Boxoffice-January.08.1955

'u I lL olxhi. I lotion licwnt JndaJ\ 

JANUARY

. . The 

iHnuMii i u, \ I ^^ 

r 

eif ihe m&tcOfL fictuAe yndudAu 

The remodeled Capri Theatre in San Diego, a new concept 

in theatre design . story of how this old neighborhood 

house was transformed into a luxury showcase 

is told in The MODERN THEATRE section this issue. 

ncn ^ I'V 

«r ytor. 

IN THIS ISSUE 

MOBIEM 

THBATM 

SECTIONS

Jr ôcuAfCr along- 

NOW THEY'LL BE ASKIN( 

FOR YOUR AUTOGRAPH 

MR. EXHIBITOR! 

In our national magazine ads and in countless outlets of 

publicity we're telling the public about M-G-M's 1955 

MOTION PICTURE CELEBRATION. We're reminding 

them that when there's 

a community service to perform, 

the theatres have always been there. Soon you'll hear of 

many stunts, tours and promotions acquainting the public 

with the Celebration that salutes yoii! It's up to yoi/, Mr. 

Exhibitor, to capitalize on M-G-M's nationwide ballyhoo!

FREE AT YOUR 

M-G-M BRANCH! 

7 How to Sell 

I! 

HERE'S A MONEY- 

MAKING PLAN 

FOR YOU! 

Forward in '55! 

First a barrage of M-G-M publicity 

nationally that will glorify 

the theatre's vital part in show 

business. Then you. tie in your 

theatre locally. In this campaign 

book are materials to 

help you stimulate your boxoffice. 

Let's start off the new 

year with a showmanship 

effort for more business. 

Shown to the left is the 

big Celebration press 

book. At the right is a 

handy pocket-size "How 

To Sell The Celebration." 

Ail accessories are FREE. 

We furnish the advance 

promotion and the 

materials. You put on a 

local Celebration to stimulate 

your box-office! 

{( MOTION PICTURE 

THEATRE ^ 

.X 

,($*«« fu/t ATTHe uones- 

.^^V 

CELEBRATION RELEASES! 

Ask your Branch for other fine films available! 

BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK" 

January) 

CinemaScope— Color) • starring Spencer Tracy 

lobert Ryan . co-starring Anne Francis • Dean 

fagger • Walter Brennan . John Ericson 

ilrnest Borgnine • Lee Marvin . Russell Collins 

GREEN FIRE" (January) 

CinemaScope— Color) • starring Stewart Granger 

jrace Kelly • Paul Douglas . co-starring John 

Ericson . with Murvyn Vye 

MANY RIVERS TO CROSS" 

February) 

CinemaScope— Color) . starring Robert Taylor 

i^leanor Parker . with Victor McLaglen . Russ 

Pamblyn . Jeff Richards . James Arness 

JUPITER'S DARLING" (February) 

CinemaScope— Color) • starring Esther Williams 

toward Keel • Marge and Gower Champion 

jeorge Sanders . with Richard Haydn 

kVilliam Demarest 

"HIT THE DECK" (March) 

(CinemaScope— Color) • starring Jane Powell 

Tony Martin . Debbie Reynolds • Walter 

Pidgeon . Vic Damone • Gene Raymond • Ann 

Miller . Russ Tamblyn . with Kay Armen 

J. Carrol Naish . Richard Anderson . Jane 

Darwell 

"INTERRUPTED MELODY (March) 

(CinemaScope— Color) 

• 

Eleanor Parker • with 

Kellaway 

starring Glenn Ford 

Roger Moore • Cecil 

"THE GLASS SLIPPER" (April) 

(Color) . starring Leslie Caron . Michael Wilding 

with Keenan Wynn • Estelle Winwood • Elsa 

Lanchester Barry Jones 

"BEDEVILLED' 

(April) 

(CinemaScope— Color) starring Anne Baxter 

Steve Forrest . with Simone Renant • Maurice 

Teynac • Robert Christopher . Joseph Tomelty 

and Victor Francen 

I nt rKVJUIVjAL (Date to be Announced) • 

(CinemaScope— Color) . starring Lana Turner 

Edmund Purdom . Louis Calhern . with Audrey Dalton • James Mitchell • Neville Brand • Walter 

rlampden • Taina Elg . Francis L. Sullivan . Joseph Wiseman • Sandra Descher 

TO YOUR eoK-o/^F/ca/

EVERY BOLD AND INI 

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YOUR 

SIGHTS 

HIGH 

FOR ^ 

WARNERS 

STARRING 

HilfFll&nflDHY-iinymM.iMwni

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lENSATION ON THE IVIOTIUN fIWTUKfe a^KEEN : 

personal story of loves 

when the battle is far away 

ot ever been told like this before 

(Wî:-j.*.v- .» -'v ..^'-^ 

PRESENTED IN Cinemascope WarnerColor-Stereophonic Sound 

SC»EEM PL^V Bv 

DtRECTEO BV 

Lf0NM.yRIS-RA0ULWAL8H 

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. . . and 

'n 

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY 

JI has heeii licarlciiiiig to note llic 

fine i)iess that motion |)iLtiiies are now receiving. 

Editorial comment has been most favorable and 

more and more newspapers are opening up 

their news pages to give increased coverage to 

news of films and their personalities. Doubtless, 

much of this is the result of the very excellent 

advertising copy that has been appearing in 

Editor & Publisher, under the sponsorship of the 

Council of Motion Picture Organizations. And 

we have an idea that at least a smidgen of credit 

is due to the alertness of publishers and editors 

who. at long last, have come to realize that "trade 

follows the movies" in their conmiunities, as 

everywhere else. And credit also should be given 

to the wide-awake exhibitors, who have had a 

hand in developing some of that "inspiration" 

that lately has come to their local papers. 

Two very good examples crossed our desk this 

week. One from Joe V. Gerbrach. resident manager 

of the Ames Operating Co.. with four houses 

in this college town. Mr. Gerbrach has gotten 

excellent breaks from the Ames Daily Tribune, 

with an entire page, profusely illustrated with 

scenes from current attractions, each Saturday 

for the past several weeks. And gratifying to 

BoxoFFiCE is Mr. Gerbrach's advisement, "In 

working up this material, many times we find 

items of interest in your publication that we pass 

along to the public." 

Wally R. Kemp, manager and co-owner of the 

Grand Theatre at Grand Island. Nebr.. pridefully 

calls attention to merchant cooperation, 

as well as newspaper cooperation, that he obtained 

for the opening, Dec. 31, of "A Star Is 

Born." For three successive days, large merchant 

displav ads plugged the picture and the theatre. 

And the newspaper devoted nearly a full-page 

of text, with a screamer headline in color, on 

one of the occasions. Fine as this is. the copv 

leading off a three-colunm full-length display 

ad placed by the Grand Island Baking Co. in 

that city's Daily Independent is really something! 

Because it pays such a fine tribute to communitv 

theatres and to the industry in general and. because 

it sets a worthy example for other managers 

and/or newspapers and merchants to follow, 

wo reprint that text in 

full. 

IF WE DIDN'T HAVE 

GOOD THEATRES 

What kind of a town 

would Grand Island be-* 

Let's go to the picture showf 

How many times hove you heord that in your lifetime^ 

It's a sugqestion obout os American as oppic pief 

Everyone loves a good movie! 

Even in this day of stay-at-home TViewers, movies ore 

still about the most popular pastime you con find. 

When there's o good show on, you'tl find lots of people 

when there's on outstanding one . . . you'll still sec 

the "standing room only" sign out. Which proves that 

good movies still pock 'em in, despite the fact that tots 

of people have television in their front room and can wotch 

a movie most any time. The obvious reason is that the 

movie houses still hove good shows and people would rother 

pay their money to sec good entertainment thon to wotch 

a free mediocre show at home. 

Fact is, the movies still pull people away from their 

viewers when good programs are on, too. People iust like 

to go to the movies. 

Grond Island is fortunate in having three good y eararound 

movie houses, plus a drive-in for summer. Between 

them, they bring top productions to us. Many of the 

"colossols" in movies are ovoiloble here as rapidly as in 

the big cities. 

The movie houses ore on im portent cog in community 

life. They employ obout 30 full time workers besides being 

o troining ground for o lot of youngsters in business. Many 

youths get their first business experience as ushers, doormen 

and at other jobs in theatres where they learn to 

meet the public. 

Good theatres bring lots of people to town, too. People 

outside in the trade area recognize Grand Islond os a 

g;ood movie town. 

So we salute the movie business! 

Local theotres hove some fine shows coming up! And 

if you're looking for a good, safe, sane and enjoyable 

way to enjoy New Year's Eve, look at the billing of your 

favorite movie house! 

That old saying that ^'nothing succeeds like 

success" certainly is proving itself over and over 

again these days. With better pictures reviving 

the public interest in nioviegoing. it is good to 

see a change from the negative attitude that existed 

just a few short years back. Now, instead 

of public and press freely taking pokes at the 

industry, its people or its products, there is apparent 

an eagerness to say nice things for and 

about the movies. 

This is more than a good sign. It's a golden 

opportunity for more good showmen to cultivate 

their home town folks and to do everything they 

can to further develop and continue this highly 

favorable climate. 

The public and the press are important factors 

to this industry's well-being. \^ e've got Vm on 

our side now. Let's keep 'em that way— for years 

to come! 

Off to a Good Start 

The holiday season ushered in some of the current 

season's biggest pictures and they proved 

big hits across the nation. Opening grosses in 

a number of the key city first runs were termed 

"fantastic" and holdovers are continuing to pile 

up new records, even after youngsters have returned 

to school and family gatherings are back 

to normal. Scattered reports from smaller situations, 

subsequent runs in the neighborhoods 

and small towns, reveal parallel results from 

showing of earlier releases dating back to the 

beginning of the 19.51-.5.5 season. With a substantial 

miniber of e.\ccj)tionally good picturi's 

awaiting release, the outlook for the next quarter, 

at least, is most encouraging. 

\Ji^^ yO^lJtf^^t'^

DELAYING TRADE CONFERENCE 

FOR ARBITRATION IRKS ALLIE 

Ben Marcus Declares Talks 

Could Improve Relations 

If Given Priority 

CHICAGO—Giving priority to arbitration 

over an all-industry conference proposed 

several weeks ago by Al Lichtman. 

director of sales for 

20th Century-Pox, is 

a mistake, says Ben 

Marcus, president of 

National Allied. The 

conference could result 

in more fair and 

equitable distribution 

policies and better industry 

relations, he 

states. 

First word that distribution 

sentiment fa- 

Ben Marcus vored action on arbitration 

ahead of the 

proposed industry conference came out early 

in December. At that time a meeting at the 

Motion Picture Ass'n of America called to 

discuss plans for the conference was devoted 

almost entirely to the arbitration outlook. 

Nothing was done about either arbitration or 

the industry conference during the holidays. 

SKOURAS FAVORS CONFERENCE 

When Spyros P. Skouras returned from 

Europe just before Christmas, he also said 

he was in favor of an early conference and 

would attend if one was held. Early in the 

week, however, Lichtman admitted that distribution 

heads favored action on the arbitration 

problem first. 

Marcus, along with Abram P. Myers, general 

counsel and board chairman, conducted 

a meeting here Thursday i6i of the Emergency 

Defense Committee. While the decision 

of whether to push for the proposed government 

regulation bill will be taken by the 

entire Allied board when it meets in St. Louis 

next month, Thursday's meeting had its significant 

pointers along this line, too. Allied 

has been collecting data on film rentals, 

availabilities and other trade problems, and 

the complexion of the information forwarded 

from exhibitors will determine to a large 

extent the decision of board members on government 

regulation. 

STATEMENT BY MARCUS 

Marcus, in pres.sing for an indu.stry conference, 

i.ssued this statement: 

"The round table conference between the 

heads of production and distribution on one 

side and representatives of exhibition on the 

other could contribute greatly toward achievement 

of a greater understanding between all 

branches of the industry. It could result in 

more fair and equitable sales policies by distribution 

and much greater understanding of 

the distributors' problems by exhibition. This 

would tend to eventually help complement 

the final results for the setting up of arbitration. 

It is regrettable that production and 

distribution .seem to be thinking in reverse 

by placing arbitration prior to this muchdesired 

round table conference which met 

with such unanimous acceptance by all 

— 

Divorced Chains Rigl 

To Produce Is Soughi 

NEW YORK—Theatre Owners of America 

has asked the Department of Justice to meet 

with a small group of TOA officers to discuss 

allowing theatre circuits formerly affiliated 

with major distributing companies, and divorced 

from them by the consent decree, to 

engage in production of pictures. 

E. D. Martin, president, said Thursday (6) 

that the date of February 13 or 14 was suggested 

for the meeting. That is wher TOA 

will hold its mid-winter convention in Washington. 

He said the government would be told 

that TOA would expect "reasonable restraints" 

to be imposed on any production by 

the circuits to avoid the possibility of a 

monopoly. 

Martin also said he saw no reason why the 

circuits should not also engage in distribution. 

If and when the Justice Department grants 

the request for a meeting, he will name the 

TOA committee. 

MeanwhUe, the Exhibitors Film Financial 

Group, Inc., sponsored by TOA to supply 

finances for independent production, met at 

TOA headquarters Thursday to complete 

final details for registering the $100 par value 

common stock it will sell in all states. 

Application for Security Exchange Commission 

approval was filed the same day in 

Washington. E. D. Martin, president of TOA, 

and Benjamin Ti-ustman of Boston, legal aid, 

said they hoped for SEC approval within a 

branches of the industry, when first suggested 

by Mr. Lichtman." 

At the meeting Marcus said the EDC is 

quite disturbed about the manner in which 

Walt Disney is handling distribution of "20,- 

000 Leagues Under the Sea," particularly because 

there are not any optical prints made 

available for theatres not equipped with stereophonic 

sound. 

The EDC. he stated, has received complaints 

from member exhibitors to the effect 

E. D. Martin Favors 

Arbitration First 

New York "1 think it a good idea to 

hold back the round table talks proposed 

by Al Lichtman until arbitration is 

worked out," E. D. Martin, president of 

Theatre Owners of America, said Wednesday 

(5). 

He said arbitration should have priority 

because it is "the big matter," and that 

other matters could be taken up via round 

tables when arbitration is established. 

He added that he knew Ben Marcus, National 

.•\llied president, felt differently, 

but that he could not affree with Marcus. 

few days so that plans may be accelerj 

When approval is received, a series of 

ings will be scheduled throughout the 

which two or more of the temporary c 

of the company will attend. The firs 

be in St. Louis. When sufficient progre 

been made toward raising the autl 

capital of $10,000,000, stockholders wil 

to elect permanent officers. 

Martin and Trustman said the EFFG 

cation was drawn so broadly that the 

pany can indulge in any industry ai 

even distribution, but that the chief i 

to obtain financial backing from exh 

for independent production. They sai( 

had the "moral backing" of the large c: 

They did not believe it necessary to g 

partment of Justice approval. 

Temporary offices have been estal 

in the Boston headquarters of Sam Pii 

Later regular offices will be opened, inc 

one on the coast, and personnel engage 

First National Bank of Boston is dep 

of funds. 

Asked about the invitation of Ben i 

National Allied president, to TOA to 

, 

joint actions on exhibitor problems, : 

recalled that Walter Reade jr., former 

dent, had written Marcus a letter of i 

ance and said he had followed up the 

letter with one of his own. saying f 

awaiting a reply. 

that Disney representatives have nc 

any of their salesmen call on a great 

ber of exhibitors out in the territory 

result, many exhibitors have not bougl 

ney pictures at all, and numerous ones 

some of the films at a very late date. ' 

fore, the EDC requested that Marcus c 

the Disney organization for the purp 

correcting this condition, which he w 

out to do soon at the February meeti 

In addition to discussing the bill pre 

at the Milwaukee meeting, they wil 

up Allied's plan to have theatre equi 

manufactured under its brand nam 

distributed by Allied, and Allied's pr 

bill for federal regulation of the fU 

dustry. 

COMPO Ad Says Big Fil 

Mean a Happy New Yec 

NEW YORK—Exceptionally fine r 

pictures will help to make the new j 

happy one, readers of Editor & Publishe 

told in a Council of Motion Picture Orgi 

tion's advertisement in the January 1 

: 

"The word from Hollywood," the ad 

"is that the new pictures coming up ii 

are even better than the notably fine 

that have been entertaining the Am 

people for the last several months." 

8 BOXOFFICE January i

IBITORS ATTACK TOLL TV 

FILING PROTEST TO FCC 

ea of Zenith for 

( Approval of 

u-See Plan 

N—The exhibitors joint 

oil TV on Thursday t6) 

to deny the joint petition 

and Teco, Inc. for approval 

television either without 

th written or expedited 

itted by the law f u'm of Cohn 

int committee attempted to 

nith arguments on behalf 

11 light for pay-as-you-see. 

Id that the joint committee 

ibitor organizations reprelately 

75 per cent of the 

)n picture theatres. 

lENTS ASSAILED 

rguments which the joint 

;d held that U) television 

ee," since the public must 

oducts to keep programs on 

FCC has legal authority to 

-you-see; (3) pay-as-youe 

more effective use of TV 

t4) it would be in the public 

irize pay-as-you-see imme- 

3Ut hearings. 

brief contended that pres- 

;e, in that the public is not 

dvertised products. Approxfamilies 

have bought apillion 

worth of TV receivers 

that they will not have to 

according to the joint comt 

of the pm-chasing by low 

ssion should now announce 

hat this third largest capihich 

they have made . . . 

5 represented to be and that 

; original capital investment 

jy in order to see programs, 

arise in this country which 

1 

omplaints of the 160 UHF 

the Senate interstate and 

e committee sound like a 

rXEE CHARGES 

littee said there is consider- 

;he FCC has legal authority 

iription television, citing the 

1 statements doubting that 

> "broadcasting." 

uled the Zenith assertion to 

subscription TV would aid 

t of new UHF stations, or 

ibstantial growth of TV sernow 

reached. Unapplied-for 

ireas which will not support 

was argued, and the joint 

sd out that Zenith, itself, 

. . . 

lish subscription television in 

politan areas." Zenith, the 

ingling "a bait before the 

once the Commission decides 

len blithely do exactly what 

oadcasters have done 

Subscription TV Receives 

Fast 

Brushoff by FCC 

Washington — Subscription television 

received a fast bruslioff in tlie Federal 

Communications Commission's annual report, 

released Saturday (1). 

The Commission noted pay-as-you-see 

only briefly, and repeated almost identical 

comments in previous annual reports 

to the effect that this sort of television 

presents unusual problems for the FCC. 

The report said that it is by no means 

clear whether subscription TV should be 

classed as a broadcast service or a common 

carrier, and where frequencies might 

be found for it. 

There was no mention of possible hearings 

to resolve these questions. Several 

petitions have asked for such hearings, 

and Zenith recently asked for immediate 

approval without hearings. Cohn & Marks, 

counsel for the Exhibitors Joint Committee 

on Toll TV asked the FCC to hold 

off on any such action until the Joint 

Committee can draft a response (o the 

Zenith petition. 

Prospects for any quick action by the 

FCC appear dim, in view of the annual 

report's treatment of pay-as-you-see. 

estabhsh sei-vice in those markets where the 

economics can support the continuation of 

the service." 

Zenith's plans not only relate to such cities 

as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Philadelphia, 

but experiments were conducted in 

Chicago "as a typical community where subscription 

television had a reasonable chance 

of success." If Zenith were sincere, it was 

argued, it would propose limited subscription 

TV to those markets now without television 

service, or at least they would not oppose 

proposals of UHF stations to limit pay-asyou-see 

to UHF channels. 

Zenith, when it asked for experimental authority, 

pleaded that it would be unable to 

provide the necessary information at a public 

hearing unless allowed to experiment and 

this, according to the joint committee, casts 

doubt on the good faith of the latest Zenith 

petition. Also, it was charged that Zenith had 

been chided by the Commission for 

violation 

of specific limitations placed upon the experimental 

authorization, and this was given as 

further reason why hearings must be held 

now before any authorization is issued. 

"Every segment of the interested public 

should not only have the right to appear and 

testify at such a hearing, but those who have 

stakes in the question of the establishment 

of subscription television should al.so have the 

opportunity to cross-examine the proponents," 

the brief argued. Even in the simplest 

radio and TV cases. Congress has required 

the FCC to afford an opportunity for crossexamination, 

and "no less stringent" procedures 

are required in a proposal which 

would have a "tremendous impact ... on the 

entii'e broadcasting industry." 

The Zenith contention that hearings might 

take considerable time was recognized by the 

joint committee as true, "but when weighed 

against the tremendous social and economic 

upheaval which may follow the establishment 

of subscription television, the time element 

becomes relatively msignificant." 

The FCC within the next few weeks will 

announce hearings on subscription television, 

according to Commission sources on Thursday 

(6). It was also revealed that there is 

some sentiment within the Commission hi 

favor of dumping the entire problem into the 

lap of Congress. 

The FCC hearings predicted probably 

would take a long time to bring to a conclusion, 

since they would not center on the 

recent Zenith Radio petition for immediate 

approval, but would be a broad-scale investigation 

of the entire complex subject. Probable 

topics to be covered would include 

whether pay-as-you-see is broadcasting at 

all. whether the Commission actually has 

legal power to approve, whether pay-as-yousee 

would encourage or discourage free television, 

and whether one specific system 

should be chosen if approval is to be given 

at 

all. 

Broadcasters for Hearings 

On Subscription TV 

WASHINGTON—Opposition to FCC approval 

of subscription TV without hearings 

was expressed by the National Ass'n of Radio 

and Television Broadcasters in a letter to the 

Commission on Tuesday (4). NARTB president 

Harold Fellows addressed his letter to 

FCC chau-man George C. McConnaughey, 

and termed "the basic issue," the question of 

whether assignment of broadcast channels 

to pay-as-you-see would "serve the public 

interest." 

Fellows stressed the fact that the letter did 

not represent an NARTB position for or 

against pay-as-you-see, but merely represented 

that association's belief that the sub- 

. . . should 

ject requires "the utmost in regulatory consideration, 

in which opportunity 

be afforded interested parties to ah" the subject 

completely." 

Fellows said, "the various pending petitions 

denote the great variety of problems 

and details posed by this subject—including 

proposals which often differ as among themselves." 

Skiatron Starting Toll TV 

Test on WGTH-TV, Hartford 

NEW YORK—Skiatron Electronics and Television 

Corp., headed by Arthur Levey, has 

started ultra high frequency tests of its toll 

television system over WGTH-TV at Hartford. 

There are a large number of UHF converters 

in that area. Tests over WOR-TV have been 

in progress in the New York area for some 

time. 

The Skiatron system has a new IBM-type 

card for decoding signals. It measures eight 

by six inches. Reduction of the size of this 

is contemplated through the use of transistors. 

fanuary 8, 1955

Zenith Radio Head Charges 

Exhibitors Fear Toll TV 

Says groups opposing subscription television 

trying to delay it "because they know it will 

be competitor capable of delivering new motion 

pictures to public more efficiently and 

much more economically than is now possible." 

E, P. McDonald says niunber of theatre 

owners already have asked for franchises 

to operate Phonevision in 

their localities. 

Ohio's Censorship Law 

Ruled Unconstitutional 

Di.strict court of appeals issues permanent 

injunction barring enforcement; Ohio supreme 

court recently held law to be "unreasonable 

and unlawful," but failed by single 

vote to hold it unconstitutional. 

* 

Bigger Theatre Business 

Predicted by TOA Head 

E. D. Martin, on arrival in New York for 

of TOA conferences, said that people 

a .series 

now have more spending money and that 

they realize better pictures are being shown. 

• 

New York Legislature Gets 

'Quickie' Bingo Measure 

Democratic bill would remove criminal penalties 

for playing game while leaving it illegal: 

Republicans favor usual procedure of 

legalization by constitutional amendment approved 

by two legislatures and then by voters. 

• 

Census Trade Questionnaire 

In the Mails This Week 

Going out to almost every producer, distributor, 

exhibitor and service firm in the 

motion picture industry for detailed information 

on various operating aspects of the 

business in 1954. 

* 

United Artists World Gross 

In 1954 a 35-Year Record 

Robert S. Benjamin, board chairman, reports 

it as $43,100,000, compared with $38,- 

600,000 in 1953, $29,300,000 in 1952 and $15,- 

900,000 in 1951; last date was when present 

management assumed control. 

* 

President's 

Foreign Trade 

Expansion Program Hailed 

Industry, which gets over 40 per cent of its 

revenue from abroad, backs plan to extend 

reciprocal trade pacts for three years and to 

give Eisenhower more power to materially reduce 

present tariffs. 

* 

Licenses for Manufacturing 

Perspecta Sound Increase 

Worldwide total rises from 13 in August lastto 

16 as N. V. Philips of Holland, unit of big 

European equipment company, signs agreement 

to make the stereophonic sound units 

for theatres on continent. 

Couri Breaks 1st Run Gr/j 

But Cuts Record Verdic 

KANSAS CITY, MO.—The largest antitrust 

verdict ever handed down in a film industry 

suit was sliced by more than a million dollars 

this week by a federal court .iudge, but at 

the same time he handed down a stringent 

set of trade practices under which six major 

defendants may sell pictures in the two Kansas 

Citys. 

No longer, ruled Judge Albert Ridge, can 

distributors force the Electric Theatre in 

downtown Kansas City, Kas., to play features 

after first runs in Kansas City, Mo., as has 

been the practice for several decades. This 

clearance protection was the basis for the 

suit—the advantages given to downtown theatres 

on the Missouri side of the river over 

theatres in Kansas. 

$1,334,402 IS NEW FIGURE 

The decree was handed down in the suit 

brought by the owners of the Electric Theatre 

against six distributors. Originally, all 

eight majors were defendants, but 20th 

Century-Fox and Universal settled the case 

out of court a number of months ago. Damages 

in the jury-tried case totaled $2,406,602.79, 

so a reduction of more than a million dollars 

still gives the theatre owners $1,334,402.01, the 

new figure set by Judge Ridge. In addition, the 

court fixed attorney's fees which the plaintiff 

can recover from the distributors at $100,000 

plus $9,130.29 court costs. 

In addition to giving the Electric Theatre 

the right to play a feature no later than the 

earliest availability on which such features 

are offered in the Kansas City exchange area. 

Judge Ridge also decreed that this principle 

.shall apply to all prereleases, roadshows and 

previews. The Electric Theatre will not be 

required to bid for product against any thea- 

New Paramount Contracts 

To Wyler and Wilder 

HOLLYWOOD— Coincident with a 

forecast 

by Eton Hartman, Paramount executive producer, 

that business in 1955 "will be as good 

as the pictures themselves," came announcement 

from the studio that William Wyler 

and Billy Wilder, veteran producer-directors, 

had been signed to new multiple-pictm-e, nonexclusive 

contracts. 

Wyler, with Paramount since 1947, currently 

is making "The Desperate Hours." 

Wilder, whose last for Paramount was 

"Sabrina," will return — upon completion of two 

outside assignments "The Seven Year Itch" 

for 20th Century-Pox and "The Spii-it of St. 

Louis" for Warners. Each will participate in 

the profits from his Paramount-made celluloid 

under terms of the contracts. 

Hartman, noting that Paramount is "flattered 

and extremely pleased" about the 

Wyler-Wilder commitments, added in his 1955 

prognostication that "all economic factors 

in the free world point to promising conditions," 

and that, given good product, "it 

remains only for the intelligent showmanship 

effort of exhibitors to make 1955 a record 

year." He predicted there will be still greater 

technological advancements in the fields of 

projection and sound and reaffirmed that 

"what benefits the exhibitor benefits us." 

tre in Kansas City, Mo., or in Jc 

county, Kas., the large suburban resic 

area adjoining the two Kansas Citys. 

If distributors decide to ask for bi 

product in Kansas City, Kas., they 

screen the picture for all bidders ant 

vide an opportunity for all bidders to be 

ent when the bids are opened and tc 

a right to inspect them. 

The distributors had asked for a jud 

notwîthstanding the verdict, a new ti 

an amended judgment. In filing his 

giving the injunctive relief to the t 

owners. Judge Ridge, in effect, overrul 

motions on the condition that w'ithin 1 

the Electric Theatre Co. file an acce 

of the reduced verdict. The theatre co: 

is expected to accept the lower dama 

view of the strong relief granted by the 

The film companies, however, are ex 

to appeal both damages and the inji 

provisions. 

TO HEAR THREE MORE SUITS 

Three more suits involving the same : 

situation are still to be heard by the 

The Electric Theatre Co. is to file a 

suit against the distributors, seeking ds 

covering the last three years of ope 

The Avenue Theatre, another Kansa 

Kas., first run owned by W. D. Fultc 

has an operating interest in the Elec 

to file a second suit, and a third suit 

ing the closed State Theatre, also a 

property, has been filed in federal c( 

New Jersey. 

Fulton was a partner in the Brooksid 

atre Co., which several years ago 

$1,125,000 verdict against the majors. 

Laub Now Assistant He 

Of RKO Legal Departm 

NEW YORK—Joseph J. Laub ha 

named assistant general counsel of 

Radio Pictures by J. MiUer Walker 

president and general counsel. He toe 

his new duties January 1. 

Laub has been a member of the legi 

for the past six years and has beet 

assistant to general counsel in distri 

financial and corporate matters. For 

years he was with Donovan, Leisure, I 

& Irvine and specialized on corpora 

antitrust problems. 

NEW YORK—Arnold M. Picker, vice 

Arnold Picker on 3-Wee 

Tour of Latin Countries 

dent of United Artists in chai-ge of 

distribution, left Monday (3) for a 

Latin American tour of exchanges ii 

countries. 

During the trip Picker will attend 1 

ternational Film Festival at Punta di 

Uruguay, w'here "Romeo and Juliet" 

presented in a non-competitive si 

Havana was the first stop. Others ar« 

ama. Lima, Sanitago, Buenos Aires, 

video, Rio de Janeiro and Caracas. 

10 

BOXOFTICE :: 

January

nnouncement 

MOTION PICTURE I HIGH FIDELITY 

A NEW WORLD OF MOTION PICTURES

MOTION PICTURE f HIGH FIDELITY 

Paramount's Gift tc 

the Industry 

Wl 

A Statement Br Barney Balaran 

t-rii^ 

MX* 

It is important at this time, I believe, to review what Paramount's 

development of the Horizontal VistaVision Camera means—and 

will continue to mean—to exhibitors in terms of increased theatre admissions 

and to the future of our industry. 

Paramount's first VistaVision picture, WHITE CHRISTMAS, has now 

played widely to solid top grosses, in many cases to all-time record-breaking 

results. 

More important —WHITE CHRISTMAS proves the wisdom of 

Paramount's policy as regards the Wide Screen. 

prom the start our Company was unwilling to rush into adopting any 

Wide Screen system technically not yet perfected and which would place an 

undue economic burden on our customer, the exhibitor. 

With faith in our Studio's fine scientific department, Y. Frank Freeman 

and I authorized expenditures of several millions of dollars in the eflForts to 

develop to perfection a system of photography and projection which would 

furnish to exhibitors everywhere the best photographed pictures in the ideal 

2-to-l 

proportion on the largest possible screen at the least possible expense 

to the theatres.

ic results, beyond our fondest dreams, are: 

le 

Horizontal VistaVision Camera—and the complete conversion of our 

) to this system. 

n VistaVision pictures already completed. 

few weeks ago, the top executives of our worldwide sales and adverdepartments 

came to Hollywood and viewed these ten productions, 

were extremely enthusiastic over what they saw. So eager were they 

ead the proof of the outstanding values in these pictures and of the 

ng merits of the 

Horizontal VistaVision Camera, that they urged the 

) to prepare a Special Film containing the highlights of the pictures. 

mning 20 minutes, this Special Film is nearing completion and is titled: 

Paramount Presents 

yistaYision 

MOTION PICTURE f HIGH FIDEHTY 

A Product Featurette 

ê are arranging trade showings of this film for exhibitors and will subntly 

furnish prints, unthout charge, to theatres for the entertainment of 

audiences. 

lincerely believe that this is a most important film. I think that, seeing 

1 will visualize for the first time A New IVor/d In Motion Pictures and 

5t potentialities. I am confident that, having seen it, you will agree that 

:a] technical and financial future of our industry rests upon the ultimate 

photographing and projecting of motion 

pictures standardized on the principles of the 

HORIZONTAL VISTAVISION CAMERA. 

President, Paramount Pictures Corporation 

(I

The exciting^ scope and lifelike clarity of Vista\ ision, the 

ideal system of photography and projection, will be seen in this 

featurette, comprising 20 minutes of highlights from 

First 

Paramount's 

10 Attractions in VistaVision 

—ALL LV COLOR BY TECHMCOLOK 

Irving Berlin's 

WHITE CHRISTMAS 

STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND 

RUN FOR COVER 

Alfred Hitchcock's 

TO CATCH A THIEF 

THE FAR HORIZONS 

Hal Wallis' 

3 RING CIRCli 

WE'RE NO ANGEL 

THE SEVEN LITTLE FOY 

Alfred Hitchcock's 

THE TROUBLE WITH HARR 

LUCY GALLAN 

Now Available ! rtu' First Paramnunt Shurr in \'israVision 

VISTAVISION visits 

NORWAY 

color by 1 CL'iiniti iloi 

Other VistaVision Shorts In I'rcnaration

• 

replaced 

. it 

ISTRY PREPARES TO FIGHT 

;CRIMINATORY LEGISLATION 

Censorship Seen 

as Lawmakers 

Many States 

Forty-five state legislaegular 

session this year, 

-no count is possible now 

rse to the motion picture 

introduced. The legislado 

principally with two 

oblems afflicting the in- 

1 censorship. 

ibers of the industry conish 

year" from the legis- 

VARIOUS STATES 

wn that censorship will be 

Ohio and Maryland. Just 

in Pennsylvania is any- 

V administration has taken 

neans that the old censorby 

a new one. 

the new board will be 

get its feet firmly under 

evision of the censorship 

id, though a Philadelphia 

unconstitutional, 

nsas are also in the cenn 

the belief is that they 

in the expectation of a 

ch would bring a further 

3. Supreme Court. In all 

ances are that the censorentually 

revised to contain 

language," that is, limitato 

films that are indecent 

lie Ohio and Pennsylvania 

ane person's idea of what 

icene may differ from that 

re will be tax problems in 

;ates where the legislatures 

ear. 

ESSIONS 

an their sessions Monday 

California, Idaho, Montana, 

;e. 

esday (4). They are Dela- 

Nebraska. North Dakota, 

Ivania, Rhode Island and 

the next day. They are 

.cut, Illinois, Maine, Maryts, 

Missouri, New Hamp- 

North Carolina and Ver- 

Thursday (6). 

; are: 

rizona. Arkansas. Georgia, 

and Washington. 

ti 

Cansas, New Jersey, New 

3lina, Texas and Wyoming. 

—Michigan, West Virginia 

ada. 

lOuisiana. 

:lihood of a special session 

legislature, 

izations on both the na- 

Johnston Foresees Film 

Business Gains in '55 

NEW YORK—Eric Johnston, Motion Picture 

Ass'n of America president, stopped off 

Eric 

Johnston 

in New York Tuesday (4) on his way to 

Washington from Spokane, 

where he spent 

the holidays, and predicted 

business for 

1955 would exceed the 

1954 record, which was 

about 11 per cent 

ahead of the previous 

year. 

Domestic business 

for 1954 was ahead of 

1953. One reason for 

liis optimism, he said, 

was the prospect for 

more important pic- 

tional and local level and the Motion Picture 

Ass'n of America will watch developments 

closely. The Council of Motion Picture Organizations 

will be ready to aid with campaign 

information based on its successful 

drive for the reduction of the federal admissions 

tax. 

Exhibitor organizations particularly have 

been contacting their state senators and 

legislators and know how they stand individually 

on issues. Organization records show 

which exhibitor is best qualified through past 

personal contact to approach a lawmaker 

when an adverse bill goes into the legislative 

hopper. 

Remarkable progress has been made in the 

past two years in establishing a grassroots 

approach to such problems. 

Exhibitors now pride themselves on knowing 

who and how to contact, and they are 

following a policy of stating honest facts, 

COMPO institutional advertisements in 

Editor & Publisher, trade publication of the 

newspaper field, are credited with having 

brouglit home to influential citizens on the 

local level the value of theatres as a stimulus 

to other business. 

Tennessee exhibitors are said to have done 

a particularly good job in establishing relationships 

with the lawmakers. While the rest 

of the merchants are collecting a 2 per cent 

sales tax, they are paying a 2 per cent tax 

on gross business and they have told the legislators: 

"Just leave us alone and we'll accept 

the tax and won't ask you for anything." 

They have a big majority of the lawmakers 

lined up on their side with actual pledges, 

and they do not expect any trouble. 

A similar situation, according to exhibitors, 

is said to exist in Illinois and Arkansas. 

On the other hand, exhibitors in Mississippi 

are worrying about a threat of a 10 

per cent amusement tax. They have succeeded 

In killing one In the past, but now 

tui'es scheduled to come from all companies. 

Total foreign business probably will be 

equal to that of 1954, he said, although it 

may be uneven, with increases in some countries 

and a decline in others. 

Johnston expects to leave about January 

22 or 23 for the Near East where he will discuss 

the Israel-Arab problem of use of the 

Jordan River waters. He will be away between 

three and four weelcs and also may 

visit Cairo. 

Robert J. Corkery, assistant vice-president 

of the Motion Picture Export Ass'n, will represent 

Johnston at the International Film 

Festival in Uruguay. 

Johnston arrived in New York Monday 

night and left the following afternoon for 

Washington. 

schools for Negroes are projected and money 

for them is said to be badly needed. All 

signs point toward a special session of the 

legislature to consider imposition of the tax, 

or other means of raising revenue, and exhibitors 

will have to fight hard to prevent the 

discriminatory legislation. 

Ohio Allied Meet Start 

Is Set Back to Feb. 28 

COLUMBUS—The convention of Independent 

Theatre Owners of Ohio has been set back 

one day and will start February 28 with a 

luncheon for registrants. William C. Gehring, 

general sales manager for 20th Century-Fox, 

and Abram F. Myers, Allied general counsel 

and board chairman, have accepted invitations 

to speak. Other speakers are to be 

announced later. 

A sneak preview of an April release is 

scheduled for that night in a local theatre. 

An MGM Workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, 

March 1, Delegates have been asked to 

bring managers with them so they can attend. 

Tables will be set up by counties and delegates 

have been asked to sit at tables with 

representatives and senators from their 

counties. The legislators will return to the 

state house at 1:30 pjn. 

Mort Blumenstock in N.Y. 

For Product Discussion 

NEW YORK—Mort Blumenstock, 

Warner 

Bros, vice-president in charge of advertising 

and publicity, came into town Wednesday 

(5) for a discussion of promotion plans on 

forthcoming releases. 

Product to be discussed includes "Battle 

Cry." "Unchained." "East of Eden," "The 

River Changes," "Strange Lady in Town" and 

•Jump Into Hell." 

muary 8, 1955 15

I 

You 

^/ T. « . / ^ i.^ ^^ Uiici'ôcc With ZOthl 

1 

IAN. 

iH^^^ IRVING BERLIN'S 

_......-,- 

THIRE'TlirBUSIMESS UKE SHOW BUSINESS 

ETHEL MERMAN DONALD OXONNDR • MARILYN MONROE 

fc DAN DAILEY JOHNNIE RAY • MITZl GAYNDR 

Color by DE LUXE 

I go for you I'm Taboo 

go for me You're through 

OTTO PREMINGER presents OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN S 

CARMEN JONES 

HARRY BELAFONTE • DOROTHY OANORIOGE PEARL BAILEY ^LGA JAMES IDE ADAMS 

• 

* 

Color by OE LUXE • Released by 20th C^Sj|gpp|BBP»-- '^ 

«^> 

^ 

WHITE FEATHER 

ROBERT WAGNER • JOHN LUND • DEBRA PAGET • JEFFREY 

Print by Technicolor • A Panoramic Production

and for Easter, . . the wonderful 

love story of ''A MAN CALLED PETER 

r^ 

V 

> 

PRINCE OF PLAYERS 

RICHARD BURTON • MAGGIE McNAMARA • JOHN DEREK • RAYMOND MASSEY 

CHARLES BICKFORD - ELIZABETH SELLARS and EVA LE GALLIENNE 

CiN 


^ 

•^f^ 

A. \^ 4 

dj^*" 

THE RACERS 

KIRK DOUGLAS • BELLA DARVI • GILBERT ROLAND 

also starring Cesar Romero Lee J. Cobb Katy Jurado 

INEMIA 


^h\ 

v 

p 

TYRONE POWER • SUSAN HAYWARD • RICHARD EGAN 

Color by DE LUXE

Disney's 1954 Earnings 

Top '53 by Good Margin 

HOLLYWOOD—Both the gross income and 

consolidated net profit of Walt Disney Productions 

for the fiscal year ending Oct. 2. 

1954. were up .sharply over the preceding year. 

Pi-esident Roy O. Disney revealed Friday i7i 

in his annual report to stockholders. 

Net for the year was $733,852, equal to $1.12 

a share on 652,840 shares of outstanding 

common stock, compared to a profit of $510,- 

426. or 79 cents a share, in the preceding 

year. Provision for federal income taxes in 

the 1954 fiscal year amounted to $840,000, 

compared to $365,000 in 1953. 

Gross income for 1954 totaled $11,641,408 

an increase of $3,275,547 over the $8,365,861 

reported for the preceding 12 months. Disney 

pointed out in this connection that the gross 

film rental is not "strictly comparable" to 

that of prior years because, during 1954, certain 

pictures were released through the company's 

wholly owned subsidiary, Buena Vista 

Film Distribution Co., Inc. Feature picture 

income in 1954 was derived principally from 

"Peter Pan," "The Living Desert," "The 

Sword and the Rose." "Rob Roy." and the reissue 

of "Pinocchio." 

Revenues from merchandising, publications, 

music and non-theatrical film distribution 

were higher than in 1953, the company president 

added. Commenting on the weekly TV 

.show, "Disneyland," he said that while a 

profit is expected from this project. "Our real 

gain will be in the marketing value of our 

motion pictures." Cited for 1955 release were 

"Lady and the Tramp," full-length Cinema- 

Scope cartoon, "The African Lion," "The 

Littlest Outlaw," and three in the "People 

and Places" series— "Siam," "Switzerland" 

and "Morocco." 

WB Asking Stockholders 

For New Director Setup 

NEW YORK—Warner Bros, stockholders 

have been asked by management to amend 

the certificate of incorporation at the annual 

meeting February 2 at Wilmington, Del., to 

conform with bylaws providing for two classes 

of directors, one class serving two years and 

with the terms of each class expiring in 

alternate years. 

The bylaws provide for the election of three 

directors for two-year terms at one annual 

meeting, and five named for two-year terms 

at alternate annual meetings. Management 

has nominated Waddill Catchings, Robert W. 

Perkins, Albert Warner, Harry M. Warner 

and Jack L. Warner for election January 2. 

Chesapeake Stockholders 

Offered Stock Exchange 

NEW YORK—Stockholders of Chesapeake 

Industries have been notified they can exchange 

their $4 preferred stock for $6 dividend 

preferred stock share for share, including 

the $24 arrears on the $4 issue. No 

cash payment will be made to those accepting. 

Dividend payments in arrears on the 

$4 stock will be paid on stock not exchanged, 

according to William C. MacMillen jr., president. 

The offer is good to February 1. 

Lipperl Stresses Value 

Of Program Films 

CHICAGO—Program pictures "will continue 

to disappear" unless showmen are willing 

to pay higher rentals to make them 

profitable," Robert L. 

Lippert, president of 

Lippert Pictures, declared 

at a Wednesday 

(5) luncheon meeting 

^ T ^H^^BT ^^^^ circuit heads and 

HP'^ jflKK^ exhibitors here. It was 

\ 

Robert L. Lippert 

' 

^^^' 

his first stop on a 

nine-city "personalized-selling" 

tour on 

behalf of "They Were 

So Young," produced 

and directed abroad by 

Kurt Neumann, which 

Lippert described as 

his company's biggest offering to date. 

Stipulating that today's market is primarily 

involved with high-budget features, the distributor 

and circuit operator nevertheless 

pointed out that many situations still require 

.second features, including more than 4,000 

drive-ins where programmers influence concessions 

sales. 

Such revenue represents 50 per cent of 

gross receipts for most ozoners, Lippert said, 

but if a single-bill policy were to be instituted 

concessions sales would be less than 20 per 

cent—and without them "90 per cent of the 

drive-ins would go out of business." 

Prom here Lippert treks to Minneapolis, 

St. Paul, Milwaukee, Detroit, Indianapolis, St. 

Louis, Kansas City, Denver and San Francisco. 

"They Were So Young" was produced and 

directed on location in Munich and Rome. 

The stars of the feature are Scott Brady, Raymond 

Burr and the German actress, Johanna 

Matz. 

Theatreman Is Automatic 

Winner in Letter Contest 

NEW YORK—When Mrs. Bert Bloom of 

Dorchester, Mass., was named the winner of 

the national "Young at Heart" letter-writing 

contest December 31, Max Nayor, manager of 

the Metropolitan Theatre in Boston, near 

Dorchester, also won the same award, a week's 

free trip to Bermuda and a chance to appear 

on the CBS-TV "Big Payoff Program." 

The contest called for a duplicate prize to 

go to the manager of the first-run theatre 

playing the Warner Bros, picture in the home 

area of the contest winner. That was Nayor. 

Colgate-Palmolive-Peet was another .sponsor 

of the contest. 

Warner Bros, said Mrs. Bloom and husband 

will take in Bermuda after appearing on the 

TV program, which will give her a chance 

to win a mink coat suitable for New England 

but not Bermuda weather. Nothing was 

said about whether Nayor can compete for 

the mink coat, what he would do with one if 

he won it and when he will take off for 

vacation land. 

RKO Control Rumo 

Get Into Whirlwind 

NEW YORK—RKO Pictures 

Cor; 

holding corporation, and RKO Rad: 

tures, the picture-making and distr 

company, went into the center of a wl 

of rumors at the yearend and boK 

still there during the first week of J< 

Inquiries brought the uniform answei 

all principals who could be reache 

comment" or "I don't know anything ah 

First rumor was to the effect that I 

Hughes was going to sell control oi 

Radio to a syndicate made up of S. H. 1 

head of Stanley Warner: Leonard Golc 

president of ABC-Paramount Theatres 

Schwartz, head of Distributors Co 

America; the first National Bank of ] 

and others. 

Second rumor was that Hughes and 

Odium had reached an agreement w 

Atlas Corp. would take over managen 

RKO Pictures Corp. and RKO Radio F 

IN DARK ON ATLAS DEAL 

On Monday (3) it was rumore( 

Hughes was in New York for confi 

with Odium. RKO Radio executives pr 

not to know about his presence and s 

had not been in the local offices. Atli 

resentatives also said they were in th 

on the matter. 

The Atlas office reported that Odlu 

on the coast and RKO said Jan 

Grainger, president, also was on the cc 

The rumor about the possible tran 

RKO Radio to a new syndicate caused 

eral raising of eyebrows. Three 

accustomed to sharing in film financin: 

quick to say In response to queries ths 

had not been approached. The reprf 

five of one, who didn't want his name 

tioned, wanted to know if the questione 

whether the Department of Justice 

agree to amendment of the Warne 

Paramount consent decrees so that S 

Warner and ABC-Paramount could ? 

the production business. 

The inquiring reporter admitted he 1 

information on this point. Then he ti 

get some, but did not get to first base 

Department of Justice at Washlngto) 

it had not been approached. 

PRICE OF SHARES GO UP 

RKO Pictures' offer to buy its stock 

per share came to an end with 1954 

about 500,000 shares owned by indiv 

other than Howard Hughes and Atlas 

However, the maneuvers aimed at conti 

not cease. 

On Friday (Dec. 31) 113,000 shares 

traded and the price went up to 8%. 

sales covered more than 20 per cent < 

total number shares owned by the ] 

The spurt was sudden, as on the pr 

Tuesday total sales were only 3,000 shai 

Since the original $6 offer for the stoc 

made la.st spring 952.987 .shares have 

turned in. The last public estlmat 

Hughes' holdings were 1,262.000 shares, 

Floyd Odium's holdings with his friend; 

estimated at 1,200,000 shares. 

It is understood that negotiations be 

Hughes and Odium whereby the latter 

take over management of RKO Pic 

without acquiring control, were still pe; 

The annual meeting of the corporal 

scheduled for June. 

18 BOXOFFICE : 

: January

YORK CRITICS 

5N AS THE 

ON THE 

AVATERFRONT 

PRODUCED BY SAM SPIEGEL 

^&fgSfga&&fgilS&l 

I YORK CRITICS 

5N AS THE 

MARLON 

BRANDO 

IN "ON THE WATERFRONT" 

I 

YORK CRITICS 

>N AS THE 

^1^ 

ELIA 

KAZAN 

FOR "ON THE WATERFRONT" 

this 

is tlie 

. first 

chapter of what promises to be the greatest success story 

in the history of motion picture awards — the story 

of Columbia's "On The Waterfront"...

Hecbt-Lancaster Completes Four 

For UA, Plans 4 More for 1955 

NEW YORK—Hecht-Lancaster Productions, 

which ha.s completed four features for 

United Artists release and is preparing at 

least four more for 1955 and 1956, is planning 

to expand its operations to include 

legitimate stage productions in 1956, according 

to Harold Hecht, executive producer. 

The independent producing company, headed 

by Hecht and Burt Lancaster, also recently 

entered into a financial arrangement with 

United Productions of America, which will 

produce a feature-length cartoon, "The White 

Deer," also for UA release. 

Hecht, who left for a month's stay in 

Europe on the He de France January 5 to 

scout locations for the next Hecht-Lancaster 

feature, "Trapeze," a circus film in which 

Lancaster will star starting about August 1, 

will also discuss a possible co-production deal 

in England with Michael Balcon. This will 

be for production there of "Operation Heartbreak," 

for which Hecht hopes to sign Alec 

Guinness, leading British star, as soon as his 

many film commitments can be arranged. 

In addition to these productions to be made 

abroad in 1955, Hecht is also planning "The 

Last Chukker" and "Until They Sail," based 

on the James Mlchener story, which Lancaster 

will direct. "The Way West," based 

on A. B. Guthrie jr.'s Pulitzer Prize-winning 

novel, previously announced, will be postponed 

until 1956 because it calls for early 

spring filming. Hecht has also Just bought 

"Elephant Bill" from J. Arthur Rank for 

$50,000 and will make this during 1956, he 

said. "The White Deer," which UPA is making 

over a two-year period, will not be ready 

for release until 1956. 

The features completed for 1955 release by 

United Artists are: "Vera Cruz," in Superscope, 

now plajang first runs; "The Kentuckian," 

in Cinemascope, starring Lancaster, 

and "Marty," adapted from Paddy 

Chayevsky's TV prize play, which is in blackand-white 

and without star names. The 

latter cost only $400,000 to make, Hecht said. 

The first Hecht-Lancaster production for 

UA release, "Apache," which starred Lancaster, 

has grossed approximately $3,000,000 

to date and Is expected to exceed $3,600,000, 

according to Hecht. "Vera Cruz" is also expected 

to equal that gross in view of its smash 

opening dates In key cities.

1%*^ 

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ition with the UNITED STATES ARMY Sponsored by THE COUNCIL OF MOTION PICTURE ORGANIZATIONS, INC.

Jack Braunagel Takes 

New Post February 1 

KANSAS CITY—Jack Braunagel, co-chairman 

of TOA's drive-in committee and on its 

executive board the past three years, will become 

an executive associate 

of United The- 

atres of 

^^ 

North Little 

\^^Wk:r. '^'iS^mr' ^'^^' ^^^' °" Pebruw 

^«^^ hRI ^^ ^' IJraunagel has 

?9^w» laifv rgsigned as drive-in 

manager for Commonwealth 

Theatres as of 

January 22, a position 

he has held since the 

circuit opened its first 

drive-in April 1948. 

This was the Tri-State 

Jack Braunagel at Joplin, Mo. Last 

year 29 drive-ins were 

under his supervision. His position with 

United Theatres will have to do with both 

drive-ins and conventional houses. 

Braunagel's other industry associations 

have been with Durwood Theatres for a 

year and 20 years with Paramount Theatres. 

He was a district manager for Paramount in 

Utah and Idaho, making his home for a 

time in the Morman town of Logan, Utah, 

where he was president of the Junior Chamber 

of Commerce. He came to Kansas City 

from Cincinnati where he was assistant to 

the general manager of Northio Theatres. 

In recent years Braunagel has attended 

many regional as well as national conventions 

where he was considered an authority 

on drive-in operation and in demand as a 

speaker for such occasions. His activities 

have been along progressive and aggressive 

lines and his dynamic personality helped 

him put over ideas he felt were sound industry 

practice. He and Mrs. Braunagel will 

move to Little Rock when he makes the 

change in business connection. 

U-I Buys Screen Rights 

To 'Runaway Bomber' 

HOLLYWOOD — Universal - International 

has purchased screen rights to "Runaway 

Bomber," a Saturday Evening Post story by 

Frank Harvey, the film version of which has 

been assigned to Aaron Rosenberg to produce. 

The melodrama centers around a B-52 

Stratofort, the crew of which has accidentally 

been killed, leaving the pilotless plane flying 

across the Pacific from Eniwetok to the U. S. 

—with a live H-bomb in its bay. The situation 

is resolved—satisfactorily, of course 

when a squadron of jet fighters is sent up 

with orders either to change the course of 

the runaway craft or shoot it down. 

COMPO Trying to Arrange 

Meetings on Projects 

NEW YORK—The Council of Motion Picture 

Organizations is attempting to set up a 

schedule of meetings of its triumvirate and 

of committees on its various projects, but 

is running into some difficulty because of 

meetings previously arranged by other industry 

organizations, according to Robert W. 

Coyne, special counsel. 

One such meeting would deal with plans 

for the national audience poll, now set to 

start in the autumn. Coyne was hopeful a 

schedule could be worked out soon. 

— 

20th-Fox Division Meet 

Discusses 9 Features 

NEW YORK—Merchandising policies for 

nine releases during the first quarter of the 

year were discussed at a two-day meeting 

of 20th Century-Fox division managers which 

started Friday (7). Al Lichtman, director of 

distribution, presided. 

Spyros P. Skouras, president, outlined plans 

for the year and discussed his recent sixweek 

trip to Europe. 

W. C. Gehring, executive assistant general 

sales manager; Arthur Silverstone, assistant; 

Alex Harrison, western sales manager, and 

Glenn Norris, eastern sales manager, spoke. 

Pi-omotion and advertising plans were presented 

by Charles Einfeld. 

Seven of the nine pictures are in Cinema- 

Scope and two on standard film. The conventional 

pictures are "A Life in the Balance," 

a Panoramic Production starring 

Ricardo Montalban and Ann Bancroft, for 

February release, and "Our Girl Friday," 

George Minter Production in color starring 

Joan Collins, Kenneth More and George Cole, 

scheduled for 

March. 

The Cinemascope productions are; 

"Prince of Players," "Carmen Jones," "White 

Feather," "The Racers," "Untamed," "That 

Lady" and "A Man Called Peter." 

Division managers present were: Martin 

Moskowitz, Atlantic; T. O. McCleaster, Central; 

J. M. Connolly, Northeast; M. A. Levy, 

Midwest; H. G. Ballance, Southern; Paul S. 

WUson, Southern assistant; Herman Wobber, 

Western; Reville Kniffen, assistant Western, 

and Peter Myers, Canadian. 

Du Art Will Build New 

Black-and-white Plant 

NEW YORK—Du Art Film Laboratories 

plans the construction of a new black-andwhite 

la'boratory to replace the present plant 

in 1955, according to AI Young, Du Art 

president. 

"There are those who would have you believe 

that black-and-white film will soon be 

as obsolete as a model "A" Ford. This is not 

so. Black-and-white film is still the mainstay 

of the industry. As a matter of fact, my 

associates and I feel so confident about this 

that we are going to spend in the neighborhood 

of a quarter of a million dollars rebuilding 

our present black-and-white plant," 

Young said. He stressed that Du Art has been 

in business since 1923. 

Young related that construction was already 

under way with particular emphasis 

being placed on a new processing machine 

designed by Ralph D. Whitmore jr., chief engineer 

of Du Art, and built by HiSpeed 

Equipment, Inc. The entire unit is approximately 

11 feet in length and employs spray 

processing throughout, as opposed to the 

standard emersion technique. Only 400 feet 

of film is in this unit at a given time and 

the complete process takes four minutes. The 

arrival of the first unit is planned for February, 

he said. 

CBS Signs Bing Crosby 

NEW YORK—Bing Crosby has signed an 

agreement with CBS television for two onehour 

programs a year, according to Hubbell 

Robinson jr., vice-president in charge of network 

programs. The programs will be on 

film. The first program will be produced by 

Ralph Levy during the month of March. The 

second will be filmed during June or July. 

LETTERS 

Sees Detriment in 

TO BOXOFFICE: 

Kassler-Reade Plan 

In your issue of December 25, I read 

great deal of interest of the film inve; 

plan offered to exhibitors by Frank I 

and Walter Reade jr. 

It amazes me how the same peopl 

yelled about monopoly and how the 

companies had made eai effort to put 

out of business, and eventually went tc 

and had the government separate exh 

from distribution, now deliberately 

around and attempt to do the same th 

And by doing so, they will be aid 

putting the small independent distri 

like myself, out of business. 

Are they aware that these small ind 

ent distributors, that they are attempi 

put out of business, are the same tliat fii 

the first Filmakers' picture? And no 

the first and last of four pictures wer« 

and financed by these same small distri 

were the executives asked to sign coi 

and still no money was asked of them 

Does Mr. Kassler or Mr. Reade kno 

these same little distributors have gi 

their money and judgment on reissues, 

take up some of the slack due to the sir 

of pictures, and also to try to keep th 

TV as long as possible? 

ALBERT SWERDL 

Screen Guild Productions of N. E., In 

Boston, Mass. 

Funeral Rites Are Held 

For Elmer Pearson, 70 

NEW YORK—Funeral services wer 

Monday (3; at Westport, Conn., for 

Pearson, 70, former vice-president an 

eral manager of Pathe, who died the p 

Thursday after a heart attack. Int 

was in Mount Hope cemetery in Westc 

Pearson had retired. He joined the 

try as a salesman for a General Fi 

change. He was later manager of the 

Omaha exchange. He was vice-preside 

general manager of the company from 

1919. He had also been associated wit] 

graph, Lubin, Selig-Essanay, Universa 

National, Bray Studios and Video Varif 

Survivors are his wife, Frances Wc 

Pearson; two brothers, Roy and Charl 

sisters, Mrs. William Brownell and Mr 

Kassell, and a nephew, Donald Pears 

Hollywood Group of 14 

To Uruguay Festival 

HOLLYWOOD—Fourteen 

Hollywoo 

sonalities will plane out Wednesday ( 

Punta del Este, Uruguay, to represe 

American film industry at the Uru 

Film Festival, which opens Friday (1 

continues through the balance of the 

In the party going from here will be 

director Delmer Daves, director F 

Markle. Dean Jagger, Van Johnson 

Lund, Mercedes McCambridge, Dorotl 

Guire, Wayne Morris, Pat O'Brien, 

Pidgeon, Lizabeth Scott. Elaine S 

Claire Trevor and May Wynn. 

U. S. films entered in the festival ai 

Caine Mutiny" (Coll, "Sabrina" (Par 

"The Living Desert" (Disney). 

22 BOXOFTICE January

, Ind., 

jins Filmack 

;ing Director 

: Pitts, former director of 

f the Theatre Owners of 

appointed director of adlack 

aper 

Bars, 

ated 

last 

uaxrk 

City. Prior to that he 

tor of the Council of Molizations. 

rOA will be taken over for 

)ward Bryant, administraiffice. 

hibitor Wins 

ne Contest 

$500 grand prize in the 

model name for the new 

nachine designed by Raybeen 

awarded to James 

jer of the Ritz Theatre, 

Dassador" was the winning 

mer was Cecil J. Callaham, 

Jashville, Ark.; third, Mrs. 

3743 Albans Road. Hous- 

Tommy C. Thompson, 

1. 

iiim, Chattanooga, Tenn.; 

Lilian Toon, Capitol The- 

N. B., Canada. 

,he contest were awarded 

ar $100 on the purchase of 

)ewy-designed Cretors ma- 

;es was composed of Fred 

dent of Theatre Equipment 

lufacturers Ass'n : Walter 

ate past president of Thelerica: 

J. J. Fitzgibbons jr., 

jresident of International 

lymond Loewy, designer of 

eman Rembusch of Syndilanklin, 

Ind., and Clark 

J 

of the Popcorn Institute. 

lir of Indianapolis (left), 

itor of Cretors popcorn 

Is a check for .S.'iOO to 

>n, manager of the Kitz 

grand prize award 

; contest. 

Court Now Holds Fate 

Of Minneapolis Runs 

By LES REES 

MINNEAPOLIS—After more than two 

weeks of testunony and arguments the trial 

of the Volk Bros.' $1,500,000 conspiracy suit 

against major distributors, the Minnesota 

Amusement Co. (United Paramount Theatres) 

and RKO Theatres has concluded in 

federal district court here. 

It now devolves upon Judge G. H. Nordbye 

to decide if the plaintiffs' local suburban 

Terrace theatre sustained monetary damage 

in con.sequence of alleged clearance discrimination 

against it and also if it shall have 

moveover clearance or a playing position one 

day after pictures have finished their first 

runs at the initial Loop theatres played. This 

latter would be in place of its present 28-day 

slot which it shares with ten other outlying 

houses here. 

The defense paraded an array of prominent 

film and theatre company executives to 

the witness stand before resting its case. 

Witnesses included Charles Reagan, MGM 

vice-president: Herb Greenblatt, BKO sales 

manager: Matthew Polan, RKO Theatres 

buyer-booker: Roy Haines, MGM western 

sales manager: Foster Blake, Universal-International 

western sales manager: Burtis 

Bishop, MGM midwest division sales manager: 

John Branton, MAC buyer-booker: 

M. A. Levy, 20th-Fox division sales manager: 

Ralph Maw, MGM district manager, and Jay 

Eisenberg and Leonard Kaufman, New York, 

of the MGM and Paramount legal staffs, respectively. 

They testified that the vast bulk of film 

rentals are derived from the downtown first 

run theatres by the producer-distributors: 

that, in comparison, the revenue from the 

subsequent run neighborhood houses is comparatively 

small: that the downtown theatres 

here must have at least 28-day protection in 

order for these houses to safeguard their 

economic existence and to insure the film 

companies' revenues, and that if the Volk 

Bros, receive an earlier clearance it also 

would have to be given to other leading 

neighborhood theatres in different sections 

of the city with resultant destruction of the 

protection and clearance system. 

These witnesses denied the existence of 

any conspiracy to deprive the Terrace of fair 

clearance. They pointed out that by using 

a succession of runs admission prices for pictures 

are gradually lowered so that, eventually, 

all of society's economic segments have 

a chance to witness the films. 

Questioned in regard to the Volks as "good" 

or desirable customers. Levy, speaking for 

20th-Fox, testified that in 95 per cent of 

the cases they sought adjustments of film 

rentals and that because of this he felt there 

was no comparison with other exhibitors, none 

of whom is so insistent on having the terms 

of their contracts reduced after playing his 

pictures. 

T'he decision in this case, it's pointed out, 

may affect clearance elsewhere throughout 

the nation. 

For the plaintiffs, Lee Loevenger, their 

counsel, has brought out evidence showing 

that the Terrace is superior in appointments 

and operation to the city's other outlying 

theatres and to the present two Loop moveover 

houses: that it frequently outgrosses 

and pays larger percentages and rentals for 

pictures than the latter; that an earlier run 

is necessary in order that present unsatisfactory 

earnings can be increased, and that 

the theatre is entitled to the earlier and 

exclusive run because of its superiority physically 

and otherwise. 

Loevenger also produced testimony showing 

that before and since the opening of the 

Terrace the Volks have sought in vain for an 

exclusive 14-day run or an earlier playing 

time than it now has day and date with 

other neighborhood theatres. 

This Is Cinerama Closing in A/.Y.; 

May be Withdrawn Elsewhere, Too 

NEW YORK—"This Is Cinerama" will end 

its Broadway engagement February 6. It 

opened Sept. 30, 1952, at the Broadway Theatre 

and in the summer of 1953 moved to the 

Warner Theatre. By closing date it will have 

played to an estimated 2,500,000 persons. 

The picture also will be closed in some of 

the 12 other key cities where it is playing. 

The Stanley Warner announcement relating 

to New York said the picture on closing "will 

be withdrawn immediately from circulation" 

and "it cannot and will not be shown in any 

local or neighborhood motion picture theatre." 

The company said it would select a date 

later for the local opening of "Cinerama Holiday," 

second in the series. Presumably the 

picture will open at that time or shortly 

thereafter in other cities. No reason was 

given why the showing of the new picture 

might not follow immediately upon the closing 

of the first. It was said no changes in projection 

methods were planned. 

The other cities in which "This Is Cinerama" 

will close February 6 or thereabouts 

were not identified. It was said the selections 

will be made later. The other cities are Detroit, 

where it opened March 23, 1953; Hollywood, 

where it opened April 29, 1953: Chicago, 

July 29, 1953: Philadelphia. Oct. 5, 1953; Boston, 

Dec. 31, 1953; St. Louis. Feb. 10, 1954; 

Minneapolis, April 19, 1954; Cincinnati, June 

21, 1954, and Dallas, July 1, 1954. 

S. H. Fabian, SW president, said late in 

September that four or five additional cities 

might see the picture within a year. 

More than 9,000,000 persons by Oct. 1, 1954, 

had paid about $17,000,000 to see the Lowell 

Thomas-Merian C. Cooper presentation in the 

13 key cities since it opened in New York, 

according to Fabian. It has been playing in 

London and recently opened in Montreal. 

The company said it might have future 

plans complete by mid-January. 

muary 8, 1955 23

I 

iiiigir' 

f^KJ: 

VJi-Kp»-- 

*!:f>r 

'M 

lierces your heart . . . almost 

;>

REPORT FROM OHIO EXHIBITORS 

AT&T Has Extendi 

Nothing to Worry About in /955, TV lo 234 Cities 

// Good Pictures Flow Continues 

By ELSIE LOEB 

CLEVELAND— It looks like a good year 

ahead for motion picture theatre owners, in 

the view of many exhibitors in this territory. 

"If they (the producers) give us the pictures 

we can do the business." says Ted 

Vermes, owner of the Yorktown, Mercury and 

Eclair theatres. "The only trouble is that they 

come at too great intervals. Our patrons are 

spoiled. They want only the best. But if we 

give them the best they give us their patronage. 

Cut down the time between big picture 

releases and we'll get our patrons back as 

regular customers." 

"Theatre business is as good as the picture 

on the screen," in the opinion of Meyer S. 

Fine, president of the 20-theatre Associated 

Circuit. "We will have nothing to worry about 

in 1955 if we can have a steady flow of 

quality product." 

Leonard Mishkind and S. P. Gorrell of the 

General Theatres Circuit agree that "unquestionably 

we do business with big pictures. 

While the big screen and the new presentation 

media aroused latent interest in motion 

pictures, and brought the public back to the 

theatre for a look-see, these items of equipment 

do not bring the patrons back for a second 

look. It's the picture on the screen and 

its entertainment value that brings them 

back repeatedly. As to the future outlook, we 

must be optimistic. A defeatist attitude never 

led anyone to success." 

Helene Ballin. manager of the Schenley 

Theatre, Youngstown, is approaching the new 

year with caution. "I just know what to 

expect," .she says. "Our business has been 

too fluctuating the past several years to 

say, with any degree of confidence, just what 

to expect in 1955." 

Big Attendance Is Seen 

For 14 MGM Workshops 

NEW YORK—An attendance of more than 

5.000 exhibitors and other members of the 

industry has been predicted by Mike Simons, 

MGM director of customer relations, for the 

14 MGM Ticket Selling Workshops now definitely 

scheduled. The fii-st will start in Denver 

Wednesday (12) and the last one will 

occur June 13. There will be three this 

month, two in February, three in March and 

in April, two in May and one in June. However, 

as many as a dozen others may be added. 

Simons and Emery Austin, MGM exploitation 

manager, will attend all of them. They 

will be .supplemented by panelists, including 

exhibitors and other members of the industry, 

who will discuss local means of stimulating 

business. 

Cooperating with MGM in putting over the 

Denver gathering will be Pat McGee, a leading 

exhibitor in the teiTitory; Al Reynolds, 

general manager for Claude Ezell of Dallas: 

L. J. Williams, exhibitor of Union, Owensville 

and Herman, Mo., and Ray Smith, vicepresident 

of the Jamestown Amusement Co. 

Members of the Rocky Mountain Council of 

Joe Shagrin, owner of the Foster Theatre, 

Youngstown, hopes that local interest in TV 

will wane and that the public will come back 

to the theatre. "TV is now going into it's 

second year in this' area. And if the history 

of other areas is repeated, people will begin 

to get more discriminating in their TV programs. 

And that's when they will start to 

come back to us." 

Leo Jones of the Upper and New Star Theatre, 

Upper Sandusky, — thinks 1955 theatre 

business will be good "If," he says, "we can 

overcome the dissension within the industry. 

Given good product, equitably sold and properly 

exploited, our boxoffices will improve and 

the public relations between the theatre and 

the public will greatly benefit. Under present 

conditions our buying terms are so high that 

we can't afford to sell the product properly 

to the public. Let the small exhibitor buy his 

pictures flat so that he has enough money to 

spend on exploitation and then there'll be a 

Happy New Year for everyone." 

"Even if we do good boxoffice business with 

a top picture, there's no profit for theatres 

playing a subsequent run policy," says a leading 

circuit owner who does not want his name 

used. "We just can't live with the terms the 

distributors are asking for product today. 

As to the future, it all depends upon the 

distributors. If they will adopt a live and let 

live policy. I think we could have a profitable 

year." 

"The next six months look good," in the 

opinion of Dale Tysinger, manager of Shea's 

Theatre, Ashtabula. "Business conditions are 

good, unemployment is down to normal, the 

pictures announced for release during the 

first half of the year look good. All of these 

things add up to a feeling of optimism. But 

what the conditions will be after the first half 

of the year Is anybody's guess." 

Motion Picture Organizations will attend, according 

to Henry Friedel, MGM branch manager. 

The organization is scheduled to open 

its convention the next day. 

The other January workshops will be at 

Jackson, Miss., January 24, and Memphis, 

January 27. Richmond, Va., will have one 

February 8 and Detroit February 22. There 

will be one March 1 at Columbus, Ohio, another 

March 3 in Kansas City and a third 

March 9 in Dallas. Atlanta will be the site 

April 12, Buffalo, April 18, and Jacksonville. 

April 26. Billings, Mont., will be the site 

May 10. Charlotte, May 16, and Santa Fe, 

N. M.. June 13. 

E. G. Forsyth Elected 

Ontario MPTA Head 

TORONTO—At their first meeting for the 

new year the directors of the Motion Picture 

Theatres Ass'n of Ontario elected E. G. 

Forsyth of Toronto as the 1955 president in 

succession to Jack D. McCulloch of Petrolia. 

Forsyth is assistant general manager of Odeon 

Theatres (Canada), Ltd. 

Other officers include Lionel Les*er. Toronto 

independent, as vice-president: Manager 

Jack Clarke of Toronto Loew's as treasurer: 

Angus Jewell of Cannington, honorary 

secretary, and Arch H. Jolley, executive secretary. 

NEW YORK—Network 

television 

was extended to four more stations 

Long Lines Department of America 

phone & Telegraph Co. late in Decei 

make a total of 360 stations in 234 c 

the U. S. with network TV, accor 

Long Lines. 

The new stations connected to t 

Telephone System's nationwide netw 

facilities were: WFIE, Evansville, Ind 

derson, Ky: WBTW. Florence, S. 

WSFA-TV, Montgomery, Ala. The sta 

Evansville and Henderson receive tb 

network programs over a new 118-mi 

relay route running south from Terrc 

Ind. Service for the Florence stati 

provided over a new 102-mile extensioi 

Washington-Atlanta microwave rout 

Montgomery station began receiving 

over the Atlanta-Jacksonville radii 

route. 

Joined to the network in 1954 w 

television stations in 75 cities, includi 

stations in New Hampshire, New 

North Dakota and Wyoming. 

The year 1954 also saw color te 

made available to the American public 

first time with over 47,000 channel i 

cross-country communications routes i 

neered and re-equipped to carry colo 

stations in 101 cities, according to th 

end report of the Long Lines Depa 

It was only a year ago on Jan. 1, 19 

the first public color-cast, "The Tour 

of Roses Parade," was carried from Pa 

Calif., to 18 cities across the U. S. 

Black-and-white television also madi 

during 1954, with over 20.000 channi 

of TV facilities—an all-time yearly 

added during the year, bringing the 

about 69.000 miles. Long Lines als( 

that 1954 marked the 25th anniversar; 

first public demonstration of color "! 

June 27, 1929. a gi'oup of newspa 

porters gathered in the Bell Te 

Laboratories in New York to see a color 

an American flag rippling in the bree 

Skiatron Head Optimis 

On Future of Toll TV 

NEW YORK—An optimistic 

report 

future of subscription television was 

at the year's end by Arthur Levey, p: 

of Skiatron, in which he saw "prom, 

vastly improved TV program service 

public on the threshold of becor 

reality subject to approval by the 

Communications Commission." He s 

Skiatron system was ready to go into 

tion, and that surveys showed public 

ance of it by about 82 per cent of thi 

surveyed. 

Levey listed among major developm 

improved decoder. 

"A new decoder has been complet 

said, "combining simplicity of op 

compactness and flexibility. It will ac( 

date a unique IBM-type electronic ca 

a tamper-proof printed ciixuit, whi 

make available a month's programn 

30 events for the subscriber's selectic 

decoder, now measuring eight by six 

with a slot in the center for the inse: 

the electronic card, is expected eve 

thi'ough the use of transistors, to be 

to the size of a small jewel case." 

26 BOXOFFICE :: Januar;

; Tlieatre. 

ger Resigns 

I Circuit 

d Berger has resigned from 

ment Co. of Boston (Midatres, 

Inc.) after a 26-year 

r, who is 46 years old, is 

rs in the drive-in theatre 

upervised the building and 

le of Smith's first ozoners, 

Dad Drive-In in St. Louis, 

vith Smith at the age of 

Reading, Mass., 

t of sound pictures. He 

uvich Theatre. East Green- 

:hen to the Bronx Opera 

rk. Later he went to the 

as district manager and 

general manager of the 

Bd extensively throughout 

ilans have been disclosed 

says he intends to remain 

y. He resides in Reading, 

ather of two children. 

)wan Transfer 

ew Address 

oger.s & Cowan, public reis 

located at 17 East 48th 

from 624 Madison Ave. It 

Beverly Hills, Calif. Rich- 

:utive vice-president. The 

d fashion, hotel and travel 

een specializing in the en- 

Majors Should Continue Policy 

Of Fewer Films, Says Dunne 

NEW YORK—"The major studios should 

continue their policy of fewer and better pictures 

on the premise that if you make 20 

features you are more likely to come up with 

five good ones than if you make 40." according 

to Philip Dunne, who has been with 

20lh Century-Fox since 1936—the period when 

the companies made yearly programs of 40-50 

pictures. In the company's cui'rent Cinema- 

Scope period, 20th-Fox will make a total of 

about 20-24 films in 1955. 

Dunne, who recently completed directing 

and producing his first feature, "Prince of 

Players." has a score of important writing 

credits at 20th-Fox, including "Stanley and 

Livingstone," "The Rains Came," "Johnny 

Apollo," "How Green Was My Valley," "The 

Late George Apley," "Forever Amber," 

"Pinky," "David and Bathsheba" and "Way 

of a Gaucho," the latter the first he produced, 

as well as three Cinemascope pictures, "The 

Robe," "The Egyptian" and "Demetrius and 

the Gladiators." He first joined the ranks 

of 20th-Fox writers in 1936, when Darryl F. 

Zanuck signed him to a long-term contract 

and has been with the company ever since 

except for a four-year war period, when he 

was chief of motion picture production, Office 

of War Information Overseas Branch. Dunne 

first entered the film business in 1931 when 

he served with the old Fox Film Co. until 

1933. He then wrote for the screen at Universal, 

United Artists and MGM for three 

years. 

"Prince of Players," from the best-selling 

novel about Edwin Booth by Eleanor Ruggles, 

took 31 days to shoot and was made at a 

cost of only $1.500.000—not a high budget 

in these days of $3-$4.000,000 pictures, Dunne 

said. A $700.000-$800.000 cost is "the absolute 

minimum" for any feature produced on a 

major lot these days, according to Dunne. 

Following "Pi'ince of Players," Dunne will 

direct and produce another best-selling book, 

"Katharine," and then will write and probably 

direct "The View Fi'om Pompey's Head," 

now No. 1 on the best-seller list. For "Katharine," 

for which he hopes to cast Richard 

Burton as John of Gaunt, he will film some 

scenes in Scotland and Ireland. For "Pompey's 

Head," Dunne hopes to get Gregory 

Peck for the male lead. 

Dunne is here until Monday (10) to promote 

"Prince of Players" on radio and TV 

prior to the picture's opening at the Rivoli 

January 11. He is also seeing the new 

Broadway plays to look over acting talent for 

his forthcoming pictures. Casting Maggie 

McNamara in "Prince of Players," in which 

she plays several Shakespearean roles, was a 

departure from standard casting and one of 

the technical innovations in the picture was 

using more surround horns than usual, he 

said. 

lA 

PICTURES ANNOUNCES THAT PRINTS OF THE FOLLOWING 

; ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN OUR EXCHANGES FOR SCREENING 

ID 

BARBARA STANWYCK 

ARD G. ROBINSON 

Brian May Warner 

i( by HARRY KLEINER • Based upon a novel bj Donald Hamilton 

ited b( LEWIS ). RACHMIL • Oirecied b( RUDOLPH MATE 

SCOPE 

Color by TECHNICOLOR 

»« 

Randolph Scott 

l^fi Hfiiiilei LlNîi 

with 

JOCELYN BRANDO • RICHARD BOONE 

SKIP HOMEIER • DONNA MARTELL • ALFONSO BEDOYA 

Screen Play by KENNETH GAMET 

A SCOTT-BROWN PRODUCTION • Produced by HARRY JOE BROWN 

Directed by BRUCE HUMBERSTONE 

color by 

TECHNICOLOR 

iff 

MENS Prison 

.UPINO JAN STERLING • • CLEO MOORE 

lEY TOHER PHYLLIS THAXTER 

• 

and 

HOWARD DUFF 

KILBUR and JACK OcWin • Produced bj BRYAN FOr • Oireded b» LEWIS StILER 

color by 

TECHNICOLOR 

-PAUL HENREID • PATRICIA MEDINA 

story and Scre«n Play by AU£N MARCH • Produced by SAM KATZMAN • Directed by FELIX FEIST 

nuary 8, 1955 27

. . Walter 

. . Vera 

'iôCl^tMod êftont 

By 

IVAN SPEAR 

Joe Newman Schedules 

Two Sabre Features 

Here and there In the Holly woodlands: 

Megaphonist Joe Newman, w'ho recently completed 

the Jack Palance-Barbara Rush vehicle, 

"Kiss of Fire," for Universal-International, is 

supervising final editing of the film, following 

which he'll check in at Sabre Productions, in 

which his partner is Vic Orsatti, to ready 

"The Hong Kong Story" and "Mister Tex" 

for 1955 lensing ... In a co-production arrangement 

with Arthur Brauner, German 

. . . 

filmmaker. Gottfried Reinhardt will shoot 

"Before Sunset." based on a play by Gerhart 

Hauptman. at Brauner's studio in Berlin. 

Reinhardt. who also has "Rosalinda" and 

"The Tower of Ivory" on his independent 

docket, inked Hans Albers. German actor, 

for one of the top roles in "Sunset" 

Screencraft Productions, preparing a slate of 

commercial and theatrical shorts, has contracted 

for the use of the Vistarama anamorphic 

lens. 

Use of Musicians for Films 

Seen Greater Than Ever 

Entertainment on film, involving the use 

of music, has become "big business." Johnny 

Green, general music director at MGM and 

a vice-president of the Academy of Motion 

Picture Arts and Sciences, asserted at an 

annual seminar of the National Ass'n of 

NBC Signs Six-Year Deal 

For Oscar Award Rights 

If further proof were needed that the 

industry is veering more and more to the 

"if-you-can't-Iick-'em-jine-'em" theory as 

concerns television competition, such was 

supplied in the disclosure that the Academy 

of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 

has inked a six-year deal whereby the 

National Broadcasting Co. snags exclusive 

radio and TV rights to the Academy's annual 

glamorfest, the Oscar presentation 

ceremonies. 

Announced jointly by Charles Brackett, 

Academy president, and Fred Wile jr., 

NBC vice-president in charge of Hollywood 

network program, the contract involves 

big money—a minimum of $1,050,- 

000 plus options that could boost it to 

$1,300,000. NBC has telecast the yearly 

Awards event from the Pantages Theatre 

here for the past two years. 

Brackett said the Academy considered 

the deal "the most important public relations 

step ever taken" by the film trade. 

The first broadcast and telecast is slated 

for February 12. when—for the first time 

in Academy history—nominations announcements 

will be covered by NBC. 

After the upcoming awards ceremonies, 

the Academy will have the right of first 

refusal as concerns sponsor.ship. the 

forthcoming event already having been 

.set for bank rolling by Oldsmobile. which 

picked up the tab last year. 

Schools of Music, which yearend affair was 

held at the Academy Theatre. 

Because of the needs of both theatrical 

motion pictures and television, the demand 

for creative musicians in Hollywood is greater 

today than ever before. Green declared, and 

is increasing at an accelerated rate. 

He introduced five screen composers—David 

Raskin, George Antheil, Boris Kremenliev, 

George Duning and Miklos Rozsa—and unreeled 

excerpts from some of the motion 

picture background scores they have written, 

as well as those cleffed by Franz Waxman, 

Leonard Bernstein and Alfred Newman. 

Shah of Iran Commends 

American Film Trade 

During his recent whirlwind tour of the 

southland, the shah of Iran—hosted by the 

Ass'n of Motion Picture Producers at a 

luncheon at Paramount—took time out to 

say a few words in praise of Hollywood and 

the motion picture industry. The United 

Nations and the American film trade, said 

the potentate, are the major factors helping 

to keep peace "in our kind of civilization" and 

aiding in the furtherance of international 

understanding. 

"Films can have a direct appeal to all the 

people of the world." added the visiting dignitary, 

and can "bring moments of happiness, 

joy, relaxation and moments of education 

in the field of history, music, arts." 

y. Frank Freeman. AMPP board chairman 

and Paramount vice-president, acted as the 

industry's host in welcoming the shah and 

his empress to Hollywood. Cecil B. DeMille 

also spoke, citing the dramatic contributions 

that Iran has made to the history of the 

world. In addition to Iranian dignitaries and 

U. S. government officials, the luncheon was 

attended by film notables including George 

Murphy. Maureen O'Hara. Tony Curtis, 

Yvonne De Carlo, Charlton Heston, Walter 

Pidgeon, Barbara Stanwyck, Clifton Webb, 

Maurice Benjamin. Charles Boren. Richard 

Breen. Gloria DeHaven, E. L. DePatie. Arthur 

Freed. Howard McDonell. Fred S. Mayer. 

Geoffrey Shurlock and Morris Weiner. 

Score for 'An'ything Goes' 

To Be Used in Entirety 

Short takes fr^m the sound stages: The 

score which Cole Porter wrote for his Broadway 

hit of two decades ago, "Anything Goes." 

will be used in its entirety in Paramount's 

Vista Vision film version thereof—including, of 

course, the title tune as well as such standards 

as "I Get a Kick Out of You." "You're 

the Top." "All Through the Night" and "Blow. 

Gabriel. Blow." With Robert Emmett Dolan 

producing, the opus will star Bing Crosby. 

Donald O'Connor and Jeanmaire . . . Edward 

L. Alper.son, president of National Pictures, 

set Richard D. Spierman as vice-president in 

charge of the company's activities in England 

and on the continent. A veteran in the international 

field. Spierman has left for London 

to establish headquarters after conferring 

with Alper.son here. Upcoming under the 

National banner is "Magnificent Matador." 

lensed in Mexico in Cinemascope, which 20th 

Century-Fox will release. 

DIVE-IN PREMIERE—Lori Nelson, 

co-stars with Jane Russell. Gilbert 

and and Richard Egan in RKO Ra 

"Underwater!" receives her swim-fins 

water goggles from Willard Voit, of 

Voit Rubber Co,, in preparation for 

picture's Monday (10) world premiei 

Silver Springs, Fla. There the film 

be projected ten feet beneath the sui 

of the water for the edification of 

planeloads of stars, celebrities and 

press, flown from Hollywood and 

York for the event. 

Samuel Goldwyn Jr. 

Scripters for Two Films 

Assigr 

Shifting into high gear on the threeprogram 

he is charting for the year, i 

Goldwyn jr. made writing assignmei 

two of the trio of subjects. Jo and 

Napoleon, husband-and-wife scrivening 

will script "The Dancing Detective," I 

short story by Cornell Woolrich, while 

Petracca is at work on "Linnett Moore.' 

on an original by James Edward Gran 

Napoleons also wrote the original sere 

for "The Sharkfighters." which young 

wyn plans to send before the came 

March for United Artists release . . 

L. Lasky. who has had the property in 

aration for several years, booked Claud 

. 

yon to script "The Big Brass Band," 

ramie musical to star Frank Sinatra 

his sixth straight assignment on the "I 

mule" series, Arthur Lubin will meg 

"The Navy Gets Francis" . . . "Jail B 

juvenile delinquency subject which Sam 

man is readying for Columbia, will be d 

by Fi'ed Sears. 

Gene Tierney to 

Co-Star 

With Humphrey Bogart 

Among the more-important casting r 

gleaned as 1954 faded into oblivion w 

setting of Gene Tierney to co-star 

Humphrey Bogart in 20th Century-Fox' 

Left Hand of God" . MUes w'ill 

the femme heart interest in Allied t 

CinemaScoper. "Wichita." starring Jot 

Crea . Abel. Kenneth Tobe 

Perry Lopez drew top roles in Warners' 

drama. "I Died a Thousand Times" 

Singer-actor Ray Middleton. under mii 

picture contract to Republic, will sha 

. 

which Van Heflin and Joan Woodwart 

stellar honors with John Payne. Mona 

man and Lee J. Cobb in that studio's 

From Texas" . . Phil Carey. Columbia 

ing man, goes into "The Calico Ponj 

previously set. 

28 BOXOFFICE :: January

; scheduled 

, 

Oklahoma 

^wood Stars Due 

IJelebration 

letro-Goldwyn-Mayer Holies 

will help exhibitors to 

GM's 1955 Motion Picture 

ion." Howard Dietz. vicege 

of advertising, publicity 

and Howard Strickling and 

affs on both coasts have 

irge Murphy, MGM studio 

nead, and George Sidney, 

;ar January 18 in Phila- 

M will salute William Goldlicates 

his nickelodeon muilliams 

will also be there 

her husband. 

to arrive in New 

en route to New Haven for 

Many River.s to Cross," in 

t Loew's Poli Theatre. He 

ton and other New England 

[ew York he will appear on 

le interviews. 

vho plays in "Bad Day at 

1 arrive here Friday (14) 

then go to Kingston, N. Y., 

if the picture the next day 

:'s redecorated Community 

iterviews in New York will 

1 he will go to Philadelphia 

te to Goldman. Grace Kelly 

Gower Champion are also 

k it was decided to launch 

on in the southwest at the 

3f the managers of Video 

18 at Oklahoma City, with 

!ctor of customer relations: 

uthern sales manager, and 

City manager, 

M. Cliff White jr. is in 

ements for Video. Simons 

g MGM product. No Hollywere 

scheduled to attend. 

fear Bank Loan 

Allied Artists 

-Allied Artists ha.< signed a 

n agreement, expiring Jan. 

lecurity-First National bank 

rticipated in by the Bankers 

York, it was disclosed Mon- 

Broidy, AA president, and 

vs, executive vice-president 

16 agreement provides for a 

h a maximum of $1,750,000, 

mtees of up to $500,000 covis 

to producers releasing 

previous loan arrangement 

janks had a maximum of 

rrows also announced that 

ember 26 a loan agreement 

th DeLuxe Laboratories of 

which DeLuxe is lending 

cipal being payable over a 

in annual installments of 

nith Joins Staff 

ancaster 

-Terminating a year's aslecutive 

and producer with 

1 company. Bernard Smith 

y the Hecht-Lancaster orexecutive 

assistant, beginties 

Saturday (15). Smith 

;ory editor and producer at 

Symbol of 

viffilance 

Just as the F. B. I. has become essential to 

the security of the United States, and the Federal 

Bank Examiner to banking— Willmark Service 

has become equally as essential to the financial 

security of business. 

Since 1917, Willmark has been an active 

moral force in preventing cash irregularities and 

manipulations in thousands of businesses throughout 

the nation. The millions of dollars in annual 

savings that Willmark makes possible for American 

business, testify to Willmark's intrinsic worth as 

an indispensable part of modern business today. 

II 

St«VICt SYSTtM, INC. 

250 West 57 Street, New York 19,N.Y. 

A Nation-Wide Service Available in Every City and Town in the United States 

muary 8, 1955 29

McElroy and Harrison Buy 

Don George Theatres 

SHREVEPORT, LA.—One of the biggest 

theatre deals here in several years was transacted 

Fi-iday (31i with the sale of the last 

four theatres of the Don George Chain for a 

sum "in excess of a half-million dollars." 

They were purchased by Thomas L. Mc- 

Elroy, president of the McElroy theatres, and 

O. D. Harrison, local hotel operator and head 

of a wholesale tobacco company. 

The theatres are the Don, located in downtown 

Shreveport: the Venus, a Shreveport 

neighborhood theatre; the Davis, located in 

downtown Bossier City across Red River from 

Shreveport, and the Don Drive-In, located on 

the Minden road on the outskirts of Bossier 

City. 

George, president of the Don George, Inc., 

formerly owned theatres not only in Shreveport 

and Bossier City, but in Alexandria, 

Natchitoches and Ville Platte, La. The last 

of the out-of-town theatres, the Don in 

Alexandria, was sold to Jimmy Thompson 

about a month ago. 

"I have been in the theatre business for a 

long time and hate to leave it." George said, 

"but other interests of mine have become too 

demanding of my time." 

George explained that his major Interest is 

in the television field. He is president of the 

Interim Television Corp., a group composed 

of the three companies operating television 

station KSLA until one of the firms is 

awarded exclusive rights to channel 12. 

The sale by George to McElroy of his last 

four theatres will provide the latter with his 

first downtown theatres. McElroy's present 

chain of local theatres—the Broadmoor, 

Glenwood, Centenary and Rex—are all neighborhood 

theatres. McElroy also owns the 

Gem Theatre in Monroe. 

McElroy and Harrison indicated they will 

probably form a new corporation in connection 

with the former George Theatres. 

McElroy Theatres, however, would be the 

operating company for the corporation. 

General operation of the theatres acquired 

from George will continue as it was conducted 

under George, McElroy said. The theatres 

also will continue under their present names, 

he said. 

Managers and other top personnel for the 

George Theatres under McElroy's leadership, 

however, will be provided from McElroy's 

present personnel. The lone exception will be 

the present manager of the Don Drive-In 

who will be retained in that position, Mc- 

Elroy said. 

Tom Dunn, McElroy's assistant in charge 

of the Rex, Centenary and Glenwood. is the 

new manager of the downtown Don Theatre. 

George's first theatre, the Glenwood. was 

built in 1934. He then acquired or opened in 

turn, the Davis, 1941; Don, 1947, and Don 

Drive-In, 1950. 

McElroy, beginning with the Broadmoor in 

1947, acquired the Centenary, Rex and Glenwood 

in 1950. 

While McElroy will operate the new theatres 

acquired from George, Harrison—his 

partner—will own the real estate. Harrison 

has been associated with McElroy in his various 

theatrical enterprises since 1947 when 

the Broadmoor, the first of the McElroy 

chain, was opened. 

N. J. Drive-ins Promote 

Safe Holiday Driving 

NETW YORK—New Jersey drive-ins carried 

safety messages on their marquees for the 

holiday period and New Year's Eve at the 

request of Gov. Robert Mejnier. The messages 

read: "Please drive carefully over the holiday. 

We need our customers when we reopen 

in the spring." 

The governor's request was relayed to the 

theatres through Walter Reade, president of 

Walter Reade Theatres. His four closed 

drive-ins posted the message, and a suitable 

message was posted by his Eatontown and 

Atlantic drive-ins which have heaters and 

operate all year. In all, about 30 drive-ins 

complied with the governor's request. 

CALENDARS EVEN 

JANUARY 

S M T W T F S 

1 

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 

30 31

I trial 

I was 

' 

acquired 

; to Darnell 

! Chain 

Case 

; government this week 

nd in Geneva, acquired for 

J drive-in theatre, in its 

;hine Chain Theatres, Inc., 

with a 1949 anti-trust de- 

reopened in U. S, 

ly, following a holiday reattorney 

Lewi.s Bernstein 

acquii'ed to build a 

1 defiance of the order proam 

acquiring more theatres, 

into the record various 

ions involving Darnell Thethe 

government contends 

trine interests to continue 

Schine chain. In respon.se 

Judge John Knight, Bern- 

3 seeks to prove there was 

igth transaction" when the 

a Schine subsidiary, disheatres 

to Darnell, 

y (outlawed in the 1949 

;mplated to be continued," 

1 "The sale by Hildemart 

3t legitimate." 

11, former secretary of Darirnell 

rented the Geneva 

Pikeville Theatre Corp., a 

from Hildemart. 

the negative when asked 

lid in cash. Bernstein then 

rental was "not an actual 

to offset the debt of Dar- 

Pikeville contracted in the 

Idemart." 

this, along with the debts 

akkeeping entries." showed 

ued tie of Darnell to Schine 

lited Darnell with $151,000 

ubsidiaries in the $193,000 

;tein told the comt. "The 

luidated by cash, but by 

es dictated by Forrest E. 

ountant to Schine. Darnell 

1 Schine subsidiaries." 

ey Fi-ank G. Raichle. jr. 

?cted to questioning ba.sed 

:ial 

records. 

ik for themselves," Raichle 

necessary to go through all 

tipulate the books' contents 

icity is concerned." 

Exhibitors Fear Toll TV, 

Zenith Head Charges 

CHICAGO—Commdr. E. F. McDonald jr., 

president of Zenith Radio Corp., charged that 

several groups of motion picture theatre 

owners are attempting to delay the coming 

of subscription TV. because they know it will 

be a competitor capable of delivering new 

motion pictm-es and other boxoffice entertainment 

to the public more efficiently and 

much more economically than is now po.ssible. 

McDonald had reference to the opposition 

filed Thursday (6i with the Federal Communications 

Commission by six organized groups 

of theatre owners opposing Zenith's request 

for immediate authorization of .subscription 

TV, and requesting full-blown hearings on 

the subject. His remarks were addressed to a 

national convention of Zenith wholesale distributors 

at the Shoreland Hotel. 

McDonald revealed that a number of motion 

picture theatre owners have already applied 

to Zenith for franchises to operate Phonevision 

in their localities, when and if it is 

approved by the FCC. 

"The far-sighted action of these individual 

theatre owners is in striking contrast to the 

obstructive efforts of the organized groups," 

he said. "They have recognized Phonevision's 

tremendous potential value and are anxious to 

secure franchises for their localities. Even 

though we cannot grant them at this time, 

w-e welcome these applications, because we 

realize that successful operation of Phonevision 

will require the talents of men who are 

experienced in showmanship and who know 

the entertainment preferences in their localities." 

McDonald said that the only oppasition 

Zenith has heard to its proposal that subscription 

television be authorized immediately 

has come from the groups of theatre owners 

and from some television broadcast interests 

which now enjoy an absolute or near monopoly 

of telecasting in certain areas. 

"What these people are trying to do," Mc- 

Donald said, "is stifle a competitor which 

will be able to distribute education and 

entertainment more efficiently and economically 

than they. If somebody invented a 

method of delivering goods from any place in 

the country directly to one's home at less 

than a third of today's cost, it is a cinch 

that Congress and the Department of Justice 

would not let opposition from present transportation 

companies stop the coming of this 

new service." 

McDonald said that subscription television 

is merely a new means of distributing entertainment 

and education, that it can be delivered 

at le.ss than one-third the present 

price for entertainment, with the added convenience 

of coming directly into the home so 

that customers will not have to go to the 

theatre to get it. 

"Tills does not mean," he said, "that sub- 

.scription TV will kill the movie theatre any 

more than movies killed the legitimate stage, 

or than radio and TV killed the newspaper 

business. It will hurt some small theatres, 

just as every new business development hurts 

somebody, but that is all. No amount of home 

entertainment will satisfy the urge to get 

outside the home for an occasional fling. 

There will always be people who prefer seeing 

good movies and grand opera in the 

theatre, even though it will cost many times 

as much to see them in the theatre as at 

home. 

"To a large extent, subscription television 

will be making new customers for entertainment, 

which will not only be a bonanza for 

jjroducers and performers, but will also make 

new customers for theatres. Consider the 

spectacular success of Liberace as a theatrical 

drawing card after he was made 

famous by television." 

McDonald said it was to the everlasting 

credit of the television industry that there 

had been no attempt made to gang up on 

theatre television, and questioned the legality 

of such a move. 

"Some years ago," he stated, "many socalled 

four-wall theatres were in bitter opposition 

to drive-ins. Some ganged up on their 

new competitor, and eventually paid over 

millions of dollars in antitrust damages." 

.ppoints Hiatt 

MPEA Post 

mos Hiatt has been named 

o the treasurer of the Mort 

Ass'n to handle foreign 

impensation arrangements, 

president, reported 

i as assistant controller of 

rid Airways and as regional 

middle and far east of 

Hotels Corp., and he renan 

of the financial comt€rnational 

Air Transport 

ound includes the position 

:.KO-Pathe companies. He 

;d with the late Frederick 

an Films. He took part in 

distribution and wrote a 

:t for the Harvard Business 

if Iowa City, he was graduversity 

of Washington. 

PLANNING V-l WORLDWIDE DRIVE—Americo Aboaf (seated center), foreign 

general manager of Universal Pictures, sets final plans for the 1955 worldwide .Alfred 

E. Daff Drive with the company's foreign distribution executives. Left to right, they 

are: Josephine Griffin of the home office statistical department; Ben M, Cohen, 

assLstant foreign general manager and captain of the drive; Joseph Mazer, 16mm 

sales head; .Aboaf; Fortunat Baronat, foreign publicity director; Jack Dobbin, assistant 

to Felix Sommer, I'-I foreign finance executive; Felix Somer and Irving Weiss, foreign 

service manager. 

nuary 8, 1955 31

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

Smash New Year's Weekend Business 

Boosts B'way; Music Hall Again Big 

NEW YORK—With smash business on New 

Year's Day and Sunday (2), the majority of 

Broadway fust run houses had excellent 

holdover weeks for the big pictures which 

opened just before Christmas although, of 

course, they were down from the terrific 

Christmas-New Year's school holidays period. 

Not a single new picture opened during the 

first week in January, the first time in a year 

that even the weekly-change Palace Theatre 

held over its feature—this time "Black Tuesday." 

Still leading the entire New York field was 

"Deep in My Heart" and the annual Radio 

City Music Hall "Nativity" stage pageant, 

in a fourth week which almost equaled the 

terrific third stanza. Right behind it were 

"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." in its second 

smash week at the Astor, and "The Country 

Girl," which reported the biggest third week 

in the history of the Criterion Theatre. 

Excellent holdover weeks were reported for 

"Vera Cruz" at the Capitol and "Three Ring 

Circus" at Loew's State while "There's No 

Business Like Show Business" had a big 

third week at the Roxy. "The Silver Chalice" 

at the Paramount. "Green Pê" at the Mayfair 

and "Athena" at the Globe were down 

from the big opening weeks. 

The one new film, "Animal Farm." which 

opened before New Year's, had a good opening 

week at the Paris. Other art house fare 

that did big holdover business included 

"Romeo and Juliet," in its second week at 

the Sutton: "The Game of Love." in its third 

week at the Baronet; "Gate of Hell," in its 

third week at the Guild, and "Aida," which 

had a smash eighth week—above the preceding 

holiday week, at the Little Carnegie 

Theatre. "Tonight's the Night," in its second 

week at the Trans-Lux 52nd Street, and 

"The Belles of St. Trinian's." in its second 

week at the Plaza, also held up well but 

"Hunters of the Deep" was down in its third 

and final week at the Trans-Lux 60th Street 

Theatre. "This Is Cinerama," in its 82nd week 

of two-a-day at the Warner Theatre, has 

announced its last weeks. 

'Average Is 100) 

Astor 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Bueno 

Visfa), 2nd wk 1 75 

Baronet The Gome of Love (Times), 3rd v^k 120 

Capitol Vera Cruz ;UA), 2nd wk 160 

Criterion The Country Girl iPara), 3rd wk 190 

Fifth Avenue Hall of Fame Silent Film Festival 

(Ass'd Artists), 2nd wk 110 

55fh Street ^solden Age of Cinema Festivol 

(Brondon), 3rd wk 115 

Fine Arts The Detective (Col), 9th wk 115 

Globe Athena (MGM), 2nd wk 110 

Guild Gate of Hell fH&D), 3rd wk 150 

Little Carnegie Aida (IFE), 8th wk 160 

Loew's State Three Ring Circus (Para), 2nd wk. .170 

Moyfair Green Fire MGM), 2nd wk 125 

Normandie The Big Doy (H&D), 3rd wk., return 

run 115 

Palace Black Tuesday lUA), plus vaudeville .... 1 25 

Paramount The Silver Chalice (WB), 2nd wk....l20 

Paris Animal Form ;de Rochemonf) 1 30 

Plozo The Belles of St. Trinian's (Ass'd Artists), 

2nd wk 1 20 

you CAN ALWAYS DEPEND ON 

FOR THE BEST 

SPECIAL 

Radio City Music Hall Deep in My Heort (MGM), 

plus stage show, 4th wk 200 

Rivoli Carmen Jones (20th-Fox), I 0th wk 110 

Roxy There's No Business Like Show Business 

(20th-Fox), 3rd wk 150 

68th Street Fuss Over Feathers (Ass'd Artists), 

2nd wk 105 

Sutton Romeo and Juliet (UA), 2nd wk 160 

Trons-Lux 52nd Tonight's the Night (AA), 

2nd wk 120 

Trons-Lux 60th ^Hunters of the Deep IDCA), 

3rd wk 100 

Victoria A Stor Is Born (WB), 12th wk 125 

Warner This Is Cineroma (SW), 82nd wk 140 

World Sunderin (Prod. Rep.), 2nd wk 110 

"Leagues' Continues Hot Pace 

At Buffalo Century 

BUFFALO—"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" 

continued to be an amazing twxoffice magnet 

at the Centiu'y, where it ended a second 

week with a handsome 280 and went into a 

third stanza. Shea's Buffalo also clicked with 

"There's No Business Like Show Business." 

"Three Ring Circus" held so well for two 

weeks in the Paramount that it was held 

three extra days. The Center held "The 

Silver Chalice" for a third week. "Sign of 

the Pagan" jumped off well in the Lafayette. 

Buffalo There's No Business Like Show Business 

(20th-Fox), 2nd wk 180 

Center The Silver Chalice (WB), 2nd wk 150 

Century 20,000 Leogues Under the Sea (BV), 

2nd wk 280 

Cinema Bread, Love and Dreams (IFE), 2nd wk..llO 

Lafayette Sign of the Pagan (U-l) 180 

Paramount Three Ring Circus (Pora), 2nd wk.,.165 

Teck A Womon's Face MGM), Dr. Jekyll ond Mr. 

Hyde MGM) 125 

'Show Business' Tops 

In Pittsburgh 

PITTSBURGH — Top attraction was 

"There's No Business Like Show Business" 

at the Harris Theatre, "Deep in My Heart" 

got off slowly but picked up to 35 per cent 

above average on the boxoffice barometer at 

the end of the first week in the Penn Theatre. 

Stanley Theatre offered "Hansel and 

Gretel" and "This Is Your Army." but very 

poor attendance forced this program off the 

screen. Later, "Hansel and Gretel" was returned 

to the Stanley for two special kiddy 

morning exhibitions. Schools had issued dLscount 

tickets, good for one week, and the 

youngsters and their parents protested removal 

of the picture; therefore, the special 

showings were arranged. 

Fulton Carmen Jones (20th-Fox) 115 

Harris There's No Business Like Show Business 

(20th-Fox) 160 

Penn Deep in My Heart (MGM) 1 35 

Stanley Hansel and Gretel (RKO), This Is Your 

Army (USA) 50 

Warner This Is Cinerama (Cinerama), 55th wk.. .115 

It's 

'Show Business,' 

'Leagues' at Baltimore 

BALTIMORE—The combination of holiday 

atti-actions, holiday prices and extra midnight 

shows helped boost gi-osses. The biggest business, 

however, was garnered by "20,000 

Leagues Under the Sea" and "There's No 

Business Like Show Business." Although the 

holiday crowds were substantial, they were 

not entirely up to some of the first run 

managers' expectations. 

Century Deep in My Heart (MGM), 2nd wk 100 

Film Centre The Detective (Col), 2nd wk 100 

Hippodrome 20,000 Leogues Under the Sea (BV), 

2nd wk 180 

Keiths Three Ring Circus (Para), 2nd wk 150 

Little Aida (IFE), 2nd wk 90 

Moyfair Hansel and Gretel (RKO), 2nd wk 90 

New—Desiree ;20th-Fox), 2nd wk 130 

Ployhouse Rear Window (Para), 11th wk 90 

Stanley The Silver Chalice (WB), 2nd wk 100 

Town There's No Business Like Show Business 

(20th-Fox), 2nd wk 1 70 

SCROLL MARKS A LONG RUN- 

F. Seadler, MGM advertising mai 

(right), makes presentation to ] 

Brandt, head of Trans-Lux Theatn 

recognition of 95-week engagemei 

"Lili" at the 5'Znd Street Theatre, 

Jinx Falkenberg >rcCrary looks on. 

Palace Holds UA Picti 

First Time in bVi Years 

NEW YORK—The RKO Palace, a 

change film and vaudeville theatre 

May 1949, held over a picture for tl 

time in its five and one-half years of 

tion when "Black Tuesday," United 

feature, started a second week Frid 

The vaudeville bill was changed, hov 

"The Green Scarf," an Associated 

release, made in England with Michai 

grave. Ann Todd and Leo Genn starr 

open at the Palace January 14. J 

British-made film, "The Beachcombe 

tributed by United Ai-tists with Rober 

ton and Glynis Johns starred, will c 

the Normandie Theatre January 15. 

Seat-Tipper Is Capturei 

In New York's Capitol 

NEW YORK—A woman detective i 

a male "seat-tipper" Sunday (2) 

at Ui 

itol Theatre after firing one shot ii 

floor of the orchestra, but with "Vers 

on the screen featuring a lot of gun 

the time, few in the audience knew ai 

was amiss. A seat-tipper is a thief w 

behiiid women in theatres, watches fo 

to place a handbag on a seat and th 

the seat and loots the bag. 

'Americano' NY Date S 

NEW YORK—The RKO-Robert S 

production of "The Americano," in ' 

color, staiTing Glenn Ford, Ursula 

Cesar Romero and Frank Lovejoy, wi 

at the Mayfair Theatre January 19, 

ing a three-week run for MGM's 

Fn-e." in CinemaScope. Howard Hughe 

derwater!" in SuperScope, starring Jar 

sell, will open at the same theatre i 

ruary. 

Ardee Handles French Film 

NEW YORK—The newly formed 

Films. Inc., operated by Richard Da\ 

distribute "Holiday for Henrietta," 

feature produced by Julien Duvivier, 

U. S. The picture, which stars Dany 

HUdegarde Neff and Michel Auclai 

open at the Fine Arts Theatre, follow: 

current run of "The Detective." 


1 Asks Study 

^ Tax Issue 

— 

Averell Harriman, in his 

slature Wednesday, recomof 

a statute establishing a 

t members—one each to be 

assembly speaker, and the 

ider, three by the mayor of 

d three by the governor 

financial relations with 

y's 

Many New Taxes in Sight 

For New York Exhibitors 

^ 

:or many years there has 

)ion as to whether or not 

!ing treated fairly by the 

to taxing powers and state 

nocratic governor said in 

e state-local relationships 

fork, with its eight million 

tutes a very special problation, 

which climaxed a 

h Harriman urged greater 

y to the localities of the 

anentizing of taxing powers 

"as far as practicable," 

he death of the movement 

1947 enabling act. which 

'ork City to levy a 5 per 

ax (other cities and all 

owered to do likewise). At 

Y did so for 1955. The re- 

:ommission is awaited beife 

ends February 15. 

iman's message, which 

e of deep concern" about 

1 of the state government, 

le bad news for the motion 

He recommended that 

)r men be approached "diin 

"round about" as now, 

hildren's rates: that wage 

be "revitalized" and the 

1 "reflect as realistically as 

ist.s to maintain a standard 

if our American tradition." 

ne after taking account of 

iditions in the industries 

lis plea for a national mini- 

!5 hourly. Governor Harrin 

minimum wage schedules 

ate hikes for smaller-paid 

light be in the offing. He 

es in unemployment, work- 

)n and disability insurance. 

igs Postponed 

ctady Houses 

eree Hyman W. Sevits, 

ney. adjourned to January 

)n actions by owners and 

lenectady downtown houses, 

mated $2,742,000 over assess- 

; than a dozen years. 

by the W. W. Parley estate 

Farley, his Albany realtorthe 

building containing the 

eatres, covers 1936 and 1942 

e Fabian Operating Corp. 

f Co.. .seeks refunds taxes 

s and Plaza, covers 1942 

pia took over Proctor's and 

; both: also the State and 

)ol F\irley interests).

. . . Frank 

. . Jerry 

. . Charles 

BROADWAY 

^harles C. Moskowitz, vice-president and 

. . . 

treasurer of Loew's, Inc., planed to the 

Leo F. Samuels, president and general 

coast . . . 

sales manager of Buena Vista Film Distribution 

Co.; Charles Levy, publicity director, and 

James O'Gara, special representative, left for 

Canada for talks with Empire-Universal officials 

on distribution of "20,000 Leagues 

Under the Sea" and "The Vanishing Prairie" 

Herman Kass, eastern exploitation manager 

for Universal, went to Boston January 

2 to confer with exploitation representatives 

working on the New England saturation opening 

of "Six Bridges to Cross." 

. 

. 

Robert Dowling of City Investing Co. planed 

to London Pickman, Paramount 

advertising-publicity vice-president, got back 

from Hollywood December 31 after conferences 

on "The Country Girl" and "The 

Bridges at Toko-Ri" Schlaifer, 

president of the advertising agency, left for 

the coast for conferences on forthcoming 

advertising campaigns . . . P. T. Dana. Universal 

eastern sales manager, returned from 

a trip to Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Albany. 

Harry Goldstein, eastern publicity director 

for Allied Artists, and Irving Shiffrin and 

Michael Zala. exploiteers, left January 3 to 

work on out-of-town engagements on "Tonight's 

the Night." Goldstein w-ent to Boston 

for the January 14 opening at the Paramount 

and Fenway theatres, Shiffrin went to Philadelphia 

and Baltimore and Zala went to 

Richmond. John H. Burrows, associate producer 

for AA, is in New York for conferences 

with Morey R. Goldstein, vice-president and 

general sales manager. 

Jeanmaire, French ballet star who will 

share top billing with Bing Crosby in Paramounfs 

"Anything Goes," planed in from 

Paris with her new husband, Roland Petit, 

who will stage her dances in the film. Both 

left for Hollywood January 2 . . Tony 

. 

Curtis and Janet Leigh arrived by train from 

Hollywood January 6 to spend a New York 

vacation. Curtis will go to Boston for the 

January 19 opening of "Six Bridges to Cross" 

. . . Jerry Lewis, whose "Three Ring Circus" 

is playing at Loew's State, came in for a 

vacation December 31, accompanied by his 

wife and three children. 

E. R. Zorgniotti, executive vice-president of 

IFE Releasing Corp., left for Rome January 6 

for meetings with IFE executives and Italian 

film producers and to survey new product for 

U. S. release . . . Harriet Parsons, RKO producer 

of "Su.san Slept Here," is here from 

Hollywood to look over new Broadway plays 

P. Rosenberg, producer of Warner 

Bros.' forthcoming "Miracle in the Rain," 

and Rudolph Mate, who will direct the Jane 

Wyman picture, got in January 4 to scout 

Manhattan location sites . . . Moss Hart, playwright 

who wrote the screenplay for "Prince 

of Players" for 20th Century-Fox, is in New 

York to visit his wife, Kitty Carlisle, starring 

in "Anniversary Waltz" on Broadway, and to 

promote the opening of the Cinemascope picture 

at the Rivoli January 11. 

Edward M. Saunders, assistant general sales 

manager for MGM, returned from a west 

coast vacation January 4 . . . Milton R. Rackmil, 

president of Universal and Decca Records, 

got back from Florida January 4 . . . 

Fritz Lang, director of MGM's "Moonfleet," 

is in New York for an indefinite stay and 

SKOURAS 

RECEIVES AWARD— 

Spyros Skouras, president of 20th Century-Fox, 

receives from S. H. Fabian 

(left) and Harry Oppenheimer (right) a 

special award of the American Fund for 

Israel Institutions in recognition of his 

leadership on behalf of Israel. Skouras 

was guest of honor Wednesday (5) at a 

dinner concert held at the Waldorf 

Astoria attended by more than 1.000 persons. 

Fabian was dinner concert chairman. 

Oppenheimer is a vice-president of 

the Israel Fund. 

William Gibsen. author of MGM's "The Cob- 

. . . 

. . Marty Scher of the 

web." is back after studio story conferences 

Robert Oropall of Universal's .service department 

in New York, became a father December 

30 with the birth of a son, Robert 

Michael, to Mrs. Oropall at the Lawrence 

Hospital. Bronxville . 

United Artists accounting department. wa.s 

married to Gloria Pearlman January 2 in 

Brooklyn. 

Parade of Stars Staged 

For Asthmatic Home 

NEW YORK—The Parade of Stars for the 

benefit of the Jewish National Home for 

Asthmatic Children was held Saturday evening 

(8) at Town Hall under the chairmanship 

of Max E. Youngstein, vice-president of 

United Artists. 

The performers included: Denise Darcel, 

Martha Wright, Henry Morgan, Joey Adams, 

Joey Bishop, Jack Carter, the Chordettes, 

Lanny Ro.ss. Bobby Hackett, the Mariners, 

Jaye P. Morgan, Jan Arden, Louis Hunt, Earl 

Wrightson, Don Liberto and Bud Palmer, 

Robert Q. Lewis was master of ceremonies. 

Youngstein made a televised appeal in behalf 

of the National Home on the Herb 

Sheldon Show over NBC-TV Friday (7). 

Fulbright to Be Speaker 

At Brotherhood Dinner 

NEW YORK—Senator William J. Fulbright 

of Arkansas will speak at the Brotherhood 

dinner of the National Conference of Christians 

and Jews to be held at the Waldorf Astoria 

January 13. John H. Harris, national 

chairman of the amusements division of the 

Brotherhood campaign, said J. Robert Rubin, 

permanent general chairman of the amusements 

division, will be the guest of honor. 

More than 1.000 performers and executives 

from all branches of the entertainment industry 

will attend. 

Skouras Is Honored 

At Israel Dinner 

NEW YORK— Spyros P. Skouras, 

Century-Fox president, was guest of 

Wednesday night i5) at the annual 

concert of the American Fund for Isi 

the Waldorf Astoria. More than 1,00 

sons attended. Skouras was presented 

cial award by S. H. Fabian, dinner cha 

"in recognition of his leadership on 

of Israel through the American Fund 

Fabian said that Skouras' "devotion 

American Fund and to Israel comes f 

profound understanding that educatic 

culture are basic to the developmen 

democratic nation." 

Those who attended paid $100 a 

added $200,000 to the fund. The goal 

year's campaign was $1,857,000. The 

plat 

is used to support leading cultural and 

tional institutions in Israel. 

Among the 

ficiaries are three leading agricultural s 

the only maritime school, and th< 

school for commercial and industrial 

in Israel: the leading art and archs 

museums, theatres, the Lsrael Philha 

orchestra, music academies, institutio 

language and literature and trad 

schools. 

The gift consisted of two silver cuj 

signed and handmade by the artists 

Bezalel School, Jerusalem. 

One of the principal speakers, Israi 

bassador Abba Eban, said that in s] 

tensions in the Near East. Israel "will c 

its culture and its institutions, safegu 

security and its honor within the frar 

of this hostility." 

The concert portion of the progrj 

eluded Rise Stevens and Robert Merril 

ropolitan Opera stars: Pierre Monteu: 

ducting the Symphony of the Air. and 

Adams and Andre Eglevsky. stars 

New York City Ballet. 

Honorary chairmen for the event v 

Hurok. Fredric R. Mann, Edward A. N 

' 

and Samuel Rubin. Co-chairmen were 

Greenspan, William Heller, Henry Jof 

Harry C. Oppenheimer. 

Annual Ba 

Variety Club Clinic Nel 

$15,000 From 

NEW YORK—A check for $15,000 ha 

given to Dr. H. Houston Merritt by 

Andre Dubonnet as the first profits 

the United Epilepsy Ass'n Celebrity I 

the Starlight Roof of the Waldorf . 

Hotel New Year's Eve. 

Mme. Dubonnet, vice-president c 

women's committee of the association a 

chairman of the celebrity ball committe 

she expected the final accounting woul 

duce additional funds for the Variet; 

Clinic for Children with Epilepsy : 

Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Cente 

Hospital Gets $2,500 

NEW YORK—Harry Brandt, presid 

Brandt Theatres, acting on behalf 

Trans-Lux 52nd St. Theatre, has pre 

Monsignor John E. Reilly a check for 

the proceeds of the opening night rece 

"Tonight's the Night" at the Theatre L 

ber 22. This money will go toward th 

of the New- York Foundling Hospital, 

cares for homeless babies in the city. 


1 shed 

, such 

, division 

, at 

: reading 

. . 

. . . Inadvertently 

. . Ray 

ALO 

president of Baiisch & 

from the west coast glowhat 

Hollywood is glowing 

All doors were open for 

m that performed a near 

icing Cinemascope lens 

weeks after 20th-Fox prenaking 

such a lens to the 

just two years ago. On 

;udios, Mr. and Mrs. Halwford 

at work on "Female 

;her Williams in another 

Astaire in "Daddy Long 

al manager of Lieser Film 

starting to set up dates 

ver." the first of the picbutors 

Corp. of America 

lich Lieser will distribute 

Albany areas . . . Loew's 

Rochester is being used 

by Bausch & Lomb scienless 

heat and more 

jpe film. The problem of 

s dogged the B&L men 

in process came into being. 

i been devised to deflect 

! film has continued to 

Ing spotty defects. Now. 

is J. Mulroy, in charge of 

sales for B&L. the latest 

tryout at Lester Pollock's 

. 

LT-I exploiteer, got a swell 

le Pagan." in Jerry Evarts 

falo Courier-Express 

i alive, he would be rubevents 

in Rochester these 

;0.000 Leagues Under the 

demand that not a 

in the leading bookstores 

ry. The stores were sold 

; stocks after a rush that 

ig of Disney's screen ver- 

Theatre. "Thank Heaven 

laimed Mildred Wilson of 

of the library, 

been off the shelf for 

the Palace, the boxnusic 

that brought a glow 

lager Frank Lindcamp. 

. . . 

asil Theatres advertising 

f, had Jeannie Johnson, 

lelp promote "Sign of the 

the Lafayette . . . Work 

e of the month on remodfor 

When 

Cinerama representative for Paralywood 

for a sales promod 

a photo made of William 

the Buffalo Eveeceived 

a good plav in the 

cutives received a permanote 

compartment desk 

11, Perkins Theatre Supply 

ne of each executive was 

ndividual gift.s . . . Ollie 

jllough and Billy Keaton, 

-TV, threw a luncheon in 

first run managers to dision 

ideas. Local exhibitors 

Arthur Krolick. Charles 

Idler and Leon Serin, all 

eatres; George H. Mac- 

•ereton of Basil Theatres; 

! Shea circuit, and Robert 

T. Murphy and Phil Tadaro of the Century 

Theatre. 

Mayor Samuel B. Dicker of Rochester has 

proclaimed J a n u a r y "Go-to-the-Movies 

Month." Mayor Dicker praised the industry 

for its "progressive enterprise, optimism and 

spirit." 

Albany Grand Relights 

With One Stagehand 

ALBANY— Closed by strike since December 

6. the Grand was reopened Friday (31) by 

lessee-proprietor Paul V. Wallen after a dispute 

with the stagehands Local 14 had been 

settled by concessions on both sides. The 

relighting bill was topped by "Beau Brummell." 

The controversy was ended Monday last 

week when Local 14 and Wallen agreed that 

only one stage worker would be employed, 

the light board would be dismantled and the 

switching operations would be shifted to the 

front of the house. The latter, entailing 

added responsibility on the management end. 

required rewiring. 

Wallen had held out for one man, refusing 

to accept a replacement in the shift-overs 

which ensued after Henry "Dutch" Harris retired 

at the Strand after 52 years of service. 

Claiming that two stage workers had been 

payroUed for years and the agreement provided 

for same, the union put out pickets 

November 27. The projectionists joined the 

stagehands nine days later, by refusing to 

pass through the line. 

George Hoover to Attend 

Chas. Smakwitz Dinner 

ALBANY — International Chief Barker 

George C. Hoover will act as toastmaster at 

the Albany Variety Club's testimonial dinner 

for Charles A. Smakwitz in the ballroom of 

the Sheraton-Ten Eyck Hotel January 12. 

S. H. Fabian, Samuel Rosen and Harry Kalmine, 

executives of Stanley Warner Theatres, 

which promoted Smakwitz from Albany to 

Newark. N. J., as zone manager, are expected 

to be among the 200 in attendance. Chief 

Barker George H. Schenck reported. 

A number of other New York City industry 

leaders, including State Senator Fred G. 

Moritt, counsel-trea.surer of MacDonald Pictures, 

Ben Schrift, president of that company, 

and wife, will be present. A New Haven, 

Conn., delegation will include Zone Manager 

Harry Feinstein and assistant James Totman. 

M. A. Silver, Pitt.sburgh zone manager, also 

is slated to be a guest. 

Herman Disler will handle the entertaining. 

Naval Reserve Unit Names 

Githens Its Commander 

NEW YORK—W. French Githens, board 

chairman of Sound Masters and president of 

National Educational Films, has been made 

commanding officer of Naval Reserve Aviation 

Co. 3-11. The group consists of reserve 

photographic officers, many of whom are 

associated with film production in this area. 

Githens during World War II was in charge 

of motion picture photography for U. S. 

Naval Facilities under the director of photography, 

U. S. Navy. He was also division officer 

of the writers and directors division. 

Naval Photography Center, Anacostia, D. C. 

and he served on the staff of Admiral Nimitz. 

ALBANY 

T oca! exchanges adjusted their schedules 

Monday (3) to fit the 37 '--hour week pattern 

provided in the new contract with F43 

and B43, lATSE. Most of the offices moved 

their opening time from 8:30 to 9 a.m. . . . 

Columbia salesman Herb Schwartz became 

father of a baby son, his second boy . . . 

George Carroll, Warner auditor, who had 

been here since late in October, left for 

Montreal . Smith, WB manager, is 

owner of a sports jacket as a Christmas gift 

of his staff. Smith reported Alton "Tony" 

Anderson, manager of Schine's Pontiac in 

Saranac Lake and mayor there did "a terrific 

job" in arranging the recent world premiere 

of "The Silver Chalice" at that theatre. 

Jack Leon, projectionist at Conery's Ravena 

Theatre, was married to Joan Gardner at St. 

Patrick's Catholic church in Ravena. The 

couple honeymooned in New York City. 

Edward J. Wall's screen debut in a short 

showing him and Don Hartman. Paramount 

executive producer, discussing the company's 

new product, won the approbation of industry 

associates and others. The short was 

.screened here with "The Bridges at Toko-Ri." 

The short, running about 10 minutes, was 

made when Wall recently visited the Paramount 

studios in Hollywood for a preview 

and analysis of new pictures. Its chief use 

will be on area television stations. Frank 

Lynch. Gordon Bugie and others complimented 

Wall. 

Fabian's Palace charged $1 evenings. 75 

cents afternoons and 35 cents for children 

on "There's No Business Like Show Business." 

The competing Strand had the same scale 

for "Three Ring Circus." which ran nine days 

omitted from a list of persons 

at the Christmas party given by Trlstate 

Automatic Candy Corp. were Lewis Sumberg, 

property master of Variety Club, and wife, 

and Jim Blackburn. Palace stage manager. 

George H. C. Farley, who suffered a heart 

seizure last week, was reported Thursday in 

"excellent" condition. He is a patient at the 

Rex Hospital, Raleigh. N. C, where he was 

taken from a Florida-bound train while with 

his sons en route to Palm Beach to meet 

his wife and daughter. Farley, who is an 

Albany realtor, is owner of film exchanges 

and theatres. 

Al Swett, manager of the Stanley Warner 

Avon in Utica since November, 1951, will 

return to Albany on the 13th as manager of 

the Ritz. Mrs. Ottilie Fearing, assistant manager 

of the Stanley since April 1953. becomes 

manager of the Avon. Jack Swartout. manager 

of the Ritz since the American, Troy, 

closed, is retiring. 

Like Intermissions al Movies 

Intermission as a time for meeting friends 

is greatly favored by attendants at motion 

pictures in France. 

Kl NNER'S GLASS CLEANER 

Used by more theatres than any other cleaner because it 

cleans and polishes glass and chrome. 

EASIER . . . Sold by 

FASTER , . . Eastern Theatre Supply md 

and BETTER Ben Lust Theatre Supply 

KINNER PRODUCTS COMPANY ''ômS*'^* 

nuary 8, 1955 35

. . Starting 

. . The 

' 

Motion Picture Associates 

To Honor Four Pioneers 

PHILADELPHIA—Four men, with 

an aggregate 

of 200 years in the motion picture 

industry, will be honored at the dinner of 

the Motion Picture Associates Tuesday. January 

18, at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel. The 

pioneers of the industry are William C. Hunt, 

Abraham Sablosky, Benjamin Amsterdam 

and Albert R. Boyd. Each of these men has 

played an important role in the development 

of the motion picture business in this area. 

The MPA dinner will be held in conjunction 

with the gala opening of the Nickelodeon 

in Franklin In.stitute on the afternoon of the 

18th. Actors, producers and directors from 

Hollywood and New York are expected to participate 

in the dedication ceremonies. Sponsored 

by William Goldman, Philadelphia motion 

picture leader, the Nickelodeon is planned 

as a shrine to the motion picture industry. 

In keeping with the theme of cinema history, 

the MPA dinner will honor its pioneers. 

The MPA is composed of men employed in 

Philadelphia theatre exchanges. Proceeds of 

the $25-a-plate dinner will go to the welfare 

committee of the MPA. 

George Jessel, himself an industry pioneer, 

will be toastmaster of the dinner. 

The four pioneers to be honored have functioned 

chiefly as exhibitors in the Philadelphia 

and New Jersey areas. 

Pioneer Profiles 

WILLIAM C. HUNT—Community and business 

leader in the Cape May County area of 

south New Jersey. He operates a circuit of 

theatres in the resort cities of Cape May, 

Pitman, Salem, Moorestown, Audubon, Jenkintown, 

Wildwood, etc., and at one time 

owned theatres in Camden and Philadelphia. 

Also publishes three newspapers, has served 

as state senator and has many other interests 

in the amusement field. His career 

started 48 years ago when he opened one of 

America's first nickelodeons in Camden. 

SYRACUSE 

T ines to the Eckel bexoffice went around the 

block for the holiday week booking of 

"Hansel and Gretel" ... At RKO Keith's 

"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" was doing 

landoffice business, so Manager Sol Sorkin 

kept it for the New Year's Eve show, rather 

than having a special one-night stand of 

"Young at Heart." 

Copley, assistant manager at the Para- 

Bill 

mount, and wife celebrated the first birthday 

of their son Rick . January 

15 Jimmy Hogan, the Tip-Top Clown on the 

Jimmy DeLine show on WS"5fR-TV, will make 

a 15-minute personal appearance Saturday 

afternoons on the Paramount stage. There 

will be gifts for the children The University 

of 

. . . 

Pennsylvania Mask and Wig production, 

"Tempest In a Teapot," was given 

December 28 at the Astor Theatre. 

Outdoor displays were attractive. For "So 

This Is Paris" Manager Max Rubin of the 

Paramount had a Parisian kiosk as model 

Owned the Regent in Philadelphia at one 

time. Now 83, he and his wife Mabel have 

two sons, William D. and Guy B., and two 

daughters, Ruth M. and Evelyn. 

ABRAHAM SABLOSKY — Opened the 90- 

seat Bijou in Norristown. Pa., in 1904, and in 

.succeeding years added theatres in Wilmington, 

Del. In 1910 formed a partnership with 

John J. McGuirk and built the Cro.sskeys 

Theatre in Philadelphia. Built the Broadway 

and Alhambra here in 1912. In same year he 

and Jules Mastbaum and A. R. Boyd formed 

the Stanley Co. of America. In 1932 joined 

the Norris Amusement Co. and has been with 

it since. He is 78, and he and his wife Florence 

have one son Morton and two daughters, 

Mrs. Ethel Greenhouse and Mrs. Elinore 

Leebron. 

BENJAMIN AMSTERDAM — Industry 

career started in 1913 when he and Pop 

Korson formed a partnership to buy Warner 

Features independent film exchange. Bought 

out Masterpiece Attractions from Leon Netter 

in 1916. Later became interested with P. A. 

Powers. Sam Wheeler and Joe Schnitzer to 

produce and distribute Clara Kimball Young 

pictures. Also acquired franchise of Equity 

Pictures produced by Al Lichtman, Ben 

Schulberg and Jack Backman. In 1928 he 

joined Green & Altman and formed Equity 

Theatres, operating 22 houses. He built the 

Astor in Reading and operated six other theatres 

in that area. Sold Equity in 1929 to 

Warner Bros. In 1931 formed Atlantic Theatres, 

which operates a circuit in south New 

Jersey. His associates are Eppie Epstein and 

Sol Abramoff. He is 76 and he and wife Anna 

have one son Gustave G. 

WILLIAM BOYD—Center City exhibitor. 

He opened the Family Theatre in the early 

1900s. H e was vice-president of Stanley Co. 

in 1919. Among theatres he owned was the 

Boyd, named for him. 

. . . 

for the revolving "Merry Christmas" display 

with the show. A seven-foot high book model 

stood in front of the Eckel for "Hansel and 

Gretel" as part of the promotion of Manager 

Frank Myers Harry Unterfort, zone 

manager of the Schine Theatres, his wife and 

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Berinstein and Mr. and 

Mrs. Harry Berinstein attended the wedding 

in New York City of Richard Wels, brother 

of Mrs. Harry Berinstein. The Berinsteins 

operate the Cornell Theatres in Ithaca. 

Raytheon Introduces Radio 

Powered by Transistors 

NEW YORK—Raytheon Mfg. Co. has introduced 

a new type of portable radio with 

transistors taking the place of tubes, which. 

it claimed, can operate 500 hours from the 

power of a set of one-cell batteries. It has 

no wire connections for plug-ins. 

Henry Argento. vice-president and general 

manager of Raytheon, says it makes all other 

radios obsolete. The set measures 2% inches 

thick, 6 3/16 inches high and 9 3/16 inches 

wide and weighs five pounds. 

PHILADELPHL 

•The F-7 union is moving its offices fr 

and Race streets to the MPO unioi 

at 1317 Vine St. . . . Monday 

(10) 

will honor incoming Chief Barker ] 

Goffman and his new crew and a 

salute outgoing Chief Barker Norman 

man and his crew. Morris Wolf, loca 

ney. will be guest speaker. New mei 

Tent 13 include Harold Block, H 

Gantz. Maurice H. Levin, William ] 

Howard Maschmeier. Joseph Miller, 

G. Miu-ray, and Ralph Schwartz. 

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Friedman are f 

to go to Europe to see their son, Cp 

Friedman, who is stationed in Stuttga 

many ... Ed Emanuel, prominent e: 

is now a grandfather ... A group c 

from Hanover asked the Pennsylva 

preme court to nullify a 1953 referen 

Sunday movies because of alleged 

errors and irregularities. In the v 

residents rejected Sunday movies bj 

margin of 18 votes out of about 4,4 

The residents asked for another ele 

that "the true intent of the people 

ascertained." Attorneys for the Hano\ 

isterial Ass'n .said that there had 

fraud, and the issue should not be vot 

again until 1957. 

Motion pictures have helped the sc 

industry, according to Edward W. 

president of the Charles E. Hires Co 

interview. David said, "There are m 

portunities for expansion of sales 

drinks along lines that are still grow 

the possibilities are still far from ex 

For instance, drive-ins were almost 

of before the Second World War a 

there are about 6.000 of these nati 

drink markets" . Apollo Th 

Atlantic City has closed to leave the 

walk without one theatre open dui 

winter months. 

ABC Asks Rayburn to E 

Ban on TV for Hearing 

NEW YORK—The American Broa 

Co. has asked House Speaker Sam Ra 

withhold the ban on television covi 

Congressional committee hearings u 

broadcasting industry has had an opp 

to present its views. 

had been pending for some time, wa: 

of Enchantment" was an infringemer 

Spitalny-Warners End 

NEW YORK—Phil Spitalny's $600 

for infringement against Warner Bro; 

out of court early in the week. Justi 

thew Levy did not announce the 

Spitalny had charged that Warners 

long-standing use of the term "1 

Charm." 

IMPDA to Meet Janua 

NEW YORK—Tlie Independent 

Picture Distributors Ass'n of Ameri 

eign film distributing group, will hold 

meeting January 18 at its headquarti 

Ai-thur L. Mayer, president, postp( 

earlier meeting. 


INGTON 

. Clark 

• 

Wheeler, 

. Dixie 

. . Salesman 

. . Aileen 

. . Corrine 

BALTIMORE 

. . 

b membership committee 

?gular membership Joseph 

iing agency account exec- 

Jonscher. manager of sta- 

)anald L. Hearn, night club 

y News, and for associate 

Id R. Robinson, manufacve 

. . . Sam Galanty. Tent 

nt the hoUdays in Miami 

Army 

rst Variety CUib board of 

of 1955 will be held Mon- 

D.m. in the Willard Hotel. 

Alvin Q. Ehrlich will predeputy 

chief of the 

ition Picture Service, anird 

Schmidt, local regional 

isferred to the New York 

, 

ne Washington office will 

a regional office. However, 

intained here to coordinate 

md for liaison purposes, 

rate under the jurisdiction 

•egional office and will be 

s Collins, office manager 

1 of National Screen Servthday 

Chi'istmas Day . . . 

on. Md., retui-ned from a 

. . Columbia salesman 

vacationed in New York 

Ben Lust Theatre Supher 

it, 

sister from New 

York. 

head of the Variety Club 

ntertained her captains at 

iffet supper. Present were 

Davis, Mi's. Nathan 

on Lipsner, Mrs. George 

.liam Janof. Mrs. Lewis 

de Flax. Mrs. Al Briskman, 

TS. Pat Notaro, Mrs. Sid- 

?o-chaii-man Mrs. Mannie 

s committee raised $25,269 

ill . . . 

O'Leai-y. sales manager at 

underwent minor surgery 

lome . Charlie 

The son of conilleen 

Olivier became enner 

during the Christmas 

rold Saltz and sales staff 

:ings in Boston . , . George 

heatres booker, joined his 

ti for the New Year w'eek- 

Ricks went to New York 

Lucille Brown visited her 

Beach . . . Mr. and Mrs. 

Theatres, are the parents 

I girl. This makes Fritz 

:i, Mona's father-in-law. 

the 27th time. 

i . . . 

imount head accountant. 

1 year with the company 

it. head shipper, returned 

Hospital where he under- 

Belated birthday 

r Cohen. Allied Artists 

office manager 

is contemplating building 

of Hagerstown just below 

ne . . . Curtis Hildebrand's 

ierwent an appendectomy 

Theatre, Newport 

Tieatre. Hampton, was in 

TO AID MAKCH OK DIMES— Variety 

Club Tent 19 of Baltimore has adopted 

the 1955 March of Dimes campaign as 

its project for both Baltimore and the 

state of Maryland. The three leaders are: 

William Brizendine, chairman of Allied 

Motion I'icture Owners of Maryland; 

Rodney Collier, former chief barker, and 

co-chairman with Jack L. Whittle, chief 

barker and general chairman of the 

Variety Club March of Dimes promotion. 

town to confer with Joe Walsh, his booking 

and buying agent . Railey is now 

booking for IPE. Her husband Jimmy reenlisted 

in the navy . Bertin, Warner 

Bros., narrowly escaped serious injuries 

when her car collided with another recently. 

Majors Weighing Effects 

Of Panama Assassination 

NEW YORK—The major companies here 

were watching day-by-day developments in 

Panama during the week with considerable 

concern because of the assassination of 

President Jose Antonio Remon Sunday (2). 

Just what effect it would have on an already 

bad situation could not be determined immediately. 

The Panamanian situation was already 

complicated before the assassination through 

the introduction in the National Assembly of 

a bill setting sliding scale rental ceilings for 

theatres. First runs would pay 45 per cent, 

second runs 35 per cent weekends and 30 

per cent during the week, and the other 

theatres 25 per cent. Admissions except in 

the case of exceptional pictures, would be 

frozen at 60 cents. The industry here feared 

that the measure, if passed, might set up a 

chain reaction elsewhere. 

Johnston Deal With Spain 

Increases License Total 

NEW YORK—The Spanish government has 

allowed seven additional licenses to member 

companies of the Motion Picture Export 

Asfi'n under an agreement negotiated last 

year by Eric Johnston, president, which called 

for a review of the license situation before 

the end of 1954. 

Member companies handling their own 

physical distribution in Spain had been allowed 

60 licenses. The seven additional 

licenses go to that group for allotment among 

themselves. Companies using Spanish distribution 

facilities were allowed 40 licenses. 

That total remains unchanged. In that 

group are United Artists, Allied Artists and 

Republic. 

The agreement will expire May 31. 

Ted Routson, 58, one of Baltimore's 

JJ 

bestknown 

theatre managers, died of double 

pneumonia and other ailments at Sinai Hospital. 

Burial was Tuesday (4i at his childhood 

home of Waynesboro, Pa. Routson, a 

one-time vaudeville "hoofer," came to Baltimore 

from Philadelphia 25 years ago. Most 

of his career, he was associated with the 

I. M. Rappaport Theatres, particularly the 

Hippodrome. In later years he managed the 

Playhouse, and held that capacity at the 

time of his death. There are no immediate 

survivors. 

The Variety Club will swear in its new 

board of governors Tuesday (11), including 

Chief Barker Jack Whittle . . . P;-ank J. 

Durkee. head of the Durkee Eaiterprises, is 

expected to leave for Florida around the 

middle of this month . . . Fi'ank Scully, formerly 

of MGM, was in town from Boston . 

Max Weinberg, independent producer and 

previously with MGM, was here over the 

weekend, visiting with Rodney Collier, the 

Stanley manager. Weinberg recently returned 

from Switzerland. 

. . . 

William G. Myers, owner of the DeLuxe, 

returned from a visit to Pocomoke City 

Wilburn Brizendine. vice-president of the 

Schwaber Theatres, and wife spent the 

Christmas-New Year's week in Florida . . . 

A dinner for J. Lawrence Schanberger, who 

was a.ssociated with Keiths' Theatre for 27 

years, is being arranged by the Variety Club 

for the evening of January 18. Gov. Theodore 

McKeldin and Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro 

jr. have been invited. Schanberger currently 

is associated with the St. James Hotel. 

West Germany's Producers 

Ask Cut in Film Imports 

BONN, GERMANY—West Germany is 

studying moves to protect its film industry 

from foreign competition. The country is 

now producing 130 films each year and its 

film exports net $2,600,000. but it spends about 

$8,000,000 on imports, an increase of $2,300,000 

for 1954 over 1953. 

Pi'oduction is by independents—about 50 

of them—who make from tw'o to five pictures 

each. 

During 1954, 211 American films were imported 

by West Germany aiid 237 are scheduled 

for 1955. Of 452 films shown last year, 

349 w'ere imported. These included the best 

money-makers. 

The German producers are attempting to 

get the government to force theatres to play 

a minimum of 35 German films during each 

three months. Exhibitors are opposing this. 

There is no television competition. 

DARING! 

SANDERS 

Lacille BALL 

wistiniisii. o.c 

Chirlolli 

Memphis 

New Orleans 

tlliiiii 

luary 8, 1955 37

. . The 

. . Elmer 

, , The 

. . Jerry 

. . Mrs. 

. . Mr. 

. . Lorraine 

PITTSBURGH 

pvave Silverman and his RKO gang hosted 

the Friday (7i family night at the 

Variety Club . Warner Theatre, Erie, 

received $1,100 as rental one evening for a 

performance of the University of Pennsylvania 

Mask and Wig show and the Erie 

alumni netted about $1,000 for a scholarship 

fund . Olympic Theatre, Verona, formerly 

an account of Hanna Theatre Service 

and self booked for six months, has returned 

The Variety Club 

to the Hanna fold . . . 

honored Dave Olbum, new du'ector of public 

safety of Pittsburgh, at a special luncheon 

Thursday afternoon (6i and has an Old 

Timers Boxing Night announced for Wednesday 

(12). 

Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Stern of the Associated 

circuit departed Wednesday (5( for a month's 

George Boyle, 

vacation in Hollywood . . . 

manager of the Ambridge Theatre, staged a 

tumultous welcome for the first born baby of 

1955 in a tieup with the Ambridge Daily Citizen 

to exploit "A Star Is Born." Many merchants 

participated and the event was a page 

one feature for several days, 

Al Levy, 20th-Fox manager, said that his 

company will erect a modern exchange building 

in the unimproved lot adjoining the company's 

present quarters which 20th-Fox has 

occupied under lease for 25 years. The new 

exchange will have a complete small-capacity 

theatre on the street floor . . . Motion 

picture chairmen of various women's clubs 

were guests of Warner Bros, at a screening 

of "The SUver Chalice" at the Stanley Warner 

screening room. 

Santa Glaus was at the boxoffice of 

Greater Pittsburgh Drive-In Theatre to distribute 

free candy to kiddys . . . The Casino, 

burlesque house here which reopened Christmas 

Day, offered its annual midnight show 

on New Year's Eve and the usual Milkman's 

While most of the 

matinee at 3 a.m. . . . 

outdoor theatres which continue in operation 

charge 10 or 15 cents extra for use of 

in-car heaters, the Route 19 Drive-In gives 

this warming service free . . . Frank L. 

Prance, former National Theatre Supply 

salesman who has been in retirement for 

many years at West Middletown, turned up 

the other evening at the Mary Ann Theatre, 

Burgettstown, to catch a show. Don 

and Tony Mungello, exhibitors there, state 

that he is enjoying good health. 

The newly opened International Theatre, 

Crafton Heights, booked Laurence Oliver's 

film version of "Hamlet" for the week of 

Charlie Baron, Cinerama 

January 4 . . . 

house manager at the downtown Warner 

Theatre, said his sister Mrs. Cora Henderson 

entertained the 18 Cinerama usherettes 

at a holiday party in their Bigelow apartment 

. Hasley staged a New Years 

Eve gigantic Moviethon, 6 p.m. until 3 a.m., 

at his Terrace Theatre, Be.s.semer Terrace, 

SAM FINEBERG , 

TOM McCLEARY -^ 

JIM ALEXA^fDER 

84 Von Braam Street 

PITTSBURGH 19, PA. 

Phone Express 1-0777 g 

^ Movies Are Better Than Ever How's Your Equipment? ^ 

with six features, including a Cinemascope 

musical and two other color features, plus 

six cartoons. Admission was $1. For the 

kiddys, he exhibited a midnight show matinee 

preview for 35 cents, from 11 a.m. to 

5 p.m., eliminating two features . Warren 

. . 

Bentley Dana, television director here for 

WDTV and son of U-I's eastern sales manager, 

Pete Dana, slipped an engagement ring 

on the finger of Eleanor Schano, television 

entertainer here. A spring wedding is 

. . . planned Mike Manos. area circuit exhibitor, 

has been released from the hospital 

at Miami and he is recuperating at his winter 

home there. 

. . . The 

V. L. "Doc" Wadkins, Manos circuit booker, 

was recuperating after an operation 

death of an aunt of Gordon. Milton and Ross 

Gibson of Atlas Theatre Supply took Gordon 

and Bertha Gibson on a sad funeral trip to 

Canada . A. Joseph of the Ti'iangle 

Theatre, East Liberty, is recuperating from 

an illness which nece.ssitated hospitalization 

for three weeks. 

The Wilson Chemical Co., Tyrone, which 

operates theatres at Ebensbiu'g and Cresson 

and owns theatres at Tyrone, recently staged 

its 60th annual holiday party and dinner, at 

which George C. Wilson III, president, distributed 

bonus checks to all employes . . . 

MGM employes are wearing blue badges 

which proclaim the 1955 motion picture theatre 

Ray Allison, Altoona 

celebration . . . theatre owner, retired from exhibition and he 

will make his home in Florida, 

Louis Perretta's Crescent Theatre, Mahoningtown, 

was closed for two days for installation 

of a wide screen . . . The Hi-Lander 

Theatre, New Castle, was dark several days 

for redecorating . Macosky. Warner 

Bros, biller, was injured when she fell 

in her home . and Mrs. E. LeViant. 

Filmrow printers, hosted theii' annual holiday 

luncheon at the Hanna Theatre Service office. 

Alex Manos, junior executive of the Manos 

circuit, has a hospital date for an operation 

Monday (10) . . . John Zomnir. UA salesman, 

was down with a virus infection for several 

days . Wechsler. former manager for 

Warner Bros., and now southern division 

manager for U-I's J. Arthur Rank releases, 

was a visitor, as was Jack Kalmenson, former 

local Warner Bros, manager now at 

Milwaukee . . . Joan Dischner, former MGM 

telephone operator, is now a local model. 

Rex and Ann Kantner will spend the winter 

near Orlando. Fla. He's a projectionist at the 

Park Theatre and she's been manager of the 

Pittsburgh Drive-In for nine years. 

A. L. Gibson. 87, Dies 

BUCKHANNON. W. VA.—A. L. Gib.son. 87. 

father-in-law and former partner of Garland 

West, veteran local indoor and outdoor theatre 

owner, died recently. He started West in 

business here in the summer of 1929. 

'Cinerama Holiday' Soon 

PITTSBURGH—"This Is Cinerama," which 

recently entered its second year at the Warner 

Theatre, will be succeeded by the second 

Cinerama process feature, "Cinerama Holiday," 

February 16. 

Maple, Blue Dell Drive 

Wilkinsburg, Merged 

PITTSBURGH—The Maple Drive-I 

(C. I. Taylor, president; Max Arnol 

president; Jack Klein, treasurer, ar 

Judd, secretary) announce a merger v 

Blue Dell Drive-In, operated by As 

Drive-In Theatres (Norbert Stern anc 

Stern) who will buy, book and dir 

policy of both theatres with the coo] 

of Bert M. Stearn of Cooperative 

Service. Both outdoor theatres are 

on Route 30 between Wilkinsburg ani 

Each theatre will handle its own 

operation. 

Plans are to operate the Blue D« 

12-month basis, and to increase the 

capacity to 1,100 cars. 

Manos Joins Airer Rar 

By Allentown Purchase 

GREENSBURG. PA.—The 

Manos 

which debated the drive-in situatio 

decade, has joined the ranks of outdo 

ators and. according to Ted Mane 

president, has purchased the majorit 

est in the Super Skyway Drive-In 

Corp., operators of the Super Skj 

Allentown. Sol Shocker, a corporatio: 

holder, will retain his interest and v 

tmue as manager. The Super Skywi 

a 1,000-car capacity, was the fir, 

equipped for stereophonic sound v, 

two-speaker Motiograph system. 

Improvements will be made at thi 

town ozoner before the opening of 

i 

season, tentatively set for March 15, 

Shuts Bradford, Pa., U 

BRADFORD, PA.—Dipson's Bradfc 

atre has closed and Shea's Theatre v 

for fulltime operation, according to 

W. Cannon, manager of the three loc 

tres. Shea's was recently renovat 

newly equipped. Cannon said there 

no change in the operating policies 

McKean Theatre. He said that th( 

was decided upon because of the high 

ing costs of the Bradford. Former 

aged by the Dipson circuit, the three 

here now are managed under dire 

Shea's Theatres. 

Pittsburgh Guild to Arl 

PITTSBURGH— S. Ralph Green, p) 

of the new Guild Theatre, 1922 Mun 

nue. Squirrel Hill, is receiving ma 

gratulations from members of the tri 

theatre is the former Beacon, co 

renovated and remodeled with vari' 

fixtures, equipments and appointme 

augurating the Guild Theatre policy 

tinctive entertainment was "Rom 

Juliet." 

New Airer Named Woodland 

PITTSBURGH—The 1,000-car ai: 

under construction in West Mifflin 

will be known as the Woodland, a 

to George Tice, indoor and outdoor < 

and a veteran former film salesre 

manager here who is one of the o\ 

the new ozoner which will be open 

in the spring. 

Nunnally Johnson has been assignee 

duce, direct and write "Can Can" f 

Fox release. 

38 BOXOFFICE Januar

— 

MUSIC FASHIONS DOMINATE 

SHOW BUSINESS' MATERIAL 

Special Platters, Mailing Pieces, Women's and Men's 

Wear Accessories Available for 

There's considerable exploitation ammunition 

available for use by exhibitors in 

their campaigns for 20th-Fox's Cinema- 

Scope production of "There's No Business 

Like Show Business." 

The sextet of top singers and dancers 

Ethel Merman, Donald O'Connor, Marilyn 

Monroe, Dan Dailey, Johnnie Ray and 

Mitzi Gaynor—perform to the music of 14 

songs written by Irving Berlin, and ten 

popular numbers are used for background 

tunes; consequently, music promotion will 

rate first consideration. 

The voices of five of the picture's stars 

Miss Merman, O'Connor, Dailey, Ray and 

Miss Gaynor—are heard in the soimdtrack 

album recorded by Decca (DL 8091k A 

variety of mailing pieces has been sent to 

dealers, distributors and the trade plus 

special ads, window cards, banners, plug 

cards, and other merchandising material 

for every kind of store display and promotion. 

Department and music stores can be 

urged to cooperate in advance of opening 

via windows, continuous play of the record 

and newspaper ads. A photo of the five 

stars may be had on Still No. 904/130 and 

the silhouetted figures will make effective 

blowups for many decorative effects. Sheet 

music of three new songs introduced In the 

picture *r Nam* 

Mats of advertisements for the trade hoi 

mailed to all outlets along with window, 

and tie-in accessories as part of the Natlyni 

dress promotion on the picture. Note the sf 

theatre name and ploydate. 

20-second and the other a e0-secon( 

with the last scene in a stop-actioi 

lor the station to superimpose pla 

theatre credits. Specify picture pl£ 

day for TV campaign and name of i 

when ordering from the Pressbook 

the first half year of the picture 

at the above address. 

TV slides or Telops for shared : 

identification or a general spot are 

able from the vender. Trailers and 

may be combined for variation in T 

motions. 

A complete line of dresses inspii 

costumes worn in the film has been 

factured by Natlynn Originals, a 1 

designer of women's wear, and thi; 

chandise has been distributed nat: 

for 

mg 

tie-in availability with playdate 

Promotion kits have been distribu 

the manufacturer's representative: 

dealers and duplicates will be fur 

showmen upon request to Gerry G( 

Director of Advertising and Pu 

Natlynn Originals, 1375 Broadway 

York. 

To back this all-out promotion. N 

has sent its dealers a wide variety of 

sories including scripts and recordir 

radio-TV programs; a musically 1 

sales pitch for store fashion shows o: 

theatre-Natlynn co-op display; a i 

mail stuffers: 500.000 hang tags; 

counter cards; 50.000 cardboard 

Enlargements of the stars shown above in still No. 904 138 can be cut out for disploy purposes, as 

suggested in the promotion story. Ad Mat 5A, shown in the pressbook, is a reproduction of this scene. 

5.000 ad mats with 8.000 reproofs f 

terior display; 5,000 window stream( 

the items bearing picture credits 

60,000 sets of glossies for tie-in d 

tions. National advertising is lau: 

the campaign the beginning of 1955 

Natlynn outlets will be very will 

arrange co-op stunts such as fashion 

contests, etc., timed best for local ei 

ments of the picture. 

Westbrooke, leader in men's styl 

— 8 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser Jan.

; to 

, when 

Id O'Connor suit in namerchandising 

and protion 

with local playdates 

national contests have 

offering a free trip to 

lid O'Connor's guest, to 

^wspaper ads for local 

11 credits, and the other 

ition, with winning merf. 

S. savings bonds as 

sse affairs is designed to 

•ectly on the local playinformation 

write: S. E. 

îfth Ave., New York, 

in Cinemascope is obthe 

20th-Fox exchanges. 

nt style production trail- 

1 order, with the regular 

nd scene stills, from Nai 

on Recording 

Exhibitors 

jrding of the most popucolor 

opera film "Aida" 

by IFE Releasing Corp. 

; and for radio-TV plugs. 

includes six arias taken 

jundtrack and featuring 

led Italian opera stars. 

;be Stignani. Gino Bechi 

record is part of an 

1 kit which contains inthe 

production of the 

a detailed description of 

aterial has been planned 

)articularly of advantage 

d on programs that deal 

ssical music. 

1 Buildings 

t' 1-Sheets 

ige of a bunch of conbeing 

removed for a new 

[anager Mike Stranger 

leets and approximately 

plaster the area for 

3 Plymouth in 'Worcester, 

igs are in the busiest sec- 

;housands of autoists and 

message. 

lerous window tieups with 

hion, jewelry and men's 

a teenage radio program 

eatre tickets as prizes in 

vspiapers used three two- 

11s along with stories on 

\n Theatre 

manager of the Empress 

:. Conn., engendered a lot 

the theatre was 

benefit vaudeville show 

rwalk Elks lodge. 

•.Ad 

sr.. manager of the Warorrington. 

Conn., recently 

)ersonal endorsement type 

Waterfront." The teaser 

ng My Way With Brass 

10,000 GIFTS COLLECTED FOR KID SHOW 

SPONSORED BY 23 

LOCAL MERCHANTS 

Murray Spector Executes Popular Civic Holiday 

Event at Englewood, N.J., Plaza 

A very special promotion that rates the 

attention of all showmen was the recent 

holiday morning show planned and executed 

by Manager 

Murray Spector of 

the Plaza Theatre 

with the enthusiastic 

cooperation of 23 

merchants of Englewood. 

N. J. These 

dealers first defrayed 

the cost of the show, 

with each receiving 

an allotment of 65 

tickets which they 

Murray Spector distributed at the 

store. All the young- 

.sters had to do was come to the store with 

either their mother or dad and pick up a 

free ticket; no purchase was required. An 

advance screen trailer and lobby board 

listed the participating merchants. 

After these details were settled, Spector 

really got busy. Approximately 10,000 gifts 

were promoted for distribution at the special 

show. They weren't overly expensive 

but they were many, and each kid who 

attended the affair went home with several 

gifts, such as jumbo pencils, large balloons, 

skip ropes, ruler and iiencil sharpener combinations, 

whistles, snappers, comic books 

and hundreds of other gadgets. 

Local dealers 

also contributed major prizes of 20 

pieces of wearing apparel, five cash certificates, 

two combination sleds and skis, ten 

15 -pound turkeys and four flash cameras. 

As a more or less dessert topper, the NBC 

Bread Co. contributed 1,400 cakes and an 

additional 2.000 gifts. 

One of the merchants bought a block of 

tickets for the boys of a local orphanage, 

who paraded through the business section 

of town the morning of the show to the 

rhythms of the school band. Usherettes 

dressed in promoted costumes accompanied 

the boys carrying signs thanking the merchants 

for the show. A police car escort 

led the way and the Blue Coach Co. provided 

transportation for school officials. 

Spector also marched in the parade and 

made arrangements .so five turkeys from 

the local Pood Fair market were presented 

to the orphanage. The large amount of 

gifts made an impressive display in the 

theatre lobby. 

Announcements were made on a local 

radio station while both newspapers carried 

publicity for three weeks and featured 

follow'-up stories on the event. All of the 

merchants involved were delighted with the 

promotion and have already begun planning 

bigger ones for the future. 

Strong Co-Op Lineup for Romeo and Juliet' 

Up to this point there's over one-half 

dozen co-op merchant promotions, all of 

them backed by strong magazine and newspaper 

advertisements, which will help 

launch national release dates for United 

Artists' "Flomeo and Juliet." 

Pull-page ads in Look and Seventeen, 

placed by the manufacturers of Art carved 

wedding rings, will carry picture credits. 

Counter and window displays will be made 

mandiser : : Jan. 8, 1956 — 9 — 

available for thousands of retail dealers. 

A "Romeo and Juliet" contest, sponsored 

by Miriam Modes, manufacturers of wedding 

gowns, will award ten complete brides 

and bridesmaids ensembles to persons writing 

the best letters on "the most romantic 

experience of my life." Running for six 

months, the competition will be coordinated 

with local playdates. The film also will 

benefit through newspaper and radio-TV 

promotion plus further support through 

point-of-sale displays in more than 4.500 

department and women's stores carrying 

the Miriam line. 

Bear & Beards will initiate dealer-sponsored 

newspaper ads featuring B&B's 

"Romeo and Juliet" inspired jackets and 

jeweled scarfs. Counter cards and hang 

tags for this merchandise will further emphasize 

this nationwide promotion. 

"Romeo and Juliet" dolls, by Madame 

Alexander, will be featured in leading toy 

and department stores with picture credits 

on the box of the specially packaged dolls. 

The manufacturer is also reaching consumers 

through the circulation of 250.000 

mailed brochures. 

Streamers and window displays of scene 

stills and local playdate announcements 

will be shown in 6.000 florists shops, all 

of the Teleflora wired delivery service. 

Palter EteLiso shoes, Betmar hats and 

Caldfron belts will display their "Romeo 

and Juliet" lines in women's apparel and 

millinery shops and department and shoe 

stores, with all advertising material carrying 

full credits. Replicas of goblets, decanters 

and figurines seen in the film, are 

being made by Camer Decorative Glass, 

their sale backed by counter cards and large 

store window displays. 

The male trade will be reached through 

the promotion of "Romeo and Juliet" 

cigars, tieing in with playdates via counter 

displays in cigar and pipe stores with the 

copy: "The Ultimate in Smoking," with 

•The Ultimate in Motion Picture Entertainment."

. . . Delight 

EFFECTIVE MARQUEE USE OF 24-SHEET 

Pictured above are two effective marquee treotments on "A Star Is Born" that may serve as inspiration 

on other ploydates of the picture. In the left photo, the cutout portrait of Judy Garland from the 

24 sheet poster, mounted and spotlighted, proved an attention-getter at the Warner Theatre in 

Reading, Pa. The transparent poster, illuminated from the rear, was used on the marquee sides (right 

photo) by Manager Morion G Havasta at the Towne Theatre, Milwaukee. 

WOMAN'S WORLD GETS STRONG PLAY 

CO-OP ADVERTISING PROMOTIONS 

IN 

Bill Wolfson, manager of the Paramount 

Theatre. Montgomery, Ala., garnered excellent 

coverage for "Woman's World" in 

every section of the press from classified 

to editorial. 

Wolfson secured the cooperation of the 

classified column editor of the Montgomery 

Advertiser in running a theatre ticket 

giveaway. Passes to the show were presented 

to recent want-ad users, whose 

names were listed in the column under a 

large scene mat from the film. 

Wolfson netted a six-column, pagelength 

ad carrying scene stills and co-op 

copy from the Pair, large department store. 

Headed "Since 1868. Women Piom All Parts 

of Alabama Have Found Montgomery Fair 

Their 'Woman's World.' " the ad plugged 

such products as furniture, men's wear and 

ladies' apparel under catchy captions such 

as, "Is your home your world? ... Is the 

way you look your world? ... Is your husband 

your world?" 

Another co-op ad. promoted through a 

local florist, made use of a mat showing 

Lauren Bacall with an attractive floral display 

and copy read; "It's a Woman's World 

Your Woman of the World 

With Flowers Prom Rosemont Gardens." 

GOOD SPEAKERS 

are Drive-In Theatre 

Insurance 

Be safe and be ready 

Don't get caught short with bad speakers 

when opening day comes around. 

ORDER TODAY! 

Predated orders will mean delivery far aheod of 

opening day. 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. '!?.„'i:,rc'S.'Mr 

Dealer Co-Op Arranged 

For "Woman's World' 

For "Woman's World." Murray Spector 

of the Plaza Theatre. Englewood. N. J., 

and Evan Thompson of the Fox Theatre 

in Hackensack arranged with the local 

Lincoln Mercury dealers for a large co-op 

ad in the Bergen Evening Record, which 

ran for two days. The same deal appeared 

in the Press Journal, a weekly. In addition, 

the XM800 automobile used in the film was 

on display at the Teaneck Armory Industrial 

Exhibit with proper cards. 

Spector also had the XM800 displayed in 

his theatre and around town. 

front of 

Driving School Prints 

5,000 Heralds 

Arnold Kirsch extended preferential 

treatment to the women of the neighborhood 

when he booked "Woman's World" 

at the DeLuxe Theatre in the Bronx, N. Y. 

A local florist provided Kirsch with 300 

long-stemmed American Beauty roses, 

which were presented to the first 300 

women in line opening day. In return. 

Kirsch posted a handsome 40x60 in the 

lobby crediting the giveaway and plugging 

the "Woman's World" theme. A Bronx 

driving school agreed to print 5.000 tie-in 

heralds. Kirsch used a cut from the pressbook 

showing the stars standing around a 

new sports car. and inserted copy reading: 

It's a 'Woman's World' . . . that's why so 

many women are learning to drive every 

day. For your driving lessons, visit the 

DeLuxe Auto School for a 20 per cent discount." 

Ford and County Fair 

Arsist at Hackensack 

Heading Evan Thompson's energetic 

campaign for "Woman's World" at the 

Pox in Hackensack, N. J., was a solid twoway 

tie-in with the local Ford dealer and 

the Bergen County Exp)osition, held 

Teaneck Armory. The dealer display( 

XM800. which is seen in the film, 

prominent signs for the theatre ani 

ture. The dealer also bannered two 

new models and paraded them th 

town a week prior to opening. The 

new auto, with the film, rated a 

column art and story break in the 

press. Two four-column co-op ad 

were netted. 

Eight thousand heralds were distr 

among cars parked in the depai 

stores' parking lots. The Sears. Re 

& Co. store carried an ad for the p 

offering 150 tickets to the first sh 

making purchases in the electrical 

ance department. The ad was cai-ried 

store's catalog, which has a ciixulat 

50,000 in Hackensack and surroi 

towns. 

Thompson also tied in with the 

of Fifth Avenue Dress Shop, which fe 

an attractive display in its front sho 

and at the theatre lobby. Models w 

glamorous frocks posed next to signs 

ing: "It's a Woman's World and 

of Fifth Avenue is a Woman's Store! 

Bob Walker's Deal Aid; 

Newspaper and Theatr 

Bob Walker, manager of the Uinta! 

atre. F^'uita. Colo., has set up a coop' 

ticket giveaway with the town's new; 

which promises to boost subscriptic 

culation to the paper and in so doii 

Walker considerable more readers 

weekly theatre ad. The editor lists 

of nonsubscribers each day in the 

tied section, offering them passes 

theatre which may be picked up 

Times' office. Walker comments th 

deal has not only resulted in ne\ 

scribers. but in gaining new friends : 

theatre as well. 

Matinees 

Daily 

HELD 

OVER 

HIGH 

DRY 

"Very Possibly iha 

Funniest Picture to Date" 

—Time Magazine 

Feature -'tdS - : :40 - 9:.5i 

UNIVERSITY at PARK VCY 5-3 

A standout remodeling job and clever pre 

have increased grosses at the Capri Thei 

San Diego mony-fold. The house is owni 

directed by Burton I. Jones. Reproduced a 

a one-column sig-type ad which literally 

the page with only two inches." Jones a 

the same big C mat in two-column size 

on special occasions, since he now has th 

to bid for first run. Details of the remi 

program executed at the Capri Theatre b) 

Jones con be found on page 9 of the M( 

THEATRE, this issue. 

— 10 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: Jan

.• 

. . just 

ning Tieup 

11 Houses 

)wner and manager hopes 

perfect promotion—one 

y seat in his house. Well, 

theatre manager who has 

> task. He is Robert Marhe 

Shaker Theatre, a unit 

circuit. 

up with a new specialty 

js assured not one full 

n his Thanksgiving Day 

T060R THE ROBOT THRILLS YOUNGSTERS 

IN THEATRE TIE-IN WITH TOY DEPT. 

Manager Ailing Makes Full Use of Studio Gadget 

the Howard men and 

ith 

aker Heights which was 

)ening by playing host to 

nding the holiday dual 

child was admitted free 

shop picked up the tab. 

gsters got free entertain- 

5 of all the children got 

le new Howard men and 

-heatre management was 

ce of better than average 

sponsor got not only the 

) the goodwUl of the enhts 

community. 

Auto Snipes 

ar Window' 

tidow" at Schine's Glove 

r. Y., Manager John Corbrilliant 

red and white 

pes reading, "If you can 

your brakes ! ! You're too 

ar Window'!! See 'Rear 

imes Stewart and Grace 

e Theatre starting Satur- 

5 ad a drugstore boosted 

vith copy headed, "Look! 

lie to believe your eyes!" 

ne mat showing Jimmy 

" at the listed bargains 

copic camera. A local 

1 scene depicting a glass 

with a large X and the 

IThen X marks the spot 

)ws . call Pulton 

arks, for 'rear' windows, 

house windows." 

Manager Mark Ailing of the Golden 

Gate Theatre in San Francisco worked up 

an ingenius tie-in with a local department 

store that might well be copied in other 

situations by showmen who plan to book 

"Tobor the Great." Ailing seciu'ed a mechanical 

model of "Tobor" from Republic 

Studios three weeks in advance of opening. 

"Tobor" was on display in the lobby 

for ten days in order to become acquainted 

with patrons, who were visibly impressed 

with his flashing eyes and gleaming aluminum 

seven-foot frame. 

The Emporium, one of the city's largest 

department stores, tied in "Tobor" with 

a small robot featiu-ed in their toy department. 

A large-space co-op ad in the 

Sunday edition of the Examiner announced 

that "the monster robot would break out 

of the Golden Gate Theatre" and bring 

his little robot friend to the store for a 

visit with the kiddies. In addition to the 

ad. signs were posted throughout the store 

plugging the stunt and playdate. 

The toy, named Robert, was boosted considerably 

by the tie-in and sales zoomed 

during and after Tobor's visit. A man inside 

of Tobor propelled the robot down 

Market street at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, 

attracting throngs of children and 

engaging the attention of innumerable 

shoppers in the busy area. At the store, 

Tobor's mechanism was set to "talk" with 

small fry for approximately two hours. 

Several days later, Tobor again went out 

for a stroll, this time in connection with 

the appearance of Rex Allen, a former 

Republic cowboy star who was in town for 

the annual livestock show. 

Over 350 children eagerly flocked around 

the robot and Allen, and three of the city's 

newspapers covered the event. Gratis radio 

plugs for both stunts were made over 

local stations, and Ailing garnered a total 

of 20 art and story breaks in the press 

during the picture's run. 

tice on Stage 

11 Houses 

:lng contest puffed Bill 

on "Seven Brides for 

at the Brantford (Ont.> 

and delighted the capacturned 

out opening night 

petition. A cash prize of 

the best dancing set in 

rant County. Large-space 

ged the contest and plcthat 

the winning group, 

Junior Farmers, were so 

sre signed to exhibit their 

reels at the Royal Winter 

The local paper featured 

rt and story break on the 

mandiser Jan. 8, 1955 

SCHOOLS ASSIST AFRICA ADVENTURE' 

School boards in different communities 

have lent their aid in promoting "Africa 

Adventure." 

In Cincinnati, the Hyde Park Art Theatre 

screened the documentary film for city and 

county school principals and teachers. 

Later the school heads gave their permission 

for arranging school theatre parties 

at discoiuit rates on school time. In addition, 

students were transported to and 

trom the theatre by school buses. 

A gag-line contest was conducted in the 

Cincinnati Post for seven consecutive days. 

Each day a photo of an African animal 

was reproduced and entrants were asked 

to furnish humorous captions. A week 

prior to op)ening, KRC-TV featured a still 

11 — 

frotn the film showing author Robert 

Ruark holding the tusks of an elephant 

he shot. Televiewers guessing the weight 

of the tusks were awarded promoted prizes 

from local merchants. 

The Little Theatre in Washington secured 

the cooperation of the board of education, 

which distributed 25,000 discount 

tickets to the student body. 

The Washington Daily News devoted two 

full pages to photos and stories about the 

Robert Ruark safari. 

The Denver board of education also distributed 

student discount tickets throughout 

the school system for the showing at 

the Aladdin Theatre. A jigsaw puzzle In 

the Rocky Mountain News ran eight days.

I 1(S~ 

17 

f 

saaRBBSiwaia^^ 

BOXOFFICE 

Manager John S. Falco was quick to 

take advantage of a lucky coincidence and 

came up with a street bally that had the 

townspeople not only laughing for days but 

also pouring into the Majestic Theatre, 

Beloit. Wis., to see "White Christmas." 

Bob Hope was in town for a personal appearance 

at Beloit College and played to 

a sellout crowd, several thousand of them 

from out of town. Palco got permission 

for one of his ushers to picket the college 

auditorium with a sandwich sign reading: 

"Bob Hope unfair to Bing Crosby in 'White 

Christmas' at the Majestic." Not only did 

the visitors get the message but Hope 

joined in with the gag and posed with the 

usher, grimacing as he i>ointed to Crosby's 

name. The newspapers ran the photo the 

next day and the following Sunday attendance 

broke the house record. 

Phil Zeller had planned a more or less 

over-all promotion for "The Human 

Jungle" when an incident occurred that 

gave him an opportunity for concentrating 

his campaign on a single gimmick. Someone 

stole the U-foot cutout of Jan Sterling 

which he had placed in front of the Garden 

Theatre at Portsmouth, Ohio, where he is 

city manager. ZeUer immediately ran an 

ad offering a $25 reward for Information 

NOVEMBER 1954 

cENTymri 

OAKVILLE 

NUGGETS 

leading to the arrest and conviction of the 

thief, which gave him an excellent opening 

for drawing attention to the feature. His 

tcngue-in-cheek approach caught the fancy 

of the local radio stations and newspapers, 

resulting 

in some excellent publicity. 

A new twist in selling gift books was put 

into action by Harry Wiener, city manager 

for Schine's Oswego iN. Y.i Theatre, who 

contacted local parishioners to purchase 

them as gifts for their altar boys. If the 200 

books sold. 50 each were bought by two of 

the churches in town. 

Gov. Lee E. Emerson of Vermont mailed 

styro foam snowballs to newspaper and 

the tradepress editors with an enclosed 

broadside tieing in "White Christmas" and 

a plug for the New England state. Ai-- 

ranged by the Vermont Development Commission, 

the governor's card accompanied 

the small gift with the institutional ad 

copy reading: "For tops in screen entertainment, 

see Irving Berlin's 'White Christmas.' 

For tops in winter vacations, come 

to snow-covered Vermont." 

Not only did George Cameron, manager 

of Schine's Vernon Theatre, Mount Vernon, 

Ohio, sell six theatre gift ticket books, 

with a promise of more, to the president 

of the local Chamber of Commerce, but he 

also got front page publicity by persuading 

him to use them as awards to persons 

catching jaywalkers. The idea originated 

from the President's proclamation of Safe 

Driving Day recently and the newspaper 

story told how gift ticket books would be 

given to persons spotting and reprimanding 

the safety offenders. 

Andy McDonald. Connecticut district 

manager for Brandt theatres, worked out 

a nice deal with a local music store to promote 

"A Star Is Born" at the Palace in 

Stamford, All ticket stubs to the theatre 

were worth 75 cents toward the purchase 

of the record album of music from the 

picture when presented at the store. 

•UBJICT TO 

CBAHOIWinocT 

onci 

TUESDAV WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATWDAV 

TQansazi 

SRUIW Xm m W WiDt 

SCREWr 

hÂbwGONE WITHTHE WIND" ''"'""Ja^ 

I 18 

^^THS BIO AS THE OCEAN 

FERREBiÎoHNSONlj;^! 

23 1 Z4 

16 

m 

I XL 

CAESAR 

PEC, lit 

HowToM^RHY 

\ IVIlUJONAIRE #g

. . . and 

. . George 

Exploitable 

lâgazines 

issue of Seventeen pree 

of the Month award 

ig Circus," VistaVision 

Ting Dean Martin and 

ntertainment editor Ed 

at "Jerry displays still 

f his remarkable talents 

:s as a classic circus 

ings 'Hey Puchinello.' " 

ewed in the December 18 

elude Paramount's "The 

iiTing Bing Crosby, Grace 

a Holden, and Jesse Zun- 

!^rosby is one of the most 

for the year's best dra- 

;e. Zunser also notes that 

y-Holden team "comes 

ose to theatrical perfecto 

be seen on screen in 

viewed in this issue are 

ness Like Show Business" 

)X) and "Game of Love," 

released through Times 

r December 20 reviews 

p in My Heart," MGM's 

ohy of famed composer 

berg with stars Jose 

•leu Traubel; UA's relian-made 

"Romeo and 

vard winner at Venice, 

chcomber." British rernerset 

Maugham story. 

Robert Newton and 

Florence Somers has sey's 

"20,000 Leagues Under 

Picture of the Month in 

sue of Bedbook. Miss 

,s that the Jules Verne 

issic has been made into 

;alistic film. Three other 

n this issue are "Deep in 

I 

A. . "Sign of the Pagan" 

, of Pate" lUAi. 

•ed special copies of its 

h a cover notation calling 

advertising insert on "So 

-I's Technicolor musical, 

ns were mailed to exhibir'ers 

and bookers around 

atures two different 

January issue, one of 

ce Kelly and a "Do-Itoon. 

Readers will be 

te their preference in a 

ers $150 in prize money 

g closest to estimating 

? for one or the other 

>sue of Compact features 

Jerry Lewis on the cover 

lustra ted article by Jerry 

ledy team's off-and-on- 

Tiandiser : : Jan. 

National Pre-Selling Guide 

A report on new films for which national pre-selling 

campaigns have been developed. 

Listed with each picture ore tie-ins which have been created, plus tips 1o exhibitors 

on how to use these pre-selling aids to exploit the picture locally. 

TARGET EARTH AA 

Pmnu .Nkws Fi..\shes: News-type bulletins, 

measuring 14x22, are available free from Allied 

Artists exchanges. These may be used on newsstands, 

un library and school bulletin boards, 

anil pLued in hotel lobbies, bus and railroad 

stations to attract attention to the film and 

local 

playdate, 

I'liK.i; Kadio Disk: A gratis transcription, ranging 

from 10-second chain breaks to one minnle 

spots, is available from -Allied Artists 

Kxploitation Dept., -1376 Sunset Drive, Hollyv\ood 

27, Calif. 

\ctiiSsoRiics: A composite ad-publicity campaign 

mat (.Special Mat No. 1, priced at 35c), 

all other ad mats, posters and lobby cards may 

be ordered from National Screen. 

WEST OF ZANZIBAR 

U-l 

I 

\li sm:: The title song lias been recorded by 

\iithony Steele, star of the film, and released 

in this country by MGM Records. In addition 

Columbia Records is distributing a disk recorded 

by The Mariners, vocal group appearing 

on the .Arthur Godfrey Show, and under 

he London label the number has been sung by 

ihi- Johnston Brothers. Sheet music has been 

published by the Leeds Music Co., and title 

sheets on the song are available for window, 

Icdiby and counter displays. 

\h;wsi'Ai'Kii Serialization: Universal offers a 

free 7,.S00 word serialization of the film for a 

five installment newspaper series. Exhibitors 

should select five scene stills to accompany 

llie story and one to herald in advance the 

scries. Order Zanzibar Mimeographed Newspaper 

Serialization from U-I Exploitation 

i.'ept., +t.S Park Ave., New York 22. 

(iiii.uRi.NG -Mat: A three-column elephant coloring 

mat which may be used as a newspaper 

oiliest or imprinted on a throwaway is available 

from LI-I's exploitation department at 

ilie above address. 

Stoky-in-pictures: A set of six-column cariiion 

strips which can be run daily in local 

newspapers or imprinted on large-siê throwaways 

for distribution through merchants, may 

also be ordered from Universal's exploitation 

lepartment. 

SruiAi. DrnmATivE Xccessories: Jungle back- 

screen life. Their latest collaboration is 

Paramount's "Three Ring Circus" in 

VistaVision and Technicolor. 

Jack Palance, on the cover of the 

January 2 Sunday picture magazine. 

Parade, embodies the characteristics of 

the current trend toward rugged male 

stars, according to the two-page feature 

on "Women Love Hollywood's 

Tough Guys." The article explains 

tliat women are intrigued by the tough 

guy with an "interesting" face and 

that a rugged personality captures 

their hearts more than an Adonis profile. 

Pictures of Marlon Brando, Kirk 

Douglas. Burt Lancaster and others 

are used to illustrate this new look in 

leading men. 

8. 1955 — 13 — 

ground paper which can be effectively used 

f

BOXOFFICE 

6AR0MET 

This chart records the performance of current attractions in the opening week of their first runj 

the 20 key cities checked. Pictures with fewer than five engagements ore not listed. As new r 

are reported, rotings are added and averages revised. Computation is in terms of percentage 

relation to normal grosses os determined by the theatre managers. With 100 per cent as "normi 

1

AND VIEWS OF THE PRODUCTION CENTER 

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

-Busch Buys 

'V Series 

Anheuser-Busch Co. has 

anion Runyon Theatre." a 

jm Screen Gems. Columy. 

It will be handled as a 

ction series, with Screen 

:e and also to syndicate in 

by Anheuser-Busch. "The 

lieatre" will begin telecastic, 

owners of the California 

hed an expansion progi-am 

!e new sound stages are 

bringing to 11 the number 

on a rental basis for TV 

uilding blueprints also call 

ices, two projection rooms, 

room, makeup and wardnation 

department, 14 new 

sound-dubbing department 

all. Gross-Kj-asne will utithe 

facilities for its own 

Leisen makes his telefilm 

I 

id-In Wife," a half-hour 

''red MacMurray, which Z. 

II produce for the General 

series. Penned by Joseph 

e shot on the Republic lot. 

orth Slated 

lumbia Films 

-Although at midweek deletion 

had not been made 

studio spokesmen affirmed 

th, who last appeared for 

'Mi.ss Sadie Thompson," is 

in an additional two picr 

will be "Joseph and His 

udgeted Biblical drama, 

iduced by Jerry Wald and 

m Dieterle, probably on lo- 

• 

Land. 

e of MPRF Cards 

-Representing a gain of 

vious year, Motion Picture 

Lstmas card sales reached 

high of 113.000 during the 

it was reported by Lucille 

•man. Proceeds go into the 

;o aid the needy of the film 

g maintenance of a wela 

country house and a hosf 

the card sale was handled 

Dlicity directors committee 

lotion Picture Producers. 

PLAQUE TO CURTIZ — Megaphonist 

Michael Curtiz poses on the set at Paramount 

studio with the BOXOFFICE Blue 

Ribbon Award bestowed upon him when 

"White Christnuis," the Irving Berlin 

musical which he directed for producer 

Robert Emmett Dolan at Paramount, was 

hailed by the National Screen Council as 

the "best picture for the whole family" to 

go into release during November 1954. 

Curtiz currently is directing "The Vagabond 

King" for the same studio. 

Bel-Air's 'Desert Sands' 

Will Be in CS and Color 

HOLLYWOOD—CinemaScope and DeLuxe 

color treatment will be accorded "Desert 

Sands," Bel-Air Productions entry for United 

Artists release, which rolls early next month 

with Lesley Selander directing. 

Ralph Meeker and Maria English have the 

starring spots in the French Foreign Legion 

action drama, produced by Aubrey Schenck 

and Howard W. Koch. 

G. Johnson Joins Wallis 

HOLLYWOOD—New publicity director for 

Hal Wallis Pi-oductions is Grady Johnson, 

former Hollywood columnist and newspaperman 

who has been a member of various studio 

praisery staffs during the past several years. 

Johnson succeeds Gene Brooks, who had been 

handling the Wallis publicity chores on a 

temporary basis. 

Borrows Jane Russell 

HOLLYWOOD—Producer Howard Welsch 

has borrowed Jane Russell from Howard 

Hughes, to whom the actress is under personal 

contract, to star in "Portofino," which 

Welsch will film independently beginning in 

April. A release will be negotiated later for the 

Technicolor adventure drama, based on a 

story by Berne Giler. 

Film Council Condemns 

Charity Duplication 

HOLLYWOOD—Which organization has 

the jurisdiction over charity solicitations in 

the television film field was thrown up for 

grabs when on Tuesday i4i, acting on behalf 

of the Motion Picture Permanent Charities 

Committee, the Hollywood AFL Film Council 

pas.sed a lengthy resolution condemning 

Radio-Television-Recording -Advertising 

Charities. Inc., for assertedly infringing upon 

the PCC's domain. 

The film council's resolution charged that 

duplication of fund raising efforts in the TV 

film field has "caused confusion and a sub- 

.stantial loss in subscriptions" since "many 

donors refuse to give to either organization." 

Calling it an intolerable situation, the AFL 

group urged that the sponsors of filmed TV 

shows bring the matter to the attention of 

telefilm firms which are not making PCC 

charity deductions as requested by their employes 

or who are not permitting PCC solicitations 

for new donors on their lots. 

Subsequent to the passage of the film council's 

resolution, an official of RTRAC was 

quoted as calling the action "unjustified." 

Mendes-France's Life to Be 

Prepared for CBS-TV 

HOLLYWOOD—As an entry on its 

Climax 

show, sponsored by Chrysler, CBS has signed 

Bernard Girard to script "Escape," a onehour 

TV dramatization of the World War 

II experiences of Pierre Mendes-France, 

French premier, who will personally tape the 

narration. 

• * • 

United Productions of America has been 

commissioned to turn out a five-minute animated 

film, in color, by the Health Information 

Foundation. It will be distributed to television 

and in educational markets to point 

up the value of health insurance. 

Award to Danny Kaye 

HOLLYWOOD-Por his 

work as ambassador-at-large 

for the United Nations International 

Children's Fund, Danny Kaye has 

been selected by the Denver Hospital and 

Sanatorium as recipient of the Institution's 

Humanitarian of the Year for 1954 award. 

Previously honored have been Mrs. Eleanor 

Roosevelt. Dore Schary, George Jessel, Paul 

G. Hoffman and Drew Pearson. The presentation 

will be made March 20 at a $100-aplate 

Humanitarian dinner event at the 

Beverly HilLs Hotel. Don Hartman, Paramount 

executive producer, is chairman of the 

dinner arrangements committee. 

nuary 8, 1955 39

was 

iSom 

Blurbers 

STUDIO PERSONNELITIES 


PAUL PRICE, former radio-TV editor for the 

recently defunct Daily News, wos engaged as unit 

pubhcibt on "Wichita." 

Cleffers 

Independent 

The Hugo Haas production, "Hold Bock Tomorrow " 

15 being scored by SIDNEY CUTNER. 

Republic 

Score for "The Admiral Hoskins Story" will be 

composed and conducted by ELMER BERNSTEIN- 

Universal-Intemational 

FRANK SKINNER is composing the background 

music for "The Shrike " 

Songs for "The Second Greatest Sex" will be penned 

by PONY SHERRELL ond PHIL MOODY. 

Meggers 

Columbia 

Producer Som Katzman booked FRED F, SEARS to 

pilot "Joil Bait," drama of juvenile delinquency, soon 

to go before the cameras. 

Paramount 

MICHAEL CURTIZ will direct the Irving Asher 

production, "The Mavericks," an outdoor action drama 

which IS scheduled to hit the sound stages in March. 

Broadway stage director ROBERT LEWIS will make 

his bow OS a film pilot on "Anything Goes " tunefilm 

starring Bing Crosby, Donald O'Connor ond 

Jeanmoire, which Robert Emmeft Dolan will produce. 

Universal-International 

"The Navy Gets Francis," next in the comedy series 

'^^ "talking mule," will be directed 

r°, id'Î by ARTHUR 

LUBIN. 

Warner Bros. 

STUART HEISLER was signed to direct "The 

Jagged Edge," crime drama starring Jack Palance 

which Willis Goldbeck will produce in CinemaScope 

and WornerColor. 

Options 


VERA MILES was inked for the femme lead opposite 

Joel McCrea in "Wichita," which is being produced 

in CinemaScope by Walter Mirisch, with Jocaues 

Tourneur directing. 

WALTER SANDE, 

rr,Â'ô''o,'^?:5Y^5- 

ROBERT WILKE, 

EDGAR BUCHANAN and JACK ELAM drew supporting 

roles in "Wichita." 

KEITH LARSEN was booked for a topline in the 

Joel McCrea starrer, "Wichita," being directed by 

Jacques Tourneur and produced in CinemoScope by 

Walter Mirisch. 

lEAMMc 

^°" 9''''" '" "Wichita" 

^'ca'^k'!"" 

went to 

JEANNE DEAN and ANNA NAVARRO. 

Columbia 

*'^"- C/.REY will team with Von Heflin and Joan 

>», 

Woodward m Copo Productions' "The Calico Pony " 

which will be lensed in CinemaScope and Technicolor 

with George Sherman directing and Ted Richmond 

as the producer. 

r ^V, '?/, '!}E '°Pj'r"^ '1 producer Fred Kohlmor's "The 

Gentle Wolfhound," which Richard Murphy will direct 

on location in Tokyo, was ALDO RAY. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

British actor WILLIAM TRAVERS was cast with 

Ava Gardner and Stewart Granger in producer Pandro 

s. Hermans Bhowani Junction," which George Cukor 

will direct on location in Pakistan. 

Paramount 

Broadway dancer PHYLLIS NEWMAN was signed 

for Q role in the VistoVision musical, "The Voga- 

^Tft 

?' '"""9 *^

1 rights 

I 

on 

ims Starts 

Schedule 

Screen Gems entered upon 

1 season with more writers 

;ripts than ever before in 

i history. Six different 

34 half-hour subjects, are 

25 scriveners. The output 

entures of Rin Tin Tin, 

rheatre, Celebrity Theatre. 

It and You Can't Take It 

heatre series, May Wynn, 

se. has been set to co-star 

1 in "Garrity's Sons." folft'ill 

take off to attend the 

istival. 

* * * 

)tion pictures to TV. Wilof 

the actor, has joined 

;ion as coordinator of pro- 

He was. at one time, an 

at Universal-International 

le staff of the late Leonard 

mic Pictures. 

* * * 

itrols of Communications 

topic of George C. McConrman 

of the Federal Comlission, 

when he addressed 

ng of the Southern Call- 

's 

Ass'n. 

1 Distribute 

(11 Starrers 

Lippert Pictures has acto 

two Jon Hall 

ngth theatrical versions of 

the "Rama of the Jungle" 

;d by Leon Promkess of 

Sangoland." toplining Hall 

mery and Marjorie Lord, 

nationally Feb. 11. "Phan- 

:," with Hall, Montgomery 

s. will go out later in the 

Joins Jacobs' 

[tions Group 

•Jack Keller, personal press 

Dean Martin and Jerry 

\rthur Jacobs' independent 

continue to handle the 

publicity chores in addities 

with the Jacobs or- 

Star Wyman 

-Jane Wyman's next star- 

/arners will be "Miracle in 

ik P. Rosenberg production 

based on a love story by 

Iph Mate has been signed 

; film will begin shooting 

'Fortress' 

— Seventy - five clergymen 

; Church Federation of Los 

aests of Allied Artists at a 

ming of "The Mighty Fortry 

short subject starring 

Jraham, which AA is dlsilly. 

S OLD as motion pictures themselves 

is that ever-present, all-encompassing 

contribution thereto that is ambiguously 

termed independent production. The 

-so-called independent always has been and 

always will be a source of a considerable and 

necessary percentage of the world's celluloid 

entertainment. Volumes could be compiled 

about the history and significance of the unaffiliated 

filmmaker.s—big and little—whence 

they stemmed, into what they have developed, 

why some have survived and prospered down 

through the decades while others have fallen 

by the wayside. 

From such welter of often-contradictory 

industry progress one fact appears irrefutably 

established. The independent fabricator of 

screen fare requires, in order to succeed, two 

fundamental essentials—sufficient financing 

and unquestionable production knowhow. 

If these are to be accepted as constituting 

the keystone, seldom— if ever—has a venture 

in its field held more promise than the recently 

organized C. V. Whitney Pictiu-es, Inc. 

As was announced when the company was 

formed late in 1954, its destinies are being 

guided by Whitney, a leading industrialist 

who for the past two decades or more has 

been active in the field of motion picture 

bank rolling, and Merian C. Cooper, one of 

the trade's unchallenged top fabricators of 

movie entertainment, who is vice-president 

in charge of production. 

Quickly the Whitney organization began to 

build its manpower by inking megaphonist 

John Ford to a non-exclusive, three-picture 

pact under which his first assignment will be 

"The Searchers," a western novel by Alan 

LeMay. The signing of Ford, parenthetically, 

brings him and Cooper together in an association 

that is entirely separate from their 

other partnership, Argosy Pictures. In addition 

to "The Searchers," acquired for filming 

was "The American," an original by Cooper, 

which LeMay currently is scripting. 

Also coming into the company's fold were 

cinematographer Winton Hoch, music consultant 

Max Steiner and novelist Nancy Wilson 

Ross, the last named to function as story 

editor, while the firm's publicity and public 

relations were entrusted to the capable hands 

of Frank Perrett, well-regarded in the freelance 

praisery field. 

From which it becomes immediately and 

indisputably apparent that the newcomer to 

the independent rank.s has both of the abovementioned 

requisites in outsize do.ses. As to 

the adequate fiscal background, the "C. V." 

in the company handle stands for Cornelius 

Vanderbilt. Need more be said? And as 

concerns the knowhow front, it is impassible 

to conceive of a more impressive compilation 

of proven filmmaking experience than that 

w-hich is brought to the unit by Cooper, Ford 

and their associates. 

If the future of C. V. Whitney Pictures 

contains anything but .shining success, then 

indeed the lot of the independent producer 

is a dismal one. 

Cryptically concluding a HoUjrwood trade- 

paper obituary on the late James Hilton was 

the line, "No survivors." 

What with "Goodbye, Mr. Chips," 'Xost 

Horizons," "Mrs. Miniver" and other comparably 

sterling contributions to literature 

and the motion picture screen, author Hilton 

ha.s survivors that will be alive and bringing 

happine.ss and entertainment to the world 

for many years after the bereaved relatives 

of the average man have been long forgotten. 

On Universal-International's agenda of 

forthcoming features it a li'l number tagged 

'The Second Greatest Sex." 

It's about time that the magi of production 

progress by one grade. They've been making 

features about the first for more than 50 

years. Regardless, the Spring street books 

will lay eight to five that the opus suffers 

a title change before release time. 

For the past several years, while the economy 

pruningknife has hung over the publicity 

departments of the major studios, freelance 

press agentries have been springing into 

being behind virtually every bush in the 

Hollywoodlands. So the advent of still another 

normally rates but slight attention. 

When, however, the newcomer to the catch -ascatch-can 

space-snatching brigade concerns 

such widely known persons as Walter Compton 

and Duffy Cornell, the debut rates a stick 

of type. 

Compton has had a lengthy career as a 

drumbeater, having been, at various times, 

publicity director for Republic and United 

Artists, a member of Perry Lieber's staff at 

RKO Radio and president of the Publicists 

Guild. For the past several months he has 

been with Walter E. Kline & Associates, which 

public relations firm he will continue to represent. 

Cornell is one of the genuine oldtimers 

in the newspaper profession, his tenure 

including hitches with the Hearst organization 

in Chicago and Los Angeles as well as 

editorial service on theatrical tradepapers. 

If past performances, individ'ually or collectively, 

are indicative, C. & C. are dependable 

to cut considerable of a swath in the 

independent blurbery field. 

From those chronic name-garblers in Test 

Carle's Paramount praisery, a handout that 

informs, "Danny Kaye's pals, Willie Mays and 

Louis (sic) Durocher, visited him . the 

set . . . 

" 

Despite which he'll still be known as Leo 

back in Brooklyn. 

•'ac:tors are surprised to find 

plentv of fish in the ocean" 

—Joe Reddy-Disney Headline. 

What did they hexpect? Hostrich plumes? 

Confides a local keyholer: "Shirley Thomas. 

NBC glamor gal commentator, uses a rhinestone-studded 

microphone." 

And the comments are hardly pearls of 

wisdom. 

inuary 8, 1955 41

Producer-Director 

Directors Guild Distributes Achievement Awards 

Film pilots who were nominated for the annual Screen Directors Guild achievement awards in 1953 and the first nine montl; 

1954 received plaques in recognition of their work at a year-end ceremony at the SDG headquarters in Hollj-wood. 

In upper left photo, left to right, are Hank Potter, George Waggner. SDG President George Sidney. Virginia Grey (who acce 

on behalf of Daniel Mann), George Stevens, Stuart Heisler and Don Siegel. Potter and Waggner were cited for TV megaphoning sti 

IVIann was honored for the Hal VVallis-Paramount production, "Come Back, Little Sheba"; Stevens for Paramount's "Shane," 

Siegel for "Riot in Cell Block 11," a Walter Wanger production for Allied Artists. In right photo, William A. Wellman (left), hon 

for the WajTie-Fellows production for Warners, "The High and the Mighty," poses with Miss Grey and President Sidney, the 1 

named having been given a plaque for piloting MGM's "Young Bess." 

The strip below shows President Sidney presenting awards to (from left) : Fred Zinnemann, for "From Here to Eternity" (Col); . 

Negulesco, "Titanic" and "Three Coins in a Fountain" (20th-Fox) ; Henry Koster, "The Robe" (20th-Fox) ; Walter Lang, "Call 

Madame" (20th-Fox), and Robert Wise, "Executive Suite" (MGM). 

Washington Premiere 

For 'Long Gray Line' 

HOLLYWOOD — Columbia's "The Long 

Gray Line." Technicolor-CinemaScope drama 

of West Point, directed by John Ford, will 

be given its world premiere early next month 

at the RKO Keith's Theatre in Washington, 

it was jointly announced by Harry Cohn, 

Columbia president, and Sol A. Schwartz. 

RKO Theatres head. Produced by Robert 

Arthur. "Line" stars Tj'rone Power and Maureen 

O'Hara. 

* « » 

"Tlmberjack," which Republic filmed on 

location in Montana, will be given a dual 

world premiere at the Fox and Roxy theatres 

in Missoula February 4. Toplining Sterling 

Hayden. Vera Ralston and Adolphe Menjou. 

the action drama was lensed in Trucolor with 

Joe Kane as producer-director. Herbert J. 

Yates. Republic president, and Mrs. Yates 

iMi.ss Ralston I will head a contingent of 

film personalities attending the openings. 

Briskin Named Chairman 

For Jerusalem Festival 

HOLLYWOOD—Irving Briskin of Columbia's 

executive staff has been named production 

chairman for the Jerusalem Anniversary 

Festival, to be staged Thursday (13 > at 

the Shrine Auditorium. 

S'X.ecuiloe 

West: Adolph Zukor. chairman of the 

board of Paramount, arrived from New York 

for his annual winter visit. He plans a 

stay of several weeks, vacationing and conferring 

with studio officials. 

* * * 

East: 

Producer Walter Wanger and director 

Don Siegel will head for Gotham next 

week to scout talent for "The Body Snatchers." 

on which they are associated as their 

next venture for Allied Artists. 

* * « 

East: Don Hartman. Paramount executive 

producer. left for Manhattan for business 

conferences. 

* * * 

West: Completing a world tour, Yoshiaki 

Takana,shi. a director of Eiga Haikyu Co.. 

Ltd.. which distributes Allied Artists product 

in Japan, headed for his headquarters in 

Tokyo after a brief stopover here, during 

which he conferred with Steve Broidy, AA 

president, and other officials of the company. 

* * • 

East: Frederick Brisson. whose Independent 

Artists firm is producing "The Girl Rush" 

for Paramount distribution, left for New York 

on a quick business junket. Al.so heading for 

Gotham were Melville Shavelson and Jack 

Rose, who respectively directed and produced 

another Paramount release. "The Seven Little 

"^nxio^len^^ 

Foys." They took with them a print 

Bob Hope starrer for a sneak sho^ 

Manhattan. 

* « * 

East: Producer-Director Kurt N< 

planed out for Germany, where on 

day i20) he will begin camera work o 

of Rio," to be made in German and 

versions. He is due back in Hollywood i 

* * « 

East: Gilbert Kurland, Universal-I 

tional production manager, planed 

New York for two weeks of compan 

ness. 

* « * 

West : Otto Pre 

checked in for a brief stay before re 

to New York to continue preparations 

next film project, a biography of Indi: 

hatma Gandhi. 

« « * 

West: Director Mark Robson returnt 

a six-month stay abroad, during wl 

megged Warwick Pictures' "A Prize of 

a Richard Widmark starrer for C( 

release. 

East: 

* « • 

Megaphonist George Sidney, i 

from MGM to Columbia to pilot "Th 

Duchin Story," left for Gotham on a 

scouting hunt. 

42 BOXOFFICE :: Januarj

I after 

I 

Will Open 

Denver 

than 200 exhibitors in 

;ted to participate in three 

e held through two days 

;ek in the CosmopoHtan 

leries of MGM Ticket Selling 

held over the country 

Silver Glade room at 10 

morning, MGM will host 

)on between sessions. Pat 

mager for Cooper Foundamade 

reservations for all 

in Colorado, Lincoln, Neb., 

y- 

ors are invited to attend 

wn the local COMPO orfor 

state legislators and 

ials. This will be at noon 

ervations are necessary, 

iety Tent 37 will hold its 

ckets to the semiformal 

to 300. 

the Workshop should be 

iry FYiedel, MGM manager 

PO luncheon to Ed Pringle, 

id for the Variety dinner 

ix. Allied Artists manager, 

1, Paramount manager. 

Critics Give 

to 'Waterfront' 

CO—The local newspaper 

named their selections for 

Francisco Drama Critics 

the selections were some- 

1, it was agreed upon by 

nd theatremen alike that 

ar got their money's worth. 

e the advent of the many 

d the variety of product 

ront" was selected as the 

Runnerup was "Executive 

1 was "Carmen Jones" with 

r Seven Brothers" vying 

ird went to James Mason 

20.000 Leagues Under the 

Dandridge was chosen the 

r work in "Carmen Jones." 

liet" was honored as the 

foreign category. 

! council which made the 

FYed Johnson of the Call 

lodel of the News: Teresa 

le Oakland Tribune: Horthe 

Examiner: William 

and John Vickers of the 

Year With CS 

DA.—The Craigmont Thelew 

Year off with a bang. 

IS managed by Henry Philclosing 

temporarily 

Scope equipment. 

techeck Rests 

ORE.—M. W. Mattecheck, 

itre owner and former city 

uperating at home from a 

I which haspitalized him In 

— 

— 

—— 

'20,000 Leagues in Sensational Run 

With 300 in Second Denver Stanza 

DENVER—"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" 

followed its sensational 460 per cent opening 

here at the Denver with an equally phenomenal 

300 in its second week and appears to be 

breaking all records. "Deep in My Heart" also 

proved a good draw, racking up a sub.stantial 

225 in its initial stanza to take second po.sition 

for the week. With the exception of 

the latter, 

all local first runs were second week holdovers 

and all reported over average grosses. 

"There's No Business Like Show Business" 

continued strong at 190 and was followed 

closely by "Three Ring Cii'cus" and "Vera 

Cruz," both of which achieved a healthy 150. 

"The Detective" went up a few points to 130, 

showing a slight improvement over its first 

week's 125. 

(Averoge Is 100) 

Aloddin The Detective (Col), 2nd wk 130 

Centre There's No Business Like Show Business 

(20th-Fox), 2nd wk 190 

Denhom Three Ring Circus (Para), 2nd wk 160 

Denver 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea 

(Buena Visto), 2nd wk 300 

Esquire Bread, Love and Dreams (IFE), 2nd wk. . .100 

Orphcum Deep in My Heart (MGM) 225 

Paramount Vera Crul iUA), 2nd wk 1 50 

'Pagan' Reports 240 

In Seattle Bo'w 

SEATTLE—"Sign of the Pagan" reported 

240 per cent for its initial Seattle showing, 

taking first place for the week. Grosses 

otherwise were just about average. 

Blue Mouse Young at Heart (WB); The Post and 

the Furious (ARC), 2nd wk 125 

Music Box— Sabrino (Para), 8th wk 100 

Music Hall Young at Heart (WB) 105 

Orpheum Sign of the Pagan (U-1); Four Guns to 

the Border (U-l) 240 

'Leagues' Shades 'Sho-w Business' 

At Portland 

PORTLAND—"20,000 Leagues Under the 

Sea" and "There's No Business Like Show 

Business" continued here as the holiday boxoffice 

leaders with scores of 350 and 235 per 

cent, 

respectively. 

Broodwoy The Young at Heart (WB) 1 60 

Fox—There's No Business Like Show Business 

'20tti-Fox) 235 

Guild The Little Kidnappers (UA), 3rd wk 160 

Liberty Deep in My Heart (MGM) 200 

Orpheum 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (BV)..350 

Paramount Three Ring Circus (Pora), 2nd wk...200 

United Artists So This Is Paris (U-I) MO 

Disney's Sea Thriller 

Packs 'Em in at L. A. 

LOS ANGELES—Brisk New Year's holiday 

business kept local first run turnstiles clicking 

at a merry pace, even though almost 

all entries were of the holdover variety. 

Still the leader, at a staggering 430 per cent 

for its second week, was "20,000 Leagues Under 

the Sea," while other outstanding draws 

were "There's No Business Like Show Business" 

and "The Country Girl," finishing their 

.second stanzas with 350 and 260 per cent, 

respectively. 

Chinese There's No Business Like Show Business 

{20th-Fox), 2nd wk 350 

Egyption, State ^Deep in My Heart (MGM), 

2nd wk 140 

El Rey—Romeo and Juliet 'UA), 2nd wk 90 

Fine Arts The Barefoot Contessa (UA), 9th wk.. . 85 

Four Star—The Detective (Col), 2nd wk 210 

Fox Wilshire 20,000 Leagues Under the Seo 

(Bueno Vista), 2nd wk 430 

Hillsfreet, Pontages The Silver Chalice (WB), 

2nd wk 200 

Hollywood Paramount—Sign of the Pagan (U-l), 

2nd wk 210 

Orpheum, Hawoii Three Ring Circus (Poro), 

2nd wk 140 

United Artists The Mari|uona Story 'Monhattan); 

Teen-Age Menace (SR); A Bedroom Fantasy 

(Sonney) 1 00 

— 

— 

— 

— 

Warners Beverly The Country Girl (Para), 2nd 

wk 260 

Warners Downtown, Wiltern, Fox Vogue Young 

at Heart (WB); Mosterson of Kansas (Col), 

2nd wk 125 

Warners Hollywood This Is Cineromo (Cineromo) 

38th wk ISO 

Three Tie for First Place 

At 300% in Frisco 

SAN FRANCISCO—All of the local first 

run houses had a great holiday week. Each 

one had above average attendance. Tied for 

first place honors were three theatres, the 

Fox with "There's No Business Like Show 

Business," the Golden Gate with Disney's 

"20.000 Leagues Under the Sea" and the 

United Artists with the Gary Cooper starrer, 

"Vera Cruz." "Beau Brummell," "The 

Silver Chalice" and "Three Ring Cii-cus" also 

did well with approximately 25 per cent above 

average business each. 

Fox There's No Business Like Show Business 

(20th-Fox) 300 

Golden Gate 20,000 Leagues Under the Seo 

(Buena Vista) 300 

Loew's Warfield Beou Brummell (MGM) 120 

Paromount Three Ring Circus (Pora) 125 

St Francis The Silver Chalice (WB) 125 

United Artists— Vera Crui (UA) 300 

Ritz's Interior Gutted 

By Fire in Layton, Utah 

LAYTON. UTAH—The interior of the 450- 

seat Ritz Theatre was gutted recently by a 

fire of undetermined origin. John Ivers, 

spokesman for Roy Theatres which operates 

the house, estimated the damage at approximately 

$50,000. The fire which took more 

than two hours to bring under control was 

discovered at 11 a.m. while Manager Dean 

Roberts was working at nearby Hill Air Force 

Base. 

Revamp Tacoma House 

TACOMA—The Sunset Theatre, local 

west 

end house, has been reopened after new seats 

and Cinemascope equipment were installed 

while closed during December. According to 

Manager Julian Hines, the new seating arrangement 

offers a clear view of the screen 

from any point in the auditorium and is 

more spacious to allow easier Ingress and 

egress. 

YOU CAN ALWAYS DEPEND ON 

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.nuary 8, 1955 43

. . Charles 

SAN FRANCISCO 

Oix contractors were named defendants in 

a lawsuit which asks $32,500 for damages 

allegedly caused the Contra Costa Motor-In 

in Pleasant Hill by an improperly constructed 

drainage ditch. The action was brought by 

Robert L. Lippert, Leslie Kessler and the 

Concord Theatre Co. and Elwood P. Laws. 

Lippert and Kessler are the owners of the 

land which Laws and Concord Theatre Co. 

are leasing to operate the drive-in. 

An 11-year-old boy fell 30 feet down an 

elevator shaft at the Fox Oakland Theatre, 

but suffered only minor injuries. The boy and 

two friends entered a utility elevator near 

the lobby of the theatre and rode it to the 

third floor. The boy left the others and 

raced down stairs to beat the elevator to the 

second floor. The elevator became stuck at 

the top of the second floor door and the 

boy plummeted through the open door. He 

escaped serious injury by momentarily 

clutching the elevator's cables, breaking the 

fall. Manager Jack McDougall stated the three 

must have pried open the ground floor door 

to enter the elevator and then opened the 

second floor door from within. 

Pete Vaga, Fox West Coast booker, was in 

St. Francis haspital . . . Issy Wolf, National 

Screen Service, also was hospitalized . . . 

Eddie Schlein, manager of the Alexandria 

Theatre, suffered a broken jaw when he fell 

down the stairs of his home . . . "Lo" Jones, 

Western Theatrical Equipment Co., was 

greeted with a costly Christmas present! A 

home he was preparing to vacate and put 

on the market for sale, was broken into by 

three juveniles who managed to walk out 

with nearly all the furnishings, as well as 

destroying much of the property, before police 

picked them up. The boys broke in through 

a window and over a period of a month, made 

off with the furnishings. 

George Williams, RCA Service, retired December 

27 after a long and succes.sful association 

with the firm. A testimonial dinner was 

held at the Clift House. In attendance were 

Hal Madison, west coast chief for RCA Service 

from Los Angeles, managers from the 

home office in Camden, N. J., and engineers 

from all over the state. George received a gold 

watch. He went to work in 1936 with RCA, 

and formerly was with Western Electric. At 

the age of 12 he worked in a Chicago theatre 

as an usher and has been in the theatre 

engineering field in California since that time. 

Along the Row were Al Stanford, Paso 

Roble's Oak Drive-In, and Bill Blair from the 

Blalr Theatre, Cloverdale. Blair reported that 

his Crescent Theatre, Areata, was not touched 

by the recent earthquake at Eureka. As a 

matter of fact, the theatres in the Eureka 

and Areata area survived the mi.shap with 

no damage. 

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Gerald L Karski.:.. President 

Audience in Portland 

Talks to Johnnie Ray 

PORTLAND—For the f u-st time in theatrical 

history here, a downtown theatre presented 

a motion picture star some 3,200 miles away 

Manager Oscar Nyberg of the Fox Theatre 

at Portland stands by while Mayor 

Fred Peterson chats with Johnnie Ray 

in a telephone hookup on the Fox loudspeaker 

system with the singing star in 

.Miami Beach. 

to an audience via telephone. For a Monday 

night showing of "There's No Business Like 

Show Business," Oscar Nyberg arranged with 

Johnnie Ray, former Portland singer who has 

a co-starring role in the Cinemascope musical, 

to talk to the Fox Theatre audience via 

long distance telephone. 

Details for the call were worked out a week 

in advance by Nyberg and the Pacific Telephone 

& Telegraph Co. here. A clearance 

was arranged so that the call would reach 

Portland at 9 p.m., the usual intermission 

period. 

Nyberg invited Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Ray, 

Johnnie's parents, who live near Portland, 

and his sister to attend the performance. 

Also on the guest list was Mayor FYed Peterson 

and Johnnie's drama and speech teacher. 

Miss Cecil McKircher of Pj-anklin High School 

here who Johnnie credited as the teacher who 

gave him the most inspiration. 

Nate Cohen, Portland furniture man, on 

whose radio program Ray made his first 

appearance, also talked and in conclusion, 

held out the telephone, inviting the Fox audience 

to wish the singer a "Happy New Year," 

which they did. Mrs. Ray, the mayor and 

other friends chatted during the 19-minute 

conversation which was cut in to the Fox 

theatre's sound system. Every word could 

be heard by the audience. 

Ray, currently appearing at Lou Walter's 

Latin Quarter at Miami Beach, Fla., kept the 

conversation going at a lively pace. 

P. A. Tour to Plug Toko-Ri' 

HOLLYWOOD—Plugging regional openings 

of "The Bridges at Toko-Ri," which they 

produced for Paramount, William Perlberg 

and George Seaton have taken off on a tour 

of major U. S. cities, holding newspaper interviews, 

making radio and TV appearances 

and meeting with exhibitors and circuit executies. 

Theii- itinerary includes Chicago, Detroit. 

Cleveland, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, 

Washington and San Francisco, returning 

here late this month. 

DENVER 

The U-I sales force returned from a : 

City sales meeting, where they were 

on the Charles J. Feldman drive, whic 

end April 30. Attending the meetini 

Manager Mayer Monsky and salesmen 

Green, Les Laramie and Gene Klei 

meeting was headed by Foster Blal 

vision 

manager; Lester Zucker, distric 

ager. and Jeff Livingston, home off 

ploitation man . P. Weh 

moved into his new home in Lakewoc 

race. 

. 

re.signed to become booker for Westlan 

Robert Selig, assistant to the presi( 

Pox Intermountain, went to Los Ang 

Carl Mock 

business and pleasure . . . 

tre appliance salesman, spent Christ 

Chihuahua. Mexico Howard Ca 

. 

with Warner Bros, for 

. 

many years ani 

time office manager and lately salesm 

aires, which has houses in Colorado 

coin. Neb., and Oklahoma City . . 

Schaffer. owner of the Pastime. B 

Mont., has opened his new Tug at A 

Mont. 

Fox Intermountain has .sold the 6 

BLson. McCook, Neb., and the 850-seai 

mount, Cheyenne, to Carlin Smith 

Charles J. Bell, brother of Earl, Warns 

manager, died in Los Angeles. Burial 

Omaha. Bell was in the film business 

years ago ... Ed Mapel, owner of th 

and city councilman, was recently 

to use a cane as the result of an old 

He broke his right leg in 1946 whOe gr, 

with a burglar that had broken ii 

apartment. 

Court Upholds Karp's S 

Of Sherman's Studios 

HOLLYWOOD—Upholding an earlie 

rior court action approving the sale, t 

trict court of appeals has handed d( 

opinion that Jacob H. Karp. executor 

estate of the late HaiTy Sherman, 

producer, acted in the best interests 

estate when he negotiated the sale o: 

man's California studios to Gross-] 

Inc., a TV company. 

Sherman's daughters, T h e o d o r 

Alwynne, had appealed the superioi 

ruling on the allegation that sufficiei 

was not permitted to consider other 

Night Mqnager Foils Tl 

SEATTLE—A thief failed in an i 

to rob the Embassy Theatre when 

Ann Daily, night manager, showed the 

man an empty safe. The man had appi 

Miss Daily and claimed he was from t 

trict attorney's office, ."âying he wai 

talk to her in the theatre office. Onc( 

he placed his hand in his topcoat po 

though he had a gun. He immediate 

when shown the empty safe. 

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'T LE 

. . Henry 

. . . George 

. . . Fred 

Theatre Supply, returned 

ing the installation of 

Onalaska Theatre, Ona- 

William Lyon. The new 

ed of an RCA Dynalite 

: lenses, di'apes and curluck 

Rosenmeyer of Paraew 

Year's holiday in Portressler, 

head of Foreman 

a two-week vacation in 

\l Larpenteur, Northwest 

alesman, was in eastern 

;or of the Ki-Be in Benton 

How . Haustein. 

er, returned to his desk 

acation to San Francisco 

;opened the Liberty Theastmas 

Day, with complete 

and a new Walker screen 

National Theatre Supply 

on of John Riley. Henry's 

re also reopened Christie 

Walker screen and anawell 

as new drapes and 

nstalled through Theatre 

salesman, is handling the 

Walker screen at Peter 

•atre, Okanogan . . . Walter 

rtland working on the proat 

Toko-Rl." 

T Man Heads 

ms Firm 

Planning a series of 39 

Pacific Productions, Inc., 

as a Kansas corporation 

r., of Kansas City, Mo., as 

will be opened at the 

next month. Other offic 

L. Lombard of Enterresident; 

Claude L. Rice, 

secretary, and A. H. Myers 

will be distributed by 

d Associates. The aboves 

Bagnall, constitute the 

f 

directors. 

nstallations 

It equipment mstallations 

al Theatre Supply include 

phonic sound system in 

at's Egyptian Theatre at 

>imilar installation at the 

onnell. Wash., owned by 

Walker screen and B&L 

snses at Cecil McClure's 

•in Bridges, Mont.; simUar 

as a Simplex sound sysida. 

Spokane, and Super 

organ lenses at Pat Metz- 

Smelterville, 

Ida. 

5 Fine Idea 

3y a margin of better than 

rs of the Screen Extras 

Droposal that compulsory 

meetings be enforced by 

ibsentees. The count was 

45 in favor of such fines, 

lil referendum. 

HONOR REPUBLIC VETKR.VNS—Herbert ,1. Vales, president of Republic Pictures, 

honored a group of studio executives, writers, directors and staff employes who have 

been with the company for 20 years at a studio holiday party. In the center background 

is Reginald .\rmour. managing director for Republic in Great Britain. Others are: Hy 

J. Glick, secretary-treasurer; Francis A. Bateman, western division manager; William 

J. O'Sullivan, associate producer; T. \V. Yates, head of purchasing department; John 

.Foe Kane, associate producer-director; R. G. Springsteen, director; Barry Shipman, 

writer; 'William Witney, director; Bud Thackery, cameraman; Betty Andrews, accounting 

department office manager, and others. 

Remodeled FWC Theatre 

Opens at Long Beach 

LONG BEACH. CALIF.—Completely remodeled 

and refurnished, the Imperial Theatre 

here has been reopened by Fox West 

Coast with Forrest Justus as house manager. 

The 804-seat showcase is equipped with Bodiform 

chairs, special acoustical plaster and 

a 19x40-foot Miracle Mirror screen capable 

of handling standard and all wide screen 

ratios as well as theatre television. It also 

has magnetic stereophonic sound equipment. 

PORTLAND 

fills Is Your Army," Technicolor documentary, 

will open at Parker's Broadway 

on the 12th with "Green Fire." Ai-med services 

organizations joined in the promotion 

of the picture with displays of equipment and 

a downtown parade. Herb Royster, Parker 

publicity director, praised the enthusiasm and 

activity of army personnel in this area. 

Earl Keate, UA, was in w'orking on ""Vera 

Cruz," scheduled for John Hamrick's Liberty. 

Keate plans to invite all persons named 

Lancaster or Cooper to attend the opening of 

the 

film. 

Marie Wilson was in a second week at 

Amato's supper club here breaking in the 

act she will open at the Flamingo Hotel in 

Las Vegas January 27. for which she will 

get $20,000 a week. 

Win Sage, one of MGM's new term contract 

players, was in Portland visiting his 

wife, a librarian for KGW here. The Sages 

are moving to Los Angeles. He is tentatively 

inked in for a role in MGM's forthcoming 

musical, "Kismet." His last film role was in 

"Dragnet" where he played the role of the 

killer. He was accompanied by Allan Weider 

on a round of press and TV station interviews. 

Moz Buries Installs Wide Screen 

WHITE SALMON, WASH.—Moz Buries, 

owner of the Canyon and Cameo theatres, has 

installed a wide .screen at the Cameo. The 

Canyon already had gone wide .screen earlier 

in the year. 

LOS ANGELES 

'Domance Dept.: John P. Filbert jr., of Filbert 

Supply, and Lillian Anderson. MGM 

staffer, announced their engagement and are 

planning an early-February marriage; Hem-y 

Pines, manager of the Town Theatre m Bell 

Gardens, took unto himself a bride, the 

former Jean Gellf . . . Carl Young has taken 

over the booking-buying chores for the Empire 

Theatre, neighborhood house ... A 

Filmrow visitor was Pat Patterson, of Real 

Pictures in San Francisco. 

Roy Evans is back on the job as first run 

district manager for Fox West Coast after 

recuperating from a recent appendectomy 

A. Hickey. Pacific coast district 

chief for MGM, took off on a tour of the 

San Francisco, Portland, Seattle and Salt 

Lake City exchanges. 

Lou Berman and associates have acquired 

a 15-acre site on the outskirts of Oxnard. on 

which construction of a 1.000-car drive-in is 

planned. The ozoner will have a 110-foot 

screen and approximately 200 walk-in seats. 

The Berman group also operates the 101 

Drive-In near Ventura. 

Felder, of 

Checking in on a booking and buying expedition 

was George Page, of the Fairoaks Theatre 

in Arroyo Grande 

Realart Pictm-es in 

. . . Joe 

New York, was in town 

Siegel, operator of the Palomar 

and Margo theatres in Oceanside, is building 

a new 900-seater there. 

Theatre Given to Haniord, Calif. 

HANFORD. CALIF.—The Ritz Theatre 

which has been shuttered for the past year 

was donated to the city by the Golden State 

Theatre Corp.. proprietors. Details of the 

deal were kept secret. 

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Illustrated and Indexed 

ûcceSdfui oDrwe-Jj^n 

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PRACTICAL AID TO OUTDOOR THEATRE DESIGN 

Partial List of Contents 

The 

Author: 

GEORGE M. PETERSEN, with 

more than 1 5 years of experience 

in the designing, 

building and operation of 

drive-in field. He was one 

of the first persons who had 

faith in this medium of 

entertainment. As o designer, 

builder and operator 

of drive-ins, he writes with 

authority on all phoses of 

the outdoor theatre. 

Accident Prevention 

Car Handling 

Checking Speakers 

Child Labor 

Refreshments 

Giveaways 

Lighting 

Playgrounds 

Speaker Protection 

Supervision 

Traffic Control 

Operating the Concession 

Advertising and Expolitation 

Financing the Drive-ln 

How to Determine Capacity 

Selecting the Site 

The Screen Tower 

Projection-Concession 

Building 

Concession Layouts 

Restroom Equipment 

The Drive-ln Fence 

Selecting Projection end 

Sound Equipment 

Operation Suggestions 

Insurance 

I 

BOXOFFICE

( 19 

lirer Started 

ow-Komm 

iti'uction was scheduled to 

)n the $450,000 Holiday 

age Blvd., near suburban 

oject of the Jablonown 

a 16-acre tract. Louis 

manager, said that the 

de ample equipment for 

ing, patio lounging and 

site has been completed, 

accommodate 1,000 autoelectric 

heaters will be 

s so that the new drive-in 

; year around, 

buildings will be grouped 

ng at the entrance, a delayout 

of most drive-in 

? projection booths, conooms 

and play areas are 

irior. The contemporarye 

to be linked by fences, 

:-oofs. Trained attendants 

wipe the windshields during. 

le to keep the play area 

during the picture probe 

in back of the parked 

t observation balcony, the 

ill have glass walls along 

•he patrons can continue 

e program while purchasems. 

Special tables will 

le glass wall for patrons 

ed chicken and pizza i . The 

id will have four service 

ance and exit doors conirpet 

electrically operated 

ir-conditioned concession 

nclosed patio with planted 

rraces. Tables and chairs 

ere for outdoor dining, 

panoramic screen will be 

projection booth. 

r As.sociates, 9640 Clayton 

iigned the theatre, while 

itract was awarded to the 

Co. 

:e Wins Out 

Permit 

-James E. Fortmeyer of 

:en gi-anted a special perction 

of a drive-in theatre 

t of Kentucky road. Fortng 

to obtain such a permit 

grant, a unanimous deon 

County court, will rim 

e 55-acre site had been 

re but the order from the 

the applicant had shown 

drive-in harmonized w'ith 

zoning plan. The applicaneyer 

is planning an 800- 

Drotest filed by property 

;d the drive-in construclid 

since it contended apect 

would be an amend- 

;ulations. 

ith C'Scope 

1,.—W. L. Davis reopened 

lUowing the Installation of 

M. B. Smith Is Moved Up 

In Commonwealth Shift 

KANSAS CITY—Jack Braunagel, in charge 

of drive-in operations since the Commonwealth 

circuit's first drive-in, the TrLstate at 

1. I 

Joplin, opened in April of 1948, resigned, effective 

January 22, to go with United Theatres 

at North Little Rock. Ark., on February 

The story of Braunagel's industry career 

appears in another section of this issue.) 

R. M. Shelton, Commonwealth president, said 

Jack left with the good w'Lshes of everyone 

in the organization. With his departure. 

Commonwealth drive-in operations total 29 

situations. 

Instead of appointing a new drive-in manager, 

a reorganization of the company's operations 

is being effected. FoiTnerly there 

were the five divisions, labeled Central, We.stern. 

Southern, City and Drive-In, consisting 

of 78 theatres. Now the divisions are being 

numbered I. 2, 3, 4, and 5—with the drive-ins 

part of each division's setup. Two new division 

managers have been named. Etoug 

Lightner, city manager at Columbia, Mo., 

will continue to reside there and manage 

division 4. Ray Holmes, city manager at Lawrence, 

Kas., will still live there and manage 

division 3. 

M. B. Smith, who took over as director 

of advertising, publicity and public relations 

January 1, w'ill have four particular duties, 

Shelton said. Fii'st, he 

will act as liaison man 

and coordinator for all 

the divisions, making 

the ideas of each manager 

available to others 

in the entire circuit. 

He also will be the 

company's troubleshooter 

for any rough 

situation which may 

develop. 

Secondly, he will 

assist the general man- 

M. B. Smith ager. As yet no one 

has been named to this position, formerly 

held by Shelton who has been advanced to 

president. "Smitty," as they call him in the 

office, has proved in the past he knows operations 

down to the last detail, Shelton said. 

Thii-d, he will have the authority to produce 

campaigns for the circuit and to go into 

any territory and set up test campaigns. 

Fourth, he will make calls in the divLsions 

for the general manager, and will continue 

to edit the Messenger, weekly Commonwealth 

house organ. 

Smith started as an operator with O. K. 

Mason in February of 1931 and has filled 

every job the circuit ha-s had to offer. In 

1939 he became a division manager, the 

first such position created, with headquarters 

in Garden City. In 1946 he was brought into 

the home office, and here he initiated Shelton 

into his duties as a division manager, the 

second division then being inaugurated. He 

has acted as temporary film buyer, and in 

the fall of 1946 took over the Central division 

with the added duties as publicity 

director and management aide in the home 

office, serving in these capacities until his 

present promotion. 

Other personnel changes include the addition 

of George Gabbert. former booker at 

Republic and prior to that office manager and 

CONFERENCE—Mara Corday 

'P.\RIS' 

visited Indianapolis in behalf of U-I's "So 

This Is Paris" at the Circle Theatre. Here 

she is shown discussing the promotional 

plans with Indiana Amusement Co. exec- 

Left to right are Walter Wolvcr- 

utives. 

ton, advertising manager of Indiana 

Amusement; Milton Ettinger, office manager 

at the U-I exchange; Al Hendricks, 

manager of the Indiana Theatre, and Dal 

Schuder, manager of the Circle. 

booker at Columbia, as booker for Phil Blakey's 

division 5. 

Woody Longan. film buyer at Durwood 

Theatres, is coming over to Commonwealth 

in the near future as assistant to film 

buyer Lloyd Morris. Longan will supervise all 

bookings and do the film buying for those 

theatres which are served out of exchange 

areas other than Kansas City. His experience 

includes five years at Durwood Theatres, prior 

to which he spent ten years with the Dickinson 

circuit. Before that he had his own 

real estate and insurance business. 

The new Commonwealth divisions, their 

respective managers, and the number of 

theatres and towns in their divisions are 

these: 

Division 1—Roy Tucker, manager; Joplin, 

Mo. (2). Baxter Springs, Kas. CD, Springfield, 

Mo., (2), Fayetteville, Ark., (1), Harrison, 

Ark., (3), Mountain Home, Ark., (1), 

Batesville, Ark., (2). Searcy. Ark. c2). Monett, 

Mo.. i2). (16 theatres. 9 towns.) 

Division 2—J. D. King, Great Bend. Kas. 

(31. Hoisington (2>. Pratt (1), Kinsley (1), 

Garden City (3). Kingman (2), Ellsworth 

(2 1. Lindsborg (1). Eureka (1), Manhattan 

(1), Herington (1), il8 theatres, 11 towns.) 

Division 3—Ray Holmes, Ti'enton, Mo. (2), 

Cre.ston. Iowa i3). Yankton. S. D., CM. Shenandoah. 

Iowa (1). Belleville. Iowa (2), Superior. 

Neb. (II, Grand Island (1). North 

Platte (li. Goodland. Kas. (2), Norton. Kas. 

(li. Lawrence. Kas. (3). Holton, Kas. (1). 

theatres, 12 tow-ns.) 

Division 4—Doug Lightner. Washington, 

Mo. (21. Pulton (1), Columbia (4), Waynesville 

(2), Clinton (3i, CaiToUton (1), Warrensburg 

(2), Sedalia (1), Harrisonville (2). (18 

theatres. 9 towns.) 

Division 7—Phil Blakey. Kansas City (4i, 

Excelsior Springs (1). Parkville (1), Hickman 

Mills (1). (7 theatres, 4 towns.) 

luary 8, 1955 47

KANSAS CITY 

. , . 

JJtuyvae P. Musselman iMrs. Ray), veteran 

exhibitor who operates the Roach Theatre 

at Lincoln, Kas., has been at St. John's 

Hospital in Salina for observation. Her husband 

is taking her to Mayo's for further 

tests this coming week. Doctors have been 

unable to determine the cause of her jaundiced 

condition Chic Evens, 20th-Fox 

publicist, left for Las Vegas, Nev., with Mrs. 

Evens to attend the wedding of their daughter 

Sherli to Erwin Goldman, newspaperman 

with the Los Angeles Times, The wedding 

took place Tuesday i4) at the Last Frontier 

Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas and the young 

couple are honeymooning at the Flamingo. 

Sherli has been living in California the past 

two years. 

Nick Sonday, general manager of Consolidated 

Agencies, broke diet training over the 

holidays and as a consequence has been back 

in Research Hospital for observation and a 

complete checkup. He became ill early New 

Year's morning. Nellie and Ed Cremins of 

Des Moines stopped in the home office Monday 

i3). Ed is Lloyd Hirstein's assistant at 

the Capitol in Des Moines and Nellie operates 

the concessions. They were on vacation. William 

Wade, manager of the Palace at Wichita, 

was in for a conference last week as was 

Veldon Hon, manager of the Davis at Higginsville. 

Clark Rhoden, chairman of the board for 

the Popcorn Institute, will attend the meeting 

to be held in Chicago on January 19 as 

will Frank Bamford, Fox Midwest conces- 

ODCHT MPKDM 

STAGE 

JIIILHI 

EQUIPMENT COMPANY 

tILUILIIII. 

tVl^TTMING FOR THE STAGE . AUDITORIUM . LoBBY 

BOX CFFICt . 1324 Grand Av«.. I 

Satisfaction — Al-ways 

MISSOURI 

THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY 

L. I. KIMBRIEL. Manager 

Phone Baltimore 3070 

115 W. 18th Kansas City 8, Mo. 

COMPLETE LINE OF CONCESSIONS 

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 

L & L 

no West 18th St. 

POPCORN CO. 

Kansas City, Mo. 

sions manager. Prior to the meeting, the 

Popcorn Processors will hold a meeting on 

January 18, 19. Incidentally, Rhoden's own 

Tarkio. Mo. popcorn plant has around 6.- 

000,000 pounds of popcorn stored. 

Fred Souttar, Fox Midwest district manager, 

reports the death Friday (31) of Harry 

Keiffer of the Wichita Eagle. At one time 

Keiffer operated the Grand and Strand theatres 

at Salina, Kas. Souttar also reports 

the Regent at Newton is being remodeled, 

with new floors, new seats and a new front. 

The Chief has had Cinemascope installed 

so that the Regent can close until the remodeling 

is completed and when it reopens 

it will be called the Pox. The Wichita at 

Wichita gets CS, so now all Fox Wichita 

houses have installations. Manager Zeb 

Pruner is back after an illness. 

Vern Skorey, sales manager for 20th-Fox, 

and wife have returned from a short trip 

to visit his brother in Denver. Howard Kinser, 

salesman who lives at Newton, was in for 

the sales meeting Monday 1,3) .. , Hank 

Doering of the Peoples at Garnett, Kas., was 

on Filmrow booking in preparation for having 

to spend several months at the legislative 

sessions at Topeka. Hank is a state representative 

. . . J. W. Shi-eve opened his 

Giles Theatre with Cinemascope over the 

holidays. Guess where he bought his equipment. 

John McCarty of the McCarty Theatre 

Supply of St. Louis visited the Shreve Theatre 

Supply Co. over the holidays. McCarty 

is a business associate of J. W. Shreve 

Bud Truog. office manager for United Artists, 

is pleased to announce that in the current 

Bob Benjamin Drive the Kansas City 

exchange is in first place. The weeks from 

February 20 to March 5 have been designated 

Ralph Amacher weeks in honor of UA's 

local manager. 

L. J. Kimbriel of Missouri Theatre Supply 

and Mrs. Kimbriel flew to Mexico City and 

Acapulco for a ten-day vacation . . . Gene 

Sichelman, home office representative, has 

arrived for several weeks in the Columbia 

exchange ... Ed Hartman of Hai'tman Booking 

Agency counted one of his best Christma* 

presents the greeting by telephone from 

his daughter Elaine in Guam . 

. Jerry Haile, 

Universal salesman for 

. 

northern Kansas, 

spent Christma-s with his parents in Dallas 

. . . Harold Wirthwein, Allied Ai-tists western 

division sales manager and Roy Brewer, in 

charge of exchange operations, are due Monday 

(10) in the local office . . . Elliott 

Hechtman, son of Nat Hechtman of Capitol 

Flag & Banner Co., has returned to Missouri 

University after spending the holidays with 

his parents. 

Joe Redmond, Fox Midwest publicist, is 

deep in the plans for his Westport high 

school 25th anniversary class reunion. Joe 

graduated in 1930 and is helping round up the 

other 400-odd graduates for the celebration 

in May. So far. 125 have been located. 

group of business associates . . . Marvii 

farb of Denver, division manager for 

Vista Pictures, spent several days in tc 

past week . . . Woodie Latimer at L& 

corn said he and his staff were busy 

inventory and getting out Uncle Sam's 

. . 

idea of Dan-ell Shelton of the Strand ai 

Kansas exhibitors seen recently on t. 

included J. H. Neeley of Hays, Nick K 

Holden and Oswego, Dan Blair of Smit 

ter, W. C. Mosher of Blue Mound, Lilj 

of Hill City, Ml", and Mrs. Ben Phi 

Oskaloosa . Missouri visitors includec 

Hayob of Marshall, Bob Robinson of 

Fox Midwest carried out the ( 

City . . . 

cil Bluffs, Iowa, for Small Fry New- 

Eve celebrations. He started last year 

a noon "blow-off" after the kiddy shi 

it was picked up by the other Fox hoi 

M. Terman Converts Es 

In Chicago to Art Hous 

CHICAGO—Mandel Terman, well 

local businessman with art films 

chosen hobby, has taken over the i 

Essex Theatre lock, stock and barre 

Essex, located at 717 West Sheridan P 

one of four houses redecorated and re 

two months ago. It is the only 

'he newly reopened theatres which hs 

been operating on a consistent schec 

Terman's venture into the theatre fc 

was motivated, he says, because he 

to provide the neighborhood in which 

sides and conducts his business with ; 

tre presenting first class films in t 

'. 

: 

category. The Essex is located in a 

quite devoid of theatres. A feature fi 

the Essex is a large free parking 

patrons. 

Operating under the name of Ai-t 1 

Operating Corp., the Essex will conti: 

double featm-e system, seven nights 

and Sunday matinees. Terman stated 

ever, that plans are in the making 

single picture policy, with a featuret 

perhaps a news film. 

K-M Allied Board to Mc 

KANSAS CITY—President Beverly 

of the Kansas-Missouri Allied Indep 

Theatre Owners has announced the po; 

ment of the board meeting until Mondi 

from Monday (10 1. A report on th 

meeting in Chicago will be made. 

"OUR BUSINESS IS SOU 

PHONE 3-722S. 

TOPEKA 

„ THEATRE SERVICE CO., INC. 

827 Wayne Topeka. K 

RELIABLE SOUND SERVICE F 

Dealers in B ALL ANTY 

Carpets -Door Mats 

Complete Inst a Mot ton Service— Free Estimates 

R. D. MANN CARPET CO. 

928-930-932 Centrot, Victor 1171, Konsos City, Mo. 

4SS Poul Brown BIdg., Chestnut 4499, St. Louis 

Arnold Gould, city manager for Durwood 

Theatres at Jefferson City, is on a three-week 

vacation trip to New Orleans with Mrs, 

Gould. Another city manager on vacation 

with his wife is C. Clare Woods of St. Joseph. 

They went to Mexico . . . Lou Patz left for 

Miami, Fla., where he will meet Herman 

Robbins, president of National Screen Service, 

and take a cruise with him and a small 

tfiMA SvuiicM SiMc* fS99 

STEBBINS THEATRE Equipment 

180* w,.ni»ii» St. 

r KANSAS CITY 6, HO- 

48 BOXOFTICE January

: 3-7974, 

return 

. . . and 

OUIS 

:is, owner of the Jefferis 

ne Hill Di'ive-In at Pied- 

1 with a virus infection 

(27) for a meeting of the 

mittee for the Allied navention 

to be held here 

r receiving medical attendmont 

the next afternoon 

r son Robert and his wife 

earlier that day to have 

for the show that night, 

led a meeting of the Nay 

board in Chicago Thursdetails 

for the February 

mas parties for children 

eatres in this trade terri- 

Rodgers Theatre. Anna, 

lesday (29) by Manager 

for the school children of 

ved gifts from cooperating 

lations: the Ritz Theatre, 

its 14th annual Christmas 

14, 15 for some 900 young- 

Theatre, Arthur, which 

iiatinee for children and 

1, and the Gran Theatre, 

ners Mi-, and Mrs. LeRoy 

nnual Chi'istmas show for 

:23). 

a. has moved into its new 

Dms at 1804-06 South Jef- 

1 spot much more conthan 

the company's old 

to Stu Tomber . 

; Val Mercier, Perryville; 

Hunt Theatre, Doniphan; 

leville; Izzy Wienshienk, 

s. Alton; Joe Goldfarb. 

irsen, Montgomery City; 

onda; Charley Beninati, 

izzi. Mount Olive; Wayne 

Williams, Union; Eddie 

Woody Proffer, Ramsey: 

s, Breese, and Warren 

FOR THE THEATRE 

tre Supply Company 

ch 

Hosier 

cet, St. Louis 3, Mo. 

JE 3-7975 

' 

'20,000 Leagues' Reports 300% 

In Chicago Bow; 'Cruz Hits 275 

CHICAGO—"20,000 Leagues Under the 

Sea," 

which has been reporting exceptionally 

high grosses all over the country, was equally 

well received in Chicago where it reported 

300 per cent for its initial stanza. The Chicago 

Theatre's opening day boxoffice record 

of $18,000 established by Jack Webb, was 

shattered by Julius LaRosa, Kitty Kallen and 

"Vera Cruz," setting a new high of $21,000 

and contributing to a gross of 275 for the 

week. Another newcomer which bowed in 

with a sensational first week total was 

"There's No Business Like Show Business," 

which drew an excellent 265 at the Oriental. 

A surprise here in Chicago is the figure 

being reached by "Hansel and Gretel," a feature 

which ha.sn't been making any mark in 

other situations but is drawing capacity 

crowds here, actually showing an increase 

to 250 in its second stanza over its first 

week's 230. 

(Average Is 100) 

Chicago—Vera Cruz (UA), plus stage revue 275 

Eitel's Palace—This Is Cinerama (Cinerama), 

75th wk 

, 205 

Esquire—On the Waterfront {Co\) ............. '.]95 

Grand— Fire Over Atrico (Col); They Rade West 

(Col) 190 

Loop— Hansel ond Gretel (RKO), 2nd wk 250 

McVpckers—Deep in My Heort (MGM) 235 

Monroe—The Fighting Pimpernel (Carroll)' 

'. 

The Black Pirates (LP) 200 

Oriental—There's No Business Like Show Business 

(20th-Fox) 265 

Roosevelt—So This Is Poris (U-l) 195 

Stote Lake—20,000 Leagues Under the Sea 

(Bueno Vista) 

, 300 

Surf—The Detective (Col) 175 

United Artists—The Silver Chalice (WB) 205 

Woods—The Lost Time I Sow Paris (MGM), 

6th wk 200 

World Playhouse—Aida (IFE) 205 

Ziegfeld— Desert Song (WB); The Mikado 

(U-l) reissues 190 

The Chalice' Grosses 

250 in Kansas City 

KANSAS CITY—Business was good in all 

the first run houses here the past week and 

all the bills were held. The Esquire also was 

open, playing two of the Academy award winners, 

"Stalag 17" and "From Here to Eternity" 

on return engagements. "The Silver Chalice," 

in its first week at the Missouri, did the top 

gross of 250 per cent and "The Detective" at 

the 'Vogue in its second week did 225. The 

weather has been mild without snow, usually 

a help at the boxoffice. 

Glen— High and Dry (U-l), 9th wk ; The Promoter 

(U-l), 3rd wk 

, 

engogement 125 

Kimo—Romeo and Juliet (UA), 2nd wk 160 

SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM 

Midland—Deep in My Heart (MGM) 1 50 

Missouri—The Silver Chalice (WB) 250 

Orpheum—There's No Business Like Show Business 

(20th-Fox), 2nd wk 1 65 

Paramount—Three Ring Circus (Poro), 2nd wk...l75 

Roxy— Young at Heort (WB), 2nd wk 1 00 

Tower, Uptown, Foirwoy and Gronado 20,000 

Leagues Under the Sea (Buena Vista), 2nd wk.. 140 

Vogue—The Detective (Col), 2nd wk 225 

Walter Bollingers Mark 

Their 25th Anniversary 

ELLIN-WOOD, KAS.—Mr. and Mrs. Walter 

Bollinger of the Ellinwood Theatre celebrated 

their 25th wedding anniversary Monday (20). 

Since the show' must go on, the Bollingers 

invited married couples to be their guests at 

the evening show, all of them being admitted 

free if they presented either their wedding 

picture or their marriage certificate. (Mrs, 

Bollinger found their own credentials at the 

bottom of the cedar chest). 

A gift was presented to the most recently 

married couple and to the one that had been 

married the longest. The newlyweds had 

been married six weeks and the longweds 

60 years. 

One of the Bollinger aniversary "gifts" was 

the announcement by theii- son Mack that 

he had given Miss Connie Jo Welty of Hutchinson 

an engagement ring, so the Bollinger 

family can look forward to other anniversaries. 

R/0 SYRUP CO. 

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— 

Visit our new factory 

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Same Phone 

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Same Good Concession Service 

handy to Film Row, too. 


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r my subscription fo BOXOFFICE, 52 issues per year (13 r) which con 

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uary 8, 1955 49

i 

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' 

CHICAGO 

Tom Dowd, manager, said the Ziegfeld Theatre's 

art exhibits not only have become a 

popular patron feature, but artists have benefited 

from substantial sales. Since setting up 

the exhibits about five months ago, Dowd has 

had the cooperation of at least ten art galleries 

which every week supply between 20 

and 25 oils or water colors done by Chicago 

artists. A week never goes by without sales, 

according to Dowd. The Ziegfeld does not 

claim a commission. 

Albert Dezel has been named midwest distributor 

for "Mr. Hulot's Holiday." The film 

just finished a ten-week run at the Sui-f Theatre 

Herb Kaufman, local representative 

. . . of Hal R. Makelim, left on a tour of Cincinnati, 

New York, Boston. Washington and 

other cities for meetings with exhibitor groups 

on the Makelim plan. 

The Ziegfeld, with the beginning of the 

new year, scheduled a series of sneak previews 

of films. Tom Dowd, manager, said 

the pictures will be lavish productions, most 

of which have not played elsewhere in the 

country. Audience reaction is to be polled 

at each preview, and then selections will be 

HERE'S YOUR CHANCE 

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a screen game, 

HOLLYWOOD takes top 

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Be sure to give seating or car capacity. 

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THEWTRE EQUIPMENT 

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"Everything for the Theatre" 

made for presentation at the Ziegfeld later. 

Dowd said this probably will put a temporary 

end to the double featui-e reissue policy which 

has been in effect for the past few months 

although the reissues have paid off well. 

. 

Dominic Cristallo died December 29 and 

George High died the following day. Both 

were operators in local theatres . . Miss 

. 

Chadyeane Godding has been appointed 

assistant in the production department at 

Kling Films Ireland and his wife 

Joanne Dru stopped to greet friends while 

en route to New York City. 

. . 

The addition of Hilly Rose to the staff of 

Kling Film Productions has been announced 

by Vice-President Fred A. Niles. Rose was a 

writer in Hollywood . The Cinema Annex 

is running a special benefit for the Chicago 

Committee to aid the victims of Salerno, Italy, 

who were made homeless recently by a flood 

and landslide. The two films being run especially 

for the occasion are "The Little World 

of Don Camillo" and "The Young Caruso" . . 

Paramount Pictiu-es with the chief of Naval 

Air Reserve training. Rear Adm. Daniel V. 

Gallery, previewed "The Bridges at Toko-Ri" 

at the Uptown. 

Bert Nathan, president of the International 

Popcorn Ass'n, reports the death of Harold 

A. Eifert, a popcorn industry veteran. Eifert, 

who was head of Dunbar & Co., dry popping 

machinery manufacturing firm, is survived 

by his wife . Lewis, accompanied by 

his wife and children, visited here with 

friends, then continued on to New York. 

Vi Dane of Filmack celebrated a wedding 

Stanford Kohlberg 

anniversary Sunday i2) . . . 

reopened the remodeled Park Ave- 

nue Cinema in Park Ridge Thursday (6). 

Kohlberg recently opened an ice skating rink 

at the Starlite Drive-In, which is the only 

outdoor theatre still operating in this area . . 

Bill Perlberg and George Seaton, directors of 

"The Bridges at Toko-Ri" and "Coimtry Girl," 

spent a couple of days here to lavmch promotion 

in behalf of both fUms . . . John Reynolds, 

head of Filmack's laboratory operations, 

was vacationing in Washington, D. C. 

Joseph Mack is in New York, where he is 

in at the Filmack eastern works while 

filling 

Jack Saperstein is vacationing. At the same 

time. Rex Kennard, office manager in New 

York, spent part of his vacation here to take 

a look at the Chicago operation. 

A large crowd of exhibitors and member.s 

of the press attended a screening of "The 

Bridges of Toko-Ri" at the Uptown Theatre 

Wednesday i5). Immediately afterwards Buck 

Stoner, division manager for Paramount here, 

accompanied by publicist Dave Friedman, left 

for Indianapolis. Des Moines and Omaha, 

where they will host additional screenings . . 

Governor William G. Stratton of Illinois 

issued a proclamation making January "Goto-the-Movies 

Month." 

Jack Rose reports that he and Mrs. Rose are 

the grandparents of a baby girl . . . N. S. 

Barger has purchased the State in Roseland. 

Barger also is owner of the Oak Lawn and 

Mrs. Irving Mack ha.s 

Illinois drive-ins . . . 

gone to Florida for a few weeks. 

. 

First 'Sitting Bull' Film 

Recalled at St. Louis 

ST. LOUIS—The opening of 

"Sittin 

in Eastman Color at Loew's State 1 

here December 23 brought back mem( 

the oldtimers in the motion picture b 

here. 

It was recalled that in 1908 or 190! 

Crawford, then head of the Swanson 

ford Co., sent Eddie Dustin and several 

and actresses into Indian Territory t( 

a five-reel picture titled "Sitting BuU 

cast included about 1,000 Indians, si 

whom had participated in the famec 

sacre of General Custer and his cava 

at the battle of the Little Big Horr 

in Montana. 

Dustin. who in later years manag 

local Pathe branch, paid the Indian 

day but managed to charge them 

for food and lodging to get all of i 

for the producers. 

This first "Sitting Bull" was th 

five-reel picture ever made, and its 

in Indian Territory marked the first 

the industry that actors, etc.. wer 

to a natural geographical section hi 

of miles from the studio to get tl 

atmosphere for a production. 

The picture later was premiered at 

Louis theatre owned by Crawford. 

Harry Hopkins Gives T 

BEARDSTOWN. ILL. — Harry H 

MGM salesman from St. Louis, gave a 

the motion picture industry at a mee 

the Beardstown Women's Club Tuesd 

Aj-rangements for the talk were made 1 

Woods, manager of the Pi-incess The; 

cooperation with M>Ta Stroud, MITO 

tary, and Tom Bailey. St. Louis majia 

MGM. 

Indianian Adds CS 

WHITING. IND. — Manager Taki 

reports that the Hoosier Theatre is 

equipped for Cinemascope. 

MODERNIZE 

NO^ 

Let our competent staff of em 

and designers show you ho 

can modernize for Cmem 

and 

and 

A featured lead in Universal's "Female on 

the Beach" has been handed to Charles 

Drake. 1206 Cherry St. 

other 

wide-screen 

multi-channel sound 

pre 

QUICKLY, ECONOMICALLY 

We will contract to do ' 

signing and engineenm 

make the 

installation, cor 

at low cost to you. Wi 

todoy for full informatic 


1 TV 

, Added 

siness' Pulls 

Memphis 

1 first runs hit the jackpot 

which continued on into 

's Palace did three times 

ith "There's No Business 

." Malco did two and one- 

.•ith "20,000 Leagues Under 

d 75 per cent above avering 

Cij-cus." Loew's State 

bove average attendance 

age Is 100) 

siness Like Show Business 

300 

1 50 

i Under the Sea (Buena 

250 

reus (Para) 175 

retel iRKO) 70 

ys Hollywood 

Challenge 

ers to the editor recently 

[erald stressed two ideas. 

vere needed with a more 

life, designed for conand 

old. Two: that with 

iiovies have gone down in 

ig only to be more specnext: 

star quality going 

.gures sought, and over- 

:k of Florida State Theaartment. 

wrote a letter 

rinted. He wrote: 

long time was laughed at 

finishes where love con- 

)dness always triumphs, 

of the world looked at 

fforts as infantile, afraid 

r because of the boxoffice 

of creative talent. Now, 

eceipts due to uncreative 

avasion of TV. Hollywood 

k. 

he last two years have 

ghs, largely due to the 

that America no longer 

Jiet of B pictures. They 

ge to buy the best stories 

)€st-selling novels, Broadproductions 

if their 

to this has been 

ic detail. Film locations 

lUt all over the world in 

the mood of the original 

/e been gambled on unis 

have been invested in 

sses. The fact that it has 

to by the American theach 

after all has the final 

rg Airer Open 

/ements 

IG—The Fourth Street 

eopened under the manmbrell, 

who managed the 

until it was closed and 

prings Theatre in Tampa, 

screen was installed, the 

air conditioned for both 

!r and the new restrooms 

drive-in. The public was 

car" and come as guests 

and enjoy a cartoon carle 

short and a comedy. 

Average of 300,000 Miamians See 

Motion Picture Show Each Week 

MIAMI—Where were you on the night of 

November 27? The chances are that you 

were at a motion pictiu-e theatre, somewhere 

between North and South Miami, for on 

that night 103,927 men, women and children 

went to a picture show. These and other 

illuminating statistics were compiled by Herb 

Kelly of the Miami Daily News staff. 

"Where were you during the week of November 

21?" he wrote. "Again the chances 

are you were in a movie, because dur-ing 

that week, 329,944 persons paid their way 

into a local theatre. Remember, that wa-s 

during the latter part of November. During 

the height of the season you can add 60 to 

100 per cent to the total which, conservatively 

speaking, would make the figiu-es 155,000 for 

Saturday night and 527,000 for the week. 

"Then to top it off, take a conservative average 

of 300,000 and spread it over 52 weeks 

and you'll come up with over 15 million 

people in the Miami area going to the 50 

motion picture theatres in a year's time. 

"There are five reasons why you left your 

home, battled traffic, searched for a parking 

place, probably paid a parking fee, hired a 

baby sitter, bought an admission ticket and 

spent a few quarters besides," Kelly wrote. 

"When people pay money for entertainment, 

or for anything else, they take it seriously. 

It's not for free and bringing you into 

a theatre is a big business and here is why 

you go. The reasons come from theatre managers 

and are listed in the order of their 

importance. 

"1. Heavy, constant day-after-day newspaper 

advertising. 

"2. What's the picture and who's in it? 

These questions are answered when the family 

reads the new-spaper advertisements, sees 

photos of scenes from the pictures, notes the 

stars they have read about and scores of 

others. 

"3. Unbiased reviews of newspaper critics. 

Many are guided by the men who see these 

pictures on opening days and write their 

opinions with mainly three thoughts in mind: 

Is it a good picture? Is it a reasonable bargain 

at the admission price asked? Is it the 

kind that will appeal to the majority? 

"Now, no reviewer can criticize a show 

without finding some dissenters. Just for fun, 

try this some time. Ask the opinion of some 

of your friends who have seen the same 

motion picture you have. You'll be surprised 

how many different an.swers you will get. 

"4. Word-of-mouth advertising. If it's a bad 

picture it doesn't take long for it to become 

known. When you have over 300.000 persons 

seeing a show, news .spreads fast over lunch 

counters, telephone, family dinner tables, 

offices and busine.ss places. 

"5. Habit. Some have a particular night for 

the movies. Others decide to take in a show 

because there's nothing else to do. We picked 

the week of November 21 for two rea.sons. 

First it was the week some very good and 

very bad pictures were on the screens 

throughout the area. The bad would offset 

the good and a fair figure could be reached. 

"Second, it was not during the lighter 

summer months, nor at the height of the season. 

Thus an average attendance could be 

obtained. The totals are accurate, you can 

be sure. Attendance figures are jealously 

guarded by theatre managers and it was only 

by promising each theatre manager that his 

figures would be kept in strict confidence 

that we got cooperation. 

"They represent reports from enclosed theatres 

and drive-ins, as the latter have become 

a tlu-iving industry. The airer is the 

answer to many problem.s—parking, babysitting, 

dressing up. The whole family— in 

shorts or slacks, the baby in diapers—can 

pile into a car, sit back and watch a double 

feature. 

"About 75 per cent of the readers of this 

paper are moviegoers. In that number you 

find people from every w'alk of life, most of 

whom must count carefully their cost of recreation 

that breaks the monotony of school, 

kitchen drudgery or office. 

"For a few short hours they can forget 

the daily grind as they watch and hear opera, 

jazz, musical comedy, drama, adventure. Usually 

in color and on wide screen, before 

your eyes are the latest in hair styles of the 

female stars you have read about in your 

newspaper, home furnishings, romance and 

the many things dear to the heart of the 

woman." 

This story is meant merely to show how 

movies have become a vital part of daily 

life. 

Yes, they are 365-days-a-year entertainment, 

in which your amusement pages play 

an important part, bringing you that in which 

all readers share a mass taste—laughter, 

drama and tears. 

Fire at New Orleans 

Ruins Crown Theatre 

NEW ORLEANS—A $100,000 blaze brought 

about complete ruin to the sub-run Crown 

Theatre. The theatre, owned by Lazarus Theatres, 

Inc., caught fire on New Year's morning 

about 3 o'clock and brought a general 

alarm with 20 pieces of fire equipment answering 

the alarm. Eight firemen narrowly 

escaped death when the front of the theatre 

collapsed within seconds after the men had 

moved. 

An investigation is under way. 

Features Miniature Train 

At Eau Gallie, Fla., Airer 

EAU GALLIE. FLA.—A train ride on a 

miniature steam train has been added to the 

attractions of the Brevard Drive-In, owned 

and operated by Hugh Kampen. The railroad, 

located at the theatre exit, is called the 

N

. . Strand 

. . The 

Big Electronics Year 

Seen by GE Official 

From Eastern Edition 

NEW YORK—The electronics industry will 

continue its fast development pace in 1955, 

predicts Dr. W. R. G. Baker, vice-president 

and general manager of the General Electric 

electronics division. 

Pi'incipal developments, he says, will be: 

1. The trend to higher power in broadcasting 

will continue as more and more stations 

increase their power rating. 

2. By the end of 1955, there should be at 

least 530 television stations in operation in the 

United States, an increase of 100 for the 

year, and it is estimated that more than 

50 per cent of operating stations will be able 

to transmit network color shows. 

3. Retail television sales for the year should 

total about 5,800,000 monochrome units and 

200,000 color sets. Public interest in lifelike 

quality of color TV assures It success 

as a superior medium of television entertainment. 

4. Retail radio sales are estimated at 6,500,- 

000 units for 1955, when there wUl be a 

strikingly new advance in radio chassis construction 

through the use of printed wire 

boards. Nearly 1,000,000 units of the total 

radio production will use printed wire wiring. 

5. The first quantity production of general 

purpose transistors will be achieved in 

1955. 

6. Great accomplishments will mark the research, 

development, systems engineering and 

production of military electronics equipment 

as the growing complexity and volume of such 

equipment brings out the need for integration 

of more and more individual functions. 

7. New designs in germanium rectifiers will 

nearly quadruple the volume of business in 

195-t 

8. Use of two-way radio communication in 

mobile applications will continue to expand 

with total industry sales approximately 10 

per cent higher than in 1954. 

9. Continued growth of electronics applications 

and increased use of electronic tubes for 

defeiLse, industry and entertainment will give 

added impetus to the already rapid growth 

in the tube business. 

Handed a character lead in Columbia's 

"Duel on the Mississippi" was Ian Keith. 

MONARCH 

Theatre Supply, Inc. 

MEMPHIS 

LJonard A. Nicholson, manager of Paramount, 

staged a tradescreening at Linden 

Circle of "The Bridges of Toko-Ri" . . . 

Grover Wray, partner in Exhibitors Ser- 

. . H. 

vices, spent a holiday vacation with relatives 

in Shreveport. Ed Doherty, the other 

partner, attended the Navj'-6le Miss game 

al New Orleans on New Year's Day . 

G. Walden is the new owner of Belmont at 

Belmont, Miss. He will book and buy in 

Memphis. 

Additional drive-in clasings reported: 

Wheatley, Hot Springs, Ark.; A&B. Ripley, 

Tenn.; Skyway, Princeton, Ky.; Rainbow, 

Griffithville, Ark., and Broadway, Dickson, 

Tenn. The Prescott (Ark.) Drive-In, went into 

a week-end only operation . local 

Plaza Theatre, operated by Augustine Clanciolo, 

staged a midnight spook show New 

Year's Eve. "The Dungeon of Death," was 

presented by "The Mad Dr. Morris," expert 

in the eerie. Dr. Morris performed such feats 

as amputating limbs of lovely gb-ls and then 

turned loose his vampires amongst patrons. 

The film was "The Monster and the Woman." 

B. F. Jackson and Joe Davis, Delta, Ruleville; 

Mrs. Jack Watson, Palace, Tunica; Mrs. 

. . . 

J. C. Noble, Temple, Leland; C. J. Collier, 

Globe, Shaw; and Joe Davis, Globe, Drew, 

were among visiting Mississippi exhibitors 

M. A. Lightman jr., Malco Theatres, and 

his family were vacationing in Florida . . . 

Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Bostick. National Theatre 

Supply Co.; and Null Adams. BOXOFFICE 

representative, were among Memphians who 

attended the Sugar Bowl Ole Miss-Navy football 

game. 

Louise Mask, Luez, Bolivar; Paul Harrington, 

Calvert Drive-In, Calvert City, Ky.; Orris 

Collins. Capitol and Majestic, Paragould, 

Ark.; H. P. Espey, Victory, Weiner, Ark.; 

John Lowrey and son. Jack Lowrey, Lowrey, 

Russellville, Ark., and J. K. Jameson sr., and 

his son, Joy at Bald Knob, Ark., and Ken 

at McCrory, Ark., were seen on Filmrow. 

H. G. Walden plans to reopen the Belmont 

Theatre. Belmont, Miss., within the next two 

weeks. Dyer Theatre, Dyer, Tenn., and Ashland 

Theatre, Ashland, Miss., have closed for 

the time being . Theatre, Louis- 

. . . 

ville, Miss., has been closed following a fire 

Shelby Theatre, Shelby, Miss., plans a 

HANDY 

new home. The city has condemned the present 

building and Shelby's owners ] 

build a new theatre if a suitable 1 

cannot be found . . . Twin Oaks D 

Monticello. Ai'k., has closed for the se; 

Mayor Tobey and top army bras 

present at Loew's State theatre fo 

monies opening the showing of the do 

tary film on Army life, "This Is Your 

which was billed with "Destry." Thf 

an Army band and a presentation 

colors at the opening. 

William H. Everett, owner, has reope 

former owner of Normal Theatre here a 

Rae Theatre, McRae, Ark., and wi 

and buy out of Memphis . . . George Gi 

field representative of the Theatre 

of America, was guest on the Press-Sc 

"Interesting Persons" program on te 

station WMCT. Gaughan said Ameri( 

diers now think nothing of finding 

theatres just like the ones back hoi 

the latest pictures wherever the Arm 

them in the far corners of the w'orld. G 

helped set up the theatre system 

Army. 

A Get-Acquainted We 

HAINES CITY—The Florida 

Tliea 

the Lake Haines Drive-In of the Flo; 

aires sponsored a Get-Acquainted We 

ing w'hich they presented a pass wi 

admission sold. Steve Barber is mar 

the Florida, and Roy Williams of tl 

Haines. 

*ÎH[ARTHRmSANO RHEUMATISM FOUNDATION î 

This Spac« Contributed By 

BOXOFFICE 

Neil 

Blount 

492 So. Second Sf. 

Memphis, 

Tenn. 

COMPLETE LINE 

THEATRE EQUIPMENT and 

CONCESSION SUPPLIES 

TRI-STATE THEATRE SUPPLY 

320 So. Second St. Memphis, Tenn.

1 Moncton, 

. . The 

. . Others 

. . . Mrs. 

. . Lynn 

. . Also 

. . Rube 

det Features 

len Letter 

jtter written to the edi- 

;ine by Earle M. Holden, 

the Wilby-Kincey Lucas 

is featured in a special 

by that magazine titled 

Ambassador," copies of 

?nt to executives in all 

jtion picture industry, 

le Savannah theatreman 

on for the fine publicity 

on picture industry by 

contains data on recent 

izine has made coninterest 

in motion picthis 

is one of the reasons 

ig much space each week 

g to a chart contained 

ok devotes an average of 

o films. 

the pamphlet. Gardner 

;ent, sets out the magards 

motion pictures: 

: a particularly close bond 

h is a picture magazine, 

icture industry. For in 

ays, it seems to me we 

e objective through the 

entertain, inform and 

3Ugh the exciting use of 

.ry fluctuations, it has 

belief that movies will 

al part of American life. 

last year has shown this 

motion picture industry 

; fully justified. With all 

Eeel continuing optimism 

ars to come." 

irists 

lew citizens and visiting 

y Lynch of the Para- 

N. B., imthe 

nearby Maritime 

/erse side of his monthly 

n addition to welcoming 

Hub of the Maritimes," 

1 the many up-to-date 

new projection-sound 

at the Paramount. 

HERE'S YOUR CHANCE 

to get in the 

BIG MONEY 

As a screen game, 

HOLLYWOOD takes fop 

ors. As a box-office ath 

is without equal. It has 

t with theatre goers for 

e today for complete de- 

* seating or car capacity. 

AMUSEMENT CO. 

nu« • Chicago 5, llllnoit 

JACKSONVILLE 

Dill Baskin, Florida State Theatres booker, 

announced the birth of his fir.st daughter, 

Evelyn Nelma, born on December 29. The 

Baskins also have two 

^^^^^ 

young sons . . . Leaving 

J^^^l^^k town for year-end holi- 

B^P^^^^^fc days were Leon D. 

W ^ 

Netter, PST president, 

1 

^^ 

f and his wife, who 

"^^ ^^ 

visited in Miami with 

their son Charles Net- 

'^B,,.- - ter and his family; 

Mrs. Ernestine 

^^^ 

Noah. 

^^^Ît ^S'r 

i 

^^ department, 

^^^H S^ 

who journeyed to Tenm^B^^ 

w nessee, and Hal Stanton, 

manager of the 

Bill Baskin Edgewood Theatre, 

who visited w'ith his parents in Fort Pierce. 

. 

Cecil Cohen, owner of the suburban Murray 

Hill Theatre, was busy converting his theatre 

to Cinemascope. His Dixie Theatre underwent 

a similar conversion about two months 

ago Palace Theatre, managed by 

George Krevo, opened with its second Cinemascope 

feature, the first-run of "Carmen 

Jones," on December 31 for a booking of 

.seven and one-half days. He also ran the 

feature as a New Year's Eve midnight show 

With one of the largest crowds of the 

. . . 

year in town to see the annual New Year's 

Eve football game between Auburn and Baylor 

at the Gator Bowl, several exhibitors 

stayed open for midnight shows. These included 

Bob Skaggs at the Florida who began 

the first-run of "There's No Business Like 

Show Business" and Sheldon Mandell at the 

St. Johns with the first-run of "The Silver 

Chalice" . vying for midnight 

favors of visiting Texans, Alabamans and 

Floridians were Joe Charles, Capitol Theatre; 

Bob Anderson, Southside Drive-In; Carl 

Carter, Ribault Drive-In; and Al HUdred, 

San Marco Theatre. 

Marjorie Edenfield, MGM staffer, vacationed 

the latter half of December and returned 

to work Monday (3) . . . Friends of 

Jack Weiner, MGM publicity man, were glad 

to learn that doctors had taken him off the 

critical list after he had been in a local hospital 

for a week suffering from a lung pimcture 

incurred in an auto crash. Taking his 

place temporarily in the MGM office was 

Judson Moses, exploiteer of the Atlanta district 

office . . . Mrs. Lillian Parker, manager 

of the Brentwood Theatre, was reported 

ill at home. 

Cam Price, RKO manager, returned from a 

vacation spent with his children in Birmingham 

. . . Leonard Allen of Atlanta, Paramount 

public relations man, was here in 

connection with a screening of "The Bridges 

Of Toko-Ri" aboard the hanger deck of the 

aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Intrepid the night of 

Thursday (6i. Working with him on the first 

local filming of this type were FYench Harvey, 

FST advertising executive, and Robert 

Heekin. FST district supervisor. More than 

100 newsmen. TV and radio officials, and 

community leaders attended the novel screening 

Ken Laird, Buena Vista district 

. . . manager, revealed that his southeastern office 

would be moved from here to Atlanta, 

with Harvey Reinstein remaining as a salesman 

for the Florida area. 

Carl Floyd, head of Floyd Theatres, Haines 

. . Mrs. 

City, and Bob Daugherty, general manager, 

were here at midweek . here was Bob 

Mullis of Bronson, who operates theatres at 

Cedar Key and Gulf Hammock . 

Adeline Gathrop reopened the Linda Drive- 

In, Palatka, with a new concessions stand 

Marye Sisson of the Roy Sm.ith Co., 

Tampa, was ill at her home . Joiner, 

independent booker from Atlanta, called along 

Filmrow, as did Walt Woodward, Wil-Kin 

Theatre Supply selesman from Miami. 

Mark DuPree, FST executive, and hLs family 

spent the New Year holidays in Daytona 

Beach . Goodyear, manager of the 

Empire Theatre, Daytona Beach, was in town 

Will Hill, veteran animal trainer, 

briefly . . . 

exhibited his dogs, ponies and elephants in 

many parts of the state in connection with 

first runs of "Three Ring Circus" . . Jim 

. 

McClellan, Edgewood assistant, was on the 

sick list. 

Increases Airer Capacity 

CORAL GABLES. FLA.—Remodeling the 

Tropicaire Drive-In has increased the parking 

space by 80 cars. The drive-in can now 

accommodate 775 cars. A new CinemaScope 

has also been installed, according to Manager 

D. K. McComas. 

THEATRICAL ENTERPRISES 

JACKSONVILLE 

ATLANTA 

SALUTES -!- 

SAM MANNING 

Ri-Mar 

Drive-In 

Thank you, Sam, it has been a 

great pleasure working with you 

these past five 

years. 


FOR THE BEST 

SPECIAL 

COCOYL 

GOLDEN COCONUT OIL SEASONING 

ROY SMITH CO. 

TAMPA 

JACKSONVILLE 

uary 8, 1955 53

. . FST 

. . The 

. . Jim 

. . Percy 

. . The 

. . Roy 

. . John 

MIAMI 

Jamaica has been selected 

by American interests 

as the site for a two-stage studio. 

The building will cost $300,000. The group, 

headed by a-s.sociates of Princeton Film Center, 

which also has a central Florida studio, 

is being a.ssisted financially by the Industrial 

Development Corp. of Jamaica . signed 

Vic Damone, starring in two current films 

playing here, for three stage appearances at 

the Coral, Florida and Sheridan theatres. 

Damone was filling an engagement at a local 

night club. Wometco also has .secured Damone 

for an appearance at the Lincoln, where one 

ol his films was in a .second week. 

Wometco started out 

the new year with a 

A completely A^//f^ 

popping machine 

. . . Caplan's 

new series of go-to-church reminders for its 

Sunday advertising heading 

Roosevelt, on an art policy, held over "Mr. 

Hulot's Holiday" . cash registers were 

ringing at Claughton's Royal, Variety and 

Ti-ail for "Three Ring Circus." 

Florida's Gov. Charley E. Johns, as one of 

his last acts before going out of office, wired 

his appreciation to Howard Hughes for the 

selection of Silver Springs as the location 

of the underwater premiere of "Underwater!" 

January 10 . . . Paul Gregory and Charles 

Laughton will scout location sit«s in Jamaica 

lor "The Naked and the Dead," localites hear. 

Wometco's Mitchell Wolfson made introductions 

with his usual poise over a recent 

TV program during WTVJ's televised Christmas 

party, but said later he was "completely 

flabbergasted." While he was talking a janitor, 

complete with broom and paraphernalia, 

came between him and the camera. As the 

man passed the camera he turned to the 

audience and tittered, "I've got a T 

too," then disappeared. The "janitor' 

out to be Red Buttons who was i 

unbeknownst to Wolfson. 

The first 100 women entering any 

ton theatre after 6 p.m. Christma 

received a box of Laura Lee coconut 

as a gift ... As part of PST's "Deej 

Heart" promotion. Gene Parrazzo p 

Sigmund Romberg recital in a dc 

window of selections from the pictu 

recital was repeated twice during 

i 

The personnel and 

and evening . . . 

of the FST circuit had their annual 

party after office hours on the daj 

Christmas. 

Leonard Allen, Paramount district ej 

was here several days from Atlanta . 

Newman, Paramount Theatres repres( 

New York, visited Harry Botwick, : 

FST in the southeastern area ... A 

Olympia band leader, Ray Teal, will 

hereabouts in a forthcoming Pai 

Mitchell Wolfson, no reh 

film . . . 

Louis Wolfson mentioned as producin 

John Silver," may be remotely conni 

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the film's distribution, since he ; 

partner Sidney Meyer are members 

Distributors Corp. Ass'n, which pa 

nanced and will handle the picturf 

NEW ORLEA 

pill Shields, partner in the Marrero L 

was at home recovering after an 

dectomy . DeNeve. Rivoli E 

Vicksburg, Miss., also was at home i 

ating after an operation . W 

salesman, was honored at a diniier b 

bers of the Columbia staff on his i 

ment as manager of the new Columbia 

in Houston. 

Al Boneno, formerly w'ith Dixie Fi 

moved to 20th-Pox to take over the 

job recently vacated . Nicaui 

ager for Lippert in Atlanta, was in t 

the holidays . , . Donald Ganucheau 

for Pittman Theatres, was maiTied t 

Riviere. 

.Alberta Schlinder. Realart booker, 

friend of everyone on Filmrow wher 

announced she had won four har 

Sugar Bowl football tickets . . . Georf 

gesser, salesman for Monogram, be 

new Mercury . Duplissey has 

his El Ranch Drive-In at DeRidder to 

Saturday operation for the winter. 

Lewis Cox will reopen his Bayoi 

Drive-In at Barton January 13 . . . 

Hicks wil! close his U Drive-In, Le 

Miss., until May 1 . . . Henry Mey 

closed his sub-run Don in Gulfport . 

Gooch has closed the Mayvel in £ 

Charlie Morel will c 

ville. Miss. . . . 

Rebel Drive-In at Natchez, Miss., unti 

keeping his Starlite Drive-In open 1 

Charles Levy, formerly of the Ritz a 

mond, purchased the Bayview at Bilo 

J. N. Sullivan . Sugar Bowl 

game on New Year's Day brought 

followers of the Ole Miss and Navy t 

New Orleans. Among the exhibitoi 

Lou Langlois, Alamo, New Roads: J 

well. Royal. Bernice; T. G. Solom 

Harry Thomas, Solomon Theatres ( 

sissippi: Eddie Delany, Pike Theatn 

nolia, MLss.: R. E. Hook, Dreamland. 

Mis.s., and R. A. Conrad, Broussard. 


n the Job; 

n Owner 

-Beverly Miller, who operat 

St. Joseph, Mo., was re- 

1 who showed up at the 

kerosene portable heater 

ation wagon of something 

recently at Bob Hoff's Airare 

rented at the Airport 

ne evening, Miller related, 

e returned when leaving, 

ing a heater is given an 

k to turn in when going 

cupants are chai-ged the 

. 

$15. 

and Hoff were leaving the 

200-pound police officer 

lease," he said, 

the owner of the drivef. 

10 you ai-e," said the offire 

to let no one out wither, 

identification check or 

turned over his heater 

ited the man on doing a 

, House Used 

[s Promotion 

rhe largest crowds in the 

n of 15,000 were attracted 

Christmas parade staged 

manager of the Marion 

redecessor Ted Chapin, in 

the Marion Chamber of 

local merchants. The cost 

ival matinee at the Marion 

; by the merchant group, 

iwd of children and adults 

show. 

ILOTTE 

. . . Joe 

king Service reports the 

)rive-In closed for the win- 

:er, went to Georgia for the 

. . . Piedmont Promo- 

Service reports the Seat 

Mount Pleasant closed 

ftill be equipped for Cineopens 

next spring 

îty, was in town buying 

Id and reopen his theatre 

sral months ago. 

le Row recently included 

le. Mount Olive; Fin Lee, 

Jodie Holland, Lyman at 

cManus. Scenic Drive-In, 

ieight, Midway, Lancaster; 

Columbia Drive-In; R. L. 

e-In, Spartanburg: V. D. 

Drive-In, Raeford; Ray 

ive-In. Asheboro; J. W. 

; Harold Armistead, Lyric, 

art, Motor-In, Lancaster; 

;-HiII Drive-In; T. L. Bin- 

LaGrange; W. S. Funk. 

ingstree. and Clif Faw. 

IS Screen 

E — A new Cinemascope 

istalled by Dave Huff in 

rive-In. 

HART 

^11 Tampa area drive-ins clo.sed on Christmas 

Eve except the Hillsboro and Floriland. 

The Floriland. 20th Century, 40th Street 

and Auto Park drive-ins featured two nights 

of free pre-Christmas shows. Jim Poindexter 

hosted a Christmas party for the Floriland 

and 20th Century employes. Garland Flowers 

is now assistant at the Floriland. 

The 20th Century was closed on the 22nd 

and 23rd while the projection was being 

moved forward to accommodate new restrooms 

and other improvements. 

Joe Taylor of the Hillsboro has a miniature 

circus display which attracts much attention. 

Every Sunday Joe a.ssists at the services 

conducted at the airer by the First 

Christian Church of Tampa. He handles the 

sound system. The church gives doughnuts, 

coffee and orange juice to the worshippers. 

* * * 

Critic Phil Barney reported in the Tampa 

Tribune that the best grossers in that city 

during 1954 were How to Marry a Millionaire. 

The Glenn Miller Story, White Christmas 

and The French Line, which .showed, 

respectively, at the Palace, Park, Tampa and 

the 

State. 

The six Tampa drive-ins, played "Black 

Widow" on New Year's Eve. What happened 

to the print shortage? Four continued it 

Sunday night. 

* * * 

Walt Miles, former manager of the Piedmont 

at Atlanta for Dixie Drive-In Theatres, 

now manages the Tower Drive-In. Among 

:SB00KIK6 SERVICE 

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By HARRY HART. 

recent stunts is posting of ticket serial numbers 

on a concession stand board every night, 

good for free sandwiches, popcorn and drinks. 

During the holidays he had a local photographer 

make free pictures of kiddies from 

1 to 12 p.m. on a pony, tieing in with a Cowkid 

contest. For New Year's, he ran an ad inviting 

the men to bring "your best girl for 

a midnight show and have your picture made 

absolutely free." 

Santa Claus distributed free gifts to the 

youngsters at a free cartoon show marking 

the reopening of the Fourth Street Drive-In 

at St. Petersburg following remodeling and 

installation of Cinemascope. The new concession 

stand is a model of its kind. Ezra 

Kimbrell is manager. 

Jack Fitzwater and Pete Sones were busy 

at the Bayland Theatres office. Dale Mabry 

became father of a baby son recently. 

The Cypress and Sundown drive-ins have 

been closed several months. Also dark is the 

Westown and The Garden Theatre. 

Drive-in attendance was off during the holidays. 

Ray Bussler of United Theatre Supply was 

supervising moving into the new showrooms. 

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luary 8, 1955 55

'. 

Hugh Graham Abandons 

Operation of LaCosa 

From Central Edition 

ST. ANN, MO.—Hugh Graham, sub-lessee 

of the LaCosa Theatre, has given up operation 

of the theatre. 

When the LaCosa opened in November 

1952 with only one operator in the booth. 

Graham met with opposition from lATSE 

Local 143 and he later filed an injunction 

in the circuit court to enjoin the union from 

picketing the house to enforce demands for 

the employment of two projectionists. On 

May 24, 1954, Judge Douglas L. C. Jones 

made permanent the antipicketing injunction, 

but later the union attorneys appealed 

to the St. Louis court of appeals, where 

the matter still rests. 

The LaCosa was built by Charles F. Vatterott. 

V^ 

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Romance them by letting us repair 

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and we do it all without interruption 

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Up to 2 years to pay on i 

complete rehabilitation. M.^ 

Walter Hyland of Chicago 

Celebrates 40th U-I Year 


CHICAGO—Walter Hyland, well known for 

his ready smile and radiant personality, explains 

it's because he finds great contentment 

in his work. 

"More than any 

other business," he 

says, "a career in show 

business brings great 

satisfaction when one 

loves his work." Hyland 

has spent half a 

century "out front" 

and behind the scenes 

in show business. He 

is presently observing 

his 40th anniversary as 

U-I head booker in 

Chicago. Walter Hyland 

Hyland was born in Milwaukee. His first 

introduction to this business was as a songslide 

singer in the town's first nickelodeon 

theatres, the Orpheum and Theatorium. 

Shortly afterwards, he moved to nearby 

Madison and opened the first neighborhood 

theatre in that city. In 1914 he came with 

U-I's Chicago office as assistant booker. But 

back in 1914 it was known as the Carl 

Laemmle film exchange. 

"Those were the days," recalls Walter, 

'when two-reelers were breaking boxoffice 

records." 

One in particular that he likes to talk 

about was titled "101 Bison." "We advertised 

it as '101 Bison With Real Indians,' " says 

Walter, "because it was the first Indian movie 

with authentic Redskins." 

Walter also recalls "Uncle Carl" Laemmle's 

ntmierous visits to Chicago while he was 

establishing national distribution. "Problems 

were plentiful. Once when the exchange 

burned to the groimd, destroying all of our 

prints, we hustled around to nearby Laemmle 

exchanges and we didn't have a single missout." 

he related. "That was an accomplishment 

in those days. Remember, there was no 

such thing as Air Express." 

Today, with an enviable record of 40 years 

of outstanding service to U-I behind him, 

Walter Hyland is thinking ahead to help 

improve his and U-I's future. 

He recently conceived a special U-I feature 

breakdown chart designed to aid exhibitors 

in booking skip-releases and repeats. Hyland's 

new chart idea is proving highly successful 

in Chicago. It is also being considered 

for use in all U-I branch offices. 

Recently U-I's Chicago staff, headed by 

District Manager Manie Gottlieb and branch 

Manager Lou Berman gave Walter a surprise 

luncheon. And that Chicago area exhibitors 

are going all out for Walter is readily evidenced 

by the success of the booking drive 

honor of his 40th anniversary with U-I. 

ill 

Tampa Royal Robbed 

TAMPA—A lone gunman wearing a handkerchief 

acro.ss his face held up the Royal 

Theatre and got away with more than $100. 

Ofela Menendez, the cashier, said the man 

walked up to her booth, thrust a paper sack 

at her, told her to put all the money in the 

bag. He held a pistol pointed at her while 

she complied. 

Bill Elliott was the headliner at the recent 

annual Teluco Lake Rotary Club Christmas 

party. 

RESEARCH BUH 

for 

MODERN THEATRE PLA 

ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INF 

The MODERN THEATRE 

PLANNING mSTTTUTE 

825 Van Brunt Blvd. 

Kansas City 24, Mo. 

Gentlemen: 

Please enroll us in your RESEARC 

to receive information regularly, as n 

the folloviring subjects for Theatre Pla 

n Acoustics 

n Air Conditioning 

n Architectural Service 

D "Black" Lighting 

n Building Material 

n Carpets 

G Coin Machines 

D Complete Remodeling 

n Decorating 

n Drink Dispensers 

D Drive-In Equipment 

D Other Subjects 

Theatre 

Seating Capacity.. 

Address 

City 

Sate 

Signed 

n Lighting Fi 

D Plumbing 1 

Projectors 

n Projection 

D Seating 

n Signs and 

n Sound Equ 

n Television 

D Theatre Fn 

n Vending E 

Postage-paid reply cards for your further 

in obtaining information are provided in T 

THEATRE Section, published with the fi 

each month. 


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ATLANTA 

A B. Padgett, former chief barker of the 

Variety Club, was Santa Claus at the 

WOMPI Christmas party. He was attended 

by all of his rein "dears," including Rudolph. 

He introduced each one of the "dears," then 

and the little child all dressed in red flannel 

night gown and cap. The child, played by 

Betty Rary, president of WOMPI, sang a 

.song to "Mr. Santa" and asked for Liberace 

for Christmas. One of the most comical 

"skits" was I've Got a Secret. Four of the 

bosses Oh Filmrow comprised the panel and 

Dr. Mack Cone, husband of Lois Cone, booker 

at Martin Theatres, was the guest. Dr. Cone 

won the prize (candy stick i as his "seci-et" 

was not guessed. Harold Spears, new chief 

barker of the Variety Club, drew for the 

prize. 

E,\hibitors on the Row: Nat Williams, Interstate 

Enterprises, Thomasville; Ebb Duncan, 

Carrolton; Sid Laird, West Point; Don 

Boardman, Sky view Drive-In, Augusta; Violet 

Edwards, Royal Theatre, Monticello; R. 

M, Kennedy, Birmingham; Doc Fincher. 

Chatsworth; Norris Stephens, booking and 

buying agent, Savannah . Bryant, 

National Screen ,Service booker, vacationed 

at home . . . Lynda Burnett, United Artists 

booker, was home ill all week suffering a 

New booker at Universal 

sinus infection . . . 

is Tommy Mote, formerly at the Film Booking 

Office. 

C. H. Robuck of UA m Jacksonville was 

here on a vacation. 

SAVANNAH 

Oeveral hundred persons attended the wedding 

of Patricia Griffin and Albert Weis 

in the beautiful St. John the Baptist Catholic 

cathedral Sunday night (26). The groom 

is a.ssociated with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. 

Fred Weis, in the operation of the Weis, 

Savannah and State theatres. All wedding 

guests were invited to the reception held at 

the DeSoto Hotel . Beat, column 

written by the city editor of the Savannah 

Morning News, mentioned the arrival of a 

daughter to Cecil McGlohon, manager of 

the Avon Theatre, on Christma,s eve. It is 

their first child. 

. 

. . . 

Local exhibitors were saddened at news of 

the death of Col. Charles Kessnich of MGM 

in Atlanta Montgomery Drive-In 

closed Christmas eve to allow employes to 

be with their families. Other houses reported 

a lack of customers Average Christmas 

Day business was reported by the first run 

theatres with good weather prevailing until 

rain started just before the 9 p.m. shows. 

Holiday attractions were "Three Ring Circus" 

at the Weis, "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" 

at the Lucas, "Deep in My Heart" at the 

Savannah and "Fire Over Africa" at the 

Avon. 

Charles Fortson, sales manager for WU- 

Kin Theatre Supply in Atlanta, was a visitor. 

Julian Blaustein Parts 

Company With 20th-Fox 

From Western Edition 

HOLLYWOOD — After an association ol 

more than six years, producer Julian Blaustein's 

contract at 20th Century-Fox has 

been terminated by mutual consent. He did 

not immediately announce his future plans. 

Blaustein recently completed "The Racers," 

starring Kirk Douglas, Bella Dai-vi and Gilbert 

Roland. He also produced the current 

"Desiree." 

Meantime 20th-Fox handed writer-producer-director 

Nunnally Johnson a new 

long-term ticket. He is prepai-ing, as his 

next three-w'ay a.s.signment, "How To Be 

Very, Vei-y Popular." a Marilyn Monroe 

stai'rer. 

; Contributed by 

OFFICE 

'Man From Texas' Has Utah Locale 

Producer-director Joe Kane will launch 

the Republic picture. "Man From Texa.s," next 

month on location in Utah.

Sell 

and Sell 

Scores of busy little messages 

go out every week to a tremendous 

audience— and they get a tremendous 

response! 

^ 

Every exhibitor is 

busy— buying, 

selling, renting, hiring. All this is 

made easier and more profitable 

with the classified ads in Clearing 

House each week. 

READ • USE • PROFIT BY— 

Classified Ads 

in 

BOXOFFICE 

Greatest Coverage in the Field—Most Readers for Your Money 

Four Insertions for Price of Three 


; and 

1 the 

C. E. Kessnich 

^d at Atlanta 

eral services were held 

I 

ihaiies Emile Kessnich, retired 

southern district 

manager for MGM, 

who died Christnia-s 

Eve at the age 

of 67. He had been 

with MGM since 1918 

when he took over the 

local branch. Two 

years later he was 

made district manager 

and continued in that 

^ position until Feb- 

I ruary 1954, when he 

retired. He was active 

1 in many fields outside 

Lities. During the war he 

ist chairman of the War 

tee of the film industry 

ve in Variety Club. He is 

vife and a daughter and 

ran. 

xiliary Party 

Wednesday 

TY—Variety Tent 22 auxilednesday 

(12) at the Vatop 

the Biltmore hotel for 

ed by bridge and canasta, 

d to make reservations for 

they wish, giving them an 

,' back some of their social 

incheon and card party will 

ng at 11 a.m. Mrs. C. A. 

will preside. 

•idge will be Mrs. Michael 

;anasta, Mrs. Morris Loew- 

)rge l«Blanc in charge of 

Mrs. Charley HudgenswiU 

inittee members greeting 

guests. 

e, who is program chair- 

!nd as she'll be in Denver, 

ampany her husband, manoundation 

theatres here, on 

;ss 

trip. 

round Texas 

Foy Drives 

:any theatres around the 

in toys for tots Christmas 

nonth, most of which aeon 

of a toy as the price of 

g the many which pre- 

,'s were the Limestone at 

Sid Smith reported that 

êd at a Saturday morning 

led over to the Mexia State 

;e Theatre at Jacksonville, 

Robert Lugenbuhl jr. said 

ruck load of canned foods 

lected at a show sponsored 

ind a local bank for the 

mmerce Christmas Cheer 

ace Theatre, Snyder, where 

sponsored a show for unngsters 

with the coopiera- 

N. R. Clements. 

reen 

OKLA.—Bill Edmonston of 

leatre has installed a wide 

improvements, including a 

front. 

Oklahoma Assns Select 

Joint-Action Committees 

OKLAHOMA CITY—Allied of Oklahoma 

and Theatre Owners of Oklahoma, meeting 

at a joint luncheon session Monday (3i, 

agreed to take united 

action if any adverse 

taxation bill is introduced 

in the legislature, 

which convened 

Tue.sday. 

C. B. "Brownie" 

Akers. Tulsa. legislative 

chairman for both 

units and TOO director, 

led the discussion. 

Ed Thorne, new TOO 

president, asked Earl 

Snyder jr.. Tulsa, Allied 

president, to preside. 

"Brownie" Akers 

Akers remained to attend the assembly 

opening at the state capitol. 

Tulsa and Oklahoma City municipal officals 

are waging an all-out campaign for 

enactment of legislation to permit them to 

levy special taxes to ease their respective 

financial plights. Currently the earnings tax 

seems to be the favorite of the municipal 

leaders, but occupation, automobile, insurance 

and admissions taxes have been proposed. 

JOINT MEETING PLANNED LATE 

The joint TOO-AUied session was a lastminute 

switch in plans. Both gi-oups had 

been scheduled to convene on Monday at 

different hours. Pi-esident Thorne arranged 

the joint luncheon. Each group then adjourned 

to separate meeting sites, the TOO 

to the Variety clubrooms and Allied elsewhere 

in the Biltmore hotel. 

Both TOO and Allied selected executive 

committees to work together in fighting any 

tax legislation, and in making arrangements 

for the MGM Ticket Selling Workshop to 

be held here soon. Representing TOO are 

President Thorne. Ralph Drewry, Ray 

Hughes and Akers. The latter will serve as 

liaison. Representing Allied are President 

Snyder, Glen Thompson and J. S. Worley. 

The latter is a director of both exhibitor 

associations. 

The TOO board elected Thorne to be the 

Theatre Owners of America representative, 

and Drewry as its COMPO envoy. Morris 

Loewen.stein held both posts until he resigned 

as president at the December convention. 

The TOO directors also voted to revise 

the bylaws and named Drewry to head a committee 

of Alex Blue, Tulsa, and C. D. "Buddy" 

Hicks, Nowata, to study the bylaws and the 

dues setup and submit suggestions for 

changes at the next board .session February 

7. It was reported TOO now has the lowest 

dues of any TOA group in the country. 

Drewry suggested that the monthly board 

sessions be called general membership meetings 

to encourage all exhibitors in the trade 

territory to attend. The .sessions, held the 

first Monday each month, have always been 

open but have drawn few exhibitors, presumably 

because they felt the meetings were 

strictly for the directors and officers. Drewry's 

suggestion was approved and the monthly 

roundups henceforth will be tagged general 

membership meetings. 

All TOO directors were present except 

Ralph Talbot, Worley; Paul Stonum of Anadarko. 

Virby Conley, Perryton, Tex., and 

Phil Hays, Bartlesville. Attending were Bill 

Slepka, O. K. Kemp. H. D. Cox, H. S. Mc- 

Murry, Buddy Hicks, Mrs. Avece Waldron, 

Drewry. Eddie Holt, Les Nordean, Harold 

Combs, Akers, Blue, Charley Procter, Mrs. 

L. H, Goerke, Paul Shipley, Thorne, and 

Hughes. 

Also voted w-as the elimination of a board 

chairman. T'he president hereafter will serve 

as chairman of the board. 

The Allied board named Glen Thompson 

delegate to the National Allied board meeting 

and drive-in convention at St. Louis, February 

6-10. Also plaruiing to attend the St. 

Louis sessions are Eddie Jones, Sand Springs; 

Snyder, Bernard McKenna jr., Norman, and 

Worley. 

The next meeting will be held January 31 

because of the St. Louis convention, instead 

of February 7, with plans for the Oklahoma 

Allied convention February 28-March 1 as 

the chief order of bu.siness. Already scheduled 

for the Allied parley is a buffet dinner 

dance on the night of February 28 in the 

Persian room of the Skirvin Hotel here. A 

cocktail party and a banquet with professional 

talent floor show will be featured the 

following night. 

Attending the Allied meeting were Snyder, 

McKenna, Henry Simpson, Cliff Lance, Glen 

Thompson and son Dick, Claude Motley, 

Jimmy Kelly, Athel Boyter, Max Feinsilber 

and H. H. Carlile. Nordean is a member of 

both TOO and the Allied boards. 

McLendon Group Buys 

WEMP at Milwaukee 

MILWAUKEE—WEMP, local radio station, 

has been sold to a group of Texas residents 

contingent on approval by the FCC. It Is 

understood Gordon McLendon heads Foster 

& Holmes Corp., the company formed to 

make the piu-chase. Others involved axe 

Barton McLendon, father of Gordon; James 

Foster, William Weaver and Dorothy Maning. 

The .senior McLendon is a Texas motion 

picture owner and is associated with his son 

in radio station KLIF-TV, Dallas, and KELP 

and KELP-TV, El Paso. 

The sale of WEMP assets is necessary before 

Milwaukee Broadcasting Co. can buy 

radio station WCAN, a deal which is in the 

pending stage. 

Big Screen to Enid Airer 

ENID. OKLA.—Video Theatres is enlarging 

the screen to 100-feet wide at the Trail 

Drive-In, and also installing new arc lamps 

and cooling equipment for the projectors. 

It will soon reopen for the winter. 

Max Utay Starts Double Features 

DALLAS—Max Utay. who recently purchased 

the Ewing Theatre in Trinity Heights, 

has announced a policy of double features. 

anuary 8, 1955 SW 59

. 

Rubin Frels Dies; Owner 

Of South Texas Circuit 

— 

VICTORIA, TEX. — Rubiil Prels. who 

opened his fii-st motion picture theatre in 

New Ulm in 1914 after working eight years 

as a mailman there, 

died at his home here 

last week (31). He was 

the owner of 15 theatres 

here and in eight 

other cities of south 

Texas. 

All Frels theatres 

five regular hou.ses and 

two drive-ins here, 

^ 

two each in EI Campo 

V 

and Bay City, and one 

I ' each in Wharton. Goliad, 

Yorktown, Nixon, 

Rubin Fri'ls Brookshire and New 

Braunfels—closed Sunday, the day of the 

funeral. 

Fi-els long was a leader in the independent 

exhibitor field. He was vice-president 

for many years of Allied Theatre Owners 

of Texas, and took a prominent role in 

the industry campaign for relief from the 

federal amusement tax. 

In 1936 he filed an antitru.st suit against 

distributors and large theatre circuits charging 

conspiracy to deprive him of motion picture 

product for his theatres. The $1,000,000 

case was tried in Dallas. Although he lost, 

some of the evidence he submitted at the 

trial later was used by the government in 

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• 

Year's 

RN OKLAHOMA 

\RT LA MAN 

now in eastern Oklahoma 

he million dollar rain and 

uring the last days of 1954, 

ace of Old Man 1954 before 

works to Little Junior '55. 

it the rain and snow were 

r more to every small town 

ce the moistm'e assures a 

and that's what keeps the 

eman in the black. So 1955 

good look. Now it's up to 

rate the theatres to crank 

with the stunts and 

e product to the customers. 

* « • 

'ulsa most of the theatres 

Eve previews. The 

vith "Three Ring Circus" 

lusiness at a buck top; the 

top trade with "20.000 

18 Sea," while out at the 

Gene Welch featured a 

lictures. Some of the teenjs 

up a bit by shooting a 

iside the theatre: which, of 

ueals from the gals and got 

out on their ears. So all 

spots around town pulled 

g-dings. with the big one 

irron ballroom w'here Leon 

old year out while KOTV 

a ringside view of the fesis 

WTiter stayed home and 

nd, by the by, while watchng 

for the midnight blowance 

to catch on to some 

ly many people are sitting 

V sets instead of sitting in 

;n a couple of hours we 

; comedy shows featuring 

rv and screen: we had a 

id watched other features, 

ling we noticed was the 

with a lot of serious and 

intermingled. The theatre 

groups and various others 

g talk with the people who 

,g of motion pictures, some 

most forgotten that people 

like smart comedies with 

formed by good actors—90 

opie want to laugh and are 

enjoy a good comedy, 

Dyal Theatre, one of the 

leatres, a new wide screen 

before they ever had the 

it to the public the rear 

jed over and went through 

However, Gene McKenna 

itched and ready to go by 

er would call a very nice 

n I. B. Adelman, owner of 

He phoned from 

ish Delman Manager Gene 

w year. This Ls what makes 

)etween the big man and 

er who helps to make the 

roo bad that there are not 

will take time out to say 

! guys down the line. 

• • * 

le little Irish guy who gets 

s once in a while to crank 

)usiness on Columbia's pictures, 

was in to work on Columbia's first 

Cinemascope feature, "The Violent Men," 

which was given its southwest premiere at 

the TuLsa and Will Rogers theatres on the 

5th. 

The Cove Theatre, located on the west side 

in the Red Fork district, recently was taken 

back by owners Howard and Carter from 

Vernon McGinnis, who operated it several 

years. Pat Silvero remains as house manager. 

The owners have started a complete cleaning, 

repainting and general overhaul job. 

The front has been repaired and the theatre 

is taking on a new look. A new wide screen 

is on order and will be installed soon. Bookings 

have been rearranged which now puts 

the Cove day and date with the drive-ins. 

Pat lined up a two-night weekly giveaway to 

start during the second week of January. 

To this we say, "Go to it: that's the right 

start to put the Cove back on its feet." 

* • • 

The Admiral Drive-In, under the able 

management of Alex Blue, is now adding a 

second screen on the back of its present 

screen tower, which will give Tulsa its first 

twin drive-in. When the Admiral was first 

built by Earl Snyder jr. the twin idea was 

drafted in the original plans: even extra 

land was provided. So converting this popular 

single into a double job is no great 

problem. 

* * * 

Here's a nice little idea to the managers 

who are willing to try something extra to 

help take up the slack days at their boxoffices. 

I mentioned recently that Bob Getter 

had taken our stage show on at the Criterion 

in Sapulpa on Wednesday night before 

Christmas. With the tow'n packed with snow 

and hardly a place to park a car, the show 

pulled in a record business. Grace and Speedy 

Moulder, former owners of the Criterion, 

were in to catch the show. In years back. 

Speedy played bass fiddle with Sapulpa's own 

Catfish Creek band and he knows what he's 

talking about when he rates such attractions. 

He described the Criterion presentation as 

— 

"one of the best shows we have ever had 

in this town." Gracie told us that the take 

was over five times the amount the Criterion 

had last year on the Wednesday before 

Christmas, which made us feel good. It also 

proves once more that if you give 'em a good 

stage show and advertise it, the paying customers 

will come regardle.ss of the picture 

fare. 

We hear that some of the other eastern 

Video theatres have spots open for stage attractions 

in the next few weeks. 

Strong 'Leagues' Opening 

Hits Good 200 in Dallas 

DALLAS— "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" 

proved a strong draw in Dallas where it piled 

up a healthy 200 per cent. Business in general 

was very good with all grosses going 

above average. 


Majestic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea 

IBuena Vista) 200 

Melba—This Is Cinerama (Cineramo) MO 

Riolto— Duel in the Sun (5R0), reissue I 30 

Palace—Young ot Heart (WB) 110 

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inuary 8, 1955 61

' 

Variety 22 Preparing 

To Expand Its Charity 

OKLAHOMA CITY—Dave Hunt launched 

his administration as chief barker of Variety 

Tent 22 with a "state of Variety" message 

at the new crew's initial meeting Monday in 

the clubrooms. 

The crew elected one delegate and two 

alternates to the Variety International convention 

in May at Los Angeles: George 

Fisher. MGM manager, as delegate, and R. 

Lewis Barton, president of the Barton circuit, 

and C. R. Guthrie. Video executive, 

as alternates. Chief Barker Hunt, Sam 

Brunk. Buena Vista, immediate past chief 

barker, automatically become delegates, giving 

Tent 22 three voting delegates to the 

convention. 

Hunt, film director for station KWTV, explained 

that Don TuUius, Warner manager 

and first assistant chief barker, automatiically 

is an alternate. 

The crew also elected four associate crewmen 

without voting privileges. Named -were 

Fred Sanders, vice-president of the Liberty 

National Bank: Leonard Kilfoy, real estate 

and insurance agent: W. H. Lewis, attorney, 

and Johnny Wilkinson, insurance man. 

Re-elected chaplains were Rabbi Israel 

Chodos, the Rev. William H. Alexander, and 

the Very Rev. Msgr. Charles Buswell. 

The five past chief barkers on the crew 

are Brunk: Charley Hudgens, U-I manager: 

C. H. "Buck" Weaver, Paramount exchange 

chief: C. A. "Dewey" Gibbs, Columbia manager, 

and J. C. Hunter, retired theatreman 

from Tulsa who now is in the hotel business 

at Fort Lauderdale, Pla. 

The crew empowered Hudgens and Hunt to 

plan an installation ceremony, tentatively 

.

.' Business" 

. Watson 

at Omaha 

'/o Week 

tate Theatre set a new 

d price showings when 

ider the Sea" scored 320 

hristmas week, Ralph D. 

jldberg Theatre Corp. re- 

) this was "The Silver 

pheum. which had a 150 

hers went above average 

\ peaks. 

age Is 100) 

ngeonce (AA); Port of Hell 

105 

Gretel (RKO); A>rico 

105 

>rivate Hell 36 (Filmakers) . 105 

:holice (WB) 150 

Under the Sea (Buena 

320 

y the Kid (Col) 105 

Opens 

leapolis 

Holdovers were preponnewcomers. 

"There's No 

and "Sign of 

ularly the former, cut a 

ce sw'ath. 

^), 2nd wk 150 

(WB), 2nd wk 90 

lues Under the Sea (BV), 

175 

nsos (Col); A Bullet is 

90 

> Business Like Show 

225 

an (U-l) 150 

ort (MGM), 2nd wk 150 

ison, 36 Years 

I, Retires 

One of thie city's oldest 

jint of length of industry 

kson of Warner Bros., is 

and will settle down and 

lorida in the winter and 

e. Wis,, home during the 

11-liked mdustry member 

nds throughout the t«rribeen 

selling pictures out 

36 years. He joined the 

ire in March 1919. 

a member of the Warner 

r 18 years. Prior to that 

with Paramount for 14 

t National for three years 

CHRISTM.AS I'HK.SKMS— .At the recent 

Christmas dinner and cocktail party 

of the Columbia exchange in Minneapolis, 

Manager H. J. "Hy" Chapman presented 

cashier Genevieve Donovan, left, and Jean 

Paulsen, inspector, watches for their 2.5 

years of service to the company. 

Death to Jack Heywood 

And Charles McCarthy 

MINNEAPOLIS — Two longtime industry 

members. Jack Heywood of New- Richmond, 

Wis., and Charles McCarthy of Minneapolis, 

died recently. 

Heywood, who died at the age of 71 after 

a long illness, was a New Richmond exhibitor 

for many years and in his younger days a 

film salesman here. Before his illness he 

was a frequent visitor to the Northwest 

Variety Club of which he was an active member. 

McCarthy, 51, formerly was in film transportation 

here. He later became a Minnesota 

Amusement Co. theatre manager in Fargo, 

N. D. 

Scott Memorial Fund 

Passes $500 in Omaha 

OMAHA—Tlie Variety Club'.s heart fund 

to be used for a Joe E. Scott Memorial room 

in the new Rehabilitation Center, a project 

now- under way for handicapped children, last 

week topped $500. Heading the list of contributions 

was $100 from A. H. Blank of 

Des Moines on behalf of Tristate Theatre 

Corp. Other gifts came from as far away as 

California and New York, the latter from a 

20th-Fox member. 

Bill Barker, Tent 16 property master, said 

particularly gratifying were the number of 

gifts from exhibitors. He said a lot of the 

donations came from theatremen in small 

situations and that the amount received so 

far was mostly from theatre operators. Exchange 

collections have not started to come in. 

Scott. 20th-Fox manager 20 years, died in 

a hospital here after suffering a heart attack 

at his home. Contributions are being sent to 

1508 Davenport St., Co-Op Theatre Services. 

McLendon Group Buys 

WEMP at Milwaukee 

MILWAUKEE—WEMP, local radio station, 

has been sold to a group of Texas residents 

contingent on approval by the FCC. It is 

understood Gordon McLendon heads Foster 

& Holmes Corp.. the company formed to 

make the purchase. Others involved are 

Barton McLendon, father of Gordon; James 

Foster, William Weaver and Dorothy Maning. 

The senior McLendon is a Texas motion 

picture theatre owner and is associated wîth 

his son in radio station KLIF-TV, Dallas, 

and KELP and KELP-TV, El Paso. 

The sale of WEMP assets is necessary before 

Milwaukee Broadcasting Co. can buy 

station WCAN, a deal which is pending. 

as well, Jackson also 

friends in the theatrical 

; born in Great Britain 

lis family still reside, and 

rs has made numerous 

on Shutters 

A—The Diagonal Theatre, 

Watson, has been closed 

said the reason 

vas lack of patronage. 

ew Processes 

rank Lismeister has preleatre 

for the showing of 

1 processes. 

agle River 

WIS.—Theft of about $70 

Manager Swede Anderson 

xe. 

DRIVE PL.\NXERS—Managers and salesmen from the Des Moines and Omaha 

Universal exchanges met recently with Jeff Livingston, eastern advertising manager; 

Foster Blake, western sales manager, and Lester Zucker, district manager (left to 

right, sealed, top photo) to plan the annual Charles J. Feldman drive, which extends 

to .Vpril 30. Standing in top photo are Manager Iz VVeiner, Carl Reese. Harry Fisher 

and Lewis Cole of the Omaha V-l office and, at bottom, Manager Lou Levy, Oliver 

Patrick, Chris Langhlin and Ralph Olson of Des Moines. 

luary 8, 1955 NC S3

. . . Dick 

. . Ethel 

. . the 

. . 

MILWAUKEE 

. . . 

Tack Frackman, Republic manager, was back 

on Filmrow following a stay in the hospital 

Ralph Farrington has sold his 

. . . Fenway Theatre at Fennimore . . . Jack Frost, 

film salesman in this territory, died recently 

Harry Oshan, Columbia manager, vacao!LiUUUL8J)J)JIJUU>J)-OJI-0-ft-g-a.gJU>JULiLiLlU>: 

a 

tioned in Florida. Also vacationing from Columbia 

was Dave Chapman, who went to 

Mexico. Harry Oshan's son is engaged to be 

married to the daughter of Morris Podell. 

Harry Weiss, Paramount salesman, was on 

a honeymoon in Florida Ray and Oliver 

Ti'ampe attended the two-day convention of 

National Film Carriers Service at Chicago 

"Muscles" Grede gave a party for 

the employes of the Blue Mound Drive-In, 

POPCORN Elm Grove . Wilson, former manager 

of the Bay Theatre, is now assistant 

—Save the difference — 

cashier at the Columbia. 

Ralph Gromley, a pioneer stage hand here, 

fractured his skull when he fell down the 

stairs of the stage employes union office 

while attending a Christmas party and died 

shortly afterwards at the hospital . . . Ruddy 

RUSH HOUR $4.75 

Gran Enterprises 

Leddy was a Filmrow visitor . . . 

SILVER HULLESS 4.85 

purchased the Century Theatre at 

2342 No. 3rd St. The sale was approved by 

GOLDEN HULLESS 5.65 

Judge Robert E. Tehan for $92,000. This 

theatre was in banki-uptcy reorganization in 

POP KING HULLESS 5.25 

the federal court. 

Per 50-pound sack. 

1,000 lb. lots 25c 100 less. 

John S. Falco, manager of the Majestic in 

Beloit, broke the boxoffice record of the theatre 

with "White Christmas." Falco recently 

was named president of the Beloit A.ss'n of 

Commerce . . . Sol Hankin, a district manager 

for Warner Theatres here many years 

ago, was in the Jewish Hospital. St. Louis, 

after suffering from a stroke. 

Use Popcorn in SO-pound bags— instead of 

cans—ond save the difference— as much os 

S3. 00 per 100 pounds. Our prices today, f.o.b. 

St. Louis, in 50-pound bags are as follows: 

100-pound sacks cost less. Price list of our 

full lirte of popcorn supplies sent upon 

request. 

PRUNTY POPCORN DIVISION 

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

GORHAM BOOKING AGENCY 

REDFIELD, IOWA 

COVERING DES MOINES 

FILM EXCHANGE AREA 

BUYING AND BOOKING FOR WHAT 

YOU CAN AFFORD TO PAY 

Lef \Ne%ierr\ Show You the Advantages of 

RCA Stereoscope 

A meeting of the Better Films Council of 

Milwaukee County, held in the screening 

Sound 

EQUIPMENT 

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• Professional counsel by RCA engineers 

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• Nationally-famous RCA quality and performance 

• Proved Projection Equipment, Stereoscope Sound 

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• Year 'round parts and service facilities. 

WESTERN 

THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

214 N. Filtcei.lli, Oin.iha, Neb. .. Phone: Allantic 9046 

ONE DAY SERVICE — On Request! 

rograms 

Covering ONE or TWO WEEKS! 

THEATRICAL ADVERTISING CO. 

2310 CASS AVE. • DETROIT I, MICH. 

WRITE FOR SAMPLE5-WO.I2i;8 

Hundreds of theatres throughout the nation are 

building up big grosses on new wide screen pictures 

with RCA installations. Ask us to prove it. And remember, 

Western can supply you with everything 

else for the theatre, i

: 

nFeie 

! Monday 

"Jorthwesl Variety Club's 

ling Chief Barker L. J. 

elected, will be installed 

ler meeting in the clubit 

(10 1. Miller is urging 

or the event as "a vote 

he new crew and a weirs. 

Miller also announced 

lintments as follows 

Frosch. chairman, and 

lairman. 

lul Malisow, chairman; 

, Jack Greenberg. Don 

d and Sol Torodor. 

Heller, and Charles Ruell 

and Ben Meshbesher. 

Winchell. and Everett 

Al Bloom and Edward 

hanson. chairman. 

anton, and Harold Kap- 

I. 

arer. 

ss McBride, Sim Heller. 

nstein, Ben Berger and 

:s Jackson and Joe Podo- 

Adcock, and Saul Malilan, 

Jess McBride, Fay 

aw, Abbott Sw'artz and 

ler. Tent 12's 1955 officers 

;t a.ssistant chief barker: 

second assistant; Tom 

3ter. and Joseph Podoloff. 

:or Britt, Iowa 

The Chief Theatre here 

iving installation of new 

it and redecoration of part 

new Century projector 

le Hilux curved panoramic 

ed. The screen replaces 

H. S. "Doc" Twedt put in 

.go. Twedt explained that 

allow presentation of both 

'ista Vision. In addition to 

trovement, the two restew 

wood paneling. Further 

ome in later months. 

Foulkes,65,Dies 

EMward W. Foulkes, 65, 

Paramount Theatre, died 

Iowa Methodist Hospital 

ttack. He was a charter 

ectionists Local 286. Born 

es had lived in Des Moines 

rived by a son, a daughter, 

brothers. 

:onsin House 

:hien. wis. — Manager 

X the Metro Theatre has 

Cinemascope screenings. 

illey. Wis. 

Y, wis.—The Valley Thed 

a wide screen and Cin- 

;nt, according to owner 

OMAHA 

T>on McLucas, UA manager, came through 

. . . 

the trip back from Arizona w'ith only 

about one hour of bad roads while a snowstorm 

swept the Texas-Oklahoma-Kansas 

area. The McLucases switched their route, 

and roads to either side of them were blocked 

while they got through without mi.shap 

Ollie Schneider, Osceola exhibitor, came back 

from a w'estern trip with reports of fine theatre 

business in the Los Angeles and San 

Francisco areas. 

Omaha Offices Split 

On Working Times 

Omaha—The new 37'^ -hour schedule 

for Filmrow is being observed in two ways. 

—about 50 per cent of the exchanges are 

on an 8 a.m. to 4:30 basis, the others from 

8:30 to 5. The 8:30 starters include MGM, 

Paramount, Columbia and Universal. 

Going on the 8-4:30 schedule were Warner 

Bros. 20th-Fox, United Artists, Republic 

and Allied Artists. 

on Filmrow included Warren Hall, 

Visitors 

Bunvell; Don Campbell, Central City; Ollie 

Schneider, Osceola, and these lowans: Ray 

Brown and Jamie Booth, Harlan; H. P. Carlton. 

Griswold; Frank Good, Red Oak, and 

Mrs. C. N. John.son and Richard Johnson, 

Red Oak. 

Three Iowa theatres announced they were 

closing their doors last week. They are the 

Princess at Sanborne, owned by Dr. J. C. 

Sanders; the Marland at Marcus, owned by 

Charles Nielsen, and the Sutherland at Sutherland, 

owned by Everett Olhausen. Earlier 

the Community Theatre at Winside, Neb., operated 

by the Business Men's Ass'n. was 

shuttered. 

Mrs. J. B. Blank and her daughter Ruth 

of Los Angeles are spending about a month 

in Omaha visiting Mr. and Mrs. Joe Jacobs, 

her son-in-law and daughter, and her son 

Ralph Blank. Jacobs is Columbia manager 

and Ralph owns the Admiral and Chief theatres 

and is a partner in operation of the big 

Sky View Drive-In . . . Tlie Lake Andes and 

Pickstown theatres in South Dakota are now 

on the booking string of Bill Barker's Co-Op 

Theatre Service. 

The MGM exchange started the new year in 

high gear as the MGM 1955 Motion Picture 

Theatre Celebration got under way over a 

January 1 -April 30 period. Staffers were 

wearing badges boosting the theme, "There's 

More Fun at the Movies" . . . Hob Hirz, manager 

of the Cass Theatre at Plattsmouth, said 

his new bowling alley should be in operation 

by February. 


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XXX Yellow Popcorn Per 100 lbs. 10.95 

Standard Yellow Popcorn Per 100 lbs. 9.00 

"Seazo" Coconut Oil Seasoning Per 50 lbs. 14.25 

Liquid Popsit Plus Seasoning Per Case 16.25 

Popcorn Salt Per Case 2.95 

No. 400 Automotic Bottom Boxes, 1% or 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 

1/2 lb. Popcorn Sacks Per 1000 1.20 

IV2 lb. White Popcorn Socks Per 1000 2.95 

1 lb. Printed Noiseless Sacks Per 1000 3.80 

Mt 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 GO. 

1121-23 High St. Des Moines, Iowa 

luary 8. 1955 65

. . Orin 

. . Dee 

. . Manager 

. . . Herb 

After 

LONG SERVICE RECOGNIZED—J. H. 

Jacobs, left, manager of Columbia's Omaha 

exchange, acting in behalf of the company 

presented a watch to General Grant 

Green, exchange custodian, in recognition 

of his 25 years serWce. Looking on, at 

the right, is District Manager Ben Marcus 

from Kansas City. This presentation was 

made at a special luncheon attended by 

all of the exchange employes and many 

film buyers and exhibitors from the area. 

DES MOINES 

pmployes at Warner Bro.s. had Christmas 

cards from low former co-workers. Pat 

Crossland, Manchester, sent her greetings 

from Santa Ana. Calif., where she is hving 

while her hihsband is in Korea. Donnie Snow's 

card was from Cherry Point, N. C. Helen 

Knop wrote from her home in Mission. Kas., 

and Sally Knop Smith sent greetings from 

her husband, two .sons and herself from Okla- 

homa City . . . Phyllis Kost. Columbia, .spent a 

weekend at her home in Humeston 

and Mrs. V. E. Gorham, owners of the theatre 

at Redfield, report their 2-year-old son Hudd 

is home from Blank Hospital where he was 

hospitalized for 34 days following surgery. 

Thelma Washburn, RKO office manager 

and head booker, .spent a two-week vacation 

visiting her daughter and family in Florida 

. . . RKO salesmen Bob Evans and Mai Pugh 

were on vacation . Benton has resigned 

as contract clerk at RKO to join 

her husband who is serving with the army in 

Germany . Fitzgibbon, owner of the 

Wapello Theatre, Wapello, presented his annual 

Christmas treat to kiddies in his community 

with a free show . Van 

Boxtel of the Luna Theatre in Battle Creek 

was host at a free showing on Christmas 

night. 

Mary Warrick, manager of the Rialto Theatre 

in Missouri "Valley, estimated the total 

attendance at the free shows there just before 

Christmas at about 1,600 . . . Frank 

Rubel, Central States executive and newly 

elected chief barker for the Variety Club, is 

spending a month vacationing in Mexico 

City. He expects to return around the middle 

of January. 

Sells Minnesota House 

FAIRMONT, MINN.—Leslie Larson ha-s sold 

his interest in the Ringsted Theatre to Harold 

Ki-amer, who said he would not change 

the house's playing policy. 

MINNEAPOLIS 

pxploiteer John Thompson was in from New 

York to beat the drum for Columbia's first 

Cinemascope picture. "The Violent Men." 

.scheduled for the Minneapolis and St. Paul 

RKO Orpheums . . . Frank Ander.son. Warner 

North Dakota salesman, who headquarters at 

Minot, was here . . . Eph Rosen, MOM assistant 

manager, is in Des Moines to pinch-hit 

there for Manager Jerry McGlynn, who has 

been ill. 

. . . Stan 

Abbott Swartz, UA manager, and wife are 

vacationing in New York . . . M. A. Levy, 20th- 

Fox division manager, and Alex Harrison, 

western division sales manager, were on a 

tour of the Omaha and Des Moines branches 

Greenblatt, RKO domestic sales 

manager, and Roy Haines, WB western division 

sales manager, were in . . . Harold Lundquist, 

20th-Fox assistant to the division manager, 

was at the Omaha branch 

Kane. North Central Allied executive counsel, 

appeared at a city council committee hearing 

and helped induce the aldermen to exclude 

theatre marquees from a proposed ordinance 

to bar overhanging signs in the city's uptown 

business section. 

The Variety Club New Year's Eve party was 

attended by 130 .. . 

20 years at the 

post, William Donnelly has retired as business 

agent of the stagehands union to devote 

hi.s time to his new duties as the international 

vice-president. Dick Marietta succeeds 

him with the Minneapolis local. 

Local circuit owner and Hollywood producer 

W. R. Frank is reissuing his "Great Dan 

Patch" under the title of "Ride a Reckless 

Mile." He coupled it ^îth his newest production, 

"Sitting Bull," for a holiday booking at 

. . "Illicit Interlude" moved 

his ace Minneapolis neighborhood theatre, 

the Boulevard . 

from the downtown World after two weeks to 

the Suburban World. 

Files Percentage Suits 

MILWAUKEE—Nick Johnson and Harry E. 

Tope, operating the Strand, Manitowoc, and 

the Wisconsin and Majestic, Sheboygan, have 

been named defendants in four percentage 

suits in federal court for the Eastern district 

of Wisconsin. The actions were by Loew's, 

20th-Fox, United Artists and RKO. 

Closes at Lorimore, Iowa 

LORIMORE, IOWA—The Lorimor Theatre 

has closed indefinitely because of lack of 

patronage. For the past year, the Lorimor 

has been operating only on Saturday and 

Sunday nights. 

Installs Wide Screen 

WAUTOMA, WIS.—A wide .screen for Cinemascope 

pictures is being installed in the 

Park Theatre by W. D. Washburn of Conover, 

owner. Elmer Thompson is manager. 

lowan Adds Wide Screen 

CORNING, IOWA — A new wide-view 

screen has been installed at the American 

Theatre here, according to Dick Kuhl, manager. 

Fred MacMurray will star in the Cinema- 

Scope galloper. Allied Artists' "Gun Point," 

which will roll in April. 

Your best 

cancer insurance 

"LIFETIME" POLICY. . 

See your doctor every 

. 

. 

. . 

yeai 

for a thorough check-up, no 

matter how well 

you feel. 

"DAY-TO-DAY" POLICE 

...See your doctor immediately 

at the first sign of an> 

one of the seven danger signals 

that viay mean cancel 

(1) Any sore that does nol 

heal (2) A lump or thickening 

in the breast or elsewhere 

(3) Unusual bleeding 

or discharge (4) Any diang* 

in a wart or mole (5) Per 

sistcnt indigestion or dHB 

culty in swallowing (6) Per 

sistent hoanseness or cougl 

(7) .\ny change in norma 

bowel habits. 

Many cancers can be cured 

but only if properly treatec 

before they have begun t( 

spread or "colonize" in othe 

parts of the body. 

For any information abou 

cancer just call the Amer 

ican Cancer Society or writi 

to "Cancer" in care of you 

local Post Office. 

American 

Cancer 

Society 

I 

This Space Contributed by 

BOXOFFICE 

66 BOXOFFICE Januar;

; shown 

s Group 16 

onic Hall 

it was filed recently by 

Inthony Demiison, heads 

1 Group 16, against the 

iig $52,000 damages for 

ntract. Salupo and Deniig 

$25,000 personal damlal 

$2,500 lor actual loss 

ionic Hall, after entering 

show a series of five 

he Group 16 membership, 

om its written agreement 

Police Chief Frank W. 

of women's clubs. The 

ed are to compensate for 

amage" done by the pubn 

the announcement of 

withdrawal from the con- 

3 that Tom Schulkins, in 

Is for Masonic Hall, was 

le type of pictui'es to be 

)up found a haven in the 

ivhere "Dedee." first picfive, 

was shown to some 

each of whom paid a $5 

admission to the entire 

the week before 

;omt ruled precensorship 

id Dennison were arrested 

:heduled to be heard be- 

;e Lillian Westropp here 

t precensorship is out, it 

earing would be perfunc- 

3f the Masonic Temple 

when he entered into a 

;h Salupo and Dennison, 

; films involved were unit 

until newspaper adver- 

,t he was aware of this 

advertising used," .says 

1 that the pictiu-es prowould 

be unsuitable for 

lasonic Auditorium. Our 

presentatives of Group 16 

pictures exhibited in the 

must comply with the 

tions and ordinances of 

our entering into a couiid 

Dennison, we were not 

pictures iJivolved had not 

nsor board. So their ex- 

,e, was clearly in violation 

quiring a censor seal for 

n the state. Obviously, it 

ir in harmony with the 

i'n to show pictures which 

;gal state or city require- 

of Cleveland 

lical Co. 

i Sehoen. who has been 

years in the manufacture 

lintenance chemicals, has 

; Chemical Co. and estabjlant 

at 1005 Broadway. 

:e all types of floor cleanf 

of sanitation products, 

its, polishing waxes, an 

sealer, glass cleaner and 

Dick Wright Cleveland SW Chieh 

Recounts Theatre Story on TV 

The following account of Cleveland's 

famous Allen Theatre on Euclid 

avenue was presented on a recent 

Lights. Questions and Camera program 

of TV-WXEL there by Dick Wright, 

district manager for Stanley Warner 

Theatres at Cleveland. The story was 

written by Elsie Loeb, longtime Cleveland 

correspondent for BOXOFFICE 

from Wright's talk. 

The Hon. Robert J. Bulkley, prominent attorney 

and former congressman and president 

of the Bulkley Building Co., early in 

DICK WRIGHT 

1916 viewed with great interest the trend of 

busine.ss growth in Cleveland eastward along 

Euclid Avenue. The Public Square, center 

of the city in an earlier day, had ceased to 

be the heart of the retail district. Following 

in the path of the city's old residential mansions, 

famous as "Millionaires Row" lEast 

22nd street to East 40th street) a new retail 

district came into existence at the intersection 

of Huron Road and East 14th street 

with Euclid avenue a converging point of 

three main arteries of traffic. 

At this point was the residence of Mr. and 

Mrs. W. S. Tyler, a home which at that time 

they had ceased to occupy. In previous years 

this was known as the old Dempsey homestead. 

On the property next adjoining on 

the east stood an old, remodeled residence 

with a large gymnasium structure attached, 

which formerly belonged to the Cleveland 

Athletic Club. This was a four-story structure 

set back about 200-feet from the street 

and was occupied by Mr. C. A. Selzer, dealer 

in fine antiques. 

With the end of World War I, there came 

a gi-eat rise in values on Euclid avenue. The 

announcement of the magnificent Hanna 

building at the southeast corner of Euclid 

and East 14th, and a general spirit of optimism 

in the community, resulted in an increased 

demand for new retail stores in this 

area. It was then, through the vision and 

foresight of Mr. Bulkley that he envisioned 

as a part of the development, a theatrical enterprise 

in addition to an office building to 

be erected on this site. 

The attractiveness of a theatrical enterprise 

was great since Cleveland, at that time, 

was not adequately provided with modern 

theatres. So, with the completion of building 

plans, arrangements were made with the 

most important motion picture exhibitors in 

Canada—the Allen brothers Jule and Jay J. 

—for the operation of their first theatre in 

the United States, the Allen Theatre. The 

Allen brothers who were natives of Permsylvania, 

had made a success of their circuit 

of 50 theatres in Canada. The Allen in Cleveland 

was to be theu' first and finest of a 

chain to be established in this country. 

C. Howard Crane of Detroit, one of the 

outstanding architects of America who had 

designed a niunber of important New York 

theatres as well as a number for the Allen 

chain in Canada, was engaged to design the 

new Allen in Cleveland. 

On July 22, 1919, ground was broken and 

work began. As the work progressed, stories 

and photos were published in the Cleveland 

newspapers. One photo published early in 

1921 was the architect's sketch of the rotunda 

paved in marble and done in the style of the 

Italian Renaissance, showing the great dome 

33 feet in height patterned after the Villa 

Madomia, located about 18 nules from Rome. 

On the night of April 1, 1921, heralded as 

a mecca to those who desired the utmost in 

entertainment in the photoplay and its allied 

arts, the Allen Theatre opened to the public. 

The opening program included Phil Spitalny 

and his orchestra playing "Caprice Italien," 

an Educational Picture's scenic film, the 

Halhoom Boy comedy "High and Dry," a 

newsreel and the feature attraction, "The 

Greatest Love," starring Vera Gordon and 

directed by Hem-y Kolker. Others in the 

cast were Hugh Huntley, 'Yvonne Shelter, 

Ray Dean, Donald Hall and William Tooker. 

After the opening performance, a huge 

banquet was served to a large number of invited 

guests in the tearoom, followed by 

dancing in the rotunda. S. Barrett McCormick 

was the managing director. 

In the years that followed, the management 

operation of the theatre underwent 

changes. Loew's Theatre operated the theatre 

in the late 1920s and early 1930s. In 1933 

it passed to the RKO Theatres management. 

On January 1, 1949, Warner Bros., pooled with 

RKO in the Allen, took complete control, 

and it was operated by Warner Bros, until 

March 1, 1953 when Stanley Warner Theatres 

took over the management. 

For the past 21 years Howard Higley has 

been the Allen Theatre's managing director, 

continuing in that through the RKO, the 

Warner and now the Stanley Warner operation. 

The record run of the house, which has 

never deviated from a first run policy, was 

"The Caine Mutiny" which was held for six 

weeks. Higley's campaign on this engagement 

won first place in the national Fabian's 

Fabulous Forty drive. 

Geared for Januar'y Start 

Allied Artists' "Wichita," starring Joel 

McCrea, to be produced by Walter Mirisch, 

is being geared for an early January start. 

^1 

uary 8. 1955 ME 67

: 

. . 29 

'. 

DETROIT 

lyjore than one million patrons have viewed 

"This Is Cinerama," now in its 95th 

record-making week at the Music Hall. This 

breaks the record in Michigan entertainment 

history, according to Manager F*i-ank Upton. 

Sy Schechter, manager of the Cinema, local 

first run art house, announced the appointment 

of Lloyd Turel jr., as his assistant . . . 

"This Is Cinerama" was in its 94th week at 

the Music Hall, a record in Michigan entertainment 

history. A second version of the 

presentation known as "Cinerama Holiday" 

will have its opening play date announced 

soon by Manager Prank Upton . . . Korman 

Theatres, small Detroit circuit operator, reports 

that it has taken over the management 

of the Senate and Crystal theatres on 

Michigan avenue. There will be no changes 

in the theatres' personnel. 

Manager C. Williamson of National Theatre 

Supply reports eight Simplex Perspecta 

sound systems were being installed in outstate 

theatres for the showing of "White 

Christmas" in VistaVision . . . Manager Tom 

Duane of Paramount went to Philadelphia 

for a managers' meeting. 

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ERNIE 

Sol Bcmk Is Sentenced 

For Income Tax Evcision 


ST. LOUIS—Sol Bank, who has owned 

theatres in Missouri and Kansas and operates 

the Star Theatre in Vandalia, Mo., received 

a six-month sentence and a $5,000 

fine after he pleaded nolo contendere mo 

contest) to one count of a two-count federal 

indictment that charged him with income 

tax evasion. 

Bank, who resides at 916 Trinity Ave., University 

City, a suburb of St. Louis, pleaded 

no contest to a charge that he had reported 

$10,812 of taxable income for 1949 and paid 

a tax of $1,532 while his true income was 

$19,790 on which a tax of $4,184 was due and 

payable. 

In the other count, which was dismissed 

after Bank entered his plea on the first count, 

the government charged the defendant reported 

a taxable income of $8,112 for 1948 

on which a tax of $1,127 was paid, although 

his income actually was $14,217 and the 

amount of tax due $2,622. 

Judge Roy W. Harper said he would recommend 

that the six-month sentence imposed 

on Bank be served at the United States Medical 

Center in Springfield, Mc, since Bank's 

physician had written a letter stating the 

defendant was ill. 

Judge Harper then stayed execution of the 

sentence until January 17, allowing Bank to 

continue at liberty under his $2,000 bail 

bond until that date. 

Mara Corday on Month's Tour 

Mara Corday, featured in Universal's "So 

This Is Paris," is on a month's tour in connection 

with openings of the picture. 

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BOWLING 

DETROIT—Ernie Forbes Theatre 

rolled 

up a two-point lead in the Ni% 

Club BowUng League. Team standi) 

as follows: 

Team Won Lost 

Ernie Forbes. . 23 

Locol 199 27 25 

Not'l Carbon. . .26 26 

Team >V 

Amuse. Sup . . 

Not'l Sup. . . .: 

Altec Sound. .: 

Individual high scores rolled wer( 

lows: Roy Thompson 193-198, for 5 

Mingione 214, 192; Joe Foresta 196, 5 

Colwell 191. 526; Edgar Douville ] 

Matt Haskin 200, 515; Vii-gil Laza 

503, and Thomas Beeton 200. 

Nightingale Notes: Nick Forrest, ci 

the Ernie Forbes team, liked first 

well that he stayed for the second wi 

says that he might stay longer. Joe 

wa-s the hot shot on his team; he to 

two prizes besides taking Beeton. 

Owen Blough was the visitor for 

who heckled secretary Floyd H. Al 

the low three game score, plus the 1 

he had to pay for his lunch. 

Frank Quinlan was in the groove. 

hitting the 3-6 pocket and came ui 

very good score, just when his tean 

all the pins they could get. 

Joe Foresta, Matt Haskiii, Carl ] 

and Kenneth Grenke were the wi: 

the over-average games, so they 

turkey for Christmas dinner. 

The next bowling date for the 

gales, as announced by secretary ] 

Akins, will be Thursday (6). 

DETROIT—RKO, Allied Film and 

were tied in the Film Bowling Leaguf 

ings 

Team Won Lost Team 

RKO 3 1 UA 

Allied Film .... 3 1 Theotricol . . . 

Republic 3 1 AA 

New high team scores rolled fi 

games for the season to date iticlud 

Film. 2,407: RKO Radio, 2,356: Unite( 

2.314. 

Individual high scores for three g: 

main the same as at the last gami 

618: England, 591; Baran, 583. 

Lamont Predicts Films 

Will Continue on Upb( 


ALBANY—Tlie exhibition end of 

pictures should continue on the upw 

in 1955 because "there will be more 

released and therefore more good 

available," in the opinion of Harry 

president of Lamont Theatres and a 

independent operator. 

Lamont pointed out, however, t 

business improvement trend, percent: 

may be less in 1955 than last year 

the fact that there must be a ceilii 

.somewhere. 

He disagreed with the opinion, so 

voiced m area circles, that the new pi 

combinations "may lose their financia 

Tliere is a ready market for additio 

tures. some of which, by the law of 

averages," must be clickers, Lamont i 

called attention to the great success w 

exhibitor-controlled organization of t 

First National, achieved. Lamont 

Fred Schwartz, Hal Makelim and ot 

their courage in launching recent pn 

ventures. 

68 BOXOFFICE Januar

i 

SUPERVISED 

agues' Hits 

sveland 

20.000 Leagues Under 

he big attraction over 

end. nearing the record 

ike held by "Peter Pan." 

.sensational 225 per cent 

cents for children at all 

rs were "No Business Like 

Deep in My Heart," "The 

1 "Tliree Ring Circus." 

houses were jubilant over 

tre attendance, neighboriisappointed. 

Even "White 

report, did not come up 

roge Is 100) 

ilice (WB) 135' 

less Like Show Business 

185 

terlude (Hakim) 105' 

Iter ;W8) 125 

!s Under the Sea (BV). . . .225 

us Para) 155 

Heort (MGM) 150* 

('ear's Eve. 

es Big 300 

>it 

. 90 

1 Cruz" teamed with "The 

it the Palms Theatre drew 

le holiday period with an 

cent. All other product, 

xeptions, did very good 

gle bills, "20.000 Leagues 

nd "Deep in My Heart," 

place .spot with 250 each. 

Iretei :RKO); Utopia (SR) . 

try (U-l); The Yellow 

1 00 

ess Like Show Business 

225 

ues Under the Sea (Buena 

250 

Chalice (WB) 200 

.); The Diamond Wizord 

300 

in My Heart (MGM) 250 

Cincinnati 

Report 

rosses, representing just a 

were topped by "20,000 

Sea" at the Palace with 

xoffices were over average. 

reus (Para) 135 

efel :RK0) 110 

IS Under the Sea (Buena 

190 

s Airer Screen 

Industries is supplying a 

1 tower for George Manos' 

n at Coshocton which will 

le for spring opening. The 

curved and tilted surface 

"eet. The structure is the 

ar box trus.s construction, 

sat and presentable withstructure 

will be painted 

d the screen surface will 

of Raytone screen paint. 

Cleveland Holdover Record for 1954 

Made by 'Moon Is Blue at 11 Weeks 

CLEVELAND—During the past year, 79 

pictures which played the downtown theatres 

were held over for extended runs, ranging 

from two to 11 weeks. The longest run of 

the year was held by "The Moon Is Blue," 

which played one week at the Hippodrome 

and then moved over to the Lower Mall for 

ten more weeks. 

Three pictures which played seven weeks 

were MGM's "Knights of the Round Table," 

Paramount's "White Christmas" and Buena 

Vista's "Living Desert. MGM had the greatest 

number of holdovers with 20 features 

playing more than one week in their first 

run engagements. United Artists had 14 holdovers, 

20th-Fox had 13 and Paramount had 9. 

MGM 

Two Weeks: Rose Marie. Rhapsody, Flame 

and the Flesh, Men of the Fighting Lady, 

Valley of the Kings, Beau Brummell, 

Athena. 

Three Weeks: Easy to Love, The Long, Long 

Trailer, Executive Suite, Pi'isoner of War, 

Brigadoon. Rogue Cop. 

Four Weeks: The Last Time I Saw Paris, 

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Betrayed. 

Five Weeks: Julius Caesar. The Student 

Pi'ince. 

Six Weeks: Gone With the Wind. 

Seven Weeks: Knights of the Round Table. 

20th-Fox 

Two Weeks: Prince Valiant, River of No 

Return, Three Coins in the Fountain, Garden 

of Evil. Woman's World, Black Widow, 

Desiree. 

Three Weeks: King of the Khyber Rifles, 

Hell and High Water. 

Four Weeks: Beneath the 12-Mile Reef. 

Demetrius and the Gladiators, Broken 

Lance, The Egyptian. 

Paramount 

Two Weeks: Here Come the Girls, The 

Naked Jungle, Elephant Walk. 

Three Weeks: Money From Home, Living 

OUTSTANDING 

HANDY 

CRAFTSMANSHIP AND ENCINEtRINQ 

It 

Up. Knock on Wood, Rear Window, Sabrina. 

Seven Weeks: White Christmas. 

United Artists 

Two Weeks: Act of Love, Heidi, Beachhead, 

The Story of Gilbert and Sullivan, Witness 

to Murder. Robinson Crusoe, Crossed 

Swords, Man With a Million, Suddenly, 

The Little Kidnappers, Carmen Jones. 

Three Weeks: Apache. 

Foui- Weeks: Barefoot Contessa. 

Eleven Weeks: The Moon Is Blue. 

Warner Bros. 

Two Weeks: The Command, The High and 

the Mighty, Drum Beat. 

Three Weeks: Dragnet. 

Four Weeks: A Star Is Born. 

Columbia 

Two Weeks: MLss Sadie Thompson, M, On the 

Waterfront. 

Three Weeks: Fi'om Here to Eternity. 

Six Weeks: The Caine Mutiny. 

RKO 

Two Weeks: Pinocchio. Rob Roy. 

U-I 

Two Weeks: Magnificent Obsession. 

Three Weeks: The Glenn Miller Story. 

Buena Vista 

Four Weeks: The Vanishing Prairie. 

Seven Weeks: The Living Desert. 


Two Weeks: Johnny Guitar. 

Miscellaneous 

Two Weeks: The Golden Coach, IFE; Violated. 

Lippert, and Devil in the Flesh, AFE. 

Three Weeks: Bread. Love and Dreams, IFE, 

and La Ronde, Hakim. 

Four Weeks: Seven Deadly Sins, Arlan. 

Bruce Lester in "Chase' Cast 

Bruce Lester will play a role in Warners' 

"The Sea Chase," a CinemaScope-Warner- 

Color entry toplining John Wayne and Lana 

Turner. 

The New 

Boxoffice 

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Foreign CS Campaign 

Receives Citation 


NEW YORK—The international 

" 

campaign 

on Cinemascope carried out under the direction 

of Charles Einfeld, 20th Century-Pox 

vice-president in charge of publicity, advertising 

and exploitation, has been cited by the 

Bureau of Advertising of the American Newspaper 

Publishers Ass'n as a "dependable old 

Hollywood formula" for "reviving the movie 

industry's confidence." 

The association has issued an elaborate 

six-page booklet with covers in color to 

prove that heavy promotion and newspaper 

advertising can accomplish w'onders. The 

catchline on the front cover reads: "If you 

have a product to promote, take a cue from 

20th Century-Pox." 

"A dejected and worried Hollywood has almost 

overnight regained much of its old 

spirit and 'colossal' confidence," the bureau 

states. "The arrival of Cinemascope has undoubtedly 

played a prominent role in the 

revival. 

"Early in 1953, after a highly successful 

first showing of Cinemascope to a trade 

audience, 20th Century-Pox's president, declared 

: 'If we want to help recreate the habit 

of the public going to see the movies, we've 

got to start now. As far as I am concerned. 

Cinemascope is it.' 

The company had no illusions that success 

would be automatic, the booklet continues. 

The booklet quotes Einfeld as saying: "We 

learned our lesson with 'The Robe.' We've 

been sticking to our formula ever since. It 

recognizes the fact that the newspaper is 

the backbone of any movie ad campaign. In 

big cities and small towns alike, people look 

to the amusement page of their local paper 

before they go to buy a movie ticket. That's 

the big reason why we depend so strongly on 

newspapers." 

Draws Assignment on 'Pink Tights' 

The directorial assignment on "I*ink 

Tights," a 20th Century-Pox film, has been 

drawn by Henry Levin. 

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. . . 

•Phomas Fisher, vice-president of Midwest 

Theatre Supply Co., has been confined to 

his bed ill for several weeks . . . Lester Rosenfeld. 

West Virginia exhibitor who recently returned 

from a vacation in Japan, suffered 

a slight stroke but hop>es to be able shortly 

to travel to Plorida H. Pearl DeLong, 

State Theatre. Ironton, was on Pilmrow. His 

two sons, twins, who are both studying law 

at Ohio State University, took over operation 

of the theatre during their school vacation, 

permitting their father to get away from his 

duties for the first time in three years. 

Seen on the Row this week were Jerry 

Shinbach, division manager of RKO Theatres; 

Joe Joseph, Salem, W. Va.: Roy Wells, Dayton: 

Charles Behlen, Lexington; Robert 

Harrell, Cleves: Moe Potasky, Troy; Chalmer 

Bach, Eaton; C. V. Dinkle, Raceland, Ky.. 

and Katherine Jones, Waverly . . . Children 

attending the special classes of the Hamilton 

County Council for Retarded Children were 

entertained at a gala theatre party by the 

Variety Club Ladies Auxiliary, held at the 

Avon Theatre through the generosity of owner 

Herman Hunt. Mrs. Hunt was chairman in 

charge of making plans for the party, and 

was assisted by the wives of Morris Dennis, 

Jack Pinberg, Robert Jacobs, Stuart Jacobson, 

Abe Maiua, Allen Moritz, Abe Strauss, Arthur 

van Gelder and Sam Weiss. 

Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Watson, he is the local 

MGM exploitation manager, spent the Christmas 

holidays in Columbus with their daughter 

and son-in-law, who just became parents 

of a baby son, their first child and the 

Watson's second grandchild . 

Watson, 

AA booker who is leaving the company 

after the first of the year to join S&S Amusement 

Co.. has been replaced by Philip Kelb 

from Chicago. 

COLUMBUS 

f^hristmas week business was strong in all 

situations. RKO Palace held "20,000 

Leagues Under the Sea" for a second week. 

"Three Ring Circus" at Loew's Ohio, "Hansel 

and Gretel" at RKO Grand and "Phffft" at 

Loew's Broad were all well attended 

Millicent Easter, who was publicity 

. . . 

manager 

of the old B. P. Keith Theatre on East Gay 

street in the 20s, was confined to Grand 

Hospital suffering from pneumonia. In recent 

years, Mrs. Easter has been Southern Hotel 

publicity representative. 

Members of the Ohio State football team, in 

Pa-sadena for the Rose Bowl game, visited 

the MGM studios through arrangements 

made by Walter Kessler, manager of Loew's 

Ohio . Ohio State supporters who 

attended the Rose Bowl game were Leo and 

Milton Yassenoff. Academy Theatres. The 

Yassenoffs were also on hand for the 1950 

Bowl game in which Ohio State participated. 

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Gentlemen: 

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Postage-paid reply cards for your furth 

in obtaining information are provided in 

THEATRE Section, published with the 

each month. 

70 BOXOFFICE Janua

. president 

, 

promoted 

. . Bob 

. . . FYed 

. . Don 

. . Meyer 

. . Bob 

. . Manny 

. . Wintner 

. . John 

. . Glass 

. 

. . Bob 

. . Irving 

. . Milton 

. 

land Area Sees Much Comings and Goings in '54 

-The highlights and sidehe 

Cleveland Exchange area. 

JANUARY 

. . 

office up for the first time 

le Essick brothers, Jack and 

)vies at Hanna Theatre . 

r 

Nat Wolf 

from Republic 

Haven to Republic manager 

. Nat Barach named treas- 

's Club to fill the unexpired 

Jerry Wechsler. 

'oUard . . . 

nanager, joined U-I as JAR 

. . Steve Hreno, Elm Road 

. . . Nat 

suilty in firing on a 15-yearjust 

outvside the theatre 

riety Club produces a short 

erebral palsy drive 

amer Ohio zone manager, 

bitor with purchase of Coin 

Portsmouth . . . Ernest 

of Cleveland Moibitors 

Ass'n. died two weeks 

to the office he held 19 

"TBRUARY 

elected president Indep)enders 

of Ohio to succeed Chris 

. . . Tower Theatre closed 

) mercantile use . . . Prank 

leatre division manager, gets 

Buffalo added to his terri- 

Ramsey closes his Plymouth 

)uth after 23 years operation 

'ski takes over and reopens 

. . . Paramount Theatre, Toirthday 

anniversary . . . Judd 

,' Lipow fold their Roadshow 

iegle joined Republic and 

ramount . . . Henry Green- 

IPEA president, post vacated 

Jrnest Schwartz. 

>IARCH 

1 of two-hour travelog probig 

at Detroit Theatre . . . 

all business and traffic . . . 

. . . 

. . 

. 

e to repeal local admission 

mont and Mansfield repeal 

:s, 20th-Pox cashier, resigns 

Irwin Pollard tendered 

iner upon leaving Cleveland 

)etroit . . . Jack Armstrong 

rl Schwyn circuit of thea- 

Ine Stuman succeeds Al 

mount cashier . Hope 

Musicarnival . James J. 

ed plans to build de luxe 

and Fowler roads . 

dies one month 

. . 

after 

Mrs. 

her 

. . James Kalafat appointed 

treasurer of Cleveland Chapter of Naval Reserve 

Officers . . . Nate and Sam Schultz 

buy Ohio Theatre, Lorain, from August Ilg . . 

Jack Silverthorne, Variety Club chief barker, 

attends International convention in Dallas. 

APRIL 

. . Pi-incess Theatre at Youngstown 

Otto Braeuning and John Sabat have the 

HKO Radio sales drive named for them in 

honor of their 25 years of service each with the 

company . . . Eiglit-inch snow'fall halts drivein 

openings . 

razed to make way for a parking lot . . . 

Cleveland Cinema Club held its 38th birthday 

celebration . Glick elected president 

of the Salesmen's Club to succeed Sam Lichter 

Arthur Debra addressing Cleveland 

. . . Motion Picture Council urged members to 

support only pictures carrying code seal . . . 

Elmer DeWitt elected president of the Lion 

Paul Pontius returned 

Club in Defiance . . . 

to exhibition, taking over Little Flower Drivein 

at Ottawa . Bros, open Memphis 

Drive-In, Cleveland. 

MAY 

Shaker Theatre suffers $100,000 fire . . . 

Louis Weitz appointed CMPEA general manager 

. Jacobs succeeds Maxwell Joice 

as Parma Theatre manager . . . "Mom and 

Dad" passed by Ohio Censor Board . . . 

James Ochs and Mary Kilbane are married. 

. . . 

JtlNE 

Seymour Simon, Chicago attorney, and 

RosljTi Biel of Cleveland are married . . . Look 

Theatre, Warren, closed . . . Liberty Theatre, 

Wellsville, also closed . . . Ohio Exhibitors and 

Film Carriers discuss trucking rates . . . 

Wargo Bros, buy Uptown and Variety theatres 

from Warner Bros, for reported $500,000 . . 

Film Council holds its seventh annual Film 

Festival. 

JULY 

Barry Bernard, RKO exploiteer, transferred 

to Dallas . Fine attends luncheon at 

White House as guest of the President 

Community Circuit leases Variety Theatre . . 

Shaker Theatre reopens after $150,000 remodeling 

job . Tender, Tivoli Thea- 

. 

. Circuit acquires Uptown 

tre in Lorain, marries Estelle Plocos of Pittsburgh 

Ancell initiates noon TVradio 

15-minute broadcast in front of Hippodrome 

... A. J. Kalberer, manager Switow 

Theatres in Washington, Ind., advocates "Get 

Tough" policy to stop vandalism . . . World 

premiere of "Magnificent Obsession" at 

Palace Theatre with personal apjjearance of 

Jane Wyman, Agnes Moorehead and Ross 

Downtown business on the upgrade 

Hunter . . . 

. . Associated 

Theatre . . . Harry Weiss joins Paramount 

publicity department. 

AUGUST 

Max Lefkowich renews lease on Embassy 

Theatre for 25 years at reported $700,000 . . 

Judge Bartlett, F^-anklin County common pleas 

court, upholds constitutionality of film censorship 

in suit of RKO Radio, ITOO, Martin 

G. Smith and Horace Adams . Mile 

Drive-In. Toledo, construction started . . . 

A. Foster Strouse named Cleveland-Cincinnati 

representative for Barnett Film Service 

Holzworth returns to the industry 

after a two-year absence . . . Hiram College 

becomes first college in this area to install 

Cinemascope ... J. Knox Strachan, formerly 

with Warners, moves to St. Petersburg, Pla. . . 

RKO sells the RKO-105th Street Theatre to 

the 105th Corp. headed by Bernard Rubin . . 

Aki-on does not re-enact the three per cent 

Shia, St. Clair.sville, 

local tax . . . Dave 

appointed St. Clairsville postmaster . . . 

Me.ver Fine 

Julius Lamm 

Horace Adams attends National Allied board 

meeting. White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. 

SEPTEMBER 

Jack Bernstein, RKO manager, resigned to 

become general manager of Allied Artists of 

Canada . . . Meyer and Mrs. Fine return from 

ITOO plans series of 

North Cape cruise . . . 

state meetings to discuss exhibitor problems 

... J. J. Shannon celebrates 15 years as operator 

and owner of New Life Theatre, Woodsfield 

. . . Herbert Ochs and Ben Ogron become 

associated with J. J. Barton in new- 

Pearl Road Drive-In . . . Frand Belles appointed 

RKO manager to succeed Jack Bernstein 

Lamm, Colony Theatre man- 

. . . Julius 

ager, celebrates 50 years in show business . . 

Marciano-Charles fight telecast plays to about 

75 per cent attendance. 

OCTOBER 

"Lights! Camera! Questions!" starts third 

year on TV . . . Variety Club stages a Cerebral 

Palsy telethon . . . Irwin Shenker opens a 

Berlo office in Detroit, naming Harold Hinkston 

manager . Berlin in town to exploit 

"White ChrLstmas" . . . Associated Circuit 

buys Park and Granada theatres from 

Loew's . Wile receives commendation 

from State Secretary Ted Brown for his 

trailer, "Protect Your American Heritage. 

Vote any way you like—but Vote" . . . Arthur 

Engelbert, Warner cashier, and wife celebrate 

their 29th wedding anniversary. 

NOV'EMBER 

Oscar Ruby, Columbia branch manager, 

dies . . . Edward Shulman takes over Heights 

Theatre to operate as an art house. Mae 

Rosian appointed house manager . . . Nate 

and Sam Schultz take over Horace Shock's 

three Lima drive-ins . . . Leo Greenfield, 

Buena Vista district sales manager, leases 

Film Bldg. office space . . . Harry Weiss resigns 

from Paramount publicity staff. Joins 

UA to exploit "Vera Cruz" and "Romeo and 

Juliet" . . . Jerome Safron appointed Columbia 

manager to succeed Oscar Ruby . . . 

Jack Silverthorne re-elected Variety Club 

chief barker . Grant elected international 

president of Silk Screen Process 

Printing Ass'n. 

DECEMBER 

Bernard Rubin, Imperial Pictures, dies of 

coronary thrombosis. 

lanuary 8, 1955 71

. . The 

. . The 

. . Henry 

CLEVELAND 

prnest Sands, Warner Bros, manager who 

went to New York for surgery the beginning 

of December and stayed on there for 

the first part of his convalescence, is completing 

the job of getting well in Florida. He 

plans to return shortly . . . Sam FYitz. manager 

of the Hilliai-d Square Theatre, is the 

father of a second daughter . son of 

Mary Lou Weaver, secretary to Ernest Sands, 

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recently married. He was in for a day to 

make introductions and then left to report to 

his air base in Salina, Kas. 

. . . 

Arthur Ehrlich, who left the industry a 

year ago because of his health, has joined 

the new Buena Vista office as booker under 

Leo Greenfield, district sales manager 

Jerry Lipow, Paramount salesman, is back 

from a brief visit to Buffalo . Variety 

Club did not stage a New Year's Eve party 

this year ... I. J. Schmertz. 20th-Fox manager, 

left Wednesday i29i to join his family 

in Florida. He'll be back before Monday (17 1. 

however, when the industry is honoring him 

with a testimonial dinner on the double occasion 

of his 50th anniversary with 20th-Fox 

and his 28th year as manager of the Cleveland 

branch. 

Paul Gusdanovic, head of the Gusdanovic 

circuit, departed for Florida . 

Greenberger 

of Community circuit and his wife 

left for the south following the annual meeting 

of the Cleveland Motion Picture Exhibitors 

Ass'n Thursday i6). Greenberger is 

president of the association. 

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NEW YORK—Columbia's "On the V 

front" and Paramount's "The Country 

both black-and-white features, ran neck 

neck with the British-made Technicolo 

ture. "Romeo and Juliet," distributed : 

U. S. by United Artists, by being on al 

"Best Ten Pictures of 1954" lists ma 

by the New York morning papers, pli 

National Board of Review. The im 

papers were The Daily News, The New 

Times, The New York Herald Tribun 

The Daily Mirror. The three New York 

noon papers have not yet selected their 

Ten" films. 

"Romeo and Juliet," 

which was on a 

of the newspapers' "Best Ten" lists, 1 

a separate list of "Best Ten" foreign 

made by the National Board of Review 

closest to these three features was the ] 

film, "Mr. Hulot's Holiday," distributed 

U. S. by GBD International, which v 

four lists, including the National Boi 

Review's separate foreign film list and 

chosen best foreign-language film t 

Daily Mirror. 

The features w'hich were on three 

the five "Best Ten" lists were: "Seven 

for Seven Brothers" (MGMI and "C 

Jones" (20th Century -Fox) , the onl 

Cinemascope pictures to make most 

lists; "Sabrina" (Paramount) and ' 

vieve" and "The Little Kidnappers,' 

British pictures, distributed by Uni 

International and United Artists, respei 

Appearing on two of the five lists 

Three Coins in the Fountain," in C: 

' 

Scope (20th-Fox) ; "Knock on Wood" 

"The Glenn Miller Story" (U-I), "A S 

Born," in Cinemascope (WB) ; "Gate ol 

Japanese picture distributed in the U 

Edward Harrison, and "The Vanishing 

rie" 

(Buena Vista). 

"Night People," in Cinemascope 

Fox\ "Rear Window" (ParaK "The 

foot Contessa" (UA). "The Caine In 

(Col), "Executive Suite" (MGM^ anc 

Unconquered" (Margolies) were mei 

on one out of the five lists. 

The "Best Ten" selections for 1954 

New York morning newspapers were 

by Kate Cameron, for the Dally New; 

ley Crowther, for the New York Time 

L. Guernsey jr., for the New York 

Tribune, and Frank Quinn, for the 

Mirror. 

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72 

BOXOFFICE :: January

. Loew's 

- 

. . James 

. . Mayor 

. . John 

. . Hal 

. . Mauiy 

. . CinemaScope 

rbus Area News in 

7954 Reflects Upward Trend 

ighlights 

ANXJARY 

of Columbus the- 

caped damage in a wareiestroyed 

a nearby building 

atres circuit was dissolved 

r and Al Sugarman . . . 

ved its first Cinemascope 

Rowlands installed an As- 

1 at the Main . 

. . Frank 

a wide screen at the Lin- 

Dillon, veteran stagehand 

vas awarded a gold memle 

stagehands union for 50 

Broad had an 

for "M," which had been 

'hio censor board and rei 

Supreme Court decision 

;ullen, former Loew's cenager. 

died at Tucson. 

EBRUARY 

3 neighborhood, was closed 

' a local revival group . . . 

oved into a new home in 

Russell Bovim 

forge Brobst. former local 

rowned at Malibu Beach. 

A. Bovim, former manager 

imed Loew's western divisd 

Frank Henson, former 

lager, named city manager 

Avondale. west side neigh 

ired by Academy Theatres 

!r was chosen motion picthe 

Ohio State University 

MARCH 

an had a five-week run 

^ Paradise" at the World 

; Capers over WTVN from 

. . . 

'alace marquee is the first 

show to be telecast with 

jn here The Columbus 

torially that theatre busithe 

best since 1947 and 

;tter in 1954 . . . Norman 

Dvie editor, said that the 

hip should be considered 

when it reconvenes in 1955 

er has taken an executive 

the bigbusiness 

Miles circuit . . . 

in the history of 

se was recorded when "The 

;racted 2150 patrons. 

APRIL 

I passed a more stringent 

James Dixon, city 

iw . . . 

ndent, proposed a 577-car 

parking garage for a site at Third and Town 

streets, near the downtown theatres . . . 

Milton Yassenoff turned over the facilities 

of the National Auto Theatre to the Junior 

Chamber of Commerce for a shutins Easter 

Cinemascope was installed at 

service . . . 

the Grandview, Hudson and Pythian theatres, 

all in Miles . . . 

manager of RKO Grand. 

Eddie Force named 

MAY 

Lee Hofheimer became a grandfather when 

his daughter Mrs. Joyce Strelitz of Norfolk, 

Va., gave birth to a daughter . Make- 

. . 

lim was here to tell exhibitors details of his 

film production plan . Sensenbrenner 

said that he has no intention of allowing 

bingo . Mrs. Mabel Higgins w'as elected 

president of the local Motion Picture Council. 

JUNE 

. . . Dr. 

Auditorium speakers were installed at 

Loew's Ohio and Loew's Broad ... An attempt 

was made to reactivate the Variety 

Tent 2 by a committee which included John 

Barcroft, Charles Sugarman, Robert Wile, 

Lee Hofheimer, Milton Yassenoff and radio, 

pres.s and television representatives 

Clyde Hissong, chief Ohio censor for the 

past ten years, announced his resignation 

. . . John Brobst, former Loew's Ohio stagehand, 

died. 

JULY 

The Dixie, pioneer west side neighborhood 

was taken over by the Church of God . . 

Arthur Miller, former Miles circuit booker 

has entered the real estate .sales field . . 

"Gone With The Wind" did big business 

in a three-week run at Loew's Ohio . . . 

Charles Sugarman was named secretary and 

Milton Yassenoff, treasurer, of the Showman's 

Club, forerunner of the reactivated 

Variety Club . A. Maddox, pioneer 

. . . 

local theatre manager and first chairman of 

Ohio censor board, died. At various times, 

Maddox managed the Princess, Colonial, 

Southern and Majestic Ted Pekras has 

closed the Oak, east side neighborhood, for 

remodeling and the installation of a wide 

screen. 

AUGUST 

Judge Bartlett refused to grant an injunction 

against the Ohio censor board, which 

was sought by RKO, ITOO, Martin Smith 

and Horace Adams. Robert Wile said the case 

will be appealed to the district court of appeals 

. . . Frank Marzetti has installed Super 

Panatar lenses at the Linden and Indianola. 

SEPTEMBER 

. . 

. . . Lelia Stearn 

. 

R. M. Eyman. Lancaster, was appointed 

Esther Williams 

chief Ohio film censor . . . 

and husband Ben Gage were stars of a 

stage show at Loew's Ohio . and 

Louis Sher leased the Bexley and will open 

the house as an art theatre October 1. Robert 

Work 

Little has been named manager . 

was started on a $250,000 drive-in at Whitehall 

by the Mainview Corp. of Chicago. The 

airer will be opened around January 1 and 

will have in-car heaters 

celebrated her tenth anniversary as operator 

of the Southern Barcroft is 

now handling public relations for the J. 

Real Neth circuit . . Efforts revive the 

. to 

local Variety Club have failed. 

OCTOBER 

Lou Holleb has been named general manager 

of the In-Town Auto Theatre . . Lee 

. 

Hofheimer resigned his executive position 

with the Miles circuit . . . Robert Wile fired 

the opening pun in the 1955 campaign to repeal 

censor.ship by sending letters to general 

assembly candidates and Ohio newspapers, 

asking for their position on censorship 

"The Moon Is Blue" played 

repeal . . . to 90.000 admissions during its 26-week run 

at the World, Manager Charles Sugarman 

estimated ... J. Real Neth installed Cinema- 

Scope in the State and Markham. 

NOVEMBER 

. 

The 13-year-old son of Manager Robert 

Sokol of Loew's Broad was hospitalized with 

head and leg injuries suffered when he was 

struck by an automobile while riding his 

Floyd Gooding was chosen president 

bicycle . . . 

of Columbus Boys Club, and Leo Yas- 

senoff, vice-president has 

been installed in the Ohio censor board 

screening room . . . George Pekras installed 

Cinemascope at the Ritz and Rivoli, as did 

J. Real Neth at the Clinton and Lincoln . . . 

Ethel Miles has installed CinemaScope at 

the Drexel. 

DECEMBER 

Lee Hofheimer plans to leave for Norfolk, 

Va., his home town, to enter the theatre 

business there ... J. Real Neth has installed 

CinemaScope equipment at the Eastern. 

A Prehistoric Discovery 

Results in Odd Publicity 

From Southwest Edition 

FORT WORTH—The discovery of three 

perfect ammonites, prehistoric fossils which 

are estimated to be over 200 million years 

old, resulted in some unusual publicity for 

Ezell's Jacksboro Drive-In. The snail-like 

fossils were uncovered by construction men 

while excavating as part of a remodeling program 

to enlarge the airer's capacity to 1,500 

cars. 

Experts from Southern Methodist University 

said this animal life is from the Mesozoic 

age, and National Geogi'aphic and other 

scientific organizations are now making special 

studies of other formations in the excavating 

area. Manager Lee Lipscomb placed 

two of the ammonites on exhibit in the snack 

bar and reports that the display drew hundreds 

of curious patrons. 

Film Council Schedules 

Annual Meet for April 


NEW YORK—The Film Council of America 

will hold its .second annual American Film 

Assembly April 4-6 at the Waldorf-Astoria 

Hotel. The main feature will be the Golden 

Reel Film Festival presenting outstanding 

16mm films on cultural and informational 

subjects. 

The committee is composed of Ray Bingham 

of Associated Films, chairman; Ed Rasch, 

Walt Disney Productions; Warren Sturgis, 

Sturgis-Grant Productions; Kern Moyse, 

Peerless Film Process Co.; Leo Dratfield, 

Contemporary Films, and Maury J. Glaubman, 

Anti-Defamation League. 

nuary 8, 1955 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 tures—every day in every way . . . For good 

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

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

learned that it pays and pays to promote pic- 

BOXOFFICE 

Nine Sectional Editions - To Fit Every Distribution Area 


i the 

: downtown 

iih325is 

rpnse 

;h Chiiitmas Day and 

ig were slow during the 

picked up substantially 

d the remainder of the 

No Business Like Show 

xn the second best week 

only "The Robe" beating 

ir ago, with admissions 

25 top for "Show Busi- 

;an," playing the Astor 

first Cinemascope 

use and pulled down ex- 

Ls theatre, which rarely 

1 of this sort, turned in 

leek. "Romeo and Juliet" 

ot off to a slow start but 

ly. 

jge Is 100) 

in (U-l) 325 

I Juliet UA) 180 

3ve ond Dreams :IFEi. . . .200 

usincss Like Show Business 

400 

r Cholice ;WB) 175 

—Three Ring Circus (Pora); 

250 

hffH (Col); Masterson of 

95 

Leads 

area had only 

;h trade on the upgrade 

1 post-Christmas grosses. 

IS (Para); Jomboree (EP) 

105 

Brs lUA), 2nd wk 

en (Col); it Happened in 

80 

115 

(MGM) 100 

siness Lilce Show Business 

140 

t (WB); The Falce [UA). .125 

purts 

ses 

le end of the pre-Christ- 

1 brought a big spurt in 

itowners. All of the holiiptionally 

well, with the 

sel and Gretel" which 

the SW Roger Sherman. 

; The Rocket Man 

165 

Circus (Para); Jamboree 

200 

Coptoin Kidd and the 

210 

ond Gretel ;RKO); Africa 

70 

5SS Work Gifts 

5 Workers 

icement of the wage inwork 

week for lATSE 

oyes was the big Christrow. 

esident of Local F-3, rea 

telegram from lATSE 

ay hike of S5.50 a week is 

nber 1, while the reduces 

from 40 to 37',2 a week 

3. Friday, December 24. 

designated as holidays. 

eather 

e two area holdouts 

er—the Pike and Blue 

»tres—have finally sucand 

have closed for the 

11 outdoor units had been 

I 

Connecticut Exhibitors 

Expect Higher Grosses 

BEST DRESSED—Mgr. Cliarle> (âudino, 

rigfht, looks on as Mayor Daniel D. 

Brunton awards a Beau Brummell 

statuette to Joseph Redden, the local 

best-dressed man, in conjunction with the 

opening of "Beau Brummell" at Loew's 

Poll in Springfield, >Iass. 

Oil-Fired Boiler Explodes 

At Fishman Theatres Unit 

NEW HAVEN—An explosion of an oil-fired 

boiler forced an early evening audience from 

the Howard Theatre and cancellation of remaining 

night performances. The boiler, in 

the basement of the combination theatre and 

store block and situated directly below an 

independently owned luncheonette, caused 

damages totaling S5,000, principally to the 

boiler and the restaurant where plate glass 

windows were blown out. 

The blast rocked the buildings and caused 

a little smoke to enter the film house. A 

patrolman on duty in the theatre shouted to 

the audience of 100 that there was no reason 

for alarm. Patrons quietly filed out behind 

the officer and Anthony DelGrego, an usher, 

after house lights were turned on and emergency 

exits opened. 

Samuel Calechman, manager of the Howard. 

a unit of the Fishman Theatres chain, .said 

remaining evening performances were called 

off because the auditorium was left without 

lieat. Normal schedules were resumed the 

next day. 

A customer of the luncheonette and a man 

walking in front of the store w'ere slightly 

cut by flying glass. The fire marshal blamed 

the explosion on delayed ignition. 

Automatic Phone Unit 

HARTFORD—An automatic telephone answering 

and recording unit has been installed 

at the Interstate circuit's Palace in Rockville. 

According to Arthur Poirier. theatre 

manager, the equipment, installed by the 

Southern New England Telephone Co.. 

answers incoming calls and tells theatre patrons 

what pictures are playing and when the 

next show starts. 

HARTFORD—Connecticut exhibitors are 

going into 1955 with anticipation of higher 

grosses with the upcoming quality product. 

Both independent and circuit managers 

contacted by BOXOFFICE asserted that 1955 

should shape up impressively, with one veteran 

showman noting: "We're past the experimentation 

stage already as far as wide 

screen. Cinemascope, Superscope, stereophonic 

sound, etc., are concerned, and now 

it's once again a matter of concentration on 

quality output, and the latter will indeed draw 

lorth more trade." 

Exhibitors look back on 1954 generally as 

an improved season. 

"We had product like Caine Mutiny, From 

Here to Eternity. A Star Is Born, White 

ChrLstmas, Sabrina, Seven Brides for Seven 

Brothers and There's No Business Like Show 

Business," noted another longtime exhibitor, 

"and a quick glance at the early 1955 releases, 

including the highly touted Country Girl and 

Bridges at Toko-Ri are indications of some 

good business at the boxoffice, which is of 

paramount importance at all times." 

So enthused was Lou Cohen, manager of 

Loew's Poll, Hartford, over his January attractions, 

that he wired local drama critics: 

"We're starting off the 1955 season with a 

bang! 

"Following our New Year's Eve show, 'Deep 

in My Heart,' MGM's enjoyable musical 

package, co-starring Jose Ferrer and Helen 

Traubel, we've got such releases as 'Sign of 

the Pagan,' Jeff Chandler's first in Cinema- 

Scope; 'Green Fire,' with Stewart Granger, 

Grace Kelly and Paul Douglas; 'Bad Day at 

Black Rock,' in Cinemascope, with Spencer 

Tracy, and 'Vera Cruz,' co-starring Gary 

Cooper and Burt Lancaster." 

Exploitation got under way early for the 

1955 season, too. 

Two exploitation representatives — John 

Markle, Columbia, and Bill Brooker, U-I 

were in the city for a week in the interests of 

"Violent Men" and "So This Is Paris," respectively. 

Brooker had Mara Corday, U-I 

.starlet, here for a day's round of disk jockeynewspaper 

interviews. The pair hosted the 

Connecticut press at a Statler Hotel luncheon. 

Trinity College Books 

Film Classics Series 

HARTFORD—The newly formed Cinema 

Club of Trinity College is presenting a series 

of five film classics through the winter and 

spring. The series, open to the public, includes 

"Grand Illusion," "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. 

Hyde," "Stor>' of Gosta Berling," "Alexander 

Nevsky," and four Keystone comedies with 

Charhe Chaplin. The films are being shown 

in the chemistry auditorium, with season tickets 

being sold for $1.50. One film is being 

screened each month. 

John Markle in Hartford 

HARTFORD—John Markle of the Columbia 

exploitation department, here for regional 

premiere of "Violent Men," his company's 

initial release in CinemaScope. arranged a 

street ballyhoo, consisting of appropriately 

bannered horse and rider. The film opened 

at E. M. Loew's. 

— 

jary 8. 1955 

NE 75

. . Eddie 

BOSTON 

Tames M. Connolly, northeastern division 

manager for 20th-Fox, has been elected 

chairman of the examining board of the 

Boston public library system. As chairman, 

he heads a group of 50 prominent citizens 

whose duties are to examine the policies and 

practices of the library system. He has been 

a committee member for the past four years. 

Following settlement of labor problems involving 

projectionists at the Strand Theatre 

in Pawtucket, R. I., the theatre has reopened. 

It is a New England Theatres house . . . 

Leslie Bendslev, Community Playhouse, Wellesley, 

and his wife left on their annua! winter 

cruise . . . Bessie Cohen, in the booking department 

at 20th-Fox. has announced her 

engagement to Samuel Szathmary of Brook- 

SELBY ô SCREEN TOWERS 

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line with no definite date set for the wedding. 

Richard Young of Washington has been 

added to the booking department as an 

apprentice. 

Mel Davis, head booker at Republic, spent 

a week's vacation in New York City . . Al 

Arzigian, Park Theatre, Montello. brought 

his 7-year-old daughter along on a Filmrow 

Roy Smith, Park Theatre, East Walpole, 

trip . . . 

picked up the luncheon tab for several 

industryites at Pinky's coffee shop . . Mrs. 

. 

E. M. Kelly, owner of the Star Theatre, North 

Brookfield, Mass., is driving to the coast for 

a long visit. Her brother, Leo Howard, who 

has just returned from the coast, is handling 

the buying and booking during her absence. 

He brought the Star manager, Ernie Beaudette, 

with him on a visit to the exchanges. 

Lockwood & Gordon Enterprises in association 

with Sam Rosen of New Haven, has 

acquired a drive-in site on River street in 

Bridgeport, Conn., from Seymour Levine for 

construction of a 750-car airer. Charles 

Abramowitz of New Haven is drawing up the 

plans. This will be the 12th drive-in under 

the Lockwood & Gordon banner. 

. . . Arthur 

Affiliated Theatres has added the following 

to its buying and booking lineup; Nordica 

in Freeport, the Maine for Lester Hughes; 

Park in Nashua, N. H., Joe Kennedy; Community 

in Guilford, Me., Sam Nyer, and the 

Thornton in Riverpoint, R. I.. William Deitch. 

The latter spot is reopening after having 

been closed for several months 

Howard, president of Affiliated, spent the holidays 

in Florida with his wife Carol and son 

Chuckle . Klein, head of Bay State 

Films, entered Massachusetts Memorial Hospital 

for an operation. 

Connecticut Editors 

Hail 'Rivers' Premiere 

Hartford—News that Connecticu 

serve as world premiere locatioi 

MGM's upcoming "Many Rivers to C 

has been greeted with enthusiasm c 

part of the slate press. The attra 

with Robert Taylor appearing oi 

night, will open at Loew's Poll in 

Haven on January 26, according to 

F. Shaw, division manager for I 

Poli-New England Theatres. 

Allen M. Widem, Hartford Times 

the news a four-column banner hej 

Other critics had similar treatmei 

the upcoming CinemaScope drama. 

Jack Simons Is Shifted 

To Palace, S. Norwalk 

HARTFORD—Nick E. Brickates, C 

cut district manager for Stanley 

Theatres, has announced shifting 

A. Simons from the Palace, Norwich 

Palace, South Norwalk. 

Phil Allaire, formerly at the Pala 

rington, and more recently assistant 

Sanson, Strand, Hartford, succeeds 

in Norwich. 

Simons at one time was manager o 

Poll, Hartford, later going to the 

State. Providence, R. I. 

Ross Hunter will produce and 

Cooper will script "1011 Fifth Aveni 

romantic comedy-drama for Univers; 

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76 BOXOFTICE :; Januai

I Martin 

. . . Charlie 

. . Arthur 

. . Hal 

. . James 

. . The 

. . Ken 

. . The 

jp Activities Highlight 7954 in Boston Area 

lights of 1954 in the Boston 

ANUABY 

ma" opened at the Boston 

Iter A. Brown was named 

;he Variety Club of New 

J Mullin 

d term . . . Joe Cifre retij-ed 

after 49 years in the equipkVilliam 

Kumins was named 

iVarner Bros, . . . Martin J. 

ected president of Allied 

Ingland. 

EBRUARY 

. . . 

Bin, president of United 

res, was cited at Temple 

rookline . . . Irving Isaacs 

sident of Independent Ex- 

Ingland Jimmy Fund 

i,384, of which $50,000 was 

ibution from tlie Kennedy 

MARCH 

lie Library saluted the mo- 

. . 

try with a huge dinner at 

iza Hotel, arranged by 

lan. general chairman . 

:11, president of Middlesex 

Maurice N. Wolf 

lied . . . 

relations representative for 

jrs in the industry . . . Ted 

led co-chairnran with Joe 

54 Jimmy F^^nd Drive . . . 

-operator of the Paramount 

George Roberts 

tres, Salem, died in Flor- 

)berts was re-elected presiige, 

B'nai B'rith . . . Harry 

era House, Newport, R. I., 

.APRIL 

er, director of research for 

ncer Research Foundation, 

Katharine Berkan Judd 

York Medical Center . . . 

:KO. was elected president 

of the Cinema Club of Boston . . . Al Glaubinger 

was appointed sales manager at United 

Artists . . . Lloyd Clark was elected president 

and Winthrop Knox jr., vice-president, of 

Middlesex Amusement Co. 

MAY 

Hy Rne was appointed chairman for the 

fifth consecutive year of United Cerebral 

Palsy for theatres in 

New England . . . Benn 

Rosenwald was named 

chairman of distribu- 

. . Capitol 

tion of the 1954 Jimmy 

Fund Drive . 

Theatre Supply 

Co.. of which Kenneth 

Douglass is president, 

marked its 25th annivery 

. . . Joseph Cap- 

Ian was elected president 

of Local 182, 

lATSE, with Ralph 

Fiazier business agent Benn Rosenwald 

Heath, projectionist at the RKO 

screening room for 29 years, retired. 

JUNE 

Brown received the Great Heart 

, . . Jack 

Walter A. 

Award by the Variety Club of New England 

at a dinner in the Hotel Statler 

Walter Brown 

James M. Connolly 

. 

Gubbins was re-elected president of the Motion 

Picture Salesmans Club R. 

Makelim presented his picture production 

plan at a exhibition luncheon . M. 

Connolly was appointed northeast division 

manager for 20th-Fox, while John Feloney 

was promoted to manager and John Peckos 

to sales manager . Lockwood was 

elected president of the Children's Cancer 

Research Foundation . . . Mr. and Mi's. C. J. 

Russell sr. of Bangor celebrated their 50th 

wedding anniversary. 

JULY 

. . 

E. M. Loew Theatres opened a 1,000-car 

drive-in at Burlington . Joe Levine of Emba.ssy 

tossed an industry luncheon to kick 

off the "Duel in the Sun" return engagements. 

AUGUST 

"The French Line" was banned in both 

Boston and L>iin, as well as for Sunday 

. . . Fi'ank 

showings throughout the commonwealth . . . 

Redstone Theatres opened its new Veterans 

of Foreign Wars Parkway Drive-In at West 

Roxbury Bosketti, veteran 

The 1954 

Lawrence 

Jimmy 

exhibitor, died . . . 

Fund campaign was launched. 

SEPTEMBER 

RKO filed a suit in federal court against 

state and city censors, as well as the mayors 

. 

of Boston and Lynn . Embassy shipping 

room quarters were destroyed by fire 

. . . Hurricane Edna caused havoc throughout 

the area University Theatre, Cambridge, 

installed an automatic telephone answering 

service unit. 

OCTOBER 

American Theatres Corp. started a managers' 

contest in celebration of its sixth 

anniversary ... I. J. 

Hoffman acquired the 

Arcade Theatre, 

Springfield, from Nathan 

Goldstein 

Nathan 

. 

Buchman 

. . 

resigned 

from American 

Theatres Supply Co. to 

start a business for 

himself and was replaced 

by Benjamin 

Conviser . Hamilton, 

New York territory 

salesman for Manley, 

won the merchan- 

I. J. Hoffman 

dising sales contest conducted in the territory 

by Lyman O. Seley. division manager. 

NOVEMBER 

New England Theatres started a managers' 

Profit and Pi-estige Drive ... A luncheon 

honoring ten exchange personnel who had 

been promoted during the year was held at 

the Hotel Bradford by the Variety Club of 

New England . . . Aji antitrust suit for $10,- 

000,000 was filed in federal court by Jean 

Campopiano of Lawrence against the majors. 

DECEMBER 

Independent Elxhibitors of New England, a 

unit of National Allied, conducted a one-day 

convention . . . Samuel 

Pinanski was tendered 

a surprise testimonial 

luncheon by a 

group of friends . . . 

MGM held a successful 

Ticket Selling 

Workshop at the Hotel 

Bradford . . . Lockwood 

& Gordon Enterprises 

conducted its 

annual managers and 

managers 

district 

meeting here 

Samuel Pinanski antitrust case 

. . . 

of 

The 

Victoria 

Amu.sement Co., Lawrence, was settled 

for a reported $87,500 after nine days of jury 

trial. 

To Film "The Norman' in Englcmd 

Charles Warren will film "The Norman" 

under the banner of his Commander Pictures 

unit on location in England. 

you CAN ALWAYS DEPEND ON 

FOR THE BEST 

SPECIAL 

nuary 8, 1955 77

. . Lou 

. . The 

. . Tlie 

. . 

Nick Kounaris, 61, Dies 

At New Britain Home 

HARTFORD—Nick Kounans, 61, partner in 

the Kounaris-Tolis Theatres, operating the 

Meriden and Newington, died at his New 

Britain home recently (26). 

Kounaris, at one time operator of the Music 

Box, then the Roxy, in New Britain, also 

headed the Crown Dairj' and Ice Cream Co. 

of that city. 

NEW HAVEN 

Dalph Preis of Philadelphia, representative of 

Variety Clubs International conferred with 

the crew of Tent 31 at a luncheon in Kaysey's. 

Chief Barker Henry Germaine and crewmen 

discussed methods of increasing activities of 

the state unit with Preis . . . U-I's Bill Brooker 

accompanied Mara Corday here for a press 

luncheon and radio appearance in connection 

with "So This Is Paris." Manager Alec 

Schimel and Stanley Warner zone officials 

were hosts at the luncheon. Brooker also has 

been working around the state on "Sign of the 

Pagan." 

John DiBcnedetto, manager of Loew's Poll, 

Worcester, and former assistant manager at 

the Poll here, was in with his wife . . . 

"Young at Heart" went into the SW Roger 

Sherman two days ahead of schedule when 

the slated one-week run of "Hansel and 

Gretel" was reduced to five days . son 

of Nat Fellman, head national film booker 

and buyer for SW, was in to tour Yale University 

in preparation for applying for admission 

to Old Eli. 

Definite plans for a $5,200,000; 13-story, 

350-room Sheraton Hotel were warmly received 

by the industry here. Many movie 

parties, press interviews and other activities 

are expected to be held in the new building. 

Members of Tent 31 also have talked about 

shifting permanent clubrooms to the Sheraton 

when it opens. Construction will start 

early in February and the structure will be 

in operation by the fall of 1956 . . Harry 

. 

. . . 

Feinstein, SW zone manager, and his w-ife 

and children spent the holidays with relatives 

in Pittsburgh Lou Brown, advertising 

and publicity chief for Loew's Poli-New 

England Theatres, was at the home office. 

Max Hoffman and Mort Katz of Connecticut 

Theatre circuit and exchange managers 

Alec Schimel, U-I; Phil Gravitz, MGM, and 

Max Birnbaum. Warner Bros., attended funeral 

services for exhibitor Nick Kournaris . . . 

MGM publicity men Art Canton, New York, 

and Floyd Fitzsimmons, Boston, were at ths 

Loew's division offices to map promotions for 

future releases . . . Max Birnbaum of Warner 

Bros, received an illuminated aquarium as a 

Christmas gift from employes . Green, 

assistant manager at Loew's College, has returned 

to the job after several weeks rest 

ordered by his doctor because of strained 

chest muscles. 

James Gleason in 'Girl Rush' 

Character comedian James Gleason has 

been signed for the VistaVision-Technicolor 

tunefilm, "The Girl Rush," a Paramount release. 

New Haven Detective Fund 

Reaches Over $32,200 

NEW HAVEN—The Ralph Palma memorial 

fund, set up to aid the family of a city detective 

who was fatally shot in the downtown 

Paramount Theatre May 13, reported a net 

of over $32,200. Of this sum, $20,000 went 

into a trust fund to be used to provide college 

educations for Detective Palma's two sons. 

The remainder w'as used by the committee 

to help purchase and furnish a new home for 

the hero's 30-year-old widow and the boys. 

Until the time when the children are ready 

for higher educations, income from the trust 

fund will be given the family for living expenses. 

The motion picture industry and others in 

the entertainment field heavily supported the 

fund. Most of the money was raised at a 

benefit show in the Yale Bowl August 3. 

Harry Shaw, division manager of Loew-'s Poli- 

New England Theatres, was entertainment 

chairman. Volunteer performers included 

several of the brides from "Seven Brides for 

Seven Brothers." Many motion picture people 

were on the various subcommittees, and 

tickets for the benefit were sold at theatres. 

Palma was shot as he and other detectives 

attempted to arrest two burglars seated in 

the Paramount. The gunmen successfully 

shot their way out of the theatre, but each 

committed suicide in separate parts of the 

city within a few hoiu-s. 

Palma died 32 days after he was shot. 

HARTFORD 

fêoTge E. Landers, division manager for 

E. M. Loew's Theatres, and wife flew to 

San Fi'ancisco to visit their son-in-law and 

daughter, Dr. and Mrs. Ben Vicas and grandchildren. 

John Silverwatch, manager of the 

Hartford Drive-In, relieved at E. M. Loew's. 

Mara Corday, U-I starlet, was here for a 

day of newspaper office visits, squired by 

Bill Brooker. exploiteer, and Jean DuBarry, 

Strand relief manager ... A sizeable Connecticut 

delegation planned to attend the January 

11 testimonial at Sheraton-Ten Eyck 

Hotel in Albany, N. Y., honoring Charlie 

Smakwitz, who was promoted to Newark 

zone manager for Stanley Warner. 

Allen M. Widem, the Hartford Times motion 

picture editor, was in New York for a day of 

personality interviews and screenings . 

The 1,162-seat Parsons, downtown area's only 

legitimate playhouse, will be dark through 

late January. 

Mrs. Hazel Florian promoted extra seasonal 

goodwill by running a benefit performance of 

"Tonight We Sing" at the Lockwood & Gordon 

Strand in Winsted, Conn., for the benetit 

of the Litchfield County Ho.spital auxiliary 

campaign. 

. . 

. 

Johnnie Markle. Columbia exploiteer, was 

in this area in conjunction w-ith "Violent 

Men" openings . Ray McNamara, Allyn, ran 

two morning screenings of "Three Ring Circus" 

and "Jamboree" for Boy Scouts and 

other youth patrons. The Scouts tied up on an 

extensive promotion campaign, distributing 

upwards of 25.000 heralds Manchester 

Drive-In is being expanded from 750 

to 1,000 cars. Back of the venture are Bernie 

Menschell and John Calvocoressci. 

RESEARCH BUI 

for 

MODERN THEATRE PL/ 

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THEATRE Section, published with the 

each month. 

78 BOXOFFICE Januarj

; fell 

, in 

)IAN SURVEY REPORTS '53 GROSSES UP 

jased Admission Rates More Than Offset Decline in 

Attendance 

Canadian motion picture 

and distributors received 

he year 1953 tlian in 1952, 

ral survey compiled by the 

u of Statistics. 

1 receipts of motion pietors 

in regular theatres, 

tialls operated as comand 

in halls serviced by 

increased by 3 per cent 

ndance decreased 1 per 

eipts, exclusive of taxes, 

83 in 1952 to $109,072,528 

jmber of paid admissions 

to 259,346,837. 

S 

FALL 

"es paid admissions fell 

241.182,726, while receipts 

,851,349 to $100,889,361. 

jorted an increase in paid 

'9,586 in 1952 to 11,134,788 

ts expanded from $4,409,- 

e number of paid admisty 

enterprises advanced 

47,668 while receipts grew 

1.851.685. For halls servierators, 

paid admissions 

120 in 1952 to 1,381,655 in 

from $495,584 to 

theatres of all types in 

ch included 1,906 regular 

1 theatres, 669 community 

lalls serviced by itinerant 

nt taxes, over and above 

;d for the four groups to 

as follows: regular thearive-ins, 

$685,389: com- 

;105,057 and halls, $31,859. 

provinces except Ontario, 

me more extensively used 

money on motion picture 

itures averaged $8.30 for 

as compared with $8.21 

.15 in 1946. 

'ER CAPITA BASIS 

replaced Ontario as the 

ghest per capita expendiures 

with an average of 

ith $9.94 in 1952. Alberta 

place with a per capita 

iinst $8.87 in the preced- 

) the per capita expendi- 

:ompared with $10.06 in 

the next highest figure 

;t $7.31 in 1952. 

the fifth highest per 

n movies in 1953 with an 

mpared to $6.51 in 1952. 

ed with a per capita fig- 

76: Quebec, with $7 and 

ck with $6.02 and $5.52: 

nd with $4.06 and $4.01, 

nth $4,03 as against $3.90 

nission price (including 

heatres was 47 cents in 

las highest in Quebec at 

Newfoundland at 37 

Dlumbia and Alberta the 

49 cents, in Ontario 47 

^•ard Island and Saskat- 

SURVEY IN CAPSULES 

Ottawa—Capsule facts on the trend of 

motion picture business in Canada follow: 

Receipts in regular 35mni theatres 

totaled $100,889,361 in 1953 from 241,182.- 

726 paid admissions as compared to a 

grross of $98,851,349 from 247,732,717 in 

1952. 

The number of 

regular 35mm theatres 

in 1953 increased to 1,713 from 1,671. 

The average admission price (including 

taxes) in 1953 was 47 cents, an increase 

from the year before. 

British Columbia replaced Ontario as 

the province with the highest per capita 

expenditure, rising there to $10.56 from 

$9.94. Alberta was second with $9.73 compared 

to S8.87. In Ontario the per capita 

expenditure for motion pictures dropped 

to $9.67 In 1953 from $10.06 in 1952. 

Canadian drive-in capacity increased 

47 per cent in 1953 over the previous year, 

increasing in number from 104 to 174. 

Both admissions and receipts increased, 

from 8,379,586 and $4,409,426 in 1952 to 

11,134,788 and $5,862,920 in 1953. 

Amusement taxes collected (on top of 

above gross figures) totaled $12,760,235 

by regular theatres and $685,389 by driveins. 

chewan 41 cents, in Nova Scotia and New 

Brunswick 40 cents, and in Manitoba 38 cents. 

There were 9,027 male employes and 6,723 

female employes who received $20,018,413 

from the 1.906 regular theatres in 1953, compared 

with 8.804 males and 6296 females 

receiving $18,868,116 in the previous year. 

There was a total of 17,651 persons employed 

by the industry during 1953. of which 1,516 

were working proprietors and family members 

not receiving a regular salary and 385 

salaried proprietors. The 15.750 paid employes, 

including working executives of incorporated 

companies, received $20,018,413 in 

salaries and wages. Of the 15.750 paid employes 

14.258 were engaged in the operation 

of theatres which were opened 300 days or 

more during the year and these received 

$19,228,653 in salaries and wages. 

OVER 2,000 PROJECTIONISTS EMPLOTED 

The projectionists and assistant projectionists 

numbered 2.156 and they received $6,278.- 

966 in salaries and wages. Part-time theatres, 

those operating less than 300 days during the 

year, employed 1.492 persons who received 

salaries and wages amounting to $789,760. 

In 1953 the seating capacity of regular 

theatres increased by 2.4 per cent, while the 

potential capacity rose by 1.7 per cert over 

1952. Potential capacity is computed by multiplying 

the number of seats in each theatre 

by the number of performances. Only 29.5 

per cent of a potential capacity of 818.625,591 

was utilized in 1953. Capacity utilization was 

highest in Newfoundland at 36.3 per cent 

and lowest in Quebec at 27.1 per cent. 

Over 39 per cent of the 1953 business went 

to theatres in Ontario, which had also 35.5 

per cent of the total seating capacity. Quebec 

theatres, with 24.4 per cent of total seating 

capacity, obtained 25.2 per cent of the total 

business. British Columbia had 9.5 per cent 

of seating capacity and 10.1 per cen' of receipts 

while Alberta with 7.5 per cent of the 

seats reported 7.6 per cent of total business. 

All the other provinces had lesser percentages 

of receipts than of seating capacity. 

In 1953 circuits operating four or more 

theatres in Canada obtained 71 per cent of 

the total revenue and 69 per cent of admissions, 

although they numbered only 37 per 

cent of Canada's 1.906 regular theatres. Circuits 

in the 20 and over class received 58 per 

cent of the receipts and 54 per cent of the 

admissions. 

NINETY PER CENT USE 35MM 

Ninety per cent of the 1,906 regular theatres 

operating (1.713) in 1953 used 35mm projection 

equipment and accounted for 99 per 

cent of the receipts. These 1.713 theatres 

had receipts of $100,204,153 in 1953 compared 

with receipts of $685,208 obtained by the 193 

theatres which used 16mm equipment. 

In 1952 there were 1.671 theatres using 

35mm equipment with receipts of $98,322,322 

and 172 theatres using 16mm equipment with 

receipts of $529,027. 

The number of drive-in theatres increased 

from 104 in 1952 to 174 in 1953 while total car 

capacity increased by 47 per cent. Receipts 

rose by almost 33 per cent from $4 409,426 in 

1952 to $5,862,920 in 1953. In the year under 

review there were 11.134.788 paid admissions 

to drive-ins compared with 8.379,586 the previous 

year, while amusement taxes amounted 

to $685,389 in 1953 compared with $540,390 

ia 1952. Ontario's 68 drive-ins collected 

$2 572.095 in receipts plus $323,516 in amusement 

taxes and accounted for nearly 44 per 

cent of paid admissions. A feature of 1953 

was the increase in drive-ins in western 

Canada, Manitoba now having 13. Saskatchewan 

29, Alberta 29 and British Columbia 23. 

DRIVE-INS EMPLOY ABOUT 2,000 

There were 1,972 persons employed in Canadian 

drive-ins in 1953, who received $1,432,636 

in wages. Of the total, 194 were projectionists, 

who received $420,326 for their services. 

In 1953 film exchange companies handled 

a volume of business amounting to $35,446,- 

293 which represented a 4.3 per cent increase 

over the $33,979,599 handled in 1952. There 

was an increase in film rentals from $32,911.- 

042 in 1952 to $34,436,609 in 1953 but In the 

same period advertising receipts dropped 

from $567,144 to $533,977 and receipts from 

other sources decreased from $501,413. to 

$475,707. 

Of the total film rental receipts of $34,436,- 

609. 83.8 per cent or $28,871,729 represented 

35mm films for theatrical use. The value of 

16mm film rentals for theatrical use was 

$2,022,112. 

New films of all types released during the 

year numbered 3.521. of which 2.983 were for 

theatrical use on a commercial basis. 

Segregation of the 1.289 new feature films 

released in 1953 as to country of origin follows: 

United States. 779: France. 290: Great 

Britain. 147: Canada, 2; Italy. 41. and other 

countries, 30. 

lary 8, 1955 79

I 

. . National 

. . Bob 

. . Sam 

' 

MONTREAL 

/Canada's first Cinerama showing at the Imperial 

Theatre here, opened December 27 

with ceremony appropriate to the launching 

of a battleship. The evening proceeds were 

turned over to St. Justine Hospital by Sam 

Ro.sen, executive vice-president of the Canadian 

Cinerama Corp., and Lester B. Isaac, 

national director of the Cinerama Exhibition, 

who were on hand to greet civic and other 

dignitaries. Rosen and Isaac welcomed Mme. 

L. de Gaspe Beaubien. honorary president of 

St. Justine Hospital, who commented following 

the showing to the effect that "it certainly 

is realistic." 

The Seville Theatre, a United Amusement 

house which dropped its bill of vaudeville and 

films for straight motion picture programs 

has decided to revert to vaudeville and motion 

picture shows . Film Board 

has set late 1955 to start moving personnel 

and equipment from Ottawa to its new building 

being erected here on Cote de Liesse 

road. Wet weather last summer held up construction, 

but work now is being pushed. For 

the first time in its 16 years of existence, all 

the board's operations will be housed under 

one roof. Facilities will include the first 

studios the NFB has owned. 

. . . 

International Film Distributors was host to 

a crowd of distributors, exhibitors, press and 

radio officials at a special preview of Verdi's 

"Aida" at the Snowdon Theatre, a United 

Amusement Corp. theatre managed by Harold 

The motion picture hall at 

Greenberg . . . 

Quyon, Que., 25 miles northwest of Ottawa 

operated by J. C. Germain, was completely 

destroyed by fire December 27 just a few 

minutes after the last patrons had left the 

last .show . . . Harry Cohen, RKO manager, 

attended the regional sales meeting of his 

company at the Warwick Hotel in New York 

Archie Cohen, Warner Bros, manager, 

and Eddie White, booker, both attended the 

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Film Exchange BIdg. Calgory, Alta. 

opening of Cinerama presentation at the Imperial 

Theatre. 

Bill Trow, president of Montreal Poster Exchange 

and of Quebec Cinema Booking, along 

with John Trow, also of Quebec Cinema 

Booking, attended the wedding of their 

brother Tom at Three Rivers, Que. Tom is 

the owner of the Imperial Theatres at Three 

Rivers. John acted as best man for his 

brother . Johnson, manager of JARO, 

threw a party for his staff at his home preceding 

a trip to Winnipeg to visit his 

mother. On his way back Johnson planned 

to stop at Toronto . . . Bob Brown, artist at 

UAC, accompanied by his wife and children, 

spent the holiday weekend with his sister and 

brother-in-law at Cushing, Que. 

Joe Rimer, head accountant of Montreal 

Foster Exchange, and his wife spent the holiday 

in New york . . . R. Murphy, manager of 

Paramount Film Service, along w'ith Leo Berco 

of Ruby Foo's again entertained charges of 

the Sisters of Good Shepherd at Maison 

Lorette with a movie and tea along with gifts. 

The girls received five gifts each. 

. . . 

. . . John Levitt, sales representative 

Rene Brosseau, accountant at Montreal 

Poster Exchange, became engaged over the 

holidays to Helene Vanier. The party took 

place at Ste. Marguerite-du-lac Masson in the 

Laurentians. Following the engagement party, 

the couple were the guests of friends at 

Jasper Lodge St. Donat . Kunitsky, 

United Artists manager, accompanied by his 

w'ife and baby, spent the holiday weekend 

with his parents at Saint John, N. B. . . . 

Barbara Jehu, office employe of United Ai'tists. 

became engaged to Morrie Neilson 

Johnny Larose, shipper at JARO, is the father 

of a baby boy 

for Columbia, accompanied by 

his 

. . . Canadian 

wife spent Christmas at the home of his 

daughter in New York City 

National Railways' motion picture "The Museum 

Train" was shown in Boston by Jean 

Fournier, Canadian general consul at Boston, 

for the first time in the United States. 

Rapid Grip & Batten Makes 

First Public Sale of Stock 

TORONTO—Formerly a famUy controlled 

company of many years standing. Rapid Grip 

& Batten made its first public offering of 

common and preferred shares at the year's 

end for expansion purposes. It was originally 

engaged in news service and engraving operations 

but branched into film production. 

Blocks of 30,000 common stock and 4,000 preferred 

shares are offered to the public but 

control of the company will be retained by the 

Batten family. 

In April 1953 the company purchased the 

Queensway Studios in nearby Islington for 

the making of 16mm and 35mm moving pictures 

and has become a member of the Ass'n 

of Motion Picture Producers and Laboratories 

of Canada. The studio building had been a 

unit of the J. Arthur Rank companies in 

the Dominion under a proposed Canadian 

production program. 

Tlie pre.sident of Rapid Grip & Batten is 

R. A. Batten, a son of the late A. C. Batten, 

founder of the original news service and 

former editor of the Toronto Daily News. 

The sales manager is Frank O'Byrne, onetime 

Canadian studio manager for JARO. 

Early Leaders Nairn 

In Odeon's Contest 

Hamilton, by Nicky Langstor 

' 

Halifax; Varscona. Edmonton; Garrick 

TORONTO—Fifteen theatres have 

to commanding positions in the Better 

agement contest of Odeon Theatres, a 

ing to the initial progress report b 

Hardiman, advertising and publicity 

who is directing Operation 26, the t 

the 26-week competition. 

In the showmanship and attendar 

vision of the race in which 98 ma 

across the country are participatini 

leaders are 

managed 

lined up as follows: C 

ner of last year's drive; Odeon. Port A 

Odeon, Toronto; Electra, Montreal; 

Fort William; Hyland, Toronto; C( 

Oakville, Ont.; Roxy, Brampton; C 

fax; Villeray, Montreal: Broadway, 

toon: Empress, Moncton, and the E 

Winnipeg. 

The Odeon at Victoria, B. C, is also 

running for the early stages of the 

paign after having run up a formidabL 

on showmanship alone. Among the 

for both promotion and patronage 

were Don Gauld of the Odeon at For 

liam, who captured second prize in tl: 

contest; Vic Nowe of the Toronto ( 

winner of a district prize last year; Le 

Guire of the Odeon, Port Arthur, and 

Tyers who took over the management 

Toronto Hyland a couple of months ai 

Hardiman pointed out. however, th 

standing of the contenders was sub; 

quick change, so the boys had better 

' 

their toes because of expected jockey; 

improved position. 

A different story is told in the c 

tionery sales section with the interim st; 

being almost a reverse of the point; 

for exploitation and attendance gains. 

group the top performer is the Mci 

at Belleville, Ont., with the Palace, St. 

arines. and the neighborhood Parad 

Toronto second and third. 

Canadian Radio, TV Sc 

Climb During 1954 

TORONTO—According to a statem 

the Canadian Radio and Television : 

factiuers Ass'n, sales of TV sets ii 

country for the first 11 months of 1954 1 

530.350, representing a 69 per cent ir 

over the same period of the previous 

The value was placed at $134,607,675 

increase of 43.7 per cent over the comp 

1953 months. 

Radio sales in the 11 months totaled 

sets, valued at $28,236,657, for a decl 

29.5 per cent in number and 38.5 per c 

selling value. 

Granada in Hamilton \ 

Reopen as the Downtov 

HAMILTON—In the transformation 

99-seat Granada at Hamilton, which ha 

closed in early December by 20th C 

Tlieatres circuit for reconstruction, t! 

opening is being marked by the cha; 

theatre name to "Downtown" to emj: 

the modernization of the theatre th; 

once operated as the Gra;nd Opera Hi 

Paul Tiu-nbull continues as the m; 

and his assistant is David Whitelaw. 

80 BOXOFFICE January

. Is 

: protesting 

. Theatres 

. . Fred 

I PEG Business in Vancouver VANCOUVER 

houses in the Foto-Nite 

. . . Ernie Diamond opery 

night every Wednesday 

The main prize recently 

r stainless steel cutlery . . . 

JinemaScope to play at 

linion was "Hell and High 

;aifeer now has such good 

jreening room that the 

ion asked by viewers after 

d is. "Is this picture just 

r in Cinemascope?" You 

the difference with the 

screen Saifeer now has. 

midnight shows included 

e Plain" at the Odeon; 

Paris" at the Garrick; 

md "Africa Adventure" 

aramount's "Three Ring 

:. and Warners' "A Star 

Airport Drive-In 

)itol . . . 

een to provide for new 

IS . . . "Duel in the Sun" 

for its second downtown 

lest priced show in town 

5 Capitol had no trouble 

ar Is Born." 

ing of Main street," is 

tremendous volume of 

sales racked up by the 

rland during the festive 

offered "mustard" or 

hot dogs, there are no 

lack of additional choice 

i 

ions or sauerki'aut. Both 

y installed Glenray barines. 

operating on the re- 

}le—a bun warmer is a 

he compact machine. No 

red. Hurwitz claims. 

( in arms here over the 

Saturday matinee fiasco 

:-TV station starting its 

Idies at 2 p.m. instead of 

were virtually 

ind exhibitors are writing 

the unwarheir 

matinee trade. There 

t to insist the CBC start 

i-me time as weekdays. 

iouse Changes 

Policy 

The Elmwood, a 620-seat 

Theatres of Toronto, has 

cy starting with the enn 

Times" after operating 

the Park in joint bookeriod. 

The name of the 

inged to Elmwood Cinema 

— 

— 

— 

Up as Holiday Ends 

VANCOUVER—Downtown busuiess moved 

into high gear now that Christmas shopping 

Is over. Vancouver theatres were away above 

average. Top coin went to "Show Business." 

while second position was taken by "Three 

Ring Circus" and "Sign of the Pagan." both 

tops ill spite of a slow Christmas Day business. 

All three continued through the holidays. 


Capitol There's No Business Like Show 

;20th-Fox) 

Business 

Smash 

Cinema Passion (RKO), The Sponish Main iRKO), 

revival 

Good 

Orpheum Three Ring Circus (Para) Excellent 

Porodise Bowery to Bagdad (AA); Renegades 

(Col), reissue Good 

Plaza and Fraser Destry (U-l) Good 

Strand Atheno (MGM) Good 

Studio The Belles of Sf. Trinion's (IFD) Good 

Vogue Sign of the Pofiân (U-l) Excellent 

Eight First -Runs Hold 

At Toronto Houses 

TORONTO— Holiday attractions at eight 

first run theatres held for a second week, 

more or less as expected, with grosses well 

above the line. The biggest money-maker 

was "Three Rnig Cncus" in its second lap 

at the Imperial. "The Purple Plain" grossed 

well as a new picture at the Odeon, aided by 

an extra midnight showing. 

Eglinton, University Young at Heart (WB), 

2nd wk. I ID 

Hyland— Trouble in the Glen (Rep), 2nd wk 110 

Imperiol Three Ring Circus (Para), 2nd wk 140 

Loews Deep in My Heart (MGM), 2nd wk 140 

Nortown Brigadoon :MGM) 110 

Odeon The Purple Plain (JARO) 1 45 

Shea's There's No Business Like Show Business 

120th-Fox), 2nd wk 1 40 

Tivoli, Capitol Rear Window (Para) 110 

Towne The Vanishing Prairie (BV), 2nd wk 120 

Uptown Sign ot the Pagan (U-l), 2nd wk 120 

'Belles' in Toronto 

TORONTO—"The Belles of St. Trinians," 

a British comedy, started the post-Christmas 

season at the International Cinema in substantial 

-style, while Italian pictures were 

noted at other art theatres around town. 

. . . Safecrackers 

/êorge Brewerton, owner of the east side 

Rex, has taken over the suburban Cambie, 

a 488-seater, from A. Milan and Pete Junas, 

former operators of the Roxy which is now 

being used for chmch meetings 

spent a lost weekend trying to get 

into the safe at the Odeon-Park but were 

unable to open the inner doors guarding the 

weekend holiday receipts . . . The brother of 

Pat Murray, Lux cashier, died in his 43rd 

year . Ritchie of the Lux floor staff, 

was ill. 

. 

Bob Foster of the Orpheum was re-elected 

president of lATSE B-71 theatre employes 

union . . Bill Forward, manager of General 

Theatre Supply Co., reports that with the 

installation of wide .screen in four more FPCC 

. . . Ro.ss Forrester, former 

suburban houses, the chain will be 100 per 

cent equipped 

assistant at the Capitol, has resigned from 

the circuit. 

. 

Steve Rolston, secretary of Canadian Picture 

Pioneers, spent the holidays in the 

Seattle area Jack Brent of CP Film Delivery 

has 

. . 

bought himself a home in the 

south Vancouver area. 

Canada Now Second Only 

To U. S. in Television 

OTTAWA—In a year end statement on the 

development of television in Canada since its 

beginnings in September 1952, A. D. Dunton, 

chairman of the board of the Canadian 

Broadcasting Corp.. said here that the Dominion 

had become the world's second-ranking 

TV country. Dunton declared that Canada 

was second to the United States in TV program 

production, second in the number of 

stations and a bare second in television 

viewers. 

About three-quarters of the population, he 

said, was served by 24 stations, seven of which 

were owned by the government TV agency, 

the CBC, which also controls all broadcasting. 

J. M. RICE & CO., Ltd. 

202 Canada Bldg. 

Telephone 93-5486 

Winnipeg, Manitoba 

10029 Jasper Ave. 

Telephone 28502 

Edmonton, Alberta 

35mm and 16mm Motion Picture and Sound Equipment 

EXPERT REPAIR DEPARTMENT 

Sole agents in Western Canada for Ballontyne Sound, Projectors, Drivein 

Equipment and 3-D Equipment. 

ay and Date 

Famous Player.s' key 

Bloor, College. Oakwood. 

1 Runnymede. started the 

e Egyptian" as the Show 

)ther units of the circuit, 

St. Clair, were the last 

to continue with "Hansel 

iginal lineup having in- 

. Tivoli. Capitol, Century 

Screens 

Arc Lamps 

Q] Rectifiers 

Check This List 

and See Us Soon: 

Radio Tubes and 

Tungar Bulbs 

Q Theatre Chairs 

Carbons Lenses 

Generators 

g Lamps D 

n Tickets 

Electrical Supplies ^ Batteries 

lary 8, 1955 81

. . Theatres 

. 

. . 

OTT AV\/ A 

IWTanager Walter Lackenbauer of the Soper 

at Smiths Falls attracted much attention 

by presenting a double pass, good for 

one month, to the parents of the first baby 

born after the stroke of midnight at New 

Year's in the Ottawa Valley community . 

Pierrette Paquin, daughter of Donat Paquin, 

owner of the Laurier, had the misfortune of 

being the season's first skiing casualty when 

she suffered a broken ankle while essaying 

a tricky slope. The injury will keep Pierrette 

out of figure skating. She is the star performer 

of the Minto Skating Club. 

Alex Dixon has resigned from his executive 

post in the National Film Board to return to 

Toronto Monday (101 to join the Dunlop 

Tire sales staff . . . Manager Ray Tubman 

of the Capitol Theatre had a holdover at the 

turn of the year when big grosses caused a 

carry-over of "There's No Business Like Show 

Business" for a second week. The run had 

one break when "Three Ring Circus" took 

the screen for the New Year's Eve midnight 

show. 

For the last day of 1954. Morris Berlin of 

the Somerset had a gift for the ladies who 

took in the program topped by "Living It 

Up." The New Year's present was a comb 

novelty . in Hull, Que., across 

the river from Ottawa, conducted late shows 

Sunday night (2) to round out the holiday 

season. The features included "Beau Brummell" 

at the Cartler, "Knock on Wood" at 

the Montcalm and "Stranger on the Prowl" 

at the Laurier. 

Manager Fred Leavens passed up a midnight 

show for New Year's Eve at the Elm- 

J' I 

PLAY SAFE... 

NEXT TINE VSE 

'i^S 

467 SPADINA AVE. 

TORONTO, ONTARIO 

"Eieluslve Canadian Dislribulor For Filmack" 

dale, although other theatres featured a special 

attraction for the traditional frolic. 

Manager Frank Gallop of the Centre brought 

in "Ricochet Romance," Ernie Warren gave 

an advance screening of "Tonight's the Night" 

at the Elgin while Jim Chalmers, manager 

of the Odeon, got a good crowd with "The 

Purple Plain" . . . The first stage presentation 

of 1955 at the local Capitol is the concert 

engagement of Leon Fleisher, pianist, 

Monday night (lOi, which comes as a break 

film policy. 

in 

FPC Head Cites Strong 

Paramount Position 

TORONTO—In his message to the 5,500 

shareholders of Famous Players Canadian 

Corp. at the end of 1954, President J. J. 

Fitzgibbons pointed to the extensive technical 

developments which had provided wide diversification 

for Paramount Pictures Corp. 

"By taking an active part in the development 

of these and other inventions," Fitzgibbons 

stated, "your company will be in a 

position to take full advantage of whatever 

competitive effects these devices may have 

upon theatres." 

The Famous Players president listed a number 

of features now available for theatre entertainment 

which bore his personal recommendation. 

These included: "White Christmas," 

"Three Ring Circus," "The Last Time I 

Saw Pai^s," "A Star Is Born," "Deep in My 

Heart," "Young at Heart," "Desiree," "There's 

No Business Like Show Business" and "20,000 

Leagues Under the Sea." 

Fitzgibbons referred to the final quarterly 

dividend of 37^2 cents on the Famous Players 

Canadian shares, to which had been added 

an extra 10 cents per share. 

Many New Art Films Open 

At Toronto Theatres 

TORONTO—Seekers of 

the unusual had a 

field day with a wide variety of special offerings 

for the week, topped by "The Belles of 

St. Trinians" in its second week at the International 

Cinema. The Studio tm-ned up with 

"Onore e Sacrificio" and the Pylon featured 

"Torna a Sorrento." 

Following a Canadian premiere of "Up to 

His Neck," a British pictiu-e, the Hollywood 

had another Canadian first run in "Children 

of Love." The Melody presented the German 

feature, "The Colored Dream." 

HANDY

CMjupme^nl * C0ftCAidi»n^ » ^(UtiiMiaA\£c 

JANUARY 8, 1955 

TION OF BOXOFFICE 

Portland welcomed the 

new one-mitlion-dollar 

Fox Theatre recently 

with the biggest downtown 

turnout on record. 

The late Charles P. 

Skouros and a bevy of 

film stars and officials 

headed by Johnnie Ray, 

Edward Arnold, Edmond 

O'Brien and his wife. 

Van Heflin and Maria 

English appeared at 

opening. 

the 

The 1,509-seat 

bouse is equipped for 

all forms of screen presentation, 

and is the 

culmination of a scientific 

study of comfort 

and safety, public health 

and new conveniences 

by Evergreen Theatres in 

order to offer to patrons 

the finest theatre possible 

to build. 

turing 

csDeAlan, 

(ôndtructi 

id 

Kenouation

THERE'S A SECOND BOX OFFICE 

INSIDE YOUR THEATER... 

The theater owner with money on his mind has long since learned 

to look to the lobby for extra profits. That's where his patrons 

come to get refreshment with their entertainment. Because of this 

pleasant custom, you make more money when you feature ice-cold 

Coca-Cola, favorite of America for more than four generations. 

There's a variety of vending equipment available. For the moneymaking 

details, write The Coca-Cola Company, P. O. Bo.x 1734, 

Atlanta, Georgia. 

COPYRIGHT 1954, THE COCA-COLA COMF

- 

Lirious 

)^wood 

eating 

)mfort 

Exterior of Cinema Theatre 

kes Both These Theatres S. R. 0. 

use Theatre 

Interior of Cinema Theatre 

/aber Theatres of Baltiid 

to convert their Playtre 

from a conventional- 

•e into an intimate art 

lir aim was to halt a de- 

•onage by showing better 

B most luxuriously comoundings 

possible. 

Bct proved so successful 

y they converted another 

Theatres, the Cinema, 

me lines. From the start, 

es have enjoyed "Stand 

nly" patronage, at higher 

rices than formerly asked, 

tres attain a new concept 

sating comfort with Heysfield's 

TC 706 Airflo 

;)hair" Lege. And both 

lint the way to bigger 

audiences for theatre owners everywhere. 

Heywood-Wakefield's TC 706 Airflo 

"Rocking Chair" Loge has a coil 

spring seat and back as restful as the 

finest easy chair in your own home 

. . . plus the recUning "rocking chair" 

action, exclusive Heywood-Wakefield 

base mechanism which retains a 

scientifically correct pitch of back to 

seat regardless of how you shift your 

weight. 

* * * 

For further information on the luxuriously 

comfortable Airflo "Rocking 

Chair" Loges, contact your Heywood-Wakefield 

representative or 

write for the fully illustrated catalogue 

on Hey wood-Wakefield 

Theatre Chairs. 

Jk 

HEYWOOD- 

WAKEFIELD 

W 

Theatre Seating Diiision 

MKNOMINEE, MICHIGAN 

Sales Offices: 

Baltimore • Chicago • New York 

lary 8, 1955

N 

YOUR PICTURE BRILLIANCE 

is in direct proportion to tlie 

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No arc can give you a bright picture if the mirror in your lamp 

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REFLECTED BY THE MIRROR! 

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Endeavoring to 

make up light loss through 

the use of more current is pure v/aste, costs 

much more in power bills than periodic 

replacement of reflectors. 

Strong Precision Reflectors, long recog- 

ENG iN EERiNG | nized for their superiority, are carefully 

#% produced in types and sizes for use in a 

standard projection ore lamps. They ore 

regularly stocked for immediate factory 

shipment. 

THE STRONG ELECTRIC CORP 

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DOSCOPE PROJECTION LENSES... for every projection need! 

ALTER FUTTER, 625 MADISON AVE., NEW YORK 22, N. Y. 

luary 8, 1955

The 

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The Hero Will Not Lisp 

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The only speaker 

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full 

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I, 19 5 5 

#1 t n t 

ht, New Concept in Theatre Design Julian Lee 9 

)x All New But the Walls Arnold Marks 14 

lurn" Away Dollars in Exposed Steel 

ded Lyne S. Metcalfe 18 

itenance Questions and Answers Dave E. Smalley 20 

sreophonic System for Three or Four Channels 

Two Models 22 

Theatre in First-Class Condition Calls for Regular 

ce and Replacement Elsie Loeb 24 

; Money on Your 1954 Income Tax? Harold J. Ashe 28 

Promotions Rebuild Sales David 0. Tubbs 31 

itioned to Higher Prices by Other 

ent Fields Carl Siegel 38 

Servicing of Sound Systems Wesley Trout 39 

!rs Win Heavy Patronage 44 

TS: 

Service 31 Drive-In Theatres 44 

ice Bureau 35 êw Equipment and 

Developments 49 

"^^"^ 36 Literature 51 

d Sound 39 About People and Product 52 

'Ut the brick exterior walls ayid roof is the Fox Theatre, 

re. Balconies arid apartments in the old Mayfair Theateas 

originally constructed as the Heilig in 1909 

timate theatre, were torn out and the entire interior 

and rebuilt. The Fox has the second largest screen in 

only two feet smaller than the Roxy in New York. 

İXHIBITORS who are planning 

to modernize their theatres this year 

will find many ideas of design and 

decoration in the photographs and 

articles describing two major remodeling 

jobs which are presented in this 

issue. 

Especially intriguing is the fresh and 

spirited architecture of the San Diego 

theatre which is illustrated on the 

pages immediately following. A radical 

departure from the usual concept 

of theatre design, the dramatic sweep 

of bold and simple planes creates a 

showcase of extraordinary character. 

Fully OS interesting, and productive 

of ideas, is the interior decoration of 

this theatre which has been carried 

out in the gay, bright spirit of the 

building itself. 

The complete metamorphosis of this 

old, ornate movie palace into what 

may well be described as "the theatre 

of tomorrow," brought about a tremendous 

upsurge in patronage, and 

is evidence to all exhibitors of the 

profit advantages of modernization. 

The beautiful, modem theatre which 

has been created within the shell of a 

45-year-old house, originally built for 

legitimate productions, in Portland, 

Ore., also offers exhibitors many suggestions 

for adaptation in the remodeling 

of their own houses. It represents 

the thorough study and scientific planning 

of an outstanding theatre organization 

in order to give patrons the 

utmost in comfort, convenience and 

screen presentation in 

ideal surroundings 

and atmosphere. 

Many new materials have been employed 

in the construction and decoration 

of these theatres, as described in 

the articles, and these also will be of 

interest to theatremen who plan to 

modernize this 

year. 

I L. THATCHER, Monaging Editor 

\TRE Section of BOXOFFICE is included in the first issue of eoeri month. 

business corresponaence should be addressed to Associated Publicotioru, 

I., Konsas City 24, Mo. Eostern Representative: A. J. Stocker, 9 Rockefeller 

20, N. Y.; Central Representatives: Ewing Hutchison and E. E. Yeck, 35 

!, Chicago I, III.; Western Representative: Bob Wettstein, 672 South 

:e, Los Angeles 5, Calif.

Wm. 

1 -'^'jj«»tr »4V 

.«jjT't^:*«.ii'

MODERNIZE. The exteiit 

aphically illustrated by 

Burton Jones who in- 

the old 

i remodeling 

BRIGHT, NEW CONCEPT IN THEATRE DESIGN 

Art Gallery Sets Theme for Conversion of Old San Diego House 

\ Run Neighborhood Showcase Grossing Up to $10,000 a Week 

in San Diego. Transd 

the Capri, the house, 

averaging $600 a week 

as grossed as much as 

week of a hit show, 

idem art was, perhaps, 

single influence affectle 

new Capri. The con- 

5 of light, the sharp, 

js, the freshness and 

n this new look in an 

creating many new 

s as important a conshowcase 

design as the 

I'ospect, garish, picture 

!0s. 

The Capri itself, as the old Egyptian, 

embodied such embellishments associated 

with the bygone days of dark and plushy 

interiors as the rotund, squat and ornamental 

pillars which graced the theatre's 

front and set the tone for the overly designed 

styling prevalent throughout the 

house. 

Jones spent over six months, with the 

theatre closed, on the program which involved 

a virtual rebuilding of the theatre's 

exterior and facade, foyer and lobby, and 

complete redecoration and refurnishing of 

the auditorium. The results are startling. 

On approaching the theatre from the 

street, with its 17-foot-high, solid-tinted 

glass front, opening the entire lobby to 

public view, one is immediately aware of 

the theatre's transformation. The window, 

broken up with black metal dividers for a 

geometrical pattern, sets the motif for the 

lobby floor which, made of white terrazzo 

with heavy black dividers, presents a similar 

geometric api>earance. Through this 

broad sweep of window, an actual art gallery 

can be seen occupying the wall directly 

opposite the front. 

These paintings, lithographs and sculptures, 

gathered from Jones' own collection 

and supplemented with a new selection, influenced 

the theatre's design. Represented 

Continued on following page 

md stimulating is the design of the new Capri Theatre in San 

OS far removed from the heavy tines of the old Egyptian, above, 

Bay of Sorrento from the Nile. Far advanced from the usual 

ts of theatre design, a series of simple planes provides background 

space for sculpture and modern paintings which may be seen 

through the entirely open glass front. Note the turnstile at right of 

the boxofflce which makes a doorman unnecessary. The display cases 

and theatre name are illuminated by neon black light. 

zept and execution is the lobby of the new Capri Theatre, San Diego. The concession stand is custom-built, as is manager's desk at left, 

laxy 8, 1955 9

This modern art gallery featuring such names as Mattisse, Miro, 

Chagall and Marino, from the private collection of Burton Jones, owner 

of the Capri, was a major influence in the design concept of the 

theatre. The huge abstract sculpture in bronze and brass alloy is 

named "Stars Over Capri." Note the manager's desk at right. He is 

always out where he can meet the patrons. 

Structurally, the walls an 

of the old Egyptian y 

zhanged, but the ornate di 

on columns and supportii 

disappeared under stronc 

colors of bright red, ye 

blue. 

The walls are sprayec 

tatone and are white witi 

and black fleck. Acousi 

forated metal decking, 

blue in color, forms thi 

The waterfall drapery is ? 

entire atmosphere is boi 

lating and restful. 

The auditorium in the old Egyptian. 

NEW CONCEPT IN THEATRE DESIGN 

Continued from preceding page 

in the art group are such famous names as 

Mattisse, Miro, Chagall and Marino. This 

uifluence is also revealed in the over-all 

color scheme which utilizes black and 

white with accents of pure primary reds, 

yellows and blues. 

Bernard Rosenthal, a world-famous 

sculptor, was commissioned to work with 

Pi'ank Gruys of Beverly Hills, the architect 

who also styled the lobby and foyer decor, 

in the preliminary planning. The result is 

a. huge abstract sculpture, in a broi 

brass alloy, suspended from the ceil 

spotlighted to cast an interesting i 

pattern on the west lobby wall. Na: 

Continued on 

CREDITS: Air condiHoning : WesHnghouse 

tect: Frank M. Gruys • Auditorium decor 

Leichter • Canopy ceiling: Guth Lightinc 

pet and drapes: Karogheusion • Drink ( 

Everfrost • Facade paint: Paramount 

Laquer • Lenses: Wollensack and Kolln 

Poster coses: Theatre Specialties • Proje( 

sound: Simplex • Screen: Raytone • Se( 

wood-Wakefleld. 

10 The MODERN THEATRE S

THE fl T R E 

iwings on this page illustrate how the old forecourt 

he Egyptian were eradicated in favor of a spacious, 

of sweeping lines. Stores on either side of the old 

rated into the new plan, providing space for larger 

addition of a cryroom. Below, at right, the large, 

olor panels in bright red, yellow and blue contrast 

e walls and light terrazzo floor. At left, the o'd, 

heavy Egyptian columns. 

inuary 8, 1955 il


Continued from page 10 

the theatre, the design is called "Stars Over 

Capri." 

The art gallery and Rosenthal sculpture 

achieved immediate patron acceptance and 

have been the reason for much publicity for 

the theatre. 

The initial reaction to all this would be 

to assume that the Capri is an art house. 

It is not. Although located in a neighborhood 

area, Pai-amount, RKO. United Artists 

and Warner Bros, are now permitting 

Jones to bid for first run San Diego product 

against the large downtown houses. However, 

he has confined his bidding to pictures 

that have specific adult appeal, not 

admitting children under 17 unless accompanied 

by an adult. 

In this respect, he has been following 

a policy of presenting, at exceptionally 

high prices, pictures of unusual quality 

and merit that have the potential of extended 

runs. Admission prices are $1.25, 

general, $1.50 for loges and 50 cents for 

children. Other local first run prices are 

about 90 cents. 

That this piolicy, made feasible by the 

modernization, has paid off is attested to 

by the tremendous patronage increase 

since Jones took over this Fox West Coast 

divestiture house. 

To achieve the resulting astronomical 

The attraction board features 18 ar)d 36 inch letters 

of black Masonite and is frontlighted by spots and 

floods. The boxoffice canopy and window mullions 

ere black metal, and all exterior gloss is Solex-type 

blue glass. 

leap at the boxoffice, the theatre's entire 

appearance was changed. Gone are the 

ornate pillars, the pretentious trappings, 

and gone is the Egyptian. 

The building's new facade, flanking the 

broad glass front, is of plaster, painted 

white with a Zolatone spray containing 

large black globules creating a white 

razzo effect. Two moderate-sized dis 

cases are inset within the facade 

topped by a large signature sign ag£ 

the wall, both illuminated by charme: 

neon black light. 

the canopy and eliminates the usual ( 

Topping the boxoffice and projec 

partially out over the sidewalk is a na: 

frame canopy painted a flat black, wi 

luminous plastic eggcrate ceiling. The 

crate openings are about î-inch sq 

and permit an even and intense 

spread from 14 6-foot cool white Luml 

For additional light type R-40, 150- 

down lights with louvred reflectors 

set in the soffit of the canopy, fou 

each side. 

The attraction board is separate 

bination with a neon-flashing mart 

Letters, of black Masonite 18 and 36 ir 

high, fasten to the perforated Tra 

board with spring clips through the 

forations. It is front lighted by floods 

spots rather than the usual luminous 

lighting. The signature sign over the t: 

is of vari-colored plastic with neon 

lighting and raised letters. For pa 

entering the theatre, Jones install 

turnstile in conjunction with the cas 

eliminating the necessity for a door 

The boxoffice is entirely glass enc 

over a black terrazzo base wdth a 

rounding marble ledge as a deal plat 

Continuing a modern trend, is th 

Continued on pc 

R£'SiAT with the 

I R 

W I 

N 

• 

/*fifJiCT 

-'^'^ 

^ SOUND, 

m- INVESTMENT! 

Now that you again have 'em coming, don't lose 'em with old, 

inferior or uncomfortable seating. Re-seat with the IRWIN COMET chair. It's 

designed and built to provide that extra measure of comfort and good 

appearance that keeps your customers coming back again and again. Its 

newly improved cons/ruction assures exceptionally long and dependable 

service with a very minimum of maintenance cost. Write today for complete 

details on how you can boost profits by re-seating with the modern-to-the-minute 

IRWIN COMET, the investment that quickly pays for itself 

GRAND RAPIDS M I 

C H I G 

A N^ 

12 The MODERN THEATRE SEC

You can do something about the matter of 

whether theatregoers patronize you or the 

theatre down the street. 

Don't let old fashioned equipment steal your 

profits. What good is a theatre with no audience? 

Old equipment just won't do. Theatres with 

obsolete equipment cannot compete with those 

modernly equipped. You can't fool the public. 

even though Barnum is reputed to have so 

claimed. Today's requirements demand equipment 

that is geared to the times. Things have 

happened with projection arc design in 

the last 

few years. Modern equipment is no relative of 

extravagance. It pays, doesn't cost. We're sure 

you'll junk your old projection arc lamps when 

you see the 

OUECTION ARC LAMP 

... the lamp that is 

readily adaptable to all types of modern screen presentation. 

National's Reflect-0-Heat unit permits the 

great increase in volume of light at the 

mammoth new screens, without a corresponding 

increase in heat at the aperture. 

The Automatic Crater Positioning 

Control 

System insures that both carbons are so fed 

as to maintain a correct arc gap length and 

to keep the position of the positive crater at 

the exact focal point of the reflector. 

Thus, 

throughout the presentation, the screen light 

is always of the same color, without variations 

from white to either blue or brown. 

The projectionist is accordingly freed from 

the necessity of constantly supervising the 

arc so that he can devote himself to the care 

ITIONAL 

EATRE SUPPLY 

gl Nol.ox.l • SImplr. . Bludwotlk.lni. 

riUyMklMMMkMAADkkilMMiNlilil^ 

of other technical features of projection 

which are not on an automatic basis and 

which require continual attention. 

The arc is stabilized by a stream of air 

which maintains a prescribed system of ventilation 

of the area surrounding the arc. This 

air jet prevents the hot tail flame of the arc 

from reaching the reflector, 

supplies enough 

oxygen so that no black soot is produced, 

and keeps white soot from collecting on the 

reflector in such quantity as to absorb heat 

which would cause breakage. 

Unit construction 

permits easy removal of 

the elements for inspection in servicing. 

luary 8, 1955 13

The carpet was literally rolled out into this handsome outer lobby for the 

opening of the Fox Theatre in Portland, Ore., after a complete interior reconstruction 

of a 45-year-old theatre, plus a new facade and marquee. The 

carpet remained in place until Thanksgiving when it was replaced t 

matting, but it will be returned to the lobby in the spring for use u 

winter. There are two cashiers at the boxolfice to speed service in bu 

PORTLAND'S FOX ALL 

NEW BUT THE WALLS 

Dynamic Design, New Materials, Dramatic Decoration Employed in Convers 

By 

ARNOLD MARKS 

I HE New Million-Dollar Fox recently 

opened in Portland. Ore., embodies 

many unusual features in design, including 

a huge vertical sign with 75.000 watts of 

illumination. The lighting effects within 

and without this newly created edifice 

are outstanding. The Fox is conceded 

to be one of the most complete and 

artistic structures of its kind in the world. 

New features of architecture, engineering 

and acoustical treatment are revolutionary 

in the construction of this entertainment 

palace. The slope of the aisles, the 

width of the stair treads, the convenience 

of the exits and specially designed aisle 

lights were all planned for the patrons' 

safety and convenience. 

All new but the exterior walls and roof, 

the theatre was built within the shell of the 

45-year-old Mayfair Theatre. 

The marquee includes hundreds of feel 

of neon tubing and plenty of animation 

and commands the entire length of Broadway, 

the street on which the theatre is 

situated. 

The boxoffice is so arranged that patrons 

will not have to wait in line for a long 

period of time as two cashiers are there to 

serve patrons in the busy hours. The poster 

frames display current attractions with 

The plain functional lines of the Fox Theatre's facade 

are dramatically contrasted fay the highly decorative 

marquee and huge vertical sign. 

proper lighting so the patron can 

determine the nature of the cum 

traction. 

The lobby doors are full length 

bordered with aluminum, and pan: 

are operated by a special device. 

The foyer ceiling is treated with 

acoustic plaster and includes r 

lighting. The concession counter is 

facing the entrance doors and was d 

,so the merchandise can be easil; 

and for quick service. 

The lounge rooms are located 

mezzanine. This luxurious space ha 

fortable seating, with soft, mello> 

which comes from recessed lightir 

entrance to the ladies' and men's 

rooms is directly off the main 

These rooms are rich in appearan 

are enhanced with comfortable c 

made furnishings. 

There is a drinking fountain r 

in the side wall of the mezzanine. 

is also provided for the children. Th 

telephone system is connected betw 

cashier, the doorman, the manage 

fice, the ushers' room, stage and tl 

14 

The MODERN THEATRE S!

' 

direct 

specially designed telecated 

on the mezzanine, 

•ve been provided for the 

3 and other employees, 

.his theatre is of special 

;ver before been used in 

thick in pile and is pad- 

;h provides a very soft 

of the new Fox Theatre 

adical innovations. The 

5 tlie perfect sound whicli 

by the use of ZonoUte 

ilown on with a machine. 

OS, is fireproof and has 

icient of absorption. 

IGHTED FROM COVE 

leries extend across the 

le theatre. A special fesbeen 

installed, also a 

1, and all draperies are 

otlight cove, in a shield 

of the stage. The title 

on curtain are operated 

emote control from the 

["he lighting in the entire 

rolled by motor-operated 

:-set arrangement of the 

.vitchboard provides flexectionist 

can pre-set any 

,0 obtain a wide selection 

spended lighting fixtures 

e auditorium. AU the 11- 

issed. The house lighting 

white light, is concealed 

ceiling, in lighting coves, 

her colors, 

red and blue, 

)r pictui'e lighting. Aisle 

i in all aisle space, stairways 

in the auditorium, 

le entire theatre is con- 

;hts are of special design 

ference with the patrons' 

en. The electrical wiring 

to date in every respect, 

otected by relays instead 

Ornamental staff work, running along the wall elevations forms a graceful dado line and upper wall 

decoration in the auditorium. The staff work is finished in ivory, gold leaf and pastel carmine. Altogether, 

in the mezzanine, loge and balcony, there are 1,509 padded-back and spring-edge seats. 

Over the 

proscenium 

arch the sunburst effect 

is composed of 

staff ornaments in 

gold leaf, indirectly 

lighted. The ornamental 

border behind 

which cove lighting 

is concealed runs 

unbroken around the 

dome of the ceiling. 

Draperies over the 

32x63 

- ôot screen, 

said to be the second 

largest in the 

country, are controlled 

from the projection 

room. Lighting, 

in a wide selection 

of colors, is also 

controlled 

there. 

d backbar and engroved-aluminum counter facing distinguish this large concessions 

s located just inside the foyer, facing the entrance doors. Note the generous use of 

ceiling lights, as well as inside the cose. 

of fuses in all the main lighting and circuit 

panels. 

A 32x63 foot screen has been installed, 

and the projected picture on this screen 

can be viewed from all angles without distortion. 

The stage is constructed in width and 

height to take care of standard and wide 

picture projection—Cinemascope. Vista- 

Vision, Magna and large screen television. 

The length of the projection throw was 

reduced to a minimum to lessen eye strain, 

and the picture appears natural from every 

seat. There will be no elongated, or out of 

proportion projection. The arrangement of 

seats similar to an extended fan also aids 

m providing perfect sight lines. 

The owners are particularly proud of 

the sound in the theatre, for there are no 

dead spots, and a constant volume of sound 

is assured in all parts of the auditorium. 

The sound and projection room equip- 

Continued on following page. 

nuary 8, 1955 15

FOX THEATRE ALL NEW BUT THE WALLS 


ment includes the latest optical type sound 

with 60 watts of power output. The theatre 

is equipped with the latest, improved 

magnetic stereophonic sound equipment 

capable of producing frequencies from 30 

cycles to 15,000 cycles. There are four 

channels of amplification: three of these 

channels feed three sets of directional 

speakers back of the projection screen and 

the fourth channel supplies a number of 

auditorium side wall speakers. 

LIGHTS, CURTAIN CONTROLLED IN 

BOOTH 

The projection room includes a public 

address system which is connected to concealed 

horns. A specially designed control 

enables the projectionist to have full control 

of the lighting system, curtains and 

public address system at all times. Special 

effects for the screen and curtain illumination 

have been planned for main titles and 

also for intermissions. This sound equipment 

has dual amplification to take care 

of any emergency which may arise due to 

trouble in one of the amplifiers. 

The decorative scheme of the 1,509-seat 

auditorium is one of dynamic design that 

flows unbroken around the dome in the 

ceiling. The proscenium arch is designed 

to be the center of interest with strength 

of detail. Over the center of the proscenium 

arch is a sunburst effect composed of staff 

ornaments indirectly lighted. The entire 

ornament is made out of staff work covered 

with gold leaf. The same ornamental staff 

work runs along the wall elevation, gracefully 

forming the dado line on each side 

of the theatre, which is finished in ivory, 

gold and pastel carmine. A very elaborate 

valance made of staff work and leafed with 

gold is installed at the head of the proscenium 

arch, to receive the beautiful 

stage drapes and curtains, made of red, 

peach and gold colors. 

A specially woven carpet of unique design laid over heavy cushioning, and custom-built furnitu 

the Fox mezzanine lounge on inviting place to rest. Restrooms are located off the lounge, as well a 

phone booth. There is also a cup-vending beverage machine as may be noted at the center right 

The Fox is owned by the Evergreen circuit, 

a subsidiary of National Theatres 

It is managed by Oscar Nyberg, a veteran 

in Portland theatre management. 

A cavalcade of stars and Hollywood 

theatre personalities were on hand for the 

theatre opening, as well as theatre executives 

from Oregon and Washington. 

CREDITS: Air conditioning and filtering: Westinghouse 

• Architect; Dougan & Hiems • Carpeting: 

Alexander Smith • Concession equipment 

Drink dispensers. Movie Hour Fountainette; Ice 

Cream freezer, Frigidaire; Butter dispenser, But- 

R-Churn • Curtain end light control: Grosh Studios 

• Plumbing: Standard Sanitary • Custom-made 

furniture: Theatre Upholstering Co. • Projection 

and Sound: Simplex • Screen: Miracle Mirror • 

Seats: Bodiform * Stereophonic sound: Ampex. 

Detail of silver aluminum scrolls and /'owe 

decorate the walls of the foyer leading 

mezzanine lounge. 

FILTERED, CONDITIONED AIR 

The air conditioning system is the very 

latest and is automatically controlled by 

thermostats which maintain the most 

healthful and comfortable temperatures 

throughout the winter and summer. All air 

is filtered to remove dust, and the air is 

distributed throughout the entire auditorium 

through various types of ornamental 

ceiling diffusers. The refrigeration system 

is hermetically sealed and uses Pi-eon 12, 

a safe and harmless refrigerant. The heating 

system is of the latest design, usinv 

hot water for heat, and is controlled thermostatically, 

the thermostats being located 

in various parts of the theatre to maintain 

an even temperature throughout. Thirty 

thousand cubic feet of filtered cold or 

heated air is delivered to the theatre each 

minute, which is more than adequate for 

the seating capacity of this theatre. 

Russell F. McCullough, National Theatres 

maintenance manager and purchasing 

agent supervised the details of this new 

modern theatre and Carl Moeller was the 

designer. 

The ladies' powder room in the Fox is luxuriously appointed, with custom made lounges, and swiyi 

before the curved powder bar. Inset down lights in the canopy above the bar and mirrors create sht 

illumination. Framed paintings on the walls add a homelike touch. 

16 The MODERN THEATRE SI

^PllilW^ 

Luxurious comfort assured 

IN PORTLAND'S NEV\^ FOX THEATRE BY 

American Bodiform Chairs 

In this new, million-dollar 

Fox Theatre in Portland, Oregon, 

1536 American Bodiform 

Chairs provide the 

luxurious comfort which 

today's audiences expect. 

c^/fie2lca/i SeaH/ig (ompa/u/ 

World's leader m Public Seating 

• Grand Rapids 2. Michigan • Branch Oflices and Distribulors in Principal Cities 

Manufacturers of Theatre. School, Church. Auditorium. Transportation, stadium Seating, and FOLDING CHAIR 

ALSO DISTRIBUTED BY NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY 

inuary 8, 1955 17

: 

— 

RUST WILL 

BURN' AWAY DOLLARS 

IN EXPOSED STEEL IF UNRETARDED 

Improved Techniques Help Solve Theatre Losses 

By LYME S. 

METCALFE* 

A considerable and constantly increasing 

part of any theatre property, equipment, 

and appurtenanfce investment is in metals, 

and for the most part, in steel exposed to 

the atmosphere. 

That is, such as outside tanks, exterior 

piping, fencing, trim and other installations. 

And where steel is exposed to water 

or even to dampness, it will soon "burn" 

away dollars invested in it. After all, corrosion 

is only slow burning and though its 

attacks call for no alarm bells or emergency 

methods, the damage is as sure and 

devastating as is destruction by heat or 

flame. 

For years, science has continuously 

sought means to at least retard this 

process of destruction and chiefly through 

chemistry. And much progress has been 

made, is now being made because the 

losses through rust to properties of so many 

types is becoming one of the major factors 

in property obsolescence. 

Our chemical laboratories after long reseaixh 

and experiment now have made 

available methods of rust retardant which 

a) Resist and stop progress of rust 

that has already begun to "burn" away. 

b) Makes sandblasting steel surfaces 

prior to rust treatment unnecessary, 

also minimizes the labor cost of rust 

removal. 

•{In collaboration with Dr. 

Chemist, Inertol Co., Inc.) 

A. F. Pistor, Chief 

The solution to the problem of properly 

protecting steel is so easy to carry out that 

management can keep metal buildings and 

equipment in tiptop shape by following a 

few good rules. 

The prime solution is the application of 

a good paint system and, equally important, 

regular inspection of all steel to make 

sure the paint system is still intact and 

doing its job of guarding against corrosion. 

The use of a good rust inhibitive primer 

applied to clean steel—followed by one 

coat ( or preferably two ) of a good weather 

resistant finish sets up the first line of 

defense against moisture penetration and 

the resultant rust. 

But, how about metal surfaces that have 

been neglected, although perhaps painted 

with one coating or another at some time 

m the past? Putting such surfaces back 

into shape once damage has been done is 

natui'ally a more difficult problem than 

would otherwise be the case. All deteriorated 

paint and foreign matter must be 

removed before I'epainting is begun. Formerly 

this included the removal of all rust. 

The reason for this is that, under ordinary 

circumstances, merely covering rust with 

paint does not stop its gnawing of steel. 

Deterioration will continue as the rust bites 

deeper, and spreads beneath the paint film. 

Before long, the newly applied paint peels 

away and the steel itself has been weakened—perhaps 

to the point where its useful 

life is at end. 

The difficulty of cleaning to "bright" 

steel is readily apparent, especially when 

the labor factor and also the human element 

are considered. The cost of 

plete removal of rust might be prohi 

and many painters soon despair of g 

steel scrupulously clean before pai 

Fortunately, complete removal of r 

no longer absolutely necessary. Exp 

sandblasting or other methods for cor 

removal of rust to bright metal ma: 

ordinarily be dispensed with. 

These important savings in mainte 

protection costs are the result of the 

opment of special rust inliibitive 

primers and finishes. The fundar 

problem in developing these time-i 

coatings was to create a primer 

would completely penetrate every pi 

of firmly bonded rust. At the same 

the primer had to force out of thi 

both air and moisture, and then 

the metal against any fui-ther atta 

these rust-producing elements. 

Finally, the finish coating musi 

have the ability to resist the penet 

of air and moisture, and at the sam( 

must provide an attractive gloss fir 

PAINT MUST STAY DRY 

Once applied, the paint had to dry 

and stay dry despite changes in hue 

In considering this special mainte 

problem—where all rust cannot be re: 

—^there is another type of primer 

should also be eliminated from cons 

tion. This is the quick-setting syr 

primer. Wliile quick-setting syr 

primers give very good service on 

steel, they cannot do a complete j 

rust surfaces. The reason for the 

adequacy is their quick-drying featu: 

large molecular structure. In other 

they dry too rapidly to properly per 

the entire rust film down to firm met 

the large molecules prevent proper 

tration of the rust. In addition, this 

drying causes the paint film to bridg 

rust formations so that the rust is r 

hibited but can go on with its desti 

action beneath the paint. 

In protecting valuable building: 

Sieet tanks on the theatre roof for water storage 

are subject to the deterioration of rust. Erosion may 

be seen on this tank at the lower and upper right. 

Belore application of rust-retarding materials, the 

surface must be scraped to remove loose paint and 

rust. A wire brush supplements the scraper. 

Here the protective coating is being applied 

retardant paints are now available in many 

tive colors for attractive appearance. 

18 The MODERN THEATRE SE

hese are the measures 

'Cially where rust has 

costly infiltration. The 

seep in mind is that 

nd fimsh coats suitable 

surfaces must be ruled 

cially true because all 

picks up moisture 

p—it 

are automatically exy 

prepared penetrating 

ner. Furthermore, this 

;ven be used on damp 

!s not have the ordinary 

to moisture. The speust 

inhibitive primer, 

will secure a good bond 

;tal is not dry; the ordiwill 

fail if applied to 

IN OF SURFACE 

—- 

imer is applied, limited 

L only is necessaiy. Obhe 

surface preparation. 

The paint on the steel 

lould be inspected and 

ited paint removed by 

scraping. Foreign mathould 

also be removed 

r, such as oil and dirt, 

; paint's bond. As for 

e too should be wireed 

and loose dirt and 

—by chipping if necesled 

rust need not be 

;t is distinguished from 

rust scale tends to pop 

Pirmly bonded rust will 

idency. 

1 and time-saving suris 

been attended to, the 

ner can be applied. A 

into the rust right on 

metal. It will coat each 

rust-retardant film and 

Id moisture. Rusting is 

THROUGH RUST 

has been developed by 

lint manufacturers and 

I century. This product, 

contains no fish oil but 

r ingredients for com- 

Df rust, meets qualificaletrating. 

rust inhibitive 

ng. Because of these 

it provides an abrasivelich 

combines toughness 

lasticity enables it to 

expansion and contracs 

to which it is applied 

ts breaking away, 

i point. Dr. A. F. Pistor, 

nertol, said: "Not alone 

nder discussion be rust 

primer and finish coats 

each other. If they do 

will not be afforded." 

iride. 

management natling 

and equipment to 

;ause of the many deconable 

in these rust - re 

can be accomplished as 

ng protected. 



eating of the manager's desk, a modern 

black Formica unit, prominently in the 

foyer directly opposite the doors, thus 

keeping him in close contact with his patrons. 

There is actually no office within the 

Capri. 

The Capri's concession stand is along the 

wall between the managers desk and the 

glass front, and has a street entrance as 

well as service to the lobby. Jones was able 

to use most of the standard concession 

equipment that came with the theatre, all 

of which was realigned for more efficient 

operation in the new custom-built case. 

A NEW CONCRETE FLOOR 

In the auditorium the remodeling included 

the poui-ing of a completely new 

concrete floor and installation of 715 seats, 

215 of which are the Air-Flo loge type 

measuring 44 inches back-to-back. The remainder, 

or general admission, measure 36 

mches. The chaiis were painted a flat 

black to match the interior decor, which 

is in gray and black with the columns accented 

in Chinese red. The heavy ornamentation 

of the Egyptian's columns and 

ceiling cross beams disappeared under the 

sohd colors in keeping with the neoteric 

theme. The waterfall curtain, also in gray, 

extends completely across the front of the 

auditorium. 

To achieve a sufficiently wide enough 

picture for the new processes, it was necessary 

to bring the screen out in front of the 

proscenium. Stereophonic sound was also 

installed. 

Completing the remodeling, new restrooms 

were built with walls and floors 

both in terrazzo. The fixtui-es are aU wall 

hung and Sanistand units are featui'ed in 

the women's room. 

NEW AIR 

CONDITIONING SYSTEM 

An entire new air conditioning and overhead 

distribution system was Installed utilizing 

two 15-ton Westinghouse compressor 

units for refrigeration. Heating is by a 

low pressure hot water system through 

coils in the main duct. Automatic thermostatic 

and aquastatic controls keep temperatures 

even. 

Another factor contributing to the 

Capri's success is the maintenance of two 

paved and lighted lots providing adequate 

and convenient parking facilities. The theatre 

is three miles from downtown, but 

geographically in the heart of the city and 

easily reached from all parts of San Diego. 

Pi-omotion-wise, Jones has devised a 

clever sig cut featuring the theatre name. 

Attractions are advertised within the large 

C. He has cuts in two-column width, four 

and one-quarter inches deep, and in onecolumn 

widths, two, and one and one-quarter 

inches deep. As he puts it: "That large 

C certainly does steal a page with only 

two inches!" 

Assured by 

RCA Theatre 

SERVICE 

With RCA Service Company 

in your operating picture, 

equipment performance 

rolls smoothly. Your RCA 

Theatre Service engineer is 

an expert on optical or magnetic 

sound, single or multiple 

track, standard or wide 

screen. And in addition, he's 

backed by all the broad technical 

resources of RCA itself. 

At the vital operating heart 

of your house, you'll find the 

exceptional quality of RCA 

Theatre Service a day-in, 

day-out box office asset 

that's essential. 

RCA SERVICE COMPANY, Inc. 

A Radio Corporation of America Subsidiary 

Camden, N. J. 

iary 8, 1955 19

. . Questions 

and Answ< 

This regular Modern Theatre feoture is conducted by Dove E. Smalley, contributor to mi 

important magazines on maintenance and editor of Better Maintenance Magazine. Questions fi 

exhibitors are welcomed. Address them to Theatre Maintenonce, The Modern Theatre, 825 \ 

Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 24, Mo. Enclose stamped, self-addressed envelope for personol re 

For 

...andmjilkm 

You're practically married 

to your patrons when you give 

them comfortoble seating! 

Romance them by letting us repair 

or replace worn parts, seats or arms; 

and we do it all without interruption 

of your show. Our low, low prices will 

delight you, too. Just let us give 

you the "good news"—a quote. 

YOUR 

BOXOFFICE 

Engraved by 

our excluslv* 

process on luclte 

to your 

specifications. 

LAMOLITE 

ILLUMINATED PRICE ADMISSION SIGNS 

Our enlarged plant facilities 

assure 

OVERNGHT service from coast to coast. 

Plastic Signs Engraved for th« Entire Theatre 

Send for Folder *Pat pend 

Edgar S. 

Bowman 

682 Sixth Avenue N*w York 10, N. Y. 

Q INSTALLING VINYL TILE 

r IN COLD WEATHER 

When we close our drive-in for the 

winter we expect to install semi-flexible 

vinyl plastic tile in our concession stand. 

Should the room be heated? 

Yes. J^ The tile itself and the adhesive 

should be stored for at least 24 hours in 

a temperature of not lower than 70 °F and 

it should be installed under the same conditions. 

Such tile becomes more or less 

brittle when cold and the adhesive also 

becomes thick and difficult to use. 

O CLEANING ALUMINUM 

We have aluminum stair railings and 

doors in our new theatre. They have a 

satin finish on which black specks have 

appeared. Metal polish does not seem to 

remove the specks. Have you any suggestions? 

J^ We believe No. 00 steel wool is probably 

your best remedy, though we suggest 

using a little soap with it. The 

well-known kitchen item called "SOS," 

which is soap-saturated steel wool, is also 

satisfactory and may be used for removing 

most spots and stains from aluminum. 

If, after the cleaning, the cleaned places 

seem duller than the rest, try a little 

powdered pumice or soap stone on a wet 

chamois skin. Never use an alkali or acid 

for cleaning aluminum. 

9 

REMOVING CIGARET BURNS 

, FROM CARPETING 

Can you tell us what is the best 

method for removing cigaret burns from 

carpeting? 

From a recent report of the research 

f^ 

and development department of a large 

carpet manufacturer wt find the following 

answer to your question: 

"1. Use a stiff brush to remove scorched 

fiber ends. The usual cigaret burn will thus 

leave only a very slight ditch, perhaps 

1/16 of an inch deep. 

•2. If the burn is so deep when the 

scorched fiber has been removed that a 

bare or dug-out spot appears, it is best to 

have fresh yarn burled into the back of the 

carpet. This can usually be done by an 

established rug cleaner. 

"Certain synthetic fiber carpets make 

the correction of burns more difficult because 

the fibers melt and form dark beads. 

These almost invariably must be treated 

by cutting them out with scissors or electric 

clippers and burling in new yarr 

is done by an experienced rug clean 

Q REMOVING LARGE LITTER \\ 

r VACUUM CLEANER 

Do you know of a vacuum dec 

a vacuum cleaner attachment 

would be best suited for picking 

usiw.1 litter on theatre floors? We a 

using a blower for this work which 

fairly satisfactory. 

f( We do not know of a vacuum < 

which wUI pick up such large pi 

popcorn boxes, paper bags, etc. Fi 

less of the size of the attachment, 

take is limited to the diameter 

hose which, on machines adaptal 

theatre use, would rarely be more th 

inches. The hose on many such mi 

has a diameter of only IV2 inches. 

you do not favor the blower funct 

forcing large litter toward the fr 

the auditorium, we suggest you pu 

large litter out into the aisles 

broom and then, using a dust pan i 

hand, scoop it up and place it in a 

tacle, after which pick up the finer 

and dust with the suction function 

vacuum cleaner. 

Q REPAIRING SCRATCHES ON 

r OAK FURNITURE 

On the arms and backs of om 

chairs and on a table there are soi 

scratches which evidently somebo< 

done with a ring. The furniture 1 

oak. Can you suggest a way to 

the scratclies without refinishing ii 

niture? 

J^ 

First, we suggest you steel w( 

scratches or if deep, sandpaper 

until the sharp edges are leveled of 

will, of course, spread the area to 

paired. After which, apply a stain 

proper shade, dark oak in this case 

stains are available in liquid form. 

the stain to set for a few seconds ar 

wipe off with a cloth. Continue 

until the shade over the patch is u: 

If not yet dark enough to mat 

rest of the finish, repeat the operat 

too dark, remove some with naptha 

several hours for the stain to dry. 

repair is much duller than the rest 

finish, it may be necessary to a 

thin coat of varnish or shellac 

patch, feathering out the edges t< 

an overlap. If the patch is not mucl 

than the rest of the finish, waxini 

may complete the repair satisfacto 

20 The MODERN THEATRE SI

I 

PICTURES WILL HOW PULL 

cons of building increased patronage is noui available in the use of the reuolutionarif new Wagner- 

FLUORESCENT PLASTIC 

COPY LEHERS 

CHANGEABLE 

(Neviol U.S. Pot. No. 2486859. Other patents pending.) 

Exclusive with Wagner and adaptable to all existing Wagner (rome installations. 

plastic and processed with a newly developed and patented process fluorescent material, each letter, by the use of "black 

a separate, octual light source not dependent on transmitted visible light or the translucence of the sign foce. They Create 

other Than Lighted Color. 

STARTLING BRILLIANCE 

ID DISTANT READABILITY WITHOUT GLARE 

brightness and strikingly DIFFERENT colors, impossible with other letters, make them ideal for installations "hedged in" by on 

>mpeting light. Also unusually effective by daylight. 

THE ONLY THIRD-DIMENSIONAL 

ILLUMINATED LETTERS EVER MADE! 

)rds uniformity of illumination of every letter, virtually impossible heretofore. 

GUARANTEED LONG LIFE 

led with front illuminated signs which employed fluorescent moteriols, these new letters are processed on the back and will not pass 

of the sun. They are accordingly extremely fade-resistant. 

THEY 

COMMAND ATTENTION! 

attention of more people always means better business, for people go to the theatre more often when they know whot is playing, 

ural. Theatres with obsolete displays will not be able to compete with those equipped with this powerful new type of advertising. 

GET BUSINESS YOU NEVER GOT BEFORE 

3 something about the matter of whether they patronize you or the theatre down the street Wagner Neviol letters import a new 

atre front. Don't let on old-fashioned display boord steal your profits. 

igner Neviol Letters come in glowing blue, yellow, orange and red. There ore four sizes: 4", 8", 10' and 17". 

Write, wire or phone tor further details and prices NOWl 

WAGNER SIGN SERVICE^ INC 

I PICTURES rb« NEVIOL LETTERS jiM BIG BUSINESS! 

218 S. HOYNE AVENUE 

CHICAGO 12, ILLINOIS 

uary 8, 1955 

21

Packaged Stereophonic System 

For Three or Four Channels 

Offered In Two Models 

Altec-Lansing Corp. is now marketing an 

all-in-one stereophonic sound system, the 

S-15. The single unit is complete with 

changeover facilities, full amplification and 

the controls necessary for either three or 

four channel sound systems. 

Designed for use in theatres with seating 

capacities of 1,200 and less, the new unit 

is being produced in two models. The 

S-15A has three channels and is so wired 

that a fourth surround channel may be 

added whenever desired. The second model, 

the S-15B, comes with the fourth channel 

already installed. If used in houses with 

more than 1,200 seats, additional power 

amplifiers are required. The S-15 also is 

said to be well suited for small situations 

with less than 800 seats when used with 

Altec's A-7 "Voice of the Theatre" speakers. 

A choice of either magnetic or optical 

equalization for use with Perspecta sound 

has been provided for in the S-15 with a 

simple switching system. 

Because of its compact size, the 

said to be installed with ease and ec( 

It may be placed anywhere in the 

on the floor, the wall or betwef 

machines. 

The system may be put into opera 

simply connecting the input to the 

For Only m MM ,. m«

Don't just i^ for a 

good screen... 

Insist Oil ft/ 

Ask for the unconditionally iuaranteed 

L Raytone HILUX Screen! 

EVEN LIGHT 

DISTRIBUTION 

Avoids hot spots and too rapid dropoff 

beyond useful viewing angles. All 

that plus resistance to stray light from 

sources other than the projector. 

RAYTONE 

SCREEN 

CORP. 

165 

Iwest: L 

CLERMONT AVE. • BROOKLYN 5, NEW YORK 

E. Cooley, 408 S. Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park, linois

Although seven years old, the Fairmount Theatre, Cleveland, still has that 

brand new look, due to a regular program of maintenance and replacements 

of furnishings and equipment the moment the need is apparent. The new 

screen for exact CinemaScope ratio, and new curtain tracks and i 

showing other ratio pictures ore part of a recent $50,000 investment 

tion and sound equipment made by the theatre's owner. 

KEEPING THE THEATRE IN FIRST-CLASS CONDITIOI 

CALLS FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND REPLACEMEN 

The Fairmount Theatre, Cleveland, Thus Retains That New Look 

By ELSIE LOEB 

I here's a standard phrase around 

Cleveland that sounds like a broken record. 

It is "Oh, the Fairmount Theatre can do it 

but the rest of us can't." This covers 

everything from booking to equipment, to 

presentation, to .service. And when one 

asks, "Why can the Fairmount do it and 

you can't?" the answer is invariably, "The 

Fairmount is different." So we set out to 

find out what makes the 1,650-seat Fairmount 

unique in a city that has at least 

half a dozen de luxe theatres in the same 

class. And we found it is three things: 

the management, the equipment and the 

service. 

Leonard Greenberger, the manager, has 

used psychology to accomplish two things 

important to the successful operation of a 

theatre. One is to learn what his patrons 

like. The other is the slow process of molding 

their tastes to something new. 

While most managers try to find out 

what type of picture their particular patrons 

like, Leonard Greenberger has gone 

one step farther. He was the first to 

present top English pictures in a top neighborhood 

house. By repetition, by extensive 

mail circulation and by careful booking, 

he has established such British actors as 

Alex Guinness as one of his best boxoffice 

attractions. 

People come from all sections of the city 

and travel as much as 20 miles to go to the 

Fairmount Theatre. And it isn't only the 

picture that draws them. Although they 

may not be conscious of its drawing power, 

the equipment in the projection booth is 

one of the main attractions. 

It is generally conceded in the tradethat 

the Fairmount Theatre, which straddles 

two de luxe residential areai 

Heights and University Heightsof 

the few best-equipped projectii 

in the entire Greater Cleveland a 

"Everything, and I mean litera 

thing, required for the best pict 

entation is installed in the F 

Theatre." says Ben L. Ogron of C 

atre Supply Co. And he ought 

because he installed it. Here is i 

account of what the best equip 

jection booth has in this CinemaS 

The Fairmount Theatre booth 

jectionisfs delight. It has opt: 

phonic sound equipment, KoUmoi 

in the enlarged projection port 

has Motiograph Model S bases. M 

100-amp)ere Hi-Power arc lamp 

graph C.S. AAA projector me 

Motiograph 125 250 hi-power 

i 

Motiograph Altec four-track du: 

24 The MODERN THEATRE

- 

Bausch & Lomb anamorall 

other Cinemascope 

ng film splicers, rewinds, 

iring machine to deternning 

time of a picture, 

is a tubular steel curved 

lufactured by Selby In- 

1 an Astrolite screen for 

nemaScope ratio. When 

•ger put in Cinemascope, 

a new Vallen track for 

angle picture (not Ciniddition, 

he installed a 

new curtains to close in 

e smaller picture. This 

3 47 feet for a Cinema 

he result is the proper 

presentation for each 

on. "The recommended 

plus the proper ratio 

'Cial masking tracks and 

he ideal presentation," 

L 

KINDS OF PICTURES 

the Fîrmount Theatre 

nly to show pictures on 

a optical Cinemascope, 

naScope, VistaVision and 

is equipped to show the 

ire in each of these new 

)f the limited number of 

Greater Cleveland area 

ed for any type of picor 

any type of sound 

stereophonic sound reeatre 

has 12 auditorium 

akers. 

Manager Leonard Greenberger is always personally alert to the details of good theatre maintenance, as 

shown by this dazzling marquee with every lamp gleaming brightly. Within the theatre, he watches out 

for the comfort of patrons by observing the volume of sound, the temperature level and the physical 

appearance of the theatre and its appointments. 

But all of this fine equipment alone 

would not accomplish its purpose, namely, 

to bring patrons into the theatre—if it 

were not for two other factors. One of 

these factors is the high caliber of management. 

Manager Greenberger is always 


ppcd projection booths in the entire Greater Cleveland 

jirmount It has optical glass in the enlarged projection 

h projectors, lamps and generator, Koltmorgen projection 

Lomb anamorphic lenses There arc also film splicers, 

measuring machine to determine the exact running time 

shown. 

Altec four track dual stereophonic sound equipment was part of the recent 

projection and sound installation In the auditorium, 12 Altec Lansing effects 

speakers were installed. One of the factors which creates high public favor 

for the Faiimount is the personal interest and pride the two projectionists 

take in maintaining and operating the booth so that screen presentation is 

the finest possible. 

luary 8, 1955 25

— 

KEEPING THE HOUSE IN 

CONDITIC 

Continued from precedi 

BRING IN MORE PATRONS 

Bausch & Lomb 

Projection Lenses 

Clearest, brightest, truest-to-life screen 

image means more paid admissions 

audiences eager to come back again 

and it all begins with the Bausch & Lomb 

lens on your projector. 

• Advance lens design—full, uniform 

light; no blur, no fading at edges. 

• All-B&L manufanure, from specialformula 

"white" glass (for truer color, 

richer contrast) to finished lens. 

• Matched for finest rendition of movies 

filmed with Academy-Award-winning 

B&L Baltar Lenses. 

• Anti-reflection Balcote—delivers 

maximum light to screen, resulting 

in crisper, brighter pictures. 

• Complete line for all projectors— for 

2-D, VistaVision, CinemaScope. 

WRITE FOR LITERATU RE 

For your free copy o( Catalog 

E-123, write Bausch & Loml) 

Optical Co., 72037 St, Paul St., 

Rochester 2. New York. 

SKfHTER, 

:f- 

450m ( 114.3itiin) 

BAUSCH & LOMB 

America's only complete optical source . . . from glass to finished product 

personally alert to the details of the 

tre operations and to the comforts 

patrons. He is always on the floor t 

the patrons coming in and going oi 

watches the volume of sound, the ri 

fall of the temperature, and the p' 

appearance of the house. He kee 

house in tip-top shape by making r( 

ments daily or weekly or monthly e 

are required rather than waiting fc 

run down and doing a complete a 

job. 

The other factor is the personal 1 

of the theatre's two projectionists, \ 

Covell and Ed Smith. Covell and 

feel a pride of ownership in the t 

They are not satisfied unless the sou 

the projection is as nearly i>erfect i 

sible. They take a personal interf 

only in their field but in everythir 

helps to make an evening in the 

mount Theatre esp>ecially enjoyable. 

So these are some of the reasoi 

the Fairmount Theatre really is dil 

why many people bypass other t. 

to become its regular patrons. The; 

they are getting more for their adi 

than just a place to sit down and 

picture. 

The Fairmount Theatre owner, 

Greenberger, and its manager did i 

complish this without the expendi 

both effort and money. Leonard m 

intensive study of each of the new p 

equipment as they were introduced 

trade. He knows what it takes to 

i 

best presentation on the screen. Al 

the Fairmount is one of the newes 

tres in this area—it's about sever 

old—an investment of approximate: 

000 was made to encourage both the 

and the trade to continue to say "th 

mount Theatre is different." 

ADLE 

for 

theatre signs 

that build boxoffice It 

ADLI 

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26 

The MODERN THEATRE S

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)le Address: RADMATCO

WANT TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR 1954 INCOME T/ 

Then Take Advantage, As Advised in This Article, Of Changes in New Co 

And Do Not Neglect Non-Business Angles Which May Vitally Cut Your Bill 

By HAROLD J. ASHE 

Before attempting to make his 1954 

individual income tax return a theatre 

owner should familiarize himself with the 

changes made in the ground rules with 

passage of the 1954 Internal Revenue Code. 

While individual income tax rates have 

not been disturbed, an exhibitor's income 

tax bill may be substantially less if he 

avails himself of the liberalization in some 

of the rules and regulations. Reliance on 

past regulations may prove misleading, if 

not disastrous, in preparing a 1954 income 

tax return. 

Because of space limitations, no attempt 

will be made to go into all of the ramifications 

of the new code. Only those aspects 

of the law which may be generally helpful 

to exhibitors will be discussed and only 

in sufficient detail to set forth the principles 

and applications. 

SAVINGS ARE WHERE YOU FIND THEM 

One pwint does need underscoring: taxsavings 

are where an exhibitor finds them. 

In his preoccupation with gaining every 

possible tax advantage from his theatre, an 

owner should not neglect non-business 

angles which can vitally affect the amount 

of 

his tax bUl for the year. 

Accelerated depreciation: An exhibitor 

now has the option of using an accelerated 

method for calculating depreciation on 

certain theatre assets acquired after 1953. 

1 home 

: under 

Dependency 

cost from selling price, 

reduced by 

any, may be 

ist any expenses incident 

to make it more 

luch as painting and re- 

)enses, however, must be 

»0 days of the date of the 

id must be paid not later 

ter the sale. Other costs 

sale are also deductible, 

s commission. 

ENT CHILD CARE 

ider certain conditions, an 

; permitted to deduct up 

are of a dependent child, 

lust either be a widower 

parated or divorced, and 

12 or be physically 

le to care for himself. The 

r 

to a woman. The paymatter 

of fact and it may 

another dependent, 

's 

wife works, a deduction 

•n if (a) a joint return is 

led adjusted gross income 

If it is over $4,500. the 

iced by the amount it eximple: 

Combined adjusted 

64,950, resulting in an exft'ith 

only $150 deductible, 

ily part of a year, the $600 

o rated in relation to the 

worked. Thus, if a wife 

months, only $200 is deto 

the other qualifications, 

ted that in order to take 

eduction, it must be itemlars 

use of the standard 

DEPENDENT PARENTS 

RENTS : 

rules 

;ized and need watching. If 

ontributing to the support 

xemption may be available 

d him. This category of 

have a gross income of less 

I't confuse this with abolne 

test for certain other 

be discussed later, The 

i 

es that more than half of 

support must be contribthis 

more -than -half may 

buted by several taxpayers. 

provides that when two or 

contribute to such a dert, 

with none of them conthan 

half, they can now 

lemselves which one shall 

ition, provided the ijerson 

emption contributed more 

t of the support, and total 

re more than half. The 

contributed to the support 

;ten statement disclaiming 

for the year. In the past 

(vas lost to all contributors 

t's support because no one 

qualify on the over-oneigreement, 

one contributor 

emption one year, another 

nd so on so that, eventually, 

all contributors get a tax benefit for 

one year or more. 

Child exemption : Dependency exemption 

is no longer lost if a child, either natural 

offspring, stepchild or adoptive child, 

earns more than $600 a year, provided (a) 

the child is under 19 or is (b) a student in 

a school or college on a fuUtime basis. 

Schooling must be for five months or more 

during the year. The taxpayer, as in the 

past, must contribute more than half of 

the dependent's support to qualify the child 

as a dependent. A scholarship is not considered 

part of the child support in reckoning 

the more-than-half test. 

DEPENDENTS 'IN 

FACT' 

Unrelated dependents: Until now, only 

those coming, within one of eight relationships 

to the taxpayer could be taken as 

dependents. The new code provides that 

any individual can be claimed as a dependent, 

if such is the fact, provided the 

dependent is domiciled in the taxpayer's 

home. Dependents not residing in the home 

are still limited to the same close relationship 

as In the past. 

Death of spouse and rNCOME splitting: 

If an exhibitor's wife dies, he may continue 

to have the benefit of split-income 

taxation, as conferred on him by a joint 

income tax return. This benefit is available 

for two years but only if there are 

dependent children. 

Head of household: An exhibitor is now 

able to qualify as the head of a household, 

affording about half of the tax-saving 

advantages of a split-income tax return, 

if he supports a parent, even though the 

parent does not live with him. The fact 

of support, not the place of residence, is 

the controlling factor. 

Separate support: A court decree is no 

longer necessary to qualify payments made 

to a wife, provided they live apart and they 

do not file a joint income tax return. Such 

payments may be deducted by the husband 

and they are taxable to the wife. The separation 

agreement must be in writing and be 

signed subsequent to passage of the new 

law. Court ordered support payments, even 

in the absence of a divorce or written 

separation agreement, are also deductible 

if made after passage of the law. However, 

the court order must have been 

signed after March 1, 1954. 

ANOTHER MONTH'S TIME 

Piling deadline: Final date for filing Individual 

income tax returns on a calendar 

year basis has been pushed forward one 

month to April 15. and an additional 

month's time is also given those reporting 

on a fiscal year basis. Partnership returns 

are also due one month later than in the 

past. 

Declaration of estimated income tax: 

The Declaration of Estimated Income Tax 

form is also due on April 15 in.stead of 

March 15. However, the dates for quarterly 

installments on the estimated tax, after 

the initial filing and payment, remain the 

same: June 15, September 15 and January 

15. These are the dates also on which an 

amended estimate, if required by changing 

circumstances, must be filed. 

In addition to giving serious consideration 

to the possible tax implications In the 

tax law changes, an exhibitor should not 

neglect traditional .steps to insure that all 

expenses are reflected in his Income tax 

return. Every $100 of overlooked business 

expenses results in an additional Income 

tax bill of at least $20. 

New Anamorphic Lens Offered 

On a Time Payment Plan 

Vice-president Oscar Lightstone of 

S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp. has posed a 

solution for small town and neighborhood 

theatres which lack the necessary cash 

to Install equipment for the new widescreen 

processes. S.O.S. is now offering 

its advanced anamorphic lens, the Cinematic 

IV, on time payments with a $200 

down payment. 

A special bonus Is also offered in the 

new S.O.S. plan. With every pair of 

The Cinematic IV anamorphic lens. 

Cinematic IV lenses purchased, the buyer 

is given $100 credit which may be applied 

to the prime lenses or to the price of any 

other equipment, at the time or in the 

future. 

Summing up the plan, Lightstone said: 

For the independent exhibitor to operate 

successfully, the Installation of anamorphic 

lenses Is a must. By eliminating 

the lai-ge initial investment, I feel that 

every theatre in the country can now afford 

to equip for Cinemascope and profit by 

increased returns at the boxoffice." 

The lens which S.O.S. is offering under 

the plan is adaptable to all processes including 

VistaVision, Superscope and Cinemascope 

as well as the standard ones 

thanks to its Micromatic control. 

The lightweight cast aluminum lenses 

may be installed or removed in a matter 

of seconds from all projectors. They are 

mounted in front of the objective lens by 

Universal adapter brackets. They are also 

said to give high quality screen images with 

the ultimate in steadiness due to the 

combination of a balance indicator and 

distortion controls with the coated, achromatic 

lenses. 

January 8, 1955 29

Fastest Switch 

In Soft Drink History 

63% more theatres 

now vending Pepsi than one year ago. 

The most profitable 

top quality cola line for you is 

m a^ndimCjjJl^ 

30 The MODERN THEATRE SE(

N^^s^l^ 

HITTING PROMOTIONS REBUILD SALES 

Ice 

Units, Special Displays and New Concessions Items Are Answer 

Loss of Patronage Due to TV and Change to Single Feature 

BBS 

items, self-service units 

promotion and display 

counteracted the original 

tronage and refreshment 

)ut by TV and a change 

re policy, for the Ever- 

Jokane, Wash. 

past the peak where TV 

he Inland Empire," Jack 

3en city manager, com- 

"We are now regaining 

d sales at our concession 

ihing their former high 

n Theatres, Spokane, 

three first run theatres: 

nd Orpheum. The Fox 

f the most outstanding, 

1 the Inland Empire area, 

lave, we feel, one of the 

irs in the Pacific Northi.id. 

"It is a de luxe model 

bar. We are planning 

other two Spokane theaate." 

selling too slowly, or they wished to close 

it out: merely placing it near the cash 

registers was all that was necessary to close 

out that item. Two cash registers are located 

at each bar, one near each end, thus 

facilitating 

service at the major break. 

Since the advent of the longer shows, 

and cutting down to one feature, the major 

break has been placed at the end of the 

feature. Hamaker advised. At the break 

at the Fox Theatre, five courteous, uniformed 

girls care for the bar. At that time, 

about 70 per cent of the sales are made. 

During the features one or two attendants 

care for the customers. 

A good .selection of the most popular 

G-cent and 12-cent bars, 15-cent packaged 

nuts and various packaged candies, such 

as Nestle's, Hershey kisses, etc., in aS to 40- 

cent units are placed on self-service 

shelves located near both cash registers. 

Other less popular items are in glass cases 

easily seen and readily available. The 

closed glass cases have a constant circulation 

of cold air which is quite an advantage 

in the summer, especially when chocolate-coated 

items are kept. 

Frozen candy bars and Bon Bons are 

placed on a self-service tray sunk slightly 

below the level of the bar. This tray was 

especially designed by the engineering division 

of Evergreen Theatres and then fabricated 

there specially for them. The unit, 

which is closed and used for storage space 

after shows, is set to keep its contents at 

15 degrees below zero. 

Bon Bons are very popular on the west 

coast, Hamaker advised. They sell at 10 

cents per package. Each package contains 

five units, consisting of vanilla ice 

cream balls with a thick, tasty chocolate 

coating. These are manufactured at 

Seattle, and released at Spokane by the 

Carnation Milk Co. Another popular item, 

also put out by Carnation, is the walking 

sundae. This walking sundae sells for 15 


SPONSIBLE FOR BARS 

ice cream, popcoi-n and 

srchandised at the Everthe 

firms merchandising 

le. This division, after 

; study of the popularity 

ars. soft drinks and packs 

those confections which 

the individual theatres, 

s at Spokane each order 

own candies and other 

the Seattle warehouse of 

eatres. The managers of 

te responsibility for the 

at their theatres. Jack 

at 6 cents and 12 cents 

l-known national brands 

sr said, "We feel that as 

IS possible brings greater 

ig department at Seattle 

le movement of all items 

liscontinues those which 

enough." 

that frequently when 

y bar. or other item, was 

Top shows are often incorporated into the backbar displays at the Evergreen Theatres. Here, at the Fox 

Theatre, Spokane, Wash., anchors, life belts and flags, obtained through the courtesy of the U. S. Naval 

Supply Depot, were utilized in an effective exhibit in connection with the advance promotion of "The 

Caine Mutiny." The de luxe bar features self-service candy, nuts and ice cream in addition to popcorn 

and beverages The candy case is air conditioned. 

luary 8, 1955 31

- 

"Starting a Museum?" 

''Going Into the 

Junk Business?" 

>» or // 

MGoin3 OrozyP 

These are typical comments made by 

theater people when they 

Manley's BIG trade-in offer. 

hear about 

They're all wrong. Manley is simply 

offering a special incentive to theater 

concession operators, as a part of their 

program to prove that a new modern popcorn 

machine will mean greater sales and 

greater profits. That's why Manley is 

offering exceptional trade-in allowances 

on old model machines. Manley knows 

that a modern, up-to-date Super Stadium 

popcorn machine will pay for itself in a 

short period of time. Why? Because you 

get better popcorn, greater popping volume, 

more repeat sales, u.se less supplies, 

handle big crowds faster and easier . . . 

all these things mean just one thing to 

you . more profit! 

. . 

Here's your chance to put a brand 

new model Manley popcorn machine in 

your concession stand. Act now! Write 

Manley direct or contact your Manley 

representative. 

HARD-HiniNG 

PROMOTIONS 


cents and is usually made up with chocolate 

or strawberry topping. 

Soft drinks are dispensed by a Selmi-x 

thi-ee-spout disp>enser in paper cups. 

Orange, grape and Pepsi-Cola are used at 

the bar. Until recently only 10-cent cups 

were sold, they were six-ounce cups. 

Recently large cups, 12-ounce, were sold 

for 20 cents and signs calling atteni 

the "thirsty customers" to this larg( 

were placed near the dispenser. Tl 

creased the sale of soft drinks by 

25 per cent. 

Three Spacarb, four-flavor selfunits 

are placed at strategic points 

theatre. Hamaker suggests that th 

placed singly, instead of in batteri 

the greatest effectiveness. Lime, roc 

Pepsi-Cola, and Dr. Pepper are u 

these dispensers. It has been foun 

orange in self-service units does r 

MANLEY SUPER STADIUM . 

. ideal for 

drive-in operations, has fast, big capacity 

to meet big demand in a hurry. The 

counter of this practically designed machine 

is low enough for over-the-counter 

service. Fits right into your present 

counter. Be ready to serve those big 

intermission crowds faster . . . and make 

more profits. Write today! Manley, Inc., 

1920 Wyandotte St., Kansas City's, Mo. 

Address Dept. BO-155 

Evergreen Theatres never over/oo(c on opportunity for seasonal and holiday decorations. Autumn 

cornucopias and a tinsel canopy created a holiday mood, during the Thanksgiving season, at the 

sions bar of the State Theatre, Spokane. Note the sign promoting a king-size drink, at the lef 

have increased about 25 per cent since the 20-cent drink has been available. 

My, that popcorn smells good . 

let's go back oncf gef some!' 

.^„ 

,.3^^^^^^^' 

OAiir 

WITH BUTTERLIKE FLAVOR AND AROMA 

BRINGS 'EM BACK EVERY TIME! 

Check the 

plusses 

of 

Popsit Plus} 

! bar 

, that 

lavors in the theatres, 

'heatres use pre-popped 

popped in their Seattle 

ect to each theatre in 

;d bags, assuring its 

)opcorn is usually re- 

11 heaters. The corn is 

cardboard boxes, speprinted 

for the individlich 

was recently intro- 

% a one-ounce shot of 

;ular 15-cent box and 

)r 25 cents. After the 

s idea sales of popcorn 

oximately 50 per cent. 

is displayed in an anilutter-R-Churn. 

A salt 

the popcorn, is greatly 

customers, 

be made to conform to 

theatre, Hamaker bele 

so attractive, and so 

there is no doubt 

Attractive backbar dis- 

1 evidence at the Ever- 

:luding special seasonal 

and backbar, such 

Easter, Christmas and 

p shows are often built 

le concession bar. 

lers, Hamaker suggests, 

ep the customers from 

hem. At the Fox Thea- 

Evergreen Theatres in 

Thii closeup of the 

concessions 

counter 

at the Fox, Spokane, 

shows how the face 

of the counter is 

utilized for displays. 

Hershey's kisses are 

shown on the top 

shelf of the left window, 

soft drinks at 

the bottom. In the 

right window case, 

walking sundaes are 

shown at the top, 

and ice cream Bon 

Bans below. The selfseryice 

tray for ice 

cream is sunk slightly 

below the level of 

the bar. It was designed 

by 

EYOrgreen. 

Spokane, eight different trailers are used 

and are changed each performance. These 

trailers are the attractive, animated cartoon 

typ>e. 

"The importance of the break cannot be 

overestimated," said Hamaker. "With the 

addition of self-service units, five girls can 

lake care of as many customers as could 

25 without those units. At that break 

over 50 per cent of our confection sales are 

made in five minutes." 

When asked about losses due to selfservice 

he said that the Fox Theatre, which 

grosses $250,000 per year on its bar, has 

approximately only $5 a week loss through 

pilferage. Weekly inventories are kept by 

each of the Evergreen Theatres on its merchandise 

and any leaks can be noted 

rapidly. If a higher loss than usual is noted, 

it is quite likely due to dishonest employes 

and can be controlled at that point. 

At special children's shows the higher 

priced units are placed in the glass cases 

away from the tiny hands. The 6-cent 

and 12-cent bars are left out, since they 

are the largest seller to juvenile customers. 

"Children have to be especially watched," 

Continued on page 37 

Gives You All 

r 

Soda Bar 

The Drink Dispenser That 

These Outstanding Features 

Model ESB 33-A 

Red Dulux Body 

with Stainless Steel 

* THREE 2-GALLON SYRUP TANKS 

* POSITIVE CONTROL SYRUP FLOW 

* NEW, FAST-ACTING FAUCETS 

* PATENTED REFRIGERATED CARBONATOR 

r" • V2 H.P. HERMETIC COMPRESSOR 

l^S^ • ALL DRY REFRIGERATION 

* DUAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL 

* GREATER EYE-APPEAL 

'' 

Chsck Thii Profit Story 

Model ESB 33-C 

All Stainless Steel Finish 

SODA BAR 

AREST DEALER 

If You Serve 

Bottled Drinks 

If You Serve 

Soda Bar Drinks 

tre Service, Inc. 

tre Service 

itre Supply 

rheatre Supply 

itrc Supply 

eatie Supply 

lance Equip. Co. 

tre Equip. Co. 

re Supply Co. 

Zo. 

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«re Supply Co. 

itre Supply 

itre Supply, Inc. 

Model ESB 33B 

Stainless Steel Dispenser, 

Red Oulux Base with Stainless 

Steel Capping 

Write Today for Complete Information 

EVERFROST SALES, INC. 

14815 S. Broodwoy— Gordeno, Colifornio 

You buy, store and cool 

30 cases of bottles 

to serve 720 drinks. 

Average cost 

per bottle 

5 Vic 

Handling, Icing, 

breakage, loss . . .l'/2C 

Cost Per Bottle 

7c 

Sales-720 

bottles® lOc. $72.00 

Cost of 

bottled drinks . . 50.40 

Your Profit $21.60 

720 drinks from a Soda 

Bar can be served from 

just 6 gallons of syrup. 

Cost of syrup 

per drink 

IVic 

Cost of CO, gas, 

electricity, wat er ViZ 

Cost per drink 

2c 

Sales-720 

drinks @ lOc. $72.00 

Cost of 

Soda Bar drinks 14.40 

Your Profit $57.60 

uary 8, 1955 

as

for 

there is 

Tomorrow's Flexibility... 

only V/ne anamorphic... 

th caa Lb CD XZ7 

ariable anamorphic lens 

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Price includes . 

. . 

support brackets, storage 

case, corrector lenses one 

cleaning brush . 

. . truly c 

complete package. 

See Your Theatre Supply Dealer NOV 

YEARS OF SKILLED OPTICAL CRAFTSMANSHIP 

PROJECTION OPTICS CO. 

Wherever Fine Optics are Important 

330 Lyell Avenue Rochester 6, N. Y. 

34 

The MODERN THEATRE SE

I wont 

. ivuu^.1 

rûTci&i^û ii( 

New Equipment and news poges or for copies 

Literature listed herein — Use Postcards Below. BUKtAU 

NPMENT 

DPMENTS 

escription starting on page 49 

Ker 

Number 

P-1280 

apcrlure plate, which is avail:ihie 

the LaVezzI Maetiinc Woiks. does 

landling of two plate? at one time 

ovL'd and malies the cliances faster 

Xds designed for use on the Simplex 

WARIÊR 

P-12S1 

dri\e-in concessions patrons, the 

T requires no attention from the 

merely inserted into the device and 

temperature within a few minutes 

made of aluminum and Is controlled 

pacity of four large and two small 

1)11 Products Co., it operates on a 

X P-1282 

i up with a new floor wax which 

insects with self-polishing qualities, 

out last and out shine other wiues, 

wet moppings but can be easily 

tlon of soap and water. Another 

rsatlie wax is a non-skid property 

rs Laboratories. 

MACHINE 

P-12S3 

manufactured by the Von Scbrader 

theatre furniture and seats by dry 

3 the fabric with an electrically- 

:n removes it with an accomp.iuying 

ocess Is quick drying and mothproofs 

idditlve to the cleaning fluid. Tlie 

;t9 pounds and is mounted on ballcrgcr 

is designed for durability and 

ntee against defects. 

P-1284 

ies. Inc., is now offering a choice 

finished bronze wall urns to combat 

tlie problem of floor Utter In theatre lobbies and foyers. 

Tiic s:Mid-fiiled urns arc designed to fit any type of decorative 

scheme and are said to be easy to maintain. They are fitted 

to the walls by means of adhesives or bolts. 

COIVIPACT MULTI-DRINK DISPENSER P-1285 

.\\uililile in one, thtL'e or four-drink units, the ColeSpa 

Special made by the Cole Products Corp. Is said to be "the 

smallest multiple-drink cup machine ever made." Tlie stainless 

steel unit comes complete with drhik adjuster for 

determining the amount of syrup used and automaiic counters. 

Capacities vary from 830 druiks on the one-drink model to 

oier 1.500 on the other two. Tlie machine will serve either 

carbonated on non-carbouaied beverages and dispense them at 

a rate of one every five seconds. 

FORMFITTING THEATRE CHAIR 

P-12S6 

Tlic addition of a new line of theatre seats, the Pacemaker, 

li;is been luiiiounced by international Seat Co.. originators of 

all-stiel unit construction. Like the company's other chairs 

the I'accra.ikcrs arc constructed of steel throughout and are 

said to offer a deeper and better fitting uphoblery for the 

conifort of patrons. The construction Ls claimed to reduce 

costs and minimize errors during Installation. 

DOUBLE-BILL EXPLOITATION FRAME P-1287 

The itumar-Viiie Co. has designed and Is now producing a 

double-hilling frame to solve the problems that arise when 

c.^pioiiing a late booking. The new frame, the Duplex, will 

hold two Usl4-inch inserts as well as a 2x14 date strip. 

Cuii.^triirted of double-strength glass and stainless steel, the 

Duplex is SiUd to be weatherproof. E;ich friune conies with 

a guarantee. 

OZONE AIR CLEANER P-1288 

X sell-contained device designed for use with forced-air 

eirculatiug systems cleans the air by adding small amounts of 

ozone to It. .\ product of the General Ozone Corp., it attaches 

to the sidewall of heating-cooling equipment or on the suction 

side of an air duct. The ozoue which is added to the air 

deodorizes it by oxidizing foreign matter and is not noticeable 

if used In the proper proportions. 

ANIMATED DISPLAY SIGNS P-12S9 

Tile new animated display signs made by the Liquid Light 

Co. boast two qualities: eye appeal and durability. Eye appeal 

is achieved in the signs by using a constantly revolving drum 

uf six dllfercnt lights which are reflected through the Plexiglas 

letters on the message plate. I/ong life is assured by 

tlie use of IkMvy gauge metal and Plexiglas in the construction. 

TIic signs are finished In a silver hammertone for additional 

attraction. 

MOBILE FIRE-FIGHTING UNIT P-1290 

llic Crest Fire Knginette being marketed by Norpat Sales. 

Inc., is well-suited for use at drive-in operations. Biiuipped 

witii three different types of extinguishers and mounted on 

iO-lncii rubber wheels, the unit can be speedily taken to 

the most reoiolc corners of the drive-in area and used to fight 

all types of fire. Servicing of the equipment Is simple and 

can be handled by the members of the theatre staff. 

VERSATILE LANDSCAPING TOOL P-1291 

Scleral models of sickle bar moAcrs have been developed 

by Jari Products, Inc.. and are practical for use at drive-ins 

that have extensive lawns and landscaping to care for. The 

motor-driven units have varied uses and can be conierted to 

cultivators, snow plows, reel mowers and sprayers when needed. 

The larger machine has a floating sickle bar which adjusts 

to the ground surface to assure smooth and consistent cutting 

iierformance. 

LETiERATURE 

Briefed from the description on page 51. 

Key 

Number 

AUTOMATIC HAND DRYER STORY L-16S9 

A well-lllustratcd catalog Issued by tbe Electric Aire Curp. 

lulls the complete slory of the firm's h;ind driers. The 

literatuie Includes a variety of data ranging from tfte plarmlng 

of installations, architects' specifications, to the worklnfi parts 

of the different models. The two models discussed, one a 

recessed type and the other designed for surface mounting, 

feature two-year guarantees, variable air direction, lighted 

instructions, breakproof housing and other qualities. 

OUTDOOR WIDE SCREEN INFORMATION L-1690 

Mi(tioi;ra|)li, Inc.. is distributing a circular which offers a 

wea:th uf information about the installation of wide screens 

at drive-ins. It starts by listing the many reasons for Increasing 

the width of the screen. The technical problems of additional 

projection and sound equipment are discussed generally 

and speiilically in terms of the individual pieces of equipment. 

Tliough the material was prepared by Motiograph, it does not 

discuss its own equipment exclusively but offers data on that 

1)1' otlier firms. 

DATA ON SERVICE CONTRACTS 1-1691 

By means of a photograph-story, tbe Altec Service Corp. outlines 

the advantages available througli the service contract It 

ofiers theatrcmen. The company operating out of 31 branch 

ulTices throughout tbe nation handles problems of InstJillatlon, 

inspection, seriice and maintenance of sound equipment In over 

li.uUU theatres. According to the Information in the eight-page 

booklet, the service and protection are rendered by 200 field 

enguieers. 

COUPONS 

separate couipnient 

item, 

above) which 

for each Adside 

of this 

e 

more 

key number 

Tiber 

you

READERS' BUREAU 

A 

For literature on products advertised or mentioned in this issue, 

side of this sheet and read how to use the postcard coupons belov 

PRODUCTS ADVERTISED IN 

ADMISSION SIGNS 

Bowman, Edoar S 20-B 

THIS ISSUE 

APERTURES, 

PROJECTOR 

LaVe2zi Machine Works 48.A 

ATTRACTION BOARDS AND LETTERS 

Adier Silhouette Letter Co 27-B 

Wagner Sign Service Co 21- 

CANDY 

Henry Heide, Inc 37.A 

CANDY FLOSS MACHINES 

Concession Supply Co .38-E 

CARBON 

SAVERS 

Call Products Co 22-B 

CONCESSION CARTS 

Walky Service Co .3S-B 

CONCESSION EQUIPMENT, DRIVE-IN 

Concession Supply Co 3g.E 

Walky Service Co 3g-B 

DRINKS, 

SOFT 

Coca-Cola Co 2-A 

Pepsi-Cola Co 30.A 

DRINK 

DISPENSERS 

Everfrosl Sales, Inc 33.A 

DRIVE-IN 

PUNS 

Ballanlyne Co 47.A, 47-8 

FOUNTAINETTES 

Superior Refrigerator Mfg. Co. 3g-C 

HAND 

DRYERS 

Electric-Aire Engineering Co 51-B 

LAMPHOUSE 

BLOWERS 

Drive-ln Theatre Mfg 4g.B 

e

)MOTIONS 


)inetimes I think that 

'St ones think that the 

,he show and just walk 

;r 40,000 TV sets in 

ist two years and the 

long feature have both 

I sales, Hamaker said, 

ising items and ideas, 

.ons, large soft drinks, 

pcorn. and large units 

;, this set-back is being 

ergreen Theatres. 

nal idea used has been 

under 12 years of age 

a parent, or parents. 

n many away from the 

'es. 

peration 

isiness at drive-in theafrom 

a pop and popa 

full-grown business 

int money can be made 

is operated and progent 

manner. The exh 

the problem of opern 

either with his own 

e concession out to a 

rienced 

sis. 

concessionaire 

Plan Aggressive Campaign 

To Promote Root Beer 

"The pillow fight is over" is the way 

Vice-President Barney Berns described the 

aggressive new advertising and promotion 

program initiated by Dad's Root Beer Co. 

Plans for 

the nationwide promotion got 

Barney Berns (right), vice-president of Dad's Root 

Beer Co., Chicago, and Howard Williams, president 

of Erwin, Wasey & Co., Dad's newly appointed advertising 

agency, discuss expanded merchandising 

program of the beverage company. 

under way w-ith the appointment of Erwin. 

Wasey & Co.. advertising agency, which 

will handle all phases of merchandising 

and advertising for the firm's own bottling 

plant, fountain flavor division and national 

iranchise bottling division. The newagency 

was selected because of its experience 

in the field of package goods and its 

conveniently located branches at New 

York, Chicago, Minneapolis, Oklahoma 

City and Los Angeles. The number and 

location of the offices will make it possible 

for the agency to aid bottlers throughout 

the United States. 

Several new product developments are 

expected to aid the drive for increased 

sales. One of the developments is the 

sugarless Dietricious Dad's root beer, made 

without sugar. 

Conviser Appointed 

Chairman 

TOA Concessions Committee 

Benjamin 

Conviser 

E. D. Martin, president 

of the Theatre 

Owners of America, 

has appointed Benjamin 

Conviser to serve 

as the national cochairman 

of the TOA 

concessions committee. 

Conviser is a 

vice-president and 

the general manager 

of the American Theatre 

Supply Corp. in 

charge of maintenance, construction and 

supplies including the candy and popcorn 

department. Members of the TOA committee 

are expected to be announced in a 

short time. 

IT with the public 

because of VARIETY of 

LICIOUS FLAVORS 

clear ATTRACTIVE COLOR! 

I 

all feature 

lary 8, 1955 37

See 

the

i 

, audio 

AND SOUND 

Series on Leading Sound Equipment 

^STEP SERVICING OF SOUND SYSTEMS 

intenance of Motiograph Sound Heads, Speakers, Pre-Amplifiers 

In this second 

ARTICLE on servicing 

leading sound 

systems, we will present 

some p>ertinent 

information on Motiograph 

sound syst 

e m s, particularly 

covering single, three 

and four - channel 

stereosound reproduction. 

With a 

limited amount of 

ch as a good multisignal 

gentest 

reel, 8,000 and 

s, good set of high re- 

!, plus good screwdriv- 

;tc., one can do connd 

keep the equipment 

ing condition, 

ment is 

very rugged in 

ill give many years of 

ovided parts are rehave 

become badly 

components are given 

tularly as per instrucdepartment. 

Condensormers, 

resistors and 

other components are of extra heavy capacity 

to take care of an overload, and the 

system is fully protected with fuses. 

In order to intelUgently service any 

sound system, a set of schematics is absolutely 

necessary; generally these are fui-- 

nished with the equipment. While the 

writer does have schematics on every existing 

sowid system ]or theatres, they are tor 

his use only and cannot be sent out. Most 

manufacturers are glad to furnish these 

on request; also, very necessary are voltages 

used at tube elements, etc. 

ADJUSTING SOUND HEADS 

MAGNETIC REPRODUCER—Let us fii'st 

start with the sound head adjustments. 

Sound heads are very cai-efully adjusted 

at the factory but in shipping they may, 

sometimes, get slightly out of adjustment, 

which will mar reproduction. 

Adjusting magnetic head—this sound 

head should be adjusted as per instructions 

given in column two, page 42, Modern Theatre, 

issue December 4, 1954. To repeat 

the same instructions here would be a 

waste of space that we can use to tell you 

about some other details regarding this 

equipment. 

The filter mechanism uses the tight loop 

system having two impedance drums and 

flywheels. The filtering effect is provided 

by two damping rollers on the ends of 

long arms which pivot on shafts and housing 

assemblies and which are especially 

fitted and lubricated with low viscosity oil. 

This condition is quite capable of reducing 

the flutter content to a very low level. 

These components should be checked at 

regular periods to see they are operating 

correctly so there will be practically no 

flutter content in the sound reproduction. 

cerned. As you probably know, this 

sprocket does the puUing and must be kept 

in good condition, absolutely free of undercutting. 

As soon as any of these sprockets 

shows considerable wear, it should be replaced. 

Any ii'regular motion or flutter in the 

movement of the upper feed sprocket will 

increase the amount of flutter elimination 

to be done by the filter system. The use 

of a stroboscope is recommended if any 

unusual flutter condition exists. Engineers 

use a stroboscope for checking flutter. 

We have known of very bad flutter 

caused by badly bent exchange reels in the 

upper magazine, and often it has been 

traced to the scraping of the reel against 

the magazine body. A Motiograph engineer 

made a special trip of 400 miles (the 

writer made a trip of over 200 miles) to 

discover this very trouble—projectionist 


Motiograph penthouse reeen 

threaded in the sound 

lould be threaded lor best 

the pad rollers are unusual 

b in both open and closed 

t easier for threading, etc. 

ic material has been used 

his sound head. All rollers 

e of aluminum and mounted 

g long wear. The 32-tooth 

ilt up" type and only the 

tgnetic material. The tooth 

gn and of the "fat" tooth 

ost satisfactory. The mag- 

? Don't make any adjustre 

the component requires 

ions given in last month's 

adjusting rollers, head, etc. 

ALIGN REPRODUCERS CAREFULLY 

Penthouse or button-on" reproducers 

are mounted between the top magazine and 

the mechanism head. They should be carelully 

aligned so the film wOl travel in a 

straight line down from the top magazine, 

sound head, projector mechanism, down 

through the optic sound head and lower 

magazine. Due to the fact that the picture 

projector mechanism pulls the film down 

through the magnetic reproducer, the perfect 

performance of the latter wiU strictly 

dep>end to a certain extent upon the condition 

.of the projector mechanism. There 

should be a minimum of wear and backlash 

in the mechanism gear train, especially as 

far as the upper feed sprocket is con- 

The interior of Motiograph sound system, model 

S3 and S4, three-channel and four-channel. Principal 

features of this system are the plug-in amplifiers, 

volume control, only two tube types which promote 

ease and economy of maintenance. All the 

components, as you will note, are easy to get at 

and service. A defective unit can be quickly removed 

and repaired, or a new one easily installed 

while a defective unit is repaired. The circuit is not 

complicated, making it very easy to trace for 

trouble with your ohmmeter or multimeter. 

Voltages, 

very important in good sound reproduction, can be 

checked quickly. Also, tubes can be quickly removed 

for checking in a good tube checker. See 

that all plug-ins fit tightly, the vacuum tubes fit 

tightly in socket, and be sure to keep tube prongs 

bright and all other components free of dust and 

carbon dust. 

Follow servicing as outlined in previous 

articles in this department on audio amplifiers. 

ary 8, 1955 39

40 The MODERN THEATRE S 

SERVICING 

SOUND SYSTEMS 


using exchange reel that was badly bent, 

or the reel scraping against the sides of 

the magazine. Other engineers have had 

the same headache when this could have 

been avoided by the use of good house 

reels and not exchange reels. Never use a 

reel that is not in good condition. 

With many leading projector manufacturers, 

the practice is to supply extra-wide 

magazines which is one method o/ correction 

for the above trouble. Motiograph 

supplies extra-wide magazines with all 

its 

projectors. The company incorporates an 

upper reel shaft tension device and a fully 

enclosed takeup that will, aft^r initial 

setting, stay correctly adjusted for years. 

Many of the other leading manufacturers 

also equip their upper and lower magazines 

with devices that maintain correct 

upper reel tension and perfect takeup tension 

which once properly adjusted by the 

installer, will give trouble-free operation 

for many years. The only maintainence is 

keeping them clean and lubricated as per 

instructions by manufacturer. 

ADJUSTING PAD ROLLERS 

The pad rollers are unusual in design 

and will latch in both open and closed 

positions, making threading easier for the 

projectionist. If these should need adjusting 

anytime, it is a very simple procedure, 

spacing is 

adjusted with three thicknesses 

lin most heads, two) of film. They 

should be kept cleaned and run freely. 

A very excellent feature of this sound 

head is a pivoted idler roller provided to 

reduce the danger of film breaking when 

starting projector. 

In order to assure perfect synchronization 

between picture and sound the lower 

idler roller is adjustable, making it possible 

to obtain the necessary 28 frames separation. 

This is generally always adjusted 

when the sound head is installed and no 

further adjustment will be necessary. 

MANY IMPROVEMENTS MADE 

The Motiograph 910-D is the modified 

p)enthouse reproducer which is equipped 

with a "pull away" plug for the magnetic 

head, and a changed position of the terminal 

strip to simplify wiring, for single 

or four-channel stereosound. Many other 

improvements have been made in this head 

to assure easier threading, cleaning and 

servicing of the various components. The 

interior should be cleaned every day. The 

sprocket should be cleaned with a stiff 

bristle tooth brush: the pad rollers should 

be checked daily, and the stabilizers should 

be inspected for correct operation. 

The four-track magnetic head has a 

nominal impedance of 30 ohms for each 

section, an inductance of 35 millihenries 

per section, and is assembled in a mu-metal 

shield to prevent noise pickup. This pickup 

head should be kept free of any lint and 

dust accumulation. Use only a lintless 

clean cloth and a soft bristle brush for 

cleaning magnetic heads. 

^GND 

A 

EXCITER 

MOTIOGRAPH OPTICAL SOUND HEAD U^ÊD IN CONJUNCTION WITH 

STEREOSOUND SYSTEMS 

FRAME OF SOUND HEAD 

LAMP 

/ 

D C FROM EXC LAMP POWER SUPPLY 

CATHODE 

(light sensitive plote emits 

90V 

f /" 

D. C. VOLTAGE 

(approx. 90 voUs) from preamptifier 

to establish photo 

cell current 

electrons 

/ / / 

Steody light beam 

LENS 

ELEMENTS 

SLIT \ 

LENS AND SLIT ASSEMBLY 

Fluctuating light beam ofter 

passing through sound track 

PHOTO CELL 

"-r 

CORE 

FILM 

LENS AND MIRRORS T 

DIRECT LIGHT TO 

PHOTO CELL 

RELAY LENS TO FOCUS 

LIGHT ON PHOTO CELL 

ANODE (collector for electrons 

emitted by cothode) 

Coupling 

Resistonce 

Signol 

Voltage 

4 

Current through photo cell (fluctuating in accordance with 

light beam intensity variotions) flows through coupling 

resistance, thus developing signal voltoge varying in some 

manner. 

V 

Shielded lead (coaxial 

coble) carrying signal 

voltage to amplifier 

system 

This is a drawing of a typical wiring layoirt and components of a modern sound head, varying 

of course, in different makes. This is a Mirrophonic reproducer (sound head). The purpose 

drawing is to illustrate the arrangement of the various components and the wiring of the pi 

shielded cable, and the wiring of the exciter lamps. (Note: Not all sound heads use a rest: 

are wired via transformer, direct, etc.) We would like to point out here it is important t 

exciter lamps be kept correctly adjusted and replaced when they become blacken^sd, and they 

be kept clean and free of oil; oil should be kept off the shielded cable and photocell. All com 

should be electrically firm and clean at all times. Oil and dirt should be kept off of soui 

surfaces. Clean every day with lens tissue. 

The height of this sound head is 7'2 

inches at the front and it tapers off to 

^V4 inches at the rear. It can be installed 

on any other make of projector very easily, 

with only some small modifications. 

A small compass can be used to detect 

the magnetization of any projector or 

sound head pai-ts that could cause trouble 

in the sound or damage the recording on 

the magnetic tracks. The magnetic head 

is a four-track assembly designed to scan 

one 29 mil and three 63 mil tracks. Number 

4 is the 29 mil or sound effects track 

and when used delivers sound effects for 

the auditorium speakers. Single track 

operation uses the 63 inil track. 

NOTE—The operation of the flutter filter 

unit depends upon the proper assembly 

and adjustment of the damping arm assemblies, 

especially the shaft and housing 

assemblies which allow arms to pivot. During 

assembly these parts are honed together 

to insure proper surfaces an 

cated in such maruier as to excl 

from the assembly and keep the sh 

ervoir permanently full of oil. N 

lubrication is needed for at least o: 

When new oil is required, use only 

graph selected oil known as part I 

i 

It is possible any magnetic sour 

and the projector mechanism wil 

times become magnetized, possibly 

inadvertent contact with magnetic 

because some of the projector or m 

parts are highly magnetized, part 

when the equipment has been wo: 

with a screw driver or some othe 

A magnetized sound head will a 

increase in background noise, and 

bination with certain other condil 

the sound track may produce a bad 

noise sounding like a swarm of bi 

careful handling of magnetic-recorc 

and frequent checking of your soun

. Motiograph 

»und head and magabe 

avoided. 

i 

demagmetizing 

personal opinion that 

)ry degausser 

any make of 

e Motiograph SE-7625 

3ly a voltage from zero 

J5 volts across the head 

)tentiometer, and then 

al back to zero. This 

;d on each head and as 

,0 discomiect the head 

of the circuit, it makes 

1. The amplifier must 

ig this operation. This 

ilso supply considerable 

demagnetize projector 

d parts. 

) Projectionists—Never 

: head with a piece of 

' 

highly magnetized as 

lough of the magnetic 

1 to cause considerable 

found several recent 

of trouble in the field 

! 

. 

corded films away from 

generators and other 

t. Rewinding should be 

void damaging track or 

)f caution about using 

Is and never to try using 

)iscard any house reel 

ontinued on following page 

i^g^l 

. . . And there are millions like them 

throughout the country 

No question about it: "movies tonight" 

is a favorite American tradition — 

and every exhibitor wants to keep that tradition 

going strong! Best uây to do this is 

by making and keeping your theatre genuinely 

inviting for all patrons. Its appearance 

... the comfort it 

provides ... the 

modern equipment it has to show the exciting 

new picture techniques — all are vitally 

important when putting out the welcome 

mat. 

Check ijour theatre for all 

the features 

that make it inviting. Then check 

NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY for any 

equipment 

requirements. 

ws (he latest "Voice ol the 

speaker unit, with high and 

distributes sevdepending 

on the size of 

je auditorium requires more 

ier to obtain complete coverrnonce 

required is an occairing, 

routine cleaning of the 

cause these are placed back 

?oson (o forget them and let 

late, thereby causing damage 

s. 

Whsfevet yout need, 

ijOQ e$n êf if horn . . 

ATIONAL 

THEATRE SUPPLY 

Oivitien el Nolionol • Simples • Bludwerlh. Inc. 

luary 8, 1955 41

SERVICING 

SOUND SYSTEMS 


that is not in good condition. You will 

seciire better sound reproduction, avoid 

"flutter" and other troubles. 

Motiogi-aph manufactures equipment for 

the reproduction of single optical, single 

and four-channel magnetic and Perspecta 

sound recording. Models range from 20, 40, 

75 and 150 watts of power output. The 

writer has serviced and inspected all the 

various models of sound and projection 

equipment and found it very rugged in 

construction, delivering excellent sound reproduction, 

both optical and magnetic: the 

projectors and arc lamps giving long service 

and fine projection in every respect. 

Sound equipment is also manufactured 

for drive-in theatres for the reproduction 

of optical sound prints. By the addition 

of penthouse reproducers, and additional 

preamplifier and switching apparatus, all 

systems can also be modified to reproduce 

single and foiu--track magnetic sound at 

a very reasonable outlay of money. The 

multiple amplifier systems are best suited 

for drive-in theatres of from 250 to 850 

cars, as the exhibitor can obtain emergency 

faculties at a lower cost in this type 

of system. 

Data on the S3 and S4 Systems—The S3 

system is provided with three amplifier 

channels and the S4 system has an additional 

fourth channel for amplification of 

the auxiliary or effects track. Each channel 

contains the preamplifier and equali- 

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zation necessary for magnetic repro' 

and the power amplifier stages nee 

to drive theatre speakers. The am 

channels, a single power supply, all o 

ing controls, and relays for changeov 

tween two magnetic reproducers ar 

tween magnetic and optical sound 1 

are all contained in a single cabinet 

cabinet may be floor or wall mountt 

cording to space available in pro; 

room. AU controls and indicator ligl 

contained on a sloping top panel, the 

layout making it very handy to opera 

see for the projectionist. Tubes, coi 

ers, resistors, transformers and othei 

ponents are very easy to get at and s 

ONLY TWO TUBE TYPES 

Features which promote ease and 

> 

omy of maintenance are the use c 

two tube types in the amplifiers ( 

for the fourth channel which uses ar 

tional 12AT7 typei, and the emplc 

of plug-in construction so that each 

fier channel may be quickly remo 

replaced as a single independent u 

spare amplifier should be kept on h 

case of trouble in any one of the arr 

units. The amplifiers are mounte( 

aU wiring, components and controls 

the front of the cabinet. Tubes n 

serviced by loosening a thumb-sere 

connecting the input and gain 

plugs, and swinging the amplifier fc 

When the single bracket that clam 

amplifier to its mounting-rod is rt 

and the power and output wiring c 

tors are loosened, the amplifier n 

lifted out of cabinet. All amplifie 

power supply may be removed easily 

projectionist for servicing or a good 

ing of all the components. 

In this 

CAN OBSERVE TUBE OPERATION 

model the power rectifier 

three rectifier tubes, 5U4G, are pic 

the bottom, of the cabinet behind a 

on the front panel. The operation 

tubes may be easily obseiwed withoul 

ing the cabinet. In order to keep th 

' 

ages at recommended value at the 

tube elements and points in the cir 

the power and preamplifier, it is ve 

portant that you check, in a goo 

checker or by your local radio servi 

all rectifier tubes at least every 

three months. It is also importar 

filter condensers, etc., in power sui 

kept in good condition and replace< 

they become defective or have been i 

ice a long time. 

Another very nice feature of th; 

ticular model: it has been designed t 

addition of the fourth channel at ai 

after original installation. It can b( 

installed and electrical connectio 

simple to make. It contains, in add 

switching circuit to control speaker 

tlon from a 12KC signal on the 

sound track and filters to remc 

12KC signal from the audio outpu 

fourth channel amplifier is ident 

size, mounting arrangement, and eli 

connections with the other three. 

The use of low-noise tube types 

42 The MODERN THEATRE S:

: or 

ST 10 STEREOPHONIC KIT— SINGLE CHANNEL SYSTEM FOR ONE MAGNETIC TRACK 

NOTE— SWITCH SUCH AS SE 7621 OR SE 7624 iWHICH INCLUDES MA 2690 

TRANaFORMERi CAN BE USED TO SWITCH FROM OPTICAL TO 

MAGNETIC SOUND 

stages, also provision of 

ed controls for adjust- 

1 equalization in each 

important features in 

system for better sound 

is suggestion for better 

lect only well-known 

)r send direct to your 

es the sound system you 

)es. as he will send you 

rays keep a fuU set of 

1 for the amplifiers and 

TO REGUUR AMPLIFIER 

SYSTEM (See Notel 

INCLUDES SINGLE PREAMPLIFIER, 

POWER SUPPLY, CHANGEOVER, AND 

MUTING RELAY 

REQUIRED TO WORK INTO HIGH 

IMPEDANCE AMPLIFIER 

center and right channels from monitor 

terminals of the system. The use of 

building-out resistors in the switching circuit 

for "AUD" and "ALL" positions of the 

monitor selector necessitates a highimpedance, 

or bridging typê. monitor amplifier 

in these positions. We have found, 

for very best results, use of an amplifier 

such as the Altec A-336-A amplifier supplied 

with the 625 monitor speaker is 

recommended 

by the manufacturer. 

May we point out here, for your information, 

building-out resistors on the 

monitor selector switch are of such value 

that monitoring level wlU be approximately 

the same in all positions of the selector, for 

a monitor amplifier input impedance 

greater than 10,000 ohms, and for 16 ohms 

output impedance of the stereophonic 

channels and 70-volt Une connection of 

the auditorium effects speakers channel. 

System Changeover—This equipment has 

a rapid changeover between the stereophonic 

system and existing optical track 

amplifier. A momentary-contact turn or 

rotary switch with associated neon indicator 

light is provided to or>erate a latching 

type relay which opens all loudspeaker 

lines from the stereosound system amplifiers 

and connects the output of the existing 

house system to the center stagespeaker 

line. 

It may be found necessary in some cases 

to adjust contacts on the muting relay 

for closer spacing to prevent audible clicks 

when switching from optical to stereosound 

system. This is to ensure that the muting 

relay contacts will be closed before the 

speaker lines are reconnected to the stereosound 

amplifiers. We have found this adjustment 

has had to be made in several 

installations and is not too difficult for the 

projectionists to do. Contacts should be 

kept free of any dust or carbon dust. etc. 

As with all sound systems, all the electrical 

connections should be made firm, 

plug-ins should fit snugly, connections on 

terminal strips should be carefully made 

Continued on page 47 

1 ADJUSTMENTS 

screw-driver operated 

ing sound level on your 

ince you make this ad- 

; to data given in this 

lonth. and in previous 

rHE.ATFE, do not disturb 

:ain until you are sure 

;g. Too many times in 

Lve checked sound syse 

adjustments were innd 

the entire system 

se the projectionist did 

he read in this depart- 

1 booklet, how to make 

rhe master stereosound 

s of thi-ee, 2 db per step, 

itiometers. ganged to- 

,rol may be easily re- 

replacing. Connecare 

made through short 

in plugs to mate with 

mplifier chassis. A high 

entiometer is used for 

urth-channel gain con- 

;em. and it is similarly 

aplifier. 

saker selector switches 

minals at the bottom of 

her one of the three 

lel outputs, to the outchannel, 

or to all four 

ously. A low impedance 

ed to monitor the left. 

A RESEARCH BUREAU 

The MODERN THEATRE PLANNING INSTITUTE 



Gentlemen: 

for MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS 

ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMATION 

^-^-^^ 

Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU to receive information regularly, as 

released, on the following subjects for Theatre Planning: 

n Acoustics 


Architectural Service 

n "Black" Lighting 


n Carpets 



Complete Remodeling 

n Decorating 

Drink Dispensers 

Drive-In Equipment 

Lighting Fixtures 

n Plumbing Fixtures 

n Projectors 

Theatre Seating Capacity 

Address 

City.. 

Signed . 

State 

Projection Lamps 

Seating 

Signs and Marquees 

n Sound Equipment 

Television 

n Theatre Fronts 

Vending Equipment 

(Owner-Manager) 

lary 8, 1955 43

iN-CAR HEATERS WIN HEAVY PATRONA 

New Half-Million-Dollar Toledo Drive-in Installed 1,200 Heaters; 

Found a Ten-Cent Charge Inadequate, So Increased to 

25-Cents 

4- 

The functional "pin-typt 

struction of the screen t 

the Miracle Mile Drive-ln 

Toledo, Ohio, also creates 

tiful effect in light and 

The screen itself is of Mai 

wood which was painted 

patrons haye told the r 

"is very beautiful." The hi 

marquee, adjoining the i 

an unusual design, is 57 f 

and 38 feet high. As may I 

by the door in the base 

screen tower, there is am^ 

for storage of supplies an 

tenance 

equipment. 

\^ Hio's FIRST DRIVE-IN theatre 

equipped with in-car heaters for yeararound 

operation, the Miracle Mile, opened 

in Toledo late in November and has been 

patronized so heavily that it has been 

necessary to turn patrons away from the 

completely filled ramps. 

The in-car heaters, which operate off the 

speaker stands, are provided for 1.200 cars 

in the 1.500-car drive-in. and if demand 

increases will be supplied for all. 

HEATERS GIVEN 

OUT AT CONCESSIONS 

Brass heater tags are issued to all cars 

at the boxoffice. and the heaters are given 

out at the concessions stand upon presentation 

of the tags. When patrons leave, they 

cither surrender the tag or the heater at 

the exit. 

The management first tried issuing the 

heaters at the boxoffice. but found that it 

created more confusion and traffic delays 

than the present method of giving them 

out at the concessions stand. F\irther, the 

concessions business benefits by the trip to 

the stand for the heater. 

A charge of 10 cents was made for the 

heaters, but this proved insufficient to 

cover the cost of personnel and operation, 

and beginning the first of December the 

theatre began advertising that the charge 

would be 25 cents beginning January 1. 

This new and elaborate drive-in is one 

of but four such theatres east of the Mississippi 

and north of the Mason-Dixon Line 

now operating 12 months in the year, it is 

believed. 

To assure the theatre being the most 

modern possible, plans were changed several 

times during construction to enable 

the builders to take advantage of new and 

improved equipment and ideas. 

The present facilities for 1,500 cars will 

be increased to 1,870 cars in the spring, 

making it among the largest in the United 

States. 

Costing in excess of $500,000. the new 

drive-in is located on Toledo's new "Miracle 

Mile," almost directly across from a new 

$20,000,000 shopping center now being built 

on Jackman and Laskey roads, west of the 

city. It is owned by the Glass Mile Drive-In 

Theatre, Inc., and managed by Theatre 

Operating Co., both of Toledo. Al Boudouris. 

owner of the latter company 

neered and installed the projection, 

and field equipment. 

The theatre was completed 14 wee 

two days after ground was broken 

i 

21 days of rain that prevented any i 

work. 

DOUBLE RAMPING IN THEATRE 

The Miracle Mile provides double 

ing to bring all cars closer to the 

than ever before possible, and is eq 

with highway-type maintenance equi 

for snow removal in winter. 

The curved screen tower was de 

for the presentation of all the new 

screen projection processes, the sen 

self being 60x120 feet. With the pro, 

booth 425 feet from the screen, it 

of the longest projection throws : 

country. 

The screen tower consists of si? 

frames set in nine bases and is of the 

type" construction wîth pipes of te: 

diameter imbedded in concrete. It 

signed to withstand wind stress up 

44 The MODERN THEATRE SE

, building 

; crowded 

fact, towers of identical 

?sign withstood all three 

which swept the east 

;e and exit, the Miracle 

Kjxoffices 

strategically 

six entrance lanes intwo. 

There are 12 exit 

le four which are com- 

57 feet long and 38 feet 

?e design is modern in 

s an angled pylon which 

!hts. 

is 92x90 feet, 

cafeteria-style. It is 

itest stainless steel units 

and. with four cashiers 

die in excess of 3,800 

It will be operated by 

Co. 

.E ENTRANCES 

istile entrances require 

back along the conces- 

When 

.ting longer lines. 

patrons are 

three times, creating an 

z that speeds service, 

nute" impulse racks loers' 

stands are used to 

candy and cigars only, 

has found that this 

ying these items has 

f these items over ordijndling 

them. 

>o houses the projection 

loms. The latter are 

lewest and most modern 

.iences and are finished 

e entire building has a 

ich took six weeks to 

th a crew working seven 

OPHONIC SOUND 

projection and sound 

istalled. This includes 

projectors: high fidelity 

1, Super 135 projection 

pere selenium rectifiers, 

r objective lenses and 

morphic lenses, 

,ts of undistorted audio 

; to the three-unit, high 

lie sound speakers from 

ch were specially modid. 

A specially designed 

rack was used for the 

to get patrons to the 

irly is the exhibition of 

irtoons before regular 

lall 8xl2-foot screen in 

sions building. These are 

or children is planned 

size of the Miracle Mile 

lad from the following 

I 

22-acre site about four 

ontinued on following page 

Liary 8, 1955 45

IN-CAR HEATERS WIN PATRONAGE 


THE 

ASHCRAFT 

HYDRO-ARC 

designed to produce 

MORE LIGHT at LESS COST 

than any Suprex Lamp. It is the most 

economical and high-powered lamp for 

SMALL and MEDIUM 

DRIVE-INS 

We recommend the HYDRO-ARC for 

drive-in screens from 40 to 57 feet wide. 

s ASHCRAFT MANUFACTURING 

36-32 Thirty-Eighth Street Long Island Ciry 1, N. Y. 

miles west of Toledo on a highly traveled 

highway which is expected to be made into 

a six or eight-lane expressway in the near 

future. 

There were 5,000 yards of concrete and 

25,000 yards of stone used in its construction. 

If 190,000 feet of underground wiring 

used were converted into 14-gauge wire it 

would amount to 10,000 miles, enough to 

cro.ss the United States three times. 

When the theatre is in full operation, the 

connected electrical load is equal to that 

used by the city of Maumee, population 

6,000, located just southwest of Toledo. 

SPECIAL PRE-OPENING PROMOTION 

Pre-openlng promotions, included the 

specially prepared comic book which was 

mailed to 60,000 Toledo homes: a saturation 

campaign on both radio and TV: bus 

cards: bumr>er strips: downtown window 

displays of the equipment being used: 

various hand-outs and even a Santa Claus 

"arriving early so he wouldn't miss the 

grand opening" working the downtown 

streets. Full page newspaper ads were also 

utilized. 

Boudouris, who will operate the Miracle 

Mile, operates five other drive-in theatres 

in Ohio. 

i^jMrW 

jHUltillH mvi ^*«m 

This view of the Miracle Mile Drne-ln 

shows the 92x90-foot concessions and p 

building in the distance. In the foregn 

speaker stand with electrical outlet for h 

seen. The theatre is surfaced at presen 

regular highway berm mix of crushed st 

stone dust. Later it will be macadamized. 

Most Economical, 

Compact Stereophonic 

In-The-Car Speaker! 

CREDITS: Amplifiers: Century • Changeable 

Letters: Wagner • Drink dispensers: Carbonic • 

InCar Heaters: Arvin • Lamps: Strong • Lenses: 

Kollmorgen and Bausch & Lomb * Marquee: Dickey 

Advertising Service • Popcorn mochine: Manley • 

Projection and Sound: Century • Rectifiers: Strong 

• Screen paint: Unimex • Screen tower: Selby • 

Stereophonic speakers: 

Eprad. 

The marquee of the Miracle Mile is impi 

night. The angled pylon at the right, whicf 

is solid, appears only in outline when illi 

THE 

LOW-COST EPRAD 

"STEREO 2 -Only S12.00 

With the new "Stereo 2" you con give your 

patrons Stereophonic Sound effects — ECO- 

NOMICALLY. A new concept of binaural sound 

bringing all three channels through two 31/2" 

cones in one speaker cose. Drive-ins with 

smgle-coned speakers can now add Stereophonic 

Sound without re-wiring ramps. 

HI-FIDELITY 

PERFORMANCE 

or low cost. Two-way speaker same size and 

weight as standard speaker. Mounts on rear 

view mirror, top of dash, ash tray or window. 

Also avoiloble: 

"The Star," $5.50; "Universal/* 

$7.60; "Stereo 3," $14.75, and the famous 

"Glow-Top" illuminated junction box 

EPRAD 

1206 Cherry Street Toledo 4, Ohio 

The cafeteria-style concessions at the Miracle Mile was designed for a speedy flow of t 

with long lines proceeding through the turnstile entrances, "snaking" around three times 

the concessions counters and back to the cashiers. The facing of counters and cashiers' stoi 

blond Formica and the floor is terrazxo. 

46 The MODERN THEATRE S

SERVICING 

SOUND SYSTEMS 

ntyne 

f-Cone 

luse 

JND 

antyne representnstrate 

the Dub'lere 

will you find 

undistorted sound 

at all volume 

lOOF 

n the speaker has 

against moisture 

i 

1. Diaphragm is 

:ect against dampce 

coil is noncorjm—will 

not buciwell. 

)z. Alnico V mag- 

-IREE to FIVE 

power of earlier 

erials. 

B'L-CONE 

ne super imposed 

r with a 3 16-in. 

;n for tonal resonxterior 

cone prohe 

interior cone 

sound. Both are 

/eatherproof. If 

, you can replace 

It in a matter of 

purpose equipment 

fw techniques 

antyne 

Co. 

Omaha, Nebraska 


and screwed down tight in order to insure 

good electrical contact. A poor connection 

will cause rioise in the system, in some 

cases it ivill cause the loss of sound. Keep 

oil off of wiring near the sound head, particularly 

wires to exciter lamp and P.E. 

in optical sound head. 

cells 

EASY 

TO SERVICE 

COMMENTS—The Motiograph S3 and 

S4 systems are very simple to service, and 

only a limited amount of test equipment 

is necessary. With a good multimeter and 

test loops you can do very satisfactory 

maintenance. A complete set of tubes, 

namely, on the A337A amplifier, tube complement: 

three 12AY7, two 6L6G. and for 

the A-338A amplifier, the same tube complement 

with one more tube, 12AT7: the 

PK)wer supply tube complement: three 

5U4G. The small number of tubes promotes 

ease and economy of maintenance, 

and the employment of plug-in construction 

so that each amplifier may be easily 

removed or replaced makes easy servicing. 

Most modern theatre amplifiers are now 

being manufactured so that amplifiers can 

be removed or replaced quickly. It is a 

very good idea to keep a spare pre-amplifier 

on hand, and a power amplifier, in 

case of trouble. The defective one can be 

repaired later. In a future issue, we will 

present complete step-by-step data on 

all leading amplifier circuits. 

The servicing procedure of Motiograph 

sound systems is no different than with 

other makes. In case of a defective audio 

stage, in some cases it can be located by 

"circuit disturbance" test. Condensers 

(capacitors^ , resistors and wiring should be 

checked with your ohmmeter, checking tube 

first, voltages next, etc., vmtil defective 

part is located. Noise is caused by a 

p)oorly made cormection, defective tube, 

resistor, condenser—usually quickly found 

if traced according to previous servicing 

instructions given in this department. See 

page 41. checking amplifier, Modern 

Theatre, issue December 4, for simplified 

servicing tips on checking audio amplifiers. 

The same advice applies to this 

.sound sy."rtem. 

MODELS TO FIT ALL THEATRES 

Motiograph manufactures several different 

models of stereosound to fit the requirements 

of any size theatre. Some time 

ago we told you about its MA- 7505A amplifiers 

for both stereosound and optic 

sound reproduction which have been used 

successfully in standard theatre sound 

systems for many years. In the company's 

slightly modified penthouse reproducer, a 

few months ago, a few important improvements 

were made in the case 'housingi and 

wiring, otherwise it is the same sound head. 

The changes made were the rounding off 

of all the comers .so it will have a much 

more attractive appearance and a few 


Drive-ln NOW 

and let us 

HELP 

When it comes to drive-ins The Ballantyne 

Company has always taken pride 

in being more than just a manufacturer 

of sound and projection equipment. 

We feel that countless owners and 

operators want help and advice on how 

to build a better, more economical 

drive-in. 

That's why we offer these services. 

If you have purchased land for a new 

drive-in, just send us the general plan 

and elevations. Without cost to you we 

will lay out the entire theatre. If you 

need plans for a projection booth, a 

refreshment area or ticket entrance, as 

illustrated above, we'll be glad to furnish 

them without charge. And of 

course, we furnish you with complete 

wiring diagrams as well. 

Now is not too soon to plan for next 

season. Take just two minutes and 

drop us a line if you're planning a new 

drive-in. We'd like to help. 

Originators of the complete pack' 

age for ttie Drive-ln Theofres 

'^Ballanti/ne(j& 

1712 Jackson Street Omaha, Nebraska 

\ars 8. 1955 47

SERVICING 

SOUND SYSTEMS 


slight changes in the wiring to facilitate 

service. 

The equipment can be very easily installed, 

in many cases by the theatre projection 

staff, provided they have had some 

audio servicing experience, and is very 

easy to keep in tip-top operating condition 

with only a limited amount of test equipment 

necessary as the circuits are not too 

complicated. Of course, where the theatre 

can afford it. the services of a good engineer 

should be employed to make the installation 

and instruct the projectionist 

how it should be operated for best results. 

After installation, only routine cleaning 

and occasional check of tubes is necessary. 

Tubes should be checked about every two 

or three months. Very little •expert" servicing 

is necessary all the time, but an occasional 

checkup by a sound engineer wiU 

assure good performance. 

A non-inverting, pressurized, water-type 

extinguisher that offers immediate firefighting 

efficiency is excellent for inexperienced 

operators, who can operate this 

type of extinguisher expertly because of 

its squeeze grip or lever action control. 

REPLACE APERTURES QUICKLY 

with the NEWs^S%^ 

SPRING LOADED 

New Drive-In Speakers S 

To Offer Stereo Effects 

Without Rewiring Ramps 

Drive-in operators using singl« 

speakers may now convert to stereof 

sound without rewiring the ramps 1 

stalling the Stereo 2. one of four sp< 

now being offered by Eprad, Inc. 

By using an automatic coupling 

over system, the Stereo 2 combin 

three channels through two 3 '2-inch 

in a single speaker case. The new pri 

in binaural sound is said to make th 

in-car sp>eaker one of the most co 

and economical on the market. It n 

the number of speakers, junction boxi 

Î^B^^ 1 

FINGER 

GRIP 

PLATE/ 

THE SPRING 

IS THE THING 

For 

Standard and Super Projectors. 

Remove one aspect ratio 

plate and replace with another — 

zip-zip -that quick! The blue tempered spring steel wedge holds 

plate firmly in place and the new finger grip facilitates rapid removal. 

Eliminates the P-445-E Sliding 

Piece. 

At your Theatre Equipment Dealers Now 

MANUFACTURED BY 

LaYezzi Machine Works 

4635 WEST LA|(E ST. • CHIC AGO 44, III. 

This is the Stereo 2, one of four speakers 

foctured by Iprad, Inc. 

the amount of booth equipment and i 

ground wiring normally required. 

Another speaker in the Eprad line 

Stereo 3 with three driver units. B 

necting each unit to the proper cl 

amplifier, it reproduces the sound 

the portion of the screen from wl 

emanates in its complete dynamic ra 

The other two speakers being offe 

Eprad are the Universal and the Sta: 

inexpensive Universal with its die-ca 

minum case was designed as a replac 

model. It is said to offer unusual b; 

sponse, fidelity and dynamic rangt 

Star, which has a Fiberglas case li 

Stereo models, is small enough to 

hand. 

Dit-Mco's New Atomic Jet Lamp House 

BLOWERS 

•Keep Reflectors CLEAN 

•Keep Lamps COO-L-E-R 

Should be considered as standard booth equipment to draw out 

increased hcot and carbon osh from lamp house ond stocks os 

result of higher ampcrancs from oil new, wide pictures. Exhousting 

carbon osh prevents trouble with change-over-switches, 

volume controls, tube sockets, switches . . stops danger of 

. 

scratching film. 

These grcot time, work ond money savers protect valuoble 

tooted lenses; give longer life to reflectors by eliminating 

icid, milky condition. Operate with lower omperogc^, reduce 

rorbon consumption, exhaust projection room heat and gases. 

Tit-Mco Blowers solve oil these problems. 

Available in 6 in. and 8 in. pipe sizes 

SPEAKER STAh 

and GUIDE LIG 

POSTS 

Fobricated to your specific 

from new or used steel pi 

tubing—black and golvan 

Write—Wire—P/ione 

Single 

Stack 

Write or Wire fnr Full Pctails. Prices on all items 

DRIVE-m THEATRE MFG. CO. "ditImco 

"World's Largest Manufacturer of Drlve-ln TlKatrc 

Equipment" 

505 W. 9th Street. HArrison 8007-8484. Kansas City. Mo. 

SONKEN-GALAMBA C 

2nd ond Riverview 

Kansas City 18, Konst 

ATwoter 9305 

48 

The MODERN THEATRE SI

, replacement 

rture Plate 

hanges 

P-1280 

FOR MORE 

INFORMATION 

Machine for Cleaning 

Upholstered Furniture 

P-1283 

USE Readers' 

Bureau Coupons, Page 35 

loaded aperture plate 

the LaVezzi Machine 

le need for handling two 

he aperture is removed 

s from one aspect ratio 

and easier. The new 

lich is available in all 

has a new finger grip 

itate removal. Consisty 

of an aperture plate 

red spring steel wedge 

)late in place, the new 

lown as the SP-672-E 

ed for use on either the 

uper Simplex projector 

for the 

aperture plate and the 

Bce. 

ner 

ns 

P-1281 

; baby bottle warmer of 

^pe. especially designed 

re concessionaires, was 

cent tradeshow in Chi- 

:equires no attention by 

;s. Patrons merely help 

laby's bottle is Inserted 

into the heating unit and it is warmed 

to the correct temperature, which is controlled 

by a thermostat, within a few minutes' 

time. The unit is designed to accommodate 

four large and two small bottles 

at the same time. There is no overheating, 

nor broken bottles or buined out units, the 

makers claim. Marketing it nationally 

under the name of Jobil Baby Bottle 

Warmer, the manufacturers report a growing 

acceptance for the new drive-in product. 

The unit is made of cast aluminum 

with Calrod heating elements, and is designed 

to operate on 110-220 volts alternating 

current only. The product is fabricated 

by the Jobil Products Co. 

Floor Wax Is Combined 

With An Insecticide 

P-1282 

Floors glow—Bugs 

" 

go is the claim made 

by the Freewax Corp. 

for its new combination 

floor wax and insecticide. 

Unconditionally 

guaranteed, 

PreeWax is said to 

not only kill insects 

such as ants, roaches 

and silver fish on 

contact but will outshine 

and outwear other waxes. The twoin-one 

wax also boasts many other superior 

qualities as a floor dressing. Because 

it is self-polishing. FreeWax is easy 

to apply yet it will not wash off from 

damp moppings. Removal is simply accomplished 

with soap and water. Another 

feature of the wax is that it offers nonskid 

protection on all surfaces whether 

they are wood, cement, rubber tile or 

others. The claims about its anti-slip 

properties are verified by the Underwriters 

Laboratories. 

Claims made (or prtducts described ediloriolly 

on this and other pages are token from the 

monutocturers' 

statements. 

Upholstered seats and lobby furniture 

in theatres can now be cleaned quickly and 

easily with the Upholstery Deterger and 

detergent, made by Von Schrader Manufacturing 

Co. The detergent is worked into 

dry air-blown suds which are thoroughly 

brushed into the fabric where they absorb 

dirt and foreign matter by means of an 

electrically powered nylon brush. The suds 

are then removed by a vacuum attachment. 

The cleaning process eliminates rinsing 

and assures quick drying. The detergent 

does not leave any sticky films which promote 

soiling nor will it harm wood surfaces. 

A moth-resistant ingredient has also been 

added to the cleaning fluid. The machine 

is designed for convenience. It weighs 

only 39 pounds and is easy to handle due 

to its handle and ball-bearing casters. 

Solidly constructed for durability, the 

Deterger operates from two universal 

motors on either AC or DC of 105 to 120 

volts. A six-month guarantee against mechanical 

or material defects accompanies 

each unit. 

Wall Sand Urns Require P-1284 

Minimum Maintenonce 

The problem of cigaret butts and like 

litter on the floor can be reduced with 

installation of the wall urns developed by 

Witte Building Specialties, Inc. The attractive 

receptacles, which are available in 

a choice of stainless steel or satin-finished 

bronze to fit any decorative scheme, are 

mounted on the wall surfaces by means of 

adhesives or bolts. The urns are filled 

with sand, are said to be easy to maintain. 

uary 8, 1955 49

The MODERN THEATRE SE 

Multiple Drink Dispenser P-1285 

Unusually Compact Unit 

"The smallest multiple 

drink cup machine 

ever made" is 

how Cole Products 

Corp. describes its 

new ColeSpa Special. 

Available in one, 

three and four-flavor 

models, the unit measures 

65 inches high. 

24^2 inches wide and 

22 '2 inches deep. The 

Special, said to be the 

lowest-priced unit in 

the history of the industry, 

has a syrup 

capacity that ranges from 830 drinks on 

the single-flavor model to over 1,500 on 

the three and four-drink models. Drinks 

can be dispensed at the rate of one every 

five seconds and are counted with nonresettable 

automatic register. A choice of 

either carbonated or non-carbonated beverages 

may be served and a drink adjustor 

allows the operator to set the ratio of 

syrup to water at a constant measure. The 

mechanism may be serviced through the 

front door of the stainless steel unit. Complicated 

electrical circuits have been eliminated 

in favor of two relays which control 

the operation. Illuminated flavor card 

panels are standard equipment. 

A New Formfitting Chair P-1286 

For Theatre Auditoriums 

International Seat Corp., originators of 

,0^^ 

all-steel unit construction in theatre seats, 

has announced the addition of a new line, 

the Pacemaker. The new seats are said to 

offer a deeper and more formfitting back 

and seat upholstery to give the patron 

greater comiort. Like all other International 

seats, the Pacemakers are constructed 

of steel throughout. The backs 

are attached to the sideplates by means 

of steel wings which assui-e proper back 

pitch and rigidity. The system is claimed 

to reduce costs and minimize errors during 

the installation of the seats. Details on the 

new chairs are obtainable from most independent 

theatre supply dealers or the 

manufacturer. 

mmmi) 

m 

Exploitation 

For Double Billing 

Frame Designed 

The problem of advertising 

late bookings 

may be solved by 

means of the Duplex, 

a double - billinp 

frame designed and 

produced by the 

Romar-Vide Co. The 

nationally distributed 

frame will hold two 

11x14 - inch inserts 

plus a 2x14 date strip. 

Constructed for durability, 

the weatherproof 

Duplex is made 

of double-strength 

P- 

^"o NOW SHOW 

glass and stainless 

steel frames. Each 

unit is fully guaranteed 

and replacements 

ai'e made without 

charge. The frames are installed 

ject to the exhibitor's approval. The 

pany also makes signs for concessions 

bars, counters and for boxoffices. A : 

escent card stock is 

used. 

New Device Uses Ozone 

To Clean Air 

The General Ozone Corp. has re( 

placed on the market an air deodori 

be attached to the sidewall of hei 

cooling equipment or on the suctioi 

of an air duct. The self-contained 

which is designed for use with forci 

circulating systems, operates on the 

ciple of adding small quantities of 

to the air stream. The ozone is immed 

diffused in the air where it oxidizes tl: 

desirable foreign matter. The rr 

state the ozone is not noticeable if 

in the proper proportions. 

P 

-RICE REDUCTIOI^S 

in their World Famous 

Here's good news! 

Bodde Seamless 

aluminum or matte 2ualiiu 

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No welded seams 

* No streaks 

Hard aluminum surface does not mar when touched 

or cleaned, and truly washable 

"New" screen brightness LASTS! 

Plus double-weight screen for added strength 

Three gain factors to choose from 

M 

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KSi^SSSiS- 

See your Local Supply Dealer (or contact //.« direct for further information) 

THE BODDE SCREEN COMPANY 

8829 VENICE BOULEVARD • LOS ANGELES 34, CALIFORNIA 

.ff 

.«4 

Animated Signs in Multicolor P 

For Theatre Display Advertising 

HOTDIi 

Eye appeal plus durability is the 

that the Liquid Light Co. makes in 1 

to its animated display signs. Animal 

achieved in the signs by a constant 

volving drum of six 

different colors 

are reflected through the Plexiglas 1 

mounted on a Plexiglas message 

Constructed of heavy gauge meta 

dm-ability and finished in a silver har 

tone, the signs may be plugge 

anywhere. The signs have been api; 

by the Underwriters' Laboratories. Th 

wired with a six-foot cord.

— 

vôunted 

!-lns 

P-1290 

of the drive-in. It is 

n and is equipped with 

; carbon dioxide, dry 

izing liquids. The three 

carrying the Under- 

:e it possible to fight 

f fires that might occur 

ition such as gasoline 

, 

electrical and upholthe 

units after use may 

sily by members of the 

sol P-1291 

in operators who have 

id landscaping to care 

Inc., has developed sev- 

:le bar mowers that, it 

every cutting job plus 

iltivating soil in garden 

;, the Junior and the 

'd for these uses at out- 

The larger Champion 

ckle bar which will hug 

I and mow heavy weeds, 

The 

without stalling. 

ed by a 2'2-h.p. motor 

nd the Junior operates 

tor. The two machines 

ir except for size. Snow 

rer. sprayer and tiller 

mailable for both. 

to revarnish your wood 

what kind of varnish 

jI 

lishes become more or 

dy heat and that makes 

ion. Use only varnish 

for seating, but if you 

•ouble of stickiness, try 

.t of a good water wax, 

the wax is dry. 

The toUowing concerns have recently 

filed copies of interesting descriptive literature 

with the Modern Theatre Information 

Bureau. Readers who wish copies may 

obtain them promptly by using the Readers' 

Bureau postcard in this issue of The Modern 

Theatre. 

L-1689 The complete story of the hand 

di-yers manufactured by the Electric Aire 

Engineering Corp. is told in a well-illustrated 

catalog. Two types of the "C" model 

dryers, one a recessed wall model and the 

other a surface type, are fully discussed 

from the architects' specifications to their 

working parts. Among the many features 

listed for both models are variable air direction, 

electric lighted instructions, breakproof 

housing and nozzle guard and easy 

repair plus a two-year guarantee. Instructions 

on the planning of installations are 

also included. 

L-1690 Of particular interest to outdoor 

operators will be the new ciixular entitled 

"Wide Screens for Drive-Ins" prepared 

and distributed by Motiograph, Inc. 

After giving many reasons for increasing 

the width of screens, the problem of additional 

projection and sound equipment is 

discussed. Each of the special needs in 

lenses, arc lamps, filters, power sources, 

current supply, sound equipment and projectors 

are dealt with in full by means of 

words and photographs. Although the material 

is being distributed by Motiograph, 

il does not concern itself solely with that 

firm's equipment but makes recommendations 

on the products of other manufacturers. 

The circular, by outlining conversion 

problems and offering solutions for 

each, may save theatremen much confusion. 

L-1691 The advantages of the service 

contract offered by Altec Service Corp. 

are detailed in a new eight-page booklet 

prepared by the firm. By means of a photostory, 

the service and protection rendered 

by Altec's 200 field engineers to over 6,000 

theatres is told. Operating out of 31 

branch offices throughout the nation, the 

fieldmen handle the installation, inspection, 

service and maintenance of all types 

of sound equipment. 

MODERN THEATRE SEATING 

inFAl 

(totntbelovesl m the i""— —== 

priced to t\ê«»«^^ = 

Ytee_^ 

luxurious. 

- p\anmnSservKC.^ 

\Hera^ 

^nle tor 

SEATING COMPANY 

MODERNIZED 

WASHROOMS 

INCLUDE 

recessed 

ELECTRIC-AIRE 

New Recessed "C" Model 

HAND 

Electrjc-Aire 

DRYERS project only 

3-'!4" from the wall. Especially 

designed for low 

cost installation in new 

construction and modernizeti 

walls. 

ARCHITECTS and ENGI- 

NEERS specify Electric- 

Aire. It preserves the 

original conception of a 

modern washroom and 

assures many years of 

trouble-free dependable 

service. 

OWNERS and USERS 

prefer Electric -A ire because 

of its quick, chap 

free hand and face drying, 

and automatic around the 

clock service . . . and because 

it keeps washrooms 

looking neater and 

cleaner. 

IF YOU WOULD LIKE THE FACTS- 

Write Todoy to . . . 

lary 8, 1955 51

— 

about PEOPLE/and PRODUCT h 

W.W"' 

Richard N. Greenwood, president of the 

Heywood-Wakefield Co., recently observed 

his 25th anniversary at the helm of the 

firm which manufactures theatre seats and 

other types of furniture. A direct descend- 

At the annual fall membership meeting 

of the Carpet Institute, the trustees elected 

Charles A. Karagheusian to serve as chairman 

of the board. Karagheusian, who is 

chairman of the board of A&M Karagheusian, 

Inc., succeeds James G. Law, vicepresident 

of the Magee Carpet Co. Two 

new members were elected to the association's 

board and two others were re-elected. 

The new members are Herbert Shuttleworth, 

president of the Mohawk Carpet 

Mills, and Alfred de Gozzaldi, president of 

Roxbury Carpet Co. Re-elected were James 

D. Wise, president of Bigelow-Sanford 

Carpet Co., and Joseph L. Eastwick, president 

of James Lees & Sons Co. 

Richard N. 

Greenwood 

ant of the original Heywood brothers, 

Greenwood took over the presidency of the 

129-year-old firm at the beginning of the 

depression. While other seating manufacturers 

were going out of business, he developed 

Heywood-Wakefield into one of the 

leaders in its field by the inauguration of 

systems and policies such as the development 

of new products, national advertising 

and the installation of conveyors at the 

plant. 

STANDARDIZE With 

Super Cleaning 

Replace outmoded mops, brooms, domestic type vacs 

and other miscellaneous hard-to-use cleaning aids with 

a Super Heavy Duty Suction Cleaner. Standardize with 

the Super and especially designed Super Tools that 

squarely meet your individual problems of theater 

cleaning. Do the job better, faster, for less money. 

Everybody's doing it. A recent letter to a Super Distributor 

is typical. **We are now planning to standardize 

on the National Super Service Cleaner Model M. 

Kindly send us 4 additional copies of the parts list 

for this unit." (Name on request) 

Theaters all over the country are standardizing 

their cleaning job with a Super. Let your Super 

dealer show you how to get the best job for the 

least money. Or write. 

NATIONAL SUPER SERVICE CO., INC. 

1941 N. 12th St., Toledo 2, Ohio 

At a series of banquets across the United 

States, 265 employes of the product manufacturing 

and service divisions of the Radio 

Corp. of America were inducted into the 

RCA Victor 25-Year Club and presented 

with gold watches in recognition of their 

long service. The addition of the new' 

group brought the number of eligible employes 

to nearly 1,800. 

It was originally organized 

by RCA product and service division 

in 1948. 

The largest ceremony took place at 

Philadelphia where 166 new members were 

em-oUed at a luncheon which was attended 

by 1,200 other club members. The 

main speaker at the ceremony was Theodore 

A. Smith, vice-president and general 

manager of the engineering products division. 

D. P. Schmit, vice-president in charge 

of engineering, awarded the watches. 

The other new members were enlisted at 

plant ceremonies at Lancaster, Pa.; Indianapolis, 

Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Detroit, 

Camden and Harrison, N. J. 

Super Model BP-1 

— Quiet, double 

dutycleaner 

both wetand 

dry pickup. 

M 

Model 

general cleaning 

Easily converted to 

blower. 

o 

Sales and Service in Principal Cities 

In Canada: Plant Maintenance Equipment Co, 

Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver 

"Once Over Does If" 

SUPER SUCTION 

SINCE 1911 (§) 

THE DRAFT HORSE OF POWER SUCTION CLEANERS" 

o 

Jerry Prizant, installation engineer (left', 

c section of the thousands of electrical! 

plates in the new Westinghouse Preci 

purefier which was just recently insolli 

Clark Theatre, Chicago, while James Stev 

tre engineer, looks on. The precipitron, c 

installed in theatres throughout the U. S 

daily designed to remove allergyproducin 

from the air. The purefier was installed 

a $50,000 modernization program at the C 

Three executive appointments 

Three Dimension Co., a division c 

Howell Co., were announced by R 

Smith, vice-president of sales ant 

tising. John P. Stewart was nai 

tional manager of filmstrip projec 

and Wes Summerfield was appoint 

ager of tape recorder sales. John 

ken will be the new assistant to t 

president in charge of sales and ad\ 

The sales service division of t 

man Kodak Co. is now distributin 

revised edition of its "Notes on 

Photography." The pamphlet, v 

punched to fit Kodak's Photograpl 

book, contains advice for photogra 

the handling of film and equip 

tropical areas where heat and hum 

the main sources of trouble. It ma 

tained by writing the Sales Service 

Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester 4, 

"y[ou Can t ûy. JSett 

Wl LLI AMS 

SCREEN 

COMPAI 

1679 SUMMIT LAKE BLVD., DepL1679AKF 

ORIGINATORS OF All.PlASriC t SEAMLESS PLASTI 

52 The MODERN THEATRE £

1 will 

. The 

— 

(OFFICE 

J|]^îJJl)5 

ilTOR HAS HIS SAY ABOUT PICTURES 

ARTISTS 

(AA)—This is an extra 

Play it on a weekend 

dian fans will love it. 

Theatre, St. Stephen, 

n (AA)—John Hodiak, 

;e Bennett. Just a waste 

;, it was a good thing 

vas excellent. Title will 

3y sure let you know 

ut. Played Wed., Thurs., 

;old with light snow. 

House Theatre, Coati- 

1 and rural patronage. 

JMBIA 

) 

— Humphrey Bogart, 

lacMurray. If you want 

be proud of, play 

n't think it will be a 

W. S. Funk, Star The- 

C. Population 1,200. 

MOUNT 

-Alan Ladd, James Ma- 

.. A good picture with 

vorth what Paramount 

Too cruel to suit the 

Dod and if you can buy 

ertainly won't have any 

I little money. Played 

jood.—Fred L. Murray, 

iritvvood, Sask. Smallnage. 

1)—Bing Crosby, Bob 

or. Bing, Bob and Dot- 

; comedy. It had plenty 

e plentiful. Good color, 

un. Weather: O. K.— 

Stic Theatre, Eureka, 

,d rural patronage. 

(Para)—Charlton Hesibert 

Young. Fairly good 

rticular drawing power, 

bought right. Charlton 

ere. Played Sun., Mon. 

;ool.—Terry Axley, New 

t. Small-town and rural 

s (Para)—Betty Hutton, 

rt Keith. Betty Hutton 

J didn't have many of 

chimp in the pic- 

. Played Wed., Thurs. 

lael Chiaventone, Valley 

;y. 111. Small-town and 

RADIO 

Disney Cartoon Feature, 

le ole wooden head, my 

t has done well again, 

ith "Tarzan and (of all 

vil." Played Tliurs. to 

.—Lew Bray jr.. Queen 

xa.s. Medium size town, 

iking patronaige. 

UBUC 

eeps 

(Rep)—Gig Young, 

uide Jan. 8. 1955 

Mala Powers, William Talman. Interesting 

cops and crooks drama of Chicago after 

dark. Customers go for this type occasionally. 

Biz good.—Frank Sabin, Majestic Theatre, 

Eureka, Mont. Small-town and rural patronage. 

20th CENTURY-FOX 

David and Bathsheba (20th-Fox)—Gregory 

Peck, Susan Hayward, Raymond Massey. An 

oldie that we were forced to play percentage 

'It Should Happen to You 

—And It Did! 

•ToEHHS: 

I haven't been reporting^ lately because 

I haven't been able to buy a 3c 

stamp to mail the letter. I have had TV 

in this area about two and a half years 

now. In the beginning all the motion picture 

salesmen told me that it would cut 

down my business for a year or a year 

and a half and then let up. Now, some 

of them say three years and some admit 

that they don't know if my business will 

ever come back. 

If any readers know how I can get 

back my lost audience I wish they would 

answer me in BOXOFFICE. No matter 

what I play—and I am playing the top 

pictures—I can only take in $25 to $50 

top in two days. On many pictures at 

$20 to $17.50 flat, I'm paying 60 to 75 per 

cent for film. And I have paid as high as 

110 per cent. A few days ago on a Columbia 

picture I guaranteed $20 and grossed 

$19 in two days. The title of this picture 

was "It Should Happen to You." 

Thanks to our friendly theatre supply 

house, we put in CinemaScope and opened 

several weeks ago with "The Kobe." I 

found that all my patrons had gone to 

large towns at a distance of 50 to 100 

miles to see the picture eight months 

to a year ago. Our second 'OS picture 

was "How to Marry a Millionaire" on 

which we did less than average business. 

The same was true for "Ring of Fear." 

What's the answer? 

W. S. FUNK 

Star Theatre 

St. Stephen, S. C. 

and it wasn't worth it. If possible play it 

straight and you can make a dollar. Played 

Wed., Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather: Cold.— 

Harold Bell, Opera House Theatre, Coaticook. 

Que., Small-town and rural patronage. 

Garden of Evil (20th-Fox)—Gary Cooper, 

Susan Hayward, Richard Widmark. This picture 

is no big special by a long shot. Just a 

fair outdoor picture and certainly not worth 

the percentage terms asked. Played for three 

days, Thursday through Saturday and the 

picture's draw was only fair. I weis left with 

only $9.36 for my share. 'Scope is a great 

thing but where is all the money we were 

going to make by putting it in?—W. L. Stratton. 

Lyric Theatre, Challis, Idaho. Small-town 

and rural patronage. 

Inferno (20th-Fox)—Robert Ryan, Rhonda 

Fleming, William Lundigan. Another excellent 

film from Fox. Thoroughly enjoyed by till 

patrons. Because of the title many missed It 

and then complained bitterly because of it. 

This is in brilliant Technicolor, has top performances 

and plenty of action. We played the 

2-D version. Those equipped for 3-D should 

do very well with this film. Played Thurs., 

Fri., Sat. Weather: Very hot.—Dave S. Klein, 

Astra Theatre, Kitwe-Nkana, Northern Rhodesia, 

Africa. Mining, government and business 

patronage. 

Ruby Gentry (20th-Fox)—Jennifer Jones 

Charlton Heston, Karl Maiden. Boy, there 

are surprises in this business every day. 

Thought this was going to be another "turkey" 

but it really upset the applecart. Best 

Wednesday night in over a year, topping even 

"Quo Vadis." Jennifer Jones, Charlton Heston 

and Karl Maiden give outstanding dramatic 

portrayals. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: 

Cool.—Norman Merkel. Time Theatre, Albert 

City, Iowa. Small-town and rural patronage. 

Three Young Texans (20th-Fox)—Mitzi 

Gaynor, Keefe Brasselle, Jeffrey Hunter. Just 

another western as far as story is concerned 

but the atmosphere was very pleasing and 

enjoyed by all. Played Wed., Thurs., Fri., 

Sat. Weather: Cool.—Harold Bell, Opera 

House Theatre, Coaticook, Que. Small-town 


UNITED ARTISTS 

Lone Gun, The (UA)—George Montgomery, 

Dorothy Malone, Frank Faylen. A good 

western—not in the old formula of the general 

run of stuff. Business above average. 

Played Sat. Weather: O. K.—D. W. Trisko, 

Runge Theatre, Runge, Texas. Small-town 


Sabre Jet (UA)—Robert Stack, Coleen Gray, 

Richard Arlen. Airplane stories draw well 

with my folks. Price was right. Color helped 

put it over. Fair enough! Played Tues., Wed. 

Weather: O. K.—Frank Sabin, Majestic Theatre, 

Eureka, Mont. Small-town and rural 

patronage. 

Shark River (UA)—Steve Cochran, Carole 

Mathews, Warren Stevens. Not a bad film but 

it wasn't worth the rental we were charged. 

The UA office in Johannesburg has a bad 

habit of saying 50 per cent each time they 

think they have a fair film. Yes, "Shark 

River" is right—title and rental quite coincidental. 

Now, if you can get it at the right 

rental, action houses will do well. We just 

about broke even. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: 

Hot.—Dave S. Klein, Astra Theatre, 

Kitwe-Nkana, Northern Rhodesia, Africa. 

Mining, government and business patronage. 

Top Banana (UA)—Phil Silvers, Rose Mary, 

Danny Scholl. Better screen this before you 

show it. Some towns like Phil Silvers and 

some towns don't.—E. M. Freiburger, Dewey 

Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small-town and rural 

patronage. 

UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL 

Border River (U-D—Joel McCrea, Yvonne 

De Carlo, Pedro Armendariz. Picture is good. 

Played to slightly better than average business 

on my Friday and Saturday change. 

We did miss the Indians in this one but it 

was a change anyway.—W. L. Stratton, Lyric 

Theatre, Challis, Idaho. Small-town and 

rural patronage. 

Johnny Dark (U-D—Tony Curtis, Don 

(Continued on next page) 

< 

v2 

X 

< X 

P 

X 

X 

a 

z 

< 

CO 

< 

X

P1 

' 

The EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY 

(Continued from preceding page) 

Taylor, Piper Laurie. Saw this on wide screen 

in a neighboring city. Good sport car racing 

picture. Don Taylor and Piper Laurie turn 

in good acting jobs. Tony Curtis is in it for 

the bobbysox bunch. Business was fair at 

their theatre. Played wed.-Sat.—Norman 

Merkel, Time Theatre, Albert City, Iowa. 

Small-town and rural patronage. 

Law and Order (U-D—Ronald Reagan, 

Dorothy Malone, Preston Foster. This is a 

real rough one. Ronald Reagan is made marshal 

and proceeds to carry out his duties to 

the letter. Has plenty of trouble with town 

bosses but, of course, "law and order" is the 

final result. Color and story good. Played 

Wed., Thurs. Weather: Still cold and cloudy. 

—James Wiggs, jr., Tar Theatre, Tarboro, 

N. C. Small-town and rural patronage. 

Saskatchewan (U-D—Alan Ladd, Shelley 

Winters, J. CarroU Naish. This is one of the 

better films in Technicolor and, except for 

Shelley Winters, who in our estimation louses 

up any picture, drew fairly well. Whoever 

designed her gowns was certainly playing to 

the male pait of the audience. Played Sun., 

Mon. Weather: Rainy and cool.—Walt and 

Ida Breitling, Comfrey Theatre, Comfrey, 

Minn. Small-town and rural patronage. 

Thunder Bay (U-D—James Stewart, Dan 

Duryea, Joanne Dru. Splendid picture classified 

as a drama but it should have been 

called melodrama. Plenty of action yet not a 

shot fired—something new! James Stewart 

is splendid in this picture and so are the 

rest of the cast. It's a better picture than 

"Bend of the River." Drew 140 per cent even 

with very bad roads. Played Mon., Tues. 

Weather: Poor.—Fred L. Murray, Strand Theatre, 

Spiritwood, Sask. Small-town and rural 

patronage. 

Yankee Pasha (U-D— Jeff Chandler, 

Rhonda Fleming, Mamie Van Doren. C3ood 

picture. What lovely "babes in the harem." 

Sort of an Arabian Nights tale. Color wonderful. 

Played Tues. Weather: Warm.— 

Michael Chiaventone, Valley Theatre, Spring 

Valley, 111. Small-town and rural patronage. 

WARNER BROS. 

(WBi—Kirk Etoug- 

Along the Great Divide 

las, Virginia Mayo, Walter Brennan. Just a 

good average western in color. If your patrons 

like westerns they will go for this one. Not 

too much shoot-em-up and a little more 

story. This is old and Warners sold it to 

me right and I made a little money which 

is more than I can say for the last two 

months. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Good and 

the farmers busy.—Fi-ed L. Murray, Strand 

Theatre, Spiritwood, Sask. Small-town and 

rural patronage. 

Desert Song, The (WB)—Kathryn Grayson, 

Gordon MacRae, Steve Cochran. This 

wasn't as well liked as the previous version 

which starred Dennis Morgan. Dick Wesson 

really had an opportunity to show audiences 

that he is a great comedian. He stole the 

picture so far as acting was concerned. 

Music beautiful—business normal. Played 

Sun., Mon. Weather: Cool.—Michael Chiaventone, 

Valley Theatre, Spring Valley, III. Medium 

size town second run patronage. 

Dial M For Murder (WB)—Ray Milland, 

Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings. One of the 

top murder mysteries of all time. Top playing 

time. Advertise it big—W. S. Funk, Star 

Theatre, St. Stephen, S. C. Population 1,200. 

Fort Worth (WB^—Randolph Scott, David 

Brian, Phyllis Thaxter. This Randolph Scott 

is an "oldie" but a "goodie." The previous 

exhibitor here had passed it up although I 

wouldn't know why. Doubled it with "Black 

Fury" (WB) to our best Friday-Saturday 

business since the first of the year. Can't un- 

Bob Walker since he's still big here. Played 

Friday-Saturday. Weather: Cool.—Norman 

Merkel, Time Theatre, Albert City, Iowa. 


High and the Mighty, The (WB)—John 

Wayne, Claire Trevor, Laraine Day. Now 

here is a motion picture! It is very good and 

holds interest from the start for the full 

147 minutes. It is nice to get pictures like 

this to run for your public but I would like 

to know why we do it when the producers 

won't let us make a dime profit on them? 

This picture was sold to me for 50 per cent 

of the gross. Did over $300 and I came up 

nearly $4 short of breaking even. I just cannot 

understand why the producers cannot— 

or won't sell these pictures to the small towns 

so that they can make a fair profit. This is 

the seventh Cinemascope picture I have 

played and I have not even started to regain 

the money paid out for the lens to run them 

with. I am going to refuse to buy any more 

50 per cent pictures as it is just a waste of 

time to work for the producers. Played for 

four days: Sun. through Wed.—W. L. Stratton, 

LjTic Theatre, Challis, Idaho. 

Island in the Sky (WB)—John Wayne, 

Lloyd Nolan, James Arness. For an egg well 

laid, take this—and I hope you get some 

business—I didn't. We had the egg but didn't 

make the coffee money to go with it. Played 

Tues., Wed. Weather: Cool.—Lew Bray jr.. 

Queen Theatre, McAllen, Tex. Medium smalltown 

English-Spanish speaking patronage. 

Moonlighter, The (WB)—Barbara Stanwyck, 

Fred MacMuiTay, Ward Bond. Have yet 

to run a 3-D picture in 2-D that was worth 

the film it was printed on. Just a waste of 

two good stars—Fred MacMurray and Barbara 

Stanwyck. If these two will draw for 

you—okay, but you still won't please folks. 

Played Wed., Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weath3r: Rain. 

—Harold Bell, Opera House Theatre, Coaticook. 

Que. Small-town and rural patronage. 

Three Sailors and a Girl (WB) — Jane 

Powell, Gordon MacRae, Gene Nelson. Nothing 

wrong with the picture except the drawing 

power. We just can't seem to sell music, 

regardless. Guess our patrons are tired of 

seeing this type of picture on TV so they 

want a change when they venture out to a 

picture sliow. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: 

Fair.-Mayme P. Musselman, Roach Theatre, 

Lincoln, Kas. Small-town and rural patronage. 

(WBi-Jane Pow- 

Three Sailors and a Girl 

ell, Gordon MacRae, Gene Nelson. Very entertaining 

little musical with good comedy. 

However, I've said before and I repeat; unless 

it's a musical of the caliber of "Gentlemen 

Prefer Blondes," it doesn't go over here. Of 

the 143 programs we've shown this year, only 

seven have grossed lower than this. Played 

Tues., Wed. Weather: Good.—James H. Hamilton, 

Pine Hill Drive-In Theatre, Picayune 

Miss. Small-town and rural patronage. 

Thunder Over the Plains (WB)—Randolph 

Scott, Lex Barker, PhylUs Kirk. A Randy 

Scott movie that is good but westerns have 

shown the biggest drop in attendance since 

TV. We just can't do anything with a western 

any more—super or not, they do not draw. 

Business: Just over 75 per cent. Played 

Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather: Pair.—Ken Christianson, 

Roxy Theatre, Washburn, N.D. 


MISCELLANEOUS 

Amazing Mr. X, The (SR)—Turhan Bey, 

Lynn Bari, Cathy O'Donnel. Doubled with 

Abbott and Costello in "Who Done It" for 

a Halloween midnight show. • We had a lot 

of competition around us so we didn't do as 

well as expected—but not bad, considering 

we stUl had a good average day's business. 

Toward the end of "Mr. X" we turned the 

hghts off and a small spot on and had our 

aisles. This sure clammered everyone U] 

ing to find out who it was. Played Sat. 

night. Weather: Cool.—Lew Bray jr., ( 

Theatre, McAilen. Tex. Small-town 

mixed English-Spanish speaking patr( 

Country Parson (SR)—In a Lutheran 

munity. which ours is, this one put m£ 

the table. My patrons liked it better 

"Martin Luther" and it made me more n 

Play it, by all means, and you'll be : 

and so will your patrons. This film was 

by the Lutheran church and in no wa; 

offensive to any other church group. Pi 

like this make it great to be in this bu 

Rental fair—no percentage—no adve: 

budget—nobody trying to tell you how 

your theatre and it was one of the t 

grosses all summer. We have two live 

nels on TV batting us down and we 

shows like this to drag them away frorr 

sets. Rush a date if you haven't yet 

; 

it. I played it on big screen 2:1 and it 

out swell. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: G 

Ray S. Hanson, Fox Theatre, Fertile, 


I'm From Arkansas (SR)—If you ar 

small rural situation this hillbilly is gi 

teed to pull them in. There is plenty c 

in this one and, for the first time in n 

moon, I got what I call a good Fridayday 

turnout. A prolonged dry spell h 

only dried up the land but the farme 

come as well so it was wonderful to 

good house for a change. I booked i 

the Wallace Film Exchange in Atlant 

this company has the best terms for 

towns of any distributor there. Wf 

Clear and cold.—I. Roche, Vernon T 

Vernon, Fla. Small-town and rural f 

age. 

Keep 'Em Slugging (SR^—Reis.sue. 

End Kids, Evelyn Ankers, Frank Alb 

This is an old one and a good little 

but, due to low line voltage, my patror 

disappointed all three nights. Believe it 

have done all right under normal com 

Played Tues., Wed., Thurs. Weather 

and cool.—Garland Lamb. Crown T 

Lincoln, Ark. Small-town and rural i 

age. 

Knockout Parade (Swartz-Ind.i— 

ette. If you need a good selling shoi 

ject with a^punch—this is it. Sold rigl 

good paper and trailer. We need rr 

these featurettes that can be sold tc 

some of the small pictures to make the 

money-makers. Boxoffice only a 

Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Warm 

Christianson, Roxy Theatre, Washburr 


Reaching From Heaven (SR)—Here 

of the best small-town pictures I ha' 

played in my drive-in theatre. We pi 

on a Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday t( 

250 per cent of normal top busines 

third day outgrossed the second daj 

eating it had good word-of-mouth a( 

ing. Still getting compliments from i 

trons.—Ray Schmidt, Family Drive-I: 

atre, Jasper, Ind. Small-town and rur 

ronage. 

Tomorrow Is Too Late (Burstyn)— 

geli, Vittorio DeSica, Lois Maxwell, 

one honey of a film which played to 

lent houses. Usually our crowd does i 

"sub" titles but they came in their hi 

to see it. I would recommend any hoi 

where to play it. Slant your advertis 

ward the family and ask them to brir 

children 12 and over. You'll make pi 

friends. And, small houses, don't pa 

cause it's in Italian. If your patrons a 

they'll love it and word-of-mouth wi 

in "the others. Played Sun., Mon., 

Weather: Fine.—Dave S. Klein, Astra 

tre, Kitwe-Nkana, Northern Rhodes 

rica. Mining, government and busine 

TnnQCTP

I Drama 

e number. For listings by company, in the order of releose, see Feature Chart. JJ^^JJ^^^ Ui^Z^î 

od; Good; — Fair; ~ Poor; — Very Poor. In the summary if is rated 2 pluses, — as 2 minuses. 

rama Para 5- 1-54 d: 

UA 1- 2-54 tt 

tie 

20th-Fox 10-16-54 ± 

oe (90) Drama UA 6- 5-54 ff 

106) Drama. . .Col 6-27-53 + 

cumenlary RKO 9-25-54 + 

I.F.E. 7-31-54 + 

Para 2- 6-54 — 

(Jy U-l 6- 5-54 + 

a 

RKO 

ry. .Mayer-Kingslty 2- 6-54 + 

UA 7- 3-54 + 

raraa AA 4-17-54 + 

MGM 11- 6-54 ff 

nedy Rep 12-18-54 ± 

^ 

2) Western. .MGM 12-18-54 + 

Drama Col 12-26-53 ± 

Col 2-27-54 ± 

3 Col 12-18-54 ± 

!g) Drama... UA 10- 9-54 ++ 

Col 2-27-54 ± 

UA 

ima UA 1- 1-55 + 

UA 1-30-54 + 

UA 3- 6-54 - 

a MGM 10- 9-54 4+ 

a 

LP 

AA 

AA 3-13-54 + 

Vestern Col 9-11-54 + 

LP 

Western U-l 5-22-54 + 

rama Col 10-30-54 + 

Drama 

le 

LP 4-24-54 ± 

LP 

U-l 8- 7-54 + 

20th-Fox U-27-54 - 

UA 12-25-54 + 

2mh-Fox 10-30-54 ++ 

I) Drama AA 10- 9-54 + 

U-l 1- 9-54 ± 

Drama U-l 1-23-54 + 

Western WB 8-28-54 + 

ers (66) 

imedy 

AA 7-17-54 ± 

AA 

8) Drama... WB 1-16-54 + 

0) Drama. I.F.E. 10-23-54 + 

15) Drama.. .Para 1- 1-55 ++ 

MGM 8-14-54 )+ 

2Glh-Fox B- 7-54 ff 

irama Col 8-21-54 —

tEVIEW DIGEST « very Good; + Good; ± Fair; - Poor; = Very Poor. In the summory ff is rated 2 pluses, — as 2 minuses. 

>31 Great Gilbert and Sullivan, Tlis (112) 

Musical UA U-14-53 +t 

;73Grecn Fire (100) Drama MGM 12-25-54 + 

)79 Guilt Is My Shadow (86) Drama Siratlord 5- 8-54 ± 

i53 Gypsy Coll (72) Drama MGM 1-30-54 -f 

++ 

+ 

-f- ± -f tt 

4+ tt 1>4- 

+ + s-fi- 

- 1+2- 

+ 7+1- 

H 

Half-way to Hell (61) Documentary. .Hallmafk 

Hans Christian Andcreen (112) 

Musical 

RKO 11-29-52 H 

Hansel and Gretel (75) Fantasy RKO 10-16-54 + 

Heat Wave (70) Drama LP 10-16-54 

Heidi (97) Drama UA 1- 9-54 ++ 

Hell and High Water (103) Drama 

(Cinemascope) 20th-F(a 2- 6-54 H 

Hell Below Zero (90) Drama Col 5-29-54 -f 

Hell Raiders of tite Deep (93) Drama. . I.F.E. 5- 8-54 + 

Hell's Half Acre (91) Drama Rep 2-13-54 ± 

Hell's Outpost (..) Drama Rep 

Ho- Twelve Men (91) Comedy-Drama MGM 7- 3-54 (+ 

Hijh and Dry (93) Comedy U-l 8-28-54 -f 

High and the Mighty, The (153) Drama 

(Cinemascope) WB 5-29-54 tt 

Highway Dragnet (72) Drama AA 1-30-54 ± 

His Last Twelve Hours (89) Com-Or.. . I.F.E. 6-26-54 + 

His Majesty O'Keefe (88) Drama WB 1- 2-54 + 

Hohson's Choice (107) Comedy UA 6-19-54 f)- 

Hondo (83) Drama (Three-dimension) WB 12- 5-53 tt 

Horse's Mouth, The (77) 

Comedy Hayer-Klngsley 1-23-54 + 

Human Desire (90) Drama Col 8-14-54 ± 

Human Jungle (82) Drama AA 9-18-54 + 

Husband for Anna, A (105) Drama I.F.E.

I; + Good; * Foir; — Poor; = Very Poor. In the summary W is rated 2 pluses, — os 2 minuses. REVIEW DIGEST 

3 

5

I 

Return From the Sea (80). . . .0. 

.W. 

. 

I 

i 

©aStudent 

mWMi fiiJiJil? 

. 

time is in parentheses. Letters ond combinations thereof indicote story type as follows: (C) Com 

Dromo; (AD) Adventure-Dramo; (CD) Comedy-Drama; (F) Fantasy; (M) Musical; (W) Western; (SV 

western. Releose number follows, o denotes EOXOFFICE Clue Ribbon Award Winner. Phot 

G Color; \' 3-D; a Wide Screen. For review dates and Picture Guide pogc numbers, see Review Die 

. 

ALLIED 

ARTISTS 

Forty-Ninen, The (70'/2) W. .5424 

Wild BUI Elliott. Virginia Grey, Denver Pyle 

IS Bowery Boys Meet the Monsters 

(66) C..5419 

Leo Oorcey, Huntz Hall. L«ura Mason 

@ Desperado, The (81) W. .5426 

Wayne Morrto, Betetly Oarland. J. Lydon 

m Weak and the Wicked, The 

(72) 0..5432 

Olynlj Jofana, Jobn Qregson. Simons BHva 

.5409 

Jan Sterling. Neville Brand, Robert Arthur 

COLUMBIA 

-J/Mod Mogicion, The (72) D. .640 

Vincent Price. Mary Murphy. Eva Gabor 

Massacre Canyon (66) W. .635 

Phil Carey. Audrey Totter, Charlita 

Mioml Story, The (75) D. .641 

Barry Sullivan, Adeie Jergens. Luther Adler 

Jungle Mon-Eoters (68) O. .707 

Johnnv Wei^smiiller. Karin Booth, B. Stapley 

©Soracen Blade (76) D. .633 

liicardo Montalban, Betu St. John 

©Hell Below Zero (91) D. .709 

Alan Ladd. Joan Tetzel, Basil Sidney 

Indiscretion of an American 

Wife (63) 

D..703 

Jennifer Jones, Montgomery CUft, V. De8ia 

©Outlaw Stallion (64) W. .705 

Phil Carey, Dorothy Patrick 

LIPPERT 

S Monster From the Oceon Floor 

(64) D..5328 

Stuart 

a (69) 

Anne Klmbell, 

©The Cowboy 

Wade 

Doc .. 5408 

Narrators : Tei Rltter. BUI Conrad. John Dehner 

a Big Chose, The (60) D. .5328 

Lon Chaney, Glenn Langan 

m Paid to Kin (70) D. .5326 

Dane Clark, Cecil Chevrean, P. Carpentef 

a River Beat (73) D . . 5329 

Phyllis Kirk, John Bentley. Eobert Ayres 

M-G-M 

a ©Prisoner of Wor (81).. 

Ronald Rtaân. Dewey Martin, 

Is ©Flame and the Flesh (10 

Lana Turner, Carlos Thompson 

31 ©Men of the Fighting Lad 

Van Johnson. Dewey Martin. 1 

Prince, The (1i 

.\nn BIyth, Edmund Purdom. 

gl ©Valley of the Kings (83) 

Robert Taylor. Eleanor Parker 

3) Security Risk (69) D. .5417 

John Ireland. Dorothj &lalone, Keith Lanen 

! 

Kifier Leopard (70) O. .5412 

Juhtiny Sbefrield. Beverl; Oarlaod 

©Law vs. Billy the Kid, The 

(73) W. .711 

Scott Brady, Betta St. John, Alan Hale jr. 

Pushover (88) D. .704 

Fred .MacMurray. Kim Novak, Phil Carey 

@ Thunder Poss (76) W. .5405 

Dane Clark, Dorothy Patrick, Andy Devlne 

S UQcrSeven Brides for Se 

Brothers (102) 

Jane Powell. Howard Keel. Ji 

i©Her Twelve Men (91). . 

Greer Garson. Robert Ryan, B 

H) Jungle Genti (64) C. .5420 

Leo Gorcey, Hunts HaU, Laiirette Lua 

lis Two Guns and o Bodge (69) . .5427 

Wayne Morris, Damian cnynn, B. Barcroft 

©Black Dokotas, The (65) W. .721 

Gary Merrill. Wanda Hendrli, John Bromfield 

©Bullet Is Waiting, A (82) . . . .D. .712 

Jean Shnmons, Rory Calhoun, Stephen McNally 

Human Desire (90) D . . 71 

Glenn Ford. Gloria Grahame, B. Crawford 

m Terror Ship (72) D . . 5330 

William Lundlgan 

63 Silent Raiders (65) D . . 5404 

Bichard Bartlett. Earle Lyon, Jeanette Bordeaux 

a Unholy Four, The (80) D, .5401 

Paillette Goddard, William Sylvester 

g] ©Betrayed (108) 

Lana Turner, (Hark Gable, V 

0©i=>Brigadoon (108),... 

Gene Kelly. Van Johnson, C 

[5] Human Jungle, The (82) D. .5501 

Gary Merrill. Jan Sterliiis, Paula Raymond 

On ttie Waterfront (108) D..702 

Marlon Brando. Karl Maiden, Lee J. CM> 

©Three Hours to Kin (77) W. .720 

Dana Andrews, Donna Beed, Diane Poster 

H) Deadly Game, The (. .) D, .5402 

Uoyd Bridges, Flnlay Currie. Slmone Silva 

E Rogue Cop (92) 

Robert Taylor. George Bait, J, 

a Bob Mothios Story, The (80).. D .5502 

Bob Mathiaf, Diane Jergens, Ward Bond 

il ©Beau Brummell (107).. 

Elijibetb Taylor. Stewart Gran 

a Target Earth (75) D. .5503 

Virginia Grey, Richard Denning, K. Crowley 

iS Cry Vengeance (83) D . . 5504 

Mark Stevens, Martha Hyer, Joan Vohi 

Affoirs of Messalino, The ( 1 06) . . D . 

Maria Felii. Georges Marchal 

©Block Knight, The (85) D. .719 

Alan Ladd, Patricia Medina. A. Morrell 

Cannibal Attack (69) D. .718 

Johnny Weissmuller. Judy Walsh, David Braet 

©Fire Over Africa (84) D..716 

Maureen O'Hara, Macdooald Carey 

SThe Siege (63). 

Special east 

.D..5323 

©Athena (96) 

Jane Powell. Vic Damone, D( 

©Last Time I Saw Paris, 

(116) 

Elizabeth Taylor. Van Johnson 

[S Port of Hell ( . . ) D . . 5505 

Dane Clark, Carole Matthews, W. Morris 

a ©Tonight's the Night (88) . . . .C. .5506 

Yvonne De Carlo, David Nlven, B. Fitzgerald 

Phffft (88) C..715 

Judy Holliday. Jack Carson, J. Lemmon 

©They Rode West (84) W. .717 

Robert Francis. Donna Beed, PUl Carey 

m Roce for Life, A (69) D 

Bichard Conte, Marl Aldon 

5403 

S ©Black Pirates ( . . ) D . . 5407 

.\nthony Dester. Lon Chaney, Robert Clarke 

H) Crest of the Wave (91).. 

Gene Kelly. John Justin, Jefl 

©Deep in My Heart (132) 

Jose Ferrer. Marie Oberon, He 

(1) Bowery to Bagdad (64) C. .5421 

Leo Gorcey, Hiinlz Hall, Eric Blore 

Big Combo, The (89) D. .5508 

Cornel Wilde. Jack Paiance, Richard Coot* 

Treasure of the Ruby Hills (. .).W. . 

Zachary Scott, Bart McLane, C. Matthews 

Bamboo Prison, The (80) D..73I 

Robert Francis. Diane Foster, Brian KeUh 

©Masterson of Kansas (73).... W.. 

George Montgomery. Nancy Gates, David Bruce 

©aViolent Men, The (96) W. .735 

Glenn Ford, B. Stanwyck. E. G. BoMnsoo 

a They Were So Young (..)... .D. .5406 

Scott Brady. Raymond Burr 

HI Silver Star, The (. .) W. .5411 

Bdgar Buchanan. Marie Windsor, L. Chaney 

3 ©oBod Day at Black Rod 

Spencer Tracy. Robert Ityan, . 

in ©aGreen Fire ( 1 00) 

Stewart Granger, Grace Kelly. 

©Jupiter's Darling (. .).. 

Esther Williams. Houard Keel. 

©oMony Rivers to Cross ( 

Eleanor Parker, Robert Taylor 

©African Fury Doc . . 

©Annapolis Story, The D. . 

John Derek, Diana Lynn, Kerln McCarthy 

Code Three W. . 

Bill Elliot. Keith Larsen 

God's Angry Man D. . 

Raymond Ma.'^.sey. Debra Paget 

High Society C. . 

Uo (^rcry, Huntz Hall, Amanda Blake 

Murder Is My Beat D. . 

Barbara Payton, Paul Langton, Selena Boyle 

©Shotgun D . 

Sterling Hayden, Y. Dc Carlo. Z. Scott 

Twilight Alley D. . 

Richard Conte, Virginia Grey, Constance Smith 

©Worrier, The D. . 

Errol Flyno, Joanne Dm, Peter Pinch 

Bandit, The (92) D. . 

Alberto Ruschel. .Marisa Prade. M. Bibeiro 

QCaine Mutiny, The (125) D..701 

Ilumtihrey Bo;art, Van Johnson. Jose Perrer 

Detective, The (91) CD. . 

Alfc Guinness, Jn.m Greenwood. Peter Finch 

End of the Affair, The D. . 

I>''l)i)r.Th Kerr. Van Jolinson. John .Mills 

©Guy That Won the West W. . 

Dennis Morgan. I'aula RaMnond. R. DenDlnc 

©cLong Groy Line, The D. . 

T>Tone Power. .Maureen O'Hara 

©cMon From Laromie, The....D.. 

James Stewart. Cathy O'lJonneli. Donald Crlip 

©Prize of Gold D . . 

Richard Widmark. Mai Zett«rU« 

©Three for the Show M. . 

Betty Grable. .Marge and Gower Champion 

Air Strike (. .) D. .5413 

Richard Penning. Gloria Jean 

Gloss Tomb, The D. .5409 

John Ireland 

Shock!! (. .) D. .5412 

Brian Donlevy, Margia Dean, Jack Warner 

©Bedeviled 

.\nne Baxier. Steve Forrest 

QGIoss Slipper, The 

U'Îie Carnn. Mich.ael Wilding. 

0=Hit the Deck 

.lani' Tnêll. Tuny Martin. Del 

©alnterrupted Melody 

Eleanor Parker, Glenn Ford, 

. 

R 

. 

©Invitotion to the Dance. 

Gere Kelly, Belita, Tamara To 

©It's Always Fair Weothe 

Gene Kelly. Cjd Cliarisse. Dan 

©c^Love Me or Leave Me. 

lUiris Day. James Cagney. C. 

©oMoonfleet 

Ste\iart Gran^;er. Viveca Undfor 

©Prodigal, The 

Lana Turner, Bdmond Purdom,

FEATURE 

CHART 

Type 

Rel. 

No.

. 

. 

. 

1 

©Drognet 

. 

' 

(^TURE 

MITED 

ARTISTS 

CHART 

.Witness to Murder (83) D. .5420 

Barbara Stan»sck. Gary Merrill, 0. 8»ndtfS 

OCaptoin Kidd and the Slave 

Girl (83) D..54I8 

Eti Cobor, A/ithony Dciter, Alan Hale Jr. 

O Yellow Tomahawk, The (82). .D. .5414 

Rory Calhoun, Peggie Caslle, Noib Beery 

Long Wait, The (93) D..5421 

Air.hony Quinn, Charles Coburn, Gene Evans 

©Challenge the Wild (72) Doc. .5422 

Frank Graham and Family 

Hobson's Choice (107) C. . 

Cliarles Laucbton, John Mills, Brendi De Banile 

©Gog (85) D..5423 

Blchard Egan, Constance DowUng, H. Marshall 

©Man With o Million (90) C. . 

Gregory Peck, Jane GrltriUu, A. B. JUttbeirs 

©Adventures of Robinson 

Crusoe (90) D. . 

Dan OHerllliy. James Femindei, C. Lopei 

©Apache (90) W..5427 

Burt Lancaster. Jean Peters 

Lowless Rider, The (62) W. .5431 

Johnny Carpenter. Kraokle Darro 

©Return to Treasure Islond (75) D. .5417 

Tab Uunter, Dawn Addanu, Jime» Seaj 

©Crossed Swords (85) D. .5334 

Errol Flynn. Gina Lollobrlglda 

Diamond Wiiord, The (83) D. .5432 

Dennis O'Keefe, Margaret Sheridan 

Down Three Dork Streets 

(85) D..5433 

Broderlck Crawford, Ruth Roman, Martha Hyer 

Malta Story, The (103) D..5429 

Alec Guinness. Jack Ilawklus, Flora Robson 

Victory at Sea (97) Doc . 

©Jessse James' Women . W. .5435 

(83). . 

Jack Beutel 

. .D. .5437 

Don Barry, Pegple Castle, 

©Golden Mistress, The (82). . 

John Agar. Kosemarle Bowe, Klkl 

©Khyber Potrol (71) D. .5419 

Kirhard Efian. Davrn Addams, Patrlc Knowles 

Suddenly (77) D. .5436 

Frank Sinatra, Sterling Hayden, Nancy Gales 

Barefoot Contesso, The (128).D. .5440 

Humphrey Boearl. Ara Gardner, E. O'Brien 

LiMIe Kidnappers, The (93) D..5439 

Adrii-nne Corrie, J. Whitley, V. Winter 

Operotion Manhunt (77) D. .5441 

Harry Townes. Irja Jensen, J. Aubuchon 

©Sitting Bull (105) W..5434 

Dsle Robertson, J. Carrol Nalsb 

Shield for Murder (82) 0. . 

Edmond O'Brien. Maria £ngllsb 

Snow Creature (70) D. .5447 

Paul Langlon. Leslie Denison 

Twist of Fate (89) D. .5446 

Gincer Rogers. Jacques Bergerac, Herbert Lom 

©White Orchid, The (81) D..5414 

William Lundigan. Pt-gcle Castle 

©You Know What Sailors Are 

(89) C. .5445 

©Romeo ond Juliet (140) D. .5449 

Lawrence Uarvev, Flora BobisoD, 8. Shontail 

Steel Cage, The (80) D..5443 

Paul Kelly, M. O'Sullivan, W. Bleiak 

Battle Toxi (. .) D. . 

Sterling Hayilen. Arthur Frans, M. Thompson 

©Beochcomber, The (82) D. . 

Rolii'rt Ntwtnn, Glsnis Johns, Donald Sinden 

Block Tuesday (80) D. .5450 

E G. Riilnnson, Jean Parker, Peter Graves 

©Vera Crui (94) AD.. 5448 

Gary Cooper, Burt Lancaster, Denlse Darcel 

OaGentlemen Marry Brunettes. M. . 

Jane Russell. Jtanne Crain, Scott Brady 

Good Die Young, The D. 

John Ireland. Clurla Grahame, L. Bariey 

©oKcntucklon, The D. . 

Burt L.inc.-i5ler. Kiana Lynn, Una Merkel 

©Lilacs In the Spring M.. 

Night of the Hunter D. . 

Rdbfrt Mltcbum, Shelley Winters, Ulllao Qlsh 

Othello D. . 

Orson Welles. Suianne ClouUer, ray Compton 

©Purple Ploln, The D. . 

Gregory Peck, B. De Banile, Win Mln tti 

©Star of Indio D . . 

Cornel Wilde. Jean Wallace. Herbert Lorn 

©Stronger on Horseback M. . 

Joel McCrea, Mlroslava 

©Summertime CD. . 

UNIYERSAL-INT'L. 

Firemon Save My Child (80) C..421 

Buddy Hackett, Hugh O'Brian, Adele Jergens 

Ploygirl (85) 

Shelley Winters, Barry SullivaD, 

„'°V,'*^° 

a Palmer 

Block Horse Canyon (82) D. .423 

Joi-1 .McCria. .Marl Blanchard. Murryn Eye 

©Drums Across the River (78).SW..422 

Audle Murphy, Lisa Gaye, Waller Btennan 

Always a Bride (83) C. .485 

Peggy L\immins, Terence Morgan. Ronald Squire 

©Johnny Dork (85) D. .424 

Tony Curtis, Piper Laurie, Ilka Chase 

Tanganyika (81) AD. .425 

Van Heflin, Ruth Roman. Howard Duff 

Fronds Joins the WACs (95). . .C. .427 

Donald O'Connor. Julia Adams, Zasu Pitts 

UCMognificent Obsession (108).D..428 

Jim Wymao, Bock Hudson, Otto Kruger 

©oBlock Shield of Falworth, 

The (100) 

D..430 

ot Socorro (80) 

Tony Curtis, Janet 

©Down 

Leigh 

D. .431 

Hory Calhoun. I'iper Laurie, David Brian 

High and Dry (93) C. .486 

Paul Douglas. Alex MacKenile, J. Copelaod 

Naked Alibi, The (86) D. .431 

Sterling Hayden, Gloria Qrahirae, Gene Barry 

©Bengal Brigade (87) D . . 434 

Rock Hudson. Arlene Dahl, Ursula Thelss 

©Four Guns to the Border (87). .W. .502 

Rnry Calhoun. Colleen Miller, G. Nader 

Ricochet Romance (80) C..504 

Marjorle Main. Chill Wills, Budy Vattee 

©aSign of the Pagan (92) D. .505 

Jeff Cliandlcr. Jane Russell, Dan Durye* 

©Yellow Mountain, The (78) W. .510 

Lei Marker, Mil* Powers, Howard Duff 

©Destry (91) V^. .508 

Aiiiiie .Murphj. Marl Blanchard, Lyle Bettger 

©So This Is Paris (96) MC . . 507 

Tony Curtis. Corlnne Calvet, Gene Nelson 

©West of Zonzibor (83) D. .50) 

Antliony Steel, Sheila Sim 

©criCoptoin LIghlfoot D. . 

Rock Hudson. Barbara Rush. Jeff Morrov 

©Chief Croiy Horse SW . 

Victor Mature, Suzan Ball, John Lund 

©For Country, The D.. 

James Ktcwart, Uutb Roman 

©Foxfire D. 

Jeff Chandler, Jane Russell, Dan Durye» 

©Land of Fury D. . 

Jack Ha\\klns, Glynis Johns 

Mo and Po Kettle Go to Wolklkl.C. 

Marjorle Main. Percy Kilbride, Lori NelsoD 

-^'Revengo of the Creature D. . 

John Agar, Lori Nelson 

Six Bridges to Cross D. 

Tony Curtis. Julia Adams. George Nadef 

©Smoke SIghol W. 

'ana Andrews. I'iper Laurie 

I 

Thi« Iclnrw4 Fnr4h f^ 

. 

WARNER BROS. 

gl©Dlal M for Murder (105) D. .327 

Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Bobert Cummlngs 

El Them! (94) D. .328 

James n'bltmore, Joaa.WeldOD. Edmund Gwenn 

m OO^High and the Mighty, 

The (147) D..329 

John Wayne, Claire Trevor, Lar&lne Day 

aOOaRing of Feor (93) D.i330 

Pat O'Brien. Clyde Realty, .Mickey Spillane 

U} ©oKing Richard and the 

Crusaders (113) D. .331 

Virginia Mayo, Rex Harrison, Laurence Harvey 

gj ©Duel in the Jungle (102) D. .332 

Dana Andrews, Jeanne Grain. David Farrar 

(90) D. .401 

Jack Webb, Ben Alexander. Ann Robinson 

©Bounty Hunter, The 

I 

(79) SW. .402 

Randolph Scott, Marie Windsor. D. Dam 

H ©oDrum Beat (111) W. .404 

Alan Ladd, Audrey Dalton, Marlsa Pavan 

m ©oTrack of the Cat (102) AD. .405 

Robert Mitehum, Diana Lynn, Teresa Wright 

\ 

©nStor Is Born, A (154) MD . . 403 

Judy Garland, James Mason, Jack Carson 

©Young at Heart (121) MC-D..409 

Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, E. Barrymore 

53 ©aSilver Chalice, The (131) D . . 408 

Virginia Mayo, Jack Palance. Pier Angell 

a Jump Into Helt (. .) D. .410 

Jacques Semas, Arnold Moss, Kurt Kazner 

©Bottle Cry D. . 

Van lleflin, Aldo Ray, Tab Hunter 

©Eost of Eden D. . 

Julie Harris, James Dean, Raymond Massey 

©Helen of Troy D . . 

Rossana Podesta, Jaccjucs Semas, C. Hardwlcke 

©Land of the Pharaohs D.. 

Jack Hawkins. Dewey Martin 

©Mr. Roberts C. . 

Henry Fonda. James Cagney, William Powell 

©Moby Dick D, 

Gregory Peck, R. Raschart, Orson Welle* 

River Changes, The D. 

Itossana itnry. llaral Maresch 

©Sea Chase, The D. 

John Wayne, L.ina Turner, Tab Hunter 

©iStronge Lady in Town, A...D.. 

Greer Garson. I'ana Andrews, Cameron Mitchell 

OTall Man Ridina W.. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

AMERICAN RELEASING 

Fast and Furious (74) 

John Ireland, Dorotby Malone, Bn 

ASTOR 

Sleeping Tiger, The (89)... 

.\iexis Smith, .Meiander Knox, D 

BUENA VISTA 

©Living Desert, The (72) 

©Vonishing Proirie (71).... 

©20,000 Leagues Under tli 

Sea (128) 

Kirk iiouglas, James Masun, P. U 

CARROLL 

Four Woys Out (77) 

Gina Lolloljrigida. Renalo Raldini 

©Out of This World (75) Do 

Lowell Thomas, Lowell Thomas j 

FILMAKERS 

Private Hell 36 (81) 

Stevo Cochran. Ida Lupino, Howi 

HALLMARK 

Halfway to Hell (61) Dot 

Narration by Quentln Reynolds 

©Koromoio (63) 

Doc 

LF.E. 

(American Dialog) 

Aida (110) 

Sophia Loren, Lois Maxwell, Afr 

A Husband for Anne (105). . 

Silvana Pampaninl 

Bread, Love and Dreams (90) 

Vittorio de Slca, Gina LoUobrlgi 

City Stands Triol (. .) 

Siivania I'arapanlni, Auiedeo Nazzi 

Girls Marked Danger (75).. 

Elconora Rossi Drago, Vittorio ( 

©Golden Coach, The (105). . 

Anna Magnani, Duncan Lament, 1 

Hell Raiders of the Deep 

(93) 

Elconora Rossi Drago, Pierre Cre 

Love in the City (110) 

Sensuolito (74) 

Eltonora Rossi Drago. Pierre Or 

©Theodora, Sieve Empress (8 

Gianiii. .Maria Canale. George Jl 

Too Young for Love (..)... 

Marin Vlady. P. M. Beck, Aldo I 

Voice of Silence (..)...,.. 

Rosanna Podesta, Aldo Fabrlzi. C. 

REISSUES 

ASTOR 

Dangerous Visitor (formerly . 

Kiss for Corliss) (88)... 

David Nivtn, Sllirley Temple, Tl 

Intruder, The (formerly Cov« 

Up) (83) 

William Bondli, Dennis O'keefe, 

Under Suspicion (formerly Di 

Trust Your Husband) (90) 

Fred MacMurray, Madeleine Carr 

Woman Accused (formerly 

Without Honor) (69) 

Laraine Hay. Dane Clark, Frano 

CARROLL 

©Down Memory Lone (72) C 

Bing Crosby. W. C. Fldds, Qoi 

COLUMBIA 

Coroner Creek (90) 

Randolph Scott, Marguerite Cha 

Gunfighters (87) 

Randolph Scott. Barbara Britton 

Miss Grant Takes Richmond 

(87) . 

Lucille Ball, WllUam Holdeo 

MGM 

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde 

(..) 

Spencer Tracy, Ingrid Bergman 

Torzon Escapes ( . ) . 

Johnny WeLssmullcr, Maureen 0' 

Torzon, the Ape Man (..).. 

Johnny WcissmuUcr, Maureen 0' 

Women's Face, A ( . . ) 

Joan Crauford. Melvyn Douglas 

PARAMOUNT 

©Reap the Wild Wind (124). 

John Wayne, Susan Uayward, Bj 

RKO RADIO 

Every Girl Should Be Morrle 

(85) 

Cary Grant, Betsy Drake. Franc 

©She Wore a Yellow Ribbon 

(103) 

Henry Fonda, Joanne Dru 

Window, The (73) 

Arlliur Kennedy, Ruth Roman, B 

CENTURY-FOX 

20th 

Orchestra Wives (98) 

Glenn Miller & Orch., George 

Sun Valley Serenade (86).. 

Suiija lieiiic, Jolm Payne, Glenn 

UNIVERSAL-INTERNATION 

Egg ond I, The (108) 

Claudette Colbert, t^cd MacMur 

WARNER BROS. 

Big Sleep, The (114) 

Humphrey Bogart. Lauren Bacal 

Saratoga Trunk (135)

[ part 

; at 

— 

ri-jjJUJJi* 

. . Blazing 

ui,jii*ijij^ 

' 

Players 

102 Minutes 

Ratio: Drama 

2.55-1 (CJnemaScopt, 

De Luxe Color) 

Rel. Ion. 19S5 

lught of logic in the Bard's oft-quoted observae 

play being the thing, then certainly this 

and opulently mounted vehicle should attract 

jafronage as one of the most important pictures 

r. The film is, in effect, several plays in one, for 

f 

3 celluloid biography of Edwin Booth, one of 

time greats, are sizable and masterfully staged 

le of Shakespeare's more popular immortals 

hard III" and "Romeo and Juliet." This arrestblending 

of drama and tragedy heaped an 

outsize proportions upon the broad shoulders 

?he Robe") Burton, an assignment which he 

mitless distinction. But for all its excellence 

that it will be the biggest factor in generating 

to the offering—the topliner's portrayal is only 

lure's innumerable assets, all of which, parenilly 

cry for the attention of smart merchandising 

sression be created that "Prince of Players," 

Shakespearean sequences, will fundamentally 

et buyers of artistic persuasions, it might be 

—early and emphatically—that there are sufnment 

qualities to assure a comparable attracnk-and-file 

moviegoers. For this rare diversity 

2 goodly proportion of the credit must be 

lilip 

Dunne, who both produced and directed, 

ore, he mounted the vehicle lavishly, spectacmpeccable 

taste. To aid him in accomplishing 

quality, available were many proven filmlients: 

A lustrous screenplay by Moss Hart, 

lOok by Eleanor Ruggles; a budget of virtually 

rtions; the star-encrusted cast; flawless techni- 

:nts; CinemaScope and De Luxe color. Fullest 

3ken of each, most especially the photographic 

pigmentation, which have never been more 

jloyed and which are largely responsible for 

any sweeping sequences, evident in both the 

ne story proper and the interpolation of the 

1 scenes. , 

it is through his piloting that Dunne garners 

M of his shining dual credit. To him has to 

of the praise for Burton's sterling chord 

acting contributions of paralleling excellence 

he long list of co-starring troupers. As Booth's 

an early age, Maggie McNamara delivers 

:ally sensitive portrayal, wherein lies the photong 

thread of romance. John Derek is adequate 

is Booth, the star's hot-tempered, handsome 

frustrations and jealousy over Edwin's stage 

partially responsible for sidetracking him into 

political activities which culminated in his 

of President Lincoln. It is the authentic re- 

! part that firebrand John Wilkes contributed 

history that supplies a framework for the 

actioniul passages. Other mummers rating 

leir respective donations to the ensemble of 

iority aie Raymond Massey. as Junius Brutus 

inken, mad father of the talented brothers; 

rd, the understanding manager who helped 

rareer, and Elizabeth Sellars, as Asia, his sister. 

>n, Maggie McNamara, John Derek, Raymond 

y, Charles Bickiord. Elizabeth Sellars. 

260) 

1. * 

The Americano 

F 

Ratio: 

RKO Radio (509) 87 Minutes HeL 

Western 

1.75-1 (TccKriicolor) 

All of the ingredients and situations that are to be expected 

in a top grade sagebrush picture, plus the appeal of an offbeat 

locale, should make this an unusually attractive film 

for at least three classes of theatre customers, namely, the 

devotees of action, the disciples of straight, engrossing drama 

and those who relish the exotic backgrounds of the jungle. 

Inasmuch as that trio of entertainment tastes covers a dominant 

percentage of potential ticket buyers, there is every 

reason to believe that the entry will prove an impressively 

profitable booking. 

Certainly there are plenty of tried-and-true qualities upon 

which the offering can be successfully merchandised and 

without worry that the slightest misrepresentation will enter 

into the campaign. Witness: A name-freighted cast, eyefilling 

Technicolor photography, an arresting title—which 

applies also to a haunting theme song—and the intriguing 

blend of subject matter. The adroit and convincing manner 

in which Guy Trosper, who wrote the screenplay from an 

original by Leslie T. While, created the last-named accorded 

producer Robert Stillman and executive producer Sam Wiesenthal 

a fascinating framework upon which to build. The 

elements they employed for such solid construction included, 

principally, excellent performances; the lush, scenic beauties 

of Brazil's Matto Grosso; expert, well-paced direction by William 

Castle, and the effective photography. 

While Glenn Ford's delineation is typically talented, ho 

is pressed for acting honors by Frank Lovejoy and Cesar 

Romero. The femme thespian contributions come from Ursula 

Thiess and Abbe Lane, the latter of whom is responsible for 

touches of sex and song which will materially enhance the 

photoplay's appeal for the male spectators. Ford portrays 

a Texas cowpoke who accompanies three prize Brahma bulls 

to Brazil, where he becomes embroiled in a bloody, exciting 

land war of the type that has supplied the plot for countless 

westerns. 

Glenn Ford, Frank Lovejoy, Cesar Romero, Ursula Thiess. 

Abbe Lone, Rodolio Hoyos jr., Salvador Baguez. 

CATCHLINES: 

Here's Blazing Adventure ... as a Man From Texas Finds 

Himself in the Danger-Laden Jungles of Brazil . . . and Plays 

the Most Dangerous Game of All. 

Hell's Outpost 

F 

Ratio: WestefB 

1.66-1 Drama 

ReL Ian. 15, '55 

RepubUc (5315) 

90 Minutes 

A fast-moving action film of the modern west, with a firstrate 

cast of familiar players, this should do good business 

wherever action fare is favored and make a satisfactory 

supporting dualler generally. While the players are not top 

names, Rod Cameron has starred in many cowboy pictures 

and Joan Leslie has been featured by most of the major 

studios. Only color is lacking to give it a top outdoorsadventure 

film rating. 

Based on a novel, "Silver Rock," by Luke Short, the story 

deals with mining instead of cattle and associate producerdirector 

Joe Kane has provided the usual chases, gun 

battles and fistic encounters, including a slam-bang fight 

between Cameron and John Russell, who plays one of the 

most hateful villains encountered in pictures in recent 

years. It is to Russell's credit that he makes the portrayal at 

all believable. However, Cameron is a forthright, two-fisted 

hero and Joan Leslie does a good acting job as does Kristine 

Miller as Russell's down-trodden sister. 

Rod Cameron arrives in a western mining town, ostensibly 

to call on Chill Wills, father of his late war buddy. Actually 

Cameron is interested in getting his hands on valuable 

tungsten mining claims owned by Wills, but also sought 

after by John Russell, the local bariker and town bully, 

who refuses permission for a road to move Will's ore. Both 

Cameron and Russell are interested in Joan Leslie and, after 

a fight over the girl, Cameron gets a loan from Russell's 

bank. But the latter soon starts trouble by hiring thugs to 

sabotage Wills' equipment and then brings an injunction 

to close the road through which his trucks have been transporting 

the ore. Russell then plans to set off a dynamite 

charge to destroy Wills' mining operations. But Russell is 

killed in the blasts, which actually makes room for a new 

and better roadway. 

Rod Cameron, Joan Leslie, John Russell, Chill Wills, Ben 

Cooper, Kristine Miller, Barton MacLone, Jim Davis. 

ittable Story of an American Immortal . . . 

. . One of the Great Actors of All Time . 

. . 

Tas Woven Into the Fabric of Our Nation's 

an Era When the Country Faced Its Gravest 

CATCHLINES: 

He Had a Mine to Work and Neither Heaven Nor Hell 

Could Stop Him . . . Winner Takes the Girl—and the Ore at 

Hell's Outpost . Action and Thrills in the Mining 

Country of the Modem West.

' 

fascinated 

. The 

EVIEWS 

Adiines for Newspaper and Prog 

n Inspector Calls A 

Ratio: Drama 

Standard 

socicrted Artists 80 Minutes Rel. 

k serious, thought-provoking and neatly contrived British- 

3de film based on the play by J. B. Priestley v/hich had a 

ig London and a shorter Broadway run, this is strong fare 

the art houses. While Alastair Sim (remembered from "A 

iristmas Carol" and other English pictures) is the only 

irquee name, the entire cast is excellent. Priestley's name 

11 also be a selling angle with many class patrons. Hower, 

the picture v/ill have scant appeal for general audiences, 

s v/ith so many of Priestley's plays, this has a fascinating 

;a— in which five members of a family group are all shown 

be involved in the suicide of a young shopgirl, but each 

thout the others' knowledge. The ironic twist at the ending 

11 be a surprise to everyone. Produced by A. D. Peters 

British Lion and well directed by Guy Hamilton, the 

n is actually better than the ploy which could only tell 

; episodes in the dead girl's past. Here they are enacted 

flashbacks. 

I 

3im plays the Inspector in properly mystifying fashion 

d Olga Lmdo, as a high-handed matron, and Bryan Forbes, 

the titled hero, make their scene stand out, while Jane 

snham is appealing as the unfortunate girl. 

A. prosperous, middle-class businessman, his socially surior 

wife, their self-indulgent son and their attractive daughare 

celebrating the latter's engagement to the eligible 

ian Worth when police inspector (Alastair Sim) arrives to 

restigate the suicide of Jane Wenham, a girl who once 

jrked in the father's office. All of them disclaim all knowlge 

of the tragedy until Sim draws each one out and shows 

w the father made the girl lose her job, the daughter was 

jtrumental in making her lose her next job, the fiance 

ide her his mistress and the son was the father of her 

born child and the mother refused to aid her charity-wise, 

hen the jigsaw is complete, the inspector disappears. Assoited 

Artists is at 345 Madison Ave., New York City. 

Alastair Sim, Eileen Moore, Arthur Young, Olga Lindo, 

Brian Worth, Jane Wenham, Bryan Forbes. 

ITCHLINES: 

[. B. Priestley's Great Play Becomes a Greater Motion Pic- 

. . The Mysterious Visitor Who Made All the Members 

e . 

the Family Learn the Truth About Themselves ... A 

irring Play—At Last on the Screen. 

afe of Hell (Jigokumon) 

A 

trrison & Davidson 89 Minutes 

The first Japanese picture in color 

Ratio: 

Costume Drami 

Standard ( Eastman Color) 

Rel. 

to be shown in the 

S. is an exquisitely beautiful, frequently moving tragedy 

lich is certain to win critical acclaim and be a boxoffice 

nner in the art spots. Winner of the grand prize at the 

54 Cannes Film Festival, it was produced by Masaichi 

igata for Daiei Studios, which also produced "Rashomon" 

,d the recent "Ugetsu," which also attracted attention 

the art houses. In these spots, stress the fact that 

3chiko Kyo is Japan's most popular screen actress who 

30 played the lead in these two earlier films. 

Based on historic events in Japanese history, the picture 

3S filmed on the island of Mayajima and the photographer, 

ihei Sugiyama, and the color consultant have secured 

me breathtaking lovely shots of the temples, the homes 

id the night sequences. Teinosuke Kinugasa, who directed 

id wrote the screenplay, builds the interest, after a slightly 

nfusing opening, and eventually achieves a tender and 

svitably tragic ending. 

The plot, which has its source in a 13th century chronicle, 

familiar to every Japanese, but American audiences will 

for the first time by the story of a bold warir 

in the 1159 insurrection who is assigned to protect a 

autiful noblewoman and, after saving her life, falls in love 

th her. At the victory celebration, the warrior's chief 

ants him any wish but his' plea for the lady's hand is 

eeted with laughter and the other warriors tell him she is 

ready married to Wataru. The warrior challenges Wataru 

a race but the latter loses. The warrior then becomes 

slent and pleads with the lady to abandon her husband 

he will kill him. She returns'to her husband and asks to 

>ep in his bed so that when the warrior thrusts his sword 

rough the curtain she is killed. The repentant warrior asks 

ataru's forgiveness and vows to expiate his crime by beming 

a monk. Harrison iS Davidson is at 1501 Broadway, 

;w York City. 

Machiko Kyo, Eazuo Hawgawa, Isao Yamagata, Yataro 

Kurokawa, Eikue Mohri. 

\TCHLINES: 

Beauty Never Before Seen on the Screen 

-_* T ; »; 1 TT 1 r».*l n 1.. 

Year's 

/(78). 

rilter 

Ills Th 

87). 

diklkl 

^'\ 

34, 

i3 iJCiJlI V lUljl reviewed in BOXOFFICE during the last twelve months. This is designed 

her convenience for Picture Guide Users, the page numbers being the key to reviews kept therein, 

quarters. Review Digest pages serve as a cumulative P. G. index. 

[TERLY INDEX 

PICTURE GUIDE REVIEWS 

1954 

September 11 

Thru December 

T SUBJECTS INDEX 

MBM 

Ilomedies 

P. G. Page 

1657 

napshots 

Up 1617 

t>le Man 1633 

March On. .1629 

an Parade. .1669 

ial 

falo Bill 1657 

lomedies 

f 

Sports 

OLDWYN- 

YER 

.1633 

.1665 

.1665 

.1677 

.1633 

sons 

1617 

a 1617 

w 1653 

1677 

1621 

>pe Special 

The 1613 

\OUNT 

Cartoons 

:e Sportlights 

mps 1641 

Rides 1677 

Itoon 

lakers 

in Texas, 

ghfs . . . . 

Cartoons 

.1645 

.1637 

.1621 

nish 1617 

>ye 1669 

RADIO 

Cartoons 

1653 

uee Musicals 

intertime. . . .1613 

iliners 

idge. 

I 

cial 

...1613 

...1645 

...1613 

.1637 

scopes 

1613 

iames 1641 

ion 1617 

20th CENTURY-FOX 

CinemaScope Specials 

P. G. Page 

Calypso Cruise 1645 

Fabulous Las Vegas 1669 

Jet Corrier 1653 

Miracle of Stereophonic 

Sound 1657 

Piano Encores 1637 

Pride of the Nation 1665 

Roger Wogrter Chorales 1641 

See It 

Happen 

Isles of Destiny 1645 

Sports 

Sporty Simians 1641 

Terrytoons 

Heckle & Jeckel in Blue Plate 

Symphony 1677 

Little Roquefort In the Cafs 

Revenge 1665 

Mighty Mouse in the Reformed 

Wolf 1665 

UNIVERSAUNTERN'L 

Color Parade 

Bonus Land 1 629 

Musical 

Featurette 

Going Strong 1629 

Special 

Speed Sub-Zero 1669 

Variety Views 

Brooklyn Goes to Philadelphia 

.1633 

.1645 Walter Lantz Cartunes 

Convict Concerto 1633 

Fine Feothered Frenzy 1633 

Real Gone Woody 1629 

WARNER BROS. 

Bugs Buruiy Special 

Yankee Doodle Bugs 1621 

Featurettes 

Camera Hunting 1 677 

Joe McDoakes 

So You're Toking on a 

Roomer 1 645 

Merrie Melodies 

By Word of Mouse 1641 

From A to Z-Z-Z 1677 

Goo, Goo, Golioth 1665 

Stop, Look ond Hosten 1621 

Sports Parade 

Circus on Ice 1 629 

G. I. Holidoy 1613 

Technicolor Special 

In Fourtcen-Hundred Ninety- 

Two 1641 

Who's Who in the Zoo 1617 

Vitophone Novelties 

This Mechanical Age 1657 

Volley of the Sun 1617 

260) 

, J St. 

DO. $ 

It Ira 

le-sej 

>nttV 

ima. )l 

QUARTERLY 

INDEX 

TO 

PICTURE GUIDE REVIEWS 

First, Second, Third -iqi:^ January 

and Fourth Quarters AoO* Thru December 

p. G. Page 

Arrow in the Dust 1573 

Bitter Creek 1 566 

Bob Mothias Story, The 1630 

Bowery Boys Meet The 

Monsters 1598 

Cry Vengeance 1660 

Desperado, The 1593 

Dragonfly Squadron 1556 

Forty-Niners, The 1577 

Highway Dragnet 1553 

Loophole 1561 

Bait 1562 

Bamboo Prison 1672 

Battle of Rogue River 1562 

Block Dakotos, The 1615 

Black Knight, The 1643 

Bullet is Waiting, A 1607 

Coine Mutiny, The 1592 

Congoceiro (The Bandit) 161S 

Cannibal Attock 1652 

Detective, The 1634 

Drive o Croaked Road 1572 

Drums of Tahiti 1545 

Fire Over Af rico 1 630 

Hell Below Zero 1 586 

Human Desire 1606 

Indiscretion of on American 

Wife 1575 

Iron Glove, The 1569 


Columbia 

P. G. Page 

Paris Playboys 1 563 

Police Story, The 1618 

Pride of the Bluegross 1570 

Return from the Seo 1598 

Riot in Cell Block 11 1557 

Security Risk 1607 

Texos Bad Man 1 561 

Tonight's the Night 1655 

Two Guns and a Bodge 1620 

Weak and the Wicked, The.. 1600 

World for Ransom 1556 

It Should Happen to You 1550 

Jesse James vs. the Doltons . 

Jungle Mon-Eoters 1586 

Law vs. Billy the Kid, The. . . .1601 

Mad Magician, The 1569 

Mossocrc Canyon 1574 

Mosterson of Kansas 1661 

Miami Story, The 1572 

Miss Sadie Thompson 1546 

On the Waterfront 1599 

Outlaw Stollion, The 1593 

Porotrooper 1 546 

Phffft 1639 

Pushover 1599 

Saracen Blade, The 1583 

They Rode West 1636 

Three Hours to Kill 1618 

Violent Men, The 1676 

IFE Releasing Corp. 

Aida 1602 

Anita Garibaldi 1555 

Bread, Love and Dreams 1637 

Girls Marked Danger 1597 

Golden Cooch, The 1559 

Greatest Love, The 1552 

Hell Roiders of the Deep 1580 

Blackout 1576 

Cowboy, Th« 1548 

Fongs of the Wild 1566 

Heat Wove 1 636 

His Last Twelve Hours 1593 

Journey to Love 1563 

Lure of the Sila 1549 

My Heart Sings 1580 

Sensuolita 1583 

Torontella Nopoletono 1589 

Theodora, Slave-Empress 1653 

Lippert Productions 

Paid to Kill 1678 

River Beat 1599 

Unholy Four, The 1632 

White Fire 1557

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

p. G. Page 

leno 1 647 

i Day at Block Rock 1671 

rayed 1 600 

lu Brummell 1625 

gadoon 1606 

St ot the Wove 1651 

;p in My Heart 1662 

cutjve Suite 1 562 

me ond the Flesh 1577 

en Fire 1673 

>sy Colt 1553 

Twelve Men 1596 

ghts of the Round Toble..1545 

t Time I Sow Poris, The.. 1647 

>ut Mrs. Leslie 1577 

ska Seos 1555 

onovo's Big Night 1563 

intry Girl, The 1663 

>hant Walk 1572 

iro 1552 

ck on Wood 1572 

ng It Up 1578 

mie Kid, The 1672 

I's Half Acre 1558 

nny Guitar 1 579 

ilee Trail 1551 

ghing Anne 1578 

le Haste to Live 1571 

cost. The 1595 

CO Adventure 1623 

livol Story, The 1570 

le Queen of Montana. .. .1658 

gerous Mission 1561 

ch Line, The 1548 

sel and Gretet 1 635 

Ts From Space 1554 

ion 1631 

sntures of Hojii Baba....l634 

k 13 1659 

k Widow 1642 

en Lonce 1 604 

len Jones 1635 

ctrius and the Gladiators. .1590 

ee 1654 

I's Harbor 1673 

bier from Natchez, The.. 1604 

en of Evil 1595 

la ot Large 1580 

ond High Water 1556 

Croiy 1546 

Faces 1559 

t People 1 570 

of Love. . 1546 

ntures of Robinson 

usee 1587 

he 1595 

oot Contessa, The -.1627 

iheod 1553 

the Devil 1564 

hies of the Night 1573 

itn John Smith and 

cahontos 1565 

in Kidd and the Slave 

I 

1585 

ed Swords 1 602 

nn,1 U/:* I -ri vpnn 

Paramount 

Republic 

RKO Radio 

20th Century-Fox 

United Artists 

P. G. Page 

Long, Long Trailer, The 1547 

Men of the Fighting Lady.... 1582 

Monster From the Ocean 

Floor 1606 

Prisoner of Wor 1569 êr 

Rhapsody 1 560 ' 

Rogue Cop 1612 

Rose Marie 1564 

Soodia 1547 

Seven Brides for Seven 

Brothers 1588 

Student Prince, The 1587 

Tennessee Champ 1560 

Thunder Pass 1 607 

Valley of the Kings 1597 

Noked Jungle, The 1558 

Rear Window 1600 

Red Garters 1558 

Sobrino 1604 

Secret of the incai 1584 

Three Ring Circus 1638 

White Christmas 1611 

Red River Shore 1545 

Roogie's Bump 1622 

Shanghai Story, The 1632 

She-Wolf, The 1564 

Tobor the Great 1612 

Trouble in the Glen 1664 

Untomed Heiress 1576 

Quest for the Lost City 1678 U) (71 

Saint's Girl Friday, The 1568 

She Couldn't Say No 1549 

Silver Lode, The 1 582 

Sins of Rome 1594 

Susan Slept Here 1 594 

This Is My Love 1631 

Other Womon, The 1680 

Outlaw's Daughter, The 1659 

Prince Voliont 1571 

Princess of the Nile 1591 

Rocing Blood 1570 

Raid, The 1 600 

River of No Return 1576 

Rocket Man, The 1578 

Royal Tour of Queen 

Elizabeth 1593 

Siege ot Red River, The 1568 

There's No Business Like Show 

Business 1 666 

Three Coins in the Fountain. . 1583 

Three Young Texons 1549 

Womon's World 1628 

Down Three Dork Streets 1611 

Dragon's Gold 1553 

Go, Mon, Go! 

issi 

Gog 1589 

Golden Mask, The 1565 

Golden Mistress, The 1639 /i 

Heidi 1548 ^: 

Hobson's Choice 1592 

Jesse James' Women 1619 

Khyber Potrol 1608 

Lawless Rider, The 1643 

Little Kidnappers, The 1608 

/; 

,» rb 

Ikl 

fl 

United Artists (Cont'd) 

p. G. Page 

Long Wait, The 1577 

Malta Story, The 1602 

Man With o Million 1585 

Operation Manhunt .'..1648 

Overland Pocific 1557 

Personol Affair 1556 

Queen's Royal Tour, A 1567 

Return to Treasure island. .. 1 595 

Riders to the Stars 1552 

Romeo and Juliet 1675 

Scarlet Speor, The 1567 

Shield for Murder 1611 

Sitting Bull 1619 

P. G. Pa 

Steel Coge, The i< 

Snow Creature 1 ^ 

Southwest Passage 15 

Suddenly 

1^ 

Top Banana 15 

Twist of Fote 16 

Vera Cruz 16 

Victory at Sea 15 

White Orchid, The 16 

Witness to Murder 15 

Yellow Tomahawk, The 15 

You Know What Sailors Are.. 16 

Universal-International 

Alwoys a Bride 1588 

Bengol Brigade 1 640 

Block Horse Canyon 1 584 

Block Shield of Folworth 1 603 

Border River > 1 547 

Both Sides of the Law 1551 

Creature From the Black 

Lagoon, The 1558 

Down at Socorro 1 597 

Destry 1667 

Drums Across the River 1581 

Fireman Save My Child. ... 1575 

Four Guns to the Border 1 623 

Froncis Joins the WACs 1596 

Genevieve 1 563 

Glenn Miller Story, The 1548 

Boy From Oklahoma, The 1 550 

Command, The 1552 

Crime Wove 1550 

Dial M for Murder 1578 

Drognet 1 608 

Drum Beat 1 646 

Duel in the Jungle 1605 

Duffy of San Quentin 1557 

Hensel and Gretel 1635 

High and the Mighty, The.. 1586 

His Majesty O'Keefe 1 545 

Angeliko (Joseph Brenner). .. .1660 

Angels One Five (Stofford) . . . 1590 

Annapurna (Kingsley Int'l) . . . . 1555 

Barefoot Battalion (Leon 

Brandt) 1594 

Cot Women of the Moon 

(Astor) 1574 

Caroline Cherie (Davis) 1605 

Covollerio Rusticono (Astor) .. 1583 

Componions of the Night 

(Arlan) 1607 

Daughter of Darkness 

(Screencroft) 1608 

Daughters of Destiny (Arlan) .. 1607 

Doy of Triumph (Selected) .... 1661 

Devil's Pitchfork, The or 

Ano-ToHon (Aries) 1580 

Dtory of o Country Priest 

(Brandon) 1601 

Dirty Hands (MocDonold) 1679 

Earrings of Modome De, The 

(Arlan) 1603 

Edge of Divorce (Kingsley) .... 1598 

Fast and Furious, The 

(A.F.E.) 1649 

Final Test, The (Confincntol). . 1561 

Fighting Pimpernel, The 

(Carroll) 1579 

Folly to Be Wise (Fine Arts).. 1559 

French Touch, The (Times). . .1624 

Glory ot Sea 

(Rogers & Unger) 1616 

Grapes Are Ripe, The 

(Cosino) 1595 

Guilt Is My Shadow 

(Strotford) 1579 

Heort of the Matter 

(Assoc. Artists) 1679 

Holly and the Ivy, The 

(Pocemoker) 1567 

Horse's Mouth, The 

(Kingsley-lnt'l) 1551 

Illicit Interlude (Hakim) 1680 

Intimate Relations (Carroll) ..1566 

Warner Bros. 

Miscellaneous 

High ond Dry 16 

Johnny Dark 15 

Mo and Po Kettle at Home.. IS 

Magnificent Obsession 15 

Naked Alibi 16 

Ploygirl 15 

Roils Into Loromie IS 

Ride Clear of Diablo 15 

Soskotchewon 15 

Sign of the Pagan 16 

So This Is Poris 16. 

Tanganyika 15' 

Tozo, Son of Cochise 15! 

West of Zanzibar 1 6i 

Yankee Pasha 1 5( 

Yellow Mountain, The 16! 

King Richard and the 

Crusaders 

1 5f 

Lucky Me 15: 

Phantom of the Rue Morgue.. 15< 

Ricochet Romance 16^ 

Riding Shotgun 15< 

Ring of Fear 15^ 

Silver Chalice, The 161 

Star Is Born, A 1 63 

Them! 155 

Track of the Cat 16! 

Young at Heart 167 

(Cosino) 

15^ 

La Ronde (Commercial) 156 

Le Ploisir (Kingsley Int'l) 160 

Lonely Night, The (Kingsleylnt'l) 

....158 

Lovers, Happy Lovers 

(A.F.E.) 164 

Miss Robin Hood (Union) .... 1 54 

Moment of Truth (Arlan). .. .1^9 

Monte Carlo Baby 

(Filmokers) 159 

Mr. Hulot's Holiday (GBD)....164 

Out of This World (Corroll) . . 1 59 

Pickwick Papers, The (Kingsleylnt'l) 

157 

Pit of Loneliness (Davis) 158 

Private Hell 36 (Filmokers) ... 161 

Red Inn, The (Davis) 161 

Runaway Bus, The (Kromer- 

Hyoms) 

166i 

Salt of the Earth (Ind. Prod. 

Corp.) ..f 157; 

Sleeping Tiger, The (Astor) ... 1 64' 

Scotch on the Rocks 

(Kingsley Int'l) 160' 

Spell of Irelond, The (Celtic). .158' 

Spice of Life, The (Kingsley 

Int'l) 155( 

Stormy the Thoroughbred 

(Bucna Vista) 1563 

Three Stops to Murder 

(Astor) 1595 

Turn the Key Softly (Astor) ... 156C 

20,000 Leagues Under the 

Sea (Bucno Vista) 1670 

Ugetsu (Harrison & Davidson) . 1623 

Unconquered, The 

(Morgolies) 1605 

Vanishing Prairie, The (Buena 

Visto) 1603 

Vorieteose (Beautiful) 1657 

Violated (Palace) 1575 

Welcome the Queen (BIS) 1616 

Woman's Angle, The

. 

Imum $1.50, cash with copy. Four consecutive insertions for price 

E: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy an 

srs to BOXOFFICE. 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 24. Mo. 

for 1955 seatype 

ambitious 

lest conditions, 

J (irand, Mt. 

so iiouse man- 

It th;it liiiows 

irtll 

ary 

Carolina. 

expected. 

-in. Must be 

leplies treated 

J. 

GENERAL EQUIPMENT—USED 

Values unsurpassed! DeVry dual sound projectors 

\i/amplifler. speaker. e.icellent. $595. Available 

on lime. Holmes L25.N' amplifiers, rebuilt. 

$95: used reuinds, $6.95 set; automatic enclosed 

lewlnds. excellent. $45. Dept. CC. 8.0. S. Cinema 

Supply Corp.. 602 \\. 52nd St.. New York 19. 

For sale: Complete line of equipment for small 

theatre. Very good condition. Simplct mechanisms 

and sound master. Boiolflce, 5705. 

Peerless Majnarcs, $299 pair: 1 KW. $150 pair, 

used: new anamorphics. variable. $545: finest 

cylindrical, $595 pair. Get our trade-in offer on 

new Strong .Mighty Nineties or "ISSs" before you 

deal. Time payment plan available. Dodge Biiuipment 

Co.. 2324 Bccchmont Me., Cincinnati 30. 

Ohio. 

Fifteen sets 24" RC.\ magazines. Complete set 

two upper and two lower, special price $iOO. plus 

tax: list price $390. First come, first served with 

check for $102 per set. Missouri Theatre Supply 

Co.. 115 W. 18th St., Kansas City, Mo. BAItimore 

3070-71. 

Comrlele theatre equipment, piano, super Simplex, 

1!CA sound, screen, blower, seats. $1,250. 

K. Ililal. I'. 0. Box 187, Annlston. Ala. Ph: 

AD-72C14. 

For sale, equipment for small theatre. Powers 

mechanisms and sound ma.ster. 250 chaifs in 

good condition. Howells Theatre, llowells. Neb 

For sale. 1 pair rebuilt Simplex mechanism, new 

style for film trap for Cinemascope. New style 

film gales. Genuine Simplex shutters, double 

bearing movement, price $250 for pair. 30 days 

free trial. One pair super-Simplex rebuilt, price 

$550. I'hilip Bland, .New and Used Equipment, 

1130 West Cha.se Ave.. Chicago 26, III. 

Lowest prices on anamorphics, lenses and screens! 

Contact usl .Motiograph K mechanisms, good. 

$225 pair: ehangcovers. complete, $22.50 set: 

film cabinets, $1,50 section. What do you need? 

Star Cinema Supply, 447 West 52nd St., New 

York 19. 

Brenkert, Super Simplex, standard Simplex with 

rear shutter and Superior projectors. Complete 

RCA sound systems with 9030 soundheads. .\shcraft 

Bnarc 70 A. and Strong IKW lamps. Enclosed 

rewinds, splicers, hand rewinds, 18" magazines. 

2-3 bank ticket machines and other items 

too numerous to mention. All in excellent condition. 

Write for price. Unity. P. 0. Box 442, 

Milwaukee, Wis. 

GENERAL EQUIPMENT—NEW 

You save 70% with .Masonite marquee letters. 

Fit Wagner, Adler, Beveiite signs: 4" 

8"— 

—35c: 

50c: 10"— 60c: 12"— 85c; 14"— $1.25: 

16"— $1.50: 17"— $1.75; 24"— $2.50. Dept. 

CC. S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp., 602 W. 52nd 

St.. New York 19. 

"Hiohly recommend Cinemat. IV to fellow exhibitors 

lor performance, versatility, savings and 

prompt delivery." says .\yer Theatre Circuit. Bangor, 

.Maine. Only $200 down brings you Cinema- 

Scope and VistaVision. Time deals available. 

Dept. CC, S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp., 602 VV. 

52nd St.. New Y'ork 19. 

For Sale: Brand new R;iytone Hi Lux screen, 

1.3x22. Will sacrifice for $275, cost new $450. 

We need larger size. Contact Iowa Tbealre. 

B.oumfield, Iowa. 

EQUIPMENT WANTED 

Lamp.onc kilowatt; rectifier; M, generator. Box- 

Wanted: S-lnch metal or plastic letters for Wagner 

frame. Bruce Theatre, Crowley, La. 

STUDIO AND PRODUCTION 

EQUIPMENT 

Eastman airgraph lfi/35mm developing machines, 

u.sed, $225; motorized dolly with two seats, takes 

heaviest cameras, $195; escalator tripod for 

heaviest T\' or movie cameras on 3-wheel dolly. 

$295; rolling stand multiple floodlites, holding 12 

bulbs. $180 value. $29.50; Clneflex 35inm reflex 

camera, magazines, lenses, motor, $695; Moviola 

35mm composite sound/picture. $495. Dept. CC 

SOS. Cinema Supply Corp., 602 W. 52nd St., 

New York 19. 

THEATRICAL PRINTING 

Window cards, programs, heralds. Photo-Offset 

printing. Cato Show Printing Co.. Cato. N. Y. 

LCLEflfilOG HOUSE 

THEATRES FOR SALE 

Know theatre »ali«s? All downtown houses (2) 

flourishing Texas key center 9,000. Nearest comparable, 

40 miles. Super de luxe "A." fireproof, 

refriuented. built 1949. First run everything, 

non-bid. 1,000 seats. Ilecords available from opening. 

$100,000. $27,500 down to showman. No 

trades, outright leases, gimmicks. Boxofficc, 5709. 

Drive-in showman! 480-car drive-in, excellent 

loealion. 4-lanc federal highway, top city West 

Texas. Value this price/terms Immediately obviocLs. 

Complete details to recognized prospects. $47,000, 

$1S.000 down. Excellent lease. Boxoffice, 5710. 

Sound, substantial, non-competitive modern theatre. 

Live Texas town 5,500. CinemaScoped. 500 

seats. Showing $1,000 monthly profit. $33,500, 

$15,000 down. Ideal living conditions. Boxoffice, 

5717. 

Completely controlled southwest city 25,000. De 

luxe indoor plus fine drive-in. Exceptional growth, 

ideal location. Seeking only top-level showm.'in, 

$75,000 cash, complete identification. To .such, 

show remarkably rare deal. Boxoffice, 5711. 

THEATRE SEATING 

Only drive-in (exceptionally fine. 350 cars) Chair supplies, parts for all chairs, Fensin Seating. 

Chicago 5. 

|ilu, only Indnor theatre. Texas county seat 3,500. 

Lari;e trade area $40,000, $15,000 down. Boxoflirc, 

5710. 

Recairing and reupholstering In your theatre, 

Kensin Seating. Chicago 5. 

Portland. Ore., theatre for sale: For sale, lea.se 

and eciTiipment, Bagdad Theatre. Second run city 

situatiiiu. Thirteen hundred seats. Ten rentals 

included In building lease. Center East Portland's 

vast residential and business section. Some terms. 

Contact Al Myers, P. 0. Box 5204. Portland 16. 

For sale, equipment and leases, three key theatre 

silnations in principal Pacific Northwest city. May 

be bought as a unit or separately. Boxoffice, 5700. 

New 600-car drive-in theatre, deep south. Year 

round operation. Air-conditioned auditorium. B4L 

Cinemascope. Mag. sound. Small down payment, 

bainnec long easy terms. Good investment. Boxoffice, 

5715. 

CinemaScoped. A completely modern suburban 

theatre, in a fast growing city. Completely 

equipped, wide-screen. ClnemaScope, high-intensity. 

Refrigeration. This is a full-time operation, stabilized. 

Ideal neighborhood to live and work. Exclusive 

with Ralph Brwin, Broker. Box 811. 

Tulsa. Okla. 

Will sell to highest bidder, small drive-in in 

Missouri. Yearly gross $13,500. Boxoffice, 5721. 

260 seats, re-seated velour backs and bottoms. 

1932. New knotty pine front and marquee, 1934. 

Building included. Simplex projectors and sound. 

1 kw lamps. Town 1,800, central Illinois. Rea.son 

fur selling, excellent position with .Alexander Films. 

Must move to center of territory. No brokers. 

Boxoffice, 5723. 

New Mexico mountains. Fine 450-seat only 

theatre, good town. Beautiful, healtbv location. 

$18,500, $8,500 down. Bo.xoffice. 5718, 

Theatre in good farming and dairying area in 

Iowa. Well equipped, doing good business. Just 

right for family operation, reason, for selling. 

Boxoffice, 5728. 

432-seat theatre, five years old. equipped for 

Cinem.aSeope. 400-car parking. 60.000 population 

within seven-mile radius. I. A. Field, Box 

602. Cortland, Ohio. 

San Francisco area. 650 seats. OnemaScopewlde 

screen, excellent boxoffice and candy bar 

receipts. Books open. $17,500 down. J. D. 

Arakelian, Tlieatre Broker, 25 Taylor St.. San 

Francisco. 

Only theatre, rich Wisconsin county scat of 

4.000. Absentee ownership forces sale. 462 

seats, exceptional confection stand. Act Now! 

No reasonable offer refused! Bo.xorfice, 5731. 

For sale. Drive-in theatre in northeastern Ohio. 

Well located, good lease. 300-car. Boxoffice. 5732. 

Oklahoma. Only drive-in. growing city. Rich 

new oil, agricultural area. Large territory. First 

run. Exclusive with Ralph Erwln. Broker. Box 

811, Tidsa. 

First run art house in southwest city of 100.000. 

Immediate possession. $2,500. Bovofiice. 5702. 

THEATRES WANTED 

Theatres. Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri. 

Ralph Em in. Broker, Box 811, Tulsa. Okla. 

Will lease theatres or drlve-lns with possibilities 

In south Alabama, north Florida. Olln Evans Theatres. 

Florala. Ala. 

Individual wants to buy or lease theatre or 

driie-ln In southwest Exnerienoed all phases 

Replies confidential. Boxoffice. 5729. 

New spring seats for all chairs, Fensin Seating 

Chicago 5. 

Patch'O-seat cement, permastonc anchor cement. 

Fensin Seating, Chicago 5. 

Seat coverings, sewed combinations, all styles. 


Plastic leatherette, all colors, send sample. 

Fensin Sealing, Chicago 5. 

Upholstery fabrics, all types, send sample. 


Need Chairs? S.O.S. has 'em! Send for chair 

bulk-tin shiiwing our tremendous stock at knockdo.in 

prices. Dept. CC, S O.S. Cinema Supply 

Corp., 602 W. 52nd St., New York 19. 

New and used rebuilt opera chairs. Write for 

photos, state incline and iiuality. Parts for all 

ch.:irs. send sample for iiuotation. I'ateh-A-Seat 

to repair torn seats. $6 complete kit. specify color. 

Firmastone to anchor loose chairs, $5 carton. 

F.O B. Chicago. General Chair Co., 1308 Elston 

Ave., niicago 22, 111. Phone AHmilagc 6-0022. 

Several lots good used chairs. Late models. 

tVrite for exact photo. Plastic leatherette, 

25" X 26", 53c each, good quality. We specialize 

in rebuilding chairs in your theatre. Send us 

sample. Chicago Used Chair Mart, 820 S. State 

St.. Chicago 5. III. 

Any needed seat repair, re-covering, re-anchoring 

standards, etc., done in your theatre without loss 

of seat use. Sect covers made lo order. Good used 

theatre seats. Eakcr Theatre Seat Service, Nicoma 

I'ark, Okla.. P. 0. Box 335. 

635 Heywood, 1.000 International, late model 

theatre chairs. Lone Star Seating Co.. Box 1734, 

Dallas, Texas. 

POPCORN MACHINES 

Popcorn machines, all makes and styles. Replacement 

kettles for all poppers. Complete replasement 

unit fits most machines. $185. 120 So. 

Ilalsted. Cliicago, III. 

Handy Subscription 

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BOXOFFICE: 

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ill!

X here's a big difference between 

getting down to earth — and hiding your head in it! 

Motion picture exhibitors who are out to build better box 

office simply can't ignore the many new advances in projection 

and sound techniques. 

Today's top film money-makers demand the very latest 

wide screen projection and directional sound equipment! 

Are you hiding from this fact? 

Face up to it! Your theatre needs the very latest equipment! 

. . . the very finest equipment! . . . 

», no u s »•' o". 

PROJECTION AND SOUND SYSTEMS 

MANUFACTURED BY INTERNATIONAL PROJECTOR CORPORATION • DISTRIBUTED BY NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY 

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Boxoffice-January.08.1955

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