m

Ft
/ne TuAe m me /vi&to&n. Mctu/ie
Moses (Charlton Heston) returns from Mt. Sinai with the tablets bearing the Decalog
in this scene from "The Ten Commandments." Produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille,
this Poramount Picture, filmed in VistoVision and Technicolor, has been awarded the
BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award for January by the National Screen Council . . . Page 26.
folere't ot Iffrondcloil nnnrter ot ttie Pv«' Tt c« qI Kania
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE EDITION
Including (lit Stclional l«t»l PioH of All Cdllioni

HE OWNS
TEN THOUSAND
BEDROOMS"!
A SLYFUL EYEFULl
Not since coins were tossed
in that fountain has a picture,
filmed in the beauty
of Rome, had so much
bouncy, youth-propelled
entertainment. A young
hotel tycoon {Dean Martin's
first solo starring role) skillfully
plans romances for
three gorgeous sisters so
that
he can marry the
fourth. The backgrounds of
Rome are exquisite, the
foregrounds of the sisters
are divine, the songs are
whistle-bait and fit the
romantic,
uproariously
funny {and very sly)
to perfection.
story

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wi.h JULES MUNSHIN • MARCEL
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Written by LASLO VADNAY and ART COHN, WILLIAM LUDWIG and LEONARD SPIGELGASS
N,w Songw-Music by NICHOLAS BRODSZKY • i„i«b, SAMMY CAHN
in
CINEMASCOPE And METROCOLOR
Directed by RICHARD THORPE • Produced by JOE PASTERNAK
(Available in Magnetic Stereophonic, Perspecta Stereophonic or 1-Channel Sound)

WARNER BROS. ARI
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give you
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Jean Marais
THE GREAT FRENCH STAR!
in Jean Renoir's
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THINGS
story ana screenplay and Direction by JEAN RE^

READY NOW WIT
ERGMAN PICTURE

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F^6^ o^tAe //l(>twn reduce /^tdiuh//
THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY
Published in Nine Sectional Editions
BEN
SHLYEN
Editor-in-Chief and Publisher
DONAl D M. MER5EREAU . . Associate
Publisher & General Monoger
NATHAN COHEN. .Executive Editor
JESSE SHLYEN. .. .Manoging Editor
HUGH FR AZE Field Editor
AL STEEN Eostern Editor
IVAN SPEAR Western Editor
I. L. THATCHER. .Equipment Editor
MORRIS SCIILOZMAN. Business Mgr.
Published Every Saturday by
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Publication OKices: se.S Van Itritnt lilul.,
Knnsa.< Clly 24, Mo. Nnlhnn Ciili. K%-
prtillvp Kdihir; .l Slilven. Miinn^lng
nillliir: Miirrl.s Rrltlnzni:in. nnvliicss Manuser:
Much Krn7i', h'lflil Kdllor; I. L.
'Ili.ildipr, Kdllnr The Miidern Ttieatre
SiTlliin. Ti-lriilinnp Cllesitniit 1-7777.
Editorial Oflices; 4S llni-ki-fi'llir Plaz«.
New Viirk 21). N. Y. Ilnnnlil M. Mersereinl.
Assiichitp Piilillslicr St (Irnpral
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Ate.. rhiPHRO tl. Ill ,
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Park I'hiPe. I.ns AnePlp>!. Calif. l!oh W'pttsleln.
msnacer. Tplpphone tll'nkirk S 228fi
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St. Tplpplionp (IRliard n720/8282.
The MOliRUN TIIRATIIR SiTlInn is )nclndfd
In the first. Issue of eaph mnnth
Atlanta: Marlhil Ch.indler. 191 W.illon NW
Alhany: .1. S. Coiinprs. 21-2:i Waller Ave.
Ratlimoie: (Jenrse Ilrnvvnlng, Slnidcy Thea.
Ithmlnuhani: F^dille ItadRer. The News.
Itoston: Franpps Harding. Illl 2-1141.
Clinrlolle: Annie Mae Wllllam.s. Kll 2 12.54.
ClnPlrnoifl: 1-llllan Lazarns. 174fi Carrahen
Cleveland: Elsie I.neh. Falrmonnl 1-0046.
Coltimhns: Fred Oestrelcher, 646 Hhosdes
Place.
Dallas: nill Barker. 423 Nlmltz St..
Wll. 2 1958.
Denver: .laek Hose. 1645 T.afayelte St.
Mfdnps: Bnss Sctioch. Itegister-TrllHrne.
Ite.s
Dplrnll: II. F. lieves. Fox Tllpairp lildg.
Indianapolis: Corhin Patrlpk. The Star,
.lacksonvllle: Ttohert Cornwell. San Marco
Theatre.
Memphis: Null Adams. 707 RprlnB St.
Mland: Kitty llarvvood. (16 R. Illhlwus.
Mlhiankee: Wm. NIphol. 63fi N. I4lh St.
Mlnneaiinlls: I.es Itees, 2123 Freemont Sq.
New Ilavpn: \Valler lindar. The Iteglster.
N. Orleans: Beverly B;ilancle, 5500 Danphin.
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17th St.
Omaha: Irving Baker, nil N. 5Ist St.
Philadelphia: Norman Slilgon. 53(13 Berk
PIttslinrgli: It, F, Kllngensmllh. 516 .leannetle.
WllkhishnrB. CllnrPhlll 1-2809.
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St. I.nnis: Davp Barrplt. 5149 Rosa.
Salt Lake City: II. Pearson. Mespret News.
San Anionin: I.ps Ketner. 230 San Pedro.
San Franelspo: fiall l.lpnian. 287-28lh
Ave.. Skyline 1-4355: Advprilslng: Jprrv
Nowpll. Tlonard Bldg.. YIl 6-2522
In Canada
Mniitrpal; 300 I.cnioyne SI., .hilps !-arophelle.
St. .lohn: 43 Waterloo. Sam Bat*
Toronto: 1675 Bayvlew Ave.. Willnwdale.
Ont.. W. C.Iadlsh.
Vanrnnvpr: I.yrlc Theatre Bids., .lack Oroy.
Whndpeg: 282 Pnpertsland. Ben Sommera.
Member Audit Bureau of Circulations
Rnterpd as Sernnd Class niafler at Post
Office. Kansas City. Mo. Rppllnnal Rdlllon.
$3.00 per year; National Rilitlnn. $7.50.
FEBRUARY 16, 1957
Vol. 70 No. 17
HARMONY FOR PROGRESS
% UK iiiiistructive jjolicy which National
.Allied emincialctl at its niolinf; in Dallas
la.'it Novemher wa.s icaffinned at its Ixiard nicftin;;
in ("incinnati early this month. And it is
heing carried
Julius Gordon.
f. )r\vard
hy its new president.
Following his election at Cincinnati. Mr. Gordon
made a strong plea for industry unity, citing
the accomplishments that could be achieved
thereby, not only in working together for betterment
of intra-industry relations but also in improving
the industry's public relations. In both
cases, Mr. Gordon sees the means for business
betterment.
Pointing up the deterrent nature of internal
strife which has for too long been flagrant in
this business, Mr. Gordon reminded that each
branch of the industry was dependent upon the
other. '"1 sincerely believe," he said, "no part
of the industry can die without all the rest of
the industry dying. I feel that the plight of the
exhibitor today is symptomatic of the chaos and
illness of production and distribution, which are
all ridden by high cost and hamstrung by
agencies and exorbitant demands." He added
that "this cost is being pushed off on the exhibitor,
rather than being fought out at its
source," and expressed the view that these and
other problems could be solved through "more
of a spirit of cooperation and friendship between
the various branches of the industry."
At a press conference in New York this week,
Mr. Gordon reiterated these views, giving
em]ihasis to his belief that they could be brought
to fruition through a meeting of the minds— in
a conference between film company presidents
and exhibitor leaders representing Allied and
Theatre Owners of America members. Such a
meeting has repeatedly been sought by exhibitors
during the last several years. And at a
meeting of the executive committee of the Council
of Motion Picture Organizations, a highly-placed
distribution executive concurred in the belief
that such a conference could bring about harmonious
relationships between distribution and
exhibition. However, distribution heads have,
thus far, been unreceptive to the idea. Perhaps
Mr. Gordon's assurance that such a forum would
be the place, "not of recrimination but of progress."
will bring a favorable reaction. Failing
that, perhaps a meeting with Eric Johnston, who,
as president of the Motion Picture Ass'n of
America, represents the major distribution
companies, would suffice as the means of, at
least, an approach to the desired objective.
Also noteworthy is Mr. Gordon's interest in
the establishment of an arbitration system.
Doubtless, this would go a considerable distance
toward resolving differences between
•
individual
exhibitors and distributors. Here, loo, resultant
liclter relationships betweem exhibitor and distributor—
and exhibitor and exhibitor—would
ensure the teaming up for joint efforts wherever
they may be called for. whether it be for business-building
or dealing with other common
problems, of which there is no shortage. Certainly,
the time spent in conflict can be put to
better use in the making of ])ictures and in the
operation of theatres.
Harmonious relationship within the industry's
ranks is essential to its jtrogress. It can't be
achieved by fighting one another; but it can be,
by understandingly working together.
For the WHOLE Town
It is always gratifiying to read newspaper
editorials that praise a particular motion picture
or point to the indispensability to the community
of its theatres. Recently there has been
a growing number of articles that besiteak the
awareness of the editors and the alertness of
exhibitors. Maybe the editors didn't need any
prodding but, if they did, the more credit to the
exhibitors who inspired the "reawakening."
Reprinted in this issue is an editorial from
the Fox Lake (111.) Herald that referred to its
movie theatre as "A Good Thing for the Whole
Town" and urged public and merchant support
of this enterprise in the community interest—not
just for the theatre owner's benefit. But aside
from the nice things the editor said on behalf
of the theatre, we were impressed by some constructive
criticism that he offered. Viz:
"... there are nights when, some oj the
ivorld's top attractions play here to a theatre
far jrom filled. After the picture is gone, the
very people who would have found it most interesting,
are the ones who complain that they
would have come if they had known more about
it. There is a failure to communicate special
information to special interest groups. Merely
announcing titles and stars will generally bring
in the general movie fan audience, but special
messages must get to the special interest groups
if special interest pictures are to get special
support."
This shortcoming, we are sure, is rather widespread.
Whether the fault lies with individual exhibitors
or otherwise, it points up the need for,
first, the exhibitor to be well informed on the
product he buys and shows; second, doing a
thorough job of selling each picture to ALL
of his potential patrons: and, third, booking
sufficiently far ahead to make this generally
possible.
[JL^ /MJL^-vi^

ALLIED PRESIDENT TO SEEK END
OF INTERNAL INDUSTRY STRIFE
Gordon Asks United Effort
To Solve Production Costs
And Attendance Problems
By SUMNER SMITH
NEW YORK—Strife within the motion
picture industry must stop immediately so
that there can be a united effort to solve
two great problems, high production costs
and the sales approach to the average man
for his leisure time. That was the theme
of the first press interview given by Julius
Gordon of Texas as the new president of
National Allied. He met the press in the
offices here of Wilbur Snaper. former
president, Wednesday (13).
DESIRES TALKS WITH MAJORS
Gordon reiterated Allied's desire, in conjunction
with Theatre Owners of America,
to meet with the major company presidents
in an atmosphere "not of recrimination but
of progress." He added that if that type of
approach was deemed incorrect, then Allied
"should like to be informed as to the proper
parties and place for a forum."
The major companies have expressed a fear
of being charged with acting in concert contrary
to the provisions of the antitrust law
if their executives met in a body with exhibitor
representatives. Previous exhibitordistributor
meetings have been held on an
individual company basis.
"Tlie basic need of om- industry," Gordon
said, "is the immediate cessation of the internecine
strife, so that all efforts may be
united in solving the two great industry
needs. Allied has, in the past, sincerely
wished for such a solution. We have attempted
to use nearly every route open to
us. If our critics decried our methods, let
them first consider our frustrations.
"I have the deep-seated conviction tliat no
problem is insoluble if approached by sincere
men who are acting, not in the heat of
anger, but with goodwill and a desire for
progress. It was because of this belief that,
in Cincinnati, I indicated my willingness to
discuss any phase of the business at any
time or place. I reiterate that now.
WOULD TEAM WITH TOA
"If our desire, in conjunction with TOA,
to meet with the highest representatives of
the owners of the film companies (their
elected presidents) in an effort to help solve
the problems of all owners of all segments
of the industry was an incorrect approach,
which we do not think it was, then in such
a case we should like to be informed as to
the proper parties and place for a forum,
not of recrimination but of progress."
Gordon said it was "crystal clear" that
"this Cain and Abel struggle" had to be settled
so that there can be concentration on
the two great problems he mentioned. Discussing
high production costs, he made the
following points:
"It has been brought on by the stranglehold
of the talent agencies.
"It has been accentuated by the aging
Allied-COMPO Progress
Seen on Reaffiliation
NEW YORK—The National Allied
committee discussing a return to membership
in the Council of Motion Picture
Organizations has "made much progress,"
according to Wilbur Snaper, a committee
member along with Trueman T. Rembusch
and Abram F. Myers. He decried
a suggestion that there may be "stumbling
blocks," said the question of reaching
a decision was "just a matter of procedure"
and that "it was 90 per cent
straightened out." However, he would not
say when a decision will be readied and
what it will be.
Snaper made his comments at a pre.ss
interview with Julius Gordon, National
Allied president, at the latter's request.
stars who, though still a great asset to this
business as they have been for years, are
failing to help perpetuate it. It would seem
that these people, made wealthy by the motion
picture business, should, in their taxfavored
producing companies, take on part
of the responsibility of developing new young
stars. So long as circumstances dictate that
the aging personnel works independently,
they are in a position to bring up new people
for their own and the industi'y's benefit, in
exactly the same manner that the major
studios made them into personalities when
production was not on an independent contract
basis."
Discussing an industry campaign for its
share of the leisure time of the average man,
Gordon said:
"As leisure hours have increased, we have
allowed om- more unified competitors to convince
the public that their leisure hours
would be more pleasant, relaxing, more
healthful, more educational, if it be spent
hunting, fishing, watching TV, boating, gardening,
motoring, cooking or 'doing-lt-yourself
in a hundred different forms.
"It should seem within the realm of probability
that a unified industry with all its
intelligence, and with the modern research
analysis and communications media open to
it, could convince large segments of the public
of the entertainment, cultural, educational,
recreational, economic advantages in
spending part of their leism'e time in wellappointed
and operated tlieatres."
Gordon stressed that he was talking about
a leisure-time campaign in its broadest sense
and was not prepared at the time to enter
into any discussion of the merits of any
drives now under way. Throughout the interview
he gave the clear impression that he is
for industry cooperation and goodwill and
that he will do all in his power to realize
those ends.
Early Arbitration Talks
Are Favored by Allied
NEW YORK—National Allied is anxious to
sit down with distribution and discuss an
arbitration system, Julius Gordon, new president,
said here Wednesday (13). Its ai-bitration
committee probably will meet with that
of Theatre Owners of America in the near
future, though no move has yet been made
in that direction. However, it wouldn't
necessarily meet with TOA before opening
negotiations with distribution, he added.
Gordon said that "while we still like arbitration
of film rentals," the matter wouldn't
be made a condition to meetings. He noted
that the Senate Small Business Committee
favored new attempts to set up an arbitration
system, and hoped there would be early meetings
with distribution. They would not have
to be held, he said, at a company president
level.
Asked how many distribution companies
have replied to exhibitor requests for meetings,
Gordon said he had "been on the job
only a week" and didn't know. Elsewhere it
was said that eight major company presidents
have replied and that they did not
include the Columbia or Universal-International
heads.
The Allied arbitration committee consists
of Ruben Shor, Abram F. Meyers and Abe
Berenson. The TOA committee consists of
Mitchell Wolfson, S. H. Fabian. Sam Pinanski,
Ernest G. Stellings, Herman M. Levy, counsel,
and George Kerasotes, alternate.
TOA is expected to discuss its next m.ove at
the mid-winter board and executive committee
meeting in Chicago March 3-5.
Gordon was asked if efforts to draft a
system would probably be based on previous
drafts. He said he didn't know and that
"Myers is the best man to answer that."
Myers is Allied general counsel.
Steve Edwards Joins
Rank's U. S. Company
NEW YORK—Steve Edwards, former advertising-publicity
director of Republic Pictures,
has joined Rank Film Distributors
of America as an aide to Geoffrey Martin,
director of advertising and publicity.
Edwards joined Republic in 1941 after having
been associated with United Artists and
Keith Albee Orpheum. He became publicity
director of Republic in 1943 and was appointed
head of the advertising-publicity
department two years later, which post he
held until late spring of 1956.
8 BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957

MPAA Industry Study
To Be Comprehensive
NEW YORK—The study of the motion picture
market to be conducted by Opmion Research
Corp. of Princeton, N. J., will be a
wide-ranging one that the Motion PictuJ'e
Ass'n of America, its sponsor, believes will
produce much important data. The company
was named a week ago to undertake the
MPAA market research project.
Among the questions to which answers
will be sought are the following:
Why do or don't people attend the movies?
What seriou.s competition do the movies
face in other ases of leisure time?
What is the frequency of attendance by
What are
age group patterns, income, geographical location
and other elements?
What types of promotion are most successful
in attracting theatre attendance?
the basic elements of a successful
picture?
What are the effects on attendance of
films available in a given area, seasonal factors,
speed of playoff and theatre conditions?
The study will be conducted on a national
basis. The MPAA said it will take several
months to complete all aspects of it. Before
it gets under way, there will be thorough
tests of all elements of the questionnaire.
Minnesota Learns Ticket
Taxes Hurt Retail Trade
NEW YORK—Local admission taxes as
revenue-raising measures are not favored by
a tax study committee set up by Gov. Orville
L. Freeman of Minnesota. The following
committee report to the governor has been
reported by the Council of Motion Picture Organizations:
"Many cities now levy general sales, excise
and admissions and amusement taxes, but
these taxes are not likely to be as productive
of revenue as the income tax, or
to reach as
effectively the commuter or 'daylight citizen.'
They are, furthermore, likely to have unfortunate
repercussions upon retail trade
within the large central cities of the state's
major metropolitan areas."
The report was based on an 18-month survey
whose main purpose was to "examine the
tax structure to determine the impact of
various taxes on the creation of wealth with
particular emphasis in the area of manufacturing
where we are subject to competition
from other states."
The 20 members of the committee represented
business, industry and finance, labor
groups, and representatives of the Minnesota
Ass'n of Cooperatives and the University of
Minnesota.
Doob COMPO Consultant
On Business Campaign
NEW YORK—Oscar A. Doob, advertisingpublicity
veteran, has joined the Council
of Motion Picture Organizations as a consultant
on the over-all business building
program now being organized. He will work
with Robert W. Coyne, special counsel.
Doob retired last year after many years
with Loew's Theatres and more recently as
an executive in the MGM advertising-publicity
department.
Sweepstakes
As More Big
Sweepstakes Voters
Need Not See Films
NEW YORK—The Academy Award Sweepstakes
is mainly a guessing contest with theatre
patrons trying to guess the choices of
the experts rather than passing judgment on
pictures and players he has seen, according
to Robert W. Coyne, special counsel of the
Council of Motion Picture Organizations.
He issued the statement after Allied Theatre
Owners of New Jersey expressed concern
because it seemed certain that patrons of
member theatres would be asked to vote on
pictures and players they had not seen. Sid
Stern, president, attributed the situation to
the prevailing system of clearances.
Coyne recalled similar contests conducted
in Texas and Canada. He said they proved
that "the average movie fan is eager to try
his luck at picking the winners even though
he has seen few if any of the pictures involved."
"His selections are made in many cases,"
Coyne said, "not on the pictures he has seen
but on what he has read about them. His
individual judgment is hkely to be outweighed
by the comments of a movie critic or a movie
columnist whose judgment he regards as
better than his own. He is like a racing fan
who will place a bet on a horse he has never
seen run or a fight fan who will try to pick
the winner of a championship fight without
ever having seen the Inside of a fight arena.
"It costs nothing for a movie patron to
enter the contest in a participating theatre,
and although the prizes offered by some exhibitors
are a special inducement to many
voters, exhibitors have found that many patrons
will mark their ballots for no other
reason than the personal satisfaction of
matching their judgment against the majority
vote of Academy members."
Blevins Distributing Ballots
For Popscar Awards
NASHVILLE, TENN. — Ballots are being
distributed to the theatres throughout the
United States to name the winners of the
little Popscar for 1956. Popscars are annually
awarded to the actor, actress and to the producer
of the picture selling the most popcorn
in theatres during that year. The whole
idea is to encourage production of pictures
of the type that produce wholesome entertainment
as well as popcorn sales.
Awards will be made before a nationwide
radio and television audience, according to
announcement made by Jim Blevins, mayor
of Popcorn Village and president of the
Blevins Popcorn Co., sponsors of the annual
Popscar Awards.
Edwin C. Hill
Dies
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.-Edwin C. Hill,
radio news commentator, died at a hospital
Tuesday (12i at the age of 72. He also had
been a director of Fox Movietonews and a
scenario editor for 20th Century-Fox.
Entries Rise
Chains Join
NEW YORK—Theatre entries in the
Academy Award Sweepstakes rose to 2,000
Thursday (14), according to Robert W. Coyne,
special counsel of the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations. The total at the
previous weekend was just under 1,500.
The latest were Loew's Theatres, with 105
theatres and drive-ins; the Paramount Gulf
circuit, with 38; Wometco of Florida, 32;
Associated Theatres of California, ten; United
Detroit, 16; Mid-Central of Kansas, eight;
Durwood of Mi.ssouri, five; Roth Theatres of
Maryland and Virginia, four, and individual
houses in Madison, Ind.; Selma, N. C; Endicott,
N. Y.; Wilbur, Wash.; Highland Park,
Mich.; Bridgeport, Conn.; Middletown, N. Y.;
Salisbury, N. C, and Maryville, Ohio.
RECEIVE DICKINSON PLEDGE
The Stewart-Everett and Stellings-Gossett
circuits reported planned participation by all
but their smallest theatres in North and
South Carolina. Other pledges came from
the Dickinson circuit of 29 theatres in Kansas
and Missouri, Georgia Theatre Co. with
44 and individual theatres in Chicago Heights,
111., Maiden, Mass., Jamaica, L. I., Detroit,
Stephens, Ark., and Lima, Niles and Warren,
Ohio.
Loew's out-of-town theatres will participate
in all situations where competing exhibitors
join in a cooperative effort. Hem-y
G. Plitt, president, and Maurice Barr, vicepresident,
of Paramount Gulf, told Coyne
they will try to enlist all fellow exhibitors in
the New Orleans exchange area.
Independent Theatre Owners Ass'n of New
York has endorsed the plan and appointed
Edith Marshall as chairman of a coordinating
committee. Cincinnati exhibitors met at
the weekend to set up a campaign.
The National Dairy Queen Development
Co. of New York has advised its 3,000 state
and district operators and local Dairy Queen
store owners to cooperate.
PROMOTION KITS READY
Trailers and advertising kits are now in the
exchanges of National Screen Service. They
are in cartons and ready for shipment to
exhibitors. Each contains one 40x60 rollboard
display, one five-foot die cut standee
with a self-supporting easel, one horizontal
41x27 one-sheet for wall or table display, one
knocked-down ballot box or entry blank container,
one composite mat and one glossy
proof of the official entry blank to be filled
in locally with the names of nominees prior
to the availability of the official entry blank.
Other circuit entries included Schine, 116
theatres; Commonwealth of Kansas City, 65;
Jamestown Amusement Co. of New York, 46;
Interstate of Boston, 34; Y&W Management
of Indiana, 31; Saver Corp. of Trenton, N. J.,
13; Richardson's of Virginia, eight; First National
of Yakima, Wash., six. and Cumberland
of Kentucky, six.
The individual theatres included the Highland.
Myrtle Point, Ore.; Roxy. Ramsey. 111.;
McCleary. McCleary, Wash.; Biddle, Baltimore;
State, Pittsfield, Mass.; Shores, St.
Clair Shores, Mich.; Plaza, Burlington, Wis.;
Strand and Liberty, Kalispel, Mont., and
Valuskie, Buena Park, Calif.
BOXOFFICE
:: February 16, 1957

'Pcd^ ^mU Majors Win in Drive-in
MPAA to Talk Arbitration
At February 26 Meeting
Boaj-d scheduled to act then on exhibition's
request for joint discussions; to take the
position that any new system set up will
avoid mention of film rentals and sales
policies; Allied and TOA seen going along
with exclusion of controversial clauses.
•
Final Details Being Worked
Out on Production Code
MPAA working committee headed by Kenneth
Clark, vice-president, holding series of
meetings on makeup of appeals board; reaffirm
decision to include exhibitor and independent
producer representation for the
first time.
•
Wichita Theatre Granted
SBA Remodeling Loan
Small Business Administration approves a
$5,000 modernization loan to Frank and Edna
Salone of Wichita, Kas.; Its first loan of
$3,750 w'as authorized to an Iowa theatre.
•
Business-Building Program
Nears Early Completion
Roger H. Lewis, chairman of MPAA advertising
and publicity committee, brings
members up to date at Friday (15) meeting;
full report may reach MPAA and COMPO
executives by midweek for final decision.
•
ABC-TV's Fast Growth Told
Leaders in Business World
Leonard Goldenson, president of
American
Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres, says at
seminar marking fourth anniversary of
merger that the network is now in second
place In fully sponsored evening time periods.
•
Disney Will Film 'Zorro'
As ABC-TV Serial
Network theorizes that cliffhanger serials,
which helped build early day motion picture
audiences, will be more effective in building
large, permanent TV audiences than the episodic
shows; "Zorro" production slated for
spring and summer in Mexico.
•
RKO Reaches Impasse
In Canadian Talks
Daniel T. O'Shea, RKO president, halts discussion
with Empire-Universal Films, Ltd.
for distribution of RKO Radio Pictures product
in Canada; no deal will be concluded
with Empire; no talks with other distributors
in progress.
*
Ralph M. Cohen Is Elected
Member of Columbia Board
Vice-president and general manager of
Screen G«ms, TV subsidiary, named to succeed
the late Jack Cohen, his father, at Hollywood
meeting Wednesday (13); will continue
to be active in TV production and distribution.
Case; to Counter-Claim
NEW YORK—The major distributors
will
be able to file a defense, or counter-claim, to
the Maple Drive-In Theatre action for
hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages
on the theatre's claim of conspiracy in
favor of conventional theatres in the Pittsburgh
area. The case has been pending since
1954.
Recently, Louis Nizer of Phillips, Nizer,
Benjamin & Krim, was retained as trial counsel
and, after he said he discovered evidence
in the files that the Maple Drive-In had
conspired with the Blue Dell Drive-In and
other drive-ins to divide the product of the
major companies, he contended that this was
a violation of the antitrust laws. Judge
Thomas F. Murphy of the U. S. District Court
for the Southern District of New York ruled
February 11 in favor of the distributors' filing
a counter-claim.
Nizer's lengthy argument for the distributors
claimed that the Maple, Blue Dell and
other Pittsburgh drive-ins refused to negotiate
for certain pictures of various distributors in
consideration of the other drive-in theatres
refusing to negotiate for other pictures of the
same distributors. The distributors charged
that this was a conspiracy "whereby each
drive-in refused to negotiate or bid for a
picture which belonged to the other drive-in
theatre" and Nizer said that he wished to
amend the answers of the distributors so as
to set forth these facts as a complete defense
to the action, as well as a counter-claim for
triple damages.
Robert Ruskin and Alvin Korngold, counsel
for the plaintiff drive-in, contended that the
amendment to the answers setting forth the
defense and counter-claim should not be
allowed because it was made at the last
moment, when the case was close to trial,
and the distributors "must have had knowledge
of the facts for a long time." After Nizer
stated that he had interviewed all branch
managers in the Pittsburgh area to get the
background and history of the facts, which
"established definitely that there was an
illegal conspiracy," Judge Murphy ruled that
the distributors should be permitted to file
their defense and counter-claims. Nizer will
be permitted to conduct examinations before
trial of the plaintiff's executives during the
next three weeks.
Louis J. Halper Dies;
With Warner Theatres
HOLLYWOOD—Services for Louis J. Halper,
63, film industry leader and theatre executive
for more than 30 years, were held
Sunday (10). He died at his home Friday
(81 morning. Halper was born in Cleveland,
Ohio, and came to Los Angeles 33 years ago.
He was associated with Warner Bros, studios
in an executive capacity and later directed
Warners' theatre circuit on the west coast.
Halper is survived by his wife, Sadie, who
is a sister of Harry M., Major Albert, Jack
L. Warner and Mrs. Anna Robbins; a son,
Samuel W. Halper; a daughter, Mrs. Evelyn
Briskin; three grandchildren, Barry D. and
Patricia L. Briskin and William B. Halper;
a brother, D. Leonard Halper; and a sister,
Mrs. Hatti Kamenetsky of Cincinnati.
Allied Artists Sales Meet
At Studio Feb. 19-22
HOLLYWOOD—With Morey R.
Goldstein,
vice-president and general sales manager
presiding, Allied Ai-tists will hold a four-day
sales meeting at the studio beginning Monday
(18). Sessions will include distribution
and promotional plans for forthcoming product
scheduled for release between March and
November. Emphasis will be placed on
"Love in the Afternoon," "Hunchback of
Notre Dame," "Jeannie," "Dragoon Wells
Massacre," "The Oklahoman," and AA's combination
science-fiction package comprised
of "Attack of the Crab Monsters" and "Not
of This Earth."
Studio brass scheduled to attend includes
Steve Broidy, president; Harold Mirisch and
G. Ralph Branton. vice-president; Walter
Mirisch, executive producer; John C. Flinn,
dii'ector of advertising and publicity; and
Sanford Abrams, assistant director of advertising
and publicity.
In addition to Goldstein, visiting executives
from New York are Edward Morey, vicepresident;
Martin Davis, eastern advertising
and publicity director; L. E. Goldhammer,
eastern division sales manager; and Arthur
Greenblatt, special sales representative.
Other division sales managers who will attend
are Harold Wirthwein, western; James
Prichard, Dallas, southern; and Nat Nathanson,
Chicago, midwest.
Filmack Readies Catalog
On Drive-In Promotion
CHICAGO—Filmack Trailer Co. plans release
in a week of its 1957 promotion catalog
to all U. S. drive-ins. The 16-page booklet
completely covers the field of drive-in
merchandising and exploitation, according to
Irving Mack, president.
Mack said that among the ticket-selling
ideas will be season-opening welcome trailers,
holiday fireworks displays, institutional
buildups, giveaways, refreshment promotions,
anniversary suggestions, suggestions to young
parents and the popular merchant's intermission
clock trailer.
There will also be material on stunts such
as buck night, loaded car night, dusk-todawn
shows, jalopy night, lucky license night,
bumper strip night and many other gimmicks.
Dismiss Last Defendants
In Theatre Chain Suit
NEW YORK—Columbia and United Artists
have been dismissed as defendants in the
$2,664,000 clearance suit of Associated Prudential
Theatres against the major distributors.
The action by Judge Archie O. Dawson
in Federal District Court closed the entire
case.
Judge Dawson also dismissed an antitrust
suit filed by Laskey Bros, of Uniontown, Pa.,
operators of a Fairmont, W. Va., drive-in,
against 20th Century-Fox, National Theatres,
Wesco Theatres and Spyros P. Skouras for
"lack of prosecution."
I
10 BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957

— '
Hollywood Neglecting Big
Musicals, Says Donen
NEW YORK—Hollywood has neglected bigscale
musicals of late because "good choreographers
are as difficult to find as name stars,"
according to Stanley Donen, who recently directed
two musicals, "Funny Face" for Paramount
and "Pajama Game" for Warner Bros.,
both unreleased. Donen, a former choreographer,
is under contract to MGM, for which
he directed eight musicals over the past fewyears,
including "It's Always Fair Weather,
the most recent, and "Anchors Aweigh,"
"Take Me Out to the Ball Game," "Deep in
My Heart" and the widely-acclaimed "Seven
Brides for Seven Brothers."
Donen's MGM contract runs until October
1957 (he made his last two pictures on loanout
i, after which he will produce a film version
of Pearl Buck's novel, "Imperial Woman,"
to which he and Charles Schnee, MGM producer,
have acquired the rights. This will be
produced independently in 1958 and may be
done as a straight drama. Donen wants to
do a non-musical, he said. No distribution or
financing deals have been set.
Donen feels he owes a lot to MGM, which
gave him his first chance at directing, in conjunction
with Gene Kelly. Although "Funny
Face" is an original story, but with a musical
score by George and Ira Gershwin, Donen
feels that the majority of musicals are based
on stage hits or books. He also maintains
that musicals could use more imagination
too many have backstage locales. The good
choreographers can be counted on the fingers
of one hand, and most of these are rarely
available. They include: Jerome Robbins,
Michael Kidd, Eugene Loring and Bob Fosse,
although the latter really wants to act, Donen
said.
Maureen O'Hara Ends
Tour of Naval Bases
NORFOLK, VA. — Maureen O'Hara on
Thursday il4i completed a junket to four
naval bases in connection with MGM's "The
Wings of Eagles" in which she is starred.
Newspaper and trade press writers from New
York, Philadelphia, Washington, Richmond,
Charlotte and Baltimore were flown here to
make a one-day tour of the naval base with
Miss O'Hara.
Previously, the star appeared at similar
naval functions in Long Beach, Calif.; Chicago
and Pensacola. In each of the cities.
MGM brought in writers and critics for special
screenings of the picture at base theatres.
Miss O'Hara was accompanied by Admu'al
John David Price and Leslie Peterson of the
MGM studios. Various social events were
held in connection with the showings.
Lt. Commander Art Weismann was in
charge of activities on behalf of the Navy in
Norfolk. MGM was represented, too, by Judson
Moses, southern division field representative:
Tom Baldridge, Washington press representative,
and Bill Ornstein from the home
office.
Academy Considers 'Reef
NEW YORK—The Academy of Motion
Picture Arts and Sciences has accepted "Secrets
of the Reef," color documentary being
distributed by Continental Distributing, Inc.,
for preliminary screening for nominations
for an Academy Award in the full-length
color-documentary field. The picture was
made by Albert Butterfield near Florida.
UA to Release 23 Films
In
Five-Month Period
Canadian Branch Formed
Of Telefilm Associates
NEW YORK—NTA Telefilms (Canada'
Ltd. has been formed by National Telefilm
Associates. It is owned half and half by NTA
and three Canadian motion picture executives.
They are David Griesdorf, who is president
and general manager: N. A. Taylor, who
is vice-president, and H. S. Mandell, who i.'^
secretary- treasurer.
All three are senior executives of International
Film Distributors, Ltd., and Allied
Artists Pictui'es of Canada. Ltd. Taylor is
also president of Twinex Century Corp., Ltd..
which operates a large circuit under the
trade name of 20th Century Theatres.
NTA will be represented in the management
through the appointment of three of
the affiliate's six directors.
The new- Canadian company will distribute
NTA feature films, film series and
short subjects to television stations under
a long-term franchise. The product includes
78 20th Century-Fox features which
NTA calls its "galaxy group." British. French
and Italian films will also be distributed.
Oliver A. Unger, NTA executive vice-president,
said the grow-ing TV industry north of
the border merited investment of substantial
capital. He called the deal "the first
step in NTA's plans for worldwide distribution"
and said it set a pattern.
"Local franchises will be formed," he said,
"and leading businessmen, experienced in
our field or related fields, will join with us
to serve as resident associates. NTA will retain
an important stake in all these enterprises."
Double Feature Chuckles
Around the Globe
PLEASANTVILLE, N. Y.—Readers
from all parts of the world contribute
amusing and unusual double feature
titles appearing on marquees to editors
of the Reader's Digest. In the February
issue, the magazine publishes the following
bonafide billings sent in by readers:
In Edinburgh: "The Gentle Sergeant"
— "The Unknown Man."
In Fayetteville, Tenn.: "I Am a Camera"
— "Over-exposed."
In Houston: "Lady Godiva"— "Run
for Cover."
In Detroit: "Loan Shark"— "Everything
I Have Is Yours."
In Port Worth: "An American
Paris"— "The Big Hangover."
in
In Los Angeles: "Trapeze"—"Emergency
Hospital."
In Hollywood: "The Seventh Veil"—
"Great Expectations."
In Los Angeles: "Go for Broke"—"Las
Vegas Story."
In Toronto: "Holiday Affair"— "Let's
Make It Legal."
NEW YORK—United Aitists will release a
total of 23 new features during the fivemonth
period from
? March through July,
including ten "block-
busters," the largest
*«-- ^ ^^ number of top pictures
C- ^°'"
'^^B
"''fi company in a
' A.^B1 five-month period,
William J. Heineman,
WilliamJ. Heineman
v i
c e-p resident in
charge of distribution
told the opening session
of UA's threeday
sales convention
Thur.sday (14) at the
Park Sheraton Hotel.
LIST OF 'BLOCK-BUSTERS'
The ten will include Stanley Kramer's "The
Pride and the Passion" in VLstaVision. It
will be pre-released in July to a number of
key cities, and "Around the World in 80
Days," Michael Todd's Todd-AO roadshow,
will have an expanded program of new
engagements during these months. The other
eight big films are "Men in War," a Security
Pictui-es production; Bryna Production's
"Spring Reunion," starring Betty Hutton and
Dana Andrews; Hecht-Hill-Lancaster's "The
Bachelor Party," starring Don Murray;
Orion-Novas' "12 Angry Men," starring Henry
Fonda; "The Ride Back," an Associates and
Aldrich Co. film, starring Anthony Quinn;
Titanus Films' Technirama production of
"The Monte Carlo Story," starring Marlene
Dietrich and Vittorio de Sica; Otto Preminger's
"Saint Joan," starring Richard Widmark
with Jean Seberg in the title role; and
Hecht-Hill-Lancaster's "Sweet Smell of Success,"
Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis.
Heineman told the district managers and
sales officials from every territory that the
company was in the strongest product position
in its 38-year history. He was confident
that 1957 w-ould be its greatest year.
In speaking of the future, Heineman said
that, "despite competition and changing markets,
theatrical motion pictures still stand as
the world's first line of entertainment. To
sustain and strengthen the medium by distributing
the best possible films will continue
to be the first order of business at UA."
The field executives were addressed by
Ai'thur B. Krim, president; Robert S. Benjamin,
board chairman; Max E. Youngstein,
vice-president, and James R. Velde, general
sales manager.
HOME OFFICE EXECUTIVES
Home office executives and department
heads participating included Milton E. Cohen,
eastern and southern division manager;
Al Fitter, western division manager; L. J.
Schlaifer, assistant to Velde; Roger H. Lewis,
director of advertising, publicity and exploitation;
Alfred H, Tamarin, assistant director;
Mort Nathanson, publicity manager, and
Joseph Gould, advertising manager.
Field managers were Gene Tunick, eastern district;
Sidney Cooper, central; George Pabst, southern; F.
J. Lee, midwest; Ralph Clark, coast; Charles S.
Chaplin, Canadian; Joseph Sugar, New York branch
manager and Harry Goldmen, Chicago branch manager.
BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957 11

RE-SELLING! ADS IN
28 NATIONAL MAGAZINES ... A READERSHIffe
WHO WAS THIS STRANGE
CORY,
THE MAN THAT NOBODY KNEW?
:^
What fascination
drew women to his arms
. . . despite themselves?
What made men fight,
or fear, or follow him?
What was the secret he
left buried in the shadows
of Sangamon Street?
V
TONY CURTIS • MARTHA HYER
CliiEMAScOp£ ^/S^T^^^oH^
W^"^^:

)F 47.000.000. ..AIMED TO REACH EVERY POTENTIAL AUDIENCE
CHARLES BICKFORD • KATHRYN GRANT
with RUSS MORGAN Directed by BLAKE EDWARDS Screenplay by BLAKE EDWARDS Produced by ROBERT ARTHUR

—
—
Independent Exchanges
To Get Some RKO Films
NEW YORK—RKO has completed negotiations
with Budd Rogers for the U. S. distribution
of a number of RKO pictures
through independent releasing organizations.
These pictures were not included in the distribution
deal set by RKO with Universal-
International in January, according to Daniel
T. O'Shea, president of RKO Radio Pictures.
Negotiations were conducted by Edward L.
Walton. RKO vice-president, with Rogers,
formerly vice-president and general manager
of Realart Pictures, who will supervise the
operation in conjunction with Walter Branson.
RKO vice-president in charge of worldwide
sales, and Nat Levy and Herb Greenblatt,
RKO sales executives. Promotion of the
pictures also will be supervised by RKO
department heads. Al Stern, worldwide publicity
manager; Dave Cantor, exploitation
manager, and Ben Grimm, advertising manager.
All 32 of the major company exchange
areas will be covered by the distribution
deals and, in addition to the managers of
the releasing fu'ms, 94 salesmen will be involved
in the selling of the films. Many of
these independent companies have already
added former RKO employes to their staffs
to handle the product.
The distribution plan is expected to give
"new life" to the films. RKO said, by providing
a greater sell-off than could have been
anticipated through the normal distribution
channels of RKO's former setup. RKO also
feels that new sales organizations, picking
up the films, will offer a greater stimulant
to the sale of the pictures.
The independent releasing organizations
which will handle the RKO product in the
U. S. are, by territories:
Albany and Buffalo—George Waldman, Waldman
Enterprises, Buffalo; Atlanta and Jacksonville
Chorles Simpson and William Richardson, Capitol
Releasing Corp., Atlanta; Boston and New Haven
Joseph E. Levine, Embassy Pictures Corp., Boston;
Charlotte—^Robert F. Pinson, American-Astor Distributmg
Corp., Charlotte; Chicago Max Roth and
Charles Lindow, Linro, Inc., Chicago; Cincinnati and
Indianapolis—Mrs. Selam Blochsleger, Jay Goldberg
and Helen Bohn, Realart Pictures of Cincinnati;
Dallas and Oklahoma City— Fred A. Meyers, Tower
Pictures Co., Dallas; Denver and Salt Lake City
Hal C. Fuller, Dimension Pictures, Salt Lake City;
Des Moines and Omaha—William Feld, Realart Pictures
of Iowa and Nebraska, Des Moines; Detroit
Jack Zide, Allied Film Exchange, Detroit; Kansas
City—^Robert Herrell, United Film Exchange, Kansas
City; Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Portland—Newton
P. Jacobs, Favorite Films of California,
Los Angeles; Milwaukee—W. Benjamin,
Screen Guild Production of Wisconsin, Milwaukee;
Minneapolis—Donald Swartz, Independent Film Distributors,
Minneapolis; New Orleans—Milton Dureau,
Masterpiece Pictures, New Orleans; New York
Sherman Krellberg and Richard Perry, Principal Film
Exchange, New York City; Philadelphia and Washignton—Jock
Harris, Screen Guild Productions of
Philo., Philadelphia; Pittsburgh—Milton Brauman
and Bert Steorn, Pittsburgh; St. Louis—George Phillips
and Herman Gorelick, Realart Pictures of St.
Louis, and Cleveland— Irwin Pollard, Imperial Pictures,
Cleveland and Memphis, Fred A. Meyers, Colonial
Pictures of Tennessee, Memphis.
WB Promotes Egolf
NEW YORK—Hans J.
Egolf has been appointed
Warner Bros.' supervisor for Belgium,
Switzerland and Germany by Wolfe Cohen,
president of Warner International. Egolf will
make his headquarters in Zurich. He formerly
was manager of Belgium and supervisor of
Switzerland. Robert Gonze, office manager
in Belgium, has been promoted to succeed
Egolf as Belgian manager.
'Stage Struck' Receives
Special RKO Promotion
NEW YORK — RKO has employed Dick
Weaver, publicity man for stage shows and
special film deals, to promote "Stage Struck,"
starring Henry Fonda, Susan Strasberg and
Joan Greenwood. It is now being shot on
location and at the Production Center here.
Weaver and his staff of five have opened
the campaign. It will continue for 30 weeks
up to the time of release of the picture.
Weaver will be in full charge of all publicity
and exploitation, but will maintain
liaison with RKO publicity staffs here and
on the coast on all matters of company policy.
He said his campaign will have a fourfold
purpose. It will aim for public acceptance
of "Stage Struck" as a big picture, form
a "hard core" of filmgoers prepared to see
the picture prior to reviews, produce a "success
formula" involving distributors, exhibitors,
film salesmen and newspapermen, and
establish a "flagship" picture carrying the
RKO producing banner.
One hundred newspaper critics and amusement
editors in key cities will be invited to
watch production here. The first group arrived
Monday (11) from Boston. It included
Elinor Hughes of the Boston Herald, Alta
Maloney of the Boston Traveler, Peggy Doyle
of the Boston American and Marjorie Adams
of the Boston Globe. Telephone Interviews
from the set will be arranged for critics
who cannot make the trip.
Weaver will also contact 30,000 drama
groups in U. S. high schools, colleges and
community theatres. Letters from those making
the picture will be mailed them from
time to time. They will receive a special
thi'ee-scene script for their own use.
William Dozier, RKO vice-president in
charge of production, arranged the deal with
Weaver.
Fae Miske Buys Rights
To Burstyn Properties
NEW YORK—Fae R. Miske, associated
with Joseph Burstyn for many years, has
bought all the rights to the Burstyn properties
from his estate and will continue in business
under the name of Joseph Burstyn, Inc.
She has been operating head of the company
since Burstyn's death three years ago.
Miss Miske has taken over some 20 films,
including "Open City," "Bicycle Thief,"
"Paisan," "Miracle in Milan," "Justice Is
Done," "The Quiet One" and "Little Fugitive."
All are in active distribution. Her acquisitions
include theatrical, non-theatrical
and television rights. Some cover Canadian
as well as U. S. distribution rights and some
worldwide rights.
She also has several new films. One is the
Greek import, "Stella," starring Melina Mercouri,
which has been booked for exhibition
here. Another is "Portraits of Shame," a
Japanese trilogy featuring the Bungaku Za
Repertory Theatre, to be shown here in September.
RKO Starts Disposing
Exchange Properties
NEW YORK—RKO has just begun the job
of physical disposal of its exchanges. There
are leases to be taken care of and there is
office and projection room equipment to be
sold. The job is complicated for a number
of reasons. One is that this is the first
time in the history of the industry that a
30-city system of exchanges has gone into the
discard. RKO executives have no pattern
to follow.
Right now, office and projection room
equipment is being inventoried and a study
of leases has begun. One exception is New
York. Here Bonded Film Storage has solved
one problem by taking over the space and
equipment.
Firms in the business of purchasing office
equipment in the bulk have begun bidding or
sounding out RKO as to what it has to offer.
The company expects to receive queries from
other motion picture companies which are
talking expansion of field activities. Among
them are Allied Artists, Distributors Corp. of
America and the U. S. distribution unit of
J. Arthur Rank of Britain. In fact, RKO
believes that some guarded queries already
received have come from those sources.
Some key city setups are, of course, more
elaborate than others and may turn out to
pose special problems. Among the cities
having regular two-story exchange buildings
leased by RKO are Boston, Pittsburgh, Charlotte
and Atlanta. They were especially
built for the purposes they have been serving,
with large film vaults and loading platforms.
The disposition of leases will call for considerable
study. Where they are of short
duration—say, those expiring this year—they
may be allowed to run their course. Where
they have a longer time to go, RKO will try
to find good tenants to take over the leases.
The company is hopeful, too, that some landlords
will be glad to take back short-term
leases in the expectation of signing up longterm
renters.
One lease has five years to run, give or
take a month or two. That lease was signed
only two weeks before RKO decided to give
up distribution in the U. S. The indication,
of course, is that RKO's decision was a sudden
one.
What estimate does RKO put on its exchange
holdings? The executives won't
hazard a guess. They say they are "just
feeling our way at the moment." Later on
they'll have a pretty good idea.
"Oklahoma!" Regular Run
In London Opens March 11
NEW YORK—"Oklahoma!" will start a
regular run in London March 11 with extended
playing time in most of the theatres
booking it, according to Walter Branson, RKO
vice-president in charge of worldwide distribution.
Following a 20-week European engagement
in the West End—eight weeks at the Odeon,
Leicester Square, and 12 weeks at the Odeon,
Marble Arch— it has been playing at 21 key
provincial theatres, many of them using the
extended playing plan.
RKO exploiteers have been busy for 16
weeks backing up the provincial dates, placing
photos and serializations of the story in
newspapers and using television, radio, records
and sheet music to promote the music.
14 BOXOFFICE :: February 16. 1957

Ha^/e you e^er seen svet
^^HOLPiNG POW£R

Theatres m Ky. and W. Va.
Are Hard Hit by Flood
CINCINNATI—Many Kentucky and West
Vii-ginia theatremen this week- were cleaning
mud and debris from their theatres in
the wake of the. disastrous floods of the Big
Sandy and Kentucky rivers, "th^ ' waters
receded rapidly, but the job of cleaning up
the mud remained.
Many theatres in the area had resumed
operations by midweek, but the fact that
hundreds of homes and business establishments
were hard hit by the flood waters was
expected to have its effect on theatre attendance.
Worst flood damage thus far reported in
the theatre industry was at the Auburn
Drive-In, Cumberland, Ky., owned by O. G.
Roaden, who said it would take about $30,000
to put the house back into operation.
The Lycinda Drive-In, Fusonia, Ky., for
which Floyd Morrow of Louisville does the
booking and buying, was damaged greatly. At
least 100 speakers were lost. The Lycinda
had been operating during the winter, but
it is not now known when it will be reopened.
The town of Hazard, Ky., was almost entirely
under water, and the Family and Virginia
theatres, owned by L. O. Davis, have
not yet reopened, but are expected to within
a few weeks. Ii-onically, the Virginia Theatre
marquee advertised "Away All Boats"
when the flood crest reached the bottom
of the mai-quee. The Grandvue Drive-In at
Hazard, owned by Eugene Combs, was
flooded and Davis' Neon Theatre, Neon, Ky.,
also was affected by the floods.
The Weddington Theatre, Pikeville, Ky.,
was under ten feet of water. This house is
owned by Joseph and Sam Isaacs, whose
Corlee Theatre, Cumberland, also was in
the flood water.
The Martin Theatre, Martin, Ky., built
with an entrance to the balcony, was able to
continue to operate as patrons came to the
theatre in boats. The Martin is owned by
Lawrence Keathley.
The Corbin, Ky., Hippodrome, owned by
L. Merenbloom, was not flooded, but the
roads were and it was necessary to deliver
the film by boat.
In Barbourville, Ky., the Knox Drive-In
and Mitchell Theatre, owned by Paul T.
Mitchell, were affected. Tlie Strand, Prestonburg,
Ky., owned by Lawrence Keathley,
and the Abigail Theatre, owned by H. T.
Allen, were in the flood water, but have now
reopened.
In West Virginia, the Matewan Theatre,
Matewan, owned by Fi'ank Allara has not
been reopened, but is expected to open soon.
The Guyan Theatre, Logan, W. Va., owned by
the Nebold-Keesling circuit, was affected,
but has reopened. Also reopened are the
theatres in Williamson, W. Va. The Cinderella
Theatre here is owned by Louis and
Mannie Shor and Hyman Banks. Williamson
was under ten feet of water during the
flood.
TOA Asks Data on Foreign
Films for New Directory
NEW YORK—Theatre Owners of America
has asked all distributors of foreign films to
supply by the weekend exact information
about their product for inclusion in a special
monthly directory TOA will send its members.
The first mailing is set for late in this month.
The data sought follows : Picture title, name
of stars, running time, black-and-white or
color, type of entertainment, language, title
or dubbed, year originally released. Legion of
Decency rating and production code seal.
A list of company exchanges and sub-distributors
with addresses was also requested.
Ernest G. Stellings, president, mailed the
request. He noted that the recent TOA convention
and foreign film fair had proved of
great interest to exhibitors, but that no single
source of information existed for exhibitors
who want data on available foreign and independent
product.
Promoting Plan With Brokerage Firms
To Use Theatres During Idle Hours
SEATTLE—Joe Daniels, veteran Seattle
booking agent with a business extending over
the coast and mountain states, is promoting
a plan under which the nation's motion picture
theatres would be converted during idle
morning hours into stock brokers' board
rooms. Persons interested in following stock
market reports would pay a small admission,
probably 50 cents, to watch the projected
tapes of the New York Stock Exchange, the
American Stock Exchange, and the Dow
Jones Service.
Brokerage houses would be encouraged to
set up branch offices in the same theatres
to handle purchases by direct telephone with
main offices. Daniels has sent literature to
1,850 corporations and 600 brokerage offices
in the U. S. and is preparing a fuller
exposition of his plan to be sent to 200
financial editors and writers.
Locally, he is negotiating for the use of
the Music Box Theatre and he is also negotiating
for houses elsewhere in Washington
and Oregon. He would operate Washington
and Oregon houses personally and would
sell copyright on his idea to other operators
to whatever extent such a copyright is
salable. The copyright has been applied for.
Daniels plans to publish a full-page ad in
Seattle newspapers February 25 to announce
the "Grand Opening, Wednesday, February
27th" at the Music Box Theatre of "The
Stock Market Theatre." Hours would be from
6:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Neva Patterson Is Signed
HOLLYWOOD—Neva Patterson has been
signed by 20th-Fox for featured roles in both
"The Desk Set" and "An Affair- to Remember."
Edward W. Lider Asks
Ban of 'Delinquents'
BOSTON—A second trade screening of
"The Delinquents," United Artists release,
was scheduled by Independent Exhibitors,
Inc., of New England and the New England
Drive-In Ass'n, following receipt of a telegram
from Max Youngstein, UA vice-president,
advising Edward W. Lider, president
of both New England groups, that UA will
go ahead with release plans for the picture.
Lider earlier had sent a wire to Arthur B.
Krim, United Ai-tists president, requesting
that the Imperial Productions film be withdrawn
from release. Lider, admitting that
he had not seen the picture and was basing
his objections on trade screening reports, declared
that the film "has many objectionable
scenes; particularly one scene, in which violence
and vandalism at a drive-in theatre
is shown."
Decision for a second screening this week
of "The Delinquents" was reached at a Tuesday
morning (12> meeting of the drive-in
association board and an afternoon meeting
the same day of lENE members. Lider, circuit
heads and drive-in theatre operators
who had not viewed the first screening were
to attend the second showing.
The text of the wire from Youngstein to
Lider: "Your wire re 'The Delinquents' has
been turned over to me. This picture was
produced by Elmer Rhoden jr., an exhibitor
and operator of a most important circuit of
regular theatres as well as 35 drive-ins. This
picture also has the approval of Elmer
Rhoden sr., president of National Theatres.
"This picture also has a Motion Picture
Ass'n Code Seal as well as an acceptable
rating by the Legion of Decency. I spoke
to Rhoden. He wants you to communicate
directly with him at Imperial Productions,
Kansas City, Mo. We are, of course, proceeding
with the release of the picture."
Elmer Rhoden Jr. Comments
On Lider Film Protest
KANSAS CITY—Elmer C. Rhoden jr., advised
of Lider's request for the withdrawal
of "The Delinquents," expressed regret that
the lENE president had taken such action
without personally viewing the film. Rhoden
added that he intended to show the picture
in all drive-in situations of the Commonwealth
circuit, of which he is president.
"While I will admit that 'The Delinquents'
is probably extremely brutal," Rhoden said,
"it must be remembered that this is an exploitation
picture, the type people are paying
to see today.
"I am surprised that Mr. Lider would make
such a statement without seeing the picture.
It is very seldom that a true showman can
book a picture he can go out and exploit,
without it being, to the audience, a nambypamby
picture. If theatres are to exist today
they must have programs which cannot be
seen on television. Evidently everything
Mr. Lider wishes in a picture can be seen
by any of his patrons free today on TV."
"As for my own theatre company," Rhoden
continued, "it will play and properly exploit
this picture to get the most from the boxoffice
dollar. We have 35 drive-ins, including
two of over 1,000-car capacity and on
down to 200 and 300-car drive-ins in small
towns. I don't expect any opposition from
my independent drive-in friends in the Kansas-Missouri
teiTitory."
IG BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957

.

HOW FAR ON DIVERSIFICATION?
Film Company Investments Outside
Industry Bring a Big Question
By SUMNER SMITH
NEW YORK—Just how far are motion picture
companies going in the direction of diversification?
The question is a pertinent one at this
time because of the news that Paramount
has acquired Dot Records, which did $6,000,000
in sales in 1956, and because of rumors that
other companies are seeking additional sound
investments outside the industry.
Perhaps the question can be answered fairly
accurately by mid-year. Right now, the onlooker
has to form his own opinion from the
data at hand.
Has any particular pattern emerged as the
result of acquisitions already signed, sealed
and delivered? One, of course, has to do
with entry in a serious way into the production
of entertainment and commercials for
television. That's clearly evident.
HOT RECORD COMPETITION
Then there's a trend rather than a pattern
because any further expansion can run into
road blocks. That concerns the record industry.
There's some hot competition on between
motion picture companies. And companies
not directly in the motion picture field.
Paramount, with Dot Records, is, of course,
the newcomer. Already in the field are Loew's
with MGM Records, Am-Par Records, a subsidiary
of American Broadcasting-Paramount
Theatres, and Decca Records, which is also
in the motion picture business through its
80 per cent interest in Universal-International.
RKO Unique right now is waxing
"Romance Is a Silken Affair" from the film
of that name for February release. All of
them have the same idea. Songs in a motion
picture sell the record and then the
record sells the picture.
Are roadblocks making further expansion
in the field unlikely? There are three additional
and powerful ones—Radio Corp. of
America, Columbia Broadcasting System and
Capitol Records, owned by Broadcast Music
Industries, a British electronic company.
They aren't for sale.
Motion picture companies are also active
in the sheet music field. There is Paramount
with the Famous Music Co. and Paramount-
Roy Rogers Music Co., Loew's Big Three
Music Co. and Warner Bros.' Music Publishers
Holding Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary
controlling some 50,000 copyrights.
ALSO LANDLORD BUSINESS
Records and sheet music are only two examples
of diversification. There is the landlord
business. Paramount owns and rents out
a large part of the Paramount building on
Broadway and Columbia has some outstanding
Fifth Avenue tenants for its new home.
Then there is National Theatres which is
constructing and leasing store buildings and
auto parks on hitherto unproductive properties.
Government contract.s make the electronic,
aeronautical and nucleonic fields lucrative
ones. There we find AB-PT with a 25 per
cent interest, lately acquired, in the Wind
Tunnel Instrument Co. of Boston. It already
had a one-third interest in Microwave Associates
of Boston and a 22 per cent interest
in Technical Operations of Arlington, Mass.
Incidentally, Western Union acquired the
same amount of interest in each of three at
the same time AB-PT bought in.
Paramount claims a $10,000,000 investment
in outside interests. There is its interest in
DuMont Laboratories, in International Telemeter,
an electronics concern which has a
toll TV device, and Chromatic Television
Laboratories with its Lawrence single -tube
gun for color TV which DuMont is now manufacturing.
The ABC division of AB-PT is in the radio-
TV broadcasting industry. Loew's has station
WMGM, Paramount has station KTLA in
Hollywood and, through its Canadian affiliate,
TV stations at Kitchener and Quebec.
Twentieth Century-Fox, besides its TV production
interests, has a 50 per cent interest
in the NTA Film Network.
Stanley Warner is offering the public
girdles, brassieres and antiseptics through
International Latex, AB-PT has a 35 per
cent interest in Disneyland Park, 20th-Fox
has De Luxe Laboratories and oil wells. Republic
has Consolidated Laboratories and the
Consolidated Molded Products Corp., which
is in the plastic molding business, and Walt
Disney Productions.
Disney's projects could furnish material
for an entire volume. There are wholly
owned subsidiaries which market and exploit
names, characters, music and other values
growing out of theatrical films, TV shows and
Disneyland, in which the producing company
owns 35 per cent. It licenses manufacturers
to produce Disney merchandise and issue
publications. It has its own phonograph
record label and Disneyland Records. After
films have shown in theatres or on TV, it
rents 16mm prints of some of them for
limited use to non-theatrical users.
There you ai'e. Probably some projects have
been missed. What does it all add up to?
What are the patterns and the trends, if
any? You be the doctor.
'Mom and Dad' Show Hit
Over Sale of Booklets
NEW YORK—The New York City Department
of Licenses Monday ill) ordered the
Central Theatre in Manhattan and the
Strand in Brooklyn to close for a week for
violation of their licenses to present only
motion pictures. Both have been showing
"Mom and Dad" and "She Shoulda Said No."
The action was based on the sale of booklets
on sex education dm'ing the show.
Ephraim S. London, attorney, representing
Fabian Enterprises, operator of the Strand,
and GMM Theatrical Pi'oductions, operator
of the Central, immediately obtained an injunction
in Supreme Court to restrain Bernard
J. O'Donnell. license commissioner, from
suspending the licenses. It was returnable
later in the week.
Kroger Babb, producer of "Mom and Dad."
called the commissioner's action "vindictive
and punitive." Maurice Maurer, manager of
the Central, said application would be filed
for a theatrical license which covers both
live and motion picture shows.
'Battle Hymn' Opening
At 3 Marietta Houses
MARIETTA, OHIO — Universal-International's
"Battle Hymn," Cinemascope film
based on the exploits of Col. Dean E. Hess
in World War II, opened at the Colony, Putnam
and Ohio theatres Thursday (14), after
almost three months of advance preparation.
Marietta is the home town of Col. Hess and
the opening was part of a two-day statewide
tribute to him on his homecoming.
Governors of two states, Hollywood stars and
at least 14 marching bands took part in the
parade celebrating the world premiere of
"Battle Hymn." Gov. Cecil H. Underwood of
West Virginia and Gov. C. William O'Neill of
Ohio, both former Marietta College faculty
members spoke briefly. Also on hand were
Rock Hudson, Dan Duryea, Jock Mahoney
and Ingrid Goude, featured player in the
picture, and Ross Hunter, producer, as well
as Dr. You Chan Yang, Korean ambassador
to the U. S., and Maj. Gen. Roger Browne,
commander of the First Air Force. Hudson,
who portrays Col. Hess in "Battle Hymn,"
was presented a Doctor of Arts degi-ee at
Marietta College's annual Founders Day
Thursday.
The National Broadcasting Co. network
program, "Monitor," and the Columbia
Broadcasting System's "The Personal Angle"
recorded highlights of the two-day celebration
for broadcasting the February 16 weekend.
New York City scheduled a two-day celebration
for the opening of "Battle Hymn" at
the Capitol Theatre Friday (15 1, to include
lobby appearances of Rock Hudson on opening
day and USAF's MARS special communication
equipment, permitting gratis messages
to service men in any part of the world
from patrons of the Capitol, Friday, Saturday
and Sunday (15, 16, 17). Barbara Atkins,
selected as "The Sweetheart of the Air Force,"
also was to be on hand at the Capitol.
British Academy Selects
'Gervaise' 1956 Top Film
LONDON — "Gervaise," the F'rench-made
film, has been selected by the British Film
Academy as the best picture in 1956, it was
announced here early this week. Starring
Maria Schell and directed by Rene Clement,
the film has not yet been released in the
U. S.
Other winners included Anna Magnani as
the yeai''s best actress in "The Rose Tattoo"
(WB), for which Miss Magnani won last
year's Academy Award in Hollywood; Eli
Wallach as the most promising newcomer to
movies for his role in "Baby Doll" (WB) and
"Gerald McBoing-Boing on Planet Moo" (Col)
as the year's best animated film. Americanmade
"On the Bowery" (Lionel Rogosin) received
an award as the year's best documentary
film.
Nigel Balchin received the award for the
best British screenplay for "The Man Who
Never Was." (20th-Fox), starring Chfton
Webb and Gloria Grahame.
Kathryn Grant
on Tour
HOLLYWOOD—Kathryn Grant went to
San Francisco to participate in the promotion
for U-I's "Mister Cory." She also was
scheduled to visit Boston, Detroit and Chicago
for openings in those cities.
18 BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957

—
Asks Standardization
Of Small Sprockets
NEW YORK— Standardization of prints so
that all will have small sprocket holes is
the goal of the Motion Picture Research
Council, Eastern Section, The proposal now
is being prepared and will be submitted to
the West Coast Section of the Council late
this month. If all companies adopt the small
sprocket prints, it will be necessary for every
theatre to install small sprockets on its
projectors.
The cost, it is reported, will be between
$75 and $100, but it will enable theatres to
play product produced with any type of
sound tracks, up to six-track magnetic.
At the recent Allied drive-in convention
in Cincinnati, Hugh McLachlan, chairman
of the Allied equipment committee, warned
that exhibitors who have not installed small
sprockets are likely "to get caught in the
rush." He revealed that two companies, MGM
and 20th Century-Fox, were starting to make
only small sprocket prints, the first being
20th-Fox's "The True Story of Jesse James,"
.'tarring Robert Wagner and Jeffrey Hunter.
Of 17,591 theatres, McLachlan told the
convention, only 15 per cent have installed
the small sprockets.
WB Appoints Dick Lederer
Assistant Ad Manager
NEW YORK—Dick Lederer,
ad copy chief for seven
years, has been promoted
to the post of
assistant advertising
manager to Gil Golden,
it is announced by
Robert S. Taplinger,
vice-president and director
of advertising
and public relations.
Lederer will assist
advertising manager
Golden on all ad ac-
including
Warner Bros,
tivities,
Dick Lederer
magazine, newspaper,
poster, radio-television and tradepaper advertising.
Geo. Roscoe Named TOA
Field Representative
CHARLOTTE, N. C—George Roscoe of this
city has been appointed field representative
of Theatre Owners of
America by Ernest G.
Stellings, president. He
will assume his duties
Monday (18), maintaining
close liaison
with state and regional
units. He is a native
of Indiana and settled
in South Carolina as
a youth.
Roscoe joined the industry
in 1920. He has
been employed by Columbia
for 23 years as
salesman in the local area, then branch manager
here for seven years and for the last
eiglit years as branch manager in the Atlanta
territory. Before joining Columbia he was
with National Theatre Supply and the Alexander
Film Co.
Memoriam
In
JN THE February 2
BETWEEN THE LINES
issue of Editor & Publisher,
Columnist Ray Erwin wrote:
"Death of a newspaper is a tragedy, personal
and profound, which haunts crew
members of the sunken ship with poignant
sorrow and lingering nostalgia until their
own dying day.
"There are veteran newsmen still working
in the craft who have suffered as many
as three or four such bitter bereavements.
I have undergone the throes of two newspaper
funerals amid sweat and swearing.
"With heavy heart and hot tears, I had
to slay the child of my own creation.
News world, a weekly newspaper in the old
hometown. North Wilkesboro, N. C, a war
casualty. I shall never forget the black
misery of the final banner line: 'Newsworld
Goes to War."
"Then there was the awful day the Sun
went down—Jan. 4, 1950, when the 117-
year-old New York Sun shone and sank
to rise no more. Sunmen, inheritors of a
great tradition, brave and bold, became
within one shellshocking hour bewildered
boys with out home or purpose.
"Syndicated columnist Robert C. Ruark,
deep in the African bush when he learned
of the deaths of Collier's and other magazines,
wrote: 'A paper or magazine has a
personality that is not to be found in ordinary
business ventures. It has heart, personality,
nostalgic reputation—things that
you feel as deeply as if some person you
loved has died.'
"All of us can help see to it that newspapers
which have passed on to celestial
circulation did not die in vain if we do
everything in our power to give such
strength and health to current newspapers
that they will go on living and serving
indefinitely. Let's make every cooperative
effort and sacrifice to keep all segments of
the press among the quick."
Now let's re-read the above. If you are
a distributor, substitute the word "theatre"
wherever the word "newspaper" or "press"
is used. And if you are an exhibitor, substitute
the word "distributor" for the word
"newspaper" or "press."
'Nuff
said.
Another Fable
QNCE upon a time there was an exhibitor
who out-bid all his competitors for
a picture which, he was sure, was just the
kind of entertainment his customers would
like. After booking it, he began looking
over travel folders because he was quite
confident the receipts would be big enough
so he could afford a cruise.
"Shall we get up a street ballyhoo of
some kind?" asked his manager.
"Why should we?" said the exhibitor.
By AL STEEr^
"All we'll need on the street is an extra
force of traffic cops."
"How about a contest?" the manager
suggested.
"Contest, flontest, plontest—who needs
it?" cried the owner.
"Then let's take some extra newspaper
advertising," offered the manager.
"This picture will advertise itself," the
exhibitor replied.
"All right. I'll just order a trailer then.
That always brings 'em in," said the manager.
"This picture doesn't need a trailer," the
owner responded.
On the night that the picture opened,
the sole patron was arrested for vagrancy.
As he was being led out of the theatre,
he glared at the owoier and mumbled,
"That was a swell picture but why did you
keep it a secret? I went in just to get out
of the rain."
MORAL: The only establishment that
makes money without advertising is the
United States Mint,
Pickups from the Papers
pROM The Wall Street Journal:
A quickie motion pictme producer of
Hollywood once tried a different approach
on an actor who asked for a contract before
starting work in a new movie.
"Why do you want a contract?" asked
the mogul. "You have my word and I have
yours. That should be enough for both of
us."
"It's enough for us, " replied the actor,
who was no newcomer to Hollywood, "but
what will we have to show the judge?"
Prom Leonard Lyons in the N. Y. Post:
Dimitri Tiomkin has the most famed accent
in Hollywood. And his mangled English
makes him most popular at dinner
parties. The Academy Award-winning
composer boasted that Sam Goldwyn constantly
seeks his company. "The explanation
is simple." Tiomkin was told, "Goldwyn
enjoys listening to you, because when
he hears you talk he feels as if he'd gone
to Oxford."
Fiom Irving Mack's "Inspiration":
TV Announcer: "We have just received
a bulletin of a catastrophe, the like of
which has never been known to mankind
but first,
a word from our sponsor."
Schlanger in Port Post
NEW YORK—Ted Schlanger, Stanley
Warner Philadelphia zone manager, has been
named commissioner of the Delaware River
Port Authority by Governor Leader. The
appointment was later confirmed by the
Pennsylvania State Senate.
BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957 19

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LETTERS
Puts Shoe on Others' Foot
Here is a copy of a letter sent to all Kansas
City branch managers which I hope might
amuse you.
ATTENTION ALL FILM DISTRIBUTORS':
Please mark your records for one of the
most colossal drives in the history of theatre
business.
The months of June. July and August 1957
are hereby designated as good old Bud
Broun Drive Months.
Bud Broun is one of the most honored
men in the history of the PhilUpsburg. Kas.
theatres. He has worked long and hard, particularly
the past two years with no profit.
What little he has accomplished for anyone
the past two years has helped the film distributors
more than anyone. A fellow of such
a fine nature deserves to be rewarded some
w"ay and it is the opinion of the writer that
such reward could be given through good
old Bud Broun Drive Months.
Here is how it works: Each film company
may submit to the writer first and second
choices for the period during good old Bud
Broun Drive Months in which that company
chooses to supply free film to the Phillipsburg
Drive-In Theatre.'* Short subjects
count in this diive almost as much as features,
but of course the better the features,
the more the company will be showing thenappreciation.
Please submit yoiu' dates for both features
and short subjects to the writer and let's
put good old Bud Broun Drive Months over
with a bang.
Thanks for your usual fine cooperation.
*No film distributor not now selling film to
Phillipsburg may participate in good old Bud Broun
Drive Months. Sorry, but ony company that wanted
to make the loss in 1956 greoter than it was, moy
not participote.
"No compony may have over two weeks to
supply both features ond short subjects for the good
old Bud Broun Drive Months. Please do not request
ony additional ploying time.
Majestic Theatre,
PhilUpsbiu-g, Kas,
BUD BROUN
A Way to Curb Teenage Trouble
We have all heard a lot about teenage episodes,
disturbances, and all that sort of thing.
I'll
just say there would be considerably less
of this, if theatres would stop having teenage
youngsters ushering, etc., and giving
orders to the kids in attendance.
Kids bossing kids just don't work, in my
experience, and NOTHING in my book will
start something quicker than a kid employe
that goes to school with the rest of the kids
assuming an air of authority when he gets
on a uniform at night in the theatre. I think
the reaction quite natural and anytime anyone
delegates any authority to a kid employe
or sends them down in a theatre to "quiet"
a group of noise-makers, he's just asking for
trouble, that's for sure. Yet it's being done
in a lot of theatres, as you know.
I don't altogether blame the kids for resenting
it, either, but it's just a case of sending
a boy to do a man's job, which never has
worked. I think ANY manager can have
reasonably good order, if HE WILL PER-
SONALLY WORK AT IT, HIMSELF, instead
of exi)ecting another kid to exercise control
over the paid kid customers. I know there
are exceptions to all rules, but I think I
know what I'm talking about.
I don't want to be quoted by name, but
what I have said can open up a couple of
avenues for thought as this particular job in
a theatre isn't one for a part-time "Johnny."
It's just one of the conditions that keeps
people away from movies that can be improved
upon.
KANSAS THEATRE OWNER
The Picture Show is Not Dead'
I had an experience on New Year's E\e. I
thought surely somebody would put it in
BOXOFFICE. As yet I have not seen it, so
here goes.
Occasionally, when one of the theatres in
our territory has a good Midnight Show, I
take the four boys who help me around the
Opera House to see it. This pleases the kids
very much and you would be surprised how
much better they work.
So, not having a midnight show on New
Year's Eve, I looked the ads over, to see which
might suit us the better. I decided to take
them 50 miles to Salina, to the Watson Theatre.
They were showing "Don't Knock the
Rock" and "Rumble on the Docks."
It was 11:30 when we got there. Lo and behold,
the sidewalks were full of people, spilling
out into the streets. It looked like the
lines that were common when "Vitaphone first
introduced talking pictures.
When I got to the ticket window, I found
a sign saying "All seats 90 cents." Their
usual price is 25 cents and 85 cents. So the
price did not matter to these youngsters. My
guess is that this theatre seats about 1,400.
I bet, give or take a few, that they had 1,500
people in the building.
Sure, they had the town, the youngsters,
the night and the picture.
I decided that the picture show was not
dead, if we can give them what they want.
You know somebody had to do the advertising,
handle the immense crowd, sell the
tickets and all the things that go with a "sellout."
So in passing, let's tip our hats to a
Master Showman, Speed Martin, and to his
very, very efficient help.
Opera House.
Miltonvale. Kas.
JOHN M.
BAILEY
'Required Reading for All Exhibitors'
File this letter with yoiu heap of fan
mail. Your "A Fable—Not by Aesop" (Feb.
2, 1957 issue should be required reading for
I
all
exhibitors.
Although I am alleged to have "retired"
from exhibition, I have a certificate indicating
that I am a life member of our Missouri-Illinois
Theatre Owners board of directors,
and my heart is in this business for
the dtu-ation of that membership.
Let's hope oiu- two exhibitor organizations
"make hay" before they fade into "Once upon
a time."
BESS SCHULTER
Columbia Theatre,
Louis, Mo.
Newspaper Boosts Movie Theatre
As 'Good for the
A big boost for the local motion picture
theatre in Fox Lake, 111., was made
in an editorial that appeared in the Fox
Lake Herald recently. Under the head,
"A Good Thing for the Whole Town,"
the editorial follows:
It's hard for merchants to learn that,
as Ben Franklin once said, "If we don't
hang together we'll surely hang separately."
.Any business that draws townsfolk
down to the main stem of an evening
means money in the bank for every
shop on the street. .And this applies to
all whether open or shut, for coming in
to town is a habit that has to be encouraged.
One enterprise that more
than any other, keeps people coming in,
is a local movie theatre. In any number
of towns, when due to lack of local
patronage, a lone movie house closed
down, the merchants finally woke up and
chipped in to get it open again. A movieless
town has a dead air about it. Its
young people drive off elsewhere, its
shops close earlier, the village fathers
might as well take in the sidewalks at
suppertime.
Fox Lake Ls lucky in having a wellmanaged
film showplace, with good surroundings.
Its programs are chosen to try
to appeal to many varied tastes—there
St.
Whole Town'
are cops-and-robbers. cowbo.vs-and-Indians,
and serious adult drama and
musicals, too. Something sometime for
everybody. Yet there are nights when
some of the world's top attractions play
here to a theatre far from filled. After
the picture is gone the very people who
would have found it most interesting, are
the ones who complain that they would
have come if they had known more about
it. There is a failure to communicate
special information to special interest
groups. Merely announcing titles and
stars will generally bring in the general
movie fan audience, but special messages
must get to the special interest groups
somehow if special interest pictures are
to get special support.
.And the merchants on the main stem,
whatever may be their personal movie
preferences, could do a lot more than
they are doing to keep reminding folks
that there's a good movie house right in
town. Schools, churches and civic organizations,
too, have channels of information
that might well be used in support
of especially worthy and interesting
films. Whatever brings people into town
for a worthy purpose—and the seeing of
a good film is stirely that—is a good
thing for the town. The whole town.
22 BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957

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BOXOmCE :: February 16. 1957 23

FiATURE neviiw
Funny Face
Paramount
By PRANK LEYENDECKER
n gay, tuneful and dazzlingly colorful musteal
in which two of filmdom's top
stars, the enchanting Audrey Hepburn and
the ever-youthful veteran Fred Astaire. team
up in several striking dance routines. Ideal
spring entertainment ahe Radio City Music
Hall has booked the picture for its annual
Easter show), this should do strong business
generally—for its fashion world background
will intrigue all women patrons—and they'll
bring in the men.
Although this Roger Edens production employs
six memorable George and Ira Gershwin
songs, including the title tune and
" 'S Wonderful," the Leonard Gershe story
is an original with no similarities to the
Broadway musical success of some years ago.
Dealing with Quality Magazine, the leading
publication of the world of fashion, the locale
is divided between New York's smart
Madison Avenue salons and atmospheric
Greenwich Village and the salons of Paris,
as well as its boulevards and backstreets—
which gives the spectator glimpses of the
Eiffel Tower and other Parisian landmarks,
magnificently captured by the VistaVision
and Technicolor cameras. The soft, misty
photographic effects by John P. Fulton and
the process photography by Farciot Edouart
have rarely been surpassed.
The elaborate and imaginative main title
backgrounds by Richard Avedon, noted
photographer, lead directly into a rhythmically
pounding opening shot of the angular
nightclub star, Kay Thompson, striding into
her magazine offices and dramatically calling
a staff meeting. Prom then on, the picture
is filled with striking effects, including unorthodox
flashing of the screen from one
color to another, dazzling and bizarre fashion
display (the women will drool at these
Paramount
"FUNNY
presents
FACE"
in VistoVision and Technicolor
Running time: 103 minutes
CREDITS
Produced by Roger Edens. Directed by Stanley
Donen. Written by Leonard Gershe. Music and
lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin, adapted and
conducted by Adolph Deutsch. Orchestral arrangements
by Conrad Salinger, Van Cleave,
Alexander Courage, Skip Martin. Additional
music and lyrics by Roger Edens and Leonard
Gershe. Choreography by Eugene Loring and
Fred Astaire. Songs staged by Stanley Donen. Director
of photography, Roy June. Technicolor consultant,
Richard Mueller. Art direction, Hal Pereiro
and George W. Davis. Edited by Frank
Bracht. Special photographic effects, John P.
Fulton. Process photography, Farciot Edouart.
Set decoration, Sam Comer and Ray Moyer.
Costumes, Edith Head. Miss Hepburn's Paris
wardrobe, Hubert de Givenchy. Assistant director,
William McGorry. Special visual consultant
and main title backgrounds, Richard Avedon.
Westrex Recording System.
THE CAST
Jo Audrey Hepburn
Dick Avery Fred Astaire
Moggi Prescott Kay Thompson
Professor Emil Flostre Michel Auclair
Paul Duval Robert Flemyng
Babs Virginia Gibson
Marion
Dovima
and Suzy Parker, Sue England, Sunny Harnett,
Ruto Lee, Jean Del Vol, Alex Gerry, Iphigenie
Castiglioni, Albert D'Arno, Marilyn White, Don
Powell, Paul Smith, Karen Scott, Diane Du Bois,
Elizabeth "Lizz" Slifer (all of these merely hove
bits).
24
Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire in
"Funny Face," Paramount musical in
VistaVision and Technicolor.
even if some of the males will find them
too chi-chi) and several airy dance routines
staged by Eugene Loring and Astaire in
which the star's smooth and semi-acrobatic
dancing style is deftly integrated with the
elfin Miss Hepburn's ballet steps—they make
a delightful team. Fresh from her triumph
in '"War and Peace," Miss Hepburn agam
gives a refreshingly youthful portrayal and
Astaij-e, although twice her age, manages to
make the romantic scenes convincing.
In the singing department, neither star
excels but together they put over such
Gershwin tunes a,s "How Long Has This
Been Going On, S Wonderful," "He Loves
and She Loves," "Clap Yo' Hands" and the
title melody in ingratiating fashion. To really
wham over songs, there is Kay Thompson,
a tall, angular nightclub comedienne who
resembles Hedda Hopper and who puts
tremendous verve and sophisticated style
into three special numbers by Edens and
Gershe, "Bonjour, Paris," sung on the Eiffel
Tower, "Think Pink," which features pink
mannequins, pink poodles and even pink
toothpaste, and "How to Be Lovely," a melodic
lesson in female charm in which she
teams with Miss Hepburn in a manner suggestive
of a vaudeville routine. The dynamic
Kay is a real trouper who has previously
scored in clubs, as the author of the bestselling
"Eloise" and as a recording star.
Stanley Donens direction is first-rate and
he also gets good performances from Robert
Flemyng, the British star who plays a Parisian
coutourier, and Michel Auclaii-, Pi-ench
film star, as a Bohemian cultist Audrey idolizes.
The others are merely bits, except for
Dovima, a stunning model who unexpectedly
uses Brooklyn-ese speech.
The light and inconsequential plot starts
in the New York offices of Quality Magazine,
whose editor, Kay Thompson, hits upon an
idea to find a new model to represent the
magazine in creations designed by Robert
Flemyng, the greatest coutourier in Paris.
Fred Astaire, the magazine's photographer,
finds Audrey Hepburn, a plainly-dressed
bookshop clerk, and photographs her in shots
that delight Kay. In Pai'is, Audrey searches
for a phoney cult leader while Fred finds
himself falling in love with her. When she
realizes her idol is made of clay, she returns
to Pred and together they make Kay's
fashion show a success.
To Screenplay 'Tin Roof
HOLLYWOOD—Phil Yordan has been
signed by MGM to write the screenplay of
Tennessee Williams' "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."
Pandro S. Berman will produce.
Industry Set to Aid
Brotherhood Drive
NEW YORK—Amusement industry observance
of Brotherhood Week will start Sunday
(171 and climax two months of preparation
under the leadership of William J. Heineman
and Spyros S. Skouras, national co-chairmen
of the 1957 drive sponsored by the National
Conference of Christians and Jews. It will
mark the 11th anniversary of participation
by the amusement industry.
Much of the activity will center in motion
picture theatres across the U. S., where exhibitors
will recruit members and solicit contributions.
Governors of 40 states and thousands
of mayors will issue proclamations asking
support of the drive. In some communities,
civic leaders will take part in inaugural
ceremonies in theatres. School children will
be excused from classes to attend the programs.
Promotion will include presentation of a
special newsreel featuring Ed Sullivan, lobby
and marquee displays and recruiting booths
manned by managers and their staffs. Various
industry companies and organizations are
conducting fund-raising drives among their
members.
Academy Lists Nomination
For Documentary Awards
HOLLYWOOD—Nominations for the documentary
awards of the Academy of Motion
Picture Arts and Sciences, as selected by a
special documentary nominations committee,
headed by Sidney P. Solow. have been determined
as follows:
Documentary features (over 3,000 ft. in
length! : "The Naked Eye," Camera Eye
Pictures, Louis Clyde Stoumen, producer;
•The Silent World," A Filmad-F.S.J.Y.C. Production
(French), Columbia, Jacques-Yves
Cousteau, producer; "Where Mountains
Float," Arn Studio (Danish), Brandon Films,
Government Film committee of Denmark,
producer.
Documentary short subjects (3,000 ft. or
less in length) : "A City Decides," Charles
Guggenheim and Associates, producer; "The
Dark Wave," 20th Century-Fox, John Healy.
producer; "The House Without a Name," Universal-International,
Valentine Davies, producer;
"Man in Space," Walt Disney-Buena
Vista, Ward Kimball, producer; "The True
Story of the Civil War," Camera Eye Pictures,
Louis Clyde Stoumen, producer.
All Warner Bros. Officers
Re-elected for One Year
NEW YORK— All the officers of Warner
Bros. Pictures were re-elected for a oneyear
term at a meeting of the board of directors
at the home office February 8.
Those re-elected were: Jack L. Warner,
president; Benjamin Kalmenson, executive
vice-president: Herman Starr, vice-president;
Stanleigh P. Friedman, vice-president; Robert
W. Perkins, vice-president, secretary and
general counsel; Wolfe Cohen, vice-president;
Robert S. Taplinger, vice-president;
Thomas J. Martin, treasurer; Walter Meihofer,
controller and assistant treasurer;
Cyril H. Wilder, assistant treasurer; Harold
S. Bareford, assistant secretary; Edward K.
Hessberg, assistant secretary, and Roy
Obringer, assistant secretary.
BOXOFFICE ;: February 16, 1957 %
i

BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957 25

. . This
. . DeMille
YOCHABEL (MARTHA SCOTT), MOTHER OF MOSES. PUTS
HIM AFLOAT IN A BASKET ON THE NILE TO SAVE HIM
'The
Ten Commandments' (Para)
Wins January Blue Ribbon Award
By VELMA WEST SYKES
/^ECIL B. DeMILLE'S "The Ten Commandments" has been vote(a the BOXOFPICE
Blue Ribbon Award for January. Members of the National Screen Council, who
mark their choice on postcard ballots, gave it this ovation as family entertainment
and praised it in extravagant terms in the comment space provided. DeMille's second
version of the Biblical classic—his first was also a Paramount release, in 1923 and
without sound, of course— is the culmination of his long and colorful career in motion
pictures. As its producer and director, not only has he used all he has learned in the
33 years since he made the original drama about the Decalog, but he has also used
the technical advances which have been made in the motion picture field and this
version is in VistaVision and Technicolor. The results are awe-inspiring.
In the review which appeared in the What better way to make children visualize
BOXOFFICE issue of Oct. 13, 1956, this Bible history?—Helen W. Oesper, Cincinnati
estimate of the film's importance was given: Motion Picture Council.
"When consideration is given to the photoplay's
over-all magnificence, magnitude and ages far into the future. It is a history
"The Ten Commandments" will live for all
masterfulness and its limitless merchandising
possibilities—not the least of which will forgotten experience. — Mrs. Max M.
challenge and seeing it is a never-to-be-
be the support of the clergy—there is every Williams, Royal Oak (Mich.), president
indication that the feature will play to enraptured,
theatre-filling audiences for many beat!—Alan Branigan, Newark News . . .
Federation of MPC . can't be
generations to come."
What else?—Ben S. Parker, Memphis Commercial
Appeal.
Among the NSC comments are these,
showing the many angles of appeal: A great film magnificently produced and
"The Ten Commandments" is another acted and fine for contrast between ancient
milestone in the history of motion pictui'es and modern times.—Elisabeth Murray, Long
and another feather in Mr. DeMille's manyfeathered
cap.—John R. Cooper, Clarks-
people for freedom is eloquently told in this
Beach Teachers Ass'n . . . The struggle of a
burg (W. Va.) Telegram . . . Impressive film which will spiritually enrich the lives
visualization of fundamental words.—May of all who see it. "The Ten Commandments"
Williams Ward, Wellington (Kas.) author
... A stupendous production, deserving all
the high praise being heaped upon it.—Mrs.
C. M. Stewart, president Lincoln (Neb.)
Films Forum.
. . .
This picture shows that a Bible story can
be as good, as interesting and as entertaining
as any other type of movie. Let's have
more.—Mrs. Henry Earl Smith, Sheboygan
County (Wis.) Better Films Council
will live as one of the film classics of this
generation. — Mrs. Roderic B. Thomas,
Dallas Motion Picture Board of Review.
A triumphant production and one to be
remembered. — Mrs. Wayne F. Shaw,
National U. S. Daughters of 1812, Lawrence,
Kas. . is a thrilling experience for
all GK)d-loving people and is like having
lived in the time of Moses.—Mrs. Fred W.
Rosenkranz, Milwaukee County BFC.
RAMESES (YUL BRYNNER) AND NEFRETIRI (ANNE BAX-
TER) SCORN THE PLEA OF MOSES: "LET MY PEOPLE GO"
The Cast
Moses
Charlton Heston Baka
'Vincent Price
Rameses
Yul Brynner Aaron
John Carradine
Nefretiri
Anne Baxter Miriam Olive Deerring
Dathan Edward G. Robinson Jannes
Douglass Dumbrille
Sephora
Yvonne DeCarlo Abiram
Frank DeKova
Lilia
Debra Paget Pentaur
Henry Wilcoxon
Joshua
John Derek Jethro
Eduard F^anz
Sethi
Sir Cedric Hardwicke Mered
Donald Curtis
Bithiah
Nina Foch Hur Ben Caleb Lawrence Dobkin
Yochabel
Martha Scott Avuninadab
H. B. Warner
MeTnnet Judith Anderson Elisheba
Julia Paye
Produced and Directed by
Cecil B. DeMille
Associate Producer Henry Wilcoxon
Original Sources The Bible, ancient
texts of Philo, Eusebius, the Midrash
and these books: "Prince of Egypt" by
Dorothy Clarke Wilson, "Pillar of
Fire" by Rev. J. H. Ingraham, "On
Eagle's Wings" by Rev. A. E. Southon
Screenplay Aeneas Mackenzie, Jesse J.
Lasky. jr.. Jack Gariss. Fredric M.
Frank
Color by Technicolor
Color Consultant Richard Mueller
Director of Photography
Loyal Griggs, A.S.C.
Production Staii
Art Direction
Hal Pereira,
Walter Tyler, Albert Nozaki
Set Decoration
Choreography
Makeup Supervisor
Sam Comer, Ray Moyer
LeRoy Prinz,
Ruth Godfrey
Wally Westmore
Soimd Recording Supervisor
Louis H. Mesenkop
Edited by Anne Bauchens, A.C.E.
Music by
Elmer Bernstein
Special Photographic Effects
John P. F^jlton, A.S.C.
Research
Henry Noerdlinger,
Gladys Percey
tj This Award is given each month by the National Screen Council on the basis of outstandinj merit
and suitability for family entertainment. Council membership comprises motion picture editors, radio
film commentators, and representatives of better film councils, civic and educational organizations.

Program Announced
For Concessionaires
4 I ^
Charles E. Darden A. J. Schmitt
DALLAS—A hard-hitting program, keyed
to popcorn merchandising and concession
stand management, has been announced
jointly by A. J. Schmitt. Houston Popcorn
& Supply Co.. Houston, and Charles E. Darden.
Chas. E. Darden Co., Dallas, for the
fifth Annual Southwestern Regional Conference
sponsored by the National Ass'n of Concessionaire.s
(formerly Popcorn and Concessions
Ass'n) on Wednesday (27) at the Adolphus
Hotel in Dallas. This year's session
will be held In conjunction with the Texas
Drive-In Theatre Ass'n. February 25-27.
Schmitt is serving as NAC conference chairman
and Darden as
program moderator.
The two top officers of NAC. Board Chairman
Bert Nathan. Theatre Popcorn Vending
Corp., Brooklyn, and NAC President Lee
Koken, RKO Theatres. New York City, will
headline the program. Nathan will discuss
"What to Look for in a Go(Xi Concession
Operation in a Drive-In" and Koken. "Concession
Stand Management Techniques."
William E. Smith of the Popcorn Institute.
Chicago, and NAC Executive Vice-Pi'esident
Thomas J. Sullivan will present "Popcorn
Merchandising and Promotional Aids." Another
panelist will be Steve Bakarich. Lone
Star and Bordertown Theatres, Dallas, whose
subject will be "Newest Ideas in Signs and
Point-of-Sale Displays." Open forum discussion
will follow the individual presentations,
moderated by Darden.
Advance reservations for the meeting are
being accepted by Schmitt at his office,
Houston Popcorn & Supply Co.. 3719 Polk
St. Houston 3, Texas. All members of the
theatre and concession industry are invited
to attend.
Redbook Picks Seven Films
For 18th Annual Awards
NEW YORK — "Anastasia"
(20th-Fox>.
"Around the World in 80 Days" (UA),
"Friendly Per.suasion" (AA), "Giant" (WB),
"Moby Dick" (WB) and "War and Peace"
(Para) were chosen by Redbook Magazine
to receive the 18th annual movie awards
for "the most distinguished contributions to
the motion picture industry and the excellence
of their 1956 products," according to
Wade Nichols, editor and publisher.
'Battle Hymn' to Capitol
NEW YORK — Universal-International's
"Battle Hymn," the Technicolor-CinemaScope
picture based on the life of Col. Dean Hess,
opened at the Capitol Theatre February 15.
following a five-week run for another U-I
film. "Written on the Wind." Both pictures
star Rock Hudson.
Finds Patrons Deman
For Cultural Films Rising
NEW YORK—"The demand for cultui'al
films, including opera, ballet and Shakespearean
theatre, is on the increase and a
new untapped market exists in America for
the consumption of artistic film fare," according
to Capt. Ian R. Maxwell of Festival
Productions, which is cui-rently presenting
the Salzburg Festival filming of the opera,
"Don Giovanni."
Festival Productions, which has completed
a feature film of "Gi.selle" by the Bolshoi
Ballet and plans several other opera and
Shakespearean pictures, is now setting up
eight exchanges in the U. S. for the distribution
and commercial exploitation of these
films, Capt. Maxwell said. The exchanges
will be in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles,
Washington. D. C., Dallas, Boston, New Orleans
and Denver.
"Don Giovanni." a three-hour film in
Eastman Color, made at the actual Salzburg
Festival of the opera in 1954. is the first
reproduction of an actual stage performance
of an opera and stars Cesare Siepi. Metropolitan
Opera star, and other noted opera
stars.
Festival Productions has secured 60 other
bookings for "Don Giovanni" in two months
time and hopes for a minimum of 500 art
house bookings in the U. S.—the total needed
to get back its costs.
Up to now. art-type or "pictures with a
long-hair appeal" have had "outrageously
poor distribution facilities," according to
Capt. Maxwell, despite the fact that a "young
audience, matured since the war, is thirsting
for cultural riches and holds perhaps
as much as ten per cent of the entertainment
dollar," Capt. Maxwell believes. This is
proven by the national tours of the Metropolitan
Opera, the Sadlers' Wells Ballet and
the Old Vic Shakespearean company, which
have been tremendously successful in all big
city engagements.
For 1957-58, in addition to "Giselle,
which was filmed at the Royal Command
Performance before Queen Elizabeth II at
Covent Garden, starring Galina Ulanova,
Harmony Films, which is Capt. Maxwell's
producing company in London, plans the
first of a series of Gilbert and Sullivan
operas, performed by the D'Oyly Carte Opera
Company: an opera to be performed by La
Scala in Milan, starring Maria Menenghini
Callas; a production by the Shakespeare
Memorial Theatre at Stratford-on-Avon of
"A Midsummer Night's Dream"; a fulllength
"Swan Lake," starring Margot Fonteyn,
by the Sadlers' Wells Ballet company,
and a production of an exotic ballet by the
Royal Siamese Ballet Company in Bangkok.
All of these will be filmed in Eastman
Color with high fidelity sound. With "Don
Giovanni" there is a short film on the city
of Salzburg and with "Giselle." there will
be a travelog of the Covent Garden neighborhood,
already familiar to Americans as a
result of "My Fair Lady." Broadway's big
musical hit.
The newly formed Festival Productioas will
have a capital of $750,000. according to Capt.
Maxwell, who said he is interviewing several
distribution executives for a sales manager
post. One of these is Bernard Jacon, formerly
with IFE and who now heads his own
Jacon Films, which handles foreign pictures.
Jacon left New York for Chicago. Detroit,
Cleveland and Pittsburgh to set bookings on
his own films.
COLUMBIA PICTURES ANNOUNCES THAT PRINTS OF THE FOLLOWING
PICTURES ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN
Judy
HOLLIDAY
Richard
CONTE
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inlroduc'ing
Screen Play by lOHN FANIE • Based on the Novel Dy JOHN FAME
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OUR EXCHANGES FOR SCREENING
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GREGG PALMER ALLISON HAYES AUTUMN RUSSELL
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Written by RAYMOND T MABCUS • Produced b» SAM KAIZMAN
Directed b» ItSllE KAROOS • * CLOVER PROOUCIION
BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957 27

. . Twentieth
—
'i^oUcftwMd ^cftont
By IVAN SPEAR
Martin Gable of TV Signed
For Role in MGM Film
Well known to the public because of his
frequent appearances on television's "What's
My Line?" quiz show, Martin Gable, Broadway
actor, director and producer, has been
signed for one of the top roles in Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer's "Tip on a Dead Jockey,"
starring Robert Taylor and Gia Scala. It
wOl be produced by Edwin H. Knopf and
directed by Richard Tliorpe . .
Warwick
.
Productions heads, Irving Allen and Albert
R. Broccoli, have signed Sean Kelly, young
South African actor, to a seven-year exclusive
contract. Young Kelly will be costarred
in Warwick's "High Flight," which goes before
the cameras soon in England, and "No
Time to Die," on Warwick's schedule for
later this year. Kelly's fii'st film assignment
will be on loanout to producer Paul Craetz
for his feature, "Bitter Victory," which
Nicholas Ray will direct for Columbia release.
The Warwick film wUl follow immediately
this production, which goes before the
cameras next month.
Andre de Toth to Direct
'Barney Ross Story'
"The Barney Ross Story," which Edward
Small is producing for United Aj-tists, and
which—strangely enough—deals with fisticuffs,
already has one knockout to its credit.
Andre de Toth has been signed to replace
Ted Post as director of the opus ... So
that the chills will be authentic, Forrest J.
Ackerman, science-fiction authority who revels
in the appellation "Mr. Science Fiction,"
has been signed by James H. Nicholson of
Sunset Productions as consultant and technical
advisor on "Invasion of the Saucer
Men," originally titled "Attack of the Saucer
Men"
. Century-Fox has signed
Mark Robson to a producer-director pact,
and at the same time inked stage director
Martin Ritt to a long-term contract as director.
Robson's first assignment will be
"Peyton Place," a Jerry Wald production.
Ritt will pilot Wald's "Down Payment" . .
Universal-International has assigned Gordon
Kay to produce "Twilight For the Gods,"
based on Ernest Gann's novel, which the
studio purchased about a week ago.
Productional Assignments
To Several at 20th-Fox
Where there's production activities, there's
sure to be a noteworthy rash of filmmaking
assignments. Witness a few plums that were
handed out at 20th Century-Fox. Edward
Dmytryk has been pacted to direct "The
Young Lions," which Ai Lichtman, one-time
distribution chief, will independently produce
for that company. Production of "Home
in Indiana," which is to be a remake of a
Fox opus of 1944, has been assigned to David
Weisbart. Winston Miller has been set to
do the screenplay, and the picture may come
forth under the original tag or with a newtitle.
Also at the Westwood film factory, Jim
Moser and Prank LaTourette, formerly asso-
. . .
ciated with video's "Medic" series, have been
inked as a producer-wi-iter team for "Bellevue
Is My Home" . . . Composer-conductor
David Raksin has been signed by Robert
Bassler to write the musical score for his
United Artists release, "Stranger at Soldier
Springs" Rudy Mate will direct Alan
Ladd's next Jaguar production, "The Deep
Six," which Martin Rackin will produce for
Warner Bros. Ladd will portray an artist
turned naval gunnery officer aboard a cruiser
during World War II . . . Anthony Mann
has been pacted to pilot "Passenger to Bali,"
which is scheduled as the next venture of
Security Pictures for United Artists.
Schnee and Donen Form
Independent Company
One by one the old guard—and even members
of the new—are succumbing to the lure
of independent production. Witness Charles
Schnee, one of mighty Metro's remaining
ranking filmmakers who has announced
that he, too, will be his own man when his
contract with the Culver City studio terminates
late this year. Associated wih him
will be Stanley Donen, a veteran Metro
megaphonist. The pair acquired the screen
rights to Pearl S. Buck's novel, "Imperial
Woman," which they plan to respectively
produce and direct. While no releasing deal
has been set for the picture, there is considerable
possibility that it will be distributed
by MGM, which will obtain as regards many
of the proposed pictures that are to be made
by former Metroites-tm-ned-independents.
Wayne Morris Gets Role
In Film for
UA Release
Add comeback department: Wayne Morns,
once a top Hollywood star, has been signed
by producer James B. HaiTis for Bryna's
"Paths of Glory," his first American film
in over three years. Morris joins Kh-k Douglas,
Ralph Meeker, Richard Anderson and
George Macready in the United Ai-tists release,
which will be filmed in Munich, Germany
. . . Blonde Joanna Moore was signed
to an exclusive long term contract by Universal-International
and set to make her
film debut in "Badge of Evil" . . Producer
.
Edward Small picked character actress Lisa
Golm to portray Barney Ross' mother in
"The Barney Ross Story."
WB Signs Audrey Hepburn
For The Nun's Story'
It's difficult to conceive of more ideal
casting than the toplining of Audrey Hepburn
in the forthcoming celluloid version of
Kathryn Hulme's widely read novel, "Tlie
Nun's Story." So, the Freres Warner has
inked La Hepburn for the role. At the same
time, Fred Zinnemann was pacted to direct
the picture, which is being touted as one
of the most important of Warners' 1957
program. The feature will be filmed partly
on location in the Belgian Congo of Africa,
locale of the story, and partly at Warner
studios in Bui-bank.
•FBI STORY' DEAL—Jack L. Warner,
president of Warner Bros. Pictures,
shakes hands with J. Edgar Hoover, No.
1 G-Man, on conclusion of the film company's
purchase of "The FBI Story" by
Don Whitehead, Washington correspondent,
for motion picture production. The
book has been on the best-selling list
for the past several months and serialized
in newspapers.
T-wo George Montgomery Films
For Warner Distribution
Further news from the Bui'bankian bailiwick
of Warner Bros, reveals that the company
is going to take on the distribution of
two pictures that will be made independently
by actor George Montgomery. The first of
the duo will be "Decision at Dawn," which
is scheduled to get before the cameras during
the summer . . . And noteworthy are
plans for an off-beat promotional venture.
Capt. Harlan A. "Bud" Gurney, former flying
pal of Charles Lindbergh, is engaged in a new
type of barnstorming tour in behalf of "The
Spirit of St. Louis." Gurney is to make
television, radio and press appearances to
talk of his past association with Lindbergh
and tell of his assignment as technical adviser
on "Spirit," the Leland Hayward-Billy
Wilder production starring James Stewart.
New TV Series to Be Based
On Sam Houston's Life
Television is doing its best to maintain
possibly surpass—the propensity toward biographical
subjects that has for so many
years been a bulwark of the production of
motion pictui-es for theatrical exhibition.
Now it's Sam Houston who is going to be
the hero of a new half-hour telefilm series,
to be produced by Briskin Pi-oductions for
Screen Gems under the title. "The Man
From Texas." The new programs will be
based upon events in the life of the soldier,
statesman and hero, and the setting will be
America's expanding frontier during the mid-
1800s.
William Hawks Signs Pact
To Produce for MGM
William Hawks, who recently departed a
payroll of 20th Century-Fox to re-enter the
independent production field, has had a
change of mind and plans and has signed
a multi-picture pact with Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer, under which his first assignment will
be to make "The Law and Jack Wade," which
is scheduled as a Robert Taylor starrer.
28 BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957

HOW TO WIN NEW PATRO
And Cultivate the Movie-Going Habit
TAKE ADVANTAGE ... of the growing photoplay-discussion
movement in the schools. Use these low-priced Study Guides prepared
by the founder and leader of the movement. Dr. William Lewin, author
Photoplay Studies
XBITtUHRlC. lUjA
A lil'mt to THE DlRCl'SSION
ANU APPRECIATION OK
of "Photoplay Appreciation in American High Schools" and co-author of
"Standards of Photoplay Appreciation,"
I rsT
I'OR '
IFF
EVERY SCHOOL ... in your vicinity will be grateful to you for
a supply of these beautifully illustrated, authentic guides to the appreciation
of selected motion pictures to
help build community interest in them.
(Size 6x9,
16 pages.)
REACH THE HOr4ES ... of your area through your teachers
and students by supplying these guides to all classes in drama, literature
and history. Let students take the booklets home for their parents and
DAVID MASZKl.LA
family members to
read.
WIU.IAM l.RWIN. I'hlJ,
(Sample Cover)
HERE'S WHAT TO DO
1. Determine the number of Study Guides you require to get the fullest
coverage of all your schools. Use the order form below, allowing sufficient
time for delivery and distribution.
2. Contact school Audio-Visual Directors and Principals for distribution
of the Study Guides for classroom discussion.
Study Guides Are Now Available On
"LUST FOR LIFE"
"WAR AND PEACE"
"FRIENDLY PERSUASION"
THE BARRETTS OF WIMPOLE STREET'
"FULL OF LIFE
USE THIS ORDER BLANK
TO:
PUBLICATION PRESS, 4804 East 9th St., Kansas City 24, Mo.
Single
copies are 30c
25 lots, 25c a copy
50 lots, 20c a copy
100 lots, 15c a copy
250 lots, 12c a copy
500 lots, 10c a copy
1,000 lots, 8c a copy
2,500 lots, 7c a copy
5,000 lots, 6c a copy
Theatre
SEND
copies of the illustrated Study Guide on
(name oi picture)
Playdate
Prices F.O.B. Kansas City,
Mo.
Street Address
Check or money order must accompany order
Please advise bow io ship. Allow 7 days
for rail express and parcel post, 2 days
Town
Signature of Manager
State
for air express.
Ship Via D Air Express D Rail Express D Parcel Post
BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957
29

More on Handling Hoodlumism
Call -the -Parents Technique
With a New Twist Works
MACON, MO.—The call-the-parents
technique
of dealing with rowdyism and vandal-
SECOND ACCOUNT:
This group of
ism
boys
in was
theatres,
caught
which has
by
come
me
to the fore
personally, with
in
at least
recent months,
a dozen fresh
was given
eggs
a new twist last
in their
week
hands
by
ready to
Paul
throw at
Campbell, manager
an opportune
moment. I
of the Dickinson
collected
circuit's Macon
from their
Theatre
hands
here.
five or six eggs
In
and asked them if
this instance,
there
there
were
is a tie-up with any more.
the The answer
principal was no.
of the high
However,
school but, instead
several eggs
of sending
were dropped
the
and broken
letter to the
on the
parents, the
floor
members
under their seats and
of the
the next
juvenile troupe
morning
involved were the janitor
given a
found the
chance
egg
to read
carton
the
containing
letter first, then several
decide more
whether
unbroken eggs.
they would behave
They also
in the
possessed
future.
oranges.
Campbell believes his method will
work, and recommends it to other theatremen.
THIRD ACCOUNT:
The We do not have curtains in
exhibitor
front of
explains
our
his method in letters large
sent
Cinemascope screen,
to Glen
which cost
Dickinson
over
jr. and to parents.
$2,000, and I told the boys I was holding them
The letter to Dickinson follows:
responsible as a group if they caused any
Enclosed, is a self-explanatory damage. letter in
No eggs were thrown. However,
connection with the repercussion
during a black
of the
out several
Dr.
glass salt and
Jekyll stage show.
pepper shakers were thrown in total darkness
After writing the
striking
letter I could
patrons in
not come
the audience and one
to the decision to send was shattered
it or not, so I consulted
the high school
on the stage. These salt and
pepper shakers
superintendent.
were reported He
stolen from the
was very glad I came to him with
Bungalow Cafe earlier
this
in
problem
the evening supposedly
and felt that it did concern the
by this group.
school.
Not all of these boys are in school, and FOURTH
one
ACCOUNT:
of the fathers is a screen advertiser.
Another is in the U.
During
S. Air
the show there
Force,
were several
but is only
young
about 19. However, Macon high
since that
school students
time
assisting
I have
the
decided not to mail
show
the
troupe who were
letters,
attacked,
but
slugged
to have
and
them come in and had
talk
pepper
to me and
thrown in their eyes
read
while
the
coming
letter themselves, and
up the aisle
make
from back stage. This
their own
was reported
to
decision if they want to have
continue
happened
to come when they reached
to
the show or not
the
and
point
assure me
where this group of
there boys
will
was
never be any more seated.
disturbance from them.
The superintendent has already called in
the
FIFTH ACCOUNT:
school boys and talked to them. One or
two at a time, they At least
are
one, possibly
coming more
in
of these boys,
to see me
now. Actually there was carrying
were
a large
only push-button
three
knife.
or The
four
who planned this thing
one and
known, displayed the rest
a knife became
of mentioned
involved.
type in the lobby to the roadshow manager
This is the
before
first time
the I have
show began
ever had
and was
any
heard in
trouble of
witness
this nature
to say,
and I think
he would use the knife
this on
is the
the
best way to handle it. Prom "MONSTER" if
now
he
on
was bothered.
all the
kids will
It is
know that we
hard to
won't
report the amount
tolerate
of disturbance
each individual boy caused. They
any
rowdyness.
came as a group so they are charged as a
The letter written to parents by Manager group.
Campbell:
This theatre will not tolerate such violent
It is with regret that juvenile
I have to inform delinquency,
you
property destruction
that your son is barred from
and endangering
attending
other patrons, now or in
the Macon Theatre for
the
a period
future.
not less than
six months from this date.
I feel that barring these boys for a .sixmonth
It has taken me since Monday night
period is
January
14 to make this decision.
punishment as they could have very easily
a very fair and lenient
been prosecuted for property destruction had
FIRST ACCOUNT:
I not caught them before the show started.
On Monday night January
There are
14 we
no
presented
hard feelings on my part
a stage show and your
toward
son any of
entered
the
the
boys
theatre
because of this incident
but, I
in a very loud and rowdy manner do think it is
in company
a matter that should
of 11 or 12 other boys.
not
Almost
go unattended.
all of the group
were smoking cigars
If
and
any names have
cigarets been
in the
excluded or falsely
seated section of the
included it is
lower purely
auditorium by accident.
endangering
the If
lives of some
you
two
would care to
to
discuss
three
this matter
hundred other patrons.
with
They were
me personally, I called
would be glad to talk
down for this by
with
an you at
attendant, any time.
and later
some of the group re-lit their cigars and
cigarets making it necessary for me to
personally call them down and explain they
were violating a very strict state fire law
PAUL CAMPBELL
The letter also carried a notation that
copies were being sent to the school superintendent
and the high school principal.
CALENDARqeEVENTS

'
New Scotland. N. Y„ Airer
Opening Planned for May
NEW SCOTLAND, N. Y.—Opening date
for the Mayfair Drive-In, under construction
here, is scheduled for "somewhere around
May 12 to 15," according to Robert C. Conahan
of SUngerlands. The 700-car situation,
the building of which indirectly started New
Scotland residents to push for zoning, will be
given its final touches as soon as there is a
break in the weather, he added.
Conahan stated that while he was aware
of activities by protesting residents of the
nearby Heldervale section, no pressure had
been exerted on him directly to abandon the
project.
The town of Bethlehem also
was the scene
of a recent controversy about the building of
a drive-in by Klein Theatres. An order
restraining its town board from interfering
with the completion of an ozoner, started before
the board acted to interdict drive-ins,
was recently issued by Official Referee
Christopher J. Heffernan. That theatre is
slated for opening in May, too, according to
Filmrow reports.
The Heldervale residents last fall circulated
petitions in both towns to prevent Conahan's
drive-in from opening. After one
said to have contained more than 600 signatures
had been presented, the New Scotland
town board established a seven-member
planning commission, to study zoning. One
or more improvement associations have been
since established to bring zoning to New
Scotland, an Albany suburb.
Longtime Showman Now
In Atomic Boat Work
ELIZABETH. N. J.—Following two years
of study in preparation for the post. Edward
J. Kane, long a manager for Stanley Warner
Theatres, resigned at the Regent here and
moved to New London, Conn., to join
Electric Boat Division of the General
Dynamics Corp., as a technical aide, a job
covered by government security regulations.
Kane had been with SW 31 years. The
Electric Boat Division turned out the nation's
first atomic-powered submarines, the Nautilus
and the Sea Wolf.
Supervisors, managers and assistant managers
of the circuit gave Kane a farewell
luncheon at the Carteret Hotel. Kane has
moved to New London with his wife; two
sons. James and Jeffrey: a daughter, Mrs.
Nancy Wagner. Another son Roger, is in
the Army in Germany.
Frederick DiAngelis, manager of the Fabian
in Hoboken, succeeded Kane at the Regent.
Walter F. Diehl Promoted
To lATSE Head's Aide
PHILADELPHIA—Walter F. Diehl. international
representative for the International
Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes since
1954, has been promoted to assistant international
president by Richard F. Walsh,
president, following a unanimous vote of
approval by the general executive board.
Diehl, a member of the Moving Picture
Operators, Local 182, Boston, since 1933.
served that organization for eight years as
business agent before joining the international
staff. He was active as a field man
throughout New England until last fall, when
he was assigned to the New York office.
Greenman and Bruno
Swap Theatre Posts
New York—There's been a baseball
trade in Loew's Theatres. Harry Greenman,
for the last 11 years manager of the
Capitol on Broadway, has moved over to
the oirouifs flagship, Loew's State, as
manager. .\nd James Bruno, manager of
Loew's State, has taken the helm at the
Capitol.
N.Y. Assembly Considering
Antibomb Threat Bills
ALBANY—The Assembly Codes committee
is considering two bills dealing with bomb
threats and false information concerning
such.
Sponsored by Assemblyman Walter Gladwin,
Bronx, one bill provides that "a person
who communicates in any manner with the
public authorities pertaining to threats to
place or plant bombs shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor."
The other bill reads, "Any person who
gives false information, in person or by telephone,
to the effect a bomb will be exploded
or that any other serious hazard exists in
any school, theatre, auditorium, assembly
hall or other places used for public gathering
shall be guilty of misdemeanor."
As amendments to the penal law, both bills
would take effect immediately.
Theatres in Albany. Troy, New York and
other cities have experienced numerous bomb
threats during recent months. In some cases,
theatres have been evacuated after false
phone calls.
Sunday Blue Law Bill
Would Exempt Movies
HARRISBURG—Co-sponsored by Leo Mc-
Keever and Albert E. Strausser, a bill introduced
into the House of Representatives this
week would force the closing of retail business
establishments on Sundays in the Keystone
state. There would be about 10 exceptions
to the prohibition. They are public
utilities, hotels, gasoline stations, sports
events, places of amusement, medical and
dental offices, drugstores and restaurants.
Sunday movies would be permitted after 2
p.m. in sub-divisions where the voters have
approved such exhibition.
Censor Bill
Under Study
HARRISBURG—Now in the Pennsylvania
House of Representatives law and order committee
is a new bill to revive operation of a
censor board. Reps. Leo. J. McLaughlin (D-
Alleghenyi and Walter Kamyk (D- Allegheny)
introduced the measure. The original
1915 film censor law was declared unconstitutional
by the state supreme court in
March 1956. During the 1955-56 session the
house approved a similar bill which died in
the
senate.
Columbia Votes Dividend
NEW YORK—Columbia has declared its
regular quarterly dividend of 30 cents a share
on the common stock, payable April 30 to
stockholders of record March 29.
High Maryland Coua
Gets Obscenity hmt
BALTIMORE—A definition of "obsctn^-
and a ruling on the constitutionality of Maryland's
censorship law was asked in the court
of appeals at Annapolis in an appeal by the
state board of censors on a Baltimore decision.
In the local court. Judge Joseph Byrnes had
reversed the board's order that certain scenes
be eliminated from "Naked Amazon" before it
could be shown in Maryland. The censors
ordered elimination of all scenes wherein
natives appeared nude below the waist on
grounds they were "obscene." The ruling said
•the showing of nudity ... in a pseudo-documentary
... is calculated to arise sexual
desires of substantial numbers of people."
Times Films Corp., makers of the color film,
contend the film .shows Brazilian Indians in
their daily activities and was carefully edited
so that "intimate parts of the body cannot
be seen."
A lawyer for the filmmakers said the censor
board's order resulted in elimination of all
scenes depicting the Camayura Indians and
in effect "cuts the heart out of the film."
The film has been passed by the Motion Picture
A.ss'n of America.
Judge Byrnes, who viewed the entire film
once, and the eliminated scenes twice, held
that the scenes did not fall within prohibition
of the censorship act. The censors asked the
high court to reverse this decision and to
deny the film company's claim that the
censorship law violates the constitutional provisions
of free speech and free press.
The appeal judges did not view the film
but heard arguments from both sides before
taking the case under advisement.
Sindlinger Gives Talk
To Market Research
NEW YORK—Albert E. Shidlinger, president
of Sindlinger & Co., business analysts,
addressed a luncheon meeting of the Market
Research Council at the Yale Club Friday
(151.
Sindlinger explained his company's new
Audience Action Concept" and how, by
measuring the previous day's activity among
a sampling of the public, coupled with a new
kind of progressive questioning, his company
has come up with an entirely fresh approach
to measurements of media effectiveness. The
accuracy record of Sindlinger & Co. in the
motion pictm-e field has made it possible for
its client list of theatres to grow, during the
course of a 90-week period, from 16 to over
1,600, he said.
Morris Stein
In $3,000,000
Sues Majors
Action
NEW YORK—Morris Stem, operator of the
Corona Theatre, Queens, has filed a $3,000,-
000 antitrust suit in Federal Court against
the eight major distributors, their subsidiaries.
Century Theatres, the Marcus Loew
Booking Agency and the Loew's Theatre
Realty Corp. charging conspiracy to discriminate
against the Corona in favor of other
theatres in the neighborhood.
Stein acquued the Corona in 1956 under
a leasing ar^-eement which promised him
certain availability of product, his suit stated.
BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957
E-1

Lincoln's
Holiday
On B'way; 'Can't
NEW YORK—The Lincoln's Birthday holiday
for the school children and many of the
adult office workers boosted the fii'st run
business on Broadway, particularly for "The
Girl Can't Help It," new pictui'e at the Roxy,
and several of the long run holdovers. The
only other new fUm, "Tlxree Violent People,"
also had a good opening week at the Globe.
Among the pictures which did better business
than the preceding week were "The
Wings of Eagles," in its second at the Radio
City Music Hall, where it will stay only a
thu'd—until "The Spirit of St. Louis" opens
there February 21; "Lust for Life," "La
Strada" and most of the art house attractions,
and, of course, the two-a-day films, which
added special holiday performances. These
were "Ai-ound the World in 80 Days," in its
17th week at the Rivoli; "The Ten Commandments,"
in its 14th at the Criterion, and
"Seven Wonders of the World," in its 44th
at the Warner Theatre.
The Times Square pictures which held up
well enough included: "Edge of the City,"
in its second week at Loew's State; "The Iron
Petticoat," second at the Mayfair, and the
final weeks of "The Rainmaker," which was
replaced at the Astor by "Full of Life" February
12, and "Written oh the Wind," which
was replaced by "Battle Hymn" at the
Capitol February 15. The only other new
film was "Gold of Naples," Italian picture at
the Paris.
Both "La Strada," which has been nominated
for an Academy award, in its 30th
week at the Trans-Lux 52nd Street Theatre,
and "Lust for Life," in its 21st week at the
Plaza, again did turnaway business in the
evenings. Others were: "The Great Man,"
still great in its sixth week at the Sutton;
"Tempest in the Flesh," very big in its fourth
week at the World, and "Albert Schweitzer,"
a documentary which is getting favorable
word of mouth and had a terrific third week
at the tiny Guild Theatre. "Oedipus Rex"
also did well in its fifth week at the 55th
Street Playhouse.
(Average Is 100)
Astor—The Rainmoker (Para), 9th wk ) 05
Baronet—Don Giovanni (Festival), 7th wk 110
Capitol—Written on the Wind (U-l), 5th wk 115
Central—Mom and Dad (HP); She Shouido Said
No (HP), 2nd wk 1 50
Criterion—The Ten Commandments (Para), 14th
wk. of two-o-day 200
Fine Arts—Richard III (Lopert), 2nd wk. of continuous
run 1 20
55th St.—Oedipus Rex (Lesser), 5th wk 120
Globe—Three Violent People (Para) 125
Guild—Albert Schweitzer (Indep), 3rd wk 185
Little Carnegie—Wee Geordie (Times), 19th wk. . .110
Loew's State— Edge of the City (MGM), 2nd wk. . .125
Mayfair—The Iron Petticoat (MGM), 2nd wk 125
Normandie—Rhapsody in Blue (Dominant), reissue
105
Paromount—Top Secret Affair (WB), 2nd wk....l20
Palace— Jerry Lewis vaudeville show 175
Paris—We Are All Murderers (Kingsley), 5th wk.. . 1 10
IT WON'T TAKE A FULL PACE AD
TO TELL YOU
vilmiack
. .
«y„„m»^r«
630 Ninth Av*. NEW YORK, N.Y.
1327 S. Wobaih CHICAGO, ILL.
,
Boosts
Help If
Business
Good
Ploza—Lust for Life (MGMJ, 2 1 st wk 1 60
Radio City Music Hall—The Wings of Eagles
(MGM), plus stage show, 2nd wk 125
Rivoli—Around the World in 80 Days (UA), 1 7th
vvk. of two-a-day 200
Roxy—The Girl Con't Help It {20th-Fox), plus
ice revue 1 40
Sutton—The Greof Man (U-l), 6th wk 135
Trans-'Lux 52nd— La Strada (Trans-Lux), 30th wk. . 160
Victoria—Baby Doll (WB), 8th wk 140
Warner—Seven Wonders of the World (SW), 44th
wk. of two-a-day 145
World—Tempest in the Flesh (Pacemaker), 4th wk.l 35
Big Holdovers Overshadow
Others at Baltimore
BALTIMORE—Most of the first run attractions
were holdovers, and for the most
part they did well. Of the newcomers, "Top
Secret Affair," and "Don't Knock the Rock"
on a bill with "Rumble on the Docks" were
disappointing.
Century—Anastasia (20th-Fox), 3rd wk 225
Cinema—We Are All Murderers (Kingsley), 2nd wk.l GO
Film Centre—Around the World in 80 Days (UA),
8th wk 250
Five West—Wee Geordie (Times), 7th wk 90
Hippodrome—The Teahouse of the August Moon
(MGM), 4th wk 1 00
Little—Storm Over the Nile (Col) 95
Mayfair—Written on the Wind (U-l), 7th wk 90
New—The Ten Commandments (Para), 8th wk...350
Playhouse—The Great Man (U-l), 3rd wk 90
Stanley—Top Secret Affair (WB) 85
Town—Don't Knock the Rock (Col); Rumble on the
Docks (Col) 85
'Secret Affair' Grosses
150 As Buffalo Leader
BUFFALO—Business was pretty good all
along the line this week. "Anastasia" held up
well in a third week at the Buffalo. "The
Ten Commandments" did fine in its eighth
stanza at the Century. "Top Secret Affair"
hit 150 at the Paramount and "Bundle of
Joy" had 130 in the Center. Good show
weather over the weekend helped boxoffices.
Buffalo— Anostosia (20th-Fox), 3rd wk 100
Center— Bundle of Joy (RKO) 1 30
Century—The Ten Commandments (Para), 8th wk. 135
Cinema—The Great Man (U-l) 115
Lafayette—Written on the Wind (U-l), 5th wk...l25
Paramount—Top Secret Affair (WB) 1 50
'Anastasia' Continues
To Lead in Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH—After a month on view at
the Harris Theatre, "Anastasia" continued as
top grossing attraction in the Golden Triangle.
Fulton—The Girl Can't Help It (20th-Fox), 2nd wk. 70
Horns—Anastasia (20th-Fox), 4th wk 125
Penn—The Iron Petticoat (MGM) 110
Stanley—Three Violent People (Pora) 75
UN Officials at Reception
For Hungarians at Roxy
NEW YORK — United Nations officials,
civic and relief organizations representatives
and social figures attended a special reception
for Hungarian refugees at the Roxy
Theatre Friday

.rJ^iJ,:.:
For Sharp, Straightforward^
Focus • • • # ^
That's
right -to
keep your picture
sharp, run your
film through the
NEW CENTURY
CURVED GATE.
I
I
t
\
CENTURY curved gates are patterned crfter
the
Vwell known CENTURY film trap and gate. The
new curved gate features solid, fixed film trap
shoes. This sturdy precision design provides positive
positioning of the film, therefore positive
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integral part of the film trap which serves to
maintain the correct focus.
PERFORAIANCE PROOF: Nofe f/ie fo»owing //pica/
exhibitor comments:
"Marked improvement on edge-toedge
focusing. Excellent results,
both color and black and white
were tested with equally good results.
Most noticeable on newsreels."
King Theatre, Honolulu
. . . and many more.
"The in and out
of focus effect has
been all but eliminated,
particularly
on previously
buckled film."
Miracle Mile Drive-in,
Ohio, U.S.A.
See your CENTURY dealer for this new aid to better
dr^^^^^K motion picture projection.
-^Ir @ I Century Projector Corp.
• * f ^"^ ^
NEW^ YORK 19, N. Y.
..? .
.,J-:i..l .-..M
DISTRIBUTED
^"^
BY
Amusement Supply Co.
346 West 44th St.
New York 18, N. Y.
J. F. Dusman Company
12 East 25th St.
Baltimore 18, Maryland
Buffalo Theatre Equipment & Seating Inc.
505 Pear! St.
Buffalo 2, New York
Albany Theatre Supply Co.
443 North Pearl St.
Albany 4, New York
BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957
E-3

B R O A D W Ay
/^VERHEARD at Moriarity's restaurant:
"An egotist is an I-dropper." * * * And a
waitress at the 51st Street Schraffs thought
that the RKO picture "Stage Struck" was
about a careless pedestrian in a western
town. * Abe Goodman, '' advertising director
*
of 20th Century-Fox, returned Monday (41
from a western division sales pow-wow. * * *
Ditto on the same day: Max Youngstein,
United Artists vee-pee, who held sessions in
Hollywood on the company's production program.
* * * Altec's A. J. Rademacher and M.
G. Thomas were making a swing of midwest
area operations and stopped off in Cincinnati
for the Allied drive-in conclave. * * * Speaking
of Altec, Fried-Reiss advertising agency
will handle the company's activities in the
motion picture, industrial and commercial
fields. Bert Ennis will create the copy and
Barry Nova will be account executive. * * •
Keeton Arnett has resigned as vice-president
of Allen B. DuMont Laboratories to become
executive vice-president of the Chamber of
Commerce of Greater Philadelphia. • ' ' Nat
Kalcheim, executive of the 'William Morris
office, will serve as chau-man of the entertainment
committee for the industry tribute
to Jimmy Durante at the Waldorf Astoria on
March 17. Eddie Cantor and George Jessel
will be co-narrators of the show business
cavalcade at the dinner.
mount gadabouts: exploitation chief Herb
Steinberg to Dallas; Morris Lefko to Charlotte,
and Charley Boasberg skated back from
Toronto. ' * * Al Lewin, producer of "The
Living Idol" for MGM, came in from Hollywood.
» • * From Paris we learn that a baby
son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Andre Hakim.
She is the former Susan Zanuck, daughter of
the Darryl Zanucks. Hakim is a producer.
The two glamorous stars of "Oh. Men! Oh,
Women!" Ginger Rogers and Barbara Rush,
are in town to publicize the 20th Century-
Fox comedy, which will open at the Roxy
February 21. Ginger also appeared on the
Perry Como TV show Saturday (16) and
the following day will throw out the first
ball at the World Championship Tennis
match at Madison Square Garden. * » *
Richard Widmark, who completed his role
of the Dauphin in "Saint Joan" in London,
is back in America to start his own production
of "Time Limit," also for United Artists
release, March 15. Rip Torn, New York TV
actor, has been signed for a major role in
this and will leave shortly for Hollywood.
• * *
Gary Cooper and his beautiful wife
are in Manhattan to see "Tunnel of Love,"
"A Visit to a Small Planet" and other new
Broadway shows.
UA Home Office Adds
Another Full Floor
NEW YORK—United Artists is taking over
the entire 11th floor at 729 Seventh Ave.
that was occupied by the Columbia executives
offices, bringing its total space in
the building to six floors. Columbia is now
at 711 Fifth Ave.
The 11th floor will house the board room,
personnel department headed by Norman
Hasselo, Jules Chapman's branch operations
staff, the television sales department headed
by John Leo, foreign accounting under Sidney
Landau, some units of the advertisingpublicity-exploitation
accounting department
under Jack Rothenberg and the mail,
mimeograph and teletype departments.
When renovation is complete, the 12th
floor, occupied by the advertising-publicityexploitation
staffs, wUl be altered to provide
for a staff expansion that has been
going on for two years.
United Artists is also taking over 650 square
feet on the fourth floor for a new telephone
switchboard facility, which will increase the
load capacity for both house and outside
calls and will eliminate the use of separate
house phones.
Occupation of the 11th floor will start in a
few days. The first units to move in will
be branch operations, personnel, foreign accounting
and TV sales.
h
Back at the console of the Radio City
Music Hall organ is Richard Leibert. Dick
has been on a coast-to-coast concert tour
giving organ recitals while on a leave of
absence. * * • Which reminds us of the story
about the editor who had to join the musicians
union because he put out a company's
house organ. * * * Charley Casanave is back
in town after opening a Fred Astaire Dance
Studio in Houston. Charley is president of
Astaire's vast dance studio organization. The
Houston setup is the first acquired by Texas
Interstate circuit on a franchise basis.
Good scouts: Morey Goldstein, Ben Kalmenson,
Hugh Owen, Charley Reagan and
Ed Walton. They are additional co-chairmen
of the motion picture committee of the annual
campaign for the New York Council of
Boy Scouts of America. The committee is
headed by Russ Downing, Rube Jackter and
Paul Lazarus, jr. * * * Who worries about
old stories? Bus loads of students go to the
55th Street Playhouse daily to see "Oedipus
Rex." A feller named Sophocles wrote the
yarn only 2,500 years ago. * • * Want to be
a screenplay writer? City College is offering
courses at night classes. Philip Freund, veteran
script writer and novelist, is the teacher.
It was a half-holiday in the film business
on Lincoln's birthday and a lot of home office
folk were seen going on a busman's
holiday—to Broadway theatres. • • • The
home offices will be closed all day Friday
(22) to celebrate Washington's birthday.
* * * Producer Howard Koch hopped in for
home office huddles with UA executives on
"Voodoo Island," "Phaxoah's Curse" and
"Revolt at Fort Laramie." » * * Russell Holman,
Paramount eastern production manager,
was back from Hollywood. • * * other Para-
Roslyn Brand, who was with the RKO publicity
department for the past several years,
most recently working with Alan Bader,
magazine contact, has a new job with Stearn
Publications, publisher of fan magazines.
* * * A Lincoln's birthday present for Sid
Retchetnik of the Warner Bros, home office
publicity department was a six-pound,
six ounce boy, born to Mi's. Raisa Retchetnik
at Doctors Hospital. Named Richard Ben,
this is the couple's second child. * » * Walter
Reade jr., who started Thomas Brandon's
series of notable French films at the Baronet
Theatre Friday (15), invited the heads
of all bakers' ajssociations and bakers' unions
to attend the lead-off picture, "The
Baker's Wife," on opening night.
Jerry Pickman, Paramount vice-president,
was host at a luncheon and screening of
"Fear Strikes Out" at Toots Shor's Monday
111). Attending were sports writers of magazines,
newspapers and wire services. The
honor guest was Jimmy Piersall, Boston Red
Sox outfielder, on whose life the picture is
based. * * * Kaiser, Sedlow & Temple, Inc.,
newly formed creative service for film advertising,
has opened headquarters at 21 E.
40th St. ' * Will Lindy's miss one of its
best customers now that Harry Greenman
has moved from the Capitol to Loew's State?
* * * Allied President Julius Gordon, in town
this week from his Beaumont, Tex., home,
said the only trouble with New York was that
he never can keep an appointment on time.
He's always dashing—dashing—dashing.
Max Cohen, president of Cinema circuit
who went to Europe last fall to scout a new
theatre television system, says perfection has
been reached insofar as a 3x4-foot screen
in concerned, but experimentation is continuing.
* * * Meanwhile, experiments are
continuing on 20th-Fox's Eidophor in The
Bronx. * • * Edgar G. Shelton jr., former director
of the U. S. National Security Training
Commission, has joined American Broadcasting-Paramount
Theatres, as assistant to
Robert H. Hinckley, vice-president and director
in charge of the Washington office.
* * « Mario DiPalma, expediter in 20th-Pox's
publicity department, received a Bachelor of
Arts degTee from Queens College. He
majored in dramatic arts. * * * Warners' Gil
Golden to Boston. * * * Director Archie Mayo
off to Europe to scout locations for Allied
Artists' "Beast of Budapest." • * * Competition
for the eighth annual Robert J. Flaherty
documentary film award has been
opened by City College's Institute of Film
Techniques which now is accepting applications
from filmmakers.
A well-known industry trencherman, who
can murder two steaks at a sitting, must be
thinking about turning to a liquid diet. He
recently wrote that he "imbibed some suki
yalci" with representatives of the Japanese
film industry. We ate ours, and with chopsticks
yet! * • * Dave Golding, vice-president
of Hecht-Hill-Lancaster, was in town
on promotion plans for "The Bachelor Party."
* * Also here for HH&L is Elliott Witt,
treasm-er and general manager. » • * Mori
Krushen, UA exploitation chief, is smart. He
headed for Miami—but strictly on business.
Maybe he read about the coming cold wave.
* * * Milt Cohen, UA's eastern and southern
division manager, came back from the
south. * • » Meanwhile, A. Schneider, first
vice-president and treasurer of Columbia
Pictures, and Leo Jaffe, vice-president,
headed for the Hollywood studios. * * ' Richard
Carlton, sales vice-prexy of Trans-Lux
Television, is back from a midwest and far
west tour.
(
E-4
BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957

. . Francis
.
. . Albert
'
Memorial Services Held
For Irving Evans, 44
NETW YORK—Memorial services were held
February 9 for Irving Evans. 44, vice-president
and assistant managing director of
Radio City Music Hall, who died two days
before after a long illness. He became assistant
stage manager of the former Center
Theatre in Radio City in 1932 and in 1933
was transferred to the Music Hall, becoming
stage manager in 1936. In 1952 he was
made vice-president and assistant managing
director.
He was a nephew of Sir Jacob Epstein.
American-born British sculpter, and a
brother of Abner Dean, cartoonist and author.
After entering Harvard at the age of 14. he
left before graduation to study the theatre
in London and Paris, attended the Sorbonne
and was associated with the English
Players in Paris in 1931-32.
He leaves his wife, the former Ludmilla
Selihoff, a former ballet dancer at the Music
Hall; two daughters. Lynn and Jennifer: his
mother. Mrs. Deana Evans, and two sisters.
Ethel Dean and Mrs. Lawrence Herbert,
both of this city, in addition to his brother.
James M. Ashcraft Dies;
Former MGM Fieldman
PHILADELPHIA—James M. Ashcraft. 77.
whose last position in the entertainment field
was field representative for MGM in the
Philadelphia ten-itory. died early in February
at the Dunwoody Home here.
Ashcraft became publicity representative
and then per.sonnal representative for D. W.
Griffith after serving as advance man and
company manager for various stage shows.
He brought "Birth of a Nation" to Broadway
for Griffith and later took Griffith's "Heart;
of the World" to London. In 1929. he was
named director of publicity for Sono-Art and
later he held publicity po.sts with Paramount.
Columbia and MGM before retiring 12 years
ago.
SYRACUSE
M'early 1,000 filmgoers were evacuated from
two downtown theatres recently after
telephone warnings that bombs had been
planted in the buildings. Involved were the
Schine Paramount and Loew's State. Squads
of police joined ushers in searching through
the theatres but failed to turn up any explosive
devices. Harry Unterfort of Schine
and Sam Gilman of Loew's asked patrons to
step into the lobbies for a brief intermission.
Authorities said the telephone threats were
apparently the work of crackpots.
. . . David Susskind.
Barbara Rush, 20th-Fox star, on a personal
appearance tour for her new film. "Oh, Men!
Oh, Women!" stopped here to make an afternoon
appearance at the Post-Standard 13th
semiannual fashion show in War Memorial
Auditorium February 12. Also on the program
as featured singer was Dorothy Collins
of "Your Hit Parade"
producer of "Edge of the City." spent several
days here. He spoke at the Kiwanis Club
luncheon, was interviewed by press and radio
and appeared on television. Sam Gilman of
Loew's was host and Steve Pirozzi of the
MGM Buffalo office handled the promotion.
BUFFALO
Joseph E. Lippert, for the past five and one
half years chief of service at the Center
Theatre, during which time he attended
Canisius College from
which institution he
graduates in June, has
been appointed assistant
manager at the
downtown AB-PT first
run. While attending
Canisius, Lippert was
'-- k a member of the
^ ^^^^ KOTC in which he
^^^^^^M has been commis-
^^^^^^
^
sioned a second lieu-
^^i^^^^ tenant in the Quartermaster
Corps. Lippert
Joseph E. Lippert
succeeds J. Richard
Smyth, who has entered the Army. Smyth
was assistant manager at the Seneca Theatre
for several years, later becoming treasurer
at the Paramount, then assistant at the
Center . Maxwell, office manager
at the Buffalo RKO exchange for some 31
years, has been named office manager at the
local exchange of United Artists. Fran
started with RKO-Pathe in Buffalo as an
assistant shipping clerk and advanced to
shipper, assistant booker, booker, salesman
and office manager. Fi'an recently was
elected dough guy of Variety Tent 7. The
Buffalo RKO office closed Friday (8) when
the employes held a farewell party. Jack
a
Chinell. RKO manager and with RKO for
quarter of a century, has not as yet announced
his future plans. Howard McPherson,
a member of the RKO sales staff, has
joined the local 20th-Pox sales staff.
Tab Hunter was in Buffalo Monday (11) to
do some tub-thumping for "The Spirit of
St. Louis," in behalf of which he is making
a crosscountry toiu-. Tab arrived at the airport
at 10 a.m. and was welcomed by city
officials and Bell Aircraft Corp. executives.
There was a luncheon in his honor at noon
in Hotel Statler which was attended by Paramount
Theatres executives. Warner Bros, officials.
Bell executives and newspaper folks.
In the afternoon Tab was interviewed by
radio and TV personalities and posed for a
series of photos on how a screen star takes
on a press agent job. which is to be used in
the roto section of the Sunday Courier-Express.
Tab also was interviewed by local
drama editors. Art Moger of the Warner
Bros, exploitation forces, was here with Tab.
Gil Golden, Warner Bros, advertising manager,
was a Buffalo visitor Tuesday (12) when
he sat in with Arthur Krolick, Charles B.
Taylor and Edward Miller at the executive
offices of the Buffalo Paramount Corp. and
discussed plans for the world premiere of
Ingrid Bergman's new picture, "Paris Does
Strange Things," which will be shown for the
first time anywhere at the Paramount Theatre
in downtown Buffalo, starting Friday (22)
While in Buffalo, Gil visited local newspaper
offices and was interviewed by television and
radio personalities.
Television is proving a real force in the
motion picture education of the younger generation,
one of Hollywood's youngest producers
said in Buffalo the other day. The
producer is Lewis Blumberg, 33, of United
Artists, who visited Buffalo in connection
with "The Big Boodle," set for next month
in Shea's Buffalo, "While telt
spectators much more discrii:
they see an actor or actress they real.y
they are perfectly willing to leave homt ;.i>.;.
come out to a movie theatre to see him.
Blumberg said. "And if an actor has not
appeared in a film for several years, TV,
through back releases, helps to keep the coming
generation informed of his abilities," said
the producer. Blumberg's case in point is
Ei-rol Flynn, who has not appeared in a new
American-made film for five years. Yet, a
spot poll of today's youth shows a definite
acquaintance with the actor, he said.
Eugene Tunick, United Artists district manager,
was in Buffalo for conferences with
Buffalo Manager Al Glaubinger. Both lunched
with Art Krolick, district manager. Paramount
Theatres . Smith, a native of
British Honduras, is the new manager of the
Playhouse Theatre in Canandaigua. Smith
is a former mayor of Belize, capital of Honduras
... In connection with MGM months,
February, March, April and May, local MGM
bookers Betty Kaye and Virginia Callahan
have sent to exhibitors an attractive mimeographed
valentine, reading: "Please don't
keep me in suspense. Don't you think that
this makes sense. Let me know what dates
are mine, and you will be my valentine."
A former Buffalonian, Edmund J. Baumgarten,
formerly associated with the Buffalo
Industrial Bank, now heads Regal Films,
which looms as a major independent producer
because of an alliance with 20th-Fox
Film Corp. It has contracted to deliver a
total of 25 features in 1957. Three of Regal's
works already have been presented in Buffalo,
"Stagecoach to Fury," "The Black
Whip" and "The Quiet Gun," which just
closed a week's stay in the Paramount Theatre.
Baumgarten left the Buffalo Industrial
Bank in August 1942 to join the Lockheed
aviation organization in the Los Angeles area.
Soon after the wax, he joined the Bank of
America, handling film company loan service.
In that field, he met Robert Lippert, who
made Baumgarten vice-president of four of
his companies. When Lippert discontinued
production activities, Baumgarten went into
filmmaking on his own, turning out several
features. Then came the plans which developed
into Regal Films.
Copy-Art Labs Expanding
Into Photo Reproduction
NEW YORK—JJK Copy-Ai't photo laboratory
is expanding into the field of photo reproduction
and has opened a newly equipped
18.000-foot laboratory which can turn out
more than 52,000 still pictures each work day,
according to James J. Kriegsmann, president.
Joseph G. Aurrichio, formerly with RKO
as supervisor of the still department, has been
made vice-president in charge of sales, and
Irving Kroll, who has been with Kriegsmann
for 20 years, is production head. Among the
stars photographed by Kriegsmann are Frank
Sinatra, Perry Como. Vic Damone, Martha
Raye and Anne Jeffreys and Robert Sterling.
Borrowed for 'Ross Story'
Edward Small has borrowed Dianne Foster
from Columbia Pictures to star in UA's "The
Barney Ross Story."
BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957 E-5

. . The
. . Dave
. . Dave
.
William
.
.
. . Milo
PITTSBURGH
James G. Balmer observed his 48th anniversary
in the amusement industry this
week. All of these
years have been spent
with the Harris
Amusement Co. here.
Jim got his stai-t as
secretary to the late
.
. . .
beloved Harry Davis,
who with his brotherin-law
the late John P.
Harris opened the
world's first nickelodeon
here on Smithfield
street 52 years
ago Perry James G. Balraer
(NSS) Nathans are vacationing
in Bermuda
Gandoll.
exploiteer, and UA parted company .
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Rachiele. local exhibitors,
plan a motor holiday to Phoenix, Ariz., starting
early in March .
Smith. Shadyside
Theatre manager, lost his father
Norbert Stern, who heads Associated Theatres,
returned here after vacationing in
Miami.
.
Keta Boyle resigned at WB. She's the
daughter of Orlando "Slam" Boyle. 20th-
Fox booker Floyd Klingensmith, Tarentum
outdoor
. .
exhibitor and formerly a Columbia
salesman, and other old grads of
Columbia University greeted their new
football coach, Aldo "Buff" Donelli at a
luncheon of Lion alumni in the Variety
Club . . . The Ladies Theatrical Club hosted
a Valentine party for the Variety Club's
weekly family night Friday (15) . . . George
R. Herrington will be honored February 23 at
a testimonial of VFW buddies. He is department
head of the Military Order of the
Cootie and very active in veterans affairs
throughout Pennsylvania. George is a son
of the late Fred J. Herrington, who was this
area's independent exhibitor leader for four
decades.
David C. Silverman, RKO manager until
this company folded last week and a 30-year
local employe of RKO, this week entered into
Al Schwalberg's new Artist-Producers Associates,
Inc., as district manager with headquarters
here. He will supervise sales in Cleveland,
Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Washington
and Pittsbm-gh. Silverman completed his
RKO duties last weekend in conferences with
Francis Guehl and Peter Quiter of U-I's local
exchange, which has taken over sales of
RKO product . Tliomas, Cinerama
coordinator at the Warner Theatre, is a
grandpop for the first time with the birth
of a daughter to the David L. Thomas juniors.
Cecelia Kieselbach, with RKO for 27 years
until this company folded, has retired. Antonette
Marlinga, secretary to RKO office
manager Paul Reith, has joined the Paramount
staff; Catherine Del Tondo, another
RKO gal, goes to Crucible Steel, and Dorothy
SAM FDMEBERG
TOM McCLEARY
JIM ALEXANDER
84 Van Braam Street
PiTTSBURGll 19, PA. i
Phone Express 1-0777 |
Meviei Ar« BrtHf Thyn Evg Haw's Your Eouipnunt? ^
Palgutta. formerly of RKO, has joined Safety
First Appliance Co. Florence Katz, RKO,
was expected to join Pittsburgh Plate Glass
Co. . . . Charles Mergen, AA salesman, was to
be released from Shadyside Hospital this
weekend. A heavyweight, 358 pounds, he
blacked out several weeks ago at an auto
agency and fell, sustaining a broken right
shoulder and face lacerations. He will be
grounded at home for another couple of
weeks.
Max Sliulgold was in New York. Reports
were that he and his wife Martha, both veterans
in the business, plan the sale of their
Crown Film Co. . . . Frank B. Crayne, 70, well
known in the movies in the 1920s, died February
4 at Greene County Memorial Hospital.
Waynesburg, after a brief illness. In his later
years he raised prize winning flowers as a
hobby at the family farm near Waynesburg
. . . Pittsburgh's proposed ban on billboards
will be argued at a public hearing by the
Sympathy to
city council February 20 . . .
Marie Isler on the sudden death of her
brother. Marie is withdrawing from Filmrow
with the folding of the RKO exchange where
she was switchboard operator.
Industry reports are that Harvey Emerman,
former Erie exhibitor, turned down a proposed
out-of-court settlement in his antitrust
civil action in federal court. Emerman,
now residing in Miami Beach, entered this
action approximately 15 years ago . . . Clyde
S. Waugaman was on Filmrow and reported
that he had darkened his Strand, Apollo, except
for one change of show Friday-Saturday.
He continues in the printing and publishing
business in Vandergrift . K.
Ruse, 56, part owner of an outdoor theatre
near Morgantown, which is now out of business,
was indicted in federal court this week
for income tax evasion.
Franlt J. "Bud" Thomas, theatre booker,
and wife Helen, pai-ents of two sons, are on
the stork's list and the Filmrow gals are suggesting
names for either a daughter or another
son . . . Bill Mansell, WB district manager,
visited at the local office with Jack
Kalmenson. Paul Krumenacker, etc. . .
.
Mrs. Joseph Shapiro, wife of the Mount
Union exhibitor and merchant, was in West
Penn Hospital here for surgery.
Pittsburgh Film Service, inspecting and
shipping organization operated by George
. . .
F. Callahan jr., of Exhibitors Service Co.,
has laid off David Ferguson, shipper, and
four inspectors, Ann Perkins, Clara Ray,
Helen Turner and Cel Miller . . . New stenographer
at the WB exchange office is Marcia
Caplan The Bedford Theatre, Bedford,
which went dark about a year ago.
has been dismantled and remodeled into a
store.
The 1957 outdoor theatre season's approach
came to mind suddenly this week when Tom
Wood showed up on Filmrow to book early
season attractions for weekends, opening
March 22 at the Hi-Way in Latrobe; March
29 at the Odin in Greensburg and the Carrolltown
in Carrolltown . . . Eddie Mackins,
MGM booker, has been in and out of the
hospital and back there again within the
past several weeks . . . Filmrow inquiries these
days center around the Maple Drive-In anti-
Variety Tent 1 Adopts
Its 16th Foundling
Pittsburgh—Variety Tent 1 adopted its
16th baby in 29 years at a dinner in the
Ankara night club Sunday attended by
500 barkers, wives and guests. The dinner
honored Ray Scott, television huckster
and outgoing chief barker. Dominic
Navarro, contractor, received the club's
Humanitarian plaque from Norman Mervis
who represented the award committee.
Last year this plaque was given to Dr.
Jonas Salk, discoverer of the polio vaccine.
All baby girls adopted by the club are
named Catherine Variety Sheridan and
this one carries the identification, VIII
Ithe eighth). The first baby given this
name was found abandoned in the Sheridan
Square Theatre in East Liberty.
That was about 29 years ago and it
marked the founding of the Variety
Club. Tent 1 also has adopted eight
boys. All come from and are kept at
Roselia Foundling Home until privately
adopted. Harry Kodinsky is Tent 1 chief
barker for 1957.
trust civil action which was reactivated recently
with the taking of depositions from
local film executives in New York, and inquiries
and gossip regarding new monopoly
actions reported as being prepared.
A high quality art honor came to Marie
Manos this week when one of her oil paintings
went on view at the National Academy
of Art in New York City. Wife of Alexander
Michael Manos. junior executive of the
Mike Manos circuit, Marie's oils have been
exhibited in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia . . .
The State, Clymer, was booked to reopen
February 15 after more than two years of
darkness, according to the new managers,
H. Carl and Roger McGary of Smithton.
Jean Demma of National Screen, who as
a child resided a few steps from this establishment
on Van Braam street, and Phil
Vito have announced their engagement.
Shulgolds, Pittsburgh
Selling Crown Film Co.
PITTSBURGH—Crown Film Co. will be
acquired March 1 by Screen Guild. Max and
Martha Shulgold of Crown said this week that
the deal has been consummated and that they
will retire from the business after March 1.
Crown has been an independent distributing
outfit here for seventeen years. Screen Guild
is headed by Bert Stearn. who also heads
Cooperative Theatre Service, and is managed
by Milton Brauman.
Max Shulgold is a veteran in the film
industry here and had served various companies
until he went independent with his
own business. Max and Martha operated
their Crown office without additional help,
except for shipping. They plan to sell thenhome
here and move to Miami Beach.
The Crown product numbers upwards of
90 feature pictures, many of them reissues.
Screen Guild directors held several meetings
recently and they are set to stage another
session February 18. They have been negotiating
to take over Exploitation Productions, another
independent exchange now located in
the Atlas Theatre Supply building.
I
E-6 BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957

. . Mrs.
. . The
. . Salesman
. . Geraldine
. . Republic
. . MGM
. . Howard
,
. . Ben
WASHINGTON
The VVOMPI Of Washington held its monthly
luncheon meeting in the Commodore
Hotel Tuesday. Robert R. Richmond spoke
on civil defense . . . Jessie Garst, Martinsville,
Va., came in to buy and book for her Roxy
Theatre, Martinsville and Castle drive-ins
. . . John Anderson, formerly with RKO, now
is associated with Allied Artists as bookers
Mrs. Milton Lipsner, wife of the
clerk . . ,
Allied Artists manager, has been ill with
pneumonia . Jimmy Sper is still
m Mount Alto Hospital .
southern
Division Manager Rudolph Berger returned
to his office.
Universal District Manager Joe Gins was
a Washington visitor. He and Branch Manager
Harold Saltz took a trip to Charlotte,
Gus Lynch, Schine ai'ea manager,
N. C. . . .
was in Salisbury, Md. Schine is turning over
operation of the Ritz Theatre, Salisbury, to
Costin Cordery February 15 . . Paul Wise,
.
manager of the Arcade Theatre, Cambridge,
Md., says that wedding bells will ring for him
and his gal this summer.
Teddy ShuII, Peerless Pictures, was struck
by a taxicab at the corner of 2nd and New
Jersey Avenue, N.W. on Tuesday night while
en route from Baltimore to his office. He is
in Casualty Hospital in serious condition.
Catherine Davis, Warner Bros., who was hospitalized
for some time following injuries received
at the same crossing, now is recuperating
at home . Saul is in Sibley
Hospital after undergoing surgery . . . Ben
Bache went to Norfolk and Newport News,
Va.
Nelia Turner, 20th-Fox cashier, who celebrates
a birthday next week was honored at
the weekly Soroptimist Club luncheon on
Wednesday and was given a gift and corsage
. . . Projectionist Frank Blake celebrated a
birthday on Friday . booker
Esther Katzenell Augsburg will soon become
a mother-in-law. Her son Ted, who is attending
Los Angeles City College will maiTy
Donna Thoreson February 22 . . . Reba Le-
Moyne celebrated her fourth wedding anniversary.
.
Clark Davis, District Theatres, reports that
"The Ten Commandments," which is playing
at the Booker T Theatre, is doing capacity
business parking lot in the rear of
the Lincoln Theatre is nearing completion.
It will hold 65 cars . Lucille Brown was
. .
out for several days due to illness in her
family . Fred Beiersdorf, wife of the
former Warner Bros, manager, flew in from
Dallas, Tex., to spend several weeks with
Mr. and Mrs. Clark Davis. She brought
greetings from Fred to all his Washington
friends.
Rent Cut to $20,000
READING, PA.—The rent paid by Loew's
on its Indiana Theatre here has been reduced
by the owners to $20,000 a year.
Three Major Code Changes
Explained by DeBra
WASHINGTON—Three major changes in
the production code of the Motion Picture
Ass'n of America were stressed by Arthur
DeBra, director of Community Relations of
the MPAA, in an address before the Februai-y
ineet.ng of the Washington Motion Picture
Council.
DeBra said that the three major changes
in the code are new safeguards in show'-
ing narcotics addicts on the screen; new
treatment of kidnaping, and complete elimination
of the taboo about screen treatment
of miscegenation.
Otherwi.se, he said, the present code is
virtually unchanged from what it was before
the revisions. He characterized the revised
code as a "liberalization" of the former code
and asserted that the whole area of movie
.subjects has been broadened, making a
brighter prospect for new pictures and the
entire motion picture industry.
He covered, in his speech to the wellattended
meeting, the history of the production
code from the inception and said
that he was very proud to have been among
those who helped to formulate the original
code. He emphasized that the motion pictui'e
industry, from the time sound pictures
began, has maintained a high moral and
ethical guide for its movies, thus making
legal censorship unnecessary.
Mrs. Virginia RoUwage Collier presided at
the meeting.
BALTIMORE
n bill has been introduced in the state legislature
at Annapolis calling for a $1
minimum wage law for all employes, including
ushers, doormen, cashiers and all theatre
help. The Allied Motion Picture Theatre
Owners of Maryland has instructed its representative
at Annapolis to ask for an exemption
for the theatre industry. Jack L. Whittle,
is chairman of the legislative committee
for the Allied group.
Two local subsequent run houses have refused
to show "Baby Doll." Vernon Currier,
manager of the Aiu-ora, and Sol Goodman,
owner of the Ideal, stated they were willing
to cooperate with a Holy Name Society request
. . . Rodney Collier, manager of the
Stanley, and wife celebrated theii' 31st wedding
anniversary . Wagonheim,
vice-president of the Schwaber Theatres, was
in New York last weekend . . . John Mentzle
returned to the Cinema Theatre staff after
a seige of grippe.
Walter Gettinger, film booker and part
owner of the Howard, and wife were in New
York seeing latest Broadway shows . .
.
Maurice Hendricks of the Hicks-Baker Theatres
was in Washington on business.
PHILADELPHIA
Tn addition to the regular feature, .i. .
Doll," Sley's Viking sneak previewea "'.?:-.
Secret Affair." Audience comment was very
good . Zimmerman, former managtr
of William Greenfield's Carmen Theatre,
now closed, is performing the same chores
for Gerson & Fertel's Overbrook Theatre . . .
Members of the industry who are hospitalized
are Ralph Gorman jr., Stanley Warner
booker; Ferd Furtunato, Universal booker;
Robert Hanover, former lessee of Byrd Theatre,
and Pete Maguzzu, Williamsport exhibitor.
A pretty Philadelphia girl named Marion
Randall, who did not have the slightest idea
she would ever be going to Hollywood less
than a month ago, is all set now for her
film debut. Miss Randall started work last
week at the 20th-Fox Studios in the film
production of the Broadway play, "Desk Set,"
which will star Spencer Tracy and Katharine
Hepburn. All of it happened for Miss
Randall since January 2 and the Hollywood
offer came as a complete surprise for her.
On that night she appeared on Television's
Kraft Theatre show and was summoned for
a screen test right after the program. She
boai'ded a plane the next morning, had the
test two days later and was chosen for the
role two days after that. She is the daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Roland R. Randall of the
Alden Park Manor Her acting career began
in summer stock and she has been doing
television parts for two years.
Rep. Louis Amarando's bill in the state
legislature to limit first run showings to no
more than six weeks threw a jolt into the
smaller first run picture houses. Under the
cm-rent setup they have to bid so high for
pictures that it would be impossible to get
their money out of them without a long run.
Due to the closing of the local RKO exchange,
salesman Jack McFadden has joined
the forces of Columbia and will handle its
upstate territory. Pat Beck, also formerly
of RKO, will handle the upstate territory
for United Artists.
Cashing in on the present rock and roll
craze, Warner Bros, booked into the Liberty
Theatre in North Philadelphia an "in-person"
rock and roll review, giving three performances
a day on its stage. The unit
featured many well known rock and roll
musicians, comedians, singers and dancers.
It was originally booked for Monday and
Tuesday, but business was so big the show
was held over several other days. The same
outfit plays Warner Bros. Stanley Theatre,
Chester, Saturday . . . Paramount's comedy
star George Gobel, along with 12 others,
was honored by the Philadelphia Golden
Slipper Square Club, for accomplishments in
diverse fields, at a dinner at the Sheraton
Hotel. Gov. George M. Leader was the
principal speaker. The awards covered virtually
every activity in the nation. Gobel
won the award in the TV field.
JonnAfMC
BOONTON, N. J.
Large Core
Greater Crater Area
means
.MAXIMUM LIGHT
^ven\y Distributed
in Pennsylvonio—Blumberg Brothers Inc., Philadelphia—Lombard 3-7240
Notional Theatre Supply, Philadelphia—Locust 7-61 56
Superior Theatre Equipment Company, Philadelphia
Rittenhouse 6-1420
Projector Carbon Company, Torentum—Acodemy
4-3343
BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957 E-7

"
^(Md(M ^CflWt
"THE ALL Industi-y Tax Committee has submitted
its claim for entertainments tax
relief to the chancellor of the exchequer in
the amount of £2L0OO.O0O. A comprehensive
document giving details of the case was last
week released to the tradepress. Among proposals
made by the AITC was that tax
should be calculated on a seat basis with a
tax free allowance applicable to all seat
prices and a percentage on the excess payable
as tax and levy: that the statutory levy
should be increased to £5.000,000 a year as
against the government's proposal of £5,000,-
000 for the first year and a figui-e between
£2,000,000 and £5,000,000 for the remainder
of the statutory period; and that a tax free
allowance plus percentage retained in the
industry together with special relief for small
exhibitors should be adequate to meet the
industry's needs is another point in the
document.
Based on the estimated gross takings for
1956-57, the submission shows that the £21,-
000,000 tax relief and £5,000,000 for the production
fund, film hire would take £29.700,000
instead of £23,100,000; the exhibitors share
would be £55,200,000 instead of £43,000,000 and
after deducting wages and overheads £15,300,-
000 instead of £3,100.000. There is no doubt
about it that the AITC has done a first-class
job, both in providing a wealth of statistics
and in the careful manner in which the campaign
for relief has been conducted both
in and outside the House of Commons. All one
needs now, is a statement from the new
chancellor, Peter Thornycroft, saying that
he accepts the ATTC's recommendations.
* :^ *
Wardoiu: Street has been buzzing lately
with many rumors on proposed changes in
ownership of film and distribution companies.
Following the takeover of the Paramount
Newsreel Laboratories by the Rank
Group, the grapevine said that Rank would
handle Paramount's distribution of feature
product over here. Fred Hutchinson, Paramount's
managing director, waited a couple
of weeks but in the end, flesh and blood
could stand no more. Last week he issued a
statement saying: "There has never been
any proposal of such a nature and nothing
is further from the thoughts of Paramount."
No sooner had Hutchinson's statement been
fully circulated, when the grapevine said
that Warner Bros, was negotiating with AB-
Pathe to handle the distribution of both
Allied Ai-tists and Associated British Picture
Corp. product. It is believed that in
this instance, while discussions have made
some progress. Allied Artists has stated that
it does wish Pathe to give up the distribution
of its product and so negotiations have been
stalemated for a time.
* « *
Twentieth Century-Pox successfully has
contested the right of Gala Film Distributors
to use the name of Anastasia or any other
combination of words, including "Anastasia"
in the latter's film, which is based on the
story of Anna Anderson's claim to be Anastasia,
the daughter of the Czar. Fox had
heard that at the completion of its film,
"Anastasia," with Ingrid Bergman and Yul
Brynner, Gala was proposing to issue its
own version in black and white with the
By ANTHONY GRUNER
same name. When Justice Roxburgh in the
chancery division had representatives of the
plaintiff and defendant before him, he said
he didn't see why the defendant should not
exploit by means of a film the public interest
which had been aroused, and subject
to these restrictions affecting the title of the
film he would grant the injunction he had
indicated.
* * •
There has been plenty of film and headlines
over the debate in the House of Lords
on the cinematograph films bill. Lord Lucas
of Chilworth, in particular, has been getting
his money's worth in front page stories, although
none of his amendments have been
accepted by the government. Last week he
tried to secure a reduced percentage for
American sponsored British films. This was
turned down. The following day Lord Lucas
said he had been informed by an American
producer friend of his that British actors
were not popular as leading men, as they
didn't know how to make screen love. His
Lordship added however they were very
much in demand as character actors. Most
of the available British leading screen artists
gave a howl of wrath and were free in their
comments about Lord Lucas the following
day when interviewed by the various columnists.
Producers and directors also came
to the aid of the English leading men, pointing
out that some of the most popular international
stars were British, including
James Mason, Richard Burton, Michael Rennie
and Stewart Granger. This did not daunt
Lord Lucas at all. So far, he has spoken
on four amendments and everyone expects
him to put his foot on to many other delicate
issues before the films bill is finally passed
by the Lords.
* « •
Sir David Eccles, president of the Board
of Trade, finally has given way to industry
pressure and will provide parliamentary time
for a debate on quota legislation. Producers,
renters and the trade unions have all been
pressing for the government to allow an opportunity
for the matter to be discussed in
the House of Commons. Last week Eccles
revealed that while he didn't propose to publish
the views that had been expressed to
him on quota legislation, he would consult
the Films Council and all sections of the
industry about detailed amendments to the
quota procedure.
* * *
The meetings between the British Film
Producers Ass'n and the trade unions is
making considerable progress in working out
methods to increase productivity and cut
down unofficial stoppages. The two sides
have discussed the spread-over of production
in film studios and the possibility of
establishing a casualization fund within the
industry. It was recognized, employment in
film production is less in the winter months
than in the summer months. It was also
agreed that for important films for which
exterior shootings were essential there were
even good reasons for such pictures being
produced in the summer rather than in the
winter. As it was felt that the total employment
at all film studios in each quarter
had not been fully revealed, the extent to
which employment fell during the winter
months figures should be calculated by the
BFPA so that the joint parties can consider
the full effect of winter on film employment.
It may well lead to the British film
industry agreeing to spread film production
more evenly over the whole year than is
the case at present and thus reducing
casualization in the industry.
* * *
As part of the drive to get patrons interested
in the activities of J. Arthur Rank
cinemas the Group is to open up a number
of dancing schools in the key Odeon and
Gaumont theatres in various parts of the
country. They w'ill be known as the Victor
Sylvester dancing schools after the name of
the world ballroom dancing champion himself,
who is chairman of the Imperial Ass'n
of Teachers of Dancing. Sylvester's radio
and TV dancing clubs have been popular
with millions of listeners and viewers over
here. First of the schools will be opened
at the Lewisham Gaumont on February 26,
followed by another at the Kilburn State on
March 12. The man who will project the
scheme and organize the Victor Sylvester
schools, is a TV personality, Maurice Jay,
famous for his formation teams. The Rank
Organization already operates ten ballrooms
apart from its 500 Odeon and Gaumont theatres.
They are among the newest and most
modern in the world.
New Film on Hungary
Is Released by USIA
WASHINGTON—"A Nation in Torment,
which pictures Russia's trickery in dealings
with the Hungarians and its distortions of
facts before the United Nations, was released
this week by the U. S. Information
Agency for theatrical showings. The tenminute
film has been translated into more
than 30 languages.
The Agency's first documentary release on
the Hungarian revolt was the ten-minute
subject, "Hungarian Fight for Freedom."
Also being shown is a 20-minute motion picture,
"Revolt of a Generation," which points
up the Communists' failure to capture and
hold the loyalty of Hungarian youth.
Two other films on the Hungarian situation
are being prepared by the USIA for
overseas distribution. One will show how
numerous Fi-ee World countries have opened
their doors to Hungarian refugees who fled
Communist terrorism. Tlie other film will
document the rescue and resettlement in the
United States of a typical Hungarian family.
RKO Acquires 12 Features
For Distribution Abroad
NEW YORK—RKO has acquired 12 features
for distribution abroad. The steppedup
activity includes the releasing of seven
Allied Artists films in Germany, four Lux
Italian pictures for Central America, Mexico
and Brazil, and the re-release of Samuel
Goldwyn's "Marco Polo" in Latin America
and Central America.
Lopert Films in 2 Houses
NEW YORK—The double bill
composed of
"The Lost Continent," Italian-made feature
in Cinemascope, and "The Red Balloon,"
prize-winning French film, will open simultaneously
at the Victoria and Pine Arts
theatres March 11. Lopert Films is releasing
the pictures as a package in the U. S.
E-8 BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957

'
NEWS AND VIEWS OF THE PRODUCTION CENTEPC
(Hollywood Office— Suite 219 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd., Ivan Spear, Western Manager)
RKO Plans Midyear
Start on 'Galveston'
HOLLYWOOD—From two sources came
news indicating that RKO is not as moribund—as
a production outfit that is—as the
dispensers of gloom have been so vehemently
declaring ever since the venerable company
closed the deal providing that its domestic
distribution is to be handled by U-I.
July 1 has been definitely determined as
the starting date for "Galveston," Niven
Busch having completed the revisions on his
original screenplay. A director will be signed
for "Galveston" within the next ten days,
and conversations are currently being held
with top actors to portray the leading roles
in the Edmund Grainger production. Filming
will be in color and photographed largely
on actual locales of the story, which has for
its climax the devastating hurricane and
flood of Sept. 8, 1900.
From New York, comes word that the
company has put into motion an intensive
campaign of promotion and exploitation on
"Stage Struck," starring Henry Fonda, Susan
Strasberg and Joan Greenwood, and currently
being filmed on location and at Production
Center Studios in Gotham. As pai't
of the ballyhoo, RKO has invited about 100
newspaper critics and amusement editors
from key cities to New York, where they will
watch the picture being shot.
Meanwhile, one of the more mercurial subjects
supplying grist for the ever-active
Hollywood rumor mill concerns the future
status of RKO's cavernous studio on Gower
street and its companion film factory, RKO
Pathe studio in Culver City. At midweek,
it was evident that an opinion was to be
reached sometime within the next ten days
as to whether or not one or both of these
properties would be sold—in which event,
RKO as a production organization would
rent office and sound stage space from the
new owners—or whether they would continue
as a part of the O'Neil industrial empii'e
and would operate as rental lots, which
is already the status of the Culver City plant.
Lead to Dorothy Malone
HOLLYWOO D—Dorothy Malone was
handed the lead opposite Robert Taylor in
MGM's "Tip on a Dead Jockey," which goes
before cameras next month with Richard
Thorpe directing, Edwin H. Knopf producing.
FAN MAG KUDOS—Kim Novak,
It has been reported rather generally that
at least two firm offers have been submitted
for purchase of the physical properties and
that Daniel O'Shea, RKO president, was due
in Hollywood to give them analysis and consideration.
Columbia
star, is shown in the top photo
accepting Photoplay magazine's Gold
Medal Award at that publication's annual
awards dinner staged in Hollywood. Miss
Novak was voted by Photoplay's readers
to be the most popular actress of 1956.
Rock Hudson was similarly selected in
the male category and is shown in the
photo below accepting his award from
actor Ernest Borgnine who emceed the
affair.
MPRC Is Adding Another
Field Man to Its Force
HOLLYWOOD—The Motion Picture Research
Council is implementing its theatre
assistance program by adding another field
representative to its staff.
Qualifications for the job include a working
knowledge of projection systems as a
basis for advertising theatres, willingness
to travel for approximately two-thirds of
the year and ability to meet and discuss
problems confronting the theatre owner.
Interviews of prospective candidates will
be conducted through next week at the
council's
offices.
Champion & Bartlelt
Plan Four Features
HOLLYWOO D—Two of Hollywood's
younger filmmakers have joined forces in the
establishment of a new independent company
with plans for making four modestly budgeted
features within the next 15 months. They are
John Champion, who recently terminated his
connection with MGM with the announced
purpose of re-entering the independent field
in which he wa.s active before his affiliation
The latter was
w^ith MGM, and Hall Bartlett.
most recently affiliated with Earlmar, the
company which is a partnership between
actor Jeff Chandler and his agent, Meyer
Mishkin. In that connection he functioned
as producer on Earlmar's initialer, the current
"Drango." Prior to that, Bartlett produced
"Navajo," "Crazy Legs" and "Unchained."
First venture of the newcomer setup will be
"Zero Hour," previously announced by Bartlett,
which is being readied for a March
camera start. Subsequent pictures will be
"The Joe Foss Story," also a Bartlett property,
and "Gunfight," a western, and "Line
of Fire," a police story, both of which had
already been announced by Champion.
Associated with Bartlett will be Sam Weiler,
who is one of the former's partners in BB&W
Productions, an organization in which actor
Ernest Borgnine is the third owner. That
plans making "The Promoter,"
company still
which will have no relationship to the Champion-Bartlett
setup. No release has been
established for any of the pictures.
Role to Georgann Johnson
HOLLYWOOD—Georgann Johnson was
selected by Jame? Cagney fcr the leading
feminine role in Paramount's "Short Cut to
Hell," her first film. Cagney will make his
directorial debut with "Short Cut." Georgann,
an Iowa girl who graduated from Northwestern
University, starred with Jack Lemmon
on Broadway in "Room Service."
Thanks by Charlton Heston
HOLLYWOOD—At a luncheon men
the Hollywood Women's Press Clu''
1 12). Charlton Heston was gUP
ac-
In December, he won the club'
award as "the most coopera'
Inasmuch as he was on n
tour at that time and
cept the kudos, ' '
thanks to memV
Sated
To Portr(7 afe Manager
HOLLYIVOOD—Isabel Jewell has been
handed the role of a cafe manager in 20th-
Fox's
".Bernardine."
BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957 W-1

ZojecutUte.
East: Joseph and Ii'ving Tushinsky, president
and vice-president of SuperScope, Inc.,
left for Tokyo to establish offices and processing
facilities for servicing of the Far
East film companies with the firm's widescreen
process.
» * *
West : Pi'oducer Alan Pakula retiu'ned from
New York, where he huddled with Paramount
toppers in connection with release and exploitation
plans for "Pear Strikes Out."
* * *
East: Jack Diamond. U-I studio publicity
dii-ector, planed to Marietta, Ohio, for the
world premiere of "Battle Hymn," after which
he expected to go to New York for a series
of home office conferences on publicity campaigns
for forthcoming U-I releases.
* * *
West: George Lait, U-I assistant, studio
publicity director, returned after a five-week,
24-city tour, during which he acquainted
newspaper editors with upcoming product.
*
East: Jack M. Warner, executive of Warner
Bros, television division, is on a trip through
the midwest and east in connection with the
TV commercial and industrial film department.
« * *
East: James H. Nicholson, president of
both Sunset Productions and American International
Pictures, plans to leave Sunday (17)
for Toronto, Boston and New York in connection
with "Rock All Night" and "The
Undead." He will be accompanied by Samuel
Z. Arkoff, AIP vice-president. AIP's general
sales manager Leon Blender expects to leave
the same day for exhibitor and distributor
meetings in Washington and Philadelphia.
* * *
East: After a series of conferences with
MGM executives on the distribution and exploitation
of "The Living Idol," Albert Lewin,
the film's producer-director, departed for
press conferences in Chicago.
^nxiyaeU.^
East: David Golding, vice-president in
charge of advertising and publicity for Hecht-
Hill-Lancaster, headed for New York to meet
with United Artists home office toppers on
promotion plans for "The Bachelor Party."
• * «
East: Henry Ginsberg was scheduled to
fly to New York, where he planned to meet
with author Edna Ferber and with Warner
Bros.' home office executives on further
domestic and foreign distribution plans for
"Giant."
* * *
East: Producer Leland Hayward flew to
New York for conferences with Warner Bros,
executives on the national release of "The
Spirit of St. Louis" and to attend the Gotham
premiere of the picture at Radio City Music
Hall on Thursday (21).
'Sugarfoot/ Hour TV Show,
To Be Started by WB
HOLLYWOOD—"Sugai-foot," the first of
the four new one-hour television series
scheduled for filming by Warner Bros. TV
division, will begin rolling immediately.
Starring WB contract player Will Hutchins,
"Sugarfoot" is being produced by Art Silver
and directed by Leslie H. Martinson. It will
mark the third full-hour series produced by
the studio, the others being Conflict and
Cheyenne.
Additionally, WB is planning two half-hour
series, the first of which. The Amazon Trader,
is scheduled to go into production the latter
part of the month on location in the Amazon
Basin.
To 'Spook Chasers' Cast
HOLLYWOOD — David Condon, Jimmy
Murphy, Eddie LeRoy, Percy Helton and Bill
Henry have been added to Allied Artists'
"Spook Chasers" cast.
Awards Fete March 7
For Best Film Plays
HOLLYWOOD — At the ninth annual
screen writers awards dinner, to be held
March 7 at the Moulin Rouge, kudos are to
be presented to members of the screen writers
branch of the Writers Guild of America,
West, who wrote the best film fare in 1956,
Selected from 258 theatrical motion pictures
produced in this country during that
year, five pictures in each of three categories
have been nominated eis follows;
Comedy: "Around the World in 80 Days,"
screenplay by James Poe, John Farrow and
S. J. Perelman, from the Jules Verne novel:
"Bus Stop," screenplay by George Axelrod,
based on the play by William Inge; "Full of
Life," scripted by John Fante from his own
novel; "The Solid Gold Cadillac," screenplay
by Abe Burrows, from the play by
Howard Teichmann and George S. Kaufman;
"The Teahouse of the August Moon," screenplay
by John Patrick, based on a book by
Verne J. Sneider and the play by John
Patrick.
Drama: "Baby Doll," story and screenplay
by Tennessee Williams; "Friendly Persuasion,"
screenplay by Michael Wilson (this
credit did not appear on the screen in accordance
with Article 6 of the Screen MBA,
but was determined by an arbitration committee
of the WGA), from the book by
Jessamyn West; "Giant," screenplay by Fred
Guiol and Ivan Moffat, from Edna Ferber's
novel; "The Rainmaker," screenplay by N.
Richard Nash, based on his Broadway play;
"Somebody Up There Likes Me," screenplay
by Ernest Lehman, based on the autobiography
of Rocky Graziano, written with
Roland Barber.
Musical: "Carousel," screenplay by Phoebe
and Henry Ephron, music by Richard
Rodgers and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein
II, from the Theatre Guild Production
based on Ferenc Molnar's "Lilliom,"
as adapted by Benjamin F. Glazer; "The
Eddy Duchin Story," screenplay by Samuel
Taylor, story by Leo Katcher; "High Society,"
screenplay by John Patrick, based on Philip
Barry's play; "The King and I," screenplay
by Ernest Lehman, music, Richard Rodgers
and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein
II, from the musical play based on "Anna
and the King of Siam" by Margaret Landon;
"Meet Me in Las Vegas," story and
screenplay by Isobel Lennart.
Perle Mesta to Speak
HOLLYWOOD—Perle Mesta, former ambassador
to Luxemburg, the renowned
"hostess with the mostest," plans to grace
the dais at the Screen Producers Guild Milestone
banquet to be held at the Beverly
Hilton Hotel, Sunday (17). Participating in
the honors to be bestowed upon Walt Disney,
she will speak on the international aspects
of his career and the national goodwill his
pictures have gained abroad.
WELCOME GERMAN STAR—O. W. Fischer, left,
Germany's top-ranking screen
star, was welcomed to Hollywood with an elaborate cocktail party given for him by
June Allyson, N. J. Blumberg, chairman of the board of Universal Pictures, and Edward
Muhl, U-I vice-president in charge of production. Fischer is in Hollywood to make
his American film debut as Miss Allyson's costar in U-I's "My Man Godfrey," modernized
version of the William Powell-Carole Lombard comedy hit of 20 years ago.
New UPA Series Set
HOLLYWOOD—Columbia and XJPA have
signed a new deal calling for four of the
cartoonery's new series, titled UPA's Pair of
Shorts, to be produced this year for 1957-58
distribution. Under terms of the pact. Pair
of Shorts will be distributed worldwide by
Columbia, initially for theatrical release and
subsequently for television programming.
W-2 BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957

Six Shows Sold Out
At 'Bailie' Premiere
HOLLYWOOD— All six scheduled performances—two
in each of three Shea circuit
theatres—for the world premiere of U-I's
"Battle Hymn," Thursday il4) in Marietta.
Ohio, were completely sold out in advance.
Rock Hudson, Dan Duryea and Jock Mahoney,
the film's stars, and Col. Dean Hess,
whose life is the basis for the story, planned
to participate in the debut festivities, making
personal appearances at the sextet of performances.
* « •
Paramount has scheduled an April world
premiere of "The Buster Keaton Story" at
Prairie. Okla.. which Keaton considers his
home town, despite the fact that he spent
most of his early years touring in vaudeville.
The comedian, whose life the biofilm depicts,
expects to attend the feature's bow along with
Donald O'Connor, who portrays him in the
picture. Also planning to attend the event
are press and television newsmen from key
cities throughout the country.
New Grifford Co. to Film
Quixote Series for TV
HOLLYWOOD—Don Quixote will be the
initial effort of the newly formed Grifford
Productions, of which Gordon S. Griffith is
president and Robert Bradford vice-president.
Slated for filming in color. Quixote Ls
planned as a nationally syndicated TV series,
consisting of 39 half-hour weekly segments.
John Carradine has been inked to star
in the series, which is to be lensed on location
in Spain.
* • •
Briskin Productions. Inc.,
announced Daniel
Boone as another new half-hour telefilm
series which it will produce for Screen
Gems. Columbia Picture's TV subsidiary. It
will be based on the life and adventures of
the American pioneer and frontiersman
identified by its title.
* « «
Serge Krizman, newly elected president of
the Society of Motion Picture Art Directors,
disclosed plans for 26 half-hour dramatic
episodes of a television anthology series
based on Nostradamus, famed 16th century
seer, and his now-classic prophecies. Titled
the Voice of Nostradamus, it is designed so
that each segment will deal with one of the
clairvoyant's prognostications covering the
years 2000 through 3797.
* * •
Anne Baxter has been signed by Revue
Productions to make her dramatic television
debut as the star of "The Bitter Choice" on
the General Electric Theatre. In the vehicle,
she will portray a compassionate army nurse
who, as a means of therapy, must force all
her patients to resent and dislike her.
* * *
Actor-director Paul Henreid has been
signed to pilot "The Vicious Circle" for Alfred
Hitchcock Presents.
* * •
Allen H. Miner has been signed to direct
"The Vigilantes," a segment of the Wells
Fargo vidpix series for Revue Productions.
Two to 'Hot Spell' Cast
HOLLYWOOD—Toni Sommers and Marjorie
Jackson have been added to the cast
of Hal Wallis' "Hot Spell" at Paramount.
AT
hand is a copy of the San Quentin
News, bi-weekly newspaper published
by and for the inmates of the formidable
state institution which the editors of
the News term the "Bastille on the Bay."
And a right sprightly, well-written journal
it is. Presumably Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's
publicists magnanimously arranged for members
of Hollywood's press corps to receive
an i.ssue of the prison periodical because Leo
was shooting—you should pardon, pliss. the
expression—a feature within its grim walls.
a fact of which the editors of the News took
generous cognizance. For the sake of the
record—an' that's another disquieting term
for the San Quentinians—the opus is "The
House of Numbers," being produced by
Charles Schnee and directed by Russell Rouse.
Jack Palance—who else?—is toplined.
If business gets any tougher, what with
mergers, shutterings and how come you got
a pink slip?, a few drum beaters and their
Cinemania newsmen contacts may become
regular readers of the News or, at least, its
poor farm counterpart.
There might be a chore for a headshrinker
in the fact that Bill Blowitz, of the independent
space-snatching firm of BIowitz-Maskel,
and a fellow who couldn't fight his way out
of a paper bag, is impresarioing the publicity
for two upcoming epics about ring champions.
"The Jack Dempsey Story," which Sam
Wiesenthal is to make for a yet-to-be-determined
release, and "The Barney Ross Story,"
which Edward Small is fabricating for United
Artists, have both been entrusted to the
more-or-less tender Blowitzian touch.
Maybe it stems from Breezy Bill's deepseated
propensity toward extending his neck.
And inescapable is the arresting originality
evident in the selection of the pair of abovelisted
titles. Once upon a time, there was a
picture about a maestro of fisticuffs that
wasn't tagged "The So-'n'-So Story." That
rule-proving exception was Metro's "Somebody
Up There Likes Me."
Joint Estimates of Current Entertainment
Films is a periodically pubhshed brochure,
subsidized by the Motion Picture Ass'n of
America, and undertaking to supply a labyrinthical-keyed
consensus of opinion from
various organizations that appraise features.
Despite the dignity of the religious and educational
groups from which it gathers data,
the editor sometimes leads with his chin. As
concerns United Ai'tists' "The King and Four
Queens," it is stated, "Estimates Agree;
Strictly synthetic sex studs this strictly
synthetic Western."
If it's synthetic, it's a gelding.
When the Southern California Motion Picture
Council singled out a group of current
features for its awards of outstanding merit,
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer publicists rushed out
a newsworthy release listing the honored pictures,
those coming from their studio as well
as the films from other companies. That
handout was widely printed and, of course,
stressed the MOM titles.
Subsequently, the space snatchers from
Paramount, Warner Bros., Universal-International
and RKO anti-climactically and
repetitiously broadcast the same information,
but in each case, limited it to their own
respective offerings. Those handouts were
wicketed.
So Leo's larruping lionets enjoyed a substantial
slice of bread upon the waters.
Although the year is still in its infancy,
freelancer Alex Evelove is a heads-on bet to
win recognition for having perpetrated 1957's
worst pun.
Anxious Alex, in captioning a newsless item
anent Roger Corman taking a crew to
Marineland to record submarine sound effects,
blazoned;
"Life with Fathom"
Someone in Teet Carle's Paramount pralsery
has developed a distinct and disturbing Diamond
Jim Brady complex. Broadcast trivia
regarding the currently shooting "Hot Spell"
seems to specialize in food—and in prodigious
proportions. One such item concerned itself
with 2,800 pounds of candy procured from the
Newberry store to dress a five and dime
counter scene. Still another relates how the
cast consumed 30 pounds of cold cuts, six
gallons of potato salad, nine stalks of celery
and three gallons of ice tea for a dining
room scene.
Perhaps the Carlean caterwaulers should
be checked for tape worms, lest the jittery
stockholders crack down on such prolific
purveyance of provender.
Bob Goodfried is exempt, per se. Not only
does he have the lean and hungry look of a
Cassius, but he's too busy trying to revive
the myth that "Paramount is seriou.sly considering
staging a gigantic pre.ss preview of
Punny Face' in Paris"; that hoary fantasy
that has had Jimmy Stan- packing and unpacking
his bag for lo! these many months.
William Fawcett, who boasts A. B., M. A.
and Ph. D. degrees, has been cast as an
illiterate hillbilly in Mervyn LeRoy's "No
Time for Sergeants" at Warner Bros., inform
Bill Hendricks' tub thumpers, just to illustrate
that, personal performances to the
contrary, they have an appreciation of the
benefits of higher education.
And from the same Burbanklan blurbers, a
twist on the venerable mother-in-law joke
in the intelligence that, "Director Raoul
Walsh's brother-in-law visited him for the
first time in five years and was promptly put
to work in . . . 'Band of Angels,' the film
Walsh is making in Baton Rouge."
Now that it has been established that
nepotism, that loudly decried quality which
flourished during the industry's most prosperous
days, has been revived, hopm can again
spring eternal.
BOXOFnCE :: February 16, 1957 W-3

—
—
—
——
—
—
WB)
—
—
—
—
—
——
Eighth Week of '80 Days' Holds Lead
In Los Angeles; Other Scores Down
LOS ANGELES—Inasmuch as the only two
new bills to find then- way to the screens of
local first run theatres were definitely on the
r.onconsequential side—and reported business
in kind—the big league attractions that have
been dominating the southland's grossing
reports for so many weeks encountered no
difficulty in maintaining their individual
and collective top dog positions. "Around
the World in 80 Days," in its eighth frame,
was still way out in fornt with 370 per cent.
Exceeding its previous week's take was "The
Ten Commandments," which scored 235 in
its 13th canto.
(Averoge Is 100)
Beverly Canon La Strada (Trans-Lux), 1 5th wk. 85
Carthay Circle Around the World in 80 Doys
(UA), 8th wk 370
Chinese Anostosio (20th-Fox), 7th wk 135
Egyptian Bundle of Joy (RKO), 8th wk 50
Fine Arts Wee Geordie [Times), 4th wk 115
Four Star The Rainmoker (Poro), 8th wk 100
Fox Beverly, New Fox, Warner Downtown Rock,
Pretty Boby (U-l); The Night Runner (U-l).... 75
Fox Wilshire Men in Wor (UA), 3rd wk 90
Hawaii, Hillstreet, Wiltern Three Violent People
(Para); Secret of Treasure Mountain (Col),
2nd wk 55
Los Angeles Three Brave Men (20th-Fox); The
Women of Pitcairn Island (20th-Fox), 2nd wk. . . 40
Pontages The Barretts of Wimpole Street (MGM),
2nd wk 65
Paramount Downtown Rock 'n' Roll Jamboree
(Studios); Daniel Boone, Trailblozer (Rep).... 45
Paramount Hollywood Written on the Wind
(U-l), 8th wk 120
Vogue Baby Doll (WB), 7th wk 75
Warners Beverly The Ten Commondments
(Poro), 1 3th wk 235
Warners Hollywood Cinerama Holiday (Cinerama),
65th wk 90
'Silent World' Top Grosser
In Slow Portland Week
PORTLAND, ORE.—Attendance hit a low
here with the top grosser, "The Silent World,"
in a third week at the Guild.
Broadway Oklahomal (Magna), 14th wk 120
Fox Top Secret Affair (WB) 1 20
Guild ^The Silent World (Col), 3rd wk 150
Liberty The Iron Petticoat (MGM), 2nd wk 115
Orpheum The Wrong Mon ( 110
Paramount Three Violent People (Para) 100
Only Bill
"Westward Ho'
Held at Denver
DENVER—"Westward Ho, the Wagons,"
in its third week at the Aladdin, was the only
film held. "Top Secret Affair" with "Peacemaker"
at the Paramount also proved a good
money-getter.
Aladdin Westward Ho, the Wagons (BV),
3rd wk 125
Centre The Wrong Man (WB), 2nd wk 85
IT WON'T TAKE A FULL PACE AD
TO TELL YOU ^
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1327 S. Wabash CHICAGO, ILL.
THEATRE
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Eastern Washington, small town.
$10,000 down. Others. Write for
list.
THEATRE EXCHANGE CO.
5724 S.E. Monrot St 260 Kearney St.
Portland 22, Oregon San Francisco 8. Calif.
Denham
Denver
Bundle
Three
of
Brave
Joy (RKO), 3rd wk
Men (20th-Fox); Black
85
Whip
(20th-Fox) 80
Esquire Three Cases of Murder (Assoc. Artists) 85
Orpheum Slonder (MGM); Great American Pastime
(MGM) 80
Paramount Top Secret Affoir (WB); Peacemaker
(UA) 150
Fifth and Sixth Week Holdovers
Score Best in San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO— Still perking their ways
into the top money were the fifth week of
"Anastasia" at the Fox with 150 per cent and
the sixth week of "The Teahouse of the
August Moon" at the Loew's Warfield with
140 per cent. The rest of the first run houses
showed average receipts.
Fox Anastasia (20th-Fox), 5th wk 150
Golden Gate Four Girls in Town (U-l); Above Us
the Waves (Rep) 100
Loew's Warfield The Teahouse of the August
Moon (MGM), 6th wk 140
Paromount Three Violent People (Pora); Rumble
on the Docks (Col) 100
St. Francis Top Secret Affoir ( WB) 1 00
United Artists— Five Steps to Danger (UA); Gun
Brothers (UA) 75
'Oklahoma!' in 15th Week
Leads at Seattle
SEATTLE—"Oklahoma!" in its 15th week
dropped slightly at the Blue Mouse to 160,
but continued to lead the fu-st run lineup.
Mouse Oklohomo! (Magna), 15th wk 160
Blue
Coliseum Three Violent People (Para) 90
Fifth Avenue Top Secret Affair (WB) 120
Music Box The Teahouse of the August Moon
(MGM), 6th wk 135
Music Hall The Wrong Man (WB), 2nd wk 100
Orpheum Gun for a Coward (U-l); Deoth of o
Scoundrel (RKO), 2nd wk 85
At Navy Base Theatres
HOLLYWOOD— Spearheading the Washington's
Birthday openings of MGM's "The
Wings of Eagles" in 350 situations around the
country. Maureen O'Hara and Admiral John
Dale Price, technical adviser on the picture,
departed for personal appearances at the
three naval air stations: Chicago, on Wednesday
(131; Pensacola, Fla., Thursday, and
Norfolk, Va., Friday.
'Rebel' Ahead in March
HOLLYWOOD—Switching his production
schedule. Producer Norman Herman of Nacirema
Productions will have "Rebel on Wheels"
precede "The Golden Disk," with the former
to be put before the cameras in March for an
Allied Artists release. "Disk" will be given
a late April starting date.
Mary Astor to 'Hairpin'
HOLLYWOOD—After 30 years, Mary Astor
is returning to Paramount studio where she
once was starred. She has been cast in
"Devil's Hairpin," in which Cornel Wilde
and his actress-wife Jean Wallace will be costarred.
Wilde will also produce and direct
the film.
George Paris Gets Role
HOLLYWOOD—George Paris has been asssigned
a role in Hecht-Hill-Lancaster's
"Sweet Smell of Success." Alexander Mackendrick
is directing, James Hill producing.
Akim Tamiroff to
'Badge' Role
HOLLYWOOD—Veteran character actor
Akim Tamuoff has been signed by U-I for
a starring role in "Badge of Evil."
Victor Gottlieb Sues U-I
Over Studio Discharge
HOLLYWOOD—A suit seeking damages of
$3,000 has been field in municipal court by
musician Victor Gottlieb against U-I. Gottlieb
alleges he was discharged from his job
solely because he invoked the Fifth Amendment
in appearing before a recent congressional
probe into averred Red activities
in the film capital.
Gottlieb questions the validity of U-I's
statement that he was let out for "good and
sufficient reason." The plantiff maintains
that his Red probe appearance was not a
legitimate basis for dismissal within the
meaning of the studio contract.
Before the House Un-American Activities
Committee on April 26, 1956, Gottlieb testified
he was not at that time a member of the
Communist party. When asked if he had been
a member in the past, he refused to answer,
invoking the Fifth Amendment.
Local 47, American Federation of Musicians,
is supporting Gottlieb in his suit.
DeMille on Speaking Trip
With Dallas First Stop
HOLLYWOOD—As the initial engagement
on his three-week speaking tour, Cecil B.
DeMille addressed the Dallas Council on
World Affairs at the Baker Hotel, Dallas
Tuesday

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PERFORMANCE PROOF: Note the foJ/owing typ/ca/
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both color and black and white
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Most noticeable on newsreels."
King Theatre, Honolulu
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See your CENTURY dealer for this new aid to better
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BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957
W-5

. .
Theatre Business Is Good, ^o^ angeles |
_ AAembers J^embers of Variety Tent 25 met Monday
f
(11) to honor their newly elected chief
barker. O. N. "Bill" Srere, at the first session
over which he presided . . . Fred Getting Better—Lippert
Stein
SAN FRANCISCO — Theatre business is
good and there is every Indication that it
dent filmmaking company. Globe Enterprises,
declared that his association with Lippert
will get better during the remainder of 1957. had completely mitigated the prejudice that
said Robert Lippert, head of the theatre he, like most creators in the industry, had
circuit bearing his name, in his address of appreciation
at the testimonial dinner given ness.
felt toward the exhibition branch of the busi-
to him here Thursday (7) in observance of Others among those present were E. J.
the 15th anniversary of the Lippert Theatres.
DeRose, Lippert Theatres executive; Ray
Baumgarten, president. Regal Films; James
The function was attended by more than Duddy, district manager, Lippert; J. E. Erickson,
branch manager, 20th-Fox; Hal Gruber,
100 employes of his circuit, as well as production,
distribution and financial associates manager. Favorite Films; S. J. Gardner,
from this community and southern California,
where Lippert currently spends a pert employe; Al Grubstick, Warner Bros.;
MGM branch manager; Emma Gold, Lip-
large portion of his time while pursuing his Frank Galvin, Golden State Theatres executive;
C. F^ank Harris, United Artists
newer activities, the production of motion
pictures.
branch manager; Mel Hulling, Allied Artists
Lippert started his circuit with the Grand district manager; Abe Karski, Gerald Karski,
Ray Kaliski, Martell Kaliski, Albert
Theatre in Richmond, Calif., Feb. 7, 1942.
"Last year," he related, "our circuit showed Kessler, Leslie Kessler, Irving Kay, Clarence
its biggest profit and all signs point to a Laws and Elwood Laws, partners, Lippert
new high in boxoffice receipts in 1957. We Theatres; Lloyd Lamb, Redwood Theatres
are constantly expanding and we now have executive; James Leslie. Lippert Theatres
plans for the building of one or two new executive; James Myers, Allied Artists manager;
George Mitchell, Republic manager;
theatres in southern California during the
next 18 months."
Barney Rose, district manager. Universal;
Occupying places at the speakers' table, Ted Reisch, U-I manager; James Reed, Bolton
Theatres executive; J. L. Stevenson,
along with the guest of honor, were members
of his family; Samuel Fuller, who periodically Paramount manager; F. J. Schiendler, RKO
has produced and directed for Lippert manager; Al Shmitken, Warner manager; E.
throughout the past several years; J. Earl W. Stokes, Lippert Theatres district, manager;
Plato Skouras, Regal Films executive;
"Doc" Henning, one of the partners in his
theatre activities; George M. Mann, president.
Redwood Theatres and a business as-
Harold Wirthwein. AA western division man-
Herman Wobber. 20th-Fox ex;ecutive, and
sociate; Robert Lippert jr., manager of his ager. " •"'
newest showcase in the Los Angeles area,
the La Habra of that suburban city, and
Charles J. Maestri, general manager of the
Lippert chain. Henning, Mann and Maestri SEATTLE
were speakers, and each glowingly reviewed
their long years of association with the circuit
head.
Children's Orthopedic Hospital by the
H luncheon was held Wednesday at the
Puller, now president of his own indepenthe
west's largest
Variety Club to acquaint members of radio,
TV and allied press publicists with the club's
work in the children's heart clinic . . .
Reville Kniffin, 20th-Fox assistant district
manager, was in from Los Angeles .
"
^ speaker supply
Jack J. Engerman, Northwest Releasing, covered
Salt Lake, Edmonton, Calgary, Winni-
BallantijnE
f dealer
peg, Butte and Spokane in advance of the
Fats Domino "Biggest Show of Stars >,'of
1057" and the Victor Borge "Comedy in
BALLANTYNE SPEAKERS
Music" show. Borge will be presented by
STRONG LAMPS
Northwest Releasing and Hugh Beckett.
BALLANTYNE PROJECTORS
Jim Brooks, 20th-Fox office manager, has
HOBART GENERATORS
been discharged from the hospital and is
convalescing at
BALLANTYNE SOUND
home , . . Filmrow visitors
included Joe Lilqulst of the Almo, Colville;
WILLIAMS SCREENS
R. E. Gillespie of the Rio, Burlington; A. P.
REDI-MADE CORDS
Gollofon, Concrete; Howard Wood, Kettle
Palls, and Mr. and Mrs. George Ekman, Blue
SPEAKER CONES
Ox, Shelton.
MARQUEE LETTERS
More than 1,100 attended a screening of
JUNCTION BOXES
"The Ten Commandments" held Tuesday
evening (5) at the Egyptian Theatre for civic,
business and religious leaders, and radio,
newspaper and TV representatives. The film
was also previewed Saturday morning (9) at
glenn e. koropp the Fifth Avenue by a group of 900 nuns
from the Puget Sound area. The picture is
3600 San Ysidro Way Sacramento 25. Calif,
write, wire - or phone IVanhoe 9-0941 slated to open at the Fifth Avenue on the
21st.
Enterprises, in taking over the Ritz Theatre,
South Pasadena, from the Jimmy Edwards
circuit, revealed plans to completely refurbish
the house. Meanwhile, Fred Stein,
who heads the organization bearing his name,
has entered Cedars of Lebanon Hospital for
a checkup.
After a couple of years in
the Chicago office
of Modern Film Distributors, from which
he lectured in the midwest on the company's
"Mom and Dad," Tom Tobin has been transferred
to the Los Angeles branch of MFD
to perform a similar function, thereby augmenting
the work which has been handled
in this area solely by Patrick O'SuUivan.
Richard Brandt and George Ross, president
and vice-president in charge of sales, respectively,
for Trans-Lux, planed from New
York to confer with Morris Safier, western
division manager, to establish a sales policy
on the general release of "La Strada" . . .
Gabe Barnett, accompanied by his wife,
headed for Honolulu to set up an office to
handle his King Midas sports car theatre
giveaway promotion which has been utilized
by various exhibitors in this country.
. . . Salesmen
. .
Herb Turpie, western district manager for
the Manley Popcorn Co., went to Albuquerque.
N. M., to meet with B. J. McKenna, the
company's general manager
currently covering their respective Arizona
territories include George Tripp, Warner
Bros.; Jules Needleman, Columbia, and Ben
Wendel Bjorkman,
Taylor, Allied Artists . . .
Buena Vista, has returned from Arizona .
Hugh Braly, Distributors Corp. of America,
headed for Denver on business . Bob Kronenberg.
Dominant Pictures,
. .
planed to New
York . . . George Ingham, who operates a
booking service, went to Yuma to huddle
with Wayne Arnold and Marvin Bell, who
are planning a 1,000-car drive-in in that
city ... Ed Lachman, president of the Lorraine
Carbon Co. and owner of the State
Theatre. Boonton, N. J., arrived from New
York.
Booking^ and buying on Filmrow were Lloyd
Katz, Nevada Theatre Corp.. Las Vegas, who
met with Jerry Persell of DCA; Burt Kramer.
Village Theatre, Coronado; Milt and Dode
Smith, Santa Paula Drive-In; Jack Lowenbein.
Academy. San Diego; Joe Markowitz.
La Paloma, Eiicinitas; George Diamos and
George Cavelaris, Lyric in Bisbee, Ariz., and
Henry Slater, Chula Vista Drive In.
Don Conley to Buena Vista
In Seattle Sales Post
NEW YORK—Don Conley, formerly a
salesman and branch manager for RKO in
Des Moines and other branch cities, has been
named sales representative for Buena Vista
in the Seattle area by Leo F. Samuels, president.
Conley will make his headquarters in
Seattle under the direction of Jesse Chinich,
western division sales manager. His activities
will be supervised by Wendell Bjorkman,
Buena Vista west coast district manager.
W-6 BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957
fl

. . Theatre
John
. . The
DENVER
T ynn "Red" Fetz, manager of the shipping
and inspection section of the Denver Film
Center, has disappeared. He was last seen
February 5 when he cashed a $30 pension
check at a bar near his home in North Denver.
His car was found on Broadway two
days later with a two-day accumulation of
parking tickets. The car was locked. At this
writing it is feared that he has met with
foul play. Always a hard worker, he would
not leave the business he has built up by
merely leaving town.
Al Brandon, one of the salesmen let out
when RKO merged with Universal, has gone
into the insurance business. Harold Copeland
has left for a trip that will take him to
Tucson, Ariz., and then to California, and if
he does not locate a job en route he might
return to Denver. Mike Stewart, New Mexico
salesman, will remain in Albuquerque and
will try and make connections there . . . Ted
Halmi, film publicist, went east on matters
connected with Hungarian relief.
Marvin Goldfarb, district manager for
Buena Vista, went to Kansas City and St.
Louis on business . . Tillie Charl, Paramount
.
cashier, who was hospitalized as the
result of a fall at home, is recovering and
will be back at work soon . . . John Mc-
Gettigan, Paramount auditor, was at the
local exchange . . . John Allen, MGM district
manager, was in from his Dallas headquarters
for conferences with Henry Friedel,
branch manager.
Claude Newell, MGM booker, was on a
two-week leave, doing a stint with the Aii-
Force Reserve at Lowrey air field . . . E. E.
Jameson sr. of Kansas City, owner of Denver
Shipping & Inspection Bureau, was in conferring
with Frank Norris, manager ...CM.
Bitsel, RCA sales representative, Los Angeles,
was here conferring with Sam Langwith,
owner of Western Service & Supply.
Irene Canino, cashier at Republic, and her
mother had a rather harrowing experience
one evening as they retui'ned from a downtown
style show. They were held up as
they arrived at their garage, the stickup man
taking their money and Irene's new car as
well. The car was found shortly by Denver
police and had not been harmed.
James and Lillian Micheleti celebrated their
25th wedding anniversary last week with an
open house. He is a salesman for MGM . . .
Merle Gwinn, who has been operating the
Zorn, Benkelman, Neb., for several years, has
closed the house . folk seen on
Filmrow included Frank Aydelotte, Fort Collins;
Glen B. Wittstruck, Meeker; Mr. and
Mrs. George Kelloff, Aguilar; Thomas
Knight, Riverton, Wyo., and Harry Mc-
Donald, Torrington, Wyo.
Title Changes
I Married Joseph Stalin (20th-Fox) to
CRIME OF THE CENTURY.
The Haunted (Col) to NIGHT OF THE
DEMON.
The Most Wanted Woman (Col) to HALF
PAST HELL.
The Attack of the Saucer Men (AIP) to
INVASION OF THE SAUCER MEN.
Utah Bill Permits
County Aid for TV
SALT LAKE CITY—A former theatre exhibitor
currently is one of the leaders of a
group attempting to get legislative action
which would place television in remote Utah
communities. The ex-showman, John Rowberry
of Cedar City, was one of the proponents
of a bill that would allow communities
to use recreation funds for establishment
of television translator systems in areas currently
without TV.
The measure has passed the state senate
and currently Is being argued in the house.
As it stands now, the bill would allow
county commissioners to use funds for recreation
purposes to establish the translator
systems, to puj-chase property and to set up
facilities for putting m television. The funds
for recreation are raLsed from taxes.
Some communities located a distance from
transmitting facilities have TV through
community-owned systems, but the service
is available only to those who pay the connecting
fee and the service. Under the translator
system, television would be available
to the communities in which the county commissioners
decide to use the recreation funds
without toll fee.
Although theatre exhibitors did not appear
at a public hearing on the bill, it is believed
they are opposed to the measure. Daily
newspapers of the state are opposed to it.
Argument of the former group is that taxes
were not used to build theatres in any communities
so why should they be used for
establishing television facilities. Newspapers
have expressed a fear of "socialization" if
the bill passes.
Rowberry operated theatres at Cedar City
prior to selling out a few years ago to the
Yergensens.
Two LA Papers Turn Down
Ads on Japanese Film
LOS ANGELES—Because the word "prostitution"
was used, the Los Angeles Times
and the Herald-Express newspapers rejected
advertising copy on the Japanese-made film.
"Street of Shame," which was scheduled to
open Friday (15) at the Vagabond Theatre
of which Sydney Linden is manager.
Meanwhile, the Mirror-News and Examiner
had not ruled for or against similar copy
which Linden submitted to them.
Inasmuch as the feature deals with legalized
prostitution in Japan, Linden argued,
"How can you sell it if you don't use the
word prostitution? . . . how else can I describe
it?"
"We have this trouble from time to time,
but the papers use similar copy from other
theatres," the manager stated. "When I asked
them about it, they informed it 'slipped by,' "
complained Linden.
The manager asserts "Shame" Is an adultsonly
film and no minors will be admitted
to the Vagabond during the picture's run.
To Portray Army Generals
HOLLYWOOD-
-For Bryna Pi'oductions'
"Paths of Glory
" Adolphe Menjou and
George Macready have been signed to porarmy
generals. Scheduled
tray two different
to roll March 20 in Munich, Germany, the
film toplines Kirk Douglas, who heads Bryna.
SALT LAKE
Uelen Garrity Yorke, for_T,e; ;
director for Intermountain X,

. . Hy
. . Al
SAN FRANCISCO
Qharles M. ThaU, former Pox West Coast
Theatres executive who retired in 1946,
has resigned as executive
secretary of
Northern California
Tlieatre Ass'n, which
position he has held
for the past ten years.
His successor will be
announced by the exhibitor
organization in
the near future.
Mrs. Eva McAlexander,
wife of the
Tower Theatre manager
in Willows, died
Charles M. Thall
after a short illness.
In addition to her husband, she is survived
by a daughter, Mrs. Joseph Halasz of Santa
Clara, and a son Terry, manager of the
Colonial Theatre in Sacramento . . Ai-thur
.
Rodriguez, chairman of the Crockett Community
Council, announced a civic movement
to reopen the Lanai Theatre to help
cure the city's juvenile problem, which has
been on the upswing since the theatre
closed December 4.
Novato builder John Novak's bid to
rezone
a 12-acre site for a drive-in theatre in Novato
won a favorable recommendation from
the Marin County planning commission. It
now goes to county supervisors for final action
... A dispute over reopening of the
Granada Theatre, owned by T. & D. Jr. E:iterprises,
began before the flames died down
following an explosion and fij-e. Homer Le-
Ballister, manager of the Granada which
was next door to the demolished Elks Club,
maintained that the theatre was not damaged.
However, the mayor ordered the theatre
padlocked.
According to James Bell, there will be no
change in personnel operating the State, Alta
and Midway theatres which were recently
taken over by the United Theatres Co. from
Roy Cooper Theatre Co. of San Francisco.
The sale took place January 16 . . . Damages
as high as $20,000 were estimated at Alameda's
old Strand Theatre on Park street
the scene of a fom--hour blaze. The cause
of the fire, which took 27 men some four
hours to extinguish, was attributed to an
electrical failure.
The Golden Gate Theatre benefited by a
promotional wave for "Battle Hymn.' The
mayor proclaimed opening week of the film
as An' Force Week for the city and county
a parade along Market street was scheduled
for opening night; one day will see the
swearmg in of new Air Force recruits at the
City Hall: a gala junket was sent to the Navy
air force station in Colorado Springs for local
newspaper critics and city officials to
preview the film, and an informative display
was arranged by the Air Force in the lobby
of the theatre.
Jim Barry, Western Theatrical Equipment,
has posted the high game .score to date in
the Variety Club Bowling League, with Char-
He Owens of National Screen Service posting
the high series. Attendance this year In
the league has been fine . . . Mln Levy,
Tower Pictures, fell down the back steps of
her home and ended up in the French Hospital
. . . Eddie Jacobs, for 25 years in the
Golden Gate Theatre building as elevator
operator, is in the St. Francis Hospital. He
would enjoy hearing from his many friends.
Dolores Barusch, Earusch Advertising
Agency, promoted for her client, the President
Theatre, a four-column spread in one
of the local dailies . . . Charlie Feldman, general
sales manager for U-I, conferred here
with Barney Rose . Glick, Republic
studios, was in town to attend his son's
wedding. Hy and local Manager George
Mitchell got together . Shmitkin, Warner
Bros., returned from a branch managers
meeting in Seattle . . . Visitors on the Row
included Joseph Cotten and Gloria Swanson
from Hollywood; Barney Gurnette, Salinas,
where he operates the Crystal Theatre;
Howard Hill, Hill Drive-In at Riverdale, and
BUI Wagner, Antioch.
The Orosi Theatre in Orosi has been closed
by John Terrill . . . The Cove Theatre, Orange
Cove, has been taken over by M. E.
Beaner from John Terrill . . . The Graybill
Theatre at San Miguel closed January 6.
JARO Officials
Survey
Filmrow Office Sites
LOS ANGELES — Establishment of west
coast headquarters for the J. Arthur Rank
Organization, a long-contemplated move, approached
culmination with the arrival here
of Kenneth Hargreaves, general sales manager,
and Irving Sochin, domestic sales manager,
who have been surveying available sites
on local Filmrow that can be rented to
house the new office. Its function will be to
supplement the activities of the New York
office of the British production and distribution
firm with direct attention to the territory
west of the Rockies.
Rank product has been distributed
throughout this territory by United Artists,
U-I and Republic. While no declaration has
been forthcoming regarding future plans, it
is generally thought that this releasing setup
will continue to obtain, for the time being
at least, and that the new office will
function principally in a promotional and
sales supervisory capacity.
PORTLAND
^heatre row here gave a testimonial dinner
for Dick Lange, former RKO branch
manager who had completed 27 continuous
years in the show business when the exchange
closed February 1. The dinner, held at the
Western Club Friday evening (15), was attended
by Filmrow business associates, exhibitors
and members of the press, radio and
TV. Committee members included Jack Partin,
Roy Brown, Dick Colbert, C. F. Powers,
Mark McDougald, Jack Lovett, Dale Wilkins
with Archie Holt as chairman.
Johnny Cummings, RKO salesman, moved
to San Francisco to join Favorite Films.
Richard Landau Scripts 'Dope'
Bel-Air Productions has signed Richard
Landau to work on the screenplay of "Dope
Ship," a United Artists' release.
Concessionaires to Meet
In Las Vegas Feb. 28
LAS VEGAS—"How to Increase Your
Profits in '57" will be the theme of the twoday
second annual western regional conference
sponsored by the National Ass'n of
Concessionaires (formerly Popcorn & Concessions
Ass'n 1, Feb. 27-Mar. 1, at the Sands
Hotel here, according to NAC Second Vice-
President and conference chairman Harold
F. Chesler. Theatre Candy Distributing Co.,
Salt Lake City.
Featured speakers will be NAC boai'd chairman
Bert Nathan, Theatre Popcorn Vending
Corp., Brooklyn, N. Y., whose subject
will be "What to Look for in a Good Concession
Operation in a Drive-In," and NAC
President Lee Koken, RKO Theatres, New
York City, who will discuss "Concession
Stand Management Techniques for Conventional
Theatres." Also on the program will
be William E. Smith, the Popcorn Institute,
Chicago, and NAC Executive Vice-Pi'esident
Thomas J. Sullivan, describing "Effective
Popcorn Merchandising With Promotional
Aids."
One day will be devoted to seminars where
particular topics relating to popcorn promotion
and concession operation will be
discussed in detail. There will be an equipment
clinic, where manufacturers of concession
equipment will explain and demonstrate
it.
The Coca-Cola Co. will sponsor the conference
luncheon February 28 and the Pepsi-
Cola Co. will play host to a cocktail party
March 1. All members of the theatre and
concession industries are invited to attend.
Advance registrations are being accepted by
Chesler at his office. Theatre Candy Distributing
Co., P.O. Box 2023, Salt Lake City,
Utah.
Bill Sackheim Promoted
To Screen Gems Director
HOLLYWOOD—Producer William Sackheim
has been promoted to executive head of
a new Screen Gems department in which he
will be du'ector of program development, concentrating
on creation, guidance and development
of new programs which Columbia's
television subsidiary decides to produce.
Milton Pickman, vice-president of Briskin
Productions, who is in charge of programming,
will continue to function as packager
of the independent deals. Sackheim will work
directly with Irving Briskin.
Charles R. Daggett Dies
HOLLYWOOD—Funeral rites
were held at
the FLi-st Unitarian Church for Charles R.
"Chuck" Daggett, Columbia publicist who died
Sunday (3) at the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital
of nephritis. Prior to his Columbia
affiliation, Daggett had been head of publicity
for UPA and for John Sutherland Productions.
Surviving are his wife, mother, two
brothers and a daughter.
Frederick Loewe Added
HOLLYWOOD—Frederick Loewe has been
pacted by Producer Arthur Freed to write the
score with Alan Jay Lerner for MGM's "Gigi,"
their first collaboration since making Broadway
history with "My Fair Lady," for which
Lerner wrote the book and lyrics and Loewe
the score..
t^
W-8 BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957

WB)
—
Grosses Hold Firm
On Chicago's Loop
CHICAGO—With business up or continuing
at previous satisfactory levels, hopes ran
high for a solid spring. Five newcomers
shared gross honors with holdovers, with
special mention going to "Rock, Rock, Rock"
at the Monroe and "Canyon River" at the
Roosevelt. Big holdover was "Full of Life."
which upped grosses in the second week at
the Chicago Theatre.
(Averoge Is 100)
Cornegie— Anostosio (20th-Fox), 3rd wk 190
Chicago— Full of Life Col), 2nd wk 240
Esquire— Everything But the Truth (U-l), 2nd wk. 200
Grond— Istanbul U-l), Thunder Over Arizona
(Rep) 200
Loop—The Brove One (RKO), 3rd wk 210
McVickers—The Ten Commandments (Para),
1 1th wk 345
Monroe Rock, Rock, Rock (DCA); Dynomiters
(Astor) 200
Oriental—The Girl Con't Help It (20th-Fox),
2nd wk 190
Palace—Seven Wonders of the World (Cineroma),
9fh wk 350
Roosevelt— Rock, Pretty Baby lU-l); Canyon
River ( AA) 200
State Lake—The Iron PeMicoat (MGM), 2nd wk. .215
Surf—Simon and Laura (U-l), 2nd wk 185
United Artists—The Wrong Man I 1 95
Woods—The Teahouse of the August Moon
(MGM), 12th wk 205
World Playhouse— La Strodo (Trans-Lux), 7th wk. 200
Ziegfeld—Only the French Can (UMPO), 7fh wk, .185
'Barretts' Stirs Only
Minor Kaycee Interest
KANSAS CITY—The local public turned a
cold shoulder to the new version of "The
Barretts of Wimpole Street" playing at the
Midland Theatre. "Friendly Persuasion"
played to good patronage in its second week
in the Uptown and goes into its third week
there, playing first week in the other three
Fox houses.
Esquire, Fairway and Granada—Three Brove Men
(20th-Fox), The Black Whip (20th-Fox) 110
Kimo— Rififi (UMPO), 2nd wk 200
Midland—The BorreMs of Wimpole Street (MGM) 75
Missouri—This Is Cinerama (Cinerama) 35th wk. 325
Paramount—The Big Land (WB), five days of
2nd wk 95
Rockhill—Tempest in the Flesh (Pacemaker) .... 1 25
Roxy—Utah Blaine (Col) 75
Uptown— Friendly Persuasion (AA), 2nd wk 1 40
'Commandments' 2nd Week
Firm in Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS—A pleasant sunny afternoon,
the first in a couple of months, had
more people on the highways than in theatres
and cut down on the week's boxoffice
prospects. But "The Ten Commandments"
continued to set a sensational pace in its
second week at the Lyric, and "Baby Doll" did
extra good business at the Esquire, where it
also played its second week. "Top Secret
Affair" at the Indiana, was leader among the
new attractions. "The Barretts of Wimpole
Street" at Loew's was disappointing.
Circle—Seventh Covolry (Col); Odongo (Col). 90
Esquire—Baby Doll (WB), 2nd wk 150
Indiana—Top Secret Affair (WB); A Woman's
Devotion ( Rep) 1 00
Loews— Barretts of Wimpole Street (MGM); Great
American Pastime (MGM) 85
Lyric—The Ten Commandments (Par), 2nd wk.,.250
BOWLING
KANSAS CITY—Bowling standings after
Friday (8i games were:
MEN
Team Won Lost
Alley Rots 54 30
K. C. T's 52 32
Monley P'c'n 50 34
Steeplechase 42 42
Dixie Picts .371/2 46' •
Shreve's ... .36 '/j
Mode O'Day. 34
47Vj
SO
Hi Lo 5 30 54
WOMEN
Team Won Lost
Monley Pprs 43'/! 19'/j
2
Finton Jones 39 24
Monley Inc. 36'
Borg & Kim
33 30
Klortmon's 28 35
New SO D-l 27 36
Dixie Ent. 24 39
101 Service 20 43
Free Lunch Available From Boolh
At KMTA Convention on Tuesday
KANSAS CITY—Many of the display booths
will operate on a proof-of-the-pudding basis
at the Kansas-Missouri Theatre Ass'n convention
February 26, 27 at the Pickwick Hotel.
As Woodie Latimer of L&L Popcorn and
Chris Bean of Hollywood Servemaster said:
"You can have a free lunch of nutritious
food with us Tuesday." The L&L booth will
serve such free items as E-Z Way coffee.
James River barbecued beef in sandwichas
and hot dogs from the Roto-Grille. Regal
Poppers, operated by Gus and George Kopulos,
will serve Sweden ice cream, Sno-Crop
fish steaks and an orange drink.
Mickelberry's food products will serve chilifranks,
regular franks and cooked
-'N
-*•
Big Boost to United List
In RKO Merger With U-I
KANSAS CITY—Bob Herrell of the United
Film Exchange will distribute about 75 features
and 50 short
subjects not included
aS^
Bob Herrell
in the RKO-Universal
recent integration.
Some of these are newfilms
which have never
been released, such as
"Finger of Guilt" and
"Cartouche," in which
Richard Basehart
stars. Others are older
films, including four
of the Tarzans. The
short subjects do not
include the Disney-
RKO shorts, as these are being handled by
Buena Vista. The United list runs from one
to three reels.
Herrell said United was also being considered
for handling some of the future RKO
productions. "Naturally, I am pleased to have
such a fine array of pictures for distribution
in this area," Herrell added.
Central Shipping will service the product
as it does other pictures distributed through
United.
Citizens Co., Brazil, Ind.
Sells a Theatre for Store
BRAZIL, IND.—Stanley A. B. Cooper, president
of the Citizens Theatre Co., has announced
the sale of the Lark Theatre building
at 8-10 East National Ave. to A. J. Chassel
of Brazil. Chassel, who left for a Florida
vacation following the purchase, indicated he
plans extensive remodeling of the building
for use as a retail store.
The Lark has been closed since February
1954 with the exception of several months'
part-time operation last spring. The Lark was
constructed in 1922 by the Citizens company.
Cooper said there were not a sufficient
number of outstanding films to operate a
second theatre in Brazil.
"In major cities with large populations to
draw from, big hit attractions can be held
over for several weeks' playing time, thus requiring
a fewer number of pictures to operate
each theatre." Cooper stated. "We have
found that the moviegoing public of our community
prefers a top selection of pictures with
hamburgers,
as well as display many othei of h.
company's large variety of meat pioduc^;.
Manley, Inc., will serve popcorn as well as
Coca-Cola, the latter to display its Ice-O-Bar
soft drink machine. Bottled Coca-Cola will
also be available in the company's own booth.
Also to be served are Dr Pepper and Pepsi-
Cola. Howard Strum will display his machine
for milk shakes and the Nestle company will
serve hot cocoa and chocolate bars.
By the lime exhibitors have eaten their
way around the booths Tuesday they should
have a better idea of how to handle their
own conce.ssion bars and please the theatregoing
public.
Don Burnette is the president.
several changes of program each week. Before
the advent of TV, Hollywood studios
tinned out more than 500 pictures each year.
At present there are le.ss than half that many
pictures being produced with emphasis on
quality rather than quantity. It is our present
policy to purchase the finest product available
for Brazil and concentrate this cream of
the crop in one theatre, the Cooper."
TOA Officials to Address
loint MITO-UTOI Meet
SPRINGFIELD, ILL.—A joint meeting of
the Missouri-Illinois Theatre Owners and the
United Theatre Owners of Illinois, both affiliates
of TOA, will be held at the Leland
Hotel here March 6, according to George
Kerasotes, secretary and general manager.
Kerasotes Theatres of Springfield, who also
is board chaiman of UTOI and chairman of
the executive committee of the TOA.
The gathering will kick off with a luncheon
session to be keynoted by S. H. Fabian,
treasurer of TOA. It is probable that L. J.
Bill" Williams, president of MITO, and
Ralph Lawler, president of UTOI, also will
speak at this luncheon session, which will be
a dutch treat affaii-.
The joint meeting is scheduled to take the
fullest advantage of a three-day gathering
of TOA officers and board members in Chicago
on March 3-5. It will be possible for the
rank and file member.s of UTOI and MITO
to have fii'st-hand reports on what took
place at the Chicago sessions and benefit
from talks by the top men of the national
organization. Those w'ho indicated an intention
of attending the Springfield meeting in
addition to Fabian, are the following executives
and committeemen of the Theatre Owners
of America: Ernest G. Stellings. TOA
president, and head of Stewart & Everett
Theatres of Charlotte, N. C; Herman M.
Levy of New York and New Haven, general
counsel; Albert Pickus. Stratford, Conn., a
vice-president, and Walter Reade jr., a member
of the finance committee. There is also
a possibility that John W. Keller II, Columbia
Amusement Co., Paducah, Ky., and a vicepresident
of TOA, may attend. Tom Bloomer
of Belleville and Paul Krueger of St. Louis,
both members of TOAs executive committee,
have tentative plans for being here on March
Eileen Heckart plays the role of an alcoholic
in Paramount's "Hot Spell."
BOXOFFICE February 16. 1957 C-1

,
St.
. . Paramount
. . Ralph
ST.
LOUIS
IJerman Gorelick and George Phillips,
owners
of Realart Pictures of St. Louis,
were back from a quick trip to New York
City for business conferences . . . Don Toliver,
owner of Toliver's 460 Drive-In at Carmi, 111.,
was due back from Florida. The Toliver
family has been residing in Florida and he
may take a page from the book of Loren
Cluster of Salem, 111., by flying back and
forth during the drive-in season. Just a
couple of hours each way . . . Eddie Clark,
Metropolis, 111., is vacationing Deep in the
Heart of Texas .
Snyder, manager.
Rendezvous Drive-In, Flora, 111., has been
vacationing in California and Texas.
Hall Walsh, district manager, Warner Bros.,
Bona, St. Louis manager, called
booker, Frisina Amusement
and
on
Lester
Jimmy FrLsina,
Co., at Springfield . . . Loren Cluster,
Cluster circuit, will fly from Miami to Salem,
III., to make arrangements for the reopening
of the Cluster Drive-In early in April . . .
William C. Earle, manager. National Theatre
Supply, has returned home from the Missouri
Baptist Hospital. He is recovering from an
attack of pneumonia earlier in the year.
The O'Learys—Emmett, with Harry Kahan
Film Delivery Service, and Ruth, on leave of
absence from her duties with Republic Pictures—are
the parents of a new son, Patrick
O'Leary Pictures in association
with Arthur Enterprises hosted a press
.
preview of 'The Ten Commandments" at the
Missouri Theatre Monday night (11). Civic,
educational and religious leaders also were
among the invited guests . . . The Missouri
House has defeated a proposed constitutional
amendment to permit a Missouri governor
to serve two consecutive terms. This action
puts Lt. Governor Ed V. Long of Clarks-
\
A.A. THEATRE CONCESSION
Distributors . . .
SUPPLY
CO.
• CASTLEBERRY'S FOODS
• CANDIES • POPCORN
• SEASONING
• PAPER ITEMS
1538 Tower Grove Ave., St. Louii 10, Mo.
Phone MOhowk 4-9579
EVERYTHING FOR THE THEATRE
Louis Theatre Supply Company
Mrs. Arch Hosier
3310 Olive Street, St. Louis 3, Mo.
Telephone JEfferson 3-7974
RCA Theatre Supply Dealer
•SELECT" FOUNTAIN SYRUPS
DRINK DISPENSERS
Select Drink Inc.
4210 W. Florissant Ave.
St. Louis IS,

AN EDITORIAL
"ONE OF THE FINEST
and one of the most heart-warming
pictures to come out of
Hollywood in some time . . •
" Tull of Life' is neither sexy nor a dirty motion picture.
It dwells on a delicate and realistic subject yet it does
it in a way that is completely wholesome and a person
leaves the theater feeling good instead of feeling that he
has just finished a jaunt through a fetid sewer.
"We haven't a doubt in the world that the people who
see the film Tull of Life' will enjoy every minute of it
and will
emerge from the theater knowing they have
seen one of the finest
and one of the most heart-warming
pictures to come out of Hollywood in some time."
JUDY HOLLIDAY \
RICHARD CONTE
I ESTHER MINCIOni • JOE DeSANTIS • SILVIO MINCIOHI
ScfMfl Play by JOHN fMiJt • e«M

. . . The
. . During
CHICAGO
Joseph Fuelner of H&E Balaban found his
desk piled high upon returning from a vacation
. . . N. J. Sonday, Kansas City representative
for Filmack Ti-ailer Co., spent a
week in the home base studios.
Gloom felt at RKO when the office closed
February 8 was alleviated by the numerous
job offers made to members of the local exchange
by several companies within the industry
and organizations unrelated to the
theatre. Florence Lipschitz, RKO receptionist
and switchboard operator for 20 years,
said that two weeks prior to closing she was
busy recording positions to be considered by
members of the staff. Florence decided to
accept a position with the American College
of Chest Physicians. Ralph Banghart, midwest
field representative and exploiteer.
joined the publicity staff at United Artists.
Melba McCauley went with the Teitel Film
Corp., and Charlotte Tornau is now associated
with Buena Vista. Wally Dorff plans to take
a trip to Hawaii before settling on plans for
the future. Martha Stengle will spend a
couple of weeks in Las Vegas, and Juanita
Andrews will vacation in Florida before making
a job decision.
Hand in hand with good business, visiting
stars added a spark to the films showing in
Loop theatres. One of the most popular
visitors was Rock Hudson, who appeared in
two of the highest grossers in recent weeks,
"Giant" and "Written on the Wind." While
here, Hudson crowned Sandra Lee as Miss
Illinois Air Power of 1957. He then went to
Marietta, Ohio, College to receive an honorary
degree for his portrayal of Col. Dean
Hess in "Battle Hymn." (Hess once taught at
the college.) "Battle Hymn" opens at the
Chicago Theatre February 21. Barbara Rush,
on tour in behalf of "Oh, Men! Oh, Women!"
did a sizable amount of plugging for this film,
which opens at the Oriental February 22.
Another visitor was Al Morgan, author of
"The Great Man," which is doing big busii
CHAIR REPAIRS
I
I
& UPHOLSTERING
"BBFOkE OR AFTER THE SHOW"
Telephone Collect
HA-7-0900
I
I
1 139 $. Wobash
Chicago 5
mis
IFENSINi
I SEAT I N G COMPANY |
alUBIIIIIHIIIIIBIIIiaillllHIIIIIBIIIIIBIIIIIBIIIIIHIIIIIBIIIIIBIIIIIBIIIIIBIIIIIBIIc^
ness at the Esquire Theatre. Robert Ryan
and Aldo Ray were to arrive here the
18th to publicize "Men in War," which was
previewed at the Glenview naval air station.
Just paying friendly calls were Yul Brynner
and Mr. and Mrs. Gary Cooper.
Twelve of the country's outstanding rhythm
and blues and rock and roll entertainers will
headline the first stage show of the year here
at the Regal Theatre, operated by B&K. The
show opens February 22 for one week, with
such record stars as Joe Turner, Ai-thur Pi-ysock,
Screamin' Jay Hawki:is and Tab Smith
and his orchestra. The Regal stage show will
be presented on continuous daily and evening
performances in conjunction with "Drango."
Just as outdoor theatres are making preparations
to reopen for the 1957 season, Filmack
Trailer Co. President Irving Mack announced
that a new 1957 promotion catalog soon will
be mailed to all drive-in theatres in the
country. Mack said the catalog is a 16-page
booklet covering the field of drive-in merchandising
and exploitation from opening to
closing "and everything in between." He
added that included in the ticket-selling
ideas designed to stimulate drive-in business
are season-opening welcome trailers, holiday
fireworks displays, institutional buildups,
giveaways, refreshment promotions, anniversary
suggestions, suggestions to young
parents, and the potential money-making
merchant's intermission clock trailer which
has proved its helpfulness to drive-ins in the
past. Also included are several exploitation
stunts.
First drive-in to announce reopening in
the Chicagoland area was the Sunset. It resumed
1957 operations on February 15 with a
double bill of "Hollywood or Bust" and
"Drango." Others are adding new innovations
and polishing up, but will hold back
until it is quite safe to assume there will be
no more snowfall . January, the
censor board reviewed 80 films, of which 19
were foreign pictures. One was rejected.
There were none placed in the "adults only"
category, but 13 cuts were ordered.
Charles Bourdelais jr. of the Coca-Cola Co.
visited the Filmack Studios between planes
McVickers Theatre, continuing to do
a "landslide" business with "The Ten Commandments,"
scheduled 9:30 a.m., 2:30 and
8 p.m. showings for Lincoln's Birthday. The
same program will be carried out for Washington's
Birthday.
The Ziegfeld Theatre will stage the midwest
premiere of "The Miracle of Marcelino"
for the benefit of St. Joseph's Home for the
Friendless. Tom Dowd of the management
set up arrangements for the affair . . . When
Eddie Cantor passed through the city on his
way to Miami Beach and the February 16
birthday tribute to him, he attended an
Israel bond luncheon party in his honor.
Opera House February 26 and March 5. Six
nationally known sales executives will be
featured each night in this series, launched
by Walter Wanger, Arthur H. Motley, president
of Parade Publications, and Jamison
Handy of Jam Handy Studios.
Kansas City MPA Chief
Names Committees
KANSAS CITY—Ed Hartman, president of
the Motion Picture Ass'n of Greater Kansas
City, has announced his committee appointments
for the year and called a meeting of
committee men for March 4 in the clubroom
of Columbia Pictures. The business session
will be at 11 a.m., followed by a buffet luncheon
served in the clubroom.
Committee appointments include six major
committees. They are:
Entertainment: Harry Gaffney, chairman:
Ab Sher, Ralph Adams, Howard Thomas.
Public Relations: Joe Redmond, and Don
Walker, Harold Lyon, Tom Baldwin.
Charity and Welfare: Arthur Cole, and Russ
Borg, Dick Orear.
Membership: Dick Durwood. and Gene
Snitz, Don Foster, Bud Truog.
Legislation: Dick Brous. and Jesse Shlyen,
George Baker.
Promotion and Planning: Fred Souttar, and
Joe Neger, Tom Bailey. Winston Brown, B. J.
McKenna.
'Delinquents' Premiere
At Kansas City on 19th
KANSAS CITY—A red-carpet
premiere of
Kansas City-made "The Delinquents" is
scheduled for the Uptown Theatre Tuesday
(19). Elmer Rhoden jr., who heads Imperial
Productions, produced the picture, using 22
locations in the greater Kansas City area and
local talent, except for three imports from
Hollywood; Tommy Laughlin, Peter Miller
and Dick Bakalyan. Rosemary Howard, a
local high school gu-1, played the feminine
lead.
Monday morning's Kansas City Star carried
a feature story, with photograph, of
young Rhoden in conference with 20 school
editors of high school and college papers at
the Catholic Community Service. The picture,
which was banned in Memphis, is being
released through United Artists.
'Commandments' at KC
KANSAS CITY—A Hollywood type of premiere
was held at the Roxy Theatre of "The
Ten Commandments" Thursday (14) night.
The women of B'nai Jehudah sponsored the
event to raise funds to furnish the congregation's
quarters in a new building containing
a religious hall, social hall and chapel.
Seats were not reserved but the loge area
tickets sold for $10 and others for $5. "The
Ten Commandments" opened an indefinite
engagement on Friday (15 1 at the theatre.
It started showing at the Electric Theatre
in Kansas City, Kas., on Thursday night.
i
630 Ninth *v«. NEW YORK, N.Y.
1327 S. Wabash CHICAGO, ILL.
Lester Stcpner, manager of the Evanston,
said that new booth equipment just installed
gives patrons better, brighter and sharper
pictures. The theatre is also getting new
seats. And, a further feature to lure patrons
is the addition of free parking facilities. The
Evanston now has space for 3,000 cars . . .
The Sales Executives Club is sponsoring the
closed circuit Tell-Sell productions at the
Former Moose Secretary
FORT WAYNE, IND.—Harold Bridge, recently
appointed manager of the Paramount
Theatre by Frank J. Benedict, vice-president
of Quimby Theatres, was secretary for the
Moose lodge here six years and then served
more than a year as manager of the Little
Cinema Theatre.
C-4 BOXOFFICE February 16. 1957

I
For Sharp, Straightforward^
Focus • • • # ^
wmifp
That's
right -to
keep your picture
sharp, run your
film through the
NEW CENTURY
CURVED GATE.
I
I
\
\ CENTURY curved gates ore patterned tffter the
^ \well known CENTURY film trap and gate. The
new curved gate features solid, fixed film trap
shoes. This sturdy precision .design
provides positive
positioning of the film, therefore positive
focus. The aperture plate was designed as an
integral part of the film trap which serves to
maintain the correct focus.
PERFORMANCE PROOF: Note the following typical
exhibitor comments:
"Marked improvement on edge-toedge
focusing. Excellent results,
both color and black and white
were tested with equally good results.
Most noticeable on newsreels."
King Theofre, Honolulu
"The in and out
of focus effect has
been all but eliminated,
particularly
on previously
buckled film."
Miracle Mile Drive-in,
. . . and many more. ohio, U.S.A.
See your CENTURY dealer for this new aid fo better
motion picture projection.
Century Projector Corp.
H£\N YORK 19, N. Y.
^rV^'-^^-i rtiiAi ;.

. . . Herb
. . . Don
. . . Missouri
. . Chick
. . Mrs.
. . Nadine
. . Doc
. . . Dick
KANSAS CITY
Tim Velde, general sales
manager for United
. . Capitol Flag Banner's business
. . Charles
Artists, is holding a sales conference here
Tuesday (19) with Ralph Amacher, manager
Stulz, Columbia salesman in the
Salina territory, was in for a special sales
meeting last Saturday and Monday
Beverly Miller postcards from Mexico
. . .
how
he and Mrs. Miller are enjoying
&
life below
the border .
barometer reports these high: "The Tea-
house of the August Moon," "The Wrong
Man," "Oh, Men! Oh, Women!" .
Rees, manager of the Sherman Theatre and
the Goodland (Kas.) Drive-In for Commonwealth,
was re-elected treasurer of the Goodland
Chamber of Commerce recently.
HEAT PROBLEMS
with Bausch & Lomb's
NEW BALcold
Reflector
...and it Saued. MoHCt^, too-!
• No more heat filters
• Reduced unit, cleaning and maintenance
costs
• Less heat at film gate than with
any available reflector-heat filter
combination
O No heat damage— Cool aperture plate
Assures you repeat business— because
BALcold Reflector's flawless projection
pleases your audiences
. . . and it saves you money over your
present reflector-heat filter combination.
STEBBINS THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO.
1804 Wyandotte
GRand 1-0134
Kansas City 8, Mo.
SCOTSMAN ICE MACHINE
MISSOURI THEATRE SUPPLY CO.
115 West 18th St.
Baltimore 1-3070
Kansas City 8, Mo.
RCA THEATRE SUPPLY DEALER
MR.
EXHIBITOR!
NOW IS THE
TIME TO INSTALL
FOX HOLE SPROCKETS
GET THEM WHILE AVAILABLE
SHREVE THEATRE SUPPLY CO.
217 West 18th HA 1-7849 Kansas City, Mo.
. . .
Marvin Goldfarb, Buena Vista district manager,
came in from Denver and accompanied
Tommy Thompson. BV representative for St.
Louis and Kansas City, to St. Louis
Clyde Badger of Stebbins Theatre Equipment
Co. reports business has been picking up the
last few weeks .
Charles H. Ridgway.
mother of Mrs. George Baker, died at the
age of 91 Friday (8i. She was the widow of
a Kansas state senator and had made her
home with her daughter for many years . . .
Perry Loromor, formerly with Commonwealth
at Belleville, is now assistant manager of the
Blair Theatre at Smith Center . Lowe
has again closed his Royal Theatre at Sterling.
Lowe finds it hard to operate the theatre
at a profit on an absentee-owner basis.
He lives at Lebanon, Mo.
Larry Klein, Universal office
manager, reports
John Wangberg, former RKO salesman,
has joined the Universal sales
staff, replacing G. S. "Pat" Pinnell. Pinnell
covered the Wichita area and resigned to
accept a position as district manager for a
publishing company in Texas. Klein said
Joe Horn is here assisting with the integration
of RKO pictures with Universal. The
billing and collecting for the Disney RKO
shorts will be handled by the Kansas City
branch of the National Film Service. Buena
Vista will do the booking for them.
R. L. McWhorter, district sales manager for
Coca-Cola, is maldng a trip to New Orleans to
Louis Patz, dis-
attend a sales meeting . . .
trict manager of National Screen Service,
and Mi's. Patz have moved to the Locarno
apartments on the Plaza . Popichele,
former biller at RKO, is now with
Dixie Enterprises, operated by Harry Gaffney
Walker, publicist for Warner Bros.,
has been in town for nearly three weeks now,
an unusually long period in which he became
re-acquainted with his family. He left this
week for St. Louis to start promotion plans
for "The Spirit of St. Louis."
. . .
Lewis Henderson has resigned as bookkeeper
for 20th-Fox and accepted the job of
manager of the Jayhawk Theatre in Kansas
City, Kas. Gloria Foster has replaced him at
20th-Fox . Evens, publicist, is on a
trip with Robert Wagner, star of "The True
Story of Jesse James" Mr. and Mrs.
Clarence Schultz have returned from a trip
to California ... A production crew for the
Alexander Film Co. arrive in Kansas City
the week of the 18th to shoot an on-the-spot
production for a TWA test strip . . . Howard
Strum reports his milk-shake machine has
been sold to the Electric Theatre at St.
Joseph, the State at Jefferson City, the
Boulevard and the New 50 drive-ins.
Frank Thomas, manager of Allied Artists,
reports a Playdate Drive for the month of
May. Also that Mark Richman, who played
the young romantic lead in "Friendly Persuasion,"
is appearing in the Victoria Theatre's
stage presentation of "Hatful of Rain"
exhibitors seen recently on Filmrow
include Mr. and Mrs. C. R. James, Butler;
Komp Jarrett, Nevada: Elmer Bills, Salisbury;
Harley Fryer, Lamar; Glen Hall, Cassville;
Ed Harris, Neosho; Glenn Jones, Gravois
Mills; Mrs. John Brandt, Plattsburg; Doc
Lowe, Lebanon. Kansas exhibitors included
Mrs. William Bancroft, Ottawa; Tal Richardson,
Coffeyville; Wendell Donohue, Topeka;
Louis Stein, Parsons; Marty Landau, Horton;
Mrs. J. Snyder, Oakley; R. L. Fite, El Dorado.
Word on Filmrow is that Marty Landau of
Horton, Kas., and associates have taken over
the Frontier Drive-In at Atchison. Former
owners were Charles Potter and Harold Lux.
The drive-in has been open about six years
Orear, executive vice-president of
Commonwealth Theatres, is vacationing in
Phoenix ... J. A. Camey plans to reopen the
Community House Theatre in Humansville,
Mo., in March . . . Bill Silver of Cameron, Mo.,
had a big city mishap recently. His life-size
standee of Elvis Presley was stolen from the
lobby of his Silver Theatre and he ran an ad
offering a $5 reward for its return. The theft
also rated a front-page story in the local
paper.
Publicists on Committee
For Sweepstakes Vote
KANSAS CITY — Don Walker, Warner
Bros, exploiteer, has been made chairman
of COMPO's Academy Awards Sweepstakes
for the field men in this area. Working with
him aa'e Chick Evens of 20th-Fox, Bernie
Evens of MGM and Jim Castle of Paramount.
Tom Bailey, MGM manager, is distributor
chairman and the exhibitor chairmen
are M. B. Smith of Commonwealth
Theatres and C. E. Cook, Maryville, Mo.,
exhibitor.
The Durwood, Mid-Central and Commonwealth
circuits are participating as well as a
number of independent theatres.
Buys Out Drive-In Partner
PITTSFIELD, ILL.—The Clark Drive-In
Theatre located at Summer Hill on US 54 between
here and Louisiana, Mo., has been
taken over entu'ely by Russell Armentrout of
Louisiana. Armentrout purchased the halfinterest
previously held by Roger Moyer.
The drive-in is scheduled to open for the
1957 season in about six weeks. It has been
closed since last October.
'•OUR BUSINESS IS SOUND'
PHONE 3-7225.
TOPEKA
THEATRE SERVICE CO., INC.
827 Wayne Topeka. Kansas
RELIABLE SOUND SERVICE PAYS
Dealers in BALLANTYNE
COMPLETE LINE OF CONCESSIONS
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
L & L
POPCORN CO.
114 West 18th St. Kanscs City, Mo.
Everything for the Stage
• CURTAINS • TRACKS • RIGGING • STAGE
LIGHTING • HOUSE DRAPERIES
GREAT WESTERN STAGE EQUIPT. CO.
1324 Grand Kansas City, Missouri
C.6 BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957

. . Ted
. . Russ
. . Wolf
. . Manny
INDIANAPOLIS
Chicago Tent Installs Officers
Tim Cleary, who quit as Syndicate Theatres
manager at Wabash to join the RKO
sales staff here a week before termination of
services notice was gjven RKO employes, is
going to Detroit for 20th-Fox . . . Barbara
Thompson, also formerly with RKO, has replaced
Sizanne Wells as contract clerk at
20th-Fox here .
Brentlinger, former
RKO manager, has an unar.nounced connection
with another film company in the
city . . . RKO booker Al Chew and office
manager R. E. Stevens haven't landed yet.
Brenner, who quit as Universal's Ken-
Bill
tucky salesman a few weeks ago to go into the
insurance business, has retui-ned to Universal
as city salesman . Marcus has gone
to Florida for tw'o weeks, Trueman Rembusch
for two months. Rembusch expects to make
two or three quick trips back on business,
however . Mendelssohn, Indianapolis,
and Preston Stoner, Centerton. exhibitors,
have returned from Florida vacations.
. . . R. W. Bonebrake has
. . . Pete
Most drive-ins in the area are getting ready
to reopen betw'een March 1 and 15. The
Pendelton Pike Drive-In. only one here with
in-car heaters, reports business has been good
this winter. Dr. M. Sandorf's Twin and Joe
Cantor's Lafayette Road have stuck it out
on weekends only
taken over the Warren at Williamsport,
formerly operated by Abe Baker
Fortune has booked the Aj'tur Toscanini film,
"Hymns of the Nation," first run at the
Cinema and is plugging for carriage trade
with ads in the Indianapolis Symphony
orchestra programs.
The weather was hard on exploitation plans
last week. Barbara Rush was grounded in
the east and arrived by train at 5 a.m.
Thursday for a packed schedule of personal
appearances and interviews on behalf of
"Oh, Men! Oh, Women!" Al Morgan, author
of "The Great Man," was due Wednesday but
had to cancel at the last minute.
. .
.
International Variety representative Bob
Bostwick was here from Memphis Tuesday
. . . Buck Stoner, Paramount district manager,
visited the exchange here Thursday
and Friday The Variety Club held the
first in
.
a series of card parties and buffets
Saturday night. The parties will be switched
between Saturday and Sunday nights until
members make up their minds which they
prefer, according to entertainment chairman
Marc Wolf addressed a meeting
of the Indiana Federation of Clubs on the
film industry here Friday,
To Reopen Goodman, Mo., Rio
GOODMAN. MO.—Donald C. Nelson has
announced plans for the early reopening of
the Rio Theatre, a 300-seater.
Irving Gertz will direct the music on Allied
Artists' "Storm Out of the West."
CHICAGO—Some 125 barkers attended the
Variety Tent 26 installation of officers ceremony
here recently. The new officers and
crew are pictured above.
Front row, left to right: Sam Levinsohn,
property master; Nat Nathanson, first assistant
chief barker; Jack Kirsch, retiring
chief barker; Jack Rose, installing officer;
Lou Reinheimer, new chief barker; Harry
Balaban, dough guy; Joe Berenson, past chief
barker; Lou Goldberg, dli'ector. Back row:
Dave Wallerstein, director; William Margolis,
second assistant chief barker; Sylvan Goldfinger,
toastmaster; Ralph Smitha, director;
Jack Brickhouse, prominent Chicago radio
and television sportscaster, who acted as
guest speaker; Charles Cooper and Robert
Conn, directors.
The 1957 committees of Tent 26 also have
been named. They are;
Budget and finance—Jack Rose, chairman;
Manie Gottlieb, co-chairman.
Membership—William Mai-golis, chairman;
Jack Kirsch, co-chairman; Ben Lourie, Harris
Dudelson, Israel Zatkin, Phil Miller, Joe
Berenson.
House—Lou Goldberg, chairman: Harry
Better Films Group Hears
Pres. Williams of MITO
ST. LOUIS—L. J. Williams, MITO president,
was the guest speaker at a meeting of
the Better Films Council of Greater St. Louis,
in the Scruggs Auditorium, Friday morning
(15). He touched on the need for such organizations
as the Better Film Council, which was
the first such group in the world, for the overall
good of the film industry, especially the
exhibition business.
Doug Amos Back on Duty
HARTFORD—Doug Amos, general manager
of Lockwood & Gordon Theatres, back
from a vacation trip to Havana, Mexico City
and Acapulco, visited regional L&G installations
February 4, accompanied by District
Manager William Dougherty.
Odon, Ind., Ritz to Other Use
ODON, IND.—The old Ritz Theatre on east
Main street is being remodeled for use as a
commercial business, said Bill McGovern, one
of the owners of the building.
Waldei-s, co-chairman; Leon Lee, Al Raymer.
Entertainment and program — Co-chairmen,
Dick Sachsel, Paul Marr, Sylvan Goldfinger,
Marcus Glaser.
Decorations — Joe Berenson, chairman:
Harry Blumenthal, co-chairman.
Welfare—Lou Abramson and Sam Gertz,
co-chairmen.
Reception — Charles Cccper, chairman;
Dudley Gazzolo, John Semadalas.
Banquet—Nat Nathanson, chairman; Al
Simon, co-chairman, Irving Davis.
Publicity—Ben Katz, chairman; William
Margolis, Herb Ellisburg.
Bulletin—Dan Goldberg, chairman.
Heart — Dave Wallerstein, Jack Kirsch,
Johnny Jones, Mannie Smerling.
Sports—Harry Balaban, chairman; Bob
Conn.
Law—Seymour Simon, chairman.
LaRabida collections—Ralph Smitha, chairman;
Irving Mack, co-chairman.
Joe Swedie fund—Mannie Smerling, chairman.
Ways and means—Johnny Jones, Dave Wallerstein,
Jack Kirsch, Bill Margolis.
READ BOXOFFICE WANT ADS!
24-HOUR r
service:
THEATRE EQUIPMENT
442 N. ILLINOIS ST., INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
•'Everything for the Theatre"
M. Frome As Police Lieutenant
Playing the important role of Police Lieutenant
Dempsey in United Artists' "The Fuzzy
Pink Nightgown" will be Milton Frome.
BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957 C-7

I OXOFFICE
,
I
THoweA /ine Seet&t^UK Se^,.HO}N ABOUT YOUR THEATRE?
To win public favor, your theatre needs:
PATRON
COMFORT
CHARM of COLOR
HARMONY of
DESIGN
Improvement
"^
PAYS-
DO It
\ NOW!
MODERN
THEATRE
Theatre improvements are reported
in detail in the monthly
Modem Theatre section ol
BOXOFFICE. The hows and
whys are detailed and pictured
to make them easy for you to
use in your own theatre, for
your own local needs.
Be sure to read this big, wellplanned
section, issued the
first Saturday of each month.
The information offered is invaluable
for any progressive
exhibitor.
Improvements are cm investment that pays.
Many a closed house lacks only the extra appeal
of color, design and patron comfort.
Thousands of passive ticket buyers can be
changed into enthusiastic supporters by extra
eye appeal, comfort appeal of an improved
modem building.
BOXOFFICE, from every angle, gives you
information you need and inspires you with
courage to do as others ore doing to make
your business hum.
Keep up with the times—ahead of the demands. The
public is flocking back to pictures, disappointed with other
forms of entertainment. Is your house clean and wholesome,
attractive at ail times?
Always out front
with leadershipplans—
methods
C-8 BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957
S

Memphis Subs Open
But Strike Goes On
MEMPHIS— All Memphis neighborhood
theatres were back in operation this week,
but the strike which closed five of them for
about a week continues. Owners of all but
five of the houses operated their own projection
booth machines when the union
walked out February 4. Those five theatres
continued to remain closed for about a week.
Pickets were put in front of the theatres
by the union. Owners reported business about
the same in most cases and a little off in
some instances.
The Memphis Neighborhood Theatre
Owners Ass'n made a public statement at
week's end. It read, in part:
HIGHEST BOOTH SALARY
"The Memphis neighborhood motion picture
machine operators receive by far the
highest operators' salaries in comparable and
larger southern cities," the statement read.
"Their basic weekly salary is $112 for around
four hours work each night plus matinee on
Saturday and Sunday. Overtime usually I'uns
this up to $120 or $130 and frequently much
higher . . .
"Memphis neighborhood theatres were
willing to pay this considerably higher salary
as long as they were able, but for the last
four years they have been negotiating for relief.
This year theatres requested a 25 per
cent reduction which still would have left
Memphis neighborhood salaries considerably
higher than those in other southern cities.
This relief was not only refused, but no
compromise rate reduction was offered by the
operators.
"In a last effort to keep harmony, theatres
offered to pay $2.52 per hour plus time
reduction, which would give operators over
$100 per week plus overtime.
"Finally, the operators were told on Jan.
21, 1957. that the theatres could no longer
afford to pay the old salary and that they
would pay it only through Feb. 3, 1957. Theatres
offered to pay $2.52 per hour plus time
and one half for overtime (10 per cent decreasei
commencing Feb. 4, 1957. This would
amount to over $100 per week minimum.
"All this the operators obviously have rejected
by refusing to work for this salary.
Theatres stand ready and willing to negotiate.
Until a settlement can be reached,
some theatres will be operated by theirowners
or key personnel. Some others will
close temporarily.
SYMPATHETIC TO U>aON
"The neighborhood theatres are actually
sympathetic to the position of the operators
because regardless of how high a person's
income is it's hard to take even a small cut
during rising costs. Also, these men have
been friends and co-workers, and it's regrettable
when friends can't compromise a serious
problem.
"The theatres feel that except for the pay
issue the operators are friendly, too, and
understand and are sympathetic to the theatres'
problems. The theatres hope that the
operators will be appreciative of the many
years during which they received the highest
neighborhood operators' salaries In the south
and will reciprocate by accepting a little less
at this time while the theatres are in trouble
—at least until more big movies are available
causing business to improve."
STAR VISITS CHARLOTTE—Touring
southern key cities on behalf of saturation
openings for U-I's "Gun for a Coward,"
Fred MacMurray is seen here In
Charlotte with Ernest O. Stellings, Theatre
Owners of America president and
head of Stellings-Gossett Theatres.
William Bolen, 64, Dies;
South Alabama Showman
JACKSON, ALA.—William Locke Bolen,
64, .south Alabama theatre circuit operator
and one of the pioneers in the industry in
this state, died in his office here.
Bolen, who got his start in the theatre
business in 1912, died on the eve of his 65th
birthday. A director for Allied Theatre Association,
Bolen was an active civic worker
and in 1950 was chosen for the Civitan Club's
first Man of the Year award.
Bolen operated the Jackson, Grove Hill
and Thomasville theatres. Survivors include
four sisters and two brothers.
Storm Blows Down Tower
KEY WEST, FLA.—A sudden storm blew
down the screen tower of the new Riviera
Drive-In being readied on Stock Island just
off Key West. The tower was under construction,
so the contractors have taken
means of making it stronger to withstand
heavy winds.
the best source of supply for the finest
in approved
equipment
Memphis Mayor Plans
To Name 2 Censors
MEMPHIS— Instead of aboUshing the
Memphis censor board, in line with a citizens
committee recommendation about a
year ago. Mayor Edmund Orgill now plans
to increase its strength from three present
members to the full five members allowed by
law. The mayor made his intentions known
this week.
"While we haven't gone into the matter
as thoroughly as we should," the mayor said,
"I feel that all of the commissioners think
there should be a board of censors. And,
while I think the three ladies who have been
carrying on have done a satisfactory job, it
probably would be advisable to add two more
members so they can share the work and it
won't be so burdensome on just a few."
Mrs. B. F. Edwards, acting chairman, and
Mrs. Walter Gray and Mrs. St. Elmo Newton
sr. make up the present board.
The city code provides for a total of five
members, but there have been two vacancies
for months since the resignation of Avery
Blakeney and the late Lloyd T. Binford.
Attorney John Apperson, Dr. Donald
Henning, Dr. Payton Rhodes, John A.
Osoinach and Dr. M. W. Lathram jr. made
up the citizens committee which recommended
that the censor board be abandoned.
Apperson. prominent lawyer, documented
his report with what he said was legal proof
that "previous restraint censorship" as
practiced by the Memphis board is unconstitutional.
His report said that if a test
case is taken to the Supreme Coui't, the committee
believed the board would be declared
unconstitutional.
Vacation at Clear^vater
CLEARWATER, FLA.—Peter Perakos sr.
and John Perakos, assistant general manager
of Perakos Theatre A.ssociates of New Britain,
Conn., are enjoying a midwinter vacation at
Clearwater.
.^MASCOP^
k. ^RtOPHONIC SO
^IDC SCREEH'
everything
for the
theatre
except film
wil-kin tiieatre supply, inc.
atlanta, ga. • charlotte, n. c.
BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957 SE-1

=^^
—
Dance to Replace Dinner
At Texas Airer Session
DALLAS — Plans neared completion this
week for the Texas Drive-In Theatre Ass'n
convention at the Adolphus Hotel here
also decided that the officers of the association
would be presented at the dance. The
dance is not planned as a formal affair, but
February 25-27. The planning committee announced
that instead of the banquet usually dress if they like.
women are encouraged to attend in evening
held on the final night of the convention, A fur stole will be awarded as a door prize
this year a dance would be held on the roof to one of the women, and a Polaroid land
of the Adolphus.
camera will be the door prize for one of the
With Eddie Josephs, association president, men, a gift from Southwestern Theatre
presiding at a committee meeting here, E. L. Equipment Co.
Pack, activities chairman, and his committee Additional activities also are promised at
SE-2
TEXAS DRIVE-IN
THEATRE
OWNERS ASS'N CONVENTION
WITH
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS IN OKLAHOMA. LOUISIANA
AND MISSISSIPPI
Will
Be Held At
ADOLPHUS HOTEL, DALLAS, TEXAS
FEBRUARY 25-26-27
Constructive Business Sessions
intermingled
with
Good Fellowship and Fun
WIRE, PHONE OR WRITE
FOR YOUR RESERVATIONS - A/OM/
TO:
OR:
ADOLPHUS HOTEL. DALLAS
TEXAS DRIVE-IN THEATRE OWNERS ASS'N.
P. O. BOX 1015. AUSTIN. TEXAS
Entertainment Daily for the Ladies
the convention for the women. A bridge room
will be set up in the Adolphus and Mrs. Tim
Ferguson will act as hostess. On Wednesday
(27), Interstate Theatres will play host to
the women at a matinee performance of
•Around the World in 80 Days."
Registration will begin Monday (25) at
1 p.m., and a cocktail party, sponsored by
MPA and others, will be held at 7:30 that
evening.
On Tuesday, social events will include a
luncheon sponsored by Coca-Cola, a 2:30
screening by 20th-Fox for the women and a
7 p.m. cocktail party hosted by Pepsi-Cola.
NEW ORLEANS
^ew Orleans Variety Tent 45 celebrated the
hearts and lace season with a Valentine
party and square dance Saturday evening (9).
About 72 members and guests attended the
light-hearted affair.
In the past 15 months or so, some 125 theatres
have been closed in the New Orleans
film exchange territory. Closures have occurred
in Alabama, Florida, Ai'kansas and
Mississippi, as well as in Louisiana itself.
In town booking recently were Eldon
Llmmroth of Giddens & Rester Theatres,
Mobile, and Richard Guidry of the Jet Drivein
at Cutoff, La. . . . Eddie Kaffenberger of
Paramount has been promoted to booker
from the position of shipper which he had
held for the past two years.
WOMPI members met Tuesday (12) at the
New Orleans Hotel for their monthly luncheon,
which, on this occasion, was followed
by a closed business meeting.
Center at Winston-Salem
Renovated and Reopened
WINSTON-SALEM, N. C. — The Completely
renovated Center Theatre has been
reopened here by Family Cinemas. The house
formerly was the Colonial.
Improvements at the theatre include virtual
reconstruction of the balcony, which will
be reserved for Negro patrons: installation
of new seating, carpeting, curtains and a
widescreen; repainting and installation of a
new front. Manager of the house is Charles
Utley, who came here several months ago
after Family Cinemas pui-chased the old
Colonial.
'Anastasia' Opening Hits
240 Per Cent at Memphis
MEMPHIS— "Anastasia" gave Malco more
than twice average attendance during its
first week and was held over.
(Average Is 100)
Malco Anastasia (20th-Fox) 240
Palace The Greot Man (U-l) 80
State The Girl Can't Help It (20th-Fox), 3rd wk. 100
Strand Dance With Me, Henry (UA), The
Brass Legend (UA) 85
Warner Naked Paradise (AlP); The Flesh and
the Spur (AlP) 115
J. O. Biddle Leases House
JASPER, FLA.—James O. Biddle. owner of
the Jasper Fay Theatre, has leased the theatre
in the new Valdosta Castle Park shopping
center and will run it in conjunction
with the Fay Theatre. The Valdosta is a
brand new house and seats 1,000 with ample
parking space in the shopping center.
BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957

AN EDITORIAL
Fort Lauderdale Daily News
AND SENTINEL
THE GORE PUBLISj
"ONE OF THE FINEST
and one of the most heart-warming
pictures to come out of
Hollywood in some time . . •
" 'Full of Life' is neither sexy nor a dirty motion picture.
It dwells on a delicate and realistic subject yet it does
it in a way that is completely wholesome and a person
leaves the theater feeling good instead of feeling that he
has just finished a jaunt through a fetid sewer.
"We haven't a doubt in the world that the people who
see the film Tull of Life' will
enjoy every minute of it
and will
emerge from the theater knowing they have
seen one of the finest
and one of the most heart-warming
pictures to come out of Hollywood in
some time."
JUDY HOLLIDAY
RICHARD CONTE
FULL OF FA5VIJLY FUN
intfoducioi
BACCALONI
irioi ESTHER MINCIOni • JOE DeSANTIS SILVIO MINCIOHI
•cn*n Pl*y by JOHN FANTE B*Md on th« Novel by JOHN FANTE
by FRED KOHLMAR • MrNtad by RICHARD QUINE • A COLUMBIA PICTURE
k V

. . . The
. . Bob
,
. . Georgia
. . Buying
—
ATLANTA
niabama Theatre Owners Ass'n President
R. M. Kennedy, who operates theatres
in Montgomery, Selma and Jasper. Ala.,
Eliabethton. Tenn.. and Greensboro. N. C,
on a recent visit to the Row seemed encouraged
over the improvement in business dur-
Heres Your Chance
to
get in the
BIG
MONEY
Be Sure
to Play
As a screen
game, Hollywood takes
lop honors. As a boxoffice attraction,
it is without equal. It has
been a favorite with theatregoers for
15 years.
Write today for complete details!
Be sure to give seating or car
capacity.
HOLLYWOOD
AMUSEMENT
COMPANY
3750 Oakton St.
Skokie, Illinois
ing the last several weeks . Theatres
executive Roy M. Avey was vacationing
on a Caribbean sea cruise. Avey and Dr.
Floyd McRae flew to Miami where they were
met by William K. Jenkins. Georgia Theatres
chief executive. From Miami, the three
flew to Nassau where they boarded Jenkins'
80-foot oceangoing yacht, the Willie Kaye.
Avey expects to be back in his office about
the last week in February.
.
Mrs. Nell Middleton, secretary to publicist
Judson Moses at MGM, has returned from
a week spent at Georgetown, S. C. She visited
her sister, Mrs. J. O. Guerry, who became the
mother of a baby boy recently . . . Russell
Holder of Rockwood Amusement. Nashville,
made one of his rare visits to the Row. He
was introducing his new field man. Bud
Hughes, also of Nashville and
booking for the Hiway 21 Drive-In at
Savannah, is now being handled by owneroperator
Gus Hayes.
Actor John Howard arrived here Thursday
(7) for a two-day visit. Howard has appeared
in many motion pictures and now
stars in Dr. Hudson's Secret Journal. NBC-
TV program, seen here over WSB-TV. He
was accompanied by his wife, Eva Ralf,
formerly a prima ballerina of the Berlin State
Opera . Hossee and Milton Brockett
of Crescent Amusement Co., Nashville, were
here on a three-day buying and booking
Agnes Hurt. Republic inspector,
trip . . .
entered Georgia Baptist Hospital for surgery.
WOMPI President Jackie Cowart has
entered Piedmont Hospital for surgery. Mrs.
Cowart, secretary to Martin executive, Johnnie
Harrell, expects to be on leave approximately
six weeks recuperating. At the
WOMPI board meeting held Monday (4) at
the Variety Club. Mi-s. Cowart appointed
the following officers and committee chairmen:
Marcelle Davis, recording secretary;
Frances Hopkins, history-scrapbook chairman;
ELrnestine Carter, finance chairman;
Nell Middleton, publicity chaii'man; Sarah
Vinson, social chairman and Helene Grovensteen,
chaplain. The local WOMPI club
entertained the members of the Salvation
Army Girls Club at a valentine-bingo party
at the Bankhead clubrooms on Thursday (14 1.
Al Morgan, formerly with CBS and NBC-
TV. and author of the book "The Great Man"
which Jose Ferrer directed and starred in,
wa.s here recently. He was taken on a tour
of TV, radio and newspaper offices for interviews
by Ben Hill, U-I's district press agent
sister-in-law of Martin booker Lois
Cone, Mrs. "Tot" Joy, was at Emory Hospital
for treatment.
Georgia exhibitors visiting the Row were
C. A. Withrow, Odum; Herman Abrams,
Richland and Lumpkin; Non-is Stephens,
Grand and Screven Drive-In, Sylvania; Alton
Odum, Ritz and Harlem, Thomaston; R. E.
Andrews. Carver, Rome, and Nat Williams
jr., Interstate Enterprises, Thomasville.
Other visitors were Juanita Bellville and
Juanita "Junior" Force, Lakemont Drive-
In, Alcoa, Tenn.; Phil Bradley, 41 Drive-In,
Chattanooga: Bob Word, Word Theatres,
Scottsboro, Ala.; J. W. Riley, Tennessee Eastman
Recreation Club, Kingsport, Tenn.;
John Moffitt. Moffitt Theatres, Montgomery,
Ala.; Phil Richardson, McLendon Theatres,
Union Springs, Ala.: W. W. Hamond jr..
operator of the Marshall Drive-In. Albertville.
Bowline Drive-In. Decatur, and Wilson
Drive-In, Florence, Ala.; Henry Webb,
Marengo, Demopolis, Ala.
FABULOUS
IS CALLING YOU .
FLORIDA
. .
. . . if you are a top iheatre
manager
• Must be tops
• Must be aggressive
• Must know how to get business
• Must NOW be doing good
Write Box 7388 c/o BOXOFFICE
Send photo, recommendations. Tell us about
your experience, age, church and organizations
you belong to.
Salary no object IF you can produce
Come and Find
In
Opportunity
Beautiful Florida
m Booiii Officf
Experience — Industry Integrity
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160 Walton st. n.w
tel. Jackson 5-8314
p.o. box 1422
atlanta,
ga.
ROOK
vehv»
SPECIAL TRAILERS
ste'JJS.'-f^
Quality and Service
Serving theatres in the South for 36 years.
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q
i
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BOONTON, N. J.
Large Core
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means
MAXIMUM LIGHT
Evenly Distributed
in Florida—Joe Hornsfein, Inc., Miomi— Franklin 3-3502
in Louisiana— Hodaes Theatre Supply Com pony. Inc., New Orteons
Tulane 8356
Johnson Theatre Service, New Orleans—Raymond 3562
Notionol Theatre Supply, New Orleans—Tulane 4891
in Tennessee—Tri-State Theotre Supply, Memphis—Jackson 5-8240
SE-4 BOXOFFICE ;: February 16, 1957

For Sharp, Straightforward^
Focus • • • # -v
That's
right -to
keep your picture
sharp, run your
film through the
NEW CENTURY
CURVED GATE.
I
I
I
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^ ^well known CENTURY film trap and gate. The
new curved gate features solid, fixed film trap
shoes. This sturdy precision design provides positive
positioning of the film, therefore positive
focus. The aperture plate was designed as an
integral part of the film trap which serves to
maintain the correct focus.
PERFORMANCE PROOF: Nofe fhe following typical
exhibitor comments:
"Marlted improvement on edge-toedge
focusing. Excellent results,
both color and black and white
were tested with equally good results.
Most noticeable on newsreels."
King Theatre, Honolulu
"The in and out
of focus effect has
been all but eliminated,
particularly
on previously
buckled film."
Miracle Mile Drive-in,
. . . and many more. ohio, U.S.A.
See your CENTURY dealer for this new aid to better
kJ^K^ - k motion picture projection.
^T^^ I Century Projector C
•> ^^ '
NEV(/ YORK 19, N. Y.
ORP.
DISTRIBUTED
Alon Boyd Theatre Equipment Co. Joe Hornstein, Incorporated
P Box 362 Shreveport, Louisiana
Standard Theatre Supply Co.
273 Flogler St.
Miami,
Florida
Queen Feature Service,
215 E. Washington St.
Greensboro North Corolino
219 South Church 1912V2 Morris Ave.
St.
Charlotte, North Carolina Birmingham 3 Alabama
Inc.
Capital City Supply Co.
161 Walton Street, N. W.
Atlanta, Georgia
Tri-State Theatre Supply
318 South Second St.
Memphis 3, Tennessee
BOXOFFICE
February 16, 1957
SE-5

; 160
;
.
. . Mrs.
MEMPHIS
\XT F. Ruffin sr. and W. F. Ruffin jr., who
operate a chain of theatres and driveins
in Tennessee and Kentucky, were in
Scott Lett, Howco
Memphis on business . . .
sales manager, Charlotte, was a visitor at
the company's Memphis exchange . . . Charl-
6ENn£MEN
f/ie sotufion to
our probfem
.'
If
worn,
torn theatre sects
are cutting down your
boxoffice take, you do have
a problem. We can refreshen . . .
refurbish . . . and repair those
seats with no interruption of
your show schedule.
And you'll
be pleasantly surprised at how
little it costs. Inquire today.
MANUFACTURERS
Fo.Tm Uiibber
t S p r i n E
Cushions, back
:- and seat covers.
DISTRIBUTORS
Upholstery
fabrics and
general
Write, Wire, or Phone
ALpine 5-8459
seating
supplies.
theatre seot
» iMlHieilil^^:
:My- Division ol MSSSEY SEATING Company
;;|;:;gi :
Hermitage Avenue
, NwhyJIle,. -Tennessee
. ;,
:
COMPLETE LINE
THEATRE EQUIPMENT and
CONCESSION SUPPLIES
TRI-STATE THEATRE SUPPLY
320 So. Second St. Memphis, Tenn.
ton Heston. who plays Moses in "The Ten
Commandments," was in Memphis briefly.
The film was shown at a trade screening and
will open February 21 at Strand Theatre.
.
.
J. E. Thompson, owner, has closed the
Pangburn Theatre, Pangburn, Ark., until
spring . . Chickasaw Amusements Co., has
closed the Milan Theatre at Milan, Tenn. . . .
Exhibitors Services announced the West
Point Drive-In, West Point, Miss., was closed
for the season Jesse Plunk, former
owner, has resumed ownership and operation
of the Pike Theatre at Murfreesboro, Ark.
. . . J. W. Morrison, owner, has
.
Artemis Gray, manager, has closed the
Skylark Drive-In at Newport, Ark., for a
few weeks
gone into a weekend only operation of Lake
County Drive-In, Wynnburg. Tenn., until
spring . . C. R. Gray, owner, has closed the
Prescott Drive-In, Prescott, Ark., until April
The Ritz Theatre, Magnolia, Ark., has
5 . . .
closed ... A. A. Tipton, owner, has closed
the New Theatre at Caraway, Ark. . . R. P.
.
Beith, owner, has closed the Ferguson Theatre
at Ferguson, Ark., for repairs and will
open March 1.
Alvin Tipton, Tipton Theatres at Caraway,
Monette and Manila: Lloyd Hutchins, Maxie,
Trumann; E. E. Reeves, Palace, Oil Trough;
Gene Thompson. Cave, Cave City, and Victor
Webber, Kensett, were among visiting
H. G. Walden. Bay.
Arkansas exhibitors . . .
Red Bay, Ala., was in town . . . From
Mississippi came John Carter, Whitehaven
Drive-In, Grenada, and 41 and Trace driveins
at Amory: Jessie Moore, Ritz, Crenshaw;
Frank Heard, Lee Drive-In, Tupelo; Mr. and
Mrs. L. P. Folen, Palace, Tunca; B. F. Jackson,
Delta. Ruleville; Vince Dana, Crescent,
Belzoni, and Joe Davis, Ellis, Cleveland.
Paul Harrington, Calvert Drive-In, Calvert
City, Ky., and Lyle Richmond, Richmond,
Senath, Mo., were in town . . . Tennessee's
visiting exhibitors included A. B. Garrett,
Starlite Drive-In, Union City; Norman
Fair, Fair, Somerville; Louis Ma;sk, Luez,
Bolivar, and Mrs. M. M. West, Center,
Centerville . . . Fi-ed MacMurray and his
wife June Haver were in Memphis for a
couple of days. MacMurray appeared at the
Strand Theatre where he signed autographs
in the lobby matinee and night as his new
picture, "Gun for a Coward," opened there.
June quit the movies, Fred said, just because
she wanted to and he was sure happy
about it "because it's so nice to come home
in the evenings and know she is going to
be there." MacMurray had lunch with ten
winners of a Strand Theatre-Press-Scimitar
contest which required women to write letters
on why they would like to dine with
Fred MacMurray.
'Commandments' to Bow
LITTLE ROCK — "The Ten Commandments"
opens at the Capitol here on February
27 with a reserve-seat policy. The
house, which is equipped for Todd-AO. was
expected to have "Around the World in 80
Days," in this month, but this has been
postponed until April.
Elvis Presley will sing ten original songs
written especially for him in Paramount's
"Loving You."
To Change Drive-In Name
ARCADIA. FLA.—John Jacksen jr., owner
of the DeSoto Drive-In on the Brownsville
road, has taken legal steps required by
Florida's fictitious name law to have the
name of the theatre changed to Arcadia
Drive-In.
Florida's fIRST Supply House
NEW ADDRESS . . .
206 MEMORIAL HIGHWAY
TAMPA, FLORIDA
NEW PHONE . . . 8-5189
NEW CONVENIENT PARKING
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Visit us at our new building
UNITED THEATRE SUPPLY CORP.
206 Memorial Highway
Tompa, Florida Phone 8-S189
Moil Address: Box 375, Tampa 1, Fla.
NOW with TWO conyenient locations for
BETTER than EVER service to you
DIXIE
THEATRE SERVICE
& SUPPLY COMPANY
YOUR BALLANTYNE DEALER
1010 North Slappey Drive
P D. Box 771
Albany. Georgia
Phone: HEmlock 2-2846
95 Walton Street, N.W.
P. 0. Box 858
Atlanta, Georoia
Phone: WAInut 4118
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215 E. Washington St.
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H. G. ARENSON
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Always A Pleasing Boxoffice Attraction
135
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SE-6 BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957

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BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957 SE-7

. . Weeks
. . Two
. . Maurice
. .
JACKSONVILLE
IJarry Botwick, busy supervisor of Florida
State Tlieatres operations in the booming
south Florida gold coast area, came in
for a day of hui-ried conferences with home
Bob Daugherty, ailing
office leaders . . .
I.
you can evenly distribute
the wear of your seats over
the entire house, by easily
interchanging seats and backs
...chances are—your seats are
Xutemationaf!
Write, wire or phone —
Theater Seat Service Co.,
160 Hermitage Avenue,
Nashville, Tennessee
Phone: Alpine 5-8459
or
^utenrntionafsEAT division of
UNION CITY BODY CO., INC.
Union City, Indiana
general manager of the Floyd Theatres circuit
in central Florida, left his Haines City
home for a complete physical checkup in a
noted New Orleans clinic . . . Thomas P.
Tidwell, 20th-Fox local manager, is now
occupying a bright new office in the 20th-
Fox building on Bay street.
Jimmy Hobbs, Allied Ai'tists executive from
Atlanta, came in to make arrangements for
the opening of a Jacksonville exchange in
the near future. Several former members
of the RKO staff will form the nucleus of
the Allied Artists local organization. They
are George Andrews. Alice Yeargan. Mayce
Beall and Jerry Wardlow. Bob Bowers was
reported to be on his way here from Houston,
Tex., to manage the exchange . . . Gene
Hudgens, former RKO office manager, has
joined Byron Adams' staff at United Artists
in the same capacity . other RKOers
have found employment in the local industry:
Dorothy Edrington with 20th-Fox and La-
Dene Mauldin with Warner Bros. . . Approaching
.
motherhood brought about Har-
riett Gunter's resignation from the 20th-Fox
staff.
At the invitation of Col. John Crovo, president
of the Motion Picture Council, Ed
Chumley, Paramount manager, addressed the
civic group on the subject of "The Ten
Commandments" at a luncheon meeting in
the Hotel Seminole .
Shaaber,
projection booth expert formerly with Wil-
Kin Theatre Supply, has joined the Roy
Smith staff to advise exhibitors regarding
the proper utilization of carbons and equipment.
Jack Fitzwater, Bay-Lan Theatres supervisor
in Tampa, suffered from an acute attack
of bursitis in his right elbow ... On
Sunday, Feb. 10, 1907, or 50 years ago, the
Savoy Theatre was opened at the city's
main intersection of Main and Forsyth
streets with a single admission price of five
cents. A skyscraper now occupies the spot
which still is in the heart of the theatrical
district.
.
. . .
.
Florida business visitors from New York
were Sidney Markley, Paramount executive,
and George Walder, sales manager for Lorraine
Carbons of unseasonably
warm weather have continued without intsrruption
and have forced operators of indoor
theatres to use their air conditioning
systems instead of their heating plants
Tampa exhibitor Pete J. Sones was traveling
over the state in a new Plymouth
A teenage hotrod club supplied Herb Roller.
Edgewood Theatre manager, with a sidewalk
hotrod exhibit when he played the
AIP combination of "Hot-Rod Girl" and
"Girls in Prison."
FOR BOXOFFICE ATTRACTIONS
n
MIAMI
'pST managerial changes include the
transfer
of Jack Miller to the first run Gables
from the Shores: James Puller, from the
Regent to the Shores; David Payne, into the
Colony from the Boulevard, with Tom Braun
pinch-hitting at the Boulevard; Fred Hughes
to the Regent from the Olympia, and John
Calio, formerly with the Brandt circuit, to
an assistant's post at the downtown Florida.
Disney cameramen have completed a
tour
of Fort Lauderdale, the results of which will
be screened on the Sunday TV show in September.
Chief Cameraman Ray Jewell said
the pictures are to be incorporated in a 90-
minute travelog on Florida's Gold Coast,
entitled "Winter Wonderland." The yacht
center at Lauderdale was used, six sections
of the Intra-Coastal waterway and New
River, and parts of the downtown area. Three
days of shooting were scheduled for Miami
Beach before the crew returned to California.
. . .
Walter Kesce of Rainbow Pictures is on the
lookout for a one-armed actor between 30
and 40 years of age. Wants him for a documentary
Manager Jack Winters of the
Sunset Art Theatre reports on two well
satisfied customers who attended every performance
of "Madame Butterfly," just concluding
a much-lauded run at both the Mayfair
and Sunset. Customers were two crickets
who chirped happily in time with the music.
Though diligently sought, the musical pair
could not be found or ejected. However, the
following picture "War and Peace," left them
speechless.
When Fred MacMurray appeared at the
Carib, Miami and Miracle theatres, patrons
received a surprise dividend when Guy Rennie
came on stage and introduced Mac-
Mm-ray's wife, June Haver, the actress . . .
"Seven Wonders of the World" will open
soon at the Roosevelt, succeeding "This is
Cinerama."
— ^au. deceive. . . .
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when you entrust your business to:
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SE-8 BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957

k
Final Dance Slated
At Texas Conclave
DALLAS — Plans neared completion this
week for the Texas Drive-In Theatre Ass'n
convention at the Adolphus Hotel here
Februai-y 25-27. The planning committee announced
that instead ol the banquet usually
held on the final night of the convention,
this year a dance would be held on the roof
of the Adolphus.
With Eddie Josephs, association president,
presiding at a committee meeting here, E. L.
Pack, activities chairman, and his committee
also decided that the officers of the association
would be presented at the dance. The
dance is not planned as a formal affair, but
women are encouraged to attend in evening
dress if they like.
A fur stole will be awarded as a door prize
to one of the women, and a Polaroid land
camera will be the door prize for one of the
men, a gift from Southwestern Theatre
Equipment Co.
Additional activities also are promised at
the convention for the women. A bridge room
will be set up in the Adolphus and Mrs. Tim
Ferguson will act as hostess. On Wednesday
,(271, Interstate Theatres will play host to
the women at a matinee performance of
-Around the World in 80 Days."
Registration will begin Monday (25) at
1 p.m.. and a cocktail paily, sponsored by
MPA and others, will be held at 7:30 that
evening.
On Tuesday, social events will include a
luncheon sponsored by Coca-Cola, a 2:30
screening by 20th-Fox for the women and a
7 p.m. cocktail party hosted by Pepsi-Cola.
East Texas Co. Session
Hosted by Sam Turner
NACOGDOCHES. TEX.—T. C, Collins of
Los Angeles, field man for the Victor Cornelius
Advertising Co.: William T. Strother of
Dallas, National Theatre Supply; Robert
Martin, sound and projection engineer for the
circuit, and Harry O'Neal, refrigeration engineer,
addressed the semiannual meeting of
managers of East Texas Theatres here recently.
The host was Sam E. Turner, East
Texas Theatres and Jefferson Amusement
Co., of Nacogdoches.
Attending managers and city managers
were Emil Coldewey of Yoakum, O. Z. Horton
of Conroe. J. R. Preddy and John Labosky of
Lufkin, Stockton Thompson af Nacogdoches,
T. W. Horton of Henderson, W. L. Gelling of
Marshall, W. G. Rike of Gladewater. Robert
Lugenbuhl of Jacksonville, James Pryor of
Rusk, Knox Lamb of Kilgore, and A. M. Avery,
T. L. Dickey and B. E. Bazer, all of Longview.
Jim O'Donnell Sells Share
In A&O Co. to Roy Avey
OKLAHOMA CITY—Jim O'Donnell has
sold his interest in A&O Booking Service
and Theatre Calendar Service to Roy Avey.
A&O Booking Service has been renamed the
Theatre Booking Service and will stay in the
same location. Theatre Calendar Service will
continue under its same name at its same location.
O'Donnell has set up the Jim O'Donnell
Booking & Theatre Service at 708 West
Grand, phone REgent 6-0911. He is now
booking for the theatre at Booker, Tex., and
for
the Time Theatre at Wetumka.
BOXOFFICE
:
: February
16, 1957
Long Service a New/ Job Handicap
\ last get-together of employes of KKO Pictures southwestern division office was
at this farewell luncheon on February 1 in the private M&M Club in the Merchandise
Mart in Dallas. All but two of the employes attended (somebody had to keep the store
and thev kept the office open). Last day for salesmen was February 1; others left
the 8th" when the office clo.sed. Sol M. Sachs, southwestern division manager, is
standing at left in the photo.
DALLAS—A local landmark among film
exchanges tor more than a quarter of a
century, RKO Pictures, clo.sed its southwestern
division office Friday (8i. Only two
employes. E. K. Dalton, head booker and office
manager, and Adeline Franklin, cashier,
will be retained temporarily on the RKO payroll
to liquidate RKO's interests before U-I
assumes bookings on a percentage basis.
Sol M. Sachs. RKO district manager and a
30-year RKO employe in the distribution end,
has accepted a post as manager for Allied
Artists, succeeding W. E. Finch who resigned.
Rosa Browning came along with
Sachs as secretary. Sachs' endeavors lately
have been to secure employment for his 26
employes, and he happily reported that more
than one-half of them had been placed elsewhere.
The last day for the exchange's five
film salesmen was Friday (1), when 25 of
the local office's personnel had a farewell
luncheon together in the private M&M Club
in the Merchandise Mart, which houses the
RKO offices.
Sachs said his staff enjoyed the last group
get-together and that his "very loyal employes
felt very optimistic about being placed
elsewhere." Despite the placement of 15
RKO workers in new jobs, there was an
undercurrent of bitterness and heartbreak
among the staffers over the "sellout." Many
of the local exchange's employes had more
than 25 years of service with the distribution
outlet. Adeline Franklin, cashier, had 33
years service: Miss Browning, 31 years, and
Clara Sawyer, 29 years.
Adding salt to the wounds, prospective employers
calling to inquire about absorbing
RKO employes to their payroll would fir.5t
ask "How old is she (or he)?" With a full
background in film distribution, one veteran
woman worker for RKO said prospective employers
say, "We could certainly use a person
with your experience, but we don't hire
women over 45."
So what good is experience? She bitterly
remarked; "What are these people to do?
They can't shoot themselves, but one would
think they were like horses after they reach
a certain age. They, and their experience in
film booking, should be forgotten?"
Former RKO employes and their new affiliations:
Tom Luce, Dominant Pictures: Rosalie
Ponce, Southwestern Equipment Co.:
Kathleen Heath and Virginia Jones, National
Screen Service: Carol Weir. U-I; Lou Stone
and Charlie Bridges, MGM; Leslie Hancock,
Warner Bros.; Sarah Quinn, 20th-Fox; Vickie
Nelson, Paramount; Mable Guinan, Exhibitor
Pictures Co.; Marion Stilwell, Cinema Arts
Iheatres; Bernice Moore, Ted Lewis Booking
Agency; Muriel Helms, Chance-Vought Aircraft
Corp., and Peggy Harris, who'll join a
wholesale clothing outlet in the Merchandise
Mart here.
Vandalism Liability
On Parents to Solons
OKLAHOMA CITY—Full 100' i
support
by Oklahoma exhibitors of a new measure to
recommended by Red Slo-
curb vandalism is
cum, executive director of United Theatre
owners of Oklahoma, in a bulletin dispatched
to members after the February board
meeting.
The measure, senate bill 85, would make
parents liable for damages caused by juveniles,
with a $100 limit on the liability. Slocum
said the limit should be $300.
"This is the most favorable bill to private
industry and business and should be supported
100 per cent by every theatre owner
and manager in Oklahoma," he said. "While
we do not concur in the $100 amount of liability,
since from our experiences we feel that
$300 is certainly not an um-easonable amount
for wilful destruction, we do feel there is a
great need for this law."
Enclosed with the bulletin were maps .showing
the names of the senators and state representatives
and the districts they represent.
Exhibitors were asked to write their senators
and representatives, giving facts and
figures on local vandalism, and asking for a
favorable vote on the measure, with a $300
liability limit.
Jim Barton Shifted
LAWTON, OKLA.—Jim Barton, assistant
manager of the Video-Wilbern Theatres in
Duncan, Okla., has been transferred to Lawton
as assistant manager of the five Lawton
theatres of the Video company.
SW-1

. . Rex
. . . Bob
. . . Aztec
. . "Around
. . KXYZ's
. . Charles
HOUSTON
JJoy Rogers writes his old pal Rex Van, manager
of Variety Tent 34, to say he was
headin' for Houston and the Fat Stock Show.
They will celebrate the silver anniversary of
that gathering this year . was much
in evidence at the recent auto show, pinclihitting
behind the scenes. Other Variety-ers
doing a job were advertiser Mike Conti and
Bill Jones of Jones Apothecary, chairman of
the beauty contest: entertainment chairman
Mack Howard; Chief Barker Paul Boesch.
Fred Nahas, KXYZ, did his usual top job of
emceeing. An unusual setup was a penthouse
bandstand in the shape of a grand piano suspended
above the stage. Fred introduced the
fire marshall who decorated headliner Guy
TEXAS DRIVE-IN
Mitchell with a badge making him a district
fire chief—saying that as hot as Guy was it
would take more than a fii'e department to
Caught watching the
put out the fire . . .
show were Majestic Theatre Manager John
Arnold, Lowell Bulpitt of the Boulevard Theatre,
Dick Wygant of the Heights Theatre,
and Grady Goodwin who is the new salesman
for Motion Picture Advertising.
Bob Bowers, Allied Ai'tists, has been made
manager of that film company's new exchange
in Jacksonville, Fla. He left Sunday
1 10) to take over. For about a year Bob has
been living in Bellaire with his wife Sara
and family. Of the Bowers' four children, two
THEATRE
OWNERS ASS'N CONVENTION
WITH
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS IN OKLAHOMA. LOUISIANA
AND MISSISSIPPI
Will
Be Held At
ADOLPHUS HOTEL. DALLAS. TEXAS
FEBRUARY 25-26-27
Constructive Business Sessions
intermingled
with
Good Fellowship and Fun
WIRE, PHONE OR WRITE
FOR YOUR RESERVATIONS - NOW
TO:
OR:
ADOLPHUS HOTEL. DALLAS
TEXAS DRIVE-IN THEATRE OWNERS ASS'N.
P. O. BOX 1015. AUSTIN. TEXAS
Entertainment Daily for the Ladies
are now at home. Sammy attends Pershing
junior high, little Debra hasn't started school
yet. Bob jr. is in the Navy and Patricia is
enrolled at Baylor. It'll be about a month
before Bob can move the family to Jacksonville,
he said. In 17 years in the industry
Bob has made many friends. "Tell everybody
I hate to leave, but do appreciate the
new appointment," Bob said. Prior to joining
AA Bob was with MGM and then Warners,
and lived in Memphis and then Dallas
before coming to the Houston area.
.
.
Willie Katcliff's Epsom Drive-In now has
an eight-unit show running four and a half
hours. Pix run from "Strip-Strip Ahoy" to
"3ust-a-Rama" the World in
80 Days" went into its ninth week at the
Tower Theatre on Westheimer Up on
Gray at the River
. . .
Oaks "War and Peace"
had a three-week run Fred
Nahas, heading a group of local business men,
has been named to represent Zenith Radio
Corp. on behalf of subscription TV in this
area. Pieter van Beek, of Zenith Corp., emphasized
that the operation is dependent
upon authorization of the FCC.
Actress Jane Russell has been back in
Houston to spark a membership rally for the
Harris county chapter of W.A.I.F. With her
this time was David Brian, TV's Mr. District*
Attorney, and long-time business associate
Mark Sheridan, 20th-Fox
Edyth Lynch . . .
southwest district manager, was a visitor at
the local exchange last week.
SAN ANTONIO
Ceen along the rialto: William O'Donnell,
president of Cinema Art Theatres, Dallas;
Wayne Taylor, MGM, Dallas; John
Rosenfield, amusements editor of the Dallas
Morning News, and Robert Bixler, Paramount
exploiteer, Dallas . A. Wolfe,
manager at the Prince, said he has viewed
more pictures on television during the advent
of video than he has on theatre screens in
the last
15 years.
.
Al Lowrey, advertising manager for "The
Ten Commandments," was in to handle the
group sale of tickets for the picture, whicii
opens at the Aztec February 14. The advance
sale opened here ten days before the roadshow
engagement with blocks of tickets selling
at reduced prices for school groups, religious
organizations and other civic leagues
May, onetime Interstate Theatres
employe here some years ago, was a recent
visitor in town. He now resides in Corpus
Christi . . T. L. Harville, Rio, Alice, and
Esteban Fraga, Azteca, Natalia, were in the
Alamo City booking and buying Mexican
pictures.
Herman Craver, Tower Pictures, Dallas,
called on exhibitors in the San Antonio territory
Louis Cuellar, who has been assistant
. . . booker for Clasa-Mohme here for the
last few years, resigned to take a position
with the Bexar County tax commissioners office
here. His position at C-M will be filled
when a suitable replacement can be found
Manager Norman Schwartz and his
assistant Richard Vaughan donned tuxedos
the roadshowing of "The Ten Command-
for
ments."
Starring in United Artists' "The Quiet
American" are Audie Murphy, Michael Redgrave
and Claude Dauphin.
SW-2 BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957

AN EDITORIAL
"ONE OF THE FINEST
and one of the most heart-warming
pictures to come out of
Hollywood in some time...
" 'Full of Life' is neither sexy nor a dirty motion picture.
It dwells on a delicate and realistic subject yet it does
it in a way that is completely wholesome and a person
leaves the theater feeling good instead of feeling that he
has just finished a jaunt through a fetid sewer.
"We haven't a doubt in the world that the people who
see the film 'Full of Life' will enjoy every minute of it
and will
emerge from the theater knowing they have
seen one of the finest and one of the most heart-warming
pictures to come out of Hollywood in some time."
JUDY HOUIDAY
\
RICHARD CONTE
^^m^^m
im($
OF FAMILY FUN
V,
Mnducki BACCALONI
•n ESTHER MINCIOni • JOE DeSANTIS • SILVIO MINCIOTTI
ScraMi Pliy by JOHN FANTE BtttO on Hm NomI by JOHN FANTt
ky FMEO KOMLMAK • Dtractad by RICMARO QUINt A COLUMBIA PICTURC

. . The
. . Seen
. . . Truman
. . Don
. . Walter
1
. . . Luke
. . Wayne
. . Roy
. . Heywood
DALLAS
D J. O'Donnell, vice-president and general
manager of Interstate Theatres, will
serve as local chairman of the entertainment
industry tribute to Jimmy Dixrante. Highlight
of the tribute will be a banquet March
17 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, sponsored
by the Jewish Theatrical Guild, with
proceeds to various industry charities . . .
Col. H. A. Cole, veteran board chairman of
Allied Theatre Owners of Texas, moved his
upstairs office at 20IP2 Jackson St. here to
a street-level location directly across Jackson
to the McLendon building, 2008 Jackson. Now
the colonel won't have to climb a staii-way.
"Rififi," French art film which opened the
Trans-Texas circuit's refurbished Pine Arts
Theatre here January 29 for a one-week run,
has been held over—deferring "Lady Chatterley's
Lover" .
Coronet has booked a
revival of "Mutiny on the Bounty" for February
21. Starring Clark Gable, Franchot
Tone and Charles Laughton, film runs two
hours and 15 minutes. Art house currently
has "Rebecca" in a revival run.
The suburban Wilshire had "Friendly Persuasion"
in a thu'd week holdover . on
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BUFFALO
3409 Oak Lawn, Room 107
COOLING
Filmrow were Mark Cole, Cole Theatre,
Rosenberg; Sonny Martini, Martini Theatre,
Galveston; Jack Lilly, Palace at Commerce,
and A. E. McClain, Rowley Theatres manager
in Hillsboro.
Over at Buena Vista the other morning
Sebe Miller and Margarette Rowland put on
their gum shoes and chased a purse-snatcher
around the Row. A man came into the office
and made off with Mary Heather's purse.
Sebe almost caught him. too. Said Sebe: "I
don't really know what I'd have done with
him it I had caught him!" Mary got her
purse back but the culprit is still on the
loose. Margarette recently became mother of
a baby daughter. Miller reported that H. A.
Daniels had done four times normal business
at his Palace in Seguin during his run of
"Secrets of Life" by sending special delivery
notices to every school teacher in town advising
them of the booking . . . Douglas Desch
returned from a trip to Oklahoma City and
reported no word had been received yet in
regard to the Disney shorts formerly handled
by RKO going through BV. However, Central
Shipping is still protecting all dates
booked prior to RKO's demise, but no new
bookings are being taken. Columbia is currently
filling two-reeler dates set by RKO
but with their own product.
. .
Columbia set up a Salk vaccine clinic in the
exchange Tuesday (12 1 for every employe
who wished to have the shots. Columbia also
extended an invitation to the employes at
Warners for the service. WB is located right
behind them on Park . Penn and
Tom Luce have been busy calling on accounts
for Dominant . The Empire exchange has
Exhibitors Service
a new front paint job . . .
will handle "Rock, Baby, Rocket" which was
filmed locally ... Ed Brinn, MGM salesman,
has been on the Row most of the week . . .
UA's "Gun the Man Down" has three minutes
of dialog prior to the title.
Herber Theatre Equipment reports several
theatre ownership and management changes;
Mr. and Mrs. M. D. Harris have taken over
the Wakea at New Boston. Mrs. Harris is the
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Otts of the
Wakea at Waskom . Fuller sold his
Roxy Theatre at San Angelo to Marian Cole,
effective the 10th. Fuller announced no plans
for the future . . . W. J. Van Wyk sold his
Pix at Centerville to Fred Allen Hill and
Harris Campbell and has moved to Waco
White has taken over the Texas
at Knox City. He has increased the size of
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. . .
his concession stand for better business
Jim Hodges has moved the Panther at
Normangee . Muse took over the Star
at Teague and Fail- at Fairfield from Harris
Theatres .
Jamison has rebuilt and
reopened his Jamison at Port O'Connor after
a December fire.
Lou Walters, who has gotten far-reaching
results from his classified ads in BOX-
OFFICE, believes that distance is no barrier
after spending 40-odd years in the equipment
business and would be very happy to help
any exhibitor or projectionist solve or advise
on his equipment problems, deals and sales.
Walters also wanted to make it clear that he
has no connection with any equipment dealer
here but works independently for any of
them and for the exhibitor direct. The
farthest point his BOXOFFICE ad has
Simmons
reached is Cincinnati .
took time out to buy his secretary, Mildred
Fulenwider, a cup of Java.
Franli Starz, in charge of Interstate's publicity,
got his picture in a local paper by presenting
the first pair of new-priced ducats
for small-fry at the Tower. The junior admission
has been reduced for "Around the
World in 80 Days" ...CO. Wise, Phil Isley's
general manager, announced that the circuit
had acquired J. G. Long's Theatre at Pasadena,
and land has been purchased on Jensen
Drive at Houston for a super drive-in . . .
. . .
C. D. Leon was in town from Abilene
Lone Star Theatres has set in Astor's fourteenage-feature
combination.
Roy Ashburne, Strand, Chillicothe, was
ecstatic over the fishing in his area. They
have a new kind of fish there, it seems, which
is red and shaped like a bass. Some say it is
a salt water red fish . . . Others seen on the
Row: Mr. and Mrs. O. L. Smith, Alamo and
Longhorn Drive-In, Marlow, Okla.; W. E.
Bruce, Princess, Whitesboro; Mr. and Mrs.
Arthur Caywood, Brady Theatres; Lois Mc-
Cullough, manager for Hollis Boran; Mr. and
Mrs. J. T. Hitt, Plaza, Bentonville, Ark. (formerly
of Hico); Ray Leathers, Paducah;
Bryan Blythe, Van at Van; Phillip Tidball,
Isis and Parkaire Drive-In, Fort Worth; Jeff
Austin, Strand. Frankston; Jerry Jobe, Dixie,
Sulphur Springs; E. B. Whorton, Rule and
Tower at Rule and Fort Keith, and Palace
and Brazos Drive-In at Granbury.
Mrs. M. B. Miller of Ennis died from cancer.
Her husband is the owner of the Village
Drive-In there as well as being principal of
one of the local schools. Mrs. Miller was ill
three years and left eight children.
. . . Alec
Bob Euler, who manages the Col. H. A.
Cole theatres at Bonham, came in to meet
his wife who had been visiting their daughter,
Pat Hildebrand, who lives at Midland. His
brother Ed works for Herber Theatre Equipment
Supply . . . C. V. Caver was on the Row
to pick up carbon for his Avenue . . . Harvey
Bretel, projectionist at Cinerama, became the
father of a son. He already has a daughter
White is now managing the Grove
for Phil Isley replacing Dan Hulse
Barr manages the Inwood, Tony Todora went
to the Village for Interstate.
Sterling Sales & Service, Inc.
Phone Rl 7-3191
SW-4 BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957

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'•
i^HHI
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—
Chas. Manley to Speak
At UTOO Gathering
OKLAHOMA CITY—An additional speaker
will be added to the program of the United
Theatre Owners of
Oklahoma general
membership convention
March 6. 7 in
Oklahoma City. Directors
voted at their
February meeting to
invite Charles Manley
nf Manley Popcorn Co.,
Kansas City, to address
the convention.
m f
In addition, board
members heard reports
^^°"'
Charles Manley "^00 executive
director E. R. "Red"
Slocum on progress of convention plans and
on legislation now before the legislature that
will affect the motion picture business.
The board also reviewed a problem presented
at previous meetings — policy of some
film companies locally to withhold pictures
from drive-ins. Earl Snyder reviewed the
steps taken in this matter. He said two companies
involved had been contacted, and both
had replied—one satisfactorily.
A request from COMPO asking the UTOO
board's approval on the Academy Awards
Sweepstakes was considered. The board voted
to set the request aside and leave the matter
to the discretion of the individual operators.
Some 20 board members attended the meeting.
Earl Snyder, chairman, presided in the
absence of President Bernard McKenna, who
Attention
Oklahoma and Texas Panhandle
Exhibitors
Announcing
(formerly of A. & O. Theotre Booking Service)
HIGHLY QUALIFIED TO
ASSIST IN ALL PHASES
OF YOUR BUSINESS.
Located on Filmrow
was in Cincinnati attending the National
Allied drive-in convention as UTOO representative.
OKLAHOMA CITY
^ooper Foundation Theatres has sold the
Plaza Theatre here to Sidney Cohen of
Theatre Service Corp., Salt Lake City, Utah,
Tlie Plaza had been closed for several weeks.
Prior to closing. Cooper Foundation operated
the theatre as an art house, showing principally
foreign films. In other theatre changes,
Mel J. Dowling has closed the Palace at
Eufaula, and Mi's. W. G. Wren, who recently
took over the Majestic at Temple, Okla.. has
decided to close the theatre.
Closing of the RKO office in Oklahoma
City has affected ten workers. R. B. Williams,
manager, will go to Florida for a belated
vacation. After that, his plans are indefinite.
Dan Snyder, RKO office manager,
for the time being will work at the Universal
office to help familiarize U-I staffers with
RKO's files, pictures, etc. Catherine Clark,
former RKO head booker, will go to work at
Warner Bros. here. Other workers have no
definite plans as yet.
Universal screened "The Incredible Shrinking
Man" Monday (111 in the 20th-Fox
screening room and 20th-Fox screened "Storm
Rider" and "Smiley" the previous Monday
. . . C. A. Gibbs, Columbia manager, is back
. . .
from a sales meeting in New Orleans
Visiting in Oklahoma City were Warner Bros.
Division Manager W. O. Williamson jr. of
New York and District Manager Grover Livingston
of Dallas.
Exhibitors seen on Filmrow included
Leonard White of Weatherford; Bill Jones,
Sand Springs; Earl Snyder, Tulsa; Clint
Applewhite, Carnegie; Claud Thorp, Ryan;
E. B. Anderson, Norman; O. K. Kemp, Poteau;
M. J. Dowling, Eufaula; Earl Rains, Fort
Cobb; Henry Simpson, Bristow; Eddie Jones,
Tulsa; H. D. Cox, Binger; Dana C. Ryan,
Pawnee; Bill Slepka, Okemah, and Dick
Crumpler, Checotah.
High Dallas Civic Award
To Karl Hoblitzelle
DALLAS—Karl Hoblitzelle, president of Interstate
Theatres, last week was awarded the
Distinguished Civic Service award by the
Greater Dallas Planning Council. Hoblitzelle,
known for half a century as a leading showman,
businessman, financier and philanthropist
here, is also chairman of the board of
the Republic National Bank of Dallas. Inscription
on the trophy reads; "In recognition
of long and distinguished service in the
building of a Greater Dallas."
In announcing Hoblitzelle as the winner,
speaker John E. Mitchell jr. called him "the
man of a lifetime, not of just the year . . .
His civic, cultural and philanthi-opic activities
are aw^e-inspiring. He has a dedicated mind,
heart and pocketbook, and has long been a
champion of the underprivileged."
Tent 22 to Entertain
UTOO Delegates
OKLAHOMA CITY—Variety Tent 22 is
making preparations to entertain exhibitors
and their wives arriving in town for the
UTOO convention March 6, 7 at a fun night
event on March 5.
Co-chairman of the event, which will include
special entertainment and a hors
d'oeuvres hour, are Bob Busch and George
Fisher. Fun night is being planned as a welcome
for exhibitors in town for the UTOO
convention.
Olen Nuckols, chief barker, also has announced
the completed list of committees for
1957. They are:
Bookers (membership)—C. F. Motley, main
guy; Paul Rice, co-main guy; C. B. Akers and
Earl Snyder.
Privilege (house rules and regulations)
Harry McKenna, Ed Thorne, Morris Loewenstein.
Sports and pastimes—Jake Guiles, Charles
Hudgens, John Wilkinson and Prank McCabe.
Side show committee (clubroom, entertainment
and activities) —Robert Busch, Dave
Hunt and Warren Patton.
Billers (publicity!—Gordon Leonard. L. O.
Peak and E. R. Slocum.
Heart committee—Paul Townsend, C. R.
Guthrie and R. Lewis Barton.
Welfare committee—Sam Brunk, Don Tullius
and Earl Snyder.
Fund-raising— E. R. Slocum. L. W. Kilfoy,
Fred Sanders and Bill Lewis.
Law committee—H. S. Griffing and Bill
Lewis.
Mac H. Wood, 53, Dies
GUSHING, OKLA.—Mac H. Wood. 53-yearold
manager of Cushing's three theatres, died
of a heart attack recently at his home. Wood,
a native of Brady, Tex., had been associated
with the Video theatres for more than 25
years. He came to Cushing from Frederick,
Okla., a year ago.
"Our customers appreciate
the some day delivery of orders. Only a
tremendous stock con assure this service."
i
708 W. Grand Ph. RE 6-0911
OKLAHOMA CITY,
OKLA.
Location in Saigon, Vietnam
Joseph L. Mankiewicz, producer of "The
Quiet American," is in Saigon, Vietnam,
making final arrangements for the location
shooting of the film to be released to UA.
OKLAHOMA THEATRE SUPPLY CO.
628 West Grand Ave. Telephone: RE 6-8691
Oklahoma City 2, Okla.
SW-G BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957

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People who go places like a light refreshment
That's why Pepsi-Cola is America's
fastest growing soft drink
And Pepsi means more drinks per gallon-more profit per drink, too!
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i
BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957 SW-7

—
For Sharp, Straightforward^
Focus • • • # ^
That's
right — to
keep your picture
sharp, run your
film through the
NEW CENTURY
CURVED GATE.
\
CENTURY curved gates are patterned after the
well known CENTURY film trap and gate. The
new curved gate features solid, fixed film trap
shoes. This sturdy precision design provides positive
positioning of the film, therefore positive
focus. The aperture plate was designed as an
integral part of the film trap which serves to
maintain the correct focus.
PERFORMANCE PROOF: Note the following typical
exhibitor comments:
"Marked improvement on edge-toedge
"The in and out
focusing. Excellent results, of focus effect has
both color and black and white
were tested with equally good results.
Most noticeable on newsreels."
King Theatre, Honolulu
. . . and many more.
been all but eliminated,
particularly
on previously
buckled film."
Miracle Mile Drive-in,
Ohio, U.S.A.
See your CENTURY dealer for this new aid to better
motion picture projection.
Century Projector Corp.
NEW YORK 19, N. Y.
*^' •-- -' "ftw.'-j-..
DISTRIBUTED
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Dallas 11, Texos
SW-8
BOXOFFICE
:: February 16, 1957

Dubuque, Iowa, Avon
To Close on April 1
DUBUQUE. IOWA—A royal landmark on
Dubuque's Main street will cease to exist on
April 1. It is the Avon Theatre. When fu-st
built in 1908. it was christened the Princess.
It was then the latest in theatre architecture.
A newspaper article appearing the day before
the theatre opened proclaimed:
"In this theatre, Dubuque has a structure
that is attracting the interest of the theatrical
architects of the country. It is the most
complete and perfect building according to
the modern ideas of theatre architecture
that it is possible to design."
That was 49 years ago. Today, the theatre's
doors are closed forever. Its infancy was during
the time of vaudeville. Its death comes
in the rock and roll era of today. A multitude
of eras spanned the years in between.
And the Princess, later the Avon, housed
entertainment which reflected those eras.
The final end for the theatre will come
April 1 when razing operations begin. It will
make way for the new J. C. Penney department
store.
William Bradley built the theatre and,
less than a year after it opened, leased it
to Harvey Fulton, on behalf of the Standard
Amusement Co. Then, in 1916, James Yiannias,
now general manager of Associated
Theatres, leased the house and has had the
theatre since. At the time Yiannias took over
the Pi'incess, the theatre no longer had
vaudeville acts. He tried to revive them in
1927, but was not too successful. M. F. Stangl,
now a projectionist at the State Theatre,
was employed as projectionist at the theatre
from 1915 to 1956.
The Princess, and later, the Avon, had its
ups and downs. First it was a nickelodeon,
then a first run house, later, a second run
house. In 1956, the Princess began to falter,
running only second time around movies
three days a week. April 1, it will falter for
good.
Variety Seeks V2 Million
For Its Heart Hospital
MINNEAPOLIS—The Variety Club will
resume
its drive to raise $500,000 to finance a
fifth floor for the heart hospital on the University
of Minnesota campus. Chief Barker
Sim Heller at a dinner meeting told members
approximately $70,000 toward the goal already
has been accumulated. The federal government
will contribute a goodly share of the
money needed to defray the cost.
The additional floor will permit an extension
of heart research work.
There was a big turnout last Saturday night
for the auxiliary's Valentine party and several
hundred dollars were realized. This money
will go to buy additional hospital TV sets and
for gifts for children patients.
New Lamberton 0^vne^
LAMBERTON, MINN.—Elmer Vollmer has
taken over operation of the Berton Theatre
following purchase from O. B. Dahlgren of
Walnut Grove, who continues to operate a
theatre there. Vollmer, a native of Lamberton,
and his family moved into the theatre
apartments. The Berton had been owned
by Dahlgren 15 years.
Theatremen Enter Pleas
Against Five-Cent Levy
LINCOLN, NEB. — Amusement industry
representatives turned out in force to oppose
a bill before the Nebra.ska unicameral legislature
which would establish a five cents per
head amusement tax in the state. The bill
was tabled.
The measure was introduced in the unicameral
legislature by Senator "Terrible Terry"
Carpenter, who dreamed up the "Joe
Smith for vice-president" gag at the Republican
national convention and who, himself.
is a drlve-in theatre owner among his many
busine.ss interests.
The big industry turnout at the hearing
on the bill before the revenue committee,
followed a plea by the Allied Independent
Theatre Owners of Iowa, Nebraska and Midcentral
and other organizations. The Allied
bulletin pointed out that the proposal would
amount to a 50 per cent tax on a ten-cent
admission or 10 per cent tax on a 50-cent
admi.ssion ticket.
In the hearing, theatremen contended that
the tax would just about sink the industry,
which already had been dealt a severe blow
by television.
Speaking for the Nebraska Theatre Owners
Ass'n, Robert R. Livingston of Lincoln,
association president, said that "motion picture
theatres have been harder hit in the
last two years than any other type of amusement."
He noted that three film exchanges
out of eight in Omaha had gone out of business.
Livingston said the cause of the decline
is the increase in the number of television
sets in the family home. He reported that
Zorn in Benkelman Dark;
E. Merle Gwin to Denver
BENKELMAN, NEB. — The Zorn Theatre
has been forced to close its doors because
of insufficient patronage. E. Merle Gwin,
owner, said dwindling patronage had made
continued operation of the business impossible.
Television competition was credited with
cutting attendance here until the operation
of the business was not only unprofitable
but for the past two years had failed to meet
expenses.
Gwin, who came to Benkelman in 1948
after buying the business from Mrs. Marie
Zorn, has accepted a position in Denver and
the family plans to move there as soon as
school is out in May.
The inroads on theatre attendance by television
was felt locally almost with the coming
of Channel 6 at Hayes Center. Gwin was
determined to close the theatre at this time
last year after several profitless months of
operation preceding the new year. Local business
people, in an effort to keep the theatre
in operation, joined together in presenting
a free show each month to bolster the theatre's
revenues. Continued loss of patronage,
however, and the resulting loss in the expense
of operation of the theatre made the
continuation of the theatre's operation impossible.
Gwin is known in the film industry as a
67 per cent of the homes in the state now
have television, 87 per cent in Douglas Coimty
(Omaha) have sets and 81 per cent in
Lancaster County (Lincoln).
Opponents to the bill included Lincoln
City Attorney Jack Pace, who claimed the
bill might be unconstitutional as regards to
taxing governmental subdivisions. He said
the activities it would involve include dancing,
swimming, golf and amusements planned
at the city auditorium.
A. Q. Schimmel, president of the Lincoln
Baseball Club, said an amusement tax would
be "most injurious" to the club, an affiliate
of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He said the tax
could not be passed on to the purchaser of a
ticket because the price does not change. He
said the tax "could possibly eliminate baseball
in Lincoln" and elsewhere over the state.
Others who protested the Carpenter bill
included Ed Schultz, secretary of the State
Fair board: R. C. Patterson, state adjutant
of the American Legion, who said it would
cut down the number of Junior Legion teams,
and Howard Kennedy of Broken Bow, drivein
and four-wall theatre owner, who told
the committee flatly "the tax would put us
out of business."
Senator Carpenter was the only person
appearing for the bill. Before the hearing
started, he circulated an amendment proposal
which would exempt many amusements,
would provide that the tax wouldn't
apply on any amusement of 50 cents and
would exempt certain charities.
The revenue committee voted 5-to-2 to
temporarily table the bill.
capable businessman and exhibitor. Since
coming to Benkelman in 1948, he built the
Zorn Theatre into one of the finest theatres
in the area, making many physical improvements
in the plant and exhibiting the newest
films. The theatre had a following from
all surrounding towns and maintained a large
mailing list of regular out-of-town customers.
Whenever something new developed in the
industry, he was the first to bring it to
local theatregoers. He maintained the best
in projection equipment and his sound system
was the finest in the area. He was the
first to show three dimension features and
pioneered CinemaScope in the territory, being
the first theatre in a hundred-mile circle to
oring the new process to its patrons.
Theatre Aide Gets Point
V\^rong; Check for $11,000
BISMARCK, N.
D.—Theatre manager Bob
Rosen was thankful that his English assistant,
John Sayer, was working with dollars
and not the English pounds which are worth
almost $3 each.
Reason is that Sayer was making out the
payroll checks for theatre employes and his
pen slipped, and Rosen signed a check for
$11,000 instead of $1,100.
Fortunately the slip was discovered before
the check was cashed.
BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957 NC-1

. . Sophie
. . Jim
. . Lynn
. . Omaha
. . Norman
. .
OMAHA
\X7 F. Horstman is reopening the Princess
Theatre at Odebolt, Iowa, which had
been closed since December. Also reopening
is the De Lux Theatre at Kingsley. Iowa,
operated by Lee Bainbridge . has
been a busy spot for exploiteers: Harry Rice
has been working on Columbia's "Full of
Life" which opens at the Brandeis February
20. and Sam Hart has been setting up
"Battle Hymn." Universal has scheduled a
special screening of "Battle Hymn" at the
Orpheum for the Omaha Council of Church
Women and other religious groups.
Georgia Rasely, exhibitor at O'Neill, reported
unusual success with her tieup of
school participation in showing "War and
Peace" with cooperation of the school superintendent
. Hemengway has been
named assistant booker at Columbia, replac-
White of
ing Martin Hoberman .
Quality Theatre Supply now has a parttime
cast" for his knee injured recently in
an auto accident. He can remove it at night,
but must wear it around the house daytime.
Filmrow Local 47 has scheduled its annual
party for February 20 at the Sparetime steak
house . Volker of the Film Depot
staff has been released from Methodist Hospital
after treatment for a virus infection.
Dorothy Weaver. 20th-Fox assistant cashier,
reported her mother, Mrs. Helen Grabert,
«VcAiTRAItEB
630 Ninth Ava. NEW YORK, N.Y.
1327 S. Wabash CHICAGO, ILL.
74, is hospitalized at Methodist with a fractured
hip . . . Bob Hirz. Warner office manager,
said his son Jon and daughter Mary Jo
have a handful of new pets, triplet lambs
born on theu- grandfather's farm near Murray
. Nielson, former RKO manager,
and his wife are vacationing in Phoenix.
. . .
Al Gardner, former Warner salesman and
former owner of the theatre at Logan, Iowa,
flew into Omaha in his new three-place
plane from Texas for a visit. Gardner is now
in the newspaper business near Waco .
Mrs. Elaine Farris has replaced Rita Miller
as booker's stenogTapher at Warners
George Regan. 20th-Fox manager, was fogbound
in Sioux City last week. Weather
which grounded all planes was so soupy he
was delayed on his trip home by car.
Mons Thompson, former exhibitor at St.
Paul, visited Omaha on his trip back from
the northwest. Other visitors on Filmrow
included lowans Charles Vickers. Mapleton;
Dick Johnson and Prank Good. Red Oak;
Nate Sandler. Missom'i Valley: Mrs. Mona
Pace, Malvern: W. F. Horstman. Odebolt:
Lee Bainbridge. Kingsley: Jamie Booth, Harland.
and Nebraskans Leonard and Al Leise,
Hartington and Randolph: Howard Kennedy,
Broken Bow'. and South Dakotan George
March. Vermillion.
January Chattel Peak
MINNEAPOLIS—In January there were
6.785 chattel mortgages and conditional sales
contracts filed here, reflecting purchases on
so-called "easy payments" of such items as
television sets, autos, etc. The number of such
chattel mortgages and conditional sales contracts
were the highest for any one January
since 1941. when there were 7.561. It compares
with the highest—8,151 in January 1930,
when the big depression was starting to make
itself
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UA Combo Opens Well
At Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS— Aside from "The Big
Land" and the "Wild Party"-"Four Boys and
a Gun" combination, and the holdovers,
particularly "Anastasia" and "Teahouse of
the August Moon" in their seventh weeks, the
Loop going was slow. "Slander," doing badly,
only completed six of its seven State days.
(Average Is 100)
Gopher—Teahouse of the August Moon (MGM),
7th wi^ i25
Lyric—Wild Party (UA). Four Boys and a Gun
(UA) 125
Orpheum—Gun For a Coward (U-l) 90
Pan—The Wrong Man (WB), 2nd wic 100
Radio City—The Big Land (WB) 100
State—Slander (MGM) 70
World— Anastasia (20th-Fox), 7th wk 150
'Teahouse' Into
Seventh Week
After Sixth Week Score of 110
OMAHA—The alltime record run at the
State Theatre is being extended still further.
"The Teahouse of the August Moon." which
smashed the mark when it was held for a
sixth week, has been held for a seventh week
and there is a chance it will go another. The
sixth week receipts totaled 110 per cent. None
of the other downtown offerings reached
average.
Brandeis— Don't Knock the Rock (Col); Rumble
on the Docks (Col) 85
Omaha—Three Brave Men (20th-Fox) 85
Orpheum—The Wrong Man (WB) 80
State—The Teahouse of the August Moon (MGM),
6th wk no
Surge of Films to TV Does
No Harm to Boxoffice
MINNEAPOLIS—The boxoffice takes here
are holding up well in the face of the telecasting
of pre- 1948 MGM and 20th-Pox
pictures, now going into their second month
on the air. Charles Winchell. Minnesota
Amusement Co president-general manager,
commented;
"I see no indication that our business has
been affected adversely since video started
shooting away with the better and newer
film product and its big exploitation campaigns
in behalf of such attractions. When
we have the attractions we still enjoy good
and normal gi'osses, the same as before the
TV advent of such pictures. My conclusion
is that the ranks of video watchers haven't
been swollen appreciably, if at all. although,
perhaps, there have been shifts in TV audiences.
"There's no way of telling exactly, but I
don't believe that we're losing any more
customers or that more people than before
are being kept away from the theatres."
Sells
Theatre Building
GENEVA. NEB.—Marguerite Freeman, who
operates Marguerite's Shop here, has purchased
the Rialto Theatre building from Mr.
and Mrs. Tom Ewalt, who had owned it for
11 years. Ewalt will continue to operate the
theatre with the present employes, Mi-, and
Mrs. Harry Goold and Martin Burroughs.
Part of the building is occupied by the Jacox
jewelry and clothing store.
Leaves Main Street Dark
LAUREL. NEB.—The Laurel Theatre closing
has left a huge dark spot nightly on
Main street. John Calcavecchia, operator,
said he had done everything in his power
to keep the theatre going but the financial
drain was too great.
'i
i
NC-2 BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957

.
AN EDITORIAL
"ONE OF THE FINEST
and one of the most heart-warming
pictures to come out of
Hollywood in some time . .
" Tull of Life' is neither sexy nor a dirty motion picture.
It dwells on a delicate and realistic subject yet it does
it in a way that is completely wholesome and a person
leaves the theater feeling good instead of feeling that he
has just finished a jaunt through a fetid sewer.
"We haven't a doubt in the world that the people who
see the film Tull of Life' will
enjoy every minute of it
and will
emerge from the theater knowing they have
seen one of the finest
and one of the most heart-warming
pictures to come out of Hollywood in some time."
JUDY HOLLIDAY
RICHARD CONTE
FAMILY FUN
I ESTHER MINCIOm • JOE DeSANTIS • SILVIO MINCIOTTI
SCTMn Pl«y by JOHN FANTE • B.IM1 on th. NonI by JOHN FANTE
Prodund by FRCD KOHLMAfI • DIrwtwl by RICHARD QUINE A COLUMBIA PICTURE

. . . "Anastasia"
. . Charlene
. . Kathryn
. . Royce
D E S
MOINES
The special screening: of Paramount's "The
Ten Commandments," held February 8
at the Uptown Theatre, had all the earmarks
of a first night performance! The theatre,
temporarily closed by Tri-States, was lighted
NATIONAL
THEATRE SUPPLY CO.
W. R. DAVIS
Phone ATlontic 8-3097
1120 High St. Des Moines 9, Iowa
again for the event. Executives from Filmrow
and the theatre circuits, exhibitors, and representatives
from radio, television and the
press, as well as civic organizations, were in
attendance. Mr. and Mrs. Don Hicks and
Jerry Bloedow, who is handling promotion
for the picture, were in the lobby to greet
guests. Plans are to sell blocks of seats to
organizations for evening performances when
the film opens at the Paramount March 7.
All seats for the evening show will be reserved.
The flu bug, which is prevalent in Des
Moines has hit several Pilmrowers. Among
•
• Our Sound Service is under the
direction of H. L. Jepson.
•
•
• Our Modern Repair Shop will repair
your Standard and Super Simplex,
Century and Motiograph Projectors.
John McCallum in charge
Our Sales Department is luider the
direction of Dick Sutton.
OWNERS
R. G. FAULDS ESTATE
A. E. THTF.T.E
DES MOINES THEATRE SUPPLY CO.
1121-23 High Street Des Moines, Iowa Phone CHerry 3-6520
the sufferers last weekend were Ralph and
Betty Olson of Universal and DCA, respectively!
. Cannon has resigned
her position at Universal, and Edna Cloonen.
former RKO cashier, has taken over her
duties . Volk has her longawaited
grandchild—another boy—making it
three grandsons for Kathryn. U-I inspector.
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Kubby plan a trip to
Denver. Colo., within the next few weeks to
see their new grandson . Winkelman,
manager of the Charles Theatre in
Charles City, has gone to the Mayo Clinic
m Rochester for a checkup. Mrs. Winkelman
accompanied him to the Minnesota hospital
began its third week at the
Ingersoll Theatre here and continued to
draw good crowds.
Memorial Glidden, Iowa
Is Reopened by Legion
GLIDDEN. IOWA—The Glidden Memorial
Theatre reopened again the first of the
month with "Kettles in the Ozarks."
Decision to open the theatre was made at
the regular January meeting of the Merle
Hay American Legion. The theatre has been
closed since last summer.
Numerous requests have been made for the
theatre to resume operation. Once again Pat
Bruning assumed the major responsibility
for
booking movies, and managing the theatre.
Other Legion members volunteered to
stand ready to help out with the managerial
duties.
In reopening the theatre, the Legion emphasized
that the movies can continue only
as long as they are supported by the community.
The Legion post cannot afford to
operate the theatre at a lo.ss. If people in
the community desire a theatre, it must be
supported by attendance of adults as well
as children and students.
Two shows a week will be booked, one for
Thursday and Saturday and another for
Sunday and Monday.
Once again Glidden business men will do
their part in support of the theatre by purchasing
about $100 worth of Booster tickets
per month. Any other people in Glidden or
the surrounding community who want to
purchase tickets on a monthly basis to help
assure continued operation of the theatre
should contact Manager Pat Bruning or Bob
Van Horn at the bank.
Theatre Tickets Prizes
In Chuckle Ad Contest
AMES. IOWA—The Ames Daily Tribune
has started a "chuckle ad contest" in which
any reader may win a free ticket for Ames
shows. Participants will get a lot of chuckles
out of it and each day three acceptable
"chuckle ads" will earn free tickets to the
New Ames, Collegian or Varsity theatres. The
rules for the contest are as follows:
1. Read the want ad section of the Tribune
and, using three, four or five lines from various
ads, put together an amusing advertisement.
Whole lines must be used.
2. Paste the ads from which you have used
whole lines on a sheet of paper, underlining
the lines to be used.
3. Write your name and address on the
sheet of paper and bring or mail to the
Tribune.
J
NC-4 BOXOFFICE :: February 16. 1957

For Sharp, Straightforward^
Focus • • • # ^
That's
right -to
keep your picture
sharp, run your
film through the
NEW CENTURY
CURVED GATE.
I
I
I
CENTURY curved gates are patterned c

MILWAUKEE
fJarry Boesel, Fox Palace Theatre manager,
was in the throes of promoting "The
True Story of Jesse James." Already accomplished
was the promotion of a three-column
feature article on Bob Wagner, star of the
film, in the Milwaukee Journal green sheet.
However, the highlight of the exploitation
in addition to arranging a press luncheon
the Schlitz Brown Bottle was
for the star at
his pulling out all the stops in gathering an
immense crowd of teenagers at the theatre
to welcome Wagner.
Joe Reynolds, manager of the Towne Theatre,
also was busy. His guest was Yul Brynner
at a meeting for the press at the Warner
screening room. Brynner had a rather active
day, since in addition to radio and TV
appearances, he spoke at Marquette University's
Memorial Hall in connection with
the crime commission prevention week, sponsored
by the commission, police officials,
school, church and civic groups.
The possibility of showing religious films
in neighborhood theatres is being studied by
a committee of the Lutheran Church-Missouri
synod. The Rev. Herman W. Gockel,
one of the committee members, commentea
thusly on the matter: "For more than a
generation, the church has been bewailing
the influence which the neighborhood motion
picture has had on the mmds and hearts
of those who attend it. Might it be that the
church could make a positive contribution
to the American community by availing itself
of this admittedly influential medium and
exerting its influence for good?" There are
a8 Missouri synod churches in the Milwaukee
area.
Another contribution pertaining to motion
pictures comes from the Rev. John W. Cyrus,
minister of the First Unitarian Church. In
his most recent sermon from the pulpit, he
said: "Censor.ship mistakes the nature of
the moral problem of this or any other age.
Censorship Is an effort to control the intake
of eyes, ears and minds! It is an effort of
a few to determine what the many shall or
shall not see, hear, think or feel." His reaction
was in connection with an effort being
made to create a board of censors or
its equivalent to safeguard the local film
going public.
Milwaukee has had its bomb scare, too.
A call was made to both police headquarters
and the Riverside Theatre boxoffice at 8:25
p.m. Satui'day i2) that a bomb would go off
at 8:30 p.m. The film, "The Teahouse of the
August Moon," was being shown and it was
impossible to search the theatre in five minutes,
so Manager E. J. Clumb ordered the
picture stopped, and announced to the viewers,
some 2,000 in attendance, that a package
of great value had been lost and that the
police would search for it. The theatre was
not cleared, and after the search, the picture
was resumed. It was a moment for Clumb
which called for some fast thinking.
600 Kids Flee Fire
HURON. S. D. — Six hundred children
marched out of the Huron Theatre here on
a recent Saturday afternoon without disorder
or injury when fire swept the interior
of the building. The theatre owner, projectionist
and a high school boy usher took
charge of the situation immediately after
discovery of the fire. The interior of the
building was destroyed.
Three Raise Admissions
MEDFORD, WIS.—Theatres in this area,
the Avon here, the Colby at Colby and the
Abby at Abbotsford, have increased admission
prices. All three houses set adult prices,
for patrons over 18, 60 cents, and children's
tickets for youngsters under 12, at 20 cents.
The Avon's price for students—the 12-17 age
group— is 40 cents, while the Colby and Abby
have 45-cent student admission prices.
'^rf?.yj''^}^. SIOUX CITY, IOWA—The ^J"^,!^,"^Y Hollywood
..
Theatre
and the 75 Drive-In of Sioux City have
been taken over by Irwin Dubinsky of Lincoln,
Neb. Dubinsky also has the West O
Street and Skyview drive-ins in Lincoln. The
Hollywood and 75 Drive-In formerly were operated
by the Affiliated Theatres of Sioux
City.
Michael Redgrave has joined the cast of
UA's "The Quiet American" on location in
Saigon. Vietnam.
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John Waller, 79, Stricken;
Osceola, Iowa Showman
OSCEOLA, IOWA—John Waller, owner of
the Lyric and leading Osceola businessman
for 40 years, died recently at the Clarke
County Hospital. He was 79 years old. Waller
was a pioneer in the motion picture business
in this community, having first owned the
Lyric before World War I. He sold the business
and was gone for a few years, returning
in the early '20s. A few years later he built
the modern theatre building on the west
side of the square.
In addition to his motion picture interests,
he was very active in civic affairs. He was
president of the Clarke County State Bank
for many years, president of the Osceola
school board for a number of years, chairman
of the Osceola water works board of trustees
from its organization, charter member of the
Osceola Rotary Club, active member of the
Chamber of Commerce and before its organization,
active in other business clubs,
member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and of
the Christian Church.
Survivors include his wife and two daughters,
Mrs. Marjorie Hutte and Mrs. Carmen
Byers, both of Osceola.
The Clarke County State Bank has started
a fund to buy an oxygen tent for the Clarke
County Hospital as a memorial to Waller.
Builds Kid Matinees
MANNING, IOWA—Marion Young, new
owner of the Crystal, is promoting the cooperation
of the Manning Chamber of Commerce
and business firms in behalf of Saturday
matinees for the youngsters. Young, his
wife and daughter Nancy moved here from
Anamosa following purchase of the theatre
from J. Fred Dethlefs, who had closed the
house because of illness.
AA Files in Wisconsin
MADISON, WIS.—Allied Ai'tists Pictures of
Illinois, a Delaware corporation, has registered
with the secretary of state here to do
business in Wisconsin, "to manufacture and
deal in all kinds of still and motion pictures,
picture records and files, etc." The application
shows a capital stock of 100 shares of
common of no par value all paid In.
Close Eau Claire Badger
EAU CLAIRE. WIS.—After 31 years in operation,
the Badger Theatre here has closed.
The house was owned by the Louise Homes
estate and it will be remodeled into a twostory
office building. It was operated by the
Minnesota Amusement Co.. which gave up
the lease voluntarily. The theatre was opened
in 1925 as the Wisconsin Theatre.
Ticket-Taker, 83, 111.
MINNEAPOLIS—Andrew Murdock is absent
from his post at the State. The 83-yearold
ticket-taker was taken suddenly ill and
is in Swedish Hospital. During his four years
with the theatre. Murdock never missed a
single day. except last summer when he took
a vacation trip to his native Scotland.
'Shadow,' Story of Blind Girl
A blind girl and a circus magician to whom
she is married are the central characters in
UA's "The Shadow." a circus story.
NC-6 BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957

. . Frank
. .
Hialeah Optimists Fete
Essex Manager Oakerson
HIALEAH. FLA.— Walton Oakerson. manager
of the Essex Theatre, has been awarded
a plaque for his "outstanding youth work
over an extended period" by the Hialeah Oplimlsts
Club. Oakerson. known to everyone
as "Oakie," has a long career of pleasing,
placating and sometimes reprimanding youngsters,
and his influence and good work has
gone with the tots into their teens. Through
his understanding of and appeal to youngsters
and teenagers, he brought the theatre's regular
Saturday matinee attendance up over the
1.000 mark.
Oakerson's interest in youngsters began
with his theatre work, but has led him into
broader fields to the point where he is
frequently called upon by officers of the
juvenile divisions of police departments for
consultation and assistance.
Foreign Film Series Pays
At Columbia Sub Run
COLUMBIA. S. C—A neighborhood theatre
carefully planned for-
here has found that a
eign film series stimulates wide interest and
pays off at the boxoffice.
The Five Points Theatre has entered another
year of semimonthly Columbia Fine
Films Committee programs in a tie-in with
local citizens that Manager Robert Scott says
has been mutually beneficial.
The citizens group selects the film titles
it feels should be played. It submits the titles
to Scott and he makes arrangements to play
the pictures. Then, the committee contacts
the local newspapers and other publicity
sources in advance of playdates.
It adds up to SRO business on nights when
dated films would be playing to scant crowds.
Austin Palmer Shifted
To Clermont by Martin
WILDWOOD. FLA.— Austin Palmer, city
councilman and fire chief of Wildwood. submitted
his resignation when other duties
called him to leave the city. Palmer has
served as manager of the Martin Theatre for
a number of years and now has been transferred
to Clermont, where he will manage
the Lake Theatre and Clearview Drive-In.
Tillman Watson of Clermont will replace
Palmer as manager of the Martin.
Bridgewater Capitol
Is Destroyed by Blaze
BRIDGEWATER, N. S.—The Capitol Theatre
was destroyed by fire. The 620-seat house
was the largest of the two theatres operating
in this town of about 4.000 population. The
other is the 475-seat Avon. Both are owned
by the SFA Ltd. of which Arthur A. Fielding
is president. The fii'e was discovered on Sunday
morning, and the cause as yet undetermined.
Named to CofC Board
HARTFORD—Lou Cohen, manager of
Loew's Poll, has been named amusement industry
delegate to the retail trade board of
the Chamber of Commerce for 1957.
HARTFORD—Harry Goldstein, eastern exploitation
manager for Allied Artists, conferred
with Ray McNamara, Allyn Theatre, on
regional bow of "Blonde Sinner."
MINNEAPOLIS
T ocal exchange managers and film salesmen
at a Brotherhood Week rally planned a
campaign to sign up exhibitors, theatre and
exchange employes for contributions during
February 17-24. Tom Burke and Hy Chapman
are exhibitor and exchange chairmen .
S. D. Kane. North Central Allied executive
counsel, anticipates a large attendance at the
annual convention here March 1, 2. A committee
headed by Vice-President E. L. Peaslee
is seeking a presidential candidate to succeed
Ben Berger who is stepping out after
11 years. Berger was due back from a Florida
vacation Saturday (16 1.
Fay Dressell and Fred Finnegan, former
RKO branch manager and head booker, are
considering several job offers . . . Don
Swartz. film distributor, was in New York
lining up product . Braden, former
Ringling Bros, circus press agent, was in
and out of town in the interest of "The Ten
Commandments" which will open at the
Lyric here with a Minneapolis League of
Catholic Women's benefit February 21. The
tickets will range from $5 to $50 . . Ted
.
Mann, circuit owner, returned from a California
visit with his family who are wintering
there.
E. G. Fitzgibbons, Paramount exploiteer,
was here w'orking on "The Rainmaker" which
goes into Radio City February 22 . . . Allied
Artists ran large co-op newspaper ads for
the nine local neighborhood houses where
"Friendly Persuasion" opened last week . . .
Film actor Robert Wagner is due here on
the 18th in connection with "The True Story
of Jesse James" in which he stars.
Wisconsin Rapids Palace
To Be Recreation Center
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WIS.—The Kruger-
Walrath Realty Corp., which recently pui--
chased the Palace Theatre building at 141
Third Ave. South, is remodeling the structure
for conversion into a ballroom and recreation
center.
Tlie ballroom, which will accommodate 400
persons, will be available for public and private
dances and for group sales conferences,
demonstrations, banquets, wedding receptions
and all types of parties. The basement has
been leased to Mr. and Mrs. William Leder
for use as a recreation parlor. They will install
facilities for billiards and other games
and a soda fountain.
Blair State Shuttered
BLAIR, WIS.—The State Theatre here has
been closed by Fi'ank Lesmeister, owner and
manager, after nine years of operation. Lesmeister
said he had been considering closing
the house since last fall when business became
poor.
A Candidate for Supervisor
MANITOWOC, WIS. — John Buran. tor
many years manager of the Opera House
here and now manager of the Rivoli in
two Rivers, is a candidate for supervisor in
the Seventh ward there. He has been a resident
of this county for 36 years.
Giorgia Moll, a German-Italian beauty, has
been signed by Joseph Mankiewicz for the
role of Phuong in "The Quiet American."
RESEARCH mm
for
MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS
ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMATION
The MODERN THEATRE
PLANNING INSTITUTE
825 Van Brunt Blvd.
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Gentlemen:
2-16-57
Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU
to receive inlormation regularly, as released, on
the lollowing subjects lor Theatre Planning:
D Acoustics
n Air Conditioning
n Architectural Serrica
D "Black" Lighting
D Building Material
n Carpets
G Coin Machines
n Complete Remodeling
Decorating
D Drink Dispensers
D Drive-In
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D Other Subjects..
Theatre
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Address
City
State
Signed
n Lighting Fixtures
n Plumbing Fixtures
Projectors
n Projection
Lamps
n Seating
n Signs and Marquees
n Sound Equipment
n Television
D Theatre Fronts
n Vending Equipment
Postage-paid reply cords for your further convenience
in obtaining information are provided in MODERN
The
THEATRE Section, published with the first issue of
each month.
BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957 NC-7

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NC-8 BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957

—
Variety No. 3 Installs
New Officers for '57
CINCINNATI— Al the annual joint installation
dinner dance of Variety Tent 3 recently,
William Onie, local exhibitor, was installed
as chief barker and Mrs. Arthur Van
Gelder wa-s installed as president of the
auxiliary.
Also installed were Ruben Shor, fii-st assistant
barker; Nathan S. Wise, second assistant:
Saul Greenberg, secretary; James
McDonald, dough guy, and directors Noah
Schechter, Jim Joseph, Abe Mains. Stuart
Jacobson, Jack Kalan and Bernard Dabney.
Past chief barkers are Robert C. McNabb,
Edward Salzberg, Herman Hunt, Vance
Schwartz and Allan Moritz.
For the auxiliary Mrs. Jack Finberg was installed
as first vice-president; Mrs. Abe
Strauss, second vice-president; Mrs. Jerry
Wall, secretary; Mrs. Charles Wolfson,
treasurer, and directors include Mrs. Phil
Fox, Mrs. Robert Jacobs, Mrs. Saul Greenberg,
Mrs. Allan Moritz, Mj-s. William Onie,
Mrs. Morris Dennis. Mrs. Abe Maius, Mrs.
Jack Onie, Mrs. Harry Pollins and Mrs. Nate
Wise. Mrs. Herman Hunt is the immediate
past president.
George Hoover, executive director of
Variety International from Miami, Pla., was
here for the event. Robert C. McNabb, outgoing
chief barker, was given a portable
TV as a gift, and Mrs. Hunt received a
portable radio. Mrs. Hunt was ill and unable
to attend. Her gift was accepted by her
husband.
Films More Objectionable
Columbus Paper Charges
COLUMBUS—Filmmakers "have considerably
over-reached themselves" in the making
of objectionable motion pictures since the
general decline of censorship, said the Columbus
Dispatch editorially.
"We have a feeling that censorship bills
introduced recently in the Ohio legislature
will find support in a good many quarters
ordinarily opposed to censorship of any
kind," said the Dispatch.
"We are instinctively opposed to censorship
of any sort and we do not believe that arbitrary
cen.sorship ever finally solves any
problem," continued the editorial. "There
are too many imponderables involved in any
creative work—a movie, play or a book— to
lay down arbitrary standards that will satisfy
everyone.
"Nevertheless, so long as a minority of
moviemakers continues to confuse liberty
with license and to turn out pictures which
affront the ordinary decencies in the eyes
of so many moviegoers, we fear they stand
in increasing danger of fastening an unwanted
censorship on the whole industry."
The Dispatch said that "more producers
have defied the production code by releasing
pictures without the code seal and the
recent revisions in the code have been in
the direction of more, not less, leeway for
questionable screenfare." The newspaper
said the caliber of films shown in Ohio
"measured by the decency yardstick has
deteriorated notably." The paper said "more
objectionable pictures have been shown and
some have reached a new low in vulgarity,
salacity, obscenity and too-frank depiction
for general audiences of themes and situations
entirely unsuitable for the young."
Art Film Is 'Critics Movie That u/es
At Boxoffice/ But Outlook Improves
TOLEDO—Sergei Mikhailovich Eisenstein,
the renowned Russian cinematic dramatist,
might quiver in pain at the description of
ABE LUDACER
an art film as "a critic's movie that drops
dead at the boxoffice." But that's the
practical summation of the art film's drawing
power from Abe Ludacer, manager of the
Loew's Esquire, which has been booking the
offbeat films for the last year, reports the
Toledo Blade.
Early in 1956, Ludacer convinced the Loew's
management that it should try an experiment:
change the Esquire from a commercial
motion pictui-e theatre to an art film house.
FIRST LOEWS ART HOUSE
Loew's agreed, and the Toledo theatre became
the first art house in the organization's
chain.
Into the Esquire poured prize-winning films
from the sound stages of the most talented
filmmakers in the world— "Gate of Hell"
from Japan, "Hill 24" from Israel, "The
Great Adventure" from Sweden, "Aida" from
Italy, "Diabolique" from Fl'ance, "Doctor in
the House" from Britain and "Marty" from
Hollywood.
What happened at the boxoffice.
"Let me put it this way," said Ludacer.
"We just didn't make money. There is a
great market in Toledo for art films, and
people want this kind of picture. But it has
been a confusing experience. One of the basic
principles of this business always has been
that if you have a good movie, you do good
business."
He said that high overhead, downtown
parking difficulties and apathy have been
contributing factors to the unenthusiastic
public response.
On one occasion, he recalled, his house sent
out 3,000 reduced admission tickets to university
students. Less than 100 cashed in the
tickets, he said, adding:
CRITIC RAVES NO CRITERIA
"When the New York critics rave about a
film, you may just as well keep the boxoffice
closed most evenings."
Still, the experience has not been entirely
discouraging. Ludacer said the Esquire will
continue showing art films indefinitely.
The relationship between art films and poor
boxoffice receipts in the American motion
picture market has caused businessmen who
own theatres to tread gingerly. In Toledo,
a Summit street house that featured art films
closed after six months.
Kent Nitz, manager of the Westwood Art
Theatre on Sylvania avenue, said that Toledo
was carefully investigated before his theatre
was opened last Thanksgiving.
The Westwood is part of a ten-theatre Midwest
chain of art film houses. Nitz reported
that response so far has been "very fine" to
showings of "The Ladykillers" from Britain,
"Rififi" from France, the Soviet Union's
"Stars of the Russian Ballet" and "The Bed,"
a joint European-American release.
The Westwood offers patrons extra added
attractions in the form of free coffee, free
parking, an exhibit of impressionistic paintings
on loan from the Town Gallery and
ultramodern lobby furniture.
Nitz said that "Toledo has great potential
for patronizing anything that stimulates
artistic appreciation."
He said that patrons come from as far
away as Adrian, Mich., Waterville, Bowling
Green and Fostoria, indicating there is a
"kernel" of patronage in small towns as well
as Toledo.
"In a city with a population of 250,000, we
estimate a potential audience of 1/250," Nitz
said. "We have been satisfied with our Toledo
patronage."
Perhaps the most satisfactory long-range
experience with art film showings has been
at the University of Toledo.
Inaugurated in 1946, the Gold series showings
have won increasing popularity each
year, said Prof. James L. Hofford, chairman
of the university's film society.
Patrons are invited to view the films on a
membership basis, a charge of $4.80 for eight
films.
The university has sold 700 membership
tickets for its showings this season, and expects
an even bigger response in the future.
Profits from the 16mm showings have been
plowed back into new theatre equipment
projectors, speakers, screen, drapes and curtains.
"Our experience has shown that the audience
for art films is on the upswing. Many
people seem to want something better than
the average commercial film. All signs point
to a bright future."
Michigan Showmen Urged
To Back Allied Group
DETROIT — Michigan exhibitors were
urged to place every effort back of unified
work for common industry objectives In a
plea by Bernard L. "Bud" Kilbride, secretary
of Allied Theatres of Michigan. Kilbride
noted the recent victory of Allied in
court in defeating the state use tax on theatre
advertising rentals.
"Like all successful businessmen you
recognize the value of organization," Kilbride
told exhibitors. "But we all know fellow
exhibitors who try to save pennies by throwing
away dollars. They actually seem willing
to submit to oppressive, discriminatory taxes,
regulations and restrictions, rather than to
invest a few pennies a day to support their
protective trade association. In harming
themselves, they harm all of us."
BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957 ME-1

. . Visitors
. . Irving
. . John
. . . Shaker
CLEVELA
Cam Galanty, Columbia division manager,
was in town calling on exhibitors . . .
Eleanor Rushworth. until this weekend secretary
to Hatton Taylor, whose title was RKO
district manager, is all set iji a new nonindustry
M. B. Horwitz. head
secretarial job . . . of the Washington circuit, and his wife are
spending a few days in Martinsville, Ind. . . .
Harold Raives, Schine circuit Ohio district
manager, is spending his vacation as far- away
as possible and still remain in the States.
He's in Key West, Fla. . . . Edward Graves,
booker, who has been absent from the local
scene since last fall, has joined the Columbia
booking department. Graves was formerly
with 20th-Pox and RKO . Campbell,
Columbia booker, resigned.
The first week in February was a busy one
for M. H. Fritchle. manager of the Oliver
Theatre Supply Co. During that period he
celebrated Mi-s. Fritchle's birthday (3), his
own birthday (7i and the first anniversary of
moving into their new ranch home . . . Cloverleaf
Drive-In, Cleveland, is overhauling its
concession building. It's being remodeled and
converted for cafeteria service by Manley,
Inc., which is supplying the new equipment.
Gene Vogel of Confection Cabinet Corp.
reports that his son Richard M. has completed
a year of residency in hospital administration
at the Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia,
and returned to Columbia University
for his final semester . Field, projectionist
at WJW-TV and a former theatre
operator, was a Filrm-ow visitor, catching up
on the latest news . this week included
Walter Steuve, Findlay; Frank Slavik,
Mount Gilead: Helene Ballin, Harry and Mrs.
Foster, Joe Shagi'in, Youngstown; Leo Jones,
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Upper Sandusky; Jerry and Sandy Steel,
Oberlin.
Maj, Paul Vogel, Liberty Theatre, Wellsville,
is back in civvies after a month's tour
of duty at Camp Meade, Md., as instructor at
Command & General Staff College . . . Bill
Gross, Columbia city salesman, had a third
grandchild when a son was born in Luthern
Hospital to the wife of his son George,
whose family now lists one girl and two boys
Square Travel Service, operated by
Ray and Jack Essick, is presenting a series of
travel matinee programs at the Colony Theatre.
First offering, "Ireland," will be shown
Wednesday (20) at 2 p.m. Subsequent programs
listed are "Solo Safari to South Africa,"
filmed and narrated by Mildred Capron,
March 13, and "Solo Khumbu" of the Himalayas,
with Norman G. Drhyenfurth as narrator,
April 3.
PTA Group Blames Parents
For Behavior of Children
CLEVELAND—Parents are to
blame when
their children misbehave in motion picture
theatres, was the concensus of a special committee
of the Cleveland Heights Parent-
Teachers Ass'n meeting here to consider the
problem of teenage behavior in theatres.
Parents were charged with failure to teach
theii' children respect for authority, respect
for property, respect for other people's rights.
In consequence, the first effort to correct this
situation will be a parent-education program
to be recommended to the Heights PTA
council.
If the council approves the program, letters
will be sent to all parents m the community
to make them aware of the problem and to
ask their cooperation in solving it.
Fred Holzworth, manager of the Beach
Cliff Theatre, has reduced weekend commotion
by his own method of discipline.
"When children become unruly," says Holzworth,
"we bar them from the theatre until
they bring their parents to me for a conference.
This method usually accomplishes our
purpose. I don't think youngsters are bad.
They're just mixed up. They get out in a
crowd and act like children. Then when they
are called on the carpet they want to be
treated like men."
Other managers claim they have adult as
well as juvenile problems. "What," says one
of them, "can we do with adults who insist
upon holding a conversation while the picture
is in progress? I have had such patrons.
I ask them, as politely as possible, to lower
their voices so as not to distm-b other patrons.
And what happens? They are indignant as
a rule. With such adults as parents, what can
you expect of their youngsters?"
Brotherhood Week Activities
Means of promoting Brotherhood Week in
the New York area will be marquee and lobby
displays, showing a Brotherhood film, brochures,
and soliciting membership contributions.
Theatre Owners Corp.
Renames Officers
CINCINNATI — Theatre Owners Corp.
stockholders met at the Variety clubrooms
here Tuesday i5) and elected officers for the
coming year. This year is the llth anniversary
of the company. Officers re-elected
include Herman H. Hunt, president; Willis
Vance, first vice-president; Maurice Chase,
second vice-president: F. W. Huss jr., secretary;
Gordon Pape, treasurer, and James W.
McDonald, general manager and assistant
sicretary-treasurer.
Completing the board of directors are
Howard Ackerman, Elstun Dodge, David
Weinig, Jerome Kunz, C. J. Weigel, all of
Cincinnati, and John Hewitt, Bethel.
The original officers are still with the organization
after 11 years, with the exception
of Ralph Kinsler, who retired from the industry
several years ago.
Theatres Owners Corp. is a buying, booking
and service organization for motion picture
theatres. It now represents 50 theatres
tiiroughout the Ohio, Kentucky and West
Virginia areas.
First Cinerama Show Train
Brings 450 From Fostoria
CLEVELAND— Cinerama's first show train
rolled into Cleveland Saturday (9) with 450
people from Fostoria who came to see "This
Is Cinerama," now in its 13th week at the
Palace and to enjoy a full day's entertainment.
This included a special reception given
by Mayor Anthony Celebrezze and representatives
of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce,
shopping and sightseeing time, a "star
party" at the Carter Hotel where they met
Cleveland's top baseball and hockey players
through the courtesy of the retail merchants
board; dinner at the Carter Hotel and then
attendance at a 7:30 performance of "This
Is Cinerama," after which all were taken in
chartered buses to the terminal in time for
the train's 10:15 p.m. departure.
Max Mink, managing director of the Palace,
says this Is the first of Cinerama show trains
planned to bring to Cleveland groups from
all towns within a 125-mile radius of Cleveland.
Sentenced for
Robbery
TOLEDO—A 15-year-old youth, George Mc-
Incriw, was ordered committed to the boys
industrial school after he admitted in juvenile
court that he participated in a holdup at the
Colony Theatre on January 17. He was paroled
last August from boys industrial school
after serving for auto theft. His companion,
19-year-old James Perkins, was bound over
to the grand jury on charge of robbery. They
took between $50 and $100 at gunpoint from
theatre cashier Carol Hartman, 17.
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ME-2 BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957

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BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957
ME-3

. . . During
. . Jim
. . Therese
i
CINCINNATI
lyjany Kentucky and West Virginia towns
suffered heavy losses from the recent
flood, and it was not until the waters receded
and the task of cleaning up began
that the extent of losses was known. Two
Kentucky drive-ins were practically washed
out—the Auburn at Cumberland, owned by
O. G. Roaden. and the Lycinda at Fusonia,
for which Floyd Morrow of Louisville does
the booking and buying. The mud reached
over the speakers. Barbourville, Ky., was 60
per cent flooded. In Hazard and Pi-estonburg,
Ky., business sections were practically
wiped out. Corbin, Ky., Princeton, Bluefield,
Logan, Matewan and Delberton, W Va.. all
were hard-hit.
A few Kentucky exliibitors were in to attend
the Allied States drive-in convention.
They included James Dempsey, Starlight
Drive-In and Town Theatre, Danville, who
also has the Twin Hills Drive-In, Han-odsburg:
Dick Johnson. Family Drive-In, Lexington,
and Gene Combs, Grandvue Drive-
In, Hazard, whose theatre was flooded out
the recent Allied drive-in convention,
Mrs. William Onie was hospitality
chairman at the Variety clubrooms and her
graciousness accounted in large measure for
the enthusiasm of the women toward the
convention's social events.
Mrs. W. T. Ellswick, whose husband operates
the Belle Theatre, Belle, W. Va., returned
home after a month's confinement in the
hospital with injuries suffered in an automobile
accident. Their daughter also was
injured, but her stay in the hospital was
shorter.
G. C. "Spotsy" Porter, exhibitor of Beckley,
^|LNIA«i^
630 Ninth Ava. NEW YORK, N.Y.
1327 S. Woboih CHICAGO, III.
W. Va., is back at his desk after a week's stay
in the hospital, where he underwent a
physical examination . Shanklin of
Honceverte, W. Va., is vacationing in Hot
Springs, Ark. . . . The mother of John Groves
of the Groves Theatre, Summersville, W. Va.,
died recently.
Lee Heidingsfeld, manager for RKO, took
over February 9 as manager in this area for
Buena Vista. Heidingsfeld was with RKO for
ten years, and not many months ago was
promoted from city salesman to branch manager.
Under his management, the local
branch came in first on short subject billings
and fii-st in the group total billings in the Dan
O'Shea drive. Buena Vista will temporarily
be located in the office of States Film Service,
until a permanent location on Filmrow
is found. Lee went to Chicago for a meeting
with Harris Dudelson, Buena Vista division
manager.
Some of the other RKO employes have
made other connections. Robert Coleman, city
salesman, has left the film industry, and is
now salesman for Seinsheimer Paper Corp.
Marcella Ollie, manager's secretary, will do
secretarial work for the local Cincinnati
Post classified advertising section. Joan
Clemens is joining the force of U-I as
stenographer. Evelyn Nieheisel will join UA
as availability clerk. Office manager Leonard
Katz, bookers Bob Camery and Bob Cooper,
salesman Dave Litto, Don Womack, Heywood
Mitchusson, cashier Thelma Osborne and
several of the office personnel have not
made new connections yet.
Sam Galanty, district manager, Columbia,
was in the city conferring with Manager
Phil Fox. Also in were New York attorneys
Sam Reice and Dan Rothenberg. Columbia
auditor Gene Sisselman is currently working
in the exchange
. . . Harold Moore, exhibitor
at Charleston, W. Va., and Jim Rogers,
Beverly Theatre, Huntington, came in with
Columbia salesman Charles Palmer Monday
and returned with him the same night.
R. L. Gaines, Riverview Drive-In, Carrollton,
Ky., was making the rounds of the exchanges
preparatory to reopening his theatre
. . . Tom Sutton, manager of the Judy
Drive-In, Judy, Ky., and his wife left for a
three-week stay in Florida . . Chalmer
.
Bach, exhibitor at Eaton, was a Filmrow
Timmy and Tommy, Twin 18-
visitor . . .
year-old sons of Ross Williams, city salesman
for UA, are visiting their sister in Florida.
Timmy drove down with Pate Niland,
retired UA West Virginia salesman, and
Tommy went down by bus.
Al Kucin, 20th-Fox auditor, arrived here
recently . . . U-I staffers were impressed with
Col. Dean Hess, who visited the exchange
during his stay in the city to plug "Battle
Hymn," which world premiered in Marietta,
Ohio, Col. Hess's home town, Thursday (14).
Hess has won renown for his efforts in behalf
of the Korean war orphans, and proceeds of
the premiere will be donated to orphanages
in Korea . Kimbrell, U-I head
inspector, is back at work after a recent
hospital stay for treatment of an ulcer condition
. . . William Garner, salesman for
DCA, traveled through the territory.
James Barton Plans
New De Luxe Airer
CLEVELAND—James J. Barton, former
state representative and one of the principal
owners of the Pearl Road Drive-In which was
built two years ago in Cleveland on property
owned by Barton, has another extensive
project in view. He plans to build a de luxe
drive-in with complete adult and juvenile
recreational facilities in West Richfield at
Broadview road and Route 21. Estimated cost
of the project is $250,000. It will include, in
addition to the outdoor theatre, a swimming
pool, baseball diamonds, a picnic area and a
juvenile playground. This part of the project
will be available to the public all day.
Construction will start as soon as the West
Richfield township has approved rezoning the
48-acre tract of land. Hearing on the application
for rezoning was set for Friday (15) in
the West Richfield town hall. On the basis
of returned postcards to the residents of the
area, no opposition is anticipated inasmuch
as the township stands to profit by the project
by providing, without cost to the taxpayer,
a wholesome recreational atmosphere for
adults and children, an increase in surrounding
land values and additional employment
to be used in both the theatre and recreational
areas.
MID-WEST THEATRE SUPPLY CO., INC.
I
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Whatever You Need — We Can Supply It.
Barton, who at onetime was manager of
the West Side Drive-In in Cleveland, a Phil
Smith operation, has designed the new West
Richfield project.
BOWLING
DETROIT—Ernie Forbes Theatre Supply
holds an impressive but precarious lead in the
Nightingale Club Bowling League:
Teom Won Lost
Ernie Forbes.. 441/2 231/2
Not'l Carbon. 38 30
Altec 35 33
Team Won Lost
Not'l Sup.. . .341/2 331/2
Amus't Sup.. .26 42
Local 199 26 42
Ralph Haskin rolled 224 and a 583 total to
set a new second high for the season in his
division, while Carl Mingione with a 225 tied
Jack Colwell for high single in the first division
and scored 549 for three games. Other
high scorers were Jack Colwell 192, total 549;
Armstrong 195, 521; Matt Haskin 204; R.
Valiquette 200; Nick Forest 197; Roy Thompson
521 ; Eddie Waddell 521.
I
ME-4 BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957

—
. . . Phil
. . Robert
. . Eddie
. . Jack
. . Bernard
. . Decision
ITO Chief Calls Meeting
Of Truck and Branch Men
CLEVELAND—Horace Adams, president of
the Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio,
has asked Cleveland and Cincinnati branch
managers, bookers, exhibitors and film carriers
to attend a meeting in Columbus at the
Deshler-Hilton Hotel on March 6 "to work out
problems confronting us today."
Adams urged attendance at the meeting
"since I think it is incumbent upon all of us
to listen to any suggestions for the good of
our respective businesses."
The letter did not state what specific
problems are to be discussed, but it is sui--
mised within the industry, that they refer
to the relationship of print shortages to some
reduction in film delivery service in areas
where many theatres are closed.
Louis Gross, president of the Film Haulers
Ass'n of Ohio, has suggested to Adams that.
in the interet of economy of time and money
and for a quicker solution of problems, northern
Ohio industry members meet in Cleveland
and southern Ohio industry members meet in
Cincinnati. Gross points out that the problems
in the two areas are not identical and
a statewide meeting might cause confusion
rather than solution.
Adams was out of the city and could not
be reached either for a statement as to the
reason for the meetings or for hLs reaction
to the Gross suggestion of two area meetings
instead of one.
Sentence H. R. Hurvitz
TOLEDO—Hyman R. Hurvitz. a former
temporary manager of the Loop Theatre, was
given a one to ten year sentence in the Ohio
penitentiary by Common Pleas Judge Tom D.
Stahl in connection with the theft of $1,578
from the boxoffice. He worked for the theatre
six weeks in 1953.
RESEAT OR RENOVATE
Professional work on Seat
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DRIVE-IN AND INDOOR THEATRES
2937 St. Aubin Detroit 7, Mich.
Temple 133S0
DETROIT
. . .
•Theatre change notes — The Broadway
Strand at Union City, operated by Mr.
Reed of Athens, is switching to independent
booking . . . Walter W. Fisher is switching
plans and keeping the Galewood at Grand
Rapids open . . . Stanley J. Marz is inaugurating
a three-day operation, Sunday through
Tuesday only, at the State In Saginaw
Irving Golden should be listed as operator
of the Irving in Detroit, rather than his
father John Golden .
to dismantle
the Temple was reversed and the
house was reopened by Mike Czaplicki, with
John Dembeck of Cooperative Theatres doing
the booking.
Dave Glover is again listed as owner of
the Apollo Theatre, succeeding William
Moore Butler has reopened the
.
near-downtown Arcade, a Negro house
formerly operated by Louis Spann jr. and
Donald Lovewell Herbert Boshoven's
. . .
Family at Grand Rapids, booked by Joseph
Busic. now is closing three days, Monday
through Wednesday . . . Morton W. Dennis'
Strand at Paw Paw is closing Wednesdays
through Saturdays until April 1 Harry
. . .
Levinson's Hollywood at Petoskey closed.
The Madison at Grand Rapids, operated
by Joseph Cutler and booked by Joe Busic,
is closing permanently . . .
Wisper & Wetsman's
big Tuxedo in Highland Park is adopting
a policy of closing Mondays through
Yom- scribe was at the opening
Thursdays.
of this big neighborhood, a ceremonial event,
in the early '20s . . . Dudley O. Gregory is
closing the Crystal Theatre at Beulah, booked
by Floyd Chrysler . . . Martin Friedman of
Artists-Producers Associates was on the local
visitors list . . .
Operator William Gagnon
was in St. Joseph's Hospital for
following an automobile accident . . .
Thomas
MacFarlane. operator at the Adams, was in
injuries
Providence Hospital for a checkup.
Nightingale notes—Floyd Akins reports a
splitting good day for splits—Richard Connell
made the 5-10. Roy "Minus" Thompson
the 3-6-7. Ray Gagnon the 2-5-7. Stewart
Aplin the 6-7-9-10. William Bradley the 5-7,
and Edgar Douville, for probably the first
time in the league history, made the 5-7 three
times . . . Burt London is out of bowling for
a while, having sliced off a big chunk of his
finger Waddell, coming in from
.
Walled Lake in the big snow, missed the
first game, and his ball was so cold you could
hardly pick it up without getting frostbite
Bea Douville, visitor of the day, was all
rigged out like a teddy bear in new furs.
Recent exchange visitors were Jack and
George Ryser of the Bohm Theatre. Albion;
Tom McCleaster. 20th-Fox district manager;
Douglas Moose of the May, Montrose, and
Hatton Taylor, RKO district manager and
former manager here . . . Lloyd Krause, RKO
manager, went off to New York to confer
about the big changeover in the exchange
Stanton and Ernie Ziegler. U-I
salesmen, are both sporting new four-door
Plymouth sedans.
projection room .
Norm Waters, RCA service man, was over
to visit Joe Sullivan at the Film Exchange
Zide. head of Allied
Film Exchange, is back from a short
trip to Cleveland .
Samuels, manager
of the Jolly Roger Drive-In, is subbing
at the Allen Park in Allen Park for a month
while the manager vacations . . . Dwig'.:i
Smukler, son of Jack Smukler, opera' n-
the Jelly Roger, was host for some 2(.
borhood children at a party on his
birthday. The Smuklers, Jack, Gladys, and
Dwight, are putting on special bciT-f'
clown shows for children.
Books 'Rain' Stage Play
TOLEDO—Tlie 3,400-seat Paj-amount, Toledo's
largest film house, has booked the legitimate
play, "A Hatful of Rain," for Thursday,
Friday and Saturday, March 7-9. Vivian
Blaine is the star.
MOTIOGRAPH
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3000 W. Davison Ave. Detroit 38, MIeh.
Phone TOwniend 9-4500
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DETROIT POPCORN CO.
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DISTRIBUTORS OF CRETORS' POPCORN MACHINES
5633 Grand River Ave. Phone TYler 4-6912
Detroit 8, Mich. Nights- UN 3-1468
\
/
BOXOFFICE February 16. 1957
ME-5

—
—
— — —
I Hh
. . . Confection
Long-Term Holdovers
Stay Big in Detroit
DETROIT— Business held up nicely in most
houses downtown, with the United Artists
run of "Around the World in 80 Days" scoring
320 in its sixth week.
(Average Is 100)
Adams The Teahouse of the August Moon
(MGM), 6th wk 110
Broadway Capitol The Block Legion (WB); Crime
School (WB), reissues 80
Fox— Anasfasio (20th-Fox); The Block Whip (20th-
Fox), AtU wk 140
Madison The Ten Commandments (Para),
wk 250
Michigcsn Top Secret Affair (WB); Accused of
Murder (Rep) 90
Palms Written on the Wind (U-l); Running
Target (UA), 3rd wk 100
United Artists Around the World in 80 Doys
(UA), 6th wk 320
"Anastasia' Scores 250
In Cincinnati Opening
CINCINNATI—The big news was "Anastasia,"
which reached a neat 250 at Keiths,
the largest gross in the theatre since "Guys
and Dolls." With the exception of "The Ten
Commandments," other grosses were fair.
Albee Baby Doll ( WB), 2nd wk 110
Grand The Ten Commandments (Para), 7th wk. . .200
Keiths Anastosio (20th-Fox) 250
Palace Gun for a Coward (U-l) 100
"Commandments' 12th Week
Still Tops in Cleveland
CLEVELAND — With holdovers as the
standard yardstick for popular approval, all
of the local downtown theatres, with only
one exception, played extended runs, ranging
from two weeks for "Anastasia" to 12
weeks for "Ten Commandments" and "This
Is Cinerama." During the entire 12 weeks,
"The Ten Commandments" has held top
place with the public, with 565 per cent during
the holidays as the peak score, and with
280 as the low score. "Written on the Wind"
did more business at 140 in its third week than
it did in its second week at 135 and held a
fourth week. "The Teahouse of the August
Moon" went into its eighth and final week at
the Stillman. "Anastasia" scored a strong 145
in its second week and held over.
Allen Written on the Wind (U-l), 3rd wk 140
Hippodrome Anastasia (20th-Fox), 2nd wk. . 145
Heights Art La Stroda (Trans-Lux), 5th wk 140
Ohio The Ten Commandments (Para), 12th wk..330
State Three Violent People (Para) 90
Stillman The Teahouse of the August Moon
(MGM), 7th wk 85
COLUMBUS
. .
The secretary of the Independent Theatre
Owners of Ohio and Manager Walter
Kessler of Loew's Ohio appeared before a committee
of the Ohio legislature considering a
bill to make parents financially responsible
for acts of vandalism by their children. Kessler
spoke in support of the measure .
Barbara Rush, featured in "Oh. Men! Oh.
Women!" was guest of honor at a luncheon
held at
ager Ed
the Columbus Press Club with Man-
McOlone of the Palace as host . . .
Managers Robert Sokol of Loew's Broad and
Walter Kessler of Loew's Ohio were to greet
David Susskind. producer of "Edge of the
City" on his local visit Monday (11) for
radio, press and television interviews.
Loew's Broad is scheduled to have the first
central Ohio showing of Cecil B. DeMille's
'The Ten Commandments" early in March.
Arrangements for the booking were made
in a conference of Paramount and Loew officials,
including Edward DeBerry, manager
of the Cincinnati Paramount exchange:
Ralph Buring, Paramount district advertising
representative; Martin C. Burnett,
Loew's central division manager; Sokol,
Kessler and Fred Oestreicher, Loew's publicity
manager.
"Baby Doll" moved to the Grand after
two big weeks at the Palace . . . "Anastasia"
was held for a second week at Loew's Ohio
Cabinet Corp. has installed
a Foodmobile, first in use in local driveins,
at the In-Town Auto Theatre, managed
by Lou Holleb. The junior-sized trailer dispenses
hot dogs, hamburgers, candy, coffee,
hot chocolate and soft drinks . . . Manager
Walter Kessler of Loew's Ohio was named
theatre representative on the local civic
and business committee for Brotherhood
Week.
Col. Dean Hess of Marietta, Ohio, whose
life story is told in U-I's "Battle Hymn," was
awarded the governor's plaque in recognition
of his unselfish work with Korean orphans.
Hess, unable to be in Columbus for the
presentation, was to be introduced from the
rostrum of the Ohio House of Representatives.
The Ohio legislature approved a resolution
praising Hess. World premiere of
"Battle Hymn" was held February 14 at
Marietta.
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FHEATRE
STREET ADDRESS
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NAME
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Line at Opening of 'Doll'
Despite Catholic Ban
SPRINGFIELD, OHIO—About a score of
patrons waited in line February 6 for the
opening of "Baby Doll" at the Regent Theatre.
Michael H. Chakeres, vice-president of
Chakeres Theatres, said representatives of
several local Catholic organizations had conferred
with him about the showing. He said
they seemed to be pleased when he told them
the local theatre had revised the film's advertising
to try to eliminate the objections
to purported sexiness and had banned children
under 16 from seeing the film.
Chakeres said about 25 or 30 cards and
letters from local Catholic high school students
had been received by the theatre chain
on the two days preceding the opening of
the controversial film. He said they all were
"nice in tone."
"They said mostly that they can't come to
see 'Baby Doll,' but that we have had some
fine pictures in the past and that they hope
they can come again to see more fine pictures,"
Chakeres said.
A line at the boxoffice is not a usual event
in Springfield nowadays.
Admission until 6 p.m. is 65 cents for the
"Baby Doll" run, compared to the regular
admission of 50 cents. Evening admission for
the engagement is 90 cents, compared to
regular admission of 75 cents.
Twin Drive-In Trust Suit
Settled Out of Court
CINCINNATI—The antitrust action of the
S&S Amusement Corp. and its Twin Drive-
In against Warner Bros, and the Oakley
Drive-In, owned by Midstates Theatres, has
been settled out of court. The settlement
resulted in the Oakley and the Twin being
granted a 21-day day-and-date availability
without clearance over any other theatres.
S&S. headed by Ruben Shor, had charged
Warner Bros, and the Oakley with conspiring
to establish a monopoly in exhibition of
quality films after their first runs in downtown
theatres.
New Ann Arbor Theatre
To Be Named the Campus
ANN ARBOR, MICH.—The 1,026-seat
theatre
being constructed in the 1200 block on
South University avenue by Butterfield Theatres
will be named the Campus, according to
Gerald H. Hoag. local Butterfield manager,
who said circuit executives at Detroit had
selected the name from among those submitted
by 135 entries in a name contest.
Seven local residents selected Campus and
will receive passes ranging up to a full year
for the first prize winner.
Hoag said officials hope the new Campus
will be completed and opened early next
month.
H. H. Meyers Elected
TOLEDO—Harold H. Meyers, Maumee, formerly
an executive with Kasco Mills, has
been elected treasurer of the American Floor
Surfacing Machine Co., Toledo. He is a certified
public accountant and from 1949 to 1956
served as secretary, treasurer and manager
of Kasco MUls.
i
ME-6 BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957

Charge on Weekends
For New Smoking Room
Chicago—The Glen Theatre has announced
some "rules and regulations"
in connection with the use of its new
smoking lounge. It is proving to be extremely
popular and has only 20 seats.
Patrons under 21 are not admitted. The
lounge will be used Sunday through
Thursday without extra admission, but
a .service charge is in effect on Friday,
Saturday and on holiday nights. Patrons
view the film from behind a glass wall.
Townsfolk Back Opening
Of Edgerton Charve
EDGERTON, OHIO—The Charve Theatre,
about ten years ago. closed last summer
built
without a ripple of protest from the townsfolk.
But after they found out that a closed
theatre affects almost all of the merchants,
they decided to band together and put it
back In business. So, last Wednesday night,
the Charve reopened with great fanfare.
Backed by the local civic organizations .such
as the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club,
Edgerton Garden Club, Mothers Club, Boy
Scouts and retail merchants, a campaign was
launched, and 5,700 admission tickets were
sold in advance of the opening, completely
filling the theatre for two performances.
Charles and Virginia Lewis of Edgerton will
operate the theatre. And the local merchants
and organizations will back the project because
they learned that people will go out of
town for their entertainment and are tempted
to patronize out-of-town merchants.
'Horizon' Test Showings
At 2 Cleveland Houses
CLEVELAND— "Lost Horizon" will be test
shown in Cleveland at the Mayland and
Beach Cliff theatres. Sam Galanty, Columbia
division manager, says the 20-year-oId
picture will play spot engagements in variou.s
sections of the country to see what the public
response is. Upon the result of these test
engagements. Columbia will base its sales
policy.
Cleveland film editors, who saw the picture
at a screening, were enthusiastic. Said W.
Ward Marsh of the Plain Dealer, " 'Lost
Horizon' is quite as good entertainment today
as it was in 1937." Stan Anderson of the
Press said, "This revival of a 20-year-old hit
will be the best 'escape' fare on the local
screens."
Heidingsfeld Joins BV
NEW YORK—Lee Heidingsfeld, former
RKO branch manager for RKO in Cincinnati,
has been named salesman there for
Buena Vista by Leo F. Samuels, president.
He will work under Harris Dudelson, midwestern
district manager.
Now in Ohio Prison
TOLEDO—Hyman R. Hurwitz, who was
wanted in at least six cities on embezzlement
charges, is serving a sentence in the
Ohio penitentiary of one to ten years for
embezzling $1,578 from the boxoffice of the
Loop Theatre in 1953, when he was employed
as temporary manager.
James T. Flynn Saves
Three Kids in Fire
NEW HAVEN—James T. Flynn, former
fire department theatre inspector in this city
now employed at Loew's Palace in Meriden,
heroically saved three children in a fire
which took five lives in an apartment building
adjoining the Palace.
When the first alarm came in, Flynn went
out and quickly sized up the situation. He ran
back to the theatre and brought out a 30-
foot stagehand's ladder. Placing it again.st
the burning building, he made three trips
into the structure, carrying a child down
each time.
Flynn stayed on the job the remainder of
the night, keeping watch on the theatre.
Doors and skylights were left open to ventilate
the Palace, which escaped with only slight
water damage in the front lobby.
About 200 persons were evacuated, without
panic after smoke pushed into the theatre.
Anthony Masella, manager, originally
went on stage and told patrons there was a
fire nearby and that they should not be
alarmed if they detected smoke.
Ohio Audio-Visual Center
Given Larger Quarters
COLUMBUS—The audio-visual division of
the state department of education, one of the
largest film exchanges in the world, is moving
from the state office building to the Scott
Krauss building. Front and Maple streets,
where the exchange will have greater floor
space.
The division, which distributes nearly 4.000
films per week to schools and colleges, formerly
was financed by censor fees. The division
occupies space formerly used by the
state division of film censorship, which was
closed two years ago. Electronic equipment
used by the state highway department will
be installed in the exchange quarters.
Two Writers Signed to Do
Two Bowery Comedies
HOLLYWOOD—Producer Ben Schwalb has
signed Elwood Ullman and Jack Townley to
write two original Bowery Boys comedies
which he will put before the Allied Artists
cameras this year with Huntz Hall starred
and Stanley Clements featured. Ullman will
do the screenplay for "Looking for Danger,"
to roll in April, and Townley will author "I
Love Lucifer," which goes into production in
June.
Jim Levitt Elected
CLEVELAND—Jim Levitt, U-I city salesman,
was elected president of the local Colosseum
unit at a meeting of the group held
last week. Other officers elected are: vicepresident,
Judd Spiegle of Republic and secretary-treasurer,
Dorsey Brown of Loew's.
Son to D. Irving Long
LOUISVILLE—A baby boy, named Dennis,
was born January 31 at Norton Infirmary
here, to Mr. and Mrs. D. Irving Long. The
father is the president of the Fourth Avenue
Amusement Co. here, controlling a circuit of
theatres in Indiana and Kentucky.
RESEARCH BUREAi
f or
MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS
ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMATION
The MODERN THEATRE
PLANNING INSTITUTE
825 Van Brunt Blvd.
Kansas City 24, Mo.
Gentlemen:
2-16-57
Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU
to receive information regularly, as released, on
the lollowing subjects lor Theatre Planning
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BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957 ME-7

..-.,^*---
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LxN
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Sgftgi^'
-yoM w«
Take advantage ol the tremendous buying power of BOXOFFICE readers.
Reach this wonderful market at a cost you can afford. Tell and sell to the
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something. Practically every exhibitor you know reads BOXOFFICE. If
you need help in wording your message, ask us.
No charge.
BOXOFFICE
Published Weekly in 9 Sectional Editions
ME-8 BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957

—
—
——
—
—
'Anaslasia' Hits 150
Third Boston Week
BOSTON — "Ana-stasia," completing its
third stanza, led the field, going for a fourth
week at the Keith Memorial. "Albert
Schweitzer" held well in its second week at
the Exeter Street. "Top Secret Affair" was
the strongest of the new product.
(Average Is 100)
Astor—The Ten Commandments (Pora), 11th
wk 120
Beacon Hill Secrets of Life (BV), 3rd wk 80
Boston Seven Wonders of the World (SW), 23rd
wk 100
Exeter Street— Albert Schweitzer (Hill). 2nd wk,..120
Kenmore Lust for Life (MGM), 11th wk 80
Memoriol Anostosio (20th-Fox), 3rd wk 150
Metropolitan Top Secret Affoir (20th-Fox);
Accused of Murder (Rep) 100
Pilgrim Don't Knock the Rock (Col); Rumble
On the Docks (Col), 2nd wk 135
Saxon Oklahoma! (Magna), 21st wk 90
State and Orpheum The King ond Four Queens
(UA); Rebel in Town (UA), 2nd wk 80
"Rainmaker," "Terrace' Combo
Leads Hartford With 140
HARTFORD—The combination of "The
Rainmaker" and "The High Terrace" opened
here with the best gross of the week, a resounding
140. U-I's "The Great Man" was
the only downtown holdover.
Allyn The Rainmoker (Poro); The High Terrace
(AA) 140
Art—The Bod Seed (WB); Friendly Persuosion
(AA) 70
E M. Loew Nightfall (Col); As Wicked as They
Come (Col)
Palace Angels of Dorkness (Excelsior); Man of
90
Africa (Dominant) 80
Persons The Great Man (U-l); The Light Touch
(U-l), 2nd wk 120
Poll Oklahomal (20th-Fox) 115
Strond The Wrong Man (WB); Noked Gun (ARC) 1 10
All New Haven Pictures
Score Above Average
NEW HAVEN—Business boomed at the
downtowners, with all key houses reporting
above average receipts. Even "The Teahouse
of the August Moon," in its third and final
week, shared in the week's prosperity. The
leader was "Oklahoma!" which increased
receipts at the 3,000 seat Loew's Poll by 70
per cent.
College The Teahouse of the August Moon
(MGM), 3rd wk 1 05
Paramount The Rainmoker (Poro), Yoqui Drums
(AA) 130
Poll Oklahoma! (20th-Fox) 1 70
Roger Sherman The Wrong Man (WB); The
Boss (UA) 120
Four Snowstorms in Week
Cut Providence Grosses
PROVIDENCE—Four snow and ice storms
during the week cut deeply into attendance.
Despite the storms, "Naked Paradise" grossed
125, to lead all local first runs. Following
closely was "A Kid for Two Farthings" at the
Avon Cinema, with 115. Holdovers did not fare
too well. "The Teahouse of the August Moon,"
playing for a third week at Loew's State,
reported just average business, while "Anastasia,"
being held a third week at the Majestic,
dropped to 70.
Albee Naked Paradise (AlP) 125
Avon A Kid for Two Farthings (Lopert) 115
Loew's The Teahouse of the August Moon
(MGM), 3rd wk 100
Majestic Anastasia (20th-Fox), 3rd wk 70
Strand Ride the High Iron (Col) 80
Tab Hunter in Hartford
HARTFORD—Actor Tab Hunter was
interviewed by local drama desks February
8 as part of regional promotion for "The
Spirit of St. Louis" arranged by Art Moger
of the Warner Bros, exploitation department.
Hunter has been on a key city tour.
INDUSTRY PROFILE
Charles Gaudino Says Showmanshi
Is
Theatremans Greatest Asset
By ALLEN M. WIDEM
SPRINGFIELD — Charles Gaudino, enterprising
manager of Loew's Poll Theatre
here, nas had as
diversified training
as any showman in
America.
The Connecticut
native first went to
work for L o e w' s
back in 1938 as a
porter at the College
Theatre, New
Haven. Ben Cohen,
who was to later
become a U-I executive,
was man- Charles Gaudino
ager at the College.
Gaudino served in turn as fireman,
usher, chief of staff, and finally student
assistant manager. The following year
found him at the sister Poll Theatre in
New Haven, working under Manager Robert
Russell and assistant Nat Rubin.
He became assistant manager of Loew's
Bijou, also in New Haven, in 1940. The
Bijou manager was William Elder and
staffers included Mike Piccirillo and
Frank Manente. Piccirillo progressed to
Loew's Lexington, New York, and then to
Hartford theatres: Manente became a
manager in Loew's midwest division.
Gaudino served with the U. S. Marine
Corps for four years in World War II,
seeing action in three major invasions
Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester and Peleliu
Island.
"The last
named was the toughest," he
recalled. "It seemed that the Japs threw
everything, includmg the whole Sixth
avenue elevated structure, at us in that
one battle."
At Peleliu, as Gaudino's unit hit the
beach, Jap mortar fire hit four buddies,
leaving Gaudino with only shrapnel
wounds. As mementos of his South Pacific
experience, he owns a P^residential citation,
five battle-participation stars, a
Presidential unit citation and the Purple
Heart. Gaudino also received a meritorious
promotion in action.
"I recuperated nine months down at
Proposed Film Censorship
Assailed in Providence
PROVIDENCE—The Rhode Island
branch
of the American Civil Liberties Union has
registered strong opposition to the proposed
local motion picture and theatrical licensing
ordinance. Milton Stanzler, Providence correspondent
for the union, said in a statement
forwarded to Mayor Walter H. Reynolds that
the ordinance is unconstitutional under terms
of a "prior restraint" decision of the U. S.
Supreme Court.
"The American Civil Liberties Union
n
strongly opposes the ordinance recently introduced
in the city council," he said. "An
examination of the ordinance reveals that
it violates the guarantees of the First Amend-
Melbourne, Australia, and then spent another
month over in New Zealand just
eating. But the biggest kick was a parade
in which our First Marine Division was
given the distinction of serving as honor
guard for General Blamey, chief of Australian
Aj-my units, at Melbourne."
Gaudino returned to the U.S. in 1945,
going to work again for Loew's Theatres,
both in New Haven and Bridgeport.
He left the Loew ciicuit in 1946 to become
a manager for the Strand Amusement
Co., independent Bridgeport ciixuit.
The showmanship flair of Loew's continued
to occupy a fond spot in his memory,
however, and in 1951 he returned to
a Loew theatre, the Poll in Bridgeport, as
assistant to manager Matt L. Saunders.
In 1952, he was shifted to Loew's Pol ,
New Haven, now managed by Morris
Rosenthal, and in 1954 he made the jump
to present status. He had functioned at
Loew's Poll, Springfield, in the past as a
relief manager.
For Saunders and Rosenthal, Gaudino
has only the highest praise.
"They are of the experienced school of
management," Gaudino said, "and they
imparted to me many important aspects
of handling a theatre that would not be
brought to attention of a newcomer to
the business. I have a lot of respect for
the veterans in our industry and believe
they have contributed vitally to the development
of what we know today is required
showmanship to sell our product
and services."
While managing Loew's Poll and participating
in numerous exploitation campaigns,
Gaudino has not overlooked cooperation
with the Springfield Chamber
of Commerce. He is a member of that organization
and serves on the convention
and visitors bureaus.
Modest, unassuming, Gaudino expresses
great faith in the future of the motion
picture theatre. "This is still a great industry,"
he asserts, "and it's up to theatremen
in the field, in particular, to remind
regular customers, as well as potential
theatregoers, that this is true."
ment and is an attempt to give power to a
few men, namely the bureau of licenses, to
determine the type of motion pictiu-es and
plays the people shall view.
Stanzler, an attorney, asked the city
council
to arrange a public hearing before acting
on the proposed ordinance, which has been
referred for committee study.
The proposal would permit denial of 11-
cen.se to any show deemed "ob.scene," "indecent,"
or "immoral," terms a Supreme
Court opinion declared were too general for
establishing clear, precise standards.
Screen Tunny Face'
NEW HAVEN—Paramount's "Funny Face"
was shown to area exhibitors at a special
early afternoon pre 'lew in the Lincoln.
BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957 NE-1

. . . "The
. . The
. . Perakos
. . Ernie
. . Ted
PROVIDENCE
I>hode Island's hoax bomber is still at large.
His latest strike was at the Newport
Strand. Two calls from him emptied the
theatre for 15 minutes while police made a
thorough search. The first call was to police
headquarters. A call received at 7:17 p.m.
was more di'amatic. The caller said "Pay
attention! At 7:30 a bomb will go off in the
Strand." Five minutes later an operator at
the Newport telephone exchange received a
similar call, which was traced to a booth
in the Armed Services YMCA. Police picked
up four civilians, who were released after
questioning. After the theatre was searched,
the performance was resumed.
"The Proud and the Beautiful" was shown
first in Rhode Island at the Avon Cinema
Teahouse of the August Moon"
held for a second week at Loew's State;
"Anastasia" a third week at the Majestic
. . . Bill Ti-ambukis, Loew's State manager,
returned to his desk following a minor operation.
WJAR-TV recently took a full page in
the radio-television supplement of the Sunday
Joiu-nal to present its "Movie Calendar
of the Month." The layout simulated a normal
calendar page, with day-by-day programing
of motion pictures to be televised
over the station. Something like three or
four motion pictures are beamed out every
day during the month. Approximately 100
different films are to be televised dm-ing
February
. Sunday Journal is now
featuring a complete section to television
and radio. Devoting, by far, more free plugs
to these two forms than to motion pictures,
it is bound to arouse the ire of motion picture
theatre owners and operators already
irked by the discrepancy between free space
accorded motion picture theatres as against
television and radio.
New Policy at Perakos Unit
HARTFORD — The Eastwood Theatre in
East Hartford, has changed matinee operating
houj-s, with performances now starting
at 1:30. Doors open at 1:15, Mondays through
Fridays. The Eastwood is part of Perakos
circuit.
Third Term to Lider
As lENE President
BOSTON—Edward W. Lider was re-elected
president of Independent Exhibitors of New
England, a unit of National
Allied, for a
third term, at the annual
meeting of the
unit, Tuesday (12) at
Edward W. Lider
the Hotel Bradford.
Other officers elected
were Melvin B. Safner
of Central Falls,
R. I., first vice-president;
Edwin Fideli of
Worcester, second vicepresident;
Henry Gaudet
of Laconia, N. H.,
secretary; Julian Rifkin,
Boston, treasurer. Norman Glassman of
Lowell was re-elected chairman of the board,
and Nathan Yamins of Brookline was reelected
national delegate, with Lider as alternate.
Carl Goldman was reappointed executive
secretary of the unit.
Directors elected were Leslie Bendslev, Ray
Feeley, Ned Eisner, Leonard Goldberg, Ai--
thur K. Howard, F^ank LePage, Walter
Mitchell, Daniel Murphy, Sam Resnik, Ted
Rosenblatt, Andrew Tegu, David Hodgdon
and Joseph Jarvis.
Hartford Editor Welcomes
Withdrawal of Newsreels
HARTFORD — Writing editorially under
the title, "Fadeout for Newsreels," the Hartford
Courant, morning daily, commented:
"The showing of cuiTent events in motion
picture houses never did achieve big public
favor. Lately this sort of film aperitif has
been relegated more and more to oblivion.
The latest of the newsreels to be withdrawn
is Paramount News, which discontinues on
February 15. Paramount's withdrawal underscores
an inclination within the film industry
that news, be it ever so spectacularly
capsuled, is doubtful fare for the entertainment
seeker. Even so, some five years ago
most of the country's 19.200 theatres considered
news the right sauce for the double
feature. But television has greatly scotched
this. Now the industry indicates that less
than half of the theatres show newsreels.
"This retrenchment will probably cause
groans in some quarters. But the more progressive
in the motion picture industry will
say good riddance to any part of the program
that drags its feet. And if newsreels were
withdrawn next week, it's unlikely the public
would show any great distress. The story is
the thing and so let's get on with it. Fact,
apparently, belongs elsewhere."
HARTFORD
pred R. Greenway and Jack Keppner of
Loew's Tlieatres planned to host Walt
Disney cartoonist Roy Williams at a press
luncheon as part of the "Cinderella" promotion.
The attraction is slated to open later
this month at Loew's Palace . . . Tom Tryon,
local actor, has been signed for his fourth
Hollywood role. He will star in "Short Cut
to Hell," a Paramount melodrama marking
James Cagney's directorial debut. Tryon previously
appeared in AA's "Screaming Eagles,"
Paramount's "The Scarlet Hour" and "Three
Violent People" and RKO's "The Lady and
the Prowler."
A sizable delegation from the regional
amusement industry will attend the March
17 testimonial dinner honoring Jimmy Durante
in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf-
Astoria Hotel, New York . Dorau
started a new tableware giveaway at the
Newington, Newington . Theatre
Associates booked a dual revival bill, consisting
of "High Society" and "Sabrina," into
the subsequent run Arch St. Theatre, New
Britain.
Jimmy PiersaU, the baseball player, was a
guest at the Connecticut Sportswriters Alliance
dinner at Hotel Statler, with newsmen
interviewing him about Paramount's upcoming
"Fear Strikes Out," which concerns
Piersall's life. He enthused, "It clears up
the situation concerning my father, whose
sole aim was to make a big league player
out of me. The TV show left a bad taste
concerning him, which the motion picture
corrects. It makes me happy, because I want
you all to know that everything my father
aid, he did for me."
. .
"The Dark Wave," 20-minute featurette for
the campaign against epilepsy, was booked
into Lockwood & Gordon's Strand, Winsted
Actress Gene Tierney found Hartford
to
.
be a rather warm city February 5. While
riding in her car, a short circuit in the
cigaret lighter caused the vehicle to catch
fire. A fire fighting unit responded and soon
had the blaze under control.
The St.
Sebastian PTA took over the M&D
.
. . .
Middlesex Theatre in Middletown February
4, 5 for benefit performances Holt
of Loew's circuit was in town; another visitor
was Dave Jacobson, Jason Theatrical
Enterprises, Torrington The Moosup,
Moosup, has new policy of distributing a free
gift to a lucky lady every Friday and Saturday
night. The independent theatre also
has started a kitchenware giveaway on Monday
nights.
i
Let Us Do Your Office Bookkeeping Work
We can save you the headaches of all your
paper work ot a small cost per theotre.
Call or Write
Bay State Amusement Enterprises, Inc.
250 Boylston St., Room 306
Boston 16, Mass. Tel. KE 6-5255
Strand at Willimantic
Relighted as the Cameo
HARTFORD—The Strand Theatre at Willimantic.
operated under numerous banners
over the years, has been renamed the Cameo
and relighted by Frank Lasala and Kenneth
Spargo. Spargo formerly served as assistant
manager of the Warner Garde in New London.
Willimantic has two other theatres—the
Stanley Warner Capitol and Jason Theatrical
Enterprises' Gem, both first run.
Ed Lord Planning Fill-in
On Yantic at Norwich
HARTFORD—An application to fill in a
portion of the east branch of the Yantic
river at Norwich for a distance of about 330
feet south of the city line has been filed
with the Army engineers by Edward P. Lord,
eastern Connecticut theatre operator, and
treasurer of the Lord Mfg. Co. No comment
was available from Lord as to the use he
intends to make of the area. With the exception
of a small parcel of land. Lord owns
the property between Falls avenue and the
river. The fill will create a lot of almost
one quarter of an acre.
NE-2 BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957

For Sharp, Straightforward^
Focus • • • ^
., . vj^>,
That's
right -to
keep your picture
sharp, run your
film through the
NEW CENTURY
CURVED GATE.
I
I
i
CENTURY curved gates are patterned erfter
the
well known CENTURY film trap and gate. The
new curved gate features solid, fixed film trap
shoes. This sturdy precision design provides positive
positioning of the film, therefore positive
focus. The aperture plate was designed as an
integral part of the film trap which serves to
maintain the correct focus.
PERFORMANCE PROOF: Nofe the following typical
exhibitor comments:
"Marked improvement on edge-foedge
"The in and out
focusing. Excellent results, of focus effect has
both color .and black and white been all but eliminated,
were tested with equally good re-
particu-
sults. Most noticeable on newsreels."
King Theofre, Honolulu
and many more.
larly on previously
buckled film."
Miracle Mile Drive-in,
Ohio, U.S.A.
See your CENTURY dealer for this new aid to better
motion picture projection.
Cektury Projector Corp.
NEW YORK 19,
L^
DISTRIBUTED
Massachusetts Theatre Equipment Co.
20 Piedmont St. Boston 16, Mass.
Phones: LI. 2-9814 — LI. 2-0356
BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957 NE-3

. . On
. . Jed
. . During
. . The
BOSTON
TJen Rogers, former manager and film salesman
in this territory, has established
offices at 462 Statler Bldg. for distribution
of Dominant Pictures, a series of Warner
Bros, combination hits. His new number is
Hancocic 6-4930. Prints for Connecticut are
handled by the New Haven Film Service;
for the other five New England states by
Film Exchange Transfer Co.
An art policy for every other Wednesday
has been established at Lockwood & Gordon's
Playhouse, Scituate, where Alex Francis-Smith
is manager. As extracui-ricular activity,
"Smithy" took 20 local Boy Scouts
on a tour of the theatre. The project was
so successful that he received requests from
neighboring towns to duplicate the tour.
Maurice "Fishy" Green of Middlesex
Amusement Co. and his wife are in Hollywood,
Fla., for six weeks . his return
from Cincinnati, where he attended Allied's
drive-in convention with several other exhibitors
from New England, Edward W. Lider,
president of Independent Exhibitors of New
England and general manager of Yamins
Theatres, was congratulated by friends on
his election as secretary of National Allied.
Larry Wallace, head of concessions for E. M.
Loew drive-ins, has been engaged by the
owners of the Town House restaurant as
manager. This attractive eating spot in the
heart of the theatrical and business districts,
was closed by fire in November 1954. It has
been completely redecorated and refurnished
by the owners, E. M. Loew and Michael
Redstone. The contractor was Julius J. Conviser,
brother of Ben Conviser, head of concessions
for American Theatres Corp. Interior
decorating was handled by the Bostton
firm of Larkin and Glassman. When
the drive-in season begins, Wallace will return
to his regular position with the Loew
circuit. No replacement for him at the Town
House has been named as yet.
"Private Censorship in Movies and TV" was
discussed Fi'iday (8), in the first Harvard
Law School Forum's series of discussions for
1957. Speakers were Godfrey Schmidt, professor
of law at Fordham University and
president of AWARE, and Patrick Murphy
Malin. executive director of the American
Civil Liberties Union. The moderator was
Prof, Benjamin Kaplan.
Personnel at the RKO exchange placed at
date of writing were: Bill Cuddy, office manager,
to U-I: Vera Palady, Cuddy's secretary,
to Welch Candy Co.; Harry Smith,
booker, to the Adams Theatre, Dorchester,
as manager for owner Al Loiu'ie; Beth Donnelly,
booker's stenographer, to Affiliated
Theatres Corp.; June Talisman, stenographer,
to Columbia Pictures; Isabel Mc-
Grath, booker's stenographer, to the Ai-my
Quartermaster Corps in Natick; Janet Tobin,
biller, to Spencer Sales Corp. Already
announced were the placements of Joe Longo,
publicist, to U-I to assist Bucky Harris
on a temporary basis and Jean Stuhl, receptionist,
to United Artists.
Bob McDonough, former Paramount shipper,
was back as an assistant booker after
four years in the Air Force . Prouty,
well known theatre manager here and now
. . . Mr. and Mrs.
at the State Theatre, Toledo, announced the
birth of his son David
George Neagle, Met Theatre, Lisbon Falls,
Me., are the parents of a son, Thomas, their
fourth child, born at Central Maine Hospital
After successful surgery at the same
. . .
hospital, Jim Pollard, owner of the Community
in Auburn, Me., was back on the
Lucien DesCouteaux, Rex Theatre,
job . . .
Manchester, N. H., made one of his rare
visits to the district when he took in the
Sportsmen's show.
Bill Kumins, Warners manager, announced
that the local branch won first place in
one of the divisions of the recently completed
Roy Haines Drive. There was general rejoicing
at the news and more elation when
the bonus checks arrived. Ralph lannuzzi,
district manager, deserves orchids of all
kinds, as all four of his branches placed
first in the four different prize divisions
for a 100 per cent record.
VERMONT
Wolus Jones, head cartoonist for the Walt
Disney studios, made a personal appearance
at Grant's store in Burlington on the
afternoon of February 2. Children, especially
. . . The
invited to the event, were asked to participate
in a "Cinderella" coloring contest
judiciary committee of the State Senate has
thrown its weight behind a rewritten bill
aimed at reducing juvenile vandalism by
holding parents legally responsible for damage
done by their minor children. The committee
reduced the size of the fine that could
be imposed under the proposed law from the
original $500 to $300. The measure is sponsored
by Senator Crawford of Orleans County.
Two Theatremen Named
To Civic Service Posts
NEW HAVEN—Two theatre executives here
were named to
important community service
positions last week.
Louis A. Brown, director of advertising and
publicity for Loew's Poli-New England Theatres,
was elected to a two-year term as a
director of the retail division of the Chamber
of Commerce. He is believed to be the
first theatreman ever to be chosen for this
post.
James M. Totman, assistant zone manager
of Stanley Warner Theatres, was named
chairman of the membership committee at
the New Haven YMCA. An active Y member,
Totman headed the highly successful annual
membership drive last fall.
New Haven U-I Leads East
In Charles Feldman Drive
NEW HAVEN—The U-I exchange here is
currently in first place in the eastern division
in the company's seventh annual
Charles L. Feldman Drive. Nationally, the
branch stands fifth among 32 U-I exchanges.
Manager Alec S.chimel won the drive's
"Man of the Week" award, the third time
he has achieved this honor since 1955. He
received a handsome scroll and a portable
television set.
Standings and awards are based on the
percentage increase in billing quotas.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
"Twice recently the Rochester Courier recalled
earlier days of motion picture
theatres in the area. In a feature story Eben
Smith pointed out that the fu-st motion picture
ad for the old Gem theatre, in the
Hartigan block in Rochester, appeared in December
1907. "We are showing three reels,
3,000 feet of film," the ad read. "These pictures
do not hurt the eyes, as they are projected
from one of the best machines made.
On account of the long show we are obliged
to give only two performances an evening.
Matinee every afternoon at 3." In a "25
Years Ago" column, the Courier reported:
"What is believed to be an innovation in
moving picture houses in northern New England
is the installation of sound transmission
equipment in the Capitol Theatre in
Concord. * • * A full row of seats in the balcony
was wired for earphones and arrangements
were made to supply the instruments
to hard-of-hearing patrons."
The Manchester town board has passed a
curfew ordinance which will keep children
under 16 off the streets after 10 p.m. The
ordinance, which had strong backing from
the police department, will go into effect
after it has been published for two successive
weeks.
BRIDGEPORT
IWrildred Papp, assistant manager at the
. . .
Beverly, was out of the hospital following
surgery The Sunday Post is now
spotting its theatrical pages ahead of television
Manager Michael J.
and radio . . .
Carroll of the American was sending postcards
from Mexico . Warner sneaked
"Top Secret Affair" . . . Jerome Conboy,
projectionist at Loew's Majestic, is a year
older.
Benjamin Ehrllich, artist for Loew's theati'es
here, is learning to play the electric
organ . the run of "Oklahoma!"
at Loew's Majestic, Manager Harry A. Rose
offered free admission to anyone arriving at
the theatre in an auto bearing Oklahoma
license plates . . . Manager Matt Saunders
of Loew's Poll planted a coloring contest in
the Post for "The Wings of Eagles."
First Theatre Bomb Scare
Experienced in Holyoke
HOLYOKE. MASS.—More than 1,000 patrons
filed out of the Victory Theatre Sunday
evening (3) when authorities cleared
the building following a bomb tip to police.
Manager AI Page, with assistance of police
and firemen, opened the exits after a stage
announcement had advised patrons of the
situation. The building was cleared in a few
moments. Search of the theatre failed to
find a bomb.
This was the fom'th hoax here this year,
previous ones having been in the city hall
and two high schools.
Florida Vacation for Perakos
HARTFORD—Peter Perakos sr.. president,
and John Perakos, assistant general manager,
Perakos Theatre Associates, are vacationing
at Clearwater, Fla.
I
NE-4 BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957

Maritime Testimonial
For Patrick Hogan
ST. JOHN—Members of the Maritime Exhibitors
Ass'n. Maritime Motion Picture
Pioneers and the Maritime
Film Board
honored Patrick J.
Hogan, veteran film
manager and exhibitor
on his recent retirement
after 34 years as
manager of the local
Paramount Film Service.
The testimonial
dinner was held in the
Admiral Beatty Hotel
here February 5.
The rooms were decorated
Patrick Hogran
with fish nets
and card displays with humorous phrases of
Newfoundland. Hogan's birthplace and location
of the four theatres he operates with
Famous Players as a partner. Irish and Newfoundland
songs were played and sung with
speeches made by Les Sprague, president of
the Maritime Motion Picture Pioneers; I. J.
Davis, president of the Maritime Film Board,
vice-president of New Brunswick; F. Gordon
Spencer, for the Maritime Exhibitors Ass'n;
General Manager Lee April on behalf of
Odeon-Maritimes; Manager F. Harrison
Howe, Paramount Theatre; James Mitchell,
manager of the Capitol Theatre; Joe Lieberman,
partner, B&L Theatres; S. A. Babb,
Franklin & Herschorn Theatres; A. A. Fielding,
Bridgewater, N. S., president of the SFA
circuit, and Joseph LeBlanc, Shediac, who
spoke on behalf of the Independent Exhibitors.
Hogan was presented with a portable typewriter
and an engraved desk set by Reginald
G. March, retired 20th Century-Fox manager.
The dinner was chaired by P. Gordon Spencer.
Eric Golding. local MGM manager, was
in charge of arrangements. Many telegrams
from all parts of Canada and the USA were
read.
Hogan will book the Capitol, Cornwall,
Paramount and Star in St. John's, Nfld., and
outpost theatres with headquarters here.
Canadian Mulls Idea
Of Telecasting a Birth
OTTAWA — The Canadian Broadcasting
Corp. is toying with the idea of booking a
British film for its television network which
shows the birth of a baby in what has been
called a demonstration of natural birth. A
CBC spokesman said: "If we feel it Is worthwhile
telecasting and we can find time for it,
it will be shown." The information is apparently
intended as a feeler for public reaction.
This would be the second birth on CBC
television, however. In an Eskimo picture on
a recent Sunday afternoon, one sequence
showed the birth of a child in an igloo, the
woman being assisted by a grandmother. It
was intimated that the CBC was unaware of
the incident in the documentary and there
were no published objections.
"Purple Hills' in Decca Records
The Toppers, quartet on the Arthur Godfrey
show, have recorded "The Purple Hills"
from RKO's "Run of the Arrow," for Decca
Records.
Voll' Ban to Stand; Stirs
Protests at Vancouver
VANCOUVER—The banning of "Baby Doll"
in British Columbia by provincial censor R. W.
McDonald and the appeal boai-d recently,
after McDonald had approved the film early
in January, cannot be contested. Attorney
General Bonner commented in Victoria.
"I don't think the statute permits overriding
decisions of the appeal board," he said.
That's the word he'll pass on to Warner
Bros. here, producer of the film, if an appeal
should be made to his department.
TOO MUCH CRITICISM
McDonald said he changed his mind because
"too much publicity" had been given
the picture, which aroused caustic criticism in
the newspapers and other quarters.
The Vancouver Sun, in an editorial, commented:
"Reasons offered by the B.C. movie censor
for approving 'Baby Doll," then reversing himself
and banning it, suggest that movie censorship
itself ought to be abolished. The
criminal code provides penalties for exhibiting
obscene or indecent movies just as it
does against obscenity or indecency in books,
magazines, radio, television or for that matter,
newspapers.
"Anyone can bring charges against the exhibitor
of a movie likely to harm the minds of
the underaged or the moronic adult. Then
the courts would decide by full reasonable
processes whether the movie was obscene
within the law as laid down by Parliament.
"It could be argued that this would leave
many movies too free to exercise baleful influence
on the young before anyone got
around to launching court proceedings. This
could be guarded against however by a review
system which merely labeled movies as adult
entertainment and possibly under categories
for public guidance.
"Like all censorship, present movie censorship
tends to extend itself. The 'Baby Doll'
ban for instance isn't based on the nature of
the picture but on what has been written
about it and said about it elsewhere.
"The censor has decided to punish the public
by depriving them of a picture written by
a top-ranking U. S. playwright because he has
decided that written discussion had made it
•notorious' and might cau.se people to go to
see it for the 'wrong motives."
BAN DUE TO COMPLAINTS
" 'Baby Doll' wasn't banned because of the
kind of picture it is. It was banned because
of the number of times the censor's telephone
rang."
The Vancouver Film Society likewise criticized
banning of the picture.
"From what we've read in the book and
about the movie," said President John Averill,
"I don't think any of the members of the Vancouver
Film Society would be especially interested
in seeing it. But what we object to
is banning a film, not for the film itself but
for its publicity. And on that basis we are
sending a protest to the censor and to Attorney
General Robert Bonner.
"We feel that most adults in British Columbia
are capable of making their own
decisioias."
The film society is hoping that interest in
the topic will bring about a revision of legislation
concerning motion pictures.
"It is quite an old act," Averill said. "I believe
it goes back at least 30 years. People
and pictures have changed in that time. It's
time the act was revised and brought up to
date."
"Baby Doll" has been banned in two other
provinces—Alberta and New Brunswick.
Morris Stein Named
Pioneer Chief Again
TORONTO—Directors of the Canadian Picture
Pioneers, now in its 17th year, meeting
in the board room of Famous Players here,
re-elected Morris Stein president and R. W.
Bolstad as vice-president. George Oullahan
was named secretary-treasurer to succeed
Tom Daley, manager of the University Theatre,
Toronto. Oullahan. who is with the
Oscar R. Hanson organization, was co-ordinator
of the recent annual meeting and banquet
of the Pioneers at the King Edward
Hotel.
Committee chairmen include the following:
membership, Len Bishop; public relations,
Claire Appel; annual golf tournament, Dan
Krendel; awards dinner, George H. Oullahan;
annual meeting. Archie Laurie, and counsel,
David J. Ongley, all of Toronto.
The benevolent fund, which operates anonymously
in the assistance of present or former
representatives of the industry in Canada,
is handled by a permanent board of trustees
headed by O. R. Hanson, honorary president.
Ernie Rawley Given Party
By Variety of Toronto
TORONTO—Barkers of Variety Tent 28
gave a sendoff to Ernest M. Rawley, a canvasman
for many years, prior to his departure
for New York City to become executive
director of a new theatre organization.
Len Bishop, manager of the Toronto Hollywood,
directed the lusty program which included
a presentation to Rawley, who was the
winner of the club's Heart award in 1951.
Rawley resigned recently as manager of the
Royal Alexandra.
The Variety Club has secured alleys at
Leaside bowling center, 832 EgUnton Ave. East,
for the use of barkers and families every
Sunday at 1 :30 p.m., arrangements for which
were made by Joe Bermack, chief trundler.
Nat Taylor, chief barker, said teams are
being organized for a Variety bowling league.
Fire in Theatre Basement
OTTAWA—The Cinema de Paris in suburban
Gatineau Point suffered a loss of $1,000
and two men required hospital attention when
a can of gasoline ignited in the basement of
the theatre last week. The theatre was not
operating at the time and firemen kept the
flames confined to the basement. Treated for
burns were Raymond Berlinquette, 27, and
Jacques Champagne, 20.
BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957
Z-1

. . Mr.
—
—
—
—
ST. JOHN
J^oug King:, manager of the Odeon Strand
and Kent theatres here, had a shocking
experience at the Kent during a Sunday midnight
performance. Four hoodlums under
the influence of liquor jumped him. King,
a wiry young man, defended himself well.
One vandal was hospitalized: another with
the assistance of the theatre staff, was held
for the police. King came out of the fracas
with a multiple fracture of the nose and
bruises. Local theatres have been plagued
with so-called "leather jacket" toughs, now
banned by most theatres.
Morris Stein, Toronto and eastern division
manager of Famous Players Canadian Corp.,
and Maritime District Manager James Mc-
Donough, Halifax, spent a few days here with
Manager Harrison Howe of the Paramount:
James Mitchell, manager of the Capitol: Gordon
and Gerald Spencer, president and secretary
of the P. G. Spencer Co. They also
visited PP partner W. W. O. Fenety, operator
of the Capitol and Gaiety, Frederickton,
N. B.
"Giant" held two weeks to solid boxoffice
in the FP Capitol, Halifax. "Baby Doll"
folded after one week in the Odeon Casino,
Hyland and Garrick. This picture was advertized
as "restricted for children under 16
years of age" . and Mrs. Arthur
Mitchell announced they will build a theatre
in Port Elgin to replace the Mayfair, recently
destroyed by fire.
Patrick J. Hogan, recently retired manager
of Paramount Film Services, was tendered
a testimonial dinner February 5 at the
Admiral Beatty Hotel by the Maritime Allied
Exhibitors Ass'n in conjunction with the
Motion Picture Pioneers and Film Board of
Trade. A large turnout honored the popular
"Pat." He has been nicknamed "Mr. Newfoundland."
Twentieth Century-Fox Manager Gordon
Lightstone jr., notified exhibitors that effective
with "The True Story of Jesse James"
projectors will have to use "small sprockets."
Fox is providing the branch with a certain
number of all-purpose Cinemascope parts
that will properly project on four-track
stereophonic or optical equipment, provided
the equipment has small sprockets. The
majority of Maritime theatres will have to
make conversion.
Exhibitors here for the Patrick J. Hogan
testimonial dinner on the occasion of his
retirement as Paramount manager, visited
Filmrow to book and buy. They were Lloyd
Mason, Capitol, Springhill: Joe LeBlanc,
Capitol, Shediac; Harry Adkins and Romeo
Nowlan, Pine, Richibucto, and Roxy,
Buctouche: A. A. Fielding, president of the
SFA circuit, operator of the Avon, Bridgewater,
Bijou and Capitol, Digby, N. S. . . .
Also booking and buying was J. P. Kiley of
Montreal and St. John's, Nfld., owner of the
Nickel and York, St. John's. Kiley also books
and buys for several outpost theatres in
Newfoundland.
The Atlantic Theatre, owned by Atlantic
Theatres, Ltd., Sheet Harbor, N. S., Reg
March, president, has been added to the
long list of Maritime theatres that have
closed. The Keneric, Chester, N. S., operated
by Eric Redden, is now operating on Fridays
and Saturdays, as is the Souris Theatre,
Souris, P.E.I, owned by C. N. Richards . . .
Bill Shaw has resigned from the St. John
Evening Times Globe newspaper to become
assistant to Manager E>oug PCing of the
Odeon Strand and Kent, St. John.
. . . "The
Samuel A. Babb of the Franklin & Herschorn
circuit has been re-elected president
of the Saint John Stamp Club
Battle of the River Plate," showing day and
date in the Odeon Casion and Hyland, Halifax,
N. S., received much free newspaper
publicity. The Halifax Mail-Star inserted
two full columns and four pictures on the
film. The port of Halifax during World War
II was the port from which convoys moved
with troops and supplies to Europe. The
Graf Spee around which this opus is built,
terrorized the sea lanes until her last battle
at the mouth of the River Plate in South
America against three British cruisers.
"Gold Rush' Continues
TORONTO—"The Gold Rush" continued at
the International Cinema, leading local offbeat
theatre, for an eighth week, which was
announced as last stanza of the revival run.
Film Covers Ross'
Career
United Artists' "The Barney Ross Story"
covers Ross' career in the ring, as a Marine
Corps hero and as a desperate man winning
a battle over drug addiction.
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Holdovers Go Strong
On 9 Toronto Screens
TORONTO—The 1957 miracle of holdovers
continued at Toronto's ace theatres, all but
one of which offered an extended engagement
during the past week, the single new
picture being "The King and Four Queens"
at the Odeon Carlton.
(Average Is 100)
Eglinlon, Towne Friendly Persuasion (AA), 8th wk.lOO
hotlywood. Palace, Runnymede Anostasio (20th-
Fox),4thwk 1]0
Hyland The Silent World (Col), 2nd wk. 110
Imperial Giant (WB), 5th wk 105
Loews The Teahouse of the August Moon
(MGM), 7th wk 100
Norfown The Opposite Sex (MGM), 2nd wk 100
Odeon ^The King and Four Queens ( UA) 110
Tivoli Oklohomo! (Magna), 42nd wk 100
University The Ten Commandments (Paro),
12th wk
1 10
Uptown Written on the Wind (U-l), 6th wk.. . ! !lOO
Snow and Freezing Air
Hits Vancouver
VANCOUVER—Snow and freezing temperatures
affected business here, but strong
product helped in some situations. "Anastasia,"
"Friendly Persuasion" and "Bumble
on the Docks" were the leaders.
Capitol Anostasio (20th-Fox) Excellent
Cinema Friendly Persuasion (AA), 4th d.t. wk. . .Good
Orpheum You Con't Run Away From It (Col). Fair
Plaza ^Rumble on the Docks (Col), Utah Blaine
(Col) 9 days Good
Strand ^The Girl He Lett Behind (WB) Fair
Studio Private's Progress (IFD), 4th wk .... Average
Vogue The King and Four Queens (UA) fair
VANCOUVER
Tvan Ackery, Orpheum manager, made the
newspapers twice. A newsreel dealing with
the mad bomber in New York is believed to
have been the incentive for a local bomb hoax.
A boy called the Orpheum and said a bomb
was planted in the theatre. Police searched
the house but found nothing. A second story
related that Ackery was given the Vancouver
traffic and safety award "in recognition for
his work in child safety."
. . .
. .
Frank Soltice, manager of the Pines Drivein
at Penticton, was in town after a Mexico
holiday doing his booking-buying for the new
season The annual meeting of British
Columbia Exhibitors Ass'n Monday (11) at
the Georgia Hotel considered further reductions
of the tax on theatre admissions. Owen
Bird is president. "Oklahoma!" in Cinema-
Scope was previewed for the visiting exhibitors
at the Vogue Sunday . Work has started on
Walter DiUadaugh's Colville Theatre in Colville,
Sask. The 250-seater will
first 35mm house.
be the town's
Bill Hale, 80, member of projectionists Local
299, Winnipeg, who retired to live in Sydney,
B.C., on Vancouver Island, died there recently
Two, three and four-house daydate
. . . bookings by the two major circuits in
this area are said to be working out better
than anticipated, and will become a steady
Lew Parry, president of Parry Films,
diet . . .
North Vancouver, returned from the annual
meeting of the Ass'n of Motion Picture Producers
& Laboratories of Canada in Toronto.
Daniel Angel, UK producer, in association
with 20th-Pox will produce "The Sheriff of
Fractured Jaw," a comedy starring Kenneth
More, in western Canada this summer.
K-2
BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957

. . . Georges
. . Phil
. . Press
. . Warner
. . Among
RESEARCH BUREAU
for
AAODERN THEATRE PLANNERS
ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMATION
The MODERN THEATRE
PLANNING mSTITUTE
825 Van Brunt Blvd.
Kansas City 24, Mo.
Gentlemen:
2-16-57
Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU
to receive information regularly, as released, on
the lollowing subjects for Theatrp Planning:
D Acoustics
Q Air Conditioning
Q Architectural Serric*
n "Black" Lighting
D Building Material
D Carpels
D Coin Machines
Q Complete Remodeling
n Decorating
D Drink Dispensers
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Theatre
Seating Capacity..
Address
City
State
Signed
n Lighting Fixtures
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D Projection Lamps
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D Signs and Marquees
n Sound Equipment
Television
D Theatre Fronts
n Vending Equipment
Postage-paid reply cards for your further convenience
in obtaining information are provided in MODERN
The
THEATRE Section, published with the first issue of
each month.
MONTREAL
r\ V. Rosen of Toronto, general manager of
IFD. vLsited the company's offices here
to confer with Jo Oupcher, local district manager
. Karibian, owner of the Pine
Theatre of Ste, Adele, was in the southern
United States. Karibian motored to Miami,
where he met his wife and son at the airport
Langlois, manager of the Cinema
Magog, a Leo Choquette ciixuit theatre, died
suddenly at Magog. Langlois, 48, is survived
by his wife. He was well known in Quebec
Province motion picture circles. Before becoming
manager of the Cinema Magog, he
was manager of the Champlain Theatre at
Cap-de-la-Madeleine. Funeral services and
burial were at Quebec City.
Dominion Sound Equipments has made
available to its employes and employes of
Northern Electric Co., 8mm motion picture
cameras and projectors. Dominion Sound recently
took on this new line, selling the Bauer
8mm movie camera, a German product, and
the Bell and Howell 8mm camera and projector,
made in Canada. Arrangements were
for employes to purchase this equipment on
a payroll deduction plan. Dominion Sound
also carries a line of 16mm cameras and projectors,
both sound and silent type.
Boxoffice returns continue highly satisfactory
in a number of local theatres, showing
"good" programs. For instance, the first run
Capitol was showing for the second week,
"The Ten Commandments" (billed as a film
for the entire family so children under 14
were allowed in the theatre). At Loew's.
"Giant" held for five weeks and at the Avenue
Theatre, the British-produced "Reach for
the Sky" featuring Kenneth More and Muriel
Pavlow, was in a fourth week.
. . Cine
Radio City Theatre also reported good boxoffice
returns with European features, "La
Rancon du Plaisir," starring Eva Stiberg and
Bengt Logardt, and "Panique au Cirque" with
Harry Piel and Elisabeth Wendt .
France Distribution, announced that "Obsession,"
a color film featuring Michele Morgan
and Raf Vallone is continuing to obtain good
public response . Bros, announced
that it will release soon for Montreal and
Quebec Province showing the highly controversial
"Baby Doll." Another forthcoming
WB release is "The Wrong Man," starring
Henry Fonda. The latter film is scheduled
for its local debut in March at the Palace
Theatre . and interested exhibitors
saw a special screening of "Une Fille Nommee
Madeleine" in the Odeon Co. office here.
The film, already showing here, has been
subject of "raves" by all. The customers' response
was "excellent."
. . .
Good response is invariably shown to film
programs of the Fine Arts Museum. Its committee
has announced that in response to
public demand it will rescreen a colored film
Sam
on the life of Leonardo da Vinci
Jacobs, sales representative for Allied Artists,
recently called on H. Lemoine of the Bijou
Theatre at Megantic . visiting exhibitors
were A. Robert of the Palace Theatre,
Granby, along with his manager-booker,
John Massicotte; Gonzalque Tremblay, Capitol,
Chicoutiml; J. R. Martin and his brother
S. J. D., Royal Theatre, East Angus.
Rip Torn, New York television actor, plays
a major role in United Artists' "Time Limit."
Huge Theatre Skji ifeV- li*
At Exhibition Pa
TORONTO—Canadian National Extubr:;o'-.
managers announced an ultramodern pern.^.anent
theatre for all types of entertainment
w-ould be opened at Exhibition Park next July
at a cost of $1,000,000.
The structure, which will seat 1,325 Is already
well advanced but its purpose had been
kept under cover pending negotiations for
touring shows for which it will be available 11
months of the year. The facilities include
motion picture equipment. It will be called
the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
Jack Arthur, former Famous Players executive
and a member of the Canadian Picture
Pioneers, is expected to manage the new
house. In the meantime Arthur is building
up the grandstand show for the 1957 exhibition
August 23-September 7. Bob Hope is
mentioned as headliner while Ringling Bros.
Barnum & Bailey Circus has been signed for
matinee performances during the week of
August 26.
Trading Stamps at Theatres
OTTAWA—The legality of trading stamps
as a premium for merchandise sales has become
a public is.sue in Canada. The subject
reached the floor of the House of Commons,
where it was brought out that the theatres at
Fort William, Ont., where Famous Players
and Odeon units are operated, had introduced
trading stamps, one of which is given with
each paid admission. When eight stamps are
collected, the patron is entitled to one guest
ticket.
Six for Adults in Ontario
TORONTO—Six features have been classified
as adult entertainment by the Ontario
Board of Censors as follows: Four Boys and a
Gun, The Great Man, Guilty, Runaway
Daughters, Wicked As They Come and A
Woman's Devotion. Chairman O. J. Silverthorne
confirmed that "Baby Doll" had been
given the classification of "restricted" which
means patrons must be 18 years of age or
over.
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^^
BOXOFFICE :: February 16, 1957 K-3

. . Steve
. . . David
. . Don
. . For
. . The
TORONTO
Joseph Paul, manager of the Paramount at
Brantford, has been named one of the
three members of a panel which will discuss
"Censorship—Good or Evil" at a meeting February
27 at the Brantford YMCA. Others on
the panel are Thomas Blower, deputy police
chief, and Cyril Sanders, editor of the daily
Brantford Expositor . York, a staffer
of the Toronto Globe and Mail, has been appointed
amusement commentator, succeeding
Alex Barris, now with the Telegram.
. .
Ginger Rogers is due here February 20 in
advance of "Oh, Men! Oh, Women!" it was
announced by Pete Myers, Canadian general
manager of 20th-Fox . Hamilton and To-
NEWS...
While It's
Hot!
'From,..
HOLLYWOOD
NEW YORK
WASHINGTON
and
ALL POINTS IN BETWEEN
about
PICTURES and PEOPLE
,
You'll Relish
Style in
the
Which
It Is Served
Every Week in n
BOXOFFICE
Nationally Extensive . . .
. . . Locally
.
Intensive
ronto theatremen gave a farewell party at
the Royal Connaught Hotel, Hamilton, in
honor of Mel Jolley who resigned as manager
of the Hamilton Century to reside with his
family at Anaheim near Los Angeles, Calif.
The Toronto delegation included Dan Krendel
of Pamou.s Players, Steve McManus of Canadian
Odeon and Jack Fitzgibbons, Theatre
Confections.
Ken Davies of the Odeon at London featured
a one-night engagement of a local
group. Lloyd Wright's Radio Rangers, during
the engagement of "The King and Four
Queens" .
Dickinson of the London
Hyland held "Friendly Persuasion" for a second
week, after a move over from the Odeon
where it played three weeks. "Friendly Persuasion"
stayed for a seventh week at the
Hamilton Century, now managed by Paul
Turnbull, late of the Hamilton Downtown.
The same picture had five weeks at the Capitol,
Peterborough.
in later years .
J. J. Fitzgibbons, Famous Players president,
spent several days in St. Michael's Hospital,
Toronto, for a rest and checkup. Al Troyer,
veteran head office executive of Famous
Players, was in the same hospital for surgery
E. Stewart, 78, owner for many
years of the former Red Mill at Hamilton,
died in St. Peter's Infu'mary after a long
illness. Born in Kincardine, he had managed
trade exhibitions in the Hamilton armories
. . Morris Stein, eastern division
manager of Famous Players, left on a
four-week vacation in Florida. Manager Vic
Nowe conducted a sneak preview of "Full of
Life" at the Toronto Odeon.
Radio Set Sales Up. While
TV Total Slips in Canada
OTTAWA—A Canadian government trade
report for 11 months of 1956 to November 30
shows a consistently downward trend in sales
of television sets but an increase in the absorption
of radio receivers. In the television
field, the number of sales last November
dropped to 61,396 from 112,099 which was the
total for the same month in 1955. For the
January-November period of 1956 total TV
sales were 548,632, compared with 680,445 in
the 11 montlis of the previous year for a drop
of approximately 130,000.
Last November radio sales climbed to 90,517
from the 72,700 total in the 1955 month. The
ll-month sales in 1956 totaled 623,636, compared
with 545,047 in the previous year's
period.
Stag at New Glasgow
NEW GLASGOW, N. S.—Henry McNeil
and Prima Davision have continued as managers
of the Roseland, Academy and Jubilee
theatres and the Highland Drive-In. local
units in the Odeon Garson circuit, following
the retirement of A. I. Garson and the purchase
of his interests in the maritimes by
Odeon. Lionel J. April is Maritime manager
for Odeon.
Calgary Drive-In Leased
CALGARY — Chestermere Drive-In, Ltd..
has taken over management of the Crescent
Theatre on a five-year lease, and it will be
operated in conjunction with the Lakeshore
Drive-In next summer, according to Pi'esident
Paul Hanson.
OTTAWA
jWratinee shows have been dropped, except on
Saturdays and holidays, at the Elmdale,
a local unit of Regional Theatres, Toronto,
of which Ralph Dale is general manager.
Manager Howard Binns of the Elmdale is
featuring the Hollywood contest one night
weekly . "A Lamp Is Heavy" at the
Odeon, Manager Jim Chalmers invited the
nurses of Civic and General hospitals as his
guests for a performance. Dui'ing the run of
the picture, which has a nursing theme, William
Zuro, an artist of nearby Stittsville, had
an exhibition of his paintings in the foyer
and mezzanine.
Manager William Parrent of the O'Brien at
Pembroke turned over the theatre Sunday
night (10) for the first of a series of concertos
by the Canadian Legion band there . . . Visiting
her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edmond
Cloutier of Ottawa, was Suzanne Cloutier,
prominent as a film and stage actress in England
and France. She was accompanied by
her husband Peter Ustinov, and their two
children.
After three weeks at the Capitol, "Giant"
moved over to the Regent and Capitol Manager
T. R. Tubman brought in "The Teahouse
of the August Moon." Ernie Warren held
"The Gold Rush" for a third week at the
Little Elgin . height of something or
other occurred at the independent Rialto here
with the featuring of a "delinquent program,"
consisting of "Women Without Names," "The
Night Holds Terror" and "Bad Blonde."
The National Film Board staged a series of
free shows on five nights at the National Research
Council theatre. February 6-14 in cooperation
with the Ottawa Film Council . . .
In observance of the fifth anniversary of the
accession of Queen Elizabeth to the throne,
Manager Jim Chalmers of the Odeon played
the colorful featurette, "Trooping the Color,"
a JARO release.
Associates and Aldrich
Working Five Writers
HOLLYWOOD—With the signing of Teddl
Sherman to develop an original comedy, the
Associates and Aldrich Co. currently has five
writers working on as many ventures. David
Chantler is scripting a story identified as
"Project X"; Robert Condon is working on
"And Two If by Sea," which is slated for
late winter lensing in New York; Oscar Millard
is doing the screenplay for "Until Proven
Guilty," and Halstead Welles is working on
screenplay of John O'Hara's short story, "Now
We Know."
'Moby Dick' at FPC Houses
TORONTO—The FPC combination of nine
local theatres for the Show of the Week featured
"Moby Dick." The nine-unit group of
Nat Taylor's 20th Century Theatres had a
week's whirl with "Odongo." The Fairlawn
and Colony joined with the downtown Odeon
in the presentation of "The King and Four
Queens" while another Odeon combination of
four houses, the Danforth, Humber, Hyland
and Cooksville, enjoyed a second week of
"The Silent World."
RKO's "Run of the Arrow" was produced,
written and directed by Samuel Fuller.
K-4 BOXOFFICE February 16, 1957

_ \
'"'
• ALPHABETICAL INDEX
• ADLINES & EXPLOITIPS
• BOXOFFICE BAROMETER
• EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
• FEATURE RELEASE CHART
• FEATURE REVIEW DIGEST
• REVIEWS OF FEATURES
• SHORTS RELEASE CHART
• SHORT SUBJECT REVIEWS
• SHOWMANDISING IDEAS
THE GUIDE TO i BETTER BOOKING AND B U S I N E S S B U I L D I N G
It's Results That Make
Showman a Champion
How does a theatre manager win a showmanship
award? Well, here's what Alan
Bamossy, city manager of Fox Intermountain
Theatres in Great F^lls, Mont., had to
do to be recognized as the outstanding
showman in his district during the past
quarter.
"Flesults mean most," Jack McGee, division
manager for Pox, said when asked
how the managers are judged. "Al produced
real results with his campaigns and
other phases of theatre operation."
Next point on which managers are
judged for these quarterly awards is maintenance
of theatre. "We found his house
clean as a pin every time it was inspected
—the ushers and other help were neat, the
restrooms were always clean and the theatre
was an inviting place," Jack observed.
Showmanship by Al brought real results.
A week before Christmas he gave away a
McGee reported.
Al also lined up an art film series for
Chevrolet sedan and trailer, which he
promoted without cost and through cooperation
of the local merchants. The contest
started eight weeks before the car
was to be given away. Emring a time when
bad grosses might normally be expected,
business was good and grosses were excellent,
the Rainbow Theatre in Great Falls. He
obtained a half dozen art films and sold
series of tickets to the showings. This resulted
in near-capacity houses.
Bamossy also has been active in community
enterprises, such as Community
Chest drives. Red Cross and the March
of Dimes. He has cooperated in every way
in keeping his theatres show places and
gathering places for the community. He
is not a Montana native. He was moved
to Great Palls from North Platte, Neb.
Prior to that, he was with Fox at Rawlings,
Wyo.
His "outstanding showman" distinction
was accompanied by a plaque. He also
will be a guest at the meeting of district
managers in California next year.
Joe Mlklos, Stanley Warner Embassy,
New Britain, Conn., discovered that DCA's
"Rock, Rock, Rock!" features a New Britain
drummer, Hermie Dressel. The latter
was invited to do a drum solo on stage
opening night at the Embassy, with the
local press covering.
Gunslinger Event Fills Matinee
A juvenile gunslinger contest brought out
50 contestants and a houseful of kids at
a recent Saturday matinee at the Sparks
Theatre, Sparks, Nev. The contest was set
up by Manager William Strange and his
assistant Val Dage, who also acted as master
of ceremonies for the contest. '
The weekly Sparks Tribune carried
details
of the contest, along with a contest
entry blank on the front page of the pa-
Uses Old Gimmick in Ads
Harry Rosenberg of the Centre, St.
Catharines, Ont., dug up an old gimmick
he had used several years ago and used
it to promote "The Slave." Rosenberg used
ads which read: "Will Definitely Be
Shown!" The Centre Theatre wishes to
announce that IN SPITE OF RUMORS
TO THE CONTRARY, the sensational motion
picture, 'The Slave' will definitely be
shown in this city. It will start Monday
at the Centre Theatre, and admittance will
be restricted to adults of 18 years of age
or over only."
'Curtain 8:40' Series
A Wednesday night "Curtain at 8:40"
series was inaugurated recently at the
Community Theatre, Morristown, N. J.,
with excellent results. Madeleine Palmieri,
manager of the Walter Reade Theatres
house, set up an interesting lobby display
on the series, using imprinted paper top
hats with the titles of the films on a lobby
drapery. All shows were sponsored by a
local fund raising group, and free coffee
was served in the mezzanine at each performance.
BOXOFFICE Showmcmdiser : : Feb. 16, 1957 37 —
pti , aiiti cuiitr-stants were limited to youngsters
from six to 11 years old.
Prizes were provided for each entrant
and grand prizes were given to the winners
of each division: (1) 6 and 7-yearolds;
(2) 8 and 9-year-olds, and (3) 10
and 11 -year-olds. Judges of the event were
the chief of police and the fire chief.
Youngsters were asked to bring their
own "shooting irons."
U-I Pre-Selling 'Battle'
Among Protestants
NEW YORK—Universal-International has
launched a nationwide pre-seUing campaign
for "Battle Hymn" among Protestant religious
groups, in cooperation with the general
department of United Church Women of the
National Council of Churches of Christ and
the Christian Herald.
Dr. Poling has filmed a special commentary
on the U-I picture for showing at preview
screenings being set up for church leaders
in key cities. More than 20,000 leaders' kits,
containing "Battle Hymn" lesson and poster
material, along with letters from Dr. Poling
and Col. Dean Hess, are to be distributed at
the screenings for subsequent use in Sunday
School, vestry and other church activities.
The guide material being provided for religious
leaders by U-I also includes copies of
the six-page gatefold brochure Issued by the
Motion Picture Ass'n of America, via Arthur
DeBra, director of community relations.
Universal-International Is also launching
the personality tours In connection with the
picture's world premiere In Marietta, Ohio,
for the Washington's Birthday weekend.
Jock Mahoney and Dan Duryea, who are costarred
with Rock Hudson, started their key
city tours Feb. 4 and Hudson the 10th.

P«r
70 INCREASE MIDWEEK BUSINESS
Vncle George Introduces Novel Plan;
Newspaper and Merchants Cooperate
BEECH GROVE, IND.—"Uncle" George
Marks, who has been operating the Grove
Theatre on weekends only since it was reopened,
has launched a Midweek Movie Club
plan designed to open the theatre two of the
other four days—Wednesday and Thursday.
Marks credits a January 19 BOXOFFICE
editorial, "Let's Fill 'Em Up," with moving
him to take action on this plan which he
had been considering for some time as a
possible solution to a small-town theatre's
poor midweek attendance.
"Your editorial on the midweek problem
moved me to action, with what results, we will
know later," Marks wrote to Ben Shlyen,
publisher of BOXOFFICE. "I had been kicking
this idea around for a long time, patterned
somewhat after the Community Concert
Series, which sells tickets to concerts in advance.
Most of the time the buyers have no
idea of who or what they are going to see.
If they don't buy a series ticket in advance,
however, they cannot buy a single ticket at
the door the night of an individual performance.
To avoid such disappointment, they
buy the series ticket. Perhaps I'm a dreamer
to think people will cherish motion pictures
that much, but with the incentive of a price
saving, it might work."
Marks' "price saving" incentive is to offer
Midweek Movie Club memberships to adults
for $1 and to children under 12 for 50 cents.
In retm-n, members will be admitted to the
Grove Theatre on each Wednesday or Thursday
for a month. Only membership ticket
holders are to be admitted on these nights, no
single admission tickets being sold on Wednesday
or Thursday at the Grove boxoffice.
Marks' first challenge was to sell the idea
to his local newspaper editor, then to the
Beech Grove merchants—enlisting the aid of
all these forces in selling the club plan to the
5,685 citizens of Beech Grove, a community
a few miles southeast of Indianapolis.
"I got my editor, Louis Luckenbill and his
associate, Don Powers, enthused about the
idea," said Marks. "The result was a front
page story."
Luckenbill and Powers, who well-remembered
the dark days in Beech Grove when
the Grove Theatre had been shuttered on a
seven-day basis, saw good reason for giving
Marks a four-column front page story under
a two-line head.
Stressing that inauguration of the Midweek
Movie Club plan depended upon sale of 500
tickets, the story carried in their Perry
Township Weekly said that the plan would
benefit everyone.
"Patrons will benefit by lower prices," said
the newspaper's story. "The theatre will
benefit by knowing it has sufficient audiences
to keep the theatre open; the community will
benefit by having an open theatre, a place
When 45 Beech
Grove, Ind., merchants
and citizens
ran this ad
CALLING ALL CITIZENS!
in the local paper
YOU CAN HELP NOW TO
to support his new
midweeli policy
idea, "Uncle"
George built more
Keep the
goodwill by sending
each sponsor a
"thank you" letter.
THEATRE
OPEN
IT WILL BE EASIER THAN
TRYING TO REOPEN IT IF FORCED
TO CLOSE
By Joining The Mid-week Movie Club Plan
ANDATTHESAMETIME ENJOY GRE+T MOVIES AT BARGAIN PRICES!
lUL Hl.'R(-H\SP A MEMBERSHIP DICOUNT llCKt-f K'OR (I ID . Far Wulu' OR »/ i QiilA
r.nL-idf. U THIS TlOrr WILL \OMlT 10LI fO THE aRO\% E\ER\ WEDNESDAY OR
IMIHM>\> l.mUNbMONTH.TIIISBRINGS THE f BICE UF h\CM \DMtSSION TO 2S, FOR
ADLLTS - 1>',f Tu KIDDIES. MID-WEEk SMO«5WILL E.\r) NO LVTf-R TH.\N9 3(1 P M HILT
AL)L LI>HM (l\1t \S.LATE^S7.» \NDSEE \lX)MPl-ETESHO\V \S THE FIRST FEATURB
WILLDt HtrtATtD .SINGLE TICKETS WILL NOT BE SOLD -O.NLY THOSE WITH A MIt>-
»EtK DIbCOL NT TICKET IMLL BE \DMITTEU.
.TlCt*tTSO-NS\LE AT GROVE THEATRE!
SOc prr Monih Umkt 12
8u) \out Tiduu Today uid Ulp Franwu Bach C*n«
YOUR TICKET NOWl
f^ oi^rptiL»u*» »;m« mnr Tf" 4.1. • um
>;=?§?" .-— V.r-?
6R0VE
HERE'S HOW
PARENTS:
THE FOLLWING MERCHANTS AND CipZENS URGE YOU TO BUY
where wholesome entertainment Is available
to children, teenagers and grownups.
"If the theatre remains closed four days a
week it puts the responsibility of maintaining
a theatre in Beech Grove on business done on
weekends. In other words, three-day operation
is required to do what normally takes
seven. If the weekend operation cannot do
enough to pay for the seven, the theatre
would have no alternative but to close its
doors. Those who remember Beech Grove
without a theatre undoubtedly do not want
this to happen again."
PARENTS' SUPPORT URGED
Beech Grove merchants also well-remembered
the business repercussions to the town
during the days when the Grove Theatre had
been shuttered. When the Perry Township
Weekly editors, at Marks' suggestion, set out
to sell a full page cooperative ad supporting
the Midweek Movie Club plan, 45 merchants,
officeholders and prominent citizens of the
town quickly pledged themselves to pay for
the ad. It appeared in the January 31 issue,
outlining the plan and especially urging parents
to buy membership cards for their children
because the theatre provides a safe place
off the street and a wholesome environment
in which neither necking nor rowdyism are
permitted by Marks.
"Whatever the outcome of the plan," wrote
Marks in a followup letter to BOXOFFICE,
"it is generating considerable comment in our
Immediate area. Our weekend business has
picked up, due, I believe, to the extra comment,
publicity and interest in our efforts.
THEATRE PATRONS RETURNING
"Another immediate result is this: patrons
stop to compliment us on our show and they
add, T hope your midweek plan works.'
Others stop and tell us, 'This is the first
time I've been out to a motion picture in
months, but we thought we'd come down and
see what all the fuss was over.' They, too, are
complimentary, and, I hope, new patrons."
Marks started the sale of membership
tickets at his boxoffice. Following appearance
of the cooperative ad in the local newspaper,
however, the participating merchants volunteered
to put the membership tickets on
sale in their respective establishments to
help Marks sell the 500 memberships that will
enable him to inaugurate the new Wednesday-Thiu-sday
policy.

Weekly Ads Stress Big Screen^ Big Pictures,
Big Stars

RESTORING UFl TO CLOSED THEATRE
Joe Green Offers Potential Audience
What It Wants, and Friendliness
DOROTHY SHENSA MILLER
The problems of reopening a theatre
which has been shut down for any length
of time are as varied as the locations of
theatres in general. Last October 11, Joe
Green and Ted Reisfeld bought the Essex
Theatre in Newark, N. J., after it had been
closed for eight months. Besides the usual
task of redecorating throughout, going
over the heating system and repairing it,
and fixing broken display cases, and reseating
the entire house, the new owners
had to acquaint themselves very accurately
with the type of moviegoer who would
come to the Essex.
Rrst of all, the Essex is located less than
a half mile from the center of Newark, but
it is not in a residential area. The people
who do live in the vicinity, are in lowincome
brackets and about 80 to 90 per
cent of the patrons are colored. But Green
didn't feel that these facts were handicaps.
NOT A MATTER OF COLOR
"People are people," he said, "and it is
our busines to provide them with entertainment."
Before the actual reopening,
circulars were distributed throughout the
neighborhood, posters were displayed in
front of the closed theatre and in various
stores, and a great deal of advertising was
done in the Negro newspapers. The marquee
carried an announcement of the opening,
several weeks prior to the date. The
outside front was brightened up with paint
and given a new look and posters told
about the "new policy" of three changes
of features a week—with continuous daily
shows from 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.—admission,
adults—50 cents; children, 25
cents.
The Essex seats about 1,000 and it
wasn't easy to fill it to even near capacity
during those first few weeks after its reopening,
but trailers on the screen, explaining
the change in policy, as well as
the signs and ads, soon proved their worth.
After four weeks, Green and Reisfeld saw
Joe Green, manager of the reopened Essex
Theatre in Newark, N. J., points to a coming
attraction sign in the lobby.
signs of increasing business.
Green, however, was quick to see several
problems pertinent to the Essex, which
might never occur in other theatres. First
of all, a great many children came unattended.
He realized how order might get
out of hand, so a motherly type woman
was hired as a sort of baby sitter. All
unattended children are seated in the balcony
and the attendant, attired in a white
uniform, manages to keep them quiet, to
caution the trouble-makers or oust them,
and to comfort and care for those who
are frightened or get hurt. This one particular
feature has proven very successful
and the increased number of kiddies coming
to the shows offsets the cost of the
"specialized" sitter.
In a theatre of this kind. Green admits
that a manager must be completely unbiased,
and should treat the patrons with
respect and understanding. A reciprocal
attitude is created in the customers.
Green is aware of the type of films his
audience seeks. "No horror shows—or
spooky ones—or pictures ridiculing their
race. They love comedy and adventure and
my big problem is in getting enough movies
for them. They like coming to the movies
and know their stars and pictures—and
are a most appreciative audience."
Green also pointed out that advertising
must be geared to the interest of the
patrons; in this case, emphasizing adequate
heating during winter months and
comfortable cooling during the summer.
A small candy counter in the lobby has
been very successful, with hot dogs a very
popular item, as well as peanuts and dixie
cups. The people are permitted to take
their food to their seats and they are
quite careful about littering. A porter is
constantly going up and down the aisles
with a broom and dustpan, removing litter.
IN THEATRES 25 YEARS
Green, a 25-year veteran in the theatre
business, formerly owned many theatres
in the New York area. He has this to say
about closed theatres and their reopening:
"Any theatre that had a potential audience,
and lost it, must have some reason
for its decline. Find the reason—and you'll
be able to reopen with a successful operation."
In the case of the Essex Theatre, Green
the
gives his audience what they want in
way of pictures, he provides a friendly atmosphere,
and makes the people feel
wanted. He also believes that the man who
establishes personal contact with the theatregoers,
such as he has, can make a success
of it.
stress SOO-Car Parking
Morris Keppner and Barney Tarantul,
partners in the Burnside Theatre at East
Hartford, Conn., have redesigned the theatre
signature cut for their daily newspaper
ads to stress parking facilities.
Burnside's space for 500 cars is not equaled
by any area suburban theatre.
For 'Sinners' in Hartford
Ray McNamara, Allyn Theatres at
Hartford, Conn., and Harry Goldstein, exploiteer
for Allied Artists, joined forces
on "Blonde Slimer" as follows:
Distributed 3,000 teaser cards on downtown
streets, and offered guest tickets for
ten longest listings of attractions starring
Diana Dors via newspaper contest.
at
i
II
IS THUTRE
RttUURlYy
TO BRING \0U THE
GBMKSr HOllYWOa)
IIIMS KmMM
TluiTWiuwitlbe...
Yo«' Hcl.
PLEASAlyfEYHWTED
INTH£WINT£R
DUlGHmJUYOOOIID
X INSUMiVim
TOKEIPTHIS
Vital in promotion of a theatre reopening is impressing on the potential
customers the "new polices" which have been fixed as foundation of the
campaign to bring back the customers. Here signs are prominently displayed
over the door to the auditorium section in the lobby of the Essex in Newark,
N. J., constantly reminding the patrons about the policy of the reopened
house and its screen attractions.
40 BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: Feb. 16, 1957

University Sponsors
Art Festival Event
Paul Gifford Anglim, for two years organizer
of the Pox Intermountain Theatres
Film Festivals, recently set up film
festival events for four Ubah and Idaho
}
towns for the Intermountain Theatres circuit.
The festivals were set up at Logan
and Provo, Utah, and Boise and Twin Falls,
Ida.
At Logan. Anglim and Robert Hodges,
manager of the Capitol Theatre, secured
the sponsorship of the department of fme
arts at Utah State College for the film
festival. The department went all-out with
each section taking a special part of the
program as a class project.
The music department arranged a short
concert, the art department designed and
executed a special program for the evening
of the festival, and a special committee
rounded up an art exhibit of 27
paintings for the theatre lobby. A group
of faculty wives poured tea and served
other refreshments during a social hour
held before the showing.
Hodges said the townsfolk were highly
enthusiastic about the festival and on the
second program, he reported more than
500 subscriptions sold and an attendance
of over 1,000 for the one night, one-showing
affair.
The series opened with "The Sheep Has
Five Legs." then "Rififi," and wiU be followed
with "Wages of Fear," "The Ballet
of Romeo and Juliet," "Alda" and "Um-
I. berto D." Six programs are sold for $4.50,
" with students prices at $3. Single admissions
are $1.
Nipon Writing on Letter
For 'Madame Butterfly'
Manager Walter Klements of the Mayfair
Art Theatre in Miami sent out letters
decorated with Japanese characters to his
mailing list of patrons to promote
"Madame Butterfly," which also opened at
the Sunset Ai-t and Cameo theatres.
Composer Mana Zucca, a resident of
Miami gave the following quote to be used
over her name in advertising: "Rnest production
of this opera I have ever seen. I
shall never forget it."
The signed letter read:
Illustrious
One:
I do not know what the Japonese characters on
this page mean, but if they were written by someone
who hod seen Puccini's "Madame Butterfly,"
they would surely be words of praise for this magnificent
production.
If you are a lover of grand opera, you too, will
sing the praises of this exquisite motion picture in
glorious color, sung by the world's greatest operatic
voices, with the finest Italian and Japanese
cast.
And even if you are not an opera fan, you will
be thrilled by this tender love story, narrated in
English. Plan to see it for rich, rewarding entertainment.
"Madame Butterfly" is showing at the Cameo,
Sunset and Mayfair Art Theatres starting today,
for a week's engagement.
Short Subject Promotion
Wins January Citation
Lou Liss
Jim Morin
Two showmen, who figured prominently
in the general exploitation of individual
have been awarded BOXOFFICE
pictures,
Showmandiser Citations of Honor. The Citation
awards were based on contributions
to Showmandiser published in January.
Outstanding in the general exploitation
field was the work of Charles Kerwin, Tivoli
Theatre, Brisbane, Australia, who, in
promoting the British film, "A Town Like
Alice," saw to it that every segment of
the public knew about the program. In a
tieup with an oil company, Kerwin worked
out 45 different ways of telling Brisbane
people about the picture and stimulating
their desire to see it. Showmandiser page
22.
Robert L. Mannel, Theatre Del Mar. Santa
Cruz, Calif., won an award in the same
category for his work on "Friendly Persuasion."
Page 14.
For his timely promotion of a short subject,
Paul Reynaud, Capitol Theatre, Union
City, N. J., won an award. Capitalizing
on the current popularity of Lawrence
Welk, TV favorite, Reynaud asked his U-I
exchange to get a print of a four-year-old
reel, "The Modernaires," featuring Welk.
With the booking of the short subject,
Reynaud projected the Welk angle into a
five-way local tieup with area music shops,
beverage dealers and a Dodge agency. The
result was 40 per cent more than the
gross that could be anticipated normally
for the two feature films the Capitol was
showing. Page 1.
F. Harrison Howe. Paramount, St. John.
N. B., won an award in the teenage promotion
category for the lobby disc jockey
sessions he innovated for "Love Me Tender."
The no-cost promotion was set up
BOXOFFICE Showmcmdiser :: Feb. 16, IBM — 41 —
Jack M. Sherier Harrison Howe
with a local radio station conducting a
half-hour disc jockey session in the theatre
lobby during the playdates. Page 8.
A special award went to Walter Kessler,
manager of Loew's Ohio Theatre, Columbus,
Ohio, for his successful juvenile control
program, which he calls, "Operation
Juvenile." P(age 16.
Jack M. Sherzer, Beverly Theatre,
Brooklyn, N. Y., won an award in the field
of public relations with his 25th anniversary
party for patrons, which included the
serving of hot franks, fancy cookies, hors
d'oeuvres, interviews with patrons and
giveaways. Page 10.
Also in the field of public relations, an
award went to J. W. Beach, Appalachian
Theatre, Boone, N. C, for his program directed
at building goodwill among area
school teachers. Page 21.
Jim Morin, Cooper Theatre, Brazil. Ind.,
won an award in the merchant cooperation
field with a trailer-pass program he instituted.
Page 9.
Lou Liss, Lincoln Theatre, Miami Beach,
Fla., received an award in the display category
for the huge front display he used
to promote "Baby Doll." The 28-foot front
had 20x6-inch boxed letters painted in
red glow paint which
caught the eye from
many blocks away.
Page 20.
Elmer DeWitt, manager
of Mailers Theatres,
Defiance, Ohio,
received an award
for his successful telephone
sales campaign
on a theatre
stage show. Page 17. Paul Reynaud
p
M^'
Robert L. Mannel Elmer DeWitt J. W. Beacli

BOXOFFICE
BAROMETER
Thit chart records the performance of current attractioni in the opening week of their first runt in
the 20 key cities checi(ed. Pictures with fewer than five engagements are not listed. As new runs
are reported, ratings are added and averages revised. Computation is in terms of percentage in
relotion to normal grosses as determined by the theatre managers. With 100 per cent as "normal,"
the figures show the gross rating above or below that mark.
Anastasia (20th-Fox) 300 275 190 230 200 130 165 200 220 250 300 250 150 180 120 210 300 216
Baby Doll (WB) 210 225 175 320 200 250 275 250 220 150 230 200 145 200 225 218
1 Bundle of Joy (RKO)

^ A %M M E 1^ y «• D V V
Feature productions by company in order of release. Number in square It national release date. Running
time is In parentheses. ^ Is tor CInemoScope; ^ VlitaVlsion; % Superscope; H Noturamo. Symbol V.i
denotes BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award; ^ color photography. Letters ond combinations thereof indicate
story type: (C) Comedy; (D) Dromo; (Ad) Adventure-Drama; (CD) Comedy-Droma; (M) Musical; (W) Western.
(Complete key on next page.) For review dotes ond Picture Guide poge numbers, see Review Digest.
ALLIED ARTISTS
M Crime in tlie Stretts
| U
(91) Cr..5614
John CassAvetes. James Wbltmore
El ©Nalced Hills. The (73) OD. .5605
l>ail(j Wayne, Keenan Wynn
gj King of the Coral Sea
(74) Ad .5617
Chips liatferty. lima Adey
a ©First Texan (82) ©..W..5615
Joel McCrea. Felicia Farr
n ta u
Feature chart
.H

.
.
.
.W.
.W.
.
.
.
.D.
.
FEATURE
CHART
TiM Kay to IcHera and eombinotlons thereof Indicating story type: (Ad) Adventure Drama; (Ae) Action
Drama; (An) Animoted-Action; (C) Comedy; (CD) Comedy-Dromo; (Cr) Crime Drama; (DM) Oro"?!
with Mutic; (Doe) Documentary; (D) Drama; (F) Fantasy; (FC) Force-Comedy; (Ho) Horror Dromo; (HI)
Historical Drama; (M) Musical; (My) Mystery; (OD) Outdoor Drama; (SF) Science-Fiction; (W) Western.
REPUBLIC
aeDakota Incident (88). W.. 5510
Linda Darnell, Dale Kobertson
(S OThunder Over Arizona
(75) ® W..55U
Skip Homeler. Krlstlne Miller
SDOLisbon (90) (g) D..5S12
Ray Mllland, Maureen O'Hara
O Strange Adventure, A
(70) D..5537
Joan Evans, Ben Cooper
m (JiDaniel Boom, Trail
Blaief (76) Ad.. 5513
Bruce Bennett, Lon Cbaney
SS Scandal, Inc. (79) D..5514
Robert Button, Patricia Wright
Man Is Armed, The
(70) Ac. 5538
Dane Clark. May Wynn
m Above Ui (he Waves (92) . D . . 5601
John Mills, John GregsoD
{S (^Woman's Devotion, A
(88) D..5602
Ralph Meeker, Janice Rule
glOAccused of Murder
(73) ® D..5603
David Brian, Vera Ralston
a ©Tears for Simon (91) . . D . . 5604
David Farrar, Julia Arnall,
Daild KnIghf
SS ©Congress Dances, The
(90) © M..
Johanna Matz and (German cast
@ Duel at Apache Wells
(..) ® W..
Jim Davis, Anna Maria Alberghettl,
Ben Cooper
Q] ©Affair in Reno (..) (g)..D.
John Lund, Doris Singleton
Man in Question, The D
Enia Raines, Derek Farr
Hell's Crossroads (g) D
Stephen McNally, Peggie Castle
©Spoilers of the Forest ® OD
Vera Ralston, Rod Cameron
©In Old Vienna M.
Heinz Roettlnger, Robert KnUck
©Stockade ® OD
Ray Mllland
20TH-FOX
©0-Day the 6Ui of June
(106) © D. .612-2
Robert Taylor, Dana Wynter,
Edmond O'Brien, Richard Todd
©Abdullah's Hartm (88) . CD .. 613-0
Ciregory Batoff, Kay Kendtll
©Massacre (76) W. .614-8
Dana Clark, Marta Rot*
^©King and I, The
(133) ©55 DM.. 615-5
Deborah Kerr, Yul Bryoner
(Special engagaaenta)
Barefoot Battalion (63). . .0. .617-1
Maria (Tostl, Ntcos Fermas
(Reviewed 5-

. .SF.
Ad.
. D
Sep
.
.
. D.
. . Nov
FEATURE CHART
^HORTS CHART
INDEPENDENT g tl
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL
Oklahoma Woman (73) i) W..Jun56
lUchard litniilng, Peggie C«stle
Female Jungle (71) D..Jun56
Jayne MansTleld. Laurence Tterney
©Gunslinoer (83) W. .Jun 56
Juhn Ireland. Beicrly Garland
Girls in Prison (87) Ac. .Jul 56
lik'hard Denning, Joui Taylor
Hot Rod Girl (75)'. Ac. Jul 56
I^ri Nelson. John Smith
rhe She-Creature (77) Ho .. Aug 56
. .
Maria English, Chester Morris
Aug 56
It Conquered the World (75). .
Peter (;r;nes, Beverly Garland
Shake, Rattle and Rock (77) M. Not 56
Fats liuiuino. Lisa Gaye
Runaway Daughters (90) Nov 56
Marlu Bngllsh, Lance Fuller
©Naked Paradise (80) Ac. Jan 57
KIchard Denning. Beverly Garland
©Flesh & the Spur (80) Ac Jan 57
John Agar. Maria Bnglish
ARLAN
Living North. The (74) Dm .
Filmed In Lapland: native cajt
(t>)gllsh narration)
ASSOCIATED FILM
Wild Dakotas (73) W.. Feb 56 TOP PICTURES
Hill WllUaras. Coleen Gray. Jim Davis SFronticr Woman (80) W. .Jul 56
Blonde Bait (71) D.. Apr 56 Cindy C.l^^on, l^ncc Fuller, Ann Kelly
Beverly Michaels. Jim Davis
Three Outlav»s, The (74) ®235. W. May 56 TRANS-LUX
Neville Brand, Brute Bennett, .\lan Hale
3Daiice Little Lady (87) D.. Mar 56
M.il Zetlerling. Terence
Frontier Gambler (70) W.
Morgan
.Jul 56
Lovers
John Brorafleld, Coleen Gray
and Lollipops (85) CD.. Apr 56
LnrI
Naked Gun, The (70) W.. Nov 56
March, Gerald OXoughlln
Wlllard Parker, Mara Corday, B. MacUine WOOLNER BROS.
ASTOR
©Swamp Women (75) D.. Apr 56
Dynamiters. The (74) D. Apr 56 Bivcrly GarLind. Marie Windsor, C. Mathews
Wayne Morris, Slmone SUva
Fear (82) D . . May 56
Mathlas
Passport to Treason (70)
ingrld Bergman, Wleman
Md..Jun56 REISSUES
Bud Cameron, Lois Maiwell
©Men of Sherwood Forest (77) . .Sep 56 ALLIED ARTISTS
Don Taylor. Eileen Moore
(73)
Dec 56
Rose Bowl Story, The D..DKS6
.Maisliall Thonipsun, Vera Miles,
Hour of Decision ( . ) . . .
Jeff Morrow. Haiel Court
N.it.ilie Wood
BANNER
©Wetbacks (86) AC. May 56
COLUMBIA
Uoyd Bridges. Nancy ©Ten Tall Men (97) Ad..No

.Jul
.
. . +
SHORTS
CHART
Short subjects, listed by company. In order of release. Running time tollows title. First Is national releose
month, second the dote of review in BOXOFFICE. Symbol between dates is rating from BOXOFFICE
review. ^ Very Good. + Good. ^ Fair. — Poor, s Very Poor. Photography: Color and process as specified.
S16-9TO Boo or Not to Boo
(7) Sense
S16-10 As the Crow Lies
(6) Sep 56
S16-11 Slip Us Sorae Redskin
(7) Sep 56
516-12 Boo Seoul (S).... Sep 56
CASPER CARTOONS
(Technicolor)
B15-1 Red, White & Boo (6) Oct 55 + 1-28
B15-2 Boo Kind to Animals
(6) Dec 55 + 1-21
B15-3 Ground Hog Play (6) . Fell 56 -f 3-17
B15-4 Dutch Treat (6) Apr 56 -|- 5-26
B15-5 Penpuin for Your Thouphts
(7) Jun56-f 7-21
B15-6 Line of Screanimage
(6) Aug 56 + 11-17
(1956-57)
B16-1 Fripht From Wrong
(6) Nov 56
616-2 Spooking About
Africa (6) Jan 57 ....
GRANTLAND RICE SPORTLIGHTS
R15-1 Sporting Dogs Afield
(9) Oct 55 + 10-22
R15-2A Nation of Athletes
(9) Nov 55 -(- 1-28
R15-3 Animal-Sports Quiz
(9) Feb 56 -I-
3-24
R15-5 Carolina Court Champs
(10) Mar 56 + 5-26
R15-4 Winter Wonder Trails
(9) Apr 56 +6-9
R15-6 Men Who Can Take It
(9) Jun56 -f 7-21
HERMAN & KATNIP
(Technicolor Cartoons)
H15-1 Mousieur Herman (6) Nov 55 + 1-21
H15-2 Mouseum (6) Feb 56 4- 3-17
HlS-3 Will Do Mousework
(6) Jun56 -f 7-21
H15-4 Mousetro Herman (6). Aug 56 + 10-13
(1956-57)
H16-1 Hide & Peak (6) Dec 56 + 2-9
NOVELTOONS
(Technicolor)
P15-3 Kitty Cornered (6) . . Dec 55 + 1-21
P15-4 Sleuth but Sure (6). Mar 56 -f 5-26
P15-5 Swab the Duck (6) . May 56 9-15
P15-6 Pedro & Lorenzo (6). Jul 56 + 10- 6
(1956-57)
P16-1 Sir Irving and Jeamet
(7) Oct 56 + 11-17
P16-2 Lion in the Roar (6) . Dec
P16-3Pe5t Pupil (6) Jan 57
POPEYE CARTOONS
(Technicolor)
E15-3 A Job for a Gob (6) . Dec
56 -f 2-9
55 + 1-21
E15-4 Hlllbilling & Cooing
(6) Jan 56 -f 1-21
E15-5 Pooeye (or President
„, , Apr 56 + 5-26
E15-6 Out to Punch (6) . . .Jun 56 -f 7-21
E15-7 Assault & Flattery (6). Jul 56 10- 6
E15-8 Insect to Injury (6) . .Aug 56 + 11-17
(1956-57)
E16-1 Parlez Vous Woo (6). Oct 56 + 11-17
E16-2 I Don't Scare (6).. Nov 56+ 2-9
E16-3 Haul in One (6).... Dec 56
TOPPERS
M15-1 Three Kisses (10) Oct 55 + 12- 3
M15-2 Reunion in Paris(lO) Nov 55 4- 1-28
M15-3 Animals a la Carte
(10) Jan 56 ± 1-21
M15-4 There's Gold in Them
Thrills (10) Mar 56 — 3-31
M15-5 Ups and Downs (9) . May 56 + 5-26
M15-6 Herman Hickman's Football
Review (10) Aug 56 + 12-15
VISTAVISION SPECIALS
V15-2VV Visits Panama
(10) Jun 56 + 7-21
V15-1 Bing Presents Orcste (10) .4+10-6
V15.3 VV Visits Gibraltar
(10) Aug 56 H 10-13
V15-4 VV Visits Austria
(17) Oct 56 H 12-15
RKO RADIO
BROWN-KIRKWOOD
REISSUES
53. 601 Heart Troubles (16). Sep 55
63.602 Put Some Money In the Pot
(17) Nov 55
EDGAR KENNEDY REISSUES
63.501 No More Relatives
(IS) Sep 55
63.502 How to Clean House
(18) Oct 55
63.503 Dig That Gold (17). Nov 55
63.504 Contest Crazy (17). Dec 55
GIL LAMB REISSUES
63.301 Groan and Grunt (17) Sep 55
63.302 Bashful Romeo (16) . Oct 55
LEON ERROL REISSUES
63.701 Wife Tames Wolf (17) Sep 55
63.702 Dad Always Pays
(18) Oct 55
63.703 Sdoo* Speaks (19) . . Nov 55
63.704 In Room 303 (17).. Dec 55
MY PAL REISSUES
63.201 Dog of the Wild (21) Oct 55
63.202 Pal, Canine Detective
(22) Nov 55 ....
RAY WHITLEY REISSUES
63.401 Musical Bandit (16) Oct 55
63.402 Bar Buckaroos (16). Dec 55 ....
SCREENLINERS
64.206 Fortune Seekers (8). Feb 56 + 3-24
64.207 We Never Sleep (8). Mar 56 + 4-28
64.208 Where Is Jane Doe?
(8) Mar 56 + 4-28
64.209 Merchandise Mart
(8) Apr 56 + 4-28
64.210 Phonies Beware (8). May 56 +7-7
64.211 Emergency Doctor
(8) Jun 56 9-15
64.212 Law & The Lab (8) . 56 + 9-15
(1956-57)
74.201 The Dikes (10) Sep 56 ...
74.202 Lonely Guardian
(11) Oct 56 + 12-15
74.203 Struggle in the
North (10) Nov 56 1-12
74.204 White Peril (S) Dec 56 + 1-12
74.205 Beach of Nazare
(8) Jan 57 ....
74.206 Winter Woodsman
(9) Feb 57 ... -
SPECIALS
73.101 Alert Today-Alive
Tomorrow (I51/2) . . .Sep 56
73.102 Born to Fight (15). Oct 56 +
....
1-12
73.103 Alaska Lifeboat (21) Nov 56 ff 1-12
SPORTSCOPES
64.303 Bonefish and Barracuda
(8) Oct 55 + 12-10
64.304 Canadian Carnival (8) Nov 55 + 1-14
64.305 Headpin Hits (8).. Dec 55+ 1-14
64.306 Island Windjammers
(8) Jan 56 + 3-24
54.307 Ski-Flying (8) Feb 56 + 4-7
64.308 Canadian Lancers
(8) Mar 56 + 4-28
64.309 Striper Time (9)... Apr 56+ 4-28
64.310 Races to Remember
(8) May 56 + 6-9
64.311 Four Minute Fever
(9) Jun 56 ±7-7
(1956-57)
74.301 Aqua Babes (9) Aug 56 + 9-15
74.302 Ice Climbers (8).. Aug 56
74.303 Canoeman's Holiday
(8) Sep 56
74.304 Big Blue Goose (8). Oct 56 + 12-15
74.305 High Dive Kids (8) . Nov 56
74.306 Holland Sailing (9) . . Dec 56 + 1-12
SPORTS SPECIALS
73.901 Football Highlights
(15) Dec 56 + 1-12
73.801 Basketball Highlights
(..) Apr 57
WALT DISNEY CLASSICS
(Technicolor)
74.101 Hockey Champ (7).. Aug 56 ....
74.102 Pluto at the Zoo
(8) Aug 56
74.103 Donald's Tire
Trouble (7) Sep 56
74.104 Purloined Pup (7).. Oct 56
74.105 Billposters (8) Oct 56
74.106 Pluto's Playmate (8) Nov 56
74.107 Donald's Snow Fight
(7) Dec 56
74.108 Society Dog Show
(8) Dec 56
WILDLIFE ALBUM
73,001 World in a Marsh
(22) Nov 56 H 12-15
20th CENTURY- FOX
CINEMASCOPE SPECIALS—COLOR
7603-4 Adventure in Capri
(9) Feb 56 + 4-21
7608-3 Land of the Bible
(21) Apr 56
7605-9 Hunters of the Sea
(9) May 56
7609-1 The Dark Wave (23) Jun 56 ff 6-9
7607-5 Cowboys of the Maremma
(9) Jun 56
7604-2 Pigskin Pewecs (9). Jul 56
7606-7 Honeymoon Paradise
(9) Aug 56
7a0.9 Hunting the Netchik
(9) Oct 56 + 2-9
7611-7 Spirit of the Race
(9) Nov 56 + 2-9
7612-5 Catching Sea Creatures
(9) Dec 56 2-9
7613-3 Outpost Korea (7) . Dec 56 + 2-9
TERRYTOONS
(Technicolor)
5601-0 The Clockmaker's Dog
(7) Jan 56 4-21
5602-8 Miami Maniacs (7) . Feb 56 + 5-26
5603-6 Hep Mother Hubbard
(7) Mar 56 ± 5-26
5604-4 Baffling Bunnies (7) Apr 56
TERRYTOON-CINEMASCOPES
(Technicolor)
5631-7 Park Avenue Pussycat Jan 56 ....
5632-0 Uranium Blues (7).. Feb 56 + 4-28
5633-3 Scouts to the Rescue
(7) Mar 56 ± 5-26
5634-1 Oceans of Love (7) . Apr 56
5635-8 Lucky Dog (7) May 56 + 12-15
5636-6 Police Dogged (7).. Jun 56
5637 4 Brave Little Brave
(7) Jul 56 12-15
563S-2 Cloak & Stagger
(7) Aug 56 12-15
TERRYTOON TOPPERS
(Technicolor Reissues)
5605-1 Wolfs Pardon (7). May 56
5606-9 Felix the Fox (7).. Jun 56
5607 7 The Lyin' Lion (7)..JulK
5608-5 Paint Pot Symphony
(7) Aug 56
5609-3 Kitten Sitter (7) ... Sep 56
5610-1 Flying Cups & Saucers
(7) Oct 56
5611-9 One Note Tony (7). .Nov 56
5612 7 Mystery in the Moonlight
(7) Dec 56
UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL
CINEMASCOPE FEATURETTE
(Technicolor)
2600 The Nat "King"' Cole
Musical Story (18) H 12-10
COLOR PARADE
2675 Olympic City (9) May 56 + 4-7
2676 Invitation to New York
(91/2) Jul 56 ± 7-7
2677 On the Boardwalk
Aug 56
(. .)
2678 Hula Happy (9) Oct 56 + 1-19
3671 Holiday
(1956-57)
in the Hills (9) + 1-19
3672 Valley . .
ff 1-19
3673 Frozen Frontier (9) + 1-19
of Two Faces (10)
MUSICAL FEATURETTES
2657 Cool & Groovy (15).. May 56 +6-9
2658 Rhythms With Rusty
(15) Jun 56
2659 Mirth & Melody (15). Jul 56 + 9-15
2660 Bright & Breezy (16) .Aug 56
(1956-57)
3651 Riddles in Rhythm (15) . 1-19
3652 Skylarkin' Time (15) + 1-19
VARIETY VIEWS
2691 Alert to Danger (9) ..Jan 56 +6-9
2692 Brooklyn Goes to Paris
(9) Feb 56 * 4-7
2695 Everybody Dances (9). Jul 56 ff 10- 6
2696 Screwball Sports (9). Aug 56 ± 9-15
2597 Brooklyn Goes to
San Francisco (9). Sep 56 ff 10- 6
WALTER LANTZ CARTUNES
(Technicolor)
2612 Pigeon Holed (6) . . . . Jan 56 2613 After the Ball (6) Feb 56 +
2614 Get Lost (6) Mar 56
2615 Ostrich Egg and I (6) Apr 56 +4-7
3-3
3-3
2616 Chief Charlie Horse
(6) May 56 + 3-31
2617 Room and Wrath (6) . .Jun 56 ± 7-7
2618 Woodpecker From Mars
(6) Jul 56 + 7-7
2619 Hold That Rock (6).. Jul 56
2620 Talking Dog (6).... Sep 56
2621 Calling All Cuckoos
(6) Sep 56 9-15
2622 Niagara Fools (6) Oct 56 11-17
2623 Arts & Flowers (6). Nov 56 + 10-13
(1956-57)
3611 Woody Meets Davy
Crewcut (7) Dec 56 ....
3612 Fowled Up Party (7).. Jan 57
3613 Red Riding Hoodlum
(7) Feb 57
3614 Plumber of Seville (6) 1-19
3615 Box Car Bandit (6) 1-19
3616 Operation Cold Feet (6).... + 1-19
WALTER LANTZ REISSUES
2634 Scrappy's Birthday
(7) May 56
2635 Wild & Woody (7)... Jun 56
2636 Drooler's Delight (7) .Jul 56
WARNER BROS.
3910 24. Hour Alert (30) U. S.
Force Short (3 reels) .
BLUE RIBBON HIT PARADE
(Technicolor Reissues)
Doggone Cats (7) .. . .Sep 55
3301
3302 Rattled Rooster (7) . . Oct 55
3303 Fair and Wormer (7). Nov 55
3304 Mousemerized Cat (7) . Nov 55
3305 Foghorn Leghorn (7).. Dec 55
3306 Bone, Sweet Bone (7). Jan 56
ft 12-31
BUGS BUNNY SPECIALS
3723 Knight-Mare Hare (7). Oct 55
3724 Roman Legion- Hare
(7) Nov 55+ 1-28
3725 Bugs Bonnets (7) Jan 56 + 3-31
3726 Broomstick Bunny (7). Feb 56+ 4-21
3727 Rabbitson Crusoe (7). Apr 56
CLASSICS OF THE SCREEN
3101 Small Town Idol ' (29) .Sep 55
3102 It Happened to You
(IS) Dec 55 ff 2-25
3103 Dog in the Orchard
(20) Nov 55
COLOR
SPECIALS
3001 Movieland Magic (19). Oct 55
3002 Golden Tomorrow (17). Nov 55 +1-7
3003 Behind the Big Top
(18) Dec 55
3004 They Seek Adventure
(19) Jan 56 + 3-17
3005 Out of the Desert (19) Feb 56 ff 3-31
3006 Copters & Cows (17) Mar 56 . ff 4-21
.
JOE
McDOAKES COMEDIES
3401 So You Want to be a Vice-
President (10) Oct 55 + 12-31
3402 So You Want to be i
Policeman (10) Dec 55 + 1-28
3403 So You Think the Grass
Is Greener (10) Jan 56 + 3-31
3404 So You Want to Be
Pretty Mar 56 + 4-21
MELODY MASTER BANDS
(Reissues)
3803 Ozzie Nelson & Orch.
(10) Dec 55
3804 Carl Hoff & Band (10) Feb 56
3805 Borrah Minevitcb (10) .Apr 56 ....
MERRIE MELODIES—LOONEY TUNES
(Technicolor)
3701 Dime to Retire (9). Sep 55 ff 1-14
3702 Speedy Gonzales (7).. Sep 55 +1-7
3703 Two Srents Worth (7). Oct 55 + 1-14
3704 Red Riding Hoodwinked
(7) Oct 55 ....
3705 Heir Conditioned (7). Nov 55+ 3-3
3706 Guided Muscle (7) Dec 55 ....
3707 Pappy's Puppy (7)... Dec 55+ 2-25
3708 One Froggy Evening
(7) Jan 56 + 3-24
3709 Too Hop to Handle
(7) Jan 56 + 4-7
3710 Weasel Stop (7) Feb 56 it 3-31
3711 High & Flighty (7).. Feb 56+ 4-28
3712 Rocket Squad (7) Mar 56 ff 4-21
3713 Tweet & Sour (7) Mar 56
3714 Heaven Scent (7) Mar 56
3715 Mixed Master (7) Apr 56
3716 Gee Whiz-z-z-2 (7)... May 56
SPORTS PARADE
3501 Picturesque Portugal
(9) Jan 56 ± 1-7
3502 Fish Arc Where You
Find Them (10) Jan 56 +4-7
3503 Green Gold (10) Feb 56 ft 4-28
3504 Crashing the Water
Barrier (10) Mar 56 + 4-28
WARNER VARIETIES
3601 An Adventure
(9)
to Remember
Oct 55 + 1-14
3602 Shark Hunting (9) Nov 55
3603 Faster and Faster (9) . Dec 55 + 4-7
3604 Ncckin' Party (9) Mar 56
3605 I Never Forget a Face
(. .) Apr 56
WARNERCOLOR SCOPE GEMS
(Two Reel)
3211 Journey to the Sea
(18) Sep 55 ff 3- 3
(One Reel)
3220 Heart of an Empire
(9) Sep 55 ± 2-18
3222 Ski Valley (9) Sep 55 + 2-25
3221 Springtime in Holland
(9) Dec 55 ....
INDEPENDENT
©On the 12th Day (20)
George K. Arthur ft
The Face of Lincoln (16) Cavalcade ff
The Bespoke Overcoat (37)
George K. Arthur +
©London's Country (18)
British Information Service.
©East Anglian Holiday (26)
British Information Service.
©Festival in Edinburgh (14)
British Information Service.
©Jungle Search (25)
British Information Service.
Operation Noah (28)
+ 6.
+ 7
+ 7
It 7
U. S. Army Engineers + 7
©Man in Space (33) Buena Vista, ff 7
©West Country Journey (26)
British Information Service. + 7
Ballet Girl (23) Brandon ff 10
10 BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: Feb. 16, 1957

-11. li
—
—
—
m
XHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
lABOUT PICTURESI
It \v
^
ALLIED ARTISTS
Big Combo, The (AA)—Cornel
Wilde, Richard Conte, Brian
Donlevy. Here's one of those nice
little $7.50 sleepers we used to
buy from Monogram. Only, now
AA makes 20 pictures a year, instead
of 50, and gets $17.50 each
for the 20. I used to be able to
double them at the $7.50 price
and make money. Now, I double
them at this price and if AA
isn't making money on them,
then we'd do better ignoring each
other. It's a nice little program
picture about cops and gangsters,
but TV crowded us marquee
renters out of the field.
that nowadays we're in the business
of selling juvenile delinquents
new and better ways of
being more delinquent. Played
Fri., Sat. Weather: Snow.—Bob
Walker. Uintah Theatre, Fruita,
Colo. Pop. 1463.
It seems
BUENA VISTA
Fantasia (BV)—Animated features.
Long hair music plus animation
put the thing over and
it did okay. It was nice to get
a four-track print again. First
one In eight months. Can't even
get Mr. Skouras to send one.
Played Wed.-Sat. Weather: Cold.
—Jim Fraser, Auditorium Theatre,
Red Wing, Minn. Pop. 10,645.
COLUMBIA
Cockleshell Heroes (Col)—Jose
Ferrer, Trevor Howard, Victor
Maddern. It caught my fancy
and I enjoyed the movie, plus
the Digest story. Sure it is English,
but they had their heroes,
too! Businesswjse, it was a big,
big flop—one of the biggest eggs
in years. I hope Columbia checks
us once—maybe then? Played
Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather: Wintry
and snow.—Ken Christianson,
Roxy Theatre, Washburn, N. D.
Pop. 913.
Combat Squad (Col)—Reissue.
John Ireland, Lon McCallister,
Hal March. Put this in the only
place it could possibly fit—with
a dualler on Friday-Saturday.
Some of the younger fry came
out to see what it was aU about
and evidently liked what they
saw, for no one left during the
show. Put it with Howco's "Thunder
Pass," an average little western,
for a pretty good program.
Weather was fine, no opposition
to speak of, and first-of-themonth
checks had come in, to
all add up to better than average
business. My business has been
up a little since the first of the
year. Hope it holds. Played Fri.,
Sat. Weather: Pine.—I. Roche,
Vernon Theatre, Vernon, Fla.
Pop. 610.
He Laughed Last (Col) —
Frankie Laine, Lucy Marlow. Anthony
Dexter. I don't know how
to explain the lack of patronage.
The picture wasn't a special, but
there was color, some Frankie
Laine songs (the present hi-fi
craze here) and a pretty good
cast, but on a weekend double
bill, we lacked quite a little of
breaking even and the price of
this picture didn't hurt. Played
Fri., Sat. Weather: Cold.—Mayme
P. Musselman, Roach Theatre,
Lincoln, Kas. Pop. 1,636.
Odongo (Col)—Rhonda Fleming,
Macdonald Carey, Juma.
Better than average jungle yarn
with Technicolor. Would have
been better Thursday-Friday-
Satuiday. Don't pass it. Played
Tues., Wed., Thurs. Weather:
Good.—Paul Ricketts, Ness Theatre,
Ness City, Kas. Pop. 1,612.
Cant Run Away
"June AUyson and Jack Lemmon
are absolutely great!"
is a typical comment on "You
Can't Run Away From It."
Others are, "Best comedy I've
seen in many a year!" "Why
don't they make more movies
like this one?" "This one has
a little bit of everything and
a purely fantastic story!"
Maybe it wasn't fantastic, but
our patrons "escaped" their
everyday cares and laughed
their way into 95 minutes of
sheer enjoyment. People, so
I've been told, like to get away
from it all and "escape," if I
may use the term, to a completely
different world. I've
also been told by our patrons,
they do not care for the realistic
types of movies that make
them think of their own cares.
So, play it, fellow showmen
you can't run away from it!
F. A. PHILLIPS
Nortown Theatre
Flint Mich.
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER
Bhowani Junction (MGM) —
Ava Gardner, Stewart Granger,
Bill Travers. Played on Sunday-
Monday-Tuesday to average business.
Some liked it and some did
not. Business better than we expected.
— Marion F. Bodwell,
Paramount Theatre, Wyoming,
111. Pop. 1,496.
Fastest Gun Alive, The (MGM)
— Glenn Ford, Jeanne Crain,
Broderick Crawford. This works
up a lot of suspense along about
the middle of this passable show.
Only thing lacking was the color.
Some of my farmers missed the
point at the end, when Glenn
Ford buried his past in the grave.
Ford is always a good crowdpuller
around these parts. I would
recommend this for any day of
the week. Played Fri., Sat.
Weather: Good.—I. Roche, Vernon
Theatre, Vernon, Fla.
High Society (MGM) — Bing
Crosby, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra.
Fine picture that brought
some extra customers. We're gonna
miss our Grace. Wish she had
stayed around. Lots of gals can
raise babies, but not many look
so good on our front wall. Played
Tues., Wed. Weather: Good.—
Paul Ricketts, Ness Theatre, Ness
City, Kas. Pop. 1,612.
High Society (MGM) — Bing
Crosby, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra.
One of the best we have
played for years. Business good
and everyone loved it. Played
Sun., Mon., Tues.—Ken Gorham,
Town Hall Theatre, Middlebury,
Vt. Pop. 3,614.
High Society (MGM) — Bing
Crosby, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra.
Not a small town show. Due
to icy roads, the business was
way below average. Played Sat.,
Sun. Weather: Icy and cold.
Harold Smith, Dreamland Theatre,
Carson, Iowa. Pop. 613.
Power and the Prize, The
(MGM) — Robert Taylor, Elisabeth
Mueller, Burl Ives. The
Warner brothers would have
loved this one when they were
teaching movies to talk, for a
lot gets said in this one for sure.
If the dialog weren't interesting,
this would fall by the way. as
there's not much else but talk
to keep it going. It pleased the
folks who like a lot of good acting
and don't care whether
there's action or not. Business
would have been most disappointing
if it weren't the kind
we've grown to expect in these
days of poor folks' depression
and big folks' prosperity. Played
Wed., Tliurs. Weather: Snowy.
Bob Walker, Uintah Theatre,
Fruita, Colo. Pop. 1,463.
These Wilder Years (MGM)—
James Cagney, Barbara Stanwyck,
Walter Pidgeon. Good!
Cagney's best and a pleaser.
Gained a little each night, so
someone must have talked. Played
Tues., Wed., Thurs. Weather:
Warming.—Paul Ricketts, Ness
Theatre, Ness City, Kas. Pop.
1,612.
PARAMOUNT
Hollywood or Bust (Para)
Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Anita
Ekberg. One of the best of the
Martin and Lewis pictures. Too
bad they decided to split up.
Played Thurs., Fri., Sat.—Ken
Gorham, Town Hall Theatre,
Middlebury, Vt. Pop. 3,614.
Hollywood or Bust (Para)
Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Anita
Ekberg. Good, but not much business.
I am glad the team Is
splitting up. They are getting
stale. Think my customers would
rather see Jerry Lewis alone anyway.
Played Sun.-Wed. Weather:
Cold.—Jim Fraser, Auditorium
Theatre, Red Wing, Minn.
Submarine Command (Para)
Reissue. William Holden, Nancy
Olson, William Bendix. William
Holden and cast do a mighty fine
job in an old, but good, one. Do
you want a really good second
feature? Try this one on for size
and be pleased with the fine
results you will get. Coupled it
with a topnotch western for Sunday
through Tuesday crowd that
loved it. There is something about
these old war stories that the
public still likes. If the public
likes 'em, play 'em. That's the
way we feel, and it is paying off.
Played Sun. - Tues. Weather:
Cold.—F. A. Phillips, Nortown
Theatre, Flint, Mich. Pop. 100,000
plus.
RKO RADIO
Back From Eternity (RKO)—
Rod
Robert Ryan, Anita Ekberg,
Steiger. Good thriller except for
a rather gruesome ending, but
offhand, I can't think of a better
one. Played Tues., Wed., Thurs.
Weather: Good.—Paul Ricketts,
Ness Theatre, Ness City, Kas.
Cash on Delivery (RKO) —
Shelley Winters, John Gregson,
Peggy Cummins. Winters should
have stayed home. I never saw a
gal with so little to offer using
it so badly. A really cute story
mired deep in the triteness of
some Englishmen's attempt to
poke fun at their bankers
(Americans) while at the same
time attempting to imitate some
of the cute sequences of a good
American comedy. With a story
like someone dreamed up, I'd
say the guys that tried to movie-
Ize it goofed. Played Fri.. Sat.
Weather: Snowy.—Bob Walker,
Uintah Theatre, Fi'uita, Colo.
Pop. 1,463.
Great Day in the Morning
(RKO)—Virginia Mayo, Robert
Stack, Ruth Roman. A very entertaining
picture in beautiful
color and Superscope, but positively
no draw at the boxoffice.
I think the picture would draw
better with a more appropriate
title. Played Thurs., Fri., Sat.
Marion F. Bodwell, Paramount
Theatre, Wyoming, 111. Pop. 1,496.
REPUBLIC
Carolina Cannonball (Rep) —
Judy Canova, Andy Clyde, Ross
Elliott. The glee that this stirred
up amongst more folks that we've
been seeing on most Friday-Saturdays
was reminiscent of the
golden days when we could buy
40 or 50 little sleepers a year
from Monogram and Columbia
for $7.50 or $10 a throw and make
enough to keep the wolf away.
Five years ago, I'd never have
thought of doubling a Canova as
good as this one, nor a good Roy
Rogers, but time marches on, and
here I am putting them both on
the same bill. This is a goodie
for country folk, "ifen" you're
still open out there in the country.
Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Snow.
—Bob Walker, Uintah Theatre,
Fruita, Colo. Pop. 1,463.
Pulled 'em In
A really rough war picture,
"Attack!" really pulled them
in. Very good ad material
available. Use it properly and
you'll do all right.
JIM FRASER
Auditorium Theatre
Red Wing, Minn.
CENTURY-FOX
20th
Best Things in Life Are Free,
The (20th-Fox)—Gordon Mao-
Rae, Dan Dailey, Ernest Borgnine.
Enjoyable musical with
some nostalgic lines for us "oldsters."
The "Birth of the Blues"
number was better for looking
than listening. Looked like a
Gene Kelly production number,
vintage "An American in Paris."
Picture okay and well liked.
Played Sun., Mon., Tues.
Weather: Good.—Paul Ricketts,
Ness Theatre, Ness City, Kas.
Pop. 1,612.
(Continued on following page)
BOXOFnCE BookinGuide :: Feb. 16, 1957 11

^"^
EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
(Continued from preceding page)
Dark Wave (20th-Fox)—Short
subject. Twentieth-Fox has a 20-
minute Cinemascope short subject
which deals with epilepsy
among childi-en. This is an excellent
short and I advise that
every exhibitor show this subject.
This short should be sold to the
schools, so every child and parent
could see it. If you could screen
it for the superintendent of
schools and some PTA members,
it will sell itself. I failed to sell
it, as I didn't know about its potential,
but I expect to bring it
back at a later date. You will
have many good comments from
your patrons after you show
"Dark Wave." Don't pass this up
by all means. Played Wed., Thm-s.
—Mel Danner, Circle 'Theatre,
Waynoka, Okla. Pop. 2,018.
Last Wagon, The (20th-Fox)—
Richard Widmark, Felicia Farr,
Susan Kohner. This is an excellent
picture and will do business.
It failed at Wautoma. Weather
was just too cold. Has been below
zero 17 straight days. I'll bring
this back in the summer. Played
Pri., Sat. Weather: Very cold—
23 below zero.—Duane EUickson,
Park Theatre, Wautoma, Wis.
Pop. 1,376.
UNITED ARTISTS
Ambassador's Daughter, The
(UA) —Olivia DeHavilland, John
Forsythe, Myrna Loy. Real enjoyable
comedy that didn't get
the business it deserved. Comments
good. Played Sun., Mon.
Weather: Good.—Paul Ricketts,
Ness Theatre, Ness City, Kas.
Pop. 1,612.
Attack! (UA)—Jack Palance,
Eddie Albert, Lee Marvin. After
reading the critics' reports, I
was expecting this picture to do
better than average business. It
turned out to be a big disappointment.
It was a good war picture,
but very weak in star value. Personally,
I think it would have
been better in Cinemascope and
in color. Played Thurs., Fri.,
Sat.—Marion F. Bodwell, Paramount
Theatre, Wyoming, 111
Pop. 1,496.
Sharkfighters, The (UA)—Victor
Mature, Karen Steele, James
Olson. Don't pass this one. Nobody
has done a better job with
color and Scope. A little too
short, but has all the ingredients
for success. Played Thurs. -Sat.
Weather: Cold. — Jim Praser,
Auditorium Theatre, Red Wing,
Minn. Pop. 10,645,
UNIVERSAL-INTERNAT'L
Benny Goodman Story, The
(U-I)—Steve Allen, Donna Reed,
Berta Gersten. Temperatures at
20 below zero each night killed
this one. The music was grand.
Steve Allen perfect as Benny.
Believe I'll try to get it back later.
Played Fri., Sat., Sun.—Prank E.
Sabin, Majestic Theatre, Eureka,
Mont. Pop. 929.
Day of Fury, A (U-D—Dale
Robertson, Mara Corday, Jock
Mahoney. No better and no worse
than some of the other westerns
I've played recently. Dale Robertson
is the big name draw here
and he turns in a creditable per- .
formance. Nice color and good
12
support from the rest of the cast
make for a fair feature. Nothing
big here, though. Played Sun.,
Mon. Weather: Fine.—I. Roche,
Vernon Theatre, Vernon, Fla.
Pop. 610.
Light Touch, The (U-D—Jack
Hawkins, Margaret Johnston, Roland
Culver. Good cast and very
well done, but not terribly exciting.
Business poor in spite of
the fact Jack Hawkins usually
is very popular with students.
Played Sun., Mon., Tues.—Ken
Gorham, Town Hall Theatre,
Middlebury, Vt. Pop. 3,614.
PiUars of the Sky (U-D—Jeff
Chandler, Dorothy Malone, Ward
Bond. We usually do business
with Jeff Chandler, but when you
mention Indians or show them on
the advertising, there it goes! A
good enough picture, but would
have done much better on a
weekend even at the present
time. My patrons are all waiting
for the big pictures. So am I.
The ones that are, "It has been
doing business." Played Sun.,
Mon. Weather: Cold.—Mayme P.
Musselman, Roach Theatre, Lincoln,
Kas. Pop. 1,636.
Pillars of the Sky (U-D—Jeff
Chandler, Dorothy Malone, Ward
Bond. Very good picture that
didn't do the business it should
have. Played Sat., Sun. Weather:
Cold.—Harold Smith, Dreamland
Theatre, Carson, Iowa. Pop. 613.
Showdown at Abilene (U-D—
Jock Mahoney, Martha Hyer,
Lyle Bettger. Excellent horse
opera with a setting laid after
the end of the Civil War. Played
to average business, due to the
weather. Used a cartoon and replay
on "Tennessee Plowboy,"
really a good western short for
our situation. Played Saturday.
Weather: Cold and damp.—D. W.
Trisko, Runge Theatre, Runge
Tex. Pop. 1,055.
Walk the Proud Land (U-D—
Audie Murphy, Anne Bancroft,
Charles Drake. This feature
brought the lowest gross for three
days of any picture that has
played here in 13 years. It is
worthy of showing any time or
place. The drouth, plus TV, our
mortal enemy, is really rough.
Played Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather:
Good.—Leonard J. Leise, Roxy
Theatre, Randolph, Neb. Pod
1,029.
WARNER BROS.
Animal World, The (WB)—
Documentary. A sweetheart of a
picture, and what color! Everyone
will thoroughly enjoy this
picture. Played Pri., Sat.—Ken
Gorham, Town Hall Theatre,
Middlebury, Vt. Pop. 3,614.
Lone Ranger, The (WB)—
Clayton Moore, Jay Silverheels,
Lyle Bettger. Good average
grosser. Outdid "The Searchers"
by $20. At long last, a nice clean
show, no sex, no excessive brutality,
and many comments proved
this point. One mother said she
would send her youngsters often
if the shows were like this one.
It proves there is too much violence
and brutality generally in
screenfare. Weather: Good.—
Leonard J. Leise, Roxy Theatre,
Randolph, Neb. Pop. 1,029.
FOREIGN
ARGENTINA
FEATURES.
Foreign-language productions by native country listed alphabetically
by title, followed by running time. Dote shown is issue of BOXOFFICE
in which review appeared. Nome of distributor is in parentheses.
Eerlewed
Dark River (E8) 4-2S-56
(Times) . .H. Del CanU, &. Benetti
AUSTRIA
©Don Juan (90) 7- 7-56
(Tillies) . .Ceiare Duiora, Josef Melurad
BRITAIN
Angel Who Pawned Her Harp (73).. 4-28-56
(Domiiuuit) . .Diane Cllento, Telli Arlner
Appointment in London (96) 12-31-55
(Assoc. ArtisU) . .D. Bafarde, Dinab Btaerldaii
Oiance Meeting (94) 8-27-55
(Pacemaker). .Odlle Vermis, David Knlgbt
(^urt Martial (105) 10- 1-55
(Klngalej) . David Nlren, Martiret Lelfbtoo
Cure for Love, The (97) 11-26-55
(Assoc. ArtisU) . . B. Donat, Asberaoo
Benee
Eight O'clock Walk (87) 8-20-55
(Asso. Arts)..R. Atteidrareueh, C. O'Domiell
Four Againtt Fata (84) 9-10-55
(Assoc. Artists).. A. Neagle, Michael WUdini!
Front Page Story (95) 7-23-55
(Assoc. ArtlsU) . .Jack Hawkliu, Eva BarUk
Game of Danger (88) 11- 5-55
(Assoc. Artists) . .Jack Warner, Veronica Hurst
Green Scarf, The (96) 4-23-55
(Assoc Artists) . .M. Bedfrave, A. Todd
His Excellency (84) 4-28-56
(Brenner) . .Brlc Portman, CteU Parker
Intruder, The (84) 2-12-55
(Assoc. Artists) . .Jack Hawkins, Dennis Price
OKid for Two Farthings, A (91).. 4-28-56
(Lopert) . .Celia Jebnsoo, Diana Dors
©Make Me as Offer (88) 4- 7-56
(Dominant) . .Peter Flncli, Adrlenne (^orrl
©Richard III (162) ® 3-17-56
(Lopert) . .Laurence OUvler, Ralph Blchardson
Room in the House (96)
(Oibralter).. Patrick Barr. Marjorle Bbodes
Teckman Mystery, The (90) 11-19-55
( Assoc. Artists) . . Margaret Lelghton, J. Justin
©To Paris With Love (78) 4-30-55
(Ckintinental). .Alec Guinness. Odile Versols
True and the False, The (SO) 4-23-55
(Helena Davis) . .Signe Basso, Wm. Langford
©Wee Gcordie (94) U-10-56
(Times).. Bill Trarers, Alastalr Sim
©Will Any GentlemanI (84) U- 5-55
(Stratford) . . Oeorge Oole, Veronica Hurst
EGYPT
Hamido (122) 5-21-55
( Gould).. Hoda Soultan, farld Cbavky
FRANCE
Adorable Creatures (108) 1- 7-56
(Cont'l Dls.). .Martlne Carol, E. Peulllere
Diabolique (107) 3- 3-56
(UMPO) . .Simone Signoret, Paul Meurlsse
Diary of a Country Priest (95) 7-31-55
(Brandon) . .C. Uiydu, N. Maurey, A. Oulbert
Doctors, The (92) 1- 5-57
(Klngsley) . . Raymond Jeanne Moreau
Pellegrld,
Fruits of Summer (104) 8-11-56
(Ellis) ..Edn-lge Feuillere, Henri (Xilsol
Game of Love, The (108) 2-19-55
(Times) . .Pierre- Michel Beek, Edwlge Feuillere
©Grand Maneuver, The (107) 12-8-56
(UMPO) . .Mlchele Morgan. Gerard PhlUpe
Heartbreak Ridge (86) 6-11-55
(Tudor) . .Real French troops In Korea
Holiday for HenrietU (103) 5-21-55
(Ardee) . Dany Robin, Michael Auclalr
Inside a Girls Dormitory (102). . . .U-17-56
(Ellis) . .Jean Marais, Francoiae Amoul
La Sorciere (97)
(BSlis) . .Marina Vlady, Maurice Sonet
Letters From My Windmill (116).. 4-21-56
(Tohan)..Daiely, Henri Vilbert. Bells
©My Seven Little Sins (98) 6-23-56
(Kingsley) .Maurice Cbevalier, Delia Scale
One Step to Eternity (94) 1-28-56
( Ellis )..D. Darrleu!!, M. Auclalr, C. Calvet
©Only the French Can (93) 8- 4-56
(imPO) . .Jean Oablo, Prancoiae Anno]
Papa, Mama, the Maid and I (94) . . U-U-56
(Ool Int1)..Femand Ledouz. Oaby UorUy
©Pantaloons (93)
(UMPO) . .Fernandel. Carmen Sevllla
Proud and Beautiful, Tin (93) 9- 1-56
(Efiicalev) . .Hlebele Morgan. Gerard Phlllpe
Oiflfl (llBt 9-29-56
(UMPO) . .Jeu Berrals, Carl Uotaner
Sheep Has Five Legs, The (93) 11-26-56
(UMPO) . .Fernandel, Francolse Amoul
Snow Was Black, The (105) 1-12-57
(Cont'l Dls) .. Daniel Oelln. Marie Mansart
We Are All Murderers (US) 2-16-57
(Kingsley) . .Marcel Mouloudji. Raymond Pel- £
legrin \
GERMANY
Diary of a Lover (96)
(Grand Prize).. 0. W. Fischer, Maria ScheU
Forester's Daughter. The (105)
(Casino).. Johanna Matz, Will (luadflieg
Last Ten Days, The (113) 5-12-56
(Col Infl) . . Albin Skoda, Tobisch
Lotte
Sergeant's Daughter, Tlie (97)
(Ca.slno) . .Johanna Matz, Jan Hendrlks
Sunderin (SO) 1-22-55
(Prod. Reps.) . . Hlldegarde Neff. G. FroetaUeta
ISRAEL
Hill 24 Doesn't Answer (102) 12- 3-55
(Cont'l Dls. ).. Michael Wagner. Haya Hararlt
ITALY
Alone In the Streets (80)
(Carroll) . .Story of street vaUa
Bed, The (101) 8-13-55
(Oetz-Klngsley) . .R. Todd. Dawn Addains
Four Ways Out (77) 1- 1-55
(Carroll) . .Gina Lollobriglda, Renalto Baldinl
Hello Elephant (78) 1-29-55
(Arlan) . .Vlttorlo de Sica, Sabu
©House »f Ricordi (112) 6- 30-56
(Manson) . .Paolo Stoppa. Marta Toren
La Slrada (115) 11- 3-5«
(Trans-Lux) . .Anthony Quinn. (liulietta
Maslna, Richard Basehart
©Maddalena (90) 10- 8-55
(IFB).. Marta Toren, Glno Ccrvl, J. Seraai
Lulgl
Mademoiselle Gobette (78) 4- 9-55
( IFB) . . Silvana Pampaninl. Pavesa
Return of Don Camillo (110) 7- 7-56
( IFB) .. Fernandel. Odo Cervl
©Riviera (SS) 11-10-56
(IFE) . .Marline Carol. Raf Vallone /
Too Bad She's Bad (95) 1-21-56 V
(Getz-Klngsley) . .Sophia Loren, V. De Sica
Umberto D. (89) 12-31-55
(Eilw. Harrison) . .C. Battlsta. M. CaslUo
Vitteloni (103)
(Jamis-API). .F. Interlenglii, Franco Fabrlzi
White Sheik, The (86) 12-1-56
(Janus-API) . .Alberto Bordl, Brunella Bovo
JAPAN
©Gate of Hell (Jigokumon) (89).. 1- 8-55
(Harrison k Davidson) . .M. Kyo, Hawgawa
©Golden Demon (95) 6-23-56
(H;irrlson) . .Fujiko Yamamoto, Jun Negand
Hiroshima (85) 7-30-55
(Cont'l Dls.)..Isuzu Yamada, M. Tsukida
Imposter, The (89) 11-26-55
(Brandon) . .Utaemon Ichlkawa, Chlkako Mltagl
Masnificent Seven, The (155) 1- 5-57
(Ctol Infl) . .Takashi Shlmura, Yoshlo Inaba
©Phantom Horse, The (90) 8- 4-56
(Harrison) . .Ayako Wakao. Yukohlko IwaUre
©Samurai (100) U-19-55
(Jacon) . .Toshlro Mlfune. K. Yacblgusa
©Yang Kwei Fei (95) 11-17-56
(Buena Vista) .. Mactaiko Kyo. M. Mori
MEXICO
This Strange Passion (82) 12-31-55
(OmnifLms). Arturo De Cordova, D. Oareei
RUSSIA
©Romeo and Juliet Ballet (96) 9- 1-56
(Toban)
. .Gallna Ulanova. Yuri Zhdanov
SPAIN
Marcelino (90)
(UMPO)..PabUto Calvo. Bafael Blvelles
SWEDEN
Naked Night, The (82) 7-21-56
(Times) . .Harriet Anderssoo. Ake Qroenberg
One Summer of Happiness (92) .... 7-16-55
(llmes-FIln]) . .UUa JacobsoD. Folke Sundqulst
YUGOSLAVIA
Legends of Anika (85)
(Grand Prlie) . .Mllens Dapeevlc. B. (klbk
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: Feb. 16, 1957
^

Opinions on Current Productions
^EATURE REVIEWS
Symbol O dcnotei color photography; ® CInemaScop*; ® ViitoVlslon; (D Supeneopc; (g Naturomo. For story synopsli on each picture, h« rovers* ilde.
C "1 r? Ratio: Comedy-Drama
bmiley r 2.55-1 ©
/" 20th-Fox (703-9) 97 Minutes ReL Jan. '57
A gentle, most heart-warming, tale of life in the bush
country of Australia, this is ideal family fare for the neighborhood
houses, mainly because its title character is a courageous,
freckle-faced nine-year-old, played in completely i;
engaging and natural fashion by CoUn Peterson. In addition
to being too leisurely for the first runs and the action
houses, the only marquee name is Ralph Richardson, the
noted British film star who is currently starring on Broadway
in "Waltz of the Toreadors." Produced and directed
in Australia by Anthony Kimmins for London Films and
superbly photographed in CinemaScope and Technicolor, the
picture is always a treat for the eye, but is generally unexciting
for adults during its first hour, being much like a
"Tom Sawyer" tale. The first note of real conflict arrives
during the latter part of the film and the actual climax
has both suspense and thrills—even if they do come rather
late. Richardson's role of the Baptist minister is comparatively
minor, but he gives it distinction and "Chips" Rafferty,
Australian favorite, is excellent as the local policeman,
who also supplies the romantic Interest with pretty Jocelyn
Hernfield.
Ralph Richardson, John McCallum, Colin Peterson,
"Chips" Rafferty, Jocelyn Hernfield, Charles TingwelL

FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Exploltips; Adiines for Newspaper and Programs
THE STORY:
"Revolt at Fort Laramie" (UA)
U. S. cavalrymen defending Fort Laramie, Wyo., against
Red Cloud's warring Sioux are dangerously divided Into
Yankee and Rebel factions by outbreak of the Civil War.
Major John Dehner, a Virginian and fort commander, plots
with several non-cons and men to take over the fort. Before
they can act, President Lincoln orders that all troops wlthj of
southern sympathies be allowed to return home. Dehner 'allv
turns over command to Captain Gregg Palmer, the Yankee
who is in love with Dehner's niece, and leads about 25
group at a creek bend near the fort. Captain Palmer leads
the Yankee cavalrymen to rescue of the Rebels. Under
Major Dehner, the Yankee-Rebel forces make a final successful
stand against Red Cloud, but the major is killed.
EXPLOITIPS:
Encourage Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and woodcraft groups
to build models of Fort Laramie, with passes for the best
models, which will be displayed in store windows . . . Offer
guest tickets to all kids bringing in an Indian head penny.
CATCHLINES:
Rebels, Yankees and Sioux Clash in a Whirlwind of Fighting
Fury . . . Within Fort Laramie, Rebels Plotted Against
Yankees and Yankees Against Rebels—While Outside Lurked
Scalp-Hunting Sioux!

63
"nr TTP CrTIT/TfT
JT Li U U Ulilll Y IKjLm
Listed herewith, alphabetically by companies, are all of the feature pictures
reviewed in BOXOFFICE during 1956. This is designed as a further convenience
for Picture Guide users, the page numbers being the key to reviews kept therein. Between quarters. Review
Digest pages serve as a cumulative P. G. index for feature pictures.
P.O. Page
Everything But the Truth 2029
Four Girls in Town 2033
Francis in the Haunted House 1989
Great Mon, The 2034
Gun for a Coword 2044
I've Lived Before 1993
Kettles in the Ozorks, The 1 946
Light Touch, The (Reviewed as "Touch and Go") 195S
Mole People, The 2028
Never Soy^Goodbye 1929
Outside the Low 1962
Pillars of the Sky 2002
Price of Fear, The 1954
Row Edge 1999
Rawhide Years, The 1 978
Red Sundown
' 1927
Rock, Pretty Boby 2031
Showdown at Abilene 2005
Simon and Lauro 1993
Star in the Dust 1 966
There's Always Tomorrow 1912
Toy Tiger 1964
Unguordcd Moment, The 2006
Walk The Proud Land 1992
World in My Corner 1926
Written on the Wind 201 5
QUARTERLY
INDEX
TO
PICTURE GUIDE REVIEWS
First, Second, Third iqcc January
and Fourth Quarters ••»'^0 through December
Warner Bros,
Amazon Troder, The 2006
Animal World, The 1965
As Long as You're Neor Me 1994
Baby Doll 2035
Bad Seed, The 1996
Burning Hills, The 1998
Cry in the Night, A 2004
Giant •
2024
Girl He Left Behind, The 2025
Goodbye, My Lady 1957
Lone Ronger, The 1 908
Miroele in the Roin 1926
Moby Dick 1989
Our Miss Brooks 1929
River Changes, The 1932
Santiago 1983
Sotcllite in the Sky 1987
Searchers, The 1 952
Serenade , 1949
Seven Men From Now 1 992
Steel Jungle, The 1942
Toward the Unknown 201
Wrong Man, The 2042
Miscellaneous
Adorable Creatures (Cont'l Dis.) 1914
Angel Who Pawned Her Horp, The (Dominant) 1967
Bullfight (Pocemoker-Jonus) 2026
Dork River (Times) 1966
Diobolique (UMPO) 1940
Gloss Tomb, The (Lippert) 1920
Crowded Porodise (Tudor) 1987
Don Juan (Times) 1989
Forbidden Cargo (Jocon) 1987
Fruits of Summer (Ellis) 2001
Godzilla, King of the Monsters (Embassy) 1 971
Golden Demon (Morrison) 1985
Grond Maneuver, The (UMPO) 2035
His Excellency (Brenner) 1968
House of Ricordi (Monson) 1988
Inside a Girls Dormitory (Ellis) 2029
Kid for Two Forthings, A (Lopert) 1968
La Strodo (Trans-Lux) 2025
Lodykillers, The (Cont'l Dis.) 1946
Last Ten Days, The (Col. Int'l) 1971
Lease of Life (IFE) 1910
Letters From My Windmill (Tohan) 1 965
Lovers ond Lollipops (Trons-Lux) 1981
Lum ond Abner Abroad (Howco) 1943
Madame Butterfly (IFE) 1975
Moke Me on Offer (Dominant) 1957
My Seven Little Sins (Kingsley Int'l) 1986
Naked Amazon (Times) 1982
Naked Night, The (Times) 1994
One Step to Eternity (Ellis) 1921
Only the French Can (UMPO) (Reviewed as French Cancan) 1999
Papa, Momo, the Maid and I (Col. Int'l) 2028
Phantom Horse, The (Harrison) 1999
Proud ond the Beautiful, The (Kingsley Int'l) 2008
Return of Don Comillo, The (IFE) 1990
Richard III (Lopert) 1948
Rififi (UMPO) 2013
Riviera (IFE) 2027
Romeo and Juliet Ballet (Tohon) 2007
Rosanno (Jocon) 2015
Secrets of the Reef (Cont'l Dis.) 201
Seven Wonders of the World (Stonley Warner) 1 964
Ship That Died of Shome, The (Cont'l Dis.) 201
Sins of the Borgias (Aidort) 1967
They Who Dare (Assoc. Artists) 1 943
Too Bad She's Bod (Getz-Kingsley) 1917
Walk the Dork Street (Dominant) 2000
Wee Geordie (Times) 2027
Wetbocks (Banner) 1982
White Sheik, The (Janus-API) 2033
Wiretapper (Embossy) 1918
'2011 l'
%)
THF
Allied Artists
P.G. Page
Betrayed Women 1927
Blonde Sinner 2038
Calling Homicide 2022
Canyon River 2001
Come On, The 1933
Crime in the Streets 1962
Cruel Tower, The 2039
Dcodliest Sin, The 2025
First Tcxon, The 1984
Friendly Persuasion 2017
Hold Bock the Night 1995
Invasion of the Body Snatchers 1936
Magnificent Roughnecks 2000
Naked Hills, The 1995
Navy Wife 1979
No Place to Hide 2020
Screaming Eagles 1976
Strange Intruder 2010
Three for Jamie Down 1991
Thunderstorm 1 985
World Without End 19S0
Young Guns, The 2003
American-International
Day the World Ended, The I'lO
Girls in Prison 2009
Gunslinger 2000
Hot Rod Girl 2009
Phantom From 10,000 Leagues, The 1914
Astor
Dynamiters, The !?81
Feor 1991
Men of Sherwood Forest 2019
Passport to Treoson 2026
Buena Vista
Davy Crockett and the River Pirates 1994
Great Locomotive Chose, The 1976
Secrets of Life 2022
Westward Ho, the WogonsI 2039
Yang Kwei Fei 2030
Columbia
Autumn Leaves -
J9'3
Battle Stations ''j'
Blockjock Ketchum, Desperodo '»»•
Cho-Cha-Cha Boom! 2014
Cockleshell Heroes '"J
Don't Knock the Rock 2044
Eorth vs. the Flying Saucers
J"
'
Eddy Duchin Story, The '»'»
Full of Life 2040
Fury at Gunsight Pass '''5
Gamma People, The Toif
Harder They Foil, The J'**
He Laughed Lost J'"
Hot Blood
1941
Houston Story, The '»"*
Joe Mocbeth
"J J
Jubal 1958
Last Man to Hang, The 2032
Miami Expose "997
1

85
7
9
P.G. Page
Nightfall 2036
"1984" 1992
Odongo 2030
Over-Exposed 1938
Port Atrique 201
Reprisal! 201
Ride the High Iron 2043
Rock Around the Clock 1 950
Rumble on the Docks 2032
Safari 1961
Secret of Treasure Mountain, The 1975
7lh Cavalry 2023
Silent World, The 2022
Solid Gold Cadillac, The 2005
Spin a Dork Web 2014
Storm Center 1997
Storm Over the Nile 1974
Suicide M ission 2027
Uranium Boom 1938
Werewolf, The 1982
White Squaw, The 2021
You Can't Run Away From It 2019
Zarak 2040
DCA
Jeddo the Uncivilized 2007
John and Julie 2035
Please Murder Me 1934
Private's Progress 2001
MetTo-Goldwyn-Mayer
Bhowani Junction 1969
Catered Affair, The 1968
Fastest Gun Alive, The 1986
Forbidden Planet 1949
Forever Darling 1 928
Gaby 1955
Great American Pastime, The 2032
High Society 1996
Invitation to the Dance 1974
Iron Petticoot, The 2042
Julie 2018
Last Hunt, The 1932
Lust for Life 2010
Meet Me in Las Vegas 1924
Opposite Sex, The 2014
Power and the Prize, The 2011
Rock, The 1 964
Ransom! 1909
Slander 2043
Somebody Up There Likes Me 1990
Swan, The 1963
Tea ond Sympothy 2018
Teahouse of the August Moon, The 2023
These Wilder Years 1996
Tribute to a Bod Man 1953
Paramount
Anything Goes 1916
Birds and the Bees, The 1956
Court Jester, The 1925
Hollywood or Bust 2038
Leather Saint, the 1 978
Man Who Knew Too Much, The 1970
Mountain, The 201
Pardners 1988
Proud and Profone, The 1 980
Roinmaker, The 2038
Scarlet Hour, The 1963
Search for Bridey Murphy, The 2020
Ten Commandments, The 2020
That Certain Feeling 1980
Three Violent People 2041
Vagabond King, The '.]
War and Peace 2009
2008
RKO-Radio
Bock From Eternity 2007
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt 2012
Bold and the Brave, The 1 953
Brain Machine, The 1942
Brave One, The 2013
Bundle of Joy 2037
Cash on Delivery 1920
Conqueror, The 1940
Death of a Scoundrel. 2026
Finger of Guilt 2033
First Traveling Saleslady, The 2004
Glory 1913
Greet Day in the Morning 1973
Man in the Vault
] 2042
Murder on Approval !l981
Postmark '.
for Danger !l921
Slightly Scarlet 1937
Tension ot Toble Rock 201
Woy Out, The 1961
Whilo the City Sleepi 1970
of
llv
for
Any
Republic
P.G. Page
Above Us the Waves 2041
Come Next Spring 1 925
Dakota Incident 1 998
Doctor at Sea 1 937
Fighting Chance, The 1983
Lisbon 1997
Magic Fire 1971
Maverick Queen, The 1970
No Man's Woman 1956
Stranger at My Door 1966
Terror at Midnight 1967
When Gangland Strikes 2034
Woman's Devotion, A 2034
Zanzabuku 1972
20th Century-Fox
Abdullah's Horem 1985
Anastosia 2044
Best Things in Life Are Free, The 2016
Between Heaven and Hell 2021
Bigger Than Life 2012
Black Whip, The 2040
Bottom of the Bottle, The 1923
Bus Stop 2003
Carousel 1 936
D-Day the Sixth of June 1 977
Desperados Are in Town, The 2030
Girl Can't Help It, The 2041
Hilda Crone 1969
King and I, The 1990
Lost Wagon, The 2008
Lieutenant Wore Skirts, The 1 908
Love Me Tender 2031
Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, The 1957
Man Who Never Was, The 1928
Massacre
Mohawk
1 979
1952
On the Threshold of Spoce 1 944
Proud Ones, The 1977
Queen of Babylon, The 2003
Revolt of Mamie Stover, The 1 969
Teenage Rebel 2024
23 Paces to Baker Street 1974
United Artists
Alexander the Great 1958
Ambassador's Daughter, The 1998
Around the World in 80 Days 2024
Attack! 2011
Bondido 2004
Beast of Hollow Mountoin, The 2005
Block Sleep, The 1984
Boss, The 2006
Brass Legend, The 2037
Broken Star, The 1 930
Comanche 1 945
Creeping Unknown, The 1961
Crime Against Joe 1945
Donee With Me, Henry 2037
Emergency Hospital 1954
Flight to Hong Kong 2017
Foreign Intrigue 1975
Gun Brothers 2011
Gun the Man Down 2036
Hot Cars 2002
Huk 2002
Johnny Concho 1991
Killer Is Loose, The 1923
Killing, The 1 976
King ond Four Queens, The 2039
Kiss Before Dying, A 1980
Let's Moke Up 1930
Man From Del Rio 2021
Monfish 1933
Nightmare 1973
Patterns 1955
Peacemaker, The. . . r 2029
Quincannon, Frontier Scout 1965
Rebel in Town 1988
Run for the Sun 1995
Running Target 2031
Shadow of Fear 1984
Shorkf ighters. The 2023
Stogecooch to Fury 201
Star of India 1972
Three Bod Sisters 1912
Timetable 1935
Trapeze 1978
"UFO" 1972
Wild Porty, The 2036
Universal-In ternational
Away All Boots 1973
Bocklosh 1941
Battle Hymn 2043
Behind the High Woll 1986
Creature Walks Among Us, The 1947
Congo Crossing 1983
Curucu, Beast of the Amazon 2028
Day of Fury, A 1962

j
I
|
lATES: ISc per word, minimum S1.50, cash with copy. Four consecutive insertions for price
)f three. CLOSING DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy and
» answers to Box Numbers to BOXOFFICE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 24. Mo. •
cuemne
POSITIONS WANTED
Projectionist: 25 ytJir-i exiit-rieiift-. Go anyrhere.
Kennelli Doty. Itansom. Kas.
Projectionist, prefer job in soutll or west. Inloor-i
or outdoor theatre. Sober, reliable, can
[ive references. Available March 15. 1957. Boxjlfici'.
7410.
HELP WANTED
Manaoer, dri»e-in theatre midwest city. Year
jround employment. Iteferences. Bosoflicc, 7397.
Tile Pacific coast is experiencing the iaruesl
population tronth In the country. Our circuit
Is cru»ln8 »ltl' It. "lib new theatres and allied
amii~i'ment facilities recently opened and under
construction. We need responsible, forward-look-
Int manageis. of siipcivLsory potential, with promotional
tapabilltles. State aje, marital status,
education and experience In reply. Boxofflce 7398.
Wanted, drive-In manager fur Springfield, Worcester,
Mass. area. State (pjalificatlons to .Mrs.
Frances W. Ilaiding, 22 Clnirch St.. Boston, Mass.
Outdoor Mgr. Must be experienced. .Nine month
opeiatlon, full year job, vacation, group Insurance
for family. Tell all first letter. Heferences used
only Willi permission. F. W. Harding, 22
Church St., Boston, Mass.
Wanted manager for first run metropolitan
theatre 111 large upper midwest situation. Tills is
a good paying job for small circuit. We aie
especially interested in an experienced man f. om
a small town who Is looking for advancement and
Is vulUng to work. Boxofflce, 7413.
Hous
GENERAL EQUIPMENT—USED THEATRES FOR SALE THEATRES WANTED
Reconditioned automatic curtain controls: Va!-
len medium (liny w/'^lll' motor $7y.5U; ADC
heavy duly w/ii.111" motor $99.50. Quantities
limited, order no». llept. cc, S.O.S. Cinema
Supply Corp.. i;il2 W. 52nd SI.. New Vorkl9.
St., New York 19.
For sale cheap: 300 to 400 good used chairs.
box spring cushions. Write P.O. Box 29. Chanute.
Kas.
Complete theatre equipment, all good condition
and late models, no junk. Sacrifice for ca,sb, you
name price. Washington Stale. Boxofflce, 7400.
For sale, two .Motiograph SlI 7500 sound reproducers.
Century heads, Motiograph lamps comlilete
with rectifiers, amplifiers and sound system
1-12 capacity storage cabinet. 1,000 watt slide
lirojector, 1 steel woik bench. 1 candy case and
concession stand combined. Also Vallen curtain
track. Contact. Floyd B. Peek, 4510 W. 29th St..
Utile Hock, Ark. I'honc: MOhawk 3-4080.
Bargain, cair Simplex IKW arcs. Super heads,
rectifiers. Motiograph soiiiul comp!ete. I'an.itar
Cinemascope and matching lens. Mauley popcorn
in.ichine. All in good condition. Asking $3,700
make me an offer, Boxofflce, 7 404.
Wanted, two experienced and exploitation minded One (only) Simplex semi-pro projector wiih
diive-ln managers. Manos Enterprises, Inc., Toronto,
heavy base, amplifier, two speakers, 110 volt
Ohio.
rectifier, carbon arc lamp. $250 FOB Cleveland.
National Tlieatre Supply Co.. 2128 I'ayne Ave.,
Manager wanted for first run indoor theatre Cleveland. Ohio.
In large midwestern clly. I'refer man with ability
Stars sensational savings! 11%", ISV^", 14"
as sign w.lter and exploitation experience. Give full
refeelors, good condition, $5.00: RCA rotary
Inlormation first letter. Salary $81) to $100 Inchid
stabilizer siiiindheads, rebuilt, $350 pair: Ballanlyne
ng percentage on concessions. Write in con-
amplifle;, reconditioned, $165: liCA
fidence. Boxoffioe. 7412.
PO-230 smmd system, refnndiiioned. $1,475. Big
savings on everything. What do you needy Star
Cinema Supply. 021 West 55lh St., New York 19.
Wanted experienced managers, also student
managers for training for conventional and
driie-ln theatres operated by large New England
ci.cuit. Write, Boxofflce, 7420.
Man and wife to look after small drlve-ln and
ciuu'e^sliui in New Mexico. Heallhtiil. high, dry
cllm.ile. .Must he honest and willing. No booking
or buying. Give full details and salary
V anted. Boxofflce. 7421.
THEATRE TICKETS
Prompt Service. Special printed roll ilcheta
100.000. $31.95: 10.000. $9.90: 2.00U. $5.70,
Kach change In admission price. Including ciiangr
III color. $4,00 extra. Iloiible numbering extra,
F,0,11 K:in,5as City. Mo, Cash with order
liansas City Ticket Co,, llept 11, 109 W 18th
St., Kansas CltJ, .Mo,
BUSINESS STIMULATORS
Bingo, more action! $4.50.M cards. Other
games aiaiialjle. on-off screen. Novelty Gainea Co.,
106 Itogers Ale , Brooklyn, N. V.
Build attendance with real Hawaiian orehlds
Few cents each. Write Flowers of Hawaii, 670
S. Lafayette Park Place. Los Angeles 5, Calif.
Bingo-die-cut cards. Increase your hnxoffice,
75 to 100 numbers, $4,50 per .M. Best Cards,
Premium Products. 346 West 44lh St.. New York
36. N. Y
STUDIO
AND PRODUCTION
Neumade automatic film cleaning machines,
new surplus. $425 value, 35mm $295, 16mm
$345; Mitchell. Belliowell studln cameras, from
$995; Kliegl o.OOOW studio spots on st,ind. $300
value, $159.50; New tripod triangles. $16.95
Moviolas from $195; Ameiican Cinematographer's
iiandhooks, V, price, $2.50. Dept. cc, CO.S.
Cinema Supply Corp., 602 \V. 52nd St.. New
York 19,
BOOKS
Don't operate wastefully in these tough times!
Hundreds of ways to save money, all based on
practical theatre experience, are yoiiis in the
"Master Guide to Theatre Malnteinmce." E:ich
one of them may be worth far more to you Ihan
the $5.00 the book costs. Send for yoiii copy
today. Cash with order, no COD's. Boxofflce
Book Dept., 825 Van Brunt Bhd,. Kansas City
24, Mo.
BOXOFFICE i: February 16, 1957
Simplex "Standard" mechanisms and double
bearing movements. Guaranteed, bargain. Lou
Walters Ilepair Service. 8548 San Fernando,
ilallas,
Texas.
For Sale. Multiplex 45 gal. Root Beer barrel
used four months only, complete with coirrpressor,
carbonator. circulating pump, two faucets, root
beer and Coke. Cost $700, best offer over $450.
Boxofflce. 7415.
theatre sales! iialph i^rwiii. Licensed Broker,
1443 iSouth Trenton, Tulsa.
West coast theatres lor sale. Write for iisi.
Theatre Exchanee, 260 iCearney St.. San Francisco
Excellent coated projection lenses, some brand 8. Calif.
new! Wollensak. "Siniray" series 1: 3^", 5",
Excellent opportunity! 3 drive-ins In Texas In
5'/i". 6". •%". $35 pair. Superlitc series III
fast growing iiidiistiial city, population gained
c'' coated 2-'Ji", 3", S%". $150 pair. Otiiers
40% since 1950, only drlve-lns In 25 miles. Includes
27 acres of v;iliiable land, two nice homes
available, tell us your needs. Trades taken. Depl.
cc, S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp,, 602 W. 52nd
on properly, one witli swimming pool, excellent
GENERAL EQUIPMENT—NEW
New Century generators at used prices! 100/200
amp, onv W/15HP motor. $995: 150/150 amp.
42/84V W/20HP motor $1,095; generators complete
w/panel, rheostats. Dept. ec. S.O.S. Cinema
Supply Corp., 002 W, 52nd St, New York 19.
SCREENS
Silver Screen, 12-6x25, $125 (frame $25) like
new. used one month, repl.-iced with larger size.
Also 13x21 and 10x16. Theatre Accessories &
Supply Co., Box 205. lloosevelt. New York.
raMs
DHIVE-IN THEATRE EQUIPMENT
Building a drive-in? Ballantyne has plans and
equipment at big savings. Itie Ballantyne Company,
1712 Jackson St., Omaha 2, Neb.
EQUIPMENT WANTED
35, 16 films, equipment.
Carl Leigh. Ada, Ohio,
buy, sell, trade.
Wanted, BOO used de luxe theatre chairs and
complete modern booth equipment before September
1957. Nelson Logan, Mitchell, S. Dak.
ye.ir around opeiaiion. 600, 500 and 350 speakers,
paved, top condition. Very attractive price, no
lease, 20 ^i down to right party, balance in 10
to 15 years. Have conflicting Interests, must sell.
Write Boxofflce, 7383.
For sale, must sell at once, sacrifice, 325-nii
drive-in, CinemaScope screen 125x65-foot. \Vrlie
or call Frank Neofolls, Rt. 5, Lexington. V:i.
Phone: liobart 3-2522.
500-seat theatre & 300-car drivc-ln. Kan^^as
county seat. Sell one or both with or wllhiiiil
leal estate. Consider percentage lease to experienced
theatie man, -No reasonable offer refused.
Owner has other interests. Boxofflce. 7401.
Theatre for sale, Florida, downtown Jacksonville.
500 seats. ancmaScope cnulpment. Good
condition, low oveihcid. excellent lof:ition, iieillitg
over $12,000 yearly. I'ossihililles for tremendous
increase with proper maiiagemont. I'liee. $15.0011,
terms. Phone Elgin 4-4020, or write. I!, C I'l il
1432 Main St.. .lacksonilUe. Fla,
For sale 200-car drive-in. $16,500, $5,000
will handle. Sid Brown. Oshknsh, Neb.
For Sale or lease only drive-in theatre in
Superior. Wisconsin, population 35.000. 500-cai
capacity. Inquire Samuel P. Halpern, Attorney,
1032 Mid'and Bank Bldg., Minneapolis. Minn.
Two theatres In north central Arkansas, 25
miles apart. Fireproof hiiiliilngs, 500 seats, ali
conditioned and CinemaScope. Boxofflce. 7402.
Sunshine Florida coastal large city. 425 sea's,
CinemaScope, air-conditioned, priced low for quick
sale. Boxofficc. 7406.
650 seat theatre and small drive-in Central
Kansas county seat town. Population 2.500. Other
interests reason for selling. Boxofflce, 7409,
550 seats completely air-conditioned and
equipped. Good condition. Illness reason for
selling. Makes good money. I'earce Theatre Erpiipment
Corp., 320 W. Flagler St.. Miami. Fla.
For sale: Limberlost Drive-In Theatre located
(leneia. Inil. Fully equipped. Mail sealed
at
bids hcfiue March 15 and for infurmatlon contact.
Eli iiiibach. Geneva. Ind. Phone; 5-5247,
Linngrove. Ind. Rights reserved to reject any
or all bids. Wilbur Meller, inviier. Waiiseon, Ohio.
Plione: 5936.
For lease or sale, 400-car drlve-ln theatre
located Augusta, Ca., army town. Terms right.
Write owner, P. 0. Box 9215, Charlotte, N. Car.
For sale, 425-car drive-in. Kentucky county
seal. All or one half. CinemaScope. modern.
Iieaiilifiil landscaping. Good reason for selling.
35mm features. Independent producer desiares
Boxofflce, 7410.
discontinue distribution phase. Western, drama,
to
For Sale, 260 car drive-ln, midwest only drlveln
county of apprnximaleiy 15.000 population,
roadshows. Own some standby features or open
and independent exchange for $25 up. 40 prints
liberal terms. De luxe stand, 72' wide screen.
Write. Box 4272. Sarasota. :ivailalile. i''la.
Season starts March 15. Act now, Boxofflce.
7417.
POPCORN MACHINES
Popcorn macliiiies. all maKes and styles. Re-
.ilacenieni Kettles fur all poppers Complete replacenieiu
ui.ll rils most machines. $185, 120
So, ll.Uileil. Clm-agiL 111,
REPAIRING
Your speakers (cones), microphones, driver-units
(horns) completely rebuilt. Western Electronics
Co., 3311 Houston Ave., Houston 9, Texas.
Large Texas city diive-in, 1,000 speakers, excellent
local ion. Could be made into a twin. Cost
over $200,000, owner must sacrifice $110,000.
Also, drive-in theatre in town over 67.500
populatiiin. Out of state owner must sell. Boxof.ice.
7414,
500 seat house and 360-car drive-in. Both
CinemaScoped. All year operation. No other
theatres in ciiunly. J. C. Camp. Cairo. Ga.
For sale 300 seat theatre, CinemaScope, excellent
equ'pment. in heart of Red River Val.ey.
Bargain tor quick sale. Roxy Theatre, Portland.
N Dak.
Only theatre agricultural town 2,500 popiil..
lion. Irrigation, perpetual harvest, near Phoenix.
Arizona. CinemaScope, 320 seats, fully equipped,
$15,000 for all. building and valuable lot. $5,000
cash, or will lease. Other interests force sacrifice.
Boxofflce, 7419.
THEATRES FOR LEASE
Will lease new, most beautiful, $65,000 theatre
northeast Iowa. Boxofflce, 7403.
Theatres Wanted! Texas, Oklahoma.
Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, Lonisiatu. liaitui
Erwiii, Broker, Tulsa.
Cash for good paying outdoor drive-in. Slate
full details. Groat's Mobile Homes, R. D. 4,
Scotia. New York.
Drive- in theatre wanted, Florida Sell soft
ice cream machine. 1018 50tli St. Soutli, Tampa,
Fl.i.
Experiencetl showman will lease non-compctltlve
indoor theatre suitable for family operation.
Prefer Memphis trade territory. Boxofflce, 7418.
Wanted to lease, theatre and/or dilve-in or
both preferably in Texas. Box 468, Linden, Texas.
THEATRE SEATING
Chair supplies, parts for all clialrs. li'cnslo
Seating. Chicago 5,
Repairing and reupholstering In your theatre
l-'ensin Seating, Chica go 5.
New spring seats for all chairs. Fensin Seating,
Chicago 5 ___^
Patcho-seat cement, permastone anchor cement.
Fensin Se.iting, Chicago 5.
Seat coverings, sewed combination, ali styles.
I'^-nsIn Seating. Chicago 5.
Plastic leatherette, all colors, send sample.
Fensin Seating, Chicago 5,
Upliolstery fabrics, all types, send sample,
Fensin Seating. Chicago 5.
Cash for your old theatre chairs, Fensin Seating,
Cliicago 5. Ill,
Professional reupholstering. Factory trained crew.
I''ree estimate anywhere. For sale: 5.000 good
used chairs, all types, OGI.F.SBY FdlilPMENT
Co., 20356 Grand River. Ilelrolt. KEiiwood 3-8740,
Several lots of late type chairs. Bargain price.
Write for ex.icl photo. Chicago Used Chair Mart.
829 S, State SI,. Chicago 5. ill.
25"x26" plastic leatherette, good quality, SSc
each, 27"x27" for spring edge. 65c each.
Chicago Used Chair Mart. 829 8. State St..
Chicago-
Handy Ad Order Blank
BOXOFFICE.
825 Van Brunt Blvd.,
Kansas City 24. Mo.
For tho $ inclosed, print
my Want Ad limes, al
rate of 15 cents a word (or 4 insertions
at the price oi 3).

For the best chance to
draw a full
top card was, is
house, your
and will
continue to be trailers. At
the very least, trailers will
produce a healthy flush at
the box-office-and the
cost is a joke when compared
to other advertising
media.
mjwm.,\0iem SERVICE
\J pmzfBoar of meinousntr
SINDLINGER
Survey showed 34.2 per cent went to the movies because of TRAILERS!
NATIONALTHEATRES CIRCUIT IN 21 STATES
Survey showed 43 per cent went to the movies because of TRAILERS!
'TtaiUt6 mm ^kou/men *i Socko Sale5men I
i