Boxoffice-May.12.156

. . . 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.