Denver, Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City,
Kansas City, Omaha and Des Moines have
given Pat McGee, general manager of Cooper
Foundation Theatres, a new automobile for
his birthday, in appreciation of his efforts in
behalf of the industry. Joe Ashby, general
manager for Allied Rocky Mountain Independent
Theatres, was chairman of the committee.
Harold Wirthwein, division manager for
Allied Artists, was here installing Jack Felix
as branch manager. Previou-sly a salesman in
the Denver branch, Felix had been manager
at Portland, Ore., for five years. He succeeds
C. J. Duer, who died recently . . . Jene, wife
of William Sombar, United Artists salesman,
is recovering at St. Luke's hospital after two
operations . Gerbase, Republic manager,
went to Los Angeles to attend a sales
meeting.
John Allan, division manager for MGM, was
in conferring with Henry Friedel, manager,
and calling on accounts . Evans, new
550-car drive-in being built in southwest Denver,
is expected to open about August 1 . . .
Ted Galanter, division publicity chief for
MGM, was in working on forthcoming films.
He visited his brother Oscar, office manager
at Universal . Nedley, Salt Lake City
manager for MGM, was in on a sales trip.
Mr. and Mrs. R. D. Ervin, owners of theatres
in Colorado, are vacationing in the east
and south. Cards have been received from
them at several points, indicating a long
journey . Greenlee has bought the
Silver Hill at Oskosh, Neb., from O. A. Jensen
Cory, operating the Wigwam at
Basin, Wyo., reported that the authorities
LOOK TO
fFILMACKi
FOR THE FINEST
ANNOUNCEMENT
SELL YOUR THEATRE PRIVATELY
Largest coverage in U.S. f
ings. Highest reputation
and fair dealing, 30 years
eluding exhibit' - Better - Business Bureau,
or our customers. Know your broiler.
ARTHUR LEAK Theatre Specialists
3305 Caruth, Dallas. Texas \i
Telephones EM 0238 EM 7489 II
CONFIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE
IDAHO BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
Theatre, Cafe, Apartment and Portable theatre circuit.
Owner says theatre and portable circuit each net $100
or more, per week, besides cafe income.
Others, write for list.
THEATRE EXCHANGE CO.
5724 S E. Monroe Portland 22, Ore.
Phono EVcrgrccn 1-7100 — 1-1606
had closed the theatre because of a polio
epidemic. Cory said his drive-in was still
open.
Tom Bailey, Lippert franchise owner, went
to
Al Brandon, well-known film salesman, has
taken over several of the film franchises formerly
serviced by Robert Patrick, and will
operate as Brandon Pictures at 2081 Broadway,
with Roy Bozarth as booker. Patrick
will still handle the Hallmark Production
films. Among the franchises handled by
Brandon are Astor, Atlas, Beverly, Burstyn.
Madison and Little Fugitive, Inc.
Frank Monaco, assistant booker at Universal,
has been promoted to head booker,
succeeding Les Laramie, who was made a
salesman . . . F. T. Murray, manager of
branch operations for Universal, was in conferring
with Mayer Monsky, local manager . .
Theatre folk seen on Filmrow included C. G.
Diller, Ouray; Neal Beezley, Burhngton; Paul
Cory, Basin: Glenn B. Wittstruck, Meeker;
Don Beers. Santa Fe, and C. E. McLaughlin,
La,s Animas.
SEATTLE
paul D. McElhinney, manager for Republic,
flew to Los Angeles Thursday (15) for a
western district meeting headed by F. A.
Bateman and R. W. Altschuler . . . Bill Foreman
of Foreman Theatres was in . . . The
new Rancho Drive-In being built by Oscar
Chiniguy on the Auburn highway is scheduled
to open July 28 . . . Howard McGhee was
over from Midstate and George Borden was
down from Blaine.
A new coffee service and cafeteria style
restaurant on Second avenue is proving popular
with Filmrow personnel . . . The Palomar
marked its 39th year last week as a
popular downtown playhouse. Alex Pantages
opened it July 19. 1915, as the New Pantages,
replacing the old Pantages Theatre, which
is still standing at Second and Seneca. The
theatre now looms as one of the city's musical
and concert centers.
Cinemascope has been installed at Sterling'.s
Admiral and Magnolia theatres, with
"The Robe" opening at the Admiral and
"How to Marry a Millionaire" at the Magnolia
. . . Fay and Lloyd Honey were on the
Row with Oscar Chiniquy . . . Vacationers
included Bliss Stansbury, cashier at Republic,
and Bette Hermanson, assistant to Clinton
McFarland, Sterling's advertising and publicity
director, who is vacationing on Hoods
Canal.
Discusses UA Promotions
LOS ANGELES—With Mori Krushen, head
of United Arti.sts' exploitation .staff, as principal
speaker, UA and Fox West Coast Theatres
executives attended a luncheon meeting
to di.scuss promotion plans for upcoming UA
features. Attending from the circuit were
Spence Leve, assistant general manager;
Bert Pirosh, chief film buyer; Roy Evans,
first run district manager; Bruce Fowler,
director of special events, and Thornton
Sargent, publicity chief. UA representatives
included Ralph Clark, district manager; Dick
Carnegie, branch manager, and Bill School,
exploileer.
SAN FRANCISCO
p
I. Rubin has taken over distribution of
Tex Fried Pies to the theatres and driveins.
The new product has had a tremendous
success at several first run San Francisco
locations . . . Currently vacationing are Harrj-
Graywood, W. G. Preddey Co.; Marge Thomas.
Paramount Theatre artist, and Jesse Wright.
Warner Bros, head booker ... Ed Averell,
WB booker, returned from his vacation.
Mark AUing. Golden Gate Theatre manager,
at Lake Tahoe for a week . . . Jack
Stevenson, manager at Paramount, was the
happy judge of a beauty contest, along with
Aldo Ray and three others, at Mare Island .
Tiny Turner, Firebaugh Drive-In and Columbia
Theatre at Firebaugh, was along the Row
saying hello to his many friends . . . Robert
Bemis, manager of the W. G. Preddey Co.,
returned from a business trip through the
valley . . . Rod Degner, Winters Theatre at
Winters also was along the Row.
Peter Fat. Rio Theatre. Santa Cruz, visited
the Row . Smith is the new booker
at United Artists, replacing Ken Melgren who
went to the local RKO exchange . . . Patricia
Bedini Is the new assistant cashier at the UA
office . Miller is the new salesman
at the local WB office in from Portland, replacing
Art Baron who transferred to the
Portland exchange . Bautista, Star
Theatre, Gonzales, was along the Row. as
was G. Gilgert of the Grove Theatre at
Walnut Grove and Al Stanford, Oaks Drive-
In at Paso Robles.
Sontocono is being bestowed with verbal
laurels for his fine job on the Columbia exchange
building . Urusla Le\T.'. formerly of
Bangkok,
.
Thailand, is a new employe at
Columbia . Myers, AA manager, is
vacationing . Bolton's new secretary
is Cilia Rivas, replacing Leonor McNitt, who
moved down the peninsula . . . J. R. Grainger,
RKO president, was in from New York with
his assistant, Edward Walton, for a sales
meeting. Attending the meeting were Charles,
Boasberg, general sales manager: Manager.
J. C. Emerson; Seymour Borde. Los Angeles
manager; Dick Lang, Portland; Eddde Lamb*
Seattle; Giff Davidson, Salt Lake City, anc
Myron Goldfarb. Denver.
Buys C'Scope Equipment
ENTERPRISE, ORE.—Anna Slockdale re
ports the purshase of Cinemascope equip
ment for installation at the Vista Theatre.
PORTLAND
Toan Crawford and her three daughter
Christina, Cynthia and Cindy, were her
one day last week. They made the trip i
her station wagon to meet some San AntonI
friends, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Gill, an
their three sons. They returned to Californi
via the 101
coast route.
Ted Gallanter, MGM San Francisco itfi'A
re.sentative, arrived in town Tuesday Wf
with Ruta Lee, one of the starlets appearlr'
in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," bookf,
for the Broadway.
BOXOmCE :: July 24, l«i

I
LOS
,
SPalif TOA AnnrOVPS
. Uaili. X\jrX rX^^i.\3^^a
Hal Makelim Plan
ANGELES—Tlie Southern California
Theatre Owners Ass'n has added its name
jto the list of exhibitor organizations throughbut
the U.S. that are approving and sponsoring
the so-called "Makelim Plan." Enf.husiastic
okay of the venture was sounded
lit an open meeting of all showmen in the
southland area on Tuesday (201 at v/hich Hal
1^. Makelim, who conceivid the idea, appeared
and outlined the details of his plan, which
recently obtained the backing of the board of
lirectors of Allied States, and v.'hich proides
for production during the coming year
)f 12 features, playdates on which are being
juaranteed by Allied members.
In addressing the meeting, Harry C.
jr., lUthur SCTOA board chairman, emphaiized
that attendance did not put any. theatre
operator "under any obligations whatsoever,"
and no information was released as to
;he exact number of showmen who definitely
lommitted themselves.
Approximately 110 southland houses were
epresented at the gathering, which was attended
by such leaders in independent exhibition
circles as Marco Wolf, Fanchon-
Warco Theatres; Roy Wolf, South Side Thejtres;
Wayne Hanson, South Lynn Theatres;
Dill Srere, Metzger-Srere Theatres; Gus Diamond,
Pacific Drive-In Theatres; Fred Stein,
jinited Artists Theatres; Harold Citron, Metlopolitan
Theatres; Jack Goldberg, Eastland
Theatres;
Al Olander, Montebello and Yuma
'heatres; Ted Karatz, Phoenix, Ariz., and
jjlin Wolfberg, Wolfberg Theatres.
Partners Bought Out New Oregon Drive-In
i
freSNO, FRESNO, CAUP.-Carol CALIF.—Carol Leslie Carlton
ASHLAND, OBE.-Con.struction ORE.—Construction on a new
and Leslie G. Pancake have sold their interests
drive-in a few miles north of here on highpartners
in Moon-Glo Motor Movies to theiiway
99 is under way and should be completed
Kenneth and Raymond G. Thomson.
The Thom.sons said they would assume
all of the fh-m's debts and that there would
be no changes in the operating policies of the
business.
Sells Truckee, Calif., House
TRUCKEE, CALIF.— Vern and Ervina
Shattuck have sold their Donner Theatre to
Jack and Nadine Neugebauer. They will continue
to operate their Tahoe Theatre at
Kings Beach.
Say
Brooks NOAH
Richard WILES
Winoko Corporatiol
Kansas City, Mo.
THE HEAHIDHIB
.uiy x9,
^95u
by the end of July according to the owners,
Jack Putney and Jim Selleck. The new 400-
car airer will be called the Lithia after a
local conventional house which burned two
years ago. Selleck had served as manager
of the former Lithia and Putney was the
projectionist.
Montana House Gets C'Scope
TOWNSEND, MONT.—The Rex Theatre
soon will be equipped for Cinemascope
screenings according to B. F. Sautter, the
owner.
QUALITY of FILMS and
SERVICE GRATIFYING
in
EVERY RESPECT"
MISSOURI
II
!*lans to Install V'Vision
BOISE, IDA.—Ray Hendry, vice-president
nd general manager of Intermountain Thetres,
with Charles lacona, treasurer, and
W. McGhan, company engineer, met here
ith Tom McEldowney, city manager, to outne
plans for the Ada and Boise theatres for
le coming season. According to Hendry,
staVision will be installed soon at the Ada.
ost Drive Session
'HOLLYWOOD—Its final meeting of the
ment campaign was held Wednesday (14)
the amusement industry division of the
nited Jewish Welfare Fund. To date the
ive has achieved a total of $535,000 in
edges and contributions.
eattle House Sold
SEATTLE—Jeanette E. Bartley of New
3rk sold the local Grand Theatre to William
•dis. The sale included the building, theatre
uipment and the real estate. No sale price
IS
reported.
Kansas
Dear
City,
Hendren: service -^''/tte^ films and
— quality 0^ factors q-"; advert^s...-
appr«

. . . Sydney
. . Glenn
. . Floyd
'
LOS ANGELES
!, \V FAKEVVELL—The executive staff of Loews VVarfield Theatre, San Francisco,
con^atulate and say farewell to student assistant manager Donald Young, who has
been transferred to Harry ShaWs Poli division at New Haven, Conn. Young was a
student assistant at the Warfield in 1951, but went into military service. He returned
about six months ago. Left to right: Harry Morgan and George Ur.be assistant managers-
Young; Boyd Sparrow, manager, and Jim McMillan, pubhcity director.
Mutiny' Piles
In
up Huge 450 Rating
Opening at Two LA Theatres
LOS ANGELES—Paralleling the phenomenal
business it is enjoying in all of its first
run bookings, "The Caine Mutiny," in its
initial stanza at advance prices at the Pantages
and Hillcrest theatres, scored a smashing
450 per cent of the average business of
those showcases.
(Average I; 100)
Chinese Demetrius and th Gladiators (20th-
Fox), 5th wk
Downtown Paramount— (3rd
Fox' '(2ndi wk.
'
The High and the Mighty (WB)
Egyptian King Richard and the Crusaders (WB),
2nd
-Hobson's Choice (UA), 5th wk 50
r Star About Mrs. Leslie (Par), 3rd wk 125
Wilshire Three Coins in the Fountain (20thnx),
8th wk 100
Hollywood Paramount,
Stote The Student
Prince (MGM)
Hillstreet, Pontages The Caine Mutiny (Col)
Ins, El Rey, Palace- -- Zapata - (20th-Fox
Loyola Garden of Evil (Fc
wk 3rd
Orpheum, Warners Wiltern, Fox Hollywqod^Fri
cis Joins the W. (U-l); Princess of the Nile
20th-Fox)
Thorpe (WB); Springfield
United Artists Jii
Rifle (WB), reissues vu
Uptown, Vogue, Globe Hell Raiders of the Deep
(IFE);Girls Marked Danger (IFE) 80
Worners Downtown, Hawaii Ring 75
of Fear (WB)
Is Warners Hollywood This Cinerama (Cinerama),
no
: 64th wk
DENVER—Two films, running across the
street from each other, piled up heavy
grosses, and both were held: "The Caine
Mutiny" at the Denver and "Apache" at the
Paramount.
Aladdin Man With o Million (UA), 3rd wk 150
Centre Garden of Evil (20th-Fox), 4th wk 100
Denham Knock on Wood (Para), 3rd wk 100
WE CAN SELL YOUR THEATRE
SUBURBAN HOMES CO.
IRV
BOWRON
' '
Denver—The Caine Mutiny (Col) 280
Esquire—Out of This World (Corroll) 50
Paramount Apache (UA); Return to Treasure
^°°
Island (UA) w.
Tabor Arrow Blue
in the Dust (AA); Pride of the
Grass (AA) 60
Vogue Young 60
Wives' Tole (AA)
SEATTLE—"The Caine Mutiny" was still
the best draw in town, with a strong 200
per cent for its second week at the Paramount,
following a terrific 400 in its first
week.
Blue Mouse Johnny Dork (U-l), I Believe in You
(U-l), 2nd wk 85
Coliseum The Bowery Boys Meet the Monsters
(AA); The Desperado (AA) 90
Fifth Avenue Indiscretion of an American Wife
(Col) 60
Liberty Tanganyiko (U-l); Cat Women of the
Box—Man With a Million (U-l), 2nd wk...l50
Hall The Student Prince (MGM), 3rd wk.
. .
100
nount—The Caine Mutiny (Col), 2nd wk....200
SAN FRANCISCO—"The Caine Mutiny'
in its second week at the St. Francis Theatre
took top honors with 250 per cent. The rest
of the first run attractions all fared well
with "Francis Joins the WACS" holding second
spot with 130 per cent.
Fox—Demetrius ond the Glodiators (20th-Fox),
4th wk 100
Golden Gate— Froncis Joins the WACS (U-l);
Drums Across the River (U-l) 130
Paramount Secret of the Incas (Para); Tennessee
Chomp (MGM) 100
St. Francis—The Caine Mutiny (Col), 2nd wk 250
United Artists Apache (UA), 2nd wk
Warfield—Men of the Fighting Lady (MGM),
125
2nd wk 120
PORTLAND, ORE.—"Th High and the
Mighty" pulled in a 250 per cent gross at the
Orpheum. Also a high gros.ser was "The
Caine Mutiny."
.
.
Orpheum The High ond the Mighty (WB) 250
Paron ount Monster From the Ocean Floor (LP). 100
Hell Below Zero (Col) 180
Broodway-
United Artists- -The Caino Mutiny .200
(Col), 2nd wk.
Oriental Demetrius and the Gladiotors
d. t. (?Olh-Fox), 2nd wk 125
(U-l), Guild—Gcnovlcvo 5th wk 180
.
Taking over ownership and operation of the
Park Theatre in Tucson was Bill Dumai.
The showcase was previously operated by
Paul Robinson . Izzy Herman, executive
.
of the Eastland circuit, and wife were \-ac.itioning
at Lake Tahoe . . . Charles Kranz.
local representative for Realart. checked ir.
from a quick business trip to Phoenix.
There are a couple of new faces at the
Warner branch. Hilda Trobenter joined the
.staff as a biller and Marion Koniarski in
.
the cashier's department Lewis,
independent distributor, left for Waco, Tex,,
on business Harper has taken
over the booking and buying chores on the
Arrow and Fontana theatres in Fontana. son
Ernest having decided to devote full attention
to the family's roller-skating Harper rmk
there.
John Lavery, executive assistant to Charie.-
P. Skouras, president of National Theatre.-
and Fox West Coast, left on a three-week
holiday tour of New England.
Recuperating at home following surgery a'
Good Samaritan hospital, and reported ir.
good condition, was Shen-ill Corwin, headman
of Metropolitan Theatres . . . Another
convalescent from an operation is Joe Seaisaty,
local Warner Bros, salesman . . . Otl
film peddlers for Warner were having a mon,
enjoyable time. Bill Watnough returned from'
a San Francisco vacation, while George
Tripp took off for his holiday at Lake Tahoe
Herb Turpie, local
representative for Manley,
Inc., Kansas City, conferred witl-
Charles O. Manley, vice-president . . . Ardei
Prentice, 21, was killed when he fell iron
the marquee of the Downtown Par-amour.
Theatre. The employe was changing thi
marquee lettering when the accident occuiif.
MUler, son of Sally Grei:
booker at RKO, was pinch hitting for Cy:
Hutchinson, shipper, recovering from a broko)
shoulder.
Sells Airer for $100,000
SPOKANE—E. L. Baker of Spokane an
Keith Beckwith of North Bend have bouglthe
Motor-In Theatre from Lowell Thompso
for a reported $100,000. Thompson built tl:
750-car airer in 1946 with Baker as his fir:
manager. Baker also owns the Dislima
Theatre.
Drive-In Manager Robbed
LOS ANGELES- Joe Green. nuuiasi.'r
the Harbor Drive-In, located In the suburb;
Lennox area, was held up by a pair of anm
thugs who forced entry, rousted him out
bed and robbed him of more than $1,400, $
of which was his own. the balance theatj
receipts.
Emily Miller Sells House
LEMON GROVE, CALIF. -Wall ir aiui Hi
Long and Bud Langford have pin-chascd t
Grove Theatre from Emily Miller and are i
stalling a new wide screen and other cqu'
ment. The new owners also are partners
a building and construction firm here.
I
BOXOFFICE July 24. 1

i KANSAS
I
'
[Average
I
CHICAGO—Grosses
I
4th
I
Blade
I INDIANAPOLIS—"Gone
—
—
——
—
. . and
'Garden' and 'Wood'
I
300 at Kansas City
CITY—First run houses aid exjceptionally
well here the past week, with
both "Gai-den of Evil" at the Roxy and
("Knock on Wood" at the Paramount grossing
300 per cent. Both were held, of course.
[Paramount Manager Harold Lyon plans to
bring back Danny Kaye's "Hans Christian
lAnder.sen" immediately after the run of
/'Knock on Wood." As a repeat during the
vacation period, it should do well.
"Genevieve" was still holding up strong at
[the Kimo in its 14th week and the Vogue's
jrevivals, "Lydia" and "The Pi-ivate Life of
|Hem-y VIII," also continued to be boxoffice
ipuUers, "The High and the Mighty" was
j.strong at the Missouri in its third week, but
Is 100)
imo Genevieve (U-l), 14th wk 140
idland Hell Below Zero (Col); Mossocre
(Col)
-The High and the Mighty (WB),
3rd wk.
Tomount Knock on Wood (Para)
^oxy The Garden of Evil (20th-Fox)
Tower, Uptown, Fairway and Granada
Tongonyika (U-l); Pride of the Blue Grass (AA)
ogue—Henry VIII (UA); Lydia (UA), revivals..
Ihicago Ticket Sales
Continue to Be High
for Loop holdovers
lield up in a highly satisfactory manner.
Magnificent Obsession" opened at the
Jnited Artists with heavy boxoffice receipts.
|"Hell Below Zero" was disappointing at the
[Midland. At the four Fox houses, "Tangan-
'vika" drew a little above average attendance.
\nother opener, "Hell Below Zero" at the
floosevelt, also sparked Loop business. Meanvhile,
drive-ins generally were enjoying one
)f their best seasons.
iornegie Three of a Kind (Monogram) 145
:hicogo The High and the Mighty (WB), plus
tage revue, 2nd wk 265
Palace Thi!
(Cii
51s
.285
squire Three Coins in the Fountain (20th-Fox). .21
irond Princess of the Nile (20th-Fox); The
Rocket Man (20th-Fox) 1 55
cop Julius Caesar (MGM), 3rd wk 210
l/\cVickers Adventures of Robinson Crusoe (UA),
2nd 185
Uonroe Man With a Million (UA), 4th wk 200
prientol Demetrius and the Gladiators (20th-Fox),
wk 205
foosevelt Hell Below Zero (Col); The Saracen
(Col) 200
fote Loke The Coinc Mutiny (Col), 3rd wk 245
urt—Scotch on the Rocks (Mayer-Kingsley) 180
Jnited Artists Manificent Obsession (U-l) 215
Voods Garden of Evil (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 210
Vorld Ployhouse Anna (IFE); Bitter Rice (Lux
3rd 170
|Wind' Leads Indianapolis
irosses With 160 Per Cent
With the Wind"
|et the pace for Indianapolis grosses with a
jiealthy 160 per cent. Other boxoffice reports
janged around the average mark.
ircle Johnny Dork (U-l); Playgirl (U-l) 80
idiana Garden of Evil (20th-Fox) 100
eith's The Living Desert (Disney) 100
oew's Gone With the Wind (MGM) 160
— The Silver Lode (Para); Walt Disney
festix
rheotremon's Wife Dies
ST. LOUIS—Mary K. Thimmig, 69, wife
Walter A. Thimmig, owner of the McNair
f
"heatre, died at DePaul hospital here on
uly 13. She man-ied Thimmig while he was
perating the Gem Theatre at Marissa, III.
in addition to her husband, Mrs. Thimmig
i-
survived by a daughter. She had been in
loor health for several months.
Sosnas and Distributors
Settle Antitrust Case
ST. LOUIS—An out-of-court settlement has
been reached in the $450,000 antitrust suit of
Sosna vs. Frisina Amusement Co. of Springfield,
111., and eight film distributing companies.
The exact terms of the settlements
have not been made public.
Stipulations dismissing the plaintiffs' cause
of action and also the counterclaims of the
defendants, Loew's, Vitagraph (WBR, RKO,
20th-Fox, Paramount, Universal, Columbia
and United Ai-tists have been filed in U.S.
district court here of Judge George H. Moore.
The dismissals of the claim of the Sosnas and
the counterclaims of the defendant film distributing
companies were at the cost of
defendants. The agreements provide that the
exhibits may be withdrawn.
The settlement with the Sosnas, Louis,
Sam L. and S. Zanvic, apparently doesn't
bind the other defendants, the Fi-isina Amusement
Co. of Springfield and the Prisina-
Mexico Theatres. It has been the contention
of the Fi'isina officials ever since the case
was filed that there was no cause of action
against them; that they simply contracted
for the films needed to operate their Liberty
and Rex theatres in Mexico, Mo.
The Sosnas had charged the defendants
with conspiracy to deprive them of the films
needed for the old Sosna Theatre in Mexico,
Mo.
The Sosnas opened that theatre July 9.
1940. prior to the arrangements made by
Frisina interests to take over the Liberty
and Rex from Cas.sius N. Clay. The Sosnas
alleged that .shortly after the deal "the defendant
producers and distributors began to
delay, put off and stall plaintiffs' attempted
negotiations with them for the purchase of
any first run product . destroyed all
possibility of competing with the Frisina
hou.ses. As a result the Sosnas claim they were
compelled to sell their leasehold on the So.sna
Theatre Jan. 14, 1944, to the Frisina Amusement
Co. and its subsidiary the Frisina-
Mexico Theatres Co., and to agree to abstain
from competition in the theatre business in
Mexico for a period of ten years, and thereby
lost their theatre business and thus suffered
damages to the extent of $150,000. Under the
antitrust acts they sought triple damages of
$450,000.
The fact that the Frisina interests have
not entered into the settlement and apparently
plan to fight the issues in the federal
courts recalls that in other recent antitrust
cases in the St. Louis film territory the exhibitor
defendants won court victories after
the film companies had made settlements.
Directors of Kansas-Missouri Tax
Schedule Sept 28, 29 Convention
KANSAS CITY—At the monthly board
meeting of the Kansas-Missouri Theatre
Ass'n at the Phillips hotel Wednesday (21),
dates for the annual fall convention were
set. It will be held at the Hotel President
on September 28, 29 (Tuesday, Wednesday).
Displays are not planned since these usually
are a feature of the spring drive-in
meeting. This year tickets will be mailed out
to all members with stamped return envelopes,
with the request that checks be mailed
or the tickets returned. This will speed up
reservations. President J. Leo Hayob felt.
Mike Gray of the Rilco Screen Tower Co.
(Laminated Pi-oducts, Inc.) spoke briefly
about what can be done by organizations to
bring down insurance rates on wooden screen
towers in comparison with the rates on
steel towers. After he spoke, Hayob appointed
Doc Cook, Elmer Bills, and Frank Weary jr.
to work with him and Earl Jamison jr. to
equalize such rates in Kansas and Missouri.
Gray cai-ried data with him showing what
had been done in Texas in this respect.
One of the subjects which all members felt
should be taken up at the convention was the
matter of prints. George Baker called attention
to the fact that many exhibitors were
finding it necessary, in order to obtain product,
to deliver print. He said Charley Knickerbocker
was having to pick up the print of
a picture from Baker's Ritz Theatre in Mcpherson
(Kas.) Saturday night so he could
play it Sunday in his Liberty at Columbus.
KMTA will send letters to general sales
managers backing up TOA's efforts in this
connection.
Another thing Baker said he felt should
be standardized was the ratio, or else changeover
cues farther advanced. His experience
has been that the projectionist has to make
his own cue marks, and he also finds that
the frame lines on the Warner and MGM
Cinemascope product are different from
those on 20th-Fox, calling for new apertures
and other adjustments. This will also be refened
to TOA.
Ken Winkelmeyer (Boonville), who did not
attend the last meeting, asked for some bulletin
of information as to what the exhibitor's
rights are on the racial problems which may
come up with anti-segregation adjustments.
Senn Lawler suggested that in Missouri the
state constitution allows for segregation, but
prophesied there would be a bill come up in
the legislature this year in regard to it.
"With the ending of segregation in the
schools," Lawler said, "the public may change
its
attitude."
Olathe Town Is Closed
OLATHE, KAS.—The Towne Theatre here
has been leased by the Dickinson circuit
from J. Ward Spielman of Baldwin, effective
July 1, and closed. This leaves Dickinson's
Trail as the only lighted theatre in town.
OXOFFICE :
: July 24, 1954

. . . Judge
. . Caesar
. . Carson
. . Herb
. .
.
ST.
LOUIS
T>egva3, Steinberg, owner-operator of the
Madison Theatre, Madison, 111., suffered
a broken wrist in an automobile accident
when the car in which she was riding with
her brother and sister-in-law en route to
Florida for a vacation was forced off of the
highway by a truck. Her brother suffered
minor injuries . . . Tommy James, MITO
vice-president and owner of the Comet, Douglass
and Strand theatres, had his automobile
wrecked when a man driving a new car
crashed into James' parked Buick.
.
Mrs. Sam Komin, the Sam Komm circuit,
made a hole-in-one while playing on the
Triple A golf course in Forest Park . .
Grace Huckaba, with National Theatre Supply,
retires on a pension July 31 . . . Out-oftown
exhibitors seen along Filmrow included
Tom Bloomer, Belleville; Charley Beninati,
Carlyle; Raymond Worthey, manager, Olney
Drive-In, Olney; Bill Zimmerman, Warrenton;
Rani Pedrucci, feature booker, Prisina
COMPLETE
CONCESSION SERVICE
IS OUR BUSINESS
RIO SYRUP CO.
• STU TOMBER
• FRED BLASE
3412 Grovois — St. Louis
• MITZl WEINSTEIN
• HARVEY KAHLE
c/ ^fou^ de^uuce
Amusement Co., Springfield; Mr. and Mrs.
Dave Forbes, Crocker; Louis Odorizzi, Mount
Ohve, and Albert Smith, manager, New State
Theatre, Nashville.
Izzy Weinshienk, district manager for Publix
Great States. Alton, and his wife are off
on a vacation . Berutt, Bill Wandell
and A. J. Williams are installing Cinema-
Scope and single track sound equipment in
their theatres . W. Rodgers, president
and general manager, Rodgers Theatres,
Cairo, is visiting his parents in Florida .
Gene Beckham, National Screen Service
salesman, his wife and theii- daughter are
vacationing in the Missouri Ozarks.
Recent visitors to St. Louis were Herbert
J. Beimin, Washington, manager for Loew's,
Inc., and Mi's. Bennin who were en route to
Chicago and Manitowish, Wis., on vacation.
Bennin for some years was the St. Louis
manager for Loew's. While here he took time
out to play golf with Howard Zuloff of the
Esquire Theatre . Washburn, National
Screen Service manager, reports that Rowe
Carney has installed Tushinsky SuperScope
lenses in the Uptown Theatre, Rolla, and
Dick Fisher, Star Theatre, Willow Springs,
is considering the installation of SuperScope
lenses at his theatre.
Bill Collins, DeSoto, is back from a vacation
trip to northwestern Kentucky. He reports
"Chick"
. that the fishing was poor
Scheufler, Warner Bros, office manage:, back
from his Minnesota vacation, reports "The
bass fishing was the best that I've enjoyed"
Frank X. Reller, American Theatre,
Wentzville, and Mrs. Reller will observe
their 37th wedding anniversary August 7.
New CS Lenses, Sound
Win St. Louis Praise
ST. LOUIS—Exhibitors who attended the
demonstration of advances in Cinemascope
given by 20th-Fox in the St. Louis Theatre
here recently were outspoken in their approval
of the improvements in both the
stereophonic sound and especially the additional
range, flexibility and depth of picture
made possible by the new anamorphic len^~es.
They, of course, are also deeply concerned
with the cost of the installation of the
Cinemascope equipment and, especially, the
rentals and percentages of gross they will
have to pay for the fine pictures included
in the demonstration.
"Now if we can get them on a basis that
will leave us a profit, we should be set for
the next exhibition year," was the general
view expressed.
There now are some 70 Cinemascope installations
in the St. Louis film trade territory
and there are about 25 other possibilit;es
that are definitely in the making. Many
of the future installations probably will be
of the one-track magnetic sound type. Exhibitors
are generally agreed that the fourtrack,
high fidelity magnetic stereophonic
sound, gives the finest setup for presenting.
Cinemascope pictures. Some have even sug-J
gested that the side sound should be in-^
creased, since that is possible.
Among those present from St. Louis: r
Bess Schulter
THE5W^E EQUIPMENT
442 N. ILLINOIS ST., INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
"Everything for the Theatre"
Carpets -Door Mats
Complete Installation Service- -Free Estimates
R. D. MANN CARPET CO.
928-930-932 Central, Victor 1171, Kontoi City, M*.
4SS Paul Brown BIdg., Chestnut 4499, St. Louis
$ELBY„^ SCREEN TOWERS
for Drlve-ln Theatres
12 Standard Sizes
SELBY INDUSTRIES, INC.
MOnfroie 6-2886
The rummage sales for the benefit of the
Amusement Employes Welfare fund proved
worth while. Charley Goldman aided by
donating ten pairs of shoes, while Herb Washburn
of National Screen donated a couple of
suits. Others of the film colony also came
across with some fine donations. Don't forget
the boat ride on the Admiral Thursday
night (29> for the fund. Tickets ai-e available
at any film exchange and theatre equipment
houses.
The executive committee of the local branch
of the Muscular Dystrophy Ass'n met in the
McCarty Theatre Supply offices and plan
to hold their monthly meetings there in the
future. Mi-s. William Guinan, who.se husband
is on the McCarty Theatre Supply staff, is
secretary of the St. Louis branch . . . MITO
officers and directors will meet August 10
in the Alexander room, Melboiu-ne hotel, to
consider plans for the 1954 annual meeting.
A. B. "Buzz" Magarian plans to install a
wide screen in the Deluxe Theatre, East St.
LouLs. His brother Albert Magarian, whose
artistic efforts have appeared in E.squire,
Fortune and some Disney productions, will
design a new emblem for MITO . . . Martin
"SELECT" FOUNTAIN SYRUPS
DRINK DISPENSERS
Select Drink Inc.
ilO W. Florissant Ave. Phone
St. Louis. IS, Mo. Mulberry 5289
Davis, manager of the Hi-Way Theatre, his
wife and daughter motored from here Sunday

I letters
I
I
vacation
1
. . When
. . MGM
. . John
. . Mrs.
. . John
. . Burial
. . Jim
CHI C A GO
Af Kansas City CS Demonstration
Trving Mack announced he had received 200
expressing best wishes on the 35th
anniversary of his Filmack Ti-ailer Co. . . . Al
Weiss, district manager of Florida State The-
1
atres. Miami. Fla., has been spending his
here . •'Tlie Black Shield
Jof Falworth" opens at the Grand August 12.
ithe theatre will start a single feature policy
,. . , Ruth Schiller. B&K booker, will be married
to Harry Graff August 22. Graff is comjpleting
his last year in the study of medicine.
The late show policy recently set up in the
State Lake and Chicago theatres is producing
'fine results, according to Abe Piatt of B&K.
jPlatt said B&K is pushing the late show idea
in several theatres over weekends, particujlarly
on Friday nights. This is the night,
ipiatt said, when people don't have to worry
about getting up to go to work and they
ind it suitable and convenient to attend a
E' ate
show.
A ten-minute film showing authentic set
ocations used for "Valley of the Kings" is
aeing used on WBKB . publicist
Gorman Pyle escorted Betty CaiT to Peoria,
to ballyhoo "Seven Brides for Seven
Brothers." Miss Carr spent three days here
naking personal appearances . Molly
Sanghart, mother of Ralph Banghart, publicist
here for RKO, died . Koletis.
fperator of the Riviera Theatre. Rock Island.
H'ho also is interested in several drive-ins in
|he area, was a Filmrow visitor . . . Work
loon will begin on Cinemascope installation
p 20th-Fox's screening room.
Exhibitors gathered at the Orpheum Theatre in Kansas City to attend a demonstration
by 20th-Fox of advances made in CinemaScope. Top photo, left to right: Irish
Murray, Fox Midwest, Wichita; J. R. Neger, 20th -Fox manager at Kansas City; Newsman
Grammer, Wichita; Fred Souttar, Kansas City, and A. M. McLain. Charles Davis
and E. L. Jeffres, all of Wichita. Second Photo: J. Maes, Atchison; Larry Breuninger,
Topeka; Claude Moore, Kansas City, and R. L. McLain. Joplin, all Fox Midwest men,
and on end, Ed Harris, Neosho, and Virgil Harbison, Tarkio.
Herb Kaufman has completed his first year
manager for Republic here ... A. J.
Happy" Meininger reported that his wife
Imma is looking forward to seeing friends
t the Port Dearborn hotel. She just has left
t. Luke's hospital following several weeks of
Iness. Before their recent retirement. Mr.
nd Mrs. Meininger both were with Balaban
Katz . . . Violet Dane of Filmack is on a
acation . . . Lester Stepner is resting at home
allowing a session in the hospital. Before his
tirement. Stepner was manager of Mcickers
Theatre for 18 years.
. . .
Fihnrow vacationers: Violet Dane, Filmack
railer Co.; Edna Frank. MGM office manner,
in Colorado: Bob Weiner. who heads
iblicity for Columbia here, in New York with
s bride; Sam Gorelick. RKO manager,
isconsin Dells: Loretta Wisnieski of RKO,
York City; Annamae Sufferin, Jack
khardt and Ann Schroeder of 20th-Fox;
ave Arlen, B&K's publicity staff; Charlie
William
avidson, B&K, in Wisconsin
einsheker. well remembered by his friends
Filmrow, died at the age of 66 in Calirnia.
Bob McEIwain, press agent for Danny Kaye,
here to work with E. G. Fitzgibbons, local
ramount pubhcity director, on the camign
for "Knock on Wood," opening at the
iental July 28. Kaye will arrive here
fly 28, to spend couple of days making
a
blic appearances. Meanwhile, Fitzgibbons
s launched a contest, designed to appeal
old and young alike, coloring ads on the
^ick S. Stevens has been named day manner
of the Grand and Jerry Sullivan night
"pnager . . . Abe Fisher has been appointed
A group of Commonwealth circuit men: J. D. King Dick Orear, Lloyd Harris and
Leon Hoofnagle.
sales manager for RKO in this area. Harold
Copeland has returned to RKO's offices in
Denver Dervin, with Stratford Pictm-es.
Allied Ai-tists' subsidiary, was here on
business services were held Monday
(19) for Eddie Brunnell, who died last
Friday. Brunnell, who was very active in
Variety Club functions, owned the Metropole
Theatre . Tole, a Monmouth, 111.,
exhibitor, was a Filmrow visitor "Broken
Lance" was screened by 20th-Fox at the
Oriental July 23.
Cornelius A. Hitzert Dies;
lATSE Member Since 1910
ST. LOUIS—Cornelius A. Hitzert, 71-yearold
member of Local No. 6 since 1910. was
one of the victims of the heat wave. He
died on Wednesday (15) when the temperature
here reached an all-time high of 115
degrees at the Municipal Airport in St. Louis
county.
In the early days of silent pictures Hitzert
w^as a stagehand at Frank Talbot's famed
Hippodrome Theatre, noted for its big animal
acts in conjunction with pictures. During his
career he worked at many of the other local
theatres, including the Municipal Theatre in
Forest park, and most recently the Shubert
(now the American) from 1946 to July 1952.
when he was placed on the disability list.
Jack Kirsch Directs
Blast at Rentals
CHICAGO — Jack Kirsch. president of
Allied Theatres of Illinois, at a directors meeting
scored the film distributors for demanding
"such unconscionable terms for their
product, which are threatening the existence
of exhibition and are depriving the exhibitor
of his rightful share of the recent admission
tax reduction."
Kirsch expressed full agreement with "An
Appeal to Reason" made to the distributors
by Abram F. Myers, general counsel of National
Allied wherein he called for, "fairminded
consideration and prompt action for
the moderation of selling policies and practices
by the executive heads of the film companies—not
mei-ely the sales heads, but the
presidents,
also."
Allied of Illinois was to hold its 24th annual
meeting Thursday (22) at the Blackstone
hotel to elect officers and directors.
The directors endorsed audience collections
for LaRabida Jackson Park sanitarium the
week of August 6 and and called upon all
Allied members to participate. Other actions
of the board members included the creation of
a special committee to look into the matter
of greatly increased rates for newspaper advertising
which are becoming excessive.
IPXOFnCE
61

. . Tom
and
June
.
.
LeRoy
. .
Warner
. . RCA
KAN S AS CITY
fs the chicken and turkey money that goes
I
shows in rural sections, according to
personal appearance tour
was here between planes.
for the film and
for
Ken'winkelmeyer. up from Boonville to attend
to business on the Bow. And when it Clyde Badeer of Stebbins Theatre Equipment
CO. reports the sale of the new Vocalite
gets so hot that whole flocks of turkeys
crowd together and smother to death (as Silverhte wide screens and Hilux Val lenses,
they are prone to do), Ken says that's gomg variable for all anamorphic systems, to Marty
to hurt his business for quite a while. Landau for his Liberty Theatre at Horton,
Kas his State at Mound City, Mo.
.
,
PenicilUn may be a wonderful medicine for
some people but Woodie Latimer of L&L
Popcorn got such a reaction from" its use
recently that he is ready to subscribe to that
old saying about the cure being worse than
the disease ... J. Ward Spielman is devoting
all his energies these days to the operation
of his Gem Theatre at Baldwin, having
leased his Towne at Olathe to the Dickinson
circuit which closed it.
OUR BUSINESS IS S
THEATRE SERVICE CO., INC.
827 WAYNE TOPEKA. KANSAS
RELIABLE SOUND SERVICE PAYS
Dealers in BALLANTYNE
imuimmi
CTAfiE EQUIPMENT COMPANY
iiinifimimn
Satisfaction — Always
MISSOURI
THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY
L. J. KIMBRIEL, Manager
Phone BAltimore
307O
115 W. leth Kcmsa* City 8, Mo.
STEBBINS THEATRE Equipment
Co
carl Wipperman of the shipping department
at National Screen Service married Susan
Patton Saturday (17) at the Sacred Heart
church NSS vacationers include Shirley
Scanlin and Anna Mae Adams, at Rockaway
Beach, and Anna Venable.
Among the returned vacationers are Eddie
Golden his wife and their two daughters.
Theirs was a delightful stay at Stone Harbor,
N J where the weather was cool enough for
those night blankets the postcard writers
always stress. Eddie visited theatres and
theatremen on the way and while there, and
Cinemascope installations in the 20th-Fox
screening room are coming along nicely. The
Miracle Mirror curved screen, 11.6x6, is
can be masked for 2-D showings.
already in. It he found general agreement about in-
says
problems. "Everybody likes the wide
say good results will be
Engineers dustry
obtained on the stereophonic sound system
and stereophonic sound, but few of
screen
with three surround horns in the auditorium.
them think CinemaScope is the answer to all
commented. "There was
There is a special lens for the aperture plate.
our woes," Eddie
The screening room is also being redecorated
of tourist money plenty
floating ai'ound and
. .
before reopening it for .
it
showings H. C.
was being spent on entertainment, the
Kaufman, manager of branch operations for
theatres getting their share. However, I was
Columbia, spent a couple of days in the local
office last week Baldwin met May
.
Wynn of "The Caine Mutiny" cast at the
Wynn on a
distressed
town
profitable
to
that
for
find
two
years
in Pittsburgh,
theatres
were
which
closing.
my
had
They
home
been
are
right on the main street, and they've had
airport Tuesday (13). Miss is
drive-in competition for years, so it can't be
that. I found the same situation in Columbus."
Bob Feliers, Midcentral district manager,
was on the Row last week reporting temperatures
of 117 and 118 at Manhattan Zella
. . .
Faulkner, KMTA office secretary, has received
word from Doc Cook of Maryville that
he is recuperating from a foot operation
three weeks ago and is "not so light on his
feet" as yet . . . The wife of Ben Brown,
tradepaper writer well known on the Row,
has been in the hospital for the past six
weeks Metcalf, secretary many
.
years to R. R. Biechele, has gone to New
York to see the wife of her son Jack and
their two children. They are sailing to Germany
to join him for a three-year stay. Mrs.
Metcalf, now employed by the Red Cross,
just ended a three-week stay at home to
recover from a broken foot.
New sales by Shreve Theatre Supply Co.
resulted in Basil Fogelson's Uptown at Marceline
opening with CinemaScope as did
Harley Fryer's Plaza at Lamar, Mo. Glen
. . .
Hall of Cassville is supervising the building
of a drive-in for Mi's. Walter Lovan and as-
.sociates at Eldorado Springs, Mo. The 300-
car situation will have in-car ireaters for
year-around operation. Hall said on a recent
. visit to Filmrow . . . John Dobson, salesman
"
for United Artists, is vacationing in Colorado
Ben Adams of El Dorado, Kas., was seen
on the Row Friday (16). Like everyone else
that morning, he paddled around happily in
the rain.
Patricia Evens Kaach (Mrs. Joseph!,
daughter of Chick Evens, 20th-Fox explolteer,
is home from St. Joseph's hospital recuperating
from car accident Injuries. A cigaret
spark fell on her dress and she lost control
of the car, crashing into a tree.
Jim Castle, Paramount exploiteer, has compiled
a comprehensive six-page mimeographed
brochure for use with the rerelease of Cecil
B DeMille's Academy award winner. "The
Greatest Show on Earth." A copy is furnished
every theatre manager who books the
picture in the Kansas City and St. Louis
areas The least imaginative showman can
find something here to attract patrons to his
boxoffice and send them away smiling.
Mrs Rose J. ElUott of Independence, 81,
died Friday (16). She had lived in Independ- |;
'
ence 55 years and was the widow of Ambrose
E Elliott, theatre owner who died 20 years
.
'
ago Palmer, manager of Dickinson's
Kaw Theatre at Marion, Kas., has been
having a Cash night with good results . . .
The Family Drive-In at Dexter, Mo., was
robbed recently. Thieves knocked out the
window of a door, worked the lock from the
inside and broke into the concession room
where money to the amount of about $25 was
taken from cigaret and candy machines.
Katherine Northern Paddock, for many
^
years secretary of the Kansas City Film
Board of Ti-ade, and who now lives m New
York visited Filmrow Service office
.
manager Ed Branch returned from a vacation
in Minnesota and Wisconsin where he;
visited Tom Mooney, field engineer. Ed has
bought a new home at 234 West 62nd and;
will move into it with his parents around the,-
middle of August ... Mrs. Sam Piazza, w^e,
of RCA field engineer at Ti-inidad, Colo., whO;
also covers southwest Kansas, is in the:
Thornton & Minor hospital recovering froro^
surgery.
Rube Melcher of Poppers Supply has returned
home from a two-week stay in Menorah
hospital much improved. His brothei
Harry of the Unity Theatres, Milwaukee, visited
him recently for several days . . .
Howard
Strum of Poppers recalled the strain In
was under a year ago when his daughte
Jo Ellen was expected and 50 Highway Drive
in was opening. Strum had to be on hanc
for the opening to supervise the concessit
equipment installed and he was afraid ;
leave his wife at home for
fear he could no
be reached if needed. As a result, he took he
along and they left the drive-in at 1 a- n
and Jo Ellen arrived at 6 a. m. George BaKe.
50 Highway operator, sent roses to Jo Elle
to celebrate the joint anniversary.
Missouri Theatre Supply Co. sold complet
Cinemascope equipment to Miss Velni
Rhodes of Howard, Kas., for her Plaza Thef
tre It also sold RCA new sound equipmei
to Commonwealth for its Bell at Ellswort
Kas
. Bill Shoopman. formerly of Unll<
Business Co., is the new clerk and bookkeep.
at MTS booker Roy Hurst is (
.
a two-week vacation in Minnesota ... Cod
monwealth Manager Bob Walters of the Cre
Drive-ln has installed a TV set in the pat
It is his idea that many heads of the fam
want to watch fights when the rest of tl
members would like to take in a show. Tl
makes it possible to compromise m favor
the theatre boxoffice.
Jim Cornwcll. Kansas City representati
for A V. Cauger Service, is on a two-we
vacation to the east coast. Jack Hyn
Cauger representative for St. Louis a
southeast Missouri, returned to his terrlK
after making a business trip to New YorK
BOXOFFICE
;
:
J"ly 24. '

I
I
awarded
I
various
j
Franklin
I
I
wishing
I
i
The
I
I
I
I
. . Alberta
NEW KODAK LAB—This new southeastern sales division and
processing laboratory of Eastman Kodak Co. is getting into full
operation this month at Chamblee, near Atlanta. The unit will
supply the photo needs of much of a ten-state area in the growinir
southeast. The modern, one-story building, with an overall floor
space of 114,000 square feet, is on a 14-acre tract.
Wometco Distributes
Showmanship Prizes
MIAMI—Harvey Pleischman announced
the winners in Wometco's third annual showmanship
contest at a breakfast in a local
restaurant.
The major portion of the $2,380 prize money
was passed out in packages of $150 and $200.
Previously, in $10 biweekly lots, $280 had been
for "best" exploitation stunts to the
theatres. Of the balance, $50 went to
Maury and Mel Haber at the
Mii-acle Theatre for theii- Variety hospital
well tieup with "Three Coins in the
Fountain."
remainder was awarded in equal
amounts to each winning theatre in six
groups, in two categories.
(1) $150 each for housekeeping and benefits—Tom
Rayfield, Carib; Walter Klements,
Mayfair; Dick Trecasse, Surf; Flynn Stubblefield,
Center; Paul Maron, North Andrews
(Port Lauderdale) ; Bob Brower, Capitol.
(2) $200 each for quota: Tim Tyler, Miami;
Klements; Dana Bradford, Rosetta; Herb
iRubinstein, Parkway; Baron; Bob Brower,
Capitol.
Rubinstein, manager of the Parkway, who
had been termed the "most eligible holdout"
in the Wometco family, relinquished that title
when he recently married Miss Jackie
Frederiks.
Cancels Theatre Lease
VICKSBURG, MISS.—Floyd
Murphy, who
iS been operating the Strand Theatre under
a lease assignment from Paramount Gulf
Theatres Inc., reports that he has effected
a cancellation of the lease and returned the
theatre to its former owners.
R. S. Starling Builds Airer
PINEVILLE, LA.—R, S. Starling, who has
3uilt three drive-in theatres in Texas, is
NEW ORLEANS New Owners Remodel
Virginia Gibson, MGM starlet who has a
starring role in "Seven Brides for Seven
Brothers," was here in behalf of the opening
here . Schindler, booker at
Masterpiece Film, was chosen in a local newspaper
contest to be one of its amateur
camera wielders in quest for 250 in prizes
for photos submitted by the amateurs.
T. A. Pittman has reopened his Pitt Theatre,
suburban run house, after remodeling
and installing Cinemascope and RCA stereophonic
sound. The theatre had been closed
for over two years due to city zoning troubles.
Stanley Taylor, exhibitor from Crosby,
Gloster and Liberty, Miss., was in doing his
buying and booking. Taylor, a great golf
player, is still trying to improve his game
each weekend . . . Curtis Mahern, booker
and buyer for Henry Meyers Theatres in
Biloxi and Gulfport, Miss., was in town completing
his buying and booking.
Woodalls Offers Reward
GUNTERSVILLE, ALA.—The Lake Theatre,
operated by Woodalls, Inc., lost between
$1,200 and $1,500 when burglars cracked the
safe and took the weekend receipts. C. W.
Woodall has offered a $100 reward for information
leading to the arrest and conviction
of the robbers.
'^••H''-
^:- '
m
Shreveport Ozoner
SHREVEPORT—The Kings Drive-In, recently
purchased by Lillian Lutzer and Shipman
BuUard from Broadmoor Elnterprises,
Inc., is being remodeled according to Charles
Gower, manager.
The remodeling, which began Thursday
(151 will include the expansion of the screen
from the present 55 feet to 100 for Cinema-
Scope screenings and the addition of a patio
which will seat 200 persons near the concessions
stand. Following the changes the 600-
car ozoner will feature first run productions.
The new owners also own the local Barksdale
Drive-In and other theatre properties in
Oklahoma and Texas.
Windstorm Raises Roof
STARKVILLE, MISS.—A severe windstorm
unroofed the concession stand at the
Lakeside Drive-In according to R. B. Dossett,
owner and manager.
Holdup at Tampa Theatre
TAMPA—An armed robber held up the
Tampa Theatre and got away with the day's
receipts. Stanley Butler, assistant manager,
was forced at gunpoint to open the safe.
JUilding a 500-car drive-in on Highway 165
lorth of here. The new airer will be equipped
^^ith a large tilted forward screen with a
vide, curved angle.
Arkansas House Gets New Equipment
McCRORY, ARK.—Ken Jamison, manager
)f the Ken, reports that the theatre has
)een equipped with a new RCA Dyna-Lite
i
icreen and anamorphic lenses.
fOXOFHCE July 24, 1954
NEW ORLEANS CONFERENCE—Paramount executives conferred with the
New Orleans exchange staff recently. Shown in the photo reading clockwise from
bottom center: Edgar Shinn, salesman; Milton Aufdmorte, office manager; Tommy
Thompson, salesman; W. G. Bradley, southern division manager; Herb Steinberg
and Sid Deneau, New York; William Holliday, New Orleans manager; Harold
Wyckoff, salesman; Louis Dwyer, booker; Irma Rogers, booker; Clyde Daigle, booker,
and Bob Bixler, publicist.
67

Jacksonville Local
Marks Its 50th Year
JACKSONVILLE — Dunbar A. "Dunny"
Morrow, president of lATSE Local 115 of
stage employes, was the master of ceremonies,
and Richard F. Walsh of Brooklyn, lATSE
president, was the main speaker at a gala
50th anniversary celebration of the founding
of Local 115 held in the Sea Turtle restaurant,
Jacksonville Beach, at midnight July 15.
The dinner, drinks and speeches were enjoyed
by 150 guests of the local. In his
address, Morrow pointed out that he and
two other members of the union, Andy Meyer
and H. L. Fertic, had worked a total of 134
years behind the scenes at local theatres.
Morrow is stage manager of the Florida
Theatre.
The oldest active lATSE member present
was Charles M. Toy, stage manager of the
Palace Theatre, who was presented a gold
card in marking his 54 years of membership
in the union. Others cited for their length of
service were S. M. Smith, 44 years, and Irving
Mink and Phil Peltz, 41 years each. Also
LOOK TO
FILMACK
FOR THE FINEST
ANNOUNCEMENT
HtKimmmii^iiiiiiflaM
present was H. H. Drayton, who joined the
union in 1908 and retired from it in 1940.
Prominent among the members and guests
were Mr. and Mrs. John A. Spearing, lATSE
representative; Roy Harding, local vice-president;
Toy, secretary-treasui-er; Meyer, re-
Photo shows I'rcsidcnt Walsh, left,
congratulating Dunny Morrow, at the
speaker's stand. Next to Morrow is Andy
Meyer and, right, is H. L. Fertic.
cording secretary, and R. M. Sligh, business
agent. Prom Florida State Theatres were
LaMar Sarra, counsel and vice-president;
Mark DuPree, maintenance chief; K. L.
Barrett, real estate director; Bob Skaggs,
manager of the Florida; George Krevo, manager
of the Palace, and John Thomas, manager
of the Imperial and Empress.
From out-of-state were trustee R. E. Morris,
Mobile; Albert S. Johnstone, E. Ai-ena,
E. L. Beaud, W. L. Breitenmouser, E. M.
Buras, S. A. Bauche, L. Chateau and Mr. and
Mrs. W. T. Wise, all of New Orleans; Maynard
Baird, Knoxville, Tenn., and E. J.
Houston, Tex.
Miller,
Other Floridians included Mr. and Mrs.
William E. Sullivan, Robert Sullivan and
Lane Carlton, all of Tampa; Mr. and Mrs.
A. L. Cash, Fort Lauderdale; Francis L. Hill,
St. Petersburg; George E. Ray wood, Harry A.
Joslin and E. E. Freeh, Miami; C. W. Crow
and Earl H. Hite, West Palm Beach; W. A.
McArthur, Lakeland; M. E. Forsyth, Daytona
Beach; Mr. and Mrs. J. Bryan McGee,
Orlando, and James L. Cartwright, PST district
supervisor, Daytona Beach.
RESEARCH BUREAI
for
MODERN THEATRE PLANNER
ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMATI
The MODERN THEATRE
PLANNING INSTITUTE
825 Van Brunt Blvd.
Kansas City 24, Mo.
Gentlemen
to
Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BURl J
receive information regularly, as released n
the following subjects for Theatre Planning:
D AaoualicB D Lighting Fixtures
n Air Conditioning q plumbing Fixturei
D Architectural Service ^ projectors
n '-' "Black" Lighting ,_,„... ,
n Projection Lamps
D Building Material _ „
D Seating
n Carpels
.. , . n Signs and Marqui
D Com Machines
Sound Equipmen
D Complete Remodeling
TeleviBion
D Decorating
n Drink Dispensers D Theatre Fronts
.
D Drive-In Equipment D Vending Equipm.;
n Other
Subjects
• Contour Curtains
• Stage Curtains
• Screen Curtains
• Wall Fabrics
• Theatre Drapes
• Stage Lighting
• Motor Controls
• Steel Tracks
• Rigging
• Stage Hardware
The above equipment
be complete without
the famous
BOWLINE SCREEN FRAME
Look at Some of the
Features
• will meet any pro- • Adjustable to meet
lection requirement every requirement
• All metal construe- • Strang but light In
Hon
weight
• Amazingly low In • Easily and quickly Inprlce
stalled
Designers—Manufacturers— Distributors
of
Complete Stage
Equipment
Use our consultation and designing faelllties at
no cost or obligation, wo will work out your
HUBERT MITCHELL INDUSTRIES,
INCORPORATED
BOX 690 TELEPHONE 3271
KTSELLE
ALABAMA
Wind Topples Airer Screen
PARAGOULD, MISS.—A severe
wind and
thunderstorm recently toppled the screen
tower of the Sunset Drive-In. OiTis F. Collins
said he expects that the rebuilding of
the screen and tower would keep the airer
closed until
the middle of August.
Installing Walker Screen
TALLADEGA, ALA.—A Walker Cinema-
Scope .screen is being installed at the Ritz
Theatre and will be unveiled with a showing
of "The Robe" starting July 25, according to
George Slaughter, local manager for Martin
Theatres.
Floyd Naylor at Grove
NEWTON GROVE, N. C—Floyd Naylor,
former city manager for Stewart & Everett
Theatres at Wilson, N. C. now is part owner
of the Grove Theatre here. A wide scren has
been added at the Grove.
Theatre
Seating
Address
City
Slate
Capacity,.
Signed
... obtaining informotion ore provided
THEATRE Section, published with the first 1*
eoch month. ,
July 24,
UU

;
was
i
original
I
today
I
The
I
,burned
j
to
I
1
30th
j
SPRINGFIELD,
I
j
celebrated
his 30th anniversary In the ini
dustry
j
State
I
of
j
announced
i
patronage
! Parsons
I
at
!
brothers,
I
i
j
f^
. . . heats
'
Old Shreveport House
To Be New Store Site
SHREVEPORT—The local Majestic Theatre,
owned by Paramount-Gulf Theatres, was
officially closed Saturday (10 > to make way
I for a four-story clothing store. The razing
began Thursday (15-.
The theatre was first opened in 1906 and
taken over two years later when the
owners turned the lease over to the
late Harry and Simon Ehrlich. who at first
presented vaudeville and later converted to
film showings. The land was valued at the
time of the theatre's construction at $4,500;
it has an estimated value of $300,000.
nearby Saenger Theatre, which was
about two years ago, is being rebuilt
replace the Majestic. The new house will
open on Labor day.
jBurt Parsons Celebrates
Show Business Year
MINN. — Burt Parsons,
theatre owuer and NCATO board member,
by presenting a free show at the
Theatre. Four showings were actually
presented to accommodate the large crowd
local picture enthusiasts. Parsons had
that he was presenting the free
,film entertainment to express his apprecilation
to Springfield picture fans for their
over the years.
and his brother, F. L., had origjinally
entered the business with his father
the old Grand Theatre here. The two
after working for their father two
years, formed a partnership with him in
1926 when the theatre was moved to its present
location. Since then. Parsons has reimained
constantly active in the exhibitor
|neld and is, in addition to his industry afifiliations.
Variety club member.
j
pldtime Missouri House
jlnstalls CinemaScope
RICH HILL, MO.—The Booth Theatre here
ps among the oldest theatres in the United
.States in continuous operation but it is
keeping up-to-date. It is installing CinemaiScope
and wide screen. The large stage has
already been widened for the accommodation
of the 13x31 screen. Shirley W. Booth, the
.owner, made the arrangements with Shreve
ITheatre Supply Co. of Kansas City.
The Booth was partially destroyed by fire
In 1939 and the present building constructed.
Other recent improvements include a new
jnarquee of staiiUess steel and redecoration of
phe interior in a beautiful shade of red with
jiilver trim. The seats have also been overaauled
and the air conditioning unit improved.
Joe Pasternak has acquired for MGM proiuction,
"Cheatin" Heart," biography of Hank
iiVilliams, composer of hillbilly and spiritual
unes.
Memphis Record Business
Makes the Front Pages
'.
r^ ~
'
,
i Z MEMPHIS—All first runs, enjoying the
J.
variety OI Animals Seen greatest attendance boom in years, held over
At Buckhorn Airer >,. Zoo uwv
Pictures for a .second week. Front page newspaper
stories told of the record breaking
ALICE, TEX.—H. C. Gunter, owner of the theatre attendance. The heat wave continued
Buckhorn Drive-In here, who is building an- hitting 104 day after day.
on the San Diego highway. During the second week, three of the first
ha.s amas.sed a considerable collection of ani- runs continued to have attendance far above
mals at the Buckhorn zoo. average and two dropped to average. "Gone
On a quick tour through the grounds of with the Wind," at Loew's State continued
the airer, which was built in 1947, patrons can strong reporting 300 per cent the second
see a fountain running into a pond contain- week. "Three Coins in the
mg goldfish of all sizes and description. There the second spot with 200.
Fountain"
"The High
held
and
are emu from Australia, peafowls, Egyptian the Mighty," which drew two and a half
geese and feather-leg bantams. There is a times average attendance during its first
bobcat and a monkey, white-tail deer, black week at the Warner, did 160 for its second
fallow and white fallow deer from Europe. week.
Housed together are Aoudad mountain (Average is 100)
sheep of north Africa and javelinas.
^oico-Garden of Evil
Some (20th-Fox)
of
2nd wk . . loo
the animals were purchased by Gunter and 'l^r.d^I"" '=°'". .'". *''^ '°""""" ""'"''"'"zGO
others were gifts state—Gone with the Wind (MGM), 2nd wk 300
.
„ „ , Strand— Knock on Wood (Poro), 2nd wk 100
Following the opening of his new drive-in Worner—The High and the Mighty (W8), 2nd
theatre, "'^ Gunter planned to carry out some
"°
facelifting at the Buckhorn, including installation
of CinemaScope. ~m *« ft II Tf HI* W%
A. V. lAUhbn Settee *Jkc.
Key Granted Charter Merchant Trailers for sure-fire
NEW ORLEANS—Key Production Inc., has merchant-exhibitor Satisfaction
been granted a charter of incorporation to _,.„.,^ „„. CLifton 9390
deal in motion picture films listing capital PHONE Or WRITE % .rJ: "°," !?* „"
Independence, Mo.
stock of $2,000
No More Coffee Grounds
No More Urn Bogs
No More Upper Bowls
ne, work and money you save
and serving de-e-e-licious coffee AUTO-
MATICALLY . . . this omozing new, quick and easy
\ PLUS i
rAUTOMATIC
Coffee Making
and
Serving
• FRESH, HOT COFFEE ALWAYS READY
• SERVES UP *o 100 cups per hour
• POSITIVE PORTION CONTROL
on a budget basis
• NO STALE or LEFTOVER COFFEE
• Serves one cup or 300 as fast as you
need it. NO WASTE.
that "rare" COFFEE-er flavor always assured by this
dark roast, superb Hotel Blend of 100% pure coffee.
And look! With this revolutionory new coffee-making
equipment even the water inlet feeds outomaticolly
automatically by electric thermostatic control.
Not a vending machine. Use it for a week.
You'll never be without it.
The cost? Believe it or not . . . NOTHING! Automatic
Coffee Making Equipment is furnished at NO COST
INSECT
ELECTROCUTORS
ROY SMITH CO.
TAWA
JACKSONVILLE
to you. Your ONLY cost is the coffee you use . . .
Nothing to do but just draw hot, fresh coffee . . .
ond you SAVE on your coffee.
full-bodied, extra strength and always uniform . . .
from one cup to 300 cups on hour.
Get FREE facts NOW! Phone, wire or write for
No wonder customers return again and again for
details. We promise . . . you'll be amazed.
PAN AMERICAN COFFEE SERVICE
Professional BIdg. Phone: 9-6843 (Emergency 86-0195)
pxOFnCE :
: July 24, 1954

. . . George
. . Cecil
. . The
. . Charlie
. . Exhibitors
.
. .
Floyd Circuit Changes
SEBRING, FLA—Jack Hegarty. manager
at the Florida Theatre here, has been transferred
to Lakeland as manager of the Silver
Moon Drive-In by the Floyd chain. Floyd
Bowman takes over as manager of the Florida,
transferred from Tarpon Springs.
RL
flLHl
ROOK'S
BOOfflG OfflCf
Experience — Industry — Integrity
p. o. box 1422
alpine 8314
atlanta, ga.
Balloons for greatest show on earth—
PINOCCHIO—CARNIVAL
Printed or Plain—Samples Free
SOUTHERN BALLOON CO.
146 Walton St. Atlanto, Go.
NOW with
TWO convenient locations for
BBTTBR than EVER service to you
DIXIE
THEATRE SERVICE
& SUPPLY COMPANY
yOUfi BALLANTYNE DEALER
1010 North Slappey Drive 95 Walton Street, N.W.
P. 0. Box 858
Atlanta, Georgia
Phone: WAInut 4U8
COMPLETE THEATRE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES
Prompt, Courteous Service 'Round the Clock
An ASTOR Office in Every Film Center
"CAT WOMEN OF THE MOON"
"Everything for 3-D, Wide Screen
and Stereophonic Sound"
THE QUEEN FEATURE SERVICE, INC.
I9)2V2 Morris Ave. Phone 3-8665
BIRMINGHAM 3, ALABAMA
SPECIAL TRAILERS
Quality and Service
Serving theatres In the South for 31 years.
12 cents per word
Lowest cost anywhere
STRICKLAND FILM CO.
220 Pharr. Road, N. E. Atlanto
JACKSONVILLE
TTariety Club members have tentatively
scheduled August 6 as the date for the
formal dedication of their clubrooms in the
Roosevelt hotel and for the installation of
crew officers, as yet unannounced . . .
Walt
Woodward, Wil-Kin Theatre Supply salesman
out of Miami, was here with Maurice
Shaaber. Wil-Kin projection technician . .
Vacationing from the RKO office were George
Andrews, booker, who went to Atlanta, and
Macye Beale.
Gene Hudgens, RKO office manager, said
that the boxoffice gross on the second reissue
of "Pinocchio" is topping the grosses for
the original release and the first reissue . . .
R. Cam Price, RKO manager, returned from
a stay in the Miami area . . . Cliff Hardin,
UA office, said that heavy boxoffice returns
are expected on late July and August bookings
of "Apache" . . . "Buck" Robuck, Jack Riggs,
and Byron Adams, UA staffers, were called
to a company conference in Atlanta .
Max Stetkin, MGM office manager, went to
Keystone Heights with his family for a week
of fishing and swimming .
Turner,
MGM salesman, also vacationed . . .
Promotional
activities took Jack Weiner, MGM
publicist, to many parts of the state.
An Illustrated lecture on new technical advances
in the filming and projection of motion
pictures will be addressed to the large
and influential membership of the Jacksonville
Woman's club by Hal Stanton, manager
ot the Edgewood Theatre, a deluxe Cinema-
Scope house .
Cohen, owner of the
indoor Murray Hill Theatre, and Tubby
Watson, manager of the Oceanway Drive-In,
teamed up for a Saturday midnight showing
of "Side Streets of Hollywood."
Paul Hargette, Columbia manager, revealed
that the Florida premiere of "The Caine
Mutiny" had been booked for Wometco's
Miami, Miracle and Carib theatres . . . Sam
A. Newton of this city has acquired ownership
Augustine
of the Florida Theatre
Andrews,
in St.
RKO booker, spent
.
several days in Atlanta here
were Martin Carlstein, Tampa; Howard
Smith, Brooksville, and J. G. Millirons, Daytona
Beach . Roy Smith Co., candy,
popcorn, and equipment supplier, now has
the distributorship for the Gardner insect
electrocutor, a device for disposing of insects
before they enter a drive-in area . . . Jess
Marlow, manager of the Beach Theatre, Jacksonville
Beach, christened his new installation
of Cinemascope and stereophonic sound
with a booking of "King of the Khyber Rifles."
For the third con.secutive year the annual
convention of the Motion Picture Exhibitors
of Florida will be held at the Roosevelt Hotel
here. Horace Denning, president, .said that
he and his convention committee have begun
work to provide an interesting program of
activities for members and their wives during
the three days of the meeting, November
21-23. The MPEOF ranks as one of the
largest units of COMPO.
Director Jack Arnold of the U-I studio in
Hollywood was here to lay plans for the
of shooting scenes at the Lobster House,
downtown waterfront restaurant, where "The
Creature From the Black Lagoon" is scheduled
to abduct a beautiful gii'l. Arnold is
again in the vicinity filming sequences for a
sequel to be named "The Creature Returns."
He brought with him from Hollywood a group
of 53 players and technicians, including stars
John Agar. Lori Nelson, and John Bromfield.
Shreveport Stranci Has
Anniversary Premiere
SHREVEPORT — The Strand Theatre,
owned by Paramount Gulf Tlieatres and managed
by Joe D. Lyons, celebrated its 29th
anniversary with the northwestern Louisiana
premiere of "The High and the Mighty'
which played to capacity crowds.
The Strand, the second largest property of
Gulf Paramount, opened in July 1925. Before
the screen found its voice, the theatre offered
grand opera, vaudeville, legitimate stage
shows and band presentations intermittently
with silent films. The theatre was originaUy
operated by the late Simon and Harry
Ehrlich and A. D. and Julian Saenger with
E. V. Richards jr.
Tenth Street Theatre Sold
To Become Parking Site
From Central Edition
KANSAS CITY, KAS.—Earl E. Jameson sr.
and Sam Abend have sold their Tenth
Street Theatre at 1014 Central to Drew's,
Hardware & Appliances, 1010 Central. Thej
building will be changed into an all-weather,
parking facility for customers.
Abend and Jameson have only had the
Tenth Street a couple of years but oldtimer.';
here recall that it was buUt by George
Grubel on the same site where he had previously
had an Air-Dome. When he died, hij
brothers Ed and Frank operated it in association
with "Peck" Baker. Baker's .sor
George remembers that he managed thi
Tenth Street when he was a sophomore ii
high school. The last show in it was May 17
Reopens New Orlecms House
NEW ORLEANS—The Pitt Theatre heli
its grand reopening Thursday (15 1. Th
house is now equipped with CinemaScop«
RCA stereophonic sound, a free paved pari
ing lot and is air conditioned.
fr
COCOYL
GOLDEN COCONUT OIL SEASONING
ROY SMITH CO.
TAMPA
JACKSONVILLE
Florida's fIRST Supply Hous
NOW HAS TWO CONVENIENT
LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU
UNITED THEATRE SUPPLY CORf

! Ray
1; spending
I
en,
—
MEMPHIS
MONARCin
Theatre Supply,
Neil
Blount
492 So. Second St.
Memphis,
Tenn.
CAROLINA BOOKING SERVICE
135 Brevord Court, Charlotte, N. C.
Inc.
mm
SERVICE
and
COURTESY
For over 20 years
^^^^^_^ OUR WATCH WORD
•CENTURY AND SOUND STRONG lamps
CONCESSION EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
STANDARD THEATRE SUPPLY CO.
215 E. Washington St., 215 So. Church St
GREENSBORO, N. C. CHARLDTfE,
Business Off?
TRY
JACK POT QUIZ NIGHT
EXHIBITORS' SERVICES
502 South Second St. Memphis, Tennessee
P. O. Box No. 2454
COMPLETE LINE
THEATRE EQUIPMENT and
CONCESSION SUPPLIES
TRI-STATE THEATRE SUPPLY
320 So. Second St. Memphis, Tenn.
you'll love
as they bump
to the neiu
Boogre beat'
fXorncE July 24, 1954

. .
: July
CHARLOTTE
TWTrs. Ruth Cockrill. a patient at Will Rogers
Memorial hospital at Saranac Lake,
N.Y.. writes that she'll probably be coming
home about September 15 ... P. E. Young,
auditor for Consolidated Theatres, is vacationing
. . . Tom Chisholm, booker for Consolidated,
and family recently moved into
their new home in Autumn Court . . . Jay
Schrader, Charlotte Poster Co., is now out
of the hospital and is doing fine.
Wil-Kin Theatre Supply has equipped the
Midway Drive-In. Fayetteville, owned by Mr.
Je.sse Wellons. with Motiograph Altec stereophonic
.sound and Cinemascope equipment.
A 100-foot wide screen was constructed .
Emery Wister, Charlotte News film editor,
attended the world premiere of the new Dean
Martin-Jerry Lewis picture, "Living It Up,"
in Atlantic City.
Dan Gattis, Wilby-Kincey booker, is spending
his vacation at Ft. Bragg on army reserve
duty . . . Patricia Pallagut, booking department,
Wilby-Kincey, is vacationing in
Florida.
The city of Florence, S. C. is doing an $85,-
000 facelifting job on the Colonial Theatre.
The building also houses the city hall. The
theatre entrance is in the front . . . . R. S.
Shore. Dobson (N.O Drive-In, returned
from Hollywood where he visited several of
the studios. Jack Hitchcock, now operating
the State at Florence, says his health is
much better since moving back to_ South
Carolina. For several years Jack was with the
Tyron Theatre in Charlotte, one the B&B
theatres.
A. F. Green, State, Timmonsville, says he
does not believe the farm crops in his section
will be able to pay for the fertilizer used
on account of the long dry spell.
Visitors on the Bow: O. F. Jerigan, Peerless
at Erwin; P. C. Osteen, Carolina, Anderson;
E. R. Sanderson, Pin-Lin Drive-In,
Wallace; R. L. Baker jr., Webb, Gastonia;
Roy Rowe, Pender, Burgaw; Jack D. Fuller,
Ritz, Columbia; Sam L. Irvin, Liberty. Darlington;
H. M. Sloop, Main, Kannapolis;
Thomas. S. Roe and D. J. Stallworth, Circle
Drive-In, Florence; H. F. Lee, Duplin, Warsaw;
W. P. Wells, Wells, Newberry; Rudy
Howell, Howell Theatres, Smithfield.
Also Fuller Sams jr., Statesville Theatre
Corp., State.sville; C. A. Turnage, Turnage,
Washington, N.C.; Harry E. Buchannan, Carolina,
Hendersonville; E. B. Parker, Parkhill,
Manning; R. T. Albright, Ritz, Newberry;
J. W. McMillan, Latta, Latta; Bob Bryant,
Pix. Rock Hill; J. M. Kime, Roseboro; J. H.
Highsmith, Trio, Robersonville; H. E. Wessinger,
Carolina, Lexington; H. M. Gibbs,
Cayce, Cayce; J. L. Hyatt, Midway, Lancaster;
E. B. Bowman, Carolina, Orangeburg, and
Howard McNally, Boulevard Drive-In, Fayetteville.
'Desert' Great to Last
At Twin Cities World
From North Central Edition
MINNEAPOLIS—"The Living Desert" ran
six weeks at the 400-seat World to sensational
grosses. The fourth week gross spurted to
such an extent that Ted Mann, owner, could
do naught but continue the run. Then the
fifth week was declared in all the theatre
to advertising be "positively the last." But
its gross was even larger than the preceding
stanza's and one of the run's biggest. So,
even though "Genevieve" had been advertised
as the attraction to open during the
week, Mann felt it necessary to hold over
"The Living Desert" for still seven days more.
In his newspaper ads, explaining the sixth
week holdover, Mann apologized for giving
the public the wrong steer about the picture
going out, but pointed out there were such
great last-minute demands it wouldn't have
been fair to have done other than to continue
it.
the best source of supply for the finest in
approved equipment
Cinemascope
stereophonic sound
wide screen
in fact
everything for the theatre except film
wil-kin theatre supply, inc
atlanta, go. charlotte, n. c.
'White Lightning' Title
Proves to Be Prophetic
Caney. Kas.—"White Lightning;" was
the name of the picture played at the
Gregg Theatre here recently, and the
following morning it was lightning which
was blamed for a nighttime fire in the
theatre. According to the fire chief, the
building was struck by lightning during
an electrical storm and a hole was torn in
the roof at the rear of the building.
The theatre was built in 1940 by Charles
R. Gregg and his son Joe and was considered
one of the finest theatres in
southeastern Kansas.
V\Tiile the outer walls, the front and
approximately 75 per cent of the room
were only slightly damaged, the rest of
the building and the equipment was destroyed.
Projection equipment was damaged.
The loss was estimated at about
S35,000, but the Greggs plan to rebuild.
The elder Gregg returned from Florida,
where he was vacationing, to help plan
the new theatre.
Next picture scheduled to play the theatre
was "Hot News."
Crim in Kilgore, Tex.,
Holds Anniversary
KILGORE. TEX.—L. N. Crim's Crim Thea
tre celebrated its 15th anniversary and re
ceived excellent publicity coverage from th
local paper which ran a story tracing Crim
life as a theatre owner and another artic;
describing the theatre's original opening da
in 1939.
Crim purchased his first theatre, the Coz
in 1921, the year he got married. He has be€
in show business ever since though he hi
also found time to build a fortune in oil. re
estate and in other fields.
He built the Crim Theatre at an estimatt
cost of $150,000. Opening day, according
the newspaper article, a crowd estimated
more than 3,000 thronged the sidewalks ai
the roped-off street and the result was
sold-out house that first night, designat-
"Crim Theatre Day" by the mayor.
The article went on to follow the histo
of the house including the time it wor
premiered "Strike It Rich" which had be
filmed in this locale.
Manager Knox Lamb was also mentiont
particularly for the promotional work he b
done on such pictures as the 1940 campal
for "Gone With the Wind" when he import
Spanish moss from the Louisiana lake cou
try to decorate the theatre front and lobby
Serving on the staff with Lamb are M
Launa Slack, assistant manager; Hows
Wright and William Mabery, projectionls
Hugh Autrj- and Vernon Caldwell, doormf
Sue Nell Gilbert and Barbara Chisnvca.'ihif
Sue Stierwalt, Vera Mitchell, Loy Cartrr .i
Martha Moore, confectionery; A. A. i
night watchman: B. B. Tolbert, Arvis K' 11
Arthur Johnson, Janitors.
Chester Hximphrey Dies
PKNSACOLA—Chester S. Hiunphny.
i
owner of the Rldgcwood Tliealrc, diiii
expectedly in a Daytonn Beach hospiiil
was a veteran of World War I. He is .miia:
by two daughters.
BOXOFFICE
:
24, 1

'
I
I
I
\M I A M I
took a co-op ad for "Side Streets of Hollyi'
jWie Dixie and the 22nd Avenue di-ive-ins
/ood," a 3-D feature recommended for adults
mly." It was billed as the "first daring picure
with scenes in 3-D." The managements
urnished viewing glasses free of charge.
Patrons of the legitimate production here
>( "Time of the Cuckoo" learn that a film
krsion now is in the making in Venice, with
Audrey Hepburn in the lead role. Shirley
jsooth starred in the Broadway production.
Evelyn Andrade, Miss West Indies, stopped
'vere en route to the Miss Universe contest
h California and made an appearance at the
l^lympia. Headliner Tito Guizar serenaded"
|ier on stage. In Jamaica the competing
leauty is a professional dancer, specializing
|i Latin-American folk dancing and interiretive
ballet.
Thomas Knowles, former relief man for the
Flaughton circuit here, has been named maniger
at the downtown Embassy. His assistant
Norman Witchen. Two girls alternate in
f
pe boxoffice and at the confection counter,
few personnel here include Caroline Horn
nd Sonia Paulson . . , Tom Capuzzi, manger
of the Sheridan, has Tom Ryan as his
«w assistant. Ryan has been with the comjany
for many years . . . Ralph Puckhaber
pturned to his duties as manager of the
ilorida. He vacationed in Jamaica.
Al Panetz, assistant at the Olympia, has
;en named manager at the Coral in Coral
ables. David Payne moves from assistant
|:
the Florida to the same position at the
ramount. Dewey Puqua, who used to man-
:e the Coral, now is managing the Lake at
ke Worth. Bob Williamson, former man-
;er of the Dade, has gone to West Palm
ach where he is managing the Palms.
Florida State Theatres here plans to pubth
a house organ. The name has not yet
en chosen. Al Glick, assistant to Bill Dock
the advertising and publicity department,
U head the editorial staff. He will be
sisted
I by Jeanne Armentrout. Matty Tylek
11 have charge of the art work . . . Louis
ke, vice-president Florida State, was in
n on a vacation and business trip.
Sylvia Sidney, who attained screen fame
th her role in "An Ameriacn Ti-agedy," is
jcationing here with her son Jody. Long
ijsociated with weeping roles. Miss Sidney
*d that if all her movie tears could be
ijllected, they would doubtless a good-
fill
^d Miami Beach swimming pool." When
l|e 14-year-old Jody was asked if he was in
jtValter Klements, manager of the Mayfair
'^t Theatre, is used to jokesters who are
^vays pointing out that line on the theatre's
rkquee, "Miami's Most Unique Theatre."
wouldn't change it for anything, since it
is far too many comments. The Mayfair's
it Ifby, is also "most unique." While waiting
see a picture, or for idlying afterwards,
atron may watch television, play checkers
jibles are kept set up), drink coffee or tea
H the house, study an art exhibit
(these exhibits
are periodically changed i, or as one
writer put it, "Feast your eyes on Klements,
who wears a dinner jacket every night of the
year."
Frank Krickler, a former aircraft experimental
executive, is talking about his own
version of 3-D at the West Hollywood Drivein.
He has developed a process for projection
of color fUms that, according to observers,
has a three-dimensional effect, with no
glasses
necessary.
Beauty Entrants Quit
After Catholic Slap
From North Control Edition
MINNEAPOLIS—The Register, Catholic
diocesan newspaper criticized Universal-
International's Miss Universe contest editorially
as "a national degradation of woman's
dignity," with the result that all of the
13 local girl entrants withdrew. However,
Ray Konewko, contest director, at the 11th
hour succeeded in rounding up several new
entries and a girl residing in a nearby town
was selected as the winner.
The Minnesota Amusement Co. has been
sponsoring the contest in theatres in nine
of its towns, including the Twin Cities. Each
contest winner competes in the state finals
with the other eight victors for the Minnesota
first prize, a trip to Hollywood, a motion
picture appearance and a chance to vie with
other state and national winners for the
Miss Universe title and a film contract.
Nearby St. Cloud, population 29,000, is a
Catholic center. The Catholic newspaper editorial
declared that "such contests naturally
cheapen woman's real charm and cut diametrically
across the whole tradition of
Christian culture."
There, however, has been no official church
ruling about the participants in beauty contests.
Street Card Handout Aids
Photo Nights in Canada
Manager Harry Wilson applied a little
reverse English, or in this instance reverse
Canadian, to the ixsual stunt of having a
street photographer take pictures of
passersby or patrons as a contest gimmick.
Wilson had a man stationed on a busy
corner of Chatham, Ont., go through all
the motions of taking pictures and then
hand the pedestrians a card with copy that
read: "No, I didn't take your photo, but
tonight the Capitol Theatre is offering
l|e show business too, he replied, "Oh, yes,
ran usher." He got this experience during
mother's recent engagement in Ivoryton, $1,017.50 for your photo if your name is
Cnn.
selected." The current attraction at the
theatre. "The Long, Long Ti-ailer," was
plugged in copy on both sides of the card.
A five column co-op ad with a half dozen
local merchants in the local paper further
publicized the playdate.
Another five-column newspaper ad
helped plug the playdate on "So Big" at
the Capitol. In addition to the theatre ad
at the top of the page, each merchant featured
the line that his bargains were
"So Big."
Variety in Iowa Loses
On Hole-in-One Event
From North Central Edition
DES MOINES—Golfers say the oddi againit
making a hole-in-one are about 8.750 to 1.
but no member of Des Moines' Variety Club
will believe it. Last week, three holes-in-one
were recorded at the club's charity tournament
in less than 6,000 tries! The proceeds
of the tourney were to go to charity. Instead,
in addition to the proceeds, the club will have
to shell out $2,000 to the lucky shooters.
It all happened when the odds went out
the window. Last year, the club held the
tournament, put up a new Cadillac as the
prize for any one who shot a hole-in-one and
sat back expectantly. The result: 12,000
shots were taken, no one got a hole-in-one
and the Des Moines Health Center received
a total of $6,000 from the club.
This year, contestants took half as many
shots and there are three to claim the prizes:
a 1954 Cadillac and a 1954 Plymouth. The
winners, who paid $1 for each two shots they
took, are Dr. A. J. Gillotti. a dentist, who
made his on a Tuesday night; Charles
Amodeo. who shot his the next night, and
Rudy Faulds. a Variety Club member, who
got his on the following Sunday, the last
day of the tourney. Faulds is a partner in
the Des Moines Theatre Supply Co. and has
an interest in the Iowa United Theatre circuit.
Dr. Gillotti scored his ace on the 138-yard
hole after about 3,200 shots were taken. Less
than 200 more were shot before Amodeo made
his. Faulds came in at about the end of the
6,000 total.
James McPherson Retires
After a 68-Year Career
From North Central Edition
BELOIT, 'WlS.-^ames McPherson, an employe
in Beloit theatres for 68 years, w-as
honored upon his retirement with a breakfast
tendered him at the Hotel Hilton by
Standard Theatres Co. Manager John Falco,
sponsored by lATSE Local 493. Scotty Mitchell,
union secretary, presented McPherson
with an engraved gold lighter and a leather
billfold containing a $50 bill.
D. W. Fuquay to Lake Worth
LAKE WORTH, FLA.—D. W. Fuquay is
succeeding Jerry Evans as manager of the
Lake Theatre. Evans resigned to enter other
business. Fuquay was brought to Lake Worth
from Coral Gables where he had been manager
of the Coral.
FRIDAY the Bthi
RUSH Bookings for
AUGUST 13th, 1954
SPOOK SHOWS f
BELA LUGOSt . . BORIS KARLOFF
and many other oufstonding
THRILLER STARS
ALSO SUITABLE for
ATLANTA
CHARLOTTE
WASHINGTON,
MID-NITE SHOWS
MEMPHIS
NEW ORLEANS
D.C.
^XOFnCE :
: July 24, 1954 73

Ideas still
pay!
Anyone can find
ideas,
but successful
exhibitors
make ideas work for them*
whether you create, collect
or adapt ideas, the main
thing is to keep them stirring
to build business for you.
From Cover to Cover -
BOXOFFICE Brims with Helpfulness
*One exhibitor collected BOXOFFICE
Stories on Children's Shows, and has
boosted matinee business 100% by
adapting them for his own theatre.
As never before, better methods pay good
dividend.

I
I
Video
j
-
Johnny Jones, Video
Merge at Shawnee
OKLAHOMACITY—Johnny Jones of Shaw
laee and Video Independent Theatres have
merged their interests there. Jones and his
liister Ruby operated the Ritz and Jake and
lilso had the Crest in Stillwater but sold this
Iheatre outright to Video. Video is in partnership
with Claude Leachman at Stillwater.
and Jones now ai-e partners in the
ftitz and Jake, in addition to the Video inerests
which include the Hornbeck, Bison,
becumseh Drive-In and the Starlite Drive-In.
Frank Little will continue as manager of the
atter four for the present. However, in the
lear future Video plans to transfer him and
fohnny. and Ruby Jones will take over the
jxtive management of all of the Shawnee
ituations,
A. F. Hornbeck, Shawnee mayor, was Video's
jiartner but sold out to the circuit recently
Ind retired, and Video sold the partnership
leal to Jones. Hornbeck's retirement ended
Interstate to Have State Fair Display
~'yij/tL^r
longtime association with Video and its
j'arent Griffith company. He was the first or
cond partner of R. E. and L. C. Griffith.
e started out with them in Yale where the
rst
partnership deal was made in the early

. . Raymond
. . New
. . Mitchell
. . U-I
. ,
DALLAS
n Ibert H. Reynolds, general manager and
vice-president of Claude Ezell Associates,
returned from a tour of the drive-ins in
south Texas with Conley Cox . . . Manager
Kenny Morris of the Buckner Boulevard
Drive-In reports that the extensive remodeling
of the snack bar by M. L. Montgomery
is progressing at a fast pace . . . Sue Beningfield,
Texas COMPO secretary, returned
from a weekend visit to Clarksville.
Mrs. Henry B. Walthall returned to Hollywood
after visiting her brother-in-law Wal-
lace
Grace Bewer, with Associated Popcorn for
the past six years, retu-ed . . . Don Lawson,
Is Associated Popcorn, vacationing in New
Mexico and Colorado . Willie jr.,
Rialto Theatre manager, offered free gifts
at
the opening of "Princess of the Nile."
Visitors at Herber Bros, this week were
Kenneth K. McFarland, Pines, Nacogdoches;
Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Leach, Texas, Jacksboro:
R. H. Muse, Royal, Van Alstyne; Mrs.
As a screen game,
HOLLYWOOD fakes top
honors. As a box-office oftraction,
it is without equoL It has
been a favorite with theatre goers for
over 15 years. Write today for complete details.
Be sure to give seating or ear capacity.
HOLLYWOOD AMUSEMENT CO.
831 ! >S, I
LOOK TO
FILMACK
FOR THE FINEST
ANNOUNCEMENT
TRAILERS
IESBB83D
TIME!
SELL YOUR THEATRE PRIVATELY
Laroest coveraje in U.S. No •^
ings. Highest reputation for
and fair dealino. 30 years exjjei
eluding exhibition. AsIc Better Bu:
ARTHUR LEAK Theotre Spcciolists
3305 Caruth. Dallas, Texas
Telephones EM 0238 • EM 7489
CONFIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE
. . .
.
.
committee chairman, visited J. W. Youngblood
in Waco with Jack Bryant and Frank
Bradley regarding the improvement in the
raising of broilers at the ranch William
. . .
W. W. McNatt and Buddy Bass, McNatt O'Donnell, vice-president and general manager
of Ti-ans-Texas Theatres, has started
Theatres, east Texas; Harold D. Lee, projectionist,
Holtom Theatre, Fort Worth; Mrs. special guest nights at the Rialto. Each
Andy Sisk, Louisville; R. Coleman, Pilot week, the theatre will invite a special group
be guests on opening night of a new attraction.
Point; Don Fuller, Dollison Theatres, Amarillo,
to
and Tom Luce, formerly with Para-
The first invitation went to the
mount and now owner and operator of the Dallas Emergency Corps.
Rich Theatre, Celina.
Manager James A. Cain of the Esquire
WOMPI notes—Virgil Miers, Times Herald Theatre plans to fete its 150,000th patron
amusements editor, was the principal speaker with a dinner and a season pass Mrs.
Manager W. W. McNatt. McNatt Enterprises, and Ed
at the monthly luncheon
Yarbrough celebrated their birthdays
R. N. Wilkinson invited all members to a
screening of "Magnificent Obsession" Friday
(30) . members are Joyce Gannaway,
Interstate circuit; Barbara Davis, Columbia;
Allene Meier, RKO; Myi'tle Kitts, 20th-Fox,
and Carolyn Ann Keith, Altec Service . . .
Helen Cayton married John J. Ahem jr. Saturday
(17).
Long boxofflce lines and crowded lobbies
opened the run of "The Caine Mutiny" at the
Palace Theatre Friday il6i. James O. Cherry,
city manager, and Jimmy Allard, theatre
manager, had their hands full. The patrons
while entering and leaving the theatre spent
considerable time inspecting the display of
naval equipment which included a large mine
and another table of models of all types of
naval ships. Blowups of four of the principal
characters outside the marquee attracted
passers-by.
C. C. Caldwell, owner of theatres in O'Donnell,
Tex., and Jal, N. M., suffered serious
injuries on his return from Dallas to his home
in Lubbock when the plane in which he was
flying crash-landed near Fort Worth . . .
James Riggs, owner of the Lone Star Drive-
In, reports that robbers held up the boxoffice
Saturday night (17) and got away with
only $148.65 since Manager Joe Wood had
removed a substantial amount of the evening's
receipts .shortly before the robbery
occurred.
BUFFALO COOLING EQU
3409 Ook Lowr,, Room 107 BUFFALO ENGINEERING CO., INC
Justin Mclnaney, Alexander Film Co., visited
theatres in west Texas and the Panhandle
Dan Hulse jr., recently discharged
. . . from the army and now employed
in the Warner Bros, shipping department, lost
all his home furnishings in a terminal explosion
and fire. The belongings were being
shipped by the U.S. government to Hulse's
Dallas home . Lewis, theatre
owner from Houston and past chief barker
of the Houston Variety Club, was in meeting
with Chief Barker Al Reynolds of the Dallas
tent, C. A. Dolson and Jack Bryant, club
manager.
The Melba Theatre has a tie-in with the
Greyhound bus lines in a promotion designed
to extend the area of interest in "This Is
Cinerama." The plan calls for the observing
of a special night for the various municipalities
in the Dallas trade area— the first will
be Waco on August 13. The bus firm is offering
special fares and its Waco manager has
been designated an official ticket agent for
the Melba.
Charles E. Dardcn, Variety's Boy Ranch
P M E N T
Dallas,
Texas
Charles Freeman. Interstate executive, Margo
Jones. Theatre '54 director, and Maurice
Alevy were named as judges in "The Cainej
Mutiny" acting contest to be held in conjunction
with the film currently playing the
Palace. The contest is being conductea by
Webcor
Texas Briefs
The Queen Theatre in Merkle has installer
Cinemascope, according to N. T. Dodge, including
Simplex projection equipment anc
an RCA sound system.
Owner Forrest Dunlap now is operating hi
Whitney Theatre in Whitney on a six-da;
schedule, reserving Tuesday for fishing.
Melvin Kelly is the new manager of thi
Sheppard Drive-In in Wichita Falls. Kell;
had managed the Kaufman Road Drive-I:i ii
Dallas which also belongs to the Weinberge
interests.
Jack Olier has purchased the building ii
Vernon now occupied by the Majestic Thentr
for a reported $20,000 from Mr. C. C. Hamii
Hamm also operates the Cactus Drive-In weof
town on Highway 287. The Majestic \vi
continue to occupy the building until the fii>
of the year.
A pin was awarded Joe Brown, Long Thea
tres manager in Texas City, for 14 years c
100 per cent attendance at Rotary clu
meetings.
The Arcadia in Kerrville completed the ii
stallation of CinemaScope. according to No:
man Hines, city manager of the Hall Tlieatie
Pre.sent for the installation was Sid Hull ji
co-owner and general manager of the Ha
circuit.
The completely new Strand Theatre i
Wichita Falls will reopen the second wet
of August, it was reported by Bill O'Donne:
executive vice-president and general managi
of Trans-Texas Theatres, Inc.
Only the orii
inal floor remains from the theatre wlii(
burned several months ago. In the prcsei
reconstruction, the Strand was converted in
a one-floor show house. Harry Gaines r
turns as manager.
J. B. Seale, manager of the Plains and til
Seale Drive-In, Lockney. was host at a luncliPI
eon meeting of ai-ea theatre managers. A'
tending the meeting were Mr. Carlile. Carl
Theatre, Dimmitt; Mi-. Stevens, Amhen
George Reed, Abernathy; J. B. Piathor. Hi
Center; Ted Borum, Earth; Mr. Boruk, Oltc
and Mr. Tunnell, Silverton,
BOXOFFICE July 24, «,
i

I Hot
I
alltime
! In
.
—
EASTERN OKLAHOMA
By ART LAMAN
summer has hit eastern Oklahoma
all its with power. Temperatures have hit an
high mark, breaking all records as far
Thousands defy heat to see "Gone With
the Wind."
back as the oldest oldtimers can recall.
However
it's an ill wind that blows no good. All
:heatres that are cool have benefitted at the
Doxoffice. When Mom and the kids get hot,
;hey look for the cool spots, and nine times
3Ut of ten that spot is
the movie.
the opinion of this writer, no greater
fribute could be given a motion picture than
ihe picture herewith. Some of the points of
'nterest in this picture: the date is Sunday,
July 18, 1954; the place, the corner of Fourth
treet and Boulder avenue, Tulsa; the theathe
Ritz; the time, you can see by the
;lock. Howard Hopkins, top commercial phoographer,
made the shot just as the 4 o'clock
break was taking place. The long line of
people extending back on Boulder as far as
the eye can see had been waiting for more
than one hour in the 112-degree heat.
In front of the theatre will be seen an
ambulance. One woman had become ill due
to the great heat.
From 8 in the morning (special opening
time) until the last show at night the crowds
were the same every day since the picture
opened Thursday (15). Which once more
proves, beyond any doubt, that once in a
blue moon they make a great picture like
"Gone With the Wind" and when this happens
it stays great down through years—
during the years that gimmicks have been
cranked up, such as wide screens, new lenses,
drive-ins, 3-D and dozens of others. But all
these seem very unimportant when an oldtimer
can make 'em stand in the hot sun and
112 degrees of heat just to see and hear this
one, one more time!
Short notes from T-Town :
The Tulsa Theatre
has installed a new wide screen.
Gene Welch, manager at the Delman, held
over "Three Coins in the Fountain," making
it a three-week run to plenty of paying customers.
The same thing happened with "The
High and the Mighty" at the Downtown Orpheum.
"Hell Below Zero" was moved over
to the Rialto after one week at the Ritz, and
showed a good week business on the holdover.
Ralph Drewry, general manager of Tulsa
Downtown Theatres, left on a vacation in
Florida to catch up on swimming, fishing
and, of course, a bit of golfing, plus a visit
with J. C. Hunter, former general manager
of the Tulsa Group. J. C. now has the swank
hotel in Port Lauderdale.
Mike Hauptman and C. C. Wakefield of
the local stagehands group will leave August
6 for the lATSE convention, which convenes
in Cincinnati for six days.
Just heard from Eddie Jones, manager of
the Sand Springs Drive-In. Eddie .says business
is holding pretty good even with the
heat wave. He also told us about a bit of
bad luck with his fireworks the Fourth.
Seems -some way fii-e got to the unfired shells
on the ground and they all went bang at the
same time. Eddie says it was a fair reproduction
of the atom.
Hank Robb, theatre owner of Dallas, has
been looking over the Sand Springs Drive-In.
The price fixed on this ozoner is $200,000.
Harold Anderson, owner of the Peoria,
Negro house, has also taken over the Regal
Theatre on West Lansing. Harold has been
doing a good job in giving his patrons the
top pictures; many of them played day and
date with the downtown first rims.
We are cranking up a new stunt at the
Rialto. Will give some details on this one at
an early date. And that's about it on this
hot day in July.
The Hawaiian actor, Robert Cabal, has been
signed for a supporting part in Paramount's
"Love Is a Weapon."
rAe POPCOR/fMAUSot^s:
IF ITS CONCESSION
SUPPLIES YOU NEEO-
WE G-OT 'EM/
ASSOCIATED
POPCORN DISTRIBUTORS, Inc.
302 S. Harwood RI.6I34 Dallot. Teios
who come into your theatre
have a new slant on refreshment.
They've seen the Pepsi-Cola advertising that appeals to the
figure-conscious, fashion-conscious woman of today.
Pepsi sales are growing fast in the theatre field because
Pepsi is the \\gh\ refreshment. It refreshes without filling
And here's o new slant for you . .
^pil-O^ta ;i-Coai GIVES YOU MORE
PROFIT PER DRINK . . . MORE DRINKS PER GALLON!
PMONE PR. 3191 • 2019 JACKSON ST. • DALLAS, TEXAS
Sterling Sales & Service, Inc.
THEATRE EQUIPMENT SUPPLIES & SERVICE

. . The
. . Planning
OKLAHOMA CITY
Qarr "Scotty" Scott of Screen Guild went
back into the hospital and a request went
out for type O blood. Scotty, who has been
ill for many weeks, left the hospital for
home to recuperate, only to suffer a setback.
He's in St. Anthony . Eddie Greggs
family is back from an auto junket and holiday
on the west coast where they visited
the WB and Universal studios. Making the
trip were Eddie, WB salesman, his wife and
daughter Bobbie, who is assistant cashier at
Columbia, and son Ed.
Ila Friedel, wife of George, the 20th-Fox
salesman who celebrated his birthday
Wednesday (14), returned from Des Moines
where she spent ten days with her sister
Alice Weaver, who is a.ssoeiated with Realart
there. While in Des Moines Ila helped on the
Variety hole-inrone golf tourney. The
Freidels' son Dwayne will marry Pat Cooper
September 3. Dwayne is a cameraman with
station
RWTV.
Ray Hughes of Heavener has a new swimming
pool at his home . a big
trip this September are Mr. and Mrs. Harold
Combs and son and Mr. and Mrs. Bob Barton.
Theatres Turn to TRICE!
^
for beautiful carpets
in
Theatres in the Southwest
Complete Installation ^
by our own workmen.
Call us today: Win Toylor
TRICE COMMERCIAL CARPETS
DROP A CARD TO

j
I
! have
'
urging
j
On
I
Asked
I
I
manager,
I
',
MINNEAPOLIS—Bennie
I
I
I
I
WARREN,
—
— —
Pickets Jam 'The Line'
At Opening in St. Paul
ST. PAUL—"The French Line," which ran
for six weeks at two Twin Cities drive-in theatres
without any protests, is encountering
trouble at the neighborhod Royal Theatre.
Twenty representatives of religious groups
picketed the theatre, carrying signs
banning of the film and calling it
"filth" and "sex."
j
the opening day the picketing caused
such a traffic jam it was necessary to call
the police.
by the St. Paul Dispatch to comment
on the picketing, Floyd Dodgers, Royal
said, "That's their right."
The Pioneer Press and Dispatch have carried
"The French Line" advertising with
the lines, "That Picture—That Dance—
You've Heard So Much About," and showmg
a cut of Jane Russell in her scanty costume.
No other conventional theatre or ozoner
it.
has booked
All "French Line" deals in the territory,
including the three in the Twin Cities, have
been for 50 per cent and it will not be sold
any other way, declares Fay Dressell, RKO
manager.
Says 'Caine' Deal Hurts
The Smaller Grossers
Berger, North
entral Allied president, has denounced Columbia's
70-30 percentage terms for "The
aine Mutiny" in this territory and called
ts guarantee of a minimum 10 per cent
profit for the exhibitor who plays it on such
i deal "a new artificial type of protection
,hat means nothing to the little exhibitor."
The guarantee may do some good for the
arge theatres, but for the smaller grossers,
ncluding the majority of drive-ins, it in-
'ariably would spell chicken feed and subtantially
less than could be earned if the
bictures were bought at a fair flat rental
basis on "ability to pay," according to Berger.
"And in order to survive the small exjiibitors
need pictures like 'The Caine Muliny'
and they need to buy them at a fair
llat figure so that they can earn enough on
ftiem to offset losses or lack of profits on
he majority of midweek offerings," the
KCA president pointed out.
"What's happening in the industry now is
tntamount to strangulation of the bulk of
|xhibitors.
Unless distributors see the light and
hange their ways the industry, as it now
perates, is doomed."
J. J. Buus Closes Theatre
HUMBOLDT, S. D.—B. J. Buus closed the
legion Theatre after having operated it as
weekend situation since shortly after
aster. According to Buus, children had been
tending the theatre but the adult patronage
dropped so low that it was no longer
k-ofitable.
Bennie Berger Backs Plan
For Korean Collections
MINNEAPOLIS—At its meeting next
month. North Central Allied will be asked to
approve the taking of theatre collections for
Korean relief. President Bennie Berger says
he favors such action. He was one of the
film industry leaders who recently attended
President Eisenhower's luncheon to consider
how the industi-y can help. COMPO has
indorsed the collections.
NCA and top exhibitors in the area have
previously put their feet down on theatre
collections except for the Northwest Variety
Club Heart hospital.
Plans to Lease New Theatre
ELMA, IOWA—Neal Mullinex has been approved
by the board of directors of the Elma
Theatre Corp. to lease the new theatre when
completed. He will purchase the projector,
screen, seats and other equipment for the
leased building. The Mullinex family came to
Elma two years ago from Waterloo and have
been operating a tavern which they expect
to sell before he takes over the management
of the new theatre. Construction of the
building is in progress now and is expected
to be finished in September.
AU-Night Show Popular
BEATRICE. NEB.—Jack Wilson, manager
of the Crest Drive-In, reports a fine response
to dusk-to-dawn show policy inaugurated
Saturday (10). The all-night screenings drew
a capacity crowd, which was, according to
Wilson, one of the most orderly and cooperative
he has ever seen. Free coffee and
doughnuts were served to 400 people at four
a.m. Other dusk to dawn showings are
planned for future Saturdays.
Awards Harold G. Dunn
VALENTINE, NEB.—The savings bond division
of the Treasury department awarded
Jewel Theatre owner Harold G. Dunn a citation
for patriotic .service to community and
nation through the savings bond program.
The citation was in recognition of the valuable
services rendered by Dunn in presenting
savings bond films at his theatre. Dunn is
also a former chairman of Cherry county
bond drives.
'Garden' Hiis Fine 150
At State in Omaha
OMAHA—The second week of "The High
and the Mighty" generated plenty of boxoffice
steam along with the weather last
week and topped average by about 10 per
cent, after a 195 per cent opening week.
"The Garden of Evil" went to 150 at the
State and "Johnny Dark" at the Omaha
went above normal.
Admiral-Chief- Sands of Iwo Jima (Rep); Fighting
Coost Guard (Rep) 100
Brandeis— Silver Lode (RKO), Heat Wave (LP) 85
Omaha Johnny Dark (U-l); Ploygirl (U-l) 115
Orpheum The High and the Mighty (WB), 2nd
wk
no
State Garden of Evil (20th-Fox) 150
Town Paratrooper (Col); Singing' in the Corn
(Col); The Marshal's Doughter (UA) 90
"Wind' Opens Minneapolis
Run With 200 Per Cent
MINNEAPOLIS — Although the Aquatennial
with its numerous counter attractions
was an adverse factor, newcomers "Gone
With the Wind" and "Hell Below Zero" came
through very well. The holdovers also continued
to pull big business. It was the seventh
week for the sensational "Living Desert"
and the third for another champion, "The
High and the Mighty."
Gopher—Gone With the Wind (MGM) 200
Lyric Highway Dragnet (AA); Private Eves (AA). 80
Radio City The Student Prince (MGM), 2nd wk. . .125
RKO Orpheum Hell Below Zero (Col) 100
RKO Pan—The High and the Mighty (WB),
3rd wk 120
State—Knock on Wood (Para), 2nd wk 125
World The Living Desert (Disney), 7th wk 125
Promotes Heart Fund
DELAVAN, WIS.-In the lobby of the Delavan
Theatre a make-believe well was installed,
with a fountain spraying water over
a statue to promote "Three Coins in a Fountain"
and collect coins for the Variety Club's
heart fund. The idea was carried out by
Manager Steve Johnson and his staff.
Holds Take a Chance Night
STRAWBERRY POINT, IOWA—The Orpheum
Theatre has inaugurated a Take a
Chance night every Wednesday, according to
Manager Bob Thomas. The picture shown
these evenings will be a complete surprise
to theatre patrons. Special half-price admission
will be charged for these special shows.
Lllen Paulson Opens Airer
MINN.—Allen Paulson, owner
ad manager, reports the opening of his 200-
kr Sky-Vu Drive-In. Paulson plans to play
fo shows nightly throughout the summer
hd fall with four changes of program each
eek.
WISCONSIN EXHIBITORS—This gathering of exhibitors was photographed at a
recent screening at the Wisconsin Theatre in Milwaukee hosted by 20th-Fox to demonstrate
the advances made in CinemaScope. Left to right: Russ Leddy. Orpheum,
Green Bay; John McKay, Eagle River; William Pierce, Savoy City; Mrs. Leddy, and
William Roob, Port Washington.
July 24, 1954 NC

. .
. .
. . Han-y
. . RKO
. . The
. . The
MINNEAPOLIS
T^on Swartz attended the Lippert regional
meeting in Chicago ... In its 14th week
the CentuiT, Cinerama, giving two special
at
matinees for Aquatennial visitors, had its
biggest gross of the entire run to date .
Because of its length. "Gone With the Wind"
is being presented only three times daily
Monday through Friday, and four on Saturdays
and Sunday at the local Gopher,
where it broke the house boxoffice record
by a wide margin its first week.
John Branton, Minnesota Amusement Co.
buyer-booker manager, and his wife are vacationing
at Isle Royale . . . Eddie Cantor,
going through the Mayo clinic at Rochester
for a checkup, was induced by Harry Salisbury,
manager of the Chateau Theatre there,
to make the presentation of the crown to the
area winner of the Miss Universe beauty
contest on the showhouse stage ... An
estate of $1,338,953 was left by the late
Theodore B. Melzer who at one time owned
and operated the Lyric Theatre in New Ulm.
Minn., but .sold the showhouse to Eddie Ruben's
Welworth circuit several years ago.
Melzer was killed in an auto accident at the
age of 60 . . . Don Pyle, the MAC advertising
department, visited relatives in Ohio.
George Roth, formerly with Pine Arts
Films and now representing Atlantic Pictures,
distributors of foreign pictures, was
in from New York to call on art theatres .
Columbia is now selling "The Caine Mutiny"
to the territory's important towns. The original
plan announced by Hy Chapman, manager
here, was to wait first until the picture
had its territory premieres at the Minneapolis
and St. Paul RKO-Orpheums, day and date
Thursday (29), and the boxoffice results of
the indefinite runs had been tabulated.
Foster Blake, U- western division sales
manager, was in town on a routine visit . . .
Alice Kihlman, Warner Bros, cashier, is vacationing
in northern Minnesota . . . The
wife of M. A. Levy, 20th-Fox division manager,
is recuperating after an operation at
the Mayo clinic in Rochester . held
an invitation screening for exhibitors of
"Susan Slept Here" Sears, MGM
.
exploiteer. landed tieup newspaper ads with
the assistance of local house managers and
the MAC publicity staff members, for his
company's "The Student Pi-ince." The store
ads carried large banners at their top promoting
the picture . . . "Magnificent Obsession"
has its territory premiere at Radio
City here next month.
Betty Carr, featured in MGM's "Seven
Brides for Seven Brothers," was here for
the Aquatennial and also to plug the picture
which is scheduled for the State August
Other film notables in town this
12 . . .
week included Vera Ellen, Carlo Thompson,
Jack Carson, Art Linkletter, May Wynn and
Robert Francis. The two last named played
the romantic leads in "The Caine Mutiny"
which opens at the Minneapolis and St. Paul
Orpheums next week . . . Burtis Bishop,
MGM central division sales manager, was a
visitor.
"The French Line," playing its St. Paul
first and only run at the Royal, independent
neighborhood house, was scaled at 8,') cents
after 5 p.m., the same price charged by the
top downtown A first run houses. The matinee
tariff was 50 cents . . .
Film director
Irving Pichel, who died in Hollywood, was
a Minneapolitan by birth and a resident here
during his youth when he attended the university
of Minnesota . . . First Cinemascope
picture to play any of the W. R. Frank circuit
theatre houses is "The Robe" which
opened at the Boulevard here last week. It's
ORDER YOUR POPCORN SUPPLIES FROM US
White Japanese Hulless Popcorn Per 100 lbs. $ 9.00
XXX Yellow Popcorn Per 100 lbs. 10.95
Standard Yellow Popcorn Per 100 lbs. 8.50
"Seazo" Coconut Oil Seasoning Per 50 lbs. 15.75
Liquid Popsit Plus Seasoning Per Case 15.75
Popcorn Salt Per Case 2.95
No. 400 Automatic Bottom Boxes, 1% oz Per 1000 9.50
No. 300 Automatic Bottom Boxes, 2 oz Per 1000 10.65
Large 25c Popcorn Boxes Per 1000 18.75
1 lb. White Popcorn Sacks Per 1000 2.20
1 lb. Brown Popcorn Sacks Per 1000 1.80
Vi lb. Popcorn Sacks Per 1000 1.50
'/2 lb. Popcorn Sacks Per 1000 1.20
VA lb. White Popcorn Sacks Per 1000 2.95
1 lb. Printed Noiseless Sacks Per 1000 3.80
% lb. Printed Noiseless Sacks Per 1000 3 40
Iowa Distributor for Silver Skillet Brand Canned Meats.
Prices Subject to Change Without Notice
DES MOINES THEATRE SUPPLY CO.
1121-23 High St. Des Moines, Iowa
the chain's only house to have installed the
equipment. The Boulevard layout includes
. stereophonic sound independent
Heights has just installed Cinemascope
The 750-car 7-Hi Drive-In drew capacity
with its midnight horror show . 100
Tw.ns Drive-In was out of commission for
two nights because of a theatre generator
blowout caused when lightning struck a powerline
outside of the ozoner.
Bloomington Gets 3rd
Drive-In Application
MINNEAPOLIS—A third applicant for i
permit to operate an outdoor theatre at subburban
Bloomington has appeared on the
scene. He's Otto Kobs who owns the nearby
Oxboro Theatre. Other applicant's are the
Minnesota Entertainment Enterprises, which
now operates a de luxe ozoner in the suburb,
and a group associated with Ted Karatz, a
local circuit owner. Under an ordinance that
permits one drive-in theatre for each 10,
of population, the suburb is believed in line
for one more.
Civic Theatre Shows Net
ROYALTON, MINN.—This town's only
film theatre, operated by the local civic clu
as a civic enterprise, has been able to payi
off a $3,500 mortgage on the projection
equipment out of earnings. The remaining
debts amount to $1,000 and the club hopes
to be able to clear them up shortly.
Pat Bruning RemodeUng
GLIDDEN, IOWA—Pat Bruning reports
that the Legion Theatre will be closed for six
weeks for remodeling and painting. It iJ
expected that the house will reopen aboui
September 1.
Horseshoe Club Benefit
STORDEN. MINN.—Hai-vey Iverson, manager
of the Park Theatre, sponsored a show
for the benefit of a newly formed horse;
club. No admission was charged but a boi
was placed in the lobby for contributions
Art Goodwater Aids Fund i
MADISON, NEB.—Art Goodwater turne'j
over one afternoon's receipts taken in at hil
Capitol Theatre to the Madison county tor!
r.acio relief fund.
Installs Cinemascope
HOLDREDGE, NEB.—The Sun Theatre hs
installed CinemaScope, according to Managi
Erwin Braner.
Bob Nicholson Acting Manager
ESTHERVILLE, IOWA—Bob Nicholson

[
CARSON.
l"is
: July
Business Club to Reopen
arson, Iowa, Theatre
IOWA—At a special meeting of
(he Carson Business club, it was decided to
eopen the theatre and show movies on
IVednesday and Saturday nights. The club
lias leased the theatre building and equipment
from Howard Brookings, Oakland,
:wner of the house, and renamed the theatre
|)reamland which was the name used until
|lrookings purchased the house several years
[go. Admission prices under the new managejient
will be 40 cents for adults and 15 cents
Dr
children.
Closes in Tama, Iowa
TAMA, IOWA—The Mills Theatre here has
een closed by W. W. Mansfield, who blamed
television, summer softball games and other
actors." He said the operation had been
nprofitable for some time. The theatre rejntly
was served with a 30-day notice by
le Tama city council to install restrooms.
he theatre is owned by Frank Mills and
ased by Mansfield. He will continue to
laintain his business office in the theatre
uilding for his Belle Plaine theatre. A new
ide screen was installed in the theatre re-
!ntly. Mansfield said he may reopen the
leatre
in the fall.
Wide Screen Installations
MILWAUKEE—Recent wide screen installation
in Wisconsin include the Hurley and
Ironwood theatres. Hurley; the State, Moneomonie,
managed by Douglas Conine; the
Clarus, New Clarus, managed by Fred Lienhardt;
the Auditorium, St. Croix Falls, and
the Colby at Abbotsford.
New Dawson, Minn., Airer
DAWSON, MINN.—A new drive-in theatre
here ha.s been opened by Bill Svendson.
Wide Screen for Kiester, Minn.
KIESTER, MINN.—Kee Theatre owner
Harvey A. Gifford reports the installation of
a wide screen.
4 insertions for the price of 3 — SAVE!
Iowa Theatre Ups Prices
For Students and Kids
WILLIAMSBURG, IOWA—New admission
prices at the Burg Theatre here were announced
early this month. Student admission
price, formerly 26 cents, now is 30 cents.
Admi-ssion price for children up to 12 years
has been raised from 10 to 15 cents. Also,
preschool children will be charged 15 cents
unle.ss they are accompanied by their parents
or an adult. Adult admission prices of 45
cents will remain the same.
Paul Tramp Installs CS
OXFORD, NEB —Paul Tramp has installed
Cinemascope at his Oxford Theatre and
showed "The Robe" as his initial presenta-
)elay on Dakota TV Relay
JminOT, N. D.—FCC has notified the
jorth Dakota Broadcasting Co., operating
CJB-TV here and KXJB-TV in Valley City,
.D., that permission will not be granted it
• build its own relay system, as requested,
itil after the commission holds a hearing
1 the proposal which is opposed by the
nerican Telephone & Telegraph Co. The
lay would bring live TV to this town and
Uley City. The North Dakota company adsed
the FCC that it can't afford the
r&T facilities which are generally used
r coaxial cable TV shows.
jlarion House Reopens
jMARION, WIS.—The Marion Theatre was
npened, after having been closed for sevfil
months, with Robert Squires as manler.
He has been manager of the Manawa
'leatre, Manawa, for the past eight years,
!d will manage both theatres. The Marion
Ml operate as a weekend situation.
P.
]j. Davis Closes Theatre
iWONROE, IOWA—The Monroe Theatre was
(jised by owner R. P. Davis who blamed
tb closing on a lack of patronage. He had
derated the theatre for the past five and
•'e-half years after purchasing it from
iane Burk.
gion Post Buys Theatre
j^AXTON, NEB.—The Paxton Legion post
purchased the Paxton Theatre from the
C|Od-All interests of Ogallala. The Legion
Rns to completely remodel the theatre and
epects to reopen August 1.
ippointed Mail Carrier
CALEDONIA, MINN.—Joseph Rostvold jr.,
ajistant manager of the State Theatre, has
r|eived an appointment as a rural mail
Oirier.
B KOFnCE :
24, 1954

'
. . . Charles
. . . The
. . Lew
. . Eugene
DES MOINES
\irith the hole-in-one contest over, Pilmrowers
here were able to settle down to
more routine things once again! The three
winners of the contest decided among themselces
on the prizes, thus eliminating a
J. playoff. Dr. A. GiUotti, dentist, took the
Cadillac; Charles Amodeo decided on the
Plymouth, and Rudy Faulds, Variety Club
member, took the cash difference. So all
three are happy!
Not to be outdone by new Cadillacs and
Plymouths, Bill Lyons, Allied Artist booker,
has purchased a purple Jaguar for himself!
Not only is the car itself different, but it
has an interesting history. It was imported
in 1949 by Cecil B. DeMille who sold it to a
second owner who brought it to the middle
west. Lyons is owner number three and the
envy of many! Bill is a car enthusiast, belonging
to the Foreign Car club which has
rallies, outings, hill climbs, etc.
Vacations are still in full swing in Des
Moines. Helen Eaton, Republic, has returned
from a week at Leach Lake in Minnesota . . .
Helen Windsor, Warners, left for Seattle to
visit her sister in the WAVES . . . Buck
Manbeck is releasing another two-reel short,
filmed locally, entitled "The Greatest Fair on
Earth." The 21-minute picture gives a detailed
account of the Iowa state fair, being
photographed during 1953. All the highlights
and color of this big event are shown in the
short, which is narrated and has musical
background. Buck also ha,s "The Hunchback
of Notre Dame" on 16mm. which is being
released nationally through Ideal Pictures of
Chicago for nontheatrical use. Manbeck may
mean automobiles to many around here, but
Buck's heart and soul are in the film industry
!
Jim Ricketts, Columbia booker and office
manager, has a new granddaughter. Filmrowers
will remember her parents, Jim's son
Jim and his wife, both former Row employes.
They are now in Denver where young Jim
is with Paramount. This is No. 3 for the
Denver Ricketts, two boys and a girl . . .
Bettie Randolph, Columbia assistant booker,
has been transferred to Omaha.
flrive-ln
Advertising Method ... is
PROGRAMS!
FREE! Sample Kit! FREE!
Theatrical Advertising Co.
2310 CASS AVE. DETROIT 1, MICH.
Phone: Woodward 1-2158
r
LOOK TO
FILMACK
i
FOR THE FINEST
ANNOUNCEMENT
R. H. Spencer City Manager
For Consolidated Group
MARSHALLTOWN, IOWA—R. H. Spencer
of Columbia, Mo., is taking over as city manager
for the Consolidated Agencies here, replacing
Neal Houtz,
^V
\
whose resignation will
become effective this
month, according to
\ C. A. Schultz, president.
>rv \ Before coming to
t * Marshalltown, Spencer
I
%Jt ] worked 19 years for the
Commonwealth Theatres,
working in Columbia
for seven years
and then coming to
Creston for ten from
1941-1951. where he
R. H. Spencer operated two theatres
for that circuit. After his work in Creston.
Spencer returned to Columbia where he was
city manager before accepting the position
with Consolidated Agencies.
Houtz. who has been part owner and city
manager here since November 1950, has sold
his interest in the theatres and plans to
go into a new line of business.
Jack Compston Acquires
The Forest in Iowa
FOREST CITY, IOWA—Jack Compston of
Sleepy Eye, Minn., has purchased the Forest
Theatre from the Central States Theatre
Corp. and Franklin Brown. For the last
three years, Henry C. Nelson has managed
the theatre, which was destroyed by fire in
January 1950 and completely rebuilt by
August that year. The new owner has sold
his theatre in Sleepy Eye, 125 miles northwest
of Forest City, which he operated for
12 years. Mrs. Compston and their 8-year-old
son Gary will move to Forest City to join
Compston as .soon as housing is available.
Installs Wide Screens
RHINELANDER, 'WIS. — According to
Charles Herbst. operator of a Milwaukee
theatre engineering service who is supervising
the work, the improvement program
at the State and Majestic Theatres here is
nearly complete. Included in the program
is the installation of stereophonic sound and
wide screens for both Cinemascope and
VistaVision. He also reports the completion
of the Rouman Drive-In which was equipped
with Century projection heads and Ashcraft
lamps.
Robert M. Schmitz Weds
LA CROSSE, WIS. — Robert Matthew
Schmitz, president of the Industrial Motion
Picture Engineers, was married to Dr. Mary
Catherine Berg. They spent their honeymoon
in New York. The bride is a graduate of the
University of Wisconsin medical .school at
Madison and .served .some time as an intern at
La Crosse Lutheran hospital.
Perry. Iowa, Gets C'Scope
PERRY. IOWA—The Perry Theatre has
completed the installation of CinemaScope
and stereophonic .sound, according to Manager
Carl Schwanebeck. The equipment was
installed by National Theatre Supply of Des
Moines and the Altec Corp. of Kansas City.
MILWAUKEE
ndam Schneider, Warner Theatre projectionist,
is vacationing in the northwes
Weiner. formerly with IFE. L
the new sales representative for Buena Vist;
in this area. Sam Chernoff replaced him a
IFE . Bryer has resigned from thi
U-I sales staff and joined Ziv Televisioi
Film Co. . . Al Meskis. Warner Theatr
.
manager, is on vacation. Stanley Gros-s i
filling in for him . Anacker. pro
jectionist, 60, died last week.
L. F. Gran, president of Gran Enterprise,'
was married last week to his secretary, An]
Claire Stolga . . . L. Roy Pierce, who ha
been associated with the motion picture in
dustry here for the past 19 years, has retire'
and plans to move to Klamath Falls. On
Pierce had been Fox-Wisconsin district man
. . .
ager and manager of the Riverside Theatr
wife of Variety Tent 14 membe
Harry A. Zaidins died.
Sammy Miller of the Gladstone (Mich
Theatre is vacationing at Cedarburg befoi
returning to the west coast where he hi
been living for the past few years Jc
DePaul, who operates the Soo Theatre
Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., was in town wit^^
his family on a buying trip and a short vacs^l'
tion . . . MGM held a trade screening c!
i;
"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" at tl
Avalon Theatre.
Joseph E. Herro Featured
As Pioneer Theatreman
WATERTOWN, WIS.—Joseph E. Herro. tl
man who brought the motion picture here i
1903. was recently honored with a featui
story in the local Daily Times.
Just after tlie turn of the century Hen
and his brothers, late Charles and Geors
who now lives in Fort Atkinson, Wis., opem
the now defunct Palace Theatre, the fir
local showhouse. The Palace also wa- tl
third film theatre in Wisconsin to be opeiif
Herro conceived of the idea of openint: tl
theatre after seeing a motion picture in Cli
cago.
Recalling his early theatre days. Herro sa
that he had to use an acetylene projector b,
cause electricity was considered too dange'
ous. He also recalled that the house openi
with folding chairs and operated with the
for several years until some former chur>
pews could be installed.
Herro remembers, too, that he used to p
only $50 per week for films with three chang
weekly in the early days.
Today, he is retired and at present
plEinning another trip abroad.
New Drive-In Planned
BLOOMINGTON, MINN. Aix-onims,'
County Commissioner Geor^r Matthtnv.s. t
Sky View Theatre Corp. is planning to or
struct a 1,000-car drive-in which will occi:
about 12 .u'los and cost $100,000.
fxcLusiyeLy
„iill
BOXOFFICE
:i

—
——
— —
Detroit Fox Offers
'All-Day Preview'
DETROIT—The policy of an "all-day preview"
has become almost a tradition at the
Fox Theatre, with Managing Director David
M. Idzal showing both "Garden of Evil" and
"Demetrius and the Gladiators" on a twin
bill for one day. overlapping the bookings.
The idea was tried out four weeks earlier when
"Demetrius" opened and was doubled for a
day with "Three Coins in the Fountain."
With several strong films, each expected
to run several weeks, cun-ently on the screens
or booked, availabihty of houses for first run
showings is becoming a slight problem,
typified in the shift of "Apache." backed by
"Captain Kidd and the Slave Girl" from the
jPalms to the Broadway Capitol to make
|room for "Hell Below Zero." This move was
jmade possible only by the recent reacquisiition
of the Broadway Capitol by the United
iDetroit circuit. Meanwhile, four other first
irun screens are occupied by films each expected
to have an extended run— "The Student
Prince" at the Adams, "The High and
the Mighty" at the Michigan, "The Caine
Mutiny" at the Madison, and "Gone With
'the Wind," just opening at the United Ai-tists.
[oint Theatre-Bus Ticket
Offer in Ohio Expires
YOUNGSTOWN — Whether the
Youngsown
Municipal Railway Co. and downtown
heatres will renew their combination bus-
)ass-and-theatre-tlcket offer, now that the
ix-month trial period has expired, has not
)een decided.
The downtown houses offer customers a
vekly bus pass and movie ticket for the
$2,
lasses being provided to the theatres for
1.50, a lower price than regular buyers paid.
t will require some time to determine
whether the offer helped business for either
he theatres or the bus company. The period
ould not be regarded as normal, in a buslless
sense, since strikes and other factors
ut the employment rate, according to transit
ompany officials, who said the real value
f the experiment could not be judged
xactly.
)uals Top Pictures
CLEVELAND—J. Stuart Cangney of the
ewel Theatre says he's doing by
right all
omblning two former top pictures and adertising
this as a midweek special program.
I dualled 'Liir and 'Roman Holiday' for
repeat engagement, with satisfactory boxffice
results," Cangney reports. "Other cominations
that have brought in business durig
the usually dead midweek days are:
3ome Back Little Sheba' and 'High Noon';
[Stalag 17' and 'Scoutmaster.' Since B
ictures do not do any business, I have found
hat this policy attracts both those who
ussed the pictures on their first showing
t our theatre and also attracts a certain
umber of repeat customers."
Salesmen at Picnic
Play 26-22 Game
Cleveland — The annual Cleveland
Salesmen's club annual picnic held last
Saturday at Sam Lichter's home on the
Lake Shore, came off in fine style and
without any casualties to the 30 members,
most of whom participated in the ba.seball
game, which, miraculously, went
ten innings. Irving Marcus' team won
over Jerry Lipow's team by 36 to 22. Details:
14 errors and 122 hits for the winners;
16 errors and 108 hits for the losers.
Because each year more and more
members retire from playing baseball,
the teams this year drafted four neighborhood
kids, three boys and a girl, to
complete the teams. Salesmen who didn't
play baseball resorted to cards and to
the festive board, which was laden with
the usual picnic items with one exception.
Everyone wants to know what happened
to the potato salad. This is one
of the great unsolved mysteries.
Theatre Housekeeping
In Detroit Gets Okay
DETROIT—Housekeeping standards of Detroit
theatres were given a special compliment
in the July 8 issue of the Detroit News, when
Harold Heffernan, in his syndicated Hollywod
column, devoted most of his space to a
scathing criticism of "untidy film houses."
Basing his conclusions largely on letters from
film patrons, Heffernan detailed the complaints,
and then went on to say that "It is
a high compliment to the manner in which
the city's first runs are operated that not one
criticism bears a Detroit postmark."
The standards of operation of Detroit
houses in general have received repeated
recognition for several years in their selection
for a number of feature articles in Modern
Theatre of BOXOFFICE.
Installs Wide Screen
DETROIT — Manager Al Ruttenberg reports
the installation of a wide screen and
improved .sound equipment at the Tuxedo
Theatre.
'Apache/ 'Wind' Are
Cleveland Leaders
CLEVELAND—The big pictui-es contmue to
do big business even on holdovers. This week
there were holdovers in five of the downtown
first runs. The only major newcomer was
"Apache" at the State, and It came through
with a handsome 180 per cent. "Gone With
the Wind" in its third week did more business
over the weekend than it did in its
opening weekend five years ago in the Stillman
Theatre. "The High and the Mighty"
registered 165 in Its second week and held.
"The Moon Is Blue" came to an end after
eight straight weeks at the Lower Mall.
Allen The High and the Mighty (C5-WB),
2nd wk 165
Hippodrome Demetrius and the Gladiators
UOth-Fox), 4th wk 90
Lower Mall The Moon Is Blue (UA), 8th wk 100
Ohio Return to Treasure Island (UA); Overland
Pacific (UA) 75
Palace—The viarden ot Evil (CS 20th-Fox),
2nd wk 110
State Apache (UA) 1 80
With the Wind (MGM), 3rd
200
Detroit Grosses Steady;
'Mutiny' Scores 200
DETROIT—Business continued at a satisfactory
high level among downtown houses,
despite well-founded complaints from suburban
theatres.
Adams The Student Prince (MGM), 3rd wk 100
Broodway-Capitol Tanganyika (U-l); Firemon
Save My Child (U-l) 90
Fox—Oemetrius and the Gladiators (20th-Fox),
4th wk 100
Modison The Caine Mutiny (Col), 2nd wk 200
Michigan The High and the Mighty (WB),
2nd wk 160
Palms Apache (UA); Captain Kidd and the Slave
Girl (UA), 2nd wk MO
United Artists The Princess of the Nile
(20th-Fox); Rocket Man (20th-Fox) 80
Cincinnati Grosses High
During Heat Wave
CINCINNATI—Boxoffices continued at a
fast pace during the hot weather, with temperatures
soaring as high as 103. and making
the air-conditioned theatres look very
inviting to the sweltering populace.
Albee The High and the Mighty (WB),
2nd wk 120
Grand She Couldn't Say No (RKO); House of
Blackmail (SR) 100
Palace Garden of Evil (20th-Fox) 125
.oew's Managers Shift
AKRON— Harry Klotz, manager of Loew's
1 Canton for the last nine years, has been
amed to manage the Loew's here effective
iiesday (20) sucoeedLng Sam Shubouf who
as been transfen-ed to Jersey City. Klotz
orked for Loew's in Toledo and Colum,bus
;fore going to Canton.
PXOFnCE July 24, 1954
LOUISVILLE LUNCHEON—A. R. "Cubby" Broccoli, co-producer of Columbia's
Hell Below Zero" and other Warwick films, hosts a luncheon for Louisville area exhibitors.
Left to right, A. R. Ladd, Charles Krebs, Johnson IVIusselman, Clifford
Beuchel, Ford Tracey, Broccoli, Mrs. Sam Switow, Switow, Irving Dreben, Earle
Paine, Lawrence McGinley and Arthur Stanisch.
ME

. . . Mark
. . "The
. . Victor
. . Paul
. . Carl
. .
. .
. .
. . Kessler
CLEVELAND
lyjarshall Fine, happily, was discharged from
Lakeside hospital after less than a week
of tests with assurance that his illness was
not serious. His father, Meyer Fine, president
of Associated Theatres, and mother who
had canceled their boat passage to Europe,
secured plane reservations and left on Sunday
(17) . . . J. Stuart Cangney and wife
returned from Alden, N.Y.. where they visited
with their daughter Jane, her three sons and
her husband who is guidance director of the
Alden high school.
Jules Livingston, Republic manager, returned
to his home from Mount Sinai where
he made a rapid recovery from a heart attack.
After a few weeks of rest, he'll be
back at his desk . . . Bernie Rubin of Imperial
^
I
Kernel Prunty Asks:
"Are you using the variety of popcorn
your trade likes best?" I offer today,
f.o.b. St. Louis, my four brands of popcorn
as follows:
RUSH HOUR $ 8.50
SILVER HULLESS 8.50
GOLDEN HULLESS 10.25
POP KING HULLESS 9.50
Per 100-pound sack.
1,000-pound lots 25c 100 less.
Send for pricelist
of "Toten Trays, Hot Dogs,
Sandwich and Popcorn bags, cartons, etc
PRUNTY POPCORN DIVISION
620 North 2nd St. St. Louis 2, Mo. ;
Popcorn Processors—In our 80th Year.
GOOD NEWS FOR
t DRIVE-IN THEATRES!
^ We are now furnishing equipment for
i ONE TRACK MAGNETIC SOUND
5 LENSES FORGONE TRACK
OPTICAL SOUND
J
< NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY CO.
C 2128 Payne Ave. Phone: PRoipect 1-4613 .
S Cleveland 14, Ohio
J
ATTENTION ... DRIVE-IN OWNERS HI
Now Is the time to replace your damaged and
defective in-cor speokers and speaker mechanlinns
with genuine "MILLIONPROOF RCA."
For lust o little more than the lowest why not
hove the best.
Also Cxclusiye Distributor of Genuine
Polaroid
3-D Glasses
OLIVER THEATRE SUPPLY CO., INC.
Everything for the Theatre
M. H. FRITCHLE, Monogor
1701 East 23rd St. Phono: TO-1-6934
Clavclond, Ohio
Pictures bemoans the fact that 1954 has
only one Friday the 13th. It comes in August
and already he has more than 100 bookings
for his horror programs, including the Warner
and Schine circuits . . . James Rairdon,
former manager of Northio's Paramount
Theatre, Fremont, now managing the
Palace m Marion.
is
Under his supervision,
is the theatre getting a face lifting job both
inside and out . Seiden of the
Frank Gross circuit is now the owner of the
Grand Theatre.
Paul Vogel, Wellsville theatre owner, will
leave Saturday (25) for two weeks of reserve
training at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. He is a major
in the 332nd infantry . . . Nat Lefton,
former distributor who retired about eight
years ago, underwent surgery recently in
Hawaii. As soon as his condition warrants,
he will be brought back to the States .
Jackie Ballin, 5, accompanied his mother
Helene on a booking tour of exchanges.
Jackie fills in as an usher and as concession
salesman at his mother's Schenley Theatre,
Youngstown, on busy weekends.
Bill Lissner, U-I salesman, and his missus
returned from a fishing trip in Canada .
On vacation was RKO head booker Johnny
Sabat . High and the Mighty" held
for a 19-day run at the Allen Theatre and
then bowed out only to make room for "The
Caine Mutiny" . Gusdanovic's La-
Salle, Avalon and Regent are the first local
subsequent run neighborhood houses to buy
and book MGM'.s single track Perspecta pictures.
Although regularly playing double features,
the Perspecta pictures will be shown
single.
Row visitors included George Planck, Loudenville;
George Manos, Toronto, and Leo
Burkhart, Crestline, and wife, who just recently
returned from a visit in California
down the dates August 22-28.
They have been designated Earnie Sands short
subject week. Exhibitors can help the Warner
manager go over the top in this drive . . .
Here during the past week were Jules Lapidus,
WB division sales manager; W. G. Mansell,
district manager; C. W. McKean, Indianapolis
manager, and Sam Galanty, Columbia
division manager, and George M.
Josephs, from the home office.
Harry Buxbaum, Paramount manager, and
his family returned from two weeks in Easthampton,
L.I. It was the first vacation Buxbaum
has had in the past five years without
having been called home on business .
P. E. Essick of Modern Theatres and wife
drove to Spring Lake, N.J.. to join son Jack
and family who have a house on the shore
for part of the summer . Snyder,
37, an usher at the Telegraph Drive-In, Toledo,
was admitted to Flower hospital with a
severe stab wound in the stomach, suffered
in a fight at the theatre . . . George LaVoo of
Cortland is leading a double life. During the
summer he is projectionist at Irving Field's
Cortland Theatre. In the winter he studies
for the ministry at Duke university in North
Carolina.
NTS Installs System
MURRAY, KY.—The Capitol Theatre, a
unit of the Columbia Amusement Co., installed
a Simplex stereophonic sound system.
Walker seamless wide screen and super
Panatar lenses purchased from National
Theatre Supply, St. Louis.
COLUMBUS
"f^one With The Wind" went into a second
week at Loew's Ohio after one of the
biggest fii'st weeks in recent local theatre
history . . . Betty Carr, one of the brides
in "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers," is
due
in town Monday and Tuesday (26, 27
1
for
radio, press and television interviews . . .
Phyllis Nash, of the Ohio State Journal, society
department, is substituting for Clyde
Moore, Journal theatre editor who is vacationing.
Ted Pekras has been remodeling the East
Side neighborhood house, the Oak . . . Walter
Kessler, Loew's Ohio manager, discovered
two central Ohio Scarletts in connection
with "Gone With The Wind." One is 11-yearold
Scarlett Green of Columbus and the other
is 17-year-old Scarlett Smith, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Smith, operators of the
Vinton theatre in McArthur . was
host to 92-year-old L. Ewing Jones, son of
Civil War general Theodore Jones, during the
showing of "Gone With The Wind." Momentoes
of Gen. Jones, who served with Sherman
at Atlanta, are on display in the Ohio
lobby.
Philip Schare, Detroit, Dies
DETROIT—Philip Schare. projectionist
for
years at the Film Exchange projection room,
died last week (12) after a long illness. His
death marks a third break in the unique
group of six brothers who were operators
here. Two others, Charles Max and Manny,
died a number of years ago. Surviving are
three brothers, Marty of the Wilding Picture
studio here, and Joseph and James, in Hollywood.
Philip Schare, who formerly was at
tne Grande Theatre, is survived by his wife
Ras and two children.
More CS Installations
Cinemascope installations reported recenti
ly include the Family Theatre. East Tawas,
Mich., managed by John Loeffler; Tlie Hippodrome,
Corbin, Ky., managed by Louij
Merenbloom; the Shelby, Shelby ville, Ky,
managed by Harold Faught; Bill Morrison'^
Lake Drive-In, Hickman, Ky.; Peter Ghiard!
and William Rytkonen's Vista Theatre, Negaunee,
Mich.; Emerson Gibbs' Andover Theatre,
Andover, Ohio, and the Harlan Drive
Martin's Pork, Ky., managed by Georg«
Combs.
School District President
DETROIT—Walter Horstman, head
Horstman & Co., theatrical sign contractors
and a veteran of the field here since 1920
has been elected president of the school boart;
of the Walled Lake school district, on whicl
he has served several years. The district tj
recognized as the largest agricultural rura",
school district in the country.
BOXOFFICE

. . . Paramount
She
. . Lester
'
. . . and
CINCINNATI
Joseph Alexander, city manager for RKO
' Theatres and manager of the Albee, is
njoying a two-week vacation. Jerry Shinijach,
RKO division manager, Chicago, was
Mr.
liere during Alexander's absence . . .
md Mrs. Mark S. Cummins, drive-in circuit
perators, were on a week's business trip to
3t. Petersburg, Fla., where one of their drivens
is located ... A new di-ive-in is being
onstructed in Irvine, Ky., by the owner of
he local conventional theatre, Russell Mclanahan.
Nick Shafer, owner of Midstates Theatres.
eft for a few weeks of recreation and fishing
Midwest Theatre Supply Co. reports these
JinemaScope installations: Grand Theatre,
lonceverte, W. 'Va.. owned by James Shank-
Gauley, Gauley Bridge, W. Va.; Bell,
'ineville, Ky.; Cruise-In Drive-In, Lancaster,
HIGH FIDELITY
Magnetic Sound
Systems
$|275
°:
Now you can afford to have
beautiful High Fidelity, magnetic
sound in your theatre or
drive-in. 1, 2, 3 or 4 channels
and mixers. Write, v/\re or call
now for a sound engineer to give
you prices and recommendations.
• • •
IMMEDIATE DELIVERY
Fixed and variable CinemaScope Lens
• • •
EPRAD
"VOICE OF THE DRIVE-IN"
SPEAKERS
The largest supply house in
America
Ohio, owned by Carlos Crum, and the new
drive-in at Henderson, Ky. . Rosenfeld,
exhibitor of Charleston and St. Albans,
W. Va., is sporting a new car.
One of the latest theatres to install Cinema-
Scope is the Midway in Bethel, Ohio, owned
by John Hewitt . . . Louis Wiethe, circuit theatre
owner, plans to fly to the west coast
shortly to meet his family, which drove out.
The Wiethes plan to cover many interesting
spots in the west and to visit some of the
studios in Los Angeles.
Ajnong exhibitors seen on the Row were
Gus Babalis, Dayton; Charles Bowles, Beattyville.
Ky.; Gus Metro, Portsmouth; Prank
Yassenoff, Columbus; H. L. Schwartz, Columbus;
Fred Krimm, Dayton; J. W. Thomas.
Oak Hill, W. Va.; J. Jackson, Williamsburg;
Barton Cook, Chillicothe; H. Bennett, Circleville;
Bill Settos, Springfield; Tom Alley,
Cleveland; Chalmer Bach, Eaton; Foster Lane,
Williamsburg, Ky., and Jim Howe, Carrollton,
Ky.
Irving Sochin, U-I short subject sales manager,
was in. With him were F. J. A. Mc-
Carthy, Canadian and southern division manager,
and Jim Frew, district manager . . .
U-I Manager Prank Schreiber was in Michigan
enjoying a vacation ... Eli Kalisch, Kentucky
MGM salesman, has been transferred
to the home office in New York. The MGM
club presented him a billfold as a fai-ewell
gift . . . The MGM club had its annual picnic
Monday (12) at Pine Ridge lodge in Mt.
Airy Forest where a chicken dinner, games
and prizes were enjoyed by all.
Vacationers om the Row: Mary Edwards,
MGM; Jane Everett, National Screen Service,
who went to Florida; Pete Gerhardt of
Film Service Co.; Irene Sagel, office manager,
20th-Fox; Mary Carnes, Paramount, who left
for Tennessee with her mother; Helen Cirin,
U-I; Dave Schreiber, U-I; Belle Cox, Realart
and Lippert, who went to Oak Ridge, Tenn.;
Ann Geek, WB booker, and Bob Burns, WB
Columbus salesman.
Edna Ossege and Marlene Kilgore of MGM
celebrated birthdays this week and treated
their fellow workers with cake and ice cream
office employes gave a wedding
shower for Thelma Craver in the office
Friday ( 16j
. was married on Saturday
Lillian Ahern, Paramount cashier, was in
Cleveland for a few days last week where she
went over accounting routine with the local
exchange cashier .
Detroit Golf Outing
At Bonnie Brook Aug. 9
Detroit — Preparations for the annual
golf outing of the Film Bowling league,
to be held August 9 at Bonnie Brook Golf
club, are being completed by a committee
headed by Milton Zimmerman, manager
for Columbia. Others serving on the arrangements
committee, including ticket
sales, are Stanley Baran, Allied Artists
booker; Earl England, Cooperative Theatres;
Walter Goryl, RKO office manager;
Robert Buermele, General Theatre Service,
and David Kaplan, Theatrical Advertising
Co.
the only thing
|OLD FASHIONED
Oabout our service
% is VALUE!
we even odd o
modern touch to oldtashioned
value standards
— by modernizing
seating facilities in your
theatre without interrupting
your daily show.
Our rehabilitation work
is a thing of joy . . .
and you'll especiolly
enjoy the low cost of our
treatment. We'll cheerfully
quote on your requrrements.
Write fodoy!
PARTS replacement for any make!
REUPHOLSTERY for any style!
HEATRE EQUIPMENT CO.
1206 Cherry Street Adams 8107
Toledo 4,
Ohio
iCA_ STEREOSCOPE SOUND fc
Jcinemascope|
3-D
1
or WIDE SCREEN
Vhotever you need-We can supply it.
MID-WEST THEATRE SUPPLY
CO.,
INC.
B Central Parkway Cincinnoli 10, Ohra
BXOmCE
Cherry 7724
Detroit Telenews on Raciio
DETROIT—The Telenews Theatre is
starting a daily three-hour broadcast from
its radio lounge over CKLW. with Eddie
Chase, originator of "Make Believe Ballroom,"
as the impresario. Chase is combining
guest appearances of celebrities in the lounge
with a record show, which is recorded from
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, and aired on the station
at 4 to 7 p.m.
George J. Stevens Dead
CLEVELAND—George J. Stevens, 63. associated
with theatre management here for 30
years, died at Euclid-Glenville hospital.
Stevens was manager of the Hippodrome.
Roxy and the old Cameo Theatres and had
been city manager for the East Side and
West drive-ins. He is survived by his wife
and a son.
theatre seat
service co.

. . Bernard
. . Eddie
. . Alfred
. . Forrest
. . Betty
. . Jerry
. . Jack
. .
Al
.
.
'
^
WIDE
3-D
SCREENS
LENSES
STEREOPHONIC
SOUND
iHtitnt rauiPMlHT CO.
106 MUhison St., N.W. /
Grond Ropids 2, Mich. /
4-tSS2 •Nights t Soodoyi 3-24U'
"Detroit's Theatrical Florist'
EARL BRADLEY, Florist
(Formerly Lorenzen's)
19800 Jomes Couzens Hwy. Phone
Detroit 35, Mieli. BRoadwoy 3-4(
OUTSTANDING
CRAFTSMANSHIP AND INOINeeWH
L O L THEATRE CONCESSION
INCREASED PROFITS - DECREASED WORRIES
PERSONALIZED SUPERVISED SERVICE
DRIVE-IN AND INDOOR THEATRES
2937 St. Aubin Deti
Temple 13350
RCA
Dealer
You con olweys
depend on RCA
See L/s Ho\i . . .
Whatever you needwe
can supply it.
£p^|E FORBES
214 W. Montcalm Theatre Supply
Woodward 1-1122 Detroit 1, Mich.
DETROIT POPCORN CO.
READY-TO-EAT POPPED CORN
Corn - Seasoning - Boxes - Bags • Salt
DISTRIBUTORS OF CRETORS' POPCORN MACHINES
5633 Grand River Ave. Phone TYIer 4-6912
Detroit 8, Mich Nights- UN 3-1468
AUTO CITY CANDY CO.
2937 St. Aubin TEmple 1-3350 Detroit 7, Mich.
COMPLETE SUPPLIES
FOR YOUR THEATRE CANDY DEPARTMENT
CORN—SEASON ING—SALT
SYRUPS—CUPS—POPCORN BOXES—GUMS
ond complete Assortment of Candy in Special-
Priced Theotre Packs.
SERV ICE-QU ALITY-PRICE
COLD CHIPS
Potato Chips Exclusively for the Theatre Trade
VETERAN FOOD PRODUCTS, INC.
13231 Conant Avenue Detroit 12, Mich.
Phono TWInbrook 3-4393
j
Sports Cars in Parade
At Detroit for 'Dark'
DETROIT—A unique preopening campaign
was organized by Wilson Elliott, manager of
the Jewel Theatre at Mount Clemens, operated
by Community Theatres, for "Johnny
Dark," appealing to sports car and race lovers.
Highlight was a feature race arranged with
the owner of a local track, with the prize
being the "Johnny Dark" trophy, contributed
by the theatre. About 4,000 attended the
event.
A sports car parade was organized through
downtown streets, thence to the racetrack,
with Elliott himself driving the famed Carribean,
the million-dollar one-of-a-kind car
of the future produced by Packard. Elliott
had the Amvets queen, selected in a local
contest, as a passenger. The race winner was
presented with the trophy by the queen.
Advertising featuring the special race was
used in local papers, and publicity for the
unusual event was secured on the sports
pages. To back up the campaign, Elliott
placed a Chevrolet Corvette out in front of
the theatre for several days in advance of
opening.
Detroit TV Unit Buys
26 Italian Pictures
DETROIT—"The major film vaults of
Hollywood remain locked to the television
Gloves," ••Three Pirates" and ••The Sicilian."
Stars appearing in the cast include many
famihar to theatre audiences—Anna Magnani,
Silvano Mangano, Alida Valli, Maria Montez,
Jeanne Pierre Aumont and Vittorio Gassman.
The deal was made by WXYZ-TV with
Fortune Features, Inc.
Youngstown Airer RobbecJ
YOUNGSTOWN—Two young men and a
girl companion robbed the Skyline Drive-In
on Route 422 of $159 by holding up the
cashier. Rose Pezzuolo said that the young
woman, who was driving, pulled the car
if alongside the ticket office is to purchase
movie tickets. Both men then got out, one
entering the boxoffice to ask whether the film
still was showing. Without waiting for an
answer, he waved a gun at her and said, '•I'm
Is it sorry, but this the way has to be," and
reached for the cash. The three then fled.
DETROIT
/^ladys Smukler and her young son Dwight
send greetings from Daytona Beach, Fla
where they have had a fine visit with her
husband's folks. Jack has been staying close
to his chores at the Beverly . Robbins
of the Film building staff had her
brother in for a visit Tuesday, with her
mother coming to town for a short stay .
Bette Urban, secretary to Norman Meyers,
managing director of the Adams, is vacationing
in parts unknown . C. Thrasher,
house manager of the Adams, and his bride.
the former Ann Rogell of General Theatre
Service, returned from a vacation trip in Kansas
and other points.
I'
.
Bert Tighe, former Republic salesman, ha;
returned to his old field of real estate, and u
now with the Ralph Toynton office
George Haskins. boothman at the West Side
is Drive-In, vacationing on Grand Traverse
where fishing has been good . Ringes
assistant to West Side Manager Carl Zack.-Mj
is a student at Sacred Heart Seminary •
!J;
Winifred Wandrei of 20th-Fox vacationed ii
northern Michigan.
Al Champagne, booker at 20th-Fox, stoppei
off to see Niagara Falls en route east on ;
vacation Samuels, supervisor o
.
Deaconess hospital Salvatore San
. . .
industry but there are movies elsewhere,"
Cinquemani of the United Artists Theatr
James G. Riddell, president of WXYZ-TV,
reports rapid progress on installing ne\
said in the of a
Fairchield sound equipment .
Wagnei
age of 26 Italian features, made between 1949
who formerly managed the Ford-Wyomin
announcing purchase pack-
and 1953, with option rights to three additional
Drive-In at Dearborn, and has been runnin
packages of 26 each.
the Cheboygan Drive-In at Cheboygan sine
The pictures are 73 to 78 minutes long and
it opened two years ago, advises that he also i
have not been shown in this territory before.
operating the 250-seat Roseland Theatri
Included are some strong Itahan product, all
owned by Mrs. Emily Wagner, in the forme
adapted for American television, minus Italian
theatrele.ss town of Rose City.
dialog and subtitles. Among them are
Frank Jones, RKO head booker, left on
••Duel Without Honor,'' "White Pimpernel,"
••Bullet for Stefano," •'Man With the Grey vacation Loye, who has been c
sick leave from RKO several months, is er^
joying a favorable convalescence, and wd
Fire Damages Wiring
CLEVELAND A fire in the basement ot
the Bulkley building, where the SW Allen
is located damaged all of theatre wiring so
that the Tuesday opening time was delayed
until 2:30 p. m. Most of the damage was confined
to the specialty stores on the ground
floor, but all utilities lines were affected.
No one was hurt. Except for the necessary
wii-ing repairs, the Allen escaped with only
a slight smoke smell in the lobby. Damages
to the building were estimated at $100,000.
able to visit with his friends at the Variel
golf outing .
Greenstein, who used \
be operator in the Shafer Theatre at Gardt
City, has moved out to Oak Park i
.
Bondy, GE theatrical film distributor, was
visitor . . . Mrs. David M. Idzal, wife of tl
managing director of the Fox, was ill
Grace hospital.
Five Percentage Actions
Are Filed in Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS—Five percentage SU
have been filed here in federal court agait'
Nick Kuris, operating the N. K. Theatre he
and the N. K. Drive-In at Muskegon by Par
mount. 20th-Fox, Warner Bros., RKO a
Univer.sal. The Grand Rapids firm of Warn
Norcross & Judd represents the distribute
with Sargoy & Stein of New York as couns
LOOK TO
FILMACK'
FOR THE FINEST
ANNOUNCEMENT
_i:yilin:« "i.
LlLllii|M»HIHII«i!l.ll,IIIIM.IIiMil

i
I
NKW
j
I
HARTFOREX—Proposed
''
boxing
. . The
. .
.
Long-Dark Dreamland
Opened at New Haven
HAVEN—The 804-seat Dreamland
Theatre is back in business after being dark
116 months. The house is being operated by
jvincent Terraxzano. formerly a projection-
[ist at the Forest in West Haven, which is
[owned by his brother, Anthony, and Michael
land Lawrence Cerrito, the latter two assojciated
with a machine tool company here.
The new proprietors of the Dreamland have
installed a 30-foot panoramic screen and are
blanning other improvements. The theatre
is located in a thickly settled residential and
[factory district, about a half-mile from the
jdowntown theatres.
Reopening of the Dreamland reverses a
prend which has seen several conventional
film houses in this area, including the downtown
Loew's Bijou, shuttered in recent years.
jAirer and Conventional
Cooperate on Bookings
HARTFORD—Another example of local
Irive-in and conventional theatre cooperation
in film bookings has come to light at Torington,
some 30 miles northwest of here.
3oth the Sky-Vue Drive-In and the Palace
looked "Knock on Wood" day-and-date. Exensive
advertising is geared to the teaser
ine, "See It Outdoors! See Indoors!"
It
A similar development started some time
go with occasional day-and-date booking by
fie Norwalk Drive-In and the Norwalk Thetre
of top features. Neither the drive-in nor
tie conventional outlet at Norwalk has disiosed
audience reaction or boxoffice condions
on the day-and-date bookings.
Both the Sky-Vue, Torrington, and Norwalk
ive-In are part of the Lockwood & Gordon
[artford division, supervised by Douglas J.
[arney Pitkin to Direct
ent 31 Benefit Fights
NEW HAVEN—Barney Pitkin, RKO manlier,
was voted general chairman of a beneshow
to be sponsored by Variety
;nt 31. At a meeting in the clubrooms, all
jows raised large sums for this charity.
;nt 31 members were asked to serve as
mmittee members. The fight program, sponred
by Tent 31 for the thu-d year, will be
Wd at West Haven Municipal stadium
teust 31. Proceeds will go to the Register-
*mily Service fresh air fund. The first two
lilloon Bursting Is Popular
HARTFORD— Stanley Warner State, Man-
'lester, Conn.,
, managed by BUI MacGrath,
toeated a kiddie stage balloon-bursting par-
I jipation stunt on popular demand.
Sam P. Cornish, 42 Years in Industry,
Raps 'Downtown Pessimism' Attitude
By ALLE3N WIDEM
NIANTIC, CONN.—Take it from Samuel P.
Cornish, marking his 42nd year in the industry:
"Cinemascope and other technological developments,
coupled with quality story scripts,
will bring back many phases of the lost audience
to the motion picture industry.
"I've seen this industry go through all kinds
of difficult times before, but when all is
said and done, the theatre around
it's still
which the industry revolves, and as long
as the theatre is sitting up and taking notice
of the changing times, the industry will not
have to worry."
The Niantic Theatre is in a shoreline summer
resort area. The structure was completed
in 1948 and boasts one of the few
rocking chair mezzanines in this part of the
country.
Cornish installed Cinemascope several
months ago.
"We've already played such product as 'The
Robe' from 20th-Fox; 'Rose Marie' from
MGM, and 'Demetrius and the Gladiators'
from 20th-Fox,". he continued, "and we've
found that as we present Cinemascope and
other offerings with the widely heralded
HARTFORD
Pmie Grecula, with Hartford Theatres since
1945, has resigned to become office manager
of the Symphony Society of Greater
vacation.
Community-minded Lou Schaefer of the
Kounaris-Tolis Meriden Theatre brought back
"The Greatest Show on Earth," with the de
luxe house offering free ice cream cones to
the youngsters, at a Sunday matinee . . . And
still more handouts: John E. Petroski, manager
of the Palace, Norwich, tied up with
radio station WICH for distribution of 40-cent
children's records at matinee program, featuring
MGM's "Take Me Out to the Ball
Game."
Lou Weing-arten, general manager of the
Norwich-New London Drive-In, continually
uses such lines as these in newspaper ads:
"Come Early! Open 7 p.m. Save Mother the
bother of cooking. Visit our modern Refreshment
Bar" . Pike Drive-In, Newing-
technological developments we draw patrons
we have not seen in lo these many months."
Cornish, originally out of the upper midwest
and a veteran of all components of the
film industry, feels there is too much "downtalk"
in the business.
"I'd hate to tell you of the times I've walked
through downtown Hartford, for example,
and bumped into reliable, competent industry
executives who couldn't find anything else
to do but wail about busine.ss and the way
it has been slipping. My gosh, I think the
only way to approach our industry is with
realism, taking cognizance of other competing
media and not hiding our collective heads in
the sands of forgotten memory! Whenever
we meet the public, be it a couple or a thousand,
we should come forth with bright-eyed
talk, the kind that gets people enthused right
back into the boxoffice line."
Cornish always has found time to evaluate
equipment, continually buying newer developments.
"For without a new appeal, we lo.se
our appeal, and we're the same as a grocery
store that lets its windows go day after day
with the same merchandise."
He buys and books product for the Niantic
on frequent trips into eastern exchange centers.
Another unique phase of the resort
area Niantic operation is the rainy day
matinee. "Whenever it rains or looks cloudy,"
he said, "we run a matinee. That's simply
appealing to the public. Remember the public
and the public will remember the theatre."
Hartford Theatres installed a 35x20-foot
screen in the Colonial.
Lou Lipman and Morris Keppner have
opened a children's playground on newly
acquired acreage adjoining their Mansfield
Drive-In at Willimantic. Harry Finger of
Hartford. He will work under Fritz Mahler,
onnecticut
musical director
Airer's and conductor, and be responsible
for the management of the office, Keppner interests, more formally
Debut
Hartford is general manager for the Lipmanbstponed
known as
Until August
payroll, advertising and all financial affairs. General Theatres, Inc., of West Hartford .
opening of the Grecula had been serving as advertising and Bucky Harris, U-I; and Morty Schwam,
ist Hartford Drlve-In, South Windsor, publicity director of HTC, plus managing the 20th-Fox, visited Lou Cohen, Loew's Poli,
onn., was
on
postponed from July 15 to early circuit's flagship, the Colonial. General "Magnificent Obsession" and "The Egyptian,"
ugust by Bernard E. Francis, attorney. manager C. J. Lawler will handle the Colonial respectively . . . Morris Greenberg has leased
Id associates. Last-minute construction is temporarily until a replacement can be found. the 1,167-seat New Parsons Theatre to Allan
';ing pushed by South Windsor Realty Corp.,
lerating corporation.
Joe
Stewart
Miklos, manager of the Stanley Warner
and associates.
The venture, situated a mile from the East Embassy at New Britain, gave away a bond
artford town line, is close to the Lockwood for a photo portrait to be done by a local
TV Post to
Id Gordon East Windsor Drive-In. Amalgaated
Buying & Booking Service will handle vival run of "Gunga Din" and "Lost Patrol"
studio to the first 50 women
Theatreman's Son
in line for re-
HARTFORD—WKNB -TV has opened its
Im
million-dollar
buying.
. . . John R. Patno jr., manager of Paramount
radio-television center in West
at Springfield, was in town to look after the
Hartford. Sales manager is Erwin Needles,
Allyn during R. T. MoNamara's Cape Cod son of Henry L. Needles, for many years district
manager of the old Warner Bros. Cii'cuit
Management Corp.
Tim Holt Appears in Hartford
HARTFORD—Tim Holt, RKO western star,
headlined a western revue at the 4,200-seat
State Theatre for benefit of the Rooney-
Flannery Post 2097, Veterans of Foreign
Wars.
IMAGES SOUND SERVICE CORP.
"The Best Value In Sound Service'
^)XOFnCE :
: July 24, 1954
NE
87

. . Agnes
. . Fi-ank
. . The
. . Marge
BOSTON
'Phe Latchis brothers, Vermont exhibitors,
turned over an evening's admissions to
"Lili" at their flagship Latchis Theatre in
Brattleboro to the Women's Club fund for
underprivileged children. Mel Ferrer attended
the benefit and made a plea from the stage
for donations. He is starred in the film with
Leslie Caron. Spero Latchis reports five of
the circuit theatres now are equipped for
Cinemascope. They are the Latchis, Brattleboro:
the Latchis. Keene, N. H.; the Latchis,
Claremont, N. H.; the Latchis, Newport. N. H.,
and the Metropolitan, Leominster, Mass.
When vacationing in Hollywood, Mr. and
Mrs. Benjamin Sack, owner of the Beacon
Hill. Boston, met Gregory Peck, starred in
"Man With a Million," now playing the
Beacon Hill, Previously the Sacks and their
manager, Sam Richmond, were in New York
for a special showing of the Charles Laughton
film, "Hob.son's Choice," which is booked for
a summer engagement at the Beacon Hill.
Following the screening, they lunched at a
restaurant and discovered Laughton seated
at another table. After the introductions,
they had a pleasant talk with Laughton about
"Hobson's Choice" in particular and motion
pictures in general.
Francis O'Neil, manager of the Paramount
Theatre in Barre, Vt., also is supervisor of the
Barre civilian defense corps. He is taking a
group of newspaper and city officials from
Barre to Falmouth, Mass., where there is a
regional meeting of the ground observer
corps at Otis air base and a demonstration
of intercepting aircraft. The Vermont group
will be flown over and back in an air corps
plane.
Janet Edwards is the secretary to James
Mahoney, general manager of Interstate Theatres
Corp., succeeding Sonia Zarsky who was
married in early May .
Moorehead,
featured in "Magnificent Ob.session," who attended
a press luncheon at the Statler hotel,
revealed she was born in Cambridge, while
her father was the pastor of the Presbyterian
chm-ch in Clinton. She has finished "The
Conqueror," for RKO, which stars John
Wayne and Susan Hayward and was directed
by Dick Powell. She was to fly back to
Hollywood to start work on "Untamed," starring
Susan Hayward, Tyrone Power and
Victor Mature.
While "Johnny Dark" playing the Keith
E. M. Loew Opens Airer
At Burlington, Mass.
Boston—E. M. Loew Theatres opened
its new 1,000-car Route 128 Drive-In at
Burlington, Mass., la.st week (l.'j). The
manager is John Ugolini. Construction
was under the supervision of Harry Bondurant,
chief engineer for the E. M. Loew
Theatres.
MEETS THE PRESS—Alex Schimel,
U-I manager in New Haven, left, and
Irving HiUman, manager of the SW Roger
Sherman didn't seem unhappy with their
task as they introduced Universal starlet
Ruth Hampton to the press at a luncheon.
Miss Hampton was in New Haven
to promote her newest picture, "Johnny
Dark."
Memorial Theatre, a model of the new Kaiser-
Darrin sports automobile is on display in the
lobby of the theatre. John McGrail, U-I publicist,
arranged the exploitation, and for a
second sports car to be driven through the
streets covered with suitable banners.
The "Duel in the Sun" luncheon hosted by
Joseph E. Levine, president of Embassy Pictures
Corp., attracted a large number of exhibitors,
film buyers and bookers and theatre
managers to the Bradford Roof Tuesday (15).
Seated at the head table were Levine; Joseph
Wolf, vice-president of Embassy; Budd
Robers, general sales manager of SRO; Terry
Turner of Tele-Radio, Inc., and Linus
Travers, executive vice-president of the
Yankee Network. "Duel" is set for a saturation
booking of over 250 theatres in New
England, starting July 29 and continuing over
a 21-day period. A screening was held before
the luncheon at the Metropolitan Theatre.
Jack Simons Appointed
South Norwalk Manager
HARTFORD—Jack Simons, formerly with
Loew's Poli-New England Theatres here, and
more recently with an independent theatre
circuit in Pennsylvania, has joined Stanley
Warner Theatres as manager of the first run
Palace, South Norwalk.
In another managerial assignment, Harry
Corlew, who had been serving as relief manager
for Russ Barrett of the Capitol, Willimantic,
during Barrett's illne.ss, has been
moved to the Strand, Hartford, as assistant
to Jack A. Sanson.
Arch Lade, who operates three theatres in
Kingfield, Phillips and Stratton, Me., was in
booking at United Artists . . . Martin J.
MuUin, president of New England Theatres,
and his family are vacationing on Cape Cod.
Another Cape Cod summer resident is Edmund
Goulding, Hollywood director and producer,
who i.s living at Dennis while writing a new
play.
35 Years in Exhibition
HARTFORD—Hugh J. Campbell, manager
of the Central in West Hartford, is
his
observing
35th year in the motion picture industry.
L&G Wide-Screen Installations
HARTFORD—Lockwood & Gordon has installed
wide-screen facilities at the Plaaa,
Wind.sor; Webb, Wethersfield, and East
Wind.sor
Drive-In.
Gig Young will play a topline with Frank
Sinatra and Doris Day in Warners' "Young
at
Heart."
NEW HAVEN
pucky Harris, Universal publicist from New
York, was around the state working on
"Magnificent Obsession" for the Paramount
here; Loew's Majestic, Bridgeport, and Loew's
Poll, Hartford Manzi. Paramount
.
booker, alternated between the Municipal golf
course and the baseball games in New York
while on vacation.
Loew's managers Morris Rosenthal of the
Poll here and Joe Boyle of the Poh. Norwich,
were on vacations . SW Roger Sherman
is giving a guest ticket to each child
participating in a contribution of $15 or more
to the Register fresh air fund. The newspaper
plugs the Sherman's current feature
in its
fresh air fund stories.
Paramount tradeshowed 'Rear Window" at
the exchange (20i ... Harry Shaw, division
manager of Loew's Poll Theatres, and Lou
Brown, advertising and publicity director,
were in Worcester McKinnon,
.
Manager Henry Germaine's secretary at
Paramount, was back from a vacation
Joe E. Brown was starred in "The Showoff"
at the Clinton Playhouse ( 20-25 1. He followed
Rita Gam in "Court Olympus"
press luncheon planned here for the visit ol',
Ross Hunter, producer of "Magnificent Ob-'^ji ^1'
session," was canceled by U-I after he suffered
a foot
injury.
Jim Darby, Paramount manager, was ir
Boston for a district meting on "Duel in tht
Sun." which will open its reissue engagement
here August 13 . . . The Lincoln, an
house here which customarily closes for thi;
summer, was still operating at the end o:
July. Patrons were still coming in spite o
the lack of air conditioning, and the Sampsoi
& Spodick management decided to stay opei
as long as the business was there.
Run Midnight Shows
HARTFORD—Theatre Managers Sol
Manchester; Paul Amadeo, Pike, and
Dottor, Plainville drive-ins, ran July 4
night shows.
PROVIDENCE
•pobert Aiken, chief-of-service at the Albe
prior to his resignation to join the a:
force, was pre.sented a Parker pen by h
staff of ushers. Aiken now is undergoing bas' «
training at Sampson. N. Y. . . . The PUi'
Drive-In made a hit with the young fry whe
they brought back Old Betsey, a real hones'
to-goodne.ss fire-engine of the early 1900
The children were given all the free rid'
they wanted, as parents waited for the opei
ing of the evening performance.
The Quonset Drive-In, off to a good sta
in the first yeai- of operation and boa.stii
the largest wide screen of any open-air
in this area, offered a double feature con
prising "Executive Suite" and "Gyp.sy Col
that drew almost capacity crowds. With
50-cent admi.ssion, this new drive-in is n
tracting crowds from all parts of the state
The Newport Jazz Festival, a two-day eve
that featured over 50 top name musiciai
including Gene Krupa, Dizzie Gillespie, St;
Kenton, Eddie Condon, Lee Wiley, Bll
Holiday, drew heavily from this city.
BOXOFFICE
July 24, HI

i
i
Three-hour
j
I
I
i
Hazel
. . Loew's
. . Katharine
. . When
. . Areste
. . John
. .
—
—
—
——
——
. . Wedding
BRIDGEPORT
IV/ranager James Landine of the Hi-Way is
vacationing . C. Shea of the
Klein Memorial celebrated a birth anniversary
Majestic held "Apache" for a
.
second week "Gone With the
Wind" opens July 24 at Loew's Poll the
house will go into a a.m. opening 9
James Luburdi, projectionist at the
.
Maijestic,
has moved into his new home at Lake
Forest.
.
Imogene Coca in "Happy Birthday" broke
23-year house record at the Westport Counjtry
ja
Playhouse . Tomassetti, projec-
jtionist at Loew's Poli, is on a three-week
iauto tour of the west . . Alice Fox, secreto
Manager Matt L. Saunders of Loew's
[tary
Poll, is vacationing at Cape Cod.
Barnum Festival parade on
July 5 killed afternoon movie business. Loew's
Poli had a "Gone With the Wind" float in the
jline of march . Baragxey was in from
Hollywood for an appearance at Westport
ountry Playhouse opposite Eva Gabor.
PORTLAND
Pleanor Jenkins, new manager of the local
Civic Theatre, feels right at home there.
She was assistant manager and cashier. Manliger
Olive Barker resigned to marry Arthur
Siley, also of the theatre staff . . . Manager
Itolph Tully, State Theatre, used a bon-owed
liuthentic Inca figurine (a tiny dog) as a
lobby display for "Secret of the Incas." He
ilso had a special display of equipment for
let pilots attached to an aircraft carrier and
ji lobby recruiting booth in connection with
Men of the Fighting Lady." Tully was re-
[ently featured in a news column in the
peal papers for his work for the Jimmy
lund. Community Che.st, Red Cross and
Catholic charities campaigns.
Bernice Shannon, cashier at the Maine
Theatre, is back on duty after a leave of
ibsence. Among recent staff vacationers was
|iin Wilkinson, projectionist . . . Frank X.
jlmith, a local citizen, has a new invention,
n automatic rewind switch for use on projectors
. . . Bette
Davis (Mrs. Gary Merrill)
i Cape Elizabeth was presented the Chilren's
Theatre award for the best actress in
53-54.
ALL RIVER
puneral services have been held for James
Knight, longtime Fall River theatre manger
who died at the age of 62. Prior to beaming
assistant at the Durfee Theatre,
'jiight served for 33 years as manager of
lie Strand in the east end. Pallbearers at
he funeral were Managers John J. McAvoy,
laymond R. Allard, George P. Daad, James
[cNamara, Paul Slayer and William O'Donpll.
He is survived by his wife.
Robertshaw, longtime cashier at the
jurfee Theater, has resigned. New on the
jaff are Mildred Sullivan and Genevieve
Two persons are being admitted for
pe paid admission Monday nights at the
pmerset Playhouse in an effort to increase
Itendance . . . Maureen Harrington, cashier
! the Somerset Playhouse for the summ.er,
pi return to the Empire office in the fall.
pXOFFICE : : July 24, 1954
'Mutiny' Continues
Great at Hub Astor
BOSTON—"The Cainc Mutiny." which
broke all house records in its first week, held
up in its second stanza at the Astor. while
"The High and the Mighty" performed so
well at the Metropolitan in its second week
that it was held a third. "Apache" at Loew's
State and Orpheum was better than average.
(Average Is 100)
Astor—The Caine Mutiny (Col), 2nd wk 350
Beacon HilH Man With a Million (UA), 2nd wk..nO
Boston This Is Cinerama (Cinerama), 28th wk. . . 85
Exeter Street- Pickwick Papers (Regal), 5th wk... 85
Memorial Johnny Dork (U-l); Cot Women of the
Moon (Astor) 80
Metropolitan The High and the Mighty (WB),
2nd wk 120
Paramount and Fenway Gorilla at Lorge
(20th-Fox); Princess of the Nile (20th-Fox) . . . 75
State and Orpheum Apache (UA); Lone Gun
UA), 2nd wk nO
'Apache' Rates Strong 125
At New Haven
NEW HAVEN—One program, featuring
"Apache," drew exceptional business downtown,
but the other major houses had a disappointing
week.
College Garden of Evil (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 75
Poramount Tanganyika (U-l); Outlaw Territory
(Broder) 60
Poll Apache (UA); Racing Blood (20th-Fox) . . . . 1 25
Roger Sherman The High and the Mighty (WB),
2nd wk 75
"Gone With the Wind' Dominates
Hartford Scene With 150
HARTFORD—Revivals took the scene here,
with the Loew's Poli and E. M. Loew's bringing
back top-rate attractions.
Allyn Princess of the Nile (20th-Fox); Gorilla
at Large (20th-Fox) 90
Loew's—World in His Arms (U-l); The Egg and I
(U-l), reissues 100
reissue Gone With the Wind (MGM), 150
Poli
Palace Garden of Evil (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 110
Strand Tanganyika (U-l); Alwoys a Bride (U-l).. 90
Jimmy Fund Drive to Begin
At New Haven's Airers
NEW HAVEN—PlarLs for the annual Jimmy
fund drive were drawn up at a meeting in the
Stanley Warner Theatres zone office here
Thursday (8i. Harry Feinstein, SW zone
manager, and I. J. Hoffman, Connecticut
Theatre circuit, will serve as co-chairmen.
The appeal will be conducted in drive-ins the
week of August 28 and in conventional theatres
the week of September 5.
Managers of all Filmrow exchanges In this
city, and a number of theatre managers, attended
the meeting.
Dinner for Steve Perakos
NEW BRITAIN—Some 300 persons attended
a testimonial dinner honoring Steven
E. Perakos at Wright's Steak House, sponsored
by Order of AHEPA, local chapter and
auxiliaries. Perakos, counsel for Perakos Thetre
Associates, was recently named police
court prosecutor. Guests included Peter
Perakos, head of Perakos circuit: Sperie
Perakos, general manager; John Perakos. assistant
general manager; Peter jr., office
manager; Dr. George Perakos, and Nick
Kounaris, the latter of the Kounaris-Tolis
Theatres.
Ross Hunter to Visit Hartford
HARTFORD—Bucky Harris of the U-I exploitation
staff was here to prepare for a
territory visit of Ross Hunter, producer of
"The Magnificent Obsession."
LYNN
The Warner has installed a new air conditioning
plant. Manager Royce Beckman
spent two weeks camping at White Lake,
N.H., leaving Bill Hart in charge of the
Warner with the Waldorf closed for the
summer ... A Mi.ss Lynn beauty contest was
held on the Paramount Theatre stage by the
Junior Chamber of Commerce.
. . .
. . .
Assistant Manager Hugh Regan of the Paramount,
a first sergeant in the National
Guard, was in training for two weeks at
Campe Drum, N.Y. Izzie Gammerman,
Dinny Murray of the Paramount
operator, and
staff were also away in
July
Dick LaPointe of the Surf Theatre staff,
Swampscott, has been made an assistant
manager at Marlboro . bells will
ring August 14 for Beverly Shore, Surf candy
girl, and Edwin Park, now stationed at Ft.
Dix.
Yamins' Wm. S. Canning
Talks on Film Industry
FALL RIVER, MASS.—"More people are
going to the movies today because they are
better," William S. Canning, consultant to
Nathan Yamins of the Yamins Theatrical
Enterprises, told radio listeners in an interview
over station WSAR here recently.
Noting that attendance at films increased
substantially in the past year. Canning said
this was due to superior pictures. Formerly,
he declared, "studios made films hke hats in
a factory," but they have cut down, improved
production and selected better stories.
The invention of CinemaScope with stereophonic
sound also was cited as a contributory
factor by the speaker, whose address was
given elaborate coverage in the local press.
Canning, who is also public relations man for
Yamins, declared that while the drawing
power of the stars is not as great as it once
was, the pictures have a greater appeal. He
pointed out that the popular films of 1953,
"Prom Here to Eternity" and "Stalag 17,"
had no outstanding stars.
Discussing drive-in theatres. Canning declared
they are definitely a major portion
of the industry and added that they are a
boon to families especially since they eliminate
the baby-sitter problem. Admitting
that TV hurt the industry, Canning said
that the public appears to become tired of
it because of its lack of variety and good
writers.
Contrary to the ballyhoo about many of
them, Canning expressed the belief that the
current crop of actors and actresses Is inferior
to that of 30 years ago.
Wliereas, in years past, stars often had
experience on the legitimate stage, those
today. Canning said, if they have had any
theatrical background, it is usually limited to
summer stock.
LOOK TO
FILMACKi
FOR THE FINEST
ANNOUNCEMENT
TRAILERS
BS&DSBmi DSQD9

BUSY FOR WEEKS CATCHING UP
ON CALLS FROM BOXOFFICE ADS!
Reach BOXOFFICE Readers... A Big Market!
The service you render or the product you wont to sell to
this industry is always in demand. Exhibitors constantly
look for something worthwhile to buy and want to know
where they can get it to improve their operation. The best
possible means through which to reach these exhibitors is
BOXOFFICE, which is read and appreciated by practically
everybody in the industry. You can reach all of your prospects
in this area through the NEW ENGLAND edition of BOXOFFICE.
Low rates; no circulation waste. Write us today for details:
BOXOFFICE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 24, Mo.
July 24, 19

I
Federal
I TORONTO—A
I
TORONTO—The
Tax Policy May Force
Sunday Screenings
VANCOUVER—Local independent theatre
owners are considering opening on Sundays.
Howard Fletcher, operator of the Kingcrest
Theatre, charged that the provincial government's
insistence on collecting ten-centa-head
admission tax on Sunday entertainment
at situations where admission is by
silver collection and donation is forcing the
move on the theatremen.
Commenting on the Sunday night business
being done at the drive-ins where the programs
ai'e sponsored by service clubs and
charity organizations, Fletcher said: "They
do a great business Sundays and we don't
do any on Mondays as a result. The government
by collecting the tax is making itself
a party to illegal shows under the
Lord's Day act." Fletcher, who is
!
backed by many other small theatre operators,
also said, "The exhibitors don't want
to open, but the government is forcing us
to consider it^-Lord's Day Act or no."
C. H. Jelliman, senior tax inspector, said
that the government's action was taken to
discourage Sunday entertainment.
Following Fletcher's charges, the Rev.
Higgs of the Vancouver Lords Day Alliance,
who has been in contact with Attorney-General
Bonner, reports that Bonner is investijgating
and had promised that "all law enjforcement
bodies will seek to resolve the
^problem according to the regulations of the
act."
The Rev. Higgs said that he was fully
aware of the position of the small theatre
operator and that he sympathized with them.
j"Drive-ins don't have to open Sundays," he
said. "Drive-in people admit that they have
biore teenage undesii-ables at their Sunday
shows than on week nights. Sunday operations
only mean that people who nonnally
jwouldn't have to work are on the job."
To Stress Child Angle
J. Arthur Rank source here
indicates "The Kidnappers'' will be released
In the United States under the title of "The
Little Kidnappers" to emphasize the child
jmgle of the story. The British picture, based
bn a Nova Scotia story, has run up a record
jiumber of extended engagements, including
!-4 weeks thus far at the Hyland in Toronto,
ihe Glebe Cinema in Ottawa and the Kent
,U Montreal.
pon Gauld Still Favorite
annual managers showpanship
contest of Odeon Theatres is
;.waiting the decision of the judges: General
i'lanager Dave Griesdorf and W. C. Tyers
ind Jim Hardiman of the publicity departjient.
But the popular favorite for top award
p expected to be Don Gauld, manager of the
pdeon, Port William, who set the pace for
bme weeks.
*Jew Toronto Mayor
TORONTO—With a change in mayors here
is a result of the resignation of Allan Lam-
|Ort to take a transit commission job, the
'eneral impression is that a move for the
lasing of Sunday restrictions will stand little
hance. The new Toronto mayor, Leslie
j-aunders, formerly a controller, has long been
Ictive in the Salvation Army.
Golf Tournament Ticket Sellers
Offering Money-Back Guarantee!
CBC Governors Plan
Study of Giveaways
Otawa—A move by the Canailian
Broadcasting Corp. to study the trend in
giveaway programs, including the
so-called jackpot broadcasts, may have an
effect on the prize-contest or premium
policies for theatres.
The survey is scheduled for the fall
months when commercial programs are in
full swing and the CBC board of governors
has made it known that arrangements
are contemplated for public hearings
on the subject of giveaways, after
which recommendations would be made
to the federal government. The possibility
looms that any restrictions would be
extended beyond the realm of broadcasting
under the heading of games of chance.
Pierre Juneau Named
To Film Board Post
MONTREAL—The appointment of Pierre
Juneau, Montreal, as French advisor to the
government film commissioner, was announced
by Commissioner A. W. Trueman.
Juneau was pi-eviously attached to the NFB's
London, England, office. He will also act
as secretary of the NFB and special assistant
to the commissioner.
As French advisor, Juneau will be consulted
on the production and distribution of
French-language productions and will be responsible
for liaison with leaders in federal
and provincial French-language organizations,
universities and the press.
As secretary, Juneau will serve the NFB's
nine-member board of governors which meets
every three months and as special assistant,
he assumes functions formerly held by Ian
MacNeill who will devote himself entii-ely
to film production.
Juneau was born and educated in Montreal
before going on to the Sorbonne in Paris
where he received a philosophy degree. He
has been a member of the central executive
of the Young Catholic workers in Quebec
and was president of the Federation of Quebec
youth groups. He joined the NFB in
1949 as Montreal representative and was chief
of international distribution for eight months
in 1951 and subsequently was posted to the
London office. He is maiTied and has two
children.
MONTREAL—Roger Blais has been appointed
head of the National Film Board
unit producing film in French, it was announced
by Film Commissioner A. W. Trueman.
Blais, a graduate of the Pine Arts
school, Quebec City, joined the NFB in 1945
and has du-ected or produced more than 75
films. Among them are Monastery, Yoho-
Wonder Valley, Canada's Atom Goes to Work,
Mr. Mayor. Backstage and Each Man's Son.
The French unit of the NFB recently completed
a film about the life of a bush doctor
in northern Quebec, "Le Medecin du Nord,"
and is currently making another film on the
town of Sorel on the St. Lawrence river shore.
TORONTO—Added attraction.s a-plenty are
being offered for the third annual Canadian
motion picture golf championships to be held
under the auspices of the Canadian Picture
Pioneers August 12 at St. Andrew's Golf club.
In addition to the golf play and the usual
concluding banquet for the presentation of
trophies, many special inducements have
been announced by Irving Stern and Maurice
Diamond for the big day. These include a
putting tourney for the guests as well as for
the participants in the regular competition:
a gin rummy tournament in the clubhouse;
special prizes for nonindustry golfers; souvenirs
and surprise packages for everybody,
prizes for nongolfers and free beer for allcomers
at the tenth hole.
The hint also is made that gorgeous gals
will be in attendance, according to the committee
which is so confident of the success
of the program "that we are selling tickets
with a money-back guarantee."
There has been an early rush for tickets,
which are being handled by the following:
Tom Knight, J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors;
George Altman, Mavety Film Delivery
Service, and Manager Joe Bermack, Peerless
Films, all of 277 Victoria St.
The price of a ticket is $4, plus green fees
for the golfers.
Big Canadian Exhibition
Hampered by Disputes
TORONTO—Because of
the prolonged dispute
between the Federation of Musicians
and the American Guild of Variety Artists
over the status of stage and concert artists,
the prospect looms that not one Canadian
performer will appear in the grandstand
spectacle of the Canadian National Exhibition
here August 26-September 11.
Preparations for the show, of which the
producer. Jack Arthur, formerly of Famous
Players, has been ordered to take a rest because
of a heart attack, have been virtually
at a standstill. Usually, several hundi-ed Canadian
performers, mostly dancers, have appeared
in the grandstand pageantry.
General Manager H. E. McCallum of the
big exposition said that the union battle may
result in the presentation of a straight
vaudeville show with foreign acts.
Newspaper Features Story
Of Mgr. Claude Smith
CHILLIWACK. B. C—Paramount Manager
Claude Smith was the subject of an article
in the local newspaper. The story traced his
career in show business from 1913 when he
came to Canada from his native Liverpool
and became a press agent for the Grand Theatre
in Calgary. Following a number of other
associations. Smith joined Famous Players in
1929 when they took over ownership of the
Orpheum in Vancouver from RKO. He has
been with FPC ever since, making this his
25th year with the circuit.
After serving as assistant manager at the
Orpheum, he came to Chilliwack in 1937 to
manage the Strand, moving to the Paramount
when it was built in 1949.
Both he and his wife, whom he met and
married in Vancouver in 1931, are very active
in community affairs.
OXOFnCE
:
: July 24, 1954

M A R I T I M E S
•The top price for airers through the mantimes
is 60 cents, with some outdoor exhibitors
granting special students admission
of 25 or 35 cents . . . Mike Fewer of St. John's,
Nfld., one of the senior film theatre managers
of the maritimes, supervised the installation
of a new Cinemascope screen at
the York Theatre there, which he has managed
for many years along with the Nickel.
Before becoming manager, he was projectionist
for many years. He has been at the York
and Nickel since he was a boy, starting as an
usher. In the fall, this dean of film theatre
figures in the maritimes will duplicate the
York wide-screen installation at the Nickel.
J. P. Kiely, who spends the bulk of his time
at Montreal, is the owner. Stereophonic
sound will be added at both theatres this fall.
Burpee R. Bishop of Kentville, Who was 86
recently, has been a member of the choir of
United Baptist church 71 years. He was
founder and leader of Bishop's orchestra,
which supplied music for film and stage theatres
in the Annapolis valley, including Kentville,
for many years.
The Film Bowling Leagrue, composed of employes
of the film exchanges of St. John,
closed the season with a trip up the St. John
river in a motorboat and a banquet at night.
Prizes were presented the winners; namely,
Charles Govang, Eric Paterson, George Cosman,
Don Golding, S. Hartin, Barbara Williams,
Maxine Trenholm, Anna Kinsella,
Elinor Fleming, Rene Fagan, Florence Rigby.
Consolation prizes went to Marjorie Mc-
Givern, Audrey Adams, Roy McDonald,
George Cosman, Roy Clark, Walter Beckingham.
And eulogies for organization work
went to Kay Ryan, David Fagan and Maurice
Scully.
At the Oxford in Halifax, an Odeon unit,
the watchword during remodeling of the
front, chiefly the entrance and lobby, is
"We're Improvin' not Movin' " ... A license
scale for coin machines adopted by the Sydney
city council includes jukes, $50; cigarets
and cigars, $50; scales, $20; candy, gum, nuts,
popcorn, $10. The scale was set after a wordy
battle between the aldermen. The license for
soft drinks was not stipulated.
Construction of a new film theatre is being
considered at Moncton by a group which contemplates
a capacity of about 700-800. There
are thi-ee film theatres in Moncton, two in the
Odeon chain and one in Famous Players . . .
A temporary assistant at the headquarters
office of Franklin & Herschorn in the Mayfair
Theatre building at St. John has been James
McCarthy of Lancaster.
For its first midnight show, the Family Thetre
at Reserve Mines, N. S., provided bus service
after the show, via two different routes;
namely, Domiiuon street to Glace bay, and
via Dominion, Bridgeport and Wallace road
to Glace bay. Peter Blanche owns and operates
the Reserve Bus Co. as well as the Family,
and uses his buses to deliver patrons of his
theatre after the midnight show to theiihome
sections. This is believed to be the
only film house in the maritimes incorporating
buses into
the delivery service.
Albert Jektse, a top number in the Atlantic
Films, St. John's Nfld., predicts a
film story on the pioneer Atlantic crossing
by air of Alcock and Brown, English birdmen,
will prove attractive film fare on this
side of the giant pond. Atlantic Films shared
in the shooting of some of the scenes in
the story taken on Newfoundland and the
adjacent Atlantic, although the production
IK by British Lion Films of London with an
English cast. Tentative plans call for the
picture to hit the screens on or about September
1.
CS Screening in Toronto
Prompts Commentary
TORONTO—Regarding the recent demonstration
of the University Theatre here of
improvements in Cinemascope, with the use
of the Bausch & Lomb lenses distributed by
General Theatre Supply Co. in Canada, the
Globe and Mail newspaper commented, in
part:
"This would indicate that no matter how
impressive Paramount's VistaVision looked in
us first demonstrations. Cinemascope is far
from being fini.shed and, if there is going to
be any fight for supremacy between the two
major wide-screen processes, it won't be settled
for some time to come."
The paper suggested that a see-saw battle
would prove beneficial because of the constant
search for improvements.
HANDY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM

I
Show
.
Summer
: July
. . Don
. . After
. . W.
—
— —
. . Herb
. . The
.
. .
TORONTO
hor the return engagement of "The Greatest
on Earth" at the Imperial, Manner
Russ McKibbins set a special admission
jrice of 15 cents for juveniles when they
Iroduced school identification cards. Win
[arron looked after the release of 1,000 bal-
I'Ons from the top of the Royal Bank build-
'ig where Famous Players has its head office.
l:any of the balloons can-ied prizes . K.
rudell, manager of the Capitol at London,
id his customers are pleased with the large
;w refrigeration plant that has been inalled
in the theatre.
iVIanager Ed Hubbard of the Cinema, Hamil-
n, has booked a lengthy list of reissues for
Festival of Hits, playing them
The benefit show for Variety
llage put on by a managers committee in
^^terborough at the Odeon netted around
jOO. The committee was made up of George
epherd, Odeon; L. J. Gouin, Capitol; Hilly
idin, Centre, and A. E. Cauley, Paramount.
ol. Casey Waugh, commander of the big
/ Canadian army camp in New Brunswick,
a theatre manager in this district before
last war. He had charge of the Hollywood
Toronto and also was manager of the
ric. Kitchener, for some time . . . Following
retirement as district manager at Halifax
f|- Famous Players, Robert S. Roddick is hvij;
the life of a country gentleman, having
rjurned to Ontario to reside at Bayfield in
Iliron county. He was manager of the Capit
at London for years.
ordon Beavis, formerly with the Odeon
ccuit and recently of Peterborough, has been
apointed manager of the Fox at Kitchener,
aj independent house .
Robertson,
rtnager of the Fairlawn, has gone to Ottawa
t; relieve Manager Jim Chalmers of the
Ceon, who left July 17 on a vacation at Lake
Shcoe north of here.
i-eonard W. Brockington, president of
JiArthur Rank companies in Canada, is on
aiisit to England. He also plans to slip over
tiiWales where he was born .
several
yjrs in the United States, Joseph Myers has
r'|Urned for appointment by Doug V. Rosen,
g';.eral manager of International Film Distnutors,
as special sales representative. He
IS
member of the Canadian Picture Pioneers.
Irs. May V. Chinn, efficient assistant at
tl MPTAO office, returned from a Montreal
V ation
. . . Three St. Catharines managers—
Hjrry Rosenberg, Centre; Fred Kozlo, Palace,
al Verd Marriott, Park—came here to pres||t
$525 to Chief Barker W. A. Summerville,
q proceeds from a benefit show at the
Ilace for the Variety Village Vocational
scjool.
R. |.
Hanson, veteran Toronto trade fig-
H has taken on distribution rights for a
blind of liquor produced in Calgary . . . Dan
K'Hdel, tournament manager, is going ahead
«.-i arrangements for the annual Canadian
Mion Picture golf championships August 12
atphe St. Andrew's Golf club. Contestants
Wj pay a special greens fee of $2 while non-
Pfers will pay $4 which covers the cost of
o^quet and "incidentals."
5ood Morning, Miss Dove," an original by
Fi'nces Gray Patton, has been purchased
ar added to the 20th-Fox production slate.
OmCE :
24, 1954
'Knock on Wood' Tops
Vancouver Grosses
VANCOUVER—"Knock on Wood" was the
standout here, packing the 3,000-seat Orpheum.
The rest of the town reported off
boxoffices. Fine picnic and fishing weather
has been hui-ting first runs.
Copitol-Lucky Me (WB), 2nd wk Fair
Dunbar The Kidnappers (JARO), lOfh wk Good
Orpheum Knock on Wood (Para) Excellent
Paradise The Bigamist (Filmakers); Missing
Daughters (Col), reissue Fair
Plaza— Playgirl (U-l); Fireman Save My Child
(U-l)
Foir
Strand-She Couldn't Soy No (RKO), The Ringer
(IFD)
Fair
Studio The Heart of the Matter (IFD) Poor
Varsity The Maggie (JARO), 7fh wk Good
Vogue—The Long Wait (UA), 2nd wk Moderate
Bus Service to Patrons
OTTAWA—A new patron-chaser arrangement
has been organized for the Port Elmsley
Drive-In by the proprietor, L. J. Williams,
with a special bus service from the nearby
town of Smiths Falls.
The theatre bus leaves the Russell hotel.
Smiths Falls, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings
at 8 o'clock and the timetable provides
for the pickup of drive-in customers at
scheduled intermediate points. The special
bus makes the return trip immediately after
the close of the show. The round trip fare is
5 cents from Smiths Falls to Port Elmsley.
Toronto Exhibitors Gain
Permission for Owl Show
TORONTO—The local civic authorities have
granted permission to Toronto exhibitors to
conduct midnight shows late Sunday preceding
the observance of Civic holiday on Monday,
August 2, a statutory holiday.
A large number of local theatres, large and
small, took advantage of the midnight opportunity
in conjunction with Dominion day,
July 1.
'Wind' Stunt in Telegram
TORONTO—The Toronto Telegram has
tied in with a film engagement with a prize
offer, this time with Manager Jack Clarke
of Loew's for the revival of "Gone With the
Wind," soon to open in the downtown house.
The newspaper invited readers to write letters
under two headings, (a) "Why you want to
see 'Gone With the Wind'" and (b) "Why
you want to see it again." Double passes are
offered for the pick of many letters, 50 all
told. Considerable space was given.
VANCOUVER
n ndrew Linden, Medicine Hat, Alta., has
been appointed Edmonton manager for
Dominion Sound Equipments . . . The 450-car
Westview Drive-In, built near the Power
river pulp and paper plant upcoast from here,
the largest mill in the world, now is operating
and doing good busine.ss . . . Jean Parker of
Empire-Universal became mother of a baby
son . Stevenson, who recently built
the Startime Drive-In at F>i-ince George, was
a Filmrow visitor and reports that the 300-
car ozoner will be in operation late this
month.
Herman Goldberg. WB building and construction
department, was here from New
Greatest Show Reissue
York checking on the new headquarters .
Leads Toronto Grosses
Thelma Walters of the Lux staff is vacationing
at a
TORONTO—"Greatest Show
dude ranch at Clifton . . .
on Earth"
Les
at
the Imperial
Walker, business
was
agent of
the
the projectionists
most impressive grosser
union,
of the week
was vacationing at his
even in the summer
summer home
doldrums.
at
"The
Bowden Island . . .
Student
Micky Stevenson,
Prince" was winding up the
Paramount office
fifth week
manager, became daddy of
of its engagement at Loew's while
a baby boy, the first of the
"The
Stevenson
Kidnappers"
clan . .
kept steady its 14th week
Ken Steele, Paramount, now is a qualified
at the Hyland.
projectionist and in the booth of the Port,
Eglinton— Hell and High Woter (20th-Fox),
moveover
Port Moody, Theatre.
1 05
Hyland The Kidnappers (JARO), 14th wk 85
Imperial The Greatest Show on Eorth (Para),
The Abbotsford Drive-In project has been
re'ssue 1)5
Loews The
dropped by the Gayland
Student Prince (MGM), 5th wk
Amusement Co. of
90
Nortown Johnny Guitar (Rep), 2nd d. t. wk 100 Vancouver because a permit was denied by
Odeon Indiscretion of an American Wife (Col).. 105 the township
Shea's
...
Dial M A second drive-in is
for Murder (WB), 3rd wk
planned
90
Tivoli, Capitol The Carnival Story (RKO), 2nd by local interests at Haney in the Praser
d. f. wk.. Lure of the Sila (IFE) 100 valley
Towne
. . . Bud Rice of
La Ronde
the Orpheum staff
(Commercial), 2nd wk 100
University—Queen of Sheba (LP) 1 05 resigned to join a local finance firm.
Uptown Tanganyika (U-l) 100
Coming from and going on vacations: Jack
Canadian
Armstrong,
Airer Offers
Bob Harris and Len Brewer of
Paradise; George Hislop, 20th-Fox; Earl Hayter
and Johnny Bernard, Odeon district office;
Betty Seymour and Connie Scrivens,
Strand; Doug Stevenson, Plaza; Violet Hosford.
Pox; Al Jenkins, Vogue; Natalie Matthews,
Orpheum; Freda Drake, Sapperton;
Lyle Kinnee, Olympia; Rube Elliott, Odeon,
Mission; Maud Smithe, Odeon, Duncan;
Marie Aime. Varsity, and Bill Grant, RKO.
Glen Peacock, owner of the Isis, Calgary,
was elected a governor of Rotary International
at the 45th annual convention in
Seattle . local branch of RKO under
Manager Jimmy Davie was second in the recent
short subject drive. Quotas were based
on 1953 high records . . . St. John branch took
first place in the Canadian section ... A
theatre romance of two Orpheum staffers will
end in marriage for John Walters and Irene
Egilson, who will be married in September
and will make their home in Australia.
Dave Borland, manager of the Dominion
Theatre, has a complete file of his publicity
work covering his 37 years in show business
at Regina, Pi-ince Rupert, Victoria. Nanaimo
and here. Borland is a member of Famous
Players 25-Year club and a Canadian Picture
Pioneer.
SPECIAL
TRAILERS
QUALITY!
SHOWMANSHIP!
(ANT BE BEAT!
07 SfflDIWA AVL.TOIOWTO. O UT.
Distributor For Filmack" I

. . . Morey
. . Molly
. . Guy
;
j
MONTREAL
The Empress at subui'ban Lachine, Que., a
UACL house, is undergoing minor repairs
in preparation for the installation of Cinema-
Scope . . . Famous Players radio-television
outlet in Quebec City turned to television
officially Saturday

I
OXOf flC[(
i^ i)D iU J] ii^ U J D 5
Ihe EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY mui pictures
ALLIED ARTISTS
[rangier Incident (AA)—George Brent, Mari
/ion, Dorothy Patrick. Any small towner
Jo Is having television trouble and who
feels sb big hearted enough to help TV
i, should play this. is This not even good
eijugh for double billing. Played Wed.,
^urs., Fri., Sat. Weather: Cool.—Harold
ill, Opera House Theatre, Coaticook, Que.
5all-town and rural patronage.
COLUMBIA
Hg Heat, The (Col)—Glenn Ford, Gloria
Cihame. Jocelyn Brando. An excellent detive-murder
yarn. Boxoffice 143 per cent.
d seems to have quite a following among
young ladies and is certainlly rugged
eliugh to satisfy their dates. Played Tues.,
\

The EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
(Continued from preceding page)
UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL
Border River (U-D—Joel McCrea, Yvonne
DeCarlo, Pedro Armendariz. We did about
average with this but didn't relish the broken
"spik" language which seemed hard for our
patrons to understand. Pretty good picture
for the weekend double bill and satisfied the
chewers and spitters in the balcony. Played
Sat. Weather: Pine.—Mayme P. Musselman,
Roach Theatre, Lincoln. Kas. Small-town
and rural patronage.
Taza, Son of Cochise (U-D—Rock Hudson,
Barbara Rush, Gregg Palmer. Was very disappointed
with this one. Business wasn't so
hot. It seems that these Indian stories are
all the same and everyone is tired of them.
Would work on a weekend. Played Prevue
Sat. Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair.—Garland
Lamb, Crown Theatre, Lincoln, Ark. Smalltown
and rural patronage.
Thunder Bay (U-D—James Stewart, Joanne
Dru, Dan Duryea. Nothing but compliments
on this excellent feature. Has a fine cast. A
good action-romance offering with something
of an educational nature, too. Certainly
too bad we had to pay top flat for
it and not do any business but when we
get them on the tail end of the line after
the drive-in, there's just nothing left any
more. Should have bought it second bracket
and used it one day. Played Sun., Mon., Tues.
Weather: Perfect.—Bob Walker, Uintah Theatre,
Fruita, Colo. Small-town and rural patronage.
Veils of Bagdad (U-D—Victor Mature, Mari
Blanchard, Virginia Field. It caught on the
second night, which is proof to us that it is
much better than it sounds. Played Tues.,
Wed. Weather: Good.—Mrs. Elaine S. George,
Star Theatre, Heppner, Ore. Small-town and
rural patronage.
Walking My Baby Back Home (U-D—Donald
O'Connor, Janet Leigh, Buddy Hackett.
This drew above average for midweek. However,
it isn't a "super" production. In this
situation where musicals aren't too well liked,
didn't warrant the extra percentage asked.
it
Played Tues., Wed. Weather: Warm, clear.
—James H. Hamilton, Pine Hill Drive-In
Theatre, Picayune, Miss. Small-town and
rural
patronage.
War Arrow (U-D—Jeff Chandler, Maureen
O'Hara, Susan Ball. If you're looking for an
excellent superwestern, this is it. Chandler
as an army major, O'Hara as the wife of a
captain who deserts and Ball as an Indian
maiden. It's a picture any patron will enjoy
and boost by word-of-mouth.—Donald H.
Haymans, Candler Drlve-In Theatre, Metter,
Ga. Small-town and rural patronage.
Wings of the Hawk (U-D—Van Heflin,
Julia Adams, Abbe Lane. One of the best
westerns I've played in a long time. Did nice
bu.slne.sR and everyone liked the picture.
Played in 2-D. Played Tues., Wed. Weather:
He's Willing to Put in
His Two Cents Worth
To EHHS:
Haven't tried a hand at the Exhibitor
Has His Say columns before, but I read
every comment in every issue. First I go
through the columns and read Bob
Walker's comments. There's a guy that's
got something on the baU. I've never met
him but I know from his comments he
has showmanship captured and corralled!
My knack for writing isn't of that quality
but I feel if my comments can be of
service to a few showmen then my efforts
are not in vain.
Uptown Theatre
Sedalio, Mo.
ROBERT KLINGE
Fair.—Garland Lamb, Crown Theatre, Lincoln,
Ark. Small-town and rural patronage.
WARNER BROS.
Beast From 20,000 Fathoms, The (WB)—
Paul Christian, Paula Raymond, Cecil Kellaway.
WB did an excellent job on "The
Beast." Boxoffice 143 per cent. It scared the
kids and was good enough to entertain the
adults. Played Thurs., Fri. Weather: Warm
and clear.—James H. Hamilton, Pine Hill
Drive-In Theatre, Picayune, Miss. Smalltown
and rural patronage.
De-sert Song (WB)—Kathryn Grayson,
Gordon MacRae, Steve Cochran. This is one
swell picture, the color and scenery are
Untamed Frontier (U-D—Joseph Gotten,
in
Shelley Winters, Scott Brady. 'VVestern
Technicolor at 75 minutes. It is a good cast
breathtaking and the story good. Ti-ue, it is
a little fantastic but nevertheless good. Music
just to suit my patrons and the right amount
and a good story
on its own
but
feet.
not long enough to stand
This with another short
of action. Did a fair business the first night
made the mistake of playing it alone and adding
shorts to build it up. There were too many you will miike no mistake. Played Fri., Sat.
and it built up the second night. Play it and
picture I
would make a splendid program.
Weather: Good (roads poor).—Fred L. Murray,
non, Fla.
shorts. Played Mon., Tues. Weather: Fair.—
Strand Tl-,eatre, Spiritwood. Sask. Small-
F. L. Murray, Strand Theatre, Spiritwood,
town and rural patronage.
Sask. Small-town and rural patronage.
Eddie Cantor Story, The (WB)—Keefe
Brasselle, Marilyn ErskLne, Aline MacMahon.
We sure didn't do too much business with
this one and I thought the picture deserved
a lot more than a couple of short crowds.
Warners cut the price and helped out some,
but it wasn't enough to show a profit. If you
can sell music, it might go over. Played
inies.-Thurs. Weather: Cloudy.—Mayme P.
Musselman, Roach Theatre, Lincoln, Kas.
Small-town and rural patronage.
Lion and the Horse, The (WB)—Steve
Cocliran, Ray Teal, Bob Steele. Small cast
but really an excellent picture. Each one
does a splendid job. One of the best little
pictures in a long time. Did excellent business—140
per cent to well satisfied customers.
Play it if you have not already done so and
give your customers a treat and help to pay
off some of the mortgage. Played Fri., Sat.
Weather: Good.—F. L. Murray, Strand Theatre.
Spiritwood, Sask. Small-town and rural
patronage.
Man Behind the Gun, The (WB)—Randolph
Scott, Patrice Wymore, Dick Wesson.
When Randy Scott draws a blank in Fruita,
you can bet conditions are not what they
should be. And this one didn't stir up enough
interest to get the weekly scat dusting half
done—so Bobby had to go to work again.
Warners loved it more than the folks who pay
the bills here did. Played Fri., Sat. Weather:
Nice.—Bob Walker, Uintah Theatre, Fruita,
Colo. Small-town and rural patronage.
MISCELLANEOUS
Appointment With Murder (Originally W
Classics, handled by 20th-Fox in Africa)
John Calvert, Catherine Craig, Jack ReitH
We know there's quite a shortage of go
films now due to the various changes
cinema presentation but if we continue
play films Uke this, there's going to be
mighty shortage of patrons! This was ft
poor. No plot, dull lighting and the canuj .:
work there was could easily have been li
out. We had the worst comments on U
one we've had in years. I honestly could r
recommend it for any house. Played Su
Mon. Weather: Fine.—Dave S. Klein, Ast
Theatre, Kitwe-Nkana, Northern Rhodes
Africa. Mining, government, business patro
age.
Bad Blonde (Realart)—Barbara Payt(
Frederick Valk, John Slater. The fiist Er
lish picture I ever recall reporting on. Ho
ever, I highly recommend this one for
"any day" showing. This one is fuU o: ovi
whelming passion leading to murder and m
fortune. Book it soon. Played Wed. Weathi
Heavenly.—Donald H. Haymans. Cand ,
Drive-In Theatre, Metter, Ga. Smalland
rural patronage.
Body and Soul (SR)—Reissue. John
field, Lilli Palmer, Hazel Brooks. An oldie
picked up because running time would kC'
expenses down (104 minutes>. Business «
lousy, but the movie was great. All commej
were good. Played Wed.. Thurs. Weathi
Good.—Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, RiV(
ville, W. Va. Small-towai and rural patrona
Give Out Sisters (Realart)—Reissue. D
Dailey, the Andrews Sisters. This is old I
still solid entertainment as the lower haU
the Friday-Saturday dual bill. Dan Dali
and the Andrews Sisters work magic in i
towns—or at least they do here. This cOi
pany's rental is reasonable. Weather: P
and warm.—I. Roche, Vernon Theatre, V"
Small-town and rural patronage
Little Fugitive (Burstyn)—Richie Andms
Rickie Brewster, Winifrfed Cushing. More
adults than children even though the <
standing actor is a child. We were pleas
by the large turnout of both regular and
regular customers to see a film which 1
bit of the aura of "art" about it. Plaj
Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather: Good,
Elaine S. George, Star Theatre, Heppt
Ore. Small-town and rural patronage.
Martin Luther (DeRochemont)—Niall U-
Ginnis, John Ruddock, Pierre LeFevre. C
of the greatest shows ever produced
be shown in every theatre. Played Sun., M(
Tues.—Leo W. Smith, Elk Theatre, Ellt"
S. D. Small-town and rural patronage.
Uncle Tom's Cabin (Realart) — Made
Paramount in 1918. Biggest Thursday-JWi
since September when we played "The lb
Is Blue." After all these years the
still good entertainment. Print good. OoJ;
handful walked out. Boxoffice 247 per_«
Weather: Threatening rain,—James H.
llton. Pine Hill Drive-In Theatre. Plcajl»
Miss. Small-town and rural patronage
Young Lovers, The (Realart)— Sally f
rest, Keefe Brasselle, Hugh O'Brien. One
the best down-to-earth, heart-touching 1
stories we have played to date. This plot
is highly recommended for young and
and should be seen by all. Played Tl
Wed. Weather: Heavenly.—Donald H. B
niiuis, Candler Drlve-In Theatre, Metl
Small-town and rural patronage.
BOXOmCE BookinGuido : : July 1

nUrprotlve onalysis of lay ond tradepress reviews. The plus
Para
RKO
only; audience classification Is not rated. Listings cover current
department servos also as on ALPHABETICAL INDEX to fcatu
tuffl Guide Review page number. For listings by company, in th
m\m
I minus signs indicate degree of
iews, brought up to dote regularly,
releases. Numcrol preceding title
rdor of release, see Foatu.-c Chort.
mi^i
Very Good; f^ Good; * Fail Poor; — Very Poor. In the summory H is rated 2 pluses, — as 2 minuses.
il9{tbbott and Costello Meet Or. Jekyll
Mr. Hyde (77) Comedy U-l 8- 1-53 +
jTltbout Mrs. Leslie (104) Drama Para 5- 1-54 ±
let of Love (105) Drama UA 1- 2-54 ++
Utress. The (90) Drama MGM 8- 8-53 +f
dventures of Robinson Crusoe (90) Drama UA 6- 5-54 ++
ffairs of Messalina, The (108) Drama... Col 6-27-53 +
Seas (78) Drama Para 2- 6-54 —
19^111 American, The (S3) Drama U-l 7-25-53 +
II the Brothers Were Valiant (101)
Drama MGM 10-17-53 +f
Iways a Bride (83) Comedy U-l 6- 5-54 +
nnapurna (58) Documentary. .Mayer-Kingsley 2- 6-54 +
9! pache (90) Drama UA 7- 3-54 +
ppoinlmenl In Honduras (80) Drama... RKO 10-31-53 —
in the Dust (SO) Drama AA 4-17-54 +
'|8! rrowhead (105) Superwestern Para 6-27-53 +
+
±
+
+
+
+
-f
±
+ + + +
+ tt + +
± + + -H
- +
It It + -
H + + ++
+ + + ++
+
7-+
11+
»+l-
2-,2-
I . i ] J I !il||!t||!!i!ri'iFr
a P I g 5 I llllllllllll'^lili I
1523 0Kameron Niohls (57) Comedy-Drama. .
1590 Demetrius and the Gladiators (101) Ad-Dr.
10-17-53 i: + H- + -)- -f + »fl—
(Cinemascope) 20th-Fox 6-12-54 tt H » # ± H U+l-
Desperado. The (81) Western AA 6-26-54+ + ± 4+ frfl-
1593 +
1514 Desperate Moment (88) Drama U-l 9-12-53 -f ± + + + + 6+1—
1578 Dial M tor Murder (105) Drama
(Three-dimension) WB 5-1-54+1 ± ± + S+2-
1505 Diamond Queen, The (80) Drama WB 8-15-53+ * ± *
H
- +
-f
± 6+5-
Diamoiid Wizard, The (..) Drama UA ± 1+1—
1522 Donovan's Brain (81) Drama UA 10-10-53 + ± ± + + ± ± 7+4—
1481 Double Confession (80) Drama Stratford 6- 6-53 it ± + 3+2-
1505 Down Laredo Way (53) Western Rep 8-15-53 ± d: 4+4-
—
± - +
1553 Dragon's Gold (70) Drama UA 1-30-54- - ± = * 2+7-
1556 Draoonfly Squadron (83) Drama AA 2-6-54- ± ± - 2+4-
1S72 Drive a Crool

REVIEW DIGEST
^ very Good; + Good,- ± Fo the summary ++ is rated 2 plu
s\it\ J.
»
1553 Gypsy Colt (72) Drama.
1500 Half a Hero (75) Comedy HGM
Hans Cliristian Andersen (112)
Musical
RKO
Heat Wave (..) Drama LP
1548 Heidi (97) Drama UA
1556 Hell and High Water (103) Drama
(Cinemascope)
20th-Fox
1586 Hell Below Zero (90) Drama Col
1580 Hell Raiders of the Deep (93) Drama.
.
I.F.E.
1558 Hell's Half Acre (91) Drama Rep
1526 Here Come the Girls (78) Musical Para
1596 Her Twelve Men (91) Comedy-Drama MGM
1493 Hindu, The (83) Ferrin
1593 His Last Twelve Hours (89) Com-Dr. . I.F.E.
1545 His Majesty O'Keeft (88) Drama WB
1592 Hobson's Choice (107) Comedy UA
Hollywood Thrill-Makers (60) Drama LP
1538 Hondo (83) Drama (Three-dimension) WB
K51 Horse's Mouth, TTie (77)
Comedy
Hayer-Kingsley
1535 Hot News (60/2) Drama AA
1532 How to Marry a Millionaire (95) Drama
(Cinemascope)
20th-Fox
1494 Hundred Hour Hunt (84) Drama Greshler
Husband for Anna, A (105) Drama I.F.E.
8- 1-53
11-29-52
1- 9-54
2- 6-54
5-29-54
5- 8-54
2-13-54
10-24-53
7- 3-54
1586 High and the Mighty, The (153) Drama
(Cinemascope)
WB 5-29-54
1553 Highway Dragnet (72) Drama AA 1-30-54
7-11-53
6-26-54
1- 2-54
6-19-54
4+ tt
++ ft
tt
ft
+
+ ft
ft
ft
£i
ft ft ft +

;
+t Very Good; + Good; - Foir; — Poor; = Very Poor. In the summary I
is rated 2 pluses, = oi 2 minuses.
REVIEW DIGEST
57|'laygifl (55) Drama U-1 4-24-54
of lunder the Sun (82) Drama WB 8- 8-53
•ride of the Blue Grass (70) Dram*. .AA 3-27-54
rince Valiant (100) Drama
(CinemaScoDt) 20th-Fox 4-10-54
rincess of the Nile (73) .20tli-Fox 6-19-54
Drama.
risoner of War (SI) Drama MGU 3-27-54
52^'riioners the Cnsbah (7S) Col 10-31-53
of Drama
! Eyes (64) Comedy AA
Sl^rolect Moon Base (63) Drama LP 9- 5-53
rolect 11-7 (86) Drama U-l 12-19-53
ushover ) Drama Col
( .
5 1 I
± &+«-
+ 8+2-
6+3-
+ + +f H + u+
7+6-
± 3+6-
5-
+ 4+3-
Mlueen
I67uetii'i
±
R
Hood (76) Drama
laid, The (. .) Drama
ijiils Into Uramie (S2) Drama.
Window (..) Drama
.20th-Fox 3-27-54 +
.20th-Fox
U-l 3-20-54 +
Fara
58|;d Garters (90) Musical Para 2-13-54++
er Shore (54) Western Rep 1-2-54 +
turn From the Sea (80) Drama AA 7-17-54 ±
to Treasure Island (75) Drama... UA 7- 3-54 +
y (115) Musical-Drama MGM 2-20-54 +f
ear of Diablo (80) Drama U-l 2-6-54 +
aquero! (90) Western MGi« 6-20-53 ±
52|ders to the Stars (81) Drama UA 1-23-54 +
66Wino Sholoun (75) Western WB 3-13-54 ±
96 ng of Fear (93) Drama .WB 7- 3-54 +
57|jt in Cell Block 11 (80) Drama AA 2-13-54 ++
Beat (73) Drama LP
76 .er of No Return (90) Drama
(Cinemascope) 20th-Fox 4-24-54 +f
! Roy. the Hiohland Rouue (84) Drama. RKO 11-28-53 +
le. The (135) Drama (CS) . . . .20th-Fox 9-26-53++
[bot Monster (62) Drama
(Three-dimension)
Astor
ket Man, The (80) Drama 20th-Fox 5- 1-54 +
nan Holiday (119) Comedy Par« 7-4-53 +
Marie (102) Musical (Cinemascope) .
Y MGM 3- 6-54 +
19 ral African Rifles (75) Drama AA 10- 3-53 +
>3 jral Tour of Queen Elizabeth (95)
20th-Fox 6-26-54 ±
7! Ilia (82) Drama MGM 1- 9-54 ±
re Jet (96) Drama UA 9-12-53 +
2 ^inaw Trail (56) Western Col 9- 5-53 ±
'$ Girl Friday, The (68) Drama... RKO 3-20-54 +
of the Earth (94) Documentary IPC 4-17-54 +
3 flicen Blade (76) Drama
Col 5-22-54 +
2 *alchewan (88) Drama U-l 2-27-54 ±
7 Silet Sf ear. The (78) Drama UA 3-20-54 +
5 Sj of Lost Ships (85) Drama Rep 10-24-53 ±
SSlet Conclave, The (80)
jAmerican Dialog) Drama I.F.E. 8-29-53 +
* S|et of the Incas (101) Drama Para 5-22-54 +
Sjirity Risk (..) Drama AA
'S|uilita (91) Drama
American Dialoj) I.F.E. 5-22-54 +

. .C. .
.
.
.
. ) . .
Feature productions by company in order of release. Number in square is national release dote. Running
porentheses. Letters and combinations thereof indicote story type os follows: (C) Comedy; (D)
Dromo; (AD) Adventure-Drama; (CD) Comedy-Drama; (F) Fantasy; (M) Musical; (W) Western; (SW) Super.
Relcose number follows.

.
«
.
.
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
FEATURE
CHART
\RAMOUNT
otony Boy (94) D. .5307
Udd, Judos Muon. Pitrlcln Medina
Flight to Tongier (90) D. .5306
KonUlne. Jack Hsluice. Corlnne CtlJet
RKO RADIO
REPUBLIC
20TH CENTURY-FOX
^©uHow to Marry i
(95) UU. . JJO
Betty Grahle, Marilyn Monroe, l^urcn Bacall
©Inferno (83) (2-D) SW..346
Rhonda Fleming. W. Lundlgan, Robert Ryan
,151 Red River Shore (54) W .
Hex Allen. Slim I'lckens. Lyn Thomas
JU Chomp for a Doy (90) CD. .
Alex NIcol. Audrey Totter. Charles Win
©cDBeneoth the 12-Mllc Reef
(102) D..337
Ruben Wagner. Terry Moore. Ollhert Roland
Mon Crazy (79) D . . 339
Nivllle Brand. Christine White, Coleen MlUer
Man in the Attle (82) D. .340
Jax Pulance. Constance Smith, Byron Palmer
:«e Firel (75) Doc. .5308
'emote (93) C. .5224
gers. William ilolden, Paul Douglas
(92) D..5311
lando Lamas, Rhonda Fleming, Brian Kdtb
©oKing of the Khyber Rifles
(99) D..401
Tyrone Power, Terry Moore. Michael Hennle
©Three Young Texoni (80) D. .402
Mltzl Gaynor, Jeff Hunter. Keefe Braawlle
A|sko Seas (78) D. .5313
Hyan, Jan Sterling, Brian Keith
-rem Home (100) . ,C. .5310
Jerry Lewis, Pat Crowley
Jungle, The (93) D..531
k.-iton, Eleanor Parker. W. Conrad
irters (90) M. .531
Mmui Clooney. Jack Carson, Ouy Mitchell
m ©^French Line, The (102) M. .407
Jane Russell, Gilbert Roland, ]. McKenile
ED She Couldn't Soy No (89) C. .408
Jean Simmons, Robert Mltchum. A. Hunnlcutt
m @Rob Roy, the Highlond Rogue
(84) D..494
Richard Todd, Glynls Johui. Flnli; Currle
(3 Sea of Lost Ships (85) D. .5213
John Derek, Wanda Hendrlx, Walter Brennan
IS Phantom Stallion (54) W. .5331
liex Allen, Carls Balenda, SUm Pickens
5l|Crozylegs (88) D. .522-'
Lloyd Nolan. Joan Vohs, ESroy Hlrsch
©oHell ond High Water (103). .D. .403
Richard Wldmark. Bella Darrl, David Wayne
©Miss Robin Crusoe (75) D. .338
Amanda Blake, George Nader, Rosalind Hayes
©iziNew Faces (98) M . . 40
Eartha Km. Ronny Graham, Robert Clary
. 40
Gregory Peck, Broderlck Crawford. A. Bjork
©Racing Blood (76) D. .41(
©Night People (93) D .
Bill WlUlams, Jean Porter, Jimmy Boyd
StI Soint's Girl Friday, The (68) D..411
Louis Hayward, Naomi Chance, Sidney Tafler
©Carnival Story, The (95) D. .412
Anne Baxter, Stere Cochran, Lyle Bettger
[B Geraldine (90) CD. .5302
Mala Powers, John Carroll, Krisllne MUler
51 Untamed Heiress, The (70) C..5325
Judy Canova, Donald "Bed" Barry
©i^iPrince Voliant (100) D. .•
Robert Wagner, Janet Leigh, James Mason
Rocket Mon, The (80) D. ..
Charles Cohurn. Spring Bylngton. 0. Wlnalo
©iphont Wolk (103) AD.. 5317 m ©Silver Lode, The (80) SW.
El beth Taylor, Dana Andrews, Peter Finch John Payne. Llzabeth Scott, Dan Dunret
fflcret of the Incos (lOI). . .D. .5318 Sins of Rome (..) D. .
CI ton IJeston. Robert Young, Yma Bumac Ludmllla Tcherlna, Massimo Glrottl
Sa Tobor the Great ( . . ) D .
Charles Drake, Karin Booth, Arthur Shields
SI ©Jubilee Trail (103) W..5303
Vera Ralston, Forrest Tucker, Joan Leslie
©'^Gorilla at Large (83)....
Anne Bancroft. Cameron JUlchell,
©River of No Return (90)..
.Marlij-n Monroe, Robert &lltchum,
©Siege at Red River, The
Van Johnson, Joanne Dm. Richard Boone

.
'
FEATURE
CHART
UNITED ARTISTS
Stronger on tho Prowl (82). . . D. .5335
l'«iil Muni, Joan I-orrin*. Vlttorlo VUmmU
iSCShork River (80) 0..5336
Cachrtn. C»rol« MatUltws, VT. Sttveni
|g QCoptoln Joh
Pocohontos (76) D. .5337
...ihonj Iieilcr, Jody Uwraace, Alas Hale ir
a ©Song of the Lond "— "^'
(71) .Doc. .5338
(57).. Doc. 5344
[U ©Great Gilbert ond Sullivan, The
(112) M..5341
Maurice Evans. Robert Morlaj. M. HerUe
Wlcl
Hans Albers, Uselotte Pulier, B. (M
REISSUES
Stan Laurel. Olitor Hardy
Movie Struck (68)
Stan Laurel, OlKer Hardy
COLUMBIA
Block Eagle (. .) 0..J
Wllllum Bishop. Virginia Patton
MGM
©Gone With the Wind (..) D...
Clark Gable. VKlen Ulgb, 0. DeHn
PARAMOUNT
©Greotest Show on Eorth
(153) MD..
James Stewart. Betty Button. Ctavltai
RKO RADIO
Bodmon's Territory (98) D..,«(
Randolph Scon
Best Yeors of Our Lives, The
(172) D,
Myma Loy. Fredrle March. Dana iKi
Enchanted Cottage, The (91) D..
Dorothy McCulre. Robert Young
Gungo Din (. .) AD.
Caiy Grant. Douglas Fairbanks jr.
Lost Patrol (. .) AD.
Mcl.aglei
HU
Dream House (78) C.
Cary Grant. Myrna Loy. M. iwugiu
©Pinocchio (87) Cartoon..
(Cartoon Feature)
Rachel ond the Stronger
(93) 0..
Uretu Toung, WlllUm Holda, B. Ml
Sponlsh Main, The (100) O...
Paul Heiireid. Maureen O'llar*
Tall In the Saddle (87) W I
John Wayne. EJIa Raines
They Won't Believe Me
(95) D..
Susan Hayward. Itobert Toung. .laiie
Thing, The (87) D.
James Amese. Margaret Sberldan
REALART
Terror Hons* (60) D .
Boris Karloff. Warren Hull
20th CENTURY-FOX
Cry of the City (95)
Victor Mature. Bhelley Winters,
Orchestra Wives (98)
(llfim Miller k Orch.. George
Riders of the Purple Sege
(56) u
Oeorce Montgomery-. Mary Hoeard
Scudda Hoo-Scuddo Hoy (95) D
June Hater. Waller Hr.'Tinaii. L. MoO
Street With No Nome (91)
Itlctiard WIdmark. Uoyd Nolan
Sun Valley Serenade (86)
Sonja Iltnle, John Payne, Glenn Mill*
UNITED ARTISTS
Algiers (77) -..^
lledy iJiMarr. (Tiarles Boyer, SIfrW'P
UNIVERSALINTERNATIONAL
Egg and I, The (..) C..
ClaiMlclte Colbert, Fred MacMurrty. U
WARNER BROS.
Girl for Joe, A (formerly Force
of Arms) (100)
C. .__
William Hiildrn. Nancy Olson. Don ft
Guy With a Grin (formeriy No
Time for Comedy) (93).. C.
James Stewart, Rosalind Russell
Public Enemy (83) D..
James Cagney. Jean Harlow. Joan oil
LIMIe Coesor (80) D..
Edward G. Robinson, Douglas r*llto
o..,r.*
"m.>

'
.
15
I
1
15
I
!
listed by company, in order of rclcoso. Running timo follows title. First ii nationol
.12-17-53
. . . Apr.-54
e, second the dote of review in BOXOFFICE. Symbol between dotes Its rating from BOXOFFICE
f. tt Very Good. + Good. ± Fair. — Poor. .-= Very Poor. O Indicates color pliotography.
Columbia
No. Title Rel Date Rating Rev'd
ALL-STAR COMEDIES
)ooDie in tlie Bedroom
(161/2) 1- 7-54 It 2-27
•ootino Toolers (17)... 5-13-54 ± 6-19
Two April Fools (..).. 6-17-54
ASSORTED FAVORITES
(Reis:
Strife of the Party (16) 12-17-53
Oh, Baby! vlS^2> 2-11.54
. Two Nuts in a Rut (IS) 3-U-54
>4: She Snoops to Conquer
(17!/2) 4-29-54
CANDID MICROPHONE
(Oiic-Rcel
Specials)
2-1S-54 ±
3-18-54 ±
5-20 54
COLOR FAVORITES
(Technicolor Reissues)
-i6(|A Boy, a Gun and Birds
(71/2) 11-26-53
Ikeleton Frolic (71/2) . . . 12-17-53
ree for Two OVz) .... 1- 7-54
I/ay Down Yonder in the Corn
(7) 211-54
105, Cat and Canary (6) 2-28-54
he Egg Yeoo OVi) 3-31-54
lie Way of All Pests
(71/2) 5-13-54
i61>\nioozin' But Confoozin
(S)
5-27-54
Cat, a Mouse and a Bell
(7)
6-17-54
161 The Disillusi Bluebird
(7) 6-24-54
r. Moocher (7) 7- 8-54
terring Murder Mystery
(7)
7-22-54
COMEDY FAVORITES
! (Reissues)
43i/leet Mr. Mischief
(ITVi) 11-12-53
.ove at First Frioht (16) 1-14-54
iet Along Little Nubby
(19) 2-25-54
,
43llaopily
"
3- 4-54
Married (I6I/2)
g Around (171/2). 7- 8-54
MR. MAGOO
,.j,
(Technicolor)
70. agoo Slept Here (7) . .11-19-53 + 11-21
^OJagoo Goes Skiing (7) . . 3-11-54 A 4-10
ngaroo Courting ( .
. ) 7-22-54 ....
SCREEN SNAPSHOTS
,-^,.-n of the West (10) . .11-19-53
85^ ollywood's Great Entertainers
««, *^'">"
Northwest
4-15-54 -I- 4-24
Chapters
loOatman (reissue) 7-29-54
"Oioof on the
404iucnmo ^lucome
STOOGE COMEDIES
Roof
TTaVsappy'
2 -4-54 ± 2-27
Version . .
3-18-54
rdon My Backfire
'i^
(16) 4-15-54
"•Ul^als
'6-i9
and Gals (17) .... 6- 3-54 +
THRILLS OF MUSIC
J
(Reissues)
''''"""''"'
* "":'' j'(il')
TOPNOTCHERS
6901 Canine Crimebusters (10) 4-15-54 -f
6902 Push Back the Edne
(10) 5-27-54 -f
UPA CARTOON SPECIAL
6510 The Tell Tale Heart (8) 12-17.53 +
UPA ASSORTED
(Technicolor)
6501 Bringing Up Mother (7) 1-14-54 ff
6502 Ballet-Oop (71/2) 2-11-54 +f
6503 The Man on the Flying
Trapeze (7) 4-8-54 -ft
6504Fudocfs Budget 6-17-54
(7)....
WORLD OF SPORTS
5S03Snow Speedsters (IO/2) .11-12-53
6804 Battling Big Fish (11) .
6805 Gauchos Down Uruguay Way
(10) 2-18-54 -f-
6806 Tee Magic (9) 3-25-54 -f
6S07 Racguet Wizards (9) . . . 4-22-54 ±.
680S World Soccer Champions
(10) 5-20-54 +
6809 Diving Cavalcade (..).. 6-24-54
+
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Prod. No. Title Rel Date Rating Rev'd
CARTOONS
(Technicolor)
W-535 Three Little Pups
(7) 12-26-53 + 12-12
W-536 Puppy Tale (7) 1-23-54
W-537 Posse Cat (7) 1-30-54 + 5-22
W-538 Drag-along Droopy 2-20-54
(8)
W-539 The Impossible Possum
(7) 3-20-54
W-540 Hic-Cup Put (6) 4-17-54
W-541 Billy Boy (5) 5- 8-54
542 Little School Mouse 5-29-54
(6)
W-543 Sleepy Time Squirrel
(7) 6-19-54
Homesteader W-544 Droopy
(8) 7-10-54
Bird- 7-31-54
W-545 Brain Dog (7)...
W.546 Baby Butch (7) 8-14-54
CINEMASCOPE SPECIALS
K 571 Overture to the Merry Wives
of Windsor (10) 3-20
ff
K-572Poet and Peasant (..) ....
FITZPATRICK TRAVELTALKS
(Technicolor)
T-512 In the Valley of the Rhine
(9) 11-28-53 -H 12-12
T-513 Looking at Lisbon (8) 12-26-53
T-514 Glimpses of Western
Germany (9) 2-13-54 ff 3-20
GOLD MEDAL REPRINTS
(Technicolor
Reissues)
2 Springtime for Thomas
(S) 11- 7-53
W-563The Bear That Couldn't
Sleep (9) 12- 5-53
Northwest Hounded Police
W-564
(8) 12-19-53
The 1- 9-54
5 Milky Waif (7)...
6 Uncle Tom's Cabana (S) 2- 6-54
7 Trap Happy (7) 3- 6-54
3 Solid Serenade (7) 4- 3-54
PETE SMITH SPECIALTIES
S-553 Landlording It (9) 11- 7-53 -f 10-24
S-554 Things We Can Do. Without
(9) 12- 5-53 + 1-30
S-555 Film Antics (S) 1-2-54
S-556 Ain't It Aggravatin' (8) 2- 6-54
S-557 Fish Tales (S) 3-13-54 + 3-20
S-55S Do Someone a Fa.or .
(9) 4-10-54 5- 8
S-559 Out for Fun (10)
-t-
5- 8-54 ± 6-26
S-560 Safe 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 -f 1- 9
B13-3 Boo Moon (3-D) (8).. 1- 1-54 -f 2-13
B13-3 Boo Moon (8), 2-D
version 3- 5-54
B13-4 Zero the Hero (7) 3-26-54 -f 5- 8
B13-5 Casper Genii (7) 5-28-54 + 5-15
B13-6 Puss'n Boos (7) 7-16-54 \- 7-10
CALLING SCOTLAND YARD
(English-made)
5351Javanese Dagger (27) Mar.-54 4- 3
-f
5352 Falstaff's Fur Coat (27) Mar.-54 + 4-10
5353 The Missing Passenger
+ (27) Mar.-54 4-10
5354 The Final Twist (27) -f 4- 3
5355 The Sable Scarf (27) Apr.-54 4- 4-10
The Wedding Gift (27) . Apr.-54 -f 4- 3
5356
GRANTLAND RICE SPORTLIGHTS
R13-4 Rough Ridin' Youngsters
(9) 12- 4-53 -f- 1- 9
R13.5 Water Swimphony (9) .12-18-53 4- 1-23
R13-6 Angling (or Thrills (9) 1-22-54 -f 2-13
R13-7 Kids on a Springboard
(9) 2-26-54 3-20
R13.8 Riding the Glades (9)
-f
3-12-54 + 4-17
R13-9 Stick
Rough and Tumble
Games (10) 4-30-54 +5-8
The Men Who It
R13-10 Can Take
(•) 6-18-54
HERMAN

Remember
. 2-20-54
i
13
:
July
?. .
SHORTS CHART
Universal-International
Prod. No. Title Rel Date Raling Rev'd
COLOR PARADE
1953-54 SEASON
9381 Go South Amigos (9) 2- S-54 + 2-13
9382 Royal Mid-Ocean Voyage
(9) 3- 1-54 3-20
.
9383 Rolling in Style (9) 4-12-54 + 5-22
9384 Fair Today (..) 5-10-54
9385 Talent Scout (9) 6-14-54 + 7-10
9386 Star Studded Ride (..) 7-18-54
MUSICAL FEATURETTE
1953-54 SEASON
9302 David Rose and His Orchestra
(I51/2) 12-24-53 1-30
Hawaiian
-H-
1-22-54 + 2-13
9303 Nights (17)...
9304 Jimmy Wakely's Jamboree
(I5/2) 2-26-54 3- 6
9305 Rhythm and Rhyme (15)
-f
4-23-54 - 4-10
9306 Four Aces Sing (15)... 5-28-54
9307 Corral Cuties (15) 6-21-54 -f 7-17
SPECIALS
VARIETY VIEWS
1953-54 SEASON
SPORTS PARADE
(Technicolor)
9341 Byways Broadway
to 1504 Arabians in the Rockies
(10) 12-12-53 11-14
(9) U-16-53 11-21
Bow -f
1- 4-54 ± 1-30
9342 River Valley (9).. 1-16-54 + 2-13
+5-8
1503 Born to Ski (10)
9343 Brooklyn Goes to Chicago
1505 When Fish Fight (10)
1506 Heart of a Champion (10)
2-22-54 2-13
(914) + 3-20-54 + 4-24
4-24-54+ 9344 Through Space
(9) 4-12-54 i 5-22
Moving
1507 Carnival in Rio (10)... 5-15
. .
1510 Hunting Dogs at Work.. 5-22-54
150S Off to the Races (10) 6-28-54 +7-3
WALTER LANTZ CARTUNES 1509 G.I. Holiday (..) 7-24-54
(Technicolor)
TECHNICOLOR SPECIALS
1953-54 SEASON
Willy 9321 Chilly (6) 12-21-53+ 1-30 1003 North of the Sahara (17) U- 7-53 -H- 12- 5
2-15-54 +3-6
+
1-19-54 + 2-13
9322 Socko in Morocco (6)... 1004 Don't Forget to Write
9323 A Horse's Tale (6)..'.
(17)
Winter
12- 5-53 1- 9-54 1-16
2-13
9324 Alley in Bali 3-15-54 4-10
(6) 1005 Paradise (20) ...
9325 Under the Counter Spy
1006 Hold Your Horses (20) 2- 6-54 4-24 +
(20)
(6) 4-10-54 .... 1007 Monroe Doctrine
9326 Dig That Dog (6) 4-12-54 4-10
(reissue)
Continental
3-6-54
4-10-54
9327 Hay Rube (6) 6- 7-54 .... 1008 Holiday (20) +
1009 Declaration of
5-15
9328 Hot Rod Hucksters (6) . 7- 5-54 + 7-17
WOODY WOODPECKER
Independence (IS) ... 5-15-54
Frontier Days (20) 6-12-54
1011
1010 Silver Lighting (..).... 7-17-54
(Reissues)
9351 Smoked Hams (6) 2-22-54
9352 Coo Coo Birds (6) 3-29-54
9353 Well Oiled (7) 4-26-54
9354 Overture to William Tell
Warner Bros.
1404 So You Want to Be Your
Own Boss (10) 3-13-54+ 4-24
1405 So You Want to Go to a
Night Club (10) 5- 1-54
1406 So You Want to Be a
Banker ( ) 7- 3-54
MELODY MASTER BANDS
(Reissue)
1802 Hal Kemp & Orch. (10) 11-14-53
1803 Rhythm of the Rhumba
(9) 1- 2-54
lS04Sons of the Range (9) 2-27-54
1805Jammin' the Blues (10) 4-17-54
1806 Cavalcade of Dance 7- 3-54
MERRIE MELODIES
(Technicolor)
(7) 1707 Punch Trunk 12-19-53++ 1-9
1708 Dog Pounded (7) 1- 2-54 + 2-20
1709 Gopher You (7) .... 1-30-54 + 2-20
1710 Feline Framc-Up (7)... 2-13-54+ 4-24
(7)
1711 Wild Wife (7)
1712 No Barking
+f
2-27-54 ±5-8
2-20-54 4-24
1713 Design for Leaving (7) . 3-27-54 +
±
4-24
. 1714 The Cat's Bah (7) . 4- 3-54 4-24
1715 Bell-Happy (7) 4-17-54+ 5-15
1716 Dr. Jerkyl's Hide (8) 5- 8-54 -f 7-10
1717 Claws for Alarm (7) . 5-22-54 -f 7- 3
1718 Little Boy Boo (..)... 6-. 5-54
1719 M uzzle Tough ( ) 6-26-54
1720 The Oily American 7-10-54
(..)
VITAPHONE NOVELTIES
1603 Magic Movie Moments
(10) U-26-53
1604 When (10). 3-20-54+ 4-24
1605T1irills From the Past
(10) 5- 8-54 + 6-26
1606 When Sports Were King. 6-19-54
WARNERCOLOR SPECIALS
Black Fury (32) Oct. -54
SHORTS REVIEWS
Casey at the Bat
RKO (Marquee Musical) 9 Mins.
Very good. One of the original
episodes from Walt Disney's "Moke
Mine Music" feature, this makes an
excellent cartoon subject on its own
with Jerry Colonna, of the explosive
singing style, as a marquee name.
Colonna recites that classic ol baseball
tales—about the mighty Casey,
the pride of Mudville, who finally
struck out. Technicolor cartoon
drawings are imaginative.
Hot Ro

,
IXie
j
CDJnions on Current Productions; Exploitips
r^'AVJin iiimm
(FOR STORY SYNOPSIS ON EACH PICHIRI, SEC REVERSE SIDE)
Betrayed
Ratio:
Drama
1.85-1 Eastman Color
MGM (428)
108 Minutes
Hel.
Three uppermost star names and color certainly should
generate sufficient magnetism to assure this saga of espionage
and counter-espionage profitable patronaga in its
initial showings. Among those attracted to the theatre through
such appeal, there are likely to be mixed reactions. Ticket
buyers who relish action, gore, intrigue and romance, regardless
of literary quality and consistency, will be satisfied with
the picture, and they are numerous enough in most situations
to accord the word-o'-mouth impetus necessary for successful
subsequent bookings. More discriminating fans may criticize
the offering because of its many improbable situations and
because they feel performances are not up to the standard
expected from its triple stellar lineup. But everyone should be
happy about the picturesque Holland backgrounds against
which the feature was photographed in Eastman Color.
Gottfried Reinhardt directed.
Clark Gable, Lana Turner, Victor Mature, Louis Calhem,
O. E. Hasse, Wilfrid Hyde White, Ion Cormichael.
Recrr Window F
""""• """"
iieur VV IIIUOW r
i.gg.! (Technicolor)
Paramount ( ) 112 Minutes Rel.
In this brilliantly conceived spine-tingler, Alfred Hitchcock
loses no whit of his hard-earned, amply merited standing as
the screen's reigning master of suspense—indeed, many
critics and customers will vote it the producer-director's alltime
best, or spittin'-distance close thereto. The film is a
murder mystery, but unlike most offerings in its category the
suspense and motivation depend not on locating and apprehending
the slayer, but on whether or not there has been
a homicide at all. In the development of this refreshing departure
from the norm, Hitchcock had the benefit of an
expertly written screenplay, which masterfully delineates
the plot and several sub-plots. This story framework—maintaining
high levels of interest and excitement—brought forth
superb performances from a meticulously selected cast. The
picture's top stars are, of course, exploitation sparkplugs,
capable of attracting capacity patronage in all bookings.
lames Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey, Thelma Hitter,
Roymound Burr, Judith Evelyn, Ross Bagdasarian.
The Raid nuia F "'''" """"
r 1.66-1 (Technicolor)
I
20th-Fox (408) 82 Minutes Hel. Aug. 25, '54
For the action addicts this is a prime morsel of entertainment
and at the same time, the picture offers sufficient
dramatic qualities to endow it with considerable appeal to
patrons of general tastes. Such diversity of attraction
should assure profitable patronage wherever the film is
booked and judiciously merchandised, with exploitation
accent devoted to star Van Heflin, Technicolor, story and
period. Based on an actual, highly suspenseful incident of
the Civil War, the screen play resorts to contrivance only in
the interests of plot and movement, which justifies an occasional
extreme situation. Substantially mounted by Robert
L. Jacks for Panoramic Productions, many of the climactic
sequences are opulently impressive, which lush accoutrements
justify topside bookings in average situations. Under
able direction by Hugo Fregonese, the cast, especially the
predominant male portion thereof, is outstanding.
Van Heilin, Anne Bancroit, Richard Boone, Lee Marvin,
Tommy Rettig, Peter Graves, James Best, John Dierkes.
On the Watertront F '^\ °'""
Columbia (702)
Hel.
Producer Sam Spiegel and director Elia Kazan herein prove
that a high mark in film making may be set without the use
of new mediums. With events right off the front pages of the
newspapers, high drama is achieved when the film goes
behind the gangsterism, which controls the dock unions, to
delve into the minds and hearts of those whose lives are
caught up in its terrorism. Performances by the men of the
cast are outstanding. Marlon Brando reaches new heights
as the inarticulate ex-fighter who realizes, almost against
his will, that he has a social conscience. Karl Maiden as the
priest and Lee J. Cobb as the corrupt union leader are equally
fine. Exploitation may well rest on the reputation of Kazan
as a director, the timely story and star names. A grim, realistic
film but beautifully done and with a remarkable score
which makes use of waterfront sounds as integral parts of
the orchestral effect.
Marlon Brando, Karl Maiden, Lee I. Cobb, Eva Marie Sodnt,
Rod Steiger, Pat Henning.
Pushover
F
Ratio: Drama
<
'
1.85-1
Columbia (704) 88 Minutes ReL Aug. '54
Here is a taut and tingling crime melodrama with Fred
MacMurray giving a tough, realistic portrayal of a "heel," a
strong followup to his fine performance in "The Caine
Mutiny." With an exploitable tile, plus the presence of a
sexy blond newcomer, Kim Novak, the picture should do
smash business in metropolitan first runs and action spots.
While not ideal fare for family audiences, it has enough
romance and general excitement to satisfy generally. The
plot is similar to the outstanding "Double Indemnity" of a
few years back and it ends in tragedy for the wrongdoer.
Miss Novak is a striking looking young actress, but her
portrayal of a "bad girl" is on the obvious side. Much
better is Dorothy Malone, who gives a sincere performance
as a nurse who supplies the love interest with Phil Carey,
who is convincing as an upstanding police detective. Produced
by Jules Schermer, directed by Richard Quine.
Fred MacMurray, Phil Carey, Kim Novak, Dorothy Malone,
E. G. Marshall, Allan Nourse, Paul Richards.
The Diamond Wizard F
1%":^
United Artists (5432) 83 Minutes Rel.
This first-rate crime detective story grips the interest at
the start and develops increasing tension throughout. It
should appeal to almost every type of audience and age.
Dennis O'Keefe, who has built up a wide following through
appearances in action pictures, went to England to play in
and direct this picture along with Margaret Sheridan, Philip
Friend and others, so the cast as well as the story has an
international character. The work of Scotland Yard in unraveling
a truly mystifying crime involving millions in jewels
and a series of murders is realistically presented. There is a
romance, but it is kept down to proper proportions. Backgrounds
are picturesque. The finale, culminating in a spectacular
explosion, comes as a relief after the strenuous and
concerted attempts of American and British agents to capture
the gang of criminals before captives can be murdered.
Steven Polios produced.
Dennis O'Keefe, Margaret Sheridan, Philip Friend, Allan
Wheatley, Francis de Wolff, Eric Berry, Michael Balfour.
River Beat F ^^
°""'
Lippert (5329) 73 Minutes Hel. July 16 '54
Like so many British imports, this constabulary-and-crooks
drama is praiseworthy for its thespian competency but falls
short of Hollywood standards in the scripting and movement
departments. As a second feature on average double bills
it will serve satisfactorily, most especially when teamed with
a strong topsider. American Phyllis Kirk heads the cast and
keynotes the aforementioned acceptable performances. Hers
i£ the only name that will be familiar to rank-and-file ticket
buyers in this country, and can be used in whatever exploitation
is devoted to the feature. Herman Cohen, who went
to England to function as executive producer, stretched his
relatively meager budget to the limit and contrived to endow
the film with substantial production values, largely through
the use of street and waterfront scenes and other bits of
authentic atmosphere. Guy Green directed for producer
Victor Hanbury.
PhyUis Kirk, John Bentley, Robert Ayres, Leonard White,
Ewan Roberts. Glv" M-uston, Charles Lloyd Pack.

FEATURE REVIEWS
Story Synopsis; Adiines for Newspaper and Programs
THE STORY: "On the Waterfront" (Col)
Marlon Brando, a young ex-prize fighter, is the pampered
darling of a dock union leader because his older brother is
the man's chief henchman. Violence, beatings, unexplained
nd unavenged deaths keep the longshoremen in submission
while the corrupt leaders profit from their labor. Karl Maiden,
the local priest, tries to instill enough courage into the down- ^._
trodden men to make them testify to the crime investigation
committee, but to no avail. At long last Brando comes to see,
( _
through the proddings of thte priest and his love for the
sister of one of the murdered men that he must stand up
against the gangsters and tell the truth as he knov/s it.
Through his testimony and his courage in leading the men
back to work, in spite of the union leader's exhortations to
strike, the grip of the union on the dock industry is broken.
CATCHLINES:
Born Free in a Free World, Yet Terror Held Them in Its
.
Grip They Bagged for the Privilege of Working and Bowed
Submissive to a' Gangster's Every Whim . . . Until One Man
Found the Courage to Speak Out Against Injustice and Gangland's
Grip Was Broken.

15c per wora, minimum $1.50. cash with copy. Four insertions for price of three.
NG DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy and answers to
Box Numbers to BOXOFFICE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 24, Mo. •
HELP WANTED
inager for independor
leraey, 40 miles from Nfw
i. Boxofflce, 5565.
en contacting drl\c-ln theatres
tR-car heater company. Strong
Inets. 110-220 volts, any watards
Eaectrlc Mfg. Co., Charlesmanager
or experienced assistant
re operation for eastern North
n, special delivery full ciailflbackground
and salary expected
POSITIONS WANTED
Jiiagcrial experience, all phases,
lyed. Wife and two children.
I'-iii OB Pacific coast (preferably
licr. reliable and result-getter.
IOCS. Boxofflce. 5544.
experienced drive-ins and conventional,
operations. Prefer year-around drireclrcuit.
Best of references. Write,
drive-in manager. 24 years expertbooking,
managing, exploitation,
concession manager. Employed,
Boxofflce, 5568.
uyer. Former sales executiie, 13 years
three major film distributors, who
current distribution practices and
iffers tried and proven know-bow U
these problems to theatre circuits and
theatre owners. Box 16. Boxofflce,
T Plaza. New York.
MISCELLANEOUS
Iden Hybrid or white hulless. $9 per
n moisture proof bags. Processors and
high lolume popcorn for over 20 years
iltie Co.. Nampa, Idaho.
:quipment wanted
equipment. Ileply. Boxoffic
heatrical printing
heathe equipment
The standard code ticket numbering
ill general use in theatres charging
idcr. Standard CltYPTIX niirahering altie
its own individual ticket num-
It guards and keeps confidential
liable trade secret—your grosses.
Office, 430 Vine St.. Cincinnati 2,
Ticket Co.. PhUadelphia, Pa
dio and production
equipment
Shoot local newstie-ups
with local merchants. Ask for
ictlon Catalog ST-10. Dept. CC. SOS
DPly Corp., 602 W. 52nd St., New
eral equipment—used
les and rectifiers, excellent conw
f'^'y "i'
P^'''-
projection and
II, $895: Holmes. $495. Buy on time!
ou.s. Cinema Supply Corp., 602 W
!w location. Used miniature I
rails and ties. Capacity 34
Boulevard Drive-ln Theatre.
Kansas City *3. Kas. KEndall t
'ICE : : July 24, 1954
GENERAL EQUIPMT USED—(Cont'd)
Complete theatre equipment. Motiograpt
chines. Voice of Theatre sound. Kroehlcr
etc.. 5 years old. Price. .$8,000 bracket,
office. 5545.
Projection equipment: No. 1179 Dyna-Bean
Klieglight incandescent spot light, 3.000-watt,
lenses, blower, filters complete. E-r Simplex
mechanisms, 35mm Including pedestals, B4L
lenses. Simplex Hi Arc lamps, model B dowsers,
filters, etc., complete. One Hartner transverter
60 MG set. One Bell-Howell Flimoarc 140-K
16mm projection machine with roll away stand.
975 American Seating Co. theatre chairs. STAGE
EQ,UIPMENT: One set stage curtain and drop
mechanism. Five Sec. Major type disappearing
footlights. One Overhead stage light assembly.
One G. E. Ward Leonard control switchboard.
Ten music stands and miscellaneous folding chairs.
Miscellaneous stage rigging including stage curtain
and Traverse mechanism. Curtains and over
drapes. Equipment can be inspected at 1330
Baltimore Ave., Kansas City, Mo. See .1. M.
Arthur. Room 1702, Mail bid to ii. A. Gr.aves,
Purchasing Director. Kansas City Power & Light
Co.. 1330 Baltimore Ave.. Kansas City. Mo.
For sale: Booth equipment, seats, screens,
-
lights, popcorn machine, candy case, fan.
closed Ohio theatre. Write, Boxofflce. 5571
GENERAL EQUIPMENT—NEW
Masonite marquee letters, fit Wagner. Adler.
Bevellte signs: 4"—35c: 8"—50c: 10"—60c-
14"—$1.25: 16"—$1.50. nept. CC,
Mirro-Claric represents best value In mctallzed
all-purpose screen—only $1 sq. ft. Welded seams
absolutely Invisible! KoUmorgen wide angle lenses,
special apertures Immediately available! Dept. CC,
S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp., 602 W. 52nd St.,
New York 19.
BUSINESS stimulators
Bingo with more action. $4.50 thousand cards.
Also other games. Novelty Games Co.. 106
Rogers Ave.. Brooklyn, N. Y.
Bingo die-cut cards. 75 or 100 numbers, $4.50
er M. Premium Products. 339 W. 44tb St., New
ork 18, N. Y.
Build attendance with real Hawaiian orchids,
ew cents each. Write Flowers of Hawaii. 670
.
Lafayette Park Place. Los Angeles 5, Calif.
Balloons
or Greatest Show on
Earth,
matinees and parks.
drive-in openings,
Printed or plain.
Samples free. Southern Balloon Co. 146 Walton
St.. Atlanta. Oa
DRIVE-IN THEATRE EQUIPMENT
Century "CC" drive-in outfit only $3,495,
Olhers from $1,595 (send for lists). In-cat
speakers w/4" cones. $15.50 pair w/junctlon box;
underground cable. $65M. Time deals arranged.
Dept. CC, S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp.. 602 W.
52nd St.. New York 19,
Drive-in theatre speakers with straight cords.
$6.50. Car-side speakers. $8.15. Replacement
speaker cones, $2.25. Dawo Corp., 145 N. Erie,
Toledo. Ohio.
Drive-in theatre tickets.
Send for samples of our
special printed stub rod tickets for drive-ins.
Safe, distinctive, easy to check. FCansas City Ticket
Co.. Dept. 10. 109 W. 18th St., 'Film Row,"
Kansas City 8, Mo.
Theftproof speaker cables! Attractive, practical,
guaranteed. For information, write TI.MCO, Inc.,
P n Box 348, San Diego. Calif.
Arc you installing heaters in your drive-in? I
have 2.675 ft. of 2/0 600 volt type RR direct
Ijiirial cable. Wholesale price $1,320. hut 1 will
sacrifice this wire for $1,000 cash. FOB Liiblinrt,
Marvin McLarty, Drcle Theatre. 1305
5S Place. Lubbock. Tex.
Walkcr-Ame
X months ole
. 0. Box 29!
seamless, plastic, silver. Only
5' X 25'. $350. State Theatre.
. Petersburg. Fla.
POPCORN MACHINES
Popcorn machines, all makes and styles. Replacement
kettles for all poppers. Complete repracement
unit fits most machines, $185. 120 So.
Halsted. Chicago, 111.
THEATRES FOR SALE
Texas major dri»e-in, all year, strictly modern.
.$2,000 profit June. Steadily Increasing. $60,000.
$33.000 down. Bonaflde bargain. Boxofflce. 5558.
Theatre for sale or lease. Beautiful 500
brick building. 3,500 populati
area. No opposition for 30 miles. 1953 receipts
$40.000. Only $10,000 down. Boxofflce, 5548.
CinemaScope-VistaVision eiiuipped.
Texas city 6,000. Priced under year's
down. Boxofflce. 5559.
450-seat theatre, 8.000 population. No opposition,
no TV, no drive-ins. Also building and
rentals for sale. U.S. air academy to spend
$126,000,000 to start and Camp Carson some
$21,000,000 enlarging. Bargains. Age and health
force sale. C. G. Diller. Manilou, Colo.
For lease: Pour nice modern theatres in small
mill lonn in South Carolina. 350 to 500 seats. Excellent
opportunity for good showman. Write Boxiffice,
5555.
CLEIIOG HOUSt
For sale: Modern drive-in theatre in South Caron
in town of approximately 35,000 population,
nipped with «ide screen and Cinemascope. One
the nicest in the .stale. Doing extra good
' Selling due to doctor's orders. Write.
lioxoffire, 5556.
Kansas 400-car drive-in. 55.000 trade territory.
Steel structure screen tower. Simplex equipment.
Have other interests. Priced to sell, easy terras.
Bosoffice. 5557.
Northeast Texas de luxe. Non-competitive
county seat. $16,500 modernization 1952 b.y
famed artist. E.xcellent returns at $42,500,
$22,000 down. Retirement. Others sizes.
all
Arthur Leak. Specialist. 3305 Caruth. Dallas. Tex.
For sale: A very good theatre in the Memphis
irritory. Personal reasons for selling. Books can
! examined to see potential and value. Good seain
is just beginning and will get back a good
irt of the investment. Priced very low. Call or
rite. Nate Relss. 304 M. 4 M. BIdg.. Memphls-
7-0978.
Make $18,000 yearly on $48,000 investment.
$24,000 down. Lovely year round location Texas
coast. All figures available. Others. Arthur
Leak. 3305 Caruth, Dallas. Tex.
,il town drive-in
highway. Land,
equipment and business only $11,000 full price.
Others, write for list. Theatre Exchange Co.,
5724 S. E. Monroe. Portland 22. Ore.
Drive-in theatre for sale at Lake of the Ozarks.
Present income more than justifies price. Attractive
terms. Immediate possession. Al Elam. Inc..
Lake Ozark. Mo.
__D-car drive-in theatre, Kentucky. Ideal for
converting into indoor-outdoor theatre. $30,000,
$20.000 down. Boxofflce. 5569.
To close estate, 300-seat. air-conditioned, in oil
1(1 farming ^community in southeast Kansas. Ideal
mily operation. No competition- Stanley E.
Boxofflce. 5570.
THEATRES WANTED
Theatre, Nebraska, western Iowa, northern K
sas. No brokers. Over 400 seats. Town of 1.;
popiilallon or over. Confidential. Experienced.
THEATRE TICKETS
Prompt service. Special printed- roll tickets.
100.000. $28.75: 10.000, $8.95: 2,000. $4.95.
Each change in admission price, including change
in color. $3.50 e.xtra. Double numbering extra.
F.O.B. Kansas City. Mo. Cash with order. K.ins.as
Citv Ticket Co.. 109 W. 18th St.. Kansas
City.
.Mo.
FOUNTAIN SYRUPS
Make your own fountain syrups for 65c a
Ion. Write for FREE SAMPLE, which makes
gallons. National Service. Dept. B, P. 0.
2573. Arlington Station. Baltimore 15. Md.
Easy Way to
.\\ui(l sl(i[ipy wo
needed fur expt
John Rahn. B-l:
Paint Sign
fc and wast
t work. V
IB
Central
Use letter patterns,
time. Ne e
THEATRE SEATING
Used chairs, guaranteed good. Advise quantity
iVanted. Photographs mailed with quotation. Fensin
Seating Co . . Chicago 5.
Seat covers: Sewerl combinations, all makes, all
ityles. Send your sample for quotation. Fensin
Upholste
Chicago 5.
-Q-Sea
nent.
Need Chairs? Send for chair bulletin showing
makes and types from $4.95. Dept. CO,
all
Here's a dc luxe chair buy! 1,500 American
Bodiform fully upholstered, rebuilt new,
like
$12.50; others from $4.50. Send for chair bullelin.
Dept. CC, S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp.. 602
W. 52nd St., New York 19.
New and used rebuilt opera chairs. Write for
photos, sUte incline and quality. Parts for all
chairs, send sample for quotation. Patch-A-Seat
lo repair torn seats, $6 complete kit, specify color.
Firmastone to anchor loose chairs, $5 carton.
F.O.B. CTlicago, General Chair Co., 1308 Elston
Ave., Chicago 22. HI. Phone ARmitage 6-0022.
Several lots good used chairs. Late models.
Write for exact photo. Plastic leatherette.
25"x26". 55c each, good quality. We specialize
in rebuilding chairs in your theatre. Stud us
sample. Chicago Used Chair Mart. 829 So. State
Street, CJiicago 5, III.
Improve
seating
THEATRES FOR RENT
Theatre building for rer
ing capacity 600. Will fix
Bros.. Fulton. Mn.
Handy Subscription
BOXOFnCE:
Order Form
825 Van Brunt Blvd.,
Kansas City 24, Mo.
Please enter my subscription lo
BOXOFFICE. 52 issues per year
(13 of which contain The MODERN
THEATRE Section).
n $3.00 FOR I YEAR
n $5.00 FOR 2 YEARS
THEATRE
STREET
TOWN
NAME
POSITION
n $7.00 FOR 3 YEARS
D Remittance Enclosed
O Send Invoice
STATE

IT:
1^
SIGNS OF A B
Busy . . . yes,
busy bringing bigger
and better business
to your boxoffice.
Because the crowds
follow the signs
that point the way
to Showmanship!
Make your street . .
that busy street
with more Trailers
and Accessories
to sell your shows...
more of all those things
that add up to Showmanship
and Profits
nmionfii A ^^^