Boxoffice-July.14.1956

•
Kontoi
JULY 14. 1956
/ne rdue (^ ine /v7o^&&rt MctuAe ynAcd^
Doris Day and James Stewart, as they appear in a scene in "The Man Who
Knew Too Much," the Poromount-Altred Hitchcock production which hos
been selected by the Notionol Screen Council to receive the June BOXOFFICE
Blue Ribbon Award. The Award was mode on the basis of general merit ond
the picture's wholesome fomily entertainment values .
. . Poge 24.
>• motUr at th* Po»i
I waskly bv AMocia'>
Clly. Mo. Si/1
11 Kl.t.on, 13 00 p«f v»o/. Notionol E.lilion
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE EDITION
iiKlu4ln« Ikt SMitdwl Ntn tin or All [dltlani

EVERYBODY
LIKES
N.Y. P«fWfMf
*»««
'*"*'''«
screen-
^?
SOMEBODY!
The Excitement of the Week is M-G-M's
SOMEBODY UP THERE LIKES ME
VARIETY RANKS IT WITH I'LL CRY TOMORROW"
"Excitement and heart-tug in another of M-G-M's hard-hitting biopix.
Superbly done. The same gutsy dramatic quahty featured in M-G-M's 'Love
Me Or Leave Me' and Til Cry Tomorrow,' is present here in full measure.
Also, 'Somebody' has the real-life punch of 'On The Waterfront' to grip the
viewer and swell ticket sales. Sure of strong word-of-mouth to aid the selling."
FILM DAILY PREDICTS: "STRONG BOX-OFFICE"
''Highly popular entertainment of the first rank. A strong box-office contender.
Should score highly. First-rate drama, touched off with fine bits of comedy."
M.P. EXHIBITOR FORECASTS: "BOX-OFFICE HIT"
"Superior screen entertainment. Excitement, drama, wonderful performances.
This entry could go far both box-office wise and from an entertainment
viewpoint."
M. P. HERALD SAYS: "TO REPEAT SUCCESS OF BOOK"
"The frankly told best-selling autobiography, has been brought to the screen
in a strikingly performed production. Having captured a large section of the
reading public, it seems destined to repeat its success as a motion picture."

SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW RAVES ABOUT IT
"Excellent! Turbulent, exciting, heart-warming, terrific. Acting triumph for
Paul Newman. Everybody out there is
sure to love 'Somebody Up There'!
Screen's most rewarding entertainment. Your patrons will thank you."
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER HAILS: "VERY BIG ONE"
"This will be one of the very Big Ones in box-office returns and in critical
kudos. Sock popular B. O. attraction with a great heart. One of the most
absorbing pictures ever made."
M. P. DAILY SAYS: "IT WILL EARN A FORTUNE"
"A box-office knockout. Paying audience reaction to this one rattled the
rafters. It has sheer theatrical entertainment. It figures to earn a fortune."
HOT
TYPEWRITERS!
ON!
N.Y. PRESS POURS IT
"Hard, biting movie — and a good one . . . these are real people. Paul Newman
should jump to movie stardom with this role. First-rate!"
-WILLIAM K. ZINSSER, Herald Tribune
"Excellent! Genuine emotion ... powerful. You'll find this picture extraordinarily
appealing!"
—ARCHER WINSTEN, Post
"Tremendous crispness and pace!"
-BOSLEY CROWTHER, Times
"Amazing and heartening story . . . An effective human document . . . Well
worth seeing!"
"Action . . . laughter
-WANDA HALE, Daily News
and wit!" -ALTON COOK, World-Telegram
"Immensely absorbing . . . remarkably realistic and compelling . . . believable
."
at all times . .
-ROSE PELSWICK, Journal-American
"Sympathetic warmth that cannot be denied. Explosively funny humor.
Take our advice. Go see it!" * -JUSTIN GILBERT, Daily Mirror
M-G-M presents ''SOMEBODY UP THERE LIKES ME" starring PAUL NEWMAN •
PIER ANGELI
with Everett Sloane • Eileen Heckart
• and Sal Mineo • Screen Play by Ernest Lehman • Based on the Autobiography
of Rocky Graziano Written with Rowland Barber • Directed by Robert Wise • Produced by Charles Schnee
•
I Available in Perspecta Stereophonic or 1-Channel Sounds

OPENING DAY SMASHED EVERY
OF BOTH THE CRITERION AND
ANDTHAfS HOW THEY'RE POU^

ECORD IN THE ENTIRE HISTORY
TTON THEATRES, NEW YORK!!
ING IN EVERYWHERE IT OPENS!

.
•••••••
becomes
s best!
20th CENTURY-FOX presents
^^
COLOR by DE LUXE
^^ ^^ C* Kroducea Produced Dy by Directed Uirectea by screenplay Screenplay oy by
CINEMaScOPE
I (§1
buddy ADLER JOSHUA LOGAN GEORGE AXELROD
• •
and introducing
Hollywood's newest
hunk of man. .
DON MURRAY
ARTHUR O'CONNELL
BETTY FIELD
EILEEN HECKART
>d on the Stage Ploy by Williom Inge

THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY
Published in Nine Sectional Editions
BEN
SHLYEN
Editor-in-Chiel and Publisher
DONALD M. MERSEREAU . . Associote
Publisher & Generol Manager
JAMES M. JERAULD Editor
NATHAN COHEN. .Executive Editor
JESSE SHLYEN. .. .Manoging Editor
HUGH FRAZE Field Editor
AL STEEN Eastern Editor
IVAN SPEAR Western Editor
LARRY GOODMAN. Promotion Editor
I. L. THATCHER. .Equipment Editor
MORRIS SCHLOZMAN . Business Mgr.
Publication Offices: 825 V.in Bnint Blvd..
Kansas City 24, Mo Naltian Colien. Exectitlve
Editor: Jes.
Central Offices: Editorial— 920 No. Michigan
.Ave.. Chicago 11. 111.. Frances B.
Clow. Telephone Sl^perlor 7-3972. Advertising—.IS
East Wacker Drive. HilcaEO 1.
111.. Euing Iliitrhison and E. E. Yeck.
Telephone ANdover 3-3042.
Western Offices: Editorial and Film Advertising—6404
Hollywood Blvd.. Holl.vwood
2S. Calif. Ivan Spear, manager. Telephone
HOllpvood S-llSB Equipment and
Non-Film Advertising— 672 S. Lafavette
Park Place. Los Angeles. Calif. Boh Wett-
!teln, manager. Telephone ntlnklrk 8-22S6.
London Office: Anthony firuner, 41 Wardour
St. Telephone OERard 5720/8282.
Tlle MnnERN THE.ATRE Seel Inn Is included
In the first issue of each month.
AtLinla: Paul .lones, The Constitution.
.Albany: .1. S. Conners. 21-23 Walter Ave.
Baltimore: George Browning. Stanley Thea,
Birmingham: Eddie Biidcer. The News
Boston: Frances Harding. Lib. 2-930.";.
Charlotte: Annie Mae Williams. ED 2-1254.
Cincinnati: Lillian Laz.irus. 1746 Carrahen.
Cleveland: Elsie 1-oeb. Fairmoimt 1-0046.
Cohimbus: Fred Oestrelcher. 646 Rhoades
Place.
Dallas: Frank Bradley. 2n08A .lackson St.
Denver: Jack Rose. 1645 Ijifayelte St.
Tlta Moines: Buss Schoch. Register-Tribune.
Detroit: n. F. Reves. Fox Theatre Bldg.
Indianapolis: Corbin Patrick. The Star.
.Iicksonville: Robert Cornwell. 323 E. Bav.
Memphis: Null Adams. 707 SpMng St.
Miami: Kitty Harwood. 66 S. Hibiscus.
Milwaukee: Wm. Nlchol. 636 N. 14th St.
Mlnneanolls: I>.s Rees. 2123 Fremont Sr].
New Haven: Walter Durtar. The Register.
N Orleans: L. Divver. SSIS Prllchard n
Oklahoma City: .loyce Outhier. 1744 NIV
17th St.
Omaha: Irving Baker. 911 N. 51st St
Philadelphia: Norman Shigon. 5363 Berk
Pittsburgh: R F. Klingensmith. 516 .leannette.
Wilklnsburg. Churchill 1-2801,
Portland. Ore.: Arnold Marks, .lonmal.
St. I/>uls: Dave Barrett. 5149 Rosa.
Salt Lake City 11. Pearson. Peseret Ne«s.
San Antonio: Lrq Krtnrr. 230 San Pedro
San Francisco: Gail l.inman. 2S7-2Sih
Ave., Skyline 1-4355: Advertising: .Ifrrv
Nowell. Howard Bldg.. MI 6-2522
Washln-t

IT'S
OFFICIAL: WARNER BROS.
PASSES TO SEMENENKO GROUP
Jack Warner Is Elected
President; Three New
Members on Board
NEW YORK—The sale of Warner Bros.
Pictures to a sroup headed by Serse Semenenko.
Boston banker, has been completed.
Official announcement of its completion
was made Wednesday (11> by Warner
Bros. Negotiations for a ma.ior portion of
the stock of Hany M. and Major Albert
Warner in the company had lasted several
months.
SOLD FOR 518,000,000
Tlie two brothers and members of their
families are reported to have sold 600,000
shares of stock for about $18,000,000. Jack L.
Warner is said to retain 200.000 of his estimated
330,000 shares. That would make him
the largest individual stockholder.
The Semenenko group includes Charles
Allen jr.. senior pai'tner of Allen & Co., investment
bankers, and board chairman and a
director of a number of important corporations.
Jack L. Warner, vice-president in charge
of production, as previously indicated, was
elect.ed president. He succeeded his brother,
Harry M. Warner. Harry and Albert Warner
will continue on the board of directors to
which Semenenko, Allen and Benjamin Kalmenson
have been elected. The composition
of the board otherwise remains unchanged.
Kalmenson is executive vice-president of
the parent company. P»reviously, he was vice-
JACK L. WARNER BENJAMIN KALMENSON SAMUEL SCHNEIDER
president in charge of distribution and president
of Warner Bros. Pictui-es Distributing
Corp.
Samuel Schneider continues as vice-president
and assistant to the president, with the
added responsibilities of treasurer.
Jack Warner announced that all of the
worldwide facilities of Warner Bros, and its
subsidiaries will be "directed more vigorously
to the acquisition of the most important
story properties, talents and to the production
of the finest motion pictures possible.
"Our sole purpose," he said, "is to work
wholeheartedly toward the providing of a
constant supply of important and challenging
motion picture product for the U. S. and for
the world markets.
"By producing motion pictui-es of merit, we
not only are assuring the exhibitors of a
Into New Executive Positions at Warner Bros.
continuous flow of product for their theatres,
but we also are reaffirming our faith in the
motion picture industry generally and in our
company specifically,
"We intend to go forwaxd with absolute
confidence in the future of this business and
in the great contributions which we know
Warner Bros. Pictures will make toward that
goal. The exhibitors and the public can
confidently expect that Warner Bros. Pictures
will spare no effort to develop a continuous
program of quality motion pictures."
Warner also expressed his pleasure that his
brothers, the directors and the new financial
group have put under his direction "the
perpetuation of the company which our family
has pioneered." He thanked employes and
stockholders for loyalty and devotion to the
company, and assured them that the company
is "in business more confidently and more
proudly than ever before."
Serge Semenenko Long a Figure in Film Finances-
Alien, New Board Member, an investmenf Banker
SERGE SEMENENKO, who headed the group of investors
acquiring a major share of the stock held by
Harry M. and Albert Warner, has a long record of
interest in the motion picture business. This interest
has extended back 20 years, during which he took part
in the financing and reorganization of Paramount,
Loew's, Universal, Columbia, Warner Bros., RKO Radio
and Stanley Warner Corp. He is senior vice-president
and a director of First National Bank of Boston, and
his industrial associations are extensive and eminently
successful. He is a director of Chemway Corp., American
News Co., Hoving-Bonwit
Teller,
City Stores, Minne- SERGE SEMENENKO
sota & Ontario Paper Co., United-Carr Fastener Corp.,
and has additional interests in oil, machinery and
other industries.
CHARLES ALLEN JR., who becomes a member of the
board of Warners, is senior partner of Allen & Co.,
investment firm. He is chairman of the board of such
CHARLES ALLEN JR,
indu.strial organizations as Colorado Fuel & Iron Corp.,
John A. Roebling's Sons Corp., Wickwire Spencer Steel,
Cincinnati, Newport & Wyoming Rwy. and North
Kansas City Development Corp. as well as on the
board of Pepsi-Cola, Polarus Steamship Co., American
Bosch Arms and American Wire Fabrics Corp.
Volk Bros., Mpls., Abandon
Antitrust Suit Appeal
MINNEAPOLIS—Volk Bros., which operates
two of the country's most luxurious suburban
theatres, has called it quits in its antitrust
fight with the major distributors. The
firm on Thursday (12) announced it had
abandoned its appeal from a completely adverse
federal court decision in their suit
against the majors, Minnesota Amusement
Co. and RKO Theatres. The Volks had sought
$1,000,000 in damages on a conspiracy charge
as well as day-and-date availability with
Minneapolis Loop first run and moveover theatres.
The court here said the distributors
could sell first run to whatever theatres they
J. Cheever Cowdin Joins
N. Y. Brokerage Firm
NEW YORK—J.
Cheever Cowdin, who was
chairman of the board of Universal Pictures
from 1936 to 1949, has joined the New York
brokerage firm of Cady, Roberts & Co.
Cowdin, who began his career in finance as
a partner in Bond & Goodwin in New York,
was later vice-president of Blair & Co. and
Bancamerica Blair Corp. He also has played
a leading role in the formation of several
American aviation companies.
BOXOFFICE July 14, 1956

"
MODEST-BUDGETED FILMS SEEN;
NEW MGM POLICY ON BIG ONES'
No Bigness Simply for
The Sake of Bigness,
Says Dore Schary
HOLLYWOOD—Indicating a significant
change in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's production
policy, with a trend toward more
modestly budgeted pictures, Dore Schary,
studio chieftain, ordered the Immediate inauguration
of a "severe and disciplined
economy drive" at a meeting of 110 of the
organization's key personnel.
ECONOMY DOWN THE LINE
Schary stressed to the attending executives,
producers, directors, writers and department
heads that there is no choice except to cut
costs all along the line, and that drastic
economies must be maintained by everyone
concerned if the studio is to be operated profitably
in the futui-e.
"We are just emerging from an era in the
entire business of making big pictures for
'bigness' sake," Schary said. "This road
turned out to be a blind alley. In the last
year and a half, our most profitable pictures
have been those made at a reasonable cost.
"MGM is still willing to put as much
money as is necessary into a given project,
provided that money is controlled and seen
on the screen. But we are going to be a lot
more careful in the future. We are going to
have to reduce oui- 'margin of error.'
Accenting need for wholeheai'ted cooperation,
the studio head cited the importance
of careful plamiing of each step taken on
every picture from the time of story purchase
until the finished print is delivered for distribution.
Production costs in the past 20 years have
increased by 500 per cent, but grosses have not
increased in the same proportion, he said.
"More and more attention in recent years
has been given to the selection and production
of MGM pictures for the world market,"
Schary continued, "and that this policy
has been successful is demonstrated by the
fact that since 1940, MGM has made 90 pictures
with a world gross of more than five
million dollars each. Previous to 1940, only
five pictures had gi-ossed that much.
PLANS FOR 10 FILMS
Schary also outlined plans for ten MGM
pictures to be started within the next two
months. Three pictures now are in work.
Again he emphasized that for the successful
picture, the returns still will remain large.
Ten years ago, he said, world grosses of seven
million dollars on an individual picture were
very few. Today a .solid hit can achieve that
worldwide figure and perhaps, in some instances,
more.
Among pictures scheduled to go into production
soon are "Ten Thousand Bedrooms,"
"Something of 'Value," "The 'Vintage," "The
Wings of Eagles," "Pattern of Malice," "Silk
Stockings," "Designing Woman," "Tip on a
Dead Jockey," "Les Girls" and "Capital
Offense."
BOXOFFICE : : July 14, 1956
DORE SCHARY
Speaks Out /or 'Reasonable' Budgets
TOA Names Stellings
To Showmanship Post
NEW YORK—Ernest G. Stellings of Charlotte
has been named chairman of the national
showmanship conference of Theatre
Owners of America to be held July 30, 31 at
the Edgewater Beach Hotel, Chicago. Myron
N. Blank, president, made the announcement.
Theatre showmen will attend the conference
and exchange showmanship opinions and suggestions
on a regional basis. Campaigns that
promise to be outstanding boxoffice aids will
be presented at the TOA convention here in
September. By sorting the wheat from the
chaff in advance of the convention instead of
on the convention floor, much time will be
saved, it is felt.
Suggestions will come from the sub runs
to attend the Chicago gathering. He said
that another tentative plan had been to select
a cross-section of members on a geographic
and operating unit basis of both large
and small theatres.
"In so doing," he said, "we have undoubtedly
passed up some valuable men who could
give assistance to us. Consequently, we take
this opportunity to invite all TOA members."
Stellings, an exhibitor since 1912, is president
of Stewart and Everett Theatres.
Number of the Majors
Considering Less
Costly Pictures
NEW YORK—The statement in Hollywood
this week by MGM's Dore Schary to
the effect that the era of big pictures for
the sake of bigness had ended, apparently,
is an echo of what other companies, also,
have been thinking for some time.
CONCERNS WIDE FILM
This, especially, is true in connection with
wider film dimensions, such as 65mm and
Cinemascope 55. The trade regards the outcome
of MGM's "Raintree County" in 65mm
as the big test. It is expected that the 65mm
process may well rise or fall with that picture
which is the sole entry in that category.
The future of 20th Century-Fox's Cinema-
Scope 55 at present is indefinite. The boxoffice
success of "The King and I" in the
latter process may spur the company to add
to its "55" schedule, although even 20th-
Fox's competitors have been heard to say
that the picture would have been a smash
hit in any process.
Currently under consideration by 20th-Fox
as the next Cinemascope 55 production is
"Boy on the Dolphin," which is slated,
tentatively, for production in Greece. However,
no decision has been made.
PAYING OFF PROFITABLY
Some major companies have found, or. perhaps,
rediscovered that moderately budgeted
pictures aimed at the twin bUl market are
paying off profitably. This factor is said
to have influenced 20th-Fox's decision to take
on six productions to be made by Regal Pictures.
These will be in black-and-white
Cinemascope, a departure from the company's
original intent to limit all Cinemascope product
to color. And 20th-Fox is making a
black-and-white Cinemascope on its own,
"Teen-Age Rebel."
Other companies are reported eyeing the
lower-budgeted pictures as supplemental
product, with cost ceilings at $200,000.
Decision Expected Soon
On Credit Plan Survey
NEW YORK—An early selection is ex-
as well as first runs and be of assistance to
all types of theatres. It is expected that
some will be highly original and valuable.
The idea of the showmanship conference
followed an earlier tentative plan to cull ideas
from the smaller showmen at the convention.
The thought then was to seat them on a
regional basis and lock out the big circuit pected of the research organization which
operators whose presence might embarrass will survey the public attitude in the Indianapolis-Marion
County area toward a plan to
them. The new plan caters to the little
fellow as well as the big showman.
have theatres there extend credit on admis-
Stellings said all TOA members are invited
sions.
The matter was discussed again Tuesday
(10) at a meeting of the subcommittee of the
general sales managers committee of the
Motion Picture Ass'n of America, headed by
William C. Gehi-ing, 20th Century-Fox vicepresident.
It was held at the office of Charles
M. Reagan, MGM vice-president in charge of
sales.
If the public survey turns out favorably,
the plan can be put into operation within a
six-to-eight-week period, Gehring said.

Edmund C. Grainger Named
Crescent General Manager
Chain of 75 theatres in Tennessee. Kentucky
and Alabama now being supervised out
of Nashville headquarters by former executive
of 20th Century-Fox. Shea Enterprises,
RKO Theatres and Republic Pictures.
Movie Attendance at Peak
Among Persons 20-29
Look Magazine survey finds 7.500.000 in that
age group saw at least one film during
selected week in February; teenage attendance
next highest with 4.500.000: larger
share of audience in suburbia and small
cities.
•
MPEA Embargo Will Remain
On Film Exports to Spain
Eric Jolmston's office says government
there must make next move in long dispute
over number of licenses to be granted, dubbing
costs and attempt to force distribution
in U. S. of Spanish films.
•
Smaller British Exhibitors
Take Tax Plaint to Public
Letters to newspapers claim that entertainment
levy is closing hundreds of houses
and ask support of campaign for immediate
relief from "over-systematic taxation"; revenues
and tax deductions given in detail.
•
Columbia Broadcasting Co,
Ends Manufacture of Sets
Triple Features Abandoned
By Philadelphia Drive-Ins
William S. Paley. board chairman, and
Frank Stanton. pre.iident, say decision applies
to both television and radio receivers;
no reason given; manufactiu'ing of records.
phonographs and tubes and research to continue.
Ik-
Exhibitors in that area agree on elimination
July 24; will reconsider October 1: also
decide to restrict SI a carload admissions to
not more than two days a week and not during
a weekend.
*
Atlas Corp. Stockholders
Act on Stock Conversion
Floyd Odium, president, reiwrts they have
requested conversion of 1,365,000 shares of
new common into new 5 per cent $20 par
preferred; one exception is Howard Hughes,
largest holder of old RKO common stock,
who retains common shares.
*
France Tops Hollywood
In Current Production
Report 31 production units at work in
Paris last week; in Hollywood. 22 pictures
were before the cameras: however, some on
the French stages were being produced by
O. S. companies.
'Moby Dick; King' Big
In NY and All Key Spots
"Moby Dick" drew long lines in New York on opening day (July 4) outstde the Criterion
Theatre as seen in the above photo. The Warner picture also opened the same
day at the Sutton, east side house, and broke records at both theatres.
NEW YORK—The opening of such "block-
at the Stanley, Philadelphia, and at the
busters" as Warner Bros.' "Moby Dick" and Stanley. Baltimore, and the Paramount, Pantages
"The King and I." 20th Century-Fox Cinema-
and Wiltern, Los Angeles. "Moby Dick"
Scope 55 feature, on Broadway, as well as in is in its second big weeks at the State. New
other key cities throughout the U. S., resulted
Bedford. Mass., where the picture had its
in a strong business upturn, even world premiere, and at the Astor Theatre,
greater than the business spurt dm-ing the Boston. "The King and I" also did the biggest
July 4 period of a year ago. The Saturday
business in three years at Grauman's
and Sunday, both before and after the Independence
Chinese Theatre, Hollywood, and the Pox,
Day holiday, were tremendous, with San Francisco, and ahead of last summer's
long waiting lines at several of the Times "Seven Year Itch" in Chicago, Atlantic City,
Square houses.
Buffalo, Pittsburgli, Boston, Denver, Seattle
"Moby Dick," which opened July 4 at two and Washington, D. C. "The Eddy Duchin
theatres, the Criterion on Broadway and the Story" has been running ahead of Columbia's
east side Sutton, set new records at both "Picnic" in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Chicago
houses, according to Warner Bros., and long and New Orleans.
waiting lines were in evidence opening day at The total gross for the July 4 week at the
the Broadway house. "The King and I,"
21 fii-st run houses in Manhattan, including
which gave the Roxy Theatre its best week
the east side aj't theatres, was far ahead of
since "The Robe" in 1953, had a smash second
week with a long run in prospect. Busi-
the corresponding week in 1955. Other pictures
which did strong business included
ness for the third week of "The Eddy Duchin
Story" at the Radio City Music
"Somebody Up There Likes Me" in its opening
Hall varied
only slightly from the terrific gross of the
week at Loew's State; "That Certain Feeling,"
two first weeks at the world's largest theatre
and the total for the three weeks approached
in its third and final week at the Paramount;
"The Proud and Pi'ofane," in its fourth week
the $500,000 mark.
at the Astor Tlieatre, and "Trapeze," in its
In other key cities, the record pace for fifth good week at the Capitol. "The Great
these three films was the same, with "Moby
Dick" setting a new high in its first six days
Locomotive Chase" slipped in its second week
at the Mayfair, after a strong opening week.
Fabian Denies Report He's Selling SW Circuit, Cinerama
NEW YORK—Reports that S. H. Fabian,
president of Stanley Warner, was considering
the disposal of the Stanley Warner theatres
and the company's Cinerama operations were
denied by Fabian on Wednesday (11).
"I have no intention of selling the Stanley
Warner theatres." Fabian said.
Fabian originally was linked with the deal
under which the Serge Semenenko group
took over Warner Bros. Pictures but was
stymied because of consent decree restrictions.
Rumors had been afloat that he was
angling for the sale of the SW houses which
would permit him to head up Warner Bros.
In a formal statement. Fabian said:
"Certainly I'm interested in production.
Our theatres— all theatres—live from motion
picture production. Like every other exhibitor,
I am very much concerned about the shortage
of product that now exists. I am still hopeful
that the present production companies
can furnish our needs."
In regard to Cinerama, Fabian said that
last week the theatre gross reached its highest
figui'e.
"We are working to expand Cinerama theatres,
to improve Cinerama technically and
plans are under way for more productions
which will maintain Cinerama entertainment
supremacy." Fabian concluded.
Development Is Reported
Of New 16mm Test Film
NEW YORK—The Society of Motion Picture
and Television Engineers has a new
16mm test film that measiu'es registration,
aperature size, resolution, shutter timing, centering
of the image and steadiness of its own
test image with respect to perforation. It
also provides a "thousandths scale" for measui-ing
film movement in double-exposure testing
of printer steadiness.
10 BOXOFFICE July 14, 1956

20th ANNOUNCES
Rigger than
A MOTION PICTURE SO
YOU MUST ASK
^
did
they
dare
to
^
^
make
I
it?

A saMT him take
the first pill...and the
next«..and the next!
Then he ^was lying for
theni..*begging for them...
forging prescriptions for
theni.**and then...''
20th CENTURY-FOX presents
JAMES MASON
BARBARA RUSH
«i
jigger
than
LIFE-SAVER 01^
LIFEDESTROYE?
"/ prescribed it
he misused it.
COLOR by DE LUXE
CiNemaScoP^
co-starring WALTHER MATTHAU with Robert Simon . Christopher Olsen
Produced by Directed by Story and Screenplay by
JAMES MASON- NICHOLAS RAY- CYRIL HUME and RICHARD MAIBAUM
Based on an article in The New Yorker by Berton Roueche

A theme so vital • • •
so violent that we
urge you to
bring all your
contpasslon and
understanding
to It!
^p^Mm^m:
20th delivers its
most startling attraction
since "THE SNAKE PIT"...
from the director of
"REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE"!

ONLY 5/ OF 4,500 THEATRES OWNED BY DIVORCED CHAINS
Drive-Ins Still Eluding
Ex-Affiliated Circuits
By J. M, JERAULD
NEW YORK—Opening of the fourth Loew's
Theatres Drive-In at Keyport, N. J., July 3
served to point up the fact that since divorcement
approximately 4.500 drive-in theatres
have opened and only 61 of these are operated
by affiliates of the defendants in the
antitrust suit—56 by Paramount Theatre
affiliates, four by Loew's Tlieatres. one by
former 20th Century-Fox affiliates and none
by RKO.
Schine Theatres and Crescent Amusement
Co.. which have figured in antitrust actions,
also have been chary about going into the
drive-in competition. Crescent has six and
Schine none. The Schine case is still pending
in the U. S. District Court at Buffalo.
NEW competiti\t: factor
These developments have introduced an
entirely new factor into the competitive situation.
Loew's is now studying it and is
expected to apply for Department of Justice
permission to build more open-air theatres.
Since the first rush to build drive-ins many
of them have fallen by the wayside, but it
is estimated that between 4,500 and 5,000 are
in operation.
Drive-in circuits have been created. There
are five of them that operate drive-ins exclusively
in California, New Mexico, Texas,
Florida and Georgia.
Two circuits which have developed in the
past few years and operate a few indoor theatres
as well as drive-ins jump from one
widely separated place to another and are
expanding aggressively.
These are the Smith Management Corp.
of Boston and Redstone Drive-In Theatres,
also of Boston.
Smith Management has 42 drive-ins, eight
of which are in Massachusetts, one in New
Hampshire, four in New Jersey, three in New
York state, and others in Chicago, Indianapolis.
Des Moines, Council Bluffs, Timonium,
Md., Kansas City, St. Louis, Omaha, Cincinnati,
Cleveland, Baden. Pa., and Milwaukee.
More are being acquired.
The Redstone Drive-In group has five in
Massachusetts, one in New Jersey, one in
New York City, one on Long Island, three
in upstate New York, and one in Virginia at
Falls Church. This circuit, too, is spreading
out.
LONG DISTANCE MANAGEMENT
Their unique methods of managing over
long distances are being watched closely by
their competitors.
Drive-ins are turning more and more to
buying and booking combines for their picture
service. Twenty of them serve 278 drive-ins
out of Chicago, Dallas, Charlotte, Detroit,
Columbus, San Francisco, Seattle, Pittsburgh,
Cincinnati, Albany, New Haven, Jacksonville,
Dallas and Grand Rapids. Jack
Kirsch, former president of Allied, is an important
figure in this activity. The accounts
run from a minimum of three drive-ins to 41.
Three—Cooperative Theatres of Ohio, with
39; Queen City Booking Service of Charlotte,
with 41, and Steam-Hanna Cooperative Thewwn'inFfhTil.
When this pylon and attraction board
was lit on the eve of Independence Day
a week ago, it announced the opening of
the fourth drive-in theatre acquired by
Loew's Theatres. The theatre, a 1,000-
car project near Keyport, N. J., ballyhooed
its circus playground, a midget
railroad and a merry-go-round.
atre Service of Pittsburgh, with 35—are important
factors in their territories. The biggest
in the New York area is Liggett-Florin
Booking Service, which has found a fertile
field in the rapidly-growing Long Island area.
It now has 24 drive-in accounts in addition
to its regular service for four-walled houses.
Circuit-owned houses are increasing rapidly.
These circuits range from five houses to
such large aggregations as Martin Theatres
of Georgia, Inc., and Rowley United Theatres,
Inc., Texa^.
34 DRIVE-INS FOR MARTIN
E. D. Martin, a former president of Theatre
Owners of America, who operates in Florida,
Alabama and Georgia, has 34 drive-ins out
of a total of 135 theatre properties. John H.
Rowley has 143 theatres in Texas, of which
38 are drive-ins.
With the exception of Daytz Theatre Enterprises
Corp., operating in Maine, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire and Rhode Island
with 46 open-air units, the well-known
southerners are the largest open-air operators
in the country.
Others with important holdings are Commonwealth
Amusement in Arkansas, Iowa,
Kansas and Missouri, with a total of 33 driveins
out of 81 of both types. Frontier Theatres,
Inc., of Texas, headed by H. J. Griffith, has
39 drive-ins in New Mexico and Texas out of
a total of 121. Jefferson Amusement Co., Inc.,
has 13 auto theatres out of a total of 68.
As might be expected, the heaviest concentration
of drive-ins is south of the Mason and
Dixon line, because of the longer periods of
operation. Texas is away out front with
547, North Carolina is second with 367,
Georgia third with 329, Florida fourth with
234.
Other states in the warm belt are:
Kentucky, 145; Louisiana, 134; Mississippi,
84; New Mexico, 70; Oklahoma, 152; South
Carolina, 112; Tennessee, 175; 'Virginia, 120,
and West Virginia, 152.
Several hundred of the houses in these
states operate all year and have become important
factors in the over-all competitive
situation.
California, for some reason, has not become
as enthusiastic about drive-ins as some of its
sister states with mild climates. There are
209 drive-ins in the state.
NEW YORK LEADS IN NORTH
In the northern part of the country, New
York is an outstanding leader with 294 houses
and more coming. Several of these are in
the rapidly-growing central and eastern
sections of Long Island where there has
been a tremendous outward movement of
population followed by huge real estate
developments and the growth of shopping
centers. New centers are announced almost
monthly. In the first week of July, New York
newspapers carried pictures of a shopping
area being developed by R. H. Macy at what
used to be Roosevelt Field; another at Hicksville
on the Northern States Parkway for
Gertz, a department store, and a third for
Gimbel's at Green Acres Shopping Center
near Valley Stream in Nassau County.
We-stchester County to the north has a
number of these centers. The New York
State Thruway and a group of parkways
make them accessible to shoppers from long
distances.
Theatremen are speculating on what the
huge highway spending program to be
financed mostly by the federal government
will do to increasingly wide expanses of the
counties to the north of New York City.
The central industrial regions of the
country have drive-ins in numbers that rival
some of the southern states. Pennsylvania
leads with 359, followed by Ohio, 294; Illinois,
247; Indiana, 224; Missouri, 189; Michigan,
131, and Massachusetts, 109.
Even the farm belts are well equipped with
drive-ins. Kansas has 128, Iowa, 85, and
Wisconsin, 100.
Vacation areas are well equipped with driveins,
too, but they are short-period operations
covering about four months a year. Connecticut
has 52; Maine, 62; Minnesota, 66;
Montana, 58; Nebraska, 57; New Hampshire,
46; New Jersey, 44; Vermont, 35.
Cold, sparsely settled areas have the fewest,
of course. Idaho has 51; Nevada, 11; North
Dakota, 21; Oregon, 96; Utah, 43; Washington,
79; Wyoming, 32.
ALSO IN CANADA, ALASKA
Even the short summer periods turn in a
profit in many places. There are drive-ins
all the way across Canada and one in Alaska.
There are varying estimates of what portion
of the total theatre revenue is turned in by
drive-ins. They run up to 25 per cent. If
the last figure is anywhere near correct, it
becomes clear that all the troubles of roofed
theatres are not due to television.
Marian Seldes in Screen Debut
HOLLYWOOD—New York stage and TV
actress Marian Seldes will make her screen
debut in a featured role in RKO's "The Young
Stranger," starring James MacArthur, Kim
Hunter and James Daly. Stuart Millar is
producing; John Prankenheimer, directing.
14 BOXOFFICE :
: July 14, 1956

THIS IS
CAROL REED
THE DIRECTOR OF

THE BOXOFFICES
OF THE HATION
ARE SOArIHG with
FIRST RETURNS ARE IN
FROM A 405 COAST-TO-COAST
SATURATION BOOKING...
AND THEY SHOW UA HAS THE
BIGGEST BLOCK-BUSTER
IN ITS HISTORY!

Successor to
Lichtman
To Be Appointed Soon
NEW YORK—A successor to Al Lichtman,
former distribution head of 20th
Century-Fox, as a member of the governing
board of the Council of Motion Picture
Organizations is expected to be
named soon. It is believed that Eric
Johnston, MPAA head, will name him.
Spyros P. Skouras, 20th- Fox president,
is considered a possibility. He declined
the paresidency several years ago. Board
rule followed.
Sam Pinanskl of Boston now represents
TOA on the board. Robert W. Coyne,
special counsel, became a member of the
board when National Allied withdrew
affiliation. The Lichtman spot represents
distribution.
TOA Still Has Hopes
A TOA repre-
For Public Exposition
NEW YORK—There still was hope late this
week that Theatre Owners of America would
be able to incorpwrate a public participation
project at the TOA convention in New York
in September. Efforts were being made to
crystallize a plan whereby a motion picture
exposition would be hooked up with the annual
meeting in the Coliseum.
sentative was seeking to wrap up the details
in Hollywood, but the time element was said
to be a factor against its success. The big
question was whether it could be put together
in the approximate two months between now
and the ojiening of the convention.
If efforts fail, the exposition definitely will
be included in the 1957 convention, a spokesman
said.
Meanwhile, convention chiefs were faced
with the problem of holding the customary
luncheons between the morning and afternoon
sessions. Although the Coliseum has
facilities, such as a kitchen and dining space,
TOA is balking at the price tag being asked
per plate. Cost is said to be around $6.50 per
guest. There is a possibility that the luncheons
will be held at the Hotel Henry Hudson,
a short walk from the Coliseum.
20th-Fox August Release
For Controversial Film
NEW YORK—The release date of "Bigger
Than Life," a Cinemascope picture dealing
with miracle drugs, has been moved up by
COMPO Plans Projects
To Follow Tax Drive
By SUMNER SMITH
NEW YORK—With the financial backing
of the Motion Picture Ass'n of America assured,
the Council of Motion Picture Organizations
is free to develop programs for
the future. Of immediate importance, of
course, is the campaign to obtain Congressional
approval of a bill affording relief from
the federal admissions tax. Other COMPO
In a way, it was a curious situation with
politics definitely involved in it, because a
majority of both the House and Senate is
known to favor some kind of relief. But
tangled up In the scheme of things were Republican
and Democratic ideas—and desires
to cop the credit—for budget balancing now
and various forms of tax relief that might
develop at coming sessions of Congress if not
at this one.
Robert W. Coyne, a member of the COMPO
triumvirate and special counsel, who has been
spending much of his time in Washington,
said he had not abandoned hope.
"We have not thrown in the towel," he
said. He added that if no relief bill became a
law this year, the way had been paved for
later relief. However, he was hopeful that a
bill will be enacted into law which would
make admissions of $1 or less tax-free.
If the tax battle should be won, the financial
backing voted COMPO by the MPAA
would be channeled to another project or
projects. The MPAA board has voted a
maximum of $100,000—Coyne asked for $150,-
000—but it will appropriate only the total sum
raised by COMPO from exhibitors.
The COMPO drive for exhibitor dues may
start in August. The procedure of previous
years will be followed, with salesmen of the
major companies seeking pledges from exhibitors.
Coyne will discuss the routine
shortly with the general sales managers. He
is hopeful that, while National Allied as an
organization will not back a dues drive, many
individual Allied members will contribute.
20th Century-Fox from September to August
to take advantage of the controversy over the
DUES SAME AS LAST YEAR
psychotic effects in administering cortisone. The dues scale will be the same as last
The film is based on an article, "Ten Feet year. That was:
Fall," published last summer in the New Conventional theatres—up to 500 seats,
Yorker magazine.
$7.50; up to 750 seats, $11.25; up to 1,000
"Bigger Than Life," which stars James seats, $18.75; up to 2,500 seats, $37.50; over
Mason and Barbara Rush, has been booked
to open at the Victoria Theatre, New York,
2,500 seats, $75.
Drive-Ins—up to 300-car capacity. $7.50;
in late July and will be the second picture up to 800 cars, $11.25; up to 600 cars, $18.75;
with a drug theme to play the theatre in a over 600 cars, $37.50.
year. "The Man With the Golden Arm" The success of the 1955 Audience Awards
played the Victoria from December 1955 to campaign helped to influence the MPAA in
April 1956.
supptorting COMPO for another year. It was
"Bigger Than Life" is James Mason's first widely regarded as an outstanding aid to the
personal production. "Bus Stop," starring boxofflce and valuable In a public relations
Marilyn Monroe, is the other 20th-Fox release
way. It was In some respects a little cum-
for August.
bersome and this year it will be
simplified.
BOXOFTICE :
: July 14, 1956
according to Coyne. He said he expected the
full support of the studios to be announced
soon. Preparations for that drive will go into
high gear the moment Congress adjourns. It
probably will be staged in November.
The Audience Awards committee consists
of Alice N. Gorham of American Broadcasting-Paramount
Theatres in Detroit, chairman;
FYank H. Ricketson Jr. and Paul Lyday
of Pox Intermountaln Theatres, Denver; Paul
Levi, American Theatres Corp., Boston;
Ralph Russell, Palace Theatre, Canton, Ohio;
Etoil Bernstecker, Wilby-Kincey, Atlanta;
Senn Lawler, Fox Midwest Theatres, Kansas
City; Harry Mandell, RKO Theatres, chairman
of the COMPO pre.ss relations commit-
moves will wait on that, but they will not
have to wait long.
The next five days are the crucial ones in
the tax campaign. If a bill providing relief
is reported out of the House Ways and Means
Committee within that time, then additional
industry pressure will be exerted on Congress
for outright repeal or a further tax reduction. tee, and Charles E. McCarthy, COMPO information
director. The committee will meet
POLITICS SEEN INVOLVED
soon.
Another project influencing MPAA approval
of COMPO was the latter's program of institutional
full-page ads in Editor & Publisher.
These are considered to have carried
considerable weight in a public relations way.
FEMALE AUDIENCE DRIVE
Another possible—if not probable—COMPO
project is a boxofflce drive aimed specifically
at the feminine audience. Leonard H. Goldenson,
president of AB-PT, is intensely interested
in that and has been conducting considerable
research. The same is true of the
advertising-publicity managers committee of
the MPAA.
Just how the COMPO projects will be
tied in with the boxofflce campaigns now
being set up by MPAA groups was not known.
COMPO could act separately on those of its
projects which have boxofflce appeal, such as
the Audience Awards campaign, or they could
be merged with the MPAA drive. Coyne
seemed to regard them as separate projects.
MPAA expects to reach its decisions on the
drive this week.
TALENTLESS
TELEVISION
ATTACKED
George Jean Nathan, dean of drama critics,
says that the competition offered the stage
by television is about as fierce as that offered
the .New York Philharmonic by a
Trinidad Calypso band.
But he doesn't stop at this. Writing in the
current issue of Esquire. .Nathan claws
through the guts of T\' and bares its very
soul. His outspoken report on talentless
television, its "gook" and its writers will
draw nods of appreciation from some quarters
and stem condemnation from others.
.No matter which side of the fence you
stand on, don't be unprepared for an explosion
from Video Land. Be sure to get
your copy of
August ESQUIRE now on sale
V /
17

ISTAVISIOH
MOTION nCTUIEf HIOM-FIDELITY
Brings New Mcagnificence To Tk(
So Rousing m ocope-
So Provocative in Romance
So Ricn in Selling Angles...
its the picture
i^:,:
that will he long
remembered for
introaucing the
greatest new
singing star of
our time^
ORESTE!
LAUNCH IT LABOR DAY and start Paramount's Golden
Autumn— After A Sumnner of Hits
Feeling" (Tec/?.) and "The Proud and Profane" ........ ....
Like "Pardners" {Tech.)— "Thai Certain

Host Magnificent Of All Musical Spectacles!
IKATHRYN Grayson- Oreste
RITA SIR CEDRIC WALTER
MORENO
•
. ^
'AT DUGGAN •
MICHAEL
HARDWICKE
•
^'°'^""'* ^y DirecteJ ty Screenplay ty
CURTIZ
•
HAMPDEN
KEN ENGLUND „j NOEL LANGLEY
aseJ on tKe Musical Play • Music ty Rudolf Friml • Book anJ Lyrics Ly ^57illiam H. Po.t and Brian Hooker • Presented on tte SUtfe t
Russell I by lustin Huntlv McCartbv • Additional eonUs bv Rudolf Fri loknm^urU

Trapeze Sets an All-Time
Record Gross for Ist Week
Seen at the New York tradepress conference, at which VVilliam J. Heineraan,
United Artists vice-president in charge of distribution, announced the record-breaking
business on "Trapeze," are left to right: Milton E. Cohen, eastern and southern division
manager; James R. Velde, general sales manager; Heineman, and Al Fitter, western
division manager.
NEW YORK — Hecht and Lancaster's
"Trapeze" grossed more in the first week of
its general release than any other picture
in its first week anywhere in the world,
according to William J. Heineman, United
Artists vice-president in charge of distribution.
The period ended July 3.
Heineman put the figure at $4,112,500 for
405 bookings in the U. S. and Canada. He
said that the earned film rental of $2,385,250
set another industry record.
The grosses and rentals do not include receipts
from prerelease engagements in Chicago,
Los Angeles and New York.
"Trapeze" registered 336 holdovers among
the 405 dates for 84 per cent extended playing
time, and there were 17 moveovers, Heineman
said. Many of the theatres playing the
picture set records while in others the records
set by "The Robe" and "Prom Here to
Eternity" were approached, he said. Results
In the south and southwest were especially
striking.
All key runs in the U. S. and Canada were
covered with 500 prints with optical sound.
Terms were 70-30-10 or 90-10 with no adjustments
requested to date, Heineman said.
United Artists plans to play off the picture
fast, with every sub run being taken care of.
Releasing in Brooklyn will start August 8.
The company's hope is to play 20,000 engagements,
including repeats. Prints now total
600. Pressed for an estimate of the total
gross, Heineman said it would be a guess. He
mentioned $10,000,000.
Heineman described a national advertising
campaign developed by Max E. Youngstein,
vice-president, and slanted to the opening
date, and credited it with greatly aiding the
picture.
Wald Gets Okay to Shop for New Post;
Columbia Hands More Work to Sidney
HOLLYWOOD—Long reported agitating for
a release from his post as Columbia executive
producer and vice-president, Jerry Wald has
been given the green light to conduct negotiations
with other major companies. The official
go-ahead, in the form of a letter signed
by B. B. Kahane, Columbia executive vicepresident,
was dispatched to Wald and
stresses the following:
1. Such negotiations are limited to a sixweek
period from the date of Kahane's letter.
If, within that time, Wald cannot arrive at a
"satisfactory deal" to replace his present
Columbia contract, which has two and a half
years to go, he will return to Columbia to
resume his present position. During the six
weeks he will be on a "contractual vacation."
2. When and if another studio deal is
made it will be Wald's right to terminate his
Columbia pact immediately.
3. All percentage interests in films made
under Wald's executive producership at Columbia
will remain with him.
4. In the event no commitment with another
studio is secured during the six-week
time si>an, Wald will return to his home
studio, to supervise the company's top-budget
product.
Columbia Adds Three Top
Films to Sidney's Lineup
HOLL"yTVOOD—Prom Columbia Studios on
Thursday (12) came an announcement which
apparently establishes that George Sidney,
whose production slate was increased by three
important pictures, may a.ssume many of the
duties of Jerry Wald as executive producer
In the event the latter transfers his activities
to another filmmaking organization. Earlier
in the week it had been revealed that Columbia
had given its official approval to
Wald's negotiations toward another, and
probably independent, affiliation.
Sidney, who previously drew the supervisory
reins on "Pal Joey," also has been
handed "Andersonville," from the current
best-seller by MacKinlay Kantor, "The
Jeanne Eagels Story," and "The Great
Sebastians," from the Broadway play by Howard
Lindsay and Russell Crouse. "Joey" and
"Jeanne Eagels" will be produced under the
Sidney aegis by Fred Kohlmar.
Trailers Called Top
Advertising Medium
NETW YORK—Trailers are the most valuable
advertising medium available to the motion
picture theatre, returning the greatest
volume of ticket sales for each dollar expended,
according to Herman Robblns, board
chairman of National Screen Service.
Robblns ba.sed his statement on a June 22
survey of 84 weeks' length made for theatres
in Oklahoma City and county by Sindllnger
& Co. He said the findings told "an impressive
story" and confirmed what NSS "has
known since Its inception."
TRAILERS USED 38 YEARS
"Theatre trailers have been employed for
38 years," Robblns said, "and it is most
urgent that the industry be reminded from
time to time of their ticket-selling potency.
They should not be taken for granted, and
that is why the broadest news coverage and
editorial comment on the meaning of the
Sindllnger figures would be of great Importance.
"The last authoritative statistics available
to us were contained in a 1947 survey of the
Woman's Home Companion, which revealed
that, of the factors Influencing attendance,
trailers drew 31 per cent of the patrons. This
Is all the more significant when considered in
relation to the Sindllnger figures.
"Theatre trailers today are carefully designed
selling E)ackages—the result of thought
and planning aimed at whetting the appetite
of the greatest audience," Robbir|s continued.
"One trailer is easily worth a thousand words
and patrons enjoy it. When wg couple the
above-mentioned facts with the realization
that the average theatre shows its coming
attraction trailers for less than the price of
one admission ticket daily, there must also
come the realization that trailers achieve the
greatest sales potential at the least cost."
Robbins admitted a self-interest in the subject.
He called trailers "the unsung showmanship
heroes," adding that they deserve
"their place in the sun and should be exhibited
with continuity and regularity."
Robblns summarized the Sindllnger report
as follows:
The trailer was the primary Influence behind
$342 of every $1,000 expended for admissions
at first run theatres In Oklahoma
City.
STRONG THROUGHOUT RUNS
A follow-up report will demonstrate that
the trailer in all other Oklahoma City and
county theatres, excluding first runs, runs
about 12 per cent higher as an influencing
factor than it does among first run audiences.
Of the total patronage influenced primarily
by the trailer, 28.6 per cent are Infrequent
moviegoers.
Of the 47 per cent that return to the same
first run theatre In Oklahoma City for the
next program, 84.7 per cent can "play back"
something they remember from the coming
attraction they saw during their prior visit,
while 72.8 per cent say that the trailer was
an Influence in "wanting to see this picture."
Warshciw Joins Schwalberg
NEW YORK—Malvin Warshaw, former
United Paramount theatre manager, has
been made director of the educational division
of Artists-Producers Associates by
A. W. Schwalberg, president.
20 BOXOFFICE :
: July 14, 1956

—
MPAA Near Accord
On Boxoffice Drive
NEW YORK— All details of the boxoffice
campaign being prepared under the auspices
of the Motion Picture Ass'n of America should
be settled for submission within a week or ten
days to Eric Johnston, MPAA president.
Johnston then will submit the planning to
the member company presidents constituting
the board of MPAA.
Considerable progress toward agreement was
reached at a Wednesday (11) meeting of the
MPAA advertising-publicity directors committee
of which Jerome Pickman, Paramount
vice-president, is chairman.
The heads of the various subcommittees
reported to the full committee. Rodney Bush,
of 20th Century-Fox, reported on a proposed
Hollywood symposium; Phil Gerard, of
Universal-International, on having company
presidents and advertising-publicity heads
"sell" the industry at meetings with opinionmakers;
Paul Lazarus jr., of Columbia, on
employment of an outside business management
group to survey the industry; Silas P.
Seadler, of MGM, on new advertising methods
and Alfred Tamarln, of United Artists, on
merchandising films at the local level.
Ray Moon Funeral Rites;
Sales Executive for U
WESTPORT, CONN.—Funeral services for
Raymond E. Moon, 59. assistant general sales
manager of Universal Pictures Co., Inc., were
held at the Christ and
Holy Trinity Church
here Tuesday (10).
Moon died at his home
on North Compo road
July 7. Interment was
at Christ Church
Cemetery.
Moon, a pioneer in
the motion picture industry,
began his career
40 years ago as a
salesman for Universal
in Detroit. In the
Raymond E. Moon early 1920s, he organized
Cooperative Theatres of Michigan, a
film-buying group of individual theatre owners.
Several years later, he organized another
cooperative. General Theatres of Detroit.
In 1940, he became New York branch
manager for 20th Century-Fox and was later
promoted to eastern division manager. He
rejoined Universal in 1950.
Moon is survived by his wife, Mrs. Audrey
(Sorbin Moon, and three sons, Raymond, Robert
and David.
Harry H. Birch Named
Filmack Executive
CHICAGO—The appointment of Harry H.
Birch as executive vice-president of Filmack
Studios, producers of theatre trailers, was announced
this week by Irving Mack, president.
Birch will assume direction of Filmack's
live action production and will be
in charge of the firm's new sound stage,
scheduled to open August 1.
Birch formerly was chief cameraman and
camera department head for WBBK-TV,
Chicago CBS station. He had held the same
position previously with WBKB, Chicago ABC
outlet.
A DELAYED PRESENTATION TO SIR WINSTON—On behalf of Variety Clubs
International, members of the London Tent last week presented the 1954 Humanitarian
Award to Sir Winston Churchill in an informal ceremony at the statesman's
London home. Wlien the Award was voted to the noted Briton, the presentation was
delayed because of Sir Winston's illness and, later, because he was out of the country.
The solid-gold heart-shaped Award was presented to him "in recognition of his
life-long devotion to the liberty of man, his everlasting vigil in safeguarding democracy,
and his zealous dedication to the furtherance of world peace." In the photo, left
to right, are: Nat Cohen, chief barker of the London Tent; C. J. Latta, European
international representative for Variety who made the presentation; Sir Winston;
Sir Tom O'Brien, member of the London Tent crew, and barker Major Husklsson.
K. C. Star President Sees Big Impact of U.S. Films
KANSAS CITY—Despite all the millions
America pours out through government information
services and Radio-Free Europe
a popularly financed project—to interpret
the real America to the continent, it is obvious
to the traveler that the public must get its
most fixed and lasting impressions from U. S.
motion pictures. This was reported by Roy A.
Roberts, president of the Kansas City Star,
in one of a series of articles he wrote for the
paper following a tour of Europe.
He rates the impact of motion pictures
even above the effect of personal contacts
made with "the torrent of American tourists."
Writing further on U. S. films, he said:
"Increasing numt)ers of American companies
are going to Italy to shoot productions—but
go where you will, you won't get
away from the American movie stars. Eurojjean
newspapers are small in comparison to
our own. Yet I believe they devote more
attention to Hollywood stars, their lives, their
cheesecake, their gossip, than they do to
general American affairs.
"It's a cinch the masses know a lot more
about our movie people than they know
about our statesmen, except possibly the very
top bracket. The stars, when they visit
Europe, get a huge welcome and as much
publicity, or more, than they do over here."
COLUMBIA PICTURES ANNOUNCES THAT PRINTS OF THE FOLLOWING
PICTURES ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN OUR EXCHANGES FOR SCREENING
Joan
Crawford
Autumn
Leaves
co-stirrini
VERA MILES • LORNE GREENE
RUTH DONNELLY
.nd CLIFF ROBERTSON
Directed t>y
ROBERT ALDRICH
A WILLIAM GOETZ PRODUCTION
Frankfe
Lucy
lAINE^MARLOW
c»,.... ANTHONY DEXTER • DICK LONG
with ALAN REED • JESSE WHITE
SOMI Pliy by BUXE EOWAHOS Stoi) by HICHARI) OUINE xd BLMd OWMOS
Producld by JONIE TAPS • DirKixt by BLAKE EDWADOS
Priot by TECHNICOLOR
FAITH DOMERGUE • LEE PATTERSON
SPJKA
RONA ANDERSON •MARTIN BENSON
.»» mCRT AJtOEN
ScfMIWIty by IAN iTUAUT •!>» • bllO 0« i nml n DOUIIT KtSTOIt
Pt««icM by UO»a lurNAAD • OxKIM by XIINOII UwtLl
BOXOFFICE : : July 14, 1956 21

. . Femme
^oilcf€(MMd ^eftcnt
By
IVAN SPEAR
Studios Get an Increase
Of Overseas Visitors
Filmdom's red carpet has undergone a record
workout during the first six months of
this year, ditflng which the studios have
played host to 489 representatives from 52
foreign nations, the international committee
of the Ass'n of Motion Picture Producers reported.
The visitor total represents an Increase of
more than 20 per cent over the number of
guests entertained during the same period in
1955 and is indicative of Hollywood's continued
support of the State Department's foreign
leader program as well as similar programs
of other government agencies.
Numbered among the guests were 166 government
officials, 93 journalists, 70 educators,
43 students, 17 radio and TV executives, 13
motion picture producers, directors and technicians,
and 87 industrialists, businessmen,
labor leaders and others.
Most notable among the visitors in the
half-year period was President Sukarno of
Indonesia, who was given a top-level industry
dinner hosted by Eric Johnston.
Other important foreign government representatives
hosted by the committee were
Maurice Couve de Murville, French ambassador
to the U. S., Henry de Torrente, Swiss
minister to the U. 8., and U Win, Burmese
amba-ssador to the U. S. Each was accorded
an industry luncheon where he met top Hollywood
executives and stars.
U-I Purchases Three Yarns;
T'wo Other Buys Reported
Far and away the most active lot as concerns
the acquisition of literary properties
during the period was Universal-International,
which picked up no less than three vehicles.
Pi'obably rating the most attention was its
purchase of "The DevU's Hornpipe," a musical
by Maxwell Anderson and Rouben Mamoullan,
r TALENTLESS
TELEVISION
ATTACKED
George Jean Nathan, dean of drama critics,
says tiiat the competition offered the stage
hy television is about as fierce as that offered
the New York Philharmonic by a
Trinidad Calypso band.
But he doesn't stop at this. Writing in the
current issue of Esquire, Nathan claws
through the guts of TV and bares its very
soul. His outspoken report on talentless
television, its "gook" and its writers will
draw nods of appreciation from some quarters
and stem condemnation from others.
N'o matter which side of the fence you
stand on, don't be unprepared for an explosion
from Video Land. Be sure to get
your ropy of
^
August ESQUIRE now on sale
V. ^
which has been handed to Aaron Rosenberg
to produce. At the same time James Cagney
was booked to star in the venture, which Is
being shaped for lensing early next winter.
It has a modern New 'Vork background and
ca.sts Cagney as a racketeer. U-I also bought
"Pilots for Hire." a yarn by Danny Arnold,
and "The Colonel Everest Story," by Roland
Kibbee, both of which were added to producer
"Showdown." an
William AUand's .slate . . .
original by Les Crutchflcld. was purchased
by producer Hal WalUs, who Inked James Poe
to write the screenplay. It will roll early next
year for Paramount release . . . Planning to
package It as an independent effort, producerdirector
Charles Vidor bought "Honey From
a Dark Hive," a new novel by Bernice
Kavlnsky.
Republic Ready to Start
On 'Accused of Murder'
Backing up Republic President Herbert
Rates' recent disclosure that the valley
studio, in a productional hiatus for the past
several months, would soon embark on a
new program of theatrical features for the
1956-57 season, the plant has completed preparations
for an early camera start on "Accused
of Murder," which will be produced
and directed by Joe Kane.
Adapted from W. R. Burnett's novel, "Vanity
Row." the suspense drama now is in the
process of casting. First to be recruited was
Virginia Grey, who will have a top supporting
role.
RKO Reaches High Point
In Scrivener Acti'vity
High point In writer activity at RKO for
the past year has been reached with a total
of 21 scripters working on 17 films. Scriveners
and the properties on which they are
working are Goodman Ace, "I Married a
Woman"; Robert Hardy Andrews, "The Rough
Rider"; Gwen Bagni and Irwin Gielgud, "On
My Honor"; Oscar Brodney, "The Old Maestro";
Niven Busch, "Galveston"; Lenore
Coffee, "Cash McCall"; Katherine and Dale
EXinson, "The Day They Gave Babies Away";
Earl Felton, "Underdog"; Frederic Frank,
"The Cid"; Devery Freeman, "The Girl Most
Likely"; Jonathan Latimer. "The Lady and
FOR OLD TIME'S SAKE—Cecil B.
DelVIille takes time away from his own
production of "The Ten Commandments"
to make a brief on-camera guest appearance
as himself in Paramount's currently
shooting "The Buster Keaton Story." The
scene finds him directing a picture when
Keaton, portrayed by Donald O'Connor,
inadvertently walks into the shot. Photo
shows O'Connor, made up as Keaton,
producer-director DelVIille and Keaton
himself.
the Prowler"; Reginald Rose, "Three Empty
Rooms"; Stirling Silliphant, "Pakistan"; Harry
Tugend, "Stage Door"; Richard English and
James Clavell. "The Far Alert"; Winston Miller,
"Escapade In Japan," and Terry and
Code Seal of Approval
Granted 1G5 Features
Here and there in the Hollywoodlands: Reflecting
an increase of nine over the corresponding
period in 1955, the Production Code
Administration of the Motion Picture Producers
Ass'n reported It has granted the code Denis Sanders, "The Naked and the Dead."
seal of approval to 165 features during the
first six months of this year. Short subjects
approvals also jumped—to 83 through June
30 as against 73 to the same date a year
ago . disk jockey Jean King Rousseau,
known on the airwaves as "The Lonesome
Gal," will be given the film biographical
treatment by Universal-International, which
has secured rights to produce the opus and
inked the lonesome lady to write a treatment
thereof. Albert Zugsmith has been assigned
the production reins.
Brazilian-Made Feature
To Be Released by U-I
Universal-International—which, along with
most of the other majors, is always on the
prowl for independently made product to
supplement its own lineup of studio-made
celluloid—has acquired "Beast of the Amazon,"
filmed in Brazil by Richard K. and
Harry Rybnlck under the banner of Jewel
Enterprises.
Made with the cooperation of the Brazilian
government, the action drama stars John
Bromfield and Beverly Garland. It was directed
by Curt Siodmak from his own original
story, and was lensed In color.
Ten Hours to Doom' Reunites
Levin and Chester Team
Reuniting the production team which
turned out "The Bold and the Brave," now
being distributed by RKO Radio, Irving H.
Levin, president of Pilmakers, has set a deal
whereby Hal E. Chester will function as producer
on the forthcoming "Ten Hours to
Doom," a story and script by Fred Freiberger.
"Doom" is slated to roll in September, and
a major release is being negotiated.
It marks the third Levin-Chester association,
the latter having just returned from
London after completing "The Weapon," starring
Steve Cochran and Lizabeth Scott.
Nina Foch Will Co-Star
In Warren's 'Norman'
Producer-director Charles Marquis Warren
has signed Nina Foch to co-star with Jack
Palance and Dan O'Herlihy in "The Norman,"
slated for filming by Warren's Commander
Pictures upon completion of his directorial
chores on "Trooper Hook." "The
Norman," to be shot in CinemaScope and
color, from Warren's original story, is based
on the life of William the Conqueror.
22 BOXOFFICE :
: July 14, 1956

31 Universal Serials
Sold for TV Showing
NEW YORK—Universal-International has
sold 31 serials outright to Hygo Television
Films, which paid in excess of $1,500,000 for
them. Hygo has exclusive television and theatrical
rights to the films throughout the
world through Serials, Inc., a Hygo subsidiary.
The serials average 13 episodes each. U-I
produced and distributed them between 1936
and 1947. Among them are "Jungle Queen"
with Lois Collier and Ruth Roman, "Great
Alaskan Mystery" with Ralph Morgan and
Fuzzy Knight, "Royal Mounted Rides Again"
with Milbum Stone and Robert Armstrong,
"Gang Busters" with Kent Taylor, "Scouts to
the Rescue" with Jackie Cooper and "Winners
of the West" with Dick Foran and Anne
Nagel.
Hygo will be the exclusive TV sales agent.
Robert Seidelman, vice-president and general
sales manager, will work out a flexible
sales plan.
Hygo is negotiating with two national outlets
for network programming of a half -hour
show built around two serial episodes a show.
If that does not go through, the company will
make the serials available for immediate distribution
to all TV stations.
Balaban, in From Abroad,
Praises 'War and Peace'
NEW YORK—Hailing the completed film
version of Tolstoy's "War and Peace" as a
"masterpiece," Barney Balaban, president of
'Keep 'Em in the East/
A N.Y, Production Cry
By PRANK LEYENDECKER
NEW YORK—"Keep 'Em in the East"
seems to be the slogan at the Fox Movietone
News Studio, on West 54th Street and
Tenth Avenue, where someone (probably the
crew or technicians) has tacked it on the
back wall of the set during the current filming
of "12 Angry Men," an Orion-Nova production
for United Artists release.
The new company, which was formed by
Henry Fonda, who also is the star of "12
Angry Men," and Reginald Rose, who wrote
the screenplay as well as the original TV
drama from which it was adapted, is the
latest of several to use Manhattan studios for
filming features—and all the stage and TV
actors, as well as directors, writers and film
technicians hope the current trend will continue.
FIRST OF 12 FOR RKO
Galahad Productions started the first of
12 features for RKO release, "Brave Tomorrow,"
at another Manhattan studio. Production
Center, Inc., July 9, and MGM recently
completed "A Man Is Ten Feet Tall" mostly
on location in Manhattan. Last summer,
Michael Myerberg filmed the screen version
of another successful TV drama, "Patterns,"
entirely at the old Warner Vitaphone Studio
in Brooklyn, the first company to use the
studio for making a feature in almost 20
Paramount, returned
years.
from Europe on the
Except for Henry Fonda, who recently completed
another feature, "The Wrong Man,"
Queen Elizabeth with
Mrs. Balaban Tuesday made partly on location and in an eastern
(10). Balaban flew
studio and paa-tly In Hollywood, and Lee J.
from Paris to London Cobb, who came on from Hollywood especially
to attend a private
for "12 Angry Men," the cast of this Jury
showing of the Vista- room drama is composed entirely of actors
Vision - Technicolor who are busy in Broadway stage plays or on
production with a TV in Manhattan. "The actors we wanted
group of other Paramount
executives last was given by Reginald Rose as the reason for
for the leading roles were all in New York,"
week.
filming the picture in Manhattan.
Balaban said he had
kept in close touch for IN BROADWAY PLAY
Barney Balaban
the past three years The other actors included: Ed Begley, who
with "this vast adventure in super-showship
is featured in the stage hit, "Inherit the Wind,"
which many top producers had now in its second year on Broadway (Begley
contemplated but none had previously dared also made "Patterns" while playing in "Inherit
attempt." However, he had arrived in London
the Wind" in 1955); Robert Webber,
reserving final judgment until he could currently featured in the Broadway smash
see the picture for himself, he said.
hit, "No Time for Sergeants" at the Alvin
"In its magnitude of scope, its timely epic Theatre; George Voskovec, who was featured
theme, its spectacular drama of colorful nations
in the off-Broadway production of "Uncle
embattled in war and enmeshed in the Vanya" when the filming started and who is
romance, tragedy and comedy of peace, the making his screen debut In "12 Angry Men";
gripping private lives of the appealing leading
characters, the wonderful performances of
Joseph Sweeney, grand old character man of
stage and TV, who was recently featured in
all the inspired players, the magnificent "The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit" in
quality of its production, direction and Hollywood; E. G. Marshall, who recently
breath-taking Technicolor and VistaVision closed on Broadway in "Waiting for Godot";
photography, 'War and Peace' has never been Martin Balsam, who has been featured in
excelled," Balaban said.
Edward G. Robinson's Broadway play, "Middle
of the Night," now suspended for the summer
Warners to Make TV Commercials
only, and Jack Warden, John Fiedler, Edward
HOLLYWOOD—Warner Bros, is entering Binns and Jack Klugman, all stage and TV
the field of filmed television commercials, performers and all of whom play Jurors and
making available to advertisers and agencies are practically the entire cast. Even the
the full technical resources of the company's alternate juror is played by a stage and TV
motion picture studios, as well as the animation
veteran, Graham Velsey, who fills in some
facilities of its cartoon division. A new spare time on the set by acting as stand-in
commercial department has been set up. for Joseph Sweeney. Sweeney and Voskovec
Henry Fonda, left, star of "12 Angry
Men," and Reginald Rose, co-producer
and author of the screenplay, discuss the
advantages of filming in Manhattan, as
regards the use of Broadway stage and TV
players, at luncheon on the set at the
Fox Movietone News Studio. On the right
is Frank Leyendecker of BOXOFFICE.
are repeating their TV roles in the film version.
Both "Patterns" and the currently filming
"Brave Tomorrow" also have casts composed
mainly of stage and TV talent. In addition
to being fine actors, these players do
not demand the exorbitant salaries of the
regular Hollywood film actors.
As a stunt to publicize the Manhattan
filming of "12 Angry Men," the Arthur P.
Jacobs Co., which is handling public relations
for Orion-Nova, sent out simulated jury
summons to the Court of Criminal Sessions to
aU members of the tradepress. The blue slip
ordered each tradepaper representative to
act as a special juror at Fox Movietone News
studio to "observe production activities on
the fUming of '12 Angry Men' and then have
luncheon on the set with Fonda and Rose."
WATCH LUMET AT WORK
The morning's activities included: watching
the dynamic Sidney Lumet, a director
from the TV field who is making his first theatrical
film, direct Fonda, Begley and the
others in a crucial jury room scene, as well
as observing the numerous retakes necessary
to attain perfection in any brief scene and
then seeing cameras and Ughts being set up
for the next scene. During lunch at a long
table similar to the jury room table, Fonda
mentioned that "12 Angry Men" is his first
independent prcxluction for United Artists.
The picture is going faster than the average
feature because of Lumet's prefilming reheai-sals
and should be completed before the
end of July. How-ever, the picture will not
be released before 1957 so as not to conflict
with "Seven Angry Men," an Allied Artists
picture released early in 1955. In the meantime,
Fonda will be seen on the nation's
screens in two important pictures, "War and
Peace," which he made in Rome for Paramount
release and which will open in New
York in late August, and "The Wrong Man,"
produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock
for Warner Bros, release late in 1956 or early
1957. Fonda also has plans for the filming
of "The Clown," the life story of Emmett
Kelly, which was repeated twice on TV. but
he also may do another Broadway stage play
in the fall, if he finds the right script.
^OXOFHCE :: July 14, 1956
23

. . The
—
8ES McKENNA (JAMES STEWABT) IS INVOLVED IN FOR-
EIGN INTRIGUE. TOURING MOROCCO WITH FAMILY
DORIS DAY AS JO McKENNA TRIES TO CONVINCE LONDON
POLICE HER HUSBAND IS A PRISONER IN THIS CHURCH
'The Man Who Knew Too Mvch'
Wins June Blue Ribbon Award
By VELMA WEST SYKES
ICATIONAL Screen Council members selected Paramount's "The Man Who Knew Too
Much" as the winner of the June BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award. Outstanding
entertainment which the whole family can enjoy in a group, the Alfred Hitchcock thriller
ha.s scored 181 per cent at the boxoffice in its first run engagements in key cities and there
is every indication this will continue in subsequent runs. James Stewart and Doris Day
head a competent cast which gives the right realistic touch to fantastic events which keep
patrons glued to their seats by suspense. Following those tense moments when the audience
awaits the clash of the cymbals—signal for murder—audience applause breaks out
when the attempt fails.
As the BOXOFFICE review said in the
issue of May 5: "Perhaps nothing more
laudatory can be said about the boundless
entertainment qualities and the promising
fiscal potentialities of this Alfred Hitchcock
hair-raiser than to report that it represents
the maestro of suspense and shivers at his
best."
Checking through the comments of NSC
members on their postcard ballots, we find
these estimates of the winner's entertainment
qualities:
"The Man Who Knew Too Much" has the
irresistible combination of the master of
suspense and intrigue, Alfred Hitchcock, and
the charm of Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day,
plus the clash and color of stirring forces
in Morocco. It is as timely as today's headlines.—Mrs.
William R. Thomas, General
Federation of Women's Clubs, Cleveland.
Plenty of Tense Action
This has plenty of tense action yet a
tongue-in-cheek quality that is new and
refreshing in a picture of its type.—Mrs. W.
Hayden Miller, San Antonio Motion Picture
Board.
The picture has an intriguing plot which
challenges the imagination, and the London
Symphony Orchestra gives added appeal.—
Mrs. Edward C. Wakelam, Indianapolis NSC
Group . . . Alfred Hitchcock has done It
again—with another wonderful movie.—
Earl C. Kelley, Concord (N. C.) Tribune.
Another excellent offering from Hitchcock
—and Stewart. — Glenn Trump, Omaha
World-Herald . . . Excellent for the family.
Doris Day and James Stewart are tops.
Agnes E. Rockwood, Bennington (Vt.) Banner
. . . You can't beat a combination like
James Stewart, Doris Day and Alfred
Hitchcock!—Dorothy R. Shank, WEBR, Buffalo.
A humdinger in the old Hitchcock tradition.
Doris Day rates applause for a fine
acting job.—Mark Nichols, Coronet Magazine
... A gripping, superbly made and
acted suspense tale.—Willard Benjamin,
Canton Repository ... A typical American
family and the little boy is excellent. This
would appeal to old and young.—Mrs. William
A. Dalton, International Federation of
Catholic Alumnae, Avon, N. J.
An excellent suspense thriller. The players
were well chosen and played their roles
exceptionally well. I must see it again.
Mrs. Kurt W. Schmidt, Indianapolis NSC
Group . old Hitchcock suspense
touches make it a first-rate thriller.—Shirley
H. Freydberg, National Board of Review,
New York.
CHRISTOPHER OLSEN AS HANK McKENNA IS RESCUED
FROM KIDNAP PERS BY HIS FATHER AFTER THIS SCENE
Be7i McKenna
Jo McKenna
Mrs. Drayton
Mr. Drayton
Buchanan
Louis Bernard
Amhassador
Val Parnell
The Cast
James Stewart Jan Peterson
Hillary Brooke
Doris Day Hank McKenna Christopher Olsen
Brenda de Banzie Rien— Assassin Reggie Nalder
Bernard Miles Assistant Manager Richard Wattis
Ralph Truman Wohurn
Noel Willman
Daniel Gelin Helen Parnell
Alix Talton
Mogens Wieth Cindy Fontaine
Carolyn Jones
Alan Mowbray Police Inspector
Yves Brainville
Production Staff
Vice-President in Charge of
Production
Frank Freeman
Producer and Director. .Altrzd Hitchcock
Screenplay John Michael Hayes
Based on a Story by Charles Bennett,
D. B. Wyndham-Lewis
Director of Photography
Robert Burks, A.S.C.
Color by Technicolor
Color Consultant Richard Mueller
Art Direction
Hal Pereira,
Henry BtrMSTEAo
Edited by George Tomasini, A.C.E.
Costumes
Edith Head
Technical Adviser Constance Willis.
Abdelhaq Chraibi
Sound Recording by
Paul Franz,
Gene Garvin
"Storm Cloud Cantata" by Arthur
Benjamin, D. B. Wyndham-Lewis
(Performed by London Symphony Orchestra,
Conducted by Bernard Herrmann,
Covent Garden Chorus and Barbara
Howitt, Soloist; Songs— "Whatever Will
Be" and "We'll Love Again" by Jay Livingston
and Ray Evans.)
Scrnn Council on the tasis of outstanding merit
ii This Award is gi«tn tach month by the National
suitability for and family entertainment. Council membership comgrises motion picture editors, radio
film commentator.^, and representatives better film councils, ciiic and educational organizations.
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July
LETTERS
MILLION-DOLLAR QUESTIONS
It is certainly a sorry state of affairs when
a mighty entertainment industry suffers a
liohday sluinp in business during the Fourth of
July leisure period.
Almost all theatres. Including the drive-in
theatre, is feeling this drop off In business.
Why?
And why are the top hit pictures doing
poor business even in the initial first run
playdates?
Here we some questions that need to be
answered
Aie we devoting too much time to TVderived
dramas, so much so. that the public
believes that the theatre is to become second
run to the Kraft TV Tlieatre and other
dramatic programs seen on their 21 -inch
electronic window panes?
In the long-term view, are the saturation
bockings and area promotions of blown-up
kinescope gangster di-amas first seen on home
television, then thrown into the theatres
under rapid play off bookings doing boxoffice
damage?
We set the public mind afire with our development
of Cinemascope. VistaVision.
stereophonic sound: but. did we sell them
short by lack of exclusiveness of our entertainment
product via the wholesale sale of
our copyrights, property rights, i-elatlng to
old features released to television?
Have we implied that eventually ALL
movies will be seen on home television for
free?
you're not
iisinq
Met } 'opol ita ) i
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Ad Mat
Service ... v^\
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you're
worrying
too much!
WRITE OR WIRE TODAY TO:
Metropolitaii Mat Seiivice
303 EAST 4lh STREET • lOS ANGEIES 13, CALIF.
BLOWERS
AUXILIARY LAMPHOUSE BLOWERS
loth Drh«-lii *nt Indoc ~
=U for each
- -
la
EASY TO INSTALL.
PRICED RIGHT
DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. 1?.„*rc'Si.'K
Should wc restricl the exhibition license on
current pictures to the theatre medium for a
period of ten years? iThe Federal Court, Los
Angeles District, rendered a decision favorable
to exhibition licen.sc restriction.)
Isn't this so-called marriage of the motion
picture Industry and television just so much
hokum?
What good is all the promotion for a picture
like "Alexander the Great" if the public
is given to understand that, in just a few
yeai-s, this di-ama will be presented on one of
the major television networks as a "spectacular"?
Is it true, that theatre owners are known,
within and outside the motion picture industry,
fundamentally as real estate operators
who know nothing about programming or
showmanship procediu'e?
If we aie showmen, how can we avoid
duplicating the progi'am service of the television
stations and networks?
Ai-e our selling methods "old hat" with the
public?
Should w'e stop buying film and start buying
attractions; selecting each commitment on
the basis of story value, screen technique,
whether in color or black and white, and paying
particular attention to our entire program?
Is it just possible that we must face reality
and forget about .so-called mass audience;
just sell our own special type of movie audience
hoping in the long pull the intellectual
development of the mass audience will build
theatre patronage to greater heights of volume?
These questions MUST be answered by those
in production, distribution and exhibition!
All segments of our industry are guilty of
the present sustained business slump. We
have, for too long a period, suffered from a
sense of inadequacy! ! !
If you never knew anything about your industry
before, you must study it now!
JOSEPH HARVIS
Gilbert Stuart Theatre.
Riverside. R. I.
EVALUATES BOOKING 'COMBINES'
Possibly a few comments are in order as
to the article appearing in BOXOFFICE of
June 30 under the caption, "Film Salesmen
Strike at Combines in Letter to Senate Committee."
The so-called combines are buying and
booking services, composed of reputable persons,
hired as agents, to represent and
transact business for the theatres that pay
them for services rendered.
There are several classifications of agents
other than booking agents, namely, salesmen
who are agents for the various motion picture
distributors, also an agent for the Colosseum
of Motion Picture Salesmen, who is the general
counsel.
In using the word "Fi-ankenstein" in referring
to booking and buying agencies, there
is a play upon a word which could give a
bad impression to the uninformed. For many
years, such agencies have been looked upon
as sound business institutions, doing a good
job for those that pay for their services.
The background of vaudeville acts and stage
shows, in the good old "legitimate" was none
other than agencies making deals for the
acts with the theatres and they, too. were also
very legitimate.
In the bartering of motion pictiu-e film contracts,
the independent agent simply renders
the same services to individual theatre owners,
as do the company-owned buying and booking
services of theatre circuits.
Booking agencies must be of SOME service
to SOME theatre owners, for the obvious
ramifications of our industry are herewith
listed
1 1 Shortage of feature product, as against
rental terms quoted.
2) Advance .screening of product, not available
to all theatre owners, account of time
and cost involvement.
3) Centralized Filmrow offices.
4) Sales personnel available on short notice.
5) Local telephone availabilities without resorting
to costly long distance calls, under
which the exhibitor could be at a disadvantage.
The statement, "The combines may well be
ruinous to both exhibitors and distributors"
a rather far-fetched statement and possibly
is
those booking agencies that have rendered
valuable services to hundreds of theatre
owners over the past few years, may feel put
out with such remarks.
A survey of distribution branch managers
and salesmen who work with booking agencies
might point up a thing or two.
The economics of our business forces changes
in distribution, buying and booking and theatre
operations. Centralized shipping by shipping
and inspection bureaus is a change to
note. Reduction in the number of releases by
many companies enters into the scheme of
things.
Another statement from the article, "In the
past two years there has been a decrease of
more than 75 salesmen in the industry." This
is regrettable. Also it is regrettable that thousands
of theatres have been shuttered and
many more thousands of theatre employes
forced out of employment in the theatre
world. Many theatre owners have reduced
the number of employes in the remaining
theatres.
Why don't the objectors of buying and booking
agencies also object to the closing of nonprofitable
theatres; likewise, object to circuits
of theatres buying and booking films through
their own booking services: and why don't
they object to circuits, occasionally, taking on
another town or two; or why not just object
to everyone running his own business?
These theatre closings affect salesmen, but
not to the same extent as those that are
forced to close. Circuit theatres booking their
own programs may affect salesmen in a way.
Who knows?
There is one certainty, pulling together is
better than pulling apart. There is a place
in the motion picture and theatre world for
all groups—salesmen, booking agencies and
all component parts. Let's keep it that way
and get along. Mi.s.statements directed in the
wrong direction will be of no value.
For 15 years I was a proud film salesman
and. for 17 years, a proud theatre owner and
manager.
El Reno Theatres,
El Reno, Okla.
RED SLOCUM
Japanese Film Gets Seal
NEW YORK—"Phantom Horse," the Japanese
film in Eastman Color which Edward
Harrison will distribute in the U. S., has
been approved by the Production Code Administration
and been given a code seal.
28 BOXOFFICE :
14. 1956

Newsweek Profiles
Thomas F. O'Neil
NEW YORK—The July 16 issue of Newsweek
magazine devotes the cover photo and
four pages to Thomas F. O'Neil, president of
RKO Teleradio Pictures, new General Tire &
Rubber subsidiary, and calls the RKO comeback
under his direction "one of the fastest
and most supercolossal in all Hollywood history."
"Howard Hughes' onetime white elephant,
in fact, has become a bellwether of its industry
almost overnight," Newsweek says. It
adds that his credo is that the really big
profits in entertainment come from "crossfertilization"
between its different branches.
"His cost-conscious mind," Newsweek says,
"has consistently rebelled against the dividing
lines which separate the industry into
movies, TV, recording and other departments,
with their overlapping distribution systems
and hodgepodge of middlemen.
"At the moment he is negotiating for a
radio station in 'Washington, D. C, acquiring
an interest in a television station in Windsor,
Ont., and weighing the possibility of investing
in Broadway stage productions. His next
major move, trade gossips believe, may be to
set up a nationwide television network supplied
largely with filmed shows.
"In the last two years, O'Neil has doubled
the net income of General Tii-e's entertainment
investments to $2,100,000. This year,
helped by a flat tax write-off from the RKO
investment, they probably will clear at least
$6,000,000."
The cover photo shows O'Neil against a
color still from "The First Traveling Saleslady."
the first RKO production under his
management.
Reade Names Bert Green
Freehold City Manager
NEW YORK—Bert Green has been made
City manager of Walter Reade theatres in
Freehold, N. J., as well
as manager of the
Strand Theatre. He
replaces Dave Rogers.
He has been a consistent
winner in the
monthly manager a-
wards contests and has
won prizes in the ann
u a 1 showmanship
drives of the circuit.
Green was associated
with Skouras
Theatres for 13 years
Bert Green
^-s a theatre manager.
He joined the Reade circuit in 1954 as manager
of the Paramount Theatre. Plainfield,
N. J., and soon thereafter managed the Park
in Morristown, N. J. He became manager
of the St. James in Asbury Park, N. J. last
year.
Reade Circuit Winners
NEWARK—Winners in the Walter Reade
circuit Spring Refreshery Decoration contest
follow: A-houses, Mike Dorso of the Community
in Kingston, and Bert Green of the
St. James in Ashbury Park; B-houses, John
Guiton of the Strand in Perth Amboy, and
Frank Deane, drive-in manager. Refreshery
the Reade term for concession stand.
is
UA Six-Month Gross Hits
All-Time Company Mark
Brooks to Philadelphia
In SW Realignment
NEW YORK— Bernard P.
Bcnue" Brooks,
film buyer of Fabian Theatres in New York
since 1942. has been
appointed assistant
zone manager and
chief film buyer for
Stanley Warner in the
Philadelphia zone. The
appointment was made
by Harry M. Kalmine,
SW's vice-president
and general manager.
Ted Minsky, in
charge of film buying
in Philadelphia, has
been promoted to the
film department in the
New York home office.
Bernard P. Brooks
Daniel B. Triester of
the New York film department, has been
advanced to the post of film buyer for the
Los Angeles zone.
Ted Schlanger, Philadelphia zone manager
for Stanley Warner, has realigned the supervision
of the in-town theatres as follows:
A. J. Vanni will take over the direction
of the three downtown first runs, in addition
to the out-of-town theatres which he has
been handling. Jack Flynn will leave the
film department to become a district manager
and supervise a group of in-town houses.
Brooks started in the film business in the
ad sales department of Paramount Pictures,
later serving as booker and salesman. Subsequently
he became general manager and
chief film buyer for the Rosenblatt & Welt
circuit in New Jersey and Staten Island.
Brandt Closes Globe Sale
To Legit for $1,200,000
NEW YORK—Brandt Theatres closed the
deal for the sale of the Globe Theatre, Broadway
first run film house, to Cy Feuer, Hugh
Martin and Roger Stevens, legitimate stage
producers, for an estimated payment of $1,-
200.000. The Globe was a legitimate house for
musicals prior to 1933.
The theatre will continue showing first
run films until September, when the new
owners will spend an additional $400,000 in
refurbishing and changing the entrance from
Broadway to one on west 46th St. The Broadway
lobby will then be converted into a store,
with William Zeckendorf receiving this property
as commission for financing the deal.
Tentative plans call for the moving of the
Brandt Theatres staff on the second floor of
the Globe to the Rialto Building on Seventh
Ave.
The Bijou Theatre, another former legitimate
house which has played films, lastly
"Richard III" for a two-a-day run early in
1956, has been leased to Carmen Capalbo and
Stanley Chase by City Playhouses. The producing
team will put on a series of legitimate
plays, starting October 15.
NEW YORK—The midyear gT0.ss of United
Artists reached $28,330,000—approximately
$4,000,000 more than in 1955— A.thur Krim,
president, announced Friday (13). He recalled
that he had predicted a gross of
$65,000,000 for the year, and said the company
wa-s on .schedule. Last year's gross had
set a company record.
The United States and Canadian gross was
up $3,000,000 while the foreign gross Increa.sed
$1,000,000.
The prospects for a record second half are
bright, Krim said, revealing that in the first
week in July United Artists had bookings in
18.000 theatres in the United States and
Canada—an all-time record for any motion
picture company.
He reported that UA has 41 films in the
can, being edited or in production, besides
those in release. They represent an investment
of $35,000,000, not including deferment
and participation deals.
United Artists, he said, will continue to
release four pictures a month, and he assured
exhibitors of a continuous flow of pictures
for at least three years. The company
will continue to release the "little" pictures
not only because exhibitors need them but
because they also show a profit, Kim said.
Atlas Stockholders Ask
Conversion of Stock
NEW YORK—Atlas Corp. stockholders
asked for conversion of 1,365,000 shares of
new Atlas common stock into the new five
per cent $20 per value preferred stock during
the 40-day conversion period that has expired,
according to Floyd B. Odium, president.
The conversion rights have been offered in
connection with the recent merger into Atlas
of RKO Pictures. Airfleets. San Diego Corp.,
Wasatch Corp. and Albuquerque Associated
Oil Co. Holders of common stock had the
right to convert into preferred on the basis
of six-tenths of a share of preferred for each
of common.
Filling all conversion requests would require
about 880,000 shares of preferred stock as
compared with the 1,250,000 preferred shares
authorized for issuance on such conversion.
Former RKO Pictures stockholders, other
than Howard Hughes, chose to convert about
212.000 of the 660.571 new Atlas common
shares they received in the merger. Hughes,
largest single holder of the old RKO stock,
chose to keep his new Atlas common shares.
On the basis of ownership of 1.262,120 shares
of the RKO stock, he was entitled to receive
in the merger a total of 961.616 shares of the
new Atlas common stock.
Odium said that Hughes was committed
with respect to any common stock acquired
by him in the merger to give Atlas a proxy
for a term of years.
Columbia Votes Dividend
NE'W YORK—The Columbia board of directors
has declared a quarterly dividend of
$1.06 '4 a share on the $4.25 cumulative preferred
stock, payable August 15 to stockholders
of record August 1.
BOXOFFICE :
: July 14, 1956 29

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— — —
—
—
—
—
—
Record Crowds of Broadway Opening
Of 'Moby Dick; The King and I'
NEW YORK—"Moby Dick" and "The
KiriK and I" were the top Broadway attractions
of the week, drawing record crowds.
"Moby Dick" opened at two theatres, grossing
250 per cent at the Criterion and 225
per cent at the Sutton. "The King and I," in
its second week at the Roxy, doubled average
business. "The Eddy Duchin Story," in
a third week at the Radio City Music Hall,
scored 70 per cent above average.
In the art spots, "Bullfight" had a big
opening week at the tiny 55th St. Playhouse,
where favorable reviews in the New
York Times and Herald Tribune drew class
patrons. "Rififi" still had waiting lines outside
the Fine Arts Theatre in the evening
during its fifth week and another French
film, "The Proud and Uie Beautiful," held
up well in its fourth week at the Paris
Theatre. "Simon and Laura" had a good
opening week at the Little Carnegie Theatre
but both "Invitation to the Dance" and
"Gaby" fell off at the Plaza and Trans-Lux
52nd St. theatres and will be replaced by
new pictures in mid-July.
Four new action films, "Santiago," "Foreign
Intrigue," "The Fastest Gun Alive" and
"Congo Crossing," opened during the week.
1
(Average Is 100)
Astor— The Proud and Profane iPara), 4th .135
Baronet—^Madame Butterfly (IFE), 11th wk .115
Capitol Trapeie ,UA), 5th wk
.140
Criterion—^Moby Dick (WB)
.250
Fine Arts Rififi (UMPO), 5th wk
.160
80
55th St. Bullfight (Janus)
Fulton The King and I (20th-Fox) 170
Globe Brute Force (U-l); Naked City (U-1), reissues,
2nd wk 105
Guild The Wild Oat (Carroll), 2nd wk 110
Little Carnegie Simon and Laura (U-l) 120
Loew s State Somebody Up There Likes Me
(MGM) 150
Mayfair The Greot Locomotive Chose (BV), 2nd
wk
Normondie Lost Horizon (Col), reissue, 3rd wk.
115
100
Palace
. .
Three for Jamie Dawn (AA), plus vaude-..
Paramount
The Certoii ig (Para), 3rd wk.
autiful (Kingsley),
e (MGM) 7th wk..
Radio City Music Hall Th<
.
Eddy Duchin Story
(Col), plus sfoge show, 3rd
Oklahoma! (Magna), 39th of two
oil
day
Roxy The King nd t (20th-Fox), plus ice revue.
2nd wk 200
Sutton Moby Dick (WB) 225
Trans-Lux 52nd St, Gaby (MGM), 9th wk 100
Victoria
Warner
The Catered Affair (MGM), 4th wk...l05
Seven Wonders of the World (SW),
13th wk. of two-a-day 150
World—Crowded Paradise (Tudor), 3rd wk 95
Sunday Storm Puts Kayo
On Buffalo Boxoffice
BUFFALO—For the second Sunday in a
row, a terrific storm broke over Buffalo about
7 p.m. and knocked the pins out from under
Ixixoffice grosses on what is normally the
best day of the week. Even the Barnum &
Bailey circus had to cancel its Sunday night
GOOD REASONS
FOR
ORDERING YOUR
SPiCIAL
TRAILERS
performance. "Trapeze" hit 130 in its second
stanza and "The King and I" tacked up a
135 in it.s holdover engagement. "Santiago"
turned in a 125 at the Paramount.
Buffalo— Tropcic (UA) 130
Center— The King and I (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 135
Century The First Texan (AA) 95
Cinemo The Lodykillers (Confl Dis.) 90
Lafayette Congo Crossing (U-l) 80
Porcmount Santiogo (WB) 125
'Moby Dick'
Smashes
Baltimore Records
BALTIMORE—The week's biggest business
was chalked-up by "Moby Dick," breaking
records of years' standing at the Stanley.
The film enjoyed a remarkably strong opening
and weekend crowds were capacity.
"Trapeze" continued big in its second week.
Otherwise, grosses were only average.
Century Trapeze (UA), 2nd wk 175
Film Centre Oklahoma! (Magna) 1 8th wk 95
Hippodrome The Great Locomotive Chase (Buena
Vista) 3rd wk 90
Little Intermezzo (SRO) 90
Moytair Toy Tiger (U-l) 95
Playhouse Adorable Creatures (Cont'l), 5th wk.. . 90
Stanley Moby Dick ( WB) 250
Cinema The Noked Night (Times), 3rd wk 85
Five West—The Lodykillers (Cont'l), 7th wk 85
Town The Catered Affair (MGM) 1 00
New—That Certain Feeling (Para), 2nd wk 85
Pittsburgh's Best Gross
Of Year on "Trapeze'
PITTSBURGH—"Trapeze" turned in the
best gross of the year at Loew's Penn and
earned a holdover run. The Fulton's gross
also was the year's best to date with "The
King and I." The neighborhood theatres continued
downward on the barometer and most
of the area out-of-town grosses are very
poor. Outdoor theatres here are experiencing
their very poorest season to date.
Horns A Kiss Before Dying (UA) 50
Penn Trapeze (UA)
Stanley Animal World (WB); Goodbye, My Lady
185
(WB) 70
Galahad Starts 1st Film
For RKO in Manhattan
NEW YORK—Shooting on "Brave Tomorrow,
the first Galahad Productions feature
in a series of 12 to be made for RKO release,
started Monday (9) at Production Center,
Inc., the Manhattan studio owned by Hiram
Brown, executive producer of Galahad.
John Beal and Augusta Dabney, most recently
on the Broadway stage and TV, and
Shepperd Strudwick, who just completed a
featured role in RKO's "Beyond a Reasonable
Doubt," have the starring roles and John
Newland, also from the TV field, is directing.
Mende Brown is serving as executive in
charge of production for Galahad.
All of the 12 pictures which Galahad will
make for RKO during the next three years
will be made in New York with Broadway
stage and TV talent.
Dance on Concession Building
PITTSBURGH—The concrete roof of the
concession building at the Echo Drive-In
60x110 ft., is being used every Monday and
Thursday evening for free dancing from early
evening until show time. The Sky Larks are
featured and the music is amplified.
BBKJa||^HC>

. . . Capt.
. . June
. . Malvin
. . . Paul
. . Robert
. . Ralph
. . Alfred
GPE Now Free lo Bid
For Graflex Control
NEW YORK—A charter amendment increasing
the authorized share of preference
stock of General Precision Equipment Corp.
from 25,000 to 1.500.000 and the authorized
common shares from 2.000,000 to 3.500.000 was
voted by stockholders Tuesday (10). The
authorized preferred stock remains unchanged
at 500.000 shares. Approximately 73 per cent
of the outstanding common and preferred
stock was voted in favor of the increases.
GPE now is in a position to make an offer
for the preferred and common stock of
Graflex, Inc., of Rochester. N. Y. The proposed
acquisition would involve the issue by GPE
of up to 59.445 new preference shares and
up to the same number of common shares. A
registration statement covering the exchange
offer was filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission June 20.
GPE would issue one-quarter of a share
of a new series of preference stock and onequarter
of a share of common stock for each
share of Graflex common stock accepted for
exchange with each share of Graflex preferred
stock being treated as if it were five
shares of common stock.
Shares of the new GPE preference stock
would carry an annual cumulative dividend
of $1.60 a share, be redeemable at $42 a share
plus accrued dividends, and each share, at
the owner's option, would be convertible into
two-thirds of a share of GPE common stock.
Graflex produces cameras and other equipment
in the field of still photography. Its
products are distributed nationally through
dealers and branch offices in New York,
Chicago and Hollywood. Net sales for 1955
amounted to $11,310,000 and net income was
$366,000. GPE sales in 1955 were $133,338,000
and net income was $2,531,000.
Sydney Gross Joins Times
As Ad-Publicity Head
NEW YORK—Sydney Gross, who was director
of advertising and publicity for Film
Classics until that company went out of
business a few years ago, has joined Times
Film Corp. as director of advertising, publicity
and exploitation, according to Jean
Goldwurm, president.
Gross entered the industry as advertising-publicity
head of the Rivoli Theatre before
World War II. Since the demise of Film
Classics, he has promoted national campaigns
for various Israeli organizations. He
resigned as public relations director for the
American Technion Society to join Times.
Adeline Padula Is Named
Ampa Publicity Director
NEW YORK—Adeline Padula of Endorsements,
Inc.. has been made public relations
and publicity director of the Associated Motion
Picture Advertisers. David Bader is
president. She will aid a committee headed
by Bob Montgomery of Paramount in planning
Ampa's 40th anniversary luncheon.
Mrs. Steele Joins Ascap
NEW YORK—Paul Cunningham, president
of the American Society of Composers, Authors
and Publishers, has reported the election
of Mrs. Lois Steele of Chicago to the
membership, which exceeds 4,000 persons.
BROADWAy
prank Sinatra will make a week of personal
appearances at the Paramount Theatre,
starting August 15 to launch the New York
run nf hLs first independent picture. "Johnny
Concho." a United Artists release. Frank will
be reunited with Tommy Dorsey and his
band on the Paramount stage, where the
two made show business history back in
1942 . . . Barry Nelson, who completed "The
First Traveling Saleslady" for RKO, sailed
.
for Europe on the Mauretania July 11 to star
in the London stage production of "No Time
for Sergeants" Havoc, recently in
Allied Artists "Three for Jamie Dawn," and
Wanda Hale, New York Daily News film
critic, sailed for Europe on the Flandre July
12 . . . Chill Wills, featured in "Santiago,"
made personal appearances in the Paramount
Theatre lobby on opening day, Friday (13).
Vincent Trotta, art director and head of
Trotta Associates, has again been named to
head the panel of judges to select "Mi.ss
Universe" of 1956-57 in the International
Beauty Congress, to be held in Long Beach,
Calif., July 15-22. Trotta has headed the
"Miss America" contest judges in Atlantic
City for the past 16 years . Warshaw,
who has managed theatres for United
Paramount in Buffalo. Phoenix and Poughkeepsie
from 1950 to 1956, has been named
director of the educational division of Artists-
Producers Associates by A. W. Schwalberg . . .
John J. Conway, nephew of the late John
J., has been named New York City sales
manager for National Ticket Co. in the Palace
Theatre building . . . Norman Wright, associate
producer of John Sutherland Productions,
has arrived from the coast to be permanently
located in the New York office.
Robert Aldrich, who has completed "The
Fragile Fox" for United Artists release, is
in New York for home office conferences . . .
Arthur Mayer, special promotion consultant
on "War and Peace" for Paramount, went
to Washington to appear on two TV programs,
a radio show and a Lions Club
luncheon to promote the picture Friday (13)
Harold Auten. American representative
of Greater Union Theatres. Australia,
arrived on the Queen Elizabeth July 10 following
his participation in official receptions
by Her Majesty's Government for holders
MEETING THE STAR—Pier Angeli,
star of MOM'S "Somebody Up There Lilies
Me," is greeted in tlie lobby of Loew's
State Theatre, where she appeared in
person on opening day, by, left to right:
Dan Terrell, MGM publicity director;
Jim Bruno, manager of Loew's State, and
Ernest Emerling, director of advertising
and publicity for Loew's Theatres.
of the Victoria Cross . . . Bernice Livingston,
publicity director of United Motion Picture
Organization, left for Europe . Katz,
public relations consultant for Figaro, Inc.,
returned from Vietnam July 11 after obtaining
President Dlem's a.ssurance of government
assistance on "The Quiet American"
filming.
Jesse Chinich, western division manager of
Buena Vista Film Distributing Co., left July
9 for .'ales meetings in Seattle, San Francisco
and Los Angeles . Budd, director
of personnel for Warner Bros., delivered his
50th lecture on "What Is a Motion Picture"
at the Kiwanis Club in Schenectady July 11
Bracco, chief electrician at the Paramount
Theatre, became a grandfather this
week when his daughter, Mrs. Richard Jennison.
gave birth to a baby girl at New Rochelle
Hospital . Blo&som. protege of
Carmel Myers, has won the Obie (Off-Broadway)
award for his performance in "The
Village Wooing," this being the third prize
for a Myers' protege.
William Dozier, RKO vice-president in
. . . Jean Goldwurm.
charge of production, left Hollywood Saturday
( 14 1 for New York for four days
conferences with Daniel T. O'Shea,
of
RKO
president, on forthcoming productions . . .
William German left for Europe Thursday
(12) to look over production in France and
Germany. E. F. Hutchinson, managing director
of Paramount Film Service. Ltd.. sailed
for Europe on the Queen Elizabeth with Mrs.
Hutchinson the same day
president of Times Films, was on the
same boat . . . Gerry Dolin, executive musical
director of Esther Williams' Aqua Spectacle,
flew to London July 10 for the July 30
opening there.
. . . Anita
Rita Hayworth, Jack Lemmon and Robert
Mitchum arrived in New York July 9 after
vacation filming in Trinidad, accompanied
by A. R. Broccoli, co-producer. Miss Hayworth
flew to London the following day to do interior
scenes and Lemmon and Mitchum
planed out Wednesday (11) . Jes-se Royce
. .
Landis. stage actress, went to Hollywood
July 8 to play in RKO's "I Married a Woman,"
as mother of Diana Dors
Ekberg, featured in "War and Peace." and
her new actor-husband, Anthony Steele, flew
in from England July 8.
SPG of N. Y. Officers
Installed for 2 Years
NEW YORK—Martin Blau. newly elected
president of the Screen Publicists Guild, and
other new officers were installed Wednesday
night (11). Blau, of Columbia Pictures, succeeds
Harry Hochfeld of 20th Century-Fox
who served three terms as president.
Other officers elected by the SPG were
Edwin Altechuh, Warner Brothers, vicepresident,
and Henry Kelly, 20th Century-
Fox, secretary. All will serve for two-year
terms.
The new- SPG executive board, in addition
to the officers, consists of Sheldon Roskln
and Herman Silver, Columbia: Leo Israel and
Nat Wei.ss. 20th-Fox; Pete Gute and Jack
Kingsley, Warners; Robert Berenson, MGM;
Burt Sloane, United Artists, and Al Cohen,
Universal.
BOXOFFICE :
: July 14. 1956 31

. . Nick
—
. . Pizza-Puff
. . Henry
. . Max
. . Johnny
ALBANY
fll LaKlamnie lias resigned as nianasor ol
the Stanley Warner Strand to put in full
lime at
the new Unadilla Drive-In. UnadiUa.
in which he is a
partner with Johnny
Gardner, owner of
Turnpike Drive-In,
West mere. The veteran
manager originally
planned to resume direction
of the Strand,
following a two-weelc
vacation and a month's
leave of absence. La-
Flamme started as
doorman at the
Stanley, Utica. in 1928.
.•\l LaFIamme jje became manaKor of
the Strand in 1948 and he helped to make
the 1.900-seater a flagship of Stanley Warner
circuit. Steve Barbett, who has been in
temporary charge of the Strand, is slated
to return to management of the Broadway,
Lawrence. Mass. The assistant manager of the
Strand is George Hogan, who had been John
Brousseau's aide at the Delaware, SW art
house darkened until September.
The Auto-Vision, East Greenbush, rolled
back the pages of time, with advertisements
for a gala anniversary show to highlight
its 17th bii-thday. The Auto-Vision was
the first airer built in the Albany exchange
district, the first upstate, and one of the
first in New York State. A pair of Massachusetts
projectionists constructed and operated
it in pre-World War II days, and for
a time later. Alan V. Iselin is the present
owner. Like his predecessors, he is reputed
to have garnered fine profits . "Away All
. .
Boats" will be launched in August in key
situations of the exchange district wath close
Navy cooperation. Cmdr. Frederick Lovell,
in charge of the Navy recruiting stations for
the Albany district, is arranging with U-I
Manager N rman Weitman for the display of
an amphibious duck at the Strand August 8.
There probably will be a parade and the
presentation by U-I on the theatre stage of
an award to a local Navy hero. The Naval
Reserve will work on this angle. Through a
stroke of good luck, a 119-foot landing craft
utility boat, with a display of guided missiles
and other devices, is to dock at Waterford
near Troy for a 36-hour inspection by the
public August 13-14.
.
Brookhaven Amusement Co. has been
formed to conduct business in Babylon, Suffolk
County. Bernard Sterler, 51 Kine Ave.,
Babylon, is an incorporator Di-
Marco's Love Star Theatre in Cairo uses
an arresting cut for its newspaper copy
cupid shooting an arrow at a heart . . .
Jackie Miller. 3'2-year-old son of Sandy
Miller, associated with his father Joe, in
the operation of Menands Drive-In, is master
of an exceptional vocabulary.
. . . Louis
Totals reported for the Variety Club's recent
15th annual golf tournament and dinner
at Shaker Ridge Country Club: 94 players,
206 diners. Turnout broke all records, according
to committee chairmen
W. Schine and Donald Schine of Gloversville
visited radio station WPTR in the
Sheraton-Ten Eyck Hotel. It's a Schine
operation. Incidentally, the general manager.
Leo Rosen, was reported making steady
recoviry at St. Peter's Hospital from a heart
attack. He was removed from an oxygen tent.
Members of the Albany County Restaurant
Liquor Dealers A.ss'n held their annual
outing Tuesday at the Variety Club's Camp
Thacher on Thompson's Lake. The group
dedicated the boathouse which it had donated
to the Camp. The group has cooperated
with Tent 9 on fund drives for the mountain
camp during the past seven years.
The new 600-car drive-in on Route 9-W
ten miles south of Albany was to be opened
on Friday the 13lh by Sylvester Albano. His
sons John, Michael and Robert are associated
in the operation . Gardner
offered free ice cream to the first 400 kiddies
at Turnpike Drive-In, Westmere, on a
Friday .
is a new item on
sale at Tri-state Automatic Candy Corp.
drive-in concession stands of the Albany area.
. . . Mrs.
It comes frozen; is heated in the French
fryer and is marketed for 25 cents
Sara Young, 20th-Fox booker in Washington
and correspondent for BOXOFFICE there
and mother of Dick Young, local 20th-Fox
date setter, will take a vacation in Florida.
The shortage of good product is seriously
hurting drive-ins, declared Harry Lamont,
owner of five such theatres. "I am scraping
the bottom of the barrel," he said. "Seldom
before has the situation been so bad. My earlier
predictions and expectations this would
be a fine season outdoors are proving wrong.
It's not the weather, although that was unfavorable
in the spring, but the lack of sufficient
pictures with boxoffice appeal, which
is crimping drive-in business." Lamont spoke
pessimistically of outdoor prospects for 1956.
"The economic level of the country is very
high, and I would like to share in it at my
drive-ins," asserted Lamont. "When you
play a good picture, you rake in money, but,
unfortunately, there are few in that category
today for drive-ins. It's discouraging. I don't
know how to rectify the situation, other than
to suggest that the distributing companies
spread their releases more evenly."
SYRACUSE
fJarry Unterfort, zone manager for Schine
Theatres, and wife were vacationing on
Cape Cod, East Brewster, Mass. En route they
stopped at Tanglewood. Recent guests of the
Underforts were Mr. and Mrs. Lazare Gelin
of New Rochelle Berinstein is
.
operating Cornell Theatres while his parents
are attending a convention in Hawaii. Marvin
Coon, manager of the Eckel, is through relieving
in Oswego and is substituting in
Gloversville for John Corbett, formerly at
the Syracuse Paramount.
Gene Mielnicki, assistant manager of Loew's
State, announced a good advance sale of
tickets for the "11 Record Stars of '56" given
at tw'o performances Friday night (13 > ...
Sol Sorkin, manager of RKO Keiths, arranged
a promotion with the Post-Standard to give
away tickets to "Santiago" to carrier boys
w^ho won the This Week magazine contest
for the newspaper Rubin, manager
.
of Schine's Paramount, hosted a special
evening showing of "The King and I" to
which public officials and press were guests.
IFE Release Is Winner
Of 2 Awards in Rome
HOME, ITALY -"Roman Talcs" (Racconti
Romanii, Italian-made feature in Cinemascope
and Technicolor, which IFE Releasing
Corp. will distribute in the U. S., has captured
two "Golden Davids" in the first presentation
of the new awards in Rome.
The "Golden David" awards will be made
annually to the best Italian and foreign films
shown in Italy and are presented by the International
Cinema Club of Rome. "Roman
Tales," which stars Silvana Pampanini,
Vittorio De Sica and Toto, was directed by
Gianni Franciolini, who won one of the
awards for "best direction of an Italian film."
"Symphony of Love," a Technicolor feature
based on the life and works of Franz
Schubert, also will be distributed in the U. S.
by IFE. Marina Vlady, Lucia Bose and
Claude Laydu as Schubert are featured. A
fall release is planned.
Italian Week July 16
To Honor 'La Strada'
NEW YORK—Count Leonardo Vitetti, new
Italian ambassador to the U. S., has designated
the week of July 16 as "Italian Film
Week" to honor the opening of "La Strada,"
grand prize winner of the 1954 Venice Film
Festival, at the Trans-Lux 52nd St. Theatre.
Trans-Lux Distributing is handling the
American release of the picture, which stars
Anthony Quinn and Richard Basehart.
Count Vitetti will play host to delegates
from the United Nations at the opening
July 16.
Two other film openings at Manhattan's
art houses later in July are: "The Phantom
Horse," Japanese film distributed by Edward
Harrison, which will open at the Normandy
Theatre July 23, and "Secrets of the Reef,"
a nature adventure in Eastman color, a
Butterfield & Wolf production, which will
open July 23 at the Baronet Theatre.
Herbert Wilcox to Make
Three for DCA Release
NEW YORK—Herbert S. Wilcox. British
film producer, announced prior to his departure
for London that he will make three
feature films for release by Distributors Corp.
of America. The films will be produced in
Great Britain within the next nine months.
DCA will invest $1,000,000 in the productions.
The three films, "Yangtse Incident," "The
Battle" and "Eastern Approaches," will have
an over-all production budget of over $3,000.-
000. The first, starring Richard Todd, will
start in London next month for release by
Christmas. The others will be made later.
Steelworkers in Free
At Albany Drive-In
ALBANY—The Rustic Drive-In, near West
Sand Lake, broke copy July 11 on free admissions
for steelworkers and their families
Monday through Thursday for the duration
of the current strike. William Donato heads
the operation. Seventeen hundred production
workers of the Allegheny-Ludlum Steel Corp.
in Watervliet and of the Republic Steel Corp.
in Troy are on strike. Some 600 office employes
of Allegheny-Ludlum, continue at
work.
32
BOXOFFICE July 14, 1956

. . Arthur
. . Past
. . The
Global Sales Drive Plans
Outlined by 20th-Fox
CHICAGO—Plans for a "world showmanship
drive" by 20th Century-Fox's domestic
and international organizations were outlined
at a meeting here on Thursday (12) by Alex
Harrison, general sales manager. The sessions
were held for the midwest and central districts
and were the first of a series to be held
in the next few weeks.
The 26-week sales drive will be split into
two 13-week periods. Bonuses and special
prizes will be awarded. The sales push will
be on "The King and I," "Bigger Than Life,"
"Bus Stop." "The Last Wagon," "The Best
Things in Life Are Free," "Anastasia," "Teen-
Age Rebel" and "The Wayward Bus."
Attending the sessions were T. O. Mc-
Cleaster, central district manager; M. A.
Levy, midwest district manager, and branch
managers Tom R. Gilliam, Chicago; Robert
C. McNabb, Cincinnati; I. J. Schmertz, Cleveland;
Joe J. Lee, Detroit; Ray Schmertz,
Indianapolis; David Gold. Des Moines; Joseph
R. Neger, Kansas City; Jack Lorentz. Milwaukee;
Saul Malisow, Minneapolis; George
Regan, Omaha, and William C. Gehring jr.,
St. Louis. Also in attendance was Robert
Conn, assistant branch manager in Chicago.
'Marty' Will Be Shown
Behind Iron Curtain
NEW YORK — United Artists' release,
"Marty" will be the first major American
feature to have a public showing in a nation
behind the Iron Curtain in a decade, according
to word received by Harold Hecht and
Burt Lancaster, producers of the film, in
New York.
"Marty," which has won the Hollywood
Academy Award, the Grand Prix of the Cannes
Film Festival and the British Film Academy
Award, will be presented "out of competition"
at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, Czechoslovakia,
July 21 at the invitation of the
Czechoslovakia State Films.
Pepsi-Cola Will Build
On Park Ave. Location
NEW YORK—The Pepsi-Cola Co. has
bought the building at 500 Park Ave., at 59th
Street, from the city for $2,000,000 at public
auction and will replace the nine-story
structure with one to house its present New
York headquarters at 3 West 57th St.
Pepsi-Cola outbid several rivals for the
property, ow-ned by the city since 1890, with
a winning bid which topped the $1,925,-
000 bid made by Lazarus Joseph, former city
controller for a real estate syndicate headed
by Samuel H. Golding.
AA Will Distribute 3
Features During July
NEW YORK—Allied Artists will release
three features during July, according to
Morey R. Goldstein, vice-president and general
sales manager.
They are: "Three for Jamie Dawn," starring
Laraine Day and Ricardo Montalban,
which was released July 8; "Magnificent
Roughnecks," starring Mickey Rooney and
Jack Carson, to be released July 22, and
"Hold Back the Night," starring John Payne
and Mona Freeman, to be released July 29.
BUFFALO
TXrhethcr the city of Buffalo will step in
to save the Erlanger Theatre depends
on one question: Is it le.ss expensive to expand
Kleinhans Music Hall for stage productions
or acquire the Erlanger by condemnation?
The council's finance committee
hopes to have the answer in two weeks.
This was decided after
the committee heard
a request from William Raikin. executive
vice-president of Foundation Theatre, Inc.,
that the city take over the Erlanger. Raikin
said that Buffalo is "a red hot show town"
and if the Erlanger was properly promoted,
it would be a profitable venture. In reply
to questions by council pre.sident William B.
Lawless jr., Raikin said his foundation would
be willing to accept a long-term lease for
a city-owned Erlanger and operate the
theatre on a nonprofit basis, paying back
to the city the cost of acquisition. Lawless
said acquisition of the Erlanger, through
outright purchase or condemnation, would
cost the city about $200,000 or $250,000.
The new Wehrle Drive-In at Transit road
and Wehrle drive is using large space ads
in the Williamsville Bee, the town from which
the outdoorer draws a very large part of its
patronage . Krolick, district manager
for Paramount Theatres, was vacationing
with his family on Cape Cod.
The Cinema Theatre in Rochester, recently
taken over by Martros Theatres, is
presenting "Gaby" on a new Cinemascope
screen, about which Manager John Martina
got plenty of publicity in the local sheets . . .
There's one straw hat theatre that you do
not have to drive out to the country to visit.
It is right within the Buffalo city limits.
'Secrets of Reef Booked
At Reade's Baronet, NY
NEW YORK—"Secrets of the Reef," a Butterfield
& Wolf production filmed in Eastman
Color off the coast of Florida, will have its
first U. S. showing at the Baronet Theatre,
New York, following the current engagement
of "Madame Butterfly," according to Walter
Reade jr., president of Reade Theatres, which
operates the theatre.
The full-length nature story was produced
by Alfred Butterfield and directed and photographed
by Lloyd Ritter, Robert Young and
Murray Lerner. Narration is by Joseph Julian.
New Drive-In at Buffalo
BUFFALO—The new Sheridan Drive-In
on Sheridan Drive near the Grand Island
bridge was opened on Sunday (8). Boasting
one of the largest screens in the state and
accommodating 1,600 cars, the Sheridan is
owned and operated by Irving Cohen and
Harry Seeberg. Sid Cohen, brother of Irving,
is managing the theatre.
National Theatres Dividend
LOS ANGELES—At a meeting held
Wednesday (5) the board of directors of
National Theatres, Inc., declared a quarterly
dividend of 12'i cents per share on the outstanding
common stock of the corporation.
The dividend is payable Aug 2,
1956, to stockholders
of record at the close of business on
July 19. 1956.
It is known as the Theatre Arts Academy,
Inc., and is operated by Arthur G. MllllKan
Jr. at 2265 Seneca St. Milligan's a,ssociates
are James E. Murphy, Charles D. Poth and
Mike M. Reuther. Frank J. Lombardo is
stage manager . Chief Barker Billy
Keaton of the Variety Club has added an
afternoon DJ radio program to his WXRA
schedule. He is on each early morning with
his Mr. and Mrs. show.
Filmore Enterprises, the company headed
by Morris Slotnick and Phil Cohen, is retaining
ownership of the buildings housing
the Cinema theatres in Buffalo and Rochester,
the operation of which recently was
taken over by Martros Theatres under a 15-
year lease. Slotnick said his company now
will concentrate in the real estate field. The
firm proposes to build a medical office
building on the site of the Arnett Theatre
in Rochester.
John Springer, ex-Rochesterian, who long
has held an important position in the RKO
offices in New York, is the author of a newbook
dealing with the entertainment world.
"This Was Show Business." It is published
in film magazine form by Pine Publications
of New York . annual Rochester
police ball and stage show is the creation of
Lester Pollock, manager of Loew's Theatre
in Kodak Town. Pollock, however, is just
one of the many private citizens, under the
chairmanship of Carl S. Hallauer, president
of Bausch & Lomb, who aid in staging the
ball in behalf of the Rochester Police Benevolent
Ass'n. This year's ball, held May
29, was a huge success. Sammy Kaye and his
orchestra played for the dancing and Jaye
P. Morgan headed the vaudeville bill.
Chicago and Milwaukee
Denied Bid for Pay-TV
WASHINGTON—A bid for authority to
inaugurate pay-TV in Chicago and Milwaukee
was denied by the Federal Communications
Commission this week. Lou Poller, who holds
the permit for channel 25 station WCAN-TV
in Milwaukee and said he intended to buy the
proposed channel 44 station WOPT in Chicago,
had asked for immediate authority to
install the service on a 25 per cent of airtime
basis.
The FCC turned down the bid because the
Commission is still studying pay-as-you-see
TV, and tests which have been permitted
were on a noncommercial basis.
COMPO Praises Paper
For New Series of Ads
NEW YORK—Publication by the New York
Journal-American of a series of banner lines
urging people to attend motion picture theatres
has been praised by Robert W. Coyne
of the Council of Motion Picture Organizations.
He said other newspapers throughout
the country should follow suit.
One recent ad dealt with the lack of traffic
problems, no sunburn, air conditioning
and wide choice of entertainment.
John Derek in 'Showdown Creek'
John Derek has been signed by the Bob
Goldstein Productions for the stellar spot
in United Artists' "Showdown Creek."
BOXOFFICE :
: July 14, 1956
33

. . Pete
. . Joe
. . The
. . Joseph
. . Morris
. .
. .
.
. .
. . Princess
PITTSBURGH
nssociated circuit officials report they are
very pleased with their newly iiUrociuced
"Charpe-n-Movle" plan . Manos. Indiana.
Fa., theatre executive of the Manos
c rcuit was back home after being hospitalized
at Cleveland,
Joe Mulone, Cheswick exhibitor, who constructed
dozens of CinemaScope screen
frames to specifications for Stanley Warner
circuit and other circuit and independent
oxhibitors. now is busy with the making of
even larger screen frames for Todd-American
Optical exhibitions. Presently he is constructing
one for the Brown Theatre, Louisville,
Ky. Mulone assembled the materials
and accessories for the Todd-AO screen for
the local Nixon where "Oklahoma!' is being
shown on a roadshow basis, and his wife
Molly drove the truck to deliver it. Joe's
Miami Theatre at Springdale. near Cheswick,
is dark. He constructed the beautiful Cheswick
Theatre himself, with a.ssistance only
en the roof construction. In recent years he
sold his grocery store and since has devoted
most of his time to building widescreen
frames after first building one for his Cheswick
Theatre, which in turn had exhibitor.s
begging him to make one for them.
Ben and Irene Stahl are vacationing at
Wildwood N. J. Ben is the well known Atlas
Theatre Supply representative . Mazzei.
M Uvale exhibitor who served the FBI
as an undercover agent, departed for Miami
to testify again in a communist litigation.
He was there only two weeks ago with his
son.
. . .
Kathryn Bates is the new secretary at the
Associated circuit office on Filmrow and
The
Leila Her is the new stenographer
Alpme Theatre, Punxsutawney, closed for the
summer. The Jefferson Theatre there also
dark ...CM. Ducray of the Sunset Beach
theatre on Route
is
swimming pool and drive-in
40, seven miles from Washington, Pa., reports
more damage there in another flash
flood last Sunday evening. It was the second
flood there within two weeks . . , Mrs. Hollis
Hayes, Linesville theatre owner, was a Filmrow
visitor.
Paramount Weeks are announced from July
25 through August 7 as part of the George
Weltner drive . , . Joanne Douglas, former
actress, is the new secretary for the Variety
Tent 1.
The Squirrel Hill Theatre had kiddies on
downtown streets with all-day sucker handouts
exploiting "Lovers and Lollipops" . . . Bill
Brcoker, who used to be with Paramount, was
here to get in a lick or two for Columbia's
"The Eddy Duchin Story."
Martha Scott will exploit "The Ten Commandments"
here July 28 when she will assist
in presenting a 2,000-pound stone monolith,
engraved with the Ten Commandments,
.
.
to the City, The presentation, made by the
Fraternal Order of Eagles, will climax the
Eagle's national convention here. The monolith
. . .
will be installed in Gateway Park The Warren Danas are parent-s of a daughter.
Grandpop is Pete Dana. U-I executive
There has been an increase in the family of
Bob Munn. Moundsville exhibitor. The
daughter has been named Jessie Lou
John Gardner of the Airport Drive-In. Short
Creek; Grove Drive-In, Elm Grove, and the
Riverside Drive-In. Rayland, Ohio, all in
the Wheeling area, has moved from Elm
Grove into his new home in Forest Hills.
Wheeling.
Newspapers here hammer out interviews
with children of the steel strikers who have
given up movies and dances for the duration.
Also they print chats with kiddies who
is on a cruise to Nassau . , .
. .
Sylvia Goldman, SW circuit office, vacationed
don't go to the movies because of television . .
in White Plains with her sister and brotherin-law,
the Ben Kalmensons, and now she
Reissue of "Citizen
Kane" was a fast flop in the Squirrel
Hill Theatre . Janice Norris, Playhouse
musical starlet who will be 16 in September,
has been signed to a seven-year option by
Herb (SW artist) Waltons are
RKO .
vacationing in New England.
BALTIMORE
IJal Colley. publicist for the Century and
NeW', had Princess Rudivoravan of Thailand
in town for promotion on "The King
And I" opening at the New. She made TV
and radio appearances . Mechanic,
owner of the Century, was host this week to
his brother Bill and family from Miami,
where Bill owns the New Essex House.
Frank Hurley, member of the "Oklahoma!"
boxoffice staff at the Film Centre, took off
for New York to see ten Broadway shows
in eight days . . . Irving Kantor, manager of
the Hippodrome, returned from a vacation
in Florida . Liberto jr.. assistant
at the Stanley, was vacationing . . . Lea Coulter,
manager, has installed a new art exhibit
in the Five West Theatre.
.
Helen Leonard, secretary at the Town and
Hippodrome, returned from vacation
Henry Jones, manager of the Town, and
wife are expecting a blessed event in August
Mrs. Helen Diering, secretary to the
. . . Maryland Motion Picture Theatre Owners
Ass'n, is reading travel literature, prior to a
motor trip through northern states.
Jacon Film Bookings
NEW YORK—"Forbidden Cargo," British
film being distributed by Jacon Film Distributors,
has been booked at the MacArthur Theatre,
Washington. D. C. July 18, and the
Brooklyn Paramount, New York City, August
8, according to Bernard Jacon, president.
August bookings have also been set in Cincinnati,
Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Detroit.
PHILADELPHIA
Oov. George M. Leader has appointed Ted
Schlanger. Stanley Warner Philadelphia
zone manager, a commissioner of the Delaware
River Port Authority. Philadelphia is
the second largest port in America. Schlanger
was appointed for a five year term to fill a
vacancy on the bi-state commission. He is
the first representative of the motion picture
industry to receive such an honor. Schlanger.
as zone manager for Stanley Warner is in
charge of the company's theatres in Eastern
Pennsylvania. Southern New Jersey and Delaware.
Four persons, including a young Navy
mother and two of her three children, lost
theh- lives on Sunday i8) when two cars
collided on Route 40, at the entrance of a
drive-in theatre one mile east of Elkton,
Md. . Rudivorian, whose husband
is finance minister of Thailand, was in town
to help promote the opening of "The King
and I" at the Fox Theatre. The Princess
works for the Voice of America. "The King
and I" is at>out the princess' grandfather,
and the Englishwoman who went to Siam to
tutor his many children.
. . . Harry
Kendrick Packer, former assistant manager
of Paris in New York, is the new manager
of the World Theatre here
Green, former World manager, has joined
George A. Hamid. Atlantic City exhibitor . . .
Variety Club's Johnny Night baseball game
is now being arranged. Proceeds are to help
club's camp for handicapped children.
Reade Returns to Helm
Of Hudson, N. Y„ Theatres
NEWARK—The management of the Community
and Warren theatres in Hudson. N.
Y., has been resumed by Walter Reade
Theatres, terminating leases with Henry H.
Freider and Henry Grossman. Walter Reade
jr. announced:
"We have been trying to reacquire these
theatres for several years. The Community
is one of the flagships of the circuit. We
leased it in 1941 because it was virtually impossible,
due to manpower problems and
physical distances from our home office, to
give it the proper supervision and management.
Now that these difficulties are no
longer a factor, we are delighted that e
have been able to work out the details with
Messrs. Freider and Grossman in order for
us to resume management."
The Community, a 1,419-seat theatre, was
built by Walter Reade sr. along the architectural
lines which have now become a
trademark of the Reade circuit—the full
length massive white pillars and red brick
facade resemble a school or public building
rather than the usual theatre front.
The Community will be managed by
George Kemble, who has been manager of
the circuit's New York de luxe art house,
the Baronet, for the past year.
SAM FINEBERG
TOM McCLEARY
JIM ALEXANDER
84 Van Braam Street
PITTSBURGH 19, PA.
Phone Express 1-0777
Betttf Thiti E»er H»w't Your EoulDmntr
New Airer at Wampum, Pa.
WAMPUM, PA.—A new outdoor theatre is
being constructed by John Fontanella, three
miles north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike
exit at the Beaver Valley interchange. The
capacity is reported to be around 400 and the
new ozoner is expected to be opened in September.
WANT TO SELL OR LEASE
YOuR DRIVE-IN THEATRE?
(Hove buyers waiting)
"M R T ENGLAND"
85 Van Braam St. Pillsbiiroh 19, Pa. AT 1-1760
Licensed Theatre Brolier Correspondence Confidential
34 BOXOFFICE July 14, 1956

. . The
. . Ivan
. . Dorothy
. . Booker
. . Ditto
. .
. .
. . The
;
WASHINGTON
•The WOMPI Club of Washington, at its July
luncheon meeting in the Continental
Hotel, voted to hold the next two luncheon
meetings at Rector's restaurant, 149 Independence
Ave. SE. in the hopes of getting a larger
turnout. Subscription books were distributed
to all members to raise funds to send seven
children to the Cardiac Camp this summer.
Mrs. Madeline Ackerman presided.
Variety Tent 11 welcomed David B. Karrick,
new commissioner, as a member at a
luncheon in his honor, attended by the club
board of governors. Also present were commissioners
Robert E. McLaughlin and Brig.
General Thomas A. Lane, who are members
of Variety. The boaj-d will meet at noon
during August and September instead of in
the evening . Kolinsky, Variety
secretary, plans to spend her vacation in
Atlantic City . . . Tent 11 officers were busy
with plans for the welfare awards drive, the
golf tournament and the annual dinner
dance.
Ira Sichelman, 20th-Fox manager, and wife
hosted a lawn party last Saturday night on
the occasion of the confirmation of their- son
Lewis Ken. Guests from out of town included
Mr. and Mrs. David Rosenthal, UA manager,
Cleveland: Mrs. Jack Sichelman, mother of
Ira; Dr. Jesse Sichelman and family; Mrs.
Ann Fishman Davis, and Mr. and Mrs. Glenn
Norris . . . Booker's secretary Elaine Epstein
celebrated a birthday .
Sara Young
is spending a vacation in Albany, N. Y., and
Cape Cod, Mass. Her son Herbert who operates
a hydroponic tomato farm in Boca
Raton, Fla., was a Washington visitor for
several days.
.
Fox Salesman Fritz Goldschmidt is
spending two weeks in Alabama on Army
maneuvers
. Rosenbaum's daughters,
Mrs. Alma Hurwitz. who lives in Schenectady,
and Mrs. Louise Ann Morewitz, who lives in
Warwick, Va.. celebrated birthdays
Student salesman Dan Priest resigned from
20th-Fox and returned to his home in New
York . Sun Theatre at Rising Sun, Md.,
is dark on Monday and Thursday of each
week.
Vacationists at RKO included booker George
Sullivan, who has gone to New England, and
Sylvia Hodgkins, In Ocean City . . . Mrs. Clara
Lust, Ben Lust Theatre Supply Co., spent
several days in New York visiting two
brothers in a hospital . . . Booker Ida Barezofsky,
MGM, was in George Washington
Hospital
. . . Assistant Manager Sidney
Eckman vacationed in Ocean City . . . Ditto,
Salesman Cal Bien . Doris Perrie.
Paramount's Pat Atwood will wed Preston
Phillips July 26 . . . Mr. and Mrs. Bob Grace
were vacationing in Miami Beach, Fla.
Booker Bill Fischer of Paramount will celebrate
Cashier Ida
a birthday July 16 . . . Booker Max Rutledge, Bonita Meek, Florence
Green was vacationing in Ocean City . . .
Donohue, Peggy Tutt and Gilbert Newman
were on vacation or preparing to leave . . .
Sally and Sammy Myers will celebrate their
seventh wedding anniversay Monday
Exhibitors on FUmrow included
.
Sam Bendheim
jr., Morton Tlialhimer jr., Ralph May,
Ivan Rosenbaum, Harold Wood, Edgar Growden.
Jack Levine, Bob Gruver, Iz Rappaport,
Mike Leventhal, Irwin Cohen, William Buck,
Aaron Seidler, Joe Walderman. M. K. Murphy
and Sammy Melllts.
INDUSTRY
PROFILE
Ben Pitts Circuit of 31 Theatres
Outgrowth of $125 Investment
RICHMOND— In 1909, a 15-year-old
Fredericksburg boy dreamed a dream. A
local movie house, its owners heavily in
debt, was closing
shop. That 15-yearold
boy, one of seven
children forced by
circumstances to
begin early their
work for a living,
possessed $75 in
savings. He borrowed
$50 from an
older brother and
bought the departing
owners' equipment.
Benjamin Pitts
Today the boy
who dreamed a dream owns 31 motion picture
theatres and ten drive-in theatres.
The modest estimate of his material wealth
is "several million dollars," reports Carl
Shires in the Richmond News-Leader.
Tlie boy has grown into a man; the man
is State Senator Benjamin Pitts, a lean,
blue-eyed individual who stands 6 feet 1 M;
inches tall and weighs in at a fighting 172
pounds.
The theatreman, who started with a $75
nest egg, conveniently likes movies. Trouble
is, he has to get elected to the senate and
come to Richmond every other year to
sit through one uninterrupted.
At any of the theatres he owns he no
sooner sits than there's an usher, manager,
a popcorn vendor or a friend to ask a
question. He gets up and answers—of such
are millions made.
Senator Pitts, the second largest theatre
owner in the state, is not overwhelmed
at the competition afforded by television.
"Television has helped the industry,"
he contends. "Hollywood has learned a
pood mo\ic can draw people out of their
1 n^ and it goes about making
NEWARK
The Littlest Outlaw" played last week at the
Newark Drive-In. On the 3rd and 4th,
the theatre offered a coffee-and-doughnut
break at midnight preceding a midnight Horrorama
show . Bellevue in Upper
Montclair reported "The Ladykillers" set a
new house opening day, according to Frank
Ka.ssler, president of Continental Distributing,
which is releasing the J. Arthur Rank
film.
Police Chief William Charles promised that
he would not prevent teenagers from attending
a midnight musical rock and roll
session at the Colonial Theatre in Pompton
Lakes. He explained the law prohibits children
from attending late shows, but it is
musically neutral. He said he would place
two patrolmen at the door of the Colonial
and "anybody too young will be chased
home."
The new title of MGM's "Somew-here I'll
Find Him" is "These Wilder Years."
good movies."
His ten drive-ins, which represent an
investment of $750,000, provide one particular
problem. People are forever driving
off without unhooking the speaker
from their car- window. And he doesn't
go for all these tales about overzealous
"necking" at the dollar-a-car-load cinemas.
When that $125 was scraped together
47 yeais ago, and young Pitts went into
business he hit upon a nickel as the going
rate for attendance. He rented the theatre,
which held 700 persons, for $1 a night.
He had to call Norfolk when he wished to
rent a new film— the rental rate was $10.
He recalls the first COD film that arrived
he borrowed $4 to pay the postman.
Senator Pitts, a widower, has one daughter,
Mrs. Walter Lowry of Fredericksburg.
He lives with a sister in a big house in
the Spottsylvania County city.
The modest senator has a heart as big
as the fortune he has made. His civic
activities include work with the Salvation
Army and the Fredericksburg Rescue
Squad. He is a member of the Board of
Visitors at the Virginia School for the
Deaf and Blind, at Staunton.
He belongs to the usual number of social
and civic clubs. The titles he's possessed
include district deputy, grand exalted
ruler of the Elks Club.
The formal education of the boy who
went to work early ended when he completed
the eighth grade. Correspondence
courses and avid reading have filled in the
educational void.
Despite his self-education, however, the
senator does not think that's the best type
of education. From the fortune that has
come from a $125 investment, Pitts has
paid for 128 college scholarships in the
past 20 years. Any deserving boy or girl
;
in his senatorial district can go to college.
|
Art Exhibits in Lobby
CAPE MAY CITY—The lobby of the Cape
Theatre has been turned into a municipal
art gallery, open to the public even when
the regular show schedule is not in force.
Hundreds of art fans have visited the theatre
during the exhibits.
Theatre Aids Observer Post
EGG HARBOR CITY, N. J.—The Colonial
Theatre here went all out to take a prominent
part in the dedication of the area's eighth
Ground Observei-s post. Three days prior to
the dedication ceremonies il4). a lobby display
and recruiting booth was set up at the
theatre, which showed "One Plane-One
Bomb." In addition a stripped down plane
was given a spot outside the theatre.
Miniature Golf at Drive-In
ELLWOOD CITY. PA.—John Popescue,
owner of the Blue Sky Drive-In Theatre, near
here, has opened a miniature golf course on
the outdoor theatre property.
BOXOFFICE :
: July 14, 1956
35

. . which
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. executives
: July
wmww
NEWS AND VIEWS OF THE PRODUCTION CENTER
Hollywood Office— Sidtc 219 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd.. Ivan i>pear. western Manaiirri
'Society' Sneaks Begin
In Exchange Cities
HOLLYWOOD—Patterned after the recent
sneak preview of "Somebody Up There
Likes Me" in all exchange cities, MGM has
decided to hold similar theatre showings for
"High Society," first independent production
by Sol C. Siegel for MGM release. It stars
Bing Crosby. Frank Sinatra and Grace Kelly.
Theatre screenings in exchange areas are
being lined up for the week beginning Monday
(16), with invitations to be extended by
branch managers to exhibitors, bookers and
buyers, TV and radio personalities, nevifspaper
writers and critics and local civic
leaders.
Republic set a record multiple southern
California booking for its William J. O'SuUivan
production, "A Strange Adventure," when
the picture bowed Wednesday (11 1 at 46 Fox
West Coast and independent theatres and
Cal-Pac drive-ins. "A Strange Adventure"
toplines Joan Evans, Ben Cooper, Maria English
and Jan Merlin. Direction is by William
Witney.
The Marine Corps and Allied Ai-tists will
join forces on Wednesday (25) to launch the
world premiere of "Hold Back the Night,"
starring John Payne and Mona Freeman and
dealing with an episode in the Korean campaign.
More than 200 film luminaries, members
of the Hollywood press corps and studio
will be transported to Camp Pendleton,
Calif., 100 miles south of the film
capital, by chartered train for the premiere.
Shortly after arrival, the visitors will be
guests at a luncheon on the Marine base,
and in the afternoon, troops will stage maneuvers
for the entertainment of the guests. Following
a cocktail party and dinner in the
officers club, the film, produced and directed
by Hayes Goetz and Allan Dwan, will be premiered
at the Crest Theatre in nearby Oceanside.
Proceeds from the premiere will be
donated to the Navy Relief F\ind.
200 Technicolor Workers
Are Given Brief Layoffs
HOLLYWOOD — Postponement of
release
dates on a number of pictures being prcxiessed
in Technicolor has resulted in a temporary
cutback in the operating personnel of that
company. Spokesmen for the tint firm, stressing
that Technicolor has commitments for
as many features so far this year as in the
corresponding period in 1955, said they understood
approximately 200 workers were
placed on layoff effective Monday (9) but
that they will be called back within the next
few weeks.
THAR SHE BLOWS—A star-studded premiere, in the staging of which Hollywood
is a past master, was accorded producer-director John Huston's "Moby Dick" when
tl:e film version of Herman Melville's maritime classic, being released by Warners,
bowed recently at the RKO Pantages Theatre on Hollywood boulevard. Huston (at
nght) chats with Gregory Peck, who portrays Captain Ahab in "Moby Dick," Mrs. Peck
and Lauren Bacall.
Vera Miles Is Given Lead
With Bob Hope in 'Beau'
HOLLYWOOD — Paramount has signed
Vera Miles for the key romantic role opposite
Bob Hope in Scribe Productions' "Beau
James." The Jimmy Walker biography, from
an original story by Gene Fowler, is being
jointly produced by Hope, Jack Rose and
Melville Shavelson. The latter two, who
collaborated on the screenplay, also are sharing
directional chores.
British Actress Signed
HOLLYWOOD—Briti.sh stage-TV actress
Patricia Owen (Mrs. Sy Bartlett) has been
signed to a long-term contract by 20th-Fox.
The initial assignment for the actress will be
a top role with Robert Wagner and Jeffrey
Hunter in the new version of "Jesse James,"
to be produced by Herbert Bayard Swope jr.
in August.
Tony Curtis in Bond Short
HOLLYWOOD—Tony Curtis stars in a
short subject filmed at U-I Wednesday (11>
for the savings bonds division of the Treasury
Department as a part of its 15th anniversary
drive.
Biggest Heart Dinner
To Honor Jack Benny
HOLLYWOOD—Martha Hyer. U-I contractee,
planed to New York to attend an exhibit
of her painting at the Greenwich Village
galleries and to participate in a series
of home office press interviews and conferences
with eastern editors, magazine writers
and photographers.
Selected as "The Man with the Biggest
Heart" by the Los Angeles County Heart
Ass'n, Jack Benny will be feted by the Friars
at a testimonial dinner October 20 at the
Beverly Hilton Hotel. Proceeds of the SIOOa-plate
dinner will go to the heart group for
research. The arrangements are being coordinated
by Arthur W. Stebbins and Jules
James. George Jessel will emcee the event.
Herbert T. Silverberg, veteran motion picture
attorney, has been named "Man of the
Year" in the San Fernando valley by the
American Jewish Congress in recognition of
his public service on behalf of the community
in the fields of culture, health and welfare,
youth and human relations.
^
BOXOFFICE :
14, 1956
37

SAG Calls for Action
To Revitalize Four A
HOLLYWOOD — Continuing its running
fight with the American Federation of Radio
and Television Artists, whose recent proposals
for a merger were spurned by the Screen
Actors Guild directorate, the SAG has asked
the Associated Actors and Artists of America,
AFL-CIO parent of all actors unions, to call
a special meeting for the purpose of
stiengthening and revitalizing the international
organization.
As one of the objectives of such a move,
the SAG listed the "setting up of machinery
by the Four A for the impartial settlement
of jurisdictional problems between actors
unions."
The guild's letter to the Four A was
signed by John L. Dales, national executive
secretary, and copies were sent to each of the
other Four A branches— Actors Equity.
AFTRA, American Guild of Musical Aa-tists,
American Guild of Variety Artists and
Screen Extras Guild.
Ten days following its action, the SAG
issued a special report to its membership,
signed by President Walter Pidgeon for the
board of directors, in which the guild detailed
its reasons for rejecting an APTRA proposal
for a merger with SAG. In this report, the
guild pledged it would work toward "a
stronger and more vigorous international
federation of actors unions and a simplified
membership card plan for the entire entertainment
indusb-y"
Marin County Board Axes
Black Point Drive-In
NOVATO. CALIF.—The Marin County
board of supervisors ended three weeks of
suspense by voting to deny the rezoning proposal
which would have permitted a drive-in
on the 12-aere John Novak property on
Atherton avenue.
Black Point area residents almost unanimously
opposed the plan of builder John
Novak and theatre owner Donald Donohue in
the agricultural-residential district, although
a rezoning petition signed by some 200 Novato
area residents had previously been submitted
to the board. Prime reasons offered by Black
Point residents against the drive-in were
that it would destroy the rural character of
the area and depress real estate values.
Drive-in proponents claimed the drive-in
would be a recreational asset to the community
and would add tax dollars to the county coffers.
The Novato Chamber of Commerce
had urged rezoning to permit construction
of the outdoor theatre.
Barry Atwater in U-I Film
HOLLYWOOD—A featured role in "The
World and Little Willie" has been awarded
to Barry Atwater. The Technicolor fUm
for U-I release is being produced by Howard
Christie, directed by Jerry Hopper, and
stars Maureen O'Hara, John Forsythe and
Tim Hovey.
'Searchers' Booked for Cunard Line
HOLLYWOOD—"Tlie Searchers," a C. V.
Whitney picture for Warner Bros, starring
John Wayne, has been booked on the Cunard
White Star fleet and will play the Queen
Elizabeth, Queen Mary, Mauretania, Carinthia,
Saxonia, Ivernia and the Brittanic.
Cagney to 'The Hornpipe/
Which U-I Will Film
HOLLYWOOD "The Uevils Hornpipe," a
niusK-al by Maxwell Anderson iuid Rouben
Mamouliiui, has been acquired by U-I. James
Cagney will star in tlie picture, whicli Aai'on
Rosenberg has been set to produce. It is the
story of a diabohcally clever racketeer in a
modern New York s-etting. In addition to
collaborating on the book, Anderson also
penned lyrics for the songs, with music by
Allie Wrubel.
In U-I's "Interlude," Jane Wyatt will replace
Ilka Chase, who was recently stricken
with a severe attack of pleurisy. The production,
which now is being filmed abroad,
stars June Allyson, Rossano Brazzi, Marianne
Cook, Francoise Rosay and Keith Andes, with
Ross Hunter producing and Douglas Sirk dilecting.
Producers New PR Group
Plans Press Luncheon
HOLLYWOOD—First meeting of the new
public relations committee of the Screen Producers
Guild was held Tuesday (10) with
Harriet Parsons, committee chairman, presiding.
The group discussed plans for a producer-press
roundtable luncheon to be staged
later this month and also blueprinted public
relations projects for the next 12 months. In
addition to Miss Parsons, the committee comprises
Jack Gross, Harold Hecht, Jud Kinberg,
Frank McCarthy, William J. O'Sullivan,
Mai-tin Rackin, William C. Thomas, Jerry
Wald and William H. Wright.
Role to Don Dubbins
HOLLYWOOEX—MGM contractee Don Dubbins
has been assigned a role in "Tlie Vintage."
which stars Mel Ferrer and Her Angeli,
to be produced by Edwin H. Knopf, with
Jeffrey Hayden directing. John Kerr also
has been inked for a part in the picture.
JAPANESE AWARDS—More than two
dozen trophies, plaques and scrolls,
awarded Warner Bros, for "bests" in films
shown in Japan during the last year,
were presented on behalf of film fans,
press and cultural groups to Jack L. Warner
by Shigeru Nakamura, Japanese
consul general in Los Angeles. Shown
assisting in the ceremonies is Mrs.
Nakamura.
C^cjecddiiijue ^na^aele^A.
East: William Dozicr, RKO vice-president
in charge of production, took off Saturday
114) for New York for huddles with Daniel T.
O'Shea, president, on upcoming production
plans.
West: Lee Katz, European production liaison
for Allied Artists arrived from his Paris
headquarters for conferences with executive
producer Walter Mirisch.
West: Clark Ramsay, executive aide to
David A. Lipton, U-I vice-president in charge
of advertising and publicity, planed out for
Tokyo to set up the advance drumbeating
campaign for "Joe Butterfly," on which filming
began Monday (9) on location in Nippon.
East: Gil Golden, eastern advertising manager
for Warners, and aides Sam Kaiser and
Sam Weisman returned to their Gotham
headquarters after a week of .studio conferences
and a gander at upcoming releases.
Meantime, studio arrivals included producer
Leland Hayward, checking in from the
Bahamas location site of "The Old Man and
the Sea," and Lord KlUanin, chairman of
Four Pi'ovinces Productions, here from Ireland
with a rough cut of the John Ford production,
"The Rising of the Moon," which
Warners will release. He screened the opus
for Jack L. Warner.
East: Sol C. Siegel, independent producer
releasing through MGM, and megaphonist
George Cukor planed to Europe to finalize
preparations for Siegel's next venture, "Les
Girls," which will be lensed on location in
various continental countries.
• • •
East: Producers Frank and Walter Seltzer
headed for Manhattan with a print of their
just-completed fUm, "The Boss," to screen it
for executives of United Artists, which will
handle distribution thereon.
West: Aithur Lubin, RKO producerdirector,
planed to Tokyo for three weeks of
location scouting in connection with his upcoming
assignment, "Escapade in Japan."
Shurlock to Europe
HOLLYWOOD—Geoffrey Shurlock, director
of the Pi-oduction Code Administration, was
on a two-week on-the-spot sm-vey of the relationships
between the code and censorship
problems in England, France and Germany.
The trip is being made at the recommendation
of Ei-ic Johnston, MPAA president, who
just returned from Europe.
SA Film to Superscope
HOLLYWOOD—The first
South American
production to convert to the Tushinsky anamorphic
widescreen system, "Seccion Desaparecidos,"
has arrived at the Superscope
laboratories for immediate processing.
Title
Changes
"Massacre at Dragoon Wells" (Allied Artists)
to DRAGOON WELLS MASSACRE.
"Love Story," a Bob Goldstein production
for United Artists, to THE DEADLY TRI-
ANGLE.
38 BOXOFFICE :
: July 14, 1956

: July
Palhe-TV Tightens
East-West Facilities
HOLLYWOOD—Thorough integration of
TV motion picture production facilities at its
studios in the east and west has been achieved
by RKO Pathe-TV. division of RKO Radio
Pictures. FYed Ahern. supervisor of television
operations, reported upon his return from
two weeks of conferences in New York with
Daniel T. O'Shea. president of RKO: Jay
Bonafield, head of RKO Pathe-TV in the
east, and Douglas Travers, production executive.
RKO Pathe-TV just has completed 39 halfhour
shows for the NBC-TV Crunch and Des
series, starring Forrest Tucker. The series
was filmed on location in Bermuda. Another
series, the Big Idea, was recently finished by
RKO Pathe-TV for Dorm Bennett Productions.
This consists of 30 half-hour programs.
The General Electric Theatre kicked off
second summer season on CBS-TV Sunday
its
(8) with a lineup of 16 stars geared to
keep the anthology series running during the
ne.xt 12 weeks. Leading off the summer
schedule was "Lash of Fear,"
Keenan Wynn starrer.
John Payne-
Producer Mel Epstein, formerly of Paramount
studios and CBS- TV, has been signed
by Irving Asher, TCF television head, as one
of the producers of the new Broken Arrow TV
series starring John Lupton. In a switch
from the prevalent practice of making feature-length
theatrical films from TV shows,
TCF Television is converting two features
into telefilms for the 20th Century-Fox Hour.
Producer Sam Marx is currently preparing
"Smoke Jumpers," scripted for TV by Clark
E. Reynolds from the feature "Red Skies of
Montana," and "City in Flames," telescripted
by Arthur Ross from "Old Chicago."
* * *
Ziv has inked Henry Kesler to a 52-week
producer-director pact on its new Young Dr.
Christian teleseries. Although Kesler's deal
with Ziv is exclusive for TV. it does permit
the producer-director-writer to handle additional
bids outside the television field.
Lloyd Nolan Joins Cast
Of 'Seven Waves Away'
HOLLYWOOD—Copa Producers has signed
Lloyd Nolan to star with Tyrone Power and
Mai Zetterling in "Seven Waves Away." for
Columbia release. Filming began in London,
Monday (9i, under the direction of
Richard Sale, who also wrote the screenplay.
Ted Richmond is executive producer, with
John R. Sloan producing.
Una Merkel on Set
HOLLYWOOD—Una Merkel reported to
Producer Edmund Grainger Monday (9) for
her featured role in RKO's "Bundle of Joy."
The actress recently closed a six-month run
on Broadway in "The Ponder Heart."
Screenplay by Jim Poe
HOLLYWOOD—Producer Hal Wallis has
signed James Poe to write the screenplay on
"Showdown." from an original story by Les
Crutchfield. It will be filmed at Paramount
early in 1957.
WHEN
the Allied invasion of Italy
signaled the beginning of the end
of World War II, Sir Winston
Churchill, then prime minister of Britain,
made a cogent observation about the expediency
of hitting the enemy in his soft
underbelly. In fact, the strategy of attacking
an opponent when and where he is the weakest
is as old as warfare itself; and applies also
to any form of competition, commercial included.
Therein might lie a lesson for the masterminds
of production, distribution, and exhibition,
currently sweating to devise some
means of rehabilitating intere.st in and acceptance
of theatrical motion pictures.
No one will gainsay that television, generally
conceded to be one of the principal
reasons for the industry's present liaison with
the doldi-ums, is at its worst and weakest
during the summer months, diu-ing which period
of last year, video attained an all-time
low in repetitious boredom. So-called top
programs, many of which were sufficiently
bad when initially telecast, were repeated ad
nauseum, in the same time slots and under
the same sponsorship>s that accompanied their
debuts. And the so-called replacement shows
were even worse—had viewers turning off
their sets in droves. Early indications are
that TV will again scrape the bottom of the
barrel this summer.
What more propitious conditions could obtain
under which the amusement-seeking
masses might be wooed back to the nation's
show houses, and be reconvinced that the
theatrical screen stUl offers more unadulterated
entertainment than any other medium?
One step in the right direction—be it
calculated or inadvertent—has already been
taken because of distributors' obvious eagerness
to serve the hot weather market with
the best of their product. In or approaching
release are such productional titans as 20th-
Pox's "The King and I," United Artists'
"Trapeze," Warner Bros.' "The Searchers"
and "Moby Dick." Universal-International's
"Away All Boats." Paramount's "The Proud
and Profane." Disney's "Davy Crockett and
the River Pirates." RKO's "The F^rst Traveling
Saleslady." Allied Artists' "Friendly Persuasion,"
Columbia's "The Eddy E>uchin
Story," MGM's "High Society," and others too
numerous to list.
It is doubtful that ever before has so impressive
an array of celluloid been offered in
the period that during more prosperous times
was considered the dog days, when it was
habitual to piu-ge agenda of their inferior
pictures. But. judging by the patronage
being accorded them, the mere exhibition of
sterling motion pictures is in itself not
enough to re-win the lost audiences. Something
seemingly must be done additionally to
bring ticket-buyers to the theatres so that
they can be convinced of the precedential
superiority of contemporary movies.
Literally dozens of suggestions have been
made and considered as to wherein lies the
passible panacea. They have stemmed from a
wide variety of sources, ranging all the way
from the trade's top brass to opportunistic
press agents and kibitzers. Some have boasted
elements of merit, others have been ridiculous
per .se.
Certainly an industry that has lived and
grown proudly and prosperously through more
than half a century of development, economic
upheavals, ceasorshlp, and flurries of
harrassment from other entertainment media
is equipped to determine the necessary
strategy.
But whatever is to be done must be done
NOW, before the enemy stiffens that soft
underbelly and again has season and entertainment
ammunition in his favor.
Just so long as the master minds of production
know everything about what's wrong
vpith the motion picture trade—and are eager
to spill aU of their knowledge upon the drop
of a line of type—exhibitors have nothing
to worry about. Not much, that is.
In a recent issue of a trade publication
appeared two interviews with a pair of Hollywoodians:
Herman King, youngest of the
tribe, who is tickling his tom-tom on behalf
of "The Brave Ones," which his big brothers
have produced for RKO distribution; and
producer- director Mervyn Le Roy of the
Brudern Warners' uppermost echelon.
Opined King: The industry's current woes
are attributable to Hollywood's failure to make
enough "big attractions."
Held Le Roy: There are enough good films
to go around and the public apathy toward
theatrical screen entertainment results from
showmen's "greater interest in selling popcorn
than keeping their houses in good operating
condition."
So harrassed theatremen. while contemplating
their respective vistas of empty seats,
pays their money and takes their cherce of
these two hackneyed and contradictory gems
of eruditious analysis.
Appearing as "guest lecturer" at the public
relations class of Columbia college, Milton
Luban, erstwhile film reviewer and now a
catch-as-catch-can space snatcher, chose as
his theme "Tradepapers and the Motion Picture
Industry and Their Significance to Public
Relations Men."
An edifying subject, no doubt, but after
that mouth-filling handle, what remained
for the Lubanian lecture?
From Teet Carle's Paramount praisery. Information
that in assigning Ining Talbot to
compose original music for "The Search for
Bridey Murphy." Roy Fjastell, head of the
studio's music department, with a de%'astating
originality, instructed: "Irving, we need out
of this world music."
When Irving finishes the chore, he might
offer a lift to Teet, et al, who'll probably need
a few astral gimmicks to sell this one.
BOXOFFICE :
14. 1956 39

WB)
. . Mr.
. . Jimmy
. , The
. . RKO
'King' Holds Top Los Angeles Spot LOS ANGELES
While Moby Dick' Opens With 260
LOS ANGELES— .^.-i it is doiiiK in virtually
all key spots where it has been booked. "The
King and I" held on to its No. 1 position among
local fijst run moneymakers, hitting a glittering
320 per cent average in its second
stanza. Among the newcomers. "Moby Dick."
opening in tlviee houses, topped the list with
260 per cent, while "That Certain Feeling"
finished its initial canto with a substantial
165. Business otlierwise was spotty, ranging
from very good to dismal.
(Average Is 100)
Chinese—Tiio King ond I (20th-Fox), 2nd wl(...320
Downtown Paramount. Pantoges, Wiltern—Moby
Dick I 260
Egyptian. United Artists—Okiahomo! (Magno),
33rd wk no
Fine Arts—Fontosio {Buena Vista), reissue, 5th
wk 120
Four Star—The Proud ond Profone (Para),
4th wk 200
Fox Beverly—Tlle Great Locomotive Chose
(Bueno Visfa), 3rd wk 85
Fox Wilshire—Tropeze (UA), 6th wk 170
Hillstreet, El Rey, Fox—Toy Tiger (U-l); The Rawhide
Ycors (U-l) 75
Los Angeles, Loyola, Ritz, Vogue—Abdulloh's
Horem (20th-Fox), D-Doy the Sixth of June
(20th-Fox)
Paramount Hollywood—That Certain Feeling
60
(Para) 165
State, Hollywood, Uptown— Santiago iWB); plus,
State only—Girl on the Run (Manhattan); plus,
Hollywood ond Uptown—Wake of the Red Witch
(Rep), reissue 1 00
Warners Beverly—The Eddy Duchin Story (Col),
2nd wk 170
Warners Downtown, Hawaii—Soforl (Col); Storm
Over the Nile (Col), 2nd wk 75
Warners Hollywood—Cinerama Holiday (Cinerama),
34th wk 100
"King and I' Scores 400
As Frisco Leader
SAN FRANCISCO—"The King and I"
opened at the Fox Tlieatre with 400 per cent,
the greatest gross since the booking of "The
Robe." to walk off with local first run honors.
Another new bUl. "Trapeze" ranked a fine
second spot with 350 per cent at the United
Artists. Other grosses stayed for the most
part well at)ove the average mark.
Fox—The King ond I (20th-Fox) 400
Golden Gote—Congo Crossing (U-l); The Woy Out
(RKO) 50
Loews Worfield—Tribute to a Bod Mon (MGM). .120
Paramount—Thot Certoin Feeling (Poro) 120
St. Francis—Sontiogo (WB) 110
United Artists—Trapeie (UA) 350
Teachers, Blockbusters Push
Portland to Bumper Week
PORTLAND—Some 5,000 schoolteachers
converging on Portland to attend the National
Education Ass'n convention helped boost theatre
grosses, as did the opening here of some
of the big guns of film entertainment. "The
King and I" was launched at the Fox with
Rita Moreno, one of the stars of the picture,
attending the Northwest premiere.
Broadway—Toy Tiger (U-l). 130
Fox—The King and I ;20fh-Fox) 200
Guild—Goby MGMl, 4th wk 125
Liberty—The Great Locomotive Chase (BV) 150
Orpheum—The Eddy Duchin Story (Col) 1 65
Paramount—Tropeze (UA) 200
'King' and 'Trapeze' Stay Big,
'Saucers' Good, in Seattle
SEATTLE—Both "The King and I" and
"Trapeze" continued to pull high grosses for
their second w-eeks. with "King" dropping
down from 300 and "Trapeze" slackening off
to 220 from 260 last week. A strong promotion
behind "Flying Saucers" built up attendance
the first week to a healthy 200.
Blue Mouse—The Cotered Affoir (MGM) 125
Coliseum— Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (Col).... 200
Fifth Avenue—The King and I (20th-Fox) 2nd wk. 250
Music Box- Inside Hell ISR), Lite With the Lyons
(Assoc. Film) 85
Music Hall- While the City Sleeps (RKO) 90
Orpheum— Froncis in the Mounted House (U-l).. 90
-Tropeze ;UA) ?n

. . Leo
. . John
. . M.
.
.
. . . The
. . . Also
'
. . Red
. . Republic
. . Ben
. . Ernie
SAN FRANCISCO Allen Burl's Salari
II gnes Cannon, AA cashier, and her husband
Emmett vacationed at Lake Tahoe. Myron
Hopkins, shipper, is off on her two weeks .
Jerry Wong is opening the Great China Theatre
in Chinatown to American fihns. It
formerly offered Chinese plays ... Li Li-Hwa.
Chine.se film star, was greeted on her arrival
aboard the SS President Wilson by Jack
Stevenson, manager for Paramount. She is
on the way to Hollywood under contract to
Cecil B. DeMille . Adler, auditor, was
at the UA exchange where remodeling has
been completed.
Contact Arthur Unger of Arthur Unger Co.
for Information and reservations to the TOA-
TESMA-TEDA conventions in New York City
September 20-24 . . . The Alameda Drive-In
was installing new RCA lamps . Spivey
of the Porterville Drive-In is mighty proud
of his new 100-foot-wide screen . . . Johnny
Sullivan, Western Theatrical Co., purchased
new custom built levis . . . Visitors on the
Row were few but those spotted included
Jimmy Stephens, Dixon Theatre, Dixon; the
Enea brothers in from their Airport Auto
Movies, Oakland; Peter Garrette, Yolo and
Sunset drive-ins. Woodland, and Jack Neugebauer,
Donner, Tinickee.
Earl Brown, manager of Los Gatos Theatre,
Los Gatos, was in the hospital for an operation
, . . Recuperating following illnesses are
Bill Nasser. Nasser Bros, circuit, and Jimmy
Chapman, Redwood Theatres . Bowles
is handling the booking and buying for the
Oak Theatre, Live Oak, owned by Joe Serry
. . . Call Me Sam, the tyrannosaur measuring
12 feet tall, greets all who enter the
portals of the local Warner exchange.
Tyrannosaur was used to promote the
"Animal World" at the Paramount Theatre.
Easy rental terms to interested parties . . .
Glenn Koropp of the Glenn Koropp Speaker
Co., Sacramento, spent several daj's in
Oregon and Washington familiarizing drivein
operators with new Ballantyne equipment.
Gerald L. Karski, president of Motion Picture
Service Co., has received notification
that his company, for the third consecutive
year, was awarded first place in the special
low budget television film commercial competition
at the recent convention of the Advertising
Ass'n of the West held in Los
Angeles. The spot was placed with MPS by
the Long Advertising of San Jose for "Oven
Magic."
Added to 'War Drums'
HOLLYWOOD—In Bel-Air Productions'
"War Drums," Joan Taylor and Ben Johnson
have been signed to star with Lex Barker.
The screenplay by Gerald Drayson Adams
will be produced by Howard W. Koch for
United Artists release with Reginald Le Borg
directing, for executive producer Aubrey
Schenck. Jil Jarmyn has been set for a
featured role in the picture, which will be
filmed near Kanab, Utah, beginning Monday
(16).
RKO Signs 15-Year-Old
HOLLYWOOD—Placed under term contract
by RKO was Janet Norris, 15-year-old actress
from Pittsburgh, who will report to the studio
early next year upon her graduation from
high school.
BOXOFFICE July 14, 1956
Nets Big Game Bag
i
Allen Burt, Portland theatre broker, is
pictured with a roan antelope shot while
on safari recently in the Lake Tchad region
of central Africa. The Ubangi
native is carrying a duiker Burt bagged
the same morning during his 26-day visit
to the French-controlled big game hunting
area.
PORTLAND—Thirty tons of African wild
game were shot by Allen Burt, manager of
the Theatre Exchange Co., and two hunting
companions on a combined around-the-world
tour and African safari. Burt's safari companions
were Jim Rudisill, Portland, and Dr.
P. Gebhardt, Menlo Park, Calif. The trio
had plarmed the hunting expedition, which
was made mostly by Air France, for several
years.
Burt's hometown Milwaukie Review published
installments from the broker's
safari diary, along with many photographs
made by Burt during the 26 days and nights
in the heart of Africa near Lake Tchad. In
an excerpt, Burt wrote:
"We killed 41 animals as follows: four cob
antelope, five sable antelope, five damalisk,
eight waterbucks, six wart hogs, one duiker,
two hartbeast. four forest buffalo, three baboons,
one oribi and two elephants. Our expenses
for plane fare, cost of the safari,
licenses, ammunition, air freight, duty, head
fees and incidentals were something over
$10,000 for the thi-ee of us.
"Thus we provided the natives with some
cheap meat (about 17 cents a pound), had
the experience of a lifetime and brought out
pictui'es that will enable our friends and
neighbors to share our 26 wonderful sunny
days in Tchad and Ubangi.
The greatest discomfort of the safari, Burt
reported, was sore feet, since the native
guides seem to have a policy of so crippling
white hunters early in the safari by long
marches, knowing that sore-footed foreigners
will soon prefer to rest in camp to scouring
the hot country for game.
Burt met another Milwauklan, Glen Clay,
in Cairo. Esypt. and continued his journey
around the world by crossing the Orient and
the Pacific Ocean in Clay's company.
SE ATTLE
II Ilcn Wieder returned from Spokane where
he was working on "Somebody Up There
Likes Me." Sam Slegel, Columbia, covered
his tenitory on the promotion for "The Eddy
Duchin Story." Walter Hoffman, Paramount,
returned from Portland where he was working
on "That Certain Feeling" . Fish,
who handles Sam Goldwyn product, was in
Palomar Theatre will open July 19,
20 for a "Stars of Magic Show," which is being
promoted by the Pacific Coast Magicians
Ass'n to help pay expenses for their convention.
Mercedes Cleveland of Favorite Films will
vacation on Whidbey Island . Ptro
and his wife are being welcomed back from
Las Angeles . Jacobs, franchise holder
of Favorite FMlms, is expected to be up
shortly from California . . . The lease on the
Centralia and Chehalis theatres has expired,
and Ron Gamble, who operated the houses,
will concentrate on his drive-ins.
Pat Preston, 20th-Pox secretary, returned
from a vacation . . . Mr. and Mrs. Buck Smith,
Favorite nims, were vacationing in California
. . . Also on vacation was Bob Swanson,
Paramount head booker and office manager
. . . Back from a vacation was Del Larrison,
manager of the Fifth Avenue Theatre
... In town was Junior Mercy from Yakima
on the Row was Bob Monohan of the
Grand, Bellingham . auditor J.
V. ScuUy left by plane for Des Moines.
PHOENIX
•Phe Cinema Park Drive-In has been packing
them in with "The Searchers." On opening
night the cars were lined up three deep
for over half a mile. Business has stayed
consistently good throughout the run of the
picture . . . Mabel Mitchell, publicist for Arizona
Paramount, is back at work after a
vacation in Omaha.
The Vista Theatre was playing two old favorites
of the younger generations. "The
Wizard of Oz" and "Song of the South," to
good attendance . . . Manager Wayne Sweeney
of the Paramount reports excellent business
with "The Eddy Duchin Story."
TVWOirTGET
KMJDOWNIF
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IRAILEftS
THE SUPCRSELLING KIND, from
mniis
I2S HYDI STRUT, SAN FRANCISCO (1) CAlirORNU
THEATRE FOR SALE
Only theatre in growino California town of 2.500.
New lenses, widescreen. 58,000 down. Olhefs. write
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THEATRE EXCHANGE CO.
41

. .
. . . Filmrow
. . W.
. . The
SALT LAKE CITY
Ifim Novak cnptivaUxl hundreds of Si\lt
Lakers during a one-day visit here this
week at tlie end of her three-month-long tour.
She was met at the railroad station by a
group of more than 200 fans, stopped at a
Salt Lake newspaper office, engaged in several
radio interviews and was guest at a luncheon.
Prior to leaving for Hollywood, she was guest
of honor at a dinner given by Gov. J. Bracken
Lee, who invited her to return to Utah this
fall to crown Miss Utah at the state fair.
Her visit was in connection with "The Eddy
Duchin Story." which will be playing at
the Uptown and Villa theatres. Ai-rangements
for her visit were made by Phil Speckart,
Columbia Pictiu-es; S. S. McFadden, Columbia
exchange manager; Jack McGee,
Fox Wasatch and Fox Intermountain manager;
Dick Frisby. Villa Theatre manager,
and John Denham. city manager for Fox
Wasatch.
.Vn armed bandit robbed Daniel B. Woodland
of the Woodland Drive-In of $450, but
was captured a short time later in a nearby
field. He had threatened Woodland .
Eric Peterson has added two more monkeys,
another fawn and several ducks to his zoo at
his Motor-Vu Drive-In overlooking Salt Lake
valley. The zoo at the ozoner rivals the city
zoo nearby.
John Krier of Intermountain Tlieatres deserves
some sympathy for headaches received
from overlapping bookings on attractions
here this month. He had two stage attractions
booked into the Capitol. "Teahouse of
the August Moon" and "The Boy Friend." At
the same time, the University of Utah opened
its summer festival w'ith "The King and I"
and then presented "Madame Butterfly."
Harry James, Louis Armstrong and Gogi
Grant have been other performers in Salt
Lake during the same period. Members of
the cast of "The King and I" at the University
of Utah were guests of Fox and the
Villa Theatre at a .special preview showing
of the film ver.sion of the musical last week.
All praised the picture.
G. M. Dodge to Pilot D&D
Theatre at Salmon, Ida.
SALMON, IDA.—G. M. Dodge has been installed
as manager of the Roxy Theatre for
the DeMordaunt & Drennen interests. He
succeeds Lela Peterson, who resigned after 20
years affiliation with the enterprise.
Before moving to Salmon, Dodge had been
associated with DeMordaunt & Drennen at
Idaho Falls .since 1950, and had been a theatreman
in Oakland, Calif., before that. He
and Mrs. Dodge will make theii- home in the
apartment in the theatre building.
-y/ SPEED GOOD REASONS
FOR OROERINa YOU*
y QOAinr
SPECIAL
y SHOW-
-' MANSHIP
TRAILERS
Star Kim Novak Returns
From European Tour
HOLLYWOOD Columbia star Kim Novak
has returned from a three-month tour on
behalf of "The Eddy Duchin Story," which
started April 10, took her to the Cannes film
festival for her first trip abroad, then to
Italy, to Paris, to London, and to Blackpool,
England, for a convention of British exhibitors
who were given a special screening of
the "Duchin" film, in which she co-stars
with Tyrone Power. She returned to New
York for the June premiere of the Cinemascope-Technicolor
musical drama at Radio
City Music Hall, remained in the east for a
week of interviews, then took off on a erosscountry
tour which has Just been concluded in
Salt Lake City.
Laurie Carroll Is Signed
For Sam Katzman Film
HOLLYWOOD—For the feminine lead
opposite James Darren in "Rumble on the
Docks," producer Sam Katzman has signed
Laurie Carroll, young singing star who appeared
in the Broadway musical, "Plain and
Fancy." The Clover production for Columbia
release will mark Miss Carroll's film debut.
Fred F. Sears is directing the New York
waterfront film, which went before the cameras
Tuesday (101, with a featiu-ed cast including
Jerry Janger, Edgar Barrier, Michael
Granger, and Don Devlin.
Johnsons Buy and Reopen
Clatskanie, Ore., House
CLATSKANIE, ORE.—A local
couple. Dale
and Lela Johnson, have assumed ownership
of the Avalon Theatre here and have put it
into operation five days a week.
The Johnsons purchased the Avalon from
Westlake Theatres, the sale bringing to a
close 21 years of operation of the local house
bv the Westlake interests. The theatre is now
open each Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and
Friday and Saturday.
Army Assigns Adviser
To 'Men in War' Filming
HOLLYWOOD — Assigned as technical
adviser on Security Pictures' "Men in War,"
a drama of the Korean conflict, was Maj. John
Dick.son. former liaison officer between the
motion picture industry and the chief of
information of the Army Department in
Washington. Starring Robert Ryan and Aldo
Ray, "War" is being produced by Sidney
Harmon and megged by Anthony Mann for
United Artists release.
Films as Baby Sitter
CHINOOK. MONT.—The following notice
was seen in the local paper recently; Let the
Blaine Theatre be your baby sitter during
dollar days, Friday and Saturday. Matinee
1;30 p.m. For 15c we'll be your baby sitter
for two full hours. Shop at your leisure
while we entertain your youngsters with real
good western shows!
To Cast of 'Babies'
HOLLYWOOD—Rita Johnson has been
added to the cast of RKO's "The Day They
Gave Babies Away," starring Glynis Johns,
Cameron Mitchell, Patty McCormick and Rex
Thompson, under the direction of Allen
Reisner, with Sam Wiesenthal producing.
DENVER
pvuke \V. Dunbar, onetime secretary to the
old Film Board of Trade, has announced
he will run for re-election to the office of
attorney general for Colorado. He has held
the office for three terms, never having been
defeated . B. Weil has reopened the
trail. Evergreen, for the tourist .season . . .
Don Spaulding, office manager and booker,
went east to West Virginia and Michigan on
vacation. Warren We.st, salesman, is filling
in for Spaulding.
George Tucker, booker and buyer for Albuquerque
Exhibitors at Albuquerque, is moving
his office to Denver . . . Pete Bayes, Paramount
publicity man, went to Salt Lake City
to whip up the campaign on "Tliat Certain
Feeling" . . . Philip Isaacs, Paramount district
manager, went to Des Moines on company
business .
Hiway, Deertrail, has
been closed.
Tom Bailey, independent distributor, returned
to Albuquerque to finish his sales
chores there, after spending a few days at
his Denver headquarters . . . Bonnie Mae
Lloyd is working at Apex Films, helping her
father. Chick Lloyd, who owns the exchange
visitors included C. E. Mc-
Laughlin, Las Animas; Elden Menagh, Fort
Lupton; B. A. Weil, Evergreen; C. F. "Chuck"
Flower, Estes Park; John Roberts, Fort Morgan;
George and Harold McCormick, Canon
City, and Virgil Bohanan, Hatch, N. M.
Denver WOMPI Installs
Mary Hogle as President
DENVER^—Local Chapter 10 of the Women
of the Motion Pictiu-e Industry installed its
second slate of officers, with Mary Ann
Hogle, MGM, taking the president's chair in
succession to Jean Gerbase, Western Service
& Supply, who became first president of the
club following its organization in August 1955.
Irene Canino and Mae Alstatt were installed
as vice-presidents; Gloria Genovese,
recording secretary; Edith Musgrave, corresponding
secretary, and Charlotte Steuver,
treasurer.
'The Outlaws Are in Town'
Under Way by Regal
HOLLYWOOD—Robert Arthur and Kathy
Nolan have been set to co-star in "The Outlaws
Are in Town," a Regal production for
20th Century-Pox release. Others signed by
producer-director Kurt Neumann for the picture
include Rhys Williams, Mae Clarke,
Rhodes Reason, Dave O'Brien, Robert Osterloh,
Frank Sully, William Challee, Carol
Kelley, Michael Garrett, Phil Van Zandt and
Todd Griffin. Filming began Tuesday (10).
John Sturges to Complete
Direction of 'Old Man'
HOLL'YWOOD—John Sturges has been
signed by producer Leland Hayward to complete
the direction of Warners' "The Old Man
and the Sea," celluloid version of Ernest
Hemingway's Nobel and Pulitzer Prize novel,
which stars Spencer Tracy. Sturges takes
over the reins from Fred Zinneman, who directed
the picture while it was on location
in Cuba.
42 BOXOFFICE July 14, 1956

. . . Please
. . Hay
Roundabout the
Rockies
By BOB WALKER
CATURDAY is always a hectic day for me
to spend any time with a salesman, but
MGM's Jimmy Michiletti really had it
rough
as he tried to talk pictures while I kept ducking
in and out of the back room dodging the
local constabulary in an effort to stay out
of jail until the matinee was out of the way.
In our ad in the Fruita Times that week
I had a paragraph announcing, free tickets
to all folks arriving on muleback for the
showing of "Francis Joins the Wacs" on Sunday,
Monday or Tuesday. The ad further
advised mule riders to park all critters in
front of the Fruita Times. The editor added
an editor's note which read, "Over My Dead
Body."
It didn't seem right to let it go with that
so I bought a bale of hay and printed a
sign, which read, "Mule riders! Please park
your mules here while seeing 'Francis Joins
the WACS' . courtesy Fruita Times
leave space for editor's body." I
placed the hay with the card in front of the
Times about 2 in the morning after calling
the city clerk and asking his okay. He had
read my ad and was tickled to go along with
the gag.
The night marshal and one of the day
pohce thought it was such a good gag that
they wanted in the act so they went out and
got a burro during the night and tied him to
the front door of the Times. At 4 a.m. that
fool burro cut loose with some of the fanciest
early morning braying you ever heard and
everyone within six blocks got up much
earlier than they are used to.
But everyone had a wonderful time; tourists
stopped, then the editor called me and said,
"I surrender. I'll never change one of your
ads again. But what in hell do I do with
this donkey?" By the time I got down to
work with Mitch, the whole town was having
the best laugh in many moons. But the new
mayor couldn't see anything funny about the
stunt and he started demanding that I be
thrown in jail and fined.
I kjiew I was innocent, but no one else
would have believed it except the two cops
and their consciences wouldn't let them
jail me even if they could have found me.
but the mayor was so mad the policemen
thought they might lose their jobs if the
truth got out.
That dang bale of hay sure set off some
fireworks, but everyone starting wanting to
buy postcards with jackasses on them to send
to the mayor and chide him, until the cops
finally got up nerve enough to go and confess.
When he found even the cops were
against him he finally had to begrudgingly
decide it was funny after all.
I didn't expect so much publicity, but like
Mitch said, you couldn't buy all I got at any
price. Everyone was talking about Walker and
his mule that evening.
Jimmy Michiletti, w'ho I'm sure is the
smallest MGM salesman in the organization,
has been with the company since I was in
short pants but he doesn't look it. He was
telling me that the Denver branch manager,
Henry Friedel, just celebrated his 40th year
with the company. Seems like even the help
gets along better with the Friendly company.
As mad as I get at the Times for the discouragement
it dishes out in Its high hat
reviews of some of my family features, I bet
my mad ain't nothing as compared to the
producer's who just bought the "Bridey
Murphy" story, or the young fellows who
ended it all to go back and start over with
Bridey's friends from the shadows. Before
either one of them could get down to business
Times had a reprint this past week that
proves Bridey was as much imagination a.s
those mules that I thought would be parked in
front of my editor's were to be.
Leonard Scales, skipper of the Rocket
Drive-In in Grand Junction, called me wanting
to know if I knew of some stray theatre
chairs he could pick up to place on a patio
at the concession area. In course of our
confab, Leonard asked if I had noticed how
many big Technicolor features were loaded
with night scenes lately. He had just finished
Columbia's "Last Frontier" and said the
screen was dark half the time with night
scenes that were impossible to bring out. He
said he thought that producers were using
lots of night scenes to cut down on cost of
background scenery. I hadn't thought much
about it, but I have about gone crazy here
of late with dark Technicolor night scenes,
and if they're dark on my screen I can
imagine the trouble they'd cause outdoors.
I just read where there are 13,000 varieties
of aphids. Things aren't bad enough, so one of
those varieties had to show up in western
Colorado this year by the billions and eat up
the hay before the poor weevils could get a
look in.
This selling tickets in a farm community
seems to get more complicated daily. Well, I
could have bought the Bridey Murphy story
so things could be worse.
Warren Low Observing
33rd Year in Industry
HOLLYWOOD—His 23rd year as film editor
for Producer Hal Wallis, and his 33rd year in
the industry, is being observed by Warren
Low, currently scissoring "The Rainmaker,"
a Wallis production for Paramount release.
Low, who began his career as a child actor,
is one of the founders and incumbent president
of the American Cinema Editors.
HANDY SUBSCRIPTION
NKW CANCKR DRIVE—June Ally.son is
co-national chairman with husband Dick
Powell of the Suzan Ball Memorial Fund
which will aid City of Hope near Los
Angeles. Here she is with Richard Long,
husband of the late actress, who died of
cancer.
E. H. Showve Purchases
Puente, Calif., Theatre
PUENTE, CALIF.—Steve Chorak has sold
his Puente Theatre here to Earle H. Showve.
formerly with the Garmar and Vogue theatres
in Montebello. who has formed the
Puente Theatre Corp. Chorak built the theatre
in 1948 and sold out because of illness.
He will undergo a major operation soon.
Showve. a former northwest exhibitor, came
to southern California in 1950. He managed
the DeAnza and Arlington theatres in Riverside
for four years.
'Smile' Rights to Fox
HOLLYWOOD—Screen rights to "A Certain
Smile," a new novel by the French authoress
Francoise Sagan. have been secured by 20th-
Fox, which has assigned the production reins
to Henry Ephron. Being scripted by Frances
Goodrich and Albert Hackett, the opus will
roll on location in Paris next spring.
Star Roles to Three
HOLLYWOOD— Starring roles in Republic's
"Accused of Murder" will be filled by
David Brian, Vera Ralston and Sidney Blackmer.
The suspense drama is scheduled to be
produced and directed by Joe Kane.

VOTE
Study the issues and the candidates—
and then decide where you stand
You wouldn't buy a new car without at least
driving it around the block.
You wouldn't buy a new house without
checking up on the neighborhood, the schools,
and any back taxes.
So vote -but don't vote in the dark in this
exciting election year.
Listen to what candidates are saying on TV
and radio.
Read your newspapers— especially the politi-

—
—
—
—
'Duchin Story' Is Bright
255 in Chicago Bow
CHICAGO—A midweek holiday and new
product resulted in a bright picture for loop
movie business. "The Eddy Duchin Story"
was an outstanding opener at the Woods,
while "The King and I" in its second week
at the Oriental outdid opening week. "Autumn
Leaves" at the Monroe was also outstanding.
"Trapeze" in its fourth week at the United
Artists and "The Proud and Profane" in a
third week at the Chicago continued to make
boxoffice news.
(Average Is 100)
Carnegie A Bill o» Divorcement (RKO), reissue. 190
Chicago The Proud and Profane (Para), 3rd wk..235
Esquire—Toy Tiger (U-l), 2ncl wk 200
Grand The Come On (AA); Thunderstorm (AA),
2nd wk
Loop ^Meet Me in Las Vegas (MGM), 12th wk. .
210
200
McVickers Oklahoma! (Magna), 28th wk
.
265
Monroe Autumn Leoves (Col) 225
Oriental—The King and (20fh-Fox), wk...250
I 2nd
Palace Cinerama Holiday (Cineroma), 59th wk. . .325
Roosevelt—The Animal World (WB); Goodbye, My
Lody (WB), 2nd wk 1 80
State Lake The Greot Locomotive Chose (Buena
Vista), 4th wk 195
Surf—The Lodykillers (Cont'l) 2nd wk 200
United Artists—Trapeze (UA), 4th wk 240
Woods—The Eddy Duchin Story (Col) 255
World Playhouse Madame Butterfly (IFE), 8th
wk 205
Ziegfeld Diobolique (UMPO), return, 2nd wk...l95
'Feeling' cmd 'Number' Score
WeU in Better KC Week
KANSAS CITY—The grosses
looked better
here last week. The Bob Hope picture at the
Paramount topped the list with 200 per cent
and "The Night My Number Came Up" was
next at 175 per cent. Both were held, of
course, and "T:-apeze," which did 135 per cent
at the Midland in its second week, was also
held over. "The Great Locomotive Chase"
playing the four Pqx houses to 125 per cent
was held an extra day.
Other grosses were down, but "This Is
Cinerama" was holding up well in its fourth
week. A deal has been made whereby tickets
may be purchased at any Katz drugstore in
Kansas City, St. Joseph, Sioux City and Des
Moines. A special broker has also been
arranged for Atchison, Kas. A surprising
number of out-of-town groups are coming
in to see the show.
Glen The Naked Night (Times), 3rd wk 90
Kimo Sins of the Borgios (Aidarf), 2nd wk 80
Midland Trapeze (UA), 2nd wk 135
Missouri This Is Cinerama (Cinerama), 4th wk.. .400
Paramount That Certain Feeling (Paro) 200
Roxy Santiago (WB), 2nd wk 75
Tower, Uptown, Fairway and Granada The Greot
Locomotive
Vogue
Chose (BV)
The Night My Number Come Up (Cont'l
1 25
Dis.) 175
Hope on Stage Boosts 'Feeling'
To 200 in Indianapolis Bow
INDIANAPOLIS — New attractions and
holdovers alike benefited from a sharp upswing
in business here dui'ing the week.
Personal appearances by Bob Hope on the
stage at the Circle helped "That Certain
Feeling" to a fast start, and it was the week's
best grosser, holding over. "Trapeze," still a
boxoffice standout in its second week at
Loew's, rated a third week. "Santiago" was
doing a nice business at the Indiana.
That Certain Feeling (Para) 200
Circle
Indiana Santiago (WB); The Wiretapper
(Embassy) 100
Keiths The Great Locomotive Chose (Buena
Vista), 3rd wk 80
Loew's Trapeze (UA), 2nd wk 150
Ginger Rogers, Michael Rennie and Betty
Lou Keim will play the starring roles in
20th-Fox's "Teen Age Rebel."
AT KANSAS CITY SCREENING OF 'KING—Exhibitors were guests of 20th-Fox
at a screening of "The King and I," held in the Brookside Theatre at Kansas City.
Upper photo, left to right: Harold Hume, Fox Midwest; Lloyd Morris and Leon Hoofnagle,
Commonwealth; Claude Moore, Fox Midwest; Harold Guyette, Uptown Theatre
manager whose theatre opened with the show Tuesday (11). Below, Senn Lawler, Fox
Midwest; Joe Neger, 20th-Fox manager; R. P. Brous, Ralph Adams and Leon Robertson,
Fox Midwest.
New Trial on Two Points
In Long Durwood Suit
KANSAS CITY—The Missouri Supreme
Coui't has overruled a motion for a rehearing
in the extended civil action by Edward D.
Diu'wood against other members of the
Dubinsky family over control of the Dm-wood
circuit. Durwood's brothers. H. W. Dubinsky
and Irwin Dubinsky, and their widowed
sister-in-law, Mi's. Barney Dubinsky, filed the
motion.
Litigation has been going on for 11 years
and there will be a new trial this fall when
Judge McQueen will hear arguments on the
second two counts which were not ruled on
by him but decided by a court-appointed
referee, Paul Harnett.
MPA in Robert Withers Will
OLATHE, KAS.—The will of Robert P.
Withers, former manager and franchise
holder for Republic Pictures Midwest, has
been filed in the probate court here. His
estate is left in trust for his wife Helen B.
In the event of her death, 5 per cent of the
estate will go to the Motion Picture Ass'n
of Greater Kansas City.
Changes Language Policy
HOOPESTON, ILL.—Don Merrill,
manager
of the McCollum theatre here, has introduced
a new policy at the Princess. Spanishlanguage
films, previously shown on Tuesday
and Wednesday, have been moved to Friday
and Saturday each week and the theatre will
not be open Sundays, at least for the present.
Bev Miller Re-Elected
To ITO Helm 4lh Time
KANSAS CITY—Directors of the Kansas-
Missouri Allied Independent Theatre Owners
Tuesday tlOi elected Beverly Miller of Kansas
City to his foui-th term as president. Ronald
Means of Kansas City was elected vice-president
for Missouri and Ben Adams of El
Dorado for Kansas. Bill Bradfield of Carthage
was elected treasurer and Komp Jarrett
of Nevada secretary.
Chairmen also were appointed by the
board for next spring's convention, date and
place to be announced later. Jay Wooten of
Hutchinson will be in chai'ge of the convention
booklet and Ronald Means of attractions
and publicity. Joe Stark of Wichita was put
in charge of displays.
Since Stark's son Charles had just made
him a grandfather, the grandson, Douglas
Clay Stark, was named Joe's assistant because
of his lusty voice!
Paul Mason Will Operate
OTallon, 111.. Theatre
O'FALLON, ILL.—Paul Mason, who has
been operating lessee of the Lions Theatre,
has closed a deal to take over the operation
of State Theatre. He planned to have the
theatre in operation again by July 15.
Mrs. David S. Nelson closed the theatre
on June 21, immediately after receiving word
of her husband's untimely death in Maplewood,
Mo. Nelson had operated the State,
under a lease, for about 18 months.
BOXOFFICE July 14, 1956 45

. . "This
"s
SZmmore
. . Vacationers
. . Glen
. . Mary
. . . Dave
. . . Gus
. . The
: July
KANSAS CITY
The Kin? and I" is being shown at road-show
prices at the Uptown Theati'e only. The
theatre is also running continuous shows
daily for its engagement, instead of on Sunday
only as its usual pattern. Matinee prices
for adults have been increased from 65 to
85 cents and for the evening show, admission
is $1.25 instead of 85 cents. Children's prices
remain the same at all shows—25 cents . . .
L. D. Hasty, salesman for Shreve Theatre
Supply, was on a trip in Kansas, Keith Blackburn
went to Marceline, Mo., to assist Basil
Fogelson with equipment to show "The Great
Locomotive Chase" premiere.
. . .
Harold Lyon, manager of Paramount Theatre,
was taking a short vacation in Minnesota
and Iowa . Is Cinerama" was
seen by a group from the Radio-Lab last
Saturday. This week 400 from the Lee Wholesale
Distributors came in groups of 100 each
on successive nights, Thursday, Friday. Saturday
and Sunday. There were 21 persons who
Tom
came up from Atchison one night
Bridge, Paramount division manager, was in
from Dallas conferring with Harry Hamburg,
manager . . . Mis.souri Filmrow visitors included
Ed Harris. Neosho; J. Leo Hayob,
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MiU-.sliall; Koiup JaireU, Nfvada. Bill Bradfield,
Roy Disney, president of Walt Dl.sney Productions,
visited the local Buena Vi.sta office
Friday (6> after attending the celebration at
Marceline, Mo., honoring his brother Walt.
Tommy Thomp.son, local BV representative,
and Mrs. Thompson also attended the
Marceline events. It is Thompson's hometown
as well as Disney's. Thompson was
asked to be on a committee there with Roy
and Walt to judge the bathing beauty contest.
'1 here were 40 girls in Uie contest and Tommy
had to look them all over in order to make a
choice. A fellow gets a lot of tough assignments
in this business!
Joe Neger, 20th-Fox manager, Chick Evens,
exploiteer. Jack Cohan, sales manager and
all his salesmen left Wednesday (H) for
Chicago to attend the sales meeting at the
Blackstone Hotel Thursday and Friday.
Division Manager Glen Norris and M. A.
Levy, district manager, conducted the meeting
There will be no board meeting of
. . . the Kansas-Missouri Theatre Ass'n in July
The Motion Picture
—not until August 15 . . .
Ass'n of Greater Kansas City held its
monthly meeting Thursday (12) and discussed
plans for the annual golf and gin rummy stag.
A. E. Jarboe was in town from Cameron and
reported a small booth fire wliich did some
damage to projectors in his Ritz Theatre
. . . J. W. Shreve isn't selling all the paint he
had in stock—the interior of the Shreve
Theatre Supply has had a new paint job
that brightens things up . Beth Miles,
who played a boogie-woogie piano solo at the
New 50 Highway Drive-in's Ted Mack
Amateur Hour contest, was voted first place
for the June 30 contestants and will thus be
one of the semifinalists.
James Lewis, RKO manager, returned from
a Canadian vacation that included weather
down to 54 the morning he and Mrs. Lewis
left. As usual, he said, the missus outfished
him . reported this week include
Howard Thomas, office manager at
Warner Bros.; Grace Roberts, head cashier
at 20th-Fox who left with her husband and
her sisters from Bethany, Mo., for California
to be gone about three weeks; Sharon
Mercier, clerk at Durwood Theatres; Lettie
Thurman, RKO assistant cashier . . . Kansas
visitors on Filmrow included R. F. Fite, El
Dorado; Jay Wooten, Hutchinson; Ben
Adams, El Dorado; Ben Spainhour, Greensburg;
Ernie Block, Sabetha; Chet Borg, Fort
Scott.
Universal will hold its Lester Zucker (district
manager) campaign July 22 through
August 25. Margaret Pierce is the new bUler,
replacing Loretta Bisacca, who resigned for
family reasons . Jones was m from
Gravois Mills and reported being grateful
for two recent rains, except that the one
which rained over six inches in a very short
time came about 8:30 p.m. The next one
was a little more considerate and waited until
midnight to add two inches to the water
gauge. Everyone down in his neck of the
woods is delighted to see the Lake rising— it
was "getting mighty low."
Presidents seem to run in the Rhoden
family. Mrs. Elmer C. Rhoden jr. has just
been elected president of the Musettes of the
Kansas City Museum. Since her husband Is
president of Commonwealth Theatres and
her daddy-in-law president of National Theatres,
perhaps she felt it necessary to be
elected president of something in self-defense
Williams, who operates the Royal
Theatre at King City, Mo., and Mrs. King
made a three-week vacation trip to Denver
Kopulos of Regal Poppers returned
from a business trip to Wichita.
Birth announcements came from Mr. and
Mrs. Bill Terrill of the Woodlane Drive-In at
Wayneville, Mo., who have a son, and from
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Wrench of the Varsity
Theatre at Columbia, Mo., who announced
a daughter. Both were born on the same
date, June 11 . . . Tal's Drive-In at Coffeyville,
Kas., is reported to have lost its tower
in a bout with the wind recently. At the
Rocket Drive-In in Salina there was wind
damage to the fence . . . Gil Wilson, who is
making a 52-city nationwide lecture tour and
presentation of paintings based on "Moby
Dick" will be in Kansas City July 19, 20. On
Thursday I19) night he will show his slides
at the Kansas City Museum, after appearing
at the Cosmopolitan Club at the Muehlebach
that noon. Besides radio and TV interviews,
he will be at the Kansas City Art
Institute on Friday.
Carl Krueger, Hollywood producer whose
current release, "Comanche," is being distributed
by United Ai'tists, stopped in Kansas
City for several hours over the weekend. He
was accompanied by Mrs. Krueger and they
were entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Louis Patz
while in town. Patz is district manager for
National Screen Service .
Hartman
Motion Picture Booking Agency has taken
over the booking for the Chief Drive-In at
Topeka.
Allied Artists Booker and Office Manager
Don Clark attended a recent company meeting
in Chicago for bookers only and came
back enthusiastic about its success. "It was
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46
BOXOFFICE
:
14, 1956

k'
. . Nat
. . Mrs.
—
worth a whole year's correspondence," he
explained. "Everyone there was on the same
. . . Harold
level, with the same problems"
Wirthwein, western division sales manager,
was in conferring with Frank Thomas, manager
. Hechtman and family spent the
weekend visiting in St. Louis. Tlie business
barometer at Capitol Flag & Banner Co.
registered these highest: "The King and I,"
"Trapeze," and "The Eddy Duchin Story."
National Theatre Supply is furnishing
everything for the new Dickinson Drive-In at
Dighton, Kas., which is being built by Frank
Dickinson. Dickinson also operates the theatre
in Dighton. According to Bill Allison of
NTS, the concession equipment will be installed
by his company as well as all the other
detailed needs of a drive-in . . . United
Artists had its second biggest week last week
in the history of this office, according to
Bud Truog, office manager. This was laid to
the saturation booking of "Trapeze" in key
spots. Next goalpost is Branch Manager
Week, August 26 through September 1, honoring
Ralph Amacher.
. . . Filmrow
.
Wilbur J. Vaughn is the new manager of
the 50 Hiway Drive-In at Jefferson City.
Vaughn has had theatre experience at Willow
Springs and other points in southern Missouri
and in Arkansas. He is 27 years old, married
and has two small children. The drive-in
is owned by Beverly Miller and his brother
Herbert, usually called "Hub"
has a new parking lot between the Columbia
and the 20th-Fox exchanges. It has room for
12 cars, all spaces rented Beverly
Miller Is attending the Missouri Women's
State golf tournament at Excelsior Springs.
Joe Redmond, director of advertising and
publicity for Fox Midwest, attended the
memorial service at Flagstaff, Ariz., for the
victims of the recent airplane disaster at
Grand Canyon. Joseph Kite, who with his
wife and two children was among the
passengers killed, was a first cousin of Redmond
and since they were about the same
age. they were very close.
Filmack Trailer Compares
Widescreen vs. TV
NEW YORK—Filmack Trailer Co. has a
special trailer demonstrating the advantages
of the giant wide theatre screen vs. the small
television screen. The film, designed to run
just ahead of the feature attraction, allows
the tiny TV picture to be followed immediately
by the opening scenes of the feature on
the widescreen.
The announcer emphasizes the message
with this narration;
"TV IS OKAY ... IF you like
a picture
THIS size! But ... if you prefer big,
many of them in
clear, sharp pictures . . .
compare THIS with
glorious color . . .
our feature you are about to see on our
GIANT SCREEN!"
F>i'ints are available from Filmack Trailer
Co., 1327 South Wabash, Chicago 5, 111.
f»Mw«8 INDUSTRY PROFILE ammiiimm^^
Dorothie Warnekes Filmrow Job
Confused With 'Bookie by Tax Men
KANSAS CITY—Whenever anyone outside
the industry asks Dorothie Warneke,
Columbia booker, what she does, she
hastily explains her
duties. Otherwise,
people look at her
in surprise under
the impression that
she is a "bookie."
In fact, one of those
who was confused
about her work was
an income tax man
helping her make
up a report. The
other was a janitor
at one of the ex-
Dorothie Warneke changes where she
has been employed as a booker.
It was during the war and she and
another girl were working late at Universal.
Here came the Negro janitor with
a number of followers.
"My goodness, are you having a party
here tonight?" she asked him.
"No, ma'am," he answered, "but I told
some of my friends you was a bookie an'
they want to talk to you!"
Dorothie says most people outside the
mdustry have no idea how films get into
the theatre—seem to think they are mailed
out of Hollywood. So naturally they have
no idea what a booker's job entails.
Can t Get Safe Open;
Sets Theatre Afire
HERINGTON, KAS.—A 17-year-old
youth
broke into the Dreamland Theatre after the
show Tuesday (3) night. When he could not
get into the safe, he got mad and set the
theatre afire. This resulted in considerable
smoke and water damage and there also was
other damage to the interior, particularly to
the stairway. The theatre is managed by the
Commonwealth circuit for C. L. McVey, who
now lives in California. It was dark about
four days. Kansas authorities arrested the
youth.
Trial Series Scheduled
HOLLYWOOD — Producer Collier Young
has green-lighted production of 21 approved
dramas for his Fordyce Enterprises, Inc., On
Ti-ial television series. Joseph Cotten is hostnarrator
for the new program, based on offical
court records, which makes its debut
on the NBC-TV network September 7 with
Campbell Soups and Lever Bros, as alternate
spon.sors.
She started her work with FBO mow
RKO) in 1931 as a switchboard operator.
Charlie Oliver, now a booker at Warner
Bros., was office manager and Gib Jones
of RKO was head booker. Roy Churchill
was branch manager.
In 1936, she transferred to Universal as
contract clerk and switchboard operator.
She became a district booker and then
second booker during World War n. She
left to take a six-month vacation in
Florida and when she came back, booked
for Realart.
In June of 1952, she was driving over to
the KU medical center, where she gave
her services for a certain amount of
time each week, when her brakes gave out
and she hit a tree. In January of 1953 .she
was able to return to work as a booker
for Columbia, where she has been ever
since.
"When I explained my work to that
income tax man, he said he thought mine
would be classed as a high precision job,"
Dorothie stated. "We don't have many
women bookers on the Row now. They
don't get advanced like they did during
the war, but those of us here like our work
though we agree it's a high precision job."
John C. Warneke, her husband for
more than 25 years, is in real estate and
insurance. The only other member of the
family is a blond cocker spaniel, Timmy.
Conscience Money
ST. JOSEPH—The Cowtown Drive-In
management has had a couple of experiences
lately which tend to indicate it is in an
essentially honest community. A letter came
through the mail with the message and
enclosure: "I am sorry I only paid for two
but took in three people. My conscience hurts
me. Enclosed is 65 cents."
Another envelope wa^ just stuck into the
mailbox. This, too, contained a message and
money. The message read: "I snuck in
enclosed is 65 cents."
Louis Stein to Operate
Baxter Springs House
BAXTER SPRINGS, KAS.—Louis Stein,
president of Stein Enterprises, confirmed
reports that he is taking over the operation
of the New Baxter Theatre, which Commonwealth
closed last week. The theatre will
remain closed for redecorating purposes.
Stein said, and a September 1 opening is
planned.
Other Stein theatres include the Twilight
Drive-In here and the Parsons Drlve-In at
Parson.
J(n^uUuc
BOONTON, N. J.
Large Core
Greater Crater Area
MAXIMUM LIGHT
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Kansas—THEATRE SERVICE Co, Inc., Topeko- Tel 3 7225
I Illinois— KAYLINE COMPANY, Chicago—Tel Webster 9-4643
NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY. Chicago— Wobash 2-8266
BOXOFFICE :
: July 14, 1956 47

. . Charley
J_
ST.
LOUIS
IViTrs Lawrence Lieber, whose late hii.--l),uul
. . . Mrs. Fred Wehrenberg,
was one of the owners of the Royal
Theatre at Pacific. Is a patient at Barnes
Hospital here
whose late husband was one of the national
and regional leaders of motion picture theatre
owners, entered St. Mary's Hospital for
a minor operation and is recovering satisfactorily
. . Russell Armentrout of Louisana.
.
Mo., a director of MITO. is an expectant
grandfather . Goldman. St. Louis
exhibitor and treasurer of MITO. is a patient
NESTLE STYLE CARRY-OUT TRAYS
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/J/do

MITO Meeting Plans
Begin to Take Shape
ST. LOUIS—L. J. Williams, president of
the Missouri-Illinois Theatre Owners, has
announced the personnel of the committees
which will function in connection with
MITO's 38th annual convention at the
Kingsway Hotel here August 27, 28.
Features of the gathering will be an enlarged
trade exposition and the selection of
Miss Filmrow of 1956-57, Plans were to be
discussed at a meeting of officers and directors
at MITO headquartei-s.
A chief topic will be means to bring back
the many former patrons who have quit
attending the theatres for various reasons.
An intensive effort will be made by members
to ascertain from persons in their own communities
the reasons for the falling off in
attendance, and what can be done to win
back old customers. This checkup will not
be controlled by any preconceived ideas from
either Hollywood or New York. Grassroots
reactions will be sought.
The committees as announced by President
Williams follow:
PAUL KRUEGER CHAIRMAN
Paul L. Krueger, general chairman; Tom
Edwards sr.. Tom Bloomer and Lester R.
Kropp.
Trade Show—A. B. Magarian, chairman:
Pete Gloriod, John Carothers, Harry Hoff,
Bernie McCarthy. Stu Tomber, Ed Peters,
and Gene Beckham.
Transportation — Kenneth Hirth, Sid
Sayetta, Howard Spies, Meyer Kahan,
Gregory Zotos, Spero Karides and Nick
Karakas.
Reception—William Dean Davis, chaii-man,
and Mrs. Ora Redford, Mrs. Grace Kccione,
Miss Anita Piccione and William Kalmann.
Sponsors — Thomas James, Edward B.
Arthur, Louis Jablonow, John Meinardi and
Howard Zulauf.
Decorations—Spero Karides, Mrs. Alma
Medley, Mrs. Ann Ballman and Miss A.
Freeman.
Program—Philip Nanos, Sen. Edward Long.
Eddie Clark and Russell Bovim.
Miss Filmrow Contest—Charles Goldman.
Jimmie James, Nick Karakas and Frances
Hoffman (1955-56 Miss Filmrow).
Celebrities and Guests—David G. Arthur,
Louis and Joseph Ansell.
Entertainment—Frank Henson. Mrs. Bess
Schulter, Tom Edwards sr., Tom Edwards
jr., Pete Medley and Eddie Clark.
Donations— Bill Waring jr., Tom Edwards
jr., Tom Williamson, Ray McCafferty and
Charles Goldman.
FRANK HENSON PUBLICITY
Publicity—Frank Henson, Frank Plumlee,
Frank Bloomer, Wes Bloomer, Myra Stroud,
Dave Barrett and Harry Kaufman.
Registration—Mjia Stroud, Imogene Bleeks,
Mary Karches, Grace Engelhardt, Marcella
DeVlnney and Frances Hoffman.
Banquet s e a t i n g—Russell Armentrout,
Harry Miller, Guy D. Haskins, Bernard Temborius,
Herschell Eichhorn, William C. Earle,
Lester Bona and C. D. Hill.
Hotel Arrangements—Paul Krueger, L. J.
Williams, A. B, Magarian, Mrs. Bess Schulter
and Myra Stroud.
Film Exchange Participation—Ray Mc-
Cafferty, chairman. He will pick the other
members of his committee.
Ticket Sales—Pete Medley, Bill Collins,
Eddie Clark, Paul Horn, Charley Beninati.
Joe Gioldfarb, Paul Krueger, Bud Edele and
Herb Washburn,
Some of the motion picture companies have
indicated they will send some of their stars
to the gathering.
Adam G. Goelz to Manage
New Middleboro Drive-In
BOSTON—Adam G. Goelz ha.s been appointed
general manager of the Meadowbrook
Drive-In on Route 44. Middleboro,
according to John J. Abberley, president of
the Meadowbrook Theatre Co. The drive-in
will be completed for a grand opening the
week of August 15.
The Meadowbrook will be the first in a
number of drive-ins to be operated in New
England by Abberley and Wilbur Edwards,
an associate. Goelz will do the booking,
buying and managing from headquarters at
Middleboro.
Goelz will employ' a staff of 12, including
the projectionist. The Meadowbrook concession
section will offer pizza pies, French
fries, sandwiches. Ice cream, popcorn and
other light snacks.
Goelz has had considerable theatre management
experience. He handled the construction
of two of the largest drive-ins in
Texas. He has managed the Hippodrome
Theatre in Baltimore, has been a district
manager of Midwest Theatres and has been a
city manager with Alliance Theatres.
Charles McGraw will play one of the
starring spots in Aaron Rosenberg's production,
"Joe Butterfly." a U-I film.
Central headquarters
Chester Fleming Leaves
Nowata Theatre Business
NOWATA, OKLA.—Thirty-five years of
theatre business ended this week for Chester
Fleming as he turned over operation of his
downtown Luxor and Park-Vu drive-in to
C. D. Hicks and J. J. Bowden.
Fleming announced he had leased the two
theatres to the operators of the downtown
New Rex and the Sky Vu Drive-In. The
Iea.se is effective July 1. At the same time
Fleming announced plans for the opening of
his Rainbo cafe in the building formerly
occupied by Tex cafe across from the city
park on Highway 169.
Openmg of the new cafe, which will be
Nowata's largest, is tentatively scheduled
within the next few weeks.
Orleans, Neb., Exhibitor
Moves to St. Joseph, Mo.
ORLEANS, NEB.—The Orleans Theatre
here went dark recently, after Hal and Fern
Burright decided to spend full time managing
the Orpheum Theatre in St. Joseph, Mo. Mrs.
Burright said the decision had been forced
on the family by declining patronage here
the past two years.
Burright has been managing the Orpheum
in St. Joseph for a year and four months,
while Mi-s. Burright and the three daughters
have remained in Orleans to operate the local
theatre. The Buirights plan to make their
future home in St. Joseph. They had operated
the Orleans since March 1, 1946.
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BOXOFFICE :
: July 14, 1956 48A

. . Balaban
. . Ken
. . During
CHICAGO
Tack Kirsch, chief barker of the Vailcty
Tent 26, and Harry Balaban, golf outing
chairman, announced the annual golf outing
will be held this year at the Elmhurst Country
Club August 24. As In the past, the event
will combine a full day of golf, luncheon, dinner,
soft ball and cards for members and
others in the film and allied amusement industries.
Price of ticlcets is $10. which includes
the entire package, and reservations
are being received by Mike Stern, ticket
chairman. Attendance is limited to 200 persons.
The "Uncle Bob Show," introduced at the
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A
Armitage by Manager Robert Blanchard
about a year and a half ago to increase kid
attendance, has closed. A new program, which
Blanchard believes will have the same impact,
will be ready for September introduction.
According to Blanchard, the "Uncle
Bob Show" increased Saturday afternoon attendance
from 350 to between 700 and 900 . . .
W>nB. radio station operating in the Carnegie
Theati-e lobby as an added feature for
patron interest, is now programming two
hours of cla.ssical music from 9 to 11 p.m.
Sunday through Friday . Edgerly. who
managed the recently closed Paradise Theatre,
has been appointed manager of the
Northshore, a B&K property . June
the Chicago censor board reviewed 89 films,
of which 24 were foreign pictures. One was
cl.assified for adults only and one was rejected.
Van Nomikos, owner of several theatres
in the Chicagoland area, purchased the Twin
Air Drive-In at Champaign. He bought the
property from Barr Bros., former owners and
operators . & Katz is planning a
Theatre.
new marquee for the United Aj-tists
It is hoped to have the new sign structiu-e
completed by September.
. . . Phyllis Kirk of "Johnny
The enthusiasm with which young people
have accepted Friday college nights, and the
family group the "twi-night" band concerts
has prompted Herb Ellisburg, managing director
of the Essaness Halstead Outdoor
Theatre to add a special night of recorded
preshow and intermission music. Last week
the Halstead started offering a polka night.
The new feature will be presented every Tuesday
evening
Concho" arrived here for personal appearances
and to do some autographing when the
film opened at the Roosevelt Theatre.
Tony Steuver of the Oriental Theatre managerial
staff returned after a vacation on his
place in the South . . . Services were held Saturday
(7) for Mrs. Louise Burns, wife of Howard
Burns, day manager at the Monroe Theatre
. . . R. P. Barry, manager at the Capitol,
was vacationing in the Ozarks. R. K. Kubick,
who came to the Capitol recently as assistant
manager, was pinchhitting . . . Robert Sherman,
formerly assistant manager at the
Capitol, is now acting in this capacity at the
Highland.
Cole Products Corp., manufacturers of

. . . Dean
Waldo
. . Bob
. .
. .
INDIANAPOLIS New $230,000 Airer
rsates for the annual convention of the
Allied Theatre Owners of Indiana are
October 22-24. First speaker to accept is
Milton Schapp, president of Gerrold Electronics,
who is to discuss cable theatres at the
invitation of Bob Jones, general manager
of Affiliated Theatres . Hope
sandwiched a rovnid of golf between two
personal appearances at the Circle, followed
by a party at the Claypool. in a whirlwind
visit July 4 . . . Marc Wolf, general manager
of Y&W, was in Washington for the all-star
baseball game Monday.
Paul Webster, Republic manager, is off the
sick list and back at work. So is Jack Safer,
manager of Safer Film Distributors. Earl
Penrod. head of Affiliated Advertising Distributors,
has left the hospital and is recuperating
at home . . . Drive-ins, which have
played more first runs than ever this season,
are agitating for a 21-day clearance. The
waiting period now is 28 days . . . Dr. Marvin
Sandorf has installed a zoo as a free extra
attraction for children at his Twin Drive-In
here.
.
.
Alliance has bought the South Peru Drivein
at Peru from Pete Fortune, who recently
disposed of the Tuxedo here to Charles
Stanley, owner of the Hamilton . Thomas
. .
H. Coomes has taken over the Parkway
Drive-In at Owensboro. Ky., from Mrs.
The new Starlight Drive-In at
Blinco . . .
Clinton, owned by Eugene Marietta and
Eugene Hathaway, was set to open Sunday
(15). Ted Mendelssohn is buying and booking
.. Michel, 20th-Fox cashier,
was vacationing at Colorado Springs
Ray Schmertz, 20th-Fox manager, attended a
district meeting at Chicago with salesmen
Herman Halberg, Ken Dotterer and Bob
Meyer and head booker Bill Zoetis.
Ruth Chatteron, stage and film actress,
appeared in "Jane" at the Avondale Playhouse,
summer tent theatre, here last week
Brown, manager of the Lyric, now
closed, is promoting an all-star country style
jamboree on Sundays at Plantation Park .
Mae Glover is managing Zaring's Egyptian
for the Levitt brothers, the new owners . . .
E. B. Sconce has closed the Daisy for the
summer and Earl Bell is operating the Bell
on weekends only.
V SPEED
Vquaiity
/ SHOW-
-^ MANSHIP
l«t us mak
YOUR
GOOD REASONS
FOR
ORDERING YOUR
SPECIAL
TRAILERS
T
THEJBJTRE EQUIPMENT
442 N. ILLINOIS ST., INDIANAPOLIS. IND.
"Everything tor the Theatre"
Opens at Guliporl
GULFPORT, MISS. — The new $230,000
Don Drive-In. located on Highway 90 midway
between Gulfport and Biloxi, was opened
June 28 by O. O. Cummings, owner and general
manager, and his associates.
Cummings previously was affiliated with
a drive-in in Port Arthur, Tex., and Ed Ortte.
his associate, is also associated with other
area theatres.
The new Don has a capacity of 900 cars
and an all-steel frame screen measuring 60x116
feet.
Ortte also is associated with the Legion
and Gulf theatres here and the Highway
Drive-In at Bay St. Louis. He built and later
sold a drive-in at Pascagoula.
'Heir and 'Bridges' Top
Military Favorites
FRANKFURT. GERMANT—"To Hell and
Back" and "Bridges at Toko-Ri" walked off
with top honors among GIs and airmen stationed
in the European area according to a
survey just completed by the armed service
publications, Army Times and Air Force
Times.
The list of 18 Army pictures that sold over
lOO.OOO admission tickets from January 1955
through February 1956 included five military
pictures—To Hell and Back, Bridges at
Toko-Ri, Strategic Air Command, Battle Cry
and The Long Gray Line. To Hell and Back,
starring Audie Murphy, Congressional Medal
of Honor winner, topped them all, with 187,-
000 tickets sold.
Grace Kelly appeared in two of the top
films, James Stewart scored in three, and
both Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster played
leads in two favorites.
On the Air Force side, the top 15 films
contained three about the services—Bridges
at Toko-Ri, The Long Gray Line and
Strategic Air Command. Grace Kelly led
the stars by appearing in three of the films,
and James Stewart was in two.
The Air Force commented that since the
British do not allow 35mm films in Air Force
theatres in Britain because of competition
with the local theatres, the only films for
airmen there are 16mm, and if figunes could
be obtained to show how many airmen
bought their films on the British economy,
figures undoubtedly would vary.
Too, some of the films listed on the Air
Force tops list have not yet completed their
run on the circuit. Strategic Air Command,
for instance, is still making the rounds.
Here are the ratings in order of popularity:
Army circuit (Films that sold over 100,000
tickets)—To Hell and Back, Rear Window,
Man Without a Star, Bridges at Toko-Ri,
Young at Heart, Three Ring Circus, Seven
Brides for Seven Brothers, The Barefoot Contessa.
Strategic Air Command, The Last Time
1 Saw Paris, Ulysses, Apache, Duel in the
Sun, Vera Cruz, Man from Laramie. Blackboard
Jungle, Battle Cry and The Long Gray
Line.
Air Force circuit (15 most popular) —
Bridges at Toko-Ri. Rear Window, The Long
Gray Line, Dragnet, Vera Cruz, The Barefoot
Contessa, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,
Athena, Strategic Air Command. Country
Girl, The Last Time I Saw Paris, Man
Without a Star, Young at Heart, Three Ring
Circus and Six Bridges to Cross.
RESEARCH BUREAU
for
AAODERN THEATRE PLANNERS
ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMATION
The MODERN THEATRE
PLANNING INSTITUTE
325 Van Brunt Blvd.
Kansas City 24, Mo.
Gentlemen:
Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU
to receive iniormation regularly, as released, on
•he lollowing subjects for Theatre Planning:
n Acoustics
G Air Conditioning
n Architectural Service
D "Black" Lighting
D Building Material
D Carpets
D Coin Machines
n Complete Remodeling
n Decorating
D Lighting Fixtures
n Plumbing Fixtures
n Projectors
D Projection Lamps
° Seating
^ Signs and ^larquees
Sound Equipment
D Television
D Drink Dispensers D Theatre Fronts
n Drive-In Equipment Vending Equipment
D Other Subjects..
Theatre
Sealing Capacity..
Address
City..
Signed..
Postage-paid reply cords for your further convenience
in obtoining Inlormotion ore provided in The MODERN
THEATRE Section, published with the firjf issue of
each month.
BOXOFFICE :
: July 14, 1956
48C

: July
If youVe not
in the book
REGISHRED
WIERS
yoare
a man without
a country
a state
. . . • . a county
a town
a party
a street
a school
a vote
Look at all the things you can lose, if you're not
a registered voter.
If you're not in the book, you lock yourself out
of the elections. The poUs are closed to you. You
can't vote on streets, or schools, councilman or
mayor (not to mention congressman, senator or
president). You don't even have the right to
complain about your government and the way
things are run!
But more than that, you cut yourself apart
from your neighbor next door, your friends at
the shop, your feUow members in union or club.
You lose the right to look that boy of yours
in the eye when he wants to know if you're doing
your part.
And you lose the self-respect that comes from
knowing you can walk into the polls on Election
Day— the one place in the world where all free
men are really equal. Isn't it too much to risk for
the httle time that registering takes?
Get your name in the book
,,.„
—and do it now! /(^.'t
Through the Courtesy of
BOXOFFICE
48D BOXOFFICE :
14, 1956

Court Fight Likely
Over Till Story'
MERIDIAN, MISS.—A plan by Hollywood
producers Sam Bischoff and Dave Diamond
.0 produce "The Emmett Till Story," reportedly
without authority or necessary releases,
threatens to set up an industry court
battle.
A. L. Royal. Meridian exhibitor and film
producer, said he has authorized United
Artists to institute legal action against Bischoff
and Diamond via injunction and/or
any other legal method to halt production
and distribution of the film.
Royal and William Bradford Huie, well
known .southern author, and United Artists
currently hold any-all rights to make the
picture, including releases from J. W. Milam,
Roy Bryant, Mi-s. Carolyn Bryant and Mamie
Bradley, participants in the Till murder case.
Royal and Huie thus far have failed to give
the "green light" of production to United
Artists "because we have in mind the protection
in the film of our southern way of
life. United Artists thinks one way. We
think another. However, it appears our differences
will be ironed out."
Royal made it clear that the plan of
Bischoff and Diamond has been set up by the
Hollywood producers as "purely a calculated
risk. If they care to take that risk, we shall
fight them to the last ditch. And further.
we shall never otherwise be connected with
the picture unless and until it qualifies as
being fair to our kind of people in the
south."
In the meantime, Bischoff and Diamond
issued a nationwide news story they plan to
go ahead with the picture production, regardless
of legal action by Royal-Huie-United
Artists.
Two Theatremen Honored
With Awards From VFW
BRISTOL, TENN.—The Veterans of Foreign
Wars Patton Crosswhite Post 6975 here,
at its recent anual banquet and dance, named
Wilfred Gillenwater, manager of the Paramount
Theatre here, as its outstanding citizen
of Bristol for 1955. Gillenwater was selected
for his record of achievement in service of
every kind to the city and community.
At the same event, Emil Bernstecker, district
manager for Wilby-Kincey Theatres, was
inducted and appointed as a Rebel Hlllbillie
Colonel and was presented with a coonskin
cap, corncob pipe, overalls and deeds for
plots of ground under Holston Lake. Gillenwater
assisted in the ceremony.
J. L. Raulerson Rebuilds
Bartow Ozoner Tower
BARTOW, FLA.—J. L. Raulerson, owner of
the Bartow Outdoor Theatre, reopened the
drive-in July 3 after rebuilding the screen
tower, which was destroyed June 26 by a
freak
windstorm.
What observers believed to be a small tornado
made a shambles of the big concrete
block screen tower. The new tower is made of
wood, Raulerson said, with improved structure
and built ten feet wider than the old
screen. The old tower, measuring 60x75 feet,
was reinforced with steel rods and cost
$6,000 to build, Raulerson said. It was not insured.
Filmrow Clubs Install in 4 Cities
K
I
(
TAKE OVER AT ATLANTA—Guy Brown, district manager of .'Motion Picture
Advertising Service, is seen here with the 1956-57 VVOIPI officers he installed at the
dinner held recently at the Variety Club. Seated are Juanita Elwell, first vice-president,
and Jackie Cowart, president. Standing with Brown are left to right: Polly
Puckett, corresponding secretary; Frances Hopkins, recording secretary; Edythe
Bryant, treasurer, and AUene Robbins, second vice-president.
CHARLOTTE—New officers of the Charlotte
WOMPI chapter were installed in a
candlelight ceremony at the Charlotte Hotel.
A dinner and dance followed. J. H. Dillon of
Republic served as emcee.
Viola Wister of the Howco Exchange staff,
who was installed as president, succeeding
Myrtle Parker, pointed to the progress of
the club since its organization in March
1955 and asked for continued lively cooperation
of all members.
Others installed were Nancy Wilson and
Billie Harris, vice-presidents; Margie Thomas,
recording secretary; Vera Ledbetter, corresponding
secretary; Mildred Warren, treasurer,
and the following directors—Mrs. Parker,
Rebecca Miller, Pauline Griffith, Margaret
Raines, Rosaline Hutton, Alice Craver
and Verdah Looper.
Activities of the Filmrow w'omen during
the last year included sponsoring of kiddy
matinees to help raise funds, a sewing party
to make frocks for the Florence Crittenton
Home, costuming of dolls for the Salvation
Army at Christmas, assisting in the March
of Dimes and Poppy Day Drive, purchase of
a hearing aid for a needy deaf man and a
brace for a crippled child, adoption of a
Thompson Orphanage girl, (Gail Letchworth
i, and holding benefit parties, rummage
sales and box suppers.
The club now numbers 70 members.
John Walters of Columbia won the $100
prize in the recent fund raising effort, in
which S800 was realized.
The invocation was given by Mildred Hoover,
Paramount cashier, and Dillon spoke on
"Chasing the Dollar." He also introduced
the following guests; Dick Huffman, new
MGM manager, and his wife; Robert Saunders,
owner and operator of Theatre Booking
Service; Harry Cooke, Center and Wayne
theatres. Mount Olive, N. C; Woodrow Fussell,
Wonet Theatre, Bladenboro, N. C; John
Allen, new MGM assistant manager; Mrs.
Dillon; Emery Wister, husband of Viola Wister,
newly elected WOMPI president; W. T.
Parker jr., husband of Myrtle Parker, outgoing
president, and Gail Letchworth of
Thompson Orphanage.
Sarah Keller at Helm
Of Jacksonville Club
JACKSONVILLE — Sarah Keller, MGM
booker, was installed as president of the
local WOMPI chapter at the group's second
annual banquet in the Hotel Roosevelt which
was highlighted by an address given by Nat
Williams, head of Interstate Enterprises,
ThomasviUe, Ga. Other invited guests and
speakers were Carl Carter, chief barker of
Variety Tent 44. and Abner Camp, branch
manager of the Howco Film Exchange.
Williams declared that he felt "deeply
honored at being invited to Jacksonville to
address a group of persons who represent the
best in the motion picture industry. It is
refreshing at a time like today, when industry
problems are demanding so much of our
efforts and thoughts in planning against an
uncertain future, to see the women in WOMPI
gi-oups all over the country who are acting as
goodwill ambassadors within and outside the
industry and who are unselfishly devoting
their leisure hours to charitable work and
community betterment."
Other officers installed for the coming
year were; Edith Prescott, Howco, first vicepresident
; Jane Faircloth, Lake Forest Drivein;
second vice-president; Marjorie Edenfield,
MGM. recording secretary;; Jerry
Wardlow, RKO. corresponding secretary; Jane
Popplewell, Warner, treasurer, and the following
board members—Mamie Newman. Talgar;
Betty Loop, Dixie Drive-Ins; Alene
Reinhardt, Columbia; Melvarine McCrary,
MGM; Doris Posten and Ida Levy, both of
UA, and Philomena Eckert, Columbia.
Following the installation ceremonies,
WOMPI members and guests moved to the
(Continued on next page)
BOXOFFICE :
: July 14, 1956 SE 49

I
. . So
. . So
. . The
New officers of the Charlotte WOMPI. Seated, left to right: Vera Ledbetter, Viola
Wister and Nancy Wilson. Standing are Mildred Warren. Margie Thomas and Billie
Harris.
Filmrow Clubs Install
Continued from preceding page)
Variety Club for an informal cocktail party
and games of cards.
Ruth Taubman Takes
Over at New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS—Gail Barnette of the Joy
Theatre, retiring president, handed over the
gavel to Ruth Toubman of Southeastern
Theatre Supply, the new president of the
New Orleans chapter of the Women of the
Motion Picture Industry, at installation ceremonie.s
held recently at the Jung Hotel.
Loraine Cass. UA, was the installing officer.
Wins FST Contest
SEBRING, FLA.—Mrs. Mary A. Gast was
winner of the gold engraved lifetime pass
given by the Florida State Theatres for the
best essay on "What Does a Motion Picture
Theatre Mean to Your Community?" Manager
Jesse Watson said several hundred entries
were submitted.
Exceptions in Film Rental Rules
An exception in film rentals of 25 per cent
of net receipts is made in France fixing the
minimum at 20 per cent if two years have
elapsed since the film was first shown in
France.
V^ SPEED
V^QUAUTY
/ SHOW-
-^ MANSHIP
GOOD REASONS
FOR
ORDERING YOUR
SPECIAL
TRAILERS
iliMiiVlitil
BismarckJ.D.Xapilol
To Reopen Sept. 1
BISMARCK, N. D.—The Capitol Theatre,
300-seat second run house, was shuttered
June 13, but is scheduled to reopen around
September 1 after a face-lifting and possibly
with a new policy.
The Capitol has been operated for the
last six years by J. P. Fleck, Frank Wetzstein,
A. P. Wetzstein and J. K. Kennelly, who plan
to concentrate this summer on their Sundown
Drive-In west of Bismarck.
The recent installation of Cinemascope
failed to offset the inroads of two TV
channels on the Capitol's diet of westerns and
action pictures. Semipro baseball threatened
to deal another blow, besides the fact that
the Capitol has never been a good runner on
a dry, hot track, for lack of effective air
conditioning. The Catholic church also
slapped the management with an off-limits
decree after the Capitol played 'T Am a
Camera" early this year. To make things
complete. Manager Don Larsen was hospitalized
recently with a broken leg.
Fleck and F. E. Wetzstein also operate two
theatres in Mandan and in addition. Fleck
has theatre interests in Dickinson.
"Our first runs are doing business," he
says, "but television has killed off westerns
and second runs."
Bismarck's remaining four-wallers are both
first run, jointly operated by Welworth Theatres
of Minneapolis and the Dubinsky
organization of Omaha.
New Plastics Experiment
ROCHESTER, N.
Y.—The Texas Eastman
Co., division of Eastman Kodak Co., will
broaden its work in the field of high-density,
low-pressure polyethylene plastics, according
to James C. White, president. A semi-commercial
manufacturing unit will be added to
its plant at Longview, Tex., for experimental
production.
Rogers Drive Appeal
To Florida Theatres
JACKSONVILLE—Cam Price, Florida distributor
chairman for tlie Will Rogers Memorial
Ho.spital drive, has issued an appeal
for complete industry support of its important
tuberculosis hospital and research laboratories
at Saranac Lake, N. Y. The RKO brancii
manager said:
"The public will respond generously, I am
sure, with cash donations if all theatre managers
and owners will secure the Henry
Fonda trailer from National Screen Service
and run it on their screens the week of July
16. After seeing this heart-warming short
film, audiences will gladly contribute to this
fine cause if exhibitors will cooperate by
having persons on hand to accept contributions
after each show.
"Local women's organizations will work
with us if we ask them to make the collections,
or the money can be taken in by friends
and employes of each theatre. Whatever is
done, let's get behind this thing and help
the Will Rogers Memorial Hospital to the
best of our abilities."
Horace Denning, district manager of Dixie
Drive-ins and exhibitor chairman of the
Will Rogers drive in Florida, has sent personal
letters to more than 400 exhibitors to
urge that they give their personal support
to the drive.
FST Manager Quotes
In Ads on 'Oklahoma!'
MIAMI—Florida State Theatres advertising
of "Oklahoma!" at its Sheridan Theatre
featured quotes from its theatre managers
in this area, with their photos, each
in a two-column ad. Across the top was a
heading. First in the series read: "Color So
Perfect . Vivid Real. Here is a
.
beautiful and enormous picture with color so
perfect, so vivid, .so real, it's like standing in
the center of all creation. You won't be sorry
it you treat yourself to this show!" Charles
Whittaker, Mgr., Paramoimt Theatre.
Headings on other ads were; "I've Seen It
Five Times Already I" followed by a quote from
Charles Rich, Cinema Theatre.
"You'll Want to See It Again and Again,"
David Payne, Boulevard Theatre.
"An Experience That Should Be Shared,"
Jack Miller, Shores Theatre.
"The Perfect Cast .
Perfect Picture."
Allan Johnson, Gables Theatre.
"Oh! What Beautiful Music!" Hal Stanton,
Florida Theatre.
"As American as Apple Pie," James Bamett,
Olympia Theatre.
"The Genii That Puts You in the Show!!
Harry Margolesky, Beach Theatre.
Guy Hevia Seeks Permit
For Key West Drive-In
KEY WEST, FLA,—Key West will get a new
drive-in if the city commission okays a permit.
Guy Hevia of Spring Lake, N. J.., says
he will build the theatre on Roosevelt boulevard
if it is approved by the city. Hevia and
Ben Marden, Miami Beach realtor, have
formed the Riviera Drive-In- Theatre Corp.
The theatre will handle 700 cars and have
seats for 500 patrons. The cost of land and
theatre will be approximately $300,000.
50
BOXOFFICE
:
: July 14, 1956

. .
. .
Frances Wolfson Wed
At Asheville Home
ASHEVILLE, N. C—In a noon ceremony at
the summer home of her parents, Miss Prances
Louise Wolfson exchanged marriage
vows with Jack Wakenberg. Both are from
Miami Beach and it is there they expect to
make their future home. Setting for the
ceremony was Milofran Knoll, the summer
home of Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Wolfson of
Wometco Theatre chain.
The bride, who recently returned from an
around-the-world trip with her parents, wore
a white lace over pink silk organdy ankle
length gown, which was designed by Fontana.
White roses and lily of the valley
formed the bridal bouquet.
Mrs. Louis Wolfson II, sister-in-law of the
bride, served as matron of honor. She wore
a dress of soft mint green marquisette over
white. Her daughter Lynda Louise Wolfson,
dressed in ruffled white organdy with a mist
green organdy pinafore, was flower girl.
The bride was given by her father. A reception
at Milofran Knoll followed the ceremony.
After a month's trip to the Canadian Rockies,
the couple will make their home in
Miami.
Lester Persall Winner
Of Floyd Chain Prize
TARPON SPRINGS, FLA.—Lester
Persall,
manager of the Midway Drive-In, won an
all-expense paid trip to Cuba for himself and
his wife in a contest sponsored by Floyd
Theatres for the circuit's 16th anniversary.
Persall competed against seven other driveins.
The contest was based on the greatest
percentage increase of concessions over boxoffice
receipts.
C. S. Sherer Will Manage
Theatre in Selma, Ala.
SELMA, ALA.—The new manager of the
Walton Theatre here is Charles S. Sherer,
Owner R. M. Kennedy announced that Sherer
will succeed Hobart Love, who has joined the
furniture department of Sear's here. Love
had managed the theatre six months.
Sherer, a 1956 graduate of Walker County
High School at Jasper, formerly was employed
by W. P. Call, manager of the Jasper Theatre.
35-Year Schedule Broken
BRUNSWICK, GA.—The recent change in
the Bijou Theatre policy from fulltime operation
to a weekend-only policy marked
the first time since the theatre was established
35 years ago that a break occurred in
its continuous operating schedule. Manager
Frank McCullough said. The Georgia Theatre
Co. unit will offer matinee and evening
shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
through the summer. The fall schedule has
not yet been determined, McCullough said.
CHARLOTTE
T B. Harvey was re-elected representative
from York County to the South Carolina
legislature in the June
primary. Harvey has
.served in this capacity
liir three preceding
terms and has been
instrumental in promoting
many bills that
have been of value to
the residents of York
County. He owns the
Carolina Theatre in
Clover, and has been
a director of Theatre
Owners of North and
J. B. Harvey South Carolina for the
past ten years . . . Re-elected from Fairfield
County to the legislature was Walter Brown
of Winnsboro. Walter and his mother operate
the Boyd and Fairfield theatres there.
The executive secretary's office of Theatre
Owners of North and South Carolina has
opened in new quarters at 147 Brevard Court.
This will be the permanent address .
Many of the film industry personnel attended
the funeral of Thomas W. Varnon
who died unexpectedly in his office here last
week. Varnon has served as legal adviser
to the Wilby-Klncey Service Corp. in Charlotte
for 15 years. Prior to becoming associated
with Wilby-Kincey office, he was
comiected with Paramount in New York .
Arthur C. Phillips, owner and operator of
the Strand in Walhalla, S. C, for many years,
died recently. He was much liked in the
film circle here.
Colonial Theatres of Valdese, was the host
at three days of fun at its annual get-together
for the film industry at Linville . . .
Sam L. Irvin, owner and operator of the
Plaza in Asheville, became father of a baby
son.
Gordon Kay will produce Universal's "Quantez"
in Cinemascope and Technicolor.
the best source of supply for the finest
in approved
equipment
Storm-Leveled Drive-In
Has New Screen Tower
SEMINOLE, OKLA. — Manager Harold
Ward of the Skyway Drive-In Theatre here
was looking forward to an early opening of
the theatre as soon as construction has been
completed on a new 60xl06-foot .screen tower.
Ward said the screen will be of the same size
as the one blown down May 31 during a
storm which did considerable damage northwest
of Seminole. The former screen tower
was designed to withstand winds up to 160
miles an hour.
The new screen. Ward said, is of metal and
will be smoother than the former screen,
hence better for viewing movies. The new
tower is of all metal construction, the manager
said, adding he hoped for an early-July
reopening. Ward also manages the local Seminole
Theatre.
Free Show for Birthday
FLORALA, ALA.—The Jim and Tim Drive-
In celebrated its second birthday with a free
showing of "Titanic."
SERVICE
and
COURTESY
For over 20 f»an
OUR WATCH WORD
CONCESSION EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
STANDARD THEATRE SUPPLY CO.
215 E. Wuhington St,
GREENSBORO, N. C
30 YEARS OF DEPENDABLE SHOWS
H. G. ARENSON
3450 SELWYN AVE., CHARLOTTE, N. C.
Always A Pleasing BoxoWce Attraction
SCOP^
^REOPHONIC SO
^IDC SCREEtl'
everything
for the
theatre
except film
135 Brevard Court, Charlotte, H. C.
FRANK LOWRY — JOHN WOOD
PHONE FR. 5-7787
wii-kin tiieatre supply, inc.
atlanta, go. • charlotte, n. c.
BOXOFFICE July 14, 1956 51

. .
. . . The
. . The
MIAMI
por Ihr next month or so regular Miami corre.spondcm
Kitty Harwood will be far
from her regular haunts, touring Europe with
her husband. The couple will fly from New
York to London, then from London to Paris.
Here they will acquire a Renault and tour
France, Germany. Switzerland and Italy.
Harwood wants to look at some of the battlefields
where he fought in World War II.
Kitty expects to be back in Miami early in
August . . . B. Earl Puckett. a member of the
board of directors of 20th-Fox. was here for
the dedication of the Jordan Marsh customer
yacht pier. He is chairman of the board
of Allied Stores Corp. of which Jordan Marsh
is the newest unit. Immediately after his
arrival at International Airport with his
family he was given a "barker" membership
in Vai-iety Tent 33. The presentation was
made by Maurey L. Ashmann, past chief
barker of Variety.
.
Reela Films of Miami has just finished a
series of sound-on-film TV trailers with
Red Grange. They will be used to promote
football games in the fall . . . The Riviera
Theatre in South Miami finally succumbed
to the demand for popcorn. It was about the
only first run house that didn't sell corn,
but it had to give in to the demands
Dave Martin, onetime advertising-publicity
manager for the Olympia Theatre, is vacationing
in Florida. For the last 11 years he
has been with MGM's advertising department
in Culver city.
Havana's biggest white elephant, the gigantic
Blanquita Thcatrf. buill by a Cuban
senator as a memorial to his wife, has been
leased to a sjaidicate of Cuban and American
businessmen for the production of films
by Miami Productions, Inc. The 6,750-seat
theatre, reputedly the world's largest, has
been a flop ever since its inception. Now,
however, with the recent interest in Cuban
locales for motion picture and television films,
it looks like it will pay off as a studio. The
syndicate, whose local members would "rather
not be mentioned," it is understood, has a
50-year lease on the premises. Miami Productions
hopes to move in by August.
Hal Carrington, producer for Nationwide
Pictures, has moved headquarters of the production
unit from New York to Coral Gables
Florida Theatre had a mobile float
for its promotion of "Trapeze." A bannered
truck, announcing the picture and playdates,
and containing zebras, lions and other papiermache
animals as well as live performers,
including a clown, slight-of-hand man and
woman balancer. Business was great,
especially with the Lions convention in town.
Special midnight shows were held for the
huge influx of visitors. Henry Cabot Lodge
and his wife were among the early viewers of
the film.
Oversized bookmarks were made up by
Florida State Theatres for "Moby Dick,"
which opened at the Olympic, Beach and
Gables. Displays were also set up In the
public library ... A special birthday luncheon
was held for District Manager Harry Botwick
by Florida State Miami office personnel.
There were two other honored guests at
the same party, Judy Botwick, Harry's
daughter, and Ralph Puckhaber, whose birthdays
fell on the same date.
Shirley Jones, star of "Oklahoma!" was
hosted to a press after-theatre party by
Florida State Theatres, whose Sheridan is
showiJig the film. Aside from newspaper interviews,
radio disk jockeys taped interviews
with Miss Jones, She was whizzed over to
Miami Beach for the party after her appearance
that night in the Orange Bowl
show for the Lions International.
The Gateway is losing three of its staff.
Susan Hyatt and Dick Anderson, candy sales
and usher, respectively, were among the graduating
class at Fort Lauderdale High School,
and in spite of their work at the theatre,
both received special recognition for outstanding
scholar.ship. Now Dick is entering
college and Susan is preparing for marriage.
The third member to leave is Louis Celozzi,
assistant manager, who has decided to return
to his former profession of teaching.
A tie-in between Lincoln road merchants
and theatres features 30-second trailers urging
people to patronize members of the
Lincoln Road Merchants Guild . . . Wometco
invited all taxi drivers to an 11:30 preview of
"The Catered Affair." Each driver could
bring a "fare" with him.
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Douglas Bullman
were married in Plymouth Congregational
church June 22. The father of the bride,
Byron Huffstuller, works at the Miracle Theatre
in Coral Gables . starting date for
John Ford's to-be-made-in-Florida produc-
JUNIOR JET ACE REPORTS MILLION KILLED
SPECIAL TO BOXOFFICE
According to news reports more than a million mosquitoes
were killed last night by the 4 year old ace shown
holding the DYNA FOG JUNIOR JET FOG GENERATOR
recently introduced. The 15 lb. edition of the new revolutionary
Jet Fog Generator holds more than 2 gallons of
insecticide, and will operate for over an hour with one
filling. Dense insect killing fog is possible with only one
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52 BOXOFFICE July 14, 1956

. . Stan
. . Walter
—
tion. "Wings of Eagles" depends upon when
there will be a Saratoga class carrier at the
Jacksonville Naval Air Station. Several of
the class are about to be auctioned for scrapping
and it is one of these which will be made
available for MGM and Ford. MGM is negotiating
to take space in Shanu-ock Studios
in Orlando for the local filming.
At a luncheon for Joel McCrea at the
Fontainebleau not long ago, Joel let slip the
line that he knew "movie business wasn't
so good right now." Immediately Howard Pettengill
and Al Weiss of Florida State Theatres
echoed the reply, "Not down here, Joel.
It's doing quite all right around here."
King-Sized Play Lots Now
SHREVEPORT, LA.—The recreation and
playground facihties at three Tom McElroy
drive-ins, the Sunset, Barksdale and the Don,
have been considerably expanded into kingsized
playgrounds. They now are equipped
with whirl-a-way rides, merry-go-rounds,
elephant-decorated slides, lai-ge swings and
smaller swings for infants and six pony
swings.
Widescreen for Decatur, Ala., Theatre
DECATUR, ALA.—Manager Bob Williams
has instituted a double feature policy at the
Roxy Theatre here. Williams also has
ordered a widescreen and hopes to have it
installed in the next month.
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.
206 Memorial Highway
Tompo, Florida Phone 8-S189
Mail Address: Box 375, Tompo 1, Flo.
JACKSONVILLE
Teanne Pottengill, attractive daughter of Howard
Pettengill, FST advertising chief in
south Florida, will be married to Joseph Anthony
Reinert at the Church of the Little
Flower in Coral Gables on the morning of
July 28. Mi.ss Pettengill formerly lived here
and worked in the film industry . . . Another
wedding of interest was that of Wilma Hettrick,
local Florida Theatre cashier, here on
July 10 to Bob Smith, former Florida assistant,
who came here for the maiTiage ceremony
after completing Air Force training in
Texas and before being transferred to Nagoya,
Japan. Bob hopes to re-enter theatre busine.ss
when he becomes a civilian again.
Saul Lett, Charlotte executive of Howco
Film Exchanges, was here for meetings with
Abner Camp, local manager, Roland Fairchild,
salesman from St. Petersburg, and
other fii-m members . Powell, 20th-
Fox salesman, returned from a tour of his
Arthur Davis,
south Georgia territory . . .
Gold Coast Pictures Co. of Coral Gables, was
in ... R. J. Ingram, Columbia Pictures, Atlanta,
and Marty Kutner, local manager,
made the rounds of circuit booking offices
with new product . . John Martin, Republic's
.
booker at Tampa, visited friends during his
vacation.
. . . J. L. D'Anna's
Jack Rigg, independent booker, has added
Bob Crawford's Riviera Theatre, Riviera
Beach, to his accounts
Palm Beach Drive-In, also at Riviera Beach.
is now being booked by Charley King of
Exhibitors Service . . . Capt. Hans G. Vige,
owner of the local Pinecrest Drive-In, continues
his daily newspaper ads while his
screen tower is being rebuilt. The screen was
leveled recently by high winds. The ads
simply state: "Closed for storm damage repair."
"Trapeze," first motion picture ever to be
shown here at two first run houses at the
same time, entered its second week at the
Joe Charles,
Five Points and St. Johns . . .
manager of the local Capitol Theatre, returned
from a weekend visit with the Foster
Hawthornes of the Capitol Theatre in Cleai'-
water Kramer was subbing for
.
Herb Roller, manager of the Edgewood Theatre,
while the latter vacationed in Orlando
. . . Clint Ezell. NXE executive, and his family
journeyed to their former home of Vero
Beach for a vacation with relatives ... St.
Augustine exhibitors Hoyt Yarbrough and E.
C. Kaniaris were here to make business calls.
outdoor theatre operations. Night after night
scattered .showers have kept away patrons
and seriously curtailed boxoffice receipts at
drive-ins of the area.
Dance Recital at Theatre
ISLAMORADA, FLA.—When MaJ. and Mrs.
Robert L. Duncan built the Cinemorado Theatre
here they offered it to area residents
for any civic event or entertainment at operational
costs only. The latest event to be given
at the theatre was a dance recital by the
Betsy Ann studio. All proceeds were used for
the Upper Keys Youth Center activities.
Fred Messenger has formed his own production
unit and has acquired "Gold Train"
as his first filmmaking venture.
'•^
/-^
mmk
• . . may we tell
you how we can help
you keep it full * . •
M HIE OUIUn ON A RAMPAGE!
PiNKEE
LEMONAD E
ROY SMITH CO.
TAMPA
JACKSONVILLE
Carlton J. Carter, Variety chief barker,
and Ted Chapeau, WJHP-TV executive who
is president of the Jacksonville Fair Ass'n,
are both optimistic over the prospects for a
successful and profitable fair this coming
autumn under Variety's sponsorship. They
and Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce associates
are expecting a gate of 125.000 persons
to view industrial and agricultural exhibits,
the Cetlin-Wilson midway .shows and
a first Southeastern Boating Exhibition. In
addition to his Variety and fair activities,
Carter is kept busy managing his Ribault and
Air Base drive-ins and his Service Concession
and Vending Co. which distributes Sun
Gleam drink syrups, pvaper goods and other
items to exhibitors.
Florida's rainy season began the latter half
of June and .soon became a major problem in
Write, wire or phone
Theatre Seat Service Co.
160 Hermitage Avenue
Nashville,
Phone: 5-8459
Tennessee
Tntemattonaf
^ SEAT
DIVISION OF
UNION CITY BODY COMPANY, INC.,
UNION CITY, INDIANA
BOXOFFICE :
: July 14, 1956
53

Phone:
. . . Sympathy
. . Bob
. . Among
. .
. .
. . .
Vacationing
. . Dan
. .
90^
Capt.^f

. . . Faye
. . Ned
: July
. . Alvin
. . From
MEMPHIS
f^
. . .
.
C. Hale likes rattlesnakes. At least that's
what he claims. Hale, of National Theatre
Supply's service department, is home
from a Texas vacation and guess what he
brought with him? That's right, four live
rattlesnakes. He caught them himself
Wanda Schroeder, secretary, and Sherlie
Ann Glosson, bookkeeper, are new employes
at National Fraser jr. is the new
owner of Lake Theatre at Lake City, Ark.
McPherson is the new telephone
operator and stenographer at 20th-Fox. She
succeeds Betty Jones who was promoted to
the booking department to succeed Lorraine
Stephens. Lorraine resigned recently to become
a fuUtime housewife.
VV. F. Ruffin jr. of Ruffin Amusements,
Covington, and Amelia Ellis of Ellis Drive-In,
Millington, were among west Tennessee exhibitors
visiting Filmrow . Tipton
of Tipton theatres. Caraway, Manila and
Monette: Moses Sliman and William Elias,
Murr Theatre and Elias Drive-In, Osceola;
W. C. Sumpter, LePanto Drive-In. LePanto.
and K. H. Kinney of Hays Theatre at Hughes
were in town from Ai'kansas . Mississippi
came Leon Rountree, Holly at Holly
Springs and Valley at Water Valley: L. P.
Foley. Palace. Tunica; Findley Moss, Ackerman,
Ackerman; A. N. Rossie. New Roxy.
Clarksdale: J. M. Mounger. Mart, Calhoun
City, and Frank Heard of Lee Drive-In at
Tupelo.
Top Mississippi Column
JACKSON, MISS.—N o r m a n Shavin's
amusements column, "Aisle Say," appearing
in the Jackson State Times, has been awarded
the Mississippi Press Ass'n first place citation
for the best among original daily columns
in Mississippi.
r7/au. (leceloe. .
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SPECIAL TRAILERS
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STRICKLAND FILM CO.
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N. Haven Roger Sherman
Marks 30th Anniversary
NEW HAVEN—The downtown SW Roger
Sherman Theatre is celebrating its 30th anniversary
a.s an entertainment center with a
"Summer Parade of Hits."
Manager irviiig hiilman has mapped out
an extensive campaign in connection with the
celeoraiion. Iwo payes ol cooperative advertising
in the morning Journal-Courier publicly
launched the anniversary.
Other newspaper breaks, radio and TV spot
aimouncements, tie-in windows and a banner
spanning the street in front of the Roger
Sherman, located on one of the city's principal
thoroughfares, also ai'e being utilized.
The "Summer Parade of Hits" was opened
with UA's "Trapeze." An attractive girl performed
on a trapeze set up on a flat-bed
truck that toured the area. Another vehicle
used in the promotion of "Trapeze" was a
gaudy, carnival truck that played recorded
calliope music.
Other films to be shown at the SW house
during the festival include "Santiago," "The
Great Locomotive Chase," "The Ambassador's
Daughter," "Moby Dick," "Away All Boats"
and "SatelUte in the Sky."
The Roger Sherman was the first local theatre
to have sound. It presented "The Jazz
Singer" and aJso introduced three-dimension
films to the city. The management actively
participates in civic and charitable efforts,
including the United Fund and Red Cross.
James Stewart to Report
For Reserve Training
SHREVEPORT—Jimmy Stewart, a colonel
in the reserves as well as a top-flight actor,
reported to Barksdale Air Force Base for
active training duty this month. Barksdale
was informed recently that the 48-year-old
screen star would fly here from the Strategic
Air Command headquarters at Offutt Air
Force Base. Neb.
Stewart, who flew B47 Stratojets in "Strategic
Air Command," will recheck out in the
big bombers while at the base. He'll also go
tiu'ough the altitude chamber and the B47
mobile training detachment just like any
other reservist pilot on active duty.
The star, who wears a Distinguished Flying
Cross on his bemedaled Air Force jacket,
arrived at Barksdale July 12.
Celebrates 5th Anniversary
With 7-Day Promotion
CHATTANOOGA—The 23rd Street Drive-
In celebrated its fifth anniversary with a
week-long program of special promotions.
On Sunday night all autos with license
numbers ending in "5" were admitted free. On
Monday the first 25 Fords in Une were admitted
free. Tuesday was "Pill the Car Night."
Wednesday all couples celebrating their fifth
wedding anniversary during the week were
admitted free. Thursday was "Lucky Night,"
introducing a new game. Friday night Luther
Masengill of station WDEF passed out 100
free tickets.
Prints Industry Release
APOPKA, FLA.—H. R. Johnson, owner of
the Municipal Theatre here, was instrumental
in planting an industry public relations release
on "What the Theatre Means to Your
Community" in the local newspaper, the
Chief, recently.
Trapeze' Soars to 400
For Memphis Record
MEMPHIS—Hous^ records
were broken by
the first week of "Ti-apeze" at Loew's Palace.
Attendance .skyrocketed to four times
average. "That Certain Feeling" did 15 per
cent above average at Strand, and "The
Searchers" did 5 per cent above average in
its third week at Warner.
(Averoge Is 100)
Maico—23 Paces to Boker Street (20tti-Fox) . . . . 75
Palace—Trapeze !UA) 400
State—Congo Croising (U-l) 50
Strand—Thot Ccrtoin Keeling (Para) 115
Warner—The Searchers (WB), 3rd wk 105
Stephen Longstreet will screenplay his
original "Gold Train," a Civil War drama.
Twm
HtoftUMqed
...HAVE YOU?
Sure, you're still selling entertainment,
but what else do you offer? Smart exhibitors
hove profited by letting us freshen-up
their theatre seats . . . replacing all worn
and broken parts. It costs so little and
there's no interruption of your show schedule.
Coll today for a free estimate.
May we give you
on estimate?
MANUFACTURERS
F'o^im Rubber li
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BOXOFFICE :
14, 1956 55

.
i
VOTE
Study the issues and the candidates—
and then decide where you stand
You wouldn't buy a new car without at least
driving it around the block.
You wouldn't buy a new house without
checking up on the neighborhood, the schools,
and any back taxes.
So vote— but don't vote in the dai'k in this
exciting election year.
Listen to what candidates are saying on TV
and radio.
Read your newspapers— especially the political
news and editorial page.
Talk things out with your neighbors over the
back fence and at the filling station on the corner.
Take part in the discussion group at your
church, club, lodge, or school.
Think about the issues and the candidates—
and then make up your own mind. Remember,
nobody is in that voting booth but you and your
conscience. Step behind that curtain with pride
on election day. Then vote as a free American.
5G
1
registered.
VOTER'S CHECKLIST
Be sure you're
2. Study the issues and
candidates. Go to rallies.
Ask questions. Read the
papers. Listen to speeches.
3. Mark up a sample ballot
in advance. (They are
published in the papers.)
4. Join your neighbors at
the polls on Election Day
November 6th.
Through the Courtesy of
BOXOFFICE
Is your
name
in the
book?
You can't vote if you're not registered.
You lock yourself out of the
polls, unless you're a registered
voter. And you and only you can
get your name in the Registration
Book. When they call the roll on
election day, will you be there? Do
you know anyone who won't?
BOXOFFICE
:
: July 14, 1956

—
Video Adds Theatres
In 2 Oklahoma Cities
OKLAHOMA CITY—Video Theatres, which
operates more than 200 theatres in 50 cities
in Oklahoma and Texas, has extended its
operations in Lawton and Chickasha.
Joe Turner, sole owner of the Lawton
Theatre Co., sold a major interest in the firm
to Video and J. R. Montgomery, Lawton
banker. Turner will retire from active operation
of the Dome and Murray theatres in
downtown Lawton, the Austin Drive-In, west
of the city, and the Vaska Theatre in the
suburban area. He will remain as a partner
of Video and Montgomery and serve on the
Video board of directors.
Mrs. Opal Gray announced she had sold
her Esquire in Chickasha to Video. She had
been in the theatre business there 23 years,
and built the Esquire 16 years ago on the site
of the old Pix. Video also operates the
Washita, Rialto and Chief Drive-In theatres
in Chickasha.
Employes involved in the two deals will
continue in operation of the theatres. Clyde
Walker will remain as city manager at Lawton
and Jack Peace as office manager there.
The Lawton theatres formerly were owned
by Mrs. Margaret Day, pioneer Lawtonian,
before she turned over the interests to
Turner, her grandson, ten years ago. The
Lawton Theatre was opened in 1929 and the
Dome in 1941.
San Antonio Light Asks
Removal of Ticket Tax
SAN ANTONIO—The San Antonio Light
editorially urged reforms in excise taxations
in a recent issue, placing particular emphasis
on the need for abandoning the federal
tax on theatre admittances.
"This tax," the editorial read, "pays the
government $80,000,000 a year. But it has
caused a dwindling patronage that threatens
the existence of motion picture theatres
worth $1,457,800,000.
"The country has 19,200 movie theatres.
Of these. 10,900 are in financial straits
5,200 are operating at a loss and 5.700 are
approaching the depressed status. Figures
show that the 10 per cent federal tax is a contributing
cause of the current distress.
"Movie houses have competition in television
and radio. Yet, they continue to be
the principal amusement source for millions
of families in the lower income groups.
"Taxing the recreation of these families
out of existence and. in so doing, destroying
a large taxpaying industry, along with thousands
of jobs, can be called anything but
sound economics or good government."
Ray Jones in New Offices
DALLAS—Ray Jones, Dallas district manager
of Continental Distributing, has opened
new offices at Suite 21-B, 2013'i Young St.
Area South, West of San Antonio
In Midst of Texas Worst Drouth
HOUSTON—About 30 per cent of the people
in 13 counties south and west of San Antonio
are being fed on the bread line as a
result of the longest drouth in Texas history,
Leon Hale relates in a recent article in the
Houston Post following an on-the-spot survey.
Of 15,000 people in Karnes County, 9,000
are on government relief. Hale reports.
The drouth has extended from four to
seven years. In some area-s the land is so dry
it has become like flour and isn't even
planted any more. The only hope now is a
long period of fine, misty winter rains.
FEAR HEAVY RAIN
"'The most disastrous thing that could happen
to us right now," said Lee Pope, a farmer
a few miles out of Three Rivers in Live Oak
County, "would be a hard five-inch rain. It
would wash these farms completely away. The
land just couldn't take it.
"Did you ever E>our a little water on a
handful of flour? Then you know the water
only rolls off the flour. It's the same way
with this soil. A real hard rain would ruin
us."
Hale relates he talked with ranchers and
farmers, once well to do, who are now operating
service stations, working with picks and
shovels at air bases or laboring in oil fields.
"We saw parts of ranches in Webb County,
near Laredo, which haven't had as
much as
a single measured inch of rain in three years.
And we saw adjoining land that didn't look
any better, even though it has had a few
inches of moisture in that period. We saw
farm houses deserted, with topsoil drifting
over the doorsteps and beginning to cover
up farm implements left idle in the fields.
"We saw livestock men who, for the past
three to five years, have spent $5 a month
feeding a range cow that is now worth about
$35 on the market.
FARMER CREDIT EXHAUSTED
"We saw men who, in battling this drouth,
have spent all they acquired over 45 years of
hard work, and who have borrowed until the
banks and other lending agencies—being in
a pinch themselves—can help them no more.
"And we've talked to merchants in drouth
towns who have extended credit until they
can no longer do it and stay in business.
"How long has this been going on? There
in the powdery field at Three Rivers, Lee
Pope said: 'The last time this land had a
good moisture season was 1949. It was dry in
'50, '51 and '52, but we got by. Prices were
pretty good.
" 'But from there on, it didn't rain enough
to raise anything, and the market on farm
products slumped, too. So the worst of It began."
"Now Lee Pope is not one of the hard hit
farmers, becau.se he went to work in Three
Rivers two years ago and quit farming. H«
idled his three farms that once kept three
tenant families working. Now those families
are gone, off somewhere to find work. Or
probably eating out of the bread line down at
George West, Live Oak County seat.
"To look at some of this drouth, we went
west to San Antonio and on to Uvalde, then
south through Crystal City and Carrizo Springs
to Laredo. Then back up through George
West, Karnes City and Cuero."
Variety of Oklahoma
Starts on Big Derby
OKLAHOMA CITY—Eddie Thome, former
general manager of Cooper Foundation Theatres
who recently resigned from Sindlinger
& Co., was appointed executive director of
Variety Tent 22 of Oklahoma at a general
membership meeting of the club in the Biltmore
Hotel Monday night. Thome replaces
Connie Riggs who resigned in June.
The meeting was held as a kickoff for the
Turtle Derby to be held in the Oklahoma
City Coliseum Saturday night, September 15.
This will be the 14th annual Turtle Derby,
with one exception. No Turtle Derby was
held in 1955, but the club gave away an oil
well, or rather tried to. but the winner,
Johnny Laughlin, decided to take $5,000 in
cash in lieu of the oil well. The club still
has the oil well and is getting monthly returns
from it at present.
Don Tullis. Warner Bros, manager here,
is chief barker. R. Lewis Bai-ton, owner and
operator of 15 theatres and drive-ins in Oklahoma
City, is the general chairman of the
Turtle Derby committee and his co-chairmen
are Charles Hudgens, David Hunt and William
Lewis, the latter one of the associate
members.
A $10 donation to the club's charity fund
entitles the contributor to a turtle entry in the
race. The person whose turtle wins the race
receives a 1956 Lincoln Premiere as a prize.
Second place winner receives a $1,000 bond
and third prize is a $500 bond.
GOOD REASONS
FOR
OROERINa YOUII
SPECIAL
TRAILERS
\____CiSO-'^ VA BOONTON. N. J.
Large Core
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Even\y Distributed
in Texas—STERLING SALES & SERVICE, Dallas—Tel. Prospect 3191
TEXAS PROJECTOR CARBON, Dallas— Riverside 3807
n Oklohoma—OKLAHOMA THEATRE SUPPLY CO., 628 West Grand
Ave., Oklahoma City 2, Oklahoma
BOXOFFICE July 14. 1956 sw 57

MOSf /NG
THROUGH
pDDIE COURTNEY (Mrs.) has run the three
downtown Mineral Wells theatres since
her hu>band James B. died early last year.
Tlie Courtney family has had theatre
interests at the health spa since 1930. when
J. W. Courtney came to town after running
houses in Weatherford and Sweetwater. He
actively managed them himself until his
retirement in 1942. His son continued on in
that capacity until his death.
Aside from the resort popularity it has
enjoyed for many years. Mineral Wells also is
the home of Wolters Air Force base.
Mrs. Courtney runs the Grand on a de luxe
first run policy, with a Saturday night midnight
preview. Her office is located down
the street in the Brazos, a family-type theatre,
which has been remodeled since it was
purchased from the Phil Isley Theatres after
World War II. Across the street is the Ritz.
which is open only on weekends.
She has instituted a Tuesday only single
attraction at the Brazos and bills it as
Bargain Day. The regular admission is
dropped to 15 cents per adult ticket and it
has stimulated midweek attendance. At the
same theatre a special kid show feature is
used each Saturday morning at 25 cents admission
and the youngsters are permitted to
remain for the regular program without a
break.
While her Grand and Brazos operate with
single bills, the Ritz is booked with a double
feature every Saturday and Sunday. She has
one drive-in as opposition. The theatres are
Central & West Texas
.Hv E.MiL MOSELFY.
MK. .\ND MRS. L.
E. HOLLOWAY
in partnership with Rowley United Theatres.
Aside from weekly program cards, Mrs.
Courtney uses another very appealing advertising
gimmick: that of situating an 11x14-
inch frame at an advantageous point in each
of the theatres to plug the attraction currently
showing at. another house. Bill posting
is also done effectively for the Grand playdates.
She is the daughter of a retired Methodist
minister who lives at Cleburne, and she has
a son who recently was 15 years old.
While all Fort Worth drive-ins run double
tcaturt- programs, Uiere are occasions when
the bill is expanded for special bookings that
can be exploited for better boxoffice receipts.
Phil Isley's Riverside and Westerner used
three Universal features for Audie Murphy
Day. Managers Landrum and Durham
worked out their adverti.sing campaign thusly:
"In honor of World War II's most decorated
hero, we are giving our patrons three of iiis
best pictures to enjoy." The pictures were
"To Hell and Back," "Tumbleweed" and
"Gunsmoke."
Later, Lone Star's Pike Drive-In ran a
four feature, $1 per carload program captioned
"Teenage Terrorist Hits." E. L. Pack's Dallas
highway underskyer ran "Mad at the World,"
"Jail Bait," "Dead End" and "So Young, So
Bad."
In nearby Arlington, Glen Stoterau
.screened a "Giant Spookathon of Five Horrific
Sliows," consisting of "The Mummy's Ghost,"
"Dracula's Daughter," "The Ghost of Frankenstein,"
"The Black Cat" and "Night
Monster" at Charles Weisenburg's Arlington
Drive-In until the wee hours of the morning
on a one complete showing basis. The admission
was 80 cents per carload.
L. E. HoUoway has been in and out of show
business since 1919, when he went into his
first projection room at Leonard, Tex. In
it for good now, he is projectionist at the
Fort Worth Como Theatre.
After working at the Murray Gin Co. and
a Henryetta cafe in 1925, he went into the
booth at the Liberty in Graham for the late
W. S. Wilke in January 1926, and to the
American in Bonham for Maj. H. S. Cole in
JUNIOR JET ACE REPORTS MILLION KILLED
SPECIAL TO BOXOFFICE
According to news reports more than a million mosquitoes
were killed last night by the 4 year old ace shown
holding the DYNA FOG JUNIOR JET FOG GKNERATOR
recently introduced. The 15 lb. edition of the new revolutionary
Jet Fog Generator holds more than 2 gallons of
insecticide, and will operate for over an hour with one
filling. Dense insect killing fog is possible with only one
moving part, no lubricating, no moving parts. This is the
American made champion, professional mosquito control
men, pest control operators, cities, counties and public
PUBLIC
CApitol 3-3421
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FORMULATIONS — WEED
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58 BOXOFFICE July 14, 1956

. . Mark
. . King
. . The
1928. He returned to Wilke at Graham in
1934. In Bonham again in 1936, he went to
work in a garage.
Holloway left tlie garage a year later for
employment in Robert Hook's Lenora Theatre
in Mineola. He left the theatre busine.s.s until
January 1943, when he went into Griffith's
Rodeo Theatre in Oklahoma City. He was
transferred to Seminole 18 month.s later under
Paul Shipley. He followed other lines of work
for several years, then in December 1948. he
went into the Rio Grande Valley and took
the Sky Vue Drive-In booth job between Elsa
and Weslaco for Jewell Archer. Later, he
worked at Interstate's Strand at Harlingen,
becoming a member of lATSE Local 688.
Holloway went to Fort Worth in 1950
and decided to make it his home. Having
been employed at the Como previously, he
also worked at the Grand five years, where
his wife has been assistant to W. D. Hightower
for some time.
Ruth Wafford and J. T. Orr of the Dallas
Plaza have made practical use of a display
rack standee for Saturday, Sunday and Monday
playdates at low cost to the advertising
budget. The expense entails less than a
quarter per week for materials.
The plywood board is 40x60 inches in size
and the two feature bookings are ballyhooed
together with the use of National Screen
Service one-sheets and pressbooks, a pair of
scissors and staples. While some of the layouts
are more attractive than others, the
overall effect is eye-catching. Since neither
of them is a professional letter artist, no
additional copy is used, with the cutouts
posted underneath the playdate copy.
Most of the material is gleaned from the
various pressbooks for the attractions but,
when they are not suitable, the one-sheet
is cut for title, cast and player outlines. The
"dolls" are thence stapled strategically to the
board and placed in the inner lobby. When
the run begins, the cutouts are removed carefully
so that the new attractions can be
plugged on the same board. The board itself
is painted to match the decor of the lobby.
When suitable material can be gained from
the pressbooks for both attractions, there is
no cost attached to the layout. The pressbooks
are gratis to exhibitors.
Bill Jensen Reopens Pix
WEWOKA, OKLA.— Bill Jensen reopened
the Pix Theatre here, welcoming "all kids
from one to 100 years" to a free show to
celebrate the occasion. Jensen, who formerly
operated the Pix, bought it back late in May
and closed the house for a thorough overhauling,
including the installation of a widescreen.
HOUSTON
Tn the coincidence department:
On the back
of the page carrying the industry profile
of Interstate's Art Katzcn in last week's
BOXOFFICE was a story about a Moline,
111. theatreman, W.I. Brotman. The Brotmans
were customers of a delicatessen operated
by Mrs. Katzen's parents. One day while delivering
some goods to their home Bert (Mrs.
Katzen) had stationwagon trouble and had
to stay around the Brotman house for a
couple of hours. She feels sure that was the
thing that made them remember her so well,
and so arrange a meeting with the then
young MGM publicity man Art Katzen when
he was in Rock Island on business.
. . . Virginia Drane Mc-
Art and Bert Katzen went to Dallas over
the Fourth. It was business combined with
pleasure, to meet with other press folk and
Kim Novak there in connection with "The
Eddy Duchin Story," due at the Metropolitan
here on the 25th
Callon, fashion editor for the Houston Post,
helped County Judge Bob Casey officiate
at the ribbon-cutting formal opening of a
new Western Auto store the other day. She's
the attractive wife of Loew's State Theatre
Manager Homer McCallon.
These hot days it's refreshing to call Loew's
and get for an answer, "Good morning, cool
Loew's State Theatre" . Sheridan,
district manager of 20th-Fox, was in town
a couple of days on business .
Center
Twin Drive-In was showing "The Witch,"
recommended for adults only . Hempstead,
Ii-vington and Pasadena drive-ins
arranged Kiddy Cartoon Carnivals beginning
at 7:45.
"EXTRAORDINARY!
"
BRILUANJr
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Joe Traveno, an assistant at the Majestic,
finished a mortician's schooling, took hLs
state board Monday (9), and then left for
Brownsville to enter the profession . . .
Metropolitan Theatre assistant Joe Adzgery
and hLs wife were vacationing with her
Mrs. Ruby Gibson.
parents In east Texa.s . . .
Navaway Theatre owner, returned from a
vacation, visiting with relatives In Los Angeles,
Long Beach, San Diego, Las Vegas
and Dallas.
Harold K. Shelton won the Cadillac at
Variety Club's drawing at a luncheon In the
clubrooms Thursday ARC CONTROLS
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^

. . The
. . George
. .
. . Arnulfo
. . Exhibitors
. .
Tulsa Convention Marks
UTO's First Anniversary
OKLAHOMA CITY—Directors of the
United Theatre Owners of Oklahoma completed
final arrangements for the first anniversary
convention in Tiilsa Tuesday (17>,
and sent out last-minute attendance pUiggers.
Attending the Monday meeting were
Bernard McKenna. Claude Motley. Dick
Thompson. Eddie Jones. Earl Snyder jr. and
E. R. "Red" Slocum.
The anniversary session program includes
a morning screening of "Oklahoma!" at the
Rialto Theatre, courtesy of Jack and Jim
Hull. The business session will open at 1:30
at the Tulsa Indian Hills Country Club.
There will be golfing for the men. swimming
for the women, supervi-sed swimming for
children, a refreshment hour from 7 to 8 p.m..
an 8 to 9 p.m. industry dinner, and an industry
dance from 9 p.m. to midnight. Fee is
S7.50 for man and wife: $5 for a single man,
S3. 75 for a single woman. Accommodations
for both men and women for showers, changing
clothes, etc.. are available at the Indian
HUls Country Club.
Scheduled at the business session are
speeches by Julius Gordon, who will speak
on "The Washington Fracas and Government
Controlled Film Rentals"; Al Reynolds, speak-
As a screen game,
HOLLYWOOD takes top
honors. As a box-office attraction,
it is without equal. It has
leen a favorite with theatre goers for
over 1 5 years. Write today for complete defails.
Be sure to give seating or car capacity.
HOLLYWOOD AMUSEMENT CO.
3750 Oakton St. • Skokie. Illinois
__
TV WON'T GET
fOM DOWN IF
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TRAILERS
THE SUPER-SELLING KIND. from
IliillFltilW
I2S HYDE STREET, SAN FRANCISCO (1) CALIFORNIA
ing on "The Thrillarama Story": Gordon
Leonard, who.se topic is "Oklahoma's 50th
Anniversary—Your Theatre and You." and
Ed Thorne. on "The Al Sindlinger Story on
the Local Level in Oklahoma."
SAN ANTONIO
.
Jit least a dozen Texas towns reported 100
degree temperatures or over last week,
which sent the business barometer up at
many boxoffices . . Miss America Martin,
Mexican-born film
.
and TV star was in . . .
The Paramount. Austin, had a Tom and Jerry
cartoon show- with a free gift for each
youngster paying 25 cents admission
Fourth of July business was about average
at the first run theatres here. Leading the
parade was "The Eddy Duchin Story" at
the Aztec. Coming in for a close second was
"Ti-apeze" at the Majestic.
Gerald Ashford, film critic for the San
Antonio Express and News, is spending a
portion of his vacation seeing the shows and
plays in Dallas . Kaczmar, manager
of the Empire, double-billed two space
thrillers: namely, "Red Planet Mars" and
"Rocket Ship" for a midweek holiday run.
The first 50 youngsters bringing the current
Empire advertisement to the theatre on that
day were admitted free of charge.
Eph Charninsky, retired veteran theatre
operator, has become a great-grandfather.
His granddaughter. Libby Ann Cohn. gave
birth to a baby son at Port Arthur last week
. . . Jeff Smith of Texas Sound Studios has
been named chairman of the newly formed
High-Fidelity Council of South Texas . . .
The South Loop 13 Drive-In billed a ten-unit
July Fourth Moviethon.
Fern Chick, radio-television columnist for
the San Antonio Evening News, returned
f;'om a holiday in Dallas where she interviewed
Kim Novak who was there to spark
her first Texas opening of "The Eddy Duchin
Story" . . . Leonard "Tex" Sneed, RKO-Pathe
newsreel cameraman, was a recent visitor.
The Starlite Drive-In at nearby Schertz, held
a gigantic fireworks display for their onehour
intermission on the Fourth.
. . Sid Goldstein
.
A weekend horror show at the Empire ran
four hours and a half. There were four
features on the program .
of Radiant Screen Mfg. Co., Dallas, was a
recent visitor at Independent Theatre Supply
Co. here first free Moviette for
kiddies while their parents shopped in Las
Palmas community center was held there
July 5. L. R. Pletz of Moviette here plans to
expand these 16mm shows in other rural
shopping centers in the near future. The
name is copyrighted and is sponsored by
merchants in the Culebra Road shopping
district.
Vundalism ran wild at the South Loop 13
Dnvc-In here early Friday morning when the
culprits entered the grounds and wrecked
motion picture projectors and other equipment.
Police estimated the loss at around
$1,000. Incidentally, one of the pictures that
was being shown was "Running Wild" .
Joe Rodriguez of the Azteca Films shipping
department was on a vacation . . . Visitors to
the exchanges were few and far between
since Independence Day hit .square in the
middle of the week. In town to book and
buy Mexican pictures were Bob Otwell of
the San Marcos Theatres at San Marcos;
Manuel Womble. the Royal, La Feria, and
T. J. "Stout" Jackson, who has theatres in
Kobstown. Falfurrias and other south Texas
towns . Arias, a.s,sistant booker
at Azteca, was spending his vacation in
Guanajuato, Mexico.
OKLAHOMA CITY
/"• L. Lance has sold the Palace Theatre and
Canadian Drive-In at Canadian. Tex., to
Frank F. McMordie. Booking for the two
theatres will be handled by the A&O Booking
Service here . . . Also changing owners is the
Grand at Locust Grove. T. V. Terbush
recently bought the theatre from Claud
Callahan.
Billie Robertson, secretary to the bookers
at Warner Bros., was married June 30 to Bill
New at
Burkett of Oklahoma City . . .
Warners is Delores Jun. biller . .
Mahaney. AA salesman, and
. Everett
family, on his
recent vacation trip to California, visited the
set of "The Pinkerton Man," starring George
Montgomery.
Vacationing on Filmrow were booker Jerry
Malone of Allied Artists; Nina Davis, cashier
at Warners, and Mrs. Nina Milner. cashier for
Screen Guild. Mrs. Milner reports she'll be
glad to get back on the job—she's taking care
of her grandchildren during her vacation!
Seen on Filmrow was Cotton Martin,
former owner of the Alamo and Franroy
theatres at Snyder . in town
included Delton Moody, manager of Brewer
Amusement Co.. Pauls Valley; R. M. Downing.
Collinsville: Jack Hankins, Lawton; J. G.
Millirons. Snyder; B. J. McKenna. Norman;
Don Cole. El Reno; Amas Page, McLean. Tex.;
Henry Simpson. Bristow; Earl Snyder, Tulsa;
Eddie Jones, Sand Springs; Levi Metcalf,
Purcell; E. B. Anderson, Ardmore; Walsie
Campbell, Wynnewood; Bill Boren, Memphis,
Tex.; Truman Ellerd, Blanchard; O. T.
Matthews. Prague, and R. R. McCoy. Edmond.
Lou Walters Opens Shop
DALLAS—Lou Walters has completed a
new building at 8548 San Fernando Way here
to house his projector repair shop. Walters
has been associated with a local supply house
in years past and has now entered the repair
business independently, feeling that his services
can be better utilized by the trade.
He has been a Simplex speciahst. however,
all makes of projectors, arc controls, lamphouses,
soundheads, etc.. will be repaired at
his new address.
BUFFALO COOLING EQUIPMENT
3409 Ook Lown, Room 107 BUFFALO ENGINEERING CO., INC Dallas, Texof
Lions Pin to Lew Bray Jr.
MCALLEN. TEX.—Lew Bray jr.. manager
of the Queen Theatre, recently was awarded
a Lions Club perfect attendance pin at the
end of his first year's membership.
60 BOXOFFICE July 14, 1956

—
— —
Trapeze' Fills Omaha
Theatre, Scoring 240
OMAHA—The 2,000-seat Omaha Theatre
needed its room for several packed showings
as "Trapeze" opened last week. Manager Carl
Hoffman announced the first week's average
at 240 per cent. The State went slightly
below average figiues as "The Searchers" completed
its fourth week.
.
(Averoge Is 100)
Admiral-Chiet High Noon (UA); reissue 90
Brandeis Bhowoni Junction (MGM), 2nd wk 80
Omaho Trapeze (UA) 240
Orpheum The Proud Ones (20th-Fox); Hilda
, Crane (20th-Fox) 80
State The Searchers (WB), 4th wk 90
Bob Hope and "Feeling'
Make Joy at Mill City
MINNEAPOLIS—What with three of the
four new bills hitting a fast pace, the boxoffice
was brighter hued. "That Certain
Peeling," "The Fastest Gun Alive" and "The
Great Locomotive Chase" were the healthy
fresh arrivals. Helped by the opening night
personal appearance of Bob Hope, its star,
"Feeling" took the money lead. Two holdovers,
"The Searchers" and "Ti-apeze," in
their sixth and second weeks, respectively.
continued in the big money.
Gopher The Fastest Gun Alive (MGM) 125
Whispering Smith (Para); Streets of Laredo
Lyric
(Poro), reissues 90
Orpheum The Great Locomotive Chase (BV) 100
Radio City Trapeze (UA), 2nd wk 1 50
Pan—The Searchers (WB), 6th wk 100
State—That Certain Feeling (Para) 125
World The Catered Affair (MGM), 2nd wk 90
Carl Rose Leaves Industry
After 40-Year Career
YORK, NEB.—Carl Rose recently resigned
his position as manager of the York theatres
to take over as steward and secretary of
the Elks Lodge 1024 of this city. His new
duties began July 1.
Termination of the local manager's affiliation
with Central States Theatre Corp. of
Des Moines, operator of the Sun Theatre and
the Pines Drive-In at York, brings to a close
40 years of work in the theatre for Rose. He
started in 1917 at Grand Island when he became
projectionist at the Empress Theatre.
In 1926 he assumed the management and
latier served in a like position at the Majestic
Theatre at Grand Island.
In 1928 he went to Columbus as manager
of the Swan Theatre for a Des Moines circuit.
He has served as theatre manager in
Norfolk, Kearney, Chariton and Marshalltown,
Iowa, and in 1932 was sent to Hastings
to reopen a theatre. Two years later he and
his family moved to York where they have
since made their home. A successor to Rose
had not as yet been named by the circuit.
Iron Ore Miners to Shows
On Credit During Strike
MINNEAPOLIS—Woody Fraught, Minnesota
Amusement Co. district manager and the
managers of the theatres at Bemidji and
Virginia, Minn., have extended admis-sion
credit to iron ore miners and their families
during the steel strike, it was announced by
Charlie Winchell, MAC president here.
The miners and their wives and children
are admitted to the MAC (United Paramount)
theatres in the two towns on presentation of
their union identification cards. After the
miners return to work they'll be billed and
have 30 days to pay, says Winchell.
Patron Wouldn't Want
To Waste His Time
Omaha—Herman (iould, e.xhibitor at
the 84th and Center Street Drive-In,
answered hi.s phone July 4 and was asked
if he was going: to have a fireworks display.
He said he wa.s.
"Is it going to be in Technicolor?"
the voice asked.
"You bet," answered Herman. "And
widescreen, too!"
Free Parking Offered
By Downtown Houses
MINNEAPOLIS—Fre« parking, which has
been in vogue generally at Twin Cities
neighborhood theatres, promises to be the
thing downtown, too. The Minneapolis and
St. Paul Worlds, operated by Ted Mann,
started it in their downtowii houses and now
the Minnesota Amusement Co. has inaugurated
it for its two St. Paul Loop houses, the
Pai-amount and Riviera. It'll be launched
for the three Minneapolis Loop houses within
a month, according to Charles Winchell, MAC
president-general manager.
It's expected that the other Minneapolis
and St. Paul downtown theatres also will
fall in line. The gratis paridng in lots near
the theatres is the result of deals made with
the parking lot owners. The Minneapolis
and St. Paul Worlds free parking starts at
5 p.m. daily. That of the MAC houses begins
at 3 p.m. MAC also is instituting a 50-cent
bargain admission to 1 p.m. daily. Otherwise
the regular 85 cents-$l scales will continue.
Bob Hope Is Sure Films
Will Survive Video
MINNEAPOLIS—Bob Hope is confident
that films on theatre screens will survive any
and all competition that TV will be able to
throw at them, including the not-so-old
Hollywood pictures that will be increasingly
on video.
Here for appearances at the Minneapolis
State and St. Paul Paramount on the opening
night of his latest picture, "That Certain
Feeling," the famous comedian-producer said
he has no intention of retiring as a producer
or actor in pictures for theatres. However,
he shares the belief there'll be considerably
fewer theatres and pictures and he thinics
that many of the smaller communities will
have to look to TV for their screen fare.
It's Hope's belief that more and more,
as in the case currently, only the exceptionally
meritorious pictures will be big boxoffice.
He feels producers always will be willing to
gamble on hitting the theatre jackpot. He
cited the fact that his own "Seven Little
Foys" will gross $6,000,000.
Hope believes that population growth will
help to offset theatre patronage losses due to
TV and other causes.
Army Equipment in Lobby
BARABOO, WIS.—To call attention to tlie
new film, "D-Day the Sixth of June," Manager
W. P. Moyle of the Al Ringllng Theatre
arranged for a display of army equipment
from Camp McCoy. Five soldiers from McCoy
were on hand to explain the workings of the
mortars, machine guns and 105 recoiless rifle
to theatre patrons.
Three Houses Close
In Milwaukee Area
MILWAUKEE—"Conditions have not improved,"
said Harold J. Pearson, executive
secretary for Allied of Wisconsin this week in
revealing that three more area theatres had
been shuttered.
Latest to close, according to Pearson, are
the Climax Theatre, operated by Jim Doctor;
the Comet, operated by A. J. Honthamer, and
the Liberty, operated by Charlie Fox.
Pearson said several other theatre owners
are considering .seriously opening on weekends
only because of the pinch afflicting the entire
industry. Pearson pointed to the admissions
tax as one of the great difficulties which
must be overcome.
Among the houses in this area already
closed are the Alamo, Mozart, Bay, State,
Kosciuszko, Lyric, Mars, Mirth, Oakland, Park,
Riviera, Shorewood, Tivoli, Venetian, Atlantic,
Zenith and Empress.
MINtflEAPOLIS—Patronage declines continued
to cause some small town theatre
shutterings in this territory. Quits have been
called by showhouses in LeRoy and Barnsville,
Minn., at Bismarck, N. D., and at Wittenburg.
Wis.
As a partial offset to these closings the
Legion Theatre at Michigan City, N. D., has
reop>ened after being dark for some time.
Drouth in Dakota Areas
Spots North Central Map
MINNEAPOLIS—A disturbing note in some
parts of this territory is sounded by adverse
crop outlook reports, with large North and
South Dakota areas still needing moisture
despite widespread rainfall elsewhere.
Attention to this situation is called by the
Minneapolis district Federal Reserve bank's
current monthly review, which also states
that in other areas, which became drouthstricken
early in June, the rains, when they
came were too heavy and prolonged and
caused considerable damage. In sections
around Minneapolis, too, there has been
recent heavy hail damage.
The review, however, states that, despite
the drouth, northwest business at midyear
remains at prosperity levels, with bank
debits, reflecting business activity, and department
store sales at record levels for May,
early June employment figures 3 to 5 per
cent over last year, and unemployment down
15 per cent.
Omaha MGM Office Gives
Itself a Farewell Party
OMAHA—The MGM staff held what probably
was the last office social function as a
group.
A smorgasbord luncheon was arranged
in the assembly room with a dozen varieties
of cheeses, meats, pastries and tidbits. The
event was held before the departure of Rich
Wilson, salesman, who will report to Cincinnati
after a Minnesota vacation.
The MGM office is closing at the end
of the month, with Vince FIj-nn, manager,
taking over the consolidated office in Des
Moines. Johnny Jones, booker, and Bill
Taylor of the custodial staff will go to Des
Moines. MGM still will have two salesmen
working the Nebraska -South Dakota-western
Iowa territory as usual.
BOXOFFICE :
; July 14, 1956
NC 64

. . Darlene
. .
Edna
. . Bob
. .
OMAHA
pdna Nass, finishing up her last week as
Republic office manager, looked out the
window of the exchange to see her car being
driven off by a man and woman. Edna
made it around the office enclosure and out
the door yelling: "Stop, that's my car!"
Meanwhile, cashier Eleanor Hunt had grabbed
the phone and called police. The couple
sped through a green light, outdistancing
Miss Nass. A few minutes later police found
the car. a Chevy hardtop, at the curb a few
blocks away where the frightened thieves had
parked it.
Mr. and Mrs. Reggie Gannon, exhibitors at
Schuyler, report their 17-month-old son
Shane is recovering from second degree burns.
Shane turned on the hot water tap while in
the bathtub Nelson Force,
.
former Theatre Booking Service and Warner
Bros, secretary, is filling in for Tillie Fowler
of RKO during vacation.
.\rnoId Johnson, exhibitor at Onawa, Iowa,
reports the addition of a calf and the departure
of a male sheep at his farm. Pat
Halloran. 20th-Fox salesman, cheered both
events—particularly the departure of the
ram. which he had "met" while visiting the
farm one day. The ram connected with
Halloran's pasterior when Pat was not looking.
Maury Rosenblatt, Allied Artists salesman,
was transferred to Washington and drove a
company car back to his new position last
week Helen Newman, AA office manager,
spent part of her vacation in Chicago following
a company bookers meeting there .
Harry Wood and Bill Wiedig, 20th-Fox
auditors, have been working in the Omaha
exchange.
Mrs. Esther Green of FEPCO may add
writing to her list of activities. A former
Omahan, Bea Cheescbrough, now a resident
of Des Moines and active in TV writing, read
one of Mrs. Green's articles and has offered
to help her try some short stories. Bea has
had 12 stories published Nass,
.
former office manager for Republic, started
her new job as 20th-Fox booker last week
like an old hand. The Republic branch now
is
closed.
Omaha golfers came out on top in the
Variety Club stag at the Field Club. Meyer
Stern was presented with a briefcase after
the chicken dinner. The outing, called Meyer
Stern Day, had a good attendance in spite of
a heavy rain . . . The Pai-amount staff held
its annual summer picnic last week . . Erma
.
DeLand, United Artists booker, is sight.seeing
and visiting relatives in Boulder, Colo.
Bill Schaefer, MOM press representative
for Omaha and Des Moines, did a bang-up
window dressing job with Debbie Reynolds'
wedding dress at the Brandeis store . . .
Allied Artists exchange now has air conditioning
.. . Gladys Pullman, 20th-Fox inspector,
was vacationing in Minnesota .
Hirz,
Warner office manager-salesman, and his
family are In the Black Hills vacationing.
Exhibitors in town included Sid Metcalf,
Nebraska City; Howell Roberts, Wahoo; Mr.
and Mrs. Dick Lysinger. Ravenna; Mr. and
Mrs. Fred Schuler. Humboldt; Paul Tramp,
Oxford; lowans Roy Warfield, Sioux City:
Arnold John.son, Onawa; Dick Johnson and
Prank Good. Red Oak. and Ed Kugel, Holstein.
Leo Ross Urges Unifying
To Bring Back Patrons
MINNEAPOLIS—Leo Ross, president of a
large circuit of small town theatres, wants
exhibitors and film companies to quit fighting
among themselves and combine forces to obtain
repeal of the remaining 10 per cent admission
tax, then, after that's accomplished,
use the $200,000,000 which would accrue to
the industry to sell motion pictures in theatres
to the public.
"If something big isn't done to bring people
back into the showhouses," he declared, "we'll
all be out of business in six months. With
grosses at their present level we don't have
enough money to pay running expenses. But
we can't expect the government or film companies
to subsidize our losses."
Ross said that "the exhibitor and the distributor
have been fighting each other for
many years to no avail" and he thinks it's
time now for peace to be declared so that
forces can be combined in a proposed drive
to bring people back to the theatres.
Orleans, Neb., Exhibitor
Moves to St. Joseph, Mo.
ORLEANS, NEB.—The Orleans Theatre
after Hal and Fern
here went dark recently,
Burright decided to spend full time managing
the Orpheum Theatre in St. Joseph, Mo. Mrs.
Burright said the decision had been forced
on the family by declining patronage here
the past two years.
Burright has been managing the Orpheum
in St. Joseph for a year and four months,
while Mrs. Burright and the three daughters
have remained in Orleans to operate the local
theatre. The Burrights plan to make their
future home in St. Joseph. They had operated
the Orleans since Mar. 1, 1946.
62
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Janesville, Wis., Apollo
Sold to Realty Company
JANESVILLE, WIS.—The Apollo Theatre
building here has been purchased by the Cullen
Realty Co. and will be remodeled into a
three-story office building. The property was
purchased from Mrs. Marcia Larsen, Green
Bay, and Mrs. Joan Eberlein, Shawano, heirs
to the estates of Mr. and Mi-s. Edward Litts.
The women are daughters of the Litts, who
were among eight killed in Rock County's
worst traffic tragedy in history last July.
The building was erected in 1912 by the
late W. T. Sherer, father of Mrs. Litts. It
was operated as a theatre until a few years
ago, when it was closed.
Air Condition Appleton House
APPLETON, WIS.—The Appleton Theatre
here has been air conditioned at a cost of
about $30,000, according to Manager Robert
Racker.
BOXOFFICE
:
: July 14, 1956

. . . Bob
. . Ben
. . The
. . Ben
. . The
. . Gene
. .
.
.
. . Bob
MINNEAPOLIS
pxploiteer Don Walker was In town in behalf
of "Moby Dick," which opens this month
at the Minneapolis Radio City and St. Paul
Paramount day and date . Sichelman,
Columbia home office auditor, was a visitor
Hope was in town for a day and
made appearances on the Minneapolis State
and St. Paul Paramount stages in addition
to being on TV and the radio to plug "That
Certain Feeling."
Victoria Shaw, who plays one of the lead
feminine roles in "The Eddy Duchln Story,"
was here in behalf of that picture, slated for
the Minneapolis and St. Paul Orpheums day
and date . . . MGM salesman LeRoy Smith
reports the fishing is great at the Canadian
lakes 60 miles out of Port Arthur where he
just spent a week. He and his party quickly
caught the legal limit.
Chiclt Evens, 20th-Fox exploiteer, was in
from Kansas City to make noises for "The
King and I" which opened at the Minneapolis
and St. Paul Worlds . Berger, North
Central Allied president and circuit owner,
and his wife are back after a two-month
European jaunt . Lander, 20th-Fox
head booker, returned from a New York vacation
. . . Also back from New York is Ted
Mann, circuit owner, who visited Gotham in
quest of attractions for his local neighborhood
fine arts Suburban World.
Mary Seibel, daughter of Ev Seibel, Minnesota
Amusement Co. advertising and publicity
head, returned to the stage to play a lead
.
role in the Old Log strawhatter production of
"He Was Born Gay" . United Artists
branch here was in third place in its division
at the close of the second lap of the company's
Fifth Anniversary sales drive . . .
Otto Kobs' new 650-car drive-in will be
nearer Eden Prairie than Shakopee, as
previously reported, and only about ten miles
out of Minneapolis ... A new drive-in also
is planned at Pelican Rapids, Minn., by
Charles Woodward who operates a conventional
showhouse at Bemidji, Minn.
Work is progressing on the new Litchfield,
Minn., drive-in and one has just opened at
Long Prairie, Minn., with Mrs. Tillie Smith
the operator.
Circuit owner and Hollywood producer W. R.
Frank is sufficiently recovered from a heart
attack to be able to take occasional trips
away from his home ... A total of 116 of
this territory's theatres to date have agreed
to run trailers and make collections for the
Northwest Variety Club's annual drive for
funds for its heart hospital on the University
of Minnesota campus ... A windstorm pulled
down the tower of the Spicer, Minn., Green
Lake Drive-In . State Theatre,
Mountain Lake, Minn., gave a free show to
celebrate the present ownership's amuversary.
Leo Kalman, Mellon, Wis., exhibitor, was on
the Row. He also has taken over the theatre
at Augusta, closed since last December 13, and
will reopen it . . . Paramount booking manager
Joe Rosen was vacationing in and around
Minneapolis and getting in some fishing . . .
U-I will put on a big 24-sheet campaign for
"Away All Boats," which opens July 27 at
the Minneapolis State and St. Paul Paramount.
There'll be 40 such billboard showings
in the Twin Cities.
Independent distributor Don Swartz was in
Chicago on buslne.ss . . . Ev Seibel, Minnesota
Amusement Co. advertising and publicity
head, vacationed in northern Minnesota .
District Manager M. A. Levy, Branch Manager
Saul Malisow and the 20th-Fox sales
staff here attended a meeting in Chicago.
. . . The
The current North Central Allied bulletin
urges exhibitors to "protest with everything
you have" against the proposed $1 an hour
minimum wage for theatre employes. It asks
that the point be emphasized that "minors
should not be placed in the same category
with adult women living alone and entirely
dependent upon their resources"
oldie "Ecstasy" racked up a two-week run
at the neighborhood Suburban World. The
Swedish "One Summer of Happiness" was
at the Arion.
Allied Lakes Session
At Okoboji Tuesday
ARNOLDS PARK, IOWA—Members of the
Allied Independent Theatre Owners of Iowa,
Nebraska, South Dakota and Midcentral will
gather here Tuesday (17) for their annual
midsummer lakes meeting.
Besides business discussions the session
will feature an old-fashioned church chicken
dinner, served by the women of the Arnolds
Park Methodist Church, in the basement of
which the meeting will be held.
Many of the exhibitors bring their families
and stay for a few days' vacation and cooling
off at Iowa's famous blue water Lake Okoboji.
Al Myrick, Lake Park, Iowa, is in charge
of cottage reservations.
Directors will meet Monday night at Picks
Cottages near here.
Assists As 'Success' Director
Richard Maybery has been appointed assistant
director on Hecht-Lancaster's "The
Sweet Smell of Success," released to United
Artists.
DES MOINES
•Llelen Windsor, Warner assistant cashier,
ha.s an interesting two weeks ahead of
. . .
her. She left July 7, with her parents, to
drive to Seattle by way of the Black Hills.
In Seattle, the Windsors will pick up Helen's
sister, a member of the WAVES, and go by
boat to Victoria. Later they will drive south
down the coast of California and return home!
Other Filmrowers also are enjoying vacations.
Verne Stevens, Warner shipper, has
completed one week . Newman, NSS
office manager, spent his holiday visiting
Enos
relatives in Iowa and Missouri
Travaini, Columbia, journeyed to California
for her vacation . . . Edna Cloonen, RKO
cashier, spent her time in Seymour, Iowa,
visiting relatives and friends.
ORDER YOUR POPCORN SUPPLIES
Dorothy Fobst, president of WOMn, has
. . .
announced postponement of the charter
luncheon which was scheduled for July. It was
decided to wait until vacations were over so
that no one would have to miss this gala affair.
A September date is being considered
Lester Zucker,
Two
and will be announced later . . .
district manager, was at U-I here
Universal employes were called out of town
by family funerals. Gwelda Jones' mother
died after a 13-year illness. Ralph Olson was
called to Indiana by the unexpected death
of his brother-in-law from a heart attack.
Lou Levy, Universal manager, hosted a
screening of "Francis in the Haunted House"
at the Fox projection room.
Airer Celebrates All Week
COLUMBUS, NEB.—The Columbus Drive-
In observed its sixth anniversary with a weeklong
celebration, culminating in a July 4 display
of fireworks. The week began with a
Thursday and Friday two-for-one coupon
plan, continued with "bumper strip night"
on Monday and buck night on Tuesday. Free
coloring books were given to children under
12 Thursday through Saturday.
FROM US
White Japanese Hulless Popcorn Per 100 lbs. $12.75
XXX Yellow Popcorn Per 100 lbs. 9.75
Standard Yellow Popcorn Per 100 lbs. 7.90
Standard White Popcorn Per 100 lbs. 10.90
"Seazo" Coconut Oil Seasoning Per Case 13.75
Liquid Popsit Plus Seasoning Per Case 15.75
Popcorn Salt Per Case 2.95
No. 400 Automatic Bottom Boxes, P4 oz Per 1000 10.75
No. 300 Automatic Bottom Boxes, 2 oz Per 1000 11.75
Large 25c Popcorn Boxes Per 1000 18.75
1 lb. White Popcorn Sacks Per 1000 2.40
1 lb. Brown Popcorn Sacks Per 1000 1.80
Va lb. Popcorn Sacks Per 1000 1.50
Vi lb. Popcorn Sacks Per 1000 1.20
IV2 lb. White Popcorn Sacks Per 1000 2.95
1 lb. Printed Noiseless Sacks Per 1000 3.90
Vi lb. Printed Noiseless Sacks Per 1000 3.50
Iowa Distributor for Silver Skillet Brand Canned Meats.
Prices Subject to Change Without Notice
DES MOINES THEATRE SUPPLY CO.
1121-23 High St. Des Moines, Iowa
BOXOFFICE :
: July 14, 1956 63

. . Walter
. . Oscar
MILWAUKEE
poblucki & Sons, who now own the Highway
5" Drlve-In. opened the Jolly Roger
Kiddylajid directly opposite to the theatre
on July 4 . . . Judging from the promotions,
all the downtown theatre managers were up
to their ears in exploitations. Milt Harman
with •Trapeze" at the WLsconsin; Harry
Boesel, Palace, with "UFO"; Estelle Stelnbach,
Strand, with her 12th week of "Oklahoma!"
and all reserved at that!; Bob Groenert, Alhambra.
with "Screaming Eagles"; Joe
Reynolds. Towne, "That Certain Feeling";
Al Meskis, Warner. "Safari"; Erv Clumb,
River.side, and hLs brilliant push on "The
Great Locomotive Chase."
Over at Fox Wisconsin, Harry Finning has
been transferred to the accounting department.
Replacing him, assisting Al Camillo,
film buyer and booker, is Harriet Ackman
. . . Nanza Schroeder has been added to the
secretarial staff . . . Connie Stevens, secretary
to Al Frank, general manager, is flashing a
big diamond ring.
Here is the correct list of officers and directors
for Allied of Wisconsin: Ben Marcus,
Marcus Theatres, president; Bill Charboneau,
Grantland Theatre, Lancaster, vice-president;
Oliver Ti-ampe. Trampe Theatres, treasurer;
Ed E. Johnson. Roosevelt, secretary; Harold
Pear.son, executive secretary; Sig J. Goldberg,
Hollj-wood, Wausau, national director; and
directors. John P. Adler, Adler. Marshfield;
J. J. Goderski, Airway; Russell Leddy, Orpheum,
Green Bay; Floyd Albert, Strand,
Mount Horeb; FYank Hahn, Bay, Ashland;
Harry Melcher, Unity Theatres; Angelo Provinzano,
Pix; D. S. Deakin, Dells Theatre,
Wisconsin Dells; Martin Holzman, Pix,
Whitehall, and F. J. McWilliams, Portage,
Portage.,
Qgood reasons
^^ FOR ORDERING VOUR
SPECIAL
TRAILERS
TiTmrr
Howard Clarke, booker for Standard Theatres
Management Corp., returned from an
eastern vacation, including a stop at Niagara
Falls . Baier of the Fort Theatres
in Fort Atkni.son is home convalescing after
being haspitalized a couple of weeks . . . Russel
Leddy of the Orphcum Theatre at Green
Bay was a local visitor Thursday (5).
MGM sneak-previewed "Somebody Up
There Likes Me" at the Riverside Theatre,
The picture was well received by press arid
trade members . . . Glen Wood, head booker
for U-I in Minneapolis, was here on vacation.
Wood was a booker here a few years
Edward J. Weisfeldt is now managing
ago . . .
Gran's Oriental, a de luxe house on
the east side. He formerly managed Fox's
Wi,sconsin Theatre here.
Unity Theatres closed the Prairie in Sun
Prairie July 7. No reopening date has been
set but it possibly will be in the early fall . . .
Barry Sherman has sold the local Peerless to
Kenneth Gomow, who took over the theatre
on July 2. Gomow was never in the theatre
business prior to this venture. The theatre
will be closed for remodeling.
Lester Fischer, son of the late Bert Fischer,
an early day local exhibitor who operated
the Alamo, Mozart and Lincoln theatres,
married Dona Haskka July 7. Earl Fischer, a
brother, operated the Alamo Theatre until
recently, when the family closed it . . . Ward
Bently, UA exploiteer, was in town to help
sell "Ti-apeze," now playing at Fox's Wisconsin
Theatre.
Paul Baroni, formerly of Hancock, Mich., is
now manager of the 64 Drive-In at Marinette
. . . Samuel Trinz, formerly operator of
several local theatres and an owner of the
Lubliner and Trinz circuit in Chicago, died
in San Jacinto, Calif., where he had resided
for the past few years . '. Frank Hellstrom
.
has closed the Badger Theatre at
Wittenberg for lack of patronage.
Adlcr's Relda Theatre in Marshfield is also
being dismantled and converted for commercial
use . . . Ben Poblocki installed a new
widescreen and is refiunishing the lobby and
foyer with decorations and carpeting at his
Plaza Theatre in Burlington . Olson,
business agent of Local 164, lATSE, was honored
by the Wisconsin Club of Milwaukee for
his activities leading to better labor-management
relations. He was presented several
gifts for his efforts.
HANDY SUBSCRIPTION

—
——
— —
'Trapeze' Top Grosser
At 225 in Cleveland
CLEVELAND — "Tiapeze" was the big
news of the week at downtown theatres. It
opened very big at the State and kept piling
bigger takes daily, so that the gross for the
opening week was 225 per cent. It moved
to the Stillman for an extended run. Another
boxoffice moneymaker was "The Fastest Gun
Alive," registering 185 at the Stillman. The
Ohio Theatre patrons liked the double feature
program "The Black Sleep" and "The Creeping
Unknown." Other downtown takes were
on the minus average side. Weather was hot
and humid.
(Averoge Is 100)
Allen Crime in the Streets (AA) 75
Hippodrome The Proud Ones (20th-Fox) 85
Lower Mall The Lost Ten Doys (Col), 3rd wk.. . 80
Ohio The Block Sleep (UA); The Creeping Unknown
(UA) 120
Palace Distant Drums (WB); Dallas (WB), reissues,
5 days 65
State Tropeie (UA) 225
Stillman—The Fastest Gun Alive (MGM) 185
'Trapeze' Scores 250 Per Cent
In Opening at Detroit
DETROIT—First run grosses showed some
general improvement, and "Trapeze" paced
the city, opening to terrific business at the
Madison and finishing the week with 250
per cent.
Adams
Bhowoni Junction (MGM), 3rd wl< 90
Broadway Capitol Earth vs. the Flying Saucers
(Col); The Werewolf (Col), 2nd wl< 100
Fox—Mohawk (20th-Fcx) 70
Madison Trapeze (UA) 250
Michigan The Greot Locomotive Chase (BV);
Quinconnon, Frontier Scout (UA) 90
Polms Crime in the Streets (AA); Magnificent
Roughnecks (AA), 2nd wk 110
United Artists Oklohomo! (Magna), 1 9th wk 150
New Summit at Akron Is
Opened by Skirball Bros.
CLEVELAND—After a delay of one year,
Skirball Bros. Summit Drive-In near Akron
finally opened Friday (6). Scheduled to open
last summer, construction was held up by
engineering difficulties and also by the heavy
spring rains. The Summit, estimated to
cost close to $500,000, accommodates 1,360
cars. It is said to be the finest outdoor theatre
in the greater Cleveland exchange area,
which has approximately 105 drive-ins in operation.
Ezra Skirball, who has been manager of
Skirball's Stark Drive-In, Massilon, has been
appointed manager of the new Summit.
Continental Bookings Set
In Mideast Territory
NEW YORK—Sanford W. Weiner,
general
sales manager of Continental Distributing, has
set up playoffs on "The Ladykillers" and
"The Night My Number Came Up" in the
Cleveland and Cincinnati areas. They include
four Cleveland first run engagements
and first run situations in Akron, Canton,
Lima, Mansfield, Marion, Sandusky, Steubenville,
Toledo, Warren and Youngstown.
Cincirmati territorial dates were set with
the Guild, Cincinnati, and in Dayton and
Lexington, Ky. Dayton also booked "Adorable
Creatures."
To Reopen at Youngstown
YOUNGSTOWN. OHIO—The State Theatre
will reopen July 20, with Thomas Long
as manager.
Film Truck of Michigan
And Ray Branch to Court
DETROIT—The long-smoldering feud over
the operations of Film Truck Service, which
erupted at the Allied Theatres of Michigan
RAY BRANCH
convention three months ago, reached a head
here in a suit and countersuit filed in Wayne
County circuit court.
The issue is of dominant interest in this
territory for two reasons: (1) Film Truck has
provided film carrier service to most Michigan
theatres outside of Detroit for over a
quarter century, and (2) as the result of a
program of diversifying ownership in the past
few years, some 50 Michigan exhibitors are
now stockholders. Two exhibitor leaders hold
key offices; Ernest T. Conlon, Michigan Allied
executive secretary, and William Clark
of Clark Theatre Service, secretary and vicepresident,
respectively.
Suit first was filed by Ray Branch, a former
president of Michigan Allied for nearly
two decades, against Film Truck for about
$6,000, based on his service as general manager
until last spring.
Then in a statement to Film Truck stockholders,
Mrs. Gladys B. Pike, who resumed
the presidency of Film Truck a few months
ago, said that Branch "used the harsh remedy
of garnishment before judgment in the
attempt to bring the corporation to its knees
before this matter could be justly considered
by our legal process."
In a detailed answer. Film Truck Service,
through its attorneys, admitted that
Branch was employed at a salary of $150 a
week as general manager for several years,
but denied he had any employment contract
or any yearly contract, and stated he was
discharged and excluded from the offices
about March 13. Accordingly. Film Truck
maintain.s that Branch's claim against it
should be discharged, and he should be made
to pay the company some $225,000.
The money is sought in a countersuit
against Branch which asks $75,000 on each
of three counts as follows:
1. About June 25, 1953, Mrs. Pike and Miss
Jane V. Robin.son, her sister, who is treasurer
of the company, agreed to .sell 10,666
and two-thirds shares In Film Truck to
Branch under a contract. This gave Branch.
alleged, control of the company, by voting
it is
the shares held in e.scrow, with the understanding
that he was to sell the stock to
various exhibitors, the payments to be released
to the two women.
It is alleged that certain Branch "representations
were false and he did not have
the contracts, ability, nor did he act in good
faith to enhance the goodwill and financial
position of the business." Damages for "false
and fraudulent representations" is sought.
2. It is alleged that Branch "used his position
of trust and responsibility to put the
corporation out of business with the purpose
of obtaining the valuable certificate of public
convenience and necessity held by the
corporation and establishing a new business
altogether." It is this certificate which Ls
considered to be the invaluable basic asset of
Film Truck Service. It is claimed the company
suffered "the loss of goodwill, customers,
business, financial standing, and other
grievous losses due to Branch's attempt in his
position of trust to destroy the business."
3. Numerous details of alleged mismanagement
are cited, such as "refusing to carry
out reasonable requests of customers, antagonizing
customers, failing to devote full
time and attention to corporate activities,
etc." As a result of this, it is stated, the
company "in effect was on the brink of total
collapse."
Cumulative damages on the three counts
sought would be $225,000.
Edmund Goulding is directing the Charles
Brackett production, "Teen Age Rebel," a
20th-Fox film.
THE EHTIRE
JOB FOR YOU
°'
I . „ new d'l"-'" "'•°"'
„ ,ou plon to erect o n ,^„„.
contemplate converting ^'"l^^^^^,„ „.,
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entlr. loW W« «'" "" '.
,^, .„,„. |ob.
nCTROIT OFF'CJ
IHEAIRE EOOIPMENI CO.
1206 Cherry St. • loledo 4, Ohio
BOXOFFICE :
: July 14, 1956 ME 6S

I
. . Marshall
. . John
: July
. .
. .
CLEVELAND
Ha/.fl and Loren Solether, owners of the
Falls Theatre in Chagrin Falls, celebrated
their 40th wedding anniversary .
Victoria Shaw of "The Eddy Duchin Story"
was in town two days to meet the pre.ss and
make TV and radio appearances . . . Milt
Grant of Silk Proce.ss Screen Co. and Variety
Club's second chief barker, missed out
in the gin rummy tournament to an associate
club member, William Krause . . . Here
on a vi.sit from Miami Beach, where he has
a cafe and package store on the 79th Causeway,
was Ralph Rose, onetime owner of the
Film building cigar store.
Nativa Roberts, MGM booker, was vacationing
in the east with stopovers in New
York and coast vacation spots . . . MGM
.
in the fall . . .
shipper Steve Andrews also was on a vacation
Back from an automobile trip
. .
. through Colorado and Arizona were Don
Jacobs, manager of the Parma Theatre,
Parma, and his wife . . . Nat Barach, NSS
manager, and wife spent the Fourth of July
with Toledo relatives Fine, Variety
Club chief barker, says negotiations have
been completed to move the club headquarters
from the Hollenden to the Tudor Arms Hotel
July 27 is the date and
the Lake Shore Country Club is the site of
the Variety Club's annual golf tournament.
For those who don't play golf there will be
swimming and other outdoor games. And for
all there will be dinner.
Max Mink, manager of the Palace, and
wife have been in Rochester. Frank Smith
Lyn Hogue Trammer, secretary
relieved . . .
and office manager for Academy Film Service,
became the mother of a baby son
Oscar Markovich, Miami and New
.
York
businessman who got his start as a Toledo
newsboy and candy vendor in Toledo theatres,
has purchased, in association with
George Wasserman, the Lucerne Hotel in
Miami Beach for a reported four million
dollars.
AT TESTIMONIAL DINNtK— Xttendmi; the recent testimonial dinner honoring
Morris Lefko in Cleveland, top photo, left to right: Elmer Lux, emcee; George Mc-
Kenna. Lafayette Theatre; Lefko; Gus Basil and Spencer Balser, Basil circuit, all of
Buffalo. N. Y. Center photo: Sam Schultz and Nate Schultz of Allied Artists and Bill
Onie, Cincinnati circuit owner. Bottom photo, Detroit guests at the affair: Ed Stuckey,
Butterfield circuit; Lefko; Dan Lewis, buyer for Cooperative Theatres; Howard Mlnsky,
Paramount district manager, and Harold Brown, United Detroit Theatres.
Sell Airer's Competitor
CLEVELAND—Kiddyland amusement park
occupying a five acre tract on Northfield
road, next door to the East Side Drive-In,
has been sold for a reported $175,000 to a
Cleveland corporation composed of Louis
Cowan, Louis Fodor and Gerhard Kronenberger.
I
Personalized Film Buying & Booking
For INDOOR and OUTDOOR THEATRES
in the Cleveland Exchange Area
• Styled to Vour Individual Situation •
Phones:
HERBERT H. HORSTEMEIER I sup^nnr 1.7222
66
409 Film BIdg.
ONtario 1-9812
Cleveland 14, Ohio
Mel Donlon Again Is Head
Of Nightingales Club
DETROIT—Mel Donlon of the Beverly
Theatre has been re-elected president of the
Nightingales Club, Filmrow social organization.
Other officers elected include Floyd H.
Akins, Circle Theatre, vice-president and secretary
of the bowling league; Edgar Douville,
Westown Theatre, treasurer; Jack Pickering,
financial secretary, and Roger Valliquette,
recording secretary.
R