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. . "Peyton
BROADW A'i
cm LAURENCE OLIVIER arrived from
London via BOAC Tuesday i21i to rcheiirsc
for his forthcomlnR Broadway play.
"Thp Eiitorlaincr." which will open shortly
after the Rank revival of "Henry V" comes to
the CWeon Theatre on Broadway February 5
Another Rank star, the bearded Jiimes Robertson
Justice, will come from England later
In January to promote "Campbell's Klngdom."
which will open In the Pacific northwest.
• • • GlorKia Moll. 19-year-old star of
"The Quiet American." came In from Rome
to attend the world premiere of the Jo.seph
L. Manklewicz picture for UA In Washington
January 22 Another European star. Romy
Schneider, was one of the guesLs at the Viennese
Opera Ball at the Waldorf-Astoria Friday
il7i and will stay for the opening of her
picture. "The Story of Vickie" at the Normandle
Theatre January 29.
Anna Neagle and Herbert Wilcox, producer
and director, re.spectlvely, of "Dangerous
Youth." which Warner Bros, will release
here, returned to London via BOAC after
introducing Frankle Vaughan. Britain's singing
Idol, to the American press and holding
distribution talks with Warner executives.
• • Mliko Taka. the Japanese leading lady
of "Sayonara." left New York for Gla.sgow
Sunday 26 after a ten-day visit. She plans
a 45-city European tour before returning to
the U. S. late in March. • • • Anthony Franclosa.
star of "Wild Is the Wind. " left for
Philadelphia Tuesday Irs. J. .Myer Schine;
.\lbert K. Merrill, president of the board of trustees; J. Myer .Schine; Bernard G.
Kranze, vice-president of the Stanley Warner Cinerama < orp. ; .Mrs. fl. David Schine
and G. David Schine, president of Schine Knterprises, and I. ester B. Isaac. Cineramii.
ALBANy
C'abian Division Manager Ellas Schlenger
labeled as incorrect a report that the
Palace would undergo refurbishing and reduction
of its capacity, now 3.660. He said
that the idea had been considered for several
years, but that no decision had been made
and no money had been allotted for the project.
Freezing weather did waterpipe and possibly
other damage at the Turnpike Drivein.
Westmore, and the Auto-Vision, E^st
Greenbush, according to a report reaching
here. The automobilers had reopened for
the holiday season, advertising that they
would be in operation through January 5. The
Turnpike also scheduled a weekend show for
the following week, but was forced to cancel
the Sunday show because a waterpipe froze
and the restrooms could not be opened. Further
freezing allegedly occurred as the thermometer
continued to hover around zero.
Both automobilers are said to have attracted
pretty fair patronage during the holidays.
It was the first time managements attempted
to operate either at that time of the year. Jim
Fisher's Hollywood Drive-In near Averill
Park has been functioning throughout the
winter for two sea.sons with in-car electric
heaters.
Schine circuit officials reportedly view
1958 as a year In which .substantial business
will be done with "big" pictures on extended
runs In larger situations Ttiey are enthusiastic
alx>ut "Peyton Place. " "Sayonara"
and other blockbusters Horror films are on
the downgrade in Schine situations, but the
youth-theme pictures and Presley releases
still have boxofflcc pull. That's the word
coming to Fllmrow from Gloversvllle. home
base for more than 100 theatre operations
The Variety Club Camp Tlincher Fund
drive, now approaching an end. Is expected
to yield b«-tween $8,000 and $9,000. Cost of
operating the mountain camp, with free twoweek
vacations for needy boys. Is around
$1.').000 annually Ttie difference between this
amount and the drive collections will have
to be raised by other means An emergency
campaign, climaxed by a mid-July dance and
rnterlttlnment at the Shaker Ridge Country-
Club, was successfully conducted In 1957.
Donations in public places fell below the
average this year.
.•\ proposal to exempt from the New York
City sales tax receipts from theatre admissions
of 99 cents or less is again before
the legl.slature. The mea.sure. which would
take effect Immediately, has been introduced
by Senator Joseph F. Perlconi, Bronx Republican
Also presented last year by Senator
Periconi and Assemblyman Parnell J. T.
Callahan, Bronx Republican, it carries out
a campaign pledge they made to lighten the
theatre-tax burden of their constituents patronizing
chiefly neighborhood situations.
The bill is designed to benefit "large families."
The city of New York has opposed it.
Bob Lament of Lamont Theatres and Mrs.
Lamont were among tho.se attending a performance
of "The Rivalry." Paul Gregory
production of the Lincoln-Douglas debates at
the R.P.I Field House in Troy. Tliey said
they enjoyed the presentation, which starred
Raymond Massey. Agnes Moorehead and
Martin Gabel. Snow and .sleet took a heavy
toll on the attendance. The Laments live in
Troy . Place" will remain a
minimum of one week in all Schine towns
where it plays. In the city of Utlca. it will
b3 screened at Kallet's Obinplc for two weeks,
and possibly in the circuits Uptown on a
moveover.
'South Pacific' Booked
For Criterion in March
NEW 'i'OKK The Todd AO plclurization
of Rodgers and Hammersteln's "South Pacific
" will have Its world premiere at tlie Criterion
Tlieatre In mid-March, according to
George P. Skouras. president of Magna Theatres
Corp. Tlu' picture, which Is being produced
at 20th Century-Fox and dLstrlbuled
by Magna, will be .shown on a reserved seat
basis with U performances .scheduled weekly.
The Criterion will be completely refurbished
for the "South Pacific" engagement
with the projection booths to l>e rebuilt for
the special Todd-AO equipment The entire
theatre will be rewired to accompany the sixchannel
hlgh-fldellty supersonic Todd-AO
.sound.
The Criterion will be the .second Broadway
film hou.se to be equlppt-d for Todd-AO.
E-4 BOxorricE January 27. 1958