Boxoffice-May.12.156

. , Story
1^7^ 4-i^
fictuAe
Jennifer Jones and Gregory Peck, in a moment of domestic simplicity,
in sequence from "The Mon in the Gray Flannel Suit," the 20th
Century-Fox picture which has been awarded the April BOXOFFICE Blue
Ribbon Award by the National Screen Council .
on Poge 30.
JW^i
NATIONAL fcXECUIIVfc fcDIIION
Indudint (h> Stclionll Ntol Cagti of All r-til'oni

\\f //
Love Adventures of the
Planet Girl and the Earth-
Man amazing Broadway.
FORBIDDEN
PLANET'
Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis,
Leslie Nielsen and Robby, The Robot
CinemaScope— Color

Here's how Leo welcomed Variety
International to New York town!
RADIO CITY
MUSIC HALL
Packed houses love it.
Never such reviews,
"THE SWAN"
Gnice Kelly, Alec Guinness,
Louis Jourdan
CinemaScupe— Color
RADIO CITY
MUSIC HALL
( Next Attraction )
Aflame with love and
revolt. A Big One.
"BHOWANI
JUNCTION"
Ava Gardner, Stewart Granger
CinemaScope— Colo r
TRANS-
LUX
52nd STREET
Not since famous "Lili"
such screen entertainment!
The love story of
"GABY"
Leslie Carol/, John Kerr
CinemaScdpe— Color
VICTORIA
(
Comhig
Young love faces life
with joyous courage.
"THE CATERED
AFFAIR"
Bette Darts, Ernest Borgnine,
Debbie Reynolds, Barry Fitzgerald
PLAZA
(Starts May 22)
Nothing like it ever!
A screenful of romance
and beauty.
"INVITATION
TO THE DANCE"
Gene Kelly, Tamara Toumanova,
Igor Youskevitch
Technicolor
EXTRA! special:
GUILD
{Soon)
The Exclusive Featurette
in CinemaScope — Color
"WEDDING
MONACO"
IN
and
The Prize Picturization
in
CinemaScope — Color
"BATTLE OF
GETTYSBURG"

TffFREYHUNTER VERA MILES
scffiN puY BvFWNK S.NUGENT- EXEcum producer MERIAN C.COOl'tK^OTA^^^^^^^

Thank
Mr. Exhibit^
Thank you
Mr. Trade
Thank you
Mr. Column\
For calling
WARD BOND NATALIE WOOD
« ACADEMY AWARD WINNER ^OHNFORD presented by WARNER BROS.
'THE BIGGES1
ROUGHEST, TOUGHEST.
AND MOST BEAUTIFUL
PICTURE EVER MADE!"

. ): ,
. Executive
,:
<
:,; \ .
:
THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY
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: May
AN ERA ENDS: WARNERS GIVE
UP CONTROL OF COMPANY
Major Portion of Stock
Is Sold to Syndicate;
To Stay on Board
HOLLYWOOI>—An era in the history of
the motion picture industry came to an
end this week. The Warner brothers
Harry M., Albert and Jack L.—sold the
major share of their holdings in Warner
Bros. Pictures, Inc.
ANNOUNCEMENT IS BRIEF
On Thursday (10>, in a two-paragraph
statement to the press, the brothers who
brought sound to the motion picture screen
30 years ago made this official announcement
of their decision to give up control
of the company:
"Messrs. Harry, Albert and Jack L.
Warner have agreed to sell the major
portion of their holdings in Warner Bros.
Pictures, Inc. to a group headed by Serge
Semenenko who plans to continue to operate
the company actively and aggressively
under strong and competent management.
"The three Warner brothers will continue
on the board of the company and
they and their families will retain a substantial
stock interest in the company."
The holdings of the three brothers, with
shares acquired recently, represent approximately
28 per cent of the 2,482,000 shares
outstanding. The report is they will retain
about 10 per cent of the stock.
The announcement here ended several
weeks of conjecture in financial and film industry
circles on a possible sale of the company.
It was known that several groups had
expressed an interest in acquii-ing control
of the properties. Wall Street was rife with
rumors that deals were under study, particularly
in view of substantial trading in
Warner Bros, stock. On a single day, over
14,000 shares were transferred.
By Thursday morning (10) it was quite
evident that something definite had developed,
or was in the process of being developed
and that the Warners were about to
step out of control of a business they had
started to build when they acquired the Cascade
Theatre in New Castle, Pa. in 1906.
ACQUIRE OVER 700,000 SHARES
The Wall Street Journal in its Thursday
edition reported that more than 700,000
shares of Warner stock had been .sold to the
syndicate at $27.50 a share, a sufficiently
large enough block to give the Semenenko
group working control. The stock closed
Thursday at 22%.
Despite thLs revelation, the Warners maintained
a "no comment" policy, but among
industry observers and studio spokesmen the
concensus was that the sale of the vast empire
was imminent. Then, about mid-afternoon,
the two-paragraph statement announcing
the passing of control to the Semenenko
syndicate was released to the press.
No additional information was forthcoming.
There were no answers to such questions as
Jack L., Harry M. and Albert Warner
A two-paragraph statement announces the end of an era.
to when the change will take effect and,
whether Jack L. Warner would continue in
his executive producer capacity. Nor was
there any announcement from the syndicate
as to its plans. There was some conjecture,
however, that Jack L. Warner would continue
as production head.
It is believed that S. H. Fabian, head of
Stanley Warner Theatres which acquired the
theatre holdings of the pre-divorcement War-
angles. In addition to being president of the
Stanley Warner circuit, he also heads the
SW Cinerama Corp., which controls the distribution
and exhibition of Cinerama attractions
as well as holding production rights
in the widescreen process. Under terms of
the consent decrees, the Stanley Warner circuit
cannot engage in production of motion
pictures except after receiving authorization
by the Justice Department and the courts.
This authorization was obtained by the Cinerama
corporation, with certain restrictions,
but full-scale production of pictures for standard
35mm theatres is another matter.
Fabian also is president of Fabian Theatres,
a 42-theatre circuit in New York. Penn-
ner Bros., looms as an important figure in
the new setup. Also said to be associated with
Semenenko are David Baird and Charles Allen,
sylvania and Virginia. Along with his associate,
Sam Rosen, he has been close to the
both Wall Street figures. Fabian is resylvania
Warner situation for years. At one time,
ported to be in line for the presidency, replacing
Harry M. Warner.
the Stanley Corp. of America acquired control
The reported presence of Fabian in the
of the Fabian circuit and these theatres
negotiations presents some interesting trade went in the Warner setup when Warner
Bros, moved forward after the advent of
sound.
Semenenko, as senior vice-president of
(Continued on page 22)
The 50-Year Log of the Warner Brothers Journey
1906—The Warner brothers, Harry, Sam, Albert and Jack enter the industry by acquiring
the Cascade Theatre, New Castle, Pa.
1906-1913—Warners develop a distribution company, handling films on a regional
franchise basis.
1913—Warner Features is formed, to produce for national release.
1918— "My Four Years in Germany," 9-reel feature, gains stature for Warners in motion
picture production circles.
1923—Warner Bros. Pictures is incorporated.
1924—Company acquires first theatre in building own circuit, Youngstown, Ohio.
1935—Warners acquires Vitagraph, Inc. with 34 exchanges in U. S. and Canada, plus
the name and assets of First National Pictures.
1926—The brothers introduce Vitaphone in the film-with-sound feature "Don Juan"
August 6, at Warner Theatre in New York.
1927_"The Jazz Singer," first movie with spoken words, presented at Warner Theatre,
October 6.
1947—Warners enter newsreel field, acquiring RKO Pathe News.
1950—Company signs consent decree to divorce theatre and production-distribution
divisions.
1953-Warner Bros. Pictures Co. formed out of divorcement proceedings.
1956—Backlog of features and short subjects sold for television use for $21,000,000.
1956—Harry M., Albert and Jack L. Warner sell major portion of holdings.
BOXOFFICE
:
the
12, 1956

VARIETY IS TOLD $36,000,000
HAS BEEN SPENT ON WELFARE
Last Year Alone Totals
Went Up to $2,700,000;
Expansion Planned
BULLETIN
New York—Henry Ford II was the winner
of the 1956 Humanitarian Award of
Variety Clubs International. The presentation
was made Saturday night to
Joseph McDaniel, secretary of the Ford
Foundation. Ford was on the west coast
and could not reach New York in time
for the presentation after votes were
tabulated.
NEW YORK—Since 1927, Variety Club
tents have spent approximately $36,000,-
000 on charitable enterprises and during
1955 the total reached $2,700,000, Nathan
D. Golden, International Heart chairman,
reported to the opening session of the 20th
aiuiual convention Wednesday ^9).
This announcement was greeted with
cheers, led by Sir Thomas O'Brien of the
London delegation, who is general secretary
of the National Ass'n of Theatrical and Kine
Employes of Great Britain, the British
counterpart of the American lATSE headed
by Richard F.
BRITISH ENTHUSIASM GROWING
O'Brien delivered a brief talk in which he
described the growing enthusiasm of Variety's
British members for the work they have
undertaken.
George C. Hoover, International chief barker,
presided at the sessions.
Golden also reported that 250,000 individuals
have benefited from the organization's
welfare activities and many others have been
aided indirectly. In all the "heart" activities
the tents have made special efforts to aid
physically handicapped and afflicted children.
Golden stated.
Details of the expenditures were made
known at the business session held Friday and
the individual reports from tents were used
as the basis for the annual Heart Awards
made at the closing banquet Saturday night.
John H. Rowley, first assistant chief barker,
who is president of Rowley United Theatres,
was elected chief barker to succeed Hoover.
The Dallas tent, of which Rowley is a member,
collected $108,567 for its charity program
during the year and is aiming for $110,000
this year.
Three tents were seeking allocation of the
next convention—Las Vegas, with a delegation
of 57 in attendance, and Dublin. These claims
were scheduled for decision Saturday.
HUMANITARIAN COMMITTEE
Following custom, no advance announcement
was made of the man selected for the
annual Humanitarian Award, a feature of the
closing banquet Saturday night. The committee
which made the selection was made up of
77 well-known editors, business leaders and
others prominent in public life, among whom
were Sir Winston Churchill, himself a winner
of the award, and Bernard Baruch, who was
? ^^

; ' liidmg
; Owners
I
M.ssumption
uUe ^cciU
jn Blank Wants to Hold
Festival in Miami
li
of America president tells
iilR-nce that he and Walter Reade
mompanied him to Cannes Film
.>.il had been impressed by three Euro-
•
James R. Grainger at Work
On Co-Production Program
Leaves for coast to push plans for making
Ijictures through a new company backed by
well-known circuit; proposes to stay in topbudget
bracket.
•
Jerry Wald Wants to Become
An Independent Producer
Says his schedule in charge of production
for Columbia is strenuous; contract has over
two years to go but he is discussing a new
deal in order to have more leisure time.
*
CBS First Quarter Earnings
Up 14.6 Per Cent Over 1955
Net income for 1956 period is $4,462,783,
highest in company's history, compared with
$3,892,677 for the same period last year; the
1956 earnings are at the rate of 60 cents per
share.
*
Todd Plans to Swap Soviet
Films for His '80 Days'
Producer, back from Russia, says he will
make five pictures in Todd-AO in USSR,
for which Russians will put up rubles for his
dollars; first to start in June.
•
Spyros P. Skouras Will Talk
On Subscription Television
20th Century-Fox president agrees to appear
before Senate Commerce Committee
May 21 instead of next Monday to explain his
objections to pay-as-you-see air programs.
•
British Films Are Leading U. S.
In Canada, Nat Taylor Says
President of Allied Artists Pictures of Canada
attributes situation to inability of subruns
to get top American product; Italian
and German films trail American films
closely; TV impact now felt.
•
Foreign-Made Equipment Due
At TESMA Fall Tradeshow
President signs into law permitting manufactured
material to enter U. S. without
going through customs; also permits its sale
at end of show or shipping to place of origin
without customs interference.
•
RKO Theatres Stockholders
Vote lor Reorganization
To i.ssue 1,043,706 shares of common stock
ir. exchange for assets of Cleveland Arcade
its controlling stock in Gera
of liabilities of Cleve-
^.!.-
Co.
Adult Ticket Potential
120.990.000 Weekly
KANSAS CITY—The adult attendance
potential for motion picture theatres in the
United States is now 120,990,000 a week— but
the industry sold only about 35,000,000 admissions
weekly in April, Albert E. Sindlinger, research
analyst, declared in an address at the
Allied Independent Theatre Owners of
Kansas and Missouri spring convention Tuesday
(8).
From September through February, there
was a gain of 200,000 potential moviegoers
month, representing those growing into
eacli
the adult price range—and since February
the gain has accelerated to nearly 300,000 a
month, Sindlinger said.
The acceleration will be continuously increasing
as more and more "war babies"
move into the adult movie price range, he
added.
Sindlinger gave the following figures for
the montli of April.
Week Male Female Male
Ending Attendance Attendance Attendance
April 7 22,571,999 13,639,000 36,210,000
April 14 18,641,000 17,414,000 36,055,000
April 21 20,296,100 16,605,900 36,902,000
April 28 18,843,300 16,108,500 34,951,800
The cause of attendance decline among
women patrons is attributed to the salacious
newspaper ad copy placed by exhibitors,
Sindlinger said. For example he cited the
words, "The Story of a Tramp" inserted in
Variety
cussion. One unidentified tent was said to
have a total of 100. George Eby of Pittsbin-gh
said only the international organization had
the right to name them and that only three
had been so honored—presidents Ti'uman
an ad to sell "The Scarlet Hour." He explained
this is a good family picture and
would appeal to more women if advertised
properly. Misleading advertising detracts
rather than attracts patronage, he contended.
Exhibitors should clock their attendance to
ascertain the number of men and women
patrons on various nights, Sindlinger recommended.
Each community has different
problems, he said, and the exhibitor can
determine what is best for him.
Sindlinger expressed great confidence in
the future of the motion picture theatre business,
stating it is up to the people who run
the theatres to draw the patrons. They have
to do something to convince the public of the
merits of their product—not just sit back and
expect attendance.
"Many exhibitors have made a mistake in
cutting out kiddie shows," he said. "After all,
if it were not for the kids, the adults would
not go to the theatre. According to one of
our surveys, parents get their information
about the movies from the children. Get the
kids interested now with the kind of pictures
they like to see and they will continue coming
to the theatre when they are older."
Sindhnger questioned the advisability of
free admissions for children at the drive-ins.
He explained that children under 12 not
accustomed to paying any admission price
object strenuously when they become of age
and have to pay the adult rate.
and Eisenhower and Prince Charles of Brittain.
It was voted that honorary members
should be included in the current lists as
(Continued from page 9;
associate members and that dues on thencards
voyage by liner out of New York was tabled
must be paid by local tents to the in-
ternational body. Ben Goffstein of Las Vegas
for a year. It was voted to choose convention
made the motion, and it was earned.
Cities two years in advance instead of one
as formerly, to allow more time for preparations.
Nathan Golden discussed copyrighted
and and
in-
Rowley noted that convention costs signia uniformity of stationery, it
was voted to have the international body distribute
are rising to the point where they are a
burden on the host tent, and suggested ways
mats of the insignia for use by tents.
will
could be found of keeping them down. He The distribution of uniform lapel pins
praised the cooperation of Coca-Cola and be studied, it was decided.
Pepsi-Cola in this respect.
Sii- Tom O'Brien of London advised the
Edward Emanuel, international property convention that financial considerations have
clarified forced the London tent to withdraw its bid
master, the position of associate
members. There now are 4,000 of them in for the 1957 conclave, but that it was hoped
It could be held there in 1958. He asked that
46 tents. Dues-paying members total 8,000.
Of the total of 12,000, more than 1,300 attended
as means of raising revenues U. S. get out
the convention.
Richard F. Walsh, president of the International
a convention brochure, as well as the London
tent, with the proceeds to go to London, and
Alliance of Stage Employes, paid that there be other methods of relieving Lon-
obligations.
tribute to Sir Tom O'Brien, a London delegate
don's
No action was taken on a suggestion that
and British labor leader. Walsh is a
member of the host tent.
new and simplified constitution be drafted
a
The Rev. Sylvester McCarthy, international for submission to tents 30 days before the
next convention.
chaplain, who recently visited the Bombay,
India, tent, said Calcutta is anxious to form Ralph Staub, who has been producing "The
a tent. He said Variety can now begin expanding
Heart of Show Business," a 60-minute
its operations in the Far East. documentary presenting top show person-
Limitation of the number of honorary alities and who had put $15,000 of his own
members in a tent aroused considerable dis-
money into it, was voted $12,500 to complete
the film, in Technicolor and widescreen. The
tents will promote the film when released by
a national distributor. Rotus Harvey of San
Francisco asked that each tent appoint a
special committee for that purpose.
BOXOFFICE May 12, 1956

THE
GREATEST
NOVEL
EVER WRITTEN .
.
Paramount is pleased to announce to the exhibitors of the
world that production has been completed, editing is under
way and unparalleled preselling has started . . . for the most
important literary property that has ever reached the hoxoffice. .

The motion pictinr which has challcn^rd the dreams of rvrry producrr for the fifty years of screen history has at last
been made. The miracle of VistaVision, the talent of an international cast, the tireless work of eleven years preparation,
the vast filming project of many months . . . all these have now placed this masterpiece in its final stages of
editing. Already the tide of public interest is rising higher and higher— in anticipation of this epic story of the grandeur
of man and the horror of war. And the far-flung mass audience awaiting it will share in the most deeply felt love
story the screen has ever had the privilege to record.
"WAR AND PEACE" will reach theatres late this year. It will
be a milestone in exhibition, as well as in production. It will be a major experience in the lives of all who see it.

LEO TOLSTOY'S

Mi! K
DIM! ii
ill Hi
APONII'DEUURENIIISPHCIION
Co-stamng
mmi
I
HIIlOM'mHWLKl'HtEK
HELMUT OANIINE • BARRy lONES • ANNA MARIA FERRERO • MILLy VIIALE • lEREMy iM and
Jifl iU!i
IMmlliyHDEUHIITK'DricUbyKIIICVIIM
Based on the novel "War And Peace" tiy LEO lOLSM
Color by TECHNICOLOR

: May
National Film Service
Eyes Trailer Market
NEW YORK—The motion picture Industry
may get a new entry in the field of producing
trailers and manufacturing accessories.
This step may be taken by the rapidly expanding
National Film Service, which already
is servicing a number of companies in the
handling of prints, including inspection, shipping
and delivery, and is putting up central
shipping buildings in a number of cities.
The development came at the semi-annual
meeting of the organization here this week.
The meeting continued unexpectedly to the
weekend because of "developments pending in
negotiations."
Chester M. Ross, executive vice-president,
would say only that the negotiations were
with an unidentified distributor, concerned
nationwide service and that several announcements
can be expected in about a week.
He said the meeting also had been called
to discuss the billing, collection and backroom
work done for Buena Vista—the Walt
Disney distribution firm—which is handled
in all 33 NFS depots.
The board heard a report on the recent
signing with BKO in Chicago and New York
and Allied Artists in New York for backroom
work, as well as a rundown on the new
facilities in Salt Lake City and Butte and
the proposed new depot in Atlanta.
National Film Carriers at the .same time
held its annual meeting. Ira S. Stevens, NFS
executive secretary, was named to the same
post with NFC, replacing Clint Meyer, who
resigned because of ill health.
Ray Trampe. Milwaukee, was elected president.
M. S. Wycoff, Salt I^ake City, vicepresident,
and George Callahan, Pittsburgh,
treasurer. Named to the executive committee
were M. H. Brandon, Memphis, chairman:
Callahan, Earl Jameson jr., Kansas City:
Trampe and John Harmon Vickers jr., Charlotte.
The new board of governors consists of
Meyer Adleman, Philadelphia: George Altman.
Canada: L. D. V. Benton, Atlanta: Dan
Brandon, Memphis: James P. Clark, Philadelphia:
Frank Gartner, Omaha: Thomas E.
Gilboy, San Francisco: Paul Gruenwald.
Seattle; Charles Isles, Des Moines: R- V.
Smith. Atlanta, and G. A. White, Houston.
Named to the executive committee were
Brandon, chairman; Callahan, Jameson.
Trampe and Vickers.
WB Television Show
To Continue Over ABC
HOLLYWOOD—"Warner Bros. Presents"
will continue as a weekly television entry on
the ABC-TV network, it was announced
jointly Monday i7> by Jack L. Warner and
Robert E. Kintner. ABC president. The program,
which made its debut last September,
will retain its present one-hour format, with
Warner personally supervising and William
T. Orr as executive producer.
The spotlight will continue to be on "Cheyenne."
a series of western dramas.
DCA Reports Package Deal
NEW YORK—Distributors Corp. of Ameriica
has teamed "Brute Force," 1947 Burt
Lancaster film, with "Naked City," released
in 1948, for reissue, according to Irving
Wormser and Arthur Sachson, sales executives.
BOXOFTICE :
Distribution Policy Is Set
For Tbrillarama Feature
DALLAS—Distribution plans for "Thrillarama
Adventure," the first production in
the new dual-camera process which a Texas
company headed by Albert Reynolds and
Dowlen Russell has developed were announced
here this week. The pictui-e will be
distributed on a worldwide basis by a newly
organized company, Thrillarama Releasing
Corp.
The distribution plan devised by the company
is unique, in that the exhibitor will be
offered a package deal to include the film
itself, the giant .screen required for the picture
and all necessary booth attachments.
Reynolds and Russell said they felt this was
the best procedure in order to have a company
familiar with the technical aspects of
the new process also handle the distribution.
Both Reynolds and Russell are stockholders
and officers of Thrillarama Productions,
which produced the first picture. Conley
G. Cox. a veteran Texas theatreman, is associated
with them in the releasing .setup.
The new company's general offices are located
at 2011';; Jackson St.. Dallas. A branch
office already has been opened in Hollywood
and is located at 5631 Hollywood Blvd. This
office, headed by James A. White, will serve
the West Coast and other western states.
Shortly following the world premiere of
"Thrillarama Adventure." plans call for the
opening of branch offices in New York and
Chicago.
The date of the new picture's world premiere
in Houston will be announced soon.
Twenty-five key cities have been earmarked
for immediate runs following the premiere,
and approximately 700 other cities in the
United States and Canada will be served as
rapidly as the supply of equipment packages
permits.
A foreign distribution program will be
launched shortly after the Houston opening,
with South and Central American countries
MGM to Release 28 Films
1956-57: Schary
In
NEW YORK—For the next fiscal year,
starting in August 1956, MGM will produce
approximately 20 features in its own studios
while another eight features will come from
independent producers, according to Dore
Schary, vice-president in charge of the studio.
Schary is in New York for home office conferences
and to attend the Loew's board of
directors meeting May 15.
The MGM 1956-57 schedule of 28 wlU be
approximately the same as the current season,
which will have a total of 22 pictures
made at the studio, plus six from the independent
producers, including Samuel Goldwyn's
"Guys and Dolls" and the Desilu production
of "Forever Darling." Another.
"Svengali." was produced in England by
George Minter for Renown Pictures.
Commenting on TV story material for pictures.
Schary mentioned that the company's
first, "Ransom," which was released in January,
did "pretty well" but this was not a fair
test as the title was changed from the orig-
Albert Reynolds (left), president of
Thrillarama Productions, and Dowlen
Rus.sell, vice-president, as they completed
plans for distribution of their new-process
motion picture.
being the first slated for foreign exhibition
of "Thrillarama Adventure." A veteran in
the field of foreign distribution will be named
shortly to head up this phase of the distribution
company's operations.
Arrangements have been completed for a
staff of engineers and technicians to conduct
the technical phase of the new company's
operations. J. C. Skinner of Sterling
Sales and Service, Dallas, who was in charge
of all phases of the development and experimental
work on the new process, apart from
the development of the camera equipment,
will provide the technical supervision necessary.
The new company, it was announced, soon
will be ready to negotiate film contracts
for "Thrillarama Adventure." Interested exhibitors
will have an opportunity to see the
picture in Houston. Because of the special
installation required, no definite plans have
yet been made for a tradescreening.
inal TV drama. "Fearful Decision." Two more
features made from TV dramas. "The Rack"
and "The Catered Affair," will be released by
MGM in May and June, respectively. The
last should offer a definite test
point of view, Schary said.
from MGM's
AA Votes Dividend
HOLLYWOOD — Allied Artists' regular
quarterly dividend of ISli cents a share on
the company's 5U- per cent cumulative convertible
preferred stock wa-s voted at a meeting
of the executive committee of the board
of directors. The dividend is payable June 15
to stockholders of record as of June 4.
Fox Title Correction
NEW YORK—"D-Day the Sixth of June"
the new title of the 20th Century-Pox
is
Cinemascope picture made under the name
of "The Sixth of June." The new title was
erroneously reported last week to be "Day
the Sixth of June."
12. 1956 IS

20th take
LIKE BROADWAY TAKES TO 2
Dudweiser
ROXY
s
F. Zanuck
Darryl
presents
THE MAN
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COLOR BY
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BROADWAY'S
ONE WAY
NOW...
THE 20th WAY!

: May
7IMISM AT U-I's GLOBAL CONFERENCE
World Revenues to Rise
For US. Filmmakers
i,,;#|X
'^^w-^'f^^,:^' V
'
Delegates representing 55 countries throughout tlie world were briefed on Uni-
\ci sal-International's production plans and its plans to intensify overseas distribution
activities when they arrived at the company's studios in Universal City for a week-long
series of conferences.
The above is a group shot. Top company officials are in the second
row from the bottom, beginning third from left with Charles J. Feldman, vicepresident
and general sales manager; David A. Lipton, vice-president in charge of
advertising and publicity; Edward Muhl, vice-president and production chief; Alfred
E. Daff, executive vice-president; Milton R. Rackmil, president, and Americo Aboaf,
foreign general manager.
HOLLYWOOD—World revenues for American
films in general are certain to increase
as living standards improve in various foreign
nations, Milton R. Rackmil, Universal-International
president, predicted in keynote remarks
at U-I's first global sales conference,
a week-long affair which got under way Monday
(7) at the studio. The conclave was
attended by 72 delegates representing 55
countries.
Rackmil waxed optimistic concerning U-I's
increasing .share of such upped foreign
grosses and stressed that his company is
pursuing a policy of "carefully analyzing"
its product to make certain that all upcoming
features have "international appeal." Tastes
throughout the world "vary only slightly," he
said, "where good entertainment is concerned."
Overseas trade will continue to expand as
long as the free countries of the world prosper,
the U-I head man asserted, adding:
"I do not believe we have reached anything
like our peak in the international
field."
In opening the conference, Alfred E. Daff,
executive vice-president, stressed that the
gathering marked the culmination of his desire
of many years to have the entire foreign
sales organization meet in Hollywood so they
could meet U-I's production and creative personnel
and become acquainted with filmmaking
problems and techniques.
"The governments of the world should
focus their eyes on this spot," Daff said.
"They would see different nationalities mixing
in a way to confound the prophets of
international rivalries and jealousies. Here
under this one roof we have representatives
of all the free countries of the world, meeting
in a spirit of complete friendship and understanding,
with the object of assisting each
other to make a great company even greater."
Daff paid tribute to the conventioneers as
a "great world team."
Welcoming the delegates to the studio, Edward
Muhl, vice-president in charge of production,
declared he was certain they will
become "effective ambassadors" for Hollywood
and U-I in particular after analyzing
the complexities involved in making pictures
and studying the "tremendous" technical advances
of the past few years, including widescreen
anamorphic techniques and stereophonic
sound.
Other addresses of welcome came from Nate
J. Blumberg, board chaii-man; Charles J.
Feldman, vice-president and general sales
manager; David A. Lipton, vice-president in
charge of advertising and publicity, and
Americo Aboaf, foreign general manager, who
conducted the sales meetings. Also a speaker
was Col. Dean Hess, the Korean war ace,
whose life story is being brought to the
screen in U-I's '^Battle Hymn," starring Rock
Hudson.
On the opening of the conference, Rackmil
read to the participants a telegram from
President Eisenhower, hailing the industry
and U-I for "day-by-day contributions to international
goodwill." Said the President's
message:
"Please extend my greetings to all those,
from this country and from overseas, who will
participate ... I wish all of you the greatest
possible success in your day-by-day contributions
to international goodwill."
Prior to the beginning of the meetings the
visitors were hosted by Daff and Blumberg
at their respective homes. Blumberg paid
tribute to the overseas representatives for
their efforts.
U I's Foreign Take
Up 78% in 5 Years
HOLLYWOOD — Universal-International's
foreign business has increased 78 per cent
since 1951 and the company's product now is
playing in more than 25,000 situations, exclusive
of the United States and Canada and
the Iron Curtain countries, Americo Aboaf,
vice-president in charge of the foreign subsidiary,
told the global sales conference at
the opening day's session Monday (7).
Between 1950 and 1955, the percentage of
Universal's foreign business in relation to the
company's total percentage increase was from
33 per cent to 43 per cent. The European
market alone showed a jump of 36.58 per
cent since 1951.
In breaking down the sources of the income
abroad, Aboaf said 35 per cent came from
Europe; 19 per cent from England; 19 per cent
from Latin American; 15 per cent from the
Far East; 6 per cent from Australasia and
6 per cent from licensees during the 1955-56
year.
Bookings increased in 1955-56 over 1954-55
with England and Europe showing the greatest
percentage of increase at 8 per cent each,
while Latin America showed 7.62 per cent and
Australasia 3.24 per cent.
More than 6,000 prints a year in black and
white. Technicolor and Cinemascope are used.
Aboaf said that a satisfactory ratio has
continued to exist between the increase in
income and expenses at a time when costs
of the entire industry have been rising.
The company will release 30 productions
in the foreign market during the 1956-57
releasing year—March 1, 1956, to Feb. 28,
1957, Alfred E. Daff, executive vice-president
of Universal Pictures and president of Universal-International,
said.
Of the 30 on the list, 20 have been completed,
or are in the final stages of production.
Eighteen, or 60 per cent, are in Technicolor,
ten in Cinemascope and one— "Away
All Boats"—in VistaVision.
The Cinemascope films will be: "Istanbul,"
"Kelly and Me," "Battle Hymn," "Walk the
Proud Land," "Four Bright Girls," "Gun for a
Coward," "Cory," "My Man Godfrey," "The
Goddess" and "Interlude."
Other Technicolor
pictures are: "Congo Crossing," "Toy Tiger,"
"Written on the Wind," "Unguarded Moment,"
"Raw Edge," "Tammy" and "The
World and Little Willie."
The conventioneers attended a tradescreening
of "Away All Boats."
UA Reissues 'High Noon'
To Play Up Grace Kelly
NEW YORK—United Artists will re-release
Stanley Kramer's "High Noon," Academy
Award-winning picture starring Gary Cooper
in June, according to William J. Heineman,
vice-president
in charge of distribution.
Since the picture was originally released by
UA in May 1952, Grace Kelly who played
opposite Cooper, has become a world-famous
star. The picture played 22,000 domestic dates
and grossed more than $4,000,009.
The reissue will have a new ad campaign,
plus a promotion of the Academy Awardwinning
title song, which will be reissued on
Columbia, MGM, Capitol, London and King
Records. The reissue will be aimed at driveins,
which have increased by 1,800 to make a
total of 5,000 current open-air theatres, since
the picture was originally
18 BOXOFFICE
:
released.
12, 1956

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KHIBITORS TOLD NOT TO FEAR
TECHNICAL FILM IMPROVEMENTS
No Major Changes Seen
In Present Equipment
By Herbert Barnett
OMAHA—Exhibitors need not fear that
technical improvements in motion pictures
signal major obsolescence of their equipment,
Herbert Barnett, assistant to the
president of General Precision Equipment
Corp., told the annual convention of
Allied Independent Theatre Owners of Iowa
and Nebraska Tuesday (8>.
"They should in no important way influence
you in delaying programs of improvement
which you may now contemplate," he
ASKS EXHIBITOR COOPERATION
Barnett spoke as a representative of the
Theatre Equipment & Supply Manufactui-ers
Ass'n as well as GPEC. He is a former presi-
Uent of the Society of Motion Picture and
Television Engineers, He said that exhibitor
problems and those of equipment manufacturers
are insepai-able, and asked exhibitor
cooperation in solving them. He added
that much of a helpful nature had already
developed through an open discussion.
"Among the more important innovations
recently adopted and which appear to be
here to stay," Barnett said, "is the concept of
increased screen dimensions. As desirable as
the larger picture ai-ea may be, it has brought
several undesii'able factors which engineering
must eventually correct. The most important
of these is loss of picture quality
through mcreased magnification of the 35mm
frame."
Barnett said Hollywood is experimenting
with wider film providing more picture information,
but that there is a lack of optimum
width increase. He said that wide film considerations
relate to photography and the
gains in picture quality to be realized through
increased frame size, but that projection possibilities
in the new dimensions ai'e yet to be
determined. He mentioned 20th Century-Pox
55mm film and progress in 65mm film made
by MGM and Columbia.
OTHER LIMITATIONS SEEN
Barnett said the merits of the processes
will depend on the degree of improved picture
quality which can be maintained in
transfer of 35mm release print, that "rea-
.sonable success" has been indicated, that
continuing development will result in considerable
improvements and that many expensive
problems in printing, lenses and other
elements may be faced by the studios pioneering
in those fields.
"As successful as these developments may
be," he said, "it is not likely that all the
quality available on wide negative will be
realized on 35mm release print. Additionally,
contmued use of 35mm prints means that
other limitations which handicap quality
projection remain. One of the more important
is inadequate screen illumination in conf
nection with larger screens. In most instances
the limiting factor with respect to hght is
Plea for Standardization
At Omaha Convention
OMAHA—Standardization of equipment
was the key topic at the opening sessions of
the annual convention of Allied Independent
Theatre Owners of Iowa, Nebraska and South
Dakota here this week. Underneath was a
current of optimism—nothing of sweeping
proportions nor general in all quarters, but
nevertheless present in words here and there.
The standardization demand was sounded
loudly by Hugh McLachlan, chairman of the
equipment committee of Allied of Indiana.
"We're in the midst of the 'Battle of the
Millimeter' and we'll get big prints," he told
a crowd of some 200 exhibitors gathered in
the balhoom. "But don't forget this—we
must have support and we must go forward
with orderly progress. There is nothing wrong
with our business except that we got in a
rut back in the plush days. We must be
showmen—and we must accept progress, not
fight it."
McLachlan blasted the attempt to bring m
"four-wall deals" to fight prereleases. He said
that offers to bring in projection equipment
for big prints was a move to cut exhibitors
down to a 4 or 5 per cent profit deal and
disorganize the exhibitor.
"Don't take a bone thrown out to certain
exhibitors here or there," he warned. "Work
with your Allied organization. You've got to
put something into Allied to get anything
out. The new National Allied committee will
prove a benefit to all exhibitors and to the
industry as a whole."
He said he was confident standardization
would be worked out in the fields of sound,
projection and ratio. He said he was
confident manufacturers and supply dealers
film buckle, resulting in out-of-focus conditions
sufficient to seriously reduce picture
quality."
There must be adequate improvement in
screen illumination before it will be possible
for drive-ins and some large indoor situations
to overcome a serious problem of light, he
said. One solution could be adoption of wide
release prints. The additional advantage
here is that more negative quality would be
retained in the print.
"May I assm-e you there is no intent on the
part of anyone to force acceptance of a
change in film dimensions by conditioning
availability of product on ability to accept
the wide print," Barnett said, "Having been
close to this work, I can assure you that one
of the basic requirements has been that,
whatever the intermediate process, ability to
release in 35mm must be assured. Therefore,
no one should fear he will be forced to pm--
chase nonstandard equipment due to wide
film developments.
"There is much to be said, however, for
were not out to wring exhibitors dry but had
a long-range outlook for the betterment of
the industry.
"It's true some dealers can give better
service," he said, "but most of them are
working for the exhibitor."
He said that he believed if the exhibitors
show they have intent to buy magnetic sound
that the producers would put out the films.
A floor discussion developed over the question
of improving equipment and brought
some positive statements from both sides.
Bob Kr'ueger, energetic young exhibitor from
Sioux City, said he doubted that the mass of
motion picture fans knew the difference
between various technical offerings on the
screen. He added that he had tried several,
ballyhooed them and that his boxoffice tally
showed no results.
Al Wuebben, Parkston, S. D., took the
opposite view, and said it is imperative that
theatres go toward magnetic sound and he is
confident it will pay off.
Leo Wolcott, chairman of the board and
master of ceremonies, raised the question
whether theatre owners would be justified to
put in equipment, for example, for 20th-Fox
sound and then have only a few pictures
during the year that could fully utilize it. It
was then that McLachlan said that he felt the
producers would fall in line if the theatre
owners indicated they intended to buy such
equipment.
Play Colvin, TEDA executive director and
public relations expert from St. Louis, admonished
exhibitors not to lose faith.
"I haven't," he said, "and the public is the
one that made me feel that way."
the appUcation of wide prints in drive-ins and
indoor theatres employing screen widths
greater than 40 feet. Notable increase in
screen illumiiiation, as well as in picture
quality, can be realized."
Barnett said eventual release in wide film
versions is a complex problem that has not
yet been solved. The wide print can be produced,
but costs are much higher than those
for 35mm release prints. Projection equipment
is available from several manufacturers
and preparations to produce wide film
equipment are well advanced. However,
Barnett said, there are serious questions as to
a worthwhile market.
"The question of wide film now requires
the combined thinking of production, exhibition
and manufacturers to arrive at sound
conclusions," he said. "You, as exhibitors,
can be of invaluable service in this respect
and I urge you, through your organizations,
to carefully examine this proposal and assist
in determining what, if any, form this new
medium should take."
BOXOFFICE :: May 12, 195G

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A wounded soldier is assisted by Charles McGraw. bareheaded, and another sailor
from an overturned landing craft in this scene from "Away All Boats."
FEATURE
REVIEW
'Away All
Universal-International
By IVAN SPEAR
Pver since "All Quiet on the Western Front"
—and probably prior to that—war pictures
have had their foundation in one or
more of three filmmaking plot structures,
namely, action, suspense and spectacle; an
informative insight into the modus operandi
of some branch of the armed forces; or a
character-analyzing probe of the feelings and
reactions of men under the stress of conflict.
Universal-International's impressive "Away
All Boats" generously incorporates all of
those basic ingredients, and the manner in
which they are interwoven into a logical,
interest-commanding screenplay by Ted
Sherdeman—from Kenneth Dodson's bestselling
novel—should in itself constitute sufficient
assurance that the feature will enjoy
enthusiastic and profitable bookings from de
luxe to the tail end of subsequent situations.
Embellishing such major elements, and again
characteristic of the better photoplays in its
category, is an alleviating and substantial
thread of comedy. Adding to the offering's
over-all appeal, and enhancing its sizable
exploitability, are VistaVision photography
and Technicolor, so tellingly utilized to accent
the beauties and atmosphere «f the marine
and tropical backgrounds against which it
was filmed.
The feature is the most important and
the most costly ever undertaken by the valley
studio. Taking full advantage of the precedential
budget at his disposal, plus all-out
cooperation by the U. S. navy, producer
Howard Christie mounted the vehicle so that
in every detail it reflects the dollars and
painstaking preparation that were devoted
to its making.
Unavoidably the players are, with one exception,
entirely male. To provide a touch
22
Boats'
of romance and tenderness, Julie Adams is
used in a flashback sequence, which, although
a bit contrived, will be welcomed by the
femme ticket buyers. As a result of such
casting, focus is on, and thespian honors
the lot of, the men troupers, with rugged,
iray-thatched, toplining Jeff Chandler usurping
the lion's share thereof. Under the
steady-handed direction of Joseph Pevney,
his performance and those contributed by
virtually every member of the carefully
chosen supporting aggregation are virile and
convincing.
Chandler portrays the iron-willed master
II. The vessel moves on with the fleet to
Okinawa, where it is badly damaged by
Japanese suicide planes, and Chandler,
mortally wounded, survives long enough to
see the transport brought safely to anchor.
Universal- Internationa I
Presents
"AWAY ALL BOATS"
In VistaVision. Photogroplied in Technicolor
Ratio: 2-1
Running Time: 114 Minutes
THE CREDITS
Directed by Joseph Pevney. Produced by
Howard Christie. Screenplay by Ted Sherdeman.
From the best-seller "Away All Boots" by
Kenneth M. Dodson. Director photography,
of
William Daniels, A.S.C. Special photography'
Clifford Stine. AS.C. unit production
Tom Shaw. Technicolor consultant
manager
Wilhom'
Frifzsche. Special action scenes directed by
James C. Havens. Film Ted editor, Kent,
J.
A.C.E. Art direction, Alexander Golitzen and
Richard H. Riedel. Set decorations, Russell A
Gousmon and Oliver Emert. Dialog director,
Leon Charles. Sound, Leslie Carey and Joe
I.
Lapis. Assistant directors, Marshall Green, Terry
Nelson and Tim Welch. Technicol advisers
Copt. V. Gregory, USN, and Lt. Col F r'
R.
Findtner, USMC. Music composed by Frank
Skinner. Music supervision, Joseph Gershenson.
THE CAST
Copt. Jebediah S. Hawks Jeff Chandler
Lt. Dove MocDougoll George Nader
Nadine MocDougoll Julie Adams
Commander Quigley Lex Barker
Doctor Bell Keith Andes
Lt. Froser Richard Boone
Ensign Kruger William Reynolds
Lt. Mike OBonnion Charles McGrow
Alvick Jock Mahoney
Old Man John Mclntire
Chief "Poppy" Moran Frank Foylen
Lt. J. G. Sherwood Grant Williams
Lt- J. G. Robinson Floyd Simmons
Ensign Twitchell Don Keefer
Lt. Randall Som Gilman
Warners
• Continued from page 8)
First Boston Corporation, has been involved in
motion picture financing for many years and
his name frequently has bobbed up in film
financial negotiations. He was one of the
principal figures in the negotiations which
led to the formation of the Stanley Warner
theatre circuit.
The Warners have on several occasions in
recent years been reported ready to negotiate
for the sale of the companies, but each time
they decided against giving up the company
which had been part and parcel of their lives
for almost a half century. By the sheerest
coincidence, it was five years ago to the day
—May 10, 1951— that the Warners turned
down a $25,000,000 offer by a syndicate headed
by Louis R. Lurie, San Francisco financier,
after the deal had been reported ready for
signatures. At the last moment, the Warners
couldn't tear
themselves away from the
film structure they had erected.
Warner Bros. Pictures Inc., which the
syndicate takes over, took over the production
and distribution assets and liabilities of the
predecree Warner Bros, organization on
February 23, 1953. In addition to its domestic
and foreign motion picture production and
distribution facilities, it also holds 37'-; per
cent of Associated British Picture Corp.
which operates 400 theatres in Great Britain,
and owns Music Publishers Holding Corp.
which in turn owns all of the stock of Witmark
& Sons, Harms Inc. and Remick Music
Corp., and Edward Steige, printers of music.
In its three years under the new corporate
setup, the company has shown a steady improvement
in earnings. For the fiscal year
ending August 31, 1955, the company re-
of an attack transport which, manned by a
ported film rentals and sales totaling $72,597,-
largely untried crew, undertakes a rugged
shakedown cruise, then participates in landing
678 with net earnings of $4,002,000 compared
and and
actions at Kwajalein during World War to film rentals sales of $67,014,014 a
net of $3,976,000 the previous year. About 40
per cent of the company's revenues is derived
from the foreign market.
Investment companies consider the outlook
for the Warner organization bright. Arnold
Bernhard & Co., investment advisers
which publishes "The Value Line Investment
Survey" estimates that gross revenues will
reach $78,000,000 in 1956 and hit $82,000,000
in 1957. "We project the average annual
revenues for Warner Bros, in the hypothesized
1959-61 economy to $90 million, earnings
to $2.60 a share and dividends to $1.80," the
survey forecast. Last year, earnings were $1.61
a share and dividends were $1.20.
Estimate Board Listing
Finds No Family Films
NEW YORK—No features are rated for
family audiences in the May 1 list of joint
estimates issued by the Film Estimate Board
of National Organizations. Nine are rated
for adults and young people and four for
adults.
Those in the first category are: "The Man
in the Gray Flannel Suit" (20th-FoxK also
rated an outstanding picture; "The Birds and
the Bees" (Para), "A Day of Fury" (U-I),
"The Harder They Fall" (Coli, "Outside the
Law" (U-I>, "The Swan" iMGMi. "Blackjack
Ketchum, Desperado" (Col), "Star in the
Dust" (U-I) and "The Way Out" (RKO).
The adult pictures are: "Gaby" (MGM),
"Jubal" (Col), "The Price of Fear" (U-I) and
"The Scarlet Hour" (Para).

C. V. WHITNEY TOLD McRIAN C. COOPER 'Ge^ ike-Beii'
Wke/Skmimm
COOPER asked
JOHN FORD to have filmland's
most gifted and daring stuntmen
enact the hand-to-hand combat the C
scenes. They were:
BILLY CARTLEDGE
CHUCK HAYWARD
SLIM HIGHTOWER
FRED KENNEDY
FRANK McGRATH
CHUCK ROBERSON
DALE VAN SICKLE
HENRY WILLS
TERRY WILSON
V. W HIT iM EY PicturesJnc, attraction
JOHN WAYNE
co-starring
JEFFREY HUNTER- VERaMILES-WARdBOND-NATAUE WOOD
from a novel personally selected by V^ . V .
AAERIAN C. (-*V-/C«)r lK, vice-president in
soon to be presented by
directed by
W
JOHN FORD
Color by TECHNICOLOR
•
WARNER BROS.
jkiMttiiMiii mmmmmmm wmm
Ml I IN t T , president
charge of production
in VistaVision

C. V. WHITNEY TOLD MERIAN C COOPER VI7I
Then COOPER asked
JOHN FORD to capture the
sweep of the novel, THE
SEARCHERS. FORD took the entire
company to Monument Valley
where he got real Navajos. The
entire tribfi-Ciiapec^te.
the

: May
BACKGROUND FOR OPTIMISM
A Veteran Exhibitor Shows How Industry Overcame Handicaps
Of the Past and Points to the Bright Spots in
the Future
Hotuard E. Jameyson, chairman of
the board of Commonwealth Theatres,
a circuit operating approximately 95
theatres in the Midwest, and a veteran
of 40 years in the motion picture business,
prepared the accompanying report
for stockholders in the company
as ivell as for members of the organization.
In reviewing problems ivhieh
have beset the film industry in the
past, he cites situations paralleling
those confronting the industry today to
demonstrate his point that production,
distribution and exhibition have been
able to shift ivith the times. He also
calls for more industry research, to
enable the industry to proceed along
scietitific lines, and gives his views on
what exhibitors must do in the future
to maintain a sound level of business.
By HOWARD E. JAMEYSON
Our industry started with short single
reels costing a few hundred dollars. It has
advanced to the multi-million dollar productions
we now exhibit. Starting with flickering,
unsteady and badly photographed pictures,
it has advanced to the breath-taking
artistic and technical excellence of Cinemascope
55. Oddly, our technological and artistic
advance has almost exactly paralleled
that of the automobile from Model T to
Continental.
America's leisure hours provided the nourishment
for the growth of our industry and
these leisure hours were not many in our
early days. As leisure time increased, other
industries arose to feed upon it. Millions of
automobiles meant billions of hours of pleasure
driving. The two-weeks vacation, a rarity
in 1900, is almost universal today and the
huge motel industry is a manifestation of
that development. The attendance at spectator
sports, baseball, football and basketball,
has increased a hundredfold. Participating
sports like golf, fishing, hunting and even
skiing have had an equally phenomenal
growth. We met all this competition and.
in fact, thrived while meeting it.
ENTER: RADIO AND TELEVISION
However, during the period of my motion
picture experience tw^o forms of competition
arose with such dramatic suddenness as to
profoundly affect us. I refer, of course, to
radio and its offspring television.
Most of the people in our organization were
not here when our industry had to readjust
itself to the competition offered by radio.
And time has dulled the memory and healed
the bruises of those who. like me, were
around. It was a costly, di.scouraging and prolonged
process. Some thought it could never
be accomplished, but it was. New and improved
methods of presentation turned the
tide.
BOXOFFICE ;
It's a matter of recorded history and statistical
fact that, after the first impact of
radio, we went forward to the longest period
of prosperity we have yet enjoyed. We not
only learned to live with radio we learned
to use it. Radio gave us such stars as Bing
Crosby, Bob Hope, Abbott and Costello and
numerous lesser but important names. It
also provided a new avenue of exploitation.
Now we have television to take its bite out
of the leisure hours of our people. It could
not have come at a more inopportune time.
When it came, our whole industry was undergoing
a vast reorganization. Long-established
trade practices were being abandoned and
new ones were being painfully substituted.
Federal court rulings had shaken our industry
to its foundations; our leaders were pre-occupied
and bewildered. In all this turmoil
we were unprepared to meet a new peril.
It would be ridiculous of me to minimize
the impact of television upon the public or
to discount its effect upon us. Television
offered something no other form of competition
had ever provided. It presented an inferior,
but still a reasonable facsimile of the
thing we sell. It brought this into the living
room. And it was free! Here, indeed, was a
menace. And worse, much of what television
gave free to its audience had been paid for
at our boxoffices. Here was a situation
unique in American industrial history. A para-
BOTH COASTS ^T TO BLAST
FILM STARS FROM AIR WAVES
N«« York IndM R»odv lor ~ ~ ~ CaldemlQ ITO S»li Plan*
"gCLlI; MPTO Raps Competition
from Radio Durir^g Theatre Hours
Hollywood Grows Conscious of Inroads
Made by Radio in Entertainment Field
More Co-operation Between Radio-film*
May B« Solution to Competition Threat
Produttn
41i9"in9 Tkcmicl.ci W,lh B.oodcoit
^^pj
4;jfH0lllTY
From BOXOFFICE Files
Trade headlines of the mid-1930s. when
exhibitors considered radio a competitor
which would destroy the motion picture
theatre. H. E. Jameyson points out in
his article that after the first impact of
radio, the industry "went forward to the
longest period of prosperity we have yet
enjoyed."
sitic industry deriving most of its nourishment
from the prostrate but still living body
of another. At the risk of being macabre
we find an analogy in nature: the vulture
feeding upon the stricken but still breathing
creature of the forest.
But making due allowance for televi.-.ion's
profound impact upon the public, it wasn't
the receiving set in the living room that did
us the most harm, it was the mental state
of our minds. Television's menace—hysterically
overemphasized—became an industry
obsession. High-placed and respected leaders
publicly voiced the most dismal prophecies.
There was no valiant and defiant
Churchill for us to rally around. Many of us
simply waited for the inevitable invasion.
Financial sources dried up. Production went
into a deep and prolonged slump. Many talented
people moved from the movie set to
the television set.
STILL HAVE A REGULAR AUDIENCE
While our industry had no one man to
essay the role of Churchill, we did have a
hard core of undefeated, courageous men w-ho
were not ready to surrender. And we still
had a loyal if reduced audience, conservatively
estimated at 50 million.
What we have witnessed can be compared
to what frequently occurs in the fight ring.
The powerful aggressor has his opponent on
the ropes but can't quite summon enough
strength to deliver the final knockout. Meanwhile,
the almost vanquished victim clears his
mind, recovers his vision, calls upon hidden
reserves of stamina and goes ahead to win.
All these things can happen in a fight ring
in a few dramatic, exciting moments. The
same process in a multi-million dollar industry
t.akes long wearisome, discouraging
years. Processes, plans and people must
change. Faith must replace anxiety. Courage
must overcome fear. Vision must dispel
darkness.
All these changes are taking place, but in
our preoccupation w-ith daily problems, many
of us do not see or feel them. On that account,
I feel it is desirable and worthwhile
to call your attention to certain developments
you may not have observed.
AN ALTERED PRODUCTION PLAN
First and most important is the altered
production policy of Hollywood. The quantity
of pictures annually produced had been
steadily declining for several years. At the
very time we desperately needed more pictures
we got fewer. In 1956 this trend is reversed.
Paramount is the only company that hasn't
increased its releasing schedule. This year,
theatres can look forward to a 15 per cent
to 20 per cent increase in the number of
pictures available. But, more important, we
can look forward to better pictures. While we
know that many of these "better" pictures
(Continued on page 28)
12. 1956 25

».OH»^_'r.f.'«
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^5itiii»
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^^:^
^^'m
ROARING
^^
£^.
CONTACT YOUR BUENA VISTA

Cinemascope
FESS PARKER
JEFFREY HUNTER
w
DISNEY TRADITION!
IN IM ^
ACROSS
THE
NjriON
ABOARD
OFFICE NOW!..,
CAMPAIGN

H. E. Jameyson
(.Continued from page 25)
will not live up to boxoffice expectations, we
know their general high quality will impress
the patrons who see them. We also know
that the Model T movie will soon be for
the living room only, not our screens.
Secondly, our distributors have re-oriented
their attitude towards release schedules. Releasing
conditions have been chaotic for several
years, with each distributor jockeying
for a favored position. Distributors have
now learned the folly of releasing their more
attractive wares in a manner that resulted
in a "feast or famine" condition. We are
promised this year an even, steady flow of
quality merchandise.
LACK OF INDUSTRY RESEARCH
We are only now reaching the point where
we can see history repeating itself. Necessity
being the mother of invention, we are seeing
our industry turning to new devices and new
methods. We are re-enacting the battle we
had 20 years ago with radio.
One of the great problems this industry
has always faced is our lack of precise information
about our business. Even as these
words are written no two distributors of films
can agree on the actual number of theatres
we have in the United States. We don't
know how large our audience is. We don't
know how many dollars are spent at our boxoffices.
Fi-om studio to theatre, we operate
by intuition and inspiration. We use "feel"
instead of knowledge. While other industries
have turned to scientific procedures to learn
about themselves and to map their com-ses,
we still operate like a "seat-of-the-pants"
pilot.
I think that's about to be changed. I won't
go into details, but a research outfit, Sindlinger
& Co., business analysts, have been
taking a hard and expensive look at our
industry. So far their coverage is not complete
and their techniques not perfected but
they are already telling us things about ourselves
we never knew before. I foresee the day
when theirs, or a similar service, will be as
important and valuable to us as a dictionary
is to a writer.
FILM STOCKS HOLD APPEAL
From another source comes very encouraging
news. I refer to the analysis sent to
the clients of Ai-nold Berhard & Co. It is
commonly known as the Value Line Investment
Survey and is highly regarded in financial
circles. It recently surveyed the position
and prospects of our industry as well
as those of each individual producing company.
It is much too long and detailed to
quote here but it does dwell intelligently and
at length upon our problems and our future.
With regard to the stocks of producing
companies it says this: "These stocks offer
special appeal at this time." With reference
to television competition it has this to say:
"Actually, it appears that the motion picture
industry has been gaining the upper hand
in its battle with television for some time."
Bear in mind these are not the words of
a wLshful-thinking movie man, but the advice
of disinterested financial advisors, jealous
of their standing with conservative investors.
On some future day, when we look back on
these troubled times, we'll probably credit
Cinemascope with reviving our hopes and
BritishFilmsNeedMoreU.S,Playclates;
M. P. Warns Against U. K. Restrictions
NEW YORK—Sir Tom O'Brien, member of
Parliament and general secretary of the
National Ass'n of Theatrical and Kinematograph
Employes (the British equivalent of the
lATSE), had been in this country only a
few hom-s early in the week when he predicted
that, unless British films get more
playing time in this country, something might
happen.
O'Brien was a member of the group who
came over to attend the Variety Clubs International
convention. While here he will confer
with Ei'ic Johnston, MPAA president, and
Richard P. Walsh, president of the lATSE.
O'Brien pointed out the possibility that a
Labor government might return to power
our faith. While all producers did not embrace
Cinemascope at first, and while some
still have not fully employed it, it has, nevertheless,
won a permanent place. For this
we can give thanks to the courage and vision
of Spyros Skouras and his associates at 20th
Century-Pox. Today, we have a picture with
a visual aspect ratio unsuited to the television
screen. We have pictures that are
ours and ours alone. They will never be the
"come-on" for a coast-to-coast medicine
show, chiefly designed to peddle dentrifices,
detergents and deodorants.
Generally speaking, television came late
to our Midwest territory, and in many homes
its novelty has not yet worn off. In addition,
our territory is suffering from climatic conditions
and declining agricultural income.
Though industry may be moving in, we still
operate in an agricultural economy and are
vitally affected by its
vagaries.
I cannot refrain from pointing out a favorable
trend that seems to be developing. One
of our standard procedures is to keep a tenweek
daily attendance record of each theatre.
Each week this is changed to fit the performance
of the previous ten weeks. All last fall, and
for the fii-st few weeks of this year, the trend
in the majority of our theatres was downward.
In recent weeks this trend has reversed.
We now find the great majority of our theatres,
week-by-we€k, returning more than the
previous ten weeks' averages.
CAN'T BE COMPLACENT
However, in this fact, hopeful as it is, there
are no grounds for complacency. We cannot
trust "nature to take its course" or expect
our missing patrons, occupied with other diversions,
to voluntarily return to the fold.
For years we have communicated with our
patrons through the newspaper, our screen
and other standard media. These still have
their value and are essential, but they are
not enough. Thousands of our former patrons
no longer read our ads and, of course,
never see our screens. Oiu- job today can
be likened to that of the missionary seeking
converts. His task requires persistence and
patience, and above all, zeal. I have told
our men they face a grass roots task.
In our business we have never made personal
solicitations like the insurance salesman
or the Fuller Brush man. But I've told
our managers, these times and these conditions
require just that sort of an approach.
I've asked them to pei-sonally contact a
and said that, in that case, the American industry
would have "increasing difficulties in
maintaining its position in the Brtish market."
He declared that, unless proper machinery
is set up, no progress can be made. One of
his suggestions was that an international film
council be set up to discuss and solve the
problem of insuring more American bookings
for the British imports.
New restrictions, he admitted, would be bad
both for American distributors and British
exhibitors who would face a film shortage.
Discussions of a new quota agreement with
Great Britain in 1957 would be influenced by
the situation prevailing then. He said he
personally favored quotas.
specific number of stay-at-homes each week.
I have told them that reams of printed matter
extolling the merits of a certain picture will
not accomplish as much as a few words of
sincere recommendation from the lips of the
manager or one of his employes.
If each of our managers can promote,
through personal contact, a hundred admissions
that would have otherwise not come,
w^e will gradually reconvert many of our
former patrons.
Up to the present, we have not been able
to enter into any such program with confidence,
because we have not had enough
quality merchandise. This condition is
rapidly changing. We have, in the immediate
future, some wonderful product for
our theatres. Upon this foundation we can
rebuild our patronage.
AN ENCOURAGING REPORT
While I've avoided using figures and statistics
in this statement, I must conclude it
with some information that I consider very
impressive. The Value Line Investment Survey
previously mentioned, shows that during
the whole period from 1948 to 1951, only four
pictures grossed more than five million dollars
in our domestic market. In 1954, eight pictures
hit that figure. In 1955, there were 15
in that category. Add that information to the
fact that "Carousel," now having its first
showing in New "5fork, grossed over $300,000
in its first three weeks and you'll certainly
reach the conclusion that our straying patrons
must be returning to the fold.
And if it's faith in our business you are
looking for, consider this: Paramount has
spent more than ten million dollars on "The
Ten Commandments" which will be released
We
this year. It took faith in our industry for
men to make tremendously spectacular pictures
like "War and Peace," "Meet Me in Las
Vegas," "Alexander the Great," "The King
and I," "The Conqueror," "Moby Dick" and
several others, costing over 5 million each.
With these facts in mind, it becomes the
duty of management and our managers in
the field, to extend greater efforts than ever
before. We must justify the faith that courageous
men have shown in our business.
owe it to our company and our associates to
make the most of what will be handed us
this year. And, above all, we owe to our lost
patrons a personal appeal to witness and revel
in our recent artistic and technological
achievements.
28 BOXOFFICE

EXHIBITORS WHO FEEL
THAT
THEY'VE BEEN GIVING THEIR PATRONS AN
OVERDOSE OF SEX, VIOLENCE, MURDER AND
BLOODSHED SHOULD FIND
^ipO^ ^ll^rg^^
A WELCOME RELIEF... it's loaded with laughs...
built for wholesome family entertainment!"...
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
ToYTjGpElt boasts all the
heart-warmrng, wholesome qualities
of its predecessor.. ("The Private
War of Major Benson") and 0)/^^!^
should establish an even more
impressive revenue record!"
BOXOFFICE
ToYTjCpER is
to insure exhibitors
healthy grosses . .
designed
."
MOT/ON PICTURE HERALD
'^YTjGER
"The whole family will
...when real honest-
love
to-goodness family pictures
are not too plentiful, here is one
to really sell the folks . .
ideal entertainment for
young and old alike!"
SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW
Film should appeal to young and old ^Wi^
alike., .preview audiences' warm /pi
response concludes that ToY^teER ^^
will sell well all over the country!"
FILM
DAILY
wthCECIL KELLAWAY
• RICHARD HAYDN
Directed b^ JfRRf HOPP[R
• Screen Stcry mi Screenplay b'/ lEO SHERDEMAN • Pictad by HOWARD CHRISTIE
PRINT BY TECHNICOLOR

. . For
. . Theatres
. . Completely
. . This
'The Man in
the Gray Flannel Suit'
Wins April Blue Ribbon Award
By VELMA WEST SYKES
pOR the second consecutive month, a 20th-Fox picture is voted the BOXOFFICE Blue
Ribbon Award, having met the combined test of being both outstanding and suitable
entertainment for the whole family. National Screen Council members, who pick the
winner by marlcing postcard ballots, seemed to have the same reaction expressed by Anna
Joyce Reardon, of the Woman's College at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro,
when she commented: " 'The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit' is an interesting story showing
problems of an everyday American family and is well done." It brings forcibly to mind
the wounds inflicted on loved ones at home by war-induced emotional experience, leaving
scars that will fade only through mutual understanding and love that face up to accepting
responsibility as a family unit.
The Sloan Wilson best seller has had
expert treatment on the screen. Jennifer
Jones and Gregory Peck caiTy the lead
roles in such competent fa.shion that their
suffering and ultimate rainbow of happiness
after the storm passes go deep into the
patron's own vicarious emotions. The picture
is gi-ossing well in key first runs, having
scored 179 per cent in those situations.
BOXOFFICE gave it a feature review in
the issue of March 31, its Hollywood editor,
Ivan Spear, commenting in part:
"The photoplay appears surefire to rank
high among the year's toppers in public and
critical acclaim, as well as capacity patronage
the ticket-buyers who relish
other than problems in their screen fare,
there are exciting and spectacular spots of
action, made possible through flashback
glimpses of Peck's army experiences, and
the yarn is not wanting in touches of wholesome
and alleviating comedy."
TV Council . is a good portrayal of
the rat-race we are all engaged in!—Charles
G. Sampas, Lowell Sun.
Today the public wants realism and this
it is.—Jeanette Mazurkl, Glendale (Calif.)
News Press . . . This story is compiled by
using the best of all the ingredients that
make a good movie.—Mrs. Henry Earl Smith,
Sheboygan County (Wis.) Better Films
Council . true-to-life show.
—Tom Peck, Charleston (S.C.) News &
Courier.
"The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit" is
the first 1956 release that impressed me as
Academy Award material.—Glenn Tj-ump,
Omaha World Herald ... A fine screen
adaption of Sloan Wilson's novel.—Fields
Warner, Montgomery Advertiser . . . Sock
acting!—George Stump, KCMO, Kansas
City.
I pick "The Man in the Gray Flannel
Suit," as it is a good story, well told, and
follows the book better than is usual. The
children in the picture are wonderful and
Selected comments from NSC members,
who backed up their votes with expressions
about the picture, are these:
natural. The whole cast is great—fine acting.—Mrs.
E. P. Swisher, Cleveland Cinema
An engrossing story with top performances
by an all-star cast.—Malcolm Miller, Knoxville
Journal . showing such top-
Club.
drawer entertainment as "The Man in the
Gray Flannel Suit" will have an overflow
treasurer's drawer.—Mrs. Virginia Rollwage human.—Mrs. Alvin C. Johnson, Indianapolis
NSC Collier, president, D.C. Motion Picture and
Group.
For an evening of enjoyment, see "The
Man in the Gray Flannel Suit." It has
troubles and emotions but is warm and
To7n Rath
Gregory Peck
Betsy Jennifer Jones
Hopkins F^EDRic March
Maria
Marisa Pa van
Judge Bernstein Lee J. Cobb
Mrs. Hopkins Ann Harding
Caesar Gardella
Keenan Wynn
Hawthorne
Gene Lockhart
The Cast
Susan Hopkins GiGi Perreau
Janie Portland Mason
Walker Arthur O'Connell
Bill Ogden
Henry Daniell
Mrs. Manter
Connie Gilchrist
Edward Schultz
Joseph Sweeney
Barbara
Sandy Descher
Pete
Mickey Maga
Production Staff
Executive Producer Darryl F. Zanuck
Produced by Darryl F. Zanuck
Directed by
Nunnally Johnson
Screenplay by NtmNALLY Johnson
From the Novel by Sloan Wilson
Music Bernard Herrmann
Director of Photography
Charles G. Clarke, A.S.C.
Art Direction
Lyle R. Wheeler,
Jack Martin Smith
Set Decorations Walter M. Scott,
Stuart A. Reiss
Special Photographic Effects
Ray Kellogg
Fihn Editor Dorothy Spencer, A.C.E.
Wardrobe Direction Charles Le Maire
Color by
De Luxe
Color Consultant
Leonard Doss
%J This Award is given each month by
and suitability for family entertainmeni
film commentator-, and representatives
tional Screen Coun I on the basis of outstanding merit
prises motion picture editors, radio
civic and educational organizations.

1
91
Montana ITO Convention
• /
Proposes Brainstorming
Session for the Industry
BILLINGS. MONT. — Injection of the
"brainstorming for idea-s" theory into the industry's
search for solutions to its current trade
problems was recommended here Tuesday (8)
by Claude C. Mimdo. assistant to the president
of Theatre Owners of America, at the
opening session of the Independent Theatre
Owners of America convention.
Tliis new method in the development of
new ideas and its use in the film industry
may come up for discussion at the TOA convention
in New York next September.
TRIED AT D. C. CONFERENCE
The "brainstorming" discussion concept Ls
attributed to a Hillsdale. Mich., educator as a
new means by which to generate ideas needed
for the solution of one or a gr-oup of problems.
It is designed to get away from "ti-aditional"
thinking on the specific subject,
Mundo pointed out. The principle was used
with success in the much-publicized White
House Conference on Education last September.
Mundo reiterated the national organization's
strong endorsement of the ten-point
program evolved by Leonard Goldenson and
Edwai-d Hyman of American Broadcasting-
Paramount Theatres for rejuvenation of the
industry.
Mundo listed these objectives of the program
:
( 1 ) Orderly distribution of quality products
through the year, (2) equalization of advertising
rates and contract.s between television
stations and theatres, i3i improved trailers,
i4i recapture of the women's audience, i5) concentration
on increased attendance. (6) development
of new faces, (7) the importance
of publicity coverage for Hollywood and theatres,
(8) continuation of Audience Awards,
support of special projects and (10) a "rebirth
of showmanship."
Mundo, in an open forimi discussion among
theatre owners, industry representatives and
equipment salesmen during the opening ses-
.sion of the meeting, suggested adding "an
11th point in answer to current problems—
rebirth of production," and it was in this
connection that he suggested an industry
brainstorming" session.
TALK OPENS SESSION
Mundo's talk at the first general session
was the high point of the program preliminary
to the business session of the convention.
Association members, sales representatives,
supply dealers and associate members attended
a "get acquainted" luncheon held in
the Northern Hotel ballroom, convention
headquarters, Tuesday noon. C. E. Anderson
of Kalispell, president of MTA, was toastmaster.
Montana theatremen were warned against
"complacency" by out-of-state exhibitors in
a discussion of means by which the "captive
audience" of television can be won back into
theatres.
Coaxial cable or microwave TV is still to
come into the state, delegates were reminded
by a Bingham, Utah, visitor who urged theati-e
owners to make use of the time to "make
adjustments" necessary to competing with
fireside entertainment.
During forum comments on the possible Inroads
television might make on the Montana
theatre audience, several exhibitors by their
remarks implied they would continue to "take
things in stride" and would "crass the television
bridge when they got to it." Concensus
of others was that "the industry will recover
and we'll live through it like we have through
other things."
The matter of pricing also was taken up at
the forum following one exhibitor's query.
"Are we pricing ourselves out of business?"
Exhibitor opinion was that it is "generally
true" in the region that people are not yet
price conscious.
Pulitzer Group Turns
Down Film Award
NE'W YORK—The Pulitzer Prize trustees
again turned down consideration of the award
of an annual prize to the best motion picture
of the year at a closed meeting Monday I7).
The film award topic was first suggested in
1932 by Jack L. Warner, but the Pulitzer
trustees have annually refused to take action,
contending that a film does not deserve
classification with the yearly awards for
plays, novels, journalism, etc.
"The Dairy of Anne Prank," written by
Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, who
have written "Seven Brides for Seven
Brothers." "The Thin Man," and other
screenplays for MGM, was awarded the
Pulitzer Pi'ize as the best American play of
1955. The play, currently playing at the Cort
Theatre, has already won the New York
Drama Critics' Circle prize and the American
Theatre Wing's Antoinette Perry award as
the best play of the season. Mrs. Hackett
writes under her maiden name and the husband
and wife are the first writing team to
win a Pulitzer Prize.
"Andersonville." a 767-page novel of the
Confederate prison camp for Union soldiers in
the Civil War. by MacKinlay Kantor, was
published in October and was a Book-of-the-
Month selection and is a current be.st-seller.
The book has been sold for $250,000 to Columbia
Pictures for production in 1956.
Selznick to See 20th-Fox
On Production Contract
NEW YORK—David O. Selznick was scheduled
to meet late in the week with 20th
Century-Fox officials on a contract for the
production of a number of independent films
calling for some 20th-Fox financial backing.
Selznick until recently was under contract to
RKO.
S. Hurok Re-SignsWith NBC
NEW YORK—S. Hurok, well-known impresai-io,
has signed a new one-yeai- contract
with National Broadcasting Co. as television
consultant and producer.
No Smooth Sailing Seen
For Todd-Russian Tieup
NEW YORK Nru p.ipri- reports from
Mo.scow that Michael Tixld will eo-produce
five films in Russia were toned down in a
statement issued by the To

W€t4Au^lto*t ^efiont
r-RIC JOHNSTON has returned to Washington
only for "flying trips" since his
hegira abroad.
The Motion Picture Ass'n of America, which
maintains its headquarters staff here, nevertheless
is making more news than ever since
the on-the-go nominal head of the industry
came baclc from his 'round-the-world tour.
After a brief vacation, he began to malce
news by his analysis of the Near East situation,
with which he is very familiar, having
served in that area as the President's envoy
extraordinary. Among other things, he is
appearing on the national "Youth Wants to
Know" program, and, undoubtedly, will be in
the limelight in other ways in the coming
weeks.
Johnston is represented by associates as
being "very optimistic" about the motion picture
business and he is as much in favor of
a "united front" by all elements of the industry
as ever.
Besides the annual meeting of MPAA,
Johnston has conferred with many producers
and distributors about changes in the Production
Code, and on other matters. There's
never a dull moment with an "executive's
executive" in the motion picture industry!
o-o-o
rj S. FILM companies shipped 28.362,510
linear feet of film to foreign nations in
January, with a total value of $1,019,292, the
U. S. Department of Commerce has reported
here, with the biggest shipment of
exposed positive film going to Brazil, which
received 2,443,603 linear feet valued at $59,497.
The report showed that the United Kingdom,
during the month, received 922,957 linear
feet of film, valued at $80,904: Canada, 1,136,-
753 linear feet, at $65,017: Italy. 1.285,540
linear feet, $59,705, and Australia, 968,800
linear feet valued at $53,404.
The statistical report showed that U. S.
companies imported 327 positive feature
prints of foreign pictures during January
1956, compared to 312 imported in the same
month a year before.
Some 165 films came from the United
Kingdom; 38 came from Mexico; 37 from
Hong Kong, and 36 from Japan. Others came
from the Bahamas, 16; France, 15; West
Germany, 8; Chile, 4; Italy, 4; Finland, 2 and
Canada and Belgium, one each.
U. S. distributors also imported 124 feature
film negatives from overseas countries, including
82 from Brazil, eight from Hong Kong,
eight from Panama, five from Japan, three
from West Germany, three from the Philippines,
two from Canada, one from Egypt, and
one from Australia.
0-0-0
THE Theatre Owners of America, through
A.
man,
Julian
has
Brylawski,
requested
its legislative chair-
permission—which no
doubt will be granted— to testify before the
subcommittee of the Senate Committee on
Labor and Public Welfare in opposition to
proposals to extend the federal minimum
wage law to motion picture theatres.
Actually, there is little threat this year,
from any organized source on Capitol Hill, in
favor of extending the minimum wage to "uncovered"
groups. The administration made a
big to-do about its intention to seek such additional
coverage before Congress met, but so
By LARSTON D. FARRAR
far there has been no recommendation from
the White House.
Meantime, the Democrats, who normally
might favor such a move, have been taken up
with the farm bill, and other legislation they
consider more pressing.
The unions, except through their various
publications, have not plugged hard for the
extension of coverage in this session. It seems
extremely unlikely that any bill will be reported
to both the Senate and the House of
Representatives this year.
"phe action of
the Federal Reserve Board in
raising its rediscount rate to three per
cent may or may not "stop inflation"—as it
allegedly is designed to do—but it certainly
will make it more difficult for motion picture
theatre owners to borrow money, for
either short-term or long-term use, although
they have found it increasingly difficult in
recent years.
In the context of today's strange economic
conditions, there is a big question about the
FRB's actions tightening bank credit. The
action will raise interest rates, no doubt
about it. This will rebound to the credit of
banks and other lending institutions.
It also will raise the cost of carrying the
federal government's huge debt, which now
stands at $7.1 billion a year. And it will raise
the cost of state and municipal debt-handling,
thus socking the average taxpayer, who
pays for all these interest rates through taxes
and. of course, when he makes loans.
The action may "stop inflation," but it certainly
will stop expansion by many small
businesses, and it also may be the piece of
straw that broke the camel's back in the case
of many a small busine.ss that has been "hanging
on" in hopes of a break. Bankruptcies
among small businesses are at the highest
rate in modern history now, and this move
will do nothing to stop this ominous trend.
All in all, you can't help but wonder whose
idea it was, although you do not have to
wonder long if you know many bankers.
Interest is the wages of money, and those
who have greenbacks are anxious for more
profits than even the record-breaking profits
they have made off handling currency in
recent years.
o-o-o
gUSINESS Briefs: Manufacturers in the
photographic equipment industry shipped
35mm motion picture equipment valued at
$24,594,000 in 1954, compared to 1947 shipments
of $10,642,000, the U. S. Bureau of
the Census has reported here. In the eight
mm and 16 mm combined, shipments for
1954 were $83,561,000 against 1947 shipments
of $79,460,000 . . . Representative Gordon H.
Scherer (R.Ohio), who went to Los Angeles
recently as a member of the House Committee
on Un-American Activities to hold
hearings, was "drafted" into a motion picture
role, when he stood around in his hotel lobby.
The director thought the Congi-essman was
an "extra," and ordered him to smoke,
although Scherer is not a smoker. The legislator
says he went through two packages of
cigarets in 15 retakes, and never did tell the
du-ector who he was. It was a hotel scene
in "Julie," star of which is Doris Day, who
hails
from Cincinnati.
CALENDARiEVENTS
MAY
T W T F S
12 3 4 5
S M
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31

.
^_
: May
History of Motion Pictures in U.S.
Serves as a Big Draw in Milwaukee
^^LWAUKEE—The old silents we still a
lure for the public. More than 2,000 persons
turned out for a program devoted to the history
of the American
film held as part of
Marquette University's
Festival of the American
Arts. The festival
marked the University's
75th anniversary.
The program was an
indication to the trade
\ .^,^^1 here that the history
^^
motion pictures,
X. ^1 presented as discussions
illustrated with
Roger Albright excerpts from old films
an exhibition of prints from famous motion
or
pictures and other memorabilia,
can
play a role in stimulating renewed interest
in movies. Similar programs have from time
to time been urged by industry leaders.
The two-part program at the University
included a three-reel history of motion pictures
produced by Iris Barry, curator of the
Film Library of the Museum of Modern Art,
with Roger Albright, director of education
for the Motion Picture Ass'n of America, and
George Sidney, president of the Screen Directors
Guild, conducting the discussions.
Albright led in discussing early films and
Sidney those of the modern era.
Many of those who attended saw silents
for the first time and heard, also for the first
time, the kind of music which the traditional
piano player provided for the "flickers."
Joseph F. Wesley, local piano player who used
to play for silent films at the old Mozart
and Merrill theatres here, presided at the
upright piano, plucking countless melodies
out of the keyboard to cuplure the varyuig
moods. The audience appealed to be so
fascinated by this demonstration of an oldtime
art that it frequently broke out with
applause when Wesley came through with a
particularly appropriate descriptive bit. He
said it had been 30 years .since he la.st played
for silent pictures.
Among the sequences shown were the famoiLs
"kiss" by May Irwin and John C. Rice,
dated 1896, 'The Great Train Robbery" produced
in 1904, Mary Pickford in "The New
York Hat" (1912), "A Fool There Was" with
Theda Bara (1915), "The Four Horsemen of
the Apocalypse" with Valentino (1920), "The
Covered Wagon" (1924), "Greed" (1924), the
Eric Von Stroheim masterpiece, "The General"
(1927), with Buster Keaton, and .some
of the earlier talking pictures.
Albright told the audience that moviegoers
of 30 years ago would be startled by
some of the frankness expressed in today's
motion picture, but, he commented, "that
doesn't mean any lessening of morals in the
industry. The attitude of the public toward
certain expressions and situations changes
over the years, and motion pictures change
with it."
Actually, he said, the industry lags behind
public acceptance because all sections of the
country do not progress uniformly in this
acceptance, and the industry must follow the
more reluctant segments of the population.
Motion pictures, he declared, are as "clean"
today as they ever were and are being used
on a much greater scale for educational and
scientific purposes.
Ben Marcus, circuit operator, and the public
relations firm of Barkin-Herman & A.'^sociates,
were instrumental in helping the University
set up its motion picture program.
SMPTE Technical Course
Declined by Columbia
NEW YORK—Columbia University has declined
to add a course on the latest technical
developments in the motion picture Industry
that was requested by the Society of Motion
Picture and Television Engineers.
It was said
that Columbia's policy limits it to courses
providing credits for degrees in courses controlled
by the university.
SMPTE will now approach other local
.schools with its project for spon.soring technical
courses having a .syllabus to be set by
its educational committee. Such projects are
being .successfully conducted at two California
universities as non-credit courses open
only to members of the industry.
BIG, BIG
PROMOTION
COAST-TO-COAST!
MGM's 'Swan' Is Breaking
Records in Keys Abroad
NEW YORK—MGM's "The Swan," currently
playing in all U. S. key cities to cash
in on the wave of publicity about Grace
Kelly's wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco,
also is doing strong business abroad, according
to cables received by Loew's International
executives.
In London, the first week at the Empire
Theatre resulted in the biggest receipts in
ten years, in Paris the opening at the
Ermitage Theatre was a record and in Antwerp,
at the Metro Theatre, business was
the bigge.st since "Quo Vadis" In 1953. Same
for the Eldorado In Brussels.
In Montevideo, the first week at the Metro
Theatre was record, topping every picture in
the theatre's history, including "Quo Vadis,"
which played at higher prices; in Lima, the
opening was a record, with "Quo Vadis" at
higher prices, the only picture to exceed it
and, in Panama City, the gross was the biggest
in two years at the Bellavlsta Theatre.
In Australia, playing nine theatres in four
cities, the first week was ahead of every
picture except "Quo Vadis." In Cairo and
Alexandria, at the Metro theatres, opening
day set a house record and advance sales of
tickets were record-breaking.
BOXOFFICE :
12, 1956
Mpls. Papers Say 'No'
To Title of French Film
MINNEAPOLIS—The two local daily newspapers,
both under the same ownership, are
censoring local theatre ads. Because of
reader complaints, it's explained, thumbs
down have been placed on copy which is considered
overly bold and daring for pictures
of a sexy nature.
W. R. Frank's neighborhood "fine arts"
Avalon wasn't permitted to advertise the
French picture "Intimate Relations" by its
correct title. In the newspaper ads, the
theatre had be content with the name
to
"Dangerous Relations."
When previously presented in Minneapolis
several years ago the picture was advertised
in the same newspapers under its true name.
Krassner to New Post
NEW YORK—Ted Krassner, assistant playdate
head at the Paramount home office, has
been named assistant to Charles Boasberg
and Morris Lefko in handling distribution of
"The Ten Commandments" and "War and
Peace." Before joining Paramount he was
buyer and booker for independent circuits
and at one time a New Jersey exhibitor.

. . . Carmen
. . RKO
. . . MGM
. . Producer
. . Glamor
: May
WoUtftMcd ^efo

HELPS PLANT TREES—Mrs. Murray
Silverstone, wife of the head of the international
department of 20th Century-Fox,
planting trees during ground breaking
ceremonies for Israel's new Dionysia
Gardens, an international park adjoining
the International Cultural Center for
Youth now under construction in Jerusalem.
The park is named in memory of
Dionysia Skouras, daughter of the president
of 20th Century-Fox and Mrs.
Sp>Tos P. Skouras. (Photo by Isreal Government
Tourist Office).
New Para. Production Man
Named for Great Britain
NEW YORK—Richard L. Mealand has resigned
as general production representative
in Great Britain for Paramount because of
ill health. He held the post five years. He
will be succeeded by Lawrence P. Bachmann,
.son of the late Jack Bachmann, former
Paramount Hollywood studio executive.
Bachmann has been living in London and
active in the independent production field
there. He has just returned there after conferences
with Russell Holman. eastern production
manager of Paramount. He has
written many stories for motion pictures,
and has served RKO and MGM in production
capacities.
Mealand was formerly a magazine editor
and writer. He has been on both the New
York and Hollywood staffs of Paramount.
He will return to the U. S. and resume writing
after his recovery.
Milton Cross to Narrate
Two APA Opera Films
NEW YORK—A.
W. Schwalberg. president
of Artists-Producers Associates, has closed
a deal with Milton Cross, Metropolitan
Opera commentator, to do the narration and
introduction on film for "The Life and
Music of Giuseppe Verdi" and "Figaro, the
Barber of Seville," opera films which APA
will
release.
Cross is host and commentator for the
Saturday Opera matinees and has been present
for every one of the Metropolitan Opera
broadcasts since they w'ere launched Christmas
Day 1931. He also will work on a later
group of APA op)era films. Schwalberg said.
Films Are Still Top Entertainment
Throughout World, UNESCO Reports
NEW YORK Motion pictures have retained
their pre-eminent role in the world of
entertainment de.spite the challenge of newer
media, according to the third annual report
on world communications is.sued by the
United Nations Educational. Scientific and
Cultural Oi-ganization. Each week motion
picture attendance equals one-tenth of the
world's population, it says.
The U, S. leads in world production and
distribution with the gi-eat majority of countries
relying on it
for about 70 per cent of all
features exhibited. Exceptions are Russia,
continental China and a few European countries.
Annual production here totals some
350 features and 800 newsreeLs.
19,000 U. S. THEATRES
The U. S. has 19,000 permanent theatres,
of which 4,000 are drive-ins, the report says.
Total seating capacity has decreased to 10.-
000.000 and about 6.000 theatres have gone out
of business since 1946, largely due to television.
Annual attendance per person is 16.
Canada has 1,906 permanent theatres and
174 drive-ins for a total .seating capacity of
about 1.000,000. Its production of features is
limited but it is active in the newsreel field.
Mexico ranks next to the U. S. in production
in the western hemisphere. It exports
its films to 30 countries. There is much
less feature production in Puerto Rico.
Guatemala and Jamaica. Argentina remains
the largest South American producer and the
largest exporter. It averages 39 features a
year and exports to more than 15 countries.
Argentina and Brazil have legislation aiding
local motion picture production. Paraguay
and Peru have made exhibition of local newsreels
compulsory.
South America as a whole depends on the
U. S. for from 70 to 90 per cent of its feature
entertainment.
Theatre construction has increased in the
Caribbean area. Mexico now has 2,062, the
Dominican Republic 74 and Panama 60, the
report says.
In Europe, production is active and the
films are exported to many parts of the world.
The leading producers are Italy, the German
Federal Republic, Prance and the United
Kingdom. Attendance in the United Kingdom
is highest in the world. Tlie rate is 25
per person annually. Italy has a rate of 16
per person, equal to the U. S. rate, and
Germany 14 per person.
DECLINE IN SWEDEN
There has been some attendance decline in
Scandinavia and the low coimtries.
The Soviet Union has 40.000 theatres, including
35,000 in the villages, and of its total
of 60,000 projectors, about half are used in
mobile units. All features produced are shown
on television. Theatre attendance is stable.
The U. S. remains the main source of features
for Africa, though production Is increasing
there. Egypt averaged 69 features in
1953. and French Morocco has 15 producing
companies that make features in Arabic,
French and English. Production is limited
in the Union of South Africa and Tanganyika.
There are 368 theatres in the Union of South
Africa and 365 in Egypt
Japan has passed India as the leading
Asian producing country with 302 features in
1953, only 50 less than in the U. S. India
is in second place. Japanese and Indian films
have found good niiirkets in Asia, and there
also are exports to Europe,
Exhibition is progressing in Asia. Japane.se
theatres have increased to 3,750 and Indian
theatres to 2,000. Continental China is adding
to its total of 800. Theatre attendance
in 1953 ro.se 30 per cent over that of 1952.
Pew features are made in Australia and
New Zealand. About 80 per cent of all features
come from the U. S. Attendance Is high.
UNESCO stresses the important role played
by documentary and educational films. Its
report discusses all types of media— pre.ss,
film,
radio and television.
y
READY
FpR TH
HIGH ^
pdwE^E
NATIONWb.
EXPltolT^ON
BOXOFFICE :: May 12, 1956

: May
. .
LETTERS
MUST PROTECT 'FOUNDATION'
I vvaiit to thank you on behalf of myself
and the many hundreds of exhibitors in this
country for the fine treatment that you
accorded the article, "An Appeal for Little
Pictm-es," in your issue of April 21. I sincerely
hope that the ideas expressed by my
associate, Jack D. Braunagel. in tills article
will be read and re-read by every person in
this industry. I would like to see every exhibitor
organization in this country have reprints
made and distributed to each of its
exhibitor members and in turn ask them
to express their views direct to the producers
and distributors.
In my opinion, nothing that has ever
occuiTed in this business is more alarming
than the present apathy on the pai-t of the
producers and distributors for the motion
picture patron in small communities at the
grass-roots level. They seem to have lost sight
of the fact that this business of ours was
built on family patronage and the development
of frequent moviegoing habits. They
forget that the motion picture theatre is a
family institution and that it has always
been so and can only prosper by i-emaining
so: and, lest we forget, there are still
43,000,000 families in America today.
When we stop to analyze om- business, we
find that, recently, our greatest decline has
been in women and childi-en patronage. Because
we have developed such a contemptuous
regard for them, they are simply staying away
from the films we are offering. And if we
want to vanish into oblivion, along with the
horse and buggy, I can think of no faster or
surer way than to continue the emphasis on
SEX, SWORDS and BRUTALITY—and the
failure to develop new talent—coupled with
the retirement of the "grandmas" and
r^,.»-
V Our 31
Years In Theatre Advertising Assures t
. / Exhibiloi
31 SCREEN ASPECT RATIO WITH OPTICAL SOUND
"grandpas" that for two generations have
monopolized our rc.eens.
If you will notice the pressbook on two
cm-rent releases that we consider better than
average pictures, you will note that in the
ads on "The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit,"
Gregory Peck is standing erect and between
his legs a soldier is bashing another man's
brains out. In the case of the ads on
"Jubal," Ernest Borgnine, gun in hand, is
dragging a woman and the catchline is. "I'm
going to kill you. Jubal, for what you did to
my wife." Is it any wonder that we are
frightening the women and children away
from our theatres?
Sui-ely no one can criticize the producers
for putting their top efforts behind a certain
number of super epics, looking and hoping
for a 20-million-dollar world gross, even
though, on the word of a top authority in
this field, all the talent in Hollywood cannot
make more than 75 top pictures in a single
year; and the smash hit is the exception
rather than the rule—and often-times one
super epic failiu-e can wipe out the entire
year's profit of a major studio. But, while
we are turning out these "Rolls Royces" and
"Cadillacs," let us fortify ourselves with an
abundance of "Fords" and "Chevrolets," the
family type pictures that Braunagel is appealing
for, films of American history, traditions,
and family life—that have a mass appeal and
that accounted for the 90 million weekly theatre
attendance a few short years ago that has
now dwindled to less than half that number.
When we overlook these thousands of small
communities and neighborhood theatres,
which are the vei-y heart of America, we are
undermining the very structure that has built
and will continue to build our business. We
are doomed to failm-e, if we continue to try
to build from the top, while, at the same
time, we destroy the roots and foundation
of this
business.
President,
United Theatres Corp.,
North Little Rock, Ark.
M. S. McCORD
OPPOSES FILM CLIPS ON TV
Thanks for your "spectacular" coverage of
our private little war with television. As is
always the case with advertising that is
institutional in nature, it is difficult to
accurately pin down the benefits, but at
least we are not just twiddling our thumbs.
Incidentally, we have been pleased to see
a steadily increasing number of motion picture
showmen who are raising their voices
against the .showing of short scene clips from
big pictures on the Ed Sullivan program and
other film companies' sponsored TV series.
How can we possibly impress the public
with the unequalled magnificence of movie
entertainment in Cinemascope or Vista-
Vision, in truly beautiful color, when we show
the TV viewer short clips in blurred black
SUPERSCOPE STANDARDIZES
THE WIDE SCREEN
ONLY SUPERSCOPE PROVIDES ANAMORPHIC
RELEASE PRINTS FROM STANDARD "FLAT" NEGATIVES
PRINTS BY TECHNICOLOR OR IN BLACK AND WHITE
IMPRESSED BY IDEA FILE
This is to inform you I have been .so impressed
by the wonderful promotional ideas
that you have in your Showmandising IDEA
FILE that I would like to take this opportunity
to pass one along to other interested
readers of this section. (Mr. Chabillon's contribution
will appear soon in the IDEA FILE
feature: Editor's Note).
RAY CHABILLON
Red Deer Drive-In Theatre.
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.
and white, reduced to the postage stamp size
of a 19 or 21-inch screen in your living room?
If they must show clips from movies on TV,
why, at least, don't they stage them so that
the TV camera is shooting the scene inside a
movie theatre, taking in part of the proscenium
and at least show the perspective of
Cinemascope. They might move in for a
suitable close-up, but at least begin and end
the clip so as to show the perspective of a
theatre's widescreen.
We would really like to see this controversy
stirred into a storm—enough to make the
film companies stop hurting business through
the showing of film clips on national television
programs.
L. E. FORESTER
Frontier Theatres, Inc.,
Dallas, Texas
FOR DOWN-TO-EARTH FILMS
Today I read this clipping from a Los Angeles
newspaper column:
"Oklahoma!" Upset Her: "On what
prmciple could you have possibly recommended
the tasteless, vulgar, oversized,
hideously noisy 'Oklahoma!' to the muchabused
public? Do you realize that small
children leave the theatre where such
enterprises are shown, trembling and crying
they know not why because of these
giant spectacles?
"By recommending such a spectacle you
can be sure that you have made a significant
contribution to what is hideous
and increasingly more so in American
life today. Delinquency Is not going to
stop at the juvenile level, for if such
spectacles become common we shall all
be brutalized."
—Margaret Fisher, Reseda.
Today we played the oldie "Shepherd of
the Hills." Did the best Sunday business in
months.
Are the moguls correct In believing people
want giant spectacles? Could it be our lost
customers are hungry for down-to-earth,
family pictures with problems so simple that
average people can project themselves into
a story? After all. isn't it the "simple"
things they like on TV? Darned if I know .
but doesn't the popularity of the movie
"Picnic" prove such a point?
MRS. G. E. ORTMAN
Ortman Theatre,
Hennessey, Okla.
S€/#»Fi?SCOPE
2:5S SCREEN ASPECT RATIO WITH MAGNETIC SOUND
BOXOFFICE :
12, 1956

: May
Goldwyn Announces
Plans for New Opus
HOLLYWOOD—In addition to continuing
his personal selling efforts on behalf of the
multi-million-dollar "Guys and Dolls." which
is being distributed by MGM. veteran filmmaker
Samuel Goldwyn intends to put a new
picture before the cameras early next year,
provided he can develop a suitable and satisfactory
story line for the untitled property.
That was the word from Goldwyn at a
press conference called upon his return from
a trek to the Orient, during which he attended
and plugged openings of "G. and D."
and conferred with industry and government
leaders in Japan.
His next independent venture, the topic
of which was not disclosed, will be in blackand-white
and Cinemascope. Goldwyn declared,
adding that a solid script is the prime
essential for a successful motion picture and
that star names, color and other garnishments
are secondary.
The producer is planning a June 1 departure
on a trip to Europe to attend "G. and
D. ' premieres in FYance. Germany and England.
The musical, based on the stage hit,
was well received in Japan, he reported, although
U. S. tunefilms ai-e not as popular
there as are romantic dramas with "heart
and warmth." A $10,000,000 gross will have
to be secured by "Guys and Dolls" before
it
starts showing a profit, he said.
Buffalo Showing Halted
After Bombing Threat
BUFFALO—The Niagara Theatre. Paramount-operated
community house at 426
Niagara, closed early Fi'iday night (4)
after a telephone bomb thj-eat blamed on
teenage rowdies. Acting Manager Blase
Palumbo called police and Walter E. Szczpanski.
assistant detective chief, advised him to
evacuate the theatre. Palumbo halted "Gunpoint,"
and told the audience there were
mechanical difficulties." He feared panic if
he told the patrons the real reason for the
move. A thorough search of the Niagara by
theatre attendants and police failed to reveal
any explosive. Palumbo said strict discipline
is maintained at the Niagara at all times and
that it is possible a youth who was banned
for misconduct made the false phone call.
Hicksville, Not Babylon,
Reopened by Prudential
NEW YORK—Reported reopening of an
Associated Pi-udential Theatres house at
Babylon on Long Island in last week's issue
of BOXOmCE .should have been credited to
Hicksville instead of Babylon. The Hicksville
opening on Friday (4i followed a complete
renovation and redecorating job. Wall-to-wall
screen, new drapes and curtain and a rock
wall base for improved acoustics were major
improvements.
The Hicksville foyer also was changed, one
stairway eliminated, lounges and restrooms
modernized. The refreshment counter is new.
RKO Film at Cork Fete
NEW YORK—Allen B. Miner's "Naked
Sea." in Pathe Color, will be presented at the
Cork Film Festival in Eire, to be held May
21-27, according to Walter Branson. RKO vicepresident
in charge of worldwide distribution.
Walsh, Downing, Halloran
Feted by lATSE of N.Y.
HARMONY WAS THF, THEME—Richard F. Walsh. lATSE president, scrond from
right; Russell V. Downing, Music Hall managing director, right, and Charles W.
Halloran, New York State first deputy industrial commissioner, left, received awards
from Mayor Robert F. Wagner of New York for their labor-management-govornment
contributions at a dinner Sunday (6).
NEW YORK—New York State lATSE
locals gave a dinner May 6 for Richard F.
Walsh. lATSE president, to celebrate his
election to the executive council of the merged
has shown it can work as a unit in peace
and harmony despite newspaper reports to the
contrary. He said that James C. Petrillo.
president of the American Federation of
AFL-CIO. It was held at the St. George Musicians, who also attended the dinner,
Hotel. Brooklyn.
could corroborate the statement.
Other guests of honors were Russell 'V.
John C. McDowell, secretary of New York
Downing, managing director of the Radio City
Local 1. was toastmaster. Chairmen were
Music Hall, and Charles W. Halloran, first
deputy industrial commissioner of the Thomas Murtha. business agent of Brooklyn
state,
who were cited for their contributions to Local 4. and H. Paul Shay of Elmira Local
lATSE labor - management - government harmony. 289, secretary-treasurer of District
Presentations were made by Mayor Robert 10, which comprises all New York State locals.
F. Wagner.
Labor, industry and government were well
Walsh declared that the executive council represented at the dinner.
Examinations July 7
For Chief Censor's Job
ALBANY—A competitive examination for
the directorship of the State Education Department's
motion picture division i censoring
i
will be held July 7. The job, which pays
from $8,820 to $10,590 in five annual salary
increases, has been filled on a temporary
basis since September 1955, when Dr. Hugh
M. Flick was promoted to executive assistant
to the commissioner of education. Dr. Ward
C. Bowen, chief of the bureau of audio and
visual aids, took over temporarily after Flick
left, but when Dr. Bowen suffered a heart
attack recently. Helen H. Kellogg, a veteran
in the state censorship setup, was made acting
director. She will not be a candidate
for the post of director, having arrived at
the statutory age for retirement.
The eligibles will be drawn from persons
permanently employed in the competitive
class in the State Education Department,
with a minimum of one year's continuous
service on a permanent basis prior to the
examination in positions allocated to Grade
23 (associate director) or higher. There are
at least 20 holding positions in that grade.
Whether they will all try the test—for a job
paying about $1,000 a year more—is uncertain,
in view of the fact it is based in
New York City rather than in Albany.
There will be a written examination, testing
a knowledge of five areas; may also be an
oral one. The written part will be on social
sciences and literature; standards of morals
and good taste with special application to
mass media of communication; laws and
regulations relating to the review and licensing
of motion pictures and their exhibition
in New York state; principles and techniques
of administration and supervision, and related
knowledge and abilities involved in performing
the duties of the position.
Individual achievement, facilitation of
group objectives, and ability to deal effectively
with others, will be the scope of the oral
test.
Applications will be accepted up to June 8:
fee for examination is $5. An appointment is
expected within two to three months of the
test
date.
Greene and Sommers Win
Reade Circuit Prizes
NEW YORK—Bert Greene of the St. James
Theatre. Asbury Park, won first prize in the
February "Manager of the Month" contest of
Walter Reade Theatres. Joe Sommers of the
Paramount Theatre. Long Branch. N. J., won
second prize. Cash prizes are awaa-ded for
the best over-all job in advertising, exploitation,
public relations and physical management
of a theatre.
BOXOFFICE
:
12. 1956

MGM's 'Forbidden Planet/ 'Swan
Strong; Mild Weather Hits Others
NEW YORK—Broadway's first run film
theatres again suffered from the competition
of pleasant spring weather and daylight
saving, but two MGM pictures. "Forbidden
Planet," which had a big opening week, at
the Globe, and "The Swan," which was again
very good in its second week at the Radio
City Music Hall, attracted plenty of customers.
The other important new picture, "Hilda
Crane," was just fair in its opening week at
the Victoria, as was "My Seven Little Sins,"
in its first week at the Guild, an art house.
Best among the other holdovers was "The
Man in the Gray Flannel Suit," which had
a good fourth week at the Roxy, where it is
expected to remain until the end of May,
and "Godzilla, King of the Monsters," which
is doing better than first expected and had
a good holdover week at Loew's State, "Alexander
the Great," in its sixth week at the
Capitol: "The Conqueror," its sixth week at
the Criterion, and "The Birds and the Bees,"
in its second week at the Paramount, held up
well enough but all will be replaced by new
fare by mid-May. "Jubal" was disappointing
in its second week at the Mayfair.
Much better were most of the art house
films, including "Madame Butterfly," in its
second smash week at the Baronet; "French
Can Can." in its third big week at the Fine
Arts, and "Lovers and Lollipops," In its third
fine week at the Normandie.
The three two-a-day pictures were all off
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with a
BRAND NEW
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THE FUN GAME FOR DRIVE-INS
featuring the comical character
Spotty in "SpotCapades"
Spotty plays hide and seek with your audience
while they try to catch him with their spotlights
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YOU CAN BUY SPOT TAG
OUTRIGHT AND USE IT
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Mow mm SiPicE c
WANTED
MANAGERS AND ASSISTANT MANAGERS tor
drive-in theotres Massachusetts, New Jersey
in
and New York stote. Apply in writing stating
qualifications ond experience to
from preceding weeks, but "Seven Wonders
.
of the World" was practically a sell-out in its
third week of two-a-day at the Warner Theatre.
"Richard III" was just fair in its ninth
week of two-a-day at the Bijou and "Oklahoma!"
was good enough in its 30th week of
two-a-day at the Rivoli.
"The Revolt of Mamie Stover," "The
Harder They Fall" and "Gaby" opened during
the week.
(Average Is 100)
Astor—Meet Me in Las Vegas (MGM), 8th wk, .100
Baronet Modame Butterfly (IFE), 2nd wk 190
III Bi|ou iLopcrt), Richord 9th wk. of two-a-day 95
Capitol Alexander the Greot (UA), 6th wk 110
Criterion—The Conqueror (RKO), 6th wk 110
Fine Arts— French Can Can (UMPO), 3rd wk 130
55th St —The White Sheik (Janus), 2nd wk 105
1 50
Globe Forbidden Plonet (MGM)
Guild My Seven Little Sins (Kingsley) 115
Little Cornegie—The Noked Night (Times), 3rd
King of the
(Teleradio), 2nd wk
Mayfair Jubal (Col), 2nd wk
Normandie Lovers ond Lollipops (Ire
3rd
ace—Wetbacks (Banner), plus vaudeville.
Paramount The Birds and the Bees (Para),
2nd wk
Paris The Ballet of Romeo and Juliet
(Tohan), 5th wk
Plazo A Kid for Two Farthings (Lopert),
3rd
Radio City Music Hall—The Swan (MGM), plus
stage show, 2nd wk 140
Rivoli Oklahomo! (Magna), 30th wk. of two-aday
'0
Roxy The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (20th-
Fox), plus ice stage revue, 4th wk 120
Suffon Lodykillers (Cont'l), The 11th 115
wk
Trans-Lux 52nd Doctor at Seo (Rep), 10th .105
wk.
Victoria— Hilda Crone (20th-Fox) I 20
Warner—Seven Wonders of the World (SW),
1 4th wk of two-a-day 70
World—The Lost Ten Days (Col), 4th wk 120
Baltimore Takings Slim,
With Most Under 100
BALTIMORE—Grosses were somewhat disappointing
at the first run theatres. "Ti-ibute
to a Bad Man" and "Cockleshell Heroes" did
not merit holdovers.
Century The Man in the Groy Flonnel Suit
(20th-Fox), 3rd wk 1 00
Film Centre Oklahoma! (Magna), 9th wk 140
to Hippodrome Tribute a Bad Man (MGM) 85
Little Confess (WB); Notorious (WB) 90
90
I
Mayfair The Conqueror (RKO), 6th wk
New—On the Threshold of Spoce (20th-Fox) 90
Town Cockleshell Heroes (Col)
.
90
Playhouse Doctor of Sea (Rep), 4th wk 95
Stanley—The Bold ond the Brave (RKO) 90
Cmema The Night My Number Came Up
(Confl) 90
Business Only Fair
At Buffalo
BUFFALO—Business was just fair all along
first run row. Shea's Buffalo with "Tribute to
a Bad Man" turned in a normal week and so
did the Paramount with "The Maverick
Queen" and "Slightly Scarlet."
Buffalo Tribute to o Bod Mon (MGM) 100
Center— Hilda Crane (20th-Fox) 110
Century—Slightly Scarlet (RKO) 100
Cinema Doctor at Seo (Rep) 95
Lafayette—Rock Around the 110
Clock (Col)
Paramount—The Moverick Queen (Rep) 100
Larry Lapidus to Boston
To Join B&Q Theatres
NEW YORK—Larry Lapidus has resigned
from the Newark home office of Eastern
Management Corp., operators of eight North
Jersey drive-ins, where he has been film
buyer and booker. He will leave May 26
and will join the B&Q Theatre circuit in
Boston.
Bob Deitch will take over the buying and
booking in the Newark office.
Tax Anything Revenue
Now Past SO Million
Pittsburgh—Pennsylvania's "tax anything-"
law, which gives local governments
power to
tax anything not taxed by the
state, produced over 50 million dollars in
1954. The State Department of Internal
Affairs this week placed the total tax
collection by 2.711 political subdivisions
under the 1947 act at 851,520,229 for 1954.
In 1948, total receipts by 382 imits were
just under 15 millions. The new summary
made by the department shows that
school districts, boroughs, townships and
third-class cities imposed 3.552 separate
taxes under the act, which permits local
amusement taxes not to exceed 10 per
cent.
Wage and salary taxes were the biggest
single revenue raiser and amounted
to 48 per cent of the total receipts. More
per capita taxes, 1,978, than any other
type were imposed, however. The 1953
revenue of taxes levied under the law
was just over 42 millions. In 1954 almost
5,000 local units were eligible to impose
taxes under the "tax anything" act.
Frank S. Daniel Is Named
Republic Representative
NEW YORK—Frank S. Daniel has been
named special representative for Republic
Pictures International in Austria by Reginald
Armour, executive vice-president in charge of
foreign operations. Republic pictures are distributed
throughout Germany and Austria by
Gloria
Filmverleih.
Daniel, who is in New York discussing
forthcoming releases with Republic home office
executives, will leave for his Vienna post
in mid-May.
Dominant to Offer Warner
Reissues to Theatres
NEW YORK—Fifty-two Wai'ner pictures
recently sold to PRM, Inc., for television use
are to be handled by Dominant Pictures Corp..
according to Norman Katz, vice-president in
charge of distribution. Many of them will be
made available for theatrical use and 15 exchanges
will be set up for this pm-pose.
Dominant will handle the reissues directly.
It had been stated that franchise holders
would take over the distribution.
Shectman Takes Over Two
Paramount Departments
NEW YORK—Benjamin Shectman has
been made head of the recently combined
home office contract and playdate departments
of Paramount Film Distributing Corp.
He previously headed the contract department.
He has been in the industry 30 years,
with Warner Bros. International Pictures,
Eagle-Lion and Paramount.
Fully
tres.
Requ
SOUTH TEXAS
controlled ty 12,000. All beautifur thea-
ot of year-round y
sunshine ond flowers.
Landd
$80,000 cash. Exclusive private sole.
RALPH J. ERWIN
BOXOFFICE

;
May
. . . Charles
. . . The
. .
. .
Film-Making Abroad
Will Aid Industry
NEW YORK "Making Americiui pictures
abroad, such as MGM now is doing with 'Teahouse
of the August
Moon' in Japan, will
help the American
major companies in
their negotiations to
get larger quotas in
these c u n t r i e s."
according to Collier
Young, who recently
completed production
of "Huk" in the Philippines
for United
Artists release.
The Far East has
become an important Collier Young
part of a picture's film income and Huk."
which deals with the Philippine guerilla warfare
following World War II. would have an
especial interest, not only in the Philippines.
but in Hong Kong, Singapore. Tokyo and
other Asian territories. Young said.
Young is a fervid disciple for Philippine
production, especially since "Huk." which was
financed by United Ai-tists, cost only $350,000
to produce there. It would have cast approximately
three times that amount if made in
Hollywood. A number of Philippine film
producers and exhibitors have a financial
stake in the picture and Young figured that
he gave employment to thousands of extras
and a few technicians, including Manuel
Rojas, who was the unit's second cameraman.
The stars who came on from HoUj^vood were
George Montgomery. Mona Freeman and
John Baer but most of the smaller roles,
including three featured parts, were filled
by local talent. The Philippine film industry
makes from 50 to 60 local pictures yearly,
most of them on the crude side, Young
admitted.
Young hopes for a simultaneous premiere
of "Huk" in Manila and in a key U. S. city
some time in July or August, when the picture
will be released. He will start production
of "The Halliday Brand." a western
feature to star Joseph Gotten, some time in
June. This also will be a UA release.
Young has not given up his production
chores for Filmakers but the latter company
has been inactive mainly because his coproducer,
Ida Lupino, has been occupied
with her TV chores on "Fom- Star Playhouse."
He also has created a TV series. "Mi-. Adams
and Eve." which will star Miss Lupino and
her husband. Howard Duff, and he also is
readying a TV series ba.sed on famous trials,
which will star Joseph Gotten as narrator.
Two of these pilot films have been completed.
Young, who came east with his wife, Joan
Fontaine, will return to Hollywood Monday
(141.
Fox Family Club Elects
Reinhardt President
NEW YORK—Harry Reinhardt has been
elected president of the 20th Century-Fox
Family Club. Bernard Bozzone vice-president,
Hy Salant treasurer. Ann Virus secretary,
and Leo Israel publicity manager. Coming
activities will be the annual outing, gin
rummy tournaments, the annual fall dance,
a bowling tournament and a swimming club.
BOXOFFICE
;
BROADWAY
lyjiinny Keiner, IFE general sales manager,
went to Chicago May 7, starting a tenday
swing of midwest exchanges to finalize
"Madame Butterfly" playdates . . . Charles
Boasberg. Paramount supervisor of sales for
"The Ten Commandments." went to Philadelphia
May 9. Mervin Hou.ser, RKO studio
director of publicity, returned to Hollywood
May 10 after ten days of home office meetings.
Joe Friedman of Wainer Bros, home
office special events department, left for
Detroit and Chicago to set up arrangements
for John Wayne's personal appearances with
the C. V. Whitney film, "The Searchers" .
Bernie Kamber. head of the New York office
of Hecht-Lancaster. left for Hollywood May 8
in connection with the charity opening of
"Trapeze" at the Fox Wilshire May 29.
Charles Levy, formerly advertising-publicity
director for Buena Vista and later with
20th Century-Fox, is now eastern publicity
representative for Byrna Productions and is
working on "Spring Reunion." which United
Artists will relea.se . . . Bob Perilla. column
contact in Columbia's publicity department,
has been awarded the master of arts degree
in communications by New York University
C. Moskowitz. Loew's vice-president
and treasurer, is vacationing in Florida
United Artists softball team opened
its 1956 season May 3 with a 10 to 4 victory
over Sesac Music Corp. in Central Park. Matt
Daniels of the UA contact department,
pitched a four hit game. The 18-man UA
squad is managed by Don Base.
Heading for Europe early in May were;
Hugh Herbert, who will produce "The
F.
Little Hut" for MGM in England and Spain,
who planed to London May 5: Noel Coward,
who sailed on the Liberie May 11 after appearing
in TV spectaculars; George S. Kaufman,
playwright, and Judge Learned Hand,
who sailed on the Queen Mary May 9, and
John Sutherland. TV film producer, who left
for Cairo via London and Paris May 4 . . .
The returnees from abroad were more numerous
and included; Arthur Abeles, managing
director of Warner Bros.. Ltd., with Mrs.
Abeles; Richard W. Mealand. executive director
of Paramount in England, with Mrs.
Mealand, and Sheldon Reynolds, writerproducer-dij-ector
of "Foreign Intrigue" for
United Artists, with Nicole Milinaire, his
French associate producer, and Margaret
Webster, Shakespearean producer-director.
back from Europe were A. R. Broccoli,
.4Iso
co-producer with Irving Allen in Warwick
Productions, who got in from London May 9
en route to Trinidad to start "Fire Down
Below"; Morgan Hudgins, MGM studio publicist,
who got in from England and France
and headed for the coast two days later;
Howard Keel. MGM singing star, who got
back from an engagement at the London
Palladium, and Arthur Hornblow jr.. who will
produce "Witness for the Prosecution" for
United Artists in England, in association
with Edward Small.
Albert Deane, manager of the Paramount
International department of censorship and
editing, got back to the home office May 9
following a tour covering Australia. Hong
Kong, Tokyo and Honolulu. R. D. Purie, who
has joined Hoffberg Productions as foreign
sales representative, left May 9 for Mexico
City, first leg of a trip through Latin
James R.
America. He will return in July •
Vclde, general sales manager of United
Artists, was guest of honor at an exhibition
luncheon in Boston May 10. Alan F. Cummlngs.
in charge of MGM exchange operations,
and Harold Postman, his assistant,
headed for Chicago for the MGM auditors
meeting Friday-Saturday (11-12). Marvin Atlas,
assistant secretary of Loew's, Inc., planed
to Chicago the same day to attend the meeting.
Eddie Cantor, who will return to films
after a ten-year absence in "The Fifth
Season," which Gregory Ratoff will produce
in Manhattan for 20th Century-Fox, was
guest of honor at an after-theatre supper
party at the Eden Roc Thur.sday (10).
Another Cantor. Dave. RKO's exploitation
manager, left May 9 for Denver to finalize
plans for the opening of "Great Day in the
Morning" at the Orpheum Theatre .
Spyros P. Skouras. with Mrs. Skouras,
Leonard Goldenson, Billy Ro.se and Joyce
Matthews. Julius Monk, Mrs. Marie Hillman,
Kitty Carlisle and Moss Hart and Kenne
Berry were among the notables applauding
at the opening of "A Most Happy Fella," new
musical hit at the Imperial Theatre . . . Joan
Collins, who has completed "The Opposite
Sex" for MGM, arrived from the coast May 6
for press interviews . . . Joan Crawford also
arrived from Hollywood May 6.
Walter Branson to Europe
On Business, Sales Talks
NEW YORK—Walter Branson. RKO vicepresident
in
charge of worldwide distribution,
left Friday ill) for a business trip of several
weeks through England and Continental
Europe.
While on tour, Branson will hold conferences
with Robert S. Wolff, managing director
for the United Kingdom; Joseph Bellport,
general EXiropean manager; Charles
Rosmarin. European general sales manager,
and other RKO foreign sales executives and
Europe exhibitors. He will discuss distribution
policies of "While the City Sleeps," "The
Bold and the Brave," "Great Day in the
Morning," "The Brave One" and "The First
Traveling Saleslady." the latter the first
production from the reactivated RKO Studio.
Industry Leaders Pledge
$190,000 to UJA Drive
NEW YORK—Pledges totaling over $190,000
for the 1956 United Jewish Appeal drive were
made at a luncheon of industry leaders, called
by Barney Balaban. president of Paramount.
at his Paramount offices.
Samuel D. Leidesdorf. New York accountant
and treasurer of UJA. called attention to "the
grave crisis which the f)eople of Israel are
undergoing today and the tremendous
nece.ssity of re-settling and rehabilitating
over 450.000 refugees from the danger spots
of North Africa as rapidly as possible."
Builds at Liverpool
LIVERPOOL. N. Y —Sam Slotnick is opening
a new drive-in in this city. Slotnick
also operates several four-wall houses in
Syracuse, near here.
12. 1956 39

. . Prank
U F F A L O
Reports Salvador Upbeat
pdmund C. DeBerry, former Buffalo Paramount
manager, sold his house and moved
his family to Cincinnati where he is Paramount
manager . Saviola and Mike
Jusco of the Buffalo Paramount sales force
have switched areas. Fi-ank covers Buffalo
and Mike covers Rochester and Syracuse
territory . . . Hugh Maquire, local Paramount
manager, was in New York City on business.
The Women's Leagrue of the Variety Club
of Buffalo elected Mr-s. Irving Cohen president.
She succeeds Mrs. Marvin Atlas, who
automatically became a member of the board.
Other new officers: Mrs. Audrey Wagner, first
vice-president; Mrs. Elmer F. Lux. second
vice-president; Mrs. Samuel Geffen, third
vice-president; Mrs. Leonard E. Belling, recording
secretary; Mrs. Herman Bleich, coiTesponding
secretary; Mrs. Frank B. Quinlivan,
financial secretary; Mrs. David A. Zachem,
treasurer. Ti-ustees are Mrs. Hem-y Rothschild.
Mrs. Irving Sanders, Mi's. Sidney Lipsitz,
Marion R. Ryan, Mrs. Michael D. Perna,
Mrs. Sidney Cohen, Mrs. Robert Gray, Ethel
Tyler, Mrs. Constantine J. Basil, Mrs. Edward
A. Paepke, Gianlna Pappalardo and Mrs.
Harold Bennett.
Gianina Pappalardo, a member of the Shea
theatres executive staff for 25 years, has resigned
to take a position with the Buffalo
Envelope Co. . . . Mary Phelan, former secretary
to the late Vincent R. McFaul, also is
employed by the Buffalo Envelope Co. . . .
William Colson, manager of the Niagara, a
Paramount community house on the west
side, left the hospital where he underwent
minor surgery for injuries suffered in a fall
several weeks ago. Bill hopes to be back on
the job in a few weeks. He has eight children.
"Note! John Wayne has a personal message
for you! Call MA 9231 now!" So read a
personal ad in the Buffalo newspapers as well
as in display space on the theatre pages. A
person calling the number indicated gets an
earful about "The Searchers" with John
Wayne doing the talking. The recorder is
at the Center Theatre, where "The Searchers"
wall open Thursday (17 1. Five recordings
of the talk by Wayne are on the machine and
a local tape was made giving the date and
the theatre. The machine has been hitting
on all cylinders since the ads went into the
papers. Wayne is to be here for the opening.
A big official welcome has been arranged
for him at the airport.
"Who's Who of the Month" in the Buffalo
Variety Club's official publication. "The
Broadcast," is Robert T. Murphy. Says the
publication, "Bob Murphy, charter member
and two times chief baxker, has been in the
industry 40 years, going back to the old piano-
|cH,C.O..U

. . The
. . Norman
. . Filmrowers
. . The
. . Chris
. . Press
. . Joe
. . Manager
. . Paul
RKO Theatres Voles
For Reorganization
WILMINGTON—Reoiganizatiou of RKO
Theatres Corp. was approved Tuesday i8i at
the annual stockholders meeting held here.
Under the terms of the agreement 1,043.706
shares of common stock will be issued in
exchange for the assets of the Cleveland Arcade
Co.. including its controlling stock in
Gera Corp. and the assumption of the liabilities
of the Cleveland Arcade Co.
RKO Theatres, by the action, thus became
a firm with diversified financial and industrial
interests—with a special division for its
theatre properties.
Re-elected directors were: Theodore R.
Colborn. David J. Greene. Dudley G. Layman,
Albert A, List. A. Louis Ore.sman. Edward C.
Raftery and Sol A. Schwartz.
Consolidated net income of RKO Theatres
Corp. and subsidiaries for the first quarter
of 1956 was $355,138, as compared with
$535,236 for the first quarter of 1955.
Income from operations before depreciation,
interest and other charges and income taxes
was $1,114,544, compared with $1,515,723 for
the first quarter of 1955.
Shajes of common outstanding totaled
3.151.736. not including 170,200 shares held
in 1956 and 672.377 held in 1955.
Joe Warren Is Building
Ballston Spa Ozoner
ALBANY — Joe Warren, owner of the
Greater Pittsburgh Drive-In, Pittsburgh, and
the Super 30 Drive-In. McKeesport. Pa., has
broken ground for a large automobiler on
Route 50 two miles from Ballston Spa. and
hopes to have it in operation by July 1. Capacity
of 1,000 cars is planned. Perkins Supply
Co. of Buffalo will equip the airer. Berlo
Vending Co. will have the concessions.
Warren, who has operated coal mines in
Pennsylvania and who has met with success
in the drive-in field, told exchange managers
he would like to play fii-st run pictures at the
new ozoner. This would make it a competitive
situation with Walter Reade's Community
in Saratoga and with Sartos Smalldone's
Malta Drive-In eight miles below the Spa.
The Community and the Malta are now bidding
for product.
Warren and his wife have taken springsummer
residence in Ballston. Their son is
supervising the Pennsylvania airers.
Olympic Boxing Trials
To Be Variety 9 Project
ALBANY—Plans for the eastern division
eliminations in competition for places on
the U. S. Olympic boxing team, under cosponsorship
of Albany Variety Club and
Adirondack District AAU at Hawkins Stadium
in Menands August 22, 23. were formulated
at a Tent 9 meeting Monday night. Ben
Becker, AAU district president, Philip
Schuyler vice-president, outlined the details.
Originally, the Variety Club and Becker had
hoped to stage a championship professional
boxing bout at the Stadium during the Saratoga
racing season for Camp Thacher, but
this proved to be impossible.
Becker said that 100 top amateur boxers
from all parts of the country east of the
Mississippi River, including an Air Force
team to be flown in from Europe, w-ill take
part. Squads from ten cities are expected.
ALBANY
Jules I'erlmiittiT's cxijaiulinn operations have
' reached Watertown, where he is taking
over the Star-Lit Drive-In, operated last season
by Joe Agresta, and for .several years
before by Fred Kleemeier. Perlmutter took over
Agresta's lease and equipment, according to
reports here; started ramping and other
changes prior to a May 25 reopening. Perlmutter
now conducts three automobilers; the
Fort George at Lake George Village, the
Spar near Corinth and the Richmondville at
Cobleskill. He also operates, on lease, the
Paramount and Royal, Albany; conducts the
Grand and Strand in Watervliet, as well as
three Benton-owned situations, the State in
Mechanic ville, the Capitol in Ballston Spa,
and the Capital in Whitehall. Howard Goldstein
is his general manager. Agre.sta still
has the Orvis and Rialto m Massena.
Promotion for "Away All Boats," U-I production,
was launched here by Maurice
"Bucky" Harris. Last in Albany for the premiere
of "Man Without a Star" at the
Strand in March 1955, the veteran exploiteer
called on Edgar S. Van Olinda of the Times-
Umon and Harold Henderson of the Knickerbocker
News. He worked out of the U-I
offices and in cooperation with branch manager
Norman Weitman. "Away," based on a
popular novel, stars Jeff Chandler, Julie
Adams and George Nader. It is to be a
summer release, enjoying strong U. S. Navy
cooperation. While in his native city. Harris
renewed acquaintances with industry and
other friends. He helped to stage the Variety
Club's dinner for "hometown" Kirk
Douglas a year ago. A son Tom, onetime U-I
booker here and later a special U-I representative,
now manages American Legion
post rooms during the winter and operates
a successful mobile vending service business,
from West Chatham (on Cape Cod), during
the summer.
Louis W. Schine made his first trip to Albany
since a recent operation, visiting the
.
Schine-owned radio station WPTR. Mrs.
Schine accompanied him reported
Monday that bulldozing was under
way for the drive-in which Sylvester Albano
has announced near Ravena. The site is four
or five miles from the Klein Bros. Hi-Way
Drive-In at Coxsackie. Albano is a justice
of the peace and a businessman in Ravena.
A second automobiler, on which the Kleins
started work last August, on Jericho road
between Albany and Ravena. has been stymied
pending a court decision on a motion to invalidate
a town of Bethlehem ordinance adverse
to it.
Jim Tobin, Stanley Warner district manager,
and Lou Green, SW sound engineer,
were in town . Strand management
distributed 5.000 reduced price tickets to students
in Albany schools for "Alexander the
Great." Abe Bernstein. UA exploiteer. worked
hard on the premiere.
May 5 was reported a big Saturday for
drive-ins around Albany, weather and other
factors being helpful ... A fine response to
Al Marchetti Week at the close of the Charles
J. Feldman testimonial drive was reported by
the U-I exchange. Marchetti's has been booking
for 25 years Weitman, U-I
.
manager, reported his mother was a weekend
visitor . . . Eddie Fabian and Bernie
Brooks closed a strenuous round of business
activities here and returned to the home offices
in New York. Brooks is chief buyerbooker
for Fabian Theatres. Fabian inspected
the circuit's area hou.ses with Division Manager
Ellas Schlenger . Warren, Pittsburgh
area drive-in operator who is building
a 1,037-car airer near Ballston Spa, brought
letters of introduction from Pittsburgh branch
managers when he called on Albany exchange
chiefs. Warren and his wife are occupying
a large residence in Ballston.
.
.
Morris Schmalzbach, 20th-Fox auditor, renewed
acquaintances with Bucky Harris,
U-I exploiteer, one evening at the Variety
clubrooms Pope. Schine booker,
checked in for several days of date-.setting
with the various exchanges Wallen's
Leland dualed "Dark Venture" and
"Bride of the Monster."
Clarifying the status of the Erie in Schenectady,
a Fabian spokesman explained that a
petition had been filed by representatives
of two estates owning the theatre building
for its demolition and conversion into a parking
lot. No date for this action had been
announced, he pointed out. Meanwhile, the
Erie will continue showing motion pictures
and booking stage plays—when the latter
are available. Gene Ganott manages the
Erie and the State, in an adjoining building
and connected by an arcade ... Ed Scully,
son of John J. Scully, former Universal district
manager, now operates the State in
Pittsfield, Mass. He sold for Universal at one
time.
SYRACUSE
T Dew's Strand broke its regular policy for
three days to stage "Tea and Sympathy"
with Maria Riva . agents in town
included Bob Sandbach for "Alexander the
Great" and Edwin W. Hale jr. for Disney
Productions . . . Don Day has replaced
Richard Rivitte as chief of service at Loew's
State . State's assistant manager.
Gene Mielnicki. spent a busman's holiday in
Buffalo seeing motion pictures, including
"Cinerama Holiday" . Sam Gilman
of the State has made contacts in Atlantic
City. N. J., to get a boardwalk rolling
chair for publicizing "Alexaiider the Great."
He's also on the lookout for a chariot.
A reunion between White Cloud, a Mohawk
Indian, and Chief John Big Tree of the
Onondagas took place on the reservation here.
It was preliminary to a public appearance
White Cloud and his a.ssistant Lili made on
the stage of Schine's Eckel Theatre before
the first showing of "Mohawk." legend of the
Iroquois . . . Ralph Stitt has resigned as
manager of the Eckel and wUl be replaced
by Marvin Coon of Madison. Wis. ... A
regional meeting of Schine executives from
the Gloversville office took place in Syracuse.
Attending were Seymour Maurice, Bernard
Diamond, Charles Horwitz and Stanley
Worthman.
The Paramount was completely "air
force"
for the showing of "On the Threshold of
Space." Part of a jet plane was on the
marquee. Part of the ballyhoo included a
youth dressed in a jet fUer's suit.
BOXOFFICE :: May 12, 1956
41

. . . More
. . lATSE
. . Leonard
. . Another
. . . RKO
. . . The
. . "Miracle
. . The
:
May
ITTSBURGH
Theodore Grance's Everett Theatre, Everett,
and Super 220 Drive-In at Altoona now are
being represented for licensing and booking by
the Star Distributing Agency here ...CM.
Ducray, co-owner of the Sunset Beach swimming
pool and drive-in theatre, closed because
a bridge washed out March 14, and other
Washington, Pa., area businessmen charge
highway officials with master-minding "the
worst road-bungling job" in Pennsylvania history.
The bridge was a vital link on Route 40
between Washington and Wheeling. Ducray
and other businessmen, stripped of their
financial lifeline until the bridge is restored,
were to call on Governor Leader to investigate
the project.
Liberace, who "hung them from the rafters"
at Syria Mosque during the street car strike,
will return there for one performance Thursday
night, June 7.
SAM FINEBERG
TOM McCLEARY
JIM ALEXANDER
84 Van Braam Street
PITTSBURGH 19, PA.
Phone EXpress 1-0777
Ujnit f Art Betttf Thin E»er How's Your Egulpmentr
GPE First Quarter Profit
Decreased to $346,973
NEW YORK—Consolidated net profit of
General Pi-ecision Equipment Corp. for the
first quarter of 1956 ended March 31 was
to two resident doctors and a dentist. At a
later date, the second floor will be remodeled
into a private hospital, according to Hasley,
also owner and manager of the Lakeside
Drive-In at Conneaut Lake. He said the Terrace
Medical Center will be opened late in
Jime.
John Troy at Clarion Airer
CLARION. PA.—The Midway Drive-In,
owned by Ernest Stem of the Associated circuit,
formerly under lease to Mrs. Louise Cook,
has been leased to John Troy. Parker exhibitor.
Troy has modernized the theatre and reopened
it.
Closes at Conneautville
CONNEAUTVILLE, PA.—The Palace Theatre,
operated by Guy and Howard Christy,
brothers, has closed, and Howard now is
assisting his parents, the veteran Tldioute exhibitors,
James and Hazel Christy. Guy attends
Edinboro State Teachers College.
NEWARK
^harles Dortic. Columbia Pictures salesman
^XZalter Reade jr., president of Walter Reade
and a veteran film distributor, underwent a
Theatres, said William Seelig had been
third operation in Mercy Hospital this week
$346,973. equal to 20 cents a share on 1,065.329 appointed sales promotion director of Convention
Hall, the huge Asbury Park board-
than a dozen out-of-town drive-in shares of common stock outstanding, compared
with $961,986. equal to 90 cents a share, walk auditorium operated by the circuit.
theatre owners negotiated unsuccessfully to
inaugurate an additional advertising list of on 972,412 shares outstanding at the end of Seelig assumed his duties at once and they
their- ozoners and film offerings in Pittsbui'gh
the same 1955 period, Hermann G. Place, included preparing for a gigantic exposition
newspapers . Allison, of Ebensburg,
formerly associated with his brother
board chairman and president, reported to of the "Royal Crown Jewels," "Ripley's
stockholders Tuesday (8).
Believe It or Not" and the "Atom Bomb
Ray, who is retired and making his home Consolidated net sales for the 1956 period Exhibit." as well as displays and exhibits of
in Florida, is holding down a political job at were $32,678,823. compared with $34,253,560 commercial and industrial films. Public admission
will be free and several million
Harrisburg.
for the 1955 period.
Closing of The Gardens, Oakland
Place
sports
attributed the 1956 decline in earnings
em-
and sales to a slight decline in both ship-
Labor Day. Seeling will be in charge of sales
visitors are expected between July 2 and
arena, brought furloughs for about 100
ployes, ushers, ticket collectors, etc., all members
of the Pittsburgh athletic events union
ments and profit margins of defense orders, to industrial and advertising agency accounts
a long strike in an important motion picture
Proctor's had a tie-up with the Air
Local 188, whose contract with the
equipment plant
Harris
and severe competitive conditions
Force for "On the Threshold of Space." On
Amusement Co.. operator of The Gardens, had
on some industrial equipment.
the opening day of this feature, a 60-foot
been in effect for the last 20 years . . . Bob He predicted improved results for the remainder
of the year, due to larger shipments was on exhibit—as well as a lobby display of
trailer with a stripped-down plane (F-84)
Munn was in from Moundsville on his first trip
to Filmi-ow since he was a film salesman more and increased profit margins on defense business,
figures of airmen. A guided missile, 7*2 feet
than seven years ago. Munn is a busy
a man higher amount and profit margin on tall, was in the lobby.
in
Moundsville with theatre operation,
industrial billings
radio and
and better motion picture
A benefit party was given at the Bellevue
a racetrack . Filmrow equipment business. At the end of the first
visitor
in Upper Montclair by the Northern New
was William Hansmeier of the
1956 Sun quarter the consolidated
Theatre.
backlog of
Jersey Alumni Ass'n of Alpha Epsilon Phi.
Altoona. and it was his
orders
initial stop. He
amounted to $129,861,000. compared
is a
The film was "Gates of Hell" . . . Karl
brother-in-law of George McFadden.
with $99,335,000 at the
Renovo
end of the 1955 first
Ledzion, manager of the Pix in Jersey City,
exhibitor.
quarter.
reported a marvelous
The directors voted a cash dividend of 60
week's run with two
Thomas Joseph Smith,
Grace Kelly releases "To Catch a Thief"
58. one of the cents a share on the common stock, payable
original employes
and "Rear Window" . Pix is starting a
of Loew's Pen Theatre
June 15 to stockholders of record June 1.
foreign
here,
policy two nights a week.
died
"The Jolson
of a heart attack in his Dormont
home. He was
They also voted a regular quarterly dividend
Story" will be brought
employed
back here and for
for more than of $1.18-'i a share on the $4.75 cumulative
28 years
"Hill
as a
24 Doesn't Answer," there will
stage
be a
electrician. Requiem mass prefeiTed stock, payable on the same date.
was tie-in
sung Tuesday
with Jewish organizations.
morning in St. Bernard's
Church
. Local 171 reports a
contract settlement
Main in East Pittsburgh
An old-fashioned sales day in Orange. N. J.,
has been reached with
is the kick-off idea for the booking of a
the Kenmawr Drive-In on Route 51 near Shifts to Medical Center Rudolph Valentino, plus a regular feature,
Coraopolis. The Kenmawr failed to accept PITTSBURGH—The Main Theatre at Main at the Embassy in Orange. About $500 in
a recent three-year pact negotiated by an and Center in the Bessemer Terrace section merchant-sponsored prizes will be given away
industry committee with the union to cover
of East Pittsburgh, closed for three years, to patrons . in the Rain" will
11 theatres. James V. Sipe. Local 171 business
agent, said operation of the ozoner has
will be remodeled into the Terrace play to a benefit audience sponsored by the
. .
have been removed. Hasley worked for three Capitol here. Gladys O'Dell was transferred
years on plans to convert the theatre into a to Warners' Central as assistant manager.
medical center, which he now has leased
Medical
Center by P. Elmer Hasley, owner, who continues
in exhibition a block away at the
Harrison cashier, Mrs. Mary Cic-
Terrace Theatre.
Holy Cross Church at the Warner Harrison
Opened in 1919, the Main
since been taken over by Chris Lampros from
Theodore Grance, and a booth contract was
been replaced
by Mrs. Anne W. Munley .
carelli. left to have a baby and has
signed. Lampros has theatre interests at Theatre, with inside measurement of 23x125
Sharon and Farrell, Sipe stated.
feet, is being dismantled and its 350 seats cashiering for more than ten years
After
at the
"The King and Four Queens" will be photographed
by Lucien Ballard for United
Artists.
'Oklahoma!' Opens June 7
At Pittsburgh Nixon
PITTSBURGH — Area theatregoers will
have their first look at Todd-AO when the
film version of "Oklahoma!" opens at the
Nixon June 7. Gabe Rubin of the Nixon
said that the installation will cost approximately
$40,000. The theatre's 1.760 seats will
be reduced by about 150 along the walls.
There will be matinee and evening .shows
Shirley Jones of nearby Smithton and
daily.
Gordon MacRae are costarred in "Oklahoma!"
Recently the Nixon presented the Sam
Goldwyn Cinemascope version of "Guys and
DoUs." With the Todd-AO installation, the
theatre may remain in operation 52 weeks
each year, as stage offerings continue harder
and harder to book and more roadshow pictures
are on release charts.
New Morgantown Airer
MORGANTOWN, W. VA.—John and Mary
DiAngelis of the Grafton Drive-In will locate
a new airer at Dellslow, near here on the
Masontown-Kingwood road.
BOXOFFICE :
12, 1956

. . Exchange
. . Bob
. . Ralph
. . "The
.
.
. . . Morris
. . Bert
. . Henry
. . . Head
. . Cashier
. . Booker
. . Mr.
. . Joe
. . Joe
. . The
. . Mr.
. .
PHILADELPHIA
\irithout rity." an Italian made film distributed
locally by Sieg Horowitz, did a
good first run business at the Vogue Theatre
in its first Philadelphia showing. The
p:i:i:ii> was exploited as the "story of a
Niu:.' CiI" . . . The Dover. Del., chapter of
i!u National Ass'n for Advancement of
Coluifd People called a boycott by Negroes
of two theatres in Dover, a drive-in south of
town, and one each at Middletown and
Smyrna. Bernard F^-isby. a member of the
chapter's integration unit, claimed that the
four theatres were segregated and the drivein
made Negroes park their cars on one side.
A spoke.^iman for the family owning the five
theatres said there was "no segregation at
the
drive-in."
James VV. Ercolani, a 19-year-old South
Philadelphia youth, has been signed to a
seven-year contract by Columbia Pictures on
the strength of his photograph showing his
good looks . . . Frank Colantuono. father of
Lou. the Arcadia Theatre executive, was in
Misericordia Hospital . Swan" at
the Randolph here has taken a swan dive
since opening day from the boxoffice receipts
which had been expected. It is expected
to do a landoffice business at the
Alden Theatre, which is in the princess' home
territory. East Falls. "To Catch a Thief"
caught fire at the boxoffice at the theatre
when it played there.
believes that the city may not be able to
pass such a local law without special enabling
legislation from the state.
Leo Barrett, who has operated the theatre
in Ashley for many years, now is manager of
the New Lyric in South Philadelphia. The
owner is Leo Posel . Garman. local
Paramount sales manager, was recuperating
in Germantown Hospital . . . Severe w'inds
completely demolished the Scavo brothers'
Ideal Drive-In in Newton Lake. Rebuilding
is to start immediately . . . Thi-ee score exhibitors
and exchangemen attended a testimonial
dinner to Frank Sculli at Remington Hotel
in Wilkes-Barre. Sculli, longtime local representative
for MGM. has been elevated to
cover Philadelphia sales.
The Savoy Theatre at Catasqua has been
sold by William Humphries to Jack Green-
bergs Northampton Theatre Co. . . . Perry
Lessy has leased the Strand from Ray
Schwartz Finance Co. is moving
from Vine street to 1901 Market St. .
Jim Forte, manager of Stanley Warner's
Waverly Theatre, sold a goodwill packet of
500 tickets to Sheffield Furniture & Carpet
Co. The store will give away the tickets to
customers . Kessler, manager of the
SW Benn Theatre, has been running Saturday
"Space Helmet Patrol" matinees for the
kiddies.
PLAN WIMIK OPENING—Adolph
Zukor. chairman of the board of Paramount,
and Jack Kruchtnian. ownor of the
New Theatre, Baltimore, which has been
selected as one of the first 12 theatres in
the world to play Cecil B. DeMille's production
of "The Ten Commandments,"
are shown above discussing: this ambitious
undertaking. The picture, DeMille's 70th
production, opens in Baltimore in December.
Fruchtman started his film career
as an office boy for Paramount in 1929.
Today he owns seven Maryland theatres.
The jurj' listening to the Rossman miu'der
trial made a trip to the Viking to see "The Drive-In Is Relocated
Man in the Gray Flannel Suit." The theatre
had to cut out the newsreel for the show.
The bill was sent to quarter sessions court . this political
The city counci: will explore the possibility
of local motion picture censorship. The April injured in a traffic
grand jury expressed a need for the city to
have the power to ban "obscene, immoral and
crime-inciting" films, and the jury said that
the city should have a censorship ordinance.
However, council president James H. J. Tate
EVANSVTLLE. W. VA.—Page Irvin has relocated
his Town and Country Drive-In to
subdivision after being installed
for several years at Cheat Lake. Irvin was
collusion last year and his
outdoor theatre was closed most of the season
following this accident.
BALTIMORE
/^eorge Hendricks, manager of the Mayfair,
leaves soon for a vacation in Connecticut.
A new assistant at the Mayfair is Jon Hall,
formerly of the U. S Marines . Jones,
manager of the Town, had Bill Sparks in
Baltimore for a day, to provide advance promotion
for "Cockleshell Heroes." Sparks was
technical advisor during the picture's filming.
Chief Barker Earl Lewis of the Baltimore
Variety Club attended Variety's annual convention
in New York. Other delegates from
here included Mike Rendelman and Harry
Goldberg, both of Berlo Vending; Jack Whittle,
ex-chief barker and owner of the Avenue
Mechanic, retired Baltimore theatre
owner, and his wife entertained with a
party Monday night (7i for the opening of
"Can-Can" at Ford's Theatre. A supper for
the guests and several members of the cast
followed at the Sheraton Belvedere.
Hal Talmadge Colley, publicist for the Century
and New. had TV comedian George
Gobel in town Wednesday to meet the press,
radio and TV. Colley invited the group to
a breakfast party, after which Gobel went
on to Washington . Cremers is a new
assistant manager to Jimmy Richards at the
Little Theatre. He is a University of Baltimore
student, majoring in public relations.
WASHINGTON
w
O.Ml'I of WashinKton elected Madeline
Ackerman, Elmer Bncnt Co.. president;
Mary Agnes Sweeney, Louis Bernheimer Theatres,
and Mary Jane Wlnebrenner, Warner
Bros., vice-presidents; Florence Carden. Allied
Artists, recording secretary; Ethel Curtis,
20th-Fox, recording secretary; Nelia Turner.
RKO, treasurer, and Clara Lust of Ben Lust
Theatre Supply, ElUeen Oliver of 20th-Fox,
Sally Myers of Columbia to the executive
board. Past president Lucille Traband was
elected to serve as delegate to the WOMPI
convention in Atlanta September 28-30 with
Eilleen Oliver as alternate.
Dr. Harley W. Davidson Jr., son of the
Independent Theatre Service head, has been
appointed captain in the Air Force, and assigned
to study pathology at the Medical
College of Virginia in Richmond and the Johns
Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore . Victor
Orsingers, Villa Theatre. Rockville, became
parents of a baby son. They now have three
daughters and four sons Arganzio,
manager of the Governor Ritchie Drive-In,
Glenburnie, Md. and the Mount Vernon
Drive-In, Alexandria, suffered a heart attack
and is in the Kenmore Hospital at Boston.
The Dale Theatre at South Norfolk has
been renamed the Glen . . . Independent
Theatres Service advises that the Diamond
Theatre. Selbyville. Del., will close June 2 . . .
Rudolph Berger, MGM division manager, and
wife were vacationing in Florida . . . Esther
Blendman celebrated a birthday Thursday
and Sid Eckman celebrated one Friday .
Local F-13 voted to change its meeting night
from Monday to the first Tuesday of each
month.
.
.
John Garst came in from Martinsville to
buy and book and Mrs. Robert
Smelzer. Warner exchange, were vacationing
in Florida . Sadie Bowles celebrated
a birthday Sunday . Oulahan is back
in town, selling for Warner Bros. and
Mrs. Albert Landgraf. Republic office manager,
celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary
. Joyce Kriso was vacationing
shipper Billy Wilson is breaking in
as a Republic salesman, which makes Stanley
Cotrill head shipper.
Actor George Murphy will be honored by
the Motion Picture and Television Council of
the District of Columbia at its annual
luncheon on Tuesday (15) in the Sheraton-
Carlton Hotel.
William Goldman Adds
Two Reading Theatres
PHILADELPHIA—William Goldman, president
of William Goldman Theatres, Inc., has
acquired two Reading theatres from Harry
J. Schad of Schad Theatres. One is the Astor
at 734 Penn St. and the other is the Strand
at 9th and Spring streets. He will take over
operation May 30.
Renovation now is in progress on the 2,150-
seat Astor. New seats, a new marquee, a new
facade with herculitc doors; new lobby and
boxoffice, and complete air conditioning are
part of the improvements. David Supowitz of
Philadelphia is the architect.
The Strand will continue its present policy
until plans for changes have been completed.
J. Lester Stallman of Reading will be city
district supervisor and Clayton Evans of
Reading will manage the Strand.
BOXOFFICE May 12. 1956 43

. . . Peter
. . Charles
. . Director
. . David
: May
i&act(m ^efiont
v» HINT that possibly the government
/jisi may have something to say about the
"Americanization" of the British film
industry was given by David Kingsley. managing
director of the National Film Finance
Corp., speaking last week on the annual report
to a selected group of journalists.
Kingsley admitted that as a result of the
increased number of British films being made
with the financial support of American controlled
distributing companies, fewer calls
were being made on the funds of the NFFC.
In the coming year, not less than one third
of the featm-e films made in Britain would be
financed by Americans. "I think this is a
most important issue that will have to be
considered soon," he said. Kingsley's statement
underlined the strenuous tussle now
engaging the industry, between those producers
who are making films through their
own British resources, and those whose production
is partly—if not wholly—the result
of U. S. finances.
The managing dii-ector of the NFFC, in
his annual report, noted that "British independent
production as a whole is still unprofitable,
and the present downward trend
in boxoffice takings is likely to continue."
Kingsley said that in spite of assistance
from the British Film Production Fund, only
62 out of a total of 152 films financially aided
by the NFFC in the four years from 1952 to
1955 were likely to be profitable. This is indeed
the very argument that will be advanced
many times during the coming months by
those who fear that the extra production
profits derived from the Eady Scheme will
be lost to these same independent film producers,
because the bulk of Eady earnings
will go to the more expensive spectacular
co-production features, which are doing so
w^ell in Britain at the present time. One of
the American companies whose features are
now enjoying lucrative boxoffice business is
Columbia, which plans no fewer than 18
Anglo U. S. productions during the next 18
months. All these films will naturally qualify
for quota and Eady money will be made on
By ANTHONY GRUNER
a high budget, with at least two top international
stars. The same goes for MGM.
who in cooperation with Sir Michael Balcon
and Herbert Wilcox, is restarting Anglo U. S.
production in a big way. 20th Century-Fox
is negotiating with certain independent producers
and will shortly (it is rumored be
i
following suit. Naturally, a feeling akin to
panic is beginning to grip some of the smaller
British It if producers. looks as Mr, Kingsley
and the president of the Board of Trade will
need Solomon's wisdom to sort out this
particular industry problem, which strikes
at the very heart of Anglo-American film
relations.
Rod Steiger, in London for a brief visit,
captured the imagination of most of London's
film columnists and received great editorial
coverage when Columbia, who is releasing
his latest pictures over here, "The Harder
They Fall" with Humphrey Bogart and
"Jubal" with Glenn Ford, thi'ew a party in
his honor at Claridges. It is usual at these
receptions for the male star, unless he is a
worldwide personality, to be surrounded by
the lady journalists, while their male brethren
cluster in groups round the cocktail bar, discussing
the latest film and press gossip. But
not with Mr. Steiger! This literate, thoughtful
and witty artiste found himself the center
of everyone's attention and the most lonely
people at the reception turned out to be the
waiters behind the bar. Rare is it indeed that
Fleet Street journalists let Scotch play second
fiddle to a Hollywood actor, but in the case of
Rod Steiger, such a sacrifice was well worth
while.
The Cinematograph Exhibitors' A.ss'n.
which has been battling against the onward
sweep of television, last week gave a sign
that some members of its General Council
were thinking very wisely about the medium.
It is now revealed that negotiations have
been proceeding with the BBC to try to
stop the corporation screening films which
CELEBRATING A NEW COMPANY—Richard Gordon, second from left, American
o-producer of "Requiem for a Redhead," first film of Amalgramated Productions,
clebrates at Kettner's Restaurant, London, on completion of the picture there. Others,
2ft to right, are Jack Phillips, general sales manager; Carole Mathews and Richard
H'lming, American stars of the film, and William G. Chalmers, the producer.
do no credit to the industry and would
naturally keep people away from their
cinemas. The CEA has offered to provide
20 feature films (selected in conjunction with
the renters) to the BBC, from which 12
could be televised at the rate of one a month.
The BBC, in its turn, would guarantee not to
show any other features except those vetoed
by the exhibitors. This is such a bold move
on the part of the CEA that when the rumor
of the current negotiations leaked from a
local branch, most people were inclined to
disbelieve it. If these TV talks are concluded
to the trade's satisfaction, it will be a great
step forward, and a sign that there are still
some broad and statesmanship minds at
work among British exhibitors.
News in brief: When Chief Barker Nat
Cohen and immediate past Chief Barker
James Carreras left Saturday, May 5, heading
a party of Tent 36 Variety delegates to
attend the international convention, they
were seen off by British Broadcasting Corp.
television cameras. Henry Caldwell, one of
BBC's top TV men, produced an excellent
film sequence, which was shown later on TV.
The film has been presented to Variety for
the private use of the Club, and was screened
at the Ladies' Luncheon at the Savoy Hotel,
when three nation celebrities—America's
Dorothy Dandridge, Britain's Merle Oberon
and Spain's Conchita Montes—were the
. guests of honor Laughton has
been signed by executive producer Sam
Spiegel as the first star of his Horizon-
British production for Columbia Pictures
"The Bridge Over the River Kwai." This is
Laughton's fu-st screen role for more than
two years. He recently has been concentrating
on direction and production in association
with Paul Gregory. In "The Bridge
Over the River Kwai" he will portray Colonel
Davidson, a British military leader who is
captured with his troops by the Japanese in
World War II and forced to labor in the
building of a bridge. David Lean directs
Finch has been given the leading
role in Ealing's "The Shiralee," the second
film to be made in cooperation with MGM.
(The first, "The Man in the Sky," is a test
pilot story starring Jack Hawkins) . , . Louis
Ai'mstrong, who arrived over here last week,
is organizing a special concert to help the
National Playing Fields' Ass'n and the Variety
Club of Great Britain . E. Rose is
in town for the premiere of his Coronado
Production's "Port Afrique," with Pier Angeli,
Phil Carey and Dennis Price . . . William
Perlberg of the Paramount producing-directing
team of Perlberg and Seaton is in town
for a short holiday . Billy Wilder
has been signed to direct the film version of
Agatha Christie's London and New York stage
success "Witness for the Prosecution," which
will be produced by Arthur Hornblow jr. in
association with Edward Small for United
Artists release. The stage thriller, set against
the background of the Old Bailey, was first
persented in London at the Winter Gardens
Theatre in 1953. Gilbert Miller opened with
the play in New York in October the following
year. It is still running there . . . Esther
Williams, the former MGM film star swimmer,
will be arriving in London to appear in the
"Aqua Spectacle" at the Wembley Pool, which
will be televised by the National Broadcasting
Co. of America under the title of "Aqua
Spectacle of 1957" ... Sir Laurence Olivier's
VistaVision production for Warner release,
"The Sleeping Prince," with Marilyn Monroe,
will commence shooting at Pinewood Studios
on July 30.
BOXOFFICE
:
12, 1956

:
May
and
HOLLYWOpp
HoUvwood Otfice— Suite 219 at 6404 Holly wood lUvd.:
PRODUCTION
Ivcn Spear, Western Manager j
CEIMTER.
Navy Relief to Benefit
By 'Boats' Premiere
HOLLYWOOD—With the Navy Relief
Society
as the beneficiary, U-I's "Away All
Boat,s." Technicolor-VistaVision film version
of the Kenneth Dodson novel about World
Wiu- II amphibious operations in the Pacific,
will be given a celebrity-studded premiere
here in mid-June. The Navy League will
assist in the event and patrons and patronesses
will include Navy officials as well as
state and civic dignitai'ies.
First nighters also will include Howard
Christie, who produced: Joseph Pevney, who
directed, and stars of the film, Jeff Chandler,
George Nader, Julie Adams, Lex Barker.
Keith Andes and Richard Boone.
Dat€ of the premiere, and the theatre in
which it will take place, will be announced
later.
"Magic Fii-e," Republic's Trucolor film
biography of Richard Wagner, produced and
directed by William Dieterle, will have its
west coast opening Monday (21) at the Pom-
Star Theatre. It stars Yvonne De Carlo,
Carlos Thompson, Rita Gam and Alan Badel.
Pi-emiere dates during May have been set
for two Allied Artists releases, with "Screaming
Eagles," produced by Samuel Bischoff
and David Diamond, scheduled to debut
Tuesday i22> at the Colony Theatre in
Fayetteville, N. C. and the Vincent M. Pennelly
production, "Crime in the Streets," to
bow the next day at the Victoria in New York.
Fayetteville was selected as the site
for the
"Eagles" opening because it is adjacent to
Port Bragg, training center in 1942 for the
famed Company D, 502nd Regiment, 101st
Airborne Division, the exploits of which are
detailed in the film. Invitations to the premiere
have been extended to top Army brass
and the affair will be attended also by Hollywood
luminaries. Directed by Charles Haas,
the feature toplines Tom Tryon, Jan Merlin
and Alvy Moore.
"Crime in the Streets," directed by Don
Siegel, stars James Whitmore and John
Cassavetes.
RKOs "While the City Sleeps," a Bert
Priedlob production starring Dana Andrews,
Rhonda Fleming and Ida Lupino, was given
its world premiere Wednesday (9> at the
Warner Theatre in Pittsburgh.
"The Searchers," the initial C. V. Whitney
Pictures film, which is being distributed by
Warners, will begin its New York engagement
Wednesday (30 1 at the Criterion Theatre.
Starring John Wayne, the outdoor action
drama was directed by John Ford.
earlier films.
22 New Members Added
To Roster of Academy
HOLLYWOOD—The Academy of Motion
has added 22 new
REUNION—When lensing began recently
on RKO's "Public Pigeon Number
One" it marked a reunion for Red
Skelton (left), star of the comedy, and
director Norman McLeod, who piloted the
carrot-topped comic in many of his
Picture Arts and Sciences
members to its roster, including:
Actors—Fred Astaire, George Gobel, Rock
Hudson, Don Taylor, Tom Tully. Administrators—Marvin
E. Mirisch. Art directors—William
Flannery. Cinematographers—Russell
Harlan. Executives—Schuyler A. Sanford.
Film editors—Viola Lawrence.
Musicians—Ernest Gold, Milton Rogers.
Producers—William Hawks. Public relations
—Jay Thompson, Allan G. Warshauer.
Sound—Charles B. Goldsmith, Harold P.
Watkins jr. Writers—Philip Yordan. Members-at-large—Eugene
Busch. Associates
Martin H. Lencer. David P. O'Malley. Harvey
Pergament.
Art Arthur to Represent
DeMille on Para. Planning
HOLLYWOOD—Art Arthur, executive assistant
to C. B. DeMille in charge of pubUc
relations, has been designated by the producer-director
to .serve as his personal representative
on the planning board of Paramount
executives who will guide the releasing
policies, publicity and advertising campaigns
on behalf of DeMille's forthcoming "The Ten
Commandments."
In line with his new duties, Arthur will
make regular trif)s to New York to join in
conferences with Maxwell Hamilton, coordinator
of the program. He took off Friday (11)
on his first such junket.
Screen Extras Retain
Incumbent Officers
HOLLYWOOD— All incumbent officers of
the Screen Extras Guild have been re-elected
for the coming year via mail ballot, in which
members also named 14 new members of the
board of directors. Of the latter, 13 were
nominated by the SEG's official nominating
committee and one was a candidate by independent
petition.
Returned to office were Richard H. Gordon,
president: Pranklyn Farnum, Tex
Brodus and Paul Bradley, vice-presidents:
Kermer G. Kemp, recording secretary, and
Jeffrey Sayre, treasurer. Elected to the board
for three-year terms were Billy J. Williams,
Paul Cristo, Tina Menard. Evelyn Ceder, Ethel
Greenwood, Leo Abbey, Guy Gifford Way,
Frank Radcliffe, Kemp, Roy Thomas, Sid
Troy; two-year term, Anna Mabry; one-year
terms, Max Reid and Joe Brooks. Brooks was
an independent candidate.
Tlie Screen Directors Guild will elect eight
new members of the board of directors and
eight new members of the assistant directors
council at its annual meeting Friday (25) at
its new headquarters.
New board and council members are chosen
for a two-year term. Incumbent board representatives
who still have a year to serve
include Fi-ank Capra, John Ford, Henry
Hathaway, Mervyn LeRoy, Frank Lloyd,
George Marshall. George Sidney (now SDG
president I George Stevens. Continuing
for another year on the assistant directors
council are Milton Feldman, Stanley Hough,
Bill McGarry, Sam Nelson, Ivan Volkman,
Bernard McEveety jr., Bernard L. Kow^alski
and George Loper.
Retiring board members include Frank
Borzage, Willis Goldbeck. Stuart Heisler.
Hem-y Koster, Walter Lang, Anthony Mann,
William A. Seiter and William Wyler. Completing
their terms on the assistant directors
council are Nathan BaiTager, Francis X.
Baur, William Beaudine jr., Ralph Black,
Henry Brill, Ru.ssell Haverick. Robert H.
Justman and Ralph Slosser.
Gobel to Star in RKO Film
HOLLYWOOD — Negotiations have been
finalized whereby George Gobel will star in
"So There You Are," a Gomalco production
for RKO, with lensing to start In July. William
Bloom has been assigned to produce
for the studio. Gobel, the TV comic who
made his theatrical film debut in Paramount's
"The Birds and the Bees," will portray
a junior advertising executive who
enters a Mr. and Mrs. America contest with
his wife, a former beauty contest winner.
BOXOFFICE :
12, 1956 45

was
Barnstormers
STUDIO PERSONNELITIES
Columbia
VALERIE FRENCH returned from moking personal
appeorances here and abrood in connection with
openings of "Jubal," in which she appears with
Glenn
Ford.
Blurbers
Independent
HAROLD L. PALMER, who for a time hondled
radio-TV publicity for Warners, joined the Wendell
W. Olsen agency as head of its locol public relations
department.
Cleffers
Allied Artists
SALTER was signed as rr
Independent
Hampshire Productions, headed by Harry Totelman,
inked composer-conductor FREDERICK STEINER
to a three-picture deal.
RKO Radio
Musical score for "Tension at Table Rock" will be
composed by DIMITRI TIOMKIN.
United Artists
Producer Samuel Goldwyn jr. booked JEROME
MOROSS to score "The Shorkf ighters."
Loanouts
United Artists
Russ-Field Productions borrowed ELEANOR PARKER
from MGM to star with Clark Gable in "The King
and Four Queens," which Raoul Walsh will direct
for Producer David Hempstead.
Meggers
Allied Artists
LEW LANDERS is piloting the Lindsley Parsons
production, "The Cruel Tower," starring John Ericson.
United Artists
Robert Goldstein Productions booked GERD OSWALD
to direct "Love Story," a forthcoming Barbara Stan-
Options
Allied Artists
the Bowery Boys Casting on entry, "Chasing
Trouble," was completed with the signing of LAURIE
MITCHELL, CHARLES WILLIAMS, ANN GRIFFITH and
BENNY BURT. George Blair megs the comedy, a
the top femme
ite Joel McCreo in "The Oklohomon,"
Diter sch.
actor to PETER VOTRIAN was added the cast.
MARl BLANCHARD was signed to star with John
in Ericson the Lindsley Parsons production, "The
is Cruet Tower," on which Lew Landers the mega-
Columbia
BILL BISHOP was cast os the hero in "The White
Squaw," the Wallace MacDonald production in Technicolor,
which also features David Brion. The director
IS
Roy Nozarro. Contractee WILLIAM LESLIE
drew a featured part.
Producer Sam Kotzman booked the MARY KAYE
his TRIO and PEREZ PRADO and orchestra for top
roles in "Cha, Cho, Cha," a tunetilm which Fred F.
Sears will direct.
Independent
JOHN CARRADINE was cast as the principal heovy
Golden State Productions' "The She-Creature,"
in
toplining Cothy Downs, Tom Conway and Maria
English. ictioner, Megging the science-f which American
is International will release, Edward L. Cahn.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
ELIZABETH FLOURNOY was cast in "The Power
and the Prize," a Nicholas Noytack production
starring Robert Taylor, with Henry Koster directing.
Producer Hal W
role of a chorine in the Dei
comedy, "Hollywood or Bust,"
Paramount
VALERIE ALLEN for
RKO Radio
Frank
Tashlin
JEFF SILVER, 19-year-old TV-radio actor, was cost
in a featured role in "Strike a Blow," adolescentdelinquency
drama, which stars James MacArthur and
Kim Hunter. It will be produced by Stuart Millar
and megged by John Frankenheimer.
TV comedienne NITA TALBOT will make her film
debut with Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher in
"Bundle of Joy," on Edmund Grainger production
which will roll early next month with Norman Taurog
wielding the megaphone.
Handed a comedy role in the Red Skelton starrer,
'Public Pigeon Number One," was JOHN ABBOTT.
Norman McLeod is piloting the Harry Tugend pro-
20th Century-Fox
Added to the cast of the Henry Ephron production,
"The Best Things in Life Are Free, PHYLLIS
"
AVERY. Starring Gordon MacRoe, Dan Doiley, Sheree
North and Ernest Borgnine, the tunefilm is being
piloted by Michael Curtiz.
Actress DANA WYNTER has been held
term.
other
Universal-International
Character actor JERRY PARIS was inked to portray
an airline pilot in the Jock Mahoney-Leigh Snowden
vehicle about reincarnation, "I've Lived Before,"
is which Richord Bortlett megging for Producer
Howard Christie.
Orchestra leader RUSS MORGAN will undertake a
"Cory," which stars Tony Curtis and Martha Hyer
and will be produced by Robert Arthur.
Character actress MILDRED NATWICK was cast
a spinster aunt in the Debbie Reynolds-Leslie
as
is Nielsen vehicle, "Tammy," which being produced
Technicolor and CinemaScope by Ross Hunter.
in
The director is Joseph Pevney. Drawing a featured
was MALA POWERS.
spot
Warner Bros.
Playwright-actor BERNIE HAMILTON was cast as
in Girl a corporal "The He Left Behind," army con
starring Tab Hunter and Natalie Wood. The F
Rosenberg production is being directed by Davi
Butler.
Scripters
Melro-Goldwyn-Mayer
JACK SCHAEFER is penning "Company of Cow
World War II drama, which Charles Schne
Universal-International
R. WRIGHT CAMPBELL is writing the
for "The Man of a Thousand Faces," a fi
phy of the late Lon Chaney, which Robert ,
produce. The Chaney role wi be undertake
Story Buys
Allied Artists
it to in Planning shoot on location Central America
next spring. Producer Lindsley Parsons bought
Incredible "The Yonqui," a story by Herman D.
Deutch about an American locomotive engineer
who goes to Honduras and becomes a political power.
Independent
Planning to set up her own unit to produce the
subject—^in which, however, she will not star—Jane
Powell purchased "The Gay Saint," a historical novel
by Paul Bailey about a Mormon adventurer who
made a fortune in the early days of San Francisco.
Hampshire Productions, headed by Harry Tatelman,
purchased "The 446," an account by Cooper Adams
ond Roger Aston of their experiences aboard the LST
446 during World War II.
Paramount
Producer Hal Wallis acquired film rights to "Girls
of Summer," a play by N. Richard Nash, which will
be produced on Broadway this fall.
nthol
product
RKO Radio
I
believed
sters
Universal-International
Scheduled os a Van Heflin starrer, film rights were
to secured "If Should Die," a magazine story by
Hugh Pentecost about a New York newspaper reporter.
It
will be produced by Howie Horwitz as
his first assignment since being recently inked to
RETIRE AT MGM Three MGM workers, the latest to retire under Loew's, Inc.,
retirement plan, received from Dore Schary, studio head, thanks and congratulations
at a gathering of department supervisors in Schary's office recently. The three going
on retirement are James Ryan, assistant chief of police; Will B. McCormick, electrical
department, and D. E. Woods, sound department. The three had 74 years of
service at the Culver City plant. Left to right; E. C. DeLavigne, head of labor relations;
Dr. Wesley C. Miller, recording director; Ryan; W. P. Hendry, chief of studio
poUce; Schary; McCormick; A. Sydney Moore, head of the electrical department;
Woods; By EUerbrock, studio representative of Loew's retirement fund, and W. W.
Spemcer, studio manager.

: May
. . signed
Dana Andrews Is Honored
At Uvalde, Tex., Event
HOLLYWOOD—Dana Andrews, cuiTently
starring in RKOs •While the City Sleeps,"
was guest of honor Fi-iday ilH at ceremonies
marking the 100th anniversai-y of the founding
of Uvalde, Tex., where his father was a
Now if they could have dropped "vision"
somewhere into that label, it would have con-
minister for many years. Uvalde also is the
home town of former Vice-President John
to prove that there's
Garner.
JUST
always room trived to lift somrthing from the name of
for one more—especially at the top every established widescreen medium. Y.
A special public exhibition of 115 production
Republic has unveiled
the new, widescreen photographic
its contribution
to techniques.
drawings and paintings by staff
Frank Freeman isn't Koing to be too happy
or is he?—about boinR slighted thataway.
artist
John L. Jensen for Cecil B. DeMille's new
Paramount enti-y, "The Ten Commandments," Attractively tagged Naturama, the process
is being presented for two weeks at the makes its debut in the Trucolor outdoor action
Waxing uncharacteristically .sanguinary,
Chouinard Art Institute here. Jensen is a drama, "The Maverick Queen," co-starring
Milton Luban, currently a .stress agent for
Barbara Stanwyck and BaiTy Sullivan former student of the institute.
Frank and Walter Seltzer's Boss Productions,
and recently unveiled for press appraisal. The reports: "William Phlpps . ... to
who
Z^^cuti4JJ^ '1nxi4Ji^'il
anamorphic system, developed by Republic's
engineering department in collaboration with
Consolidated Film Industries, represents two
play a killer massacres four federal
agents and a horde of innocent bystanders
..."
years of research and development under
So, what does he do for an encore?
Ea.*it: C. V. Whitney Pictures dispatched
Aiin Hai-ris. head of it,s story department, to the supervision of Herbert J. Yates, Republic
New York to scout the eastern literary market,
president, and Daniel J. Bloomberg, chief
while Allan Reed of the art department engineer and technical manager.
"FOCR DASTARDS FOCL THINGS UP IN
headed for Missouri for a two-week stay to
In its application to "The Maverick DISNEY'S
check locations for the upcoming Whitney
Queen," Naturama eliminates practically all •DAVY CROCKETT AND THE RIVER
entry, "The Missouri Traveler."
graininess. and compai-es favorably, as concerns
PIRATES' "
depth-illusion and scope, with similar
—Joe Reddy-Walt Disney
Headline.
East: Robert Goldstein, who has a multiplepicture
releasing commitment with United
Artists, headed for Gotham for huddles with
UA distribution brass.
East: A visitor from Indo-China was Jean
Schwoerer. circuit operator in Saigon, who
conferred at Pai-amount with Cecil B. De-
Mille.
East: G. Ralph Branton, Allied Artists
executive and president of its video subsidiary.
Interstate Television, left for New York
on a w-eek's business trip.
West: Henry King, 20th-Fox megaphonist,
returned from a trek to Manhattan.
West: Expected in at the studio for planning
huddles were SpjTOs Skouras, 20th-Fox
president, and Joseph Moskowitz, eastern
production representative, who were to confer
with Buddy Adler, in charge of production.
East: Harold J.
Mlrisch, Allied Artists vicepresident,
headed for New York for parleys
with Ed Morey, also a vice-president, and
Morey Goldstein, vice-president and general
sales manager.
East: William Bloom, RKO production, took
off for Manhattan on a business jaunt.
East: Maxwell Amow, Hecht-Lancaster
vice-president and talent executive, left for
Gotham to test a number of new acting personalities
for possible term tickets.
West:
Mervin Houser, RKO studio publicity
chief, returned Thursday (10) from ten
days of conferences with New York executives
of the company.
West: Producer Arthur Hornblow jr.
planed in from London after three weeks of
planning conferences concerning "Witness for
the Prosecution," based on the Agatha
Christie stage play, which he will produce in
Britain next year in association with Edward
Small for United Artists release.
BOXOFFICE :
12. 1956
devices now in use. It utilizes specially designed
lenses manufactured by a French
optical firm, attached to standard Mitchell
camera lenses, which provide a 2.35-1 aspect
ratio. Prints will be available with an
optical -sound track only, and no additional
equipment is required for theatres now
capable of handling widescreen presentations.
For showcases that do not have wideangle
lenses Naturama will be squeezed down
to a 1.85-1 ratio. The system has one
"exclusive"—an automatic adaptor attachment
which controls the simultaneous focusing
of both the Naturama and Mitchell
lenses, thus eliminating the human element
of possible error and distortion.
Yates has revealed that the bulk of his
company's program for 1956 will be filmed in
Naturama and Trucolor. On the heels of
"The Maverick Queen," earmarked for early
distribution, will come two others similarly
garnished— "Lisbon," starring and directed
by Ray Mllland, and "Thunder Over Arizona,"
which features Skip Homeler and
Kristlne Miller.
Far-seeing industryites long since concluded
that the most potent and promising weapon
to curb and contain the growing competition
of television is constant accent upon the
theatrical .screen's— -the widescreen, preferably—superior
ability to reflect all that is
desirable and impressive in filmed entertainment.
Thus Naturama will be welcomed by both
the production and exhibition branches of the
trade as added strength for that weapon.
Expectedly, the rash of new processes is
not without its opportunistic, all-is-confusion
facets. Witness the announcement that an
independent outfit calling itself Ireland-
Grashoff Productions intends to launch an
actioner, "The Violent Wait," in an anamorphic
system ta£g:ed Ciramascope.
You must be more careful about those
typographical errors, Joe.
From Teet Carle's Paramount prai-sery, a
painstaking handout about the hardships involved
in moving "the film industry's largest
portable wind machine" to Lone Pine for
use in shooting scenes for "The Lonely Man."
It would have been easier—and cheaper—
to fly Bob Goodfried to the location.
Jovial
Johnny Flinn, chief adjective-agitator
for Allied Artists, advises that "Ann Griffith,
daughter of H. J. Griffith, Dallas, Tex.,
president of Frontier Theatres, Inc.," is making
her screen debut in an AA entry, "Night
Target."
The picture now Is assured of bookings
throughout the Frontier circuit, If nowhere
else.
A communique from the RKO Radio ravery
discloses that the studio is planning early
production of a feature dealing with the
launching of a man-made satellite into space
300 miles above the earth's .surface. Of three
titles tentatively selected for the venture, one
is "Around the World in 90 Minutes."
What are they trying to do, make a bum
out of Mike Todd? It's taking him 80 days—
and seven million dollars—to make the same
trip.
The same RKO's praise pundit, Mervin
Houser, broadcast word that Alice Englert, a
member of the publicity staff, had been selected
by officiak of the U. S. Volleyball Ass'n
to be on the AII-.American women's team,
which will compete in Paris this coming .August
for the world's championship.
That figures, .\nyone who has toiled for
Mervin should be quite expert at passing the
bailor buck.

INDUSTRY PROFILE
More Honesty Is His Remedy for Industry Headaches
TOWNSEND, MONT. — Benjamin
"Shorty" Sauter, owner -operator of the
Rex Theatre, began his theatre business
by buying out the L. J. Opie circuit in
1935, which included Basin, Boulder,
Radersburg, Marysville and Townsend, all
in Montana.
"I raised the necessary $200 for the investment
and paid it back within five
months," said Sauter. "In those days, $200
wasn't too easy to come by."
Prior to woriung for L. J. Opie, whose
circuit he bought. Sauter had relieved his
brother-in-law in Rupert, Ida., in the old
Wilson Theatre during the silent era. Said
Sauter: "It was very simple. If I had lots
of time I cranked slow, if not, I cranked
fast in order to end on time."
In September 1935, Sauter made permanent
headquarters at Townsend, He
dropped Marysville from his circuit but
added Harrison and Pony.
He continued with this circuit for four
years, never missing a scheduled show because
of weather, even at 52 degrees below
zero. There were times when he was unable
to get into Boulder by direct route and
went ai-ound by Butte, many extra miles.
There were also many times when he
literally had to shovel his way to the door
of the building where he was to show a
picture.
MAE WEST FILM HIS FIRST
The first picture Sauter ran on his circuit
was "I'm No Angel," starring Mae
West, in the little town of Marysville. He
had 1,000-foot reels of film and one broke.
He didn't know how to patch it so he just
put a paper clip on the broken part and
let it run out on the floor. "My life was
full of emergencies in those days and I
had to meet them anyway I could," said
Sauter.
Sauter's biggest problem seemed to be
how to keep awake when driving home
early In the morning. Once his wife
grabbed the car wheel as he fell asleep.
One time in 30 degrees below zero he found
himself getting drowsy and decided to
step outside his panel truck for a breath
of sharp air. The freezing au- revived him
but when he tried to open the truck door
he discovered that it had locked on him.
About 400 yards from the truck he spotted
a snow-covered dump and remembered
that most dumps harbored at least one
pair of old bed springs. Sure enough, this
dump did al.so. Sauter released the springs
from the other junk, fashioned a hook
with it and opened the truck door.
His nearest brush with death occurred
on Feb. 22. 1936, on his way out of Butte
after picking up his film for the week. A
huge rock crashed down through his radiator,
just missed his head and turned his
car over on one side. Pinned inside the
overturned car, Sauter made three attempts
to get the upper door opened before
he finally was successful. His car
was completely demolished
"Durmg the .summer the circuit was
11
AXBKN.IAMIN SAUTER
real family affair," said Sauter. "As soon
as we hit town my four kids (three sons
and a daughter) would spill out of the
panel truck and start putting up posters.
As we promoted a baseball game before
each show, there was plenty of time to
advertise. We would hold off the show
until after the game, thus assuring a good
audience. Incidently, so much ball playing
must have had an effect on my children
because they all turned out to be
good athletes. My wife sold and took
the tickets."
Sauter promoted many amateur shows
at Townsend and Boulder but baseball was
always close to his heart. A friend, Father
Harrington, a Catholic priest, was usually
on hand to share his enthusiasm in these
towns, and together they rode donkeys for
donkey baseball. Judging by the regular
turnouts, their efforts were much appreciated.
Needless to say, the baseball fans
usually found relaxation at Sauter's show
later.
SHOWS IN STREET CARS
Sauter has always recognized a bargain
even when it was camouflaged as a street
car. When street cars were discontinued
in Butte in 1938, a friend of Sauter bought
five cars to use for tourist accommodations.
Sauter at the time was remodeling his
Boulder Theatre so he purchased the five
cars from his friend for $50. He dismantled
the cars, (the reed seats had
strong springs and heavy, double upholstering!
and gave the dismantled cars to
the man who had hauled them to Boulder
for freighting charge.
In 1953 Sauter put in a cryroom in the
Rex in Townsend, the first in Montana.
At the same time he installed 260 fullfloating
American chair seats with two
additional seats for long-legged patrons.
The long-legged row was an immediate
success but it took some time befoie parents
acquired enough confidence to leave
their children in the cryroom. All seats
were closed in at the back to discourage
children from sticking their feet out in
front to annoy patrons in front of them.
By 1940 Sauter had given up his circuit
but retained the Rex in Townsend
as a permanent business. He remodeled
the front to keep pace with the modernized
interior. A marquee with red, blue,
green and yellow flood lights replaced the
out-moded sign.
Only once since 1940 has Sauter raised
admission prices and that was just ten
cents. His present prices are 60 cents for
adults, 50 cents for students and 20 for
children.
Sauter is a charter member of Theatre
Owners of Montana. When the organization
was first formed, members met in a
room in the Film Hotel in Butte. According
to Sauter, it didn't take a very large
place for them as there were only four
members.
STRESSES GOOD EQ1JIPMENT
Sauter has the best equipment he can
buy including a Cinemascope widescreen
and optical sound. A more powerful sound
system would be too loud for the Rex.
Each Christmas Sauter presents a free
show with his large miniature train, tunnel
and track set on exhibit for the pleasure
of oldsters and youngsters alike. A
youth recreation picture is another annual
free show looked forward to by the Townsend
teenagers.
An ex-mayor of Townsend (from 1945-
1950) Sauter is one of the town's most
popular citizens. During World War II,
he met the farm labor problem by going to
the hay fields at 8 in the morning. He returned
home each evening just in time to
open his theatre for the evening show.
Making his motto "a bond for every seat
in the Rex" Sauters won a presidential
citation for his bond selling abilities.
If exhibitor and distributor would be
more honest with each other the theatre
business would have fewer headaches
Sauter thinks. He said: "A 50 per cent
film percentage is too high for a small
independent operator, I wouldn't object
to paying 50 per cent on film once a week
if I could make a profit but I can't break
even, I prefer a $60 flat rate per week with
a split figure at $240 and split over at 25
per cent at the first dollar," His weekly
breakdown in tenths averages three-tenths
on Sunday, one on Monday, one on Wednesday,
two on Fi-iday and two on Saturday,
Overhead is approximately $325 a
week,
"Every business has its problems," said
Sauter, "When I look back at the socalled
good old days, today seems extra
good. But wouldn't have traded any-
I
thing else for them. In the theatre business
I have met many fine people and I
really enjoy trying to give them the best
in enteitainment Tovinsend is one of
the best little towns to live iii theie isi
BOXOFFICE :: May 12,19

.
. . . Raymond
. . Another
. . Mrs.
. . "Cockleshell
. . John
. . Agnes
. .
, . . Naomi
'Stover' and 'Fall' Get
Top Scores in L. A.
LOS ANGELES—Each recording a substantial
150 per cent, "The Revolt of Mamie
Stover" and "The Harder They Fall" proved
the week's strongest opening fii-st run attractions
during a period which found business
generally only tolerable.
(Average Is 100)
in Man the Gray Flannel Chinese The Suit
(20th-Fox), 3rd wk 140
Egyptian, United Artists Oklahomal (Magna),
24tti wk
El Rey— Doctor ot Sea (Rep), 5th wk
125
60
Fine Arts— Patterns (UA), 6th wk 50
Star Four Goby (MGM), 5th wk 90
Fox Wilshire Alexander the Greot 70
(UA), 6th wk.
Hawaii, State Tribute to a Bod Men (MGM). . . I 20
Hillstreet, Vogue The Bold ond the Brave (RKO);.
The Way Out (RKO), 2nd wk 90
Los Angeles, Fox, Ritz, Loyola The Revolt of
Mamie Stover (20th-Fox), The Broken Star (UA), 150
Orpheum, Ins Cockleshell Heroes (Col); Blackjack
Ketchum, Desperado iCol), 2nd wk 100
Pontages, Downtown Paromount, Worners Wilfern
—Serenade (WB), A Day of Fury (U-l) 125
Paramount Hollywood The Birds and the Bees
(Para), 2nd wk 125
(Col), 1 1 th Warners Beverly- Picnic wk 75
Warners Downtown, Fox Hollywood, Uptown
The Harder They Fall (Col); Star in the Dust
lU-l) 150
Warners Hollywood Cinerama Holidoy (Cinerama),
25th wk 130
"Forbidden Planet' Soars
To 155 in Denver Debut
DENVER—Business among the first runs
was generally off and for the first time since
Christmas nothing was held over. Best
grossers were "Forbidden Planet" with "Bride
of the Monster" at the Orpheum and "Miracle
in the Rain" with "Steel Jungle" at the
Paramount.
Aladdin Gaby (MGM) 100
Centre Hilda Crone ;20th-Fox), 2nd wk 85
Denham Glory (RKO) 80
Denver The Maverick Queen (Rep); The Yearling
(MGM), reissue 90
Esquire Samurai 120
(Jocon)
Orpheum Forbidden Planet (MGM); Bride of the
Monster (Realart) 155
Paramount Miracle in the Rain (WB); The Steel
Jungle !WB) 115
Vogue Letters From My Windmill (Tohan), 2nd
wk 100
Tail' and 'Gray Flannel'
Are Frisco Top Grossers
SAN FRANCISCO—Two first run houses
walked away with slightly better than average
grosses to take top honors. The opening
of "The Harder They Fall" at the Paramount
and the third week of "The Man in the Gray
Flannel Suit" at the Fox were the leaders.
Fox—The Man In the Gray Flonnel Suit (20th-Fox),
3rd wk 125
Golden Gate Come Next Spring (Rep); When
Gangland Strikes (Rep) 60
Paramount The Harder They Foil (Col); Over-
Exposed (Col) 125
Francis—Miracle 90
St, in the Roin (WB)
United Artists—World Without End (AA); Indestructible
Man (AA) 90
Worfield The Swan (MGM), 110
2nd wk
'Planet' Grosses Good
170 at Portland
PORTLAND — "Forbidden Planet," the
science-fiction drama, scored 170 per cent at
the Broadway.
Broadway— Forbidden Planet (MGM) 1 70
Fox—Serenade (WB) 1 20
Guild Samurai (Jacon) I 50
Liberty Hot Blood (Col) MO
Orpheum The Horder They Foil ICol) 135
Paramount-One-way Ticket to Hell (Eden) 110
Frisco Clay Gets C'Scope
SAN FRANCISCO—The Clay Theatre, local
art house where "House of Ricordi" now is
playing, is installing Cinemascope and widescreen
projection. The first film to be shown
will be "Gaby."
SAN FRANCISCO
Tack Marpole, property manager for the
Variety Club, presented membership cards
to George Christopher, mayor of Snn Pi'ancisco:
Clifford Ri.shell. mayor of Oakland,
and Wayne Thompson, Oakland city manager,
after they were sworn In as honorary
barkers by Nate Blumenfeld, chief barker.
The presentation was made at a special
luncheon held at the Fairmont Hotel last
week (2).
Glenn Coffey of Hayward has been appointed
by the Roy Cooper Theatres to
manage the Midway Drive-In at Reedley .
Hannah Oppie died recently following a long
illness. Mrs. Oppie had been associated for
many years with Westland Theatres and once
was executive secretary for the Northern
California branch of Independent Theatre
Deepest sympathy to Hulda Mc-
Owners . . .
Ginn, public relations woman for California
Theatres Ass'n, on the death of her husband
Walter.
Visitors to the Row included Edna Bell,
Altos, Los Altos; Bert Henson, city manager
in Klamath Falls for Redwood Theatres; Tiny
Turner, Coalinga Drive-In, Coalinga; Robert
Gingerich, Westerner Drive-In, Carmichael;
Bill Garren, Albany, Albany; Lou Spitzler,
Auto Movies, Pittsburg, and Dan Tocchini,
Analy, Sebastapol. The latter was contemplating
a trip to Europe.
.
.
The Porter in Woodland was closed, as was
the Rialto in Eureka. Both belong to the
Redwood Theatres chain Newton,
Fair Oaks, Fair Oaks, now operating the theatre
formerly operated by C. J. Remington,
was along the Row visiting with friends.
Newton formerly operated a theatre in Portland
visitor to the Row was
Victor Carlsen, who came from the north
with Newton and has taken over the Lux in
Sacramento with Mary Stevens.
Marvin Fox was named city manager of
the Pittsburg area for Blumenfeld circuit,
replacing Carol Bradley. Fox was an exhibitor
. in Washington Heroes"
will open at the St. Francis May 18. It Is
based on an incident of two men surviving a
war situation and will be promoted by the
personal appearance of one of the survivors,
Cpl. Bill Sparks of the British Royal Marines,
opening day . Leora Nelson is the
new secretary to Jack Stevenson, local Paramount
manager . . . Elizabeth Merritt, cashier,
after 42 years at Paramount, has retired.
Ward Pennington writes to his local pals
that he's very happy at his new post as manager
for Paramount, Milwaukee. Taking over
Ward's spot here as sales manager was
Milton Anderson, promoted from salesman
Lockerman, ledger clerk for
Paramount, was vacationing . . . Eric Smith,
"Tiny" Siita replaced Smith . Sherman
returned from her vacation and Al
Grubstick, WB's sales manager, left on his
vacation.
Jesse Wriglit, 'WB booker, now is called
"Slim Jim" after shedding a few pounds
working out with the Filmrow branch of
VTMCA. Next project in mind for Jesse is
giving up cigarets. Je.s.se claims he lost four
pounds, but everyone on the Row claims It's
English money . . . Francis Bateman, district
manager for Republic, was in town
with Mr. and Mrs. Whelpley. Whelpley
Is the head of the board of directors of Republic
. . . Stew Klein of Columbia had a
tooth pulled. Now, when he bites exhibitors,
they only have imprint of three teeth.
John Bowles has taken over the booking
and buying of the Valley Theatre in Anderson
for owner LewLs E. Blair . . . The Lucky
Drive-In at Turlock was sold to Affiliated as
of April 29. Bob Clark formerly handled the
theatre . . . Je.sse Levin, General Theatrical,
took over as agent for the booking and buying
of the Mountain View Drive-In, Mount
Shasta, owned by Mr. and Mrs. George English.
Charlie Gray left UA to join U-I . . . Jack
Voorhies, apprentice, succeeded Gray at UA
Spring, United ArtLsts, left to wed
... In town on her honeymoon last week was
Blanche Livingston, assistant to Harry Mandel,
national director of publicity and advertising
for RKO theatres , . . Kenneth Morris
was named manager of the State and Porter
in Woodland, replacing Rose Saso who had
been acting manager for the two George
Mann theatres. Morris served with other theatres
in the chain in Klamath Falls, Modesto
and Fortuna. He worked with the Mann theatres
in Woodland in 1949 and 1950. Mrs.
Saso is the regular manager of the State in
Modesto.
Disappearance of $1,498 in Coronet Theatre
receipts over the last ten weeks was reported
in the Examiner (2) as police and
insurance company agents started an investigation.
According to the Examiner,
Manager John A. Dobbs told police that a
check of ticket sales against receipts .showed
that the money began disappearing after
opening of "Oklahoma!" on February 10.
Showless After 30 Years
CATHLAMET, WASH.—Lack of business
has forced the Elco Theatre here to clase
Its doors and the town is without a theatre
for the first time in nearly 30 years. The
house is owned by Eugene Brock, who has
brought first run shows to town and had
installed the latest wldescreen equipment.
Attendance, however, had fallen off to a point
where It is now impossible to keep operating,
he said.
CKICtaO.ILL
IJ27 S. WlltSH
NEW VOIIK.
N.Y.
f

. . Al
. . The
. . John
. . . Ralph
. . Another
. . FUmrow
: May
SEATTLE
(Suck Smith has been named Seattle-Portland
manager for Favorite Films to succeed
Bill Shartin . . . Bill Foreman of the
United Theatres Drive-ins was up from Los
Angeles . Larpenteur, former Northwest
Releasing salesman, now is managing the
Starlight Drive-In, Tacoma . Variety
clubrooms in the New Washington Hotel are
getting plenty of use. Tliey have been beautifully
redecorated under the supervision of
Fi-ank
Christy.
Among those attending the Variety Club
convention in New York were Ed Cruea,
Allied Artists manager; Paul Grunwald of
Northwest Film: Celia Blatt, 20th-Fox
booker, and the B. C. Johnsons . Riley
of National Theatre Supply recently sold new
equipment to Mai-garet Lowe Bradford, owner
of Loew's Igloo in Dillingham, Alaska, including
a new Walker screen and a pair of
Ultra-Panatar lenses for widescreen presentation.
Northwest Releasing is handling the
Liberace concerts in the northwest.
Teenage Book Club Picks
'Valiant' Book of Month
HOLLYWOOD—The Teenage Book Club
has chosen "The Valiant Virginians," the
James Warner Bellah novel which C. V.
Whitney Pictures will produce next year, as
its Book of the Month. The organization has
a membership of 100,000 students in 8,000
high schools throughout the country. The
film version of the Bellah tome, a Civil War
drama, will be megged by John Ford.
Meantime four record companies are bringing
out platters of "Tlie Searchers," theme
song of the Whitney production starring
John Wayne and being released by Warners.
Penned by Stanley Jones, the tune has been
recorded by Capitol, Victor, MGM and Capp.
PEP UP YOUR INTERMISSION!
INCREASE SNACK BAR SALES!
with a
BRAND NEW
SPOT TAG
THE FUN GAME FOR DRIVE-INS
featuring the comical character
Spotty in "SpotCapades"
spotty plays hide and seek with your audience
while they try to cotch him with their spotlights
. . . ends with a plug for your Snack Bar.
YOU CAN BUY SPOT TAG
OUTRIGHT AND USE IT
OVER AND OVER
$1750
Mow mm S[iiuicE co.
CITE ANGEL OF MERCY—Judge
Alvln E. Weinberger, regional chairman
for City of Hope, presents Angel of Mercy
award to Irving Levin, owner of the
Balboa Theatre, as Leonard Goldberg,
center, president of the San Francisco
chapter of the City of Hope, looks on.
The presentation to Levin was in recognition
of the fourth consecutive year in
which he made the Balboa Theatre facilities
available gratis so that the City of
Hope medical center program would benefit
from all admissions to a special preview
night showing. This year's preview
is
theatre party netted $750. The sum
earmarked for leukemia research.
George J. Flaherty Named
Vice-President of MPIC
HOLLYWOOD—The Motion Picture Industry
Council has completed its new slate
officers and delegates with the election of
George J. Flaherty as vice-president, succeeding
John Lund, and Fred Lehne as
treasurer, replacing Cy Baer. Ronald Reagan,
president, and Marvin Paris, secretary, were
elected in January and continue in office.
MPIC delegates include Dore Schary and
Steve Broidy, representing the A.ss'n of Motion
Picture Producers; Flaherty. Ralph H. Clare
and Clayton Thoma-son, Hollywood ATL
Film Council: Edward Finney and B. C.
Wylie, Independent Motion Picture Producers
Ass'n; Robert Monosmith, Lehne and
Reggie Harris, Independent Office Workers;
Reagan, Leon Ames and Walter Pidgeon,
Screen Actors Guild; Samuel G. Engel, Carey
Wilson and Jerry Wald, Screen Producers
Guild; Leroy Llnick, Kay Lenard and Dorothy
Mox, Story Analysts Guild; Daniel
Taradash, Jesse Lasky jr. and Leonard
Spigelgass, screen writers' branch. Writers
Guild of America, West; Paris, Gunther
Lessing and Walter Wanger, Society of Independent
Motion Picture Producers; Paul
Groesse, Preston Ames and Serge Krizman,
Society of
Motion Picture Art Directors.
Recorded Radio Program
To Bally 'Battle Hymn'
HOLLYWOOD—Universal's "Battle Hymn,"
film version of the career of Col. Dean Hess,
Korean war ace, will be plugged by the Air
Force and the Armed Forces Radio Service
via a recorded radio program featuring
Colonel Hess as well as stars of the film including
Rock Hudson, Martha Hyer, Dan
Duryea and Don DeFore.
Douglas Sirk dii-ected the Technicolor-
CinemaScope feature, a Ross Hunter production.
of
LOS ANGELES
f^eorge Walcott, recently appointed manager
of
the Lyric Theatre in Monrovia following
purchase of the showcase by Fred Stein
Enterprises, is a former actor, having appeared
in about 30 features prior to World
War II. He previously managed the United
Artists in Pomona . . . Pi-eferred Theatres,
which operates houses in San Diego, Long
Beach and Bakersfield, has purchased the El
Cajon Theatre in San Diego from the estate
of Yvonne Gallagher, it was reported by S. R.
Wieder, circuit general manager.
Fox West Coast has undertaken an extensive
remodeling of its State Theatre in Pasadena,
including a new marquee and front,
boxoffice, carpeting and reupholstering. The
State is managed by Albert Szabo . . . James
Schiller, Allied Artists exploiteer headquartering
here, headed for San Diego to
work on opening campaigns for two pictures
Clark, western district chief for
United Artists, took off for Salt Lake City
and Denver for branch conferences in those
cities.
Barbara Sheftel resigned at 20th-Fox. Her
husband Jerry is a booker there . . . Jeannette
Banks, secretary to Fox branch chief Morris
Sudmin, went to Minneapolis to attend her
mother's funeral . . . Here from San Francisco
for branch huddles and to attend the
company's global sales convention at the
studio was Barney Rose, western district
manager for U-I.
While vacationing in Minnesota, Jo Brenner,
secretary in Earle Johnson's booking
office, was seriously injured in a motor accident
. . . Jack Grossman of the Magnolia
Theatre in Burbank has taken over the Montrose
in Montrose from Hugh McKee and will
operate on a seven-day basis. Richard Shaefer,
formerly with Fox West Coast, will be
the manager . operational change
found Orlando Kan- acquiring the Lamont
in Lamont from Joe Rogers.
Resigning as a secretary at Favorite Films
was Joanne Katz .
personnel going
to New York to attend the Variety International
convention included Mr. and
Mrs. Ezra Stern (he's chief barker of Tent
25) M. J. E. McCarthy, Mr. and Mrs. Frank
;
Diamos, Lloyd Ownbey, Mr. and Mrs. Roy
Reed, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Sonny, Ed Sonny, Mr.
and Mrs. Morris Borgos, Mr and Mrs. Bill
Srere, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Wineberg, Mr.
and Mrs. Herb Turpie, Izzy Berman, Mr. and
Mrs. Murray Odel, Harry Marx, Mr. and
Mrs. Glenn Adair, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Diaz,
Sugar Bocklage and Mr. and Mrs. Bundy
Smith . . . Sero Amusement has moved into
new offices on Cordova street, vacating its
previous headquarters on Washington boulevard.
RKO Edits Eight Films
HOLLYWOOD—Hitting a four-year peak,
eight features—five of them in color—are
now in various editing stages at RKO. Being
scissored are "The First Ti-aveling SaJeslady,"
"Tension at Table Rock," "Back Fi-om Eternity."
"Beyond a Reasonable Doubt," "The
Brave One," "Jet Pilot," "Man in the Vault"
and "Public Pigeon Number One.'
Jane Howard has drawn a featured role in
the Fred MacMurray starrer, "Gun for a
Coward," a Universal film.
BOXOFFICE
:
12, 1956

Oak Harbor Reopening
Hinges on $600 Fund
OAK HARBOR. WASH.—The Oiik Theatre
here may be opened again in the near future
provided a $600 fund can be raised among
individuals and organizations to finance the
venture. News of the plan to reopen the
theatre came to Bud Leuck, president of the
North Whidbey Chamber of Commerce, in
the form of a letter from R. A. Gardner, from
liis Seattle office.
Teenagers of Oak Harbor have had to go
to Mount Vernon and Anacort.es theatres
.vince closure of the Oak Theatre here in
the early fall of 1954. Many groups and individuals
have attempted to get the theatre
opened again, believing that young people,
as well as adults, need a nearby entertainment
center.
In the letter, Gardner explained that opening
of the theatre was proposed as the result
of a purchase of a partner's interest in the
firm. Gardner wrote: "I am in a position,
at this time, to open the theatre ... It is my
opinion that it will take some time to build a
business in Oak Harbor that will meet operating
expenses. It will cost $1,800 to open the
theatre ... I earnestly solicit the support
of your local businessmen to the extent of
S600: which would be one-third of the opening
cost. This could be paid one-half at the
opening date and one-half 30 days later."
Lueck expressed the view that not only
merchants, but various organizations and individuals
as well, should contribute to the
fund, because it is to the general benefit of
the entire community to have a theatre in
Oak Harbor. He added that he expected a
good many parents would contribute modest
sums to the fund as a measure to keep their
teenagers closer home on "movie nights,"
and to avoid the nighttime traffic menace of
teenage travel to neighboring towns to attend
movies.
Marvin Lowe Is Promoted
By Telepictures, Inc.
HOLLYWOOD—Marvin Lowe has been
upped from central division manager to vicepresident
and domestic sales director for
Telepictures. Inc.. TV marketing organization,
of which Edwan J. Baumgarten is president.
Lowe checked in from his Chicago
headquarters to confer with Baumgarten on
expansion of the Telepicture library, which
now consists of 175 feature-length films.
Baumgarten also is president of Associated
Film Releasing Corp.
A feature-length theatrical subject featuring
Cecil, the Seasick Sea Serpent, Beany
and other puppet characters created by Bob
Clampett is in the planning stages for lensing
in widescreen and color under the barmer
of the newly formed Clampett-Toon Commercials.
Gerald Mayer has been set to direct.
Succeeding Don DeFore, Johnny Mercer has
been elected president of the Hollywood chapter
of the Academy of Television Arts and
Sciences. Other new officers include Robert
Longenecker and Sheldon Leonard, vicepresidents:
Frank Love joy. secretary, and
Harry Ackerman, treasurer. They also form a
steering committee along with Fenton Coe,
Gerard Wilson. Madelyn Pugh and Hal Moore.
Roundabout the Rockies
XX7ith as many miles and miles of miles and
miles between marquees as there are in
the Fourth congre.ssional district of western
Colorado, it should give petroleum stocks a
nudge every time the Western Colorado Theatre
Owners and Managers have a gettogether.
For that reason, we only put out
a call for a meeting of the clans when there's
trouble afoot, or w'hen Tom Polos, beloved
dean of showmen in "God's Country." invites
us in for an old-fashioned Greek barbecue.
Unlike most organizations in the industry,
ours is one that, to date, has seen fit to
confine its efforts to working for the good
of the order. Ours is strictly a "poor showman's
organization" and when we met the
first time, at the outset of the original tax
campaign, each manager or owner put up two
dollars with which to carry on. At our meeting
last week. Luther Strong. Westland manager
in Grand Junction, and treasurer of our
group, reported that we still had ten dollars
on hand.
Part of the ten was used to send a telegram
to Congressman Aspinal urging his support of
the King bill. All those present further
pledged themselves to write the Hon. Aspinal
a personal letter and to get the neighboring
exhibitors not present at the meeting to
follow
suit.
Luther Strong received a wire the following
morning from the Colorado congressman
assuring the gi-oup of his support when the
King bill is brought out of committee.
I get a lot of personal satisfaction out of
the way the guys and gals respond to a call
to duty and make the long trip to a quickly
called meeting. Really small town showmen,
with a lot of mean mountain roads between
them and our meeting place, alw^ays make it.
However, something that seems more
is astonishing the way the circuit managers
of the area always manage to meet with us,
and they enter into the discussions on ridding
theatres of the tax burden just as wholeheartedly
as w-e small operators. Probably
none of them realized more than a month or
two of tax relief during the last two yeai-s,
but they swing right in there and help get the
job done.
Leo's new western. "Tribute to a Bad Man,"
was filmed in the rugged area lying between
Dutch Strough's independent operations at
Telluride and Norwood and Ed Nelson's Fox
stronghold at Montrose. So Jimmy Cagney's
stock in western Colorado is riding at an
alltime high, as most of the showmen in
the area are reporting from better-thanaverage
to excellent returns on the early
show-ings.
Don Polos has joined his father Tom in a
return to show business by taking over their
recently acquired Hotchkiss Theatre at
Hotchkiss. Father and son made the trip to
the conclave at Grand Junction.
A new overall 10 per cent increase with a
By BOB WALKER.
lot of gimmicks that made it more nearly a
30 per cent increase in film haul rates has
had western Colorado exhibitors in an uproar
since March 1. Because of this, Dick
Wadley and Sid Johnson of Southwest Film
Service in Denver Joined the showmen at
their luncheon and offered to start regular
.•service in the area if enough exhibitors were
interested and a permit could be obtained.
Interest enough was shown, .'o the Denver
men soon will contact all theatres in person
and will make application to the state Public
Utilities Commission for a permit.
MGM's announcement that it is laying
plans for the "junking" of prints TV leaves
me cold.
to
Have just had two MOM reissues
do much bettor gro.sswLse than the big
"stretchies" have been doing. Started out by
cutting off the ones who sold to my impossible
competition, and still have the first
one "out," but soon found no one really missed
me very much and had to have something to
back up the lenses with.
The folks that make Holloway suckers out
in Chicago have a nice little promotion that
won't hurt anyone's business and might stir
up some new interest. They'll send any theatre
that wants to use it a nice color trailer
on a "free sucker" matinee and enough
suckers to take care of a whomping big house.
Sent me a thousand, so you take it from
there. I might squeeze in two or three
matinees in my 200-seater.
Mr. and Mrs. Ted Shanks and two children,
operators of the under-starrer at high-up
Estes Park, stopped in Fruita the other morning
for a short chat. They had spent the
winter in Palm Springs, where Ted sold
Mercurys and Lincolns so he could support
his expensive hobby. He reports the sale of
automobiles in this class in that rich area
as not much more rushing than that of
tickets. And it's logical.
Who bought all the Cadillacs and Lincolns
back in the days of Lassie? Roy Flogers—and
300 pictures a year! The Estes Park showman
was hurrying to the summer resort to
prepare for reopening. About the time we
started talking shows, young little Master
Shanks decided to have the mumps, and as
they pulled out for their summer's stint he
was doing a real good job of it.
Always have liked to use Delsey in the
restrooms as part of the little "extra" something
we offer in services. Dang, how they
wasted it ! Just like all of them were used to
such luxuries! The other day I stuffed a
small piece wadded up in the roll with the
roller as a drag and danged if it didn't last
two days.
Since then I've cut down my expense in
this department by over half. It seems like
a guy smart enough to figure out how to
save over half the cost of Delsey, after 11
years, ought to be able to figure more gimmicks
to gimmick folks into sitting more often
in my comfortable chairs.
But, here lately, I'm beginning to wonder
if a 40-year-old brain works like a 30-year-old
one did. Anyway, if you like to give them the
best, you can sure save on Delsey with this
little trick.
BOXOFFICE May 12. 1956 51

. . Ray
. .
Paramount
. .
Mrs.
DENVER
Otewart Granger and his wife Jean Simmons
have bought a large ranch near
Silver City, N. M.. and are having plans
drawn for a ranch house costing around
Word received here is that
Ward
. . .
Pennington, former branch manager
$250,000
here for Paramount, has been made manager
at Milwaukee York has put in a
.
widescreen and Cinemascope in the Summit,
Harrison, Neb. The installation was
made by Ted Knox.
Tillie Chalk, Paramount cashier, was vacationing
and entertaining her daughter and
four gxandchildren, who leave soon for a fouryear
stay in Germany has
.
chopped off two jobs, dividing the sales territory
between two salesmen, John Vos and
John Thomas. William Peregrine, who has
been handling the northern section, goes into
the office as office manager, Frank Carbone
becomes booker and Don Cook, booker, quits
to take a job as truck driver for Safeway
stores. The other job abolished is that of
Sylvia Grief, biller.
Mayer Monsky, Universal manager, and
wife were vacationing in New York and the
east . . . John Allen, MGM district manager,
was in from his Dallas headquarters, calling
on the circuits and conferring with Henry
Priedel, branch manager . . .
Chick Lloyd,
independent distributor, is taking over the
agency for Realart, American Releasing Corp.,
and others being handled by Robert Herrell,
who will devote his full time to his Kansas
City exchange. Laura Haughey, office manager,
also moves to the Lloyd office at 820
21st Leon Blender, sales manager for
St.
American Releasing, was in to make the
switch for that company. He was accompanied
is by his wife Miriam, who a niece of
Oscar Galanter, office manager at Universal.
Increase in Sales Tax
Is Proposed in Utah
SALT LAKE CITY—An additional tax burden
looms for Utah theatregoers. Three
mayors of the state this week joined in a
move to have the igST state legislature increase
the Utah sales tax to 3 per cent from
2 per cent.
The boost was proposed by Mayor Adiel F.
Stewart of Salt Lake. He had the backing
of the city commission and later in the day
mayors of Ogden, Utah's second largest city,
and Logan, its fourth largest, said they would
join him in the move.
The mayors and commissioners proposed
that the state increase the tax and then kick
back to cities the one per cent boost. They
said more money is needed to operate cities
and that property taxes have reached their
limit.
A similar proposal was made two years ago
and enabling legislation passed the legislature.
A year ago. Mayor Earl J. Glade suggested
the city tax of 1 per cent, but the matter was
dropped when it was pointed out that to put
a 1 per cent tax on city sales would result in
the amount due.
Meantime, all SAG members have been invited
to inspect the new Guild headquarters
Hal Fuller, Dimension Pictures exchange
. . .
owner, went to Albquerque on a sales trip building at an open house to be held Saturday
Theatre folks seen on Filmrow included Mr.
(19).
and Mrs. John Groy, Vista; Buena Fi-ank
Aydelotte, Fort Collins; Emmett Sevard,
'Great Day' Mass Opening
Greeley; Mrs. Nora Wright, Flagler; Wilbur
Williams, Boulder; William Taggart. Delta;
L. N. Scheidigger, Seibert; George McCormick,
In 215 Western Theatres
NEW YORK—"Great Day in the Morn-
Canon City; Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Ad-
mg
rian, Fairplay; Dr. F. E. Rider, Wauneta;
Glen Wittstruck, Meeker, and Bernard Newman,
and Salt Lake City exchange areas within
Walsh.
two weeks after it has had its premiere Wed-
nesday (16) at the Orpheum Theatre, Denver,
MPPC to Break Ground
For New Headquarters
HOLLYWOOD — Groundbreaking ceremonies
for the new Motion Picture Permanent
Charities headquarters will take place
Tuesday (15) with Samuel Goldwyn, who
earlier this year donated $75,000 to the building
fund, tur-ning the traditional fu-st shovelful
of earth. Civic leaders, welfare agency
heads and industry members will attend.
The event will be followed by a luncheon
honoring Goldwyn, at which the MPPC and
the Ass'n of Motion Picture Producers will
present the producer with citations commending
him for his years of service to the
charity organization. Goldwyn conceived the
idea of the MPPC in 1940 and was its first
president.
Steve Broidy, chau-man of the MPPC building
committee, said construction work will
begin immediately.
loss
of business in the city.
SAG Removes Bash Firm
From Its Unfair List
HOLLYWOOD—John Bash Productions, TV
and theatrical film unit, has been removed
from the "unfair" list of the Screen Actors
Guild, that organization disclosed in a report
to its membership. Bash, so listed because
he had not paid an arbitration award
in favor of SAG, protested that he had not
done so because he had not been notified.
TTie SAG said the filmmaker now has paid
SALT LAKE CITY
poy Pickrell, longtime employe at the 20th-
Pox branch office, was seriously injured
when hit by a car. Roy was running to
catch a bus. A driver, who had started on a
yellow light, hit Roy and threw him beneath
the wheels of an oncoming truck, which
stopped just inches short of running over the
filmman. Roy was in fair condition in a Salt
Lake hospital.
Ellis Everell, operator of the Park-Vu Drivein,
plans to open a new playground at the
ozoner May 18. A miniature train is one of
the attractions . . . Variety Tent 38 is planning
a sports car race in June to raise funds
for building a hospital for retarded children.
This will be the second event in a series of
activities designed to put the name of Variety
before the people of Utah. The first, a
gigantic Helldorado Days, attracted more
than 1,000 persons to the Newhouse Hotel,
new headquarters for the tent. Irving Gillman,
chief barker, is sparking the events.
Film stars Virginia Mayo, Robert Stack and
Rory Calhoun will appear on the stage of
the Utah Theatre for the premiere of "Great
Day in the Morning." They are scheduled
to fly over from Denver, where premiere
activities are slated prior to the Utah event,
which is planned for May 17 . . .
Harry
Wood, auditor for Fox, was in . . .
Sam Seigel,
Columbia's tub-thumper, flew down from the
northwest to set up campaigns for three pictures
. . . Cleo Swedenborg is a new bookerstenographer
at 20th-Fox Jack
.
(Betty Smith) Fullenwidder, daughter of the
Frank Smiths, was a visitor from her California
home.
Business in the Utah-Idaho-Montana area
is reported way off in some situations. Television
is only now being installed in some
communities in the three states. Bad weather
knocked grosses at Salt Lake drive-ins again,
although May 1 brought sunny skies and
hope for a respite from storms . . . Helen
Rice Woolford, public relations representative
for Intermountain Theatres, won a transistor
radio at a recent Ad Club luncheon.
U. S. Film Festival Idea
will open in 215 situations in the Denver Under Consideration
HOLLYWOOD—Key figures in the Holly-
according to Walter Branson, RKO vicepresident
in charge of worldwide distribution.
Among the theatres are the State, Albuquerque;
Skyline, Canon City; Chief, Colorado
Springs; Piney, Boise; Rialto, Butte;
Babcock, Billings; Egyptian, Ogden; Lyric,
Fort Collins; Isis, Aspen; Chief, Pueblo; Flatirons,
Boulder; Paramount. Cheyenne, and
Santa Fe, Santa Fe.
To Screen Hope Starrer
HOLLYWOOE>—Members of the southland
press will be guests of Paramount, Bob Hope
and the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce
on a weekend junket to the desert resort
beginning Friday (25), when Hope's new
starrer, "That Certain Feeling," will be
screened as a benefit for the Desert Hospital.
The Norman Panama-Melvin Prank
production also toplines Eva Marie Saint and
George Sanders.
wood industry are again mulling the idea of
an international film festival to be held in
the U. S., which would be similar to the affair
just concluded in Cannes, France, it was
reported by George Murphy, official American
representative to the event, upon his return
after a ten-day stay.
Murphy, MGM director of public relations,
said there is some feeling that such a festival
should not be held in the film capital, and
asserted there was general agreement among
U. S. visitors to Cannes that Hollywood should
either participate in that annual event on
a much larger scale or bow out.
'Juggernaut' to Republic
HOLLYWOOD—Republic will distribute
"Juggernaut," an upcoming John Bash-
Elizabeth Dickinson production, which will
be directed by Paul Henreid. It will be the
second Bash-Dickinson entry for Plepublic,
following the already completed "Acapulco,"
filmed in Mexico.
BOXOFFICE
;: May 12, 1956

: May
KM ALLIED SESSION STRESSES
WAYS TO BOOST PATRONAGE
What Exhibitors Can Do
Themselves Is Keynote
Of Convention
KANSAS CITY—Several speakers at the
Kansas-Mis?ouri Allied ITO convention held
here Tuesday i8t at the Aladdin Hotel took
pot-shots at each other's remedies for industry
problems, but all in all it was a harmonious
gathering which sought to outline
the exhibitor's situation and what he himself
could do to improve it.
As usual, there was the difficulty of getting
started on time with the planned program
with members straggling in. a matter
upon which Beverly Miller, president, commented
in his welcoming address. M. B.
Smith, director of publicity and advertising
for Commonwealth Theatres whose talk
opened the morning session, stressed what he
called "gimmicks and things that work."
WORK, FAITH AT BASE
"I have no cure-all to offer for present conditions
but when the going is rough, there are
certain things an exhibitor can do," Smith
said. "There are two great ingredients in
American democracy—work and faith. In any
kind of advertising, you have to face facts
and stay out of the ruts. It's easy to fall in
and easier to stay in."
Smith said he often marvels at the variance
of showmanship in the territory. For
instance, for "Diabolique," which "almost
out-Hitchcocks Hitchcock," patrons were
urged at each performance in two towns,
"please do not divulge the ending of this
picture." The film broke records in both
situations. Of course it had suspense, good
acting and a good story, but he feels it was
the gimmick that put it over.
"Reaching Fi'om Heaven," which has a religious
theme, was screened for no less than
100 in each community. Thus, in spite of its
lack of star power, the good story well done
plus attention to its presentation and promotion
resulted in good business.
PERSONAL OPTIMISM NEEDED
Smith emphasized that without personal
optimism, an exhibitor loses the ability to
make a creative analysis of a picture. He
recalled that in buying Hi-Fi records he was
intrigued by the "sales talk" on each record
which told in detail about the persons who
made the record, from the composers to the
performers, and suggested the same can be
done with pictures. As an illustration, he
cited Commonwealth's art house in Columbia
which began issuing a four-page booklet
which "souped up" the patrons on coming
pictures and resulted in doing exceptional
business. This could be done on standard pictures.
Smith believes the services of exchange
exploiteers are not always utilized as much
as would be profitable. Jim Castle of Paramount
reminded Smith that Dial soap which
serves 110 grocery stores in the area had a
tieup on "The Birds and the Bees," and as a
result local playdates were placed in the Dial
BOXOFFICE
;
12. 1956
JJwii,
These groups were snapped by the photograplur at the

Kansas-Missouri Allied
Session
Stresses Ways to Win Patrons
(Continued from preceding pagei
with good results even if you yourself consider
this type of thing "drivel." He showed
slides to illustrate good and bad advertising,
and made these significant points: (1) the
first five or ten words are the most important;
(2) let an ad "breathe"; (3) weigh your
ads like a telegram; (4) put your "barker"
at the top and let it float; (5) sell your picture,
not the playdate.
Pi-esident Miller commented he found the
slogan, "More Show for Your Dough." used
in radio advertising was bringing more people
per car to his drive-ins. He also mentioned
his own success in using animals—alligators,
monkeys, baboons and bears—for publicity
purposes. When his Cowtown Drive-In at
St. Joseph was getting ready to open, his
selection of a name aroused the indignation
of some of the town's citizens to the point of
writing letters to the local papers. If answers
lagged, he nudged them into further frenzy
by writing rebuttals of his own.
Komp Jarrett of the Trail Drive-In at Nevada,
Mo., even capitalized on the drought
situation, offering rainchecks if it rained at
any time during a show during a certain period.
This resulted in a world of local publicity.
SAYS IT'S QUICK MONEY
Jay Wooten presented a stunt which worked
at Hutchinson and credited his energetic
manager, Dick Wright, with the idea. This
was for screen advertising and Wooten insists
the plan can mean quick money for exhibitors.
The Ayr-Vu or Southutch Drive-In
issued tickets to merchants who took trailer
ads at $10 a week. Merchants gave out the
tickets to their customers and later "redeemed"
them at a nominal sum. The free
ticket was for any Monday or Tuesday night
and had to be accompanied by a paid admission,
so everyone including the patron
was happy about the deal. Also, Wooten said
it was something which could be worked out
with the film companies, on percentage pictures,
unless it might be MGM.
After a report from John Hilburn, president
of the Advertising and Sales Executives
Club, following the buffet all-industry luncheon
sponsored by the Coca-Cola Co., Ben
Shlyen, editor and publisher of BOXOFFICE,
spoke briefly in which he commented on the
fact that he was glad to see other than Allied
members at the gathering. He suggested
some exhibitors have been laggard about
leading patrons to the boxoffice by quality
showmanship and expressed the hope that
exhibitor and distributor relations will be
rebuilt to the satisfaction of both.
URGES WORK, FAITH, PEACE
"Showmanship is not dead," Shlyen said,
"and I
am glad to see this exchange of ideas.
We need to give our problems more time,
more thought and more attention. But you
can't sell by crying on each other's shoulders
or just by telling your troubles. In the motion
picture business we are selling happiness
to our patrons and we can't do this
wearing gloomy faces. The division between
the various branches of the industry is very
narrow and can be bridged."
Mike Simons, director of customer relations
for MGM, injected a note of optimism
when he called attention to some figures
that challenge the current contention that
there are less theatres in this country today
than before by pointing out that in 1944,
MGM started out to put its trademark on
every theatre screen in the United States
and Canada. MGM succeeded in reaching
17,698 theatres. In February of 1956, with
few drive-ins open and without counting Canada,
the trademark reached 17.710 theatres,
12 more than in 1944—and it was not drivein
season for much of the country.
Simons warned that for those who thought
they were making pictures for the Music Hall
in New York instead of for small-town audiences
that more small-town patrons see
pictures
at the Music Hall in New York every
week than in any small-town theatre in the
United States. He felt that the tieup arranged
by MGM with Quaker Oats on a
couple of pictures had been misinterpreted
by Allied in the warning issued by A. F.
Myers, the organization's counsel, when he
sent out letters attacking the deal. The result
was that the fii-st picture did not do as
well on this but the kids forced the issue on
"Forbidden Planet" and it proved its worth.
"There is no overall cure." Simons insisted.
"Every picture is a one-shot deal, and the
situation changes every week, so that adjustments
have to be made to meet the change.
However, the folks who are going around like
the lumbering Bre'r Bear in the Uncle Remus
stories with only one line, 'Le's knock his
head off.' are not being practical about economic
conditions. Analyze your potential in
your situation and you'll probably find that
you are playing to about 2,500 of a possible
audience of 10.000. Concentrate on getting
that other 7.500 into your theatre."
After Al Sindlinger, analyst, spoke on the
research his company has made (and which
is reported in another section of this issue).
Ben Berger. chairman of the Allied EDC
ROUNDUP—Jay Wooten, exhibitor at
Hutchinson, Kas., made a trip to the
Dodge City celebration where Tex Ritter
made an appearance. This photo shows
Tex., left, and Wooten with Barbara
Ann Bristol, daughter of exhibitor Wallace
Bristol at Meade, Kas., who was riding
in one of the events, and two of her
young friends, Diane Copple (extreme
left) Johna Lou Wolfe (extreme right).
committee and president of North Central
Allied, gave a talk on the plight of the small
exhibitor.
Berger. who has been speaking around the
country to a number of exhibitor conventions
on the same platform with Mike Simons, commented
"Mike is a wonderful guy but he
reminds me of a mother with a couple of
active little tots who keep messing things up
and she has to come along and clean up after
the young ones." Berger contended the Quaker
Oats campaign misunderstanding was due
to an attempt to sound out the 22 Allied
units and that the Allied board analyzed reports
which came in and ended up being sold
on the deal.
Then he lashed out at the film companies,
whom he accused of "hypnotizing" personalities
and trade publications, among which
he included BOXOFFICE and its publisher.
He used such strong terms as "thievery"
when he insisted two short subjects had to be
contracted for each week, and when these
were not available, had to be paid for anyway.
CASE FOR SMALL THEATRES
"The film companies have not only deprived
those of us who cannot pay 50 per
cent for a well-advertised picture but they
have deprived the people," he argued. "The
people they have deprived are those who cannot
patronize the high-priced theatres. They
are the pensioners, the unemployed, the ones
who have sickness which has drained their
resources. The distributors have muscled
themselves in as partners and we have got
to get this Capone influence out. Now it is
like waving a sizzling steak in front of hungry
people when you advertise pictures they
cannot afford to see. I tell you the public is
going to demand our product like they did
penicillin. Small theatre conditions are getting
progressively worse and that's why the
small attendance at this convention is disheartening—because
you can easily break a
single toothpick, but not a bundle of them
together."
Fred Harpst, general manager of local Allied,
gave his talk on "Product Outlook" and
rental terms at the closed meeting which
followed Berger's talk. It was too late to hold
the business meeting and election
of officers,
so this was postponed until a later date, the
same officers continuing to hold over.
The convention wound up with a cocktail
party, at which the United Film Service acted
as host, and then adjourned to the Muehlebach
brewery for a rathskeller party.
Most decisions to go to the movie are made
about three hours before the show, reports
analyst Al Sindlinger. He also says that
women are being repelled by certain types
of theatre ads which are directed at the male
patron. He found that 200 women interviewed
did not want to see a certain picture because
of the newspaper advertising. In the
32 situations where the particular ads were
used, the picture fell on its face.
Among the exhibitors and wives in attendance
were Mr. and Mrs. Glen Cooper of Dodge
City. Kas.; Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Miller of
Jefferson City; Mi-, and Mrs. Herbert Jeans,
Columbia; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Porta, Osceola;
Mr. and Mrs. A. N. Peterson, Greenfield. Mo.
Incidentally. Mrs. Porta and Mrs. Peterson
not only are sisters but look-alikes and are
frequently mistaken for each other on Filmrow.
"The only time we object," they said,
"is when they get our bills mixed up."
BOXOFFICE

:
and
:
end
:
ager
:
and
:
Avon
he
New Loop Crop Misses
Hoped-for Returns
CHICAGO—Six highly publicized first
run films in the Loop area didn't boost busiluss
to the high brackets anticipated, bad
weather unquestionably being a fly in the
ointment. "The Birds and the Bees" at the
State Lake was the outstanding new entry.
Never Say Goodbye" at the Grand and "The
Last Hunt" at the Roosevelt, two other newcomers,
were also good grossers. "Magic Fire"
held up fine in its second week at the Monroe.
The same was true of "The Swan" in
its third week at the United Artists Theatre.
(Average Is 100)
Carnegie The Night My Number Come Up
Dis.) (Conf! 190
Ch,cago— Serenade ( WB) 210
C.nemo Innocents in Paris 1 75
(Tudor)
Eitels Palace Cinerama Holiday (Cinerama),
50th wk 350
Grand Never Say Goodbye (U-l); The River
Changes (WB) 215
Loop Meet Me wk...2l5
in Las Vegas (MGM), 3rd
McVickcrs Oklohoma! (Mogno), 19^ wk 275
Fire Monroe Magic (Rep), 2nd wk 220
Oriental The Man in the Groy Flannel Suit
(20th-Fox), 5th wk 210
Roosevelt— The Lost Hunt fMGM); The Noked
Street UAi 215
State Lake The 240
Birds and the Bees (Poro)
Surf Ballet ot Romeo and Juliet (Tohon) 180
United Artist The Swon (MGM), 3rd wk 230
Woods—The Harder They Fall (Col), 4th wk...200
World Playhouse Hamlet (Jacon) 175
Ziegfeld Diobolique (UMPO), 20th wk 190
'Gaby' Scores 250%
At Kansas City Kimo
KANSAS CITY—"Gaby," opening at the
Kimo, art house in the Armour-Main street
area, grossed 250 to lead the town. Other
first runs barely made average.
Glen Too Bad She's Bad (Getz-Kingsley), 2nd
wk 90
K.mo Gaby (MGM) 250
Midland The Lost Hunt (MGM); It's o Dog's
Life (MGM) 90
Kiss Missouri— the Blood Off My Hands (U-l);
Johnny Stool Pigeon (U-l), reissues 100
Paramount— Jubol (Col), 2nd wk
Rox^ —Meet Me in Los Vegas (MGM),
85
wk...100
2nd
Tower Uptown Fairway and Granada Never Soy
Goodbye (U-l); A Doy of Fury (U-l) 90
(U-l), Vogue Touch and Go 2nd wk 100
Reopens at Herrin, 111.
HERRIN. ILL.—The 425-seat Annex Theatre.
Marlow circuit unit which was heavily
damaged by fire last July, has reopened.
Under the summer season plans of John Marlow,
operating head of the circuit, the Annex
will be open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
and the Marlow, 1,400-seater, on Fridays,
Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. The circuit
also operates Marlow's Drive-In on Route 148.
To Reopen at Hardin
HARDIN, MO.—Kenneth Bachman and J.
D. Martin are reopening the Bach-Mar Theatre
here. The theatre has been clased about
four years, and Bachman and Martin hope
to have it open by June 2.
Adolphe Menjou will star with Debbie Reynolds
and Eddie Fisher in RKO's "Bundle of
Joy."
INDUSTRY
PROFILE'
Tom Dowd Says living
With Film
Is First Step in Good Promotion
CHICAGO—To Tom Dowd, midwest district
manager for United Motion Picture
Organization, a good program of consistent
promotion is
a highly important
part of a manager's
job. His past performance
and current
operations indicate
that he ha..
worked out his own
sound logic for productively
carrying
out picture promotion.
Basically, it
amounts to this- Thomas Dowd
before a film opens,
he studies all the pertinent and available
material connected with the picture and
then he "lives" with it.
Tom has literally "lived" the theatre
business since 1937 when he started with
Warner Theatres as an usher in the
Brooklyn Strand. It is apparent that his
enthusiasm for the theatre struck a
proper note, for next he was advanced to
assistant manager and to treasurer. He
w-as associated with Warners until 1945,
with a stint in the Navy during World
War II making the sole break in his
eight-year record with this organization.
Tom acknowledges he has a penchant
for sticking with a job. A run-down of
his background proves he sees jobs through
for all they have to offer. He makes a
move when a move is provident. After
leaving the Warner circuit, Tom became
manager of the Ambassador at Broadway
and 49th, New York City, where he remained
for three years. When he developed
an interest in art-type films
(Which interest hasn't lessened during the
subsequent years i joined Lopert's art
theatres, as manager of the 55th Street
Avenue playhouses.
His next move was in the art house
of the business; he took over as manof
the Beacon Hill Theatre in Boston,
served in the same capacity with the
Cinema in Providence, R. I.
Before coming to Chicago in April 1954,
i
his first real venture into the midwe--, tn
State Not to Be Sold
IRONTON. MO.—Frank L. Plumlee of
Edwards & Plumlee Theatres, Farmington,
Mo., owners of the State Theatre here, this
week advised that there was no basis in fact
for a report that the State w^as to be sold.
Plumlee said that reports of the sale were
mere rumors.
manage the Ziegfeld Theatre, he spent
some time as a publicist with Universal-
International, handling the world premiere
of "Creature From the Black Lagoon" In
Detroit and "The Glenn Miller Story" in
the New England area.
Shortly after the first of this year he
added the post of district manager for
UMPO here, currently releasing "The
Sheep Has Five Legs," "Holiday for
Hemietta" and "Diabolique." Tom calls
hi.s association with Richard Davis, president
of UMPO, a "happy one to say the
least." He considers Mr. DavLs one of the
most progressive leaders In the foreign
film business today. "We are in sound
agreement on two prime factors as necessities
in the theatre ... a good picture
and a good publicity campaign!" said
Dowd. "Instead of the tried and true campaigns,
it takes new ideas such as the
policy of barring all patrons once 'Diabolique-
.starts." This policy limits the
ticket-selling time to 13 minutes for every
show at the Ziegfeld. The effect ivene.ss
of this one little angle can be measured
enthusiastically at the boxoffice, as "Diabolique"
has generously outgrossed "Come
Back, Little Sheba" in comparable running
time.
"The smallest angle," declared Dowd.
"might easily be the biggest selling point
in promotion." He cites "Mile. Gobette" as
an example. During its run at the Ziegfeld
he used original ads (disregarding the
pressbook ads entirely) w^ith smart limericks
to describe the story and an array
of illustrations. The film racked up the
highest opening day gross the Ziegfeld had
enjoyed in two years, while other openings
at the same time were completely uneventful.
Tom says he believes it is necessary
sometimes to pass up the "obvious" selling
angle and concentrate on copy which has
appeal to the reader. "Publicity and promotion,"
he said, "should receive a great
deal more thought than they receive today.
No matter how good the film, it will
still require an appropriate publicity campaign
to fill the theatre seats."
Currently. Tom is working up a spark-
Knc campaieii i-": Frenrh Can Can.-
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NATL THEATRE SUPPLY, St. Louis—Je»erson 1-6350
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1 Jllinois-KAYLINE COMPANY, Chicago-Tel. Webster 9-4643
NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY. Chicogo—Wobash 2-8266
BOXOFFICE
55

. . Jim
. . Keith
. . Rita
. . Mr.
. . . Missouri
. . . Bob
. . . Kansas
. . Arthur
. . J.
. . Harold
. . George
. . Nat
. . Jerry
. . George
. . 65
. . Kansas
. . Colosseum
: May
I
ANSAS CITY
lyiike Daniel, who has been a student booker
at Universal, has been transferred to the
booking staff of the Seattle office. Larry
Klein, office manager, and his wife drove to
Florida for a two-week vacation .
and
Mrs. Bob Robison of Grant City, were Filmrow
visitors and said it would be .several
months before they could reopen their theatre
because of the fire damage . . . Patti
Pierstorff of Warner Bros, is in Ti-inity Lutheran
Hospital for observation.
Mrs. J. A. Becker, wife of the president of
Associated Theatres at Independence, is
seriously ill at her home. 939 S. Main Street
Castle, Paramount exploiteer, spent
several days last week in town. He headquarters
in St. Louis .
Kiefer, billing
department at Allied Artists, will be married
in St. Vincent's Parish House to Jim
Sherrow. She will return to work after an
Ozark honeymoon .
Blackburn of
Shreve Theatre Supply installed lamps and
rectifiers in the Roxy at Warsaw.
Stebbins Theatre Supply furnished a pair
of Bausch & Lomb anaraorphic lenses to Paul
Ricketts for his drive-in at Ness City, Kas.
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Ricketts has sold his home in Holyrood and
has his family with him in Ness City, where
he also has the Ness Theatre. He has a
manager for his Charm Theatre in Holyrood
exhibitors seen recently on
Filmrow include L. O. Regan, Buckner;
Dewey L. Kiser, Gallatin: Forrest White,
Hopkins; Bill Presley, Hamilton; Dave Williams,
King City; Doc and Mrs. Cook, Maryville.
Tom Bailey, MGM manager, made a trip
to St. Louis w^here his wife underwent major
surgery at St. Anthony's Hospital Friday (4i
Johns. MGM salesman, has been in
St. Mary's Hospital two weeks for observation
. . . Margaret Dawson of the MGM con-
tract department has left and will move to
California . . Ruby Molder has resigned to
become secretary to M. B. Smith, publicity
and advertising director at Commonwealth
Theatres "Count" de Stefano of
National
.
Theatre Supply made a business
trip to Omaha.
Columbia Division Manager Ben Marcus
met Rube Jackter, assistant sales manager,
in Minneapolis and came back here Wednesday
(91 with Jackter for a meeting with
Manager Tom Baldwin .
Winkler,
booking clerk, parked before 9 a. m. in front
of the office and his car was towed to the
police garage at 11th and Charlotte. It cost
him $10 to get it back . Hechtman of
Capitol Flag & Banner Co. says he has had
to put on extra help to handle orders. These
show "Serenade" and "The Revolt of Mamie
Stover" as registering highest on the week's
business barometer.
Elmer Rhoden jr. and Dick Orear, president
and executive vice-president of Commonwealth
Theatres, and their wives went
on a fishing trip to the Ozarks. According
to Rhoden. they caught nothing but rain,
but were philosophical about it. thinking how
much it would help theatre business. Maybe
they ought to take a similar trip to western
Kansas, hoping for similar results, Rhoden
said. He reports the purchase of about
$35,000 worth of mechanical playground
equipment for Commonwealth drive-ins.
Woodie Latimer and Chris Bean of L&L
Popcorn exhibited the Roto-Grille at the National
Restaurant show in Chicago May 7
through May 11. There were 1,300 booths
Filmi-ow- visitors reported include
Dick Whitley, Mid-Central at Manhattan;
Lon Cox, Salina; Harry Hixon, Atchison;
Hank Doering, Garnett .
Kopulos
of Regal Poppers Supply made a business trip
to Omaha Larson is closing his
indoor house at Webb City, except for weekends,
while operating his drive-in.
Manager Bert Becker has been transferred
from Commonwealth's Sunset Drive-In at
Washington. Mo., to the Pawnee Drive-In at
North Platte, Neb. Dick Womack was transferred
from the Pawnee to the Great Bend
iKas.) Drive-In . Wadlington has
closed his Kansan at Fredonia and will just
operate his drive-in during the summer
months . W. Snyder and associates will
close the Mainstreet May 12 at Oakley, Kas..
and only operate the Center Theatre and the
new drive-in, which is scheduled to open
May 17.
Dick Wright, city manager for Jay Wooten's
theatres in Hutchinson, became a
grandfather Thursday i3i. The new baby
is a boy. Wright manages Wooten's two driveins
and Midland Theatre in Hutchinson.
Barbara Yeamans, former secretary to
M. B. Smith at Commonwealth Theatres, was
mai-ried recently to Joseph White, who is in
the building business. She is the daughter of
Mrs. L. J. Kimbriel and was given in marriage
by her stepfather exhibitors visiting
the Row recently included George
Nescher, Valley Falls; Glen Dulac, Onaga;
.
Lawrence Gilbreath, Lucas; R. F. Fite, El
Dorado; Leon Pugh, Fort Scott. Missouri
visitors were Harley Fryer, Lamar; Mr. and
Mrs. Elmer Bills from Salisbury on their way
back from his Oklahoma operations; J. Leo
Hayob, Marshall members and
their wives held a party at the Holiday Inn.
Three St. Louis Closings
ST. LOUIS—The LaCosa Theatre. 632-
seat F&M unit, closed for the summer after
the final show the evening of Sunday (6).
The Virginia, 881-seat Fred Wehrenberg
house, was scheduled to close May 12. General
business conditions will determine its
future. The Pauline Theatre, 750-seater,
owned and operated for many years by Arthur
Kalbfell. has been closed indefinitely.
BOWLING
KANSAS CITY—The final standings of the
men's teams of the Filmrow Bowling League
Team Won Lost Team Won Lost
Dixie 78 SO Filmrow 60 68
??
Shreve's 76 52 Mode O'Day 59 69
Manley 68 60 Alley Rots 58 70
Ppcrn
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BOXOFFICE
:
12, 1956

. . Maurice
. . Loge
:
May
. . William
. . The
ST.
LOUIS
TTariety Tent 4 will stage a spring festival
May 26 at 8 p. m. in the Kiel Auditorium,
with the proceeds to go into its Heart fund.
The program will featme the Crew Cuts and
Blue Bai-ron's orchestra. In addition to a
talent show and dance contest, there will be
square dancing for the young-of-heart. The
booths will be managed by members of Tent
4 in full regalia to provide the necessary atmosphere
. 19, Colosseum of Motion
Picture Salesmen of America, planned a
luncheon meeting in the Melbourne Hotel
Saturday U2). National officers of the Colosseum
and all honorary members of Loge 19
were invited to attend the meeting.
MITO officers and directors heard a report
from Paul Krueger, vice-president, and
1956 convention chairman, on the plans for
that gathering to be held here August 27
and 28. Bernard Temborius of Lebanon, 111.,
and Jimmy James of St. Louis reported on
the final details for the June 12 meeting to
be held at the Locust HlUs Country Club,
Lebanon, 111.
iVIary Jane Webb, private secretary to Clarence
Ritzier. MGM office manager, has returned
to work after ilhiess had kept her off
the job smce late in March . C.
Earle jr. has resigned from the sales staff of
National Theatre Supply and on May 15 will
become a salesman for the Missouri-Illinois
Tractor & Equipment Co., distributors of
road building and general construction equipment.
He will cover the northern parts of
St. Louis and St. Louis County. He joined
National Theatre Supply under his father,
Wilham C. Earle, St. Louis manager, in September
1945.
A. C. Brown, an auditor for Paramount,
is back in St. Louis for the first time since
1936. Upon arrival he sought to telephone
the old Beers Hotel, Grand boulevard at Olive
street, where he formerly stayed, to make a
reservation—only to find it had disappeared
from the local scene. Prior to World War
II, he covered auditing assignments in various
parts of Europe over a period of some
12 years. He discovered there have been
many changes here since his last visit to
town . Schweitzer, Allied Artists
manager, visited exhibitors in Jacksonville,
Jerseyville, Marion and Benton, 111., during
the week.
The assets of the bankrupt McCarty Theatre
Supply Co. were sold at public auction
Friday (4). Principal items sold were office
furniture, fixtures and equipment It has
been many years since such a sad scene took
place along Filmrow. Some firms have alltime
highs for income and profits: others
the smaller ones—go broke, it appears. The
bidding wasn't too lively or high . . . The
world premiere of "The Proud Ones" will be
staged at the St. Louis Theatre June 1. The
accompanying picture will be the short subject
in Cinemascope, "Land of the Bible."
Gordon Halloran and his sales staff have already
lined up some 120 playdates for the
picture in the St. Louis film territory.
Pat O'Brien, Hollywood star, speaks at a
banquet In the Chase Hotel Sunday (13) in
connection with the celebration of the 100th
anniversary in the Archdiocese of St. Louis
of the Sisters of Mercy. The celebration will
also include a two-day pageant in the Kiel
Opera House to be presented by 350 college
and high school students . Better Films
Council here will have its annual luncheon
and Installation of the 1956-57 officers at the
Congress Hotel Friday il8) ... Former State
Sen. Milton Napier, who is a vice-president
and general counsel of the Better Films
Council, on May 1 was presented the prized
American Legion Award medal by the Clarence
Sodemann Post No. 203 for meritorious
services rendered over a period of many years
to the Legion, its members and to servicemen
generally.
Charles L. Ciine, 49. a former member of
projectionists Local 143. died of cancer April
23 at Lake Charles. La. Cline served as an
operator in various local theatres for some
ten years prior to 1943. He retained membership
in the union until 1953. He was a
nephew and namesake of Charles L. Cline,
who founded Local 143 in 1908, serving as its
first president. The younger Cline served
as a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy
during World War II. In recent years he
headed a farm bureau in Lake Charles.
Jesse Chinich. Buena Vista western division
manager, was a recent visitor here . . .
The 61 Drive-In on U. S. 61 at Pevely now
is operating on a full week schedule. Pi-eviously
it was open weekends only.
f
Central headquarters
CHUAOOAN.S ON LOT — Howard
Lubliner. rieht, second generation of the
pioneer Lubliner & Trinz circuit operators
in ChicaBo, and Mrs. Lubliner were recent
Hollywood visitors. During their stay
they met producer-director Cecil B. De-
Mille on the Paramount lot. They are
shown with DeMille in the Paramount
studio commi.ssary beneath framed enlargements
of Charlton Heston and Yul
Brynner, who are among the stars in De-
Mille's "The Ten Commandments."
for Complete Theatre equipment
OUTDOOR THEATRES
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INDOOR THEATRES
From carbons to complete sound systems for any size
theatre. Magnetic or optical. All types of lenses. All are
in slock at Ballantyne.
FAST SERVICE on all Stock Items
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Telephone JEtterton 3-7974
BOXOFFICE :
12, 1956
57

. . Irving
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CHICAGO
pjore Schary .stopped here en route to New
York . Mack has appointed Theatre
Poster Service of Oklahoma City as
Filmack representative to provide more per-
.'•onalized service for exhibitors in the southwest.
The Oklahoma City company is operated
by Bob and Charles Smith at 625 West
California.
R. W. Favaro, formerly of the Hilton Hotel,
is new assistant to MGM publicist Norman
Pyle. He succeeds William J. Schaefer, promoted
to handle publicity out of the Omaha
and Des Moines offices . . . During April, the
Chicago Censor Board reviewed 77 films
Three were rejected, two were placed in the
adults-only category; 18 were foreign films.
"Helen of Troy" will open at the State Lake
May 16. Diana Kanakis of Decatur, 111., acclaimed
the most beautiful Greek beauty in
the recent statewide "Helen of Troy" contest,
will be here May 14 for newspaper, TV and
radio interviews . . . The Four-Star Theatre
is being renovated in gradual stages. To
date, a new confection counter in the lobby,
new carpeting throughout and a number of
redecorating features have improved the theatre's
appearance.
Opening of "The Searchers" at the Chicago
May 16 will be highlighted by John Wayne
on the stage. This will be the star's first appearance
here in 20 years. His welcome will
be embellished with every frill imaginable,
including special greetings from Mayor Richard
J. Daley and Gov. William Stratton. The
latter will present a citation to Wayne as
"The No. 1 Man of Motion Pictures" on behalf
of the motion picture industry of Illinois.
Hardly a week goes by that Herb Ellisburg,
managing director of the Essaness Halsted
Outdoor Theatre, doesn't introduce a
new entertainment feature. The latest is the
revival of band music. Every Sunday at dusk
the marches of Sousa and other great composers
are heard as part of the regular program.
Patrons may request favorite numbers
... Ed Mager, in the industry more than
40 years, died recently. He was associated
with Allied Theatres of Illinois.
Several members of the 'Variety Club of Illinois
attended the annual convention of
Variety International in New York City this
week, including Irving Mack, Johnny Jones,
Mike Stern, Sam Levinsohn, Mannie Smerling
and Dudley Gazolla . . . The Cinema
Theatre has promoted Dennis Bell to assistant
manager. A classical musical, "I've Always
Loved You," opened there May 11. The
Cinema from time to time brings back old
films with comparative success.
Vacations made news: Ben Klitzner, manager
of the Maryland, went to Florida. Frank
Riley, who .spends his time at both the Maryland
and Tivoli, assumed Klitzner's duties.
B. M. Nagle was holding the fort at the
Lakeside while Manager Jack DeWiggins
visited his parents in Florida. Lou Abramson.
assistant to Jack Kirsch, was vacationing
in California. Eddie Seguin of B&K's
publicity staff was in Tucson for a week.
Ann King, cashier at the Tivoli, planed to
Europe. Ethel Buccieri of Filmack Ti-ailer
Co. went to Hot Springs, Ark.
RESEARCH BUREAU
for
MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS
ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMATION
The MODERN THEATRE
PLANNING INSTITUTE
825 Van Brunt Blvd.
Kansas City 24, Mo.
Gentlemen:
Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU
lo receive information regularly, as released, on
Ihe lollowing subjects lor Theatre Planning:
n Acoustics
n Air Conditioning
n Architectural Service
n "Black" Lighting
n Building Material
n Carpets
n Coin Machines
n Complete Remodeling
n Decorating
n Drink Dispensers
n Drive-In Equipment
n Other Subjects .
Theatre
Seating Capacity...
Address
City
State
Signed
n Lighting Fixtures
n Plumbing Fixtures
n Projectors
n Projection Lamps
n Seating
n Signs and Marquees
n Sound Equipment
D Television
n Theatre Fronts
n Vending Equipment
Postage-paid reply cards for your further convenience
in obtaining information are provided in The MODERN
THEATRE Section, published with the first issue of
each month.
BOXOFFICE May 12, 1956

•
ARTHUR,
'-
'-
NARTB Session Foresees
New Markets for Film
CHICAGO—An entirely new market for industrial
and educational films, represented
by motion picture distribution through
closed-circuit television in school systems,
was foreseen by experts participating in a film
workshop at the Morrison Hotel. Bryon L.
Friend, chairman of the workshop sessions
panel and president of Telecine Film Studios,
said that this type of motion picture distribution
is just coming into use in some large
cities.
The workshop represented the first meeting
of a committee appointed during the recent
National Ass'n of Radio and Television
Broadcasters convention to deal with problems
of TV films and motion picture films.
The importance of film for overcoming
time problem,'-, and bridging distances was
stressed by Don Meier, producer-director of
NBC-TV's "Zoo Parade," and participant in
the workshop.
O. H. Coelln jr., editor and publisher of
Business Screen Magazine, said that contrary
to popular belief the use of an industrial
film on TV increases its circulation instead
of decreasing it. He explained that
program chairmen who see a TV presentation
of an industrial or educational film ask for
it for their own social or educational group.
In addition to expressions on the expanded
use of the motion picture in various media,
the panel discussed attendant production
problems, such as audience interest in the
use of copyrighted materials, including music
and scripts. The group also covered new
processes and techniques in the industry, including
multiple camera filming techniques
and the magnetic video recorder.
Other members of the workshop sessions
panel were Reed Drummond, Fuller. Smith
& Ross Agency: Henry Ushijima, director
of Production Services, George W. Colburn
Laboratory; Neal Keehn. vice-president. Calvin
Co.. Kansas City: Edward L. Gordy, assistant
general manager of Research Development.
Standard Oil of Indiana; Bill
Stern, Information Supervisor in charge of
film and audio-visual materials, Illinois Bell
Telephone Co.; Donald Buck, Department of
Research, Coronet Instructional Films: Harry
Trieg, National Broadcasting Co.
of Alger Theatres, petitioned the council
to lower or possibly abolish the city license
fee of the theatre. The theatre spokesman
called the council's attention to license fees
in other communities the size of Mendota
which were considerably lower than the $300
fee paid by the State Theatre. Larson said
the theatre has not advanced its prices and
has four complete changes of pictures each
week. He also said many teenagers petitioned
him to reduce prices for that age
group,
Spencer Johnson, local Chamber of Commerce
manager, reminded the council that a
town without a theatre is a "dead" town in
the evenings. He recommended the council
consider lowering the license fee. Any action
will be retroactive to May 1, when all city
licenses ai-e renewed.
Buys Sumner, Dl., House
SUMNER, ILL.—The Idaho Theatre, 300-
seater which had been dark for some time,
has reopened under the ownership and management
of D. L. Simmons. He said he is
considering the construction of a drive-in
theatre near here.
Ozoner Launches 8th Season
NORTH JUDSON, IND.—Dick Hand recently
opened the Melody Drive-In at Ba.ss
Lake. This is Hand's eighth season in operating
the outdoor theatre which has just
been equipped with a widescreen and facilities
for showing the newer films.
KMTA Board Meets May 16
KANSAS CITY—Kansas-Missouri Theatre
Owners Ass'n will hold its regular board
meeting on Wednesday (16) at its offices in
the Paramount building. A buffet luncheon
will be served. Don Burnett of Larned, Kas.,
is president.
Charles Smith Buys Theatre
ILL.—Charles E. Smith has
closed a deal with Mr. and Mrs. Harold Ramage
for the Lamar Theatre and takes over
the operation of that 265-seat house Sunday.
May 13. Smith is a resident of Ai'thur.
High Water Marks Erased
ARCADIA, WIS.-Thf Vugui- Theatre here,
which wa.s closed at the time of the recent
flood waters. Is again open for business.
Manager Leland has worked hard to get the
building back in shape. At the high point of
the flood seven feet of water stood In the
auditorium.
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Aldermen Propose a Move
Against Segregation
ST. LOUIS—A proposed city ordinance has
been presented to the local board of aldermen
to eliminate racial discrimination in
public places, including hotels, restaurants
and amusement place.s. and giving the St.
Louis Council on Human Relations power to
conduct investigations of alleged discriminatory
practices, hold public and private hearings,
subpoena witnesses, administer oaths
and take testimony.
The bill was introduced by four Democratic
aldermen from the Fourth, Sixth. Eighteenth
and Nineteenth wards, all of which have
large numbers of Negro residents. The bill
would have little, if any, effect on theatres
and drive-ins since there is presently no racial
discrimination in such amusement
Film Return Alter Six Years
Emerging from a six-year retirement, Don
Castle will enact a key role in Paramounfs
"Gunfight at the OK Corral."
HANDY
Theatrical Advertising Co.
2310 CASS AVE. DETROIT 1, MICH.
Phone: Woodward 1-2158
Mendota Theatreman Asks
License Fee Reduction
MENDOTA, ILL.—Harold Larson, manager
of the State Theatre, and a representative

Cancer and healthy cells seem to feed
on different kinds of "food." We
know how to make some cancer cells
die by starving them. Will we starve
out all kinds of cancer cells one day?
Onlv more work and research will tell.
stances that fight their own tumors.
When science knows more about antibodies,
we may have a new cancer
treatment. Only more work and reirrh
will
tell.
Some cancers are being halted by
atomic materials. Can new radioactive
isotopes affect other cancers in the
same way? Only more work and research
will tell.

. . Roy
: May
. . Jack
. . George
'Bold and Brave' Bows
At 135 in Memphis
MEMPHIS— 'The Bold and the Brave" did
35 per cent above average busines.s at the
Warner Theatre to set the first run attendance
pace in Memphis.
(Average U 100)
Maico Invasion ot the Body Snotchers (AA) . . . . 50
PolQce—The Swan (MGM) I 00
State—The Rock (MGM) 75
Strand—The Come On (AA), 2rnd wk 100
Warner—The Bold ond the Brovc (RKO) 135
NEW ORLEANS
John Williams closed tlie State. Jackson,
Miss., May 5. Williams also operates the
first run Lamar in Jackson . Downing
of the Haven and Rex. Brookhaven, Miss.,
said the Pike Booking Co.. operated by T. G.
Solomon in McComb, MLss.. will buy and
book for his theatres. Pike Booking also does
the booking for the Dixie at Brookhaven, a
part of Dixie Amusement Co. Downing will
manage all three theatres there.
.
.
The first run Panorama here, a part of the
Joy Houck circuit, is undergoing vast improvements.
New carpets, seats and general
redecoration are planned Chadwick
of the 35 Drive-In, Carthage. Miss., has
been forced to close the drive-in on weekdays.
Poor business resulted in the partial shutdown
Varnado, formerly second
booker at Warner Bros., resigned to enter
another business. Joe Sacco. former head
cashier, moved over to the booking department.
The WOMPI's held their annual Bosses
luncheon Wednesday (9) at the Variety Club.
New officers for the 1956-57 term will be
elected this month . . . F. T. McLendon Theatres
reopened the Hub Drive-In, Monroeville,
Ala., Friday (4i for the summer.
Merger at Brookhaven
Headed by L. E. Downing
BROOKHAVEN, MISS.—The Haven, Dixie
and Rex theatres here have been merged
under the management of L. E. "Jack" Downing.
I. A. Foogo had operated the Dixie 11 years.
Downing took over the operation of the Rex,
which serves Negro patrons, several months
ago. The Dixie was taken over April 1 by
the Pike Amusement Co. of which Teddy Solomon,
McComb, is president. It had formerly
been operated by the Dixie Theatre Co.,
which has its main offices in New Orleans.
Solomon's organization operates theatres
in Yazoo City, Jackson, Crystal Springs and
Natchez, Miss.
Reopens at Demopolis, Ala.
DEMOPOLIS, ALA.—The Grove Drive-In,
on Highway 80 near here, has opened for
the season, offering two shows nightly.
PersonalHelptoShowmen
Available at Convention
ATLANTA— Personal counsclini; .service on
individual theatre problems will be available
to all exhibitors attending
the joint annual
convention of the
Alabama
Ass'n and
Theatres ^K^IiJV
the Theatre ^BLtm^
I'D
J • -
Owners and Operators
of Georgia May 27-29
at the Dinkier Plaza
hotel here.
Counselors will be
men from the exhibition
industry who
are well qualified by '
training and experi- Alfred Starr
ence to help the individual
showman on problems of concessions,
product, advertising or theatre equipment
and financing.
The personal counseling service, according
to J. H. Thompson, president of the
Georgia group and chairman of the convention
committee, and R. M. Kennedy,
president of the Alabama unit, came upon
the realization that many small exhibitors
have special problems in their operations
that are peculiar to their own situations.
The counseling will be available upon request
by the individual exhibitor, and it will
be something new in exhibition conventions,
according to the organization heads. It will
offer personal help on an exhibitor's particular
problem which may be unlike any
other covered in a general way on the program.
Theme of the convention this year, Thompson
and Kennedy said, will be "Gold Mining
.
flood rains . . .
Your Concession Stand."
in
M. A. Connett of Connett Theatres in Mississippi
"Sales and profits in concessions," Thompprize,
plans to close the Ritz, West Enterson
said, "have expanded tremendously, and
Miss . . A. L. Royal of the Meridian thousands of exhibitors have barely scratched
Drive-In, Meridian, Miss., set back the the surface of the gold mine in their own
scheduled reopening for the theatre. The backyards."
drive-in recently
and
was heavily damaged by A concessions clinic will be one of several
The HiWay 43 Drive-In, in the Cyclorama of Modern Exhibition
Mcintosh, Ala., was to reopen Saturday (12). clinics, dealing with all the major phases of
Johnny Waterall, owner, said the new screen theatre operation and management and including
product, advertising tower would not be complete until then. The
and general
tower was blown down recently by high winds. theatre equipment and financing.
ALFRED STARR TO SPEAK
BOXOFFICE :
Alfred Starr, past president of TOA, will
speak Tuesday afternoon. Thompson and
Kennedy said that in preparation for his
appearance here, Starr has been contacting
major distributors to ascertain what they
plan to do for the relief of the small exhibitor,
and has been bringing to distributors'
attention the serious plight of theatremen
faced with extinction unless something is
done to help them.
Planning of the convention has been concentrated
on making the features of value
to the average small town exhibitor, the
organization heads said, adding: "Never before
has the small exhibitor faced such perplexing
problems as he faces today. We
realize that neither we, nor anylxidy else,
have all the answers to these problems, but
out of the combined experience of many exhibitors,
some progress has been made in
coping with them successfully."
The Dinkier Plaza Hotel has been remodeled
recently and has fine convention
^
accommodations. It is located uptown, just
three blocks from Filmrow.
J. H. Thompson
>fe^i#fr;K«J
R. M. Kennedy
As the first event of the convention Monday
morning the Stanley Warner Corp.
has arranged for a special screening of "This
Is Cinerama."
Committee members for the convention
are:
General program—Thompson; Kennedy; J.
H. Harrison, Georgia; Gordon Bradley and
Paul Wilson, distributors.
Publicity—O. C. Lam, chairman; A. B.
Padgett, Ray Edmond.son, Ronnie Otwell.
Judson Moses and Leonard Allen.
Guest.s—C. L. Patrick, chairman, and John
Stembler.
Women's activities—Mrs. J. S. Tankersley,
chairman, and Mrs. John Carter and Mrs.
Lester Neely jr.
Equipment dealers—Coley Brown and Charlie
Fortson.
Registration—L. M. Stockton, chairman,
and Jimmy Gaylard.
Hotel reservations—John Thompson, chair-
Product—A. B. Padgett, chairman.
Entertainment—L. M. Stockton, chairman,
and John Stembler and A. B. Covey.
Program ads—Fred Storey, chairman, and
Harry Curl.
Industrywide affairs—E. D. Martin, chairman,
and Mack Jackson.
Resolutions—Willis Davis, chairman.
Clinics—J.
O. Hoover, chairman, and Emil
Bernstecker, E. E. Whittaker, William N.
Wolfson, Dan Davis, Norris Hadaway and
Eddie Watson.
Thieves Escape With $50
JACKSON, MISS.—Safe burglars raided
the Skyvue Theatre here after midnight,
escaping with nearly $50. A deputy sheriff
said safe robbers peeled the metal from the
top of the safe in the outdoor theatre with
a chisel and hammer and lifted the money
from inside. The burglars broke open a
window to climb into the concession building.
They ransacked a storage room in the
concession stand, but took nothing.
Started Career in 1908
NEW ORLEANS—Philip Foto. 85-year-old
pioneer theatre operator who died recently,
began his theatre career Ui 1908 in Algiers.
La., at the Market Theatre. In 1915 he
constructed Foto's Folly, then the south's
largest picture house. He later became
affiliated with United Theatres.
12, 1956 61

: May
lotwick Emphasizes
industry Triumphs
MIAMI—When Harry Botwick. Florida
State Theatres southeastern manager, was
invited to write a guest column on the Miami
Herald's amusement page, he declared he was
tempted "to lambaste some of our severest
critics, but we resisted this impulse so that
we could use the opportunity to say what we
think is 'right' with the movies." Botwick's
column emphasized the motion picture industry
ranks high among American industries
that contribute to the economy, the happiness
and the welfare of the nation.
"One hears of the nickelodeon days and one
speaks of the movies which is a literal magic
carpet, transporting the average patron into
{gold Mining in
a wonderful world, not only of make-believe,
but into a world of entertainment that no
other medium can provide. One speaks of
stereophonic sound, Cinemascope, Vista-
Vision and Technicolor. We often wonder if
the average patron, when he or she buys a
theatre ticket, realizes just what he is getting
for the price of that admission.
"We know that they seek out top entertainment,
such as Oklahoma! Rose Tattoo,
Guys and Dolls. I'll Cry TomoiTOW. Man in
the Gray Flannel Suit and The Swan, but
we wonder how often they realize that with
the privilege of witnessing a top production,
they also pm-chase the right to a comfortably
cushioned ai-mchair in a scientifically designed
theatre, thoroughly air conditioned
and witness a motion pictm-e projected and
shown through the best scientific and mechanical
equipment available, upon which
YOUR Concession Stand}
that's the slogan of this
ALABAMA
Joint Annual
Convention
Theatres Association and Motion Picture
Theatre Owners and Operators of
GEORGIA
(MAY 27 - 28 - 29
Dinkier Plaza Hotel
Atlanta, Georgia
Program Highlights:
• Personal Counselor Service • Cyclorama of Clinics
•Inspirational Message by Alfred Starr
•Lavish Entertainment for Exhibitors and Wives
•Special Showing, "THIS IS CINERAMA"
This convention has been carefully planned
to bring you maximum returns on your time
with a small expense to you. You'll certainly
PROFIT from this great, interest-packed
program. Enjoy the many entertainment
features.
The entire program is focused on features of
value to the average small town exhibitor.
All major phases of theatre operation and
management will be covered with emphasis
on the Concessions Clinic.
Other clinics will feature Product, Advertising,
General Theatre Equipment and Financing.
For further information and reservations contact:
J. H. THOMPSON, Chairman
Convention Committee
Something new has been added with the Personal
Consultation Service. Upon request,
your problem will be answered by well qualified
experts.
You'll hear a message of great importance
to you from Alfred Starr, post president of
TOA and a nationally-known champion of the
exhibition industry.
Exhibitors and their wives will both enjoy
"THIS IS CINERAMA," special showing
through the courtesy of the Stanley Warner
Corporation. Three days of fun and entertainment
are also scheduled for exhibitors
and wives.
Hawkinsville,
Georgia
constant research and improvements are continually
being made?
Just think of the vast technological advances
made in the past five years! Movies
are better, bigger, have more production
values, more talent, more creative ability and
more effort is being made constantly to provide
om- patrons with the best stories, best
plays and best musicals.
'During the last year, top pictm-es have
played to more people than ever before because
of an interest and hunger for pictui'es
of this type—this is in spite of Intense competition
from radio, TV, sports and other
amusements for your attention and leisure
time!
Culminating the technical and creative
triumphs of motion pictui-es over the past
years is the crowning achievement of all
the presentation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's
'Oklahoma!' in Todd-AO. This daring
process is presently and quietly revolutionizing
the motion picture business, since
more and more producers are considering the
production of films in this new technique.
'Already completed and to be shown this
year is Michael Todd's production of Jules
Verne^s Around the 'World in 80 Days.' In the
planning stage is Rodgers and Hammerstein's
'South Pacific'
"One of my greatest satisfactions in recent
years was to stand in the lobby of the Sheridan
Theatre and see people who have not
been to the movies in years walk in as skeptics
and come out as devotees, commenting
that they never knew that the motion pictui-e
could provide such glorious entertainment.
"At dinner tonight, ask yourself, or ask
your sons and daughters, if they like the
movies, and we will bet that everyone will
say they are wonderful!
"We of Florida State Theatres are very
proud to be motion picture exhibitors, and
I am even prouder to be associated with
PST, the pioneer organization of all motion
pictui-e theatres in the state of Florida, and
a sub.sidiary of American Broadcasting-
Paramount Theatres, Inc."
Two Knoxville Drive-Ins
Updated With $110,000
KNOXVILLE—The Family Drive-In
Corp.
has leased the Starlite Drive-In on Alcoa
highway and the Skyway Drive-In on the
Maynardville pike for 20 years from Eugene
Monday. Spence Pierce, president of the
corporation, said $110,000 will be invested in
remodeling the two drive-ins.
The Starlite will be renamed the Cinema
and $75,000 tabbed for its renovation, remainder
of the funds being used to improve
the Skyway. The Skyway will open about
May 15, Pierce said, and the Cinema on June 1.
The Family Drive-In firm also leases the
Family Drive-In on North Broadway and the
Knoxville at Bearden from Monday.
Prize to Thomas Waterfield
TAMPA — Thomas 'Waterfield of the
Seminole Theatre was a top winner in the
recently closed "Guys and Dolls" sales contest
sponsored by R. R. Harris, confection
sales manager of Florida State Theatres.
Airer Opens at Sanford, Ky.
SANFORD. KY.—Davis Drive-In Theatre
on the Hustonville road, near here, has
opened for the spring, summer and fall season.
The outdoor theatre is equipped to show
Cinemascope.
82 BOXOFFICE :
12, 1956

. . Ditto
95
Phone:
. . Miriam
CHARLOTTE
•The offices of Wilby-Kineey Theatres here
are undergoing a renovation . . . Opening
the summer vacation schedule was Ann
Rivenbark, of the Paramount staff, whose
husband Jack returned home after a twoyear
.service in the Ai-my . Maner
AUred, daughter of Cliff Allred of Winston-
Salem, who is well known in the theatre industry,
will wed T. L. Canipe June 16 . . .
David K. Phillips, booker at Columbia, has
been installed as commander of the VFW
Stonewall Jackson post.
.
.
Mrs. VV. P. White and Mrs. W. R. Stroupc
.served as hostesses of the Variety women's
monthly bridge luncheon. Mrs. F. E. Dyer
was in charge of prizes . . Rowites celebrating
.
birthdays: Betty Beaty. Margaret Brown,
Rosaline Hutton. Doris Ducker and Ilene
McGee Margaret Smith of the
. . Princess Theatre at Benson, S. C. Gail
Letchworth of the Thompson Orphanage was
the guest at a WOMPI committee meeting at
the home of Viola Wister. The club is helping
on the school tuition of Gail . . . Blanche
C;irr, Mildred Hoover and Margaret Raines
have been named to the WOMPI auditing
committee.
Pauline Griffith, former executive secretary
of the Theatre Owners of North and South
Carolina, is recuperating at home following a
stay in the hospital . . . Kathryn Lomax returned
to the Howco staff . . . A. B. Graver
is manager of the Plaza Theatre, which is one
of the bright spots in the Central aveniie
business district . . . H. F. Kincey, who is
president of the local YMCA, introduced the
board members at the recent banquet opennig
the $2,000,000 campaign for a new Y buildmg
here.
Rebecca Miller. NSS bookkeeper, was uistalled
as treasurer of the VFW Post 1160
auxiliary ... Ed Rosenblatt of Theatrical
Engineering reports a dozen theatres have
signed up for his projection supervision plan.
MW THKATKK ol'l M I)— 1 Iji ik « Ur.isg Theatre at Fayetteville, N. C,
recently opened by Stewart

. . R.
. . Al
. . Also
. . Eugene
. . Paul
m BOOwnG offict
Experience — Industry — Integrity
ALBERT E. ROOK, Owner
160 Walton st. n.w
tel. alpine 8314
p.o. box 1422
atlanta, ga.
.^^^
you Heceiite . . .
QUALITY • SERVICE
and
• SATISFACTION
when you entrust your business to:
THE QUEEN FEATURE SERVICE. Inc.
Complete Theatre & Dhve-ln Equipment
& Suppliei
SNOBALL MACHINES
Make $50 to $100 a Week
From $25 and Up
Send for circular and prices
ATLANTA POPCORN SUPPLY
146 Walton St. Atlanta, Ga.
ATLANTA
.
.
.
LTorace Denning, Florida district manager
Skinner, Atlanta
tre in Smyrna
district manager, Dixie Drive-In Theatres,
for Dixie Drive-In Theatres, spent several
days in the Atlanta office . . . Mildred spent the week on business in Charlotte . . .
Gordon Bradley. Paramount district manager,
Castleberry, Martin booking office, was one
of the many Atlantians enjoying opera during
has returned from a visit to the Jack-
the week. She heard "Tales of Hoffman,"
Davis, Paramount
sonville branch
"Die Meistersinger" and "Tosca" . . . Charlie booker, is back from his vacation, part of
Simpson, operator of theatres in Chattanooga.
which was spent in Florida.
Knoxville and Auburn, Ala., spent a
day on the Row en route to New York. Hugh Filmrow folk and visiting exhibitors are
Rainey. manager of his Riviera Theatre, glad to learn that an application for a permit
for a new parking garage has been approved
Knoxville, was hospitalized for several days,
but is in fine shape again.
Scott Lett, Howco district
by the Atlanta aldermanic board's police
committee. The new garage will be located
at Cone and Walton streets and will house
manager headquartering
253 cars . . .
in Charlotte, spent several days
Ben Hill. Universal publicist, hit
between the Atlanta and Jacksonville offices. the trail blazing new releases including "Toy
Homer Clark, Howco salesman, is back on Tiger," and "Away All Boats." He visited
Charlotte, Knoxville, Nashville, Birmingham,
the road following a virus attack. Evelyn
Hazouri, Jacksonville Howco booker, has resigned
ABC
Jacksonville, Miami, New Orleans and Memphistrical
J. "Hap" Barnes, Thea-
Enterprises, and Paul Engler, Engler
Theatres, Birmingham, have returned from Frederick G. Storey, who heads a chain
Lexington where they attended the Kentucky of suburban theatres, both indoor and driveins,
named
Derby. Prior to Barnes' departure, his car was
in Atlanta, has been president of
the newly organized Rotary Club of Brookwood,
stolen from in front of his office, but it was
which has been granted its charter by
reported found three days later in Cartersville,
Rotary International's board of directors.
victim of auto thieves was
Its
Ga. Another
Lida Smith, Wilby-Kincey, whose new Pontiac
was stolen from in front of her mother's
sponsor is the Rotary Club of Atlanta . . .
Seen on the Row booking were Nat Williams,
home in .south Georgia where she was visiting
at the time. The car had not been re-
Richardson, McLendon Theatres, Union
Interstate Enterprises, Thomasville; Phil
covered last weekend.
Springs, Ala.: Mack Jackson, Strand Theatre,
Alexander City, Ala.; L. J. Duncan and Sid
Cecil Hudson has closed Laird, Al-Dun Amusement Co., West Point;
his Legion Theatre,
.
Acworth, Ga. Rook, Film Book-
Jack Ramsey, Mars Theatre, Springfield;
Tom Brett, Arcade Theatre, Sandersville, and
ing Office, has taken over the buying and
booking for the new Belmont Hills Thea-
Tommy Lam, Lam Amusements, Rome.
the best source of supply for the finest^
In approved
equipment
everything
for the
theatre
except film
wii-icin theatre supply, inc.
Jo-Anne Blake, office manager's secretary
at United Artists, resigned effective May 4,
and Betty Thompson, assistant cashier at
UA, resigned as of May 11, to await the
stork. They were guests at a luncheon at
Camellia Gardens May 4 . . . Mrs. Nell Middleton.
secretary to MGM exploiteer Judson
Moses, is spending a two-week vacation in
Miami and other points in Florida.
Mrs. Lillian Claughton, Claughton Theatres,
Miami, was in Atlanta for Opera Week
as the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie Harrison,
Wilby Theatres. Mrs. Claughton is on
the executive board of the Miami Opera
Guild . attending the opera were Mrs.
Nat Williams and daughter of Thomasville.
The Fox Theatre was given over to the Metropolitan
Grand Opera for the four days it
was presented in Atlanta.
WOMPI news: The board of directors and
committee chairmen met for dinner Monday
(7> at the Variety Club. Chief topic discus.sed
was the third annual convention to
be held at the Dinkler-Plaza Hotel September
28-30. Reports from all committees were
made to Laura Kenny, convention chairman.
atlanta, ga. charlotte, n. c.
SPECIAL TRAILERS |

: May
. . . Despite
. . The
. . Herman
. . Jerry
. . Louis
NEW IMIRACLE THEATRE—The new
1,500 seat Miracle Theatre, under construction
in Fayetteville, N. C. for H. B.
Meiselman Theatres, is expected to be
completed by June 15. The theatre building
includes a seven-store arcade, as seen
at left in the above architect's drawing.
Four of the stores are located in the theatre
lobby which runs 200 feet from Hay
street to the main auditorium. The theatre
fronts on two main streets and
patrons will have access to either
entrance. Unusual features of the house
will include a full lobby wall of modem
art. three projection machines in the
booth, smoking lounge and a big stage.
florida's FIRST Supply House
NEW ADDRESS .
206 MEMORIAL HIGHWAY
TAMPA, FLORIDA
NEW PHONE 8-5189
NEW CONVENIENT PARKING
for Our Customers
Visit us at our new building
UNITED THEATRE SUPPLY CORP.
SNO KONE
MACHINES & SUPPLIES
ROY SMITH CO.
TAMPA
JACKSONVILLE
LOST LEASE!! . . . CLOSEOUT
Complete Equipt Conventional Theatre
• 50-ton Carrier Air • Altex Sound
Conditioner
• Simplex Heads • American Seals
Will sell all or separately . . . Contact
State ^
Theatre Jackson. Mississiooi

.
-jrst New Theatre in Jacksonville
Since 1950 Opened by Cecil Cohen
JACKSONVILLE—The Arlington Theatre,
fh-st indoor house to be constructed here
since 1950, opened to the public May 3.
Located in a fast-growing section of the city's
south side at 1127 Chaseville Rd., it is being
operated by Cecil Cohen who also runs
another suburban theatre, the Murray Hill.
Built of brick and concrete in the modernistic
lines of contemporary Florida architecture,
the Arlington has a 25-foot-high marquee in
the shape of a flat-topped capital A, with
marquee copy being placed on the crossbar
of the A by means of movable plastic block
letters.
Pity the
Poor
Woiking^^
She sits on her . .
office choir oil day.
When she goes to the
movies at night, she wants
real relaxation and comfort
or she simply doesn't go! To attract
the working girl—and her boy
friend and mother and father and
sister and brother— let us repair or
replace worn, uncomfortable seats.
We'll do it in a jiffy ... for a pittonce
. . . without interrupting your
show. Wanna know how much?
WRITE, WIRE or PHONE
ALpine 5 8459
MANUFACTURERS
Leading features include a large, adjacent
parking lot, a soundproof cry room, complete
air conditioning, extra width between auditorium
seats, a spacious lobby and snack bar
and continuous prices of 50 cents for adults
and 25 cents for children from the time the
boxoffice opens at 12:45 p.m. until closing. It
has a Cinemascope screen and RCA sound
equipment.
Seating, carpeting and projection equipment
were furnished and installed by the
Southeastern Equipment Co. of Florida.
Opening with a subsequent run policy, the
Arlington's first double bill consisted of "The
Tall Men" and "How To Be Very, Very
Popular."
It is expected that the Ai'lington will face
stiff competition in a few months, as soon
as a second Chaseville road theatre, the
is Miracle, completed by builder Henry
Kramer. According to a public announcement
the Miracle will be leased to H. B.
Meiselman, operator of a theatre chain in
North Carolina. To be a 1,200-seat house, it
now being erected in the Town and Country
is
Shopping Center, one of the largest shopping
districts in north Florida.
Pittsburgh 20th-Fox
Opens New Home
PITTSBURGH—The newly constructed one
and a half story 20th-Pox building was opened
recently at 1723-25 Boulevard of the Allies,
immediately next door to the quarters this
company had occupied for many years.
Executive and sales offices are in the front,
facing the booking counters in the general
office. In the rear is the .shipping and inspection
departments. On the second floor
is a large screening room, not as yet equipped,
which will feature a 22-foot widescreen and
stereophonic sound with nine spaced speakers.
Restrooms are on the second floor. The
building is air conditioned.
Nat C. Rosen, branch manager, hosted
friends in the industry this week and he Invites
inspection of the new film exchange
building. Visitors included Martin Moskowitz,
eastern sales manager, and his assistant Seymour
Cohen; Abe Dickstein, Atlantic district
manager, and Clarence A. Hill, manager of
exchange operations.
RESEARCH BUREAU
lor
theatre seat
seruice co.
160 Hermitage Ave.
Nashville,
Empire-Universal Demands
Advance Rental Payment
WINNIPEG—Len Norrie, local manager of
Empire-Universal Films, has informed exhibitors
of this exchange area that future
film shipments must be paid for in advance.
The letter from Norrie was forwarded to
exhibitors in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and
Western Ontario.
Norrie's letter read, in part: "In accordance
with the contracts held with this company,
film being used must be paid for prior to the
shipping date or that shipment will go
forward C.O.D. If this presents a problem,
I suggest that you forward this company
an advance deposit for an average month's
film rental. Shipments then will go to you
open."

: May
. . . Moses
. . MGM
Police Raid Girl Show
At Twin Cities Alvin
MINNEAPOLIS—Roadshow burlesque encountered
a roadblock here when the police
morals squad raided the Alvin Theatre four
days after it had been resumed following an
interim of nearly three yeai-s dining which
the showhouse was used as an evangelistic
tabernacle.
Disorderly conduct charges were preferred
against seven stripteasers and lessee Ed Ross
and Manager Alfred Ki-ikoriun of Kansas
City. Mo.
Jake Sullivan, morals squad head, said that
after receiving "numerous complaints," he
and three other policemen and a policewoman
witnessed a performance. He asserted they
found it "just as bad as the complaints had
pictured it."
Dancers were accused of appearing on the
stage and "making indecent exposure of their
persons" and of being guilty of "certain
obscene and filthy acts and lewd, indecent,
immoral and insulting conduct and behavior."
The men were charged with permitting and
consenting to such violations.
Each of those arrested wa-s released on
$200 bail and the show went on again later the
same day. Among the dancers arrested were
Elenor Rushing (Gayla Loving l, 28; Rose
Martin (Kandy Kane), 24, and Sandra Evans
(Kitty Karr) of Kansas City, Mo.
Mgr. Moves to California
WINNIPEG, MAN.—L. C. Straw, who has
been manager of the Roxy Theatre for the
past four years, resigned his position recently
and left for California, where he intends to
make his future home. He was accompanied
by Mrs. Straw. Barney Brookler, who has
been appointed to the position, has already
assumed his new duties.
Besides the rawstock manufactured at
home, West Germany imports from Belgium,
the United States, Canada and the United
Kingdom.
MEMPHIS
•piu- Folly TluMtif. MiUk.^, Mis.s.. has been
leased by Clark Shivley and Henley
Smith from owner Howard Langford . . .
Vernon Adams, Memphis, has lea.sed the
Roxie, Memphis, from Strand Enterprises
Sliman, Osceola and Luxora. Ark.,
theatre owner, has bought the Delta Drivein
at Osceola from Jim Martin and is spending
around $20,000 to install Cinemascope
equipment and otherwise modernize the outdoor
theatre . and Loew's Stale
staged a sneak preview of "The Catered
Affair."
T. N. Jourdon, owner. Majestic Theatre,
luka. Miss., has returned home after a brief
illness at Baptist Hospital in Memphis . . .
Mrs. Wesley McGar, part owner of the Dixie
Theatre, Ripley, Miss., is recovering at
Methodist Hospital in Memphis after surgery.
W. F. Ruffin jr., Ruffin Amusements Co.,
Covington; R. B. Gooch, Ritz, Selmer; M. E.
Rice, Rice, Brownsville; Amelia Ellis, Frayser
Drive-In, Frayser; Louise Mask. Luez,
Bolivar; G. H. Goff, Rustic. Parsons; Guy
Amis. Princess, Lexington, and Douglass
Pierce, Jackson Drive-In. Jackson, were
among visiting Tennes.see exhibitors . . . Mr.
and Mrs. Alex Harrison were visitors at 20th-
Fox. Mr. Harrison is general sales manager.
Mark Sheridan, district manager, Dallas, and
Jimmie Gillespie, exploiteer. Dallas, were also
Memphis visitors at 20th-Fox.
From Mississippi came Roland Adams.
Rebel Drive-In. Oxford; C. N. Eudy, Houston,
Houston; Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Azar. Lin,
Greenville; Mrs. J. C. Noble, Temple. Leland;
C. J. Collier, Globe, Shaw; Mrs. E. S. Gullett.
Benoit, Benoit; Joe Davis, Globe, Drew;
Leon Rountree, Holly at Holly Springs and
Valley at Water Valley; J. C. Pratt, Dixie,
Fulton; Bem Jackson. Ellis, Cleveland; Vinson
Danna, Chief Drive-In, Cleveland; J.
M. Mounger, Mart, Calhoun City; Clark
Shivley and Mr. and Mrs. Henley Smith, Skylark
Drive-In. Clarksdale.
Lloyd Pullen Named
Arkansas Manager
DALLAS— Lloyd Pullen lla^ been appointed
Arkansas district manager for Rowley
United Theatres, with headquarters at
Little
Rock, succeeding Jim Carbery, who was promoted
to division manager for United Artists
Theatres in Los Angeles.
C. V. Jones, vice-president and general
manager of Rowley United, will supervise
operations in Durant, McAlesler and Muskogee,
Okla., and Laredo, Tex. Bill Slaughter,
district manager, and Don C. Douglas, director
of publicity and public relations, will
supervise operations in 21 Texas towns.
The changes were effective May 7, according
to President John H. Rowley.
Here's
Your Chance
to get in the
BIG
MONEY
Be Sure
to Play
PEP UP YOUR INTERMISSION!
INCREASE SNACK BAR SALES!
with a
BRAND NEW
SPOT TAG
THE FUN GAME FOR DRIVE-INS
featuring the comical character
Spotty in 'SpotCapades"
Spotty ploys hide ond seek with your audience
vhile they fry to cotch him with their spotlights
. . . ends with a plug for your Snock Bar.
YOU CAN BUY SPOT TAG
OUTRIGHT AND USE IT
OVER AND OVER
Price
Mm PicTuiE Service cd.
only
51750
Exhibitors visiting from Arkansas included
Tom Ford. Ford. Rector; K. H. Kinney, Hays,
Hughes; Roy Cochran, JuRoy, North Little
Rock; W. L. Moxley, Savoy, Blytheville;
Moses Sliman. Lux, Luxora; Mr. and Mrs.
Frank Patter.son, City, Junction City; J. E.
Singleton, New, Marked Ti-ee; E. L. Boggs,
70 Drive-In, Hot Springs; Mr. and Mrs. J. T.
Hitt. Cozy and Plaza at Bentonville and the
Apollo and Concord. Springdale; Mrs. Ann
Hutchins, State and 67 Drive-In, Corning;
Carl Burton. 22 Drive-In. Fort Smith, and
J. T. James. James, Cotton Plant.
Telephone Quiz Is Used
To Promote Programs
BEDFORD, IOWA—Mr. and Mrs. Dutch
Young, owners and operators of the Hardin
Theatre here, have started a "telephone
game." Here's how it works:
They select a telephone number at random,
call it and ask the name of the show that
will be at the theatre on a certain day. It
already has been advertised. The person
telephoned wins two free tickets and two
free meals at the Skylark if he answers correctly.
As a screen
game, Hollywood takes
top honors. As a boxoffice attraction,
it is without equal. It has
been a favorite with theatregoers for
15 years.
Write today for complete details!
Be sure to give sealing or car
capacity.
HOLLYWOOD
AMUSEMENT
COMPANY
3750 Oakton St.
Skokie, Illinois
BOXOFFICE :
12, 1956

: May
EDWIN J. THOMAS PottfOit fa/ Fabian Bachracb
added over 20,000 employees
to The Payroll Savings Plan."
"The Savings Bond Program—like any other program in
a corporation — will succeed only if it has the complete
support of top management. Recently the Goodyear
Tire & Rubber Company added over 20,000 employees
to the Payroll Savings Plan, attaining an overall participation
of over 71%. While the drive itself was successful
I feel the job is only half done. Now we are
installing a program to maintain this high peak of participation.
Such a program will constantly keep the
merits of the program before each employee, encouraging
him to provide his own security through this
effortless plan of saving."
EDWIN J. THOMAS, President
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Inc.
What is the percentage of employee participation in
your Payroll Savings Plan? If it is less than 50%, get in
touch with Savings Bond Division, U.S. Treasury Department,
Washington, D. C. Your State Sales Director
will be glad to help you increase your participation to
60% or higher. A phone call, telegram or letter to
Savings Bond Division, U.S. Treasury Department will
bring a prompt response.
The United States Government does not pay for this advertising. The Treasury Department
thanks, Jor their patriotic donation, the Advertising Council and
BOXOFFICE
BOXOFFICE :
12, 1956

Frels Will Build Airer
At Victoria; 1000 Cars
VICTORIA. TEX.—Frels Theatre.s, operator
of a dozen theatres in this area, will construct
a 1.000-car drive-in on a 77-acre .site
in the Lone Ti-ee section in the southern .section
of this city. Rubin S. Frels. vice-president,
and EKjyle Oliver, general manager,
said no completion date had been set.
"We ai-e making a broad study of outdoor
theatre trends." Oliver said, "in order to
include the latest and most serviceable features
for patrons in our new outdoor unit.
"Tlie screen, for instance, will be the new
Manco-Vi.sion extruded aluminum type, designed
to give maximum visibility without
character distorton in all parts of the parking
area. This screen tends to refract rather
than reflect light, re.sulting in equal distribution
of light throughout the viewing area.
"Other screens tend to throw the light
straight back, resulting in picture distortion
in lateral areas. We have had this type of
screen in operation at our Rice Drive-In in
El Campo for the past year with highly
favorable results."
The new drive-in, as yet unnamed, will
make four in the Frels circuit.
'Oklahoma!' Debut June 14
In Dallas and Houston
HOUSTON—Texans will get their first look
at "Oklahoma!" June 14 when the Todd-AO
feature opens at two Interstate Theatres
the Tower in Dallas and the local Tower.
Al Lever, the circuit's city manager here.
is supervising construction of a booth and
screen to accommodate the Todd-AO process
at the 1,100-seat Tower. The 46-foot screen
will be the largest in the city.
Fourteen performances a week are scheduled
for "Oklahoma!" w'ith seats costing between
SI.50 and S2. The Variety Boys' Club
will be recipients of opening night's receipts.
The second Todd-AO pictiu-e to be shown
here will be "Around the World in 80 Days,"
now being filmed. This is expected to be
followed by "The Cardinal" and "South
Pacific."
The UA picture, "Witness for the Prosecution,"
is the film version of Agatha Christie's
stage success.
G. E. Ortmans to Be Guests
Of Hollywood Studios
HENNESSEY, OKLA.--Mr. and Mrs. G. E
Ortman. operators of the Ortman Theatre
liere, left Monday (7) for Hollywood. In recounition
of Mrs. Ortman's motion picture
publicity work as "Carrie the Ca.shier" they
were to be special guests of the publicity
departments of Warner Bras, and RKO studios
during their Hollywood stay. While there
they expect to see the filming of some .scenes,
visit the cartoon department and have luncheon
at the studio restaurants. They plan to
attend a premiere and to -see the new Cinerama
production, "Seven Wonders of the
World."
The following week they will visit Mrs. Ortman's
brother, Orville von Gulker, and fam-
at Downey and her sister, Mrs. Max Rum-
ily
baugh, and family at Arcadia. Gaylord Ortman,
who has been in the Navy Hospital at
Bremerton, Wash., expects to return to his
ship in San Diego by the middle of May and
will visit with his parents at the home of his
grandparents. Dr. and Mrs. E. J. Ortman, in
Santa Monica.
Paul Covey Dies: 29 Years
In Oklahoma Theatres
LAVERNE. OKLA.—Paul Covey, operator of
the local theatre for many years, died at his
home here recently. He was 60 years old.
Covey was born at Lawrence, Kas., and he
served overseas in France during World War
I.
He brought his family to Laverne in June.
1927, and opened the Laverne Theatre. Later
he operated a theatre in Waynoka for three
years and in Beaver for five years. In 1939
the family returned here to operate the theatre
and have lived in Laverne since. For the
past few years. Covey also operated a por-
Two Family Nights a Week
HENRIETTA, TEX. — Claude Thorp has
opened the Rietta, local outdoor theatre, on
a fulltime schedule for the spring and summer
season. Wednesday and Thursday nights
each week will be family nights, when a full
carload will be admitted for 75 cents.
Earl Snyder Elected
UTO Board Chairman
OKLAHOMA CITY '1 lie beard ul directors
of United Theatre Owners of Oklahoma,
Monday (7) elected
Earl Snyder Tulsa
of
as chairman of the
board to fill the unexpired
term of Ed
Thorne, who resigned
recently after leaving
the Cooper Foundation
Theatres in Oklahoma
City. Snyder is owner
of the Apache Drlve-
In, Tulsa.
Also at Monday's
meeting, the board
Earl Snyder considered the possibility
of holding its July monthly meeting in
Tulsa. Snyder was appointed chairman of a
committee to check possibility of a Tulsa
meeting.
Board members were given a final report
on the annual convention held earlier this
year. E. R. "Red" Slocum, UTOO executive
director, informed the board that the convention
was a financial success. Slocum also
gave details on correspondence betw-een himself
and Interstate Theatre circuit on availability
of motion pictures at Army camps. In
a third report he told of contacts made w'ith
various legislators and officials regarding
theatre admission tax reduction.
Present at Monday's board meeting w^ere
Dick Thompson, Claude Motley, Harold
Combes and Robert Busch, Oklahoma City:
Ray Hughes, Heavener, and Mrs. Hughes;
Paul Stonum, Anadarko; Bill Slepka,
Okemah; Johnny Jones, Shawnee: H. D. Cox.
Binger; Volney Hamm, Lawton: Henry Simp-
trait studio.
son, Bristow: Allen Dean. Ardmore: Earl
Surviving are his wife, a daughter, Mrs. O. Snyder, Tulsa: Bernard McKenna, Norman:
J. LeFevers of Oklahoma City, a son Robert Seibert Worley, Shamrock, Tex.: Molly
Laverne and two grandchildren.
Goerke. Canton: Avis Waldron Holman, Lindsay:
of
Juanita Miller, Turley, and Dick Grumpier.
Checotah.
"Two Worlds' to Paul Henreid
"Two Worlds," a screenplay by Paul Richard
Shelton, has been purchased by Paul
Henreid.
J. B. "Jack" Underwood, southwest division manager for Columbia,
and Men Witcher. Dallas manager, recently hosted a
barbecue shrimp and fixin's party for buyers and bookers of the
circuits and independent groups at Dallas. Here are several snapshots
taken at the party. Left photo, left to right r Glenn McClain,
J. G. Long Theatres; H. G. Ferguson, Downs Drive-In, Grand
BOXOFFICE May 12, 1956 sw
Prairie; Inderwood: H. S. Ferguson, Downs Drive-In; Leon .Abrahams,
Long Theatres. Center: M. Godwin. Superior Booking Service;
Ted Lewis; Tim Stamps, Blankenship Theatres; Mat Dowling.
Adrian Upchurch and Debbs Reynolds. Right: Underwood and
Witcher, standing, and seated are Conrad Brady and A. D. Deason,
Interstate, and Vem Gregg, Texas Consolidated,

. . Vacationing
. .
Don
; May
. .
New Front and Entrance Is Given OKLAHOMA CITY
Old Travis, Now Iris, at Houston T-7j,-:--;;-rKrZe
np^'l
^^^•^1
^ I W^.
lijj ff mR
^

: May
People who go places like a light refreshment
That's why Pepsi-Cola is America's
fastest growing soft drink
And Pepsi means more drinks per gallon—more profit per drink, too!
Pepsi-Cola Company, 3 West 57th Street, New York 19, New York
BOXOFFICE :
12. 1956

: May
MOSE-ING
THROUGH
n UBREY Van Hoy, manager of Interstate's
871-seat Majestic in Eastland, began a
compilation several years ago of a mailing
list, which now enables him to guarantee delivery
of his weekly programs into 570 households
in his drawing area. Eastland, which
has a population of 3.626, is situated on
Highway 80 halfway between Cisco and
Ranger. With the postal delivery even the
remotest farm patron is reached.
Van Hoy simply uses the regulation twocent
postcard. He lays out his weekly program
to fit the size and delivers it to Victor
Cornelius, the nationally known theatrical
printer whose plant is located in Eastland,
and has it published. Van Hoy and his staff
addre.ss the cards.
The same program format is also printed
on multi-colored cards for delivery within
the city and to patrons attending the theatre.
Van, as he is called, first came to Eastland
as assistant to Barton J. Ellsworth June 1,
1937, while the Lyric was being remodeled
for continuous operation. The Connellee, the
huge 1,300-seater which had been constructed
during the oil boom days as the largest theatre
between Fort Worth and El Paso, had become
cumbersome to operate for the normal
population and went into use as a weekend
is operation only. After the war was remodeled
into the present Majestic, one of
the nicest small-town theatres in America.
But Van did not remain in Eastland dur-
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THE FUN GAME FOR DRIVEINS
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Spotty in "SpotCapades"
Spotty plays hide and seek with your audience
while they try to catch him with their spotlights
. . . ends with a plug for your Snack Bar.
YOU CAN BUY SPOT TAG
OUTRIGHT AND USE IT
OVER AND OVER
Central & West Texas
Price
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only
$1750
Mow PlCTUni S[II1E ED.
ing his entire length of service with Interstate.
He relieved Fred Palmer, now Interstate's
Vernon city manager, in the Breckenridge
theatres for a short time during the
early part of World War II.
Later, he served
in the Army some 18 months while his wife
subbed for him in Eastland. In 1951 he was
transferred to Brownsville to manage the
Capitol and Queen with J. C. McNeill for six
months, and was at the Cactus Drive-In
at Pharr until May 1954, when he returned
to Eastland.
His first experience with theatres was at
Plainview in 1922. where he was relief projectionist
for Roy E. Mitchell. He left there
in 1925 and went to Dallas to usher in the
RKO Majestic. After working in a Dallas
drugstore he returned to the Plainview projection
rooms. Oskar Korn took the Mitchell
theatres and Van worked for him at the
Granada.
However, when the Griffith circuit, in partnership
with Chester McSwain, bought the
theatres, the entire staff was changed and
he was out of theatre work for six months.
He returned to the Texas projection room
and re-entered the Granada when its projectionist
died a short time later. When he
left Plainview for Eastland, he was chief
projectionist at the Granada, Texas and Fair
theatres.
Van uses a Family Night each Tuesday at
the Majestic (entire family for 50 cents) and
a Surprise Night each Thursday, which consists
of an extra feature booking whose title
remains a mystery until screen time. He has
always believed in the use of displays, but
now he concentrates on the use of them behind
his concession bar and in the inner
lobby. One that was quite effective was a
tropical gold fish bowl exhibit designed for
"The Blue Lagoon."
He is a member of the Lions Club.
Jim H. Pouns. projectionist at Brownwood's
Bluff Vue Drive-In, has worked out a surefire
way for burning his carbon stubs as short
as possible for his employers, Mr. and Mrs.
Jack Needham. Since carbon has become
such an expense to the exhibitors, especially
in theatres with Cinemascope installations
and an excessive "throw" such as the Bluff
Vue, this item will be of special Interest to
many projection rooms.
Pouns uses 11mm positives and ll/32mm
negatives in the Strong Super 135 lamps, but
his system of saving can be used in any projection
room that does not have any type of
manual carbon savers.
First, he timed a 20-minute reel while burning
a fresh trim in the lamp. After changeover,
he measured the amount of carbon used
during the run. He set the amount down
on paper with "20" written beside it. Then
he divided the consumed amount in half and
set the number "10" beside it—that being
HOT DOGS sell like HOT CAKES
when served with America's besf-tastin' dressing!
ATCO
CHILE SAUCE with MEAT
2921 COMMERCE • DALLAS, TEXAS
the determined length for ten minutes of
showing. Afterward, he halved the new total
and added it on to the ten-minute figure,
giving him the 15-minute length. Thereafter,
in such fashion, it becomes a simple matter to
calculate the totals for each minute of running
time to the fraction of an inch.
Pouns typed the results and mounted it
on a cardboard. He also calculated the footage
lengths (his "house" reels had footage
markings on the side) into the minutes and
pasted them on the board alongside the carbon
stub data.
Now, with an ordinary foot ruler, he is
able to measure each reel with the proper
length of carbon stub. There is little or
nothing to burn after changeover time.
W. S. "Bill" Samuels, who has been house
manager at the Rowley United Texas in Oak
Cliff two years, was quite enthusiastic over
their double Cymbidium orchid giveaway,
which was used during the theatre's recent
25th anniversary week celebration, highlighted
in the April 28 issue of BOXOFFICE.
"They are excellent prizes for the ladies
on Mother's Day. Easter, or any other occasion."
Bill told us.
During the celebration they gave away five
of them each day. "Another good feature
about them." he went on. "is that they last
five days. The Hawaiian orchid can only
be worn one time but the Cymbidium is so
much more durable. They are priced right for
giveaways too."
Before becoming the Texas manager he
worked for Jefferson Amusement Co. of East
Texas off and on since 1937 and the Malco
Theatres of Memphis. After his stint in the
Army he worked for Manley Popcorn Co.
in the eastern states.
Hazel Panciera, head of the National
Screen Service shipping department in Dallas,
reported that activity at the advertising
exchange had increased higher this spring
than ever before during her 14 years of experience.
Apparently showmen all over Texas have
been on the ball plugging their attractions
during the slow season. The wise ones know
that you cannot sell your product by hiding
its quality from the public. The answer is
advertising.
Hazel originally came to Dallas from Cleburne.
Will Operate Outdoorer
PERR'V, OKLA.—Mr. and Mrs. Jim Mc-
Kenna and their two daughters have moved
here from Tulsa where Jim had operated the
Royal Theatre. He is a brother of Gene Mc-
Kenna, manager of the Perry and Chief
drive-in theatres here, and will take charge
of operations of the Chief. The local theatres
are owned by Allied Theatres, which recently
relinquished operation of the Tulsa
Royal.
Airer Has 10th Birthday
PHARR, TEX.—The Cactus Drive-In, local
unit of Interstate Theatres, celebrated its
tenth annivei-sary recently. Patrons were
served from a huge birthday cake and the
theatre distributed a number of "birthday
prizes." Free balloons were handed out to
the youngsters, many of the balloons containing
coupons good for treats at the concession
stand.
BOXOFFICE
:
12, 1956

. . . Bette
. . Report
. . The
. . Mark
. . The
. . Others
HOUSTON
Oharron Lee and Dicky Wysjant of the
Heights Theatre have become parentis of
their third daushter. Tara Rachelle was
born in Herman Hospital May 1. The other
little Wygants are Jeanne. 6, and Deborah. 2
Davis is expected to make a personal
appearance here soon Sheridan.
Southwest district manager of 20th-
. Fox. was here is that RKO i.s
planning a film about Galveston and that
Niven Busch, author of "Duel in the Sun" is
in the gulf town doing research for it.
Preview of "The Revolt of Mamie Stover"
at 20th-Fox was followed two days later by
a showing of "Hilda Crane." Viewers included
the Hi-Nabor Drive-In bosses' wives.
Mrs. Albert Raines and Mrs. Ralph Lowe.
They had as guests Mr. and Mrs. Paul Brown,
Mrs. Jim Dezendorf, sr. and jr.. and Mrs. B.
Warner. Also at the preview were Bill Stone.
Daisetta. Daisetta; Mrs. Tex Peden; Albert
and Margaret Peden: the Harold Mitchamores.
Market Street Drive-In; Mr. and Mrs.
Ernest Forsythe. Don Gordon Theatre. The
Post and Chronicle were well represented by
reporters . . . Hitchcock's thriller "The Trou-
feels that it's good for everybody to make a
change for a while like he did as it gives
one a new perspective.
Alvin Guggenheim, manager of the South
Main Drive-In, an Interstate theatre, is to
be the new general manager of Bill O'Donnell's
Broadway and Yale houses. W. L.
Edwards is the Yale's manager. Mrs. H. H.
Thornton, who has worked for Interstate
off and on for several years, is the newcashier
at the Yale. Alvin was married to
Hildred Brummett Monday (7i. They left
on a two-week wedding trip to Denver and
Salt Lake City. They will be at home at
1217 Bomar St. ... A replacement for Alvin
at South Main has not been named.
Demonstrations at Beaumont, Dallas, San
Antonio and here of a new admissions control
system for drive-ins have been well attended.
Southwestern Theatre Equipment
Co. is the Texas distributor for the system;
RCA, the national distributor. The Alamo
Drive-In at San Antonio, scene of the demonstration
in that city, will be the first airer
to install the system in the state.
STAR VISITS VAKIl I ^Wluri ,„\\-
boy star Roy Rogers was in Houston recently
he visited the Variety Club and was
photographed with Variety Club Manager
Rex Van.
Lloyd Pullen Named
Arkansas Manager
DALLAS—Lloyd Pullen has been appointed
Arkansas district manager for Rowley
ble with Harry" wa-s held a second week at
the River Oaks . Eastwood and Fulton
Theatres led off with the same picture,
"Come Next Spring." for a first Houston United Theatres, with headquarters at Little
showing.
Rock, succeeding Jim Carbery, who was promoted
to division manager for United Artists
Southwestern Theatre Equipment Co.'s
Theatres in Los Angeles.
Tom Vincent was out in the territory on business
. . . Horwitz Theatres' Gladys Horwitz manager of Rowley United, will supervise
C. V. Jones, vice-president and general
left Houston May 8 on a European trip . . .
operations in Durant, McAlester and Muskogee,
Okla., and Laredo, Tex. Bill Slaughter,
Forrest Gamble is back at Columbia Pictures
... In the this-is-where-we-came-in department,
Ellis Ford was back as manager of the
district manager, and Don C. Douglas, director
of publicity and public relations, will
Delman Theatre as of May 1, with Aline Mcintosh
as his able assistant! For ten years The changes were effective May 7, accord-
supervise operations in 21 Texas towns.
Ellis was at I. B. Adelman's Delman on
ing to President John H. Rowley.
South Main, leaving about a year ago. Ellis
admits it's like coming home. He worked
for Augie Schmitt at Houston Popcorn Co.
for a while and then took over managership
of Willowin Theatres, Broadway and Yale.
Maybe it's a little drastic, Ellis said, but he
Robert F. Coxe Manages
Talladega. Ala., Ritz
TALLADEGA, ALA.—Robert F. Coxe, manager
of the Broadway Drive-In here since
1952. has been named manager of the Ritz
Theatre. Coxe first came to Talladega in 1942
as an operator at the Ritz. He first went into
the theatre business in Columbiana, Ala,, In
1933, but left a year later to work for the
Reconstruction Finance Corp, He was employed
by the RFC until he came to Talladega
in 1942.
Stanley Butler Succeeds
Stephen Barber in Largo
LARGO, FLA.—Stanley Butler now is managing
the Largo Theatre. He replaced
Stephen Barber, who became manager of the
Ritz in Clearwater.
Butler came to Largo from Wauchula, where
for the past two years he was manager of the
Hardee. Prior to that, he was in Tampa with
the Florida State Theatres. He and his wife
and small daughter Cheryl Ann are making
their home in Largo.
SAN ANTONIO
T»7 .1. "Hutch" Cammer, Dallas, roprc-enlative
of the Bolersdorf Distributing Co.,
was here calling on the trade , in
town Included Florence Chadwlck, San DIcko;
Milton Lindner, NSS, Dallas, and Johnny
Floore, Helotes . . . Lee Aronstein, manager of
the old Palace, now is In the haberdashery
busine.ss at Todd's downtown store.
Phil Conway, repre.sentatlve for Walt
Disney studios, Hollywood, was in town. He
said the Fe.ss Parker starrer, "The Great
Locomotive Chase," would hit the screen here
the latter part of June .
Majestic had
a rock and roll midnighter Saturday with
Johnny Olenn and his orchestra sharing
honors with "Meet Me In Las Vegas" on the
screen. Admission was 95 cents.
Herbert D. Myers, a theatreman In the
silent picture days, celebrated his 58th birthday
May 1 ... A. J. "Curly" Rebecca, stage
manager at the Azt«c, was back on deck
after undergoing surgery In Nix Hospital.
Raze Jacksonville Palace
To Provide FST Parking
JACKSONVILLE—The Palace Theatre, for
27 years a local entertainment landmark, is
coming down to make way for a parking lot.
LaMar E. Sarra of Florida State Theatres has
announced that the contract to raze the
buUding has been let to the Cuyahoga Wrecking
Co. of Jacksonville, and that work will
start immediately.
The wrecking will be completed in about
100 days. The theatre chain will use the
area as a parking lot for the other theatres
it owns in the area.
Moses Sliman Buys Airer
BLYTHEVILLE. ARK —Moses Sliman. owner
of the Lux and Murr theatres, has purchased
the Delta E>rive-In, located south of
Osceola, from Mrs. Tom Martin of Hot
Springs. He announced the name will be
changed to Elias Drlve-In. The theatre
screen will be enlarged for Cinemascope and
the latest equipment will be Installed. Work
is getting started immediately and Sliman
hopes to
HOUSTON
open soon.
J&i;

Cleveland Film Club
Observes 40th Year
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cinema
Club, said to be the oldest women's club in
the country, organized in 1916 "to study the
art of the motion picture and its educational
and moral effect and to promote a better
understanding of its problems," celebrated
its 40th anniversary at a membership luncheon
recently in the Higbee Grill. Mrs.
Sally Swisher, president, welcomed the members
and presided at the meeting which followed
the luncheon.
The two speakers represented the past and
present history of the motion picture industry.
Bertelle Lyttle, one of the club's founders,
looked back to the club's beginnings and gave
a list of its accomplishments. Victor Johnson,
projectionist at the Allen Theatre and husband
of one of the Cinema Club members,
explained Cinemascope 55.
"So far as I can learn from the records."
Miss Lyttle said. "We coined the now wellknown
phrase, 'better films." By 'better films'
we emphasized the support of worthwhile
films, using manners and morals as our yardstick.
We still maintain that standard of
selection; namely, objecting to pictures that
overemphasize bad manners and bad morals.
We never believed in precensorship. Rather
we believed in educating the public to make
better selections of film fare.
"Another one of our firsts was to recognize
motion pictures as a new American art. In
that we had excellent cooperation from the
Cleveland Art Museum, the Cleveland public
rhepciiCcfh»aH
We specialize
in
library and the club editors of the Plain
Dealer. In fact, through our persistent efforts
the Cleveland Art Museum became one
of the first such institutions to accept motion
pictures as art and to help in its development
by gallery displays and showing selected pictures
in its auditorium.
"Also we were among the first groups in
the country to campaign for an organized
film delivery service. We saw theatre managers
carrying cans of films from the exchanges
to the theatres and back again and
it was our feeling this was not the way to do
the job. Now film delivery service is standard
procedure.
"We inaugurated the special, selected children's
programs and organized junior councils
in high schools to teach young people
appreciation of the many arts used in the
production of a motion picture. They learn
to listen to the music critically, to watch the
projection, to concentrate on the acting and
the direction. In other words, we aim to
better the taste of young folks so that the demand
for better pictures will grow.
"Today." Miss Lyttle continued, "We not
only follow the same principles but we also
maintain an evaluation service in the Cleveland
Public Library. All any parent has to
do to learn whether a particular picture is
suitable for children is to call the library.
Every film is classified as adult, family or
for children." This has been Miss Lyttle's
personal project the last several years.
Detroit Backroom Activity
To National Film Service
DETROIT — National Film Service has
taken over operation of inspection and other
backroom activity for Allied Film Exchange.
Manager Edward P. McCauley announced.
This eliminates the last independent backroom
operation in the Motor City, with all
being serviced by National. This firm employs
ten women and three men.
MGM Florida Assignment
Goes to Norm Levinson
NEW HAVEN—Norman Levinson. a New
Haven native who acquired his theatrical
training in this city, has been promoted to
MGM press representative for all of Florida
and part of Georgia. He had been serving
in a similar capacity in the Minneapolis-St.
Paul territory. Levinson will make his home
in Jacksonville. The promotion was announced
by Emery Austin. MGM director
exploitation.
The MGM press representative started his
show business career at Loew's Bijou Theatre,
now demolished, as an assistant to Manager
Sidney Kleper. He was lat«r student assistant
manager at Loew's Poll here and then rejoined
Kleper, now at Loew's College, as
assistant manager. Harry Shaw, division
manager for Loew's Poll, shifted Levinson to
the Poll at Hartford several years ago as
assistant manager. He was given the MGM
position in Minnesota early in 1955.
of
concession supplies
and equipment! You
get only the BEST at
ASSOCIATED
^
POPCORN DISTRIBUTORS, Inc.
Former Theatreman Dies
GLADEWATER. TEX.—Lester Bert Payne,
retired Gregg county businessman and onetime
owner of a Garland motion picture
house, died here recently. Payne operated
theatres in Garland and Glen Rose about
1919. After leaving Garland, he came to Gladewater
and opened this city's first theatre,
which was called Payne's Palace.
HANDY SUBSCRIPTION

: May
RESEARCH BUREAU
or
MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS
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Gentlemen:
Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU
to receive information regularly, as released, on
the iollov^ing subjects for Theatre Planning:
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n "Black" Lighting
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n Building Material
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° Seating
D Coin Machines ^ ^igns and Marquees
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THEATRE Section, published with the first issue o»
eacfi month.
Obscene Films Shown
In Ohio, Letter Charges
COLUMBUS—Maiiy pictures .shown In Ohio
.since the end of slate cen.sor.shlp have been
obscene, declared Catherine Stattrnillcr of
Colinubus In a letter to the editor of the Columbus
Uispiitch. The writer dlsaKreed with
boxoffice receipts," said Miss Stattmlller.
"This 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. Jvist what Is
included under ob.scene? 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
into Ohio during the past year certainly
come in that category," she added. Miss
Stattmiller did not list such pictures.
"Everyone knows the bulk of tlieatregoers
are children of all ages. There they are, shut
up in a darkened room with nothing to look
at or distract their attention but what Is
flashed before them. Can anyone deny the
impact of this on the minds and culture of
children?
"If we are to improve this culture of ours,
let's work at it and not against it. Education,
both spiritual and moral, is and should be
everyone's patriotic duty and in particular
those serving the public, namely theatre
owners and producers."
Airer Screen Is Replaced
After Damaging Winds
LENOIR CITY, TENN.—The Dixie-Lee
Drive-In Theatre, which had been unable to
present films for several weeks because of
damage inflicted to the screen in a severe
storm, is back in operation again. Mose Waller
jr., operator of the theatre, said that the
storm damage to the picture screen amounted
to several thousand dollars. However, the
screen has been replaced and the theatre is
now running on a fulltime basis.
'Mystery Farm' Popular
TALLADEGA, ALA. — A popular stunt
worked out by the local paper in cooperation
with the Ritz Theatre is a "Mystery Farm"
feature. The paper carries an aerial view of
a farm in the locality and invites any who
can identify it to call or write the News. Free
tickets to the Ritz Theatre or Broadway
Drive-In are awarded for correct identifications.
The owner or operator of the farm pictured
also receives a free ticket, upon making
himself known to the paper.
To Rebuild Damaged Airer
MAQUOKETA, IOWA—Plans for rebuilding
a drive-iji theatre near Moline wliu-h wa.s
heavily damaged by winds are beuiu' made
by the owner, Walter E, Allen of Maquoketa.
Known as the Corral, the theatre was a
duplicate of the 61 Drive-In near here.
ALB Corp. Files Suit
For Belmont Relief
CHICAGO— ALB Theatre Corp., operator
of the Belmont Theatre, has filed suit against
Loew's, Universal, Warner Bros., United
a statement that there have been no "ill effects"
to Ohio thenlregoer.s because of censor- mount and Balaban & Katz Corp.. a.sklng for
Artists. Columbia, 20th Century-Fox, Para-
.shlp's deml.se.
equitable relief for the Belmont Theatre,
"I do not think theatre owner.s in general which wants to be taken out of the 7X)ne In
are at all concerned with the harmful effects which film companies have placed It. The
of any movie, but are more concerned with zone includes the Century and Covent theatres,
both B&K houses.
The suit claims that the Belmont Is not
substantially competitive with the Century
and Covent. It alleges that the zones which
have been created by the distributors were
.solely for the purpose of giving the B&K
theatres competitive advantage over Independents
for first outlying runs.
The case has been assigned to Judge Julius
Hoffman. B&K operated the Belmont until
November 1955, when ALB took over ownership.
Fred McLendon Resimies
Operation at Clayton
CLAYTON. ALA .—The Fred T. McLendon
Theatres of Union Springs, Ala., once more
has taken over the Clayton Theatre. Mrs.
Roy Saimders will be manager of the house,
which will be operated only on Friday, Saturday.
Sunday and Monday.
The la-st several months the theatre has
been under lease to the Olin Evans Theatres
of Florida. During that time CinemaScope
was installed and the house operated on a
fulltime basis.
lacksonville Exchange
To Be Opened by UA
JACKSONVILLE- United Artists is opening
a new exclianyt' ollice in Jack.sonville.
according to an announcement from James
R. Velde. general sales manager. Byron
Adams, United Artists manager in Atlanta
for the past five years, will be transferred to
Jacksonville to head the new exchange.
A booking office has been maintained by
the UA in Jacksonville for the past three
years.
Pittsburgh Shop District
To Be Built Near Airers
PITTSBURGH—North Versailles Township
commissioners gave the green light to a $5.-
000,000 shopping center on Route 30. a halfmile
east of the Westinghouse bridge, near
the Greater Pittsburgh Drive-In, where a
second outdoor theatre is In construction for
Joe Warren.
There will be about 35 shops and parking
facilities
1121 S. WAltSH
HI W. Mlk ST
for about 1,500 autos.
SPECIAL
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FILMACK
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BOXOFFICE :
12, 1956

: May
CONGRATULATIONS on Your 15th Anniversary
May 1st marked the Fifteenth Anniversary of the introduction
of the Series E Savings Bonds. In a deeper
sense it was your anniversary, because you, in 1941,
helped to initiate and build a thrift movement new to
America—The Payroll Savings Plan for the purchase of
Series E Bonds.
In the intervening years millions of m'^.i and women
have invested billions of dollars in Series E Bonds
through the Payroll Savings Plan.
Today, forty million Americans hold Series E and
Series H Bonds (the H Bond was introduced in 1952)
with a cash value of more than $40 billion — a reservoir
of future purchasing power. In addition. Savings Bonds
have paid for college educations, new homes, retirements
and other family needs.
To the executives of more than 40,000 companies that
have the Payroll Savings Plan ... the 8,000,000 employed
men and women who invest $160 million per
month in Series E Bonds . . . the publishers of 500 business
papers and the managements of radio, television
and other media who give freely of their space . . . the
Advertising Council . . . the advertising agencies who
contribute their skills
... to all of you who have had a
part in the success of the Payroll Savings Plan, the
United States Treasury offers its heartfelt thanks.
Oer/ett//T/ c/'//le'V/i^'ie-ri////
BOXOFFICE
BOXOFFICE :
12, 1956

: May
FULL ARBITRATION OR ACTION
BY CONGRESS IS ALLIED STAND
Convention at Omaha Says
Film Shortage Is Basic
Industry Evil
OMAHA—The Allied
Independent Tlieatre
Owners of Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota
wound up its annual convention at the Fontenelle
Hotel here Wednesday (9) by:
1. Passing a strong set of resolutions topped
by a petition to the U. S. attorney general
and the Senate Select Committee on Small
Business for aid in bringing about better conditions
with distributors.
2. Hearing a straight-from-the-shoulder
talk by W. C. Gehring, vice-president of
20th-Fox, on what causes the shortage of
pictures and what exhibitors can do to help
the
situation.
POINTS OUT HIGH COSTS
Tlie Fox official pointed out the tremendous
cost of making a picture, the cost of stars and
increased overhead which make it impossible
to make more pictures than the company has
produced.
"Exhibitors can make many profitable suggestions
in all phases of production to improve
the situation," he said.
"The film industry has the most teiTific
competition that any industiy in this nation
must face today. We have to realize that
television is better than ever and will continue
to improve."
Before TV, he asserted, the weekly theatre
patronage was 85,000,000 people, and now it
is between 45,000,000 and 50,000,000.
"We, the pictui-e makers, and you, the theatre
owners, must join forces against the
common enemy—television," he said. "This
idea of going to the government to settle our
problems is utterly ridiculous. We can't fight
together if we are constantly haggling in the
courts."
He charged that some exhibitors were staying
at home evenings watching television,
then phoning the boxoffice to see how much
business they did.
"You should be at the theatre as much as
possible, greeting your customers, listening
to their complaints and correcting them,
checking to make sure the sound Ls good and
the film is in focus," he said.
PERSONAL OPERATION HELPS
"Pei-sonalized operation will help you get
your customers back. You can't get the job
done by watching Perry Como."
Benjamin N. Berger, North Central Allied
president from Minneapolis, said the distribution
end of the industry was driving exhibitors
toward government regulations by its
policy which is designed to put the exhibitor
out of business.
At the concluding session the Allied group
resolved
"That we hereby proclaim our faith in
motion pictures as the foremost entertainment
medium and our confidence that, given
an adequate supply of suitable pictures to be
played on availability at prices they can
Remain at
ITO Helm
All officers and directors of Allied Inpendent
Theatre Owners of Iowa, Nebraska
and South Dakota were re-elected
at the convention in Omaha this week. Leo
VVolcott, Eldora, lona, at left, was renamed
chairman of the board, and Al Myrick,
Lake Park, Iowa, was re-elected president.
afford, the exhibitors of
the country can and
will win back their audiences and restore
motion pictures to theii- rightful place as
America's leading entertainment.
"That we recognize that the existing acute
film shortage is the basic evil in the business
today and we recommend to the attorney
general and to the Senate Select Committee
on Small Business that the so-called divorced
circuits be permitted to engage in the production
and distribution of films under such
reasonable terms and conditioixs as will prevent
any reciu-rence of former monopolistic
acts and practices and at the same time not
discourage the circuits from bringing additional
product into the market.
"Tliat pending the restoration of a free and
open market for films, with adequate supplies,
we hereby petition the film companies to
join our Allied States Ass'n of Motion Picture
Exhibitors and Theatre Owners of
America in putting into effect an arbitration
system that will include arbitrating the reasonableness
and fairness of film rentals, and
that the attorney general and the Senate
Small Business Committee use their good
offices to bring this about.
"That we petition the attorney general for
Convention Call Sent
To All NCA Members
Minneapolis— S. D. Kane, North Central
Allied executive counsel, fears that
attendance at the annual convention here
next week (15. 16) will be hurt because
"so many of the smaller city exhibitors no
longer can afford to attend the meetings."
But he urged attendance if at all possible.
"It is only in unity that there is strength
and strength is the only thing which distributors
respect." he said. "For you to
plead with a film salesman for a better
deal is a sheer waste of time. The convention
is the place for you to air your
grievances and seek remedies."
a more foi-ceful and vigilant policy by the
Department of Justice in policing and a.ssuring
compliance with the decrees in the Paramount
Case, particularly as regards to the
prereleasing of pictures, the forced raising of
admission prices, unreasonable clearances
and unreasonable delayed availabilities on
top quality pictures needed to attract patrons
into the theatres.
"That in case the film companies do not
give prompt assurances of a sincere purpose
to put into effect an all-inclusive arbitration
system, including the arbitration of complaints
against unfair and unreasonable film
rentals, as well as complaints involving the
abuses cited in paragraph 4 hereof, the Senate
Small Business Committee be petitioned to
recommend the enactment of suitable legislation
to protect and preserve the independent
motion picture theatres for the use and
enjoyment of the American people.
CONDEMN HIGH RENTS
"That w^e strongly condemn national distributing
companies who are withholding certain
pictures from playing many small towns
by the various policies of asking exorbitant
rental terms, must percentage, prereleasing
of pictures like 'Guys and Dolls,' 'I'll Cry
Tomorrow,' 'Picnic,' 'The Conqueror,'
'Alexander the Great' and others. Be it resolved
that we strongly condemn any practice
which calls for the so-called four-wall
leasing of theatres for the exhibition of pictures
by any distributing company.
"That we expre.ss our appreciation of the
work of our officers who are responsible for
our speakers, our yearbook advertisers and
the many exhibitors who left businesses to
attend.
"That we condemn the National Screen
Service for the poor condition of much of
the advertising material which it rents to
theatres and for its failure to meet declining
boxoffice conditions by any similar reduction
in prices of its merchandise.
"That we extend our heartfelt sympathy
to Don McLucas, who at this time Is in St.
Joseph's Hospital, and extend our sincere
hopes for speedy recovery." (Lucas is United
Ai'tists manager in Omaha).
RE-ELECT OFFICERS
All officers and directors were re-elected
at the banquet which terminated the twoday
convention. Al Myrick, Lake Park, Iowa,
was renamed president. Other officers:
Leo F. Wolcott, Eldora. chairman of the
board: Jim Watts, Osage. Iowa; Harold
Struve, Deshler, Neb. : Le.ster Versteeg, Springfield,
S. D.; A. B. Jefferis, Piedmont, Mo., and
Robert Krueger, Sioux City, Iowa, vice-presidents:
Elmer Huhnke, Omaha, treasurer, and
Charles Jones, Northwood. Iowa, secretary.
On the board of directors, in addition to
the officers, are Richard Marvel. St. Paul,
Neb.: Lloyd Kingsbury, Kimball, S. D.: Wes
Mansfield. Tama; Harry Lankhorst. Hawarden;
R. M. Kuhl, Corning; Carl Harriman,
Alton: Herman Fields, Clarinda, and Glen
Partlow, Stuart, all of Iowa; Leonard Leise,
Randolph, and Harry Hummel, Scrlbner, Neb.;
Harrison Wolcott, Eldora, Iowa, and Esco
Lund, Viborg, S. D.
BOXOFFICE :
12, 1956
NC

. . Among
. . Al
: May
. . There
DES MOINES
a nnual vacations are beginning on Piliru-ow
here! Kathryn Simpson, Universal ledger
clerk, is taking her two weeks and spending
most of the time at home. Stanley Soderberg,
Warner salesman, will be the first to go from
that exchange. He leaves the last of the month
for a trip west . the exhibitors on
the Row recently was Paul Cote, who is following
in his family's footsteps in the business.
His parents opened the fii-st Cote
Tlieatre in Waukon in 1911. built a new building
in 1914 and added the Town Theatre in
1937. Paul took over management of the Cote
and Town theatres in 1950 and is doing a
good job!
Kenneth Claypaol, former booker at Warners,
is the new head booker and office manager
at Universal . Kolitz, RKO district
manager from Denver, was at the local exchange
. . . Bill Schaefer is the new exploitation
man at MGM. replacing Bob Stone,
transferred to Minneapolis. Bill will work in
both the Des Moines and Omaha offices, with
headquarters in Des Moines . . . Filmrowers
have been delighted to see Gerry McGlynn,
MGM manager, back on the Row on visits
and attending a screening now and then!
AA Host at Huron, S. D.
HURON, S. D.—Several South Dakota exhibitcrs
were the guests here of Allied Ai'tists
at a cocktail party, luncheon and screening of
two pictures, "Crime in the Streets" and "The
First Texan," at the Huron theatre.
MILW AUKEE
J^ews of Henry Stephenson's death reached
Ann Shoemaker, his wife, who was appearing
at the Fred Miller Theatre here in
"The Bad Seed." just as she was about to go
on. In the tradition of the stage, she continued.
Stephenson has appeared in numerous
films and on the English and American
stage for 53 years. He retired in 1949 due to
ill health . . . Marquette University celebrated
its 75th anniversary with oldtime films as a
highlight. The motion pictures were brought
here through the cooperation of Ben Marcus,
circuit owner, and drew close to 2,000 patrons.
Admission was free, but the fans were really
enthusiastic and cried for more.
Arden Thur, who formerly handled Allied's
advertising here under Harold Pearson,
visited her parents here. She has been working
for Vendome on the west coast. Prior to
this affiliation she traveled in England,
France, Italy, China and India is
.
good reason why Mary Edna O'Donnell, the
New York school teacher who won $8,000
on "The $64,000 Question" program, chose
motion pictures for her category. Her father
is an auditor with Republic Pictures in New
York.
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COMPLETE DRIVE-IN
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WOLLENSAK
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HEYWOOD-WAKEFIELD
RECLINING THEATRE CHAIRS
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NATIONAL CARBONS . MOTOR GENERATOR SETS
DES MOINES THEATRE SUPPLY CO.
1121-23 High Street Phone 3-6520 Des Moines, lowo
The city motion picture commission has
recommended deletions in the film "Diabolique."
The film was slated to open at the
Downer May 18 . . . The commission's secretary
has taken this columnist to task for
"misquotations." Sorry, Val. Apparently some
of our sources are not always reliable. The
fact remains, however, that the theatre folk
would appreciate a little broader viewpoint
concerning certain pictures.
Would Make Parents Pay
For Teenage Damage
DAVENPORT, IOWA—Teenage "rippers"
are causing thousands of dollars worth of
damage annually in Quad City theatres and
to city buses. Efforts are being exerted by
the theatre managers and officials of the bus
lines to overcome the problem. In a number
of cities throughout the country neighborhood
theatres have closed because of excessive
damage to business and equipment caused
by teenagers. Destructive teenagers, it was
pointed out, operate behind a "cloak of security"
in that they are minors. Some states
have passed laws making parents responsible
for damage done by their children. Iowa has
no such legislation.
Theatre operators say that in order to fight
the problem, they have to police the theatre
continually, especially during performances
when the program attracts large gi'oups of
teenagers. Sometimes it is necessary for an
usher to abandon his ushering duties and become
a policeman in order to cope with the
problem. Theatre managers and officials of
the bus line agree that if Davenport had
some legislation which would make the parents
responsible for damage done by their children
it would help in solving their problem with
vandalism.
Opens at Alexandria, Minn.
ALEXANDRIA, MINN.—Mr. and Mrs.
Wally Bloom opened their Sunset Drive-In
for the season with a showing of "The Long
Gray Line." Admission was $1 a carload
opening night, with children admitted free.
BOXOFFICE :
12, 1956

. . Rich
: May
. . Don
. . Orville
. . Frank
. . Jack
. . Mrs.
OMAHA
^liff Slu'aron, who operates thoatif,-- at
Genoa and Fiillerton. said lie is considering
auctioning his theatre at Akron, Iowa.
There is talk that the city may take over
operation . Wilson, MGM salesman,
received word of the death of his brotherin-law,
Chal Noe, in Los Angeles. Noe recently
suffered a severe heart attack . . . Axel
Sorensen, who has the Vogue at Beresford,
S. D., is on the sick list . . . Tony Goodman,
Warner office manager and Indian Hills golf
champion, won an electric razor w'hen he and
the state champion. Bob Astleford, were
victors in a television exhibition of driving
and approaching. Their opponents were Bob
Frazer. former state champ, and Mark
Stevens, leading city linkster.
Glenn Slipper, area representative for
National Theatre Supply Co., is moving to
new quarters at 307 North Sixteenth St. He
expects to be set up at the new location
about May 15 Flo Hamer, MGM as-
. . .
sistant cashier, and Viola Coburn also of
MGM, were vacationing . Renfro,
Theatre Booking Service, has been back at
the office parttime since his operation. He
has been battling a reaction from antibiotic
drugs and has dropped about 20 pounds.
The Flmrow Golf League is officially under
way. Three foursomes teed off at Dodge Park
for the opening round . Eby and
two fishing pals got five yellow catfish from
seven to 15 pounds in the Missom-i River.
Eby is a Paramount booker . Evelyn
Cannon. MGM office manager, reported that
her father showed some improvement. He
was hit by an auto and suffered fractured
vertebrae and pelvis . Hollingsworth,
owner of the Holly at Beatrice, still
is hospitalized here . McLucas, United
Artists manager, also on the hospital list, was
somewhat better at St. Joseph's.
'Gray Flannel' Debut
Scores 150 in Omaha
OMAHA—"The Man in the Gray Flannel
Suit" drew a bell-ringing crowd to the
Orpheum Theatre opening week and the boxoffice
percentage ran to 150 per cent. Two
holdovers in their fifth and final week
skidded well under the average count. These
were "The Man With the Golden Arm" at
the Brandeis and "I'll Cry Tomorrow" at the
State.
(Average Is 100)
Admirol-Chief Stronger ot My Door (Rep); Tsrror
ot Midnight (Rep) 100
Brandeis The Mon With the Golden Arm (UA),
5th wl< 50
Omaha Slightly Scorlet (RKO); Hidden Guns
(Rep) 85
Orpheum The Mon in the Groy FlonncI Suit
(20th-Fox) 150
I'll State Cry Tomorrow (MGM), 5th wk 80
Minneapolis Cold, So
Are Screen Bills
MINNEAPOLIS—Holdovers made the best
boxoffice showing as business, despite favorable
cold weather, continued on the drab side.
None of the newcomers demonstrated much
robustness. It was the fourth and final week
for "Diabolique" and the second for "Man
in
the Gray Flannel Suit."
Gopher ^Femole Jungle (SR); Oklohomo Woman
(AlP) 90
Lyric Creature Walks Among Us (U-l); Price of
Fear (U-l) 85
Radio City The Man in the Gray Flonnel Suit
(20fh-Fox), 2nd wk 150
Orpheum—Hot Blood (Col) 85
Pan— Killer Is Loose (UA); Broken Stor (UA).. 85
State—Comonche (UA) 90
World Diabolique (UMPO), 100
4th wk
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Exhibitors on Filmrow included Otto Leise,
Bloomfield: Mr. and Mrs. Tony Schroedl,
Humboldt: Mr. and Mrs. Sam Burrus, Crete:
Marvin Jones, Red Cloud: Jack McCarthy,
Louisville: Howell Roberts, Wahoo: Lloyd
Kingsbury, Platte and Kimball, S. D., and
lowans Carl Harriman, Alta: Bob Krueger,
Sioux City: C. C. Moore, Dunlap. and C. D.
Vickers, Mapleton.
Ray W. Anderson Is Named
Grand Forks Manager
GRAND FORKS, N. D.—Ray W. Anderson
has taken over as Grand Forks city manager
for the Minnesota Amusement Corp. Anderson
came from Sioux Falls, S. D., where he
managed the Egyptian Theatre. A theatreman
of long standing, he .succeeds Clifford
L. Knoll, who was assigned as city manager
for the company at Sioux Falls. Anderson
will have charge of the Empire and Dakota
theatres.
W. R. "Dick" Arndt Dies at 49
RUTHVEN, IOWA—W. R. "Dick" Arndt, 49,
owner of the Palo Alto Theatre here, died
following a sudden heart attack. Born in
Minneapolis in 1907, he moved to Ruthven
with his parents about 25 years ago and
operated a clothing store until about ten years
ago when he bought the theatre. Survivors
include his wife and two sons, Richard and
Ronald.
North Central headquarters
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BOXOFFICE :
12, 1956

. . Rube
. . Don
. . Fay
. . Ben
: May
MINNEAPOLIS
'phe \'aricty Club's fii-st •glnerama" this
season—gin rummy tournament—was so
successful that a second will be held in the
Hotel Nicollet clubrooms next Monday night
(14). Champion Gil Nathanson will defend
his title. There's no admission charge and
the entry fee is only $1. Members are urged
to come early and have their dinners in the
clubrooms. Bill Broms at Theatre Confections
asks those planning to attend to let
him know by calling Federal 2-8015 so that
arrangements and reservations can be made.
Phil Conway, Buena Vista, was in town to
beat the drum for "The Great Locomotive
Chase" . Jackter, Columbia sales
manager, was here to meet ciixuit buyers and
other exhibitors.
Robert Stone, Des Moines, took over as
MGM exploiteer here, succeeding Norm Devinson
who has been transfeiTed to Florida
and Georgia . Swartz of Independent
exchange spotted his twin bill of "Female
Jungle" and "Oklahoma Woman" into the
Loop Gopher here . Dressell. RKO
manager, was back on the job after a siege
in the hospital where he underwent treatment
for a sinus infection, but he's still not
feeling too hot. Some warm weather is needed
to bring him around, no doubt . . . Warner
exploiteer Don Walker came in from Kansas
City to set up campaigns for saturation
bookings of "Animal World" and "Goodbye.
My Lady."
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Irving Marks has set Allied Ai'tists' twin
bill "World Without End" and "Atomic Man"
into the Minneapolis Lyric and St. Paul
Riviera day and date June 22 . . . Sim Heller,
Variety Club chief barker, and wife left on
a European jaunt . Berger, North
Central Allied president, and wife will depart
late this month on a six-week trip
to Eiu-ope.
The Variety auxiliary has chosen Mrs. Ev
Seibel as president. Other officers are Mi-s.
Woodrow Fraught, secretary; Mrs. L. J. Ludwig.
corresponding secretary; Mi-s. Lowell
Kaplan, treasurer, and Mi-s. Bob Murphy,
publicity chairman. The advisory board
comprises Mi'S. Ben Berger, Mi-s. S. D. Kane
and Mi-s. Martin Lebedoff. Committee chairmen
are Mesdames Saul Malisow, Jack Bradley,
Jess McBride. Tom Burke, Sim Heller
and Bill Broms. The next auxiliary meeting
and luncheon will be at 12;30 p.m. on May 22
in
the clubrooms.
Bill Broms of Theatre Confections has been
named a special Hennepin County deputy
sheriff . . . Eddie Schwartz is taking a bow
for the "swell job" done by him in getting out
the 1956 roster of Variety Club members. Recent
Variety membership additions include
John R. Kelvie, James Howard Hall, Mandt
Torrison, Clifford Luzar (former steward and
now a Warner booker), Leo Gross, Charles C.
Creamer, C. P. Kriedberg and Elliott Goldenberg.
For the second consecutive summer, 17 independent
neighborhood theatres have gone
into a two-for-one ticket sale promotion . . .
Otto Kob.s, owner of the Obboro Theatre in
suburban Eden Prairie, lost out for a second
time in his effort to obtain a permit from
the city council for a new drive-in which
would have been the ninth in the Twin
Cities' area. Opponents claimed the ozoner
would depreciate surrounding property values
by attracting such undesirable businesses as
hot dog stands, etc.. and also would contribute
to traffic
difficulties.
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Everything in
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With Burt Ennis in tow, the Altec Service
promotion cai-avan created a considerable
stir here ... Ed Schwartz, Ad-Ai-t theatrical
printer, returned from a New York
combined pleasure and business trip . . .
Myron Adcock and Ted Mann, co-chairmen
of the Brotherhood drive of the National
Council of Christians and Jews in this territory,
report that exhibitors collected $1,150.
Charles Zinn Is Named
Supervisor By MAC
MINNEAPOLIS—The Minnesota Amusement
Co. is making a number of managerial
changes.
,
Charles Zinn, who
has been Radio City
Theatre managing director
here as well as
supervisor of Twin
Cities theatre, under
the rearrangements
announced by Charles
Winchell, presidentgeneral
manager, is
elevated to the new
post of Twin Cities
district manager.
Tommy Martin, who
Charles Zinn has been manager of
local State, moves over to Radio City
the
where he'll assume the managing director's
duties. John McCashin remains as Radio
City house manager.
Francis Wiggins is being moved from the
managerial post at the Lyric here to the
State as manager. The Lyric will have a
new manager in the person of Douglas Martin
who has been manager of a theatre at
Pierre, S. D., and who was with MAC once
before at St. Cloud, Minn.
Barker's Co-Ops Capture
Omaha Bowling Crown
OMAHA—Barker's Co-Ops were crowned
champions of the Filmrow Bowling League as
the keglers wound up their first season.
Members of the championship team were
Bill Barker, Bill Haarmann, Gleim Slipper,
Orville and Phyllis Eby and Mona Hansen.
Film Transports came out second in the
hottest league fight. Warner Shorts was
third; Republic, fourth; 20th-Fox, fifth;
Renfro's Rogues, sixth; RKO, seventh; Warner
Features; eighth; MGM Barney Bears,
ninth, and MGM Tom and Jen-ies, tenth.
Tom and Jerries were voted the best sports.
The league will have its big banquet May
22 at the Birchwood Club.
Charles Herbst Jr. Dies;
Theatre Engineering Co.
MILWAUKEE—Charles Herbst jr., owner of
Theatre Engineering Service here, died April
24 after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage.
Herbst is survived by his wife Gertrude, a
daughter Mrs. Verna Jean Love of Pacific
Grove, Calif., and a son James Charles.
Herbst serviced theatres in the Wisconsin
and northern Michigan area for the last four
years through his Theatre Engineering Service.
Formerly he was a field engineer for RCA
in this same area.
BOXOFFICE
:
12, 1956

Cleveland Theatre Union Burns Headquarters Mortgage
More than 304 Local 160 members, their wives and friends attended the dinner
dance celebrating the burning of the mortgage on the headquarters building in Cleveland.
CLEVELAND — Some 380 members of
lATSE Local 160, their wives and friends,
aathered in the Hollenden Hotel here recently
for a dinner dance to celebrate the burning
of the mortgage on their headquarters building
at 1866 East 25th St.
Among those who came for the event and
were introduced by Perry L. Carter, business
manager who acted as master of ceremonies,
were International President Richard
Walsh, International Secretary-Treasurer
Harland Holmden and John Schiff of Akron,
who is vice-president of the eighth district
of which Cleveland is a member.
Also present at this gala affair which
started at midnight and ended at the break
of dawn were prominent leaders in the labor
movement and sister locals from Cleveland
and surrounding cities.
A notable fact was the attendance of many
e.xhibitors representing the independent chain
and outdoor theatres of this area. Among
those introduced by the emcee were Frank
Murphy, Loew's Theatre division manager:
Dick Wright, district manager for the Stanley
Warner theatres; Max Mink, manager of
the Palace; Jack Silverthorne, manager of
the Hippodrome; Louis Weitz, executive secretary
of the Cleveland Motion Picture Exhibitors
Ass'n; Joseph Rembrandt, James
Kalafat, Ted Vermes, Howard Reif, representing
the independent theatres, and Ben
Hirschberg and Alan Shaw representing the
drive-ins.
As a prelude to the main business at hand
—burning of the mortgage—Carter, whose
efforts made the affair po.ssible, wa.s given
a diamond studded gold life membership
card in Local 160.
The party started on the stroke of midnight
with cocktails in the lounge adjoining
the hotel ballroom, where an elaborate dinner
was served. International President Richard
Walsh and International Secretary-
Treasurer Harland Holmden complimented
Local 160 for its accomplishments. Then followed
the actual burning of the mortgage,
with Carter holding the mortgage and Walsh
and Holmden applying the matches. This
ceremony was accompanied by a toast with
champagne. Dancing followed.
Local 160 is one of the very few locals in
the country that has its own building. Prior
to starting construction in 1949, the local
occupied space in the Hippodrome building.
This new building, valued at about $85,000,
is equipped with facilities for all membership
activities including, in addition to busine.ss
offices, a spacious recreation area with card
room, pool tables and a TV set. The building
committee that devised the plans and
supervised construction consisted of Carter,
Mike Saw-do and Ed Levy.
Carter, who in 1952 succeeded Harland
Holmden as business manager, has been a
Local 160 member since 1916. He did not become
active in the affairs of the local, however,
until 1946 when he wa,s appointed a mem-
Burning the mortgage on the Local
160 building in Cleveland are, left to
right: Richard Walsh, I.\TSE president;
Perry L. Carter, Local 160 business manager,
and Harland Holmden, lATSE secretary-treasurer.
ber of the board of directors. Then, in 1950
he was elected president, and since 1952
has been business manager of the local,
w'hich numbers approximately 237 members.
This number has been fairly constant
through the years in spite of the fluctuating
theatre conditions. Opening of drive-ins, it
is said, has compensated for the closing of
hardtop theatres In this area.
Local 160 received congratulations from
many sister locals for its Initiative in erecting
its own building and for clearing it of all encumbrances
within a period of seven years.
National Carbon Triumphs
In Cleveland Bowling
CLEVELAND—Last week was the 24th and
last week of the local bowling season for foiuteams
that played under the banner of the
Moving Pictuie Operators Union, Local 160.
First place winner was the National Carbon
team, made up of Earl Gehringer, Bob
Bullock, Carl Lucht and Harry Lee.
Oliver Theatre Supply Co. was runnerup.
Local 160 was third, National Theatre Supply
fourth.
Because of the working schedules of the
projectionists, there will be no end of the
season banquet this year. Neither will there
be a championship playoff with the Detroit
Nightingales, as in previous years.
Cynthiana Midway Opens
CYNTHIANA. KY.—The Midway, outdoor
theatre four miles south of town, has been
open for business the past several weekends,
planning to start its regular schedule as soon
as weather permits.
Albany Man Buys Tenn. Theatre
ALBANY, KY.—B. C. Byers, local businessman,
recently bought the Ray Cooper Theatre
in Byrdstown, Tenn. At the same time,
he sold his property in Monticello, Ky., to
Curtis Cooper.
Cast Toppers in 'She-Creature'
Set for top roles in "The She-Creature."
Golden State production, were Tom Conwa
and Cathy Downs.
Opens New Kentucky Airer
SOUTH SHORE. KY.—Formal opening of
the new Blue Grass Drive-In was held Friday
night (41. W. B. Hannah, who operates
a local indoor theatre, is the owner. National
Theatre Supply Co. equipped the drive-in.
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BOXOFFICE :: May 12, 1956 ME

'
. . UA
. . . John
. . Louis
. . George
. .
. .
. .
DETROIT
tJarry K. Berns, formerly at the Jolly Roger
Drive-In, has moved to the reopened
World . . . Dillon M. Krepps, managing director
of the United Artists, is back from a
short trip to Toronto . now has a pair
of oldtlme Detroit filmites in the top brass-
Jim Velde, formerly with Paramount and
Eagle Lion, as general sales manager, and
Milton Cohen, formerly of RKO, as easternsouthern
division manager.
George Clancy, onetime with the Michigan
Theatre orchestra, was feated on his
elevation to national treasurer of the American
Federation of Musicians. Ed Werner,
director of the Michigan orchestra for many
years and Detroit local president, was in the
chair, with Les Clark and Hud Green on the
dais. Guest speakers included Andy Mc-
Clellan, who has succeeded the late Frank
X. Martel as president of the Detroit-Wayne
County Federation of Labor, and well-publicized
leader of the Teamsters, James Hoffa.
Buddy Fields, veteran booker, was key con-
• KOLLMORGEN
and B & L LENSES
THtATBt tQUlPMtNT CO.
106 Mkhigan St., N.W.
_ Grand Rapids 2, Mick.
T»l. elendaU 4-8aS2«l)i9hls « Sundoy* 3-Mlf
tact man coordinating the event. John Fuilayson,
Detroit News film critic, had to rush
off to cover another show .
Stark,
former News dramatic critic, and his wife,
who is Anne Campbell, well known in her
own right as a poet, exchanged gossip of the
old neighborhood with your scribe . . . Del
Delbridge, who formerly led the Broadway
Capitol orchestra, was another guest.
The old White Cloud Theatre, which was
operated by the late Glen W. Beach, has been
dismantled, with the Glen-Arah the only
active theatre in the town of White Cloud .
Wade Allen of the old Fine Arts writes
about "God's country" as the goal of informed
travelers, from Phoenix, Ai'iz., where
he is with MGM Theatres.
The Elliot Theatre in River Rouge now is
being operated by E. V. Dudley under lease
from cii-cuiteer Saul Korman, with Harold
Butler as manager. Title of the Elliott
Theatre has been registered by Walter Muller,
but is not connected with this house . . .
The Orr at Fowlerville, operated by Schuckert
& Stafford, has been closed . . . Ida Gottlieb,
formerly of UA, has joined Allied Film.s
Colwell sr., operator at the Broadway
Capitol, is hospitalized, as is John jr. of
the Nortown, who is in Jennings Hospital for
ulcer treatment . . . Phil Stanton, UA salesman
from Seattle, is taking over Lee Goldsmith's
old territory in western Michigan.
In the booths—Jerry Herlihy has succeeded
Gus Wetzel at the Rio . Wolf, former
soundman, is at the Belair Drive-In .
William Waddell of the Alhambra succeeded
William Schmitz at the Cameo . . . William
R. Moesta has moved from the Broadway
Capitol to the Colonial.
The Cub Theatre at Bear Lake, formerly
scheduled for dismantling, is being reopened
by Mrs. Stanley C. Dilley . . . Stan Baran
reports the Film Bowling League banquet
will be canceled this year . . . Mrs. J. E.
Upthegrove of Port Austin was a local visitor
. . . Russ Taylor reopened the Temple at
Petoskey on Saturday for John and Henry
Galster . . . Mrs. Leon Robbe is reported
negotiating for sale of the Elsie Theatre .
Irwin Lovett, RKO booker, is back from
a Florida trek.
George Delis Plans
$250,000 Drive-In
CANTON, OHIO—A 1,200-car drive-in to
cost about $250,000 will be built a half mile
northeast of here on Route 62 by George A.
Delis, local theatreman.
Associated with Delis in the project are
Nate Schultz, president of Selected Theatres
cii-cuit of Cleveland, and Myer S. Pine, president
of the Associated Theatres circuit.
Associated Theatres operates the North Canton
and Midcity drive-ins here. Selected
Theatres operates the East 30 Drive-In.
Tlie new drive-in, still unnamed, will have
an air conditioned concession building, in-car
heaters and a children's playgi'ound ai'ea with
free rides. The screen tower will be 135x75
feet. Pi-ojection equipment will handle all
the new processes, including Cinemascope 55.
Delis said construction will start as soon as
plans have been approved by the Ohio Department
of Industrial Relations.
Cleveland MP Council Luncheon
CLEVELAND—Tlie Motion Pictm-e Council
of Greater Cleveland will hold its annual
spring luncheon in the Higbee Auditorium
Thui-sday (17). Mrs. Joseph Chase, president,
will preside.
John Mclntire has been cast as a psychiatrist
in Universal's "I've Been Here Before."
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Lavina Stretch, RKO head inspector, is
vacationing in parts unknown . . . Jerry
Gross, former U-I salesman, has married and
is returning to Wayne University . . . George
and Tony Ellul reopened the Garden Thursday
. . . Julia Stui-devant of Ernie Forbes
Supply is back from a short Jamaica vacation.
The Motor City's key delegation of ten
flew to New York for the Variety International
convention. The group was headed by Chief
Barker Ben Rosen and Jack Zide, national
canvasman. The delegation included Ai-thur
Weisberg, head of A&W-Sterling Theatres:
Joseph Forbes, Confection Cabinet Corp.,
and Hy Schwartz, theatrical electric contractor.
The wives of the five delegates will accompany
them. Zide will stay over until May
17 on business for Allied Film Exchange.
RCA
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DETROIT

. . "Madame
. . Exchanges
. . Jack
: May
. . Nat
. .
. .
. . The
. .
CLEVELAND
l^orris Leiko, RKO distikt manaRer, ended
26 years affiliation with the company
and moved to New York as sales representative
for Paramount in charge of "The Ten
Commandments" and "War and Peace." He'll
be comins back, however, when a date is set
for the farewell testimonial dinner now being
iu-ranged . . . Robert Bial heads the new
Arkay Sign Studio, successor to Luthi Sign
& Display Co.. 614 Film Bldg. Matt Bial, a
brother, is head of the art department .
The film exchange employes Local B-5 will
hold a benefit drawing June 6 for an RCA
radio clock, an RCA table radio, a GE mixer
and Universal electric coffee percolator. All
Local B-5 members are accepting contributions.
Robert Yodice, 44, onetime assistant manager
at Loew's State, and In recent years
manager of a chain of parking lots, died
last week. He is survived by his wife and
four children . Wolf is home from
Texas, where he looked over his theatre interests
and visited relatives . . . Arthur Marchand,
assistant to P. L. Tanner, head of Film
Transit Co.. and his wife are vacationing
in Lake Worth. Fla. . . . "Diabolique" was
in its fifth week at the Heights Art Theatre.
Barbara Salzman has resigned as bookeroffice
manager at IFE. Until her successor
is named. Florence Friedman Harris, who
held that post until her marriage, is holding
down the fort for District Manager Mark
Goldman . Butterfly," made in
Japan, has a first run local booking at the
Heights Art Theatre this month . . . Danny
Rosenthal, UA manager, was called to New
York by the illness of his mother . . . Wedding
bells rang April 29 for Paula Stutz, one
of the twin daughters of E. J. Stutz, managing
director of the Circle Theatre. Paula
became the bride of Lawrence Lilbiger.
Betty Kaplan, secretary to MGM manager
Jack Sogg, won a bowling "Oscar" for rolling
the most pins over average for all
women's leagues at the Trianon Bowling Alley
in March . have been notified
that the Grafton in Grafton will close May
15. after which it will be dismantled . . .
Also closing is the Palace in Continental .
Bert Schoonmaker of the World Theatre, Toledo,
is a gi'andpa. John jr. was born to the
wife of Bert's son.
Larry Kunz, local salesman for American
Seating Co., died. Prior to moving his offices
to Brookpart road, he occupied space in the
National Theatre Supply Co. storeroom on
Payne avenue. He left his wife, a son, who is
attending Case Institute of Technology, and
a daughter .
Silverthorne announced
his Hippodrome will play "The Man Who
Knew Too Much," the second Paramoiuit
picture ever to play there. Paramount pictures
usually play the Loew theatres.
Columbia Pictures was excited over the
May 9 world premiere of "Autumn Leaves"
SIGNS KENTUCKY TAX REPEALER—A. B. 'Happy" Chandler, governor of
Kentucky, signing the repeal of the Kentucky state amusement tax covering theatre
admissions up to and including 50 cents. Witnessing the signing are, left to right:
Russ Brown, Trail and Mills theatres, Morehcad; Jim Denton, Majestic, Owingsville;
Johnny Smith, South Williamson; Jim Atteberry, Grand, Frankfort; Bob Cox, Schine
district manager, Lexington, and Gene Lutes, Chakeres Theatres Kentucky manager
and chairman of the Kentucky theatre tax repeal
at the Allen Theatre, with Cliff Robertson
here for the event H. MacManus
testimonial dinner 14 at Rasso's restaurant,
May
105th and Euclid avenue,
promises
to be an industry milestone in.sofar as attendance
is concerned. MacManus has left
Cooperative Theatres of Ohio, where he was
assistant to President Milton A. Mooney, to
manage the Starlite, Telegraph and Parkside
Drive-ins in Toledo.
Newcomers to Industry
Open Cleveland Airer
CLEVELAND—Spring opening of the Peai'l
Road Drive-In. located at 7591 Pearl Road,
took place Friday i4) under an arrangement
between the present owners and two newcomers
in the local theatre field who will operate
it with an option to purchase it at close
of the present season.
The new operators are Fi-ank Schiessl and
Alfred H. Homeier. said to be interested in
motels in Florida.
The Pearl Road Drive-In, with a 725-car
capacity, was built last year by local interests.
It is the newest outdoor theatre in the
Greater Cleveland area. Under the new
arrangement, just announced by Jerome
Friedlander, attorney who handled the tr-ansaction,
all buying and booking will be done by
Milton A. Mooney's Cooperative Theatres of
Ohio. Opening double feature program wa-s
"The Last Hunt" with Robert Taylor and
"Square Jungle" with Tony Curtis.
The former operators of the theatre do
not participate in its operation in any way.
according to Friedlander. James J. Barton,
owner of the land on which the theatre is
built, confirmed that he has leased it to the
new operators.
committee.
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BOXOFFICE
:
12, 1956

. . Edward
. . Leo
. . Manager
. . MGM's
: May
iNCINNATI
^jsrilliam Rogers, exhibitor of Keystone, W.
Va., has closed his Rogers Theatre for the
•season . , . Dick Breslin, salesman for 20th-
Fox in the Dayton area, resigned effective
May 11, to become an associate of Sam Levin
in operation of drive-in theatres in Dayton
and Springfield. Breslin plans to continue to
make his home here. Levin who plans to increase
his drive-in circuit, currently is building
a new ozoner in Chicago,
Joseph H. McKnight, Kentucky salesman
for Paramount, has resigned. Jack Kirschbaum,
booker at Paramount, will handle the
Kentucky territory while Don Benning, former
ledger clerk, takes over the booking job.
Stuart Jacobson will represent Paramount
in the Columbus ten-itory, in place of James
Doyle. William A. Meier continues as local
sales manager . . . Lillian Ahern, cashier for
Paramount, was enjoying another week's
vacation.
Anna Bell Ward Olson, president of the
Somerset (Ky.i Amusement Co., returned
from a vacation in Florida and points south.
Her husband David has been undergoing
treatment in a local hospital.
Mrs. S. C. Tabor of the Dixie Theatre, Olive
Hill, Ky., received condolences on the death
of her mother . McGlone of the
RKO Palace in Columbus, and his wife report
the addition to their family of a son
named David.
Lowell Thomas of the Liberty Theatre in
Oak Hill has curtailed operations of his thea-
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tre to weekends only . . . Charles Behlen,
Kentucky circuit exhibitor, is convalescing
after an operation ... Si Stewart, a former
Filmrow booker and salesman, is still active
in show business. Stewart manages the Imperial
in Cincinnati for the Associated Theatres
circuit, with which he has been affiliated
for 12 years.
Out-of-towners seen on the Row were Clyde
McCoy, Williamson; Dorman Law, Roseville;
W. T. Cain jr., Paintsville; Jim Denton,
Owingsville; Asa Hay, Aberdeen: Han-y
Wheeler, Gallipolis; Mrs. Julia Simons,
Charleston, and Bill Powers, Pendleton.
Gustave Boudot, office manager, UA, and
his wife celebrated theii- 28th wedding anniversary
.
. . Robert J. McNabb, manager for
20th-Pox, was in New York on business . . .
Edward Salzberg, Screen Classics, drove to
Columbus, Miss., to meet his wife, who had
been visiting family there . . . James I. Doyle,
Columbus salesman for Paramount, has resigned.
He now is representing Universal in
the Columbus territory.
.
Fanny Voss, head inspector. Paramount,
celebrated her 40th anniversary with Paramount
in April Adler, auditor,
UA, left for Los Angeles. This was his last
audit in the eastern division. He will devote
his time to branches in the west . . . Fred
Robbins, who received training here for sales
work, left to take up his duties in the Detroit
UA office.
'Oklahoma!' Remains
Detroit Bright Spot
DETROIT—The general level of business
continued to drop, with unfavorable weather
as the only apparent reason. "Oklahoma!"
in its tenth week continued to lead.
(Average Is 100)
Adams I'll Cry Tomorrow (MGM), 8th wk 85
Broadway Capitol The Come-On (AA); Crashing
Los Vegos
Fox—Hilda Crone
(AA) 80
(20th-Fox), Swamp Women
(Wooiner) 100
1 Madison Picnic 20
(Col), 8th wk
1 Michigan The Swan (MGM), 2nd wk 00
Palms Comanche (UA); Monfish UA) 100
United Artists Oklahoma! (Magna), 10th wk. .
. 1 50
Upsurging Cincinnati Reds
Draw A'way Theatre Trade
CINCINNATI—Business continued at a low
ebb at both downtown and neighborhood runs.
The Cincinnati Reds have been playing good
baseball and heightened interest in their
games has kept potential film patrons either
at the ball park or near their TV or radio sets.
Albee—Anything Goes (Paro) 1 25
Grand—The Killer Is Loose (UA); Timetoble (UA). 90
Keiths The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit
(20th-Fox), 3rd wk 105
Palace—On the Threshold of Space (20th-Fox) . . 95
'Cockleshell' in Cleveland
Grosses 115 Per Cent
CLEVELAND—-Cockleshell Heroes" was
the best boxoffice attraction of the week in
the first run area, with "Jubal" running a
close second. Other takes were just fair. Bad
weather with rain almost daily hit boxoffices
generally. Bad weather usually helps indoor
theatres at this time of the year, but this year
is an exception. Business generally, is reportedly
down from a comparable time last
year.
Allen Cockleshell Heroes (Col) 115
Hippodrome Jubal (Col) 05
1
Shall Lower Mall The Sea Not Have Them (UA). 80
Ohio Dance, Little Lady (Trans Lux), 5 days. ... 00
1
Palace— The World in My Corner (U-l); The Kettles
in the Oiorks (U-l) 80
Stotc—The Swon (MGM), 2nd wk 70
Stillman—The Scarlet Hour (Para), 5 days 80
COLUMBUS
The Birth of a Nation," D. W. Griffith's si-
lent screen masterpiece, was booked by
Charles Sugarman for the Indianola art
house. The film was banned by the Ohio
censor board some 40 years ago and has not
had a public showing in Ohio in four decades
Edward McGlone of the
Palace was host to the annual cooking school
held at the theatre . "The Wedding
in Monaco" has been booked to play
on the single-feature bill headed by "Alexander
the Great" at Loew's Ohio starting
May 16.
Manager Walter Kessler of Loew's Ohio
sent miniature boxing gloves to local sports
writers with an invitation to see Columbia's
"The Harder They Fall." As a result. Earl
Flora of the Ohio State Journal and Lew
Byrer of the Columbus Citizen devoted full
columns to the Ohio feature . . . Herbert
Schloss, Columbia exploiteer, was in town for
the advance campaign on "The Harder They
Fall,"
The Empress neighborhood house has been
turned into a revival auditorium called the
United House of Prayer. "Sweet Daddy"
Grace, traveling evangelist and cult leader,
has been the attraction there.
The New Lexing:ton Theatre, formerly
owned and operated by Paul Russell of
Somerset, has been leased to the Epifano
Corp. of New Lexington. Russell will continue
to operate the Russell at Somerset.
Ralph G. Pollock, United Artists representative
here in advance of "Comanche" at Loew's
Broad, is campaigning to have the U. S.
Treasury recoin Indian head pennies. Pollock
and Manager Robert Sokol arranged for
Mayor M. E. Sensenbrenner to sign the petition
which is sponsored by the White Buffalo
Council of Denver, Colo., representing all
Indian tribes in the U. S. The Indian head
penny has not been minted in the last 20
years.
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only
S1750
MOWPlCTOnESllCECO.
BOXOFFICE
;
12, 1956

: May
National Film Plans
To Build in Hamden
NEW HAVEN—An announcement this week
by National Film Service of New York City
that it plans to build a $300,000 structiu-e in
the suburb of Hamden. some six miles from
the present cluster of Filmrow buildings,
confused the problem of relocating the New
Haven Filmrow district, soon to be pai-tially
wiped out for a new highway.
The news broke at a meeting of the Hamden
board of zoning appeals when that body
gave National permission to erect a fireproof,
air conditioned structure on land which
it has purchased for $85,000.
James P. Doherty. a Hamden attorney representing
National before the zoning board,
said 90 per cent of the building would be
used for office space and the remainder for
the processing of film for distribution to
theatres throughout Connecticut. Doherty
later told a BOXOPFICE representative he
did not know which distributing companies
would move to the Hamden structure, and
referred such questions to National's New
York headquarters.
There, a spokesman declined any comment
on tenancy of the building. He said a fiu-ther
announcement would be made "at an appropriate
time."
The New^ York firm is a nationwide organization
engaged in the storage, processing and
delivery of films. At present, its only New
England outlet is in Boston. This office does
not serve Connecticut. Virtually the local
all
exchanges have theli- own processing and
storage vaults, and most shipping is done
through Rosen's Film Delivery Service, a
New Haven concern.
The cross-city highway will spare the
Warner Bros, and 20th-Fox exchanges, but all
other exchanges will be forced to move. Just
a few weeks ago. there were strong indications
that the displaced branches would build
on land near the Warner and 20th-Fox locations,
thereby keeping the industry intact
at one location here.
The size of the National Film Service
building planned for Hamden leaves no doubt
that this company is proceeding in the belief
that some of the exchanges will relocate
in it5 structure. Managers of the offices
affected by the cross-city highway said they
still are awaiting definite word from their
home offices.
The National site has a frontage of 260
feet on a main highway, and the depth ranges
from 150 to 260 feet. There would be offstreet
parking for both customers and employes.
ATC Contest Victor Wins
Flight to Disneyland
BOSTON—Ten-year-old Jackie Peterson,
son of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Peterson of
Mattapan. was the whinner of a trip for two
to Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., in a picture-coloring
contest conducted by the American
Theatre Corp.
Twenty-six greater Boston ATC theatres,
of which the Oriental theatre is one, conducted
this contest and it is estimated that
approximately 3.900 children sent in entries.
Jackie and his mother were .scheduled to be
flown to Disneyland where they w^re to
sp>end five days as guests of Disneyland Hotel.
INDUSTRY PROFILE
mmmmmmm
Retired Showman Henry L Needles
Devotes His Time to Inventions
By ALLEN M WIDEM
HARTFORD— Retirement has not idled
^ energetic Henry L. Needles, for many years
^ with Warner Bros. Management Corp.
^ Needles, living in
retirement with his
wife in a modest
ranch house at sub-
Wethers-
urban
field, Conn., ha-s
come forward with
an invention — an
expanding coat
hanger—and he is
busily engaged in its
marketing, among
his other activities.
:| Needles, at one
i Henry L. Needles time Hartford dis-
1 trict manager and northeastern labor rei
lations director for Warner Bros. Theatres,
i has been retired for three years. Time away
i from exhibition has enabled him to invent
i a coat hanger that is now in its early
|| marketing stages.
"You have to have an appreciation of
:|
i good clothes to be in the market for
I hangers like these." Needles said. "People
i who throw their clothes over a chair at
i night wouldn't care if they had hangers
;:| or not."
The hanger works on this principle: A
1 spring catch on the hanger's underside
i permits expansion of several inches on
;| both sides. "Seventeen inches closed, 23
I inches expanded," he explained. "No more
II coats hanging over the ends of the hanger.
i The rod on the bottom expands, too.
I That's why I call it the hanger that didn't
II forget the pants!"
He has even devised channels in the
1 hanger tops to accommodate moth balls
i or flakes. "Five, six years ago I got the
I idea," he said. "I came into my office in
i Hartford one rainy day and hung up my
I coat. The way it flopped on the hanger
i I knew it would be all out of shape. So
II my secretary, Estelle O'Toole. says. 'Why
i don't you invent a hanger that would take
|| care of any size coat?' "
I Needles was one of the youngest theai
tre managers in Connecticut; he became
i manager of the old Opera House at Wini
sted at the age of 20. and he proceeded upward
and onward in the field. By 1929,
II
1 he was district manager in Hartford for
M Warner Bros., supervising the Strand,
1 Regal, Princess. Colonial, State, Lyric,
i Lenox and Rialto, Hartford, and the
i Central, West Hartford.
i Inventions always have occupied top
i priority in his leisure time,
"Back in the old days," he said, "Harti
ford didn't have top-name vaudeville, but
i I saw to it that it had top equipment. The
Trans-Lux Signs Regal
NEW YORK—Regal Pictures of Boston will
distribute current Trans-Lux releases In the
New England territory. The releases are
"Dance Little Lady" and "Lovers and Lollipops."
Strand had the second eli-viiting
orchestra
pit in the country. The Roxy. New York,
was flr.st. I designed a pit that would
raise and had an elevator company build It.
"Twenty-four musicians, led by Bert
rl.se Williams, u.sed to up Into the spotlights.
Then talkies came in and the
orchestras were done."
After leaving the Warner Bros, organization
some five years ago, Needles Joined
the Hartford Theatre circuit for a brief
time, then retired to concentrate fully
on backyard gardening and Inventions.
"I have plans for the best coffeemaker
you ever .saw." he enthused. "The coffee
brewed in it would never vary. And I have
plans for a toy parachute gun for children.
But whether they'll ever be developed—who
can tell?"
Now nearing 70, Henry L. Needles has
optimism and faith in the motion picture
business that would be difficult to find
in many younger men.
"Retirement?" he asked. "There's nothing
worse, after an active life, after testimonial
dinners, after being chairman of
fund drives. There's no worse punishment
than retirement. So I invent things."
But an interviewer gets the impre-ssion
that if tempted with an employment offer
in the exhibition end of the industry. H. L.
Needles would be quick to accept.
"This industry," he said, "is "only as
strong as the men in it. and as long as
they don't lo.se their belief in its entertainment
abilities, the industry can't lose."
A broad smile crossed his amiable face
as he recalled the time he Invented the
first and only vaudeville elevator—in the
long ago.
"I had six girls, three of them foreign
diving champions, three other girls I
picked up for the act. They weren't the
highest type ladies in America, you understand,
but they never gave me much trouble.
There was a tank on stage, and some
marble columns, and behind the marble
columns I worked out this elevator arrangement.
"The elevator not only elevated. I fixed
it so it revolved. The girls stood on it in
various poses as they came, then dived
off into the tank. It was very artistic.
The only place I had trouble was a certain
city which will go unmentioned. Tlie
censor made me go out and buy—what
would you call them—gauze loin-cloths. I
guess. He thought the girls' diving costumes
were too skin tight. They were,
too!"
He invites oldtimers in the industry to
drop by the house—13 Cedar St., Wethersfield—to
say hello.
"I'm sure we can recall some good times
in a still fabulous industry." he said.
New Aide at Groton
HARTFORD—Eddie O'Neill, district manager
for Brandt Drive-In Theatres, has appointed
Albert Hawkins as assistant manager
of the Bridge Drive-In at Groton under
Manager G. Malcolm Clark.
BOXOFFICE
:
12. 1956
NE
85

I Connecticut-NAT'L
: May
larold Rubin Chosen
Sentry Lodge Head
BOSTON—Harold Rubin has been elected
1956-1957 president of the Sentry lodge, the
theatrical lodge of
B'nai B'rith. Rubin is
president of Globe
Premium Co. and
Eagle Box Co. He has
been in the industry
for 20 years and has
offices in New Haven
and Boston. doing
business in New England
and New York.
He spends his summers
with his family
on Cape Cod, where
Harold Rubin his hobby is boating.
A member of the Sentry Lodge for ten years,
Rubin has been recording secretary and on
several entertainment and financial committees.
Installation of the 1956 officers and directors
will be held Sunday evening, May
13, at Hotel Bradford. New vice-presidents
are Ai'nold H. Dunne, son-in-law of Samuel
Pinanski, Max H. Tobin and LouLs P. Katz.
Recording secretary is Hem-i Schwartzberg,
head buyer at American Theatres Corp. The
chaplain is Harry Segal, manager at United
Artists, and his assistant is Julius Meyer.
The list of trustees is made up of industry
men, including Edward S. Canter, Theodore
Fleisher, Lawrence Laskey, Arthur Lockwood,
Elias M. Loew, Harry Cohen, Louis
W. Richmond, Michael Redstone. Herman
Rifkin, George Roberts, Benn H. Rosenwald
and Harry L. Wasserman.
Richard Menga to Manage
Drive-In at Quinebaug
QUINEBAUG, CONN.—Richard Menga, a
native of North Grosvenor Dale, has been appointed
to serve as manager of the Quinebaug
Drive-In, according to Erwin Meumann,
district manager for the Interstate Theatre
Corp.
Menga, a graduate of the Tourtellotte High
School, recently completed a tour of duty with
the Navy. He has been active for some time in
Boy Scout work. The new manager succeeds
Robert Prince of Dudley, Mass., who is now
serving as sports editor of the Webster Times.
Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis will star
in the Hecht-Lancaster venture. "Sweet Smell
of Success," a United Artist-s film.
^^ WANTED !
-^
MANAGERS AND ASSrSTANT MANAGERS for
drive-in theatres Massachusetts, New Jersey
in
and New York state. Appfy writing stating
in
qualifications and experience to
REDSTONE DRIVE-IN THEATRES
Boston 16, Mass.
lonm^
NEW HAVEN
Qjie drive-in which was virtually
destroyed
in last year's floods reopened this week,
and reconstruction of another, which was
wiped out, is under way. The Center Drive-
In, Derby, resumed operations with U-I's
"Never Say Goodbye" and Columbia's "Battle
Stations." Fred Quatrano and John and Bill
Sirica, operators of the ruined Watertown
Drive-In, plan to reopen July 1, with a new
name, the Chase Drive-In.
Columbia publicist FYank Petgralia was in
town, working on "Jubal" and "The Harder
They Pall" at Loew's Poli and "Rock Around
the Clock" at Loew's College . . . Another
visitor was Nicole Maurey, French beauty
appearing in RKO's "The Bold and the
Brave," who came to town for TV, radio and
press interviews.
Jim Darby, manager of the downtown
Paramount, is convinced trouble comes in
threes. In one week, projectionist Louis La-
National Theatre Supply, headed here by
Ralph Mauro, is installing all new projection
and booth equipment and a 120x52-foot Cinemascope
screen at the Chase Drive-In,
wrecked by the floods. Mauro is also contractor
for a new 115-foot screen at the Blue
Hills Drive-In. Bloomfield
... Joe Gins, U-I
district manager, was in for three days of
conferences with Manager Alec Schimel.
The latter distributed "quite a few" silver key
chains to exhibitors who played at least one
U-I release every day during April . . . Jim
Darby's daughter Rosemary has been accepted
for enrollment at Quinnipiac College,
where she will major in medical secretarial
work.
The latest display of ingenuity by Frank
Ferguson came when he persuaded a Dairy
Queen distributor to provide coupons good
for free ice cream to all children attending
Saturday matinees at the Whalley and Whitney.
Ferguson sold him by pointing out that
the stand was a considerable distance from
the theatres and that the children would
undoubtedly tender the coupons when driven
to the stand by their parents. The parents
and others in the car would probably buy ice
cream, covering the cost of the giveaway and
introducing them to the product, Ferguson
said. The distributor bought the idea.
Quits Bercal Ad Staff
HARTFORD — Rudy D'Angona has resigned
from the advertising staff of Bercal
Theatres Inc.
Redstone Corp. Now
Northeast Drive-Ins
BOSTON — Redstone Drive-In Theatres
Corp. has changed its corporate name to
Northeast Drive-In Theatres Corp. Michael
Redstone remains as president.
This drive-in circuit has three new ozoners
under construction for September openings.
Two are in New Jersey—the first in Palmyra,
near the Philadelphia line, with 1,800-car
capacity; the second in Sayreville, near Perth
Amboy, 1.200-car capacity. The third is
the Suffolk Downs Drive-In, East Boston,
for 1,800 cars. This ozoner was slated to
open this spring but bad weather hampered
construction.
Two newcomers have joined the managerial
staff. Hervey Keator is new manager at
the Salinas Drive-In, Syracuse, N. Y., while
Jack Koegan is new supervisor of the circuit's
three western New York drive-ins. Edward
Redstone, vice-president of the company,
said that managerial positions are still open
in the circuit.
Vorgna fractured a foot while on a parttime Tlie Redstones have moved into new offices
assignment as stagehand at the Shubert, on the seventh floor of the Metropolitan
87-year old doorman George Harrison entered
and
Theatre building where they have expanded
St. Raphael's Hospital for surgery projectionist
their original quarters into attractive, spacious
surroundings.
Maurice Moriarty, president of
the lATSE local here, went into Milford Hospital
for observation.
portVand
Large C
Greater Crater Ar
MAXIMUM LIGHT
Dette Davis and Gary Merrill of Cape Elizabeth
have set September as the probable
month for filming the Sheldon Bonnewell-
John Beradino play. Miss Davis will portray
a nun and Men-ill a wounded war veteran.
Catholic orphanages in Biddeford,
Saco and Lewiston are being considered for
the locale. On Friday (4) Miss Davis received
an award from the Lowell Tech Players
of Lowell (Mass.) Technological Institute
for her interest in the Little Theatre movement.
The Tech Players are observing their
50th anniversary as the dramatic group of
the engineering college. Miss Davis was born
in Lowell, Mass.
Manager Silver, Strand, entertained members
of the press, radio and television at a
performance of "Carousel" following a "Carousel"
cocktail party in the Hotel Eastland
sunroom. Fred H. Snow of the P. H. Snow
Canning Co., Pine Point, Me., was host. Robert
Rounseville, who plays Capt. Enoch Snow,
Fred Snow's father, in the film, sang "I
Love You" and "Star Dust" at the party.
Snow's clam chowder was served in the theatre
lobby. A "Snow" boat filled with clam
chowder was featured in the lobby, as well
as in 199 other theatre lobbies throughout
the country.
Manager Ralph TuUy, State, gave the stage
show, "Tea and Sympathy," recently. The
State also presented "Mi's. Maine of 1956,"
winner of the American Gas Ass'n's homemaking
contest.
1 Mass.—MASS. THEATRE EQUIP. Co., Boston— Liberty 2-98)4
THEATRE SUPPLY, New Haven—State 7-5829
BOXOFFICE :
12, 1956

. . . The
BOSTON
Oympathy to James A. Sayer jr. and hi.s
family in the death of his father, James
A. Sayer sr.. in Salem, N. H. The elder Sayer
was a retired exhibitor who entered the industry
years ago with Louis B. Mayer in his
first theatre in Haverhill. He manasjed theatres
in Boston and Lawrence before his retirement.
His son Jim operates three driveins
in New Hampshire—the Ole Rock at
Salem Depot, the Somersworth and the North
Hampton.
Dave Kaplan, manager of the Trans-Lux, a
.-.econd run house in Boston, is conducting a
letter-writing contest among patrons on the
.subject "Why I Like the Movies," offering
nine prizes. First prize is a round-trip by
American Airlines to New York with a twonight
stopover at the Hotel Taft. Second,
third and fourth prizes are Bulova watches:
fifth, a man's sport suit; sixth, a year's
supply of nylon hosiery: seventh, a case of
strawberry jam: eighth, a Western Electric
toaster: ninth. $10.00 in merchandise. Judges
are to be Boston newspaper film critics. All
merchandi.se was contributed by local
merchant.s. This is the second contest conducted
by Kaplan.
Jack McCarthy, former salesman for
Warner Bros., has joined Embassy Pictures
Corp. as a salesman covering six New England
states . . . "Buster" Holt, manager of
the Den Rock Drive-In, North Andover, was
in town reporting a successful opening for
this new theatre owned by the Shay brothers
antitrust case of the Ideal Theatre,
Milford. owned by Leon Task, is docketed for
trial during the latter part of May in the
U. S. Federal District Court ... At the 99th
annual meeting of Temple Mishkan Telfla.
Roxbury, Nathan Yamins, president of
Yamins Enterprises, was re-elected president.
Burroughs Theatres Suit
Against WB Settled
BOSTON—The antitrust case of the Roy
Bun-oughs theatres, the Strand in Amesbury
and the Strand and Premier in Newburyport
for a fraction of the amount
Many Improvements
PITTSFIELD. MASS. — The Berkshire
Drive-In on West Housatonic street, which
opened recently for its ninth season, has been
improved substantially, according to Manager
Robert J. Sharby.
The 46xl04-foot screen has been reconditioned,
new ainusements have been added to
the children's playground and the snack bar
menu has been expanded. Daniel Zavatter
has been named manager of the snack bar.
'Ladykillers' Leads
Boston in 3rd Week
BOSTON -Business fell off because of lack
of strong product and holdovers. "The Ladykillers"
continued to lead the field In its
third week. "Serenade." in its first stanza,
disappointed. "The Swan." in its first stanza,
dropped sharply.
100)
Astor— I'll Cry Tomorrow (MGM), 8th wk
Beacon Hill Dioboliquc (UMPO), 10th wk
Boston Cineromo Holiday (SW), 35th wk
Exeter Street-Touch ond Go (U-l); Helen Keller
in Her Story (DcRochcmont), 2nd wk
Kcnmore The Lodykillers (Confl), 3rd wk
Memorial The Creature Walks Among Us (U-l);
The Price of Feor (U-l)
Metropolitan—Serenade (WB), 1st wk
Paramount ond Fenway Mohawk (20th-Fox);
Red Sundown (U-l)
State and Orphcum The Swan (MGM), 2nd ond
'Space' New Haven Opening
Grosses 115 Per Cent
NEW HAVEN—The first sunny and warm
weekend of an unusually wintery spring gave
drive-ins capacity trade, but didn't do the
big downtow-ners much good. "On the
Threshold of Space" was the outstanding
vehicle, on a percentage basis, increasing
receipts at Loew's College 15 per cent.
College On the Threshold of Space (20th-Fox);
The Maverick (AA) 115
Paramount Come Next Spring (Rep); The Scarlet
Hour (Para) 65
Poll The Man in the Groy Flonnel Suit (20th-
Fox), 2nd wk 90
Roger Shermon Serenade (WB); Animal Form
(DCA) 100
'Swan' Sets High Mark
Oi Week in Hartford
HARTFORD—Only three holdovers were
featured locally. Extending their runs were
"Diabolique," "Jubal" and "The Man in the
Gray Flannel Suit." High mark of the week
was the 170 set by "The Swan."
Allvn Maverick Queen (Rep); Wiretopper
Embassy) 100
Art— Diobolique (UMPO), 2nd wk 105
Loews Jubol (Col); Over-Exposed wk..l20
(Col), 3rd
Palace The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (20th-
Fox), 3rd wk 145
Parsons The Sea Shall Not Hove Them (UA). .. . 1 50
Poll—The Swan (MGM) 1 70
Meadows Dnve-ln Tribute to o Bod Man (MGM),
Timetable (UA) 115
Strand—Godlilla (Telerodio); The Steel Jungle
(WB) 115
has been settled
sought. 8250,000 in triple damages, plus attorney's
fees, was the original amount demanded.
The Burroughs theatres had sued 'Gray Flannel' Hits 145 to
the Warner Bros, distributing and theatre Set Pace in Providence
corporations and the Massachusetts Amusement
Co., claiming that when Warner built
PROVIDENCE—In a somewhat spotty
week, "The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit,"
the new Port in Newburyport, the circuit
playing at the Majestic, reported 145 to lead
was attempting to squeeze the Strand and
all Providence first runs. Closest in pursuit
Premier.
of the pace. "The Bed." playing for a second
The case was first heard before Master
week at the Avon Cinema, hit 110.
Marcus Morton, who found that the plaintiff
Albee—The Creature Walks Among Us (U-l) 100
was not entitled to recover damages. The case Avon The Bed (Getz-Kmgsley), 2nd wk 110
was sent to the U. S. district court before Loew's The Swan (MGM), 2nd wk 90
Majestic The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit
Judge Francis Ford and a jury.
(20th-Fox) 145
Strand—The Harder They Fall (Col) 100
Pittsfield Airer Shows
Opposition to Be Heard
GLOUCESTER, MASS.—A public hearuis
on the appeal of Concord street residents
from the granting of a building permit to the
Cape Ann Drive-In will be held at 2 p.m..
May 15. The corporation, which has the
building permit and a license to operate the
theatre, is headed by Robert C. Mechem,
Annisquam summer resident. The protesting
residents are represented by Judge Edward
Morley of Manchester.
PROVIDENCE
n larRi- throng «uvc' Ptgwy Wood, star of
.stage, screen and TV, a rousing ovation
when she recently appeared at the Outlet,
.southern New England's largest department
store, on the occasion of the store's 62nd
anniversary. Mi.ss Wood, who first appeared
here for the opening of Shubcrt's Majestic
w'ith "Blossom-Time." autographed photographs.
She was the subject of almost a fullpage
feature in the local press . . . Eddie
Constantine, featured player in French crime
films, who spent his youth in Rhode Island,
sang with his daughter Tania, 10, at a gala
party in Monaco in honor of Prince Rainier
and Grace Kelly, prior to their wedding.
Constantine, born in California, came to
Providence as a child with his parents. He
attended local grade schools and was graduated
from Commercial High School.
Several hundred persons attended "A Night
in Las Vegas" at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet
given by the Warwick Young Women's Club
for the benefit of the new Veterans Memorial
High School. Cooperating in the gala
event was Bill Trambukis, Loew's State manager,
in a carefully timed exploitation for
"Meet Me in Las Vegasj" which will be shown
soon at the State. Gambling games of all
descriptions, cancan girls, cigaret girls,
mustachioed faro dealers and a floor showhighlighted
the activities.
Ray Heindorf will function as music
rector on Warners' "The Pajama Game."
PEP UP YOUR INTERMISSION!
INCREASE SNACK BAR
SALES!
with a
BRAND NEW
SPOT TAG
THE FUN GAME FOR DRIVE-INS
featuring the comical character
Spotty in "SpotCapades"
Spotty ploys hide ond seek with your audience
while they try to cotch him with their spot
lights . . . ends with o plug for your Snack Bar.
YOU CAN BUY SPOT TAG p,
OUTRIGHT AND USE IT
°'
OVER AND OVER
S1750
Mm PimiE SERDItE CO.

. . Manager
FALL RIVER
J^
search for the man in the gray flannel
suit was promoted by Paul Slayer, manag'er
of the Durfee Theatre, for "The Man in
the Gray Flannel Suit." A man attired in a
gray flannel suit visited the numerous stores
cooperating. Persons who identified him received
gifts of merchandise . . . Charles
Proctor, identified with the motion picture
industry in this city for four years, died recently
at his home. He served as projectionist
for 21 years at the Diu-fee. He was 68.
Thousands of women residents of the
greater Pall River area viewed the special
.
film on cancer shown at the Strand, Capitol
and Park theatres over a period of several
days John J. McAvoy of the
Empire was a patron for the Catholic
Women's Club scholarship fund dance . . .
William S. Canning, personal consultant to
Nathan Yamins, was co-chairman for the
elaborate dinner and reception given U. S.
Senator John F. Kennedy by residents of this
city and New Bedford at the Lincoln Park
ballroom.
The appearance of the Pall River twins,
Vincent J. and John L. Kelly, Marine Corps
privates, in "The Proud and Profane," a
Paramount pictur-e, resulted in considerable
publicity for the film in the local press. The
Kellys are the sons of Mrs. Dorothy Kelly.
Newtown, Conn., Planners
Oppose Airer Application
NEWTOWN, CONN.—A request to deny an
application by George J. Ryan, of Fairfield,
for a drive-in on Route 34 near here has
been made to the State Police Commissioner
by the town planning commission. The commission
was asked at least to defer action
on the matter until the local board completes
its comprehensive plan for the town. That
way, the theatre proposal could be studied
in light of the comprehensive plan's rating
of the land in question.
According to George Northrop, town planning
commission chairman, the area in question
is largely of a rural and residential
character with a certain portion devoted to
farming.
The sole motion picture theatre here, the
Edmond, is owned and operated by the town.

I
. On
: May
OnlarioMPTAAsks Tent 28 Salutes Charter Members
Film Rental Data
TORONTO—Tlie Motion Picture Tlicatros
Ass'n of Ontario, in a move to prevent the
closing: of additional theatres tluoughout the
province, has placed the services of its newly
formed Exhibitors Relations Committee at
tlie disposal of hard-pressed theatres owners
to pres.s for film rental relief.
Association President Lionel Lester said
this week that the special committee, of which
lie is chairman, has launched a survey of
independent exhibitors to obtain information
on possible rental difficulties. Other member.s
of the committee are H. C. D. Main and Harry
S. Mandell, both past presidents of MPTAO.
"Many theatres ai-e closing as a result of
high cost of operation and in particular, excessive
film costs," Lester said. "The problems
of our Ontario members who, in our
opinion, must secure relief from the film
distributors in order that the theatres may
continue to operate, will be brought to the
attention of the National Exhibitors Relations
Committee."
The Canadawide committee was established
under the chairmanship of Dave Griesdorf,
Toronto, at the convention last November of
the National Committee, Motion Picture Exhibitors
Ass'ns of Canada to handle complaints
of independent exhibitors. The MP-
TAO committee has asked for facts and figures
concerning operation of individual theatres
and Lester said the information would be
treated as confidential "unless the committee
feels that it is in your interest" to divulge the
details.
Information sought includes boxoffice receipts
for the last 12 months, total cost of
film rentals for the same period, an itemized
list of operating expenses with a separate
tabulation of any salaries to the exhibitor
and members of his family and complete
information on present film contracts including
names of distributing companies.
Tlie committee has asked that such statements
be signed by the exhibitor and certified
by an accountant.
MGM Magnetics Need
Sprocket Changeover
WINNIPEG—MGM Manager A. G. Levy
announced that commencing with "Kismet"
magnetic prints of MGM product also may be
u.sed in optically equipped theatres, providing
the present sprockets are changed to the
foxhole type. Theatre supply houses, now
changing the spi-ockets of various circuit
houses, have announced they will do the same
for any theatre for less than $20.
i
In order to make this change, a theatre
manager needs to provide the following information
for the equipment companies: (1>
how many pairs of sprockets are required
some machines have four and would require
four pair? for the two machines: others have
five and would require five pairs 2 advise
i : 1 )
as to type of equipment (projection head and
sound head receipt of an exhibitor's
order, the required sprockets will be forwai-ded
and the theatre's projectionist can
install them. The sprockets thus replaced
must then be forwarded to the supply house
to be ground for another account. When
changeover has been completed, it will be
necessary to notify the Winnipeg MGM office.
BOXOFFICE :
Tent 28, Toronto, paid tribute to its
11 charter members at the recent
Heart .Award fete. Of the surviving
nine, six were present. They are, in
top photo, left to right: Nat Taylor,
J. J. Fitzgibbons, Ernie Rawley and
Oscar Hanson. They are posed with
present Chief Barker Dave Griesdorf.
To his left are the two other charter
members, Ben Okun and Gordon
Lightstone, with club chaplain Kev.
G. .\. t'herrier. In photo at right, Dan
Krendel, left, previous winner of the
Heart .\ward, presents the annual
Heart Award to James K. Nairn.
Eight Hamilton Theatres
Unite in Foto-Nite Pool
HAMILTON, ONT.—Eight theatres here
have united in a pool to operate the Foto-Nite
promotion. In the gi-oup are the following
houses and their respective managers: Delta,
Mi-s. Lila Whillans: Emph-e, Al Smith;
Mountain, Bus Hodgins: Queen's. Ted Wilson:
Windsor, Bill Britt: York, Dick Warner;
Roxy-Dunda.s. John Grant; Roxy-Burlington,
Gordon Gotts.
Foto-Nite chief George Oullahan, Toronto,
in cooperation with the eight managers, inaugurated
a citywide registration campaign
May 1, followed by concentrated radio, screen,
lobby, herald, window card and newspaper
promotion.
Resident Foto-Nite organizer from May 1
to 23 is Ben Sommers, who was brought from
Winnipeg to assist local managers in theiiinitial
campaign. The Hamilton Foto-Nite
pool will be headquartered at the Delta Theatre
linder the supervision of A, Kent Craig,
president and general manager of Kent Hamilton
Theatres.
Canadian ARTE Approves
Limit on Investment
OTTAWA—The Canadian Ass'n of Radio
and Television Broadcasters has formally approved
the policy of the Canadian Broadcasting
Corp. to limit foreign investment in
stations of this country, according to a letter
from T. J. Allard. association vice-president,
to Transport Minister Marler in the federal
cabinet.
The CBS recently decided to place a limit
of 20 per cent on foreign ownership, the same
as stipulated in the U.S. for radio and TV
stations. This action was taken when RKO
Distributing Corp. of Canada, Toronto, applied
to the CBS for permi-ssion to purchase
privately owned TV and radio stations at
Windsor, which is opposite to Detroit.
Holdovers Stay High
In Toronto Houses
"
TORONTO— "Oklahoma! at the Tivoli and
"The Swan" at Loew's and the Uptown, both
in their second weeks, set the business pace
among the first runs during a week in which
there were holdovers at nine theatres. "On
the Threshold of Space," the new one at the
Odeon, registered nice returns.
(Average Is 100)
University The Birds and Eglinton, the Bees
(Poro), 2nd wk 105
Hyland The Lodykillers (JARO), 6th wk 95
Impenol The Court Jester (Para), 3rd wk 100
Loew's, Uptown The Swan (MGM), 2nd wk 130
Nortown Anything Goes (Para) 100
Odeon On the Threshold of Spoee 1 10
(20th-Fox) .
Shea's— Serenade (WB), 2nd wk 110
Tivoh Oklahoma! (Magna), 2nd wk 135
Towne Geordie (British Lion), 6th wk 95
Outdoor Competition Shows
Vancouver Downtown Trade
VANCOUVER— Another off week was reported
by the downtown houses. With the
start of daylight saving time, night baseball
and drive-in competition, business slowed
down earlier this year than usual. Matinee
business was away off in all spots. "The
Swan" limped through a second week. The
teen crowd gave "Rock Aiound the Clock" at
four theatres an average week.
Capitol—The Swon (MGM), 2nd wk
Fair
Cinemo Meet Me in las Vegas (MGM)
2nd wk Averoge
Orpheum—Cockleshell Heroes (Col) Fair
Poradisc Border Street (SR); The Square
Ploza-Circle Rock Around the Clock (Col). Average
Strand- The Body Snotchers (IFD); Indestructible
Man IFDi Good
Studio Magic Fire Rep) Poor
Vogue The Lodykillers Foir
(JARO), 2nd wk
End Kiddy Show Season
TORONTO—Following the adoption of daylight
saving time in Ontario, Saturday children's
shows at theatres have started to close
for the season. One of the first to terminate
was the Odeon Movie Club at Brantford.
12, 1956 89

. . Outdoor
. . The
. . Alex
. .
. . Ted
: May
ANCOUVER
|3iTi I'ollock, projectionist at the Capitol, is
going into the oil burning business with
liis son . . . Alfred Perry, president of Empire-
Universal Films, was here to confer with his
new manager, Charlie Backus . Myers,
Odeon relief manager, was hospitalized with
a heart attack.
Frank Fisher, vice-president of Odeon Theatres,
before leaving for the east after a tenday
visit, reported an overall increase in theatre
business in western Canada in spite of
TV and bingo competition ... A local
theatre
executive said the theatre business is
being held together with soft drinks, popcorn
and candy sales . . . From a local paper:
"It's getting so that every time Grace Kelly
and her prince blow their noses, the U. S.
press sends up rockets and, Canadians, we're
wearying of it all." P. S. "The Swan"
was a disappointment on ite first showing
here.
A bingo game held in Victoria grossed $18,000,
with thousands turned away. The theatres
were really hurt . teenage "leather
windbreaker crowd" are giving local movies
plenty of grief, especially at night performances
. theatre operations are in
full .swing in British Columbia and Alberta,
with business reported on the slow side.
George Combes, shipper at JARO, resigned
to join the Canadian Air Force ... A film
exchange manager was trying to sell an
exhibitor with the following talk about an
oldie: "You should get this picture for your
house. It's not too old and really stupendous."
The exhibitor said, "Are you kidding?
It's so old I saw it on TV last night and so
bad my wife turned it off and went to bed."
Gerry Alderson of Creston, who is
building
a drive-in at Penticton, was arrested by
RCMP and taken back to Creston, charged
with theft of tools which were recovered by
police on the site of the new ozoner .
Dorothy Prat was elected president of the
Vancouver Film Council. Other officers are
James D. Patterson and Ernest Gross, vicepresidents;
Daniel Muir, secretary . . . Winnifred
Renworth, 46, well known organist
in theatre and radio ciixles, died . . . 'With
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theatre business on the slow side, an exhibitor
said the cashiers along theatre rowhere
are catching up on their pulp magazine
reading while trying to sell tickets at the
same time. This looks bad, he said, as does
seeing ushers gossiping with the cashiers in
the boxoffice instead of being on the floor
where they belong.
Preliminaries to choose a Miss Canada 1956
will be held the last week in May at the
Vogue Theatre. Announcement that the Vancouver
theatre is playing host to the Miss
Canada pageant this year was made by Manager
Al Jenkins of the Vogue. First prize,
which can be won by a Vancouver girl, is a
screen test with the Rank film organization,
an all-expense trip to England, a $1,000
scholarship and a second trip to Atlantic City
for the Miss America contest. A crosscountry
trip to visit all Odeon theatres will
follow the Atlantic City trip. The Miss
Canada contest will be held in all Rank
houses across Canada.
Many theatres In the suburban areas have
increased grosses by enlarging or building
parking lots. A theatre executive said this
trend indicated that many of the now closed
theatres had lost business because of their
locations in crowded neighborhoods where
no parking areas were available . . Bill
.
Myers jr., local projectionist, joined the staff
of Trans-Canada Films and will work in
the studio, which is now making TV films for
CBC stations.
Courtesy pays, but sometimes a little
rudene.ss gets a good effect, too. A Fi'aser
Valley drive-in theatreman recently proved
it. While he was running a Sunday night
sponsored show, a dog-fight (honest!) slowed
up refreshment service halfway through the
break and patrons who had been served
began honking. Striding to the mike, the
manager, already nettled by the fracas in
the stand, reminded the honkers that Sunday
evening shows were allowed only because
all services were donated, that there had been
an unforeseen delay in serving other hungry
and thirsty patrons and that disturbances
might result in the Sunday shows being shut
down by tolerant authorities. Warming to his
task, he reminded the noisemakers who had
already been served, that the show would
continue as quickly as possible and "if you
want these Sunday evening shows to continue
—then shut up!" P. S.: They did!
.
William Robinson, booker at UCA has returned
to duty after being on sick leave for
three weeks Atkinson, manager of
bill
Astral Alliance Films, said the double
action program, "Day the World Ended" and
"Phantom From 10,000 Leagues," will open
at the Princess here on June 8.
To Narrate TV Series
MONTREAL—Associated Screen News has
signed Danny Gallivan to narrate its forthcoming
television series of films, entitled
"This Week in Sports." Gallivan is particularly
known for his radio and television coverage
of hockey as well as a sportscaster.
"This Week in Sports" a sports action newsreel,
is a 15-minute roundup of the week's
major international activities in the world of
sports, including top Canadian events.
75 Per Cent of Films
Okayed in Ontario
TORONTO—Chauman O. J. Silverthorne
of the Ontario censor board, in his annual
report to Provincial Treasurer Dana Porter,
pointed out that 75 per cent of all featurelength
pictures had been approved "without
deletions or classification."
English-language features in standard
width during the fiscal period had the following
sources: United States, 305; Great Britain,
57; India and Israel, one each. Foreignlanguage
films were as follows; Italy, 76;
West Gei-many, 23; France and Soviet Russia,
eight each; Czechoslovakia and Mexico,
two each, and Poland and Sweden, one each.
The total was 485, with the number from the
United States stationary, but those from
Great Britain showing a slight drop.
Silverthorne said that 23 per cent of the
485 featiu'es were in languages other than
English. Those from the USSR, Poland and
Czechoslovakia had "nationalistic and cultural
content," but without offensive tones,
he said.
"Once again there was almost a complete
absence of family-type entertainment so
prominent a few year's ago," the censor chief
asserted. "The cuirent taste of the motion
picture producer on this continent, who appeals
to the adult mind, is responsible for the
increa.se in the number of films being treated
and classified. On occasion, sex was presented
in an offensively candid manner, and
brute force and violence, emphasized by the
vividness of color, required restriction.
"The lack of family fare ... is to be regretted,"
Silverthorne continued. "The absence
of the unpretentious homey-type of film
with constructive moral and social values,
once important economically to the producer,
has brought hardship to the smaUer operator
in rm-al and urban situations alike."
Silverthorne said: "This department believes
that the motion picture occupies an all-important
place in communications and that
the screen art can function and exercise its
responsibilities without resort to sex, cruelty
and sadism, resulting in dangerous social
impact."
Buzz Blondell Is Manager
NIAGARA FALLS, ONT.—Walter "Buzz"
Blondell, a native of Winnipeg, has been appointed
manager of the Capitol Theatre on
Queen street. Blondell succeeds the late
Robert C. Harvey. The new manager comes
to this city from Brantford, where he was
manager of the Odeon Theatre. He has been
in the theatre business tor 21 years and
worked for some years in Toronto and Sarnia
before moving to Brantford. A veteran of
World War II, he served for some time with
the R.C.A.F.
Film 'Oedipus Rex'
TORONTO—The Audio Pictures studio at
310 Lakeshore Rd. is making a screen version
of "Oedipus Rex," the ancient tragedy
by Sophocles, which was featured last summer
in the Shakespearean Festival at Stratford,
Ont. The director of the pictui'e is
Tyi'one Guthr-ie, who was the producer at
Stratford. Ai-thui- Gottlieb is president of
Audio.
BOXOFFICE
:
12, 1956

. . Bernard
: May
. . When
. . Manager
. . Ernie
on AW A
lyjanagcr Don Walts of the Rideau got a full
week out of "Rock Around the Clock"
with which he featured the "Rock 'n' Roll
Revue" on the stage nightly with Maury
Logan. "Canada's Elvis Pi-esley," aa the staiattraction
. . . The Capitol was the scene of the
seventh concert of the s-eason last Monday
night i7> in which Vronsky and Babin, duopianists,
appeared. Screen shows were canceled
for the evening.
The National Film Board staged a special
screening for press and radio people of the
Nova Scotia picture "Identity." a 16mm
. travelog in Cinemascope Jim
Chalmers of the Odeon ha-s turned the thea-
Liees," the advertising contained the following
interesting line: "Tliis film will not be
shown on TV."
Two more drive-ins have had a delayed
opening In the Ottawa district. One was the
Starlite at Cornwall, which requii-ed extensive
repaii-s following a windstorm late last
year, A new 75-foot CinemaScope screen has
been erected. Tlie Brockville Drive-In also
reopened with "The Benny Goodman Story."
a fu'st run picture for Brockville and vicinity
... A traffic accident in the Manor Park
section of Ottawa caused the death of Douglas
Gray, employe of the National Film Board.
He was struck by a car- as he was retmning
home . Monette. manager of the
Aladdin Drive-In at Ottawa, is causing quite
a stir with a special giveaway, a free pair of
nylon stockings to one woman in a car. He
also is distributing passes w'hich are good
for an admission on payment of a service
charge of 25 cents.
CBC Asks TV License Fee
To Replace Excise Tax
OTTAWA- The opening .se.ssion of the
royal commission on broadcasting under the
chairmanship of R. M. Fowler, authorized to
dj-aw up recommendations on television and
radio operations for consideration of the
Dominion government, developed Into a nearhassle
when the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
presented a 30,000-word brief to .start the
fireworks.
The CBC, which is the government's controlling
agency, sought a $15 annual license
fee on all TV receivers to replace the 15 per
cent exci.se tax on new .sets which, it was
contended, was not sufficient to finance its
operations and fm-ther expansion, which
would require many millions of doUai's.
tre's lobby and mezzanine floor into an art It was contended by the CBC that it privately
owned TV stations were permitted to
gaJlery for the exhibition of paintings by
Florence Pitt Richardson, which will continue enter communities ah-eady .served by the CBC,
to the end of May. Local ai-t critics gave important
newspaper publicity to the show. empowered to invade territories where pri-
then the government corporation should be
vate stations operate, in which case it would
Canadian Paramount supplied the screen
cost Canadians more money.
feature for the annual benefit performance
Sunday night i6i at the Famous Players The Canadian Ass'n of Radio and Television
Broadcasters, representing the private
Capitol here in aid of Toronto's Variety Village
which drew- a big crowd. The sponsor
interests, demanded the right to establish a
was the Ottawa Theatre Managers Ass'n,
second TV network in Canada. A. D. Dunton,
headed by Don Watts . the Cinema CBC chairman, declared talent was not available
in
in Hull played the French featiu-e, "Les Mains
Canada for such a proposal.
The private TV studios
asked for a regulatory
body separate from the CBC which also
was a competitor, but a brief from organized
labor pressed for no change from present
control. Arguments waxed hot at many points
in
the week's discussions.
ST.
JOHN
l^itchell Bernstein, partner of B&L Theatre
Co.. and Mitchell Franklin, vicepresident
of Franklin & Herschorn Theatre
Co., acted as chairmen at an Lsrael bond
planning conference for the May 27 bond
drive here . . . The Grand View Drive-In at
Amherst; the North River Drive-In, Charlottetown,
P.E.I. . and the Mountain Drive-In
Campbellton, N. B., owned and operated by
the P. G. Spencer Co., St. John, reopened
Monday (7).
J. M. Franklin, president of the Franklin
& Her.schorn Theatre Co., and Mrs. Franklin
have returned to their St. John home after
spending the winter at their home in Miami
Beach . A. Whelpley, manager ol
Alliance Films here, is mourning the death ot
his 78-year-old father.
Visiting Filmrow were Bert Giraurd, owner
and operator of the Family Drive-In, Newcastle,
N. B., and Bruce H. Yeo, owner and
operator of -yeo's Theatre, Montague, P.E.I.
. . . Unusual cold weather in the Maritimes is
hurting drive-in business, yet the "hard top"
theatres show no improvement in boxoffice
take. Theatre operators can only point to
TV and bingo games as the reason.
Larger Screen at OrilHa
ORILLIA, ONT.—The Orillia Drive-In has
been improved by the addition of a new and
larger screen. The theatre will be managed
this season by Ken Johnston, manager of the
Opera House.
"Richard III" is still going strong at the
Little Elgin, managed by Ernie Warren. It
opened April 23 at this Ottawa off-beat theatre
. . . The Princess at Prescott, operated
by Casey Swedlove of Ottawa, had a successful
six-day run of "Guys and Dolls" at $1
admission. Prescott has 5.000 residents.
'Richard' in Tenth Week
TORONTO—"Richard III" played a tenth
week at the International Cinema at roadshow
prices, but the engagement was approaching
its end. The Hollywood and Casino
teamed for the initial run of JARO's "The
Woman for Joe." with a stage presentation an
additional offering at the
Casino.
Ticket Books for Mother's Day
TORONTO—Managers of the Famous
Players chain pushed the sale of books of
admission tickets around the circuit as gifts
for Mother's Day.
Burt Kennedy will script "The Reef
20th Century-Pox.
BOXOFFICE
:
12. 1956
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. . Lake
. . . William
. . SheUa
. . Bob
. . Morey
. . John
: May
.
.
TORONTO
tJesults of a film star popularity contest conducted
by Toronto's Italian newspaper,
Corriere Canadese, and announced at the
Italian ball in the Royal York Hotel, gave
Gina Lollobrigida first place with 81,743
votes, with Anna Magnani second, 21,180
votes, and Sophia Loren third 16,350. The
first non-Italian was Grace Kelly in eighth
place. First prize was a trip to Italy ... On
arrival in Toronto for personal appearances
with "Over-Exposed" at 20th Century units,
Cleo Moore announced she would run for
governor of Louisiana in 1960 when she is
30 years of age.
Morris Stein, eastern division manager of
Famous Players, also has become a General
Motors dealer in Toronto. He is president of
a new agency. Plaza Chevrolet at 3738
Bathurst St. His two sons hold other offices.
Morris is not leaving FPC .
Shore
Drive-In at St. Catharines featured the
Grantham Police Boys band at a buck night
last week, after running a performance last
fall for the Grantham Police Benefit Fund.
Paramount will be found at 277 Victoria
St. for some months while its Canadian head
office building at 111 Bond St. is being reconstructed,
said Gordon Lightstone,
Canadian general manager of Paramount
who, incidentally, was a founder of Toronto
Variety Tent 28. His name was missed in ouirecent
originals' list . . . F. H. Fisher of
JARO reported that two Rank features,
"A Town Like Alice" and "Lost," as yet not
released in Canada, were screened on the
maiden voyage of the CPR Empress of Britain
from England to Montreal.
Win Barron, promotion director of
Canadian Paramount, said that Gay C.
Barron, one of his five daughters, has been
awarded her silver wings as a stewardess
of American Airlines and will be based at
New York. She is a former member of the
Toronto Flying Club.
The Niagara District Theatre Managers
Ass'n sponsored it.s annual benefit show May
6 at the Odeon Palace, St. Catharines, for
Variety Village. The Hamilton Theatre
Managers Ass'n ran a two-column "thank
you" advertisement in the Hamilton Spectator
to express appreciation to everybody
who helped to make its Variety benefit performance
a success. Listed in the display
were the names of 20 cooperating theatres.
J. R. Nairn of Famous Players shot out dis-
"Oklahoma!" to
play advertisements for
newspapers m Ontario cities in connection
with its opening at the Toronto Tivoli, announcement
having been made that the Todd-
AO production will not play elsewhere in
this province although it is scheduled for
Winnipeg and Vancouver. Incidentally, Nairn
had quite a time before he found a surrey for
the local ballyhoo ... As a lobby feature for
"The Ladykillers" at the Toronto Hyland,
Manager Barry Carnon secured the cooperation
of Canadian Kodak Co. for a display
of cameras dating back to 1888.
U. S. Theatres Using Ads
In Ontario Newspapers
TORONTO—Daily newspapers in numerous
Ontario cities are enjoying a flush of thea-
for weekend tourist patronage.
Two Cinerama theatres, the Teck at Buffalo
and the Music Hall, Detroit, are using
space in the newspapers of Toronto, Hamilton,
Windsor and other cities to attract Canadian
customers, and in preparation for its
season at Stratford, Ont., the Shakespearean
Festival is using a wide campaign in Ontario.
The feminine lead in Allied Artists' "Chasing
Trouble" has been assigned to Adele
Jergens.
MONTREAL
N
icole Maurey took this French-Canadian
city by storm when she arrived here to
pubhcize the opening of RKO's "The Bold
and the Brave" in five theatres of the United
Amusement Corp. Miss Maurey drew record
crowds of enthusiastic moviegoers and autograph
seekers, causing traffic jams everywhere
as she visited historical sites for
pictorial layouts for local publications. Following
a luncheon in her honor. Miss Maurey
was greeted by Mayor Jean Drapeau at city
hall, where she received the key to the city.
At the Montreal Forum, she greeted a defending
Fi-ench wrestling titleholder after
a title bout watched by a large television
audience. Miss Maurey also was interviewed
by press and magazines and appeared on
radio and TV shows. Miss Maurey is a staiin
the Supei-scope presentation with Wendell
Corey, Mickey Rooney and Don Taylor.
Another first in Montreal's motion picture
history took place as Consolidated Theatres
screened "Oklahoma!" in the Todd-AO widescreen
process at the Alouette Theatre for
press and trade. The picture will be presented
to the general public at the Alouette
tre advertising from outside points, including
Buffalo, Detroit and elsewhere in a bid for
Mannard, secretary-treasurer of
additional business. Famous Players is staging
a wide campaign for "Oklahoma!" at the
United Amusement Corp., and his wife left
by plane for a holiday in Miami, Fla. . . .
Tivoli in Toronto which emphasizes the mail
"I'll Cry Tomorrow," starring Susan Hayward,
order sale.
was held for a thii-d week at the large Loew's
The Piincess at Niagara Falls, Ont., which
Theatre and "The Swan," starring Grace
has turned legitimate after operating as the
Kelly, was drawing record attendance at
Hollywood, a film theatre for many years, is
the Palace. At the Princess, "Forbidden
using display space in Ontario dailies. Motion
Planet," starring Walter Pidgeon and Ann
pictui-e theatres at Massena and Ogdensburg,
Francis, also was receiving good boxoffice
N. Y., are advertising on the Canadian side
results. Thus three MGM releases were playing
at the same time in three of Montreal's
first run St. Catherine street theatres . . .
Pierre Theriault, actor and song writer, is
now completing several new songs and French
lyrics
for radio and television.
Jacqueline Osher, cashier for UA. was
presented a parting gift by the office staff
on the eve of her leaving to. be married in
Toronto .
Brown of the art department
of UAC announced being all set for a
carefully planned fishing trip to Lake Memphramagog
near Sherbrooke. Pete Baird of
Baird Films Transport will accompany Brown
Mrs. Suzanne Rousel, secretary to
Jacqueline Morin, manager at the Warner
16mm division, resigned .
Levitt,
salesman for Columbia, left on a business
trip Yellin is the new switchboard
.
operator at Paramount while Claude Forget
is the new shipper Hamat, salesman
for UA, was out in the province .
.
Among exhibitors who visited Filmrow were
Albert Roy and his sister Gisele, owners of
the Cinema Rex and Beauceville Theatre of
Beauceville, and Guy Bachand, owner of the
Rex and Pi-emiere of Sherbrooke.
FRENCH STAR VISITS CANADA—Nicole Maurey, star of RKO's "The Bold and
the Brave." participates in advance publicity for the film in Montreal, where the
Irving Levin production opened in five theatres of the United Amusement circuit, the
Snowden, Outremont, Papineau, Strand and Seville. With Mile. Maurey are, left to
kight: John Speradlios, advertising director of United Amusement; George De Stounis,
film buyer for the chain; John Ganatakos, president of United Amusement; Jack
Labow, RKO Canadian district manager, and Allan Spencer, publicity manager for
T'nited Amusement.
Burglary at Belleville
BELLEVILLE. ONT.—Forcing the lock at
the front door of the Capitol Theatre, thieves
pried a small wall safe from the wall in the
manager's office and escaped with aJi undetermined
amount of cash. Inspector J. C. Hayes
said that the small safe was taken away from
the theatre through the back door, where it
was presumably loaded into a car.
A featured part in MGM's "The Power and
the Prize," has been assigned to Richard
Erdman.
BOXOFFICE
:
12, 1956

'z)
• ALPHABETICAL INDEX
• ADLINES & EXPLOITIPS
• BOXOFFICE BAROMETER
• EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
• FEATURE RELEASE CHART
• FEATURE REVIEW DIGEST
• REVIEWS OF FEATURES
• SHORTS RELEASE CHART
• SHORT SUBJECT REVIEWS
• SHOWMANDISING IDEAS
THE GUIDE TO l^ BETTER BOOKING AND B U S I N E S S - B U I L D I N G
Food Chain Displays
Pep 'Birds' Opening
The opening of "The Birds and the Bees,"
at the Indiana in Indianapolis was pepped
up by a tie-in of citywide scope with Standard
Stores, a food store chain having 46
outlets in the local area.
The supermarkets and grocery stores used
mountainous displays of Dial soap in every
outlet, each array topped with a 22x27-inch
sign urging customers to see George Gobel
in the new film at the Indiana. Dial, sponsor
of Gobel on television, also worked out
a giveaway with the food chain and with
Paramount, w-herein each soap wrapper
was numbered and winning numbers worth
merchandise prizes were posted in each
store.
The title time from the film, moreover.
was piped into every store over the public
address systems.
^ Al Hendricks, manager of the Indiana,
rf reported favorable reaction and comment
over town, reflected in increased business.
'Living Marquee' at Denver
Stops Traffic for 'Jubal'
A "living marquee," composed of a bevy
of five beautiful models from a local
agency, proved a cogent traffic stopper outside
the Denver in the city of the same
name. Publicist Alberta Pike dressed the
gals in cowboy hats and boots and shorts,
and had each bearing one of the letters
from the title, "Jubal." Then she arranged
the beauties on a platform erected above
the boxoffice. spelling out "Jubal." Used
at peak traffic times, the "living marquee"
was a real "stopper," according to Miss
Pike.
A similar gimmick was used to whip up
interest for "The Harder They Fall." For
this, the publicist used just one model,
clad in a T-shirt and shorts, and wearing
boxing gloves. The shirt bore the title of
the film on front and back, and the platform
revolved above the boxoffice.
Gives Passes for Smiles
When Bob Rosen, manager of the Bismarck
Theatre, Bismarck, N. D., came
across the information that a recent week
was National Smile Week, he decided to
promote it. He had a girl tour the downtown
streets during the week with instructions
to hand free theatre passes to everyone
she met who was smiling.
Theatre in Memphis Gets Air Show
In Lobby With Trading Stamp Deal
Ray Thome, managing director of the
Malco Theatre in Memphis, is very happy
with a 30-minute radio program broadcast
five evenings a week right from the
theatre lobby, featuring interviews with
patrons and constant plugging of current
and coming attractions, which was engineered
with the help of two sponsors.
One of the backers of the Meet Me at the
Malco program, 7:30 to 8 p.m. Monday
through Fi-iday, is the Memphis Pepsi-Cola
Bottling Co. This national concern has
representatives in all sizeable cities, and
requires no explanation.
The other sponsor is the Memphis distributor
of Quality stamps, one of the
promoters of the trading premiums which
retail merchandisers have resorted to these
many years.
The Quality stamp savers may turn in
their filled books at the redemption store
for books of theatre coupons good at 19
Malco circuit houses in the Memphis area.
The Quality company distributed 34,000
handbills explaining the theatre hookup
in shopping bags of customers at supermarkets
throughout the city, set up 250
store cards and plugged the tie-in on the
Warns Patrons on Title
Darren Shelon, Council Bluffs, Iowa, theatreman,
playing "Bottom of the Bottle"
at the Strand, warned patrons in the advance
ad lead-line with, "Don't let the
title fool you!" Then he repeated the title
several times, with a paragraph of selling
copy each time. He sold the film as a new
kind of screen adventure, emphasizing the
western screen beauty in color and Cinema-
Scope.
Experts in Leap Year Show
Chub GoUaday, Fox Midwest manager at
Port Madison, Iowa, staged a Leap Year
show recently, playing "Gentlemen Prefer
Blondes" and "Meet Me After the Show,"
starring Betty Grable, Marilyn Monroe and
Jane Russell. His headline for the show
read: "Gals, take a lesson from the experts
as they teach you how to set the
tender trap at our Leap Year midnight
show."
Dotty Abbott broadcasts o Meet Me at the Malco
rodio program five nights weekly from the lobby
of the Malco Theatre in Memphis. Seen with
her is Ray Thome, Malco managing director.
radio program. The 19 theatres, in turn,
ran a trailer on the premium stamp deal.
In addition Malco Theatres was given a
prominent place in the redemption story.
Alexanders in Portland
Given 'Alexander' Party
For "Alexander the Great" at the Paramount
Theatre in Portland, Ore., Manager
Dick Newton and Bill Scholls, UA publicist,
arranged a parade of Grecian-garbed
models riding DeSoto and Plymouth convertibles,
supplied by Alexander Motors,
throughout the city. Alexander the Great,
a local magician who uses that stage name
for his unusual mind-reading tricks, appeared
at the theatre, and there was a
dinner party in the Heathman Hotel, followed
by a night club show at the Amatos
for 22 couples named Alexander. Portland
has some 200 families by that last name.
Assist for RKO Short
RKO-Pathe's Screenliner. "Her Honor,
the Nurse," gets a strong assist in the
National League for Nursing's current
newsletter, sent to 12.000 hospital schools
of nursing and nursing career committees.
BOXOmCE Showmcmdiser : : May
12, 1956
125

I Manos
KIDDY SHOWS THRIVE ON SURPRISES AND GOOD TIMES'
Program of Manos Theatres Fun Shows Loaded With Gifts and Stage Contests
Many children in four Pennsylvania
towns in the Pittsburgh area have become
year-around theatregoers once more, won
away from their TV cowboys at least once
a week by good times in which they may
take part at Monessen Amusement Co.
I
theatres. Known as Vacation Fun
shows, the children's matinees are held
each Wednesday morning during summer
vacation and on Saturday mornings during
the school term.
The F\in shows were started last summer
and have been continuous in Monessen
Amusement theatres in these four western
Pennsylvania towns: Elwood City, population,
12,945; Indiana, 11,743; Monessen,
17,896; Uniontown, 20,471.
A typical Vacation Fim show consists of.
a Film Library picture, such as a Lassie
film, three cartoons and a comedy, along
with two or more stage contests among
youngsters chosen from the audience,
winners receiving theatre passes and worthwhile
prizes promoted from town merchants.
A major prize, such as a bicycle,
Davy Crockett outfit, etc., is awarded
weekly. Over one period of seven weeks, for
instance, a Monessen theatre awarded a
bicycle each of the first six weeks and a
$300 power-driven Eshleman Sports Car for
children the seventh week.
"We believe the success of our Vacation
Fun shows is due to the fact that we have a
program loaded with surprises and varied
entertainment," said Joseph F. Bugala.
Monessen general manager. "The shows
have been very successful in our circuit
with regards to cultivating the theatre
habit among small fry."
On most of the Vacation Pun shows,
Monessen managers include contests with
prizes promoted from local merchants.
Manos Theatre Fun Club
1955 SEASON CARD
This is a reproduction of the Fun Club membership
cords. Printed on bristol, the over-oil
meosurement is 3?ix4'54 inches. Note the perforotion
which allows separation into two ports,
one for the young member and the other for
the theatre file.
Bud Fike of the Manos Theatre
Fun Club to children in the lobby.
Contestants are chosen from the audience
by numbers on ticket stubs, usually six to
ten children taking part in each contest
such as pie-eating races, baUoon-blowing,
cracker-eating, mixed-up crazy shoes,
watermelon eating and many others devised
by alert managers. Details of ten of these
contests appear on the opposite page.
"We always try to keep our shows interesting
with the elements of surprise
and variety," explains Bugala. "In July we
even had Santa Claus stroll down the aisle
without previous announcement." Santa
then went up on the stage and presided
over a surprise "Christmas in July" program
by giving away presents promoted
from a local toy shop. One theatre of the
circuit had sold its Christmas show by the
end of October.
More happy sui-prises among the youngsters
also are created by such a stunt as
taping passes under seats scattered
throughout the auditorium. The emcee
suddenly will call for a "seventh-inning
stretch" during the stage show, advising the
kids to look under the seats. Dropping
balloons bearing passes from the ceiling
another stunt that keeps the kids alert.
is
Ushers in one of the Monessen theatres
have added to the fun by wearing huge
papier-mache heads of Bugs Bunny, Tom
and Jerry and suitable costumes. The
heads are three feet high and sit on top
of the shoulders. The ushers have worked
out a dance routine wearing these costumes
which they perfoi-m on the stage during the
giveaway portion of the Fun show.
"We found pet giveaway shows to be
the most successful of all our programs,"
continued Bugala. "Although it is not
really a show, we found that the word
'show' added glamor to the program,
which tied in with a five and ten-cent
Is pictured handing memberships in the Vacation
store. A typical pet show Includes such
awards as 25 bowls of goldfish, pet tui'tles,
bunnies and three or four parakeets. The
kids are advised to buy their accessories
from the sponsoring merchants."
Other special shows popular with the
kids included a Lassie program, with a
collie pup promoted from a local pet shop
and given away as the top award, and kiddy
spook shows—The Three Stooges in
"Spooks," a Casper cartoon, and "The
Bowery Boys Meet the Monster," with a
local magician doing tricks on the stage as
an added treat.
Popular giveaways have included three
reconditioned TV sets promoted by one
Monessen manager from his local TV shop
Here is a sample of the letter mailed to Fun
Club members on their birthdays. A proper membership
file will enable the cashier to handle
this
chore.
— 126 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : : May
12, 1956

3
TESTED STUNTS
1. FREE PASS GAME
On 40x60-inch boord are jumbled scores of printed, colored numbers
from one to ten. In addition to the mixcd-up numbers, the boord hos
one circled area designated os "Blue Special" and another os "Red Special."
Kids ore called to the stage and given suction cop guns (the kind that stick
when they hit) and each gets to shoot until he has mode one cap stick somewhere
on the board. If a cap sticks on a number two, the contestant gets two
passes; if on o five, he gets five passes. Making a cap stick on the
Blue Special area is good for o two-week poss, while the Red Special areo
pays off with o one-month pass. This contest should be used every week
with one other contest, since the youngsters will look forward to it and will
keep trying for the speciols. The number of kids to be used con be judged
by number of passes the manager wants to give away.
2. BABY BOTTLE CONTEST
Six contestants are colled to the stage. Each is given o baby bottle
with nipple (bottles contain the same number of ounces of soft drinks—each
bottle containing a different flavor to moke contest colorful). The emcee
announces that this contest has a time limit of 45 seconds. The whistle is
blown for start and agoin offer 45 seconds have elopsed. Bottles then ore
checked to see which contestant was able to drink the most. Prizes ore
aworded accordingly. (A good idea is to give three merchandise prizes and
give the lost three contestants one pass each.)
3. ROPE SKIPPING CONTEST
Six contestants make o good number for this event. Each is given o
jumping rope and advised of these rules: emcee will blow whistle to stort
jumping. When one contestant falters, emcee blows whistle ond oil stop.
The person stepping on his rope or making other kind of jumping error is
given one theatre poss and withdraws from stage. Emcee blows whistle to start
again. The procedure continues until champion jumper is determined. This
contestant wins a puppy as first prize; second prize is o bowl of goldfish;
third prize, three passes. First three contestants eliminated receive a single
Here Are the Details on How
The Monessen Circuit Planned
And Executed Them
6. BALLOON BURSTING CONTEST
Six contestants ore chosen ond each is given o toy balloon. First priu
is owordcd the first person blowing up a bolloon until it bursts. A triol run
is made so each contestant knows what the gome is obout, the trial ruB
being mode with penny balloons. Then each is given a contest balloon, ond,
what the contestants find out after they hove storted is that the contest
bolloons are KING SIZE—standing three feet high ond a foot wide. Thil
contest must be token in stoges easy on the kids. After each 30 seconds
of blowing, a 15-second rest period is held. The emcee must have whistle to
control contest, os well as all other Vocotion Fun Club contests, sine*
in is of cheering kids seats too loud for contestonts on stage to heor emcea
voice orders. To encourage the cheering, the emcee should ask oudiencai
members to cheer for their friends among contestants.
7. WATER GUN-CANDLE OUT CONTEST
A lighted candle is ploced on o toble of the front of stoge. Kid
contestonts, six or more, are lined up six feet bock of table, ond eoch gets
three shots to try to put out candle, with first row of the audience getting
sprayed if contestants overshoot the candle. The contestants take o
shot in rotation, and if all miss on first round, o second ond third round,
continues until each has hod three shots, if needed. Eoch contestont putting
out candle wins o poss.
8. WATER GUN CONTEST *
Six or ten contestants for this stunt, with each given o loaded wol
gun when he steps on the stage. Emcee asks kids in oudience to help h
judge the stunt. Noturolly 200 hands go up, as kids think they will go
on stage to help with judging. Emcee then announces contest: the idea being
to see which contestont con shoot farthest out into the audience. Member*
of oudience ore asked to raise bonds if they get wet. Being o funmoker
that always produces much laughing and yelling, this stunt is procticolly
impossible to judge— but each contestant con be awarded a pass for his fun
This is good stunt with which to end o contest period.
i
4. SPELLING BEE
Get ten kids to theatre stage. Moke up two teams, five each, ond try
to even the youngsters os to age (don't match five lO-yeor-olds ogoinst five
8-year-olds, for instonce). Start with words from first grade speller, then
move to second grade speller. One miss eliminates contestant from his
team's efforts. One team wins, of course, when all members of the other
team have been eliminated. Winning team members get o puppy dog each;
members of losing team each receive a poss. No coaching from the oudience.
5. BASKETBALL-DIXIE CUP CONTEST
Contestonts must try to keep basketball bouncing while picking up
paper cups from stage floor ond taking across stage to table where cups
must be placed into each other. Each contestant gets 45 seconds. First prize
goes to the one able to stock the most cups in 45 seconds without missing
bounce with the boll. The contestants try this stunt one at a time.
9. SHOES IN BARREL
Ten contestonts moke this stunt really entertaining. All ore asked
sit down on stoge and remove their shoes. Shoes are placed in o barrel in]
front center of stage about ten feet from the contestants. When the
blows whistle, oil run to barrel ond try to get their own shoes. The first one]
up to the emcee with his own shoes ON is the winner. Prizes also ore given
for second and third places. For added fun with this contest, some Moness
managers place ten extro pairs of shoes in the barrel before the show.
10. CRACKER EATING CONTEST
Each contestant is given three crackers to eat. The first one oble
whistle after eating crackers is judged the winner. Prizes olso go to eoe
3f the other contestants in the order they regain their whistling obilil
Remind kids not to put oil three crockers in their mouths at once. Also ha^
:ups of water handy If needed.
Kiddy Shows Thrive
in return for screen ads and plugs from the
stage. On this tieup, "A TV for Your
Room" was the theme, with the results that
many adults also turned out for the Vacation
Pun show to try to take home one of
the TV sets.
"If a manager can promote water guns,
balloons, jumping ropes and so on," advises
Bugala, "let the contestants keep them.
So far we have been able to do this with
exception of the basketball in the basketball
dribbling event. We even let the kids
keep the baby bottles. All it takes to promote
this stuff is a few passes to the
store owner and a good commercial from
the stage during the contest. Also you can
give him a plug on your F\tn show ad. Run
contests so the audience can see what is
going on from their seats. Be sm-e to turn
on all the house lights and work lights, too,
if necessary during the contests.
"Always try to have a load of prizes, the
more the merrier. One week we gave away
40 fish, a Persian cat, a puppy, a Coca-Cola
cooler and 15 free passes at one theatre."
Most youngsters attending the Fun shows
are signed up as members of the Manos
Pun Club. The membership card is made
out in two sections, one of which the member
retains to show to the doorman whenever
he attends a Manos operated theatre.
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser May 12. 1956 127 —
: :
The other section is filed by the theati
cashier, according to the month and date (
the member's birth. One week prior to
member's birthday, the cashier sends tfc
member a personal letter of good wishe
from the manager and encloses fou
passes—for the member's parents, a frier
and the member, these guest passes beir
good any time. The birthday letters
written on the theatre's stationery and th
member is addre.ssed as "Master" or "Mis
"This birthday tieup with Manos
Club members is an excellent public reli
tions project," said Bugala. "It should
dividends over the long haul."
The membership cards are also number
(Continued on Showmandiser page 129)

. . . IT'S
. .
. . BASED
. . AND
. .
. .
. . . AND
. . . YOU'LL
. .
. . TODAY
. .
. . YOU'LL
. .
. .
. .
MAKING MOST OF INTERVIEW PLATTER
FPC Showman Works One in
The star interview platters, available
from the distributors on some films, can
be used as the nucleus of a radio presentation,
which in content and length of time
COURAGE YOU'LL NOT SOON FORGET.
MGM HAS MADE IT INTO A DIS-
TINGUISHED AND INSPIRING MOTION
PICTURE. DON'T MISS "I'LL CRY TOMOR-
ROW" STARRING SUSAN HAYWARD, JO
VAN FLEET, RICHARD CONTE, EDDIE
is able to do a good job of
ALBERT
selling.
AND DON TAYLOR, PLAYING TO-
DAY AT THE ALGOMA THEATRE.
For example, Norman Gray, manager of
ANNCR: AND
the Algoma NOW LET'S HEAR FROM
Theatre
SUSAN HAYin
Sault Ste. Marie, WARD AGAIN, AS SHE SINGS THE TITLE
Ont., bought two 15-minute segments on SONG FROM "I'LL CRY TOMORROW" . . .
CJIC there and arranged programs based
on the Susan Hayward interview and platters
of the songs she sings in "I'll Cry ANNCR: CO-STARRING WITH SUSAN HAYWARD IN
"I'LL CRY TOMORROW" ARE RICHARD
Tomorrow." One-quarter hour was 11:45
CONTE, EDDIE ALBERT, DON TAYLOR AND
to 12 noon Satm-day after a Thursday
RAY DANTON, WHO PORTRAY THE FOUR
MEN WHO PLAYED A PROMINENT PART
opening, and the second from 7 to 7:15 on
IN LILLIAN ROTH'S LIFE. ACADEMY
the following Monday AWARD WINNER JO
evening.
VAN FLEET PLAYS
THE PART OF LILLIAN ROTHS MOTHER.
In addition^ Gray bought ten spots. In
THEME: IN BRIEFLY AND OUT .
return he received free spots on three of
CJIC's regular programs and on
COMMERCIAL .
all the
"I'LL CRY TOMORROW" HAS BEEN PLAYlate
night disk jockey shows.
ING AT THE ALGOMA THEATRE AND MAY
BE SEEN
The
THROUGH THURSDAY. THE
cost of time on the small stations WHOLE TOWN HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT
not affiliated with the big networks IT . . .
will
NOT ONLY FOR THE TERRIFIC PER-
FORMANCES, AS GIVEN BY SUSAN HAYbe
found to be within small advertising
WARD, RICHARD CONTE, EDDIE ALBERT,
budgets.
AND JO VAN FLEET, BUT BECAUSE OF THE
MORE THAN HUMAN THEME THAT UNDER-
The script of Gray's Saturday noon program,
working in the interview
LIES THE ENTHRALLING STORY ... IT
transcription,
follows:
ANNCR: THE ALGOMA THEATRE IS PLEASED TO
PRESENT, 'TLL CRY TOMORROW! 1 THE
YEARS MQ?r TALKED ABOUT MOTION
PICTURE! I THE REMARKABLE LIFE STORY
OF LILLIAN ROTHl I
THEME: UP BRIEFLY AND UNDER FOR . . .
ANNCR: •Til CRY TOMORROW," MGM's FILMIZA-
TION OF LILLIAN ROTH'S REMARKABLE
AUTOBIOGRAPHY, IS THE INTIMATE, GRIP-
PING, AND SOMETIMES SHOCKING STORY
OF A YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL GIRL WHO
BECAME A STAR OF STAGE AND SCREEN
THEN ENTERED A NIGHTMARE WORLD OF
MISERY AND NEAR-SUICIDE BEFORE GAIN-
ING THE HELP THAT ENABLED HER TO
START A NEW LIFE. THE PORTRAYAL OF
LILLIAN ROTH GIVES SUSAN HAYWARD
AN EVEN MORE DRAMATIC CHALLENGE
THAN HER ROLES IN "SMASH UP " "MY
FOOLISH HEART" OR "WITH A SONG IN
MY HEART," THREE PICTURES FOR WHICH
SHE RECEIVED ACADEMY AWARD NOMIN-
ATIONS. THE NEW FILM IS Al^O THE
P?,?J,>,IP
SINGING
REVEAL THE STAR'S THROATY
VOICE, FOR MISS HAYWARD
HERSELF, SINGS SUCH SONGS, IDENTI-
FIED WTH THE CAREER OF LILLIAN ROTH,
AS "SING YOU SINNERS," "HAPPINESS IS
A THING CALLED JOE," AND MANY
OTHERS. HERE NOW IS AN INTERVIEW
WITH MISS HAYWARD, IN WHICH SHE
TELLS US HOW HER NEW-FOUND TALENT
WAS DISCOVERED.
15-minute 'Cry' Program
TRANSCRIPTION
INTERVIEW
SUSAN
ANNCR: THAT WAS THE SINGING VOICE OF SUSAN
HAYWARD IN ONE OF THE SONGS FROM
"I'LL CRY TOMORROW" ... IN WHICH
MISS HAYWARD PLAYS HER MOST STARK-
LY DRAMATIC ROLE AS THE VICTIM OF
ALCOHOLISM.
COMMERCIAL
.
PLAYING TODAY AT THE ALGOMA THEA-
TRE IS THE MOST ACCLAIMED MOTION"
PICTURE SINCE "GONE WITH THE WIND
"I'LL CRY TOMORROW" STAR-
RING SUSAN HAYWARD IN THE ROLE OF
THE EVER FAMOUS ENTERTAINER
.
LILLIAN ROTH. IT'S THE DRAMATIC MOVIE
JOLTER OF THE YEAR .
ON THE
REAL LIFE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A GIRL
WHO FOUGHT HER WAY FROM SHAME
... AS ONLY A WOMAN CAN. IT'S A
STORY THAT WAS FILMED ON LOCATION
. . . INSIDE A WOMAN'S SOUL .
MILLIONS WEPT UNASHAMEDLY WHEN
THEY READ LILLIAN ROTH'S FRANK REVE-
LATIONS IN THE BEST SELLING NOVEL
"I'LL CRY TOMORROW." NOW IN INTI-
MATE DETAIL, THE STORY OF HER LIFE IS
TOLD ON THE SCREEN
. IT'S THE
STORY OF INDOMITABLE FAITH AND
TELLS OF A WOMAN'S RISE TO THE TOP,
IN HER PROFESSION AS A SINGING
ENTERTAINER ... OF HER ACHIEVEMENTS
IN WINNING FAME, ADULATION AND
MONEY. AND THEN IT DARES . . . BECAUSE
THE WOMAN WHO LIVED IT DARED .
TO TELL THE STORY OF THE WHOLE AND
TERRIBLE TRUTH OF WHAT HAPPENED TO
HER ... OF HOW SHE DESCENDED INTO
THE LIVING HELL OF AN ALCOHOLICS
DAYS AND NIGHTS ... OF HOW SHE RE-
ACTED TO HER SELF-MADE ATMOSPHERE
OF HOW OTHERS, MOST
ESPECIALLY THE PEOPLE CLOSEST TO
HER, REACTED TO HER . GASP
AT THE EVENTS AND INCIDENTS THIS
COURAGEOUS WOMAN DARES TO EXPOSE
TO THE CURIOUS EYES OF THE WORLD
MARVEL AT HOW BEAUTIFUL
SUSAN HAYWARD LOSES HERSELF .
AND THE AUDIENCE ... IN THE PART OF
LILLIAN ROTH, IN "I'LL CRY TOMORROW"
INCIDENTALLY, SUSAN'S SINGING VOICE
WILL BE A PLEASANT SURPRISE TO YOU
... BE SURE TO HEAR IT . . . AND SEE
HER . AT THE ALGOMA.
THEME: UP TO TIME AND OUT .
The Monday script featured similar copy
and music from the film.
To supplement the radio promotion. Gray
spent one entire afternoon placing 45 playdate
cards in strategic spots in and around
the city. He arranged window displays
in a department, music and four drug
stores and featured a book standee out
in front of the theatre.
Accent Placed on Bing
For 'Anything' in Hartford
The campaign for "Anything Goes" conducted
by Fred R. Greenway, manager of
the Palace in Hartford, placed the accent
on stunts built around Bing Crosby, who
stars in the fUm. First there was a search
for a singer having King's qualities.
Auditions
were held at the New Empire restaurant,
a downtown night spot, which
signed the winner for an engagement.
During the run, Greenway had printed
4x5 cards which were attached to jukeboxes
around the downtown area. These
read: "Hear Bing Crosby's Songs From
'Anything Goes' . . . Now Loew Poh Palace."
f-^ointoP
fOMOBROW is Mother's Day.
Uiew
If you just
never got around to doing anything for
this special event, you can redeem your- '^^
self with Father's Day, which will fall on
June 17 this year. This gives you a whole
month to set a few things up, so don't
goof on this one.
We viewed Republic's new widescreen
process on the screen t'other
a.m., at the showing of "The Maverick
Queen." There are plenty of eyefilling
exteriors to make your audience
feel they're getting their money's
worth. And, incidentally, "The Maverick
Queen" is one of the fastest-paced,
interest -holding loesterns to come your
way in quite some time. In case you
haven't been keeping up loith the
tradepaper news. Republic's new system
is called Naturama, an apt appellation.
We also caught the screening of a
Cinemascope two-reeler in color at the
SMPTE convention last week. Called
"Stunt Pilot," it was 18 minutes of thrills,
excitement and fun for the delegates, especially
for the plane lovers in that crowd
of technicians. And the antics in the air,
as portrayed on the widescreen, were real
enough to have many in the audience spinning
and reeling for quite some time afterwards.
Talk of a sense of participation
this Cinemascope short has it! It's been
in general release for the past year, we
learned.
IjOts of luck to Norm Levinson,
rounding out his first week in his new
in Jacksonille, Fla. Norm, who
office
was press representative for MGM
operating out of Minneapolis, was a
steady contributor to these pages. Now,
he's been promoted by MGM to a larger
territory, taking in the Atlanta territory
as well as the Florida area. We
also hear that Norm will take himself
a wife this summer— a young woman
from Duluth who will soon follow him
to the sunny South. Congratulations,
Norm, and let's hear from you soon!
Here's a good deal which is working well
for one manager and could easily be picked
up elsewhere: Foster Liederbach of the
Strand in Cumberland, Md., takes care of
the mail distribution of advertising pieces
for a local printing firm. The company
has a group of accounts who quite regularly
have cards printed and mailed for them,
and the theatre gets one entire side of
each card free for its own copy in return
for handling the distribution. With theatres
who have built up a strong mailing
list over the years, this could work out
quite advantageously.
—LARRY GOODMAN
— 128 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : : May
12, 1956
^"

lal T«
: May
Drive-In Operators
Like Pressbook Aid
Operators of drive-in theatres in a representative
cross-section of tlie country have
signified in writing their appreciation of
Columbia's new policy of including special
drive-in exploitation sections in presslx)olcs.
The new program, outlined by A. Montague.
Columbia general sales manager, at the
Allied States drive-in convention in Cleveland
several months ago, has been put into
effect in the campaign manuals for
"Jubal" and "The Harder They Fall."
Owners and managers of ozoners have
penned bouquets to Montague, some of
which are reprinted below:
Roy Cooper, West Side-Valley Theatres
of San Fiancisco: "... Your idea is so
good that I am sending photostatic copies
of your first exploitation section on 'Jubal'
to all our theatre managers—conventional
and drive-in alike."
J. J. Rosenfeld of Favorite Theatres of
Spokane: "I think this is a great idea...
should help to stimulate interest and create
some new business."
W. W. Hammonds jr. of the Bowline
Drive-In of Decatui-: "I have just mailed
our drive-in managers a letter on the importance
of new and fresh ideas . . . your
knowledge of the drive-in manager's need
in adding the special section to your pressbooks
will certainly produce these new and
fresh ideas ... I am confident your idea
not only will grow with your company but
soon will be a part of all the distributor
pressbooks."
Kiddy Shows Thrive
(Continued from page 127)
for Fun show giveaways from the stage.
Another valuable use of the card numbers
is gained by encoui-aging the Fun Club
members to read the theatre's nightly ads
which often carry such an insertion as:
"Pun Show Club Member 2012 is awarded
two free pases if claimed at the boxoffice
before 9:30 tonight."
"We find the kids checking our ads daUy
before turning to the comic pages,"
Bugala reported.
The following week's Pun show program
is always announced by distribution
of a herald.
"We found the most effective type of
herald to be one column by about 15
inches," said Bugala. "These are distributed
to the playgrounds and at the
theatre during the vacation months. While
schools are in session the heralds are distributed
directly to the schools."
The Monessen general manager gives
generous credit to summer playgrounds
supervisors and instructors in each of the
Pennsylvania towns where the theatres are
located for helping start the F\m shows.
"In addition to signing up children for
the Manos Fun Club," Bugala pointed out,
"the officials originate projects of their
own which take place on the theatre stage
weekly during the summer shows."
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :
It's Touch and Go' Promotion for Days
When Car Dealer Joins Theatre
"Touch and Go," the J. Ai-thur Rank
film being released by U-I, is a natural for
a cooperative promotion with the Chrysler
Motor Corp.'s pushbutton (touch and go)
drive, and for this alone, the sprightly
comedy merits consideration for a booking
spot in all situations where this tieup can
be put over.
Johnston Motors, the largest Chrysler-
Plymouth dealer in Vancouver, B. C, extended
outstanding cooperation with Syd
Freedman, manager, starting five days in
advance and continuing through the run
at the Studio, a downtown ai't house.
The entii-e lounge floor of the theatre
was turned into a showroom for Chrysler-
Plymouth products and accessories. A
cutaway of a Plymouth spotlighted the
"Touch and Go" pushbutton driving, with
a salesman on duty at all times to answer
questions, with, of coui-se, special attention
to prospective buyers. A pretty model
handed out advertising folders to one and
all. There was even a special booth for
receiving phone calls.
Two attractive standees, one outside and
the other on the main floor, directed people
to the showroom. Soft drinks, chocolates
and nuts were served to the guests,
courtesy of the theatre. These were obtained
free from distributors via a special
deal.
Outside assists by Johnston Motors was
more extensive. Two days In advance, the
dealer had spots on the film and the pushbutton
drive on radio every half hour, day
and night, and followed through for a
week. Starting a day before opening a
caravan of eight Chryslers and Plymouths
covered the downtown district with "Touch
and Go" signs, while 27 other cars covered
other parts of the city from morning to
night through the run. A big Chrysler
hardtop with overhead sign was parked
12. 1956 — 129 —
in front of the theatre at all times. On opening
day two girls posed on the hood of
this car (upper photo), and this was reproduced
in local papers.
Drivers of all the cars invited all to see
"Touch and Go," and passed out special
invitations to the people who stopped.
In all promotions, radio and ads on
sports and other pages, the motor firm
offered special discounts during the "Touch
and Go" tieup.
To keep things going at a sprightly pace
during the run, Freedman an-anged a Miss
"Touch and Go" beauty contest, also with
cooperation of Johnston Motors. Everyone
was invited to send in a picture of the
most beautiful girl he or she knew. The
photos were displayed in the main foyer at
the Studio, and the public was asked to
vote for its choice. Valuable gifts, including
a "surprise" for the person sending
in the wirming photo, were promoted.
In all, the theatre and the motor dealer
kept things popping right through the
showing of "Touch and Go."
Pearl, Pass in Envelope
For 'Pearl of So. Pacific'
Lew Bray jr., manager of the Queen
Theatre in McAllen, Tex., tj^ped this on 150
small envelopes (234x5'4> : "This Envelope
Contains a Pearl. It's Not Real—But 'Pearl
of the South Pacific' in Technicolor, Starring
Virginia Mayo, Is Real and Will Be
Showing at the Queen Theatre for Three
Big Days, Starting, etc." Each envelope
contained a small, imitation pearl and a
pass good for two admissions with payment
of 60 cents. He distributed these
around town.
A 24-sheet he had pasted on the sidewalk
didn't last long—the police chief
ordered him to take it up.

BOXOFFICE BAROMETER
This chart records the performance of current attractions in the opening week of their first runs in
the 20 key cities checked. Pictures with fewer than five engagements are not listed. As new runs
are reported, ratings are added and averages revised. Computation is in terms of percentage in
relotion to normal grosses as determined by the theatre managers. With 100 per cent as "normal,"
the figures show the gross roting above or below that mark.
Backlash (U-I)

1
©Paris
D
1
©Quentin
)
OTciirieiiee's
BOXOFFICE
denotes BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award; O col
story type: (C) Comedy; (D) Dromo; (Ad) Advcnl
(Complete key on next pogc.) For review dc
ALLIED ARTISTS 3 U COLUMBIA
©Footsteps in the Fog (90) , 802
ini ©Warriors, The (85) (g).D..5523
Enol I'Mynn, Joanne Uru.
Peter Iflncli
Specie Deliv
Gun That Won the West
(71) W..8
Dennis Morgan. Paula Raymond
Apache Ambush (67) W..8
Bill Williams, lilchard Jaeckel
M-G-M
tH ©It's Always Fair Weather
(102) © M
Gene Kelly, Dan Dalley,
Cyd Charis.M
BOOKINGUID
jromo. Symbol
ns thcrcot Indicate
sical; (W) Wostc
100 Review Digest
PARAMOUNT
Kusscll. Fernando Lamas
RKO RADIO
Partner
(87) a) W.i
John Payne. Rhnnila Fleming,
Ronald Iteagan
19] Return of Jack Slade. The
(79) (fl W..5528
Jntin Ertcson, Marl Blanchard
a Bobby Ware Is Missing
(66) D..5532
Neville Brand. Jean Wllles
U©My Sister Eileen
(102) © MC..810
Jani't Leigh. J. Lcmmon. B. Garrett
©Count Three and Pray
(102) ® CO.. 811
Heflln, Joanne Woodviard
I Goddess (70) Ad.. 805
jhnny WelssmuUer. Angela Stevens
I on the Mississippi (72). D. 808
e\ li.irker. Patricia Medina
Ourward
(101) ©...T, Ad. 607
Robert Taylor. Kay Kendall.
Robert Morley
I!) ©Treasure of Pancho Villa
(96) % OD. 601
Kory Calhoun, Gilbert lloluid.
Shelley WIntera
Follies of 1956
(73) M..5534
Korrest Tucker, ffhltlng Sisters
Three Stripes in the Sun
(93) CD .820
Aldo Uay. Mitsuko Klmura.
I'hil Carey
ij] ©Tender Trap. The
(111) © C..608
Debbie Reynolds. Frank Sinatra,
Celeste Holm. David Wayne
Desperate Hours, The
(112) (?) D..5509
Humphrey Bogart, Fredric March
Claudelte
Colbert,
©At Gunpoint
I
(80) ©. .W. .5531
I'Ved MaCiMurray, Dorothy Malone.
Walter Brennan
©Last Frontier. The (98)©. W.. 812
Victor Mature. Anne Bancroft,
Guy Madison
U©Guysand Dolls (149) ©.M..614
Marlon Brando. Jean Simmons. ©Artists and Models
(109) MC..5510
(V) Frank Sinatra. Vivian
H ©Kismet (113) ©
Blaine
M..613 Martin ft Lewis, Dorothy Malone
H. Keel. Ann Blyth, Vic Damone
a ©It's a Dog's Life
(87) © CD.. 603
(Reviewed as "The Bar
Sinister" 8-27-55)
Edmund Gwenn. Jarma Lewis
a ©Diane (110) © D..616
Lana Turner. Pedro Armendarlz.
Marlsa
Pavan
m Ransom! (102) D..617
Glenn Ford. Donna Reed.
Leslie
Nielsen
©Trouble With Harry, The
(100) (» CD.. 5508
Edmund Gwenn, John Forsythe.
Shirley
MacLaine
I
©Naked Sea. The
IB] ©Glory (100) (g D..60S
Margaret O'Brien. John Lupton.
Walter Brennan. (Charlotte Greeo-
:S)
5] Invasion of the Body Snatchers
(80) ® SF..5602
Kevin McCarthy. Dana Wynler.
King Donovan
©Picnic (113) © D..826
Wm. Holden. R. K. Novak
Russell.
Battle Stations (81) D..828
J. Lund. Wm. Bendix. 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
H ©Forever Darling (96).. C. 620
Lucille Ball. Desl Arnaz
James
Mason
g©Last Hunt, The
(108) © 0D..621
Robert Taylor, Stewart Granger.
Debra Paget
Anna Magnanl, Burt
.834
a ©Meet Me in Las Vegas
(112) © M,,622
Dan Dalley, Cyd Charlsse,
Paul Henreid
:J ©Conqueror, The (111) ©.D. .i
John Wayne. Susan Hayvard.
Pedro Armendarli
SI ©World Without End
(80) © SF..5607
lliigli Marlowe. Nancy Gates
Thunderstorm (81) D . . 5604
Linda Christian. Carlos Ttiompson,
Charles Kon'ln
Navy Wife (S3) D..5611
Joan Bennett, Gary Merrill,
Shirley Yamagiichl
Over-Exposed (SO) D..835
tleo .Moore. Richard Crenjia
Harder They Fall. The (109). D. 827
Humphrey Bogart, Rod Stelger.
Jan Sterling
Blackjack Ketchum. Desperado
(76) W..831
Howard Duff. Maggie M.iboney
Rock Around the Clock (77). M.. 838
Johnny Johnston, Bill ILiley
©Jubal (101) © W..S33
Glenn Ford. Ernest Borgnine,
Rod Steiger (Prerelease)
©Cockleshell Heroes (97) © D..813
Jose Ferrer. Trevor Howard
(Prerelease)
Autumn Leaves (108) D..
Joan Crawford, Cliff Robertson
a ©Forbidden Planet
(98) © SF..625
Walter Pldgeon, Anne Francis,
Leslie
Nielsen
a ©Tribute to a Bad Man
(95) © M
James Cagney. Irene Papas
@ ©Swan, The (112) ©..CD.. 628
Grace Kelly. Alec Guinness.
Louis
Jourdan
©Anything Goes (108) ®..M..5513
Ring Crosby. Donald O'Connor.
Mitzi Gaynor. Jeanmaire
Scarlet Hour, The (95) ®..D..5514
Cirol Ohmart. Tom Tryon.
Elaine Strltch. Jody Lawrance
©Birds and the Bees. The
(94) (?) C..5515
George Gobel. Milzl OayTior,
David Niven. Reginald Gardner
Jii Bold and the Brave, The
(90) $ D..612
Mickey Rooney. Wendell Corey.
Nicole Maurey
(D ©Great Day in the
Morning (92) ® D..
Virginia Mayo. Robert Stack.
Ruth Roman
^ While the City Sleeps
(100) D..615
Dana Andrews. Ida Luplno,
Rhonda Fleming
J
a Crime in the Streets
(91) Cr..5614
Jiilm fiissau'tes, James HTlitmore
m ©Naked Hills. The (84) OD. .5605
David Wayne. Keenan Wynn.
James Barton. Marcia llenderson
S Kino of the Coral Seas
(74) Ad.. 5617
H
I
ntruder. The D . . Aug
Edmund Purdom. Ida Luplno
©Friendly Persuasion D..
r.ary Cooper, Dorothy McOulre
Voung Guns W.
Rins Tamblyn. Gloria Talbott
©Storm Over the Nile
(107) © 0D..829
Anthony Steel. Laurence Harvey
Gamma People. The (79) .... D .. 836
Paul Douglas. Eva Bartok.
Medina
Patricia
©Safari (90) © Ad..
Victor Mature. Janet Leigh,
Chips Rafferty. lima .\dey
John Justin, Roland Culver
El ©First Texan, Tlie © W. Jul ©Eddy Duchin Story, The ©.D..Jul
Joel McCrea. Felicia Farr
Tyrone Power. Kim Novak
SSQNo Place to Hide (72).. D. Jul Storm Center (. .) 0.
David Brian. Marsha Hunt
Belte Davis. Kim Hunter
g Hold Back the Night D. Jul Solid Gold Cadillac C.
John Payne. Mona Freeman
Judy Holllday, Paul Douglas
S% Magnificent Roughnecks. . .CD. .Jul ©Port Afrique D.
Jack Carson. Mickey Rooney
[s] ©Canyon River © W. .Aug
George Montgomery. Peter (Jraves Victor Mature. Anita Blberg
@ Three for Jamie Dawn . . . . D . . Aug ©He Uughed Last M..
Lar.alne Day. Ricardo Montalban Frankle Laine. Lucy Marlow
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide : : May 12, 1956
Pier Angell. P. Carey, D. Price
©Zarak Khan©
D..
©Odongo © OD. .
Rhonda Fleming, Macdonald Carey
©Beyond Mombasa© Ad..
Ciirnel VVlldc. Donna Reed
1984 D
.
Edmond O'Brien. Mirhiel liofl-riiv
E ©Bhowani Junction
(108) © Ad.. 631
.\va Gardner. Stewart Granger
Abraham Sotaer
a Catered Affair. The (93). CD. .633
Bette Davis, Ernest Borgnine.
Debbie
Reynolds
I'll Cry Tomorrow (119) 0..eiS
(Special release)
Susan Hayward. Ediile Albert
©Living Idol, The ® D. .
Steve Forrest. L. MontevecchI
©Lust for Life © D..
Kirk Douglas. A. Qulnn, P. Brown
©High Society © M..
B. Crosby. G. KeUy. P. Sinatra
©Invitation to the Dance M .
Fastest Gun Alive W.
Glenn Ford. Jeanne Oain
©Opposite Sex. The © M .
June Allyson. Joan Collins
Iron Petticoat. The CD..
Katharine Hepburn. Bob Hope
Somebody Up There Likes Me D..
Paul Newman. Pier Angell
©Man Who Knew Too Much
(119) ® D.
James Stewart, Doris Day
Leather Saint (. .) ® W.
John Derek. Jody Lawrance.
Paul Douglas
©That Certatn Feeling ® C. Jul
Bob Hope. Eva Marie Saint
©Pardners ® C.Jul
Dean .Martin. Jerry U»ls
©Proud and Profane, The ®.0..Aug
Deborah Kerr. William HoMen
©Mountain. The ® D..
Spencer Tracy. Claire Trevor
©Vagabond King. The® M..
Kathryn Grayson. Oreste
©Ten Commandments. The ®..D..
C Heston. Y. Dc Carlo. A Baiter
©Maverick. The ® W..
Charlton Heston. Anne Baxter
©Loves of Omar Khayyam. The
® Ad..
Cornel WUde. Debra Paget
©First Traveling Saleslady. .CD ..Jul
Ginger Rogers. Barry Nelson
Pay the Piper 0.
Richard Ba.sehart. Mary Murphy
Man in the Vault D.
William Campbell. Anita Ekberg
©Tension at Table Rock W.
Richard Egan. Dorothy Malone
Back From Eternity .
R. Ryan, Rod Stelger, A. Ekberg
Silken Affair, The CD.
David Niven. Genevieve Page
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt D.
Dana Andrews, Joan Fontaine
Bundle of Joy C.
Debbie Reynolds. Eddie Fisher
Public Pigeon No. One C.
Red Skelton. VMan Blaine

!
I
'
Wayne
I gi
.My.
. D
. . Ad.
D
I
0©McConnell
EATURE
CHART
The Key to letters and eombinotlans thereof Indieoting story type: (Ad) Adventure-Drama; (Ac) Aetlon-
Droma; (An) Animated-Action; (C) Comedy; (CD) Comedy-Drama; (Cr) Crime-Drama; (DM) Drama
with Music; (Doc) Documentary; (Dj Drama; (F) Fantasy; (PC) Farce-Comedy; (Ho) Horror-Drama; (HI)
Histericol-Droma; (M) Musicol; (My) Mystery; (OD) Outdoor-Drama; (SF) Science-Fiction; (W) Western.
REPUBLIC
|@Divi(ie!l Heart, The (S9) D..540g
Cornell Borchers, Alexander Knox
r Ss) Headline Hunters (70) . . D. .5440
I Kod Cameron, Julie Bishop
'3lj0Last Command, The
(UO)
0D..5407
i'
S. Hayden. A. M. Alberghetti
,
Cross Channel (60) D..5441
Morris, Yvonne Furneaux
20TH-FOX
©Left Hand of God, The
(87) © D.. 520-7
Humphrey Bogart, Gene Tlerney
©Seven Cities of Gold
(103) © D.. 522-3
Richard Bgan. Rita Moreno,
Michael Rennle
UNITED ARTISTS
light of the Hunter, The
(90) D..5527
Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters
UNIVERSAL-INT'L
B H WARNER BROS.
Story, The
(107) © D..501
Alan Ladd, June Allyson
glTwinkle in God's Eye, The
(74) CD. 5444
Mickey Rooney, Coleen Gray
E)©Man Alone, A (96) . .W. .5409
Bay Milland. Mary Murphy
@ Mystery of the Black Jungle
(72) Ad. .5442
Lex Barker, Jane Maxwell
a No Man's Woman (70) . . , 5445
Marie Windsor. John .\rcher
.5443
S Vanishing American, The
(90) W. .5501
Scott Brady, Audrey Totter
©Tall Men. The (125) ©.W.. 523-1
Clark Gable. Jane RusseU
(Prerelea.ie)
©Girl in the Red Velvet Swing
(108) © D.. 524-9
R. Milland, J. Collins, F. Granger
Lover Boy (85) CD.. 526-4
(Hevievred as "Lovers, Happy
Lovers" 11-13-54)
Gerard Philipe, Joan Greenwood
©View From Pompey's Head, The
(97) © D.. 525-6
Richard Egan, Dana Wynter
©Deep Blue Sea, The
(99) © D. .527-2
Vivien Leigh, Kenneth More
©Good Morning, Miss Dove
(107) © 0.. 528-0
Jennifer Jones, Robert Stack
©Gentlemen Marry Brunettes
(99) © M..5531
Jane Russell, Crain
Jeanne
©Fort Yuma (79) 0D..5533
Peter Graves, Joan Vohs
Othello (92) D..5530
Orson Welles, Cloutler
Suzanne
©Savage Princess (101) .. .Ad. .5534
(Filmed In India with native cast)
Big Knife, The (lU) . . . . D. .5532
.lack I'alance, Ida Luplno,
SheUey Winters, ru)d Steiger
©To Hell and Back
(106) © 0..539
(Standard version: 540)
Audie Murphy, Charles Drake
2] ©I Died a Thousand Times
(109) © 0..50
Jack Palance, Shelley Winters
S ©Sincerely Yours
(115) M..50
Llberace, Dorothy Malone.
©Rains of Ranchipur, The
(104) © D..!
Lana Tyrner, Richard Burton,
Fred MacMurray
©Heidi and Peter (89)
. . . .D . .5538
Elsbeth Sigmund, Thomas Klameth
©Indian Fighter, The
©Second Greatest Sex, The
(88) © OD. 5537 (89) © M..
Kirk Douglas, Elsa Martlnelll
Jeanne Crain, George Nader
Top Gun (73) W..5536
Sterling Hayden, Karen Booth
S ©Court-Martial of Billy
Mitchell (100) © D..507
Gary Cooper, Ralph Bellamy
a ©Flame of the Islands
(90) D..5502
Yvonne De Carlo, Howard Duff,
Zachary Scott
m Jaguar (66) Ad . .
5531
Sabu, Barton MacLane
13 Track the Man Down
(73) D..5533
Kent 'Taylor, Petula Clark
©Lieutenant Wore Skirts, The
(101) © C. 601-5
Tom Ewell, Sheree North
©Bottom of the Bottle, The
(88) © D.. 602-3
Van Johnson, Roman,
Ruth
Joseph Gotten
Man With the Golden Arm, The
(119) D..5540
Frank Sinatra, Eleanor Parker,
Kim Novak
Storm Fear (88) D..5539
Cornel WUde, Jean Wallace
©All That Heaven Allows
(89) D..5609
Jane Wyman, Rock Hudson
©Spoilers, The (84) D .
Jeff Chandler, Anne Baxter,
Rory Calhoun
5607
g©Hell on Frisco Bay
(98) ©
Alan Ladd, Joanne Dru
HWhen Gangland Strikes
(70) .Cr.,5535
Raymond Greenlcif, Marjie Millar
Clifton
Webb, Gloria Grahame
Killer Is Loose, The (73) . . D . . 5608
Joseph Gotten, Rhonda Fleming, ©Benny Goodman Story, The
Wendell Corey
(116) M . . 5611
©Let's Make Up (72) . . . .M . .5604 Steve Allen, Donna Reed
Errol Pljnn. Anna Neagle
SManfish (76) Ad.. 5607 There's Always Tomorrow
John Bromfield, Victor Jory
(84) 0..5610
Shadow of the Eagle (93) D..5605 Barbara Stanwyck. Fred MacMurray,
Richard Greene, Valentina Cortesa Joan Bennett
ESQCome Next Spring
(92) D..5505
Steve Cochran, Ann Sheridan
Stranger at My Door (S7). .D. .5507
Macdonald Carey, Patricia Medina
©Zanjabuku (71) Doc..550S
Lewis Cotlow's African Trip
©Circus Girl (88) D..5506
Special production
Terror'at Midnight (70) .
.5536
Scott Brady, Joan Vohs
©On the Threshold of Space
(96) © SF. 605-6
Guy Madison, Virginia Leith
©Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, The
(152) © D. .606-4
Gregory Peck, Jennifer Jones
Fredric March, Marisa Pavan
©Revolt of Mamie Stover, The
(93) © D..608-0
Jane Russell, Richard Egan
©Mohawk (79) CD.. 609-8
Scott Brady, Rita Gam,
Neville Brand
©Hilda Crane (85) ©.... D. .611-4
Jean Simmons,»-Jean Pierre Aumont,
Guy Madison
©23 Paces to Baker Street
(..) © D.. 607-2
Van Johnson, Miles
Vera
Ghost Town (75)
W..5610
Kent Taylor, Marian Carr
Patterns (S3) D..5612
Van Hellin, Beatrice Straight
©Comanche (87) © W..5611
Dana Andrews, Linda Cristal
Sea Shall Not Have Them, The
(91) Ad.. 5606
>Ucbael Redgrave, Dirk Bogarde
©Alexander the Great
(141) © D..5621
Richard Burton, Claire Bloom,
Fredric March (Prerelease)
Timetable (79) D..5609
Mark Stevens, Farr
Felicia
Broken Star (82) W..5614
Hoviard Duff, Lita Baron
Creeping Unknown (78) .SF. . .5620
Brian Donlevy, Margia Dean
Crime Against Joe (69) .. My. .5615
John Bromfield, Julie I^ndon
©Quincannon, Frontier Scout
(S3)
W..5616
Tony Martin, Peggie Castle
©Foreign Intrigue (..)... .D. .
Robert Mitchum, Genevieve Page
Unidentified Flying Obietts
(91) Doc.
Creature Walks Among Us, The
(78) SF..5617
Jeff Morrow, Leigh Snowden
©Day of Fury, A (78) . . . . W. .5619
Dale Robertson, Mara Corday,
Jock Mahoney
©Serenade (121) DM .
'
Mario Lanza, Joan Fontaine
Serlta Monteil, Vincent Price
.516
a Goodbye, My Udy (95).. D.. 517
Brandon de Wilde, Walter Brenr,an
! ©Searchers, The (119) ®.W. .518
John Wayne, Natalie Wood,
Jeffrey Hunter. Vera Miles
©Thunder Over Arizena
. .
.
.
©Osceola
OD..Jul
James Craig. Llla Milan
©Dakota Incident OD..
Linda Darnell, Dale Robertson
Lisbon (g) 0..
Ray Milland, Maureen O'Hara
©Acapuico Story D..
Ralph Meeker, Janice Rule
Oaniel Boone, Trailblazer.
Bruce Bennett, 1,od Chaney
White Nightmare D..
Jaan Bvans, Ben Cooper
Hlnky Dinky Parley Vous C.
Mickey Roonty, Wally Cos
Dangerous Cargo D.
Dane Clark. May Wynn
Man Question, The in D
Ella BaioM. Derek Farr
©D-Day the 6th of
©King and I, The ©55 DM . .Jul
Deborah Kerr, Yul Brynner
©Bus Stop © D . . Aug
Marilyn Monroe, Don Murray
©Last Wagon, The © W. .Aug
Richard Widmark, FeUcia Farr
©Day the Century Ended ©. . . .Seo
Robert Wagner, Cameron Mitchell
©Best Things in Life Are
Free © M. .Sep
Gordon MaeKae, Ernest Borgntoe,
Sheree North, Dan Dalley
©Massacre W. .
Dane aark. Marta Roth
©Abdullah the Great CD.
Gregory Ititoff. Kay KendaU
©Boy on a Dolphin © Ad.
Robert Wagner,
Joan OolUns
©Kiss Before Dying, A
(..) © D..5622
Robert Wagner, Jeffrey Hunter,
Virginia Leith, Mary Astor
Nightmare (. .) D.
Bdw. G. Robinson, Kevin McCarthy
©Star of India (92) Ad.. 5623
Cornel Wilde, Jean Wallace
Black Sleep, The (..).... Ho. .5617
Basil liathbone, Bela Liigosi
Johnny Concho! W. .Jul
Frank Sinatra, Phyllis Kirk
©Trapeze © D..Jul
Burt Lancaster, 0. Lollobrigida
©Ambassador's Daughter © . CD . . Aug
0. de Havilland, J. Forsythe
Emergency Hospital D . . Aug
Margaret Lindsay, Walter Reed
Fragile Fox D..Sap
Jack Palance, Eddie Albert
Beast of Hollow Mt. © Ad..
Guy Madison, Patricia Medina
©Run for the Sun ©235.. Ad..
Richard Widmark, Jane Greer
Huk
D..
George Montgomery. Mona Freeman
Wild Party 0..
Anthony ftuinP; Carol Ofamart
©Rawhide Years, The W..Jul
Tony Curtis, Colleen Miller
©Congo Crossing Ad . . Jul
George Nader, Virginia Mayo
©Toy Tiger CD . . Jul
Jeff Chandler, Tim Hovey
©Away All Boats ® D..Aug
Jeff Chandler. Julie Adams
Francis in the Haunted House. C. Aug
Mickey Rooney, Virginia Welles
©Proud Land © W. .Sep
Audie Murphy, Anne Bancroft
©Raw Edge OD..Sep
Rory Calhoun. Yvonne De Carlo
Behind the High Wall D..Sep
Tom Tullj, SylWa Sidney
©Showdown at Abilene W Oct
Jock Mahoney, Martha Hyer
Long as You're Near Me
(101) D..519
0. W. Fischer, Maria Scbell
Animal World (82) Doc. 520
Nature feature (photography plus
anlnwtlon)
©Santiago (. .) Ad.
Alan Ladd, Ro.isana Podesta
©Moby Dick ©
OD. .Jul
Gregory Peck. Richard Basehart
©Burning Hills, The W.
Tab Hunter, Natalie Wood
Bad Seed, The D..
Nancy Kelly, Patty McCormack
©Seven Men From Now W.
R.mdolph Scott, Gail RusseU
©Giant
D..
Taylor, Rock Hudson
Elizabeth
©Spirit of St, Louis @ 0..
James Stewart, Rena Clark
Toward the Unknown D..
WUIinm Holden, Virginia Leith
Baby Doll D.
Karl Maiden, Carroll Baker
Buffalo Grass W.
Man Ladd, Virginia Mayo
BOXOFFICE BookJnGulde :: May 12, 1956

I Am
. . . Doc.
. Sep
Noy
. D
. Feb
.
Feb
. May
. Dec
.
Feb
. Nov
Feb
. .
Mar
FEATURE CHART
^HORTS CHART
you
f
INDEPENDENT S 5;
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL
©Simba'Terror of the
pApiche Woman (B3) W . 55
Lloy.1 Brlclfcs. Joan Taylor
Beast With a Million Eyu (78) SF. Oct 55
LOUIS deROCHEMONT
I'iul lilrch, Urna Tliayer
Operation Malaya (65) Doc. Oct 55
Special cast
Day the World Endeil (80) Si..SF..Dk55
Hlclinrd Kenning. Lorl Nolfion
Phantom Frqm 10,000 Leagues
(80) SF..0ec55
Kent Taylor, dlhy Downs
ARLAN
Livinj North. The (74) Doe .
Kilninl In Lapland: natlie cast
(KriKllsli
narratloD)
ASSOCIATED FILM
Last or the Desperados (71) W. Dec 55 TRANS-LUX
.lanKS Craig, Margla Hean
Lovers and Lollipops (85) CD.
Two-Gun Lady (76) W.. Dec 55
l.iiri .Mareli. lliTald OLoiighlhl
IViSie Castle, WUllam Talman
Wild Dakotas (73) W.. Feb 56
VAN WOLF-API
Bill Williams, Colten Gray. Jim Darts
Blonde Bait (71) D. .Apr 56 Dementia (55) D.
AUrienne Barrett, Sola
Beverly Michaels, Jim Darts
Bruno Ve
©Picasso (50) Doc.
Three Outlaws, The (..) W..May56
A tour of the .Noiille Brand, Bruce Bennett
aillst's work
ASTOR
Fear (82) D .
Inerld Bergman, Matlilas VTlemao
BANNER
QWetbacks (86) AC.
Lloyd Bridges, Nancy Gates
BUENA VISTA
O® African Lion, The (73) . . Oct 5b
©Littlest Outlaw, The (75) D.. Feb 56
Pedro Armendarlz, Andres Vela-sqiiez
©Great Locomotive Chase © O..Jun56
Fess Parker, Jeff Hunter
©Davy Crockett and the River
Pirates (..) Ad .Jul56
Fess Parker, Buddy Bbsen
CONTINENTAL
Hill 24 Doesn't Answer (100) D. . . . . .
Michael Wager, Haya Hararit
I English dialog)
55
Wages of Fear (106) D.. Feb 56
Y>cs Montand. Charles Vanel
Plea-'^e Murder Me (76) D.. Mar 56
.\nsela I^ansbury, Kaymond Burr
Jedda the Uncivilized (. .) I
N.iria Kunoth, Robert Tuda Wall
Frisky (98) CD.. Apr 56
(iina Lollobrigida, Vlttorlo De Slca
Woman of Rome, The ( . . ) . . I
Glna Lollobrigida, Daniel Gelin
EDEN
One Way Ticket to Hell (65).... D..
Non-professional cast
EMBASSY
Wiretapper (80) D..
liUl Williams. Georgia Lee
FILMAKERS
Mad at the World (72)
Cathy
FINE
ARTS
O'DonneU
Strangers (80)
Incrid Bergman. George Sanders
GIBRALTAR
QFury in Paradise (77) D..
I'eier Thompson, Rea Iturblde
Silent Fear (66) D..
Andrea King. Peter Adams
HOFFBERG
Vengeance of the Black Eagle,
The (..) Ad..
Uossaim BrazzI, Glanna Maria Canale
(Filmed in Mexico; English dialog)
HOWCO
Lum and Abner Abroad (72) C. Feb 56
Lnm .ind Abner. Jill Alls
OM'naga (..) Ad. .May 56
Sabu
IFE
Lease of Life (93) D .
Robert Donat. Kay Walsh
. Jan 56
(Englt.'ih dialog!
©Lost Continent (95) © Doc. Feb 56
Travelog of Indonesian Islands
(Engikh narration)
LIPPERT
Trail, The (73) W. Jul 55
layne Morris, Jotm Agar
Ifuta Virginia McK.i
Great Adventure, The (72) Doc. Sep 55
K Sucksdorff. Anders Norbort
Keller In Her Story (formerly
"The Unconquered") (55). Doc Apr 56
rr.ited by Kalhcrine Cornell
REISSUES
BUENA VISTA
©Fantasia (81) M . 56
(Superscope added, with 4-traek sound and
stereophonic sound.)
©Song of the South (95) M . 56
Kuth Warrick, Bobby Drlscoll. Luana Patten
COLUMBIA
Walk a Crooked Mile (91) D.. Dec 55
LouLs Hayward. Dennis O'Keefe
HOWCO
DCA
a Camera (95) C. .Auj 55
Julie Harris, Laurence Haney
MGM
©Outlaw Women (80) W. .Apr 56
Marie Windsor, Kicbard Rober, J. Coogan
(Stales
Rights)
Guy Named Joe, A (120) D .
. Nov 55
Silencer Tracy, Irene Dimne, Van Johnson
30 Seconds Over Tokyo (138) D
.
. Nov 55
Spencer Tracy, Van Johnson, P. Thaiter
©Billy the Kid (95) W.. Bee 55
Robert Taylor, Brian Donlevy
Honky Tonk (105) D 55
.
Clark Gable, Lima Turner. C. Trevor
Stratton Story, The (106) D . 56
James Steuart. June Ailyson
©Three Musketeers (126)) D.. Feb 56
Lana Turner, Gene Kelly, Van Hetlin
©Northwest Passage (126) D . . Mar 56
Spencer Tracy. Robert Young, Ruth HiL^sey
©Yearling, The (128) D.. Mar 56
G. Peck, J. Wyman. Claude Jarman jr.
PARAMOUNT
©Shepherd of the Hills (98) D. .Oct 55
. . . .
John Wayne. Betty Field, Harry Carey
©Trail of the Lonesome Pine (99) . D . Oct 55
.
Henry Fonda, Fred MacMurray
©Unconquered (146) D , Oct 55
.
Gary Cooper. Paulett* Goddard
©White Christmas (120) M . Oct 55
.
Cini; Crosby. Danny Kaye, Rosem.-u-y Cloonty
©Streets of Laredo (92) W. .May 56
William Holden, Macdonald Carey
Two Years Before the Mast (98)
.
.
.
May 56
Alan Ladd. Brian Donlevy. William Bendix
©Whispering Smith (89) W.. May 36
Alan Ladd. Robert Preston, B. Marshall
RKO
One Minute to Zero (105) D. Mar 56
Robert Mltchum. \na Blyth
Big Sky. The (112) OD. Apr 56
Kirk Douglas. Devvey Martin. E. Threatt
©Flying Leathernecks (102) D .
56
John Wayne. Robert Ryan. Janls Carter
Lusty Men (113) D . May
.
56
Susan Hayuard. Robert Mltchum
King Kong (100) F-Ad..Jun56
r.riire Cibot, Fay Wray, Robert Armstrnnc
I Walked With a Zombie (69) . . . Ho. .Jun 56
Frances fiir, Jame.s Ellison. Tom (imaay
UNIVERSAL-INT'L
©Tap Roots (109) D.. May 56
Heflln. Van Susan Ward Bond
Havvard.
Raiders (SO) ©Kansas W.. May 56
Audle Murphy. Tony Donl«v7
Curtis. B.
COLUMBIA
10' 8
8412 He Took a Powder (17) Oct 55 ....
8413 Hook a Crook (16), . 55
8414 Come On Seven .
(16) 56 :*: 4-21
ASSORTED
FAVORITES
8421 Honeymoon Blues (17) Sep 55 ....
8422 The Jury Goes Round 'n
Round (18) Nov 55 .
3423 Should Husbands Marry?
(17) Dec 55
CANDID MICROPHONE
(One-Reel Specials:
8551 Subject 3. Series 2 (11) Sep 55
8552 Subject 4, Series 2
(IQi/j) Dec 55
8553 Subject 5, Series 2 (11) Jan 56
CINEMASCOPE
(Technicolor)
FEATURETTE
S441 Wonders of Manhattan
(16) Feb 1-21
56, ft
COLOR
(Technicolor
FAVORITES
Reissues)
8601 Tooth or Consequences
(61/2) 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 (e'/a) Jan 56
COMEDY
FAVORITES
(Reissues)
8431 Pardon My Lamb Chop
(17) Oct 55
S432 Radio Romeo (I71/2). .Dec 55
8433 Wedlock Deadlock (16) . Dec 55 ....
MR. MAGOO
(Technicolor)
7704 Madcap Magoo (6)...Jun55
(1955-56)
8701 iiaoc Door Magoo (7) .Oct 55
MR.
MAGOO CINEMASCOPE SPECIAL
B751 Magoo Makes News (6). Dec 55
SCREEN SNAPSHOTS
8851 Hollywood Bronc Busters
(9) Sep 55 ± 11-19
S852 Great Al Jolson (11). Oct 55
SS53 Hollywood Premiere
(10) Nov 55
Ramblin' Hollywood
8854 Around
(101/2) Dec 55
Hollywood A-fishin'
8855 Goes
(lOi/z) Jan 56
8856 Hollywood Small Fry
(11) Feb 56 ± 3-24
SERIALS
(15 Chapters)
S120The Sea Hound Sep 55
STOOtE COMEDIES
(Reissues)
8401 Wham-Bara-Slam (16). Sep 55 + 10- 8
8492 Hot Ice (I6I/2) Oct 55
8403 Blunder Boys (16) Nov 55
8404 Husbands Beware (16) .Jan 56
8405 Creeps (16) Feb 56 ± 3-24
THRILLS OF MUSIC
(Reissues)
8951 Louis Prima & Orch.
(10) Sep 55
8952 Buddy Rich & Orch.
(IOI/2) Nov 55
8953 Charlie Spivak & Orch.
(10) Dec 55
UPA ASSORTED
(Technicolor)
8501 Christopher Crumiirs
Playmate (6

.
Nov
Sep
Nov
. Nov
Dec
Dec
Oct 55 +
:
Aug
May
Aug
^
SHORTS
CHART
Short subjects, listed by
order o» releose. Running time follows title. First is national release
month, second the dote of ri view in BOXOFFICE. Symbol between dotes is rating from BOXOFFICE
review. ++ Very Good. + Good. i: Fair. - Poor. = Very Poor. Photography: Color and process os specified.
P14-6 Poop Goes the Weasel
(6) Jul 55 ± 10-22
(1955-56)
P15-1 Rabbit Punch (6) . . . .Sep 55 + 12- 3
P15-2 Little Audrey Riding 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)..Jun55 10-22
in K14-6 Walk the Deep (10) Jun 55- + 8-20
POPEYE CARTOONS
(Technicolor)
E14-7Gift of Gap (6).... May 55 +8-6
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
V14-3VVVisits the Sun Trails
(16) May 55 ff 12-10
V14.4 VV Visits Hawaii (17) Jul 55 + 12-31
V14-5VV Visits Japan (17). Aug 55 +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)
+ 8-6
5388 Venezuela (9) Mar 55
RKO RADIO
BROWN-KIRKWOOD REISSUES
63.601 Heart Troubles (16) . 55
63.602 Put Some Money in the Pot
(17) Nov 55
DISNEY
CARTOONS
(Technicolor)
54.114 Beezy Bear (7) Sep 55 + 10-22
(Technicolor
Reissues)
54.109 Pedro (8) May 55 6-11
54.110 El Gaucho .Jun 55 + 8-27
Goofy (8)
54.111 Aquarela do Brasil
(8) Jun 55 + 8-20
54,113 Bcarly Asleep (7) Aug 55 ++ 10-22
EDGAR
KENNEDY REISSUES
63.501 No More Relatives
(IS) Sep 55
63.502 How to Clean House
(18) Oct 55
63.503 Dig That Gold (17) . 55
63.504 Contest Crazy (17) . . Dec 55
GIL LAMB REISSUES
63.301 Groan and Grunt (17) Sep 55
53.302 Bashful Romeo (16). Oct 55
LEON
ERROL REISSUES
63.701 Wife Tames Wolf (17) Sep 55
63.702 Dad Always Pays
(18) 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)0cl 55
63.402 Bar Buckaroos (16) . 55
SCREENLINERS
54.211 Rest Assured (8) . . . .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 (IQi/j) Sep 55 + 11-26
64.202 Black Cats and Broomsticks
(8) 0ct55 + ]
64.203 Make Mine Memories
(8) Nov 55
64.204 Teenagers on Trial
(8) Dec 55 +
64.205 Her Honor, the Nurse
(8) Jan 56
64.206 Fortune Seekers (8). Feb 56 +
64.207 We Never Sleep (8). Mar 56
64.208 Where Is Jane Doe?
(8) Mar 56
64.209 Merchandise Mart
(8) Apr 56
SPECIALS
63.101 The Future Is Now
(15) Sep 55
63.102 Golden Glamour (15) .
63.103 Sentinels in the Air
(15) Feb 56
53.104 Golden Ettuator
(13) Mar 56
SPORTSCOPES
54.310 Everglades Posse (8). May 55 +
54.311 Downhill Yachts (8). Jun 55 +
54.312 Bowling Boom (8).. Jul 55 +
54.313 Tanbark and Turf (8) .Jul 55 +
(1955-56)
64.301 Game Warden (8)..Sep55 College (S) . . 64.302 Gym .Sep 55 +
64.303 Bonefish and Barracuda
(8) Oct 55 64.304 Canadian Carnival (8) Nov 55 64.305 Headpin Hits (8) . . Dec 55 +
64.306 Island Windjammers
(S) Jan 56 +
64.307 Ski-Flying (8) Feb 56
64.308 Canadian Lancers
(8) Mar 56
SPORTS SPECIALS
63,901 Football Headliners
(151/2) Dec 55 +
THEATRE OF LIFE
53,301 Devil Take Us (21) . .Jun 55 H
WILDLIFE
ALBUM
(Technicolor)
63.001 The Whitetail Buck
(271/2) Oct 55 +
20th CENTURY-FOX
CINEMASCOPE SPECIALS
(Color)
7514-3 Sorcerer's Apprentice
(13) May 55 +
7507-7 Tears of the Moon
(10) Jun 55 -H-
7506-9 Land of the Nile (9) Jun 55 ++
7517-6 Volcanic Violence (9) Jun 55 ff
7516-8 Winter Jamboree (10) Jul 55 +
7515-0 Naughty Mermaids
(7) Aug 55
7519-2 Survival City (10) Aug 55 +
7518-4 That Others May Live
(10) Sep 55
7520-0 Gods of the Road
(10) Sep 55
7521-8 Desert Fantasy (8). Sep 55 +
7513-5 Clear the Bridge (10) Oct 55
7522-6 Water Wizardy (7). Oct 55
7523-4 Carioca Carnival (9) . Nov 55
7525-9 Queen's Guard (17). Dec 55
(1955-56)
7601-8 Lady of the Golden Door
(9) Jan 56
7602-6 A Thoroughbred Is Born
(9) Jan 56 +
7603-0 Adventure In Capri
(9) Feb 56 +
MEL ALLEN SPORTS
3501-4 Topsy Turvy Thrills
(8) Jun 55 +
SEE IT HAPPEN
6501-1 Man vs. Nature (9) Jun 55 +
TERRVTOONS
5501-3 Phony News Flashes
(7) Jul 55 +
5511-1 Foxed by a Fox (7) Aug 55 +
5512-9 Last Mouse of Hamlin,
(7) Sep 55
(1955-56)
56C1-0 The Clockmaker's Dog
(7) Jan 56 +
TERRYTOON-CINEMASCOPES
(Technicolor)
5531-9 Willie the Walrus in An Igloo
for Two (7) May 55 +
5532-7 Good Deed Daly (7) Jul 55 +
5533-5 Bird Symphony (7) Aug 55 -H
5534-3 Little Red Hen (7). Sep 55 +
(1955-56)
5631-7 Park Avenue Pussycat
(7) Jan 56
5632-0 Uranium Blues (7). Feb 56 4-28
UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL
CINEMASCOPE FEATURETTE
(Technicolor)
2600 The Nat "King" Cole
Musical Story (18) H 12-10
COLOR
PARADE
1385 King Salmon (9) . . . .Jul 55 8-27
13S6SwinBHi-Swing Lo (9) Aug 55 8-27
1384 The Big Test (10) . . . .Jun 55 + 10- 8
1387 Dream Island (9) . . . .Sep 55 =t 11-19
1388 Against the Stream (9) Oct 55 + 1-28
(1955-56)
2671 Pacific Sports (8) .... Nov 55
of 2672 Fighters the Ukes
(9) Jan 56
2673 Blue Coast (9) Feb 56 ++ 1-28
(16) Jul 55 + 8-27
Eddy 1310 Howard and
His Orchestra (14) 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 Marterie & 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
to
1345 Brooklyn Goes
Cleveland (10) Jul 55 10- 8
.. 1346 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)
(7) Oct. 55 12-10
1333 Bunco Busters (7) Nov 55 + 1-7
(1955-56)
2611 Tbc 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 Gel Ust (6) Mar 56
WALTER LANTZ REISSUES
1354 Kiddie Kontert (7).. May 55
1355 Pixie Picnic (7) Jun 55
1356 Wacky Bye Baby (7) Jul 55
WARNER BROS.
eels) » 12-31
BLUE RIBBON HIT PARADE
(Technicolor
Reissues)
3301 Doggone Cats (7) Sep 55
3305 Rattled Rooster (7) Oct 55
..
3303 Fair and Wormer (7) Nov 55
3304 Mousemerized 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 Lcgion-Haie
(7) Nov 55 1-28
Bugs Jan 56 + 3-31
3725 Bonnets (7)
3726 Broomstick Bunny Feb 56+ 4-21
(7).
3727 Rabbitson Crusoe (7) .Apr 56
CLASSICS OF THE SCREEN
3101 Small Town Idol (20). Sep 55
3102 It Happened to You
(18) Dec 55 •(+ 2-25
COLOR
SPECIALS
2010 Wave of the Flag (19) . 55 -ft
2011 Adventures of Alexander
Selkirk (17) Jun 55 +
2012 Uranium Fever (..).. Jul 55
(1955-56)
3001 Movicland Magic (19). Oct 55
3002 Golden Tomorrow (17). Nov 55 +
3003 Behind the Big Top
(IS) Dec 55
3004 They Seek Adventure
(19) Jan 56 + 3-17 '
3005 Out of the Desert (19) .Feb 56 1+ 3-31
3006 Copters & Cows (17). Mar 56 ++ 4-21
JOE McDOAKES COMEDIES
MELODY MASTER BANDS
(Reissues)
3801 Jan Savitt & Band
(10) Sep 55
3802 Artie Shaw & Orch.
(10) 0ct55
3803 Ozzic Nelson Sc Orch.
(10) Dec 55
3804 Carl Hoff & Band (10) .
Feb 56
3805 Borrah Minevitch (10). Apr 56
MERRIE MELODIES-LOONEY TUNES
(Technicolor)
3701 Dime to Retire (9). Sep 55 H 1-14
3702 Speedy Gonzales (7) .
.Sep 55 -j- 1-7
3703 Two Scents Worth (7) Oct 55 + 1-14
3704 Red Riding Hoodwinked
^,,
Oct 55
3705 Heir Conditioned (7) Nov 55 + 3- 3
. .
3706 Guided Muscle (7) Dec 55
. . . .
3707 Pappy's Pupp_y (7) Dec 55 + 2-25
3708 Oni
Evenir
Jan 56
3709 Too Hop to Handle
i56
3710 Weasel Stop

ALLIED ARTISTS
Mighty Fortress, The (AA^-^
Religious Documentary. Peaturette
is
that worth playing. Some
EHHS called it a glorified newsreel,
etc. It w-as well received
^toere and many, many favorable
youTomments. Played Good Friday
"'weekend and was pleased with
patrons this drew. Played Thurs.,
Fri., Sat. weather; Fair.—Ken
Christianson, Roxy Theatre,
Washburn, N. D. Pop. 913.
Treasure of Ruby Hills (AA1 —
Zachary Scott. Carole Mathews,
Barton MacLane. A good western
with plenty of action for a weekend
spot. Business average.
Played Sat. Weather: Good.—
D. W Ti-isko. Range Theatre,
Runge, Tex. Pop. 1,055.
COLUMBIA
Picnic iCoH —William Holden,
Rosalind Russell. Kim Novak.
Certainly one of the finest pictures
we have played in a long
time. A picture any audience will
appreciate. A good old-fashioned
hometown picture. A good grosser,
but won't make you any
money at 50 per cent terms.
Seems like all the film companies
are interested in is taking
their slice between our chin and
shoulder. At the rate they ai-e
going they'll have our throats
soon. Played one week, opening
Wednesday. Weather: Fair.
Robert Klinge. Uptown Theatre,
Sedalia, Mo. Pop 20,354.
Picnic (Col) —William Holden,
Rosalind Russell, Kim Novak.
is ijPfvHere a pictiu-e that will please
ifiit/young and old. Ideal for small
town. Tlie cast, acting, story and
were excellent. Drew to
color
above average business. Terms too
high. Played Sun.-Wed. Weather:
Very good.—Lloyd Bellefeuille.
Rialto Theatre, Aitkin, Minn.
Pop. 2,079.
Three for the Show (Col)—
Betty Grable, Jack Lemmon.
Mai-ge and Gower Champion.
Anyway, I found out why this
stretched print came so cheap.
Wish the reason had stayed Columbia's
secret. Played Wed..
Thurs. Weather: Nice. — Bob
Walker, Uintah Theatre, Fruita,
Colo. Pop. 1,463.
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER
Executive Suite iMGMi—William
Holden, June Allyson, Barbara
Stanwyck. And then there
were Fredric March, Walter
Pidgeon, Shelley Winters. What
more could you ask? Well, I'll tell
you. They needed a story to display
all
this wonderful talent. I
was very disappointed and so
were others, who told me so.
However, weather very poor, as
usual, so not many were disappointed.
Played Fri., Sat.—F.
L. Murray, Strand Theatre,
Spiritwood, Sask. Pop. 355.
Love Me or Leave Me (MGM)—
JDoris
Day, James Cagney. Cameron
Mitchell. Tops in entertainment.
Put it in late where a picture
was pulled, so it wasn't on
my calendar, but it did the best
busine.ss of this year so far.
M. D. Harris, Gem Theatre, Gibsland,
La. Pop. 1,085.
Tarzan Escapes (MGM)—Reissue.
Johnny Weissmuller, Mau-
s.
reen O'Sullivan. Picked up this
oldie for the kid trade. They ate
it up. Never a dull moment.
Played Tues,, Wed.—Frank E.
Sabin, Majestic Theatre, Eureka,
Mont. Pop. 929.
Trial (MGM)—Glenn Ford,
Dorothy McGuire, Arthur Kennedy.
A ti'uly great picture, well
acted. Ever so many said they
had no idea even as to how a
trial was conducted. Tliey liked
it exceedingly. Played Sun., Mon.
Weather: Cloudy and cool.—Ray
Kincade, Kesner Theatre, LeRoy.
Kas. Pop. 695.
Big Grosser
Rain the second night hurt
"Battle Cry" (WB) a little, but
thLs great picture gave me the
biggest gross in many months.
Here is an example of the way
Cinemascope should be used.
The battle scenes were terrific,
but some of the stock footage
from World War II was very
grainy when blown up to Cinemascope
size. We had some
patrons who showed up both
nights; also some ex-Marines
who haven't been in the theatre
for years. Let's have some
more entertainment like this!
FRANK R. McLEAN
Roxy Theatre
Coulterville, lU.
PARAMOUNT
Artists and Models (Para) —
Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Shirley
MacLaine. Not the best of
M&L pictures, but pleased all
who who saw it. 'VistaVision at its
best. Below average draw for
Martin and Lewis. Played Sun.,
Mon., Tues. Weather: Fair. —
Lloyd Bellefeuille, Rialto Theatre,
Aitkin, Minn. Pop. 2,079.
Girl Rush, The (Para) —Rosalind
Russell, Fernando Lamas,
Eddie Albert. Ran this on our action
change. My mistake. Starved.
They should have come to see it,
because it's really good in a
semi-corny way. Played Tues.,
Wed.—Frank Sabin, Majestic
Theatre, Eureka, Mont. Pop. 929.
Girl Rush, The (Para)—Rosalind
Russell, Fernando Lamas,
Eddie Albert. Fairly fast moving
musical. Pair comedy angle with
some nice outdoor scenery and
Las Vegas gambling casinos.
Some nice floor show acts. Business
average. Played Wed.,
Thurs. Weather: Okay.—D. W.
Trisko, Runge Theatre, Runge,
Tex. Pop. 1,055.
To Catch a Thief (Para)—Cary
Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce
Landis. Beautiful color and good
story. With Grace Kelly in the
headlines, should make money
anywhere. Played Sun., Mon.
Weather: Good. — B. Berglund,
Bijou Theatre, Ray, N. D. Pop.
721.
To Catch a Thief (Para)—Gary
Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce
Landis. After this. I hope Prince
Ranier does make his bride retire
from the screen. The makeup
department must have been on
strike for Grace Kelly's scenes.
Or maybe Technicolor's dyes are
fading. The smug, self-satisfied
XHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
expression Grace wore through
much of this picture may be
great acting, but I doubt If most
theatre patrons care too much for
it. The picture didn't please too
well and the latest feminine import
from France can take the
next boat back for my money.
Played Sun., Mon. Weather:
Fair.—Frank R. McLean, Roxy
Theatre, Coulterville, 111. Pop.
RKO RADIO
Glory (RKO)—Margaret O'-
Brien, Walter Brennan, Charlotte
Greenwood. A race horse
picture that will just get by. No
extra business, so bank account
will not grow. Watch it. Made a
mistake by giving it a Sunday
opening. Weather: Good.—Leo A.
Backer, Valley Theatre, Browns
Valley, Minn. Pop. 1,117.
Music Land (RKO)—Reissue.
Cartoon feature. I never in all my
years in show business ever made
a dime by playing Disney pictures.
Early in the show, I had
four walkouts. It's the last Disney
to play my house. Played
Wed., Thurs. Weather: Good. —
Leo A. Backer, Valley Theatre.
Browns Valley. Minn. Pop. 1,117.
Tarzan and the She-Devil
(RKO)—Lex Barker, Joyce Mac-
Kenzie, Raymond Burr. As usual
for kid-pullers. Good Sunday
with kids to spare. Not. so good
Monday, with seats to spare. Ran
with three cartoons. Played Sun.,
Mon. Weather: Hot Sunday and
rain Monday. — Lew Bray jr..
Queen Theatre, McAllen, Tex.
Pop. 20,068.
REPUBLIC
Doctor in the House (Rep) —
Dirk Bogarde, Muriel Pavlow,
Kenneth More. A cute little comedy
of a class of students learning
to be doctors. Only comment
on this is that we just can't do
any business on foreign productions.
I don't know why. Certainly
a lot of them are far superior
to some of the stuff we
have been releasing in the past.
Guess it's the British accent they
use. Placed Thurs., Fri. Weather:
Cold.—Robert Klinge, Uptown
Theatre, Sedalia, Mo. Pop. 20,354.
Headline Hunters (Rep)—Rod
Cameron, Julie Bishop, Ben
Cooper. Doubled this newspaper
cops and robbers with "Ten
Wanted Men" for a fair average
weekend date for the customers
who like fightin' instead of lovin'.
Played Thurs.. Sat. Weather:
Mild, intermittent rains.—Lew
Bray jr., Queen Theatre, McAllen,
Tex. Pop. 20,068.
Hell's Outpost (Rep) — Rod
Cameron, Joan Leslie, John Rus-
Good action feature for
sell.
small-town theatre. No attendance.
Fri., Sat. Played Weather:
Cold.—Ralph Raspa, State Theatre,
Rivesville, W. Va. Pop. 1,343.
Timberjack (Rep) — Sterling
Havden. Vera Ralston, David
Brian. This is a good action picture.
The Ti-ucolor was very
good. We did a few bucks above
the average for this change. Action
fans will like it. Played Tues.
Weather: Pair—Michael Chlaventone.
Valley Theatre, Spring
Valley. 111. Pop. 5,123.
lABOUT PICTURESI
20th CENTURY-FOX
Broken Lance (20th-Fox) —
S|)tn(CT Tracy. Robi^rl Wagner,
Jean Peters. An excellent westerii
with a super cast. A good picture
for art houses as well as rural
areas. Just a good picture. Period.
Only one fault: priced too
high. After Fox got Ihelr's there
was only skim milk left for yours
truly. What with price and bad
I weather, barely broke even.
Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Bad.
— F. L. Murray. Strand Theatre,
Spiritwood, Sask. Pop. 355.
How to Be Very, Very PopuUr
(20lh-Fox)—Betty Grable, Sheree
North, Bob Cummlngs. A
very, very cute comedy with a
pair of cute dames. There are
some hilarious moments in this
one. Color good. Pulled better
Monday night than on Sunday
night, which proves that word of
mouth got around. Played Sun.,
Mon. Weather: Fine.—I. Roche,
Vernon Theatre, Vernon, Fla.
Pop. 610.
Lieutenant Wore Skirts, The
(20th-Fox)—Tom Ewell, Sheree
North. Rita Moreno. A very good
comedy that pleased the very
small attendance. No fault of
the picture, In normal times
would have done good business.
Played Sun., Mon. Weather:
Good —W. L. Stratton. Lyric Theatre,
Chains, Ida. Pop. 728.
Seven Year Itch, The (20th-
Fox)—Tom Ewell. Marilyn Monroe.
Evelyn Keyes. Today, the
kind of business this did was
mighty nice. A year or so ago,
it would have been just average.
I liked it the "Itch," but seemed
to be over the heads of most of
my regulars, while a few of the
seldom-comers thought it was
great. I think half the little guys
and gals in my area have the
"Itch." is one reason business
doesn't come back. Never have I
heard of so many cases of
measles, mumps, chicken pox and
whooping cough. A youngster
gets over one and the next day
,
is down witli another, so the boxoffice
wallows. Played Sun.,
Mon., Tues. Weather: Windy,
chilly.—Bob Walker. Uintah Theatre,
Fruita, Colo. Pop. 1.463.
Good for Top Time
Kentuckian, The (U A)—Burt
Lancaster, Dianne Foster,
Diana Lynn. Very good job
about an early day feud, a man
and boy's ambition to get from
Kentucky to Texas. Plenty of
action, l()ve and beautiful scenery.
.\ very good fight. Business
average. Good enough for
anyone's top playing time.
D. W. TRISKO
Runge Theatre
Runge. Tex.
UNITED ARTISTS
Beachhead (UA)—Tony Curtis.
Frank Lovejoy, Mary Murphy.
Not so much of a war picture. I
would call this an action picture.
The story moves at a rapid rate.
Suspense runs high and almost
continuous. The color Is magnificent,
and so is the scenery.
This is a picture that will go over
(Continued on following page)
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: May 12, 1956
11

.Slmone
-Marta
Iiaxely,
Michael
:
May
l"-
'
EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
(Continued from preceding page)
well in any situation. I had
Plenty of compliments. Played
ipri., Sat. Weather: Poor.—F. L.
Murray, Strand Theatre, Spmtwood,
Sask. Pop. 355.
Desert Sands (UA) — Ralph
Meeker, Maria English, J. Carol
Naish. The theme has been done
so many times that people won't
leave their TV sets to come to
this. Played Thiu-s., Fri., Sat.
Weather: Good.—M. W. Long.
Lans Theatre, Lansing, Iowa.
Pop. 1,531.
Fort Yuma (UA) — Peter
Graves, Joan Vohs, John Hudson.
This is not much of a picture.
Did not please and failed to draw
50 per cent of normal action business.
Can't recommend it. You
can see this stuff on TV. Played
Fri., Sat. Weather: Okay.—W. L.
Stratton. Lyric Theatre, Challis,
Ida. Pop. 728.
Gentlemen Marry Brunettes
(UA) — Jane Russell, Jeanne
Crain, Alan Young. Jane Russell
and Bob Waterfield seem to
be getting off to a good start in
the producing end of the business.
Thought this picture would
be horrible, but it wasn't too bad.
At least, the cast didn't burst
forth into song every time somevone
opened the door to get the
morning paper, as happens in 99.9
per cent of the musicals. Played
Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair and
warm.—J. D. Wilbanks, Wagon
Wheel Drive-In, Spearman, Tex.
Pop. 1,852.
Indian Fighter, The (UA) —
Kirk Douglas, Elsa Martinelli,
Walter Abel. Good picture. The
title tells what it's about. Business
not so hot. Played Sun., Mon.
Weather: Cold.—Michael Chiaventone,
Valley Theatre, Spring
Valley, 111. Pop. 5,123.
Robbers' Roost (UA)—George
Montgomery, Richard Boone,
Bruce Bennett. Good western, as
most Zane Grey novels are, for
small towns. Had record attendance
for Saturday night^20 paid
admissions for adults. Can stand
alone. Played Fri., Sat. Weather:
Fair and cold.—Ralph Raspa.
State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va.
Pop. 1,343.
UNIVERSAL-INTERNAT'L
All That Heaven Allows (U-I)
—Jane Wyman, Rock Hudson,
Agnes Moorehead. Very good picture
with the "Magnificent Obsession"
star. Will make a few
dollars for you, so play it. Played
Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather: Good.
—Leo A. Backer, Valley Theatre,
Browns Valley, Minn. Pop. 1,117.
Chief Crazy Horse (U-D—Victor
Matm-e, Suzan Ball, Jolin
Lund. Played Palm Simday and
with a lot of people saying, "Oh,
another Indian show," but the
farmers and the man on the
saw and liked it.
street came,
Business good for this Sunday.
Again the Indians came through
and we are satisfied. Played
Sun., Mon. Weather: Warm and
windy.—Ken Christianson, Roxy
Theatre, Washburn, N. D. Pop.
913.
Naked Dawn, The (U-D—Arthur
Kennedy, Betta St. John,
Eugene Iglesias. Arthur Kennedy,
playing a Mexican robber,
did a good job. Plenty of action.
Good scenery and color. Cast
portrayed pai-ts very well. Business
bad due to being played the
Saturday before Easter. Played
Sat. Weather: Okay.—D. W.
Trisko, Runge Theatre, Runge,
Tex. Pop. 1,055.
Running Wild (U-D—William
Campbell, Mamie Van Doren,
Keenan Wynn. Another "Blackboard
Jungle." Not much show,
but it pulls them in. Guess it's
that music! If the cash di-awer
looks good what does it matter?
M. D. Han-is, Gem Theatre, Gibsland,
La. Pop. 1,085.
WARNER BROS.
Command, The (WB)—Guy
Madison, Joan Waldon, James
Whitmore. It may have been
outstanding in CS. In 2-D, it was
an average Injun-soldier thing.
Business okay. Played Fri., Sat.,
Sun. Weather: Okay.—Frank E.
Sabin, Majestic Theatre, Eureka,
Mont. Pop. 929.
Dragnet (WB)—Jack Webb,
Ben Alexander, Ann Robinson.
Good preview. Fairly good story.
Jack Webb has a lot of fans
listening to his TV program and a
lot of them came in to see it.
Played "Pete Kelly's Blues" with
Jack Webb on the next playdate.
Guess I am a lazy exhibitor or
would not have played it that
close. Too much alike. Maybe I
should blame the salesman.
Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Good.
—B. Berglund, Bijou Theatre,
Ray, N. D. Pop. 721.
MISCELLANEOUS
Barefoot Savage (IFE)—Eleanora
Rossi Drago, Amedeo Nazzari,
Marcello Mastroianni. English-dubbed
Italian picture. Wow
Steer absolutely clear unless you
have a good, and then some, draw
If you do, then consider
of art fans.
this one. Played Tues., Wed.
Weather: Hot and dusty.—Lew
Bray jr., Queen Theatre, Mc-
Allen, Tex. Pop. 20,068.
Day the World Ended, The
(ARC)—Richai'd Denning, Lori
Nelson, Adele Jergens. This show
was not for a college town. Students
not much interested in this
sort. I agree. They have been
overdone of late. Played Fri.,
Sat.—Ken Gorham, Town Hall
Theatre, Middlebury, Vt. Pop. 3,-
614.
Farmer's Daughter, The (SR)
—Reissue. Loretta Young, Joseph
Cotten, Ethel Barrymore. Originally
released by RKO. We played
this in our drive-in. The print is
excellent. The picture still pleases
and will do as much business as
some new super-colossal percentage
deal. Play it.—W. S. Funk,
Star Theatre, St. Stephen. S. C.
Pop. 1,341.
Theodora, Slave Empress (IFE)
—Gianna Marie Canale. George
Marchal, Renato Baldini. English-speaking
Italian picture.
Okay for art fans and fine in this
small town sub run house of
mine with family and kid bills
on each end. Doing much better
with art pictures than with
American second run and "B"
pictures midweek, so looking forward
to more of them. Played
Tues., Wed. Weather: Intermittent
rain.—Lew Bray jr.. Queen
Theatre, McAllen, Tex. Pop. 20,-
FOREIGN
FEATURES.
Foreign-longuage productions by notive country listed olphobeticolly
by title, followed by running time. Dote shown is issue of BOXOFFICE
in which review appeared. Name of distributor is in parentheses.
ARGENTINA
;Tiii.es). .H, Del CarrU, A. Beneill
Reviewed
4-28-56
Appointment in London (96) 12-31-55
(Assoc. Artists).. D. Bogarde. lJina)l Shen(l.in
Belles of St. Trinian's, The (90) . .
4-30-55
(Assoc. Artists)
. .Alastair Sim, Joyce Gientell
Chance Meetina (94) S-27-55
d'aceraaliei) .Odlle Versois, David Knight
©Cocktails in the Kitchen (S3)
(Stratford) Dili! Bogarde. Dennis Price
Court Martial (105) 10- 1-55
(Kiiigsley)
- .Darid Niven. Margaret Leighton
Cure for Love. The (97) 11-26-55
.R. Donat, Itenee Asherson
Eight O'clock Walk (S7) 8-20-55
(Asso. .\rts)..R. Attenborougll. C. O'Uonnell
Four Against Fate (84) 9-10-55
(.\ssoc. Artists).. A. Neagle. Michael Wilding
Front Page Story (95) 7-23-55
(.issoc. Artists) . .Jack Haukins. Eva Bartok
©Fuss Over Feathers (84) 1-29-55
(Assoc. Artists) . .John Gregson, Muriel Pavlow
Game of Danger (88) 11- 5-55
(Assoc. Artists) . .Jack Warner. Veronica Hurst
Green Scarf, The 4-23-55
(Assoc. Artists).. IL Redgrave. A. Todd
Heart of the Matter. The (100) . . . .12-25-54
(Assoc. Artists) . .Trevor Howard, Maria Schell
His Excellency (84) 4-28-56
(Brenner) .Eric Portman. Parker
Cecil
Innocents in Paris (103) 2-19-55
(Tudoi) . -Claire Bloom. Alastair Sim
'
Inspector Calls, An (80)
1- 8-55
[Asioc. Artists).. Alstair Sim. EUeen Moore
Intruder, The (84) 2-12-55
(Assoc. Artists) . Jack Hawkins, Dennis Price
©Kid tor Two Farthings, A (91) . 4-28-56
.
(Lopert) . .Celia Johnson, Diana Dors
©Make Me an Offer (88) 4- 7-56
(Dominant). .Peter Finch. Adrienne Corri
Midnight Episode (78) 9-17-55
(Fine Arts) . .Stanley Holloway. Leslie Dwyer
Room in the House (98)
(Uiijraltcr) . .Patrick Barr, Marjorie Rhodes
Teckman Mystery, The (90) U-19-55
(Assoc. Artists) . ..Margaret Leighton. J. Justin
Three Cases of Murder (99) 5-21-55
(Assoc. Artists) - Ol-son Welles, John Gregson
©To Paris With Love (78) 4-30-55
(Continental) . .Alec Guinness. Odile Versois
True and the False, The (SO) 4-23-55
(Helene Davis) . .Signe Hasso, Wm. Lingford
©Will Any Gentleman? (84) 11- 5-55
'"
(Stratford) . .George Cole. "Hurst
FRANCE
Adorable Creatures (108) 1- 7-56
(L'onfl His.) . .Marthie Carol, E. Feuillere
©Ballet de France (83)
(Lewis) . .Janine Cliarrat, Mllorad Miskovitch
Companions of the Night (104)
. . 8-28-54
(.\rlan) .Francoise Arnoul. Raymond Pellegrln
.
Diabolique (107) 3- 3-56
(fMPO) Meurlsse
Signoret. Paul
a Diary of Country Priest (95) 7-31-55
(Br.indon) .C. Laydu, N. Maurey, (Jiiibert
A.
Dr. Knock (102)
(Lewis)
. .Louis Jouvet. Jean Brochard
©Frenph CanCan (93)
(irMPO)..Jean Cabin. Francoise Arnoul
French Touch. The (84) 9-25-54
(Times) . .FernandeL Kenee Devillers
Game of Love, The (IDS) 2-19-55
(Times) .Pierre-Michel Beck. Edwige Feuillere
-
Heartbreak Ridge (86) 6-11-55
(Tudor)
. Real French troops In Korea
Holiday for Henrietta (103) 5-21-55
(Ardec) .Dany Robin, Michael Auclair
.
In a Girls Dormitory (102)
(Eilis) . .Jean Marais, Francoise Arnoiil
Letters From My Windmill (116) .
(Tohaii) .
.
4-21-5fd
Henri Vllbert. Rells *v.
Mr. Hulofs Holiday (85) 10-30-54
(GBll Infl) . .Jacdues Tati. Nallialie Pascaud
One Step to Eternity (94) 1-28-56
(Ellis).. D. Darritux, M. Auclair, C. Calvet
Sheep Has Five Legs, The (93) .11-26-55
.
.
.
(UMPO) Kcrnaiidel. Francoise Arnoul
Sunderin (SO) •
^'^^r^l
(Prod. Rep3-)..Hildegarde Neff, G. FroehUch
GREECE
Barefoot Batallion (89) 6-26-54
(Brandt).. Maria Costi. Nicos Fermas
ISRAEL
Hill 24 Doesn't Answer (100) 12- ^"^.^
.
(Confl Dis) Wagner, Haya Hararit
Alone in the Streets (SO)
(Cairull) ..Story of street wails
Bed, The (101)
\\,^''^'^^
(Octz-Kingslcy)..R. Todd, DawT) Addams
Four Ways Out (77) • 1; IfS
( Carroll).. Gina LoUobriglda, Renalto Baldini
Hello Elephant (78) 1-29-55
(Arlan) . .Vlttorio de Sica. Sabu
©House of Ricordi (112)
•
\
(Manson).. Paolo Stoppa, MarU Toren
^"^^
©Maddalena (90) .-
.
(IFE) Torcn, Glno Cervi, J. Sernas
Mademoiselle Gobette (78) 4- 9-55
.
(IFE) -Silvana Pampanini. Lulgl P-ivese
Return of Don Camilla (115)
(IFE) .
.Fernandel, Gino Cervi
Too Bad She's Bad (95)
1-21-56
.
(Getz-Kingsley).. Sophia Loren, V. De Sica
rsl;^%^;isr;c:Ba«ista;M:-S^''
White Sheik, The (86). .••
(Janus) .Alberto Sordi. Brunella Bovo
JAPAN
©Gate of Hell (Jigokumon) (89) . . 1- 8-55
(Harrison & D,aridson) . .M. Kyo. Hawgawa
©Golden Demon (95) '.;*'',
(Harrison) . .Fujiko Yamamoto, Ncgaml
Jun
Hiroshima (85) •
„J'^'^
(Confl Dls.)..Isu2u Yamada, M. Tsuklda
Imposter, The (89) „ }'^-^;^^
(Brandon) .Utaemon Ichikawa, Chlkako Mltagl
.
• •
©Samurai (100) .. .11-13-55
(Jacon) . .Toshlro Mifune, K. Yachlgusa
(Har^r^son)..Machiko"Ky'o.
MEXICO
jiasayukl Mori
'
This Strange Passion (82) •
y „^^",?V.«
(Omnifilms)..Arturo De Cordova, D. Garces
RUSSIA
©Boris Godunov (105)
(Artkino)..A. Pirogov, 0. NcUep
©Romeo and Juliet Ballet (96)..
.
(Tohan) .Galina Ulanova. Yuri Zhd^uiov i
SWEDEN
•
Naked Night, The (82) • • • —
(limes).. Harriet Andersson, Ake Groenberg
One Summer of Happiness (92) • ''1*\55
•
(Times-Film) .UUa Jacobson. Folke Sundqulst
.
YUGOSLAVIA
Legends of Anika (85) •••
;/,•
(Grand Prize) . .MUena Dapcevlc, B. Grlblc
12
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide
:
12, 1956

'
'^
interpretive anoiysls of lay ond tradcprcss
BV
• r;
rco of merit. Listings cover current reviews
. OS on ALPHABETICAL INDEX to tcotur
Ribbon Aword Winner. Photogrophy: Col
c
H. pe; Noturomo. For listings by compony,
eviows. The plus and minus signs indicate
updated regulorly. This deportment serves
releases. Symbol '
denotes BOXOFFICE
C CincmoScopc; VistoVision; Supern
v s
the order of releosc, sec Feoturc
Chart.
digest
AND ALPHABETICAL INu£X
H Very Good; + Good; — Foir; ~ Poor; the summary t( js rated 2 plu
1 llisl
(Itii5
°''i,'*2H>©African Lion (73) Documentary . 8-13-55 +
'"
17S0fflAin't Misbfhj«in' (81) Musical. ... U-l 5-28-55 +
1958 ©Altxaniier the Great (141) © Drama UA 4- 7-56 H H + tt +
1868 ©All That Heaven Allows (89) Drama. U-l 10-29-55 H
1965 ©Animal World, The (82) Doc WB 4-21-56 +
1916©Anythino Goes (108) ® Musical. . Para 1-21-56++
1824 Apache Ambush (67) Western Col 8-13-55 ±
1857 ©Apache Woman (S3) Western ARC 10-15-55 ±
1575ffiAriists and Models (109) V- Com.. .Para 11-12-55 +
1891 ©At Gunpoint (90) © Western AA 12-10-55 +
1963 Autumn Leaves (lOS) Drama Col 4-21-56 ±
1941 ©Backlash (84) Western U-l 3- 3-56 -f
1931 Battle Stations (81) Drama Col 2-18-55 ±
1847 Benoazi (78) ifi Adventure RKO 9-24-55 ± +
1898 (JOBenny Goodman Story (116) Mus. U-l 12-17-55 ++
1927 Betrayed Women (70) Melodrama AA 2-11-56 ±
1969 0Bhowani Junction (108) © Dr...MGM 5- 5-56 ff
1808 Big Bluff, The (70) Drama UA 7-16-55 +
1845 Bij Knife. The (111) Drama UA 9-24-55 +
1956 ©Birds and the Bees (95) (Vi Com.. .Para 3-31-56 +
1958 Blackjack Ketchum, Desperado
(76) Western Col 4- 7-56 ±
1847 ©Blood Alley (115) © Drama WB 9-24-55 +
1876 Bobby Ware Is Missino (66) Drama... AA 11-12-55 ±
1953 Bold and the Brave (90) (T Drama.. RKO 3-24-56 +
1923 ©Bottom of the Bottle (88) © Dr..20-Fox 2- 4-56 +
1942 Brain Machine, The (72) Drama.... RKO 3- 3-56 ±
1812 Break to Freedom (88) Drama UA 7-23-55 -f
1799©Brin|| Your Smile Along (S3) Mus... Col 7- 2-55 -
1930 Broken Star. The (82) Western UA 2-11-56 +
1936 OeCarousel (127) ©55 Dr./M. 20th-Fox 2-25-56 ++
1912 Cash on Delivery (82) Farce RKO 1-28-56 +
196S Catered Affair, The (93) Com. Dr...MGM 4-28-56 +
1799 Chicago Syndicate (86) Crime ! Col 7- 2-55 +
-1787 ©Cobweb, The (124) © Drama.... MGM 6-11-55 +
'1945 ©Comanche (87) © Outdoor UA 3-10-56 -f
1925 ©Come Next Spring (92) Drama Rep 2- 4-56 -ff
1933 Come On, The (82) ® Drama AA 2-18-56 ff
1940 ©Conqueror, The (111) © Drama.. RKO 3- 3-56 f+
1846 ©Count Three and Pray (102) © Dr.. .Col 9-24-55 +
1925 ©Court Jester, The (101) (g) Com... Para 2- 4-56 ++
1849 Court Martial (105) Drama. ... Kingsley 10- 1-55 +
1890©Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell. The
(100) © Drama WB 12-10-55 +
1772 Crashout (90) Crime Filmakers 5-21-55 ±
1947 Creature Walks Among Us, The
(78) Science-Fiction U-l 3-17-56-+-
1792 Creature With the Atom Brain
(70) Science-Fiction Col 6-18-55 —
1961 Creeping Unknown, The (79) SC.-F....UA 4-14-56 +
1945 Crime Against Joe (69) Mystery UA 3-10-56 ±
1962 Crime in the Streets (91) Drama.... AA 4-14-56 +
1882 Crooked Web, The (77) Melodrama. . .Col 11-26-55 ±
—D
1797 Dam Busters (101) Adv.-Dr WB 7- 2-55 i:
1771 ©Daw Crockett, King of the
Wild Frontier (95) Adv.-Dr BV 5-21-55 ++
1962 © Day of Fury, A (78) Western U-l 4-14-56 -f
1910 Day the World Ended
(80) ® Science-Fiction ARC 1- 7-56 ±
1781 Day to Remember. A (72) Comedy Rep 6- 4-55 ±
1852 ©Deep Blue Sea (99) © Drama. 20th-Fox 10- 1-55 -flS23©Descrt
Sands (87) ® Adventure. ... UA 8-13-55 ±
1842 Desperate Hours, The (U2) ® Dr.-. Para 9-17-55 ++
Devil Goddess (70) Adventure Col
1901 ©Diane (110) © Costume-Drama. .MGM 12-24-55 +
Dig That Uranium (61) Comedy AA
1824 Divided Heart, The (89) Drama Rep 8-13-55 -f
1937 ©Doctor at Sea (92) Cf) Comedy Rep 2-25-56 ±
1876 Double Jeopardy (70) Action Rep 11-12-55 ±
1846@Duel on the Mississippi (72) Drama. Col 9-24-55 -f
1779 ©Far Horizons. The (108) ® Adv... Para 5-28-55 +
1808 Female on the Beach (97) Drama. . . .U-l 7-16-55 +
1897 ©Flame of the Islands (90) Drama.. Rep 12-17-55 +
liM4 ©Footsteps in the Fog (90) Drama... Col 9-17-55 +
1949 ©Forbidden Planet (98) © Sc.-F..MGM 3-17-56 ++
1928CForever Darling (96) Comedy. .. .MGM 2-11-56 +
1852 ©Fort Yuma (78) Outdoor UA 10- 1-55 +
1793 ©Foxfire (92) Drama U-l 6-25-55 +
1800 Francis in the Navy (80) Comedy- .. .U-l 7- 2^55 +
',^''^'1934 ©Cockleshell Heroes (97) © Drama. .Col 2-18-56 ++
I?i'"ll954 Emergency Hospital (62) Drama UA 3-24-56 +
—F—
+ +f H 9+1-
- ± ± 6+6-
10+
+ 12+1-
5+
ff 10+
- 4+6-
4+3-
± 9+1-
+ 9+
5+2-

REVIEW DIGEST Very Good; — Good; — Fair; = as 2 minuses.
l•y^^ Loier Boy (S5) Com. -Or. (Reviewed
as "Lovers. Hagpy Lovers") .20th-Fox 11-13-54 + + -H- + = + + 7-^2-
.
©Lucy Gallant (104) ® Drama Para 10- 1-55 +f + -f + + + + S+
1851
(72) 1943 Lum & Abner Abroad Comedy. Howco 3-10-56 ii = -
1+3-
—M—
at the 1793 Mad World (71) Or Filmakers 6-25-55+ 5+2-
it + + ±
1771 ©Maoniftcent Matador
©
lS48©Man Alone. A (96) Western Rep 9-24-55+
(93) Drama 20th-FoK 5-21-55+ +
++
±
+
-H-
+
-H-
+
+f
±
+10+1-
+ 8+1-
1933©Manfish (76) Adventure UA 2-18-56+ ± — — = — 2+6—
1957 ©Man in the Gray Flannel Suit
4- 7-56 9-^-
(153) g Drama 20th-Fox +f ff + -R -H-
©Man From Laramie (104) ©Wn... Col 7- 2-55 tt + + -H- ++ 12+
1798 +1 ++
1895 Man With the Golden Arm
(119) Drama UA 12-17-55 -H W +1 -H + + 11+
Man With the Gun UA 10-22-55 + -H- + + -R + 7+10+
1862 (S3) Western
1970 ©Man Who Knew Too Much. The
Suspense-Drama Para 5- 5-56 5-^
(120) X -H- + -ff
©Man Who Loved Redheads (86) Com.. U 7-23-55+ + + ± 7+2-
1812 ± + +
1928 ©Man Who Never Was
(103) .© Drama 20tli-Fox 2-U-56 ++ -H- + W +t 4+ -rl 13-1-
ll74 Master Plan. The (77) Drama Astor 5-21-55 ± 1+1-
1970 ©Maverick Queen (90) ® Western.. Rep 5- 5-56+ + + 3-i-
1823 OQMcGonnell Story (109) © Drama. WB 8-13-55 ++ H- -H ++ ++ ++ +13+
1924 ©Meet Me in Us Vegas
(112) © Musical MGM 2- 4-56 H ff t+ tt -Hi:
± + +f + ff 10+2—
1926 Miracle in the Rain (107) Drama WB 2- 4-56 ff
WB 5-21-55 f+ +f H -ff
+ ± +
++ +f
+
++14+
7+1-
1770 U©Mistcr Roberts (123) © Com.. . .
1952 ©Mohawk (79) Outdoor 20th-Fox 3-24-56+ ++
1767 ©Moonfleet (87) © Adventure MGM 5-14-55+ ± ± + + + + 7+2-
1838 0©My Sister Eileen (108) © Mus... Col
—N—
9-10-55 ff ++ +f ++++++++ 14+
1S14 ©Naked Dawn. The (82) Drama U-l 9-24-55 it it it + — it it 6+6—
1871 ©Naked Sea. The (69) Doc RKO 11- 5-55 + + + f+ + 6+
1826 Naked Street. The (84) Drama UA 8-20-55+ it it - + 6+4-
+ it
1929 ©Never Say Goodbye (96) Drama.... U-l 2-11-56-^ + + + = + + 7+1-
1827 Night Freight (79) Action AA 8-20-55- it it — = 2+6-
1807 Night Holds Terror (86) Drama Col 7-16-55 ++ ff + + ++ +10+ +
1905 Night My Number Came Up. The
(94) Drama Confl Dis. 12-31-55 + + + + ff 6+
Night of the Drama UA 7-30-55 + it it + it 7+4—
1815 Hunter (93) it +
1956 No Man's Woman (70) Melodrama Rep 3-31-56 it ±: 2+2—
1790 Not As a Stranger (135) Drama UA 6-18-55 ff ++ +12+
ff ++ + ++
1858 ©Oklahoma! (105) T-AO Musical... Magna 10-15-55 ff ff +| ff ff ff +f 14+
1802 ©One Desire (94) Drama U-l 7-9-55++ ifc i: i: ++ it it 9+5—
1944 ©On the Threshold of Space
Drama (95) f 20th-Fox 3-10-56++ ++++ + ++ ff ff 13+
17830lhello (92) Drama UA 6-4-55+ ++ +1 + 8-1-
1929 Our Miss Brooks (87) WB 2-11-56+
++
it it it 6+4-
Comedy + it
1962 Outside the Law (SO) Drama U-i 4-14-56+ it it it 4-^3-
1938 Over-Excosed (SO) Melodrama Col 2-25-56+ it ± ± + - - 5+6-
1904 ©Paris Follies of 1956 (73) Musical.. AA 12-31-55 it it
1955 Patterns (S3) Drama UA 3-31-56 + ff
1803 ©Pearl of the S. Pacific (86) ® Adv RKO 7- 9-55 + it
1818 ©Pete Kelly's Blues
(95) © Drama/Music MGM 8-6-55+ +
1914 Phantom From 10,000 Leaijues
(80) Science-Fiction ARC 1-14-56 = —
ISllPhenix City Story (lOO)' Drama. .. .AA 7-23-55+ ++
1893 ©Picnic (113) © Drama Col 12-17-55 ff ff
1934 Please Murder Me (76) Drama OCA 2-18-55+ 1921 Postmark for Danger (77) Mystery. RKO 1-28-56 it +
1954 Price of Fear, The (SO) Drama U-l 3-24-56 = =
1905 Princess Cinderella (72) Comedy .Carroll 12-31-55 —
1898 Prisoner, The (94) Drama Col 12-17-55 it ++
1780 ©Private War of Major Benson
(105) Comedy-Drama U-l 5-28-55+ ff
1767 ©Prize of Gold (98) Adventure Col 5-14-55 1+ -4-
+ ^
1782 ©Purple Mask (82) © Adventure ..U-l 6-4-55- it
1863 Queen Bee (95) Drama Col 10-22-55 + +
1862©Quenlin Durward (101) © Adv.. MGM 10-22-55 + +
1965 ©Quincannon. Frontier Scout
(83) Western UA 4-21-56 +
—R—
1964 Rack, The (100) Drama MGM 4-21-56+ +
18S6 ©Rains of Ranchipur (104) Dr. .20-Fox 12-17-55 ++ +
1909 Ransom! (102) Drama MGM 1-7-56+ ff
1863 ©Rebel Without a Cause (111) © Dr..WB 10-22-55 -i- ff
1927 ©Red Sundown (81) Western U-l 2-11-56 ff +
1853 Return of Jack Slade (80) $ Wn. . . . AA 10- 8-55 + +
1969 ©Revolt of Mamie Stover. The
(93) © Drama 20th-Fox 5-5-56 +
River Changes, The Drama.... WB 2-18-56 it 1932 (91) -
.17960Road to Denver (90) Western .... Hep 6-25-55 ff +
1950 Rock Around the Clock (77) Musical.. Col 3-17-56 it +
1875 Rose Tattoo, The (117) ® Drama.. Para ll-U-55 ff +

,.J'
1
!
•
Opinions on Current Productions
Feature reviews
Symbol O denotes color photography
noScopc;
^' VlstoVJsion; S Supcrscopc; For story synopsis on each picture
Star of India
7) ou nlUnited Artists (5623)
Ratio:
Coslume Drama
Rel. June "50
A routine costume drama, similar to several Cornel Wilde
made for Columbia and RKO several years back, this will
satisfy action-minded fans and make a fair supporting dualler
generally. Wilde and his wife. Jean Wallace, (they re- ;.
:
cently stt»rred together in "Storm Fear" for UA) supply the i.
J
marquee value, the rest of the cast is British. Produced in
France by Raymond Stress, the picture has lavish castle settings
and costumes, which look exquisite in Technicolor,
but the few exteriors could have been filmed in the U. S.
As directed by Arthur Lubln, the plot is far-fetched and full
of intrigue and swordplay revolving around the Star of India,
a fabulous diamond which was stolen from a Dutch collection
by a scheming French Vicomte. However, there is
surprisingly httle suspense. Wilde plays a dashing French
nobleman effectively enough, but the flaxon-haired Miss Wallace,
playing a beautiful Dutch widow, merely acts and talks
like Marie Wilson in nth Century costumes. Herbert Lorn
and Basil Sydney (as Louis XIV of France) wear their
wigs and rich robes with the proper flair and Yvonne Sanson
makes a beautiful Madame de Montespan, the King's
mistress.
Cornel Wilde, Jean Wallace, Herbert Lom, Basil Sydney,
Yvonne Sanson, Walter Rilla. John Slater.
Zanzabuku
Republic (5508) 64 Minutes Rel. May '56
This has authentic, always interesting and at times
exciting Trucolor scenes of an expedition among African
wildlife and natives. It rates high as a supporting feature
because of the great variety of wildlife shown, some of which
will appeal to any type of patron, and its reasonable 64-
minute footage. Besides more or less conventional shots of
-^ birds, beasts and huge snakes, there are scenes of really
,.,,'^ dangerous encounters to which added interest is lent by the
participation of a teenager. The most striking are repeated
attacks on a jeep by a rhinoceros; the jeep is finally overturned
and its occupants forced to flee for their lives.
Another exciting moment is when a young elephant ts
captured alive despite the charges of the herd, and still
another the spearing of a vicious leopard. There are also
appealing views of animals and monkeys that had been
tamed by Carr Hartley, famous game collector, to be sold
to zoos. Their evident contentment in captivity removes any
life
regret at seeing wildlife captured. Scenes of tribal
are colorful but nothing really new is offered. The title,
translated, means dangerous safari. The film lives up to
the title. Produced by Lewis Cotlow. explorer and author.
Photographed by Fred Ford, Fred Ford jr. and John
Coquillon.
"
'\
3
St,in

: ups.
FEATURE REVIEWS Sfory Synopsis; Exploitips; Adiines for Newspaper and Programs
THE STORY:
"The Last Ten Days" (Col. Int'l)
In April 1945, are drawing close to Berlin and
the Allies
Adolph Hitler makes his headquarters in a bombproof
bunker with Dr. Goebbels and his top generals. Oskar
Werner, a young captain seeking reserves for his nearly
surrounded unit in the field, is shunted about from general
to general without getting to Hitler, who Is occupied with
seeking advice from an astrologer and the pictu-? of
Frederick the Great and in decorating teenage ;
When Hitler learns that General Steiner's army hat. disintegrated,
he flies into a rage, orders people shot and the
subways, where the citizens of Berlin and the wounded are
taking refuge, flooded. Hitler makes his last will, marries
Eva Braun and then commits suicide with her. The bodies
are cremated.
EXPLOITIPS:
For the art houses, the name of Erich Maria Remarque,
author of the screenplay and of the famous Universal film,
"All Quiet on the Western Front," should be stressed.
Mention that the picture received the highest honors at
the Edinburgh Film Festival in 1955. For younger fans, play
up the handsome young Oskar Werner, who attracted
,
attention in "Decision Before Dawn," 20th-Fox film in 1952.
CATCHLINES:
From Heil to Hell . . . Erich Maria Remarque, Who Wrote
the Greatest Story of World War I, Now Gives Us a Story
of the Final Days of World War II.

RATES: ISc per word, minimum Sl.bO. cash with copy. Four consecutive insertions lor pnce
jI three. CLOSING DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy and
• answers to Box Numbers to BOXOFFICE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 24. Mo. •
CUfllllllG HOUSE

WHY DID
MAMIE STOVER
HAVE TO LEAVE
SAN FRANCISCO ?
The sxMinecs
got Just the patronpulling
eye-appeal
to boost your
boxoffice!
See that it gets around ... in
your lobby, out-front, in hotels
and terminals, all over
town! Wherever this lifelike,
traffie-stoppino; Ballyhoo
faees the public... it
boosts the talk
about your
shows I
Get "'Mamie" tonight!
Call your nearest branch of
m
nnTionni. \ ciee/i service
\JpmzfBaaroi
1pmzi Bnar Of mrinDUSTHY