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Boxoffice-January.22.1955

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. . Story<br />

JARUAKT LL, 1733<br />

are finding the workshop approach to their merchandising problems a stimulating experience,<br />

re ore more then 250 theatremen who attended the MGM ticket selling workshop in<br />

it week, one of the series the company is staging throughout the country. They heard experts<br />

operations discuss problems of smalltown and metropolitan theatres .<br />

on Page 28.<br />

Report From the Field:<br />

SELLING THE<br />

ART THEATRE<br />

Page 18


{<br />

'Celt<br />

WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY<br />

RELEASE OF<br />

';fVPITER'S DARLIN<br />

ALL OVER THE NATION<br />

M-G-M's GIANT<br />

CinemaScopE<br />

COLOR MUSICAL!<br />

With Cast of Thousands<br />

sfarring<br />

ESTHER WILLIAMS<br />

HOWARD KEEL<br />

MARGE and<br />

GOWER<br />

CHAMPION<br />

GEORGE SANDERS<br />

w/fh RICHARD HAYDN • WILLIAM DEMAREST<br />

Screen Play by<br />

Based on the Play "Road to Rome" by<br />

DOROTHY KINGSLEY<br />

Songs:<br />

ROBERT E. SHERWOOD • BURTON LANE and HAROLD ADAMSON<br />

Choreography by HERMES PAN • Photographed In EASTMAN COLOR<br />

Directed by GEORGE SIDNEY • Produced by GEORGE WELLS<br />

A-^-^<br />

l±=rrr=:^<br />

p<br />

Just


, Visits<br />

^i^<br />

NEVER BEFORE!<br />

A thrilling romance in spectacular splendor<br />

and a wealth of singing glory!<br />

Watch!<br />

Hannibal's Army crossing the Alps with his<br />

elephant cavalry!<br />

Watch!<br />

The scheming Beauty who tricks The Barbarian<br />

on the march to conquer Rome!<br />

Watch!<br />

Handsome statues come to life in the amazing<br />

underwater dance spectacle!<br />

Watch!<br />

Dance of the Painted Elephants!<br />

Watch!<br />

Clash of armies at the gates of Rome!<br />

: ABOUT<br />

^ETRATION!<br />

>arling" Ready For Washington's Birthday!<br />

198,703,553 READERSHIP<br />

jazines, in fan magazines and in the national Sunday Supplcan<br />

Weekly, This Week, Parade, Pictorial Review.<br />

NWIDE TV REACHES 50,370,000<br />


.21-f-----^<br />

THE Best-seller the<br />

BECOMES AN ATTRACTION TC<br />

First Engagement<br />

Paramount, NEW YORK * Paramount Downtown, LOS ANGELES * Egyptian, HOLLYWOOD * State Lake, CHICAGO * Randc<br />

Warner, MEMPHIS * Allen, CLEVELAND * Majestic, SAN ANTONIO * Plaza. EL PASO * St. Johns, JACKSONVILLI<br />

Majestic, DALLAS • Radio City, MINNEAPOLIS * Paramount, ST. PAUL * Paramount, KANSAS CITY * St. Louis, ST. LOU<br />

SKI'<br />

heartt<br />

i<br />

M^TT<br />

WarnerColor<br />

•<br />

Stereophonic Sor<br />

STARRING<br />

VAN ALDO MONA<br />

HEFLINUAyFREEIM


I<br />

DN'T PUT DOWN<br />

THE GREATEST!<br />

m'<br />

MWm<br />

^<br />

The<br />

scorchingly<br />

personal<br />

story<br />

T<br />

BALTIMORE * Met. & Ambassador, WASHINGTON, D.C.* Fox California, SAN DIEGO<br />

* Gable, CORAL GABLES * Center, BUFFALO * Metropolitan, BOSTON<br />

,NAPOLIS * New Fox, PORTLAND, ORE.* Paramount, SEAHLE * Strand, Albany<br />

of<br />

loves<br />

and<br />

longings<br />

when<br />

the'<br />

battle<br />

is<br />

far!<br />

away.<br />

SCREEN PLAY 8V<br />

OND TAB DOROTHY ANNE LEONM.URIS<br />

§Ey[IUmER-MA[ON[-FRANCISJMlt


RICHARD TODD *<br />

JEAN PETERS<br />

PRODUCED BY DIRECTED BY SCREEN PLAY BY<br />

SAMUEL G. ENGEL- HENRY KOSTER<br />

•<br />

COLOR BY<br />

De Luxe<br />

ELEANORE GRIFFIN<br />

celebra<br />

with 20th


—<br />

7i(j^ o^t^y/l(>fwn7^t€t(4^^ Vftdi/At^<br />

pKqUq Generates<br />

AAerchandi sing<br />

Hl'^ ciilliusiasin eiigcndered by the<br />

lirsl "MGM Ticket Soiling W (irksho])" ineetings<br />

is continuing to grow with each succeeding such<br />

e\ent. In Denver last week, for instance, ahoul<br />

2.')() theatre owners and managers were in attendance—<br />

""liie<br />

largest turnout of theatre owners e\cr<br />

in the history of this exchange point," to put it<br />

as dill I'at McGee. who was one of the particil)ants,<br />

along with hi- ox\ri managerial crew and<br />

the virtual complete representation of all of the<br />

circuits in the territory. Individual theatre<br />

operators, too. from the smallest of towns, also<br />

were present, giving evidence of the widespread<br />

interest in iinj)roving the merchandising of pictures<br />

and the theatre throughout the ranks of<br />

exhihilion.<br />

Mr. McGee made this further comment: "For<br />

two days we ha\(> had one of the most exciting<br />

ex|)eriences in the history of the Rockv Mountain<br />

distrihution area . . . this was one of the most<br />

foruard steps ever taken by a film company."<br />

Another well-known Coloradan, Bob Walker<br />

of the Uintah Theatre in the little town of Fruita,<br />

was equally laudatory in his comment on the<br />

Woikslujp. In a letter to BoxoFFicE, he says.<br />

\l(;\l conducted a meeting (hat put all the national<br />

conventions Fve attended to shame. There<br />

was a spirit there Fve never seen at an exhibitor<br />

shindig. The "Friendly Company' demonstrated<br />

the real spirit of brotherhood, too, as they<br />

weren't there to sell pictures for themselves, but<br />

to help sell tickets for everyone's productions. I<br />

Irfl Denver thoroughly convinced that, if I could<br />

sit down with my bitlercst enemy and we'd meet<br />

with open minds, there wouldn't be anything<br />

that couldn't be settled."<br />

Frequently through the years, this observer<br />

has admonished exhibitors to place greater accent<br />

on selling the instituiion of the motion<br />

picture, as well as the specific picture. If thenis<br />

such a thing as a cure-all for the industry's<br />

ills, it abides in a conlinuing flow of profit-producing<br />

i)atronage. That isn't attained by just<br />

wishing for it. One has to go out and get it; then<br />

dci the right things in the right way to retain<br />

and increase it.<br />

Ill taking on a function wherebv it is helping<br />

exhibitors to help themselves, .M(wM is rendering<br />

a ser\ice that should prove of great value to<br />

the industry as a whole. And, along with the<br />

Motion Picture Theatre Celebration which MGM<br />

also is sponsoring, the awakened and stimulated<br />

showmanship should aicomplish much in keeping<br />

the |iublic motion |)icture and theatre-conscious<br />

for main months to conu".<br />

Product<br />

l'rcidu( t<br />

Dissipation<br />

dissipation goes on despite exhibitors'<br />

protests of a shortage of product — qualitx product,<br />

that is. In a midwestern city last week.<br />

"Drumbeat," starring Alan Ladd showed simultaneously<br />

in eight neighborhood houses; a couple<br />

of nights later, it went into six later runs; at the<br />

same time two other Alan Ladd features were<br />

playing in the neighborhoods. So the public was<br />

offered a choice of Alan Ladd. Competing TV,<br />

with three channels, gave the public a far greater<br />

selectivity, whether or not the quality was good.<br />

Still another wasteful booking jjractice took<br />

place in the same city when, this week, "White<br />

Christmas," which had been rolling u]) record<br />

grosses in its first runs was doubled in multiple<br />

bookings with another Technicolor musical,<br />

"Athena." Both pictures boast big star casts and<br />

their entertainment ratings are high. Granting<br />

that the double-hills may be essential to the particular<br />

houses involved, it would seem the better<br />

booking judgment to have inmbined each, sej)-<br />

arately. with another and altogether different<br />

type of j)icture.<br />

In discussing this sort of thing with several<br />

exhibitors, we have been told that such booking<br />

is not always of their making—that they are<br />

"forced" into it by distributors. If lhe\ did not<br />

book these pictures on their availability, said<br />

the exhibitors, they would lose out or upset their<br />

entire booking schedule. So what? Maybe that<br />

would bring an end to the ridiculous situation!<br />

So long as things like this continue, so long will<br />

there be peaks and valleys in theatre grosses<br />

and the steady patronage so much desired and<br />

needed— by distribution, as well as exhibition<br />

will be unattained.<br />

• •<br />

Public Relations Builder<br />

Exhibitors are reaping a harvest of goodwill,<br />

along with excellent support from a variety of<br />

civic and other organizations for their showings<br />

of '"This Is Your Army," the .54-minute documentary<br />

which COMPO is sponsoring in cooperation<br />

with the government. In Kansas ('ity,<br />

for instance, two large defense plants called attention<br />

of the showing at Loew's Midland to<br />

their employes through si)ecial bulletins and<br />

house organs. At the same time they publicized<br />

the regular feature on the theatre's ])rogram.<br />

In Savannah, Ga., the showing at the Avon<br />

Theatre was given the sponsorshij) of ihe Chamber<br />

of Commerce and support from nearb\ military<br />

camps. Press, radio and television cooperation<br />

spread the word, favorable to the film, the<br />

theatre and the industry in general.<br />

Filmed in Technicolor by Fox Movietone<br />

News. "This Is Your Army'' is a production of<br />

high (piality. It is entertaining, as well as informali\e.<br />

and will add to patrons' enjoyment<br />

of any program. Every theatre should show it,<br />

not only as a patriotic duty, but as a public<br />

service.<br />

^sJ^C^v^<br />

/04lJL/i.nA^


—<br />

$150,000<br />

OKAYED<br />

Exhibitor Group to Seek<br />

Contributions on Basis<br />

Of COMPO Dues Plan<br />

NEW YORK—Methods of safeguarding<br />

the industry from a successful campaign<br />

by manufacturers of "certain television devices"<br />

to obtain government approval of<br />

subscription TV was adopted Wednesday<br />

1 19 1 at a meeting of the Joint Committee<br />

on Toll TV at the Hotel Sheraton Astor.<br />

A tentative budget of $150,000 for its<br />

own campaign was approved.<br />

The money will be sought through invitation<br />

to exhibitors to contribute on the same<br />

basis they pay dues to the Council of Motion<br />

Picture Organizations.<br />

TO EMPLOY P. R. COUNSEL<br />

A public relations counsel will be employed<br />

"to combat the propaganda of the protagonists<br />

of toll TV."<br />

Expert legal counsel will be retained to<br />

represent the committee in the pending action<br />

involving toll TV before the Federal Communications<br />

Commission.<br />

Expert engineering service and advice will<br />

be sought.<br />

A Washington office will be established in<br />

case the matter becomes a legislative issue.<br />

Trueman T. Rembusch of National Allied<br />

and Alfred Starr of Theatre Owners of America,<br />

joint chairmen of the committee, issued<br />

the following statement, through Herman<br />

Levy, general counsel of Theatre Owners of<br />

America and a member of the committee:<br />

"The inherent fallacies in the arguments<br />

being made by sponsors of toll TV must be<br />

exposed. And theatre owners must affirmatively<br />

and logically present their positions.<br />

They must refuse to be put on the defensive.<br />

The public must be informed that toll TV is<br />

economically unsound, detrimental to free<br />

TV and would create a government-sponsored<br />

monopoly."<br />

To finance its work, the committee decided<br />

to ask exhibitors to remit to Philip Harling,<br />

trea-surer, an amount equal to that they gave<br />

to COMPO last year in the form of dues.<br />

Harling's address is 1585 Broadway. New York<br />

36, N. Y. Starr, Rembusch and Harling were<br />

named trustees of the fund.<br />

BREAKDOWN OF DUES<br />

The COMPO scale folows:<br />

Four-wall theatres to 500 seats—$7.50 annually.<br />

To 750 seats—$11.25. To 1,000 seats—<br />

$18.75. To 2,500 seats—$37.50. Larger theatres—$75.<br />

Drive-ins to 300 cars—$7.50. To 500 cars<br />

$11.25. To 600 cars—$18.75. Larger drive-ins—<br />

$37.50.<br />

Earlier, representatives of the committee<br />

had a-sked financial assistance of COMPO,<br />

but because of its diverse membership that<br />

was not forthcoming.<br />

The committee stressed there was need for<br />

counter action because propaganda for toll<br />

TV "had already reached a high peak."<br />

Abram F. Myers, National Allied general<br />

counsel, read the statement, which continued<br />

as follows:<br />

"It is urgent that all exhibitors are called<br />

CAMPAIGN CHES'i<br />

FOR TOLL TV FIGt<br />

Hits at Effort to Place<br />

TV on Exhibitor Side<br />

CHICAGO—In a letter released this week,<br />

Comdr. E. F. McDonald jr., president of<br />

Zenith Radio Corp., charged Hal Fellows,<br />

president of the National Ass'n of Radio and<br />

Television Broadcasters, with opposing the<br />

interests of broadcasters and attempting to<br />

align the broadcasters' association with motion<br />

picture theatres in an effort to scuttle<br />

or delay subscription television.<br />

McDonald referred to a January 4 letter<br />

sent by Fellows to Chairman McConnaughey<br />

of the Federal Communications Commission<br />

which, he said, asked "the Commission to<br />

follow a course of action that would delay<br />

as long as possible giving the broadcast industry<br />

access to a whole new field of competition<br />

for the boxoffice audience."<br />

McDonald further charged that Fellows had<br />

not only WTitten to the Commission without<br />

the knowledge or consent of NARTB members,<br />

but that he had failed to tell the Commission<br />

he was expressing his personal opinions<br />

and not those of his membership.<br />

The Fellows' letter, McDonald said, expressed<br />

the same view as a recent petition<br />

filed by film theatre interests. He contended<br />

theatre opposition to subscription television<br />

on to send in their contributions at the<br />

earliest possible time. Details of today's program<br />

will be given them directly by mail or<br />

through their regional associations soon.<br />

Representatives of several exhibitor organizations<br />

have pledged the best efforts of those<br />

groups in urging support of the program."<br />

The committee did not disclose its reasons<br />

for fast action except to say that the propaganda<br />

of proponents of toll TV had gotten hot<br />

and that it was faced with an FCC hearing<br />

and possibly congressional action. They met<br />

at a time when the common stock of Skiatron,<br />

one of the three toll TV systems, was rising<br />

on the market. The other systems are that<br />

being promoted by Zenith and Telemeter, the<br />

latter partly owned by Paramount.<br />

Allied was also represented by Wilbur<br />

Snaper and Julius Gordon and TOA by Ralph<br />

McClanahan. Metropolitan Motion Picture<br />

Tlieatres A.ss'n was represented by D. John<br />

Phillips and Sol Strausberg, Independent Theatre<br />

Owners Ass'n by William Namenson and<br />

Southern California Theatre Owners Ass'n by<br />

James Arthur.<br />

Ament Elected Chairman<br />

Of Newsreel Committee<br />

NEW YORK—Walter C. Ament, vicepresident<br />

of Warner Pathe News, has been<br />

made chairman for 1955 of the newsreel committee<br />

of the Motion Picture Ass'n of<br />

America. He succeeds Tliomas Mead, editor<br />

of Universal Newsreel, who held the post two<br />

years and was commended by the committee.<br />

stemmed from fear that it would<br />

broadcaster a boxoffice to compete wi<br />

events not now available on televisioi<br />

tres on first run movies and othi<br />

form.<br />

"If the theatre owners have any va<br />

for this fear," McDonald said, "t<br />

broadcasting industry has everything<br />

that the theatres would lose. I find<br />

to understand how you can appear<br />

up your organization in the same c<br />

theatre exhibitors."<br />

McDonald stated that many broadca<br />

anxious to have subscription televisio<br />

lished at the earliest possible mom<br />

cause their continued existence in TV<br />

upon its early adoption. Others,<br />

anxious to get into TV, are held<br />

knowledge that they could not mal<br />

without the supplementary income<br />

scription TV.<br />

"You are not speaking for these<br />

broadcasters," McDonald said, "nor<br />

speaking for the 30-odd TV static<br />

have already turned in their tickets a<br />

off the air, or for the hundred p<br />

have surrendered their construction f<br />

Senate Unit Investigat<br />

Radio, TV Monopoly<br />

WASHINGTON—"Monopoly<br />

praci<br />

radio and television" form the subject<br />

for a Senate probe which Sen. Ha<br />

Kilgore (D., W. Va.i on Friday (1<br />

is "proceeding well."<br />

According to Kilgore. Howard L. C<br />

long active in the radio and TV fie<br />

been "tentatively" hii'ed as direct<<br />

radio-TV subcommittee of the Sena!<br />

ciary Committee. Chernoff has been c<br />

ing preliminary studies which might 1<br />

full-scale investigation.<br />

Meanwhile, an entirely separate in<br />

tion is under way in the Senate Co<br />

Committee, which is looking into the (<br />

of whether the FCC should regulate n<br />

as is now done with individual statio<br />

Kilgore is the new chairman of the<br />

Judiciary Committee. He said on Frid<br />

he is undecided about whether to assi<br />

chairmanship of the radio-TV subcoD<br />

Whether subscription television<br />

breed monopoly in the field is one of t<br />

jects under consideration, Chernoff n<br />

TV Sets Near 33,000,000<br />

NEW YORK—Television sets in use<br />

U. S. at the end of 1954 totaled 32<br />

compared with 26.973.000 sets in 1953,<br />

ing to Hugh M. Seville jr., director<br />

search and planning of the National<br />

casting Co. A total of 33,500,000 sets h<br />

predicted for 1955, he said.<br />

8 BOXOFFICE January


I theatres<br />

$30 Million<br />

8iK, Majors<br />

00 antitrust suit<br />

Balaban & Katz<br />

lies by one of Chi-<br />

Essaness Theatres<br />

ne of the biggest<br />

de against the film<br />

r affiliated circuit<br />

and the largest of<br />

• been started in<br />

Lson Park Theatre<br />

in the immediate<br />

^saness suit is an<br />

and the majors<br />

circuit of A prodan,<br />

attorney for<br />

had taken several<br />

isitions to support<br />

scheduled to come<br />

. Campbell of fed-<br />

in the<br />

the Loop's Woods<br />

Latz has approxi-<br />

C'hicago.<br />

oduction<br />

ead at 66<br />

Daniel J.<br />

Lord, S.J.,<br />

1 Code for the mo-<br />

1929. died Saturday<br />

a year. He was 66<br />

lad been a frequent<br />

es dealing with reg<br />

"King of Kings,"<br />

e which has guided<br />

iducers for 25 years,<br />

ther Lord developed<br />

ntertainment world,<br />

on Chicago's South<br />

rs old. but his plans<br />

e were halted when<br />

?nior. It was then<br />

influence of Claude<br />

ers at St. Ignatius<br />

to enter the priestlit<br />

school here and<br />

most all of his life,<br />

shed what he called<br />

ure Attendance," In<br />

for avoiding annoyo<br />

go to movie theafilm.<br />

Tax Ruling<br />

fheatres<br />

imount Gulf Thet<br />

in the Mississippi<br />

! discrimination in<br />

won a finding that<br />

; Mississippi legislainatory.<br />

e legislature was a<br />

.11 theatres operated<br />

for chains of ten<br />

ly 5 per cent tax.<br />

;s. having been adorder,<br />

brought suit<br />

; the discrimination<br />

ionable and in vio-<br />

3f the 14th amendof<br />

the U. S.<br />

Allied Gives Priority<br />

To Toll TV Discussion<br />

ST. LOUIS—One of the most important<br />

industry problems to come up for discussion<br />

at the second annual drive-in convention of<br />

National Allied at the Chase Hotel here February<br />

8-10 will be toll television.<br />

"Toll TV," said A. B. "Jeff" Jefferis, general<br />

convention chairman, who operates the<br />

Jefferis Theatre and the Pine Hill Drive-In<br />

at Piedmont, Mo., and is president of Midcentral<br />

Allied Independent Theatre Owners,<br />

"represents the greatest threat that has ever<br />

faced the motion picture exhibitor in the history<br />

of the business. It is regrettable that<br />

very little interest has been shown among<br />

the exhibitors as a whole about this hazard<br />

that may well put them out of business, but<br />

this seeming lack of interest probably stems<br />

from lack of information and study of the<br />

subject.<br />

CALLS IT CRITICAL SITUATION<br />

"It behooves every exhibitor to exert the<br />

same effort to fight this critical situation<br />

as he did when he made the struggle for the<br />

elimination of the federal admission taxes."<br />

A report on toll TV will be made Tuesday<br />

at the opening of the convention by Trueman<br />

T. Rembusch of Indiana, past president of<br />

National Allied and a member of its board<br />

of directors and caravan committee. He has<br />

made a very thorough study of toll TV and<br />

has appeared numerous times in many capacities<br />

befoi-e the FCC.<br />

Several thousand drive-in theatre owners<br />

throughout the country were requested by<br />

Jefferis to mail in to him the problems they<br />

would like to have discussed at the convention.<br />

The program provides for a film clinic the<br />

afternoon of February 8. Tlie mornings are<br />

to be kept open for guided tours of the exhibits<br />

that will be a distinct feature of the<br />

drive-in gathering. The booths will be on<br />

the first floor adjacent to the Chase Club<br />

and the Lido Club.<br />

"These replies of the drive-in theatre owners,"<br />

Jefferis said, "will be the guiding factor<br />

in the final arrangements of the program for<br />

the three-day gathering, and will enable us<br />

to select the proper speakers and moderators<br />

to handle the problems that are pertinent<br />

to the owners of the outdoor theatres. This,<br />

of course, will assure the utmast interest<br />

in the program from start to finish."<br />

TO HOLD FILM CLINICS<br />

As indicated there will be the film clinics,<br />

which have become a very important part of<br />

everj- convention staged by the National<br />

Allied. The clinics w-ill be divided into two<br />

groups, one for the owners of small drive-in<br />

theatres and the other for larger situations.<br />

Special stress will be laid on the operation<br />

of drive-in concessions and the vending of<br />

merchandise. Other discussions planned include<br />

promotion and publicity, exploitation<br />

and advertising; playgrounds, then- equipment,<br />

supervision and location: service to<br />

facilitate the movement of traffic into and<br />

out of the drive-in, and any other subject<br />

that may be suggested by those attending.<br />

Every available space in the exhibition<br />

halls will be utilized to house the large equipment<br />

show and trade exposition. A number<br />

of new products for use by drive-in theatres<br />

will be on di.splay. Jefferis pointed out. He<br />

said the di.splays will include everything from<br />

fireworks to ferrLs wheels. In fact, a very<br />

interesting display will be a Miracle Whirl<br />

ferrLs wheel, 16 feet high, on the outside of<br />

the Chase Hotel, near the swimming pool.<br />

It is planned to make this ferris wheel available<br />

for free rides to children from the<br />

Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children and<br />

the Children's Hospital.<br />

Directors of National Allied will meet Monday<br />

(7 1, the day before the drive-in convention<br />

gets under way. Jefferis and his wife<br />

Maud have w'orked out a program for the<br />

women, including a party with some .^-urprise<br />

features, a brunch, luncheons and tours of<br />

the interesting parts of St. Louis.<br />

Predicts Arbitration<br />

Ready by September<br />

NEW YORK—A prediction that the industry's<br />

arbitration system would be in operation<br />

about September was made by Al Lichtman.<br />

director of sales for 20th Century-Fox,<br />

at a special press conference Friday 1 21)<br />

. He<br />

said the committee drafting the arbitration<br />

plan was to work over the weekend and<br />

would have the complete draft ready by early<br />

February.<br />

A date then will be set for the arbitration<br />

committee representing both distribution and<br />

exhibition, with a full dress industry conference<br />

to follow after the Department of Justice<br />

and court approve the draft. He made<br />

"the rough guess" that arbitration would be<br />

effective by September.<br />

He was loath to disclose details, but did<br />

say that the cost of operation has been<br />

estimated at about $150,000 a year, to be<br />

shared 50-50 by distribution and exhibition.<br />

Elsewhere it was learned that there would be<br />

a year's trial of the plan.<br />

Lichtman took up the matter of industry<br />

differences. He said any belief that there is<br />

a distinct cleavage in the industry is "downright<br />

stupid." He said Allied started "this<br />

thing" some time ago when its committee interviewed<br />

company executives here. He repeated<br />

a previous statement that arbitration<br />

should have priority over his proposal<br />

for an industry round table.<br />

He also pointed out that the Senate Small<br />

Busine.ss Committee favored arbitration and<br />

that the Committee had criticized Allied for<br />

having killed earlier negotiations.<br />

Branton and Martin Made<br />

Brotherhood Chairmen<br />

NEW YORK—G. Ralph Branton. Allied<br />

Artists vice-president, has become HoUyw'ood<br />

chairman of the Brotherhood drive for 1955<br />

and Edwin D. Martin, president of Martin<br />

Theatres, has become regional chairman for<br />

North and South Carolina and Florida, it<br />

has been reported by John H. Harris, national<br />

chairman of the amusements division of the<br />

National Conference. The week will be observed<br />

February 20-27 under the slogan of<br />

"One nation under God."<br />

!2. 1955 9


;<br />

'PuUc^caU<br />

Worldwide Exhibitor Unit<br />

Is Still a Possibility<br />

Alfred Starr, TOA executive, says he has<br />

checked idea with John Davis of Rank organization<br />

in Britain, but that progress is<br />

slow; Herman Levy, TOA counsel, to talk<br />

with European exhibitors this summer.<br />

•<br />

Complete National Theatres<br />

Divestiture During Week<br />

E. C. Rhoden, president, on eastern visit<br />

with F. H. Ricketson jr., vice-president, says<br />

last seven houses have been disposed of;<br />

reports no new move for government permission<br />

to finance production.<br />

•<br />

President Permits Filming<br />

Of His Press Conference<br />

Eiseniiower becomes first in office to yield<br />

to pleas of newsreels and television for<br />

coverage; press secretary checks reels before<br />

release: public sees on TV Wednesday (19);<br />

in theatres two days later.<br />

•<br />

Walter Futter Organizes<br />

British Vidascope Co.<br />

Nat Miller heads fii-m that will handle<br />

his anamorphic lenses in United Kingdom,<br />

where 350 already have been installed; reports<br />

3.000 installations in U. S.; now delivering<br />

in South America and Australia.<br />

•<br />

Film Censors of Six States<br />

Planning Future Course<br />

Representatives from New York, Ohio,<br />

Kansas, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Vu-ginia<br />

gather at Richmond at invitation of Mrs.<br />

L. C. Whitehead, Virginia censor.<br />

•<br />

Memphis Censor Board<br />

Bans 'Black Tuesday'<br />

United Artists picture, starring Edward G.<br />

Robinson, not liked by Chairman Lloyd T.<br />

Binford, who said, "it is the rawest thing<br />

I've ever seen."<br />

•<br />

Tri-Dim 3-D System Ready<br />

To Start Production<br />

Robert Gump, chairman, and Bradley<br />

Schaeffer, counsel, announced thi.s week that<br />

the company is to be incorporated within 30<br />

days; system does not require glasses.<br />

•<br />

Howard M. Feigley. 67. Dies;<br />

Veteran Toledo Exhibitor<br />

Known as dean of Toledo theatre owners,<br />

suffered a heart attack; was manager of<br />

the Rivoli Theatre for 33 years; also managed<br />

the adjoining Palace and was supervising<br />

manager of the Pantheon.<br />

•<br />

Republic in Tu Manchu'<br />

TV, Radio Picture Deal<br />

Company closes S4,000,000 contract with<br />

Sax Rohmer. author, for rights; production<br />

of 78 half-hour TV shows will start in two<br />

months; three film features planned for international<br />

release.<br />

loe^'s Inc.,<br />

7954 Nei<br />

Increased 50 Per Cent<br />

NEW YORK—Loew's, Inc., 50th anniversary<br />

report, including theatre subsidiaries, shows<br />

a net profit of $6,577,311 for the fiscal year<br />

ended Aug. 31, 1954, an increase of $2,196,707<br />

(50 per cent) over the $4,380,603 reported for<br />

the 1953 fiscal year. The 1954 net was equivalent<br />

to $1.28 per share on the common, compared<br />

with 85 cents per share for the preceding<br />

year.<br />

An interim financial statement sent to<br />

stockholders with the annual report shows<br />

that for 12 weeks ended Nov. 25, 1954, the<br />

net of Loew's and all subsidiaries amounted<br />

to $1,521,349 after all taxes and charges subject<br />

to year-end adjustment. This is equivalent<br />

to 30 cents per share, compared with<br />

$1,133,893, or 22 cents per share, for the<br />

same period of the preceding year.<br />

Profit before taxes for the 1954 fiscal year<br />

was $12,643,840, compared with $6,435,504 in<br />

the previous year. Operating revenues were<br />

$183,142,486, compared with $177,558,874 in<br />

I he previous year.<br />

The August 31 balance sheet showed an increase<br />

of $13,354,123 in cash and government<br />

securities compared with a year earlier. Inventories<br />

were $66,043,465, compared with<br />

$79,728,467. Tlie company's funded debt was<br />

Columbia in Two-Day Meet<br />

On 'Gray Line' Promotion<br />

NEW YORK—Columbia home office executives<br />

and division managers, with General<br />

Sales Manager A. Montague presiding, started<br />

a two-day meeting Thursday (20) at the<br />

Savoy Plaza Hotel for the purpose of discussing<br />

promotion and sales plans for "The<br />

Long Gray Line."<br />

The Fi'iday session was devoted to a presentation<br />

of the advei-tising and publicity plans<br />

by Paul N. Lazarus jr.. vice-president. The<br />

film will open at RKO Keith's and at the<br />

Capitol, New York, February 10.<br />

Home office executives, in addition to<br />

Montague and Lazarus, who attended were;<br />

Rube Jackter, assistant general sales manager;<br />

Louis Aster, George Josephs and Vincent Borelii, sales<br />

executives; Maurice Grad, short subject sales manager;<br />

Howard LeSieur, director of advertising, publicity<br />

and exploitotion; Joseph Freiberg, monager of<br />

sales accounting; Seth Roisler, manager of the contract<br />

department; William (joodman, assistant to<br />

Astor; Daniel Rothenberg, assistant to Borelii, and<br />

Nat Goldblatt, assistant to Freiberg.<br />

The delegation from the field included<br />

Not Cohn, New York; Sam Galanty, mideast; Carl<br />

Shalit, central; Ben Marcus, midwest; I. H. Rogovin,<br />

New England; Jack Underwood, southwest; R. K.<br />

Ingram, southeast; L. E. Tillman, northwest; Woyne<br />

Ball, Southern California and Rocky mountains, oil<br />

division managers, and Ben Lourie, Chicago branch<br />

manager, and Harvey Hornick, Canadian sales manager.<br />

United Artists Theatres<br />

To Pay Off Bank Loans<br />

NEW YORK—United Artists Theatre circuit<br />

will issue 400,121 shares of common stock<br />

to pay off loans of $5,200,000 made to Todd-<br />

AO to get the new process under way. If the<br />

stock is issued at $17 or $18 as expected it<br />

will use the leftover funds for corporate purposes.<br />

reduced by $2,710,000 and a current ba<br />

of $4,500,000 was paid off.<br />

Thirteen pictures are completed oi<br />

final stages of editing.<br />

A note to the financial statemen<br />

that Louis B. Mayej- received S2.60i<br />

satisfaction and cancellation of his<br />

rights and all obligations under his<br />

nated employment contract less ap<br />

adjusted tax saving of $1,404,000 whii<br />

be amortized over a five-year period<br />

with the 1956 fiscal year.<br />

Another note states that tlie emp,<br />

of J. Robert Rubin, former vice-presid<br />

counsel, was terminated August 31.<br />

entitled to receive 5.1 per cent of<br />

distribution profits from further dist<br />

after the termination, of the pictur<br />

duced from April 7, 1924, to the date ol<br />

nation of employment, and 5.1 per<br />

the value of any stories of such pictu;<br />

duced from April 7, 1924, and ir<br />

Dec. 31, 1938, which might be re-used<br />

after termination of his employmen<br />

sequent to Aug. 31, 1954, the compa:<br />

Rubin $1,200,000 in satisfaction and c;<br />

tion of all obligations of the com;<br />

make these residual payments in futui<br />

Court Grants Two-Yea:<br />

Extension to Loew's<br />

NEW YORK—Loew's, Inc., has been<br />

a two-year extension to Feb. 6, 1957,<br />

tribution of stock in the new theati<br />

pany organized as a result of the<br />

decree. The purpose is to permit th<br />

pany to work out a division of the i<br />

refinancing, between the distribution a<br />

atre companies.<br />

The extension was granted by U. S<br />

Henry W. Goddard after the compa<br />

stated that it could not work out a<br />

at present and get financing subst<br />

similar to that now in effect. If a ni<br />

is evolved in less than two years, it<br />

put into effect.<br />

Johnston Ready to Lea'<br />

On Near Eastern Missic<br />

NEW YORK~Enc Johnston,<br />

presii<br />

the Motion Picture Ass'n of America, is<br />

uled to fly Sunday (23) to the Near<br />

:<br />

special ambassador of President Eise<br />

in connection with power development<br />

Jordan River valley.<br />

Johnston planned to go fh'st to Isri<br />

then visit the Ai'ab countries. He<br />

away about a month, returning in I<br />

attend the February 28-March 3 Intercan<br />

Conference at New Orleans.<br />

Dr. Goldsmith Re-Elect«<br />

NEW YORK—Dr. Alfred N. Goldsn:<br />

been re-elected board chairman of tJ<br />

tional Film Council. The organizati(<br />

meet February 24 at the Dehnonico H<br />

install<br />

officers.<br />

10 BOXOFFICE :: January-


I<br />

Left)<br />

M's ir'r^'A<br />

f*;<br />

ION<br />

URE<br />

\TRE<br />

N AT THE MOVIES'."<br />

50<br />

ORK<br />

rHER!<br />

Ime of the year to<br />

box-office. It's as<br />

v'e can both make<br />

advantage of the<br />

with a dynamic<br />

ort. With M-G-M's<br />

PICTURE THEATRE<br />

ou will<br />

IS<br />

have great<br />

to tie-in with your<br />

convince the public<br />

ORE FUN AT THE<br />

how to<br />

do it!<br />

How To Put On A<br />

Theatre Celebration<br />

In Your City!<br />

With banners flying, colorful lobby<br />

displays, arresting Special Trailer,<br />

editorials and "salutes" — with doublebarrelled<br />

showmanship, M-G-M's 1955<br />

Motion Picture Theatre Celebration will<br />

spark the movie-goers of your town. A<br />

Celebration can be staged individually<br />

or in cooperation with other theatres.<br />

, "' possible in, ProvKje t<br />

,<br />

Hty.- ' ^"


SEE "WARD MARSH STORY"<br />

In the press book is a story of the histi<br />

movies in Cleveland. This is a good e:<br />

how a local history of the movies, stai<br />

the very first film theatre, can be made<br />

esting newspaper feature in your tow<br />

every place has a comparable local sto<br />

FREE ACCESSORIES!<br />

1. FREE KITS<br />

Containing 1-sheet, over- the-wircst reamer, stickers,<br />

buttons, "How To Sell" booklet, press book and<br />

other items.<br />

2. SPECIAL TRAILER<br />

M-G-M Stars pay tribute to your theatre. Scenes<br />

from many pictures.<br />

3. COLORFUL 40 X 60 POSTER<br />

Eye-catcher for your lobby.<br />

4. RADIO PLATTER<br />

15 minutes running time. Comprising highlight<br />

commentary on the "Celebration."<br />

5. FREE 24-SHEETS<br />

Center display is a "Celebration" announcement.<br />

Nine titles are spread around it in simulated<br />

marquee effects.<br />

6. PRESS BOOK<br />

Ads, publicity and exploitation suggestions.<br />

7. "HOW TO SELL" BOOKLET<br />

Handy pocket-.size compendium of promotions<br />

for "Celebration."<br />

8. GIANT 40 X 80 LOBBY STANDEE<br />

For first run theatres in larger cities.<br />

EASY TO GET A "SPONSOR"<br />

IT'S<br />

You will find it easy to get your Chamber of<br />

Commerce, Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions or other<br />

civic organization to propose the "Salute" and<br />

assume leadership and sponsorship for this<br />

tribute to the local movie theatre.<br />

NEWSPAPER, TV, RADIO COVERAGE<br />

Having arranged for your "sponsor," provide<br />

news story for the press, TV, radio, etc. (Sample<br />

story in Press Book).<br />

GET THE PRESS BOOK<br />

Ask yom- M-G-M Branch for the Celebration<br />

Press Book and the handy pocket-size "How To<br />

Sell" Booklet. Read them carefully. Everything<br />

is covered in detail in them.<br />

LUNCHEONS TO HONOR THEATRES<br />

The regular luncheons of your civic clubs can be<br />

turned into "Salute" affairs honoring exhibitors.<br />

(Speech data in Press Book).<br />

MAKE UP SPECIAL MATERIAL<br />

While M-G-M is providing complel<br />

accessories, many exhibitors will w:<br />

special locally produced items— special<br />

trailer, window and pole cards, etc. (<br />

Book for copy suggestions).<br />

OPENING NIGHT CEREMONIE<br />

Plan a gala occasion with lights, lo<br />

special guests.<br />

NEWSPAPER COOPERATION<br />

Seek editorial comment based on C(<br />

angle. Contact advertising manager t<br />

cooperative page with stores under a C<br />

headline. This would include display (<br />

and coming attractions.<br />

SCHOOL TIE-UPS<br />

Because of community importance, j<br />

from high school publications; arrange ;<br />

radio or TV for general movie discussior<br />

on Celebration attractions. Request c(<br />

of teachers, use of bulletin boards; t<br />

important local sports events where a<br />

score-card or leaflets may be used.<br />

LOBBY IDEAS<br />

Make up lobby panel with star heads<br />

tion: "Send Your Greetings To The S<br />

Here and Share in M-G-M's 1955 Moti(<br />

Theatre Celebration." List your pi<br />

extra side panel and indicate that sign;<br />

be sent to studio.<br />

DRESS UP FRONT<br />

Give theatre festive air by "flying"<br />

pennants up from marquee. Give your<br />

gay, inviting appearance for your C(<br />

MERCHANDISING OPPORTUNI<br />

January White Sales. February Furnit<br />

Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Bill<br />

Patrick's Day, Easter— all of these oc(<br />

the period of M-G-M's Celebration. T<br />

them for store events, windows, co-op


"JUPITER S DARLING" (IT THE DECK<br />

so many spectacular pre-sell-<br />

>lebration pictures nationally<br />

lewspapers, radio, TV.<br />

ballyhoos below. These prony<br />

places as possible. Their<br />

•y box-office in the nation.<br />

ig" — Big Washington's<br />

Lion will have elephant<br />

fie ad campaign. Full<br />

mday Supplements i99<br />

lip!; Pictorial Review,<br />

y. This Week, Parade,<br />

lumn in national magane<br />

ads. Ksther Williams<br />

Sullivan's "Toast of the<br />

Murrow's "Person To<br />

^- -^'-. M-G-M's 1955 MOTION PICTURE<br />

"fZ^ '<br />

THEATRE CELEBRATION<br />

rWi^^SiJ-J.-S^'.-.,. r/joe* ,um ji,u .,i the oMusr<br />

'INTERRUPTED MELODV<br />

"THE GLASS SLIPPER"<br />

9<br />

Slipper" and the Cinder-<br />

llmrnufo lor no nmiiy ymni nuii n<br />

iiermd'Upuii iiiwwer in<br />

Itroiuw fur > nuiiiy ytnn ll<br />

»i(lrH ihff nuaii.«iiiilyl.iiiKh<br />

wlici> lltry ivnlnl lo,<br />

.FORWARD<br />

Ucctiuw lliry luivr uiuctfulily niaili'<br />

(Iimiim-Iv •iii-n. of (nninmiiily nclivily for<br />

graveling (iun Collection<br />

s To Cro.ss." Taylor in<br />

jllivan's "Toast of the<br />

\Vt3\aK "u\^^^t"y (iml'd'hulniu'urii r^irr lif.-. M-CM »1ir«> ll<br />

Willi a cnln olTrfinK tA loine ne* aiul iin|K>rlunl tiulion iiicluns.<br />

Now. MOHLTIIAS hVKIl. YWU J-L VlKU- TIIERr-i iUIKK mS AT TIIK U<<br />

i-M make-up expert to<br />

pted Melody."<br />

jel of fortune and girls<br />

ml."<br />

ial kid shows in conjuncdays<br />

or a special Saturday<br />

tores pay for the tickets;<br />

.ted.<br />

lALUTE<br />

angle you can approach<br />

) promote the Celebration<br />

s a musical, and there are<br />

M's Celebration releases,<br />

le. Other suggestions in<br />

M-G-M's Gala Cele-<br />

POST Advertising<br />

bration to the millions, the full-page,<br />

full-color ad above will appear in<br />

The Saturday Evening Post, Feb. 19th with 20<br />

million<br />

readership. Just part of M-G-M's constant<br />

"Celebration" advertising including<br />

M-G-M's Column in national magazines (readership<br />

93 million!). See box (top left)<br />

'Let's<br />

Celebrate<br />

Together!"<br />

\ \<br />

for more.<br />

ith M-G-M's Celebration<br />

record stores, windows,<br />

36, playdate information.<br />

PRESS BOOK<br />

i the surface. The Press<br />

Fo Sell" booklet contain<br />

s, plus ads and publicity<br />

'Salute" campaign and


'<br />

A WEALTH OF PRODI<br />

FOR EVERY THEATR<br />

Ask your M-G-M Branch! Start Your Ce/efc<br />

M-G-M's CELEBRATION RELEASES!<br />

"BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK" (January)<br />

Cinemascope -Color} starring Spencer Tracy • I|pbert<br />

I<br />

Ryan • co-starring Anne Francis<br />

• Dean Jagger • Walter<br />

Brennan • •<br />

John Ericson Ernest Borgnine • Lee Marvin<br />

Russell Collins<br />

"HIT THE DECK" (Marc/,)<br />

'<br />

"GREEN FIRE" {January)<br />

"INTERRUPTED MELODY<br />

{CinemaScope-Color)- starring Stewart Granger- Grace<br />

Kelly Paul Douglas • • co-starring John Ericson • with<br />

Murvyn Vye<br />

'<br />

"MANY RIVERS TO CROSS (fehruary)<br />

{Cinemascope -Color) • starring Robert Taylor Eleanor<br />

•<br />

Parker • with Victor McLaglen<br />

• Russ Tamblyn • Jeff<br />

•<br />

Richards James Arness<br />

"JUPITER'S DARLING" (February)<br />

•<br />

(CinemaScope-Color) starring Esther Williams- Howard<br />

Keel Marge and Gower Champion - • George Sanders<br />

with Richard Haydn William Demarest •<br />

"THE PRODIGAL"fDofe fo be Announced) .<br />

Edmund Purdom<br />

Walter Hampden Taina Elg •<br />

(CinemaScope — Color) . starring Jane Powell .<br />

Martin. Debbie Reynolds. Walter Pidgeon .Vic D;<br />

Gene Raymond . Ann Miller . Russ Tamblyn . witl<br />

Armen .J. Carrol Naish .Richard Anderson .Jane D<br />

(MarcM<br />

(CinemaScope— Color) • starring Glenn Ford . E<br />

Parker . with Roger Moore . Cecil Kellaway<br />

"THE GLASS SLIPPER" {April)<br />

(Color) • starring Leslie Caron . Michael Wilding<br />

Keenan Wynn . Estelle Winwood . Elsa Lane<br />

Barry Jones<br />

"BEDEVILLED" {April)<br />

(CinemaScope— Colon . starring Anne Baxter .<br />

Forrest • with Simone Renant . Maurice 1<br />

Robert Christopher . Joseph Tomelty and Victor Fi<br />

iCinemaScope-Color) .starring Lana Turner<br />

Audrey Dalton - James Mitchell • NeviUe Brand<br />

• Louis Calliern<br />

- with<br />

- Francis L. Sullivan • Joseph Wiseman • Sandra Descher<br />

AND THESE CURRENT PRODUCTIONS!<br />

"BETRAYED" (Co/or.<br />

starring Clark Gable . Lana Turner . Victor Mature . co-starring<br />

Louis Calhern<br />

"ROGUE COP"<br />

starring Robert Taylor<br />

Steve Forrest . Anne Francis<br />

"RR\G ADOOW\CinemaScope— Color)<br />

. Janet Leigh . George Raft • co-starring<br />

starring Gene Kelly • Van Johnson . Cyd Charisse . with Elaine<br />

Stewart . Barry Jones . Albert Sharpe<br />

"THE LAST TIME I SAW PARIS" (Technicolor)<br />

starring Elizabeth Taylor . Van Johnson . Walter Pidgeon<br />

Donna Reed . with Eva Gabor . Kurt Kasznar<br />

"BEAU BRUMMELL" (Color)<br />

starring Stewart Granger • Elizabeth Taylor • Peter Ustinov<br />

with Robert Morley<br />

"ATHENA", Co/or.<br />

starring Jane Powell • Edmund Purdom . Debbie Reynolc<br />

Damone • Louis Calhern . with Linda Christian . Evelyn<br />

Ray Collins<br />

"CREST OF THE WAVE"<br />

starring Gene Kelly • with John Justin<br />

Richards<br />

"DEEP IN<br />

MY HEART" (0,/ori<br />

Bernard Lee<br />

starring Jose Ferrer . Merle Oberon . Helen Traubel . am<br />

Stars: Walter Pidgeon . Paul Henreid . Rosemary (<br />

Gene & Fred Kelly . Jane Powell • Vic Damone . Anr<br />

Cyd Charisse . Howard Keel . Tony Martin with Doe<br />

Tamara Toumanova . Paul Stewart Isobel Elsom •<br />

Olvis . James Mitchell<br />

AND THESE BIG FUTURE M-G-M ATTRACTIONS<br />

"MOONFLEET" (CmemaScope-Color)<br />

starring Stewart Granger George Sanders . Joan Greenwood<br />

Viveca Lindfors • with Jon Whiteley . Melville Cooper<br />

"IT'S ALWAYS FAIR WEATHER" (CmemaScope-Co/or)<br />

starring Gene Kelly • Dan Dailey • Cyd Charisse • Dolores Gray<br />

Michael Kidd<br />

"BLACKBOARD JUNGLE" starring Glenn Ford • Anne<br />

Francis • Louis Calhern • Margaret Hayes<br />

"THE KING'S THIEF" iCuwmoScope-Color)<br />

starring Ann Blyth . Edmund Purdom . David Niven . George<br />

Sanders • with Roger Moore<br />

"THE SCARLET COAT" ^CinemaScopc-Color)<br />

starring Cornel Wilde . Michael Wilding . George Sanders<br />

Francis . with Robert Douglas . John Mclntire • and<br />

DriscoU<br />

"THE MARAUDERS" (Color)<br />

starring Dan Duryea • Jeff Richards . Keenan Wynn .<br />

Lewis<br />

"LOVE ME OR LEAVE tAF\CincmaScope-Color)<br />

starring Doris Day • James Cagney . Cameron Mitchell<br />

Robert Keith • Tom TuUy . Harry Bellaver<br />

!<br />

»,.. <<br />

4^ ^<br />

J^?\^'^<br />

#*^^\<br />

-1^A-**\'J-,<br />

Ure s/


, New<br />

; Walter<br />

. Frankfort,<br />

: Ernest<br />

jsTOA<br />

ir'55<br />

—<br />

» committees for<br />

a have been named<br />

it. Two new comand<br />

insurance<br />

the November conive<br />

been named for<br />

g information and<br />

it branches of exlen<br />

named to head<br />

1 work closely with<br />

lents are as follows:<br />

jership—George G.<br />

L. Morris,<br />

Portland, Ore.<br />

Des Moines: Elmer<br />

iski, Boston: Pat<br />

Fabian, New York:<br />

Julian<br />

Brylawski,<br />

ilation—Robert E.<br />

I<br />

Kincey,<br />

Charlotte,<br />

o.<br />

Braunagel.<br />

on, Atlanta,<br />

Little<br />

•r, Nashville: R. B.<br />

ie.s—Henry<br />

R. Kennedy. Chi-<br />

York: Abe<br />

Anderin,<br />

Brooklyn: B. S.<br />

accessories—Joseph<br />

1 E. Pope, Kansas<br />

-.St, N. J.<br />

Keller,<br />

Paducah,<br />

tlanta.<br />

Ky.:<br />

G. Stel-<br />

-Herman<br />

M. Levy,<br />

e Supply<br />

3ting<br />

jns for 1955 were<br />

5S meeting January<br />

; Supply salesmen<br />

jresident and cen-<br />

•esided. Important<br />

William E. Green,<br />

3: Buffalo—V. G.<br />

r. R. George: Cinager:<br />

E. C. Novak,<br />

?. A. Barthel and<br />

-F. J. Masek, man-<br />

R. P. miman: Denager.<br />

and E. P.<br />

N. Peterson, manand<br />

J. W. Aspley:<br />

Tis, manager, and<br />

cGuire and C. C.<br />

rV Unit<br />

Vanger has joined<br />

., as a consultant<br />

of directors.<br />

Stanley Warner Earnings<br />

Doubled First Quarter<br />

WILMINGTON, DEL.— S.<br />

H. Fabian, president<br />

of Stanley Warner Corp.. told stockholders<br />

at their annual meeting last week that<br />

the profit for the first quarter of the current<br />

fiscal year was more than double that<br />

for the same period of the previous year.<br />

Tlie net after all charges was $1,110,100.<br />

equivalent to 50 cents per share on the 2,212,-<br />

900 shares of common outstanding after deducting<br />

the stock held in the treasury. This<br />

compares with a net of $523,100 for the<br />

corresponding quarter of 1953, which was<br />

equivalent to 21 cents per .share on the common<br />

then outstanding.<br />

The gross income for the first quarter was<br />

$23,320,400. For the previous first quarter the<br />

gross was $13,794,100. The figures for the<br />

quarter ending Nov. 27. 1954, included the<br />

operations of the International Latex Corp.<br />

This company was acquired April 30, 1954.<br />

Fabian said Stanley Warner had completed<br />

its theatre divestiture progxam.<br />

The Stanley Warner Corp. board of directors<br />

Monday (17) voted a dividend of 25<br />

cents a share on the common stock, payable<br />

February 25 to stockholders of record February<br />

4.<br />

Immediately after the opening of "Cinerama<br />

Holiday" at the Warner Theatre, New York,<br />

Fabian said, similar openings will take place<br />

in Detroit, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and St.<br />

Louis.<br />

Openings in Tokyo, Syria and Bangkok of<br />

"This Is have been so Cinerama" successful,<br />

Fabian said, that it is evident the Cinerama<br />

era had been started.<br />

A total of 1,833,853 shares, or approximately<br />

84 per cent of the common stock, was represented<br />

at the meeting either in person or by<br />

proxy. The amendment to the certificate of<br />

incorporation providing for two classes of directors,<br />

each class of which is elected for two<br />

years, with the terms of each class expiring<br />

JOINS REPUBLIC—Edmund C. Grahiger<br />

(left), new sales manager in charge<br />

of circuit operations for Republic Pictures,<br />

chats with Richard W. Altschuler,<br />

vice-president and director of worldwide<br />

sales. Grainger was recently affiliated<br />

with KKO Theatres in charge of film<br />

buying and hooking. Before that he was<br />

president of Shea Enterprises and for<br />

many years was eastern sales manager for<br />

20th Century-Fox.<br />

on alternate years, was approved by 1,702,512<br />

shares against 13,674.<br />

Fabian, Samuel Rosen and David Baii'd<br />

were re-elected as directors for a period of<br />

two years.<br />

All officers of the Stanley Warner Corp.<br />

were re-elected by the board of directors at<br />

a meeting held Monday (17). They are:<br />

President, Simon H. Fabian: executive vicepresident,<br />

Samuel Rosen: chairman of the<br />

finance committee. David G. Baird: vicepresident<br />

and general manager. Harry M.<br />

Kalmine: vice-president. Nathaniel Lapkin:<br />

vice-president and treasurer. W. Stewart Mc-<br />

Donald: secretary. David Fogelson: controller.<br />

Frank J. Kiernan: assistant treasurer, James<br />

M. Brennan: assistant secretary. Miles H.<br />

Alben.<br />

End of Ohio Censorship<br />

Saves $20,000 Monthly<br />

COLUMBUS—Cessation of censorship in<br />

Ohio is saving the film indu.stry $20,000 per<br />

month in censor fees, declared Robert Wile,<br />

secretary of the Independent Theatre Owners<br />

of Ohio, in a letter addressed to all film company<br />

heads.<br />

Wile's statement came on the heels of an<br />

announcement by Dr. Clyde K. Miller, head<br />

of the state's division of audio-visual education,<br />

that he will seek an appropriation from<br />

the legislature in order to continue the work<br />

of the division, curtailed by lack of funds.<br />

The division has been supported by fees<br />

received by the censorship of films. Miller<br />

said his department has received no funds<br />

since December 6 and that a reserve fund<br />

will be exhausted by April 1. "If we don't<br />

get an emergency appropriation, we're out<br />

of business," said Miller.<br />

Wile said that Miller's request for an appropriation<br />

from the state's general fund<br />

should be granted. "However," added Wile,<br />

"there is no reason why the film industry<br />

.should be taxed to support the department."<br />

Wile, in his letter to film company presidents,<br />

said that in the last fiscal year $240,000<br />

was collected in censor fees. "While it is<br />

difficult to forecast what a legislature will<br />

do," he added, "I think it is safe to say that<br />

at the very worst, even if a new censorship<br />

bill should be passed, that the fees will be cut<br />

by $200,000 per year. When the committee<br />

hearings on new censorship bills start, your<br />

cooperation will be sought to obtain the very<br />

best witnesses to testify. We will appreciate<br />

your help."<br />

Wide Screen Forcing<br />

Remake of Trailers<br />

CHICAGO—Cinemascope and wide screens<br />

have caused an upheaval in the trailer making<br />

business, says Irving Mack, head of<br />

Filmack Trailer Co. All the libraries of stock<br />

institutional trailers are on standard film<br />

for the standard screen ratio.<br />

Thousands of these are now being remade<br />

for giant screens. Filmack is reshooting its<br />

entire stock of institutional trailers. In the<br />

future, he says, all trailers will be available<br />

in both standard and wide-screen ratios.<br />

1955 15


—<br />

400 Honor Schmerl<br />

At Cleveland Even<br />

CLEVELAND—More than 400<br />

me<br />

all branches of the industry froa<br />

SIGNS LONG-TERM PACT WITH WARNERS—Elia Kazan has signed a longterm<br />

contract to produce and direct a series of important productions for Warner Bros,<br />

for whom he has just completed direction of "East of Eden." Kazan is second from<br />

left. Warner Bros, executives in the photograph are (1. to r.) : Ben Kalmenson, vicepresident<br />

in charge of distribution; Jacli L. Warner, executive producer, and Mort<br />

Blumenstocl


D NEWS ABOUT<br />

-Ms BAD DAY AT<br />

:K ROCKl<br />

PRESS-TIME FLASH!<br />

NIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE" FIRST<br />

s[ KINGSTON, N.Y.!<br />

•<br />

/EN BRIDES" FIRST 2<br />

DAYS IN EL PASO,<br />

fERRIFIC FIRST 4 DAYS, SECOND ONLY<br />

AMBO"!<br />

•<br />

TOPS "SEVEN BRIDES" AND ALL THE<br />

ORTH GREAT!<br />

"LONG, LONG TRAILER"!<br />

AZINE IS<br />

SAN ANTONIO TOPS<br />

•<br />

RIGHT: "Starts M-G-M off on the New<br />

:s best footage forward. Spencer Tracy at his best."<br />

^ iti (."int-miiScope SI'KNCEK TRACY<br />

• ROBKKT HYAN in "BAD DAY AT BLACK<br />

-mn Aniif FnuiL-is • D«an JaggiT<br />

• WalUT BriTnian Jolin Krioson • Ernest Borgnine • Lee<br />

I t'olliris S(Teen Play by Millard Kaufman Adaptation • • l)y Don McC.uire • Based on a Story<br />

Hn • Photographed in Eastman (^olor • Directed by John Sturges • Produced by Dore Schary


'«b' \^l\l 9 fXVXirf fflL r ILbL^><br />

Art House Fare Winning<br />

Audiences in Miami<br />

Non-Pro As Well As Commercial Theatres Draw<br />

By KITTY HARWOOD<br />

MIAMI—A growing awareness that there<br />

is a very definite market here for the "art"<br />

or "special interest" film is being evidenced<br />

by a trend in a number<br />

of local theatres.<br />

Wometco has pioneered<br />

this field for<br />

about six years, main-<br />

/if^^^B""*"" ^^ taining the Mayfair<br />

Art Theatre and continuing<br />

an "art" policy<br />

nearly exclusively.<br />

Claughton, at the<br />

present time, is doing<br />

experimenting<br />

some<br />

with this medium.<br />

Shortage of good<br />

Walter Klements Hollywood product and<br />

extremely high film rental is given as one of<br />

the reasons that has set the cii'cuit thinking<br />

along these lines.<br />

Florida State Theatres have devoted most<br />

of their efforts so far to the Coral Theatre,<br />

booking their art films there because of the<br />

type of patron this particular theatre draws,<br />

and also because of its location near the<br />

University of Mianu.<br />

The Roosevelt Theatre in Miami Beach,<br />

now under independent management, after<br />

trying out all sorts of Hollywood pictures and<br />

failing to score at the boxoffice, began an<br />

art policy and so far is doing a remarkably<br />

good business.<br />

The Milenoff Ballet Theatre in Coral<br />

Gables presents about 12 evenings of art<br />

pictures from January to the middle of June.<br />

"The Film Society," a group of members<br />

of the University of Miami's Lowe Gallery.<br />

has a limited membership and shows films<br />

"outstanding in movie history," including<br />

foreign made films.<br />

Claughton has just concluded at a downtown<br />

house a successful run of "Sensualita,"<br />

an Italian film, and this has been followed<br />

with "Caesar and Cleopatra," a J. Arthur<br />

Rank production. Other foreign-made films<br />

have been booked into other of the circuit's<br />

houses. Just which theatre will be selected<br />

for the regular showing of such pictures will<br />

be decided after experiment, says Don Tilzer,<br />

Claughton publicist. "We feel we must learn<br />

MILENOFF CONCERT


; to<br />

cture was a great<br />

itably stayed much<br />

jer Martin Caplan<br />

in not holding it<br />

was moved in, and<br />

leen doing capacity<br />

Vliracle in Milan"<br />

lays, "we are drawneighborhoods<br />

and<br />

lialeah and Miami<br />

i the difference in<br />

ni picture drew an<br />

ixicab trade. People<br />

e lobby which they<br />

jd "never seen beir<br />

has drawn from<br />

many who never<br />

atre in their lives<br />

AGO<br />

knows more about<br />

m anyone here (or<br />

;er) is Walter A.<br />

;iously called "Art"<br />

Mayfair Art Theits<br />

present policy,<br />

metco organization<br />

mt urbane gentler<br />

the years a clien-<br />

Vlayfair even from<br />

.dly gives the beneothers<br />

interested,<br />

great wish to see<br />

le set up where art<br />

lear certain infors.<br />

preferably with<br />

distributor. Somefilms,<br />

their subject<br />

!d. availability, cost<br />

Duld be exchanged<br />

ncerned. Ideas, to.<br />

it. Klements thinks,<br />

s exchange of ideas<br />

11 down promotion<br />

business. He sends<br />

various civic orreads:<br />

"E>ear Club<br />

!ased to have your<br />

1 make an appointee<br />

as I have a plan<br />

for clubs and orrk."<br />

bring the desired<br />

les his plan, which<br />

iking to run a cerlength<br />

of time, given<br />

a week or more<br />

age of the admisthe<br />

club. Perrn<br />

would be 50 per<br />

s. a less percentage<br />

ays has suggestion<br />

n the lobby and he<br />

re" of his audience,<br />

'rench. Greek. Ital-<br />

Chinese. Japanese.<br />

:otch films. What<br />

the regular Friday<br />

view.<br />

it costs him about<br />

pictures, including<br />

e carefully observes<br />

showing, noting realk<br />

out. grow restfrom<br />

his own obdecides<br />

whether or<br />

FAMOUS MOVIE mSTS<br />

OUTSTANEING FILM CLAOSICS<br />

Itiiel ot Bajhaaa<br />

Anna<br />

Cbrlstio<br />

Uorocco<br />

Bnderworlil<br />

Tliln<br />

Uan<br />

Big farade |<br />

MllWMKEt PUBUC MUSEUM<br />

"Sv'r^r-rrS-.v^ii::<br />

The Milwaukee Museum has a film<br />

service, which not only attracts large<br />

crowds to Museum movie performances<br />

(as publicized above) but last year had<br />

65.000 bookings by schools and organizations.<br />

That there is an audience for<br />

the special interest film is attested by the<br />

fact that the Museum has three trucks<br />

which operate full time to deliver pictures<br />

twice a week to schools, colleges<br />

and social centers in the city.<br />

not to book the picture. He does not by any<br />

manner of means always book the film after<br />

these screenings, but he gets back his investment<br />

in the added patronage the extra<br />

picture brings in.<br />

The Mayfair is always available for various<br />

civic and club usages. The theatre is fortunate<br />

in having a very large inside lobby.<br />

Chairs and a TV set are handy, and small<br />

game tables with checkers set up are around<br />

one side. There is nearly always an art exhibit<br />

on the walls. A local art critic passes<br />

on exhibits before they are accepted, and<br />

thus the Mayfair is usually pubUcized in the<br />

art section of the Sunday newspapers. There<br />

have been about 150 exhibits shown, the<br />

average is one every two weeks. Aside from<br />

the advantage to the theatre, Klements is<br />

pleased with the knowledge that any number<br />

of capable artists have had a showing which<br />

otherwise they might not have achieved.<br />

For a very small fee covering costs, Klements<br />

will run off an afternoon (he opens<br />

evenings except Saturdays and Sundays)<br />

showing of some educational or special film<br />

for schools or other groups.<br />

A success that surprised him, as much as<br />

anybody, happened during the run of "Hamlet,"<br />

first art film to play the Mayfair and<br />

booked for 35 days. Klements called on the<br />

head of the English department of the foremost<br />

Negro school, volunteering to put the<br />

picture in a Negro theatre for a children's<br />

matinee if a sufficient number of children<br />

could be assured at the required price of a<br />

dollar. The morning of the showing the<br />

school had three people doing nothing but<br />

smoothing out dollar bills that had been<br />

crumpled in childish fingers. T\vo thousand<br />

children had to be stuffed somehow into<br />

the theatre, and the waiting line was so<br />

long that Klements had to get a parade<br />

permit from the city and a police escort.<br />

Children sat tw'o in a .seat and crowded<br />

the aisles. Anyone who did not wish to be<br />

crowded was offered his money back, but<br />

none took advantage of the offer.<br />

Seeing the interest, the same theatre<br />

made an attempt to show the picture at a<br />

regular performance, but the attempt was<br />

a failure. Klements cites this as one example<br />

of how the theatre manager must<br />

pick his own audience when he attempts<br />

to show art pictures.<br />

IDEAL LOCATION FOR THEATRE<br />

Location of the Mayfair, away from the<br />

business section, is ideal for the showing of<br />

foreign art films. Klements believes. It was<br />

a friend of Sidney Meyer, co-owner of<br />

Wometco, who first suggested that the<br />

Mayfair was ideally situated by size, appearance<br />

and location for becoming an art<br />

house. The theatre seats about 425.<br />

Klements never goes in for ballyhoo advertising,<br />

but keeps his as dignified as possible.<br />

The ad is the tip-off. he says. The<br />

Mayfair ads are alw-ays hand drawn. Occasionally<br />

films get a review, and Klements<br />

gets other mentions from time to time.<br />

The fact that he always wears a dinner<br />

jacket at night is good for a columnLst's<br />

line once in a while. Most often pointed<br />

out is the wording on the marquee,<br />

"Miami's Most Unique Theatre." They keep<br />

calling Klements down for his bad grammar<br />

which he wouldn't change for anything:<br />

it gets too many free plugs.<br />

Files at the Mayfair are stuffed with unsolicited<br />

letters from patrons. One from the<br />

president of the Musicians' Club of America<br />

commends Klements on the showing<br />

of "La Traviata," saying that such showings<br />

increase "the love and appreciation<br />

of fine music and fine drama."<br />

One patron took upon herself the task<br />

of writing to the principals of all M'ami<br />

schools, calling attention to the kmd of<br />

pictures which can be seen at this house.<br />

The letter went into detail, telling of the<br />

availability of matinee showings for school<br />

groups, and pointing out the asset such a<br />

theatre Ls to the community and particularly<br />

to young people who are thus given a<br />

chance to see and hear operas and other<br />

productions of the world's classics.<br />

CHANGED A PATRON'S OUTLOOK<br />

One man wrote in to say the Mayfair<br />

had changed his whole outlook on the<br />

movies, and he even found it a pleasure<br />

to wait In the lobby for a seat and be<br />

served coffee "by a charming young<br />

woman."<br />

A minister wrote to "express my appreciation<br />

for the exceptionally high class pictures<br />

at the Mayfair." Requests for various<br />

pictures are received.<br />

One of the nicest compliments Klements<br />

received was from a librarian who. having<br />

seen "Bolero" and heard excerpts from a<br />

poem read, took the trouble to type out<br />

the whole three-page poem by Countee Cullen<br />

and mall it In. Klements had some<br />

copies made and then ran a little slide on<br />

the screen to say that any who cared for<br />

a copy please leave word. 3.000 requests<br />

were received.<br />

'Sorcerer's Apprentice' for 20th-Fox<br />

HOLLYWOOD—"The Sorcerer's Apprentice."<br />

a musical short in Cinemascope, produced<br />

and directed in Germany by Michael<br />

Powell, has been secured for distribution by<br />

20th Century-Fox. A ballet taken from a<br />

poem by Goethe, it features members of the<br />

state opera of Hamburg.<br />

2. 1955 19


NOW FROM PARi<br />

THAT HAS EYERYTHII<br />

TOP STARS ... "Every performance a standout. Holden le<br />

conviction — March delivers sock portrayal — Grace Kelly is war<br />

sympathetic — Mickey Rooney enacts a smash performance. A<br />

tinguished piece of picture making."<br />

—VAR,<br />

FAMED STORY. .<br />

."Long awaited screen version of Micher<br />

best-selling novel indicates top-column popularity and pr<br />

All-out cooperation was extended by the Navy's air arm."<br />

—BOXOF<br />

HUMAN DRAMA . . ."Perlberg and Seaton are producing pictures<br />

new style. Following 'The Country Girl,* they have come up ^<br />

another love story grounded in the actualities of human relatic<br />

-FILM D<br />

MAGNETIC TITLE . . ."Provocative title — four powerful na<br />

—terrific entertainment! A cinch to open big — and sell itsel<br />

it<br />

runs via praiseful comments of pleased audiences."<br />

-M. P. HEI<br />

STRONG SHOWMANSHIP. . ."strikes high level of showmanship<br />

assures hefty returns in all situations. Hard-hitting melodramatic<br />

rich in human emotions."<br />

—DAILY VAR<br />

THE BRIDO]<br />

tIAMES A-<br />

MICHElVERlS<br />

HOLDER<br />

starring<br />

^mWTLLIAJM<br />

KELL<br />

e^RACE<br />

With<br />

ROBERT STRAUSS • CHARLES McGRAW • KEIKO AWAJI • WILLIAM PER


-int nuiuKt<br />

!<br />

VERY BOXOFFICE<br />

U I . . . "Will have strong impact on audiences and<br />

boxoffice grosses. Excellent!"<br />

-SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW<br />

ISHED PRODUCTION . . . «Just about perfect. All<br />

ice qualities a picture needs!"<br />

-HOLLYWOOD REPORTER<br />

)KO-RI<br />

>I1IC<br />

cc^lc^r by<br />

TECHIVICOLOR<br />

j^ t^erlbery-Se€Mt€^wr<br />

mfilCKEY<br />

iCH<br />

•<br />

MARK ROBSON VALENTINE DAVIES • • From the Novel by James A. Mich, nor<br />

ROOIVEY<br />

Directed by<br />

Screenplay by


:<br />

MGM to Release Nine<br />

January Through April<br />

NEW YORK — During the first three<br />

months of the 1955 Motion F>icture Celebration<br />

MGM will release eight productions and<br />

will have a ninth scheduled for special handling.<br />

All except one are in Cinemascope and<br />

Eastman Color.<br />

Releases are to be coordinated with the<br />

current Ticket Selling Workshops and local<br />

newspaper advertising and promotion will be<br />

used to enable exhibitors to get the best<br />

results in connection with their efforts in<br />

behalf of the celebration. An elaborate pressbook<br />

has been sent out for their use.<br />

The release schedule follows:<br />

January 7— "Bad Day at Black Rock"<br />

(CinemaScope-Eastman Color) , a Dore Schary<br />

production, directed by John Sturges, with<br />

Spencer Tracy, Robert Ryan, Anne Francis,<br />

Dean Jagger, Walter Brennan, John Ericson,<br />

Ernest Borgnine, Lee Marvin, Russell<br />

Collins and Walter Sande.<br />

January 21— "Green Fire" (CinemaScope-<br />

Eastman Color) ,<br />

produced by Armand Deutsch<br />

and directed by Andrew Marton, with Stewart<br />

Granger, Grace Kelly, Paul Douglas, John<br />

Ericson, Murvyn Vye, Jose Torvay and Robert<br />

Tafur.<br />

February 4— "Many Rivers to Cross" (CinemaScope-Eastman<br />

Color), prcxiuced by Jack<br />

Cummings and directed by Roy Rowland, with<br />

Robert Taylor, Eleanor Parker, Victor Mc-<br />

Laglen, Russ Tamblyn, Jeff Richards, James<br />

Arness, Alan Hale jr., John Hudson, Rhys<br />

Williams, Josephine Hutchinson, Sig Ruman,<br />

Rosemary DeCamp and Russell Johnson.<br />

February 18— "Jupiter's Darling" (Cinema-<br />

Scope-Eastman Color), produced by George<br />

WeUs and directed by George Sidney, with<br />

Esther Williams, Howard Keel, Marge and<br />

Gower Champion, George Sanders, Richard<br />

Haydn and William Demarest.<br />

March 4— "Hit the Deck" (CinemaScope-<br />

Eastman Color), produced by J(3e Pasternak<br />

and directed by Roy Rowland, with Jane<br />

Powell, Tony Martin, Debbie Reynolds, Walter<br />

Pidgeon, Vic Damone, Gene Raymond. Ann<br />

Miller, Russ Tamblyn, Kay Armen, J. Carrol<br />

Ellis.<br />

April 8— "Glass Slipper" (Eastman Color),<br />

produced by Edwin H. Knopf and directed by<br />

Charles Walters, with Leslie Caron, Michael<br />

Wilding, Keenan Wynn, Estelle Winwood,<br />

Elsa Lanchester, Barry Jones, Amanda Blake<br />

Naish, Richard Anderson and Jane Darwell.<br />

March 25— "Interrupted Melody" (Cinema-<br />

Scope-Eastman Color), produced by Jack<br />

Cummings and directed by Curtis Bernhardt,<br />

with Gleim Ford, Eleanor Parker, Roger<br />

Moore, Cecil Kellaway, Peter Leeds and Evelyn<br />

and the Ballet de Paris.<br />

April 22— "Bedevilled" (CinemaScope-Eastman<br />

Color), made in France and originally<br />

titled "Boulevard in Paris," produced by<br />

Henry Berman and directed by Mitchell Leisen,<br />

with Anne Baxter, Steve Forrest, Simone<br />

Renant, Maurice Teynac, Robert Christopher,<br />

Joseph Tomelty and Victor FYancen.<br />

Special handling is to be given "The<br />

Pi-odigal" (Cinemascope - Eastman Color),<br />

produced by Charles Schnee and directed by<br />

Richard Thorpe, with Lana Turner, Edmund<br />

Purdom, Louis Calhern, Audrey Dalton,<br />

James Mitchell, Neville Brand, Walter Hampden,<br />

Taina Elg, Frances L. Sullivan, Joseph<br />

Wiseman, Sandra Descher, Cecil Kellaway,<br />

John Debner, Henry Danniell and Philip<br />

Tonge.<br />

Radio Gains As Seller of Films,<br />

Says Universal Ad Executive<br />

OKLAHOMA CITY—^The increasing importance<br />

of radio as a selling agency for motion<br />

pictures was explained by Jeff Livingston,<br />

eastern advertising manager of Universal,<br />

to the partners and managers of Video<br />

Independent Theatres, Inc., at their annual<br />

meeting at the Skirvin Hotel Wednesday (19).<br />

His subject was "The Changing Patterns of<br />

Motion Picture Advertising and Publicity."<br />

Livingston advised the theatre operators<br />

not to overlook the importance of car radios,<br />

especially when planning their motion picture<br />

ad campaigns. He pointed to the importance<br />

of the disk jockey in the radio selling field<br />

for motion pictures and the large percentage<br />

of teenagers which comprised the radio<br />

listening audience. Universal's appraisal, he<br />

observed, was reflected in the fact that last<br />

year it spent 20 times as much money for<br />

cooperative radio advertising as it did in<br />

1950, year before television's impact was<br />

really felt.<br />

Emphasizing that Universal's advertising<br />

approach to the problem of getting people<br />

into the theatres is a constantly changing<br />

one, Livingston stated that the increase in<br />

national magazine circulation during the past<br />

year indicated that many people were turning<br />

to magazines when they ceased w'atching<br />

their television sets. With this in mind and<br />

having met with initial success in this field<br />

of advertising U-I had become the second<br />

largest user of national magazine advertising<br />

space during the past year.<br />

Although there w^ere 32,000,000 TV sets in<br />

the United States as of December 1954, as<br />

against 26.500,000 sets in December 1953, business<br />

in the motion picture industry was generally<br />

better in 1954, Livingston pointed out.<br />

Livingston said that while it w-as true that<br />

the national economy had improved, during<br />

1954 the motion picture industry need not<br />

have derived its full .share of the increase<br />

or even the proportion that it did if it had<br />

not been able to win a lot of people away<br />

from their television and into the theatre<br />

through aggressive selling. He stressed that<br />

he did not believe that the millinery business<br />

showed any particular improvement and for<br />

that matter neither did the steel, or coal or<br />

the auto businesses show improvement.<br />

^^"S<br />

BOSTON—Funeral services were<br />

..1<br />

Maurice N. Wolf, 75, at Temple Sinai<br />

line, on January 20. A<br />

retired public relations<br />

representative for<br />

MGM, Wolf died at r<br />

Baker Memorial Hospital<br />

after a brief illness.<br />

Born in Texas, Wolf<br />

came to Boston 30<br />

years ago and was<br />

branch manager at<br />

MGM for many years.<br />

Later he was given the<br />

post of public relations<br />

Maurice N<br />

representative for the<br />

company. He traveled throughout tl<br />

try, addressiiig various civic groups<br />

ganizations on the motion picture<br />

A noted speaker, he had appeared a<br />

of ceremonies on several occasion<br />

he was always a delight with his c<br />

and ability to hold an audience. H<br />

from active duty a year ago.<br />

Wolf was a charter member of thi<br />

Club of New England and its first f<br />

During his residence in Boston he aid<br />

charity endeavors, both in and ou<br />

industry.<br />

Survivors are his wife, Elizabett<br />

son, Norton, of New York and tw(<br />

children.<br />

F. W. DuVall Dies;<br />

Treasurer of MPAA<br />

NEW YORK—Frederick W. DuVa<br />

urer of the Motion Picture Ass'n of<br />

and also of th<br />

Picture Expo<br />

died Monday<br />

Frederick W. DuVall<br />

Mountainside<br />

Montclair, N.<br />

heart conditi<br />

an illness ol<br />

weeks. He wi<br />

Funeral sen<br />

held at 10 a.n<br />

day from th'<br />

Brown Funer<br />

56 Park St., I<br />

and burial<br />

Fantinekill <<br />

"The loss of Fred DuVall will be I<br />

Ellenville, N. Y.<br />

DuVall was a World War I vet<<br />

had been with the Motion Picture<br />

more than 25 years. He first act(<br />

accountant and in 1941 was elected<br />

treasurer. He became treasurer in 1<br />

Eric Johnston, MPAA president, i<br />

following statement<br />

and grievously by his colleagues.<br />

"The entu-e motion picture ia<br />

indebted to him for his long years ol<br />

faithful and able service. He was<br />

to the mdustry's interests.<br />

"The tribute that those who ki<br />

DuVall personally will always pa;<br />

their abiding affection and lastini<br />

for him. His passing has create(<br />

among us which is a monument t(<br />

character and unusual competence<br />

always be easy to remember Fred Di<br />

impossible to forget him."<br />

22<br />

BOXOFFICE<br />

Januai


--Klff/'<br />

scon<br />

BRADY<br />

RAYMOND<br />

MATZ • BURR<br />

Produced and Directed by KURT NEUMMN who gave you "CARNIVAL STORY"<br />

Screenplay by Felix LueUkendorl and Kurl Neumann<br />

A CORONA FILMS Production<br />

FILMED FOR<br />

WIDE SCREEN!<br />

WILD RAIDERS OF THE TROPIC SEAS!<br />

costarring MARI ALDON with GEORGE COULOURIS • PETER ILLING . ALEC MANGO<br />

Executive Producer MICHAEL CARRERAS • Producer MICKEY DELAMAR • Directed by TERENCE FISHER<br />

Screenplay by RICHARD LANDAU From the novel by Jon Manchip Wtiite<br />

A HAMMER PRODUCTION<br />

^\VW^^^<br />

low FROM YOUR NEAREST LIPPERT BRANCH<br />

BUFFALO<br />

WASHINGTON, D. C. PHILADELPHIA PITTSBURGH<br />

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LIPPERT PICTURES EXCHANGE SCREEN GUILD PRODUCTIONS SCREEN GUILD PRODUCTIONS<br />

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1013 New Jersey Ave., N. W. 1315 V,ne St. 415 Van Braam St.


. . Republic<br />

Redbook<br />

. . U-I<br />

^MfdMMd ^e^iont<br />

3.812 Personals in 1954<br />

Made by Performers<br />

Film personalities set a new record in 1954<br />

by making 3.812 personal appearances for<br />

patriotic and public service enterprises on<br />

both a national and community basis, it was<br />

revealed in the just-issued ninth annual report<br />

of the Hollywood Coordinating Committee.<br />

Issued by George Murphy. HCC president,<br />

the roundup disclosed that 476 performers<br />

made gratis appearances on 555 single<br />

or continuing events— 188 of the troupers<br />

having been members of HCC units sent to<br />

entertain servicemen in the U. S. and abroad.<br />

Highlight of the military entertainment<br />

program was the Christmas-New Year's<br />

overseas mission which took 64 players to<br />

installations in<br />

Alaska, Europe, the Far East<br />

Command. North Africa and the Northeast<br />

Air Command. During the year another four<br />

units, totaling 26 names, toured the Far<br />

East Command for periods of from two to<br />

five weeks, concentrating primarily on isolated<br />

stations and hospitals where other types<br />

of entertainment were at a minimum.<br />

Six HCC troupes, comprising 39 performers,<br />

visited army, navy, marine and air force<br />

bases, while military and veterans' hospitals<br />

were covered by 11 tours numbering 59 personalities.<br />

Through transcriptions, tape recordings and<br />

personal appearances, the HCC also aided in<br />

fund-raising drives of the Amei'ican Cancer<br />

Society, Red Cross, Infantile Paralysis, Salvation<br />

Army, National Tuberculosis Ass'n, Community<br />

chest. United Defense Fund, Variety<br />

Clubs, Boy and Girl Scouts, Cerebral Palsy,<br />

CARE and United Jewish Appeal. Since operations<br />

began in 1946. the HCC has booked<br />

2,858 performers on 6,058 events.<br />

Literary Activity Booms;<br />

20th-Fox Leads Buys<br />

Sparked by the acquisition of three properties<br />

by 20th Century-Fox, the story market<br />

enjoyed a burst of activity that resulted in its<br />

emergence from the doldrums in which it has<br />

been wallowing ever since 1955 got under way.<br />

Added to the Westwood studio's stockpile<br />

Superscope Branches for<br />

England and Japan<br />

To meet the demand for their Superscope<br />

anamorphic lenses, the price of<br />

which was rather drastically cut early<br />

this month. Joseph and Irving Tu.shin-<br />

.sky are planning to establish branch factories<br />

in England and Japan to supplement<br />

the output of their domestic plant,<br />

which is turning out the devices for the<br />

U. S., Mexican and Canadian markets.<br />

Negotiations for the Nipponese unit are<br />

under way with Tadayoshi Asao and<br />

Motomu Ohno of Shochiku, Ltd., of<br />

Tokyo, while the Tushinskys are also<br />

applying to the British board of trade for<br />

concessions regarding remittance of funds<br />

so that they can construct a Superscope<br />

plant in London.<br />

By<br />

IVAN SPEAR<br />

were •'Anastasia," based on the Broadway<br />

play by Guy Bolton and Marcelle Maurette:<br />

"The Day the Century Ended," an upcoming<br />

novel by Francis Irby Gwaltney, and an untitled<br />

biography of the song-writing team of<br />

Buddy DeSylva, Lew Brown and Ray Henderson.<br />

No casting or productional assignments<br />

on "Anastasia" have as yet been made;<br />

"Century" was placed on producer Buddy<br />

Adler's docket for development as the story<br />

of an army infantry company in the Pacific<br />

during World War II: the DeSylva-Brown-<br />

Henderson opus is being scripted by Hem-y<br />

and Phoebe Ephron and will be produced by<br />

the former.<br />

Other purchases found MGM acquiring<br />

screen rights to "Protection for a Tough<br />

Racket," a Harper's magazine sketch by<br />

Cordelia Baird Gross, which will be produced<br />

by Heni-y Berman, while independent producer-director<br />

Vincent Sherman picked up<br />

"Two Came by Sea," a novel by William<br />

Stone, which Sherman plans to make this<br />

summer on location in Tahiti, background<br />

of the tome.<br />

Mitzi Gaynor Joins Cast<br />

Of 'Anything Goes'<br />

Among casting notes of interest vi'as the<br />

inking of Mitzi Gaynor to join Bing Crosby.<br />

Donald O'Connor and Jeanmaire in Paramount's<br />

musical extravaganza. "Anything<br />

Goes" . . . Another stellar femme personality.<br />

Shelley Winters, is moving her makeup kit<br />

to Warners to co-star with Jack Palance in<br />

"The Jagged Edge" . built up the<br />

featured cast of "All That Heaven Allows."<br />

which stars Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson,<br />

by adding Ilka Chase. Gloria Talbot and<br />

Charles Drake to the roster . . Pi-oducer<br />

.<br />

Lindsley Parsons booked Frank Lovejoy for<br />

the top male role in "Dark Venture," being<br />

made for Allied Artists ... A swashbuckling<br />

. . . Dick<br />

role in 20th Century-Fox's "Sir Walter<br />

Raleigh" went to Dan O'Herlihy<br />

York will team with Aldo Ray in "The Gentle<br />

Wolfhound." which Columbia will shoot on<br />

location in Japan . signed Richard<br />

Carlson and Virginia Grey for leads in<br />

"San Antonio de Bexar," historical western in<br />

Ti-ucolor.<br />

David Weisbart Receives<br />

Extended Warners Pact<br />

Short takes from the sound stages; Marking<br />

the start of his fifth year as a producer<br />

and his 19th with the studio, David Weisbart<br />

has been given a new contract at Warners.<br />

He currently has the prison drama. "I Died<br />

a Thousand Times." before the cameras . . .<br />

Awards department ; magazine's<br />

presentation of its 16th annual kudos for film<br />

achievement, honoring 1954's "bests" in celluloid,<br />

will be staged Thursday (27 1 on Lux<br />

Video Theatre, while Photoplay will present<br />

its yearly awards at a formal dinner February<br />

10 at the Beverly Hills Hotel, with<br />

Dick Powell as master of ceremonies . . .Another<br />

deserter to television is Sam Marx, who<br />

amicably settled his contract as a Universal-<br />

International producer to become a production<br />

executive with Desilu. the TV organization<br />

headed by Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball.<br />

Mitchum and Monrc<br />

Replaced in Roles<br />

It comes in mighty iiandy to hs<br />

actor among the partner.s in an ind(<br />

ent unit, as Batjac Pi-oductions il<br />

by John Wayne and Robert F(<br />

found out when it had to find a re<br />

ment. but pronto, for Robert Mi<br />

in "Bloody Alley," on which lensii<br />

just begun, for Warner release, i<br />

Francisco.<br />

Mitchum ankled the male lead<br />

action drama after what were eupl<br />

tically described as "differences of<br />

ion" with megaphonist William A.<br />

man. After a delay of only a day<br />

Wayne and Fellows put their hea<br />

gether and decided that, since Ws<br />

between pictures at the. momei<br />

might as well step in and take o\<br />

Mitchum role.<br />

Meantime another major casting<br />

was occasioned by the failure of \<br />

Monroe to report to 20th Centu<br />

for her next .scheduled vehicle. Ni<br />

Johnson's "How to Be Very, Very<br />

lar." Miss Monroe, apparently not<br />

lar at all with that company'.? bi<br />

recent weeks, was suspended and i<br />

replaced in the romantic come<br />

Sheree North, another curvaceoi<br />

whom the studio has been keepini<br />

or less under wraps—possibly in ar<br />

tion of just such a contingency.<br />

Herman Hoffman Promote<br />

To Producer at MGM<br />

After four years as assistant to Dori<br />

MGM studio head. Herman Hoffman<br />

upped to full-fledged producer sts<br />

handed "The Bar Sinister," from a<br />

Richard Harding Davis, as his firs<br />

ment. The script is being penned<br />

Michael Hayes . . . Another new pre<br />

the MGM docket is "The Frank Wea<br />

a film biography of the late Worli<br />

hero, who later became a screenwi<br />

among whose credits are many scr<br />

duced by the self-same MGM. TlK<br />

play by William Wister Haines will<br />

duced by Charles Schnee.<br />

Edward Fabian Acquires<br />

Interest in Waxman<br />

In line with the new trend toward<br />

between exhibitors and film produci<br />

Edward Fabian, circuit executive an<br />

Si Fabian, head of the Stanley Warn<br />

has acquired a financial interest in<br />

Pictures Corp.. headed by Philip A. "^<br />

On the company's slate, for a Mai<br />

is "Pistolero." outdoor action di-anii<br />

Jack Palance. which David Miller w<br />

It's for United Artists release.<br />

Albert J.<br />

Cohen to Make<br />

'Motel' for Universal<br />

A "Grand Hot«l" of the motel in<br />

how Universal-International descr<br />

latest addition to its production<br />

.<br />

"Motel," to be produced by Albert<br />

from a script by Ray Buffum. Pres<<br />

call for most of the lensing to be<br />

location at a California motor-ii<br />

camera work to begin late this summi<br />

24 BOXOFFICE Januar


.<br />

All Sales on a Direct Factory to Exhibitor Basis ... IMMEDIATE DELIVERY!<br />

Our appreciation to NATIONAL SCREEN SERVICE for relinquishing its exclusive distribution<br />

rights. This gesture and world-wide acceptance of the Superscope lens permit<br />

this new price.<br />

Howard Hughes'<br />

JANE RUSSELL<br />

starring film<br />

"UNDERWATER!"<br />

which co-stars<br />

GILBERT ROLAND • RICHARD EGAN<br />

and LOR! NELSON<br />

An RKO Radio Production<br />

GARY COOPER -BURT LANCASTER<br />

starring film<br />

"VERA CRUZ"<br />

which co-stars<br />

DENISE DARCEL<br />

• CESAR ROMERO<br />

A Hecht-Loncosler Production<br />

For United Artists release<br />

Projection of these great pictures is, in our opinion, best with the Superscope lens—<br />

but for the benefit of any exhibitor who has already purchased Cinemascope equipment,<br />

Superscope prints are compatible with all onamorphic lenses.<br />

All sales F.O.B. Los Angeles. Enclose $100 for each pair of SUPERSCOPE lenses<br />

ordered — the bolonce C.O.D. Specify shipping instructions, Railway Express, Air Express<br />

or Air Freight.<br />

address<br />

780 NORTH GOWER STREET


LETTERS<br />

An Appeal to Exhibitors' Hearts<br />

TO BOXOFFICE:<br />

We are writing you in regard to a matter<br />

very close to our hearts, as we believe through<br />

the medium of your pages of BOXOFFICE.<br />

you can present the matter to the many<br />

warmhearted readers of your fine magazine<br />

and maybe they, in turn, will want to do<br />

.something about the following true "hard<br />

luck" story of one of our exhibitors as they<br />

have done so wonderfully in the past. We<br />

remember once after a fire, they helped the<br />

owner rebuild his theatre and start into<br />

business again.<br />

Our story is this: The wife of Max Patter-<br />

.son. exhibitor at the North Webster Tlieatre.<br />

North Webster. Ind., has been very ill and in<br />

the hospital at Fort Wayne since early October.<br />

She has had two major operations so<br />

far and has had special nurses and doctors<br />

for these past three months. At the present<br />

time she shows slight improvement but, if<br />

she recovers, it will be months before she<br />

will be able to go home and care for four<br />

small children who are all under school age.<br />

Max had to close the theatre, as his wife<br />

was his assistant and since she has been ill,<br />

he has been driving daily to Fort Wayne to<br />

visit her.<br />

This young couple, besides paying for a<br />

home they hoped some day to have for their<br />

very own, were trying to buy the theatre<br />

and had operated it for the past year and a<br />

half. Now. instead of these dreams for this<br />

fine young couple, there remains nothing but<br />

a huge debt. Several weeks ago a statement<br />

from the hospital for their bill alone was<br />

$2,200. What it will be by the time Mrs.<br />

Patterson is dismissed would scare anyone.<br />

Then there will be the costs of the operations<br />

and the doctors' fees.<br />

Since Max will be unable to meet further<br />

payments on his home, he will lose that also.<br />

In order for these young people to have any<br />

encouragement and hope to continue on, we<br />

would like to start a Max Patterson Fund and<br />

are asking you to help us by presenting<br />

their story to the exhibitors who read your<br />

magazine. Any contributions they wish to give<br />

may be sent direct to Max Patterson, 1028 E.<br />

Fort Wayne, Warsaw, Ind.<br />

Max hopes to open the North Webster Theatre<br />

this spring, if his wife continues to improve<br />

so we know any help the motion picture<br />

industry may extend to him will be<br />

greatly appreciated.<br />

JAMES AND CELIA DURHAM<br />

Former Owners,<br />

Lakeland Theatre,<br />

North Webster, Ind.<br />

Newspaper Boosts Its Town's Theatre<br />

TO BEN SHLYEN:<br />

I was much impressed with your editorial<br />

in the January 8 BOXOFFICE concerning<br />

"the fine press the motion picture are now<br />

receiving." I read it with considerable interest,<br />

but with personal misgivings about my<br />

own community in the matter.<br />

Imagine my surprise when I opened our<br />

small weekly that same day to find a frontpage<br />

editorial on our theatre, and a frontpage<br />

story about our playdates on "Julius<br />

Cae.sar." I am enclosing a portion of the page<br />

mentioned which may be of interest to you.<br />

My husband and I operate two very small<br />

theatres in two very small towns in drouthstricken<br />

southwest Oklahoma. It should be<br />

heartening to owners of larger theatres to<br />

know that we are still in business—and even<br />

occasionally able to help pay the preacher!<br />

Ritz Theatre<br />

Eldorado, Okla.<br />

MRS. BILL CLEVERDON<br />

Ed. Note: The editorial referred to in the<br />

foregoing letter is in keeping with newspaper<br />

attention being given to the importance of<br />

theatres to their communities. It follows:<br />

"I want to recommend that if at all possible<br />

you go to see the showing of 'Julius Caesar'<br />

at the Ritz Theatre either Sunday. Monday<br />

or Tuesday. For two reasons— 1) it is a fine<br />

movie, and 2i just to show the Cleverdons<br />

that we of Eldorado are grateful to them for<br />

giving us a show in a small town like this<br />

that far exceeds many in much larger towns.<br />

They always have the finest and best movies<br />

available any place.<br />

"Did you ever stop to think what Eldorado<br />

would be like if it weren't for the Cleverdons?<br />

Maybe you should take time to add up and<br />

see what they mean to the town. Support<br />

the Ritz Theatre with your attendance in<br />

order that we can be assured of continued<br />

showings like 'Julius Caesar.' You owe it to<br />

Eldorado—^to your youth to attend the Ritz<br />

Theatre regularly!"<br />

Walker Gets Thrill Out of M6M Workshop<br />

TO BEN SHLYEN:<br />

I started to get into bed tonight then told<br />

Melba I had to get up and write you a<br />

thank you once more!<br />

We came over to the MGM Workshop and<br />

it was so wonderful I'll never forget MGM<br />

all.<br />

for the fine thing they did in arranging it<br />

This is the kind of thing I kept clamoring<br />

for and I think all of us learned a lot. Anyone<br />

who didn't, either wasn't here to learn<br />

or already knew too much.<br />

This is the biggest gathering of showmen<br />

I've ever seen in this state; 258 of them this<br />

afternoon from Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming<br />

and Nebraska. Mike Simons was terrific;<br />

the exhibitors they brought in were all<br />

showmen and knew whereofJhey spoke. They<br />

must have spent a lot of dough on this, for<br />

it was an excellent luncheon, they gave some<br />

nice prizes and all of us received a ball-point<br />

pen.<br />

Whenever I attend one of these meetings<br />

I wish I could have you and your wife with<br />

Melba and me, so you could realize the power<br />

of BOXOFFICE and the thing you did for<br />

us. It amazes me, the comments they make<br />

and the way you've made us known to all of<br />

them at these gatherings.<br />

Melba and I slipped off from the crowds<br />

this evening and had a quiet dinner by our-<br />

.selves and reminisced over the wonderful<br />

things that have happened to us since I<br />

filled out that first Exhibitor Has His Say<br />

report nearly ten years ago. At that time,<br />

l.irobably, you could count the folks in the<br />

show world who had heard of Pruita on your<br />

fingers. Today, I wi.sh you could have heard<br />

the things Mr. Simons said about me and<br />

Fruita after the meeting. If I were as<br />

honest as I should be I would have told him<br />

there was a little guy in Kansas C<br />

deserved the applause he was giving<br />

I just couldn't resist the temptation<br />

in<br />

glory.<br />

We've been accorded so many wi<br />

courtesies by exhibitors and show<br />

we've journeyed around the country,<br />

sometimes doesn't seem real—but<br />

fun and I love it!<br />

Today we had the nicest thing of all<br />

and I couldn't sleep until I thanked I<br />

who made all of this happen. Mr. Sin<br />

MOM want me to appear at one<br />

workshops next month.<br />

So we'll have another grand ex]<br />

meet a lot of swell show folks aw<br />

trip, all because you made me faiii<br />

be forever indebted to you and yc<br />

and I hope I can repay you some<br />

the things you've made possible fo<br />

know there are a jillion better shown<br />

I they should have picked, but I'l:<br />

darnedest not to let you or Simons<br />

Because you built up the Walkei<br />

over so many years, other editors ar<br />

writing me for stuff. For years I<br />

them, but at conventions and mee<br />

meet some of them and their men ai<br />

be nice guys and write me. So finall;<br />

down and sent them stuff, too. I 1<br />

didn't offend you and I want you<br />

that we know it's Ben Shlyen an<br />

OFFICE who have made most of th<br />

derful things happen for us.<br />

Hope you'll forgive this letter, my<br />

and the rest, but tonight I feel so<br />

so elated and so grateful I had to<br />

what was in my heart.<br />

Thanks again to you and all of yo<br />

Uintah Theatre<br />

Fruita, Colo.<br />

BOB W)<br />

Seven of 1 1 Films Rat(<br />

For Family Audiences<br />

NEW YORK—Family ratings i<br />

an unusual number of films in the<br />

1 listing of joint estimates compile<br />

Film Estimate Board of National (<br />

tions. They total seven, compared<br />

adult-young people and three adult<br />

The family films are: "Black Shie<br />

worth" (U-Ii, "So This Is Parii<br />

"Three Ring Circus" (Para), "Ti<br />

Store" (Rep>, "Trouble in the Gle<br />

"West of Zanzibar" (U-I) and a<br />

tary, "Quest for a Lost City" (RKO<br />

The single adiflt -young people<br />

"Destry" (U-I).<br />

The adult films are: "The Other<br />

i20th-Fox). "The Affairs of Messali<br />

and "The White Orchid" (UA).<br />

The issue also reported that a cl<br />

ence "reacted with delight" to "Bis<br />

of Falworth."<br />

Filmack Signs Contra<br />

With Three More Uni<<br />

CHICAGO—Filmack Trailer Co. 1<br />

contracts with three more industJ<br />

according to Irving Mack, preside<br />

are the Screen Actors Guild. Motii<br />

Cartoonists and Motion Picture I<br />

Technicians, which includes all<br />

Filmack laboratories which devel<br />

edit and inspect films. The techr<br />

ceived a ten per cent raise, retr<br />

Sept. 1. 1954. Eight unions are n<br />

.sented at Filmack,<br />

26<br />

BOXOFFICE<br />

JanuB


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nONAL ALLIED DRIVE-IN THEATRE<br />

ASSOCIATION CONVENTION<br />

HASE ST. LOUIS 8, MO.<br />

22, 1955 27


—<br />

Exhibitors Find Workshop Appro<br />

To Problems Stimulating Experiei<br />

(iiiMriior Kd Johnson iil < ()l(>ra signs<br />

an executive statement proclaiming January<br />

as "Go to the Movies Month" as<br />

Emery Austin, MGM's exploitation director<br />

(right) and actor John Ericson look<br />

on.<br />

DENVER—If belter evidence was necessary<br />

to show that exhibitors are eager to get together<br />

to swap promotional ideas and to join<br />

with topflight theatremen in discussing better<br />

merchandisirig of motion pictures, it came<br />

here last week when Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer<br />

staged what it considers the best of its ticket<br />

selling workshops so far.<br />

More than 250 theatremen, some of them<br />

traveling as far as 500 miles to get here,<br />

attended the .session. J. R. Smith of the<br />

Chief Theatre in Steamboat Springs, Colo.,<br />

characterized it as "one of the most profitable<br />

days spent in 25 years in show business,"<br />

and Sam Peinstein of Denver's Samai Thea-<br />

Taking out a moment for refreshments at the Denver workshop: Left to right<br />

Al Reynolds, Dallas; Charles Bourdelais, Coca-Cola's concessions and entertainment<br />

chief; William Crowe, Denver, Coca-Cola concessions executive; L. J. Williams, Union,<br />

Mo.; actor George Murphy; Ray Smith, New York; Mike Simons, MGM customer relations<br />

director.<br />

tre said the workshops should becom<br />

nual event "if only to remind e<br />

that they are part of a great busines<br />

Mike Simons, MGM's director of i<br />

relations, who has been setting up tl<br />

shops, says he has run into the fori<br />

hibitors apparently want. He picks<br />

in the various phases of theatre op<br />

and has them come in to discuss<br />

they run their theatres. Exhibitori<br />

ently are convinced this is just v<br />

boxoffice doctor ordered, because<br />

everyone who attended the Denver v<br />

requested copies of the talks or othe<br />

material being supplied by MGM.<br />

Al Reynolds, general manager of<br />

'<br />

Drive-In Circuit of Texas, was here<br />

on his highly successful drive-in o<br />

From Union. Mo.. iPop. 2,900 > ear<br />

Bill" Williams to talk about .small-i<br />

ploitation. Simons talked about pul<br />

tions projects on the Main Street leve<br />

Austin, who directs MGM's exploital<br />

gram, discussed exploitation idea<br />

other talks on theatre promotions wi<br />

by Ray Smith of the Jamestown An<br />

Co. of New York state; Jack Foster,<br />

the Rocky Mountain News; George<br />

the actor who is now doing public<br />

for MGM; John S. Allen, the ei<br />

southwest division manager, and<br />

Friedel. Denver's branch manager.<br />

The day following the workshop, th<br />

tors staged a luncheon for state le<br />

with Murphy as the toastmast.er.<br />

.Attending from Black Hills Amusement Co., L to R: Gale<br />

Poland, Ray E. David, Richard Klein, Ted Jastorff, Herb Hunt, Loren<br />

Morri.son, James Griffing and Don Hammer. Black Hills Amusement<br />

Co. operates in South Dakota. Nebra.ska and Wyoming.<br />

From Westland Theatre Corp.: Derald Hart, G. E. Baggs,<br />

Campbell, Luther Strong, architect Dietz Lusk, Larry Sti<br />

H. G. Leeper; (standing) Claude Newell, M. E. Lofgren, J. C.<br />

Kelly Crawford. Westland operates in Colorado.<br />

Fox-Intermountain delegates: (front table) Ralph Batschelet,<br />

Gus Ibold, Rhuben Stroh, Ross Wooldridge, Les Ncwkirk, Harvey<br />

Gallagher, Robert Nelson; (center) Bill Hastings, H. A. Goodridge,<br />

Jack Fleming, Bob Sweeten, Jo Ann Sherman, Daviette Hamlett.<br />

Paul Bowman, Vincel Fallansbee, John Dcnman, Keith May: (table<br />

3) Nino Pipitone, Bill Low, Harry Wilhelm, Si Sanders, Bill .Agren,<br />

Paul Lyday; (back) Mike Cramer, Ray Davis, Harold Rice, Owen<br />

West.<br />

Wolfberg Theatres: (Table 1) Tom Smiley, L. J. Albert!<br />

Ruth Wolfberg, Jennings Hooks, .\lva Traxler, Allen Verno<br />

Roberts, Jack Wodell, Mel IMedaro: (table 2) R. G. Smith,<br />

Lotito, Michell Kelloff, Anne Kelloff, Edna Mae Kelloff,<br />

Kelloff; (table 3) Ray Briggs, Frank Burdick. Wolfberg 1<br />

operates within the Denver metropolitan area, including tl<br />

run Broadway Theatre. The circuit was one of more than i<br />

in the Denver exchange area with personnel at<br />

the workshoi<br />

28 BOXOFFICE January


, division<br />

. Ohio:<br />

'<br />

!ooper Foundation<br />

two days in Den-<br />

)roniotion foi- the<br />

ilating interest in<br />

d public relationsurnout<br />

of exhibinge<br />

area. As for<br />

1, "This is one of<br />

T taken by a film<br />

;ooperation we got<br />

in full swing.<br />

On<br />

11 attend a session<br />

luary 27 at Mem-<br />

5sions will include<br />

manager<br />

).. Midwest Drive-<br />

D. Anderson, operin<br />

North Wilkesmore<br />

than a dozen<br />

chedule includes;<br />

February 22, De-<br />

March 3,<br />

Dalla,s: April 12,<br />

April 26, Jacksonay<br />

4, Minneapolis;<br />

yrtle Beach, S. C;<br />

B 13, Santa Fe.<br />

-D Film<br />

4arch<br />

al - International's<br />

than a year, "Re-<br />

.1 receive a formal<br />

er part of March,<br />

nce-president and<br />

lere will be terrimmediately<br />

afteropinion<br />

audiences<br />

:. "Revenge" went<br />

go. following the<br />

he Black Lagoon."<br />

) play the picture<br />

^raised<br />

>women<br />

immending Paraas<br />

a pictui-e "not<br />

sent out by Mrs.<br />

irman of motion<br />

ouncil of Women<br />

affiliates.<br />

5 writes ; "In these<br />

•moil we are inlat<br />

makes people<br />

lie cause of such<br />

clearly and effecin<br />

the filming of<br />

iss, "The Country<br />

leasing<br />

jbruary<br />

.sts will put three<br />

i&se in February,<br />

dstein, vice-presilager.<br />

ng Cornel Wilde,<br />

vy and Jean Waliry<br />

13; "Dial 116."<br />

Ceith Larsen and<br />

;ased February 20<br />

t," starring Paul<br />

yton, will be re-<br />

IFE Planning to Open<br />

Six More Branches<br />

NEW YORK—IFE Relea.sing Corp. will open<br />

new district offices in Detroit, Cincinnati,<br />

New Orleans, Charlotte, Kansas City and<br />

Portland, Ore., giving it 16 district offices in<br />

34 exchange areas, Bernard Jacon. vicepresident<br />

in charge of sales and distribution,<br />

said Tuesday (18).<br />

The first<br />

week in February the company will<br />

take over the entire 14th floor (iT liie Paramount<br />

building ai 1501 Broadway, which<br />

Fabian Theatres is leaving' to occupy space<br />

in the Warnev Theatre buikhng on Broadway,<br />

where Stanley Warner Co: p. iS located. IFE<br />

will take on additional personnel.<br />

JACON VISITING CITIES<br />

Jacon reported on the expanded program<br />

on his return from a six-week survey of<br />

business conditions in key cities. He left<br />

the next day to visit others. He has covered<br />

the entire U. S. since Dec. 13, 1954, and is now<br />

revisiting some cities. He reported exhibitors<br />

in an optimistic frame of mind, paying more<br />

attention to showmanship and spending more<br />

time in training young men for positions in<br />

the business. He also said that the IFE<br />

publicity campaigns are well liked.<br />

Jacon attributed the expansion to the<br />

business done by "Aida," "Bread, Love and<br />

Dreams," and "Theodora, Slave Empress."<br />

Big grosses are expected from coming pictures.<br />

Those he identified as "The Wayward<br />

Wife," starring Gina Lollobrigida;<br />

"Green Magic," a color documentary filmed<br />

in South America, and "Love in the City," a<br />

"unique" film telling five different stories<br />

of a related subject.<br />

He said "Aida" will be playing in 39 theatres<br />

by Easter and that the IFE objective for<br />

it is 6.500,000 theatregoers. It is expected to<br />

go within two years to very small situations,<br />

in some instances playing in college auditoriums.<br />

Present plans call for its reissue still<br />

later, as it is considered not a dated film.<br />

"Bread, Love and Dreams," he said, should<br />

be liquidated faster than any film in the<br />

past having subtitles, with at least 3,000 playdates<br />

expected. The RKO Theatre circuit<br />

will begin playing it in March. Prints have<br />

been ordered in the aspect ratio of 1.75 to 1.<br />

It is now in 1.33 to 1.<br />

FILM RELEASES SET<br />

"The Wayward Wife," soon to be screened,<br />

will present Lollobrigida in her first English<br />

stan-ing film. It is set for Easter release.<br />

"Theodora" has had a .successful saturation<br />

opening in Texas and will start one in California<br />

February 3, then go to the circuits<br />

sometime in March and go into general relea.se<br />

a month later.<br />

Thirteen IFE films will have been released<br />

by August counting the current releases.<br />

Others will be "Too Young to Love." "Husband<br />

for Anna." "Neopolitan Carousel,"<br />

"Attila," "Senso" and "Maddalena."<br />

Jacon predicted that this year, the third of<br />

IFE operations, busine.ss picture and moneywise,<br />

will double that of 1954.<br />

Asked about company policy regarding toll<br />

TV, he said he was too busy to think about<br />

anything else but the theatre business. As to<br />

negotiations for the handling of French pictures,<br />

he .said they were still proceeding. He<br />

also said IFE wa.s willing and had the organization<br />

to distribute American product, and<br />

that he had heard that some exhibitor groups<br />

may approach it with a proposition.<br />

The .sales organization setup now is:<br />

man-<br />

Eastern division—Seymour Schussel.<br />

ager and assistant to Jacon. New York—Phil<br />

Levine. Washington and Philadelphia<br />

Arthur Levy. Charlotte—Dave Williams.<br />

Boston. Albany and New Haven—Al Herman.<br />

Buffalo and Pitt,sburgh—Dave Leff . Cleveland<br />

—Mark Goldman. Detroit— to be announced.<br />

Cincinnati and Indianapolis—Murray Baker.<br />

Atlanta and Jacksonville—John Jarvis. New<br />

Orleans—to be announced.<br />

Central division—Glenn Fannin, manager.<br />

Dallas, Oklahoma City and Memphis—to be<br />

announced. St. Louis—Robert Jacobson. Chicago,<br />

Milwaukee and Minneapolis—^Sam<br />

Chernoff. Kansas City, Denver, Des Moines<br />

and Omaha—to be announced.<br />

Western division—Alex Cooperman, manager.<br />

Los Angeles—Jerome Sheftel. San<br />

Francisco, Salt Lake City and Hawaii—John<br />

Nercesian. Portland. Seattle and Alaska—to<br />

be announced.<br />

Offices will be established in all the cities<br />

mentioned. The first one in a grouping will<br />

be the headquarters of the manager.<br />

Zorgniotti Is Honored<br />

By Italian Industry<br />

ROME—Eugene R. Zorgniotti, American<br />

representative of Italian Films Export, was<br />

honored Monday ( 17 1 with the award of a<br />

Knight of the Italian Republic Order of Merit.<br />

He received it from Nicolo De PiiTO, director<br />

of the Italian Bureau of Entertainment, for<br />

his work in behalf of the Italian film industry.<br />

He lives in New York.<br />

CALENDAR Of EVENTS<br />

JANUARY<br />


Out Next<br />

A Goldmine of Production Data<br />

The film industry's most complete and practical booking and buying guide is now<br />

being readied for mailing to all BOXOFFICE subscribers as a second section of the<br />

January 29, 1955 issue.<br />

Long established as the most authoritative and useful reference source on production<br />

information, BOXOFFICE BAROMETER is relied upon by virtually every<br />

exhibitor for the record of grosses and ratings at the boxoffice of films exhibited<br />

during the past season. No other source is so complete in detailing essential data<br />

on released pictures, their stars, directors and producers — as well as on forthcoming<br />

feature productions.<br />

Contents include: The All-American Screen Favorites Poll — Features and Shorts<br />

Indexes of 1953-54 — Picture Grosses — Outstanding Hits— Production Trends —<br />

Advance data on films in production or completed — Alphabetical Index and Review<br />

Digest of all 1953-54 Feature Releases — Many other service features of practical<br />

use-value designed to help attain top showmanship and boxoffice profits in 1955.<br />

THE GREATEST PLUS VALUE IN THE INDUSTRY<br />

30 BOXOFFICE<br />

:: Januai


—<br />

a Honors Pioneers and Dedicates Nickelodeon<br />

s<br />

and Celebrities Attend Dinner Given by Motion Picture Associates<br />

laxy of Hollywooci<br />

us film executives<br />

Philadelphia Tues-<br />

Ti industry event<br />

a of the old-fashiner<br />

of the modern<br />

amin Franklin Inven<br />

by the Motion<br />

Bellevue Stratford<br />

stry pioneers. The<br />

.m. in the mayor's<br />

id ended close to<br />

e banquet,<br />

onated by William<br />

cuit executive, fol-<br />

Jd by 450 guests in<br />

's giant statue in<br />

/ening banquet at-<br />

) persons honored<br />

irly official of the<br />

ho opened the first<br />

eet in 1905; Benja-<br />

Atlantic Theatres,<br />

r of P. A. Powers:<br />

Theatres, who detion<br />

i<br />

of New Jersey,<br />

one of the early<br />

blished an open air<br />

., in 1906.<br />

I<br />

='hiladelphla, which<br />

uding that of being<br />

In the morning,<br />

er M. Phillips proon<br />

Picture Pioneer<br />

business halted for<br />

Jtaries, clerks and<br />

into the reception<br />

rities, who included<br />

s Laughton, Joan<br />

sa Lanchester, Rita<br />

Goldman bustled<br />

rs and Phillips was<br />

nnett for the pho-<br />

:amera,s. Miss Wilof<br />

the Naval Aviansacola,<br />

Pla., while<br />

h."<br />

autos, several modfour-horse<br />

tallyho<br />

in the chilly wind<br />

Shown here is ;he setting in the grand ballroom of the Bellevue Stratford Hotel<br />

for the Pioneers banquet given by the Motion Picture Associates.<br />

to the Franklin Institute for the nickelodeon<br />

dedication. Only John Ericson and his wife<br />

Milly Coury were brave enough to drive in<br />

the open 1910 Winton car.<br />

Laughton. who was the first figure in the<br />

entertainment field to be honored by the<br />

131-year-old Franklin Institute, which provides<br />

a forum for the exchange and public<br />

dissemination of new knowledge, received a<br />

life membership and also was awarded a gold<br />

medallion in recognition of the actor-director's<br />

contribution to the field of public education<br />

through the medium of motion pictures<br />

by S. WjTnan Rolph, president of the Franklin<br />

Institute.<br />

George Murphy, MGM's goodwill ambassador,<br />

spoke briefly on the motion picture industry's<br />

role in public life and also introduced<br />

George Sidney, MGM director of "Jupiter's<br />

Darling"; Paul Gregory, stage producer and<br />

producer of "The Night of the Hunter,"<br />

which Laughton directed for United Artists;<br />

Rouben Mamoulian, stage-screen director,<br />

and Carmel Myers (Mrs. A. W. Schwalberg),<br />

who was a star of the silent films, although<br />

much more recent than nickelodeon days, as<br />

well as Miss Williams and the other stars.<br />

Others who attended the luncheon included:<br />

Schwalberg, Jerry Pickman, Arthur B. Krim,<br />

William J.<br />

Heineman, Max E. Youngstein, Al<br />

Lichtman, Robert Benjamin. Ben Gage, husband<br />

of M:ss Williams, Pete Martin, Martin<br />

Moskowitz. Dan S. Terrell, Mrs. Charles E.<br />

Lewis and other tradepress representatives.<br />

Two "Keystone Kops" circulated among the<br />

guests.<br />

Jessel was toastmaster at the banquet at<br />

the Bellevue Stratford and gave out with<br />

his customary witticisms in introducing the<br />

main speaker, Charles S. Thomas, Secretary<br />

of the Navy, and Goldman, Laughton and<br />

Murphy, who also spoke. Others who lauded<br />

the four Philadelphia theatremen for their<br />

"pioneering efforts in this now great industry"<br />

were Sam Diamond, president of Motion<br />

Picture Associates, and Al Lichtman, cochairman<br />

of Council of Motion Picture Organizations.<br />

others on the dais included; Harry Kalmine, Sol<br />

A. Schwartz, Morey Goldstein, Jock Beresin, Frank<br />

Ricketson, Som Rosen, Elmer Rhoden, Nat Levy,<br />

William C. Gehnng, Richard F. Walsh, Si Fobian, A.<br />

Montague, William Perlberg and George Seaton, as<br />

well OS Krim, Youngstein, Schwalberg, Benjamin,<br />

Mamoulian, Sidney, Heineman and Pickman, who<br />

oLo wcic Qt the luncheon.<br />

rs honored are shown with VVilexe


Reade Ends Drive-In Suit ?^J",'=!<br />

^en Exhii<br />

And Plans Completion<br />

NEW YORK—Walter Reade jr. Tuesday<br />

(18) simultaneously accepted a "substantial"<br />

settlement of his suit to acquire six<br />

New Jersey drive-ins and announced plans<br />

to build a drive-in near one of the theatres<br />

involved in the suit.<br />

The court action brought by the circuit<br />

president was against William Scully, James<br />

Thompson, operating head of Eastern Drivein<br />

Theatres, and Monroe E. Stein, attorney.<br />

He charged they had breached a contract for<br />

the sale of the drive-ins to him. It was settled<br />

after trial had proceeded for one day in the<br />

superior court in Newark. The settlement<br />

permits the defendants to convey the theatres<br />

to other persons.<br />

Reade then said he had acquired property<br />

in Wayne Township in Passaic County on<br />

Route 46 near the intersection of Route 23<br />

for the erection of the first twin-screen<br />

drive-in in the east. It is within 300 yards<br />

of the Totowa Drive-In, one of the theatres<br />

involved in the suit. The capacity will be<br />

1,400 cars. Work will proceed at once from<br />

plans made by Leon Elinhorn, theatre architect.<br />

There will be in-car heaters for all-year<br />

operation, giant screens at either end of the<br />

property with a central projection booth<br />

which can present the same or different films<br />

en the screens and a special tower erected<br />

under the supervision of the Bell System for<br />

reception of microwave relay for theatre TV<br />

presentations. Each side of the drive-in will<br />

accommodate 700 cars.<br />

The area will be landscaped like a large<br />

park, with trees and a duck pond and probably<br />

an animal zoo in one of the playgrounds.<br />

Walter Reade Theatres operates seven<br />

drive-ins, is building another in Absecon near<br />

Atlantic City and 40 conventional theatres<br />

in New Jersey and New York, including the<br />

de luxe Baronet Theatre in New York City.<br />

The company also has wide restaurant, catering<br />

and real estate interests and operates<br />

television station WRTV on channel 58 in<br />

Asbury Park, N. J.<br />

Reade Dedicates Theatre<br />

Remodeled for $250,000<br />

KINGSTON, N. Y.—The former Broadway<br />

Theatre here, remodeled by Walter Reade<br />

Theatres at a cost of $250,000, was dedicated<br />

as the Community Theatre Friday (14). The<br />

renovations included a new Colonial-type<br />

front and a virtually complete rebuilding<br />

within, accomplished in six months without<br />

closing the theatre and making it one of<br />

the most modern in the nation. Walter<br />

Reade jr., circuit president, said he considered<br />

it the showcase of his organization.<br />

The pictm-e was "Bad Day at Black Rock."<br />

Reade obtained it a month before general<br />

release by arrangement directly with Nichols<br />

M. Schenck, MGM president; Charles M.<br />

Reagan, general sales manager, and Mike<br />

Simons, customer relations director.<br />

MGM joined in the ceremonies by tieing in<br />

the dedication with its series of 1955 motion<br />

picture theatre celebrations. Mayor Frederick<br />

H. Stang proclaimed January 15 to<br />

February 14 "Go to the Movies Month." John<br />

and Mrs. Ei-icson came on from the coast to<br />

attend the dedication after a Denver stopover,<br />

and Simons came east for it. Ampng the<br />

state officials attending were Senator Arthur<br />

Wicks and Assemblyman Kenneth L. Wilson.<br />

Harry Harris Takes Lease<br />

On Alpine Theatre, NYC<br />

NEW YORK—Harry A. Harris, who operates<br />

a circuit of theatres in the New York<br />

area, has taken a long-term lease on the<br />

Alpine Theatre, Broadway and Dyckman<br />

street, from Warren Johnson, w-ho represents<br />

Muriel J. Berlin.<br />

Harris plans to completely rehabilitate the<br />

800-seat theatre, including reseating and the<br />

installation of CinemaScope. Berk and Krumgold,<br />

theatre realty specialists, negotiated the<br />

deal.<br />

SKOlIK.'Vb KtC KIVES SCROLL— Spyros P. Skouras, president of 20th Century-<br />

Fox, accepts from .Meyer Baranco (third from left) a special scroll from Skouras Theatres<br />

commenioratins the first anniversary of CinemaScope. Looking on are managers<br />

of Skouras Theatres in Queens and Nassau counties. Left to right: Ted .\llen, Rivoli,<br />

Hempstead; John Endrcss, Calderone, Hempstead; Baranco and Skouras; Ted Rodis.<br />

Astoria Theatre; Max Cooper, Cove Theatre, Glen Cove, and FYank DiOennaro, Merrick<br />

Theatre, Jamaica.<br />

In Schine Trial<br />

BUFFALO — The<br />

government<br />

drawn ten exhibits and withheld<br />

;<br />

intended exhibits in the Schini<br />

criminal-contempt trial to avoid<br />

:<br />

the stand two witnesses it had sub<br />

testify about them. One of the n<br />

veloped. was a Schine attorney.<br />

The exhibits were mostly letters<br />

government had planned to use<br />

its charge that Schine Chain The<br />

discouraged pui'chases of theatres<br />

had ordered it to dispose of.<br />

Government attorney Joseph E.<br />

decided not to use the exhibits wl<br />

Judge John Knight supported d<br />

torney Frank G. Raichle's conte<br />

they should not be received in ev<br />

less the witnesses, participants ii<br />

respondence, were put on the sta<br />

Withdrawn were letters and co]<br />

ters between Lewis H. Ruslande<br />

attorney, and Schine Chain The<br />

regarding purchase of Schine the<br />

erty for a client of Ruslander. Wit<br />

communications between Schine i<br />

Alaimo, a Rochester attorney r(<br />

a real estate broker who had a c'<br />

ested in buying Schine theatre pre<br />

McDowell said he had just 1<br />

Alaimo's arrival here, "that he<br />

Schine in Rochester." and had rel<br />

Raichle asserted that Ruslander<br />

here two days w-aiting to testify as<br />

Now I understand he has been es<br />

the government offers the docume<br />

witness was called we could eli(<br />

information from him."<br />

Government w-itnesses included<br />

Jeffen', Lockport attorney, and<br />

Maitland P. Smith of Wilson, wlconcerning<br />

their unsuccessful effc<br />

the Rialto Theatre in Lockport for<br />

for $100,000.<br />

Letters indicating that Schine o<br />

fused a $1,500,000 offer for nine<br />

Rochester were introduced by the i<br />

Thursday in the trial. An appra<br />

testified that he had valued the ]<br />

$1,035,000.<br />

Atlas Increases Hold<br />

Of RKO Pictures Corj<br />

NEW YORK—Atlas Corp. pure<br />

other 115.000 shares of RKO Pict<br />

during December. ^It is believed<br />

brings the total controlled by Flo<br />

lum. Atlas president, and his as;<br />

to about 1,315,000 shares.<br />

At last reports, Howard Hugl<br />

1.262,000 shares, with about 500,00(<br />

per cent, in the hands of the p<br />

stock is seUing now for about T-<br />

point since the heavy buying<br />

December.<br />

So far as known, there have beei<br />

negotiations between Hughes and<br />

control of RKO Pictures. Unless<br />

an agi-eement. it is probable that<br />

on control will go over to the am<br />

holders meeting in June.<br />

Moss on Broadway Ass'n Boa<br />

NEW YORK—Charles B. Moss<br />

director of the Criterion Theatre<br />

Moss Theatres, has been elected a<br />

the board of directors of the Broac<br />

Inc., for a<br />

term of three years.<br />

32 BOXOFFICE Janu


^<br />

/Announcing<br />

Ballantyne *H' Series<br />

Quality • plus • Economy<br />

^^<br />

EACH<br />

To meet the needs of drive-in operators who want a low cost quality<br />

speaker, Ballant)ne introduces its new "H" Series in-a-car speakers.<br />

Speaker is housed in a sturdy sand cast aluminum case finished in<br />

two-tone gray enamel. Single cone speaker is of excellent quality and<br />

the entire unit is weather-treated to give long service and protection.<br />

Available with straight cord or koiled cord at slightly higher price.<br />

igie-Cone<br />

ty single-cone,<br />

speaker unit,<br />

me case as "A"<br />

nished in tough<br />

lamel.<br />

"A" Series Double-Cone<br />

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are unique in the drive-in field. Two<br />

concs,one superimposed over the other,<br />

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sound anywhere. Finish is an appealing<br />

blue and white two-tone effect. Both<br />

undercoat and finish coat are baked<br />

enamel. Simplicity of maintenance is a<br />

big feature. Case opens easily — drop<br />

in a new cone, right at the post.<br />

"Q" Series Double-Cone<br />

The same unexcelled Double-Cone<br />

speaker unit as the "A". Has rich, longlasting<br />

hammerloid gray enamel fiiiish<br />

baked on to give permanent protection.<br />

ALL SPEAKERS AND JUNCTION BOXES AVAILABLE IN SETS<br />

(2 SPEAKERS — 1 JUNCTION BOX)<br />

i<br />

UBLE-CONE<br />

io Downlight<br />

lo Downlight<br />

Downlight<br />

lownlighl<br />

HAMMERtOlO GRAY DOUBtE-CONE<br />

0X90 Straight Cord—No Downlight<br />

0X91 Koiled Cord — No Downlight<br />

0X92 Straight Cord — Downlight<br />

0X93 Koiled Cord — Downlight<br />

HAMMERLOID GRAY SINGLE-CONE<br />

E90 Stroight Cord — No Downlight<br />

E91 Koiled Cord — No Downlight<br />

E92 Straight Cord — Downlight<br />

E93 Koiled Cord — Downlight<br />

TWO TONEGRAY SINGLE-CONE<br />

H90 Straight Cord — No Downlight<br />

H91 Koiled Cord — No Downlight<br />

H92 Straight Cord — Downlight<br />

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k s o n<br />

St<br />

^Ballantiine(jmw(imi^<br />

Omaha, Nebraska<br />

s Inc.<br />

id St.<br />

w York<br />

Perkins Theatre Supply Co.<br />

505 Pearl St.<br />

Buffalo, New York<br />

Veterans Electrical Construction &<br />

Service Co., Inc.<br />

Randolph At Third<br />

Elkins, West Virginia<br />

2. 1955 33


—<br />

—<br />

—<br />

——<br />

—<br />

—<br />

—<br />

— —<br />

—<br />

UA)<br />

'Country Girl' and '20,000 Leagues Bingo Legalizatio<br />

Still Big as New Films Are Mild<br />

NEW YORK—With the two most important<br />

new films, "Prince of Players" and "Theodora,<br />

Slave-Empress," showing just average first<br />

week grosses, the Broadway first run leaders<br />

were the holdovers of "The Country Girl,"<br />

still smash in its fifth week at the Criterion;<br />

"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," in its fourth<br />

big week at the Astor. and "Vera Cruz," in<br />

its fourth good week at the Capitol.<br />

"The Green Scarf" had an excellent gross<br />

at the weekly-change Palace and "The<br />

Beachcomber" was strong in its opening week<br />

at the Normandie. Both of these are British<br />

films. Also exceptionally strong was "Romeo<br />

and Juliet." in its fourth week at the Sutton.<br />

Most of the other holdovers were down as<br />

the weather became colder. Among them<br />

were "Deep in My Heart," in its sixth and<br />

final week at the Radio City Music Hall;<br />

"There's No Business Like Show Business,"<br />

in its fifth week at the Roxy. and "The Silver<br />

Chalice," in its fourth and final week at the<br />

Paramount. The fourth and final week of<br />

"Green Fire" at the Mayfair was way off.<br />

Art house films that held up well included<br />

"Aida." in its tenth week at the Little Carnegie;<br />

"The Game of Love," in its fifth big<br />

week at the Baronet; "Gate of Hell," in its<br />

fifth strong week at the Guild, and "Animal<br />

Farm." in its third week at the Paris.<br />

The new pictures at the Radio City Music<br />

Hall and the Paramount were "The Bridges<br />

at Toko-Ri" and "Young at Heart." "The<br />

Americano" and "West of Zanzibar" also<br />

opened.<br />

(Average Is 100)<br />

. .<br />

Astor 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (BV),<br />

4fh wk '50<br />

Baronet The Game of Love (Times), 5th wk. . . . 1 1 5<br />

Capitol Vera Crui !UA1, 4th wk 130<br />

Criterion The Country Girl (Para), 5th wk 160<br />

Fifth Avenue Hall of Fame Silent Classics<br />

(Ass'd Artists), 4th wk 105<br />

55th Street Golden Age of Cinema Festival<br />

(Brandon), 5th wk 110<br />

Fine Arts The Detective (Col), 11th wk 110<br />

Globe Theodora, Slave-Empress (IFE) 110<br />

Guild Gote of Hell Harrison), 5th wk 130<br />

Little Carnegie Aida (IFE), 10th wk 120<br />

Loew's Stote Three Ring Circus (Poro), 4th wk.. .120<br />

Moyfair Green Fire (MGM), 4th wk 95<br />

Normandie The Beachcomber (UA) 1 25<br />

Palace—The Green Scarf (Ass'd Artists), plus<br />

vaudeville 1 20<br />

Paramount The Silver Cholice (WB), 4 days of<br />

4th wk 110<br />

Pans Animoi Form (de Rochemont), 3rd wk. . 1 1 5<br />

Plozo The Belles of St. Trinian's (Ass'd Artists),<br />

4th wk 105<br />

HERE'S YOUR CHANCE<br />

to get in the<br />

BIG MONEY<br />

a screen game,<br />

i<br />

HOLLYWOOD fakes top<br />

honors.<br />

As a box-office attraction,<br />

it is without equal. It has<br />

been a favorite with theatre goers for<br />

over 15 years. Write today for complete details.<br />

Be sure to give seating or car capacity.<br />

HOLLYWOOD AMUSEMENT CO.<br />

831 South )Mabo«h Avenue • Chicago 5, llllnolt<br />

Rodio City Music Hall Deep in My Heort (MGM),<br />

plus stage show, 6th wk 110<br />

Rivoli Prince of Players (20th-Fox) 110<br />

Roxy There's No Business Like Show Business<br />

(20th-Fox), 5th wk 115<br />

Sutton Romeo and Juliet UA), 4th wk 140<br />

Trans-Lux 52nd Tonight's the Night (AA),<br />

4th wk 110<br />

Trans-Lux 60th—Return runs of previous Trans-Lux<br />

films, 2nd wk 1 00<br />

Victorio A Star is Born (WB), I 4th wk 120<br />

Warner—This Is Cineroma (Cinerama), 84th wk.<br />

of two-a-day 135<br />

World Sunderin :Meodow), 4th wk 95<br />

Warmly Welcomes<br />

Buffalo<br />

"So This Is Paris'<br />

BUFFALO—"So This Is Paris" led the boxoffice<br />

parade in Buffalo, ringing up a splendid<br />

145 with an attraction that was given<br />

a hangup advance campaign. "There's No<br />

Business Like Show Business" ended a fourth<br />

week with a 115 and it was a very profitable<br />

run at the Shea flagship. "Young at Heart"<br />

held up well in its second stanza, registering<br />

110. "The Silver Chalice" in three days of<br />

a fourth week in the Center also did well.<br />

Shea's Teck folded after three days with a<br />

couple of reissues and will now undergo a<br />

remodeling process preparatory to the coming<br />

of "Cinerama" late in February.<br />

Buffalo There's No Business Like Show Business<br />

(20th-Fox), 4th wk 115<br />

Center The Silver Chalice (WB), 3 days of<br />

4th wk 105<br />

Century 20,000 Leagues Under the Sec<br />

(Buena Visto), 4th wk 125<br />

Cinema Bread, Love and Dreams (IFE), 4th wk..I10<br />

Lafayette So This Is Paris (U-l) 145<br />

Paramount Young at Heart (WB), 2nd wk. .1)0<br />

Baltimore's Long Runs<br />

Slow <strong>Boxoffice</strong>s<br />

BALTIMORE—Grosses were somewhat below<br />

usual in Baltimore, probably because so<br />

many of the fii'st runs are holdovers from<br />

Christmas week. Two of these fourth-week<br />

holdovers which continued fairly strong were<br />

"20,000 Leagues" and "Three Ring Circus."<br />

"Mr. Hulot's Holiday," a newcomer, was the<br />

top attraction for the week with 120 per cent.<br />

Century—So This Is Paris (U-l) 100<br />

Fi'm Centre The Detective (Col), 4th wk 90<br />

HipDodrorre 20,000 Leagues Under the Seo<br />

(Buena Vistol, 4th wk 110<br />

Keiths Three Ring Circus (Para), 4th wk 100<br />

Little Aida (IFE), 4th wk 80<br />

Moyfair Destry (U-l), 2nd wk 1 00<br />

New Desiree (20th-Fox>, 4th wk 90<br />

Ployhouse Mr. Hulot's Holiday (GBD) 120<br />

Stan'ey Young of Heart ;WB) 110<br />

Town There's No Business Like Show Business<br />

(20th-Fox), 4th wk 95<br />

Pittsburgh Grosses<br />

Show Improvem.ent<br />

PITTSBURGH—Relatively high percentages<br />

for Pittsburgh are being reported after many<br />

months of below average figures. "Three Ring<br />

Circus" reported a very healthy 160 in its<br />

first stanza and is being held. "The Barefoot<br />

Contessa" was also high with 150 and<br />

it too holds. Holdovers fell below previous<br />

weeks though "Show Business" maintained<br />

an above average boxoffice.<br />

Fulton Cormen Jones (20th-Fox), 3rd wk 70<br />

Harris There's No Business Like Show Business<br />

(20th-Fox), 3rd wk 110<br />

i<br />

Penn The Borctoot Contesso 150<br />

Stanley—Three Ring Circus (Poro) 160<br />

Worncr—This Is Cinerama (Cinerama), 58th wk.,140<br />

'Black Rock' Opens Feb. 1<br />

NEW YORK—"Bad Day at Black Rock,"<br />

MGM suspeiise thriller starring Spencer<br />

Tracy and Robert Ryan, will open February<br />

1 at the Rivoli Theatre.<br />

Meets Opposition<br />

NEW YORK—Opposition to a<br />

bill to remove penalties from bin<br />

veloping. Senator Arthur H. Wick<br />

lican from Kingston, has charged<br />

bill would circumvent the constiti<br />

weaken the governmental structi<br />

The Rev. Horace W. B. Donega:<br />

tant Episcopal bishop of New 'V<br />

churches under his jurisdiction \<br />

allow the game to be played on thei<br />

regardless of legislative action.<br />

Senator Wicks contends the only<br />

can be authorized is through a coi<br />

amendment which would require f<br />

two successive sessions of the legisl<br />

then approval by voters at a geners<br />

This w'ould set back final action i<br />

Before election, the Democrat;<br />

campaign pledge in favor of bin<br />

proposed to pass a law removing<br />

and then submit the matter to a re<br />

The Republicans declared thera<br />

favor of withholding any action i<br />

a referendum.<br />

The Lord's Day Alliance of tl<br />

States, at its 66th annual meeting<br />

Collegiate Church early in the wee:<br />

resolutions opposing legalization of<br />

Exhibitor groups are watching th<br />

closely, but have not decided wl<br />

they will take until further moves<br />

in the legislature.<br />

NY Controller Explai<br />

Compensating Use Tc<br />

NEW YORK—The local 3 per cen<br />

sating use tax, w'hich became apt<br />

film last September, is imposed oi<br />

of raw stock film and that of<br />

processing, according to Morris W<br />

special city controller. The city sti<br />

the tax even though the distribute<br />

it is delivered still uses his own lab(<br />

When negatives or positives ar<br />

into the city, each is subject to ta:<br />

less of the extent of the subsequ*<br />

each of said original negatives,<br />

negatives or fine-grain positives."<br />

The tax is computed on the raw<br />

of the film plus the cost of laborat<br />

opment of each of the original neg<br />

positives brought into the city. The<br />

cost of the film is the price that<br />

"for the quantity of film brought in<br />

as if unexposed." The cost of labo:<br />

velopment is the compensation p<br />

outside laboratory.<br />

Writer to Attend Ope<br />

NEW YORK—Hans Ruesch, forr<br />

pion racing driver in Europe and<br />

the story on which the 20th-Fox<br />

Racers" is based. Is in town for tl<br />

of the picture at the Roxy Thea<br />

(28). The feature stars Kirk Doui<br />

Darvi. Gilbert Roland, Cesar Ro;<br />

J. Cobb and Kary Jurado.<br />

Benefit for Travelers<br />

NEW YORK—The premiere of<br />

Holiday" February 8 at the Warm<br />

will be a benefit in honor of the<br />

niversary of the Travelers Aid<br />

New York. Mrs. Donald S. Stralem<br />

Clifford Michel are co-chairmen.<br />

34 BOXOFFICE Janui


. Charles<br />

\N Ay J. Robert Rubin Receives an Award<br />

head,<br />

At 1955 Brotherhood Dinner in NY<br />

HHB^Vi<br />

mount studio<br />

if conferences with<br />

Oscar A. Morgan,<br />

of short subjects.<br />

tures, left for New<br />

conferences with<br />

I Vision Visits Norpresident<br />

of Para-<br />

.ed to South Africa<br />

; of ''White Christiuropean<br />

production<br />

int, sailed for Engtwo<br />

weeks of home<br />

\ustin, exploitation<br />

om a studio visit.<br />

GM's "Many Rivers<br />

loUywood Saturday<br />

; of the Town on<br />

t. Esther Williams.<br />

5 Darling," headed<br />

with her husband,<br />

es, who is featured<br />

t Moon." bowed out<br />

;o Hollywood for a<br />

lount's "The Girl<br />

Russell . . Richard<br />

.<br />

starred with Jane<br />

began a round of<br />

views in New York<br />

Radio City Music<br />

t returned to her<br />

. . Jacqueline Mid-<br />

Brody. United Artontact.<br />

has become<br />

attorney of Syray<br />

of the 20th-Fox<br />

las announced her<br />

;sler of New York<br />

)n of Robert Sherer<br />

and booker for<br />

larried in April to<br />

aica. L. I.<br />

"Gentlemen Marry<br />

Rudy Vallee, Scott<br />

returned to Americture<br />

in Paris and<br />

xompanied by her<br />

nd their four chilthe<br />

same boat on<br />

ramount producer-<br />

3ck were on. while<br />

Brady and Miss<br />

ica. Hitchcock will<br />

'o Catch a Thief"<br />

:ice executives . , .<br />

)m an around-the-<br />

Cinerama feature,<br />

'orld." He and his<br />

December 17.<br />

tKO domestic sales<br />

C. Moskmt<br />

and treasurer,<br />

ist visit . . Mort<br />

.<br />

3. vice-president in<br />

1 p\iblicity. planed<br />

r ten days of home<br />

lucer. and his wife<br />

two-week business<br />

The Body Snatch-<br />

1 sales manager for<br />

Bginald Wilson, in<br />

company in that<br />

jM sales manager,<br />

me office visit . . .<br />

ia where he spent


. . Al<br />

. . Albany<br />

ALBANY<br />

Tvyrel Berman, general manager of Tristate<br />

Automatic Candy Corp., inspected its area<br />

stands with Manager George H. Schenck.<br />

Berman was here from Buffalo to attend the<br />

testimonial dinner for Charles A. Smakwitz<br />

. . . Ralph Ripps, MGM salesman, is driving<br />

a new white-shade sedan with whitewall<br />

tires . . . Clayton Pantages, 20th-Fox salesman,<br />

was in Boston with Manager Nat Rosen<br />

and salesman John Wilhelm for a district<br />

meeting . . . Eddie Wendt, "president and<br />

business agent of projectionists Local 324, has<br />

been confined to his home with an attack of<br />

bursitis.<br />

Alfin V. Iselin has been appointed chairman<br />

of the motion picture industry's annual<br />

local drive for the March of Dimes. Operator<br />

of the Auto-Vision at East Greenbush, he<br />

successfully headed last year's effort. A group<br />

of volunteer workers will staff collection centers<br />

in lobbies. Donations from theatre workers<br />

and distribution employes will also be<br />

solicited. Irwin UUman of Fabian Theatres<br />

is in charge of the former; Norman Weitman,<br />

U-I manager of the latter.<br />

Nine Smalley houses which have joined<br />

Upstate Tlieatres mutual membership buying<br />

and booking agency here, are located in<br />

Cooperstown, Fort Plain, Johnston, Sidney,<br />

Walton, E>elhi, Stamford, Norwich and Dolgeville.<br />

The Upstate group was organized in<br />

1942. Leonard L. Rosenthal, son of a pioneer<br />

Troy exhibitor, is counsel and adviser on<br />

film buying. Mary Flynn is chief booker.<br />

Joseph Marisola, who recently took over the<br />

Warren in Wan-ensburg, is another new member<br />

and is installing ClnemaScope.<br />

Sally Allen, State Teachers College student,<br />

is serving a.s part time assistant to Irene<br />

Econome, the Fabian division office aide to<br />

Saul J. Ullman . area lovers of<br />

Italian pictures had a feast with Harold<br />

Strassman's showing of "Melody of Love"<br />

and "Fugitive in Trieste," while the Delaware<br />

presented "Bread, Love and Dreams" . . . Lou<br />

Rapp ananged a lobby display of Boy Scout<br />

insignia and presented 25 Schenectady youngsters,<br />

who attended last summer's Scoutarama<br />

in California, on the stage of the<br />

State there the night "National Jamboree"<br />

opened . Swett, new Ritz manager, is<br />

the father of five children.<br />

Projectionists Local 324 gave Charles A.<br />

Smakwitz, former Stanley Warner zone manager<br />

in Albany and new zone manager in<br />

Newark, N. J., a one-suit traveling bag.<br />

Claude V. Watkins, chief projectionist at the<br />

Strand, said that Smakwitz had been very<br />

fair with the operators during his tenure as<br />

Albany zone manager.<br />

Jerry Slass, engineering supervisor of driveins<br />

for the Berlo Vending Co., made two recent<br />

visits here, one to discuss the cafeteriayou<br />

CAN ALWAYS DEPEND ON<br />

FOR THE BEST<br />

SPECIAL<br />

style construction under way at Alan Iselin's<br />

Auto-Vision, East Greenbush, with architect<br />

Leon Einhorn; the other, to talk about the<br />

same type work being done at the Mohawk<br />

Drive-In. Colonic, with Fred Haas, construction<br />

engineer for Fabian Theatres. Both jobs<br />

are being carried forward during the winter.<br />

Reviving its "Kings for a Day" progi'ams,<br />

the Variety Club had "King" Jack Goldberg<br />

entertain "Queen" Catherine Shay, his secretary,<br />

at the Monday night dinner. Harold<br />

Gabrilove and George Green are to be honored<br />

on the 24th, when, a Tent 9 bulletin<br />

stated, "Harold will carry George from one<br />

side of Green street to the other—watch big<br />

business labor with this one." On January<br />

31, Ray Smith and Warner Bros, will host<br />

Gary Rodgers, his secretary.<br />

Many Attend Testimonial<br />

For Charles Smakwitz<br />

ALBANY—Guests at the testimonial dimier<br />

given at the Sheraton-Ten Eyck Hotel to<br />

Charles A. Smakwitz, promoted from Albany<br />

zone manager to Newark, N. J., zone chief<br />

by Stanley Warner Theatres included George<br />

Hoover, Variety International chief barker,<br />

and S. H. Fabian, Samuel Rosen, Harry Kalmine,<br />

Stewart McDonald, Harry Goldberg,<br />

Prank Marshall, Herman Maier. Bernard<br />

Rosenweig, Nate Fellman, James Brennan and<br />

Miles Alban, all of the Stanley Warner home<br />

office. Also:<br />

Harry Feinstein<br />

James Totman<br />

Joseph Liss<br />

James Bracken<br />

Larry Lapidus<br />

Cy O'Toole<br />

M. A. Silver<br />

Ed L. Fabian<br />

Louis R. Golding<br />

Bernord Brooks<br />

Saul J. Ullman<br />

William With<br />

Stanton Patterson<br />

Guy A. Graves<br />

Phill Rapp<br />

Lou Rapp<br />

Dick Murphy<br />

George See<br />

George Lourino<br />

Irwin Ullman<br />

Abraham Fabian<br />

Al LaFlomme<br />

Oscor J. Perrin<br />

John Brouseau<br />

Alfred Swett<br />

Jack Swartout<br />

Sid Summers<br />

Andy Roy<br />

Leo Drexler<br />

Jim Faughnon<br />

Frank Damis<br />

J. Damis<br />

Louis W. Schine<br />

George Lynch<br />

Bernard Diamond<br />

Seymour Morris<br />

Seymour<br />

Si<br />

William Kraemer<br />

Robert Johnson<br />

James Benton<br />

Frank Williams<br />

Frank Weiting<br />

Sylvan Leff<br />

Poul V. Wallen<br />

Jim Blackburn<br />

Eddie Wendt<br />

Claude Watkins<br />

George Schenck<br />

Jack Hamilton<br />

Ken Forrar<br />

Sydney Urbach<br />

Lewis A. Sumberg<br />

Joe Miller<br />

Alan Iselin<br />

Leonard Rosenthal<br />

Hugh Owen<br />

John Moore<br />

Harry Rogovin<br />

Herman L. Ripps<br />

Ed Hinchyand<br />

Arthur Greenblott<br />

Moe Grassgreen<br />

Norman Moray<br />

Jules Lapidus<br />

Normon Ayers<br />

Sid Kulick<br />

Maurice Miller<br />

Ben Perse<br />

Senator F. G. Moritt<br />

Jock Mundstuk<br />

Ed DeBerry<br />

Stanley Kositsky<br />

Myron Gross<br />

Mel Berman<br />

Dan Houlihan<br />

Norman Jackter<br />

Jock Goldberg<br />

Ray Smith<br />

Nate Dickman<br />

Norman Weitman<br />

Arthur Newman<br />

Max Westabbe<br />

Note Rosen<br />

Al Marchetti<br />

Milton Levins<br />

John Bylancik<br />

Adolph Edmons<br />

Jock McGrath<br />

Leon Einhorn<br />

Francis Downey<br />

Ray Towers<br />

Bob Adler<br />

Rolph Ripps<br />

Ben Becker<br />

Philip Schuyler<br />

Charles W. Ryan<br />

Eddie Perrone<br />

Roymond Kinley<br />

Aaron Winig<br />

Nate Winig<br />

Leonard Berns<br />

Gene Tepper<br />

George Chelius<br />

A. J. Milstein<br />

George Green<br />

Henry Seiden<br />

Morns Simon<br />

Arthur Green<br />

William Wennor<br />

Loew's Record Broken<br />

NEW YORK—Columbia's "On the Waterfront"<br />

broke Loew's Theatres Saturday and<br />

Sunday attendance records January 15, 16.<br />

surpassing the previous alltime champion,<br />

"From Here to Eternity," according to Loew's<br />

executives. The picture, its star. Marlon<br />

Brando, and the director, Elia Kazan, won<br />

top honors in the recent New York Film<br />

Critics awards.<br />

BUFFALO<br />

f^eorge Eby, International second<br />

chief barker, installed the 195;<br />

of Variety Tent 7 at a dinner-dan<br />

Hotel Statler. Billy Keaton, past chi<br />

acted as master of ceremonies. Ne'<br />

installed are W. E. J. Martin, chie<br />

Marvin Jacobs, first assistant: Mar<br />

second assistant; Myron Gross, trea;<br />

V. Spencer Balser, secretary. Gross v<br />

man of the arrangements committs<br />

installation ceremonies. New dire<br />

stalled are David Cheskin, Ben Ku!<br />

old Bennett, Robert Boasberg, Leon<br />

Carl Bell.<br />

The Shea circuit will bow out of t<br />

tion of the Lackawanna (N.Y.i The<br />

Buffalo Februai-y 8 when the Shea<br />

pii-es. The operation then will be t<br />

by Harris Williams, brother of O:<br />

built the theatre. Shea has opei<br />

house about 15 years.<br />

Richard T. Kemper, Dipson Thea<br />

manager and resident manager of t<br />

ger. was installed as vice-commodc<br />

Buffalo Yacht Club at special cerei<br />

the club. Yachting is Kemper's hi<br />

Bill Brereton, Ba.sil Theatres ad-f<br />

tied up with Burnham's appliance i<br />

contest on "So This Is Paris," whic<br />

winners such prizes as a round trij<br />

for two, a radio, a record album of<br />

from the picture and guest ticke<br />

the film at Basil's Lafayette. B<br />

used a page ad on the contest in<br />

Buffalo News-Tribune.<br />

Irving Fried Group Bi<br />

Shea's Kensington Blc<br />

BUFFALO — Shea's Kensington<br />

building, at the southeast corner of<br />

ton and Bailey, has been sold by Sh<br />

sington Realty Corp. to Bailey-K(<br />

Inc., in which Irving F^'ied. vice-pn<br />

the Tristate Automatic Candy Cori<br />

falo is the principal. Vincent R.<br />

general manager for the Shea Tl<br />

Buffalo and Niagara Palls, and Mr.<br />

Albert H. Kreitner are the principi<br />

corporation which sold the buildini<br />

The selling price reportedly wa<br />

$350,000. The property has 167 feet<br />

age on Bailey avenue, 100 feet on K<br />

and 132 feet on Davidson street. B'<br />

1,300-seat theatre, tenants include<br />

of the Marine Trust Co.. a restaur<br />

shop, confectionery, bakery, an au<br />

firm and several offices.<br />

The structure was built in 1926<br />

Harold C. Bickford, Toronto-born hi<br />

Boer war and World War I, who<br />

wealthy Buffalo real estate brok<br />

1939, when it was bought by the Sh<br />

sington Realty from the Marine Ti"<br />

was known as the Bickford buildii<br />

Cinerama to Shea's T<br />

Last Week in Februar<br />

BUFFALO — "This Is Cinerama"<br />

in Shea's Teck the week of February<br />

necessary technical work is com]<br />

schedule. The conversion at a cost<br />

$50,000 will begin at once, according<br />

Isaacs of New York, national direct<br />

Cinerama Corp. The policy for the 1<br />

will be reserved at a top of $2.40 to $<br />

theatre currently seats 1.263.<br />

36 BOXOFFICE Januai


. . Henry<br />

men! Folk<br />

is Lunch<br />

in 600 representa-<br />

,vorld attended the<br />

Awards luncheon<br />

tel Sheraton Astor<br />

rticipation of the<br />

; current campaign<br />

ish<br />

30,000.<br />

incheon<br />

Philanthropies.<br />

chau'man.<br />

irman and Joseph<br />

of the amusement<br />

d the program with<br />

Rabbi Bernard Birnple<br />

delivered the<br />

to Gi-ace Kelly of<br />

leason of television,<br />

ary Martin of the<br />

lie recording indusle<br />

music world and<br />

VIcCormack for her<br />

Seed." Janet Leigh<br />

d in her absence,<br />

ibutes were Salim<br />

Joseph Willen, exho<br />

was the guest<br />

,<br />

general chah-man<br />

Brandt, and Oscar<br />

hairman.<br />

SpjTos P. Skouras,<br />

ier, exhibition com-<br />

•atories: Abe Dickalt<br />

Fi'amer, broadrving<br />

Caesar, Carl<br />

Ier, recording comers;<br />

Nat Lefkowitz,<br />

nerstein, legitimate<br />

ticket brokers, and<br />

= publications.<br />

USE<br />

lublicity<br />

man with<br />

elated with Visual<br />

ently to make ararkin,<br />

manager of<br />

in connection w'ith<br />

id Beck know each<br />

;atre days back in<br />

Theatre, oldest art<br />

ed to a new policy.<br />

k Burich. It is now<br />

.n hour of cartoons,<br />

'nts till 2 p.m. and<br />

le playing art films,<br />

sed during the day,<br />

Sunday.<br />

is on a half-andity<br />

of "There's No<br />

less" resulted in its<br />

rst week run at the<br />

; art film .schedule<br />

Dreams." according<br />

5 . . . Loew's State<br />

stars of the screen<br />

;e show "Three for<br />

iS<br />

CLEANER<br />

other cleaner because it<br />

rome.<br />

Ssldby<br />

istcrn Theatre Supply and<br />

Ben Lust Tlicatre Supply<br />

DAMV PANY<br />

PATASKALA,<br />

OHIO<br />

BALTIMORE<br />

.<br />

M.A. Silver Honored<br />

f^piTators lATSE Local 181 elected Louis<br />

Sieber president. Others named include<br />

Charles Grauling, Charles Dodson and William<br />

MacKenzie, first, .second and third vicepresidents,<br />

respectively; Tliomas P. Finn sr.,<br />

. . . Lai-ry Hyatt,<br />

.secretary-treasurer; Calvert Silverblatt, recording<br />

secretary, and Maurice Rushworth,<br />

business agent. ChaU-man of the board of<br />

trustees is Harry Gentile<br />

manager of the Little, was host to several of<br />

his former co-workers from the Schine circuit<br />

over the weekend . . . Due to a heavy<br />

cold, Leon Back, president of the Maryland<br />

Allied, was unable to preside at the last meeting.<br />

Vice-President Jack Whittle substituted.<br />

Whittle, the previous evening, had been installed<br />

as new chief barker of the Baltimore<br />

Variety Club, succeeding Rodney Collier, manager<br />

of the Stanley.<br />

Dom DeLauney, owner of the Carroll, Westminster,<br />

was in town for the Allied meeting,<br />

as was Bob Gruver jr., owner of the New<br />

Glen, who came up from Glenburnie . . . Sam<br />

Temple of the Durkee circuit has gone to<br />

Florida for a vacation . . . John Manuel, who<br />

operates the Belau- Drive-In at Churchill,<br />

was in visiting friends . . . Wilbert Brizendine,<br />

vice-president of Schwaber Theatres, is<br />

chairman of the Variety March of Dimes<br />

campaign. His wife Rose was installed as<br />

president of the Variety Guild, auxiliary of<br />

the local tent.<br />

C. Elmer Nolle sr. and his son C. Elmer jr.<br />

flew to Florida for a vacation . . . Manager<br />

George Hendricks of the Mayfair was closing<br />

the theatre on Saturday night when a patron,<br />

who remained in the seat, was found to have<br />

Fred Perry,<br />

died from a heart attack . . .<br />

owner of the Edgemere, has revived dish<br />

giveaways to increase midweek attendance . .<br />

Rob Rappaport of the Town and Hippodrome<br />

spent the weekend in Atlantic City with his<br />

grandparents . Miller has resigned<br />

as assistant manager of the Mayfair . . . Ray<br />

Ti-umbler. Jack Fruchtman Theatres general<br />

manager, returned to duty after recovering<br />

from the grippe . . Evelyn Dobbs has resigned<br />

.<br />

as cashier after eight yeai-s at the<br />

New to devote her time to being a housewife.<br />

Mungello Bros. Start<br />

Burgettstown Airer<br />

BURGETTSTOWN, PA.—A 500-car capacity<br />

drive-in will be constructed at Slovan,<br />

a few miles from here on Route 18, by<br />

brothers Tony and Don Mungello, ownersoperators<br />

of the local Mary Ann Theatre.<br />

Twenty acres of land were purchased for<br />

the project.<br />

Mary Ann Construction Co., owned by the<br />

local exhibitors, will be the general contractor.<br />

Grading w-as to start this week. A 40x80<br />

foot fabricated screen will be installed by<br />

the Moore Medals Co. of Greensburg.<br />

The Mungello brothers were born in the<br />

exhibition here, their late mother and father,<br />

Mary Ann and Ralph Mungello, having<br />

established a theatre here many years ago.<br />

The brothers operate real estate projects<br />

and are in the electric installation and general<br />

contracting business. They had expected<br />

to enter into the drive-in field several<br />

years ago but a .suitable site In the<br />

area could not be obtained at that time.<br />

By Piltsburgh Group<br />

PITTSBURGH—M. A. Silver, Pittsburgh<br />

zone manager for Stanley Warner Theatres,<br />

has been named by the Junior Chamber of<br />

Commerce for its an-<br />

,„n_ nual Man-of-the-Year<br />

'"'^^<br />

Award. This is the first<br />

time in 15 years the<br />

^K chamber has named a<br />

r1^ ^^ d^riliH.<br />

representative of the<br />

film industry for its<br />

achievement honor.<br />

Silver was nominated<br />

for bringing Cin-<br />

.^^^—-——^^ erama to the Warner<br />

/ /5w5^^i!B<br />

Theatre during 1954,<br />

I 1 4* ''-


. . Mary<br />

. . M.<br />

. . Local<br />

PITTSBURGH<br />

pete DeFazio, former Warner Bros, salesman suggestions by the "experts" is a 10 per cent<br />

here, returned to Filmrow as a Paramount<br />

representative from Indianapolis where nually $10,000,000. Restoration of the soft<br />

state amusement tax, estimated to yield an-<br />

he had been with Paramount for a year and dnnk tax would bring in $14,000,000 and a tax<br />

a half. A brother of Sam DeFazio, manager on pari-mutuel betting would net $20,000,000.<br />

of the Harris South Hills theatre here, Pete Pennsylvania's 1 per cent general sales tax<br />

was assigned the main line and the Erie area expires August 31 and the new Democratic<br />

sales block. Paramount had operated with administration has promised to let it die.<br />

only two salesmen. Bob Caskey and Harold<br />

Henderson, for a number of months since<br />

Harris circuit here now is physically operating<br />

George Skouras-United Artists' Penn<br />

Bob Ruskin was knocked off the payroll . . .<br />

Alden Phelps, Waterford outdoor theatre Theatre, formerly Loew's Penn, with Bill<br />

owner and Erie County Democratic chairman, Zeilor, manager of the J. P. Harris Theatre,<br />

and wife were in HaiTisburg this week supervising. Fi-ank Arena, Penn manager for<br />

to<br />

five<br />

attend the inaugural ceremonies of Gov.<br />

months, retm-ned this week to Cleveland<br />

George M.<br />

and Loew's Ohio Theatre. Fred Kunkle remains<br />

assistant manager of the Penn . . .<br />

Leader.<br />

Leona Ecker was to resume duties at the Gable Theatre, Sharon, pulled out of the<br />

Warner exchange Monday after an absence Hanna booking combine . Civitarese<br />

of several months recuperating from an operation.<br />

She is the sister of I. Elmer Ecker, January 29. The old Nemo Theatre, Pit-<br />

is closing the Strand Theatre, Pitcairn, on<br />

new chief barker of Variety Tent 1 . . . cairn, was turned into a furniture store several<br />

years ago by Max Arnold, who had been<br />

Newt Williams, National Theatre Supply manager,<br />

was back on the job after licking a the operator of the Nemo.<br />

severe cold which settled in his back . . .<br />

John H. Harris jr., 19, awaiting entry into Local showman John H. Harris will have<br />

the ai-my, is serving as a member of the staff three ice shows hitting the arenas next season.<br />

In addition to "Ice Capades" and "Ice<br />

at his father's The Gardens arena . . . The<br />

M. A. Silvers are vacationing in West Palm Cycles," the new one will be known as "Ice<br />

Beach.<br />

Capades National Company" . A. Silver.<br />

Stanley Warner zone manager, has been cited<br />

Altoona impressionist Arthur Blake will<br />

as one of a dozen top citizens by the Junior<br />

premiere his new one-man show, "See the Chamber of Commerce for the 15th annual<br />

Stars," at the Mishler in Altoona the week Man of the Year awards, to be presented at a<br />

of February 14, for the American Cancer<br />

dinner Januai-y 31 in the William Penn Hotel.<br />

Society . . . Harold V. Cohen, Post-Gazette<br />

drama critic who was named by the Screen Clarence, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Farkas.<br />

Directors Guild as film critic of the year and Johnstown exhibitors, and Catherine Kolar<br />

who will be honored in Hollywood February were married January 15 in the St. Rochus<br />

13, will be feted here February 2 by Variety Catholic Church. Cambria City. The bridegroom<br />

is employed at the Lyric in Johnstown.<br />

Tent 1 at a banquet in the William Penn<br />

Hotel. In charge are I. Elmer Ecker, chief<br />

barker; Harold Lund, WDTV iKDKA-TVi<br />

general manager, chairman: Abe Weiner.<br />

Steam and Hanna Merging<br />

Allied Artists, treasurer.<br />

Their Booking Agencies<br />

The Leona Theatre, Homestead, was not<br />

PITTSBURGH—Bert M. Stearn of Cooperative<br />

Theatre Service and Louis E. Hanna<br />

damaged when a $50,000 fire raged through<br />

two adjoining stores early last Saturday (15)<br />

of Hanna Theatre Service report the merging<br />

. . . Harold D. Cohen, manager of the recently<br />

opened Center Theatre, Lewistown,<br />

of their two booking agencies. Stearn told exhibitor<br />

accounts that the merger is completed<br />

presented professional wrestling on the spacious<br />

stage there Monday evening (17) . . .<br />

and Hanna said that attorneys are reviewing<br />

final details. The unification would total<br />

Lower admission prices than those for the<br />

135 accounts, representing indoor and outdoor<br />

theatres in western Pennsylvania and<br />

first and current Cinerama production were<br />

announced for "Cinerama Holiday," opening<br />

West Virginia.<br />

February 16 at the Warner Theatre here.<br />

Evening top will be $2.40 as compared to the Under the discussed plan, the Hanna office<br />

current $2.65; Saturday and Sunday matinees would be abandoned and merged with the<br />

will be $2 as compared to the present $2.40.<br />

Co-op headquarters at 1701 Blvd. of the<br />

Allies, where Co-op holds a three-year unexpired<br />

lease. The unification probably would<br />

Directors of the Catherine Variety Fund,<br />

Inc., were guests at the Wednesday weekly eliminate a booker or two and several clerks.<br />

luncheon of the Variety Club. The Stanley Actual operations as to supervision and management<br />

have not as yet been defined.<br />

Warner gang hosted the January 21 Family<br />

night at the clubrooms . . . Pennsylvania<br />

governor's special tax study committee has<br />

offered ten "outs" in the commonwealth's<br />

Ellis Bros. Add Drive-In<br />

muddled financial problem. Among the ten<br />

CLARKSBURG, W. VA.—Tlie Ellis brothers,<br />

owners and operators of the Ellis Drive-In<br />

on Bridgeport pike here, have purchased the<br />

Sunset Drive-In at nearby Meadowbrook from<br />

SAM FINEBERG Alex Silay and Steve Medve jr. Joe Feeney.<br />

TOM McCLEARY Ellis projectionist and booker, will license for<br />

JIM ALEXANDER the Sunset, formerly handled by Gray Bajker.<br />

Silay and Medve own and operate a drive-in<br />

84 Van Braam Street theatre at Philippi in the Clarksburg area and<br />

PITTSBURGH 19, PA. they have indoor theatres in W'estern Pennsylvania.<br />

Both the Ellis and Sunset have<br />

Phone EXpress 1-0777<br />

Movies Are Belter Than Ever - How's Your EQuipmenl? been operating the year around.<br />

Blatt Bros. Renov<br />

Somerset Governo<br />

SOMERSET, PA.—Tlie Blatt B<br />

ernor Theatre here has been reno<br />

redecorated, the first redecorating<br />

house was opened in 1938. The w<<br />

Vincent Scatena Studios of Pitts<br />

eludes interior repainting, new wall<br />

glass standee rail and new carpe<br />

Governor is equipped for stereopho<br />

Cinemascope and other new film p<br />

Other Blatt circuit theatres whii<br />

full stereophonic sound are units<br />

ville and Corry. Fi-ank E. Lewis of<br />

circuit office at Pittsburgh report<br />

other Blatt units in western Pennsj<br />

booking optical Cinemascope prir<br />

theatres at Albion, Girard, Smet<br />

Youngsville, and these houses will b<br />

for such exhibitions within the<br />

months. Recent CS openings were :<br />

in Mercer, Roaring Spring and Per<br />

Bernard Burns has resigned a;<br />

of the Rex Theatre. Corry. to ente<br />

sery and landscaping business. H<br />

Regis, manager of the Blatt circui<br />

theatres at Erie, has stepped into<br />

spot.<br />

Verne McCartney has been name<br />

of the Liberty in Mercer, succee<br />

Bello who rasigned to manage the :<br />

atre, Blairsville, which was taken i<br />

January 1 by his father Tommy Be<br />

Saul I. Perilman. veteran Pittsb<br />

booker and salesman.<br />

Ray Allison Retires<br />

ALTOONA. PA.—The Rivoli at 1<br />

Baker boulevards has been leased<br />

Perilman and associates from Rj<br />

who is retiring and mo\'ing to Flor<br />

man and Tlromas Bello sr., Nanty C<br />

manager for the Blatt Bros, circui<br />

the lease for the Penn Theatre, Bla<br />

January 1 from the Lipsie brothei<br />

and John, who are withdrawing fn<br />

tion and who will retain their i<br />

business at Blairsville. Perilman,<br />

Bros, film salesman, is reported !<br />

his north area sales post and he<br />

his home in Altoona.<br />

WEST VIRGI<br />

TVAr. and >Irs. Charles E. Warner<br />

the Skyline Drive-In near CU<br />

Mr. and Mrs. Sam Caputo, left for<br />

in Georgia and Florida . e<br />

dictated the billing for "Three Ri<br />

at the Court Theatre in Wheeling<br />

said: Wheeling's Joanne Dru, Sti<br />

Dean Martin and Jerrj- Lewis .<br />

and Mary Price (he is the Clark<br />

jectionist) have adopted a 6-year<br />

Anas Bros. Ohio Valley Drive-I:<br />

bee. has extended wings to its con<br />

building, widening its screen size<br />

80 feet . , . The Strand Theatre. W<br />

has installed Cinemascope . . .<br />

Elli<br />

Clarksburg, has remodeled and e<br />

conce.ssion building, including the 1<br />

of new equipment and fixtures . . .<br />

structure screen at the Grafton<br />

Grafton, has been doubled in wid<br />

showing of Cinemascope. The smi<br />

front of the screen will be boarded<br />

playground will be opened near tl<br />

38<br />

BOXOFTICE<br />

Janui


.bTAIN .ViaOR SAVIli£«


. resident.<br />

in<br />

'atrons<br />

Cage<br />

of the Granada<br />

n., came up with<br />

promoting recent<br />

e<br />

promotion men.<br />

a<br />

mention for his<br />

ng of Pear." The<br />

behind the glassed<br />

ranee so that the<br />

I't put their hands<br />

ittempt to pet the<br />

rtained crowds in<br />

;r.<br />

Seven Brothei-s"<br />

marriage license<br />

seven brides-to-be<br />

plus two theatre<br />

ed at the bureau<br />

y, and because of<br />

stations and the<br />

otice. Considerable<br />

:he street bally—<br />

ed by tractor with<br />

)oys seated on top<br />

cordion.<br />

songs from the<br />

i one station used<br />

two different prostation<br />

ran two<br />

\ith Empey offers<br />

for one of their<br />

e lobby he framed<br />

"SBFSB" reviews<br />

ines.<br />

the Waterfront."<br />

er of the local TV<br />

irmer fighters who<br />

film. Another TV<br />

?nt clips from the<br />

iio contest was arnbled<br />

words using<br />

lo with first prize<br />

mnersup receiving<br />

at the time of<br />

Colonel<br />

army, who played<br />

Terry, was first in<br />

npey arranged for<br />

TV programs. A<br />

ith photo broke in<br />

radio newscasters<br />

jranada's "Brigaparticipation<br />

in a<br />

PERFECT MAN CONTEST STIRS INTEREST<br />

OF YOUNG FOLK IN ATHENA' OPENING<br />

5,000 Heralds Distributed in High Schools,<br />

YMCA and Jewish Center in New Haven<br />

Numerous sources in New Haven were<br />

utilized for the opening of "Athena" at<br />

Loew's College Theatre. Manager Sid<br />

Kleper obtained the cooperation of the public<br />

high school, the YMCA and Jewi-sh<br />

Community Center for a Perfect Man contest<br />

on the theatre's sta^e. Five thousand<br />

heralds were distributed to junior and senior<br />

high schools and information was<br />

planted in local newspapers. A photo of<br />

Kleper with Debbie Reynolds appeared in<br />

the Sunday edition.<br />

Newspapers were also approached to run<br />

a coloring contest and a cartoon caption<br />

contest.<br />

The local Lincoln dealer ran photos of<br />

Debbie Reynolds behind the wheel in their<br />

fashion show luncheon given by a local department<br />

store at an exclusive club. During<br />

intermission, costumes from the film<br />

were modeled and Empey himself appeared<br />

in kilts carrying a bagpipe! The orchestra<br />

played Scottish music and announcer<br />

plugged the playdate. Simultaneous with<br />

opening day, the newspaper broke with a<br />

picture of "Bonnie" Empey and the "Brigadoon"<br />

model. Disk jockeys played songs<br />

from the film with credits.<br />

Brochure on Tar Country'<br />

A folding brochure has been mailed to<br />

exhibitors countrywide by Universal-International<br />

calling attention to star James<br />

Stewart's new characterization in "The Far<br />

Country," soon to be released.<br />

Basketball Show<br />

Is Timely Event<br />

Most showmen take advantage of holidays<br />

and other occasions to put on special<br />

shows to attract some extra revenue.<br />

In addition to these usual promotions,<br />

Majiager Bill Cooley of the Everett<br />

(Wash.) Theatre conducts several goodwill<br />

affairs throughout the year tied in<br />

with the local schools and whatCA'er sport<br />

happens to be in season. Youngsters jam<br />

the theatre each fall for the football<br />

rally and Cooley's now hard at work<br />

planning a basketball rally show and<br />

jamboree.<br />

Other sporting activities such as baseball,<br />

swimming and hockey could be the<br />

inspiration for school-theatre promotions.<br />

Cheer leaders performing on the stage,<br />

a concert by the .school band and the introduction<br />

of the team being honored are<br />

guaranteed to provide enough entertainment.<br />

If the group being honored has<br />

won any sort of rhampion.ship, civic<br />

authorities would gladly join in the general<br />

celebration.<br />

Jan. 22, 1955<br />

25 —<br />

ads, and the latest Lincoln model was used<br />

for a bally. A florist displayed a front window<br />

of 100 roses on opening day, featuring<br />

the "Athena" rose. One of the busiest<br />

soda fountains promoted an "Athena"<br />

chocolate soda and a bakery spotlighted a<br />

special cake still. Five and dime stores<br />

plugged Debbie Reynolds and Jane Powell<br />

paper dolls, and a beauty salon set up a<br />

window display, as well as a co-op ad in<br />

the newspaper showing one of the feminine<br />

stars.<br />

Disk jockeys broadcasted hit tunes, window<br />

and counter displays drew attention<br />

records and sheet music, and sidewalks<br />

to<br />

were stenciled.<br />

Kiwanis Charity Drive<br />

Proves Good Tieup<br />

Bob Harvey, manager of the Capitol<br />

Theatre in North Bay, Ont., talked the<br />

local Kiwanis Club into using the copy<br />

line, "Make it a 'High and Mighty' bid," in<br />

its newspaper ads for its annual auction<br />

as part of the campaign on the Warner<br />

Bros, release. Harvey set up a booth in the<br />

theatre lobby advertising the charity affair<br />

and the Kiwanians recorded patrons comments<br />

on the film for rebroadcast over<br />

CFCH.<br />

A local laundry used co-op newspaper<br />

ads and carried posters plugging the film's<br />

playdates on their delivery trucks. Two<br />

thousand shirt bags and 1.000 garment<br />

bags were stamped with copy and a co-op<br />

laundry display was spotted in the foyer.<br />

All usherettes wore stewardess' caps and<br />

a small replica of the popular phonograph<br />

record as a lapel pin. Other small records<br />

with picture credits were distributed<br />

around town while larger copies were placed<br />

on lamp posts and in window displays.<br />

One of the theatre staff walked around<br />

on stilts, selling the "High and Mighty"<br />

message on the tall poles, and distributed<br />

imprinted balloons to small fry as he made<br />

his way along the street. In addition the<br />

North Bay News Service truck carried one<br />

sheets, while others were spotted on street<br />

construction barricades. The local radio<br />

station also gave credits whenever the recording<br />

was played.<br />

G. C. Williams Wins Again<br />

The 1954 Associated British Cinemas<br />

award for the champion manager of the<br />

Kent and Sussex area in England was won<br />

by Manager G. C. Williams of the Regent<br />

Cinema. Chatham. The local newspaper<br />

ran a photo and a story on Williams, who<br />

has won the award three times.


—<br />

UNDERWATER! FISH VIEW BIT CHILLY<br />

WHALE OF A PUBLICITY FEAT<br />

BUT IT'S<br />

TWA, Radio, TV Get in<br />

on Premiere of Superscope Film<br />

In Depths of Silver Springs, Near Ocala, Fla.<br />

Spectators sitting on benches obout ten feet beneath the surface of Silver Springs near Ocala, Flo.,<br />

view a premiere showing of "Underwater!" The picture was projected on a screen in the clear water of<br />

the famed spring. The turtle was a ringer, attracted by the lights.<br />

By J.<br />

OCALA, FLA.—RKO Radio staged the<br />

M. JERAULD<br />

< 10 )<br />

for<br />

first submarine premiere of a picture at<br />

nearby Silver Springs Monday<br />

about 200 newspaper and magazine correspondents<br />

and a couple of turtles that were<br />

fascinated by the motion pictures and<br />

swam into the scene to find out what was<br />

going on. The film was Howard Hughes'<br />

Superscope Technicolor picture, "Underwater!"<br />

Among the subaqueous spectators wearing<br />

a plastic mask and an oxygen tank were<br />

Jane Russell and Richard Egan. They had<br />

an "usherwet" who directed the underwater<br />

spectators to their places. There also was<br />

an exit sign pointing upwards.<br />

The guests who preferred to keep dry<br />

looked through the glass sides of what<br />

they call submarine photo boats. In these<br />

the spectator goes down a short flight of<br />

stairs and looks out at the fish and the<br />

.screen and hopes those who are wearing<br />

oxygen tanks and masks are not freezing<br />

to death.<br />

The Silver Springs guides say the water<br />

which comes up out of the limestone at the<br />

rate of 801 millions of gallons of water per<br />

day and is 72 degrees the year round, has<br />

been bubbling up for a million years or so.<br />

Nobody questioned the age of the spring,<br />

but when Jane Russell came up with a<br />

trail of oxygen bubbles she was shivering<br />

like a leaf in a wind. Some of the others<br />

who had been brushing small fish away<br />

on<br />

from their glass masks also were a bit<br />

the shaky side.<br />

i<br />

Up to that moment about 10 p.m.i we<br />

had always thought fish slept at night.<br />

Some of the spectators moved their feet,<br />

on which there were long rubber flippers,<br />

from time to time, and this stirred up the<br />

limestone powder and fogged the picture,<br />

but nobody minded. It had been shown<br />

during the afternoon at an Ocala theatre.<br />

One girl who didn't like oxygen had a<br />

pipe about four feet long—like a submarine<br />

snorkel—but it had one bad fault. When<br />

she went too deep, water came in the<br />

pipe and she had to come up for air and<br />

blow the water out of the pipe like a miniature<br />

whale.<br />

Believe it or not, all the players in the<br />

picture, except Richard Egan, had had<br />

previous experience with oxygen tanks.<br />

They use them in some of the Hollywood<br />

swimming pools. Any drive-in equipped<br />

with a pool could stage an underwater<br />

premiere as a promotion stunt. The patrons<br />

equipped with a pipe like the Ocala<br />

girl's could have a drink of Coca Cola under<br />

the surface. This idea is offered free for<br />

BoxoFFicE readers. But the water temperature<br />

should be above 72 degrees. Ask<br />

Jane Russell if you don't believe us.<br />

The screen was made of a plastic material<br />

that had been painted with aluminum<br />

dust to make it more reflective. It w-as<br />

laced to a metal frame and lowered and<br />

tied to a boat. It measured 15x30 feet<br />

a Superscope. There were no sei<br />

ought to be great for drive-ins.<br />

The projection machine was loi<br />

feet from the screen in a glass wa]<br />

jection booth suspended below a b(<br />

Peculiar thing about underwatei<br />

tion. The water decreases the imai<br />

30 per cent. The Tushinsky brothe<br />

mind. They were both there.<br />

A sound man standing on the<br />

one of the glass-bottomed boats<br />

to the sound track. Archer Winstc<br />

New York Post said he could hei<br />

under the water, but he didn't s<br />

kind. It may have been snapping t<br />

About 30 per cent of the pici<br />

made off Kona, Haw-aii. Harry T<br />

the producer, told some of the cor<br />

ents at Ocala that he had to make<br />

the scenes by "trial and error." Tl<br />

not many errors, because shar<br />

around Hawaii. At Silver Springs<br />

no sharks, but an occasional alliga<br />

parently alligators didn't care<br />

movies. They stayed away.<br />

TWA furnished four super Cons<br />

for the trip—two from California<br />

from New York. Those from N<br />

were taken from one of the inte<br />

routes. They had chaud and frc<br />

and secours exits, and food. A Us<br />

on the downward trip include(<br />

cocktails, soup, filet mignon wi<br />

tables, salad, dessert, cheese and<br />

fruit and a bottle of champagne<br />

guest.<br />

All guests received rubber fli]<br />

their feet, glass diving masks, wrls<br />

usable under water, fountain pen;<br />

ing notes ten feet down, and other<br />

photographers had about all tl<br />

carry in addition to their cameras<br />

They had plenty to photograpl<br />

ing great blue herons, pink fl<br />

raccoons and deer, and fish th<br />

leap out of the water for a piece<br />

The macaws were less sociable.<br />

The planes landed at Jacksor<br />

buses took the voyagers to Silvei<br />

Ponce de Leon who look<br />

Was it<br />

springs providing long life?<br />

Hist<br />

to have overlooked Silver Spr<br />

missed that one. Anyway, they di<br />

oxygen tanks in those days.<br />

Every paper in Florida carried<br />

about the trip. Life magazine<br />

page, and the Orlando radio st<br />

the goings-on on the air by wire<br />

scene of the action.<br />

Perfect Couple Cont<<br />

For Hartford 'Athena<br />

Hartford. Conn.'s, "Most Per<br />

and Female" was sought aftei<br />

Cohen of Loew's Poll in that<br />

come-on for "Athena." Newspapi<br />

ran: "Female charm and male i<br />

featured aplenty in the film. 1<br />

the Most Perfect titles, all you J<br />

is submit a photo, preferably an<br />

5x7. to Loew's Poll." Pictures ol<br />

ners were reproduced in the Her<br />

ners and their companions were<br />

Jimmy Teris at his Empire i<br />

after which they were guests of<br />

to see "Athena," of course!<br />

— 26 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser


; Papers<br />

lallyhoo<br />

nious stunt con-<br />

Y, local U-I mannewspaper<br />

story<br />

a film company's<br />

is.<br />

led with the usual<br />

s announcing the<br />

?r's Dozen sales<br />

April 30. featuring<br />

It out two of his<br />

id Robert Helmeraccompanied<br />

He<br />

all of the circuits<br />

e the trio passed<br />

;hnuts.<br />

sent its photoga<br />

Amusement Co.<br />

in action and gave<br />

tory spread in a<br />

1 Branton, MAC<br />

was in the photo<br />

salesmen.<br />

Extends<br />

(agues'<br />

opening<br />

the local<br />

id mentioning the<br />

agues Under the<br />

ise, N. Y. Manager<br />

the no-cost deal<br />

ng their names<br />

uld receive tickets<br />

;s selling the film,<br />

enerated with the<br />

e opening. Sorkin<br />

lobby and on the<br />

ivspaper and call-<br />

)00 Leagues Under<br />

published on the<br />

Edition<br />

edition of Eleanor<br />

)ook. "Prince of<br />

by W. W. Norton<br />

conjunction with<br />

se of the Cinema<br />

Edwin Booth biogpromotional<br />

camby<br />

Norton linking<br />

publication of the<br />

ig full credits and<br />

back covers. The<br />

outlets are being<br />

ully in the meri.<br />

Lobby<br />

ntinues<br />

s. in cooperation<br />

on. keeps alive a<br />

le Olympia Theaof<br />

the faot that<br />

. I/Ong a familiar<br />

an on the Street<br />

bo conducted by<br />

pas.ses to various<br />

•ard for being inver<br />

lacks an audiheatre<br />

and radio<br />

-<br />

Showman Attracts Tourists to His Town<br />

And Theatre by Vacation Area Guide<br />

Uncle Ike's<br />

Post Office l^:t'<br />

EsUblished 1895<br />

Homestead-1893<br />

open to the public<br />

•ill nMrv«l al (he ijAiQi/it trt««»uim W' if<br />

c tke Coma in sad ctut wilh th« only<br />

Shepherd of the Hills<br />

[The erichanted country of<br />

Harold Bell Wrights novel.<br />

k*<br />

^'<br />

t«*<br />

Page 1<br />

2<br />

son DftlNKS<br />

9 Q U V E N 1 K<br />

5<br />

SHEPHERD OFTHE HILLS<br />

Old Matts Cabin<br />

Memorial Museum<br />

coLLicrnONS oj famous ozarkias^<br />

Sh


. . and<br />

Saw<br />

—<br />

and<br />

BOXOFFICE<br />

Wild horses couldn't keep pint-size "cowboys"<br />

in Norwich, Conn., from attending<br />

the children's matinee at the Palace Theatre.<br />

Not only were Roy Rogers and Gene<br />

Autry films to be shown but their own<br />

not-so-violent "Battle of the Cowboys" was<br />

to be staged in the seating section. The<br />

Opens Theatre Early<br />

On Cartoon Days<br />

There's a plus value to publicity that<br />

is unsolicited so it's little wonder Kay<br />

Leveque was pleased when he read the<br />

following editorial in the Ilion, N. Y.,<br />

Sentinel, an excellent example of goodwill<br />

as well as an idea that can be used<br />

in other situations.<br />

"We'd like to give Ray Leveque, manager<br />

of Schine's Capitol Theatre in Ilion<br />

a pat on the back for opening the door<br />

of the theatre an hour earlier on cartoon-show<br />

days. It gets the kids in off<br />

the streets. In the old days the line would<br />

wind around the block, the children<br />

would be half frozen . a quarter<br />

of them wouldn't even get in the theatre<br />

until the show was well along."<br />

latter, an idea of Manager Phil Allaire's,<br />

was announced via his newspaper theatre<br />

ad and posed this challenge:<br />

"Gene's Pans sit on the left,<br />

Roy's Fans sit on the right,<br />

Undecided sit in the middle.<br />

We'll count noses to see<br />

Which one is the Champ!"<br />

Tony Masella, manager of the Palace in<br />

Meriden, Conn., believes there's strength<br />

in numbers and joined forces with other<br />

local businessmen in a full-page newspaper<br />

ad offering a $25 savings bond to the<br />

stork's first New Year's bundle.<br />

A weekend ad recently used by Mike<br />

Adorno, assistant general manager of the<br />

M&D Theatres, Middletown, Conn., called<br />

readers' attention to the costly productions<br />

being produced by Hollywood. Copy read:<br />

"Six and a half million! That's the actual<br />

production value of the movies at your<br />

Middletown theatres right now ! Every cent<br />

spent to make your weekend movie holiday<br />

a success! Relax from shopping this<br />

weekend, take the family to the movies!"<br />

With absolutely no cost involved. Manager<br />

Toby Ross of the Pox Theatre, Corning,<br />

N. Y., built up his annual New Year's<br />

kiddy show into quite a production by<br />

collaborating with a local dance teacher<br />

who had just opened her studio. She agreed<br />

to put on a stage show with about 25 children,<br />

to act as MC and furnish the pianist,<br />

gratis. And the local radio station agreed<br />

to furnish publicity free. This, combined<br />

with the screen program of 15 cartoons<br />

and a Three Stooge comedy, resulted in<br />

heavy boxoffice traffic.<br />

Dale Tysinger, Shea's manager at Ash-<br />

NUGGETS<br />

tabula, Ohio, used Indian head pennies to<br />

promote his playdate of "Sitting Bull."<br />

Each of the first 500 persons seeing the<br />

film were presented with one of the rare<br />

coins. The only catch to the stunt was<br />

the cost of the coppers. Tysinger was unable<br />

to obtain any Indian heads in Ashtabula<br />

or nearby Cleveland and was forced<br />

to turn to a New York collector who supplied<br />

the coins for ten cents each.<br />

Public relations ideas pay off, so find<br />

Irving and Etavid Jacobson, operators of<br />

the Palace in Torrington and the Bristol in<br />

Bristol, Conn. Newspaper ads and lobby<br />

displays asked small fry patrons to register<br />

their birth dates at the boxoffice. During<br />

Saturday matinees nearest the actual date,<br />

surprise birthday gifts are offered children<br />

called up on the stage. The event is proclaimed<br />

in newspaper ads as: "Two-and-a-<br />

Half Hours of Wholesome Screen Pun<br />

Safe and Supervised!" Parents have voiced<br />

their thanks for the promotion.<br />

Prank Lynch, manager of the Salem<br />

Playhouse, Naugatuck. Conn., had three<br />

local high school students decorate the<br />

plate-glass entrance doors with water color<br />

portraits of various cartoon characters featured<br />

in a recent kiddy show. The "artists"<br />

were placed on the theatre payroll for the<br />

duration of the work period.<br />

The effect of having Bing Crosby paged<br />

in downtown Hartford (Conn.> hotel lobbies<br />

in conjunction with the showing of<br />

"White Christmas" was so successful that<br />

Ray McNamara of the Allyn Theatre repeated<br />

the gag for "Three Ring Circus"<br />

with a "double ringer call for Dean Martin<br />

and Jerry Lewis. The page wore a<br />

"<br />

movie poster on his back while walking<br />

slowly through the lobbies.<br />

Shirley Lewis, producer of the Caico Pet Exchonge<br />

progrom telecast over KGO-TV, lets two<br />

youthful contestants hold two of the prize<br />

poodles offered in the "Lost Time I Paris"<br />

competition arranged by Bill Blake of the<br />

Golden Gate Theotre, Son Francisco, Calif.<br />

What's Exploital<br />

In the Magazine<br />

Good Housekeeping recommt<br />

following movies in its February<br />

j<br />

the whole family, "The Bridges<br />

Ri" and "Underwater!" and fo<br />

'<br />

"East of Eden the "Violent<br />

Ten pages of story arid picti<br />

UA's "The Barefoot Contessa" a<br />

Ava Gardner are spotlighted<br />

February issue of Pageant.<br />

It's definitely a four-bell (belle<br />

en the Januai-y 9 issue of Parade,<br />

day Picture magazine. Pour U-]<br />

Allison Hayes, Myrna Hansen, W<br />

day and Kathleen Case are show<br />

ing the latest 1955 bathing suits<br />

i<br />

photo by David P. Pi-eston. Othe<br />

suit pictures and a descriptive a<br />

featured inside.<br />

Jesse Zunser in<br />

the January<br />

of Cue reports on UA's "Blacl<br />

day" by saying that it's all Rol<br />

shoio as he "sriarls, siieers and<br />

his way through his role in as tei<br />

a fashion as he ever did in<br />

Caesar.' "<br />

A full-color portrait of Ava Ga<br />

pears on the cover of Look for j£<br />

with other portraits on inside page<br />

trate a special article, "What Is<br />

peal?" Photos ef Gina Lollobrigii<br />

beth Taylor. Silvana Mangan(<br />

Leigh, Marlene Dietrich and Gre<br />

are also pictured with early day f<br />

Another story features Tom Ev<br />

trayal of the role he created in tl<br />

way stage hit, in 20th-Pox's "T<br />

Year Itch." Marilyn Monroe. 'N.<br />

Chapman and Roxanne are pi<br />

scenes from the film which accon<br />

three-page article.<br />

Life in its current issue de<br />

page and a half to a photograi<br />

port of the undencater pren,<br />

Hoivard Hughes' "Underwater!'<br />

ver Springs. Fla.<br />

The first installment of the<br />

story on Greta Garbo. which i<br />

pear in three parts, starts in tl<br />

under the heading "The Great<br />

*<br />

illustrated profusely with seen<br />

the star's early life and film<br />

ances.<br />

The December issue of Esquirf<br />

a larger-than-page size color p<br />

Janis Paige, who is selected as<br />

Lady Pair. Miss Paige is current!<br />

in "The Pajama Game."<br />

Acis on Last of "Quiet Man'<br />

Playing "The Quiet Man" foi<br />

time. Manager Mike Adorno of<br />

Theatres in Middletown, Conn., h<br />

newspaper advertising: "Sure'ti<br />

will be a great day for the Ir<br />

portant notice: 'The Quiet Man<br />

withdrawn from release and we<br />

ing it for the last time anywhe<br />

midstate area."<br />

— 28 BOXOFFICE Showmandiser Ja


. station<br />

•<br />

increase<br />

:pertly<br />

I<br />

Cities<br />

hi'<br />

io promotion plus<br />

ppearance tour of<br />

star Yvonne Deling<br />

of "Tonight's<br />

City and Paraineapolis<br />

and St.<br />

Miss DeCarlo, Eve<br />

Amusement Corp.<br />

Artists<br />

publicist,<br />

3n campaign over<br />

Bcial transcription<br />

disk jockey plug-<br />

;w for air personf<br />

the film was ar-<br />

!red tickets to this<br />

lys tape-recorded<br />

preview and used<br />

ling opening.<br />

WTCN<br />

hree local couples<br />

ing anniversaries<br />

winners met Miss<br />

k'ersation was recasts.<br />

The three<br />

)re attending the<br />

anniversary cake<br />

lobby.<br />

arlo's arrival and<br />

ing her visit were<br />

nd reports of her<br />

red at an open<br />

of Minnesota, atmd<br />

students. The<br />

at a fashion show<br />

department store<br />

by the St. Paul<br />

a she appeared at<br />

Fashion Show be-<br />

3.<br />

i the openings at<br />

iewed patrons for<br />

ipolis Star ran a<br />

color the day of<br />

toured the city in<br />

1 clips of this trip<br />

during her visit<br />

TV stations. The<br />

Showmen<br />

Stunts<br />

rica is the prize<br />

a national showlibitors<br />

sponsored<br />

ith the .\merican<br />

izibar." J. .Arthur<br />

licolor production<br />

frica. This is the<br />

compete on equal<br />

size of their thee<br />

is June I, 1953,<br />

>e judged entirely<br />

ideas<br />

developed.<br />

c. by mail, a vaiterial<br />

to help in<br />

Manager Dole Tysinger arranged this street disploy<br />

near the cashier's booth ot Shea's Theatre in Ashtabula,<br />

Ohio, in on effort to win the right to world<br />

premiere "The Silver Chalice" through the sale<br />

of the greatest number of Christmas Seals.<br />

local papers gave enthusiastic coverage via<br />

stories and art breaks. In a final surprise<br />

visit. Miss DeCarlo appeared before<br />

an audience of 3,000 attending the finals<br />

ot a local company's month-long talent<br />

search.<br />

The advance lobby display at the Radio<br />

City Theatre focused attention on a tiu'ntable<br />

slide machine, illuminated with 12<br />

scenes from the picture.<br />

Theatre Helps Maintain<br />

School Safety Patrols<br />

Cecil McGlohon, manager of the Avon<br />

Theatre in Savannah, Ga., is stimulating<br />

interest of both the pubUc and the youngsters<br />

in the Savannah and Chatham<br />

county school safety patrols, and winning<br />

praise for himself and the theatre. Two<br />

months ago he arranged to offer a free<br />

monthly show to members of the school<br />

safety patrols.<br />

Newspapers and the local TV station<br />

have joined in publicizing the showings in<br />

the 1,380-seat Avon. Lt. Robert Funk,<br />

safety officer of the police department, reports<br />

the free shows have renewed interest<br />

of the youngsters in the patrols and<br />

helped him in his efforts to enlist the<br />

young members.<br />

Dance Named for Feature<br />

Arthur Murray studios will introduce a<br />

new dance, the Americano, in conjunction<br />

with local playdates of RKO's Technicolor<br />

South American adventure "The Americano."<br />

Etetailed instructions on how to<br />

teach the dance have been distributed to<br />

Arthur Murray Studios throughout the<br />

country. Piomotion material, including;<br />

photographs of scenes from the picture<br />

and its stars, are being plastered on studio<br />

walls, and studios are being asked to cooperate<br />

with local theatres showing the<br />

film.<br />

Jan. 22. 1955 — 29 —<br />

Friendly Edilor Tells<br />

Of Belter Pictures<br />

And Techniques<br />

Proof of good newspaper relationship<br />

between Manager W. J. Straub of the<br />

Paramount Theatre and the Post-Star In<br />

Glens Falls, N. Y., is seen in the newspaper's<br />

recent second-page, long feature<br />

article on the national increase in theatre<br />

attendance and the reasons behind it. Local<br />

theatres were cited as having a 20 per<br />

cent increase (over the national 18) and<br />

Straub is quoted as saying: "'We had to<br />

increase our staff by 25 per cent in order<br />

to handle additional patronage."<br />

Later the installation of new reflectors at<br />

the Paramount Theatre was given newspaper<br />

mention with Straub stating they<br />

the brilliancy of the projected<br />

picture threefold, and coupled with all new<br />

equipment the picture's screen quality is<br />

equaled only by the leading theatres of<br />

the country."<br />

PTA Asks Second Series<br />

Of Children's Programs<br />

The PTA members of Highland Park,<br />

Mich., were so pleased with the first cooperative<br />

series of Children's Movie programs<br />

given in the fall at the 6-Mile Uptown<br />

Theatre that they asked Manager<br />

Louis Lutz to arrange a second new series.<br />

Lutz had 5,500 mimeographed heralds<br />

distributed to children in the public and<br />

parochial schools and obtained two columns<br />

ot front-page publicity in the local paper.<br />

In the theatre he put up a 40x60 lobby<br />

poster, front case cards, and ran a special<br />

trailer. Tickets for the special Saturday<br />

matinees, featuring two full-length films<br />

plus cartoons, w'ere sold at the boxoffice<br />

I<br />

series of nine at $1 or singles at 25 cents i .<br />

Police protection was provided at the theatre's<br />

crosswalks before and after the show.<br />

Song for 'Cattle Queen'<br />

The theme music from "Cattle Queen<br />

of Montana" (RKOi is the basis for the<br />

song "Montana," which will be released<br />

shortly by the Bob Nolen Music Co., Inc.<br />

Credits will be prominently displayed on<br />

the title sheet. Coral Records has recorded<br />

the song, performed by the Sons of the<br />

Pioneers, and the disk will also carry picture<br />

and star credits.<br />

GOOD SPEAKERS<br />

are Drive-ln Theatre<br />

Insurance<br />

Be safe and be ready<br />

Don't get caught short with bad speakers<br />

when opening day comes around.<br />

ORDER TODAY!<br />

Predated orders will mean delivery far ahead of<br />

opening day.<br />

DRIVEIN THEATRE MFG. CO. 'S'„*Tc», *'«!'."


60X0FFICE<br />

BAROMEl<br />

This chart records the performonce of current ottractions in the opening week of their first ri<br />

the 20 key cities checked. Pictures with fewer than five engagements are not listed. As nev<br />

are reported, ratings ore added and overages revised Computation is in terms of percentc<br />

relotion to normal grosses os determined by the theatre mnnogers With 100 per cent as "noi<br />

the figures show the gross rating above or below fhat mark<br />

^S<br />

'^Htm^i^^m^^M


OLLYWOOD<br />

VIEWS OF THE PRODUCTION CENTER<br />

Hollywood Office— Suite 219 at 6404 Hollvwood Blvd.: Ivan Spear, Western Manager/<br />

lepublic<br />

remiere<br />

with<br />

theatre and<br />

prints for the iipere<br />

of Republic's<br />

md Roxy theatres<br />

publicity director,<br />

[ont. The picture,<br />

starring Sterling<br />

David Brian, will<br />

ommunity Februbookings<br />

throughuced<br />

and directed<br />

William Perlberg-<br />

"The Bridges at<br />

le Paramount stus<br />

screenings were<br />

officials. Parentgroups,<br />

navy and<br />

ift industries, TV<br />

disk jockeys, cole<br />

writers.<br />

lemy Oscars, U-I<br />

r Story." starring<br />

Hyson, and "Mag-<br />

Jane Wyman and<br />

.'eek pre-Academy<br />

eginning Wednes-<br />

Theatre in Hollyfor<br />

Screen Actors<br />

;rs to be admitted<br />

n prices prevailed<br />

Blaustein producwill<br />

have its world<br />

;he Roxy in New<br />

glas, Bella Darvi<br />

magged by Henry<br />

ns<br />

Eden<br />

chuck has resigned<br />

irden of Eden Disileasing<br />

a nudistas<br />

established new<br />

tudios to prepare<br />

for independent<br />

Lction Unit<br />

rd-Seelig Producby<br />

Attorney Max<br />

ublicist and scennned<br />

on it,s initial<br />

1 original by Seelig<br />

les smog problem.<br />

Samuel Fuller Is Facing<br />

Busy 1955 Schedule<br />

HOLLYWOOD—An active schedule is<br />

in the<br />

cards for writer-director-producer Samuel<br />

Fuller (right), following the completion of his<br />

SAMUEL FULLER<br />

next megging assignment. 20th Century-Fox's<br />

"Hou.se of Bamboo," which will be lensed on<br />

location in Tokyo as a Buddy Adler production.<br />

After that chore. Fuller will trek to<br />

London to pilot Romulus Films' "The Story<br />

of Esther Costello."<br />

This out of the way. he'll produce, script<br />

and direct, under his own independent banner.<br />

"The Big Red One." a story of the First<br />

infantry division in World War II, with which<br />

outfit Fuller served as a rifleman.<br />

"The Big Red One" is planned for filming<br />

in Cinemascope and Technicolor, and a percentage<br />

of the profits therefrom wiU go into<br />

a fund to be established to aid needy veterans<br />

of the famed combat unit. Releasing arrangements<br />

haven't as yet been set. Also on<br />

Fuller's independent slate is a historical<br />

western, "Run of the Arrow." which 20th-<br />

Fox will distribute.<br />

F\iller is shown here being presented with<br />

the Bronze Lion of St. Mark by Dr. Massimo<br />

Cassili d'Ai-agona. Italian con.sul in Los Angeles,<br />

which the filmmaker won for his direction<br />

of 20th-Fox's "Pickup on South Street,"<br />

only Hollywood picture to win an award at<br />

last year's Film Festival in Venice.<br />

Gen. Weylond in Holly^vood<br />

HOLLYWOOD—Gen. Otto P. Weyland.<br />

chief of the U. S. Tactical Air Command, arlived<br />

to appear in an introductory scene for<br />

Warner Bros.' "The McConnell Story." which<br />

stars Alan Ladd as Capt. Joseph McConnell.<br />

triple jet ace. The Henry Blanke production<br />

in Cinemascope, co-starring June AUyson.<br />

was directed by Gordon Douglas.<br />

Alliance Blasts WGA<br />

For Red Issue Vote<br />

HOLLYWOOD—Until the newly formed<br />

Writers Guild of America. West, has "rid it-self<br />

of its Communi-st element." Hollywood employers<br />

were urged to withhold therefrom<br />

"any recognition or cooperation not required<br />

by law" in an outspoken statement prepared<br />

and issued by the Motion Picture Alliance,<br />

militant anti-Red industry group.<br />

Signed by Roy M. Brewer, MPA president,<br />

and scenarist Borden Chase, chairman of its<br />

executive committee, the broadside obviously<br />

was prompted by WGA's recent failure, by<br />

three votes, to adopt an anti-Communist constitutional<br />

amendment. That failure, said<br />

the MPA. is "setting the stage for another<br />

Red invasion of Hollywood." It urged WGA<br />

to "recognize its responsibility to its loyal<br />

American members, to the motion picture<br />

guilds and unions which have taken clear<br />

positions against the enemies of freedom, to<br />

our industry and to our country, by expelling<br />

and forever barring anyone who puts<br />

loyalty to a foreign ideology before loyalty<br />

to the United States of America."<br />

Replying to the MPA attack, the WGA in<br />

a statement to its membership said the<br />

charges were a "grave disservice" to the<br />

industry by imputing that responsible producers<br />

may be hiring scriveners with known<br />

Communist leanings. It stressed that WGA<br />

membership is based entirely on employment,<br />

and that if Communists are now being admitted<br />

it is only because producing organizations<br />

are giving them jobs.<br />

Gunther Lessing Quits<br />

MP Alliance Post<br />

HOLLYWOOD—As a corollary to the<br />

current feud between the Motion Picture<br />

Alliance and Writers Guild of America,<br />

West. Gunther Lessing has resigned as<br />

a member of the MPA's executive committee,<br />

it was di.sclosed by Roy M. Brewer,<br />

MPA president. Lessing. however, is remaining<br />

as an MPA member, it was said.<br />

Brewer declared Lessing's resignation was<br />

submitted in a letter to him declaring<br />

that Lessing is unwilling to be "exposed<br />

to liability by virtue of impulsive actions,"<br />

and that he did not want to become involved<br />

in controversies in which he W'as<br />

not thoroughly familiar with the facts on<br />

both sides.<br />

Lessing. general counsel for Walt Disney<br />

F*roductions, is board chairman of<br />

the Society of Independent Motion Picture<br />

Pi'oducers.<br />

1955 39


in "Rebel Without a Cause" was DENN<br />

Starring James Dean, the David Weisborl<br />

will be megged by Nicholas Ray.<br />

Scripters<br />

Columbia<br />

"Block jack Ketchum, Desperodo," upcor<br />

Morgan starrer to be produced by Sam I<br />

being penned by SAMUEL NEWMAN.<br />

Independent<br />

Theodora Productions, headed by Co<br />

signed HORTON FOOTE, Broadway playrig;<br />

"Storm Feor," based on the novel by Clii<br />

NEW OFFICERS—Elected by the general membership of the American Cinema<br />

Editors to head the org:anization for 1955 are, seated, left to right: Fred Berger, reelected<br />

treasurer; Richard Cahoon, president, succeeding William B. Murphy, and George<br />

Amy, renamed vice-president. Not shown is Eda Warren, retained in office as secretary.<br />

Standing, from left, are board members Roland Gross, William Hornbeck, Alma<br />

Macrorie, Thomas Reilly aJid Aaron Stell. Other board members, not in photo, are John<br />

Dunning and Richard Wray.<br />

STUDIO PERSONNELITIES<br />

Barnstormers<br />

Columbia<br />

DIANNE FOSTER, who stars with Glenn Ford, Barbara<br />

Stanwyck and Edward G. Robinson in "The<br />

Violent Men," opened a three-week personal appearance<br />

tour in Denver, with other stops including Minneopolis,<br />

Memphis, Milwaukee, Ctetroit, Toledo, Indianapolis,<br />

Columbus, Akron, Syracuse, New Haven<br />

and Rochester.<br />

Blurbers<br />

Independent<br />

JOHN DEL VALLE has been named west coast<br />

monager for Mayer and O'Brien, Inc., public relations<br />

Clefiers<br />

Paramount<br />

ALEX NORTH will compose the background score<br />

for the Hal Wallis production, "The Rose Tattoo."<br />

JACK BROOKS and HARRY<br />

Producer Hoi Wallis set<br />

WARREN to write the score for "Artists and Models."<br />

Meggers<br />

AHied Artists<br />

"Spy Catchers," next in the Bowery Boys series,<br />

will be directed by EDWARD BERNDS for producer<br />

Ben Schwalb.<br />

Columbia<br />

Stage director JOSHUA LOGAN was Ticketed to<br />

pilot "Picnic," upcoming film version of the play by<br />

Williom Inge, currently being scripted by Daniel<br />

Toradosh.<br />

Replacing William Dieterle, who has o conflicting<br />

commitment, OTTO PREMINGER was signed to direct<br />

"Joseph and His Brethren," Biblical drama storring<br />

Rita Hayworth, which will be produced by Jerry Wold.<br />

Metro-Goldwryn-Mayer<br />

Forced to withdraw because of illness, Hugo Fregonese<br />

hos been replaced as director of "The King's<br />

Thief" by ROBERT Z. LEONARD. The Edwin H. Knopf<br />

production stars Edmund Purdom, Ann Btyth and<br />

David Niven.<br />

Options<br />

Allied Artists<br />

Producer Lindsley Parsons signed FRANK LOVE-<br />

JOY to star in "Dork Venture," action dromo being<br />

megged by Harold Schuster. FORREST TUCKER will<br />

enact the heavy lead.<br />

Columbia<br />

Added to the cost of Copa Productions' "The<br />

Calico Pony" were JEAN WILLES end STEVE RAINES.<br />

In CinemaScope and Technicolor, the feature is being<br />

directed by George Sherman. Also ticketed were<br />

RICHARD WEBB, JEFF DONNELL and NANCY KULP.<br />

The stars are Van Hef lin, Joanne Woodword ond<br />

Phil Corey. The megophonist Is George Sherman.<br />

JAMES BELL drew a supporting role in the Sam<br />

Katzmon production, "Jail Bait," which stars Tommy<br />

Cook and Sue England under the direction of Fred<br />

F. Sears. Cast as the principal heavy was TOMMY<br />

COOK.<br />

Paramount<br />

Cast OS one of the male leads in "The Mavericks,"<br />

outdoor action drama to be produced by Irving<br />

Asher, was JOHN FORSYTHE. The vehicle will roll<br />

early in the spring with Michael Curtiz megging.<br />

WILLIAM PRINCE, New York stage and TV actor,<br />

was signed for a role in producer Pat Duggan's<br />

Technicolor- Vista Vision musical, "The Vagabond<br />

King," which is being directed by Michoel Curtiz<br />

With Kathryn Grayson ond Oreste Kirkop in the leads.<br />

MITZI GAYNOR joined Bing Crosby, Donald O'Connor<br />

and Jeanmaire in the topline cast of "Anything<br />

Goes," the musicol extravaganza in Technicolor and<br />

VistoVision, which has Robert Emmett Dolan as the<br />

producer and Robert Lewis as the director.<br />

Republic<br />

ANDY CLYDE and SKIP HOMEIER were signed for<br />

supporting spots in "Man From Texas."<br />

RICHARD CARLSON was set for a starring role in<br />

"San Antonio de Bexar." VIRGINIA GREY was inked<br />

for a key role in the historical drama to be produced<br />

and directed by Frank Lloyd, for which Anno<br />

Mario Alberghetti was previously set.<br />

United Artists<br />

Inked to star with Ralph Meeker and Maria English<br />

in Bel-Air Productions' "Desert Sands" was JOHN<br />

SMITH. With Les Selonder directing, the feature will<br />

roll next month. Aubrey Schenck and Howard W.<br />

Koch are the producers.<br />

Producer Edward Small booked PETER GRAVES for<br />

the cost of "The Brass Ring," crime dramo starring<br />

Farley Granger and Anthony Quinn, which was<br />

scripted and will be directed by Maxwell Shane.<br />

Universal-International<br />

GLORIA TALBOT has been set as a replacement<br />

for Colleen Miller in the J one Wy man-Rock Hudson<br />

starrer, "All That Heoven Allows," Miss Miller having<br />

been granted permission to withdraw to prepare for<br />

her forthcoming marriage. The film is being directed<br />

by Douglas Sirk and produced in Technicolor by Ross<br />

Hunter. Added to the cost were CHARLES DRAKE<br />

and DAVID JANSSEN.<br />

Set for a character lead in "The Private War of<br />

Major Benson" was WILLIAM DEMAREST.<br />

JOHN MclNTlRE drew a major role with Anne<br />

Baxter, Jeff Chandler and Rory Calhoun in "The<br />

Spoilers," new version of the action novel by Rex<br />

Beach, being megged by Jesse Htbbs for producer<br />

Ross Hunter.<br />

Warner Bros.<br />

Inked to a term contract and handed a topline<br />

Story Buys<br />

Independent<br />

"Two Come by Seo," o novel by Wil<br />

was purchosed by producer-director Vincei<br />

who plans to film it this summer in T<br />

ground of the story.<br />

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayei<br />

Originally onnounced as hoving been si<br />

mount, "Protection for a Tough Rocket,"<br />

article by Cordelio Boird Gross, has ir<br />

purchosed by MGM, for which studio if<br />

duced by Henry Berman.<br />

20th Century-Fox<br />

Film rights were acquired to "Anostosic<br />

way ploy by Marcelle Maurette and Guy<br />

Film rights were acquired to the untitle<br />

of songwriters Buddy DeSylva, Lew Brov<br />

Henderson, and the property has been<br />

Henry Ephron to produce. Ephron on<br />

Phoebe, also will prepare the screenpio<br />

With Buddy Adier- named to produce<br />

the Century Ended," an upcoming novel<br />

Irby Gwaltney, was purchased. It deals »<br />

infantry company in the Pacific during W<br />

Technically<br />

20th Century-Fox<br />

Handed o new term controct, CHARLEJ<br />

was assigned the lensin§ chores on "A<br />

dored Thing."<br />

United Artists<br />

RALPH BLACK was signed as product<br />

for Edward Small's "The Brass Ring."<br />

Warner Bros.<br />

EDWARD CARRERE was set<br />

Jagged Edge."<br />

Title<br />

as art dire<br />

Changes<br />

RKO Radio<br />

"Seven Bad Men" ;NaT Holt Productio<br />

AT DAWN.<br />

SDG Selects Harold<br />

i<br />

As Critic of the Year<br />

HOLLYWOOD—Because his revii<br />

the past year were "the most perc<br />

conducive to the betterment of m<br />

tares," Harold V. Cohen, motion pic<br />

of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazett«,<br />

named recipient of the Screen<br />

Guild's annual critics' award, it wa<br />

by George Sidney. SDG president,<br />

be presented the kudos at an awa<br />

to be held here February 13.<br />

Rrst annual award, made last<br />

:<br />

to Bosley Crowther, film critic ol<br />

York Times.<br />

Vance King Named I<br />

Of Nassour Publicity<br />

HOLLYWOOD—New publicity d<br />

Nassour Studios, headed by Williai<br />

ward Nassour, is Vance King, vet<<br />

paperman and publicist. King's fir<br />

to beat the drums on behalf of "<br />

of Hollow Mountain," a science-fid<br />

stai-ring Guy Madison and Patrici<br />

which is being directed by Edwai<br />

on location in Mexico City for Vi<br />

40 BOXOFFICE Janui


, of<br />

temiere<br />

Prison<br />

rid press premiere<br />

tion. "Unchained."<br />

I at the California<br />

hino, Calif., minie<br />

the feature was<br />

ited by Warners.<br />

, football great and<br />

acted a.s master of<br />

:enyon J. Scudder,<br />

1 guiding guests on<br />

e agenda also innment<br />

by the prisittend,<br />

in addition<br />

flncroft. Pat Blake,<br />

mte, Donald Crisp,<br />

ia Grey, Gonzales-<br />

Jerry Paris. Paula<br />

;t.<br />

Dk. "Prisoners Ai'e<br />

written, produced<br />

I<br />

Surplus<br />

Meeting<br />

reen Actors Guild<br />

as of last October<br />

I<br />

intelligence report<br />

t annual meeting,<br />

to SAG members<br />

of the negotiating<br />

d suggestions for<br />

ys with producers<br />

ns get under way<br />

ment. The present<br />

d SAG has already<br />

demand additional<br />

ond runs of filmed<br />

i Screen Composers<br />

nternational flavor<br />

olph Deutsch, SCA<br />

directors that<br />

;n invited to join<br />

I des Compositeurs,<br />

itions are presently<br />

ssociate will be put<br />

;utsch said, adding<br />

prime purposes is<br />

y in international<br />

Shoots<br />

ories<br />

ling along Video<br />

., Republic's video<br />

Burrows" and "Milt<br />

Stories of the Cenmer<br />

title-roles Don<br />

Picerni. Franklin<br />

,rd J. White is the<br />

isident of TV Spots.<br />

: to executive as-<br />

•ia's telefilm unit,<br />

Suell Wilder as head<br />

s booked for a dra-<br />

Shot." an entry in<br />

itre series, produced<br />

lecast over CBS-TV.<br />

fOT SINCE the heyday of Gypsy Rose<br />

Lee has an actress shown such a propensity<br />

toward discarding as that currently<br />

being manifested by Marilyn Monroe.<br />

The difference is that Gypsy rose (no pun)<br />

to fame and fortune by shedding wearing<br />

apparel, while Miss Monroe apparently is<br />

trying for some sort of record in getting rid<br />

of husbands, agents, attorneys, -studios and<br />

contractual obligations.<br />

Both the trade and general press have been<br />

so over-weighted with the sometimes-annoying<br />

detaUs of the blonde trouper's most recent<br />

brush with 20th Century-Fox. et al, that<br />

fiu'ther chi'onicling thereof is unnecessary.<br />

In the average controversy over compensation<br />

between a studio and a mummer—no<br />

matter how liberally the latter is being paid—<br />

the sympathies of Hollywood and the general<br />

public lie with the actor or actress. That's<br />

because of natural human reaction to side<br />

with the underdog. It is doubted, however,<br />

that such is the case in the 20th-Pox-Mom-oe<br />

imbroglio.<br />

True, there's no denying that the curvaceous<br />

Marilyn, through her jet-propelled<br />

ascent to top popularity, has been a valuable<br />

property and has made pesos aplenty for<br />

the Westwood film plant. But certainly a<br />

portion of her success story must be credited<br />

to her being cast in pictures which best<br />

showcased her distinctive talents; to a smart,<br />

intensive buildup accorded her by the studio<br />

publicity department and, probably, to shrewd<br />

handling by the agent and legal counsel she<br />

is now undertaking to reject.<br />

So it is entirely conceivable that she is overplaying<br />

her hand and will make the painful<br />

discovery—as have other ranking femme stars<br />

before her—that the descent from popularity's<br />

pinnacle can be even more rapid than<br />

the climb thereto.<br />

One ironical note in the Fox-Monroe imbroglio:<br />

Had problem-child Marilyn returned<br />

to the Westwood fold, her next assignment<br />

was to have been the topline in "How to Be<br />

Very, Very Popular." .\s is, the part lias now<br />

been assigned to Sheree North—so the boys<br />

in the gallery aren't going to be cheated out<br />

of their curves.<br />

Simultaneous news developments revealed<br />

that the same 20th Century-Fox was active<br />

on another controversial front, the one concerning<br />

television's invasion of motion picture's<br />

domain. A terse announcement from<br />

the film plant notified that its Western avenue<br />

lot. which in recent years has been used<br />

only to accommodate overflow production<br />

from the Westwood headquarters, is soon to<br />

be converted to telefilm manufacture. An<br />

auxiliary 20th-Fox organization to make TV<br />

product is in the process of formation, it was<br />

said, and, consequently, several offers from<br />

television syndicates to purchase the Western<br />

avenue property have been turned down.<br />

With studied nonchalance. Fox spokesmen<br />

undertook to minimize the importance and or<br />

significance of the development. Nonetheless.<br />

when an outfit so prominent in motion picture<br />

production devotes a part of its facilities<br />

to video—regardless of on what basis— it can<br />

be considered a sizable forward step for TV.<br />

From Teet Carle's gleaners of the news<br />

fields, a press-stopping tidbit averring that<br />

Alan Ladd was informed that Mr. and Mrs.<br />

C. E. David of Artesian, S. D., were "so impressed<br />

by his portrayal in the title role of<br />

Paramount's 'Shane' that they have given<br />

that name to a male addition to their family."<br />

How lucky the newcomer male is that his<br />

parents weren't impressed by "Rasputin" or<br />

"Ninotchka."<br />

During this open-season on awards, a sorry<br />

bag indeed was brought in by Bill Hendricks'<br />

Burbankian blurbers. who record that a magazine<br />

called Poetry Digest has given its "On<br />

Cue Award of Achievement" for 1954 to Judy<br />

Garland and James Mason for their performances<br />

in Warners' "A Star Is Born."<br />

Which should at least be a contender for<br />

the season's last gasp in kudos.<br />

Among other things, the sovereign state of<br />

Kansas is famous for its corn. That some of<br />

that commodity can easily rub off is indicated<br />

by a venture undertaken by Johnny Flinn's<br />

Allied Artists publicists in an effort to attract<br />

attention to and space for the launching of<br />

the studio's "Wichita"—Kansas, that is. The<br />

AA adjective-agitators would have a breathless<br />

world give credence to the information<br />

that while the "Wichita" company was on<br />

location for three days in Modesto, Calif.,<br />

that community switched its name to Wichita,<br />

and that while Mayor L. A. Donnell of<br />

Wichita, Kas., was concurrently visiting<br />

Modesto, his home city in Kansas, Wichita,<br />

changed its cognomen to Modesto. Is everybody<br />

thoroughly confused?<br />

Despite this merry monicker-manipulation,<br />

it's an odds-on bet that should Jovial Johnny<br />

mail a copy of the release descriptive thereof<br />

to Wichita, it would be delivered in Kansas,<br />

where it should be completely at home—come<br />

next August.<br />

At hand, and bearing the we're-not-tooconfident<br />

caption, "Top Bullfighter May Act<br />

in King Bros. Film." is a still .showing Luis<br />

Miguel Gonxailez Lucas Dominguin, "one of<br />

Spain's foremost bullfighters." who's being<br />

considered for a role in the Kings' next for<br />

RKO release. "The Boy and the Bull." In the<br />

photograph, Don Luis is flanked on one side<br />

by Frank and on the other by Maurie of the<br />

Brudern King.<br />

After this huddle there is no bull that the<br />

renowned toreador cannot confidently face<br />

One day's handouts from Republic's ravery<br />

grouped three items on one page, each of<br />

which trio made reference to "gorgeous Trucolor."<br />

Apparently Milt "Gorgeous" Watt is getting<br />

into a "gorgeous" rut.<br />

2, 1955 41


. . Columbia's<br />

. . Ede<br />

. . HaiTy<br />

. . Dave<br />

START MORE FUN DRIVE—Burtus Bishop, midwest sales director, and George<br />

Hickey, west coast sales manager, conducted a kickoff session for the MGM There's<br />

More Fun at the Movies campaign at the San Francisco exchange. Standing, left to<br />

right, are Howard Harper, Stewart Engfreston and Sid Schuster, salesmen; Bishop,<br />

the regional campaign captain; Hickey; Ray Haberland and Harry Hargreaves, bookers;<br />

Bill Blake, publicist in northern California, and John Coyne, assistant to local Manager<br />

Sam Gardner. Seated are Lila Goodin, office manager; Gardner, and Kay Hackett,<br />

head booker.<br />

LOS<br />

Oherrill C. Corwin, head of Metropohtan<br />

Theatres has been elected president of<br />

Temple Israel of Hollywood, succeeding Steve<br />

Broidy, president of<br />

Allied Artists, who becomes<br />

chairman of the<br />

board of trustees. The<br />

congregation of 1,500<br />

has a heavy film industry<br />

membership.<br />

Heading the nominating<br />

committee for the<br />

. V '^^^^ executive terms<br />

^Ki^<br />

||^\:. ^T^'<br />

W<br />

^^^^ Irving Briskln of<br />

~<br />

'^ '<br />

Columbia . Cutrow,<br />

executive secretary<br />

in the George<br />

Sherrill C. Corwin Skouras-Dick Dickson<br />

offices at the United Artists circuit, resigned.<br />

effective February 1. She will disclose her<br />

new affiliation at that time.<br />

Vic Walker's Surf Theatre in Huntington<br />

Beach, managed by Sam Terry, is undergoing<br />

a complete refurbishing, including installation<br />

of a Cinemascope screen, new seats and<br />

a paint job in and out .<br />

newlocal<br />

branch manager, Harold Green, checked<br />

ANGELES<br />

the Paramount branch . Rose, former<br />

Fox West Coast district manager, and Henry<br />

Pines have taken over the operation of the<br />

Uptown in Pasadena from FWC . . . They<br />

were "nice kids and good customers," in Milt<br />

Smith's book, so the operator of the Santa<br />

Paula Drive-In in Santa Paula picked up the<br />

dinner check in hosting 19 inductees—that<br />

community's entire quota—before they left<br />

in to take over his duties. Lucille Moore is<br />

functioning as his secretary, while John<br />

Laley has been added to the office staff as a<br />

booker and Madeleine Wallace is the new<br />

secretary to Fred Wise, office manager.<br />

Services were held for Jay Haas, 70, who for<br />

many years was an exploitation specialist with<br />

YOU CAN ALWAYS DEPEND ON<br />

FOR THE BEST<br />

SPECIAL<br />

jifjniiK<br />

tor service with the armed forces.<br />

. . . Visitors from<br />

Huddling with Charles Kranz of Realart<br />

was Jack Harris, who heads Exploitation Productions<br />

in Philadelphia<br />

San Francisco included Arthur Ungar, the<br />

popcorn man. and Sherry Sai-ber of Triple<br />

S Supply . Zuma is the new manager<br />

of the Garfield in Alhambra, a unit in the<br />

Vinnicof circuit.<br />

Dave Bershon, pioneer southland showman<br />

who operates the Leimert Theatre in Los<br />

Angeles, received a scroll of appreciation and<br />

friendship from his industry friends at a<br />

luncheon given on his 65th birthday. Presenting<br />

the scroll was Jack Y. Herman of the<br />

Eastland circuit.<br />

'New Orleans' Will Have<br />

Debut at Mardi Gras<br />

HOLLYWOOD—"New Orleans Uncensored,"<br />

waterfront drama produced by Sam Katzman<br />

for Columbia, will be world-premiered February<br />

21 in New Orleans, where most of it was<br />

filmed, the opening coinciding with the<br />

launching of that city's famed Mardi Gras.<br />

Arthur FYanz and Beverly Garland, stars of<br />

the picture, will make personal appearances<br />

and more than 250 longshoremen and union<br />

officials will be guests at the event.<br />

Award Dinner Postponed<br />

HOLLYWOOD—Its annual Golden Globe<br />

Award dinner, originally scheduled for<br />

Wednesday (19 1, was indefinitely postponed<br />

by the Hollywood Foreign Correspondents<br />

Ass'n.<br />

Warner Approves Pla<br />

For 'Animal World'<br />

HOLLYWOOD—Final productioi<br />

have been approved by Jack L. Wa<br />

"The Animal World." which it<br />

'<br />

nounced several months ago would<br />

duced for Warner Bros, release by In<br />

It is set for lensing in Technicolor a<br />

screen and will trace the historj<br />

earth's living things.<br />

A special unit headed by Willis O'B<br />

Harryhausen and cameraman Haro<br />

man will shoot prehistoric scenes r<br />

the dinosaur era, while Allen and hi<<br />

ion associate have checked out for ><br />

to begin location work in the Mi<br />

Natural History.<br />

Allen won an Academy Award in<br />

"The Sea Around Us," another docu<br />

which was released by RKO.<br />

All-Year Solicitation<br />

Being Considered by F<br />

HOLLYWOOD—Because there a<br />

fluctuations in studio employment 1<br />

casioned by global production acti<br />

other factors, a year-around .solici<br />

the Permanent Charities Committee<br />

consideration, it was disclosed 1<br />

Toomey, PCC president, and Ral]<br />

chairman of its 1955 fund raising c<br />

Reporting that subscriptions to c<br />

reached a total of 20,662 pledges fc<br />

225, which is 83.21 per cent of the<br />

goal. Toomey and Clare said overses<br />

"enormously complicates" the task<br />

tation. Further, they declared, hiu<br />

members of unions and guilds maj<br />

of fluctuating employment, be idle d<br />

PCC's once-a-year campaign.<br />

Elmer Rhoden Will H<br />

Hospital Fund Dinner<br />

HOLLYWOOD—Elmer C. Rhode<br />

dent of National Theatres, will fu<br />

chairman of the special fund for<br />

Denver hospital and sanatorium's<br />

tarian of the Year dinner, a SlOO-a<br />

fair to be held March 20 at the Be\<br />

Hotel. Dinner chairman is Don<br />

Paramount executive producer.<br />

Danny Kaye will receive this year's<br />

recognition of his humanitarian war<br />

bassador-at-large" for the United<br />

International Children's Educations<br />

will be presented by Eleanor Ro<br />

past winner.<br />

To Make Film in Boml<br />

HOLLY'WOOD—Vinod Pathak. pi<br />

Indo-American Films, checked in<br />

plete arrangements whereby Rogei<br />

independent filmmaker, will produc<br />

rect a picture in Bombay. Pathak w<br />

and furnish one Hindu star, whili<br />

will supply tw-o American players.<br />

To 20th-Fox Docket<br />

HOLLYWOOD—"Seven Cities of<br />

action drama to be filmed in M<br />

been added to the 20th-Fox dockf<br />

Webb will direct and co-produce<br />

wife. Barbara McLean, a film editc<br />

the leads are Michael Rennie. Cani<br />

chell, Richard Egan and Rita Mor<br />

42<br />

BOXOFFICE :: Janus


,<br />

Salinas:<br />

: Vern<br />

. .<br />

U-<br />

s<br />

Bring<br />

[les<br />

who is making a<br />

?ns. attachable to<br />

;ction of any type<br />

esulting from four<br />

3E exceeded all exmed<br />

the lens the<br />

ide to its quality<br />

At the rate orders<br />

ts soon to have his<br />

md in most of the<br />

JCISCO<br />

atre at Bass Lake,<br />

be handled by the<br />

agency . . . The<br />

merly operated by<br />

I be converted into<br />

ie is the new asreplacing<br />

Dorothy<br />

Mike Hogan. War-<br />

)wn for a few days<br />

amount Theatres,<br />

es headquarters to<br />

sad Earl Long .<br />

r for Griggs Seatveek.<br />

r at Warner Bros.,<br />

recuperating from<br />

iller. Allied Ai'tists<br />

from Los Angeles<br />

Night" and "The<br />

Hulling, AA, and<br />

rheatres, attended<br />

ach Golf Tourna-<br />

Paramount salesd<br />

is using a cane<br />

i Amusement Co..<br />

ive-in there. Cenistalled<br />

by Walter<br />

Theatre, Oakland,<br />

5 conference with<br />

Reports are that<br />

ead together with<br />

n to Oakland will<br />

. . Visitors on the<br />

hens, Dixon Thea-<br />

Valley Drive-In,<br />

Rio Theatre, Rich-<br />

1 Theatre. Sonora;<br />

Drive-In; Barney<br />

William<br />

uisun; Tony Enea,<br />

1 Sal and Johnny<br />

in Oakland.<br />

installing Cinema-<br />

Theatre . . . The<br />

int Fund Theatre<br />

iling Cinemascope<br />

f Kalbhenn. Westhandling<br />

the inhit<br />

plenty of snow<br />

rheatre. King City.<br />

oking and buying.<br />

H. Garcia. Castro-<br />

Paddack.<br />

Hanford; Mason<br />

and his Saratoga<br />

koff. Ritz Theatre,<br />

Winters Theatre,<br />

ith his wife, Cali-<br />

—<br />

—<br />

——<br />

— —<br />

'20,000 Leagues Dominafes LA Scene<br />

Despite Strong Debut of Vera Cruz<br />

LOS ANGELES—Opening very strong at<br />

200 per cent, "Vera Cruz" nevertheless was<br />

relegated to show position behind the phenomenal<br />

"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,"<br />

which hit 250 per cent in its fourth stanza.<br />

Another substantial opener, at 150 per cent,<br />

was "Green Fire."<br />

(Average Is 100)<br />

Chinese There's No Business Like Show Business<br />

(20th-Fox), 4fh wk I 50<br />

Egyptran Deep in My Heart (MGM), 4th wk 80<br />

El Rey—Romeo ond Juliet (UA), 4th wk 75<br />

Fine Arts The Boretoot Contessa (UA), 11 th wk. . 80<br />

Four Star The Detective ;Col), 4th wk 150<br />

Fox Wilshirc 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea<br />

(Buena Vista), 4th wk 250<br />

Howaii, State Green Fire (MGM), plus. State only,<br />

Port of Hell (AA) 1 50<br />

Hillstreet, Pantoges The Silver Chalice (WB),<br />

4th wk<br />

90<br />

Hollywood Poramount Sign of the Pogon (U-l),<br />

4th wk<br />

90<br />

Orpheum, Hollywood, Warners Wiltern The<br />

Violent Men (Col); The Bamboo Prison (Col),<br />

2nd wk<br />

90<br />

United Artists<br />

I Married o Savage (SR); French<br />

Peep Show (Sonney)<br />

90<br />

Vogue, Los Angeles, Ritz So This Is Paris (U-l);<br />

The Yellow Mountain (U-l)<br />

100<br />

Warners Beverly The Country Girl (Para),<br />

4th wk 160<br />

Warners Downtown, Fox, Loyola, Uptown Vero<br />

Cruz (UA) 200<br />

Warners Hollywood This Is Cineromo (Cinerama),<br />

90th wk<br />

no<br />

'20,000 Leagues' Strong<br />

In Seattle Windup<br />

SEATTLE — "20,000 Leagues Under the<br />

Sea" wound up a four-week run at the Paramount<br />

with a strong 150. Also fiimhing fourweek<br />

runs were "There's No Business Like<br />

Show Business," which chalked up a healthy<br />

125 at the Fifth Avenue, and "Sign of the<br />

Pagan," paired with "Four Guns to the Border,"<br />

which pulled a good 120 at the Blue<br />

Mouse. The Alec Guinness comedy, "The Detective,"<br />

grossed a strong 135 in its first<br />

week at the Music Box.<br />

Blue Mouse Sign of the Pogon (U-l); Four Guns<br />

to the Border (U-l), 4th wk<br />

.120<br />

Coliseum The Violent Men (Col)<br />

.130<br />

Fifth Avenue There's No Business Like Show<br />

Business (20th-Fox), 4th wk 125<br />

Music Box— The Detective (Col) '35<br />

Music Hall ^Deep in My Heart (MGM), 2nd wk. .<br />

.130<br />

Orpheum So This Is Paris (U-l); The Yellow<br />

Mountain l ) "5<br />

1<br />

Poramount 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (BV),<br />

4th wk 150<br />

"Show Business' in Fourth Week<br />

Remained Top Denver Draw<br />

DENVER — "There'.s No Business Like Show<br />

Business" proved to be the big draw here<br />

in its fourth week with 190 and stayed for a<br />

fifth stanza. "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"<br />

should have stayed four full weeks, but firm<br />

bookings prevented, so it got only three days<br />

on the fourth. "Athena" was strong at the<br />

Paramount and was also held.<br />

Aladdin Trouble in the Glen (Rep); Go, Man, Go!<br />

(UA) 90<br />

Centre There's No Business Like Show Business<br />

(20th-Fox), 4th wk 190<br />

Denham Block Tuesday (UA) 1 20<br />

Denver 20,000 Leagues Under the Seo (Buena<br />

Vista), 3 days of 4th wk 110<br />

Esquire Earrings of Madame De (Arlan) 40<br />

Orpheum Deep in My Heart (MGM), 3rd wk 85<br />

Paromount Athena (MGM) 1 40<br />

"Cruz'<br />

Tops Frisco<br />

With High 200<br />

SAN FRANCISCO—In a week where there<br />

was only one opening attraction here, the<br />

United Artists paced the first run houses with<br />

a high 200 per cent for "Vera Cruz" in its<br />

third highly successful week. In its first<br />

week, "Young at Heart" opened with 150 at<br />

the Paramount, while the third week of<br />

—<br />

—<br />

——<br />

—<br />

—<br />

"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" at the Golden<br />

Gate shared second place honors with a similar<br />

gross.<br />

Fox—There's No Business Like Show Business<br />

(20th-Fox), 3rd wk )00<br />

Golden Gate 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea<br />

(Buena Vista), 3rd wk<br />

Paramount Young at Heart (WB); The<br />

150<br />

Cowboy<br />

(LP) 150<br />

St. 100<br />

Artists<br />

200<br />

Worfield Deep in My Heort (MGM), 2nd wk...l10<br />

Froncis—The Silver Chalice<br />

United<br />

Vera Cruz (UA),<br />

(WB),<br />

3rd<br />

3rd wk<br />

wk<br />

'Pagan' a Big Opener<br />

At Portland<br />

PORTLAND—"Sign of the Pagan" held the<br />

spotlight here with a score of 250 per cent.<br />

Broadway Green Fire (MGM) 200<br />

Fox—There's No Business Like Show Business<br />

(20th-Fox), 4th wk 90<br />

Guild The Detective (Col) 200<br />

Liberty Sign of the Pagan (U-l) 250<br />

Paromount Reap the Wild Wind (Para), reissue. .125<br />

Orpheum 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (BV),<br />

4th wk 110<br />

Delay on Airer Permit<br />

Near Fullerton, Calif.<br />

FULLERTON. CALIF.—Action has been<br />

delayed temporarily on a permit to erect a<br />

drive-in theatre here after protests against<br />

the installation were lodged with county<br />

supervisors by the Fullerton Union High<br />

School district board of trustees and nearby<br />

property owners. The proposed ozoner, a unit<br />

in the Pacific Drive-In chain, would accommodate<br />

1,400 cars.<br />

The school board expressed concern over<br />

noises, lights, traffic, drainage and other<br />

problems since the drive-in would be located<br />

near a proposed new high school.<br />

The county planning commission previously<br />

recommended approval of the theatre, which<br />

would have a 90xll0-foot screen.<br />

Attends MGM Workshop<br />

FRUITA, CALIF.—Bob and Melba<br />

Walker<br />

of the Uintah Theatre attended the MGM<br />

Ticket Selling Workshop recently held in<br />

Denver, presided over by Mike Simons,<br />

MGM director of public relations, and actor<br />

George Murphy. The Walkers recently installed<br />

Cinemascope with Mirrophonic sound.<br />

z^AST. i;fMST£^.7ff?A5T£Sr SERViCe I<br />

/^ORDER«ettex<br />

/SPECIAL<br />

k|RilILER5<br />

FROM<br />

125 HYDE ST. SAN FRANCISCO (2), CALIF.<br />

Gerald L. Karski.... President<br />

Only Theatre in Northwest County Seat<br />

Town pop. over 3.000; County over 30.000. Widf<br />

screen, excellent equip, and seats. Poured concrete<br />

bido. with rentals. One owner many years. High<br />

grosses and low film costs. $15,000 down will handle.<br />

THEATRE EXCHANGE, Bkr.<br />

5724 S. E. Monroe St. Portland 22, Ore.<br />

Phones Ev. 1-7100 — 1-1606<br />

i<br />

I. 1955 43


. . Earle<br />

'<br />

,<br />

Cinerama Observes<br />

First Year in Frisco<br />

SAN FRANCISCO—•This Is Cinerama"<br />

marked its first year at the Orpheum Theatre<br />

here with a gala celebration Thursday January<br />

13. A luncheon, sponsored by the San<br />

Francisco Chamber of Commerce, was attended<br />

by 300 prominent guests. Thomas J.<br />

Mellon, president of the chamber, was luncheon<br />

chairman; Dion Holm, city attorney,<br />

spoke, and Paul Speegle was toastmaster.<br />

Mellon paid tribute to Cinerama for its "contributions<br />

in the educational as well as entertainment<br />

field" and Holm, representing the<br />

mayor, asserted the film has added to the<br />

city's prestige as an entertainment center and<br />

has attracted business to the city.<br />

In the evening at the theatre visitors were<br />

greeted by Pat Fournival, "Miss Cinerama,"<br />

and two "This Is Cinerama" stars, Anne<br />

Haynes and Betty Skelton. Edmund G.<br />

Brown, state attorney general, cut the huge<br />

anniversary cake prepared for the occasion.<br />

San Francisco's Caledonian pipe band provided<br />

the music. Guests included Lester B.<br />

Isaac, national director of exhibition for<br />

Cinerama, and W. J. Mcllwain, western division<br />

manager. Jackson Miller is manager of<br />

the Orpheum.<br />

PORTLAND<br />

•pxhibitors, members of the press and leaders<br />

in lumber circles here attended a preview<br />

Monday afternoon (17) at the 21st Avenue<br />

Theatre of Republic's "Timberjack," which<br />

will be world-premiered in Missoula February<br />

4. Herbert Yates, Vera Ralston. Adolphe<br />

Menjou and other members of the cast<br />

stopped over in Portland en route to Montana<br />

last summer where the picture was<br />

filmed. Francis Bateman, western division<br />

manager of Republic, was here to confer with<br />

Jack Partin on product. Bateman was in<br />

Missoula making plans for the premiere showing<br />

of the film.<br />

Don Prince, RKO publicity department executive,<br />

was here working on plans for "Underwater!"<br />

the Jane Russell starrer which<br />

has been booked by the Broadway for a<br />

February showing. Taking a page from the<br />

Florida premiere of the film. Prince is planning<br />

on getting local reviewers to "review"<br />

the film underwater . Keate was<br />

in working on "Vera Cruz." A special screening<br />

was scheduled for Thur.sday (20* at B. F.<br />

Shearer screening room. A Miss Exquisite<br />

Form contest will be launched to herald the<br />

UA western.<br />

Earle Keat, United Artists exploiteer, was<br />

in town working on "Vera Cruz." Promotion<br />

plans include a contest to be staged by the<br />

Liberty Theatre with the local winner to receive<br />

a round trip air passage to Mexico City<br />

for two, including a week's stay at the Del<br />

Pi-ado Hotel there.<br />

SELL YOUR THEATRE PRIVATELY<br />

Largest coveraoe in U.S. No "Net" listings.<br />

Highest reputation for Icnow-how<br />

and fair dealing. 30 years experience \"<br />

eluding exhibition. Ask Better Business B<br />

reau, or our customers. Know your hrol*ii<br />

ARTHUR LEAK Theotre Specialists<br />

3305 Carulh. Dallas. Texas<br />

Telephones EM 0238 - EM 7JS9<br />

CONFIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE INVITED<br />

Registrations at Denver MGM Worksh<br />

DENVER—Nearly 250 attended the MGM<br />

Ticket Selling Workshop here last week. The<br />

registration list follows:<br />

(Fl—Fox Intermountain)<br />

Agren, Williom, Fl, Denver.<br />

Albertini, L. J., Wolfberg Theatres, Denver.<br />

Allen, Everett, Rialto, Casper, Wyo.<br />

Allen Russell, Totoh, Farmington, N. M.<br />

Allison, Bill, Parker Theotres, Dolharf, Tex.<br />

Allmeyer, Poul, Mines, Idaho Springs.<br />

Anderson, Paul, Grand, Rocky Ford.<br />

Anglim, Paul, Fl, Denver.<br />

Archer, A. P., Civic Theatres, Denver.<br />

Ashby, Joe, Chief, Steamboot Springs.<br />

Aydelotte, Fronk, Aggie, Fort Collins.<br />

Boggs, G. E., Westlond Theotres, Colorodo Springs.<br />

Bailey', Tom, Lipperf Pictures, Denver.<br />

Barnes, Frank, Elite, Crawford, Neb.<br />

Bortusch, Otto, Oriental, Denver.<br />

Batschelet, Ralph, Webber, Denver.<br />

Better, Clarence, Buyer-Booker, Denver.<br />

Beaver, Roy, Vogue Art, Denver.<br />

Beers, Don, Santa Fe, Santo Fe.<br />

Beezley, Neil, Midway, Burlington.<br />

Bentz, Norman, Riolto, Cosper.<br />

Boering, Lloyd, Lamor, Lomar.<br />

Boner, H. L., Star, Guernsey, Wyo.<br />

Boston, W. C, Midwest Amusement, Scottsbluft.<br />

Bowman, Paul, Isis, Victor.<br />

Boyd, Foy, Golden, Golden.<br />

Briggs, Roy, Tower, Denver.<br />

Broun, Bud, Stor Vu Drive-ln, Longmont.<br />

Brown, Fred, Block Hills Amusement, Denver.<br />

Brown, H. E., Regent, Shoshoni, Wyo.<br />

Brownell, Irving, Star, Sutherland, Neb.<br />

Bruno, Jock, Main, Pueblo.<br />

Burdick, Frank, Avon, Moorcroft, Wyo.<br />

Campbell, G. L., Rialto, Hoxtun, Colo.<br />

Campbell, Howard, Westlond Theatres, Colorado<br />

Springs.<br />

Campbell, Ross, Orpheum, Sheridan, Wyo.<br />

Condo, C. L., Cando, Westclifts.<br />

Carter, William, Santa Fe, Denver,<br />

Chancellor, Bernie, El Rio, Truth or Consequences,<br />

Chorness, Mrs. H., American Theatre Adv., Denver.<br />

Chism, Ken, Mines, Idaho Springs, Colo.<br />

Clark, Robert, Gibraltor Enterprises, Denver.<br />

Clinebell, Frank, Alexander Film Co., Colorado<br />

Springs.<br />

Cockrill, Mrs. Vera, Denhom, Denver.<br />

Cornwall, Dan, Glen, Glenwood Springs.<br />

Cory, Paul, Wigwam, Bosin, Wyo.<br />

Crawford, Kelly, Allen circuit, Farmington, N. M.<br />

Creamer, John, Holiday, Denver.<br />

Cunyus, Harold, Roxy, Denver.<br />

Corter, Bob, Plains, Sidney, Neb.<br />

David, Ray, Pace, Chodron, Neb.<br />

Davis, Dave, Atlas Corp., Denver.<br />

Dovis, Ray, Fl, Denver.<br />

DeBold Verne, Midwest Amusement, Scottsbluft.<br />

Neb.<br />

Dekker, Joe, Civic Theatres, Denver.<br />

Denmon, John, Denver, Denver.<br />

DiBenedetti, Von, El Raton, Raton, N. M.<br />

DiFiore, Vincent, Cooper Foundation, Denver.<br />

Dunevitz, Sam, Park, Denver.<br />

Dunlap, Otis, Tower, Denver.<br />

Eastman, N. L., Panhandle Corp., Kimball, Neb.<br />

Eldridge, Paul, Cooper Foundation, Denver.<br />

Evans, Merf, Lakewood, Lakewood.<br />

Follonsbee, Mrs. V., Isis, Victor.<br />

Feinstein, Sam, Lincoln, Limon.<br />

Feitz, Leiand, Alexander Film Co., Colorado Springs.<br />

Fitzgerald, William, Denhom, Denver.<br />

Fitzsimmons, Margaret, Gibraltar, Denver.<br />

Fleming, Jock, Centre, Denver.<br />

Freeman, Charles, Ute, Colorado Springs.<br />

Gallagher, Harvey, Bluebird, Denver.<br />

Gillhom, Donald, Plains, Sidney.<br />

Gilmour, Chorles, Gibraltar, Denver.<br />

Goldstein, Art, World, Denver.<br />

Goodridge, H. A., Fl, Denver.<br />

Graves, Cloude, Flotirons, Boulder.<br />

Graves, Russell, Westwood, Denver.<br />

Greenlee, Charles, Silverhill, Oshkosh, Neb.<br />

Greve, Lloyd, Eagle, Eagle.<br />

Griffing, James, All States Theatres, Albuquerque.<br />

Grube, George, Horber, Oklohoma City.<br />

Guild, Russell, Colorodo, Pueblo.<br />

Gwin, E. Merle, Zorn, Benkelmon, Neb.<br />

Hall, Fred, Variety, Akron, Colo.<br />

Homlett, Doviette, Fl, Denver.<br />

Hammer, Don, Lee Theatres, Denver.<br />

Hordm, H. E., Civic, Denver.<br />

Hort, E. D., Westlond Theatres, Colorodo Springs,<br />

Hastings, William, Orpheum, Denver.<br />

Hoyno, Joe, Rialto, Denver.<br />

Heil, Phil, Volley, Fowler.<br />

Hilton, Bob, Empire, Affilioted, Colby, Kas.<br />

Hodge, George, Gothic, Englewood.<br />

Hoig, I. E., Stuart, Lincoln,. Neb.<br />

Hooks, Jennings, Wolfberg, Denver.<br />

Hopper, Frank, Uptown, Pueblo.<br />

Hunt, Herb, Rapid Drive-In, Rapid City, S. D.<br />

Ibold, Gus, Comet, Denver.<br />

Ibold, Walt, Comet, Denver.<br />

Jackson, Doyle, West, Craig, Colo.<br />

Jostorff, Ted, Dakota, Sturgis, S. D.<br />

Jensen, Lorry, Trail, Colorado Springs.<br />

Jones, Dwight, Federal, Denver.<br />

Kelloff, Anne, Pine, Monosso.<br />

Kelloff, Edno Mae, Ute, Aguilor,<br />

Kelloff, George, Ute, Aguilor.<br />

Kelloff, Mitchell, Pine, Monosso, Colo.<br />

Kirk, A. L., Grant, Gront, Neb,<br />

Kelly, E. J., Chief, Pueblo.<br />

Klein, Richard, Block Hills Amuse., Rapic<br />

Knight, T. E,, Knight Theatres, Riverton<br />

Knox, Elsie, Knox, Durango.<br />

Knox, Ted, Theatre Service Supply, Den\<br />

Koonces, Orlond, Rialto, Alomoso.<br />

Kroll, Charles, Lincoln, Lincoln, Neb.<br />

Knill, Fred, Gibraltor, Denver.<br />

Loney, Pete, Riolto, Cosper.<br />

Leeper, H. G,, Chief, Colorado Springs.<br />

Leonard, Gordon, Criterion, Oklohomo C<br />

Lewis, Edna, Peerless, Holyoke, Colo.<br />

Lofgren, M. E,, Chief, Greeley.<br />

Lotito, Robert, Denhom, Denver,<br />

Low, Williom, Ogden, Denver.<br />

Lowrey, Lorry, Hippodrome, Julesburg,<br />

Lusk, Deitz, Theotre Architecs, Colorod(<br />

Lydoy, Paul, Fl, Denver.<br />

Mock, Irving, Filmock, Chicogo.<br />

Mogor, Erna, Pastime, Pine Bluffs, Wj<br />

Martin, Mert, Unique, Gunnison.<br />

Mortinez, Seby, Fox, Wolsenburg.<br />

May, Keith, Fox, Aurora.<br />

Moyne, Donald, Lake Drive-ln, Pueblo.<br />

McCormick, George, McCormick, Canon<br />

McCormick, Harold, McCormick, Conon<br />

McGee, Pot, Cooper, Denver.<br />

McLaughlin, C E,,Ritz, Los Animos,<br />

Medoro, Mel, Wolfberg, Denver,<br />

Medley, Tom, Block Hills, Denver.<br />

Meier, Dorothy, Wyoming, Lusk, Wyo.<br />

Meier, Melvin, Wyoming, Lusk.<br />

Menogh, Elden, Big Top, Fort Lupton.<br />

Mitchell, William E., Ritz, Denver.<br />

Monson, Don, Ute, Rifle.<br />

Morrison, Loren, Elks, Ropid City, S. I<br />

Mosemon, Leonard, Plains, Sidney, Neb<br />

Murphy, Tom, El Raton, Roton, N. M.<br />

Myers, Lyie, Yuma, Yumo.<br />

Nelson, Robert, Fox, Leodville.<br />

Newkirk, Les, Fox, Boulder.<br />

Ostenburg, W. H. jr.. Ill, Midwest<br />

Scottsbluft.<br />

Pocheco, Norman, Atlas Corp., Denver<br />

Porker, J. C, Mission, Dolhort, Tex.<br />

Peterson, Jomes, Vogue, Littleton.<br />

Petry, Albert, Liberty, Pogoso Springs.<br />

Phillips, Don, Empire and Affiliated, C<br />

Phihpson, M. H., Corrol Drive-ln, Hud<br />

Pike, Alberta, Vogue Art, Denver.<br />

Pipitone, Nino, Esquire, Denver.<br />

Poland, Gale, Gem, Hill City, S. D.<br />

Powell, J, K., Wroy, Wroy,<br />

Pyle, Gene, Lyric, Choppell, Neb.<br />

Ribble, Tom, Star Drive-In, Albuquerq<br />

Rice, Harold, Fl, Denver.<br />

Ricketson, Rick, Fl, Denver.<br />

Rider, Frank, Choteou, Wounefo, Neb.<br />

Roberts, E. Frank, Cooper, Denver.<br />

Roberts, John, Wolfberg, Denver.<br />

Romano, Ann, Rex, Louisville.<br />

Romano, Cormen, Rex, Louisville.<br />

Rothmon, Paul, Lee Theatres, Denver.<br />

Rudick, Moe, Gila, Silver City, N, M,<br />

Senders, Si., Fl, Denver.<br />

Sowoyo, John, Strand, Trinidad.<br />

Schofluetzel, John, Sterling, Greeley.<br />

Schmidt, Dorronce, Trail, Bridgeport,<br />

Semon, Lionel, Pueblo Drive-ln, PuebU<br />

Sherman, Jo Anne, Fl, Denver.<br />

Shire, Charles, Nebrosko, Lincoln.<br />

Simon, Bill, Princess, Del Norte.<br />

Smiley, Tom, Wolfberg, Denver.<br />

Smith, J. R., Chief, Steamboat Spring!<br />

Smith, Les, Fl, Longmont.<br />

Smith, Richard, Mayan, Denver.<br />

Spohn, Bob, Booker, Denver.<br />

Specht, Eddie, Solido, Solido.<br />

Spiilone, Fronk, Flotirons, Boulder.<br />

Stonger, R, L., Evans Drive-In, Denver<br />

Starsmore, Lorry, Westlond, Colorodo<br />

Steele, Billie, McCook Drive-ln, McCool<br />

Stevens, Louis, Pastime, Pine Bluffs, V<br />

Stroh, Rhuben, Nuggett, Telluride.<br />

Strong, Luther, Mesa, Grond Junctior<br />

Stuever, Charlotte, Rialto, Denver.<br />

Tagert, William, Skylite, DeJto, Colo.<br />

Thomoson, Dovid, Rainbow, Cope, Col<br />

Thorne, Ed, Cooper, Oklahoma City.<br />

Troxler, Alva, Wolfberg, Denver.<br />

Troylor, Harvey, Cooper, Grand Juncti<br />

Vondeventer, William, Lokeshore, Der<br />

Vernon, Allen, Wolfberg, Denver,<br />

VIeck, Joe, Fox, LoJunto.<br />

Walker, Bob, Uintoh, Fruita.<br />

Watson, Bob, Logan, Sterling.<br />

West, Owen, West, Rock Springs.<br />

Wilhelm, Horry, Tabor, Denver,<br />

AA<br />

BOXOFFICE<br />

:: Janu


Exhibitors Study Ticket Selling at Workshop<br />

bitors and film folk registered for the MOM Ticket Selling Workshop at Denver. Sitting at the table in left<br />

Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Boner, Irving Mack, M. E. Lofgren and Edward Kelly. Right photo: Norman Bentz, Everett<br />

id Feitz, Frank t'lineball. (Second table) Pete Laney, VV. H. Ostenberg III, Charles Gilmour, W. C. Boston, Vern<br />

(Unidentified), Don Cornwall and Sam Wormus.<br />

aul .Anderson. Phillip lleil.<br />

o) Don Beers. Bob Walker, .Vrt (ioldstein, Frank .Aydelotte, Ross Campbell, Paul Cory, Nate Eastman. (Second<br />

el, Chuck Kroll. George Grube, Ed Thorne, Jack Bruno, Ike Hoig. (Third table) Frank Hopper. Larry Jensen,<br />

hire, Charles Freeman, Frank Roberts. In right photo may be seen (front table) Dorrance Schmidt, Fay Boyd,<br />

specht, Esmond Hardin, Frank Barnes. (Second table) Charles Greenlee, Mert Martin, George Hodge, William<br />

:, Dave Davis.<br />

ow only) are Harold Brown, Don Wayne, Lionel Semon, Mrs. Edna Lewis, John Sawaya ajid Al Petry. Right<br />

oe Dekker, Dwight L. Jones, John W. Creamer, William Vandeventer, Otto Bartusch, and (back row) Wilbur<br />

TS. Ted Knox and Mrs. Melvin Meier.<br />

m<br />

ncncscm<br />

son, Sam Dunevitz, J. C. Parker, Kelly (raw ford. Bill Tagert, Ku^sell .Allen. Right photo shows Leonard Mose-<br />

Don Gillham.<br />

eceding page)<br />

Boulder,<br />

nver.<br />

3erg, Denver,<br />

r, N. M.<br />

3, Denver,<br />

nd.<br />

y-<br />

, Julesburg.<br />

, Julesburg.<br />

ns and Emery Austin,<br />

I Reynolds, Dollas; Mr.<br />

rge Murphy, Hollywood;<br />

Francisco; Bill Williams,<br />

Ivon Fuldauer, Chicago;<br />

Allan Wieder, Seattle;<br />

imith, Sheo circuit, and<br />

Frank Jenlcins, Jerry<br />

de Newell, Floyd Brethjnver.<br />

DENVER^More than 250 attended the<br />

MGM Work-shop held here last week. There<br />

were more exhibitors in Denver for the affair<br />

than were ever here for any event in the<br />

pa-st. Emery Austin, executive from the New<br />

York home office, the principal .speaker, went<br />

into many phases of ticket selling.<br />

While the Workshop was in progress Gov.<br />

Ed Johnson proclaimed January as "Go to the<br />

Movies Month."<br />

The day after the Workshop Colorado<br />

COMPO gave a luncheon for members of<br />

the state legislature, just starting theii- annual<br />

session. About 400 attended this affair, which<br />

was addressed by George Murphy. Hollywood<br />

goodwill ambassador, who told the legislators<br />

and theatre owners some of the bright sides<br />

of life in Hollywood, and of the efforts of the<br />

filmmakers, distributors and theatremen to<br />

give people good entertainment. The luncheon<br />

is an annual affair.<br />

After the luncheon a half-hour business<br />

session was held by COMPO. and Pat McGee,<br />

president of the Rocky Mountain unit, and<br />

Sam Feinstein told of reasons why theatremen<br />

should support COMPO, with dues set at<br />

five cents a seat. McGee told of COMPO<br />

efforts in tax and other matters, while Feinstein<br />

pointed out why exhibitors should join.<br />

The two days wound up with a dinner<br />

dance given by Variety Tent 37, with about<br />

260 attending.<br />

All of the meetings were held at the<br />

Cosmopolitan Hotel.<br />

!2. 1955 45


. . The<br />

. . Twentieth-Fox<br />

SALT LAKE CITY<br />

^he face of Salt Lake City area theatres has<br />

undergone quite a change in recent<br />

months. The latest to install Cinemascope is<br />

the Rialto, one of the downtown area's storied<br />

showhouses. Nearly all second runs in the<br />

city area also have Cinemascope.<br />

Jack Swonson's brother Kayo has resigned<br />

his position at National Screen to join Jack<br />

in his theatre enterprises. Jack took over<br />

the Colony several weeks ago and turned it<br />

into a three-picture house which has been<br />

coining money on popcorn and candy as well<br />

as pictures. Just recently Jack took over the<br />

State.<br />

Tania Karol has been named manager of<br />

the World Playhouse and Tower Theatre,<br />

operated by an organization headed by George<br />

Hatch, Sid Cohen and Irving Gillman. Miss<br />

Karol succeeds P. A. Speckart, who resigned<br />

to devote more time to the Golden Rule<br />

Club, a safety organization, and other pursuits<br />

. . . Mr. and Mrs. Don V. Tibbs have returned<br />

from Hawaii, where they visited with<br />

their daughter and son-in-law over the<br />

Christmas holidays.<br />

Eugene Jelesnik, genial man about Filmrow,<br />

has resumed his television program. Video<br />

Fi-olics ... A new drive-in will open late<br />

next summer in the south part of Salt Lake<br />

County, and another is expected to open in<br />

the southeast section . . . Anne FYancis, only<br />

feminine player in "Bad Day at Black Rock,"<br />

was here on a tour on behalf of the film,<br />

which was playing at the Uptown.<br />

R. M. Beber, motion picture owner and<br />

operator, has been named a vice-president of<br />

the Bank of St. George. This southern Utah<br />

community was the site last summer for the<br />

production of "The Conqueror," Howard<br />

Hughes $6,000,000 picture starring John Wayne<br />

and Su.san Hayward ... A group from Republic<br />

Pictures has been in St. George the<br />

past three weeks to film "The Man From<br />

Texas," starring John Payne and Mona<br />

Freeman.<br />

Edward Redmond Dies<br />

SAN JOSE—Edward Redmond, West Coast<br />

theatrical figure, died here recently. He was<br />

in the theatrical business for many years<br />

and ran the old Novelty Theatre in Fresno<br />

about 1910. Redmond operated stock companies<br />

up and down the coa.st, after coming<br />

to California from New York in the 1890s.<br />

Small Fire at Fresno<br />

FRESNO— A fire started in the Azteca<br />

Theatre when woodwork was ignited by an<br />

overheated floor furnace. Although there<br />

were patrons in the theatre at the time,<br />

there was no disorder and firemen quickly<br />

put out the flames. Damage was estimated<br />

to be around $100.<br />

WE CAN SELL YOUR THEATRE<br />

SUBURBAN<br />

HOMES CO.<br />

THEATRE SALES DIVISION<br />

CALL- IRV BOWRON -WRITf<br />

Ph. PR. 4-327S<br />

274S-S.E. S2nd<br />

KE 1374<br />

Pertland 66, Of*.<br />

COLORADO PROCLAMATION— Gov.<br />

Edwin Johnson of Colorado signs a proclamation<br />

saluting exhibitors of the state<br />

and declaring January "Go to the Movies<br />

Month." John Ericson, star of "Bad Day<br />

at Black Rock" (center) and Emery Austin,<br />

MGM exploitation head, look on.<br />

DENVER<br />

pdward J. Mapel, city councilman the past<br />

12 years and owner of the Gem and Colorado,<br />

will run again for the city council.<br />

Mapel has been president of the council<br />

twice . . Ray Davis, retiring chief barker<br />

.<br />

of Variety Tent 37, was given a portable<br />

television set at the club's winter ball in<br />

appreciation of his efforts in keeping things<br />

going while the club was without quarters,<br />

having been burned out early last year. The<br />

club hopes to move into new quarters at the<br />

Cosmopolitan Hotel in May.<br />

Nebraskans Harold OLson, Sidney, and Kenneth<br />

Swartz, Red Cloud, are building a 400-<br />

Tent 37<br />

car drive-in at Florence, Colo. . . .<br />

gave the University of Denver speech and<br />

hearing clinic $1,000 to be used in the purchase<br />

of equipment . . . Richard Klein, general<br />

manager of the Black Hills Amusement<br />

Co., Rapid City, S. D., was in for the MGM<br />

Ticket Selling Workshop and brought with<br />

him managers of the circuit's several theatres<br />

in South Dakota, Nebraska and Wyoming.<br />

Pat McGee, Cooper Foundation general<br />

manager, arranged for his theatre managers<br />

and their wives to be in for the MGM Workshop<br />

and the other events of the two-day<br />

affair. The group held two business meetings<br />

of their own and the ladies were entertained<br />

by Mrs. McGee at her home with a bi-unch<br />

... A car prowler broke into the car of<br />

William Sombar, United Artists salesman,<br />

and got away with clothing and other merchandise<br />

. . . Herb Buschmann. UA salesman<br />

headquartering in Albuquerque, was in for<br />

conferences with Manager M. R. Austin.<br />

.<br />

Marvin Goldfarb, Buena Vista district<br />

supervisor, went to Salt Lake City on business<br />

100,000th ticket to "20,000<br />

Leagues Under the Sea" was sold at the close<br />

of the third week of the film at the Denver<br />

• . . C. U. Yaeger, Atlas Theatres president,<br />

went to California for tltree months<br />

Going to San Fi-ancisco<br />

. . .<br />

for a 20th-Fox sales<br />

meeting were Manager V. J. Dugan and salesmen<br />

George Tawson, Paul Snoddy and Dick<br />

Fiilham.<br />

SEATTLE<br />

T oren Sackrider has been added to<br />

ling advertising staff. He wa<br />

circuit's Palomar and the Northgat<br />

Fitzhugh. who has been the assista<br />

in the Sterling office, has taken over<br />

ment of the Roosevelt Theatre, s<br />

. . . Darrel<br />

John Hammond who joined the U.<br />

ber of Commerce<br />

Sau;<br />

taken over the buying and bookin<br />

Cameo in Tacoma, foi-merly handlec<br />

Smith .<br />

Mana<br />

Burk. office manager Jim Brooks i<br />

men Glen Haviland and Mike Pc<br />

tended the sales meeting at the Cli<br />

FYancisco on the 17th and 18th.<br />

Ed Cruea, Allied Artists manager<br />

ing with the Seattle Council of Chu<br />

the Greater Seattle Gospel Crusadi<br />

motion of a two-reel fUm on evangi<br />

Graham which is to be released<br />

February. Tickets will be distri<br />

church members . . . John Rickert, U<br />

operations representative from N<br />

and Art Greenfield, local manager, a<br />

of the University of Southern Califo<br />

incidentally, Rickert, Greenfield<br />

Stanton, the latter office manager ai<br />

all lived at different times in the sai<br />

ment house in San Francisco.<br />

Lou Pressler, United Theatres, \<br />

in California and Nevada . . . Fi<br />

Sterling vice-president, was on an<br />

trip south . . . Walt Thayer, booker<br />

Theatres, left on a two-week vacs<br />

to Los Angeles, Denver and Houstoi<br />

Walker, Allied Artists salesman, is<br />

Bellingham. Blaine and points nortl<br />

Rainier (Ore.) Theatre has install!<br />

Walker screen and anamorphic le<br />

tained from National Theatre Suppl<br />

Dody Heath, Seattle actress, has<br />

film role in "Brigadoon," which wi<br />

Music Hall. Miss Heath, who is a<br />

of the University of Washingto<br />

school, has played principal role<br />

Broadway hits, "South Pacific,"<br />

Grows in Brooklyn," "A Girl Can,"<br />

Men, Oh, Women!"<br />

'.<br />

Filmrow visitors included Har<br />

Lewiston, Ida.: Mr. and Mrs. Jei<br />

Rio Theatre, Brewster; Mr. and ^<br />

Smith, Tonasket: Joe Rosenfield,<br />

Al Fernandez, Clallam Bay; And<br />

Olympic, Arlington, and Keith<br />

North Bend.<br />

Preliminary work on an extensiv<br />

eling program has been started at t<br />

Theatre by Hugh Becket, Seattle<br />

who has taken a ten-year lease on t<br />

house, with an option for an additi<br />

The Moore will replace the Metropc<br />

many years the center of the city's<br />

l<br />

life, and will show roadshows, reciti<br />

cal programs and the Seattle Sympl<br />

seats will be recovered and the nu<br />

creased from the present capacity o<br />

2.000. The job will be supervised b;<br />

Becket, head of an architectural a<br />

neering firm in Los Angeles. Don Bi<br />

impresario's brother, is here to transl<br />

ing board plans to reality. The reo;<br />

scheduled in April.<br />

In France i<br />

color does not exercise<br />

cant attraction to most motion picti<br />

tators.<br />

46 BOXOFFICE Januar;


Installed<br />

'ent4<br />

ur, head booker for<br />

cuit, was installed<br />

Tent 4 at a lunchthat<br />

marked the<br />

club's new headil.<br />

i: first assistant<br />

^&M district man-<br />

Gordon Halloran,<br />

ough guy, Joseph<br />

Jim Goldsmith.<br />

ically is national<br />

Sdward, immediate<br />

egate to the 1955<br />

Hubs International<br />

ew in addition to<br />

^. Kropp. Tommy<br />

in Meinardi, Tony<br />

,ur.<br />

n a suite of three<br />

of the Chase, conb<br />

by a convenient<br />

he Lido quarters<br />

luncheon sessions<br />

lerings.<br />

d Studio<br />

'icture<br />

re Production Co.,<br />

IS here, is starting<br />

Hollywood cameras<br />

the first of three<br />

or entertainment<br />

s for 1955.<br />

)on, according to<br />

1 Niles, vice-presit,<br />

Chicago exhibiwill<br />

be showing<br />

grade Hollywood<br />

iuction.s financed<br />

instigated by the<br />

;ago home office.<br />

of the first films,<br />

racle at Santa<br />

ta," starring Jack<br />

n Superscope and<br />

vid Butler.<br />

d the old Charlie<br />

d, which has 122<br />

stages.<br />

!nt and sole owner<br />

)S, for many years<br />

ing commerical art<br />

Kling Studios here<br />

account executive,<br />

; announced.<br />

[uipment<br />

)xy Theatre, owned<br />

roffer, has recently<br />

ojection and sound<br />

screen has been<br />

lied<br />

shortly.<br />

lirthdays<br />

loss Scaggs. maneatre,<br />

is giving a<br />

erson whose name<br />

Birthday" column<br />

FRIENDLY DUO—Producer William<br />

Perlberg, left, in Chicago to promote his<br />

•The Bridges at Toko-Ri" and "The<br />

Country Girl" for Paramount, is seen<br />

chatting with John Balaban, head ot<br />

Balaban & Katz Theatres at a Chez Paree<br />

reception given in Perlberg's honor by<br />

the local Paramount branch. George<br />

Seaton, co-producer, and Perlberg were<br />

touring tlie country on behalf of the pictures.<br />

Sol J.<br />

Hankin, 72, Dies;<br />

Long a St. Louis Film Man<br />

ST. LOUIS—The funeral of Sol J. Hankin,<br />

retired<br />

theatreman, film salesman and independent<br />

exchange owner who died on Pi'iday<br />

afternoon (14), was conducted at the Rindskopf<br />

Chapel Monday.<br />

Hankin, 72, retii'ed about two yeai-s ago<br />

because of ill health, and in recent weeks<br />

has been in a nursing home. The evening<br />

before he died he attended an oldtimers<br />

gathering at the Elks Club as the guest of<br />

his old friends Charley Goldman and Tommy<br />

James, local theatre owners, and E. J. Martt,<br />

head of the Empress Sign Co.<br />

He was a native of Russia. Early in his<br />

career he was employed as a waiter in local<br />

hotels. About 1914 and 1915 he mounted<br />

advertising and publicity paper here for such<br />

companies as Mutual, Universal and World<br />

Wide, having offices at 622 Olive St. Not too<br />

long after Hankin opened his own states<br />

rights exchange on the second floor of the<br />

Empress Theatre building. Subsequently he<br />

opened the first Educational office in St.<br />

Louis. In 1928-29-30 he was district manager<br />

at Pittsburgh for Warner Theatres. Later he<br />

went to Philadelphia, and then to New York<br />

City. He returned to St. Louis and from 1939<br />

to 1950 he was on the sales staff of Universal<br />

Pictures under Manager Harry Hynes. Later<br />

he joined Allied Artists-Monogram under<br />

Manager Maurice Schweitzer.<br />

Kanfox Realty Corp. Buys<br />

Burford Theatre Building<br />

ARKANSAS CITY, KAS.—Richard Brous,<br />

president of Fox Midwe.st Amusement Corp.,<br />

has announced the purchase by the Kanfox<br />

Realty Corp. of the Burford building here,<br />

containing the Burford Theatre and a number<br />

of stores. Fox Midwest has operated the<br />

Burford for about 20 years on a lease.<br />

DeVallon Scott has been signed to prepare<br />

the script for Republic's "The Maverick<br />

Queen."<br />

KMTA Board Ranges<br />

From 16mm to Ascap<br />

KAN SAO Cll'^— In sp.te of the six-inch<br />

snow, tiie Kaiisas-Missjun Theatre Ass'n<br />

uoard ol da-eu^ors nieei.ng Wednesday (19)<br />

was well attended. Most ol the members arrived<br />

in ume lo partake of the excellent<br />

buffet luncheon which office secretary Zella<br />

Faulkner had arranged. Following the luncheon,<br />

Columbia and Paramount screened product<br />

reels in the Pai'amount screening room.<br />

Members then returned to the KMT.'V office<br />

where President Ed Harris, Neosho, led a<br />

discussion of the convention March 2, 3, which<br />

will feature the MGM Ticket Selling Workshop<br />

on Tuesday, and a program on drive-in<br />

and conventional theatre problems on<br />

Wednesday, with booths of equipment displays.<br />

M. B. Smith heads the program committee.<br />

After the convention discussion, most of<br />

the time was given over to a "bull session"<br />

on problems brought up by individual exhibitors.<br />

Dave Dallas of the Midcentral circuit<br />

at Manhattan wondered how many late films<br />

are now being released on T'V. He explained<br />

he recently played "Treasure Island," then<br />

found out it had been unreeled on TV the<br />

Wednesday night before he showed it. Harris,<br />

who has been making a survey of the pictures<br />

which also are on 16mm, called attention to<br />

a number of catalogs which will be on file<br />

in the KMTA office for reference when members<br />

wish to check if a certain booking may<br />

have played in 16mm at the high school or<br />

other community auditorium the week before.<br />

Attention was called to the fact that Arnold<br />

Gould at Jefferson City has been made<br />

legislative representative to keep exhibitors<br />

informed on bills of interest which come before<br />

the Missouri legislature. For Kansas, it<br />

was felt Hank Doering of Garnett and a<br />

member of the legislature would be able to<br />

help them keep abreast of pertinent legislation<br />

proposed.<br />

The legal aspects of music infringement<br />

on Ascap and BMI were given serious attention<br />

since exhibitors are unable to receive<br />

lists of copyrighted music from the companies<br />

unless they buy Ascap licenses.<br />

Don Burnett brought up the matter of filling<br />

out separation cards within 24 hours<br />

after an employe leaves as a protection<br />

against his rate being increased in case the<br />

employe applies for unemployment compensation.<br />

Dallas called attention to various centennials<br />

planned in Kansas, one for Manhattan<br />

this year, and the state centennial in 1960.<br />

He suggested KMTA write to the centennial<br />

committee at Lawrence, of which Dr. Robert<br />

Taft is president, suggesting producers be<br />

urged to make more and better historical<br />

films. Harris requested him to draft such<br />

a letter.<br />

Virgil Harbison of Tarkio brought up again<br />

his belief that some exhibitor organization<br />

like COMPO should sponsor a national weekly<br />

TV program publicizing pictm-es, since TV<br />

has brought such good results on those pictures<br />

which have been advertised over it.<br />

Other Mi.ssourians who attended included<br />

Frank Weary III. Henrietta; Frank Weary sr.,<br />

Richmond; Tom Edwards. Eldon; George<br />

Baker. Earl Jameson jr. and Nick Sonday,<br />

Kansas City; Lauren Turner, Independence.<br />

Kansans were Al McClure, Wichita; John<br />

Basham, Topeka; Calvin Strowdg, Abilene;<br />

BobBisagno, Aug^usta; Marty Landau, Horton.<br />

2. 1955 47


-<br />

Announcing<br />

Ballantyne 'H' Series<br />

Quality • plus • Economy<br />

$560<br />

EACH<br />

To meet the needs of drive-in operators w ho want a low cost qu<br />

speaker, Ballant\ne introduces its new "H" Series in-a-car spea<br />

Speaker is housed in a sturdy sand cast aluminum case finishe<br />

two-tone gray enamel. Single cone speaker is of excellent quality<br />

the entire unit is weather-treated to gi\e long service and protec<br />

Available with straight cord or koiled cord at slightly higher<br />

j<br />

"E" Series Single-Cone<br />

Another high quality single-cone,<br />

weather treated spealcer unit.<br />

Mounted in the same case as "A"<br />

and "Q" series. Finished in tough<br />

hammerloid gray enamel.<br />

"A" Series Double-Cone<br />

Patented Ballaniyne double-cone speak-<br />

'<br />

ers are unique in the drive-in field. Two<br />

cones, one superimposed over the other,<br />

offers you the most faithful, undistorted<br />

sound anywhere. Finish is an appealing<br />

blue and white two-tone effect. Both<br />

undercoat and finish coat are baked<br />

enamel. Simplicity of maintenance is a<br />

big feature. Case opens easily — drop<br />

in a new cone, right at the post.<br />

Series Dooble-Cone<br />

The same unexcelled Double-Cone<br />

speaker unit as the "A". Has rich, longlasting<br />

hammerloid gray enamel finish<br />

baked on to give permanent protection.<br />

ALL SPEAKERS AND JUNCTION BOXES AVAILABLE IN SETS<br />

(2 SPEAKERS — 1 JUNCTION BOX)<br />

BLUE AND WHITE DOUBLE-CONE<br />

AX90 Straight Cord—No Downlight<br />

AX91 Koiled Cord<br />

. No Downlight<br />

AX92 Straight Cord — Downlight<br />

AX93 Koiled Cord - Downlight<br />

HAMMERLOID GRAY DOUBLE-CONE<br />

0X90 Stroight Cord—No Downlight<br />

0X91 Koiled Cord— No Downlight<br />

0X92 Straight Cord — Downlight<br />

QX93 Koiled Cord — Downlight<br />

HAMMERLOID<br />

GRAV SINGLE-CONE<br />

E90 Straight Cord — No Downlight<br />

E91 Koiled Cord — No Downlight<br />

E92 Straight Cord — Downlight<br />

E93 Koiled Cord — Downlight<br />

TWO TONEGRAY<br />

SINGLE-CCI<br />

H90 Straight Cord — No Dowi<br />

H91 Koiled Cord — No Downli<br />

H92 Straight Cord — Oownligl<br />

H93 Koiled Cord — Downlighl<br />

1712 Jackso St<br />

'^BallantunedpRpOliy,<br />

Omaha, Nebros<br />

EDW. MIKKELSEN<br />

4646 North Clifton Ave.<br />

Chicago, Mi.<br />

THEATRE SERVICE CO.<br />

827 Wayne<br />

Topeka, Kansas<br />

48<br />

BOXOFFICE<br />

:: Janua


: four<br />

i<br />

Don't<br />

Loop<br />

—<br />

V pictures in Loop<br />

esses. All maingh<br />

levels. "Aida"<br />

ncreased busine.ss<br />

son" and "Destry"<br />

losevelt. Business<br />

ith two reissues<br />

The Big Sleep."<br />

its opening week<br />

New MITO Committees<br />

Appointed by Kropp<br />

—<br />

195<br />

stage revue,<br />

285<br />

a (Cinerama),<br />

200<br />

195<br />

Crest of the Wave<br />

195<br />

), 4th wk 235<br />

MGM), 3rd wk.. .205<br />

The Big Sleep<br />

195<br />

ike Show Business<br />

245<br />

.190<br />

Destry (U-l). . .<br />

der the Sea (BV),<br />

290<br />

wk 165<br />

e (WB), 3rd wk.. .200<br />

5 (UA), 2nd wk.. .195<br />

d wk 210<br />

te (Burstyn), plus<br />

;), reissues 185<br />

3t<br />

o£ the Pagan"<br />

Fox houses,<br />

.ys. This was the<br />

jxcept for "Romeo<br />

•eek at the Kimo,<br />

;rage. A six-inch<br />

nee the latter part<br />

i<br />

t" went phffft at<br />

the documentary<br />

s Is Your Army."<br />

No Business Like<br />

rth week. "Cattle<br />

IS just an average<br />

" held up at the<br />

il had not picked<br />

.•ell as expected.<br />

wk,; The Promoter<br />

ement 115<br />

rd wk 160<br />

3ur Army<br />

95<br />

Killer Leopard<br />

1 00<br />

.ike Show Business<br />

110<br />

Streets (UA). ... 95<br />

th wk 75<br />

node—Sign of the<br />

(LP) at Tower and<br />

150<br />

•h wk 130<br />

ilates<br />

3 for '55<br />

the Variety Club<br />

monthly meetings<br />

id directors in line<br />

xpressed by Jack<br />

help encourage<br />

t.<br />

membership meetclubrooms<br />

in the<br />

[ternoon i22i. Puwill<br />

be held the<br />

lonth. while those<br />

:he first Friday of<br />

icers and directors<br />

ngements are now<br />

;ee headed by Nat<br />

chief barker.<br />

Assembled for the first meeting of the Missouri-Illinois Theatre Owners board of<br />

directors are, seated, from left to right: William T. Powell, Bess Schulter, Kegina<br />

Steinberg, Louis .\n.seU, Kenneth Hirth, Thomas James, President Lester R. Kropp,<br />

Joseph Ansell, Myra Stroud, Tom Bloomer, Pete Medley, Frank Hen.son and Edward<br />

.Arthur. Standing: Clyde Metcalf, John Meinardi, Tom N. Edwards, Spere Karides,<br />

Eddie Clark, William Kaimann, David Barrett and Russell Armentrout.<br />

ST. LOUIS—Lester R. Kropp, president of<br />

the Missouri-Illinois Theatre Owners, has announced<br />

his committee assignments for the<br />

year as follows;<br />

Legislative—Phil Nanos, Senator Edward<br />

V. Long, Arnold Gould and Harold Farmer.<br />

Convention and tradeshow—Bess Schulter.<br />

John Meinardi. A. D. Magarian, Louis Ansell<br />

and L. J. Williams.<br />

Lake of Ozarks joint meeting with Kansas-<br />

Missouri Theatre Ass'n — Tom Bloomer,<br />

Tommy James, William Kaimann, Harry<br />

Miller, Tom Edwards jr. and A. D. Magarian.<br />

Membership—Paul Krueger, Edward B.<br />

Arthur, Charles Goldman. Pete Medley. Pete<br />

Gloriod, Kenneth Hirth, Eddie Clark, Clyde<br />

Metcalfe and Robert E. Johnson.<br />

Board meetings—L. J. Williams. Russell<br />

Armentrout, Frank Plumlee, Louis Jablonow,<br />

Bill Griffin, Loren Cluster, Warren Pirtle.<br />

FYank Henson and Howard Zulauf.<br />

Tom Bloomer, Belleville. 111., is the MITO<br />

member on the TOA executive committee,<br />

while members on the TOA board are Lester<br />

R. Kropp, Tommy James and Paul Krueger.<br />

The board, at its meeting In the Melbourne<br />

Hotel, awarded honorary memberships<br />

to Arnold Gould. Durwood manager at Jefferson<br />

City, who has done such effective work<br />

for the industry during sessions of the general<br />

assembly and in his contacts with Gov.<br />

Phil M. Donnelly and other state officials: to<br />

Jim Castle and Frances Lohmeyer. both<br />

Paramount publicists, and to David F. Barrett.<br />

BOXOFTICE correspondent.<br />

The board recommended attendance at the<br />

second annual National Allied drive-in convention<br />

here Februai-y 8-10. The February<br />

board meeting will be held in the new quarters<br />

of the Variety Club in the Chase Hotel<br />

on the morning of the 8th so the MITO directors<br />

can take in the Allied drive-in luncheon<br />

se.ssion at noon in the same hotel.<br />

The MITO board adopted a re.


. , . Burtis<br />

^n BOXOFFICE Janui<br />

CHICAGO<br />

IJarry Hoag, who owned the Momence illl.i<br />

Theatre; Dominic Cristallo, Chicago pro-<br />

. . . Virginia<br />

jectionists union executive, and Edward<br />

Mayo<br />

P.<br />

Mooney died last week<br />

and her husband Michael O'Shea stopped here<br />

between planes on the way to Hollywood after<br />

attending the premiere of "The Silver Chalice"<br />

John Ericson is<br />

at Saranac Lake, N. Y. . . .<br />

due here the latter part of January for promotion<br />

of "Bad Day at Black Rock" and "Green<br />

Ericson has a role in both productions.<br />

Fire."<br />

.<br />

Don Hartman is expected here as a Paramount<br />

Stanford Kohlberg,<br />

office visitor . . . who has purchased the Starlite Drive-In, said<br />

his experiment with a small ice-skating rink<br />

has proved so successful that he is doubling<br />

its size Marlon Brando took time out for<br />

.<br />

breakfast<br />

.<br />

at the Ambassador West before<br />

going on to Hollywood to start rehearsals for<br />

"Guys and Dolls," in which he sings and<br />

dances for the first time . . . Bell & Howell announce<br />

the appointment of John P. Buchan<br />

as controller and John N. Latter as his<br />

Eissistant.<br />

Capacity crowds watching "There's No Business<br />

Like Show Business" at the Oriental<br />

Theatre are undaunted by workmen and<br />

painters working night and day to complete a<br />

CANDY - POPCORN<br />

- SEASONING -<br />

For Theatres and Drive-Ins<br />

Distributors<br />

LORRAINE CARBONS<br />

MISSION ORANGE<br />

of<br />

Send for Price List<br />

Freight Prepaid on $100.00 or More<br />

KAYLINE CANDY CO.<br />

1220 S. Michigan Avenue Chicago 5, III.<br />

redecorating job. Scaffolding, suspended by<br />

cables, has been up for a month. Watching<br />

the project with great interest are some of the<br />

oldtimers who have been with the Oriental<br />

since its auspicious opening with Paul Ash<br />

May 8, 1926—Louis Green and Bill Laise, the<br />

stagehands, and projectionists Julius Dickstein,<br />

Leslie Linick and Louis Herman.<br />

. . .<br />

Bernard Jacon, IFE executive, is due here<br />

next week to launch a new sales drive, and<br />

to discuss new IFE products with exhibitors<br />

Cleo Moore is due here in a week to<br />

at the Roosevelt,<br />

publicize "Women's Pii.son"<br />

in which she plays.<br />

Jonas Perlberg, the veteran showman just<br />

out of Michael Reese Hospital, wrote a note<br />

to the pope telling him he had exactly the<br />

same ailment—and was able to lick it. He<br />

got an immediate reply, in which the pope<br />

said he, too. was much better!<br />

Sam Kaplan, manager for Albert Dezel,<br />

went to New York City on business. Pi-ior to<br />

his departure he conferred with Robert Lippert<br />

on "They Were So Young" ... In Gov.<br />

William Stratton's "Go to the Movies in January"<br />

proclamation he stated the motion picture<br />

theatres of Illinois "represent an important<br />

and unique activity, not only as<br />

progressive enterprises, but also as a community<br />

New members of the<br />

service" . . . expanding IFE staff here are Robert Jacobson<br />

and Audrey Fishel.<br />

That 860,000 was spent developing a parking<br />

plan which ultimately led to downtown<br />

municipal garage construction, is one of the<br />

facts brought out in a film produced by<br />

Kling Film F*i-oductions for the Chicago<br />

Ass'n of Commerce and Industry. William<br />

Hollander of B&K and Otto Eitel of Eitel's<br />

Palace have been working with the State<br />

Street Council for increased parking facilities<br />

Bishop jr. returned from a plane<br />

tour of the country as captain of the 1955<br />

MGM Motion Picture Celebration.<br />

For Quicker, Easier Profits from Wide Screen Pictures<br />

Abbott Points a Sure-fire Way with —<br />

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on how<br />

Abbott<br />

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.<br />

can be easily and economically converted to exhibit<br />

the popular, new wide screen pictures NOW grossirig<br />

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With the help of nationally-known RCA theatre<br />

engineers, Abbott Theatre Equipment makes recommendations<br />

at no cost to you for o COMPLETE<br />

PACKAGE to fit your theotrc and your budget.<br />

RCA Stereophonic Equipment is availoble in everything<br />

from single track magnetic sound for drive-in<br />

Back Chairs<br />

theotrcs (a» only $1,536) to 1, 3 ond 4 trock sound<br />

systems for indoor theatres (at $2,040 and up).<br />

RCA Projection Equipment, Sound Systems and<br />

superior Dyno-Litc Wide Screens ore giving complete<br />

satisfaction in hundreds of prosperous theatres<br />

throughout America and the Chicago orea. Let<br />

us show you the list of the<br />

mony satisfied users.<br />

fvery(/i;ng in Theatre<br />

Equipment and Supplies<br />

Abbott Theatre Equipment Co. ^<br />

1311 South Wabash Ave. Chicago, Illinois<br />

Illinois Installations<br />

Get Local Coverage<br />

CHICAGO—Cinemascope and o<br />

."^creen installations continue to rec<br />

newspaper coverage throughout<br />

Among the many recent installation!<br />

including the papers featuring the<br />

izations, are:<br />

Wilmington Advocate—An 11-inc<br />

article discussed the complete mod<br />

of James Butcher's Mars Tlieatre,<br />

eluded the installation of both Gin<br />

and VistaVision. The Gardner<br />

featured the same article.<br />

Sycamore Republican—The $22,0C<br />

and V'Vision installation at J. J. M(<br />

State also received an 11-inch feat<br />

ment, with heavy emphasis place<br />

new RCA Dyna-Lite screen and<br />

track stereosound system.<br />

Milford Herald News—With the<br />

'.<br />

tion of Super Panatar anamorphie<br />

paper quoted Milford Theatre owne<br />

Clark as saying he is now equippe'<br />

in all the new wide screen techniq<br />

Streator Times-Pi'ess—Following<br />

pletion of a Cinemascope installat<br />

Majestic Theatre, the paper listed<br />

of features booked by Manager Mill<br />

to show with the new equipment.<br />

Eureka Journal—Manager Joe<br />

received coverage when he annoi<br />

installation of a wide screen in<br />

theatre.<br />

Pontiac Leader—The installation<br />

& Lomb lenses and a Walker :<br />

Cinemascope at Edward G. Zorn'i<br />

was reported along with a descript<br />

new system by Manager Gordon W<br />

Arsenal Is Urged to S<br />

'.<br />

This Is Your Army'<br />

KANSAS CITY—All personne<br />

Remington Arms Co. and the<br />

Arsenal at nearby Independence i<br />

by the commanding officer to sei<br />

Your Ai-my" at the Loew's Midlai<br />

City first run theatre, in conjun<br />

Columbia's "Phftft" during the<br />

January 14-20.<br />

Notices were posted on the bull<<br />

and a recommendation by N. I.<br />

commanding officer of the ordna<br />

was printed in the Lake City Trac<br />

house organ, for the attention c<br />

ployes to see the documentary ref<br />

army in action.<br />

Produced by Fox Movietone Nev<br />

minute .subject is spon.sored by tl<br />

of Motion Picture Organizations<br />

tributed tln-ough the local exchans<br />

W. Lewis, RKO manager in Kans<br />

the exchange area chairman.<br />

Loge 19 Committees<br />

ST. LOUIS—Wayne W. Stephen<br />

mount, president of Loge 19 of the<br />

of Motion Picture Salesmen of An<br />

nounced the following standing c(<br />

Executive, Bob Lightfoot, Hugl<br />

Stephenson, Jim Hill and Lou Ra<br />

ance, William W. Sharpe, Arthur<br />

p.nd Edward J. Stevens.<br />

Couple Buys C'Scope<br />

LEWISTOWN, ILL.—Mr. and<br />

Werbner are adding CinemaScop<br />

Werbner Theatre.


I March<br />

I<br />

him<br />

s Heads<br />

IS City<br />

)rs of the Motion<br />

:ansas City, Friday<br />

IS of Fox Midwest<br />

Utz of Consolidated<br />

isident and Ralph<br />

^s as second viceli<br />

of MGM was re-<br />

Hartman of Hartrenamed<br />

treasurer,<br />

dent emeritus, rend<br />

memorial fiuid<br />

m any other MPA<br />

etting cooperation<br />

of Dimes<br />

Stan Dur'.vood of<br />

Levy of National<br />

n, editor and pub-<br />

Robert Withers of<br />

of Commonwealth<br />

insurance.<br />

sbrates<br />

ersary<br />

s of J. W. Davis,<br />

y of Higginsville,<br />

gathered at his<br />

le in the Berkshire<br />

3l Tuesday (111 to<br />

celebrate his<br />

birthday. Davis'<br />

theatre was in<br />

len. Mo. He also<br />

ed a theatre in<br />

ler and until reyears<br />

operated the<br />

is at Higginsville.<br />

till owns this propwith<br />

his niece,<br />

; Pauline Lowmil-<br />

Consolidated<br />

house.<br />

ide memorable by<br />

he day. A family<br />

md during the afteceived<br />

calls from<br />

le high esteem in<br />

?nced by the numgifts<br />

received.<br />

>5. Dead<br />

ry E. Hoag. 65,<br />

Theatre, died here<br />

;ed the theatre for<br />

ed as a city coune<br />

time, he was also<br />

iales<br />

Service.<br />

Drive<br />

ioy Scouts council,<br />

gn for funds this<br />

rsch, president of<br />

;, chairman of the<br />

ivision in the drive<br />

'ear.<br />

Peterson<br />

R. E. Peterson has<br />

"heatre from Miles<br />

;aid to be new in<br />

INDUSTRY<br />

PROFILE<br />

Kansas City<br />

Ticket Printer<br />

Succeeded During Depression<br />

Without a Job in 1937, Herbert E. Doolittle<br />

Started Business Firm on Shoestring<br />

KANSAS CITY—Herbert E. Doolittle,<br />

manager of the Kansas City Ticket Co..<br />

is a contradiction on two points. Fir.st.<br />

HERBERT E.<br />

DOOLITTLE<br />

he is a native Californian who migrated<br />

to the middlewe-st instead of vice versa,<br />

and second, he owes his present business<br />

success to the depression.<br />

Born in San Diego, he studied engineering<br />

at the University of California.<br />

While employed by the RCA Photophone<br />

Co., he was transferred from<br />

San Francisco to Kansas City, and represented<br />

the company in the middlewest<br />

until 1933. In his contacts on<br />

filmrows, he became familiar with theatres<br />

through traveling almost every<br />

state in the midwest section.<br />

LOSES JOB IN<br />

DEPRESSION<br />

Then came the depression of the '30s,<br />

and he was let out. Without a job, he<br />

almost by necessity decided to establish<br />

his own busine.ss, selling sound equipment<br />

and other supplies, including<br />

tickets. The latter he ordered out of<br />

Chicago. As time went on and his<br />

business succeeded, he became more and<br />

more convinced that it would be a good<br />

idea to establish a ticket business in<br />

Kan.sas City, .so in 1937 he promoted it<br />

on a shoestring.<br />

"I don't mind admitting now that<br />

the first year was quite a struggle." said<br />

Mr. Doolittle.<br />

The Kansas City Ticket Co., located<br />

at 109 West 18th St.. outgrew its two<br />

previous locations at 1715 Wyandotte<br />

and at 1819 Central. By 1950 the<br />

growing business was literally bursting<br />

at the seams and moved to its present<br />

strategic location, doubling its former<br />

facilities. It is still expanding, with<br />

additional presses under construction.<br />

MAKES MANY PRODUCTS<br />

Products of interest to showmen are<br />

roll tickets, used by theatres, circuses<br />

and carnivals: folded machine tickets,<br />

for theatre boxoffices; strip tickets, for<br />

kiddylands and amusement parks; gift<br />

coupon books, used by exhibitors for<br />

prizes, coupons in the books being exchangeable<br />

at the boxoffice for admission;<br />

stub-rod tickets, for drive-in theatres<br />

to assist in checking the gate and<br />

to prevent the volume of ticket sales<br />

from becoming public information, and<br />

accounting forms for theatres, doubleroll<br />

coupon tickets for prize drawings,<br />

theatre pa.sses, after-closing tickets<br />

and rolled ticket dispensers, reserved<br />

-seat tickets.<br />

Some nontheatrical products are also<br />

sold.<br />

On a trip to Europe last summer Mi".<br />

Doolittle visited ticket companies in<br />

England and Germany. At Stuttgart he<br />

saw a very interesting exhibit of different<br />

kinds of tickets which had been<br />

collected and assembled for display.<br />

ENCOUNTERS PROBLEMS<br />

"During the course of oiu" years in<br />

the ticket business we have encountered<br />

a multitude of problems involving<br />

tickets which our clients have presented<br />

to us from time to time and which we<br />

have worked out for the benefit of our<br />

customers," he commented.<br />

For instance, in the ordinary serially<br />

numbered ticket, anyone can buy a<br />

ticket one week and buy another the<br />

next week and by comparison know<br />

how many tickets have been sold. With<br />

the strip ticket, the number is on the<br />

stub and stays in the ca.shier's book<br />

while the customers' tickets are numbered<br />

from 1 to 10. The stub-rod<br />

ticket tends to prevent irregularities<br />

among employes, or reduces them to a<br />

minimum.<br />

Mr. Doolittle recalls an instance called<br />

to their attention whereby the manager<br />

knew tickets were being resold but<br />

never was able to catch the doorman<br />

and cashier contacting each other.<br />

Finally it was discovered that the<br />

postman was delivering the first mail<br />

to the doorman and the next delivery to<br />

the ca.shier, passing the theatre stubs<br />

along and acting as their go-between.<br />

While the bulk of the company's business<br />

comes from customers within a<br />

1,000-mile radius of Kan.sas City, it also<br />

serves some customers as far away as<br />

Canada, Mexico, the Pacific coa^t and<br />

the Hawaiian Islands.<br />

2. 1955 SO-A


. . Abbott<br />

. . Hall<br />

.<br />

KANSAS CITY<br />

IXroodie Latimer of L&L Popworn was in<br />

southern Kansas the past week. He says<br />

Commonwealth's rebuilt concession stand at<br />

the Woodlane Drive-In at Waynesville, Mo.,<br />

will have a new Cretors Olympic popcorn<br />

machine . . L. J. Kimbriel, manager at Missouri<br />

.<br />

Theatre Supply, and wife returned from<br />

a vacation in Mexico. They spent seven days<br />

in Mexico City, taking in a bullfight and<br />

horse races. One bullfight was all Mrs. Kimbriel<br />

wanted to see. They spent three days<br />

in Acapulco. The three-day fi.shing trip netted<br />

Kimbriel a 25-pound dolphin.<br />

Claude E. Morris, co-distributor for "Karamoja,"<br />

African documentary picture, was here<br />

a few days. Exhibitors Film Delivery is<br />

handling the physical distribution of the film.<br />

Morris was with MGM for about 15 years, at<br />

one time serving as exploitation and advertising<br />

manager for 14 states with headquarters<br />

in Kansas . . . Nick Sonday spent last<br />

week in Wichita on routine business for Consolidated<br />

Lou Patz. National<br />

Agencies . . . Screen Service division manager, returned<br />

from a Florida combined vacation and business<br />

trip. He claims he caught the biggest<br />

fish among those in the Herman Robbins<br />

party, a 30-pound mackerel.<br />

. .<br />

Harry Gaffney of Dixie Enterprises spent<br />

Monday in Manhattan, Kas., on business .<br />

Bob Herrell of United Films left on a twov.eek<br />

trip in Kansas . . . Marty Landau, back<br />

from a New York honeymoon, was on the<br />

"OUR BUSINESS IS SOUND'<br />

PHONE 3-7225,<br />

TOPEKA<br />

THEATRE SERVICE CO., INC.<br />

827 WAYNE TOPEKA. Kansas<br />

RELIABLE SOUND SERVICE PAYS<br />

Deal ers in BALLANTYNE<br />

9x. l/ouA SauMX Sutzt 1S99<br />

STEBBINS THEATRE Equipfflent Co.<br />

KANSAS CITY 8, MO-<br />

Satisfaction — Al^ways<br />

MISSOURI<br />

THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY<br />

L. I. KIMBRIEL, Manager<br />

Phone Baltimore 3070<br />

115 W. 18lh Kansas City 8. Mo.<br />

Carpets — Door Mats<br />

Complete InstalloHon Service— Free Estimates<br />

R. D. MANN CARPET CO.<br />

928-930-932 Control, Victor 1171 , Konsos City, Mo.<br />

455 Poul Brown BIdg., Chestnut 4499, St. Louis<br />

. . . Rose Marks,<br />

Row With his brother Eddie, booking for their<br />

theatres in Horton and other Kansas spots . .<br />

Missouri Theatre Supply furnished the Cinemascope<br />

equipment for George Nescher's<br />

Rio at Valley Palls, Kas.<br />

secretary at Poppers Supply, was on a twoweek<br />

vacation.<br />

Stebbins Theatre Supply has equipped C. S.<br />

Schafer's Regent at Blue Rapids, Kas.. with<br />

a Vocalite Silverlite all-purpose screen and<br />

Bausch & Lomb lenses for Cinemascope.<br />

Bill Presley and son Earl purchased a Raytone<br />

Hi-Lux wide screen and wide screen lenses for<br />

their Globe at Savannah, Mo., and their Till<br />

at Hamilton . Sher, manager at<br />

Exhibitors Film Delivery, flew to Duluth over<br />

the weekend to see his father who had suffered<br />

a heart attack . . . Frank Dabalak of<br />

Parsons, Kas., who has several roadshows in<br />

the smaller towns in that area, was on the<br />

Row showing some of his magic tricks, such<br />

as making half dollars disappear. Most exhibitors<br />

find dollars disappear easily these<br />

days—but can't relocate them up their sleeves<br />

like Dabalak does.<br />

Robert Strauss, who has a featui-ed role<br />

"The Bridges at Toko-Ri," now playing at<br />

the Paramount, was in to appear on TV and<br />

radio, etc. He also appeared in the Paramount<br />

lobby and signed autographs. Strauss played<br />

The Vernon<br />

"Animal" in "Stalag 17" . . .<br />

Gelaberts have built a cottage attached to the<br />

concession building at their Crescent Drive-In<br />

at Galena, Kas., and will live there. Gelabert,<br />

who bought the Crescent from Paul Hardwick,<br />

was working at a theatre in Grandview,<br />

Mo., during the war and also had a theatre<br />

in Ottawa, Kas., years ago.<br />

National Theatre Supply reports the sale of<br />

Bausch & Lomb Cinemascope lenses for Dale<br />

Danielson's Dream Theatre at Russell, Kas. A<br />

new Walker Seamless wide screen. Panatar<br />

lenses and Snaplite prime lenses went to Lee<br />

Sproule's Roxy at Newton. Ray Robert.son is<br />

Sproule's manager. A new Walker screen was<br />

also furnished by NTS for the Fox Midwest<br />

screening room . . . Jay Wooten of Hutchinson,<br />

in town Monday, says business is not<br />

as good as the politicians say it is.<br />

Foster M. Blake, Universal western division<br />

manager, was at the local office . . . Jack<br />

Langan, branch manager, is still in the hospital<br />

but improving . Walsh, Warner<br />

division manager, conferred with Russ Borg,<br />

Art Pugh of Columbus.<br />

local manager . . .<br />

Kas., who has theatres there and in several<br />

nearby towns, is on a 30-day vacation in Arizona<br />

. . . Cope Forbes, RCA field supei-\-isor.<br />

left on a business trip through the northern<br />

part of his territory, including Sioux City<br />

and Minneapolis.<br />

Glen Hall and his wife, who operate the<br />

Hall Theatre at Cassville, Mo., have become<br />

the parents of a baby daughter named Susan<br />

LaRue. Susan is their first child after 17<br />

years of marriage and KMTA members saw<br />

to it that she was well supplied with items<br />

of clothing and a caniage by giving her<br />

daddy a shower at the fall KMTA convention.<br />

Experienced exhibitor fathers are<br />

anxious to see Glen now and hear how he is<br />

standing up under the three-cornered routine<br />

and bottle relay race ... A news story the<br />

past week in the Kansas City Star carries the<br />

information that 56 theatres obtained licenses<br />

in<br />

in Jackson County during 1954, e<br />

than the previous year.<br />

Bernle Evens, MGM exploiteer, rep<br />

Ai-n. ex-governor of Kansas, as one c<br />

official acts, urged the people of<br />

to join in MGM's Motion Picture<br />

Celebration for the first four month<br />

adopting the slogan, "There's Mori<br />

the Movies." Mayor William Kemp<br />

sas City also issued a proclamation :<br />

of the city and Gov. Phil Donnelly<br />

one for Missouri. Evens also repi<br />

Kansas City is one of the towns<br />

MGM will send a troop of baby ele]<br />

publicize "Jupiter's Darling."<br />

Tom Grady, master booker from I<br />

home office, and Willard Gillilan<br />

were at the local exchange. Mik<br />

spent a "concentrated" four and a I;<br />

here last Thursday setting up the p<br />

the KMTA committee for the Work<br />

sion during the convention March<br />

Gaddoni. manager, accompanied S<br />

his whirl about town, which includ<br />

to BOXOFFICE. Gaddoni says mj<br />

tres in the area are joining in MGW<br />

Picture Theatre Celebration and t<br />

ones have received as lobby dressi<br />

foot standees with panels for the (<br />

coming attractions. Smaller thea'<br />

received 40x60 display panels.<br />

Fox Midwest is sponsoring a Mi<br />

week in all its houses February 19<br />

trict Four has done this for several<br />

this year the whole circuit is pick<br />

according to Joe Redmond, direct!<br />

vertising and public relations, Spei<br />

rations are being put up, and spe<br />

night and kiddy shows are planned<br />

Flynn's 50-S Drive-In at Emporia i:<br />

readying with Cinemascope for spr<br />

ing . . . Ml", and Mi's. Ray Musseli<br />

gone to Mayo's clinic at Rochesti<br />

for a checkup on Mrs. Musselman's<br />

Mrs. Hannah Tobin Dead<br />

ST. LOUIS—Mrs. Hannah Tobin,<br />

at her home here recently, owned tl<br />

at Waterloo, 111., which had been<br />

by Charles Goldman of St. Louis,<br />

the widow of the late James J. 1<br />

the mother of the late Thomas<br />

prominent as a film exchange mai<br />

salesman and later a theatre owni<br />

associate of the Frisina interests s<br />

man. She is survived by a daugh<br />

G. Tobin, who had managed the<br />

I<br />

Waterloo.<br />

PDCHT MPTI<br />

STAGE EQUIPMENT C0^<br />

.UIILMI<br />

IfLUIL<br />

rVEJtYTHINC rOK THE STAGE • AUDtTORIU<br />

BOX CFriCE . 13M Cr.nd Avr .<br />

Hanvi<br />

COMPLETE LINE OF CONCE<br />

EQUIPMENT AND SUP<br />

L&L POPCORN<br />

Kansas C<br />

50-B BOXOFFICE Janua:


:<br />

IIS<br />

t Pictures was the<br />

en last week at the<br />

nan Goerlick and<br />

if Realart Pictures<br />

)n, "They Were So<br />

'Renco's Art Thea-<br />

Lided Tom Bloomer,<br />

and Dave Arthur,<br />

ii. Russell Mortento<br />

modernize the<br />

21 South Broadway<br />

f Belleville will inthe<br />

drive-ins—the<br />

iv in Belleville and<br />

Cinemascope initz<br />

at Van Buren,<br />

IS<br />

in Memphis, Mo.,<br />

c manager, under-<br />

St. Mary's Hospital<br />

return home this<br />

Sikeston and wife<br />

next month in<br />

.na<br />

edding anniversary<br />

DP and wife Nellie<br />

CO,<br />

home!<br />

new factory<br />

Dwrooms.<br />

JEFFERSON<br />

IS 4, MO.<br />

PR 2-4615<br />

n Service<br />

Film Row, too.<br />

intend to start a Florida vacation on the<br />

28th,<br />

Howard Alperson<br />

the hospital after<br />

of<br />

an<br />

the<br />

illness<br />

F&M circuit left<br />

. . . MGM will<br />

hold its Ticket Selling Workshop here June<br />

6 . . . The MITO has the Filmack trailer,<br />

"Courtesy Is Contagious," available for members<br />

. . . Art Hosier of St. Louis Theatre Supply<br />

became a grandfather with the birth of a<br />

baby girl named Susan Marie to his daughter,<br />

Mrs. Tony Stolz, Alton.<br />

Exhibitors on Filmrow included most of the<br />

old standbys and Paul Stehman. Winchester,<br />

111.: Otto Ingwersen. Montgomery City;<br />

Catherine Beckemeyer, Ti-enton, 111.: Shelby<br />

Vaugh, Salem, Ky.<br />

Albert Smith, Nashville, 111.; Clyde Metcalf.<br />

Edwai-dsville ; Kenneth Hirth. Pacific, Mo.<br />

The "regulars" included Tom Edwards, Loren<br />

Cluster, Eddie Clark, Jeff Jefferis, William<br />

Collins, Pi-ank X. Reller, Bernard Temborius,<br />

Regina Steinberg, Russell Armentrout and<br />

Izzy Wienshienk.<br />

Gordon Halloran, manager at 20th-Fox, and<br />

salesmen Joe Feld. Arthur McManus, Bob<br />

Cohen and Cliff Mantle attended the division<br />

meeting in Kansas City . . . "Cinerama Holiday"<br />

will open at the Ambassador Theatre<br />

Pebruai-y 21, when "This Is Cinerama" will<br />

wind up a run of one year and ten days . . .<br />

F&M disclosed plans to develop 177 acres of<br />

ground in the suburban Overland section with<br />

residences and a shopping center.<br />

BOWLING<br />

KANSAS CITY—Mary Hueisen reports<br />

these standings for the Women's Team of the<br />

FUmrow Bowling League:<br />

Team Won Lost Team Won Lost<br />

Finton Jones 34 17 Manley 26 25<br />

Hortmon's 30 21 Foxy Five 24 27<br />

Central Shipping 28 23 Mode O'Day .23 28<br />

Heort Drive-In 26 25 101 Service. .13 38<br />

Opens CS at Troy, 111.<br />

TROY, ILL.—The Lions Theatre, owned<br />

and operated by Frank Mann, presented its<br />

new Cinemascope equipment to patrons with<br />

"The Robe" on Christmas Day. It ran for four<br />

days.<br />

Division Sales Staffers<br />

At 20th-Fox Gathering<br />

KANSAS CITY—Present at the sales meeting<br />

conducted by 20th-Fox Division Manager<br />

M. A. Levy Friday (14)<br />

at the Hotel Muehlebach<br />

were the following:<br />

From Minneapolis<br />

Saul Malisow, Harry<br />

Levy, Robert Levy,<br />

Dean Lutz, Warren<br />

Branton, Don Halloran,<br />

Earl Lorentz. Harold<br />

Lundquist and Ben<br />

Lander.<br />

Des Moines : Dave<br />

George Regan Gold, Larry Dunn, Dale<br />

Smith and Paul Back.<br />

Milwaukee: Jack Lorentz, George Edgerton,<br />

Meyer Kahn, Morrie Horowitz and Ray<br />

Shultz.<br />

St. Louis: Gordon Halloran, Art McManus,<br />

Joe Feld, Cliff Mantle and Bob Cohen.<br />

Omaha: Pat Halloran and Max McCoy.<br />

Kansas City: J. R. Neger, Howard Kinser,<br />

Ray McKitrick, Vern Skorey, John Long,<br />

Frank Norris and George Regan.<br />

Announcement was made at the meeting of<br />

the appointment of Regan, salesman, as<br />

branch manager at Omaha.<br />

Regan started as a shipping clerk in April<br />

of 1938 and became a shipper in 1939. He wa.s<br />

on military leave from 1942 until 1946 when<br />

he came back as head shipper. In March of<br />

1947 he became a booker and in July of 1949<br />

a salesman. His last territory in that line<br />

included southwest Missouri and southeast<br />

Katisas. In taking over as exchange manager<br />

at Omaha he replaces J. E. Scott, who recently<br />

died. He is 39.<br />

Guests at the luncheon included Richard<br />

Brous, president of Fox Midwest, and these<br />

others from the circuit: Ralph Adams, film<br />

buyer, and assistant Harold Hume. Guests<br />

from Commonw-ealth Theatres included M. B.<br />

Smith, director of advertising, publicity and<br />

public relations, Lloyd Morris, film buyer, and<br />

Elmer Rhoden jr., assistant to the president.<br />

May Resume Operation<br />

HIGHLAND, ILL.—Oliver Winet may resume<br />

operation of his 300-car Air Park Drivein<br />

on U. S. 40. Since July 7, 1930, the drive-in<br />

has been operated by Adolph P. List of<br />

Carlyle.<br />

JBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM<br />

onsas City 2A, Mo.<br />

ubscription to BOXOFFICE, 52 issues per year (13 of which con-<br />

EATRE Section).<br />

AH n $5.00 FOR 2 -yXARS D S7.00 FOR 3 YEARS<br />

Remittance Enclosed<br />

G Send Invoice<br />

STATE..<br />

POSITION


THE DOMINANT INDUSTRY PUBUCATIC<br />

BOXOFFIC<br />

-STAYS OUT IN FRONT<br />

First in total net paid circulatic<br />

First in<br />

First in<br />

First in<br />

First in<br />

exhibition circulation<br />

equipment circulation<br />

advertising volume<br />

news coverage<br />

First in pictorial coverage<br />

First in<br />

First in<br />

service sections<br />

market coverage<br />

.lA*'<br />

• Leadership means readership!<br />

To every reader, each Issue of BOXOFFICE brings<br />

something to inform, to encourage, to help sell—<br />

and make business more profitable.<br />

50-D BOXOFFICE :: Januar


iy 1 27 1<br />

) Build<br />

a Airer<br />

-screen drive-in<br />

,11 include faciliarge-screen<br />

telei<br />

fully equipped<br />

ig and sending.<br />

:re site on Dale<br />

luled to start in<br />

complete amusejools,<br />

and exten-<br />

;ns will measure<br />

eh side accom-<br />

18 contract price<br />

j, one for adults<br />

, is $120,000.<br />

be of plate glass<br />

ters of stainless<br />

red by Wil-Kin<br />

) in.stall.<br />

Auto Park and<br />

Workshop<br />

sday (27)<br />

mber of theatre<br />

Ti the Memphis<br />

d to attend the<br />

ng Workshop at<br />

im Mike Simons<br />

;ived all over the<br />

irs plan to make<br />

•mphis on dates<br />

?nd.<br />

10 a.m. Luncheon<br />

y. The afternoon<br />

ting is to study<br />

more tickets at<br />

in his letter of<br />

J long speeches.<br />

le a workshop in<br />

sful ideas would<br />

by experts.<br />

embers<br />

HarrLson, local<br />

tres. entertained<br />

out-of-town visif<br />

the completely<br />

ording to Harrifrom<br />

the ground<br />

J of all wooden<br />

installation of a<br />

ent and a wide<br />

agers<br />

)ycl Theatres has<br />

replace Stephen<br />

Florida Theatre,<br />

rom Jacksonville,<br />

ith Florida State<br />

•<br />

Robbed<br />

dog machine, a<br />

ister were stolen<br />

Nothing else was<br />

10 broke into the<br />

Good Samaritan Awards<br />

To Meyer and Wolfson<br />

Gala Savannah Premiere<br />

Given 'This Is Your Army'<br />

SAVANNAH— With a gigantic display of<br />

army material from nearby Camp Stewart<br />

supporting a special premiere showing, complete<br />

with a giant searchlight and other fanfare,<br />

"This Is Your Army" bowed Friday<br />

night (14) at the Avon Theatre before an<br />

audience of civic leaders and officials and<br />

high ranking army personnel. Public information<br />

representatives from Camp Stewart<br />

aided by Avon per.sonnel headed by Manager<br />

Cecil McGlohon. went allout in promoting<br />

the documentary. The press, radio and TV<br />

gave more than their usual gratis spots and<br />

publicity.<br />

The Savannah Chamber of Commerce<br />

sponsored the premiere and supervised the<br />

guest list. Pi-ior to the premiere Brig. Gen.<br />

Richard Mayo. Camp Stewart commander,<br />

paid high tribute to the motion picture industry<br />

for aid in making the film and to<br />

COMPO and theatres throughout the country<br />

for their aid in getting the documentary<br />

distributed. General audience reaction to the<br />

55-minute subject was above average Earle<br />

M. Holden, resident manager of the Lucas<br />

and Avon theatres reported.<br />

St. Petersburg Unit Sold<br />

ST. PETERSBURG—Tlie Roxy Theatre,<br />

owned by State Theatres of Miami, has been<br />

sold to the Stahl Theatres Corp. of Tampa,<br />

according to A. W. Corbett, State Theatres<br />

secretarv.<br />

CS at West Palm Beach<br />

WEST PALM BEACH—Cinemascope<br />

been installed at<br />

the Turnpike Drive-In.<br />

19.55 OFFICERS—New officers of the<br />

Memphis Variety Club. Seated left to<br />

has<br />

riglit: Oil Brandon, first assistant chief<br />

barker: >I. .\. Lightman jr.. chief barker;<br />

and F. J. Kai.ser. se


ABC<br />

THEATRICAL<br />

JACKSONVILLE<br />

ENTERPRISES<br />

ATLANTA<br />

-^ SALUTES -^-<br />

THE PIONEERS OF<br />

SHOW BUSINESS<br />

MR.<br />

HUGH MARTIN<br />

MR. BILL CUMBAA<br />

M.C.M.<br />

LEESBURG, FLA<br />

Circuit<br />

Thanks, Fellows, We Are Grateful for the<br />

Confidence Placed in Us.<br />

HAP<br />

BUD<br />

COCOYL<br />

GOLDEN COCONUT OIL SEASONING<br />

ROY SMITH CO.<br />

TAMPA<br />

JACKSONVILLE<br />

JACKSONVILLE<br />

. . .<br />

Dobert K. Harris, Florida State Theatres<br />

concessions manager, returned from a<br />

week of field work in the Orlando and St.<br />

Petersburg areas . . . Louis J. Finske, FST<br />

vice-president, also was busy in the hinterland<br />

. . . James L. Cartwright, FST district<br />

supervisor from Daytona Beach, was in town<br />

for advertising meetings Robert Heekin.<br />

FST supervisor, assisted Leonard Allen, Paramount<br />

publicity man, and Ed Chumley,<br />

Paramount manager, in a special screening of<br />

•The Bridges at Toko-Ri" at the Naval Air<br />

Station. Held in advance of the opening at<br />

the local Florida Theatre, the invitational<br />

show was attended by seveial hundred naval<br />

persons and civic leaders.<br />

. . .<br />

Exhibitors in during the week included<br />

Jimmy Biddle of Jasper, vice-president of<br />

the Motion Picture Exhibitors of Florida; Ted<br />

Chapin. manager of the Daytona Theatre,<br />

Daytona Beach: Jim Partlow, Partlow Theatres,<br />

Orlando; H. A. "Red" Tedder, Howell<br />

Theatre, Palatka; Kay Porter, Temple Theatre,<br />

Perry, and E. C. Kaniaris, Beach Drivein,<br />

St. Augustine Thomas P. Tidwell,<br />

20t.h-Fox manager, announced that a total<br />

of 298 indoor and outdoor theatres in Florida<br />

and South Georgia are now equipped for<br />

Cinemascope. He said 87 of these are stereo-<br />

SERIAL!<br />

with<br />

LARRY Buster CRABBE<br />

NEW<br />

ORLEANS<br />

HANDY


Announcing<br />

Ballantyne *H' Series<br />

Quality • plus • Economy<br />

$iC60<br />

^^<br />

EACH<br />

To meet the needs of drive-in operators who want a low cost quality<br />

speaker, Ballant\ne introduces its new "H" Series in-a-car speakers.<br />

Speaker is housed in a sturdy sand cast aluminum case finished in<br />

two-tone gra)- enamel. Single cone speaker is of excellent quality and<br />

the entire unit is weather-treated to give long service and protection.<br />

Available with straight cord or koiled cord at slightly higher price.<br />

lie- Cone<br />

single-cone,<br />

eaker unit.<br />

; case as "A"<br />

shed in lough<br />

mel.<br />

"A" Series Double-Cone<br />

Patented Ballant) ne double-cone speakers<br />

are unique in the drive-in field. Two<br />

cones, one superimposed over the other,<br />

offers you the most faithful, undistorted<br />

sound anywhere. Finish is an appealing<br />

blue and white two-tone efTect. Both<br />

undercoat and finish coat are baked<br />

enamel. Simplicity of maintenance is a<br />

big feature. Case opens easily — drop<br />

in a new cone, right at the post.<br />

"Q" Series Double-Cone<br />

The same unexcelled Double-Cone<br />

speaker unit as the "A". Has rich, longlasting<br />

hammerloid gray enamel finish<br />

baked on to give permanent protection.<br />

ALL SPEAKERS AND JUNCTION BOXES AVAILABLE IN SETS<br />

(2 SPEAKERS — 1 JUNCTION BOX)<br />

^<br />

lE-CONE<br />

HAMMERLOID<br />

GRAY DOUBLE-CONE<br />

HAMMERLOID CRAY SINGLE-CONE<br />

TWO TONEGRAY SINGLE-CONE<br />

Downlight<br />

Downlight<br />

iwnlight<br />

/nlight<br />

0X90 Straight Cord—No Downlight<br />

0X91 Koiled Cord — No Downlight<br />

0X92 Straight Cord — Downlight<br />

0X93 Koiled Cord— Downlight<br />

E90 Straight Cord — No Downlight<br />

E91 Koiled Cord — No Downlight<br />

E92 Straight Cord — Downlight<br />

E93 Koiled Cord — Downlight<br />

H90 Straight Cord — No Downlight<br />

H91 Koiled Cord — No Downlight<br />

H92 Straight Cord — Downlight<br />

H93 Koiled Cord — Downlight<br />

St<br />

^Ballattti/neijm^imi^<br />

Omaha,<br />

Nebraska<br />

re Supply Corp.


. .<br />

. . . National<br />

. . Mrs.<br />

'<br />

CHARLOTTE<br />

Ocott Lett, manager at Screen Guild and sales<br />

manager for Howco Productions, and wife<br />

left for Memphis, whence they will go to<br />

New Orleans to board a ship for a sea trip<br />

to South America and back via Bermuda .<br />

Queen City Booking reports the Finklea<br />

(S. C.» Drive-In has been sold to J. H. Huggins.<br />

He will install a wide screen and all<br />

that goes with it . . . The Riverside Drive-In<br />

at Burnsville is being equipped with Cinema-<br />

Scope.<br />

Gilbert Faw, Thrift Road Drive-In, Char-<br />

SERVICE<br />

and<br />

COURTESY<br />

For over 20 years<br />

OUR WATCH WORD<br />

•CENTURY ^*ri'o{,°N''D' STRONG laTps<br />

CONCESSION EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES<br />

STANDARD THEATRE SUPPLY CO.<br />

215 E. Washington St.,<br />

GREENSBORO. N. C.<br />

219 So. Church St.<br />

CHARLOTTE, N. C.<br />

30 YEARS OF DEPENDABLE SHOWS<br />

H. G. ARENSON<br />

3450 SELWYN AVE., CHARLOTTE. N. C.<br />

Always A Pleasing <strong>Boxoffice</strong> Attraction<br />

135 Brevard Court, Chorlott*, N. C.<br />

FRANK LOWRY — JOHN WOOD<br />

HAZEL RESNIK<br />

PHONE FR. 5-7787<br />

lotte, gave his wife a Cadillac convertible<br />

for Christmas and bought a new Oldsmobile<br />

for himself . . . P. C. Osteen, Anderson, S. C.<br />

will open his new de luxe theatre about<br />

Charles Bergin, Colonial<br />

February 1 . . .<br />

Theatres. Valdese, was in buying and booking<br />

Theatre Supply reports the following<br />

installations: Colony, Raleigh, Simplex<br />

stereophonic sound; Hallsboro, Hallsboro,<br />

N. C. Cinemascope and wide screen.<br />

. . .<br />

Harris Theatre Sales is equipping the following<br />

with wide screen, anamorphic lenses,<br />

etc.: Cowpens at Cowpens: Ruby, Blacksburg,<br />

and Pamplico at Pamplico . . . Buddy Austin<br />

is reopening the Waxhaw, Waxhaw, N. C.<br />

with new screen and other new equipment<br />

The Easley iS.C.i Drive-In is installing<br />

Cinemascope.<br />

Bill Simpson, salesman for Kay Films, back<br />

fiom Charleston, reported the weather could<br />

get plenty cold there, too . . Dave Williams,<br />

.<br />

IFE sales manager, back from a trip which<br />

took in western North Carolina to Asheville,<br />

reported busines.s good, weather cold . . .<br />

Sylvester Sandy, Sandy Films, returned from<br />

a trip to Baltimore and Washington.<br />

A brick wall and tons of earth tumbled in<br />

an alley, blocking the loading space back of<br />

several film exchanges . H. G. Arenson<br />

returned with- her two children from West<br />

Palm Beach where she spent the holidays<br />

with her husband Jake, who is working his<br />

roadshows throughout Florida.<br />

Exhibitors on the Row buying and booking:<br />

O. T. Kirby, Palace, Roxboro; Ralph Cook,<br />

Cook, Walterboro: Jim Height, Midway, Lancaster;<br />

Sonny Baker, Webb, Gastonia; Jodie<br />

Holland, Lyman, Lyman; V. D. Lowder. Raeford<br />

Drive-In; Lewis Whitley, Laur-Max<br />

Drive-In, Laurinburg; George Whitley, North<br />

41 Drive-In, Fau-mont: V. L. Hill. Rialto,<br />

High Point; R. R. Rumley. Fox Drive-In,<br />

Spartanburg; Phil Wicker, Greensboro; Fred<br />

David. Silver Star Drive-In, BishopvUle,<br />

m\\\\\\<br />

^^everything for the theatre except film'<br />

Theatremen Assi<br />

On Sex Crime Bill<br />

MIAMI—A drastic new appro;<br />

problem of the sex criminal,<br />

prevention and cure for the old w<br />

bution, has been worked out by<br />

chiefs of Dade County.<br />

Their plan, stemming from disci<br />

during past months in which theal<br />

took part, has been drawn into<br />

introduction in the state legislaturi<br />

Brigham, attorney heading the P<br />

Ass'n's child protection committee<br />

studied by the entire membershi]<br />

all-out drive is launched for pa;<br />

Former county solicitor RxDbert<br />

and John H. Wahl jr., former pres<br />

Dade County Bar Ass'n collaborat<br />

ing the bill. Chief W. T. Nortoi<br />

of the Police Chiefs Ass'n, said thi<br />

did an outstanding job in a contro<br />

of legislation.<br />

The committee ha-s gathered a i<br />

ord of fact and opinion in the pasi<br />

showing sex crimes increasing a(<br />

ing rate and more and more airr<br />

victims.<br />

"There was diverse opinion i<br />

could be done." Brigham said. "<br />

more stringent punishment. But<br />

much evidence that punishmen<br />

deter these criminals. Treatmer<br />

vention was the real need, and<br />

some difficult problems in prepa<br />

posed law. This type of criminal<br />

ill. but it is unlike the ancient<br />

sanity, that the insane person doi<br />

what he is doing, or realize it is<br />

Psychiatric testimony indicate<br />

criminals understand their offei<br />

under uncontrollable impulses,<br />

draft of the bill says that offen<br />

sent to a special center for treat<br />

circuit court jurisdiction, three ]<br />

attending and previous offenses<br />

consideration.<br />

"Sexual psychopaths" may be<br />

to the state hospital and releasee<br />

judged no longer a menace to otl<br />

Benjamin H. Blueste:<br />

Following Heart Attc<br />

MEMPHIS—Variety Club lost<br />

greatest workers with the death (<br />

H. Bluestein, who, prominent<br />

ciixles for nearly half a century,<br />

with a heart attack while attend<br />

at the Variety Club and died s<br />

later at Baptist Hospital. He wa<br />

Last November, Tent 20 creat<br />

of honorary board member and<br />

Bluestein, At this ceremony, he w<br />

as "a man who is everywhere and<br />

friend."<br />

Bluestein had served as ass<br />

barker and was a former presi<br />

Shrine Luncheon Club. He ope<br />

Lighting Co. He had been activ<br />

months in helping to raise fun<br />

Variety Home for Convalescent<br />

House at Fyffe, Ala<br />

PYFFE. ALA.—Fire destroyed t<br />

atre here Saturday (8\ The thea<br />

to two other stores which had bei<br />

by fire December 10 and renov<br />

under way. Damage was estimatf<br />

by J. C. Hipp, owner of the thea<br />

54 BOXOFFICE Jam


, a<br />

. Also<br />

$EATS<br />

HART<br />

in drive-in theatres<br />

mn last week—the<br />

baby! I am sure<br />

was very surprised<br />

1 fathered his child,<br />

d drive-in theatres<br />

the unusual out of<br />

reported the Tampa<br />

ts first SuperScope<br />

lanager for Florida<br />

his offices are being<br />

g to Tampa. Roland<br />

int manager at the<br />

>alace said "There's<br />

Business" did a fine<br />

,g the year off right,<br />

e pictures submitted<br />

"Track of the Cat."<br />

!ing booked in many<br />

I. Arenson of Char-<br />

NS<br />

;en<br />

in was S. L.<br />

SOUND<br />

>HIC<br />

ION<br />

frames<br />

LENS<br />

LENS<br />

1PLETE<br />

4 AT ONCE<br />

FEATURE<br />

corporated<br />

Drive-In<br />

Equipment<br />

Phone 3-8665<br />

ALABAMA<br />

E'S YOUR CHANCE<br />

le 9*1 in the<br />

IG MONEY<br />

B* Sure to Play<br />

As a screen game,<br />

YWOOD takes fop<br />

Vs a box-office otithout<br />

equal. It has<br />

1 theatre goers for<br />

ay for complete deting<br />

or car capacity.<br />

USEMENT CO.<br />

• Chicago 5, rillnoit<br />

Stallings, again in the nursery business in<br />

Miami following a time as a drive-in operator<br />

in the Charlotte area.<br />

« « *<br />

Mrs. C. W. Murrell and Manager J. E.<br />

Hendrix have rebuilt their Lakeland Drive-In<br />

Theatre since the fire, and it is really beautiful<br />

with the black-lighted menu list on the<br />

back of the snack bar and extensive land-<br />

.scaping.<br />

« • *<br />

D. L. Hull, manager of the Starlite Drive-<br />

In at Plant City, was working on the grounds.<br />

United Theatres Supply of Tampa has installed<br />

a large .screen and Cinemascope<br />

equipment for Bill Knight of the Ruskin<br />

Theatre at Ruskin, including new lamps.<br />

The same improvements were in.stalled for<br />

Kent Feathers at the Kent Theatre, Immokalee,<br />

and for Mrs. L. C. Yeouman at the<br />

Regent Theatre in Crystal River. United<br />

Supply has moved to its new home at 206<br />

Memorial Hwy. in Tampa where there is<br />

plenty of parking space.<br />

My friend Dale Elleman of the East Buffalo<br />

Drive-In, Tampa, a colored patronage<br />

situation, commented that he could not do<br />

without BOXOFFICE Barometer, explaining<br />

he found it very useful. His son Phillip is<br />

now announcing over a radio station in<br />

Macon, Ga.<br />

George Leonard, an oldtime promotions<br />

man, is now in Tampa. Roy Smith of Roy<br />

Smith Popcorn Co. reported business was<br />

good.<br />

The West Coast Motion Picture Employes<br />

Credit Union is headed by Mrs. Helen Estes<br />

of the Tampa Theatre. Mac L. Cowart of<br />

Variety Equipment commented his business<br />

has grown tremendously during the past year.<br />

He now has a complete line of drive-in<br />

equipment.<br />

Jack Braunagel Accepts<br />

United Theatres' Post<br />

KANSAS CITY—Jack Braunagel, in charge<br />

of drive-in operations since the Commonwealth<br />

circuit's first drive-in, the Tristate at<br />

Joplin, opened in April of 1948. resigned, effective<br />

Saturday i22^ to go with United Theatres<br />

at North Little Rock, Ark., on February 1.<br />

R. M. Shelton, Commonwealth president, said<br />

Jack left with the good wishes of everyone<br />

in the organization. With his departure.<br />

Commonwealth drive-in operations total 29<br />

situations.<br />

Instead of appwinting a new drive-in manager,<br />

a reorganization of the company's operations<br />

is being effected. Formerly there<br />

were the five divisions, labeled Central, Western,<br />

Southern, City and Drive-In, consisting<br />

of 78 theatres. Now the divisions are being<br />

numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5—with the drive-ins<br />

part of each division's setup.<br />

FST Closes Orlando Unit<br />

ORLANDO—The Roxy Theatre, a unit<br />

of<br />

the Florida State Theatres, has been clcsed<br />

indefinitely. Walter Colby, the circuits<br />

Orlando manager, reported a .shortage of<br />

films was the cause of the shutdown, and<br />

said the Roxy would reopen when more films<br />

are available.<br />

Incorporation<br />

EUNICE, LA.—Liberty Amusement Co. of<br />

Louisiana, Inc.. has been granted a charter,<br />

listing capital stock of $50,000.<br />

Chain Theatre Levy<br />

Is Declared Invalid<br />

NEW ORLEANS—The First district court<br />

in Hinds County, Mississippi, has declared<br />

a provision of the 1952 state sales tax law<br />

applying to chain theatres of ten or more<br />

units is di-scriminatory, unreasonable and<br />

contrary to the Constitution.<br />

The verdict came in a suit by the Paramount-Gulf<br />

Theatres protesting imposition<br />

of a special tax on the larger circuits of 5<br />

per cent. The state's regular sales tax rate<br />

is 3 per cent.<br />

CinemaScope at Drive-In<br />

LAKE WORTH, FLA.—The Dixie Skydrome<br />

has been equipped with CinemaScope.<br />

the<br />

neatest<br />

trick<br />

ever...<br />

You're head and shoulders above<br />

'cm all when we do a seating rehabilitation<br />

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like wonders, we modernize upholstery,<br />

repair worn parts or tighten<br />

loose ones, replace old cushions or<br />

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and the cost, too! Give us your<br />

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and we'll give<br />

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WRITE—WIRE or PHONE 42-1658<br />

MANUFACTURERS<br />

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DISTRIBUTORS—<br />

Upholstery fabrics<br />

:ind general seating<br />

supplies<br />

Up to 2 years to pay on complete<br />

rehabilitation.<br />

theatre seat<br />

seruice co.<br />

160 Hermitage Avenue<br />

Naihville,<br />

Tennessee<br />

22. 1955 55


. . M.<br />

. . Mrs.<br />

. . . Pi-ank<br />

. .<br />

The<br />

. . The<br />

MEMPHIS<br />

, . . J. D.<br />

. . .<br />

lyj S. McCord, United Theatres, Little Rock,<br />

was in on business . W. T. Ellis,<br />

owner of the Ellis Theatre, Cleveland, Miss.,<br />

was a patient at Baptist Hospital<br />

Shepherd jr., the Cozy, Hazen; Walter Lee,<br />

Gem at Heber Springs and Joy at Des Arc;<br />

Lawrence Landers. Landers, Batesville, and<br />

Don Landers, Radio, Harrisburg, were among<br />

From<br />

exhibitors visiting from Arkansas<br />

Mis.sissippi came Fenley Mo.ss. Ackerman at<br />

Ackerman, and R. B. Cox, Eureka, Batesville.<br />

Lyle Richmond, the Richmond. Senath, Mo.,<br />

was in town . E. Rice jr.. Rice, Brownsville,<br />

and G. H. Goff, Rustic, Parsons, were<br />

booking from west Tennessee cities . .<br />

.<br />

W. Watson Davis, Malco manager, had several<br />

visitors. Ben Hill, U-I, Dallas,<br />

was in working on "So This Is Paris"; Matty<br />

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ATLANTA<br />

POPCORN SUPPLY<br />

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Bre.scia was in working on "Violent Men,"<br />

and Jeannie Johnson was in for newspaper,<br />

television and radio interviews in connection<br />

with the opening of "Sign of the Pagan."<br />

She plays a pagan princess in the film.<br />

.<br />

The Broadway Drive-In, Dickson, reopened<br />

for weekend operations only until March<br />

when daily shows will start. The Broadway<br />

had previously clo.sed for the winter season<br />

The Sunset Drive-In. Paragould. Ark.,<br />

. . .<br />

has been closed until spring Laco<br />

Drive-In, Lexington, has closed for the season.<br />

—<br />

NEW ORLEANS<br />

Dob Bixler, Paramount exploiteer<br />

from Dallas,<br />

arranged a screening of "The Bridges<br />

of Toko-Ri" for motion picture, television and<br />

radio folk, held at the Imperial Theatre . . .<br />

The winter has been mild, but light mists<br />

and plenty of fog have plagued outdoor exhibitors<br />

the past few weeks. Most of the<br />

drive-ins along the gulf and surrounding New<br />

Orleans have been forced to issue fog checks.<br />

Frank Olah of the Star at Albany was in a<br />

local hospital for treatment of a back injury<br />

Smith, Grand Theatre, Grand<br />

Isle, has moved to Bay St. Louis, Miss. . . .<br />

In booking were Bill Butterfield. Tech and<br />

Ruston Drive-In at Ruston and Lake Drive-<br />

In, Pascagoula; Mrs. H. Millet, Moonlight<br />

Drive-In, West Long Beach; Phil Salles, Star,<br />

Covington, and F. G. Pratt, Colonial Drive-In,<br />

Thibodaux.<br />

Memphis Holdover Week<br />

Led by 'Silver Chalice'<br />

MEMPHIS—Unusual for Memphis, all first<br />

runs were holdovers. "The Silver Chalice," in<br />

its second stanza, took top honors for the<br />

week with 140 per cent. All others reported<br />

an even 100.<br />

(Averoge Is 100)<br />

MqIco— 20,000 Leogues Under the Seo (Buena<br />

Vista), 3rr| wk 100<br />

Palace There's No Business Like Show Business<br />

(20th-Fox), 3rd v»k 1 00<br />

State Deep in My Heart (MGM), 2nd wk 100<br />

Strarid Three Ring Circus (Para), 3rd wk 100<br />

Warner The Silver Chalice (WB), 2nd wk 140<br />

DuMont to Await Cost Cut<br />

On Color Television Sets<br />

From Eastern Edition<br />

NEW YORK—The Allen B. DuMont Laboratories,<br />

Inc.. will hold back on manufacture<br />

of color television sets until manufacturing<br />

costs have been reduced to a point<br />

where they are "realistic," says William H,<br />

Kelley, vice-president in charge of marketing.<br />

Kelley says DuMont receiver sales this year<br />

were five per cent above 1950, the industry's<br />

top year, and were seven per cent over 1953,<br />

while the rest of the industry registered a<br />

gain of only three and one-third per cent.<br />

Remodeling Costs $8,000<br />

HOT SPRINGS—Mrs. Je.sse Howe has remodeled<br />

her Strand Theatre at an estimated<br />

cost of $8,000. Included in the project was<br />

the recarpeting of the lobby. Tlie concession<br />

stand was also moved and the interior<br />

of the theatre repainted with new indirect<br />

lighting added. She also announced a newpolicy<br />

for the house, calling for part-time<br />

first runs. First runs will be presented as<br />

singles while the double bill policy will be<br />

in effect when showing subsequent runs.<br />

ATLANTA<br />

Oeen on Filmrow were E. P. Clay. McI<br />

Theatre. McDonough: Ebb Dunci<br />

roll Amusements, Carrollton; L. J.<br />

Al-Dunn Amusements, West PoinI<br />

Shipp, Warm Springs Foundation,<br />

Springs: Mack Nation, Southport I<br />

Bridgeport; Bill Harris, Lake Theati<br />

tersville; J. E. Martin, Grand Theatre<br />

zuma: R. M. Kennedy, Kennedy 1<br />

Birmingham: Doc Fincher, Fincher 1<br />

Chatsworth: M. C. Brown, Dixie<br />

Jackson: C. A. Drake, Drake Theati<br />

son; Bob and Ellison Dunn, Dunn 1<br />

Camilla and DonaLsonville: Al Morj<br />

Lendon Theatres, Union Springs; Jo<br />

Pex Theatre, Eatonton, and Charlie i<br />

Simpson Theatres, Chattanooga.<br />

by A. Gortatowsky. have been equi<br />

The Albany. Liberty and the State<br />

and the Georgia Drive-In, Albany,<br />

C.<br />

Cinemascope . Walton Tlieatr<br />

operated by R. M. Kennedy, has a<br />

equipped for Cinemascope . . . Georgt<br />

Columbia manager, returned froir<br />

Denise Da<br />

through Tennessee . . .<br />

star, was in town in connection wi<br />

Cruz," which opened at the Rialto T<br />

Margaret Hames, wife of Bill Hame<br />

UA manager in Dallas, has been a<br />

personal secretary to Gov. Marvin<br />

Mrs. Hames was on Filmrow for a li<br />

both with Warner Bros, and UA .<br />

regular January WOMPI luncheon<br />

will be held Wednesday i26) at thi<br />

Club. Tlie February WOMPI projec<br />

the decoration and furnishing of a<br />

the Formwalt Girls Mission. The ai<br />

also presented a check to a Filmrov<br />

ality of many years who has been<br />

long time.<br />

flLfn<br />

BOOK! OfflCf<br />

Experience Industry — li<br />

Al<br />

Rook -Betty Whitmi<br />

160 Walton st. n.w.<br />

tel. alpine 8314<br />

p.o. box 1422<br />

atlanta,<br />

ga.<br />

y^*<br />

SPECIAL TRAILEI<br />

Quality and Service<br />

Serving theatres in the South for 31<br />

12 cents per word<br />

Lowest cost anyv/here<br />

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COMPLETE LINE<br />

THEATRE EQUIPMENT<br />

CONCESSION SUPPLI<br />

TRI-STATE THEATRE SUPP<br />

320 So. Second St. MempI<br />

56<br />

BOXOFFICE<br />

Janua


: here<br />

•<br />

regular<br />

1 Bay<br />

! submitted<br />

I the<br />

Owner<br />

—<br />

Rubiii Fi'els, who<br />

picture theatre in<br />

.-orking eight years<br />

a mailman there,<br />

i at his home<br />

e recently. He was<br />

owner of 15 theaand<br />

in eight<br />

er cities of south<br />

:as.<br />

II Frels theatres<br />

houses and<br />

drive-ins here,<br />

each in El Campo<br />

City, and one<br />

h in Wharton, Go-<br />

I, Yorktown, Nixon,<br />

lOkshire and New<br />

of the funeral.<br />

;r in the indepenwas<br />

vice-president<br />

d Theatre Owners<br />

prominent role in<br />

or relief from the<br />

titrust suit against<br />

atre cu'cuits charghim<br />

of motion pictres.<br />

The S1,000,000<br />

Although he lost,<br />

at the<br />

the government in<br />

edings against dis-<br />

:ircuits.<br />

;ivic leader, and at<br />

aded the Victoria<br />

he Lions Club and<br />

Fine Arts Ass'n and<br />

\v up in Frelsburg,<br />

ed for his grandted<br />

from Germany.<br />

s farm and became<br />

V Ulm. Making his<br />

iited with an operrojector<br />

which was<br />

ible. The operator,<br />

;t, quickly accepted<br />

ut for $150 includpictures<br />

were<br />

ed to the machine<br />

nee it was powered<br />

Dr illumination, but<br />

ormance, Frels de-<br />

; lamp powered by<br />

lis motor car.<br />

in 1924, buying the<br />

East Constitution,<br />

rincess on the site<br />

leatre, and started<br />

towns. In 1931 he<br />

lich resulted in his<br />

ibutors and large<br />

t pictures in the<br />

man who .sold him<br />

The dance hall<br />

head on the deal<br />

lents. "It took me<br />

;tting the business<br />

o him," Frels comnce<br />

then, Frels alscious<br />

of the imoperations.<br />

irive-in business In<br />

jas on the Halletsife<br />

Marjorie; a son<br />

IN TV INTERVIEW—A television Interview with Albert Warner in<br />

Florida State's<br />

Beach Theatre lobby, Miami, was an opening day ceremony heralding the showing of<br />

'"The Silver Chalice" at the Beach, Paramount and (lables. Warner appeared for 15<br />

minutes over WITV. Warner commented on the tremendous audience the book had<br />

already presold, and he gave high praise to actor P.aul Newman, a newcomer. Left to<br />

right: Harry Botwick, FST's district manager; Warner; Bob Hanna, station interviewer;<br />

.\l Click, circuit advertising assistant; Howard Pettcngill, advertising director;<br />

Boh Batten, manager of the Beach Theatre.<br />

Rubin S.; two daughters, Marjorie Lynn<br />

and Mrs. Walter Suppes, and a brother C. W.<br />

of Yorktown.<br />

Pallbearers at the funeral included Sam<br />

Berry, National Theatre Supply; W. A.<br />

Strauss, Columbia: Eddie Reyna, manager,<br />

Frels circuit: Buddy Muske, W. S. Higgins,<br />

W. S. Higgins jr., Leslie Montag and J. H.<br />

Bankstram.<br />

Among the many representatives from<br />

Dallas Pilmrow were Ed Brinn. MOM; Mack<br />

Holstein, Universal: Auggie Schmitt, Houston<br />

Popcorn Co., and Al Mortinson and Jimmy<br />

MacKenzie, Southwestern Theatre Equipment.<br />

Col. H. A. Cole, chairman of the board<br />

of Allied Theatre Owners of Texas, stated<br />

that Allied had lost a staunch supporter in<br />

Rubin Frels. He added "The motion picture<br />

industry has lost a very valuable exhibitor,<br />

a man who had to fight his way and made<br />

it in spite of every obstacle. In addition he<br />

was a fine guy,"<br />

Cleveland Critics Pick<br />

Best Films of the Year<br />

From Mideast Edition<br />

CLEVELAND—Two of the city's leading<br />

film critics, whose differences of opinion are<br />

aired daily in the Plain Dealer and the Press,<br />

came pretty close to agreement in their selections<br />

of the best pictures of last year. Both<br />

Ward Marsh of the Plain Dealer and Omar<br />

Ranney of the Press believe there is no such<br />

things as a ten-best list. In their opinion,<br />

there is a best in each type of picture. On<br />

this basis, they individually selected their<br />

choices in such classifications as drama,<br />

musical, comedy, spectacle, science-fiction,<br />

documentary, outdoor, melodrama and romantic<br />

drama.<br />

Among the many features that appeared<br />

in both lists were The Caine Mutiny, The<br />

Born, Seven<br />

High and the Mighty, A Star Is<br />

Brides for Seven Brothers, There's No Business<br />

Like Show Business, 20,000 Leagues<br />

Under the Sea, Rear Window, Sabrina, The<br />

Vanishing Prairie, Broken Lance. Executive<br />

Suite. Susan Slept Here, The Egyptian,<br />

Demetrius and the Gladiators and Magnificent<br />

Obsession.<br />

Title of Lippert Productions' "The Violent<br />

Land" Is now "Charge of the Rurales."<br />

Ascap Names Barzen Head<br />

Of New Orleans Office<br />

NEW YORK—William J. Barzen, a member<br />

of the radio and TV station relations division,<br />

ha.s been made manager of the New Orleans<br />

office of the American Society of Composers,<br />

Authors and Publishers by J. M. Collins, sales<br />

manager. He succeeds Philip O. Alexander,<br />

who has been transferred to Des Moines after<br />

serving in New Orleans since 1948.<br />

Three C'Scopes at Miami<br />

MIAMI—The Ace, Bunche and Ritz theatres,<br />

all Negro patronage houses, have been<br />

equipped with Cinemascope.<br />

Florida's FIRST Supply House<br />

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NEW yORKl<br />

I, 1955 57


. . . Mel<br />

;<br />

Chauncey<br />

. . Carl<br />

'<br />

MIAMI<br />

Conny Shepherd and Al Weiss jr. are the<br />

general chairmen of Variety's Show of<br />

Shows, the annual extravaganza for the bene-<br />

Al Weiss jr.<br />

Sonny Shepherd<br />

fit of the showman's children's hospital here.<br />

Show date has been set for February 12 at<br />

the Miami Beach auditorium. Tickets, priced<br />

from $2.50 to $20, are now on sale . . . The<br />

Dania Drive-In stopped patrons with a marquee<br />

which read, "The Barefoot Contessa"<br />

and "The Barefoot Mailman."<br />

.<br />

Variety Tent 33 is giving a celebrity luncheon<br />

honoring Miami's Mayor Abe Aronovitz<br />

Haber, long associated with 'Wometco's<br />

Mii-acle Theatre in Coral Gables, has moved<br />

over to the Carib at Miami Beach to assist<br />

Tom Rayfield. Heni-y Ki-onewitz, formerly<br />

Rayfield's right-hand man, has been shifted<br />

to relief man for the circuit's three main<br />

houses Jamroga is the new staff<br />

member at the Miracle, assisting Franklin<br />

Maury . . . Walter Klements is happy with<br />

his booking of "Aida," which opened to standing<br />

room only.<br />

"Mr. Hulot's Holiday" went into its final<br />

week at the Roosevelt after clocking 31,000<br />

patrons at the boxoffice . . . Kemp Productions<br />

of New York plans to film "The<br />

Burlesque Story," co-starring Bert Lahr,<br />

partly Ln Florida ... It is rumored about<br />

town that the Olympia will open soon with a<br />

first run policy.<br />

Mark Chartrand of Wometco is said to be<br />

beetling his brow over a copy-cat restaurant<br />

that is using "most unique" in its advertising.<br />

This unorthodox double superlative has long<br />

adorned the marquee of the Mayfau- Art<br />

Theatre, Miami's Most Unique Theatre, and<br />

has become a trademark in effect, always<br />

good for a publicity paragraph.<br />

Wolf, a Baltimore theatre exhibitor,<br />

is a vacationer here . . . Recent visitors<br />

here from Hollywood were Mr. and Mrs. Jack<br />

Warner, Barbara Warner, Mr. and Mrs. William<br />

T. Orr and Richard Gully. Mrs. Orr,<br />

whose hasband is a top executive at Warner<br />

Bros., is another Warner daughter. Orr formerly<br />

lived in Miami Beach. Gully is a company<br />

representative in England. The party<br />

spent some time at La Coquille near Palm<br />

Beach. later going to Jamaica .<br />

Edward Ludwig and<br />

. . Director<br />

Ben Chapman are in<br />

Nassau filming of "Rebel Island."<br />

Will Produce and Direct 'Kismet'<br />

Arthur Freed will produce and Vincente<br />

Minnelli will direct "Kismet," the film version<br />

of the Broadway musical, to be released to<br />

MGM.<br />

58<br />

De Luxe Airer Started<br />

By Jablonow-Komm<br />

From Central Edition<br />

ST. LOUIS—Construction was scheduled to<br />

start this week on the $450,000 Holiday<br />

Dnve-In at 9900 Page Blvd., near suburban<br />

Overland. The project of the Jablonow-<br />

Komm Circuit is on a 16-acre tract. Louis<br />

Jablonow, general manager, said that the<br />

drive-in will provide ample equipment for<br />

entertainment, dining, patio lounging and<br />

supervised child play.<br />

Grading of the site has been completed.<br />

Sixteen ramps will accommodate 1,000 automobiles.<br />

In-a-car electric heaters will be<br />

provided at 500 posts so that the new drive-in<br />

can be operated the year around.<br />

All of the service buildings will be grouped<br />

in a park-like setting at the entrance, a departure<br />

from the layout of most drive-in<br />

theatres, where the projection booths, concession<br />

stand, restrooms and play areas are<br />

located in the interior. The contemporarystyled<br />

buildings are to be linked by fences,<br />

walks and shelter roofs. Trained attendants<br />

will be on hand to wipe the windshields during<br />

ticket purcha;sing.<br />

It will be possible to keep the play area<br />

lighted and in use during the picture program<br />

since it will be in back of the parked<br />

automobiles.<br />

Serving as a giant observation balcony, the<br />

concession stand will have glass walls along<br />

one side so that the patrons can continue<br />

watching the picture program while purchasing<br />

refreshment items. Special tables will<br />

be located near the glass wall for patrons<br />

wanting to dine (fried chicken and pizza i. The<br />

big concession stand will have four service<br />

counters with entrance and exit doors controlled<br />

by Magic Carpet electrically operated<br />

devices.<br />

Adjoining the air-conditioned concession<br />

building will be an inclosed patio with planted<br />

areas and paved terraces. Tables and chairs<br />

will be provided there for outdoor dining.<br />

The 62xl02-foot panoramic screen will be<br />

720 feet from the projection booth.<br />

Gerhardt Kramer Associates, 9640 Clayton<br />

Rd., architects, designed the theatre, while<br />

the construction contract was awarded to the<br />

Swan Construction Co.<br />

Make TV Spots for NFIP<br />

From Eastern Edition<br />

NEW YORK—RKO-Pathe, Inc., is making<br />

one-minute television spots for the National<br />

Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. The announcer<br />

is Peter Roberts. Six have been completed.<br />

They present the Benny Goodman<br />

trio with Goodman, Gene Kiupa and Teddy<br />

Wilson, the Baird puppets, John Cameron<br />

Swayze, news commentator; Bambi Lynn and<br />

Rod Alexander, dancers, and Jaye P. Morgan,<br />

singer.<br />

Opens Airer in Mexico<br />

From Southwest Edition<br />

LAREDO—The Auto Cine Serenata Dnve-<br />

In was recently opened by Alfonso Zuniga<br />

about five miles south of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.<br />

It is the only airer on the Mexican<br />

border and one of the few in the republic.<br />

In preparation for the last three years, the<br />

starting date for Jesse Lasky's modern-day<br />

musical, "The Big Brass Band," has been<br />

set for July.<br />

s^<br />

Little Theatre Director:<br />

Win Hollywood Attenti<br />

SHREVEPORT—Margaret Mary an<br />

Wray Young, whose work as directors<br />

Little Theatre of Shreveport has at<br />

John Wray Young and Margaret<br />

Young of Shreveporfs Little Theat<br />

the attention of many Hollywooc<br />

executives, are celebrating their 251<br />

versary as a husband-wife team in t<br />

tre. The Shreveport Times has coi<br />

editorially on this achievement anc<br />

drama papers have devoted space to<br />

on the contributions of the Young<br />

theatre.<br />

The Youngs, who have been at t<br />

of the Little Theatre since 1936, 1<br />

productions on their record as co-W(<br />

the theatre—something which has<br />

achieved by any other husband-wife<br />

the American theatre. They were m<br />

Sioux City. Iowa, where John Wray<br />

first job as a theatre director. The<br />

includes two seasons in Sioux City, i<br />

the University of Iowa, six months<br />

directing at the Pasadena Playhou<br />

seasons at the Duluth Little Tlieatn<br />

years here in Slireveport.<br />

They have been so successful<br />

civic theatre here that the associatii<br />

a record 2.700 season memberships,<br />

something unheard of even in con<br />

much larger than Shreveport—and<br />

theatre the ultimate in success, the<br />

for each season before that season 1<br />

Among Hollj^vood executives w<br />

shown personal interest in the the;<br />

are Alex Gottlieb, the producer: Mi<br />

of Columbia; Ivan Kahn of 20th-<br />

Ben Piazza, the RKO talent scout<br />

number of alumni of the civic the(<br />

made good in films.<br />

Reopens Palatka, Fla., Airer<br />

PALATKA. FLA.—Tlie Linda Dri'<br />

been reopened by Adeline Gathrop<br />

the opening attractions was a new<br />

tractive modern concession stand.<br />

BOXOFFICE<br />

r<br />

:; Januai


.<br />

Freeman,<br />

, with<br />

.<br />

Freedman.<br />

. chairman,<br />

Tenl 17<br />

Itees<br />

lief barker of the<br />

rts the following<br />

'arden, chairman,<br />

in, C. A. "Pappy"<br />

nter, W. L. Marleyer<br />

Rachofsky.<br />

Slaughter, Edwin<br />

White.<br />

Ithall, chairman,<br />

Tobolowsky.<br />

chairnd<br />

Caffo.<br />

-John K. Hicks.<br />

,ns. Morty Freedmd<br />

L. D. "Dave"<br />

rman, with Duke<br />

1, Lester Lief and<br />

Don C<br />

Rex Van<br />

)'Keefe,<br />

chairman, with<br />

Ibur L. Marshall,<br />

Penn and Clyde<br />

man, with Wil-<br />

; G. Potts,<br />

rman, with W. T,<br />

-W. L. Marshall,<br />

I. Hansen, George<br />

pard and Tony T.<br />

with<br />

man, Jimmie Gil-<br />

Ernest S. Lovan,<br />

iers, John Rosen-<br />

:, chairman, with<br />

. Griesdorf, Alex<br />

3, Lee Segall and<br />

W. L. Marshall.<br />

1, Ed J. Gall. Mil-<br />

Reynolds, general<br />

sales. Caffo. James<br />

ill. Ben Gold, Phil<br />

lachof.sky, Rowley<br />

uction. Walter G.<br />

in E. Gebhard and<br />

chair-<br />

1 Rachofsky. Pub-<br />

'ON<br />

here in behalf of<br />

the Metropolitan.<br />

replaced "White<br />

Theatre. The lati-average<br />

audience<br />

a three-week run<br />

own theatre.s.<br />

nt of Southwestern<br />

he Trail Drive-In,<br />

ed RCA projectors<br />

le Plaza at Donna.<br />

id jr. is manager.<br />

,CA Dynal'te screen<br />

morphic projection<br />

eadrift installed an<br />

[ylux variable ana-<br />

2. 1955<br />

A CHANGE IN<br />

ATTITUDE<br />

Dallas Critic Alters Review Style<br />

To Match a Change in<br />

DALLAS — When John Rosenfield.<br />

Dallas Morning News amusements editor<br />

who rigidly controls every facet of<br />

JOHN ROSENFIELD<br />

his department's pages, including makeup<br />

and typography, makes a major revision<br />

to picture review approach, the<br />

first in 29 years, this is news. But of<br />

even more importance are his reasons<br />

for making a drastic change.<br />

The new approach calls for the end<br />

of lumping reviews together as reports<br />

on the current screen. Crediting the<br />

change to "something that has been<br />

happening to motion pictures during<br />

the last two years," Rosenfield views the<br />

modern product as competing not only<br />

with other pictures but with all other<br />

media within the broad entertainment<br />

field—the legitimate theatre, concert<br />

and musical events, television and radio.<br />

"Each major picture has begun to represent<br />

not so much a new picture as a<br />

highly individual piece of entertainment."<br />

He sees this, not as the new^spaper's<br />

attitude but the studio's. "Something,<br />

perhaps the new screen aspect ratios.<br />

morphic lenses . . . Amador<br />

Caballero of the<br />

Rita in Benavides plans to install an RCA<br />

Dynalite screen and Hylux lenses . . .<br />

The<br />

Runge m Runge is installing an RCA Sno-<br />

V/hite screen with Bauch & Lomb lenses.<br />

Loev/enstein and Brunk<br />

Now Are Colonels, Suh!<br />

OKLAHOMA CITY—Sam Brunk. Buena<br />

Vista salesman, and immediate past chief<br />

barker of Variety Tent 22, received an honorary<br />

colonel's commission from the outgoing<br />

governor, Johnston Murray, for his "service<br />

tj Oklahoma while a state leader in the movie<br />

industry." Also commissioned a colonel during<br />

the last week of Murray's term was MorrLs<br />

Loewenstein, Majestic owner. He also was<br />

cited for his service to Oklahoma while president<br />

of the Theatre Owners of Oklahoma for<br />

28 years until his recent resignation. This<br />

makes Morris a two-time Oklahoma colonel.<br />

Former Gov. Roy J. Turner also made him<br />

a<br />

colonel on his staff.<br />

sw<br />

Character<br />

perhaps the blocked European currency<br />

which has forced Hollywood to send<br />

units abroad, has affected the screen's<br />

character." This now existing character,<br />

according to Rosenfield, makes<br />

the term "product" no longer applicable<br />

to the current crop of film fare.<br />

"Product," he said, "belongs to an<br />

antebellum day when each studio set<br />

itself a quota of pictures, as an automobile<br />

factory sets itself a goal of new<br />

models."<br />

"Now the studio releases are variable,"<br />

he wrote in a recent column.<br />

"They depend in part on how many pictures<br />

the studio wants to make or can<br />

acquire from independent sources. For<br />

the moment, the center of gravity is the<br />

unit producer, not the sales manager.<br />

The producer in direct contact with the<br />

picture is usually inspired to make the<br />

picture because he wants to.<br />

"There is, of course, a residue of<br />

machine-made films but these are not<br />

the important ones. Most likely they<br />

carry, on frail shoulders, the feature<br />

picture needs of Texas B hou-ses. They<br />

were never intended for this role but<br />

rather to be the tail end of a double<br />

feature.<br />

"Certainly the boxoffice results do<br />

not discourage the system. Key city<br />

grosses are the largest ever. Pictures<br />

are running not one week but two,<br />

three and four in first runs. The A<br />

houses, once committed immutably to<br />

the seven-day run and weekend change,<br />

are now as variable as the programs<br />

they show.<br />

"Something has gone out of our lives<br />

now that Hollywood is no longer the<br />

motion picture. There has been a great<br />

compensation, though, in the fact that<br />

the motion picture is no longer Hollywood."<br />

:'X.:.»:.»K<br />

Dallas First Run Business<br />

Continues at Slow Pace<br />

DALLAS—Business in Dallas continued at<br />

a relatively .slow- pace. "Bad Day at Black<br />

Rock" managed to reach average, while "So<br />

This Is Paris" was only a fair 80 per cent.<br />

(Averoge Is 100)<br />

Paloce—So This Is Paris iU-l) 80<br />

Moiestic— Bad Doy ot Block Roek (MGM) I.OO<br />

Varsity—The Dancing Years (AA), reissue 100<br />

Melba—This Is Cineramo (Cineramo) 100<br />

YOU CAN ALWAYS DEPEND ON<br />

FOR THE BEST<br />

59


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To meet the needs of dri\e-in operators who want a low cost qua<br />

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Speaker is housed in a sturdy sand cast aluminum case finished<br />

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the entire unit is weather-treated to give long service and protect<br />

Available with straight cord or koiled cord at slightly higher pi<br />

"E" Series Single-Cone<br />

Another high quality single-cone,<br />

weather treated speaker unit.<br />

Mounted in the same case as "A"<br />

and "Q" series. Finished in tough<br />

hammerloid gray enamel.<br />

"A" Series Double-Cone<br />

Patented Ballantyne double-cone speakers<br />

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"Q" Series Double-Cone<br />

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hammerloid gray enamel finish<br />

baked on to give permanent protection.<br />

ALL SPEAKERS AND JUNCTION BOXES AVAILABLE IN SETS<br />

(2 SPEAKERS — 1 JUNCTION BOX)<br />

BLUE AND WHITE DOUBLE-CONE<br />

AX90 Stroight Cord—No Downlight<br />

AX91 Koiled Cord — No Downlight<br />

AX92 Straight Cord — Downlight<br />

AX93 Koiled Cord — Downlight<br />

HAMMERLOID GRAY DOUBLE-CONE<br />

0X90 Straight Cord—No Downlight<br />

0X91 Koiled Cord — No Downlight<br />

0X92 Straight Cord — Downlight<br />

QX93 Koiled Cord — Downlight<br />

HAMMERLOID GRAY SINGLE-CONE<br />

E90 Stroight Cord — No Downlight<br />

E9I Koiled Cord — No Downlight<br />

E92 Straight Cord — Downlight<br />

E93 Koiled Cord — Downlight<br />

TWO TONEGRAY SINGLE-CON!<br />

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1712 Jackson St<br />

Omaha, NebrasI<br />

J. H. Hardin Theatre Supply Co.<br />

714 South Hampton Rd.<br />

Dallas, Texas<br />

Century Theatre Supply Co.<br />

706 West Grand Avenue<br />

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma<br />

60<br />

BOXOFFICE<br />

:; Janui


I formed<br />

. and<br />

1 16)<br />

Karr<br />

ely Tent<br />

Howard<br />

'ficer.s and crew of<br />

n-day (15) night at<br />

onal Chief Barker<br />

fficiated and made<br />

; banquet meeting<br />

ief barker; Paul<br />

lief barker: E. J.<br />

lief barker; Augie<br />

ob Bailey, property<br />

Conrad Brady,<br />

ul Goodwin. Lloyd<br />

Lever, Jack Lutey.<br />

las. Art Routzong<br />

Aere conducted by<br />

the Omaha tent.<br />

if<br />

)arker. wa£ emcee<br />

ipal speakers, inhtel,<br />

a club chap-<br />

W. Starke, chair-<br />

/ariety Boys Club.<br />

Jsident, also were<br />

ONIO<br />

Carlos L. Garcia<br />

to help<br />

Spanish-speaking<br />

the club include<br />

of local Mexican<br />

n stations. It was<br />

ition KCOR that<br />

;r officials of the<br />

cretary, and Mrs.<br />

ephine Theatre at<br />

. . "Sign of the<br />

Is Paris" into the<br />

slness Like Show<br />

>cond week at the<br />

's Under the Sea"<br />

•un at the Texas.<br />

ic publicity man,<br />

director, were re-<br />

•ackettville. where<br />

icture about the<br />

ntil some time in<br />

s booked for the<br />

•The Silent Raidst"<br />

and "Safari<br />

led up with a local<br />

A's in running a<br />

Winners received<br />

•ee passes to see<br />

! Aztec.<br />

of the Encanto<br />

the 16mm Mexiolia<br />

Park section<br />

n calling on local<br />

visitors included<br />

. and the Mexico,<br />

I<br />

larville, the Rio,<br />

Yolanda. Eagle<br />

Amaya. Poteet;<br />

Pete Fernandez,<br />

Don Miguel<br />

unfels . . . Oscar<br />

ed the Rex. Mis-<br />

San Juan, as a<br />

ously ran a 16mm<br />

EASTERN OKLAHOMA<br />

By ART LAMAN<br />

THE FINAL curtain descended for a grand<br />

showman in TuLsa last week. Rube Leakley,<br />

well known by hundreds of showfolk both<br />

small and great, died in his office at Convention<br />

Hall, which he had managed many<br />

years. Rube was found dead Sunday morning<br />

in the office where he had retired the<br />

night before after loaning his apartment to<br />

some visitors. He had helped many local<br />

organizations book attractions for benefits,<br />

and had handled every type of concert, dramatic<br />

and musical show which had toured<br />

the midwe.st in the last 25 years.<br />

The Hall won't seem quite the same without<br />

Rube Leakley there to do the welcoming.<br />

* * *<br />

Another theatre in this area was reopened<br />

Saturday (5). It's the Cameo in West Tulsa,<br />

which has been shuttered for nearly two years<br />

after being closed by a federal tax lien. A<br />

repaint job and considerable repair work<br />

gave the liouse a fresh appearance, while<br />

J. W. Mui-phy. Tulsa sound engineer, installed<br />

new booth equipment. Herbert G. Parker, a<br />

projectionist many years, and George E.<br />

Strange are the new owners. According to all<br />

reports the opening day business was good.<br />

In fact, this shopping area should never<br />

have been without a theatre. With good<br />

pictures and some local promotion this house<br />

should do okay.<br />

All Tulsa Etowntown Theatres units are<br />

cooperating with the local March of Dimes.<br />

Warren Patton. city manager for Downtown,<br />

has arranged a Dimes benefit premiere on<br />

the 29th at the Ritz of "Far Country, '' starring<br />

James Stewart and Ruth Roman. Patton<br />

has turned into somewhat of a stage show<br />

producer, having promoted a 45-minute stage<br />

show featuring talent from the Tulsa high<br />

schools.<br />

« * *<br />

Had the pleasure of working the last week<br />

with David Karr, city manager for Video<br />

Theatres in Vinita. on a campaign for the<br />

opening of the Round-Up Gang, our stage<br />

show, which opened at the Center there on<br />

the 20th. This fellow really believes in advertising<br />

and promotion. He handles and<br />

builds his own displays, and keeps the lobby<br />

well di'essed up, letting the customers get<br />

a good look at what's coming up. Here is a<br />

neat little trick that would pay off for other<br />

managers : clips from the Tulsa. Oklahoma<br />

City and other papers the ads dealing<br />

with special events and the promotion of pictures<br />

and files them away. When something<br />

special turns up or he wishes a special promotion<br />

for a film, this file is sure to give up<br />

.something that will help. Yes. sir! It's a<br />

good habit.<br />

• * «<br />

In Sapulpa we came in contact with something<br />

that should be of interest. The old<br />

Criterion there, now in the Video chain, is<br />

getting a facelifting and we mean a complete<br />

job. Bob Getter has suspended day showings<br />

when workmen are busy, and opens for the<br />

regular night progi-am. Theatre ads extend<br />

a daily invitation to patrons to come by and<br />

see what has been done to give them one of<br />

the best theatres in this area. To give you<br />

an idea how his idea works—with the 100-foot<br />

lobby all torn out last Wednesday night, with<br />

parts of the women's restroom all over the<br />

place—the customers packed the theatre to<br />

see the Round-Up Gang stage show and look<br />

over the new concession stand and maybe<br />

to make a few suggestions as to how they<br />

would like their theatre to look. Right now<br />

it looks as if the Criterion will lose very few<br />

play days during the remodeling program.<br />

* *<br />

In Tulsa the stage shows have been moved<br />

out of the Rialto Theatre, which will give<br />

this writer more chance to promote the<br />

Round-Up Gang into radio and Oklahoma<br />

auditoriums under local sponsorships. The<br />

Rialto will continue revival pictures on dual<br />

programs.<br />

The Broadway in Muskogee, recently reopened,<br />

will present its fu-st stage show February<br />

1. featuring the same acts which have<br />

been at the Rialto the last 16 weeks.<br />

This writer will take a short business trip<br />

the next few weeks, and will pick up some<br />

jottings of interest to BOXOFFICE readers.<br />

Managers of Video<br />

In Annual Session<br />

OKLAHOMA CITY—Jeff Livuigston. U-I<br />

eastern division publicity and exploitation<br />

manager, and Mike Simoas. MGM customer<br />

relations director, addressed the annual<br />

meeting of the partners and managers of<br />

Vido Independent Theatres this week<br />

(18. 191.<br />

Henry S. Griffing. president; W. T. Spears<br />

of Altus. board chairman; Claude Motley,<br />

vice-president in charge of operations; Claude<br />

Fulgham, vice-president in charge of management,<br />

and Charles R. Guthrie, secretarytreasiu'er.<br />

led the sessions.<br />

About 100 of the partners and managers attended.<br />

Video has theatres in about 30 Oklahoma<br />

towns and 11 Texas cities.<br />

Video al.so is in the TV business, holding<br />

12':: per cent of the stock in K"WTV, the<br />

CBS-TV outlet here.<br />

Twentieth Century-Fox is holding Jean<br />

Peters for another term.<br />

^^sr. rf^isren.^fFASTesT sbrvice i<br />

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1955<br />

61


DALLAS<br />

TJobert Strauss, who played the part of "Aiiimal"<br />

in "Stalag 17," was in Dallas (18)<br />

and Houston a9i to publicize the February<br />

1 opening of "The Bridges of Toko-Ri" . . .<br />

Jack L. Haynie resigned at MGM and was<br />

succeeded by John W. Kitts, Buddy Remmie<br />

replaced John Kitts as head booker, while<br />

Albert Flores, from Universal, was added as<br />

booker at MGM. The auditor at MGM is<br />

J. V. Scully.<br />

Owner Muse of the Royal at Van Alysin<br />

and Palace at Piano was on the Row booking<br />

. . . Clara Sawyer, booker at RKO. visited<br />

in Houston over the weekend with her daughter<br />

and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Dell Kerby<br />

. . . Don Puller. Dollison Theatres. Amarillo,<br />

was at RKO . . . Ti-ice Taylor is the new<br />

employe at RKO.<br />

Mrs. J. D, "Jack" Walton has undergone<br />

surgery in the Gaston Avenue Hospital<br />

Betty Peterson, bookkeeper at RKO,<br />

. . .<br />

was<br />

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See . . . FRANK MORRIS


I for<br />

: Theatre<br />

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1 17<br />

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three comprised<br />

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and the third for<br />

Show Business,"<br />

5.<br />

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J. Robert Hoff as<br />

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in Gene Rich. Joe<br />

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manager 20 years,<br />

the contributions<br />

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on. Friend exhibi-<br />

1 leave soon on a<br />

J. California, Oreand<br />

Mrs. Marvin<br />

•.<br />

-s, announced the<br />

of Marie Cogswell,<br />

shier, has entered<br />

Manager Generous With<br />

Plug for Competition<br />

Shenxtndoali. Iowa—When the manager<br />

of one theatre advertises the picture<br />

playing at a competitor's house, that is<br />

news, and that is just what Manager<br />

John Newcomer of the Page Theatre did.<br />

Newcomer ran an ad in the local paper<br />

plugging "White t'hrLstmas," which was<br />

then being shown at the neighboring<br />

State.<br />

"It is your good fortune to have two<br />

good theatres in our town," he said in<br />

his ad. '"I heartily recommend both and<br />

I suggest you see 'White Christmas' at<br />

the State. But I also recommend my<br />

own picture, too."<br />

Woodrow Simek Joins<br />

Omaha Supply Firm<br />

OMAHA-Paul Fine, owner of Western Theatre<br />

Supply Co.. announced that Woodrow<br />

"Woody" Simek would represent the firm in<br />

the territory selling RCA equipment and other<br />

supplies. "We are fortunate in adding a<br />

man witli the exhibitor's point of view," said<br />

Fine, "and somebody who is familiar with the<br />

operator's problems."<br />

Simek grew up in the theatre business. His<br />

father, the late Frank Simek, was an exhibitor<br />

at Scotland, S. D., before entering the<br />

theatre business at Ashland, Neb. Young<br />

Simek became a.ssociated with his father and<br />

wlien their old building was destroyed by fire,<br />

he did most of the planning and work in<br />

rebuilding. His Circle A is considered one<br />

of the finest small-town situations in the<br />

area.<br />

Simek has hired Max Welsh and Harold<br />

Palace to work at the Circle A. Handling<br />

the boxoffice is Willa Rein.<br />

Door Theatre Reopened<br />

STURGEON BAY. WIS.—Tlie Door Theatre,<br />

completely remodeled, was reopened<br />

Christmas Day with "Sitting Bull."<br />

George Hoover to Talk<br />

At Northwest Dinner<br />

MINNEAPOLIS—Variety Tent 12 will have<br />

George Hoover, Variety Clubs International<br />

chief barker, making his first local appearance<br />

wlien he Will be chief speaker at the<br />

club's 21st annual dinner at the Hotel Nicollet<br />

Monday night (31i. LeRoy J. Miller, chief<br />

barker, reported.<br />

With Charlie Winchell of tlie Minnesota<br />

Amusement Co. in charge of aiTangements,<br />

tickets to the dinner, which will include a<br />

cocktail session, are $7.50 a person. Members<br />

will be permitted to bring guests.<br />

The club expects to have as its guests for<br />

the dinner a number of state, county and<br />

municipal officials and civic leaders, who will<br />

hear from Hoover the sort of philanthropic<br />

work that the various Variety clubs the<br />

world over are doing.<br />

Miller has urged a record attendance.<br />

George Regan New Mgr.<br />

For 20th-Fox at Omaha<br />

OMAHA—George Regan, who has come<br />

up from the ranks during 18 years with 20th-<br />

Fox in Kansas City, has been named manager<br />

of the Omaha branch.<br />

Regan, who took over liis position Monday<br />

,<br />

1<br />

started with the firm in April of 1937<br />

in the sliipping room. He served four years<br />

in the Air Corps and, after being discharged,<br />

went back with the firm in the booking department.<br />

In 1949 he was given a salesman's<br />

position with the company. He is a native of<br />

Kansas City and has worked all the time in<br />

that territory.<br />

Reopen at Monroe, Iowa<br />

MONROE. IOWA—The Monroe Theatre<br />

here is being reopened by R. P. Davis who<br />

said he is responding to the many requests<br />

he has received. Davis said the theatre is<br />

being reopened on a- trial basis and will continue<br />

in operation as long as it receives community<br />

support.<br />

to.<br />

the Admiral and<br />

Bill Miskell of<br />

In. is the father<br />

ka Supreme Court<br />

district court deowntown<br />

property<br />

ruled in favor of<br />

ner of a theatre<br />

vin Bard, formerly<br />

ibution firm. Part<br />

ind the litigation<br />

lim.<br />

representative of<br />

ral days here con-<br />

I. M. Weiner and<br />

at Crof-<br />

I, now is in operaprojection<br />

equipnt<br />

which had been<br />

emodeling<br />

emodeling and reer<br />

way at the Joy<br />

R. Debbaut. Inoe<br />

the installation<br />

i^ision. So far the<br />

th regular showing<br />

>ed from February<br />

MONEY<br />

Exhibiting New Wide Screen Pictures<br />

a^<br />

AfoAe<br />

M O N E Y<br />

installing the complete equipment package of<br />

RCA Stereophonic Sound<br />

It costs you nothing to get the full story from Western Theatre Supply Co.<br />

and professional recommendations from RCA's technical staff of experienced<br />

sound and projection engineers.<br />

Everything in<br />

Theatre<br />

Equipment<br />

and<br />

Supplies<br />

WESTERN<br />

THEATRE SUPPLY CO.<br />

214 N. Firtceiilli. Om.lh;i. Ntb. Phone: Atlantic 90J6<br />

1955 NC 63


Announcing<br />

Ballantyne 'H' Series<br />

Quality * plus • Economy<br />

^^<br />

EACH<br />

To meet the needs of drive-in operators who want a low cost qua<br />

speaker, Ballantyne introduces its new "H" Series in-a-car speak<br />

Speaker is housed in a sturdy sand cast aluminum case finished<br />

two-tone gray enamel. Single cone speaker is of excellent quality<br />

the entire unit is weather-treated to give long service and protect<br />

Available with straight cord or koiled cord at slightly higher pi<br />

"E" Series Single-Cone<br />

Another high quality single-cone,<br />

weather treated speaker unit.<br />

Mounted in the same case as "A"<br />

and "Q" series. Finished in tough<br />

hammerloid gray enamel.<br />

"A" Series Double-Cone<br />

Patented Ballantyne double-cone speakers<br />

are unique in the drive-in field. Two<br />

cones, one superimposed over the other,<br />

offers you the most faithful, undistorted<br />

sound anywhere. Finish is an appealing<br />

blue and white two-tone eflfect. Both<br />

undercoat and finish coat are baked<br />

enamel. Simplicity of maintenance is a<br />

big feature. Case opens easily — drop<br />

in a new cone, right at<br />

"Q" Series Double-Cone<br />

The same unexcelled Double-Cone<br />

speaker unit as the "A". Has rich, loiiglasting<br />

hammerloid gray enamel finish<br />

baked on to give permanent protection.<br />

the post.<br />

ALL SPEAKERS AND JUNCTION BOXES AVAILABLE IN SETS<br />

(2 SPEAKERS — 1 JUNCTION BOX)<br />

BLUE AND WHITE DOUBIE-CONE<br />

AX90 Jtraighl Cord—No Downlight<br />

AX91 Koiled Cord — No Downlight<br />

AX92 Jtraighl Cord — Downlight<br />

AX93 Koiled Cord — Downlight<br />

HAMMERLOID GRAY DOUBLE-CONE<br />

0X90 SIroight Cord—No Downlight<br />

0X91 Koiled Cord — No Downlight<br />

0X92 Straight Cord — Downlight<br />

0X93 Koiled Cord — Downlight<br />

HAMMERLOID CRAY SINGLE-CONE<br />

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E9I Koiled Cord — No Downlight<br />

E92 Stroighl Cord — Downlight<br />

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TWO TONEGRAY SINGLE-CON<br />

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1712 Jackson St<br />

WpOKUl<br />

Omaha, NebrasI<br />

The Ballantyne Co.<br />

1712 Jackson Si<br />

Omaha, Nebraska<br />

Aveti Theatre Service<br />

830 Lumber Exchange Bidg.<br />

Minneapolis, Minn.<br />

Theatre Equipment & Supply Co.<br />

1009 North 7th St.<br />

Milwaukee, Wisconsin<br />

American Theatre Supply<br />

316 South Main St.<br />

Sioux Falls, South Dakota<br />

BOXOFTICE<br />

:: Janu


'<br />

not<br />

. . . Lenore<br />

. . Remo<br />

. . Both<br />

. . Harvey<br />

. . Harry<br />

. . Chuck<br />

Jtation<br />

Corp.<br />

WTVW was<br />

sold<br />

;orp., which pubel<br />

and owns radio<br />

irgest stockholder<br />

I. F. Gran, who is<br />

)rises, which in-<br />

;res and other inin<br />

the affirmative<br />

under protest, on<br />

rst Corp., has no<br />

r than the fact<br />

Lper. Gran's feelthe<br />

thought that<br />

Milwaukee would<br />

place in the sun"<br />

rchase came from<br />

made by Charles<br />

le radio and telerst<br />

Corp.<br />

ejected<br />

Dad Rights<br />

iiin Bergcr has<br />

in the road rights<br />

jse of the August<br />

likely to be<br />

; Crouse national<br />

long Los Angeles<br />

1 version reached<br />

)use. present road<br />

) permit another<br />

Berger down,<br />

isons why Berger<br />

was to be able to<br />

the Lyceum here,<br />

ft'hich is .suffering<br />

3f bookings in its<br />

NG<br />

owner of Co-Op<br />

ow's No. 1 bowler,<br />

ht with a record<br />

p Classic League,<br />

ilmost produced a<br />

of 33 years in the<br />

ng game with six<br />

s more in a row<br />

plit in the tenth<br />

266. then added a<br />

series was 769, his<br />

I. His 743 boosted<br />

b Drive<br />

goods, toys and<br />

egal tender at a<br />

3sic Theatre when<br />

sented his annual<br />

rhe entire collece<br />

Rotary Club for<br />

lilies.<br />

R THLATRESr<br />

theotrcs.<br />

> CLEANER<br />

by Abbott. National<br />

Ray Smith Thtatrt Sup-<br />

[y and other jobbers<br />

AMI<br />

OHIO<br />

MILWAUKEE<br />

T^GM's publicist Lou Orlove, together with<br />

division field representative Ivan Fuldauer,<br />

Chicago, were pumping things up at<br />

Green Bay. in preparation for the "Motion<br />

Picture Theatre Celebration," which goes into<br />

action on the 21st. The gigantic affair, designed<br />

to get the folks back into the theatregoing<br />

habit, with Standard Theatres' Elmer<br />

Brennan holding down the fort up there, apparently<br />

will have the cooperation of all the<br />

name firms in Green Bay in addition to parts<br />

of the surrounding territory. The results<br />

should prove interesting, inasmuch as Green<br />

Bay has long been noted for being the testing<br />

grounds for numerous items now going<br />

great on the market. The last national test<br />

sponsored by the Elgin Watch Co., used<br />

Green Bay, with every jewelry store in the<br />

area participating in a full week's campaign.<br />

Some of the establishments doubled and even<br />

tripled theii' net income over and above expenses<br />

during the event.<br />

Edward H. Wadewltz. 76. founder of the<br />

Western Printing & Lithographing Co.,<br />

Racine, died recently. Wadewitz founded the<br />

firm, one of the largest in the country, with<br />

plants in Racine, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and<br />

St. Louis, and offices in New York City,<br />

Beverly Hills, Calif., and Atlanta. Ga. He<br />

was a director of Walt Disney Productions,<br />

and for 20 years a licensed publisher of Disney<br />

comic books and other items.<br />

Take a gander at the series of prize winning<br />

16mm films currently appearing at<br />

the public museum, no admission: Seal Lsland;<br />

A Is for Atom; Skippy and the Three R's;<br />

Rime of the Ancient Mariner: Working and<br />

Playing to Health: Conspiracy in Kyoto:<br />

Beaver Valley: Baltimore Plan: Frustrating<br />

Fours and Fascinating Fives: American Revolution:<br />

American Farmer: Martin and Gaston:<br />

Land of the Long Day: American Road,<br />

and Jewels of the Pacific Coast. Last year,<br />

the<br />

museum drew over 400,000 men women and<br />

children!<br />

Harry and Roy Aitken of Waukesha are<br />

back in busine.ss again. Their original "The<br />

Birth of a Nation" is still going strong, currently<br />

appearing at Wisconsin State College,<br />

and the Milwaukee Art Institute. Purpose<br />

of resurrecting the David Ward Griffith film,<br />

it is said, is merely to exhibit a museum<br />

piece that in its day was hailed as the wonder<br />

of the 20th century, and one of the<br />

cinema's greatest masterpieces. The old Davidson<br />

Theatre played it here when first released,<br />

and was sold out for weeks. In 1939,<br />

Mayor Don Hoan banned the picture because<br />

of its controversial aspects. Comes now the<br />

dope that the Aitkens and the Griffith and<br />

Dixon estates will share handsomely when<br />

the new version of the film is released in the<br />

near future.<br />

Gordon Hewitt, general manager of the Fox<br />

Wisconsin, was appointed state chairman of<br />

the March of Dimes theatre collections. Major<br />

theatres in all key cities will participate in<br />

the campaign.<br />

. . .<br />

. . Robert<br />

Fox Wisconsin parade: Harry Boe.ssel, Palace<br />

manager, was busy exploiting "Vera Cruz"<br />

with a Miss Exquisite Form contest<br />

Francis Bickler, Wisconsin, did a bang-up<br />

job in promoting the Boy Scouts Jamboree<br />

held at 2:30 p.m. daily during the run of<br />

"20.000 Leagues Under the Sea" .<br />

Brill, Princess, worked on a campaign for<br />

.<br />

"Woman" and "Shamed," opening February<br />

11 Diorio, Strand, went hog- wild<br />

on "Romeo and Juliet" , . . Ralph Klemz,<br />

Retlaw. Fond du Lac, was expecting an addition<br />

to the family . LaSosso, Jackson,<br />

has been packing 'em in with his Sunday<br />

Cartoonascope matinees.<br />

. .<br />

Milt Harmon, Uptown, says his house will<br />

make a better showing than anticipated in<br />

the March of Dimes collection campaign .<br />

"South Pacific" will return here on stage at<br />

the Palace for a week's engagement February<br />

Citation of the Week to<br />

28-March 5 . . .<br />

Miss Brunner for the outstanding job of fashioning<br />

a full-page co-op ad, and then following<br />

through by signing up each and every<br />

advertiser listed on the page. It was a tie-in<br />

with the Decca dealers in this area, pushing<br />

"There's No Business Like Show Business."<br />

Jim Champine, Palace bookkeeper, did a<br />

beautiful job on public relations for the theatre<br />

when he volunteered his services to a<br />

wheelchair patron emerging from the theatre<br />

during the recent blizzard and not a cab to<br />

be had! He took the woman home in his car.<br />

. . .<br />

The Miner Amusement Co. has sold its Lake<br />

Theatre, Chetek, to John Mowry, recent owner<br />

of the theatre at River Falls . . . The Bay<br />

Theatre. Green Bay. premiered "Bad Day at<br />

Black Rock" Friday (21i and "Green Fire" is<br />

to get a special premiere at the Orpheum Theatre,<br />

also in Green Bay . . . Epf Rosen, former<br />

MGM manager here and recently assistant<br />

manager at the Minneapolis office,<br />

has been transferred to the Des Moines<br />

branch for a month on special assignment<br />

Recent CinemaScope installations include<br />

the Augusta. Augusta; Rex, Beloit; Warren,<br />

South Wayne, and the Salem at West Salem.<br />

.<br />

. . . Rudolph Poeske has<br />

Ben Brown, pioneer theatre owner at<br />

Viroqua, left on his 13th annual vacation to<br />

Glendale, Calif. Sleter, owner of<br />

the Mondovi Theatre, Mondovi, has appointed<br />

Hjalmar Terland manager, as Sleter<br />

is moving to Columbus to represent a film ad<br />

company . . . C. C. Noecker's Durand Theatre,<br />

Durand, is just completing an extensive remodeling<br />

program<br />

closed the Marathon Theatre. Marathon.<br />

Johnny Mednikow, manager of National<br />

Screen Service, has postponed his hospital<br />

operation to accept an invitation from Herman<br />

Robbins for him and wife to spend a week<br />

on Robbins' yacht at Miami. Mednikow will<br />

enter the hospital January 31 after his return<br />

from Florida . Schmidt, former<br />

Warner Bros, booker, is now with 20th-Fox<br />

Pestashnick, former receptionist,<br />

is now contract clerk at 20th-Fox, replacing<br />

Arline Matter who resigned to move to California<br />

. Ed White, cashier, and Erma<br />

Momesen, contract clerk, observed birthdays<br />

recently. White also observed his wedding<br />

anniversary Christmas day.<br />

YOU CAN ALWAYS DEPEND ON<br />

FOR THE BEST<br />

SPECIAL<br />

NEW YORK^<br />

1955 65


ge<br />

. .<br />

novr^rrrr-ir<br />

.<br />

D E S<br />

MOINES<br />

The manager of the Paramount Theatre is<br />

inviting every Kelly whose name is listed<br />

in the Des Moines telephone directory to<br />

"Green Fire." Reason: A gli'l named Grace<br />

Kelly is the star. The invitations are only<br />

for the persons in who.se name the telephones<br />

are listed and only for Kelly spelled K-e-1-l-y.<br />

Invitations have been issued to the Variety<br />

Club 1955 inauguration ball Friday (28i at<br />

the Standard Club. The event will be a dinner<br />

dance, with dre.s.s optional. Both chicken<br />

and fish will be served. Reservations may be<br />

mailed to treasurer Lou Levy . . . .'\nother<br />

Variety Club project is the sponsorship of<br />

ticket sales for this year's Golden Gloves<br />

tournament with all proceeds going to the<br />

Easter Seal Training Center for Crippled<br />

Children. The tournament, which will be<br />

held on February 18 and 25, is spon.sored by<br />

radio station KRNT.<br />

. .<br />

Paul Scholer, former manager of the Chariton<br />

Theatre in Chariton, and wife were invited<br />

to be guests of new'ly elected Gov. Leo<br />

Hoegh at the reception and ball held in Des<br />

Moines. The Scholers were neighbors of the<br />

Hoeghs when both lived in Chariton. Tlie<br />

Scholers are now residents of Burlington<br />

Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Blank,<br />

.<br />

Tri-States<br />

Theatre president, left for New York<br />

City where they sailed Friday (21) on the<br />

Sam Rich,<br />

Coronia for a 106-day cruise . . .<br />

Paramount booker, has announced his engagement<br />

to Vivian Cave . David H. Bonine<br />

jr., employe of General Pictures Productions,<br />

GORHAM BOOKING AGENa<br />

REDFIELD, IOWA<br />

COVERING DES MOINES<br />

FILM EXCHANGE AREA<br />

BUYING AND BOOKING FOR WHAT<br />

YOU CAN AFFORD TO PAY<br />

plans a spring wedding to Twyla Miller, student<br />

nurse at Iowa Methodist Hospital.<br />

Lou Levy screened "Crazy Horse," and is<br />

making plans tor the statewide release in<br />

conjunction with the national saturation beginning<br />

March 17 . . . Nick and Jim Yannias<br />

of Dubuque were on the Row on a booking<br />

trip.<br />

A press screening of James Michener's "The<br />

Bridges at Toko-Ri" was held recently and<br />

netted a writeup by Columnist Gordon Gammack,<br />

who said: "I have never seen a movie<br />

produced with more authenticity. The numerous<br />

scenes showing jet operations from a<br />

Task Force 77 carrier off the Korean coast<br />

are so real that I felt that I was back for<br />

another visit on the carrier, Boxer. The film<br />

also is so real that the code for the flagship,<br />

Jehovah, was the one actually used by Task<br />

Force 77 dm'ing the fighting. Even the scenes<br />

in Japan are authentic, right down to the<br />

Showboat night club, the Japanese baths and<br />

the street scenes. The movie faithfully follows<br />

Michener's story."<br />

MINNEAPOLIS<br />

TXrith only 238 of the territory's 447 participating<br />

theatres reporting to date, recent<br />

theatre collections for the Northwest Variety<br />

Club's heart fund totals $19,000 and<br />

Chief Barker LeRoy J. Miller believes that<br />

the final figure will exceed that of a year<br />

ago by a wide margin. Also, in the four<br />

months ending December 31, Art Anderson,<br />

heart hospital chairman, received $4,253 in<br />

memorial donations and $800 in other gifts<br />

Art Anderson, Warner<br />

lor the hospital . . .<br />

Bros, district manager, was in Chicago for a<br />

sales conference. Myron Adcock, local manager,<br />

is mapping out plans for local participation<br />

in the drive scheduled for May in<br />

ORDER YOUR POPCORN SUPPLIES FROM US<br />

White Japanese Hulless Popcorn Per 100 lbs. $ 9.00<br />

XXX Yellow Popcorn Per 100 lbs. 10.95<br />

Standard Yellow Popcorn Per 100 lbs. 9.00<br />

"Seazo" Coconut Oil Seasoning Per 50 lbs. 14.25<br />

Liquid Popsit Plus Seosoning Per Case 16.25<br />

Popcorn Salt Per Cose 2.95<br />

No. 400 Automatic Bottom Boxes, 1% oz Per 1000 9.50<br />

No. 300 Automatic Bottom Boxes, 2 oz Per 1000 10.65<br />

Large 25c Popcorn Boxes Per 1000 18.75<br />

1 lb. White Popcorn Sacks Per 1000 2.20<br />

1 lb. Brown Popcorn Sacks Per 1000 1.80<br />

V4 lb. Popcorn Sacks Per 1000 1.50<br />

Vi lb. Popcorn Sacks Per 1000 1.20<br />

VA lb. White Popcorn Sacks Per 1000 2.95<br />

1 lb. Printed Noiseless Sacks Per 1000 3.80<br />

Va lb. Printed Noiseless Socks Per 1000 3.40<br />

Iowa Distributor for Silver Skillet Brand Canned Meats.<br />

Prices Subject to<br />

Change Without Notice<br />

DES MOINES THEATRE SUPPLY CO.<br />

1121-23 High St. Des Moines, Iowa<br />

honor of Norman Moray, Warner ]<br />

.'subjects sales manager for many<br />

Don Swartz, independent distri<br />

taken over for this territory the d<br />

of "Mr. Hulot's Holiday" . . . O. E.<br />

Northwest Sound Service has bee<br />

to install Cinemascope in the i<br />

Plentywood. Mont.<br />

Central Allied executive counsel,<br />

is happy because nothing affeetin<br />

industry has been dropped into t<br />

at Minnesota state legislature sessi<br />

He's keeping a close eye on de\<br />

there, however. Incidentally, Kan<br />

14th con.secutive time, has been<br />

village counsel in suburban Goldei<br />

The dates for the North Cent<br />

annual convention here have be«<br />

May 2. 3. a week earlier than<br />

planned . . . Future possibilities i<br />

MGM Ticket Selling Workshop d<br />

NCA convention and the visit of s<br />

Lai-aine Day soon when her husl<br />

York Giants manager Leo Durochi<br />

one of the speakers at the annus<br />

dinner which Ed Schwartz of Art<br />

ice and Variety Club director is arri<br />

Abbott Swartz, back from his New ;<br />

tlon, reports his United Artists brar<br />

in second place in the third divisii<br />

third lap of the Robert S. Benjan<br />

Jack Schlaifer, UA home office sp<br />

ice sales representative, was in to'<br />

dress a sales meeting at the local<br />

Norman Levinson from Chicago<br />

pointed MGM exploiteer here t<br />

Harry Sears, who resigned to joi<br />

company in Chicago. Ivan Fuldau(<br />

manager who pinchhit for Sears 1<br />

weeks, was in town to help get<br />

started . . . Ted Mann, circuit o<br />

chairman of the NCA committee<br />

reach an agreement with the AFL p<br />

ists on terms of a tliree-year cc<br />

back from a New York business<br />

Chick Evens. 20th-Fox exploiteer,<br />

in town to w'ork again on the cam<br />

•PrLnce of Players" and "Carmen<br />

Heads of the University of Minnes<br />

cal School and Heart Hospital met \<br />

Barker L. J. Miller and the club's he<br />

tal committee at a dinner to discus;<br />

ments at the institution . . . The<br />

"Ugetsu," scheduled for its first T<br />

run at the neighborhood fine arti<br />

here, was selected by Bob Mui-pl<br />

Minneapolis Sunday Ti-ibune as the<br />

the week and was highly praised t<br />

Don Alexander, Minnesota Amusi<br />

assistant advertising and publicity<br />

confined to his home by illness . .<br />

territory CinemaScope installation<br />

those at Benjamin Berger's downt<br />

run Gopher here and theatres at .<br />

Earth, Fertile, Minneota, Paynes<br />

Aurora, Minn.; Fargo. Wishek and V<br />

N. D.. and Highmore and Custer. I<br />

John Mowry, River Falls, has bought<br />

Theatre, Chetek, from the Miner Aj<br />

Co. of Rice Lake. Jack Gould will cc<br />

manage the house.<br />

Page of Ads on 'Eternity'<br />

For his showing of "Prom<br />

Eternity" at the Capitol in F<br />

Ont., Manager Len Gouin promot<br />

page of ads from local merchants<br />

"Values that can't be beaten .<br />

Here to<br />

Eternity!"


! Show<br />

ss' 240<br />

feek<br />

business zoomed<br />

!riod. "There's No<br />

!ss," which grossed<br />

week, held strong<br />

ting. "Three Ring<br />

I its second, scored<br />

I. Similarly "20.000<br />

ound up its second<br />

1 week of 230.<br />

100)<br />

Business<br />

240<br />

0), 3rd wk i35<br />

the Sea (BV),<br />

180<br />

ace<br />

k holdover at the<br />

"Vera Cruz" and<br />

[Stained a gross of<br />

again. The entire<br />

:tendance all over<br />

less than average<br />

90<br />

^ of Montono<br />

1 00<br />

Show Business<br />

125<br />

r the Sec<br />

200<br />

WB), 3rd wl4 125<br />

iamond Wizord<br />

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essionol work on Scot<br />

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Your chairs recovered.<br />

Foam Rubber or New<br />

1. Metal parts ref inn<br />

Baked Enamel— like<br />

Estimates onywhere.<br />

lywood<br />

Chairs<br />

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LD SEATING<br />

TONE<br />

ID<br />

I'tkt<br />

SCREENS<br />

tQUIPMINT<br />

CO.<br />

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Repairs<br />

CORN CO.<br />

'PED CORN<br />

Boxes Salt<br />

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POPCORN IMACHINES<br />

Phone TYIer 4-69i2<br />

Nights- UN 3-i468<br />

STITDIO VISITORS—RosaUnd Russell,<br />

starring in Independent .Vrtists' "Tlie Girl<br />

Rush." was hostess on the set at Paramount<br />

to Dale Miller of Miller's Grove<br />

Drive-In near Davton, Ohio, and wife.<br />

BOWLING<br />

DETROIT—Ernie Forbes Theatre Supply<br />

tied with Local 199 in the Nightingale Club<br />

Bowling League. Team standings are:<br />

Teom Won Lost Team Won Lost<br />

Ernie Forbes 30 26 Altec 271/2 ZSV,<br />

Local 199 30 26 Amuse. Sup. .26 30<br />

Not'l Carbon 29 27 NTS 25'/2 30'/j<br />

Individual high .scores rolled were; Roy<br />

Thompson 234-190-203. for a total of 627: Jack<br />

Cohvell 209-201. 590: Carl Mingione 192-195.<br />

565: Francis Light 196. 519: Nick Forest 536:<br />

Matt Haskin 517. and Ray Gagnon 514.<br />

Nightingale Notes: Some very good splits<br />

were made by M. Haskin with a 6-7-10. F.<br />

Light got the 3-6-7, R. Thompson and W.<br />

SwLstak made the 5-10, and E. Douville did<br />

the same, while Floyd Akins made the 3-10<br />

twice.<br />

O. H. Blough left for the sunny south. His<br />

flying companion was Max Robertson who<br />

winters in the south close to the Bloughs.<br />

Virgil Lazarus will .soon be away for the<br />

sunny parts also, and that means that secretary<br />

Floyd Akins has to look for another<br />

bowler to take his place. He has his eye on<br />

Frank Scheuer whom the Nightingales would<br />

like to have back with them again.<br />

Ray Gagnon was "awfully mad" at those<br />

pins as he was really knocking them down<br />

with that roundhouse curve of his—and that<br />

514 put him right on top in his division. Iris<br />

should have .seen Ray doing his stuff, as it<br />

w'as something really worth noticing.<br />

The Nightingales are looking forward to<br />

renewing their match games with the grand<br />

folks over in Cleveland of Local 160, and<br />

they'd better .start practicing, as this is just<br />

what the Nightingales are all doing now.<br />

Republic holds a three-point lead in the<br />

Film Bowling League. New standings are:<br />

Teom Won Lost Teom Won Lost<br />

Republic 10 2 Allied Film 5 7<br />

AA 7 5 RKO 4 8<br />

Theotrieoi 6 6 UA 4 8<br />

New high team scores for three games rolled<br />

for the season to date Include: Theatrical,<br />

2,471: Allied Film, 2,407; United Artists, 2.385.<br />

Individual high scores for three games are:<br />

Hogg, 618: Stlmac, 614; England, 591.<br />

Wayne Parsons Dies<br />

DETROIT—Wa>'ne Parsons, former manager<br />

for the Korman circuit at the Broadway<br />

Capitol, and afterward at the Gold Coa.st<br />

Theatre, died Sunday


Wellsville, Ohio, Company<br />

Busy Enlarging Screens<br />

WELLSVILLE. OHIO—Last year at this<br />

time tliere was considerable confusion among<br />

outdoor tiieatres. Whetlier to or whether not<br />

to install Cinemascope equipment and wide<br />

screens. Ttiis year, the question has been<br />

settled by a majority, who are going on with<br />

the trend and getting on the bandwagon.<br />

Among the most active engineers in the<br />

field helping the drive-ins to acquire the new<br />

look are Jack Vogel of Wellsville and John<br />

Selby of Akron.<br />

Vogel. an architectural engineer who has<br />

long .specialized in theatre construction, theatre<br />

remodeling and outdoor theatre requirements,<br />

recently announced an extensive remodeling<br />

program for the Dayton Drive-In.<br />

Sidney Lust has contracted with Vogel to erect<br />

a new screen tower to accommodate a 108-footwide<br />

screen in his Hillside Drive-In at Hillside,<br />

Md. In the same area, the P. H. Durkee<br />

Enterprises of Baltimore have engaged the<br />

services of Vogel to increase the width of the<br />

North Point Drive-In tower to 98 feet. And<br />

in the Pittsburgh area. Vogel is remodeling<br />

Norbert Stern's Harmar Drive-In at Harmarville.<br />

and increasing the size of the screen<br />

tower to prepare for a 60x90-foot screen.<br />

COLUMBUS<br />

gusiness up to five times greater than normal<br />

was registered by the eight local neighborhoods<br />

showing "The Fi-ench Line," which<br />

had been banned by the Ohio censor board.<br />

The film opened last week at the Beechwold,<br />

Esquii-e, Main. University, Cleve, Lane. Parsons<br />

and Westmont . . . Charles Sugarman<br />

reported continuing good business in a fourth<br />

week for Walt Disney's "The Vanishing<br />

The Palace had three big weeks<br />

Prairie" . . .<br />

with "20.000 Leagues Under the Sea" and<br />

Loew's Ohio and Loew's Broad played twoweek<br />

runs of "Deep in My Heart" and "Vera<br />

Cruz."<br />

Norman Nadel, Columbus Citizen theatre<br />

editor, was a member of the press party flown<br />

from New York to Silver Springs. Fla., for<br />

the underwater premiere of "Underwater!"'<br />

Nadel has been .seeing Broadway shows for<br />

the past two weeks.<br />

Columbus Town Meeting Sunday (23 1<br />

will<br />

feature a discussion on film censorship aired<br />

over WBNS radio and WBNS-TV. Speakers<br />

will be Dr. Clyde Hissong, former state film<br />

censor chief, and Senator Charles Mosher,<br />

Oberlin, who has just introduced a bill in<br />

the Ohio legislature to aboli.sh film censorship.<br />

SELBY „^ SCREEN TOWERS<br />

for Drive-In Theatres<br />

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1350 Ghent Hills Rd. Akron 13, Ohio<br />

Montrose (through Medina, Ohio) 6-7211<br />

INDUSTRY<br />

PROFILE<br />

Hazel Lentz Is a Bundle of Ener<br />

As Toledo s Newest Executive<br />

TOLEDO—Hazel Lentz. a 102-pound<br />

bundle of energy, is the newest addition<br />

to Toledo's feminine theatre ex-<br />

HAZEL LENTZ<br />

ecutive.s. She is serving as Girl Friday<br />

to Al Boudouris. operator of the new<br />

$460,000 Miracle Mile Drive-In at Jackman<br />

and Laskey roads in West Toledo.<br />

Though this is her first position in<br />

Toledo, she is no stranger to the theatre<br />

industry, having been married to<br />

Fred Lentz, a veteran theatrem.an, for<br />

the past nine years. She modestly<br />

states that all she knows about the<br />

business, she learned from him.<br />

Mrs. Lentz was manager of a Class A<br />

outlet of a large variety chain in<br />

Ravenna. Ohio, when she became<br />

acquainted with her husband, who was<br />

manager of Schine's Theatre in that<br />

city, only a block away from her store.<br />

After a four-month courtship, they<br />

weie married.<br />

Youngstown Locals Elect<br />

Officers for New Term<br />

YOUNGSTOWN—George A. Amreihn has<br />

been re-elected to his fifth term as president<br />

and business agent of stagehands Local 70.<br />

Other officers are William Harris, vicepresident:<br />

John B. Campbell, treasurer; Jack<br />

Summers, secretary, and Frank Prendergast,<br />

sergeant at arms.<br />

William E, Walsh was elected president of<br />

the projectionists Local 388. with other officers<br />

being Phil Diana, vice-president: Cecil<br />

Cook, recording secretary: Olie J. Myers,<br />

.sergeant at arms, and Amreihn, financial<br />

secretary-treasurer and business agent.<br />

She kept her job for a while<br />

resigned in favor of motherhood.<br />

Lentz family now consists of two<br />

Fred jr.. age 8. and Stephen I<br />

age 5. After two years in Ravi<br />

Schine sent Lentz to Athens, as<br />

manager. In 1950 he joined the Scl<br />

circuit of Bowling Green. He has<br />

city manager of the 3.400-seat 1<br />

mount, and the 1,800-seat State, de<br />

neighborhood house, both local Scl<br />

houses, the last four years.<br />

During all this time. Hazel Lent:<br />

a busy homemaker, but not too bu<br />

pitch in and take over tempoi<br />

W'hen an emergency would leave<br />

husband without a cashier, office<br />

bookkeeper, candy girl or other<br />

This experience came in very li<br />

when .she decided to take over the<br />

of helping the Miracle Mile Dri'<br />

get launched.<br />

Some 4,000 persons were presen<br />

the preview opening despite cold<br />

and strong w^inds. They marvele<br />

the huge screen, the beautiful ap]<br />

ance of the lighted speaker poles<br />

Eprad stereophonic speakers, and<br />

in-a-car heaters, an innovation in<br />

area.<br />

Being hostess to a dozen or so<br />

sons in a home is quite a lot diff<br />

than being hostess to some 4.000 g<br />

at a theatre opening, but Mrs. 1<br />

took it in stride. And the myriac<br />

tails and problems that arise in<br />

daily operation of Toledo's la<br />

drive-in theatre (1,800 cars)<br />

bother her at all—she is a wizai<br />

that almost impossible art—doii<br />

dozen things at once. She does ]<br />

tically everything in her post a<<br />

sistant to Boudouris except the 1<br />

ing and janitor work, supervising<br />

35 employes at the drive-in.<br />

In her spare time, she likes to<br />

and swim, and is an ardent speetat<br />

almost any sport.<br />

Remodels for CS and<br />

HINDMAN. KY.—Manager John<br />

reports the remodeling of the Hick<br />

to permit the showing of CinemaScc<br />

Vision and other wide screen tech<br />

L & L THEATRE CONCE<br />

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PHONE or WRITE I, ^.'-'**°"<br />

^ Independence, Mo.<br />

Names James Stout Jr. Manager<br />

OWENSBORO. KY.—The Cardinal Drive-<br />

In will reopen March 4 with James Stout jr.<br />

as manager. Wilmer Blincoe at Central City<br />

will do the booking and buying.<br />

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Speaker is housed in a sturdy sand cast aluminum case finished in<br />

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Available with straight cord or koiled cord at slightly higher price.<br />

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"Q" Series Double-Cone<br />

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1955 69


. . Nat<br />

. . Frank<br />

. . James<br />

CLEVELAND<br />

Abe Kramer of<br />

Associated Theatres made a<br />

flying trip from Florida to attend the<br />

Izzie Schmertz 50th anniversary dinner last<br />

Monday (17) and also to take care of such<br />

minor details as income taxes . . . MoUye<br />

Davis. MGM cashier, returned from a twoweek<br />

visit in Florida with Marie<br />

Hentges, a former member of the family<br />

MGM<br />

Mack<br />

.. . Duke Hickey. U-I publicist, chaperoned<br />

Rita Gam on a visit here in behalf of the<br />

opening of "Sign of the Pagan" at the Hippodrome.<br />

Frank Murphy, Loew Theatres division<br />

manager, was called east last week by illness<br />

of a member of the family . Barach.<br />

National Screen Service manager, left for<br />

Miami to attend a regional managers' meeting.<br />

He went equipped with southern vacation<br />

clothes, including shorts. Local industryites<br />

are waiting for snapshots of him in<br />

the regalia . . . Leonard Gray, Paramount<br />

publicist, made arrangements for the George<br />

Seton-William Perlberg press luncheon at the<br />

Statler Hotel following a .screening of "The<br />

Country Girl" in the Paramount screen room.<br />

Over in Shelby, the inhabitants were upset<br />

because there was no white Christmas. So,<br />

to keep everybody happy, Hal Shreffler of the<br />

Castamba Theatre pulled wires and arranged<br />

to give the town a "White Christmas" even<br />

though the weatherman would not cooperate.<br />

The Shelby Daily Globe credited Manager<br />

Shreffler with civic interest in a column-long<br />

article which gave the holiday attraction a<br />

terrific boost, resulting in outstanding business.<br />

'No'<br />

at Midnight Show<br />

YOUNGSTOWN—The State and Palace<br />

theatres presented Hallmark's "She Shoulda<br />

Said No" at a special midnight program Saturday<br />

(15).<br />

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Barberton, Ohio, Robbery<br />

Nets Thieves $1,100<br />

BARBERTON, OHIO—Two robbers escaped<br />

with $1,100 in a daring noonday holdup at the<br />

West Theatre. The robbers appeared in the<br />

theatre lobby while Mrs. Mary Virant. an<br />

employe and stockholder in the house, was<br />

eating lunch in the women's lounge. Manager<br />

Vincent Lauter was upstairs in the office<br />

preparing a money sack for the bank.<br />

Mrs. 'Virant went into the lobby to see<br />

what they wanted and the men said a child<br />

had lost a brown cap and glove in the theatre.<br />

She helped them rummage through the lost<br />

and found articles. Finally they asked her if<br />

the manager might have put the cap and<br />

glove away somewhere. Mrs. Virant called<br />

Lauter and went back into the lounge. When<br />

she disappeared, one robber pulled out a gun<br />

and demanded money. Though Lauter said<br />

he had already gone to the bank, they forced<br />

him upstairs where they found the money<br />

neatly packed and hidden behind the door.<br />

They tore up one of Lauter's spare shirts and<br />

bound him with it, hand and foot, and took<br />

his shoes before locking him in.<br />

Despite Ad Ban 'Mom' Does<br />

Well in Cleveland<br />

CLEVELAND—"Mom and Dad," Hallmark<br />

Production, is playing to near-capacity crowds<br />

simultaneously in four local theatres, the University.<br />

Sun. Standard and Southern. The<br />

picture is being shown to women only at<br />

2 and 7 p.m. and to men only at 9 p.m. Admission<br />

at all times is $1.<br />

Although virtually without benefit of newspaper<br />

advertising or newspaper publicity the<br />

picture is still doing sensational business.<br />

When the Plain Dealer and the News refused<br />

to accept advertising copy, the participating<br />

theatres, under the direction of exploiteer<br />

Card Mondor, distributed 300,000 heralds via<br />

direct mail in one week and u.sed 18 radio<br />

spots a day. A title mention and theatre<br />

name in the theatre directory made up the<br />

newspaper use. During the second week of<br />

the run an additional 130.000 heralds were<br />

distributed.<br />

Although the Press accepted advertising<br />

copy the first week of the run, it notified the<br />

theatres it would not accept any further copy.<br />

Plans Irvine Airer<br />

IRVINE. KY.—The McClanahans (Russell<br />

jr., Russell sr. and Ralph) plan to open a<br />

drive-in on the Irvine-Richmond road between<br />

West Irvine and Cedar Grove by the<br />

Excavation has begun on the<br />

middle of April.<br />

new project. The McClanahans operate the<br />

Mack and Irvine theatres here but plan to<br />

close one of these during the .summer upon<br />

the completion of the new- airer.<br />

Robert Sokol Insists<br />

He's Still Alive!<br />

Columbus—Robert Sokol, manager of<br />

Loew's Broad, would like it known that<br />

he's still alive. Reports were current here<br />

and along Cincinnati Filmrow th^t he<br />

was the victim of a plane crash last week<br />

near the Cincinnati airport. His name<br />

was confused with Robert Sobul of Columbus,<br />

one of the victims. The latter was<br />

district manager of a jewelry firm.<br />

CINCINN/<br />

. .<br />

The Royal, the oldest theatre in<br />

opened with Cinemascope recen<br />

owned by F. W. Huss jr. of Associat<br />

tres. The house, which was built in<br />

completely redecorated and a the<br />

screen added . Mrs. Alice Johnso;<br />

of Pearl Hunt, died at age of 75. 1<br />

is the wife of Herman Hunt, local<br />

and is president of the Variety aux<br />

Mrs. Mary Neff, mother of Jim I<br />

.<br />

.<br />

. .<br />

booker at 20th-Fox, died after a<br />

ness Weitzel, who has<br />

and buying service, has added tl<br />

Winfield. Boomer, and Smithers, \<br />

his accounts Conli. m<br />

National Theatre Supply, attended<br />

land meeting . Mrs. Anna Weit<br />

mount employe and mother of Fri<br />

zel, was in the haspital for examin<br />

treatment of a kidney ailment.<br />

Exhibitors in the city recently<br />

George Lively and C. B. Hukle of<br />

ton; William Settos, Springfiel<br />

Yassenoff. Columbus; Harold Moon<br />

ton; Frank Mandros, Cabin Creeli<br />

Marvin Samuelson, Pittsburgh; Ja<br />

Detroit ; Louis Shor, Williamson. W<br />

Wolf. Cleveland; Charles WiUiam<br />

A. N. Miles, Eminence, Ky.; Fi-a<br />

Matewan. W. Va.; Harley Benne<br />

cothe; J. W. Thomas. Oak Hill. W<br />

Greathouse. Aurora. Ind.. and Mr<br />

R. A. Emrick. Germantown. Ohio,<br />

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I in<br />

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•ph E. Levine of<br />

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It the Keith Meacked<br />

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territorial book-<br />

100 first run<br />

day with another<br />

ortly. while "Six<br />

playdates in New<br />

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jr., Bryant Haliers<br />

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mbridge, are enof<br />

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1 rights to James<br />

ivinning story "A<br />

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Square Theatre,<br />

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aimed at rewUl<br />

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star Martin Kowill<br />

be produced<br />

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s recently formed<br />

3ute foreign films<br />

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tireless worker<br />

und drives and<br />

ttee for several<br />

—<br />

—<br />

— —<br />

LOOKS LIKK MONROE — Manager<br />

John DiBencdetto got good coverage with<br />

a look-alike promotion he conducted for<br />

"There's No Business Like Show Business"<br />

at the Poll Theatre. Worcester, Mass. Star<br />

Marilyn Monroe was selected as the model<br />

and the young lady bearing the closest<br />

resemblance was interviewed on three<br />

radio shows and also appeared with<br />

DiBcnedetto on a WWOK-TV program.<br />

On all occasions there were numerous<br />

plugs for the picture and playdate. Opening<br />

day the "look-alike" winner was presented<br />

on the stage of the theatre.<br />

'Pagan' Pulls Good 160<br />

In New Haven Debut<br />

NEW HAVEN—Two of the four major<br />

downtowners did exceptional business with<br />

"Sign of the Pagan" and "There's No Business<br />

Like Show Business." Other offerings included<br />

"Vera Cruz." which had such a strong<br />

third week it was held fer a fourth.<br />

(Average Is 100)<br />

College Vera Cruz !UA); Captain Kidd ond the<br />

Slove Girl (UA), 3rd wk 125<br />

Paramount Sign ot the Pagan (U-I); The Sleeping<br />

Tiger (Astor) 1 60<br />

Poll There's No Business Like Show Business<br />

'20fh-Fox) 140<br />

Roger Sherman So This Is Paris (U-I); Terror Ship<br />

(LP) 90<br />

Three Holdovers Do Well<br />

At Hartford<br />

HARTFORD—For the fii-st week in several<br />

months, the downtown area had three holdovers.<br />

Allyn Tonight's the Night (AA); Security Risk<br />

'AA)<br />

no<br />

Art—The Little Kidnappers (UA), 4th wk 140<br />

E. M Locw The Violent Men (Col); It Storted in<br />

Paradise ( AA), 3rd wk 1 25<br />

Poll Vera Crui (UA); Operation Monhunt {UA)..200<br />

Palace Sign of the Pagan (U-I); This Is Your<br />

Army lUA), 2nd wk 100<br />

Strand Destry (U-I); Port of Hell (LP) 105<br />

Theatre to Parking Lot<br />

BOSTON—The All.ston Theatre in Allston.<br />

operated by American Theatres Corp., has<br />

been sold to H. W. Mann, who owns the store<br />

property next door. The theatre, which has<br />

been closed for the past three years, is being<br />

torn down to make room for a parking lot<br />

which Mann will operate.<br />

W. H. Mortensen Named<br />

HARTFORD—William H. Morten.sen. managing<br />

director of Bushnell Memorial, has<br />

been named to the metropolitan district commission.<br />

He is a former mayor of Hartford.<br />

Providence Art House<br />

Opened by Bostonians<br />

PROVIDENCE—Local devotees of art, foreign<br />

and musical extravaganza films will<br />

now have their choice of two art houses. The<br />

opening of the Westminster Playhouse, located<br />

on upper Westminster street recently<br />

brightened the area which has been<br />

dark for so long. Now, completely repainted,<br />

refurbished and redecorated throughout, it<br />

will be the scene of art offerings.<br />

Leased for a long term period from the<br />

Central Real Estate Co. by Howard N. Levin,<br />

Frederick Rogers and Joseph Cohen, all of<br />

Boston, the 800-seat house is set for a long<br />

and pretentious run, according to the new<br />

operators. With the exception of Jo.seph<br />

Cohen, a Boston booking agent, none of the<br />

partners has had previous theatrical experience,<br />

according to Levin, who will act<br />

as manager. Levin was previously a department<br />

store buyer, and Rogers has had a<br />

diversified background.<br />

ALSO PLAYS OTHER QUALITY FILMS<br />

Levin pointed out that in addition to presenting<br />

art films, foreign and musical screenings,<br />

the Westminster Playhouse would al.so<br />

show first run .spectaculars, and would bring<br />

back certain classics that had appeal, especially<br />

some for children. These would be interspersed<br />

with other attractions.<br />

Seats that showed signs of wear were reupholstered,<br />

and lamps, rugs and carpets were<br />

replaced. With the house presenting a sparkling<br />

appearance, the new operators are hopeful<br />

for the success of their new venture. A<br />

single matinee with a 65-cent admission<br />

being charged both adults and children, and<br />

two evening performances with an 85-cent<br />

charge will be the operating policy.<br />

For the time being. Levin said the current<br />

conventional-sized screen will be utilized.<br />

Further replacements and innovations may be<br />

introduced after the new operators get their<br />

project under way.<br />

LITTLE EMPHASIS ON CONCESSIONS<br />

The operators do not plan any elaborate<br />

refreshment stand set-up at the present, instead<br />

they will concentrate all of their efforts<br />

on screen entertainment. Candy vending machines,<br />

and drink dispensers will be spotted<br />

in strategical locations.<br />

While Providence already boasts of an art<br />

house, the Avon Cinema, located in the<br />

swank East Side section of the city, the newest<br />

member to this group is more centrally<br />

located, just a few steps from all of the<br />

downtown first rims. Tlie Avon, because of<br />

its location, draws mostly from the East Side<br />

area, especially from among the thousands<br />

of Brown, Pembroke and Bryant college students<br />

and faculty.<br />

The Westminster Playhouse, opened early<br />

in the 1900's as the Modern, has had a long<br />

and varied history. During its early years,<br />

the Modern w-as recognized as one of the<br />

leading downtown first run houses. With the<br />

advent of sound, the house slipped to a second<br />

and third run theatre. Later, it became<br />

the scene of a succession of unsuccessful stock<br />

companies, and legitimate presentations. Because<br />

of the character of plays offered, the<br />

house was constantly in trouble with censor,ship<br />

authorities.<br />

Producer Jesse L. Lasky has inked Frank<br />

Sinatra for a starring role in "The Big Brass<br />

Band."<br />

1955 NE 71


Lippert Asks Fair<br />

REOPENING GREETING—A new marquee with black cathode lighting, new indirect<br />

lighting throughout the auditorium, new lounge and extensive carpeting and painting<br />

feature the rejuvenated Arcade Theatre in Springfield, Mass., which was reopened<br />

with a Christmas performance. The entire staff is shown above, gathered outside the<br />

theatre to bid patrons welcome. Left to right are Frank Carney, Howard Shear, Oliva<br />

Lattenvillc, Dorothy AUard, Joyce Carlson, Cecilia Sroka, Nathalie Haskell, Bernadette<br />

Tetreault, Sophie Bal, Tom Sheridan and Manager Arthur Darley.<br />

BOSTON<br />

Phe "Profit and Prestige" contest for managers<br />

of New England Theatres has been<br />

completed and all entries are in the hands<br />

of the judging committee. From the wealth<br />

of material rece"lved by the committee, the<br />

judges will select the top prize winners. The<br />

final returns will be announced in February.<br />

Ronald Baumberg resigned as house manager<br />

at the Metropolitan to accept a position<br />

as salesman for the Fi"uit of the Loom Co. in<br />

Connecticut and the fringe area of New York<br />

state. Ronnie started with New England<br />

Theatres 14 years ago as a student manager<br />

and worked his way up from assistant to<br />

house manager at the Metropolitan. He has<br />

always been with Max Nayor, managing<br />

director of the Met. Baumberg has two<br />

children, a daughter 12 and a son 4"^ years<br />

old.<br />

An example of a true New England conscience<br />

was demonstrated to Walter Heath,<br />

manager of the Capitol in Hillsboro, N. H.,<br />

for Lockwood & Gordon Enterprises, when<br />

he opened a letter addressed to the manager.<br />

Inside were four $1 bills and a letter reading,<br />

"I am returning four dollars which I<br />

stole by lying about my age." Heath figured<br />

that the writer must have bought tickets ten<br />

times telling the cashier he was under 12<br />

years of age, as the children's prices are 20<br />

cents and adult admissions are 60.<br />

Phil Knapp who is handling the exploitation<br />

and promotion for "Long John Silver,"<br />

the first film of Distributors Corp. of America,<br />

was in town laying the groundwork for<br />

the campaign. The film us due to open at the<br />

Keith Memorial February 22.<br />

Because Mrs. Betty Bloom of Dorchester<br />

won first prize on the national Big Payoff<br />

TV program by writing the winning letter<br />

"Why I Feel Young at Heart," Manager Max<br />

Nayor of the Metropolitan Theatre won a<br />

free trip to Bermuda for two for one week.<br />

Mrs. Bloom, by winning the contest sponsored<br />

by Warner Bros., also came off with a trip<br />

to Bermuda. The rules of the contest allowed<br />

the manager of the theatre playing "Young<br />

at Heart" first run to share in the duplicate<br />

prize. Nayor has not set the date for the<br />

expense-free trip.<br />

In Purchasing Fili<br />

From North Central Editiorn<br />

MINNEAPOLIS — Here to visi<br />

Swartz. local Lippert distributor, ]<br />

Lippert warned that exhibitors wil<br />

be more generous in their treatme<br />

dependent producers and be willir<br />

higher film rentals than hithertc<br />

don't wish to have this source of<br />

and twin bill features cut off.<br />

There just isn't enough incentive<br />

independent producers to turn<br />

films which are essential to keep:<br />

small-town and subsequent run tl<br />

business, according to Lippert.<br />

Exhibitors complain about the<br />

of pictures, but many are unwillii<br />

fair prices for independent prograi<br />

and seem adverse to giving proper e<br />

ment to distributors of such pr<br />

said.<br />

"Instead of trying to buy as c<br />

possible and to take every advan<br />

sible over independent distributor<br />

tors must reconcile themselves to<br />

fair in their dealings with such d<br />

as with the major companies," dec<br />

pert. "Such an attitude has helped<br />

the present situation and picture<br />

"If independent producers are<br />

realize a fair profit on their pictu<br />

just stop malcing them. In fact,<br />

them already have done just that<br />

Perakos Leases Drive<br />

Going Up Near Hartf<br />

HARTFORD—Perakos Theatre Ai<br />

branching out.<br />

Peter G. Perakos sr., presider<br />

seven-unit circuit headquai-tering<br />

New Britain, has disclosed signinf<br />

year lease on a drive-in now bein<br />

the Ames Construction Co. of Hi<br />

Route 6A.<br />

The drive-in. being readied for<br />

opening, will have capacity for 850<br />

100-foot Cinemascope screen, pa<br />

and ramps, as well as a four-lane<br />

snack bar. playground for childr<br />

barbecue area.<br />

Perakos operates the Hi-Way ar<br />

Bridgeport: Palace, New Britain;<br />

Drive-In. Plainville: Strand, Thor<br />

state. Jewett City: Eastwood, East<br />

and Elm, West Hartford.<br />

you CAN ALWAYS DEPEND ON<br />

FOR THE BEST<br />

SPECIAL<br />

IMAGE & SOUND SERVICE CORP.<br />

"The Best Value In Sound Service"<br />

Hancock 6-7984 445 Statler Building<br />

Boston, Massachusetts<br />

Two Drive-In Companies<br />

Formed in Connecticut<br />

HARTFORD—Two drive-in corporation.s<br />

have filed certificates of incorporation with<br />

the secretary of state's office here. They are:<br />

Summit Drive-In. Branford Hills. Branford,<br />

$50,000: Charles M. Lane, North Haven: Irving<br />

C. Jacocks jr. and T. Holmes Bracken,<br />

both of Branford. Jacocks is owner of the<br />

Branford Theatre, while Lane owns and operates<br />

the New Haven Drive-In.<br />

Meadows Family Drive-In Tlieatre. Inc..<br />

Hartford: 100 shares, no par value: beginning<br />

business of paid-in capital. $1,000: Albert J.<br />

Bronstein, Bernard E. Francis and Israel<br />

Bergman, all of Hartford.<br />

Meadow.s Drivc-In will be the world's<br />

largest ozoner, with car capacity for 2,010.<br />

Both projects are in early stages of construction.<br />

Joe Adorno Appointc<br />

HARTFORD—Joseph A. Adorno<br />

town, former treasurer, was appoin<br />

state attorney general by Attorne;<br />

elect John J. Bracken. Judge Adorr<br />

former legi-slator Mansfield Sprag<br />

Canaan. Adorno. son of Sal Adorr<br />

eral manager of the M&D Theat:<br />

as state treasm-er for eight years<br />

1953. he was elected Middlesex Coi<br />

of probate to fill out the unexpin<br />

the late Judge Leonard O. Ryan.<br />

Levy to Discuss Toll 1<br />

HARTFORD—Herman M. Lev;<br />

counsel of TOA and executive se<br />

MPTO of Connecticut, will address<br />

ford Advertising Club on the top<br />

scription and toll television at<br />

February 8 meeting, slated for ni<br />

Hotel Bond.<br />

72<br />

BOXOFFICE<br />

Janui


Announcing<br />

Ballantyne 'H' Series<br />

Quality • plus • Economy<br />

$C60<br />

^1^<br />

EACH<br />

To meet the needs of drive-in operators who want a low cost quality<br />

speaker, Ballant)ne introduces its new "H" Series in-a-car speakers.<br />

Speaker is housed in a sturdy sand cast aluminum case finished in<br />

two-tone gra\ enamel. Single cone speaker is of excellent quality and<br />

the entire unit is weather-treated to give long ser\ice and protection.<br />

Available with straight cord or koiled cord at slightly higher price.<br />

]le-Cone<br />

single-cone,<br />

leaker unit,<br />

e case as "A"<br />

ished in lough<br />

mel.<br />


74 BOXOFFICE ;; Janui<br />

HARTFORD<br />

^orman Levlnson, for the last seven years<br />

assistant to Lou Cohen, Loew's Poli manager,<br />

was the guest at a testimonial buffet<br />

at the Hotel Bond the other night on the<br />

eve of his departure for Minneapolis to be<br />

regional press representative for MGM. Irv<br />

Richland of Richland Enterprise worked with<br />

Cohen and other downtown theatremen in<br />

arranging the informal testimonial, attended<br />

by Connecticut showmen. Levinson had been<br />

with the Loew''s Poli-New England Theatres<br />

since 1940, starting as usher.<br />

Joe Mansfield of UA's exploitation department<br />

was in town for several days, working<br />

on "Vera Cruz" at L-oew's Poli and the<br />

Palace . . . Arnold Van Leer, Paramount,<br />

came through ahead of "Country Girl" and<br />

"The Bridges at Toko-Ri" . . . Doug Amos,<br />

district manager for Lockwood & Gordon<br />

Theatres, returned from a three-week stay<br />

in Puerto Rico. Bill Daugherty, manager of<br />

L&G Webb, Wethersfield, flew to Miami for<br />

a week's vacation.<br />

Jack O'Sullivan, manager of the L&G Danbury<br />

Drive-In, handled the circuit's Plaza,<br />

Windsor, during a southern vacation junket<br />

of Bill Howard ... A Hartford area man,<br />

already on parole in conjunction with one<br />

morals offense, last week was sentenced in<br />

sup>erior court to from two to four years in<br />

state prison on another charge. The accused,<br />

48-year-old Arthur J. West of suburban<br />

Manchester, pleaded guilty to a charge of<br />

mjury or risk of injury to children by molesting<br />

a 4-year-old girl in a Hai-tford theatre<br />

last fall.<br />

Jack Leitao Will Build<br />

503-Car Airer in Conn.<br />

HARTFORD—Jack Leitao, a.ssociated with<br />

Leitao Car Wash in East Hartford, disclosed<br />

plans for construction of a 503-car drive-in<br />

on an eight-and-a-half acre site in suburban<br />

Glastonbury. The proposed tract is in an<br />

industrial zone.<br />

Judge Walter F. Foley, Leitao's counsel,<br />

said it is planned to surround the area with<br />

a corrugated aluminum fence mounted on<br />

steel posts about ten feet high. The surface<br />

of the parking area would be gravelled and<br />

the roadway hard-surfaced. A children's play<br />

area would be provided on the site which will<br />

boast a 90x40-foot screen.<br />

Judge Foley said that State Police clearance<br />

has already been obtained, with the<br />

Leitao Interests filing zoning application<br />

with the Glastonbury Zoning Board of Appeals<br />

for approval.<br />

The project would be the first drive-in for<br />

Glastonbury. The town has only one film<br />

situation, the Glastonbiu-y Theatre, operated<br />

by Mrs. Francis Lampert of Hartford.<br />

Twentieth Century-Fox has renewed Terry<br />

Moore's acting ticket.<br />

A. G. Johnson Redecorates<br />

Strand at Hamden, Conn.<br />

NEW HAVEN—Veteran exhibitor Adolph<br />

G. John.son has shown his faith in the future<br />

of the film business by<br />

extensively remodeling<br />

his theatre, making a<br />

substantial sacrifice in<br />

.'eating capacity at the<br />

same time.<br />

Johnson, owner and<br />

operator of the Strand<br />

in suburban Hamden,<br />

declared film houses<br />

will be profitably patronized<br />

for many<br />

years to come if attractive<br />

facilities back<br />

Adolph G. Johnson up better product.<br />

He installed American Bodiform chairs,<br />

spaced 36 inches apart, cutting seating capacity<br />

from 700 to 546, a loss of 154 seats.<br />

In another phase of the renovation program,<br />

completed this week, new carpeting was<br />

installed throughout and a standee rail of<br />

glass erected. The rail is illuminated by<br />

fluorescent lights of various colors, giving a<br />

striking effect. The top of the rail is covered<br />

with Formica, trimmed with chromium.<br />

Colored asphalt tile was laid near vending<br />

machines and in restrooms, the candy booth<br />

redecorated and parts of the interior painted.<br />

The screen and projection equipment are in<br />

first class condition, and did not need replacement.<br />

The same applied to the exterior,<br />

Johnson said.<br />

The exhibitor said the new appeal of the<br />

Strand is expected to increase receipts sufficiently<br />

to warrant the loss in seating capacity.<br />

He said the Bodiform seats allow more<br />

leg room and provide "living room comfort."<br />

The Strand was built in 1925, and Johnson<br />

has been the operator since 1927. He owns the<br />

building, which also contains nine stores and<br />

two apartments.<br />

The Strand is one of three theatres in<br />

Hamden, a town of 35,000. The houses draw<br />

on both the local population and that of<br />

New Haven proper.<br />

Brotherhood Chairmen<br />

Named in New England<br />

BOSTON—Samuel Pinanski, New England<br />

exhibitor chairman for the 1955 Brotherhood<br />

week campaign of the National Conference of<br />

Christians and Jews, has named the following<br />

state chairmen: Richard Smith, Massachusetts;<br />

Ray Kiniry, Vermont: Fenton Scribner,<br />

New Hampshire; Connie Russell and Ralph<br />

Tully, Maine, and Myer Stanzler, Rhode<br />

Island.<br />

Brotherhood Week will be celebrated in<br />

theatres throughout the nation February 20<br />

through February 27. John Harris of Pittsburgh<br />

is national chairman for the motion<br />

picture industry participation.<br />

NEW HAV<br />

^hiefs of six police departments ii<br />

Haven area and their wives w<br />

of Paramount Theatre Manager J<br />

at a private showing of "Gangbuste<br />

20th-Fox screening room il8i. Pisentatives<br />

and Sheriff James Rec<br />

attended. The new drama is bein<br />

through Embassy Pictm-es of Bosto<br />

First Connecticut showings of "Tl<br />

at Toko-Ri" will be at the Parann<br />

and the Allyn, Hartford, starting<br />

(27) . . . Floyd Fitzsimmons of B<br />

Art Canton of New York, MGM<br />

resentatives, are spending most of<br />

here completing details for the worh<br />

of "Many Rivers to Cross," set foi<br />

day (26).<br />

The Hartford Theatre Operatini<br />

buying and booking done bi<br />

has its<br />

Liggett, New York. Mike Alperir<br />

performed this work for the fi<br />

chain . . . The Ice Capades will<br />

Arena February 7 through 13, and e<br />

sales indicate the show will set a m<br />

ance record here.<br />

Among imports scheduled for tY<br />

the city's chief art house, in the r<br />

are IFE's "Bread, Love and Dre<br />

Japan's "Gate of Hell" . . . Param(<br />

ager Henry Germaine, who is get<br />

inquiries about "The Country G<br />

that its general release date will b(<br />

of the Academy Awards night, in<br />

Business was extremely good at<br />

towners. Because "Vera Cruz" wi<br />

fourth week at the College, Loew<br />

its usual policy of switching holdi<br />

the 3.000-seat Poli to the College<br />

"There's No Business Like Show B<br />

the bigger house for five additi<br />

"Sign of the Pagan" stayed at the :<br />

for two extra days.<br />

"Flippy the Clown," of the Wa<br />

"Tip-Top Time" TV program, af<br />

the stage of the Rivoli Theatre. W<br />

and the Dixwell Playhouse. Han<br />

units of the Fishman chain, at r<br />

in prices . . . The W. T. Grant Co,<br />

double show window to promote<br />

premiere of "Many Rivers to Cro<br />

John E. Coolidge Die<br />

ELLSWORTH. ME. — John I<br />

Coolidge. 81. pioneer newsreel cam<br />

dead. Coolidge, who for decades ph(<br />

history in the making, shot virtua<br />

notables who visited New England<br />

time with the Boston office of Pi<br />

w'hich he joined in 1926. He is s<br />

his son Phil, NBC cameraman<br />

England.<br />

for<br />

VistaVision<br />

For DRIVE-INS & THEATRES with HUGE, WIDE -AREA SCREENS • CARBONS, Inc. BOONTON, f<br />

iot<br />

CinemaScope


1 amusements<br />

. ten-month<br />

I period<br />

f?/0<br />

S<br />

Premier<br />

Dent<br />

)<br />

TAX RELIEF APPEAL<br />

HEAVY LOSSES TO TV<br />

ti Ontario, where<br />

last yeai' and a<br />

faced by theatres<br />

the industrywide<br />

; to obtain relief<br />

tax.<br />

what was termed<br />

!vy culminated in<br />

liminated the tax<br />

its and reduced it<br />

>ns more than 50<br />

^ special Ontario<br />

Admissions Tax<br />

Thursday (13) to<br />

/ a subcommittee<br />

xecutive secretary<br />

tres Ass'n of On-<br />

IBITORS<br />

)ntario legislature<br />

mier Frost is exe<br />

the February 8<br />

laruig of an ex-<br />

,e provincial cabiilar<br />

to the U. S.<br />

present provincial<br />

50 cents and reamusement<br />

prices<br />

;sent scale, under<br />

) cents on admisi<br />

increases to 12 ^»<br />

id over.<br />

ularly the smaller<br />

are closing their<br />

formed.<br />

ntario have been<br />

other uses while<br />

loss due to the<br />

chibitors reported,<br />

had been put into<br />

e end of October<br />

Is on motion pic-<br />

; brief stated.<br />

ITED<br />

igures at 28 first<br />

major cities of<br />

on, London and<br />

ticket<br />

)ctober) had decompared<br />

to 1951,<br />

jrhood theatres in<br />

was 19.46<br />

lent run theatres<br />

27.29 per cent.<br />

sdium sized cities<br />

elleville, Kingston<br />

a loss of 19.69 per<br />

; more than oneter<br />

1951 and the<br />

cent.<br />

leatres from which<br />

attendance figures were tabulated amounted<br />

to 21 per cent.<br />

In Toronto, 13 theatres out of a total of 28<br />

have closed. Outside of Toronto 15 have<br />

gone dark.<br />

There are only tluee new theatres under<br />

construction in Ontario, all in areas not affected<br />

by TV.<br />

The tax relief subcommittee includes Lionel<br />

Lester, vice-president of MPTAO; Ben Freedman,<br />

president of Allied Independent Theatres;<br />

R. W. Bolstad, Famous Players vicepresident;<br />

C. R. B. Salmon, Odeon vicepresident,<br />

and Ben Schachax", College Theatre,<br />

Brantford.<br />

The brief was prepared from repUes to a<br />

questionnaU'e sent to all theatres in the<br />

province.<br />

Premier Frost did not indicate the government<br />

attitude on the tax relief appeal.<br />

JARO Expanding Services<br />

To Screen Ads and TV<br />

MONTREAL—The authoritative London<br />

(.England) Financial Times reports additional<br />

details of J. Ai'thm- Rank Organization's<br />

plans to coordinate its screen advertising and<br />

TV services.<br />

A new company, J. Aithui' Rank Screen<br />

Services, will deal with TV policy and sales<br />

and general policy and coordination. J. A.<br />

Rank is chaii'man, G. A. Holdsworth, managing<br />

director, and J. M. Archibald, John Davis,<br />

K. N. Hai-greaves, Mai-k Ostrer and K. Wincles<br />

are directors. Screen Audiences will become<br />

pui-ely a production company, arranging<br />

productions for TV and screen advertising,<br />

and making documentary and industrial<br />

films.<br />

Theatre F*ubUcity (uicluding Langford &<br />

Co.} will be concerned entirely with cinema<br />

distribution of advertising and documentary<br />

films.<br />

To facilitate Screen Services' connection<br />

with provincial clients, regional offices have<br />

been established at Birmingham, Manchester<br />

and Bristol, and additional offices will be<br />

opened at Glasgow, Leeds and London.<br />

The £100,000 which the J. Arthur Rank<br />

Organization allotted to provide equipment<br />

to be used for live TV purposes lias been devoted<br />

in pai-t to purchase of a studio camera<br />

chain with four cameras (from Electric &<br />

Musical<br />

I<br />

Industries and an outside broadcast<br />

unit (With three cameras) from Marconi Co.<br />

In its approach to TV progranxs, J. Ai-thur<br />

Rank Screen Services is working on the development<br />

of a Umited number of high quality<br />

live and film progi'ams. Screen Services<br />

will offer these shows to program contractors.<br />

AMPPL to Meet in Toronto<br />

TORONTO—President William Singleton<br />

reports that the annual meeting of the Ass'n<br />

of Motion Pictm-e Producers and Laboratories<br />

will be held Saturday (29i at the King<br />

Edward Hotel here. The chief officers are<br />

all of Montreal. Singleton is general manager<br />

of A.ssociated Screen News; Pierre Harwood,<br />

vice-president, is with Omega Productions,<br />

while the honorary secretary-treasurer<br />

is Gordon Sparling, ASN.<br />

—<br />

—<br />

— ——<br />

'Star Is Born' Strong<br />

Toronto Holdover<br />

TORONTO—"A Star Is Born" continued<br />

to set the pace in its second week at the<br />

Imperial in a field that included holdovers<br />

of holiday attractions at six other theatres.<br />

"Deep in My Heart" at Loew's and "There's<br />

No Business Like Show Business" at Shea's<br />

were still popular in their fourth week, and<br />

"The Purple Plain" had a strong third week<br />

at the Odeon.<br />

(Average Is 100)<br />

Eglinfon, University The Adventures of Hajji<br />

Boba (20th-Fox) 1 05<br />

Hyland Trouble in the Glen (JARO), 4th wk...lOO<br />

Imperial A Star Is Born (WB), 2nd wk 145<br />

Loew's Deep in My Heart (M(jM), 4th wk 105<br />

Nortown White Christmas (Para), 2nd wk 100<br />

Odeon The Purple Plain (JARO), 3rd wk 110<br />

bhea's There's No Business Like Show Business<br />

(20th-Fox), 4th wk 115<br />

Tivoli, Capitol The Halls ot Montezuma (20th-<br />

Fox), reissue. Devil's Harbor (20th-Fox) 100<br />

Towne The Vonishing Prairie (Bueno Vista),<br />

4th wk 100<br />

Uptown Athena (MGM) 115<br />

Varied Post-Holiday<br />

Vancouver Grosses<br />

VANCOUVER — Vancouver grosses ranged<br />

from just fair- to excellent. "The Barefoot<br />

Contessa," "Black Widow" and "Desiree" all<br />

turned in high reports in then- first week's<br />

bow, while "Show Business" maintained average<br />

in its thu-d stanza and "Belles" was good<br />

in its fourth. <strong>Boxoffice</strong>s, otherwise, were fair.<br />

Capitol There's No Business Like Show Business<br />

(20th-Fox), 3rd wk Average<br />

Cinema The Bounty Hunter (WB); Gongster<br />

at Boy (SR) Fair<br />

Orpheum Desiree (20th-Fox) Very good<br />

Paradise Outlaw's Daughter, The (20th-Fox) . . . .Fair<br />

Plaza and Fraser The Beachcomber (JARO) .... Fair<br />

Strand Black Widow i20th-Fox)<br />

Excellent<br />

Studio The Belles of St. Trinians (IFD), 4th wk. .<br />

Good<br />

Vogue The Barefoot Contesso (UA) Very good<br />

OTTAWA<br />

The Strand in Ottawa South, closed several<br />

weeks ago by William Farrah, has been<br />

rented to radio station CKOY . . . Fred C.<br />

Leavens, president of Fredell Theatres which<br />

recently acquired thi-ee local theatres from<br />

Sam Fingold's circuit, has booked two touring<br />

stage shows into the Glebe Cinema . . . The<br />

FPC Capitol will present a stage show Thursday<br />

night (27), featuring Yma Sumac . . .<br />

For the engagement of "The Purple Plain" at<br />

the Odeon, Manager Jim Chalmers turned<br />

the foyer and mezzanine floor of the theatre<br />

into an art gallery for an exhibition by four<br />

local artists, the display bringing extensive<br />

newspaper comment.<br />

Don Fevereau, Toronto, has joined the<br />

Ottawa Valley Amusement Co., Renfrew, of<br />

which the general manager is Russ Simpson,<br />

onetime Ontario manager of Canadian Paramount.<br />

Fevereau resigned as booker at Paramount<br />

to join the circuit ... An upper portion<br />

of the front of the Perth Theatre building<br />

at Perth crashed to the street but no one<br />

was injured as the mishap occurred Sunday<br />

morning when the street was deserted.<br />

1955 75


. . Jacqueline<br />

. . Roger<br />

. .<br />

MONTREAL<br />

Omall-town theatres throughout Quebec<br />

province are steadily adopting modern<br />

screening equipment. One of the latest to<br />

install Cinemascope and stereophonic sound<br />

was the O'Connor Theatre at Huntingdon,<br />

owned by Quebec Cinema Booking and managed<br />

by Max Ai-senault . . . Bill Trow, president<br />

of the Montreal Poster Exchange and<br />

Quebec Cinema Booking, held a post-holiday<br />

dinner on Epiphany for his entire staff.<br />

Tom Trow, owner of the Imperial Theatre<br />

at Three Rivers, stopped in Montreal with his<br />

bride en route to Florida to complete the<br />

honeymoon which began at Ste. Adele in the<br />

Laurentians . Rickner, co-owner of<br />

the Alouette Theatre at L'Assumption with<br />

his father Raoul, is a new subscriber to BOX-<br />

OFFICE . Morin, head of Warner<br />

Bros. 16mm division, is back at the office<br />

after a month's illness . . . Romeo Goudreau,<br />

Paramount salesman, and Robert Stein,<br />

20th-Fox salesman, were both reported to be<br />

in Quebec City on business.<br />

J. A. DeSeve, president of Compagnie<br />

Fi-ance Film, in cooperation with Andre<br />

Roche and Eloi de Grandmont has decided<br />

to offer at the company's Arcade Theatre on<br />

St. Catherine Street East ten weeks of legitimate<br />

theatre. It is the intention of the group<br />

to bring to Montreal stage and screen actors<br />

from Paris. The Arcade has been redecorated<br />

and new seats have been installed in prepara-<br />

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tion of the program which is scheduled to<br />

start Friday (28) and last till April 7.<br />

Art Bell, RKO head booker, had a bad<br />

smashup in his automobile during one of the<br />

city's worst storms of the year. A few minutes<br />

after leaving the office. Bell's automobile<br />

swerved out of control and hit a parked car.<br />

None of the occupants were any the worst<br />

for the accident. Miss Agathe Marchand,<br />

RKO cashier, suffered slight injuries on the<br />

head and face and Bell also suffered face cuts.<br />

Mrs. Electra Andrews, billing clerk, escaped<br />

without injuries. Bell's car, however, was<br />

badly damaged . . . Mrs. Debbie Gilletz,<br />

stenographer at Warner Bros., is in the<br />

Jewish General Hospital for a major operation.<br />

Leon Savard and Georges Marcliand, managers<br />

respectively of the Venus Theatre of<br />

Joliette and the Cinema Lachute of Lachute,<br />

both QCBL theatres, were in Montreal visiting<br />

the company offices . . . Other exhibitors<br />

noted in Filmrow: Phil Karibian of the Pine,<br />

Ste. Adele; Edouard Gauthier of the Rio,<br />

Sorel; Mr. Mendoza of the Salle Municipale,<br />

Dorval; Guy Bachand of the Rex and Premiere,<br />

Sherbrooke: J. Lavoie of the Alouette,<br />

St. Michel des Saints, and Mr. and Mi's. Guy<br />

Lahaie, owners of the Normandie, St.<br />

Eustache-sur-le-Lac. Local filmites were very<br />

pleased at seeing Lahaie who had been in<br />

the hospital for a long time but now appears<br />

completely recovered.<br />

Montreal Men's Press Club, which holds<br />

weekly film shows for its members, announced<br />

that Harold Whitehead, film critic of the<br />

English-language Daily Gazette, was named<br />

chau-man of the club's film committee .<br />

Museum of Fine Arts of Montreal has resumed<br />

its weekly evening film showings of alternate<br />

French and English language films . . . National<br />

Film Board was rapped by Montreal's<br />

health department. The reprimand came<br />

after NFB showed a film over the CBC television<br />

network which contravened city and<br />

Quebec bylaws. Superintendent of Sanitary<br />

Inspectors Romeo Mondello said the film depicted<br />

hairdressers from Maxime and Pierre<br />

working without white uniforms.<br />

The most popular types of films in France<br />

are detective, light romance, musical and<br />

historical.<br />

HANDY


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1955 77


. . Bob<br />

. . Nipawin<br />

78 BOXOFFICE :; Janua<br />

. . . Several<br />

. . Meetings<br />

VANCOUVER<br />

•The Empress, Edmonton, was held up and<br />

Ted Duncan on the<br />

robbed of $200 . . .<br />

operational staff of the FPC Orpheum resigned<br />

and was replaced by Ray Gehrman.<br />

formerly of the Strand . Radis, manager<br />

of the UA Calgary branch, is leading in<br />

the Canadian section of the current UA drive<br />

. . . Ted Forsyth, Odeon executive, was here<br />

from Toronto on his semi-annual trip and<br />

was host to the local managers at a dinner<br />

held at Hotel Vancouver . Theatres<br />

of Regina are building a shopping center<br />

which will include a 1,030-seat theatre, according<br />

to Leonard Reinhorn, president . . . Art<br />

Graburn. manager of the Odeon-Plaza, reports<br />

that his brother Larry Graburn. former<br />

head of Odeon publicity in Canada who went<br />

to Hollywood to join Columbia Pictures, is<br />

now with the Buena Vista exploitation department<br />

there.<br />

.<br />

. . . Howard<br />

Members of projectionists Local 348 are<br />

planning to construct their own building<br />

downtown in the near future to cost around<br />

$200,000 . . Pi-ojectionists in Calgary are<br />

asking for a wage increase of 67 cents an<br />

hour in a dispute with two FPC houses, the<br />

Capitol and Palace. The dispute, in effect<br />

since last June, has now gone to an arbitration<br />

board. Present rates are $2.58 an hoiufor<br />

a 33-hour work week<br />

Fletcher, owner of the Kingcrest. failed in<br />

his bid for election as councilor in West Vancouver.<br />

Filmrow visitors were Lou Tisman, Chilliwack<br />

Drive-In; Harold Warren, operator of<br />

four Vancouver Island theatres in the Alberni<br />

district: Alex Gough, Oliver Theatre, Oliver,<br />

. .<br />

and Walter Mead of the Paramount Drive-<br />

In at Burnaby . Bob Rogers, student manager<br />

at the Vogue, resigned to join the Hudson<br />

Bay Co. . . . David Mills, 52, well kjiown<br />

In Regina theatre circles and a former FPC<br />

employe, died in Rockford, Mich. . . . Mike<br />

. . . E. H. Richards<br />

Karpiuk is building the first theatre at<br />

Creighton, a 250-seater<br />

is building a 150-seater at Carstairs, Alta.<br />

To operate on a two-day policy, it will be<br />

in competition to the Masonic Theatre.<br />

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TORONTO, ONTARIO<br />

"Eiclmlve Camdlan Distributor For Fllmaek"<br />

Ten Canadian Groups<br />

Slarl Film Reviews<br />

TORONTO—According to Clare J. Appel,<br />

Motion Picture Industry Council chairman of<br />

public relations, the film industry here is<br />

actively cooperating with the member organizations<br />

of the Children's Film Library Committee<br />

in publishing a monthly bulletin<br />

evaluating current films.<br />

"We believe," he said, "that the proper use<br />

of these estimates can have a desii'able influence<br />

in awakening an interest in motion pictures,<br />

particularly among people who are a<br />

part of what is referred to as the lost audience."<br />

The January bulletin, now being distributed,<br />

contains reviews on six features and one short<br />

subject which had been privately screened<br />

for representatives of the organization.<br />

Each review contains a synopsis of story<br />

and appropriate comment.<br />

The ten organizations taking part in the<br />

project are: The Canadian Council of<br />

Churches, Canadian Council of Jewish<br />

V/omen. Federated Women's Institutes, Canadian<br />

Federation of University Women's Clubs,<br />

Junior League of Toronto, Canadian Girl<br />

Guides, Canadian Home & School and Parent-<br />

Teacher Ass'n, Imperial Order Daughters of<br />

the Empire, Big Sister Ass'n and the Canadian<br />

Film Institute.<br />

"We expect theatre managers in every town<br />

and city will take advantage of the opportunities<br />

which the monthly film estimates<br />

offer," Appel said.<br />

He has sent out a list of suggestions to all<br />

regional exhibitor associations and directors<br />

of the Canadian National Motion Picture Distributors<br />

Ass'n for cooperation in publicizing<br />

the estimates with the local community organizations<br />

and newspapers.<br />

Vista Theatre Damaged<br />

By Explosion; Reopens<br />

From Central Edition<br />

KANSAS CITY—A mysterious explosion<br />

destroyed three shops in a one-story brick<br />

building at 2619-21-23 Independence and<br />

damaged the Vista Theatre at 2617. Occupants<br />

of apartments above the theatre miraculously<br />

escaped injury, one being an infant<br />

over whose bed glass was sprinkled when the<br />

window pane was cracked by the blast.<br />

The<br />

clock at the Vista had stopped at 1:09 a.m.,<br />

supposed to be the time of the explosion or<br />

explosions. Some residents in the area insist<br />

they heard two. The Vista and the building<br />

which was demolished are owned by Pox<br />

Midwest. No estimate of the damage is yet<br />

available. The theatre reopened a few days<br />

later.<br />

WINNIPEi<br />

The Cohen brothers have named 1<br />

supervisor of theii-<br />

Paris and Va<br />

tres here. Although Rubin has<br />

actively engaged in exhibition for sev<br />

he has kept his industry contacts<br />

While this area digs its way oi<br />

of the heaviest snows this winter, "<br />

Were Here" cards were received 1<br />

Wynant from Miami and Mr. and<br />

Besler from Hawaii.<br />

Visitors on Filmrow included Ma<br />

Empire-Universal, conferring with<br />

rie; Charles Chaplin, United Artis<br />

ring with Abe Feinstein; G. B. Bi<br />

Humboldt; Harold Howard, Star-L<br />

In, Saskatoon; Mel Dalseg, Siouj<br />

Ont; Rene Gabrielle. Derrick, \<br />

Shibley, ReadvUle, Sask., who has i<br />

seater there, and Garnet Wright,<br />

Ont. . . . The State here premie;<br />

Chekov's satire. "The Anna Cross:<br />

Dave Robertson held "The Bare<br />

tessa" at the Garrick. and Tom I<br />

"The Purple Plain" at the Odeon<br />

Willis has tied in with the Eli<br />

machine people in an Elna (Know<br />

Ma'am I contest. All women atte<br />

Gaiety during the showing of "Dri<br />

be eligible, the winner receiving a<br />

the main prize.<br />

Leon Asper of the Deluxe adve<br />

provementvs thus: "Opening Mondi<br />

proudly announce the installation c<br />

Scope equipment with High Fidel<br />

at the Deluxe Theatre. NOW you c<br />

top Cinemascope pictures at Winni<br />

comfortable and orderly theatre. 1<br />

with our policy of offering the be;<br />

at the lowest prices. Cinemascope<br />

will be 35 cents, 30 cents and 15 i<br />

Theatre Poster Service manag<br />

James recently served as foreman<br />

oner's jury investigating the n<br />

August Flatfoot. who was found on<br />

lying in the snow . \<br />

held between projectionists union r<br />

fives and the bargaining commiti<br />

MMPEA. Union contracts expire<br />

film salesmen were s<br />

during the recent winter storms.<br />

Files Percentage Suit<br />

From North Central Edition<br />

MILWAUKEE—Nick Johnson anc<br />

Tope, operating the Strand, Manit<br />

the Wisconsin and Majestic, Sheboj<br />

been named defendants in four t<br />

suits in federal court for the Easte)<br />

of Wisconsin. The actions were I<br />

20th-Fox, United Artists and RKO.<br />

I<br />

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ADVERTISE REGULARLY IN BOXOFFIC


. a<br />

: Jan.<br />

—<br />

f FICf siUUi'iinf/UiUE '"^<br />

a.<br />

OR HAS HIS SAY ABOUT PICTURES<br />

'ISTS<br />

Elliott, Carleton<br />

'hese westerns are<br />

;r series so far as<br />

ayed Thurs., Fri.,<br />

lold.—^Terry Axley,<br />

Ark. Small-town<br />

onsters, The (AA)<br />

Bernard Gorcey.<br />

'as Just not. funny,<br />

ney in the bank,<br />

nder. Played Wed.,<br />

sr: Cold.—Harold<br />

;, Coaticook, Que.<br />

onage.<br />

;erllng Hayden, J.<br />

nis is a fair action<br />

r. If you can get<br />

•<br />

a double feature,<br />

nk, Star Theatre,<br />

ion 1,200.<br />

rass (AA;—Lloyd<br />

aret Sheridan. If<br />

bit of a critical<br />

gs they could have<br />

hat you'd wonder<br />

race horse, a gal,<br />

t<br />

and with a lot of<br />

om, the imperfecng<br />

seem to be a<br />

folks eating it up.<br />

the Sun" to good<br />

ght it was, I wish<br />

ist like it. Played<br />

3ly.—Bob Walker,<br />

1. Small-town and<br />

[A<br />

The (Coll—Scott<br />

ames Griffith. A<br />

Id a better draw<br />

ery good for small<br />

Ending was a dislUent<br />

cast of char-<br />

:ure. Played Sun.,<br />

1, sleet and fog.<br />

Comfrey Theatre,<br />

d rural patronage.<br />

Col)—Rita Hayay.<br />

This is one of<br />

ever played. Give<br />

Aldo." Worth top<br />

eatre, St. Stephen,<br />

—Reissue starring<br />

lighty popular gal<br />

what the farmers<br />

If of the FYidayit<br />

with a Charles<br />

lette western for<br />

ige). Played Prl.,<br />

oche, Vernon The-<br />

)wn and rural pae<br />

(Col)—Randolph<br />

Weldon ... and<br />

,e same old coat,<br />

ig from my "once-<br />

Gross kept us in<br />

;nough to get us<br />

Dott starrer we've<br />

22, 1955<br />

got under contract. Played Fri., Sat. Weather:<br />

First frost.—Bob Walker, Uintah Theatre,<br />

Fruita, Colo. Small-town and rural patronage.<br />

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER<br />

Knights of the Round Table (MGM)—Robert<br />

Taylor, Ava Gardner, Mel Ferrer. Well,<br />

if you are tired of Indians, here is one that<br />

is about 10,000 times worse. It must hold the<br />

world's record in costumes and swords. Not<br />

much Round Table in it and, after the low<br />

grosses on it in my town, I may be forced<br />

to have a round table conference with my<br />

banker to get another loan. More proof,<br />

boys, that there is no advantage in Cinema-<br />

Scope. Good pictures do more business in<br />

plain black and white. This one was a great<br />

disappointment to us. Small-town and rural<br />

Here the Tried and True<br />

Formula Crops Up Again<br />

piCOCHET ROMANCE (U-I)—Marjorie<br />

Main, Chill Wills, Alfonso Bedoya.<br />

Drew better than average and I almost<br />

broke even on the engagement. Chill<br />

Wills was not well received. They want<br />

Percy Kilbride with "Ma." Give us good<br />

clean stories with popular stars and we<br />

don't need costly Cinemascope and<br />

gadgets. Fiayed Sun., Mon. Weather: Very<br />

good.—Leonard J. Liese, Rosy Theatre,<br />

Randolph, Neb. Small-town and rural<br />

patronage.<br />

trade. Played Mon., Tue.s. Weather: Fair.—<br />

O. D. Calhoun, Mars Theatre, BakersviUe,<br />

N. C. Small-town and rural patronage.<br />

Last Time I Saw Paris, The (MGM)—Van<br />

Johnson, Elizabeth Taylor, Donna Reed. When<br />

MGM named this their love story of the year,<br />

they meant just that. ThLs is positively the<br />

most emotional picture we have ever presented<br />

to our public. The cast is superb and the<br />

gorgeous color plays up the beautiful Paris<br />

scenes. Although being young in show business,<br />

I'm not so young that I can't recognize<br />

the qualities that make a truly great picture.<br />

MGM gave this one the works—wonderful<br />

cast, beautiful color, eye-catching scenes and<br />

terrific emotion. And how our patrons love<br />

emotion ! Our boxoff ice went way above average<br />

and never have our patrons been better<br />

satisfied. So we salute MGM on this wonderful<br />

motion picture. Played Sun., Mon.<br />

Weather: Beautiful.—Gail Coston, Candler<br />

Drive-In Theatre, Metter, Ga. Population<br />

3,000.<br />

Men of the Fighting Lady (MGM —Van<br />

Johnson, Walter Pidgeon, Louis Calhcrn. Real<br />

good suspense. Airplane fans will love it.<br />

We don't have enough alrminded people to<br />

get fUm rent out of it.—W. S. Funk, Star<br />

Theatre, St. Stephen, S. C. Population 1,200.<br />

Valley of the Kings (MGM i—Robert Taylor,<br />

Eleanor Parker, Carlos Thompson. Nice<br />

picture, beautifully done. Should have been<br />

a hit but wasn't. People aren't interested in<br />

ancient ruins, et cetera. Another lemon for<br />

us—but through no fault of the picture.<br />

Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Fog and cold.—<br />

Walt and Ida Breitling, Comfrey Theatre,<br />

Comfrey, Minn. Village and rural patronage.<br />

Washington Story (MGM)—Van Johnson,<br />

Patricia Neal, Louis Calhern. Since I slipped<br />

it by a long time ago I thought this popular<br />

cast might give me a little sleeper for the<br />

election midweek change—but nothing happened.<br />

Thank heavens Metro had this one<br />

in the bottom bracket, for my boxoffice hit<br />

the lowest ebb of the year. Played Wed.,<br />

Thurs. Weather: Nice.—Bob Walker, Uintah<br />

Theatre, Fruita, Colo. Small-town and rural<br />

patronage.<br />

PARAMOUNT<br />

Cease Fire (Para)—Cast of Korean combat<br />

veterans. We slipped this in late, not expecting<br />

much. It gave us one of the best midweeks<br />

of the year. <strong>Boxoffice</strong> weJl above<br />

average. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Good<br />

but turned to snow.—Dave Seng, Karlstad<br />

Theatre, Karlstad, Minn. Small-town and<br />

rural patronage.<br />

Elephant Walk (Para)—Elizabeth Taylor,<br />

Dana Andrews, Peter Finch. A good movie.<br />

Good story and cast. You can't go wrong<br />

with this picture. W. S. Funk, Star Theatre.<br />

St. Stephen, S. C. Population 1,200.<br />

Jlvaro (Para)—Fernando Lamas, Rhonda<br />

FlemiJig, Brian Keith. Color by Technicolor.<br />

The most beautiful color picture that I have<br />

ever seen. Everyone remarked on the beauty<br />

of it. The story and comments wore also<br />

good but the take was very poor because the<br />

weather has at last cleared and everyone was<br />

busy in the fields. (Ed. note: Evidently the<br />

picture was played last summer.) They have<br />

been held up so long that they work day and<br />

night. Don't be afraid of this picture, it is<br />

all right. Played Mon., Tues. Weather: Good.<br />

—Fred L. Murray, Strand Theatre, Spiritwood,<br />

Sask. Small-town and rural patronage.<br />

Living It Up (Para)—Dean Martin, Jerry<br />

Lewis, Janet Leigh. Not up to previous<br />

M&L films. This company's terms are<br />

so brutal we can't break even. Under such<br />

conditions it is hard to remain optimistic.<br />

Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Very good.—<br />

Leonard J. Liese, Roxy Theatre, Randolph.<br />

Neb. Small-town and rural patron.-ige.<br />

Naked Jungle, The (Para)—Charlton Heston,<br />

Eleanor Parker, WUliam Conrad. What<br />

"Elephant Walk" shot for but missed. This<br />

should be enjoyed by all persons anywhere.<br />

Business average. Played Sun., Mon. Weather:<br />

One cold day.—James H. Hamilton, Pine Hill<br />

Drive-In Theatre, Picayune, Miss. Smalltown<br />

and rural patronage.<br />

Pony Express (Para)—Charlton Heston,<br />

Rhonda Fleming, Forrest Tucker. An oldie<br />

from Paramount. Gave it an extra day's showing<br />

and the action fans all showed up. Played<br />

Mon., Tues., Wed. Weather: O. K.—Frank<br />

Sabin, Majestic Theatre, Eureka, Mont.<br />

Small-town and rural patronage.<br />

Scared Stiff (Para)—Dean Martin, Jerry<br />

Lewis, Lizabeth Scott. Was off to the big<br />

city to see about taking on some new debts<br />

for a gadget to run percentage pictures on,<br />

so I missed this one. It gave us a good Halloween<br />

business and did much better than<br />

most of these have. Played Fri., Sat. Weather:<br />

Nice.—Bob Walker, Uintah Theatre, Fruita,<br />

Colo. Small-town and rural patronage.<br />

RKO RADIO<br />

Fort Apache (RKO)—Reissue. John Wayne,<br />

(Continued on next page)<br />

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The EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY<br />

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(Continued from preceding page)<br />

Henry Fonda, Shirley Temple. A reissue western<br />

that did as much business as some first<br />

runs. Television and crop conditions hurt so<br />

bad here now there isn't too much difference.<br />

Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Clear and<br />

cold.—Terry Axley, New Theatre, England.<br />

Ark. Small-town and rural patronage.<br />

Hltch-Hiker, The (RKO)—Edmond O'Brien,<br />

Prank Lovejoy, William Talman. This is one<br />

of the most suspenseful things you'll ever<br />

find on film. Although it's too tough for<br />

single bill country town fare, with a good<br />

western like "TaU in the Saddle" on the second<br />

time we still had them raving about the<br />

program. Gave us the best Friday-Saturday<br />

In ages and pleased youngsters and oldsters.<br />

The western should be good for a repeat<br />

every few years as it is stiU one of the best.<br />

Too bad the print wasn't tinted. Weather:<br />

Nice.—Bob Walker, Uintah Theatre, Pruita,<br />

Colo. Small-town and rural patronage.<br />

Susan Slept Here (RKO)—Dick Powell,<br />

Debbie Reynolds, Anne Francis. Small towns,<br />

latch on to this deUghtful comedy. You will<br />

be glad to stand out front when your patrons<br />

come out of the theatre.—W. S. Funk, Star<br />

Theatre, St. Stephen, S. C. Population, 1^00.<br />

Sword and the Rose, The (RKO)—Richard<br />

Todd, Glynis Johns, James Robertson Justice.<br />

Picked this one up and I played It and was<br />

I sorry I Oh, brother! One of the worst<br />

Sunday-Mondays I ever had. Weather: Clear<br />

and cold.—Terry Axley, New Theatre, England,<br />

Ark. Small-town and rural patronage.<br />

REPUBUC<br />

Laughing Anne (Rep)—Wendell Corey,<br />

Margaret Lockwood, Forrest Tucker. Should<br />

have left this one in the can. What a shame<br />

to waste good stars like Corey and Tucker on<br />

a thing like this. <strong>Boxoffice</strong> weU below average.<br />

Played Frl., Sat. Weather: Good.—Dave<br />

Seng, Karlstad Theatre, Karlstad, Minn.<br />

Small-town and rural patronage.<br />

20th CENTURY-FOX<br />

Broken Lance (20th-Fox)—Spencer Tracy,<br />

Katy Jurado, Robert Wagner. This is very<br />

good and though we did only average business<br />

before Christmas, it deserves your best<br />

playing time. Excellent performances by all<br />

concerned. Nothing but good comments on<br />

this. Played Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather: Cold,<br />

sleet and fog.—Walt and Ida Breitlhig, Comfrey<br />

Theatre, Comfrey, Minn. Village and<br />

rural patronage.<br />

Demetrius and the Gladiators (20th -Fox)—<br />

Victor Mature, Susan Hayward, Jay Robinson.<br />

It may be a followup of "The Robe"—<br />

but, believe me, here is one of the lowest<br />

grossers we have ever had. When is Vic<br />

Mature going to get out of that costume and<br />

emerge his old self again? This picture was<br />

extraordinary, it was good from every angle,<br />

but one thing still stands out in my mind.<br />

What happened to the people? They didn't<br />

come—and that always makes an exhibitor<br />

unhappy. No "mon" no "fun." And, from the<br />

looks of things now, if we keep playing Cinemascope,<br />

we won't ever have any mon or<br />

fun either. Played Mon., Tues. Weather:<br />

Fair.—O. D. Calhoun, Mars Theatre, Bakersville,<br />

N. C. Small-town and rural patronage.<br />

Inferno (20th-Pox)—Robert Ryan, Rhonda<br />

Fleming, William Lundigan. I read your comments<br />

and I passed them on, expecting big<br />

things of this well made thriller. The picture<br />

was everything you said it was but 1 guess<br />

the folks in my community decided I was<br />

the biggest liar in the country for very few<br />

of them visited me these two days. Quite<br />

possibly the inferno had burned itself out<br />

before Fox offered this to me. Played Pri..<br />

Sat. Weather: Perfect.—Bob Walker, Uintah<br />

Theatre, Fruita, Colo. Small-town and rural<br />

patronage.<br />

Man in the Attic (20th-Fox)^Jack Palance,<br />

Constance Smith, Byron Palmer. Man, you<br />

stay away from this picture. It won't sell a<br />

ticketl—W. S. Funk, Star Theatre, St.<br />

Stephen, S. C. Population 1,200.<br />

Titanic (20th-Fox)—Clifton Webb, Barbara<br />

Stanwyck, Robert Wagner. Good business on<br />

this better than average feature. Many compliments.<br />

Some said the ending was too sad.<br />

Played Pri., Sat., Sun. Weather: O.K.—Prank<br />

Sabin, Majestic Theatre, Eureka, Mont.<br />

Small-town and rural patronage.<br />

UNITED ARTISTS<br />

Apache (UA)—Burt Lancaster, Jean Peters,<br />

John Mclnt;re. This was no better and no<br />

worse than the rest of the Indian extravaganzas<br />

and barely made expenses. Surprise ending.<br />

Good color and acting but unfortunately<br />

they want more these days. Played FTi., Sat.<br />

Weather : Sleet and ice.^Walt and Ida Breitling,<br />

Comfrey Theatre, Comfrey, Minn. Village<br />

and rural patronage.<br />

Beachhead (UA)—Tony Curtis, Frank Lovejoy,<br />

Mary Murphy. This is the best war<br />

picture on the market today. Mary Murphy<br />

and the superb color will sell it.—W. S. Funk,<br />

Star Theatre, St. Stephen, S. C. Population<br />

UOO.<br />

Scarlet Spear, The (UA)—John Bentley,<br />

Martha Hyer, native African tribesmen. Nice<br />

color but the story is weak and too farfetched.<br />

Many of the animal shots were good enough<br />

but we had seen them before—I think they<br />

came from "King Solomon's Mines." Comments<br />

were only fair and we did average<br />

business. Play it if you need a picture.<br />

Played Pri., Sat. Weather: Rainy, roads f>oor.<br />

—Fred L. Murray, Strand Theatre, Spiritwood,<br />

Sask. Small-town and rural patronage.<br />

Vice Squad (UA) — Edward G. Robinson,<br />

Paulette Goddard, K. T. Stevens. We had to<br />

play this on a weekend where, ordinarily,<br />

we would have played it on Sunday-Monday.<br />

A fairly good movie but, again, the rental<br />

charged us left no profit. Lots of action and<br />

a good performance by Robinson. If you buy<br />

it right and play it on your action evenings<br />

you should do well with it. Played Thurs.,<br />

Fri., Sat. Weather: Warm.—Dave S. Klein,<br />

Astra Theatre, Kitwe-Nkana, Northern Rhodesia,<br />

Africa. Mining, government and business<br />

patronage.<br />

UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL<br />

Bengal Brigade (U-I)—Rock Hudson, Arlene<br />

Dahl, Ursula Thiess. After having this pulled<br />

from us two or three times, we finaUy got<br />

a date Christmas week. I guess this is pretty<br />

good for a small town. But, believe me, many<br />

more like this and Rock Hudson will be at<br />

the bottom of oiu' list for drawing power.<br />

Universal must be slipping—we have had<br />

several stinkers from them lately. Played<br />

Wed., Thurs. Weather: Cold.—O. D. Calhoun,<br />

Mars Theatre, Bakersville, N. C. Small-town<br />

and rural patronage.<br />

He Has a Problem<br />

Mr, Anthony<br />

TJIGH AND THE MIGHTY, THE (WB)<br />

—John Wayne, Claire Trevor, Laraine<br />

Day. This may have been one of Warners<br />

low budget pictures but it did fairly well<br />

with us, being our second CinemaScope<br />

picture. Jolin Wayne did a good job but<br />

there was not enough "John Wayne action"<br />

in it to please all the fans he has<br />

in this town. The price we had to pay<br />

to get it took all the joy out of what<br />

little we did make on it. We have found<br />

that the price being asked of the small<br />

towns for the CinemaScope product does<br />

not warrant tlie installation at all. Played<br />

Tues., Wed., Thurs. Weather: Hot.—O. D.<br />

Calhoun, Mars Theatre, Bakersville, N. C.<br />

Small-town and rural patronage.<br />

City Beneath the Sea (U-D—Rol<br />

Mala Powers, Anthony Quinn. A<br />

wonderful color, good acting by al]<br />

Business fair. This picture is not t<br />

worth your best playing time ar<br />

make you some money. Played<br />

Weather: Wet and roads bad.—Fre<br />

ray, Strand Theatre, Spiritwood, Sa<br />

town and rural patronage.<br />

Fireman, Save My Child (U-D—<br />

and His City Slickers, Buddy HBd<br />

was Just too silly, even for the i<br />

office below average. Played<br />

Weather: Good.—Dave Seng, Karls<br />

tre, Karlstad, Minn. Small-town<br />

patronage.<br />

Take Me to Town (U-D—Ann<br />

Sterling Hayden, PhiUp Reed. G<br />

good comments on this. One lady, w<br />

says she doesn't like the show, gav<br />

praise. Double billed with "Girl<br />

Everything" (MGM) to fairly gooi<br />

considering weather. Played Pri.,<br />

ther: Poor.—Norman Merkel, Timi<br />

Albert City, Iowa. Small-town<br />

;<br />

patronage.<br />

Thunder Bay (U-I)—James Stews<br />

Dru, Dan Duryea. This one beats<br />

I go and do a lot of extra advert<br />

it up all over town, tell them Jam<br />

is playing in it and that it has beai<br />

and all that sort of thing. Then a<br />

turns out the first night and absc<br />

body shows up the second night. J<br />

can't understand it but it sure r<br />

boat somewhere and I took a 1<br />

Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Faij<br />

—I. Roche, Vernon Theatre, Ve<br />

Small-town and rural patronage.<br />

Tumbleweed (U-D—Audie Mur<br />

Nelson, Chill Wills. Very good pictu:<br />

many Indians and a good story. Aud<br />

is fine as usual and he has a gooc<br />

here. Universal surely knows ho?i<br />

perfect color. Picture very sharp<br />

above average for a weekend. Playe<br />

Weather: Cool.—W. L. Stratton, I<br />

atre, Challis, Idaho.<br />

WARNER BROS.<br />

Desert Song, The (WB)— Kath<br />

son, Gordon MacRae, Steve Coctii<br />

time it's made they do a first cl<br />

casting and filming this tireless a<br />

told tale of fantasy. With a little 1<br />

the bank this did quite well at th(<br />

and if we had a disgruntled patro<br />

have come on a pass and been<br />

to squawk to me about it. Pla<br />

Thurs. Weather: Perfect.—Bob We<br />

tah Theatre, Fruita, Colo. Smallrural<br />

patronage.<br />

Dial M for Murder (WB)—Ray<br />

Grace Kelly, Robert Cummlngs. Ai<br />

show in my opinion, expertly pu<br />

and well acted. Had eight adults<br />

kids the second night—so they<br />

for this type of murder drama he<br />

Wed., Thurs. Weather: Clear an<br />

Roche, Vernon Theatre, Vernon, I<br />

town and rural patronage.<br />

Hondo (WB)—John Wayne,<br />

Page, Ward Bond. Not as good a<br />

but still very good and it do«<br />

Terms are too high for the rotten i<br />

ners sent me. I can't get them t<<br />

leaders on their prints. This pictur<br />

splices. Played Thurs., Pri., Sat.<br />

Good.—W. L. Stratton, Lyric Theat<br />

Idaho. Small-town and rural patrc<br />

:<br />

Lucky Me (WB)—Doris Day, Ro<br />

mings, Phil Silvers. This is not<br />

old "Tea for Two," "Lullaby of<br />

and "Moonlight Bay" Doris Days b<br />

ter than "Calamity Jane" and the<br />

cal I've seen in a year.—W. S. I<br />

Theatre, St. Stephen, S. C. Populi


ler. For listings by company, in the order of releose, sec Feature Chart. jjjLjjiii; Uiui^iJi<br />

Good; * Fair; — Poor; = Very Poor In the summary 1; is rated 2 pluses, — as 2 minuses.


REVIEW DIGEST<br />

H very Good, + Good, ±Foir;- Poor, = very Poor In the summary ++ is rated 2 pluses, — as 2 minuses.<br />

1639GoIdtn Mistress, The (82) Drama UA 10-23-54 + + +<br />

Good Die Young. Tha (. ) Drama UA<br />

1580 Gorilla at Large (S3) Drama<br />

(Three-dimension) 20tli-Fox 5-8-54+ + +<br />

1537 Great Diamond Robbery (69) Comedy. MGM 12- 5-53+ ±<br />

1531 Great Gilbert and Sullivan, The (112)<br />

Musical UA 11-14-53 ++ ++<br />

1673 Green Fire (100) Drama MGM 12-25-54+ ±<br />

1579 Guilt Is My Shadow (86) Drama Stratford 5- 8-54 i:<br />

1553 Gypsy Colt (72) Drama MGKI 1-30-54+ + ±<br />

± ± ± 7+4-<br />

H<br />

Half-Way td Hell (61) Documentary. . Hallmark<br />

Hans Christian Andersen (112)<br />

Musical RKO 11-29-52 H tt<br />

1635 Hansel and Gretel (75) Fantasy RKO 1016-54 + +<br />

1636 Heat Wave (70) Drama LP 10-16-54 ±<br />

1548 Heidi (97) Drama UA 1- 9-54 ++ ++<br />

1556 Hell and High Water (103) Drama<br />

(Cinemascope) 20th-Fox 2-6-54++ ++<br />

1586 Hell Below Zero (90) Drama Col 5-29-54+ +<br />

1580 Hell Raiders of the Deep (93) Drama. . I.F.E. 5- 8-54 +<br />

1558 Hell's Halt Acre (91) Drama Rep 2-13-54 ± ±<br />

1687 Hell's Outpost (90) Drama Rep 1-8-55+ ±<br />

1596 Her Twel»c Men (91) Comedy-Drama MGM 7- 3-54 ++ ff<br />

1608 High and Dry (93) Comedy U-l 8-28-54+ ++<br />

1586 High and the Mighty, The (153) Drama<br />

(CincmaScoBe) WB 5-29-54 ff ++<br />

1553 Highway Dragnet (72) Drama AA 1-30-54 ± +<br />

1593 His Last Twelve Hours (89) C»m-0r.. . I.F.E. 6-26-54 +<br />

1545 His Majesty O'Keefe (88) Drama WB 1-2-54+ ++<br />

1592 Hohson's Choice (107) Comedy UA 6-19-54 ++ ++<br />

1538 Hondo (83) Drama (Three-dimension) ... WB 12- 5-53 ++ ++<br />

1551 Horse's Mouth. The (77)<br />

Comedy Mayer- Kingsley 1-23-54 +<br />

1606 Human Desire (90) Drama Col 8-14-54 ±<br />

1618 Human Jungle (82) Drama AA 9-18-54+ +<br />

1691 Hunters of the Deep ( . . ) Doc DCA 1-15-55 +<br />

Husband tor Anna, A (105) Drama I.F.E.


ad; — Fair; — Poor; — Very Po In the summary H is roted 2 pluses, — as 2 minuses.<br />

KtVlfcWf DiOt«^T<br />

s


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oZn'l rAgrrdv;XeXoma;rCD) Cimedy-Drnmo; (F) Fan.osy; (M) Musico.; (W) Western; ,SV,<br />

we1"rn. Releosc number tollows. !J denotes BOXOFFICE Blue R.bhon Awcrd W.nn.^,. Pho,<br />

e Coior; ^/ 3-D; C3 Wide Screen. For rc-iew doles ond Picture Guide poge numbers, see Review D15<br />

ALLIED<br />

a<br />

ARTISTS<br />

Forty-Ninere, The (70'/2) W. .5424<br />

Wild Bill Elliott. Virginia CIrey. Denver Pyle<br />

Bowery Boys Meet the Monsters<br />

IXl<br />

(66) C..5419<br />

Leo OorceF, Huntz Hall, Laura MaaoD<br />

! Desperado, The (81) W. .5426<br />

Way-ne Morria, BeTerly Garland, J. Lrdon<br />

Si Week ond the Wicked, The<br />

(72) D..5432<br />

Oljmli Johns, John Gregson. SImone Bllta<br />

O Return From the Sea (80) D. .5409<br />

Jan Sterling, Nerllle Brand, Bobert Artluir<br />

SJ Security Risk (69) D..5417<br />

John Ireland, Dcroth; Halone, Keltb Lareen<br />

g Killer Leopard (70) D..5412<br />

.lobnnji Sherrield, Beverl; Garland<br />

COLUMBIA<br />

^Mad Magician, The (72) D. .640<br />

Vincent Price, Mary Murphy, Bv» Qibor<br />

Mossocre Conyon (66) W..635<br />

Phil Carey. Audrey Totter. CharllU<br />

Miami Story, The (75) D. .641<br />

Barry Sullivan, Adele Jergens, Luther Adler<br />

Jungle Mon-Eoters (68) D..707<br />

Johnny. WcLssmuller, Karin Booth, R Btapley<br />

©Sorocen Blade (76) 13. .633<br />

Klcardo Montalbao, Betta St. John<br />

©Hell Below Zero (91)<br />

D..709<br />

Alan Ladd, Joan Tetzel, BaiU Bldne;<br />

Indiscretion of an American<br />

Wife (63)<br />

D..703<br />

Jenoiter Jonee. Uootgonery Clift. V. DeMca<br />

©Outlaw Stank>n (64) W..705<br />

Phil Carey. Dorothy Patrte*<br />

©Low vs. Billy the KM, The<br />

(73) W. .711<br />

Scott Brady, Betta St. John, Alan Hale ir.<br />

Pushover (88) D. .704<br />

Fred itacMurray, Kim Novak, Phil Carey<br />

LIPPERT<br />

Monster From the Ocean Floor<br />

I<br />

(64) D . . 5328<br />

/\nne KimbeU, Stuart Wade<br />

Cowboy (69) Doc. .5408<br />

Narrators: Tei Hitter. Bill Conrad, John Dehner<br />

O Big Chose, The (60) D. .5328<br />

LoQ Chancy, Glenn 1 .«ng»n<br />

a Paid to Kin (70) D..5326<br />

Dane dark, Cecil Chevrtia, P. Carpenter<br />

Bl River Beot (73) D. .5329<br />

Phyllis Kirk, John Bentley, Bobert Ayres<br />

i Thunder Pass (76) W. .5405<br />

Dane Clark, Dorothy Patrick, Andy Derine<br />

M-G-M<br />

SI ©Prisoner of War (81)..<br />

Ronald Reagan. Dewey Martia,<br />

as ©Flame and the Flesh (K<br />

Lana Turner, Carlo? ThompsM<br />

Jul ©Men of the Fighting Lot<br />

Van Johnson, Dewey Martin.<br />

Prince, The (1<br />

Ann Blytb, Edmund PurdoD,<br />

S ©Valley of the Kings (83<br />

Bobert Taylor, Eleanor Parke<br />

H] U©ciiSeven Brides for i<br />

Brothers (102)<br />

Jane Powell, Howard Keel, ,<br />

!©Her Twelve Men (91).<br />

Greer Carson. Robert Ryan.<br />

[S Jungle Gents (64) C. .5420<br />

Leo Oorcer. Hunts Hall, Laurette Luca<br />

SSTwo Guns ond a Badge (69) . .5427<br />

Wayne Morris, Damlan O'Flynn, R. Barcroft<br />

©Black Dokotas, The (65) W. .721<br />

Gary Merrill. Wanda Hendrli, John Bromfleld<br />

©Bullet Is Woitlnfl, A (82) D..712<br />

Jean Siramons, Kory (Calhoun, Stephen McNaily<br />

Human Desire (90) D. .710<br />

Glenn Ford. Gloria Orafaame, B. Crawford<br />

Bl Terror Ship (72) D. .5330<br />

WlUlaa Londigan<br />

m silent Raiders (65) D. .5404<br />

Elchard Bartlett, Earle Lyon, Jeanette Bordeaui<br />

S Unholy Four, The (80) D. .5401<br />

Paulette Ooddard. William Sylvester<br />

S] ©Betrayed (108)<br />

Lana Turner, Clark Gable,<br />

(.^©BrigadoDn (108)..<br />

Gene Kelly. Van Johnson.<br />

[3] Human Jungle, The (82) D. .5501<br />

Gary Uerrlll. Jan Sterling, Paula Baymond<br />

On the Waterfront (108) D. .702<br />

Marlon Brando, Earl Maiden, l«e 1. Cobb<br />

©Three Hours to Kill (77) W. .720<br />

Dana Andrews, I>onna Reed, Diane Foster<br />

[S Deodly Gome, The (. .) D. .5402<br />

Uoyd Brieves. Flnlay Curria, Blmone Sllva<br />

[S Rogue Cop (92)<br />

Robert Taylor, George Baft,<br />

S Bob Mothios Story, The (80). .D. .5502<br />

Bob Mathlas, Diane Jergens, Ward Bond<br />

Brummell (107).<br />

Elizabeth Taylor, Stewart Gt<br />

a Target Earth (75) D..5503<br />

Virginia Grey, Elchard Denning, K. Crowley<br />

] Cry Vengeonce (83) O. .5504<br />

Mark Stevens, tlarttaa Hjer, Joan Vobi<br />

Affairs of Messalino, The (106). .0.<br />

Maria Felix, Georges Blarchal<br />

©Block Knight, The (85) D..719<br />

Alan Ladd, Patricia Medina, A. Morrall<br />

Connibol Attack (69) D. .718<br />

Johnny Weiflsmuller, Judy Walsh, David Broee<br />

©Fire Over Africa (84) D. .716<br />

Maureen O'Hara. Uacdooald Carey<br />

@The Siege (63).<br />

Special east<br />

.D..5323<br />

©Athena (96)<br />

Jane Poivell, Vic Damonc,<br />

©Lost Time I Sow Poris<br />

(116)<br />

Elizabeth Taylor. Van John!<br />

a Port of Hell (..) D. .5505<br />

Dane Clark, Carole Uatthetrs. W. Uorrls<br />

H ©Tonight's the Night (88) C..5506<br />

Yvonne De Carlo. David Nivea B. fltsgerald<br />

PhffH (88)<br />

C..715<br />

Judy Holllday, Jack Carson, J. Lemmcn<br />

©They Rode West (84) W. .717<br />

Robert Francis, Donna Seed, Ptdl Care;<br />

for Life, A (69) . . .<br />

Bichard Conte, Uari AldoD<br />

.D. .5403<br />

S ©Black PIrotes ( . . ) D . . 5407<br />

Anthony Deiter. liaa Cbauey, Bobert Garke<br />

m Crest of the Wove (91).<br />

Gene Kelly, John Justin, J<br />

©Deep in My Heart (13<br />

Jose Ferrer, Marie Oberon,<br />

B Bowery to Bagdad (64) C. .5421<br />

Leo Oorcey, Hunts Hall, Erie Blore<br />

51 Big Combo, The (89) D. .5508<br />

Cornel Wilde, Jean Wallace, Richard Conte<br />

Treasure of the Ruby Hills ( . . ) . W . .<br />

Zacbary Scott. Bart McLane, C. Uatthews<br />

Bamboo Prison, The (80) D. .731<br />

Robert Francis, Diane Foster, Brian Kdtb<br />

©Mosterson of Kansas (73).... W..<br />

George Montgomery. Nancy (Sates, David Bmce<br />

©c] Violent Men, The (96) W. .735<br />

Glenn Ford. B. Stanwyck, EL a BoUnson<br />

EThey Were So Young (..) D. .5406<br />

ScoU Brady, Baymond Burr<br />

iSlhrer Stor, The (. .) W. .5411<br />

Edgar Buchanan, Maria Windsor, L. Chancy<br />

[7] ©cuBod Day at Block R<<br />

Spencer Tracy, Bobert Kyai<br />

•B ©oGreen Fire (100)<br />

Stewart Granger. Grace Kri<br />

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Barbara Payton, Paul Langton. Selena Boyle<br />

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OAnnapolis Story, The D. .<br />

John Derek, Diana Lynn, Kevin McCarthy<br />

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Richard Cnnte. Virginia Grey. Constance Bmltk<br />

Cose of the Red Monkey D. .<br />

liloh.ir(l Cunte, Rona Anderson<br />

High Society C. .<br />

Leo Gorcey. Huntz Hall, Amanda Blake<br />

Seven Angry Men D. .<br />

K.nymond Massey, Debra Paget<br />

©Shotgun D .<br />

Sterling Hayden, Y. De Carlo. Z. Scott<br />

©aWorrlor, The D. .<br />

Errol Flynn, Joanne Dm, Peter rtncfa<br />

©aWiehita , SW..<br />

Joel McCrca. Vera Miles, Peter Graves<br />

©Pirotcs of Tripoli (72) D.<br />

Patricia Medina, Paul Henreld<br />

©Ten Wanted Men (80) W. H] Thunder Over Songolond (..).. AD .<br />

,<br />

Randolph Scott, Jocelyn Brando, Richard Boone Jon Hall, Ray Montgomery, Marjorle Ixinl<br />

Women's Prison (80) D. .<br />

Ida Luplno, Howard Dolf, Jan Sterling<br />

j Glass Tomb, The (..) D. .5409<br />

John Ireland<br />

Bondit, The (92) D. .<br />

Alberto Ruschel. Marisa Prade, M. Rlbelro<br />

©Coine Mutiny, The (125) D..701<br />

Humphrey Boiiart, Van Johnson. Jose Ferrer<br />

Detective, The (91) CD..<br />

.\lec Gulnne.-!s, Join Greenwood, Peter Finch<br />

End of the Affoir, The D. .<br />

Deborah Kerr. Van Johnson, John Mills<br />

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Dcnni.^ Morcan. Paula Raymond. B. Denning<br />

©cDLong Groy Line, The D . .<br />

Tyrone Power. Maureen O'Hara<br />

OaMon From Laramie, Tho....D..<br />

Jitmes Stewart, Cathy O'Uonnell, Donald Crisp<br />

©My Sister Eileen MC. .<br />

Janet Leifih. Jack LemmoD, Betty Garrett<br />

©Prlie of Gold D. .<br />

Richard Wldmark. Mai ZetterUng<br />

©oThree for the Show M .<br />

Air Strike (..)<br />

D..5413<br />

Richard Denning, Gloria Jean<br />

Phontom of the Jungle AD. .<br />

Jon HiiU, Ray .Montgomery, .\nne G»>nne<br />

Shocktl (. .) D. .5412<br />

Brian Donlevy, Margla Dean, Jack Warner<br />

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Esther Williams, Houard K<br />

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Eleanor Parker, Robert Ta;<br />

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Anne B.«ier. Steve Forrest<br />

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Leslie Caron. Mieh,iel Wildll<br />

©oHit the Deck<br />

Jane Powell. Tony .Martin.<br />

©interrupted Melody<br />

Eleanor Parker. Gl.nn Ford<br />

©Invitation to the Doni<br />

Gene Kelly. Rrllt.i, Tnra.ira<br />

©olt's Alwoys Foir Weo<br />

Gene Kelly. C)d Cliarlsse. 1<br />

©CDLove Me or Leave W<br />

Poris Day. James Cagney,<br />

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Stewart Granger. Vlreca UD<br />

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Lana Tinner, E


FEATURE<br />

CHART<br />

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UNITED ARTISTS<br />

.Witness »o MurdM (83) D..5420<br />

Barbara Stuwyck. Gary MmtUI, (i. gandws<br />

GCoptain Kidd and the SIotc<br />

Girl (83) D.,54I8<br />

Eva G^ibof, Anlhony Dexter, Alan Uale jr.<br />

a ©Yellow Tomohowk, The (82). .D. .5414<br />

Rory Ciltioun. Peecle l^tle. Noeb Beery<br />

§Long Woit, The (93) D..5421<br />

Amhony Qulnn. Charles Cobum, Gene Enos<br />

©Choilenge the Wild (72) Doc. .5422<br />

Kraiik Or«l.nm and Pinillj<br />

Hobson's Cholee (107) C. .<br />

Charles Linglitoo, John MBli. Brmda Pe Baazle<br />

OO09 (85) D<br />

.<br />

.<br />

5423<br />

Kicbiird I^an, Con»tanee DoitUng, H Marshall<br />

©Men With a Million (90) C. .<br />

Grfgory I'e^ll, Jane Orltfllhs, A. B. Matthews<br />

©Adventures of Robinson<br />

Crusoe (90) D. .<br />

Dan OHerllhy, James Fernanilei, C. Uipee<br />

©Apoche (90) W. .5427<br />

Burl Lamarter. Jean Peters<br />

Lowlais Rider, The (62) W..5431<br />

Johnny Carpenter. Franklt Darro<br />

©Return to Troosure Island (75) D. .5417<br />

Tab Hunter, Dawn AddiBS, Jame* Seay<br />

©Crossed Swords (85) D..S334<br />

Errol riynn, Gioa lAilUbrlfida<br />

Diamond Wlxord, The (83) D. .5432<br />

Ilennb OKcefe, .Marjaret Sheridan<br />

Down Throe Dork Streets<br />

(85) D..5433<br />

Broderlck franford. Ruth Bonian, Martha Hjer<br />

Malta Story, The (103) D. .5429<br />

Alee Culnnea, Jack Hsukjns. Flora Robsos<br />

Victory ot Sao 197) Doc<br />

©Jesse James' Women (83). .<br />

.5435<br />

Don Barry. Peirelt Castle, Jack Beutel<br />

©Golden Mistress, The (82) D. .5437<br />

John Ajar. ilo5emaile Bowe, Klkl<br />

©Khyber Pofrol (71) D..5419<br />

Iflchaid Es.in, Dairn Addams. Patrlc Kncule?<br />

Suddenly (77) D. .5436<br />

I'rank Sinatra, Sterling Hayden, Nancy Gates<br />

Barefoot Contesso, The ( 1 28). D. .5440<br />

Humphrey Boeart, Ata Gardner. E O'Brien<br />

LiMIe Kidnappers, The (93) D. .5439<br />

Adrlcnne Corrle, J. Whitley, V. Winter<br />

Operation Manhunt (77) D..5441<br />

liorry Townes. Irja Jensen, J. Aubuchon<br />

©Sitting Bull (105) W..5434<br />

Pale Robertson, J. Carrol Nalsh<br />

Shield for Murder (82) D. .<br />

Bdmbnd OBrlen, Mart* EngJUb<br />

Snow Creature (70) D. .5447<br />

Paul Laneton. Leslie Umisoo<br />

Twist of Fote (89)..; D. .5446<br />

Ginger Rogers. Jaequts Bergerae, Herbert Loo<br />

©White Orchid, The (81) D, .5414<br />

William Lundlgan, Pesgle Castle<br />

©You Know What Sailors Are<br />

(89 ) C..5445<br />

©Romoo and Juliet ( 1 40) D . . 5449<br />

La»r«nce Ilarrey. Flora Boblsoo, 8. Sbootill<br />

Steel Cage, The (80) D. .5443<br />

Paul Kelly, M. O'BuUlrao, VT. BleHk<br />

Bottle Toxl (82) AD. .5502<br />

Sterling Ilayden. Arthur Trans, ki. Tlionipson<br />

©Beachcomber, Tho (82) D. .5501<br />

Robert Nevrtuo, OlynLs Johns, Donald 8lndiB<br />

Block Tuesday (80) D. .5450<br />

B G RoblasoD, Jean Parker, Peter Qr»»<br />

©Vera Crui (94) AD, .5448<br />

Gary Cooper, Burt Uocuter, Dcnlst Dtrcel<br />

Canyon Crossroods (..) W. .<br />

lilrhard B.i.^.'hart, Pliyllls Kirk, Kussell Collins<br />

Good Die Young, The (..)....D..<br />

John Ireland, Gloria Grahams, L Himy<br />

OSoboka (. .) D. .<br />

liorls Karloff. Victor Jory, R. Dtiuiy<br />

©ciCenllenien Marry Brwwttes.M. .<br />

Jans Russell, Jeanne Cratn, Scott Brady<br />

©c^Kentucklon, The D. .<br />

Burt Ijuir.uttr, Klana Lynn, Uu Ucrkel<br />

©Liloci In the Spring M. .<br />

Night of the Hunter D. .<br />

Robert tUtcbum. Shelley Winters, LUUu Olah<br />

Not As o Stronger D. .<br />

Fiiibtrt Mitchum, Olivia de n.avUland, F. Sinatra<br />

Othello<br />

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Orson WaUes. Susanna OouUcr, fsy Comptea<br />

©Purple Plain, The D. .5503<br />

Oretory Peck, B. De Banila, ffla Mtn Tba<br />

©Star of Indio D. .<br />

Cornel Wilde. Jean Wallace, Herbert<br />

©Strooger on Horsebaek M. .<br />

Um<br />

Joel ileCrea, Mtroilan<br />

^mmartliae CD. .<br />

Katlurtnr Hepburn. Roeseoo Braatl, Hart Aldoo<br />

UHlVEgSAl-lNT L. g i°<br />

Fireman Sore My Child (80) C..421<br />

Buddy Hackptl, Hugh Brian, Adele Jertcns<br />

Ploygirl (85)<br />

D . . 420<br />

Shelley WbiterS: Barry Sullhan, G. Palmer<br />

Block Horse Canyon (82) D. .423<br />

Joel Mcfrea, .Marl Blanchird, Murryn Eye<br />

©Drums Across the Rhrer (78).SW..422<br />

Audie Murphy. Lisa 0»y«. Walter Breonar<br />

Always o Bride (83) C. .485<br />

Peggy Ojmrains, Terence Morian, Bonald Squire<br />

©Johnny Dork (85) D..424<br />

Tony Curtis. Piper Laurie. Ilki Chase<br />

Tanganyika (81) AD.. 425<br />

Van Heflin, Ruth Roman, Howard UuU<br />

Froncis Joins the WACe (95). . .C. .427<br />

Donald O'Coiuior, Julia Adams, £a«i Pitts<br />

U©Magniflcent Obsession (108).D..428<br />

Jane Wyman. Hock Hudson, Otto Kruger<br />

©oBlock Shield of Folwortti,<br />

The (100)<br />

D..430<br />

Tony Curtis. Janet Leigh<br />

©Down of Socorro (80) D. .431<br />

Ks.ry Calhoun, Piper Lanrle. Dartd Brian<br />

High ond Dry (93) C . . 486<br />

Paul Dongli-!, Alex MacKemle, J. Copeland<br />

Naked Alibi, Tho (86) D...431<br />

Sterltoig Hayden, Gloria Grahime, Oene Barry<br />

©Bengol Brigade (87) O. .434<br />

Roek lludsoD. Arlene Dahl, Ursula Thclsa<br />

©Four Guns to the Border (87). .W. .502<br />

i: -rv faltiDun, CoUeen UUIer, 0. Nader<br />

Ricochet Romonco (80) C. .504<br />

Marjorle Main, Chill WiUs, Rudy Vallee<br />

©cSIgn of the Pagan (92) D. .505<br />

Jerf fbandler, Jane Russell, Dan Duryea<br />

©Yellow Mountoin, The (78). . .W. .510<br />

.<br />

Lex Marker. Mala Powers, Howard Duff<br />

©Deitry (91) W. .508<br />

Aodls Murphy, Marl Blancbard, Lyle Bettger<br />

©So This Is Porls (96) MC. .507<br />

Tony Curtis. Corlnne Calret. One Nrlsoo<br />

©West of Zanzibar (83) D. .501<br />

Anthony Steel, Sheila Slai<br />

Abbott and Costello Meet the<br />

Keystone Cops (. .) C. .<br />

AhlinU and Costello, Lynn Bail<br />

©Far Country, The (. .) D. .<br />

.lames Sti'^xart. Ruth Roman, Walter Brennan<br />

Six Bridges to Cross (99) D . . 512<br />

Tony Oirtls, Julia Ad.ims. Ocrge Nader<br />

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Rock llud.^on, Barbara Busb, Jeff kiorrow<br />

©oChiof Craiy Horsa SW. .<br />

Victor Mature. Suias Ball, John Lund<br />

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Jerr Chandler. Jane Russell, Dan Duryea<br />

©Land of Fury D . ,<br />

Jack Ilavrkiiw. 01)11)8 Jobne<br />

Mo and Po Kottia Go to Wolklkl . .<br />

Marjorle Main. I'erry Kllbrld*. Lorl Nelson<br />

OMon From Bitter Ridge, The. .W.-.<br />

Lc.\ Barker, Mara Corday, Stephen McNally<br />

©Man Without a Star D. .<br />

Kirk I>out:l.is. Jeanne Crain. Claire Treror<br />

^Revenge of the Creoture D. .<br />

John Agar. l>orl Nelson<br />

©Smoke Signal W. .<br />

Dana .Vndrews. Piper Laurls<br />

OThis Island Earth D. .<br />

WARN?!^<br />

BROS.<br />

a ©Dial M for Murder (105) D..327<br />

Kay Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummlop<br />

ESThem! (94) D. .328<br />

James IVhitmore, Joan WeldoD, Edmund Qweon<br />

g] UOoHigh and the Mighty,<br />

The (147) D.<br />

John Wayne, Claire Treror, Laralne Day<br />

329<br />

& U©c=iRing of Feor (93) D. .330<br />

Pat O'Brien. Qyde Beatty, Mickey SpUIaae<br />

IS ©King Richord and the<br />

Crusaders (113) D..331<br />

Virginia Mayo, Rex Harrison, Laurence Harrey<br />

II ©Duel in Hie Jungle (102) D. .332<br />

Dana Andrcv.s, Jeanne Craln, Darld Parrsr<br />

a ©Dragnet (90) D . . 401<br />

Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, Ann Rabbison<br />

Hunter, The (79) SW. .402<br />

Randolph Scott, Marie Windsor. D. Dora<br />

i©aDrum Beat (111) W. .404<br />

.\lan Ladd. Audrey Dalton, Marisa Paran<br />

of the Cot (102) AD. .405<br />

Robert Mitchum, Diana Lyim, Terssa Wright<br />

13 QaStar Is Born, A ( 1 54) MD . . 403<br />

Judy Garland, James Mason, Jack Canon<br />

©Young ot Heart (121) MC-D. .409<br />

Dorb Day, Frank Sinatra, B. Barrynere<br />

EHOaSBver Chalice, 'Hm (131) D. .408<br />

Virginia Usyo. Jack Palance. Pier Ai«eU<br />

@ Unchained (75) D. .412<br />

Chester Morris, Barbara Hale, EI107 Hlrscb<br />

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Van UefUn, Aldo Ray, Tab Hunter<br />

©East of Eden . .<br />

Julie RarrLs. Janves Dean, {Uymoad Maaecy<br />

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Very Poor. © Indicates color photogrophy.<br />

iiJJilJJ Ji) iJjJJJJJ J<br />

CASPER CARTOONS<br />

(Technicolor)<br />

B13-5 Casper Genii (7) 5-28-54+ 5-15<br />

++9-4<br />

54.101 The Social Lion (7) .. .10-15-54 11-20<br />

54.102 Flying Squirrel (7) ... 11-18-54 + 1-15<br />

6902 Push Back the Edge<br />

44.112 Grin and Bear It .<br />

(7)<br />

(10) .<br />

5-27-54 +7-5<br />

UPA ASSORTED<br />

B13-6 Puss'n Boos (7) 7-16-54 -|- 7-10<br />

(Technicolor)<br />

ij Rey'd<br />

B14-1 Boos and Arrows (6) . .10-15-54 + 11- 6 DISNEY MARQUEE MUSICALS<br />

6504 Fudgcfs Budget (7) 6-17-54<br />

B14-2 Boo Ribbon Winner (Technicolor Reissues)<br />

.<br />

1- 1 7501 How Now Boing Boing<br />

(6) 12- 3-54<br />

(71/2) 9- 9-54 H<br />

+1-8<br />

9-25<br />

44.002 Johnny Fedora and Alice<br />

B14-3 Hide and Shriek (7).. 1-28-55<br />

Blue Bonnet (S) 5-21-54<br />

7502 Spare That Child (..).. 1-27-55<br />

H 5-29<br />

44.003 The Martins and the<br />

WORLD OF SPORTS GRANTLAND RICE SPORTLIGHTS<br />

Coys (8) 6-18-54<br />

6S06 Tec Magic (9) 3-25-54 + -I- 4-17 R13-10 Bahamas to Windward<br />

44.004 Casey at the Bat (9) 7-16-54 +|- 7-24<br />

6807 Racquet Wizards (9) . . . 4-22-54 ± 5-29<br />

(9) 6-18-54 +9-4 44.005 Little Toot (9) S-13-54 + 9- 4<br />

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6808 World Soccer Champions<br />

R13-11 Wild Pets for Play (9) 7-23-54 +8-7 44.006 Once Upon a Wintertime<br />

(10) 5-20-54 + 6-19 R13-12 One Hundred Unusual<br />

(9) 9-17-54 +f 9-11<br />

6S09 Diving Cavalcade (9) . . 6-24-54<br />

Boys (9) 8- 6-54 ++9-4<br />

619<br />

6810 Target Tricksters (9) . . . 7-29-54 ± lo-ie R14-1 Twin Riding Champs<br />

7801 Argentine Athletes (10) 9-10-54<br />

-I-<br />

12-11<br />

(10) 10- 1-54 + 10-30<br />

U-27<br />

7802 Hunting Thrills (9) . . . .10-14-54 + 12-25<br />

R14-2 Hot and Cold Glidei,<br />

7803 Skiing the Andes (10)11-11-54<br />

Slides and Rides (10) .10-22-54 + 11-20<br />

7804 Rasslin' Redskin (..). .12-23-54<br />

R14-3 Where Everybody Rides<br />

7805 Flying Mallets (10) 1-10-55<br />

(9) 11- 5-54 + 12-25<br />

R14-4 Boyhood Thrills (9) .. .12-10-54<br />

R14-5 Pike's Peak Arena, The<br />

(9) 12-24-54<br />

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer<br />

HEADLINER CHAMPION<br />

Pro4. No. Title Rel Dad Rating Rev'd<br />

(Rcissuei)<br />

A14-1 Speaking of Animals and<br />

CARTOONS<br />

Their Families (9) 10-1-54<br />

(Technicolor)<br />

A14-2 Speaking of Animals in<br />

a Musical Way (8)... 10- 1-54<br />

W-541 Billy Boy (6)<br />

8-54<br />

A14-3 Stork Crazy (9) 10- 1-54<br />

W-542 Little School Mouse (6) 29-54<br />

W-543<br />

A14-4 The Lonesome Stranger<br />

Sleepy Time Squirrel<br />

(10) 10- 1-54<br />

(7)<br />

6-19-54 + 9- 4<br />

4-30-54<br />

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Droopy<br />

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7-10-54<br />

W-545 Bird-Brain Bird<br />

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(9) 10- 1-54<br />

8-14<br />

A14-6 Video Hounds (9) 10- 1-54<br />

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31-54 4- 9-18<br />

W-54S Baby Butch (7) . . . 14-54 HERMAN & KATNIP<br />

.<br />

CINEMASCOPE CARTOONS<br />

(Technicolor)<br />

(Technicolor)<br />

P13-5 Candy Cabaret (7) . . . . 6-11-54 + 6-19<br />

C-631 Pet Peeve (7) 11-20-54<br />

P13-6 The Oily Bird (7) 7-30-54 ±8-7<br />

C-633 Touche Pus5y Cat (7) , .12-18-54<br />

P14-1 Fido Beta Kappa (7) .. 10-29-54 + 11- 6<br />

C-635 Southbound Duckling (7) 3-12-55<br />

P14-2 No Ifs, Ands or Butts<br />

C-637 Pup on a Picnic (7) . . 4-30-55 ....<br />

(6) 12-17-54<br />

CINEMASCOPE MUSICAL GEMS<br />

(Technicolor)<br />

PACEMAKERS<br />

K-573MGM Jubilee (10) 6-25-54<br />

K13-5 Million Dollar Playground<br />

K-674 Thieving Magpie. The<br />

(10) 5- 7-54 + 5-15<br />

(9) 9- 1-54<br />

K13-6 Touchdown Highlights<br />

K-675 Strauss Fantasy, The<br />

(10) 8-20-54 + 9-25<br />

(9) 10-22-54 a 9-11 K14-1 Drilling for Girls in Texas<br />

(9) 10- 8-54 + 10-23<br />

nTZPATRICK TRAVELTALKS K14-2 How to Win at the Races<br />

(Technicolor)<br />

(11) 12-17-54<br />

T-611 Yosemite, the Magnificent<br />

(9) 9-11-54<br />

POPEYE CARTOONS<br />

r-612 Grand Canyon, Pride of<br />

(Technicolor)<br />

Creation (9) 10-16-54<br />

E13-4 Popeye's 20th Anniversary<br />

(Technicolor Reprints)<br />

(8) 4- 2-54 +5-8<br />

T-613 Picturesque Patzcuaro<br />

E13-5 Ta.xi Turvy (6) 6- 4-54 6-19<br />

(9) 11-27-54<br />

E13-6 Bride and Gloom (6) . . 7- 2-54 + 7-10<br />

T-614 Glacier Park & Waterton<br />

E13-7 Greek Mirtholo?y (7).. 8-13-54 +8-7<br />

AL<br />

Lakes (9) 12-25-54<br />

E13-8 Fright to the Finish (6) 8-27-54 + 9-18<br />

T-615 Mexican Police on Parade<br />

E14-1 Private Eye Popeye<br />

(9) 2-12-55<br />

(7) 11-12-54 12-18<br />

T-616 Mighty Niagara (10).. 4-9-55<br />

E 14- 2 Gopher Spinach (6) .. .1210-54 + 1-<br />

9-18 GOLD E14-3 Cookin' with Gags (7) . . 1-14-55<br />

MEDAL REPRINTS<br />

(Technicolor Reissues)<br />

5-29 W-661 TOPPER<br />

Cat Fishin' (8) 10-30-54 ....<br />

W-662 Pari Time Pal (8) 1- 8-55<br />

M13-5 Three Wishes<br />

....<br />

(10) .... 4- 9-54 ++5-8<br />

10.16 W-663 Cat Concerto (7) 1-22-55<br />

M13-6 In Darkest Florida (10) 7- 9-54 +8-7<br />

W-664 Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Mouse<br />

M14-1 The Nerve of Some People<br />

9-18<br />

(8) 2-26-55<br />

(10) 11-19-54 +1-8<br />

W-665 Salt Water Tabby (7)<br />

10- 9<br />

M14-2 Killers at Bay (10) .. .12-31-54<br />

. .<br />

PETE SMITH SPECIALTIES<br />

12-18 S-559 Out for Fun (10) 5- 8-54 i: 6-26<br />

S-550 Safe at Home (8) . . . 6-12-54 + 6-14<br />

Republic<br />

S-6S1 Camera Caught It. The<br />

(9) 10- 9-54<br />

S-652 Rouoh Riding (9) 12-11-54<br />

Prod. No. Title Rel Date Rating Rev'd<br />

S-653 Man Around the House<br />

(9) 1- 1-55<br />

SERIALS<br />

S-654 Keep Young (9) 2- 5-55<br />

5384 the African<br />

S-655 Sport Trix (9)<br />

S-656 Just What I Needed ( .<br />

11-20<br />

12 Chapters<br />

frl9<br />

5482 Ghost Riders of the West 10-11-54<br />

7-<br />

Paramount<br />

3<br />

12 Chapters<br />

10-16<br />

THIS WORLD OF OURS<br />

Prod. No. Title Rel Date Rating Rev'd<br />

12-11<br />

(Trucolor)<br />

CALLING SCOTLAND YARD<br />

9226 Formosa (9) 5-10-54<br />

(English-made)<br />

5385 Ireland (9) 8- 1-54<br />

5354 The Final Twist (27) Acr.-54 -f 4- 3<br />

5355 The Sable Scarf (27) Apr.-54 + 4-10<br />

5356 Present for a Bride (27) Apr.-54 -f 4- 3<br />

RKO Radio<br />

CARTOON CHAMPION<br />

(Technicolor Reissues)<br />

Prod. No. Title Rel<br />

S14-1 Were Date Rating Rev'd<br />

in the Honey (7). 10- 1-54<br />

S14-2 Butterscotch and Soda<br />

DISNEY CARTOONS<br />

(7) 10- 1-54<br />

(Technicolor)<br />

S14-3 Sudden Fried Chicken<br />

44.108 The Lone Chipmunks<br />

(7) 10- 1-54<br />

(7) 4- 7-54 +f 5-22<br />

S14-4 The Friendly Ghost (9) , 1-54<br />

44.109 Pigs Is Pigs (10) 5-21-54 +f 6-19<br />

S14-5 The Bored Cuckoo (9). 10- 1-54<br />

44.110 Casey Bats Again (8) 6-18-54 6-19<br />

5-29 S14-6 Santa's Surprise (9)... 10- 1-54 .... 44.111 Dragon Around (7) . . . 7-16-54 + 6-19<br />

3-<br />

W-632<br />

5-55<br />

4-54<br />

Manhunt in<br />

(reissue)<br />

+<br />

ff<br />

Jungle<br />

4-<br />

9-18<br />

9-25<br />

7-54<br />

(Technicolor Cartoons)<br />

)<br />

Mice Follies<br />

4-16-55<br />

(7) . .<br />

15 Chapters<br />

(7) 11<br />

W-634 Farm of Tomorrow (7) 18-54 ff 11-20 H13-3 Of Mice and Menace<br />

W-636 Neapolitan Mouse (7) 2-54<br />

(7) 6-25-54 + 6-19<br />

W-638 The Flea Circus (7) 6-54<br />

W-639 Downhearted<br />

H 12-25 H13-4 Ship-A-Hooey (7) 8-20-54 ±9-4<br />

Duckling<br />

Hl-l-l Rail Rodents (7) 11-26-54<br />

13-54<br />

5481 Man With the Steel Whip 7-19-54<br />

W-640 Dixieland Droopy (8). 12 4-54<br />

NOVELTOONS


)<br />

SHORTS<br />

CHART<br />

5414 WilH« the Walrus in Arctic<br />

Ri>a»s (T) May-54<br />

5415 Gandy Gook In tke Ghost<br />

Town CI) (reissue) ... .May-54 ....<br />

5416 Terry Bears in a Howling<br />

Success (7) June-54 +<br />

5417 A Da/ in June (7) June-54<br />

7-17<br />

5418 Perciral Steuthhound in Pride<br />

0* the Yard (7) July- 54 + 8-14<br />

5419 Gandy Goose in risherman's<br />

Luck (7) July-54<br />

5420 Little Roquefort in the<br />

Cat's Revenje (7) Au5.-54 ± IZ-U<br />

5421 Ants in Your Pantry (7) Auj.-54<br />

The 5422 Reformed Wolf (7)..SepL-54<br />

5423 A Wicky Wacky Romance<br />

(7) (reissue) 0ct.-54<br />

5424 Heckle and Jeckle in Blue<br />

Plate Symphony (7) Nov.-54 ± 12-25<br />

5425 Torrid Toreador, A (7)<br />

(reissue)<br />

Dec.-54<br />

1730 Yankee Doodle Bms (7) 8-28-54 +<br />

2723 Lumber Jack Rabbit (7) 11-13-54<br />

2724 Baby Bugs Bunny (..). .12-18-54<br />

9-2S<br />

United Artists<br />

Prod. Mo. rrtle Rel Date Ratini Ber'd<br />

»A1 Tbe Royal Symphony (26) + 3-27<br />

Universal-International<br />

Prod. No. rule Rel Date Rating Rev'd<br />

COLOR PARADE<br />

1953-54 SEASON<br />

9383 Rollins in Style (9) . . . 4-12-54 + 5-22<br />

9384 Fair Today (9Vz) 5-10-54 -f 8- 7<br />

9385 Talent Scout (9) 6-14-54 + 7-10<br />

9386 Star Studded Ride (9) . . 7-19-54 -f 8- 7<br />

MUSICAL FEATURETTE<br />

1953-54 SEASON<br />

9305 Rhythm and Rhyme (15) 4-23-54 — 4-10<br />

9306 Four Aces Sing (15) . . . 5-28-54<br />

9307 Corral Cuties (15) 6-21-54 + 7-17<br />

9308 Birth of a Band (15).. 7-26-54 -f 9- 4<br />

9309 College Caoers ( . . 8-16-54<br />

9310 Going Strong (14) 10-11-54 + 10- 9<br />

9311 Leave It to Harry (..).. 10-26-54 +1-5<br />

+<br />

SPECIALS<br />

9202 The Hottest 50O (16) . . 6-13-54 # 6-12<br />

VARIETY VIEWS<br />

1953-54 SEASON<br />

9344 Moving Through Space<br />

(9)<br />

9345 Stallions m Parade<br />

4-12-54 ± 5-22<br />

(91/2) 7-26-54<br />

WALTER LANTZ CARTUNES<br />

(Technicolor)<br />

1953-54 SEASON<br />

9325 Under the Counter Spy<br />

(6) 4-10-54 + 6-12<br />

9326 Dig That Dofl (6) 4-12-54 + 4-10<br />

9327 Hay Rube


•<br />

Sides<br />

! Streets<br />

. and<br />

—<br />

JJJi^JJi<br />

Ul^JS^UJ^<br />

. . They<br />

Ratio: Farce<br />

*®<br />

"P<br />

'^ 1.66-1 Comedy<br />

85 Minutes Rel. Ian. '55<br />

jp slapstick comedy, in the Abbott &<br />

d Lewis vein, this British-made film<br />

hter from American patrons, but the<br />

ly exploited to make up for its lack<br />

lis country. Margaret Rutherford, thai<br />

many British films, is popular with<br />

her name will mean little generally<br />

, the pint-size comic who is a British<br />

unknown on these shores.<br />

Rank pictures which Republic will relorious<br />

film dealing with troubles in a<br />

e, was one of the biggest grossing pici4.<br />

Exhibitors might use blowups of the<br />

ract lovers of down-to-earth humor, as<br />

two attractive feminine leads, Moira<br />

to catch the eyes of male patrons. The<br />

by Maurice Cowan and directed at<br />

ly Carstairs.<br />

bed as Britain's Mickey Rooney, gives<br />

portrayal<br />

I<br />

of a bumbling but wellth<br />

ambitions to be a window dresser.<br />

3t a plaintive quality in his few semi-<br />

Rutherford is, as always, a sure-fire<br />

blustering approach to improbable<br />

.ister and Derek Bond make a handir<br />

of plotters. The doings are quite<br />

3ant to be taken seriously,<br />

ito trouble when he mistakes Jerry<br />

t new director of London's biggest<br />

a fellow-clerk. Fired, he is quickly<br />

oi his stunts garners publicity for the<br />

>ly in love with Lana Morris, from the<br />

finally helps to foil an elaborate plot<br />

its annual sale. Two pleasing songs<br />

goret Rutherford. Derek Bond, Moira<br />

e, Lana Morris. Cyril Chamberlain.<br />

Ache—at the Funniest Comedy<br />

Norman Wisdom, Britain's Favorite<br />

et Rutherford, the Comic Dowager, in<br />

a<br />

Port oi Hell<br />

Ratio: Drama<br />

Allied Artists (5505)<br />

80 Minutes<br />

LS5-1<br />

HeL Doc. 5. '54<br />

Among those showmen who.se programming needs include<br />

solidly constructed middle-bracket product to supplement the<br />

costlier and more pretentious topsiders on dual attractions,<br />

this entry from producer William F. Broidy appears thoroughly<br />

capable of fufilling that demand. Indeed, considering that<br />

its cast includes two fairly substantial marquee names—those<br />

oi Dane Clark and Wayne Morris—and in view of its melodramatic<br />

and somewhat offbeat story line and locale, the<br />

offering can serve in many situations as the upper half of<br />

such double bills.<br />

No less than four writers pooled their efforts to. concoct the<br />

plot and, under the direction of Harold Schuster it sets and<br />

maintains a generally fast pace. Its locale is the harbor of<br />

the city of Los Angeles, and Broidy filmed almost all of the<br />

feature on location there, resulting in the accomplishment oi<br />

two major assets—an air of undeniable authenticity and, at<br />

the same time, the inclusion of considerable footage that<br />

should be of interest to most audiences because it reveals, in<br />

semidocumentary fashion, some of the modus operandi oi<br />

such a port. Attention-stimulating exploitation can easily be<br />

hinged on the above mentioned backgrounds and subject<br />

matter.<br />

An atom bomb, sealed in a cargo ship, is sent into the<br />

harbor by enemy forces—unspecified, but guess who? The<br />

plan is to detonate the bomb electronically from another<br />

vessel far at sea. Clark, the port warden, is an unbendirxg<br />

disciplinarian who has incurred the enmity of virtually everybody<br />

on the waterfront—including Morris, a rough-and-ready<br />

tugboat captain. However, when the chips are down it is<br />

Morris who tows the death-dealing cargo ship far enough<br />

away so that when the explosion does come it does no<br />

damage to coastal areas.<br />

Dane Clark. Carole Mathews, Wayne Morris. Marshall<br />

Thompson, Morjorie Lord. Harold Peary. Otto Waldis.<br />

CATCHLENES:<br />

Waterfront Rules Are Written by Tough Guys Like Him . . .<br />

To Be Broken by a Wharf Woman Like Her . Said<br />

He Wasn't Human . . . This Girl Knew He Was . . . Don't<br />

Miss This Action-Packed, Thrill-Laden I>rama.<br />

Fuss Over Feathers<br />

F<br />

F<br />

Ratio:<br />

Standard<br />

Comedy-Drama<br />

(Eastman Color)<br />

Ratio:<br />

"="'"<br />

ilance F<br />

75 Minutes<br />

1.331<br />

ReL -<br />

°'""'<br />

facets are the best qualifications of<br />

id they succeed in elevating the film<br />

the mediocrity to which it otherwise<br />

3ted by an over-diologed, limping and<br />

:een story. Because it was photo-<br />

/, the picture accords an engrossing<br />

etropolis, with special attention to its<br />

ernistic university. There is a reasonctic<br />

chase in which lies the feature's<br />

1. And performances throughout are<br />

lally those by Ricardo Montalban, Lee<br />

and moppet Jose Perez,<br />

er, that this trio of qualities is suffy<br />

the subject for anything other than<br />

1 dual programs. In such bookings it<br />

i can even be helpful in attracting<br />

permit topliner Montalban's name to<br />

dising the attraction. Considering the<br />

'03 confronted, director Horry Horner<br />

ob, and many of the technical details,<br />

jy Mexican craftsmen, are comparably<br />

3 bow the due of Raul Lavista for his<br />

lard Goldstein produced under the<br />

'ictures.<br />

ictims are women, is on the loose in<br />

stantial evidence points to Montalban,<br />

eing the slayer. However, his son<br />

advertent eye-witness to one of the<br />

ilone to trail the guilty man, Marvin,<br />

s innocence bcrving been definitely<br />

police track down Marvin, who has<br />

the fanatic is slain.<br />

Anne Bancroft Lee Marvin, lose<br />

I, Carlos Muzquiz. George Trevino.<br />

iture in Romantic Mexico . . . Where<br />

... A Murderer Who Strikes<br />

jf the City . . . Until His Career of<br />

rough the Bravery of a Little Boy.<br />

3<br />

laliMTX<br />

he^<br />

Associated Artists<br />

84 Minutes Rel.<br />

A pleasant and mildly diverting, typically British picture,<br />

this will satisfy in the art houses, where John Gregson, who<br />

attracted attention in "Genevieve," and Niall MacGinnis, who<br />

played the title role in "Martin Luther," have some marquee<br />

draw. However, except for a suspenseful climax, it's generally<br />

unexciting and will have scant appeal generally.<br />

One of Britain's Group 3 productions (It was titled "Conflict<br />

of Wings" in England), the picture benefits from Eastman<br />

Color photography, which enhances the beauty of the Norfolk<br />

countryside. The story, which may seem like a great "fuss"<br />

to most American patrons, deals with the efforts of villagers<br />

to prevent their bird sanctuary from being taken over by the<br />

RAF as a rocket-firing range. John Eldridge's direction<br />

stresses the humor stemming from situations and amusing<br />

characterizations, rather than action. Gregson and Muriel<br />

Pavlow, he as a pilot,' she as a villager, take part in the<br />

pleasing romance. MacGinnis' blustering village leader is a<br />

far cry from his serious "Luther" portrayal, but it is equally<br />

effective.<br />

In peacetime England, cm RAF jet fighter squadron is sudde;ily<br />

ordered to convert a little island, which has been<br />

preserved as a bird sanctuary, to a rocket-firing range to<br />

train for overseas operational missions. The nea.'by villagers,<br />

headed by Niall MacGinnis, battle for the preservation of<br />

the land, but protests to the Ministry of Land and the Bird<br />

Watching Society fail. When the reconversion is complete,<br />

the squadron leader takes off, but a seagull crashes into his<br />

windshield and obscures his view. The villagers then decide<br />

to spread out around the targets so that the planes would<br />

not dare open fire. With the telephone line down, the planes<br />

approach without being aware of the villagers in line of Hre.<br />

Tragedy is averted at the last minute and, later, an oificial<br />

inquiry gives one year of grace for the island. Produced by<br />

Herbert Mason. Associated Artists<br />

New York City.<br />

is at 345 Madison Ave.,<br />

John Gregson, Muriel Pavlow. Niall MacGinnis. Kieron<br />

Moore. Sheila Sweet, Harry Fowler, Guy Middleton.<br />

CATCHLINES:<br />

Another Delightful Comedy From Britain's Group 3 . . . The<br />

Great ConfiicI Between Birds of War and Birds of the Air . . .<br />

Niall MacGinnis, Star of "Martin Luther," Conducts Another<br />

Fight—for His Beloved Wild Birds.


REVIEWS<br />

Adiines for Newspaper and Pro<br />

Hello Elephant<br />

F<br />

Ratio:<br />

Standard<br />

Arlcm Pictures 78 Minutes HeL-<br />

Comedy-Drama<br />

A whimsical and engaging Italian-language film, one oi<br />

the lew that would be enjoyed by youngsters as well as<br />

adults—but, uniortunately, family audiences rarely attend<br />

the art houses, where the foreign tongue and subtitles will<br />

relegate it. Vittorio de Sica, who seems to alternate acting<br />

and directing, will be a marquee draw in the class spots.<br />

Sabu, who speaks English throughout his comparatively<br />

minor role of an Indian prince visiting Rome, will be remembered<br />

from his many Hollywood films. But it is de Sica's<br />

picture and he gives a memorable performance as the gentle,<br />

kindly underpaid schoolteacher. Maria Mercador is also excellent<br />

as his worried wife.<br />

As directed by Gianni Fronciolini for Rizzoli-de Sica Productions,<br />

the picture is filled with delightful comedy touches,<br />

among them the attempt to move a baby elephant up the<br />

stairs oi a Rome apartment house. Unfortunately, most of the<br />

photography is in such a low key that some of the night<br />

action will be inexplicable to audiences.<br />

De Sica, an underpaid elementary schoolteacher in Rome,<br />

has a wife and four children who are constantly in danger<br />

of being dispossessed because he is always behind in his<br />

rent. One day de Sica meets Sabu, a visiting Indian prince,<br />

to whom he shows the sights of Rome just before the prince<br />

is proclaimed king of his country. Some months later, the<br />

grateful Sabu sends de Sica a huge crated present containing<br />

a baby elephant. De Sica and his children are delighted with<br />

the present, but the landlord and all the other tenants complain<br />

about an elephant being kept in an apartment. De Sica<br />

is obliged to take the elephant to a convent, but the animal<br />

runs away and returns to the apartment house. Finally,<br />

de Sica sells the elephant to the zoo so he can buy shoes<br />

for his children and pay his debts. Every Sunday, the family<br />

goes to the zoo to see their former pet. Arlan is at 511<br />

Fifth Ave., Nev/ York City.<br />

Vittorio de Sica, Sabu, Maria Mercador, Nando Bruno.<br />

CATCHLINES:<br />

Sabu, the Hero of Countless Films, with de Sica, the Great<br />

Italian Star— v/ith Nabu, the playful Elephant ... A Miraculous,<br />

Unexpected Gift Which Upsets an Entire Life .<br />

. .<br />

A Fairy Story—and at the Same Time a Real Life Tale.<br />

1O-54<br />

1<br />

This German film with English narration relies for its<br />

appeal on sex and sensationalism. It is not suited for family<br />

audiences but can be exploited by the downtown houses in<br />

key cities. Though an attempt is made to show two young<br />

people ideally in love with each other while faced with a<br />

tragic predicament, the tone is morbid throughout. Use of<br />

flashbacks is frequent. The film has been tried out In unidentified<br />

cities, but when shown reviewers in New York<br />

several scenes had been cut, evidently to conform to state<br />

censorship.<br />

The star is Hildegarde Neff, a thoroughly competent actress<br />

known in the U. S. and soon to appear in a Broadway stage<br />

play. That may be one reason for the release of the film<br />

at this time. She is called on by Willy Forst, director, to<br />

appear in a large number of closeups and does so with<br />

varying success. Her name has exploitation value. Playing<br />

opposite her is Gustov Froehlich, and he is well cast.<br />

A translation of the title is "The Story of a Sinner." Marina.<br />

as a girl, learns about sex from the son of parents who<br />

adopt her. The mother goes out with men. The three of them<br />

are finally thrown out into the street by the father. Marina<br />

follows the example set by the woman who adopted her<br />

until she meets Alexander, an alcoholic artist. For the first<br />

time she pities a fellow human being, takes him to her<br />

apartment and rehabilitates him. Threatened with blindness,<br />

Alexander at first refuses an operation, then gives in to<br />

Marina's insistence. Money is needed so she returns to the<br />

streets to earn it. The operation is temporarily successful,<br />

Alexander becomes famous and Marina and he lead an<br />

idyllic life. Then blindness strikes. At his request, Marina<br />

gives Alexander poison. Then she takes poison herself.<br />

Hildegarde Neff, Gustav Froehlich. Anne Bruck, Robert<br />

Meyn, J.<br />

Wolfgang Meyn, Andreas V/oU.<br />

. . Life Sinner,<br />

CATCHLINES:<br />

How Could a Bad Woman Be So Good or a Good Woman<br />

Made Her a Then Gave Her<br />

Be So Bad? .


51.50, cash with copy. Four consecutive insertions ior price<br />

iday noon preceding publication date. Send copy an<br />

30X0FFICE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 24, Mo.<br />

tions,<br />

.Mt.<br />

it be<br />

eated<br />

rred.<br />

cieiit<br />

Igan.<br />

PPl)-.<br />

seaitlous<br />

[>eravork.<br />

open<br />

.licnl<br />

pic-<br />

exisers<br />

first<br />

'rail.<br />

sires<br />

flee.<br />

GENERAL EQUIPMENT—USED<br />

Imfrove your liijht !.„ I'in.riiaSoiiif Loiust<br />

pncos blr.iiii;. Simpk-.v. Brenktrt. .Moreilte 1 K\V<br />

.ami II. 1 arclamps. ret-Ufiers, generators. Time<br />

deals avail.ible. Write for details. Uept. CC.<br />

N w V<br />

k"iq''<br />

'*'*'<br />

^'"'''' ""^ "'• '""'' ^'••<br />

For sale, equipment for small theatre. Powers<br />

meelianisms and soinid musler, 250 chairs in<br />

eood condition, llonells Theatre, lloivells .Neb<br />

Lowest prices on anamorphles. lenses and screens!<br />

Contact us: Motlograpli K mechanisms, good,<br />

f.--i-o pair; changcovers. complete, $22 50 scf<br />

film cabinets. $1.50 section. What do yon need?<br />

Star Cinema Supply. 447 West 52nd St New<br />

Brenkert, Super Simplex, standard Simple's with<br />

rrar shuiter and Superior projectors. Complete<br />

RCA s-ound syslcms with S030 soundheads. ..\sheialt<br />

Enarc ,0 .\. and Strong IKW lamps. Enclosed<br />

re«inds, splicers, hand reuinds. IS" magaiines,<br />

2-,'! bank ticket machines and other Items<br />

00 nnmcrous to mention. ,\ll In e.vcellent condition.<br />

Write for price. Unity, f. o. Box 442<br />

Milwaukee. Wis.<br />

Pair Holmes 33mm projectors; pair Strong lamps<br />

and reetilMTs; complete smnid system loi 600-car<br />

drive-in. P. 0. Box 652. Martlnsburg, W Va<br />

For sale: Complete Simplex booth with speakers<br />

and junction boxes for 400-car drive-ln including<br />

";"".""""''* f""' """'K '^1°'^';-<br />

nnt''%fn-n'''T'l, out. $2 !)o0. Theatre Etpiipmeiit Co.. 1200 Cherry<br />

St.. Toledo. Ohio.<br />

Mighty 90s and Strong 135. Get our trade-in<br />

oftei before you deal for new ones. Try nonight<br />

Wji_sling cylindrical anamorphics on 'lO-day<br />

trial. $o!lu pair. Brenkert 1 KW. $1511 pair<br />

Simplex or Strong. $245 pair. What do you need'<br />

Hodge Kcimpment Co., Cincinnati 30, Ohio<br />

Two popcorn machines, one Silver Star, factory<br />

recondilione,<br />

, perfect. One Cretors Hollywood<br />

Mode 4,s like new. Used only six iiKiiilhs. Priced<br />

10 sell. Out of business. Boxofficc. 5747.<br />

Canadian exhibitor has two pairs Holmes<br />

projector like new. 35mm<br />

$500 pair. Theatre Saint Pros'<br />

per. Saint Prosper Comtee norcli. Que., Canada.<br />

LCUflRlOB HOUSf<br />

THEATRES FOR SALE<br />

432-seat theatre, five years old. e(iuipped lor<br />

Cinemascope. 400-car parking. 60.000 population<br />

within seven-mile radius. I. A. Field, Box<br />

602. Cortland, Ohio.<br />

San Francisco area, 650 seats. ClnemaScopewlde<br />

screen, excellent boxofficc and candy bar<br />

receipts. Books open. $17,500 down. J. D.<br />

Arakellan, Tlieatre Broker, 25 Taylor St., San<br />

Francisco.<br />

Only theatre, rich Wisconsin county scat of<br />

4,000. Absentee ownership forces sale. 462<br />

seals, exceptional confection stand. Act Now!<br />

No reasonable offer refused! Boxofficc, 5731.<br />

Oklahoma. Only drlfe-ln, growing city, liicli<br />

new oil. asricultural area. Large territory. First<br />

run. Exclusive with Ralph Erwin, Broker. Box<br />

Sll.<br />

Tulsa.<br />

First run art house in southwest city of 100.000,<br />

Immediate possession. $2,500. Bo.xofilce, 5702<br />

West Texas county seat progressive modern town<br />

of l,.SI)ll, Ni] rompetltion. .No brokers, yon save<br />

their charge, enough to install Cinemascope. Total<br />

price $25,000 with $15,000 down. Write Rialto<br />

Theatre. Crowell. Te.xas.<br />

Non-competitive, rapidly expanding north Alabama<br />

town 2.0110. 12 miles e:ist of lluntsvllle.<br />

300 seats, fine brick building. Excellent increasing<br />

profit. New Simplex machines, good concessions<br />

Will sell for 1954 gross. $15,600. Joy Theatre,<br />

Giirley, Ala.<br />

Missouri Ozarks. Modern drive-in. Progressive<br />

small city. In-car speakers. Large tract included.<br />

Inspcclion inviled. Exclusive with Balph Erwln<br />

Broker, Bo.x Sll. Tulsa, Okla.<br />

Oklahoma, Independent circuit centered another<br />

area has authorized me to sell modern 575-seat<br />

tlieatre. Full-time. Clioice product. Brick building.<br />

Good lease. Motiograpli. wide screen. Cinema-<br />

Scope. Exclusive with Ralph Erwin. Broker. Bon<br />

811. Tiilsa.<br />

Theatre for sale or rent. 600 seats, colored<br />

neighborhood. Brooklyn. BOXOPFICE, Box 6, 45<br />

Rockefeller Plaza. New York.<br />

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE<br />

"The" anamorphii: of today and tomorrow, hsihaii<br />

you think. Buy with confidence. Box 323<br />

Kxiler. .\. 11.<br />

Curtain control, complete, $65. Snperlite, uncnated,<br />

4" lenses, $35. Hoxy Tlieatre, St. Ansgar<br />

Iowa.<br />

Complete projection booth. Super Simplex heads<br />

Strong lamps and rectifiers. Western Electric<br />

sound. Universal bases. $500. Palace Theatre<br />

Pocahontas, V*a.<br />

540 Ideal slide-back chairs, like new: Manley<br />

popcorn marhine: steam blast coll; blower and<br />

motor 3011 feet, neon and transformers. Arnold<br />

& Sisco. B.irdslown. Ky.<br />

Copper oxide and selenium rectifier, 220 volt<br />

{ phase. More amperage for larger screens. $17.5<br />

10 $350. depending upon amiier;ige rciiulrerl<br />

George E. Wiltse. 4216 Hanover. Dallas, Te.xas.<br />

THEATRES WANTED<br />

Theatres. Oklahoma, Ark:nisas, Kansas Missouri<br />

Ralph Erwin, Broker. Box Sll, Tulsa, Okla.<br />

Individual wants to buy or lease theatre or<br />

ilrive-in in southwest. Exjierlenced phases<br />

all<br />

Replies confidential. Boxofficc, 5729<br />

Wish to lease with option to buy theatre 400<br />

seats or more, town 1,800 or more. Location<br />

Iowa. H.sconsin. .Minnesota, Illinois. Kenneth J<br />

Shock, Elma. Iowa.<br />

Seeking controlled town 7,500 minimum. Texas<br />

Oklahoma. Ne.v Mexico. Ample finances. <strong>Boxoffice</strong>.<br />

0(42.<br />

To rent or Ica-e with oinlon to buy by individual<br />

with successful e.vploilalion and promolon experience.<br />

Lneigetie showman, a r'al go ...-ii,., ci,,.<br />

details. Boxnlfice, 5743.<br />

THEATRE SEATING<br />

Chair supplies, parts fur all chairs, Fensin Scating.<br />

Ciiieago 5.<br />

GENERAL EQUIPMENT—NEW<br />

Masonite marquee letters. Fit Wagner Adier<br />

Bevelite signs: J-—35c: 8"— 51k- 10"_finc'<br />

l^:-^i 14"-$1.25: 16"_$1.50:-17"-$l'?5<br />

-4 —JfoO. riept. CC. S.O.S. Cinema Supply<br />

Corp.. 602 W. 52nd St.. New Vork 19.<br />

HrghlyrecommendCinemat.lv to fellow exhibitors<br />

for performance, versatility, savings and<br />

promp delivery.- .says Nyer Theatre Circuit. Bm-<br />

-n'^\- S^- ^"•^- '^"''' Supply Corp.. 602 W<br />

o2nd St.. New York 19.<br />

I13X.2. -if") ^u.'m- Hill<br />

"'" "^^'""'^<br />

"""J "' Lux screen,<br />

sacrifice for $275. cost new $450<br />

Bioomfleld,<br />

Iowa.<br />

DRIVE-IN THEATRE EQUIPMENT<br />

'""I""<br />

ec'in"'^<br />

"ith<br />

"'."J"''<br />

straiglit cords.<br />

Jb.SO. Car-side speakers, $8.15. Replacement<br />

'-'' °'"° ^°"'- "5 '^^ ^'"'<br />

ZX OMt<br />

Drive-in theatre for sale, in southern New England<br />

near large city. 800-car capacity. Annual<br />

gross well over $100,000. No brokers. Write<br />

Boxoffce. 5744. Kan.sas City. Mo<br />

For sale: 300-ear drIve-in, heart of Michigan<br />

resort seetinn. Good producer, priced low. Write<br />

Box-office. 5745.<br />

Non-competitive Texas county. Trade area<br />

15,000. Beauliful drive-in, 350 cars. Pins only<br />

indoor theatre $18,500 clown, or will exeliange<br />

for similar quality income properly In southwest<br />

noi requiring active management. Arthur Leak.<br />

Specialist. 3305 Caruth, Dallas.<br />

For sa.e: Knox Drive-ln. Wheatland, Wyo., 265<br />

cars. Substantial down payment. Contact Ted<br />

Knox. 2054 Broadway. Denver. Colo.<br />

500-car drive-in. Second Largest west Texas<br />

county population. E.xcellenI location permanent<br />

four-lane federal highway. Steel muraled. neoned<br />

toner, wings. Excellent booth, concession equipment.<br />

Paved park. Current income excellent.<br />

Excli :iige for income property in Oklahoma considered.<br />

Boxofficc, 5740.<br />

For sale: 275-car drlve-in In Maine with living<br />

quarters. First run product, no competition Blind<br />

owner will sacrifice at $30,000. Will lake<br />

$10,000 down. BoxofMee. 5746.<br />

inr''X'" Jo"-'"- J"'"''"'<br />

I"'"'"' f»" 'I'fefls-<br />

100000. $28, »; 10.000,<br />

Injarger $8.95;<br />

situation. 2.000, $4 95<br />

Major Theatres. Paris Mo<br />

Bach change in admission price, including change 500-seat theatre.<br />

hi color Latest<br />

$3.00<br />

type<br />

extra.<br />

equipment.<br />

Double Pushback<br />

seals.<br />

numbering extra.<br />

F.O.B New wide screen.<br />

Kansas City,<br />

W-cst<br />

Mo. central Illinois<br />

town. 15.000<br />

Cash with order. Kan-<br />

C1?y Mo "" '"''• '"^ " '"" St.. KansSs potential. $10,000 down Good<br />

""''•'•'«

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