Boxoffice-October.08.1955

OCTOBER 8. 1955
/he TuAe &k ine m&tu&n, ftctuAe yncLdfcu
"The McConncll S'ory," a Warner Bros, production, has been chosen by the
National Screen Council as winner of the September BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon
. . Story on poge 22.
Award. Shown in a sequence from the drama about the Korean War ace are
Alan Ladd, June Allyson and James Whitmore .
f
BOXOFRCE
I
mONAL EXECUTIVE
EDITION
>gtt of All I

II 4
MANHATTAN/
TENDER TRAP: "What Every Girl
Sets For Every Man!"
HIGHEST RATING
OF ALL TIME!
Yes, in all the years that FILM RESEARCH SURVEYS has polled audiences, "THE
TENDER TRAP" at Loew's Lexington Theatre, N.Y. Preview last week topped every
picture in history. It was a repetition of the sensational audience Preview in California.
The news of this GREAT attraction is spreading like wild-fire through the industry.
ACT FAST! THIS IS MONEY!

She's an authority on
the tender trap.
Debbie's headline romance
makes her the
sure-fire- want-to-see
star of the year!
HERE'S WHAT ITS ABOUT!
Come into Frankie's love-nest-bachelor-apartment. Through these portals pass
the most gorgeous and seductive models and career girls in naughty New
York.
And just when the confident bachelor thinks he's got the perfect set-up,
along comes the most-innocent-of-them-all to set the tender trap! Bait your
box-office with this big-time bonanza entertainment!
(Available in Magnetic, Stereophonic, Perspecta Stereophonic or 1 -Channel Sound)

Voted Top Female 'Star of Tomorrow']
,in M. P. Herald's Exhibitor Poll! J
Screen Play by IRVING WALLACE
Music Advisor George Liberace
AN INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS LTD PRODUCTION
WILLIAM DEMAREST
LORI NELSON LURENE TUTTLE
Produced by
HENRY BLANKE
•
Directed by GORDON DOUGLAS Presented byWARNER BROS.

i
TICKLING THE KEYS
I KEY CITIES
ACROSS THE LAND!
CHICAGO FIRST-THEN FANNING
OUT TO A NATIONFUL OF LIBERACE
FANS IN
MASS-MARKET AREAS
SELECTED FOR MAXIMUM PENETRATION
HE GREETS THE PUBLIC,
HE MEETS THE PRESS-IN A
NEWS-MAKING LAUNCHING OF
MASSIVE
THE ATTRACTION MILLIONS AND MILLIONS
ARE WAITING FOR!
GEORGE LIBERACE
will be on the tour,
too!
to
s o
Liberace plays everything from Chopin
'Chopsticks' and Boogie--and his own new hit
'Sincerely Yours' (lyrics by paul francis webster)!
REMINDER FROM COMPO: DID YOU MAIL YOUR NOMINATIONS FOR AUDIENCE AWARDS '

GALA AMERICAN PREMIERE
TUES. EVE., OCT. 11 • Auspices OVERSEAS PRESS CLUB
first Gnen/iaScopEE presentation
of the long-run tjP/awa; tAeW ^CtA
CELEBRITIES! LIGHTS! RADIO & TV! SPECIAL EVENTS!
\t\
ALEXANDER KORDA presents A LONDON FILM
An Anatole Litvak
production

• •
solve
rcdke of$i£^?lchtwn r?clu#e /fiduAl?//
THE
NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY
Published in Nine Sectional Editions
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SHLYEM
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3CT08ER 8, 1955
'ol. 67 No. 24
PUT UP OR SHUT UP
/^ARjfDOXICAL is the general
exhibitor attitude and action concerning their
plaints dl product shortage. Thev have been
beefing for a long time aboul its adverse effects
on their economic situation, both as regards
film costs and grossing experience. Bui there
appears little willingness to put enough "potatoes
in the pot to improve tin- condition.
\i the Theatre Owners ol Vmerica convention
in Chicago last year. Waller Reade jr..
IO\ In, aril chairman, in urging that exhibitors
lake appropriate steps to remed) the condition,
exhorted them to "put your monev where your
mouth is!" He repeated this admonition at
regional meetings around the country and on
other occasions. Hut the exhibitors' decrying of
the "seller's market" hasn't gone beyond the
talking stage, as is evidenced by the inadequate
in fact, infinitesimal -support the} have given
to the two outstanding opportunities to create
more production and, thereby, achieve a better
balance in buyer-seller relationship.
I'm this purpose. TOA launched its Exhibitors
Film Finance Group in order to raise sufficient
capital with which to help finance additional
production. A ten million dollar fund was envisaged.
But the year's efforts brought forth
the palm sale of 8179,000 of EFFG stock!
Allied States Ass'n, about six months prior
to the TOA move, undertook the creation of a
new producing company through its endorsement
of what has been called the Makelim Plan.
Thereby. Hal R. Makelim. an independent producer,
was to make 12 pictures available, the
production funds for which he expected to obtain
on the strength of sufficient exhibitor contracts
to play the pictures. Even though a profit-participation
for exhibitors was provided in those
contracts, it was a difficult task to obtain enough
signatories at reasonable rentals to get the plan
promptly under vvav.
Persistent and strenuous effort on the part of
Mr. Makelim over the past 18 months brought
forth approximately 4.000 contracts—but the
banks did not consider them of sufficient value to
make loans thereon. No "down payment," as
il were, was required of exhibitors signing these
contracts, which, aside from serving as evidence
of good faith, might have resulted in a favorable
attitude on the part of the banks.
Hal Makelim. however, has confidence, at
least
in his ability to make the kind of pictures thai
will serve the exhibitors' needs. And lie is to be
commended for proceeding with his plans bv
adding to his alreadv substantial investment in
developing the plan more of bis own monev and
thai
of friends.
Product problems of one kind or another
have obtained through the years. But, somehow.
exhibitors have been unable t
them. Perhaps
the reason has been thai the) have not
given sufficient support, even to plans of their
own design to serve their own best interests
Vside from not helping to provide the inc. into
establish new product sources, there has been
a gross neglect ol existing production factors,
such as the smaller independent companies,
through failure to give their pictures playing
time and/or better rentals. Investments so made
would, in time, have paid dividends, if onl)
through maintenance of a goodl) SUppl) of
product sufficient to inert the needs of those
exhibitors to whom quantity, as well as quality,
is
of value.
Reflecting further, it is to be noted lb il
x
i
Fabian, one ol the founders ol the TOA and long
a leafier in the field ol exhibition, foresaw the
tightening of the picture market some years before
il actual!) occurred. He believed thai "an
ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"
and. with several other far-seeing exhibitors, tried
to raise a revolving fund of about $2 million
through which to finance qualit) production.
One hundred dollars from each operating theatre
could have done it: or $1,000 from each of the
2.000 biggest theatres. But. despite all the yapping
and resoluting over the evils inherent in
a shortage of product and in the seller's market
that il brings about, there was also a shortagi
of foresight and men willing to "put their monev
where their mouth is."
Until that condition is changed, motion picture
industrv history will but repeal itself: Fxhibitors
will go on complaining of product
lack; plans will be advanced to correct the
situation, only to die a-borning: new problems
may come, but the old ones will remain.
Left Hand of Bogart
On NBC's radio network "Monitor" program
Sunday, October 2. an interviewer asked
Humphrey Bogart if the slogan. "Movies Are
Better Than Ever" was more apt today than it
was several years ago. The film star replied,
"No. 1 he) are worse than ever. Then he proreeded
to pour sail on an open wound bv deprecating
the new filming and projection processes
and color. Apparently recognizing this as not
the answer expected, the interviewer gave
Bogart another chance, hut he continued in the
negative vein.
Currentlv appearing in three productions, all
highlv rated, it seems strange that this able and
popular actor couldn't even think to replv affirmativel)
that movies definitely are better than
ever, if onl) to cite his own current pictures.
Here was an ideal opportunit) to make a favorable
impression for the industr) on the millions
of non-TV watchers who were listening to
that radio program, hut the "Bogev man see.
to prefer to scare them awav from the movies.
His left hand struck the industrv right in the
solar
plexis.
\J&w /%JLa*«-s

TOA KEYNOTER WARNS AGAINST
REGULATION BY GOVERNMENT
Mitchell Wolfson Sees It
As the 'Most Damaging'
Blow Industry Can Face
LOS ANGELES—With a ringing warning
that, if exhibition seeks and obtains relief
from discriminatory trade practices
through government control, it will be "the
most damaging development we have ever
faced," Mitchell Wolfson, Florida circuit
executive and past president of Theatre
Owners of America, on Thursday (6) delivered
the keynote speech at the opening
session of TOA's four-day annual convention.
OVER 1.000 IN ATTENDANCE
Attended by upwards of 1,000 showmen
from all parts of the nation, the conclave,
staged at the Biltmore Hotel, attacked a
crowded agenda of business and social events
under the guidance of E. D. Martin, president,
and Walter Reade jr., chairman of the
board.
Wolfson. introduced to the conventioneers
by Martin, spoke out strongly against "industrywide
policing and regulation by the
government," and predicted that the industry
system of arbitration now on its way "will
be a major step toward relief."
Federal intervention, the wish for which
Wolfson said "is somewhat prevalent in our
industry today," he described as a "handkerchief-tearing
appeal for relief through
law." It would mean, he said, that the "ability
to serve and showmanship would count
for nothing and evidence of faith and character
would be meaningless."
"Let Congress set your terms, and Congress
will soon set your prices. Let Congress
count your days of clearance, and Congress
will soon be counting your receipts. Let
Congress book your pictures, and Congress
will soon have a heavy hand in making those
pictures," Wolfson asserted. "I assure you,
there is no levity in my remark when I say,
'Let's not make a federal case out of this,' "
CAN SETTLE OWN DIFFERENCES
The keynote speaker made clear his belief
that the industry can settle its own differences.
Exhibition, he said, is in a "sellers'
market," in which the amount of the percentage
demanded "never seems to decrease."
Theatremen, Wolfson declared, can eventually
reach an understanding with the trade's production
segment, because "we are in a position
to offer them help in building new boxoffice
stars" by turning new faces into boxoffice
draws, thus alleviating the filmmakers'
current complaints that the salaries of established
stellar personalities are becoming exorbitant.
"Don't underestimate the value of promoting
new faces," he said. "They are the raw
material of our industry."
The projected industry arbitration system
is a "great attempt to alleviate the strangulating
effect of litigation," Wolfson continued,
although "no one claims that it will solve all
difficulties."
Turning to the matter of tax relief, he was
Myron Blank Is
Elected
New TOA President
LOS ANGELES—Myron Blank of Des
Moines, active in affairs of Theatre Owners
of America since its inception, was elected
president of the association at a meeting of
the board of directors and the executive
committee Wednesday (5). He succeeds E. D.
Martin of Columbus, Ga.
Blank, a successful second-generation exhibitor,
is president of Central States Theatres
Corp., a circuit operating 52 theatres in
Iowa and Nebraska. He is the son of the
veteran exhibitor, A. H. Blank, who heads the
Tri-States circuit, also of Des Moines.
In order to ease the burdens of the presidency,
the TOA board created five assistants
to the president who will relieve the association
head of such duties as attending regional
meetings and conventions, etc. Named
to those posts are: Nathan Greer, Santa Pe;
George Kerasotes, Springfield, 111.; Sam
Rosen, New York; Joseph J. Rosenfield, Spokane,
and Ernest G. Stellings, Charlotte.
Other officers named were:
Vice-presidents: Carl E. Anderson, Kalispell,
Mont.; A. Julian Brylawski, Washington,
D. C.; Horace Denning, Jacksonville, Fla.;
Lester Kropp, St. Louis; Pat McGee, Denver;
Albert M. Pickus, Stratford, Conn.; John
Rowley, Dallas, and Roy Cooper, San Francisco.
The retiring president, E. D. Martin of
Columbus, Ga., becomes chairman of the
board; Alfred Starr, Nashville, remains as
chairman of the executive committee, and
Samuel Pinanski, Boston, will serve as honorary
board chairman. Renamed were Robert
R. Livingston, Lincoln, Neb., secretary; S. H.
Fabian, New York, treasurer, and Herman
Levy, New Haven, general counsel.
Assistant
secretary will be Joseph Alterman, while
Mitchell Wolfson will serve as finance committee
chairman.
Named to the executive committee are Art
outspoken against what he called "a policy
of feet-dragging." He castigated some segments
for relegating "to a position of unimportance"
the matter of increasing their
grosses by 10 per cent or passing on that
much saving to their customers, and urged
a united stand to eliminate the federal excise
levy completely.
"More income for your industry means
more opportunity for you to share it," Wolfson
told the TOA delegates. "When the greatest
competitor we have today offers our patrons
living room convenience, how can we
remain indifferent to any needless barriers at
our boxoffice?"
More than half the nation's theatres are
still serving as collectors for this wartime
excise tax, Wolfson reminded, adding that
MYRON BLANK
TOA's New President
Adamson. Portland, Ore.; Tom Bloomer,
Belleville, 111.; James S. Carbery, Little Rock;
C. E. Cook, Maryville, Mo.; Edward L. Fabian,
New York; Edwin Gage, Oakhurst, N. J.;
Bolivar Hyde, Lakeland, Fla.; Jack Keiler,
Paducah, Ky.; Mack Jackson, Alexander
City, Ala.; R. M. Kennedy, Birmingham, Ala.;
M. A. Lightman jr.. Memphis; Arthur H.
Lockwood, Boston: Roy Martin jr., Columbus,
Ga.; Martin J. Mullin. Boston: R. J. O'Donnell,
Dallas; J. J. O'Leary, Scranton. Pa.;
A. Fuller Sams jr., Statesville, N. C; Jay
Solomon, Chattanooga, Tenn.; Morton Thalhimer,
Richmond: David Wallerstein, Chicago;
Nat Williams, Thomasville. Ga., and
R. B. Wilby, Atlanta.
"we have been in this penal servitude too
long."
In an aside, he made reference to the "regrettable
indisposition" of President Eisenhower
and urged the attending showmen to
pray for his recovery and return to active
leadership.
On the matter of product, Wolfson reminded
that there has not been a steady flow
of good celluloid in recent years and that
in the season just past it was "particularly
sporadic." If the distributors do not change
their philosophy, he said, then the exhibition
branch must attempt to increase attendance
by encouraging the production and playing
of independently made features.
He entreated distribution not to "kill the
goose that lays the golden egg" through the
8 BOXOFFICE October 8. 1955

:
economic starvation of exhibitors wu "unreasonable
film rentals and sales policies." Such
tactics deprive showmen of funds needed to
modernize, the failure to do which could
•eventually deprive the entire industry, including
production, of its fair share of the
amusement dollar." Producers and distributors
arc entitled to (air film rentals, Wolfson
conceded, but, if they take an "unreasonable"
amount of the industry's income, the
end result will be "fewer and less Inviting
motion picture theatres and diminished returns"
for all concerned.
ELECOMMENDS A FIRM 'NO"
The TOA executive concluded by urging
delegates to employ self-reliance and individual
effort in correcting industry evils.
"The best advice to exhibitors to bring
normalcy to the unreasonable pricing of
films." Wolfson contended, "is a polite but
firm 'No!"'
One of the highlights of the Thursday t6>
morning session was the appearance of Elmer
C. Rhoden. president of National Theatres
and national chairman of the COMPO
Audience Awards poll. He again explained
the mechanics of the balloting and thanked
theatremen for their cooperation, as well
as urging them to continue to support the
project.
Rhoden revealed that plans are underway
for a national telecast of the announcement
of the final poll winners. He reported that
COMPO had been approached by an automobile
manufacturer desirous of underwriting
the program, but expressed confidence
that the film industry itself would sponsor
it. The telecast is slated for either December
5, 6 or 7. Rhoden added, and sponsorship
will be limited to the five major companies
which garner the top kudos in the tally,
thus keeping the commercial announcements
to a minimum.
A Thursday luncheon speaker was Y. Frank
Freeman. Paramount studio head and board
chairman of the Ass'n of Motion Picture Producers.
He declared the production segment
fully realizes the need for more good pictures
and is doing everything possible to fulfill
such demand. However, he emphasized to
the TOA delegates that the law of economics
must control Hollywood's output and said
exhibitors could rest assured that as many
features will be made as can be found profitable.
Introduced at the luncheon were Steve
Broidy. president of Allied Artists; Dore
Schary, MGM production chieftain and a
number of the young stars so far nominated
in the COMPO poll.
COMMITTEE
REPORTS
Committee reports occupied most of Friday.
In the afternoon Frank Whitbeck of MGM
acted as moderator at an advertising-promotion
seminar in which participants included
Frank Rubel of Central States Theatres;
Jerry Pickman, Paramount advertising-publicity
chief; David Lipton, Universal-International
vice-president and ad-publicity
chief, and Thornton Sargent, public relations
director for National Theatres. A trip
to Disneyland followed.
Saturday's sessions were devoted to discussions
of trade practices, film rentals,
operations, concessions, equipment and advertising.
The board and executive committee
held a meeting and a forum on theatre operations
was conducted by R. M. Kennedy. In
the afternoon Paramount staged a fashion
show at the Ambassador Hotel for the delegates'
wives.
Board Votes to Press
For Tax Campaign
LOS ANGELES—The TOA board of
di-
abolishment
rectors voted to campaign for
of the 10 per cent federal amusement tax,
and urged all exhibitors to join in such
activity, at its all-day meeting Wednesday
1 5 1 . The board thus placed TOA on
record as supporting the recommendations
made by a number of the country's leading
exhibitors, notably Samuel Pinanski,
who is the TOA member of the COMPO
governing board.
The directors reaffirmed their belief that
industry problems can be solved by friendly
discussion, as well as by arbitration and conciliation—but
warned that if solutions are
not achieved through further talks with company
executives "we may have to seek other
forms of relief."
In releasing the resolution to the tradepress,
Alfred Starr, chairman of the executive
committee, declined to discuss in detail
what the board meant by "other forms of
relief." He skirted any implication that it
might hint at government intervention. Starr,
who authored the resolution, said the basic
problem is the economic one of supply and
demand.
Other developments at the board meeting
were
1. Directors voted to affiliate with Union
International de L'Exploitation Cinematographique.
which has members in England
and western Europe. Italo Gemini, president
of the foreign exhibitor association, addressed
the board, as did Saverio Cilente, the vicepresident.
TOA will send a delegate to Rome
late this month to attend the annual UIEC
convention.
2. Membership in COMPO was renewed,
with Pinanski as the TOA representative and
Pat McGee as alternate.
3. New York was awarded the 1956 convention.
4. The Quebec Theatre Owners Ass'n was
admitted to membership, and membership
applications were taken under advisement
from exhibitor groups in Trinidad and Guam.
The text of the resolution on the solving of
industry problems reads as follows:
"We in TOA are still of the belief that our
inter-industry problems can be solved by
friendly discussion, as well as by arbitration
and conciliation. In addition, we will continue
to follow up our meetings with the presidents
and sales managers of the film con
looking toward relief from our difficulties.
If we are unable to solve our pressing problems
in such fashion, then we may have to
seek other forms of relief." There was no
further clarification on the resolution.
Newly elected president Myron Blank
briefly addressed the press conference on
Wednesday, stressing the fact that his administration
will strive for continued harmony
within TOA and thanked the tradepress for
the important part it has played in the
organization's progress.
Nathan Strauss of the Quebec organization
attended the meeting. There was discussion
also concerning membership applications
filed by exhibitor groups in Trinidad and
Guam, but no action was taken at the
Wednesday board meeting.
Problems of the Exhibitors Film Finance
Group were analyzed at a brief session but
action was deferred until later in the week,
following a report to be made by Pinanski
to the entire convention.
Starr, in another report, discussed the
progress in the battle against toll television,
declaring "splendid results" have been attained
to date. The last flow of letters to
the FCC from individuals and groups was in
a ratio of from 15 to 25 to 1 against pay-asyou-see
video. Starr asserted. However, he
predicted it may take "several years" for the
FCC to reach a decision, and urged the fight
be continued until victory has been reached.
Retiring president E. D. Martin urged in
a report that TOA "should continue to strive
for better understanding and unity of action
whenever possible" with Allied and other
exhibitor organizations. He discussed the
arbitration system, the need for more good
pictures, a more equitable system of release
between Army, Navy and Air Force
service theatres and commercial showcases,
insurance, tax repeal and field activities.
Convention Told Public Relations
Community Venture
For Theatres Is
LOS ANGELES—Theatre public relations
should be regarded as a community venture
on a local, state and national basis, it was
declared by John W. Keiler II and Emil Bernstecker,
co-chairmen of the public relations
committee, in a report presented Friday (7).
Stressing that such over-all relationship to
the community "is more important than
whether the picture currently playing . . .
does so at a profit this week or not." they
nevertheless emphasized "the tremendous necessity
that a profit must be made."
A week's profit in the red "because it is
sorry entertainment, adverse weather conditions
or rival attractions" should not be compared,
the report said, with "a losing week's
result because of public disapproval of our
activities as citizens of the community."
Showmen must make their theatres the
focal point "of all worthwhile causes." Keiler
and Bernstecker commented, since good public
relations "can only be had when motivated
by a genuine desire to be of worthwhile service
.. . and daily efforts must be based on
that solid foundation."
The report stressed the need for avoiding
the booking of so-called "fast-buck" celluloid;
moderation in advertising, which should be
"sincere, truthful and informative; and an
outlook which never 'talks down' the film
trade or its product.
"Never tell the public that business is bad,"
the report concluded. "Try to be full of enthusiasm
and excitement about the films."
BOXOFFICE October 8. 1955

—
TOA Committee Reports
T^ut&e, ^CCLt&
Skouras Back From Abroad
With Expansion Plans
Twentieth Century-Fox president flies in
after long stay in Europe, Middle East and
Asia during which he laid out plans for
Cinemascope expansion; may produce eight
in widescreen medium overseas next year.
Tax Cut Opposition Rises
In the Treasury Dept.
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Daniel
Throop Smith tells House ways and means
sub-committee that department is "much
concerned" over moves for further reductions
in excise levies, including tickets: House
members disagree.
New 20th-Fox Television
Program Well Received
First of series used condensed version of
"Cavalcade," starring Michael Wilding and
Merle Oberon: product plugs in good taste,
reviewers agree; running time 42 minutes.
Morning Shows Pose Problem
For British Commercial TV
Acting on theory housewives will be too
busy in home then to watch programs, advertisers
decline to buy a. m. time—even at
bargain rate of $910 a minute: perhaps
American women should reassure them.
*
Sheraton Hotel Competing
With Theatre TV on Sports
Closed circuit program expanded to include
Notre Dame-Miami football game Friday
(7) in 11 cities; two other ND games booked;
food and beverage sales counted on to show
profit.
•
Rome Sets Up Own Formula
For Issuance of Licenses
Divided 190 imports permits among MPEA
companies, effective September 1 ; reason
could be that companies had disagreed on
recommendations to Italian government, but
political motive also seen; presidents to discuss
move Tuesday (11).
MPEA Loan to Japan Is Seen
Effective in a Few Weeks
Only writing a legal pact remains to be
done; terms are $7,000,000. six-year period,
periodical repayments; money to be used for
construction; allows MPEA to remit $3,000.-
000 in frozen funds and $1,500,000 in current
earnings.
•
C. A. Dandelake to Join
Makelim Organization
President of the Theatre Owners Ass'n of
North and South Carolina and owner of two
res in Tarboro, N. C, is disposing of his
theatre interests and resigning his TOANSC
post to take up new duties with Makelim.
^-°" s P r,n t S/ze Standardization
Most Important Technical Problem
LOS ANGELES—The TOA committee
on
theatre equipment called for standardization
of frame sizes and sharply criticized film
companies for developing processes which will
limit the number of theatres in which the
pictures can be played, in a report submitted
to the convention this week.
The committee declared "that it is apparent
that the 55mm and 65mm processes of Fox
and Loew's have an ulterior motive, which is
to control the releases and also clearances."
The report contended that producers plan
to equip only certain theatres with the
mechanism to run these large-negative films
and "thereby control the releases at their
whim, probably on a roadshow basis, with the
films probably not being released for general
exhibition until the territory has been
milked dry."
Even the manufacturers are taking a wary
look at these specialized processes, said the
committee, pointing to the report of one
manufacturer that he had been offered $750,-
000 to make a pilot model but had refused
because he knew the producer was not interested
in volume production of the equipment,
and therefore the manufacturer would not
make any money after the pilot model was
turned out.
As for the problem of standardization of
frame sizes, the committee said that confusion
exists among exhibitors on this item
and called it the "most important and
costly" problem which exists in the theatre.
"Many producers are making pictures in
different sizes as well as using different
thicknesses of film stock. One producer's film
can be run without any problems, and yet
another's will be scorched or burned because
it is too thin, and continuous adjustments
have to be made because of the various thicknesses
of the film stock. These should be
standardized. If the producers would get
together and determine the value of each of
their processes and combine them into one
process with standardized sizes and thicknesses,
it would save a great deal of expense
on the part of exhibitors," the committee
said.
Co-chairmen of the committee are Lucian
E. Pope, Fox Midwest Theatres; Joseph Zaro,
Crescent Amusement Co., and Edwin Gage,
Walter Reade Theatres.
MEMBERSHIP:
More than 500 theatres were added to the
TOA membership roll in 1955, and two new
units, Quebec Theatre Owners Ass'n and
Intermountain Theatre Owners Ass'n, became
TOA affiliates during the year. This was reported
by George Kerasotes, Walter L. Morris
and Art Adamson, co-chairmen of the membership
committee.
INSURANCE:
Obtaining adequate insurance to cover indoor
and drive-in theatres is still an unsolved
problem—and, at the moment, there is
little hope for improvement, the special committee
named to study theatre insurance reported.
The committee pointed out that for
the last 10 to 15 years, theatres have not
been considered attractive risks by insurance
carriers. One of the big factors for this situation
is that exhibitors have done little or
nothing themselves to reduce accidents. As
a result, said committee members, there have
been numerous rate increases in the last several
years, culminating in a rather large rise
this year in many states.
Most theatres require limits of liability far
in excess of the basic figure now being
allowed by insurance companies—$5,000 coverage
for each person and no more than
$10,000 for all persons in one accident, and
$5,000 property damage in each accident.
The committee felt it was impossible to obtain
a single carrier who would be willing
to offer insurance on a cut-rate basis to
TOA members. What the organization should
work toward is a program of improving safety
in theatres which eventually will bring decreased
rates, it reported. The following efforts
should be made:
1. Try to obtain a reduction in minimum
premiums for property damage in drive-in
theatres from $50 to $25.
2. Establish a working arrangement with
the National Bureau on Compensation Insurance
to review the experience of theatres
and try to obtain rate concessions.
3. Attempt to obtain a different basis for
rating public liability hazards of drive-in
theatres.
4. Undertake a campaign with exhibitors to
improve safety of their theatres by working
with insurance company safety personnel, and
by mailing safety literature to exhibitors.
5. Attempt to convince American insurers
of the desirability of writing theatre business
and of offering their services for safety work.
6. Attempt to broaden the scope of the present
public liability policy by adding such features
as false arrest coverage and occurrence
coverage.
Co-chairmen of the committee are Arthur
Lockwood, Gene Lutes and Ernest G. Stellings.
LEGISLATION:
The threat of additional amusement tax
levies by state and local governments remains
with the motion picture industry, the legislation
committee reported to the convention.
The fact that New York City enacted a 5
per cent theatre ticket tax after the federal
government granted relief is a reminder that
the danger of new taxes is ever present.
The policy of exhibitor groups should be
not merely to resist imposition of additional
taxes, but to carry on a continuous fight to
repeal taxes now imposed on theatres.
The committee had a note of warning on
government controls.
"If we feel ours is a privileged business
requiring more governmental regulation and
supervision that the business of other merchants,
then we will have not less discriminatory
taxes in the future, but we can then
certainly expect additional and higher taxes."
The committee, of which LaMar Sarra and
Robert E. Bryant are co-chairmen, also
warned that in several states legislative attempts
are being made to alter through
statutes the decisions of the United States
Supreme Court on movie censorship. The
close margins of victory in several legislatures
this last year "should serve as a reminder
that we still have a selling job ahead with a
segment of the public and with some of our
state legislators."
10 BOXOFFICE October 8. 1955

.
ueen
JL_J vZ^ v_Z • •
One female alone may
be the queen bee.
The other females serve only to
sacrifice themselves while tending the queen bee or
defending her.
The males of the species exist only
to
serve the queen's pleasure

All
Joan Crawford
co-starring BARRY SULLIVAN • BET
Screen Play by
RANALD MacDOUGL

jU
f
I
ueen Bee
LMER • JOHN IRELAND -lucy marlow
on a novel by Edna Lee -A JERRY WALD Production Directed by RANALD MacDOUGALL

\Jn one of my trips to the Coast last year, Harry Cohn asked me to
read
a novel that the studio had in mind as a starring vehicle for Joan Crawford.
After reading the book, I was sure that "Queen Bee" was just right for
Miss Crawford. It had the excitement and tension of "Sudden Fear",
a central character as fascinating, as evil as "Mildred Pierce"
— and the same outstanding boxoffice qualities of both.
Executive producer Jerry Wald started the wheels rolling and assigned
Ranald MacDougall to adapt the screenplay. MacDougall had
worked with Wald on "Mildred Pierce" and thus, we had
the same producer-star-writer Academy Award combination.
Recently, I saw the first print of "Queen Bee" at a home-office
screening. The results are everything we hoped for,
and more.
Miss Crawford is
magnificent as the "Queen Bee".
"Queen Bee" will be screened soon in your territory. When you see it,
I
feel sure you will agree with my high opinion.
VICE PRESIDENT
AND GENERAL SALES MANAGER
COLUMBIA PICTURES CORP.
Printed in I

OCTOBER LISTS 26 FEATURES
FROM TEN MAJOR COMPANIES
Nine More Than Oct. 1954;
Eight Are CinemaScope,
One Each in VV, SS
By FRANK LEYENDECKER
NEW YORK—Twenty-six new features,
including eight in Cinemascope and one
each in VistaVision and Superscope, will
be released by the ten major distributing
companies during October, the second
month of the 1955-56 selling season. This
number is two more than were released in
September 1955 and nine more than were
released by the same ten companies, plus
Lippert, during October 1954. Lippert has
no new pictures for release this October.
In October 1954. only three new features
were in Cinemascope and these, plus five
others were in color. This October there will
be a total of 16 features in color, almost
two-thirds of the total number. October 1955
also will have two reissues, compared to three
in October 1954.
WIDESCREEN AND COLOR LIST
The pictures in CinemaScope and color
will be: "My Sister Eileen" and "Gentlemen
Marry Brunettes," both elaborate musicals;
••Quentin Durward," "Blood Alley," "To Hell
and Back." "Gun Point" and "Count Three
and Pray," all in the action-adventure category,
and "The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing,"
a biographical-period drama. "The Treasure
of Pancho Villa" is in Superscope and color
while "White Christmas," the VistaVision
musical first released in the fall of 1954, will
be re-released by Paramount for the 1955
fall season.
Other pictures in color will be: "A Man
Alone." "Kiss of Fire," "Fort Yuma," "Duel on
the Mississippi." "Ulysses" and "Savage
Princess." all either action or spectacle pictures.
The ten black-and-white pictures are
headed by "Trial," "Othello," "Illlegal."
"Bobby Ware Is Missing," "Lover Boy" and
"The Twinkle in God's Eye," all in the dramatic
vein, and "The Return of Jack Slade,"
"Mystery of the Black Jungle." "The Fighting
Chance" and "Devil Goddess." minor action
dramas.
LINEUP BY DISTRIBUTORS
Broken down by companies, the October
releases will be:
ALLIED ARTISTS—"Gun Point," in
CinemaScope and Technicolor, starring Fred
MacMurray, Dorothy Malone and Walter
Brennan; "Bobby Ware Is Missing," with
Neville Brand, Jean Willes and Arthur Franz,
and "The Return of Jack Slade," starring
John Ericson, Mari Blanchard, Neville Brand
and Casey Adams.
COLUMBIA—"Count Three and Pray," in
CinemaScope and Technicolor, starring Van
Heflin with Joanne Woodward. Allison Hayes.
Phil Carey and Raymond Burr; "My Sister
Eileen," in CinemaScope and Technicolor,
starring Janet Leigh, Jack Lemmon and
Betty Garrett with Robert Fosse. Kurt Kasznar
and Tommy Rail; "Duel on the Mississippi."
MGM Has 51 Scriveners
At Work on 41 Films
HOLLYWOOD—Reaffirming his company's
faith in filmdom's future, Dore Schary, MGM
stud o head, disclosed on Wednesday that
its roster of writing talent is at an eight-year
high, with 51 scriveners currently at work on
41 features or under contract for future commitments.
Many of the scripts are being
penned more than a year in advance of production,
Schary said, calling this a "major
factor ... to utilize to fullest advantage the
coordinated talents of stars, producers, directors
and writers."
The company began its 1955-56 fiscal year
on September 1 with over-all creative manpower
at peak level for recent years. Including
the studio's contract list and players
signed for individual pictures, 72 stars and
featured names will be represented in forthcoming
product, while 18 producers and 17
directors have been assigned to specific
projects.
Ten features are in various stages of editing
and scoring and another six are in production,
constituting MGM's releases through the
spring and early summer of next year.
Currently before the cameras are "Lust for
in
Technicolor, starring Lex Barker. Patricia
Medina with Warren Stevens; "Devil Goddess,"
starring Johnny Weissmuller with
Angela Stevens.
MGM — "Quentin Durward," produced in
England in CinemaScope and color, starring
Robert Taylor, Kay Kendall and Robert Morley,
and "Trial," starring Glenn Ford, Dorothy
McGuire, Arthur Kennedy with John
Hodiak and Katy Jurado.
PARAMOUNT—"Ulysses," in Technicolor,
produced in Italy by Ponti-De Laurentiis.
starring Kirk Douglas, Silvana Mangano and
Anthony Quinn with Rossana Podesta. and
the re-release of "White Christmas," in
VistaVision and Technicolor, starring Bing
Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and
Vera-Ellen.
RKO— "The Treasure of Pancho Villa," in
Superscope and Technicolor, starring Rory
Calhoun, Shelley Winters and Gilbert Roland
with Joseph Calleia.
REPUBLIC — "A Man Alone," in Trucolor,
starring Ray Milland, Mary Murphy and
Ward Bond; "The Twinkle in God's Eye,"
starring Mickey Rooney, Coleen Gray and
Hugh O'Brian; "The Fighting Chance," with
Rod Cameron, Julie London and Ben Cooper,
and "Mystery of the Black Jungle," starring
Lex Barker with Jane Maxwell.
TWENTIETH CENTURY-FOX—"The Girl
in the Red Velvet Swing," in CinemaScope
and color, starring Ray Milland. Joan Collins
Life," "Meet Me in Las Vegas," "Tribute to
a Bad Man," "Gaby," "The Swan" and "Fearful
Decision." Titles listed for future production
include:
"32nd Day," "The Old Army Game," "The
Rack," "Bridge of Fire," "The Teahouse of
the August Moon," an untitled Sol C. Siegel
production, "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "Something
of Value," "Tea and Sympathy," "Raintree
County," "Designing Woman," "Wings
ol Eagles," "The Opposite Sex," "Ben Hur,"
"The Big Sin," "Somebody Up There Likes
Me," "The Red Car," "Reluctant Debutante,"
"I Put My Right Foot In," "The Little
Leaguer," "Anna Christie," "All Our Yesterdays,"
"Wonderland," "The Wayfarer," "Ten
Thousand Bedrooms," "Protection for a Tough
Racket," "International Revue," "Raquel,"
"Running of the Tide," "The Amazing Nellie
Bly," "The Catered Affair," "The Painted
Veil," "Prisoner in Paradise," "Air Force
Story," "Largely a Question of Love," "The
Power and the Prize," "Mary Anne," "The Female."
"Wedding Day." "Bonjour Tristesse."
Due for early release are "Trial."
"Quentin Durward." "The Tender Trap,"
"Kismet," "I'll Cry Tomorrow," "Diane," "The
Last Hunt," "Forever, Darling," "Bhowani
Junction," "Forbidden Planet," and "Invitation
to the Dance."
and Farley Granger with Cornelia Otis Skinner,
Luther Adler and Glenda Farrell, and
"Lover Boy," produced in England, starring
Gerard Philipe, Valerie Hobson and Joan
Greenwood.
UNITED ARTISTS—"Gentlemen Marry
Brunettes," in CinemaScope and Technicolor,
produced in Europe, starring Jane Russell.
Jeanne Crain, Scott Brady, Rudy Vallee and
Alan Young; "Fort Yuma," produced by
Howard Koch and Aubrey Schenck, in color,
starring Peter Graves, Joan Vohs. John Hudson
and Joan Taylor; "Savage Princess," in
color, produced in India with a native cast,
and "Othello," produced by Orson Welles with
himself in the title role, and Michael Mac-
Liammoir, Suzanne Cloutier, Fay Compton.
UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL—"To Hell
and Back." in CinemaScope and Technicolor.
starring Audie Murphy with Marshall Thompson
and Charles Drake, and "Kiss of Fire."
in Technicolor, starring Jack Palance, Barbara
Rush and Martha Hyer.
WARNER BROS.—"Blood Alley," in CinemaScope
and WarnerColor, starring John
Wayne and Lauren Bacall, and "Illegal," starring
Edward G. Robinson, Nina Foch and
Hugh Marlowe with Jayne Mansfield.
The two reissues for October are MGM's
"The Philadelphia Story," starring Cary
Grant, Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart,
and "Green Dolphin Street," starring
Lana Turner and Donna Reed.
BOXOFFICE October 8, 1955 15

1
4)
SMPTE URGES CAUTION ON NEW SYSTEMS
Theatres Put 30 Million
Into Equipment in 1954
LAKE PLACID, N. Y —Loren Ryder, head
of engineering and recording at the Paramount
Studios, dramatized the sound and
projection revolution of the past two years at
the opening session of the 78th semiannual
convention of the Society of Motion Picture
and Television Engineers by declaring that
during 1954 many exhibitors laid out about
$30,000,000 for new processes, an amount exceeding
their combined net income.
He suggested that engineers consider the
future economic value of changes now being
planned.
OBJECT IS
TO MAKE PROFIT
"Many technicians forget," he said, "that
the object of the motion picture business is
to make money." His figures, he said, were
taken from Department of Commerce reports.
About 20,000 theatres show a net of from
$25,000,000 to $30,0000,000 a year. During 1954
some 12,000 theatres installed new screens.
5.000 put in stereophonic sound and probably
12.000 bought new standard projection lenses,
plus anamorphic lenses. "This represents an
investment of well over $30,000,000," he summarized.
His paper was titled "Economic Aspects of
Utilizing New Engineering Developments."
"Sometimes someone forgets that bills have
to be paid," he said, "and some of the people
at the studios have been conscious of only
studio costs which incidentally are rising at
an alarming rate.
"There are economic as well as technical
reasons why Paramount went to VistaVision
in place of 65mm and 55mm film, which the
studio had previously experimented with.
Standard film color negative costs $125 per
thousand feet. The same photography time
in VistaVision costs $250. This increases to
$312 for 65mm and $428 for anamorphic 65mm.
Laboratory experts feel that the processing
and release costs can well go up in the same
ratio.
"Prom here on out every technical man and
in particular every equipment company should
well consider the economic cost and economic
value of their proposals for the best interests
of the industry. If the device cannot pay its
way, it should be dropped."
LARGER NEGATIVES DESIRABLE
Dr. John G. Frayne of Westrex, president
of the SMPTE, opened the sessions by saying
that there is general agreement that the
larger negatives now going into use are desirable.
"The proponents of the newer widescreen
processes also claim," he said, "that a
larger picture positive area adds to the quality
of the image as projected on the large
screen."
He added that there is "no outward sign
as yet of any attempt or even desire at
standardization or compatibility between
them." Todd-AO, Cinerama and the improved
Cinemascope using five loud speakers behind
the screen will renew interest in stereophonic
sound, he predicted.
The thinness, toughness and durability of
DuPont-developed Cronar polyester photographic
film base was described by Dr. Deane
R. White of DuPont in a paper written in
conjunction with C. J. Gass, E. Meschter and
Wilton R. Holm.
Tests over a three-year period show the
base holds its strength and toughness and
that it is not affected by humidity. It can
stand temperatures higher than 100 degrees,
even when stored. Thirty-five per cent more
footage can be rolled into one film can,
thereby reducing the cost of shipping.
SMPTE Ofiicers Are Named
At Lake Placid Meeting
LAKE PLACID, N. Y.—The results of the
1955 national election of officers of the
Society of Motion Picture and Television
Engineers were announced Monday by Dr.
John G. Frayne, president.
Unopposed for re-election as financial vicepresident,
engineering vice-president and
treasurer were: John W. Servies of National
Theatre Supply, New York; Axel G. Jensen of
Bell Telephone Laboratories, Murray Hill,
N. J., and George W. Colburn of G. W.
Colburn Laboratories, Chicago.
Elected for two-year terms as governors
were: Frank N. Gillette of General Precision
Laboratories, New York: Garland C. Misener
of Ansco, Binghamton, N. Y.; Richard O.
Painter of General Motors Proving Grounds,
Milford, Mich.; Reid H. Ray of Reid H. Ray
F.lm Industries, St. Paul: Lorin D. Grignon
of 20th Century-Fox, Hollywood; Ralph E.
Lovell of National Broadcasting Co., Hollywood.
The resignation of Edward S. Seeley of
Altec-Lansing as secretary was accepted and
Wilton R. Holm of DuPont, Parlin, N. J., was
chosen to fill the remainder of his term.
Kaimus Medal for Color
Announced at SMPTE
LAKE PLACID, N. Y—A new industry
award for outstanding technical contributions
to color motion pictures was announced
Tuesday (4) by Dr. John G. Frayne of
Westrex, president of the SMPTE. It is
called the Dr. Herbert T. Kaimus Gold Medal
and will be presented for the first time in
1956.
Dr. Frayne said that it was the feeling of
the society members that color has achieved
a position of such prominence and stature in
the technology of motion pictures that major
contributions to its scientific progress should
be recognized and honored.
Several awards were presented Tuesday
night. Among those honored were Dr. Elmer
W. Engstrom of RCA, winner of the Progress
Medal; Dr. Harry F. Olson of RCA, winner
of the Samuel L. Warner Memorial Award
for contributions to sound; Bernard D.
Loughlin of the Hazeltine Corp., winner of
the David Sarnoff Gold Medal Award for
contributions to television, and Richard S.
O'Brien of CBS, winner of the Journal Award
for his paper. "CBS Color Television Staging
and Lighting Practices."
O'Brien Demonstrates
*£ffi»SE3
LAKE PLACID—Dr. Brian O'Brien
of the
American Optical Co. demonstrated Tuesday
how the deeply curved screen of the
Todd-AO process eliminates previously unavoidable
distortions in a single printing step.
His talk and the demonstration were given
at the convention of the Society of Motion
Picture and Television Engineers.
Using clips from the Rodgers and Hammerstein
production, "Oklahoma!" Dr. O'Brien
went into the technical details of the Todd-
AO cameras, projectors, lenses, film and
screens and explained the reasoning behind
the decision to use 65mm negative film,
70mm composite release prints, deeply curved
large screens of special construction as well
as a specially
designed printing process.
PROJECTION FROM FAR BACK
Dr. O'Brien demonstrated the increase in
the number of seats from which a pictur"
can be seen relatively free of distortions if il
is projected from far back in the theatre
with a long focal length lens on the deeply
curved screen.
Either 65mm or 70mm film is
used, he explained,
because with such a large screen,
35mm film would have to be magnified 700
times. This would increase the visibility of
imperfections. The larger film is magnifed
only 350 times.
In addition, Dr. O'Brien explained that
film moves at 30 frames per second in the
Todd-AO system, rather than at 24, to reduce
flicker and motion effects in the large
picture.
The screen is made of plastic-coated cotton
cloth, deeply embossed with tiny concave
mirrors which are directed in each portion
to throw the light back at the audience
rather than allow it to reflect on another
part of the screen. The average screen would
have about 140,000.000 of these tiny mirrors.
SIX MAGNETIC SOUND TRACKS
Dr. O'Brien noted that the Todd-AO system
uses six magnetic sound tracks. There
are five speakers behind the screen and one
surround system in the theatre. The specially
designed projector has ten magnetic sound
heads, six for Todd-AO and four for Cinema-
Scope. It also is equipped for use with
optical sound.
Eric Johnston Returning
Soon From Middle East
NEW YORK—Eric Johnston, president of
the Motion Picture Ass'n of America, will return
in about a week from the middle east
where he has been acting as an envoy of
President Eisenhower in a dispute over irrigation
in the Jordan valley.
G. Griffith Johnson, vice-president of the
Motion Picture Export Ass'n, will report to
him on an Italian proposal for a new trade
agreement made while he was in Rome. Dr.
Eitel Monaco, head of ANICA, with whom
Johnson discussed terms, will arrive in the
U. S. late in the month.
National Theatres Dividend
LOS ANGELES—A quarterly dividend of
12% cents a share on outstanding common
stock was declared Thursday (6) by the board
of directors of National Theatres. It is payable
November 3 to stockholders of record as
of October 20.
16 BOXOFFICE October 8, 1955

4>.
UA Foreign Take Up
40% in 35 Weeks
NEW YORK — United Artists' foreign
grosses are up 40 per cent for the last 35
weeks over the same period the preceding
year. Arnold M. Picker, vice-president in
charge of foreign distribution, reported Tuesday
He said he expected the company
1
to reach its foreign revenue objective of
$20,000 000 by the end of the "foreign" year
November 30. The "domestic" year ends one
month later. The over-all objective is $50,-
000.000. Dollar revenues are nearing 40 per
cent where a year ago they were about 31
per cent.
Picker said that next year the foreign goal
will be ' $30,000,000 and that the company
should at least come close to gaining it. He
was reporting on surveys he had made abroad
and on an exchange of data on a recent convention
of foreign representatives in Miami
It was the third such convention held.
Picker estimated the following increases in
grosses: Philippines. 104 per cent: Straits
Settlements. 93: Hong Kong. 126: Germany.
148; Spain, 140: Sweden, 78; United Kingdom.
47; Australia, 31; Chile, 50; Venezuela, 72,
and Uruguay, 76.
He said the impact of the big UA pictures
abroad will be felt in 1956. "Not As a
Stranger" has been released only in England,
where it registered an all-time high for a
UA picture on the Odeon circuit, and "Summertime"
only in Japan, where it also set
a UA high.
Foreign problems still make the going difficult
for UA as well as other companies in
certain areas, Picker said. He mentioned
price controls in Latin America, admission
prices in Mexico and Peru, licenses and rentals
in Japan, which he called "an area of
serious injustice for UA": blocked funds in
the Philippines, rentals in Denmark and the
British admission tax which he hoped can
be eased.
Theatre building abroad in general is tapering
off. Picker said, though still strong in
some areas such as Japan, Mexico City and
especially Germany. He predicted a considerable
increase in drive-ins within five years,
noting that they have been successful in
Australia and South Africa, partly because
of higher automobile production. He had
heard a rumor that one would be erected near
Paris. He expected them to appear in Italy
and Germany later.
Picker will go to Europe in November for
another business survey.
Funeral of James Dean,
Young Film Star, Held
FAIRMOUNT, IND.—Funeral services for
James Dean, who was killed Friday (30) in
an auto collision on the west coast, were held
here Saturday (8) at 2 p.m. at the Hunt
Funeral Parlor. Burial was at Fairmount,
Ind., in Grant Memorial Park.
Dean died in a highway accident while
driving to Salinas, Calif., to take part in
weekend road races. He was one of the bright
new stars of the screen. He achieved prominence
in his first film, "East of Eden," released
last April. Since then he had starred
in "Rebel Without a Cause." which has not
been released. He completed work in "Giant"
only a few days before his death.
Dean was born at Marion, Ind., Feb. 8.
1931. and was reared on a farm near here.
Japanese Company Starts
Film Production for US.
PREDICTS 5 FROM JAPAN— Shiro Kido (far left), president of the Shochiku Co.,
Japan's biggest production-distribution-exhibition organization, tells the New York
press his company will produce five major films this year aimed for the American
market. With Mr. Kido, who is making his first visit to this country, are Arnold
Picker (far right), UA vice-president in charge of foreign distribution; Louis Lober
(reart, general manager of the UA foreign department, and T. Koide, U. S. representative
for Shochiku.
NEW YORK—The Shochiku Co. of Japan
has recovered from the ravages of war and
has begun producing for the American film
market, according to Shiro Kido, president.
It has completed "The Mask and Destiny,"
the distribution of which will be handled by
a British company, and has scheduled five
others for completion by July 1956.
One of the five will be "Christ in Bronze,"
a story of a 17th century government attempt
to stamp out the rise of Christianity in Nagasaki,
and another will be the romance of an
actor and a lady-in-waiting in the court of
a shogun. While "Christ in Bronze" wUl be
in black-and-white, the others will be Eastman
Color and all will be in standard ratio.
The company has experimented with widescreen
in making a short, but has no other
present widescreen plans.
Kido was met in the office of Arnold M.
Picker, United Artists vice-president in charge
of foreign distribution. Picker said UA is
seeking a vehicle for a picture which Shochiku
will make for UA distribution.
Kido said the company was doing research
on flexible ratios, that is, shortening the
screen for close-ups and widening it for the
big scenes. He is due back in Japan the
end of the month. In the meantime, he will
visit a number of key cities on his way to the
coast where he will spend ten days. During
his visit there he will see Y. Frank Freeman
of Paramount on problems of acoustics and
air conditioning.
Shochiku has tremendous influence in the
entertainment world of Japan. It owns 51
film and eight legitimate theatres. There are
2,033 Japanese theatres showing Shochikuproduced
pictures under contract. The total
of film theatres in Japan is 4,076. Six theatres
are being erected. Three will have 1.500 or
more seats and specialize in foreign product.
The three smaller ones will show Japanese
pictures.
A new type of theatre building is coming to
the fore in Japan, Kido said. There will be
a theatre in the basement and another above,
each attracting different type audiences.
Shochiku is putting up a large headquarters
building in Tokyo that besides providing office
space will have four theatres, two of each
type. Those will be in addition to the six
mentioned above.
Kido Suggests Solution
To Japan Code Problem
NEW YORK— American major companies
have declined to support the Japanese production
code because they believe there Is
left-wing representation on the committee
passing on films and because they believe
the committee is "a bit severe on foreign
films," according to Shiro Kido, president of
the Shochiku Co. of Japan. He was interviewed
Monday (3) in the office of Arnold
M. Picker, United Artists vice-president in
charge of foreign distribution.
Kido was the second Japanese film man to
discuss the subject here within a week.
The
other was Masaichi Nagata, a leading producer,
distributor and theatre owner, who
feared censorship would develop if the Motion
Picture Export Ass'n, representing the
majors, remained aloof from the code. Independent
foreign companies, including American
companies, subscribe to it.
Kido thought a solution could be to
let the
committee continue "censoring" films as they
saw fit but to set up an appeals board to
which the majors could go. He said Irving
Maas. MPEA vice-president, now in Tokyo,
thought there could be cooperation if the
Japanese Ministry of Education entered the
picture, but that that could mean a danger
of government control.
Asked about left-wing elements, Kido said
they were mostly outside the industry
Nagata had said they wanted national censorship
so they could rail against it.
BOXOFFICE :
: October 8. 1955
17

$3,000 in Drive-In Prizes
Goes to 16 Exhibitors
Hibbard A. Henderson (center), manager of American Theatres Corp.'s Reading
Drive-In Theatre, North Reading, Mass., displays a $250 check he received from Texas
COMPO for winning first prize in the national Drive-in Theatre Week campaign.
Edward S. Canter (right). ATC treasurer and District Manager James A. Dempsey
look on.
DALLAS—Sixteen exhibitors are sharing
the $3,000 prize fund for top showmanship
during the Drive-In Theatre Week campaign
which was sponsored by Texas COMPO with
the cooperation of BOXOFFICE August 26
through September 1. The big push to
stimulate drive-in attendance and to sell the
outdoor theatre as a family institution has
been hailed by drive-in exhibitors as the most
outstanding event in the history of outdoor
exhibition.
Kyle Rorex, executive director of Texas
COMPO, said drive-in theatre owners and
managers from all sections of the country
reported increased business during the week
as a result of the extra promotional effort.
Entrants in the campaign competed for
$500 in prizes given by Texas COMPO, $250
from each of eight companies for the best
campaign on one of their pictures, and $500
offered by the Coca-Cola Co. for the exhibitor
showing the largest increase in Coke sales,
percentagewise, during the week.
Top award, for the best general promotional
campaign, went to Hibbard A. Henderson,
manager of the North Reading Drive-in
Theatre, North Reading, Mass., of the American
Theatres Corp. circuit. He won the $250
first prize offered by Texas COMPO. Henderson
staged a different promotion for six
consecutive nights.
While Henderson won the top Texas
COMPO all-around showmanship award,
biggest money winner was J. B. Beeson. owner
of the Red Raider Drive-in Theatre, Lubbock.
Tex. He took the $250 prize for the best
campaign on a Paramount picture and
another $250 for the top campaign on a Republic
picture. Another double winner was
William Fowers jr., owner of the State Drivein
Theatre in Missoula, Mont., who won the
$250 Allied Artists prize and the third place
Texas COMPO prize of $50.
Rorex said the response to the Texas effort
to stimulate showmanship among drive-in
theatre owners and managers was enthusiastic,
and that many of the participants requested
that the campaign be repeated in
1956 to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of the
drive-in theatre.
Following is a list of prize winners:
TEXAS COMPO PRIZES—$250 first prize:
Hibbard Henderson, North Reading Drive-In,
North Reading. Mass.; $150 second prize:
James Collins, Natick Drive-In, Natick, Mass.:
$50 third prize: William Fowers jr., State
Drive-in, Missoula, Mont.; $50 fourth prize:
Donald Baier, Ridge Road Drive-In. Griffith,
Ind.
ALLIED ARTISTS CAMPAIGN: $250 prize,
William Fowers jr., State Drive-in, Missoula.
COLUMBIA PICTURES CAMPAIGN: $250
prize, Jeff Davis. Edgewood Drive-In. Neosho,
Mo.
METRO - GOLDWYN - MAYER CAM-
PAIGN: $250 prize, Leaman Marshall, Terrell
Drive-In, Terrell, Tex.
PARAMOUNT PICTURES CAMPAIGN:
$250 prize, J. B. Beeson, Red Raider Drive-In,
Lubbock, Tex.
REPUBLIC PICTURES CAMPAIGN: $250
prize, J. B. Beeson. Red Raider Drive-In, Lubbock,
Tex.
20TH CENTURY-FOX CAMPAIGN: $250
prize, Henry and Elmer Bell, 271 Drive-In,
Paris,
Tex.
UNIVERSAL PICTURES CAMPAIGN: $250
prize, J. M. Chessnut, Vero Drive-In, Vero
Beach, Fla.
WARNER BROS. CAMPAIGN: $250 prize,
Ralph Langston, Rice Drive-in, El Campo,
Tex.
In addition to these prizes, five exhibitors
shared in a $500 prize fund established by the
Coca-Cola Co. These winners were:
$250 first prize: C. D. Jarrett, Trail Drivein,
Nevada, Mo.; $150 second prize; Norman
Bates, 66 Drive-In, LaGrange. 111.; $50 third,
fourth and fifth prizes: Paul Berg, Rochester
Outdoor Theatre, Rochester, Minn.; Paul
West, Top O' Texas Drive-in, Pampa, Tex.;
and Mark Herman. Crescent Drive-in, Danville,
Va.
Although not adjudged prize winners, the
following drive-in theatre showmen were
selected by the judges for special commendation
for their excellent campaigns:
Bill J. Jones, Tejas-Aztec, Victoria, Tex.
Martin Remy, West Side, Cleveland, O.
Joseph Philbrook, Route 46, Saddle River,
William Powell, Jr., ABC, Baden, Pa.
N. J.
Ben Hershberg, East Side, Cleveland, O.
Truman Lamar, Pendleton Pike, Lawrence, O.
Richard Grede, Blue Mound, Elm Grove, Wis.
Jack Hauer, Montgomery, Montgomery, O.
Jack Hegarty, Silver Moon, Lakeland, Fla.
Robert Waxman, Marin Motors, San Rafael, Calif.
Mrs. Evelyn Poag, Gay 90, Del Rio, Tex.
Robert Boucher, Osage, Corpus Chrlsti, Tex.
Howard Cox, Cox, Muleshoe, Tex.
B. C. Slaton, Fox, Aiken, S. C.
A. J. Stone, H8.H, Stamford, Tex.
Harry Alberth, Boulevard, Allentown, Pa.
J. R. Euler, Bonham, Bonham, Tex.
John Gardner, Grove, Elm Grove, Wheeling,
W. G. Rike, Chief, Jacksonville, Tex.
Pa.
D. L. Hull, Star-Lite, Plant City, Flo.
Larry Capillo, Oxford, North Oxford, Mass.
M. A. Sargent, Neptune, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Charles Butler, Star Lite, Wauchula, Fla.
Cliff Swick, Vail Mills, Amsterdam, N. Y.
Jeff Hardin, Sr., Spade, Levelland, Tex.
Charles M. Pincus, Stockton, Stockton, Calif.
C. O. Kirby, Hiway 40, Independence, Mo.
Drive-In Theatre Week Is Successful
In Smith Drive-In Theatre Circuit
BOSTON—The Smith Management Co.,
with headquarters in Boston, this week
lauded "Drive-In Theatre Week," not only
for the big increase in business that resulted
therefrom, but also for the business momentum
it established, aiding the gross of succeeding
days.
In a circuit letter to the drive-in theatres
in the Smith company, Dick Smith, who,
with Phil Smith, heads the circuit, stated.
"The increased business at our Natick (Mass.)
Drive-In Theatre, alone, more than paid for
the expenditures of the entire campaign for
the circuit. Perhaps from this fact you will
get an idea of the importance of this effort
to our company."
Eighteen drive-in theatres of the Smith
circuit participated in celebrating the 22nd
anniversary of the first drive-in theatre and
utilized the occasion to celebrate the birthday
of each individual operation.
In addition to competing for the prize
awards offered by Texas COMPO, sponsor
of celebration week, managers of the circuit
were vying for company prizes. Winner
of the first Smith company prize was
James Collins, Natick Drive-In Theatre,
Natick, Mass., who also won the number
two Texas COMPO prize.
Winning the second Smith prize was
Donald Baier. Ridge Road Drive-In Theatre,
Griffith, Ind.. who also took the fourth Texas
COMPO prize.
Other managers winning company prizes
were C. A. Philbrook, Route 46 Drive-In
Theatre, Saddle River, N. J., third prize;
Jack Hauer, Montgomery Pike Drive-In Theatre,
Montgomery, Ohio, fourth prize, and
William T. Powell jr.. ABC Drive-in Theatre.
Baden. Pa., fifth prize.
Norman Bates, concessions manager for the
Smith circuit's 66 Drive-in Theatre, La
Grange, 111., won the second prize offered by
the Coca-Cola Co. in the national campaign.
William T. Powell. Smith circuit executive,
commended Texas COMPO for sponsoring
the project nationwide.
18 BOXOFFICE October 8. 1955

DE MILLE HITS MILESTONE—Cecil
B. DeMille, master of film spectacle and
pioneer of screen innovations, is notifield
by Jesse L. Lasky (left) and Samuel G.
Engel of his selection by the Screen Producers
Guild as recipient of the SPG's
annual Milestone Award for "historic contributions
to the American motion picture."
In this shot DeMille demonstrates
the original hand-crank camera which he
used to photograph "The Squaw Man"
"way back in 1913—the first featurelength
film made in Hollywood. He'll be
honored at the SPG's award banquet next
January.
Columbia Yearly Net
Goes Up to $4,948,000
NEW YORK—For the 52 weeks ending
June 25 Columbia Pictures had a net profit
alter federal and state income taxes of
S4.948.000. or at the rate of $5.64 per share.
For the same period the previous year the net
was S3.595.000. or $4.01 per share.
The earnings per share of common after
preferred dividends for both the current year
and the prior year are based on the 833,034
shares which were outstanding on June 25,
1955. On the basis of the 1,041,293 shares of
common which are now outstanding the earnings
per share for the year ending June 25,
1955. would be $4.51 and for the year ending
June 26, 1954, would be $351.
For the fiscal year ended June 25 the company
adopted a more conservative policy In
the treatment of the cost of foreign prints
and of advances to producers, resulting In a
decrease of net profit after taxes of approximately
$1,000,000.
20th-Fox Six-Month Profit
Drops Below 1954 Period
NEW YORK—Consolidated net earnings
for 20th Century-Fox and wholly owned subsidiaries
for the 26 weeks ended June 25, 1955,
amounted to $2,790,800. or $1.06 per share.
For the same period in 1954 the earnings were
S3.096.545. or $1.17 per share.
Net earnings for the second quarter of
1955 were $1,366,989. or 52 cents per share.
For the same period last year the net was
Sl.048.515.
Jack Levin on Tour
NEW YORK—Jack H. Levin, president of
Certified Reports, is on a cross-country tour
for the purpose of holding a series of meetings
with division representatives. The first was
in Chicago, for the midwest and central divisions;
the second at Hollywood for the coast
and northwest divisions.
CBS President Testifies
Films for TV Too High
Censorship
Hearing
Starts in Chicago
CHICAGO—A hearing was started here this
week (4i before federal court Judge J. Samuel
Perry on an action brought by Times Film
Corp. seeking a basic court test of the constitutionality
of the censorship system in Chicago
governing the showing of motion pictures.
The film in question. "The Game of
Love," was turned down as "obscene and
immoral" when it was shown to the censor
board here in May 1955. Mayor Richard J.
Daley, who sustained the decision of the
censor board in June, denied a later appeal to
have the picture shown.
William C. Shelton, who is a vice-president
of the distributor Times Film Corp., as a witness
at the hearing before Master David
Shipman, to whom Judge Perry delegated the
case, offered published reviews from many
cities commending the film. Shelton took the
stand that the ordinance denying a permit to
show the film is unconstitutional. In its
complaint. Times Film named as defendants
the city of Chicago, Mayor Daley and Police
Commissioner Timothy J. O'Connor.
The complaint declared that in denying
Times Film a permit to show the picture the
defendants are infringing on its "constitutional
rights in violation of the 1st and 14th
amendments to the United States Constitution
guaranteeing free speech and the right to
engage in lawful business." The center of the
attack concerned the constitutionality of
sections 1-7 of chapter 155 of the municipal
code of the city of Chicago, containing provisions
regarding motion picture censorship
which were last revised in 1933, according to
Times Film attorneys Felix J. Bilgrey of Bilgrey
and Levinson, New York and Abner J.
Mikva. a Chicago attorney. In relating at
the hearing that the film is now in its tenth
week in Boston after Massachusetts' highest
court ruled in favor of the film. Shelton said
that between 150 and 175 cities have shown
or are currently playing the picture, among
them such major cities as New York.
1956 Drive-ln Convention
Now Set for Feb. 21-23
Columbus—Dates for the 1956 national
drive-in convention at the Cleveland
Hotel, Cleveland, have been changed to
February 21-23, according to Robert Wile,
secretary of Independent Theatre Owners
of Ohio. Previously set dates were
February 14-16 at the Hollenden Hotel,
Cleveland.
Horace Adams, chairman for the convention,
named members of the general
committee. They are Rube Shor, Cincinnati;
Herbert Solomon, Findlay; Edward
Babb, Barberton; Nat Kaplan, Cincinnati;
Nate Sc'.ultz, Cleveland; Marshall
Fine, Cleveland, and Ed Ramsey. Plymouth.
LOS ANGELES—Asking prices for 16mm
versions of old theatrical celluloid suitable for
television consumption were too high for the
fledgling TV industry to meet in the formative
years of 1947 and 1948, it was declared
Tuesday (4) by J. L. Van Volkenburg, president
of CBS-TV, when he was called as the
first m what is expected to be a long parade
of government witnesses in the Justice Department's
16mm antitrust suit against five
major film companies and two video units.
Van Volkenburg testified in federal district
court that in those years he had entered Into
negotiations with RKO Radio and Universal-
International to acquire product, but that the
price tag thereon—which he said ranged from
$125 to $300 each—was then considered too
stiff. Today, he added, as much as $10,000 is
asked for some features. CBS no longer is
particularly interested, he declared, because
of its own programming activities.
Other witnesses called by the government
during the day were Henry Roman, Abe
Landow and Bernard Lowenthal, operators of
narrow-gauge theatres in resort areas.
Landow, who owned a summer-time theatre
in Keanesburgh, N. J., and Roman, who ran
one in Miami Beach, Fla., contended they
were forced out of business through inability
to obtain anything but inferior 16mm product
from the majors. Lowenthal is still in business
in the Florida spa, but asserted it is
difficult for him to round up celluloid.
Called to testify on Wednesday (5) were
Eliot Hyman, distributor of films for video,
and Edward Sargoy, New York attorney,
whose law firm has been commissioned by the
major companies to check on film licensing
contract violations.
U. S. attorney Samuel Flatow, prosecuting
the antitrust action, has introduced more
than 200 documents and exhibits. The defendant
companies are 20th Century-Fox,
Warner Bros., RKO Radio, Columbia, Universal,
Screen Gems and United World Films.
Audience Awards Ballots
To Cost $2 a Thousand
NEW YORK—Audience Awards ballots to
be used by the public will cost exhibitors $2
a thousand, according to Robert W. Coyne,
special counsel of the Council of Motion Picture
Organizations. He said exhibitor leaders
agreed that the price was "eminently fair,"
and that it was made possible only by the
enormous printing order.
The first print order is for 35.000.000 ballots.
The printer has been told to be ready to increase
the number when National Screen
Service has received enough orders to determine
the approximate total that will be
needed.
"The public ballot, of course." Coyne said,
"cannot be distributed to exhibitors until
some time after Saturday (15). That is the
deadline for receipt of the third nominating
ballots from exhibitors. We must allow a few
days for compilation of these ballots, so I
don't look for public ballot distribution before
November 1."
The ballot will be copyrighted. It will be
printed on heavy stock white paper with
black lettering and be 10%xS% inches in size.
BOXOFFICE :
: October
8. 1955 19

Loraine Cass Is
Elected
At WOMPI Convention
New international officers of the Women of the Motion Picture Industry elected
at the second annual convention in New Orleans this week are, left to right: Janice
Claxton, eastern regional director, Jacksonville, Fla.; Gladys Hawkins, recording secretary,
Charlotte, N. C.J Florence Long, vice-president, Toronto, Canada; Loraine Cass,
president. New Orleans; Nell Middleton, treasurer, Atlanta, Ga.; Billie Webb, western
regional director, Dallas, Tex., and Lee Nickolaus, corresponding secretary, New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS—One hundred and sixtyeight
members of the Women of the Motion
Picture Industry, coming from as far as
Toronto, Canada, and other points, met at
the Roosevelt Hotel here September 30-
October 2 in the organization's second annual
convention. Representatives attended from
Jacksonville, Fla.; Memphis. Tenn.: Atlanta,
Ga.; Dallas and Houston, Tex.; Denver, Colo.;
Washington, D. C, and Charlotte, N. C.
The convention got under way Saturday
(1) with an official welcome to the city by
Councilman Vic Schiro representing the
mayor. Business meetings were held all day,
and new officers for the international organization
were named.
Saturday night the delegates to the convention
were treated to a New Orleans Mardi
Gras ball in all its splendor, with dukes, maids
and past Association President Verlin Osborne,
Paramount, Dallas, reigning as queen. This
was the highlight of the convention and the
carnival ball was directed and supervised by
the New Orleans WOMPI's.
The third annual convention will be held
in Atlanta, Ga., October 4, 5, 1956. The
Atlanta WOMPI delegates 32 strong were
awarded the association attendance trophy and
the Verlin Osborne publicity trophy. The
Loraine Cass service trophy went to the New
Orleans delegates. Adding an international
flavor were these WOMPI delegates from
Toronto: Olga Roden, May Leyandusky, Jen
McClennan. Odeon Theatres; Kerry Watt,
Empire-Universal; Flo Long, Ruth Frankson,
General Theatre Supply; Ann Kaplan, Paramount;
Gladys Rawnsley, United Artists, and
Marjorie Dann, Famous Players Canadian.
O'Shea, O'Neil Expected to Negotiate
With Several Independent Producers
U-I Imports Talent;
Signs German Star
NEW YORK—Universal-International is relying
not only on development of American
screen talent through its young talent school
but is also reaching out overseas to acquire
established talent to provide the American
screen with new personalities. That is being
done in line with its policy of "global thinking"
inaugurated five years ago.
Alfred E. Daff, executive vice-president,
made the disclosure on his return from a
six-week European trip. During it he signed
O. W. Fischer, a versatile German actor with
a large European following, each of whose
four recent German pictures have grossed
over Sl.000.000 there, Daff said. He described
Fischer as a Viennese in the 30s. He signed
the actor after four previous U-I attempts
had failed.
Fischer will star in two U-I pictures within
three years and one each during the next
two years. Of the four German pictures he
recently made, Warner Bros, has bought one
and is dubbing it and U-I has bought and
is dubbing one.
Daff said all foreign stars signed will have
to speak acceptable English. He said that
was true of others recently signed, including
Viva Shapir, an Israeli star; Rossano Brazzi,
Italian, and Cornell Borchers, German actress.
The three have single-picture contracts renewable
over a term of years. There are no
percentage arrangements. An Italian actress
will be tested here within a few days.
Daff called them the "forerunner of a
great new group." The company will tap the
entire world, he said, not only for players but
for all types of talent, including directors and
writers. Daff noted a past influx of foreign
talent and that "few have come over recently."
Daff said the signing of foreign stars will
complement the company's successful studio
talent school for which about $1,000,000 a year
is spent. Many fine actors making pictures
abroad are outdrawing American stars, Daff
pointed out. Those stars who sign with Universal
will get top billing in their first films.
HOLLYWOOD—While no official
declaration
was forthcoming from studio sources
following the long-delayed arrival here of
Daniel T. O'Shea, new president of RKO
Radio, and Thomas F. O'Neil, whose General
Teleradio recently purchased control of the
company from Howard Hughes, consensus
opinion among spokesmen on the lot and
film colony railbirds held that the visitors
will concentrate most of their attention upon
negotiating with various independent producers
in an effort to expand RKO's releasing
lineup.
O'Shea and O'Neil are expected to remain
here about two weeks. It was believed they
will discuss additional projects with independents
who have existing RKO commitments,
including Edmund Grainger, Benedict Bogeaus,
Nat Holt, King Bros. Productions and
Panamint Pictures, headed by Sam Weisenthal
and Eugene Tevlin. and will also meet
with other filmmakers 'with a view toward
bringing them into the company's fold.
There was no immediate word as to the
appointment of a studio production chief
or as to plans for RKO's reactivation of its
own producing facilities. Charles Glett, executive
head of the studio, is due to return
to his desk shortly after a lengthy illness.
It was regarded as possible that definite
release dates may be established, while O'Shea
and O'Neil are here, on a quantity of product
in the backlog, including "The Conqueror."
"Jet Pilot," "The Brave One," "Great Day in
the Morning," "Slightly Scarlet," "Texas
Lady" and two British-made entries, "Alison"
and "The Wav Out."
Projection Optics Co.
Cuts Lens Prices
ROCHESTER—To celebrate the second
anniversary of Cinemascope Fred E. Aufhauser,
president of Projection Optics Co.,
announced his firm is offering its Hilux 264
and Superlite lenses at a special combined
price of $475 per pair, complete, to theatre
owners in the United States only.
While in .Munich. Alfred E. Daff, left,
executive vice-president of Universal-
International, personally signed O. W.
Fischer, right, German actor, to a fiveyear
contract.
20 BOXOFFICE October 8. 1955

New AA Foreign Post
For E. J. Smith Jr.
NEW YORK—Edwin J. Smith jr. has been
named to the newly created post of vicepresident
and overseas
-^ tj supervisor of European
^? operations of Allied
m Artists by Norton V.
Ritchey, president of
j "~""^-dfr^fr*
Allied Artists Interna:.
onal Corp. He will
take over the new post
in mid-October.
Smith will resign his
present job as foreign
sales manager for
RKO Radio Pictures,
with which he has
E. J. Smith jr.
Deen associated for the
past 24 years. He joined RKO in 1931 in the
sales control department. During World War
II he was in the U. S. Army pictorial service.
Later he rejoined RKO as assistant secretary
and assistant trsasurer.
His headquarters will be in London.
Westrex Starts Week-Long
Los Angeles Meetings
LOS ANGELES—New recording equipment
and laboratory techniques developed by the
Westrex Corp. are being inspected by representatives
of subsidiary companies from nine
foreign countries who checked in Wednesday
(5> for a week's stay. Coming in with them
were H. B. Allinsmith, Westrex vice-president,
and F. A. Ungro. financial manager,
both of New York.
The managers from abroad include F. De
Renzis, Italy: F. C. Hayes, Mexico; P. W.
Kayser, Panama; J. L. Monnerot-Dumaine,
Spain: M. Prado, Peru; B. S. Rundle, New-
Zealand: J. Sanchez, Ecuador: J. G. Van
Erk, Switzerland, and G. F. Van Weyenbergh,
Belgium.
They are meeting here with R. W. Wight,
Hollywood division manager; J. G. Frayne,
engineering chief, and H. L. Herles, R. G.
Jordan and B. M. Barton of the local staff.
Ancient Chaplin Shorts
Will Be Offered to TV
NEW YORK—Thirty Charlie Chaplin shorts
produced between 1910 and 1916 are among
the 200 cartoon and one-reel and two-reel
comedy shorts acquired for television distribution
by Cinema-Vue Corp., according to
Francis D. Smith, vice-president and general
sales manager.
They will be offered to TV stations as soon
as audition prints are made. Cinema-Vue
obtained them from Ideal Film Supply and
Ideal Laboratories, which have many old
films. They played recently at the 55th
Street Playhouse here.
Oresman Named to Board
Of Columbia Pictures
NEW YORK—A.
Louis Oresman. president
of Catalina, Inc., has been elected a member
of the board of Republic Pictures. He replaces
Walter L. Titus jr., who continues as
vice-president but resigned from the board
because of added sales responsibilities in the
south.
^

—
'
September Blue Ribbon Award
To 'The McConnell Story' (WB)
By VELMA WEST SYKES
THE BRIDE (JUNE ALLYSON) LEARNS BEFORE THE HON-
EYMOON STARTS THAT MILITARY ORDERS ARE ORDERS
pOR the second consecutive month, a Warner Bros, picture wins the Blue Ribbon
Award, accolade voted by members of the National Screen Council to the best current
release which is not only an outstanding picture but suitable entertainment for the
whole family. The September choice is "The McConnell Story." a tender saga of the
first triple-jet ace in history and the sacrifice he made as a test pilot to make the planes
safe for future fliers. It also embraces the sacrifices his wife made, and June Allyson
gives an appealing interpretation of this role. Alan Ladd, as the dedicated, air-minded
pilot, adds glamor to the more prosaic chores which are performed in the Air Force, as
well as the thrill moments.
Reviewed in the August 13 issue of BOX-
OFFICE, these comments were made about
the winning picture:
"Against the panoramic backdrop of aviation's
rapid-stride developments through
the era spanning World War II and the
conflict in Korea to the uneasy peace of
the present is unfolded the inspirational
true-life story of one of America's heroes
of the sky, Capt. Joseph McConnell jr. It
is an engrossing subject, expertly blended
to appeal to a wide segment of today's theatre
audiences."
Good Boxoffice Score
At the boxoffice, "The McConnell Story"
has scored 141 per cent of average business,
from first run reports in key cities. Because
of public interest in flying, particularly
among members of the younger set,
the neighborhood and small-town theatres
should also find this entered on the black
side of the ledger.
Pictures about the armed services have
become somewhat routine because so many
families have been touched by some phase
of this aftermath of two world wars and
the "police action" in Korea. This film concentrates
on the sacrifices of a service man
makes in his family life—and the hardships
his service brings to his family. It
shows his heroism and that of a wife who
reluctantly sees his duty come first and
take him from her—not on a temporary
mission but permanently. As a tribute to
the jet ace in the title, it has dignity and
avoids playing for maudlin sympathy while
pointing up the debt we owe to men
like McConnell if we are to keep our air
. . One
superiority.
NSC members often comment on their
returned ballots, as in these selected to
show some of the points brought out:
"The McConnell Story" is a mighty touching
story, done superbly.—Jeanette Mazurki,
Glendale (Calif.) News-Press .
picture that will appeal to everyone. Both
Alan Ladd and June Allyson are excellent
and the photography is marvelous.—Mrs.
Kurt W. Schmidt, International Psi Psi Psi,
Indianapolis.
"The McConnell Story" is a story telling
of all the deep feelings of family life,
and is well done.—Mrs. Henry Augustine,
Sheboygan Better Films Council ... A
good family picture and very timely, as the
air corps needs recruits.—Mrs. Claude
Franklin, National Council of Women, Indianapolis.
The air-minded young should like "The
McConnell Story."—Helen Bower, Detroit
Free Press.
Alan Ladd and June Allyson made a fine
starring team and this was one of the best
air dramas I have seen in some time. The
Technicolor was great. It was a very entertaining
film.—Frank Grosjean, Shreveport
"The McConnell Story"
Journal . . . is a wonderful story of courage and faith.
Mrs. Emory W. Cowley, Indianapolis NSC
Group.
THIS IS LIFE AS AN AIR FORCE WIFE—WATCH ING
THE SKY AND LIVING IN TRAILERS IN FAR PLACES
Mac
Alan Ladd
Butch
June Allyson
Ty Whitman
James Whitmore
Sykes Frank Faylen
Bob
Robert Ellis
The Cast
Newton Bass
Willis Bouchey
Mom Sarah Selby
1st M. P
Gregory Walcott
A Mechanic
Frank Ferguson
Executive Producer Jack L. Warner
Producer
Henry Blanke
Director
Gordon Douglas
Screen Play Ted Sherdeman,
Sam Rolfe
Story by
Ted Sherdeman
Director of Photography
Art Director
Production Staff
John Seitz, A.S.C.
John Beckman
Owen Marks, ACE.
Film Editor
Sound by
Charles B. Lang
Set Decorator William L. Kuehl
Makeup Artist Gordon Bau, S.M.A.
Music by
Max Steiner
Orchestrations by Murray Cutter
Technical Advisors
Col. William L, Orris, Capt. Manuel
J. Fernandez, TJSAF
U
This Award is oiven each month by the National Screen Council on the basis of outstanding merit
and suitability for family entertainment. Council membership comprises motion picture editors, radio
tilm commentators, and representatives of better film councils, civic and educational oroanizations.

CALENDAR °f
OCTOBER
EVENTS

Lesley
^oMycwwd ^efcont
By
IVAN SPEAR
Only 21 Films Set for October Leasing;
Is Lowest Lineup in Nearly a Year
Bringing with it no measure of cheer for
Hollywood's studio workers, the coming of
October saw the production level dip to its
lowest point in nearly a year, with only 21
feature subjects in the lineup of pictures
scheduled for camera treatment during the
month. Not since December 1954 has the
filming index been so anemic, while it reflects
a substantial drop from September's
25-picture total—in itself hardly what could
be described as a boom.
Aggravating the situation was the fact
that three companies—MGM. Republic and
RKO Radio—scheduled no new starting vehicles
whatever, while Paramount, Universal-
International and Warner Bros, accounted
for only one entry each. By far the briskest
lot is Columbia, with an aggregate of seven.
Allied Artists and various independents account
for a total of three, the same figure as
was blueprinted by 20th Century-Fox.
The count, by studios, is like this:
ALLIED ARTISTS
"The First Texan." This historical outdoor
drama, in Cinemascope and color, deals with
incidents in the life of Sam Houston. The
title-roler is Joel McCrea, with Wallace Ford
also cast. Producer: Walter Mirisch. Director:
Byron Haskin.
"The Four Seasons." In color, this is a
story of the California gold fields at the turn
of the century. Stars David Wayne, Marcia
Henderson, Keenan Wynn. Producer-director:
Josef Shaftel.
"The Come On." This story of an insur-
based on a novel by Whitman
ance racket is
Chambers. Stars Anne Baxter. Producer:
Lindsley Parsons. Director: Russell Birdwell.
To be filmed partly on location in Mexico.
COLUMBIA
"Blazing the Overland Trail."
A cliffhanger
Oscar Nominations Set
For Saturday, Feb. 18
Feb. 18, 1956—a Saturday—is the date
finally set for NBC's telecast of the 28th
annual Academy Awards nominations.
Such was announced by George Seaton,
president of the Academy of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences, who expressed regret
that the organization had been unable
to avoid the weekend date, which
would have minimized competition to
theatre operators.
Contract stipulations and prior NBC
commitments to the sponsor—Oldsmobile
—made it impossible to set any other date,
Seaton explained.
The Awards presentation ceremonies,
also to be telecast by NBC with Oldsmobile
picking up the tab, will be on
Wednesday, March 21.
about early days on the frontier. Stars not
set. Producer: Sam Katzman. Director:
Spencer Bennet.
"The Harder They Fall." A picturization
of Budd Schulberg's novel, in which a downat-the-heels
sports writer forms a syndicate
to exploit a giant but untalented boxer.
Through bribery and connivance the fighter
is elevated to champion and then dumped,
penniless and punch-drunk, after absorbing
a brutal beating in his last bout. Stars
Humphrey Bogart. Producer: Philip Yordan.
Director: Mark Robson.
"Inside the Big Tent." A Technicolor entry,
this concerns the adventures of a performing
family troupe under the circus big top. Stars
not set. Producer: Sam Katzman. Director
not set.
"Nightfall." This suspense drama, based
on a novel by David Goodis, has Los Angeles
and San Francisco as its locales. Stars
not set. Producers: Ted Richmond, Tyrone
Power (Copa Productions'!. Director not set.
"Overexposed." A girl becomes a professional
photographer and is involved with
racketeers as she fights her way to the top.
Stars Cleo Moore. Producer: Lewis J. Rachmil.
Director: Lewis Seiler.
"Return of Custer." The story of a man's
search for the truth behind the tragic
massacre immortalized as Custer's Last
Stand. Stars Randolph Scott. Producer:
Harry Joe Brown (Scott-Brown Productions).
Director not set.
"The Solid Gold Cadillac." Adapted from
the Broadway play, this is a satirical comedy
about big business. Stars Judy Holliday.
Producer: Fred Kohlmar. Director not set.
INDEPENDENT
"The Peacemaker." This frontier drama
is the first in a series of pictures projected
by producer Hal R. Makelim under his socalled
Makelim Plan, which provides that
playdates are guaranteed by several thousand
independent and circuit exhibitors who have
inked such commitments with the filmmaker.
Stars Rosemarie Bowe and James Mitchell.
Director: Ted Post. In De Luxe color for
widescreen.
"Phantom From 10,000 Leagues."
A sciencefiction
horror drama, to be distributed by
American Releasing Corp. Stars Kent Taylor,
Cathy Downs, Michael Whalen. Producer:
Jack Milner. Director: Dan Milner.
"Swamp Women." This action melodrama
is to be filmed entirely on location in Louisiana.
Stars not set. Producers: Barney and
Larry Woolner. Director: Roger Corman.
PARAMOUNT
"That Certain Feeling." Based on the
Broadway play, "King of Hearts," this is a
comedy about a "ghost" cartoonist who toils
for an urbane, sophisticated comic-strip
creator. Stars Bob Hope, Eva Marie Saint,
George Sanders. Producers-directors: Nor-
SWEET MUSIC—Dore Schary, right,
MGM studio head, chats with Ann Miller
and Dr. Miklos Rozsa at the recent tenth
anniversary banquet of the Screen Composers
Ass'n. Schary was the featured
speaker at the Hollywood event, at which
Kozsa assumed the SCA presidency, succeeding
Adolph Deutsch.
man Panama, Melvin Frank.
and Technicolor.
20th
CENTURY-FOX
In VistaVision
"Boy on a Dolphin." From an adventure
novel by David Devine, concerning the search
for a sunken ship with a cargo of antiques
which has foundered off the coast of Greece.
Stars Joan Collins. Producer: Samuel G.
Engel. Director: Henry Koster. In Cinema-
Scope and color.
"The Day the Century Ended." This World
War II drama concerns the personalities
and problems of an army infantry company
in the Pacific. It is adapted from a bestselling
novel by Francis Irby Gwaltney.
Stars Brad Dexter. Producer: Buddy Adler.
Director: Raoul Walsh. In Cinemascope
and color.
"The King and I." The film version of
Rodgers & Hammerstein's successful stage
musical, this is the story of the romance
between an American schoolteacher and the
king of Siam. Stars Deborah Kerr, Yul
Brynner. Producer: Charles Brackett. Director:
Walter Lang. In Cinemascope and
color.
UNITED ARTISTS
"The Broken Star." A frontier marshal
goes wrong and uses his gun and influence
on behalf of the bad men. Stars Howard
Duff, Lita Baron. Producers: Aubrey Schenck.
Howard W. Koch (Bel- Air Productions).
Director : Selander.
"Run for the Sun." A suspense drama,
this is planned for filming on location in
Mexico. Stars Richard Widmark, Leo Genn.
Producer: Harry Tatelman (for Russ-Field
Productions, headed by Jane Russell and
Robert Waterfield). Director: Roy Boulting.
In Superscope and Eastman Color.
UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL
"Cry Innocent." A gambler pleads guilty
to a hit-and-run charge of which he is innocent
in order to provide a temporary alibi
for a murder frame-up. Stars not set. Pro-
24 BOXOFFICE October 8, 1955

. . . Cowboy
. . . Walt
. . Also
—-
ducer: Howard Christie. Director: Abner
Biberman.
WARNER BROS.
"Seven Men From Now." A gunman accused
of a crime he did not commit sets out
on a campaign of vengeance against the
men who tried to frame him. Stars: Randolph
Scott. Gall Russell. Don Barry. Producers:
John Wayne. Robert Fellows (Batjac
Productions!. Director: Budd Boetticher.
In
WarnerColor.
Delay Start of "Ben Hur'
For Several Months
Short takes from the sound stages: Because
of the vastness of the undertaking—studio
head Dore Schary says it will be the "most
spectacular drama of all time"—MGM has
postponed the starting date of "Ben Hur" for
several months. Originally slated to begin
camera work next spring, the Sam Zimbalist
production, which Sidney Franklin will direct,
will be shot in Italy and in the Mediterranean
star Gene Autry and a troupe
of more than two dozen comedians, musicians
and specialty acts checked out on a month
long personal appearances tour, opening Friday
(7) with a rodeo as part of the annual
Dairy Show in Chicago. Appearing with
Autry are his two horses. Champion and
Little Champ, as well as Gail Davis, Pat
Buttram, Rufe Davis and other personalities
. . . After a year in the post. Thomas L.
Walker has resigned as treasurer of Edward
L. Alperson's National Productions. He was
at one time a vice-president of Edward
Small's film unit and, prior to joining AJperson.
was head of the Bank of America's motion
picture division, headquartering in New-
York. His future plans were not disclosed.
he is under multiple-picture contract. The
property deals with the survival school at
Stead Air Force Base in Nevada.
Paramount to Distribute
Marlon Brando Western
Actor Marlon Brando, who some time ago
announced the formation of Pennebaker. Inc..
under which aegis he will enter the independent
production field, has arranged Paramount
distribution for his first venture.
The film, based on the novel, "To Tan
Land," by Louis L' Amour, is a historical western.
Brando will star, with George Englund
functioning as associate producer, with camera
work slated to begin on the Paramount
lot in December. It will be made in Vista-
Vision and Technicolor.
First Print of 'Gettysburg'
To Library of Congress
The first finished print of "The Battle of
Gettysburg," a short subject in Cinemascope
and color which was personally produced by
Dore Schary, MGM studio head, will be presented
to the U. S. government for preservation
in the Library of Congress. The story
of the Civil War battle was filmed entirely
at Gettysburg National Park in Pennsylvania.
Herman Hoffman directed and Leslie Nielsen
is doing the commentary.
Find 'Eden' Not Obscene
PENSACOLA, FLA.—A jury here in a felony
case has found that "Garden of Eden"
is not obscene. It was filmed in a nudist
colony. Judge Mason charged the jury that
mere nudity does not constitute obscenity.
SCHOLARSHIP FUND — Samuel G.
Kngel, left, 20th Century-Fox f.immaker
and president of the Screen Producers
Guild, presents a SI,500 scholarship on
behalf of the SPG to the department of
theatre arts at the University of California
at Los Angeles. Demonstrating
his appreciative acceptance is Robert
Gordon Sproul, university president.
RKO Wildlife Featurettes
In Color Are Coming Soon
NEW YORK—RKO will start releasing
October 21 a new all-color series of featurettes
titled "Wildlife Album," according to Sidney
Kramer, short subject sales manager. The
first will be "The Whitetail Buck," with narration
by Thomas Mitchell. It was made by
RKO-Pathe, Inc.. supervised by Jay Bonafield.
runs 27% minutes and has Technicolor
prints.
MGM Signs More Stars
For 'Las Vegas' Musical
Rounding out the group of "surprise guests"
appearing in producer Joe Pasternak's "Meet
Me in Las Vegas," MGM set Marlene Dietrich,
Pier Angeli and Jimmy Durante to ap-
. . .
pear as themselves in the Dan Dailey-Cyd
20th Century-Fox
Charisse filmusical . . .
inked Bruce Bennett for its Joseph Cotten-
Van Johnson topliner, "The Bottom of the
Rex Ingram, noted Negro actor
Bottle" . . .
who attained fame 20 years ago in "Green
Pastures," was handed a featured lead in
Universal-International's "Congo Crossing"
Disney booked Harry Carey jr. for
a part in the current Buena Vista entry, "The
Great Locomotive Chase" Added to the
cast of producer-director Otto Preminger's
"The Man With the Golden Arm," which
United Artists will release, was Will Wright.
Harriet Parsons Options
'Miss Hargreaves'
For addition to her slate of properties
which she is lining up as independent projects,
Harriet Parsons—who recently left her
berth as a salaried RKO Radio filmmaker
has optioned "Miss Hargreaves," a romantic
novel by Frank Baker. Miss Parsons, who
had been with RKO for 12 years, has indicated
her first feature under her own banner
will be a film biography of boxer Mickey
Walker . moving into the independent
field, Audie Murphy picked up "Survival,"
an original by Fred Banker as a starring
vehicle for himself, to be made between commitments
at Universal-International, where
HE SOLVED HIS
SERVICE PROBLEM
So can yon !!!
ALTEC
A stroke of the pen on an ALTEC service
contract brought protection of
performance and equipment investment
to this wise showman.
His satisfaction has since been expressed
with a contract for additional theatres.
You can solve your sound service
problem today. Call your nearest ALTEC
office, or write Altec Service Corporation,
161 Sixth Avenue, New York 13,N.Y.
SPECIALI STS IN MOTION PICTURE SOUND
161 Sixth Avenue, New York 13, N. Y.
BOXOFFICE :
: October
8. 1955 25

Mendelsohn & Linderman
In New United World Jobs
NEW YORK—Expansion of United World
Films, Inc., subsidiary of Universal Pictures
Co. is continuing, according to Norman E.
Gluck. vice-president.
Alfred Mendelsohn, who has been eastern
manager of television and radio promotion
for Universal for the past six years, will move
over to United World, effective October 15.
as assistant sales manager of the television
department. He has been with Universal since
1946.
Errol Linderman. who has been with the
company since 1952, has been promoted to the
new post of manager of the television service
department. He will supervise handling of
agency, client and station requirements.
Splendora Emphasizes
Use of Negro Talent
NEW YORK—Production of "low-cost, highquality"
motion pictures for exhibition in theatres
and on television will be the primary
purpose of Splendora Film Corp., it was an-
At Pioneers Dinner
NEW YORK—Ned E. Depinet has agreed
to act as general chairman of the 17th annual
showmanship dinner of the Motion Picture
Pioneers, states Jack
Conn, president of the
Pioneers.
At the dinner this
year the Pioneers will
TT" j*?9^h Pav tribute to Herman
Robbins, chairman of
the board of National
Screen Service, who
CARL SIEGfL, Stanley Warner Mgt. Corp.
201
New York City, Lote Exhibit Chairman
CHICAGO
NORTH WELLS STREET
6, ILLINOIS
Depinet to Preside
nounced by Warren Coleman, president of the
newly organized film-producing organization.
"Though not exclusively, our productions
will mainly utilize the creative, artistic and
technical abilities of the Amercan Negro,"
Coleman said, "and all films will be designed
to provide wholesome entertainment to audiences
in all walks of life."
An eventual schedule of five or six feature
films a year will be the company's goal. Diversified
short subjects also are expected to
be produced.
^k *^rm ^^
^ t% W It
Ned E. Depinet
International Popcorn Association
National Allied Motion Picture Exhibitors
TESMA and TEDA
IN JOINT CONVENTION
announce the
"Greatest Concession
Show on Earth' v
Plan Now to Attend the
Popcorn and Concession Industries Convention
November 6-7-8-9, 1955
HOTEL MORRISON
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Three 2 V 2 hour sessions devoted to Popcorn,
Candy, Soft Drinks, Ice Cream!
Drive-In Operation Too!
HEAR AND PARTICIPATE WITH THESE INDUSTRY DISCUSSION LEADERS
Bert Nathan, Theatre Popcorn Vending Corp. Charles Manley, Manley, Inc.
James V. Blevins, Blevins Popcorn Co.
Ben Bonowitz, 8 & B Enterprises
Cliff Loreboch, Supurdisploy
, Inc.
Thomas J. Sullivan, International Popcorn Ass'n
Spiro J. Papas, "Atom"-atic
Mel Rapp,
Vending APCO Inc.
Corp.
Dick Sherman, Orange-Crush
Sam Rubin, ABC Vending Co.
Corp.
Arthur Segal, Selmix, Inc.
Robert Perlick, Perlick Brass Co.
Phil Lowe, Theatre Candy Co.
Fred Muhmcl, Commonwealth Theatres
Lester Grand, Confection Cabinet Corp.
Mel Wintman, Smith Mgt. Corp.
Mortie Marks, Jefferson Amusement Corp.
Irving Roscnblum, Savon Candy Co.
Wm. E. Smith, The Popcorn Institute
James O. Hoover, Martin Theatres
Nat Buchman, Theatre Merchandising Corp.
Emmet Champion, Arwell, Inc.
Kendall Way, Interstate Theatres
LEE KOKEN, R-K-0 Theatres, New York City, Program Chairman
Popcorn-Candy & Concession Hall Sponsored and reservations accepted by
PLUS 'Everything for Concession Selling" International Popcorn Association
^^ -^^^ kas been named as
"Pioneer of the Year."
will be held at the
Wm. ik IHn Waldorf-Astoria Friday,
November 4.
- It is both a pleasure
and a privilege to serve the Motion Picture
Pioneers as chairman of the 1955 dinner,"
said Depinet.- "The pleasure is twofold, as we
are honoring my good friend, Herman Robbins.
His devotion to the good work of the
Pioneers has long deserved our appreciation."
STATEMENT OF THE OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT,
CIRCULATION, ETC., REQUIRED BY THE ACTS
OF CONGRESS OF AUGUST 24, 1912, MARCH
3, 1933, and JULY 2, 1946.
Of BOXOFFICE, published weekly at Kansas City,
Mo., for October 8, 1955.
State of Missouri,
County of Jackson, ss.
Before me, a Notary Public in and for the State
and County aforesaid, personally appeared Morris
Schlozman, who, having been duly sworn according
to law, deposes and says that he is the Business
Manager of the BOXOFFICE Magazine and that the
following is, to the best of his knowledge and belief,
a true statement of the ownership, management (and
if a daily paper, the circulation), etc., of the aforesaid
publication for the date shown in the above
caption, required by the Act of August 24, 1912, as
amended by the Act of March 3, 1933, and July 2,
1946 (section 537, Postal Laws and Regulations),
printed on the reverse of this form, to wit:
1. That the names and addresses of the publisher,
editor-in-chief, editor, managing editor, and business
manager are Publisher and Editor-in-Chief,
Ben Shlyen, Kansas City, Mo.; Editor, James Jerauld,
New York, N. Y.; Managing Editor, Jesse Shlyen, Kansas
City, Mo.; Business Manager,. Morris Schlozman,
Kansas City, Mo.
2. That the owner is: (If owned by a corporation,
its name and address must be stated and also immediately
thereunder the names and addresses of
stockholders owning or holding one per cent or more
of total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation,
the names and addresses of the individual
owners must be given. If owned by a firm, company,
or other unincorporated concern, its name and
address, as well as those of each individual member,
must be given).
Ben Shlyen, Kansas City, Mo.
Clara Shlyen, Kansas City, Mo.
3. That the known bondholders, mortgagees, and
other securities holders owning or holding 1 per cent
or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or
other securities are: (If there are none, so state.)
There are none.
4. That the two paragraphs next above, giving
the names of the owners, stockholders, and security
holders, if any, contain not only the list of stockholders
and security holders, as they appear upon
the books of the company but also, in cases where
the stockholders or security holder appears upon
the books of the company as trustee or in any other
fiduciary relation, the name of the person or corporation
for whom such trustee is acting, is given; also
that the said two paragraphs contain statements
embracing affiant's full knowledge and belief as to
the circumstances and condition under which stockholders
and security holders who do not appear upon
the books of the company as trustees, hold stock and
securities in a capacity other than that of o bono
fide owner; and this affiant has no reason to believe
that any other person, association, or corporation has
an interest direct or indirect in the said stock, bonds,
or other securities than as so stated by him.
5. That the average number of copies of each
issue of this publication sold or distributed, through
the mails or otherwise, to the paid subscribers, during
the 12 months preceding the date shown above was
22,058.
MORRIS SCHLOZMAN, Business Manager.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 5th day
of October, 1955.
MADGE L.
(My commission expires
JOHNSON, Notary Public
Feb. 4, 1958).
26 BOXOFFICE October 8, 1955

License Allocations
Big Problem: Picker
NEW YORK—The allocation of foreign import
licenses among the major companies is
one of the most serious problems facing them
and a statesmanlike attitude toward the
problem, now absent, is needed immediately,
Arnold M. Picker, United Artists vice-president
In charge of foreign distribution, said
Tuesday (4).
Picker said he hoped that Eric Johnston,
president of the Motion Picture Export Ass'n,
will make a solution of the problem "his
major task" when he returns from abroad.
The matter came up as Picker was discussing
Japan where UA at present has only
five licenses. He termed the situation an
"injustice." He spoke out for a global plan
to end argument over allocations among the
major companies which result in "bitter
fights."
Picker mentioned a previous attempt to
arrive at a sound formula through a MPEA
committee consisting of himself, Arthur M.
Loew, George Weltner of Paramount and Abe
Schneider of Columbia. The formula they
arrived at was turned down by "two or three"
of the majors, he said, but he would not identify
them. He called it a good formula which,
while it took away something in one territory,
added something in another.
There have been many instances when the
company foreign managers have been unable
to agree among themselves on permit allocations
and have had to refer the matter to
the company presidents. In fact, there has
not been a single instance of agreement
by foreign managers. The presidents, too,
have found the problem almost impossible of
satisfactory agreement.
MPEA Entertains Kido
NEW YORK—The Motion Picture
Export
Ass'n entertained Shiro Kido, president of
Shochiku Co. of Japan. Tuesday (4) at a
luncheon at the Harvard Club. Ralph Hetzel.
vice-president of the MPEA, was the official
host.
MILLION MILER MORGAN—Oscar A.
Morgan, short subjects and newsreel sales
manager of Paramount, has been getting
around quite a bit. In fact, he has been
flying 30 years. United Air Lines took
note of his travels last week and awarded
him the United Air Lines "Million Miler
Plaque." The presentation was made by
Ernest LaMarre (right).
Australia Theatres Ride
Wave of Good Business
NEW YORK—Theatre business has gained
so much since the introduction of Cinema-
Scope and other widescreen projection forms
in Australia that runs have lengthened in the
big-city first-run houses and it is difficult
to get the new pictures into general circulation
elsewhere, says John Evans, director
and chairman of the executive committee of
Greater Union Theatres. This is the circuit
headed by Norman B. Rydge.
The new processes stimulated interest in
pxtures and were followed by an improvement
in the general quality of product to
such an extent that the investments in new
installations are being rapidly paid off, Evans
said.
This is true of both the Greater Union
Circuit and Hoyt's, the other large group on
the continent, which is controlled by 20th
Century-Pox.
This doesn't mean there are no problems,
Evans points out. Television is in the offing.
It will be a new type of television—controlled
by theatres and allied interests and with no
networks on a national scale. This will
necessitate the use of films for programming.
Greater Union, with Hoyt's Theatres, the
J. C. Williamson stage group, two Melbourne
newspapers and Electronics Industries have
been licensed by the government to construct
and operate a television station. It may go
into operation next year or early 1957. The
government wants the station to operate from
35 to 49 hours a week.
"That's a lot of programming," Evans commented
WTyly. "We have to provide good
entertainment or we will be accused as exhibitors
of holding back television."
The entire project has to start from scratch.
Licensees will not be permitted to spend
dollars for American equipment. Purchases
made in England will be subject to delay.
Each of the large cities must have a station.
Due to distances, they cannot be connected.
Evans said admissions had been generally
increased, although not in proportion to the
general increase in the cost of living. The
improved business has increased the length
of runs to an unprecedented extent.
Concession business is handled on a rental
basis. It's an important source of income,
Evans said, but differs from the U. S. refreshment
stands in that soft drinks and candy
bars are not as popular as they are in this
country. Half-pound boxes of candy costing
up to 75 cents are the most popular items.
There is practically no new theatre building
going on in Australia, although there has
been some development of drive-ins. Two
restrictive factors are involved—high construction
costs and the fact that government
licenses are necessary for new construction.
Exhibitors must demonstrate the need for
new construction before a permit can be
obtained.
Evans will be in New York about two
weeks. He was the guest of Capt. Harold
Auten at a small luncheon at the Lotos Club
Monday.
A group of major company foreign managers,
with Ralph Hetzel, vice-president of
the Motion Picture Ass'n presiding in the
absence of Eric Johnston, were guests of
Evans at a dinner in the Lotos Club.
8,000 Motion Picture Theatres
Predicted in Japan by 1960
HOLLYWOOD — Construction of motion
picture theatres in Japan has been booming
since the end of World War II and by 1960
there will be nearly 8.000 film showcases in
that country, it was predicted by Nagamasa
Kawakita, managing director of Toho Co.,
Ltd., of Tokyo, at a tradepress luncheon
here prior to his return to Nippon. Kawakita
was a guest at an Academy of Motion
Picture Arts and Sciences screening of the
Toho production. "Samurai," which is to be
distributed in the U. S. by Fine Arts Films.
During his stay in the film capital. Kawakita
proposed a co-production venture involving
six countries, each of which would
manufacture a two-reel conception of "Jealousy"
for integration into a 12-reel feature.
Studios in the U. S., England, Italy, France
and Germany will be asked to cooperate,
while his own Toho organization would supply
the sixth contribution, the Japanese executive
said.
Scheduled to turn out the American-produced
portion of "Jealousy" is Homel Pictures,
Inc., in which actor William Holden is associated
with Robert Homel and Robert Lemer.
Holden handles the American narration on
"Samurai," which will go into American release
next month.
Kawakita declared there is resentment in
Nippon over the failure of the major U. S.
distributors to subscribe to that nation's production
code, which he said is similar to ours.
All Japanese producers, foreign filmmakers
and American independents are members, he
said.
Toho, which owns more than 100 theatres,
plans to produce a minimum of 50 pictures
this year, Kawakita said. His company is a
major distributor as well as producer and exhibitor,
with yearly contracts covering more
than 2.000 of Japan's 4,700 theatres.
NYU Dedicates Loew Hall
In Memory of Pioneer
NEW YORK—New York University
dedicated
Loew Hall, new dormitory at its University
Heights campus in the Bronx, Saturday
, with Arthur M. Loew unveiling a
plaque honoring his father, the late Marcus
Loew, who at the time of his death in 1927
was president of Metro-Goldyn-Mayer.
The son, president of Loew's. Inc., and a
1918 graduate of NYU, gave $300,000 to meet
part of the construction cost of the building
in memory of his father. The total cost was
$900,000. It houses 228 students.
BOXOFFICE October 8, 1955 27

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—
—
—
—
—
I Am
—
World Series Hits Broadway Grosses
But Several Holdovers Are Big
NEW YORK—World Series competition,
both at the Manhattan and Brooklyn ball
parks and at home via television and radio,
seriously affected Broadway matinee business
and, to some degree, the evening business
up to Tuesday (4) at most first run
houses. While two of the new pictures, "The
McConnell Story" and "The Night of the
Hunter," had good opening weeks at the
Astor and Mayfair respectively, they were
below expectations.
Much better were some of the holdovers,
particularly "To Hell and Back," which had
a strong second week at the Capitol; "The
Left Hand of God" in its second week at the
Roxy and "Ulysses" in its seventh week at
the Globe. "It's Always Fair Weather" did
well enough in its third week at the Radio
City Music Hall to stay for a fourth week.
"The Phenix City Story" also held up well
in its fifth week at Loew's State, but "My
Sister Eileen" in its second week at the Victoria
dipped considerably despite good newspaper
reviews. "To Catch a Thief" wound
up a tremendously successful nine-week run
at the Paramount and was succeeded by
"Blood Alley" October 5.
In the art houses, "The Sheep Has Five
Legs" continued to attract long waiting lines
each evening of its eighth week at the Fine
Arts, while "African Lion" in its third big
week at the Normandie and "Marty" in its
25th week at the Sutton were in the same hit
class. "Svengali" was very good in its second
week at the Trans-Lux 52nd Street and
"Gate of Hell" was fine in its 42nd week at
the Guild. "The Philadelphia Story" reissue
did surprisingly well in its first week
at the Baronet.
In addition to "Blood Alley," two other important
Cinemascope pictures opened during
the week. They were "The Desperate Hours,"
which had a benefit show October 5, and
"Seven Cities of Gold," which started October
7 after a preview screening October 4.
(Average Is 100)
Astor The McConnell Story (WB) 1 20
Baronet The Philadelphia Story (MGM), reissue. .175
Capitol To Hell and Back (U-l), 2nd wk 180
Criterion You're Never Too Young (Para), 6th wk 100
Fine Arts The Sheep Has Five Legs (United),
8th wk 1 50
55th St. Ballet de France (Hoftberg), 2nd wk 100
Globe Ulysses (Para), 7th wk 115
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• Jl South Wabath Avanm • Chicago S, Illinois
Guild Gate of Hell (Harrison), 42nd wk 110
Little Carnegie
a Camera (DCA), 8th wk 115
Loew's State The Phenix City Story (AA), 5th wk 1 15
Mayfair The Kentuckian (UA), 4th wk 100
Normandie The African Lion (Buena Vista), 3rd
wk 180
Palace The Naked Street (UA), plus
vaudeville . 1 20
Paramount To Catch a Thief (Para), 9th wk ..115
Paris One Step to Eternity (Ellis) 140
Plaza Will Any Gentleman? (Stratford) 110
Radio City Music Hall It's Always Fair Weather
(MGM), plus stage show, 3rd wk 140
Rivoli—reopens October 13 with Oklahoma! (Todd-AO)
Roxy The Left Hand of God (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 135
Sutton Marty (UA), 25th wk 130
Trans-Lux 52nd Svengali (MGM), 2nd wk...,145
Victoria My Sister Eileen (Col.), 2nd wk 115
Warner Cinerama Holiday (SW), 34th wk of
two-a-day 135
World Foreign Revivals
"Brunettes' Most Popular
In Good Buffalo Week
BUFFALO — "Gentlemen Marry Brunettes"
tacked up a 155 week for Shea's Buffalo
following a tremendous campaign that included
a solid page ad in each local sheet.
The Century also enjoyed a big week with
"The Phenix City Story," knocking out a 140
for the seven days. Basil's Lafayette rang up
a 135 with "Female on the Beach." The
Center did well with "The Shrike," and
"Blood Alley" held up okay in a four-day extra
run at the Paramount.
Buffalo Gentlemen Marry Brunettes (UA) 155
Center The Shrike (U-l) 125
Century The Phenix City Story ( AA) 1 40
Cinema Aida (IFE) 105
Lafayette Female on the Beach (U-l) 1 35
Paramount Blood Alley (WB), 4 extra days . . . . 1 1 5
Third Week of "To Hell'
Draws Best in Baltimore
BALTIMORE—First run theatres, for the
most part, offered holdovers and, as a result,
grosses were scarcely average. The Marciano-
Moore fight films, which bolstered two of the
major attractions, were withdrawn. Meanwhile,
professional football was getting 35.000
and 40,000 amusement seekers for two consecutive
games.
Century Female on the Beach (U-l), 2nd wk. . . .
Film Centre Summertime (UA), 4th wk
85
95
Hippodrome To Catch a Thief (Para), 3rd wk.,.100
Keiths Ulysses (Para), 2nd wk 90
Little Night of the Hunter (UA), 4th wk 85
New—Three Coins in the Fountain (20th-Fox);
Return Engagement 75
Mayfair Unconquered (Para)), reissue 85
Playhouse We're No Angels (Para), 5th wk 100
Stanley The McConnell Story (WB), 2nd wk 75
Town To Hell and Back (U-l), 3rd wk 150
The Cinema The Red Shoes (UA) reissue, 2nd
wk 90
Pittsburgh Grosses
Are Disappointing
PITTSBURGH—Grosses were disappointing
on two holdovers and two new offerings.
The neighborhood theatres just can't get
going on the fall season product although
exhibitors generally believe the available
pictures are satisfactory to excellent.
Fulton—The Shrike (U-l) 80
Harris The Left Hand of God (20th-Fox), 2nd wk. 80
Penn The Kentuckian (UA) 100
Stanley Pete Kelly's Blues (WB), 2nd wk 100
New Trial Date Is Set
NEW YORK—The new date of November
10 has been set for the trial of the $15,000,000
suit of Eagle Lion Classics against RKO and
Loew's Theatres over local bookings. It had
been scheduled to start Monday.
'Guys and Dolls' Gale
To Rogers Hospital
NEW YORK—The Will
Rogers Memorial
Hospital and Tuberculosis Research Laboratories
will receive all receipts from the reserved-seat
world premiere of Samuel Goldwyn's
"Guys and Dolls" November 3 at the
Capitol Theatre, according to Howard Dietz,
vice-president of Loew's, Inc., distributor of
the picture.
Dietz said that Goldwyn and Joseph R.
Vogel, president of Loew's Theatres, have
agreed that there will be no deduction
whatever for expenses.
Eugene Picker, circuit vice-president, has
arranged with the Metropolitan Motion Picture
Theatres Ass'n and the Independent
Theatre Owners Ass'n for the ticket sale. Gus
Eyssell, president of Rockefeller Center, heads
a committee to promote sales through the
Broadway and downtown Brooklyn theatres
and the leading neighborhood circuits and
independents in this area.
Each theatre will run a 45-second trailer
and will display lobby posters saying they
have reservation order forms on hand. The
committee also includes Harry Brandt, Ernest
Emerling, Emanuel Frisch, Robert Mochrie,
Al Rylander and Fred J. Schwartz.
Tickets will be priced at $5 and $10, with a
limited number of divans at $100. Federal and
city taxes will total 28 cents on each ticket,
with the remainder going to the hospital. A
gross of about $35,000 is expected.
Members of the new hospital "youth group,"
composed of sons of the executive committee
members, are actively promoting the ticket
sale.
Lantz Is Executive Head
Of Mankiewicz Company
NEW YORK—Robert Lantz, president of
Robert Lantz, Inc., which manages artists,
has been made executive vice-president of
Figaro, Inc., in charge
of production for the
film, play and television
producing company
of which Joseph
I, Mankiewicz is presi- JSS
dent. He will assume
the post November 1.
produced
Figaro
"The Barefoot Contessa"
for United Art-
/
ists release and has .,
contracted to produce m /
four pictures in three
Robert Lantz
years for UA release.
Lantz has been in agency work, was associated
with 20th Century-Fox London story
department from 1937 to 1942, then became
London story editor for Columbia for five
years and later represented Universal-International
in seeking talent and stories in
Europe. He is married to Sherlee Weingarten
Lantz, eastern representative of the Hecht-
Lancaster Productions, independent company
also releasing through UA.
Cancer Society Elects Bell
NEW YORK—J. Raymond Bell, public relations
executive with Columbia, has been
elected a vice-president of the Essex County
(N. J.i chapter of the American Cancer Society.
28 BOXOFFICE October 8, 1955

Agresta Family Team
Runs 3 NY Theatres
MASSENA, N. Y.—An unusual family-type
operation for Joe Agresta's three North
Country situations has his wife and four
children participating. Agresta receives
major assistance from the better-half. Eileen.
and from two older children. Jackie. 16. and
Judy. 14. He gets some help from Susan, 9,
and Carol. 11. Only Janice, 6. is outside the
assistance circle at the local Orvis.
Judy, an honor student at Massena High
School, sells tickets and works at the concession
stand. Highly capable, she will eventually
be able to handle all the "book" phase of
her father's business, he predicts. The youngster
maintains straight "E" marks. Jackie,
a football player at Massena High, served as
his dad's aide at the Star-Lit Drive-In,
Watertown, the past summer. Mrs. Agresta
does the banking and the books: she is "invaluable."
As the kids grow older, they will be able
to take over an increasing share of their
parents' theatre work load, the proud dad
believes.
The family lives here where Agresta conducts
the 600-seat Rialto, as well as the 400-
seat Orvis. For a month during the summer,
they occupy a cottage at Watertown.
Agresta, who served as OPA officer in
Massena before entering the motion picture
theatre field, spends two days a week here
during the drive-in season; the rest of the
time, in Watertown.
C. B. McCabe, J. F. Burns Jr.
Named Directors of Magna
NEW
James
YORK—Charles B. McCabe and
F. Burns jr. have been elected
members of the board
of directors of Magna
Theatre Corp., according
to George P.
Skouras, president.
McCabe is publisher
of the New York Daily
Mirror.
Burns is a partner
of Harris Upham &
Co., member of the
New York Stock Exchange.
Magna Theatre
Charles B. McCabe Corp. is the distributor
for Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Oklahoma!"
produced in Todd-AO, which will open at
the Rivoli Theatre Thursday (13).
Krassner Joins Friedman
NEW YORK—Ted Krassner has become
assistant to Martin Friedman, head of the
Paramount playdate department. He has
been in the industry 25 years, both in exhibition
and distribution.
Shiits to Original Title
"Friendly Persuasion" again becomes the
title of AA's film for a time tagged "Mr.
Birdwell Goes to Battle."
Rochester Regent Bldg.
Sold to Investors
ROCHESTER—The Regent Theatre Building
has been sold for $212,500 by the Thomas
W. Finucane Corp., owner of the building
since 1914, to investors Natalie Galen of Los
Angeles and Alberta Freen of New York City.
Monroe Amusements, Inc., will continue to
operate the 42-year-old 1,600-capacity theatre
as an outlet for Paramount and other
film attractions under a long-term lease.
It was in 1913 that George E. Simpson
planned to erect the Regent Theatre on East
avenue at Chestnut street. To eliminate what
he feared might be serious competition from
the 300-seat Hippodrome nearby, he offered
its owners, Albert A. Fenyvessy and Emanuel
Wolff, an opportunity to invest in the new
theatre. The only condition specified was
that the Hippodrome be eliminated. It was.
The Regent opened in 1914 under Simpson's
general management, with Fenyvessy, long
connected with Rochester theatre interests,
offering advice. Attendance was not up to
expectations for the first few months as the
Regent showed serious, dramatic pictures
selected by Simpson, early accounts indicate.
Fenyvessy persuaded Simpson to show the
rowdy comedy, "Tillie's Punctured Romance,"
featuring Marie Dressier and Charles Chaplin.
This program was a tremendous success,
and the Regent's future was assured.
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BOXOFFICE :
: October
8, 1955
29

. . . William
. . Helen
. . Marge
BROADWAY
JJoward Dietz, MGM vice-president in
charge of advertising, publicity and exploitation,
went to the coast to see new releases
Dave Golding. advertising-publicity
. . . director for Samuel Goldwyn, and
Arthur Canton, eastern MGM field representative,
returned from a two-day promotion
visit to Philadelphia on the November
opening there of "Guys and Dolls" and left
immediately for Boston . . . Nat Levy, RKO
eastern-southern division sales manager, returned
from sales meetings in Charlotte and
Atlanta . . . Emery Austin, head of the MGM
exploitation department, went to Chicago
from Washington on promotion planning on
"Guys and Dolls."
Edward E. Sullivan, 20th-Fox publicity
manager, has returned from conferences
at the studio with Harry Brand, studio publicity
Edmund C. DeBerry, Paramount
chief . . . manager in Buffalo, was in New York
. . . George F. Dembow, president of National
Screen Service, left for the west coast . . .
Al Fitter, assistant to Hugh Owen, Paramount
distribution vice-president, is back
from a trip to Dallas. Owen and Phil Isaacs,
newly named Rocky Mountain division manager,
left for Denver to tour that territory
B. Zoellner, head of MGM short
subject sales, got back from a tour of the
company's eastern branches. He left at the
weekend for visits to branches in Milwaukee,
Minneapolis, Omaha, Des Moines and Chicago.
H. M. Bessey, Altec executive vice-president,
has left New York headquarters on an extended
tour which will take him to Atlanta,
Nashville, Memphis, Jackson and New
Orleans for meetings with various southern
circuit executives . . . William F. Rodgers,
Allied Artists adviser and consultant, left for
Hollywood for conferences with studio executives
and to attend the Theatre Owners of
America convention.
Americo Aboaf, vice-president and foreign
general manager of Universal-International
Films, went to Hollywood to confer with
studio executives and to see the latest U-I
pictures. Marion Jordan, European sales
manager, accompanied Aboaf . . . Edward L.
Hyman, American Broadcasting-Paramount
Theatres vice-president, and Bernard Levy,
his assistant, left for Salt Lake City October
6 . . . Charles J. Feldman, Universal vicepresident
and general sales head, also left
for the coast . . Lawrence Terrell, Paramount
.
branch manager in Charlotte, is in
New York for home office conferences . . .
Michael J. Moodabe, head of Amalgamated
Theatres, Ltd., of New Zealand, is in New
York for conferences with 20th Century-Fox
executives. His sons, Royce, Michael jr., and
Joseph accompany him.
Walter Wanger, producer for Allied Artists,
and his wife Joan Bennett returned to Hollywood
after a few days in New York for conferences
with Humphrey Bogart relative to
the latter's playing in "Underworld, U. S. A."
for Wanger . . . Jane Russell returned to
New York for a guest appearance on the
Jackie Gleason show on TV to plug "Gentlemen
Marry Brunettes" . . . Silvana Pampanini,
Italian screen beauty who participated
in the Festival of Italy in Denver, has returned
to New York to give press interviews
for her forthcoming pictures for IFE release.
Samuel Goldwyn and wife planned to arrive
at the weekend and remain here until
. . .
the premiere of "Guys and Dolls" November 3
Max E. Youngstein, United Artists vicepresident,
flew from Madrid to New York at
the weekend, ending a two-week survey of
European production . Jill Bennett, who
. .
went to Paris for a role in "Lust for Life,"
returned Saturday (8).
Aileen Brenon of Brenon and Morgan Associates
returned on the Queen Frederica
from an eight-week tour of Europe, during
which she attended the Venice Film Festival
and arranged for the Athens opening of
"Alexander the Great," UA picture filmed in
Spain . . . Lilo. French musical star of "Can
Can," and her husband. Marquis de la Passardiere,
and Vladimir Goldschmann, conductor
of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra,
arrived from Europe on the Liberte October 3.
The same liner returned to Europe October
6 with Lena Home, singer and recording
star, and her husband, band leader Lenny
Hayton, aboard . Rose, MGM fashion
REPUBLIC HONORS JACK GOETZ—Republic Pictures staged a cocktail party
recently in honor of Jack Goetz, who has been associated with Consolidated Film
Industries since its start in 1924. Left to right: C. Halstead Cottingham, Hollywood
Television; Andy Gebstacdt, Republic advertising manager; Richard G. Yates, Hollywood
Television; Roberta Daniel, publicity manager of Republic International: Goetz;
Hank Posner, assistant sales manager of Consolidated Film Industries; Ken Coleman,
sales manager of Consolidated, and John J. Pctruskas jr., Republic treasurer.
designer, is here from the coast en route to
Europe . . . Jean Carson, who has been making
personal appearances with "The Phenix
City Story" for Allied Artists has been forced
to cancel her tour because of illness and has
returned to New York.
Hans Peters, MGM art director, arrived
from Newport, R. I., en route to the coast . . .
Mrs. Kenneth Aneser, wife of the production
head of the Warner Bros, home office advertising
department, became the mother of a
boy Thursday (6), the third child for the
Anesers . Thorson, MGM studio
story editor, returned from abroad at the
weekend, as Helen Rose, MGM fashion designer,
left
for London and Paris.
Pamela Brown, Niall MacGinnis, James
Donald, Noel Purcell and other British film
players, arrived from England to complete
"Lust for Life" at the MGM studios in Hollywood
with Kirk Douglas, who is starred . . .
Perry Lopez, Warner Bros, contract player,
is in New York, his home town, to plug his
latest films, "The Steel Jungle" and "The
Darkest Hour."
AB-PT Annual Report Again
Winner of National Award
NEW YORK—The annual report of
American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres,
Inc., has been judged the best in the motion
picture industry for the third year in a row.
An independent board of judges in the 15th
annual survey of the Financial World made
the decision. The bronze Oscar of Industry
will be presented to Leonard H. Goldenson,
AB-PT president, at the annual awards
banquet in the ballroom of the Hotel Statler
Monday (24).
A total of 5.000 annual reports was considered
this year in 100 industrial classifications.
The chairman of the jury is Dr.
Pierre R. Bretey, editor of The Analysts
Journal.
To Honor Century Buyer
With Dinner and Dance
NEW YORK—Benjamin D. Gladstone, film
buyer since 1928 for the Century Theatres,
will be honored October 15 at a dinnerdance
opening a building fund drive for the
East Meadow Jewish Center. Gladstone
helped organize the center in 1953, then served
as president from November 1953 to July 1955.
At present he is chairman of the board of
trustees, and under his leadership the Center
has built its membership to 400.
Admission to the dinner-dance honoring
Gladstone will be $15 in building bricks to
help raise $65,000 by the end of the year, this
being the sum needed before ground-breaking
ceremonies can be scheduled for the new
building.
Sloan Leaves Independent
For Post With Omnifilms
NEW YORK— Aaron Sloan has resigned as
associate editor of the Independent Film
Journal to become secretary-treasurer of
Omnifilms, Inc., which imports and distributes
foreign films. Noel Meadow is president.
They are working on the release of Luis
Bunuel's "This Strange Passion," produced in
Mexico and starring Arturo de Cordova, for
which Sloan wrote the English titles. Sloan
was previously on the staff of BOXOFFICE.
30 BOXOFFICE :
: October 8, 1955

Stanley Warner Men
Have Victory Lunch
NEWARK—Top executives from the Stanley
Warner New York headquarters and managers
from most of the circuit houses in the
Newark zone attended a victory luncheon at
the Essex House Friday i30> in honor of the
managers who had won the major share of
prizes in the Spring Movie Festival.
The Newark zone, supervised by Charles A.
Smakwitz since the beginning of the year,
produced the grand prize winner. George
Kemp of the Montauk. Passaic. His picture
and his special events campaigns earned a
t\\. i-week all-expense vacation for two to
England.
Other prize recipients in the zone who
were honored at the luncheon included the
miscellaneous income winners Morton Bratter
of the Millburn; John McKenna, film
buyer, and Anthony Williams, district manager.
The zone prize for best concession sales
went to Milton Brenner of the Roosevelt.
George Birkner, manager of the Fabian, won
the Cinerama watch. In addition, prizes for
outstanding feature picture campaigns were
distributed by United Artists, Paramount.
20th-Fox, MGM and U-I.
Stanley Warner home executives present
were Sam Rosen, executive vice-president;
Harry Kalmine. general manager; Nat Fellman,
film department head, and Harry Goldberg,
circuit advertising and publicity chief.
Smakwitz was toastmaster.
Zone executives present: Lou Dennis, contact
manager; Edgar Goth, advertising manager;
John McKenna. film buyer; Charles
Piltz, sound department manager; John
Damis, maintenance manager; Tony Williams,
Harold Widenhorn and Bernard Silverman,
district managers, and George Isenberg, real
estate manager.
Mann Refrigeration Supply
To Handle 'BTC' Cabinets
CORTLAND, N. Y.—Mann Refrigeration
Supply Co. of New York City became exclusive
distributors October 1 for "BTC" refrigerated
cabinets in metropolitan New York
and ten surrounding counties, Frederic A.
Celler, general sales manager of the Brewer-
Titchener Corp. announced. The newly
appointed distributor will handle all sales
of the "BTC" food cabinets and ice cube
makers, including sales through dealers.
"BTC" food cabinets include dairy, candy and
frozen food cases. P. J. "Pat" Shea, recently
appointed assistant sales manager, is in
charge of the firm's refrigeration division
sales.
N. Y. Model to Be Queen
At Movie Page Ball
NEW YORK—Suzi Peters. New York
model, has been selected as queen of the
Movie Page Ball sponsored by the Screen Publicists
Guild which will be held this year in
the grand ballroom of the Hotel Pierre
Friday (14).
George Nelson of United Artists is chairman
of the ball committee. It is also composed
of Ira Tulipan and Harold Rand of
20th Century-Fox and Bob Perila and Sheldon
Roskin of Columbia. Eddie Aaronoff of
Universal-International is publicity chairman
and has been busy photographing Miss Peters.
Lonterman Is Jack Harris Drive Winner
Ralph Lanterman of Community Theatre, Morristown, N. J., receives check for
1.000 from Edwin Gage, vice-president of Walter Reade Theatres, as Walter Reade
jr., circuit president, and Jack Harris, circuit buyer, look on. Fourteen other cash
prizes were awarded. Forty managers competed.
NEW YORK—Ralph Lanterman, manager
of the Community. Morristown, N. J. has won
the $1,000 first prize in the Jack Harris
drive of Walter Reade Theatres. It was
awarded on a point basis for advertising,
exploitation, theatre management, business
results and concession sales.
Second prize went to Robert Hynes, manager
of the Strand, Plainfield, N. J.; third
to Mike Dorso of the Community, Kingston,
N. Y., and fourth to John Balmer of the
Director Calls 'Oklahoma!'
High Point of Career
NEW YORK—Fred Zinnemann, who won
two Academy Oscars, a trio of Screen Directors
Guild awards and other honors for his
films based on stark realism, regards his most
recent film, "Oklahoma!" as the high point
of his career.
He said as much at a luncheon Thursday (6)
in his honor at the 21 Club. He points out
that the screen version of "Oklahoma!" is as
American as Grandma Moses' paintings. For
this reason he approached the undertaking
with some trepidation. He is a native of
Vienna.
The Todd-AO process, he points out, provides
a much larger and more spectacular scale
for production than any previous film.
The picture is scheduled to open October 13
at the Rivoli, New York.
UN Dignitaries Attend
'Blood Alley' Opening
NEW YORK—Many United Nations dignitaries
attended the opening of "Blood Alley,"
Warner Bros, picture, Wednesday (5) at the
Paramount Theatre. Dr. P. H. Chang, consul
general of China, headed one group seeing
the adventure drama dealing with the
Formosa Straits. Other countries were similarly
represented; many society and entertainment
world figures were also there.
John Wayne and Lauren Bacall star in the
Batjac production directed by William Wellman.
Miss Bacall was hostess opening day
at a press luncheon at Lum Fong's Chinese
restaurant.
Mayfair, Asbury Park, N. J.
Other winners were the Paramount, Long
Branch; Lawrence Drive-In, Trenton; Strand,
Perth Amboy; Lyric. Asbury Park; Majestic.
Perth Amboy. and Strand, Freehold, all in
New Jersey.
Judges were Edwin Gage, vice-president;
N ck Schermerhorn, general manager; Paul
Petersen, assistant manager; Rose Deutsch,
booker, and Sheldon Gunsberg, advertisingpublicity
director.
'Desperate Hours' Stars
Attend Criterion Event
NEW YORK—Humphrey Bogart, Martha
Scott and Dewey Martin, three of the stars
of "The Desperate Hours." headed the list
of notables attending the opening of William
Wyler picture at the Criterion Wednesday
(5). Also on hand was author Joseph
Hayes, who fashioned his novel and Broadway
play into the Paramount picture, the
first in black-and-white VistaVision.
Others attending the Criterion opening included
Stanton Griffis, Bernard F. Gimbel.
Hal Wallis, Thelma Ritter, Lauren Bacall,
Charlton Heston, William Randolph Hearst
jr., Ed Sullivan, John H. Murtagh, Robert E.
Kintner, Roy W. Howard, Mrs. Ogdon Reid,
Whitelaw Reid. Danton Walker, Louis Sobol.
Tex and Jinx McCrary, Ben Grauer, Morey
Amsterdam. Wendy Barrie, Galen Drake,
Robert Q. Lewis, Leonard Lyons and Edward
R. Murrow.
Barney Balaban, Paramount president, his
wife and Adolph Zukor. chairman of the
board, and his wife headed the Paramount
executives on hand.
S.O.S. Offices Robbed
NEW YORK—Offices of the S. O. S.
Cinema Supply Corp. were ransacked early
Saturday (1) by three burglars. They fled
when interrupted by the firm's night watchman,
shortly after they had blown a hole
in a safe containing cash and company
records. Some of the cash is missing, but
the loss is covered by insurance.
BOXOFFICE October 8, 1955 31

. . The
BUFFALO
"I*wo prominent members of Variety Tent 7
will participate in activities of the Erie
County chapter of the National Foundation
for Infantile Paralysis. Ben L. Kulick, president
of Faysan Distributors (Admiral radio
and TV and Columbia records), has been
elected chairman for his third successive year.
Ben Bush has been appointed 1956 March of
Dimes campaign chairman . . . About 375
men and women who are marking 25 years
of service with Eastman Kodak Co. this year
were guests at the annual silver anniversary
dinner in Kodak Park. The dinner was preceded
by a reception by Kodak officials.
Sidney S. Kulick of Bell Films conferred
with Arthur Krolick at the UPT executive
offices and other friends and set up dates on
some of the features he is distributing . . .
Maria Riva, daughter of Marlene Dietrich,
will star in "Tea and Sympathy," which
comes to the stage of the Erlanger October
20 for four performances . . . Deputy administrator
M. W. Oettershagen will open bids
October 19 at the Buffalo office of the St.
Lawrence Seaway Development Corp., for
the production of a documentary film in
color and with narration, featuring the U. S.
phase of the work. The plan is to make a 14-
minute film story of each year of construction.
When construction is complete it is intended
to consolidate the films into a 28-
minute movie.
Special films on civil defense are available,
the Monroe County office of civil defense has
announced in Rochester. The 15 films, three
in color, run from nine minutes to an hour.
Information on use of the films may be obtained
at 35 State St., Rochester . . . James
Melton, star of screen, radio and TV, appeared
at the Erlanger, Dipson-operated legit
house here, in his new show, "Words and
Music."
When "Seven Cities of Gold" was shown at
the Center, it was preceded by a big campaign
directed to the large Catholic population
of the city. A screening was held for
sisters and priests on Saturday morning. The
superintendent of parochial schools okayed
the placing of specially prepared posters on
school bulletin boards. The Union & Echo,
local Catholic weekly, gave the picture special
stories and art several weeks in advance.
Large ads were used in this paper. Pastors
also announced the showing of the picture,
emphasizing that it was the story of Father
Junipero Serra. The campaign was put on
by Arthur Krolick, Charles B. Taylor and
Ben Dargush.
1327 S. WABASH. CHICAGO -630 NINTH AVE. .NSW YORK
Bingo Back in Volume,
Via Legal Loopholes
BUFFALO—Bingo has returned on a large
scale all over western New York but legal
loopholes in most instances prevent police
from stopping the games. Bingo poses a perplexing
problem for law enforcement officers
throughout the area. Every police official
contacted in a recent survey agreed clarification
of the lottery law governing bingo is a
prime necessity.
Playing bingo in a technically legal manner
has created several favorite methods. One
may rent a folding chair and play bingo free
or you may pay admission to defray costs of
entertainment and then play bingo free. The
entertainment usually consists of a vocal trio
or a guitar player. In both of these types of
operation cash prizes are awarded. Both
methods have been upheld by the courts as
legal and police are powerless to stop them.
Buffalo remains generally free of bingo
because of a city ordinance forbidding dispersal
of prizes in theatres or other places
of entertainment. In Niagara Falls a regular
game runs during the tourist season on the
ground floor of the Gorge Terminal. The
State Theatre in the Cataract City also runs
periodic games. In Olcott and other sections
along Lake Ontario, nightly games operate
during the summer.
DA Clarifies Bingo Issue
In Genesee County, N. Y.
BUFFALO—Two types of bingo are possible,
says District Attorney Wallace J. Stakel of
Batavia. as he amplified an earlier statement
to explain why some counties allow the game
while Genesee County places are closed down.
"There are at least two forms of legal bingo
and there is no mystery about them," he
said. "One is bingo without charge, and the
other is the variety where the participant
pays for something else, like entertainment,
which can be truthfully said to represent
the purchase price, and bingo is thrown in
free.
"Politics should not play any part in the
enforcement of criminal laws," added Stakel.
He declared there is a state law that makes
it illegal to operate some types of bingo and
that "it is the sworn duty of an officer to
enforce the law."
City Council Bingo Bill
Opposed by Mayor
NEW YORK—Mayor Robert F.
Wagner is
opposed to a City Council bill which would
regulate bingo. He said Wednesday (5) that
its legality was questionable. The legislature
has acted to bring the matter before the
people of the state through a referendum.
Mayor Wagner said it was doubtful if the
bill would accomplish anything not already
covered by existing law and court decisions.
New York Exhibitor Drops
Theatre Test of Bingo
NEW YORK—There was no test of the
legality of bingo at the Avenue U Theatre.
Brooklyn, Monday (3). Manager Nat Renaud
said he had dropped the idea because
of a letter from Harry Brandt, president of
the Independent Theatre Owners Ass'n, of
which he is a member, and because of stench
bomb threats.
MAIL YOUR AUDIENCE AWARDS
BALLOT.
ALBANY
progress was reported in negotiations for a
new contract covering stage employes following
a meeting in the Palace Theatre
building of union, Fabian and Stanley Warner
circuit representatives. Inclusion of a
maintenance clause was advocated by management
spokesmen, according to industry reports.
Phil Harling of the Fabian home office
and Elias Schlenger, new division manager,
represented that chain; James Totman,
assistant zone manager, and James Bracken,
contact manager, Stanley Warner, and James
Blackburn and James Brennan, the union.
Charles Maguire and George Powers were
other members of the local's negotiating committee.
Edgar S. Van Olinda. film critic for the
Times-Union, in an Around the Town column
told of a personal telephone conversation
which he had with Audie Murphy in New
York to promote "To Hell and Back." Olinda
reported the star "gave us the startling information
that 50 per cent of his war picture
audiences were women—startling because so
many of that segment of his public have, in
some measure, felt the tragedy of both world
wars"
. Variety Club encountered
further delay in taking over new quarters
on the mezzanine of the Sheraton-Ten Eyck
Hotel. The date, first set back to October 15,
has now been moved to November 1. Chief
Barker George H. Schenck explained that the
Albany Club would not be "out" until the
middle of the month; that the hotel would
then need a week or ten days to prepare the
room for Tent 9. At a special meeting, it was
decided to postpone the election of a 1955-56
crew until the monthly meeting at Sheraton-
Ten Eyck October 17.
The arrest Tuesday morning by state police
of five Fort Johnson youths allegedly
involved in the armed $3,300 holdup of the
Howe Caverns ticket office the previous night
resulted in confessions of other burglaries,
including an attempted one of the safe in
Schine's Mohawk Theatre, Amsterdam, last
May. An 18-year-old is said to have admitted
trying this solo. In addition to three achieved
burglaries, the group admitted seven acts of
arson, troopers said. The fires were set because
the boys recently joined a volunteer
fire company "and were looking for some
excitement," police quoted them as explaining.
U-I's five-week drive honoring District
Manager Joe Gins ended October 1. Billing?
exceeded last year's, Manager Norman Weitman
reported. The final seven days were
described as the largest yet recorded by the
October 5 was proclaimed Audie
office . . .
Murphy Day by Mayor Erastus Corning for
the opening of "To Hell and Back" at the
Strand. The Sunday Times-Union carried a
story on the proclamation.
The name of the projectionist at the Starlit
Drive-in, Watertown, who drew the praise
of owner Joe Agresta is Fred Nicolette, not
Bill Nicollette. Agresta remarked he would
place greater emphasis next season on the
Starlit's playground. It has a very miniature
golf course and a horseshoe court, among
other things . . . Mrs. Louis Simon, sister of
Kirk Douglas, told friends that she expected
the screen star to visit Albany after he finishes
a picture now being made in Europe.
32 BOXOFTICE :
: October
8, 1955

. . The
WASHINGTON
Mfw Variety Club members include William
E. Coyle, promotion director, Washington
Evening Star; George Dorsey jr.. Washington
representative. Universal; Joseph Abramson.
sales manager. Industrial Photo Service; M.
Robert Rogers, president of station WGMS;
Hal Rosen, public relations . . Morton
.
Gerber, president of District Theatres and
welfare chairman of the Variety Club, will
serve as exhibitor chairman for the Will
Rogers Hospital Christmas salute . The
. .
Variety Club "Cinerama Holiday" premiere
at the Warner was followed by a party in
the Variety clubrooms. Proceeds of the
benefit went to the Children's Hospital . . .
Orville Crouch will be the chairman of the
dinner dance at the Statler Hotel November
19.
Sympathy to Ora Donoghue, secretary to
Jack Fruchtman and first vice-president of
. . .
the WOMPIs, on the death of her father in
Florida. Burial was in Arlington cemetery
The Carver Theatre, Anacostia, owned
by Ike Weiner, has been renamed the Earle
and is being booked by Independent Theatre
Service.
Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Goldman, K-B Theatres,
attended the TOA convention in Los
Angeles. Goldman was appointed delegate
in place of the late Sidney Lust . . . Sympathy
to Joe Morgan, who was associated with the
late Harry Crandall for many years in
Warner Theatres Co., in the death of his
wife Mary.
Eileen Oliver, 20th-Fox, who was appointed
delegate to the WOMPI convention in New
Orleans, said she had a wonderful time and
wished all the WOMPI women could have
attended . Variety Club women's committee
has opened booths in the WUlard,
Statler, Hamilton, Mayflower, Sheraton Park
and Shoreham hotels for the sale of Variety
Club welfare awards subscriptions . . . Pearl
Torney. 20th-Pox, is now a greatgrandmother.
Her granddaughter, Peggy Fineran gave birth
. . Manager
to a son, Donald Wayne, Tuesday .
Ira Sichelman, went to Bristol, Va.,
Tenn.. this week.
. . .
Sid Zins, Columbia publicist, is back at
work, but on crutches. Zins underwent an
operation last week for a spur on his heel
Joe Vogel. Loew's Theatres executive, was
The Jeff Hofheimers.
a Washington visitor . . .
Hofheimer circuit, Norfolk, are va-
cationing in Chicago.
Bill Blatt Jr. to Faculty
NEW BETHLEHEM, PA.—William J.
Blatt
jr., manager of the Arcadia Theatre here, resigned
to join the faculty of the New Bethlehem
High School as a senior teacher with
three classes in Problems of Democracy. He
recently added degrees at the Clarion State
Teachers College. Charles Reitz succeeded
him at the Arcadia on October 1.
MOTION
PICTURES T
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JEWELL
• NEWSREELS
• INDUSTRIALS
EATRICAL
RODUCTIONS
|
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PRODUCTIONS
1511 First St., Detroit 26. Mich. WOodward 3-5477
I
A WASHINGTON WELCOME—The new Paramount manager at Washington,
Herb Gillis, meets several theatremen. Left to right: Morton Gerber, District Theatres;
Gillis; Marvin Goldman, Kogod-Burka Theatres; George Crouch, Stanley Warner
Management Corp.
Walker Fires Relatives
In Comerford Dispute
SCRANTON, PA.—Frank C. Walker, head
of Comerford Theatres, has discharged three
cousins holding executive positions with the
circuit. The action followed after they and
three sisters had filed charges in orphans
court that Walker and J. J. O'Leary, general
manager of the circuit, had mismanaged as
executors and trustees the estates of M. E.
Comerford and M. B. Comerford.
The cousins are: Thomas P. Comerford,
operations manager in the Binghamton area;
Michael B., head of the real estate division,
and William M., head of maintenance of
properties, sons of M. B. Comerford. killed in
an automobile accident in 1935. M. E. Comerford,
founder of the circuit, died in 1939.
BALTIMORE
TJodney Collier,
manager of the Stanley, at-
. . . Fred
tended the Washington Variety Club's
opening night benefit showing of "Cinerama
Holiday" in Washington . . . The mother of
Leon Back, general manager of the Rome
Theatre, is visiting from California
Perry, owner of the Cameo, and his wife
spent the weekend in Atlantic City . . .
Walter Gettinger of the Howard, Hartford
and Walbrook, and his wife spent the weekend
George Hendricks,
in New York City . . . manager of the Mayfair, spent his day off
visiting friends in Philadelphia.
. . Isador
Caryl Hamburger, manager of the Film
Centre, attended a preview in Washington
of "Cinerama Holiday" . . Irving Cantor,
.
manager of the Hippodrome, has returned to
duty after being discharged from the Veterans
Hospital at Fort Howard .
M. Rappaport, owner of the Town, Hippodrome
and Little, and his wife will return
from Europe around the middle of this
month. They have been touring Italy and
England.
Henry Jones, assistant manager at the
Hippodrome, has moved over to the Town,
replacing Richard Dizon, who resigned. The
new assistant at the Hippodrome is Charles
Bishop.
PHILADELPHIA
Tlie Colosseum of Motion Picture Salesmen
met at the RKO projection room . . . Film
censorship and advertising was the topic
when Stanley Warner's Lester Krieger spoke
recently before the Delaware County Federation
of Women's Clubs in Upper Darby, Pa.
. . . R. F. Sell, Bethlehem contractor, has
purchased the Coplay's Ritz in Bethlehem
from Pete Magazzu, who has owned the
theatre for over 17 years. Sell says that he
plans to remodel and reopen the house, which
has been shuttered since mid-April. John
Van Auken, now managing an ozoner on
Long Island, will manage the theatre.
Lester Krieger, secretary of the Philadelphia
Theatre Ass'n, whose members own
several buildings in first run areas downtown,
appeared before the city council recently
against a bill before the council's committee
on public property. The bill would give the
art commission the power to regulate the
design of buildings put up in the area
bounded by the west side of 19th, the east
side of Broad, 200 feet north of Pennsylvania
Boulevard and 200 feet south of Market.
Krieger called the bill "discriminatory legislation."
He said: "Penn Center is not a civic
enterprise. It is being put up by private investors.
Any regulatory powers belong to
city council and not to a quasi-judicial body
such as the art commission."
Stauffer to Insurance Job
PORT ALLEGANY, PA.—Robert Stauffer
has resigned as manager of the Grand Theatre
here, to devote his full time to the insurance
business. He is a brother of Mrs. William
J. Blatt sr., of the Blatt Bros, circuit.
Bruce Edgreen, projectionist for many years,
takes over as manager of the theatre, and
hist wife Naomi continues as cashier.
SELBY £S§ SCREEN TOWERS
for Drive-In Theatres
3 Standard Sixes
SELBY INDUSTRIES, INC.
13 50 Ghent Hills Rd. Akron 13, Ohio
MonrroM (through Modi 10, Ohio) 6-7211
BOXOFFICE :
: October
8, 1955 33

. . Shea's
PITTSBURGH
TJob Coyle, Charleroi exhibitor, was hospitalized
for a checkup . . . Meg Myles
was here to exploit AA's "Phenix City Story."
Next month she returns for a night club
Rox Serrao, owner of the Roxy in
date . . .
Ford City, has resumed a seven-day week
operation after being on a five-day schedule
during the summer. If business warrants, the
Roxy will continue the full program of operation.
Alex Mussano, proprietor-projectionist at
the Roxy in Natrona, was stricken ill last
Sunday morning en route to Filmrow and was
taken to the Allegheny Hospital at Tarentum.
His wife Nell, a licensed projectionist, went to
work in the booth. The Natrona theatreman,
who had suffered a kidney attack, was released
from the hospital at midweek . . .
Charles K. Eagle, Stanley manager, and his
wife will celebrate their 36th wedding anniversary
October 13 . at Bradford
presented "They Met At Elbe" with pride as
Bradford's Sgt. Fred Johnston appears in the
picture, which was photographed in Moscow.
. . . Three of the Notopoulos boys
.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Rachiele, local exhibitors,
returned from a three-week vacation
in Florida
were visitors from Altoona
. . With Dave
Leff withdrawn from the theatre program
printing business, the ADV Agency has been
taken over by Jack Kaufman, publisher of an
East Liberty shopping paper ... A reception
at the Penn Shady Hotel here followed the
wedding of Jacquelyn Reva, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Hyman M. Wheeler, and Marvin
Stein. The bride's father is the popular
salesman now with United Artists.
.
Mrs. Ruth Nicholas, Warner inspector, was
stricken ill Monday and was rushed to Mercy
Hospital . . James H. Alexander of Alexander
Theater Service underwent a gallstone operation
at Allegheny General Hospital here
last Saturday . . . Starting October 10, Republic
Pictures here adds a new salesman,
Joe Krenitz, who has been at Cleveland for
a long period. Each two weeks he will return
to sales duties out of the Cleveland office
and the next similar period he will call on
exhibitors in the local Erie area and in parts
of West Virginia.
Allied directors will meet Tuesday (11) at
headquarters . . Mr. and Mrs. Ben White
.
of the White-Way Drive-in Theatre, Warren,
are closing their outdoor season at an
early date and they will head for Florida . . .
SW managerial shifts and promotions:
Tommy Leach moved to the Victor, Mc-
Keesport, from the Strand, Oakland; Tommy
Morris shifted from the Victor, McKeesport,
to the Harris, Tarentum, replacing Paul
Blummer, who was transferred to the Liberty,
New Kensington, succeeding Dick Kline.
Kline resigned to join the Selected Theatre
Co., Lorain, Ohio, as city manager with supervision
over two houses with 1,550 seats, and
a 750-car drive-in. He had been associated
"•*""""
SAM FINEBERG I
TOMMcCLEARY |
JIM ALEXANDER £
84 Van Braom Street %
PITTSBURGH 19, PA. |1
Phone EXpress 1-0777 I
Movies Art Better Than Ever - How's Your Equipment? js
with WB and SW circuits for 13 years, starting
at the Ritz, New Kensington, and serving
the organization in Tarentum, Titusville, Ambridge
and Parkersburg. Rube Harris, who
has been on assignment as circuit relief manager,
now has been given a spot on which to
stay put: the Strand in Oakland.
Steve Rodnok jr., Oakmont exhibitor, is
Community Chest business chairman there,
giving freely of his time to help make the
Red Feather drive a successful one . . . Mabel
Maluty has been promoted to cashier at Paramount,
succeeding Minnie Gable Nixon, who
resigned. New girls at the Paramount office
are Ellen Boyd and Shirley Liebich, with
Mike Car-
Marilyn Rabinovitz resigning . . .
done, manager of the SW State, Washington,
who formerly had been with the circuit at
Tarentum and McKeesport, has gone to
Rome, Italy, in connection with settling a
family estate ... A disappointing venture
since it was opened several years ago, the
Rose Drive-in, located between Jeannette and
Trafford, is being dismantled.
Jay Angel, Warner cashier, slipped on the
. . .
. .
. . . The
office floor early Monday morning and suffered
a broken left elbow. May Weir, booker,
took Miss Angel to Mercy Hospital where the
arm was set . . . Moe Henry, SW auditor, is
on duty at the Clark building headquarters
Stanley Theatre lobby has a carnival
wheel which dispenses free tickets to winners
to "The Phenix City Story" . The Tristate
Drive-In Theatres Ass'n met here Tuesday
noon at the Schenley Hotel
Ritz, Export, closed during the summer, was
being prepared for reopening on a parttime
schedule by Mario Battiston.
Drive-In Burglar Tricks
Exhibitor Out of Booth
FREEPORT, PA.—Harrison township police
are looking for a daring bandit who robbed
the Sunset Drive-In on Route 908, Natrona
Heights, last Saturday night (1) at gun point
and made off with more than $600. Patrons
were watching the adventures of "Davy
Crockett," one of five feature pictures on a
Dusk-to-Dawn show, about 9:15 o'clock when
the thief's bizarre exploit rivaled any of the
five features.
The bandit approached Floyd W. "Fritz"
Klingensmith, owner-manager and sports director
for WKPA, New Kensington, who was
in the boxoffice booth with his wife and son
James, 13, and reported that there was some
trouble in ramp 9. The theatreman started
back into the outdoor theatre and asked the
man to accompany him. The latter refused
to do so, saying he was afraid. While Klingensmith
was gone, the man whipped out a
pistol and forced Mrs. Klingensmith to put
the money in a bag. He disappeared, still
on foot, across a field toward the Freeport
road. Klingensmith told police the lone
robber was dark complexioned, about 30, five
feet six inches in height and wore a black
and white mackinaw and dark trousers.
Drutman on 'Duchin Story'
NEW YORK—Irving Drutman has been
retained by Columbia Pictures for a special
public relations campaign on "The Duchin
Story," now nearing completion with Tyrone
Power in the title role.
Tickets Are on Sale
For Tent 1 Banquet
Pittsburgh—Harold C. Lund, banquet
chairman, announces tickets have gone
on sale for the 28th annual banquet of
Variety Tent 1 to be held November 20
at 6:30 p.m. in the ballroom of the William
Penn Hotel here. The tickets are
being offered at S20 per plate for men
and $15 for women. Formal dress is
optional, Lund said.
R. M. Kimelman Dies;
25 Years a Booker
PITTSBURGH—Robert M. Kimelman, 45,
well-known Filmrow booker here for many
years, died in his doctor's office October 3
after suffering a heart attack.
Kimelman had been a booker for 25 years,
leaving the industry two years ago to enter
the real estate business. His final position in
the film trade was as a booker for Cooperative
Theatres. He was a former commander of
the Variety American Legion Post 589.
A nephew of Paramount Manager David
Kimelman, Bob was the son of Sabina and
the late Adolph Kimelman and the brother
of Mildred Kimelman. Services were held
October 5 at the Burton L. Hirsch Chapel
and interment was in B'nai Israel cemetery,
McKeesport.
Fred Fisher
BELLEFONTE, PA.—Fred Raymond Fisher,
48, a theatre manager here for 24 years, died
in Centre County Hospital. He had been ill
more than a year.
A graduate of Susquehanna University,
Fisher was a director of Allied MPTO of
Western Pennsylvania, a director of the Bellefonte
Kiwanis Club, and a member of the
American Legion. He had served two years
in the Navy during World War II.
Surviving are his wife Margaret and two
daughters, Margaret and Diane.
Clarence W. Snyder
CLARKSBURG, W. VA. — Clarence W.
Snyder, 44, outdoor exhibitor, died of a
heart attack Wednesday (5). He operated
Snyder's Drive-In, which he built about seven
years ago.
IATSE Local 451 Pickets
Penn at New Castle
NEW CASTLE, PA.—Representatives of
IATSE Local 451 picketed the Penn Theatre
after a contract collapse over the weekend
when mediators failed to bring the two parties
together. Leo Mickey, Penn manager, continued
operation of the theatre. Paul Walters,
Local 451 president, said that the union had
been trying to negotiate with the theatre to
renew the old contract for the last 14 months.
Mickey said the theatre company, Associated,
"is seeking relief to cope with economic conditions"
and desired a 25 per cent cut in wages
or reduced manpower. He said the Penn was
operated by a two-man booth when other I
theatres in New Castle, including first run
houses, are operated by one-man booths.
Eleanor Parker, Frank Sinatra and Kim
Novak star in UA's "The Man With the
Golden Arm."
34 BOXOFFICE :
: October
8, 1955

—
Four Pages of Reports on Top Campaigns
DRIVE-IN EXHIBITORS DEMONSTRATE
LOW-COST PROMOTIONS ARE PLENTIFUL
Dozens of Patron-Pulling Stunts Created for Nationwide Competition
C
Drive-in theatre owners and managers
many of them comparative newcomers to
the motion picture business—came up with
a great array of promotions in the $3,000
competition for showmanship during Drivein
Theatre Week, observed August 26-
September 1.
Outdoor theatremen who tied their
campaigns into the celebration of the 22nd
anniversary of the drive-in theatre discovered
that they could obtain a sizeable
amount of free publicity in the local press,
and that cooperation of merchants in
neighboring communities was available.
In many instances, the anniversary celebration
gained official recognition from
civic authorities. Mayors of a number of
towns turned out to make the formal presentation
of the prize money to the winning
exhibitors—with attendant publicity in the
local press.
Leading the parade of winners were J. B.
Beeson, owner of the Red Raider Drive-In
Theatre, Lubbock, Tex., and William
Fowers jr., owner of the State Drive-in
Theatre, Missoula, Mont., each winning two
campaign prizes.
Beeson was awarded the $250 Paramount
Pictures Prize and the $250 Republic Pictures
Prize, while Fowers won the $250
Allied Artists Prize and also took the Third
Place $50 Texas COMPO Award.
Jeff Davis (left), of the Edgewood Drive-In, Neosho, Mo. won the $250 Columbia prize. Leaman
Marshall (at left in center photo), Terrell (Tex.) Drive-In, with MGM division manager John Allen,
won the MGM award, and J. M. Chessnut, Vero Beach, Fla. (right), won the Universal award.
The Country Girl"
(Paramount)
Perhaps the most unique promotion of
all entries submitted for "Drive-In Theatre
Week" was the tieup between Beeson's Red
Raider Drive-In Theatre, Lubbock, Tex.,
and the Womble Oldsmobile Co. climaxing
in a parade of 32 new Oldsmobiles (leading
civic dignitaries driving > through the main
streets of Lubbock advertising the Paramount
Picture "Country Girl" and "Drive-
In Theatre Week" via banners placed on
the sides of the automobiles.
In addition to this promotion, Beeson
distributed 6,000 printed napkins advertising
"Country Girl" and "Drive-In Theatre
Week" to restaurants, drug stores and
drive-in eating places throughout the city;
20,000 grocery sacks, cleaning bags, variety
store sacks, bakery and snack bar folding
boxes were stamped with the "Country
Girl" advertisement and distributed by
leading business establishments.
Ten spot announcements were used every
day for a week on each of two radio stations
plugging "Country Girl" and "Drive-
In Theatre Week." As a special promotion,
a trick horse act and clown gave 45-
minute performances each night before
show time as well as appearing on TV ad-
William Fowers jr. (left), Missoula, winner of the
Allied Artists Award and $50 Texas COMPO prize
is congratulated by Missoula's acting mayor, F.
Gordon
Reynolds.
vertising the picture and the anniversary
event. More than 100 column inches of
advertising were used in newspapers.
Beeson reported his gross boxoffice business
during the Anniversary Week was
better than 32 per cent over average and
showed more than 38 per cent increase in
concession sales.
"Sante Fe Passage" (Republic)
Beeson also won top honors for his promotion
of the Republic Picture "Santa Fe
Passage." His top stunt for promoting this
picture was a tape-recorded telephone interview
with John Payne, the star of the
picture, which was broadcast ten times a
Ralph Langston (left), Rice Drive-In, El Campo,
Tex., Warner Bros, winner, supervises Anniversary
Week drawing. On opening night a $250 four-piece
bedroom suite was given away.
day for one week preceding the playdate of
the attraction.
Another stunt used to promote the picture
was the parading of a covered wagon
through the Lubbock streets with 25x20
banners plugging the picture. A trick
horse, trainer and clown rode along with
the wagon which was driven by an Indian
scout.
More than 100 column inches of newspaper
space was used in advertising "Santa
Fe Passage" as well as the use of many
spot announcements on radio.
Fowers, in submitting his campaign, revealed
that the Anniversary Week was responsible
for the largest attendance ever
at his State Drive-In Theatre, showing an
(
— 312 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser October 8. 1955

increase of 42 per cent above average in
gross and concession sales up 48 per cent
above average.
His campaign entries were picked by
the judges, because of the uniqueness of
promotion and extensiveness of radio and
newspaper coverage, with extra consideration
given to excellent documentation of
tin- campaign.
Seven Angry Men "(Allied Artists)
In winning the Allied Artists Prize, the
Sta.e put on an excellent campaign promoting
"Seven Angry Men," which included
special poster displays in leading
business establishments, placing strip programs
in each parked car, a special tieup
for placing programs in motel rooms and
using 35 feature and spot radio announcements
and more than 100 column inches
of advertising space in two newspapers. A
bicycle giveaway and lucky auto license
number stunt also
were used.
In taking the Third Texas COMPO Prize
for the Anniversary Week. Fowers campaign
was selected for the separate exploitation
campaigns used on each of the
I bicycle donated through
three pictures played during the event,
which included the placing of window
cards in all the leading business establishments
in Missoula, a neat paste-on advertisement
of coming attractions on hotel
and motel coffee shop mats and napkins,
distribution of 15,000 coupons for the
bicycle giveaway
tieup with hardware store >, placing 8.000
program cards in the 17 motels, and using
the lucky auto license number stunt.
To increase concession sales, free Coke
cards were placed in every 15th box of
popcorn and coupons were given for the
bicycle giveaway with the sale of Coca-Cola.
Special snack bar displays were constructed
to increase the sale of Coca-Cola and other
concessions items. Powers submitted a
notorized statement to the effect that Coca-
Cola sales were three times greater than
the average.
In addition to using the three trailers
and 40x60 displays, more than 100 news
flashes pertinent to "Drive-In Theatre
Week" and coming and current attractions
were bought and promoted on radio station
KGVO, Missoula. More than 350 column
inches of advertising was used in the
two Missoula papers, which contributed
generous space to the Anniversary Week
and attractions.
Chief Crazy Horse
(universal)
The $250 Universal Pictures Prize went
to J. M. Chessnut, manager of the Vero
Drive-In Theatre, Vero Beach, Fla., for an
unusual promotion of the picture "Chief
Crazy Horse."
Chessnut's No. 1 exploitation was a fullpage
merchant co-op ad saluting "Drive-
In Theatre Week" and advertising "Chief
Crazy Horse." Each of the cooperating
merchant ads offered theatre tickets to the
Vero Drive-in Theatre.
To further exploit "Chief Crazy Horse,"
a wigwam was built over a Model A Ford
covered with burlap bags and painted
With Indian signs and the name of the
picture. This moving wigwam was driven
around town and the beach for several
days ahead and during the showing of the
picture and was parked at
the boxoffice at
night,
For the occasion, all of the theatre erapi
iyes were dressed In Indian costumes
This created a great amount of interest
and received free radio time for its uniqueness.
Radio spot announcements, newspaper
ads. plus a three-page folder were
used extensively to further the promotion.
Double Bill
Promotion
The $250 Columbia Pictures Prize went
to Jeff Davis of the Edgewood Drive-In
Theatre, Neosho, Mo., for his outstanding
campaign on "It Come From Beneath the
Sea" and "Creature With the Atom Brain."
In explaining the campaign. Davis stated,
"The campaign was started two and one-
J. D. Jarrett (right), Troil Drive-In, Neosho, Mo.,
winner of the top Coca-Cola award, is shown with
Dick Chandlce, representative of the Coca-Cola Co
,
receiving his $250 prize.
PAUL WEST PAUL BERG MARK HERMAN
half weeks prior to the playdate by use
of our Tell-A-Gram. This is a regular
daily publication of our theatre in cooperation
with the local daily newspaper.
At 11 a.m. each day the newspaper's UP
teletype report is scanned and the best
news items condensed for the Tell-A-Gram.
We mimeograph 100 of them and place one
on each table of the best cafes in Neosho.
"On August 10, "IT' was reported (as a
i
news item to have been sighted off the
west coast and. by use of a map, was accurately
traced across the nation to Neosho
during the next two and one-half weeks.
This proved quite effective, for soon everyone
who worked or dined in the restaurants
covered was doing word of mouth
advertising.
"Next, we spent two days building monsters.
Ordinary chicken wire was rolled
longitudinally to make tentacles which
tapered from nine feet in diameter down to
a paw.' The tentacles were made, one
40 feet, two 30 feet in length. They were
covered with unbleached muslin and
sprayed with green paint. Strings of Christmas
tree lights with all green bulbs were
mounted inside the tentacles.
"A badly wrecked 1950 Ford was rented
from a local junk dealer and placed in
front of the drive-in theatre just off the
right-of-way. Two tentacles were wound
around and over the wreck and a sign
Coca-Cola Award Winners
NORMAN BATES
reading, 'Warning, "It Came From Beneath
the Sea"—To Do This and To Destroy the
World—See "IT" Here August 26 and 27,'
was mounted beside the car.
"The 40-foot tentacle came off the top
of the boxoffice and completely encircled it
with the 'paw' reaching out toward patrons
as they drove up. A sign reading, 'It Came
From Beneath the Sea' To Destroy the
You Be
World and Already Has Us—Will
Next? was mounted on top of the boxoffice.
"All of the lights in the tentacles and
the spots on the signs were hooked up on
flashers and thus blinked on and off continuously.
"With two weeks remaining before the
playdate, we started announcing on our
PA system at intermisison and with radio
spots that 'IT' Is Coming! Also during
this period one-inch teaser ads were placed
in the daily newspaper. The trailers were
run for one week prior to the playdate and
were inserted into the middle of the news.
"One week prior to the playdate. we distributed
2.500 mimeographed ads house to
house by means of our regular 12 program
delivery boys. These ads gave 'IT' a good
plug.
"Four days before playdate one of our
employes found an eight-inch 'devil's darn-
Contmucd on following
page
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :
: October 8, 1955 — 313

Low-Cost Promotions in Great
Variety in
Drive-In Week Contests
Continued from preceding page
ing needle,' a quite horrifying insect uncommon
in this area. It was put into a
large fish bowl and kept alive. A sign
reading, 'Could This Be a Baby "IT"?' was
mounted over the bowl in a prominent
place in the snack bar. A spotlight with a
blue filter lighted the display.
"A 'Name the Baby IT' contest was held
at intermission time each of the two nights
prior to the playdate. Patrons dropped
their guesses as to the real name of the
insect into a box in the concessions stand
and the first correct answer drawn at the
end of the intermission won two passes to
see the double feature. This baby 'IT'
proved to be just the thing to freshen up
the last leg of the campaign.
"On the day before and each of the two
days of the playing of the picture, a sound
truck with three-sheet boards and bathing
beauties was used in Neosho and eight
smaller towns within a 30-mile radius of
the drive-in theatre. We secured a pick-up
truck from a local ear dealer in return for
putting his signs on the doors. Our threesheet
boards were mounted on the bed
with the 'IT' three-sheet on one side and
the Creature' three-sheet on the other.
Two local girls dressed in swim suits rode
on the back of the truck on all our tours
during the three days. A PA system was
mounted on the truck and both march
music and our talking were used continuously.
"During the playdates our marquee read,
'We've Had "IT"—Will You Be Next?'
'It Came Prom Beneath the Sea' plus
'Creature With the Atom Brain.'
"The first night the program ran was
the best of the season thus far and the
second night even topped it!"
A Star IS Bom (Worner Bros.)
Winner of the Warner Bros. Pictures
$250 Prize was Ralph Langston, manager
of the Rice Drive-In Theatre, El Campo,
Tex., for his special campaign on "A Star
Is Born."
To promote the picture, Langston, working
in conjunction with the show committee
of the Wharton County Fair, set up
a talent show to select winners for participating
in the huge talent show staged
every year on opening night of the county
fair.
During the entire week preceding the
showing of the picture, the theatre public
address system was utilized to announce
the talent show and screen attraction.
Local radio station KULP carried four
one-minute spot announcements daily for
three days. Being a bi-lingual community,
spots were announced in English, Spanish
and Czech to reach every source of potential
audience.
In addition to paid announcements,
KULP carried news stories three times
daily on the talent show, "A Star Is Born"
and "Drive-In Theatre Week." Contestants
were selected from volunteer registrations
as well as from contacts with local dance,
vocal and instrumental teachers. They performed
on the specially constructed stage
on the playground of the drive-in theatre,
which was gaily decorated and lighted.
Numerous ads were inserted in both local
newspapers in advance of the showing and
both papers further cooperated by carrying
several news stories.
As an added attraction 100 Hawaiian
Vanda Orchids were presented to the first
100 ladies entering the drive-in theatre on
talent night. Additional orchid corsages
were presented to the winning contestants
of the talent show.
To dignify the affair, the program was
treated as a regular theatrical production,
with the stage show being conducted first
and "A Star Is Born" shown one time only
on the first night.
The stunt received publicity in newspapers
and over the air and produced a
capacity audience.
Violent Saturday"
(2oth-Fox)
In spite of three nights of rain and the
competition of a county fair during Anniversary
Week, the Bell Brothers, Henry and
Flmer, owners of the 271 Drive-In Theatre
in Paris, Tex., reported that business was
well above average, due to the unusual promotions
staged on the 20th Century-Pox
picture "Violent Saturday." which won for
them the $250 prize from 20th-Pox.
The "Violent Saturday" campaign was
judged the best for a 20th-Fox picture because
of the unique tieup with the Paris
radio station KFTV and the merchant
tieup scheme with six of the town's leading
stores.
Besides the announcement of "Drive-In
Theatre Week" on each of the station's national
and local news services, for several
days prior to the opening August 26, the
station ran ten spot announcements per
day for one week plugging "Drive-In Theatre
Week" and "Violent Saturday." All of
these announcements were contributed by
the station as a salute to the anniversary
occasion.
Aside from the many free announcements,
the 271 Drive-In Theatre purchased
ten spot announcements daily for a week
to announce the picture, tieing in the announcement
of a $10 grocery basket giveaway
from the six local Fairway Grocery
Stores, which were given away at the theatre
each night during the celebration week.
The grocery stores gave a 271 Drive-In
Theatre admission ticket to each of their
customers purchasing $2.50 worth of groceries.
Battleground"
(MGM)
Jomcs Collins, (left), manager of Natick Drive-In, Donald Baier (at L), Ridge Road Drive-In Griffith
Natick, Mass. won the Texas COMPO second Ind., is being congratulated by the mayor of
prize of $150 in the general competition, while the town for winning fourth Texas COMPO prize.
Leaman Marshall, owner of the Terrell
Drive-In Theatre, Terrell, Tex., was the
winner of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer $250
Prize.
Taking advantage of the many requests
from his patrons to play a return engagement
of the MGM picture, "Battleground,"
Marshall played it as the climaxing engagement
of "Drive-In Theatre Week," directing
attention through a personal invitation
campaign.
Appearing before the local American
Legion Post and VFW, he invited members
to come to the showing of the picture during
the anniversary celebration and also
asked that each member tell ten friends
to see the picture, as this engagement
would be the last in Terrell. The same
procedure was repeated before the local
Lions, Rotary and Kiwanis clubs.
— 314 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :
: October 8. 1955

Eight days preceding the picture Marshall
and his employes made telephone calls,
personally Inviting theatre patrons to see
the picture.
Ten spot announcements a day on the
local radio station played up "Drive-In
Theatre Week" and "Battleground" for five
days In advance of the showing.
Besides extensive advertising in the local
newspaper, extra ads were run telling about
theatre coupon books and tickets good for
Coca-Cola, which were given away to lucky
ticket stub holders during each night of
the Anniversary Week.
Free balloons were given to the children
attending the gaily decorated drive-in theatre,
and a special manager trailer endorsing
•'Battleground" was run in addition to
the regular trailer on the picture.
Especially designed material on "Battleground"
was displayed in the concessions
stand, along with the Texas COMPO material,
which also had a personalized theme.
Marshall stated. "While I spent less
money selling Battleground' than any of
the other bigger attractions playing during
the celebration week, I made it a personal
duty and responsibility to see that the personnel
of my drive-in theatre, as well as
of my downtown theatre, extended a personal
invitation to every man. woman and
child in the town of Terrell to see 'Battleground'
and this paid off handsomely.
"Although we had much newer preceding
attractions during the week. 'Battleground'
drew the only overflow audiences and established
a new attendance record for the
four years' operation of our drive-in theatre."
Prize-Winning Campaign
Winner of the Texas COMPO $250 First
Prize was Hibbard A. Henderson, manager
of the North Reading Drive-In Theatre,
North Reading, Mass., for the many unique
stunts employed and the extensive free
newspaper coverage of his "Drive-In Theatre
Week" campaign.
Some of Henderson's promotions included
"Cocker Spaniel Night," in which children
were offered the opportunity to win a
Cocker Spaniel by writing the best letter
of "Why I Would Like to Own a Puppy."
The stunt produced 741 entries.
Another promotion was called "Electrical
Night" and featured a giveaway of electrical
appliances at a special drawing.
One night was designated as "Jalopy
Night" and a 1946 Buick was displayed in
the snack bar area days in advance of being
awarded to a lucky ticket holder.
A "Costume Contest" was staged one
night during the anniversary event and
children were awarded prizes for the most
unusual costumes.
Another night a "Freckle Face Contest"
was held with very good results.
Still another promotion, "Gasoline
Night," was successfully carried out with
patrons winning a total of 300 gallons of
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :
: October
gasoline for holding lucky theatre ticket
numbers.
Another occasion was "Miscellaneous
Night" in which several prizes were
awarded ranging from furniture to a complete
dinner for four at the town's leading
restaurant.
As the result of Henderson's efforts, numerous
photos of prize winners and stories
about "Drive-In Theatre Week" were placed
in ten newspapers in the surrounding
towns, and the drive-in theatre played to
capacity crowds every night of the anniversary
week.
The second Texas COMPO Prize of $150
went to James Collins, manager of the
Natick Drive-In Theatre. Natick. Mass.
Several outstanding promotions were
conducted, one of which was "Celebrity
Night" and featured the leading disk
jockeys in the area who appeared in person
to play record requests and award free
record albums prior to the opening of the
drive-in theatre and during the intermission.
This attracted hundreds of teenagers
and the event was taped and broadcast the
following day over radio station WKOX on
the noontime news.
A spectacular fireworks display with a
special midnight show was held on the
opening night of "Drive-In Theatre Week."
A "king" and "queen" of the Natick
Drive-In Theatre were selected from the
audience on a night designated as "King
and Queen Night." The couple chosen was
treated to a special dinner and received
gifts of jewelry and fall wardrobes.
A "Kiddie's Night" was arranged, complete
with clown, free candy, souvenirs,
pony, train and boat rides and 30 minutes of
extra cartoons on the screen. Photos and
stories of these attractions were published
in several newspapers in the surrounding
territory.
Collins arranged front-page publicity of
the mayor's proclamation of "Drive-In
Theatre Week," as well as several write-ups
in newspapers about the occasion. All of
this was in addition to approximately 200
column inches of advertising.
During the week of the event the Natick
Drive-In Theatre overwhelmingly smashed
all its previous attendance records.
Merchants Co-op
Fourth Texas COMPO Prize of $50 was
awarded to Donald G. Baier, manager of
the Ridge Road Drive-In Theatre. Griffith.
Ind. Baier's top promotion was a full newspaper
page of congratulatory messages from
local merchants handled on a co-op basis.
A huge birthday cake was donated by the
local bakery and pieces of the cake were
given to the occupants of the first 300 cars
on the opening night of "Drive-In Theatre
Week." The boxoffice attendants were
dressed in formal attire for the occasion.
Also, on the opening night, in keeping
with the 22nd anniversary of the first
drive-in theatre, every 22nd car entering
the Ridge Road Theatre was given a certificate
good for a food basket which was
donated by a food store in Gary. Ind.
As a result of nightly advance announcements
over the theatre's public address
system and numerous announcements and
extensive advertising in the newspapers,
more than 200 cars were lined up waiting
to buy admission tickets a full hour before
opening time.
8, 1955 — 315 —
For two nights during the event, roses
were presented at the boxoffice to the
women occupants of the first 500 cars.
These roses were donated by a loeal florist.
On "Playground Night," all children received
balloons and lollypops and a clown
was present to supervise playground activities,
which included such games as a peanut
relay, balloon blowing and balloon
breaking contests, etc. Prizes were awarded
to the winning children contestants.
One night was called "Miss Drive-In
Theatre Night" and a free pass was given
to each person identifying Miss Drive-In
Theatre, who was a model circulating
around the field and concessions stand.
During "Personality Night," the mayor
of Hammond appeared in person to greet
customers and in a short speech before
the start of the picture, he congratulated
the drive-in theatre on its anniversary and
paid it compliments for being an institution
for good family entertainment.
The final night was called "Merchants'
Night" and a local radio station's disk
jockey acted as emcee, presenting gift donations
by local merchants to lucky ticket
holders.
As a vending sales promotion each night
gifts of jewelry and theatre coupons were
placed in various boxes of popcorn.
Coca-Cola
Promotions
Top Coca-Cola Prize of $200 was awarded
to C. D. Jarrett of the Trail Drive-In Theatre.
Nevada. Mo., who submitted an
authenticated report of 287 per cent increase
in the per capita sales of Coca-Cola.
Jarrett attributed the great increase in
Coca-Cola sales to the free popcorn nights
and an average of eight degrees warmer
weather during the week of the event.
Cards redeemable for a bag of popcorn
at the concessions stand were given to
every person attending the drive-in theatre
during the celebration week. The bags
were imprinted with the suggestion "Drink
Coca-Cola" which, along with the special
effort put forth by the concessions personnel,
induced the patrons to buy Cokes.
The Second Coca-Cola Prize of $150 was
awarded to Norman Bates, concessions
manager of the 66 Drive-In Theatre, La-
Grange, 111., who reported an authenticated
199 per cent increase in the per capita sale
of Cokes.
The enthusiastic sales efforts of concessions
employes, special Coca-Cola advertising
in the snack bar, the use of a Coca-
Cola film trailer and the personal appearance
of Jim Rivera, Chicago White Sox
baseball player, were the factors accountable
for the unusually high sales at the
66 Drive-In.
The Coca-Cola Third Prize of $50 went
to Paul Berg of the Rochester Outdoor
Drive-In Theatre, Rochester, Minn., who
reported 108 per cent increase, and fourth
prize of $50 to Paul West, manager of the
Top O' Texas Drive-In Theatre, Pampa.
Tex., with an increase of 106 per cent,
while Mark Herman, Crescent Drive-In
Theatre, Danville, Va., took the fifth Coca-
Cola Prize of $50 with a 95 per cent increase
per capita sale of Coca-Cola.

the
'
. . Now
—
Shined-Up Antique Motor Cars Lead the Parade as Attention -Getters
Nothing attracts attention like
his highly polished black, blue
and red 1915 Reo (left photo),
reports Dick Hickox, Bow Theatre
at Butte, Mont. Live animals,
soundtrucks, giveaways,
costumed ballyhoos can't equal
it, he says. A doorman is pictured
in striped jacket with
usherettes ballyhooing "Pete
Kelly's Blues." In right: Bill
Trambukis uses a 1912 Ford
with sign billing as a "vital
member of the cast" of
'Hunter.
PASSES, OLD DISKS OPEN RADIO CHANNEL
FOR PROMOTION OF
THE KENTUCKIAN
Deejay Says Tickets to Good Film Big
Drawing Card on Any Disk Show
An old standby—guessing of oldtime
music hits—has been producing results far
greater than its modest cost for the Gopher
Theatre at Minneapolis. The gimmick was
used by Ed Linder, who recently resigned
as manager of the Gopher to join the new
ORBO Theatres Corp. of Rockville, Md., in
cooperation with local disk jockeys.
"Again I would like to thank you for the
dozen passes you sent me to give away on
my show here at WTCN," Larry Fischer,
deejay, wrote in a recent letter to Linder.
"The number of phone calls was terrific. I
believe the Gopher Theatre received a tremendous
amount of publicity on 'The Kentuckian'
as a result of your donating these
passes. The stunt certainly helped my
audience rating because our new switchboard
lit up like a Christmas tree when we
asked for correct answers to the old record
question.
Our 31 Years In Theatre Advertising Assures the
ExhibUorof^^alH-y!
PORTHOLE
THEATRE ADVERTISERS
BOX 795 OMAHA, NEBRASKA
BLOWERS
Should be considered as standard booth equipment.
Help protect valuable coated lenses and other
expensive equipment. Keep out dust, rain, bugs
and other foreign particles. Help evhautt heat
and dirt.
EASY TO INSTALL PRICED RIGHT
DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. 5 J 5
""VVil "m"*
"I hope we can have more of these contests
in the future. Passes to a good motion
picture are a big drawing card on any disk
show. Thanks for your cooperation. Let's
do it again."
Linder supplied the disk jockeys of the
other stations, WMIN, WLOL and KSTP,
wilh guest tickets and received gratis playing
of "The Kentuckian" tune.
Showman Linder rented three burros
. . cause I'm
small breed, three to four feet high I
and had three boys lead them around town
with signs, "I'm just an ass .
the only one who hasn't seen Burt Lancaster
as the Kentuckian . at the
Gopher Theatre."
The Minneapolis Film Delivery Service
trucks and the fleet of the Suburban Cab
Co. carried banners and bumper strips in
advance and current.
A total of 20 displays, including two
bookmobiles, were set up with the public
library system calling attention to the film
and the book. A six-sheet, cut down from a
24-sheet, was hung in the rear of the
orchestra several weeks in advance. It was
placed outside on the front during the run,
where its massive appearance was very
effective in selling the action angle.
The Coral Records deal was very productive,
accounting for 26 special window displays,
including exceptional ones in the
big Dayton's department store and in the
Melody Music Shop.
The punchy pressbook ads, including one
of six columns, were used in the newspapers.
The film ran three weeks.
Lifesavers to 5,000
During the showing of "Summertime,"
John Petroski of the Garde in New London.
Conn., distributed 5.000 Lifesaver candy
samples which he had promoted. A lobby
sign read. "It's a 'Summertime' pleasure
have a Lifesaver!"
— 316 —
Borgnine's Old School Is
Tie-In in Hartford Area
The fact that Ernest Borgnine, star of
"Marty," had studied art at the Randall
School of Dramatic Arts in Hartford, Conn.,
gave rise to some exploitation possibilities
which an alert Hartford exhibitor used to
good advantage. Lou Cohen of Loew's Poli
got lots of local mentions for "Marty" in
the newspapers, trading on the "old school
tie." Times amusement editor Allen M.
Widem gave the item several paragraphs
At Cohen's request, Paul Amadeo, who is
general manager of the Turnpike Theatre
Corp. of Newington, Conn., drew a caricature
of Borgnine that received wide publicity.
It was explained that Amadeo had
been a student with Borgnine at the same
art school some years ago.
Chance on Car Presented
On Each Visit to Drive-In
A Jalopy night promotion was staged by
H. D. Jeffrys, manager of the Car View
Drive-In in Louisburg, N. C, with the prize
being a 1948 Chevrolet convertible, awarded
by courtesy of the C&B Buick Co. A special
program turned out by Jeffrys called
attention to the giveaway, explaining that
every time a patron visited the drive-in in
advance of the drawing, he'd get a free
ticket toward it.
"Yes, you, too, can be a proud two-car
owner," was the appeal made by copy.
Ray McNamara of the Allyn in Hartford,
Conn., invited local police detectives to a
screening of "The Phenix City Story."
Sortilege
Displays
Back 'Glory' Dates
Beginning: next month and continuing
through its Christmas-time release,
"Glory" will be backed by displays of
Sortilege perfume in an estimated 2,000
store windows around the country, Walter
Branson, RKO worldwide sales manager,
has reported. Leading drug, department
and women's stores will participate
in the promotion, with each
display having a photograph of Margaret
O'Brien as its keystone.
BOXOFFICE Showmcmdiser :: October 8, 1955

—
...
Se
For
•s^ngJr'croXds 8 NOT AS A STRANGER TITLE CONTINUES
M TO BE STURDY PEG FOR PROMOTIONS
C --NOf'AS AST»AW
Ralph Goldberg got a lot of mileage— in
more ways than just actual miles—when
he chartered a bus in conjunction wiih the
presentation of "Not As a Stranger" at six
theatres in Omaha, Neb., and Council
Bluffs. Iowa.
He not only gained in boxoffice receipts
by transporting patrons to spots where
seats were available, but he also got in a
week of good advertising before the picture
was running by displaying the bus in front
of his theatres. He also gained customer
goodwill with the extra service.
The owner of Ralph Goldberg Theatres
the downtown State and neighborhood
Dundee, Avenue, Military and Ames in
Omaha and the Broadway in Council Bluffs
—realized he would have turnaway crowds
at some spots and probably some available
seats at others. He chartered a bus and
put it into action a week before the film
appeared, having it tour around town and
park in front of the six theatres at various
times.
The State had an overflow crowd the
first night, as did the Dundee. Actually.
Goldberg had few extra spots at any of the
theatres, but the 60-passenger air conditioned
bus carried a large number of patrons
to theatres where they were able to
see the show. The bus got a workout
throughout the week that the film appeared
at the six places.
Film
Name Keys Merchants Ads, Stork Race
and Welcome Programs
Campaigns for "Not As a Stranger" continue
to take advantage of the book and
music tie-ins, medical setting and, above
all, the ease with which the title can be
adapted to many a play on words.
Tony Masella, manager of the Palace in
Meriden, Conn., set up his campaign along
all three lines. He made up 50 special
window posters with the copy: "Welcome
to Our Town! Not As a Stranger. Greetings
from the great movie, etc." These
were placed in windows and on counters
in centrally located stores, as well as on
several telegraph polls where traffic was
heaviest.
Further using the title theme, Masella
promoted from local merchants a full page
of co-ops which ran in both the morning
and evening papers. The top streamer on
each page read: "Shop in Meriden Always,
Where You're Treated As a Friend, Not As
a Stranger. See 'Not As a Stranger' now
playing, etc."
Two similar full pages were promoted
from the largest supermarket in town,
which ran similar lead-in copy. Thus, a
total of four co-op pages plugging the Poli
Palace playdates were garnered. The
supermarket also came through with 2,000
paper bags in two sizes, overprinted with
the theatre copy. "Via this medium,"
Masella reported, "we got right into many
of the homes in town."
Still another play on words was used.
Masella promoted a "Little Stranger" contest
in the Meriden Journal whereby the
first "little stranger" born on the opening
day of the picture was awarded a $25 savings
bond and promoted gifts. This contest
resulted in three excellent breaks with art
and photos, and plenty of goodwill and
wonderful publicity for the film. The story
of the actual award, when it broke, was
treated as front-page news by the Journal.
A specialty shop arranged a window
display with a poster reading, "For that
'little stranger,' always shop, etc."
Other window display cards with proper
copy and stills were placed in the public
library, a book store, music store, women's
clothing shop, paint shop and supermarket.
Masella mailed postcards to every doctor
in Meriden, Wallingford and Southington
a week in advance. The student nurses at
Meriden Hospital were invited in a body
to
see the film on opening night.
The theatre, in addition to going along
on music shop tie-ins, played the recording
of "Not As a Stranger" daily well in advance
at intermissions and exits with special
announcements over the stage public
address system.
Promotions based on the fact that the
book was a best-seller included the dis-
. .
tribution of 1,000 bookmarks which stated,
in part, "Stands alone! First as a book .
now as a motion picture!" These were
given out at the public library, its branch
office and in book stores. A huge replica
of the novel was placed on a dolly and
pulled throughout the central part of town
by a young man.
Some 500 trick teaser cards were distributed
to teenagers. The cards were split
into two groups, pink halves for girls and
blue for boys. Both sets were numbered,
and the couples who presented matching
numbered cards were admitted free. It
was a takeoff on an old gag, but, according
to Masella, the stunt resulted in a lot of
phone calls and inquiries. The matching
number possibilities were limited to about
10 per cent of the total distribution.
Special 30x40 and 40x60 displays were
placed in eye-catching spots throughout the
theatre well in advance. The back counter
of the candy stand also was utilized for a
display. A transparent display piece was
placed in the opening of the fireplace located
in the rear of the orchestra, for a
"terrific eye-catcher."
Before the regular trailer, Masella hit
the patrons with the specially narrated
Stanley Kramer trailer supplied via United
Artists. A special Kramer interview, used
on radio station WMMW, also helped. The
station also played the "Not As a Stranger"
recordings quite often, and, on the regular
weekly quiz contest to which the Poli
Palace always donates guest tickets, the
film was well played up.
Both the Record and the Journal used
art and special stories planted by Masella.
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Another theatre which used the "Welcome, Not
As o Stronger" approach in its buildup for the
film was the Paramount in Denver, which tied
in with a roving reporter radio show and a
citywidc welcoming program. Manager Joe
Achuleta rates the kudos for this.
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :
: October
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BOXOFFICE
BAROMETER
This chart records the performance of current attractions in the opening week of their first runs in
the 20 key cities checked. Pictures with fewer than five engagements are not listed. As new runs
are reported, ratings are added and averages revised. Computation is in terms of percentage in
relation to normal grosses as determined by the theatre managers. With 100 per cent as "normal,"
the figures show the gross rating above or below that mark.
| Annapurna (Mayer-Kingsley)
80 100 90 100 90 110 75 90 70 100 110 !)() 92

NEWS AND VIEWS THE PRC >U< CENTER
(Hollvwood Office— Suite 219 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd.: Ivan Spear. Western Manager/
Honor Guard for 'Heir
Ai Wiliern Tuesday
HOLLYWOOD— Already playing first runs
in key cities throughout the country, including
New York, where it opened recently at the
Capitol. TJ-I's "To Hell and Back." in which
Audie Murphy enacts his own life story, will be
given a red-carpet premiere here Tuesday
(11) at the Stanley Warner Wiltern Theatre.
First-nighters will include Murphy himself as
well as ranking military officers in the Sixth
Army area. There will be a 30-man guard of
honor from the 47th anti-aircraft brigade.
Mayor Robert F. Wagner of New York joined
Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Martha
Scott and other celebrities and civic and
business leaders at the Wednesday (5) world
premiere of Paramount's "The Desperate
Hours," starring Bogart, Miss Scott and Fredric
March, at Gotham's Criterion Theatre.
Also attending the opening of the William
Wyler production was Joseph Hayes, who
authored the best-seller, stage play and film.
Earlier, Paramount staged the world premiere
of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Trouble
With Harry" on September 30 at the Paramount
in Barre, Vt., with proceeds going to
New England flood relief. Hitchcock and
Shirley MacLaine, femme star of the opus,
made personal appearances.
• * *
MGM held a special showing of "Invitation
to the Dance" at the Culver City studio
Monday (3) for some 200 UCLA drama students
and 15 professors. Arthur Freed, who
produced the Gene Kelly starrer, was host
and moderator at an open discussion on motion
picture techiniques.
• • •
Toplining players in the cast of Bel-Air
Productions' "Desert Sands" and "Fort Yuma"
made personal appearances Wednesday (5)
at the Los Angeles, Uptown and Loyola theatres
when the two features, made for United
Artists release, began a multiple-theatre local
booking. Doing the pa stints were Maria
English, Peter Graves, John Smith, Joan
Vohs, Joan Taylor. Ron Randell, John Hudson,
Abel Hernandez, William Phillips and
Keith Larsen. They were dinner guests of
Edwin F. Zabel, Fox West Coast circuit general
manager, before the opening.
Linda Darnell to Gems
HOLLYWOOD—Marking her video film
debut, Linda Darnell was inked by Screen
Gems, Columbia's TV subsidiary, for the title
role in "My Name Ls Sally Roberts," a
chapter in the Falstaff Celebrity Playhouse
series being produced by David Stephenson.
BOXOFFICE October 8, 1955
Ray Burr, Lester Salkow
Form Bursal Company
HOLLYWOOD—Actor Raymond Burr and
agent Lester Salkow are forming Bursal Productions,
to produce three independent pictures
starring Burr. Trio of films, all based
on original stories by Burr, are "Listen,
World," to be filmed in Korea; "The Black
Wind" and "The Day the Sky Went Out of
Its Mind."
Burr, who has just wound up the male lead
in Gross-Krasne's "Please Murder Me," planed
out for Chicago and New York to discuss
financing for the program with midwestern
and eastern interests.
Big Festival Project
Moves Step Forward
HOLLYWOOD—Preliminary plans for a
long-range exploratory program for the creation
of a Hollywood Film Festival were discussed
at a Monday (3) meeting of representatives
of the Motion Picture Industry
Council and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
An MPIC spokesman emphasized that
no set deadline has been established for the
event, but that it is hoped it can materialize
late in 1956 or early in 1957.
On hand at the parley were such industry
figures as Samuel G. Engel, 20th-Fox filmmaker
and president of the Screen Producers
Guild; Steve Broidy, president of Allied Artists,
and AA Producer Walter Wanger, as
well as actor William Holden.
Both the MPIC and Chamber of Commerce
will undertake surveys to determine what
cooperation can be expected from film studios,
crafts and organizations, civic and business
groups, and will investigate all facets
of the proposed project. The festival agenda
would include seminars, panel discussions and
screenings of representative motion pictures
from all over the world.
Another discussion meeting is tentatively
planned to be held next week.
Baxter & Birdwell Team
To Screen 'The Come On'
HOLLYWOOD—Anne Baxter has been
signed to star in and Russell Birdwell to
direct "The Come On," a Lindsley Parsons
production for Allied Artists. The suspense
drama is slated for a Monday (10) camera
start and is based on a novel by Whitman
Chambers, scripted by Warren Douglas.
It marks Birdwell's return to the megging
field, in which he was active some years ago
before becoming a public relations and
publicity counselor.
No Producer Answer
For Star Shortage
HOLLYWOOD—Supply and demand, as exemplified
by TV's competitive bidding for
acting talent, is responsible for soaring wages
and scarcity of top stellar names, and the
development of new faces to replace them is
blocked by opposition from banking interests,
major distributor sales departments and exhibition
segments. Such was the consensus
arrived at at the Screen Producers Guild
roundtable luncheon Monday. "Breaking
Through the Casting Barrier" was the subject.
On hand to voice their respective thinking
on the problem were filmmakers William H.
Wright, Charles Schneer, David Weisbart,
William C. Thomas, Frank P. Rosenberg and
Jerry Bresler, acting as hosts to trade and
lay press representatives. They came up with
no solution to the industry's casting problems
but agreed that "boxoffice insurance"
through the employment of established
thespian names is frequently illusory, inasmuch
as story and production values are of
more importance in determining a picture's
fiscal success or failure.
There was some lamentation over acting
stars' demands for top salaries and storydirector
supervision, and it was agreed that
if talent prices cannot be met other costs
must be reduced.
Higher Ascap Net Seen
For Last Quarter of '55
HOLLYWOOD—Because overhead has been
reduced and income continues at the same
level, larger royalties can be expected during
1955's final quarter, it was declared by Stanley
Adams, Ascap president, at the recent
semiannual dinner meeting of west coast
members. The affair, of which L. Wolfe
Gilbert was master of ceremonies, was attended
by more than 500 Ascap members, including
George Hoffman, controller; George
Meyer, chairman of the executive committee;
Herman Starr, head of the finance committee.
Adams disclosed that he and Hoffman, accompanied
by J. M. Collins, sales chief,
would undertake a tour of key-city radio and
TV stations to discuss Ascap licensing.
* » •
Publicists Ass'n, Local 818, IATSE, admitted
20 new members at its last regular membership
session.
To Do Two More for MGM
HOLLYWOOD—Now piloting "Gaby," the
Leslie Caron vehicle, Curtis Bernhardt has
been ticketed by MGM to direct two more
pictures during the coming year.
35

STUDIO PERSONNEUTIES
Barnstormers
Allied Artists
JOHN ERICSON, title-roler in "The Return of Jock
Slade," made a personal appearance in Detroit
Wednesday (5) in connection with the opening of
the picture at the Broadway-Capitol Theatre.
Columbia
BETTY GARRETT, who stars with Janet Leigh and
Jack Lemmon in the CinemaScope-Technicolor
musical version of "My Sister Eileen," will open a
personal appearance tour with the picture at the
Chicago Theatre, Chicago, Monday {10). Subsequent
dates include Cincinnati, Buffalo, Minneapolis, St.
Paul, Detroit, Toledo and Cleveland.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
GEORGE MURPHY, veteran actor and head of the
studio's public relations, returned from an appearonce
as guest of honor at the University of Michigan's
J 00th anniversary celebration in Lansing.
Blurbers
Independent
TED LOEFF, executive vice-president of the Rogers
& Cowan praisery, took off on a three-week trip to
Europe for conferences with the firm's various clients
in London, Paris and Rome.
Cleffers
Allied Artists
PAUL FRANCIS WEBSTER was inked to write the
lyrics for three songs to be featured in "The Friendly
Persuasion."
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
CHARLES WOLCOTT was assigned as musical director
on "Gaby."
Universal-International
Original music for inclusion in the background
score for "The Benny Goodman Story" is being composed
by HENRY MANCINI.
Warner Bros.
ROY WEBB is scoring "Our Miss Brooks."
Meggers
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
VINCENTE MINNELLI was handed the directorial
reins on the upcoming Pondro S. Berman production,
"Tea and Sympathy," which will star Deborah Kerr
and John Kerr.
£-xecufaxe
East: William Dozier, in charge of CBS-TV
network programming, headed for Europe on
a three-week tour to scout new writers and
literary material.
* * •
West: Alfred E. Daff, U-I's executive vicepresident,
planed in from Manhattan for
studio huddles. Also checking in at U-I was
Charles Stineford, studio treasurer, who had
been in home office parleys for two weeks.
* # *
West: Lawrence Weingarten, MGM producer,
returned from New York after attending
the eastern preview of his latest film,
"The Tender Trap."
* • •
West: John Houseman, MGM producer, returned
to his studio desk after spending ten
weeks in France, Holland and Belgium on
location with the Kirk Douglas-Anthony
Quinn vehicle. "Lust for Life." Meantime
Kenneth MacKenna, studio executive and
head of the story department, was planning
a Monday C10) departure for London on a
Options
Allied Artists
JEFF MORROW was set for a top role in "The First
Texan." WALLACE FORD was signed for a top
character role in the Joel McCrea starrer, which will
be produced in CinemaScope and color by Walter
Mirisch. Byron Haskin is the director.
Independent
KENT TAYLOR, CATHY DOWNS and MICHAEL
WHALEN drew the leads in "Phantom From 10,000
Leagues," science-fiction horror drama being megged
by Dan Milner and produced by Jack Milner. It is for
distribution by American Releasing Corp.
Walt Disney's Buena Vista Productions booked
HARRY CAREY JR. for a role with Fess Parker and
Jeff Hunter in "The Great Locomotive Chase." It
is being megged by Francis D. Lyon in Cinema-
Scope and Technicolor.
MARSHALL THOMPSON has signed a five year
contract with Dudley Pictures Corp. under which his
first starring assignments will be "Assignment Nairobi"
and "Assignment Congo." Both films will be produced
in Africa by Richard Goldstone and directed by
Arnold Belgard.
JESS BARKER has been signed for a featured role
in "The Peacemaker," Hal R. Makelim production
which stars James Mitchell and Rosemarie Bowe. Ted
Post directs.
Metro-Goldwyn-MaYer
MARLENE DIETRICH, PIER ANGELI and JIMMY
DURANTE were set as "surprise guests" in Producer
Joe Pasternak's CinemaScope musical, "Meet Me in
Las Vegas." Starring Dan Dai ley and Cyd Charisse,
the tunefilm is being megged by Roy Rowland.
20th Century-Fox
Stage actress TERRY SAUNDERS will repeat her
Broadway role in the film version of "The King and
I," the Charles Brackett production, which stars
Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner and will be directed
by Walter Lang.
United Artists
WILL WRIGHT was signed for a character role in
producer-director Otto Preminger's "The Man With
the Golden Arm," which stars Frank Sinatra, Eleanor
Parker and Kim Novak.
Be I -Air Productions, headed by Aubrey Schenck
and Howard W. Koch, booked BILL WILLIAMS for
a stellar role with Howard Duff and Lita Baron in
"The Broken Star," which is being megged by Lesley
Selander.
Universal-Intern otional
REX INGRAM, noted Negro actor, was inked for
a featured role with Virginia Mayo, George Nader
and Peter Lorre in the Technicolor adventure drama,
^baae/eld
three-week search for literary material.
* * *
East: Loren L. Ryder, head of engineering
and recording at the Paramount studio, took
off for Lake Placid, N. Y., to attend the semiannual
Society of Motion Picture and Television
Engineers convention.
* * *
West: Edward Muhl. U-I vice-president
and production chief, and producer Aaron
Rosenberg planed in from Manhattan after
a week of veiwing the new Broadway shows
and meeting with home office executives.
* * *
West: Walter Wanger, Allied Artists producer,
returned from a business junket to
New York. He was accompanied on the trip
by his actress-wife, Joan Bennett.
* * *
West: Douglas Sirk, U-I megaphonist, and
Gilbert Kurland, production manager, returned
from a location-scouting junket to
Korea on behalf of the upcoming "Battle
Hymn." which Sirk will direct for producer
Ross Hunter.
"Congo Crossing." It is being megged by Joseph
Pevney for Producer Howard Christie.
Scripters
Independent
MEYER DOLINSKY is penning "Piazza" for production
by Harry Tatelman, who plans to film it in
Rome.
Story Buys
Independent
Cornel Wilde has purchased "Comeback," an
original story by James Edmiston, for filming by
Theodora Productions, which is owned by Wilde and
his wife, Jean Wallace. Edmiston has also been
signed to write the screenplay. The property, which
will star Wilde, concerns the rise and fall of a major
industrialist and will be put into production in 1956.
For filming under the banner of his own newly
formed unit, actor Audie Murphy purchased "Survival,"
an original by Fred Banker, dealing with the
survival school at Stead Air Force base in Nevada.
Technically
Allied Artists
Producer-director Josef Shaftel set RUDI FELD as
art director and GENE FOWLER JR. as film editor
on "The Four Seasons."
Set as first assistant director on "The First Texan"
was EDWARD MOREY JR.
Independent
ALFRED GILKS was set as cinematographer on
the Woolner Bros, production, "Swamp Women."
Warner Bros.
RUSTY MEEK was set as assistant director on "The
Bad Seed."
Fox Intermouniain
Promotions Made
DENVER— Six important executive changes
for Fox Intermountain Theatres were announced
this week by Robert W. Selig, division
manager for Fox Intermountain.
Among these is the announcement of a new
film buyer for the large theatre chain.
William Agren, heading the booking department,
has been promoted to the post of
film buyer for the Intermountain division
of National Theatres, Selig said. Agren joined
the Intermountain group in 1929 as southern
district booker.
Si Sanders will succeed Agren as head of
the northern district booking department.
Sanders has been a member of the organization
for 26 years.
Henry C. Fischer replaces Sanders as booker
for the southern district. Fischer has been
head of the film statistical department for
the last six years.
Tony Ceranich, recently with the Fox West
Coast Theatres, has been promoted to the
position of head of the film statistical department.
He has been assistant to Fischer.
The Intermountain division manager also
named Warren Beier as special assistant to
M. C. Glatz in the construction detail for the
large chain. Beier has had seven and a half
years experience as an engineer and planning
supervisor with the Sturgeon Electrical Co.
in Denver.
Albert Hopkinson, another film business
veteran, joins Fox Intermountain as assistant
to Ralph Pizza in the Salt Lake booking department.
Hopkinson recently was associated
with the Joseph K. Lawrence Theatres in Salt
Lake as head booker.
During his 25 years with Fox Theatres.
William Agren was a booker in the northern
territory and city district as well as the more
recent assignment in the northern district.
Previous to his association with Intermountain,
Agren was with the old FBO organization
which later became RKO.
36 BOXOFFICE :
: October
8, 1955

Stars, Press Preview
SDG Video Iniiialer
HOLLYWOOD—Preceding Its Wednesday
(5i bow on NBC-TV, "Meet the Governor."
first entry in the new Screen Directors Playhouse
anthology series, was unfurled for the
press the previous evening at a preview and
buffet supper at the SDG headquarters. Directed
by Leo McCarey from his own screenplay,
and starring Herb Shriner and Barbara
Hale, the half-hour subject is the initialer
in a series being produced for the megaphonists'
organization by Hal Roach jr. for Eastman
Kodak sponsorship. Six other 30-minute
programs have been completed.
Guests at the preview included Tyrone
Power, James Mason. Lynn Bari, Alan Young.
Don DeFore, Robert Cummings, William
Bendix, Tony Martin, Cyd Charisse, Zsa Zsa
Gabor. Ann Blyth. Joan Fontaine, Marge and
Gower Champion, Martha Hyer, Eva Gabor.
Diana Lynn and Claire Trevor.
• • »
Acting on the recommendation of the
executive board of the radio writers' branch,
the council of Writers Guild of America,
West, has appointed a committee to investigate
the possibility of combining the radio
and TV segments into a single unit. The proposed
merger, it is claimed, would result in
administrative economies and more efficient
operation under one panel of officers.
Statistics compiled by the radio board indicate
that 73 per cent of its membership
currently derives at least a part of its income
from either TV or motion pictures, while
only one-sixth is active in radio alone. Any
recommendations by the investigating committee
will be studied and passed on to the
natonal council of WGA. East and West.
Meantime WGA scheduled a special meeting
of members of its video branch for Friday
to seek authority for "any necessary action"
to spur progress in current negotiations
with the networks on a TV film contract.
A similar meeting of the eastern
branch was slated for the same day.
The bargaining parleys, which began early
in September, were halted later that month
when network representatives informed they
had to confer with their top echelon executives
and suggested the negotiations be resumed
this month. Writers were to be asked
at the meeting to approve such action as
withholding "material and services" from the
nets, and will be requested to okay a series
of demands on the major studios for a new
film TV pact to replace the present one,
which expires in November.
• • *
Problems facing present-day video advertisers
were discussed by two Young & Rubicam
agency executives at an off-the-record
talk attended by some 400 members of the
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Speaking for Y&R were Nat Wolff and Rod
Erickson, vice-presidents, who pointed up the
fact that ad agencies are not primarily interested
in entertainment in its aesthetic
sense, but more so in programs w-hich have
the highest audience-viewing rating.
• • •
Milton Berle has inked Ann Sothern to
star with him on the second show of his new
season, which will be telecast Tuesday fl8)
by NBC-TV in both color and black-andwhite.
He is committed to do 13 shows this
season, scheduled for every third Tuesday.
THERE
seems to be more than a little
bit of sour grapes in the squawk attributed
to producer Paul Gregory in
recent communiques from Manhattan. Those
printed yarns from the east reported that
Gregory is "miffed" at the manner in which
United Artists is handling the distribution
of "Night of the Hunter," his first film effort,
which he purportedly asserted isn't being
given the same degree of attention as
is Stanley Kramer's "Not As a Stranger."
The gist of Gregory's beef apparently Is
his assertion that UA has unloosened a
vastly more generous bankroll to advertize,
publicize and generally exploit the Kramer
opus than is the case with his own "Hunter,"
even though the latter cost approximately
one-third as much to make.
The fact that Robert Mitchum is starred
in both features accentuates the hard-loser
facets of the Gregorian plaint.
There are fewer, if any, shrewder distributors
and exploiteers in the business than the
men—such as Robert Benjamin, Arthur Krim
and Max Youngstein—who are currently
piloting UA's profit-laden course. Smart
showmen, they are quick to recognize when
they hold a winner and to bet their promotional
pile on it. By the same token, they
sense when they have to play 'em close to
their executive vests. And, above all, they've
learned that it is the ticket-buying public
that determines what is a winner and what
is a loser.
Whether it stemmed from the agile
activities of Samuel Goldwyn's publicists or
from the tubthumpers for Las Vegas' Sahara
hotel is of little importance. But bearing the
indelible stamp of blatant press agentry was
the yarn printed by a local tradepaper to the
effect that the management of that bistro
had wired Goldwyn an offer of a $50,000
guarantee for a one-week booking of the
producer's upcoming musical, "Guys and
Dolls."
One might list a dozen reasons why the
idea is impractical and probably will never
materialize. Not the least of these is the
fact that the Goldwyn opus is being distributed
by MGM, and shrewd Leo isn't apt
to jeopardize theatremen's goodwill by establishing
a precedent of exhibiting films in
niteries.
From Allied Artists' adjective agitators, a
Purple Heart tidbit about Dorothy McGuire,
co-starring with Gary Cooper in "The
Friendly Persuasion." The actress, it seems,
w orks through a long sequence over a woodburning
stove and "has been learning to lay
r
and light a fire in and cook on one of the
ancient combustibles in 100-degree weather."
That's cruel and inhuman treatment—to
ask a gal to labor over a hot cook stove for
a mere pittance of several hundreds of dollars
a week.
The freelance publicity firm of Compton
and Cornell hit upon a surefire device for
making tradepaper publishers drool. In a
recent handout, C. & O. claimed a client, the
Make-Up Artists, Hair Stylists and Body
Make-Up Artists, "has had to call off its
member ad-sellers and lock up its program
for the Third Annual Deb Dinner . . . Business
was just too good." Although originally
scheduled for 100 pages of advertising, this
quantity asscrtedly grew to 125 pages—and
"we had to shut down before the program
began to look like a Sears-Roebuck catalog."
Should the makeup craftsmen ever tire
of daubing faces, they'll have no trouble finding
jobs as ad salesmen. And it is unconditionally
guaranteed that they'll never encounter
an over-production problem.
Seldom, if ever, has a credit sheet carried
more details than that distributed to Hollywood
reviewers at the press preview of
United Artists' "Gentlemen Marry Brunettes."
Presumably prepared by Languid Leon Roth,
UA's west coast publicity major domo, and/or
Breezy Bill Blowitz, of the freelance flackery
of Blowitz-Maskel—which lists among its
clients Robert Bassler. executive producer of
the picture—the symposium of efforts listed
everyone who had even the most insignificant
connection with the movie's fabrication.
Only intelligence that was overlooked was
the fact that the opus boasted Cinemascope
and Technicolor—which, to the apple-polishing
press agents, is of minor importance so
long as the breathless film appraisers are
informed as to who selected the shoelaces.
A modesty note from Teet Carle's Paramount
praisery claims that Burt Lancaster,
profiled in a Cosmopolitan magazine article,
is quoted as saying that his role opposite
Anna Magnani in the Hal Wallis production,
"The Rose Tattoo," is "the best thing I've
ever done."
For a man who produces, directs and stars
in his own pictures (Hecht-Lancaster Productions),
that's considerable of a statement—even
if true.
At hand from the aforementioned Blowitz
blurbery a press-stopping item informing
that, while stuntman Boyd Stockman was on
location in Mexico with producer Carl
Krueger's "Comanche," he was felled by a
"flint-tipped arrow" presumably dispatched
by a "mysterious assailant," possibly a member
of the ".still wild Huichole Indian tribe."
Shucks, Breezy Bill has been shooting arrows
into the air for lo! these many years.
BOXOFFICE :
: October
8, 1955
37

. . Hugh
. . Sojourning
. . Don
. . Charles
. . Mr.
LOS ANGELES
IJaving recently returned from a division
managers' meeting in Chicago, H. Neal
East, Paramount's western sales chief, took
off for branch conferences in Denver and
Salt Lake City. The journey marks his last
trip to those cities in an official capacity,
inasmuch as they have been transferred to
the newly created Rocky Mountain sales division.
The Crestline Theatre in Crestline, mountain
resort near here, has switched from fulltime
to Friday-Saturday operations now that
summer has ended. The showcase is managed
by Ray and Frances Hoffman and Anita
Meltabarger . . . Bill Gohl has been appointed
manager of the Sierra in San Fernando by
Lou Kane of Sunset Theatres. Sunset also
operates the Town in San Fernando.
.
. . .
An automobile accident brought death to
Florence Jackson Lynch, manager of the
Lake at Lake Elsinore, which is owned by Ed
Patterson Braley, western division
sales chief for Distributors Corp. of America,
returned from a two-week trek to San
Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Denver and Salt
Lake City to confer with DCA franchise
holders Gladys Collins is the new
secretary at Roy Dickson's independent booking
office.
.
. . . Jim
Resigning as office manager and cashier at
Paramount, Ken Derby has joined Sero
Amusement Enterprises as booker and film
buyer. He was replaced at Paramount by
Howard Woolfan in Santa
Barbara was Bob Dunnagan, who has turned
over the operation of his Hub and the Rancho
Verde Drive-In in Blyth to his sons
Schiller, Allied Artists exploiteer, took off for
San Francisco.
.
Booking-buying visitors included Roy
Lemucchi, in from the Bakersfield-Arvin-
Oildale area, and Evart Cummings, theatre
operator in Downey . Hammer, former
Denver exhibitor, has established residence
here and is embarking on an independent
distribution venture Kranz of
the Kranz-Levin exchange checked in from
an 8,100-mile airplane tour of U. S. . Alex
. .
Cooperman, IFE division manager, headed
out for Denver, thence to Tucson, on business.
A recent blaze damaged the Dale Theatre
in Eagle Rock so badly that owner Bill
. . .
Jenkins has decided not to rebuild, at least
for the time being. He took over the showcase
some time ago from Kurt and Max Laemmle
Herb Turpie, the Manley popcorn man,
returned from a San Francisco junket . . .
Ralph Clark, United Artists district chief,
was on hand from San Francisco to meet Jim
Velde, western division manager, when the
latter arrived from New York for conferences.
Ralph Carmichael, for several years an independent
booker-buyer, has joined the
Stanley Warner circuit in a film buying
capacity, replacing Leo Miller, resigned . . .
Jack Lowenbeing has redecorated his Rio in
San Diego, installed a new screen and sound
equipment, and renamed the showcase the
Academy . and Mrs. Dallas Day—he
manages the Prince Drive-In in Tucson—are
the parents of a baby boy.
. . Al
Discharged from the army after a hitch of
several years, Ken McKaig has joined the
local Republic sales force. He was at one
time a United Artists salesman here . . .
Oliver Ammons has sold his Beaumont Theatre
in Beaumont to Robert Boomer .
Blumberg, National Screen Service salesman,
checked in after a swing through the Arizona
Harry Nace jr. and Vince
territory . . .
Murphy of the Nace circuit in Phoenix returned
to their headquarters following a trip
to New York.
Blake Warwick-Owensmith
Feted by Producers Group
HOLLYWOOD—As a testimonial to his
eight years of service as west coast representative
of the Motion Picture Ass'n of
America's Canadian cooperation project, a
post from which he recently resigned, Blake
Warwick-Owensmith was guest of honor Tuesday
(4) at a luncheon tendered by the international
committee of the Ass'n of Motion
Picture Producers.
Joining in the tribute were Alfred Corwln,
of the Motion Picture Export Ass'n's public
relations staff, who succeeds him in the
berth; Y. Frank Freeman, AMPP board
chairman; John J. Fitzgibbons, president of
Famous Players Canadian, and Leslie Chance,
Canadian consul-general.
VOTE YOUR AUDIENCE AWARDS
BALLOTS.
HANDY

. . M.
. . Hollywood
. . Eddie
. . Duke
. . Page
. . Hargis
. . Dorothy
. . Art
. . Harmon
SAN FRANCISCO More Than 100 Attend
peek Felizianl. genial manager of the Strand
Theatre here, was reminiscing the other
day and came up with these pertinent facts
He got his start in the field in 1932 when he
was employed as a doorman at the Milano,
now the Palace Theatre. He was also once
the manager of the Verdi. Now Reek Is as
well known on Market street as is the marquee
of the Strand . stars visiting
our town recently have included Bette
Davis, who is shooting "The Storm Center"
around Santa Rosa; Stewart Granger and
Jean Simmons, and Bob Hope, here between
stops from here to there . La Montagne.
who features the popular Eddie's Advershows
in local theatres, returned from his
summer vacation cabin at Lake Tahoe. He
is completing booking for his fall shows.
"To Hell and Back," which had a smash
opening at the Golden Gate, had excellent
promotion. A Sixth Army and Third division
display in the lobby featured recruiting
and army information, medals and equipment.
A recruiting truck in front of the
theatre has been bringing in the patrons . . .
Jo DeVictoria, publicist for the Golden Gate
Theatre was vacationing . Clark, UA
manager at Dallas, was on Pilmrow . . .
Also along the Row were C. N. Spivey, Porterville
Drive-In; Stanley Court, Court Theatre,
Livingston; Harry Hayashino, Lincoln,
Stockton; Bob Patton, Uptown, Sonora. and
James Stephens, Dixon.
Ralph Clark and Frank Velder, UA executives,
were in town . . . Howard Butler, AA
salesman, returned from a swing through the
territory . . . Robert Bemis installed Cinema-
Scope at the Arena in Point Arena for M. J.
Pelasio . Frick, Strong Electric Co., Toledo,
Ohio, was along the Row.
Max Ratner, Bayshore Theatre, is installing
a new marquee with Adler framing . . .
Anson Longin. along the Row last week, reported
he is installing a new Bodde screen
and Cinemascope at his Guild Theatre in
Sacramento ... It is reported that George
Archibald. Arch Buying and Booking Service,
and Tom Tomlinson, former Buena
Vista representative from Seattle, have left
for Guam to set up a first run booking on
Buena Vista products in that territory.
Archibald is expected to return soon, with
Tomlinson remaining there.
.
. .
William Fox is the new biller at the Warner
exchange . Cap Kannel. booker at Republic,
.
has a new Bel Aire car . . . Francis Bateman,
Republic district manager, visited the
exchange for a few days . Woodside
resigned at Republic as assistant cashier to
accept a position with U-I . The Lindsay
Theatre at Lindsay has been sold by Fox
West Coast circuit to the Westland Theatres.
However, there are no immediate plans for
reopening the house.
.
.
The Melody Theatre, Hiway City, has
been reopened by Calvin A. Clark. The theatre
had been closed since January .
Newton, the new owner of the
.
Fair
John
Oaks
Theatre, took over operation October 1,
from C. J. Remington Arnett.
manager of the Paramount here, has been
transferred to manager at the Downtown
Paramount in Los Angeles .... Harold
Citron, general manager for North Coast
Theatres, conferred with local executives.
FWC Meet in Frisco
SAN FRANCISCO — Evergreen and Fox
West Coast theatres office employes and
managers met at the
Fairmont Hotel here
late in September. Eddie
Zabel, general
manager of Pacific
Coast operations of I
National
Theatre
presided.
The meeting, attended
by more than
100, had a doublebarreled
purpose: to j
review the recent National
Theatres convention
in Colorado
Eddle Zabel
Springs; and to introduce Bill Thedford,
president of Evergreen Theatres, who is
transferring to San Francisco to assume overall
supervision of FWC northern California
theatres together with the northwest operation.
Also introduced was Jim Runte. northern
California manager, who is going to
Seattle to supervise the Evergreen circuit.
Active in meeting events were Elmer Rhoden,
president of National Theatres; Alan
May, treasurer; Russ Brown, publicity and
exploitation director; Stan Brown, research
director, and Andy Krappman, merchandise
chief.
Safety Slogan Contest
Held for School Kids
SACRAMENTO. CALIF. — The Del Paso
Theatre here is sponsoring a Back-to-School
safety slogan contest for children, aimed at
making school students more safety conscious.
Cooperating in the contest are the North
Area public schools. PTA's. Chamber of Commerce
and the North Sacramento Merchants
Ass'n, the fire and police departments and
city
officials.
The contest is divided into two classifications,
one for students up through the fifth
grade and the second for children in the
sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Cash
awards will be given to the five winners in
each class and a trophy will be given to the
home school of the winning slogan. Presentation
of trophies and awards will be made
from the Del Paso stage.
The contest was proposed by Dale Smiley,
manager of the theatre.
Frisco Cinerama Theatre
Starts Charge It Plan
SAN FRANCISCO — The first charge-it
plan in theatre business has been announced
by the Orpheum, now showing "Cinerama
Holiday." Arrangements have been made between
Trip-Charge and the Stanley Warner
Cinerama Corp. whereby any person holding
a major gasoline or air travel charge card,
American Credit Corp. Travelcard, Chekard
or Trip-Charge card, may now walk up to a
Cinerama theatre in the United States and
Canada and charge his admission.
According to a spokesman for the Orpheum,
this is the first charge system of such scope
ever introduced into the theatre ticket field.
SEATTLE
Cmall theatres are gradually converting to
wide-screens to accommodate Cinemascope
productions. A new Walker screen has been
installed in the Vista Theatre at Everson,
owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Green. It was
sold by John Riley of National Theatre Supply
... In another NTS installation. Bill
Stahl. who recently attended the Independent
Theatre Owner's convention at Missoula,
Mont., installed Ultra Panatar lenses for
widescreen at the Wallace (Ida.) Drive-In. a
Simon Amusement Co. operation.
.
Itoli Swanson has taken over as head
booker and office manager at Paramount,
replacing Chuck Rosenmeges who moved
to Buena Vista . Matin of Royal
Chrome Furniture Co., left for Chicago w-here
he attended a convention. He was then
joined by Mrs. Matin and they continued on
to Miami where they embarked for a Carribean
cruise Carroll, secretary
from Huntington, W. V, is the new assistant
to Helen Reynolds at Saffles . . . Gordon
Wallinger. AA salesman, returned from
a trip to Spokane.
Northwest Releasing is setting up a first
run campaign for "Simba."
.
A testimonial luncheon was held for William
Thedford Monday i3> at Victor Rosellini's.
Thedford is moving his headquarters
from Seattle to San Francisco where he will
assume the duties of division head for Fox
West Coast northern California division. He
also will continue to serve as president of
Evergreen Aronson, president of
Hollywood Advertising, was in . . . Willard
Coghland, Warner Bros, exploiteer, was
lunching with Clint Weinholt. manager of the
Music Hall, and Cass Smith of Hamrick
Theatres.
Jack Dudman, manager of the Coliseum,
was in Los Angeles on business . . . Allen
Wieder, MGM fieldman, covered Portland
. . . Walter
and the southern Oregon territory
Hoffman, Paramount publicity director, returned
from the Oregon territory where he
worked on "Ulysses."
1117 5. WABASH, CHICAGO -630 NINTH AVE.. NEW YORK
WE CAN SELL YOUR THEATRE
SUBURBAN HOMES CO.
THEATRE SALES DIVISION
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BOXOFFICE October 8, 1955 39

Fletchers Confidence in Future
Wins Warm Support in
KODIAK, ALASKA—The day before the
Orpheum, only theatre in this island town,
inaugurated Cinemascope and VistaVision
showings, 15 local business firms bought
space in the Kodiak Mirror to thank Manager
John W. Fletcher for providing facilities
to show Hollywood's finest productions.
"If we didn't have a good theatre, what
kind of a town would Kodiak be?" queried
the LaLandes Kodiak bakery. "We congratulate
the Orpheum Theatre in bringing greater
enjoyment to Kodiak with Cinemascope and
VistaVision."
The Bank of Kodiak continued the friendly
type of messages found in all of the ads.
"Faith in the future prompted the building
in 1940 of the Orpheum Theatre," read the
bank copy. "A renewed faith recently
prompted the installation of Cinemascope
Our congratulations and best
and VistaVision.
wishes for continued success to John Fletcher
and his associates for furnishing their patrons
with these greatly improved facilities."
The bank supplemented this printed message
by a sign on its own marquee reading
"Kodiak Greets Cinemascope—Thanks to
John." The Alaska Steamship Co., which
serves this remote island community, flew in
a large congratulatory wreath for display on
Kodiak
the Orpheum stage during showing of "Seven
Brides for Seven Brothers," the inaugural
feature, beginning Saturday (2).
"This public backing is very heartwarming,"
said Fletcher, a longtime Alaska
exhibitor. "Our entire staff appears to glow
with pride. And I am justly proud of the
interest and participation of local merchants
in our new installation."
Kodiak, population of 1,710 in the last official
census, relies heavily on the Orpheum
for its entertainment, being beyond range of
most competing mediums, including commercial
TV. However, in 1954, when Fletcher
heard rumors that the Navy was contemplating
setting up an armed forces TV station
at its base seven miles from Kodiak, he
quickly informed BOXOFFICE of the situation
and asked this trade magazine's assistance
in combating competition with a
tax-supported TV station.
BOXOFFICE published Fletcher's letter
in its issue of Nov. 27, 1954, and immediately
charged its Washington correspondents with
getting the facts from the Navy as to the
Kodiak situation.
As a result, service rumors in Kodiak were
quickly discredited. BOXOFFICE correspondents
learned that the Navy had installed
only two such TV stations—one at
Limestone. Me.; the other in the Azores. A
third station, scheduled for Greenland, was
held up by lack of funds. Navy spokesmen
said that if such a station were ever set up
at Kodiak, which was doubtful as so many
other service sites would have higher priority,
the station's low power would restrict its
reception to the naval base itself. The Navy
also said that its policy was to set up such
stations only in spots so remote that the
programs would not compete with local theatres.
BOXOFFICE passed these reassurances
along to Fletcher—and it was this reassurance
that helped to give the Alaskan exhibitor
courage to install latest projection and
sound facilities for his community's benefit.
When Dutch Harbor was bombed in World
War II, Fletcher was mayor of Unalaska,
the harbor's townsite, and operator of the
Cameo Theatre there. During the war he
toured the U. S. in behalf of the war bond
sales under direction of the Treasury department.
Fox Planning Roadshows
Of 'Robe' in 16mm
NEW YORK — Twentieth Century-Fox
plans to roadshow 16mm Cinemascope prints
of "The Robe," according to Lem Jones, short
subjects sales manager. Rentals will be on a
flat basis except in communities lacking theatres,
where there would be percentage and
guarantee deals.
Spring's the time to "spruce up"
...while
record-smashing
special low prices last on
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Thanks to a very special purchase
from Thomas L. Leedom Company,
RCA can now offer limited
quantities of three rich, all-wool
Wilton carpets at drastically reduced
prices. All three lines are
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WESTERN THEATRICAL EQUIPMENT CO.
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40 BOXOFFICE October 8, 1955

. . . Rosie
. . Harry
. . Edna
. .
Drawing to Determine
Denver Prize Winner
DENVER—The area prize committee for
COMPO's Audience Awards poll has decided
to conduct a drawing to give away the prize.
The prize will be a three-bedroom house,
groceries, clothes, car in the garage and other
Items. The committee decided that dozens of
local votes might coincide with the national
results, which was the plan first put forth
to award the prize. Of course, to break
such ties, there would have been the usual
25-words-or-less on "Why I Like Movies." but
the committee did not wish to risk alienating
possible losers from their love of films.
Under the committee's new plan, each
voter in the poll will be given a number in
the drawing, which will be held soon after
the close of the voting. All voters in the
Denver metropolitan area will be eligible for
this area's grand prize.
Spokane's $25,000 Civic
Will Seat 200 Patrons
SPOKANE—The $25,000 Civic Theatre, to
be built this year, will be a timber frame
building seating 200. according to J. T. Peterson,
chairman of construction. A 75-car
parking lot will be at the north side of the
building. Three lots between 26th and 27th
Streets on Ray Street have been purchased
as the building site.
'Spirit of St. Louis' Troupe
Back From Filming Jaunt
HOLLYWOOD—After two months of
filming
in New York, New England, Canada,
Europe and Africa, Warners' "The Spirit of
St. Louis" company, headed by producer
Leland Hayward and director Billy Wilder,
has returned to the Burbank studio.
Portraying Charles A. Lindbergh in the
Cinemascope feature is James Stewart.
To Star in 'Odongo'
HOLLYWOOD—Rhonda Fleming and Macdonald
Carey have been signed by Warwick
Pictures as stars in "Odongo," adventure
drama soon to roll on location in Africa for
Columbia release. John Gilling will direct for
the Warwick unit, headed by Irving Allen
and A. R. Broccoli, from a script by Sigmund
Miller.
Harvey Acquires Motor-In
TULARE. CALIF.—The Harvey Amusement
Co., San Francisco, has bought the
576-car Tulare Motor-In from the Robert
L. Lippert theatre chain, also of San Francisco.
Louis Vaughan, acting manager, was
transferred to Fresno by the Lippert firm
with which he has been associated 18 years.
The Harvey Amusement Co. took over its
new property Saturday .
Paul Bradley Elected
HOLLYWOOD—Paul Bradley has been
elected a vice-president of the Screen Extras
Guild, replacing the late George Barton. Tex
Brodus was elevated from third to second
vice-president and Bradley.was named third
vice-president.
Luckless Holdup Man
Fails Twice in Frisco
San Francisco—Every day and in
every way our theatre cashiers are getting
stronger and stronger—or more experienced.
Recently a would-be thief approached
the cashier at Loew's Warfield
and demanded she fill a paper bag he
held toward her with money. He was told
there wasn't enough money to fill the
bag and he was wasting his time. The
thief walked away, but not before flinging
the cashier a nasty look.
Five minutes later, he appeared before
the cashier at the Alcazar with the same
act. She told him to wait a minute, then
slipped away and notified theatre officials.
The unhappy bandit was caught
by police a few minutes later several
blocks away, his paper bag still empty.
James Bonholzer Is Named
Columbia Basin Manager
MOSES LAKE. WASH—James Bonholzer
is the new general manager of Columbia
Basin Theatres, according to John Lee of
Ephrata, Columbia owner. The Columbia
Basin firm operates three theatres in Moses
Lake, two each in Ephrata and Soap Lake,
and one each in Coulee City, Quincy, Warden
and Othello.
Bonholzer was a theatre manager and
"trouble shooter" ten years for the Sterling
circuit of 30 houses before serving as the
firm's head booker the last five years.
DENVER
T-Jugh Owen, Paramount vice-president, and
Neal East, division manager, were in for
the installation of Phil Isaacs as manager of
the new Rocky Mountain division, which
consists of Denver, Salt Lake City, Omaha
and Des Moines. Isaacs will headquarter at
the exchange here . Charness, of
American Theatre Advertising, was in a hospital
for a checkup, but while he is incapacitated
Mrs. Charness is carrying on and
has set up Hopalong Cassidy bicycle deals in
Great Falls and Butte, Mont., where they are
doing phenomenal business.
.
Jean Gerbase, Toni Medley, Edith Musgrave
and Irene Canino attended the convention
of the Women of the Motion Picture
Industry in New Orleans Ahlers.
Paramount contract clerk, has gone to the
Teton mountains in Wyoming on a vacation
Gertner has been added at Buena
Mike Gieskieng, RCA
Vista as clerk . . .
sound engineer, spent a few days in Camden,
N. J., at RCA factories, and aside from
picking up much new information he also
picked up a new Ford.
. .
Frank Jenkins, MGM publicist, is sporting
a new car. Henry Friedel, manager, also has
a new one . Robert Patrick. Realart salesman,
went to Albuquerque on a sales trip .
Lester Zucker, district manager for Universal,
and Foster Blake, division manager, were in
calling on accounts and conferring with
Mayer Monsky, manager.
Don Hammer, who resigned as bookerbuyer
for Lee Theatres, and wife have moved
to Los Angeles. Hammer plans to stay in
the film business.
Seattle Tent to Aid
Kids Heart Clinic
SEATTLE—A Variety Club meeting was
held September 27 at the New Washington
Hotel here to decide on the tent's charity
and to nominate a working crew for the
coming year. It was voted unanimously to
name the Children's Heart Clinic at the
Orthopedic Hospital as the charity.
Nominations were made for 20 men of
whom 11 were to be named by secret ballot
by October 7 as the working crew. The officers
will then be selected by the crew, to
consist of chief barker, first assistant chief
barker, second barker, dough guy, secretary,
treasurer and six other members of the crew.
Committees of volunteers also are being
formed, consisting of entertainment, publicity,
membership, ways and means and
house committee. Persons wishing to serve
.should get in touch with the following: Entertainment,
Zollie Volchok: publicity. Jack J.
Engerman; membership, C. B. Gustafson;
ways and means. Bud Saffle, and house, Art
Greenfield.
A fund-raising program, including bingo
and dances, will be started as soon as headquarters
are established in the New Washington
Hotel.
The meeting was presided over by Bud
Saffle. Dr. Robert Tidwell, head of the
Children's Heart Clinic, explained the functions
and activities of the clinic. Ed Cruea,
first assistant chief barker, talked on the
legal aspects of forming the club and charter,
the rules of International Variety and the
legalities of setting up a nonprofit organization.
He was briefed by Gordon Culp, legal
counsel for the association.
The board of directors, nominated by the
membership-at-large, will take office January
1 for the new year. Attending:
Junior Mercy Art Gollofon
Jack Engerman Lou Pressler
Dwight Spracher Jack Burk
Morrie Saffle
Harry Landstrom
E. J. Fey Arnie Eichenlaub
B. C. Johnson V. Stewart
Fred Danz Bob Clark
Frank Christie John Riley
Ed Cruea Harry Plunkett
Gus Gustafson Tom Shearer
Doug Forbes L. C. Tomlinson
El Keyes Jim Brooks
Paul McElhinney Dick Rockey
Art Greenfield Lou Goldsmith
Don Borovic Bud Hamilton
John Kane
Charles Rosemeyer
Charles Schuler
Bob Wolker
Bob Anderson
.
SALE OF THEATRES
ALL 3 SHOWS, INCLUDING DRIVE-IN, CON-
TROL W. TEX. KEY CITY.
Attractively priced, liberal terms. Earnings highly
attractive. Oil play, irrigation, very large trade
territory. Federal tax records available. Unusual
deal due to retirement. $50,000 down. Liberal time
on balance.
Box 6012
BOXOFFICE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd., K. C. 24, Mo.
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BOXOFFICE :
: October 8, 1955 41

I Absentee
—
—
——
— —
. . who
—
Ten Actresses Crowned Deb Stars of 1955
Here are the Deb Stars of 1955, so proclaimed by the Hollywood Make-Up Artists,
Hair Stylists and Body Make-Up Artists and introduced at the organization's third
annual Deb Star ball. Front row, left to right: Karen Sharpe (who accepted for Anita
Ekberg), Cathy Crosby, Lori Nelson, Gloria Talbot, Liliane Montevecchi. Rear row,
same order: Kip Hamilton, Pat Blake (who accepted for Marisa Pavan), Tracey
Morgan, Mara Corday and Jody Lawrance.
HOLLYWOOD—Ten young actresses hailed
as "most promising" in television and motion
pictures were crowned Deb Stars of 1955 at
the third annual Deb Star ball, held September
30 at the Hollywood Palladium under
sponsorship of the Make-Up Artists, Hair
Stylists and Body Make-Up Artists. The winners,
introduced at the dinner-dance:
Cathy Crosby, 17, CBS singer and daughter
of Bob Crosby; Anita Ekberg, onetime "Miss
Sweden," now under contract to Batjac Productions;
Liliane Montevecchi, Parisian dancing
star, an MGM contractee; Kip Hamilton,
20th Century-Fox; Mara Corday, Universal-
International; Jody LawTance, Paramount;
Lori Nelson, Warners; Tracey Morgan, NBC;
Marisa Pavan, under contract to Hal Wallis;
Gloria Talbot of Pine-Thomas-Shane.
Guests at the event, including TV and film
celebrities, were entertained by Martin and
Lewis, Frank Sinatra, Roberta Lynn, Jimmy
Durante and Debra Paget.
'Camera' Still at Top
With 275 Per Cent
LOS ANGELES—Bright spots were few and
far between on the local first run rialto. Still
at the top of the heap, with a nifty 275 per
cent in its third canto, was "I Am a Camera."
Among new attractions the briskest trade was
recorded by "The Private War of Major
Benson." at 150 per cent. Strong in the holdover
category was "The Tall Men," at 190
per cent.
(Average Is 100)
Beverly Canon Ugetsu (Daiei), 4th wk 85
Chinese The Toll Men (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 190
Downtown Paramount, Wiltern, Pantages Blood
Alley (WB); Night Freight (AA) 1 25
Egyptian, Warners Downtown Tennessee's
Partner (RKO)
El Rey—The Great Adventure (De Rochemont),
75
2nd wk 75
Fine Arts Morty iUA), 12th wk 100
Four Star I Am a Camera (DCA), 3rd wk 275
Fox Wilshire Summertime (UA), 7th wk 75
Hillstreet, Fox Hollywood Female on the Beach
(U-l), 2nd wk
Hollywood Paramount The Private War of Major
90
Benson (U-l) 150
Los Angeles, Fox Seven Cities of Gold (Fox); King
Dinosaur (Lippert), 2nd wk 90
Warners Beverly The Shrike (U-l), 5th wk 75
Warners Hollywood This Is Cinerama (Cinerama),
1 26th wk 90
'To Hell and Back' Paces
Strong Denver Week
DENVER — "To Hell and Back" packed
the Paramount to fine holdover business,
which topped the town easily.
"Trial," which
world-premiered at the Orpheum, turned in
a fine week and is holding. "Love Is a Many-
Splendored Thing" was good at the Centre
and is holding.
Aladdin Simba (LP); You're in the Navy Now
(20th-Fox), reissue 1 00
Centre Love Is a Mony-Splendored Thing
(20th-Fox) 1 25
Denham To Catch a Thief (Para), 4th wk 100
Denver Blood Alley (WB) 1 30
Esquire Green Magic (IFE), 2nd wk 110
Orpheum Trial (MGM); Glass Tomb (LP) 200
Paramount To Hell and Back (U-l) 270
Plastic Materials Shown
HOLLYWOOD—Sponsored by the Motion
Picture Research Council, in cooperation with
the major studios, a display of plastic materials
utilized in film production is a part of
the World's Plastic Fair which opened here
Wednesday (5).
CS and Color for 'Swamp'
HOLLYWOOD—Cinemascope and color
will be employed on "Swamp Women," the
Woolner Bros, production starring Marie
Windsor, which will be filmed on location in
Louisiana. The picture, scripted by David
Stern, will be directed by Roger Corman.
.JHEATRE
BUY
owner says $10,000
yeor net from 650 seats, only
theatre in large payroll town.
Out of TV area. Others, write for list.
THEATRE EXCHANGE COMPANY
5724 S.E. Monroe St.
Portland 22, Oregon
260 Kearny Street
San Francisco 8, Calif.
E. C. Rhoden to Speak
At Publicists Dinner
HOLLYWOOD—Elmer C. Rhoden, president
of National Theatres and national chairman
of the COMPO Audience Awards committee,
will be the keynote speaker at the
ninth annual Panhandle Dinner to be staged
by the Publicists Ass'n, Local 818, IATSE.
The event will be held Tuesday (25) at the
Beverly-Hilton Hotel.
Rhoden will be the first personage not
directly associated with the production segment
of the industry to address the publicists
at their yearly affair. Previous speakers
have all been studio executives.
Lauren Bacall Lunch Guest
NEW YORK—Lauren Bacall was guest of
honor at a press luncheon given Wednesday
(5) by Warner Bros, at Lum Fong's restaurant.
Her co-starring picture with John
Wayne, "Blood Alley." opened that day at
9:30 a.m. at the Paramount Theatre.
Wallowa, Ore., Theatre Sold
WALLOWA, ORE.—The Wollowa Theatre
here has been sold to Mrs. A. B. Stockdale
and sons of Enterprise.
SEND IN YOUR AUDIENCE
AWARDS NOMINATIONS.
Frisco's Top Honors
Go to 'Ulysses'
SAN FRANCISCO—Top honors for the
week among first run ratings, which were
below the average, went to the opening of
"Ulysses" with 150 per cent and "Summertime"
with 125 per cent.
Fox—Seven Cities of Gold (20th-Fox) 80
Golden Gate Kiss of Fire (U-l) 80
Loew's Warfield The Bar Sinister (MGM) 90
Paramount Ulysses (Para) 1 50
St. Francis To Catch a Thief (Para), 4th wk ..100
United Artists Summertime (UA) 125
Cecil B. DeMille Feted
By L. A. County Board
HOLLYWOOD—Producer-director Cecil B.
DeMille was formally presented on Tuesday
(4) with an illuminated scroll presented by
the Los Angeles County board of supervisors,
honoring the veteran filmmaker as a "distinguished
citizen of the world . has
made unmatched contributions to the spiritual
and cultural values which represent the
right paths for all mankind."
Present with DeMille at the ceremonies was
Y. Frank Freeman, studio head at Paramount,
for which company DeMille presently is
filming "The Ten Commandments."
Steve Broidy, president of Allied Artists,
has been named to a vice-presidency in the
Federation of Jewish Welfare Organizations.
42 BOXOFFICE October 8, 1955

—
'Aida' and 'Hell' Top
Kaycee First Runs
KANSAS CITY—"To Hell and Back" in
the four Fox houses vied with "Aida" at the
Kimo for top honors at the boxoffice here,
with the edge going to the art house. "The
Night of the Hunter" at the Midland, "Tall
Man Riding" at the Missouri and "The Girl
Rush" at the Paramount were disappointing
from the standpoint of public patronage.
However, "The Night of the Hunter" was an
eight-day run.
(Average Is 100)
Glen—House of Pleasure .Kingsley:; Annopurna
(Kingsley), 2nd wk I 20
Kimo—Aido (IFE) 300
Midland—The Night or the Hunter I A A Bullet
tor Joey IUA) 100
Missouri—Toll Mon Riding ,WB); The Dam Busters
(WB) 75
Poramount—The Girl Rush Para) 90
Roxy—How to Be Very, Very Popular (20th-Fox),
2nd wk 75
Tower, Uptown, Fairway and Gronado—To Hell and
Bock (U-l); Spy Chosers (AA) at Tower and
Granada only 220
Vogue—Lavender Hill Mob (U-l); Mon in the
White Suit (U-l), 2nd wk. of return engagement 100
"African Lion' Scores 235
In Chicago Opening
CHICAGO—Business in the Loop area
hummed, with five newcomers doing much
toward fattening grosses. The Monroe did
excellent business with "The Bar Sinister"
and "The Scarlet Coat." "The African Lion"
gave the Loop Theatre a continuous full
house. The other two newcomers, "Blood
Alley" at the Chicago and "Ulysses" at the
Grand, did big business. "The Private War
of Major Benson" opened strong at the
Esquire, as did "The Man Who Loved Redheads"
at the Surf. "The Cobweb" pepped
up business at McVickers during its second
week.
Carnegie—Tales of Hoffmonn (UA), reissue 190
Chicago— Blood Alley VVB), plus stage revue. . . .260
Cinema—Front Page Story (Assoc. Art.) 185
Eitel's Palace—Cinerama Holidoy (Cineroma),
1 6th wk 350
Esquire—The Private War of Major Benson (U-l). .210
Grand— Ulysses (Para) 215
Loop—The African Lion (Buena Vista) 235
McVickers—The Cobweb (MGM), 2nd wk 215
Monroe—The Bar Sinister (MGM); The Scarlet
Coot (MGM) 210
Oriental—Gentlemen Marry Brunettes (UA), 2nd
wk 200
Roosevelt—The For Horizons (Para); Hell's Island
(Para), 2nd wk 1 90
State Lake— Mister Roberts (WB), 6th wk 195
Surf—The Mon Who Loved Redheads (UA) 190
United Artists—To Catch a Thief Para), 5th wk. .200
Woods—The Shrike (U-l), 4th wk 220
World Playhouse—The Red Shoes (UA), reissue,
3rd wk 200
Ziegfeld—Moddoleno (IFE), 4th wk 215
What's Wrong With Films? Teenagers
Say They Need New Faces and Ideas
KANSAS CITY—Casting one's self in the
role of an actor is the habit of young folk
watching a
motion picture, according to Fred
Kellerman, master of ceremonies of a panel
on a Teen Tunes program on radio station
KIMO in nearby Independence Saturday (1).
"But it isn't natural," he added "to use
your imagination to the extent of placing
yourself in the actor's role if he is a man 50
years old or more portraying the suitor of a
girl 17 or 18."
"I haven't anything against older stars,"
Martha Mason remarked. "There are still a
lot of good ones but let them play their age."
The subject for discussion was "What's
Wrong With the Movie Industry?"
Having spent some time in boning up for
the program, young Kellerman referred to an
article in BOXOFFICE. "The writer deplored
the slump in attendance," he said, "and was
much concerned about the group from 15 to
30 years who are the backbone of the industry.
"It is evident," he continued, "that the industry
is in trouble. One after another, theatres
have been closed. These are for the most
part second run houses. There is no reason
why every seat shouldn't be filled. What is
wrong? Why have the folks from 15 to
30 stopped coming to the movies? Competition
of television or anything else isn't the
real reason. I always was under the impression
that competition was a good thing.
But the movies need something more.
"New vigor—new faces and new ideas
would capture the public and bring it back.
Let younger folk pick the stars of tomorrow
and bring the best to Hollywood.
"There's another point I'd like to make.
The industry is being stifled by nepotism.
Why so much of this father-or-mother-beingfollowed-by-sonny,
thus keeping jobs in the
family?"
It was further proposed that talent contests
be staged in theatres of Greater Kansas City,
the second run houses picking their winners
and the first run houses theirs. The final
winner selected from these would represent
Kansas City in Hollywood. It was suggested
that this plan be followed in about 20 of
the larger city areas in the United States.
All winners would appear in a show in Hollywood
and from these, future stars would
develop.
The panel thinks the idea would grow and
grow from year to year, taking in new areas
and bringing new faces with new ideas and
new talents. The contests would also attract
many friends of the participants to the
theatres and build up new audiences, they
maintain.
Several other similar programs will be given
on KIMO on which panels of young folk
from various high schools of Greater Kansas
City will discuss the movies. In the first of
these discussions, Wyandotte High School
was represented. The panel included Dean
Newton, Martha Mason, Janet Turley and
D.xie Lee.
Miss Filmrow Candidates
To Be Announced Soon
ST. LOUIS—Candidates for Miss Filmrow
of 1955 probably will be named by the various
film exchange offices in St. Louis soon. The
queen will be elected at the annual banquet
of Missouri-Illinois Theatre Owners here the
evening of November 22. The banquet will
highlight the social program for the exhibitors
gathering on November 21 and 22.
Rose Hearl, office manager of Columbia
and 1954 queen, is ineligible for the 1955 voting.
She will crown the 1955 queen in her
role as retiring queen.
Each exchange will select its own candidate.
The 1955 MITO meeting will be slanted at
the pocketbooks of motion picture theatre
owners—that is, to put more money into them.
Speakers will be chosen for ability to present
ideas and plans of monetary value to
listening theatre folk. Details of the program
probably will be announced when President
Lester R. Kropp returns from the TOA convention.
Thirty-two persons from this exchange
area are attending the TOA gathering.
In fact MITO. which had the largest
non-Chicago delegation at the 1954 TOA
gathering, probably will present the largest
non-California attendance at this year's
meeting.
"Hell and Back' Opens Strong
With 175 in Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS—World Series interest
and other competitive factors were reflected
in first run grosses this week, although
stronger attractions more than held their own.
"To Hell and Back" pulled so well at the
Indiana that it stayed another week.
"Gentlemen Marry Brunettes" also
did better
than average business at Loew's. "Seven
Cities of Gold" gained only moderate attention
at the Circle. The Cantor circuit
announced a fifth and final week for "Marty"
at the Esquire, its art film house.
Circle—Seven Cities of Gold (20th-Fox); Spy
Chasers AA) 80
Esquire—Marty (UA) 85
Indiona—To Hell and Back (U-l) 1 75
Keiths— Block Tuesday UA) Wakamba (RKO).. 70
Loew's—Gentlemen Marry Brunettes UA)' You
Know Whot Sailors Are (UA) 115
VOTE NOW IN
AUDIENCE AWARDS.
NEW DIVISION HEAD CONFERS—Tom W. Bridge, newly appointed head of
Paramount's southwestern division, and Al Fitter, home office assistant to Hugh Owen,
vice-president, were in St. Louis recently conferring with Manager Hairy Haas. Left
to right, seated: Harry Haas, Tom Bridge and Al Fitter. Back row, same order: Bill
Millsteadt, booker; Jack Martin. Bill Sharpe and Wayne Stephenson, salesmen; Edna
Boyne. booker, and Jerry Bahner, booker-office manager.
BOXOFFICE :
: October
8, 1955 43

. . Caesar
. . Rube
ST. LOUIS
manufacturer of ice shavers. Echols has
moved to Bismarck, Mo., where its factory is
located.
Telephone: JEfferson 3-7974 - 7975
here, has joined the Superior Refrigerator Publix Great States has named George
Mfg. Co. here, maker of drink dispensers.
Paul Ferguson, from Kansas City, is taking
over for Manley until a successor to Hazel
is named . . . M. A. Levy, division sales manager
for 20th-Fox of Minneapolis, was here.
Frisina Amusement Co. has announced
three of its theatres are reopening October
theatre owner, was ill at his home
16: Lincoln, Charleston, 111.; Frisina, Taylor -
. . .
ville, and Effingham at Effingham. The
circuit is closing drive-ins in those cities on
Reavis Vending Supply Co., has
the 15th . . .
moved from 4911 Eichelberger St. to 3700
South Jefferson Avenue, into the former
Jim Hazel, former Manley representative headquarters and sales offices of S. T. Echols, last week . Pearlman, DCA, called at
Realart .... "I Am a Camera" will open
a four-week engagement at the Pageant and
Richmond theatres on the 19th . . . The La
Cosa in St. Ann, closed temporarily for installation
of CinemaScope equipment, was
reopened October 1 by Fanchon & Marco.
Out in the St. Ann-Overland area, drive-in
THE SHOW
patrons have been enjoying some bargain
programs. The Holiday, owned by Jablonow-
IS GOING ON"
10 cent admission rate to all.
erators.
WE OF the St. Louis Theatre Supply Company
wish to advise all of our Friends and
Patrons that we are very much active in
business.
Even to a better degree of teamwork with
you than ever before, and under the management
of "Arch Hosier and his family."
Thanks for everything.
Jackie Gleason TV Show
Now Using Electronicam
ARCH HOSIER,
35mm version of the new DuMont "Electronicam"
TV film system for the television film
President
and motion picture producing market, according
to James L. Caddigan, marketing
ST. LOUIS THEATRE
manager for the system at the Allen B. Du-
Mont Laboratories.
Gleason can complete the filming of a halfhour
show by a two hour rehearsal in the
llr
afternoon, followed by an evening performance
before a live audience of 1,200 when the
SUPPLY CO.
film is made in the time it takes to view it,
plus scene-changing time.
The system includes an especially designed
3310 Olive St., St. Louis, Missouri
Mitchell motion picture camera with an
.
garbara Jean Leonard, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Amos Leonard and Lt. John George
Ruehlman, U. S. Air Force, were married at
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
The mother of Rani Pedrucci,
October 1 . . .
Frisina Amusement Co., died in Springfield,
111., on the 29th . Berutt, Rolla, Mo.,
attended the wedding of a relative in New
Jersey . . Leon Jarodsky, longtime Paris, 111.,
Jimmy Bradford. Columbia salesman, has
moved into an apartment in the Hampton
Village area in southwestern St. Louis. He
had been living at the Mark Twain Hotel.
Hitch temporary manager of the Orpheum in
Springfield. Hitch formerly was manager of
the Colfax, South Bend, which closed recently
.... Thomas Lee Ivy, laborer, was
given the maximum penalty of six months
in the city workhouse and a $500 fine on
charges of molesting an 11-year-old girl in
a motion picture theatre here. Ivy is also
known as James Conway and has a criminal
record that includes two convictions on sex
offenses.
Herman Gorellck, co-owner of Realart
Pictures, was in Jacksonville and Springfield
Komm, has been offering three and four
features on the same bill; while the St. Ann
four-screen, operated by F&M, has been
countering with Buck night Monday through
Friday. Out in St. Charles, the Strand, a
Frisina house, is using Dime Days, with a
The Southway, Lloyd G. Weston, owner,
remains dark each Monday night. The 61
Drive-In at Pevely, operates Thursday
through Sunday only. Herbert P. Hartstein
and his sister Irene Aft are the owner-op-
Illinois exhibitors seen along Filmrow:
Clyde Metcalfe, Edwardsville; A. B. Magarian,
East St. Louis; Tom Bloomer, Belleville;
Johnny Giachette, Springfield; Eddie Clark,
Metropolis; Loren Cluster, Salem; Ben Montee,
Jacksonville; Izzy Weinshienk, Alton;
Ben Temborious, Breese; Charles Beninati,
Carlyle, and Herman Tanner, Vandalia . . .
From Missouri were W. Dean Davis, West
Plains; Bill Williams, Union; Bill Collins,
DeSoto: Judge Frank X. Reller, Wentzville,
and Russell Armentrout, Louisiana.
NEW YORK—The Jackie Gleason show is
making successful use of the professional
image-orthicon TV camera in a single operating
unit. An optical system splits the light
so that it is shared by both the film and the
electronic pick-up sections of the Electronicam
simultaneously.
44 BOXOFFICE October 8. 1955

. . from
—
Earl Hayes Retiring Soon
As Fox Midwest Aide
KANSAS CITY—J. Earl Hayes, manager
of the Mainstreet Theatre at Lexington. Mo.,
for Fox Midwest was given a farewell luncheon
here Thursday < 29 > following the district
managers meeting that morning at the
Hotel Muehlebach. Hayes, 65, has been with
the company more than 25 years and will
retire within the next few months. Present in
addition to all the managers from District 5,
who had been at the FMW annual convention
the two previous days, were Mrs. Hayes
and their son Jerry who manages a theatre
in Beatrice, Neb. A Longine watch was
presented to Earl by his fellow managers.
KANSAS CITY—Fox Midwest announced
the following changes in managers following
the resignation of Bill Souttar, manager of
the Lincoln in Springfield, 111.: Jack Golladay.
from the Kennedy and Princess in Kirksville.
Mo., to the Lincoln; Eugene Kincaid, to Kirksville;
Russell Rhyne to succeed Kincaid at
the DeGraw at Brookfield, and Clyde Patton
to succeed Rhyne as manager of the Lyric at
Boonville.
Gregg Palmer Set lor 'Creature'
Gregg Palmer will have one of the leads
with Rex Reason. Jeff Morrow and Leigh
Snowden in Universal's "The Creature Walks
Among Us."
Bring in New Industries
To Boost Show Business
LITTLE ROCK—Three Arkansas exhibitors
have shown their initiative and good
judgment by bringing into their communities
industries and payrolls which would use up
surplus labor forces and simultaneously produce
added income to be spent in their theatres.
The trio, Charles T. Reveley of Stephens,
W. E. Savage of Booneville and Bart Gray of
Jacksonville, started at the source of trouble
to rebuild theatre grosses.
Reveley, who owns the State in Stephens,
as chairman of the town's industrial committee,
set about to bring in a new industry.
The committee members discovered, however,
that one was in the making, right in their
own backyard. It only needed capital. An
asphalt plant was there; all that was needed
was a roofing plant to use some of the locally
produced asphalt.
Reveley spearheaded a drive for a $150,000
roofing plant. The amount was over-subscribed
in a few days. No one could buy
less than $1,000 in stock or more than $10,000.
so it was truly a local enterprise. Full operation
of the plant will put 150 persons to
work. Another substantial payroll will be
added to the town, and more theatre patrons
will visit the theatres in the Stephens area.
Savage served on a local committee in an
attempt to bring a comb factory to Booneville.
He operates the Savage Theatre and
the Bel-Vue Drive-in.
Gray, operator of the Graco and Jacksonville
Drive-In, was one of the originators of
a plan to secure a hospital at Jacksonville.
The project started when the Air Force announced
that the hospital would be a requirement
to its building an air base near
town. Gray served as vice-president of the
hospital project.
Theatre Now Is Legion Hall
AVON, ILL—Edward Chatterton Post 579
of the American Legion here, which last
March purchased the old National Theatre
building, later known as the Wright, completed
remodeling of the structure during
the summer and opened it as a Legion building
Saturday night with a dance.
Produces 'Reprisal' and 'Flight'
Lewis J. Rachmil has been assigned the
production reins on the Columbia pictures,
"Reprisal" and "Flight."
Spring's the time to "spruce up"
...while
record-smashing
special low prices last on
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Thanks to a very special purchase
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MISSOURI THEATRE SUPPLY CO.
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BOXOFFICE :
: October
8. 1955 45

. . Jean
. . Clarence
. . Scheduled
. . Bert
. . Warren
. . Ralph
. . United
. . The
KANSAS CITY
pd Hartman of the Motion Picture Booking
Agency has drawn on his own experience
to design a booking book that he insists is
perfect for circuit managers and gives more
space for exhibitors in making up their advance
dates. He has it on display and for
sale in his office at 1717 Wyandotte . . .
Jack Winningham, salesman for National
Screen Service, left Monday (3) on an extended
trip in the western territory . . L. A.
.
Bennett is reported to have leased the LaBelle
Theatre at Troy, Kas., from F. A. Schuster.
Harry Weiss, RKO Theatres division manager,
Minneapolis, and Prank B. Smith, labor
representative, Chicago, and representatives
of the stagehands union Monday (3) night
signed a new contract . Schultz,
president of Consolidated Agencies, was in
Iowa where the circuit has several theatres
. . . Marvin Goldfarb, district manager for
Buena Vista, spent several days in the local
office with Tommy Thompson, local manager
. Calvert, former contract clerk
at Universal, has been promoted to booker,
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Jack Langan Luncheon
To Be Held October 31
\
Jack Langan
Kansas City—A testimonial luncheon
will be given Monday, October 31, for
Jack Langan, who
recently resigned
as manager of Universal
because of ill
health. The luncheon
at the Hotel
Muehlebach is being
sponsored by
the Motion Picture
Ass'n of Greater
Kansas City, to
honor Langan's
long service to the
industry in this locality,
and is open
to his many other friends in addition to
MPA members.
Tickets, which are $5, may be obtained
from Ed Hartman, Motion Picture Booking
Agency, 1717 Wyandotte. Out-oftown
exhibitors should write in early
enough for reservations to be made.
replacing Ed Conn, who resigned. Mary Stone
King is the new booker's clerk and Louise
Hildebrand is the new secretary to Larry
Klein, office manager. Jerry Haile, U-I salesman,
has resigned to move to Dallas where
he has joined Business Music, Inc. He had
been with Universal about three and a half
years.
Joe Redmond, advertising and publicity director
for Fox Midwest, is pleased that his
fall Pic Parade campaign planned for Pox
Midwest has been picked up by National Theatres,
the parent company .
Pirosh
and Pete Lungren, film buyers for National
Theatres at Los Angeles, conferred with Fox
Midwest film buyer Ralph Adams and assistant
Harold Hume.
M. A. Levy, 20th-Fox division sales manager
from Minneapolis, attended the dinner
which Fox Midwest hosted for industry folk
at the Saddle and Sirloin Club. Levy went on
to St. Louis . to attend the
TOA convention in Los Angeles were these
Missourians: Ed Harris, Neosho; Mr. and
Mrs. Elmer Bills and daughter Donna Beth,
Salisbury; M. B. Smith, Commonwealth circuit,
and George Baker and Mrs. Baker, Kansas
City. Kansans were Hank Doering, Garnett;
Dale Danielson, Russell; Mr. and Mrs.
Don Burnett, Larned, and Bob Fellers and
Dick Whitley, Midcentral circuit at Manhattan.
Commonwealth district managers met Monday,
with Elmer Rhoden jr. presiding in the
absence of R. M. Shelton, president, who has
been in the hospital. H. E. Jameyson, chairman,
will arrive October 11 and hold a board
meeting the following day . C.
Mosher of the Blue Moon in Blue Mound,
Kas., made one of his infrequent trips to the
Row . . . Film Delivery Ab Shers's TV set has
a clock device which betrayed the office crowd
that used it to see the world series one day
when he was out and then forgot to tell him
it had been on.
Woodie Latimer of L&L Popcorn and Poppers
Supply is making a business trip to
New York. He may stop in Philadelphia . .
.
_
Louis Patz, division manager for National
Theatre Supply, and wife entertained Mr.
and Mrs. Rube Perlman at dinner Saturday
night. Perlman has been here on business
for DCA. Mrs. Perlman came on from
New York . Film Exchange, operated
by Bob Herrell and Nina Bridges, is releasing
"Apache Woman," in Pathecolor starring
Lloyd Bridges and Joan Taylor, produced
by American Releasing Corp. . . . Mike
Gieskieng, RCA Service field engineer out of
. . .
Denver, stopped in the local office on his way
back from an eastern vacation. Ed Branch,
local office manager, took another week of
his vacation Betty Randolph is the new
contract clerk at Columbia . . . Sylvia Bogmol,
manager's secretary, is back from a vacation,
during which she flew to New York.
Herb Jeans, who operates the Parkade
Drive-In at Columbia, Mo., is reported to be
building a trailer court on the west end of the
drive-in property . Allied ITO office
has a beautiful clock on display which is to
be given away at some future event . . . Jim
Witcher, MGM office manager, underwent
surgery for imbedded tonsils and was on a
liquid diet. However, he insisted there is no
liquid which tastes like steak ... A few late
vacationers include Jean Holman, MGM
booker secretary; Hazel Buell, National Screen
Service office manager; Betty Caruso, Dixie
Enterprises, returning from a secretarial convention
in Little Rock. Ark.
Commonwealth reopened the Hall Theatre,
Columbia, Mo., after extensive renovations.
Rex Barrett is the manager. Leon Hoofnagle
has been moved from the home office to work
with Doug Lightner, eastern division manager
with headquarters in Columbia. Byers Jordan
has been moved from Columbia to Washington
. Gregory, IFE representative,
made a business trip to Des Moines . . .
Missouri Theatre Supply reports the sale of
Cinemascope lenses to the Admiral in Kansas
City, the Plaza at Great Bend and the State
at Manhattan.
Marshall Thompson has been given a starring
role in Carl Dudley Productions' "Assignment
Congo."
Satisfaction — Always
MISSOURI
THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY
L. I. KIMBR1EL. Manager
Phono Baltimore 3070
115 W. 18th Kansas City 8. Mo.
TO

-
. . The
. . Before
. . Elinor
New Lenses Included
In Exhibit Displays
NEW YORK— Bausch & Lomb Optical Co.
will show Its new 16mm Cinemascope projection
lens and the B&L Cinemascope
camera lens at the Allied-TESMA-TEDA-
IPA trade show at the Morrison Hotel,
Chicago. November 6-9.
Other features of the B&L display will be
integrated projector systems for conventional
and Cinemascope aspects, including reflectors.
Super Cinephor, Cinephor and Cinema
Scope projection lenses as well as sound
reproducers.
Products distributed by National Theatre
Supply will occupy seven booths. Featured
will be various models of projectors made by
International Projector Corp.. generators
made by Hertner Electric Co., indoor screens
by Walter America Corp.. outdoor screens
by Selby Drive-In Screen and a new product
of vinyl coating by Surface Coating Engineers.
The new coating is not a paint, although
applied in the same manner as paint. It is
said to have lasting and reflective qualities
not available in paint.
A modern piece of equipment will come
from the Sansha Electric Manufacturing Co..
Osaka, Japan, which will show a complete
line of arc selenium rectifiers.
Radio Corp. of America has taken the
equivalent of six booths for its Dyn-Arc and
Wide Arc lamps, stereophonic and single
channel indoor and outdoor theatre sound
systems; the RCA 200 projector, and lamp
water circulators; In-Car speakers, Circlite
Junction Boxes, push back chairs. Griggs
theatre chairs, Leedom carpets and Dynalite
screens.
The LaVezzi Machine Works will exhibit
a complete line of projector replacement
parts, including film sprockets, Geneva intermittent
movements assemblies, projector
modernization kits, etc.
Jan. 1 Is Tentative Date
For Reopening Annex
HERRIN. ILL.—Reconstruction of the
Annex Theatre Building, heavily damaged by
a fire July 28, has begun. The theatre reopening
is tentatively scheduled for January
1.
John Marlow. president of the Grand Opera
Co., owner of the building, said that the
eaved-roof will be replaced by a modern
flat top design. The 15 offices on the second
floor will be rebuilt much as they were
before the fire. Reconstruction calls for replacement
of twisted I-beams supporting the
roof, repairs to water damaged walls, new
roof, repair or replacement of damaged
seats in the theatre, new carpeting, probably
a new screen and sound equipment and new
fixtures. The second floor offices, other
than those used by the Marlow theatre companies,
including the Grand Opera Co., will
again be rented.
Knute Anderson, a local contractor, is in
charge of the reconstruction.
CHICAGO
/"Nctnber 5 marked the 50th anniversary of
Chicago's first motion picture house. It
was a 300-seat amphitheatre opened in the
Loop by Jones, Linlck & Schaefer. a firm
still going strong in the business and now
owners of McVickers Theatre, one of the
city's top houses. Aaron Jones jr., and John
J. Jones, son of Aaron Jones, founder of the
company who died in 1944, now head the
company . Variety auxiliary is sponsoring
the Harlem Globetrotters appearance
here at Loyola University gymnasium October
18 for benefit of LaRabida Sanitarium
Lee Foley of Kling Film Productions will
take a six-week leave of absence to go to
Rome. He will be accompanied by his actress-wife
Barbara .
. . Bell & Howell Co. directors
voted a stock dividend of 10 per cent
on common stock. This is the first stock
dividend ever paid by the company. President
Charles H. Percy said it is the present intention
to continue cash dividends at the
rate of 25 cents quarterly on the increased
capital
stock.
With the opening of "Blood Alley" at the
Chicago Theatre, singer Julius LaRosa opened
his third return engagement as the theatre's
stage headliner.
Addie Klein of the Kayline Candy Co. said
that crisp fall weather had brought a marked
increase in concession business. Klein will
headquarter in the Lorraine Carbon Co.
booth at the TESMA-TEDA-IPA convention
this year. Speaking of the convention, Mr.
and Mrs. Harold Abbott of the Abbott Equipment
Co.. will, as before, leave their Arizona
location to attend. Sam Levinsohn of the
Chicago Used Chair Mart has a big supply
of ballpoint pens which he will distribute to
convention visitors. Levinsohn has just returned
from a Kentucky trip, where he has
reseated several theatres. In this area, he
has completed installation of 1,600 seats in
the U. S. Naval Training Station Auditorium,
Great Lakes.
Herb EUisburg is resigning as manager of
the Piccadilly so he can get a much needed
rest. This will be the first time he has taken
time for complete relaxation since he started
a career in the theatre business, when at the
age of 18 he worked in Balaban & Katz publicity
department . Ed Moore of the
censor board left on a three-week vacation,
he reported that during the month of September
the board reviewed 94 films, of which
two were rejected, 23 were foreign pictures
and five were classified for adults only.
. Arthur
Joseph Berenson of National Theatres Advertisers
returned from a two and a half
month trip in his Louisville and Evansville
territory. Next he starts expanding his operations
into Texas and Florida
Sacks. Chicago attorney who
.
is
.
vice-president
of LaSalle Productions, left for Hollywood
Thursday i6> to confer with the cast of
"The Four Seasons." David Wayne, Keenan
Wynn, Joseph Barton, Jim Backus, Marcia
Henderson and Denver Pyle form the cast of
the film which should be ready for distribution
In the spring. LaSalle Productions,
financed by a group of Chicago businessmen,
has three additional films scheduled. Producer
of "The Four Seasons" and the company's
other pictures is Josef Shaftel. Allied
Artists, distributor of "No Place to Hide,"
first film backed by Sacks and his associates,
will also distribute forthcoming LaSalle productions.
Gloria Parker, secretary at the Clark Theatre,
soon will marry Jack Demos. Miss Parker
has been with the Clark for 13 years, starting
as an usherette. Demos, who was manager
of the Clark before going into the automobile
business, began as an usher . . . Fred
Mindlin is in Wesley Memorial Hospital for
observation ... J. J. McFarland of the State,
Sycamore, 111., was a Filmrow visitor.
Bob Lavernway of the Filmack Trailer
Co. laboratories returned from his honeymoon
. Rose has joined the ranks
of the Filmack TV sales department . . .
Duke Shumow of the De Luxe is completing
negotiations to lease the Times Theatre,
which has been closed for almost two years.
As soon as he has the go-ahead, the Times
will get a complete overhaul and remodeling
job.
Adds Widescreen, Snack Bar
PATTONSBURG, MO—Cinemascope features
now are frequent program fare at the
local Binney Theatre, where a widescreen has
been installed. Dewey Kisor. who also manages
the Courter in Gallatin, has added a
snack bar to the Binney attractions.
327 5. WABASH CHICAGO -630 NINTH AVE.. NEW YORK
"SELECT" FOUNTAIN SYRUPS
DRINK DISPENSERS
Select Drink Inc.
4210 W. Florissant Ave.
St. Louis, 15, Mo.
Phon«
Evergreen 3-5935
BOONTON. N. J.
Large Core
Greater Crater Area
means
MAXIMUM LIGHT
Evenly Distributed
in Mo.—CENTRAL SHIPP. & INSPECTION, Konsos City—Grond 2094
NAT'L THEATRE SUPPLY, St. Louis—Jefferson 1-6350
in Konsos—THEATRE SERVICE Co., Inc., Topeko—Tel 3-7225
in Illinois— KAYLINE COMPANY, Chicago—Tel. Webster 9-4643
NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY, Chicago—Wabash 2-8266
BOXOFFICE :
: October
8. 1955 47

. . . Bucky
INDIANAPOLIS
/"•hie Galloway, owner of the Emerson, will
resume operation of the eastside neighborhood
house which had been under lease
to the Cantor circuit for the last 18 years.
It has been closed since June 1. Galloway
will reopen after installing Cinemascope . . .
Jake Smiler offered six features with free
coffee and doughnuts for 75 cents at his
dawn-to-dusk show Saturday night at the
National Drive-In.
Charles Lane has bought the Rem Theatre
at Remington from H. A. Heyers of Morocco.
He will repair and remodel before reopening.
"Thanks, Chuck, for giving the town back
its theatre," the Remington Press commented
editorially . . . Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Bailey, who
recently acquired the Royal at Danville,
Roy Harrold reopened
opened it October 1 . . .
the Times at Connersville September
25. A new widescreen was installed during
the summer shuttering.
Trueman Rembusch, national director, will
preside at business sessions of the Allied Theatre
Owners of Indiana fall convention here
November 15. 16. Acceptances have been received
from Abram F. Myers, general counsel,
and Rube Shor, president of National Allied,
and from Julius Gordon, Texas circuit
owner who toured Europe this summer studying
the exhibitor setup there.
HOW
* 0UC ' 7o«o enters
t
co«nP^ *% w our ho* v o
Let
\^ des^ers she* QW*
"I d
Bob Conn, chief barker of Variety, has announced
a stag night, with buffet at 6 p.m.,
for the first and third Mondays of every
month. The next is October 17 . Pete
. .
Fortune, now buying and booking for Zaring's
Egyptian, has moved his office to the theatre
Harris, Universal field representative,
was here Wednesday with Mary Miles
Daughters, Miss Texas of 1955, to boost the
opening of "To Hell and Back" at the Indiana.
rt ^o
do o« de-
^ us
ie ^ .«*«««*
a\ ab CTuV^or^on.
today
; * orr
T
New Store Opens on Site
Of Last of Old Airdomes
ST. LOUIS—A new supermarket, a unit of
Cook's, has been opened here on the site
of the Airway open air theatre, the last of
the airdomes that made motion picture history
here in the early days of the silent pictures.
It closed just a few years ago. The
airdome was a St. Louis innovation and one
time this city had more than 100 shows of
this
type.
THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO.
1206 Cherry St. • Toledo 4, Ohio
THEEPTRE equipment
442 N. ILLINOIS ST., INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
"Everything for the Theatre"
Harold Fischer Resigns
To Form Own Company
ORLANDO, FLA.—Harold Fischer, who for
a long time served as sales manager of Compco
Corp., Chicago, resigned to start his own film
company in Orlando. Harry Ellis, formerly of
Revere Camera Co., Chicago, succeeds him at
Compco.
Associated with Fischer in the new enterprise
will be Edward Arendt, formerly with
the National Audio-Visual Ass'n.
HANDY SUBSCRIPTION

RESEARCH
BUREAU
for
MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS
NXOLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMATION
ho MODERN THEATRE
'LANNING INSTITUTE
25 Van Brunt Blvd.
lansas City 24, Mo.
10-8-55
J«ntlemen:
Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU
3 receive inlormation regularly, as released, on
se following subjects for Theatre Planning:
3 Acoustics

: October
JOHN S. COLEMAN
Portrait by Fabian Bachrach
"I am proud that
80% of Burroughs
Employees . .
"I am proud that 80% of Burroughs employees are
enrolled in systematic savings in U. S. Savings Bonds
through the Payroll Savings Plan. The record of the
response of our men and women to our recent campaign
speaks for itself. It is evidence of the desire to save, and
to save in a way which benefits both the individual and
the nation. I hope that every employer will take advantage
of this opportunity to serve the interest of both his
employees and the country by cooperating with the
Department of the Treasury in the U. S. Savings Bonds
campaign."
."
JOHN S. COLEMAN, President
Burroughs Corporation
What is the percentage of employee participation in
t/otir Pavroll Savings Plan?* If it is less than 50%, your
State Sales Director will be glad to show you how easy
it is to raise participation to 60% or higher. He will
furnish Payroll Savings Application Blanks, and all the
printed promotional material you can use. Write today
to Savings Bonds Division, U. S. Treasury Department,
Washington 25, D. C.
*lf your Company does not have the Payroll Savings Plan, your State
Sales Director will help you to install it.
The United States Government does not pay for this advertising. The Treasury Department
thanks, for their patriotic donation, the Advertising Council and
BOXOFFICE
50 BOXOFFICE :
8, 1955

.
shows
Rumors of Film Deals
Fly Around in Miami
MIAMI - Must be something in the Florida
a ir that generates rumors about top echelon
motion picture deals. In recent months it's
been rumored that Howard Hughes, who was
[waiting "Skm Divers" on the Keys, had
plans to locate here; that Louis Wolfson was
a niaj ir film factory; that Frank d.
McKay, hotelman, had a financial eye on
another major film making company, said
George Bourke in the Herald.
All rumors were denied—at least in the
precise form In which they were phrased.
Wolfson, who owns many theatres, said he
wasn't interested In film production; Hughes'
aides said "nothing to it"; McKay, after denying
interest, issued a statement that said
in essence, mayte.
Recently m an interview McKay "voiced
concern that too much presettlement publicity
might severely jeopardize" his deal.
From the interview it seemed that his group
is expressly interested in the financial bookkeeping
aspects of the film company—not
operation.
This might be accomplished without actually
buying the movie company. A local
acquaintance of his tried it several years ago
with 20th-Fox—and failed to oust Spyrous
Skouras from his top post when he failed
to line up a sufficient number of proxies.
Perhaps McKay or Wolfson, says Bourke,
could pull the trick on a less tightly held
company, say one whose stock is selling for
less of that long green?
The Atlas Corp.. which usually means
Floyd Odium, states this commentator, has
sold 26.500 common shares of RKO, thus
dropping the shares held by Atlas-Odium to
below the million mark. This is the company
in which Hughes still holds the controlling
interest.
New South Miami Loew's
Will Be Luxury House
SOUTH MIAMI. FLA.—The Loew's Theatres
management, now building and soon
to operate the new Riviera Theatre on Dixie
Highway in South Miami, has announced the
new house will incorporate many innovations
in motion picture presentation and audience
comfort. The giant screen will accommodate
Cinemascope. VistaVision and Superscope.
A special feature will be the unusually
wide space between the rows of foam rubber
cushioned seats, insuring easy ingress. A new
type of air conditioning will deliver 34,000
cubic feet of filtered cool air per minute
into the auditorium.
The theatre will seat approximately 1,300
and is designed with a 250-seat balcony in
which smoking will be permitted.
Work on the theatre is progressing rapidly
and is expected to be completed by early
winter.
Shoppers Ticket Deal Is
Sought by Merchants
ST. PETERSBURG—The Central and
Ninth Shopping Center Ass'n has received
its charter, and one of the first acts of the
group was the appointment of a ticket committee
to investigate the possibility of cutrate
tickets to the Roxy Theatre for Center
shoppers. The committee will bring in its
report at the October meeting.
St. Petersburg Area Showmen Say
No to Theatre TV in Present Form
CARNIVAL BALL FOR WOMPI—As
one of the highlights of the 1955 second
annual convention of the international
Women of the Motion Picture Industry
in New Orleans, the hostess organization
staged a carnival ball. One of the maids
of the carnival ball is shown above trying
on a headpiece for the occasion. Left to
right: Helene Simonsen, 20th-Fox; Ann
Balencie, Paramount, and Loraine Cass,
United Artists, all of New Orleans. The
headpiece was designed and made by the
trio for the Mardi (Iras ball.
Florida Is Raising a Big
Fall Crop of Drive-Ins
DANIA. FLA.—Drive-ins are sprouting up
all over southeastern Florida, and a number
of super de luxe places will be ready for the
winter tourist season. Two are located in
Dade County and are only about a mile apart:
George Hoover's new showplace and the new
Wometco project.
On the Hallendale Road in the same
general area the new 750-car outdoor Emporium,
being readied by the E. M. Loew
interests, is fast nearing completion. So is
the 400-car Key Largo Drive-In, which is
close to the southernmost tip of Florida.
This is being built by R. L. Duncans, formerly
of Washington, D. C.
Rumors are circulating that several other
airers will be rushed through before the
season is over.
Pensacola Men Acquitted
On Obscene Film Charge
PENSACOLA, FLA.—Manager Marvin A.
Bewton and projectionist Bill Emerson of the
Twin-Air Drive-in were acquitted of charges
of exhibiting obscene matter by a jury which
saw a showing of "Garden of Eden." The
jury deliberated only 17 minutes.
Judge Ernest F. Mason in his charge told
the jury that to return convictions they must
find that the film "manifestly tends toward
moral corruption of youth." The judge said
that "mere nudity is not obscenity and it is
false delicacy and mere prudery to banish
all because it is simply nude." The film was
reportedly made at a nudist camp near
Tampa, Fla.
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.—Closed-circuit
television appears to be a long way off for
this city. Local theatre managers, district
managers of their respective chains and
privately owned operations here are not contemplating
the installation of the "exp>
mass of wiring" it would take to put them in
business.
Chief complaint among the theatremen is
the scarcity of Theatre Network Television
(TNT i available in a year's time. The
expense of installation, coupled with the
running expense and gamble involved, makes
TNT an unworthy venture at this time, the
showmen believe.
The original concept of TNT did not
restrict the facilities of transmission to sporting
events, but to date the enterprise has offered
theatremen nothing but boxing. Plans
had called for a system that would permit
theatreowners to rent their houses to conventions
and organization events so that talks
and demonstrations of products could be
beamed to salesmen and other representatives.
So far, such a thing has occurred so
infrequently as to make it unworthy of consideration
as a factor of the installation,
local men say.
Local managers concurring in these views
are Walter Tremor of the Florida State
Theatre, Bill Boardman of the Playhouse,
James McDannold of the 28th Street Drivein,
Jack Fitzwater of the Bay Lan chain
and Frank H. Bell of the Florida State Theatres
chain.
Wometco and Geo. Wilby
To Operate New Airer
MIAMI — Mitchell Wolfson and Sidney
Meyer, co-owners of Wometco Theatres, have
formed a partnership with George Wilby for
the operation of the new North Dade Drive-
In under construction in the northwest section
of this city.
Wometco will operate the airer and Wilby
will act as managing director. The theatre
is to be an 850-car de luxe showplace. Work
is already in progress at the site on NW
27th avenue at 171st street. Plans are to
make it the finest theatre of the type in
south Florida. Opening date has been planned
for before Christmas.
TIMELY as CURRENT
RIOTS in CASABLANCA,
MOROCCO'S Capitol!
GBORGB
fit/****
w
wtth
TAMIROFF
E WINDSOR orluns
CAST Of THOUiANDl
BOXOFFICE October 8. 1955 SE 51

: October
Memphis Paramount
To Atlanta Division
MEMPHIS—The Paramount branch office
here has been transferred from the supervision
of the Dallas division to the division
W. Gordon Bradley Howard Nicholson
headquartered in Atlanta. By this move,
Memphis becomes a sister-exchange of Charlotte,
Atlanta, New Orleans and Jacksonville.
In Memphis working out details of the
transfer were George Weltner, president of
Paramount International; Hugh Owen, general
sales manager of the southern and western
branch offices, and Charles Boasberg,
sales executive, all of New York, and W. Gordon
Bradley, Atlanta division manager. They
conferred with Howard Nicholson, local Paramount
manager.
COMPLETE LINE
THEATRE EQUIPMENT and
CONCESSION SUPPLIES
TRI-STATE THEATRE SUPPLY
320 So. Second St. Memphis, Term.
MONARCH (
Theatre Supply, Inc
Neil Blount
492 So. Second St.
Memphis,
Tenn.
'Air Command' Film
Recruits Employes
Opelousas, La.— "Strategic Air Command,"
a film about the U. S. Air Force
which played the Rose Theatre here
several weeks ago, inspired three young
employes of the theatre to enlist in that
branch of the service.
The youths are Thomas J. Rivette, 17,
projectionist; and Calvin Vidrine, 17, and
Floyd J. Lanclos, 18, ushers. An Air Force
display was set up in the lobby during
the run of the film. Personal appearances
were made at the Rose by M/Sgt. R. T.
Boudreaux, local Air Force recruiter.
Vidrine, Rivette and Lanclos quickly
caught the enthusiasm reflected by the
film and Sgt. Boudreaux—and they enlisted
for a four-year stretch in the Air
Force. They were sent to Lackland Air
Force Base, San Antonio, Tex., for 11
weeks of basic training- and the beginning
of a new career.
Mid-South Fair Dulls
Memphis Boxoffice
MEMPHIS—The midsouth fair in Memphis
was blamed for the unusually poor first run
attendance here. Only one theatre, the
Warner showing the second week of "The
McConnell Story," played to average attendance.
All others dropped below par.
(Average Is 100)
Malco—Creature With the Atom Brain (Col).... 90
Palace—Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing
(20th-Fox), 2nd wk 95
State—Summertime (UA) 75
Strand—The Girl Rush (Para) 75
Warner—The McConnell Story (WB), 2nd wk 100
First Film in 18 Years
Viewed by Oldtimer
GADSDEN, ALA.—Manager D. B. Dixon of
the Princess Theatre was host to John H.
Hill, 76, of Alabama City during the showing
of "The Phenix City Story." It was the first
film Hill had seen in 18 years.
"Highly educational, everybody ought to
see it," was Hill's comment on the film.
Manager Dixon presented the elderly
patron some passes so that he won't wait
18 years before he sees his next show.
Newsboys See Premiere
JACKSONVILLE—Several hundred Jacksonville
Journal carriers were guests of the
Five Points Theatre at the special premiere
showing of the movie "To Hell and Back."
They were welcomed by Bill Beck, theatre
manager.
Edwards Custom-Built In-Car Heaters
• Strong cost-aluminum coses. • Theatres name cast in case.
• Painted any color—wrinkle or • Wired for any voltage and
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wattage.
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PRICE
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CHARLESTON, TENNESSEE
Youth Robs Boxoffice
To See Thief Film
SHREVEPORT, LA.—Determined to see a
showing of Paramount's "To Catch a Thief"
at the Strand Theatre here, a 17-year-old
youth of Bossier City—across Red River
from Shreveport—pulled a knife on the
cashier, stole 50 cents and a short time later
landed in city jail.
In an attempt to get into the theatre, the
youth pulled a knife on Betty Landreth,
cashier, threatened her and tried to run up
the stairs. When she went to call the manager,
the intruder stole some money from
the cash box in the ticket office and fled.
He ran a block from the Strand and
bought a ticket to the Don Theatre to see
MGM's "The King's Thief." However, he
didn't get to see much of the show as Detectives
Drew C. Finnelle and L. S. Bandaries
spotted him in the balcony of the
Don and took him to police headquarters.
He was charged with aggravated assault with
a knife upon the cashier. In city court Monday
he was found guilty and fined $50 by
Judge Ruvian D. Hendrick.
NEW ORLEANS
president George Weltner, head of Paramount
worldwide sales, accompanied by
Charles Boasberg, Vice-President Hugh
Owen, and Southern Division Manager Gordon
Bradley visited the local branch to meet
with Manager Bill Holliday and the sales
staff . . . The Panaroma, New Orleans, started
its second week of "I Am a Camera." The
picture, condemned by the Catholic church
here with special announcements from the
pulpits, continues to play to large audiences.
Claire Tremore! resigned from United
Artists to join her husband in his own business.
Nathalie Odom, formerly with MGM,
will succeed her as booker . . . Mary Morris,
cashier. Paramount, is resting in a local
hospital after an operation.
M. Campbell closed the Lex, Elberta, October
1. Campbell also operates the Robertsdale,
Robertsdale, Ala ... In town were
Al Morgan, F. T. McLendon Theatres; W. E.
Limmroth, Giddens & Rester Theatres, Alabama;
E. Delehaye, Gwen, Maringouin; Lefty
Cheramie, Rebstock, Golden Meadow, and
Dick Guidry, Jet Drive-In, Cut Off.
Leaders Seek
Tristates
Speakers at TOA Session
MEMPHIS—Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Flexer
of Waverly, Tenn., and Mr. and Mrs. Orris
Collins of Paragould, Ark., are attending the
Theatre Owners of America convention in
Los Angeles (6-9 > . Tristate President Flexer
and active member Collins are doubling as
"talent scouts" on the trip, looking for additional
speakers and information to present
to the Theatre Owners of Tennessee. Arkansas
and Mississippi convention at Hotel
Gayoso in Memphis (24-25).
Woolner Bros. Chartered
NEW ORLEANS—Woolner Bros. Pictures,
to distribute motion picture films, 150 South
Liberty St., has been granted a charter of
incorporation listing capital stock of $1,020.
52 BOXOFFICE :
8, 1955

Danny Kaye Will Appear
In Four Ohio Theatres
NEW YORK—Danny Kaye will present his
All Star International Stage Show in four
RKO Theatres In Ohio during the first half
of November. The deal was signed personally
by Sol A. Schwartz, circuit president.
The dates are: Palace, Columbus, October
31 -November 2; Albee, Cincinnati. November
3-6: Keith's, Dayton, November 7-9, and Palace,
Cleveland. November 10-13. Continuous
screen policies will be dropped during these
engagements and the prices will range from
$3.50 to $1.10. In Columbus and Dayton.
Kaye will do three evening shows, while in
Cincinnati and Cleveland he will do four
evening performances and two matinees.
The program will follow the pattern of
the 14-week engagement at the RKO Palace,
New York. At the end of this series Kaye
will return to the coast to make a picture.
Joy Houck May Produce
Film Near Meridian, Miss.
MERIDIAN. MISS.—A motion picture may
be made in the Meridian-Enterprise area
soon by Joy Houck, owner of more than 60
theatres in Louisiana.
Houck. a visitor at the filming of "Davy
Crockett's Daughter," said he was impressed
by the beauty of the natural surroundings in
and around Enterprise.
Houck, who started his big southern circuit
with shows in a tent, has produced a number
of pictures, including "Kentucky Rifle."
MEMPHIS
Anotlirr speaker has been lined up for the
Tristates convention. Dick Stern, Bijou
Amusement Co., Nashville, will speak before
the October 25 session on concessions . . .
The Skyvue Drive-in, Savannah. Tenn., will
close for the season October 22: Sunset, Selmer,
Tenn., October 19, while the Lyon
County Drive-In, Kuttawa Springs, Ky., has
already closed.
. . . R. R. Clemmons,
Nhvte Bedford, Marion, Hamilton, Ala.,
and Lyle Richmond, Richmond, Senath, Mo.,
were in on business
owner, has reopened Missouri Theatre at
Parma, Mo. Clemmons was in booking.
From Arkansas came these exhibitors:
Gene Higginbotham, Melody, Leachville: Orris
Collins, Capitol, Paragould: Sam Becker.
Mox, Blytheville; W. C. Sumpter, Cotton
Boll, Lepanto; Mr. and Mrs. Henley Smith,
and Adrian L. White. Imperial, Pochahontas;
C. F. Bonner, Community and Pines Drivein,
Pine Bluff; Merle Goodheart, Hickory,
Hickory Ridge, and William Elias, Murr,
Osceola.
W. F. Ruffin sr. and W. F. Ruffin jr., Ruffin
Amusements Co., Covington; R. B. Gooch,
Ritz, Selmer; A. B. Garrett, Starlite Drive-In.
Union City, and Louise Mask, Luez, Bolivar,
were among West Tennessee's visiting exhibitors.
Booking from Mississippi were J. A. Thornton,
Bruce, Bruce: Mrs. J. C. Noble, Temple,
Leland; Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Gullett, Benoit,
Benoit; B. F. Jackson. Delta, Ruleville; C. J.
Collier, Globe, Shaw; R. B. Cox, Eureka,
Batesvllle; Leon Rountree, Valley at Water
Valley and Holly at Holly Springs; Theron
Lyles, Ritz, Oxford; Roland Adams, Rebel
Drive-In, Oxford, and J. M. Mounger, Mart,
Calhoun City.
Winnfield, La., Theatre
Remodeled by W. O. Long
WINNFIELD, LA.—Remodeling of the old
nearing com-
Winn Theatre building here is
pletion, according to W. Otho Long, who
negotiated a lease with Hasson Morris on
the building early in September. Long obtained
a ten-year lease on the building, used
lor many years as a theatre, but which was
condemned about a year ago and closed.
The $12,000 renovation job was started
early in September and included rebuilding
on the front of brick and glass.
Long also operates the Parkway Drive-in
on the Tullos highw-ay at the edge of town.
Louis Shumake Named
CONWAY, ARK.—Louis Shumake has been
named manager of the 65 Drive-In Theatre
here succeeding Matthew A. Pope, who was
transferred to two theatres in Belzoni, Miss.
The local theatre is owned by C. J. Collier of
Shaw, Miss. The drive-in will remain open
through the fall and winter.
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BOXOFFICE October 8, 1955 53

. . The
—
: October
ATLANTA
fVn Filmrow were Nat Williams, Interstate
Enterprises, Thomasville ; Don Wenger,
Perkin Theatre, Montgomery, Ala.; E. J.
Hunter, Colquitt Theatre, Colquitt; N. A.
Stephens, booking agent. Savannah; John
Purdy, Oak Ridge, Tenn.; Dick Kennedy,
Kennedy Theatres, Birmingham, Ala., and
Bobby Cobb, Cobb Theatres, Fayette, Ala.
Dixie Drive-ins are closing the Circle, Savannah
. . . Starlite Drive-in, Crossville, Tenn.,
and the Family Drive-In, Harriman, Tenn.,
are closing November 15 for the winter .
. .
E. H. Moon has reopened the Grand, Tallapoosa,
Ga. . . . Doris Honea has resigned
from the staff Buena Vista Films . . .
of
Johnny Cosentina, home office auditor, is
visiting the Atlanta United Artists Exchange.
Publicity man BUI Gandell was in Atlanta
exploiting UA's "Gentlemen Marry Brunettes."
W. E. Blue is closing his Jackson Drive-In
and Woodbury Drive-In November 15 for the
winter . wife of "Shag" Jordan
formerly salesman for many years with UA
—is ill in St. Joseph's Hospital, Atlanta.
Johnny Davidson—former WB salesman, now
with WAGA-TV—is father of a baby girl,
born Friday, September 23 . . . Biltmore,
the fabulous Vanderbilt estate in Asheville,
the best source of supply for the finest
in approved
equipment
%
N. C, is the scene of filming "The Swan,"
Metro's new Grace Kelly picture . . . Clayton
is swarming with movie actors, visitors and
camera equipment for the filming of Disney's
"Great Locomotive Chase."
Others seen on the Row this week : Herman
Abrams, Lumpkin; W. W. Fincher, Chatsworth;
Charlie Simpson, State, Chattanooga,
Tenn.; Mack Jackson, Alexander City, Ala.;
Bob Dunn, Camilla; Preston Henn, Murphy,
N. C; Mrs. Juanita Foree and Mrs. Juanita
Belleville, Lakemont Drive-In, Alcoa, Tenn.;
Sol Abrams, Harlem Theatre, Athens, and
Phil Kaplan, Roxy Theatre, Macon.
Phyllis Williams, National Screen Service,
was to entertain Barbara Benson, Universal,
at a stork shower at Rich's Tearoom Saturday
(8) ... Bobby Cobb will open his new
Drive-In at Tuscaloosa, Ala., November 10
. . . WOMPI notes: Charline Jones, service
committee chairman, together with her committee
and others, visited the Battle Hill
Haven for the aged Saturday afternoon, September
24, and carried a lot of gifts which
had been brought to the luncheon by
WOMPIs the preceding Wednesday. Those
presenting the gifts and visiting with the
patients included Charline Jones, Emma
Brooks, Vera Howze, Martha Hall. Nell Allen.
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Francis J. White Home
In Charlotte Tour
CHARLOTTE — The one-story,
modified
colonial house of Mr. and Mrs. Francis
J. White of Howco Productions has been
selected as one of the ten local homes to
be shown on the Mint Museum Tour of
Homes here October 12, 13.
Mr. and Mrs. White's home combines the
beauty of traditional furnishings with the
comforts of air conditioning, baths for every
bedroom and a St. Charles efficiency kitchen.
Dining room walls are covered with beige
silk, on which hand-painted scenes of pomegranate,
cherry and dogwood trees have been
done. Draperies are antique changeable taffeta,
a shade deeper than the walls. Furniture
is traditional and the carpet is turquoise
chenille.
Living room walls, draperies and carpeting
are turquoise. A mirror above the couch is
especially designed for the room. Its frame
is rubbed-in turquoise and lined with turquoise
velvet. The Sheraton sofa is covered in damask
which matches the draperies. Chairs are
covered in apricot and dark green velvet.
There is a rustic guest room done in brown
and beige with provincial wall paper and
rustic furnishings. The other guest room is
yellow and blue with yellow chenille carpet,
a quilted chintz print throw and draperies
of yellow and walls of blue.
The master bedroom is turquoise, with a
dual headboard and throw of green taffeta,
a turquoise dust ruffle, a chaise lounge of
light rose and a barrelback chair of purple
velvet.
White, the owner of Howco Productions,
makes four or five trips to the coast every
year and produces Lash LaRue westerns. His
latest film is "Kentucky Rifle." The Whites
have one son Alex and a grandson Lee, who
was one year old Sunday (2).
Charlotte WOMPI Donate
Canned Goods to Home
CHARLOTTE—Members of the local Women
of the Motion Picture Industry met at
luncheon at Thacker's restaurant here Wednesday
(28), and brought canned goods for
the club's September project of donating
canned goods to Alexander Home. Members
voted to assist in the annual Poppy Day
Drive conducted by the Veterans of Foreign
Wars Saturday (1).
Two new appointments were made by
President Myrtle Parker. Mrs. Vera Ledbetter
was named corresponding secretary
replacing Margaret Baker, who resigned, and
Mrs. Billie Harris was named to the board
of directors succeeding Lillian Noel, Nolen,
who resigned.
Mrs. Billie Harris was given a check for
$5 for having sold 100 tickets to the dance
recently held by the club. She gave this to
the treasurer for use on the service projects.
Mrs. Margie Thomas was given a prize for
guessing the woman chosen as Woman of the
Month, Mrs. Hazel Miller, cashier at Universal.
Following the business session a special gettogether
was hosted by Vice-President Gladys
Hawkins. The table at the luncheon was decorated
with a bowl of red roses and white
chrysanthemums, interspersed with white
artificial grapes, which was sent to the club
by Harris Florist Co.
54 BOXOFFICE :
8, 1955

Italy Asks Outright Loan
For Hard-Hit Producers
ROME—With Italian producers in financial
difficulties, the government here is seeking
a continuance of a flow of American
dollars to aid them. Behind the latest financing
moves is the implicit threat of more
burdensome restrictions on the importation
and distribution of American films, if they
aren't accepted.
The present film pact, now being renegotiated,
calls for a dubbing tax that amounts
to about $800,000 a year and is. in effect, an
American loan to Italy. In return. American
producers can remit half that amount out of
blocked funds. Italian producers draw on the
$800,000 fund.
The latest Italian government proposal is
that the American industry through the Motion
Picture Export Ass'n make an outright
loan to the Italian industry at a low interest
rate. It has been made by Dr. Eitel Monaco,
president of ANICA. to G. Griffith Johnson.
MPEA vice-president. That money, too, would
go to Italian producers, particularly the
smaller ones who are struggling to remain in
business. So far as is known, no amount has
yet been mentioned.
The proposal came at a time when the
Japanese government made a similar one to
Irving Maas, MPEA vice-president, now in
Tokyo. The amount asked for there Is
$10,000,000. Blocked American earnings there
don't exceed that amount by much.
New York Hotel Installs
RCA Color TV Receivers
NEW YORK—Fifty 21-inch RCA Victor
color television sets have been installed in
rooms and suites of the Hotel Governor
Clinton here as part of the regular furnishings
and at no extra charge to the
guests. It was the first substantial multiple
installation of color TV sets in hotel guests
rooms, according to Frank M. Folsom, president
of the Radio Corp. of America, and
Leo A. Fields, president of the hotel.
The hotel also has 700 RCA Victor 21-inch
black-and-white sets and will increase the
number until there are TV installations in
all 1.300 rooms.
The first color program to be seen by the
guests was the National Broadcasting Co.
spectacular. "Our Town." starring Frank
Sinatra, which was telecast Monday (19>.
There was a reception for hotel industry
executives, the press and others.
The color installations were made by Wells
Television, Inc., representing RCA. The hotel
has a master antenna which feeds signals to
all the sets.
Burglars Break in at Rex
Twice in Eight Nights
BATON ROUGE—The Rex Theatre here
has been burglarized twice within eight
nights. The second attempt yielded the
burglars nothing, but on the first
occasion a
600-pound safe, containing between $600 and
$800 was carted off from the theatre office.
On both occasions the office's front door was
jimmied and the storeroom door removed
from its hinges.
Phil Campbell Star Opened
PHIL CAMPBELL, ALA.—The newly redecorated
and remodeled Star Theatre has
been opened here.
CHARLOTTE
pxchange employes Locals F33 and B33 will
will resume their meetings and activities
this month. Meetings were discontinued during
the summer because of vacations. Mrs.
Rosaline Hutton, head inspector at Columbia,
and Mrs. Thelma Culp. cashier at Warner
Bros., are business agents for the locals . . .
W. Frank Harris of Harris Theatre Sales, a
member of executive committee of the local
National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis
chapter, recently returned from a visit in
Warm Springs, Ga. He also attended the
meeting in Atlanta preparatory to the January
March of Dimes campaign, where Basil
O'Connor, national president, spoke. Harris
recently installed Cinemascope equipment at
the Meadowbrook Drive-in. Greenville, N. C.
Clara and Bill White are patients in Charlotte
Memorial Hospital recuperating from
injuries received in an automobile accident
. . . Mrs. Myrtle Parker and Mrs. Gladys
Hawkins were the delegates from the local
WOMPI club named to attend the national
WOMPI convention in New Orleans last
weekend.
Sweet-Tooth Burglars
Rob Borger Drive-In
BORGER, TEX. — Sweet-tooth burglars
broke into the Post Drive-In warehouse over
a recent weekend and took about $200 worth
of sweets including 2,000 ice cream cones.
Also missing in the burglary were three or
four cases of Root Beer syrup, five cases of
chocolate syrup, two crates of ice cream cones,
two gallons of cherries and a gallon of pineapple.
C. Bowden Heads Drive
FORT MYERS, FLA.—Carlton Bowden,
manager of the Arcade Theatre, has been appointed
finance campaign manager for the
Salvation Army's annual fund drive.
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BOXOFFICE :
: October
8. 1955 55

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JACKSONVILLE
TJobert Heekin, district supervisor for Florida
State Theatres, and wife left on a fall vacation
in south Florida. They planned to attend
the Notre Dame-Miami football game
theatre managers visiting here were
Bill Duggan, Florida, West Palm Beach, and
Lynn Goodyear, Empire, Daytona Beach . . .
Other exhibitors in were R. E. Giddens,
Linda Drive-in, Palatka; John Sutton, Vogue,
Orlando, and Les Sipes, Pinecrest Drive-In,
New Smyrna Beach . . . Callers at booking
offices were Bob Pollard of Tampa, Republic
salesman, and Arthur' Davis of Miami, Gold
Coast Pictures Co.
Newly equipped for showing Cinemascope
films are four Navy and Marine establishments
in Key West, Miami and on Boca Chica
Key—the Arcade in Immokalee; Fountain
Drive-in, Lakeland, Ga.; Vernon Theatre,
Vernon; Palms, Homestead; two Negro patronage
houses, Carver at Orlando and Annex
. . .
at Winter Garden, and the Follies, local
burlesque house Under construction at
West Palm Beach is the Twilight Drive-in,
owned by industry newcomers Mr. and Mrs.
A. G. Leach . are now 421 theatres
of all types in the Florida area which have
Cinemascope.
Janice Claxton, Edna Cox and Maggie
Gardner were slated to give the WOMPI
membership a report on the New Orleans convention,
which they attended as delegates, at
a Hotel Roosevelt luncheon . . . Thomas P.
Tidwell, member of the Variety Crew, addressed
a large group of men from theatres,
Filmrow, newspapers and TV and radio stations
at a meeting in the Studio Theatre. He
is spearheading a membership drive before
the opening of Variety's Agricultural and Industrial
fair at the Gator Bowl in November.
Joe J. Deitch, FST executive, and Maurice
Shaaber, Wil-Kin Theatre Supply projection
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Active Kiddy Club
MELBOURNE. FLA—Jim Beach, manager
of the Van Croix Theatre, has announced the
organization of Uncle Dud's Kiddy Club,
which will meet each Saturday morning at
9:30 at the theatre. With local merchants
cooperating, a full club program has been
worked out and is in full swing.
Saturday morning club activities as outlined
by Beach include a special kid's matinee
film, an on-stage prize competition
among members, gifts, and recognition for
any member who has had a birthday during
the week. Birthday gifts include a cake
from Coleman's Bakery and a free pass to
the Van Croix for a week.
Every contestant each Saturday will receive
a s lver dollar and the winner receives
a free pass to the theatre for a month on
top of other prizes. Gifts and prizes are being
presented by Dud's Record Shop and
Garrique's Jewelry.
The only cost to club members will be the
regular Van Croix matinee admission price
of 25 cents. Only bona fide members are
eligible to participate in the contests. To
obtain free membership, children are required
to enroll and obtain a membership
card at the boxoffice or at Dud's Record
Shop. No adult will be admitted to the matinee
unless accompanied by children, Beach
adds.
Nightly Damage by Child
Vandals at Van Croix
MELBOURNE, FLA.—A wave of vandalism
has broken out at the Van Croix Theatre,
according to James Beech, manager. Six to
12 seats are being slashed nightly by children,
the vandals evidently using razor blades
embedded in match sticks or wrapped with
tape.
Both backs and seats are slashed without
discrimination, and as it costs $15 apiece to
re-cover a seat, the loss is considerable. The
management has announced that unless the
vandalism stops immediately, children under
16 will have to be accompanied by their parents
to evening performances.
Privately, it is Manager Beech's hope that
the newly formed Uncle Dud's Kids Club
on Saturday mornings will help channel the
present destructiveness along lines of better
behavior.
Theatre Passes Will Go
To Shrewd Guessers
ST. PETERSBURG—A $25 grand prize
goes to the amateur crystal gazer submitting
the most nearly accurate ballot each week
during the football season. Five other prizes
will be awarded to runners-up. each getting
a pair of passes to a local Florida State
theatre. The contest is being staged jointly
by the St. Petersburg Independent and the
theatre chain.
Passes io 200 Cars
GUNTERSVILLE. ALA. — The Marshall
Drive-In awarded $4,680 in passes to the first
200 cars attending the theatre on September
27. The theatre also is awarding a pony, a
bicycle and six pairs of jeans in a Cow Kid
photographic contest being held in the theatre's
pony corral.
Power of Suggestion?
Manager Wonders
Dania. Fla.—I'nrollinK on the screen
was "You're Never Too Young," and
.Manager Edwin Cannon of the Dania
Drive-In wonders if the power of suggestion
was at work. Anyway, during the
picture two 9-year-old boys ransacked
the theatre office and the concession
stand, getting away with money, candy
and cigarets amounting to about $100.
Dan Davis Named to Ala.
State Docks Board
FLORENCE, ALA.—Gov. James E. Folsom
has appointed Dan Davis, Florence theatre
owner, to the Alabama state docks board,
representing the Eighth Congressional District.
After attending the first meeting of the
new board in Montgomery, Davis and his son
Darwin left for Los Angeles to attend the
TOA convention. Davis and his son own
and operate the Norwood Theatre and the
Jov-Lan Drive-In here.
Harold Fischer Resigns
To Form Own Company
ORLANDO. FLA.—Harold Fischer, who for
a long time served as sales manager of Compco
Corp., Chicago, resigned to start his own film
company in Orlando. Harry Ellis, formerly of
Revere Camera Co., Chicago, succeeds him at
Compco.
Associated with Fischer in the new enterprise
will be Edward Arendt, formerly with
the National Audio-Visual Ass'n.
Burglars in Third Try
LAFAYETTE. LA.—Burglars broke into the
Nona Theatre here for the third time and
made off with about $6 in cash and nearly 20
packs of cigarets. Mrs. George Jordan, wife
of the theatre manager, said the burglars
gained admittance by climbing a sign at the
side of the building, crossing the roof and
entering a projectionist's booth through a
door.
W. K. Gardner to Ashdown
ASHDOWN, ARK.—William K. Gardner
of DeQueen, Ark. has been appointed manager
of the Williams Theatre here.
C'Scope to Apoka, Florida
APOKA. FLA. — The Municipal Theatre
here has been modernized and Cinemascope
equipment installed.
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Moil Address: Box 375, Tampa 1, Fla.
BOXOFFICE October 8. 1955 57

THE DOMINANT INDUSTRY PUBLICATION
BOXOFFICE
-STAYS OUT IN FRONT
First in
total
net paid circulation
First in
First in
First in
First in
exhibition circulation
equipment circulation
advertising volume
news coverage
First in pictorial coverage
First in
First in
w
service sections
market coverage
• Leadership means readership!
To every reader, each issue of BOXOFFICE brings
something to inform, to encourage, to help sell—
and make business more profitable.
58 BOXOFFICE :
: October
8, 1955

. . Henry
. . Mateo
. . Jack
. . H.
,
Blasts Damage Chief
Theatre, Enid, Okla.
ENID, OKLA.—Firemen and employes of
the Oklahoma Natural Gas Co. searched
beneath the seared stairway of the Chief
Theatre here in an effort to determine
whether or not an accumulation of natural
gas might, have touched off two explosions in
the theatre Wednesday night (28).
Paul Shipley, general manager here for
Video Independent Theatres, placed damage
done by the explosion and resultant blaze at
about $150. mostly to the stairway area.
Some sort of spark set off a gas accumulation
in the theatre, thought possibly to have
been sewer gas. It was theorized that someone
in the men's room might have lighted a
cigaret and touched off the explosion. The
two explosions, heard distinctly outside on
the street, knocked plaster from the east
wall
of the men's room and at the bottom of
the wall in the rear of the theatre and on
the south side of the main auditorium. Paint
up and down the entire stairway was seared
by the flames.
Terry Vernon, 18. doorman at the theatre
and a student at Phillips University, was
credited for confining the fire to the stairwell
and with preventing panic among the
400 patrons in the building. Vernon grabbed
a fire extinguisher and doused mast of the
flames at the head of the stairway near the
projection booth, enabling projectionist John
Jimenez to escape and preventing the fire
from spreading.
The theatre was not closed after the fire.
The Chief had only recently reopened after
a complete remodeling job, with a new policy
of top flight pictures and an increase in floor
management staff. Art Thompson is new
manager of the house.
The Chief now is equipped to show widescreen
pictures. An automatic masking for
the screen has been installed in addition
to many other improvements in sound and
projection. All new carpet and remodeling
of the concession stand and painting and newdoors
in the lobby were installed. New admission
prices are 50 cents matinee and 65
cents nights.
The Esquire, which has long been the ace
house, will continue in this position, with
top-flight pictures. This house also will have
a new paint job and some improvements in
the concession stand.
48.000,000 Households
Reported With TV Sets
WASHINGTON—Two-thirds of the 48,000,-
000 U. S. households today have television
sets, compared to about one in eight households
in 1950. according to the Census Bureau.
An estimated 32.000.000 households have TV
sets now, compared to about 5.000.000 households
five years ago. according to the Bureau.
The June TV survey was conducted for the
Advertising Research Foundation.
SAN ANTONIO Lew Bray Texas Chain
. . . John H. Flache,
. . . Dr. Clyde
Jane Russell, Robert Waterfleld and Richard
Sale made personal appearances at the
Aztec Wednesday for the opening of "Gentlemen
Marry Brunettes"
who operates the Charro Drive-in here and
the Alameda, Lamesa, opened his new 400-
car Fiesta Drive-In in Lamesa October 7.
showing Mexican pictures
Vaught, owner of the Presido at Presido, was
in booking Mexican product . Vela
has resumed control of the Star, Alice, and
will continue to operate it under its former
name of the Iris.
Ramon Ruenes was at the Mexican exchanges
booking for his Rex in Mission.
.
.
. . . Martin
Ruenes also is booking vaudeville dates for
Mexican star Pedro Infante Deakins,
Ritz, Floydada, visited Clasa-Mohme,
and Frank Norris, Denver, was a caller at
Azteca Bergman, manager of the
State, returned from vacation
Villapadierna, 63, member of Local 407, died
after a lengthy illness. He is survived by two
sons, Paul and Henry, four grandchildren
and his mother.
Tommy Powers, manager of the Texas,
held over "The Left Hand of God" for a
second week at the Majestic . Tommy
Wales, manager of the Rigsby Drive-In, reported
to police that vandals strewed
sharpened wire around his theatre Wednesday
(28) night. A new model car was seen
by a theatre employe as it drove away at a
high rate of speed. He gave the license
number to police who are investigating. This
is the third drive-in to experience this.
Plans Large Drive-In
HARLINGEN, TEX.—A 1,200-car drlve-ln
be constructed on a 20-acre plot one and
will
one half miles east of here, according to Lew
Bray, owner and operator of the Lew Bray
Valley theatres. Bray says he will open the
drive-in when ramps for 600 cars are ready,
and add space and speakers for the other
600 at a later date.
William O'Donnell, Dallas, formerly an executive
with the Interstate Circuit, will be
iated with Bray in the local situation.
Bray, also a former Interstate executive, went
into business for himself three years ago.
His son, Lew jr., is manager of Bray's Queen
Theatre in McAllen.
New Casper Airer Under Way
CASPER, WYO—The new de luxe Terrace
Drive-In Theatre is near completion here.
It is being built by Wyoming Theatres of
which Russell Schulte is president.
DRIVE-IN THEATRES
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BOXOFFICE :
: October
8. 1955 sw 59

—
DALLAS
pilmrow was saddened to hear of the death
Monday (31 of Mrs. Isabelle McClanahan,
56, wife of J. O. McClanahan, art director at
National Screen Service . . . The Variety clubrooms
were crowded Monday evening for the
monthly meeting. Inducted as new members
were Jack Murphy, Robert O. Schmidt and
Lewis Lawson. A party and open house was
to be held Friday and Saturday before and
after the traditional Texas-Oklahoma game
in the Cotton Bowl Saturday afternoon.
Sonny Martini, Galveston, was the only outof-town
exhibitor at the meeting. Duke
Clark, back from California, reported that
Jane Russell and her husband Bob Waterfield
were to make stage appearances in
Dallas. Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio
1317 S. WABASH, CHICAGO -630 NINTH AVE..NEW YORK
for her new film, "Gentlemen Marry Brunettes."
J. T. Orr was passing out cigars on the
birth of a son named John Caswell . . .
several from Filmrow attended the opening
of the new public library at Jackson and
Harwood.
Sam Newberry, Texan, Jayton, who is proud
of his farming activities, posted in front of
his theatre a tall stalk of corn which
measured 11 feet 6 inches, and offered passes
to anyone bringing a taller stalk. Benny
Smith, west of Jayton, beat Newberry's stalk
by four inches.
. . .
Clifton Osborne, assistant at the Inwood,
was married recently to Sally Longabach.
Interstate City Manager James O. Cherry
was the best man. Attending were James
Reynolds, manager of the Inwood; Alec Barr,
manager of the Village, and Tony Todora,
Lakewood Seen along Filmrow: Theo
Miller, Gem, Quitman; B. W. Atkinson,
Lorena; Mrs. W. W. Hinson, Crawford, Crawford;
Leon Glasscock, Glassock Theatres, San
Antonio; W. V. Adwell, Ranch, Ozona; K. D.
Riley, Queen, Teneha; Willie Weekes, Star,
Rising Star; Dick Brown, Lancaster; R. M.
Shaw, Star Drive-In, Turnertown; C. W.
Honnes, West Drive-In, Mrs. Forrest Dunlap,
Whitney.
Members of the local chapter of the Women
of the Motion Picture Industry returned
home Monday (3>
from New Orleans and the
international convention of the WOMPI organization.
They were enthusiastic over plans
for the coming year and were pleased with
the highly successful meeting hosted by the
New Orleans club. Attending from Dallas
were Lorena Cullimore, Mabel Guinan, Janie
Patrick, Beth Hull, Bertha Brennan, Rosemary
White, Sue Benningfield, Bess Whitaker,
Treva Jo Gould, Billie Webb, Blanche Boyle,
Melba Marten, Ruth Neff, Ann Webster,
Louise Kay, Mrs. J. B. Roberts, Helen St.
Clair, Margarette Rowland, Edna Schulman,
Mildred Fulenwider, Genevieve Koch, Adeline
Franklin, Rosa Browning, Myrtle Kitts,
Verlin Osborne and Thelma Jo Bailey.
S. G. Fry sr., Fry Theatres, Tyer, was on
the Row for the first time since about a
year ago with his son Robert. He looked
forward to Rose Festival Week and good business
at his theatre.
BOWLING
DALLAS—Paramount pulled up to within
one game of the Dallas Filmrow Bowling
league leading Metro team, scoring 12 wins
and four losses, to the Metro 13-3. Joe
Youngblood, Frontier Rangers team, led the
men with a 222 single game, and Murphy
Armstrong, Paramount, won the three-game
series with a 533 total.
Doris Browning rolled 162 for the women's
high single game and 447 series total. Evans
Printing holds team high game of 615, and
Rowley won high series with a 1,753.
.
Team standings are;
Team Won Lost Team Won
Metro 13
Rangers
Paramount . 12
Rustlers 6
Evons 10
Blazers 6
Liberty 10
Warner 5
Fox 10
Tower 4
Rowley 9
Interstate ... 3
Lost
8
10
10
11
12
13
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60 BOXOFFICE October 8, 1955

!
EASTERN OKLAHOMA
By ART LAMAN
II LMOST every theatreman Is
putting extra
effort into the selling of pictures to the
paying customers these days. In so doing.
tlu> showmen have realized that putting in
that extra effort is not as easy as it sounds.
In recent weeks, we have visited some
theatres during midweek when they were
playing top attractions to only a handful
of people. Some managers blame TV, Others
claim it might be higher admissions, and
Others say that after the families have paid
the installments on appliances and cars
there's just not enough money in the budget
for motion pictures.
One manager this week came up with the
idea that the opening of school and the cost
to the families of keeping youngsters in
school could be a major factor in the theatre
business drop.
The other night, we went to Convention
Hall to see and hear the splendid stage show
put on by Horace Heidt with bright new talent
from all over America. Maybe this type
of show would help at the theatre boxoffices.
We can recall when nearly every theatre had
a stage and used it to help bring in more
dollars.
• • •
We recently promised a report on one of
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Oklahoma's longtime showmen, T. Miller
Davidge, who has been in the industry for
some 40 years, starting in 1916. and who controls
four theatres m Durant, the Plaza,
Ritz. Metro and Skyvue Drive-In.
The Sky-Vtt was blown down in September
1954 by a tornado, and now has been rebuilt
into a fine situation. The back of the big
40x80-foot screen tower has been decorated
with a beautiful mural painting which attracts
the attention of hundreds of mot.
who pass the drive-in daily.
Throughout the drive-in only the finest
of equipment is to be found, including the
playground, concessions and the booth. Here
in Durant we also found a rather interesting
detail.
It seems that some months back, the local
paper wanted to double the rates for theatre
advertising. Davidge talked this over with
opposition theatremen in Durant, and they
agreed to pull all ads from the paper. This
was done and the ad money has been spent
in other ways and the theatre business has
continued to do nicely with no newspaper
advertising for 15 months.
Each year the Plaza Theatre works a tieup
with the university women of Durant. The
women sponsor and present a series of art
pictures. This has become one of the season's
most outstanding events. Last year the pictures
shown were "Tales of Hoffmann,''
"Oliver Twist." "Genevieve" and "The Importance
of Being Earnest." At this writing
the women are in the process of selecting this
year's films.
Davidge, a builder at heart, took us out to
see a job he is doing on one of the older
frame houses in Durant. It has been converted
into a duplex, and Miller has done a
bang-up job of planning the remodeling.
Bill Corbin, assistant to Davidge, showed us
about the theatres, all of which were in tiptop
condition. Everyone knew his job and
was doing it well. One thing I liked about
the concession operation at the Plaza, the
popcorn machine sets right out on the street.
We noticed any number of people who did
not go into the theatre stop and buy popcorn.
This, to our way of thinking, is good merchandising.
Miller went into partnership in 1924 with
the old R&R circuit of Dallas. The partnership
still stands, now with United Theatres,
which has succeeded the R&R.
Youth Director Becomes
Texas Theatre Manager
ABILENE, TEX.—Bill Ellis and Robert
Knox were principals in two local theatre
managerial changes recently. Ellis, manager
of the Interstate Circuit's Queen, took over
at the local Crescent Drive-In. Knox, former
youth director at the YMCA here, succeeded
Ellis as manager at the Queen.
The new employers of Ellis are Katherine
H. Kirkeby and R. A. Erickson, co-owners
and operators of the Crescent and Tower
Drive-In Theatres.
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BOXOFFICE October 8, 1955 61

. . Norma
. . . Red
HOUSTON
Vevin Genther from the MGM Dallas office
was here in behalf of the opening
of "Trial" at Loew's State . . . Henry Harrell,
20th-Fox manager, spent the week in Dallas
on business . . . Dignitaries attending the
press breakfast in the Rice Hotel, preceding
the opening of "The Treasure of Pancho
Villa" at the Metropolitan, included RKO's
Frank Darvin and exploiteer Dave Cantor,
both from New York; RKO Producer Edmund
Grainger, J. R. Grainger and Lynn Underfer.
all from Hollywood; Sol Sachs from Dallas
RKO branch; RKO field man, Spence Steinhurtz,
and Addie Addison. Others were Interstate
Theatres' Frank Starz and Raymond
Willie from Dallas, and from the Houston
office AI Lever, Conrad Brady and Russell
Rindy. Along with stars Gilbert Roland
and Rory Calhoun were Lita Baron, Calhoun's
wife, and Gilbert's assistant, Roberto
Polo.
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Jewelers Arnold Miller and Jay Cohen
came to breakfast. The Miller Jewelry Co.
donated 4,000 gifts, including ten diamond
birthstone rings, and Interstate added 4,000
gifts in the way of money and theatre passes.
Everyone attending the opening day of the
picture was to receive a gift from the treasure
chest.
"The Tall Men" was held for a second
week at the Metropolitan. "Wuthering
Heights" was at the River Oaks. Manager
Johnny Smith advertised this oldie, "Unchanged!
Samuel Goldwyn's Timeless Masterpiece"
. . . For "I Am a Camera," slated for
the Metropolitan, camera enthusiasts have
been invited to bring their cameras along to
John's camera shop where there will be two
girl models for them to shoot. The contest
winner will receive a Polaroid camera free.
New manager at the Galena is Bill Clayborn
Hazel Pool, manager of the Joy 11
. . . years before it closed recently, is now working
at the Gorman Jewelry Co., next door
to the Uptown . Benson, secretary
to Columbia boss John Winberry, returned
from a vacation Monday (3).
Variety Club Manager Rex Van has received,
after a long-delayed estate settling,
a pair of cuff links and watch chain from his
old friend W. C. Fields . . . Mr. and Mrs. Fred
Cannata were in New York on a vacation.
They expected to see some Broadway shows
and TV shows, and do some shopping. Fred
jr. is pinch-hitting for his dad on theatre
ads in the Uptown. Young Fred used to be
the adman at the Uptown.
Jack Ballew is the new manager of the
South Houston, having been transferred here
by Long Theatres from Port Lavaca where
he has been managing one of their theatres.
Ballew, formerly from Ohio, has moved
with his wife and seven-year-old daughter
into an apartment on Waters Road.
Trail Drive-in's Jack Farr has left the
hospital. Though much improved, he was
still confined to bed and allowed no visitors
Fletcher, Ritz manager, was vacationing
. . . Jane Russell was in Monday (3)
to "blow the horn of publicity" for her new
"Gentlemen Marry Brunettes." Husband
Bob Waterfield, associate producer on the
Ray Milland, Mary
show, was along . . .
Murphy and Ward Bond are due in October
13 for the premiere of "A Man Alone" at the
Metropolitan.
E. H. Moreland became the father of a
baby boy Saturday ( 1 Moreland manages
> .
the Lindale and Hi-Nabor drive-ins . . .
There are new, big combination ads in the
papers since the Airline, Hempstead, Irvington,
Pasadena and Winkler drive-ins have
been combined under the Pack banner.
MAIL YOUR AUDiENCE AWARDS
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62 BOXOFFICE
:
: October
8, 1955

. . . Mable
. . Buck
. . Mrs.
. . but
Herman Field Has
25ih Anniversary
CLARINDA, IOWA — Herman Field.
operator of theatres here with the Pioneer
Theatre Corp. of Minneapolis, is observing
bis 25th year In the theatre business here.
At the same time, the Pioneer chain Is
observing its silver anniversary In Iowa.
Field, who has been associated with the
theatre business for 41 years, came to
Clarlnda from Minneapolis in 1930. He began
his career in the Twin Cities at the age of
19. When he came here he purchased the
Armory and Rialto theatres and improved
them so that Clarinda today boasts the
finest indoor and outdoor theatres of any
town of comparable size in the midwest.
Field has always taken part in community
affairs He is an active member of the
Kiwanis Club, Masons and Shrine, the
Country Club and the Chamber of Commerce.
Field has three cousins in the theatre
business. Harold Field of Minneapolis is
president of the Pioneer circuit; Leonard
Field is a producer of stage shows in New
York City and Don Field is a Hollywood film
producer.
DES MOINES
/""olumbia booker and office manager Jim
Ricketts has had a houseful during the
past week! His son Jim. former Filmrow
employe here and now working on the Row
in Denver, Colo., spent his vacation here.
Accompanying him were his wife and three
children. With the Des Moines grandchildren,
too. this made lots of fun at the Ricketts . . .
Myrtle Bechtel. Warner cashier, was nursing
a sore arm as a result of an auto accident
which happened during her recent vacation
Magnusson was away from her
desk at Universal last week to help take
care of her daughter who was on the sick
list . . . Frank Zanotti, Universal booker, was
a lucky guy during the recent series, winning
three pools in a row.
.
. . Marjorie
Lou Levy, Universal manager, screened
'The Second Greatest Sex" at the Fox projection
room September 30 . . . Paramount
issued invitations for a sneak preview of
"Artists and Models," starring Martin and
Lewis, at the Paramount October 7 at 8:35
p.m. Stoner, Paramount district
manager, was here conferring with Manager
Don Hicks.
Max Rosenblatt, RKO manager, spent the
weekend visiting his family in Omaha and
will be happy when he sells his Omaha house
and gets his home established in Des Moines
so that his family is with him .
Stubbs is the new bookers stenographer at
RKO . . . Thelma Washburn, RKO booker
and office manager, is already full of plans
for that holiday vacation which will take
her to both coasts and the Rose Bowl game.
Bill Curry. Iowa United, is back from a
week's vacation . A. H. Blank appeared
on the KRNT-TV program. "What's
New," recently, and talked about her doll
co'lection. As usual, she made a very charming
guest for Bill Riley and Mary Jane Chinn
to interview.
Kvhbitors on the Row included Nate
Rosenthal. Waterloo: Ernie Pannos. Iowa
Nostalgic Rhyme Used
Upon Theatre Closing
Dows, Iowa—Audrey, wife of Gene
Bradley who managed the Dows Theatre
until it closed recently, turned to rhyme
(with a touch of nostalgia) to report the
shuttering:
A theatre there was with lights aglow;
We wanted always to keep it so,
But no one came, and so we went.
We found it wouldn't even pay the
rent.
Bradley, who has been a Brown &
Bigelow salesman in addition to running
the theatre, is moving to Spencer, Iowa,
where he has been given a promotion.
Local merchants tried to keep the Dows
in operation but their support was not
enough.
. . . Invitations have
City: Nick and Jim Yiannias, Dubuque, and
Frank Smith. Corydon
gone out to women on the Row to attend
an organizational meeting of Women of the
Motion Picture Industry, which is to have
a chapter in Des Moines. Dorothy Pobst, UA,
is in charge of the first meeting.
Audience Awards Gains
Twin Cities Support
MINNEAPOLIS — Full support for the
Audience Awards poll November 17-27 was
pledged by industry members at a luncheon
meeting at the Hotel Nicollet here to discuss
plans for this territory's participation. Present
were many Twin Cities and out-of-town exhibitors,
who expressed enthusiasm over the
venture. The luncheon followed meetings by
the local committee and Minneapolis film
salesmen.
Ralph Russell of Canton, Ohio, one of those
who conceived the award plan, was the
principal speaker. He explained the project
and its boxoffice potentialities and predicted
it would be a huge success and annual affair
if exhibitors do their part.
Harry B. French, Minnesota Amusement
Co. president, and Bennie Berger, North
Central Allied head, the territory's co-chairmen,
said it behooved theatre owners to get
behind the poll firmly for their own and the
industry's good. In brief talks they pointed
out that the industry needs showmanship
more than ever before and this poll will help
to supply it. They called it one of the most
important boxoffice aids ever devised.
Herman Friedman Dies
KEOKUK. IOWA—Word has been received
here of the death of Herman Friedman, 63,
former operator of the old Hippodrome moving
picture theatre on the present site of the
Iowa Theatre here. Recently he had been
president of Kernan's Women's Apparel store
in Chicago. He died in the Michael Reese
Hospital there. Surviving are his wife Rosalind,
a son Jack, a grandchild, two sisters
and two brothers.
Only Theatre Goes Dark
CALMAR, IOWA—For the first time in
more than 45 years, Calmar is without a theatre!
The present owner. Myrtle Svendsen
of Decorah, moved with her family to Keokuk
and the shows were discontinued. The present
building was erected in 1915 and has been
operated under four separate owners.
Editorial Says Pay
TV May Help Films
CUMBERLAND, WIS.—The Cumberland
Advocate recently took an editorial swing at
the controversy over pay-as-you-see TV. The
editorial outlined the controversy, presenting
both the motion picture industry viewpoint
and the TV industry's ideas.
"But there is one thing," the editorial said,
"which few people seem to pay much attention
to—and that is 'What will John Q. think
of the idea?' So far as we are concerned,
television has, in the last two or three years,
lost much of its appeal. The novelty has worn
off. and the magic is no longer important.
Then, too, we have come to the conclusion
that the people who decide what they will
produce for our entertainment have a different
idea of the American mentality than most
of the people have.
"Sometimes we think that TV is composed
of a pack of wild-eyed neurotics and psychos
whose notion of what should be portrayed is
vastly different from what the people would
like to see.
"The unfortunate part of it is that so many
folks accept what is spoon-fed to them, and
like robots turn on their receiving sets
whether they like the program or not, Just
for the sake of having it turned on, possibly.
We regret that the art of conversation
and the habit of reading books are being lost,
and we fear if this is allowed to persist we will
become a nation of gibbering idiots . . . reciting
singing commercials and yelling slogans
promoting soap . . .
"We don't have an opinion yet on whether
or not we would care to pay for our TV programs
. we do know one thing, and
that is we aren't too happy with what we are
getting at present; even if it's free we don't
have to like it! With the exception of a few
shows, television is for the most part lost in
the stratosphere, as far as we personally are
concerned. We don't know what we want
them to do, and we don't know if we feel
like paying for it either.
"For our money, we'll take one good movie
on Herb Robinson's widescreen in preference
to a dozen 21-inch television efforts, even If
they are of comparable quality. And, if it
comes to the point where we will be given
the choice, and free television continues its
weird progress toward insanity, it could very
well be that pay TV will be the instrument
that will drive the American people back to
the movies by the millions!"
SEND IN YOUR AUDIENCE
AWARDS NOMINATIONS.
1377 S. WABASH, CHICAGO -630 NINTH AVE. NSW YORK
BOXOFFICE October 8. 1955 NC 63

. . Walter
. . Robert
—
—
MILWAUKEE
JJarry Oshan, Columbia manager, is engaged
to Anna E. Mernit of Bayside, N. Y. . . .
William Poblocki, son of Ben Poblocki of the
Poblocki Outdoor Sign Co., is engaged to
Joan Marie Schiller of Burlington, Wis. William
is operating the theatres in Burlington
owned by Jack Yeo . . . Joseph Sasse, 69,
projectionist for 45 years, died after a long
illness. He was projectionist at the Modjeska
and was a member of Local 164.
. .
Henry Kratz is new manager of the Tower
Theatre here. He formerly was assistant
manager at the Riverside. The Tower has a
new concession stand installed by Theatres
Candy Co . Nat "King" Cole was the feature
attraction at the Riverside to big business
Henry Quartemont is the new manager
. . . of the Lyric, Stevens Point, operated
by Gran Enterprises. The Lyric is in the
process of remodeling.
. . . The
Eugene Auterman is new manager for
Gran's Ford Theatre. Waterford . . . Oliver
Trampe of Film Service and Allied Exchange
flew to Iron Mountain and stopped off on
his return at Wausau and Green Bay. Oliver
flies his own plane . . . Jerry Kramer, salesman
for U-I. will marry Karen Applebaum,
biller for Columbia next month
Better Films Council of Milwaukee County
will hold its fall meetings at Mitchell Park
Pavillion.
. . .
.
Eph Rosen, assistant manager at MGM,
Minneapolis, and former branch manager
here, is recuperating after an appendectomy
Highway 51 Drive-In, Plover, was picketed
this week during the running of "Street
Corner" by three priests who claimed that
the film was condemned by the Legion of
Decency Konrad, manager for
over 14 years with Fox Wisconsin Theatres,
now is manager for the Oriental.
O. P. Suprenant, retired former partner of
. . Antone
Martin Thomas in the operation of the Range
Theatre, Hurley, and the Ironwood and Rex,
Ironwood, Mich., died last week .
LeCoque, employe of the Bay, Green Bay,
for 12 years before his retirement, died.
The forthcoming wedding of radio and
screen star Frances Langford and Ralph S.
Evinrude, local millionaire industrialist and
sportsman, is getting some interest among
industry folk. Evinrude is the son of the late
Ole Evinrude, Milwaukee inventor of the first
successful outboard motor.
Ralph Krause, manager of the Milwaukee
Theatre, who is acting president of the
Teutonia Avenue Advancement Ass'n., is
stumped for once. It will be recalled that to
put a little life into the Teutonia avenue area
Krause arranged for a flagpole sitter to perch
atop one of the buildings until the Milwaukee
Braves won seven games in a row. Merchants
backed Krause up on the venture for publicity
sake. Well the Braves failed to win more
than six in a stretch, so Bill Sherwood, the
sitter, came down June 23, and lit out for
Reno, Nev., to get a divorce, according to
police.
Miss Texas, (Mary Miles Daughters). 19, of
Kingsville, Tex., and a runnerup in the recent
Miss Universe contest, was here to pep up
things for "To Hell and Back." "Where's all
the snow I heard you get up here?" she asked
. . . Liberace, Milwaukee's gift to the piano
people, is scheduled to make a personal appearance
here November 11, in connection
with the opening of his film, "Sincerely
Yours."
.
Exhibitor Joe Coyne of Gays Mills, Wis.,
died recently after an operation performed at
Wood Hospital Brill, Century
Theatre manager, has been making the headlines
recently as a result of some fancy promotional
activities. He got the merchants of
Upper Third street together and presented a
program to add some glamor to the street
a bathing beauty contest to start off with.
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Va lb. Printed Noiseless Sacks Per 1000 3.40
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Subject to Change Without Notice
DES MOINES THEATRE SUPPLY CO.
1121-23 High St. Des Moines, Iowa
Mrs. A. H. Blank Gives Doll
Collection to Des Moines
Des Moines—The city of Des Moines is
to get a famous doll collection, valued at
875,000, thanks to the generosity of Mrs.
A. H. Blank, wife of the president of the
Tri-States Theatre Corp. Mrs. Blank, the
former Theo Redwood of New York City
and Kansas City, has brought her collection
here from Kansas City where it
was recently on display. After this introduction
to the public, Mrs. Blank has
said she wants to present the collection
to the city. There are more than 500 dolls
in the collection which was assembled
over a 15-year period. It's more than a
whole lot of dolls, the collection
represents a miniature panorama of the
history of doll-making and the customs
and cultures of many civilizations.
It went over with a bang. Bril secured $1,000
worth of advertising during the run of the
stunt, of which he gave back $100 to the
merchant's association for the purpose of
sparking along preparations for their Christmas
activities! Among those who participated
in the gala affair, were Mayor Zeidler, haberdasher
Burt Bagley, who acted as emcee,
and Harold Janecky, secretary and treasurer
for the Gran Theatres.
Look who's in the driver's seat again at
the Tower Theatre—none other than Henry
Kratz. late of the Riverside, as assistant to
Erv Clumb. Kratz has been in the business
since 1937, having started out as a doorman
at the Varsity. In successive moves he went
to assistant and then manager at the Strand,
and then as he terms it, he made the circuit;
Astor, Downer and others when he was called
into Service. On his return he took over the
assistant manager's slot at the Riverside
under Roy Pierce who has since retired.
Sim Heller Leads Mail
Drive for Heart Fund
MINNEAPOLIS—Sim Heller, Variety Club
first assistant chief barker, has been appointed
by LeRoy J. Miller, chief barker, as
chairman of a committee to undertake a
mailing campaign for additional funds for
the club's heart hospital on the University
of Minnesota campus. The club already has
raised $1,000,000 for this philanthropic project.
The present fund drive is in anticipation
of greatly increased activity and expenses
at the hospital, Miller explained. This is the
result of expanded research and the increase
in number of patients.
United Artists has donated office space
for Heller, and his staff now is at work
mailing letters to 100,000 residents telling of
the need for contributions. The letters are
accompanied by an informative brochure.
Airer Suit Withdrawn
DES MOINES — Actions by Timber
Structures of Portland, Ore., against the Town
and West-Vue drive-ins here have been withdrawn
from Polk county district court. The
Oregon firm had sued for money it alleged
was owed for work done on the theatres
screen structures. The dismissal action said
the matter had been settled.
Elizabeth Taylor has been set for a starring
spot in MGM's "Raintree County."
64 BOXOFFICE October 8, 1955

. . Herb
. . Columbia
—
Commonwealth Shifts
Watkins and Bloodworth
SUPERIOR, NEB.—Ray Watkins, manager
of the Crest Theatre since it opened here in
October 1951. has gone to Yankton, S. D., to
manage the Commonwealth Theatre Corp.
property there. Watkins was serving as
president of the Superior Kiwanis Club this
year and was closely associated with civic
affairs. He has been with Commonwealth ten
years.
Dayle Bloodworth, manager of the circuit's
open air unit at Grand Island, moved here
to take over as new Crest manager.
Legion Put in CS at Glidden
GLIDDEN, IOWA—CinemaScope equipment
has been installed at the Glidden
Memorial Theatre by Its operator, the
American Legion. The purchase was made
possible with the proceeds from the Labor
Day celebration sponsored by the Legion and
Auxiliary
C'Scope to
Gowrie, Iowa
GOWRIE. IOWA—The Star Theatre here
has installed a huge wall-to-wall screen, according
to Manager Laurel Nelsen. September
18 was the first showing of CinemaScope
pictures with the new equipment.
Newsreels Added to Program
ROCKFORD, IOWA—Newsreels have been
added to the program at the Rock Theatre
here, according to Carlyle White, the manager.
MINNEAPOLIS
TTariety Club's first monthly Monday night
dinner meeting in the Hotel Nicollet clubrooms
went over well thanks to the pn
of a surprise tiptop entertainer garnered by
Bonnie Berger, former chief barker. He was
Bob Hall, long a vaudeville headliner In the
old days. Now a brewery public relations director,
Hall improvises songs about persons
and events and he scored a huge hit . . . In
its 11th week at the Century here "Cinerama
Holiday" is going as strong as ever . . .
Universal exploiteer Milt Crandall. in from
New York to engineer the campaign for "To
Hell and Back," had "Miss Texas," one of
the winners of the recent Miss Universal
contest, in tow, and in appearances before
luncheon clubs and on TV and the radio she
got in some good licks for the Audie Murphy
picture which is scheduled for early showing
here.
Fay Dressell, RKO manager, and his gang
are happy because they have five top pictures
to sell between now and Christmas. They are
"Texas Lady." "Glory," "Great Day in the
Morning," "The Conqueror" and "Slightly
Scarlet" ... "I Am a Camera" is the second
nonseal and Legion of Decency-condemned
picture to be shown by the downtown World
here and it, like the other one, "The Moon
Is Blue," is doing big business . . Don Palmquist,
.
former Allied Artists salesman, is a
candidate for the city council in suburban
Bloomington.
Joe Rosen, Paramount booking manager,
.
.
and his wife became parents of a baby girl,
their third child and second girl. Joe took
of his vacation to be present at the
hospital on the stork's arrival . . . The
combination of reissued "Boys' Prison" and
"Killer Ba:i," distributed by Don Swartz of
Independent Films, is playing day and date
in three local neighborhood houses, the Arion,
East Lake and Brynwood is
expecting Betty Garrett, one of the stars of
"My Sister Eileen," to be here in person for
the picture's day and date opening at the
Minneapolis Radio City and St. Paul Paramount
October 21 Buschman, United
Artists manager, is launching a saturation
bookings campaign for "Heidi and Peter," his
company's Christmas picture.
M. A. Levy, 20th-Fox division manager,
vi-ned the St. Louis branch . . . Stan Mc-
Cullough resigned as Paramount booker to
become an RKO salesman . . . Only five of
the Twin Cities ten outdoor theatres are still
. .
in operation. The five MEE ozoners were all
closed after last weekend Meg Miles,
starlet who appears in
.
"The Phenix City
Story," is due here in person October 9 to
help plug the picture which is set for day
and date engagements at the Minneapolis
State and St. Paul Riviera October 12 . . . Jess
McBride, Paramount manager, was in Chicago
for district sales meeting . . . Bob Haugen
resigned as Radio City manager to take a
similar position at the Century where "Cinerama
Holiday" holds forth.
Spring's the time to "spruce up"
...while
record-smashing
special low prices last on
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Thanks to a very special purchase
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Call or stop in right away! Limited
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It's first come, first served . . . don't
you miss out!
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BOXOFFICE October 8. 1955 65

I
I
'Camera' Twin Cities
Debut Scores 145
MINNEAPOLIS—Newcomers came into
their own for the first time in a number of
weeks as all but one of the numerous holdovers,
"Wichita." faded out. Most of the
fresh entries, and especially "We're No
Angels," "I Am a Camera," "The Shrike" and
the Marciano-Moore fight pictures, gave good
accounts of themselves. It was the second
week for "Wichita."
Gopher—The King's Thief (MGM), plus fight films
(UA) 110
Lyric—Wichifo (AA), 2nd wk 90
Radio City— It's Always Fair Weather (MGM). ... 90
RKO Orpheum—The Shrike (U-l) 1 25
RKO Pan—The Great Adventure (DeRochemont);
Sonta Fe Passage (Rep) 85
State—We're No Angels (Para) 1 25
World— I Am a Camera (DCA) 145
Hearing on Express Hike
Is Set for November 15
MINNEAPOLIS—Exhibitors in 42 Minnesota
towns are faced with the threat of a
25 per cent increase in film express costs.
The Middlewest Motor Freight Bureau's
application for such a boost will be heard by
the Minnesota Railroad & Warehouse Commission
November 15. The proposed increase
will be opposed by North Central Allied.
S. D. Kane, NCA executive counsel, is now
preparing arguments designed to show that
the vast bulk of exhibitors are in no position
to meet additional costs and also that, under
any circumstances, the proposed increase is
unjustified.

—
'
We
:
—
Bzovi and Pascu Open
$400,000 Drive-In
DETROIT — The Holiday Drive-In was
opened September 29 by Daniel Bzovi and
Thomas Pascu of the Harbor Theatre, Ecorse.
as the third new Detroit drive-in of the
season. Located south of the city in Browntown
township, with a Trenton postoffice, the
Holiday ha-s 1,200-car capacity, with room
for expansion to a projected ultimate 2.500-
Ize. The project has cost approximately
$400,000, according to Bzovi, including $75,000
for gravel and ramp-grading.
PLAY AREA FOR ADULTS
There will be a pair of playgrounds—the
usual one for children near the concession
building, and a special one for adults near
the screen tower, which will include such
specialties as shuffleboard courts, quoits,
horseshoes and other game facilities for oldsters.
The Holiday was designed by Robert West,
West Engineering Co., Flint; screen tower
erected by Selby Industries. Akron, and
equipment installed by National Theatre Supply,
including Simplex projectors, Hertner
generator, Excelite lamps, Bevelite speakers
the first such installation in this territory
and Bevelite lettering on the neon signs.
Spacious dimensions are incorporated in the
Holiday—40 feet from ramp to ramp, and 22
feet between speaker poles. The entrance
lanes are close to the ticket windows, so the
driver deals directly with the cashier, eliminating
need for a carhop and speeding up
service.
OFFICES UNDER TOWER
The theatre offices are located under the
screen tower. The projection booth is in the
concession building, a one-story structure.
Concession will be operated by L&L Concessions
and includes a standard refreshment
and light lunch menu, with cafeteria-style
service. A feature of this structure is the
use of an attractive green and pink color
scheme on the interior, with glazed paint
sprayed on over cement blocks.
Bzovi will manage the new theatre personally,
assisted by his father-in-law, Pascu,
:
who has other interests as well. The former's
father, Andrew Bzovi, who pioneered in the
down-river area with the old Ecorse Theatre
many years ago. will manage the Harbor
in
Ecorse.
Projectionists for the new Holiday include
George Ledward, coming from the Jolly Roger
Drive-In, and William Martin, from the
Ecorse Drive-In.
The opening was attended by a number of
showmen, including Clarence Williamson and
G. M. Studebaker. National Theatre Supply
Co.; Ben Lefkowitz and Jerry Levy, L&L
Concessions, and their families; William
Ahrens, manager, Ecorse Drive-In; James
Ross, owner. Dearborn Drive-in; Ivan Klavet,
manager. National Screen Service; Joseph
Forbes, concession builder; Ben Robbins,
owner. General Custer Drive-In; John
Magocs, and Joe Renick, M. N. Duffy Co.
'Teahouse' to Toledo
TOLEDO—The 3,400-seat Paramount has
booked a four-performance engagement of
"Teahouse of the August Moon" for November
28-30. with one matinee. Larry Parks will
have the leading role.
Detroit Booth Union Firm
For Added Benefits
By HAVILAND F.
REVES
DETROIT—Negotiations between Detroit
exhibitors and IATSE Local 199 for a new
contract to replace the one which expired
August 1 have reached an impasse which
threatens to close every theatre in the Detroit
area. So far, operation of theatres has continued
without a contract while theatre and
union representatives sought a solution.
Detroit exhibitors feel that, with the industry,
especially locally, showing a long record of
a seven-year decline during which from 50 to
75 theatres have closed in the metropolitan
area, they are in no position to undertake
long-range commitments for increased payments.
Projectionists, on the other hand, claim
that the time has come for them to receive
"equal treatment with other labor groups,"
and they no longer can afford to help make
possible the survival of theatres threatened
by declining grosses.
Background to the critical Detroit situation
is the fact that wages in this area are the
highest in the United States, as are living
costs, as evidenced by national statistics.
This has created a situation for projectionists
which they feel has become intolerable.
Typical is the evidence, given to this writer
in the past few days, of other relatively unskilled
trades, such as driver-salesmen for a
soft drink bottler, who have been earning
as high as $225 to $300 a week—in good weeks
only, of course—in this area.
The seriousness of the situation is evidenced
by the fact that, for the first time in 28 years,
this writer has heard a responsible officer
of Local 199 state authoritatively that a strike
is now the union's next step. Noting that
there has never been a strike of any duration
in this city since the union was organized 44
years ago—the only exception within memory
being a one-hour flash strike a quarter century
ago—Gilbert E. Light. 199 president, said
already have authorization from the
International to take a strike vote. If we
cannot reach an agreement, we will go to
the Michigan State Mediation Board and try
to resolve it that way. If not, we will definitely
take the step of a strike.
"Our members are determined that the
conditions which prevail in other industries,
and in our own industry elsewhere in the
country, shall be introduced in Detroit also."
The union is asking for no increase in wages
Bottle-Scarred Screen
Serves Two Houses
Detroit—How to make two screens grow
in place of one was demonstrated after
an ardent patron, subsequently arrested.
tossed a bottle through the middle of
the screen at the Beverly Theatre. With
the new wider screen dimensions, it was
found possible to cut the ruined screen
in two horizontally, installing one half in
the Mexico Theatre and the other half in
another small house, where the dimensions
proved just about right for
today's pictures.
at this time, Light said, but Is seeking definite
improvement in working conditions in three
categories:
A week 1. six-day with the existing weekly
pay scale. Backing the position that this
means a six-day week and not a chance for
increased pay, Light said, the local is about
to adopt an ironclad rule that no member
may work seven days a week, without serious
penalties. The one-day layoff will be made
absolutely mandatory.
Family problems have become serious for
projectionists as a result of their prevalent
working conditions, Light Indicated—a fact
substantiated by the fairly high statistics of
divorces and family difficulties in the field.
"So many of our men have had family difficulties—and
have had for years—because they
work seven days," said Light.
2. An increase in overtime pay is sought
time and a half, to bring it in line with other
local industries. At present overtime is paid
at 30 to 60 cents an hour above regular time.
3. A pension plan, developed after months
of study, is sought by the union. Essentially
this
will provide a pension of $75 a month to
a man who has worked 20 years, when he retires
at the age of 65. It will not become
effective for four years, allowing time for
the plan to be funded.
A four-man board to administer the pension
would be established, with two representatives
of exhibitors and two of the union,
with a fifth member to be selected by the
four representatives if necessary.
The projected pension will be a central
fund, jointly administered and not based
upon service for a single exhibitor. The funds
will be secured through payments into the
pension fund by the exhibitor—without employe
contribution—based upon a percentage
of the weekly payroll.
Art House Policy Builds
Long Runs in Detroit
DETROIT—The recent opening of the Alex
Guinness starrer "To Paris With Love," in
the 350-seat neighborhood Studio Theatre
draw a block-long queue waiting for the show
break. Follow-up business indicated a run
of some months. The picture is breaking
house records as a result of the steady buildup
of the theatre as a northwest section art
house.
Managing Director William Flemion has
picked films carefully to please "discriminating
and one-feature lovers," and has stuck
with this policy, rather than reverting to an
occasional reissue or western as is often
done in art house operation. Prices have
been kept consistently at $1.20, which is
about top price in Detroit for any motion
picture. Incidental services have been maintained
with a similar consistency, such as
provision of free cigarets with patron's
serving of coffee, and special art exhibits.
Flemion was one of the first exhibitors to
take advantage of the exploitation possibilities
of "Doctor in the House." He built
it into an extended run, pointing the way
the film is now being handled in other territories.
BOXOFFICE October 8, 1955 ME 67

—
INDUSTRY
PROFILE
Niles,
Ohio, Theatreman Peter Rufo
Celebrates 35 Years With Robins
NILES, OHIO—Peter Rufo, now celebrating
his 35th anniversary with the Robins Amusement
Co., entered the theatre industry with
an after-school job as an usher in the old
Duchess Theatre, site of the present Ohio in
Warren, Ohio, back in 1920, taking the first
step in his lengthy association with Robins.
In the ensuing years, Rufo has divided his
t.me about equally between Niles and Warren.
For the last 27 years he has been connected
with the 1,100-seat Robins and 900-
seat McKinley here as general manager.
The Duchess Theatre in Warren was the
first of the Robins circuit, founded by the
late Dan and Ben Robins. The company
expanded to Niles in 1927 when it acquired
the Warner Theatre on East State street. This
house closed in June 1948. It was originally
owned and operated by Harry, Jack, Albert,
Sam and Dave, the five Warner Brothers
who later founded Warner Bros. Pictures.
The theatre already had a place in Niles'
theatrical history when the Warners acquired
it for the showing of motion pictures.
It had been the site of the old Niles Opera
House.
When Peter Rufo first came here in 1929
there were two other theatres, the old Stafford,
present site of a furniture company,
and the Butler, renamed the Robins when it
was acquired by the Robins brothers in 1927
from John Peruzzi. The Robins firm acquired
the Butler in 1931 and operated it uncer
that name until 1947 when its name was
changed to the Robins. The McKinley was
acquired in 1944.
Rufo recalled the change in public tastes
since those early days.
"In the 1920s and '30's," he said, "gangster
pictures were the rage. This era was followed
by a demand for sports and college themes,
which, in turn, gave way to musical comedies.
The events of 1940 brought a surge of war
pictures which met with popular favor. But
comedy is the hardiest of all picture
themes. All moviegoers enjoy a good laugh,
starting from the days of the Keystone Kops
and including the Our Gang comedies which
are still being shown in the theatres throughout
the nation and on TV under the title of
'The Little Rascals.' "
Rufo firmly believes that the newspaper
is the tie that binds the theatre to the public.
"Not just through the review columns, but
through the type of news featured which can
establish a valuable relationship between the
theatre and the public," he said.
Rufo and his wife moved from Warren
to Niles in 1929. They have one daughter,
Mrs. Anthony Zill jr. of Niles.
Community work also is part of Rufo's
job. He is a past president of the Chamber
of Commerce, past president of the Rotary
Club and he was chairman of the Office of
Price Administration affairs concerning
autos and shoes during wartime. From 1944
to 1946, when World War II discouraged holiday
travel, he was in charge of the Niles
Fourth of July celebration when attendance
numbered as high as 25,000 persons.
He is such an integral part of life in Niles
that in a recent issue the Niles Daily Times
gave prominent front page space to him in
recognition of his 35 years with the Robins
circuit, which now is headed by Joe Robins.
Mexican C'Scope Films
To Be Shown in Detroit
DETROIT—Cinemascope pictures produced
:n Msxico will be brought to Detroit for showings
at the Mexico Theatre in about four
months, according to an announcement by
Juan Morales, manager of the house which
is owned by David Tenorio. Two Cinema-
Scope productions made south of the border
will be available for release soon, he said.
The Mexico Theatre, which shows Mexican
films exclusively, has enjoyed a steady pickup
in business— totaling about 50 per cent
over the past two years. Morales said in
contrast to reports from other houses which
have barely held their own in this period.
Film rights have been secured by Columbia
to "The Good Shepherd," a new novel
by C. S. Forester dealing with a Nazi submarine
wolfpack.
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68 BOXOFFICE October 8. 1955

: October
. . Al
. . Ernie
. . Sam
. . Welber
|
where
. . Fred
—
Timely Lobby Display
Interests Patrons
DETROIT—A huge display in the Michigan
Theatre lobby heralded the recent dedication
of the city-county building in Detroit. The
the
dbplay, designed by Joseph M. Mason of
United Detroit Theatres sign shop, includes
photographs from newspaper files and from
the Burton historical collection and the fine
arts department of the Detroit library. It tells
the history of the Detroit city hall from 1831.
and of the county building from its dedication
in 1902.
In three parts, it has interesting stories
of the original city hall and county building
openings, an excerpt from a Detroit Free
Pre-s story of 1891 which relates the struggle
to remove the iron fence from the 1871 city
hall and also how the site was originally
intended for an institution devoted to "female
education." Shown too. are stories from
Harper's Weekly, and a record of the original
land grants that made the site possible for the
Photographs from architects Harley, Ellington
and Day. and from newspapers show
the exterior and interior of the new building.
In front of the display is the original model
of the building. The pictorial display, featuring
many Detroit Times photos, shows
the planning operations and various stages
in city-county building history from the first
breaking of ground by Mayor Albert E. Cobo.
to the present magnificent structure. According
to the Detroit News, the new citycounty
building houses 36 judges, 60 elective
officials, 46 departments and 4,000 citycounty
employes.
\ photo also shows a wide scenic view of
the changing river front scene which is
rapidly developing into a beautiful civic center
for Detroit, with the city-county building
as one of the outstanding landmarks.
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DETROIT
Albert Dezel l'rodurtions. major independent
distributor, is moving from the Film
Kxchange building.
the firm has
been located for about
15 years, to 13131 Fenkell
Ave. in the former
Ajyl
Carlton Theatre building.
Sales and bookum
offices will be maintained
at the new address.
Physical distribution
of product
will continue to be
handled by National
Film Carriers as for
Albert Dezel several years past.
. . . Robert
. . The
Joe Lenahan, the theatrical insurance veteran,
is recovering from minor injuries received
in a downtown car crash
McNamara is now operator at the Mexico
Theatre, formerly called the Model, west
side Mexican house, succeeding Ray W. Bonner,
who went into television work .
Imper.al, Michigan avenue theatre formerly
operated by George Burgess, is being remodeled
Eddie Murphy,
for commercial use . . . film salesman who was stricken by illness
at Marshall and brought to Detroit
for hospitalization, was due to return to his
job.
Walter Goryl, RKO office manager, has
been busy interviewing replacements for Ellen
Berard. who left to return to Michigan State
University of Agriculture and Applied Science,
and Hannah Filley. biller, who moved to
Akron . Dezel is back in town, minus a
few pounds . Chrysler. Allied Artists
salesman, figures the days are moving along
Rex Kinnie of Whitemore Lake
faster . . .
and South Lyon. Rene Germani of the Majestic
at Monroe, and Clare Winnie of the
Dale were Filmrow visitors Monday (26) . .
.
Margie Rice of United Artists is trying on
some crossword puzzles for size.
. . . Paramount's
James H. Peck of Atlanta advises that
Douglas Thompson is now manager of the
Veterans Theatre there
Lennie Gray was reported on the visitor's
list, coming from Chicago . . . Vera Phillips,
veteran "girl Friday" of the Schulte circuit,
Forrest C. Thrasher, assistant
was ill . . .
manager of the Adams, and his bride, the
former Ann Rogell of Cooperative Theatres,
have been vacationing in Kansas where her
family resides.
Mrs. Sophia Hilke, owner of the Perrien,
one of the oldest Detroit neighborhood theatres,
has leased it to a church group for use
as St. Phillips Cathedral. Mrs. Hilke. who
is in poor health, continues to operate her
bakery located next door . DeLodder's
Your Theatre on East Forest Avenue has
also changed use and is now the Israel
Church.
.Mrs. Burt Collins, who helps her husband
run the Priscilla Theatre, together with their
son and daughter, makes it a complete family
operation . Cornelia, operator at
the Van Dyke, long active in work with disabled
veterans, is now chairman for veterans
organizations for all civil defense activities
for Michigan . Haartge of the
Midtown Theatre, long an adjutant and key
officer of Theatrical Post, had decided the
time had come to take a rest from office
chores—and promptly fell victim to a serious
cold.
Hugh Hocker to Hodgenville
HODGENVILLE. KY. — Andy Anderson,
owner of a chain of Kentucky theatres, has
appointed Hugh Hocker as manager of the
local Mary Anderson Theatre. Hocker b
fers here from Hartford where he managed
the Kentucky six years. He is married and
has two children.
Anderson recently sold the Kentucky, as
well as the Lyric at Scottsville and the
Majestic at Beaver Dam.
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6

. . Many
. . . Miss
. . Marlene
. . Edna
. . . Marlena
CINCINNATI
A lfred V. Isaac, manager of the Weddington
Theatre, Pikeville, Ky., reported that the
Liberty remodeled and equipped with Cinemascope
and widescreen, reopened on a weekend
basis Saturday (1). The Liberty has
been closed for over three years. Both the
Weddington and Liberty are controlled and
operated by Cumberland (Ky.) Amusement
Co., of which J. E. Isaac sr. is president and
general manager.
Jack Bein of the Bein circuit, who was laid
up with a leg ailment recently, is now back
on the job . . . Howard Ackerman has become
general manager of Ackerman Enterprises,
which operates the Covedale and Sunset
theatres in suburban Price Hill. He has
taken over the position formerly held by
Charles "Bud" Ackerman, a brother. Jack,
another brother, has managed the Covedale
since the theatre opened eight years ago.
Mr. and Mrs. Elston Dodge, of the Elston
Theatre, Mount Washington, and the Opera
House, New Richmond, returned from a vacation-fishing
trip . . . The Hyman theatre
interests, of Huntington, W. Va., are owners
of WHTN-TV, the newest television station
in West Virginia. Their Orpheum Theatre
in Huntington will open November 4 with
"Gangbusters" and "Apache Woman," and
for the first time a Realart picture will be
promoted in the Huntington area with a television
campaign. This campaign will embrace
several other theatres in the Huntington
area on a saturation basis.
A new drive-in theatre is being constructed
in Dayton, the North Star, on the North Dixie
road. Owned by Parker Investment Co., the
theatre will accommodate 1,000 cars, and is
being wired for heaters. Midwest Theatre
Supply is handling the installation. The approximate
opening date is December 1 . . .
Tom Fisher of Midwest Supply is recovering
after an operation and should be released
from the hospital soon.
. . Mr.
Ben Cohen has taken over operation of the
Acme Outdoor Theatre, Stockton, from Mark
S. Cummins. Cohen also operates the Holiday
Drive-In, In Hamilton . exhibitors
undoubtedly remained at home last week
to watch the World Series. At any rate, they
weren't on Filmrow. The few seen on the
Row included Jerry Jackson, of Miamisburg;
E. T. Dormer, Kingwood, W. Va.; James
Stamper. Starglo Drive-In, Monroe; Jim
Weddle, Lawrenceburg, Ind.; Harold Spiess,
St. Louis, of Phil Smith Enterprises
and Mrs. Warren Corbus, of the
.
Mariemont
Theatre, Mariemont, returned from a vacation
in North Carolina.
Realart has acquired "New Mexico," produced
by UA for exclusive distribution in the
Cincinnati and Indianapolis territories. It is
Charles Palmer, West Virginia
in color . . .
salesman for Columbia, underwent an operation
at St. Mary's Hospital, Huntington, for
stomach ulcer. It is reported he is recovering
Margaret Woodruff,
satisfactorily . . . Columbia booker, was vacationing in Virginia
Louis Grossman, head shipper at
. . . Columbia, has resigned. He and his wife
will make their home in Texas. Bob Banker,
head shipper for U-I for 22 years, is taking
over the position vacated by Grossman.
Rosemary Meyer, U-I booker, has also re-
.
signed. She plans to move to Tucson, Ariz.,
where her brother makes his home
Leonard Katz, office manager, RKO,
. . .
will
spend the second week of his vacation at
home Ottlinger, former U-I
cashier's clerk, has a baby daughter.
Chester Stacey, WB shipper, profited neatly
by choosing the Yanks to win the first
World Series game ... A toast to Lucille Arnold,
U-I secretary, on her recent birthday
was made by her friends during lunch at
Yunger's cafe . . . Mabel Reinhart, MGM inspector,
was vacationing.
The local AA office anticipated a visit from
Meg Myles, featured player in "The Phenix
City Story." The picture opens at the Palace
October 12. Miss Myles will be introduced to
the press, radio and TV personnel by Harry
Weiss, AA publicity man . Trestel,
AA secretary, left with her daughter for a
vacation in Denver, Colo.
Thelma Ilhardt, Paramount manager's secretary,
is resigning to await a visit from the
. .
stork in December. Lois Auberger, office
manager's secretary, will replace her. Lois
plans an October 15 wedding . Carl Thompson,
contract clerk, will replace Lois as secretary
to office manager Jim Brunetti.
The Shubert Theatre here, formerly operated
by RKO, is now being used by the
Shubert interests for legitimate shows, taking
the place of the Cox and Tafts. The theatre
has had a complete renovating job and is
again brightening up the corner of downtown
Seventh and Walnut streets. It opened
its doors September 26 with "Anniversary
Waltz," starring Leif Erikson and Phyllis
Hill . . . The RKO Albee will be one of the
four RKO theatres in the country to offer a
stage appearance by Danny Kaye in November.
The show is to be handled on a reserved
seat basis, with four performances daily.
George Daumeyer, Warner office manager,
spent the second week of his vacation following
the Roger Bacon football team in practice
games. Reason; Daumeyer's son is one of the
players . . . Tom Fisher of Midwest Theatre
Supply underwent surgery at Christ Hospital
Irene Sagel, former office manager
for 20th-Fox, is now manager of the Fashion
Mart, a specialty shop in Dayton.
Jim Day, manager of the Dixie Garden
Drive-in, Lookout Heights, Ky., had to employ
the services of a mopping crew to dry
up his lobby shop and booth floor, after the
heavy downpour Wednesday night. It was
also necessary to push 15 or 20 of the automobiles
out of the water area. The sudden
downpour, plus windstorm, caused heavy
damage throughout the city, knocking down
trees and power lines.
Charles Schroeder, West Virginia salesman
for WB, is rather proud that his young son
Ronald was selected by WLW-TV to pose
in some of their commercial announcements.
Who knows but what Charlie may have a
future entertainment celebrity in son Ronald?
Ottlinger, former cashier's clerk,
U-I, has a new baby girl, born September 15.
Heywood Mitchusson, West Virginia salesman,
RKO-Radio, is quite relieved that his
five-year-old daughter, Susan, is home from
the hospital, and well on the road to recovery
after a kidney infection . . . "The Outlaw,"
RKO-Radio production starring Jane Russell,
enjoyed move-over engagements both in
Cincinnati and Columbus, where it recently
had first runs.
. . .
Phil Fox, branch manager, Columbia Pictures,
anticipates wide participation in the
saturation bookings of their new picture,
"Count Three and Pray," Cinemascope,
Technicolor production starring Van Heflin.
The premiere date is October 26—and arrangements
have been completed for extensive
radio, TV and newspaper coverage of
the territory engagements Mary Lou
Zinveli is a new biller at the Realart Pictures
office . . . Evelyn Windholtz, contract clerk,
RKO Radio, was married here recently to
Robert Neiheisel.
City Censorship Threat
In Wake of 'Monika'
WILMINGTON, OHIO—City censorship of
films here was advocated by the Ministerial
Ass'n of Wilmington following a showing of
"Monika," distributed by Hallmark Productions.
Wilmington is the home town of
Kroger Babb, president of Hallmark.
"Censorship could certainly be harmful to
the city's theatres," said Robert Wile, secretary
of the Independent Theatre Owners of
Ohio, "because, while we believe censorship Is
illegal, there might be considerable delay in
getting court decisions to verify that."
Wile advised Ohio exhibitors not to show
"Monika." He said: "If the showing of the
picture resulted in such a furor in Wilmington,
Babb's home town, it can be well
imagined what would happen elsewhere."
CinemaScope for
Cranbrook
DETROIT—National Theatre Supply has
installed a Walker screen and Cinemascope
equipment in the Cranbrook School in Bloomfield
Hills, manager Clarence E. Williamson
reports.
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70 BOXOFFICE :: October 8, 1955

Cincinnati First Runs
Dip Below Average
CINCINNATI—Business was off last week
—partly because of the attractions offered:
partly due to the championship fight on
Thursday night. Too. a strike of parking lot
attendants early in the week kept some
would-be patrons at home. The fight teleniled
the RKO Albee and the RKO Palace.
This is the first time two theatres here
offered championship boxing on TV screens.
Average Is 100)
Albec— The Lett Hand of God !20th-Fox) 135
Grond—The Outlaw (RKO), 2nd d.t. wk 90
Guild—To Poris With Love (Cont), 5th wk 95
Keiths—Sc»cn Cities of Gold (20th-Fox) 100
Palace— Female on the Beach (U-l) 95
Detroit Enjoys Week
Of Mild Prosperity
DETROIT— Business was at a consistently
good level, with no spectacular highs, and few
valleys. Holdovers accounted for continuing
steady grosses.
Adams— Summertime (UA), 4th wk 75
Broadway-Capitol—The Last Command (Rep);
Lay Thot Rifle Down (Rep) 85
Fox—The Left Hand of God (20th-Fox), 2nd wk. . 1 40
Madison—To Catch a Thief (Para), 4th wk . . . . 1 30
Michigan— You're Never Too Young (Para);
Ain't Misbchavin' (U-l), 2nd wk 125
Palms—The McConnell Story .WB); Francis in
the Navy (U-l) 130
United Artists—The Scarlet Coat (MGM); Moonfleet
(MGM) 1 30
'Camera' at Art House
Is Topper in Cleveland
CLEVELAND—Cool but clear weekend
weather helped fill the downtown theatres.
all of which reported average or better than
average business. Topping the takes percentagewise
was "I Am a Camera" hitting 180
per cent. "To Catch a Thief" in its sixth
straight week, continued in the high brackets
with a rating of 130 per cent. "Night of the
Hunter" made a good second week record
with 120 per cent.
Allen— The McConnell Story WB), 2nd wk 80
Hippodrome—Female on the Beach (U-l) 110
Lower Mall— I Am a Camera (DCA) 1 80
Ohio—Night of the Hunter UA), 2nd wk 120
Palace—The Shrike U-l) 105
State—A Man Alone (Rep) 100
Stillmon—To Cotch a Thief (Para), 6th wk 130
Local Signs 4-Year Pact
With Two Akron Houses
AKRON—The stage employes Local 48
has
signed new agreements with the Palace and
Loew's theatres. John Shuff, union official,
said the new pacts are for four years and provide
for a small wage increase. The agreements
"eventually" will lead to a six-day
week, he added. At present they are on a
seven-day week. Negotiations with the
Colonial have been started, Shuff said.
Lawrence Shafer Dies
CLEVELAND—Services were held Thursday
i29> for Lawrence Shafer, 67, projectionist
and charter member of Local 160. He had
been active in theatre projection for 50 years.
He was an active Mason. Shafer also was
widely known as an amateur photographer
who specialized in pictures of golf courses
and famous golfers. Surviving are his wife
Prances, a son Elmer and two grandchildren.
loins Jacobs Blurbery
Irwin R. Franklin has joined the Arthur
Jacobs blurbery as an executive associate.
INDUSTRY
PROFILE
Shipper Steve Andrews Has Spent
33 Years on Cleveland's Filmrow
CLEVELAND—In an Industry famous
for change, both in policies and personnel,
it is fitting to pay tribute to Stephen
"Steve" Andrews who next month will
celebrate his 33rd year with the local MGM
exchange. His contribution to the industry
has been in the nature of backstage service,
as all of these years have been spent
in the poster and shipping departments.
In 1922. when Cliff Almy, now Warner
sales head in the Philippines, was manager
of the Metro exchange—as it was then
called— Art Ehrich, who was office manager,
put Andrews on as a poster clerk.
"Joe Loeffler. now Republic manager
in Minneapolis, was head shipper at that
tune." Andrews recalls. "Another prominent
industry figure I worked with in
those days was Leo Jones, then a high
school student. He worked with me in the
poster department after school."
While Steve Andrews worked in the back
room as poster clerk, assistant shipper and
then head shipper, there were many
changes in the front office. Cliff Almy
was promoted to district manager and Art
Ehrlich became branch manager. In succession
came Harris Wolfberg, Walter
Brandt and Frank Drew, then Jack Sogg,
who has become a veteran in the MGM
organization in his own right.
"There have been changes in the shipping
department as well as in the manager's
office," says Andrews. "In the early
days, film cases were limited to a 1.000
feet of film; now they carry 2,000 feet of
film. While the 1,000-foot cans may have
been easier to handle, they required more
handling than the present 2,000-feot cans
Zi%mm
'Camera 7
in Detroit
With Censor Okay
DETROIT—Strong locally slanted exploitation
preceded the opening of "I Am a Camera"
Friday

Clyde, Ohio, Men Take Dark House
And Renovate if for $2,000
CLYDE, OHIO — The common belief
that remodeling of a theatre involves considerable
expense was disproved hereby
b/ three men who recently took over what
was left of the Clyde Theatre after a
severe fire put it out of commission one
year ago.
Th? trio. Charles Miller, Bruce Hoffman
and Louis Labonte, all residents of Clyde,
believed that they could put the theatre
back in operating shape and bring it up
to date for a modest sum. They had faith
in the industry, and they shopped around
to see what they could do toward resurrect
ng the theatre for a total of about
$2,000.
Here's what they got for that sum: a wide,
wall-to-wall screen painted with Raytone
Vynolkote, with excellent results;
a pair of Peerless Magnarc lamps; Kolmorgen
widescreen and Cinemascope objective
lenses; Vidoscope anamorphic
lenses complete with Weaver automatic
changeover. The 250 seats were refinished
and the entire auditorium interior was repainted.
Fortunately, the projection equipment
had survived fire damage, but the stage
equipment had to be replaced. And to
pretty up the exterior, the new owners
repainted the marquee. Cost of the entire
project reportedly was in the neighborhood
of $2,000. The entire remodeling job
was sold and executed under the direction
of Chris Spanoudis of the Ohio Theatre
Supply Co. of Cleveland.
With the renovation and the reopening,
the theatre was renamed the Willow, and
the 4,000 residents of Clyde now are giving
the house their full support. In fact, one
reason why the new owners took over the
closed house was that town merchants had
complained residents were driving to Fremont,
some ten miles distant, to shop and
to see a show. Now, the residents are
staying at home to shop and see films.
Louis Labonte, who is managing the
house and buying and booking for it, said
that "with the new media equipment installed,
we should be able to make a go of
the project if we can get product under
live-and-let-live terms."
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Raze Indian Days Hotel
To Build Texas Theatre
From Southwest Edition
SAN MARCOS, TEX — The Vaughan
Hotel, built in the "Indian days" of 1860
and believed to be the oldest local business
building, is coming down to make room
for an ultramodern Cinemascope theatre.
The property has been purchased by
Leroy & Co., a partnership of Leroy C.
Otwell, Robert C. Otwell and Albert R.
Doyal. Their plans are to build a 1,220-seat
theatre, erected on a frame of electrically
welded steel tubing, with construction of
concrete sealed with neoprene. Other features
will include a front three stories high, a roof
of corrugated asbestos tile and a huge arch
design that will leave open the entire front
area.
Contractor for the 75xl25-foot building is
Stout Jackson of Robstown.
Philip Carey will star with Kathryn Grayson
in Columbia's "Port Afrique."
HANDY

i
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RESEARCH
f or
BUREAU
MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS
ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMATION
The MODERN THEATRE
PLANNING INSTITUTE
825 Van Brunt Blvd.
Kansas City 24, Mo.
Gentlemen:
10-8-55
Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU
to receive information regularly, as released, on
the following subjects for Theatre Planning:
3 Acoustic*
3 Air Conditioning
3 Architectural Service
"Black" Lighting
3 Building Material
3 Carpets
3 Coin Machines
3 Complete Remodeling
3 Decorating
3 Drink Dispensers
3 Drive-In Equipment
3 Other Subjects
Theatre
Seating Capacity
Address
City
State
Signed
D Lighting Fixtures
D Plumbing Fixtures
3 Projectors
D Projection
Lamps
3 Seating
D Signs and Marquees
3 Sound Equipment
D Television
D Theatre Fronts
Vending Equipment
Postage-patd reply cards for your further convenience
in obtaining information ore provided in The MODERN
THEATRE Section, published with the first issue of
each month.
New 'Unheralded Quality' in Pictures
Noted and Praised by Newspaper
TOLEDO—A current improvement in mo-
•
iion picture quality, apparently unnoticed by
Hollywood and certainly unheralded by the
industry as a whole, was the subject of a
recent, editorial In the Toledo Blade, which
contrasted the situation with the Movies
Are Better Than Ever campaign, which the
newspaper said "never really seemed to get
off the ground."
The editorial, headlined, "What Movies
Can Do," follows:
"The campaign the motion picture industry
launched a few years ago to prove that movies
are better than ever never really seemed to
get off the ground. In general, the offerings
on the theatre screens were not very different
from what Hollywood had been turning
out for quite a lot of years.
"But within the last few months—and without
benefit of any special ballyhoo—the
movies have begun to capitalize on an advantage
they always have had over every
other entertainment medium, one which actually
justifies the introduction of the widescreen.
More and more pictures now feature
their locale, along with stars, plot, spectacle,
and what have you. The results are, in many
instances, almost worthy of such favorite
Hollywood adjectives as sensational, stupendous,
magnificent—even colossal.
"Take a couple of movies that have been
Cincinnati Area Unions
In IA Exchange Views
CINCINNATI—Several members of nearby
IATSE unions met at the invitation of the
Cincinnati Local 327 of projectionists to discuss
mutual problems. Present were IATSE
Vice-President John A. Snuff, Akron; John
3. Fitzgerald, Cleveland; Jack Gibbons, Local
248. Dayton; Pete Bisdorf, and Neil Johnson,
Local 136, Hamilton; William Lynn and
Earle W. Wagner, Local 327. Cincinnati.
Also present were the members of the executive
board of Local 327, Art O'Neill, Jack
Malcolm, Andrew Longenberger, Dale Leftw.ch
and George Buque sr.; Vice-President
Floyd Shelton sr., Secretary Walter J. Pavely,
Treasurer O. D. Moore and special guests
Fred Hoilman of Dayton and Ron Larkin.
Absent because of illness was F. L. Francis
of Middletown.
The unions inaugurated monthly get-togethers.
Detroit East Side House
To Stop Matinee Policy
DETROIT — One of the last strongholds
of neighborhood matinees has surrendered
with the decision of Sydney Moss,
owner of the east side Van Dyke Theatre, to
abandon the afternoon show policy. This has
been in effect at the Van Dyke since the
house was opened in 1939, and had long
brought considerable added patronage to
the house, which is located at an important
transfer point in the industrial east side.
Three factors combined to make the decision
advisable, Moss said—the help situation,
wear and tear on equipment created by
the extra operating hours, and a general decline
in matinee patronage.
showing in Toledo recently—one called 'To
Thief,' the other 'Summertime.' The
first is set on the French Riviera, the second
in Venice. In each instance, the shots
of the locale are almost more satisfying than
a trip to these places would be—at least as
far as eye appeal is concerned. In unique
perspective and in sweeping panoramic effect,
there are some shots in these movies which it
would be hard to duplicate.
"It seems strange it has taken so long to
capitalize on this obvious advantage the
movies possess. There have been travelogs
almost from the first, but they were mostly
not very inspiring nor exciting. It never
seems to have occurred to anyone to make
so photogenic a city as Venice the 'heroine'
of a movie, as one critic has lately described
its role in 'Summertime.'
"Given the widescreen, given improved
color techniques, given imaginative use of the
camera, the movies have demonstrated they
can provide something remarkably like a visit
to the world's most interesting and romantic
places. Used wisely, this can be a signifcant
discovery.
"Not that the French Riviera ever will be
more attractive than Grace Kelly. But, in
the combination, Miss Kelly and the Riviera
can provide the movies with something they
can justifiably blow their horns about."
COLUMBUS
TVinny Kaye will 'appear in person on the
RKO Palace stage for three days starting
October 31. Manager Edward McGlone
announced. All seats will be reserved and
prices will range from $1.10 to $3.30. This
will be the first stage attraction at the Palace
in many months . . . John Rugg, manager
of the Uptown, downtown subsequent
run house, announced installation of a widescreen
and Cinemascope equipment.
Charles Clark, 65, operator for the Miles
circuit for the past 15 years, died following a
heart attack. Surviving are a son Jack;
daughter, Mrs. Howard Parren of Columbus;
three grandchildren; one great-grandchild
and two brothers; Pearl of Huntington, W.
Va.. and George of Columbus.
Clyde Moore, theatre editor and editorial
page paragrapher of the Ohio State Journal,
will be honored with a citation at the annual
Ohioana Library Ass'n dinner here October
22. The citation to Moore pay- tribute to his
column, "The Morning After." as "humorous
writing in pithy paragraphs, reflective rather
than flashing, chuckling rather than hearty,
more shrewd than witty and more neighborly
than universal."
Ward Bentley, UA exploitation representative,
Chicago, was here in advance of opening
of "Gentlemen Marry Brunettes." Jane
Russell, star of the picture, has been invited
by the Ohio State Restaurant Ass'n to be a
judge in the "Miss Perfect 36" contest being
conducted among Ohio waitresses. Manager
Walter Kessler of Loew's Ohio arranged the
invitation with Leon Kuenning, association
president .
BOXOFFICE October 8, 1955 73

LEON SWIRBUL
Portrait by Fabian Bachrach
"...over 10,000 employees
joined the Payroll
Savings Plan..."
"At Grumman, we are proud that in our person-toperson
campaign over 10,000 employees joined the
Payroll Savings Plan and grasped the opportunity to
buy U. S. Savings Bonds regularly every payday. These
results were achieved through enthusiastic, patriotic
teamwork. I urge every American companv to reactivate
their Bond Program now in a nationwide effort to
maintain sound money and a stable economy."
LEON SWIRBUL, President, Grumman
Aircraft Engineering Company
If vou have a hundred or more men and women, you
can make a substantial contribution to sound money
and a stable economy, and also help your employees to
build personal security, by installing the Payroll Savings
Plan, or reactivating an existing one.
A phone call, wire or letter to Savings Bonds Division,
U. S. Treasury Department, Washington, D. C, will
bring prompt response from vour State Director, who
will help vou to organize a person-to-person canvass
that will put a Pavroll Savings Application in the hands
of every employee. That's all vou have to do. Your employees
will "rasp "the opportunity to buy U. S. Savings
Bonds regularlv every payday."
The United States Government does not pay for this advertising. The Treasury Department
thanks, for their patriotic donation, the Advertising Council and
BOXOFFICE
74 BOXOFFICE October 8, 1955

Lord Circuit Leases
Norwich, Conn., Poli
NORWICH. CONN.—The 1.400-seat Loew's
Poli downtown, one of the newest houses in
New England, has been subleased to the
Lord circuit, which operates several situations
in this area.
Loew's Poli-New England Theatres took a
20-year lease from Berkman Bros., owner of
the building, when the structure was completed
in the summer of 1949. The Lord circuit
contracted for the remaining 14 years.
The sublease was negotiated through the
New York home office of the Loew's chain.
No reason for disposal of the lease was given.
The change will be effective October 14.
The name of the theatre will have to be
changed, since Loew's does not permit use
of its name when a theatre is operated by
other interests. Edward Lord, head of the
circuit taking over the Poli, said he and his
associates plan to continue the first run
policy. Lord also runs the 984-seat Lord
Theatre in Norwich and two drive-ins in the
suburbs.
Harry Shaw, division manager for the
Loew's-New England chain, indicated that
another position will be found for Joseph
Boyle, manager of the Norwich Poli. Boyle
managed Loew's Broadway in Norwich until
it was closed when the Poli. Norwich, was
opened six years ago. The Poli is in excellent
physical condition and includes a $100,000
air conditioning plant.
New Britain Arch Street
Leased by Perakos Chain
HARTFORD—Baruch S.
LeWitt and Mrs.
Margaret Glackin, owners of the de luxe
Arch Street Theatre in downtown New Britain,
have leased the house to Perakos Theatre
Associates for five years, effective immediately.
LeWitt. it was explained, organized the
Beveridge Cup Dispensing Co. five years ago
to service factories and business situations
in Hartford, New Britain and other communities.
The company has become one of
the largest of its kind in Connecticut.
The lease action enables LeWitt to devote
all his time to the dispensing company.
Mrs. Glackin is the widow of John S. P.
Glackin, pioneer Connecticut theatre owneroperator.
Downtown Parade Set Up
For Opening of 'To Hell'
HARTFORD—Working with the Connecticut
Army Reserves. Jack Sanson of the Stanley
Warner Strand arranged a downtown
street parade for opening night (5) of the
Connecticut premiere of TJ-I's "To Hell and
Back."
The parade promotion was supplemented
by an Army recruiting station in the theatre
lobby, and displays of Army equipment,
past and present.
Stavros Claros Named
HARTFORD—Stavros Claros has been
named manager of the Star, downtown 1.800-
seat house operated by Community Amusement
Corp. He replaces A. J. Barone, who
resigned.
Naugatuck's Flood-Hit
Playhouse Reopens
HARTFORD — Northwestern
Connecticut
continued to dig itself out of the August
flood disaster, with business after business
resuming opera ti
Latest entertainment enterprise to reopen
the independent Salem Playhouse.
Naugatuck's only motion picture theatre,
managed by Frank Lynch.
In newspaper ads. Lynch noted: "Gala
Happy Reopening!" His reopening bill, featuring
U-I's "Private War of Major Benson."
was for the benefit of the Naugatuck Recreation
Field fund.
1,000 Car Airer Bows
At Middlelon, Mass.
BOSTON—The last new drive-in of the
1955 season was to open at Middleton on
Route 114 off the Newburyport turnpike
Friday i7>. The theatre accommodates
over 1,000 cars and is owned by Stephen
Minasian, Philip Scuderi, Tom Demaura and
Robert Barsamian.
The concession building, designed and
equipped by Theatre Candy Co., is the last
word in modern equipment and service.
Massachusetts Theatre Equipment Co. has
installed the Century water-cooled projection
mechanism and Daytz Theatre Enterprises
is handling the buying and booking.
Hartford State Resumes
Film-Vaudeville Shows
HARTFORD—The 4.200-seat State, the
downtown area's only combination motion
picture-vaudeville house, resumed operations
September 24. Vocalist Jaye P. Morgan headlined
an augmented stage revue at the Harris
Bros, theatre.
The State wall offer film-flesh shows on
weekends only through early spring. Ted
Harris, managing director, would not disclose
whether the theatre will be made available
for boxing shows, as in the past. These presentations
have been staged on midweek evenings
at advanced prices by local sporting
promoters.
AT PHENIX' LUNCHEON—Meg Myles,
in Springfield on her tour to plug "The
Phenix City Story," chats amiably with
Harry J. Fischer, assistant at the Paramount
Theatre, during a press, radio and
TV luncheon at the Sheraton-KimbalL
Robert Coyne Speaks
At Boston Ad Club
BOSTON — Robert W. Coyne, special
counsel for COMPO, addressed the Boston
Advertising Club at the Hotel Statler here
on "Why Public Relations in the Motion
Picture Business?" He told the group of the
Audience Awards poll, making a specific pitch
for the program.
Present at the luncheon meeting were
representatives of retail stores, advertising
agencies, newspapers, radio and Ad Club
members. Coyne paid tribute to the theatre
group in Boston headed by Samuel Pinanski
and Martin J. Mullin, who during World
War II spearheaded the successful War Bond
drives stating that the benefits of these bond
programs are still in effect today as a great
advance in public relations. Of the Audience
Awards poll, he said:
"As 20,000,000 persons read fan magazines
a month and 85,000.000 go to the movies each
week, we realize that these patrons should
have an opportunity to have their say m
the general conduct of our business. In
November we are starting the greatest nonpolitical
election ever held in the nation.
We hope that you in this room will enter
into this promotional activity and we will
welcome your counsel and ways of improving
our program. Two years ago our industry
won our biggest battle—the reduction of the
federal admissions excise tax. We hope this
poll will mark the second occasion in which
we win a battle of our own."
Charles E. Kurtzman, northeastern division
manager of Loew's Theatres, was chairman of
the occasion and introduced the head table
guests, who included Samuel Pinanski. Martin
J. Mullin, Arthur H. Lockwood. Theodore
Fleisher, Nathan Yamins, Edward W. Lider
and Gasper Urban. Charles Morris of the
Christian Science Monitor, who is president
of the Boston Advertising Club, opened the
meeting.
Paul Landerman to Head
Bushnell Music Section
HARTFORD—Paul Landerman, general
manager of Landerman Bros. Orchestras, has
been named musical contractor for the 3,200-
seat Bushnell Memorial, succeeding the late
Sam Kaplan. The appointment was disclosed
by William H. Mortensen, managing director
of the Bushnell.
Landerman will select local musicians when
they are required for Bushnell-sponsored
events, and will step into the pit on occasions
when a visiting musical production doesn't
carry its own conductor.
Goldwyn Girls Visit
NEW HAVEN—The five Goldwyn Girls
were in for press, radio and TV dates promoting
MGM's "Guys and Dolls." Accompanying
the quintet were Emery Austin, head
of exploitation for MGM: Ted Galanter,
liaison man for the studio, and Mrs. Galanter.
who is chaperoning the girls.
To Observe 55th Anniversary
HARTFORD—Sal Adorno sr., general manager
of M&D Theatres, and his wife will observe
their 55th wedding anniversary in
November.
BOXOFFICE October 8, 1955 NE 75

. . Robert
. . . When
. . The
BOSTON
\XJtibur Snaper, president of Allied Theatres
of New Jersey, will address the regional
convention of Independent Exhibitors of New
England October 25 at Toy Town Tavern,
Winchendon, Mass. A member of the board
of directors of National Allied and a regional
vice-president of Allied in this territory,
Snaper's subjects will be "New Methods of
Projection," including the new Todd-AO
process, and COMPO, its dues collections,
its Audience Awards poll and toll TV.
ATC's Central Square Theatre, Waltham,
has reopened with a "selective film policy,"
pointed directly at college students in the
area. With Brandeis, Wellesley and Babson
Institute reopening for the fall terms, officials
of ATC are presenting a series of class pictures,
starting with "Doctor in the House,"
"Gate of Hell," "To Paris With Love," "The
Virgin Queen" and others . . . When the
Theatre Guild's pre-Broadway presentation
of "The Matchmakers" opens here in November,
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Morse of the Morse
and Rothenberg circuit will be in attendance
at the opening night performance. Their son
Robert has a supporting role in the play.
Jack Champlain has permanently closed the
Bethel, Bethel, N. H. . Wheeler,
who recently closed his Richmond, Me.,
Theatre has moved to Pittsfield, N. H., to
take over the operation of the Scenic Theatre
from Mrs. Helen Irwin. Her son Lionel continues
to operate the Palace, Penacook, N. H.
the lease expires in October on the
Playhouse, Enosberg Falls, Vt., it is doubtful
if Ira Vincent will sign a new contract . . .
Connie Russell jr., Bangor, Me., exhibitor,
came to town to take in the final series of
the Yankee-Red Sox baseball games.
Richard Tibbetts, 17-year-old son of Manager
Jim Tibbetts of Loew's Orpheum, is
working as an usher after school hours at
the Cinema, Framingham. He attends the
Natick High School.
Eddie Comi. head of Massachusetts Theatre
Supply Co., has completed installation of
Cinemascope equipment in the private
screening room of the Joseph P. Kennedy
estate in Hyannisport, Mass. The former ambassador
and Mrs. Kennedy, recently arrived
from Italy, can now view the latest widescreen
Cinemascope productions with their
family and friends in the comfort and privacy
of their small, intimate screening room seating
about 50 persons. Massachusett Theatre
Equipment also has completed the installation
of Cinemascope equipment at the Empire
Theatre, Manchester, N. H.
New widescreen and Cinemascope have
been installed at the Franklin Theatre, Durham,
N. H., owned by Arthur P. Stewart, and
in the auditorium of Deerfield Academy,
Deerfield, Mass., boys prep school. Both installations
were made by Capitol Theatre
Supply Co. W. E. Cheesman, northeastern
theatre equipment representative for RCA,
spent three days in the district going over
details with Kenneth Douglass and Ernie
Comi of Capitol.
SPRINGFIELD
"The Marciano-Moore closed circuit fightcast
at the Capitol gave this city its first event
of that kind and drew better than a threequarter
full house at $4.95 top. The subsequent
special fight picture also had a big pull
at Loew's Poli when it came in for a week,
with fight fans enthusiastic over what they
consider unusually fine camera work.
YV. Harley Rudkin of the Daily News and
Louise Mace of the Union were in New York
for Paramount's Bogart-Bacall party and
press preview of "The Desperate Hours." The
junket paid off in good amusement page
space here, with both columnists giving it a
feature spot with pictures . . . Paramount's
Edward A. Smith was on vacation from his
managerial chores . advent of autumn
in New England is not slowing down the
open-airers, most of which plan to go through
to Thanksgiving and possibly beyond.
Owen Holmes, former Sundown operator
and later projectionist at the same drive-in,
has taken a lease on the Court Square, legitimate
film house which was due to be razed
after the Playgoers of Springfield relinquished
rights to it. Gilmore Associates is the
landlord. Holmes plans three-day film and
variety shows, with legitimate shows when
available.
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28 Piedmont St., Boston 16, Mass.
76 BOXOFFICE October 8. 1955

—
—
— —
—
with
when
FALL RIVER
/" arl /.rill' candidacy for election to the
board of education has been well received
here. Zeitz. manager of the Academy
Theatre, is a graduate of Massachusetts
Institute of Technology and has a wide circle
of friends in the area ... A quantity of
- was stolen in a break at the Embassy
Theatre, closed since the start of the summer,
according to Ray Allard. Police discovered
the break, and a view of the premises by
Allard revealed that paper had been partly
burned in a washroom. Tickets were found
strewn about on nearby streets.
. . .
Shelley Winters" unexpected illness caused
the cancellation of the play. "Wedding Breakand
the closing of the Somerset Playhouse
for one week prior to the formal closure
a few days ago. Miss Winters underwent
surgery at the Mount Sinai Hospital in Boston
One stroke decided the championship of
the Fall River Country Club nine-hole golf
league with the Carl Zeitz team as winner.
Zeitz and his stalwarts, second half champs,
won the league crown at the expense of the
team captained by Jim Borden. The Zeitzs
had a net of 28, one stroke better than their
opponents.
John McAvoy, director producer at the
Somerset Playhouse during the summer, has
resumed management of the Empire Theatre,
returning there with the Misses Maureen
Harrington and Edna Hughes, who served as
cashiers at the playhouse.
Parsons First Run Policy
Launched With 'Svengali'
HARTFORD—First run policy, which got
under way in earnest with "Svengali," will
be continued at the 1,200-seat Parsons, according
to Bernie Menschell, president of
Bercal, Inc.
Upcoming attractions include RKO's "Bengazi"
and "Tennessee's Partner" and Paramount's
"Lucy Gallant."
The Parsons, heretofore a legitimate theatre
house, had been showing subsequent run
attractions in recent months.
Normally RKO and Paramount product
play Loew's, Stanley Warner and AB-UPT
outlets downtown. "Svengali" is first MGM
release to go into a non-Loew's situation in
many months.
H. Daugaweed Appointed
Manager at Riverdale
HARTFORD—George F. Landers, division
manager for E. M. Loew's Theatres, has
appointed Henry Daugaweed, formerly in independent
exhibition, as manager of the
Riverdale Drive-In, West Springfield. Mass.
Daugaweed succeeds Harold Cummings, who
left the circuit to become manager of Smith
Management's local Meadows Drive-In.
'Summertime/ 'Hell'
Hit Highs in Boston
BOSTON—"To Hell and Back" held a third
week at the Memorial to strong business.
"Summertime" opened well at the State and
Orpheum. "The Left Hand of God" warranted
a holdover at the Metropolitan. Of the
extended runs, "Marty" still led the field with
a good take at the Kenmore in its eighth
week.
(Average Is 100)
Astor To Cotch a Thief (Para), 5th wk 110
Beacon Hill Game of Love (Times), 9th wk
. . . . 85
Boston Cinerama Holiday (SW), 5th wk 135
Exeter Street Dam Busters (WB), 5th wk 90
Kenmore Marty iUA), 8th wk 1 20
Memorial To Hell and Bock :U-I); Utopia (Bay
State), 2nd wk 130
Metropolitan The Left Hand of God (20th-Fox);
Trouble in Store (Rep) 1 20
Paramount and Fenway A Man Alone (Rep);
Headline Hunter (Rep) 100
State and Orpheum Summertime (UA), Stranger
on Horseback (UA) 130
'To Paris With Love' Sets
Pace in Providence
PROVIDENCE— "To Paris With Love," Alec
Guinness' first Technicolor attraction, set the
pace among the first run houses . a
sparkling 175. It was reported that all
evening performances have been completely
sold out at the swank Avon Cinema. Following
closely was "The Phenix City Story" at
the Albee with 160. The Marciano-Moore
championship fight picture, shown exclusively
at Loew's State, helped boost activity at the
boxoffice. Business at other theatres was
below normal, although product was not
entirely to blame. Lack of name performers
might have deterred attendance.
Albee The Phenix City Story (AA) 160
Avon To Paris With Love (Continental) 175
Loew's Simba (LP); King Dinosaur (LP) 135
Majestic Seven Cities of Gold (20th-Fox) 85
Strand Footsteps in the Fog (Col) 75
'Fair Weather' Grosses 130
As New Haven Leader
NEW HAVEN—All four major downtowners
had a good week, reporting 100 to 130 per
cent. The leaders were "It's Always Fair
Weather" and "The Phenix City Story."
College The King's Thief (MGM); The Teekmon
Mystery (Regal) 100
Paramount The Phenix City Story (AA); Night
Freight (AA) 1 20
Poli It's Always Fair Weather (MGM); A Life at
Stoke (Col) 130
Roger Sherman The Shrike (U-l); Las Vegas
Shakedown (AA) 1 00
'Blood Alley' Opens
Strong in Hartford
HARTFORD—Trade was only fan-, but
"Blood Alley" chalked up impressive grosses
at the Strand during its initial week.
Allyn The Phenix City Story (AA); Jail Busters
( AA), 2nd wk
Art—Little World of Don Comillo IFE), revival...
20
90
1
E. M. Loew Mobs, Inc. (Manhattan); Killer Bait
(Astor) reissue 95
Loew's Poll Gentlemen Marry Brunettes (UA);
The Big Bluff (UA) 105
Palace Scarlet Coat (MGM) 85
Parsons Svengali (MGM) 90
Strand— Blood Alley (WB); Betrayed Women (AAJ.175
NEW HAVEN
1
MVurly S1.000 the 92H
Salem Playhouse, Naugatuck, reopened
with a benefit show Tuesday (27). The theatre
has been reconstructed after being heavily
damaged in the August 19 flood. Proceeds
from opening night, when all seats were $1
each, will help restore a children's playground
which was washed away in the disaster.
Benefit speakers included U. S. Congressman
James Patterson and Harry Shaw,
Loew's division manager, representing the industry.
The National Guard displayed weapons and
recruited volunteers in the lobby of the downtown
Paramount during "To Hell and Back."
Manager Jim Darby staged an unusual contest.
He promoted 500 books, all different
titles, from Bantam Books, which distributes
the paperback edition of Audie Murphy's
story. The whole lot of books went to the
person winning a musical quiz on radio station
WAVZ.
Harry Feinstein, zone manager for Stanley
Warner, and Jim Totman, assistant manager,
were in New York for the funeral of Carl
Siegel, head of the concession department.
Totman and Jim Bracken, zone contact manager,
were in Albany for labor meetings.
Carol Channing is starred in "Delilah," the
local Shubert's first musical-comedy of the
year, which deals with the sultry sirens of
Loew's Poli sent an
the old silent films . . .
usher dressed in a reproduction of a London
bobby's uniform around downtown streets for
several days. He wore a band plugging "Footsteps
in the Fog" on his high hat.
Jack Heath a Visitor
HARTFORD—Jack Heath, former manager
of the Nickel Theatre, Middletown's first
film house, and now a Brockton, Mass., resident,
was a recent Connecticut visitor. The
theatre, operating shortly after the turn of
the century, played two shows at night and
one in the afternoon, charging five cents top.
'Svengali' Is Screened
HARTFORD—An invited audience of college
professors and newspaper, radio and TV
commentators attended a morning screening
of MGM's "Svengali" at the Parsons about
a week ahead of opening. They were guests
of
Manager Jim Kulowski.
Lollipops to Kiddies
HARTFORD—Mel Siegel, running a Family
Dollar night at the Southington Drive-in,
distributed free lollipops to youngsters. Theatre
charged $1 per carload for the evening.
Featured on screen were "Mister Roberts"
and "Road to Denver."
Jo^vncac
BOONTON. N. J.
Large Core
Greater Crater Area
meant
MAXIMUM LIGHT
Evenly Distributed A
in Vass.—MASS. THEATRE EQUIP. Co., Boston— Liberty 2-9814
In Connecticut—NATL THEATRE SUPPLY, New Hoven—State 7-5829
BOXOFFICE :
: October
8, 1955 77

. . Fred
. . Mike
HARTFORD
ITarry Browning, home office executive. New
England Theatres, conferred with Ray
McNamara, Allyn, on promotion for upcoming
releases, including "The Last Command"
and "A Man Alone" . . . Lou Brown, director
of advertising and publicity, Loew's
Poli-New England Theatres, huddled with
Lou Cohen, Loew's Poli, and Fred R. Greenway,
Palace. The latter got sizable newspaper
breaks on the Connecticut premiere of
"The Scarlet Coat." Promotional gimmick
revolved around a message in film which
had Hartford connections.
A former Connecticut resident, 78-year-old
Fred C. Latham, now a lobster fisherman,
will appear in two scenes of 20th-Fox's
"Carousel," now on location at Boothbay
Harbor, Me. Latham formerly lived in neighboring
New Britain . . . Also in New Britain:
Joseph Borenstein, manager of the Stanley
Warner Strand, got word that his son Don
had arrived in the Mediterranean aboard
a Navy ship. Young Borenstein is serving
as a Navy musician and plans to resume
his music career upon discharge in another
year or so.
Bernie Menschell, Bercal, Inc., was a New
York visitor . . . Milt LeRoy, Blue Hills Drive-
.
. .
in, has discontinued fire engine rides for
youngsters until next spring . . . Maurice
Shulman, Shulman Theatres, was in New
York The Hartford Theatre circuit's
. .
Lenox has new marquee letters. The outside
sign has been redecorated . Sperie Perakos,
Perakos Theatre Associates, is using 24-sheets
for the Southington and Plainville drive-ins,
first such practice for a Connecticut airer.
Copy: "Only a few minutes ahead to . .
."
Mel Siegel, Southington Drive-In, collected
$203 at his recent flood relief show . . . Rube
Lewis, business agent, Local 84, attended the
testimonial dinner honoring Colin MacDonald,
labor leader, hosted at the Statler Hotel
by the Connecticut Conference of Painters.
George E. Landers, Hartford division manager,
E. M. Loew's Theatres, reports installation
of new carpeting at the downtown first
run E. M. Loew's . R. Greenway and
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1327 S. WABASH, CHICAGO »630 NINTH AVE..NEW YORK
Jack Keppner, Palace, promoted a contest
on WKNB-TV in the interests of "The King's
Thief" . Mowchan, Strand, New
Britain, hosted Civil Air Patrol men and
women at a screening of "Strategic Air Command."
He also got window displays.
An October 12 reopening was reported set
for the Arch Street Theatre, New Britain, by
Strand, New
Perakos Theatre Associates . . .
Britain, has resumed Saturday children's
shows, from 12 noon to 2:30, offering free
comic books as well as 12 cartoons, western
feature and novelties. Admission scale:
adults, cents; children, 25 cents . John
50 . .
McGrail, TJ-I exploiteer, worked on "To Hell
and Back" at the Strand. Hartford; Pine
Drive-In, Waterbury; Paramount, New Haven,
and Majestic, Bridgeport, with street ballyhoo
and parades highlighting augmented
campaign.
"To Paris With Love," normally considered
an art house attraction, played the Pike
Drive-In. Paul Amadeo, manager, used
larger-than-normal ad budget.
Program Policy Altered
For Winter Operation
HARTFORD — The 2,018-car Meadows
Drive-In, operated by Smith Management Co..
has adopted a new fall and winter policy,
calling for two feature program changes per
week—on Sundays and Wednesdays.
Admission scale has been reduced from
80 cents to 70 cents.
The circuit did not indicate whether a
first run policy would be resumed in the
spring.
Harold Cummings, formerly with Warner
Bros. Management Corp. and E. M. Loew's
Enterprises, is resident manager here, under
Bill Powell, division manager.
Kids' Saturday Morning
Shows Into 10th Year
HARTFORD—The Central, West Hartford,
has started its tenth season of special Saturday
morning children's shows. Opening performance
featured an all-color bill, including
"Man Behind the Gun," a western, and six
cartoons.
The theatre is part of the Hartford circuit,
and is managed by Hugh J. Campbell, who
arranged special press notices in conjunction
with the series.
A To Hell' Luncheon
HARTFORD—Connecticut Army Reserve
brass was hosted at a Statler Hotel luncheon
by Jack Sanson, Stanley Warner Strand, in
conjunction with the October 5 opening of
U-I's "To Hell and Back." John McGrail of
the U-I exploitation department served as
co-host.
Joe Liss Back Home
After Hospital Stay
NEW HAVEN—Joe Liss, Massachusetts district
manager for the Stanley Warner New
England zone, has been discharged from
Worcester Hospital, Worcester, Mass. He had
been a patient there since he was critically
injured in a two-car crash three and one-half
months ago.
Liss was in a coma for several weeks, but
staged a remarkable recovery. He will continue
to convalesce at his home in Lawrence,
Mass. It is not known when he will
be able to return to his duties.
Liss was driving to the SW New England
zone headquarters here for a staff meeting
when he was injured.
PROVIDENCE
t*or the New England premiere of "Seven
Cities of Gold" at the Majestic, a screening
was held for the local Catholic dignitaries.
Willard Matthews, manager, extended invitations
to monsignors, pastors, priests, nuns and
The Avon Cinema opened Alec
sisters . . .
Guinness' first Technicolor vehicle, "To Paris
With Love" with "Decameron Nights."
Hurricane jitters again returned to this area
as lone, the ninth tropical storm of the season,
roared up the coast. Admonished to stay
indoors and keep tuned to radio or television
for half-hourly warnings, the theatregoing
public stayed away from the shows in startling
numbers. What might have been the
best week of the current season, as indicated
by excellent opening days at all downtown
houses, was all but washed out by the hurricane
scare. Rhode Island was originally
slated to feel the full effect, but a last-hour
switch caused the storm to veer off the coast.
Thus far this year, local theatremen, merchants
and building owners have expended
over a million dollars and thousands of manhours
in guarding against hurricane damage
and floods. The terrific losses suffered last
year have yet to be made up; and inasmuch
as this area has been officially placed in the
so-called "hurricane belt" for the next decade
by weather experts, considerable sums are yet
to be spent in completing preparations for
protection against future storms.
Many Billboards on 'Hell'
NEW HAVEN—The biggest billboard campaign
ever conducted in this territory is being
employed by U-I for "To Hell and Back."
Fifty luminous boards, which glow at night,
are being used in the city area.
,
Birthday Party for David Amadeo
HARTFORD—Paul W. Amadeo, general
manager, Turnpike Theatre Corp., and his
wife had a first birthday party for their son
David.
IMAGE & SOUND SERVICE CORP.
"The Best Value In Sound Service"
Hancock 6-7984 445 Statler Building
Boston, Massachusetts
Men Ignored TV Fights
HARTFORD—Milton LeRoy of the Blue
Hills
Drive-In has removed the TV set from
the concession building. The set had been installed
as additional lure for male patrons on
TV fight nights; but demand didn't come up
to expectations, according to LeRoy.
Incorporations
— HARTFORD —
Branmill Theatre Corp., Stamford; $1,000; Harry
Brandt, president; Melvin Miller, vice-president and
treasurer; George Goldson, secretary; Claire Miller,
assistant secretary, all of New York; directors, Harry
Brandt, Richard Brandt, Melvin Miller and Claire
Miller, all of New York.
78 BOXOFFICE October 8, 1955

—
. . Clyde
Vancouver 'Roberts 7
In Near-Record Week
VANCOUVER—Two Warner releases led
the town. "Mister Roberts" gave the Capitol
a near-record week and held over, and "Pete
Kelly's Blues" was strong at the Orpheum.
"To Catch a Thief" ended its fourth downtown
week m a moveovei to the Cinema.
Cool wet weather helped grosses, with little
outdoor competition.
(Average Is 100)
Capitol Mister Roberts ;WB) Smash
Cinema—To Catch o Thief (Para), 4th d.t. wk. . . Fair
Orpheum—Pete Kelly's Blues (WB) Very Good
Paradise—The Bcost With a Thousand Eyes
(ARC); King Dinosaur (LP) Good
Plaza—Chance Meeting (JARO); Monte Carlo
Boby iSRi. plus tight films Average
Strand— Svengoli (MGM) Fair
Studio— The Happiness of Three Women
(IFD)
Moderate
Vogue Above Us the Waves (JARO) Good
"Roberts' in Toronto
Scores 190 Per Cent
TORONTO—The big draw of the week was
Ulster Roberts" at the Imperial and the
runnerup was "Love Is a Many-Splendored
Thing" at the University and Eglinton. "Not
As a Stranger" could not be called a stranger
at Loew's, where it was held for a seventh
week. "Summertime" continued a third week
at the Odeon.
Eglinton, University—Love Is a Many-Splendored
Thing (20th-Fox) 1 45
Hyland— I Am a Comoro (DCA) 120
Impenol—Mister Roberts (WB) 1 90
Loew's— Not As o Stronger (UA), 7th wk 85
Nortown—Pete Kelly's Blues (WB) 105
Odeon, Fairlawn—Summertime (UA), 3rd wk 105
Shea's The Girl Rush (Para) 115
Towne—The Bed Getz-Kingsley), 2nd wk 110
Uptown To Hell ond Back (U-l) 105
Film Society Season Bows
OTTAWA—The Brockville Film Society
opened its fifth season in theatrical style,
using ad mats to advertise the first feature,
"The Divided Heart." for its showing September
27 in the Brockville Collegiate Auditorium,
where the boxoffice was opened at 7:30 p.m.
The society will offer a series of ten performances
for the season for which $5 "memberships"
are sold to the public.
Fight Film Booked
TORONTO—The Marciano-Moore heavyweight
fight film was shown for a week at
five 20th Century Theatres units, the Downtown,
Glendale, Scarboro, Westwood and
State. Quick bookings in other centers included
the Paramount, Brantford; Rideau,
Ottawa, Odeon, Kingston, Palace, Hamilton,
and the Vanity, Windsor.
'Teckmcm Mystery' Bows
TORONTO—Art circles found a new British
picture, "The Teckman Mystery," at the
International Cinema, while the Pylon stuck
to the Italian line with "L'Allegro Cantante."
With its parttime art policy, the Grant
featured "Malaspina" for a three-day run.
while the Astor offered "King's Jester" for a
limited engagement, too.
Eight Team lor
'Long Legs'
TORONTO—Eight key units of Famous
Players Canadian were linked for the Show
of the Week, the latest edition of which was
"Daddy Long Legs." The group consisted of
the Alhrambra, Beach. Capitol. College,
Palace, Parkdale, Runnymede and St. Clair,
one for each section of the city.
Bingo, Prices and Taxes
Top Maritimes Agenda
ST. JOHN— Competition from bingo, Housie
and other similar games, which in recent
months have become more prevalent than
ever in the maritimes, is expected to be among
major considerations at the annual meeting
of the Maritime Motion Picture Exhibitors
TORONTO
l^orris Stein, eastern division general manager
for Famous Players, celebrated
his 61st birthday, then
found himself appointed
chairman of
the nominating committee
for next year's
crew of Toronto
Variety Tent 28, of
which he is a past
chief barker . . Lloyd
.
Gurr, onetime manager
of the Century,
Hamilton, has been
elected president of
I
the Chamber of Com-
Morris Stein merce at Port Stanley,
Ont.. where he now is engaged in another
line of business Manager Al Ford of
the
. . .
Palace, Hamilton, has started an Odeon
movie club for youngsters on Saturday morning.
He calls it a Kartoon Party.
Jim Dickinson, new manager of the newlynamed
Hyland at London, Ont., held his
first attraction, "Above Us the Waves," for
a fourth week .
Gilmour. film commentator
of the Toronto Telegram, waited
until late September before taking his vacation
Len Bishop of Shea's had a big
. . . crowd for his third Red Feather Revue on
stage with Ken Watts as master of ceremonies
for the Community Chest campaign which
opens October 11.
The newspaper reviewers have received picture
postcards airmailed from Paris by Jimmy
Stewart where he is on location for "The
.
Spirit of St. Louis." The card illustration
shows Lindbergh's plane circling the Eiffel
Tower Guy Upjohn has done much
.
traveling
.
before settling down as assistant
to chief Booker Harvey Hunt at Canadian
Odeon head office in Toronto. He spent some
Ass's here Wednesday (12).
The meeting, to be presided over by Archie
Mason of Springhill, N. S., is expected to attract
a large attendance. It will be held
simultaneously with the annual meeting of
the Maritime Motion Picture Pioneers.
Guest speaker for the banquet will be Arch
Jolley of Toronto, executive secretary of the
Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass'n of Canada
and secretary of the Ontario Exhibitors
Ass'n.
Secretary George Walters of the maritimes
organization has circularized the membership
advising of the many important subjects to
be considered this year.
With the offer of larger and larger cash
prizes, automobiles and other merchandise in
bingo and other games, exhibitors are complaining
that the amusement dollar is finding
its way into unfair and in many instances
illegal competition. Walters said. Police and
municipal authorities are not enforcing many
of tin- regulations thai apply to the games,
he added, even for fire and safety precautions.
In addition to interim reports on the activities
of the exhibitors committee during
the last year, the agenda will contain discussion
and some action, if possible, to relieve
independent exhibitors of the burden
of high film costs. Walters said that most
of the independent exhibitors in the maritimes
are in smaller communities and find
it difficult under present conditions to show
bigger pictures profitably because of high
rentals. It is expected that the subject of
sliding scale film rentals for these situations
will be introduced.
The downward revision of the theatre admissions
tax will be discussed. Nova Scotia
last year made some slight changes in the
ticket tax, but New Brunswick has not followed
suit.
time at J. Arthur Rank headquarters in London,
England, then returned to Canada when
he reorganized the Odeon booking office at
Vancouver, B. C.
Manager Bill Burke of the Capitol, Brantford,
played up the fact that his attraction,
"To Catch a Thief," had been selected for
the Royal Command Performance in London,
Martin Simpson,
England, October 31 . . .
manager of the Downtown, used a pointed
lobby display for the Marciano-Moore fight
film which said that the admission price for
the TV closed-circuit presentation of the
bout was $5. but the ringside film could be
seen for as little as 40 cents.
A check has shown that nongolfers who
attended the Canadian Picture Pioneers
fourth annual championships at St. Andrew's
secured the following loot: Choice of a bottle
or box of candy as door prize, bag of potato
chips, ditto of popcorn, Davy Crockett hat,
Coca-Cola, chewing gum, book matches, comb,
etc.
WiM Larose, manager of the Palace, St.
Catharines, reorganized his Odeon Movie
Club recently with a cartoon show and
stunts. The juveniles found a theatre pass
in every tenth box of popcorn and with every
fifth Orange Crush drink. The extra business
was really something.
Join Booking Firm
TORONTO—Recently reopened by Harry
Firestone, the Esquire and Mayfair have become
links of the Associated Theatres buying
and booking organization here, according
to Curly Posen, former chief booker of Allied
Theatres. Posen is the proprietor of the Kent
in North Toronto.
The Mayfair and Esquire had been leased
to 20th Century Theatres for some years,
but reverted to Firestone who carried out
structural improvements before reopening.
BOXOFFICE October 8, 1955 K 79

. . . Robert
. . The
. . Harry
MONTREAL
T A. Patenaude has joined France-Film as a
' salesman . . . Gilles Morin, manager of
IFD's 16mm division, has resigned to enter
a new field of occupation . . . Sam Jacobs,
AA representative, was on a business trip to
Three Rivers and district .
Cohen,
RKO's Montreal manager, motored to New
York City with his wife.
Bill Trow, MPE and QCB president, made a
motor trip to Port Henry, N. Y., to bring
back his brother, Jimmy, manager of the
Imperial Theatre, Three Rivers, who was
there recuperating after an appendectomy
undergone several weeks ago. Jimmy spent
a few days in Montreal before proceeding to
Three Rivers ... An office party was held
at RKO, presided over by Manager Harry
Cohen, for Art Bell, head booker who moved
to New York City . . . Bill Bourne, of the art
department at UAC and wife became parents
of a baby girl, their first child . . . Jack
Roher, president of Peerless Films, returned
to Toronto after a stay at the local office.
J. Arthur Rank's "The Night My Number
Came Up" premiered at the Men's Press
Club. The picture, starrring Michael Redgrave,
Sheila Sim. Alexander Knox and Denholm
Elliott, is a Michael Balcon-Ealing film
Stein. 20th-Fox salesman back from
the Gaspe peninsula, said exhibitors in that
section, far away from television outlets, are
enjoying tremendous receipts as a result of
installation of widescreens and Cinemascope.
He left immediately on a tour of Quebec's
Abitibi region.
.
The Normandie Theatre, UAC outlet, had
as an added attraction on the stage, the
Grand Romeo, well-known Canadian medium
and hypnotist UAC's Seville, pursuing
its motion picture and stage headliners
policy, presented on its stage Jan August,
pianist . . . Exhibitors on Filmrow included
Dr. Guibord of the Palace, Grandmere;
Jean-Marie Gagne, Cinema Ville Marie;
Georges Champagne, manager of Shawinigan
Falls circuit; Normand Joncas of the Maple,
Sutton, and Rene Gagne of the Venise of St.
Cesaire.
Fred Tabah, financier and board member
of Confederation Amusements, was elected a
director of Virginia Mining Corp. . . .Gratien
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General Contractors
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282 Carlton St.,
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Phone WAInut 29954
Gelinas, better known as Fridolin, Montreal
motion picture producer, actor and a television
star, took part at Toronto in CBC's
giant "Red Feather Spectacular." Gelinas introduced
a new comic character—his version
of a Canadian soldier of the 21st century,
wearing his version of a space-costume . . .
Mayor Horace Boivin of Granby, is on a trip
in the Netherlands, France and Belgium . . .
Paul Dupuis, a longtime motion picture star
in Great Britain and France, is appearing
here as a radio and television commentator
and producer ... La Scala, which has had remarkably
long runs in recent years, is ready
for another run with "Le Droit de Naitre"
starring Gloria Marin, Jorge Mistral and
Marta Rothe.
WINNIPEG
/""•olumnist Graham N. Smith in his Daily
Tribune column, Moss I Gather, told
readers the first motion pictures to be shown
in Winnipeg were brought in by Jim Harrison
and Billy Jones in a black tent on a lot on
the corner of Rupert and King in 1902. "I
don't know the name of the film," reported
C. H. Vincent, who witnessed the historic
moment, "but I remember it showed the
volcano eruptions of Mount Vesuvius and
Mount Pelee. Real exciting to watch. Especially
in those days when no one had seen a
movie before." In addition to the film there
was organ music and Scottish songs warbled
by Marie Kirten. No organ player himself.
Vincent, who was just a lad at the time,
ground out the music by turning a crank.
"My wages probably worked out at about five
cents an hour," Vincent said. The first
motion picture theatre, appropriately named
the Unique, was on the ground floor of the
Clement block at Main and Market in 1904.
Adult admissions were ten cents and children
were admitted for five cents.
Among letters to the editor, one daily carried
this short letter signed I. Smith: "Sir: If
it is going to be on a commercial basis, why
does not the vote for Sunday sport also include
Sunday movies? I am sure far more people
would to go to a movie on Sunday than
those who wish to see sport. It seems to me
that some sports lobby is pushing the Sunday
sports bylaw through."
Having had successful attendances because
the cash offer had reached $3,600, the 22
theatres in the Winnipeg Foto-Nite pool
voted to increase the starting amount from
$1,500 to $2,000. Previous experience had shown
that when the cash offer was under $2,000
there was a dropoff in attendance, but when
it reached the $2,000 mark it rang a bell of
urgency with the persons registered. Executives
of the F-N pool met after a Mrs.
Groves was recipient of the $3,600 and decided
to make exhibitors and patrons both
happy with the starting amount of $2,000.
Daylight Time Ends
OTTAWA—One bugbear for theatres in
Ontario cities and towns was removed for the
year last weekend when termination came
for daylight saving time in practically all
centers. It had been in effect since April 24.
Programs Are Ready
For Industry Confab
TORONTO—The Motion Picture Industry
Council of Canada has sent out notices to all
trade branches across the country on the
group of conventions to be held here during
the week of October 31, with requests
for registrations without delay to insure
adequate accommodations at the King
Edward Hotel, convention headquarters.
First function of the week is the annual
luncheon of the Motion Picture Theatres
Ass'n of Ontario at 1 p.m. Monday (31).
The National Committee of Motion Picture
Exhibitors Ass'n of Canada will meet Tuesday
(1) in the Yellow room of the hotel, starting
at 9:30 a.m. On November 2, 3, the Motion
Picture Industry Council of Canada will hold
meetings, starting at 9:30 a.m. both days.
The annual awards dinner of the Canadian
Picture Pioneers will be held at the Royal
York Hotel Tuesday (1) at 7 p.m., for which
the charge will be $7 per person.
The Canadian Motion Picture Distributors
Ass'n will host a complimentary luncheon at
12:30 Wednesday (2) at the King Edward
Hotel, and at noon Thursday (3) the delegates
will be luncheon guests of Coca-Cola.
Reservations will be made by Executive
Secretary Arch H. Jolley for the National
Hockey League game between Detroit and the
Toronto Leafs at Maple Leaf Gardens
Wednesday night at $2.75 per ticket, but payment
will have to be received by him not
later than October 15.
Trade Writer McNulty
Dies on Trip to Boston
ST. JOHN—William T. McNulty, 68,
correspondent
for BOXOFFICE and other publications,
died in Boston where he had gone to
consult physicians at the Leahy Clinic regarding
ill health from which he had been suffering
the last year. He contracted pneumonia
on the trip, which proved fatal.
For many years McNulty had been active
in behalf of underprivileged children here,
and served as councilor of the St. Patricks
Boys Orphans Home. He had spent unlimited
time guiding the youth in sports and physical
training. Many of the graduates of the home
had kept in touch with him over the years.
(Editor's note: William McNulty was one
of the oldest correspondents of BOXOFFICE
in point of service. His writings were full of
expressive adjectives and interesting sidelights
on the lives of the theatremen about
whom he wrote.)
Reston Memorial Theatre
To Install Widescreen
RESTON. MAN—Plans are under way here
for installation of widescreen equipment at
the Reston Memorial Theatre. Installation
awaits only completion of financial and other
arrangements, according to shareholders of
the Reston Memorial Hall Theatre Co., who
met here recently. Lyall McMorran and C. S.
Campbell were named to supervise purchase
of the new equipment.
The audited financial report for 1954 showed
profits of $1,600, the lowest in the history
of the theatre. Revenues at just over $13,000
were about equal to previous years, but expenses
were up over $1,500 from the previous
year. Increased film rentals was a major
factor in the larger expenses incurred.
80 BOXOFFICE October 8, 1955

. . K.
. .
VANCOUVER Newsman Cautions New TV Viewers
HI Jenkins, Vogue manager, came back from
his vacation to find that he was winner
of a $500 savings bond,
second prize in the
United Artists "Vera
continental
Cruz"
publicity contest . . .
Sydney Freeman,
Studio manager, will
be married in November
to Marjorie Shine,
a local girl . . . Max
Banbury, local artist
who owned his own art
shop before going to
Toronto, has joined
\1 Jenkins Famous Players as assistant
to Bill Baillie, FPC art shop manager
for British Columbia.
For Australian Food Week, Ivan Ackery.
manager of the Orpheum, added a color
feature film, "The Royal Tour of Australia,"
on the same program with "Pete Kelly's
Blues" and had a lobby display of Australian
food products . H. Burnet of the West
End Community Council told city council
members that bingo is a "highly commercial
proposition" in Vancouver, now grossing over
$2,000,000 annually. Bingo operators were
objecting to the new $125 yearly license.
With the recent changes in Famous
Players heads, Frank Gow, former district
manager, now will personally supervise the
Broadway, local suburban house. Gow owns
and is a partner in the house, although it now
is a part of the FPC chain . . . Pay talks
between Famous Players, Odeon and the
projectionists union have broken down and a
government conciliation board will meet to
decide the issue. Booth workers are seeking
a 5 per cent wage hike.
Ken Martin, former British Columbia head
for Harlan Fairbanks, popcorn and soft drink
firm, has moved with his family to Seattle
where he will supervise the Denver, Seattle
and Canadian offices of the firm. Jack
Senior, formerly Martin's assistant, will be
in charge of the Vancouver office . . With
.
the wet fall weather here, drive-ins are closing
or playing weekends only. All ozoners reported
business away off this season.
The Lougheed and New Westminster driveins
played "Street Corner" day and date . . .
Jim Adams, manager of the Circle Theatre,
averted panic by 350 patrons recently when
swirls of smoke from a nearby fire were
drawn into the theatre by air conditioning
fans. Adams stopped the picture and advised
patrons that the fire was some distance down
the street. No one left the theatre . . . Max
and Ben Chechick, British Columbia exhibitors,
are building Australia's second and
Sydney's first outdoor theatre. Ben Chechik
has been in Australia for the last two years.
. . .
A recent visitor here was Jack Hartree,
president of the Regina boothmen's union
and secretary for IATSE District 12. He
visited the Local 348 executive board and
looked over his old hometown after an
absence of 40 years The Odeon-Park
suburban theatre, which has been day and
dating first runs with the downtown Vogue,
has reverted to its former policy of twin bill
subsequent runs, leaving the Vogue alone on
its first run policy.
Not to Forget the Corner Theatre
WINNIPEG — "Some of the smaller
neighborhood houses are having a bad time
of it these days." writes Frank Morriss In a
recent article in the Winnipeg Free Press.
"The folks who used to hurry and wash the
so that they could slip down to the
corner and see a movie are turning on their
television sets and staying in the living room.
"All of which can't be helped, I suppose.
Time marches on, bringing its changes .
Television is here to stay, of course. But
so is the movie business ... It has become
part of our lives, it is interwoven with our
thinking. When the 1950 flood came along
and the movie houses were forced to close
their doors, it deepened the pall that hung
over the city . . . We might desert the movies
for a time, we might get exasperated with
some of the things they do, but we can't do
without them. The current decline in attendance
is a temporary thing, but it is working
hardship on the managers of movie
houses, particularly neighborhood ones.
"Most neighborhood movie managers are
part of the community. They have been there
for a long time. They have watched the kids
coming into a Saturday matinee, have seen
them march off to school, have congratulated
them on graduation. Sometimes, if the kids
stay in the neighborhood long enough, they
get married and send their children off to the
neighborhood theatre on Saturday afternoon.
It's very much a family affair.
MERCHANTS SUFFERED TOO
In the last year or so ago, when small movie
theatres started to go, the merchants in the
vicinity found out they suffered too.
"Now I'm not suggesting that you go to
your neighborhood movie houses as an act of
charity, but it is a thought to have that little
theatre on the corner, and the chap who is
running it is up against some pretty tough
problems and deserves your sympathy.
"If you haven't been to a movie in some
time, why not take the family one of these
nights? You may be surprised, providing you
pick the right bill, just how good a film can
be. The improved widescreen. with its
emphasis on scenic backgrounds, the better
sound we have been getting, may be a
revelation. And I think too, that a family
outing of this kind once in a while is a good
thing. You all come home feeling better for
it. So don't forget that chap at the corner
movie house. He's part of your community."
MANY LETTERS RECEIVED
The response from the industry was
immediate; letters and phone calls poured
into the Free Press office thanking Morriss.
"On behalf of the Manitoba Motion Picture
Exhibitors Ass'n as well as Famous Players, I
want to thank you for your wonderful article
which appeared in Friday's Free Press," wrote
Harold A. Bishop, public relations chairman
of the MMPEA. "Naturally I agree with
everything you say in this story but it is
difficult to get this message across to the
public, and we are sincerely grateful to you
for the splendid manner in which you expressed
your own thoughts in this connection.
"It is no secret that the neighborhood
movie house is having a bad time of it these
days, not only from the opposition from television
but also from football and the broadcasting
of the games."
David Rothstein Proves
Faith in Film Industry
WINNIPEG — David Rothstein, general
manager of the Rothstein circuit hen
proving his belief that there is a great future
in the motion picture industry. He this week
urged his fellow exhibitors to "throw away
that sackcloth and put a bright clean welcome
mat on the threshold." reminding them
that "success will not come from a defeatist
attitude.
"If the battle is tough," he said, "so much
sweeter the final victory.
"We are showing our faith in the future
of this business," Rothstein said, "by purchasing
three theatrical properties in Weyburn
from Phil Bodnoff.
"The Hi-Art will be completely redecorated,
new seats and equipment will be installed
immediately. The Soo will be completely
redecorated. The Twilight Drive-In will have
many new innovations and new features when
it reopens in the spring.
"We are fortunate in having very enterprising
managers who take a serious interest
in the welfare of their houses and take an
active part in communal life. We recently
purchased the Derrick in Virden, making
a total of four new outlets in a short time."
Big Crowd for Soviet Film
Brings Second Showing
TORONTO—What had been intended as
one performance of the Soviet ballet film.
"Romeo and Juliet," at the Eaton Auditorium
here September 29, turned out to be a double
showing when its sponsors, Artkino Pictures
of Canada, found it necessary to repeat the
picture because of the crowd.
Extra seats were placed in the department
store's theatre, but even with the additional
accommodation some people were turned
away. This was the first public showing of
the picture in Canada. It had previously
been screened by the Soviet embassy in
Ottawa for invited guests.
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MARINE 5034-5428
i
BOXOFFICE :
: October
8, 1955 81

Saskatchewan Ass'n
Re-Elects McKenzie
REGINA, SASK.—The Saskatchewan Motion
Picture Exhibitors Ass'n, meeting at the
Saskatchewan Hotel here this week by acclamation
re-elected Duane McKenzie as president.
J. Lundholme was renamed vice-president
and S. Heaps was re-elected secretarytreasurer.
Directors are F. Falkner, W. Pyle, R. D.
Armstrong, H. Durham, H. Gunn, J. D. Watson,
I. Reinharn, H. S. Humphries, G. R.
Miller, R. R. Southam, J. King, W. W. Interton,
M. Crawford, W. Zaparaniuk, R. Miller
and W. Russell.
P. W. Mahon, veteran association founder,
was named honorary president.
United Artists General Manager Charles
Chaplin conducted a lively forum on industry
problems and was chief guest speaker at
the banquet Monday evening. Lively discussions
also were held at the business meetings
on 16mm, high film rentals, bingo competition,
film express rates and relief for
hard-hit exhibitors.
Visitors from Winnipeg were J. Ferguson,
H. W. Hurwitz, H. Prygrocki and B. H.
Sommers.
B&F Theatres Shifts Ads
To Line Up With FPC
TORONTO—A startling change in the lineup
of circuit groups in Toronto occurred
Tuesday (27) when the 13 units of B&F
Theatres were switched to the newspaper
advertising of Famous Players Canadian
Corp. in the local dailies after having appeared
in a separate section of the amusement
pages for many years.
B&F is a subsidiary of the major Famous
Players chain, but some of its board members
are FPC officers, such as J. J. Fitzgibbons,
who is president of both companies; Angus
MacCunn, secretary; R. W. Bolstad, treasurer,
and W. E. Kerr, assistant treasurer.
The vice-president is Sam Fine, managing
director Sam Bloom and the assistant managing
director William A. Summerville jr.,
always with B&F.
The 13 theatres now grouped with Famous
Players units are York, Bellevue, Oxford,
Grover, Donlands, LaPlaza, Eastwood, Pylon,
Vaughan, Radio City, Beaver, Lansdowne and
Century.
Other affiliates of Famous Players are
Premier Theatres, headed by Jule Allen, and
20th Century Theatres, of which the president
is N. A. Taylor, but they continue their own
operations with separate advertising in
Toronto newspapers.
Civic Program Results
From Speech by Jolley
ST. THOMAS. ONT.—Members of the local
Kiwanis Club and the Board of Trade gave
enthusiastic endorsement to Arch H. Jolley,
executive secretary of the Motion Picture
Theatres Ass'n of Ontario, when he addressed
a joint luncheon of the two groups at the
Grand Central Hotel here on the subject of
"The Importance of a Theatre to the Business
Community."
More than 90 business and professional men
turned out for Jolley who also conducted a
question period which resulted in a decision
to stage a main street program to tie in with
the local theatres for the benefit of all.
OTTAWA
'The local Movie Celebration sponsored by the
Ottawa Theatre Ass'n was rolling along
with President Don Watts, Vice-President
Frank Gallop and Secretary Kenneth R.
Brown directing the program. The latest feature
was a combination page with ads from
20 merchants to salute the Movies' 50th Anniversary
. . . Directors of the Canadian
Repertory Theatre, stock company which suspended
last spring, held a meeting last week
to stage a proposal for a fund campaign
which would enable the society to resume
performances, possibly in January, at the
Academy. The organization found it impossible
to lease either of two film theatres.
Preparations are being made for a twoday
engagement at the Famous Players Capitol
here, managed by Ray Tubman, October
17, 18 of the touring Comedy Francaise from
Paris in which J. A. DeSeve, president of
France Film, Montreal, is financially interested
William D. Hartnett, 23, former
. . . assistant manager of the Famous Players
Regent, was granted freedom on $1,000 bail
when he appeared in court here on a charge
of stealing $2,046 in theatre funds. He made
no plea at the preliminary hearing, which
followed his arrest after being returned from
Albany, N. Y., where he had pleaded guilty
to unlawful entry into a residence.
The Imperial, a unit of 20th Century Theatres,
had a break-in by thieves who took $20
from confectionery vending machines which
had been forced open. Office furniture also
was damaged ... At Cornwall, Clarence
Markell cooperated with the police department
through the use of the Palace for a
traffic-safety performance attended by 1,100
school children.
After a week at the Capitol, "To Catch a
Thief" moved over to the Regent, under the
direction of Manager Bill Cullum, for a further
week. "The Virgin Queen" followed at
the Capitol . . . L. J. Williams, owner of the
Port Elmsley Drive-In, staged an appreciation
night October 7 to show his gratitude for
patronage during the season. A feature of
the evening was a giveaway of a Westinghouse
television
set.
Norgan Eighth Birthday
Party Lasts Full Week
PALMERSTON, ONT.—Kilted pipers, a
film based on a mythical village in Scotland,
and free birthday refreshments for patrons
were part of the recent eighth birthday party
for the Norgan Theatre. The week-long
theatre festivities also included awarding of
a bicycle to one of the boys and girls who had
attended at least eight summer matinees.
Also popular with patrons was a contest to
guess the exact weight of a large birthday
cake on display in the lobby. The cake
weighed nine pounds and three ounces. John
Shilhab, a contestant, guessed within an
ounce and won a freshly-baked cake of the
same weight as the contest cake.
Student Price Started
TORONTO—Famous Players Canadian
Corp. has inaugurated a special admission
price for students on presentation of school
identification cards. The policy is in effect
at the Eglinton and Nortown as well as at
the key neighborhood units here.
Abraham Smith Dies;
Long MGM Manager
ST. JOHN—Abraham E. Smith, one of the
oldest employes of MGM in Canada, died at
his home here Sunday following a heart attack.
He had been Maritimes manager for
MGM 39 years, the last 35 at the exchange
here.
In years of service Smith ranked with
Henry Nathanson, now president and general
manager of MGM of Canada. Smith
was born in New York City in 1895 and moved
to Montreal with the Smith family when he
was 16. He -soon joined MGM there, then
known as Metro Pictures, as assistant booker.
He was transferred to the Metro office in
Vancouver as office manager, and then to
St. John as Maritime manager.
Smith was a charter member of the Motion
Picture Pioneers, a member of the Variety
Club of Toronto and a charter member of
the local B'nai B'rith lodge. He served as
treasurer of the Israel bond and United Jewish
Appeal drives, and was active in all Jewish
and civic charities.
Smith, who never married, is survived by
two brothers, Ben and Norman, and one
sister, Mrs. Julia Isaacs.
Win Barron Unofficial
Commuter Champion
MONTREAL—Win Barron, editor and voice
of Canadian Paramount News, was declared
one of Canada's most traveled showmen by
Montreal Gazette columnist Fitz. Fitz said
Win, who recently marked his tenth anniversary
on that job, spends half of each week
in Toronto, and half in New York recording
commentary on the stuff he's selected in
Toronto.
Back in 1942 Paramount News decided to
put out a Canadian edition and asked for
recordings of the voices of several commentators.
The choice fell on Barron, who was
working out of Toronto at the time for
Paramount, but who also had a lot of radio
experience, dating back to an announcer's
job on the Dominion's first radio station,
CFCA. He had started as a station engineer,
but one day the announcer failed to show up
and Barron took over; has been at it ever
since.
He still does publicity out of Toronto in addition
to the newsreel jobs, and whenever a
bit of exploitation on a Paramount picture
needs doing in Montreal, he passes this way
en route to one of his chief stopping spots.
William Hartnett to Face
Theatre Theft Charges
OTTAWA—William D. Hartnett, 23, former
assistant manager of the Famous Players
Regent here, pleaded guilty to a reduced
charge of unlawful entry into the nurses
residence of the Albany, N. Y., Hospital, the
original charge having been attempted
burglary.
Arrangements were made at Albany for his
return to Ottawa where he faces a charge in
connection with the disappearance of approximately
$2,000 in receipts of the Regent.
Albany police said he admitted taking the
money.
Mervyn LeRoy will produce and direct "The
Bad Seed" for Warners.
82 BOXOFFICE :: October 8, 1955

—
—
OXOfFICE (3 Uflii ]])£!)] J)S
The EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY ABOUT PICTURES
ALLIED ARTISTS
Clipped Wings >AA)—Leo Gorcey, Hunts
Hall. June Vincent. As usual for the Bowery
Bovs on Sunday, but dropped on Monday.
Weather: Rainy—Lew Bray jr., Queen Theatre,
McAllen, Tex. English-Spanish-speaking
patronage.
Spy Chasers, The (AA)—Leo Gorcey, Huntz
Hall. Lisa Davis. School opened this week
and even the Bowery Boys couldn't make a
dollar for us. The usual Bowery entry, lots
of good laughs and nonsense. Doubled this
with "The Human Jungle," another AA production
that has plenty of punch for any
action spot. Played Sun., Mon., Tues.
Weather: Hot.—Robert Klinge, Uptown Theatre.
Sedalia, Mo. Medium size town and
rural patronage.
COLUMBIA
Brave Warrior (Col)—Reissue. Jon Hall.
Christine Larson, Jay Silverheels. We dug
this up, having played it several years ago,
and put it on the Saturday bill along with
Universale "City Beneath the Sea," both in
Technicolor, and assured ourselves good, solid
boxoffice to pay all the weekly bills and have
a buck left over. Incidentally, we have used
some of the VV shorts, and a few free shorts
to help stretch intermissions and up our
concession grosses, too. Played Sat. Weather:
Good.—Robert B. Tuttle. Sky Drive-in,
Adrian. Mich. Urban and rural patronage.
End of the Affair, The (Col)—Deborah
Kerr. Van Johnson, John Mills. Had our
fingers crossed on this one, but again the
ladies (bless their souls) came through for
us. Boxoffice was average. Played Wed.,
Thurs. Weather: Good.—D. J. Seng, Karlstad
Theatre, Karlstad, Minn. Small-town
and rural patronage.
Seminole Uprising ,(Col)—George Montgomery,
Karin Booth, William Fawcett. How!
Yes, how did we ever get into this? I've never
seen so many Indians. When I go to bed at
night all I see is Indians. They have replaced
the sheep. I like Indian shows, but not as
a steady diet. What we need is more westith
less Indians. George Montgomery
again does a good job in this. He is among
the best of western stars. Played Tues.—
Mitchell Kelloff. Spur Theatre, La Veta, Colo.
Small-town and rural patronage.
Tieht Spot (Col)—Ginger Rogers, Edward
G. Robinson, Brian Keith. Pressbook says it's
the sleeper of the year and you can take their
word for it. It is plenty good for top billing
on any program. We doubled ' this with
"Jungle Moon Men" to a very poor take, which
was expected, since detective pictures never
have gone over well in this situation. Played
Wed.. Thurs.. Pri. Weather: Cool.—Robert
Klinge, Uptown Theatre, Sedalia, Mo. Medium
size town and rural patronage.
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER
Bad Day at Black Rock (MGM)—Spencer
Tracy, Robert Ryan, Anne Francis. A good
picture that got more than the usual amount
of compliments from those who came, but
it drew less than average. Maybe with the
first week of school, folks were just too busy
for .shows. Only explanation we can think
of. Nothing wrong with the picture. Plaved
Tues., Wed.. Thurs. Weather: Hot and dry.
Paul Ricketts, Charm Theatre, Holyrood,
Kas. Small-town and rural patronage.
Blackboard Jungle (MGM)—Glenn Ford,
Anne Francis, Louis Clahern. A must for
every parent and all
parent organizations to
see. It really shows conditions as they are.
Business good. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather:
Hot.—D. W. Trisko, Runge Theatre, Runge,
Tex. Small-town and rural patronage.
Executive Suite (MGM)—William Holden,
June Allyson, Barbara Stanwyck. Was afraid
it would miss in my town. My error. They
Extra Work Pays,
Lew Bray Jr. Finds
gLACKBOARD JUNGLE (MGM)—
Glenn Ford, Anne Francis, Louis
Calhern. Doubled this on top with
"Arena" (MGM). Putting up a false
front is for me a few-and-far-between
job, but did for this. My front was posted
from a 24-sheet, which covered the top
of the boxoffice. I set my wire recorder
on top of the boxoffice, recorded solid
with "Rock Around the Clock," about 40
minutes playing time. I played this back
at strategic times, for all but a downright
bopping contest in front of the
theatre. Youngest bopster was 3 years
old. Attention, business and word-ofmouth
came from this, and the local
Decca dealer plugged "Rock Around the
Clock" on disk jockey shows on the local
radio station. A little extra work paid
off to a little better than average Thursday
and Friday and a fair Saturday.
Queen Theatre,
McAllen, Tex.
LEW BRAY JR.
came and gave it their attention and approval.
Fine story, cast, photography and
sound. Played Fri.. Sat., Sun.—Frank E.
Sabin, Majestic Theatre, Eureka, Mont. Smalltown
and rural patronage.
Her Twelve Men (MGM)—Greer Garson,
Robert Ryan, Barry Sullivan. Called a comedy,
but this Is not exactly a comedy. Should
be termed a comedy drama. It is a fair picture,
but nothing outstanding. Did good business
here and the patrons all enjoyed it. Play
it. Played Mon., Tues. Weather: Hot.—F. L.
Murray, Strand Theatre, Spiritwood Sask.
Small-town and rural patronage.
Many Rivers to Cross (MGM)—Robert Taylor
Eleanor Parker, Victor McLaglen. A
picture on an average with "Seven Brides."
Bucked church festival and heat and still
drew. The coonskin cap had the kids thinking
it was Davy Crockett. It all helps. Photography
good. Very easy to focus. Played Sun.,
Mon., Tues. Weather: Hot.—D. W. Trisko,
Runge Theatre, Runge, Tex. Small-town and
rural patronage.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (MGM)
Jane Powell, Howard Keel, Jeff Richards.
Here is a picture! Should please anywhere,
anytime. If it doesn't, look for another business.
They left the TV behind to see this
one. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Hot and
dry.—Terry Axley, New and Best theatres,
England, Ark. Small-town and rural patronage.
PARAMOUNT
Bridges at Toko-Ri, The (Para)—William
Holden, Grace Kelly, Fredric March. This Is
a very good picture. Spectacular color and
scenery. I find that VistaVision gives a very
clear and beautiful picture, except that it
fades slightly in places. However, there is a
good story here that will hold your patrons
absorbed to the end. It has good drawing
power and will make you some money. Played
Fri., Sat. Weather: Hot.—F. L. Murray,
Strand Theatre, Spiritwood, Sask. Smalltown
and rural patronage.
Hell's Island (Para)—John Payne Mary
Murphy, Francis L. Sullivan. Excellent and
I would call it a sleeper. You can buy it
right and you won't be sorry. Played Tues.,
Wed. Weather: Hot and humid.—Terry
Axley, New and Best theatres, England, Ark.
Strategic Air Command (Para) — James
Stewart, June Allyson, Frank Lovejoy. This
picture gave us the finest business of any
picture we have run this year. We played it
second run, single bill with Disney's "Siam"
to round out the program. Deserves your
best playing time. Played Sun., Mon., Tues.
Weather: Good.—Robert B. Tuttle, Sky
Drive-in, Adrian, Mich. Urban and rural
patronage.
RKO RADIO
Americano, The (RKO)—Glenn Ford, Frank
Lovejoy, Cesar Romero. Ran with three cartoons
to a fair midweek, with Ladies night
on Tuesday. An excellent A-l mesquiter in
Technicolor. Played Tues., Wed. Weather:
Hot.—Lew Bray jr.. Queen Theatre, Mc-
Allen. Tex. English-Spanish-speaking patronage.
Dangerous Mission (RKO)—Victor Mature,
Piper Laurie, William Bendix. Color and
scenery were tops. Story poor. It will do for an
action change. Also showed Disney's "Water
Birds" and got high praise for it. Played
Fri., Sat., Sun. Weather: Okay.—Frank Sabin,
Majestic Theatre, Eureka, Mont. Small-town
and rural patronage.
Son of Sinbad (RKO) — Dale Robertson,
Sally Forrest, Lili St. Cyr. A supposed-to-be
super-duper in Superscope, which flopped
for me. RKO is going to have to rearrange
its terms for me to keep using its product.
Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Hot and dry.
Terry Axley, New and Best theatres, England,
Ark. Small-town and rural patronage.
This Is My Love (RKO)—Linda Darnell,
Rick Ja.son, Dan Duryea. A picture with an
odd story, superb acting and good love angle.
Dan Duryea is tops in his portrayal of the
crippled husband. Entire cast good. Business
average. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Hot.
—D. W. Trisko, Runge Theatre, Runge, Tex.
Small-town and rural patronage.
REPUBLIC
Hell's Outpost (Rep)—Rod Cameron, Joan
Leslie, John Russell. Where Rod Cameron
draws, this should do well. Plenty of action
and it has a good supporting cast. We
doubled this with "East of Eden." Played
Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather: Warm.—Harold
Bell. Opera House, Coaticook, Que. Smalltown
and rural patronage.
20th CENTURY-FOX
Egyptian, The (20th-Fox)—Jean Simmons,
Victor Mature, Gene Tierney. Another story
(Continued on following page)
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :
: October
8, 1955

The EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
(Continued from preceding page)
on the times before Christ's birth. One of the
best sermons in the last reel that ever could
be heard in church. Cast, color and focus
good. Business below average. Played Wed.,
Thurs. Weather: Hot.—D. W. Trisko, Runge
Theatre, Runge, Tex. Small-town and rural
patronage.
Garden of Evil (20th-Fox)—Gary Cooper,
Susan Hayward, Richard Widmark. A very
fine picture in Cinemascope. I would say it's
one of the best. At least for my situation.
It has plenty of action, and comedy as well.
It's more real than most pictures of its type.
The cast does a wonderful job. Had nothing
but good comments. Boxoffice not too good
because farmers were all busy threshing. But,
brothers, this is one swell picture. Played Fri.,
Sat. Weather: Good.—F. L. Murray, Strand
Theatre, Spiritwood, Sask. Small-town and
rural patronage.
River of No Return (20th-Fox)—Robert
Mitchum, Marilyn Monroe, Rory Calhoun.
This picture should please everyone as it has
all the ingredients. There is no doubt but
what Cinemascope helps, even with Marilyn
Monroe. Good picture, good business. Thanks,
Fox. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Hot and
dry.—Terry Axley, New and Best theatres,
England, Ark. Small-town and rural patronage.
River of No Return (20th-Fox)—Robert
Mitchum, Marilyn Monroe, Rory Calhoun.
One swell picture, and Marilyn Monroe does
a swell job in this picture. Nothing but good
comments on this one, and some came back
the second night. Riding the rapids In the
raft was worth the price of admission.
This held the audience spellbound. Business
was well over average. Played Fri., Sat.
Weather: Warm, but good.—F. L. Murray,
Strand Theatre, Spiritwood, Sask. Smalltown
and rural patronage.
Twelve O'clock High (20th-Fox)—Reissue.
Gregory Peck, Hugh Marlowe, Gary Merrill.
Better than average business on this oldie
and it is still as timely as when it was first
released.—Paul Ricketts, Charm Theatre,
Holyrood, Kas. Small-town and rural patronage.
UNITED ARTISTS
Steel Cage, The (UAi—Paul Kelly, Maureen
O'Sullivan, John Ireland. A picture
concerning three different convicts who
served time in San Quentin. Three stories
blended into one, with each episode having
a different angle. An interesting lower bill
for double-feature programs. Played Wed.,
Thurs., Fri. Weather: Hot.—Robert Klinge,
Uptown Theatre, Sedalia, Mo. Medium-size
town and rural patronage.
Vera Cruz
(UA)—Gary Cooper, Burt Lan-
More Singing in Westerns
Needed, Kelloii Agrees
CTATION WEST (RKO)—Reissue.
Dick
" Powell, Jane Greer, Guinn Williams.
Here is a good reissue if you are looking
for a western to play on your Friday-
Saturday double feature change. Don't
be afraid of this one. Burl Ives also is
in it and everyone enjoys his singing and
guitar-playing. I agree with I. Roche of
Vernon Theatre, Vernon, Fla., there
should be music and comedy in the
super-duper westerns, too. These westerns
never get old. Some even improve
with age. It really would be a shame if
RKO gave a picture like this one to TV.
Played Thurs. for a benefit show.
Spur Theatre,
La Veta, Colo.
MITCHELL KELLOFF
caster, Denise Darcel. They came, they saw,
they were well-pleased. What more could you
ask? Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Hot and
humid.—Terry Axley, New and Best Theatres,
England, Ark. Small-town and rural patronage.
Witness to Murder (UA)—Barbara Stanwyck,
George Sanders, Gary Merrill. A goodie
mystery done in the order of "Rear Window."
Barbara Stanwyck is as good as ever. Busi-
Film Reality Sometimes
Proves Hard to Face
gRIDGES AT TOKO-RI, THE (Para) —
William Holden, Grace Kelly, Fredric
March. A superb picture with top-notch
performances by the entire cast. Had a
few complaints from women that Holden
gets killed and some even stayed home
on that account. Seems we just can't
face the reality that a lot of average guys
have died in wars or police actions. In
which they at times wondered just what
they were fighting for. You can be proud
to show this one and most will like it.
PAUL RICKETTS
Charm Theatre,
Holyrood, Kas.
ness was just fair, due to us having had
Little League and softball both nights, and
for free. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Hot.
—D. W. Trisko, Runge Theatre, Runge, Tex.
Small-town and rural patronage.
Destry (U-I)—Audie Murphy, Mari Blanchard,
Lyle Bettger. A good enough show, it
was done over from the past. Cast, color and
photography were good. Business was average.
Played Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather:
Hot.—90-100.—D. W. Trisko, Runge Theatre,
Runge, Tex. Small-town and rural patronage.
Francis Joins the WACs (U-D—Donald O'-
Connor, Julie Adams, Lynn Bari. Oh, you
talking mule! Well, they turn out to see you
in numbers great enough to allow me to
bank a few dollars. This one is as good as
any of them. I don't like them, but I don't
pay to see them. Played Mon., Tues. Weather:
Okay.—F. L. Murray, Strand Theatre,
Spiritwood, Sask. Small-town and rural
patronage.
Law and Order (U-I)—Ronald Reagan,
Dorothy Malone, Preston Foster. A good cast
and a good western. All the players are
well liked here. If you go for westerns this
one is good. Boxoffice satisfactory. Played
Mon., Tues. Weather: Plenty hot.—F. L. Murray,
Strand Theatre, Spiritwood, Sask. Smalltown
and rural patronage.
Six Bridges to Cross (U-D—Tony Curtis,
George Nader, Julie Adams.
We gave this top
time and it came through at the boxoffice to
normal business. An excellent crime drama
presold for you. Rosen & Bean here didn't
sell this too heavy so business wasn't milked
and we showed a nice profit. Thanks, U-I.
Played Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather: Warm, 98
degrees.—Ken Christianson, Roxy Theatre,
Washburn, N. D. Population 900.
Tanganyika (U-D—Van Heflin, Ruth
Roman, Howard Duff. Another safari in
Africa, but a good one and in Technicolor.
Boxoffice below average, but could have done
better, so it's suitable for midweek. Played
Tues., Wed. Weather: Warm.—Lew Bray jr..
Queen Theatre, McAllen, Tex. English-
Spanish-speaking patronage.
This Island Earth (U-D—Jeff Morrow,
Faith Domergue, Rex Reason. We were
pleasantly surprised on this as we have never
been able to sell science-fiction. This picture
is very well made and pleased our audience.
Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Good.—Paul
Ricketts, Charm Theatre, Holyrood, Kas.
Small-town and rural patronage.
Wings of the Hawk (U-D—Van Heflin, Julie
Adams, Abbe Lane. This, teamed with "Take
Me to Town" iU-1), occupied the Sunday
night slot ahead of Labor Day. Ordinarily,
this is a hard night to sell and quite often
we have been disappointed when the boxoffice
has been off. These two pictures had
it, however, and we were very happy when
we counted up afterwards. That takes into
consideration that our opposition drive-in
played both of these a couple of years ago.
Played Sun. Weather: Hot.—Robert B. Tuttle,
Sky Drive-In, Adrian, Mich. Urban and rural
patronage.
WARNER BROS.
Duel in the Jungle (WB)—Dana Andrews,
Jeanne Crain, David Farrar. Doubled on top
with "Steel Lady" for an almost good enough
Thursday-Friday, but the worst Saturday
since I can't remember when. Played Thurs.-
Sat. Weather: Hot.—Lew Bray jr., Queen
Theatre, McAllen, Tex. English- Spanishspeaking
patronage.
East of Eden (WB)—Julie Harris, James
Dean, Raymond Massey. With car racing,
country fair and our opposition, we did not
need any bodyguards to go to the bank. But
this is no fault of the picture. Focus was improved
and Warners' price was too high, but
we're glad we played it. Played Sun., Mon.,
Tues. Weather: Warm.—Harold Bell, Opera
House, Coaticook, Que. Small-town and rural
patronage.
Sea Chase, The (WB)—John Wayne, Lana
Turner, David Farrar. Here is a mighty fine
sea picture that we lost our pants on. Excellent
color and fine directing and acting,
but still did not draw. Only explanation I
can give must be too much Navy, and seagoing
pictures being played too close together.
Played Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather:
Hot.—Robert Klinge, Uptown Theatre, Sedalia,
Mo. Medium size town and rural patronage.
Silver Chalice, The (WB)—Virginia Mayo,
Pier Angeli, Jack Palance. This has been done
so much lately no one wants to see it anymore.
Might have been okay before "The
Robe" and all of the others of the same type.
Boxoffice below average. Played Sun., Mon.
Weather: Good.—D. J. Seng, Karlstad Theatre,
Karlstad, Minn. Small-town and rural
patronage.
MISCELLANEOUS
Living Desert, The (Buena Vista)—Documentary.
This was paired with Paramount's
"Run for Cover" and while this is the picture
that was percentage and w 7 hile it is good,
actually we believe our excellent business was
as much Paramount's contribution as BV.
Played Wed., Thurs., Fri. Weather: Good-
Robert B. Tuttle, Sky Drive-In, Adrian, Mich.
Urban and rural patronage.
Private Hell 36 (Filmakers)—Ida Lupino,
Steve Cochran, Howard Duff. Ida Lupino
is as good as usual in this story of crooked
cops (again). Big bank night jackpot kept
business normal on another hot and humid
night. We're wondering if it is ever going
to cool off in Illinois. Played Wed., Thurs.
Weather: Hot and humid.—Michael Chiaventone,
Valley Theatre, Spring Valley, 111.
Population 5,000.
Silent Raiders (LP>—Richard Bartlett,
Earle Lyon, Jeannette Bordeaux. Very small
cast, headed by the producer and writerdirector.
Small budget picture, but interesting
enough for fair boxoffice and no displeasing
comments. Played Sun., Mon.
Weather: Hot.—Lew Bray jr.. Queen Theatre,
McAllen, Tex. English-Spanish-speaking
patronage.
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: October 8, 1955

MGM
. Para
Para
,
I
An interpretive onolysis of loy and tradeprcss reviews. The plus ond minus signs Indicate degree of
merit only; audience classification is not rated. Listings cover current reviews, brought up to date regularly.
This department serves also as on ALPHABETICAL INDEX to feature releases. Numeral preceding title
ts Picture Guide Review page number. For listings by company, in the order of release, see Feature Chart.
Very Good; H Good, ' — Fair; Poor; — Very Poor In the summary H is rated 2 pluses. as 2 minuses
M
e t
H ft § Ilii
- ex fc
"» •> « — Z " *-
ZCC > U. »4|J«
1663 Country Girl. The (103) Drama Para 12-
A
1703 Abbott and Costtllo Meet the Keystone Kops
(80) Comedy U-l 2-5-55 + ^
1763 Abbott and Costello Meet tht Mummy
(79) Comedy U-l 5- 7-55 +
1634 Adventures of Halji Baha. The
Costume- Drama (93) 20th-Fox 10-16-54 *
1784 Ad>»tues of Sadie. The
(75) Comedy 20th-Fox 6- 4-55 ±
1623 Alrica Ad.enture (63) Documentary .. RKO 9-25-54+
U21 African Lion. The (73)
Documentary Buena Vista 8-13-55 +
1720African Manhunt (65) Adv.-Drama Rep 2-26-55—
1602 Aida (110) Musical IFE 7-31-54 +
1780Aint Misbehavin' (82) Musical-Comedy. U-l 5-28-55 +
Air Strike (67) Drama LP
1687 Americano, The (87) Outdoor-Drama RKO 1- 8-55 +
1769 Anoela (81) Drama 20th-Fox 5-21-55 +
1692 Animal Farm (75) Satire OCA 1-15-55 +
1733 Annapolis Story. An (81) Drama AA 3-26-55 +
1824 Arache Ambush (67) Western Col 8-13-55 ±
1647 Athena (96) Musical MGM 11- 6-54 ft
1672 Atomic Kid. The (86) Comedy Rep 12-18-54 ±
B
1671 Bad Day at Black Rock (82) Drama MGM 12-18-54 +
1672 Bamboo Prison (80) Drama Col 12-18-54 ±
1627 Barefoot Contessa. The (128) Drama UA 10- 9-54 ft
1831 Bar Sinister. The (88) Comedy-Drama. .MGM 8-27-55 +
1702 Battle Cry (148) Drama WB 2- 5-55 ft
1692 Battle Taxi (82) Drama UA
1683 Beachcomber. The (82) Drama UA
1-15-55 +
+
1-1-55
1625 Beau Brummell (107)
. Costume-Drama. 10- 9-54 ff
1746 Bedevilled (83) Drama MGM 4-9-55 +
1640 Bengal Brigade (87) Drama U-l 10-23-54 ±
1847 Bengazi (78) Adventure-Drama RKO 9-24-55 ±
1600 Betrayed (108) Drama MGM 7-24-54 —
Betrayed Women (70) Drama AA
1808 Big Bluff. The (70) Drama UA 7-16-55 +
1709 Big Combo (89) Crime-Drama AA 2-19-55 ±
1723 Big House. U.S.A. (82) Crime-Drama UA 3- 5-55 +
18*5 Big Knife. The (111) Drama UA
1759 B'ig Tip Off, The (77) Drama AA
9-24-55 +
4-30-55 +
1723 Blackboard Jungle (100) Drama MGM 3- 5-55 ft
1615 Black Dakotas, The (65) Western Col 9-11-54 +
1643 Black Knight. The (85) Costume-Drama. .Col 10-30-54 +
Black Pirates. The (74) Drama LP
1603 Black Shield of Falworth, The
(100) Costume-Drama U-l 8- 7-54 +
1659 Black 13 (75) Drama 20th-Fox 11*7-54 —
1676 Black Tuesday (80) Drama UA 12-25-54 +
1642 Black Widow (95) Mystery- Drama .20th-Fox 10-30-54 ft
1847 Blood Alley (115) Adienture- Drama WB 9-24-55)-
1630 Bob Mathias Story. The (80) Drama AA 10- 9-54 +
Bobby Ware Is Missing (..) Drama... AA
1608 Bounty Hunter, The (88) Western WB 8-28-54 +
1732 Bowery to Bagdad (64) Comedy AA 3-19-55 ±
1812 Break to Freedom (88) Drama UA 7-23-55 +
1682 Bridges at Toko-Ri. The (105) Drama 1- 1-55 tt
1606 Brigadoon (108) Musical MGM 8-14-54 ff
1799 Bring Your Smile Along (83) Musical Col 7- 2-55 —
1604 Broken Lance (96) Western 20th-Fox 8- 7-54 ff
1752 Bullet for Joey. A (85) Action-Drama UA 4-16-55 ±
1607 Bullet Is Waiting. A (83) Outdoor-Drama. Col 8-21-54 —
c
1592 Came Mutiny (125) Drama Col 6-19-54 ff
1615 Cannaceiro (The Bandit) (92) Drama. ..Col 9-11-54 +
!652Cannibal Attack (68) Action-Drama Col 11-13-54 +
1731 Canyon Crossroads (83) Western Col 3-19-55 +
1711 Captain Lightfoot (92) Adventure-Drama U-l 2-19-55 -4
1635 Carmen Jones (105) Musical 20th-Fox 10-16-54 ff
1701 Carolina Cannonball (75) Comedy Rep 2- 5-55 ±
1826 Case of the Red Monkey (73) Drama... AA 8-20-55 =t
1658 Cattle Queen of Montana (88) Western. RKO 11-27-54 +
1751 Cell 2455. Death Row (77) Crime-Drama Col 4-16-55 ±
1799 Chicago Syndicate (86) Crime-Drama. Col 7-2-55 +
1719 Chief Crazy Horse (86) Adv-Drama U-l 2-26-55 +
City of Shadows (70) Drama Rep
1787 Cobweb. The (124) Drama MGM 6-11-55 +
1746 Conquest of Space (80) Science-Fiction 4- 9-55 ff
1846 Count Three and Pray
(102) Outdoor-Drama Col 9-24-55 +
+

REVIEW DIGEST w Ver v G°° d ;
+

Rep
fl Very Good; + Good; * Fair; — Poof; — Very Poor. In the summary M is rated 2 pluses, = as 2 minuses.
RtVIElnf DIGt J I
e 3 s
* .11
5 £
•=
i
1703 Racers. The (92) Action-Drama 20th-Fox 2-5-55+
1727 Rage «t Dawn (87) Western RKO 3-12-55 +
1600 Raid. The (82) Action- Drama 20lh-Fox 7-24-54 +
1500 Rear Window (112) Drama Para 7-24-54 ff
Return of Jack Slade. The (80) Western.. AA
1595 Return to Treasure Island (75) Drama... UA 7- 3-54 +
1730 Revenge of the Creature (82) Science-Fict.. U-l 3-19-55 +
1640 Ricochet Romance (80) Comedy U-l 10-23-54 +
1796 Road to Denver (90) Western Rep 6-25-55 ft
1769 Robbers' Roost (82) Western UA 5-21-55 +
1612 Rogue Coo (92) Crime-Drama MGM 9-9-54 +
1675 Romeo and Juliet (140) Drama UA 12-25-54 +
1622 Roogie's Bump (71) Comedy-Fantasy. ... Rep 9-25-54 ±
1735 Run tor Cover (92) Western-Drama Para 3-26-55 ft
*>
i
s
1704Sabaka (81) Adventure-Drama UA 2-5-55.1:
1604 Sabrina (113) Comedy-Drama Para 8- 7-54 ff
1765 Santa Fe Passage (90) Western Rep 5-14-55 +
Savage Princess (..) Adventure- Drama. ... UA
1796 Scarlet Coat. The (101)
Historical Dr.im.i MGM 6-25-55 ±
1768 Sea Chase. The (118) Drama WB 5-14-55 ±
1789 Sea Shall Not Have Them. The (91)
Adtenture-Orama UA 6-18-55 ±
Secret Venture (..) Drama Rep
1759 Seminole Uprising (74) Western Col 4-30-55 +
1726 Seven Angry Men (90) Drama AA 3-12-55 +
1588 Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (103)
Musical (Cinemascope) MGM 6- 5-54 ff
1843 Seven Cities of Gold
(102) Outdoor-Drama 20th-Fox 9-17-55 +
1778 Seven Little Foys. The (93) Musical Para 5-28-55 ff
1786 Se.en Year Itch. The (105) Comedy. 20th-Fox 6-11-55 ff
1836 Shadow of the Eagle (93) Costume- Drama. UA 9- 3-55 +
1632 Shanghai Story. The (90) Action-Drama. . 10- 9-54 +
1564 She-Wolf. The (91) Drama Rep 4- 6-54 ±
1611 Shield for Murder (82) Drama UA 9-4-54 +
1743 Shotgun (80) Western AA 4-2-55 +
1766 Shrike. The (88) Drama U-l 5-14-55 ff
1650 Sign of the Pagan (92) Historical
Drama U-l 11-13-54 ff
Silent Raiders (65) Drama LP
1675 Silver Chalice. The (137) Biblical Drama. WB 12-25-54 +
Silver Star, The (73) Western LP
1834Simba (99) Adventure- Drama LP 9- 3-55 ff
1619 Sitting Bull (105) Western UA 9-18-54 ±
1691 Six Bridges to Cross (99) Crime-Drama. .U-l 1-15-55 +
Skabenga (61) Documentary AA
1644 Sleeping Tiger. The (89) Adventure-Dr. . . Astor 10-30-54 +
1707 Smoke Signal (89) Western U-l 212-55 ±
1656 Snow Creature (70) Horror-Drama UA 11-20-54 ±
1779 Soldier of Fortune (96) Adv.-Drama. 20th-Fox 5-28-55 +
1782 Son of Sinhad (88) Adv.-Drama RKO 6-5-55 +
16S5So This Is Paris (96) Musical- Comedy . . U-l 11-20-54 +
1815Srecial Delivery (86) Comedy Col 7-30-55 +
Spy Chasers (61) Comedy AA
1708 Square Ring. The (73) Drama Rep 2-12-55 ±
1626 Star Is Bom. A (182) Musical-Drama. . .WB 10- 9-54 ff
1642 Steel Cage. The (80) Crime-Drama UA 10-30-54 —
1750Strange Lady in Town. A (112) Western ..WB 4-16-55 ff
1724 Stranger's Hand. The (86) Drama DCA 3-5-55 +
1728 Stranger on Horseback (66) Western UA 3-12-55 +
1742 Strategic Air Command (114> Drama Para 4- 2-55 ff
1614 Suddenly (77) Drama UA 9-11-54 +
1791 Summertime (99) Comedy-Drama UA 6-18-55 ff
Svengali (82) Drama MGM

I
Night
.
.
i
King
.
.
]
©Quentin
!
©Marauders,
.
$mm mm
Feature
.
productions by company in order of release. Number in square is national release date. Running
time is in parentheses. Letters and combinations thereof indicate story type as follows: (C) Comedy; (D)
Drama; (AD) Adventure-Drama; (CD) Comedy-Drama; (F) Fantasy; (M) Musical; (W) Western; (SW) Superwestern.
Release number follows. (J denotes BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award Winner. Photography:
© Color; & 3-D; n Wide Screen. For review dates and Picture Guide page numbers, see Review Digest.
.
ALLIED
ARTISTS
53 Big Combo, The (89) D..5508
Cornel Wilde. Jean Wallace, Richard Conte
1i Murder Is My Beat (77) D..5510
Barbara Payton. Paul Langtoo. Selena Boyle
COLUMBIA
©Plrotes of Tripoli (72) D..706
Patricia Medina. Paul Henreld
©Ten Wanted Men (80) W. .725
Randolph Scott, Jocelyn Brando, Richard Boone
Women's Prison (80) D. .726
Ida Luplno, Howard Duff, Jan Sterling
LIPPERT
M-G-M
©Jupiter's Darling (95) M..311
Esther Williams, Howard Keel. George nintwi
©Many Rivers to Cross (95). . .D. .517
Eleanor Parker, Robert Taylor
m Dial Red O (62) D . . 5509
Bill Elliott, Keith Larsen, Helene Stanley
Big Tip Off, The (77) D. .5512
Richard Conte, B. Bennett, Constance Smith
Seven Angry Men (90) D. .551 1
Raymond Massey, Debra Paget, J. Hunter
©Annapolis Story, An (81 ). . .D. .5513
.
John Derek, Diana Lynn. Kevin McCarthy
52 High Society (61) C..5514
I.eo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Amanda Blake
!i .Shotgun (80) W. .5515
Sterling Hayden. Y. He Carlo. Z Scott
Detective, The (86) CD . . 734
Alec Guinness, Joan Greenwood, Peter rineh
0©oLong Gray Line, The (138). D. .736
Tyrone Power, Maureen •Han
New Orleans Unceniored (76). . .D. .730
Arthur Franz, Beverly Garland, II. MuurrJ
©Wyoming Renegades (73) W. .727
Phil Carey, Martha Hyer, Gene Ivans
Jungle Moon Men (70) AD. .744
Johnny Welssmuller, Helene Stanton
©oThree for the Show (93) M. .737
Betty Grahle. Marge and Gower Champion
a Silver Stor, The (73) W..5411
Edgar Buchanan. Marie Windsor, L. Chaney
H] Thunder Over Sangolond (73). AD. .5415
Jon Hall, Bay Montgomery, Marjorle Lord
51 Glow Tomb, The (59) D . . 5409
John Ireland, Honor BLaekman
Blackboard Jungle ( 1 00) D . . 52]
Glenn Ford. Anne Francis. Louis Calhero
a©aHit the Deck (112) M..519
Jane Powell. Tony Martin, Debbie Reynolds
[a] ©Glass Slipper, The (94) MF. .522
Leslie Caron, Michael Wilding, Keenan Wym
II ©Bedevilled (83) D. .523
Anne Baxter. Steve Forrest. Simone Renant
Los Vegas Shakedown (79) . . . . D. .5516
Dennis U'Keefe. Coleen Gray, Chas. Wlnninger
m ©Skobenga (61) Doc. .5517
African Tribe
Cell 2433, Death Row (77) D..739
William Campbell. Marian Carr, Kathryn Grant
End of the Affair, The (106). . .D. .724
Deborah Kerr. Van Johnson, John Milli
©Seminole Uprising (74) AD. .743
George Montgomery, Karln Booth
Tight Spot (97) D..728
Ginger Rogers. E. Q. Robinson, Brian Keith
ID Air Strike (67) D. .5413
Richard Denning, Gloria Jean. Don Haggerty
S Phantom of the Jungle (75). .AD. .5414
Jon Hall, Bay Montgomery, Anne Gwynne
©Prodlgol, The (115) D. .525
Lana Turner. Edmund Purdom, L. Calbern
The (81) W. .526
Dan Duryea, Jeff Richards, Keenan Wrnn
Lord of the Jungle (69) AD .. 55 1 8
Johnny Sheffield, Wayne Morris, Nancy Hale
51 Fingermon (82) D. .5519
Frank Lovejoy, Peggie Castle. Forrest Tucker
Five Against the House (84). . . .D. .742
Guy .Madison. Kim Novak. Brian Keith
©Prize of Gold, A (98) AD.. 738
Richard Wldmark, Mai ZetterUnf, N. Patrick
Dinosaur (59). .
Bill Bryant, Wanda Curtis
.SF. .5418
©Love Me or
Leave Ma
(122) MD..527
Doris Day, James Cagney, C. Mitchell
©Moonfleet (89) AD . . 528
Si en art Granger. Vlveca Undfora, J. Orteowool
SI Cose of the Red Monkey (73). .D. .5521
Klchard Conte, Bona Anderson, R. Napier
SI ©Wichita (81) SW. .5520
Joel McCrea, Vera Miles. Lloyd Bridges
53 Betroyed Women (70) D . . 5524
Beverly Michaels. Tom Drake, Carole Mathews
BSSpy Chasers (61) C..5522
Leo Gorcey. Huntz Hall. Lisa Davis
Chlcogo Syndicate (86) D . . 747
Dennis 0'Keefe, Xavler Cugat, Abbs Lane
Creature With the Atom Brain
(70) SF..746
Richard Denning, Angela Stevens
It Came From Beneath the Sea
(80) SF..732
Faith Domergue. Kenneth Tobey, Ian Keith
ID Lonesome Trail, The (73). . . . W. .5416
John Agar, Wayne Morris. Margli Dean
,1J] ©aCobweb, The (124) D. .531
Charles Boyer, Lauren Bacall, Richard Wldmark
©Interrupted Melody (106). .MD. .529
Eleanor Parker. Glenn Ford. Roger Moore
'
62 Phenix City Story, The (100). . D. .5525
Richard Klley. Kathryn Grant, John Mclntlre
©Bring Your Smile Along (83). .M. .803
Frankle Lalne, Keefe Brasselle, Connie Towers
©Man From Laramie, The
(104) W..801
James Stewart. Cathy 0'Donnell, Donald Crtop
!S ©aKing's Thief, The (79) D. .532
Ann Blyth. Edmund Purdom, David Niven
51©aScorlet Coot (101) D..533
Cornel Wilde. Michael Wilding. Anne Frandi
Freight (79) D. .5526
Forrest Tucker, Barbara Brltton, K. Lareen
] ©Warriors, The (85) D.. 5523
Erml Flynn. Joanne Dru. Peter Finch
I
Jail Busters (61) C..5529
Leo Gorcey. Huntz Hall, Barton MacLane
!
Wicked Wife (75) D. .5530
Nigel Patrick, Molra LLster, Beatrice Campbell
[s] Return of Jack Slodo, The
(80) W..5528
John Ericson. Marl Blanchard. Neville Brand
Bobby Ware Is Missing (66). . . .D. .5532
Neville Brand, Arthur Franz, Jean Wllles
©Gun Point (80) SW. .5531
Fred MacMurray, Dorothy Malone, W. Brennan
Apache Ambush (67) W..804
B1U Williams. Richard Jaeckel. Alex llontova
©Footsteps in the Fog (90) D. .802
Stewart Granger, Jean Simmons, BUI Travers
©Gun That Won the West, The
(71) W..809
Dennis Morgan, Paula Raymond, B. Denning
Night Holds Terror, The (86) . . D. .807
.
Jack Kelly. Illl.lv Parks. Vlnce Edwards
Special Delivery (86) C. .806
Devil Goddess (70) AD. .805
Johnny Welssmuller, Angela Stevens
©Duel on the Mississippi (72).. D. . 808
Lex Barker, Patricia Medina, Warren Stereos
13 ©Slmbo (99) AD
Dirk Bogarde. Virginia McKenna
5421
©Bar Sinister, The (88) CD.. 603
Edmund Gwenn, Jaima Lewis, Jeff Richards
©It's Always Fair Weather
(102) M..601
Gene Kelly, Cyd Charlsse, Dolores Gray
©Svengoli (82) D. .602
Hildegarde Neff, Donald Wolflt. Terence Morgan
Triol (105) D. .604
Glenn Ford, Dorothy McGulre, Arthur Kennedy
Durword (..) D..
Robert Taylor, Kay Kendall, Robert Morley
B Toughest Man Alive, The (74). .D. .5533
Dane Clark, Llta Milan, Anthony Caruso
53 i=iThey Come From Another
World (78) SF..5527
Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, Jean Wllles
©Count Three anl Pray (102) OD. .811
Van Heflin. Joanne Woodward, Phil Carey
©My Sister Eileen (108) MC. .810
Janet Lelgb, Jack Lemmon, Betty Garrett
Teen- Ago Crime Wove (77) D. .
Tommy Cook, Molly McCart, James Bell
S ©nTender Trap, The (..) C.
Dubbie Reynolds, Frank Sinatra. Celeste Holm
O
©Paris Follies of 1 956 (73) M . . 5534
Forrest Tucker, Margaret & Barbara Whiting
Dig Thot Uranium C
Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall. Mary Beth Hughes
©Friendly Persuasion, The...D..
Gary Cooper. Dorothy McGulre. Marjorle Main
Shock Out on 101 (80) D ,
Terry Moon'. Frank Lovejoy, Keenan Wynn
Sudden Danger D. .
Bill Elliott. Beverly Garland. Tom Drake
Thunderstorm D .
Carlos Thompson. Linda Christian, C. Korvln
©World Without End D. .
Hugh Marlowe, Nancy Gates, Lisa Montell
©Eddie Duchin Story, The....D..
Tyrone Power, Kim Novak
©Jubal Troop D..
Glenn Ford. Ernest Borgnlne
©Last Frontier, The W. .
Victor Mature, Anne Bancroft, Guy Madison
©Lowless Street W. .
Randolph Scott, Angela Lansbury
©Picnic D. .
Bill lloldin. Kim Novak. Rosalind Russell
Prisoner, The (94) D. .
Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins
Queen Bee D . .
Joan Crawford, Barry Sullivan, John Ireland
©Survivors, The D.
Jose Ferrer, Trevor Howard, Victor Madden
Three Stripes In the Sun . . . C-D. .
Aldo Ray, Phil Carey, Mllsuko Klmura
©Bhowoni Junction AD. .
Ava Gardner, Stewart Granger. Abraham Sofaer
©Dione D .
Lana Turner, Pedro Armendariz. Marlsa Pavan
©Forbidden Plonet SF. ,
Walter I'idgeon. Anne Francis, Leslie Nielsen
©Forever Darling C. .
Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, James Mason
©Guys ond Dolls M. .
Marlon Brando. Jean Simmons, Frank Sinatra
Cjlnvitation to the Dance (94).. M..
Gene Kelly, Belita, Tam.ira Toumanova
©Kismet M. .
Ann Blyth, Edmond Purdom, David Nlven
©Last Hunt, The AD
Robert Taylor. Stewart Granger, Debra Paget

.CD
.
. ©Naked
. . AD.
.
.
1
Vanishing
. D
.W.
.
'
Hontalban,
' . Jane
.
lie
: Darvl.
i
Heorge
..D.
.51
FEATURE
CHART
PARAMOUNT
OOBridgcs o» Toko-Ri, The
(105) D..5405
William Iloldrn. Fredrlr March. Mirk
RK0 RADIO
s j.
Tarion's Hidden Jungle (72). . .AD. .507
I
Gordon Bcott, Ven Mil...
IHOoUndcrweter! (99>
P Van Kyek
D . . 506
Jane Russell. Gilbert Roland, Richard Bgu
REPUBLIC
S OTimbcrjock (94) OD . . 5402
Vera Italston, Sterling Haydrn, A. Menjou
20TH
CENTURY-FOX
(1, ©Roccrs, The (92) D .
Gilbert Roland
©White Feother (102) W. .503-3
Robert Wagner, d Paget. J. Lund
cc
XI
C>
-<
©Conquest of Space (80). . . .AD. .5407
Walter Brooke, William Hedfleld, G. Johnson
Country Girl. The (104) D..S409
l. Urace Kelly. William Hoiden
.
mbo (94) O. .5406
liana Mangano. Shelley Winters. M. Rennle
IlRun tor Cover (92) WD. .5410
Baa Cagricy. V I. In, Mors. 11. Jean
S OcRoge at Dawn (87) W. .511
Randolph Scott. Mala Powers. Forrest Tucker
lii ©Escopc to Burma (87) AD. .512
Barbara Btunrrek, Robert Ryan. Derld Farrar
itS ©Quest for the Lost City (6 1 ) Doc . .510
Dana and Qj
©Yellownock (83) AD . . 5403
Lin McCarthy. II.Try Kroeger
1 Doy to Remember, . . . A (72) . .C . 5433
Btanle) Ho] Vemon Gra>
©Doctor in the House (92) C. .5401
Dirk Bugarde. Muriel Parlor. Donald Slnden
i) ©i lUntomcd (112) AD. .507-4
Tyrone Power. Susan Hayward. Richard Kcan
rfl tJOoMan Colled Peter, A
(119) D. .509-0
Richard fodrJ, .Ion Peters. Marjorle luunbeau
.S ...'.'Violent Saturday (91 ).... D. .
510-8
Victor Mature, Byl Uebard Egan
JL Angela (81) D. 511-6
Dennis 0/Keefe, Mara lane liotsano Brazil
>73
;.For Horizons, The ( 108) . .AD. . 5412
n. F. MaeMurray, Donna Reed
•til's Islond (84) AD. .541 1
John Payne. .Mary Murphy. Francis I. Sullivan
UOc:Scven Little Foys, The
(93) M..5413
Bob Hope. Mill) Vliale. Angela Clarke
UO" Strotcgic Air Command
(114) D..5425
JJaWa 8tew«rt. June Ally-on. Frank Lovejoy
i Ot Son of Sinbod (88)..
I toerlson, Sally Forrest
.513
Ull 8t. Or
OWokomba (65) Doc. .514
Alncan tribe
©Pearl of the South Pacific
(86) AD. .515
Virginia Mayo. Dennis Morgan. David Farrar
Don Juan's Night of Love (71). D.. 5435
1'impanlt.i. Uaf Vallone
.
Eternol Sea, The (103) AD . . 5405
Sterling Ha 'del J -uger
I Cover the Underworld (70) . . . 5434
Sean MeClory, Joanne Jordan, Ray Mlddleton
©Santa Fe Passage (90) W. .5404
John Payne. Faith Domergue. Rod Cameron
i City of Shadows (70) D..5436
Victor McLaren. Kathleen Crowley
55 ©Rood to Denver, The (90). W. .5406
Payne, Mona Freem.in, R. Mlddleton
3 Double Jeopardy (70) D..5437
Rod Cameron. Gale Bobbins
[7] Lay That Rifle Down (71) C. .5438
Judy Canova, Robert Lowery, Robert Burton
SI Green Buddha, The (64) D . . 5439
W.i. tie Morris, Mary Germ. line
Adventures ot Sodie,
The (75) C. 508-2
Cole
5-7
©oThot Lady
Caroo, Terry Moore
(95) D . .
504-
2>
Ullvla Dell SUberl Roland. D. Price
531 UOoDoddy Long Legs (1 26) M .
Qf-jMagnificcnt Matador,
The (95) D.. 513-2
Maureen 0'llara. Anthony Quinn, Thos. Gomel
©Seven Yeor Itch, The (105). C. .517-3
M.irilvn Monroe. Tom Ewell. Evelyn Keyes
Soldier of Fortune (96) . . D. .51 4-0
Clark Gable. S. Hayward, Michael Rennle
©House of Bomboo (103) . . D. .51 6-5
Robert Slick. Robert Ryan. Shirley Yamaguchi
©How to Be Very, Very
Popular (89) M.. 518-1
timings, Bberae North
Life in the Balance, A (75). . . .D. .
Anne li:uicrnft, J. Marvin
©Living Swamp, The (33) . Doc . .512-4
©oWe're No Angels ( 103) . . .5414
I'.ogart. Joan Bennett. Aldo Bay
©oYou're Never Too Young
(102) C. .5415
Dean Martin. Jerry Uwls. Iilana Lynn
gj
:_ Bengali (78) AD. .516
Richard Conte. Richard Carlson, V. McLaglen
©Last Command, The (1 10). .OD. .5407
Sterling Hayden, Anna Maria Alberghettl
S3 ©aLove Is a Many-Splendored
Thing (102) D.. 521-5
Jennifer Jones, 1:111 Balden, Gloria Graharoe
©Virgin Queen, The (92) .. D. .519-9
Belie Davis. Richard Todd. Joan Collins
>
c=
G)
a
L/1
©Girl R us h, The (85) M..5501
Rosalind Russell. Fernando Lamas
QczTo Cotch o Thief (97) D..5502
Can Grant. Grace Kelly. Jessie Royce Landls
H ©Tennessee's Partner (87). .WD. .602
John Payne, Rhonda Fleming. Ronald Reagan
H Headline Hunters (70) D. .5440
Rod Cameron, Julie Bishop, Ben Cooper
©Left Hond of God, The (87). D. . 520
Humphrey Bogart, Gene Tlerney, Lee J. Cobb
©Seven Cities of Gold
(102) OD. .522-3
Richard Egan. Rita Moreno, Michael Rennle
OUlysses ( 1 04) D . . 5503
Kirk I'.Hjflas. SUtana Mangano. A. Quinn
O ©oTreasure of
Pancho Viflo,
The (96) D. .601
Rory Calhoun. Gilbert Roland. Shelley Winters
m Cross Chonnel (60) D. .5441
Wayne Morris. Yvonne Furneaux
Divided Heart, The (89) D..5408
Cornell Borchers, -Alexander Knox. Y. Mitchell
©Man Alone, A (96) WD.. 5409
Ray Milland. Mary Murphy. Ward Bond
X ©aToll Men, The (121) WD. .523-1
Russell, Robert Ryan
(Prerelease)
©Girl In the Red Velvet Swing,
The (. .) D.. 524-9
Ray Milland. Joan Collins. Farley Granger
Lover Boy (103) CD. .526
(Reviewed as "Lovers, Happy Lovers" 11-13-64)
Gerard I'hlllpe. Valerie Hobson, Joan Greenwood
O
f~i
o
CO
QoLucy Gallant (104) D. .5504
line Wyman, Charlton Ileston. Claire Treror
©Trouble With Horry, The
(100) CD.. 5508
Bdnuml (inenn. John Forsythe. M. Natwlck
©oDeep Blue Seo, The (99). . . .D.
©Good Morning, Miss Dove
.
Vivien Leigb, Kenneth More, Eric Portman
(.-) D. .
Jennifer Jones. Robert Stack
©View From Pompey's Heod,
The (. .) D. .
Richard Egan. Dana winter, S. Blackmer
COm
.
QoAnything Goes M..
Blnf Crosby, Jeanmalre, Donald •'Connor
©Artists and Models MC. .
Dean Martin, .nlta Ekberg
OaBlrds and the Bees, The. .CD. .
litorje Gobel. Mltzl Gaynor. David N'lven
©Court Jester, The C..
I'anny Kaye, fllynls Johns. Basil Ralhhone
-Desperate Hours, The (112). D. .
Humphrey Bogart. Fredrlc March
=Rosc Tattoo, The D .
Bart Lancaster. Anna Magnanl. Marls Paran
©Ten Commandments, The D..
(Turlton Beaton, Y. He Carlo. Anne Baiter
©Vogobond King, The l..)..M..
Kathryn Grayson. Oreste Klrkop. Rita Moreno
Alison D. .
Terry Moore. Bob Beatty. Wm Sylvester
©Brove One, The D .
Michael Ray, Joi Lansing
O— Conqueror, The D .
©Glory D. .
John Wayne. Susan Hayward, Pedro Armendarla
Margaret O'Brien, Walter Brennan. C. Greenwood
©Great Day In the Morning.. D..
Virginia Mayo. Robert Stack. Ruth Roman
©Jet Pilot (119) D. .
John Wayne. Janet Leigh. Jay C, Fllppen
Sea, The Doc. .
A f'.ur-month voyage of a tuna fleet
©oSllghtly Scorlet D . .
Rhonda Fleming, John Payne, Arlene Dahl
©Texas Lady D .
Claudetie Colbert. Barry Sullivan
Woy Out, The D. .
Mona Freeman. Oene Nelson
.
Flome of the Islands AD. .
Yvonne De Carlo. Howard Duff, Z. Scott
Jaguar
D..
Silm. Barton M.cljne. Chlqulta
Magic Fire D. .
Yvonne De Carlo. Carlos Thompson, Rita Gam
©Moverick Queen, The D. .
Barbara Stanwyck. Barry Sullivan. Scott Brady
Mystery of the Black Jungle AD. .
Lei Barker, Jane Maxwell
No Man's Womon D. .
Nancy Gates. Patrick Knowles
Secret Venture D .
Track the
Bylton
Man Down D. .
I'etula Clark
Twinkle in God's Eye, The C. .
Mickey Rooney, Co] 0'B
American, The. . .
Scott Brady. Audrey Totter. Forrest Tucker
©Carousel MD . .
Gordon MacRae. Shirley Jones. C Mitchell
King and I, The MD. .
ti Kerr. Yiil Brynner. D. Dandrldge
©Lieutenant Wore Skirts, The.C. .
Tom Ewell. Sheree North. Rita Moreno
©Oasis D. .
Morgan. Cornell Borchers
©oRoins of Ranchipur, The .
.
ird Burton. Joan Caulflcld

1
inda
. . . D
D.
.
.
.
]
©Stronge
. D.
.
.
.
. D
.
|
FEATURE
CHART
UNITED ARTISTS
Canyon Crossroads (83) W..5506
Richard Basehart, Phyllis Kirk. Russell Collins
Good Die Young, The ( 1 00) . . . . D . . 5505
John Ireland. Gloria Grahame, L. Harvey
©Sobaka (81) D. .5504
Boris Kirloft. Victor Jory, R. Dennj
Big House, U.S.A. (82) D. .5507
Broderick Crawford. Ralph Meeker
Marty (93) D. .5509
Ernes! Burgnine, Betsy Blair
©Stranger on Horseback (66). .W. .5508
Joel McCrea. Mlroslava, Kevin McCarthy
Bullet for Joey, A (85) D. .5510
E. 0. Robinson. George Raft, Audrey Totter
©Let's Moke Up (94) M..5511
Errul Flynn, Anna Nengle. David Farrar
©Purple Plain, The (100) AD. .5503
Gregory Feck. B. De Banzie. Win Mln Than
Kits Me Deadly (105) D. .5513
Meeker, Clorls Leachman, Albert Dekker
]{:ilt>h
©Robbers' Roost (82) W. .5515
Geo Montgomery. Bruce Bennett. R. Boone
©Tiger and the Flame (97) . . AD. . 551 4
Filmed in India with native cast
Top of the World (90) AD. .5516
Hale Robertson. Evelyn Keyes, Frank Lovejoy
Big Bluff, The (70) D. .5519
John Bromfleld, Martha Vlckers. R. Hutton
Sea Shall Not Have Them,
The (91) AD.. 5520
©Summertime (99) CD.. 5521
Katharine Hepburn, Rossano Brazzl, Marl Aldon
Break to Freedom (88) D. .5512
Anthony Steel, Jack Warner. R. Realty
©Mon Who Loved Redheads
(89) C. .
Mulra Shearer. John Justin. Roland Culver
Not As o Stranger (136) D..5518
Robert Mitchum, Olivia de Havlland. F. Sinatra
Shadow of the Eagle (93) D..5523
Richard Greene. Greta Gym. Btnnle Barnes
©Kentuckion, The ( 1 04) D . . 5524
Burt Lancaster. Diana Lynn, Una Merkel
Naked Street, The (84) D..5526
Farley Granger, Anthony Qulnn, Anne Bancroft
©Desert Sands (87) AD.. 5529
Ralph Meeker, Maria English. J. Carrol Naish
Night of the Hunter (90) . . .5527
Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Glsh
©Gentlemen Marry Brunettes
(99) M. .5531
Jane Russell, Jeanne Crain, Rudy Vallee
©Fort Yuma (79) OD . . 5533
Petei Ciaws. Joan Vohs, John Hudson
Othello (92) D..
Orson Welles. Suzanne Cloutier, Fay Comptoo
©Savage Princess (..) AD..
(Filmed in India with native cast)
rj> ^Alexander the Great D .
Richard Burton. Claire Rlonm, Fredrlc March
©oBeast of Hollow Mountain. . .
Quy Madison, Patricia Medina
Big Knife, The D. .
I'alance. Ida Luplno, Shelley Winters
©olndion Fighter, The D
Kirk Douglas, Walter Matthau, Walter Abel
Kiss Before Dying, A D. .
Robert Wagner, Marj a. tor. Jeffrey Hunter
©Lucky Kid, The (96) CD..
Ceila Johnson, David Kossoff
Man With the Gun W .
Robert Mitchum. Jan Sterling. Henry Hull
Storm Fear D . .
Cornel Wilde, .lean Wallace, Dan Duryea
While the City Sleeps D. .
Fleming, Geo. Sanders
UNIVERSAL-INT*!..
Abbott and Costello Meet the
Keystone Kops (80) C..513
Abbott and Costello. Lynn Bar!
©Far Country, The (97) OD..511
James Stewart, Rutb Roman, Walter Brennan
Six Bridges to Cross (99) D..512
Tony Curtis. Julie Adams. George Nader
.
Captain Lightfoot (92) . . . . AD .514
Ruck Hudson, Barbara Rush, Jeff Morrow
"Land of Fury (82) AD.. 509
Jack Hawkins, Glynls Johns, Noel Purcell
©Smoke Signol (89) W..516
Dana Andrews. Piper Laurie, William Talman
©oChief Croxy Horse (86) SW. .517
Victor Mature. Suzan Ball, John Lund
Ma and Pa Kettle in Waikiki
(79) C..519
Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride, Lori Nelson
©Man Without a Star (92). . . .SW. .520
Kirk Douglas, Jeanne Crain, Clalra Trevor
Cult of the Cohr. (82) D. .523
Faith Donscrgue, Richard Long, K. Hughes
Looters, The (87) D..524
Rory Calhoun, Julie Adams, Ray Danton
\yRevenge of the Creature (82). SF. .521
John Agar, Lori Nelson, Jobn Bromfleld
Abbott and Costello Meet
the Mummy (79) C..526
Abbott A Costello, Marie Windsor
©Man From Bitter Ridge, The
(78) W. .525
Lex Barker, Mara Corday. Stephen MoNaliy
©This Island Earth (87) SF. .527
Rex Reason, Faltb Domergue, Jeff Morrow
©Ain't Misbehovin' (82) MC. .529
Piper Laurie, Rory Calhoun, Jack Carson
©Foxfire (92) D . . 528
Jeff Chandler. Jane Russell, Dan Duryea
©Purple Mask, The (80) D. .530
Tony Curtis, Colleen Miller, Angela Lansbury
Froncis in the Navy (81) C..534
Donald O'Connor, Martha Hyer, Jim Backus
©One Desire (94) D. .532
Anne Baxter. Ruck Hudson, Julie Adams
©Private War of Molor Benson
(100) C. .533
Charlton Heston. Julie Adams, Tim Hovey
Female on the Beoeh (97) D..536
Joan Crawford. Jeff Chandler. Jan Sterling
Shrike, The (88) D. .535
Jose Ferrer. June Ailyson, Kendall Clerk
©Kiss of Fire (89) AD.. 538
Jack I'alance. Barbara Rush. Martha Hyer
©To Hetl end Bock (105) D..539
Audie Murphy. Charles Drake, M. Thompson
Lady Godiva ( . . ) D .
Maureen O'llara. George Nader. V. McLaglen
©Noked Down, The (82) D. .537
Arthur Kennedy, Betta St. John
©All That Heaven Allows .... D. .
Jane Wyman. Ruck Hudson, Colleen Miller
©Away All Boots D..
Jeff Chandler, Julie Adams, George Nader
©Benny Goodman Story, The. . .D. .
Steve Allen, IHuina Reed, Gene Krupa
Never Say Goodbye D. .
Rock Hudson, Cornell Borchers. Geo. Sanders
©Rowhide Years, The D. .
Curtis, Arthur Kennedy, Colleen Miller
©oSecond Greatest Sex, The M .
Jeanne Crain. Qeorge Nader. Bert !,ahr
©Spoilers, The D . .
Anne Baxter. Jeff Chandler. Rory Calhoun
There's Always Tomorrow D. .
Barbara Stanwyck. Fred MacMurray
WARNER BROS.
g] ©oSilver Chalice, The (137) D. .408
Virginia Mayo. Jack I'alance, Pier Angeli
5§ Unchained (75) D. .412
Chester Morris. Barbara Hale, Broy Hlrsch
@ ©Bottle Cry (148) D..411
Van HefUn. Aldo Ray. Tab Hunter
El New York Confidential (87) D..413
Brod Crawford, Anne Bancroft. Richard Coote
[3 ©aEost of Eden (115) D. .414
Julie Harris. James Dean, Raymond Massey
SI Jump Into Hell (93) D. .410
Jacques Sernas, Arnold Moss, Kurt Kazner
Lady in Town (112). W . .415
Greer Garson. Dana Andrews, Cameron Mitchell
H] ©aSeo Chose, The (118) D. .416
John Wayne, Lana Turner. Tab Hunter
jSQ^Toll Man Riding (83) W..417
Randolph Scott, Dorothy Malone, Peggie Castle
: :*; Land of the Pharaohs (1 12). . D. .419
Jack Hawkins, Joan Collins. Dewey Martin
ji Dam Busters, The (101) AD. .420
Richard Todd. Michael Redgrave
U©oMister Roberts (123) C. .418
Henry Fonda. James Cagney. William Powell
IQnPete Kelly's Blues (95) M..421
Jack Webb. Janet Leigh, Ednosd O'Brien
@) ©oMcConnell Story, The (107). . D. .501
Alan Ladd. June Ailyson, James Wbltmore
fjj ©aBlood Alley (115) AD. .502
John Wayne, Lauren Bacall, Anita Bkberg
SE lllegol (90) D
. . 503
Edvr. G. Robinson. Nina Poeta, Hugh Marlowe
©Dorkest Hour, The D .
Alan Ladd, Joanne Dru, Edw. G. Robinson
©Giant D. .
Elizabeth Taylor, James Dean, Rock Hudson
Hondtul of Clouds, A D. .
Jack I'alance. Shelley Winters. Lee Marvin
©Helen of Troy D. .
Rossana Podesta. Jacques Sernas. C. Hardwleke
©Moby Dick D .
Gregory Peck. R Basehart. Orson Welles
. ©Rebel Without o Cause .
James Dean. Natalie Wood. Jim Backus
©Sincerely Yours M. .
Liberace. Joanne Dru. Dorothy Malone
Steel Jungle, The D . .
Walter Abel. Beverly Garland. Perry Lopej
Target Zero D .
Richard Conte. Peggie Castle. R. SUpley
MISCELLANEOUS g «
AMERICAN RELEASING CORP.
Fost and Furious (74) AD..
John Ireland, Dorothy Malone, Bruce CarUeJi
©Five Guns West (78) W..
John Lund. Dorothy Malone, Paul Birch
ASTOR
Master Plan, The (77) D . . Feb.-3!
Wayne Morris, Tilda Thamar
Sleeping Tiger, The (89) D..
Alexis Smith, Alexander Knox, D. Bogardt
BUENA VISTA
©African Lion, The (73). Doc. . .Oct.-5!
©Davy Crockett, King of the
Wild Frontier (95) AD
Fess Parker. Buddy Ehsen, Basil Rusydael
©Lady and the Tramp
(76) Cart. .Apr.-5:
©Vanishing Prairie (71 ) Doc.
©20,000 Leagues Under the
Sea (128) D. .Dec-5
Kirk Douglas, James Mason. P. Lukas, P. Lorr
CARROLL
Four Ways Out (77) D..
Chin Lollobrlglda, Renato Baldlnl. C. Grow
DISTRIBUTORS CORP. OF AMERICA
Animal Farm (75) F .
Animated Cartoon characters
©Long John Silver (109).... AD.
Robert Newton. Kit Taylor, Eric Helmut
Stranger's Hand, The (86) .
D. .Mar.-5
.
Richard Basehart, Alida Valli. Trevor Ilouard
I Am
o Camera (95) C.
Julie Harris, Laurence Harvey, Shelley Winte.
FILMAKERS
Croshout (90) D .
Wm. Bendix, Arthur Kennedy. B. Michaels
Mad at the World (71 ) . . . D. . Mar.-5
.
Frank Lovejoy, K. Brasselle. C. O'Donnell
LOUIS DeROCHEMONT
Great Adventure, The (75) . . . .Sept.-J
Arne Sucksdorff, Anders Norborg
I.F.E.
(American Dialog)
©Aido (110) M. .Oct.-f
Sophia Loren. Lois Maxwell, Afro Poll
City Stands Trial (105) D..Apr.-!|
BUvana i'ampaninl, Amadeo Nazzarl
©Green Magic (85) Doc.Jun.-
Travel Film of Brazil
Love in the City (90) D. .Moy-I
Nonprufessiunal cast
©Theodora, Slave Empress
(88) D. .Dec-
Gianna Maria Canale, George Marcbal
Too Young for Love (88). . D. .Apr.-!
Marin Vlady. P. M. Beck. Aldo Fabrlsi
Wayward Wife (91) D . . Apr.-!
Gina Lollobrigida. Granco Lnterlengh!
VISUAL DRAMAS, INC.
Gongbusters (77) D . . Mar.-
Myron Healy. Don C. Harvey, Sam Edwar*
REISSUES
COLUMBIA
Petty Girl, The (87) June-
Robert Cummings, Joan Caulfleld
©Return of October (89). . . D. . Apr.-
Glenn Ford, Terry Moor*
They All Kissed the Bride (87). June-
Joan Crawford. Melvyn Douglas. Roland T«
MGM
Anchors A weigh (1 39) . . . . M. .Mor.-
Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra
Comille (1 10) D. . Apr.-
Greta Garho. Robert Taylor
©Wiiord of Oi, The (105). M Jul.-
Jinh Garland. Bert Lahr. Ray Bolger
PARAMOUNT
©Reop the Wild Wind (124) D Nov.-
John Wayne, Paulettc Goddard, Ray Millanc
RKO RADIO
. .
.
Apr-
I (1 19) . . . .
Berlin Express (86) D . . Apr.-
Roberl Ryan. Merle Oberon, Paul Ijikas
Big Street, The (88) D.Jun.-
Henry Fonda. Lucille Ball
Bringing up Baby (102) . .0 . .May-
Cary Grant. Katharine Hepburn
Informer, The (91) D
VlctOf
Remember
Mrl.iglen,
Memo
Preston Foster
D .Moy-i
Irene limine, Barbara Bel Geddes
20th CENTURY-FOX
Belle Storr's Daughter (85). W Feb.'
George Montgomery, Ruth Roman. K Camel
Coll Northside 777 (1 1 1 ) . . D . .
Moy>
lames Stewart. Helen Walker
Dokota Lil (88) W
.
George Montgomery. Marie Windsor. R
Feb.
Cam'
Doy the Earth Stood Still, The
192) D. Feb.i
Michael Rennle, Patrice Neal
House of Strongers ( 101 ) . . D Feb > |
Edward G. Robinson. Susan Hayward
Twelve O'Clock High ( 1 32) . . . Jan. > J
Gregory Peel, 11 Marlowe. Dean Jagger
Where the Sidewalk Ends
(95) D. .May>
|
Dana Andrews. Gene Tierney
WARNER BROS.
Big Sleep, The (114) D.Deo*
Humphrey Bngart. Lauren Bacall
Saratoga Trunk (135) D. Dec <
Ingrid Beigrasn Gary Copper

.10-
.12-31-54
.11-12-54
. Jan.-55
Short subjects, listed by company. In order of release. Running time follows title. First is notional
release, second the dote of review in BOXOFFICE. Symbol between dates is rating from BOXOFFIC£
review H
v crv 6ood. Good. ± Fair. — Poor. = Very Poor. O Indicates color photography.
Allied Artists
Prod No. Title Rel Date Rating Rer'd
5590 Mighty Fortress. The (27) 44 1- 1
POPULAR SCIENCE
(Reissues)
5551 Subiect J7-5
5552 Subiect J7-1
5553 Subiect J7-2
5554S«biett J7-3
(10) ... 1- 9-55
(10). ... 1-23-55
(10) 2- 6-55
(10) 2-20-55
Columbia
tnt. He. Title Rel Date R.itiiuj
ALL-STAR COMEDIES
74U His Pest Friend

. July-55
.12-25-54
.
i rsoe.
.Queen
.Ralph
.Edivigo
.Mario
SHORTS CHART
7507-7 Tears of the Moon (10).Mar.-55 tt 8-27
7508-5 Isles of Lore (10) Apr.-55 ++ 7-30
7509-3 Punts & Stunts (9) Apr.-55 +8-6
7511-9 Colorado Holiday (10).. May-55
7512-7 Children of the Sun (7). May-55 + 8-27
7514-3 Sorcerer's Apprentice
(13) May-55 4-8-6
7506-9 Land of the Nile (9)..June-55 +t 7-23
7517-6 Volcanic Violence (9) . .June-55 f) 8-20
7515-0 Naughty Mermaids (7).July-55
7516-8 Winter Jamboree (10) . + 8-6
7518-4 That Others May Live
(10) Aug.-55
7513-5 Clear the Bridge (..).. Aug.-55
7519-2 Survival City (10) Auo.-55 + 8-20
7520-0 Gods of the Road (..)Aug.-55
7521-8 Desert Fantasy (8) Aug.-55
MEL ALLEN SPORTS
3501-4 Topsy Turvy Thrills (8). June-55 + 8-27
SEE IT HAPPEN
6501-1 Man vs. Nature (9) June-55 + 8-27
TERRYTOONS
(Technicolor)
S503-8 Yokahama Yankee, A
(7) Jan. -55 ± 3-19
5504-6 Swooning the Swooners
(7) (reissue) Feh.-55
5505-3 Terry Bears in Duck Fever
(7) Feb.-55 - 3-19
5506-1 Gandy Goose in It's All in
the Stars (7) (reissue) . Mar.-55
5507-9 Aesop's Fable—The First
Flying Fish (7) Mar.-55 + 9-3
5508-7 Two- Headed Giant, The
(7) Apr.-55
. .
5509-5 Little Roquefort in No
Sleep for Percy (7) . Apr.-55 + 8-6
5510-3 Phony News Flashes (7) Aug.-55
. Aug.-55
5511-1 Foxed by a Fox (7) . .
5512-9 Last Mouse of Hamelin,
The (7) Aug.-55
TERRYTOON-CINEMASCOPES
(Technicolor)
5531-9 Willie the Walrus in an Igloo
for Two (7) May-55 + 8-20
5532-7 Good Deed Daly (..). .June-55
5533-5 Bird Symphony (..). June-55
5534-3 The Little Red Hen ( . . Aug.-55
)
Universal-International
Prod. No. Title Rel Date Rating Rev'd
COLOR PARADE
1381 Dust Eaters (9!/2 ) 2-28-55
1382 Moose Country (9i/ 3-21-55
2 ) . .
1383 White Magic (9) 4-25-55
1385 King Salmon (9) 7-11-55+ 8-27
1386 Swing Hi-Swing Lo (9). 8- 1-55 + 8-27
MUSICAL FEATURETTES
1303 Robins Sing, The (15).. 1-17-55
1304 Keep It Cool (16) 2-14-55
1305 Les Brown Goes to Town
(15) 3-14-55
1306 Strictly Informal (16).. 4-11-55
1307 Girl Time (16) 5-16-55 +8-6
.
1308 Webb Pierce and His
Wonderin' Boys (16) .
1309 Roundup of Rhythm (16)
6-20-55
7-18-55 + 8-27
1310 Eddie Howard and
His Orchestra (14).. 8-22-55+ 8-27
TWO-REEL SPECIALS
(In Color)
1201 Gift From Dirk. A (15) . 11-21-54 #1-8
1202 Steve Allen Tells "The
"King's Secret" (16). 4-10-55 +f 6-11
1300 World of Beauty (17).. 3-15-55
VARIETY VIEWS
1342 Little Lost Scent (9) . . 1-31-55
+ 3-26
1343 Whatever Goes Up (9). 4-11-55 + 5-21
1344 Modern Minute Men (9). 4-25-55 + 8-20
VISTARAMA SPECIALS
(In Color)
1203 Fortress of Freedom (10) 3-28-55
WALTER LANTZ CARTUNES
1322 Helter
(Technicolor)
Shelter (7) 1-17-55 + 1-22
1323 Crazy Mixed Up Pup (7) 2-14-55
1324 Witch Crafty (7) 3-14-55
1325 Legend of Rock-A-Bye-Point
(7) 4-11-55
Private 5- 9-55 Eye Pooch (7) . . 1326 + 3-26
1327 Sh-h-h-h (7) 6- 6-55
1328 Bedtime Bedlam (7) . . .
7- 4-55
1329 Paws Night Out (7)... 8- 1-55
1330 Flea for Two (6) 8-29-55 + 8-27
(6) 9-26-55 +
WALTER LANTZ REISSUES
1331 Square Shootin' Square
8-27
1351 Bandmaster. The (7) . . .
2-21-55
1352 Mad Hatter. The (7)... 3-28-55
1353 Banquet Busters (7) . . . 4-25-55
1354 Kiddie Koncert (7) 5-30-55
1355 Pixie Picnic (7) 6-27-55
1356 Wacky Bye Baby (7) .
. 7-25-55
Warner Bros.
Prod. No. Title Rel Date Rating Rev'd
BLUE RIBBON HIT PARADE
(Technicolor Reissues)
2306 Back Alley Uproar (7). 2- 5-55
2307 You Were Never Duckier
(7) 2-26-55
2308 House Hunting Mice (7) 4- 2-55
2309 Crowing Pains (7) 4-23-55
2310 Hop. Look, and Listen
(7) 6- 4-55
2311Tweetie Pie (7) 6-25-55
2312 Goofy Gophers (7) 7-23-55
2313 What's Brewin' Bruin?
(7) 8-20-55
BUGS BUNNY SPECIALS
(Technicolor)
2725 Beanstalk Bunny (7)... 2-12-55
2726 Sahara Hare (7) 3-26-55 ± 4-30
2727 Hare Brush (7) 5-7-55+ 8-20
2728 Rabbit Rampage (7) 6-11-55 H 8- 6
2729 This Is the Life (7).. 7- 9-55
2730 Hyde and Hare (7).... 8-27-55
CLASSICS OF THE SCREEN
2103 Three Cheers for the Girls
(20) 1-22-55
2104 When the Talkies Were Young
(17) 3-26-55 ++ 4-16
2105 At the Stroke of Twelve
(20) 5-28-55
2106 Glory Around Us, The
(20) 7- 2-55
COLOR SPECIALS
2004 Where Winter Is King
(17) 1- 8-55 + 2-12
2006 Beauty and the Bull (17) 2- 5-55
2007 Mississippi Traveler (17) 3- 5-55 +5-7
2008 Old Hickory (17) 4-9-55
2010 Wave of the Flag (19) . 5-14-55 4+ 7-30
2009 Festival Days ( . ) 8-13-55
.
2011 Adventures of Alexander
Selkirk (17) 6-18-55+ 8-6
2012 Uranium Fever (..)... 7-16-55
McDOAKES COMEDIES
JOE
2403 So You Don't Trust Your Wife
(10) 1-29-55 + 2-12
2404 So You Want to Be a
Gladiator (10) 3-12-55 It 4-30
2405 So You Want to Be on a Jury
(10) 5- 7-55 + 7-23
2406 So You Want to Run a
Model Railroad (10)
MELODY MASTER 8-27-55
. . BANDS
(Reissues)
2803 South American Sway
(10) 1- 1-55
2804 Stan Kenton & Orch.
(10) 2-26-55
2806 Playgirls (10) 4-16-55
MERRLE MELODIES
(Technicolor)
2708 Pizzicato Pussycat (7) . . 1- 1-55 2-19
2709 Feather Dusted (7) 1-15-55 2-26
2710 Pests for Guests (7) . . . 1-29-55 + 2-19
2711 All Fowled Up (7) 2-19-55+ 3-12
2712 Stork Naked (7) 2-26-55
2713 Lighthouse Mouse (7) . 3-12-55 + 6-11
2714 Sandy Claws (7) 4- 2-55 + 5-21
2715 The Hole Idea (7).... 4-16-55 ++ 6-11
2716 Ready, Set, Zoom (7) . .
4-30-55 ±: 6-11
2717 Past Performance

Here
'
. . Godiva
. . The
. as
Dpinions on Current Productions
tfjrnjjiojMsiiis
Svengali F
Ratio: Period Drama
1.66-1 (Ea-tman Color)
MGM (602) 82 Minutes Rel. Oct. '55
George DuMaurier's famous novel, "Trilby," which has become
somewhat ol a literary classic and was filmed in 1931
(with John Barrymore as Svengali) and, before that, in 1913
and 1923, still weaves a weird melodramatic spell in this
Itn produced by George Minter. While best
suited to the art spots, where the famous British Shakespearean
star, Donald Woliit. may have some marquee value,
the picture is strong enough to play the better-class key
city neighborhood houses mainly because of Hildegarde Neff,
who made several Hollywood features, including "The Snows
of Kilimanjaro," and is currently starring in the Broadway
hit musical, "Silk Stockings."
A turn-of-the-century thriller with an overly-theatrical and
out-dated plot, it still holds interest because director Noel
Langley (he also wrote the screenplay) creates an authentic
Parisian Latin Quarter atmosphere and permits Wolfit to give
the properly flamboyant portrayal of the evil Svengali. But
it is Hildegarde Neff who takes top acting honors for her
warm, sympathetic performance as Trilby, the artists' model
who falls under Svengali's hypnotic spell. With her striking
looks and accent resembling a young Marlene Dietrich, this
film should give a boost to Miss Neff's career.
Terence Morgan is handsome and manly as the painter
who loves Trilby and Paul Rogers and Derek Bond are
splendid as his two fellow artists. The magnificent voice of
Elizabeth Schwarzkopf is dubbed in for Trilby's concert
sequences. The picturesque and appropriately cluttered
settings are splendidly photographed in Eastman Color.
Trilby, an artists' model in 19th Century Paris who poses
for a shy Englishman (Terence Morgan), is fascinated by
the piano playing of Svengali, a sinister-looking man who
is reputed to have the evil eye. He even tells her that she
sings like a duck, but he could make her a famous diva.
When Morgan becomes jealous of Trilby's posing for art
classes, she turns to Svengali, who hypnotizes her and, under
his control, she develops into a world-famous singer. Years
later, Morgan goes to London for Trilby's Covent Garden
debut.. The furious Svengali goes into a rage and becomes
ill—thus losing his hypnotic control over Trilby's voice.
Svengali dies and TrilHT collapses, but is reunited with the
repentant Morgan.
Hildegarde NeH. Donald Woliit, Terence Morgan, Paul
Rogers, Derek Bond, David Kossofi. Noel PurcelL
CATCHLINES:
The World's Most Famous Story of Love, Hate and Hypnotism
. . . Trilby, the Beautiful Artists' Model, and the Evil
Svengali, Who Held Her in His Power.
King Dinosaur F st
R a
l
and
a r „
model
TuttTV
Lippert (5418) 59 Minutes Rel June 17, '55
In recent seasons, so-called space-operas-—dealing with
man's exploration of worlds beyond our own—have been
coming along with fair regularity, and a wide segment of
moviegoers, with emphasis on the juvenile customers, have
demonstrated their liking for such bookings. Here is another
entry in the cycle, turned out on a comparatively low budget,
and therefore destined for the bottom half of average double
bills, where its title and subject matter should be usable in
fashioning merchandising campaigns. There are no cast
names of any marquee importance, but the film's brief running
time can be regarded as a programming asset.
The offering was made under the banner of Zimgor, Inc., a
partnership between Al Zimbalist and Bert I. Gordon. They
also collaborated in writing the original story, while Gordon
directed. As producers, they utilized considerable stock
footage and some adequately staged special effects involving
battles between prehistoric animals. Performances by the
principals—there are only four speaking roles—are acceptable
within the confines of the script.
When a new star settles in the earth's galaxy, a halfyear's
rocket flight away, plans are made to send an expedition
to visit it. Making the trek are Bill Bryant, a physician;
Wanda Curtis, a chemist; Douglas Henderson, a botanist; and
Patti Gallagher, a mineralogist. After a 10-million-mile journey,
they land on the star, to find the terrain similar to earth's
but inhabited by huge animals and reptiles. Henderson and
Patti, while exploring an island, are trapped by a dinosaur
and other prehistoric beasts. Wanda and Bill assist in the
rescue of their friends and the four prepare for the return
to this planet, after setting an atom time-bomb that destroys p
the predatory dinosaurs.
Bill Bryant. Wanda Curtis, Douglas Henderson,
Patti Gallagher.
CATCHLINES:
Come Along on the Most Thrillina Journey Man Ever Made
... a Ten-Million-Mile Flight to Another World . . . With
Four Brave Adventurers Who Faced and Fought Unknown
Terrors . Is Excitement Supreme.
18 54
BOXOFFICE
The Second Greaiesf Sex F
Univ.-Infl (5606)
87 Minutes
Ratio
2-1
Period Musical
(Cinemascope,
Technicolor)
Rel. Dec. '55
Taking a setting reminiscent of "Oklahomal" and a theme
similar to the enormously successful film musical, "Seven
Brides for Seven Brothers," with a dash of "Lysistrata" thrown
in to add spice, Universal-International has come up with a
sure-lire audience pleaser in this lively and colorful Cinema-
— — Scope musical. With Jeanne Grain for marquee lure, plus Kitty
Kallen to attract the teenage record enthusiasts and the
veteran Bert Lahr to add reliable comedy touches, it makes
a strong holiday attraction and should do good business
generally.
As in Seven Brides," the male dancers are outstanding
and Tommy Rail (one of the "Brothers") does some amazing
leaps which drew applause from the audience at a New
York sneak preview. Miss Kallen sings the best song, "How
Lonely Can I Get," in her appealing fashion and Keith Andes,
playing a handsome minister, does a fine singing job with
"Send Us a Miracle." The other numbers, including the title
tune, are mediocre. The Midwesterners, a hillbilly group,
and Jimmy "I
Saw Mommy Kissing Santy Claus" Boyd, will
also please their following. George Nader makes an upstanding
pioneer hero, but Miss Crain, while extremely
decorative, is merely adequate. However, as ably directed
by George Marshall, it makes for good fun. Produced by
Albert J. Cohen.
In 1880, the men of a Kansas pioneer town are battling
with the men of two other townships over possession of
official records while their lonely wives and girl friends
work and wait. When the weary men return home, George
Nader sets the date for his marriage to Jeanne Crain, but
the latter is disgruntled when he leaves her on their wedding
night to continue the fight with the other towns. To get
even, the women barricade themselves in an abandoned
fort and refuse to return to them until the warring parties
sign a oeace treaty. The wives of the rival towns also join
in the scheme so the men finally give in and agree to a truce.
Jeanne Crain, George Nader, Kitty Kallen, Keith Andes.
Mamie Van Doren, Bert Lahr, Edna Skinner, Paul Gilbert.
CATCHLINES:
The Liveliest, Dancingest Musical of the Year . Wives
iding,
Wouldn't Give In—So Their Fighting Men Had to Give Up
h exc'i . . . Both Men and Women Believe the Other is the Second
*'
Greatest Sex—Until Love Makes Them Change Their Minds.
Lady Godiva
Univ.-Int'l (5601) 89 Minutes
F
Ratio:
Drama
2-1 (Technicolor)
Rel. Nov. '55
Yep, she rides that white horse clad in nothing but hair.
But it took a powerful lot of false hirsute adornment to make
the scene possible—and entirely unobjectionable. The she,
of course, refers to Maureen O'Hara, who fills the title role
of this floundering costume period piece. Those who buy
the picture because they are curious to ascertain whether or
not her ladyship is going to venture the equestrian jaunt
that has been made famous through countless songs and
stories are going to be made to suffer through a long stretch
of dull motion picture before their curiosities are satisfied.
And anyone anticipating a vicarious thrill is due for disapoointment.
The barren expanses of celluloid that precede the feature's
piece de resistance have to do with the struggle for power
between the Saxons and the Normans during the reign of
England's gentle King Edward. Miss O'Hara's portrayal
with or without raiment—of the commoner who weds the
Earl of Coventry and becomes the idol of his people is
no better than the dialog-ridden, archaic material with which
she was confronted. The same handicap hobbles co-star
George Nader, whom U-I is touting as rising luminary material,
but who herein has opportunity to establish only that
he is handsome, rugged and photogenic. Efforts to endow the
offering with touches of comedy— through the heavy-handed
antics of old-timer Victor McLaglen—are pitiful; while the
scattered spots of action are dragged in by their broadswords.
King Edward is being pressured by Norman courtiers to
rid England of the powerful Saxon earls and their respective
armies. After much intrigue, plot and counterplot, our lady
of Coventry proves the Saxon loyalty by making her historic
rt£-. trek in the saddle. Produced by Robert Arthur, directed by
~~ Arthur Lubin.
Maureen O'Hara, George Nader, Victor McLaalen, Rex
Reason, Torin Thatcher, Eduard Frcmi. Leslie Bradley.
.
.
CATCHLINES:
The First Startling Story of the World's Most Famous Ride
Godiva
. . . Godiva the Beautiful the Brave .
Whose Daring
.
Changed the Course of History an
Empire's Fate Rode With Her.
October 8. 1955 1855

. Marta
. . His
. . Sin
. . and
—
1
. . and
—
REVIEWS AdJines for Newspaper and Programs
The Twinkle in God's Eye F ££ ~
Republic (5444) 74 Minutes Rel. Oct. 13. '55
Even had he been suoplied a more convincing vehicle in
which to accomplish the transition, Mickey Rooney, who has
devoted virtually all of his long screen career to buffoonery,
might have encounterd difficulty in selling himself to the
average film fan as a gentleman of the cloth. And in this
weakly woven yarn, bursting at the seams with crudely
created devices, implausible situations and ridiculous coincidences,
it may well prove an utterly impossible venture.
It necessarily follows, then, that the feature will be more
potent on the marquee—where the Rooney name should
still assert magnetic voltage—than in pleasing customers;
and exploitation-wise showmen will take advantage of such
appeal, although they probably will be exhibiting the picture
as a supporting booking.
Diminutive Mickey, growing a bit paunchy, is anything
but his usual competent self in attempting to portray a
newly ordained minister undertaking to bring the Word to
a sinful, rip-roarin' western town, where Indians had
murdered his parson father a generation before. He is
determined to erect his church on a piece of property behind
a gambling den and saloon, because his dad's edifice had
stood there. As a result, he encounters the enmity and opposition
of the bistro's owner, who blames him for a series
of business-killing bad breaks. Finally, after the newcomer
sky pilot experiences every conceivable obstacle and adventure—from
dancehall gals to malcontented redskins
everyone sees the light and hits the sawdust trail.
Performances by the other cast members are on a par with
Rooney's, and George Blair's direction does whatever is
possible with the faltering screenplay. The offering is tagged
a Mickey Rooney Production and was produced by Maurice
Duke at a price that obviously did not permit lavish accoutrements.
Mickey Rooney. Coleen Gray, Hugh O'Brian. Joey Forman,
Don Barry, Touch Connors, Jil larmyn, Kern Dibbs.
CATCHLINES:
He Came to Lodestone . City of the Frontier .
With a Bible in His Hand . a Rare Quality of Faith
in His Heart . Was a Genial Tolerance That Reflected
the Twinkle in God's Eye.
Maddalena
,-55 -(
-55 +
'•55 -
7\ Ratio: Drama ^.55
-^* Standard (Technicolor)
w
IFE Releasing Corp. 90 Minutes Rel. Oct. '55
An intensely dramatic story of a modern Mary Magdalene,
this Italian-language feature should do strong business in
the art houses, where Jacques Sernas (soon to be starred in
WB's "Helen of Troy") and Gino Cervi are familiar names.
The star, Marta Toren, has made several Hollywood films,
cm asset for selected general situations, especially where
Catholics predominate. Although the fact that Maddalena is
a prostitute who represents the Madonna in a rural religious
pageant, might offend some deeply religious folk, the picture
has been highly praised by Catholic publications.
Directed by Augusto Genina, who also collaborated on
the screenplay, the flashback scenes in a house of ill-fame
resemble a soap-opera, but the main story, laid in a small
Italian village, is realistic, melodramatic and splendidly
photographed in Technicolor by Claude Renoir. Miss Toren
gives a moving portrayal of the unfortunate girl who repents
of her past, but is stoned by the townspeople. Gino Cervi, as
the forgiving village priest, and Charles Vanel (recently outstanding
in "Wages of Fear"), as the scoundrel who hires the
girl to impersonate a virgin, are outstanding. Sernas is
strikingly handsome but has little to do. The villagers are
natives of the region. An Italo-French co-product made by
Giuseppe Bordogni.
Charles Vanel, a wealthy landowner who dislikes the
priest of an Italian village because the latter is more
influential than he, goes to a city bordello and persuades a
prostitute, Marta Toren, to apply for the part of the Virgin
Mary in the Good Friday religious pageant. The priest,
Gino Cervi, finds her suitable, but the village mothers are
incensed that their daughters were not chosen. Vanel plans
to expose the girl later. At a rehearsal, Marta feels ill and
retires to the church where a praying woman thinks she is
the real Virgin Mary. When a sick boy recovers, the townspeople
believe Marta has performed a miracle. Marta confesses
to the priest, but when Vanel reveals her identity to
. . . .
the villagers, they stone her to death. >
Marta Toren, Gino Cervi, Jacques Sernas. Charles Vanel,
Folco Lulli. Valentine Tessier. Angiola Farranda.
CATCHLINES:
She Tried to Conceal Her Unsavory Past But God Found
Her Out . Toren as Maddalena, the Girl Who Tried
to Repent—But was Stoned ... A Prostitute's Struggle Between
Right and Wrong.
1856 BOXOFFICE
3
The Return of Jack Slade
F R^°
tio:
Western
(Superscape)
Allied Artists (5528) 79 Minutes Rel. Oct. 9. '55
When, many months ago. Allied Artists unfurled a sagebrush
saga dubbed "Jack Slade," and starring Mark Stevens,
consensus of critical opinion held that it was considerable
of a picture, despite the fact that it was rather generally
indicated as being too brutal. Nonetheless, the offering went
forth and garnered for itself impressive patronage in the
market normally served by AA—and recorded some impressive
bookings elsewhere. While Stevens does not appear
in this, the feature is every bit as good as that earlier
release, and has the advantage—assuming it is one—of
not being so excessively sanguinary. It seems a reasonable
assumption, therefore, that the vehicle can do just as well
dollarwise, most especially if showmen take advantage of
the exploitation opportunity offered by the popularity of its
predecessor.
In the title role is John Ericson, portraying the son of the
original Slade, just as handy with a six-gun and aligning
himself on the side of law and' order in rounding up the
notorious Hole-in-the-Wall gang that was the scourge of
Wyoming during the '80s. A right creditable performance
can be credited to young Mr. Ericson—one whose somber,
he-man, hard-bitten qualities should lead him to many subsequent
desirable assignments. What's more, the high
standards he establishes are matched by virtually every
other member of the competent cast. Inasmuch as producer
Lindsley Parsons and director Harold Schuster, who teamed
on the initialer, were responsible also for this one, it is
natural that production values and the piloting job are of
comparable high quality. Those respective chores were made
easier, parenthetically, through the adroit use of Superscope
photography to capture rugged scenic backgrounds.
' Hired as a Pinkerton guard, Ericson is confronted with
the task of capturing the above-mentioned outlaws, in which
foray he is successful.
John Ericson, Mari Blanchard, Neville Brand, Casey
Adams, John Shepodd, Howard Petrie, John Dennis.
.
CATCHLINES:
Here Comes the Son of Slade, W''-o Slings a Six-Gun as
Ably as His Famous Father, in a1„. Exciting Story of the
Flaming Frontier of the Daring, Desperate Hole-inthe-Wall
Gang.
SHORTS
REVIEWS
Wham-Bam-Slam
Columbia (Three Stooges) 16 Mins.
Good. This is an apt title as it describes the type of
slapstick comedy in which this long-popular trio excels
and patrons who enjoy Shemp, Moe and Larry will get a
kick out of this. When Shemp gets sick, Moe and Larry try
to cure him and get the idea to go on a camping trip. They
almost wreck the place in practicing erecting a tent and
then their overloaded car almost blows up in their faces.
The excitement makes Shemp feel better.
Up a Tree
RKO (Disney Cartoon) 7 Mins.
Very Good. An unusually amusing cartoon in Technicolor,
starring Donald Duck and the two bothersome little chipmunks,
Chip and Dale. Donald is starting to chop down a
big tree, not knowing that the two chipmunks have made it
their home. They try in every way to stop him and, even when
the tree is down, they follow it down the river to the sawmill.
In the end, the chipmunks even manage to dynamite Donald's
house.
The Big Test
Univ.-Int'l (Color Parade) 10 Mins.
Good. With Roy Rogers, popular western star, for marquee
value, this color short is entertaining and different—especially
as it shows Roy, in full cowboy regalia, in the front seat
of an automobile instead of on a horse. The short shows the
rough-and-tumble testing of new cars at the proving grounds
outside of Detroit. Betty Skelton, champion of the gal speed
drivers, hits 179 miles an hour in the timed trials—as the
sound truck provides a western motif.
Brooklyn Goes to Cleveland
Univ-Int'l (Variety View) 10 Mins.
Good. Another one in the series about a Brooklynese character
visiting America's major cities— this time it is Cleveland
at World Series time. The character makes some cracks
about Cleveland's high spots but, perhaps, the natives won't
mind too much. The final scenes are in the Municipal
Stadium and show the Brooklynite trying to crash the big
games.
October 8, 1955 1853

I
j
I
1
IV
.
'
iploltatlon.
: ul
tupUte
lATES: 15c per word, minimum SI. SO cash with cow. Four consecutive insertions for price
three. CLOSING DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy a»d
answers to Box Numbers to BOXOFFICE. 825 Van Brunt Blvd.. Kansas City 24. Mo. •
HELP WANTED
Drue- In theatre manager named for the Lo»
irei. Excellent opportunity for top
All replies nill be treated In
nlldciice. virile Hon Cullman. I'aclllr
rhr-ln Theme.. HI South Koberison Blid .
Calif.
j
Excellent otportunity for man-wife managerial
mall Illinois comi
in make $100 per ncl If willing la
duties :irniiinl theatre.
bonus If operations snow
theatre r-rem.um salesmen wanted for all film
llit;li Commissions. East selling ileitis.
Ill I Harding. :1S Church Si . Huston.
Manager capable Ball
References nect Good
iply, II A Daniels. Scguln. fexas.
Wanted Mai -mall town circuit operation.
nd references first letter.
rmanent IV 0. Box 192, lie Uueen, Ark.
POSITIONS
WANTED
Experienced projectionist. 45 Indoor or drivelumlshed.
Prefer North or South
Will answer all letters Willie Koblnson.
jx 31 '-: X. Car.
Florida only. Projectionist, manager, repali
publicity minded
-i years
Iperience i'eimnnent. reliable. Boxoffice, 6019.
General, district, city manager. 15 year- exmedlum.
small towns.
I md. pendent Capable booking, buying.
ssasK complete charge al phases operation. Top
o*SMn -m ployed. Young, capable,
family man. Permanent connection.
.celleni references. Boxoffice. 6036.
Projectionist, age 39. 20 years experience.
Sober, dependable. Booth maintenance
Excellent references. Drive-in and
nal. Permanent. Southwest or West to
neflt asthmatic daughter. Harold Berg. Eland.
I
Man and wife. Former theatre owners, ex-
|ilenced in all phases of management, buying
jd booking. Both conventional and drive-in.
ar around di lie-in. Will consider leasing
BUSINESS STIMULATORS
BINGO. MORE ACTION! $4.50M cards. Other
;mes available, on-off screen Novelty Games Co
M Rogers Ave. Brooklyn. N. T.
Build attendance with
;
real Hawaiian orchids.
•* cents each. Write Flowers of Hawaii. 670
Lafayette Park Place. Us Angeles 5. Calif.
;BING00IE-CUT CARDS. Increase your box-
Jlce. 75 or 100 numbers. $4 50 per M. Best
Irds. Premium Products. 339 West 44th St
f»
York 36. N. Y.
Davy Crockett balloons printed with theatre
,me and play dale. Balloons get the kiddles.
on sales. Samples sent free.
Janta Popcorn 8upply. 146B Walton. Atlanta
1 '
r
MISCELLANEOUS
Theatre managers who sell a holiday greeting
n to local merchants ... get our Discount Deal
S k M Service. 627 Securities
ilc. Omaha. Neb
EQUIPMENT WANTED
Srsr:hli hl wanted. Needed fur spare parts.
odltieo. tires, unimportant Musi t,.- Sperry
41 nodid. no (IE Consider buying tbe S. L.
tor plant if priced right for cash sale.
Lancaster. Dalla- 3, Texas
GENERAL EQUIPMENT—NEW
:
Jackson's" automatic keel-Alarms Really
matveious $21.50 pair. All dealers'. Mfrs. Amert-
« >n Iheaire Supply. Seattle 1. Washington.
Send protection throw, screen size, we'll
> j r l InetiiaScope requirements tree Combination
paii Cinematic IV adjustable anamorphlc lenses
and pal: suapllte series 11 prime pro.ectlon lenses,
all for $605. M I!tt sq. ft.
Buy on time with $2llo down Hept. cc, S 0.8.
Cinema BupplJ Corp.. 602 W. 52nd St.. New
),iii 19
. one
and opportunity for advancement to
itre No booking or buying
Mighty Ninety Lamps.
required
Two pair, pen in
i> Iced rental housing available Ilnv
,,-i in.i, Q on inn \is (1
inn Asherafl 100 ampere. Belenlum rectifiers at
691 " ., pol Boxolflee, SO i
GENERAL EQUIPMENT—USED
;
J i
Surplus sale excellent coated projectiu<
fl B l>" 2V $175 pr. : Superlitc
8"
B
1
*" $150 pr.; Superlite 3H"
j
(90 pi . Trades taken RCA Hreiikirt Artiiimps,
good condition $395 pair. Wire or telephone
oiiler today. Dept. cc, S.O.S. Cinema Supply
Corp., 602 W. 52nd St., New York 19.
For sale: Two type G Peerless Magnare lampliouses,
2S/4 2 volt-32/75 amp. One 7% horsepower
220/440 volt, 3 phase Hertner transrertei
enmplete with controls. Skyline Drive-In, Sheridan.
IVyo
Complete equipment for movie theatre,
mirhines like ne». Cheap, must sell.
i
BoxoMm
STAR for savings! Late model 30 watt
amp Iflers, reconditioned. $79.50; Simplex
-timlini rear shutter mechanisms, recently rebuilt
and used two weeks, yen's guarantee. $259
pair; moreens and lenses at Industry's lowest prices.
IVbal do you need? Note our new address. STAR
CINEMA SUPPLY, 621 West 55th St.. New
York 1!»
Like new. two 100 amp. Ashcraft Selenium
m'tiftrrs and two Lee 100 amp. Selenium rectif
itr ^, ei;ht*i pair. ?, r il)H(l(l pnirantfeii. Knxnffice.
ii0:io.
S mplex mechanisms, $25 each; Motiograph
nierlianisms. $35 each; Strong mogul arc lamps,
|250 pal.. Ger-Bar Inc.. 442 No. Illinois St .
Inili.inipnlis. Ind.
jCoeabination husband and wife, husband 2 Ballantyne model
45. 20
4070 arc lamps, complete
ill phases of theatre management, $250 2 Stiong 50 ampere rectifiers
super-
200V, 3
W if>' lunch room or concession manager.
p!n e ?250. 2 DeVry deluxe model sound projectors,
jinTention.il or d. ive-in. Any town or city on coast
complete with arc lamps and rectifiers.
California. Am presently employed.
List
3 years
for $2,500. our price $495 pair. Ger-Bar
Mi present company, but don't
Inc..
like inland,
442 No. Illinois St., Indianapolis. Ind.
soffice. 6024
Due to remodeling snack bar have various equipment
for sale cheap. Stainless steel Sno Cone unit
li penser, hot dog steamer and server. Manley popcorn
machine and 2 400 lb. Ajax Icemakers. Call
oil eel if interested. Post Oak Drive-In Theatre,
Mn 7-1141. Houston. Texas
STUDIO AND PRODUCTION
EQUIPMENT
10 ft. title animation stand, motorized zoom,
stopmotion. $2,500 value. $975; blimp for Belhowell
700 w/syncomotor. $195; Bardwell-Mc-
Atister studio floodlltes, 3 heads on rolling stand
hold 12 bulbs, $180 value. $29.50; Art Reeves
'!5mm recording outfit. $5,000 value, $495;
Moviola 35mm composite sound/picture $495;
Escalator tripod for heaviest TV or movie cameras
on 3 wheel dolly. $295; motorized dolly with 2
Sms t
ikes heaviest cameras. $195. Dept. cc,
inertia Supply Corp., 602 W. 52nd St..
NOT York 19
DRIVE-IN THEATRE EQUIPMENT
Pay $200 down— Play CinemaScope! Cinematic
IV adjustable prismatic anamorphic lenses plus
snapllte series II prime lenses all for $595 (with
used prime lenses $495.00). Available on time.
Hept. cc, S OS. Cinema Supply Corp., 602 W.
52nd St.. New York 19.
Drive-in theatre tickets. Send for samples of our
special printed stub rod tickets for drive-Ins.
Safe, distinctive, easy to check. Kansas City Ticket
Co.. Dept. 10, 109 W. 18th St., "Film Row."
Kansas City 8. Mo.
POPCORN MACHINES
Popcorn machines, all nukes and styles, Reppcemeni
ketiles for all poppers. Complete re-
!MM-. Ti.-nt unit His most machines. $185 120 So.
li.ilsied. Chicago. 111.
THEATRES FOR SALE
Elcvtnth year exclusive ihcaiies
southwest, llu .6 year.
experience. "Ask an] ibownan.'' artbui Leak,
Specialist. 33u5 drum. Hallos. Tens.
Select theatres lor sale. Kansas, Missouri, Uklaliuma,
Arkansas. Exclusive listings mil), (un
nulled town,, drive Ins Offered ulll) in rinanclall)
(justified principals, Ualph Km in. Broker, Bos
111, Tulsa,
For sale or long term lease. 500-scat theatre,
i i' maScol iiiipment. Small town south Texas,
near San Allium,, B
'
Be, 6001.
CLfflRlllG HOUSE
Finest theatre in midwest. Will ucrlflci Othi
out ul state Cool pulatluii
ClncmaSfupe new Box-
2..SUII .mil alilcscieen
•
Sale or lease. 180 n si i
InemaBcopi . aide
screen, etc. Location, cQulpment, proi
ret) g I iiAiiri must deiote lime in
utliei interests Beattle, Washington Boxoffice,
mil.:
Two drive-in theatres. Northern California.
Owner »in sell either as in,, big an operation
fur mr to handle both. I want to ieml retire
n- 1 ire 30 mile! apart It will take (50,000
lo ItandTe. Would cnnsldei selling imili Kcph
llnxufllce, C014,
Northeast Ohio. 600-seal exclusive second run
Excellent condition, widescreen snd Cinemascope,
ilr-condltloned. Vers profftable opi
inn og city, present population 25,000. Boxoffice,
502
;
ATTRACTIVE DRIVE-IN. TEXAS GULF COAST.
Eighty foot Cinemascope screen. 350 speakers,
new equipment. Unusually attractive. Small apartment
Only drive-in. county near 20.000. Payoil/
oil/dairy. Owner shows good return. Twelve
full months operation. $40,000. liberal terms.
Arlhur Leak. Theatre Specialist, 3302 t'oriilh.
n.-il:a- Others
ONLY DRIVE-IN. Texas city near 10,000.
CinemaScoped. Apartment. Excellent land deal.
Showing good return per owner. $49,500. $27,500
down. Arthur Leak. 3305 Caruth, Dallas.
IOWA CONTROLLED TOWN. Extra nice
modern building, equipment. Pioneer retiring.
Towns growth excellent. Best section, long history
high returns. $45,000, $18,500 down. Boxorfice.
6027.
NORTH TEXAS COUNTY SEAT. Excellent
modern drive-in. only indoor. Controls good county.
Out-state owners managerial problems determine
definite sale, flexible deal. $40,000, liberal terms
to showman. Arthur Leak, 3305 Caruth, Dallas.
HARD TO FIND, IMPORTANT CONTROLLED
SITUATION. Progressive west Texas city with
major trade attractions, (many supermarkets.
furniture, clothing, shoe stores, motels, hotels,
new- oil discovery.) Long accurate record consistently
high earnings. Major irrigation development.
Substantial drive-in plus all indoor nouses.
Rest equipment, maintenance. Only similar
quality situation now available southwest. Never
before offered. $55,000 down. Attractive terms.
Arthur Leak. Specialist, 3305 Caruth. Dallas
For sale: modern Montana theatre. CinemaSeope.
widescreen. Good grosses with low overhead. Must
sell, illness. Boxoffice. 6032.
Modern. CinemaScoped. Northern Illinois,
population 1,500. Good money maker. £20,000
down. Boxoffice. 6025.
Northeast Iowa. 340 seats. Sell business and
equipment in new building, reasonable. Boxoffice.
8031.
No Television. Beautiful, modern theatre. Cinemascope,
top equipment. Brick building. 10,000
people, netting $20,000. Half down Brochure
VYiite. phone. P. Mr-Adam, Livingston, Mint
Theatre, Mansfield. Missouri. Nice town, cheap
renl Ideal Parailj operation. Widescreen Verj
reasonable Cash di terns Petttl rheatn \n
\ln
THEATRE
TICKETS
Prompt Service. Special
II. $JS75: 10.000,
printed
$8 05
roll
mm
tickets
:"
- I
ii
2
Each change In admission price, including change
In color. $3 50 extra. Double numbering extra
I' n l: Kansas City, Mo. Cash with order. Kansas
City Ticket Co.. Dept 11, 109 \V 18th St.,
Kansas riy. Mo.
THEATRE SEATING
Chair supplies, pans lor all chairs, Fensln Seattng.
Chicago 6.
Repairing and rtupholsienug In your theatre.
i-'ensln Sealing. Chicago 5.
New spring seals lor all chairs, I-'ensln Sealing.
Chicago 6,
Palch-o-seat cement, permastone ancliin cement.
Kenslii Sealing, Chicago 6.
Seat covermos. sewed combination, all styles.
leiisln Beating, lim-.
Plastic leatherette, all colors, send sample.
1-ellsln Sealing. Chicago 5.
Upholstery fabrics, all types, send Mmpll
i-eiism Beating, I hieagn .V
Last Call! Vacating our livliigtnn. N I
house. All chairs sacrificed— prices start in
In pi CC—8.0.8. Cinema Supply Corporation. 60S
IV. 52nd Slieet, New York 19.
New and used rebuilt opera chairs. Willi; roi
photos, sialic incline anil quaiiiy. Parts loi all
chairs, send -amine foi uuolatlon I'aleii
10 repair torn seals. $0 complete kit, specify colnl.
I- li ni.isiniie hi anchor loose chairs, $r>
I il B. Chicago, Qeneral Chair Co.. 1308 Eislon
Ave . Chicago 22, III I'linne Altmltage 8-0022.
Professional leupholsteiing. I''actur> trained
view. Flee csilmale an>wliere Em sale 5,000
guild used rlialrs. all Ijpes. UULS8BY Kill II'
MBNT I'll 211356 Grand lllver. Detroit. KEi . I
3-8740
800 late model theatre chairs. Stadium chair-
Lone Star Seating Co.. Box 1731. Dalla
THEATRES WANTED
Ilieaties Oklahoma, Arkansas. Kansas. Missnml
i.'alpli l-.ru lii. Broker, Box 811. Tulsa. Okla
Will buy drive-in. conventional theatre or controlled
town In western North Carolina nr Wesi
Virginia. Can pa] cash if required. Boxoffice,
6028.
-
Experienced showman wants best drive-in avail-
-.
$50,000 down. Or two smaller. Midwest.
southwest. Boxoffice, 6028.
Drive-In and all indoor houses, natural trade
town southwest Ample funds, experience. Ready
now. Boxoffice. 6029.
Wanted to buy 100-500 -eat theatre. All details
first letter, t'.S.A. preferable. Box 171. Saskatoon.
Canada
Will trade my equity in 28 unit motel and
cafe. Phoenix, Arizona ana, on good 450 to 600
seat theatre, or 350 to 500 speaker drive-in,
southern Missouri. Eastern Oklahoma. Cential Texas
or Arizona. Theatre must be clear. State full
particulars first letter P. 0. Box 757, Glenilale.
Ariznna
Want theatre over 400 seats in Northern
Minnesota, Boxoffice. 6037.
Florida, drive-ins. We have cash buyers for
-uh-i -nri.il n|ieraliniis in Fla. and southern states.
S. I. .lames. Broker. Eaton. Ohio.
"lCe
%a**ed V/ou-
ABOUT NOT USING A BOX
NUMBER ON THAT AD YOU
RAN IN BOXOFFICE!"
OXOFFICE
:
: October
8. 1955

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