Boxoffice-April.21.1956

.
See
^Td i&Uon. fiCOkAe JmaMi^
'mmi
"THE GOOD OLD DAYS" of capacity attendance, as pictured obove, can be returned
by providing the types ot films that will appeal to the family trade and
have a stimulating effect on the regular moviegoing of children and teenagers, especially.
So soys Jack Braunogel, circuit executive, who asks and answers some
pertinent questions bearing on important industry problems
.
poge /5
Promotion
Alexander the
Great'
rfhl U>< Sutiwiil Ntot Paoci o( All Ldltiani

-er
§
ir is -v
•GABY"

AND NOW!
2 SENSATIONAL M-G-M
PREVIEWS IN 1 WEEK!
%"*
BHOWANI BOMBSHELL!
M-G-M's "BHOWANI JUNCTION" screened in
home office projection room last week. It's one of
the year's BIGGEST. Two years in production.
Cast of 10,000. Filmed in exotic Pakistan. GREAT.
STEWART
GRANGER
rugged,
romantic
•
M-G-M presents in CinemaScope '' BHOWANI JUNCTION'- starring
AVA
GARDNER • STEWART GRANGER • with BILL Travers • Abraham
Sofaer • Screen Play by Sonya Levien and Ivan Moffat ' Based on the Novel by John
Masters
'
Photographed in Eastman Color • Directed by George Cukor
•
Produced by
Pandro S. Berman.
BOX-OFFICE AFFAIR
Truly All-Star
M-G-M's "THE CATERED AFFAIR" previewed
at Loew's Lexington, N. Y. last week got audience
rating equal to "Blackboard Jungle." Star-bright
BEHE DAVIS
A brilliant
triumph
ERNEST BORGNINE
Academy Award
star terrific
with great performances, including another fine
role for the Academy Award winning star of
"Marty." Headed for fame and fortune.
M-G-M presents "THE CATERED AFFAIR- starring BETTE DAVIS ERNEST
•
BORGNINE DEBBIE REYNOLDS BARRY FITZGERALD • ' ' Screen Play
by Gore Vidal • '
Prom a Play by Paddy Chayefsky Directed by Richard Brooks
Produced by Sam Zimbalist.
DEBBIE REYNOLDS BARRY FITZGERALD
Her greatest
At his
performance
funnifest
M-G-M! THE TALK OF THE
INDUSTRY!

'
300-theatr|World Premiere FOR thTsoot^
A Story of the South- '^ Filmed in the South -that the Whole Nation will take to its Heart!.
^
A one-boy dog...
a one-dog boy...
a one-of-a-kind
motion picture!
^-^
HERE'S THE WAY
EVERYONE WHO SEES IT
RAVES .JAVtS!
PHIL SILVERS-
'"Goodbye My Lady is
everybody s motion
picture—You II
and you II love it'
laugh
MARTHA RAYE-
"It's
a picture for the
whole family to see
My daughter and I
loved jt<
JOHN WAYNE-
"There's a greatness
about Goodbye ivly Lady
that makes it one of the
important pictures of this
or any year'
MARIO LANZA-
"I was delighted by it
and know everybody
else will be'
HENRY FONDA-
"I can't imagine anyone
not being completely
captivated by every
minute of it'
STARRING
WALTER BRENNAN- PHIL HARRIS
STARRINGmNDONde I
WILDE
WIlLIAMAWEllMAN
SHIRLEY JONES-
"A really heartwarming film'"
ART CARNEY-
"It's
great' A picture
everyone will go for'
GUY LOMBARDO-
"It's
terrific' Im going again''
TAB HUNTER-
"Anyone who misses it is
missing a terrific picture''
ALAN LADD-
"Walter Brennan is
way to
on his
another Oscar' A
really great picture'
RED SKELTON-
"One of the best films I ve
ever seen'
GIL HODGES-
Ifjg
"A real good picture I
certainly recommend!"

iWith
pride
in a motion picture
whose special charm
and rare quality have
won the hearts of all
who have seen it,
Warner Bros, announce
the general release of
"Good-bye, My Lady"

MEANS
A
passionate
outcry
against
impulsive
marriages
and the
multiple
divorces
of today's
youth!
BUSINESS!
Her story has shock values.
Her picture has star values.
The campaign gives it all
plus values. You'll }^ant to keep
HILDA CRANE for
extra playing time -and
Hilda knows how fo arrange it!
CALL THIS GIRL AT 20th TODAY!
20th Century-Fox presents W^^ 1 1 %J ^X \^
EN SIMMONS -GUY MADISON -JEAN PIERRE AUINI
Print by TECHNICOLOR QINEmaScoPE with Judith Evelyn
•
Evelyn Varden
Produced by Herbert B. Swope, Jr.
Written for the Screen and Directed by Philip Dunne
From the Play by Samson Raphaelson
¥todo business with HILDA CRANE!"

THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY
Published in Nine Stctional Editions
BEN SHLYEK
Editor-in-Chief and Publisher
DONALD M. MERSEREAU Associate
Publisher & General Manager
JAMES M. JERAULD Editor
NATHAN COHEN. Executive Editor
JESSE SHLYEN Manoging Editor
HUGH FRAZE Field Editor
IVAN SPEAR Western Editor
LARRY GOODMAN . Promotion Editor
I. L. THATCHER. .Equlp.Tjnt Editor
MORRIS 5CHL0ZMAN. Business .Agr.
Publistied Every Soturday >iy
ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIOr:^.
Publicatloi SJS Va Hud..
Editor

SENATE POLL OF EXHIBITORS
TURNED DOWN BY COMMITTEE
Sen. Humphrey Suggests
Research Organization
Be Hired for Survey
NEW YORK—Tlie subcommittee on retailing,
distribution and fair trade of the
Senate Small Business Committee has suggested
that exhibitor organizations join in
employing a recognized polling organization
to conduct a study of trade practices.
The suggestion was made this week by
Senator Hubert H. Humphrey, chairman, as
a result of complaints filed by exhibitors at
the March 21, 22 Washington hearings, and
in response to requests for a committee survey
made by Harry Brandt, president of the
Independent Theatre Owners Ass'n, and
seconded by Myron N. Blank, president of
Theatre Owners of America.
INTERESTED IN THE FINDINGS
Senator Humphrey wrote them that the
committee could not undertake the task, but
that it would be interested in studying the
findings of a poll.
TOA headquarters here has notified Blank,
now at the Cannes Film Festival in France,
of the committee's recommendation. It is
awaiting word from him as to whether he
favors employment of an outside polling organization,
whether there will be a renewed
attempt to poll TOA members, or whether the
idea of a poll will be dropped entirely.
responding, not to the number of theatres
involved. The latter figure has not been disclosed.
Brandt said Tuesday (17 > he will make no
further move in the direction of a poll.
"I am terribly disappointed," he said. "The
government gets responses to its polls in contrast
to polls conducted by organization.^."
SIGNED BY HUMPHREY
Senator Humphrey signed his letter as
chairman of the subcommittee on retailing,
distribution and fair trade practices. It was
dated April 5 and noted requests for a poll
of exhibitors "to determine their views on
such topics aa arbitration, arbitration of film
rentals in particular, and production of films
with preemptive rights by the divorced circuits."
It also noted comment by the senator during
the March 21, 22 hearings that "it would
be helpful if we knew what the thinking w^as
of theatre owners themselves, and if a poll
could be conducted by the exhibitor groups,
the subcommittee would be very interested in
seeing and studying the findings."
The letter continued:
"It would, however, be physically impo.ssible
Many Fine Pictures Seen
As Due Within 12 Months
WASHINGTON—For the first time in five
years Arthur L. Mayer is highly optimistic
about the immediate
future of the industry,
he said Thursday il9n
at a meeting of exhibitors
of the local
exchange area at the
Shoreham Hotel. It
was held under the
auspices of the Virginia
Motion Picture Theatre
Ass'n.
Mayer, former executive
vice-president of
Arthur Mayer the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations,
said that as a result of visits to Hollywood
and Europe he was convinced that the experimental
period is over and that "a steady
stream of amazingly fine films will be released
in the next 12 months." He added
that there will be more good pictures than
were released in the preceding three years.
Producers, directors, technicians and script
It was believed possible that TOA may revive
its poll because replies to its recent questiormaire
are still being received, showing the magnitude which you suggest. The ex-
for our subcommittee to undertake a poll of
more exhibitor interest than was manifested pense involved both in terms of the staff which
earlier.
would be required and the paperwork to be
In requesting a committee poll, Blank had handled—in addition to the length of time
told the committee that TOA returns to its which would be needed for a worthwhile job
questionnaire had been only 25 per cent. is beyond the bounds of the subcommittee.
They have now risen to 27 per cent. The "If the other exhibitor groups agree with
figure applies to the number of exhibitors
Cut in Admission Tax
Gets Committee Okay
Washington—A House Ways and Means
subcommittee, studying excise taxes,
Thursday (19) suggested that Congress
may want to take up the question of
making an additional cut in the federal
admissions tax.
The recommendation was one of 76 specific
changes in the excise tax laws made
by the subcommittee in a final report
submitted to the full House Ways and
Means Committee. It was the most encouraging
turn in the campaign by the
Council of Motion Picture Organizations
to obtain elimination of the 10 per cent
admissions levy. The committee made no
specific proposal on how much of a cut
should be made, or whether the entire
tax should be eliminated, but the fact
that a recommendation for further relief
was made was a highly satisfactory turn
of events.
writers have now adjusted themselves to the
new screen processes, he said.
"Along with this increased .skill," Mayer
said, "has come increased courage. Every
major company, with possibly one exception,
will have at least two to four tremendously
costly, impressive projects on its shooting or
releasing schedule. Paramount alone has
$50,000,000 in negative investment, including
'The Ten Commandments' and 'War and
Peace,' its two most costly pictures."
Mayer is currently promotion consultant
on "War and Peace." He said it would be
improper for him to plug the film. His address,
however, was titled, "War and Peace in
the Motion Picture Industry."
Mayer called for an end to "internecine
squabbling." arguing that "threat, abuse and
nisults in the press and before Congressional
committees should be abandoned in favor
of concentration on how best to publicize this
magnificent new product." He said that
"no industry can be successful which makes a
practice of broadcasting to the public how
badly it is conducted."
you on the importance of such a survey, perhaps
they would join with you in hiring a
recognized polling organization to handle this
task. In such case, as I stated at the hearings,
we would be interested in studying the conclusions."
The possibility of exhibitor groups joining
in employment of an outside polling organization
seemed remote. Brandt said, as reported
above, he will make no further move in the
direction of a poll, and National Allied,
through Abram F. Myers, board chairman and
national counsel, has said it has already
polled its members and knows their wishes.
There has been some .speculation as to why
Blank, in writing to the Senate committee,
stated that the return of 25 per cent in the
TOA poll was unsatisfactory. Many polls producing
a lower percentage of response are
reported to be considered satisfactory. Now
that TOA returns are up to 27 per cent and
still coming in, though slowly, TOA could
put new impetus behind its project.
On the other hand, it is known that the
original mailing of its questionnaire was followed
by at least three pleas for fast action,
and Blank has called the questionnaire
"wordy."
Commenting on the situation before leaving
for Europe with Blank, Walter Reade jr., past
TOA president, criticized exhibitors mildly by
calling them "lethargic."
Preparations by distribution for its appearance
before the Senate committee are going
forward steadily. Rebuttals to exhibitor testimony
are being prepared by Adolph Schimel
of U-I and Sidney Schreiber of MPAA.
BOXOFFICE :: April 21, 1956

. .
O'Neil on Integrating
TV and Motion Pictures:
"We beUeve the purchase of RKO Radio
Pictures and the possible combination and
interrelations it can have with broadcasting
may make producers in these fields do
some fresh thinking . . .
"It may be that some so-called radical
departure from the accepted way of doing
business will ultimately solve other problems
of television—maybe even that of
subscription vs. free TV. We don't know
what that solution will be, but we're convinced
it won't be arrived at by backing
away from the problem as if it didn't
exist . . .
"It is possible to produce a better, more
efficient and more economical product by
eUniinating duplication of effort. The fact
that we now have the superb faciUties of
RKO studios in Los Angeles and those in
Xew York means that we can provide a
central film manufacturing plant capable
of producing the finest kind of entertainment
both for theatres countrywide and
for the television screens at home .
"I believe in competition as I think most
of you present today do, as a healthy
force. In entertainment, as in other businesses,
I think we can prove that the success
of one medium tends to stimulate efforts
of another . . .
"I refuse to believe that the development
of any good and worthwhile thing
is done at the expense of another good and
worthwhile thing. Integration of entertainment
means more entertainment for
everybody."
RKO Opens Facilities
For TV Produclion
HOLLYWOOD—RKO Radio, which sold its
backlog of films to television some months
ago, now has plunged headlong into the TV
production waters. The company has announced
that its total productional facilitiespersonnel,
equipment and studios on both
coasts— will be available for the production
of all types of television films.
Charles L. Glett, RKO's executive vicepresident,
said the company is prepared to
compete vigorously to serve every branch and
segment of the television industry.
"We will service the wants and requirements
of television producers, advertising agencies,
sponsors and others engaged in making TV
films, with our unexcelled service facilities
and the aggregate of our resources in both
manpower and material," he said.
Eventually, RKO will produce its own films
for television, but the basic intention at the
moment is to open the extensive physical
facilities and make available the vast knowhow
of the company for those who are producing
films for airtime entertainment.
The new service unit will be headed by Fred
Ahern. who has been the studio production
coordinator and who for five j-ears served as
director of operations for CBS-TV in Hollywood.
His title will be supervisor of television
operations, and he will have his headquarters
at the RKO Pat he studio in Culver
City. He also will spend considerable time
at the New York studio at 105 East 106th St.
BOXOFFICE :: April 21, 1956
RKO Chairman Strikes
At 'Howlers
NEW YORK—There's nothing wrong with
a marriage between motion pictures and
television, Thomas F.
O'Neil. chairman of
the board of RKO
Radio Pictures, told
the Poor Richard Club
here this week in accepting
a technological
award Tuesday (17).
Integration of many
areas of entertainment,
he declared,
means more entertainment
for everybody.
Thomas F. O'Neil
O'Neil, as an industrialist
who practices
what he preaches, bought RKO Radio
and its huge backlog of features, sold the
features to television, merged the picture
company with his General Teleradio Co.
which owns and operates TV and radio
stations and sells films to television, and
full
productional facilities of RKO^—personnel
and studios—are to be made available to producers
several days ago announced that the
of television pictures.
He struck out at those who see in this
integration the death of the motion picture
theatre.
"Howlers" predicted the doom of the phonograph
when motion pictures came in, he
said, the doom of motion pictures when radio
arrived, the doom of radio when television
spread. But Americans, he pointed out have
proved that "they not only have the money,
but they have the time for all these media
of entertainment."
LEISURE TIME INCREASED
Technological advances, he declared, have
reduced the work week to 40 hours. By 1960
the work week will drop to 37 hours, and
"thanks to automation, probably to 30 by
1980." And, he added, prepared foods have
cut the time for preparation of meals from
5.5 hours to 1.6 hours per day—saving the
housewife four hours per day.
"How are people going to employ this
vastly increased leisure?" he asked. "In many
ways, certainly—in travel, education, home
building and home projects, public service.
And in entertainment. If there is one area
which above all others can be counted to
employ people's leisui-e time—and in turn,
employ more people to fill it—it is entertainment."
O'Neil said his experience had proved that
there is an insatiable appetite of the American
people for all media and that the media
were dependent on each other.
"One of the obvious points impressing the
broadcaster newly embarked in television,
for example, was bound to be the impressive
success of ancient movies early television was
showing," he continued. "No matter how old
and creaky they might be, it was obvious that
the excitement of motion picture stories,
stars, and production values appealed to the
television audience. We were bound to ask
ourselves why, if bad movies did well on
television, good movies wouldn't do a whole
lot better. We began to look around to see
if we couldn't find some."
of Doom
He said that, at first, he ran into a stone
wall, because major Hollywood studios "were
at the fever-pitch of anxiety about the
alleged threat of television to motion picture
theatre attendance and were determined not
to feed the monster."
The purcha.se of 30 "superior" films held
by the Bank of America had "astonishing"
results, he declared.
PROVED CONSISTENT SUCCESSES
"Again.st almost every kind of competition,
at any hour of the day, in any size market,
these films proved themselves consistent
successes with the television audience," he
went on. "They proved, moreover, that good
movies have a vitality and appeal uniquely
their own."
This led to the purchase of RKO Radio,
he pointed out.
"So when it became possible for us to
purchase one of the great Hollywood studios
—RKO Radio Pictures—not only its inventory
of 750 major feature films, but its production
facilities as well—we didn't hesitate long.
Here, for the first time, we had a chance to
prove that there was room for all these
media to work side by side in harmony, one
aiding the other.
"But I w^on't say there wasn't a howl, at
what seemed like an unholy wedlock
between broadcasting and motion pictures.
Somehow it didn't disturb us much. We've
heard those howls before in this business
as I'm sure you all have in yours. Indeed,
considering the relative youth of both
broadcasting and movies, it's surprising how
many unbreakable taboos have been developed.
Remember how many studios turned
down sound pictures before 'The Jazz
Singer' came out and started revolution
a
that isn't over yet?
"When Bing Crosby's radio program first
became available on tape (for a Philadelphia
advertiser, I believe) two major networks
turned the program down. The reason they
gave was that the audience would never hold
still for a favorite program that wasn't broadcast
'live'. But Bing is a man who doesn't
give up easily, and his show went out on
tape. Since then all the networks have made
wide use of tape and, indeed, made available
to their audiences many great stars and
events they might have missed.
FILMS FILL TV DEMAND
"Moving along into television, in the early
days it was believed that high ratings could
be achieved only by 'live' programming. But
then the difficulties of providing the immense
programming for an expanding industry
plus the success of early films on television
made them turn to films, as the only way
they could fill this demand. This year, more
than half of all television programming will
be on film.
"But nevertheless, a major television
network has refused to accept major
feature film prime time. Sounds like a
in
strange kind of logic, doesn't it? But as
we've seen, these industries set up their own
particular taboos, and seem to like to live
with them—until something comes along to
wake them up.";

'^uUcSe^nU
Expected Budget Surplus
Brightens Tax Cut Hopes
Report by Joint Congressional Committee
based on government receipts to end of April
predicts $2,000,000,000 surplus; at same time
House ways and means subcommittee decides
to ask full committee to remove ticket
tax
levy.
*
Distributors Must Protect
Little Fellows: Gehring
Twentieth Century-Fo.x vice-president says
six and one-lialf per cent of total film rental
in U. S. and Canada comes from 5.000 small
theatres and no company can afford to
neglect this potential.
Massachusetts Bill Aims
For New $25 Theatre Tax
Heretofore towns and cities have collected
for building permits; now House measure
wants state license levy, plus state authority
to inspect plans for both outdoor and indoor
theatres.
Says Hollywood TV Output
Quadruples Theatre Films
Michael M. Silverman, vice-president of
Television Programs of America, makes
statement at Chicago NARTB meet, and predicts
further TV increase in near future.
AB-Paramount Net Jumps
34% for First Quarter
Estimated total of $2,570,000, or 60 cents
per share, tops same quarter last year by
$620,000; Leonard H. Goldenson says outlook
for next four months is for top quality pictures
and even release of product.
Stanley Warner Discussing
New Lowell Thomas Deal
Reported dickering for his services in developing
a fourth picture for Cinerama process;
he worked on both the first and third
productions.
*
TOA Reserves 1,500 Rooms
In Hotels for Convention
Planning for business sessions and tradeshows
opening September 24 at New York
Coliseum under way with Claude Mundo and
Joseph Alterman of staff meeting with New
York Convention Bureau and TESMA, TEDA
and IPA officials.
MPAA Annual Meet Scheduled
For Tuesday (24) in N. Y.
Eric Johnston, president, will issue report
on. .state of motion picture industry and officers
v;ill be elected and working committee
.selected; .sessions to start at 10:30 a.m.
RKO Theatres Reveals
Details of Merger Plan
NEW YORK—Detailed statements on Albert
A. List's proposal to have RKO Theatres Corp.
take over the diversified corporate holdings of
The Cleveland Arxade Co. have been sent to
stockholders with proxy blanks.
List proposes that RKO Theatres take over
the List enterprises by issuing 1,043,706 shares
of stock with an estimated value of $11,611,229.
He also wants the name of the corporation
changed to RKO Industries Corp. and to increase
the authorized capital stock by 1.260.000
shares from 4.500,000 to 5,760,000 shares of $1
par value. The meeting at which these proposals
will be voted upon will be held in New
York May 8.
PREPARE 72-PAGE REPORT
The detailed proposals with descriptions of
the assets and activities of all the companies
involved covers 72 pages.
List, members of his family and associated
interests control 1,004.053 shares
of RKO Theatres, but these will not be voted
on the proposal. This makes affirmative action
necessary by a majority of the remaining
2,147,683 shares now outstanding.
The statement to stockholders reveals that
Lehman Brothers, Wall street banking firm,
was asked by a committee of three directors
named last July to make an independent
appraisal of the entire proposal and to make
recommendations to the board. This report
stated that the Lehman representatives concluded
that the Arcade assets as of last December
31 were worth $9,285,000 and that
15.6 per cent of Gera Corp.. one of the Arcade
subsidiaries, was worth $1,947,000. The proposed
transfer of assets would include acquisition
of the Gera minority.
The committee of RKO Theatre directors
included Sol A. Schwartz, David J. Greene
and Edward C. Raftery. It recommended
that the proposals be carried out.
Under the proposed setup List would
become chairman of the board of RKO Industries
and Sol A. Schwartz would be executive
head of a division in charge of theatres.
After the proposed acquisition of the Arcade
assets and the minority of Gera Corp.
stock List and associated interests would control
47 per cent of the company, instead of
the 31 per cent it holds in the present company.
OWN OIL PROPERTIES
Ai-cade owns 3,305 shares of Gera common
stock amounting to 84.4 per cent of the total
3,916 outstanding shares. Arcade also owns
certain oil and gas properties in Kansas, with
56 wells producing gas and seven producing
oil. It also owns loft buildings in West Lynn.
Mass., which are leased to General Electric.
Gera is a New Jersey corporation with
3.916 shares outstanding. Up to December
1953 Gera was engaged the woolen and
in
worsted business. At the present time it has
interest or control in the USF-Aspinook Finishing
Division, Chatham Electronics Division,
Verney Division, Otis Terminal Warehouse
Division and Passaic Division. Details
of the financial status of all these are contained
in the statement to the RKO Theatres
stockholders.
Pick First Six Dates
For Xommandments'
NEW YORK—Paramount has selected the
fii'st six dates for "The Ten Commandments,"
Cecil B. DeMille production, with an eye to
those best suited for long runs. Charles Boasberg,
sales supervisor for the picture, identified
them as follows:
Criterion Theatre, New York, 1,671 seats;
RKO Keith's Tlieatre, Washington, D. C,
1,855 seats; Loew's Ohio Theatre, Cleveland,
1,350 seats; Warner Beverly Theatre, Beverly
Hills, 1,612 seats; Astor, Boston, 1,350 seats,
and New Tlieatre, Baltimore, 1,600 seats.
The first five theatres named will have November
openings and the Baltimore house
a December opening. It is planned to have
DeMille and stars of the picture attend.
Other theatres are under consideration for
early openings. London and Canadian openings
will be set within about ten days.
MAXWELL HAMILTON
Announcement of the first dates followed
by several days a luncheon held at the home
office at which the broad outlines of the
campaign for the picture were revealed to the
trade. The luncheon also served to introduce
Maxwell Hamilton, who has been named coordinator
for the planning board which includes
Barney Balaban, Adolph Zukor, Paul
Raibourn, George Weltner, Charles Boasberg,
Jerry Pickman, Cecil B. DeMille. Y. Frank
Fi-eeman, Henry Wilcoxon and Teet Carle.
The preliminary campaign is to be on a public
relations basis not directly aimed at the
industry or regular movie theatre attendants
The aim is to attract those not accustomed to
attending pictures. The drive has been divided
into four principal sections, Hamilton
said—Public Relations Phase, Prestige and
Cultural Phase, Entertainment Phase and
Theatre Merchandising Phase.
No specific budget has been set. This will
be determined as problems arise.
BOXOFFICE :; April 21, 1956

UA and MPAA Again
In Ad Code Dispute
NEW YORK—United Artist;^ and the Motion
Picture Ass'n of America are engaged in
another dispute over picture advertising copy.
This time the picture is "A Kiss Before
Dying." a Crown production starring Robert
Wagner and Virginia Leith.
UA has continued to submit ad copy to the
MPAA although it resigned its membership
over its failure to obtain a code seal for "The
Man With the Golden Arm."
The MPAA advertising code administration
rejected the "Kiss" copy because it mentioned
the pregnancy and murder of an unmarried
girl, according to Max E. Youngstein, UA
vice-president. He said the MPAA production
code administration had previously approved
the original script and had given
the picture a code seal.
An appeal was taken to Eric Johnston,
MPAA president, by Roger Lewis. UA director
of advertising, publicity and exploitation,
but unsuccessfully. Johnston upheld
Gordon White, advertising code head.
Youngstein said the copy told the true
nature of the story, but that the MPAA
wanted it to be evasive, using a phrase like
"I'm in trouble" instead of mentioning
pregnancy. He charged a lack of coordination,
adding that he was finding it increasingly
difficult to understand MPAA decisions. He
cited many mentions of pregnancy in pub-
Whitney Buys Rights
To 'Missouri Traveler'
HOLLY'WOOE^—C. V. Whitney Pictures,
lications.
Inc.. has added "The Missouri Traveler," based
on a novel by John Burress, to its forthcoming
schedule and will produce it in midwestern
locales in Technicolor and VistaVision
this summer.
The tome portrays life in the so-called
"Mark T\vain" country of 35 years ago. It
deals with an orphaned youth who, wanting
to make something of himself, is befriended
by a kindly small-town marshal.
Ted Tetzlaff, who will direct, and associate
producer Pat Ford have planed to Mis-
.souri to scout locations. The script is being
prepared by Frank Nugent, who penned the
initial Whitney offering, "The Searchers," being
released by Warners.
As concerns "Traveler," no distribution has
been set, Whitney having disclosed recently
that releasing arrangements on his forthcoming
slate of pictures will be determined individually
as each feature Is completed.
Technicolor Plans Double
Film Processing Service
NEW YORK—Technicolor will offer both
direct mail processing service to amateur
users of 35mm Kodachrome film and a pickup
service for amateurs who prefer to return
their exposed film to dealers who will have
the film processed for them, according to Dr.
Herbert T. Kalmus, president and general
manager.
Direct be through service will sold retail
film dealers where customers can buy a
Technicolor direct mail processing bag at the
time film is purchased. The bag with the
film would then be mailed to Technicolor for
processing, and mounted color transparencies
returned to the customer by mall.
BOXOFTICE
Myers Urges Conference
Called by Presidents
NEW SALES HEAD—George Miller,
formerly an executive of National Theatres,
has been sigrned to a term contract as
general manager of distribution for C. V.
Whitney Pictures, Inc., his first chore
to be the handUng of Whitney's initial
feature, "The Searchers," being released
by Warners. The Whitney organization
simultaneously announced the appointment
of James Ryan, onetime casting
executive at 20th Century-Fox, as casting
director.
N. J. Antitrust Suits Ask
$3,360,000 in Damages
NEW YORK—Three antitrust suits asking
a total of $3,360,000 in damages were filed
Tuesday (17) in federal district court by
Harry M. Pimstein, attorney for New Jersey
exhibitors.
The S.M.P. Theatre Corp., former operator
of the Cameo in Newark, asked $900,000 in
damages; Arlthe, Inc., operator of the Lincoln
in Arlington, $840,000, and Kearuth Theatre
Corp., operator of the Rivoli in Rutherford,
$1,620,000.
Discrimination and restraint of trade were
charged in each instance.
Cooper to Make Columbia
Film Based on TV Show
NEW YORK—Harry Cohn, president of
Columbia, has signed Prank Cooper to produce
a feature based on the television series,
"The Lineup," shown Friday nights on the
national network of the Columbia Broadcasting
System. The TV plots come from the
files of the San Francisco Police Department.
The motion picture story will not be one
presented on TV.
Jaime del Valle, producer of the TV program,
will be co-producer with Cooper. Irving
B. J. Levine represented Cooper In the
negotiations.
WASHINGTON— All that is needed to create
a new era of good feeling in the industry.
says Abram F. Myers, Allied board chairman
and general coun.sel, is for the major distributors
to release all picture on their regular
availabilities at reasonable rentals for the
remainder of 1956 and then to call a conference
of representatives of all brajiches of
the industry.
Myers' suggestion is contained in a bulletin
addressed to Allied members in which he
mentions the approaching "day in court" for
distribution representatives before the Senate
Small Busine.ss subcommittee.
DISCUSSES DISTRIBUTOR STAND
Under the heading. "Where Will the Distributors
Stand?" he states: "Tradepaper
articles indicate that the company presidents
are remaining serenely aloof and that the
companies' 'defense' is being prepared by the
lawyers under the direction of Adolph Schimel
of Universal, and that they will be represented
at the hearing by the lawyers and
representatives of the sales departments. As
the sales heads are the authors and enforcers
of the policies and practices that are
causing such hardships among exhibitors, the
prediction is being made that they will come
to the hearing in a belligerent mood, unwilling
to make any concessions of any kind
toward happier conditions in the busine.ss."
In New York, Myers continues, there are
several "doctors who, if inspired by goodwill
and a sincere desire to save this great business,
could easily do so."
Following his suggestion that pictures be
released on regular availabilities at reasonable
rentals for the remainder of 1956, Myers
makes his suggestion for an industry conference
in these words:
"Then let these doctors (Balaban, Loew,
Skouras, Warner, etc.) call a great conference
of the representatives of all branches of the
industry to take advantage of the good feeling
and hopefulness thus engendered, to consider
thoroughly what each branch, each organization
and each individual can do to
rescue the business from the doldrums, to
fully exploit the pictures as they are released
and to entice millions of lost customers back
into the theatres. Showmanship is not dead,
it is merely bowed down by the great load of
anxiety and uncertainty which exhibitors are
carrying today. Let them feel that the distributors
are in the same foxhole with them.
that the industry is united by a recognition
and understanding of each other's problems,
and that all are going to join forces in putting
the movies back on top of the amusement
heap, and there will be such an awakening
among exhibitors as was never known before."
CRITICIZE SALES POLICY
Myers also took the occasion to level an attack
at MGM for allegedly shifting selling
policies of years standing with "I'll Cry Tomorrow."
He said that reports from 12 regional
units indicated that the company was
asking 40 and 50 per cent from sub runs,
with no adjustments. The policy of adjustments,
he said, has been one of long standing.
Myers also said that MGM has been asking
for double normal playing time.

Hecht-Lancaster UA Pact S„^fT?'"
A $40 Million Deal
HOLLYWOOD—The Hecht-Lancaster organization
will produce $40,000,000 in topbudget
features for distribution by United
Artists under terms of a new contract signed
last week. It is said to be the biggest contract
ever negotiated for independent production of
motion pictures.
The pact is for an extended period, with the
first group of five films to be produced within
the first two years, and a second group of five
to follow. Here to consummate the deal were
Arthur Krim, UA president; Robert Benjamin,
board chairman, and Robert Blumofe,
vice-president for United Artists, and Haxold
Hecht and Burt Lancaster for the H-L organization.
There is no deadline date for completion of
the productions involved in the contract, and
the schedule will be more or less flexible. The
association between H-L and United Artists
has been a profitable one, topped by the release
of the Academy prize-winner "Marty."
On the basis of figures now on hand, UA said
it expects the worldwide boxoffice gross on
Hecht-Lancaster pictures it has distributed
to reach $50,000,000.
The next H-L featiu-e which the company
will release is "Ti-apeze," and United Artists
has allocated $9,000,000 to advertise and promote
this pictui-e and the first five to be made
under the new pact.
Filming Shorts Series
On Arizona History
AJO, ARIZ.—West Winds Productions announces
completion of the second in a series
of 13 short subjects, filmed in Eastman Color,
based on the history and lore of Arizona.
This subject, "The Legend of the Jacob
Waltz," deals with the fabled Lost Dutchman
Gold Mine in the Superstition Mountains
near Phoenix. The first subject, "Rodeo
Time," already is in theatrical release. These
subjects were filmed in standard ratio. Each
runs 121/2 minutes.
David I. Rees, general manager of West
Winds Productions, reports that nine of the
series will be available in Cinemascope, as
well as standard prints. Ten of them will be
in two lengths, 12 V2 minutes and 21M minutes,
making them suitable for 15-minute and
half-hour TV programs, after their theatrical
runs.
Services for W. K. Wells;
Writer for Stage, Films
NEW YORK—Services for WilUam "BUly"
K. Wells, writer for the stage, films and radio,
were held at the Universal Funeral Chapel
Friday (20). Wells, 72, died at his home April
17 after a short illness.
Well.s did the famous "Says You?" "Says
Me" dialog for the Fox picture, "The Cockeyed
World," starring Victor McLaglen and
Edmund Lowe, in 1929. He also originated the
laugh line, "Vas You Dere, Sharlie?" for Jack
Pearl's radio show and wrote sketches for 12
editions of "George White's Scandals" in the
1920's. He is .survived by his wife, Mrs.
Eleanor Lewin Wells, and three sons, including
George Wells of Hollywood.
Harold Hecht (left) and Burt Lancaster
sign their agreement to produce $40,000,-
000 in films, surrounded by (left to right)
Arthur Krim, United Artists president;
Robert Blumofe. UA vice-president;
James Hill, Hecht-Lancaster executive
partner, and Robert Benjamin, UA board
chairman.
Joint Film Handling
Success, Says Clark
PHILADELPHIA—Six months of operation
of an integrated film handling center at
Butte, Mont., have demonstrated that a consolidated
system can be operated more efficiently
for distributors than any other method
the industry now uses, James P. Clark, president
of National Film, reported this week.
The company is handling films from nine
distributors and several independents, under
a setup operated by M. S. Wycoff, who also
owns National Rim's Salt Lake City branch.
United Artists, RKO, Paramount, Warner, Columbia,
Universal, Republic, Allied Artists
and Buena Vista films are serviced by the
central agency.
Clark said the Butte building was the first
designed exclu.sively for film handling by
modern methods and will serve as a guide for
futm-e integrated operations. The building, a
concrete structure at 3065 Harrison Ave. in
Butte, is handy to all forms of transportation.
About 20 persons make up the staff.
Two fii-ms, United Artists and Buena Vista,
now have all their product processed by National
Film Sei-vice, Clark revealed. He said
he intends to present details on the Butte
economies to all companies in the near future.
New Trans-Lux Subsidiary
To Supply Films for TV
NEW YORK—Ti-ans-Lux Pictures Corp.
has formed a subsidiary to produce television
pictures, with Richard Brandt as vice-president.
The new unit has acquired distribution
rights to the Encyclopaedia Britannica
Library which includes 700 short subjects as
well as about 60 new productions per year.
The shorts will be serviced in packages of
26 and 39 films each. They are now being
edited. In addition the new unit will distribute
features which have been in theatrical
release over the past few year.?.
ZOth-Fox Sales Setup
NEW YORK—Alex Harrison, new general
sales manager of 20th Century-Fox, this week
divided the United States and Canada into
four divisions and made other shifts in the
company's selling setup. Division managers
will report directly to Harrison, with Arthur
Silverstone as assistant general sales manager.
Each division will have eight districts with
33 branches in the United States and Canada.
C. Glenn Norris will supervise a new central-Canadian
division that will include the
Canadian, central and midwestern districts.
Martin Moskowitz will supervise a new
eastern division comprising the Atlantic and
northeastern districts.
Abe Dickstein, who has been New York
branch manager since Feb. 5, 1951, becomes
manager of the Atlantic district.
The makeup of the four divisions follows:
Eastern—Martin Moskowitz, division manager;
northeast. Al Levy, district manager
supervising Boston, New Haven, Albany and
Buffalo; Atlantic, Dickstein, district manager,
supervising New York, Philadelphia, Washington
and Pittsburgh.
Central-Canadian—C. Glenn Norris, division
manager—Canadian branches, including
Toronto, Montreal, St. John, Winnipeg, Calgary
and Vancouver, with Peter Myers as
district manager; midwestern district, Morton
A. Levy, district manager, supervising Minneapolis,
Milwaukee, Omaha, Des Moines, Kansas
City and St. Louis; central district, with
Tom O. McCleaster as district manager supervising
Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit
and Indianapolis.
Southern—Harry G. Ballance, division manager,
supervising two districts including the
southeast with Paul S. Wilson as district
manager supervising Atlanta, Charlotte, Jacksonville
and New Orleans; southwest, with
Mark Sheridan jr. supervising Dallas, Houston,
Oklahoma City and Memphis.
Western—Herman Wobber, division manager,
and Reville Kniffin as assistant division
manager supervising Los Angeles, San Francisco,
Portland, Seattle, Salt Lake City and
Denver.
In New York, Alex M. Arnswalder, assistant
manager of the exchange, has been named
manager, succeeding Dickstein, effective immediately.
Ai-nswalder joined the 20th-Fox field organization
in October 1947 as assistant to the
branch manager. The following year, he became
Greater New York salesman and in
April 1949, he was promoted to booking supervisor.
He was named assistant manager in
June 1949. Arnswalder started his film career
in film distribution with Motion Picture Distributors
in New York. He left that company
in 1935 to join MGM in New York as salesman,
.ind 12 years later joined 20th-Fox.
Big London Group Due
For Variety Convention
LONDON—A record number of Variety
Club Tent 36 will fly to New York May 6
for the Variety International Convention to
be held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel May
9-12. The party will include Chief Barker
Nat Cohen; James Carreras. Norman Harrington,
Sir Thomas O'Brien, Michael Prankovich
and Charles Pearl, crew members, and
Leslie Faber, Benjamin Rosenfeld and Lambert
Goldsmith, barkers.
i2
BOXOFFICE

MGM Releasing Film
On Monaco Wedding
NEW YORK—MGM will release a 30-minute
Cinemascope and Technicolor film of the
wedding, and accompanying festivities, of
Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier III of Monaco.
It will be titled "Tlie Weddins in Monaco."
job.
Promotion plans axe already in work. There
will be a theatre trailer and a special pressbook
and accessories. Its close business relationship
with Miss Kelly gave MGM the inside
track at Monaco.
'Lincoln' Continues Run
Though Feature Changes
NEW YORK—After a six-weeks' run, the
Little Carnegie Theatre changed its feature,
but it is continuing to show "The Face of
Lincoln," Academy Award winning short
subject.
Harry Pergament, president of Cavalcade
Pictures, Inc. of Hollywood, worldwide distributors
of the film was advised by the
Carnegie management that this is the first
time in the theatre's 35-year history that
a short subject was retained for a concurrent
first run with two different features.
To Cerebral Palsy Posts
NEW YORK—Edward L. Hyman and Sidney
M. Markley, both vice-presidents of
American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres,
Inc.. have been named co-chairmen of the
Theatre Collections Committee in the United
Cerebral Palsy campaign. Leonard H. Goldenson
is chairman of the board of UCP and
Herman Robbins, chairman of the board of
National Screen Service, is chairman of the
UCP distribution committee.
Multi-Million Program
Set by Fox for Talent
Survey Finds Television
Aids Theatre Boxoffice
NEW YORK— Research into the boxoffice
appeal of "Richard III," Laurence Olivier
and the target date for it* release in key
cities is May 13. No other film showing Miss
Kelly will be permitted on the same program.
Cameramen shot the civil wedding Wednesday
US) and the religious wedding the next
day. and sent the film on way to the U. its S.
by air. MGM did not know the length of the
film playing at the Bijou Theatre on a
reserved seat, two-a-day policy, is reported
footage but anticipated an arduous editing by Ilya Lopert, president of the releasing
company bearing his name.
Of particular interest was the discovery
that 26 per cent of those attending had seen
the film on television and wanted to see it
color on a large theatre screen. That lends
credence to the arguments of those who say
TV can be used for promotion, at least in
some instances.
Audiences received self-addressed postcards
containing questions and 3,758 were filled out,
returned and tabulated at the Lopert offices.
Responses were practically equally divided
between male and female patrons.
Most of those replying said they visited
the theatre because they enjoyed Shakespeare
and admired Olivier. That figure was 32 per
cent. Those crediting theii- attendance to
newspaper and magazine publicity constituted
18 per cent. The other returns were: newspaper
advertising, eight per cent; outstanding
reviews, six per cent, and assorted reasons,
the balance.
Jacon Company to Release
Second Film, 'Rosanna'
NEW YORK—Jacon Film Distributors will
nationally release its second picture. "Rosanna,"
filmed entirely in Mexico with Rosanna
Podesta starred, in May, according to
Bernard Jacon, president. The film has been
dubbed into English with less than 1,000 words
of dialog used. The Japanese feature, "Samurai,"
was the first Jacon Film release.
in
HOLLYWOOD — A multi-million-dollar
program to recruit and train talent— thespians,
writers and directors— is to be inaugurated
by 20th Century-Fox "to meet the
demands of our increased production
schedule," it was announced jointly Monday
(16) by Spyros P. Skouras, president of 20th
Century-Fox, and executive producer Buddy
Adler. The far-reaching venture is being
underwritten, they said, by a $1,000,000 allocation,
and the company is prepared to
match that amount yearly to maintain it.
"Television makes such great demands on
talent that there just isn't enough to go
around from the present available stock,"
the Skouras-Adler statement explained. "We
in the motion picture industry, therefore,
must develop new people to meet the demands
of our increased production schedule."
The program will be implemented through
the formation, in New York, of a school to
be staffed by experts in acting, singing,
acrobatics, direction and calisthenics. This
will be followed later by the establishment of
a second school in Hollywood.
Skouras and Adler developed the program
with the assistance of a planning group comprising
Lew Schreiber, studio executive, and
Joseph H. Moskowitz, eastern production
liaison.
Plans call for company representatives
throughout the world to seek out promising
t.alent.
Morris Anderson Becomes
RKO Milwaukee Head
NEW YORK—Morris Anderson, salesman
at the RKO Milwaukee exchange, w^ho has
been with the company since 1929, has been
named branch manager of the Milwaukee
exchange by Walter Branson, vice-president
in charge of worldwide distribution. Anderson
succeeds Lou Elman, who will become a
special sales representative at Los Angeles.
MILE,STONE MEETING—For the first time in the company's
history, members of the board of directors of Loew's, Inc., recently
held their regular quarterly meeting at the MGM studios in Culver
City, where plans for the release of several up-coming films were
discussed and the visitors were accorded a first-hand glimpse of
production methods.
Pictured here, seated, from left: Paul E. Manheim, general partner
in Lehman Brothers; Joseph Holleran, vice-president of the
First National City Bank of New York; WilUam A. Parker, chairman
of the board of Incorporated Investors; Dore Schary. MGM
vice-president and studio head; Arthur Loew, president of Loew's;
John L. Sullivan, an attorney; George A. Brownell, attorney; Charles
C. Moskowitz, Loew's vice-president and treasurer; Charles J. Stewart,
general partner in Lazard Freres. Standing, same order: Irving
Greenfield, Loew's secretary; Benjamin Melniker, Loew's vice-president;
E. J. Mannix, MGM studio executive; Charles Reagan, Loew's
vice-president in charge of sales; Howard Dietz, Loew's vice-president
in charge of advertising, publicity and exploitation, and J. J.
Cohn, studio executive.
Reagan and Dietz outlined release plans for "The Swan,"
"Bhowani Junction," "Lust for Life," "The Rack," "The Catered
Affair, " "The Fastest Gun .\live " and "High Society."
BOXOFFICE :: April 21, 1956

U-l to Release W Features
July Through October
Charles J. Feldman, vice-president and general sales manag-er, presides at midyear
gathering in the Essex House, New York. Left to right, seated: Foster M. Blake,
wtstem sales manager; Alfred E. Daff, executive vice-president; Feldman; Ray Moon,
assistant general sales manager; P. T. Dana, eastern sales manager; F. J. A. McCarthy,
southern and Canadian sales manager. Standing: James V. Frew, district manager
from Atlanta; Lester Zucker, district manager from Kansas City; James J. Jordan,
circuit sales manager; Harry Fellerman, sales head of U-I special films division;
Henry H. Martin, district manager from Dallas; Irving Sochin. short subjects sales
manager; P. F. Rosian, district manager from Cleveland; Barney Rose, district manager
from San Francisco, and Manie Gottlieb, district manager from Chicago.
NEW YORK—Universal-International will
release ten features July through October,
with special emphasis on "Away All Boats,"
Charles J. Feldman, vice-president and general
sales manager, told home office sales
executives and district sales managers at
the opening of a four-day sales conference
Wednesday (18).
Eight of the ten are in Technicolor, two In
Cinemascope and one in VistaVision.
"Away All Boats," based on the Kenneth
Dodson best-seller, in VistaVision and Technicolor,
ha-s been assured cooperation by the
Navy Department for all key city openings.
Adm. E. B. Taylor, chief of Information of
the Navy, has issued a directive to all regional
offices to cooperate in the promotion in key
cites. Special functions will be held.
"Toy Tiger" is another important feature of
the lineup. A series of territorial saturation
prerelease engagements is being set for the
beginning of school holidays in June.
"Pillars of the Sky," in Cinemascope and
Technicolor, and starring Jeff Chandler, Dorothy
Malone, Ward Bond and Keith Andes
has been set for October release.
The full list follows:
July—"The Rawhide Years," "Congo Crossing"
and "Toy Tiger."
August— "Away All Boats" and "Francis in
the Haunted House."
September—"The Proud Land," in Cinema-
Scope and Technicolor; "Raw Edge," in
Cinemascope, and "Behind the High Wall."
October—"Showdown at Abilene," Technicolor
western starring Jock Mahoney, and
"Pillars of the Sky."
Books of Allied Theatres of Illinois
Subpenaed by Federal Grand Jury
CHICAGO—A federal grand jury reported machine operators also will appear before the
Investigating the management of the welfare jury on Monday (23). However, they added
fimd of Local 110, Chicago Moving Picture that the operators were not subpenaed. According
Machine Operators Union, has subpenaed
to attorneys, the federal grand jury
books and records of the Allied Theatres of already has heard from 18 operators.
Illinois, Inc.
The union's attorney, Daniel D. Carmell,
In announcing this fact, federal authorities
said the subpena requires Allied produce
has told the jury the union's welfare fund is
to supported by theatre owners who pay between
its records of the last five years' disbursements
21 and 26 per cent of the operators'
and collections involving the union's salaries in lieu of raises. It was said that the
welfare fund, which is reported to total almost jury is seeking to determine if the operators
$2,000,000. Jack Kirsch, president of Allied
and one of the four-man board of trustees of
the welfare fund, told government attorneys
that the books and records would be brought
before the jury this week.
Assistant U. S. attorneys Nicholas Manos
and John J. Quan stated six motion picture
"kick back" money to the fund, or if any violations
of the Hobbs Act are involved in the
operation.
The union, according to the latest report,
has about 600 members, of which 400 work
regularly. The other 200 are either on "sick
leave" or "leave of absence."
Leo Spitz Dies at 67;
Veteran Executive
HOLLYWOOD—Filmdom lost one of its
veteran production executives with the death
Monday (16) of Leo
Spitz, 67, after an illness
of three years.
Spitz, who had been
suffering from a he;iil
condition, had bet n
hospitalized contmuously
since last October.
Services were
held Wednesday (18 >
at the Church of the
Recessional, Forest
Lawn, with Nunnally
Johnson, a long-time
friend and business
associate,
delivering the eulogy.
Leo
Spitz
Spitz, who began the practice of law in
1910, became associated in a legal capacity
with the Balaban & Katz circuit of Chicago
and in 1928 served as counsel when First
National merged with Warner Bros. In 1932
he assisted In the reorganization of the Paramount
Theatres chain and became president
of RKO Radio in 1935. He left in 1938,
but returned to the film industry in 1943
wlien, in partnership with William Goetz, he
organized International Pictures. When this
company merged with Universal in 1946,
Spitz held the post of executive head of
production until his retirement in 1953.
Survivors include his wife, a brother and
a sister.
WilUam HoUand
NEW YORK—Funeral services for William
Holland, 44, executive of Palace Pictures, Inc.,
and Panther Productions, were held at the
Perazzo Chapel Wednesday (18). Holland
died of a heart attack Saturday (14). Holland,
whose real name was William Holland Versteeg,
is survived by his wife, Malsle.
William F. Steiner
NEW YORK—Pmieral services were held
Monday (16) for William P. Steiner, 81, pioneer
producer of dramas, westerns and short
subjects. He died April 12 after a long
illness due to a heart ailment. Burial was In
Long Branch, N. J. He leaves his wife, May.
Lancaster, Curtis, Gina
To Make National Tour
NEW YORK—Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis
and Gina LoUobrigida will go on a nationwide
tour this summer in behalf of "Trapeze." The
trip is being planned by Roger H. Lewis,
United Artists national director of advertising,
publicity and exploitation.
They will travel in two special railroad cars
in which they will live. Newspapermen will
be picked up en route.
DAR Honors Disney Film
WASHINGTON—The annual award for the
best children's film was presented to Walt
Disney Thursday (19)
at the annual convention
of the Daughters of the American Revolution
for "Lady and the Tramp." The presentation
was made by Mrs. F. Allen Burt, national
chairman of the motion picture committee,
to Albert Maxgolies of the Disney
organization.
14 BOXOFFICE :: April 21, 1956

AN APPEAL FOR THE LITTLE' PICTURES
Failure to Make Features to Attract the Kids and the Family Trade,
Plus
a Lack of New Young Stars Cited as Reasons for Attendance Drop
By JACK BRAUNAGEL -, ',//!^//0iJm, ^'AA
Whot can we do to bring back theatre attendance
to the levels of past years? Jack Braunagel,
!xecutive of United Theatres Corp. of North Little
Jack Braunagel
Rock, Ark., and a widely
known exhibitor, hos been
searching for an answer.
"We (the industry) have
been conducting surveys
and polls to find out why
we have lost almost 50
per cent of
our audience/'
he says, "but outside of
the cry, 'better pictures,'
there seems to be no answer."
He is convinced,
however, that there are
other answers,
particularly
OS they relate to the lack
of pictures of the type to stimulate the moviegoing
habit in children and the family trade. In this
article, he poses five prime questions of importance,
and comes up with his
own provocative answers.
1. Where Have We Lost the Majority
of Our Attendance?
Answer: It seems to be "in the family
trade." Folks staying home for TV was the
answer to this—but we can't agree entirely.
First, our business was built on entertainment
for the masses of all ages and tastes.
With the advent of TV our producers went
on a spree of making big spectacular pictures—which
have never been popular when
produced in large numbers—and dropping
all family type entertainment, which built the
small town and "B" house trade. Then,
when these theatres disappeared, mainly because
of lack of product, they cried. "The
small theatre and small-town theatre is
dead." That would be like taking all of the
10-cent and 15-cent items out of Woolworth's
and, then, when they lost their mass
trade, say "The variety store is dead." In
order to attract that type of trade, we must
have the product it wants. There is no product
for that taste today.
Theatregoing is a habit. When we reduced
the number of pictures, we reduced the number
of times that people wanted to go to a
stay home and watch the type of material
they want on TV.
In our kid days we went to serials, westerns,
kid pictui-es, "Our Gang" comedies, etc.
Today, none of those are being given to the
children, so we see them at home getting
that entertainment from their TV set. TV
producers are smart, they are giving them
the "Tarzans," "Superman," westerns, adventures
that we got such a thrill out of in
the theatres when we were kids. The kids
of today would still rather get that in the
theatre, where they can all yell and cheer
and get that audience participation. But
we, as theatre men, don't give it to them, so
they go somewhere else to get it.
Look at your own figures in your theatres
You still get the kids on a "Bowery Boys"^
but what other new type of picture is being
made for that taste in movies? What happened
to Blondie, Jones Family, Andy Hardy
Family, Dr. Kildaire, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers,
Charles Starrett, Sons of Pioneers, Smiley
Burnette, Gabby Hayes, Tarzan? We could
go on and on with the type of entertainment
that used to mean mass appeal and
mass attendance. ALL HAVE BEEN TAKEN
AWAY. Take away all the big stars in the
"A" theatres as we have done in the "B" and
see what happens to attendance there. Yet,
we say the "B" theatre is dead. If it is, we
killed it; but it can be brought back the
same way as it was first developed. It will
take time, the dead can't be brought back
overnight.
3. Why Aren't We Developing New
Young Stars?
Answer: In the '30s. young producers
wouldn't think of hoping to do business with
John Gilbert, Mary Pickford, Vilma Banky,
Ramon Novarro, Bessie Barriscale and others.
They were just too old. Yet, are they any
older than what we are trying to inflict on
the youngsters of today? How long will our
youth continue to accept "old folks," older
than their parents, making love like 20-yearolds?
The "A" houses will soon wonder what
happened to their business if they continue.
Yet, what are we doing to insure our future?
Are we training new stars anywhere?
Where would the Yankee baseball team be if
they hadn't been training seven shortstops
in the hope that one would be able to take
Rizutto's place when he got old? Do we have
seven John Waynes in training, with the
hope one will click? Or even one or two in
training to take any of the present "old
timers" place? And to our kids of today they
are just that— "old timers."
Let's look at what made those "old timers"
stars when they were youthful. Did Gable
start making big pictures? Look at the record
—he started with little films. Where did
Wayne come from? For years he made little
westerns, just like a minor-league ball player
plays in the "D" league. Then the fans discovered
him and he was ready to be a star.
Look at the biography of any big star today
and see where they started. It will be 90
per cent true that they started in smaller
pictiu-es. With the loss of the mass trade,
we also lost the training school for new,
youthful stars. A studio could make ten
$100,000 pictures, and if they discovered one
John Wayne, Mickey Rooney, Shirley Temple
or Judy Garland, they would make more
money than any so-called "superspecial
multi-million dollar" could make them.
4. What Happened When Business Fell
to New Lows in the '30s?
Answer: In the late '20's, talking picture
grosses soared to unheard of heights. In the
early '30s, those same theatres dropped to
unbelievable lows. What did we do, then, to
bring it back?
(Continued on page 18
Suggested Ideas for Series Pictures
theatre, as there was nothing to suit their
taste. The more they got out of the habit,
the more they stayed away. This is continually
getting worse.
2. Why Has Child Attendance Fallen Off?
Answer: The easy alibi is "TV." The true
answer: lack of product that pleases our children
or caters to them. In some of our
towns we have managed to hold the line, at
least, on Friday-Saturday and continue to
give them the type of shows we liked when
we were kids. In every instance child attendance
stayed up in these towns, despite
having to play many pictures over and over
again. Where w^e have changed policy, putting
heavy, big pictures on the "kid days,"
our child attendance has dropped to 50 per
cent of the former figures. There, the kids
Jack Brounagel believes that present day
newspaper comic strips present as many possibilities
for motion picture series as did "Blondie,"
"Harold Teen" and others two decades ago.
Among the series he suggests, based both on
comic strips and other current interests of young
people,
are:
MARY WORTH—A series with a middle-oged
woman which could be patterned otter the old
Dr. Christian films.
STEVE CANYON—Or other stories of the
Army —perhops a story of going through the
Strategic Air Command or stratosphere plane
training,
etc.
TEENAGE SERIES—Possibly patterned after the
Hardy or Jones Family series, taking the children
through high school and into college. Gasoline
Alley with Walt, Skeezix and family hove grown
up through the years in comics, and they seem
like part of the family to those who hove
followed
them.
BRENDA STARR—Or another story of news
papers. Look at the popularity of "Big Town"
for years on radio and television. It has been
years since we had any newspaper yarns.
DR. SERIES—Such as Dr. Christian or Dr
Kildaire. There is a Dr. Morgan in the comics
who could be used as basis.
NEW WESTERN STARS AND SERIES—This
we need as much as anything else, soys Braunagel.
"These are just a few of the ideas that can
be used for smaller pictures," he comments, 'and
this is leaving off o child star series such as
we had with 'Little Peppers' with Edith Fellows
and the Jane Withers stories."
BOXOFFICE April 21. 1956

I BUDDY
,
'
^ iSpySTBM'Oy^^
JANE RUSSELL- RICHARD EGAN
VAN JOHNSON VERA MILES
23 feces to
.
\
1 Bstket Street
COLOR by DE LUXE
^
J i
COLOR by DE LUXE
^
CiNemaScoPE
I Cinemascope
JOAN LESLIE
also starring
ccstarring
AGNES MOOREHEAD
CECIL PARKER
„i,h
MICHAEL PATE
HENRY EPHRON
Produced by
Produced by Directed by Screenplay by
Directed by HENRY HATHAWAY
Screer,play by NIGEL BALCHIN
Rased on a Novel by Philip MacDonald

!.(,
JO^^ «
The spectacular story
of D-Day. . . and a
searing romance!
\
'eSs2'^--'
ROBERT VIRGINIA JEFFREY
RYAN MAYO HUNTER
THE
Proud ones
COLOR by DE LUXE
CINemaScoPE"
—". ROBERT MIDDLETON
-WALTER BRENNAN
RODOLFO ACOSTA • ARTHUR O'CONNELL
Produced by ROBERT L. JACKS
Directed by ROBERT D. WEBB
screenplay by EDMUND NORTH and JOSEPH PETRACM
ROBERT RICHARD DA
TAYLOR TODD WYNTER- O'BRIEN
.^iS^THE SIXTH .
OF JUNE
XiUA-^
COLOR by DE LUXE ,
C|Nema5coP£
-JOHN WILLIAMS
Produced by
CHARLES BRACKETT
Directed by HENRY KOSTER
npiay b" IVAN MOFFAT and HARRY BROWN

Old W6 Films Will Go
To Theatres Firsl
NEW YORK—Two rerelease packages of 52
Warner Bros, features each will be marketed
to theatres through franchise holders of
Dominant Pictui-es Co., a subsidiary of Eliot
Hyman's Associated Artists Productions, according
to Norman Katz. executive vice-
of Dominant. Each package will
president
carry a TV restriction clause barring TV
showings of the films until after their theatrical
distribution.
The first package of 52 features, considered
the most commercial theatrically, will include
"Casablanca," "Mildred Pierce," "Rope,"
"The Fighting 69th." "King's Row," "Night
and Day," "Task Force," "Dark Passage,"
"Look for the Silver Lining." "Black Fury" and
"I Was a Fugitive From a Chain Gang." Several
Errol Plynn starring pictures also will be
in this group. The TV restriction clause will
bar them from TV screens until Sept. 1, 1957.
The second package of 52 features will contain
films which will be barred to TV until
six months after their theatrical distribution.
In addition to these two packages. Dominant
will release a special group of silent films,
marketed to art theatres, and a special group
of Al Jolson pictures. Another group may be
composed of film classics such as "The Green
Pastures." "Tlie Petrified Forest," "A Midsummer
Night's Dream." for art house showings
only. On the art house films, there will
be no TV restriction clause. The balance of
the features will go into theatrical release as
selected, Katz said.
Approximately 850 Warner Bros, pictures
were in the library purchased by PRM, Inc..
all of them to be distributed both to theatres
and TV by Associated Artists through Dominant.
The first package of 52 pictures should "get
rolling" in afbout 45 days, or June 1. Katz said.
The TV package of Warner Bros, films was
to be announced at the National Ass'n of
Radio and Television Broadcasters in Chicago,
starting April 15.
To Reissue 'King Kong'
NEW YORK—"King Kong" will be reissued
again by RKO Radio in June in spite of the
fact that it was shown recently on television.
"Kong" will be coupled with "I Walked With
a Zombie."
little
Pictures
(Continued from 15)
First, we found new stars. Those were the
days when most of the big stars of today got
their start.
Second, we went after the masses with light
family entertainment at low prices they could
afford.
Third, we went after the child trade—and
the quotation "a little child shall lead them"
certainly did fit the movies. Shii'ley Temple
made a little quickie called "Little Miss
Marker." She was "discovered" and became
a sensation. She saved Fox from bankruptcy.
Taking the tip, Universal found its child
star, this time, one a bit older, in Deanna
Durbin. Look at the financial statement of
Universal when Deanna saved that studio
from receivership. There were other children—all
doing nearly as well—Jackie Cooper
at Metro and Jane Withers at Fox, to name
a
couple.
Yet, we have not had a child star on our
screens in at least 10 years. Ai-e the children
of today any different than the children
of 20 years ago? We doubt it—they still like
"Davy Crockett," Mickey Mouse and the
same things we liked as kids. But are we
of the movie industry giving them what we
liked?
As an example, in one of our towns this
Sunday, with four theatres, only one had a
picture that children could attend—and that
is second run— if they saw it first run they
would have to stay home this weekend.
Is that keeping up the movie habit? Look
in your own home town paper, big city or
How many pictures are there that
little.
your children would want to see? When
there's nothing they want to see, they find
their entertainment elsewhere.
And what are we doing with the teenager?
Do we have stories they want—such as we
had in the old days, modern stories with
Joan Crawford, high school stories like the
Hardy's and Jones family, small-town family
stories like Dr. Christian, hill-billy stories
like Lum and Abner. National Barn
Dance stars and others? If they have them.
we can't find them for our theatres
Yes. we'll admit, for every hit there might
be 100 misses, but how much missing did it
take to make Crosby a star? Was it worth it?
Well, he made millions for Paramount.
Crosby, and the exhibitors, even though he
had to start in two-reel comedies for Sennett,
then small pictures until the public demanded
him. And Dorothy Lamour—she, too,
made it for us. Yet, her first picture was a
little thing called "Jungle Princess," no one
expected much of it. But it made a star in
a sarong that meant millions to Paramount
and exhibitors,
too.
We could go on and on with examples, but
you should be getting the idea by now. We
are going stagnant with old people.
The producers are getting old. All they
know are the people who were names "when
they were young." The exhibitors have gotten
to
be the same—but the public and potential
theatregoers have young ideas. We're trying
to sell them Model A Fords in a Thunderbird
era. It just can't be done!
5. What Might Be Done?
Answer; One solution would be for producers
to start their own "farms." as they
used to—making two little pictures with
young people for every big one they make.
Make them inexpensively, give young producers,
directors, and stars a chance to give
youth what they want. Sure they'll lose
some money for awhile, and we exhibitors
might lose for awhile, too, trying to convince
the public we were giving them massappeal
entertainment again. But they
wouldn't lose as much in a year as they lose
on one "Prodigal," "Scarlet Coat," "King's
Thief" and many other "super spectacles,"
and they might develop one star who would
pay all losses back in six months.
If we don't do something to "go modern"
for the youth of today, we'll go with the
horse and buggy.
Are we big enough to admit our mistakes?
They must be mistakes with attendance in
the theatres constantly dropping—and try
some other method, one that has proven successful
in the past. Just look at the record.
Let's quit trying to sell Model A Fords to
the Thunderbird trade; four cylinder cars
to the eight cylinder demand; and old men
bandleaders to the teenage kids; grandfather
lovers to the bobby-soxers—and 50-year
old women made up to look like 25! The kids
aren't that dumb (and by kids we mean
from 10 to 301. Talk to them. They want
their James Deans and their own stars, just
as we wanted Judy Garland and young and
sophisticated Colberts. Youngs and others,
and our romantic Gables and Nelson Eddys.
And the kids want some "new" Autrys, Rogers
and Burnettes of their own—not just "old
furniture" Mom and Dad have handed down
to them.
LET'S GET OUT OF THE ROCKING
CHAIR AND GET IN THE GROOVE!
PASSES FOR THE BARKERS— All the principal theatre operators in the Broadway
sector have agreed to donate passes for barkers and their wives who attend the 20th
annual convention of Variety Clubs International at the Waldorf-Astoria May 9-12.
Left to right: Robert Shapiro, Paramount Theatre; Harry Greenman, Capitol; Larry
Morris, Criterion; Martin Levine, convention chairman; Russell Downing, Radio City
Music Hall, and Jim Bruno, Loew's State.
Many Audiences to See
Skiatron 'Lab' on TV
NEW YORK—Television audiences in 62
cities will be taken on a TV tour of the
laboratory of Skiatron Electronics & Televi-
.sion Corp. in New York over the next few
months, according to Arthur Levey, president.
Quentin Reynolds will introduce Levey. The
program is titled "Operations Success." It
already has been seen over station WNBT
here, WGTH in Hartford and KHJ in Los
Angeles.
New Pittsburgh Exchange
PITTSBURGH — The local 20th-Fox exchange
has moved to new quarters, 1723-25
Boulevard of the Allies.
BOXOFFICE April 21. 1956

MAJOR PROMOTION CAMPAIGN
CREATED FOR ALEXANDER
MTURK PAGE HERE
CifciK-ityle ballyhoo vros o moinstay of expio
and Capitol Theatre for the coJofful N. Y. C(^/'

. . W
. . Su|ierh
Alexander'
Captures
Theme
Windows
The color and spectacle of the storied
lands of Alexander's conquests inspired a
whole series of window displays in connection
with the United Artists epic's regional
openings during the Easter holiday
period.
Tra\el agencies, aiilines and depaitnient
NEW YORK CRITICS PACE NATION
IN ACCLAIM FOR 'ALEXANDER'
NEW YOitk DAILY NEWS:
Highest rating . . . "Alexander'" is a stupendous film . . . An al
drama . . . Rossen has succeeded in bringing this fascinating porti
THE NEW
to the screen in a vivi
YORK TIMES:
exciting
picture.
)rbing
historica
I of ancient his
Spectacular entertainment . . . E.xciting pageant . . . Eye filling and spectacular . . .
The sound and fury and the violence and bestiality of
men and animals crashing in combat 2,.300 years ago makes a colorful and thunderous
.show.
\L\\ YOlIk JOl i;\ALAMERICAN:
A inighlN motion picture . . . "Alexander the Great" IS great . . . Overwhelming
... A triumph of stunning scenic effects, stirring acting, strikingly photography .. .
Everything about "Alexander the Great" is big — big cast, big scenes, big screen,
liig cost, liig picture ... A monumental joii.
NEW YORK WORLD-TELEGRAM AND SLN:
Numerous vast battle
Excitement se?kers will find their wants amply filled . . .
scenes rankins in scale and ferocitv with an\thin.stery Man"
coiiiisi was sii ii|i by Manager Forrest
III i-nn nl 111.' Majestic in Dallas
in collaboralion uilh ihc Jcin .b.hn^ni,
T\ program o„ KKI D ..i \nr .laNand
d,'s,,il,rd ,,\rr llic sl„,„. L,„ |, ,Ln
.hi-s urrr ,-idai'ir,l. Tl„. uiiinri uas
r.-.|nirr,l I,, id,„lil\ ll„. ualkini; McNaiulr,
as lir u;.|krd llir dnunlnun" ar,Ms aii.l
snlinrlian s|i,,p|,in;.: crnlris.
Locw's Stillman in Cleveland gave "Alexander the Great" tlie "colossal" treatment wrth a special setpiece
in the lobby based on the exciting full-color art which dominates the UA ad campaign. Beords,
helmets and Greek costumes made young "warriors" of the theatre's staff, who paraded around town.
BOXOFFICE :: April 21. 1956
^ V^V^
^m
LIFT UP HERE

CIRCUS-STYLE BALLYHOO MARKS
20 ALEXANDER PREMIERES
Elephants, Gladiators, Slave Girls
Icr and rack ilisplays plus "sce-thc-picturc"
v\ rappers on all disjjlay books. Local truck
llccls of the American News Co. and
ik-sid.- poM bunk.
Add Spectacle to Local Campaigns
Ii.iIk-iI Ixosscii's CiiicinaScopf spectacle.
Alexander The Great," is riding the
crest of some spectacular showmanship
launchings to a solid holdover record in
each of its 20 regional engagements. Other
key factors in "'Alexander's" recordbreaking
pace are the unprecedented million-dollar
advertising campaign in newspapers
and magazines plus the unanimous
acclaim by critics in every premiere city.
The film, which reportedly is breaking
records from coast to coast, looms as United
Artists all-time boxoffice success. The picture
grossed more than $100,000 in its
first week at the Capitol, New York, topping
every record held by a I A film at
this Broadway showplace. The tremendous
boxoffice power of "Alexander" in New^
York is being paralleled in all other initial
dates around the country.
Adopting a policy of circus-style bally
on the local level to implement the all-media
preselling campaign. United Artists' director
of national advertising, publicity
and exploitation Roger H. Lewis and his
staff blueprinted a basic showmanship
schedule that called for wide use of elephants,
chariots, slave girls, parades and
music. Supporting elements included a citywide
merchandising campaign, intensive
exploitation in schools and a record series
of personal appearances by many of the
kev personnel related to the picture's production.
Posters, color stills
and on "Alexander" helmet liighlightcd
this men's furnishings window featuring the
Shields "Alexander" collection of cuff links and
tie clasps and the Burma-Bibas "Alexander" tics.
The store touted the Capitol Theatre opening in
the crowded Rockefeller Center area in New York.
A (loubic-iuurclci! opening barrage on
both coasts launched the spectacle on its
American release. Both the New York
Capitol benefit premiere, sponsored by
the Metropolitan Council and Cinema
Lodge of B'nai B'rith, and the Los Angeles
ojjening at the Fox Wilshire for the benefit
of the Olympic Fund, were nationally
telecast "live"' and on film over Steve
Allen's "Tonight" show on NBC. Taped
recordings of the two-city jiremierc ci>rcmonies
were broadcast over a HOO-sialidii
Mutual network on the Ray Healhcrldti
program and over the 200-station ""Monitor"
net on NBC.
Stunts Are Show-Stoppers
To emphasize the size and color of the
spectacular entertainment in "Alexander
The Great" a series of crowd-stopping
circus stunts were developed and adapted
for each of the initial regional openings.
Among these area premieres were: Atlanta,
Loew's Grand; Baltimore. New Theatre;
Buffalo, Loew's Buffalo; Cleveland, Loew's
Stillman; Dallas, Majestic Theatre; Denver,
Paramount Theatre, and Ft. Lauderdale,
Florida Theatre.
Also Houston, Loew's Theatre; Chicago,
Chicago Theatre; San Francisco, L^nited
Artists Theatre; Miami, Loew's Riviera,
and Tampa, Palace Theatre.
Lead-off stunt was the tour of three
brightly-painted elephants which were "registered"
at local hotels and paraded through
each city in advance of their particii)ation
in the gala evening opening ceremonies.
Additionally, Grecian chariots carrying
"slave maidens." parades of armored
"Greek warriors" and huge, gaily decorated
floats supplemented the on-street
|)enetration. It is estimated that in New
^ ;|.V(Hi(i.n s20.000,000 for the
film and i~ a|ijl\iMi: ihe most intensive
local level show m ni-liip to
In
realize this goal.
BOXOFFICE :: April 21. 1956

THE COLOSSUS WHO CONQUERED THE VI^ORLD
NOW. . .
THE COLOSSUS OF" MOTION PICTURES!
»i^^^
^^^S!wWiWn
||MjMK||j||||^^
BaLlBiaBgMlilPMBtoMIEifiaM
imnna

which
Stanley Warner Net
Up for Six Months
NEW YORK— Net. profit of Stanley Warner
Corp. for the 13 weeks ending February 25
rose to $818,580 from $625,000 for the same
quarter the previous year. This was after all
charges, including income taxes.
Theatre admi.s.sions and merchandise sales,
rents from tenant-s and concession income
jumped to $23,450,638 from $22,091,429 in the
same quarter for 1955.
The consolidated profit before deducting
provisions for U. S. and Canadian income
taxes was $1,593,600 after deducting depreciation
and amortization of $1,216,800.
The net profit for the 26 weeks ending
February 25. after all charges, was $1,629,000,
equivalent to 74 cents per share on the outstanding
common stock. This compares to
$1,621,600. equivalent to 73 cents per share on
the common stock outstanding during the 26-
week period. The charge for depreciation and
amortization in the 26-week period was $2,443.-
700. compaied with $2,273,000 for the same
period in the prior year.
Stanley Warner operates approximately 275
theatres in the United States.
It is now developing plans for a broader
exhibition of Cinerama pictiu-es. Plans are
under way to open "Seven Wonders of the
World." the third Cinerama production, which
opened last week in New York, in various cities
within a few months.
One of the Stanley Warner wholly owned
subsidiaries is International Latex Corp.. a
producer of girdles, bras. Latex gloves and
infants wear sold under the name of Playtex.
CALENDARiEVENTS
APRIL
Pagnol Forms Production
Company in France
NEW YORK—Marcel Pagnol. French playwright,
has organized Mediterranean Films
in Paris to produce a schedule of French pictures
which will include at least one Pagnol
production each year, according to Frederic
Heldt, Pagnol's general manager. Heldt was
in the U. S. to discuss with the Legion of
Decency the possibility of a reconsideration
of its "Condemned" rating for "Letters From
My Windmill." Pagnol picture now playing at
the Paris Theatre, New York.
For 1956. Mediterranean's schedule will include:
"L'Ingenue De M. Brun," based on an
original play to be directed by Pagnol: "The
Baker's Wife." a new Italian version of Pagnol's
French film classic, to be directed by
Luigi Camarini with Alberto Sordi starred
as the baker, and "Morin. the Pig." based on
the DeMaupassant novel, to be directed by
Jean Boyer with Noel-Noel starred in the
title role. Pagnol's previous films, in addition
to "The Baker's Wife," released in the
IT. S. in 1940. and the current "Letters From
My Windmill," also include: "Harvest," released
in 1939. and the trilogy of "Marius."
"Cesar" and "Fanny." on w^hich the current
Broadway musical hit is based.
Heldt. who is chairman of the board of
Mediterranean Films, was in Hollywood to
meet with executives of Paramount and with
William Wyler. director, in connection with
the company's production plans for "Birth of
Love." an original screenplay by Pagnol. and to
confer with the Production Code authorities
in connection with the application for a seal
for "Letters From My Windmill. " was
refused.

FIRST CAMPAIGNS IN THE CIRCUS MANNER
U.S. Exhibitors Find 'Alexander' a Goldmine for Exploitation
and Ballyhoo Ideas
n
i-'fMi
A magnificent float representing a Greek temple, replete with Greek
warrior and slave maidens, was seen throughout Los Angeles and its
neighboring communities in advance of the west coast premiere of
"Alexander the Great" at the Fox Wilshire Theatre.
XK
Manager Frank Henson of Loew's
State Theatre in St Louis arranged
for this locally constructed
"chariot," driven by Greek warrior
a
and "Grecian Goddess,"
to
This bevy of beautiful "slave girls" was assigned by Manage
th.
to Jack Wodell of the Paramount Theatre, Denver, cover
downtown area. This stunt won immediate and sustained atten
all tion from male passersby, and was repeated by Manage
Wodell for several days after the picture's opening.
keep the local populace fully aware
thot " 'Alexander the Greot' is
racing
your way!"
A chartered bus was employed by Manager Homer Mc-
Callon of Loew's Theatre, Houston, as an "Alexander" spearhead
to move in downtown troffic and around suburban
shopping centers for six days preceding the picture's opening.
The fomiliar bus in its new raiment insured extra eye
Taking advantage of a lively Boys' Club group in Atlanta, Manager Boyd Fry of Loew's
Grand set up an Olympics in front of his theatre in which 150 members participated.
Jesse Draper, president of Atlanta Boys' Clubs, congratulates winner Steve Karakas.
appeal for Houston moviegoers.

Stanley Warner Net
Up for Six Months
NEW YORK—Net profit of Stanley Warner
Corp. for the 13 weeks ending: February 25
rose to S818,580 from $625,000 for the same
quarter the previous year. Tliis was after all
charges, including income taxes.
Theatre admissions and merchandise sales,
rents from t«nant,s and concession income
jumped to $23,450,638 from $22,091,429 in the
same quarter for 1955.
The consolidated profit before deducting
provisions for U. S. and Canadian income
taxes was $1,593,600
after deducting depreciation
and amortization of $1,216,800.
The net profit for the 26 weeks ending
February 25, after all charges, was $1,629,000,
equivalent to 74 cents per share on the outstanding
common stock. This compares to
$1,621,600, equivalent to 73 cents per share on
the common stock outstanding during the 26-
week period. The charge for depreciation and
amortization in the 26-\veek period was $2,443,-
700, compai-ed with $2,273,000 for the same
period in the prior yeai-.
Stanley Warner operates approximately 275
theatres in the United States.
It is now developing plans for a broader
exhibition of Cinerama pictures. Plans are
under way to open "Seven Wonders of the
World," the third Cinerama production, which
opened last week in New York, in various cities
within a few months.
One of the Stanley Warner wholly owned
subsidiaries is International Latex Corp., a
producer of girdles, bras. Latex gloves and
infants wear sold under the name of Playtex.
CALENDARiEVENTS
APRIL
M T W T F S
12 3 4 5 6 7
S
8 9 10 II 12 13 H
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30
Pagnol Forms Production
Company in France
NEW YORK—Marcel Pagnol, French playwright,
has organized Mediterranean Films
in Paris to produce a schedule of French pictures
which will include at least one Pagnol
production each year, according to Frederic
Heldt, Pagnol's general manager. Heldt was
in the U. S. to discuss with the Legion of
Decency the possibility of a reconsideration
of its "Condemned" rating for "Letters From
My Windmill," Pagnol picture now playing at
the Paris Theatre, New York.
For 1956, Mediterranean's schedule will include:
"L'Ingenue De M. Brun," based on an
original play to be directed by Pagnol: "The
Baker's Wife." a new Italian version of Pagnol's
French film classic, to be directed by
Luigi Camarini with Alberto Sordi starred
as the baker, and "Morin, the Pig," based on
the DeMaupassant novel, to be directed by
Jean Boyer with Noel-Noel starred in the
title role. Pagnol's previous films, in addition
to "The Baker's Wife," released in the
U. S. in 1940. and the current "Letters Pi'oni
My Windmill." also include: "Harvest," released
in 1939, and the trilogy of "Marius,"
"Cesar" and "Fanny," on which the current
Broadway musical hit is based.
Heldt, who is chairman of the board of
Mediterranean Films, was in Hollywood to
meet with executives of Paramount and with
William Wyler, director, in connection with
the company's production plans for "Birth of
Love." an original screenplay by Pagnol, and to
confer w^ith the Production Code authorities
in connection with the application for a seal
for "Letters Prom My Windmill," which was
refused.

. . Pat
. . Among
. . Another
. . Bel-Air
'i^oUtfCiAMcC ^eftont
'loey/ Recent TV Play,
Bought by Paramount
Another TV-to-films sale was recorded
when Paramount purchased "Joey." recently
presented on NBC's TV Playhouse, and assigned
Robert Emmett Dolan to produce
the theatrical screen version of the property,
penned by Louis Peterson. Anthony Perkins,
who starred in the teleplay. will repeat his
role in the upcoming project, screenplay for
which will be written by Peterson. Scheduled
for an October start, it casts Perkins as a
lonely youth befriended by a striptease
dancer, who convinces liim he should rebel
against dominant parents who have always
treated him as an incompetent child . . .
MGM secured an option to purchase "East
Wind. Rain." a factual account of the
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which
plunged the U. S. into World War II. It is
currently being written by Walter Lord with
the assistance of the research staffs of Time
and Life, and borrows its title from the code
word used by the Nipponese for the attack.
Prior to its filming, "Rain" will be published
in Life and later in book form . . . Release
through United Artists has been set by independent
producer Collier Young for "The
Halliday Brand." an original screenplay just
purchased from authors George George and
George Slavin. It has a locale of Texas in
the 1870s. Young recently wound "Huk." also
for UA, with George Montgomery and Mona
Freeman in the starring spots . . . For addition
to his schedule at Allied Artists, filmmaker
Vincent M. Fennelly bought "Capital
Punishment," a yarn by James Hanlan.
MGM Lends Ava Gardner
To Robson and Herbert
MGM simultaneously disclosed it has lent
Ava Gardner to producers Mark Robson
and F. Hugh Herbert for the starring spot in
their projected independent venture. "The
Little Hut." and will release the opus, which
is slated to go into work In Europe, probably
this summer.
Herbert scripted and Robson will direct the
offering, an offbeat love story based on the
tome by Andre Roussin. adapted for the stage
by Nancy Mitford.
The casting is the first for Miss Gardner
since slie recently completed, for MGM.
"Bhowani Junction." a Pandro S. Berman
production which was made in India.
Felicia Farr Replaces
Joan Collins in Film
On the casting front: Joan Collins, balking
at her assignment to the femme lead in
20th-Fox's Richard Widmark starrer. "The
Last Wagon," has been replaced therein by
Felicia Farr, borrowed by the Westwood film
foundry from Columbia, where Miss Farr is
under term contract . Crowley, once a
Paramount contractee, returns to that lot to
co-star with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in
By
IVAN SPEAR
the Hal Wallis production, "Hollywood or
Bust" . . . Jeff Donnell. Lucy Marlow and
Aline MacMahon drew featured roles in "The
Guns of Fort Petticoat." the Audie Murphy
topliner at Columbia . . . Ann Miller will costar
with Cyd Charisse in MGM's upcoming
musical, "Silk Stockings," which will feature
a score by Cole Porter . the male
thespians. Raymond Bui-r drew a top spot in
"The Brass Legend." a Robert Goldstein
production for United Artists, which stars
Richard Denning was
Hugh O'Brian . . .
booker for the masculine lead in "Hell
Raiders," soon to go before the cameras as
Charlton
a Golden State production
Heston will portray Andrew Jackson in "The
Buccaneer." being readied by the Cecil B.
DeMille unit at Paramount, and which will
star Yul Brynner as the pirate Jean LaFitte.
Paramount Hits New High
In Production Activity
With tlie launching of tiie Hal Wallis production,
"Hollywood or Bust," starring Dean
Martin and Jerry Lewis and being directed
by Frank Tashlin, filming activity on the
Paramount lot has hit a new high as compared
to the index in recent seasons and is
expected to continue at an accelerated pace
throughout the summer.
In addition to the Wallis project, currently
before the cameras are "Gunfight at the OK
Corral." also a Wallis entry: "Funny Face."
"The Loves of Omar Khayyam." "The Lonely
Man" and "The Maverick."
Four more pictures are slated to roll in
June. They include "The Jim Piersall Story,"
an account of baseballer Jim Piersall's mental
crackup and recovery, to star newcomer
Anthony Perkins, which Robert Mulligan will
direct for producer Alan Pakula: "The Rainmaker."
a Wallis filmization of the Broadway
play, to be megged by Joseph Anthony with
a cast headed by Katharine Hepburn and
Bui't Lancaster; "The Buster Keaton Story,"
toplining Donald O'Connor as the famous
frozen-faced comedian, to be co-produced by
Robert Smith and Sidney Sheldon and directed
by the latter, and "Flamenca," which
will be shot entirely on location in Spain,
with Bruce Odium producing and Donald
Siegel as the megaphonist.
Witmark & Sons Publishes
'Searchers' Theme Song
Short takes from the sound stages: "The
Searchers." theme song clefted by Stan Jones
for the C. V. 'Whitney Pictm-es film, starring
John Wayne and being distributed by Warners,
has been published by M. Witmai-k &
Sons, and will be utilized in exploitation efforts
in connection with the picture, which is
slated for national release May 26 . . . William
Broidy's next independent production for
Allied Ai-tists will be "The Big Blaze," utilizing
a script by D. D. Beauchamp from an
original by Louis Stevens . . . Universal-International
added another star name to its
stable by signing Lana Tiuner to topline
an as-yet unselected property. Edward Muhl,
U-I production chief, said the ticket is a
participating arrangement similar to those
previously arranged by the studio with James
Stewart, Alan Ladd and Tyrone Power. It's
the first outside commitment for Mi.ss Turner
since she recently renegotiated her long-term
MGM pact to permit outside assignments.
Hecht-Lancaster Adds
Two Films to Slate
As a corollary to the trade
ment of a renewal of the Hecht-Lancaster
distribution ticket with United Artists,
a multiple-picture deal over an "extended
period of time," H-L disclosed it
has added two new projects to its slate.
They are an untitled western tunefilm,
which will co-star Burt Lancaster and
Tony Cm-tis, and "Dm-ango," a largescale
outdoor drama.
Other properties in prep)aration under
the H-L aegis include "Cry Tough," from
a novel by Irving Shulman; the Irwin
Shaw best-seller, "Lucy Crown"; "The
Hitchhiker," by the PYench novelist,
Georges Simenon; James Thurber's "The
Catbird Seat," and "Blaze of the Sun,"
"Tlie Tall Dark Man," "The Last Chukker,"
"Tell It on the Drums" and "Separate
Tables."
UA president Arthur Krim and board
chairman Robert Benjamin, who negotiated
the new commitment, paid tribute
to the H-L organization for its talent.
The Naked Eye' Filming
Is Nearing Completion
Featuring the work of amateur and professional
photographers, past and present,
and ranging from Daguerre and Brady to
Weegee and Edward Weston, filming is nearly
completed on "The Naked Eye," a 72-minute
color documentary written and being produced
and directed by Louis Clyde Stoumen
under the banner of Camera Eye Pictures.
Stoumen has signed Raymond Massey to
narrate the subject, material for which was
furnished by Life magazine. New York's
Museum of Modern Ai-t and the George
Eastman House. No releasing arrangements
have been announced.
Books and Authors Club
Gives Studio A'wards
Filmdom still is harvesting a bumper crop
of awards tossed its way for motion picture
achievement during the year just concluded.
Latest organization to climb aboard the
kudos bandwagon was the Books and Authors
club, which at its eighth annual session
handed out tributes to studios adjudged as
having done the "most outstanding" Job in
adapting printed tomes into celluloid entertainment.
The winners:
MGM. for "I'll Cry Tomorrow," the biography
of Lillian Roth; 20th Century-Fox,
"Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing"; Paramount,
"To Catch a Thief," and Columbia-
Warwick's "Cockleshell Heroes."
Two Television Directors
Booked by Film Studios
TV megaphonist John Frankenhelmer was
booked by RKO Radio to pilot "Strike a
Blow," theatrical film version of a CBS-TV
"Climax" show .
television di-
rector recruited for Hollywood chores is
Robert Mulligan, who will helm Paramount's
"The Jim Piersall Story" Productions
booked Lesley Selander. veteran
director of action subjects, to meg "Fort
Laramie," which rolls on location late this
month for United Artists release.
28 BOXOFFICE April 21. 1956

LETTERS
Some Thoughts on Sound
The theatre that I am sitting in is modern.
We have stuck about $46,000 into it. since
we bought it. It seats 400. We work hard at
it, to show perfection in all departments.
From what I see in my travels. I know we
are doing a good job—much superior to the
average, including some metropolitan firstrun
houses.
January first of this year Cinemascope
came to Columbia Falls. We have a 24-foot
wide room, and we got a 14' by 21' screen into
it. It used to be 15' by 11'.
We now have shown 12 Cinemascope programs.
Our business is no better and no
worse than it was before CinemaScope. We
made money on some, and lost on some.
How I will get back the $3,500 the conversion
cost, I have not figured out yet. In fact,
what I got, except the availability of more
product in the better grade. I have not figured
out either. The quality of my image on
the screen certainly has not improved, at
least not when comparing it with Vista-
Vision (this I say in spite of Mr. Harrison's
opinion).
NOT FOR 24-FOOT THEATRE
Now comes CinemaScope 55. and multichannel
magnetic sound. I don't think it
will succeed, and I don't think that other
distributors will fall for that, like they did
for CinemaScope. Multi-channels are not
suitable for a 24-foot room. The difference
in sound is not appreciated by the public,
excepting some high-fi fans, of which we only
have two in town. As a rule, you will find
that people adjust their tone control in the
radios and TV sets to a lower setting than it
should be, because they like it that way. I
do have competition with magnetic sound.
My customers do go to the "larger city" to
shows, but they tell me that they like my
sound better. To sum it up, I am interested
in selling tickets, not gadgetry. The most successful
movies had, as a foundation, story,
cast and direction, not gadgets.
All the mechanical perfection being aimed
at, is no better than the projectionist in
some booth. Or the condition of the equipment,
or its adjustments. If a man is critical,
actually critical, a perfectionist, he will have
a hard time sitting through any movie.
Either the sound blows you out, or you can't
hear it; or you hear one speaker loud, and
the other weak, or the picture is poorly
focused. I am not quoting exceptions, I am
quoting the rule. Just go out to some movies,
and try and find one that exhibits perfectly.
The latest experience I had prompted me
to write this letter. I saw "Carousel" advertised
in San Diego. My wife and I took time
out for education and enjoyment. Education
is what we got. The admission price was
LIKES REVIEW FORMAT
Thank you. BOXOFFK'E, for again
reverting to form of synopsis and
a
analysis which we can place in our card
file. This file was started when you inaugurated
the small forms some 15 years
ago and is complete except for the period
just
finished.
Sipe Theatre,
Kokomo. Ind.
.1. Dl'TTON
out ol roa.-'Un. How doe.s anyone expect people
to regularly pay that kind of money for
two hours of entertainment? The theatre
was modernized out front, inside it was outmoded
and worn out. They repaiied their
carpels with white surgical tape. The light
fixtures belonged in a museum. The entire
decor would fit into the Berry Farm.
Well, we went to see a show, not the carpets.
We went to see and hear Cinemascope
55. We saw-: a show out of focus the
first 60 minutes, sharp thereafter (we don't
know if it is photography or operator, when
it comes to focus). The sound was annoying,
because different speakers were not in balance
as to volume, or the two projectors did
not have the same output. Now I am critical,
but my wife is not. When she sits through a
show, she doesn't know afterwards anything
about the technical aspects. She just knows
if she enjoyed the show. After this show,
however, she remarked to me about sharpness
and sound.
So why should I buy magnetic sound? If
I keep my two machines balanced, watch for
proper volume, and the best focus that the
photography allows, my customers will like a
good show, if it is their type.
If the two sounds are put on one film, like
MGM is doing, the same print can be used
in every house. I know- that my theatre and
the other 10,000 theatres of my size are peanut
stands. But I also know that without
us, the distribtuors' profit is shot. They
need us and we need them. Sound costs the
same for a 400-seat house, as it does for a
1,400-seat house. But the 400-seat house has
had to spend enough already, and I, for one,
am not going to sign another note, until the
last one is paid up. And then I am going to
buy new carpets.
NEED VOLUME ADJUSTERS
To those distributors who want to keep
their gadget departments busy, I can give a
suggestion, something that this industry
really needs:
Something that hangs on the auditorium
rear wall, and automatically adjusts for
proper volume, or something that gives the
operator an indication, on a meter, what the
volume actually is downstairs. Or a sound
track that gives uniform volume for all features.
Next, an automatic device, that does all the
focusing, and lets the operator rest. This
latter one ought to keep the gadget departments
busy, so that distributors can, again,
put all their efforts into what their company
produces. I think that some producers have
lost sight of what is important, and of first
importance is to make movies that people
first want to see, and then tell their neighbor
to see it, too.
The other ailment, the one where the large
houses are pricing themselvs out of business,
also needs attention. Anytime a theatre
charges so much that people have to think
twice if they can go to see a show, mass entertainment
has come to an end. I expect
every adult in my trade area to come to my
theatre twice a month. That's minimum. If
they don't do that, I go to work. It's always
my fault when they don't come, in spite of
TV. If I can't drag them out. either I have
fallen asleep at the helm, or I did not book
my product properly, or I did not publicize
it properly. And by publicizing I do not
mean extra large ads, but the right kind of
ads. The kind of words that appeal to my particular
type of customers.
Park Theatre.
Columbia Falls, Mont.
A, E. MASSMAN
Film Stars on TV
There Ls no star in Hollywood, including
Marilyn Monroe, big enough to appear before
the public week in and week out on TV and
screen and not wear out his or her popularity.
It seems to me that this is the danger
which the stars face who are playing the
game from both ends, appearing in TV shows
and also starring in movies.
Today we see many of the Hollywood players,
who are featured or starred in some of
our better grade features, constantly on TV
and some of them even have weekly shows.
TV fans will probably go for this once-aweek
idea, because they feel that the TV show
is for free. No TV owner stops to figure the
cost of the set, the depreciation, cost of .service
and the increased cost at the stores and
places for the things advertised. However,
when the same faces appear on the screens
of the movie theatres, it's another thing.
Why should the TV-viewer buy an admission
ticket to see the star in a movie in a
theatre, when the viewer is entertained (if
TV can be classed as entertainment what
with all the commercials thrown in) free in
his or her home by the same personality?
Of course, when the movies which have
been sold to TV by many of the majors hit
the screens, the situation will become worse.
This will add one for showing of the star
to the folks at home, will then tend to wear
out the star much quicker.
FEARS PUBLIC REACTION
From a distance from Hollywood, it's rather
hard tor an individual in the business of
showing movies in a theatre to really understand
just what is occurring in the film
capital. Majors sell movies for showing on
TV, which certainly is going to make a terrific
dent in theatre attendance. Our stars of
today will be seen in these movies, are seen
on weekly TV shows and also in our present
movies. The public will tire of them very
fast.
Here's an example: A theatre manager who
played "Miracle in the Rain," told me that,
despite the fact that it w-as a very good movie
of its kind, business was way off. He decided
to do some snooping among his town's
population who did not turn out to see the
movie. His detective w'ork revealed that
people saw Jane Wyman every week on TV
and w-ere not inclined to see her in "Miracle
in the Rain."
It may be that, in the futiu-e, the producers
will have to, again, sign up the players with
clauses in their contracts that they cannot
appear on TV. They will have to make a
choice. The good side of the story might be
that the sooner the TV audience tires of a
face, the sooner they will return to the
movies. However, the face they tire of might
be the face starred in our movie for this
week.
OLE TIMER
April 21. 1956

7iJcf^Ai«t^tcK
^cfi

the
The First
Production,
THE SEARCHERS
Second
Production
of
the
American
Scene
C. V. WHITNEY PICTURES INC.
MERIAN C.
COOPER, Vice-President in Charge of Production
**wWvi|flW i,'f
""'"
will be the
picturization
of a brilliant
novel, personally
selected by
C. V. Whitney
UJ MISSOURI
f^n THAVaER
i

The
Missouri
Traveler
a novel by
JOHN
BURRESS
THE MISSOURI TRAVELER is the story of the heartland
of America— our great Middle West — often
"Mark Twain country".
called the
It is laid in the early twenties and peopled with enchanting
characters of this heartland as only John Burress,
since Mark Twain, has so realistically and warnnly captured.
C. V. Whitney and Merian C. Cooper will give THE
MISSOURI TRAVELER the same care in production they
gave THE SEARCHERS, which displays so magnificently the
rough Texas life of 1868-1873.

THE SEARCHERS was presented by C. V. Whitney,
president, with Merian C. Cooper, executive producer
John Ford, director; Patrick Ford, associate producer
Frank Nugent, screenplay; Winton C. Hoch, photography
H. Lee Van Hoozer, special assistant to the vice-president,
Lowell Farrell, production manager; in color by Technicolor;
in VistaVision.
C. V, Whitney Pictures, Inc., expects to give THE
MISSOURI TRAVELER the all-sfar casting that was done
in
THE SEARCHERS.
|i
For THE MISSOURI TRAVELER C. V. Whitney Pictures,
Inc., will team most of the same picture makers — C. V.
Whitney, president; Merian C. Cooper, executive producer;
Patrick Ford, associate producer; Frank Nugent, screenplay;
Winton C. Hoch, photography; H, Lee Van Hoozer,
special assistant to the vice-president; Lowell Farrell, production
manager; color by Technicolor; in VistaVision.
Whitney and Cooper have selected Ted TetzlafF,
famed for his direction of the Vatican sequence in Seven
Wonders of the World, to direct THE MISSOURI TRAVELER.

C. V. Whitney Pictures, Inc., hopes to put on the
screen the kind of spirit of the United States, which, in its
heartland, is, to quote the Vanguard Press, publishers of
THE MISSOURI TRAVELER.
"V/arm and happy and touched with the magic of
living as seen through young eyes."
From an interview with C. V. WHITNEY
by Thomas M. Pryor in the New York Times.
C. V. WHITNEY PICTURES, INC.
C. V. WHITNEY, President
MERIAN C. COOPER, Vice-President in Charge of Production
1256WESTWOOD BLVD., LOS ANGELES 24, CALIFORNIA

Federal Tax Repeal Seen
Aiding Many Businesses
NEW YORK—Continuation of the federal
admission tax threatens tlie existence of
10.900 of the country's 19,200 theatres and
along with them businesses established nearby
because the theatres attract people to the
neighborhoods.
That is the theme of the 62nd Council of
Motion Picture Organizations ad to appear in
EMitor & Publisher. It estimates the combined
valuation of the 10,900 theatres at
$1,457,000,000. Tlie ad continues:
"Huge as this figure is, it is obviously much
less than the value of the other businesses
dependent on the prosperity of the threatened
theatres. And. overshadowing the possible
dollar loss, is the threat to the people whose
livelihood is involved in these dependent businesses.
"Yet this army of people and this vast investment
of money are put in peril by the
tax that last year yielded the U. S. Treasury
only S80.000.000. Moreover, were the tax to be
repealed, the lo.

'
. :
Rep.)
, w.
I Pa.—
'Gray Flannel Suit'
Opens Strong;
Seven Wonders Sets New Record
NEW YORK—Two strong new pictures,
"The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit" and
"Seven Wonders of the World," third Cinerama
feature, opened to .smash business at
the Roxy Theatre and the two-a-day Warner
Theatre, respectively. "The Last Ten Days"
also had a big opening week at the tiny
World Theatre.
"The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit" did
the biggest first week's business at the Roxy
since "The Robe" in 1953. "Seven Wonders"
broke the all-time weekend reserved-seat
performance record in its first seven performances
for Saturday-Sunday (14, 15 1, according
to Lynn Farnol, for Cinerama. "Never
Say Goodbye" also had a fine one-week engagement
at the RKO Palace.
"Serenade." in its fourth strong week at
the Radio City Music Hall, where it is still
coupled with the annual Easter stage pageant,
headed the holdover pictures, followed by
"Alexander the Great," with a big third week
at the Capitol; "The Conqueror," also strong
in its third week at the Criterion; "Meet Me
in Las Vegas," in its fifth week at the Astor,
and "The Man Who Never Was," in its second
week at the Victoria. "Anything Goes" was
just fair in its fourth week at the Paramount
and both "Miracle in the Rain" and "Patterns"
were way off in their- third staiazas at
Loew's State and Mayfair, respectively,
"Oklahoma!" now in its 27th week of twoa-day
at the Rivoli Theatre, was seen by
approximately 400.000 patrons in its first 26
weeks and gros.sed over $1,000,000, according
to Magna Theatre Corp. The picture will
play its 500th performance and start its 28th
week Sunday (22 1. "Richard in" is close
to capacity in its sixth week of two-a-day at
the Bijou Theatre.
In addition to "The Last Ten Days," another
art film, "The Naked Night." had a
good opening week at the Little Carnegie
Theatre and "The LadykiUers," in its eighth
week at the Sutton, and "The Ballet of
Romeo and Juliet," in its second week at the
Paris are holding up in strong fashion.
"Diabolique" completed a big 20-week run
at the Fine Arts April 15 and was followed
by "French Can Can."
(Average Is 100)
Vegas (MGM), 5th wk
3ronet The Return of Don Co IFE), 3rd
III (Loperr), 6th wk. of two-o-day.
Great (UA), 3rd wk
-The Conqueror (RKO), 3rd wk
Criten
Fine Arts Diobolique (UMPO), 20th wk
55th Citizen Kone (RKO), reissue, 8fh wk. St.
Globe On the Threshold of Space (20th-Fox),
3rd
(U-l), Guild Touch and Go 4th wk
Little Carnegie The Noked Night (Times)..,
Loew's State
Moyfair— Patterns
Mirocle in the Rain (WB), 3rd wk
(UA), 3rd wk
—Never Say Goodbye ((J-l), plus vaudeville
ount Anything Goes (Para), 4th wk
-The Bollet of Romeo ond Juliet (Tohan),
Rivoli Oklahoma! (Magna) 27th wk of two o
day 115
Roxy The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (20th
Fox), plus ice revue 200
Sutton The LadykiUers 130
(Conf I) 8th wk
Victoria—The Man Who Never Was (20th Fox),
2nd wk 135
Warner—Seven Wonders of the World (SW) 1st
wk. of two-o-doy. 185
World The Lost Ten 160
Days (Col)
"Flannel Suit' Holds
Strong in Buffalo
BUFFALO—Business was rather quiet but
"The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit" held up
well enough to warrant a fourth week. The
surprise of the week was the failure of
"Carousel" to go over better in the Century.
Perhaps the price ($1.25 top) may be bit high
for the masses. "Guys and Dolls" ended its
record run in the Cinema with a 16th week,
which turned in a 95.
Buffalo—The Last Hunt (MGM) 1 05
Center The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (20th-
Fox), 3rd wk 125
Century-Carousel (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 100
Cinema Guys and Dolls (MGM), 16th wk 95
Lafayette Never Say Goodbye (U-l) 100
Paramount Miracle in the Rain (WB) 120
"Miracle in Rain' Opens
Well at Baltimore
BALTIMORE—Most of the first run bills
were holdovers. As a result, business was not
much better than average. Of the newcomers,
"Miracle in the Rain" was making the best
showing.
Century—Carousel (20th-Fox), 6th wk 85
Film Centre Oklahoma! (Magno), 6th 175
wk
Hippodrome Rock Around the Clock (Col);
Battle Stations (Col) 90
Little—Don Juan (Times) 85
'Carousel' and "Suit' Top
Pittsburgh Showings
PITTSBURGH—Two 20th-Fox offerings
apparently are on long runs here, "Carousel"
at the Fulton, and 'The Man in the Gray
Flannel Suit" at the J. P. Harris, being in
the hit classification.
Fulton Carousel (20th-Fox), 3rd wk 110
Harris The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (20th-
Fox), 2nd wk 120
Penn Tribute to 90
a Bad Man (MGM)
Stanley Miracle in the Rain (WB) 65
Chevalier Film Booked
NEW YORK—"My Seven Daughters,"
French-language feature starring Maurice
Chevalier, will open at the Guild Theatre,
Rockefeller Center. May 1, following a sixweek
run for Universal's "Touch and Go."
The picture, which was produced by Consort'um
du Film at the Victorine Studios,
Nice, was directed by Jean Boyer in Ferraniacolor
and will be distributed in the U. S.
by Kingsley International.
EINFELDS TO EUROPE—Charles Einfeld,
'iOth Century-Fox vice-president in
charge of advertising and publicity, and
Mrs. Einfeld are pictured at New York's
Idlewild .\irport enplaning for Paris on
the first part of a European trip to set
long-range international promotion on six
Cinemascope pictures. Einfeld will confer
in Paris with Ingrid Bergman and
Anatole Litvak on "Anastasia" and meet
producer Andre Hakim in London on
plans for "Sea Wyf" and "The Black
Wings." Campaigns on "Can Can" and
"Boy on a Dolphin" also will be initiated
by the vice-president in Europe.
'Alexander' Saturation
Dates Decoration Day
NEW YORK—Robert Rossen's "Alexander
the Great" has been set for a saturation
Decoration Day booking of 300 dates, according
to William J. Heineman, United
Artists vice-president in charge of distribution.
The picture, which opened in New
York, Los Angeles and all other key cities
in the U. S. late in March and early in April,
started its Canadian dates April 17.
The Decoration Day saturation openings
will be launched with pre-opening promotion
by United Artists' expanded force of 50 field
men. The picture was also awarded the
Parents' Magazine medal of special merit for
April.
UA Film Set for Palace
Following U-I Picture
NEW YORK—"Star of India," produced by
Raymond Stross and Titanus in
Technicolor,
starring Cornel Wilde and Jean Wallace, for
United Artists release, will open at the RKO
Palace Theatre April 27, following Universal-International's
"Backlash," also in Technicolor,
which opened there Pi-iday (20).
Richard Widmark and Donna Reed are
starred in the U-I film.
Vo.—CHARLESTON THEATRE SUPPLY, 506 Lee Street, Chorleston,
West Virginio— Dickens 4-4413
NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY, Philo.—Tel. Locust 7-6156
SUPERIOR THEATRE EQUIP., 311 North 13th Street, Philadelphia
7, Pennsylvanio— Rittenhouse 6-1420
PROJECTOR CARBON Co., Torentum—Tarentum 2341
BOXOFFICE :: April 21, 1956

BROAD\f\/ AY
^harles M. Koagan. MOM vice-president,
and general sales manaRer. and Irvins H.
Greenfield, secretary of Loew's, Inc., are
back from a coast trip. Joe Friedman of
Warner Bro.s, home office field exploitation
staff left April 17 for New Bedford, where the
world premiere of John Huston's "Moby
Dick" will be held in June. James R. Velde.
general sales manager of United Artists, went
to Toronto April 19 to confer with Charles S.
Chaplin. Canadian district manager and
branch personnel. Jesse Chinich, western division
manager of Buena Vista, left April 16
for a ten-day series of sales meetings in St.
Louis, Omaha and Salt Lake City and Sanford
W. Weiner, general sales manager for
Continental Distributing, went to Philadelphia
April 18 to set up city-wide dates on
the Stanley Warner circuit for "The Night
My Number Came Up."
.\lfred E. Daff, executive vice-president of
Universal, is in New York for a series of
conferences with home office executives . . .
Joseph Maternati. head of the French Film
Office here, planed to Paris April 18
to attend the Cannes Film Festival . . . H.
M. Bessey, Altec Service Corp. executive
vice-president, returned April 18 from a tour
of the southern states and Herman Ripps,
assistant eastern MGM sales manager, is
back from upstate New York and Mori
Krushen, United Artists exploitation manager,
got back from Detroit and Cleveland,
where he attended the testimonial dinner
honoring Ward Marsh, critic of the Plain
Dealer.
Departures for Europe: Don Hartman, former
executive producer for Paramount, who
is now going to produce under the studio's
banner, to London to attend the opening of
"The Chalk Garden," the Broadway stage hit
which he will film, with John Michael Hayes.
who will write the screenplay: Lee Katz. Allied
Artists European executive production
representative, to Paris; Jean Goldwurm.
president of Times Film Corp., with his wife,
to the Cannes Film Festival, and Arthur
Hornblow jr., to set up production plans to
film "Witness for the Prosecution," current
Broadway hit, in association with Edward
Small this fall for United Artists release.
Others Europe-bound: Ginger Rogers, star
of RKO's "The First Traveling Saleslady":
the Duke and Duchess of Windsor: Kim Novak,
Columbia star, to the Cannes Film Festival,
as did Joseph Schaeffer, producer-director:
Andre Mertens, vice-president of Columbia
Artists Management, and Stella
Maret, French actress: J. J. Cohn, MGM
studio executive, to London where Sam Zimbalist
is producing "The Barretts of Wimpole
Street" at the Hertz Studios: Shirley Jones,
star of "Oklahoma!" and "Carousel," to London
to attend the opening of the latter;
Darmy Kaye, on his third mission abroad to
visit United Nations Children's Fund-aided
programs, and Frank Sinatra, to Madrid to
join Stanley Kramer's "The Pride and the
Passion" filming.
Arrivals from Europe were not as numerous
but they included: Oreste, the new-
Paramount singing star, who attended the
opening of his "The Vagabond King" in London
at the Plaza Theatre; Kay Kendall,
British film star; James Donald, another
British star; Norman Krasna, producer-di-
•CHRISTMAS IN JULY'—The authentic Santa daus from K. H, Maty'.s atU-nds
the "sneak preview" of Universal's "Toy Tiger" at the RKO 86th Street Theatre, New
lork, before promoting the picture in territorial openings as part of a "Chri.stmas in
July' idea. Others at the preview, left to right, were: Harry Mandel. RKO Theatres
advertising head; Charles J. Feldman, vice-president and general sales head of
Universal; Milton R. Ra

. . Nanette,
. . Kallet
. .
. . . Don
. . . Playing
. . Sam
. . Announcement
. . Booked
ALBANY
T ittle Jack Little, song writer and dance of visitors this summer, and we will profit,
band pianist recently found dead in his especially on weekends. This was the case
home at Hollywood. Fla.. was a brother-inlaw
of Neil Hellman. His wife Tillie w-as a tessen which adjoins his Lake Theatre in
last year" . . . Perlmutter has sold the delica-
sister of Neil . , . Mr. and Mrs. Dave Rosenbaum
recently reopened the Capitol in Eliza-
manager for the Fort George.
Lake George. Fi-ed Dorr is again Perlmutter's
bethtown on a weekend schedule. It had
William A. Riple, former vice-president of
been dark for several months while the
radio station WTRI. Troy, has been appointed
general manager of WTRI-TV, which
Rosenbaums were at their winter home in
St. Petersburg. Fla. ... Sid Kulick of Bell
will resume broadcasting July 1 on UHF
Pictures. New York, was in town calling on
Channel 35 with ABC network shows. The
accounts. He looked well but a little thin.
Stanley Warner interests, which have assumed
control of the Albany station, have
He said prolonged trips were "out." Kulick
has been plagued by high blood pressure for
also named Kal Ross, former director of news,
the past year.
sports and special events for the DuMont
Filmrow reported full-scale bidding for Television Netw^ork, as operations manager
product is under way between Sartos Smalldone,
owner of the Malta Drive-In outside Indian Ladder Drive-In at New Salem, re-
Hallenbeck. owner-manager of the
Saratoga, and Walter Reade jr. for the two opened Friday with a larger screen and newloudspeakers.
Hallenbeck also operates a
hardtoppers in Saratoga. La,st season, Smalldone
played Columbia and Universal films motion picture service, sound equipment and
fii-st run and clicked with the policy. Smalldone
has increased the capacity of the Malta,
camera business here.
about eight miles from the Spa. but prolonged
winter weather made it impossible
for him to erect a new concession stand
SYRACUSE
.
When Norman Contois leaves, at the end of
April to become assistant manager of the l^ike Lane, who plays the role of the South
new Unadilla Drive-In, doorman Al Warren American boxer in "The Harder They
will advance to assistant manager of the Fall," met local radio, TV and press personnel
Strand. Contois, his wife and two children Monday dui-ing his cross-country tour. His
will live in an apartment at Unadilla.
special bus attracted attention driving about
the city . Oilman, manager, at Loew's
The Plattsburg and Star-Dust at Plattsburg
and the Whitehall Drive-In were
State, and wife spent a day in Rochester seeing
"Bus Stop." While the Shrine circus is
scheduled to reopen Friday (20i ... Barbara
in town. Gilman is busy playing the floor
White, younger sister of Judy White, Leland
cymbal in the Oriental band before each performance.
cashier, is relief ticket seller at the Palace.
Helen Schreck and Mrs. Marge Flanagan are
the regulars . daughter of Norman Newcomer at the cashier's window at the
Weitman, U-I manager, celebrated her fourth State is Sharon W. Ogden. Sharon replaces
birthday with a party . Theatres Eleanor Rand, now with General Electric Co.
reported the season's heaviest snowstorm,
on stage at Loew's Monday (16)
17 inches at South Fallsburg in the Catskills was Harry Belafonte in the pre-Broadway
on a recent Sunday.
"Sing, Man, Sing" . was
An item stating that the Mohawk made
Drive- Wednesday by Loew's Theatres of the
In on the Albany-Schenectady road placed
purchase of the State Theatre and office
a veteran employe into projection
building here from the Emil Mosbacher family.
service
when the regular boothmen, members The Mosbachers acquired the property in
of
1945
Local 324, decided to observe a picket
and gave Loew's a "lease-back." The
line
established by stagehands Local 12 was incorrect.
"A veteran employe was not, and
3,000-seat theatre was built in 1928 by Marcus
Loew, founder of the coast-to-coast chain.
is
not being used to project," this writer was informed.
Visitors included Abe Bernstein of United
Ai-tists. here with "Ti-apeze," featuring Gina
The April 13 reopening for Fort George Lollobrigida . . . Ralph Stitt, manager of
Drive-In, Lake George, was "too early," Jules
Schine's Eckel, had Gamma Phi Beta sorority
Perlmutter said Monday. Thermometer that coeds from Syracuse University choose
night registered 28 degrees. Perlmutter said two "lady-killers"—Dan Masterson and George
that a building boom in motels and other Bulin—in connection with the Alec Guinness
establishments was under way in the Lake picture, "The Ladykillers" . to open
George area, but that only time would tell at the State the day after the wedding in
if it were justified. "If the weather is real Monaco was "The Swan," featuring Grace
hot in the cities, Lake George and other Kelly.
Adirondack mountains resorts will have plenty
Four More Dates Are Set
For 'Seven Wonders'
SERVICETSHOWMANSHIPTQUALITY NEW YORK—Four more opening dates
have been set for the new Cinerama production,
"Seven Wonders of the World." It
^GET ALL IHRbt
ivHEN YOU ORDER opened April 10 at the Warner Theatre, New-
SPEC\M TRWLERS York and Pittsburgh. April 19.
The new dates are listed as follows:
ICAGO IJ2T S. WABASH
^ilnuick
Philadelphia, April 24; St. Louis, April 26;
Dallas, May 1, and Cincinnati, May 7.
Another 15 openings are planned later in
the year.
W. R. Hearst in Warning
Against Reds in Orient
ALBANY—An audience of 350 heard William
Randolph Hearst, editor in chief of the
Hearst Newspapers, urge a dynamic and
swift policy by the free world to save Asia
from complete Communist domination. He
spoke at a civic luncheon Monday in the
Sheraton-Ten Eyck Hotel, arranged as part
of the Times-Union's centennial and co-sponsored
by Albany Variety Club for the benefit
of Camp Thacher.
Eleven months ago, Hearst, J. KiJ-igsbury
Smith and Frank Conniff reported at a
similar affair here under the auspices of T-U
and Tent 9 on their- trip behind the Iron Curtain
and their interviews with the Soviet
Union's new Big Four. This time, the trio
narrated their findings on a 35,000-mile tour
of the Far East and talks with top leaders
of ten nations.
Chief Barker Harold Gabrilove and a group
of Variety members, including Jules Perlmutter.
Harry Lament, George Schenck,
Jack Goldberg, Ray Smith, Sid Urbach,
Judge George Myers, Jack Spitzer. Bill and
Sy Backer, were present. Gov. Averell Harriman,
an honorary member of the local Variety
Club, spoke briefly; Mayor Erastus Corning,
also a Variety honorary, served as toastmaster.
The Times-Union printed a four-column
picture of Hearst, Smith and Conniff being
presented certificates of honorary membership
in the local Variety unit by Gabrilove
and Judge Myers.
Cliff Swick, Manager at
Lamont Airer, Dies
ALBANY— Cliff Swick, for almost 30 years
a theatreman. died in Amsterdam Hospital of
a stroke. He had been working for a month
on reopening preparations at Harry Lament's
Vail Mills Drive-In, which he managed
for six seasons.
Swick was very successful at the Vail
Mills. He first managed a theatre for Lamont
in Hudson back In the 1930s. A native
of Sw-ickley, Pa., he al.so operated the theatre
in Dolgeville at one time; had served as manager
of Smalley houses at two different periods,
and had directed theatres for Neil Hellman
in Albany, Troy and Binghamton.
Burial was in Gloversville. His wife, daughter
and sister survive.
Joe Dunaj was promoted from assistant
manager of the Riverside Drive-In, Rotterdam,
to manage the Vail Mills.
Levy to Handle Eastern
Publicity for Bryna
NEW YORK—Charles Levy, former advertising-publicity
director of Buena Vista and
now with 20th Century-Fox, w-ill take over as
eastern publicity representative of Bryna Productions
the end of the month. He will work
on "Spring Reunion," to be produced for
United Artists release.
Overflow to Theatre
ALBANY—The overflow from a record
number of 3.737 shareholders attending the
annual meeting of General Electric Co. in
Schenectady Armory Tuesday was absorbed
by Fabian's State, where proceedings were
televised by closed-circuit.
BOXOFFICE :: April 21, 1956

1 16)
to
. .
. . The
RCA Willing to License
Its Color TV Secrets
CHICAGO Radio Corp. of America will
share its knowledge of color television with
full line of color receivers ranging in price
from $695 to $995. Its plant at Bloomington,
Ind., has been fully converted to the mass
production of color sets.
Robert W. Sarnoff, president of the National
Broadcasting Co., told the symposium
that in the fall there will be at least one
major color program in prime evening viewing
hours every night of the week, in addition
to "spectaculars."
The General Electric Co. said before the
RCA announcement that it will enter the
color TV field with its own receivers later in
the year. The Westinghouse Electric Corp.
advertised Monday il6) it will have a 22-inch
rectangular picture tube set with push-button
tuning. Chromatic Television Laboratories
probably will start production of its Lawrence
color tube w'ithin six months, according to
Paul Raibourn, vice-president of Paramount,
which has a half interest in the company.
C. C. 'Bud' Barry to Head
MGM TV Operations
HOLLYWOOD—Charles C. "Bud" Barry,
TV network executive, has been named to
organize and assume charge of television operations
for MGM, it was announced Monday
by Arthur M. Loew, president of Loew's,
Inc. Barry formerly was vice-president in
charge of TV-radio programming for NBC
and previous to that functioned in a simUar
capacity at ABC. More recently he has been
a William Morris agency executive.
It was reported Barry will be in charge
of releasing the MGM theatrical backlog to
video. He also will act as a liaison between
coasts for TV production at the studio, although
he will headquarter in New York.
S. C. Hope Goes to Coast
To Make UCP '56 Trailer
NEW YORK—Stanley C. Hope, campaign
chairman for United Cerebral Palsy and presi-
1
dent of E.SSO Standard Oil, left by plane Tuesday
1 make a one-minute TV film with
17
Bob Hope. Gary Bjerkenes of Brooklyn, 1956
cerebral poster boy, saw him off at the
airport.
Bob Hope, who is national life chairman
of the UCP, met Stanley Hope at the Paramount
studio. The film will be shown during
the 1956 campaign which starts May 1 with a
goal of $10,000,000.
BUFFALO
TIThitc Cloud, the Hollywood Indian stunt
man, and his assistant Lili staged their
other TV manufacturers, Frank M. Folsom,
president, told representatives of TV receiver
thrilling knife-throwing act on a well-placarded
platform at the zoo in behalf of the
manufacturers at a symposium here Monday
(16). RCA will make available complete blueprints
and ma-ss production details to spur
opening of "Mohawk" at the Center Thea-
color receiver production.
At the same time a reduction in the manufacturer's
price of the RCA 255-squai-e-inch
color picture tube from $100 to $85 was announced.
Details will be relea.sed on a licensing
basis. Many of the companies make WGR-TV and Sciantra sponsored a colteroring
contest for an Indian pony and other
prizes donated by Toyland. Adrian Awan
and Joe Lebworth, 20th-Fox. assisted Arthur
Krolick, Charles Taylor and Ben Dargush on
tre. The Sunday event, profusely advertised,
was witnessed by a large crowd. The two
returned Wednesday (18 • for a day of radio-
TV appearances, new.-;paper interviews and
demonstrations in front of the Center and at
the Sciandra Toyland parking lot. The Cen-
black-and-white sets from RCA patents.
Folsom recalled that in August 1947 RCA
turned over to other radio manufacturers
complete engineering and manufacturing information
the campaign.
on the first table-model black-
and-white TV receiver. He called it the foundation,
on which was built "today's vast television
William J. Conners III, president of WEBR,
announced two personnel changes.
Inc.. ha.s
market."
RCA is now marketing through dealers a
David F. Leopold has been named station director
and George manager.
T. Staff, sales
Staff succeeds the late Carl Kirchhofer . . .
Earl L. Hubbard jr.. public relations department
of the Teck Theatres, home of Cinerama,
arranged a trip from Toronto and other
Canadian border cities and towns for some 250
carrier boys of the Toronto Globe and Mail,
and got some good publicity on the stunt in
both the Buffalo and Toronto papers .
Dipson Theatrical Enterprises has purchased
Shea's Theatre in Bradford. Pa., and has
taken over the lease on the McKean there,
also from the Shea interests. Dipson, which
operates the Bradford in the same town, will
put the Shea building on the market. Dipson
may reopen the McKean, which has been
closed for some time. Tim Valanos, who has
been manager of the Bradford, also will manage
the McKean. Robert W. Cannon who
Two Films Shooting in
N. Y.; Another in June
NEW YORK—Two features, one an MGM
film
and the other an Alfred Hitchcock picture
for Warner Bros, release, are filming
in New- York during April and a third, to be
produced by Henry Fonda and Reginald Rose
for United Artists, will start shooting in New
York in June.
The MGM film, "A Man Is Ten Feet Tall,"
produced in its entirety in New York by Jonathan
Productions, was written by Robert
Alan Aurthur and directed by Martin Ritt
with Sidney Poitier. Ruby Dee. John Cassavetes
and Jack Warden featured. Alfred
Hitchcock is directing "The Wrong Man."
staiTing Henry Fonda and Vera Miles on location
in New York and at the Vitagraph
Studios in Brooklyn. Anthony Quayle, British
actor; Lola D'Annunzio, currently playing in
the off-Broadway play. "The Cradle Song,"
and Matt Briggs, Harold Stone and Charles
Cooper have been added to the cast.
"Twelve Angry Men," which will be produced
by Fonda's Orion Productions and
Rose's Nova Productions, will be directed by
Sidney Lumet and will star Fonda, Edward
Arnold. Lee J. Cobb and Jack Warden as
four of the jurors in
the story of a jury trial.
Cannes to See Sumar Film
NEW YORK—"The Man Who Never Was,"
a Sumar production for 20th Century-Fox
release, has been accepted for presentation at
the Cannes Film Festival.
managed the Shea's Theatre, has gone to
Manchester, N. H., to manage the Pine Island
Drive-In there.
Martyn Remy, formerly of Cleveland, has
taken over the management of the Empire
Drive-In in Rochester, recently acquired by
the Smith Management Co. For the past 15
years Remy has operated and managed driveins
and restaurants in Ohio and Florida. He
has been associated with the Smith organization
for five years . HoUoway Bay
Playhouse, a summer theatre at Sherkston in
Ontario near Crystal, a popular re.sort with
Buffalonians, will remain dark this summer
unle.ss some other management takes it over.
Gloria Banning of Buffalo, who ran it in
previous years, will not continue due to the
pressure of other affairs. A new summer
theatre is being started in Niagara Falls.
Ont., on the site of the former Princess
Theatre. It will be managed by Eric Greenwood,
with Donald Ewer as director. It plans
to open May 2.
"Guys and DoUs" has grabbed the longest
run record for Buffalo. It was in its 17th week
at tiie Cinema, an art type house operated
downtown by Cohen and Slotnick. Close to
80.000 persons have seen it, a Cinema ad
claims . . . Lou Lieser, well known throughout
the state in both distribution and exhibition
circles, is now in charge of sales in this exchange
area for Allied Artists.
Cyd Charisse, ballerina and film star, will
in Winchester April 27 for the annual
be
Shenandoah Valley Festival. She will ride
along the Trail of the Pink Petals in the
261 -unit grand feature parade, to be viewed
by upward of 200,000 persons.
'Godzilla' N. Y. Opening,
Followed by New England
NEW YORK— "Godzilla, King of the
Monsters." exploitation feature being handled
by General Teleradio. will open at LoeWs
State Theatre April 27. The New York opening
will be backed up with a TV campaign on
CBS-TV and radio saturation on WOR.
The New England opening at the Paramount
and Fenway theatres. Baston. followed
by 400 theatres throughout New England, will
be held May 2. according to Joseph Levlne,
president of Embassy Pictures, who is handling
the pictm-e there. In New England,
every circuit is represented, including Paramount
New England Theatres. Affiliated Theatres.
Interstate Theatres. Loew's, Daytz Theatres.
Ralph Snider's Theatres. Ben Williams
Theatres. Maine & New Hampshire Theatres,
Stanley Warner, Herbert Higgins' Circuit,
and the majority of New England drive-ins
now open. TV and radio also will be used to
exploit
the New England saturation booking,
starting with WNAC-TV and radio in Boston
and television in Pi-ovidence. Bangor, Portland,
Hartford, Springfield and Mt. Pleasant.
Irving Weingart Rites
NEW YORK—Funeral services were held
Friday (20) for Irving Weingart, 67, veteran
vaudeville booking agent, who died the day
before. Illness had forced his retirement
several years ago. He was with the Marcus
Loew agency for more than 40 years.
BOXOFFICE 39

. . . Jean
. . Morris
. . Homer
. . The
. . . Fred
. . The
PITTSBURGH
•yariety Tent 1 has its annual car giveaway
campaign under way. with James Fallon
and Bob Rosuali co-chairmen. Funds derived
from drive are used this to support
Camp O'Connell . . . Variety will take over
the Schenley Park Hotel for a Mardi Gras
costume ball June 30, the last night of the
operation of the hotel before the University
of Pittsburgh, across the .street, assumes possession
and the building passes out of existence
as a society hotel.
Sam Navari of the Eastwood Theatre and
Eastwood Bowling Alleys wUl depart soon on
a long planned vacation in Italy . . . Josephine
Beck, National Screen booker, who
suffered a fractured ankle a few weeks ago
when she slipped on icy snow, is back on the
job . . . S. Innocenti, former Belle Venion
exhibitor, plans a trip to Europe this summer
. Naft of the Roxian Theatre
in McKees Rocks and wife will depart in
mid-June for a few weeks vacation in California.
Nat C. Rosen, manager, invites members of
the trade to inspect the new 20th-Fox building
at 1723-25 Boulevard of the Allies next
door to the quarters 20th-Fox has occupied
for many years. The official opening is
April 23 . . . Jack Elle.strom, Filmrow booker,
has returned after a brief absence and now
is employed at Paramount where there
had been a booking vacancy for a number of
weeks . Michaels pulled the Liberty
on the south side out of Co-Op . . . Penn
Theatre. Monaca. was closed for renovations
Polanowska, SW office, will be the
May 5 bride of Frank Buhash . . . Mr. and
Mrs. Mark W. Lodge, McConnellsburg exhibitors,
were injured in an auto accident
near Mount Union. Mrs. Lodge remained
hospitalized.
Shotgun pellets ripped a hole in a plate
glass window of Taylor's restaurant in North
Versailles township early last Saturday. C. I.
Taylor, the owner, is a well-known drive-in
theatre owner , . . Ray E. Scott, KDKA-TV
news and sportscaster and chief barker of
Variety Tent 1, has called a special meeting
for April 30 at 8 o'clock to discuss the Gay
Nineties night, annual golf tournament and
the convention . Variety Family night
April 20 was ho.sted by Ed and Ellen Boyle.
Bob and Connie Rosuali and Don and Peg
McGovcrn. Sam Vine, hypnotLst, was a gue.st.
Options 'Circle of Guilt'
NEW YORK—Martin H. Poll, president of
Golde Medal Productions, Inc., has taken an
option for the motion picture rights of "Circle
of Guilt," a television play produced on
Studio One February 20. A. W. Schwalberg.
president of Artists-Producers Associates, Inc.,
was instrumental in conducting the negotiations.
SAM HNEBERG
TOM McCLEARY
HM ALEXANDER
84 Von Broom Stre«»
PITTSBURGH 19, PA.
Phone EXpreiJ 1-0777
Newark Receipts to Bandit
NEWARK—Manuel Lima, manager of the
Newark Drive-In, and an employe were
robbed early Monday as they were leavine
the theatre to deposit the weekend receipts
in a bank night depository. As they were
leaving the theatre, the bandit .stepped from
the shadows of the fence surrounding the
place and pressed a rifle in Lima's back and
demanded that the pair accompany him to
the ticket office and open the safe. After
Lima insisted that all of the money was in
the car, the holdup man ordered him to drive
him to an overpass four blocks away. There,
bandit left the car with the money bag, estimated
to contain $3,000 to $4,000.
William L. Jones Dead
PITTSBURGH—W:Iliam L. Jones. 55. RCA
Service Co. sound engineer for 14 years, died
recently at Flint, Mich. A Dormont resident.
he was an lATSE member of the Greensbiu-g
local. William Penn Club of Greensburg and
the Presbyterian Church. Burial was in Westmoreland
County Memorial Park, Surviving
are his wife. Nettie Eckenrode Jones: two
daughters, Mrs. Paul F. Pittman of Dormont
and Mrs. Harry Peterson of Wilkinsburg; his
father. Harry Jones of Greensburg; a brother,
Paul Jones, Pittsburgh, and four grandchUdren.
ESCO Defends Rate Boost
PITTSBURGH—Exhib-.tor? Service Co. this
week defended its film trucking rate increase
to theatres at a public utilities commission
hearing in the city-county building. Opposing
the new rate were representatives of
Allied MPTO of W. Pa. George F. Callahan
president of ESCO. showed that even with
jr.,
the increased rate, his specialized film trucking
service offered a more reasonable cost
to theatres than any other type of delivery
and pickup business.
Dr. H. C. Winslow Chosen
MEADVILLE. PA.—Dr. Harry C. Winslow.
surgeon and owner of the Park Theatre, was
named to receive the Book of Golden Deeds
Award given annually for outstanding community
service by the Exchange Club. Dr.
Winslow is president of the First National
Bank here and has served as president of the
Meadville Chamber of Commerce.
State Censorship Study
HARRISBURG—The state
Senate has instructed
the joint state government commission
to make a thorough study of motion
picture censorship, after apparently abandoning
attempts to enact legislation to cover the
issue this year, and report during the 1957
Solve Knife Holdup at Drive-In
PITTSBURGH-The hunting knife holdup
of the Blue Dell Drive-In has been solved.
State police charged three with armed robbery
at Greensburg—Bernard M. Benyak, 19, Wilmerding:
Alfred A. Greenaway. IB. Murraysville
(Stated as being AWOL from Ft. Eustice),
and a soldier, Donald H. Wyrick of Tulsa,
Okla.. now in custody of Army authorities in
Ft. Eustice. Va. The holdup netted the thieves
an estimated S500. Police recovered knives
used in the holdup and the money box which
contained the loot.
Capitol at Braddock
Gives Way to Store
BRADDOCK. PA.—The Capitol Theatre, a
landmark for nearly 33 years, will ring down
its final curtain April 28 and the ornate 1,-
575-seat theatre with its beautiful columnedfront
will be dLsmantled to make way for a
department store. A Pittsburgh investment
company purchased the building from Peoples
Pittsburgh Trust Co., administrator of the
estate of James B. Clark.
R. S. "Russ" Wehrle, manager of the
Capitol for 23 years, announced that he has
leased the Times Theatre here from J. M.
Baldwin of Fort Lauderdale. Fla.. and is
modernizing it for early reopening. This
house on Braddock avenue has been closed
in recent years.
The Capitol, a showplace of stage and
screen entertainment, was .started by the
late Ben Burke of the old Crystal Amusement
Co., and was completed in association
with the late James B. Clark, opening in
September 1923 as one of the finest constructed
theatres between New- York and
Chicago. A vaudeville and motion picture
policy continued through 1927 when the Capitol
became one of the first to install sound
equipment.
In 1933 Wehrle a.ssumed the management
of the Capitol for the James B. Clark Co.
Stereophonic sound and Cinemascope were
installed in 1954. Wehrle continued as manager
of the theatre for Crystal Amusement
following the death of President Clark.
With the closing of the Capitol, Wehrle
will have rounded out 36 years with the late
James B. Clark interests. Prior to coming
to Braddock 23 years ago, he was general
manager for First National Pictures in continental
Europe with headquarters in Paris,
this firm being co-directed by Mr.
NEWARK
Clark.
n Ifred Barilla, manager of the Ritz in Elizabeth,
feels that it "never hurts to add
something besides a movie to promote business."
In keeping with this philosophy, the
Gangla Bros, circus appeared at the Ritz at
the beginning of the month for a matinee.
Next was Freeman the Hypnotist.
Tom Hagen, manager, reports that the art
film policy has been discontinued at the
Kent here . Centre in Bloomfield has
been having continual success with art films
Dressel, former manager of the
Center, has gone to the Morris Plains Drive-
In as manager. The house manager is Charlot
Amisi.
Brad .Manning, manager of RKO Proctor's,
arranged a screening of "Carousel" for Capitol
record dealers. He also arranged with
disk jockeys for a song marathon of the
"Carousel" songs. A 24-sheet float, a 7x12-
foot sign on the marquee and a large carousel
in the lobby are other promotions.
Kenmawr Airer Sold
PITTSBURGH—Theodore Grance. outdoor
theatre circuit operator, who directed ten installations
last year in Pennsylvania, has sold
the Kenmawr Drive-In on Route 5, between
McKees Rocks and Corapolis. to Louis Lampros.
Farrell indoor theatre owner.
BOXOFFICE :: April 21. 1956

. . Mrs.
. . The
. . Melvin
. . "Swamp
. . Prank
BALTIMORE
Take Flax, nianagei' for Republic in Washington,
was discharged from Jolin's Hopkins
Hospital here and has resumed duties
this week .
Helen Diering, secretary
for the Allied Motion Picture Theatre Owners
of Maryland, is spending a week in
Montreal . midnight spook show
which Manager Rodney Collier put on at the
Stanley Theatre for Friday tlie 13th brought
a full house and over 2,000 would-be patrons
were turned away. Zone Manager George
Crouch and District Manager Charles V.
Grimes of Stanley Warner were in town for
the
occasion.
The Parkway Theatre here, having lately
been purchased by Milton Schwaber who
owns and operates the Cinema and Playhouse,
is
being remodeled, reseated and re-
decorated and will open around the middle
of May with "The LadykiUers." The seating
capacity, originally about 900, is being
reduced to 500 with installation of "rocking
chair" seats, spaced four feet apart from
back to back. The name is being changed
to the Five West, since that is the theatre's
local street address.
Frank Gibson sr., chief projectionist at the
Century, has returned to duty after being a
patient at St. Agnes Hospital.
National Telefilm Adds
To Its Sales Personnel
NEW YORK—Victor H. Bikel and Allen
Wallace have been added to the sales development
staff of National Telefilm A-ssociates by
Raymond E. Nelson, department director.
Both will work out of the New York headquarters.
Bikel was divisional manager of Unity TV
for five years. Previously he was with the
DuMont network and before that assistant to
the general sales manager of United Artists.
He entered the industry with Paramount.
Wallace headed Al Wallace Productions.
Previously he was with the National Broadcasting
Co., Columbia Broadcasting System,
DuMont and the Louis J. Cowan and Goodson-Todman
offices.
Goldenson Named Director
Of Marshall Field Awards
NEW YORK — Leonard H. GolderLson.
president of American Broadcasting-Paramount
Theatres, Inc., has been named a
director of Marshall Field Awards, Inc., a
new non-profit organization set up for the
purpo.se of recognizing and rewarding fundamental
and imaginative contributions to the
well-being of children.
Annual national awards will be made to
individuals, organizations and communities in
the fields of education, physical and mental
development, social welfare and communications.
George Gobel in Person
NEW YORK—George Gobel, star of Paramount's
"The Birds and the Bees," will make
his first and only New York appearance on
the stage of the Paramount Theatre Sunday
(22) in conjunction with the opening of the
picture, his first. He will make four stage
appearances during the day.
HAIL 'ALEXANDER—Manager Nat
Iludgdon of Fruchtman's New Theatre in
Baltimore had a float touring the streets,
with a model in Grecian attire, etc, in
promotion of "Alexander the Great." He
presented the model on a TV program.
Hodgdon is snapped here with the girl.
Nemec Quits SMPTE Post
For Consulting Service
NEW YORK—Boyce Nemec has resigned
as executive secretary of the Society of Motion
Picture and Television Engineers, effective
June 15. He will establish a management
consulting service with eastern headquarters
to specialize in problems of corporate structure,
cost analysis and market studies in the
motion picture and TV industries.
Nemec joined the SMPTE in 1946 and became
executive secretary the next year-. He
is international secretary for motion pictures
of the International Standardization Organization,
a fellow of the SMPTE and a member
of the Council of Engineering Society
Secretaries, American Management Ass'n,
Council of Executives of Organization Members
of the American Standards Ass'n, Trade
Ass'n Executives of New York, President's
Industrial Safety Conference and Engineers
Club of New York.
SMPTE Names Miss Grotta
Press Relations Head
NEW YORK—Sue Grotta has been named
director of pre.ss relations of the Society of
Motion Picture and Television Engineers, according
to Boyce Nemec, executive secretary.
She will direct a new public information program
aimed at keeping motion picture and
television executives posted on SMPTE. It
will include a technical service for trade
editors and science and technical writers.
Miss Grotta also will edit the monthly newsletter
and contribute to the monthly journal.
She has been active in those fields for several
months.
Schaefer on UA Films
PHILADELPHIA
OnoH- in .\pril lorccd a drivc-in theatre near
Bethlehem to change its reopening plans.
Its marquee carried this sign: "Baby, It's
Still Cold Outside—Opening Next Week" . . .
Paul Hammerman, a successful Wa.shington
builder and .son of Frank Hammerman, exhibitor
at Boulevard Theatre in Brookline, Pa.,
died from a heart attack . Carter,
formerly with WRCV-TV, has Joined Screen
Guild as an exploltcer . Women"
and "Blond Bait" will open the 25th in 40
theatres in this exchange territory. Distributed
by Screen Guild, the double bill will be
backed up by a television campaign and a highpowered
promotion, which will include floats
with two live models depicting scenes from
the
picture.
.
Rosentoor, 20th-Fox booker, was on a
Lillie
Harry Stiefel, owner of
month's leave . .
Main Theatre in Ephrata, reports bvirglars
couldn't crack the safe although they caused
some damage . J. Fox has begun
building a new drive-in on Route 130 near
Olympia Lakes, N. J. Fox has bought out
Neil Hellman's interests in the Roosevelt
Drive-In.
A. R. Boyd Enterprises has bought the
Colonial in Lancaster and renamed it the
Boyd. The house closed April 16 for three
weeks during which period it will undergo a
SIOO.OOO remodeling operation, according to
Charles R. Koerner, manager.
Maxwell Hamilton Speaks
Before Women's Groups
WASHINGTON— Maxwell Hamilton, executive
assistant to Cecil B. DeMille and
coordinator of plans for "The Ten Commandments."
was in Washington Thursday
(19) to attend the Daughters of the American
Revolution convention and accept the 1955
c tation for "Strategic Air Command."
DeMille had planned to attend the convention,
but was unable to leave the coast.
Hamilton addressed the National Federation
of Motion Picture Councils Friday i20i
at St. Louis, and left the following day for
the coast to confer with DeMille, Y. Frank
Freeman and Jerome Pickman.
Initial Cinemiracle Film
May Present Short Tales
NEW YORK—The first feature In the Cinemiracle
process to be made by Louis de
Rochemont may consist of several short
stories instead of a single running story,
de Rochemont headquarters here said Monday
(16). The producer met a week ago with
Elmer C. Rhoden. who developed the process.
De Rochemont will start production as soon
as he has completed assembling a crew. He
was in Detroit early in the week and due at
the coast at the weekend. Work on a second
picture will start when a second Cinemiracle
camera is received.
UA to Release Small Film
NEW YORK—United Artists will release
"Five Steps to Terror," on which work will
be started the end of the month by Edward
Small's Grand Productions. Ruth Roman
NEW YORK—George J. Schaefer has been
named producers' representative for two
United Artists pictures in current release.
They are; "Patterns," the Jed Harris-Michael
Myerberg feature released in March, and
"Comanche," Carl Krueger's Cinemascope and Sterling Hayden will star and Harry S.
Kesler will direct.
picture release the same month.
BOXOFFICE :: April 21, 1956

. . Sidney
. . ABC
^

:
April
HOLLYWOOD
PRODUCTION
( Hoiunoooa Ufttce— iUJte Z19 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd.: Ivcn SveaT, Western Manager
CENTER
Screen Exlras Vote
On Officer Slates
HOLLYWOOD—To be returned no later
than Monday (30>, ballots have been mailed
to Screen Extras Guild members to choose
officers and directors for the ensuing year.
Nominees include Richard H. Gordon, president;
Franklyn Farnum. Tex Brodus and
Paul Harvey, vice-presidents: Kenner Kemp.
recording secretary; Jeffrey Sayre. treasurer,
and Leo Abbey. Evelen Ceder. Paul Cristo.
Ethel Greenwood, Kemp, Anna Mabry, Emil
Mancine, Tina Menard, Frank Radcliffe, Max
Reid, Roy Thoma.s. Sid Troy. Guy Gifford
Way and Billy Williams, directors. All are incumbents
except Mancine and Radcliffe.
Candidates nominated by independent
petition include Jim Reeves and Jack Semple.
for president; Joe Brooks and Bob Burrows,
vice-presidents; Hubert Kerns, recording secretary;
John Rice, treasurer, and John Albright.
Bud Anthony, Brooks, Burrows, Henry
Carr, Bud Cokes, Joan Jerrae, Kerns, Mike
Lally. Carl Pitti, Semple and Delmar Thomas,
directors.
Action on Petrillo Foes
Due in Next Six Weeks
HOLLYWOOD—A decision may be reached
within the next six weeks by the American
Federation of Musicians national headquarters
in New York, it was said following a
week-long "trial" into the rebellion by a segment
of members of Local 47. Conducting
the hearings was Arthur J. Goldberg of the
CIO-AFL legal staff.
There were reports that action by the AFM
probably would come prior to its June convention
in Atlantic City. Among those on
trial was Cecil F. Read, who led a group
which dep>osed John TeGroen as president,
secretary Maury Paul and financial secretary
G. R. Hennon and attacked the AFM administration
of James Caesar Petrillo, charging
mismanagement of the union's pension and
strike funds.
Jerry Wald to MPIC Post
HOLLYWOOD — Jerry Wald. Columbia
executive producer, was installed as chairman
of the Motion Picture Industry Council's
public relations committee, succeeding Frank
P. Rosenberg, Warner producer, who remains
as a member of the committee.
Promoted at Allied Artists
HOLLYWOOD—Marjorie Fisher, a member
of the Allied Artists casting department since
late in 1954, has been upped to assistant casting
director.
FIRST-NIGHTERS—Celebrities aplenty
turned out for the recent Hollywood premiere
of 30th-rox's "The Man in the
Gray Flannel Suit" at Grauman's Chinese
Theatre. In upper photo, left to
right, are Edwin F. Zabel, National Theatres
vice-president in charge of Pacific
coast operations; Mrs. Spyros Skouras,
and Spyros Skouras, 20th-Fox president.
In lower photo: Nunnally Johnson, who
wTote and directed the Darryl F. Zanuck
production; Buddy Adler, 20th-Fox executice
producer, and Dick Powell, recently
sigrned to a producer- director contract by
the studio.
Geoffrey Shurlock Talks
At Film Councils Session
HOLLYWOOD—Geoffrey Shurlock, production
code administrator for the Motion
Picture Ass'n of America, spoke Thm'sday
119)) at the opening session in St. Louis of
the convention of the Federation of Motion
Picture Councils. Shurlock al-so participated
in a symposium on "Changing Audiences and
the Motion Picture Pi'oduction Code." The
conclave was attended by more than 200.
No Rest for Bill Elliott
HOLLYWOOD—One day after the completion
of "House on Lookout Mountain," a Ben
Schwalb production for Allied Artists, Bill
Elliott stepped before the cameras again
Wednesday il8) to topline "Night Target,"
another Schwalb-AA entry. The latter has
Eleanore Tanin in the femme lead and is being
dii'ected by Jean Yarbrough.
Electronicam Acts
Remain in SAG Fold
HOLLYWOOD—Right of the Screen Actors
Guild to represent thespians in television
programs produced with DuMont's Electronicam
device was upheld by a two-to-one decision
of an American Arbitration Ass'n panel
which weighed the dispute betw-een the
American Federation of Television and Radio
Artists and the DuMont organization. The
SAG was not a direct party to the arbitration
but filed an amicus curiae brief, and several
guild officials testified at the hearings,
held in New York.
A lengthy AAA ruling held that the Electronicam
is basically a motion picture
camera, thus upholding the SAG'S contention
that all programs made by such devices come
within the guild's jurisdiction. Such jurisdiction
had been challenged by APTRA.
Meantime, the SAG disclosed its new headquarters
building here will be given a preview
May 19 and will be formally dedicated May 25
at an invitational affair.
In an intelligence report to its membership.
the SAG warned actors not to allow their
agents to execute employment contracts for
them, reminding that agents do not have such
authority. The intelligence report also advi.sed
that Key Pi-oductions has settled a
claim on behalf of an actor who appeared in
two TV pilot films, and therefore has been
removed from the SAG's unfair list.
Screen Gems Establishes
TV Script Scholarships
HOLLYWOOD—Scholar-ships to encourage
university students to writ* for television have
been established by Screen Gems. Columbia's
TV .subsidiary, with initial grants going to
the University of Chicago, Fordham and Iowa
State. At least three more colleges will receive
scholarships within the next 30 days,
it was reported by Irving Bri.skin. vice-president
in charge of SG production.
Briskin pointed out that motion pictures
and the legitimate theatre have benefited
from sjjecial courses instituted in various
colleges which teach writing for those media,
but that video until now has "completely
overlooked" this "basic source for future material."
Walter Wanger Leaves Hospital
HOLLYWOOD—Producer Walter Wanger.
who suffered a mild heart attack late last
month, checked out of the hospital Tuesday
(17) and will spend several weeks recuperating
at home before checking in at RKO to undertake
a multiple-picture schedule.
BOXOFFICE :
21. 1956 43

Cleffers
STUDIO PERSONNEUTIES
Paramount
VICTOR YOUNG IS writing the musical score fi
The Loves 'of Omar Khayyam."
Producer Hal Wollis set NORMAN LUBOFF <
/ocqI arranger ond coach on "Hollywood or Bust
Loanouts
Warner Bros.
20th Century-rox
Collins,
Replacing Joan who ankled
FELICIA FARR was borrowed from Columbio for
"
femme lead opposite Richard Widmark in
Lost Wagon," the William Hawks production, wh
Meggers
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
JEFFREY HAYDEN, TV recently signed to
t, will make theatrical film piloting
his
he Edwin H. Knopf production, "The
love story based on o novel by Ursula
Paramount
TV director ROBERT MULLIGAN was signed to
the upcoming Alan Pakulo production, "The
ilot
m Piersali Story," which will star Anthony Perkins.
RKO Radio
Television director JOHN FRANKENHEIMER was
iked to pilot the forthcoming "Strike o Blow,"
ased on a "Climax" TV presentation, which Stuart
The opus about teenagers will
United Artists
LESLEY SELANDER was ticketed by Bel-
Universal-International
DOUGLAS SIRK was assigned to direct the June
Options
Columbia
LUCY MARLOW drew one of the femme leads in
the Audie Murphy starring western, "The Guns of
Fort Petticoat," being produced by Horry Joe Brown
and directed by George Marshall. Signed for the
role of a frontier woman was JEANETTE NOLAN.
SEAN MCCLORY will enoct a heavy and ISOBEL
ELSOM o society woman. Cast additions include
PEGGY MALEY, EVELYN FINLEY, SHARON LUCAS,
HELEN THURSTON, MADGE MEREDITH, ERNESTINE
WADE ond DOROTHY CRIDER.
Independent
Hecht-Lancoster signed ROBERT VAUGHAN, 23-
year-old stage actor, to a term contract.
RICHARD DENNING was set for the male lead in
Golden State Productions' "Hell Raiders," to be
directed by Edward L. Cahn and produced by Alex
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
KENNETH FORTE5CUE, British stage actor, will
portray the brother of Jennifer Jones in "The Barretts
of Wimpole Street," o Sam Zimbolist production,
being directed in London by Sidney Fronk-
THEONA BRYANT, former Powers model, was
signed to a long-term contract.
ANN MILLER will star with Cyd Chorisse in Producer
Arthur Freed's upcoming musical, "Silk Stock-
Handed the stellar role in the Edwin H. Knopf
production, "The Vintage," was EVA MARIE SAINT,
Her husband, Jeffrey Hoyden, will direct the feature.
GENE KELLY drew the male starring role in the
Sol C. Siegel production, "Les Girls," which George
Paramount
Marking her return to the studio wher
Lewis comedy, "Hollywood or Bust," a Hal Wallis
production being directed by Frank Toshlin. Miss
Crowley recently secured her release from a term
ticket at Universal-International.
Stage-TV actress VIRGINIA GIBSON was signed for
in Q feotured role the Audrey Hepburn-Fred Astaire
starrer, will
"Funny Face," which Stanley Donen
Producer Roger Edens. French actor MICHEL
direct for
AUCLAIR was booked for a part.
CHARLTON HE5T0N will moke a "guest" appearance
OS Andrew Jackson in the forthcoming
Cecil B. DeMille presentotion, "The Buccaneer,"
starring and to directed by Yul Brynner, on
be
which Henry Wilcoxon will function as producer.
Inked to o term contract was DENNIS MCMULLEN,
Producer Hoi Wallis inked EARL HOLLIMAN for
key role with Katharine Hepburn and B
in "The Rainmoker," upcoming picturi;
Broadway play, which will roll in June.
20th Century-Fox
Set tor a supporting role in "One in a Million,'
starring and being produced by James Mason, was
KIPP HAMILTON. Nicholas Ray directs.
Controctee KEN CLARK was cast os a heavy in
"The Lost Wagon," o sagebrusher starring Richord
Widmark, which Delmer Doves is directing for Producer
William Hawks.
United Artists
TV actress REBA TASSELL will moke her motion
picture debut in the Bob Goldstein production, "The
Brass Legend," starring Hugh O'Brion and being
directed by Gerd Oswald.
Universal-International
Stage actor ROBERT FOULK was signed for a
featured spot in "The Great Man." TV octress VIKKI
DOUGAN makes her film debut in the picture, starring
and being directed by Jose Ferrer. It is an Aaron
Rosenberg production.
ANN HARDING was signed for a character lead
in "Tammy," which will star Debbie Reynolds. The
picture will be produced in CinemoScope and Technicolor
by Ross Hunter, with Joseph Pevney directing.
Veteran cowboy actor BOB STEELE was added to
the cost of the Fred MacMurray starrer, "Gun for
a Coward," which Abner Bibermon megs for Producer
William Allond.
Inked to portray a press agent in the Aaron
Rosenberg production, "Stor Light," wos HERBERT
ANDERSON. Being directed by Jack Sher, the
CinemoScope-Technicolor feature toplines George
Nader and Julie Adams. Added to the cast wos
MAURICE MARSAC.
Warner Bros.
BARBARA NICHOLS, nightclub comedienne, was
in for o signed feature spot "The Pojoma Gome,"
Doris Day, it will be megged by Stanley Donen, with
George Abbott, Frederick Bnsson, Robert E. Griffith
and Harold S. Prince as the producers. Inked for
roles were THELMA PELISH, JACK WALDRON and
RALPH CHAMBERS.
Producer-director Alfred Hitchcock signed stage
actress NORMA CONNOLLY for "The Wrong Man,"
which stars Henry Fonda and Vera Miles.
Scripters
Columbia
DAVID LANG IS penning "The Phantom Stoge-
Lodi State Fumigated
And 'Fleas Have Fled'
Lodi, Calif.—The new managers of the
State Theatre here, Kenneth Wright and
Ahmed Mohamed, in taking over the
house also took note of its reputation as
a "flea house" and had the building completely
fumigated. Then, the managers
announced the clean-up in large letters
on the m.xrquee, reading, "The Fleas Have
Fled the State."
Two new policies will be initiated.
Closed circuit telecasts will be shown when
the program warrants and special children's
matinees will be given on Saturdays.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
DAVID DAVIDSON, iloywrighf and TV
scrivener, is penning "It's Only a Paper Moon," upcoming
film bosed on a novel by Horry Essex, which
John Champion will produce.
Set to develop "Yeor of Love," from a novel by
Morgaret Lee Runbeck, wos JAMES COSTAGAN. The
love story will be produced by David Lewis.
"Pattern of Molice," to be produced by Armand
Deutsch, IS being penned by JEROME WEIDMAN.
Story Buys
AlUed Artists
Producer Vincent M. Fennelly ocquired "Capitol
Metrc-Goldwryn-Mayer
ilm rights
to "East Wind, Rain," a factual story of t Japanese
attack on Pearl Harbor, now being
Walter Lord and due for publication late this year.
The title is based on the Nipponese code word for
the attack.
United Artists
Brond," a story of "The Hollidoy Texas in the
1870s by George George and George Slavin, was
purchased by filmmaker Collier Young, who plans a
late-May start on the opus.
Universal -International
"Bodge of Evil,"
! novel by Whit Mosterigned
to Albert Zugsmith
son, was purchased
ns a young
ufactured
evidenc
Technically
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
DUNNING.
ED CARFAGNO is
"Tea and Sympathy.'
Paramount
RKO Radio
JACK OKEY drew the art director chores on the
Samuel Fuller production, "Run for the Arrow,"
while JOHN MANSBRIDGE will function as unit art
director on Producer Harry Tugend's "Public Pigeon
One."
20th Century-Fox
Cinematogropher LEON SHAMROY was signed to
Crew assembled for "One in o Million" includes
ELI DUNN and MORRIS HARMELL, ossistont directors,
JOE MACDONALD, cinematogropher, ond
JACK SMITH, art director.
United Artists
Borrowed from 20th Century-Fox, JOSEPH BEHM
will function as production manager on Russ-Field's
The King and Four Queens." WIARD IHNEN was
Title
Changes
Columbia
ne Nighf to YOU CAN'T RUN
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
/y Right Foot In" to ITS ONLY A PAPER
United Artists
Man m Wagon Mound" "The Last [Russ-Field
Prod.) to THE KING AND FOUR QUEENS.
Universal-International
The Gentle Web" to THE UNGUARDED MOMENT.
Color Test Discussion
HOLLYWOOD—Color motion picture tests
and slides for color TV were screened and
discussed at the Tuesday (17) membership
meeting of the Pacific coast section of the
Society of Motion Picture and Television
Engineers. Dr. Norwood L. Simmons of Eastman
Kodak spoke.
BOXOFFICE :: April 21, 1956

|i|—'
Joseph Gotten to Host
On Trial TV Series
HOLLYWOOD—Planiiing a series of halfhour
telefilms to be called On Trial, a new-
TV unit ha.s been organized by Collier Young,
scripter Larry Marcus and Joseph Gotten, the
last-named of whom will star in a minimum
of ten segments. Gotten is leaving as host
of the 20th-Fox Hour to undertake the newchore,
and will function as emcee and narrator
on the scheduled 39 subjects.
Young will function as executive producer
and Marcus and Don Mankiewicz as supervising
w-riters. The initialer, "Tlie Man in the
Black Robe." will be directed by Felix Feist.
All will deal with famous court cases.
Follow-ing his resignation as a producer at
CBS-TV, Bob Feiner jr. has joined TCF Productions.
20th-Fox's video unit, in a production
capacity. He will check in early in June
after a month's vacation.
Another filmmaking veteran is entering
the TV field. Producer Nat Holt reported he
w-ill gun a television series. Wells Fargo, early
in May. Stories will be drawn from the files
of the Wells Fargo museum in San Francisco,
some to be penned by Frank Gruber, who will
act as supervising editor on the others. The
series will be filmed on location at Sonora
in northern California. Holt also plans two
theatrical features for camera work this year.
Mr. Digby. the adventiu-es of a newspaper
photographer, has been scheduled as a new
half-hour video series by Television Programs
of America, it was disclosed by board chairman
Edward Small. The programs will be
based on Saturday E\-ening Post short stories
penned by Douglas Welch and the pilot film
is being written by Andy White and John
Elliott.
Among west coast TV-ites heading for Chicago
to attend the five-day conclave of the
National Ass'n of Radio and Television
Broadcasters were Producer Hal Roach jr. and
Robert Newgard. western sales manager for
Interstate Television, Allied Artists' video
subsidiary.
Bill Perlberg to Europe
To Promote 'Profane'
HOLL'i'WOOD—William Perlberg w-Ul head
for Europe late this month to barnstorm for
the Perlberg-Seaton production for Paramount.
"The Proud and Profane," starring
William Holden and Deborah Kerr. He will
visit London, Paris. Marseilles, Madrid and
Rome.
Upon his return in early June, his partner,
George Seaton. who wrote and directed "Profane."
will check out for a similar tour of
Edinburgh, Dublin. Bru.ssels, Berlin, Stockholm
and Copenhagen.
Perlberg and Seaton will team up in July for
a swing through major U. S. cities prior to
the film's general release in Augtist.
Atlas Chain Leases Drive-In
SALIDA. COLO.—Atlas Theatre Corp.. owner
of the Salida Theatre, has leased the Groy
Drive-In, according to a recent announcement.
Fred Aluise will manage both theatres.
The Groy Drive-In will open around May 1
and will show first run pictures, Aluise said.
IRST Lady of the Screen" is the somewhat
nebulous but nonetheless worshipful
lip*
distinction that occasionally has been
the enviable lot of a talented and unusually
durable motion picture actress. At one time
Bette Davis basked in its all-encompassing
glory, while Greer Garson was another recipient
thereof.
If currently a femme luminary is richly
deserving of such appellation, it is Jennifer
Jones, w-hose claim thereto was recently
brought into renewed focus when the California
Federation of Women's Clubs selected
her as one of the winners in its distribution
of 1955 awards for film achievement, acclaiming
her as the year's best actress for her portrayal
in 20th Century-Fox's "Good Morning,
Miss Dove," and for having "consistently
avoided unfavorable publicity and associations."
Prior to that, Miss Jones had accumulated
a collection of honors the likes of which have
been bestowed on few— if any—feminine
thespians. She won one of the Academy's
glittering Oscars in 1943 for her performance
in 20th-Foxs "The Song of Bernadette," was
a candidate again in 1955 for "Love Is a
Many-Splendored Thing," made by the same
studio, and was named "best actress" in the
first annual COMPO Audience Awards poll
late last year. Also in her possession is the
Gold Medal award, presented by Photoplay
magazine in recognition of her work in
"Splendored" and "Miss Dove," while the
Hollywood Foreign Press Ass'n recently honored
her with a special Golden Globe kudos.
Another citation came from the National Film
Critics.
Add to all these the BOXOFFICE Blue
Ribbon Aw-ard. which coveted honor was bestowed
upon Miss Jones when the National
Screen Council chose "Miss Dove" as the best
picture to go into release during December
1955. Further, in view of the critical acclaim
being heaped upon her for the excellence of
her performance opposite Gregory Peck in
20th-Fox's current "The Man in the Gray
Flannel Suit," she appears almost certain to
harvest a new bumjjer crop of tributes.
How much of La Jones' dominant niche in
filmdom's hall of fame can be attributed to
her boundless talents, and what proportion
stems from the fact that she has never permitted
the public to become sated with her
charms—she has starred in only 14 pictures in
14 years—is of comparative unimportance.
She has obviously attained the piimacle, and
there is ample indication that she'll remain
there for a long time.
Paramount's praisery, with characteristic
opportunism, broadcast (just before THAT
wedding) intelligence that, at the request of
bride-elect Grace Kellv, the theatre aboard
the Monaco-bound S. S. Constitution was supplied
with an advance print of .Vlfred Hitchcock's
"The Man Who Knew Too Much."
Isn't that a somewhat hazardous title to
toss at a bride-to-be?
Like hives, censorship is apt to break out
in the strangest places and for the most Inexplicable
reasons. Witness: In Washington,
D. C, one Timothy J. Murphy, commanderin-chief
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, was
reported to have registered a loud squawk
with Paramount because the Hal Wallis production,
"The Rose Tattoo," contained some
sequences localed at a veterans' conventionsaid
scenes, according to Murphy, carrying
the implication that the principal activities
of delegates to such affairs are "carousing
and .seeking the company of ladies of the evening."
This ain't so, said Murphy: the clambakes
aren't devoted to "rowdyism and a search for
illicit romance," and therefore "Tattoo" was
guilty of "ca.sting an unsavory shadow" over
the purpose of the affairs.
Which contention w-ill bring forth a resounding,
"Oh, yeah?" from oldsters w-ho
have had the doubtful pleasure of observing
yesteryear's American Legion conventions.
A trade item informs of the formation of a
newcomer indie unit to be called Miracle
Productions, with Stephen Papich, choreographer,
at its helm.
Suggested slogan: "If It's a Good Picture,
It's
a Miracle."
While on the subject of miracles, a passing
thought to a space-wooing venture indulged
in by Warners' Biu-bankian blurbery. Recently,
as a plug for "Miracle in the Rain,"
the company staged a "Miracle Can Happen
to You" contest, the winners being 25 secretaries
from various key cities, all of whom
were brought to Hollywood on a three-day
all-expense tour. The stunt was tied in with
the fact that, in "Rain," femme star Jane
Wyman was cast as a Girl Friday.
Bill Hendricks and staff overlooked just
one bet in entertaining the visiting pothookers.
They should have staged a relay race
aroimd desk.s—with WB's illustrious alumnus,
Errol Flynn, functioning as pacesetter.
What undoubtedly is a new low in Hollywood
opportunism is reflected in the tradepaper
yam reporting that nitcry operator
Herman Hover has secured an oral agreement
to represent the Colorado house
wife who also is known as "Bridey Mur
phy"—in the event she should decide to maki
any personal appearances or otherwise capi
talize upon the nationwide attention that has
been attracted to her.
It can be expected that some other lime
light-hungry entrepreneur will now be signing
one of those fellows at Camarillo who thlnk-s
he's Napoleon.
Allied Artists has made it known that it has
abandoned previously announced plans to participate
in the filming, and handle distribution,
of a theatrical version of TV's "Medic."
Perhaps the studio ran out of Band-Aidsor
mebbe Sandy Abrahams declined to be the
patient.
BOXOFFICE ;
: April 21, 1956 45

. . Glenn
. .
. . Mel
:
April
.
.
SAN FRANCISCO
Cochran was a visitor,
Dobert Hosick, present manager of the Senator
Theatre in Oakland, has taken over the
management of the Tower pending appointment
of a new permanent manager. Hosick
has been managing theatres in the Bay area
for Fox West Coast for the last 12 years. In
the past he has been at Franklin, Orpheum
and Grand Lake theatres. William O'Neill,
former manager of the Tower, died of a heart
attack several weeks ago . Coffee of
Hayward recently took over as manager of
the Midway Drive-In near Dinuba.
Walter Chenoweth, treasurer of the Curran
Theatre in San Francisco, thwarted a holdup
man and saved some $2,000 in cash. Chenoweth
dropped to the floor and wriggled behind
some filing cabinets then yelled at the gunman
to get out. When his secretary called
from the other office and asked if there was
anything wrong, he told her to get the police.
The gunman fled.
OfficiaU of the lone Merchants Ass'n said
.
the premiere showing of "Come Next Spring,"
made last year around lone, raised $960 for
the community swimming pool. Republic furnished
the film without charge and the
local theatre donated its services . . Steve
"CALIFORNIA THEATRE"
$35,000.
details.
THEATRE EXCHANGE
as was Judy Garland,
who stopped off between planes.
Quite a group of exhibitors from out of town
were on hand for the premiere of "The Man
m the Gray Flannel Suit." Jack Peters, manager
of the Roseville Theatre, and his wife
were among them. Keenan Wynn was scheduled
to make an appearance at the preview,
but had to bow out at the last minute as his
wife was taken ill . . . Carol Ohmart was in
town for "The Scarlet Hour" opening at the
St. Francis. The starlet was here to promote
the film and make personal appearances on
opening day. Bob Blair, Paramount studio
press agent, accompanied her.
Bob Butz replaces Jim McMillan as assistant
publicity director at Loew's Warfield .
Flaude Merced, General Theatrical, was in an
auto accident. She was stopped at a red
light and a car plowed into her. She is at
home recuperating
. . . Lillian Curran, another
General Theatrical casuality. fell at
home and broke her wrist and will be out a
couple of months. Sarah Pinto, who worked
on the Row some years ago for the Aaron
Goldbert circuit, is lending a helping hand at
General Theatrical.
Norman Dom, publicist for San Francisco
Theatres, also is a book and poetry reviewer
for the San Francisco Chronicle . . .
The
Vogue Theatre's revival of "Citizen Kane"
ly this summer will take on a full scale
campaign ... A Grace Kelly Festival took
place at the Esquire Theatre in San Francisco
where two of her pictures were featured,
and on her wedding day, a bonus of two more
Kelly films. The Balboa Theatre followed
suit by saluting royalty with "Royal Entertainment"
with two Grace Kelly films.
Ward Pennington on April 23 becomes
branch manager at Milwaukee, leaving his
post of sales manager here. Taking over sales
managerial duties will be Milton Anderson,
who has been with the sales division of the
local office . . . Jim Velde, United Artists
general sales manager, and Al Fitter, new
western division manager, were in town and
hosted a luncheon for leading exliibitors at
BENEFIT PREMIERE IN SAN FRANCISCO—A group of Hollywood stars attended
the premiere of "The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit" at the Fox Theatre in San Francisco.
The premiere was a benefit for the Boy's Towns of Italy, founded by MonsigTior
John Carroll Abbing. Chairman of the benefit committee was Mrs. George P. Skouras.
In the photo, left to right: Margaret O'Brien, Robert Stack. Mrs. Stack (Rosemarie
Rowe), Mrs. and Mr. Cameron Mitchell, Ann Blyth. Harold Zellerbach, Mrs. Skouras,
Cesar Romero and Monsignor Abbing.
the St. Francis Hotel ... Ed Sonney is leaving
his local office here to headquarter in
Los Angeles with his Sonney Roadshow Attractions.
Paula Grubstick is the new accountant for
the Variety Club . . . Al Adolph, Republic
sales, returned from out of town . . . The
Variety Club Induction of new members will
take place April 24 with 11 new men coming
in at that time . Wasserman, booker
at U-I, is leaving San Francisco for Los
Angeles.
Bob Davis, Walter G. Preddey Supply house,
has resigned to work with Foster & Kleiser . ,
C. Simmons, Dominion Theatre Supply Co.,
Vancouver, was a visitor to the Row . . . Gen
Sutton, Republic, recuperated from a cold .
Visitors to the Row included C. N. Spivy,
Portei-ville: Joe Meyers, lone Theatre, lone;
John Aquila, Roxy Theatre, St. Helena . . .
Closing for an indefinite period on April 15
are the Affiliated hou.ses, the Porter Theatre,
Woodland, and the Ceres Theatre, Ceres. The
State Theatre in Eureka, an Affiliated house,
will close indefinitely May 1.
Mitzi Gaynor at St. Louis
For 'Anything' Benefit
HOLLYWOOD—Mitzi Gaynor, who stars in
the VtstaVision-Technicolor musical with
Bing Crosby, Donald O'Connor and Jeanmaire,
appeared at the Monday (16) benefit
premiere of Paramount's "Anything Goes"
at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis. Proceeds
from the opening, scaled from $100 a seat,
went to Boys Towns of Italy.
"Serenade," the Warner musical starring
Mario Lanza, will open locally May 2 in
three indoor and nine drive-in theatres.
It's dated for the Hollywood Pantages, Paramount
Downtown and Stanley Warner Wiltern
as well as the ozoners.
Simultaneous June world premieres in six
foreign capitals are being set up by RKO for
the King Bros, production, "The Brave One,"
filmed in Cinemascope and Technicolor and
starring 10-year-old Michel Ray. The picture
will open in London, Paris, Mexico City,
Amsterdam. Rome and Madrid.
A 13-theatre booking in the Los Angeles
area, beginning Wednesday (25), has been
arranged for RKO's "The Bold and the
Brave," starring Wendell Corey, Mickey
Rooney and Don Taylor. The World War II
drama was produced by Filmakers.
Fairbanks Is Expanding
Into Theatrical Films
HOLLYWOOD—Expansion of its telefilm
operations and the making of theatrical
features and commercial subjects has been
blueprinted by Jerry Fairbanks Productions
following the purchase of an interest in the
company by Shull Bonsall, who will bring his
recently acquired TV Spots, Inc., Into the
Fairbanks organization.
Fairbanks is scheduling two theatrical
ventures annually and will move into a new
and larger studio within 60 days. Bonsall
will as function executive vice-president and
treasurer.
Norman Sickle has been set by Frank
Sinatra's Carlton Productions to create and
develop packages for TV series filming.
BOXOFFICE
:
21, 1956

Ted
. Downtown,
Summertime
West: Elui Kazan, prociucer-director of
Warners' "Baby Doll," checked in for conferences
on editing and scoring the film version
of the Tennessee Williams story. It was
shot on location in Mississippi.
East: Producer Aithur Hornblow jr. planed
out for London to complete preparations for
lensing in Britain of "Witness for the Pi'osecution."
based on the hit play by Agatha
Christie, which he will make in association
with Edward Small for United Artists release.
East : Richmond, paj-tner of actor
Tj-rone Power in Copa Productions, will plane
out for London early next month, planning a
year's absence while he lenses two Power
starrers, "Seven Waves Away" and "Lorenzo
the Magnificent." both of which will be for
Columbia distribution.
West: George Glass, executive of Hecht-
Lancaster. returned from an eight-day stay
in New York, during which he conferred with
United Artists brass concerning the advertising-publicity-exploitation
campaign for H-L's
upcoming "Trapeze."
East: Merian C. Cooper, vice-president in
charge of production for C. V. Whitney Pictures,
planed to Gotham for planning huddles
with Whitney.
East : Producer-director William Wyler was
to check out Monday (23) for New York to
screen his Allied Artists feature, "Friendly
Persuasion." for AA'.s eastern executives.
He'll
be accompanied by John C. Flinn, AA publicity-advertising
director.
East: Henry Ginsberg planed to Manhattan
for conferences with Warner home office
officials on exploitation-advertising plans for
"Giant," the Ginsberg-George Stevens production
now being edited.
West: Jerry Pickman, Paramount vicepresident
in charge of advertising and publicity,
was expected in at week's end for conferences
concerning fall release plans for
Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments."
Su/T Scores Double-Breasted 320
To Top Hardy Perenniel Crop in LA
LOS ANGELES—Thiit dapper "Man in
the
Gray Flannel Suit" was a picture of boxoffice
elegance as the feature, paced by a celebritystudded
premiere, finished its first stanza
w-ith a hefty 320 per cent, far ahead of the
field. In place position with a brisk 160 for
its 22nd canto was "Cinerama Holiday."
Business otherwise ranged from good to
tolerable.
(Averoge Is 100)
Dges, Orpheum—Anything Goes (Para), 3rd
Tiount Hollywood—The Court Jester (Para),
Col'),' 's'th' wk'.: '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.\
F
(DCA); Canyon Passage (U-l), reissue. .
Hollywood—Cineroma Holiday (Cine-
I, 22nd wk
'Jubal' and 'Ladykillers'
Denver's Best Draws
DENVER — "Jubal" with "Battle Stations"
was good at the Denver, where they are holding.
"Ladykillers" went into a fifth week at
the Vogue. "Tribute to a Bad Man" and
"Houston Story" turned in a good week at
the Paramount.
Centre— On the Threshold of Space (20th-Fox) 90
Denhom-- Anything Goes Para), 3rd wk 100
Denver— Jubal C:i Bottle Stations (Col) 125
Esquire— Wages ot Feor (DCA), 2nd wk 100
Orpheum— I'll Cry Tomorrow (MGM), 3rd wk
Paramount—Tribute to a Bad Mon (MGM);
100
The
Houston Story (Col)
Vogue—The Ladylciilers (Cont'l), 4th wk
115
125
Second Week of 'Alexander'
Scores 150 in Frisco
SAN FRANCISCO—The second w^eek of
"Alexander the Great" held up to give the
first run houses a high gross of 150 per cent.
Second spot honors went to the opening of
"Anything Goes" with 125.
Fox—On the Threshold of Space (20th-Fox), 2nd
Golden Gate—Backlash (U-l); The Kettles in the
Ozorl

. Both
17>
PORTLAND
n return to old-fashioned showmanship must
be in the wind here. Both Earl Keate and
Bill Scholl, Los Angeles. United Artists representatives,
were in town to work on "Alexander
the Great," opening at the Para-
1
mount. Keate handled publicity and advertising
in the area while Scholl worked on
promotion, including a chariot parade for the
downtown area . . . Walter Hoffman. Paramount,
also was in town for the first time
in many weeks. He was working on George
Gobel's "The Birds and the Bees." The report
was that he was preparing a list of northwest
beekeepers—the Pacific area is noted for
its famed fireweed honey. Fii-eweed grows on
the hundreds of thousands of acres of loggedoff
land . . . Also active was AUan Weider,
MGM, working on Grace Kelly's "The Swan,"
which opened at Parker's Broadway on the
day of the Monaco wedding. In preparation
for the big event, the Broadway Theatre underwent
an interior painting and modernization
program.
Nancy Welch, holding the fort at the Guild,
reports progress on that theatre's modernization.
A new front and marquee is being
erected and should be completed before May.
"Marty" and "Summertime" were held at the
Guild for a fourth week starting Friday il3>
the Orpheum and the Holljis-ood
theatres. Evergreen operations, staged Friday
the 13th stage shows. Ken Hughes, Orpheum
manager, and Rex Hopkins, Hollywood manager,
were in charge.
Sam Seigel arranged for a special rock 'n'
roll teenagers 5 p.m. premiere at the Orpheimi
of "Rock Around the Clock." Teenagers have
flocked to see this little musical. The stage
show included prizes of Decca rock 'n' roll
albums and several new jackets. The event
was publicized before and aiterwards in the
press.
Walter Coglan and Ken Hughes found that
Portland secretaries were highly interested in
the recent "Miracle" contest staged in conjunction
with "Miracle in the Rain." 'Winner
of the smoothly staged contest was Mrs. Ruth
Armstrong of Bonneville Power Administration.
Mrs. Armstrong's name was picked by
Capt. Bob Clithero of the Air Force recruiting
office here. She left Portland Thursday and
spent tliree nights and days in the Los Angeles
area. She was wined, dined and photographed
with 'Warner Bros, stars.
HANDY SUBSCRIPTION
Westernair Is Reopened
Near Lewiston, Mont.
LEWISTON, MONT.—Glen Metcalf, Ralph
Isaacson and Bruce Isaacson have bought the
Westernair Drive-In, two miles west of town
on Highway 87, and have opened it for the
season.
Ralph Isaacson said the theatre will have
three program changes a week. They plan to
begin the show at 7 p.m. and will advance the
starting time as necessary when the days growlonger.
One special attraction will be the
theatre's Family night after the midweek
feature change when admission charge is $1
per car and occupants.
Westernair's new owTiers also will reopen
their snack bar to offer a large variety of
refreshments. Ralph Isaacson explained that
the first and main feature will be shown twice
each night, the secondary feature once.
Schwarz-Parsons Form
Continental Theatres
SAN FRANCISCO—Maury Schwarz and
John Parsons have merged their interests and
have acquired additional theatres. As Continental
Theatres, Schwarz and Parsons w-ill
operate houses in San Francisco, Oakland,
Sacramento, Monterey and Carmel, most of
them art houses.
In San Francisco, in addition to the Bridge,
Rio and Rita, the Four-Star Theatre will
switch to an art policy soon. Meanwhile, extensive
remodeling has started on the Bridge
Theatre, to be followed by refurbishing of the
other houses.
Out-of-town theatres in the Parsons-
Schwarz operation include the Piedmont in
Oakland, the Manor in Sacramento and the
Golden Bough and Hill in Carmel.
Wayne Bauer Sells Mancos
House to Phillip Belt
MANCOS, COLO.—Mr. and Mrs. -Wayne
Bauer have sold the Mancos Theatre to Mr.
and Mrs. Phillip Belt of Cortez. The newowners
have already taken over operation of
the house. Belt has been employed at the
Cortez Theatre for the past several years.
Mr. and Mrs. Bauer have owned and operated
the theatre here for the past several
years, having started the business in 1949
in the new Bauer building which was built
replace the old Bauer Mercantile building,
destroyed by fire in 1948.
to

. . The
. . Booking-buying
. . Jack
. . Visitors
. . Saul
. .
PHOENIX
LOS ANGELES
n 9-year-old Phoenix girl was awarded $6,000
damages by a superior court jury for injuries
received at a drive-in theatre. The
verdict was against MGA Tlieatres. Inc., operator
of the Rodeo at 1223 East Henshaw. Tlie
girl was struck by an automobile while sitting
on a blanket in front of the car which
brought her to the theati-e. Her attorney
claimed the theatre corporation w^as negligent
in that it enforced a rule requiring patrons to
drive their cars without turning on the headlights.
A location crew of about 100 ax:tors and
technicians aiTived at Sedona for the filming
of "The Last Wagon." The work will continue
for five or six weeks .
Arizona
Republic issue of Sunday. April 15, cai'ried
a full-page ad featuring a picture of Grace
Kelly to advertise the opening April 20 of
••The Swan" at the Palms Theatre . . . 'Wayne
Sweeney of the Paramount Theatre has a new
assistant manager, Don Stratton, who comes
to
the Paiamount from the Denham in Denver.
Mabel Mitchell, publicist for Paramount
Theatres, stirred up interest among the
younger set for "Rock Around the Clock,"
which opened Friday i20i at the Pai-amount.
She arranged several screenings for high
school and Phoenix College students, and disk
jockeys. •Bonus coupons" were handed out
at the screening good for a student admission
with a paid student or adult ticket.
Paramount now is filming "The Maverick"
in the Superstition mountains and in the
Buckeye area.
Sampsons Buy Outdoorer
Near Lakeport. Calif.
LAKEPORT, CALIF.—Mr. and Mrs. Harvey
E. Sampson, owners of the Lower Lake Theatre,
have purchased the Lake Drive-In Theatre
at Clearlake Highlands from Mr. and Mrs.
M. W. Bouldin, who erected and operated the
outdoor theatre last summer.
Mr. and Mrs. Sampson bought the Lower
Lake Theatre, an indoor house, in January
1955 and operated it until a few weeks ago
when they closed it for the season. The
Bouldins, who opened the Clearlake Highlands
Drive-In in June last year, operated it until
November when they closed for the season.
The Bouldins plan to remain in Lake County.
Renovated Indoor House
Reopens in Portland
PORTLAND—The Aero, neighborhood theatre
at 5942 SE 92nd, has been reopened by
its new owners, Thomas Bundy and Lyle A.
Dull. In addition to renovating the appearance
of the theatre, the owners have installed
a widescreen and a full stereophonic
sound system—one of the few systems of its
type in the Portland area.
Prosser Drive-In Opens
PROSSER, WASH.—The Prosser Drive-In
Theatre here will be managed this season by
Acil Marley, according to a recent announcement
by Jack Pearl. Also employed at the
outdoorer, which has already opened for the
season are operators Clarence Rogers and
Gordon Whiting.
THREE PAGES — Children of three
San Francisco industry men served as
pages at the final week's session of the
California legislature at Sacramsnto during
the Easter school vacation. The arrangements
were made by Mrs. Hulda
McGinn, legislative representative for the
Northern California Theatre Aes'n.
Shown, left to right: Mark jr., son of
Mark Ailing, manager of the RKO Golden
Gate Theatre; Carol, daughter of Bill
Blake, MGM field press representative
for northern California; Goodwin Knight,
governor, and William jr., son of William
Elder, manager of Loew's Warfield.
Olathe, Colo., Becomes
Another No-Show Town
OLATHE, COLO.—After almost 30 years of
more or less continued operation, the Olathe
Picture Show is no more. This announcement
w^as made at a Chamber of Commerce meeting
by Ed Nelson of Montrose who has been
operating the theatre the past three years.
The operation had been losing money for
the past year. Nelson said. A committee was
appointed to investigate the possibility of
leasing the equipment and determining the
manner in which future shows could be conducted.
The businessmen of Olathe purchased
the theatre in June 1930 and have
leased it to various managers through the
ensuing years.
Leo Gorcey Is Leaving
Bowery Boys Series
HOLLYWOOD—After a string of 41 pictures,
Leo Gorcey and the Bowery Boys are
parting company. Gorcey, whose future plans
were not disclosed, is being replaced in the
venerable Allied Artists comedy series by
Stanley Clements, with Huntz Hall continuing
in
the co-starring spot.
Last of the group featuring Gorcey, "Crashing
Las Vegas," has not yet been released.
Clements takes over in the next, "Chasing
Trouble," due to roll w-ithin the next fewweeks
as a Ben Schwalb production, scripted
by Elwood UUman.
To Build Outdoor Theatre
ORLAND, CALIF.—The C&M Amusement
Co. has announced it will construct a drive-in
theatre two and one-half miles south and one
mile west of Orland. The 300-car theatre is
expected to be ready to open late In May or
early in June. It will have a Cinemascope
screen and will have a schedule of shows every
night of the week. The property, which was
formerly owned by H. W. Springer, was purchased
through the H. W. Hosking realty
office.
Calcman Ken MacKalg resigned at Republic
to become sales engineer representing a
line of prefabricated products . Goldman
has joined RKO, transferring from Chicago
as salesman . from Hamilton,
Ohio, were Mr. and Mrs. Richard Goos, whose
.southland host was Lew Lindley of the Acorn
Press . visitors Included
Floyd Bernard of the Midway Drive-In chain
and his booker Lou Largy; Henry Slater, up
from Chula Vista; Lou Berman of the 101
and Sky-View drive-ins in Ventura . . . Fred
Stein has appointed George Walcott, formerly
of the United Artists circuit, manager
of his newly acquired Lyric in Monrovia .
Chuck Minor reports he will reopen his Loma
in Burbank, recently damaged by fire, on
May 9.
Newt Jacobs of Favorite Films headed for
Seattle immediately upon learning that his
manager there. Bill Shartin, had been killed
in an automobile accident . . . Connie Baker,
who handles the theatre directory for the
Los Angeles Herald-Express, became parent
of a baby girl . Sherriff, salesman for
Kranz-Levin, checked in from a junket
through Ai-izona.
a
Seymour Borde and Harry Novak, manager
and booker, respectively, at RKO, are chairmen
for Filmrow of the May United Cerebral
Palsy drive. They'll handle distribution to
theatres of UCP appeal trailer . . . Hugh
Braly of Distributors Corp. of America took
off for Portland and Seattle . . . Morris
Safier. representative for Toland Pictures, set
a Pox West Coast circuit deal for S. Hurok's
"Ballet of Romeo and Juliet," which will open
May 7 at FWC's Fine Arts Theatre. Hurok is
due in Monday (23) to attend the premiere.
Lowell Farrell to Produce
Whitney Documentaries
HOLLYWOOD—Lowell Farrell will be the
producer, as well as co-director, of three
semidocumentary subjects to be filmed on
location in Turkey, Greece and Iran by C.
V. Whitney Pictures. Farrell, production manager
for the Whitney organization, is at
present in Turkey preparing to lens the first
of the trio. Co-director will be Winton C.
Hoch. cinematographer, who with Alfred
Gilks will photograph the pictures.
Dogie in Newcastle, Wyo.,
Marks Fifth Birthday
NEWCASTLE, WYO—Manager Fay Boyd
celebrated the fifth bii-thday of the Dogie
Theatre here recently by advertising the event
in the local paper, distributing pieces of the
huge birthday cake which was made for the
occasion and by giving each woman patron
a flower as she entered the theatre for the
Sunday performance.
Gets Facelifting Job
BROADUS, MONT.—In recent weeks the
Pastime Theatre here has been undergoing a
gradual change, which will increase the comfort
of area moviegoers. The house, which is
owned and operated by Carl Shaffer, now has
a new CinemaScope screen and new projectors
and leases. Also, new wall coverings have
been installed and a new ceiling; and new
floor covering is contemplated.
BOXOFFICE 49

.
:
April
SEATTLE
pd Amdt has resigned from Sterling's advertising
department because of ill health .
The Palomar Theatre, continuing its policy
of offering top jazz artists, presented Cal
Tjader and his Afro-Cuban band Sunday (15).
Several other big name stars are scheduled
to appear in the coming two months, including
Bill Haley and the Comets . . . The
Liberace concert has been moved forward to
May 21, according to Zollie Volchok, who is
handling the event locally. It will be held at
the Civic Auditorium.
The TV program, "Yours for the Asking,"
has been moved from the Northgate Theatre
to the Admii-al for thi-ee weeks . . . "Carousel"
has been set to open April 27 at Sterling's
Northgate and Bellevue theatres, with runs
scheduled for two to three weeks ... A July
28 wedding has been set for two Sterling people,
Edie Mae Lawyer and Jerry Vitus, booker,
whose engagement was announced recently . . .
In other Sterling new's, JeiTy Mayburn, who
comes from theatres in Colorado, has joined
the staff and soon will begin working in the
advertising department.
Filmrow visitors included Ed Johnson of the
Garden and West End, Spokane; Peter
Barnes, who recently purchased the Columbia
Basin Theatres, accompanied by Dale Hazen,
who is now booking for the Ephrata circuit;
Jim Griffin from Selah; Mike Powers, 20th-
Fox eastern Washington salesman; Joe
Rosenfield, Spokane, and Herman Wobber.
20th-Fox division manager, up from San
Pi-ancisco to visit the local exchange.
'Commandments' Blurb
Staff Adds Two More
HOLLYWOOD—To intensify the prerelease
ballyhoo for Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten
Commandments," which will have territorial
openings beginning in November, Paramount
has augmented the news bureau recently
established at the studio. Already numbering
Art Ai-thur, Al Finestone and Ann DelValle,
the news bureau has also been joined by
Frank Fi-iedrichsen and Paul Simqu.
To Start 'Sleeping Prince'
HOLLYWOOD—A July 30 starting date has
been set for "The Sleeping Prince." starring
Marilyn Monroe and Sli' Laurence Olivier,
which will be released by Warners. The film,
to be filmed in London, will be directed by
Olivier and is a joint venture between LOP.
Ltd.. and Marilyn Monroe Productions.
Medical Plaque to Hope
HOLLYWOOD—For his "effective and tireless
aid" in the medical profession's struggle
against heart ailments, cancer and cerebral
palsy. Bob Hope was the honored guest and
recipient of a bronze plaque at a dinner
se.ssion Thursday (19) of the American
College of Phys
Plans NATO Navy Film
producer, is
HOLLYWOOD—Samuel G. Engel, 20th-Fox
seeking Defense Department cooperation
in the making of a proposed feature
dealing with the coordination of naval matters
by the 14 nations which are signatories
to
the North Atlantic Ti-eaty Organization.
'Magic Fire' Premiered
For British Royalty
HOLLYWOOD—"Magic Fire," produced
and directed by William Dieterle for Republic
release, was world-premiered Thui-sday
(19) at a command performance for
Britain's royal family at the Haymarket Theatre
in London. A biography of composer
reichard Wagner, the opus was lensed in
Europe in Trucolor and stars Yvonne De-
Carlo, Carlos Thompson, Rita Gam and Alan
Badel.
Frank Sinatra's first independent production
venture, "Johnny Concho," in which
he stars for United Artists release, will have
its premiere Saturday (28) at the Leicester
Theatre in London.
Members of the lay press were guests of
Columbia and Warwick Pictures on a Tuesday
(17) junket to San Diego for the opening
of Warwick's "Cockleshell Heroes," starring
Jose Ferrer, at the Strand Theatre. Yana,
British TV actress, was the hostess, and
William Sparks of the British Royal Marines,
whose exploits are depicted in the film, was
one of the honored guests.
Delbert Mann to 'Elms'
HOLLYWOOD — Delbert Mann, whose
piloting of Hecht-Lancaster's "Marty" won
Oscars for both himself and the picture, has
been signed by Don Hartman to direct the
latter's independent production, "Desire
Under the Elms," based on the Eugene O'Neill
play. Starring Sophia Loren and being
scripted by Irwin Shaw, the venture is slated
to go before the cameras early next year.
New Holiday to Debut
LOWER LAKE, CALIF.—The new 485-seat
Holiday Theatre was set to open Saturday (21)
here, with the opening highlighted by the
personal appearance of Tennessee Ernie
Ford. Mr. and Mrs. Mel Murphy are managing
the house.
Installs 'Request Box'
TAMPA—W. E. Grout, manager of the
Lincoln Theatre here said that for the convenience
of patrons he has placed a "request
box" in the lobby of the theatre so that persons
requesting return engagements of certain
pictures could drop a written request.
John Walker. 67, Dead
GRAND PRAIRIE. TEX.—John Walker, 67,
who came here in 1925 and built the old Texas
Theatre, died recently in a local hospital.
Before coming here Walker operated a theatre
in Moody, Tex. He retired after selling
the Texas in 1943.
Reopens at Fallon, Nev.
FALLON, NEV.—The Roper Drive-In Theatre
six miles west of town was opened for the
summer April 1 by Mrs. W. W. 'Whitaker.
First feature to show at the outdoor theatre
was "The Kentuckian."
Opens at Sunnyside, Wash.
SUNNYSIDE. WASH. — Manager Paul
Laminack distributed special free treats to
patrons attending the recent spring opening
of the Star-Lite Drive-In Theatre here.
fight
cancer
with a CHECK
^
CHECKUP/
and a
AMERICAN
CANCER SOCIETY
This Space Contributed by
BOXOFFICE
BOXOFFICE
:
21, 1956

St. Louis Film Council
Hosts National Meet
ST. LOUIS—The Better Films Council of
St. Louis hosted the .second annual convention
of the Federation of Motion Picture
Councils here Thursday and Friday (19, 20
with Mrs. Max M. Williams of Royal Oak,
Mich., president of the federation, presiding.
Mrs. Arretus P. Burt, founder and honorary
president of the St. Ijouis council, is first
vice-president of the federation. Mrs. Gustav
F. Goetsch, a former president of the St.
Louis unit, was convention chaii-man.
Dr. Ai-thur H. DeBra, director of community
and exhibitor relations department
of the Motion Picture Ass'n of America, spoke
at the Thursday opening session. The Japanese
color film, "Golden Demon," was shown
at the Orpheum Theatre Thursday morning,
and was discussed in a panel session that
afternoon on "How to Evaluate a Motion
Picture."
Friday's session included a talk by Arthur
L. Mayer of New York on "Films in War and
Peace," and a symposium on "Changing Audiences
and the Motion Picture Production
Code" was held Friday afternoon. Mrs. Burt
was panel moderator, and panelists included
Velma West Sykes, BOXOFFICE, Kansas
City, and Ralph Hetzel. vice-pre.sident. Motion
Picture Ass'n of America, New York.
Geoffrey Shurlock, Production Code Administration
director, Hollywood, served as consultant.
Friday night those attending the
convention viewed the third of the Cinerama
productions, "Seven Wonders of the
World," at the Ambassador Theatre.
Chairmen of the St. Louis local committees
for the convention were: Arrangements, Mrs.
Norton John Eversoll, president. Better Films
Council; Registration, Mrs. George O'Sullivan;
Reservations, Mrs. Charles Muschany
and Miss Stella Sauer; Ushers, Mrs. Howard
B. Kelsey: Doorkeepers, Mrs. T. G. Eggers:
Pages, Mrs. Burton F. Connolly; Decorations,
Mrs. O. A. Walter; Courtesy. Mrs. Joseph
Lundergan; Reception. Mrs. Robert N. Arthur:
Exhibits, Mrs. Frank Fletcher; Publicity,
Mrs. John Sutherland, and Transportation,
Mrs. Joseph F. Brazen. The Hospitality
committee was composed of all past
presidents of the St. Louis council.
Dexter, Mo., Group Buys
Local Drive-In Theatre
DEXTER. MO.—The Family Drive-In on
Highway 60 west of town has been purchased
by Winifred Garner, Dr. E. G. Bailey sr. and
Dr. E. G. Bailey jr. from the Lawrence family.
The theatre was built by the late Yewell
Lawrence in 1950 and has been owned and
operated by the family since that time. Garner
and his uncle, Robert L. Garner, built
the Midway Drive-In on Highway 25 between
Bloomfield and Dexter two years ago, and
Winifred has been the active manager. He
will not manage both drive-in theatres.
Chicago Center Project
Includes Twin Drive-In
CHICAGO—A $1,330,000 drive-in theatre
project, to include a motel, bowling alley and
restaurant, is being planned by Sam Levin.
To be built on 85 acres in Stickney township,
the drive-in will have two screens—one
visible to 1,650 cars and the other to 1,500.
BOXOFFICE
Kansas-Missouri Allied
Will Convene May 8
GOLD CARD TO L. E. POPE—Lucian
E. Pope, right, purchasing agent for the
Fox Midwest circuit, was presented an
honorary membership card in the projectionists
Local 170 of Kansas City at a
recent meeting of the union. The presentation
was made by LeRoy Upton. lATSE
representative, shown at left.
In the center
is George B. Barrett. Local 170 business
agent.
lames M. Gill Buys State
In Shawneetown, 111.
SHAWNEETOWN. ILL.—James M. Gill,
proprietor of the State furniture store for
the past several years, recently purchased the
adjoining State Theatre from D. O. Lanham.
Gill is no stranger to the motion picture
business, having been associated with Lanham
in the State Theatre for the past ten
years. He is assuming complete charge of
the 350-seat house with a thorough knowledge
of its operation. The house is equipped
with a widescreen.
Lanham operated theatres in Shawneetown
for a period of some 25 years. In his
early operations here his theatre was located
in the Old Town area, but when floods
along the Ohio River made it advisable to
move the city to a higher location he went
along, opening the present State Theatre.
He had also been in the motion picture theatre
business in Okawville, Carmi and New-
Haven, 111.
Shopping Center Planned
By Commonwealth Corp.
KANSAS CITY—A million-dollar shopping
center is being planned by Commonwealth
Theatres on the property of the Broadway
Drive-In at Columbia. Mo. Richard Orear.
executive vice-president, said architects are
now drafting the plans.
Halsted Outdoor Opens
CHICAGO—Essaness's Halsted Outdoor
Theatre at 138th and Halsted streets opened
for the season with a policy of showing films
"direct from Loop runs." Located on
Chicago's longest through street, the Halsted
will feature owl shows every Friday and
Saturday night. All programs will open with
"Kartoon Karnivals" for the youngsters.
KANSAS CITY—Plans for the annual convention
of the Allied Independent Theatre
Owners of Kansas and Missouri were completed
at a meeting of the board here last
week (10).
The convention will be held May 8 on the
roof garden of the newly remodeled Aladdin
Hotel. Speakers scheduled are Abram Myers,
national counsel and chairman of the board,
Washington; Rube Shor of Cincinnati, president:
Al Sindlinger, busine.ss analyst who will
give a report on present business trends, and
Ben Berger, North Central Allied president,
Minneapolis.
Registration will begin at 9 a.m. and the
meeting will start promptly at 10, according
to Beverly MJler, president. There will be
cocktails before an all-industry buffet luncheon,
with Berger and Sindlinger the luncheon
speakers. An open meeting will follow
the luncheon, after which a closed meeting
will be held for members who will elect officers
and transact other business.
A sponsored cocktail party at the hotel
at 5 p.m. will be followed by a rathskeller
at the Muehlebach brewery at 6:30. Members
of the convention committee are Ronald
Means and Charley Potter, Kansas City;
Gene Musgrave, Minneapolis, Kas.; Ben
Adams, El Dorado: Komp Jarrett, Nevada,
Mo.; Max Davis, Lyons, Kas.; Joe Stark.
Wichita; Jay Wooten. Hutchinson.
Board members discussed the tax repeal
program and decided to get the temper of the
membership. The daylight savings thi-eat
was discussed as well as the increased pressure
by the Catholic Legion of Decency.
MITO Regional Meeting
To Be in Lebanon, 111.
ST. LOUIS — Missouri-Illinois Theatre
Owners w.ll hold a regional meeting at the
Lebanon (111.) Country Club June 12 with
Bernard Temborius as the host exhibitor.
The format for the gathering will follow
that of the successful regional meeting held
in Louisiana, Mo., in March. It will feature
a symposium on "Money-Making Ideas for
You," with those present telling operational
procedures they have found successful and
profitable. The business of the officers and
directors, however, will be held to a minimum
to permit those in attendance to enjoy the
recreational facilities of the country club, including
its large outdoor swimming pool,
golf course, badminton court, horseshoe
pitching courts, and a Softball diamond.
There will be tables for cards.
Jimmy James, who helps his father Tommy,
chairman of the board of MITO, in the operation
of the Comet, Douglas and Strand
theatres in St. Louis, and Ed Peters of Confection
Cabinet have made arrangements
with the Krey Packing Co. of St. Louis to be
host at a cocktail hour. It was decided to
hold the 1956 annual convention the last
week of August with the exact dates and
hotel to be decided soon.
Jerome Weidman is penning MGM's "Pattern
of Malice."

.
•
Steady Trade Cheers
Chicago First Runs
CHICAGO—The business tempo did not
vary much, which means that business was
generally good. Five new entries were helpful
to the boxoffice picture. "Anything Goes"
at the State Lake and "The Harder They
Fall" at the Woods opened strong. "Too Bad
RCA IN-CAR
SPEAKERS
NEW LAMPS
and POWER
EQUIPMENT
MID-WEST THEATRE
SUPPLY CO., INC.
INDIANA REPRESENTATIVeA
ED N. HOWE
1638 Central Parkwcry
Cincinnati 10, Ohio
CHerry 7724
She's Bad" at the World Playhouse did capacity
opening business and the Grand did
all right with "Forbidden Planet" and "Day
of Fury." "Alexander the Great," in its second
week at the Chicago, continued to be a
leader. "The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit,"
in its second week at the Oriental, was again
in the upper gross bracket.
(Ave 100)
-The Rose Tattoo (Para), 2nd wk.
.
,. Alexander the Great (UA), 2nd wk.
.fel's Palace Cineromo Holiday (Cinerama),
•
47th wk
J.-
', V
rand ^Forbidden Plonet (MGM); Doy of Fury
(U-
Monroe There's Aiwa
Oriental—The Man in
(20th-Fox), 2nd wk
Roosevelt Backlash (
(WB), 2nd wk
The Steel
Jungle
Stare Lake Anything Goes (Pora)
Surf Citizen Kane RKO), reissue........
United Artists- Miracle in the Rain (WB); Ou
Miss Brooks (WB), 2nd wk,
Woods The Harder They Fall (Col)
Ziegfeld— Diabolique (UMPO), '/'h wk.
WoTld Playhouse Too Bad She's Bod (Getz
Kingsley)
Lull at Indianapolis
But "Suit' Is Big
INDIANAPOLIS—Business at first run
struck a spring lull as fine weather
theatres
encouraged outdoor activities. But "The Man
in the Gray Flannel Suit" opened big at
Keiths and seemed set for a run. "Day the
World Ended" proved a surprise draw at
the Circle, where it attracted the science
fiction fans en masse. "Miracle in the Rain"
was not causing much excitement at the
Indiana.
Circle—Day the World Ended (ARC); Phontom^^^
From 10,000 Leagues (ARC)
Esquire—Marty (UA),4t
Brooks (WB)
eith's The Man
(20th-Fox)
3ew's Comonche
run houses here showed poor gi-osses. At the
Glen, "Companions of the Night" .scored
highest with 160 and next high was "The
Man in the Gray Flannel Suit" playing at
the four Fox houses to 145 per cent of average
business. This will be be held for eight
days in all but the Uptown, where it will play
for 15 days. "Hot Blood" had a chilly boxoffice
reception at the Missouri and holdovers
at the other theatres dropped to discoui-aging
lows.
,
Glen—Companions of the Night (Arlon) 160
Kimo— Diobolique (UMPO), 4th wk^. HO
Midland—The Horder They Fall (Col); The
65
Houston Story (Col), 2nd wk
Missouri- Mirocle in the Rain (WB); The Brarn
Paramount- Hot Blood (Col); ..,
Hell's uHonion
Machine (RKO), 2nd wk - -
(Col)

. . Ken
. . Marc
. . Charles
. . Trueman
New Legal Action Blocks
Shiner, Reese Ozoner
CHICAGO- State's Attornoy Gutkiicct has
filed suit against Sam Sinner and Michael
A. Reese, owners of a proposed 1.000-car
drive-in near O'Hare Field. The suit filed
in county court charged that the ownere of
the 40-acre tract are violating a county dirt
removal ordinance. Assistant state's attorney
Martin Handelman said construction
workers halted work on the $400,000 project
after the owners were notified of the court
order.
The case goes to trial in county court April
2-i. The penalty for removing dirt without a
county permit runs to a maximum of $200
fine and six months in jail.
City officials earlier protested that construction
of a drive-in screen on the property
at O'Hare Field would endanger airport operations.
Drive-In Stockholders
Appeal for Receiver
FREEPORT. ILL.—A petition has been
filed in circuit court here asking for the
appointment of a receiver for the Freeport
Drive-In located on Route 20 east of town.
The petition was filed in behalf of William
and Dorothy Bennis and against William B.
and Kathryn Jury and Robert C. and Ethel
M. Grant, stockholders. It is alleged by the
plaintiffs that salaries collected by the defendants
for their respective services are excessive
and the court is asked to name a
receiver to administer the business of the
corporation.
INDIANAPOLIS
Tack James and Dick Tliompsnn of Louisville
have bought the Ventro at Charleston,
Ind., from Roland Foster, w^ho built the house
five years ago and later leased it to Clotus
Stratton. Both James and Thompson are
registered pharmicists "Chuck"
Hood, who managed Syndicate Theatres units
in Elwood from 1945 to 1952, has returned
as that circuit's city manager there. He was
manager for Alliance at Alexandria and then
worked two years for the Indiana Department
of Conservation since 1952. He is on
the primary ballot as a candidate for precinct
committeeman at Elwood. but announced
his retirement from politics other-
Jack Bornstein has been named manager
of the Starlite Theatre at Tell City. Bornstein
and his father Joe are partners in a jewelry
store there . Collins, former general
manager of Greater Indianapolis and a first
run f.gure since the 1920s, has sold his
launderette and is moving to Fort Worth,
where he expects to enter the real estate
business. His son in the Air Corps is stationed
there . . . Sol Greenberg. booker for
y&W, was at home with a virus infection.
Miss Hanny Marcus, sister of Manny Marcus,
head of Marcus Enterprises here, died
in Cincinnati April 14 . . . Al Hendricks,
manager of the Indiana, took a press and
radio party to Dayton for the premiere of
"On the Threshold of Space" Wednesday
and Thursday . Wolf and his wife
Bea will attend the Variety convention in
New York May 9-12. Wolf l.s Variety International
main guy . Rembusch
has returned to his Franklin headquarters
after a vacation in Florida . . . Earl Cunningham
has installed a new screen at the Fountain
Square.
Doirons Buy Dark Theatre
PRAIRIE DU ROCHER. ILL.— Lavern J.
Doiron and Ernie Doiron have purchased the
Prairie Theatre building and equipment from
Mr. and Mrs. Russell Moro of Ste. Genevieve,
Mo., and will reopen the house April 27. The
theatre has been dark since May 29, 1955.
Smoke Damage at Grant City Theatre
GRANT CITY, MO.—A fire in the basement
of the Grant City Theatre last week
caused so much smoke damage that the
theatre had to close to repair it. The theatre
is operated by Robert Robison.
Returns as Pickwick Manager
CHICAGO—Bob Kase, 6626 N. Oshkosh
Ave., has returned to the Pickwick Theatre as
manager.
THEJsJSrRE
EQUIPMENT
442 N. ILLINOIS ST., INDIANAPOLIS, INO.
"Everythinq for the Theatre"
CONVENTION . . CONVENTION
ALLIED
.
. \NHA7 A CONVENTION !
INDEPENDENT THEATRE OWNERS
OF KANSAS AND MISSOURI, INC.
A free case of Bourbon, Scotch and Champagne to
A free choice of a Blonde, Brunette or Redhead.
A free Cadillac Coupe 'D Ranier (of Monaco that is)
each registrant.
And as a capital prize, Half the Stock in All the Film Companies.
Of course all you can eat and drink while here and a little sleep, too.
OH YEAH?
That's the kind of attraction we would
like to offer ... but it's much more
serious than that . . . It's a matter of life and death . . .
Your theatre, that is . . . will you or will you not be open
by next year??
Seriously though : : we are holding a convention ... a
serious convention for you. A convention in which problems
just like yours will be discussed and you will have on opportunity
to join in the discussions and help to form conclusions
for action and possible cures to these ills.
ON HAND TO HELP IN THESE DISCUSSIONS WILL BE MEN SUCH AS:
RUBE SHOR, fearless national president of Allied from
Cincinnati; BENNY BERGER, fiery national vice-president
from Minneapolis; AL SINDLiNGER, nationally known business
analyst, who can tell you some things about trends, in
your business and other businesses.
AND OTHER NATIONAL AND LOCAL FIGURES WHO
CAN HELP YOU IN YOUR PROBLEMS
THE DATE IS TUESDAY MAY 8th AT THE
ALADDIN HOTEL KANSAS CITY, MO.
Registration 9 a. m. Meeting 10 a. m. 'All industry
luncheon 12:15 noon. Meeting 2:00 p. m. (exhibitors). *Election
of officers and directors 4:30 p. m. Cocktail party 5:00
p. m. (right across the hall) *and at 6:30 p. m., a night to
remember ... All industry "A Night in the Rathskeller" at the
Muehleboch brewery.
ALL EXHIBITORS INVITED AND THERE IS NO REGISTRATION CHARGE WHATSOEVER
Be on hand for a constructive convention and some fun after business
BOXOFFICE ;: April 21, 1956 S3

. Prom
.
.
.
. .
Syd
.
.
. .
Jacqueline
. . Mrs.
KANSAS CITY
T arry Klein, Universal office manager, was
•^
out of his office because of jury service
magazine is conducting a Prettiest
Schoolteacher contest with Missouri Theatre
to publicize "Our Miss Brooks." Pupils are
requested to send photos of their candidates,
the pupil sending in the winner to receive a
$25 bond. The contest closes April 23 . .
Finton Jones, insurance broker, reports
recent storm damage to Mrs. D. A. Bisagno's
theatre and drive-in at Augusta, Kas.
.
Harvey Cole, MGM salesman, is crusading for
employe parking relief on Filmrow. Those
overtime $1.50 pai-king tickets add up.
L&L Popcorn and Hollywood Servemaster
report an order for four Roto-Grilles from
Sweden for two different concerns, three of
OUR BUSINESS IS SOUND"
THEATRE SERVICE CO., INC.
RELIABLE SOUND SERVICE PAYS
Dealers in BALLANTYNE
Everything for the Stage
• CURTAINS • TRACKS • RIGGING • STAGE
LIGHTING • HOUSE DRAPERIES
GREAT WESTERN STAGE EQUIPT. CO.
city, Missouri
ATTENTION, EXHIBITORS!
We have several drink mochines, Sno-Cone
machines ond syrup dispensers we ore offering
ot o sole price before inventory, April 30.
SHREVE THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 3il
217 W. ISth St. HA 1-7849 Kansas City, Mo.
SEE KIM FOR
The Best Deal in Single-Trock, Mognetic-Sound
Reproducing Equipment.
W. 18th St.
MISSOURI THEATRE
SUPPLY COMPANY """itimore' 2-3070
SAVE $ $ $
SOUTHWEST THEATRE EQUIPMENT
FIRST IN CONCESSIONS
SUPPLIES AND ^ND
EQUIPMENT I
Midwest Popcorn prn Co. I
2Sth & Parallel irallel
I
City, Kans.
DR. 1-8067
I
same for Canada, one for Hawaii and two
more to Alaska. Five Servette popcorn
warmers went to the Standard Theatre
Supply Co. at Charlotte, N. C. for local driveins
Two Servette popcorn warmers of stainless
steel went to a Melville, Long Island,
drive-in. The new concession counter at the
Kaw in Junction City has installed for the
first time a Roto-Grille and a Buttermat popcorn
machine. The developing national and
international business of L&L indicates it is
ideally located for such expansion of business.
Fox Midwest news items include: Ray
Monzingo. city manager at Dodge City, has
been elected president of the Ban Johnson
Baseball League. Visitors at the home office
include C. C. Murray, Wichita city manager;
WiUis Shaffer, manager Fox Theatre at
Hutchinson; Dale StammerJohn, manager
Main Street at Lexington. Jim Long, district
5 manager, made a two-day trip to Springfield.
He reported the extensive redecoration
of the DeGraw at Brookfield had been com-
Wichita, was in town and reported the installation
of a Triple "AAA" electric refrigerated
root beer barrel in C. D. Jarrett's
Trail Drive-In at Nevada. He also installed
a Triple "AAA" Sho-Bar in the T. H.
Slothower Terrace Drive-In at Wichita
Mr and Mrs. Frank Dickinson of Dighton.
Kas., operate their Sweet Shop next door to
the Dickinson Theatre and have their concession
items there. The Sweet Shop is open,
of course, at times when the theatre is
closed.
Buena Vista reports Jesse Clinich, western
division manager, was through here with
Marvin Goldfarb, district manager from
Denver, on their way from St. Louis to the
Omaha and Salt Lake City offices Regal
. . .
Popcorn Co. reports the sale of a Jet-Spray
machine and a hot-dog warmer to Mr. and
Mrs LeRov Hitchings for the Hillcrest Drive-
.
In at Osage City. Kas. Levy, salesman
for National Screen Service, has returned
from a trip in western Kansas where he
says things are looking up after the recent
rain and snow. Lou Patz, division manager,
passed another milestone Friday il3i without
turning around and adding it to his birthday
calendar.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Munson, who operate
drive-ins at Arkansas City, Winfield, Norton
and Scott City, Kas.. were in town Monday
(161 booking and buying. Munson says when
he first started in theatre business in 1946
that the first film salesman who called on
him issued this warning; "Now I'll be coming
in regularly to sell you film. If you beheve
everything" I tell you the first year, you'll
soon be scrubbing your own floors. And if
you believe anything I tell you after that,
you'll soon be scrubbing someone else's floors.'
Thus forewarned, Fred stayed in business and
even expanded. However, Mrs. Munson looks
if as she might have been a contributing
factor.
The Motion Picture Booking Agency, operated
by Ed Hartman, is now booking for Jim
Gleeson's Southtown Theatre Another
. . .
theatrical landmark is being torn down to be
used as a garage—the old Empress Theatre at
12th and McGee streets. The former vaudeville
and motion picture house, and for a time
a burlesque show place, was built in 1910 and
has been closed since 1936. the space utilized
for shops ... A bowling banquet is planned
by the women's teams of the Filmrow Bowling
League on May 1 at the Blue Hills Barbecue.
E. D. Van Duyne, district manager for the
RCA Service Co.. spent several days on company
business in the Joplin area and took a
Cope
. .
short trip to Omaha and Lincoln .
Forbes, district field supervisor, visited Max
Dillingsworth at Joplin the week of April 9.
Dillingsworth has returned to RCA as a field
engineer. He had been on a leave because
of injuries suffered in a motor car accident
Sam Piazza, field engineer quartered at
Trinidad. Colo., was hospitalized in Pueblo
April 16 for minor surgery and will be con-
pleted.
L. J. Kimbriel of Missouri Theatre Supply valescing for a couple of weeks. His territory
arranged a demonstration of the new RCA includes theatres in western Kansas.
135-amp Dynarc projector lamp at Commonwealth's
Crest Drive-In at Hickman Mills
Stanley Durwood, vice-president of Durwood
Theatres, has a new secretary, Ann
Monday (16 1. He has also arranged a
Kohlbeck. Nita Cline resigned to become the
demonstration of the RCA admission control
June bride of Charles Busch of Des Moines.
system at the 63rd St. Drive-In on April 27
She left Friday i20i for her home in Denver
at 7 o.m. Alex Shniderman and E. C. Sutter,
to get ready for the wedding Exhibitor
. . .
who operate the drive-in are trying it out for
visitors to the Row from Kansas included;
possible installation. Kimbriel invites other
Bill Flynn, Emporia; Harry Hixon, Atchison;
exhibitors to see this demonstration.
Don Burnett. Larned; Dale Danielson, Russell;
J. W. Stark of the Stark Enterprises, Bud Broun. Phillipsburg; O. F. Sullivan and
Leonard Kane. Wichita. Missouri visitors
included; Harley Fryer, Lamar; Mr. and Mrs.
Elmer Bills, Salisbury; Frank Weary sr.,
Richmond; Nick Kotsis. Holden; Marvin
Banks, St. Louis. Cecil Mayberry was m from
Eureka Springs, Ark.
Midwest Popcorn Co. is now distributing
Mission Orange. Midwest reports the sale
of a Multi-Plex root beer barrel to Mid-
Central Theatres of Manhattan, Kas., for
one of its new drive-ins . . . L. J. Kimbriel of
Missouri Theatre Supply reports the death
of Mrs. Kimbriel's father. Charles Dake, on
is recovering after surgery at Trinity
Lutheran.
Carpets -Door Mats
Complete Instollotion Service— Free Estimotes
R. D. MANN CARPET CO.
928-930-932 Central, VI. 1-1171, Konsas CHy, Mo.
1800 Olive St., Garfield 1-2626, St. Louis, Mo.
BOXOFFICE
:: April 21, 1956

. . Stu
. . Jack
WAYS TO GUARD
YOUR HEART
1. AVOID SELF-DIAGNOSIS
In case of doubt see your doctor.
2. AVOID WORRY
Worrying cures or prevents
nothing.
3. AVOID OVER-FATIGUE
When you rest or sleep, your
heart's work load is lightened.
4. AVOID OVER.EXERTION
Exercise in moderation, particularly
if over 40.
5. AVOID OVER-WEIGHT
Excess weight loads extra work
on your heart.
ST. LOUIS
^h.irlt-y (ioldnian, local theatre owner,
has been elected a director of the Rotary
Club . Tomber of Rio Syrup is a real
first-nighter, it would appear. In the past
.several day.s he attended the 1956 opcning.s
of the following drive-ins: Jeff Jcfferi.s' Pine
Hill at Piedmont: L. A. Mercier's Hi-Y at
Fredericktown: P. Val Mercier's Hilltop at
Perry ville; Bill Collins' Sky view at DeSoto;
the Killarney at Arcadia, operated by Wil-
1am Ba,sden: the Bebe at Centralia, E. F.
Bebermeyer, owner: the Starlite, Beardstown,
111., owned by the Pirtle Amusement
Co., and 67 Drive-In, Jacksonville, 111., operated
by Howard F. Busey and Elmore Suter,
Paul Krueger, president of the Fred Wehrenberg
circuit, and other members of the
County Housing Authority have resigned, effective
May 1. This is an election year and
since the authority has been made very much
of a political football by various elements in
the county, the members decided to let somebody
else be the pigskin until November . . .
In keeping with the Eastertide and its spirit
of peace and goodwill, Edward B. Arthur of
Fanchon & Marco and Paul Krueger and
Lester R. Kropp of Fred Wehrenberg circuit,
were seen walking along Olive street
arm-in-arm and it wasn't a boxing bout
clinch . . . Harry Wahl, owner of the World
Theatre here, is ill.
Exhibitors seen along Filmrow included
Warren Snider, Dixon, Mo.: Eddie Clark.
Metropolis, 111.: Bill Waring jr., Cobden, 111.:
John Carothers. Carbondale, 111.: Kenneth
Hirth, Pacific, Mo.: G. D. Haskins, Maiden,
Mo.: Tom Edwards jr., Farmington, Mo.: Bob
Johnson, Fairfield, 111.: Herman Tanner.
Pana, 111., and R. L. Davis. Farina, 111 .
Loren Cluster of Salem, 111., entrained for
Florida, leaving his private airplane behind
W. Kirby, WB
for an overhaul .
western division sales manager, was a visitor.
Gordon Halloran. 20th-Fox manager, attended
a sales conference at Minneapolis
April 10, 11 to discuss plans for the saturation
bookings for "The Proud One" . . . Al
Fitter, new division manager for United
Artists, was at the local exchange Wednesday
through Friday last week.
Liberace and brother George played to an
audience of some 6,500 persons at the Kiel
Auditorium Saturday night (14 1. His program
included a 45-piece orchestra, and di.shed out
was a potpourri of classical, popular, Jazz,
mountain and rock and roll offerings. Scaled
at $2-$4.50, he probably grossed $20,000.
\
A.A. THEATRE CONCESSION
SUPPLY CO.
d?
6. SUPPORT YOUR HEART FUND
Your contribution advances the
nation-wide fight against the
heart diseases through research,
education and community heart
programs.
This Space Contributed by
BOXOFFICE

INDUSTRY PROFILE
,-1 rM I , i I r- I
North Cenlral Allied
Elmer Rhoden Jr.
To New Prosperity in
KANSAS CITY—E. C. Rhoden jr., recently
elected president of Commonwealth
Theatres, will celebrate
his 34th
birthday April 30
and has a young
man's optimistic
outlook. Rhoden jr.
has elected to follow
in the footsteps
;| "I look for a renewal of prosperity in
;| the motion picture industry. The comm
pany's business has been holding up well
i: lately and we are going to take all posil
sible opportunities of expanding it."
ii Rhoden jr. had two years of college, one
|: year at the University of Missouri and
one at the University of the South in Ten-
II
nessee, before he did his first regular thea-
II
II tre work. In 1940 he managed the Ritz
II under M. B. Smith at Garden City, Kas.,
II and the following year ran the Star and
II the Main Street theatres in Warrensburg,
g Mo. Then Uncle Sam claimed him, and
II as he tells it, he "flew a typewriter for the
|ii Air Force for four and a half years in the
|;| Caribbean area."
il After his discharge, he returned to
Commonwealth where he took inventories
ip
p of properties, theatre equipment and supll
plies. Then he became assistant film buyer
i to the late Robert Shelton. When Shel-
11 ton was moved up to general manager.
Khiidt'ii bi'i'Limf film buyer, a position
Boys Towns of Italy Fund
Enriched by Premiere
ST. LOUIS—A cocktail party was given at
the Congress Hotel Monday (16) as a preliminary
to the premiere of "Anything Goes,"
shown at the Fox Theatre later that evening
for the benefit of Boys Towns of Italy. Guests
at the cocktail party were Mitzi Gaynor,
Linda Darnell, Joe DiMaggio and Msgr.
John Patrick Carroll Abbing, who founded
Boys Towns in Italy 11 years ago.
The premiere tickets ranged from $1.50 to
$100. with the goal $39,000.
Looks Forward
Industry
Following that, he spent a year as di- ||
rector of advertising and publicity, then H
as vice-president and assistant to Shelton.
During Shelton's illness. Rhoden was fi
made executive vice-president. As presi- |i
dent of the Commonwealth Amusement ;|
Corp., he automatically became president 11
or on the board of directors of numerous i;
subsidiary companies, such as the Tri- |i;
State Theatre Corp. He is also on the ||
board of directors of the Motion Picture ii
Ass'n of Greater Kansas City.
Rhoden has shown initiative in another 1
branch of the industry, the production :|
of his father, E. C.
Rhoden sr.. who is
president of National
Theatres in
Los Angeles. When field. Attempting to do something about ||
the product shortage so much talked ||
C. Rhoden jr. interviewed after
||
about, two years ago he produced Kan- his recent promo-
in
iif
I tion to head the Commonwealth circuit, sas City a light offering called "Corn's |;
j| the younger Rhoden said:
A-Poppin.' " Plans for further productions |:
are under way. ::|
"I feel we are going to have much more |;
and better product from the major studios 1;;
this year than last," he said. "Combined i;
with more aggressive showmanship which W-
will be stressed by Commonwealth, we are
;;
expecting a better profit gross. It is a :;;;:
matter of great satisfaction to have such |i
a competent staff working with me. Com- ||
monwealth works as a team, and with ||
Richard Orear as executive vice-president, §;
M. B. Smith in charge of advertising and 1;
publicity, Lloyd Morris as film buyer, and il:
district managers Roy Tucker. Doug Light- 1;
ner; Phil Blakey. J. D. King and Ray ||
Holmes, we can look forward to a great |j
show year in 1956."
Rhoden is married to the former Mari- ;;|
lyn Anderson and has one daughter Keith ||
Marie, who is 9 years old.
His brother Clark Rhoden is general ||
manager of the E. C. Rhoden Enterprises i!
and oijtr.t;. > rht- Tarkio Popcorn Co. and 1
Many New Features Added
To Drive-In at Milan, 111.
MILAN. ILL.—Improvement work has been
going forward at the Memri Dnve-In near
here and is reported nearing completion.
Work has included the addition of 900 square
feet to the concession area: installation of
new cafeteria equipment: laying of a sidewalk
from the concession stand to the last ramp;
construction of a small fry playground for
children up to six years old, and installation
of a patio in full view of the screen.
Restrooms also have been enlarged and improved,
according to Robert Danico, co-owner
of the theatre.
Seek Funds for Study Abroad
ST. LOUIS—Jerry Berger of Loew's State
and Milt Harris, general manager. Ambassador
Theatre, will launch a project to raise
funds to help worthy local students study
abroad. The kickoff will be a Consular
Ball, at which the various consuls of foreign
countries stationed in St, Louis are to be
feted.
Invites TOA Leader
MINNEAPOLIS — North Central Allied
wants to show its friendliness toward Theatre
Owners of America now that the latter
is joining with National Allied in quest of
all-inclusive arbitration and film rental relief.
That's the reason NCA for the first time
is inviting a TOA officer to address its annual
convention, according to Ben Berger, NCA
president. The invitation, voted by the NCA
directors, has gone forward to TOA President
Myron Blank, Des Moines.
The convention will be held here May 15, 16
at the Hotel Nicollet. It's also hoped to
have Al Sindlinger, film statistician, and Jack
Kirsch. Allied's Illinois president, as con-
TOA has no organization in this territory.
Several years ago Harold Field and Eddie
Ruben, cu-cuit owners and TOA members
here, invited exhibitors to be their guests at
a luncheon addressed by TOA heads. It was
hoped that a local TOA body might eventuate
from this, but nothing ever developed along
those lines.
Mill City Sub Runs Book
'Dolls/ But They Fume
MINNEAPOLIS — Despite complaints
against terms, six neighborhood exhibitors in
the 28-day slot, have grabbed off "Guys and
Dolls" for day-and-date engagements currently—as
soon as it was released for the
uptown houses. But they denounced the deal
as "the worst ever."
For the picture which ran six weeks downtown
to record-breaking grosses at the RKO
Orpheum, MGM is asking the subsequent runs
a hefty rental. Its formula is to take a 28-day
neighborhood theatre's four biggest grossing
weeks of the past two years of any of its
pictures, subtract 35 per cent from the
resultant average and then, double that figure.
The split on that figure is 50 per cent. Beyond
it the distributor gets 70 per cent.
Exhibitors also are required to give preferred
and extended running time. They
the \V;,M- liLanu. ||
must play the picture a minimum of one
week. In the Loop the admission was raised
from $1 to $1.25 after 5 p.m. and to $1.50 on
weekends. The uptown subsequent-run
houses have boosted their prices from 85
cents to $1.
Subsequent-run neighborhood terms for
"Picnic" in the 28-day houses have been set
by Columbia at 40 per cent and a one-week
minimum engagement in houses that ordinarily
play their pictures three or four days.
The pictiu-e now is in its third Loop week.
Town to Have Films Again
STRONGHURST, ILL.—The Dawson Theatre
has been reopened by the Danfords and
will show two programs each week—Tuesday
and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Management
said some excellent pictures have
been booked and the "same low admission
will
prevail."
Kesner Theatre Destroyed by Fire
LEROY, KAS.—The Kesner Theatre was
de.stroyed by fii-e Wednesday (111 night.
Ray Kincade had operated it since October
of last year. Nothing was known of the
fire's origin at this writing. Former owners
were Mr. and Mi-s. Roy Holloway.
BOXOFFICE :: April 21, 1956

Theatre-Store Tie-ins
Used at Detroit in '01
DETROIT—The J. L. Hudson Co.. considered
to be one of the largest single retail
stores in the world, anticipated the presentday
cooperation between merchants and theatremen
by almost 55 years. This was learned
in compiling the store's history during its
75th anniversary celebration this month.
Hudson's itself was in the motion picture
business at one early stage in its development,
according to the evidence of newspaper
advertising uncovered by the writer in the
course of research on Hudson history.
In 1901 Hudson's was advertising "the
talk of the town—the wonderful Passion
Play," announcing, with a real touch of
showmanship for that pre-nickelodeon day,
"three miles of Biograph pictures," show'ing
the Pa.ssion Play "in the most realistic way."
The pictures were presented four times a day
in the new Hudson Auditorium on the third
floor of the store, then at Gratiot and Farmer
streets. Admission was by ticket, given
free to any puixhaser of 50 cents' worth of
goods in the Hudson store.
Although the Hudson Co. venture into show
business was a brief one and was undertaken
to promote the sale of merchandise, the firm
long has been favorably known to Detroit
theatremen for its cooperation In a great
number of civic and community project,s.
Even its beginnings had a theatrical flavor,
the store's first location having been in the
old Detroit Opera House building on the
Campus Martius in 1881.
Florida State Razing
Two Orlando Buildings
ORLANDO—Florida State Theatres is removing
two old landmarks, buildings in the
heart of the downtown area, from its theatrical
property at the corner of Orange avenue
and Livingston street.
When fully cleared, the site will reveal a
ground area roughly 150x425 feet, together
with additional area parking space. One of
the buildings being razed has long served as
an art shop for FST theatres, and a strip of
the property facing Orange avenue cun-ently
contains a used car lot.
No FST officials were available for comment
on what plans, if any, they are making
for converting this piece of vacant downtown
real estate to theatre use.
INDUSTRY
PROFILE
^
Theatre Career of Richard Orear
Started in
KANSAS CITY—Richard H. Orear, executive
vice-president of Commonwealth
Richard II.
His Schoolboy Days
Theatres, says the
location of his boyhood
home was the
greatest contributing
factor in determining
his industry
career. He lived
across the street
from George Trinastrich,
who owned
the Isis and Apollo
'li.iti'es here and
1,. .1 built the Mali!
ul. George jr. was
Orear's age and the
boys haunted the theatres of the elder
Trinastrich. Occasionally even when quite
young, the two boys passed handbills. During
1928, Orear had a real job at the
Madrid.
"I was just sort of general flunky," he
the Cunmionwealth circuit, then headed
by C. A. Schultz, which had taken over
the Hughes-Franklin holdings. He was
assistant manager at the Madrid and then
managed the Mo-Kan, now the Gllei!. In
1934 he and Charlotte were married.
The previous year he had been taken
into the Commonwealth office, which was
organizing its purcha-sing and construction
department. Commonwealth had started
building theatres, among others, the Granada
at Lawrence. In addition to being In
charge of the purchasing. Orear worked
with O. K. Mason on insurance and the
negotiation of leases. Commonwealth
merged with Central States in 1935. Orear
traveled with Schultz and Mason, sitting
in with them and learning the business
of theatre operation.
S;nce September of 1955, Orear has been
a vice-president of the company as well as
purchasing director. Mason retired in 1947,
Schultz in 1948. and in 1948 Orear was
elected on the board of directors. On
March 26 last he was made executive vice-
explains, "working in the art department,
as usher and doorman after school. This
I I continued until finished Westport president, handling the greater share of
High School—and it took me an extra operational details. An early riser, he
semester to finish high school because I usually gets to the office shortly after 8
a.m. In the hour before his telephone
spent so much time at the theatre.
"Business was bad shortly after sound
ringing, he claims he can turn out
starts
came in in 1929, and the Hughes-Franklin
Theatres acquired the Madrid—and me. day. The same holds for the 45 minutes
more w'ork than at any other time of the
Rick Ricketson of Denver was sent here as he spends after the office officially closes.
division manager and I worked under him
on newspaper ads for the circuit as an assi.-5tant
That way he is able to take an occasional
afternoon off to play golf.
"I've seen a lot of changes since my start
manager of the Madrid."
When the Hughes-Franklin circuit went in theatre business." Orear said recently.
"I saw sound come in and lately Cinemascope
accompanied Ricketson to
broke. Orear
the west coast but soon came back. He
with 55mm negatives. I saw
had a gii'l friend w'ho had been in high theatres survive the depths of the Great
school with him, the present Mrs. Orear Depression when we were asked to work
who was the former Charlotte Graves. for half salary, but I feel optimistic about
Charlotte worked as a cashier and as our future. If we will just cut our cloth
usher at the Southtown and Rockhill to fit the pattern, we can still develop
our business in the grassroots area—and I
theatres. In 1930 Orear was employed at
the Newman (present Paramount) and mean by that small towns can still have
Royal theatres as doorman and usher, at picture shows. Some exhibitors and distributors
have lost faith in the small
the same time attending the Paramount
town— by -small' I mean one of 2,000 up to
Publix training school for manacers.
7,11(111. I li,,v. i:'t
New Mexico Theatre Ass'n
To Meet at Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE—The New Mexico Theatre
Ass'n will hold its annual convention at
the Hilton Hotel here June 11-13, according
to Secretary Loyd Franklin. Nathan Greer of
Santa Fe is president of the organization,
while Lou Gosperine, Albuquerque, and Eddie
Ward, Silver City, are vice-presidents, and
Tom Murphey, Raton, is chairman of the
board. Directors are Russell Hardwick, Clovis;
Mrs. S. E. Allen, Lordsburg: Moe Rudick,
Silver City; Floyd Beutler, Taos: Milas Hurley,
Tucumcari; Ed Kidwell. Roswell; George
Tucker, Albuquerque; R. W. Ferguson, Hobbs,
and Marlin Butler, Albuquerque.
Jeffrey Hayden. TV director signed to a
term contract, will make his theatrical film
piloting debut on MGM's "The Vintage."
Columbia Gives Luncheon
For KMTA Board Members
KANSAS CITY—Columbia PictiU'es held a
buffet luncheon in its recreation rooms
Wednesday
City; Marty Landau, Horton, Kas.; John
Basham, Topeka; Hank Doering, Garnett;
Dale Danielson, Russell; Doc Cook, Maryville.
Mo.; Elmer Bills, Saliibury;
Ken Winkelmeyer,
Boonville.
BOXOFFICE 54-C

. . William
. . More
CHICAGO
The Garden Theatre will be closed during
June. July and August but will reopen in
September. An air conditioning unit and
widescreen will be installed . . . Since "The
Witch," the first Finnish film distributed
by A. Teitel Film Co., has proved an exceptional
attraction, Teitel also has contracted
for the distributorship in this area of "The
Scarlet Week" . R. Frank jr., one
of the buyers for Theatre Associates, Minneapolis,
was here to confer with Chuck Teitel
of A. Teitel Films about art products for their
115 theatre properties. Preliminary negotiations
were started for "Untouched," soon
to be run in several of their houses.
Stanford Kohlberg, owner of the Starlite
Drive-In, will introduce a new entertainment
package April 27. He will start a series
of weekend stage shows, plus outdoor dancing
from 5:30 p.m. until dark. He is also
planning additional attractions for the amusement
park. He will continue the schedule
of double features. For the fu'st show, Kohlberg
will feature the Chordettes, Nick Noble,
the Hilltoppers and Jim Lounsbury's orchestra.
For the second show, Kohlberg has
booked Cab Calloway as the headliner. As
summer gets under way, the stage shows will
run nightly.
Arthur Sachs, head of LaSalle Productions,
with headquarters in Chicago, announces that
the national release date for "The Naked
Hills" is June 17. Formerly titled "The Four
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PROGRAMS
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Theatrical Advertising Co.
Seasons," the picture stars David Wayne,
Marcia Henderson and Keenan Wynn. It
will be released by Allied Artists . . . The
death of Eddie Johnson, Tribune photographer,
held particular significance for people
of the motion picture industry here. Johnson
is remembered for many ways in which
he proved his friendship for Filmrow personnel.
He died of a heart attack while making
arrangements to film the wedding events
at Monaco.
Richard J. Daley, mayor of Chicago, proclaimed
April 15-21 as Color Television Week.
Chicago became the first city in the world
with an all-color television station, when
Station WNBQ of the National Broadcasting
Co. began transmitting all of its local
live programs in RCA compatible color on
April 15.
Bernie Mack has moved his family into a
new home in Highland Park, one of Chicago's
North Shore suburbs ... On April 23 the
Irving Macks will move to an apartment at
4340 North Lake Shore Drive . . . Filmack
Trailer Co. won new honors in the field of
commerical film production for television.
Filmack Studios was voted first in the nation
for "speed in the production of TV film
commercials," and second for "economy."
This represented Filmack's first appearance
For the convenience of housewives and
school children attending the afternoon performance
of "Oklahoma!" McVickers Theaducers,
agencies and TV stations.
in the nationwide poll of advertisers, protre
management has changed the starting
Ronald Reagan and his wife were stopover
time to 1:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
visitors . . . Charles Boyer, en route to New
Thus these matinee groups can avoid the
York, was also a visitor . . . Mr. and Mrs. Roy
heavy rush hour traffic later in the afternoon
. . . Burtis Bishop jr., midwestern di-
Disney spent a day with Harris Dudelson,
district manager for Buena Vista Films. The
vision sales manager, is vacationing in Florida.
Disneys were en route to Hollywood following
a European trip . . . Charles Teitel leaves
for New York April 25, to complete negotiations
for additional art products. The A.
Teitel Film Co. has taken over area distribution
of "Too Bad She's Bad." starring
Sophia Loren. The film opened at the 600-
seat World Playhouse Friday (13).
Fred A. Xiles, president of the Motion Picture
company bearing his name, announced
production of a half-hour pilot film intended
to reach the Negro market via TV distribution.
Niles' "Camtronic" electronic method
will be used to film the half-hour show. This
method combines live TV cameras and 35mm
Mitchell motion picture cameras. Niles said
kick off a series of 25 half-
the pilot film will
hour shows.
Mrs. Walter Banford, wife of MGM's midwest
division manager, died Friday (13) at
St. Luke's Hospital. She had been ill for
several months . than 400 films and
filmstrips entered in the Golden Reel Film
Festival will be shown at the third annual
American Film Assembly of the Film Council
of America at the Morrison Hotel April 23-
27. The FCA promotes production and distr.bution
of educational and documentary
films and each year makes the "Golden
Reel" awards for outstanding films of this
type.
20th-Fox publicity man Ted Todd has arranged
one of the company's biggest campaigns
since "The Robe" for "The Revolt of
Mamie Stover." He is using 28-sheets on
more than 100 sign boards throughout the
city, three-sheets at Illinois Central stations,
one-sheets in subway stations and canopies
at the foot of "el" stations. The film is
scheduled to open in May at the Oriental,
following "The Man in the Gray Flannel
Suit," which still is grossing high . . . Todd
arranged a special showing of "On the
Threshold of Space" for 800 doctors and
scientists convening here for the AERO
Medical Ass'n Convention. Sessions concern
experiments and human reactions related to
high altitudes and high speed flying. The
group saw the film at the Oriental in conjunction
with "The Man in the Gray Flannel
Suit." An interesting sidelight was provided
when wives of the visiting doctors indicated
a preference for the Gregory Peck film on acceptances
for the private showing of "On
the Threshold of Space."
Judge Directs Verdict
Of Guilty in 'Eden' Suit
TAUNTON, MASS.—Ruling that the film,
"Garden of Eden," was "as a matter of law"
obscene. Judge Harry Kalus in superior court
ordered a jury to return a verdict of guilty
against two men involved in the showing of
the film at Fall River.
Defense counsel for Antone Moniz, 35, Fall
River, projectionist, and Benjamin P. Rogers,
61, Brookline, salesman for Eden Distributing
Co., took exception to the court's ruling and
declared they will appeal the decision.
"Allowing for the display of nudity in the
arts and sciences, there is no case for this
picture," Kalus declared, "and the court rules
as a matter of law that these pictures are
obscene.
"A jury is a fact-finding body. Since the
court rules the picture is obscene and the
defendants have been proved to have been involved
in the exhibition, the jury must return
a guilty finding since there is no dispute
of fact," he continued.
In a motion for a directed verdict of innocent,
the attorney for the defendants noted
that the same picture was involved in a
trial at Pensacola, Fla., and was allowed to
go to the jury which found the defendants
there innocent.
Kalus reimposed fines against Rogers of
$200 for presenting an immoral show, $200
for possessing obscene film and $100 for
presenting an entertainment not in keeping
with the Lord's Day. The execution of sentence
was stayed pending the appeal. The
film ran at the Embassy Theatre in Fall
River for two and one-half days before police
stopped the showing.
Moniz was fined $100 for exhibiting an indecent
film and $100 for possessing an indecent
film for exhibition.
Two More St. Louis Airers
Will Feature Buck Nite
ST. LOUIS—Two additional drive-in theatres
in the county have joined the Buck night
trend, admitting two or a carload for $1.
These drive-ins are the Skyline on Natural
Bridge road opposite Lambert-St. Louis
Municipal Airport, operated by Ray Parker
and associates, and the 66 Park-In on 66 at
Sappington road in the Crestwood section, a
unit of the Fred Welirenberg circuit.
Previously the St. Ann four-screen, the
Holiday and Airway all were offering Buck
night as a regular diet for their cash customers.
"You Can't Run Away From It" is the new
title of Columbia's picture formerly called "It
xiappened One Night."
54-D BOXOFFICE :: April 21, 1956

. . Andy
. . J.
. . 20th-Fox
. .
Freak Gale Damages
Dania, Fla., Drive-In
MIAMI—The Dania Drive-In sustained
severe damage in the freak winds that struck
the Dania. Hollywood area, dumping several
inches of rain and doing considerable damage
even in the environs of Miami. The
screen at the drive-in was almost completely
demolished. As it fell it struck and partially
wrecked one automobile.
"The car was rocking, my baby was crying
and my wife was afraid the car was going
over any minute." said a St. Louis builder.
Edward Givens, in describing the situation
minutes before his wife's leg was broken by
flying debris at the drive-in.
"We'd arrived early." he said, "and so
far as I know there was only one other car
in the drive-in. The first gust struck. It
didn't worry me much, but my wife was
concerned about the rocking of the car. I
pulled the car in close to the projection
booth. She tossed my 16-month-old daughter
to me and I got out.
"My wife was right in back of me as the
second gust struck. She screamed as something
struck her leg, which bled badly hut
not enough for a tourniquet. We had a time
getting her inside. She's a big girl. 150
pounds."
Givens and the baby were unhurt. He said
they had planned to leave for St. Louis the
next day. but his wife will have to remain
in the hospital for two weeks and wear a cast
for two months longer.
Also injured at the Dania Drive-In was
E. P. Wiley, a ticket-taker whose glass-block
booth fell around him. scattering $134 in
change. Wiley, according to theatre Manager
Ed Cannon, suffered a concussion and
cuts on the left hand.
"He crawled from under the rubble," said
Cannon, "and stopped a passing car. At
first we were afraid he was in the boxoffice
cru.shed beneath the projection screen."
Cannon added. "That's where I would have
been, but my wife called me about ten
minutes before it fell and asked me to come
home. She said the lights were flickering and
the kids were scared."
Drake Theatre in Pearson
Ups Prices to 40 Cents
PEARSON, GA.—In announcing a
boosting
of admission prices to a 40-cent top for
adults, owner C. A. Drake of the Drake Theatre
here explained that increased operation
costs forced him to the action. Another
factor, he said, was the recent installation
of new equipment, including air conditioning,
needed to bring the theatre up to par with
houses in other communities.
Except for Tuesdays, when the top is 30
cents, the new schedule is: children under
five, free; five to 12 years, 20 cents; 12 years
or older, 40 cents.
Opens McClenny Ozoner
McCLENNY, FLA.—R. E. Totman of Baldwin,
owner of the 90 Drive-In, has started
operations six nights a week. There will be
three changes of program during the week.
Season Opening at Jasper
JASPER, ALA.—The Manchester Drive-In
Theatre, located on Highway 5 north of Jasper,
has reopened for the summer season.
"
GREET L.ADY' ST.\RS—When cast toppers in 'Goodbye .My Lady arrived at
the airport in .\tlanta for the world premiere at the .Albany (Ga.) Theatre, the
Brandon DeWilde Fan Club had a delegation there to greet their favorite. The premiere
launched a 370-theatre saturation engagement in Georgia, Tennessee, South
Carolina and Florida.
MEMPHIS
TXrithin a month, George C. Hoover of
Miami, chief barker of Variety International,
will be dining with one of the
world's most famous men—Sir Winston
Churchill. Here to speak at Tent 20's annual
membership meeting. Hoover said he will
to present Churchill the 'Variety Humanitarian
Award, given annually to some outstanding
benefactor of humanity. The Variety
Club in England is arranging for a luncheon
at 10 Downing St., official residence of Prime
Minister Sir Anthony Eden. Sir Winston was
named for the honor last year but this is
the first opportunity to present it to him.
Mrs. Hoover will accompany Hoover to England.
He will visit Variety clubs in several
parts of Europe and India on the tour.
T. C. Speer, owner, has gone into a full
time operation with his Bailey Theatre at
Cabot, Ark., which has been operating only
on weekends E. Singleton has bought
Tommie's Drive-In. Kennett. Mo., from A. T.
Boyd Jonas and J. V. Burton have
purchased Star Theatre at Trenton. Tenn..
from Strand Enterprises. Memphis . Lyle
Richmond. Richmond. Senath, Mo., was in
town on business Family Club
held a spring picnic in Riverside Park.
In town from west Tennessee were R B
Gooch, Ritz, Selmer; Louise Mask, Lue7
Bolivar; Amelia Ellis, Millington Drive-In
Millington; W. H. Gray, Rutherford. Ruthei
ford; and A. D. Webb. A&B and Webb theatres
at Ripley . . . Mississippi visitors weie
John Carter. 41 Drive-In and Trace Drive-Ir
Amory. and Whitehaven Drive-In. Grenada
James Castle, Joy, Pontotoc; Leon Rouniice
Holly at Holly Springs, and Ethel Lobdcll.
Talisman at Rosedale.
Paul Harrington opened his Springview
Drive-In at Kuttawa, Ky., for the season .
Highlands Drive-In at Hohenwald ha.s opened
for the summer , . . C. R. Bonner opened his
65 Drive-In at Pine Bluff, Ark. . . . Jeff
Sngleton and his son Jimmy who operate
BOXOFFICE :: April 21, 1956 SE
theatres in Walnut Ridge, Trumann, Tyronza
and Marked Tree, Ark., were here on business.
Gordon Lee Hutchins, 64 Drive-In.
Russellville; Alvin Tipton, who operates theatres
in Caraway, Manila and Monette; Lloyd
Hutchins, Maxie. Trumann; W. R. Lee. Rice
at Des Arc and Gem at Heber Springs; A. A.
Ray, Calico, Calico Rock; and John Staples,
Carolyn, Piggott, were among visiting
Arkansas exhibitors.
Rob New Port Richy Airer
NEW PORT RICHY. FLA.—The Mid Way
Drive-In on Highway 19 was broken into
and robbed of almost a hundred dollars. The
theatre, owned by Floyd Theatres, reported
the theft of candy, cigarets and money from
vending machines in the building housing the
snack bar. Lester Parsall is manager of the
theatre.
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. . The
. . . Mrs.
. . Mr.
. . Tom
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I
I Florido—JOE
|
%„',;„
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95
Phone
:
April
ATLANTA
Johnnie Harrell, Martin circuit executive,
has returned from a business trip to New
Orleans . Moon-Lit Drive-In. Clarksville,
Tenn., was sold by H. L. McKinney to
Alton G. Way of Ashland. Ky. Mrs. Marguerite
Stith will continue to act as agent for
the account .
and Mrs. R. B. Wilby
will return from a Caribbean cruise April 29
Nell Allen, Wilby's secretary who
has been on a leave of absence, will be back
at her duties upon his return. Mrs. Allen
.served as WOMPI local president in 1954.
Mrs. Leonard Allen, wife of Paramount's
publicity man, heads the promotion committee
for the premiere . A. Morgan,
head of Paramount short subject and news
department in the home office, visited here.
.
The mother of J. E. McLeroy, Allied Ai'tists '<
^ YOU GET ALL "^^J^pp
salesman, died . . . Mack Grimes, Bailey The- ^K ^.^H WHEN YOU ORDER
atres, has returned from a swing around the |Ef/^^^| nnCOIIVl TRMLER"
circuit in Florida . . Mr. and Mrs. Roy
Williams are the parents of a baby girl, born
B'^'^V
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SP Cu'
taOW "*- '
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Piedmont Hospital. Phyllis was
"
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recently at
secretary to Charlie Lester, district manager,
j^, ^^^^
National Screen Service. The baby has been
I
named Catherine.
. . .
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Tipim
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UFACTURERS
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ISTRIBUTORS
theatre seat
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160 Hemitage Avenue
Nashville, Tennessee
Ira Stone, RKO manager, is recuperating
at his home following surgery at the Georgia
Baptist Hospital . Eubanks, Georgia
Theatres, also is recuperating following hospitalization
. . . Frank Dervin. RKO home
office, visited the local branch for several
E. D. Martin and C. L. Patrick, Martin
circuit officials, attended the Masters Golf
Tournament at Augusta, as did Jim Cronin,
salesman, and Allen Rainwater, office manager
at Universal and Mrs. Dave
Prince have announced the engagement of
their daughter Jacqueline to Earl Gunn of
Atlanta. The wedding will take place July 7.
Prince is district manager of RKO.
Mrs. Juanita "Junior" Foree, Lakemonl
Drive-In, Alcoa, Tenn., visited the Row without
her partner, Mrs. Juanita Belleville. Mrs.
Belleville was unable to make the trip due
to the illness of her husband. "Junior" was
accompanied by Mrs. Uretha O'Hara, manager
of the Capitol, Jellico, Tenn. . . . Walter
McDonald. UA booker, was installed as office
representative at the Apr.l meeting of lATSE
Local F-49. The following new members also
were sworn in; Paramount—W. J. Andre.
Doris Brooks, Paul E. Davis, Connie Patrick;
Warner Bros.—Jack Vaughan, Carrie Joyce
Cox; 20th-Fox—Martha L. Brannan. AUene
M. Robbins, Mrs. Grady Smith; Columbia-
Joyce Claire Caldwell, William E. Johns; Universal—Ernest
M. Creamer, Norris Gazaway,
George E. Ros-ser.
Mrs. Catherine Hays, secretary to Dave
Prince at RKO, has resigned and is moving
her residence to Los Angeles . According to
Tom Lucy, Exhibitoi-s
. .
Service, the Ranch
Drive-In, Hartselle, Ala., has gone to a first
run policy.
Final plans for the world premiere of Walt
Disney's "The Great Locomotive Chase," to
be held at Loew's Grand June 8, were discussed
by the Young Matron's Circle for
Tallulah Falls School which is sponsoring the
premiere jointly with the Georgia Federation
of Women's Clubs. Pi'oceeds will be used
principally for a new dormitory at the school.
Filmed near Clayton, Ga., the picture Ls
based on an incident during the Civil War.
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21,

. . H.
. . Arthur
NEW ORLEANS
Johnny Waterall of the Hi-Wuy 43 Diivo-In,
' Mcintosh, Ala., has asked Ti'aii.sway to
suspend service to the theatre until about
%pri\ 28. A severe windstorm April 10 blew
the screen tower down. The contractor doing
rebuilding work will have the tower up about
April 28 . . . James Sistrunk is reopening the
250-car Starlite Drive-In in Canton. Miss.
The theatre has been closed for 18 months
and will reopen April 28. Exhibitor's Service
in Memphis will handle buying and booking
S. A. Wright and Frank Lais, local exhibitors,
and their families have taken an
early vacation in Florida. They will be gone
about two weeks . . . J. G. Broggi. booker for
the Citronelle Drive-In, Citronelle, Ala., said
the theatre will reopen May 13 or 18. The
tlieatre was closed by damages suffered in a
recent storm . H. Moreau reopened the
Tiger Drive-In, Marksville, La.. April 12.
The New Moon Drive-In, Lake Charles,
for its Friday (13i special show, allowed all
persons whose drivers license ended in the
number three in the theatre free . . . Mr.
and Mrs. Neal Robinson of the Fox, Crestview,
Fla.. have announced the engagement of their
son Neal jr. to Fay Simmons of Crestview, Fla.
The wedding will take place Sunday (22i.
Joe Falati is the new booker at Warner
Bros., replacing T, Jensen, who moved over
to Pittman Theatres . C. Bromberg,
president. Allied Artists Southern, was
in a New Orleans hospital for a checkup . . .
Olin Evans. Alabama theatre owner, recently
purchased the Barbour Drive-In. Louisville,
from F. B. Pierce and Geneva Theatre.
Geneva. Ala., from Mrs. C. James. Evans
operates drive-ins in southwest Alabama.
Sid Havenar, general manager of Exhibitors
Cooperative service, has moved his firm to
New Orleans from Lake Charles. Exhibitors
Co-Op buys and books for over 35 theatres
in the area . . . Al Randall of the Fern Drive-
In, Woodville, Miss., who recently reopened
the drive-in on a full schedule, said that due
to inclement weather and poor business, he
will operate on weekends only until the end
of
April.
No Memphis Plaints
On Film Brutality
MEMPHIS— Memphis has heard no complaint
of too much brutality in films. A .survey
of leading theatre owners showed that
no individuals or groups had brought the
matter of violence in motion pictures to the
attention of local exhibitors.
There have been no letters or complaints
to newspapers about the matter either.
Several months ago juvenile Judge Elizabeth
McCain said one of the five high school
girls who were arrested after they burned
down the Fairgrounds cattlebarn said she
got the idea from "Blackboard Jungle."
But there is no such scene in the film and
theatremen challenged the statement.
A reporter later asked the girl about it and
she said she had seen the picture. But the
reporter got the impression that she must
have got the idea somewhere else.
No Shreveport Complaints
SHREVEPORT—Theatre managers here in
commenting on the Kefauver Senate subcommittee
report on brutality in motion pictures,
said they have not had a single complaint
about any of the films that have been
shown here the past yeaf.
Joe Lyons, manager of the Strand, and
Tom Dunn, manager of the Don. declared
they have heard much praise but no condemnation.
Carefree Theatre Sold
At West Palm Beach
WEST PALM BEACH—The Carefree
Motion
Picture Theatre, long a landmark in
West Palm Beach, has been sold by Elias
Chalhub to Denis D. Carlin and Irving
Trencher, businessmen of New York City.
Chalhub has owned and managed the theatre
since 1948.
The new owners plan improvements to the
lobby, marquee and front of the building.
Carlin has been in the distribution and
production field for 20 years.

. . Youthful
. . Johnny
. . The
. . Abner
. . Richard
. .
JACKSONVILLE
/^ov. LeRoy Collins is pointing out in his
campaign talks for re-election as Florida's
chief executive that the state has the nation's
lowest rate in juvenile delinquency. Perhaps
that explains why Columbia's "Rock Around
the Clock," which provides 78 minutes of
whirlwind "rock 'n' roll" music and dancing,
is playing to enthusiastic, but orderly, teenage
audiences in Florida theatres. Nothing
worse than noisy expressions of joy came from
the great crowds of youthful citizens who patronized
a 38-hour continuous weekend run of
"Rock Ar-ound the Clock" at the Paramount
Theatre in Miami.
Judg:e May, theatre editor of the Florida
Times-Union, planned a brief visit at Miami
Beach to see "Oklahoma!" in Todd-AO at the
Sheridan . Don Yarbrough, former
exploitation man at the Fox Theatre.
San Francisco, has arrived to work as a 20th-
Fox exploiteer out of the Atlanta office, an
area formerly covered by Jimmy Gillespie of
Dallas.
James L. Cartwright, FST district supervisor
at Daytona Beach, came in for a day
and said that he has set up a temporary
office in a parking lot building across the
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street from the spot where the Empire Theatre
was burned to ashes the night of April 2.
His office has been in the Empire building
for many years . Camp, Howco, reported
that his company has acquired southeast
distribution on four new independently
produced feature films. One of the quartet,
"Swamp Women," is of regional interest as it
was made entirely in New Orleans and in the
wild bayou swamps near Mandeville, La., and
was produced by Bernard and Lawrence
Woolner, successful New Orleans exhibitors.
The color film has an unusual twist for an
action picture. Its main cast is composed of
five Hollywood lovelies and only one man .
Thomas P. Tidwell. 20th-Fox manager, said
that he is compiling a complete list of all
films in the exchange's vaults and will have
copies of it mimeographed and sent to leading
exhibitors and bookers of the area.
Robert R. Harris, FST confection sales manager,
said that top winners of cash prizes in
a "guys and dolls sales contest" lasting eight
weeks are Lynn Goodyear, former manager
of the Empire, Daytona Beach, who now is
at the Warnor, Fort Lauderdale; Charlie
Rich, Cinema Theatre. Miami Beach, and Tom
. . .
Making fast hops to several southern cities Waterfield, Seminole Theatre. Tampa. Also
was Jack Wiener, local MGM publicist, in receiving cash awards are "dolls" at candy
preparation for openings of "Tlie Swan" at
the time when the waves of Grace Kelly's
counters of Jimmy Fuller's Regent Theatre,
Miami: Carlton Bowden's Arcade Theatre,
newsworthiness reached a crest French
Harvey, FST advertising and publicity director,
Fort Myers, and Bob Skaggs' Matanzas Theatre,
St. Augustine.
reported back here after ten days in
Florida youngsters were out of school four
.south Florida.
days, April 12-15, due to a teachers convention
in Miami, and provided exhibitors with an
opportunity to cash in on the chance to swell
attendance. First run theatres here all had
pictures booked to attract youngsters, including
"Forbidden Planet," "The Creature Walks
Among tTs," "Goodbye, My Lady" and "Meet
Me in Las Vegas." George Krevo presented a
first run science-fiction double bill as a midnight
attraction on Friday the 13th, suburban
theatres blossomed out with morning matinees
and drive-ins offered multifeature action
bills.
Arv Rothschild, general manager of NTE
theatres, returned from a spring visit to New
York . Spearing, lATSE official
here, is recovering rapidly after undergoing
surgery . Art Museum is backing a run
of "Aida" at Tim Crawford's San Marco Theatre
. . . Carl Cai'ter, Variety chief barker,
said plans were being made to send a local
delegation to the international gathering in
New York next month . Yeager,
son of veteran projectionist Mitchell Yeager
at the Florida Theatre, has gi-aduated from
Florida State University and now is studying
for the Episcopalian ministry.
Pompano, Fla., Airer Bo-ws
POMPANO, FLA.—A. W. Cook has opened
his new Federal Drive-In at Pompano Beach.
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Flavo-Rite Starts Sales
On Shrimp Rolls in Texas
NEW YORK— Flavo-Rite Foods, Inc.. has
started a stepped-up .sales campaign on
Flavo's shrimp rolls in Texas in which color
film trailers and point-of-sale merchandising
aids play a key part. This is part of a
broad program designed to make the shrimp
rolls as strong a concession favorite in drivein
theatres in the southwest as they are in
other sections of the country.
Flavo's shrimp rolls are a mixture of shrimp
and vegetables, fine seasonings, encased in
a flaky, egg-noodle jacket, completely precooked
and requiring about a two-minute
deep-fat fry before serving. These shrimp
rolls have become a staple item in over
1,500 drive-in theatres throughout the east
and midwest and, being a meatless item, they
satisfy the demand for a much-needed Friday
item.
Flavo-Rite has named the Hagan Brokerage
Co.. 318 Cadiz St., Dallas, to handle the
sales in the northern half of Texas and
Reingold & Son Brokerage Co., 2435 North
Blvd., Houston, for the southern half. Attractive
signs, selling Flavo's shrimp rolls
with Coca-Cola, as well as with Pepsi-Cola,
will play a major part in the selling push in
Texas.
Employment, Theatre Seat
Service Set Up by UTOO
OKLAHOMA CITY — United Theatre
Owners of Oklahoma has established two
new services for its members—an employment
and theatre seat service.
E. R. "Red" Slocum, UTOO executive director,
explained the employment service
consists of maintaining a list of projectionists,
theatre managers, etc., available for employment.
Slocum said anyone wanting to file
an application with UTOO can write or call
him and the application information would
be turned over to any theatre owner having
an opening.
Slocum added that any member of UTOO
with extra or used theatre seats who wants to
sell them can simply supply UTOO with
information regarding number, type, condition,
etc., of seats. UTOO will then turn
this information over to persons interested
in buying and selling theatre seats.
Sees Drive-In as Place
To Relax and Have Fun
KILGORE, TEX.—Benton Bazer, manager
of the Kilgore Drive-In Theatre, awarded a
$25 U. S. Savings Bond to Mrs. F. L. Hulsey,
Kilgore, for her winning entry in the "Why
I
like a drive-in theatre" contest.
Mrs. Hulsey wrote, "I like a drive-in theatre
because, like an oldtime picnic ground, it's
a place old folks, kids, dogs and just good
neighbors can relax visit and have fun while
being entertained. It's just about the last
stand of the old American way of life."
Resumes at Smithville, Tex.
SMITHVILLE, TEX.—The Riverside Drivein
has resumed operations here and will be
open Monday through Thursday each week,
according to G. C. Lockwood, manager. The
Texas, indoor house, will have shows every
Friday, Saturday and Sunday and on these
days the drive-in will not be open.
Theatre Manager Opal Gray Starts
Western Roadshow Co. in Oklahoma
This colorfully painted station wagon and trailer i.s used to transport Western
Roadshows' "Outlaw Roundup" to various theatres in Oklahoma and Texas.
OKLAHOMA CITY—An enterprising
theatre
manager, Mrs. Opal Gray of Chickasha,
and Jack Emmenhiser, an amateur researcher
into the lore of the early west, have turned
a hobby and a page from the past into a
money-making boxoffice attraction.
The business is Western Roadshows of
Oklahoma, currently undertaking a successful
tour of theatres in Oklahoma and Texas,
and slated to appear here Sunday (22 1 for
the Southwest American Exposition.
The show is a flexible, portable collection
of historic instruments and facts about the
outlaws of the early west. It includes a large
"Fotorama"—reproductions of actual photographs
of early west "badmen"—plus 12 wax
figures of western outlaws, complete down
to the wart on the hand of Jesse James.
These wax figiu-es, fashioned by Madame
Leone Krewson of St. Louis, include rephcas
of Frank and Jesse James. Bob and Grat
Dalton, Cole Younger, Billy the Kid, Belle
Star, Sam Bass, Clay Allison, John Wesley
Harden. Cattle Kate and her partner, Jim
Averill. Madame Krewson also has captured
in gruesome detail the dying expression of
the famous California bandit, Joaquin Murietta,
and the mutilated hand of his henchman,
Three-Finger Jack.
In addition to touring motion picture theatres
in the state. Western Roadshows will
appeal- at the Memphis Cotton Carnival May
12 and then make a 26-week tour with Royal
Editor Praising Films
Rewarded by Showman
Tulsa — When Jenkins Lloyd Jones
signed an editorial in the Tulsa Tribune
panning the Academy Award telecast, but
proclaiming, in detail, that, "Yes, sir,
movies really are better than ever," Max
Hoffman, of the Uptown Theatre decided
the editor merited an award him.self.
Hoffman sent over a third-bushel size
sack of hot popcorn, bearing a card
reading:
".\ vote for Mr. Jenkins Lloyd Jones,
Yes, sir! Those were sweet, sweet words,
Mr. Jenkins Lloyd Jones, and everytime
you say that Movies .Are Better Than
Ever, you'll get my vote—plus a king-size
bag of popcorn. Enjoy this corn. We say
it's the best in all Tulsa county."
American Shows.
For its tour, the Oklahoma exhibition will
include a mock frontier village called "Outlaw
Town." At the end of the street, hidden
behind a canvas drop, w^ill be a scene so
realistic "those with weak hearts" are warned
not to see it. Cattle Kate, the only woman
ever hanged for rustling, will be shown strung
up with her partner.
Additional attraction will be "Monarch,"
the 200-pound great dane dog and Cherokee
Bill, billed as "America's foremost rifle marksman
and balancing expert ... see him throw
12 knives around a beautiful girl's body, balance
a 12-foot ladder and a boy on his chin .
perform daring feats of rifle marksmanship
rope escape and bullwhip
artistry."
Western Roadshows also has a permanent
"Fotorama" unit to work film theatres while
the waxwork show is on the road. Unit travels
in a colorful painted trailer and station
wagon with steer horns for a hood ornament.
Melvin Wilson to Manage
Orange, Tex., Houses
ORANGE, TEX.—The appointment of
Melvin Wilson to manage the three local
theatres owned by the Jefferson Amusement
Co. has been announced by Sam Landrum,
vice-president and general manager. Theatres
under Wilson's supervision are the
Strand. Royal and MacArthur Drive-In. For
the pa.-t eight and a half years, Wilson has
managed company operations at Port Neches.
He will replace Tom Clemmons, who announced
his retirement but who is scheduled
to supervise operations of the Port Neches
Theatre until a new manager is named.
Wilson is immediate past president of the
Port Neches Chamber of Commerce and has
held this post for two terms. He also served as
local chairman of the March of Dimes for
five years and is a former member of the
Lions, Rotary and Toastmaster clubs. The
Wilsons and their two daughters, Darlene, 7,
and Vicki Lynn, 2, will move to Orange soon.
Reopening at Aline, Okla.
ALINE—The Aline Theatre, closed all winter,
will reopen this month, as soon as the
sound equipment is checked over and new
screen and CinemaScope lenses are installed.
BOXOFFICE April 21, 1956 59

. . Actress
. . Jack
HOUSTON
TTariety Tent 34 had a husband-and-wLte,
bachelor-and-girl-friend night Wednesday
(11) instead of the monthly stag party, reports
Manager Rex Van. Guest of honor was
Denny Becker, band leader for many years.
A buffet of Italian food was served. Van has
inaugurated a pohcy of luncheon and dinner
music at the Variety Club. Bob Calvert from
Chicago is currently playing the organ and
piano, with Nick Harper on the violin. Variety
is giving away a Cadillac on July 4,
when a drawing will be held.
Jimmy Duncan, who is operator at the
North Main as well as a singer and composer,
went to the west coast recently to
record four of his new tunes with the Buddy
Bregman orchestra. They are under Jimmy's
Cue label . . . Winner of the Metropolitan
Theatre-Houston Chronicle "A Miracle Can
Happen to You" contest was Barbai-a Jean
Ariola. She was greeted in Hollywood for
her four-day visit by Warner Bros.' Tab
Hunter and Peggie Castle. The contest was
inspired by the film "Miracle in the Rain."
Loew's State Theatre's contest in connection
with "Alexander the Great" was won by
Eddie Wayne Stinson and Mannie Pay Tietze.
They received $50 each. Prizes of $10 went to
William Johnson and Betty Joyce Wear. F^ve
$5 awards also were given away, plus 20 theatre
passes . . . Janie Morris, cashier at the
Village, is among the 33 coeds at University of
Houston who will take part in the Annie
Oakley contest during the week of Frontier
-wnM^nmsi^^ ^
During a showing of "The Man in the Gray
Flannel Suit" at the Majestic, fire broke out
in the porter's dressing room. A couple of
dozen firemen and five pieces of equipment
were needed to put out the smudge. Only
damage was to porters' clothing, said Manager
John Ai-nold, who walked down the movie
house and assured patrons that the smoke in
the theatre presented no danger.
Houston's own Tina Carver is making the
old town proud right now as it sees her doing
the femme lead in "Inside Detroit" at the
Delman. Pat O'Brien and Dennis O'Keefe
are the male leads. Tina's mother is Mrs.
Estella -Brown, 2115 Tangley Rd. She owns the
Bluebonnet drug store on Broadway . . . The
Majestic had a midnight show Saturday with
"Rock Around the Clock" . Valerie
French wrote a thank-you note to this BOX-
OFFICE con-espondent for being nice to her
at the recent press breakfast.
The Red Bluff Drive-In had a "redhead
night" when it showed "Redhead From Wyoming"
and "Those Redheads From Seattle" . .
With George Gobel at the press breakfast in
the Shamrock Hilton Hotel were liis personal
press agent, Sam Honigberg: the other half
of Gomalco, Dave O'Malley: Herb Steinberg
from the New York Paramount office. Paramount's
Bobby Bixler, Paul Chapman and
sales manager Wayland Lillard were here
from Dallas. Art Katzen, new public relations
man at Interstate Theatres; office manager
Al Lever, Metropolitan's Ray Hay and Interstate's
FYank Starz also were there. In addition
to making personal appearances at the
Met, along with "The Birds and the Bees,"
George made a personal appearance at Foley's
Town Hall to autogi-aph copies of his new
game, "I'm George Gobel."
Paul Hocltuli, Houston Press, reports that
while in San Antonio the Gobel party stayed
at the Flamingo, a luxury hotel-motel out the
Austin way—reason being that George is
part-owner. Others are Del Webb of the
New York Yankees and Mike Robinson, a onetime
liquor dealer in Houston . Groves
went to see "The Birds and the Bees" and
found it so hilarious that he rushed backstage
at the Met to meet Gobel, have his
picture snapped with George, and be the first
exhibitor in Houston to sign on the dotted
line for a showing of the pictui'e on his availability.
The Kirby finally closed its doors. Al Lever
said the lease had expired. New owners, the
McKinney Realty Co., will announce plans
for the property later. A reliable source said
the building would house a bank. The Kirby,
an Interstate house, has been a landmark on
Main street since 1927.
Admission Control System
Demonstration April 26
OKLAHOMA CITY—A demonstration of
Taller & Cooper admission control system
will be staged at the Twilight Gardens Drive-
In at 2 p.m. on April 26 by Oklahoma Theatre
Supply.
For the benefit of exhibitors, Oklahoma
Theatre Supply has arranged with RCA to
have a factory-trained representative from
Taller & Cooper Co. on hand to explain the
admission control system, which works without
tickets.
DRIVE-IN THEATRE
DESIGNING • ENGINEERING
AND SUPERVISION
OF CONSTRUCTION
r-.-s^i'^miv
BUILD YOUR OWN
DRIVE-IN
WITH
JORDAN PLANS
\Nn\e, Wire or Phone
HARVEY A. JORDAN
2013'/^ Young St. Dallas, Texas
Phone RA-4797
Oldest /iuildeM^ and ^eaelofieli, o^
BOXOFFICE :: April 21, 1956

. . Also
. . The
. . Kathy
. . Jean
. .
SW American Exposition
To Show Serv-O-Ramics
OKLAHOMA CITY-- Manley. Inc.. will
demonstrate a new cafetena-style concessions
stand for drive-in theatres April 22-29 during
the Southwest American Exposition at the
state fairgrounds here.
Charles Manley has sent invitations to all
southwestern exhibitors to see the Serv-O-
Ramic prefabricated concession stand and
other Manley equipment. The Serv-O-Ramics
will be set up in five locations on the fairgrounds.
In addition, Manley will have 26
popcorn, hot drink, floss candy and other
stands throughout the exposition.
Through permission of the United Theatre
Owners of Oklahoma, all Manley stands will
use Dixie theatre-design cups, which are
printed with the slogan: "Movies are your
best entertainment—bring the whole family."
Booths located outside will have their own
prefabricated buildings, being built under
direction of Ralph Warner of Manley's Oklahoma
City office. Warner and Leon M.
Corning are in charge of arrangements for
the exposition. The stands will be painted
with Coroflek, another product handled by
Manley.
Corning estimated the Serv-O-Ramic will
be able to serve meals to about 125.000 people
under the cramped conditions expected at
the fairgrounds. "We can handle twice the
people with half the help through this
servateria method." he explained.
The Serv-O-Ramic stands will serve breakfast
cafeteria-style—offering customers fried
eggs, scrambled eggs and Aunt Jemima pancakes
cooked on the latest portable grill with
pre-mixed instant batter. Aunt Jemima herself
will be at the stand during the eight days
of the exposition to dish up the pancakes.
Corning may also appear in the clown suit
that he uses in appearances promoting
Manley popcorn.
The Serv-O-Ramics also wuU offer a box
fried chicken lunch, hotdogs. hamburgers,
barbecue beef and cold sandwiches, soft
drinks, coffee, ice cream and candy.
Customers serve themselves from the counter
and pay at the cashier's stand at the end.
Also on display will be a new instant
malted milk machine in the various Manley
concessiorLs stands.
Arrangements for the concessions stands
were made through James C. Burge. director
of
the Southwest Exposition.
Openings and Reopenings
Mark So. Texas Scene
SAN ANTONIO—Changes in ownership,
openings and reopenings dot the theatre map
in south Texa.s. G. R. Trevino has leased
the Melba, Sinton, which opened there
April
13. The house shows Latin-American pictures.
Frank Trevino. who has the Ideal.
Pearsall, reopened the Gale, Jourdanton,
which had been closed for several years.
M. E. Soils, manager-owner of the Ranch
Drive-In. Alice, will take over the operation
of the Longhorn Drive-In. Hebbronville, on
or about May 15. It is being remodeled into
a 200-car ozoner.
T. L. Harville, who has theatres at Alice.
Orange Grove and Odem, will open a twin
airer south of McAllen on the Depot road in
partnership with the Dri-scoU Foundation,
owners of the DriscoU Hotel, Corpus Christi.
OKLAHOMA CITY
'Thompson Theatres will ninvf from it.s
present offices on Filmrow to offices in
its Ritz Theatre, 914 NW Brit ton Rd.. Britton,
effective May 1. Dick Tliompson explained
the move is into offices at the theatre
which the Thomp.son circuit had rented to
outsiders . . . O. T. Matthews has bought the
Savoy in Prague. Okla.. from Mrs. Ella Mohrbacher
. recently changing hands was
the Arnett at Ai-nett, which Frank Dyke sold
to Kay Miller on April 15.
A&O Booking Agency is booking for theatres
in Bixby. Okla. . Watonga E>rive-In
opens April 27 . . . The 54 Drive-In at Dimmitt,
Tex., has opened for the sea.son . . . The Koneer
Drive-In at Shamrock is slated to open
April 29. Tinker Drive-In at Midwest City
opened April 12 and Barton Theatres, owner,
reports the theatre did fairly well over the
first weekend.
Staff changes for Barton Theatres include:
Christine Hathcox. new manager. Chieftain;
Mrs. Jewel Hightower, transferred from manager
at Del City to manager at Knob Hill.
New Del City manager is Pat Donovan. Mrs.
Ethel Coxey, manager of the Skytrain, is back
hasn't been announced yet . Barksdale
and Hazel Russell of National Screen
Service spent a week of vacation recently "just
relaxing" at home . Fle.ssa, secretary
at 20th Centuiy-Fox, now is Mrs. Ben Burrls.
She and the Air Force sergeant were married
April 13 at Tinker Field chapel. They honeymooned
at Hot Springs, Ark.
Mr. and Mrs. E. R. "Red" Slocum are hunting
for a house in Oklahoma City. The Slocums
have been commuting dally from El
Reno (a round trip of approximately 65 miles)
in order for Slocum to fulfill his duties as execut.ve
director of United Theatre Owners of
Oklahoma. They plan to sell their home in
El Reno and buy one in Oklahoma City .
W. G. Carmichael, Everett Mahaney, Paul
Kerns and Bill Raymond of Allied Artists attended
a sales meeting in Dallas.
Exhibitors in town included J. G. Millirons,
Snyder; O. A. Wamble. Caddo; Eddie and Bill
Jones, Sand Springs; A. R. Walker, Broken
Ai-row; C. L. Lance, Ringling; Mel Danner,
Waynoka; Miss Walsie Campbell, Wynnewood;
Miss Betty Long, Guymon; Mrs. Bess
Wilkie, Harrah; H. D. Cox, Binger; E. B.
at work after a recent illness.
Anderson, Ardmore; Clint Applewhite, Carnegie;
Virby Conley, Perryton, Tex.; T. E.
Jay Moore of United Artists has been transferred
to the Dallas office. His replacement Trow. Stonewall; Dana Ryan, Pawnee.
FOR SALE!
Due to conversion of property by owners. Interstate Circuit, Inc., must remove
all equipment from Kirby Theatre in Houston, and has commissioned
us as agents to sell the following equipment which may be seen
now at the Kirby Theatre.
HURRY!
HURRY!
Expiration of lease makes
it necessary to vacate not
later than June, 1956.
* 1429 UPHOLSTERED SPRING CUSHION SEATS
* COMPLETE PROJECTION and SOUND EQUIPMENT
* ATTRACTION BOARD — PLASTIC LETTERS
* ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT (Footlights, borders, spothghts)
* STAGE EQUIPMENT (Screen, drapes, borders and travelers)
* BOX OFFICE and LOBBY EQUIPMENT
* OFHCE FURNITURE and HXTURES
•MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT
Prefer to sell to single buyer, but will consider any offers for part of
equipment.
Contact MR. ALBERT LEVER, Majestic Theatre, Houston, or MR. JAKE ELDER,
Sterling Sales and Service, Dallas.
STERLING SALES AND SERVICE
DALLAS, TEXAS
this
BOXOFFICE :: April 21, 1956

MOSE-ING
THROUGH
Central & West Texas
.By EARL MOSELEY.
T* W. "Ted" Lewis leaned back from his desk
and said: "I have no complaints. Show
business has given me a sood life. If I had it
all to do over again,
I'd do it! It's made me
a lot of money—and
been almost hungry,
I've
too. I've done
everything around a
theatre, except act."
Lewis, who has
moved his office into
the comforts of his
east Dallas home, is at
present counselor,
buyer and booker for
independent exhibitors t. W. Lewis
and for All State Theatres
of west Texas and New Mexico, which
recently merged with Video. He has spent
44 years in show business, primarily in east
Texas.
In 1912, young Lewis went to work in a
Greenville theatre, where he became a projectionist.
Later, he became a charter member
of the Greenville-Paris operators union.
By 1915, he had become associated with Ross
Rainey in Clarksville, New Boston and De
Kalb film houses. At this time, many theatres
found it necessai-y to generate their
own electricity for operation and theu-s was
such. Lewis recalls that, when they started
the light plant, "the knocking made so much
noise that everybody in town knew the show
was open."
He an.swered an ad in 1919 from a Marshall
exhibitor for a union projectionist, and he got
the job. He was instrumental in getting a
charter for the Longview-Marshall local and
later he worked with Col. H. A. Cole several
who beai's his name, he did play the organ.
He worked with the D. W. Griffith attractions
that went on the road with its own crew for
projection and special effects.
Ted moved to Texarkana in 1928 and bought
the Pi-incess and Palace theatres, and he
booked first run product into the former from
thi-ee exchange areas—Dallas, Mempliis and
New Orleans. He had a partner, C. C. Bounds,
for a time and sold his interests to him in
1940.
Five years previously, when Gene Autry had
just begun making westerns for Republic,
Lewis booked him for a personal appearance
at his Princess and became master of ceremonies
for the act in several other locations.
He went to California after he sold his theatres
and renewed the friendship.
However, he returned to Texas and went
into Interstate's Meh'ose (now the Esquirei
and Lawn projection rooms in Dallas, and into
Joy Houck's Joy Theatre until 1946. AVhen
the Gene Autry Enterprises bought L. L. Dunbar's
four Oak Cliff theatres, Lewis became
general manager, where he served until the
houses were sold to Rowley United in late
1949. Since that time, he has operated his
booking service.
M. J. "Mickey" Horton, who manages the
Belton theatres, reissued a locally made "Gang
Comedy," which was shot during the 1940's,
and paired it with "My Sister Eileen" for a
three-day run to bolster receipts during Lent.
It had a Sunday-Tuesday run at the Beltonian.
Horton had National Screen Service make
up a trailer for it, leaving a spot for a scene
insert, using the line: "Are you or somebody
years in that town.
you know in this picture?" And, since the
Aside from cranking the machines, Lewis staff was able to recognize about 60 per cent
worked as a stagehand in all departments for of the cast, a postal card was mailed to
tab shows in the area. Although he did not each of the parents announcing the playdate.
play the clarinet like the famous musician Newspaper ads, too.
CONCESSION

. . . "Dark
. . . buy
. . Both
Great" a full two-page layout, with a thirdpage
of feature stories, for the Dallas Majestic
opening day, and tied in with a local auto
dealer to drive one of its new cars through
the city announcing: '"Alexander the Great,'
Majestic. Ti-ansportation by Bankston-Hall."
It became one of the few features ever to
liold over in that theatre for a second week.
On Ea.

.HI
. . Louis
. . Jimmy
. . Ruth
. . Vernon
SUMMER TIME
EXPLOITATION SPECIALS!
NOW BOOKING
(iARD(l/l
proval of 5^
H! AMERICAN
^
IHINC ASSOCIATION
2nd Hit • Quenlin Reynolds'
'HALF-WAY TO HELL" ^*"""
AMONG NAKED
'
/Jk;
SAVAGES! !
in COLOR
mm ^
jR
Mm REAU
SHOaONGhj^
WHITE GIRL ^^'
EXPLORER IL iS
\«
r -1
IHE STORY OF JUNGll LOVEI
UNTOUCHED
Distributors
Texas and Oklahoma
TOWER PICTURES
310 S. HARWOOD DALLAS
PHONE: RA7736
Write or Phone
Herman Craver or Bob Wilkes
618-Car Twin-Pines Is
Longview's Newest
LONGVIEW, TEX.—The recent formal
opening of the Twin-Pines Drive-In Tlieatre
here climaxed many months of planning
and work for its young owners, Mr. and
Mrs. Jim Wyche. The couple moved from
Alice to Longview when construction began
last year. Wyche, 23, is a graduate of the
Texas Arts and Industries college at Kingsville
and served in the U. S. Air Force.
"We chose Longview for the location of
our drive-in theatre because we felt this to
be the most progre.ssive town in the most
progressive section of Texas," Wyche said.
The new drive-in will accommodate 618
cars and 250 patrons in seats on the patio.
Ramps are all black-topped and the lot has
a lighted walkway with ramps numbered so
that patrons can find their way to and from
the concession stand. The concession stand
features a double-hne cafeteria style counter.
Counters are Formica topped and upholstered
in green. A special doughnut department has
been installed in a corner all to itself. The
equipment used here enables patrons to buy
hot, fresh doughnuts throughout the show.
Chicken, French fries, shrimp and other short
order food will be served from the kitchen.
Also, all kinds of sandwiches, snow cones and
cold drinks will be served.
The building is centrally heated and air
conditioned. In winter each car will be
centrally heated by an individual unit. A
complete playground is equipped with wing
sets, slides and tilt-a-whirls. All equipment
at the drive-in is by RCA. Flowers are
planted everywhere in front and near the
fence leading to the screen tower. The theatre
is located just off Highway 80 on Eastman
road.
Favors for the opening Included cologne for
the women, shaving lotion for men, and
balloons, suckers and gum for the children.
Dallas WOMPI to Host
Underprivileged Kids
DALLAS—The service committee of the
the children free and give them souvenirs.
Members of the club will purchase refreshments.
The service committee also brought to the
attention of the board the need for a wheelchair
by a permanently crippled 7-year-oId
girl. The board recommended to members
that they vote to obtain a chair for the
girl.
The club also will assist the cerebral palsy
annual telethon Saturday, May 12. The next
luncheon meeting will be held on the 26th
at the White Plaza, when the nominating
committee (Marilyn Bragg, Rosemary Wliite
and Grace Folsom) will present a slate of
Maude Barnett and Lillian Bohannon of
20th-Fox and Dessie Barber and Dorothy
Bryant of National Screen Service are newmembers.
DALLAS
T^ivision Manager John Allen of MGM returned
to his headquarters here after a
two-week business trip to St. Louis, Kansas
City and Oklahoma City .
Smith
and his family spent a recent weekend with
Mr. and Mrs. Leo Kohler, son-in-law of the
local theatre owner, Tom Kirksy, in Rosebud
. J. Weber. MGM, and Hi
Martin, U-I division manager, had a date on
the golf course Saturday.
Seen along Filmrow: Mrs. Martha Mc-
Spadden. Grand, Electra; C. H. Jones, Palace,
Weatherford; C. H. Weatherford, city manager.
Interstate, Fort Worth; Jack Ai-thur,
Majestic, Stephenville; I. E. Walker, Dixie.
Olden: W. E. Cox jr.. Tower, Seminole; Miss
Annie L. Coleman, Metro, Abilene; Johnny
Long, Long Theatres. Bay City: Jerry Stout,
Coed, Denton; Eddie Joseph, Joseph Theatres,
Austin: Lew Bray, Strand, Harlingen;
Clinton Bailey, Ritz, Nocona; C. E. Campbell,
Majestic, Bowie; Billie Creigh, Trail, Breckenridge:
Arthur Caywood, Texas, Brady;
Willie Hightower, Phil Tidball, Tad Gould
and Boyd Milligan, all of Fort Worth, and
C. D. Leon, Leon Tlieatres, Abilene.
Charles E. Darden has been asked to run
in the Richardson independent school district
as a candidate for trustee. The election
will be May 5. Darden was persuaded to use
the screen of the newly built Arapahoe
Drive-In owned by Mr. and Mrs. J. T.
Roberts of Richardson for the announcement
of his birthday . . . Mrs. C. W. Matson of
Matson Theatres in Rockdale, reports her
daughter Gladys has named her baby daughter
Dorothy. The child weighed only 2 lbs.
12 oz. when it was born last month, and now
weight 3 lbs. and still is being cared for in an
incubator. Gladys was married to James
Wallis in Europe.
Charlie Stark, son of a Wichita. Kas., exhibitor,
enjoyed a pleasant trip to Dallas with
his wife to participate in the SMU Musical
Festival.
grove Family Drive-In Theatres . . . Albert
Judy Wise, secretary to P. K. Johnston,
Interstate, returned from an eastern vacation
where she saw more snow than she
had ever seen before in her life— 15 inches
Dallas WOMPIs has arranged to entertain
21 children from the Dean Memorial Home at in the New York area. Judy took a great
the Kiddieland amusement park Saturday, many pictures to prove it. She attended a
May 5. The children range from 5 to 9. The wedding in New Jersey and visited friends in
plans were revealed by Frances Green, chairman
Connecticut .
Sipler, formerly with
of the service committee, at a board Astor Pictures, is now working for Hart-
meeting last week in the White Plaza Hotel.
Arrangements were made for Mrs. Stanfield,
owner of the Kiddieland, ta admit
Rains, general manager for OK Theatres in
Houston, was on the Row.
Roy Kanter, division manager for MPA
back from El Paso, reported Joe T. Gaylor
jr., Lubbock, will represent MPA in west
Texas and New Mexico. Gaylor formerly was
advertising and display director for Hemphill
Wells and Skibells. He replaced R. B. Gaines,
who left MPA after many years on account of
ill health . Boyle, who has been
doing the advance work for "Guys and Dolls,"
reports the sub key cities in Texas have been
doing a great job both in showmanship and
in cooperation of the press and radio . . .
The Variety Club will meet April 30 in the
Roof Garden of the Adolphus, instead of
the regular first Monday of May since many
Tent 17 members will be on their way to the
Variety International convention on May 7.
Members are urged to plan to enter spring
golf tournament May 21 at Glen Lakes
Country Club.
BOXOFFICE ;: April 21, 1956

Daylight Time Killed
In Muskogee by UTOO
OKLAHOMA CITY — United Theatre
Owners of Oklahoma last week chalked up
another victory against daylight savings
time.
On the heels of UTOO's success in quashing
daylight savings time in Oklahoma City
came word that Muskogee city officials had
shunted aside a similar movement. Charles
Procter, owner of Broadway Theatres, in
Muskogee, credited a telegram sent to city
officials by UTOO as being a decisive factor
in defeating the proposal in Muskogee.
Procter wired E. R. "Red" Slocum, UTOO
executive director, April 10: "Wires received
by city officials proved effective in blocking
action on daylight saving time proposal.
Further action has been tabled until such
time that the state would see fit to adopt
such a plan. Our thanks again to UTOO for
the diligent work in fighting for the survival
of the exhibitors of Oklahoma."
By letter, Procter added: "We are firmly
convinced that had it not been for the
vigorous campaign put on by UTOO in Oklahoma
City, which resulted in stopping the
movement there, and the two wires which
were sent from your office to our mayor
and manager of the Chamber of Commerce,
we would certainly be faced with daylight
savings time here in Muskogee no later than
May 1.
"Here's hoping that many more exhibitors
in our state will realize the value in belonging
and being active in the live wire organization
that we have. The success of this campaign
against daylight savings time is a mere
sample of how helpful an organization of
this type can be."
The Muskogee Daily Phoenix said, regarding
the hearing before the city council: "One
protest was made against adoption of daylight
savings time . . . Charles Procter,
Broadway Theatres, said daylight savings
time would endanger drive-ins and possibly
the entire movie system in Muskogee. He
.said families might avoid attending drive-ins
during peak summer season because shows
could not begin before dark, 9:30 under daylight
savings time.
" 'All Oklahoma theatre owners oppose it,'
Procter said. Mayor Lyman Beard had a
telegram supporting his statement."
The telegram, sent by Slocum April 9, said:
"We are wiring you and your council to
give fullest study to all ramifications of making
any changes to either daylight saving
time or daylight wasting time. What apparently
may assist some could undoubtedly
be very damaging to the welfare of others.
The pattern of the daily life of many families
could be disrupted to a very unsatisfactory
extent. Especially those with several young
children.
"The Bristow Chamber of Commerce explained
it well in a business way in its
resolution to the Oklahoma City Times. Now
that the balloon has burst and the Oklahoma
City Retailers Ass'n has decided to drop
the matter without so much as presenting it
to their council, why start it all over?
"Refer you to today's Oklahoma City
Times, front page, where entire proposition
dropped. A duplicate of this telegram is
being sent to manager director of the
Chamber of Commerce. Respectfully,, United
Theatre Owners of Oklahoma."
FITNXY MAN IN TEXAS—George
Gobel, the television comedian, made a
tour of the principal Texas cit'es to promote
his film, "The Birds and the Bees."
In top photo he is shown at Houston
with .lack Groves, owner of the Post Oak
Drive-In, looking over a copy of BOX-
OFFICE. Bottom, at Dallas airport, with
Frank Starz, Interstate publicity director,
and Dave O'Malley, at right.
Saturday Children Shows
Aim at Long-Range Gains
HARTFORD—Aggressive showmen in this
area are becoming increasingly cognizant of
the double-value of promoting Saturday
children's programs.
"We're not only running performances on a
no-school day for profit but, more importantly,
creating a movie-going habit on the
part of the younger generation," explains Joe
Giobbi of the Crown.
Shows, in general, start at 1 or 1:30 p.m.,
with a few outlying situations running their
performances at 10 or 10:30 a.m. These programs
usually consist of a western feature,
plus color cartoons, novelty reels, and audience-participation
bits. General admission
scale: children, 20 or 25 cents; adults, 40 or
50 cents.
Some months ago, to introduce a children's
policy at the Southington Colonial, promotion-minded
Ai-thur Alperin offered free admission
to a Saturday matinee. Reopening
the long-dark Strand in Willimantlc, Carim
E. John admitted youngsters free, accompanied
by parents, to his first Saturday
matinee program.
BUFFALO
3409 Oak Lawn, Room 107
COOLING
Clyde Young Quits Video
To Operate New Airer
CLEBURNE, TEX. — Clyde Young, a
veteran of 27 year.s with the Griffith Consolidated
Theatres, now known as Video Independent
Theatres. ha.s resigned so that he
can devote his time to the new Sage Drive-In
which he and his brother James are constructing
on the Hillsboro highway one mile
south of Cleburne. Young has .served as
manager for the Esquire, Yale and Chief
Drive-In here several years.
The new drive-in will have a 400-car
capacity and the opening date has been set
for June 1.
No replacement for Young has been announced
by the circuit yet and he has consented
to continue in his former capacity
until a decision is made.
Easter Bunny Paid Visits
To Drive-Ins at Austin
AUSTIN, TEX.— Glyn Morsbach, manager
of the Burnet Drive-In Theatre, and Bill
Gibbs, Chief Drive-In manager, delighted the
hearts of many Austin tots by staging preshow
Easter egg hunts at their respective
theatres. The hunt at the Burnet was on
Saturday in the late afternoon and at the
Chief it was held at the same time on Sunday
afternoon.
Ten thousand candy eggs and dozens of
stuffed Easter bunnies were there for the
finding and other prizes were offered to
champion searchers.
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BOXOFFICE April 21, 1956

EASTERN OKLAHOMA
By ART LAMAN
•The week of April 9 was an allout entertainment
week for Tulsa and eastern Oklahoma.
On Monday Grand Ole Opry took
over at the Municipal Theatre for two jampacked
performances. Nearly 5,500 paid admissions
were counted including this reporter.
It was a bang-up show, lasting two
hom-s with never a dull moment, explaining
why 5,500 persons came out to see this type
of live talent show.
Thm-sday the home show opened at the
Fairgrounds Pavilion, with some 100 booths,
plus a band and a four-act stage show. The
latter could not be heard on account of very
bad sound system handling. However, the
show pulled a record crowd each night.
Topping off these attractions Saturday
were car racing at the fairgrounds grandstand
with a record attendance, and the Tulsa Oilers
opening the baseball season.
All of this put a big dent into the boxoffice
takes of most of the Tulsa theatres. However,
the Rialto stepped up some extra teenage
business with a Rock and Roll Jamboree Saturday
night, featuring a number of bop singers,
a couple of real good musicians and one
girl. Some of the teeners went a bit wild,
danced the bop in the aisles and on the
seats, which, of course, in this type of entertainment
is considered the proper thing to
do. There was another teenage rampage
when Elvis Pi-esley played the Fairground Pavilion
Wednesday (18).
Some theatre operators may think that Red
Slocum, executive du-ector of UTOO in Oklahoma
City, just sits around. Well, this writer
can give you a very different picture of the
UTOO office. We happened to visit Red on
the first day he was winding up the UTOO
campaign against the daylight saving time
proposal, which was being pushed by some of
the top brass in the big companies of Oklahoma
and by others who thought this would
be a great summertime movement. Being a
theatreman, Red knew better and proceeded
to take action, which consisted of talking to
all the top ranking business and city officials in
the capital and other key cities of Oklahoma,
contacting the heads of any number of theatres
and getting to the heads of chambers of
commerce and civic groups all over the state.
At the present writing it looks as if Red,
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— —
with the help of the theatre folk, has defeated
the daylight saving time movement.
It is not necessary to a.sk theatremen and
others who depend on darkness to make a
living what this means—they know. If this
is the only thing that Red Slocum and UTOO
gets done in 1956—UTOO is worth every dime
it is costing, and a lot more to every one in
show business in the state.
Buck Jones, city manager for Rowley United
at McAlester, and this reporter made a hurried
trip to Dallas, where we talked with some
of the Rowley heads, and also had a nice visit
with Lehman Marshall from over Terrill
way. Will trek back down that way soon to
work out some .special features for the Terrill
Drive-In.
We went over to Fort Worth where we
found Oscar May and a crew of builders working
into the darkness on the new Meadowbrook
Drive-In. This will be a 1,100-speaker
job, and will introduce many new ideas in
opren air entertainment and services. The
new Dallas to Fort Worth turnpike goes directly
thi-ough the old Meadowbrook at Lancaster
and Riverside drive. The new Meadowbrook
will be a short distance north on Riverside,
and should be opened the first part of
June. May is plamiing some very special featui'es
for the formal opening, details of which
we will carry in a later issue. May has retained
some space at the old location which
will be used for large signs and displays featm-ing
the attractions and location of the new
theatre.
Every once in a while we come in contact
with some stunt or promotion we think
could be used by most any livewire showman,
and here's one we're going to pass
along that is a humdinger from any way you
look at it. Several months back we wrote
it would be mighty fine for theatres to try
and encourage their businessmen into attending
their theatres.
In Muskogee the Pi-octers have put such
a plan into operation. First they spent much
time in working this idea out, getting the
cooperation of the Muskogee Phoenix, which
has given the plan much free space. Most
newspapers will do the same thing. Here
is about the way this plan is being worked
in Muskogee. The exhibitor contacts the
business folk—industries, merchants ... all
types who are not theatre regulars. The
head of each concern is offered free theatre
tickets for his entire staff and their families.
There is no charge of any kind, but
the tickets must be used on one certain day,
so
that different groups are guests on different
days. In this way, there is a steady
stream of new people coming to the theatre.
The newspaper runs stories on the stores
and groups that are invited each week.
Now this is the general outline of the
greatest goodwill and public relations builder
we have come in contact with. Of course
HOT DOGS sell like HOT CAKES
A/hen served with America's besf-fasfin' dressing!
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some theatremen will ask where can they
make money out of a deal like this? Which
is a very good question. For the answer, I
can only pass along what was given us by
George Procter sr. First, he said, every theatre
has a lot of empty seats, and filling them
helps out in a big way with the concession
stand. Next we all know that the businessman
is one of the very poorest of showgoers, getting
him back in the habit is well worth while.
In the six weeks that the Broadway theatres
have been promoting this goodwill
builder the following things have occurred:
Many people have come to theatres who have
seen a widescreen for the first time; others
had never seen a motion picture before;
others had not been to a motion picture in a
long time; many of the businessmen who
had not been seen buying tickets for years
have been back to catch a following show,
and the most interesting thing is the fact
that the boxoffice money has increased since
the plan was started six weeks back. Therefore,
the Procters feel they are doing more
at the concession stand, they have increased
the sale of tickets, they are building theatre
traffic and are creating goodwill through
the merchants.
All in all they feel it is the best promotion
they have had in a long time, and we think
the same thing.
Boys and Girls Select Ten
Films for Jr. Series
BIRMINGHAM—Boys and gii'ls
are voting
now on which movies they want to see this
summer at the Alabama Theatre on the
Birmingham Junior Programs which are
sponsored in cooperation with the Parent-
Teachers Ass'n. The ten movies will be
shown on Monday and Tuesday mornings
June 25 through August 28. Admission for
all ten movies is $1, including tax. The Birmingham
Transit Co. offers 20 rides for the
special price of $1.50.
The features from which the ten will be
chosen are: "The Atomic City," "Blackbeard,
the Pirate," "Boy's Ranch," "Crosswinds,"
"Dangerous When Wet," "Fancy Pants," "Gallant
Bess," "The Great Mike," "Hills of
Home," "Kit Carson," "Last Outpost," "Little
Men," "Last of the Mohicans," "Penrod
and Sam," and "Son of Paleface."
Cool Weather Hits Dallas
First Run Percentages
DALLAS— Changeable and cool weather
accounted for lowered grosses in local first
runs this week. Best of the week was "The
Sheep Has Five Legs" at the Coronet with
160 per cent.
(Average Is 100)
Coronet The Sheep Has Five Legs (UMPO), 2nd
wk 160
Moiestic The Birds ond the Bees (Para) 75
Rialto The Steef Jungle (WB), 1 Died a Thousand
Times (WB) 85
in Tower Miracle the Rain (WB) 75
Republicans Go On Record
ST. PAUL—The Ramsay County Young Re-
meeting here went on
publican League at its
record favoring "more wholesome material in
movies. TV and comic books." It also adopted
a resolution calling upon the state legislature
to allow local option elections to decide if
there should be summer daylight saving.
Mninesota has no daylight saving. The film
industry in the state opposes it.
BOXOFFICE :: April 21, 1956

'Swan' Cashes in With
150 at Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS—All important newcomers
clicked neatly. "The Swan," of coui-se, was
helped by its timely release, fine exploitation
and its own merits. Praises also were plentiful
for "Jubal," "Come Next Spring" and
"Diabolique."
(Average Is 100)
in Los Vegas IMGM), Gopher Meet Me 2nd wk 100
i20th-Fox), 3rd wk 135
Lyr.c—Corousel
Rodio City—The Swan (MGM) 50
1
RKO Orpheum—Jubol (Col) 110
RKO Pan—Our Miss Brooks (WB); Target Zero
iWB) 85
State 00
Come Next Spring (Rep) 1
World Diabolique (UMPO) 150
'Cry' Still Is Omaha's Best
Draw; 150 in 2nd Week
OMAHA—The State Theatre chalked
up a
second big week, after "I'll Cry Tomorrow"
came near the State's alltime mark in its
opening week. The second week's figure was
150 per cent, compared with the opening 230.
Two other holdovers, "The Man With the
Golden Arm" at the Brandeis and "Carousel"
at the Orpheum, also topped average.
Admiral-Chief The Prisoner (Col) 90
Brandeis The Man With the Go.den Arm (UA),
2nd wk 115
Omaha Rock Around the Clock (Col), Blackjack
Ketchum, Desperado (Col) 115
Orpheum Carousel ,20fh-Fox), 2nd wk. 6 days.. 100
I'll 1 State Cry Tomorrow (MGM) 50
DBS MOINES
piremen were called to the Hiland when Mrs.
Pearl Fort, the manager, noticed smoke
in the building. Firemen said they believed
an electric fan motor became overheated.
Patrons remained in the theatre, apparently
unaware of the smoke . . . The Story, Story
C.ty, installed two new Century sound reproducers
for each of its recently remodeled
Century projectors.
R. P. Davis has announced a new schedule
for his Monroe in Monroe. The Saturday
night show will begin at 8 p.m. rather than
7:30 p.m. . . .The Starlite Drive-In in
Algona held an open house and test night
recently. 'Virgil Rohlf is manager . . . Charles
lies and Elwin Wolf of Film Transportation
Co. are getting ready to open their summer
cottages at Clear Lake. The Wolfs completed
a new lake home last summer and also have
a "kit boat," which is the envy of many
boaters on the lake . . . Ann Branco, Universal
bookers secretary, journeyed to Davenport to
take part in a bowling tournament . . . Lou
Levy visited in the Muscatine-Moline-Davenport
and Rock Island area . . . Universal
held a screening of the J. Arthur Rank
film, "Touch and Go" on April 13 at the
Fox screening room . . . The women's
division of 'Variety Club met April 16 at the
Standard Club for its monthly luncheon.
Mabel Kutch of Younkers gave a program
on fashion.
Don McLucas Is 111
OMAHA—Don McLucas, United Artists
maiiager, was taken to St. Joseph Hospital
when stricken ill while driving home from the
Athletic Club. Carl Olson, in charge of
United Artists booking headquarters at Des
Moines, is pinchhitting here temporarily.
Iowa-Nebraska Allied
Convention on May 8,
OMAHA—A potent program featuring
equipment and concessions experts is in the
making for the annual convention of the
Allied of Iowa, Nebraska and Mid-Central.
Elmer Huhnke, Omaha exhibitor and Allied
official, announced that reservations for the
convention May 8, 9 may be made by writing
to him at 3025 Read St., Omaha 2. Registration
will start at 10 a.m. May 8.
One of the speakers will be Gordon Parrish
of the Coca-Cola Co. He started with the
firm as salesman 20 years ago, became sales
manager of the district including Washington,
Oregon, Idaho and Montana, head of sales
promotion at the home office in Atlanta, Ga.,
northwest regional manager at Portland and
then sales promotion manager of the fountain
sales department at the home office. He will
talk on sales and merchandising promotion,
drawing on his know^ledge of yearly sales and
promotion programs planned for 350 field
representatives of the company.
Russ Stephens Returns
To Orpheum at St. Paul
KANSAS CITY—Russ Stephens of RKO
Theatres returned Tuesday (17) to St. Paul
and his old job as
m a n a g e r of the
^'"
Orpheum. He had been
in Kansas C.ty several
weeks as manager of
the Missouri and had
sold his home in St.
. Paul and was negotiating
for the purchase
of a home in Kansas
City.
Rumors have it that
Cinerama is going into
Russ Stephens
'^e Missouri but no
confirmation could be
obtained either locally or in the RKO Theatres
New York office. However, for the
present the Missouri will have temporary
managers, with Leonard Wood of the
Brandeis Theatre at Omaha in charge at
this writing. Ralph Buhrmaster is assistant
manager.
lowans Spent $4,830,600
For Shows Last Summer
DES MOINES—lowans are still
spending a
substantial sum for motion picture entertainment,
as indicated by latest state sales tax
figures. Taking 50 cents as the average admission
price for children and adults, the
$4,830,600 spent for screen amusement last
summer would have taken every man, woman
and child in the state to at least three shows.
The spending pattern disclosed by tax collections
tends to upset the widely held belief
that TV screens have hypnotized former
theatre patrons into becoming homebodies.
While motion picture receipts were a few per
cent lower than in a comparative period of
Albert E. Sindlinger of the Sindlinger Co.,
analyst, will present facts and figures in a
headline attraction. Another outstanding industry
representative to speak will be H. Barnett,
assistant to the president of General
Precision Equipment Corp., wlio will rci)resent
TESMA. During 1953-1954 he was executive
vice-president of Cinerama.
Ray G. Colvin, executive secretary of the
International Theatre Equipment Dealers
Ass'n, also will be a convention speaker.
W. C. Gehring, Alex Harrison
May Speak at Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS— If they can arrange their
schedules, W. C. Gehring and Alex Harrison,
20th-Fox vice-president and general sales
manager, will come to Minneapolis to address
North Central AUied's annual convention May
15, 16. Myron Blank, Theatre Owners of
America president, also will be a speaker if he
doesn't go to France next month to attend
the Cannes film festival. Others on the program
include Al Sindhnger, theatre statistician,
and Jack Kirsch, Illinois Allied president.
Before the convention here, NCA President
Ben Berger will address the Kansa,s-Mis.souri
and the Nebraska- Iowa Allied conventions at
Kansas City and Omaha May 8, 9.
the preceding year, athletic events and other
amusements made a corresponding gain.
The tax commission's latest report tells
about business during July, August and September
1955. The figures show that, compared
with the same three months of the
year before, lowans spent $458,400 less for
theatre tickets. During the summer of 1954,
films were the big thing in Iowa's collective
entertainment budget. People spent $5,289,-
000 to see motion pictures and $4,281,300 for
athletic events and other amusements. During
the three summer months last year,
lowans increased their spending for athletic
events and other amusements to $6,297,360,
cutting their theatre allowance to $4,830,600.
The decline in theatre attendance occurred
during a series of record heat waves.
The smaller theatre attendance last summer
followed a drop of about 3 per cent during
the previous 12 months.
New Vandalism Surge
With Rock-Roll Craze
MINNEAPOLIS—An outbreak of theatre
vandalism here is concurrent with the juvenile
rock and roll craze and exhibitors are wondering
if there's any connection between the
two. W. R. Frank, circuit owner and Hollywood
producer, reported much slashing of
seats, involving considerable money damage,
in some of his theatres during the past month.
W. R. Frank Is in Hospital
Following Heart Attack
MINNEAPOLIS—W. R. Frank, local circuit
owner and Hollywood producer, is confined
to Northwestern Hospital following a heart
attack, the second he has suffered. Frank
and his associates own and operate one of
territory's largest theatre chains. He also has
produced a number of pictures.
BOXOFFICE 63

Eddie Vollendorf of Milwaukee
Retires; 300 Extend Best Wishes
I
Shown at the head table (luring the farewell luncheon given for Eddie Vollendorf,
from left: Al Kvool, Harry Perlewitz, Mrs. and Mr. Vollendorf, Ollie Trampe, Harold J.
Fitzgerald, Angelo Provinzano and Jack Lorentz.
By BILL NICHOL
MILWAUKEE—Eddie Vollendorf, oldtimer
in tlie motion picture industry who is retiring
and moving to Florida, was given a
farewell luncheon sponsored by the Variety
Club at the Knickerbocker Hotel last week.
Nearly 300 attended.
With one of Steve Swedish's (local band
leader) boys at the piano playing "For He's
a Jolly Good Fellow," Eddie entered from
the wings, assisted by his wife. Everyone rose
and cheered as he limped to the position of
honor, his face wrinkled with pain and
emotion. Then Ollie Trampe, chief barker,
took over as emcee.
"Due to the fact that Eddie is still under
his doctor's care," he said, "I think we ought
to make this part of tlie luncheon as brief
as possible. But I know that I voice the
sentiments of the industry, when I say that
Eddie as a salesman, distributor, booker and
buyer, has been one swell guy! And now that
he has decided to pull stakes for Florida, all
I can add is, goodby, good luck and God bless
you, Eddie."
Then the guests, one by one, were introduced
at the speaker's table, and each
paid the guest of honor tribute in his own
manner, with Jack Lorentz, 20th-Fox, leading
off.
Angelo Provinzano, president of Wisconsin
Allied, discussed the many years during which
their paths had crossed. Harry Perlewitz,
Theatre Service, with whom Vollendorf has
been associated for the past 12 years, dwelt
upon their partnership over the years. Al
Kvool, vice-president and general manager
for Standard Theatres, although just re-
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DES MOINES THEATRE SUPPLY CO.
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cuperating from a serious illness, insisted
upon a place at the table. Harold J. Fitzgerald,
"dean of the local showmen,"
marveled at the attendance.
"Most of us say things we mean to do,
yet somehow, it seems we never get around
to doing them," he said. "Yet, Eddie, who
went through some of the worst years in
the booking and buying business, always
managed to accomplish the many things he
set out to
do.
"I can remember when we in the midwest
here, were considered out of touch with the
world, so to speak. It was quite a job traveling
out to the west coast in those days, and
I can recall a wire I received which for youiinformation,
is more or less self explanatory.
It read: 'How soon can you send us a pack
of wolves? How much will this cost us?'"
Casually, he picked up an old yearbook he
liad been given a short time ago, and paged
through. Turning to a page of pictures, he
called off the names. It sounded like a Who's
Who of long ago.
ANTICIPATED EVENT
Vollendorf said in response: "I can't tell
all you nice people here, how happy I am
today. I knew this was coming off; actually
was up at 3 o'clock full of anticipation. And
yet, I was afraid that I'd never make it. I
hope you'll pardon my remaining seated,
because as you know, I've been on the sicklist
for over a year. I guess I've got so many
butterflies in my stomach right now, that I'll
be lucky if I can make the grade. All I can
add is that I will remember this day forever.
And when any of you folks are down in
Florida. I'U appreciate your coming over to
see us."
Back during the first world war Vollendorf
started working as a candy butcher at the old
Crystal Theatre, then located on North Second
street. Along about 1919, Charlie Koehler,
chief booker at the time for the old Pathe
Co., invited Eddie to join the organization.
After a few years, Eddie went with Saxe,
where Harold Fitzgerald headed the First
National setup. When Saxe sold out to Fox,
and Fitzgerald was appointed top man, Ed
became chief booker. Sometime later he
accepted an offer from the Fox distribution
office. However, it soon became apparent
that booking was in his blood, and he lined
up with the Warner-Saxe organization.
In 1941, Harry Perlewitz disposed of his
cii-cuit, formed a working partnership arrangement
to take over the Colonial, Included
in the combine, in addition to Perlewitz,
were Ernst Langemack, Bill Ainsworth,
George Fischer, Andy Gutenberg, Bill Heiman,
Charlie Trampe, John Adler and Auggie
Berkholtz, all of whom had theatres of their
own.
ASKED TO DO BOOKING
A year later, Perlewitz, who headed the
arrangement known as Theatre Service,
recommended to the other partners that a
separate booking and buying unit be formed
in view of the increased demand of the independent
theatres for booking service. Thus,
in 1942. Ed was asked to handle this end of
the business, with Perlewitz filling in on the
buying. Subsequently, Perlewitz was appointed
executive secretary for tlie independents, leaving
the bulk of the task to Vollendorf, where
he held the fort until 1954 and illness struck
him down.
Since then, he has had several close calls,
the latest, a blood clot, which necessitated the
removal of his left leg.
BOXOFFICE :: April 21, 1956

. . Barbara
. . Division
. .
. . The
OMAHA
r H. Haser, exhibitor at Papillion,
was back
in the hospital and Mi-s. Haser is carrying
on with booking and operations. She said her
husband probably will remain at Methodist
Hospital for se\'eral weeks with a heart ailment
. Boldt, Co-Op Booking Service
secretary, said outside of a bunch of blackand-blue
spots and bruises, she came through
a tumble down her basement steps in good
shape.
Patricia Cahoon has been named general
clerk at United Artists, replacing Ann Paash.
TiUie Becker was moved up to the contract
clerk position . . . Marie Kelly is back on the
job as MGM inspector after being hit by
an auto on a downtown crosswalk. She received
a glancing blow but was badly bruised.
Cliff Shearon announced he still is operating
the Norka Theatre at Akron, Iowa, despite
earlier reports to the contrary. He also has
the theatres at Genoa and Fullerton. Neb. .
Mrs. Ed Cohen, wife of the Columbia salesman,
and Mrs. Josephine Porn, whose husband
is with Continental Can Co. in Omaha, have
been on an air trip in the Continental plane
with plant officials, visiting in the Chicago
area.
Oliver Patrick, UA salesman who recently
ti-ansferred to Omaha from Des Moines, was
called home by the serious illness and hospitalization
of his wife . . . Janet Mears, Paramount
ledger clerk, was home caring for her
husband who was released from the hospital
... Ed Force, Brandeis Theatre manager,
failed to gain headway in treatment for
bursitis.
Jack Renfro, Theatre Booking Service
owner, has been making slow but steady
progress recuperating from an operation at
Methodist Hospital . Manager Phil
Isaacs of the Rocky Mountain area and
Jimmy Ricketts, Denver manager, visited the
Omaha Paramount exchange. Omaha chief
M. E. Anderson joined them in a visit at
Lincoln.
Scoff af Screen Brutality Charges;
Start With TV, Exhibitors Say
MINNEAPOLIS—Exhibitors here scoff at
charges made before the Kefauver subcommittee
that too much brutality in films is
helping to cause juvenile delinquency. They
report they have received no local accusations
from groups or individuals along such lines.
Such exhibitor leaders as Ben Berger,
W. R. Frank and William Volk point out that
the causes of juvenile delinquency go much
deeper than what young people see on the
theatre or TV screens or hear on radio. They
declare there is more "brutality" on TV and
radio than in
theatres.
FILMS DEPICT LIFE
"Does the committee wish to have movies
stop depicting life as it is or to restrict itself
only to life's pleasant things?" asks Prank
who produces pictures in Hollywood as well
as operating a large circuit of theatres in this
territory.
"Brutality is a common thing in this day
and age and it's reported in newspapers as
well as in books and by TV and radio,"
he points out. "For its elimination our entire
literature and news reporting, as well as
many sorts of entertainment will have to
be overhauled. And if this were done I doubt
if it would put a dent in juvenile delinquency."
Berger says that, in his opinion, there is
much more brutality in TV shows than
on theatre screens and that the youth gets
much more contact with it on his home
video and radio sets, as well as in newspapers
and books, than in showhouses. If it is an
important juvenile delinquency factor—which
he doubts—then the thing to do, in his
opinion, is to go after TV for a starter.
Bill Volk and Clem Jaunich, other circuit
owners, feel that the Kefauver committee
"is just playing politics in an election year."
Motion pictures, TV shows and comic books
source of juvenile entertainment.
V. P. Reis, state youth conservation commission
prevention and pai-ole services director,
said he has heard of only one youth who
tried to duplicate a movie shooting. A. L.
Christensen, family and children's service
case worker, discounted the impact of movies
and the other medias on juvenile crime as
"not really very important."
MILWAUKEE
JJarrj- Perlewitz, Theatre Service Co., advises
that his firm has moved its offices to 2125
West Wells St. The offices formerly were at
1029 West Wells St. . . . Lou Elman, manager
of the local RKO office, has resigned effective
April 21. He will be replaced by MoiTie Anderson,
salesman for many years in the Milwaukee
area for RKO. Elman will make his home
in L. A.
Casper Choinard, formerly UA manager
here and recently salesman for UA in Minneapolis,
now is with the Television Corp. of
America for Wisconsin, Minnesota and the
Dakotas, handling sales in these territories . .
Fox's Jackson Theatre closed April 20, owing
to poor attendance . . . Eddie Safir, Buena
Vista salesman, was here looking for business
among local theatres.
Rube Perlman, special representative for
Distributors Corp. of America, is visiting
Benny Benjamin of Screen Guild, who handles
.
DCA product in Wisconsin and the upper
peninsula of Michigan . . Joanne Meyer
Haertle, secretary to Benny Benjamin, is
resigning at the end of this month. She has
been with Screen Guild four years. Her replacement
will be Gay Wageman, formerly
with the local MGM office and Fox Wisconsin
Theatres. Joan will await the stork.
don't cause juvenile delinquency, according to
Eight hardy golfers turned out on a chilly
the almost unanimous opinion of 20 youths
Ralph Krause, manager for Stanley Warner's
Sunday for an organizational swing around
who have been sent to the Hennepin County
Milwaukee, has resigned to enter recording
business. Leonard Belleau, formerly
Dodge Park In Council Bluffs prior to the
Home for Boys, whose offenses have ranged
opening of the Film Industry Golf League
from causing trouble in schools to stealing
assistant manager of the Alhambra, replaced
later this month. Around 24 are expected to
cars. E. P. Sedic, superintendent, made the
Ki-ause ... A fire in the projection room of
sign. The first play included George Reagen,
survey. Youths were from 11 to 18 years
the Fox Bay on Sunday (8i wa.s well handled
of
Frank Hannon, Jay O'Malin, Bill Higgins, Bill
age.
by Manager William Rubem. About 800 patrons
were cleared from the theatre in eight
Burke, Glen Shpper, Mort Ives and Lowell
Kyle.
ONE YOUTH BLAMES FILMS
minutes under Rubem's direction without
Filmrow visitors
casualities.
included lowans Lou The only youth who claimed he got into
Weiner, Sioux City; Dick Johnson, Red Oak; trouble as a direct result of a motion picture Ray Trampe, Allied Artists, returned from
Everett Findlay, Sloan; Mr. and Mrs. Scott, was a 14-year-old committed for fighting. the AA sales meeting in Chicago. Plans were
Moville, and Nebraskans Phil Lannon, West "In a gangster picture you see a cat slug a drafted at the meeting for release of product
Point; Dick Marvel, St. Paul; Sonny Thacker, guy and you want to follow his example," he for spring and summer . dispute regarding
employing one man in the booths at
South Sioux City; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schuler, said.
Humboldt; Cliff Shearon, Genoa; Phil March', An 11-year-old, sent to the school for throwing
objects at his schoolmates, gave a simple submitted to the Stevens Point, Wis., safety
both the Fox and L. F. Gran's Lyric Is being
Waj-ne; Howell Roberts, Wahoo, and Ollie
Schneider, Osceola.
explanation for his behavior. One 15-year-old council for study. The theatre owners have
TV fan, a perennial truant, said, "I think it offered a higher scale for one man in the
does kids good to see crime programs when booth but cannot see why they should pay
Firemen Make Short Run they're young because they learn that crime for two men at each theatre.
GRAND ISLAND, NEB.—Firemen at the doesn't pay."
North Side station made one of their shortest Several juvenile delinquence authorities The mayor's motion picture commission has
runs on a recent Tuesday night. They were here agreed that the adverse effects of the finally given consent to the showing of UA's
called to the Island Theatre, 114 W. Fourth, three media shouldn't be overemphasized. "The Man With the Golden Arm," which has
located directly across the street from the They felt "the cause of delinquence are multiple
and a number of factors are always re-
an exhibitor for more than 43 years, has
been booked in Fox's Palace . . . Frank Woskie,
station. Slight damage was reported to the
theatre marquee. Snow and rain apparently sponsible in the case of each delinquent."
sold the Colby at Colby to J. F. Cross ... A
had shorted out neon lighting on the west P. W. Keve, Hennepin County district court widescreen has been installed at Poblocki's
end of the marquee, causing the blaze.
service director, defended western fUms as a Plaza in Burlington.
BOXOFFICE :: AprU 21, 1956 65

. . Vincent
Maurice Miller Observes 25th Year
At New York Mills With Free Shows
NEW YORK MILLS, MINN.—In observance
of 25 years with the Liberty Theatre
here, Maurice Miller offered free shows to the
public on Wednesday evening. April 4. Three
shows were presented that evening at 6:30,
8:20 and 10:10. The town flocked to the
Liberty to congratulate Miller and to enjoy
the entertainment.
Miller became the owner of the Liberty
Theatre building and business on April 4, 1931.
He took the business over from Larry Shearer
who moved to Beardsley, Minn., where he
operated a theatre for some time.
At the time Maurice became the operator
of the business, the Liberty Theatre had been
operating "disk" sound movies. In other words,
a phonograph record was synchronized to the
film and produced the sound for the picture.
He recalls how this synchronization sometimes
went out of time with the film and the talking
would be different from the action on the
screen. When he became operator of the
business he purchased new equipment and
from that time on the sound was on the film.
He recalls the struggle that businesses had
during the depression years and his experience
was no different from that of many others.
Many changes have occurred in the local
theatre business since he first entered it, he
reports. The building, which was built in
Two Madison Houses Hike
Ticket Price to $1.00
MADISON, WIS.—Tlie price of tickets for
night movies in two theatres here has been
raised ten cents. Tickets for night shows at
the Orpheum and Madison now will be $1,
instead of 90 cents. The new prices, including
tax, are already in effect, Orpheum Manager
John Scharnberg said.
He attributed the price increase to increased
costs of film, which, he said, are up
20 per cent over last year, and to average costs
of the theatre wliich have gone up 17 per cent.
A price boost also was applied to daytime
shows. Tickets before 1:30 p.m. are 65 cents
and from 1 :30 to 6 p.m. 75 cents, an increase
of five cents.
Says Local Support Key
To Small-Town Survival
NORTHWOOD. IOWA—Al Myrick, president
of the Iowa AITO and owner of the theatre
in Lake Park, spoke at a Chamber of
Commerce banquet here and told his listeners
some frank facts.
He said "there is only one alternate to
keep the small town from either committing
suicide or being murdered by the cities." That
yougetalTthree
ivHEN YOU ORDER
SPECmi TRAILERS
^ilmack
1919 by S. C. Olson, has been completely
changed over with the exception of the outside
walls. The interior has been changed
and remodeled and the entrance also has been
public. Mam-ice recalls that adults paid 40
cents to see a show in 1931 and that today
they pay only 45 cents for a weekday picture
and 50 cents for the Sunday features. This is
in sharp contrast to the increases that have
marked prices in general through these years.
Average admission, however, was about 25
cents during the lean years.
Maurice also recalls that for several years
he had a "Take a Chance" night feature.
Admission for this special show was only
15 cents. In .spite of this, however, he recalls
that the public didn't care to "take a chance"
and he finally discontinued the surprise billmg
show. On his 25th anniversary, the local
showman expressed the same high degree of
enthusiasm toward the industry which has
characterized his whole career with the theatre
here. He asks for nothing better than to
hold the loyalty of his patrons and to keep
on exhibiting films here.
alternate "is to eliminate jealousy and greed
on the small town main street and among
the businessmen themselves."
Myrick went on to show that "the reason
the cities' retail stores are open on an evening
other than Saturday is to enable them
to do business with the businessmen and their
employes from the small towns who are,
themselves, open on Saturday night. Thus,
perhaps, unwittingly, the small town merchant
and his employes are leading the parade
to the shopping districts of the cities,
rather than trade with their next door neighbors
or competitors."
State Legislative Post
Sought by Theatreman
OSCEOLA, IOWA—Bob Hutte, manager of
the Lyric Theatre, has announced that he is
a candidate for the Democratic nomination
for state representative. His petitions have
been filed with the Secretary of State.
Hutte has pledged himself to work for
repeal of the pre.sent state assessment law,
tax equalization with regard to schools, a
S30 a week old-age pension law and reduction
of the sales tax to 2 per cent or less. He has
also announced his opposition to the double
taxation system.
Six Minneapolis Airers
Open in 40-Degree Chill
MINNEAPOLIS—The outdoor theatre sea-
.son got into full swing here last weekend when
six more drive-ins joined the Navarre in
starting operations. The Navaree opened the
previous Friday (6i. Only one was still dark.
Temperatures as low as 40 were no deterrent
to patrons; good business was reported down
the line.
MINNEAPOLIS
Condolences to Eddie Stoller, UA salesman,
whose father died . . . Lowell Smoots, circuit
owner who was on Pilmrow, reported his
Fergus Falls drive-in opened Friday the
13th, earlier than usual, to good business despite
the cold weather . Fabel has
been appointed Northwest Variety Club stew-
redesigned. Equipment changes mclude the ard, succeeding Billie Miskie jr., resigned.
addition of the widescreen, new seats and new
projector equipment.
Russell McCarthy, former Paramount salesman,
has joined UA to cover North Dakota,
One thing that has changed little since 1931,
Miller says, is the price of movies to the succeeding Ray Lehrman who resigned to become
Independent Film Exchange sales manager
. . . The Israeli pictui-e, "Hill 24 Doesn't
Answer," was in its second week at the neighborhood
Westgate and doing good business . . .
Herb Greenblatt and Sam Gorelick, RKO
western division and district sales managers,
were at the local office . . . Fay Dressell,
RKO manager, was in St. Mary's Hospital for
treatment of a sinus condition.
Morrie Steinman, former longtime Minneapolis
branch manager and salesman, is back
in show business with supper club acts . . .
The Variety Club is cooperating in the campaign
to raise funds to finance 15,000 additional
seats at the new Minneapolis baseball
park and has agreed to sell 300 souvenir booklets
at $1 each. Members desiring the souvenirs
have been asked to contact either Eddie
Schwartz or Tom Burke . . . Robert Rounse-
of the "Carousel" film cast was a soloist
ville
with the local Apollo Club at last week's
concert.
The Navarre Drive-In opened its season
with "The Tender Trap" . . . The Lyceum
again has its hat in the ring currently with
the Broadway hit, "Bad Seed," on tap.
Tough boxoffice sledding has been the experience
here for pictures that have had their
inception on TV or depended on their pull for
the cast presence of stars who have attained
considerable video vogue. "Our Miss Brooks"
was spotted into the RKO Pan as the top
portion of a twin bill at lower admissions than
charged for top attractions in downtown Minneapolis.
But joined up with "Target Zero"
it failed to deliver at the boxoffice. A few
weeks ago, "The Lone Ranger," pulled out
of the TV bag, drew poorly at the local
LjTic.
Prior to that, "Ransom," an expanded video
drama, fared badly at the Gopher here. And
pictures starring Liberace and Mark Stevens,
TV favorites, were local boxoffice flops.
Roger Reinert, 32, Dies;
Algoma, Wis., Theatreman
ALGOMA. WIS.—Roger Reinert, 32, owner
of the Majestic Theatre, died April 13. He
was born at Manitowoc.
Reinert was president of the Chamber of
Commerce here for several years. He purchased
the Majestic in 1944. He was an
annomicer for station WKOW and a member
of the Lions Club.
Iowa Airer Robbed of $140
ALGONA, IOWA—Two young men, both
clad in blue jeans and each carrying a sawedoff
shotgun, held up the drive-in here recently
and fled with about $140. They drove
off in a car found abandoned near here the
next morning. Authorities said it was likely
they had picked up another car. The men
were believed to be in their late 20's.
BOXOFFICE :: AprU 21, 1956

. . Manager
'Alexander' Stays Big
At 225 in Cleveland
CLEVELAND — The Easter holiday upsweep
in attendance has dropped back, witli
only tlii-ee of the downtown first runs reporting
better than average takes. At the
Palace 'The Harder They Fall" had a big
weekend, and finished the week with a very
healthy 140 per cent. The second holdover
week of "Alexander the Great" at the Stillman
showed a continued interest in the picture
which registered 225 per cent. Weather
was cold and clear. Weekend competition
was furnished by the annual Chardon Maple
Festival that drew thousands of people to
that event which has wide local
(Average Is 100)
interest.
Allen—Corousel (20th-Fox), 4th wk 75
Hippodrome The Mon in the Groy Flonnel Suit
i20th-Fox), 2nd wk 105
Lower Mall Too Bod She's Bod (Getz-Kmgsley),
2nd wk 80
Ohio Anything Goes (Parol, 2nd d.t. wk 85
Palace The Horder They Foil (Col) 40
1
State Meet Me in Los Veios (MGM) 85
Stillman—Alexander the Greof (UA), 2nd 225
wk
"Song of South' Paces
Detroit With 175
DETROIT—Business held steady despite a
local undercurrent of unsettled conditions reflecting
auto layoffs. "Song of the South"
paced the first run field among regular attractions,
while "Picnic" and "I'll Cry Tomorrow"
both rolled along to sustained highs on
multiple week bookings.
Adams I'M Cry Tomorrow (MGM), 5th wk 150
Broadway Capitol The Bold and the Brave (RKO);
Poris Follies ot 1956 (AA) 100
Fox—The Mon in the Gray Flannel Suit (20th-
Fox); Glory RKO), 2nd wk 125
Madison Picnic (CoM, 5th wk 150
Michigan Sonq ot the South ;BV), reissue. The
Kettles in the Oiorks (U-l) 175
Palms- Rock Around the Clock (Col); Blackjack
Ketchum, Desperado (Col) 1 20
Karl Brenkert. 63, Dies;
President of Brenkert
DETROIT—Karl Brenkert. 63. president of
the Brenkert Light Projection Co.. maker of
the famed Brenkert projection equipment,
died at his home in Birmingham following a
heart attack. He became president of the
Brenkert division of RCA when his firm was
purchased by RCA in 1945. He retired in
1950. He is survived by a son Karl jr. and a
daughter, Mrs. Paul M. Tiefel.
James Gagnon Stricken
DETROIT — James Gagnon. member of
lATSE Local 199 for 31 years, died recently
from a heart attack in the Broadway Capitol
Theatre. He was for many years operator at
the De Luxe Theatre and recently in Highland
Park at the Six Mile-Uptown Theatre.
He is survived by his wife, a daughter and
a brother Ray, Broadway Capitol operator.
Obscene Films Shown
In Ohio, Letter Charges
COLUMBUS—Many pictures sliown in Ohio
since the end of state censorship have been
obscene, declared Catherine Stattmiller of
Columbus in a letter to the editor of the Columbus
Dispatch. Tlie writer disagreed with
a statement that there have been no "111 effects"
to Ohio theatregoers because of censorship's
demise.
"I do not think theatre owners in general
are at all concerned with the harmful effects
of any movie, but are more concerned with
boxoffice receipts," said Miss Stattmiller.
"Tills is not the first time that we have been
exposed to this propaganda, that movies have
no ill effects for the state's theatregoers."
They speak, .she continued, of House Bill
712 as "a law with teeth in it, one that prevents
obscene or illegal movies. Just what is
included under obscene? Webster's dictionary
says . . . 'expressing or presenting to the
mind or view something which delicacy, purity
and decency forbids to be exposed—as obscene
language or pictures.'
"Many of the pictures which have come
certainly
"Forbidden Planet,' 'Carousel'
come in that category," she added. Miss
Run Up 175 in Cincinnati
Stattmiller did not list such pictures.
CINCINNATI--"Forbidden Planet" and
"Everyone knows the bulk of theatregoers
into Ohio during the past year
"Carousel" had equal appeal for local fans,
are children of all ages. Tliere they are. shut
both features drawing 175 per cent. The
showing was especially cheerful for "Carousel."
up in a darkened room with nothing to look
at or distract their attention but what is
as it was the second week for the 55mm flashed before them. Can anyone deny the
20th-Fox masterpiece. "I'll Cry Tomorrow."
impact of this on their minds and culture of
fourth week, also had a strong boxoffice
in its
children?
with 120.
"If we are to improve this culture of ours,
Albce Carousel (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 175 let's work at it and not against it. Education,
Grand I'M Cry Tomorrow (MGM), 4th wk 120
both spiritual and moral, is and should be
Keiths—The Harder They Foil (Col), 2nd wk 80
Palace— Forbidden Plonet (MGM) 175 everyone's patriotic duty and in particular
those serving the public, namely theatre
owners and producers."
COLUMBUS
tjeverly Schecter, representing the B'nai
B'rith girls, won the title of Sweetheart
Queen of the AZA Sweetheart ball here. She
was given a wristwatch sponsored by Cyd
Charisse and Dan Dailey. stars of MGM's
"Meet Me in Las 'Vegas," through a tieup
arranged by Manager Walter Kessler of
Loew's Ohio. Miss Schecter will be entered
in the national AZA contest for Sweetheart
Queen.
Manager Robert Little of the Bexley Art
has been busy with record crowds attracted
to "Diabolique." the French feature which
went into a third week . Robert
Sokol of Loew's Broad is arranging a campaign
for the prerelease test engagement of
MGM's "The Rack," set to open here April 27.
Ernest Emerling, Loew's director of publicity
and advertising, was a local visitor . . . "Street
Corner," which wa.s .shown to separate audiences
of men and women at the neighborhood
Russell and Pythian, was shown to nonsegregated
audiences at the Miles North High
Drive-In. No one under 18 was admitted.
Oldest Area Drive-In Opens
LANSING, MICH—The Lansing Drive-In
Theatre, the first outdoor theatre in the area,
has been reopened for the season by Manager
Pearce Parkhurst. Free souvenirs were offered
patrons attending the opening program,
H. E. McManus Leaves
Ohio Co-Op Theatres
CLEVELAND—Hershel E. McManus has
resigned from Cooperative Theatres of Ohio
to become general manager in charge of
three Toledo drive-ins,
the Parkside, Starlltc
and Telegraph, owned
by Ray Searles and his
sons. McManus succeeds
Jim Dempsey,
who reportedly now is
running two theatres in
Danville, Ky.
McManus has been
associated with Cooperative
Theatres as
assistant to President
H. E. McManus Milton A. Mooney for
more than eight years,
coming to Cleveland in 1938 from Akron
where he had been managing Mooney's Allen
Theatre.
Theatre operation has been in McManus'
blood for some 30 years, ever since 1926 when
he went to work for Paramount Publix in his
hometown of Kansas City as an usher in
the Newman Theatre. He remained with the
Paramount Publix organization until 1932,
a-s serving in various capacities, u.sher, publicist,
a.ssistant manager, in Syi-acuse. Rochester
and Fulton, N. Y. In 1933, when Paramount
Publix ceased to operate McManus
went back home to Kansas City and went
into business for himself. He and Gale Mc-
Kinney bought a small theatre, the Apex, in
Topeka, Kas., and operated it together for a
year until "Mac" sold his interest to his partner
and again headed east. This time the
trail led to Akron where he was named
assistant manager of the Palace, then operated
by Monarch Theatres, owned at that
time by Ted Gamble and Dave Chatkin. Two
years after coming to Akron, he took over
the management of Mooney's Allen Theatre
where he remained until 1938.
"Mac" has been a familiar figure on Filmrow
since that time. In addition to booking
Co-op accounts and serving as assistant to
Mooney, he branched out into exhibition on
his own. For the last several years he has
operated the Lyceum Theatre, an l.BOO-seat
neighborhood house currently operating on a
weekend policy.
A goodwill testimonial farewell is being
arranged by the industry under the general
chairmanship of Arthur Goldsmith of RKO.
Time and date will be announced.
Edward W. Plumb Speaks
At Cleveland Council
CLE'VELAND-The Motion Picture Council
of Greater Cleveland had as guest speaker
at its Thursday (19> meeting in the Hlgbee
lounge, Edward W. Plumb, film director for
the Standard Oil Co.
His subject was the use
of film in industrial public relations.
Mrs. Joseph A. Chase, council president, presided
at the morning meeting. In the afternoon,
members were guests of the downtown
theatres for matinee performances. The annual
council meeting for election of officers
will be held May 17 at noon In the Higbee
lounge.
Theona Bryant, former Powers model, has
been signed to a long-term contract by MGM.
BOXOFFICE April 21, 1956
ME
67

Oscar Choices of 'Marty/ Magnani,
Etc., Are Shocking to Ward Marsh
CLEVELAND—W. Ward Marsh, honored by
the industry last week at a dinner celebrating
his 40th anniversary as film editor of
the Plain Dealer, criticized the Academy of
Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in general
and the 1956 Academy Awards in particular
in one of the first columns written following
his return from a stay in Hollywood.
In contrast to the Academy Awards this
year, he cited the results of the recent Audience
Award poll, naming "Mister Roberts" as
the public's choice, and the critics poll, which
listed "Marty" among the ten best pictures
but not at the head of the list.
Here is what Marsh, a student of motion
pictures and a writer who bases his opinion
of them on facts and not emotion, has to
say about the Academy of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences:
" 'Marty.' in my book and in hundreds of
others in Hollywood, was distinctly not the
year's be.st picture, and if it had been produced
by one of the major companies it
would have wound up, boxofficewise, no better
than the top half of a double bill.
"But it was made by an independent concern,
skillfully advertised, but even with all
that it was a flop at the boxoffices everywhere
except a few art houses where it was
first released.
"My opinion is that there is a group within
the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences that no longer views the motion
picture as the art for the masses and is.
therefore, out to belabor the major producers
"'"
PtRSOMM»ttD
.,„„
cootroc«s
«or
rxed" ^o »"* " 1 locole. Our
THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO
Film critic VV. Ward Marsh is shown
above speaking before industryites who
honored him in Cleveland last week at a
testimonial dinner.
and their efforts whenever it can.
"This goes even deeper; this group forms
the 'have nots' within the industry and it
possesses sufficient votes to make the Academy
ridiculous with choices like 'Marty.' Magnani.
Borgnine and the director of 'Marty'
as the top people and picture of the year.
"Putting Magnani who was in her first
American film and doing no more than playing
herself—a ranting Italian widow in "The
Rose Tattoo'—was an insult to Susan Hayward
in 'I'll Cry Tomorrow.' Katharine Hepburn
in 'Summertime.' Jennifer Jones in 'Love
Is a Many-Splendored Thing' and Eleanor
Parker in 'Interrupted Melody' as well as an
affront to all Hollywood actresses.
"Naming 'Marty' over 'Mister Roberts." Picnic.'
or even 'Love Is a Many-Splendored
Thing' was a shocking thing to do.
" 'Marty' is a good picture, but I can name
you a dozen better ones and still have enough
left over to pack more theatres than 'Marty'
ever will. One of Hollywood's biggest men
told me that 'Marty' would cost the industry
millions this year because all companies will
try to do one like it and they'll flop.
"Just why the Academy members had to
select Delbert Mann, who directed 'Marty.'
over John Sturges. who directed 'Bad Day at
Black Rock' (a MCVING picture ten times
better than 'Marty') or over Josh Logan,
whose initial film directorial effort with
'Picnic' was brilliant, is something else the
Academy should answer before it gets taken
apart to see what, if anything good, makes
it tick.
"The recently, and not very well handled
Audience Award poll (the fans of the nation)
gave the top awards to 'Mister Roberts.'
the late James Dean as the best actor, Jennifer
Jones as the best actress, Peggy Lee
the best supporting actress and Tab Huntei
the best supporting actor.
"Does comparison have its surprise?
"Let's look at other Academy votes vs. the
nation critics selections in the past few years.
When the critics named 'The Caine Mutiny'
the best picture, the Academy voted in the
gangster film. 'On the Waterfront.' When the
critics selected 'High Noon.' the Academy
went for 'T'he Greatest Show on Earth." The
year the critics picked "A Place in the Sun."
the Academy went for 'An American in Paris,"
When 'Gentlemen's Agreement' was in with
the critics, the Oscar went to 'Hamlet.'
"Maybe this is what makes horse racing,
but all I can say is: All this and motor car
commercials to support it!"
The parchment scroll presented to Marsh
at the conclusion of the testimonial dinner
Monday (9) in his honor, said to be the first
testimonial the industry ever staged for a film
critic, contains the following guest signatures:
Max Mink
Herb Rothstein
Horry Rice Sylvan Go'dfinger
Frank Manente Eugene Frank
Sam Shubouf Nico Jacobelle
Inspector John Voit Edward Shulmon
Paul Vogel Jomes Kalafaf
Joe Lissauer Gov. Frank J. Lausche
E C. Pearson Mayor Anthony
Bert Lefkowich Celebrezze
Henry Greenberger George Murphy
Irwin Pollard Joe Weinsfein
Jock Silverthorne Frank Cost
Sam Schultz James Shulmon
Sol Gordon Lewis Horwitz
Omar Ranney Carl Reardon
Art Spaeth Bernard Polster
A! Morgolian Dave Polster
William Altshuler Dick Wright
John Curtain Howord Higley
Jules Livingston Bob Wile
George Coiley Frank Murphy
Gerry Kerner Howard Reif
Jack Sogg Jim Wotkins
Howard Pearl Fronk Belles
Nate Schultz E. Stutz
Leonard Greenberger Sylvester Pierce
Leo Greenberger M. B. Horwitz
Nat Wolf Don Rosenthoil
Leo Jones Tom McCleaster
I. J. John John Schmertz
Morris Lefko Aoron Wayne
Allen Lowe Ted Vermes
M. A. Mooney Glenn Pullen
Ted Levy Philip Porter
Jack Shore Wright Bryan
Art Ehrlich Ray Essick
M, McMonus Jock Essick
Eddie Bergmon Not Boroch
Leroy Kendis Leonard Mishkind
Louis Swee 5. P. Gorrel
Joe Rembrandt George Baily
Bill Jerry Lipow Twig
Louis Weitz Irving Tombach
Duke Hickey
Many others not directly affiliated with
theatres also signed and there were theatremen
present at the testimonial who failed to
sign the scroll.
Cincinnati Showmen Meet
With Solons on Tax Plea
CINCINNATI—Approximately 14 local exhibitors
met at luncheon recently at the Variety
Club with Congressmen Gordon Scherer
and William Hess of districts 1 and 2 respectively.
The exhibitors, who represented a
cross-section of theatre operators here, discussed
with the congressmen the subject of
elimination of the federal amusement tax,
with the view of enlisting their support. Both
congressmen pledged they would do everything
possible for complete repeal of the tax.
Ohio—OHIO THEATRE SUPPLY, Cleveland— Prospect 1-6545
OLIVER THEATRE SUPPLY, Cleveland—Tower 1-6934
NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY, Cincinnati—Tel. Moin 6580
STANDARD CONCESSIONS, Cincinnati—Sunbar 3687
NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY, Cleveland— Prospect 1-4613
BOXOFFICE
;: April 21, 1956

. . Gus
. .
. .
. .
Detroit Censors View
457,000 Feet of Film
DETROIT—New product released in the
Detroit exchariRe territory continued a steady
decline in March to 457.000 feet from a high
of 547,950 in January. For the second month
in a row. the Detroit censor bureau found
nothing objectionable in new films submitted
for review.
Foreign productions accounted for over onethird
of the total of all product screened, indicating
there may be a genuine shortage
relatively of regular Hollywood films.
The foreign footage of 167.000 included two
novelties. 7.000 feet each of African and
Armenian product. Mexican led as usual with
86.700 feet, followed by English. 22.000: Italian,
21.500: German 12.000. and Arabian. 10,000.
Total American product was 290.000.
The cen.-^ors also continued their policy of
reviewing theatre front advertising, making
31 theatre inspections for this purpose, and
issuing one "ticket" for violations.
Service Seating Handles
InternaUonal Seating
DETROIT—Service Seating Co.. operated
Plan Cookina School
SPRINGFIELD—A free cooking school
for
residents of this area is slated in May at the
Regent Theatre. The sessions will be held
from 10:25 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. on May 8
and 15 under sponsorship of Ohio Edison Co.
and some 15 local merchants. John D. Huffman,
theatre manager, said the firms have
rented the theatre for the sessions. Also on
the agenda are a style show and a hairdressing
demonstration by a model agency.
More than Sl.OOO in jewelry, dresses, kitchen
appliances and other items will be given away.
• STRONG
PROJECTION
ARC LAMPS
THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO.
106 Mithigan St., N.W.
Grand Rapids 2, Mich.
4-8852. Nights t Sundo
DETROIT
T^avid Gonda. U-I booker, is back on the Job
after an illness . . . Sid Bowman, United
Artists manager, has entered Grace Hospital
for a rest under medical counsel . . . Salesmen
selling newspapers on the streets of
Grand Rapids for the Goodfellows included
Kal Bruss, MGM: Eddie Murphy, Warners:
Buck Ironfield. 20th-Pox: Kenneth Gulbord.
Paramount: Seymour Berman. Columbia:
Walter Corey, Republic, and Stanley Malinowski,
National Screen Service.
Jack Sturm marked his first week on his
new job as 20th-Fox city salesman by acquiring
a severe cold. Jay Frankel. whom he
replaced, has plunged into the routine of
working nights to keep on top of details in his
new post as manager for Buena Vista .
Bernard Samuels has left Clark Theatre Service
to manage the Jolly Roger Drive-In .
Joseph Sullivan is back on the job in the Film
building after a Florida vacation . . . Floyd
Akirs. Nightingales Club secretary, said plans
are being readied for the big annual mixed
party.
Mark Samuel Rubin made his
debut as the
for many years by John Heidt, has been
third generation of a Detroit show business
awarded the contract for reupholstering of
family. The father is Richard R. Rubin, projectionist
seating in the Main Theatre at Poval Oak,
at the Palmer Park Theatre in
north end suburb, operated by the Jack Krass
circuit.
Hiehland Park. Granddad is Samuel Rubin,
projectionist at the first run Palms State since
Heidt also said his company has been named
the house opened 31 years ago . Wetzel,
distributor for International Seating Co. of
Union City. Ind., covering the state of Michigan
formerly at the Rio. now is relief operator for
a flock of downtown houses.
and part of northern Ohio. Service Seat-
ing will soon prepare to move to a new shop Francis D. Smith, Cinema-Vue sales chief,
and showToom.
The Big Rapids Drive-In at
was a \'l=:itor . . .
Big Rapids, originally reported under construction
by Gunnar Olafson, now is being
operated by Russell A. Chapman . . . Harry
Small continues as operator of the Family
Theatre. .Tark^on. reoorts Frank Jones, who
as=i=ts with the booking. Steve Soringett. who
died recently, was owner of the building some
years ago.
The family of the late Glen W. Beach, who
died recentlv. hav^ made pnhlic no plans for
reopening of the Glenarah Theatre at White
C'oud . . . Charles L. and Walter D. Shafer
have registered to the title of the Algiers
Drive-In ... A number of operators have
moved around at major first and second runs.
Bernard G. Pedersen from the Fisher and
Sherman J. Lambly from the Michigan have
moved over to the United Artists, home of
"Oklahoma!" James A. Anderson from the
Broadway Capitol and Robert Henri from the
UA moved into the Michigan. Gil Light left
RCA
Dealer
See Us Now .
Whatever you needwe
can supply it.
"^ ERNIE FORBES
that house when he assumed the Local 199
presidency. Saul J. Conn moved from the
midnight to the day shift at the Broadway
Capitol.
Harry Balk, formerly an Independent exhibitor,
now is taking over supervi.sory duties
for the Saul Korman circuit, following the
departure of Sam Green. Korman is moving
headquarters into the former home of BOX-
OFFICE, 1009 Fox Theatre building . . . Sympathy
to Mrs. Lloyd A. Turel, wife of the
Van Houdt circuit (Jack Broder Theatres)
supervisor, upon the death of her father
George Pelco at the age of 84.
Woodward Avenue Signs
Safe for Six More Months
DETROIT— Signs on half
a dozen theatres
on Woodward avenue in Highland Park were
in effect given a new breath of life of probably
six months by action of Wayne County circuit
Judge Frank Fitzgerald in continuing a temporary
injunction against the city.
Order was secured by Ver Hoven Chevrolet,
whose signs were similarly affected, in what
amounts to a test case, and allows the signs
to remain until the case is tried in court. The
city ordinance requiring removal of the signs
is being vigorously opposed by exhibitors and
other commercial enterprises concerned.
RESEAT OR RENOVATE
like
In Stock— Used—
1200 plywood chairs
650 full upholstered chairs
1500 squab seat, pod back
HEYWOOD-WAKEFIEID SEATING
it.t^^a'^
OH *^»-
OUTSTANDING CRAFTSMANSM 40 CNCINIIRINO
Service Port» R«polr»
DETROIT POPCORN CO.
REAOY-TO-EAT POPPED CORN
Corn - Seasoning - Boxes - Salt
DISTRIBUTORS OF CRETORS" POPCORN MACHINES
5633 Grond River Ave. Ptione TYIer 4-6912
Detroit 8, Mich. Nigtits- UN 3-1468
THEATRE CONCESSION
L & L
INCREASED PROFITS - DECREASED WORRIES
PERSONALIZED SUPERVISED SERVICE
DRIVE IN AND INDOOR THEATRES
2937 St. Aubin Detroit 7, Mich.
Templ« 133S0
For Rent — Small Private
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DETROIT
Top Prestige Locotion. Heart of Film Row & Downtown Business Areo. Convenient Porklnsailoble.
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BOXOFFICE April 21, 1956

. . . Charles
. wHICAOO
. . Rainy
. .
. . The
. . "The
. . Donald
. . Nat
. . Funeral
CINCINNATI
A large contingent of exhibitors were in
town. .Among them were Asa Hay, Aberdeen:
Mr. and Mrs. Mikesell. Camden: Floyd Morrow,
Louisville, Ky.: Jim Denton, Owingsville,
Ky.; Walter Wyrick, Carlisle, Ky.: William
Goldcamp. Portsmouth; Jack Kain, Winchester,
Ky.: Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Curfman,
Westerville: Barton Cooke. Chillicothe; Fred
May of Carrollton. Ky.. who was accompanied
by his sister. Mrs. Thomas: Jerry Shinbach,
Chicago: Fred Ki-im and Roy Wells. Dayton:
Hank Davidson. Lynchbiu-g; Joe Joseph.
Salem, W. Va.
Jack Bein, treasurer of the Bein circuit, was
in Florida with his wife and young daughter
Mitchell, who operates the
Mitchell and Magic theatres. Barbourville.
DRIVE-IN THEATRES!!!
Get Your Popcorn, Boxes, Bags, Salt
Seasoning and Barbecue Beef
— Hires Root Beer, Mission Orange —
Popcorn Machines and
Concession
at
Beverage Machines
Headquarters
NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY
2129 Poyne Ave. Phone PRospect 1-4613
Intermission Clock Trailers
For Drive-ln Theatres
CASH GUARANTEE
$300.00 to $3,000.00
20 Years in theatre promotion business In
Cleveland; will be here TOMORROW to stand
back of every deal we moke TODAY.
New DINNERWARE .
.... BANKO Card Games
Write, Wire or Phone NOW for Details
JACK L GERTZ ENTERPRISES
Ohio
^U GET ALrfHRtL
i?HEN YOU ORDER
r/A>! SPECIAL TRWLERS
I3S7 $. WdlASH ri!W—^ ^^ ^W
Ky., has decided to close the Magic, effective
May 1.
.
caused by the moving of Sam Weiss to Cleveland
widows of the late Fine brothers.
Jean and Sylvia Fine, are keeping the
pictures moving at the Empire and Main
theatres.
The local TJA office has been doing such
a good job of training personnel that it has
become routine. Current trainee is a salesman,
Fred Robbins, who will be permanently
assigned to the Detroit branch ... "A Way
to a Man's Heart" is the name the Variety
Club auxiliary gave to the buffet dinner party
Saturday (21) for barkers and ladies at the
clubrooms.
James Abroso, WB manager, recently accompanied
Columbus salesman Bob Burns on
his rounds . . . Sam Galanty, district manager
for Columbia Pictures, had a few hours
stopover between planes on his route from
Cleveland to Washington. He spent the time
with the local manager. Phil Fox . . . Carl
Braun. general manager of Bein Theatres, by
his quick thinking and acting, averted what
could have been a theatre panic. He discovered
heavy smoke in the supply room on the
first floor of the 20th Century Theatre, on
Saturday night, when the house was filled.
He phoned the fire department and requested
them to come instantly and quietly. In a
few minutes the firemen entered through a
rear door and extinguished the smoldering
material. None of the patrons was aware of
the incident.
BOWLING
DETROIT—Interest centered in the strag-
Vj
glers as the Allied Films team cinched its long
lead in the Film Bowling League.
New standings:
Teom Won Lost Teom Won Lost
231/1 281/2
Allied Films. 37
RKO
Republic
28
23
24
Theotricol
AA
30
DETROIT—Three teams are in the running
for the title as the Film Bowling League
approaches the windup. National Theatre
Supply won four points, while Local 199
and Altec each won three.
Edgar Douville's 215 gave him second single
high in the division. Francis Light's 242
gave him second high in his division, while
NTS rolled a hot 2,062 to hit second high of
the year.
New team standings:
Teom Won Lost Team Won Lost
Locol .60V, 471/1 Ernie Forbes .49'/i 58'/,
199
NTS 58 50 Nofl Carbon. 44'/! 631/2
Altec 561/2 511/2
Cl£\IElAND
Bert Fials of the Alhambra at Dayton, who
has had a cold since the first of the year, is
Oamuel Goldman, brother of Jack Goldman,
ni Margolian, RKO field publicist, has
stiU confined to his home .
Trouble
local circuit owner, died at his home in
shifted his base of operations from Buffalo
With Harry." Paramount mystery-comedy,
Cleveland at the age of 64. He had been ill for
to Cleveland for more central coverage of his
broke attendance records at the Guild, where
the past year . . . Jimmy Herb, general manager
of the Semelroth circuit in Dayton, was
Detroit. Buffalo and Toronto branches . . .
territory, including the Cleveland, Cincinnati,
it had a continuous run of 15 weeks . . . J. H.
Davidson of Associated Theatres. Lynchburg,
in the hospital for treatment of diabetes Sam Schultz, Allied Artists manager, was in
. . .
hopes to have his new Ranch Drive-In,
Louis Shore of the Cinderella at Williamson,
New York on company business . . . Irwin
Greenfield, opened by June 1 . . . Vance
W. Va., returned from an extended vacation
Pollard's Imperial Pictures exchange is handling
"Diabolique" in northern Ohio . . . Jim
Schwartz made a trip to Portsmouth, where
in Florida. Shore expects to visit Filmrow
his Columbia is located.
this month . weather delayed opening
of the North Star Drive-In. Dayton, until Chief Barker Robert C. McNabb has ap-
been driving one of Louis Gross' film delivery
Marquandt, who for the last three years has
April
pointed Ruben Shor to the board of directors trucks, was married Saturday (14) to Elizabeth
LoPresti of this
14.
of the local Variety Club to fill the vacancy
city.
Morris Lefko Resigns
CLEVELAND—Morris Lefko. RKO district
manager, resigned, effective May 1. to join
Paramount as special representative for "Ten
Commandments" and "War and Peace." with
headquarters in New York.
.
Joe Burke, supervisor of branch operations,
is a local Buena Vista visitor . . W. A.
Gray notified exchanges that his Rapids Theatre.
Grand Rapids, will close May 1 for
the summer ... In St. Clairsville. Sam Shia
closed his hardtop Old Trail for the summer
to concentrate on his skytop. Shia's Drive-In
Theatre.
.
Returned vacationists: Paul Gusdanovic,
local circuit owner, and Meyer Fine, Associated
circuit president services
were held Monday (9) for Mrs. Lillian Kaplan,
wife of Hyman Kaplan, onetime owner of the
Southern Theatre, who died after a long illness.
Beside her husband, she is survived by
thr-ee sons. Maurice. Max and Richard, and
four
grandchildren.
Herb Ochs, here briefly to supervise the
opening of the Canadian drive-ins that he
operates, was recalled to Florida because of
damage to his Dania Drive-In, Dania, caused
by a tornado. Bent by the force of the wind
were the screen tower and the speaker posts.
Because the storm hit at about 7:30 p.m., only
a few cars were on the premises so there were
no personal damages incurred. The tornado
bypassed Jimmy Ochs' home in Dania . . .
Mark Goldman. IFE district sales manager, is
being swamped with requests for pictures starring
Anna Magnani. In popular demand are
the Academy winning star in "The Golden
Coach" and "Bellissima." Currently "Bellissima"
is playing locally at the Lower Mall
Theatre.
Robert T. Surtman, 62. former stagehand at
the Rivoli and other theatres in Toledo, died.
He was at the Rivoli for 14 years and previously
worked at the Paramount and the old
Keith Theatre. He was a member of lATSE.
Surviving are his wife Sarah, a daughter, Mrs.
Edith Cromey, and two grandchildren, all of
Toledo . Beineke is the new NTS
office salesman . Freiberger, manager
of the Plaza, welcomed his fourth grandchild
when a son, Glenn Scott, was born to his
younger daughter. Mrs. Joan Pollen, who prior
to her marriage was a member of the 20th-
Fox front office personnel.
Improve Two Airers
CLEVELAND—Frank Masek, manager of
National Theatre Supply Co.. has made several
installations in local drive-ins. He installed
two Exelite lamps and a Hertner 135
generator in the Northfield Star Drive-In,
Cleveland, and also enlarged the screen. He
also installed Exelite lamps and a rectifier in
the Kingman Di'ive-In, Delaware.
MGM's "Raintree County" is being edited
by Jack Dunning.
BOXOFFICE
:: April 21, 1956

Hard-Luck Weather
Hits N. E. Ozoners
BOSTON—The 1956 spring season for
drive-ins has gone down in the annals as the
hardest luck season, weatherwise. ever experienced.
Five snowstorms since the first of
March interrupted the schedules of the braver
drive-in owners who opened their gates
around that date. Sunday's i8i freak snowstorm,
the fifth snowfall in 24 days, combined
snow, rain, thunder, lightning and strong
gales, caused power to go off and plunged
theatres and homes into darkness, in some
spots for as much as 24 hours.
The hardest hit area was north of Boston,
where electricity was not restored on Sunday
at all. forcing "No Show Tonight" signs to
be put up in front of drive-ins in stricken
areas. Cities and towns included in that
section were parts of Cambridge, Medford,
Maiden, Melrose, Lymi, Salem. Revere.
Saugus and others within a radius of 20
miles. Harry Golden, manager of the State.
Saugus, was playing "Trouble With Harry"
on the stormy day when he had to put out
the "No Show Today" signs. In Boston
proper, there are two drive-ins, both operated
by Redstone Drive-In Theatres—one in
Neponset, the other in West Roxbury.
Although there was no electricity during the
day. power was restored one-half hour before
show time. Patronage was so small that one
circuit official said they might just as well
have stayed closed.
In Adams, in the western part of the state,
a screen tower blew down during the storm,
spreading debris over a large section of the
drive-in. Owner Stanley Rothenberg immediately
ordered a new 101'jx44 screen. Storm
damage at this ozoner was reported at $25.-
000, with the fall of snow reaching 14 inches.
New East Boston Ozoner
To Be Open Year 'Round
BOSTON—In East Boston, where Redstone
Drive-In Theatres is building an 1,800-car
INDUSTRY PROFILE
Sam Cornish, 45-Year Showman,
Says Faith Vital to Industry
By ALLEN M. WIDEM
NIANTIC. CONN.— "I've a tremendous
amount of faith in the motion pictui'e
industry, and I'm of the opinion that as
long as a majority of key people in the
bu.siness maintain their faith, the busine.s.s
is assured of a wonderful tomorrow."
This was Samuel P. Cornish talking, on
the occasion of a testimonial dinner marking
his retirement from exhibition and
distribution, after some 45 years in the
field.
Some 50 persons, film and newspaper
folk, honored Cornish at a Morton House
dinner. Earl H. Wright, Columbia salesman,
served as toastmaster and gave the
verbal tribute to the 72-year-old Cornish.
Cornish has sold his interest in the
Niantic Theatre to his two partners, Alphonse
Dubreuil, who succeeds him as
theatre manager, and Socrates Deligeorges.
Mr. and Mrs. Cornish have decided to
locate in California where the climate is
more agreeable to them. They will motor
leisurely across the country.
During his nearly half-decade career,
Cornish has been both an exhibitor, and
a film salesman. He has owned and operated
theatres in as far separated points
as Great Falls. Mont.; Harrison, N. Y.;
Fargo and Grand Forks, N. D.; Sioux
Falls, S. D., and Faribault and Shakopee,
Minn.
He was born and raised on a Minnesota
farm, later attending the Universities of
Minnesota and California.
He arrived in San Francisco in time to
witness the celebrated 1906 earthquake
and fire.
Cornish is a great believer in theatrecommunity
relations, and over the years
has labored home the point time and time
again With both circuit and independent
theatremen.
"You can't run a theatre and remain
aloof from the community," he said. "I've
ozoner. William Rlseman Associates is
always maintained that friendly, constant
putting in one of the largest refreshment
contact with businessmen and residents
buildings in the east. It covers 10.000 square
on one floor and has a six-lane
goes a long way towards creating an improved
atmosphere for the theatre and the
cafeteria
counter. An RCA steel screen, 126 feet wide,
feet
motion picture industry in any given comis
also being installed.
across the country."
|; munlty
This new airer will be named the Suffolk
One of his proudest accomplishments
Downs Drive-In. It should be ready for a
of the
i during his six-year managership
late August opening and is being planned as
i Niantic Theatre was establishment of the
a year-around operation, the first in this part
i Niantic News in March 1950 concurrent
the have of state. It will 1,000 individual
i with opening of the de luxe theatre. The
car heaters for the winter months.
paper at first as a was maintained theatre
II
Riseman is also working on remodeling at i and shopping news and through the years
two other Redstone situations. In Rochester.
i has developed to a regularly accepted
N. Y.. the Lakeshore Drive-In is being
il weekly chronicle of area happenings, sold
doubled in capacity by addition of more at
ramps. A new refreshment stand and a new
!§
1
newsstands
The free
for 5 cents.
distribution newspaper, he
toll building for this drive-in have been believes, assures constant reminders to area
ii
designed by Riseman. At the Revere Drive- residents of upcoming attractions. He published
In, the Boston firm has designed a refreshment
similar papers in Great Falls Fari-
building with 5.000 square feet and a
four-lane counter service.
bault. Fargo and Grand Forks
-- '-">*•
r
,
muel Cornish
The Niantic is one of the most modern i|
theatres in the country. It has 658 seats :|
in widely spaced rows, with 135 mezzanine
rocking chairs, the latter a rare feature
in Connecticut. It has air conditioning,
widescreen, Cinemascope and magnectic
recording. A 300-car parking lot in
the rear is available to patrons.
Opening of the theatre in 1950 heralded
the beginning of a tremendous commercial
growth in Niantic. One speaker at the
Cornish dinner said that over 60 businesses
had come into town during the past
six years, an amazing figure for a community
heretofore regarded as purely a
summer resort town, or, at best, as a
suburb of neighboring New London, which
boasts 40,000 population.
Cornish has seen the industry come of
age in his time, and he contends that
showmen everywhere should express pride
in the motion picture. "I never like to
hear down-beat talk about a wonderful
Industry." he said, "and I think it's poor
public relations for any theatreman. In
any town, to indulge in smart-aleck
punches at the Industry that has given
him a good living."
An elder statesman of the business, Cornish
has been a sounding board for newcomers'
ideas over the years, and it was
not an uncommon experience for a visitor
to find a younger showman listening to
Cornish's advice in the latt«r's tastefully
decorated office on the mezzanine floor of
the Niantic.
Attendance of numerous town officials
at the testimonial attested to his popularity
in Niantic.
Toastmaster Earl Wright asserted: "Although
Sam Cornish must regret leaving
town and friends after six years here, he
may feel sure that he is leaving behind
him, in the theatre, a monument that
will continue to brmg pleasure to moviegoers
for many, many jears to come!"
Presentation on May 10
NEW BRITAIN—The Press Club will honor
Peter Perakos of Perakos Theatre Associates
at its Man of the Year award dinner at the
Hedges restaurant May 10.
Glastonbury Drive-In
Wins Okay in Appeal
HARTFORD—The supreme court of errors
has cleared the way for construction of a
drive-in theatre at suburban Glastonbury by
Jack Leitao of East Hartford. The court upheld
common pleas Judge John Clark Fitzgerald
in dismissing an appeal by a group of
Glastonbury property owners who protested
a zoning board permit to Leitao for erecting
the theatre in an industrial zone.
BOXOFFICE :: April 21, 1956 NE

. . The
. . Jim
. . The
Delinquency-Motion Picture Talk
Viewed as 'Whistling in
HARTFORD—The Kefauver investigation
on juvenile delinquency and its relationship
to motion pictures has been dismissed as talk
of the "whistling in the dark" variety by
showmen here.
Paul W. Amadeo, general manager of the
Pike Drive-In, and at one time with E. M.
Loew's Theatres here, believes that blaming
one segment of the entertainment industry
for a rash of crime is the same as leveling
similar charges against a newspaper.
"It's not so easy." Amadeo asserts, "to pin
down the complexities of juvenile delinquency
and say, well, boys, who's to blame today?
"Juvenile delinquency—in some form or
another—has been with the U. S, for a great
many years, and it won't be concluded overnight;
cleaning up a messy situation takes
painstaking work over many years, not just
blank accusations at an industry that has
been noted for several generations of honest,
civic-minded conduct of its busine.ss.
"Perhaps some individual theatremen are
guilty of occasional stress on crime in their
Ass'n of Connecticut
Discusses Tax Relief
NEW HAVEN—Abolition of the 10 per
cent tax remaining on theatre tickets of 50
cents or more was discussed at a special
meeting of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners
of Connecticut at the Hotel Taft. More
than 50 members attended.
Principal speakers were Connecticut Congressman
Antoni Sadlak and Bob Coyne of
COMPO. Sadlak outlined the procedure for
getting legislation to the floor of the House.
Coyne went into detail on the need for abolition
of the tax.
The luncheon committee was Herman Levy,
MPTO counsel: Harry Feinstein, zone manager
of Stanley Warner Theatres; Harry
Shaw, division manager of Loew's Poli-New
England Theatres, and I. J. Hoffman, Connecticut
Theatres circuit.
Sadlak is a member of the House ways and
means committee.
Rock, Roll Midweek Date
In New Haven 'Only Fair'
NEW HAVEN—A rock-and-roll unit which
gave four performances on the stage of the
downtown SW Roger Sherman drew only
"fair" business. The Rockarama Record Rock
and Roll Show Is currently touring the SW
New England zone.
Observers, surprised by the indifferent
turnout, were at a loss for an explanation.
One possibility is that the midweek date, a
Wednesday, kept away the junior high and
high school set.
iMAGE& SOUND SERVICE CORP.
"The Best Value In Sound Service"
Dark'
newspaper ads, but who's to question their
ethics when it was all a matter of experimenting
with an advertising approach rather than
an out-and-out boost for delinquency as
such?"
Thus far, the newspapers in Connecticut
have not played up the Kefauver reports, and
the inevitable followup comment by officials
and nonofficial sources, to a great extent.
The counter-attack by the Motion Picture
Industry Council president, Ronald Reagan,
was given prominence in the Hartford Times
by that newspaper's amusement editor, Allen
M. Widem. His story quoted Reagan as declaring
the Kefauver report "smacks very
suspiciously of politics."
Very few letters-to-the-editor commentaries
have been noted in the major Connecticut
dailies, and some showmen are summing
up the story like this—Another blast accompanied
by some rather inconclusive reasoning
against an entertainment medium
that has brought much more enjoyment than
heartache to the American public.
Judge Rules Bank Night
Fees Not Collectable
EAST PROVIDENCE—Bank night, as conducted
by the Elmwood Amusement Corp.
at its Hollywood Theatre in this town from
early 1941 through most of 1949, was a lottery,
superior court Judge Patrick P. Curran ruled
recently. Since the drawing of cash prizas
in the theatre Wednesday nights (Bank
night) was a lottery. Judge Curran held the
theatre cannot be required to pay some $3,500
allegedly owned by it to Goodwill Advertising
Co., 14 Piedmont St., Boston, which
licensed it to conduct the drawings.
Judge Curran directed a jury's verdict for
the theatre as defendant in a contract suit by
the Boston firm to collect $10 weekly in license
fees from sometime in 1943, when payments
allegedly were stopped, plus cost of
supplies and interest on the debt. Because
the scheme was a lottery the contract purporting
to license it was null and void and
unenforceable. Judge CuiTan said.
Milton Bomes, president of the theatre
corporation, admitted negotiating the contract
for license rights to Bank night. He
testified, however, that his father, the late
Samuel Bomes, told him he was advised by
an attorney that Bank night was a lottery
and illegal and that the theatre did not have
to pay any debt the Boston firm was claiming.
The witness said he so advised an officer
of the Boston company in 1948.
Judge Curran said theatre admissions made
up or increased the fund for the drawings,
and the theatre would not keep operating
the scheme unless the receipts w^arranted.
The theatre company and its counsel
openly contended that the scheme was a
lottery, as one of several defenses against
being compelled to pay the licensor.
Rebuild at Watertown
HARTFORD — Fred Quatrano and John
Sirica have started reconstruction of their
Watertown (Conn.i Drive-In, destroyed in
the 1955 floods.
'Manager Must Share
In Community Life'
HARTFORD — "Each theatre manager
throughout the country must be cognizant of
one dominant factor today—you must be part
of the living, day-to-day community or else
you lose the overall perspective of showmanship."
This contention was voiced at a spring
managers meeting conducted by Sperie Perakos,
general manager, Perakos Theatre Associates.
"You should treat every patron the same
way you treat a guest in your own home—
with gracious courtesy," he said.
Perakos disclosed plans to enlarge parking
facilities at the de luxe Elm Theatre, West
Hartford. An additional 70 spaces will be
available, after moving of a recently acquired
house on adjoining property. The added section
will be paved, he said.
Attending the afternoon meeting were
James Landino, Hi-Way; Don Felix,
Beverly, Bridgeport; Melvin Siegel, Southington
Drive-In, Southington; John D'Amato,
Palace, New Britain; Livio Dottor, Plalnville
Drive-In, Plainville; David Miller, newly
named manager. Aixh St., New Britain;
Thomas G. Grace, Eastwood, East Hartford;
Vincent Capuano, Elm, West Hartford;
Thomas Grogan, Strand, Thompsonville, and
Jack Hoddy, State, Jewett City.
Also attending were Peter G. Perakos sr.,
president; John Perakos, assistant general
manager; Peter G. Perakos jr., office manager.
Sperie Perakos told the
ten managers that
circuit trade is promising, with future busine.ss
dependent upon quality of upcoming
major releases.
NEW HAVEN
The Bowl Drive-In, West Haven, has added
pizza at its refreshment stand and reports
excellent response . Darby jr.,
son of the Paramount Theatre manager, has
joined the New Haven police force. He had
been working for an electronics firm but has
had a lifelong ambition to be a law enforcement
officer.
Mike Lane, who plays the part of a wrestler
in Columbia's "The Harder They Fall," was
in town for personal appearances. His itinerary
was mapped by Dave Lustig, Columbia
press representative, and Morris Rosenthal,
Poll manager. Lane also visited Bridgeport,
Hartford and New London . downtown
Crown revived "Room Service," the
timeless Marx Bros, comedy.
Tlie Whalley here and the Whitney in
Hamden are the latest area houses to experiment
with a late show on Saturday nights.
Both units of the Fishman Theatres chain
ran "Three Coins in the Fountain" at 10:10
p.m., with good results, but will try further
experimentation.
Fred Warner, a projectionist at the Paramount
for more than 35 years and a member
of the lATSE, has entered the Masonic
Home, Wallingford, after an illness of more
than a year . Rivoli, West Haven,
took advantage of the Monaco wedding by
advertising "To Catch a Thief" as "Your Last
Chance to See Her Serene Highness."
BOXOFFICE :: April 21, 1956

. . The
. . Joe
. . . "Marty"
Residents Oppose Ozoner
Planned for Fall River
FALL RIVER, MASS.--A decision was due
to be reached this week by the city planning
board on the petition of Norman Zalkind,
local exhibitor, and Hyman Lopez, real estate
operator, to construct a drive-in theatre and
supermarket within the city limits. The planning
board was to recommend its decision
to the city council.
At a hearing before the planning board
there was a protest by J. Edward Lajoie, attorney
for residents opposing the project and
for Nathan Yamins Enterprises, operator of
five drive-ins in the area. Lajoie presented
several petitions containing 200 names of
residents in objection to the outdoor theatre
proposal. He said the section w-as originally
zoned for residential development and declared
there was not sufficient need for an
outdoor theatre and supermarket to justify
a change in the zoning.
The five Yamins drive-ins are not situated
within the city limits.
Benjamin Horvits. attorney representing
Zalkind and Lopez, maintained that as the
proposed site is a dump, it is useless as a
general residential development and not
fit for home or other heavy concentration.
He submitted real estate appraisals and reports
from engineers substantiating his
statement.
"My clients," Horvits said, "propose to
build an outdoor theatre and supermarket
which would be an asset to the neighborhood.
A playground will be installed, supervised by
trained attendants, and the theatre will be
arranged so that traffic can be accommodated
without hazards so as not to be a nuisance to
the neighborhood."
One of Horvits' most emphatic points was
made when he said that the city now realizes
only $200 a year in tax revenue from
the dump site, while construction of the
theatre and market would increase that figure
to $10,000 annually and increase the value
of surrounding properties. He defended the
moral standing of the outdoor theatre by
saying that drive-ins are aimed at attracting
family units and that the proposed owners of
this theatre would employ sufficient police
supervision to keep out any undesirable elements.
Citizens to Discuss Airer
BERLIN. CONN.—A special town meeting
was called by the local board of selectmen
to act on an ordinance prohibiting establishment
and operation of a drive-in. A petition
calling for the meeting was signed by
45 town residents. It resulted from action
taken by New Britain theatreman George
LeWitt. whose corportion wishes to build a
drive-in here. The proposed site is several
miles below the Pike Drive-In on the Berlin
turnpike. The Pike Drive-In, however, is in
Newington.
Bomb Hoax at Stamford
STAMFORD, CONN.—The crowded Palace
Theatre was evacuated after receipt of
a telephoned bomb threat. More than 20 policemen
searched the place for the time
bomb which the anonymous caller said he
had hidden. The audience was permitted to
re-enter about a half-hour later. Police
termed the call the work of a crank or a
juvenile.
PROVIDENCE
Qne of the largest downtown Pawtucket
real estate deals in many years, involving
sale of virtually an entire city block, is
in prospect. Joseph J. Zurmaski, prominent
restaurant owner and real
estate dealer, said
a group he heads will buy for $350,000 the
property at Broad. Beatty and Mason streets
and Goff avenue. Comprising 55 tenant business
firms, including the Leroy Theatre, Pawtucket's
largest first run house, the property
is being sold by the Broad Street Power Co.,
associated with the operation of the Leroy.
The title transfer will take place about May
21. The Leroy, it is reported, will continue
to operate under the same set-up as in the
Rapid recovery from the "avalanche" of
snows was evidenced by three nearby driveins,
the Bay State. Cranston Auto Theatre,
and Route 44, which ah-eady w-ere advertising
their reopening attractions. Others are expected
to follow just as soon as bulldozers re- -
move the tons of snow from the ramps.
The Avon Cinema showed the Rhode Island
premiere of Walt Disney's "The Littlest Out-
law." On the same program was Disney's
"Johnny Appleseed" ... At the Majestic,
"Carousel" held for a second week . . E. M.
Loew's Drive-In, at the Providence-Pawtucket
city limits, opened for the season; the
last of the airers in this area to inaugurate
'56 operations . . . Lincoln Park, nearby
amusement center, was the first in its category
to open for the season famed
Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo headed for a
one-night stand at the Veterans Auditorium.
Juvenile attendance was up noticeably at
most downtown houses during the annual
Easter school vacation period . . . During the
engagement of "Carousel" at the Majestic,
the City Hall Hardware store plugged the sale
of Rodgers and Hammerstein's record albums,
giving two guest tickets to the Majestic
to purchasers of the albums . Jarvis.
impresario of the Gilbert Stuart Playhouse,
Riverside, emphasized the fact in his advertising,
that MGM motion picture tickets
found in a popular cereal, would be honored
any day, except weekends and holidays.
The Castle and Hope, Lockwood & Gordon
neighborhood operations, combined in advertising
the joint screening of "The Last Hunt,"
as did the Hollyw-ood, East Providence, and
Liberty. Elmwood; Bomes' neighborhooders
w-as being simultaneously shown
at Route 44 Drivc-In. Bay State Auto Theatre.
Pike Drive-In and several other outdoor
theatres . , . The Warwick Tent Theatre, officially
opening June 1, announced a 10
per cent discount to patrons purchasing
tickets for the entire season. Individual performance
tariffs have been set at $1.20, $1.80,
$2.40, $3.00 and $3.60,
Harry Starks. Rye. N. H.,
Projectionist, Dies
RYE, N. H.—Harry D. Starks, 63, a local
projectionist, died recently in Portsmouth
Hospital.
After serving in World War I, Starks was
an electrician for Warner Bros., traveling extensively
throughout the United States for
several years. After 1938 he was a projectionist
at theatres in Stamford. Greenwich and
Danbury, Conn. He was a member of the
lATSE union in Danbury. the American Legion
post there, and the Elks lodge of Peoria.
111.
HANDY SUBSCRIPTION
Closes After 35 Years
CHICOPEE, MASS.—The Victoria Theatre
at Cabot and School streets, one of the city's
oldest motion picture houses, closed its doors
recently after 35 years of continuous operation.
Frank Mielnikowski, owner, signed a
five-year lease with the Theatre Managers
Corp.. which controls a number of theatres in
the western Massachusetts area. Manager
Eugene Mielnikowski will be associated with
his father in the operation of the Pilgrim
Laundry Co. in Hartford, Conn.
Jeannette Nolan will play the role of
frontier woman in Columbia's "The Guns i
Fort Petticoat."
^Sti GET AirTHKbL
WHEN YOU ORDER
SPECIAL
TRAILERS

. . Janice
. .
. .
. .
H ART FORD Holdover Conqueror' BOSTON
IJarry F. Shaw, division manager for Loew's
Poll, visited Lou Cohen and Fred R.
Greenway of the local Poll and Palace .
Abe Bernstein, UA exploiteer. was here for
"Trapeze" and "Alexander the Great" .
Harry Feinstein, zone manager for Stanley
Warner, and wife retiu'ned home from a
brief Florida visit.
The Strand, Mystic, ran a special performance
of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"
for benefit of the Mystic Academy PTA . . .
Several Hartford theatres participated in
Easter Seal lobby collections—the Poll, Palace,
Strand, Allyn, E. M. Loew's, Central,
Art, Lyric, Webster, Rivoli, Lenox, Webb,
Newington, Burnside and Eastwood.
The Newington has a 52-piece silverware
giveaway for women patrons . . . Eddie O'-
Neill of Brandt Connecticut Drive-ins reported
an initial drive-in booking of "I'll Cry
Tomorrow" at the Portland, Portland . . The
Canaan Drive-In, Canaan, reopening for 1956,
gave away candy, coffee and cake. Richard D.
Turtletaub of Vodes Theatres, Millerton.
is N. Y., manager.
Interstate's Bradley, Putnam, played a oneday
showing of UA's "Romeo and Juliet" for
benefit of the American Cancer Society.
April 10, Tickets sold at $1 top, with student
matinee patrons charged 50 cents. All area
schools handled advance ticket sales . . . Bill
Sobel, formerly owner of the Starlite Drivein,
Stamford, is now running a restaurant
in that city . Kronholm, candy girl
at the Lockwood & Gordon Plaza, Windsor,
won $87 in a Hartford Times contest . . .
Dennis Rich, Stanley Warner Cameo, Bristol,
distributed free comic books to all children
attending a Saturday matinee. Admission:
adults, 50 cents: children, 25 cents.
AI Lessow has left Loew's Poll Theatres
to go into private industry. He had been
functioning as assistant manager of the Poll.
Bridgeport, for the past year and a half . . .
Morris Hadelman of the Shelton. Shelton,
cooperated with the regional cancer fund
chapter by incorporating a 24-minute cancer
film in his April 8-14 programs.
David Lustig, Columbia, came through ahead
of Mike Lane, featured player In "The Harder
They Fall." Lustig conferred with George
E. Landers of E. M. Loew's Theatres . . .
Carim E. John of the Strand, Willimantic.
distributed prizes to youngsters at a Saturday
matinee performance.
Milton G. LeRoy of the Blue Hills Drivein
Corp. has installed a new screen. The
122x56-foot screen replaces one 76x56 . . . Joe
Heidt, Columbia, and George E. Landers
scheduled a teenagers matinee performance
of "Rock Around the Clock," with Cal Kolby,
WDRC personality, greeting high school
students in the theatre lobby.
David Lang is penning "The Phantom
Stagecoach," a western actioner, for Columbia.
WANTED .
THEATRE MANAGER
for first-run theatre in Athol, Mass.
Write qualifieotions to
EXPERIENCED
ABE GARBOSE • « ""'Z^Vink. mass.
Boston s Top Draw
BOSTON—The Easter holdover programs,
plus a freak snowstorm on Sunday, caused a
drop in grosses although "Man in the Gray
Flannel Suit" and "The Conqueror" were
both well above average in their second weeks.
"The Harder They Pall" and "Anything
Goes" were disappointing in their holdover
situations.
(Average Is 100)
Astor I'll Cry Tomorrow (MGM), 5th wk 130
Hill Beacon Diabolique (UMPO), 7th wk 85
Boston Cinerama Holiday (SW), 32nd wk 115
Exeter Street Doctor ot Sea (Rep), 5th wk 85
Kenmore The Night My Number Came Up
(Cont'l) 5th wk 85
Memorial The Conqueror (RKO), 2nd wk MO
Metropolitan The Man in the Groy Flannel Suit
(20th-Fox), 2nd wk 125
Paramount and Fenway Anything Goes (Para);
World in My Corner (U-l), 2nd wk 85
State and Orpheum The Harder They Foil (Col);
Blackjack Ketchum (Col), 2nd wk 70
'Conqueror' Clicks With 200;
Snow Blankets Providence
PROVIDENCE—Despite a heavy snowfall
which threatened to tie up this city for the
fourth time in four weeks, a warming sun
soon erased the white stuff, and most first
runs were able to report average or betterthan-average
business. "The Conqueror,"
playing at the Albee, racked up 200. Closely
following was "The Littlest Outlaw" with
150 at the Avon Cinema. With one exception,
average lor better) was reported. It was the
14th stormy Sunday out of
the past 16 weeks.
Albee The Conqueror (RKO) 200
Avon—The Littlest Outlaw ( 1 50
BV)
I'll Loew's Cry Tomorrow (MGM), 110
3rd wk
Moiestic Miracle in the Rain (WB) 100
Strand Anything Goes (Para) 80
'Doctor at Sea' Drctws 145
In 4th Week in Hartford
HARTFORD—Republic's "Doctor at Sea"
led the holdover parade, going into a fourth,
brisk week at the Art. "Carousel" opened at
the Allyn with 160, the best gross of the week.
Allyn Carousel (20th-Fox) 160
Art Doctor at Sea (Rep), 145
EM Loew
4th wk
Rock Around the Clock (Col); Bloekjack
Ketchum, Desperado (Col) 110
Palace Anything Goes (Para), 3rd 90
wk
Lodykillers Persons—The (Confl), 3rd wk 120
Los Vegos (MGM); World in
Poll Meet Me In
My Corner (U-l) 135
In Strond MIroele the Roln (WB); The River
Chonges ( WB) 120
'Conqueror' Continues
As New Haven Leader
NEW HAVEN—"Tribute to a Bad Man"
made the best showing of the downtown newcomers.
"The Conqueror" had an excellent
second week.
College Forbidden Plonet (MGM); BiMer Creek
(AA), 2nd wk 80
Paramount Invasion of the Body Snotchers (AA);
Indestructible Man (AA) 65
Poll Tribute to a Bad Man (MGM); Storm Fear
(UA) 105
Roger Sherman The Conqueror (RKO), 2nd wk. . . 120
Thrill Show Friday 13th
MANCHESTER, N. H.—The Strand marked
Friday the 13th with a "double tlirill and
chill" midnight show featuring "Isle of the
Dead" and "Cat People." "We dare you to
come," said the management in newspaper
ads. Free admission was offered to anyone
with a 1913 nickel.
Dennis Rich Back on Job
BRISTOL. CONN.—Dennis J. Rich, manager
of the Cameo, has resumed his duties
following a heart attack.
Three theatre closings, two in Vermont and
one in Maine, were reported. Edna B. Hall,
who operated the Brooks, Brooks, Me., closed
the theatre and had equipment removed. In
Vermont, Vincent Choate, now secretary of the
Vermont Chamber of Commerce, has closed
his Shea's Theatre in Turner Falls. In Richford
Roy Brown shuttered the Park, which
he leased, and moved his family to Northfield,
where he owns and operates the Savoy. He
will give all his attention to this theatre.
Tony Martin Gregory of Mayfield, Ky.,
was born to Mr. and Mrs. Vernie Gregory of
that town on the very day of the world premiere
at the Legion of U-A's "Quincannon,
Frontier Scout," starring Tony Martin. This
town was selected for the world premiere as
it is the home of the Merit Clothing Co.,
maker of Tony Martin clothes. The star
himself was present at the gala premiere.
Mr. and Mrs. Gregory, parents of the
baby, are employed at the Merit Clothing
Co. Harry Browning, Boston press agent,
traveled to Mayfield to handle the publicity
for the premiere for United Artists.
Joe Mansfield, publicist for UA. arranged
a luncheon for press folk to meet Barry Jones,
the English actor who plays Aristotle in
"Alexander the Great." The affair was held
at the Ritz Carlton.
News of the death of William Arvin, 49,
a letter-carrier for Filmrow for more than 12
years, was a shock to the many friends the
genial Bill had made over the years. His
funeral was held in Maiden. He was a native
of Wakefield and belonged to the Lt. A.
Vernon Macaulay Post of the American Legion.
He died April 11 following a heart attack.
Samuel Lowe jr., Theatre Candy Co., was
elected first vice-president of the Alumni
Ass'n of Deerfield Academy at the prep
school's annual dinner at Hotel Statler .
Massachusetts Theatre Equipment Co. is installing
full stereophonic sound in the Stadium,
Woonsocket, R. I. The theatre will be
closed until June for other improvements, including
new seats, carpets and screen, along
with repainting and refreshening throughout.
VERMONT
T^iss Joan Olive DuBrule, an employe of the
Strong in Burlington, was married to
Raymond Joseph Mesick in a double ring
ceremony in the First Methodist Church,
Burlington, April 7. She is a graduate of Cathedral
High School in
Burlington.
Mr. and Mrs, Roy Brown have moved from
Richford to Northfield, where they are occupying
an apartment above the Savoy,
which was purchased by Brown in 1945 and
is now under his management. He is president
of Amusements, Inc., a concern incorporated
under the laws of Rhode Island.
Mike Can to Lyric
HARTFORD— Michael Carr, formerly with
E. M. Loew's Theatres, has joined Hartford
Theatres as manager of the Lyric, succeeding
P. J. Bucheri, who resigned to join
Stanley Warner.
BOXOFFICE :: April 21, 1956

. . The
. . Most
. . Service
Chas. Chaplin in Winnipeg
Gets Oscar Race Report
WINNIPEG — Charles Chaplin, f^cncral
manager of United Artists Corp.. and ohan--
man of the Motion Picture Industry Cotmcil,
was guest of honor at a luncheon at the St.
Charles Hotel Friday (13 1. He received a
final report on the Academy Award contest
the history of the contest, cited various
methods employed by cities across Canada,
and especially lauded the work by Bishop.
Hurwitz and others. Chaplin also outlined
what the National Council was striving for
next year, explaining how from this year's
experience bigger and better contests would
Besides the large number of exhibition
executives and theatre owners present, guests
at the luncheon were Lou Davidson, Foto-
Nite attorney and Ontario exhibitor: Sam
Pearlman. newly elected president of the
Winnipeg Film Board, and Ed Tliompson.
Winnipeg manager of the McLaren Agency,
which handled the advertising aspects for
General Motors. The meeting closed with a
word of thanks from MMPEA President Ben
Sommers to the guest of honor.
WINNIPEG
Phe owner of the Northmain Drive-In, Harry
Silverberg, has added another item to
his
long list of philanthi-opic deeds. Silverberg
will supply, at the cost of over $2,000, the
Israeli port city of Haifa with eight underwater
floodlights for a fountain in Haifa park
on Mount Carmel. Colored lenses will be
used on the projectors, and the resulting sight
will be one of the main tourist attractions
of the city.
film throughout eastern Canada, visited
Winnipeg.
Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Tod of Morris, who are
in the heart of the flood-threatened area,
claim residents of then- town are not panicky,
but are preparing for the worst. The Tod's
theatre was badly flooded during the 1950
Show of the week at
Red River flood . . .
the College. Tivoli, Osborne and Uptown
consisted of "The Trouble With Harry" and
"Strategic Air Command" . Theatres
head Harry Phillet briefly visited here.
.
.
No theatres in greater Winnipeg are
running bingo previous report that
Joe Hersak had purchased the Lyric in Roblin
was unfounded students throughout
greater Winnipeg are paying 35 cents admission,
with no complaints recorded.
Quality of New Product
Brightens FPC Outlook
locally.
TORONTO—A $451,713 drop in net profits
Harold A. Bishop, co-chairman of the
of Famous Players Canadian Corp. In 1955
Winnipeg Academy Award contest, gave a
was attributed to the relea.se of fewer boxoffice
hits combined with an increase in TV
report and presented Chaplin a scrapbook of
the entire campaign. The meeting was conducted
by Harry Hurwitz. Chaplin reviewed
by J. J. Fitzgibbons, president and managing
director, in the 36th annual report to share-
POSITION IS IMPROVED
Fitzgibbons reported that the financial
position of Famous Players had been further
improved. Net current assets totaled $9,202,147
and "there was an improvement during the
year in our current position of $489,311." The
shareholders equity amounted to $30,814,411
for an increase of $327,504. The net per
common share was $1.69, compared witli $1.95
in 1954, and the company paid a $1.50
dividend last year.
In this connection Fitzgibbons stated: "In
view of the reduced earnings for the year
and in order to maintain the strong financial
position which your company has always
enjoyed, your directors did not feel warranted
in paying the ten-cent extra dividend per
share that was paid in the two preceding
years."
In 1955 Famous Players and associated
companies faced a tax bill totaling $8,781,000.
Eddie Newman, manager of the Metropolitan,
in his exploitation campaign on Columbia's
"Cockleshell Heroes." dedicated the $2,458,000 in income taxes and $1,725,000 for
of which $4,598,000 was for amusement levy,
week's run as a salute to the Royal Canadian real estate, business and license taxes. Fitzgibbons
described amusement taxes as "un-
Navy and the Manitoba division of the Navy
League of Canada. For opening night, Newsman
presented the Winnipeg Sea Cadet Band the company's 50 per cent interest in two
fair and discriminatory." He refen-ed to
on the stage. On display on the mezzanine television stations at Kitchener and Quebec
patrons could view a 40-foot model of the City and announced: 'The business and
HMCS St. Laurent, latest addition to the financial condition of both these stations is
Canadian fleet . . . Bill Zaparaniuk. Prince well up to the expectations of management."
Albert, Sask.. exhibitor, after spending considerable
time showing a Ukrainian 16mm
ROOM FOR TV, TOO
With respect to prospects he said:
"In looking
to the future your management is encouraged
to note that the motion picture
studios are now producing a greater number
of high-quality pictures ... the best evidence
of their recognition of the need for theatres
to have a greater number of high-quality
feature motion pictures than heretofore.
While there is no doubt that television has
become a part of family entertainment,
nevertheless it has been clearly demonstrated
by the boxoffice returns of the better-quality
pictures that there is room in the entertainment
field for both television and motion
pictures."
The report showed that Famous Players
and associated companies employed 6,644
persons. During the yeai' 20 persons were
added to the membership of the Famous
Players 25 Year Club, bringing the total to
439. For the first time in years the annual
report did not include a complete list of
25 Year Club members.
The book added a new feature in a section
devoted to display advertisements in color for
holders. Net profits declined to $2,933,112 current and forthcoming attractions including
from the 1954 total of $3,384,825, President
four colorful pages for "The Ten Com-
Fitzgibbons stated. He pointed out that mandments."
during 1955 television had been installed in
almost all of the principal cities in Canada.
Lower 1955 Profits
"Substantial progress was made in reducing Reported by United
operating costs. However, it was not possible
MONTREAL—President John G.
to reduce these cost sufficiently to offset
Ganetakos
of the United Amusement Corp.. chain
entirely the drop in business. Your company's
policy has been to divest itself of unprofitable
motion
ports a
picture
lower net
theatre operating
profit for his company
firm, re-
for
or marginal operations. During the past year
the year ending Dec. 31, 1955.
it has disposed of several theatres, including
one drive-in theatre." the report stated.
After providing for all operating costs, full
depreciation, federal and provincial income
taxes, the net profit amounted to $228,793,
equal to 71 cents a share. This compared
with a net profit of $312,357, or 97 cents a
share, in 1954. Dividends paid during the fiscal
period amounted to $161,668, or 50 cents
per share, on the outstanding 323,316 no par
value shares.
Theatre operating profits and other revenue
totaled $1,001,212 against $1,283,325. The
balance sheet shows that current assets, including
$182,843 cash, amounted to $1,261,895:
current liabilities, $91,182.
The annual report lists the following
United Amusement Corp., and associated
in theatres the province of Quebec:
Montreal—Ahuntsic, Avon, Belmont, Corona,
Francais, Granada, Kent, Laval, Monkland,
Papineau, Plaza. Regent. Rialto, Rivoli,
Rosemount. Seville. Snow^don. Strand,
Van Home, Westmount, York.
Also the Savoy in Verdun. Avenue in Westmount.
Astor and Victoria, St. Lambert: Granada,
Sherbrooke, Empress and Royal Alexandra,
Lachine: Maska, St. Hyacinthe; Imperial,
St. Johns: Lucerne and Normandie, St.
Laurent: Cartier and Empire, Quebec; Lairet
and Rialto, Limoilou.
Confederation Amusements operates the
Empress, Chateau, Maisonneuve, Cartier, Dominion
and Outremont, all of Montreal.
Robeson Entry Is Barred;
Concert Tour Canceled
OTTAWA—A near-sensation was caused by
the announcement here by the Department
of Immigration and Citizenship that Paul
Robeson, noted Negro singer, would be barred
entry into Canada from the United States for
a series of concerts across the country.
Robeson had been booked into the Glebe
Cinema for his Ottawa appearance but the
local and other engagements were immediately
canceled following the government ruling,
arrangements being announced by the
booking agency for refunds on tickets already
sold.
Robeson was booked into the Glebe Cinema
by Jerome Concerts and Ai'tists of Toronto,
and the singer had been scheduled for concerts
in 16 other Canadian centers starting
at Montreal April 15.
BOXOFFICE April 21, 1956 75

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Frank Soltice, manager of the Pines Drivein,
Penticton, joined the Vancouver branch
of the Canadian Picture Pioneers. He started
in show busmess at the Palace, Calgary .
Hinton, Alta.. with a population of 360, now
has its first theatre, built by Albert Montemurro.
It will operate six days weekly .
With TV competition closing 15 theatres and
eight drive-ins, economy has forced some exchange
managers to double as film salesmen.
With many grassroot theatres reducing playing
times to one or two days weekly, there
is plenty of competition for the film sales.
The producer of a number of films for
industrial and charitable organizations.
O \# ADMISSIONS A
Arthur Hundert, 41, died in Vancouver
General Hospital. He was head of the Art
Hundert Motion Picture Foundation and at
the time of his death was making a film for
the Canadian Arthritis and Rheumatism
Society . . .
Panorama Pi'oductions has been
incorporated in British Columbia and will
produce pictures in conjunction with RKO
of Hollywood. Most of the films will be shot
in the Okanagan Valley in the interior this
summer wife of Jack Reid, JARO
.
manager, is on the sicklist.
Five Famous Players downtown theatres
in Calgary have lowered rates for high school
students who carry a privilege card. Former
J. Fitzgibbons, president of Famous Players, hibitors Ass'n re-elected its executives for
J
was here Jor a short stay en route from 1956. They are Owen Bird, president; Max
his Hollywood home to Toronto . . .
Irma Chechik, vice-president; Gerry Sutherland,
Miotto, in charge of concessions at the FPC secretary, and Earl Hayter, treasurer . .
Strand for the last five years, quit show Jimmy Webster, assistant at the Odeon
business and married Raymond Benny of Vogue, resigned for reasons of health and
Vancouver members of the projectionist
staff of the Paradise are hospital-
at the Orpheum.
was succeeded by Thomas Fisher, formerly
.
ized; Len Brewer, after a stroke, and Cecil
Hall for surgery Columbia Ex- Frank Gow, retired FPC district manager,
.
is up and around again after a long illness
Bob Kelly, manager of the Odeon Dunbar,
DAY
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Furthermore, the parts supplied for the conversion include the
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and loudspeakers are installed.
Maintenance Costs are low because only the wearable gaps on
the Magnetic pick-ups need be replaced.
For complete details
call
your neorest D.S.E.L office.
DOillNION mm EqnlpnieDls Limited
HEAD OFFICE: 4040 St. Catherine Street West, Montreal.
11^"^- BRANCHES AT: Halifax. Saint John, Quebec^Montreol, Ott°wa, Toronto,
Hamilton, London, North Bay, Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary, Edn
The Cambie, suburban house, which is
playing foreign films, its has increased newspaper
advertising, and George Brewerton,
owner, reports good returns and increased
business. Brewerton also operates the downtown
east side Rex Theatre .
biggest
bingo game ever staged on the lower mainland
drew 8,000 fans to Queens Park Ai-ena in
New Westminster and heralded the arrival
of more bigtime games in the greater Vancouver
area. More than 2,000 were turned
away. It was sponsored by the Kinsmen Club
with $7,000 in prizes given away, including a
1956 automobile. Theatres were nearly empty
the night the huge bingo game was held.
Alta. Censor Decision
Questioned by Editor
VANCOUVER—John Kirkwood, film editor
for the Vancouver Province, took the Alberta
film to censor task in a recent column,
charging that censorship, "when wrongly enforced,
loses all value and becomes a mockery."
Kirkwood said he was not surprised
when Alberta censor Fleming barred exhibition
of "The Bed" because it "would lower
the moral standards of those who see it."
However, said Kirkwood, "the shocking
part of the news comes with the report that,
in addition to 'The Bed,' Albertans have been
denied seeing a host of other movies, among
them 'I Am a Camera.' 'Street Corner' and
•Blackboard Jungle.'
"Fleming's reasons for banning these three
are not stated," he continued, "but judging
by the content of the pictures, sex and violence
are indicated. If these are his reasons
and there seem to be no alternatives, this
space takes the opportunity to question his
judgment on the matter."
The film editor outlined the manner in
which sex and violence are handled in the
three pictures, and added:
"Censorship, of course, is necessary in the
business of displaying motion pictures, but
it becomes useless unless handled with intelligence
and vision,
"According to British Columbia film censor
Ray McDonald, a man who seems blessed
with remarkable common sense when it
comes to screening this province's pictures,
censorship must vary according to the type of
people who will be viewing the product.
"Perhaps so. But is sex taboo in Alberta?"
BOXOFFICE April 21, 1956

. . Bill
'Arm' Is a Lisl-Topper
With 140 in Toronto
TORONTO— All but one of the Toronto
ace houses featured holdovers, mostly from
the Easter season, the exception being "The
Man With the Golden Arm" which bowed
in at the Odeon with big patronage. The
pick of the holdovers was "Anything Goes"
in its
third week at Shea's.
(Average Is 100)
Eglinton, Universitv The Greet Wolfi (MGM),
2nd wk. reissue 100
Hylond The Lodykillers 105
(JARO), 3rd wk
Imperial Carousel (20th-Fox), 4th wk 100
Loew s, Uptown I'll Cry Tomorrow (MGM),
3rd wk 105
Nortown Picnic iCol), 3rd wk 100
Odeon The Man With the Golden (UA),.MO
Arm
Shea's Anything Goes (Para), 3rd wk 115
Towne Geordie (British Lion), 3rd wk 100
Vancouver Grosses Slump;
'Picnic' Hits Average
VANCOUVER—Business was on the light
side, with income tax blues, hockey finals and
outdoor weather blamed. "Picnic" was the
only picture doing above average. Third week
of "The Court Jester" did average business.
Second week of "The Littlest Outlaw" and
"Anything Goes" were light.
Capitol Miracle in the Roin (WB) Fair
Cinema The Court Jester, (Paro),
3rd d.t. wk Average
Orpheum Anything Goes (Para) 2nd wk Fair
Paradise The Houston Story (Col), Sudden
Oonger (AAJ Fair
Plaza, Circle Fair
Comanche (UA)
Strand The Littlest Outlaw (BV), wk..Moderote
2nd
Studio Richard III (IFD), 4th wk Averoge
Vogue Picnic 2nd wk Very Good
(Col),
Lucky Women Gimmick
Helps Promote 'Sneak'
To attract a lot of attention to the fact
that the theatre was running a sneak preview
that evening, Manager Arnold Gates
of the Loew's State in Cleveland worked up
a giveaway for Valentine's Day. He promoted
100 boxes of candy, packaged by a
well-known firm in the area. Instead of
giving the candy to say, the first 100
women, however, he devised a little contest.
He took the four aces out of a deck of
playing cards, and printed the name of a
coming attraction on the face of each one.
On the ace of hearts, he printed the title
of the sneak preview picture for that night,
"Meet Me in Las Vegas."
An attendant holding the four cards
stood in the outer lobby of the theatre during
the late morning and early afternoon,
next to a huge sign which explained that
women could draw for the ace of hearts,
which named the sneak preview and w-hich
would win them a free box of candy. Other
copy mentioned that this was a Valentine's
Day treat for the women, and gave the information
on the sneak preview.
"The activity attracted a lot of attention
and gave great emphasis and impetus to the
sneak preview," Gates declared. "Even
though many did not win, of course, they
were interested in the name of the sneak
movie, which was the point of the stunt."
TORONTO
^Jany barkers and wives were happy and
lucky at the Ladies Night on Fi'iday,
April 13, a Toronto Variety Tent 28 event
held under the supervision of Len Bi.shop,
Chester Fiiedman and Dan Krendel of the
house committee. There were prizes galore,
many valuable . . . Success was reported by
President Al Ford of the Hamilton Theatre
Managers Ass'n for the annual benefit show
April 15 at the Hamilton Palace for Variety
Village here. Ford is the Palace manager. The
feature was "Simon and Laura," which was
shown for the first time in Canada. Gerald
Peters officiated for the Toronto tent ... V.
Simone of Radio City here cooperated with
the Sinai service group on a benefit show
April 11 for the cancer fund. The feature was
"To Catch a Thief."
Beryl Goodwin, pretty manager of
the subiu-ban
Scarboro, opened the theatre last
Saturday morning (14) for a free jam session
on the stage for teenagers of the district
starting at 9:30. There was a big turnout
.. . One of the oldest exhibitors in Ontario,
Floyd Rumford of the Kineto at Forest,
w-as on Filmrow two days buying. He conferred
with Arch H. JoUey, executive secretary
of the Motion Picture Theatres Ass'n
of Ontario, of which Rumford is a former
director . . . The Tri-Bell Community Club
had outstanding talent for its annual benefit
performance in Loew's Uptown in support
of the Ontario Society for Crippled Children.
Tom Daley of the University and Marc
Hirsch of the Eglinton both sneak-previewed
"Come Next Spring" along with a regular
showing of "The Great Waltz" . Forman
of Alliance Films and Sari Grossman
were married April U , . . B. G. Kranze of
Cinerama has promised an early demonstrattion
here, using portable equipment . . .
Lionel Shapiro, Canadian author, whose book,
"Sixth of June." is being made Into a picture
by 20th-Fox, was guest speaker at the annual
dinner April 21 of the Toronto Men's
Press Club.
Dominion Sound Moves
Regina Branch Office
MONTREAL— Dominion Sound Equipments
announced that its branch office at Regina
is moving to new and larger quarters at 1553
Albert St. there. The new facilities will provide
warehousing facilities for acoustical
products plus added accommodation for theatre
and sound systems sales and service.
The new building, a quonset type with
brick front, is located on one of Regina's
main thoroughfares, but provides adequate
parking facilities for customers and staff.
In addition to ground floor space of 3,600
square feet, a mezzanine area of 600 square
feet is also available.
Manager of the Regina's office is Lome
Cogger.
Writes 'Burning Hills' Music
David Buttolph has been signed to write
the musical score for Warners' "The Burning
Hills."
SINGLE CHANNEL MAGNETIC SOUND
Simplex XL-101 is the most modern of single track sound equipment. Its compact
grouping of all units provides greater operating efficiency. The tight
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gives optical sound, single-film magnetic sound, dual film mognetic sound
. . . whichever you want, merely by pushing a button! Let our experienced
engineers survey and install your sound system. Services from coast to coast.
The current edition of Collier's carries a
two-page picture and story spread authored
by Jimmy Stewart concerning his role in
Warner Bros.' forthcoming production,
"The Spirit of St. Louis."
GENERAL THEATRE SUPPLYCOMPANY
BOXOFFICE :
: April 21, 1956

. , Local
. . Joe
. . "Cockleshell
. .
. . . Maurice
. . . Ivan
. . Maurice
. . Armand
. , Frank
ST.
JOHN
Tames Mitchell, manager of the 1,600-seat
Famous Player Capitol here, is temporarily
managing the 1,300-seat Savoy at Glace
Bay, N. S. In his absence, the Capitol is being
managed by Assistant Bill McHare and
supervised by Harrison Howe, manager of
the Paramount, St. John . theatre
managers feel that their combined effort in
the "Name the Oscar Winner" contest was
very successful. Over 12.000 ballots were
distributed, with 8,000 collected in the various
theatres. Merchants contributed $800 in
prizes to the winners.
After many years as manager of the Pine,
Richibucto, N. B.. and the Roxy, Buctouche,
J. R. Nolan has resigned to take a position in
Halifax, N. S., outside the theatre business.
Harry Adams, owner of the Pine and Roxy.
will manage the houses . LeBlanc.
owner of the Capitol, Shediac, N. B.. has
been hospitalized the last two months. Late
reports are that he is recovering nicely from
his serious illness. Joe is mayor of Shediac
and provincial member of Parliament from
his
district.
The 20th-rox office has undergone a much
needed redecorating and remodeling job,
giving Manager Dawson Exeley, office manager-booker
Tom Corbett and staff a "new
look." Other film offices in the area hope to
follow suit . . . Harrison Howe, manager of
the Famous Players Paramount, has been reelected
chairman of the health and education
committee of the Canadian Cancer Society
and is busy heading the publicity on the
local campaign for funds. Harrison has been
most active in worthwhile charitable, educational
and civic endeavors.
Duncan McDonald of General Theatre Supply's
head office, Toronto, has been visiting
the company office here and will cover the
various brandies in the Maritimes . . . Returning
with their wives from their Florida
vacations are A. I. Garson, president of the
Garson Theatres: Mitchell Bernstein, partner
of B&L Theatres, and Samuel A. Babb of the
Franklin & Herschorn Theatre Co.
Joshua Lieberman, partner of the B&L
Theatres, chairmanned the successful United
Jewish Appeal emergency campaign here. His
son Stanley has returned to his desk in B&L
after serving three years with the Army,
with service in Korea the last year . . . Extreme
bad weather has affected theatre business
throughout the Maritiigie provinces this
winter. An alltime record snowfall has been
recorded throughout the area, even into April.
. .
The Franklin & Herschorn Grand Bay
Drive-In in Martinon, N. B.. was set to reopen
Thursday (19) and the Wiggins Bros. Bay
Drive-In, Lancaster. N. B., on April 30 .
Mitchell Franklin, president of the Franklin
Service Co.. his cousin Peter Herschorn of
Halifax and brother-in-law Samuel A. Babb
of St. John have been investing heavily in
commercial property in the Halifax and Dartmouth
area.
Lou Simon, manager for Columbia, has
been re-elected financial secretary of the
St. John B'nai B'rith, with Mickey Komar,
manager of Warner Bros., as treasurer.
Mitchell Franklin, vice-president of Franklin
& Herschorn Theatre Co., steps down as
president after service for two years . . . Mrs.
Arthur Mitchell, owner and operator of the
Mayfair, Port Elgin, were on the Row.
Most Toronto Drive-Ins
Are Going Full Swing
TORONTO—The local drive-in season
opened with a rush around April 12 with
all five open-air theatres hereabouts going
into operation with favorable weather assured.
Nat Taylor's 20th Century Theatres has four
of them, the 400. Northeast, Northwest and
Scarboro. The fifth is the independent Dufferin.
Famous Players was still delaying the
opening of its drive-in units at five points
in Ontario but otherwise the drive-in season
was generally in full swing.
At Ottawa the first to reopen was the
independent Auto-Sky on April 9 followed
by another independent, the Star-Top, April
12, and then the two units of 20th Century
Theatres, the Aladdin and Britannia, Saturday
night, April 14. The Kingston Drive-In
had its 1956 debut on April 12,
OTTAWA
^irhen the Aladdin Drive-In opened April 14
under the supervision of Ernie Warren
with "Four Feathers." one woman in each
car was presented a free pair of nylon stockings.
For the reopening of the Britannia
Drive-In the added attraction was a personal
appearance of Carson, the Australian hypnotist.
"Dangerous Mission" topped the film
program . Heroes" played two
weeks at the Ottawa Elgin and Manager
Warren next played "The Man With the
Golden Arm," with lineups outside the theatre
to indicate a lengthy run.
The two Famous Players theatres in Ottawa
have holdovers. At the Capitol, where T. R.
Tubman is manager, it was "I'll Cry Tomorrow"
and at the Regent, where Bill Cullum is
in charge, the picture was "The Court
Jester" for its second week here.
Fred Leavens of the Elmdale has reached
the semifinals of his special stage series
"Tour for Talent" which has been in progress
on Wednesday nights for five weeks .
Graeme Eraser of Crawley Films has announced
that for the seventh year in a row
one of the company's pictures has been
chosen one of the best ten sponsored films for
school use in the U. S. by Scholastic magazine.
New York. This time it is "Five Faces
of Quebec" which was made by Crawley for
MoLson's Brewery. The picture deals with the
history and characteristics of Quebec
province.
A veteran employe of the Ottawa Capitol,
G. Parker, has returned to his staff duties
after a lengthy illness. He is a member of the
Famous Players 25 Year Club . . . The Auto-
Sky Drive-In here, an operation of Ben
Freedman, has started the season with a
giveaway policy. Every Monday night each
lady patron receives a piece of English dinnerware
without service charge.
The National Film Board has sent Director
Don Haldane and a technical crew to Europe
to make six television films in both English
and French for presentation on the CBC
network this year. They will be available later
for the community film councils.
Nine of ten films rejected by Saskatechewan
censor Rev D. J. Vaughan during the
1955 fiscal year were passed by the board of
appeals for showing. "The Wild One" was
the only picture rejected outright by the
appeal board.
MONTREAL
\JiTinner of the Gazette's Name the Oscar
Winners contest was Mrs. Lillian Hoffman,
433 St. Joseph Blvd. Leonard Rosenthal
won the second prize, a trip for two by air
to London . Chevalier, the great
international star, had a good engagement
at the France-Film's St. Denis. Following
his busy schedule here Chevalier left for engagements
in other cities of Quebec Province.
Anatole Boudreau returned from the Abitibi
territory ... By the end of April, Perkins
Electric will have completed moving into luxurious
headquarters at 289 Dunbar Ave.,
Mount Royal. Everything will be under one
roof at the new location, including general
offices, showrooms, machine shop, sound service
shop and electronics department. Ample
parking facilities will be available at the
new location, which will be conveniently accessible
from any section of greater Montreal.
By next month, when the Alouette is
equipped for Todd-AO, Montreal will have representatives
of all the new processes to bring
realism into the motion picture theatre, it
was noted by the trade. For instance, the
Imperial is now presenting the second Cinerama
vehicle, "Cinerama Holiday," and the
Palace a few weeks ago showed "Carousel,"
the first film in Cinemascope 55.
Eloi Cormier, IFD salesman, left for the
Gaspe Peninsula . Besse, Montreal
manager, Perkins Electric Co., is back at his
desk after a short illness . . . The UAC art
department headed by Lome Etienne is currently
modernizing the chain company's marquee
letters, from Masonite to color plastic
. . . Cecil Black, Toronto, 20th-Fox, assistant
to Peter Myers, general manager for Canada,
visited local offices.
Richard Howorth, manager of the Monkland,
visited relatives and friends at Toronto
during Easter weekend—Perkins Electric's
Maritime province's representative has installed
new sound equipment at the Basques
in Port aux Basques, Nfld., under the guiding
hands of C. Follow . Makarious.
manager of the Chateau, is recuperating at
General Hospital following a heart attack
Phaneuf, manager of the UAC's
Granada, Sherbrooke, was in recently for
the National Hockey League's playoff games
Riel. traveling out of Quebec City
on behalf of Perkins Electric Co.. had a very
successful selling trip in Beauce and Megantic
counties . . . Confidential Reports Reg'd
is a new subscriber to BOXOFFICE.
Congratulations were offered to Mr. and
Mrs. E. Theriault, owners of the Azur and
Plaza, Maniwaki, Que., who became grandparents
recently when their eldest daughter
Gaetane gave bii-th to a baby . . . Exhibitors
on the Row included Oscar Richards, manager
of the local Amherst; Guy Langlois of
the Maska, St. Hyacinthe, a UAC theatre;
Albert Robert of the Labelle, Labelle, and A.
Sicard of the Acton at Actonvale.
First Run Showing at Airer
TORONTO—John Dydzak, proprietor of
the Windsor Drive-In, has announced the
exclusive Windsor booking of a number of
first run attractions including "Guys and
Dolls," "The Divided Heart" and "The Ship
That Died of Shame," which have been playing
the Odeon circuit in other cities.
78 BOXOFFICE :: April 21, 1956

I EXHIBITOR
i
. FEATURE
, ALPHABETICAL INDEX
ADLINES & EXPLOITIPS
BOXOFFICE BAROMETER
HAS HIS SAY
FEATURE RELEASE CHART
REVIEW DIGEST
REVIEWS OF FEATURES
SHORTS RELEASE CHART
SHORT SUBJECT REVIEWS
SHOWMANDISING IDEAS
THE GUIDE TO BETTER BOOKING AND B U S I N E S S - B U I L D I N G
^^^J|fHikj|
Silver Dollars and Contests
^
A Childadult Special!
It "began as a brain storm," said
Claughton's advertising manager Don
Tilzer, in looking for some different
way to exploit a feature with a high
film rental. Thus was born the
"Childadult" special matinee price, as
part of the exploitation of "The
Littlest Outlaw" at the circuit's main
houses. Embassy, Trail and Variety.
An explanation of how this works was
inserted in a box in the regular newspaper
ads.
Normal price at the three theatres
for weekday matinees only is 85 cents
adults and 25 cents children. Claughton
made it 47 cents at all times for
children. On weekdays, however, one
child (12 or under) and one adult
were admitted for one admission of $1.
Contrary to some fears on this
score, there was no resulting confusion
at the boxoffice at all. People
seemed to like the idea, and the
whole thing "worked out much better
than we had anticipated," said Tilzer.
'Don't Let Title Fool You/
Is Lead Line on 'Bottle'
Darrell Shelton of the Strand in Council
Bluffs, Iowa, feels his ad campaign on
"Bottom of the Bottle" had a great deal to
iddj do with the nice draw on the film. His
lead line was "Don't Let the Title Fool
You!" which he repeated several times
with a paragraph of selling copy each time.
The latter sold the film as a new kind
of screen adventure, emphasizing the western
beauty in color and Cinemascope.
Lead Campaign for las Vegas'
Given the kind of motion picture that is
"loaded" with exploitation potential, the
exhibitor who practices good showmanship
week after week, no matter what material
is available, can really have a field day.
Such a motion picture is "Meet Me in Las
•Vegas." Such a showman is manager Sam
Oilman of Loew's State in Syracuse, N. Y.,
whose name comes up frequently in tradepapers
because of consistently strong promotions.
Apparently a fast pace in showmanship
is the normal tempo at the State.
Oilman whipped up a tremendous hubbub
for "Meet Me in Las Vegas" with a
well-rounded campaign that included a
vacation and several other tie-in contests
and lots of ballyhoo centered on a "Las
Vegas" theme.
FREE AIR TRIP
The big Las Vegas vacation contest
offered a free trip via United Air Lines
as the first prize, in addition to lots of
other prizes promoted from local merchants.
WSYR and WSYR-TV joined in
the sponsorship of the contest, and plugged
it through the opening of the film. From
open the safe, given only part of the correct
combination. All those who succeeded
time to time, entries in the letter-writing
contest were read over the air on both
found prizes inside, such as electric broilers,
media. The winners were decided on Kay
toasters, cameras and perfume.
Russell's WSYR-TV Ladies' Day program.
The gambling and big money aspect of
Among the gifts put up by local stores
the film provided several other pegs for
were luggage, shoes, jackets and jewelry.
good stunts and decorations. A large number
wheel was moved around the downtown
A huge replica of a United Air Lines
plane was set up in the center of the lobby
area. Passersby were allowed to spin the
in the Onandaga Hotel, with a display card
wheel. If it stopped at a "free" number,
reading, "This will take the winner of the
the individual received a pass.
'Meet Me in Las Vegas' contest . . . etc."
The newspaper critics on both Syracuse
The Lincoln Bank went along on another
papers were sent small roulette wheels, dice
kind of contest. A pile of silver dollars
was placed on display in one of the bank's
windows, and people were invited to stop
in and hazard a guess as to the exact number
in the pile.
Prizes were guest tickets.
N.^ME-TUTvTE CONTEST
Radio station WOLF ran a five-day contest
based on a name-that-tune idea, offering
guest tickets to winners. All local disk
jockeys in Syracuse plugged the film and
the tunes from the picture as often as they
could.
A final contest was_ worked out with
Whelan's drugstore. The State staff placed
a huge safe In the middle of the store.
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : : April 21, 1956 — 107 —
This 12-foot lobby board is hand-painted, with
cutout title letters backed with colored gelatin
and wired with flasher sockets to give the
over-all effect of a flashy neon sign,
dressed up to represent the Bank of Las
Vegas. The public was invited to try to
and similar gimmicks, and good copy resulted.
A scantily clad model paraded
through the streets distributing chocolate
coins inserted in bags with the copy, " 'Meet
Me in Las Vegas' Is a Gold Mine of Entertainment."
The local bank also furnished
the theatre with several hundred
dollars' worth of brand new silver dollars.
Each silver dollar was inserted in a small
glacine bag, imprinted with copy reading,
"Here is your 'Meet Me in Las Vegas' silver
dollar. It is more than enough for you to
enjoy 'Meet Me in Las Vegas' starting Friday,
etc." These were handed out in making
change a week prior.

''
March Awards Reflect
Exhibitor Cross-Section
Fred Sawaske Harry Botwick M. B. Smith Carl Kindcen
BOXOPFICE Citations winners for the
month of March truly represent a crosssection
of exhibition in the United States.
Among those receiving the awards for top
campaigns reported in these pages last
month were drive-in operators, first run
houses, circuit headquarters, an art house,
a district manager, independent theatres
and sub run houses.
Geographically, the distribution ranged
from New York state in the east to California,
and from Minnesota down to Texas.
Oldtimers and relatively new blood in the
industry were represented.
Getting the nod in the ballyhoo department
in March was Carl Rindcen, manager
of Shea's in Buffalo, whose "golden arm"
gimmick attracted considerable attention
for you-know-what movie. The story of
his campaign is reported on page 87.
The best original idea of the month, in
the opinion of the judges, was the Sunday
swap plan described in detail on page 89.
Al Dumont. manager of the Aero Drive-In,
San Diego, conceived and executed the
program which gave him an "extra day's
business" evei-y week.
John "W. Godfrey of the Paramount in
Ashland, Ky., tui-ned out the best program
during March. Details of this and the other
media used to good effect by Godfrey in
promoting "Aida" in a small-town situation
appear on page 92.
Winning in the theatre front category
was Manager Dick Empey of the Granada
in Duluth, Minn. A photo of the dress-up
plus a stoiT on his over-all tieup on "The
Benny Goodman Story" can be found on
page 82.
Best display ad last month was turned in
by an advertising director, M. B. Smith of
the Commonwealth circuit in Kansas City,
Mo. Copy and layouts devised for "Come
Al Dumont
John W. Godfroy
Next Spring" are shown on page 83.
Public relations kudos went to Adam G.
Goelz, ad manager for the Long Theatres
in Fi-eeport, Tex. His get-acquainted stunt
tied in the Academy Awards locally, page 87.
Fred Sawaske submitted story and photos
on the window displays he arranged for
"Guys and Dolls." Sawaske runs the
Hardy's in Fi'esno, Calif. A sample of what
he accomplished is pictured on page 79.
Showmandiser devoted almost a full page
last month to a discussion of art house
operation by Edward Shulman of the
Heights in Cleveland, Ohio. Among the
many points covered by Shulman was the
presentation of art displays of famous
paintings in the lobby from time to time.
For this aspect of his operation, Shulman
won the award in the lobby display department,
page 61.
The award for general tieups was given
to Arlen W. Peahl, manager of the Monte
in Monticello, Iowa. Peahl worked out a
large-scale promotion involving 21 merchants
in a citywide sales day. It's worth
reviewing, page 86.
Bob Karatz, manager of the Gopher in
Minneapolis, turned in the best co-op ad, a
four-column page-deep insertion tying in
"Ransom!" with a used car sale, page 61,
while Han-y Botwick, distiict manager for
Florida State Theatres, won a special award
in the field of publicity for a heads-up stunt
involving the request for a gambling stamp
for Nathan Detroit in "Guys and Dolls."
Ten BOXOPFICE Citations are awarded
monthly to campaigns and profitable promotions
submitted for publication the previous
month in the Showmandiser section.
To assure exhibitors with small advertising-exploitation
budgets equal chances with
those in the large situations, the winners
are chosen in ten classifications.
f-^^oint Of
Uiew
THE rock and roll craze has taken hold
among the youthful set, much the same
as the teeners embraced bop, boogie woogie,
Sinatra and other latter-day fads. Of ^
course, a showman with anything on the
ball hops on the bandwagon as soon as he
can, and gives the paying customers what
they want; otherwise, he soon discovers
that his audience has switched its allegiance
to the next guy. We have been dutifully
reporting, therefore, on the successful rock
and roll stage shows which many theatres
around the country have added to their
screen fare to fill the seats. And, where the
film, "Rock Around the Clock," has been
exploited along with other rock and roll
doings, we've come across some darn good
campaigns.
*
But— and it's a big BUT—no wise
showman can afford to lose sight of
the importance of his standing in the
community. And, sad to relate, quite
a few exhibitors have lost stature in
this respect as a result of rock and roll
shows that got out of hand. Of course,
it's not the fault of rock and roll per se.
As another form of musical entertainment
and possible emotional release
from everyday concentration on more
iveighty affairs, rock and roll undoubtedly
lias its merits. There are those
who will disagree, and rock and roll is
just not for those people, just as westems
will never be palatable to some individuals,
and Marlon Brando has his
critics, too. Yet, like it or not, people
will
object to the overstrenuous antics
of rock and roll fans who, in recent
lueeks, have committed mayhem and
have practically "run ivild" both at the
theatre and after leaving the show. In
the newspaper reports of these incidents,
the motion picture house always
gets prominent (but not good) mention.
*
It's all well and good to provide some
extra entertainment for your steady trade,
and to get other teenagers back into your
theatre and into the theatregoing habit.
But if you're just going to draw a one-shot
crowd from outside your general audience
area, you'd better decide whether the extra
receipts for one night are worth the chances
that the crowd you draw hurts the reputation
of your theatre.
*
The big once-a-month edition of
Shoivman, the National Theatres official
publication, reached our desk the
other morning. As advertised, it is
bigger and better than ever before.
Sound ideas, attractive layout, good
editing. If you're within reaching distance
of a copy, grab it!
*
We're starting to receive a few Mother's
Day reports, but not enough. Better line
something up now. The date is May 13.
—LARRY GOODMAN
108 — BOXOFFICE ShovTOiandiser :: April 21, 1956
i

Proinotion in Lobby and on Street
•inrtY
The Michigan Theatre, Detroit, devoted its long lobby wall to
panel display Salute to 613,000 Women at Work, at Detroit, featuring
photos of women on auto production lines, in the city government and in other
industries. The display tied in with a citywide celebration.
Manager Bruce Ogilvie and the head of the Ledcrman Music Co. in
Phoenix, Ariz., shown with the Cardmaloires, local high school dance
band, in front of the Palms Theatre on opening day of "The Benny
Goodman Story." Ogilvie also had a jazz combo from the House of Jazz
to play Goodman tunes.
A ballyhoo that had
them buzzing in Zanesville,
Ohio, was this rustic
stunt pulled by
Manager Dale Tysinger
of the Weller.
M KETTLE^^OIARKr
&rtsSo«daH.Vfeller
Theatre
Two lifesize cutouts
made an effective lobby
arrangement at the
State in Eustis, Flo.
Manager T. A. Mac-
Dougald reports he had
a bread tie-in for truck
and counter displays,
ond formed o Lone
Ranger
Club.
A young couple in wedding ottirc is a good
spring ballyhoo for love—and there ore few
films without it. Jack Caplan, Roosevelt,
Miami, had this couple on the streets for a
stage play, a variation in his screen policy.
A terry cloth costume and a rabbit head, rented
from a costuming firm, plus a talkative usher mode
timely ballyhoo for "Song of the South" at the
Missouri Theatre in Kansas City. Credit Manager
George Stephens and ossistant Ralph Buhrmester.
Vern Huntsinger of the Gopher in Minncopolis
and Norman Levinson, MGM publicist, borrowed
this carnival wheel from the Legion for street
promotion. A lucky 13 spin won a pass to
"Meet Me In Las Vegas."
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser

Exhibitor Ass'n Ad Series Promotes Big Films and Local Theatre
Group selling, a unified publicity campaign by exhibitors to educate the
public on the advantages of motion pictures, was strongly advocated by Ed
Harris of Neosho, Mo., in the final months of his administration as president
of the Kansos-Missourl Theatre Ass'n. His idea fell on fertile ground in
the person of M. B. Smith, director of advertising and publicity for Commonwealth
Theatres in Kansas City and a KMTA director, and o peer among
experts in showmanship. Together, Smith and Harris worked out a series of
ads selling the local theatre and screen entertainment. Printers proofs of
the ods, five of which ore reproduced above, were distributed at the recent
spring convention of the KMTA with announcements that the association had
arranged to supply mats of the two and three-column layouts at cost. Since
then a majority of the KMTA members have arranged to use the series, and
in
addition, the mats have been purchased by exhibitors throughout the central
U. S. area. They may be obtained through Zella Faulkner, KMTA executive
secretary, 1802 Wyandotte St., Kansas City, Mo.
The ads are designed, it was explained, for use at intervals in connection
with release of the outstanding films this spring, summer and fall. Note
each mat sets aside space for listing of one, two or three film titles.
Filmack Offers Trailer
On Shut-Ins Free Policy
A trailer promoting free admission for
shut-ins is being produced by Filmack
Trailer Co. for use in regular or drive-in
theatres. The policy, suggested at a recent
drive-in convention, has been adopted by
many exhibitors as a goodwill gesture. The
shut-ins are admitted free when brought
by a relative or friend. The trailer copy
follows:
"Would you like to do a good deed?
If you have a shut-in or handicapped friend
living with or near you, bring them along
with you next time you attend this theatre.
We'll admit them FREE ... to help
you bring some sunshine into their lives.
So remember, bring along your shut-in
friends or invalids ... as our guests!"
Schoolboys and Indians
M. C. Talley, manager of the State Theatre
in Lake Wales, Fla., stopped traffic in
the downtown area with a promotion for
"The Indian Fighter." Following an old
covered wagon headed for the theatre were
"Indians," high school boys, chasing a
buccaneer in the wagon.
Pooch Show Doggone Good Idea
What with Be Kind to Animals Week
coming up soon (first week in May) , and
later school vacation a pooch parade or
show is a doggone good idea.
For instance, the dog show for grade
school children Walter A. BoUinger of
the Ellinwood Theatre staged recently at
EllLnwood, Kas., when he had "A Dog's
Life" on the screen. Five events were
scheduled for the Saturday morning affair,
which in this case was held at the
city bandstand. The events were the best
groomed dog, the best costumed, the
largest, the smallest and the smartest
(the one that could do the most tricks)
Exhibitor Bollinger offered theatre
tickets as prizes. Each dog was given
a can of dog food, courtesy of the local
Thriftway store.
The rules required that each dog be on
a leash, each owner must be able to
handle his dog (members of family could
assist) , and that vicious dogs be kept
home. The Junior High School band
played for the event. Members of the
Rotary and Lions clubs were on hand to
help police in case of "argimient" among
the contestants.
The basic formula can be enlarged or
adapted as desired.
'Sell the Sizzle' Is Rule
In Commonwealth Drive
Commonwealth Theatres in Kansas City
has given its managers five rules to employ
in special sales activities in the circuit's
annual King of the Sun managers drive.
They are:
1. Don't sell the steak—sell the sizzle:
Use positive word pictures when you sell a
picture or an idea. Be willing to talk ten
seconds to patrons and listen ten minutes.
Let the other fellow talk while you do the
nodding, and you'll learn much that is
important to you and your theatre.
2. Don't write—telegraph: The first 15
words in any ad, trailer, herald or what
have you are more important than the next
15,000. Edit everything you do in advertising
or in selling. Learn the art of verbal
shorthand. It can save space and time and
sell with more punch.
3. Say it with flowers: Never say or sell
anything without doing something to prove
your point. Words are showmanship.
4. Don't ask "if" or "which": Whether
at the concession counter or in selling motion
pictures, give the customer a choice
between something and something, not
something and nothing.
5. Watch your bark: Your voice is the
carrier of your selling sentences, and when
you smile, do it with your lips and your
heart. Don't think so much about what
you want to say, but what the other fellow
wants to hear.
110 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser ;: April 21, 1956

FOR YOUR SHO WMA NOISING / 1 D EA FILE"
Audience Participation Game
What started out as a pay envelope promotion wound up as a
patron-participation game at the Magnolia Theatre, New Albany,
Miss. The management introduced the by-now popular device
of having patrons pick a pay envelope at the door—the envelopes
containing pennies, nickles and dimes. Later, he placed
a card saying "Play Darto" in ten of the envelopes. During
the break, alter the first evening show, the manager went on
the stage and called for the Darto cards. Individuals holding
them were given a dart to throw at a board covered with balloons.
II the balloons were missed, the patron got two free
passes. A hit meant a prize from a cooperating merchant. One
of the balloons was worth SIO. If no one connected, prize money
Children's Pet Parade
One of the most successful promotions ever held by the Ayera
Theatre, Corpus Christie, Tex., was a Children's Pet Parade,
tied to "The Vanishing Prairie," but an event which can be
worked with any animal picture. In this instance, the management
called in the 23 merchants in the neighborhood so that
it became a community project. Prizes were donated and displayed
in the theatre lobby, and offered for the funniest pet, best
costumed, oddest, smallest, etc. The parade included kids and
pots, motorcycle corps, two school bands, Scouts, etc. A crowd ol
15,000 watched the procession, and the theatre opened at
10 a.m. to handle the crowds. The event got 12 news stories,
TV-radio plugs, broadcast of parade. Cost to theatre: SG for
advance trailer.
,.)
Production for Kiddie Shows
At the California Theatre in Santa Rosa, they never run a Kiddie
Show. H. M. Wright, district manager for United California
Theatres, reported to an MGM Workshop that he believes it is
necessary to make a Kiddie Show a "production" and a "special
event" to the children. The shows, he pointed out, appeal
primarily to the smaller children, who are most active in the
morning. The theatre gets its best results at 10 a.m. Saturdays
and holidays, so the children can get out at noon or 12:30 and
be home for lunch. The theatre puts something together which
can be remembered easily, with individual selling points as
"Disneyrama," combining 10 cartoons, three True Life shorts,
"Bugs Bunny Krazyrama," with 21 selected cartoons, "Funorama,"
etc.
No-Cost Radio Advertising
Figuring that about 90 to 95 per cent of all homes are equipped
with radios, and that most automobiles also have them, Andy
Sullivan of Dixie Drive-In Theatres in Savannah, came to the
conclusion that it would pay to use air time ii he could get a
peak listening period. That time, he felt would be when about
75 per cent of the working population is either home or on
the way home, between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. He purchased five
minutes of that period, from 5:40 to 5:45 p.m. The theme for
the program is "Let's All Go to a Drive-In Movie." It opens
with a catchy tune of the same title, followed by a rundown
of all features playing the circuit's three outdoor theatres.
The cost? Nothing, answered Sullivan. The station swaps the
air time for a 20-S6cond trailer plug at just one of the three
drive-ins.
Rodeo Dough
If kids will collect boxtops, coupons and whatnot, reasoned
Wayne Berkley of Richland Center, Wis., why wouldn't they
save a form of play money with which they could buy merchandise
on display in the theatre lobby, in an area called Cowboy
Corral. The idea clicked. To each youngster attending the
Saturday matinee, the management gives a Rodeo Dough
coupon. Some weeks, it is double Rodeo Dough. Merchandise
includes puzzle books, cutout dolls, marbles, model airplane
kits, billfolds, etc. Each item has a fixed price. Cost runs less
than two cents per admission. Balue to the child is about four
cents per coupon. The large variety of items keeps up the interest
of the children. Business over a nine-month period doubled over
preceding year.
Know Your Theatre Program
A large portion of residents in a small town miss seeing a
picture because they do not keep up with the theatre program
calendar which the management distributes. Idea of a "Know
Your Theatre Program" is to get people, especially housewives,
to hang the program by the telephone, so every time members
of the family use the phone they will note the calendar. On
the calendar, attention is called to the fact that two free passes
are given daily to at least three persons if they can tell the name
of the picture and one star on a current feature. Each day,
the manager or staff members calls the three persons, with the
manager preferred in a small town. If the person answering is
a nonmoviegoer, send passes anyway. The idea worked in an
Athens, Tex., theatre.
A $1,000-Bill Feature Story
Although this stunt was pulled for "The Million Dollar Banknote,"
it can be adapted for a variety of pictures in which there
is a money angle. In the movie, Gregory Peck lives solely on
prestige since no one can change his million-dollar note. In
Miami, this theory was tested by a newspaperman in cooperation
with the Wometco circuit. A 51,000 bill was drawn from a
bank and insured for the time used. A reporter, theatre manager
and photographer carrying a concealed 35mm camera made
the rounds of coffee shops, drug stores, theatres, etc., buying
minor items and offering the big bill, with cameraman catching
reactions. A cigar counter clerk finally cashed it. It made a
fine feature in the local and state press next day.
Mother's Day Promotion
With Mother's Day less than a few weeks off. Bill Tapp of Winston-Salem,
N. C, suggests in a memo to Theatre Owners of
America that exhibitors stage a "Mom—We Love You" promotion.
The idea is to print about 500 invitations, inviting the
Mothers of the town to be your personal guest at the theatre
on Mother's Day. These should be distributed personally ii
possible. Just knock on the door, says Tapp, ask lor the Mother
of the house, and personally hand her the invitation. About 50
per cent will be used and 100 per cent will talk about it.
When the Mother presents herself at the theatre, hand her an
appropriate carnation. Flowers can be promoted from the local
florist generally. No dollars or cents are involved, but this is
a live promotion in Winston-Salem.
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :
: April 21, 1956 111

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 ore added and overages 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.
:j E s
1 Alexander the Great (UA)

;
Shack Out on 101 (80) . . D
.CD..
:
AprU
I
©Forbidden
.
OFFICE Blue
story type: iCI
(Complete kc'
u r 1 c £ BOOKINGUIDE
iincmoScopc; v VistoVision; s Supersco
r; i: color photography. Letters ond
iAd) Adventure-Dromo; tCDt Comcdy-Dra
r review dates and Picture Guide page
; denotes BOXthcrcof
indicate
ol; (W) Western.
Feature
Review Oigcit.
chart
ALLIED ARTISTS s
COLUMBIA I £5 M-G-M
PARAMOUNT ti RKO RADIO
Phenix City Slory, The
I
(100) D.,55:
Illchard Kile;. Katbrjn Gram,
John McInUre
©Man From Laramie, The
(104) © W..B01
James Slenart, Cathy O'Donnell
©Bring Your Smile Along
(S3)
M..803
Frankle Lalne. Kecfe Bruselle
3 ©King's Thief. The
(79) © D..532
Ann Blylh. Etimund PurJoin.
David Nlven
as ©Scarlet Coal (110) ©••D..533
Michael Wilding,
Cornel Wilde.
Anne Francis
©Were No Angels
(103) ® CD.. 5414
Humphrey Bugart. Joan Bennett,
Aldo Ray
©You're Never Too Young
(102) ® C..5415
Martin k Lewis, Diana Lynn
Jj Bengali (78) ® Ad. .516
Illchard Cuntc. Carlson.
Richard
Victor McUgkn
©Footsteps in the Fog (90). D.. 802
Slewarl Granger. Jean Simmons
Night Holds Terror (86) . . . .0. .807
Jack Kelly, lllldy Parks
Special Delivei7 (86) C..806
Gun That Won the West
(71) W..809
Dennis Morgan. Paula Rajmond
Apache Ambush (67) W. .804
I
©It's Always Fair Weather
(102) © M
Gene Kelly. Dan Dalley.
Cyd Oiarlsse
©Tennessee's Partner
liJ
(87) ® W..(
John Payne. Fleming,
Rlionda
Ronald Iteagan
Bill Wllllaras. Illchard Jaeckel
Rtturn of Jack Slade, I
The
(79) ® W..5528
John Erlcson. Marl Bl«ncli»rd
i Bobby Ware Is Missinj
(66) D..5532
Noli;? Brand. Jean WUles
UOMy Sister Eileen
(102) © MC..810
Janet Leigh. J. Lemmon. B. Garrett
©Count Three and Pray
(102) © 0D..gll
Van lleflln, Joanne Wooduard
Devil Goddess (70) Ad.. 805
Johnny Weissmuller, Angela Stevens
Duel on the Mississippi (72). D.. 808
Lex Barker, Patricia Medina
§j] ©Quentin Durward
(101) © Ad.. 607
Robert Taylor. Kay Kendall,
Robert Morley
1 ©Treasure of Pancho V
(96) (%>
Itury Calhoun, Gilbert
Sbelley Winter!
.819
©Paris
i Follies of 1956
(73) M..5534
Forrest Tucker. Wilting Sisters
Three Stripes in the Sun
(93) CO.. 820
kXAa Ray. Mltsuko Klmura,
Phil Carey
g] Tender Trap, The
(lU) © C..60I
Debbie Reynolds. Frank Slnatia
Celeste Holm. David Wayne
Desperate Hours, Tile
(112) ® D..550!
Humphrey Bogart, Fredrlc March
^
. . 5535
Terry Moore. Frank Lovejoy.
Keenan Wynn
g OAt Gunpoint (80) ©. .W. .5531
Fred Mac.Murray. llorolhy Malone.
Waller
Brennan
©Last Frontier. The (98) ©.W. .812
Victor Mature. Anne Bancroft.
Guy Madison
t,»©Guys and Dolls (149) ©. M. .614
.Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons,
Frank Sinatra. Vivian Blaine
©Kismet (113) © M..613
13
H. Keel, Ann Biyth, Damone
Vic
13 ©It's a Dog's Life
(87) © CD.. 603
(Reviewed Bar
as "The
Sinister" 8-27-55)
Edmund Gwenn. Jarma Lewis
a ©Diane (110) © D..616
L;ina Turner. Pedro Armendarlz,
Marlsa Pavan
m Ransom! (102) D..617
Glenn Ford, Donna Reed,
Leslie
Nielsen
©Artists and Models
(109) S> MC..5510
Martin & Lewis, DoroUiy Malone
©Trouble With Harry, The
(100) ® CO.. 5508
Edmund Gwenn. John Forsythe.
Shirley MacLaine
iOJ ©Glory (100) ® D..605
Margaret O'Brien. John Luplon
Walter Brennan. Charlotte Greenwood
Invasion of the I Body Snatchers
(80) ® SF..5602
Kevin .McCarthy, Dana Wynter,
King Donovan
©Picnic (113) © D..826
\Vm. Holden, R. Russell, K. Novak
Battle Stations (81) D..828
J. Lund, Wm. Bendli. K. Brasselle
Houston Story, The (79) .... D. .821
Lee J. Cobb. B. Hale. Edw. Arnold
Fury at Gunsight Pass (68). W.. 817
David Brian. Neville Brand
Joe Macbeth (90) D..822
Paul Douglas, Ruth Roman
S ©Forever Darling (96).. C. 620
Lucille Ball, Dcsl Arnaz
James
Mason
13 ©Last Hunt, The
(108) © 0D..621
Robert Taylor, Stewart Granger,
Debra Paget
©Meet Me in Las Vegas
(112) © M..622
Dan Dalley, Cji Charlsse.
Paul Henreid
lS ©Slightly Scarlet (99) (D.D. .608
Rhonda Fleming. John Payne,
Arlene Dahl
Ji ©Conqueror, The (111) ©. D . . 610
John Wayne, Susan Hayward,
Pedro Anpendarli
#
I
OWorld Without End
(80) © SF..5607
ITiigh Marlowe. .N'ancy Gates
Charles
KorrlD
m Mother-Sir! (83) D..5611
Joan Bennett, Gary Merrill,
Shirley
Yamapichl
S Crime in the Streets (91).Cr..Jun
.Inhn Cassavetes, James Whttmore
iu] ©Naked Hills, The. . . .OD. .Jun
havld Wayne. Keenan W'jTin
a Kino of the Coral Seas. .. .0. .Jun
Chips nafferty. Rod Taylor
H ©First Texan. The © W. .Jul
Joel MoCrea, Felicia Farr
H ©No Place to Hide (72) . . D . .Jul
David Brian. Marsha Hunt
g| Hold Back the Night D. .Jul
John Payne. Mona Freeman
H Magnificent Roughnecks. . Jul
Jack Carson. .Mickey Rooney
(E ©Canyon River © W. .Aug
Crtorse Montgomery. Peter Graves
@ Three for Jamie Dawn D. .Aug
Laralne Day. RIeardo Montalban
iklns
Over-Exposed (80) D..835
Deo Moore. Richard Oenna
Harder They Fall. The (109). D.. 827
Humphrey Bogart, Itod Steiger,
Jan Sterling
Blackjack Ketchum, Desperado
(76) W..831
Howard Duff. Maggie Mahoney
Rock Around the Clock (77). M.. 838
Johnny Johnston. Bill Haley
©Jubal (101) © W. .833
Glenn Ford, Ernest Borgnlne,
Rod Steiger. Felicia Farr
(Prerelease)
©Cockleshell Heroes (97) © D..813
Jose Ferrer. Trevor Hovtard
(Prerelease)
©Safari © Ad.. Jun
Victor Mature, Leigh
Janet
©Storm Over the Nile ©. ..D..Jun
Anthony Steel, Laurence Harvey
Gamma People D Jun
.
Paul Douglas, Eva Bartok
©Eddy Duchin Story, The ©.D..Jul
Tyrone Power, Kim Novak
Storm Center (..) D.
Bette Davis. Kim Hunter
Solid Gold Cadillac C.
Judy Holliday, Paul Douglas
©Port Afrique D..
Pier AngeU. P. Carey. D. Price
©Zarak Khan © D.
Victor Mature. Anita Elberg
Autumn Leaves D..
Jnhn Oawford. Cliff Rnb?rt.son
Planet
(98) © SF..625
Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis,
Leslie Nielsen
a ©Tribute to a Bad Man
(95) © M..626
James Cagney, Irene Papas
^^©Swan, The (108) ©..CD.. 628
Grace Kelly, Alec Guinness.
Louis Jourdan
I'll Cry Tomorroi* (119) D..615
(Special release)
Susan Ilayward. Eddie Albert
Glenn Ford. Jeanne Craln
©Opposite Sex, The © M .
.lime .Mlyson. Jnan rnlllns
©Anything Goes (108) ®..M..5513
Bing Crosby. Donald O'Connor.
Mitzl Ga>-nor. Jeanmaire
Scarlet Hour, The (95) ®. .D..5514
(iirol Ohmart, Tom Tryon,
Elaine Strltcb, Jody
JBirds and the Bees
(94) ® C..5515
George Gobel, Mltzl Ga)-nor,
David Nlven, Beghiald Gardner
Leather Saint® W. .Jun
John Derek. Jody Lavvrance
©Man Who Knew Too Much ®.D. .Jun
James Stewart. Doris Day
©That Certain Feeling ® C. .Jul
Bob Hope, Eva Marie Saint
©Pardncrs (g) C .
Deiui Martin. Jerry Lewis
©Mountain, The ® D..
Spencer Tracy, Oalre Trevor
©Proud and Profane, The ®..D..
Deborah Kerr. William Ilolden
©Vagabond King. The® M..
Kathryn Grayson. Oreste
©Ten Commandments. The ®..D..
C. Heston. Y. De Carlo. A Ba.xter
©Maverick, The ® W.
Charlton Heston. \n Baxiter
Bold and the Brave, The
(87) ® 0..612
Mickey Rooney, Wendell Corey,
Nicole Maurey
3 ©Great Day in the
Morning (92) ® D..
Virginia .Mayo. Robert Slack.
Ruth Roman
m While the City Sleeps
(100) D..
Dana Andrews. Ida Lupins,
Rhonda Fleming
a ©Brave One. The © D . . Jun
Michel Kay, Jol Lansing
Pay the Piper D.
Richard B.-isehart. Mary Murphy
Lock and the Key, The D..
William Campbell. Lorl Nelson
©First Traveling Saleslady CO.
Ginger Rogers. Barry Nelson
©Tension at Table Hock W.
Richard Egan. DoroUiy Malone
Back From Eternity .
R. Ryan. Rod Steiger, A. EVberg
Silken Affair, The CD..
David Nlven, Katrl Karelia
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt D.
Dana Andrews, Joan Fontaine
Bundle of Joy C.
Pehhle Re^-ndd-s. Eddie Fisher
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide
:
21. 1956

FEATURE
CHART
The Key to letters and comblnotions thereof indicating story type: (Ad) Adventurt-Drama; (Ae) Aetloiv
Dramo; (An) Animated-Action; (C) Comedy; (CD) Comedy-Dramo; (Cr) Crime-Dramo; (DM) Drama
with Music; (Doc) Documentary; (D) Drama; (F) Fantasy; (FC) Force-Comedy; (Ho) Horror-Dromo; (HI)
Historicol-Drama; (M) Musical; (My) Mystery; (OD) Outdoor-Drama; (SF) Science-Fiction; (W) Western.
REPUBLIC
1 ii

I Am
SF
Dec
. Mar
Dec
Nov
. Feb
May
. Feb
May
Sep
Sep
Dec
,
FEATURE CHART
Shorts chart
iclll|i
INDEPENDENT
AMERICAN RELEASING
OApache Woman (83) W. .Stp 55
LloyJ Bridges. Joan Tajlor
Btasl With a Million Ey« (78) . .. Oct 55
I'aiil Blrrh. Urna Tliajer
Operation Malaya (65) Doc. Oct 55
Sprcial cast
Day the World Ended (80) (§. .SF. .
55
lUchjiril Dciuilng. Lori Nelson
Phantom From 10,000 Leaoues
(80) SF..Dec55
Kent Taylor, (ithy Do»ns
ARLAN
Living North, The (74) Doc .
FlLmed in Lapland; native cut
(EnglUh narrallon)
ASSOCIATED
FILM
Last of the Desperados (71) . . . .W. . 55
J:iines Craig, Margla Dean
Two-Gun Lady (76) W. Dec 55
I'eggle (^tle, William Talman
Wild Dalcotas (73) W.. Feb 56
Bill Williams. Co\eea Gray. Jim Davis
Blonde Bait (71) D . . Apr 56
Be-erly Michaels, Jim Davis
Three Outla\«. The (..) W.. May 56
NevlUe Br^md. Bruce Bennett
ASTOR
Fear (..) D..
Ingrld Bergman, Mathlas Wleman
BANNER
©Wetbacks (86) AC.
Lloyd Bridges, Nancy (Sates
BUENA VISTA
yOAfrican Lion, The (73) . . . .Doc . Oct 55
OLittlest Outlaw, The (75) D. Feb 56
Pedro ,\rmendarl2, Andres Velasquez
OGreat Locomotive Chase © D..Jun56
Kess Parker. Jeff Hunter
QDavy Crockett and the River
Pirates (..) Ad. Jul 56
Fess Parker, Buddy Ebseo
CONTINENTAL
Hill 24 Doesn't Answer (100) . . . . D. .
.Mlch,iel Wager. Haya Hararlt
(English
CARROLL
dialog)
Princess Cinderella (72) F..
Sllvana Jachino. Roberto Villa
(Dubbed In English)
.\on-professional
EMBASSY
east
Wiretapper (SO) D
BUI Williams, Georgia Lee
55
56
FILMAKERS
Mad at the World (72) D . . Jul 55
Frank Lovejoy, C^tby O'Donneli
FINE
ARTS
Strangers (SO) D.
In;;rid Bergman, George Sanders
GIBRALTAR
OFury in Paradise (77) D. .
Peter Tliompson. Rea Iturblde
Silent Fear (66) D..
Andrea King. Peter Adams
HOFFBERG
Vengeance of the Black Eagle,
The (..) Ad..
Rossano Biazzi. (Hanna Maria Canale
(Filmed In Mexico; English dialog)
HOWCO
Lum and Abner Abroad (72) . . . .0. .Feb 56
Lum and Abner, Jill Alls
OMnaga (. .) Ad. . 56
Sabu
IFE
Lease of Life (93) D. Jan 56
Robert Uonat, Kay Walsh
(English dialog)
©Lost Continent (95) © Doc. Feb 56
Travping of Indonesian Islands
(English
LIPPERT
naxratlon)
Lonesome Trail. The (73) W- Jul 55
Wayne Morns. John Agar
OSimba-Terror of the Mau Mau
(99) 0. Sep 55
nirk Bogardo, Virginia McKenna
LOUIS dcROCHEMONT
Great Adventure. The (72) Doc. Sep 55
.Vrne Sucksdorff, Anders Norborg
Helen Keller in Her Story (formerly
"The Unconquered") (55) . Doc. Apr 56
.Niirralcd by Kalherlno Cornell
MAKELIM
Peacemaker, The (..) W.. Feb 56
J.LniL's Milehdl, Itosomarie Boue
TRANS-LUX
Lovers and Lollipops (85) CD. Apr 56
Loli March, Ger.ild OXoughlbl
VAN WOLF-API
Dementia (55) [
Adrlenne Barrett, Bruno Ve Sot;
©Picasso (50)
Doc.
A tour or the artist
VISUAL DRAMA
Sins of Pompeii (73) 0..
Cwirges Marchal. Michellne Presle
WOOLNER BROS.
Swamp Women (75) D Apr 56
. .
iieierly Garland. Marie Windsor. C. .Mathews
REISSUES
BUENA VISTA
©Fantasia (81) M .
. Feb 56
(Superscope added, nlth 4-track sound and
stereophorilc sound,)
©Song of the South (95) M . 56
Kuth Warrick, Bobby DriscoU. Luana Patten
COLUMBIA
Walk a Crooked Mile (91) D.. Dec 55
Louis Hayward, Dennis O'Keefe
HOWCO
©Outlaw Women (50) W. .Apr 56
OCA
Marie Windsor. Itlchard Rober, J. Coogan
a Camera (95) C. Auj 55 (Slates Rights)
Julie Harris. Laurence Harvey
Wages of Fear (106) D . . Feb 56 MGM
Yves Montand. Charles Vanel
Green Dolphin Street (141) D . . Oct 55
Please Murder Me (76) D.. Mar 56 Lina Turner, Van Heflln, Donna Reed
.\ngela Lansbury, Raymond Burr
Jedda the Uncivilized ( D Philadelphia Story (112) CD.. Oct 55
. . ) . 56 Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn
Narla Kunoth, Robert Tuda Wall
Guy Named Joe, A (120) D . . Nov 55
Frisky (98) CD.. Apr 56
Gina Lollobrlglda, Vlttorio De Sica
Woman of Rome. The ( .
. ) D . . May 56
Spencer Tracy, Van Johnson, P. Tlia\tcr
Gina Lollobrlglda. Daniel Gelln
©Billy the Kid (95) W. Dec 55
EDEN
Robert Taylor, Brian Donlevy
Honky Took (105) D .
. Dec 55
One Way Ticket to Hell (65) .... D .. Feb 56
Spencer Tracy. Irene Durme. Van Johnson
30 Seconds Over Tokyo (138) .... D .. Nov 55
Clark Gable, Lana Turner, C. Trevor
Stratton Story, The (106) D . . Feb 56
James Stewart. June Aliyson
©Three Musketeers (126)) D.. Feb 56
Lana Turner. Gene Kelly. Van HefUn
©Northwest Passage (126) D.. Mar 56
Spencer Tracy. Robert Your«, Ruth Hussey
©Yearling, The (128) D.. Mar 56
G. Peck. J. Wyman, Claude Jarman jr.
PARAMOUNT
©Shepherd of the Hills (98) . . . .0.
John Wayne, Betty Field. Harry Carey
Oct 55
©Trail of the Lonesome Pine (99) .D. .Oct 55
Henry Fonda. Fred MacMurray
©Unconquered (146) D. .Oct 55
Gary (iwper. Paulette Goddard
©White Christmas (120) M . Oct 55
Bing Crosby. Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney
©Streets of Laredo (92) W. May 56
William Holden. Macdonald Carey
Two Years Before the Mast (98) D . . . May E6
Alan Ladd. Brian Donlevy, William Bendij:
©Whispering Smith (89) W. . 56
Alan Ladd. Robert Preston, B. MarshaU
RKO
One Minute to Zero (105) D.. Mar 56
Robert .Mltchum. Ann Blyth
Big Sky, The (112) 0D..Apr56
Kirk Douglas. Dewey Martin. E. Threat!
©Flying Leathern«ks (102) D.. May 56
John Wayne. Robert Ryan. Janls Carter
Lusty Men (113) D . . May 55
Susan Hayward. Robert Mllchum
UNIVERSAL-INT'L
©Tap Roots (109) D.. May 56
Heflln, Van Su.wn Ward Bond
llawaid.
©Kansas Raiders (80) W.. May 56
Audie Murphy. Tony Curtis. B. Donlevy
o-ae go a:
COLUMBIA
ALL-STAR COMEDIES
8411 One Spooky Night. (16). Sep 55 + 1
S412 He Took a Powder (17) Oct 55
8413 Hook a Crook (16),., Nov 55
ASSORTED
FAVORITES
8421 Honeymoon Blues (17) Sep 55
8422 The Jury Goes Round 'n
Round (18) Nov 55
8423 Should Husbands Marry?
(17) Dec 55
CANDID MICROPHONE
(One-Reel Specials)
8551 Subject 3, Series 2 (11) Sep 55
5552 Subject 4. Series 2
(lO'/j) Dec 55
8553 Subject 5. Series 2 (11) Jan 56
CINEMASCOPE FEATURETTE
(Technicolor)
8441 Wonders of Manhattan
(16) Feb 56 H
COLOR
(Technicolor
FAVORITES
Reissues)
8601 Tooth or Consequences
(6I/2) Sep 55
8602 Up 'n Atom (6) Oct 55
8603 Hot Foot Lights (7) .. Nov 55
8604 Rippling Romance (8). Nov 55
8605 Foxy Flatfoots (6) Dec 55
8606 Cagey Bird (6I/2) Jan 56
COMEDY
FAVORITES
(Reissues)
8431 Pardon My Lamb Chop
(17) Oct 55
8432 Radio Romeo (17'/2) . . Dec 55
8433 Wedlock Deadlock (16) . Dec 55
MR. UAGOO
(Tetlinicfltor)
7703 Magoo Express (6I/2) May 55 ++
7704 Madcap Magoo (6)...Jun55
(1955-56)
S701 Stage Door Magoo (7) . Oct 55
MR.
MAGOO CINEMASCOPE SPECIE
8751 Magoo Makes News (6) . Dec
55
SCREEN SNAPSHOTS
8851 Hollywood Bronc Busters
(9) Sep 55 ± :
5552 Great Al Jolson (11). Oct 55
5553 Hollywood Premiere
(10) Nov 55
5554 Ramblin' Around Hollywood
(IO1/2) Dec 55
8855 Hollywood Goes A-fishin'
(lO'/z) Jan 56
8856 Hollywood Small Fry
(11) Feb 56 ±
SERIALS
(15 Chapters)
8120 The Sea Hound Sep 55
STOOGE COMEDIES
(Reissues)
8401 Wham-Bam-Slam (16). Sep 55 -f- :
8402 Hot Ice (16'/2) Oct 55
8403 Blunder Boys (16) ... . Nov 55
8404 Husbands Beware (16). Jan 56
8405 Creeps (16) Feb 56 ±
THRILLS OF MUSIC
(Reissues)
8951 Louis Prima & Orch.
(10) Sep 55
8952 Buddy Rich & Orch.
(lOi/a) Nov 55
8953 Charlie Spivak i Orch.
(10) Dec 55
UPA ASSORTED
(Technicolor)
8501 Christopher Crumpel's
Playmate (61/2) Sep 55 :
H
8502 The Rise of Duton Lang
(6!/a) Dec 55
WORLD OF SPORTS
7809 Sun Play (9) Jun 55
7810 Danish Gym-Dandies (9) Jul 55 :
+
(1955-56)
8801 Stable Stakes (10)... Sep 55
8802 Thrilling Chills (10).. Nov 55
8803 Swing. Rasslin' 'n Sock
(91/2) Feb 56
SS04 Florida Fin-antics (9) . Feb 56 +
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER
CARTOONS
(Technicolor)
W-741 Designs on Jerry (7). Sep 55
W- 742 First Bad Man (7)... Sep 55 ± 11-26
W-743 Smarty Cat (7) . . . . Oct 55 -(- 11-19
W-7J4 Deputy Droopy (7).. Oct 55 + 11-26
W.745 Pecos Pest (7) Nov 55 -f 11-19
- Nov 55
a-a= oco c ceo
CINEMASCOPE CARTOONS
(Technicolor)
C-731 Tom & Cherie (7) ... Sep 55 H 10-22
C-732 Good Will to Men (8) Dec 55 -|- 11-26
C-733 That's My Mommy (6) ,
55 + 11-26
C-734 The Egg and Jerry (8) Jan 56 -f 2-18
C-735 Flying Sorceress (7).Mar56-(- 2-18
CINEMASCOPE MUSICAL
(Technicolor)
GEMS
K-674 Thieving M.lgpie (9) 54
K-675 Strauss Fantasy (9) Oct 54 H 9-11
GOLD MEDAL REPRINTS
W-761 Invisible Mouse .
(7) 55
lV-762 King-Sije Canary (8) . Oct 55
W-763 Kitty Foiled (7) Nov 55
W.764 What Price Fleadom
(7) Dec 55
W.765 The Truce Hurts (8) . Dec 55
PASSING PARADE
P-771 That Mothers Might Live
(10) Oct 55
P-772The Story of Or. Jenner
(10) DecSS -(- 12-31
PETE SMITH SPECIALTIES
S-658 Animals in Action (9) ± 8-27
S-659 Historical Oddities (9) 8-27
S-660 The Fall Guy (9) + 8-27
ROBERT
BENCHLEYS
(Reissues)
B-721 How to Sleep (U) ..Sep 55
B-722 A Night at the Mo.ies
(7) Nov 55
PARAMOUNT
CARTOON
CHAMPIONS
(Technicolor)
(1955-56)
S15-1 Mite Makes Right (8). Sep 55
S15-2 Old Shell Game (7). Sep 55
S15-3 The Little Cut-Up (6) Sep-55
S15-4 Hep Cat Symphony (6) Sep 55
S15-5 Little Red School Mouse
(7) Sep 55
S15-6 Leprechaun's Gold
(10) Sep 55
S15-7 Quack-a. doodle Do (7) Sep 55
S15-8 Teacher's Pest (7) ... Sep 55
S15-9 Tarts and Flowers (7) . Sep 55
S15-10 Pleased to Eat You
(6) Sep 55
S15-11 Gofify Goofy Gander
(7) Sep 55
S15-12 Saved by the Bell (6) Sep 55
CASPER CARTOONS
(Technicolor)
B14-4 Keep Your Grin Up
(6) Mar 55 -f 4-2
B14-5 Spooking With a Brogue
(6) May 55 -f 7-30
Bull Jul 55 -f 10-22
B14-6 Fright (6)
(1955-56)
& Boo (6) B15-1 Red, White Oct 55 -f 1-28
B15-2 Boo Kind to Animals
(6) Dec 55 -f 1-21
B15-3 Ground Hog Play (6). Feb 56 -t- 3-17
GRANTLAND RICE SPORTLIGHTS
R14-8 Tumbling Jamboret
(9) May 55 -4- 9-17
R14-9 High Score Bowling
(9) Jun 55 -f 8-20
R14-10San Fernando Riding
Champs (9) Jul 55 -|- 10-22
Pacific Salmon Parade
R14-11
(9) Jul 55 It 10-22
Champion Thoroughbreds
R14-12 Irish
(10) Oct 55 -f 10-22
(1955-56)
R15-1 Sporting Dogs Afield
(9) Oct 55 -1^ 10-22
R15-2 A Nation of Athletes
(9) Nov55 -(- 1-28
R15-3 Animal-Sports Quiz
(9) Feb 56 -t- 3-24
HEADLINER
(Reissues)
CHAMPIONS
A14-6 Video Hounds (9) .... Oct 54
(1955-56)
A15-1 'Taint So (10) Sep 55
A15-2 Monkeyshines (9) Sep 55
A15-3 Be Kind to Animals
(8) Sep 55
A15-4 From A to Zoo (9).. Sep 55
HERMAN & KATNIP
(Technicolor
Cartoons)
H14-3 Bleep Built for Two. A
(7) Apr 55 -f 8-20
H14-4 Mouse Trapeze (7) . Aug 55 + 10-22
(1955-56)
Herman (6) H15-1 Mousieur Nov 55 -|- 1-21
H15-2 Mouseum (6) Feb 56 + 3-17
NOVELTOONS
(Technicolor)
P14-5New$ Hound (6)
. . . Jun 55 + 8-20
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :; AprU 21, 1956

, Nov
Dec
. . . Dec
SHORTS
CHART
Short subjects, listed by company, in order of release. Running time follows title. First is notional release
month, second the dote of review in BOXOFFICE. Symbol between dates is rating from BOXOFFICE
review. +f Very Good. + Good. ± Fair. — Poor. = Very Poor. Photogrophy: Color ond process os specified.
P14-6 Poop Goes tlie Weasel
(6) Jul 55 ± 10-22
(1955-56)
P15-1 Rabbit Punch (6)
.
. . .Sep 55 + 12- 3
P15-2 Little Audrey Ridiiio Hood
(6) Oct 55 -f 12- 3
P15-3 Kitty Cornered (6).. Dec 55+ 1-21
PACEMAKERS
K14-4 Five Hundred Horses
(10) May 55 9-17
K14-5 Florida Aflame (9)..Jurt55 10-22
in K14-6 Walk the Deep (10) Jun 55 + S-20
POPEYE CARTOONS
(Technicolor)
E14-7Gift of Gag (6).... May 55 + S- 6
E14-SCar-azy Drivers (6) . .Jul 55 -f 10-22
(1955-56)
E15-1 Mister & Mistletoe (6) Sep 55 12- 3
Is E15-2C0PS Tops (61/2).. Nov 55 1-21
E15-3 A Job for a Gob (6). Dec 55 + 1-21
E15-4 HillbillinB & Cooinj
(6) Jan 56 -f 1-21
TOPPERS
M15-1 Three Kisses (10)... Oct 55 12- 3
in M15-2 Reunion Paris (10) Nov 55 + 1-2S
M15-3 Animals a la Carte
(10) Jan 56 ± 1-21
M15-4 There's Gold in Them
Thrills (10) Mar 56 - 3-31
VISTAVISION
SPECIALS
V14-3 VV Visits the Sun Trails
(16) May 55 H- 12-10
V14-4VVVisits Hawaii (17) Jul 55 -f 12-31
V14-5 VV Visits Japan (17) .Aug 55 -f 1-7
UNICEF
SPECIAL
T14-4 Assignment Children
(19) Mar 55
REPUBLIC
SERIALS
5483 Panther Girl of the
Kongo Jan 55
(12 Chapters)
5484 Jesse James Rides Again Mar 55 ....
(13 Chapters) (Reissue)
of the Carnival. Jun 55
5485 King
(12 Chapters)
THIS WORLD OF OURS
(Trucolor)
53S8 Venezuela (9) Mar 55 + S- 6
RKO RADIO
BROWN-KIRKWOOD REISSUES
63.601 Heart Troubles (16). Sep 55
63.602 Put Some Money in the Pot
(17) Nov 55
DISNEY
CARTOONS
(Technicolor)
54.112 Flying Gaucbito (S). Jul 55+ 8-27
54.114 Beezy Bear (7) Sep 55 + 1022
(Technicolor Reissues) ^
54.109 Pedro (8) May 55 6-11
54.110 El Gaucho (S).Jun 55 + 8-27
Goofy
54.111 Aguarela do Brasil
(8) Jun 55 + S-20
54.113 Bearly Asleep (7) Aug 55 ++ 10-22
EDGAR
KENNEDY REISSUES
63.501 No More Relatives
(IS) Sep 55
63.502 How to Clean House
(IS) Oct 55
63.503 Dig That Gold (17). Nov 55
63.504 Contest Crazy (17) . . Dec 55
GIL LAMB REISSUES
63.301 Groan and Grunt (17) Sep 55
63.302 Bashful Romeo (16). Oct 55
LEON
ERROL REISSUES
63.701 Wife Tames Wolf (17) Sep 55
63.702 Dad Always Pays
(IS) Oct 55
63.703 Spook Speaks (19) . 55 ....
63.704 In Room 303 (17) . 55
MY PAL
REISSUES
63.201 Dog of the Wild (21) Oct 55
63.202 Pal. Canine Detective
(22) Nov 55
RAY WHITLEY REISSUES
63.401 Musical Bandit (16) Oct 55
63.402 Bar Buckaroos (16). Dec 55
SCREENLINERS
54.210 Staff of Life (S)... May 55 S-27
54.211 Rest Assured (S) .Jun 55 + 8-27
54.212 Safety Is Their Business
(8) Jul 55 9-17
54.213 Film Fun (9) Aug 55 + 8-6
(1955-56)
54.201 Gold (lO'/z) Sep 55 + 11-26
64.202 Black Cats and Broomsticks
(8) Oct 55 + 12-10
Make 64.203 Mine Memories
(S) Nov 55
64.204 Teenagers on Trial
(8) Dec 55 + 1-14
64.205 Her Honor, the Nurse
(8) Jan 56
64.206 Fortune Seekers (8). Feb 56+ 3-24
SPECIALS
53.107 Operation Icecap
(19) May 55 + 6-11
(1955-56)
63.101 The Future Is Now
(15) Sep 55
63.102 Golden Glamour (15). Oct 55 + 12-10
63.103 Sentinels in the Air
(15) Feb 56
SPORTSCOPES
54.310 Everglades Posse (S) . May 55 8-6
54.311 Downhill Yachts (S). Jun 55 + S-20
54.312 Bowling Boom (8) . .Jul 55 + 8-20
54.313 Tanbark and Turf (8) . Jul 55 + 9-3
(1955-56)
64.301 Game Warden (8).. Sep 55 10-22
64.302 Gym College (S).... Sep 55 + 11-26
64.303 Bonefish and Barracuda
(8) Oct 55 12-10
Canadian Nov 55 + 1-14
64.304 Carnival (S)
6-1.305 Headpin Hits (8).. Dec 55+ 1-14
64,306 Island Windjammers
(8) Jan 56 + 3-24
SPORTS SPECIALS
63,901 Football Headliners
+ (I51/2) Dec 55 1-14
THEATRE OF LIFE
53,301 Devil Take Us (21) . .Jun 55 H 6-4
WILDLIFE
ALBUM
(Technicolor)
63.001 The Whitetail Buck
(271/2) Oct 55 + 11-12
20th CENTURY-FOX
CINEMASCOPE SPECIALS
(Color)
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 + 8-6
7507-7 Tears of the Moon
(10) Jun 55 8-27
1+
7506-9 Land of the Nile (9) Jun 55 ff 7-23
7517-6 Volcanic Violence (9) Jun 55 -H- 8-20
7516-S Winter Jamboree (10) Jul 55 + 8-6
7515-0 Naughty Mermaids
(7) Aug 55 ....
7519-2 Survival City (10) Aug 55 + 8-20
7518-4 That Others May Live
(10) Sep 55
Gods 7520-0 of the Road
(..) Sep 55
7521-S Desert Fantasy (8) .Sep 55 + 1-7
7513-5 Clear the Bridge ( .
. ) Oct 55
7522-6 Water Wizardy ( .
. ) Oct 55
7523-4 Carioca Carnival ( . . ) Nov 55
7525-9 Queen's Guard (17). Dec 55
(1955-56)
7601-S Lady of the Golden Door
(9) Jan 56
7602-6 A Thoroughbred Is Born
(9) Jan 56
MEL ALLEN SPORTS
3501-4 Topsy Turvy Thrills
+ (S) Jun 55 8-27
SEE IT
HAPPEN
6501-1 Man vs. Nature (9) Jun 55 + 8-27
TERRYTOONS
5501-3 Phony News Flashes
(7) Jul 55 +1-7
5511-1 Foxed by a Fox (7) Aug 55 + 1-14
5512-9 Last Mouse of Hamlin.
(7) Sep 55
(1955-56)
5601-0 The Clockmaker's Dog
(7) Jan 56
TEHKYTOON-CINEMASCOPES
(Technicolor)
5531-9 Willie the Walrus in An Igloo
for Two (7) May 55 8-20
5532-7 Good Deed Daly (7) Jul 55 + 12- 3
5533-5 Bird Syiiphony (7) Aug 55 4+ 12- 3
5534-3 Utile Red Hen (7). Sep 55 +1-7
(1955-56)
5631-7 Park Avenue Pussycat
(7) Jan 56
UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL
CINEMASCOPE FEATURETTE
(Technicolor)
2600 The Nat "King"
Musical Story (IS) .
. 4+ 12-10
COLOR PARADE
1385 Kino Salmon (9) Jul 55 8-27
13S6SwingHi-Swing Lo (9) Aug 55 8-27
13S4The Big Test (10) . . . .Jun 55 + 10- S
1387 Dream Island (9) . . . .Sep 55 ± 11-19
1388 Against the Stream (9) Oct 55 + 1-2S
(1955-56)
2671 Pacific Sports (8) .... Nov 55
2672 Fighters of the Lakes
(9) Jan 56
2673 Blue Coast (9) Feb 56 -H 1-28
MUSICAL FEATURETTES
1309 Roundup of Rhythm
+ (16) Jul 55 8-27
1310 Eddy Howard and
His Orchestra (14). .Aug 55 8-27
1311 The Ink Spots (15).. Sep 55 + 11-19
1312 The Sauter-Finegan
Orchestra (18) Oct 55 + 11-19
(1955-56)
2601 Mambo Madness (15) Nov 55 + 11-12
2602 Ralph Martcrie & His
Orchestra (15) Nov 55 + 11-26
Melodies by Martin
2652
(16) Dec 55 + 1-28
2653 Lionel Hampton & Herb
Jeffries (15) Jan 56 + 2-18
VARIETY
VIEWS
1345 Brooklyn Goes to
Cleveland (10) Jul 55 10- 8
1345 Monkey Shines (9) . .Aug 55 + 11-26
1347 Brooklyn Goes to Las Vegas
(9) Sep 55 + 3-31
1348 Small Wonders (9).. Oct 55+ 3-31
WALTER LANTZ CARTUNES
(Technicolor)
1329 Paw's Night Out (7) Aug 55 10-22
1330 Flea for Two (6).... Aug 55 + 8-27
1331 Square Shootin' Square
(6) Sep 55 8-27
1332 Hot and Cold Penguin
(7) Oct. 55 12-10
1333 Bunco Busters (7) .... Nov 55 + 1-7
(1955-56)
2611 TTie Tree Medic (6).. Oct 55 11-12
2612 Pigeon Holed (6) Jan 56 3-3
2613 After the Ball (6) Feb 56 + 3-3
2614 Get Usl (6) Mar 56
WARNER BROS.
BLUE RIBBON HIT PARADE
(Technicolor
Reissues)
3301 Doggone Cats (7).... Sep 55
3302 Rattled Rooster (7).. Oct 55
3303 Fair and Wormer (7) Nov 55
3304 Mousemcrized Cat (7) Nov 55
3305 Foghorn Leghorn (7) . Dec 55
3306 Bone. Sweet Bone (7) Jan 56 ....
BUGS BUNNY SPECIALS
(Technicolor)
2729 This Is the Life (7).. Jul 55
2730 Hyde and Hare (7).. Aug 55 + 10-22
(1955-56)
3723 Knight-Mare Hare (7) Oct 55
3724 Roman Legion-Haie
(7) Nov 55 1-28
3725 Bugs Bonnets (7) Jan 55 + 3-31
3726 Broomstick Bunny Feb 56
(7) .
3727 Rabbitson Crusoe (7) .Apr 56
CLASSICS OF THE SCREEN
3101 Small Town Idol (20). Sep 55
3102 It Happened to You
COLOR
SPECIALS
Nov 55
2010 Wave of the Flag (19). May 55 ff 7-3'
2011 Adventures of Alexander
Selkirk (17) Jun 55 + 8- 1
2012 Uranium Fever (..).. Jul 55
(1955-56)
3001 Movieland Magic (19).0ct55
3002 Golden Tomorrow (17) . Nov 55 + 1-
3003 Behind the Big Top
(18) Dec 55
3004 They Seek Adventure
+ (19) Jan 56 3-17
3005 Out of the Desert (19) Feb 56 H 3-31
JOE McDOAKES COMEDIES
2406 So You Want to Run a Model (
Railroad (10) Aug 55 + 10-22
(1955-56)
3401 So You Want to be a Vice-
President (10) ... .Oct 55 + 12-31
3402 So a
You Want to be
Policeman (10) 55 + 1-28
3403 So You Think the Grass
Is Greener (10) Jan 56 + 3-31
MELODY MASTER BANDS
(Reissues)
3801 Jan Savitt & Band
(10) Sep 55
3802 Artie Shaw & Orch.
(10) Oct 55
3803 Ozzie Nelson & Orch.
(10) Dec 55
3804 Carl Hoff & Band (10). Feb 56
3805 Borrah Minevitch (10) .Apr 56
MERRIE MELODIES—LOON EY TUNES
(Technicolor)
3701 Dime to Retire (9).. Sep 55++ 1-14
3702 Speedy Gonzales (7).. Sep 55+ 1-7
3703 Two Scents Worth (7) Oct 55 + 1-14
3704 Red Riding Hoodwinked
(7) Oct 55
3705 Heir Conditioned (7) . . Nov 55 + 3-3
3706 Guided Muscle (7) Dec 55 ....
3707 Pappy's Puppy (7) . . . Dec 55 + 2-25
3708 One Froggy Evening
(7) Jan 56
3709 Too Hop to Handle
(7) Jan 56
3710 Weasel Stop (7) Feb 56 ± 3-31
3711 High & the Flighty (7) . Feb 56
3712 Rocket Squad (7).... Mar 56
3713 Tweet & Sour (7) .... Mar 56
3714 Heaven Scent (7).... Mar 56
3715 Mixed Master (7)... Apr 56
3716 Gee Whiz-z-z-z (7) May 56
.
SPORTS
PARADE
2507 Riviera Revelries (10) May 55 + 7-30
2508 Rocky Mountain Big Game
(10) Apr 55
2509 Italian Holiday (10) Jul 55
. 2510 Aqua Queens (10) .Aug 55 + 11-12
(1955-56)
3501 Picturesque Portugal (9) ± 1-7
3502 Fish Are Where You
Find Them (10) Jan 56
WARNER VARIETIES
3601 An Adventure to Remember
(9) Oct 55 + 1-14
3602 Shark Hunting (9).... Nov 55
3603 Faster and Faster (9) Dec 55
3604 Ncckin' Party (9).... Mar 56
3605 I Never Forget a Face
( . ) Apr 56
.
3211 Journey to the Sea
(IS) Sep 55 3- 3
f+
(One
Reel)
3220 Heart of an Empire
(9) Sep 55 ± 2-18
3222 Ski Valley (9) Sep 55 + 2-25
3221 Springtime in Holland
(9) Dec 55
INDEPENDENT
Thursday's Children (22)
British Information Service. .
++ 7-30
Britain's Choice (14) (House of
Baby Lono Legs (16) (World of Life
Series) Noel Meadow + 9-3
Arabesques (9) (UltraScope)
Transatlantic + 9-3
Fiesta in Seville (9) (UltraScope)
Transatlantic + 9-3
Report on Love
(15) Edward Kingsley. . . . ++ 12- 3
Goya (20) Edward Harrison +12-10
Grey Ghosts (21)
British Information Service ± 1-14
The Heart of England (20) Technicolor
British Information Service. + 1-21
The Rocket (17) British Inforn
Servi: + 1-21
Pantomimes (13) Go Pictures ++
On the 12th Day (20) (Color)
George K. Arthur ++
.-21
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide

ALLIED ARTISTS
High Society (AA) — Leo
Gorcey, Huntz Hall. Bernard
Gorcey. Not quite as successful
as the Bowery Boys have been in
the past. Maybe the title hurt it.
Llberace should sue Allied ArtisCs
for the burlesqued impersonation
of him they used in this show.
It was the high spot of the picture.
The audience howled. I
hope these clowns will keep goins
until they have to play their
roles in wheelchairs. Played Sun.,
Mon. Weather: Cool.—Pi-ank R.
McLean, Roxy Theatre, Coulterville.
111. Pop. 1,160.
Return of Jack Slade, The
(AA) — John Ericson, Mari
Blanchard, Neville Brand. A
good western in black and white.
but failed to do business. It w-ill
please, if you can get them in.
Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Cold.
—W. L. Stratton, Lyric Theatre,
Challis, Ida. Pop. 728.
COLUMBIA
Count Three and Pray tColi—
Van Heflin. Joanne Woodward.
Raymond Burr. Wonderful show,
but only fair business. Things are
sort of dull in the agricultural
country and bad weather, too.
Play it by all means. Played Sun..
Mon. Weather: Cold and clear-.—
Terry Axley. New and Eest theatres.
England, Ark. Pop. 2,136.
Fury at Gunsight Pass (Col)—
David Brian, Neville Brand.
Richard Long. This one pleased
everyone, it seem^. The price was
right and the weather was fine.
Doubled with "Creature With the
Atom Brain" and did above
average. Don't try it on a single,
fellows! Played Thurs.. Fri.
Weather: Fair.—A. Madril. La
Plaza Theatre, Antonito, Colo.
Pop. 1,255.
It Came From Beneath the Sea
(Col) — Kenneth Tobey, Faith
Domergue, Donald Curtis. Bad
weather is ruining our breadbuttering
weekend business since
we showed Randolph Scott in
"Ten Wanted Men" early in
March, but everyone loved "It
Came From Beneath," with UA's
"Canyon Crossroads" as a second
feature and "The Far Horizons,"
I Para) as a third feature, even
though one can of "Far Horizons"
failed to show^ up, ever. Played
Fri., Sat. Weather: The worst
since January. — Arden A.
Richards, Craigsville Year-Round
Drive-In, Craigsville. W. Va.
Farm, timber and coal patronage.
Jesse James vs. the Daltons
(Col)—Brett King, Barbara Lawrence,
James Griffith. Another
James story. Plenty of acfton.
Cast not too well know'n. Business
average. Played Sat. Weather:
Good.—D. W. Trisko, Runge Theatre,
Runge, Tex. Pop. 1,055.
My Sister Eileen (Col)—Janet
Leigh, Jack Lemmon, Betty Garrett.
This picture seemed to
please and drew about average.
Musicals, as a rule, don't go very
well here, but there wasn't too
much music in this one. There
are some good comedy numbers
that will keep them laughing.
Played Sun., Mon. Weather:
Okay.—W. L. Stratton, Lyi-ic
Theatre, Challis, Ida. Pop. 728.
Return of October, Tlie (Col)—
Reissue. Glenn Ford, Terry
Moore, Albert Sharpe. A good
family picture that is not dated
and is loaded with top stars. Ran
widescreen to satisfactory results.
Color tops. We made mere
"profit" on this oldie than on
"The Man From Laj-aniie," which
w'as milked. "October" is a swell
family movie. Played Sat., Sun.,
Mon. Weather: Unsettled to blizzard.—Ken
Christiansen, Roxy
Theatre, Washburn, N. D. Pop.
913.
A Real Picture
Fellow exhibitors, here is a
real picture—"The Big Knife"
from V.\. A salesman from
another company told me about
the show. He had been to see
it five times. Having a first
run show that was falling
down. I booked it in to help
the program. AVhat is wrong
with the Academy nominators
that they didn't even give Rod
Steiger, Ida Lupino. Jack Palance
a tumble in the nominations
for awards? Of course,
the show is an expose of Hollywood
and that probably accounts
for it, but the finest
direction and acting I have
seen in years to come out of
Hollywood Is in this show. It
the most human show, with
is
action and direction equal to
"Eternity" and audience reaction
of "Marty." If you want
a quiet theatre, play this one.
You can hear a pin drop in the
audience after the first ten
minutes. I tried it in both my
houses and with same results.
It is a word-of-mouth show,
so book it long enough to
secure the effect. Tel! people
it is an Academy performance
show and was not nominated,
nor were the actors, since it is
an expose of Hollywood, in
your newspaper ads. Hats off
to the producer, director and
every actor in the cast. Let's
have more realistic films like
this one.
MASON SHAW
Saratoga and Towne theatres
San Jose, Calif.
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER
Bad Day at Black Rock (MGM)
—Spencer Tracy, Robert Ryan,
Anne Francis. Just a little heavy
for my Friday-Saturday crowd.
Did I say "crowd?" That is
exaggerating a little. I almost
made expenses. Not the best
Cinemascope photography. It
was quite fuzzy in spots, especially
along the bottom of the screen.
The trailer smelled. What's happened
to Metro's trailer department?
Are they afraid to let the
public know that MGM pictures
might be interesting? Played
Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair.—Frank
R. McLean, Roxy Theatre, Coulterville,
111, Pop. 1,160.
Escape From Fort Bravo
(MGM)—William Holden. Eleanor
Parker, John Forsythe.
Played with three cartoons. This
s.
XHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
makes ,the second time in two
years I've run this, the fifth time
I've seen it, and I still think it's
the best Technicolor "hoss" cavalry
and Injuns picture I've ever
seen. Fair average Sunday and
nothing Monday. Holden is tops
here, and Forsythe is very good.
Only trouble is it won't make
many more people get out from
under the TV set. Played Sun.,
in her spell and I'm sure this goes
Young Bess (MGM) — Jean
Simmons, Stewart Granger, Deborah
Kerr. Splendid cast, splendid
story and scenery make this
into a fairly good picture, especially
for those who understand
English history. However, there
is nothing wrong with the picture
for any situation. Under
good conditions it will make you
some money. Played Fri., Sat.
Weather: Cold and stormy.—
F. L. Murray, Strand Theatre,
Spiritwood, Sask. Pop. 355.
PARAMOUNT
Girl Rush, The (Para) —
Rosalind Russell. Femando
Lamas, Eddie Albert. This should
have been called the "Looney in
Las Vegas." It wasn't much of a
picture and proved it at the boxoffice
for a big loss. Played
Sun. -Mon. Weather: Good. —
W. L. Stratton, Lyric Theare,
ChaUis, Ida. Pop. 728.
lABOUT PICTUR ' '—
III
Hell's Island (Para) — John
Payne, Mary Murphy, Francis L.
Sullivan. Lots of people on the
streets the two nights I ran this
—all going by on their way to
the local skating rink. Poor
trailer and a poor picture, in my
opinion. Mary Murphy's screaming
exhibition probably qualifies
her for the "great emotional
actress" title, according to present
Hollywood standards. The
Mon, Weather: Mild.—Lew Bray
Queen Theatre, McAllcn, Tex. cash customers seemed to think
jr..
Pep. 20,068,
her performance a little silly. How
come her hair was one color on
Glass Slipper, The iMGM)— the posters and another color on
Le.slie Caron, Michael Wilding.
Lovely is the word
Keenan Wynn. Weather:
the film? Fji.,
Cool.—Frank
Played
R.
Sat.
Mcfor
this
Caron
beautiful
delightful,
picture.
normal
Leslie
and
Lean, Roxy Theatre, CoulterviUe.
111. Pop. 1,160.
natural. She has me completely
Ulysses (Para)—Kirk Douglas,
Silvana Mangano, Anthony
Quinn. Another one not made for
small situations. Anyplace that
for the customers. Too bad I
couldn't entice more in to see it.
—Frank E. Sabin, Majestic Theatre,
Eureka, Mont. Pop. 929. enjoys good acting, etc., can use
Tender Trap, The (MGM)—
this. Did about average midweek
business. Played Wed., Thurs.
Frank Sinatra, Debbie Reynolds, Weather: Okay.—D. W. Trisko,
David Wayne. I got everything Runge Theatre, Runge, Tex. Pop.
cleared out of the way so no one 1,055.
would be hurt in the stampede at
Unconquered (Para)—Reissue.
the boxoffice, and after a real
good matinee on Sunday, I had Gary Cooper. Paulette Goddard.
that glow that only a full-house Boris Karloff. DeMlUe always
production can produce. Man. makes good pictures. This oldie is
how that glow went out when no exception. If you never ran
only a few of the regulars showed
ip Sunday night! Monday and
this before, it's worth showing,
A little on the lengthy side (146
Tuesday ended up slightly above minutes).
Monday
We did okay Sunday
average, but the shellacking we ai-,d on we did nicely due
took on Sunday night pulled this
down so badly that we just
to a
Mon.
ham giveaway.
Weather:
Played Sun..
Nice.—Michael
squeaked by. It's the kind of Chiaventone, Valley Theatre,
comedy that just ought to pack Spring Valley, 111. Pop. 5,123.
them in. Comments were wonderful
and the picture is cute as
heck, but Sinatra RKO RADIO
just doesn't
catch on here. Played Sun., Mon., Tarzan's Hidden Jungle (RKO)
Tues. Weather: .Chilly and unseasonable.—Bob
—Gordon Scott. Vera Miles, Peter
Walker, Uintah Van Eyck. Played on a double bill
Theatre, Fruita, Colo. Pop. 1,463. with Universal's "Cult of the
Cobra." This combination drew
Wizard of Oz, The (MGM)— average business and seemed to
Reissue. Judy Garland, Ray please the majority. Played
Bolger, Morgan. highly
Frank A Thurs.. Fri., Sat.—Marion F.
amusing and entertaining reissue, Bodwell, Paramount Theatre,
but failed to bring 'em in. Of Wyoming, 111, Pop. 1.496.
course, we had a few kids, but
the adults didn't go for it. Barely Tennessee's Partner (RKOi—
Fleming.
a bit w-ell with Played
This a fair
got by. Seems like we don't do
MGM.
John Payne.
Ronald Reagan,
Rhonda
was
Tues., Wed. Weather: Fair.—A. action picture. Not for best playing
Madril, La Plaza Theatre,
time. Should be okay on a
Antonito, Colo. Pop. 1,255.
weekend. Played Sun.. Mon.
Weather: Fair.—Michael Chiaventone,
Valley Theatre, Spring
Valley, 111. Pop. 5,123.
No Trouble Here
Trouble With Harry, The,
(Para)—Edmund Gwenn, John
Forsythe, Shirley MacLaine.
My patron.s. and there were
many, thought the picture
clever, cute, unusual and most
entertaining. The color and
scenery were magnificent, but
why not, when taken in Vermont?
KEN GORHAM
Town Hall Theatre
Middlebury, Vt.
REPUBLIC
Carolina Cannonball (Rep)—
Judy Canova, Andy Clyde, Ross
Elliott. The couple of extra bucks
(Continued on following page)
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: April 21. 1956 11

" EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
Man With the Golden Arm,
The (UA)—Frank Sinatra. El-
(Continued from preceding page) eanor Parker, Kim Novak. A
most exciting and well done picture
dealing with dope. I adver-
taken in made this one of my
best Friday-Saturdays in months. tised it for both young and old
So what happens? Somebody hits to see and I beUeve they should.
my Lucky Jackpot, throwing me Business normal. Played Sun.,
in the red again. Played Fri., Sat. Tues.—Ken Gorham, Town Hall
Weather: Cool.—Ralph Raspa, Theatre, Middlebury, Vt. Pop. 3,-
State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. 614.
Pop. 1,343.
Marty (UA)—Ernest Borgnine,
Sands of Iwo Jima (Rep)—Reissue.
John Wayne, John Agar, first heard of this one when it
Betsy Blair, Esther Minciotti. I
Adele Mara. A "smash hit" here won the International FUm Festival
at Cannes. Naturally, me be-
on its repeat run, outgrossing the
best of the majors, and well liked. ing an exhibitor who likes to stay
We have really made money on right on top of the latest things,
this war picture. Play it, as it
I jumped right in and got myself
a redhot date. Which is to
has the punch and John Wayne
for bringing them in. CJood. say I played it the same year
Played Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather:
Fair. — Ken Christiansen, and backed out of the way of the
it was turned loose. I talked it up
Roxy Theatre, Washburn, N. D. crowd. As it turned out, this was
Pop. 913.
not quite necessary. When I saw
that I was not going to be greatly
20th CENTURY-FOX annoyed by customers I decided
that I would treat myself to a
Good Morning, Miss Dove show, knowing that I was sure to
(20th-Fox)—Jennifer Jones, Robert
Stack, Kipp Hamilton. Jen-
I sat through that whole picture,
be mobbed the next night. Well,
nifer Jones was better than ever and would you beheve it, not one
in this wonderful picture. Can't six-shooter or horse in the whole
see why there was no Oscar nom-
thing. Well, sir, I went straight
home and got me a map. I had
it figured that Cannes was out
around Del Rio someplace, but it
"ain't" even in the whole doggone
ination for this one. Thought it
was better than "Splendored
Thing." Very disappointed more
people didn't see this wonderful
human experience. Played Sun.,
Mon. Weather: Warm.—Michael
Chiaventone, Valley Theatre,
Spring Valley, 111. Pop. 5,123.
Love Is a Many- Splendored
Thing (20th-Fox)—William Holden,
Jennifer Jones, Torin Thatcher.
One of the better pictures
to come along, and the best midweek
business I've had in ages.
Should stand on its own anywhere
that people go to the movies.
Played Tues., Wed. Weather:
Rainy and cold.— Terry Axley,
New and Best theatres, England!
Ark. Pop. 2,136.
Man Called Peter, A (20th-Fox)
—Richard Todd, Jean Peters.
Marjorie Rambeau. I could have
done at least twice as much at
the boxoffice last summer on
this wonderful show, and at that
time I offered Fox 50 per cent for
it, but they turned it down. Those
of you who have to play it yet,
book it. It is still a wonderful
show. Played Sun., Mon., Tues.
Weather: Good.—M. L. Long,
Lans Theatre, Lansing, Iowa.
Pop. 1,536.
UNITED ARTISTS
Canyon Crossroads (UA) —
Richard Basehart, Phyllis Kirk,
Stephen Elliott. This little programmer
was filmed in our front
yard so naturally it was a mistake
in filming all this Technicolorful
counti-y in black and
white. However, it's not a bad leg
for a double bill, even though it
didn't fill hundreds of local residents
with an urge to rush down
and make me richer than they already
think I am. We've had so
many filmed around us lately
that it doesn't add much pull
these days. Doubled with "The
Scarlet Spear" for about average
business. Played Fri., Sat. Weather:
Lovely.-Bob Walker, Uintah
Theatre, Fruita, Colo. Pop. 1,463.
state of Texas. However, now that
it has won something a little closer
to home, it might do better. But,
they would probably want percentage
now, so I'm just as well
off. I made almost twenty dollars
clear money and had enough
popcorn left over from that first
night to feed a hog and 15 chickens
for almost a month. Played
764.
UNIVERSAL-INTERNAT'L
Thurs., Fri.—Bill Stone, Daisetta
Theatre, Daisetta, Tex. Pop. 1,-
Chief Crazy Horse (U-D—Victor
Matm-e, Suzan Ball, John
Lund. This received very good
comments. Good at the boxoffice.
Played Sat., Sun. Weather: Good.
—Harold Smith, Dreamland
Theatre, Carson, Iowa. Rural
patronage.
Female on the Beach (U-D—
Joan Crawford, Jeff Chandler,
Jan Sterling. Haven't been able
to figure out yet how Universal
could feel justified in allocating
this one in top bracket. Business
was way below average. Played
Sun., Mon., Tues.—Marion F.
Bodwell, Paramount Theatre,
Wyoming, 111. Pop. 1,496.
WARNER BROS.
Lucky Me (WB)—Doris Day,
Robert Cummings, Phil Silvers.
I'd have felt luckier if it had
attracted more satisfied customers.
The exclusive set that
it attracted got more entertainment
than they paid for and
were lavish in their praise, but
there were just too darn few to
justify Warners price tab. Day is
wonderful as usual, and she's got
a cast of comedy favorites that
turn in some wonderful support
to make this the kind of picture
that oughta, but didn't, in Fruita.
Played Sun., Mon. Weather:
Cloudy, cold and lovely.—Bob
Walker, Umtah Theatre, Fruita,
Colo. Pop. 1,463.
Cavalcade
SHORT SUBJECT
Pictures
The Face of Lincoln
REVIEWS
(Art Short) 16 Mins.
Very Good. Winner of the Academy Award for the best tworeel
subject for 1955, this is an absorbing and unusual short for
art houses and also for the better-class first run spots. Featuring
Merrell Gage, sculptor, who models a bust of Lincoln from a lump .l
of clay—all the whUe telling anecdotes from the chain of events (jt
that shaped Lincoln's career, it cannot fail to fascinate the onlooker.
The short was produced by the Department of Cinema at
the University of South California. Cavalcade is at 7904 Santa
Monica Blvd., Hollywood.
Come On Seven
Columbia (All- Star Comedy) 17
Fair. A harum-scarum slapstick comedy starring two noisy
comedians, Wally Vernon and Eddie Quillan. The two decide to
visit Reno's gambling tables in order to win enough money to pay
for a little boy's operation. On the way, their car Is stolen by
two girls and then they are beaten up by the girls' jealous boy
friends.
Busy Buddies
MGM (Cinemascope Cartoon) 7 Mins.
Very good. A highly amusing satire on baby sitters with the
always welcome Tom and Jerry as the fall guys. It should appeal
to everyone. While the baby sitter concentrates on the telephone,
Tom and Jerry take over, saving the child from one
dangerous situation after another. When the parents return, the
baby sitter takes the credit.
20th -Fox
Adventure in Capri
(Cinemascope) 9 Mins.
Good. Fine photography brings out all the picturesqueness of
the famous island off the coast of Italy that is visited yearly by
many thousands of tourists. It wlU awaken fond memories for
those who have been there, and dreams of travel for those who
seek color and gaiety.
2(tth-Fox
The Ciockmoicer's Dog
(Terrytoon) 7 Mins.
Good. The little dog tries to join a band of St. Bernards in the
Alps to become a hero by rescuing people but Is rejected. In the /(,
meantime, the clockmaker, searching for him, is lost In a snow V^
storm. The little dog goes to the rescue and is decorated by the
St. Bernards.
A Thoroughbred Is Born
20th-Fox (Cinemascope Special) 9 Mins.
Good. Every lover of fine horseflesh and racing will enjoy this.
It is the story of a thoroughbred from birth to the day it wins
its first big race. Citation, Nashua and Dark Star are also shown,
and the statues of Man O'War and War Admiral. The backgrounds
are Kentucky and Belmont Park.
Broomstick Bunny
Warner Bros. (Bugs Bunny Special) 7 Mins.
Good. Bugs dons a mask at Halloween and becomes the rival
a witch who prides herself on her ugliness. Overcome by
of
jealousy, she plans to make a stew out of him, but the screwball
rabbit again is too much for any opposition. Fast action very well
drawn.
'Copters and Cows
Warner Bros. (Color Special) 17 Mins.
Very good. How the modern cowboy takes to the air on a huge
Texas ranch, utilizing helicopters in herding cattle, rescuing a
boy from drowning and tracking down cattle rustlers, is most
interestingly shown. It is both picturesque and highly informative,
and the photography is A-one. The climax is a real highlight, with
four decorated 'copters doing a square dance routine while folks
on the ground below look on.
Warner Bros.
Rocket Squad
(Merry Melody) 7 Mins.
Very good. Juveniles wUl eat up this gay farce and it should
greatly amuse adults as well. Daffy Duck and Porky Pig are
detectives in an inter-planetary police force. Much imagination
was shown in devising various goofy machines which pick up
clues left behind by a flying saucer bandit, sort them out and
come out with the right answer. The end is unexpected.
Warner Bros.
So You Want to Be Pretty
(Joe McDoakes Comedy)
10 Mins.
Good. Joe and Alice submit to facial surgery unknown to each
other, meet as strangers and fall for each other. Later they meet
again in their home and upbraid each other for having been unfaithful.
The upshot is that they get their faces returned to their
original ugliness.
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: April 21, 1956

Opinions on Current Productions
Feature reviews
Symbol Q denotes color photography; c^
noScopo; V" VistoVlsion; S^ Superscopc. For story synops
Toy Tiger
"'A Univ.-Infl (5624) 82 Minutes Rcl.-
Designed as a showcase for the considerable and Ingratiating
talents of moppet Tim Hovey, who won his way into
millions of hearts with his performance in "The Private
War of Major Benson," this funfest boasts all of the heartwarming,
wholesome qualities of that predecessor and, for
at least two reasons, should establish an even more impressive
revenue record. In the first place, it should benefit
from the cumulative value of Master Hovey 's popularity;
and. secondly, there is possibly a higher voltage In the
marquee magnetism of the co-stars who share billing with
him. The tailored-to-measure script by Ted Sherdeman and
the able and understanding direction of Jerry Hopper paved
the way for a bevy of convincing performances, not only
by the trio of topliners but by a carefully-chosen supporting
cast including many of the clean-scrubbed, typical youngsters
who portrayed Tim's schoolmates. Producer Howard
Christie mounted the film in excellent taste, with a skillful
eye to backgrounds and atmosphere and the garnishing
coat of bright Technicolor; but he never permitted these
accoutrements to interfere with the photoplay's first
function—the disbursing of laughs, which is plentiful.
Jeff Chandler, Laralne Day, Tim Hovey, Cecil Kellaway,
Richard Haydn, David Janssen, Judson Pratt.
Seven Wonders of the World
Stanley Warner (3) 135 Minutes Rel. AprU '56
Two hours of nerve-tingling adventure by air, interrupted
from time to time by scenes made in 42 countries on land,
make this third Cinerama production an extraordinary attraction.
It has the thrills of its two predecessors in this
medium, plus a blending of the sequences. Unlike any previous
travel film, this globe-girdling tour speeds from place
to place at a dizzy pace with the triple-lens camera always
pointing forward out of a machine gunner's bay on top of a
bomber. This gives a pilot's eye view of everything and makes
possible some amazing sights hitherto reserved for pilots.
What they call audience participation is carried to the utmost
limit. Airplane scenes blend into the slower pace of
land-made sequences without a break. The tour starts in
New York and takes in views of South America jungles and
waterfalls, Rio De Janeiro, Africa, a volcano crater. Japan.
Angkor Wat, St. Peter's, Rome, with the Pope blessing a
crowd, Greece, the Arab oil country, the Pyramids and
Sphinx. Grand Canyon, Big Trees and so on. Never has
so much been crowded into a single film with so much excitement.
Lowell Thomas, narrator; Prosper Bnranelll and William
Lipscomb, scenario and narration contributions.
The Hack
F
A ^^
MGM (629) 100 Minutes Rel. May 25, '56
Another startling, semi-factual film based on recent news
headlines, this is an intensely realistic, grim drama which
will cause discussion and stir up controversy as did MGM's
earlier black-and-white films, "Trial" and "Ransom!" Like
the last-named, this is based on a TV play, by Rod Serllng,
which attracted attention in 1955. While Walter Pidgeon.
Edmond O'Brien and others have fair marquee draw, the
title lacks appeal and the film is without romantic interest
or lighter moments for strictly entertainment-minded
patrons. The greater part of the footage is devoted to a
court-martial against an Army officer charged with
collaboration with the enemy while In a Red prison camp.
No flashbacks are used, which might uncover an explanation
of the charged treasonable acts, and only the testimony of
officer and the key witnesses can tell the tale. Produced
by Arthur Loew jr. and well directed by Arnold Laven.
Paul Newman, stage-TV player who has appeared only in
"The Silver Chalice," is convincing as the accused war hero,
but he is unable to win much sympathy in the role. Walter
Pidgeon is splendid as his father, a veteran Army colonel,
and Edmond O'Brien and Wendell Corey have their acting
innings during the trial.
Paul Newman, Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, Edmond
O'Brien, Wendell Corey, Lee Marvin, Robert Simon.
'ikp'
The Swan F "Sa' 2.55°i
MGM (628) 112 Minutes Rel. April '56
The most publicized girl in the world. Grace Kelly, has
an ideal setting for her cool, blond, regal beauty in this
leisurely, yet interest-holding, romantic drama. With the
star on every Important magazine cover and in news head-
Mines daily through her marriage to Prince Rainier of Mon-
'aco, the picture is being released at a time when practically
every feminine moviegoer will want to see her at her best
as she is in this film. It should be a boxoffice winner. The
comedy-drama by Ferenc Molnar, filmed twice before, retains
its charm and basic appeal to the ladies In this CinemaScope-Eastman
Color version. Lavishly produced by Dore
Schary with many of the scenes photographed on a palatial
North Carolina estate, it has been splendidly directed by
Charles Vldor, who retains the old world, mythical kingdom
atmosphere of the original play, but adds delightful
satirical and comedy touches. Many of these are supplied by
Alec Guinness as the eligible prince, and by Estelle Winwood,
who is engagingly pixillated as an aunt who "hates the 20th
Century." Louis Jourdan is dashing and hot-headed as a
handsome tutor and Jesse Royce Landis, Agnes Moorehead
and Brian Aherne add expert histrionics.
Grace Kelly, Alec Guinness, Louis Jourdan. Jessie Royce
Landis, Brian Aherne, Agnes Moorehead
The Scarlet Hour
A
Ratio:
Melodrama
Paramount (5514) 95 Minutes Rel. April '56
Exhibitors seeking new screen faces will find no less
than seven in the most important roles in this picture.
Michael Curtiz. who has a reputation for developing talent,
produced and directed. The verdict is now up to exhibitors
and public. It should be favorable if the players are properly
exploited. All come from Broadway or television or both.
Carol Ohmart is a Paramount discovery, for whom there
are great expectations, and Tom Tryon a Hal Wallis
discovery of whom great things are also expected. Miss
Ohmart has much feminine allure as a married woman
infatuated with a romantic youth, and Tryon has much
youthful appeal. Jody Lawrance does well with the colorless
role of just a nice girl. James Gregory is good as the
husband and Elaine Stritch definitely scores as a
/comedienne. The other two play lesser roles. The story is
sensational in nature, dealing with infidelity, a ruthless
woman, the murder of her husband, a disillusioned youth,
a robbery and police investigations. It follows rather conventional
lines, but builds up to a real climax. From the
opening scenes of woman and youth in a parked car to the
end when the police close in, it is adult fare.
Carol Ohmart, Tom Tryon, Jody Lawrance, James
Gregory, Elaine Stritch, E. G. Marshall.
Autumn Leaves
F
Columbia ( ) 108 Minutes ReL-
Perhaps the most noteworthy quality of this snail-paced
di-ama lies in the fact that a brace of impressive performances
is contributed by its two stars, Joan Crawford and
Cliff Robertson. It necessarily follows, then, that whatever
plus patronage is accorded the film will be stimulated by
the favorable word-of-mouth those delineations might generate.
That they should be praiseworthy is particularly remarkable
inasmuch as the troupers were hobbled by a
screenplay abounding in situations and dialog Inescapably
reminiscent of soap operas of radio's hey-day formula. This
paradoxical facet undoubtedly is attributable to the inherent
talents of Miss Crawford and the expert, literary-hurdlesclearing
of Robert Aldrich's direction. La Crawford is her
expected, poised self—and in this one she encounters a
part in which she can act her age—while Robertson adds
more weight to the belief that he is an unusually promising
newcomer, which indication was initially established by his
arresting work in the highly popular "Picnic." The photoplay
may be given a mite of additional appeal because of its
theme-song title, which stems from a current tune hit and
is sung herein by Nat "King" Cole. William Goetz produced.
Joan Crawford, Cliff Robertson, Vera Miles, Lorne
Greene, Ruth Donnelly, Shepperd Strudwick.
The reviews on these pogei may be filed for future reference In any of the following ways: (1) In any standord three-ring
loose-leof binder; (2) Indiyiduolly, by company, in any ttondard 3x5 card Index file; or (3) In the BOXOFFICE PICTURE
GUIDE three-ring, pocket-siie binder. The latter. Including • year's supply of booking and doily business record sheets,
may be obtained from Associotod Publicattoni, 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Konsas City 24, Mo., for $1.00, postoge paid.
1964 BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: AprU 21, 1956 19G3

. . Powerful
. . Joan
. . Forced
FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Exploitips; Adiines for Newspaper and Programs
THE STORY:
"The Swan" (MGM)
In a castle in Hungary in 1908, an impoverished princess
(Jessie Royce Landisi is elated that the future king (Alec
Guinness) will pay her a visit and meet her eligible daughter,
Grace Kelly. The young princess is instructed to play
up to the prince, but. when he an-ives he pays slight attention
to her. So Jessie uses her boys' handsome tutor,
Louis Jourdan, as a tool to pay court to Grace and arouse ,,„"
y
Alec's jealousy. Jourdan and Grace really fall in love, but", j^^
they are made to realize their romance is impossible and
Alec finally decides to make Grace his queen.
EXPLOITIPS:
The MGM ads make a most dignified tieup with Grace
Kelly's marriage to Prince Rainier of Monaco with the
line "The Love Story of a Princess," but exhibitors can
use their own judgment by capitalizing on the reams
of publicity about the wedding. Stress that this is Alec
Guinness' first Hollywood film—to attract his numerous art
house fans. Make tieups with jewelry stores for displays
of tiaras and similar royal Jewelry.
CATCHLINES:
Grace Kelly, the New Princess of Monaco, in the Love
Story of a Princess . . . Alec Guinness, the Most Popular
British Star, in His First Hollywood Film . to
Become a Princess—Although Her Heart Belonged to a
Commoner.
THE STORY: "The Scarlet Hour" (Para)
Paulie Nevins, wife of a building contractor, is infatuated
with "Marsh," a youth employed by Nevins. While petting
in a parked car they hear a jewel theft being planned.
They highjack the thieves to get the money to run away
together with, but Nevins, suspicious of Paulie, has trailed
them, interferes and is shot in a struggle with his wife. Paulie
attracts 'police attention by trying to date Marsh, who wants
to lie low. He is now aware of her ruthlessness. Kathy,
Nevin's secretary, gives him an alibi, but he finally tells
the police the story.
EXPLOITIPS:
Bear down heavily on the presence of famous stars of
stage and TV in the cast, new faces never before seen on
the screen and all film stars of the future. Play up Carol
Ohmart as a seductive beauty, Tryon
T'L
as a youth every girl
will love.
CATCHLINES:
Exciting New Film Stars in a Sultry Drama of Romance,
Intrigue and Murder . Drama Draws on
Broadway Stage and TV for Stars Never Seen on Screen
Before . . . They Murdered Then- Love.
THE STORY: "Autumn Leaves" (Col)
Joan Crawford is an attractive but lonely business woman
who meets a younger man, Cliff Robertson. They fall in
love and Joan, although apprehensive because of the difference
in their ages, marries him. Soon she discovers Cliff
is a victim of traumatic shock and learns his condition was
brought about when he discovered his former wife and his
father in a compromising situation. Cliff collapses completely
and Joan has him committed to an institution, although
fearing that upon his recovery he will no longer need her.
However, when he is cured he assures her he still loves her,
and they prepare to face the future together.
EXPLOITIPS:
Don't overlook the fact that the title song is presently
among the leaders in sheet music and record sales; make
appropriate tieups with disk jockeys, music stores, etc. Miss
Crawford's reputation as a stylish dresser suggests the staging
of cooperative fashion shows with smart women' shops
in your community.
CATCHLINES:
A Lonely Woman Grasps at Her One Chance for Happiness
in a Tender Story of Mature Love . Crawford Etches
Another Unforgettable Performance in a Storv of Two ^h

Opinions on Current Productions
Feature reviews
Symbol © denotes color photogrophy; SB Is ClnemoScope; (V) VljtoVlslon; «) Superscopo. For story syr on each pictu
Star in the Dust
21
Univ.-Infl (5620) 80 Minutes Rel.-
Becoming a growing vogue arc the mood westerns, .sagebrush
sagas in which suspenseful dramatic elements are
substituted for a portion of the standard derring-do and
stock situations that for more than halt a century have
been expected ingredients in run-o'-camera gallopers. Apparently
the productional goal in such undertakings is to
inject just enough of the new—so as to widen the audience
appeal—without sacrificing too much of the action that
Is still demanded by the unrelenting seekers, including the
youngsters, of orthodox six-gun celluloid. This solidly
constructed offering comes pretty close to attainin'g the
right proportions and. as a result, should assert considerable
allure among ticket buyers of both classifications. Under
able piloting by Charles Haas, performances throughout are
sincere and believable. There are, however, no mighty names
in the cast, so the feature probably must depend upon its
theme and Technicolor photography for its initial pulling
power. Although the film can lay no claim to spectacle,
producer Albert Zugsmith, through the use of atmospheric
sets and a theme song that threads through the entire
footage, endows the photoplay with opulence that transcends
its budgetary limitations.
John AgiLT, Mamie Van Doren, Richard Boone, Coleen
Gray, Leif Erickson, James Gleason, Randy Stuart.
Sfranger af My Door F Ts'i
Republic (5507) 85 Minutes Rel. Apr. 6, '56
Commendable on a number of counts is this straightforward
and well-paced action drama, which—despite its
frontier locale—does not fall into the standard western
category, inasmuch as it dwells more upon characterization
and spiritual philosophies than upon out-and-out hero-vsvillain
gunplay. The theme—the reformation of a desperado
through the untiring faith of a man of God—has, of course,
been utilized in many a previous motion picture; this time,
through adroit scripting and excellent performances, the
preachment is never over-emphasized, and the result is an
engrossing feature which should encounter no difficulty In
pleasing audiences in whatever booking situation it may
be accorded. As the sky pilot, Macdonald Carey turns in
an adept portrayal, displaying plenty of physical strength
and manly courage in addition to his sincerity of religious
belief; Patricia Medina is attractive as his wife; Skip
Homeier effectively delineates the gunman, and moppet
Stephen Wootton is fine in one of the key roles. William
Witney's direction, first-rate throughout, is particularly
noteworthy in the staging of one thrill-packed scene in
which a captive outlaw stallion breaks loose and runs amuck.
Produced by Sidney Picker.
Macdonald Carey, Patricia Medina, Skip Homeier,
Stephen Wootton, Louis Jean Heydt, Howard Wright.
Quincannon, Frontier Scoui F " gj";
*o""
United .Artists (5616) 83 Minutes Rel. May '56
Con.sidcrable patronage should be forthcoming from the
fan following that Tony Martin has established during many
years of purveying songs via every modern medium for
disseminating music. Add thereto the nucleus custom that
\ any western picture can expect, and this assays as a proflt-
;.' able booking in virtually any theatre; one amply qualified
to give smart support on double bills and to go topside
where gallopers are prime attractions. There undoubtedly
will ensue a sharp cleavage of opinion as to how Martin
fares in his initial truck with blazing six-guns and flying
fists. Those who view the offering too seriously might conclude
that in trying to establish him as a veritable superman
of the sagebrush, the scripters went overboard in garnishing
the role with heroics and ham, that Tony Is much more
effective while tracking high "C," rather than hostile Injuns.
Spectators who see the film from the tongue-in-cheek
perspective—which Martin and an acceptably-competent
cast assumed during its making—will find It lots of fun.
The feature is impressively mounted in De Luxe Color by
producers Aubrey Schenck and Howard W. Koch. Lesley
Selander directed.
Tony Martin, Peggie Castle, John Bromfield, John Smith,
Ron Randell, John Doucette, Morris Anknim.
The Animal World
Warner Bros. ( ) 82 Minutes
F
Oocumentar;
O
ReL-
According to the statistics projected by this reasonably
engrossing documentary, there are approximately a million
and a half species of animals on this earth, which wide
variety of forms has resulted from two billion years of
is, evolution. It of course, impossible for any one motion
picture to treat with the lives, loves, habits, antics, battles
and what amuses you? of all of them. But herein are
accorded glimpses of a sufficient number so that the average
customer will" leave the theatre feeling he has had his
fill of fauna for one night.
Past performances of features of similar theme establish
beyond doubt that such subjects are dependable grossers,
S" and the cun-ent offering should be no exception. The fact
''J that it is in Technicolor and was written, produced and
*'
directed by Irwin Allen, whose "The Sea Around Us" was
an Academy Award winner, are exploitable points in the
photoplay's favor. Perhaps the most praiseworthy facet of
the ensemble is that part supplied by animation and dealing,
with awesome effectiveneess, with the era of the dinosaurs.
Constant commentary is, of course, present^^some corny,
some of it clever enough to cover glaring flaws in editing
and photography. The latter is noticeably fuzzy in many
spots, although no stock footage was utilized.
Dark River A <
Times Film Corp. 90 Minutes Rel.
Jungle Drama
A grimly realistic drama of cruelty and human suffering
in the South American jungle, this Argentine-made drama
is strong meat—too brutal for average audiences, although it
should attract considerable attention in the art houses or
in a few of the key city downtown spots. Produced and
directed by Hugo Del CaiTil, a tall, dark actor-singer, who
has won various awards below the equator, the picture is
out of the neo-realistic school of "Bitter Rice" and similar
Italian films. Whether or not such conditions of migratory
slave labor in the yerba plantations in the upper Parana
River ever existed is doubtful, but the more squeamish
patrons will shudder at scenes of men being kicked and
beaten and women being assaulted before being dumped in
the river. The black-and-white photography is dark and
depressing—as befits the mood of the film. The rare lighter
touches are during the singing of "Nights of Paraguay" and
"Dark Enchantress," crooned by Del Carril in langorous
fashion, and his few romantic scenes with Adriana Benetti,
who plays a girl victimized by a lustful overseer. Del Carril
and Pedro Laxalt give vigorous and convincing portrayals
and Miss Benetti creates considerable sympathy in her role.
Hugo Del Carril, Adriana Benetti, Raul Del Valle, Gloria
Ferrandez, Pedro Laxalt, Luis Otero, Elroy Alvarez.
"JJ^
Letters From My Windmill A s^]:;. ^^^X'
Tohan Pictures 116 Minutes Rel. Mar. •5'6
Marcel Pagnol's three-part French-language film, based
on stories by Alphonse Daudet, makes unusual and Interesting
fare for the art houses, where Pagnol's previous successes
attracted class patrons for long runs. It's strictly adult fare.
The picture has been given a "Condemned" rating by the
Legion of Decency, and rightly so. for the first episode. "The
Three Low Masses," mocks the Catholic service and the
second, "The Elixir of Father Gaucher," shows a monk
getting drunk on home-made brew and singing scandalous
songs—scarcely fit subjects for religious-minded patrons.
However, more broad-minded moviegoers will find these
same sequences frequently hilarious and the characterizations
delightful, as they are in the final episode, "The
Secret of Master Cornllle," dealing with an old French
miller, which has great charm and more gentle humor.
Pagnol wrote the screenplay as well as produced and directed
the film and, as in his previous pictures, the three episodes
have considerable warmth, earthly humor and locale
especially in the last—which is also the most touching. In
the first and frankly farcical story, Henri Vilbert is a fine
comedian as a gluttonous priest.
Rellys, Robert Vattier, Henri Vilbert, Femand Sardon,
Delmont, Robert Crouzot.
reference In any of the following
any sfondord 3x5 card
icluding o year's supply
nt Blvd., K
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SOS City 24, Mo., for SI 00, postoge poid.
1966 BOXOFFICE BookinGuiJe :: April 21, 1956 1995

. . Here's
FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Exploitips; Adiines for Newspaper and Programs
THE STORY: "Quincannon, Frontier Scout" (UA)
Tony Martin, a veteran of Indian warfare, is called upon
by Morris Ankiaim, commander of a chain of Sorts along
the Bozeman Trail, to locate a supply of repeating rifles
intended for the troops but captured by the redskins, who
are planning new attacks against the whites. Tagging along
with Martin on the mission is Peggie Castle, who is trying to
locate her brother, reported dead, but whom she believes esti
is a captive of the Indians. Martin, after discovering two hr
cavalry officers are involved, locates the rifles in an
Arapaho camp, subdues the warriors and thus quashes the
threatened uprising.
EXPLOITIPS:
Stress Tony Martin's appearance in a radical departure
from his customary sophisticated singing roles. Don't
neglect tieups with music stores and disk jockeys on Martin's
many song hits. Organize a "Frontier Scout" club for the
Juveniles. Make over theatre front and lobby to resemble
a cavalry post stockade.
CATCHLINES:
One Man With Guts and Know-How Stood Across the
Bozeman Trail to Stem the Savage Onslaught of Vengeful
Indians . ThriU-a-Second Excitement in a Story
of the West That Was.

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