Boxoffice-February.24.1958

FEBRUARY 24. 1958
/he TuAe eK me m&tt&rL fictuM yncLdAu
r
WALTER READE JR.,
whose circuit of theatres
in
New Jersey and New
York, now observing its 50th
year, is diversifying its
interests in the fields of
distribution, concessions
management, catering and
real estate . . . Story
on Page 16.
JSOO p«r v»ar. Nottonot Edition, $7 5r
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE EDITION
liKlutmi tk< Stttlond Nnrl ^i«« of All ItWtta
OSCAR
NOMINATIONS
ANNOUNCED
Page 12

II
•I
•RAINTREE COUNTY," DON'T GO NKAR THE WATER,"
XES GIRLS," '(AILHOUSE ROCK," 'SEVEN HILLS OF ROME"
.., AND NOW THE GREAT OF '58!

"MOVIE
MASTERPIECE!"
—Newsweek
M-G-M
rrmtiTWiiK-tai',
The Greatness and Glory, The Loves
and Sins of the famed nove
THE BROTHERS
KARAMAZOVi^
STARRING
YUL BRYNNER
MARIA SCHELL
CLAIRE BLOOM
LEE J. COBB ALBERT SALMI i
AND COSTARRING ^
RICHARD BASEHART
.WILLIAM SHATNER
.«..«w«L8.FY0D0RD0ST0YEVSKY
AN AVON PRODUCTION • ..METROCOLOR
SCREEN PUy AND DIRECTION BY
RICHARD BROOKS
PRODUCED BY
PANDRO S.
BERMAN
M-G-M's new blockbuster off to a sensational start inks World
Premiere at Music Hall, N. Y.; opens Feb. 26-Pantages, L. A.;
Feb. 27- Florida, Miami; Carib, Miami Beach; Trail, Coral
Gables; March 4-Woods, Chicago and thereafter in 20 big cities
nationwide. Every theatre preview, every press screening
forecasts sure-fire box-office hit!

Summer Business begins early this year with
JERRY WALD'S
production of
WILLIAM FAULKNER'S
The LonQf
Hot Summer
there'll be
talk
for a
Long, Long
time
to come
about
sceneafter-
scene
in the
frankness
of
Faulkner!
DIRECIED BY SCREENPLAY BY COLOR bv D[ LIIXF
RIII • IRVING RAVEICH AND HARRIET ERANK, Jr. CinemaScopI
[
Handle it right and 20tfi's Long, Hot Summer will
play through the Cold, Cold Winter!
^^i^
J^>
^'"^
I

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EBRUARY 24, 1958
I, 72 No. 18
REGARDING REISSUES
% HE suggestion made at the Allied
Drive-In Tlieatre Convention in Louisville, that
it was not too late for exhibitors to acquire for
theatre use the Paramount Pictures backlog
which was sold to the Management Corporation
of America is of questionable worth. The statement
was made that Paramount would have preferred
to sell these pictures to theatres and would
have done so for $40,000,000, instead of the
$50,000,000 that the MCA deal is expected to
bring.
Whether that be true or not, we wonder how
exhibitors might be expected to guarantee, let
alone raise, such a large sum of money, when
on several recent occasions they were unable
or unwilling to raise a fund of .S2,000.000 to finance
an additional source of product; or when
they were unwilling even to guarantee j)laying
time for a group of pictures proffered by an
independent producer, who asked only for contracts
without requiring any monetary advances?
It is true, of course, that an apathetic attitude
on the part of exhibitors toward reissues
caused distributors to feel they could derive
much more from the sale of old pictures to television
that they could not resist the offers tliey
received. It is also true that, when exhibitors
asked for the reissue of certain pictures, the distributors
declined to make them available. Perhaps
this was because too little money was offered
to make the new print and other costs
worthwhile.
The long-held contention on the part of rightthinking
people in this business that "a picture
isn't old until it has been seen" has come home
to roost via the public acceptance of very old
pictures that they are now getting on television.
In the acknowledgment that even the biggest of
attractions of past years played to
no more than
16,000,000 people, there certainly was left a vast
audience yet to be given the opportunity to see
these pictures. Still, the idea that a picture's
drawing power is limited even to a very brief
age is repeatedly accented by the insistence for
early playing time of current releases.
But, there
is fault on both sides of the fence for this sort
of thing that caused many a good picture to
be under-rated and under-played to the detriment
of the business as a whole.
Doubtless, the heads of MCA, who have had
long and close relationships with the motion picture
industry, are aware of the substantial
revenue
that can be obtained through the theatrical
release of the Paramount backlog which they
have just obtained. It may. therefore, be expected
that tlie bigger and better of these pictures
will be offered to exhibitors, but not necessarily
on a bid basis, collectively made.
One deterrent, in the past, to a better use of
reissues has been a traditional fault
on the part
of distributors to demand too much and on the
jiart of exhibitors to offer too little. Sometimes
taking a little less or paying a little more is the
better part of judgment, in the mutual interest.
• •
Grand Scale Showmanship
Showmanship on the grand scale that is
reminiscent of the glorious past is returning to
Broadway. This is in the fomi of a really
spectacular billboard that stretches an entire
block and embraces the two Times Square Theatres,
the Astor and Victoria, covering the
equivalent of a half acre of space. The picture
to be promoted thereby is Kirk Douglas's production
of "The Vikings," a United Artists release.
This, as a news story elsewhere in this issue
sets forth, is more than just a large sign—it is
unusual in several other respects. Significant
features are animation and sound effects that
will attract a maximum of attention from the
huge traffic at this crossroads of the world.
Costing in excess of $100,000, this advertising
display will do more than just sell the picture
for which it was made; it will be a conversation
piece, generating an upbeat word-of-mouth about
motion pictures
as a whole.
• •
Again, Well Done!
Once again the motion picture industry is to
be commended for its generous heart and cooperation
in obtaining funds for the operation
of the Will Rogers Memorial Hospital and Research
Laboratories. A record total in excess
of a half million dollars was obtained through
these efforts, participated in by every branch
of the industry. The extension of services by
the laboratory, introduced this past year, are
thus enabled to move forward and make of
even greater value the great service that the
Will Rogers Hospital has for so long and so
successfully rendered, not only for the benefit
of the amusement industry members, but also
for the public.
A. Montague, president of the hospital, and
Ernest Emerling and Harry Goldberg, who developed
and directed the health program, are
to be congratulated for the success of their
efforts.
\J:^^^^

KEEP DIVORCED CIRCUITS OUT
OF DRIVE-IN FIELD, ALLIED PLEA
D of J
Is Again Criticized
For 'Acquiescing' to
Theatre Acquisitions
By AL STEEN
LOUISVILLE—The invasion of divorced
circuits into the drive-in field and the sale
of pictmes to television appeared to be
the principal complaints of the outdoor
theatre operators who attended the National
Allied drive-in convention in Louisville
last week. Reports on the film clinics,
held separately for exhibitors op)erating
in large and small towns, indicated that
there were fewer complaints over film
terms than in previous years.
REPORT ON FILM CLINICS
A report on both clinics was made by James
McDonald of Cincinnati, who, with Leo Jones
of Upper Sandusky. Ohio, was co-chairman
of the small town meeting.s. The consensus
was that film terms did not pose the greater
problems, although there were general protests
over the inability of drive-ins to book
"The Ten Commandments" at this time or
in the near future.
As to the former affiliated circuits moving
into the drive-in field, the convention w'ent
on record, via a resolution, protesting the
practice to the Department of Justice. The
resolution, in part, stated that the assembled
exhibitors "hereby protest the action by the
Department of Justice in acquiescing in the
acquisition by the divorced theatre circuits
based wholly upon local considerations without
taking into account the increased buying
power and influence which each such acquisition
brings to the already too-fwwerful circuits."
Allied further protested the Justice Department's
"refusal to permit affected independent
exhibitors to intervene in such cases
so that they may cause subpoenas to be issued
for gathering evidence and may appeal
from adverse decisions, thereby allowing the
higher courts to pass upon the manner in
which these proceedings are conducted."
A resolution against the sale of pictures to
television read as follows:
ON SALE TO TV
"The motion picture exhibitors assembled
at Allied's 1958 national drive-in convention
hereby appeal to the sound business judgment
of the producers and distributors of motion
pictures, and to their loyalty to the motion
picture business as a whole, to make no more
pictures available for exhibition on television,
as such a course Inevitably will lead to the
elimination of their theatre customers and
con.sequent loss of their only established
market for
their new productions."
Recommendations that exhibitors support
those companies which have expres.sed themselves
on no future sales to TV were made
by several delegates. The W'ord "boycott"
even cropped up, but was eliminated. This
referred to producers who have sold late
pictures to television, but who will have new
pictures for theatres this season. A list of
these will be sent to Allied members.
Allied, N.Y, Groups Okay
Business-Building Drive
NEW YORK—The business-building
campaign
was endorsed Thm-sday (20) by National
Allied, the Metropolitan Motion Picture
Tlaeatres Ass'n and Independent Theatre
Owners Ass'n after representatives of the
organizations had seen a presentation of the
plan in the board room of the Motion Picture
Ass'n of America.
Theatre Owners of America and MPAA
had previously endorsed it.
It was unanimously decided that the campaign
will be conducted through the Council
of Motion Picture Organizations with
Maurice A. Bergman as executive coordinator.
The plan, previously reported in BOXOF-
FICE. was described by Paul N. Lazarus,
chairman of the MPAA advertising-publicity
directors committee, and A. Montague, representing
both MPAA and COMPO.
After the meeting Harry Brandt. ITOA
president, held a caucus with others in his
group and announced it certain that full endorsement
would be forthcoming from the
membership.
At the same time, Wilbur Snaper, who
represented Allied at the meeting, contacted
Horace Adams, president, and Abram F.
Myers, board chairman and general counsel,
in Washington to recommend that the association
give the plan its approval. On receiving
the report, the two national officials
immediately agreed to recommend to the
board of directors and all regional affiliates
that they get behind the campaign and give
it their enthusiastic support.
Adams and Myers also said they hoped
COMPO would meet soon so that Allied could
return to active participation in the overall
industry organization.
Solomon M. Strausberg, president of
MMPTA, said his committee will recommend
endorsement to his board.
Ernest G. Stellings, TOA president, who
came from North Carolina to attend, said
Montague and he had worked out a plan for
organization of the campaign. The organization
will consist of sponsoring, executive and
operating committees and an executive coordinator.
The sponsoring committee will consist of
representative leaders of the industry.
The executive corrunittee, representing all
participating organizations, will be responsible
for raising and administering funds
and making policy decisions. The operating
committee, consisting of advertising-publicity
representatives of all participating groups,
will perfect present plans and evolve future
campaign activities.
Equipment, Concessions Firms Hail
Plans to Hold Joint Conventions
NEW YORK—Allied States Ass'n's decision
to combine its drive-in and national conventions
starting in 1960 was hailed by equipment
manufacturers, dealers and refreshment
men in Louisville, following the annual
national drive-in convention. But, according
to some equipment men who volunteered the
information to BOXOFFICE. the plan should
be extended to include Theatre Owners of
America in the combined tradeshow project.
Tlie expense of transporting the displays
two or three times a year to convention cities
has become too great in view of market conditions,
one refreshment product representative
.said. Unle.ss there can be one big tradeshow
a year, he continued, "this is my last
convention."
The refreshment man added, and his
opinion was echoed by others, that the business
sessions of conventions should be arranged
so that more time can be allowed for
the theatremen to visit and inspect the products
In the trade.shows. One equipment manufacturer
said that before he would commit
himself or his company again, he would demand
a copy of the program in advance so
that he would know how much time would
be available for booth inspections and how
much lime for business meetings.
"If exhibitors have to spend all their time
in business sessions, why should equipment
and concessions people come at all?" another
factoi-j' representative asked.
There were some complaints by exhibit
men at the Louisville convention over thelF
inability to get a list of registrants. This list
is regarded as important inasmuch as it
would permit those who have displays to
contact regular customers who might be
registered.
Next year's Allied drive-in convention is
.scheduled for February In Pittsburgh, unless
desired dates cannot be obtained. Otherwise,
the convention will be held in Cincinnati, site
of the 1957 tradeshow and convention and
also the locale of the first drive-In convention
five years ago. Tlie initial combined indoor-outdoor
convention has been slated for
February I960 in Chicago. Some sources are
urging TOA to meet at the same time.
BOXOFFICE :: February 24. 1958

New Hope for Exhibitors
On PosM948 Films
New York—Exhibition can take a ne%v
hope that post -1948 pictures will not be
sold to television, according- to Ernest
Stellings, president of the Theatre Owners
of America, who this week has been
conferring: with company presidents.
Stellings, S. H. Fabian and Sam Rosen,
president and vice-president of Stanley
Warner, visited Sp>Tos Skouras, president
of 20th Century-Fox; Joseph R.
Vogel, president of Loew's; Robert Benjamin,
board chairman of United Artists;
A. Montague, vice-president of Columbia,
and Barney Balaban, Paramount president.
Stellings told a press conference Thursday
that judging by the conversations
with company heads, he believed that
no company wanted to sell its backlog
to TV and that the executives went as
far as they could in stating their opposition
to such sales. Other company heads
will be contacted at a later date because
of
their absence from the city.
Hospital Drives Total
$534,657 in '57
NEW YORK—The sum of $534,657.51 was
raised for the Will Rogers Memorial Hospital
and Research Laboratories through the
1957 audience collections and Christmas
Salute, according to the mid-year report
dated January 31 and made public by A.
Montague, president.
The total was $148,721.72 more than the
combined drive total of $385,935.79 the preceding
year. The audience collection drive
with a few exceptions was conducted during
the week of August 7-14 to avoid confliction
with the many appeals made during the holiday
season. The Salute in most instances was
completed before the first week in December.
The Boston exchange area doubled its total
in the combined campaign as the result of a
July meeting in that city. Improvement was
also noted in Buffalo, Cleveland, New Orleans,
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and other exchange
areas because of the interest developed
through a visit to the hospital and attendance
at the annual board meeting in June at
Schroon Lake.
The total audience collection was $414,272.-
71, with 3,831 theatres pledged to make collections
and 2,871 circuit theatres and 397 independent
theatres remitting.
Montague reported
that some 150 theatres still have to
make returns. The balance did not conduct
collections although pledged.
Fabian-Rosen theatres, including Stanley
Warner and Cinerama, produced $113,985.67,
Loew's Theatres, $70,360.56. and RKO Theatres.
$28,353.52. More than one-half of the
audience collections came from those circuits.
The Christmas Salute brought in $120,384.80,
or SIO.546.41 more than the preceding year.
Receipts from all sources netted the hospital
$603,631.15. The additional sources included
a sponsored room, permanent charities.
Screen Actors' Guild, American Guild
of Musical Artists, Lila Motley Cancer Group,
Hearts & Diamonds Ball. Actors' Fund of
America, Ted Schlanger dinner. Belle Baker
and Oscar F. Neu funds, other memoriams and
income from investments.
Al Lichtman, Key Industry
Figure 45 Years, Dead
LOS ANGELES— Al Lichtman, one of the
veterans of motion picture production and
distribution who held top executive posts
with more than a half dozen companies
during a span of over 40 years, died here
Thursday (20). He was 69 years old.
Although his dominant role in the industry
in the last decades was in distribution, at
his death he was a producer. His first picture
in many years, "The Young Lions," was being
readied for early release by 20th Century-Fox.
Lichtman, whose last official position with
a major film company was as director of
distribution for 20th-Fox, had been in poor
health the last several years. Other than the
fact that he was a dominant figure in the
actual production and distribution of films,
lie played many an important role in overall
industry affairs. He had been distributor representative
on the COMPO triumvirate, and
took the leadership in countless industry
campaigns. While with Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer he originated the sliding scale for
film rentals.
Like a great many others in the industry,
he began his career as a theatre usher. He
moved into vaudeville, and then into the
film business as an employe of the Exhibitor
Advertising Coi-p. in New York. His first big
job came as general manager of the Monopol
Film Co., which distributed "Dante's Inferno,"
"Homer's Oddysey" and "The Life of
Buffalo Bill." Then came a long line of
firsts. He was the fu'st general sales manager
of Famous Players Pictui'es Co., the organizer
of Alco Film Co., which later became
Metro Pictures: the first general manager of
Artcraft Pictures Co., which was formed to
distribute Mary Pickford's pictures; the first
general manager of Famous Players-Lasky,
AL LICHTMAN
and the organizer, with B. P. Schulberg and
J. G. Bachman, of Preferred Pictures, a production
company, in the early 1920s.
Lichtman headed one major com,pany as
president. United Artists. He was both president
and chairman of the executive committee
for a period in the 1930s, following
Joseph M. Schenck in that position. In 1936,
Lichtman began the longest association he
had with one company, a 13-year tenure
with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, part of which
was spent at the studio. When he joined
20th-Fox, he served first as a consultant and
then as director of distribution.
Rebound in Theatre Attendance
Is Noted by Elmer Rhoden
LOS ANGELES—After a severe autumn
slump, motion picture attendance has rebounded
sharply since Christmas, Elmer C.
Rhoden, president of National Theatres, Inc.,
told the aiuiual meeting of shareholders Tuesday
(18). He attributed the gains primarily
to a significant improvement in the quality
of motion pictures recently released.
"Studio budgets for quality pictures axe
higher than ever before," said Rhoden. "The
serious drop experienced in the fall has made
the producers more conscious than ever that
only quality films will p>ay off at the boxoffice."
He pointed to a growing spirit of
cooperation between the various arms of the
motion picture industry, specifically mentioning
the Academy awards telecast, which
this year will sell movies and not cars.
In the latter part of the current fiscal year
NT's earnings will begin to benefit from diversification
moves, he said. Through the
venture of "Windjammer," the company's
first picture in the Cinemiracle process, NT
will begin realizing foreign income. The company
will invest $750,000 in installations in
Pacific Ocean Park, the amusement pai-k now
being developed near Santa Monica. Substantial
reductions are being made in operating
expenses without affecting the general
operation of the theatre circuit, Rhoden said.
Since Sept. 24, 1957, NT has disposed of eight
theatres and real estate properties at an aggregate
sales price of $1,650,000 and has designated
additional properties for disposal.
The following members of fhe board of directors
were re-elected: John B. Bertero, vice-president ano
counsel of the compony; B. Gerald Cantor, president
of Cantor, Fitzgerald and Co., investment bankers;
Peter Colefax, president of American Potash and
Chemical Corp.; Willard W. Keith, president of
Marsh and McLennon-Cosgrove and Co., Insurance
brokers and average adjusters; Alan May, vicepresident
and treasurer of NT; Richard Millar, partner,
William Stoats Co., investment bankers; Elmer
C. Rhoden, president of NT; F. H. Ricketson jr., vicepresident
of NT, and Graham L. Sterling jr., partner,
O'Melveny and Myers, attorneys. Elected directors
to succeed Gregson Boutzer and Earle Mines were
Somuel Firls, president of Consolidoted Bui'ders,
Inc., real property developers, and Jack M. Ostrow,
certified public occountant and attorney at law, who
also were management nominees in the proxy statement.
After the stockholders meeting, the board of directors
of NT re-elected officers.
BOXOFTICE February 24, 1958

ALL
HAIL
AREWELL
THE
NEW
CHAMPION !
-No. 1 in Variety's report on the nation's grossers!
u.
»
''^.'"
i:y
THE BIGGEST AnRACTlON
OF THE YEAR IS SEWNG
BOX-OFFICE RECORDS
FROM COAST TO
-*iB*
AND STARTING EASTER SUNDAY, .the most thoroughly pre-sd

People who know have this to say:
THE GREATEST PIC-
TURE OF THE YEAR"
— Hedda Hopper
SELZNICK HAS DONE IT
AGAIN WITH ANOTHER
ACADEMY AWARD
BLOCKBUSTER THAT
RIVALS HIS 'GONE WITH
THE WIND' —Ed Sullivan
I
RECOMMEND IT TO
EVERYONE. WONDER-
FUL! MARVELOUS!
GREAT!
-Dorothy Kilgallen
I
COULD SEE IT TWICE!''
-Walter Winchell
'*IN THE BEST OF TRADI-
TION OF DAVID O.
SELZNICK — Louella O. Parsons
"A WARM, BEAUTIFUL,
TENDER LOVE STORY!
MOST TASTEFULLY
HANDLED!
'*ONE OF THE GREAT
PICTURES OF ALL TIME!
EVERY FACET SUPERB!
A WONDERFUL CONTRI-
BUTION TO THE SCREEN
THAT YOU SHOULD SEE"
DAVID 0. SELZNICK
presents his production of
[RNESI HEMINGWAY'S
A—AREWELL
I
M E r\/i /\S c: CDPE
-OR by DE LUXE
TO
ARMS
CK HUDSON-JENNIFER JONES-VITTORIODESICA
ed by
Screenplay by ^*^e
i
RLES VIGOR •
BEN HECHT \h§^ Released by 20th Century-Fox • in stereophonic
ot/on picture of our time will be available to exhibitors everywhere I

for
'
Realignment in Warner Bros,
Ad-Publicity Setup Made
Meyer Hutner. national publicity manager.
and Charles Cohen, homeoffice ad manager,
to continue in New York: Gilbert Golden,
national ad manager, and Bill Hendricks,
studio publicity manager, to operate from
coast: post of vice-president, recently vacated,
not to
be filled.
Senate Commerce Committee
Asks Delay of Toll TV Test
StUl another blow to pay television proponents
delivered as senators request FCC
not to proceed with testing; committee also
sets hearings for early March on three bills
banning use of toll television over air waves.
More Prints Now Available
For TOA Anti-Toll TV Reel
Heavy demand for "Toll TV — What It
Means to You" forces increase from 20 to
32 prints for showings on television stations
and before civic groups: it was produced by
PhU Harling, head of pay TV committee.
•
Registrations Exceed 300
For TOA Drive-In Meeting
President Ernest Stellings reports growing
interest in and prospects of a large attendance
at convention March 25, 26 at Mark
Hopkins Hotel, San Piancisco: TOA board is
scheduled to meet March 25, 26.
•
Theatre Admission Prices
Hit Record ffigh in '57
Labor Statistics Biu-eau reports combined
price index for adults and children was 130.5,
up from 124.7 in 1956; rapid rise in fourth
quarter to 134.5 from 126.9 in 1956: 1947 to
1949 prices represent base figure of 100.
*
Columbia Reports Net Loss
Of $820,000 for Half Year
Compares with profit of $1,329,000 for same
period in preceding year; quarter ended
December 28 lost $395,000, compared with
previous year profit of $486,000: Harry Cohn
blames higher production costs, lower receipts
per picture; sees good returns from
new big pictures.
First Meeting With Russia
On Film Exchange Feb. 26
Representing industry in discussions of
cultural agreement sponsored by the government
will be Eric Johnston, president of
MPAA, and vice-presidents Kenneth Clark
and Ralph Hetzel; Sovexportfilm to name
representative.
*
Cinerama at Brussels Fair
To Be Elaborately Housed
Robins International Corp. foreign distributor,
erects $300,000 all-aluminum theatre
for showings of "This Is Cinei-ama" starting
April 17; to be the only U.S. film to be shown
on continuous basis.
10
U-I Is Streamlining
Exchange Operations
CLEVELAN D— Universal-International
this week skeletonized its Cleveland branch
operation in what appears to be continuation
of a company plan to streamline its domestic
exchange system. Last week, the Albany and
New Haven exchanges were reported dropped
from the national film selling and distribution
network. As yet, there has been no official
announcement of the changes by the
company.
Employes here were notified February 18
that effective March 1, only a small crew
consisting of the branch manager, one booker
and minimum office help will remain on
duty Sales and shipping will be conducted
from Detroit or Pittsbui-gh. Carl Reardon
will remain as branch manager and Peter
Rosian will continue for the time being to
maintain his district office here.
Many long-time employes were let out m
the curtailment step, including Marie Roessel,
cashier for 30 years, and office manager
Frank Musto and booker Frank de Fi'anko.
The Albany exchange will operate on a
sales service only policy until June when
the U-I lease expires. Only Norman Weitman
will remain on the staff, and when he
is traveling an answering service will handle
calls. Prints will be shipped from Buffalo
or New York, depending on the location of
the theatre. The New Haven area is to be
serviced out of New York or Boston.
Mantle Heads New Rank
Branch in St. Louis
ST LOUIS—Clifford M. Mantle has been
named manager of the new branch office
to be established here
by Rank Film Distributors
of America. Office
space will be acquired
shortly. Mantle
formerly was associated
with 2 0th
Century-Fox, Mack
Enterprises, Film
Classics and Columbia
Pictures.
Rank now has 16
branches in the United
Clifford M. Mantle
States. The others are
in Atlanta, Boston.
Washington, Cincinnati, Chicago, Detroit.
Dallas, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Denver, San
Francisco, Los Angeles, New York. Buffalo
and Philadelphia.
Boomer, Retired TESMA
Executive Secretary. Dies
LOS ANGELES - Funeral .services were
held here Friday (21 > Roy Boomer, former
executive secretary of Theatre Equipment
and Manufacturers Ass'n, who died
Monday (17) of a heart attack in his home.
He was 67 years old.
Boomer started his cai-eer in the industry
as an actor, later becoming a film sale.sman,
theatre executive and sales manager of
Monograph. Inc. When TESMA was reorgan-
Boomer was named
ized after World War II.
executive secretary. He retired in 1954. His
wife .survives.
Boomer was with Universal Pictures, 1922-
•27 and with Warners Bros, theatres 1928-'34.
Stevens Succeeds Stoner
As Para. Division Head
NEW YORK— J. H. Stevens, Paramount
branch manager in Chicago, has been appointed
manager of the
midwestem division.
formerly the central
division, succeeding
Bryan D. Stoner, re- — signed. He will contin- ^
ue to headquarter in
Chicago. Robert Allen.
assistant branch manager
in Chicago, has
been made branch
manager there.
Stevens joined Paramount
in 1923
^ chief ^^^^^^^
accountant m Boston.
He has held his former Chicago post since
1942. Previously he was manager in Boston,
Portland, Me., and Indianapolis. Allen joined
Paramount in 1948. He was previously a
United Artists branch manager.
Stoner's resignation was announced by
Sidney Deneau, western sales manager, with
regret. He has headed the central division
since June 1954. That includes the branches
in Chicago, Detroit, IndianapoUs, Milwaukee
and Minneapolis.
Exhibitor, Civic Leaders
To Screen 'Tom Sawyer'
KANSAS CITY—NTA Pictures, Inc., will
launch the rerelease of Selznick's "The Adventures
of Tom Sawyer" at a series of meetings
of exhibitor leaders and screenings for
both theatremen and opinion makers in key
cities throughout the country. The first of
the promotional efforts will be held here
Tuesday (25). Hosts will be A. W. Schwalberg,
director of NTA Pictures, and Harry
Gaff'ney. distributor for Kansas City, St.
Louis, Omaha and Des Moines areas.
Schwalberg will entertain exhibitors at a
luncheon in the Muehlebach Hotel while m
the evening he will be host to a screening
of the picture at the Fox Brookside Theatre.
Approximately 300 officials of Kansas City
civic groups, along with theatremen, will attend
the screening.
Kansas City was chosen as the initial city
in the campaign because of its proximity to
Hannibal. Mo., where Mark Twain, author
of "Tom Sawyer" was born. The picture will
be released in April.
Among those expected to be present at
the luncheon are:
Richard Brous, president of Fox ';:Jidwes, Theatres^
Fred Souttor, Leon Robertson, Rolph Adorns, Horold
Hume, Jirr, Long, Fox Midwest; D.ckOreorM.B.
Smith Lloyd Morris, Roy Tucker, Doug L.ghtner
lor^imonweolth Theatres Glen W D.ck.n^on ond
Glen W. Dickinson |r., Dickinson Theatres Bevcny
Miller president of Allied Theatre Owners of Konsos
arx^ Missouri; Fred Harpst, Allied; Stanley Durw

AGAINST fanatics' BULLET9
starring
TECHNICOLOR
SIDNEY POITIER-JUANO HERNANDEZ -JOHN MclNTIRE
Directed by MICHAEL AUDLEY Screenplay by H. KENN CARMICHAEL
Produced by LLOYD YOUNG -A Umversallnfernational Release

Academy Nominations In;
36 Features Represented
HOLLYWOOD — The Oscar race is on.
Nominations for the coveted awards of the
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
were announced Monday

BETWEEN THE LINES
By AL STEEN
Mr. Vogel Speaks
JOSEPH R. VOGEL. president of Loew's,
Inc., was relaxing in his suite in the
Kentucky Hotel. Louisville, prior to his appearance
at the closing banquet of Allied's
drive-in convention, at which he was the
guest of honor. A few of the trade press
boys .stopped in for a chat and Vogel offered
to have some Scotch sent up. That's
heresy in a bourbon territory.
But that was the only heresy he committed.
Vogel spoke straight from the
shoulder, but sidetracked any question
which might have been aswered in his
address to the banquet conventioneers. He
said distribution costs must be cut wherever
p>ossible. He said MGM's joint back
room operations with Paramount in New
York were part of the overall streamlining
program, which also has been put into
effect in Cleveland and New Haven. He
said that the economy moves which have
been put into force in recent months already
represented a saving of $6,000,000 a
year and he indicated that other economies
would be adopted. Ultimately, he said,
these savings can be passed on to the theatres
in regard to film rentals, and, too,
will permit the paying of dividends.
Asked if MOM contemplated the sale of
its studios in England, Vogel said it was
not an immediate project but that if somebody
came along with a price that was
right, it would be good business to sell.
That also would apply to the company's
dubbing studio in Rome.
Vogel admitted there had been some discussions
with Sol Siegel regarding the latter
taking over the top production post at
the studio, but he added that talks had
been held with others, too. He declined to
identify who the "others" were.
About that time, a photographer from a
local newspaper came in for a picture. So
Joe pulled up his sust>enders. put on a tie
and a jacket and that ended his rare daytime
opportunity to relax.
Meet Mr. Adams
fJORACE ADAMS, the new president of
Allied States Ass'n, loves the pictui-e
business even though it is only one of his
many enterprises. His selection by the
Allied board to head the national organization
at its annual meeting in Louisville
was a wise one because Adams is a fighter.
This quality became evident as soon as he
took over the reins from retiring president
Julius Gordon, who was a fighter, too.
Although Adams operates seven drive-ins
and one hardtop theatre, he spends considerable
time on his Indu.strial Advisors
Bureau. Inc., a management consultant
firm in Cleveland. He also has an active
interest in two race tracks. He owns the
Ascot Park in Cleveland and is the executive
director of the Kentucky Raceway,
Florence, Ky.
Adams has been president of Independent
Theatre Owners of Ohio for the last four
years. He organized the first state drive-in
association in the U. S. several years ago
and, later, merged it with the ITOO.
•
They're Busy at 20th-Fox
TRYING to talk to any of the people in
Charlie Einfeld's advertising-publicity
department over at 20th Century-Fox these
days is a full-time job. That place is jumping
with activity, activity in just about the
highest gear we've ever seen. And all the
boys—Charlie included—are involved in
more projects than you can shake a stick
at, if you like to go around shaking sticks.
For example, Gina LoUobrigida and
Lauren Bacall are set to tour for their respective
20th-Fox releases, "Beautiful But
Dangerous" and "The Gift of Love." While
both of these beautiful ladies are in town
and the company is busy working out their
tours and promotional plans, work also is
being done on young Tommy Sands' southern
tour for "Sing Boy Sing." And, to continue
along exploitation lines, plans are
being worked out for a gala debut in Baton
THERE WILL
BE A SHARP
PENALTY
FOR ANYONE
WHO REVEALS
THE ENDING
Rouge, La., for "The Long Hot Summer."
In addition, a full-size job is still under
way for the various openings of "A Farewell
to Arms" around the country, with
early returns on the Selznick production
proving that the sturdy job done on
"AFTA" was highly .successful. Bringing
in a top picture like "Farewell" would seem
enough for any one department, but apparently
to the boys at 20th, it's just another
big one and all in the day's work.
Just as the company gets through launching
one, along comes another in the top
categoiy. No sooner do "Peyton Place'
and "A Farewell to Arms" get off 'ihe ground
than Al Lichtman's "The Young Lions"
emerges. This one has a trio of stars, Marlon
Brando, Montgomery Clift and Dean
Martin, and things will be humming when
it is released next month.
And the Einfeld crew doesn't, and can't,
relax. In addition to the top "A" features
for which are planned openings, tours, disc
jockey, radio and TV promotions, full publicity
and ad jobs on Bob Lippert's Regal
films, the company is working on the rerelease
of "The Song of Bernadette," in
conjunction with the 100th anniversary of
Lourdes. And "Bernadette" isn't being
sloughed off as just another rerelease.
Anxious to show exhibitors that a job can
be done on a picture for theatres, instead
of releasing it to television, 20th-Fox is
doing quite a chore on the advertising, exploitation
and publicity fronts, marking
"Bernadette"' as a top attraction for 1958.
The HEIGHT of HORROR is coming from ALLIED ARTISTS
BOXOFFICE February 24. 1958
13

Vikings in hOOO-Theatre
Premiere in Late June
An artist's conception of how the 261-foot sigrn will look on Broadway.
NEW YORK—Kirk Douglas' $4,000,000 'The
Vikings" will be made available to approximately
1.000 theatres immediately after the
picture's dual world premiere at the Astor
and Victoria Theatres on Broadway in mid-
Jime. The Astor and Victoria are adjoining
theatres and a huge sign, covering more than
a half-acre, will be erected above the two
houses to spotlight "The Vikings " The sign
will represent an expense of $105,000.
Douglas and William J. Heineman, vicepresident
in charge of distribution for United
Artists, which will distribute the production,
explained to the press Tuesday (18), that the
picture would open shortly after the New York
debut in Chicago, Los Angeles and London.
It will be offered to drive-ins in July and
August. The New York engagements will be
on a continuous-run basis.
In discussing the concept of a dual continuous-run
premiere at adjoining houses,
Heineman said that this type of booking was
expected to add greatly to the film's success
and prestige. He predicted that the value of
the double premiere engagement would not
only be reflected in the initial booking, but
would also significantly stimulate intere.st In
subsequent runs on circuits and at neighborhood
theatres as well as in first runs in key
cities.
Extending from 44th to 45th streets on the
west side of Broadway, the mammoth threedimensional
sign will feature a 261 -foot long
actual replica of the Viking ship u.sed by ancient
Norse raiders. The eleven sets of oars
are to be electrically articulated and a wind
machine hidden In the hull will billow a 52-
foot .sail. From the ba.se of the dLsplay to the
ship's mast lop, the sign measures 83 feet
high. Its total width will be 275 feet and the
full area will be 22,825 .square feet.
Roger H. Lewis, UA's national director of
advertising, said the big display was another
evidence of the company's program to reach
today's public in new and more effective
ways. The sign was designed by Harper Goff,
noted commercial artist.
Douglas, whose company produced the picture
in which he is a star, said "The Vikings"
never would be seen on television because it
could be appreciated only on a large screen.
With prints and advertising, the production
repre.sents an investment of $6,500,000.
Elmer Rhoden Jr.
Films for Teenagers
Boosts
LOS ANGELES—Elmer Rhoden jr..
president
of Imperial Productions and head of
the commonwealth Theatre circuit in the
Kansas-Missouri area, told exhibitors here
Tuesday '18) that low-budget films aimed for
the teenage market are a sure way to make
money in the production end of the business,
adding that they also help exhibitors.
Rhoden contends that since the majority of
today's ticket buyers are in the younger age
groups, these are the people he will make pictures
for. He said that he has stopped booking
adult type films in many of his 102 theatres
in favor of juvenile product, and stated
that boxoffice business has jumped 18 per
cent since he .switched to .such pictures.
Rhoden, who is planning to shoot from 8-12
pictures this year, in addition to entering the
television production field, currently is preparing
two projected TV — series "Private
Eye" and "Johnny Sundown," the pilots of
which will roll this summer.
The executive further maintained that he
does not believe In motion picture companies
selling their pictures to TV for at least five
years and stated he will follow that belief.
Para, to Release 11
Feb. Through June
NEW YORK—Paramount wil release 11
new features, plus ten reissues, eight of the
pre-1948 vintage in the five-month ijeriod,
February through June. These pictures will
be in addition to Cecil B. DeMille's "The
Ten Conunandments," which will have an
increasing number of special engagements
throughout the country during this period.
The February release is "Wild Is the Wind."
the Hal Wallis production which stars three
Academy Award nominees. Anna Magnani,
Anthony Quirm and Anthony Franciosa, two
of them previous Oscar winners.
Morch will have three releases, "Desire Under
the Elms," Don Hartmon's production of the Eugene
O'Neill play, starring Sophia Loren, Anthony Perkins
ond Burl Ives; "High Hell," storrirtg John Derek
and Eloine Stewart, end "Country Music Holiday,"
with Ferlin Husky, Rocky Groziono and Zsa Zso
Gabor. In April will come Perlberg-Seoton's "Teacher's
Pet," starring Clerk Goble and Dons Day, and "St.
Louis Blues," biography of W, C. Handy, s tor ring
Not "King" Cole, Eortho Kitt, Cab Callowoy ond
Pearl Boiley.
The May releoses will be: "Marocoibo," o Technicolor
film starring Cornel Wilde, Jean Wolloce and
Abbe Lane, and Hal Wallis' "Hot Spell," starring
Shirley Booth, Anthony Quinn, Shirley MacLairw
and Earl Holliman. June releases wilt be: "Another
Time, Another Place," starring Lana Turner, Glynis
Johns and Barry Sullivan; "Space Children," with
Adam WiMiom, Michel Ray and Jackie Coogan, and
"Vertigo," Alfred Hitchcock Technicolor picture,
starring James Stewart, Kim Novok arvd Barbaro
Bel Geddes.
The ten reissues, the largest number ever scheduled
by Paramount in a similar period, will be: "California,"
in Technicolor, starring Roy Mi Hand, Barbora
Stanwyck ond Anthony Qumn; "Desert Fury,"
in Technicolor, starring Burt Lancoster, Lizobeth
Scott and Wendell Corey; "Forest Rangers," in
Technicolor, storring Fred MocMurray, Susan Hoyward
and Poulette Goddard, and "Wells Fargo,"
starring Joel McCrea and Robert Cummings, all in
Februory; "Jumping Jacks" and "Scored Stiff," both
starring Mortin and Lewis, in March; Cecil B. De-
Mille's "Union Pocif ic," s'orring Barbara Stanwyck,
Joel McCrea and Robert Preston, and "Wild Harvest,"
starring Alan Ladd, Dorothy Lamour ond
Robert Preston, both in April, ond DeMille's "Northwest
Mounted Police," in Technicolor, stornng Gory
Cooper, Madeleine Carroll, Poulette Goddard and
Robert Preston, and "Blaze of Noon," starring William
Holden, Anne Baxter and Sterling Hoyden, in
May.
Despite Paramount's recent sale of it,s pre-
1948 product to Management Corp. of America,
all except the two Martin-Lewis features
were released before 1947, with two. "Wells
Fargo" and "Union Pacific," dating back to
1937 and 1939, respectively.
Cinemiracle to Cut Roxy
To Under 3,000 Seats
NEW YORK — The 5,886-.seat Roxy
Theatre here, once the largest motion
picture theatre in the world, will have a
seating capacity of between 2.700 and
2,800 when, after a remodeling job, it
reopen.s with 'Windjammer." the first
picture to be produced in the Cinemiracle
process. Not all of the unused seats will
be removed: they will be "masked off"
with huge drapes.
The theatre will close after the last
show on March 2. It will take approximately
a month to install the 100 by 40
foot Cinemiracle screen. projection
equipment and other materials. The entire
mezzanine of 900 .seats will be eliminated
for sealing. The special projection
booth will be constructed on the
mezzanine.
Stage shows will be dropped and all
scat,s will be on a reserved seat basis.
14 BOXOFFICE :: Pebraary 24, 1958

^^Adam and Eve.,
reck 'em
ks everyone in motion pictures knows,
it is entirely possible to film so familiar
a scene as this with such finesse that
audiences feel themselves part of it.
Equally well known, too, is the fact
that much of the impact of a sequence
—an entire picture, even—can be lost
through misinterpretation or improper
weighting of color balances, of blackand-white
tone values, in printing
and processing.
\
To help the industry preserve highest
standards, representatives of the Eastman
Technical Service for Motion Picture Film
maintain constant contact . . . provide
motion picture film for every purpose.
Offices at strategic points. Inquiries
invited.
East Coast Division
342 Madison Ave.
New York 17, N.Y.
Motion Picture Film Deportment
EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Rochester 4, N.Y.
Midwest Division
1 30 E. Randolph Drive
Chicago 1, Illinois
West Coast Division
6706 Santa Monica Blvd.
Hollywood 38, Calif.
BOXOFFICE :
: February
24, 1958
15

a
THE DIVERSIFIED CIRCUIT
In Its 50th Year, Walter Reade Theatres
Is Deep in Exhibition and Distribution,
Concessions, Catering and Real Estate
By SUMNER SMITH
NEW YORK—In 1908, the late Walter
Reade sr, began operating Pehr's Opera
House, Portchester, N. Y.. as a film and
vaudeville theatre. Today, his son Walter
Reade jr. operates more than 40 conventional
and drive-in theatres, a highly profitable
catering department, a film distributing company
and a number of other enterprises,
including real estate interests in communities
where his theatres are located.
Note the date above. It means that this
year is the golden anniversary of the entry
of the Reade family into the theatrical field.
The event will be celebrated on a circuitwide
basis.
Well knowTi, of course, are the diversified
business interests of the huge American
Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres and Stanley
Warner circuits. While not comparable
in scope, the Reade circuit with its much
fewer theatres nevertheless is an example
of exhibitor diversification.
Back in 1937 the American Community
Theatres Coi-p., a subsidiary of Walter Reade
Theatres, began building the first of its
communit>--type theatres. They are now
familiar sights in a number of New Jersey
and New York towns, and each is called
the Community Theatre. They resemble suburban
banks or community social centers
more than theatres, and, colonial in appearance,
add notably to the appearance of the
community.
INTO THE FOOD FIELD
The originality of thought which conceived
them has extended into other fields,
notably the food business. Its success has
been so great that Reade has urged other
circuits to enter the field as a means of
diversification. He wasn't talking only about
hot dogs and soft drinks.
The company entered the food business
about ten years ago, and the undertaking
has been an immense success. Its catering
department operates the "Refresheries"—
registered trade mark—in all Reade theatres,
in restaurants on New Jersey's Garden
State Parkway, provides all food seiwices at
the Freehold Raceway, New Jersey's trotting
park, and figures in more than 30 other diverse
food operations, including kiddie parks,
stock car racing tracks, beachfront resort
locations and roadside operations.
The Reade-operated restaurants on the
Parkway recently added a smart new touch.
They began stressing dining with a Continental
touch, serving, in addition to American
dishes, such gourmet-style entrees as
"Devilled Crab Coquille with Broccoli Mornay,"
"Veal Parmigiana" and "Beef a la
Strogonoff." The customers love the variety,
other international items are to be added
from time to time. In the fail, Reade will
begin operating a de luxe restaurant in
Garden State Plaza, regional shopping center
In Paramus, for R. H. Macy & Co., New York
department store.
16
Patrons having membership in the Diners
Club and Esquire Club systems can say
"charge it" at the Reade restaurants when
they buy food, beverages and novelties. The
interiors are both lavish and comfortable,
the outdoors handsomely landscaped. At the
de luxe restaurant in Paramus. Reade will
feature a luncheon club for executives where
facilities will be available for the projection
of motion pictures and reception of closedcircuit
television.
In the food field, the opportunities apparently
are endless. Of special interest to
the theatrical world is a six-year contract
Reade holds to operate the food sales and
parking lot concessions at the annual American
Shakespearean Festival at Stratford,
Conn. And the circuit will publish the official
program for the attractions.
The Reade organization is in film distribution,
too. It now has six years of experience
in this phase of the business, operating Continental
Distributing, Inc., established in
1952. The idea, of course, was to make money,
but more importantly, it was aimed to help
alleviate a general picture shortage and to
insure pictures for the Reade theatres.
In 1954 Continental concluded a coproduction
arrangement with the J. Arthur Rank
Organization of England for "To Paris With
Love," stan-ing Alec Guinness. Sales offices
were' established in the major cities and the
company moved ahead on a major expansion
program.
Continental films now in release include
The Community Tliiatre in RiiiRston,
N. Y., with its graceful pillars, is typical
of the many theatres whieh the Reade
circuit has introduced in towns in which
it operates. The K^-adc treatment has a
multifold purpose—it ties the theatre directly
into community life, it creates an
atmosphere of substance and importance
as a community asset, and it lends architectural
beauty to the general area.
Walter Reade jr. (right), head of the
circuit which bears his name, is shown
with Governor Robert Meyner of New
Jersey, who recently appointed him to
head a committee to seek cooperation
from drive-in theatre owners in establishing
motor vehicle safety inspection
stations at outdoor theatres. Reade
pioneered in this public service.
"The Love Lottery," "Raising a Riot," "The
French Thev Are a Funny Race," "Maid in
Paris," "A Novel Affair," "Brothers in Law,"
"Deadlier Than the Male" and "Gei-vaise."
To insure a supply of good product, Reade
goes abroad each summer in a search of
top-quality pictures.
STARTING OFFICE BUILDING
This spring, the circuit will start erecting
an air-conditioned professional office building
in Ocean Township, N. J., to be known
as Monmouth Road Center. The site is between
the recently completed Ocean Township
Municipal Building and Mayfau- House,
the existing homeoffice of the circuit, which
once was the Reade homestead. It will consist
of two separate buildings, each of colonial
design, with space to be made available
to professional men and professional business
concerns.
Construction also started last fall on a
building adjacent to the Community Theatre
in Morristown. N. J., which will be of the
same colonial design and have the same brick
facing and white trim columns as the theatre.
It ties the theatre into community
business life. The Scott Shoe Stores of
Westfield and the RetaU Credit Co. of Mornstown
already have leased space in this latest
real estate ventui-e.
In diversifying its amusement field interests,
the circuit recently took over the huge
convention Hall in Asbury Park, to launch
a program of presenting name brands,
exhibits of replicas of famous gems, an atom
lx)mb test and Ripley's "Believe It or Not"
show, among other attracUons. At the height
of the season last year. Reade presented
"Aroimd the World in 80 Days." "The Ten
Commandments," at least eight other topnotch
pictures, stage shows featuring calypso
song and dance companies, orchestra music
for dancing on a theatre stage, an exliibit
of American homes, and a collection of Indian
and Eskimo relics.
Always alert to experiment. Reade went
into tlie television station business several
years ago, owning and operating WRTV. It
(Continued on page 18)
BOXOFFICE
:
: February
24, 1958

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Air Express is inexpensive; a 15 lb. shipment from
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only $8.03 with Air EXpress - $1.68 less than any other
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Call Air EXpress.
5^^-
/iW/^
GETS THERE FIRST via U. S. SCHEDULED AIRLINES
CALL. AIR EXPRESS division of RAIL^VAY EXPRESS AGENCY
BOXOFFICE Februai-y 24. 1958 17

i
DivGrsiflGcl CitCuit
(Continued from page 16)
was a XTHY station and, in common with
others in the same ultra-high frequency
field, it ran into trouble because of the
high cost of set conversion from VHF. The
ciixuit conducted a strenuous campaign to
enlist public support for the project but the
station was abandoned and the building
leased to an electronics company.
At the moment, plans are under way to
make a big occasion of the March 26 telecast
of the Academy Awards from Hollywood. The
circuit had planned to show the telecast via
theatre TV in a number of its houses, but
clearance difficulties have prevented the
showing. Instead, TV sets will be placed in
lounges, and patrons will be invited to "take
in" the show.
With a thought to public service as well
as good promotion, Reade permitted the
construction of New Jersey's first outdoor
motor vehicle safety inspection station at his
Woodbridge Drive-In. Governor Meyner
named him head of a committee to enlist
the cooperation of other exliibitors on similar
civic projects.
The circuit's current interest in diversification
certainly is an outgrowth of the varied
activities of Walter Reade sr. He was born
to show business, his mother being a sister
of Oscar Hammerstein I, the opera impresario
and producer. Reade began working
for his imcle at the age of 16. His uncle then
was operating the old Victoria Theatre in
Times Square. From that time on, besides
operating theatres, the elder Reade ran
^^® Walter Reade Cabinet
Edwin Gogc Nicholas Schermerhorn Jack Harris Sheldon Gunsberg A. C. Jacobsen
These five men direct tlie various operations of the Reade circuit. Edwin "Pete"
Gage is executive vice-president; Jack P. Harris is vice-president in charge of film
buying; Nicholas Schermerhorn is vice-president in charge of theatre operations;
Sheldon Gunsberg, vice-president in charge of advertising-publicity; and A. Charles
Jacobsen, treasurer. Gage also directs the catering and concessions department.
skating rinks, swimming pools, dance halls
and beach concessions. At one time he operated
the Astor and Mayfield theatres in
Times Square.
The son is a chip off the old block. Walter
jr. lays claim to many "firsts" in the industry.
He furthered his father's policy of constructing
the community-type of theatre, he was
the first theatre owner to install a TV set
in a theatre lobby, he developed the "Curtain
at 8:40" format for presentation of art and
foreign fOms in theatres that cannot support
them on a normal basis, and he conceived
the idea of "adult nights" when adults can
enjoy films in quiet surroundings.
He installed love seats at the Park Avenue
Theatre in New York when it was built in
1946, when offering living room comforts at
a movie house was still a novelty. It was
also the first theatre on Park Ave. It brought
the Reade name to national prominence.
Reade has begun installing in his theatres
the "small change rooms" he fu'st introduced
in the restaurants he operates. They provide
a free diaper, baby oil and powder for infants.
He also has experimented constantly
with reduced admissions for persons over
65 years of age. students and teachers. He
has built "the world's first second-story
drive-in" which has a second claim to fame
as using a wireless induction sound system.
Those byproducts of Reade planning may not
be diversification, but they illustrate a talent
for creativeness.
Despite the number and variety of his
operations, Reade has been a president and
is a board member of Theatre Owners of
America and actively associated with virtually
all welfare and philanthropic undertakings
of the industry. In the New Jersey area
where most of his theatres are located he
is active in a great many civic programs.
In the summer when his food business is
at its peak. Reade employs about 1,300.
He is assisted by Edwin "Pete" Gage, executive
vice-president; Jack P. Harris, vicepresident
in charge of film; Nicholas Schermerhorn,
vice-president in charge of theatre
operations; Sheldon Gunsberg. vice-president
in charge of advertising and publicity, and
A. Charles Jacobsen, treasurer. Albert Floersheimer
jr. has been vice-president in charge
of catering and food concessions, but recently
resigned to take over the post of TOA public
relations director. Gage has assumed his
duties.
Miamians Are Being Vhonavised'
As Wometco Sells
By Telephone
AValtcr Keade's boyhood home in Oakhurst,
N. J., now serves as the circuit'.s
homooffice. Known as Mayfair House, it
is the nerve center of the multiple-project
operation which characterizes the circuit.
Shown here are the exterior of the
mansion and the entry hall which is now
the reception room.
MIAMI—The best approach is the direct
approach, and there's nothing as effective as
word-of-mouth advertising. Combining these
two basic components of motion picture selling,
managers of 14 Wometco Circuit neighborhood
and drive-in theatres in the Greater
Miami area have launched an extensive telephone
advertising campaign to let the folks
at home know what's playing around town.
The project has been named "phonavising,"
and under the plan each theatre manager
makes 15 calls a day, Monday through Saturday,
to homes in his particular neighboi-hood.
Each call is limited to a maximum of 20
seconds and the picture-plugging is not
limited to features playing in the manager's
own theatre. If, for example, none of the
neighborhoods are playing a picture which
would be helped by a telephone campaign,
the managers put in a good word for a picture
playing a downtown theatre.
"We are making 1,200 to 1.500 calls each
week," says Harvey Fleischman, district manager
who formulated the plan. "Our aim is
to capitalize fully on exploitation which
starts favorable word-of-mouth selling for
the theatres and we have discovered that
'phonavLsing' does this effectively."
Patron reaction has been good and favorable
comments are trickling back to the theatres,
indicating the plan is w'orking successfully.
District managers check bookings at all
Wometco theatres a week in advance and
send a daily memorandum to theatre managers
advising them whicli theatres and pictures
to "phonavise." In addition to talking
about current pictures, managers also mention
parking facilities.
Managers are requii-ed to keep a list of
names, addresses and telephone numbers of
all ijersons called, plus notations whether the
call was well received or not. Persons irritated
by the telephoned messages are not
called
again.
Marguerite Snow Is Dead
HOLLYWOOD—Marguerite Snow, 69. a
silent film star with the Tanhauser studios in
New York and the old Metro studios in HoUyw-ood,
died at the Motion Picture Country
House Monday (17).
18 BOXOFFICE :: February 24, 1958

Eingsley Censor Suit
Filed in Providence
PROVIDENCE — Kiiigsley
International
Pictures Corp., distributor of "And God
Created Woman" and "Lady Chatterly's
Lover." both of which have been refused
licenses by the city, has filed suit in federal
district court to test the constitutionality of
the local motion picture licensing ordinance.
Defendants named in the suit are the city
of Providence, the mayor, public safety commissioner,
police chief, city amusement inspector
and three members of the bureau
of licenses. The complaint charges that the
city amusement inspector told the Thayer
Amusement Coip. and Castle Enterprises,
operators of the Avon Cinema and Castle
theatres, respectively, last October that he
disapproved of "And God Created Woman"
and that no license would be issued.
In January, the complaint charges, the
amusement inspector again was asked to
approve the film and was informed that one
sequence had been deleted. The complaint
alleges that the amusement inspector refused
to re-examine the film and said that
he would not approve the picture whether
or not deletions had been made.
The application for a license for "Lady
Chatterly's Lover" was made last May, when
a license was sought by the Avon.
The complaint charges violations of the
constitution and asks permanent injunctions
to prevent the defendants from interfering
with exhibition of the two films.
Warner Forms Subsidiary
For Electronics Field
HOLLYWOOI>—Through the formation of
a wholly owned subsidiary for worldwide development
and distribution of electronics
equipment, Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc., has
entered the electronics field.
James B. Conkling, former president of
Columbia Records, has been named president
of the new subsidiary which will begin
its activities with the recording and distribution
of phonograph records. Jack Warner,
president of Warner Bros., stated.
In addition to the record business, the new
company will develop a variety of products
in the field of sound electronics.
PUBLICITY
EXPLOITATION
FIELD
MEN
CHECK THIS—
n Are you fed up being kicked around?
G Are you ready to settle down?
n If you wont security with good salary . . .
n Welfare benefits for you ond your family
Lj An opportunity to become important in the
community.
Z] Willing to work and get recognition for
THEN
your efforts . . .
There is a manogerial position open for you
with the theatre circuit where showmanship
is a prime requisite for success.
•
Applications for these positions should be
sent to:
C. W. Horwiti, Personnel Director
SCHINE CIRCUIT, INC
40 N. Main St. Gloversville, N. Y.
A Trend? Minneapolis Stations Cutting Down on Movies
MINNEAPOLIS— Ai-e the old movies on TV
losing ground to half-hour syndicated film
series on the Twin Cities' four commercial
television stations? Two top stations, WCCO-
TV and WTCN-TV this week replaced their
feature movies at the 10:30 p.m. slot Mondays
through Fridays with filmed series especially
produced for television.
This means that the two stations will limit
their motion pictm'e features to three and
one-half hours on Saturdays and Sundays.
A third station KSTP-TV virtually ignores
old movies, spotting them only at 10:30 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays and then only because
"Tonight" is off the air.
Even KMGM-TV, which is owned jointly
by Loew's, Inc., and National Television Associates—50
per cent owned by 20th Century-
Fox—has been slimming down its heavy
schedule of feature product. It also has been
going in more for the syndicated films though
it still offers by far the most feature pictmes
in the area, and boasts one of the
largest and best libraries of motion pictures.
AA in Colombia Deal
NEW YORK—Allied Artists International
Corp. has signed a long-term distribution
contract for Colombia with Cine Colombia,
S. A., managed by Jorge Isaza. It was negotiated
for AA by Bernard J. Gates, Latin
American supervisor, according to Norton V.
Ritchey, president.
BASH ANGLO FILM CORPORATION
(JOHN
BASH)
presents
In
Release:
"STRANGE CASE OF PLANET X"
"MISSION
MICHAEL RENNIE
PATRICIA MEDINA
Just Completed:
ACCOAAPLISHED'
The story of the flying buzz bombs.
Pre-Productions;
"SEA OF SAND"
The story of Britain's secret desert army.
MILLY VITALE
DAViD KNIGHT
"CRIME BY CHOICE"
An original suspense thriller.
COMBINATION FOR MURDER'
Based on Patrick Quentin's prize winning Cosmopolitan novelette.
London Address: 35 South Street, London, W. \.
Phone: Grovenor 1012
BOXOFFICE February 24, 1958
19

. . Stephen
. . Gabrielle
. . Pat
. . Donald
. . Andre
. . Cara
. .
. . Following
'f^oUcfcoicod ^c^kont
Brigitte Bardot to Columbia;
Gets Three-Year Pact
Harry Cohn. president of Columbia Pictures,
announced the signing of French star
Brigitte Bardot to an exclusive contract with
Columbia running through 1960. Under the
terms of the deal, Miss Bardot will be presented
in a number of major international
productions, all to be produced by Raoul Levy
and delivered to Columbia over a three-year
period. The star. Levy and Roger Vadim comprise
the thesp-producer and writer-director
team that turned out the current recordbreaking
"And God Created Woman" and
the soon to be released "The Night Heaven
Fell." The two men were also signed to contracts
by Cohn.
Unofficial reports said the agreement provides
for production of three English-language
Bardot vehicles in the period, the fii'st
a CO -starrer with Prank Sinatra.
The Columbia deal signalizes the dissolution
of Levy's partnership with Ray Ventura,
his co-producer on "Woman." The pair are
joint holders of Miss Bardot's contract, which
runs through 1960. Ventura will continue to
get a percentage of any films produced by
Levy.
Kurt Neumann Now Listed
As Producer of The Fly'
While neither spokesmen for the Screen
Actors Guild, nor anyone connected with
20th-Fox would confirm or deny the generally
accepted assumption that Robert Lippyert's
stepping aside as producer of "The
Fly" stems from the long standing feud that
has existed between the independent producer-distributor-exhibitor
and the actor's
union, the fact remains that the picture will
be made under the producership of Kurt
Neumann, who also will direct the sciencefiction
opus.
Lipperfs difficulty with SAG originated.
and has been kept alive, because production
made and distributed under his own erstwhile
company Lippert Pictures, and of the
post-1948 variety, has been sold to TV.
Seven Stories Purchased;
Mostly Factual Yarns
story buys for the w-eek held to a seven figure,
with stories backgrounded in fact seeming
to have the edge over pure fiction yarns.
Independent producer Alex Gordon purchased
"The Eddie Green Story," the story of the
man behind John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson
and other gangsters of the prohibition era,
and assigned Mildred and Gordon Gordon to
script the screenplay . Kandel's
original .screenplay, "Frontier Gun," was
bought by producer Richard Lyons and is
slated to go before the cameras in April as
a Regal production for 20th-Fox . . . "Shapsburg,"
a Civil War novel, has been acquired
by Richard Duckett, executive producer of
Viscount Productions . . . Jed Harris landed
the screen rights to "April Eve," an original
screenplay by Robert Blees, as his first vehicle
to be produced independently . . . AB-
PT Pictures announced that it outbid three
major studios with the purchase of "The Kind
of Guy I Am," the story of Robert McAllister,
By IVAN SPEAR
famous New York detective and Olympic
track star, which McAllister penned in collaboration
with writer Floyd Miller.
Pi'oducer-director George Pal purchased the
screen rights to "Two Snipers" from British
comic Peter Sellers. Pal plans production of
the story by Raymond Lupino for Sellers and
his comedy team-mate, Ten-y-Thomas .
Don Fedderson acquired the screen rights to
"Town Tamer," originally written by Fi-ank
Gruber for Gary Cooper, and will produce it
independently.
Leo McCarey to
Produce,
Direct One for 20th-Fox
. . . Musical assignments
.
. . Harry StradUng
. .
20th Century-Pox has set Leo McCarey to
produce, as well as direct "Rally Around the
Flag, Boys!" slated to roll March 24 . . . Coproducers
William Wyler and Gregory Peck
assigned Jerome Moross to compose the score
for "The Big Country"
also went to Marlln Skiles as music
director of "Queen of the Universe" at AA,
and to Albert Glasser, who will write the
score for AIP's "The Fantastic Puppet
People" Upton was inked by
Columbia to prepare the screenplay of "Gidget,"
novel by Frederick Kohner, which Lewis
J. Rachmil will produce .
was set as director of cinematography on
Warner Bros." "Auntie Mame" . AIP dotted
WUliam Witney to direct "Lady With a Gun,"
which wUl be produced by Stanley Sheptner
from his own screenplay . E>e Toth
was inked to direct "The Two-Headed Spy,"
being produced in England for Columbia release
. . . Elwood Ullman was signed by AA
producer Ben Schwalb to revise the script of
"Stallion Trail," upcoming George Montgomery
starrer.
Judith Anderson Signed
For 'Hot Tin Roof Role
Casting highlights: Judith Andei-son has
been signed by MGM producer Lawrence
Weingarten for the starring role of "Big
Mama" in Tennessee Williams' "Cat on a
Hot Tin Roof" . O'Brien and Spencer
Tracy, boyhood friends who joined the Navy
together and attended dramatic school together,
will celebrate a reunion today (24)
when they start work in Columbia's "The
Last Hurrah," in which Tracy plays the lead
and O'Brien will be seen in the co-staiTing
role of his right hand man and political adviser
Veteran actor Wallace Ford also
. . .
has been set to Join Tracy and O'Brien in
the John Ford production in the role of the
eccentric inventor who runs for mayor against
the incumbent (Tracy) . Crisp will
. . .
celebrate his 50th year in films with his role
of the Cardinal in "Tlie Last Hun-ah"
Plato Skouras announced Maigia E>ean to
play the femme lead opposite Brian Keith in
"Villa!" 20th-Fox production . . . Eddie Webb,
90, America's oldest living stage coach driver,
was set for the role of—a stage coach driver,
. . Henry
in "Man of the West," for UA .
Silva will play the jungle .savage, Kua-Ko, in
"Green Mansions," the Audrey Hepburn-Tony
Perkins staiTer for MGM . Williams
nabbed the co-starring role in "Tlie Defiant
Ones," upcoming Stanley Kramer production
for UA.
Says TV Can't Compete
With Screen Musicals
Comes now still another antidote for
that old debbil television in the form of
director George Stoll's vision of the day
when studios will spend their scheduled
five million dollar epics on musicals,
which, according to the musical director,
are "a field TV can't compete with."
"Television limits the scope of its musicals
and spectaculars practically by the
walls within which they are filmed,"
Stoll points out. "whereas a motion picture
can utilize cities like Rome or Paris,
or Hong Kong as back drops. A film can
put the backgrounds of the world to
music, but television cannot."
As proof that studios should lavish
bigger budgets than ever on musicals to
combat the widely touted im-oads being
made by video on theatre audiences. Stoll
cites such boxoffice champs as "White
Christmas," "The King and I," "Snow
White" and "The Glenn Miller Story."
Louis Armstrong in Cast
Of The Five Pennies'
Louis Armstrong has been signed by Paramount
for an acting-singing-ti-umpeting role
with Danny Kaye In "The Five Permies" . . .
William Wellman jr., son of the director, was
set for a top role in MGM's "High School
Confidential" . his performance
in "The Brothers Karamazov," MGM has
signed Lee J. Cobb for two more films. Cobb
will co-star with Audrey Hepburn and Tony
Perkins in "Green Mansions," and also joins
Robert Taylor and Cyd Charisse in "Party
Girl" . . . Warner Bros, signed Frank Gifford,
N. Y. Giants star halfback, to a long
term contract.
Universal to Produce
Western TV Series
One man's meat is another man's poison.
Indications are that Universal-International,
which has been virtually dead for several
weeks because of an unprecedented hiatus in
the production of films for theatrical distribution
will apparently be swinging back into
action—but on behalf of television.
It's reported that the Valley lot has forged
an alliance with NBC calling for U-I to create
and produce properties for the network.
A western series, "Saddle Tj-amp." based on
the Universal picture of that title wiiich was
made eight yeai-s ago, is slated for the studio's
opening production for video viewing.
'Naked Maja' to Be Made
At Titanus in March
ROME, ITALY—"The Naked Maja" will
the title of Goffredo Lombardo's $3,000,000
production based on the love story of Goya,
the Spanish painter, which will start filming
at the Titanus Studio late in March.
The picture, which will be in Technirama
and Technicolor, will be directed by Hem\v
Koster and star Ava Gardner as the Duchess
of Alba and Antliony F^-anciosa as Goya.
United Artists will distribute "The Naked
Maja" in the U. S. and Canada while Titanus
will release it in Italy and MGM in the world
market.
be
J
20 BOXOFFICE Febi-uary 24, 1958

LETTERS
Hits Business Drawbacks
I've never written your magazine before,
but the unfairness of this industry is causing
my blood pressure to reach a new high
and it's either let off steam or have a stroke!
Is there anyone who can explain why.
when a film company releases a picture that
the public is crying for. the terms have to
be so steep that we haven't a chance in the
world to make a cent and usually are just
lucky to break even on it?
We sit here, month in and month out,
waiting for this liighly advertised pictm-e.
hoping that, when we can get a date on it.
we can t-ake care of some of the losses we
have taken on so many of the second-rate
pictures we have been forced to run on our
screen. But. oh no. the contracts on these
pictures are such that the smalltown exhibitor
does all the work—and the film company
takes the lion's share of the gross, as usual.
Then, we get an authentic report from
the salesman that this or that picture has
grossed millions and still has a long time
to run. If there was any heart in this business,
exhibitors would be treated like the
fair-haired child, because who else, but the
exhibitors, is responsible for the success of
these pictures? If we had refused to run
them, it would have been Impossible to count
up those millions in profit.
And. here Is a new wrinkle: The stars
aren't satisfied these days unless they come
in for their share of the profit on their
pictures. On top of drawing a stupendous
salary, they figure out a way to collect more
millions from the run of a picture. While
here we are. tiying desperately just to pay
expenses—and grasping at every opportunity
to book one of these super-colossals. with
the hope that it might be the pot-o'-gold at
the end of the rainbow. It might be—but
precious Uttle of the gold falls into our laps.
If there was one thing lacking to prove
that the boys in charge of the film companies
don't care a hoot what happens to
the exhibitor, it was supplied when they
opened their storage vaults and sold their
films to television. Right there, they sang
the swan song for the motion picture exhibitor.
They try to convince you that it couldn't
possibly hurt you. Just who do they think
they are kidding? If TV fans can sit at home
and see shows for free, anyone is plain stupid
who thinks it won't keep people away from
theatres. The only thing TV lacks is the
popcorn concession and I'll bet dollars to
doughnuts that the little mother has made
a nice batch of fudge and a dishpan full
of popcorn all ready for a nice evening's
entertainment for the famUy.
Why in the devil the film companies ever
pulled a trick like that on the exhibitors, is
beyond my comprehension. I'm not supposed
to be very bright, but I can figure that one
out. They had all these films—and they saw
a way to reap another harvest from them—
regardless of w-hat it would do to the motion
picture theatre.
To top that, some bright boy comes up
with the slogan. "Get more out of life—go
out to a movie." Why in heck SHOULD they
go out. when they can sit in the living room
with their shoes off. quietly munching on
snacks the little woman has fixed for them?
What if the pictures aren't brand new? It's
(Letters must be signed. Names withheld on request)
still free entertainment.
What exhibitors should do is refuse to buy
pictures from these companies who have unloaded
theh- old films on television. We could
say, "This does it, boys—go ahead and supply
the TV stations— we'll buy our pictures from
the companies who haven't cut our throats."
But no, we are fiends for punishment. We
still feel in the bottom of our hearts that
we can beat this rap. I WONDER!
Of course, I realize, all this ranting and
raving won't solve the problem—but it relieves
my blood pressure to get it out of my
system.
Honestly, there isn't a thing wrong with
this business that good, clean pictures, sold
to us at a fail- rental, couldn't straighten
out. But, until the producers get "hep" to
the fact, we'll still get pictures on "The Life
of Joe Doakes, Alcoholic," or "The Trials
and Tribulations of Suzie Glutz, Renovmed
Dope Fiend," and the public will be expected
to pay good money for such tripe. Why waste
time bringing lives of infamous people to
the screen? All you have to do now-a-days
to sell your autobiography to the movies is
to live a life of ill repute, and brother, you've
got it made!
New Moon and Starlite
Neligh, Neb.
MRS. WALTER BRADLEY
Theatres,
Agrees on Color and TV Harm
Our theatre is stUl open seven days per
week and, like most other exhibitors who
give an opinion, we agree that most pictures
should be in color; that the sale of movies
to TV hurt all boxoffice receipts and also the
receipts of the distributors much more than
they
imagine or can measure.
Owner.
La Don Theatre,
Roachdale, Ind.
LESLIE C.
SCOTT
Equipment Exports
For 1957 in 8% Rise
WASHINGTON — Motion pictures
equipment
exports in 1957 increased over the previous
year, an indication of the growing world
market for motion pictures. The volume of
projectors, arc lamps, recording equipment,
studio equipment and motion picture cameras
continued at a high level, and above the
1956 total.
The value of the equipment totaled $16,-
691,331, about eight per cent higher than in
the previous year when exports were valued
at $15,476,931. Nathan D. Golden, director of
the scientific, motion picture and photographic
products division of the Department
of Commerce, said the increased volume included
a substantial rise in 8mm projectors
and in studio equipment.
In the equipment field, exports included
221 35mm cameras, 5,766 16mm cameras and
56,324 8mm cameras; 1,173 35mm projectors,
1,754 16mm silent projectors, 7,165 16mm
sound projectors, and 31,084 8mm projectors.
Also shipped overseas were 4,742 arc lamps,
an increase of 2,018 over the previous year,
according to the report.
There was a drop in shipment of unexposed
motion picture film (rawstock)— 554,216,185
linear feet valued at $14,784,138 in 1957 compared
to 593,390,853 feet valued at $16,167,795
in 1956. This decrease left the over-all export
picture in the last year about two per cent
under the preceding year, with the comparative
figures at $44,456,788 for 1956 and $43,-
476,260 for 1957.
UA Schedules Tours
NEW YORK—United Artists has scheduled
personal appearance tours for "God's
Little Acre." One team will consist of Robert
Ryan and Aldo Ray, who are starred in
the film. Ryan will start in New York and
Detroit. Ray will join him later. Erskine
Caldwell, the author, will be here in a few
days for interviews and go to the coast in
May.
RAYMOND STROSS
Produ cer
After a six-months' run, "THE FLESH IS WEAK," starring John Derek,
and Milly Vitale, is now breaking records on general release.
In production—"A QUESTION OF ADULTERY," starring Julie London
and Anthony Steel.
In active preparation—"The ANGRY HILLS," from the best-selling novel
by Leon Uris, and starring Robert Mitchum and a big international cast.
John
For production at the end of 7958—"THE WAY OF THE FLESH," starring
Derek.
Raystro Films Ltd.
Production
offices:
Connaught Place Productions Ltd.
18 Sackville St.
London,
W. I
BOXOFFICE Febi-uary 24, 1958
21

-iyokov
FEATURE REVIEW
The Brothers Karamazov'
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
By IVAN SPEAR
CINCE the verj' inception of motion pictures,
those who produce them have been
keenly aware of the inherent hazards lurking
in attempts to bring the classics to the
screen. Resultantly. comparatively few have
been script-seeking ventures into the rarified
atmosphere of immortal literature. Some
of those sallies have been made to content
themselves with being recorded in industry
annals as prestige-building artistic triumphs.
Still others have established satisfactory
profits entries in the ledgers of the companies
that created them and the theatres
that exhibited them. And occasionally there
has been one that registered on both counts.
Metro - Goldwyn - Mayer's "The Brothers
Karamazov" possesses ample qualifications to
make a strong bid for addition to the limited
and exclusive list of the last named. Tlie
long-awaited screen version of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's
great novel, first published in 1880,
qualifies for such consideration because into
its fabrication entered the vast and varied
filmmaking experience of producer Pandro
S. Berman ahe release bears the title of his
own company—Avon Productions! and the
solidly established talents of Richard Brooks
who WTote the screenplay and directed.
As concerns the production values with
which Berman endowed the valiant effort,
they approach the flawless, every detail being
meticulously regarded so as to create the atmosphere
of the circa against which the
Dostoyevsky tome is unfolded. Where simplicity,
even unto the point of austerity, is
indicated, no effort or money was wasted on
trying to create unnaturally impressive backgrounds
or mountings. Yet, when a more lavish
approach is suggested, the necessary ingredients
are present and always in perfect
balance and good taste. One of the most impressive
sequences suffices to illustrate,
namely the singing of a requiem over the
remains of Karamazov, the elder, a musical
Mctro-Goldwyn-Mayer
presents
"THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV"
In Melrocolor
Rotio: 2.55-1
Running tirrw: 146 minutes
CREDITS
Produced by Pondro S. Bcrmon. direction arxJ
screcnploy by Richord Brooks. Based on the novel
by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Adapted by Julius J, and
Phihp G Epstein. Associate producer, Kathryn
Hereford, Director of photogrophy, Jotin Alton.
Art directors, William A. Horning, Paul Grocssc.
5ct decorations. Henry Grace, Robert Priestley.
Film editor, John Dunning, A.C-E. Costume designer,
Wolter Plunkctt. Special effects, Lee Lc
Blonc. Color consultont, Chorlcs K. Hcgcdon. Assistont
director, Willioms Shonks. An Avon Production.
THE CAST
Dmitri Koramazov Yul Brynncr
Grushcnko Moria Schcll
Kotya Claire Bloom
Fyodor Koramazov Leo J . Cobb
I /on Koromozov Richord Bosehort
• •
. Albert Salmi
' -1 / Koromozov Wllliom Sholncr
'.
Anno Hohlokov Judith Evelyn
Grigory Edgor Stehli
and Horry Towrwt, Miko Otcord, Oovid Opoto-
\hu. Simon Ooklond, Fronk De Kovo, Joy Arller,
Gogc Clorkc, Ann Morrnon, Mel Welles
The passion of gypsy music and eyes
of her lover, Yul Brynner, woo Maria
Schell into a fiery dance for this exciting
sequence in "The Brothers Karamazov"
for MGM release.
interpolation that is .spine tingling in its
rendition.
To extract a screenplay from the novel was
indeed a Herculean chore, one that Brooks
approached with unfaltering fortitude and
which he accomplished with superior success.
Like most Ru.ssian literary masterpieces of
its school, the Dostoyevsky book is exceedingly
verbose. Its raw treatment of human
emotions—love, hate, sensuality, lust, murder
and several others— is thickly padded in verbiage.
Brooks' script attained the retention
of these basic motivations and still contrived
to weld them into a suspenseful story of interest-commanding
continuity. That is a feat
which many preceding photoplays that
stressed .soul searching and chai-acter analyses,
yams stemming from more modern and
malleable material, failed to effect.
Despite these superb qualities, it is in the
casting of the photoplay that it reaches the
zenith of its excellence. For a matter of
ten years, mighty Metro has toyed with the
idea of bringing "The Brothers Karamazov"
to the theatrical .screen, but its advent had
to await the assembling of a cast of enough
importance in stature to match the proportions
of the subject. Messrs. Berman and
Brooks reci-uited such an aggregation of
troupers and as a result the acting honors
are so multitudinous and magnificent that
it is impossible to devote sufficient space to
each one of them. And which rates as the
most praiseworthy is a matter of personal
preference.
In the topline, and perhaps deserving of a
.slight edge in the kudos distribution, is Yul
Brynner, who portrays the reckless, impetuous
Dmitri, eldest of the three brothers, he
who, during a life of i-uthless, unbridled licentiousness,
finds redemption through his love
for Gru.shenka. a lady of easy virtues. She is
performed by Maria Schell. European star
who in her first American film role proves
that she possesses all of the talents that were
hinted by the precedential advance buildup
accorded her—Including a recent cover story
in Time magazine. Public curiosity about La
Schell should pi-ove a sub.stantlal factor in
attracting patronage for the picture. Pi-ess-
Ing all concerned for top histrionic glories is
Lee J. Cobb who delineates the lewd and
lecherous father, himself madly desirous of
Grushenka's favors and for whose murder
Dmitri is unjustly accused and convicted.
Comment of paralleling commendation is
merited by Richard Basehart in the jjart of
Ivan, second of the brothers, a cynical and
agnostical dilettante: Claire Bloom, high-bred
lady also in love with and spumed by Dmitri:
and Albert Salmi, the slightly demented
bastard .son of the father, in reality a fourth
brother and guilty of the patricide that precipitates
the story's exciting climax.
In the face of all such superlativeness, it
must be remembered that "The Brothers
Kai-amazov" is nonetheless a heavy morsel
of screen fare. That it will enjoy capacity
business In Its metropolitan first runs is an
inescapable conclusion. But a touch of adroit
merchandising by .subsequent-run showmen
may be necessary If the picture is to attract
.such patronage where normal attendance
comes from others than those with an appreciation
of good theatre. Happily, w'ith Metrocolor,
subject matter and, above all, the
name-freighted cast there Is ammunition
aplenty to load the big exploitation guns.
Adult-Young People Films
Again Lead in Ratings
NEW YORK—As u.sual.
many more films
are rated for adults and young people than
for other age groups In the February 15
"green sheet" of the Film Estimate Board of
National Organizations. There were nine of
them as against two for adults and only one
for family audiences.
During the last six months of 1957. 98 were
rated for adults and young people, 41 for
adults and 14 for families.
The adult-young people fUms In the latest
Issue are; "Crash Landing" (Col), "Darby's
Rangers" (WB), "Diamond Safari" I20th-
Foxi, "The Deep Six" (WBi, "Escape From
Red Rock" (20th-Foxi, "Flood Tide" lU-I),
"Fort Dobbs" (WB), "The Safecracker"
iMGMi and "The Story of Vickie" (BVi.
The adult films are "Day of the Bad Man"
lU-Ii and "The Female Animal" (U-IV The
family film Is "All at Sea" (MGM).
MGM's 5th Australian
Drive-In Is
Opened
NEWCASTLE. AUSTRALIA — The new
Metro Gateshead Drive-In, with a capacity of
850 cars, was oi)ened to the public Thursday
1 201 with MGM's "Les Girls" as the first attraction,
according to William Melniker, In
charge of theatres for Loew's International.
The Metro Gate.shead Is the fifth drlve-ln
Australia as part of its
operated by MGM In
circuit of 17 theatres there. The new drlve-ln
has a 150-foot screen, an elaboratelyequipped
playground and an outdoor barbecue,
where steak, a local favorite, and fish
and chips, hamburgers and frankfurters will
be served.
New Titles Selected
For Two AA Pictures
NEW YORK
•Blue Chip GMip" has been
selected as the final title for the Mark Stevens
production in ClnemaScope and color,
which WHS filmed under the title, "Tucson,"
and "Hong Kong Affair' Is Uie title of "Hong
Kong Incident," both being dLstributed by
Allied Artists.
"Hong Kong Affair" will be released In May
while "Blue Chip Gang" Is set for June release.
22
BOXOFFICE ;: Febniary 24, 1958

PHOTOPLAY STUDY GUIDE
For the Discussion and Appreciation of
THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI
A Columbia
Production
Prepared by CAROLYN HARROW General Editor WILLIAM LEWIN, Ph.D.
(cutting and arranging of the
scenes). But it is the director who
makes the "shooting script" come to
life on the screen.
Many consider David Lean, of all
motion-picture directors, the greatest.
Originally a cameraman and
then a movie editor, he is an expert
in cinematic story-telling. His genius
gave us Blithe Spirit, Brief Encounter,
Great Expectations, Oliver Twist,
Through the Sound Barrier, and
Summertime. The last is his favorite.
In my interview with him (in
looks and speech he is one's ideal of
the artistic, poetic type )
, Mr. Lean
said, "I hate dialogue." His reason:
COLUMBIA PICTURES
presents
A SAM SPIEGEL PRODUCTION
DIRECTED BY DAVID LEAN
THE CAST
Shears
WILLIAM HOLDEN
Colonel Nicholson ALEC GULNNESS
Major Warden JACK HAWKINS
Colonel Saito SESSUE HAYAKAWA
Major Cliplon JAMES DONALD
Lieutenant Joyce GEOFFREY HORNE
Colonel Green ANDRE MORELL
Captain Reeves PETER WILLIAMS
Major Hughes
JOHN BOXER
Crogan
PERCY HERBERT
Baker
HAROLD GOODWIN
Nurse
ANN SEARS
Captain Kanematsu HENRY OKAWA
Lieutenant Miura K. K.\TSUMOTA
Yai M.R.B. CHAKRABANDHU
Siamese
Girls
VILAIWAN SEEBOONREAUNG
NGAMTA SUPHAPHONGS
JAVANART PUNYNCHOTI
KANNIKAR DOWKLEE
Copyright, 1958, by Educational & Recreational
Guides, Inc.
TYPE AND THEME
The Bridge on the River Kivai, the
best film of 1957, is an anti-war
drama, stressing the theme that war
is "madness" and a useless sacrifice
on the part of those who lose their
lives. How was this notable, awardwinning
photoplay made? What
makes it great in direction, in character
revelation, in production, in
story construction, in cinematography,
in providing a basis for
group discussion in
schools, colleges,
churches, and community organizations?
THE DIRECTOR, DAVID LEAN
The movie producer selects the
story; supervises the preparation of
the "'shooting script" (which includes
not only the dialogue, but full
descriptions of characters and action
I
; selects the actors: chooses the
director; keeps the production up to
schedule, and checks the editing
a motion-picture should be literally
what its name implies—a series of
pictures that move! "The acid test
of a good film is whether one remembers
the pictures," he said.
At the beginning of The Bridge on
the River Ktcai, we see a huge, while
bird; then a jungle; then a train
with British soldiers in khaki, some
of tliem wounded. They are herded
and marched like cattle by Japanese
troops to a prison camp in a sunbaked
bowl. Near it stands a cemetery
with crosses. Not a word has
been spoken.
In the second half of the film,
during the whole of a trek through
a jungle, we hear sounds, but no
spoken words.
As to the characters, Mr. Lean referred
to Colonel Nicholson (plaved
by Alec Guinness) as "a bit of a
fool." who had never had any success.
His sense of past failure was
brought out on that last night of
iii> life, when he opened up to his
"friendly enemy." Poor Nicholson.
Mr. Lean commented, "had never
had any success and was bitten by
having created something."
BOXOFFICE :: FebruaiT 24, 1958
23

As for Shears, tho Ameriiaii
(played by William Holden I Mr.
Lean mused, "He had done wilh
the
war and was killed by what he'd
been denouncing."
The director emphasized that ihe
commandos, being of different nationalities,
gave the film an international
character.
THE PRODUCTION
The liridj:!-. l.iUci than a six-story
building and a third longer than an
American football field, cost $2r>0.-
000 and took six months to build. To
wreck it, took thirty seconds. As
David Lean explained, an explosive
expert, hired from the Imperial
Chemical Industries in England, was
in
in
charge. Every member of the cast
the climactic sequence was shielded
and kept at a distance of 300
yards from the explosions, which set
bits
of timber flying through the air
at sixty miles an hour. Nobody operated
the cameras. They had been
placed in dug-outs. The operators
turned them on and then raced for
dear life into other dug-outs at a
safe distance.
Since the Burma-Siam border was
not a favorable locale, the picture
was shot in trojiical Ceylon, which
has the same sort of scenery as that
described in the novel {The Bridge
Over the River Ktiai. by the French
author Pierre BouUel on which the
film was based. So great was the
humidity that director, cast, and
technicians drank quantities of salt
water. "And when it rains in Ceylon,"
Mr. 1-ean added, "it comes
down in
buckets."
THE STORY
The story is an episode of World
War II. It takes place in 1942, when
the Japanese decided to build a railway
connecting Bangkok with Kangoon.
This project entailed spanning
the River Kwai with a bridge, for
whose construction the Japs determined
to use British prison labor.
Japanese Colonel Saito was put in
charge. When the British colonel,
Nicholson, protesting against using
officers for manual labor, submitted
a
The British colonel maintains his control
after being struck by the Japanese captor.
booklet containing the Code of the
Geneva Convention, his captor struck
him across the face with the booklet.
Close upon this insult followed confinement
of the British colonel in a
••|iinii>hment hut." Thus the photo-
7/i« Bnlish doctor smiifisles a cocoanul to the colonel in the "punishment hut.'
play builds sympathy for its leading
character,
Nicholson.
In retaliation, the British i)risoners
sabotaged the w ork on the bridge.
Desperate to get the bridge built,
Saito sent the doctor of the prisoners'
hospital to Nicholson, with the threat
thai the sic k would be used for work
on the bridge if Nicholson did not
yield to Saito. But Nicholson's spirit
refused to give in. Fearing that he
would not meet the deadline for completion
of the bridge, Saito at last
yielded. His enemy would supervise
the work. So strict was Nicholson's
adherence to tlie military code of
honor that he even used volunteers
from among those who had been hospitalized.
One of the prisoners, an .\merican.
in the meantime, made a miraculouslv
successful escape through
ihc jungle to the British lines.
But his
liherlv was short-lived. A small commando
unit persuaded him to join
forces with them in a raid on the
liridge. Ixd by Siamese porters, the
conimandos reached the bridge on
the very night when Nicholson was
proudly nailing up a plaque to commcmorale
the Inilliant work that the
British had accomplished for their
enemy. Thai same night the British
soldiers were |)nlting on a show to
celebrate the completion of the bridge.
Tomorrow, they would leave for
iiTiollii r r;iiMp ;ui(l. ihev hoped, march
auav. In lli

the mines, tried to save his great
achievement and, also to live up to
the code, even though it might involve
killing his countryman. The British
doctor summarized the holocaust in
one word, "madness."
THE CHARACTERS
The British cartoonist. Low, created
Colonel Blimp, a heroic, rigid
stuffy military type. Mr. Lean said.
Colonel Nicholson might be called a
Colonel Blimp with brains and imagination.
The director felt that,
pathetically enough, the bridge represented
Nicholson's one success in
life. Therefore, he couldn't face its
destruction, even at the price of defeating
the enemy.
Shears represents an American
who "ain't a bloomin" fool" and has.
incidentally, a sense of humor.
Colonel Saito, as Mr. Lean claimed,
is a villain who isn't all black, as in
so many movies. When he breaks
down and cries on his bed, our hearts
soften. We know he intends to live
up to his code and commit hara kiri.
As Mr. Lean pointed out. Dr. Clipton
is "the voice of reason."
THE ACTORS
Producer Sam Spiegel found, in
Ceylon's "waterfront dives," extras
from a dozen Western countries, to
play prisoners.
Commando Shears has his leech bites treated by a Siamese porter.
The Siamese porters are talented
stars in their native Thailand, but. as
Mr. Lean explained, they were willing
to play insignificant roles just
to be in a Horizon-Ajnerican production.
William Holden
I Shears) is one
of America's outstanding actors.
Alec Guinness (Colonel Nicholson)
top-ranking star in Britain and noted
for brilliant comedy work, plays here
his second serious role. His characterization
is a masterpiece, creating
one whom we are forced to admire,
even though we may not see eye to
eye with him.
Jack Hawkins (Major Warden)
is
one of Britain's most popular actors.
Don't you admire the cleverness and
force with which he delivers his
lines?
Sessue Hayakawa (Colonel Saito),
one of the most successful Hollywood
stars of the old silent screen, contributes
a powerful supporting role.
James Donald (Major Clipton) is
the most sympathetic character in
the film. We can be grateful to
Director Lean for building up the
role of the doctor.
Geoffrey H o r n e (Lieutenant
Joyce), a twenty-three-year-old actor
often seen on TV, gives an appealing,
sensitive performance.
PROJECTS AND TOPICS
FOR DISCUSSION
1. David Lean says that in a
movie, dialogue should be reduced
to a minimum. Do you agree? Why?
The British work on the bridge.
2. Can you name a film in which
you found the dialogue excessive?
Weak? Just the right amount and
well
phrased?
BOXOFFICE February 24, 1958
25

1
3. What (lid \\>u t(in>i(lt'r niii- ol
the finest ^cones in tin- movie and
uhs/
4. Dcsiribe scenes in the fihn lliat
require no words to make the meaning
clear.
5. Will this film rcnuiin in Mnir
memory'/
Why? Be specific.
6. W hy is The Bridge on the River
kiiai called a "director's picture"?
7. Which character rcprescnls the
authors viewpoint?
8. David Ix-an said that niii\ii'
characters should not In- all wliilc or
all black. How has he avoided this
crudity? Give as inanv examples as
possible and jio inln details.
'J. After studying some of Low's
cartoons, in the pul)lic liiitarv. iiive
a character sketi h of (lolonel Blimp.
In. point uLil -Nicholsons Blimp
qualities. Prove, also, that he possessed
traits lacking in Blimp.
11. How did Major Warden compel
Shears to join the conniiando
raid?
12. What indicates that Saito intends
to coMiiiiit liara kiri?
l.'i. Define dramatic irony and
{»ive examples of it found in this
film.
Tlie British colonel disid'
14. In the novel Shears is British.
Give reasons why the movie made
liim an American.
.").
\\ hal did ihe docloi- iui\e in
mind when he uttered tile «ord
'Muulness"? Do you agree with him?
W h\ or wliv not?
16. lleporl (in the liislor\ of
World War II. aflei the allark on
I'eail
Harbor.
17. 1 race on a maji the route of
"llie ileath rail«a\"" from Bangkok
li>
lian-iijiin.
18. Trace the changes in Saito's
attitude toward Colonel Nicholson
and explain the changes.
I'J. iiciw did ihe liim .illecl \ our
attitude toward the Japanese?
Toward the British?
20. Doe- till' niin ha\e a "xiUain"?
Is war itself the villain?
21. What makes The Bridge on
ihe River Kwai the "best film of the
year," according to leading critics?
What elements make a picture great?
SUGGESTED READINGS
Appropriate eiH\(io|iedia articles
in latest editions ])ulili>lied after the
destruction of Pearl Harbor. Particularly
recommended are: Encyclopedia
Americana. Collier's Encyclopedia,
and Mehon's Loose-l.eaf Encyclopedia.
See "WOrld War 11" and
articles on Burma, Thailand, and
Cevlon. Locate Bangoon and Bangkok.
The Bridge Over the River Kuai.
1>\ Pierre Boiillc. Bantam paperiia(
k edition, 35c. Compare the film
and llii' book.
Injormalion Please. 19.o8. Beat! appro|)riale
sections on World War H.
Look np "Geneva Convention," geographical
references, etc.
i Dictioiiarv of Pidilirs. Penguin
Books. Head appropriate d

Bardot Picture Ahead
Pending Court Action
PHILADELPHIA — The Brigitte Bai-dot
film, "And God Created Woman," was again
showing at two local theatres, unhampered by
the district attorney's office. The World and
Studio gave regular performances after the
state supreme court issued a temporary restraining
order against Victor H. Blanc, district
attorney. He was ordered not to interfere
with the showing of the film untO
a suit brought by the exhibitors against
Blanc in common pleas com't No. 5 is settled.
A criminal action against the managers,
William Kanefsky and Kendrick Packer, is
also pending.
The prosecutor's office returned the films
to both theatres and the show went on. The
supreme court's order pointed out the constitutionality
of the state's obscenity law is
now pending before it in another case.
In Delaware, a similar effort to ban the
film also ran afoul of judicial opinion. Chancellor
Collins J. Seitz issued a limited restraining
order which kept J. Donald Craven,
state attorney general, from halting a showing
at the Edge Moor Theatre on Governor
Printz boulevard just north of Wilmington.
The decision of common pleas No. 5 refusing
the injunction was appealed to the
Pennsylvania supreme court by Harold E.
Kohn, attorney for the distributor, Kingsley
International Film Corp.
Meanwhile, "And God Created Woman"
may be shown in Lancaster, Pa. but not m
Harrisburg. At Lancaster. District Attorney
William C. Storb reported a jui-y of observers
found nothing to warrant banning the film
being shown at the Fulton Ai-t Theatre. However,
Harrisburg District Attorney Huette F.
Dowling called the film obscene and said,
"People in Harrisburg shouldn't be allowed
to see a movie like that."
The city council in Danville, Va. has condemned
the exhibition of "And God Created
Woman" playing here and has asked Edward
Tem,ple, city manager, to suggest methods
of preventing the exhibition of such films.
State Hearings Scheduled
On Higher Theatre Wages
NEW YORK—A recommended increase
of
minimum wage standards in the amusement
industry in the state wiU be given a public
hearing by Isador Lubin, industrial commissioner,
in Rochester Tuesday (25) and in
this city the next day. A wage board for the
amusement industry proposed the increase
after a six-month study. Emanuel Frisch,
board chairman of the Metropolitan Motion
Picture Theatres Ass'n, represented exhibitors.
Among the recommendations are the
following:
A three-step increase of the hourly minimum
for cashiers, cleaners, porters and
matrons in motion picture theatres from the
present 75 cents to $1 by March 1, 1960.
A similar increase of the hourly minimum
for ticket takers and doormen in the theatres
from the cuiTent 70-cent level to $1
by March 1, 1960.
A two-step rise in the hourly minimum for
ushers, ramp and checki-oom attendants,
children's matrons, other unclassified service
staff workers and messengers in the theatres
from the present 55 cents to 75 cents by Sept.
1, 1959.
'Mourners^ Go Home; Movies Aren't Dead,
Rochester, N.Y. Film Critic Writes
ROCHESTER, N. Y.—A New York Times
page one story by Bosley Crowther, Times
film critic, and a Sindlinger Co. sui'vey report
which agreed that the motion picture industry
is dying have brought Crowther, the
survey organization and other prophets of
early industry doom under blistering attack
by Hamilton R. Allen, Times-Union motion
picture critic.
Allen's blast, headlined "Mourners, Go
Home: Movies Aren't Dead," bristled with
facts and figures on long runs and high
gTosses compiled by big pictures in New
. . .
York City, Rochester and elsewhere since
the Christmas holidays.
Crowther and the survey organization were
termed by Allen "pallbearers gathering for
a funeral without a body They've arranged
for the burial of the American motion
picture industry while the patient is very
much alive, an embaiTassing situation for
the anxious mourners.
"Unfortunately for those standing by with
pickaxe and shovel," Allen continued in a
boldface paragraph, "the Hollywood doctors
have changed their treatment, resorting to
the old remedy made from ingredients gathered
'round the world and bottled under the
name of 'Good Pictures.'
"It appears to be working. At last reports
the patient is much stronger. Fi-iends hope
that the treatment will have given it an
immunity to TV ills for there's no doubt it
will be exposed to the electronic virus from
now on."
Any business selling its products to 30 to
40 million customers, the latest count by a
Sindlinger sui-vey, "just ain't dead," Allen
declared. He pointed out that while it is
true that theatre admissions were down 10
per cent over a year ago. that the auto business
is also 10 per cent under last year's
mark and steel business down 55 per cent,
yet no one predicts that these industries are
about to fold up.
After citing specific runs and grosses in
Crowther's "home town," New York City,
Showmen in
Albany Area
Protest U-I Shuttering
ALBANY—Reverberations from exhibitor
sources sounded as U-I readied a letter formally
notifying theatres of the decision to
close the local exchange, effective February
28, and to ship prints, henceforth, from New
York or Buffalo, whichever is nearer.
Exhibitors protested that the Universal
move would penalize them financially at a
time when they could ill afford it. Pi'intshipment
charges would increase, they asserted,
claiming the costs would not be based
on the distance from Albany, but from New
York or Buffalo, both a minimum of 145
to 150 miles. Long-distance telephone charges
also would zoom for exhibitors, who were
highly critical of the fact no local shipping
center was being maintained.
Meantime local filmrowers held a farewell
dinner for U-I staffers at Panetta's restaurant,
Menands, Thursday night. Local F-43,
through president Mrs. Charlotte Lansing of
Warners, arranged the affair and invited all
workers on the Row to attend.
The U-I staffers, many of whom have been
since Christmas and detailing the remarkable
upsurge in Rochester attendance, as well as
everywhere the new product has appeared,
Allen pointed out that TV's very insistence
on securing films to show proves the American
public wants motion pictures above all
other types of entertainment.
"If viewers will settle for old films, cut
up to meet the commercial demands of the
21-inoh screen," Allen continued, "if they
prefer dated movies to the balancing dog
acts of the TV shows, doesn't it follow that
good new pictures on big screens, in color
that can be called color, and with sound that
is beyond comparing with the home set, will
continue to be irresistible when gregarious
America gets the urge to 'go out?' Especially
Mrs. America.
"No, Messrs, Crowther and Sindlinger,
you'd better not wait for the funeral. It's a
lot more fun to go out to a movie."
Allen's column and his long record of
cooperation with the industry di-ew highest
praise from Seymour L. Morris, advertising
and publicity chief of the Schine circuit.
"He is one of those critics who shares our
joy when the industry is doing business,"
said Morris, "and offers constructive criticism
when we are not doing business. He always
wants to see the industi-y prosper. Cooperation
like this should not go unnoticed. I
think it is about time that we started to
build up a man who is honest and sincere,
and makes news out of that which is news,
and does not try to gain readership by
controversy."
Morris credited Allen and Jean Walrath,
Rochester Democrat & Chi-onicle critic, with
such a good job in bringing the scheduled
closing of "Around the World in 80 Days" at
Schine's Monroe to public attention that
business jumped three times what it had
been. As a result, the Moru-oe had to continue
to run well beyond its scheduled closing,
although it delayed the opening of
"Oklahoma!" whose premiere had been sold
out as a March of Dimes benefit.
with the company for years, go off the payi-oll
February 28. After that, only Norman Weitman,
present manager, will function here.
Treyz Elected President
Of ABC's TV Network
NEW YORK—Oliver E. Ti-eyz has been
elected president of the television network
of the American Broadcasting Co. division
of American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres,
according to Leonard H. Goldenson,
president of AB-PT. He has been vice-president
of ABC in charge of the TV network
since October 1956.
Tax Powdered Mixes
In West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W. Va.—A bill enacted
by the recently adjourned Mountain State
Legislature extends the soft drink tax to
powdered mixes. The soft drink extension
will bring in an additional $600,000 annually
in revenue for the West Vii'ginia University
Medical School at Morgantown.
BOXOFFICE Febi-uary 24. 1958 E-1

and
—
—
—
.
— —
. .
. .
Snow, Cold Hurt Most Times Square
hlouses; Art Spots Score Better
NEW YORK — The heavy snow, which
started Saturday (15i and continued through
Sunday, ordinarily the two best days for
Broadway's fii-st-run spots, seriously hurt
business in all except the two-a-day attractions,
protected by advance sales. Extreme
cold Monday and Tuesday (17, 18) also
kept potential customers at home.
Some theatres reported business off as
much as 60 per cent, including the Radio
C-ty Music Hall, where "Seven Hills of Rome"
was in its third and last week, although
this stage-screen house did better tlian the
others.
The week's lone new picture, "The Gift of
Love," was just fair at the Paramount. Much
better was "Witness for the F^-osecution,"
this after the biggest opening week at the
Astor in over a year and a near-record opening
week at the Plaza on the east side.
"The Bridge on the River Kwai" was capacity
in its ninth week of a two-a-day at
the RKO Palace, even if a few customers
didn't show up for paid-for seats, and
"Ai-ound the World in 80 Days" di'opped just
slightly below capacity in its 70th week of
two-a-day at the Rivoli. The art houses suffered
only slightly, due to smaller capacity.
The week's three new pictures were "Cowboy,"
which opened at the Capitol as the
weather started to get milder Wednesday
(19 1 "The Brothers Karamazov" and
NOW DATING
THE EUROPEAN SENSATION
"THE
TEN
COMMANDMENTS"
ROSSANO BRAZZI -
Each
With
VALENTINA CORTESA
And 40 Famous Italian Stars
ENGLISH SUBTITLES
Commandment Dramatically
Emphasized With A Complete Story
DAVID ROSEN
Exclusiye Distributor
1237 Vine Street Philo. 7, Pa.
Telephone: Locust 4-4429
Entire rights ore controlled by David Rosen- Unauthorized
users of this film well be prosecuted
to the full limit of the law.
"Sing Boy Sing," at the Radio City Music
Hall and Mayfair, respectively.
(Average Is 100)
Astor— Witness for the Prosecution [UA), 2nd wk. 150
Baronet—Gervaise (Confl), 14th wk
.130
Capitol Bonjour Tristesse (Col), 5th wk
. 90
Criterion The Ten Commandments (Poro),
67th wk of two-a-day
.125
Embassy The Golden Age of Comedy (DCA),
8th wk. .115
.
Fine Arts Gates of Paris (Lopert), 5th wk. . .1 10
.
5fh Avenue—Gervaise (Conl'l), 5th wk
140
.
55tn Street The Bolshoi Bollet (Rank), 9th wk. , 105
Guild The Spanish Affair (Para), 2nd wk. . .140
Little Carnegie The Adulteress (Times), 5th wk 105
Loew's State Raintree County (MGM), 9th wk 120
Mayfoir Beautiful But Dongerous [20th-Fox),
.
2nd wk
100
Normandie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
(BV), reissue, 2nd wk 1 50
Odeon Henry V (Rank), reissue, 2nd wk. of
two-a-day 130
Palace The Bridge on the River Kwoi (Col),
9th wk. of two-a-day 200
Paramount The Gift of Love (20th-Fox) 120
Pans And God Created Woman (Kingsley),
17th wk 150
Plaza Witness for the Prosecution (UA), 2nd wk. 175
Radio City Music Hall Seven Hills of Rome
(MGM), plus stage show, 3rd wk
105
Rivoli— Around the World in 80 Days (UA),
70th wk. of two-o-doy
195
Roxy A Forewell to Arms (20th-Fox), plus stage
show, 4th wk
120
Sutton Smiles of a Summer Night (Rank),
8th wk
.105
Trons-Lux 52nd St Old Yeller (BV), 8th wk. . .115
72nd Street Begger Student (Baker), 4th wk. . . 90
Victoria The Quiet Americon (UA), 2nd wk. 110
Warner Search for Paradise (SW), 21st wk of
two-a-day .135
.
Vi'orld The Bride Is Much Too Beautiful
(Ellis-Lax), 4th wk 125
"Farewell' 125 Opening
During Buiialo Storm
BUFFALO—The worst snow storm in years
hit this area and put the skids under business
along first-run row. "A Farewell to
Arms" continued to hold up in the Center;
"Seven Hills of Rome" attracted normal business
to Shea's Buffalo and "Peyton Place"
did satisfactorily in its moveover showing at
the Cinema after a long run in the Century.
Buffalo Seven Hills of Rome (MGM) 100
Center A Farewell to Arms [20th-Fox),
2nd wk 125
Century Escopade in Japan (U-I-RKO) 95
Cinema Peyton Place [20th-Fox), moveover .. 1 1 5
Lafayette Man in the Shadow (U-l) 90
Paramount Viking Women (AlP); The Astounding
She Monster (AlP) 110
Baltimore
Blizzard
Halts Theatregoing
BALTIMORE—Heavy snowfall of
blizzardlike
proportions caused downtown first-run
theatres to remain closed Sunday and Monday,
thereby giving grosses a serious setback.
Ce.-itury Peyton Place i20th-Fox), 8th wk.
Cinema And God Created Woman (Union),
. . 75
14th wk 70
Film Centre Raintree County, (MGM), 7th wk. . .
Five West Nana (Times), 5th wk
Hippodrome Don't Go Near the Water (MGM),
80
75
4th wk
75
Little To Hell and Back (Rep), Battle Hymn
(Rep), reissues
60
Mayfoir The Quiet American (UA)
65
New—The Gift of Love (20th-Fox)
80
Playhouse Uncle Vonya (Tone), 4th wk
60
Stanley—Old Yeller iBV), 2nd wk
80
towne Seven Wonders of the World
(Cineramo), 8th wk
70
AA Declares Dividend
NEW 'S'OHK—Allied Artists has declared a
dividend of 13''. cents a share on its 5'lper
cent cumulative convertible preferred
stock, payable March 15 to stockholders of
record March 3.
Link Elected President
Of General Precision
NEW YORK—Edwin A. Link has resigned
as vice-chairman of the board of General
Precision Equipment
Corp. and has been
elected president, according
to Herman G.
Place, board chairman.
Link is the founder
and board chaii'-
man of Link Aviation.
Inc., a subsidiary of
GPE.
Place called Link
"admirably equipped"
for his new post because
of his teclinical
knowledge and his
Edwin A. Link
familiarity with GPE subsidiaries gained
as vice-chairman of the board. Link, originator
of flight trainers and simulators, received
the U. S. Air Force's highest civilian
award, the Exceptional Service Award, in
1954. He also has received many other awards.
Action in Drive-In Suit
Is Demanded by Judge
NEW YORK—Judge Archie O. Dawson in
Federal District Court has given the Harmer
and Colonial Drive-In theatres in the Pittsburgh
area 30 days in which to comply with
three federal orders and to substitute counsel
in their suit against the majors and
others alleging discrimination in distribution.
If there is non-compliance, the suit w'lll be
dismissed, the court said.
Other defendants are Allied Ai'tists, Republic,
American Broadcasting-Paramount
Theatres, Stanley Warner, Jamestown
Amusement Co., Harris Amusement Corp.
and the Motion Picture Ass'n of America.
The orders required payment of expenses
of witnesses, answers to certain questions,
filing of documents and appointment of a
counsel to succeed one who was disqualified.
'This Could be Theatres
Top Boxoffice Quarter'
BUFFALO—Seymour L. Mon'is, who deals
with scores of theatres as director of advertising
and publicity for the Schine circuit,
says that product released in recent weeks
has started exhibition toward a period of record
high gro.sses.
"Cun-ent hits like 'Peyton Place' and
'Sayonara' are pulling more patrons per engagement
than any films in the past," said
Morris. "This can still be the best selling
movie quarter or six months or year of history."
Morris was here to prepare a campaign for
"Oklahoma!" which will succeed "Around the
World in 80 Days" at the Granada Theatre,
where 100.000 patrons had viewed the Todd-
AO production at 220 performances in 20
weeks.
UA TV Division Moves
NEW YORK—The feature sales division of
United Artists Television has moved to larger
quarters at 342 Madison Ave. All personnel
in the division, headed by sales manager
John Leo, are now located at the new address.
The telephone number remains the same
as that of United Artists Corp.
E-2
BOXOFFICE :; Pebmary 24, 1958

iMw» .T— iJpr*°^-:>-
For Sharp, Straightforward^
Focus • • • #
Gjmrrp
\
That's
right -to
keep your picture
sharp, run your
film through the
NEW CENTURY
CURVED GATE.
I
1
CENTURY curved gates are patterned offer 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 fhe foHowing fypico/
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
. . . 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
motion picture projection.
Century Projector Corp.
NEW YORK 19, N. Y.
DISTRIBUTED ^ BY
Eastern Theatre Supply Co. Inc. Blumberg Bros. Inc. Amusement Supply Co., Inc.
496 Pearl Street
Buffalo 2, New York
1305-07 Vine Street
Philadelphia 7, Pa.
346 West 44th St.
New York 36, N. Y.
J. F. Dusman Company
12 East 25th St.
Boltimore 18, Maryland
Albany Theatre Supply Co.
443 North Peorl St.
Albany 4, New York
BOXOFFICE :: February 24, 1958
E-3

Y
. . GEORGE
BROAD W A
^OLUMBIA sent one of the stars of "Cowboy"
to the tradepress editors last week.
The "star" was a nice big. delectible T-bone
steak. Cut* stunt. • * • Allied Artists' vicepresidents
Edward Morey and Norton V.
Ritchey hopped off for the coast at the weekend
to attend a meeting of the board of directors
at the studio on Monday (24). • • *
A visitor from San Francisco was James J.
Donohue, who represents Hawaiian theatre
interests. * * • Paramount's exploitation chief.
Herb Steinberg, was in Chicago and St. Loui.s
last week. ' " * Loews Theatres will open it.s
new Sharpstown Drive-In near Houston on
Wednesday (26 1 and three of the circuit's
executives left here Thursday (20i to assist
in last minute preparations. They were John
Murphy, vice-president: Ernie Emerling, advertising
director, and Harry Moskowitz, construction
chief. • • * George Josephs. Columbia's
home office sales representative, is on
a trip to the company's mideast division,
spending a week each in Pittsburgh, Cleveland.
Cincinnati and Washington.
Jules Block, Universal's service manager in
New York for the last 20 years, has left the
company and has joined the Ritz Printing
Co. as an executive specializing in entertainment
industry accounts. » » • Commander
Francis Douglas Pane, who has been on tour
in connection with MGM's "Underwater Warrior."
was in town for a few- days last week.
* * * Having completed two months of meetings
in Los Angeles with producers who are
preparing projects for television, Bruce Eells,
executive vice-president of United Artists
Television, Is back at his home base in New
'Vork. • ' Cecil B. DeMille arrived in town
Wednesday figi from Hollj-wood. " • * Harold
Friedman, sales director tor United Artists
Records, is in the field conferring with disc
distributors on the company's 1958 release
program. • • * Lou Lispi. art director for Walt
Disney's character merchandising division,
was the featured .speaker at the Society of
Artists' 27th annual banquet in Akron.
Caral Ruth Goodman, daughter of MoiTis
Goodman, .sales manager of Columbia International,
is the bride of Robert Andrew Klein.
The bride is w-ith Charm Magazine. Klein is
president of National Business Credit Corp.
* • * A bride-to-be is Peggy Chiusano. secretary
to Robert Kraus. New York branch
manager of Rank F^lm Distributors. According
to a press release by the Rank office. Mi.ss
Chiusano has become engaged to John O'Donnell,
a non-industryite, "whom she captured
after a year of intense campaigning." » • *
Speaking of Rank, the company has set up
a house organ titled '"Rank 'n File." The
editors are Ann Levy, Bette Eckert and the
above mentioned Miss Chiusano. * * * Bernie
Kamber, ad-publicity chief for Hecht, Hill &
Lancaster, was in town to talk campaigns with
United Artists executives on "Run Silent, Run
Deep" and "Separate Tables." • * * Charles
Casanave, president of Fred Astaire Dance
Studios, was the key speaker at the four-day
meeting of southern area Astau'e Studios
personnel in Norfolk, Va.
9
A pie-throwing contest was held in the
lobby of the Embassy Theatre between chorus
girls of the Latin Quarter and "The Body
Beautiful." Natch, it was a gimmick to plug
"The Golden Age of Comedy" at the Embassy.
' ' ' Students of New York University
School of Journalism will preview Paramount's
"Teacher's Pet" on March 6 in the
Paramount home office. It will be part of
their course. » * * Industry executives who
have accepted membership on the honorary
committee for the American Theatre Wing's
"Tony Awards" dinner and presentation are
Robert Benjamin, Harry Brandt, George
Dembow, Howard Dietz, Robert Dowling,
Arthur Fi-eed, Leonard Goldenson, Samuel
Goldwyn, Stanton Griffis, Ely Landau, Abe
Montague, Robert O'Donnell, J. Robert Rubin,
Dore Schary, George Sidney, Spyros P.
Skouras, Herbert Swope jr., Mike Todd, Walter
Vincent, Joseph R. 'Vogel, Jerry Wald,
Richard Walsh and Herbert J. Yates. The
event will take place April 13 at the Hotel
Waldorf Astoria. * * * Shii'l Frankel, secretary
to Jack L. Warner in New York, left the
company Friday (21) after 30 years with the
company.
w
Richard Basehart had a "double exposure"
Thursday i20i when his MGM picture, "The
Brothers Karamazov," opened at Radio City
Music Hall the same day as his new Broadway
play, "The Day the Money Stopped"
opened at the Belasco Theatre. Martha Scott
also opened in her Broadway play, "Cloud
Seven," a block away from the Criterion,
where she is featured in DeMille's "The
Ten Commandments." Anne Seymour and
Edward Piatt, featured in "The Gift of Love"
at the Paramount Theatre, are al.so playing in
per.son on Broadway in "Sum'ise at Campo-
A familiar scene for drive-in owners! Sal Mineo in "Dino"
was introduced lorgely of outdoor theatres, and its dark
filming caused many headaches Photo contrasts point
with Plast X Plate screens and may have hod o lot to do
with the success of this film's premiere.
Wolt Streeper, "309" manager, at Springhouse, Po., soid
" 'Dino' did big business with mc, but I think the main
reason was that they could see it." Walt headlines his
Plost X Plate screen on his programs, PA announcements.
A good meosurc of patron reaction to your own screen is
to check on how "Sol" and you made out! How was it?
If your "gate" looked more like the dark half of this
photo, we'd be very happy to give you the facts behind
twice the picture for halt the cost with Plast X Plate.
Write today to .
ENGLISH
PLAST X PLATE
BERWYN,
PA
bello. " Dore Schary's stage hit. and in "Oh!
Captain." new musical, re.'spectively. * * *
Sidney Poitier flew to Hollywood February
15 to prepare for his starring role with Tony
Curtis in "The Defiant Ones," which Stanley
Kramer will produce for United Artists.
a-
Americo Aboaf. foreign sales manager for
U-I. is back from his European jaunt. * • •
Frank A. Siter. Paramount district manager
:n charge of Spain, Portugal and the Middle
East, came in from his Barcelona headquarters
and left for Hollywood. * * • William
Shelton. vice-president in charge of distribution
for Times Film Corp., flew to Europe
Friday i21i via Swissair for a month on the
Continent. * • Samuel Gang. National Telefilm
A.ssociates foreign sales representative,
is off on a six-week tour of Tokyo. Hong
Kong. Manila and Sydney, Australia, with
a group of films for TV and theatrical presentation.
* • • Oscar Homolka and his actress-wife
Joan Tetzel sailed for Europe on
the Queen Mary Februai-y 15.
Jerry Lynn, president of the company
bearing his name, flew to Europe Friday
i21) to discuss pending co-production projects
with Hammer Films of London, Jadran
Film Co. of Yugoslavia and Films Georgette
le Toiu-neur of Paris and to discuss film offers
with Syra Marty, the dancer who is appearing
in Munich.
' ' * Maria Schell arrived
from Munich with her husband Horst Haechler.
Eiu'opean film director. February 16 for
a ten-day stay, which included being guest
of honor at the opening night benefit of "The
Brothers Karamazov" at the Radio City
Music Hall Thursday i20i for the College of
Advanced Science.
Buddy Adler in New York
For Blockbuster Talks
1
NEW YORK—Buddy Adler. 20th Centui-y-
Fox executive head of production, arrived
here Friday 21 1 for conferences on the
company's increased production schedule for
1958. Among those he met with were SpjTOs
P. Skouras, president: MuiTay Silverstone,
president of the international division:
Charles Binfeld, vice-president, and Alex
Harrison, general sales manager.
Discussions centered on Adler's production
of "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness,"
which stars Ingrid Bergman and on which
production will start next month in the
Orient: "Ten North Frederick," starring
Gary Cooper. Diane Varsi and Suzy Parker:
"The Barbarian," directed by John Huston
and starring John Wayne, and Darryl F.
Zanuck's "The Roots of Heaven," now being
shot in Africa.
Also, final plans for national release of
Jerry Wald's "The Long, Hot Summer" and
W Licht man's "The Young Lions,"
Dominant Pictures Moves
NEW 'i'ORK—Dominant Pictui-es Corp. has
moved to 345 Madi.son Ave. to join Associated
Artists Pioductions, the parent company. The
telephone number is unchanged. Arnold Jacobs
is general sales manager.
Hyams to Publicize H-H-L Films in East
NEW YORK Joe Hyams. who resigned
from Figaro. Inc., has been named east
coast publicity manager for Hecht, Hill and
Lancaster, according to Bernard M. Kamber,
national director of advertising, publicity and
exploitation.
E-4 BOXOFFICE
:
: February
24, 1958

Theatre Records Set
In Brotherhood Week
NE\V YORK- A post-Woiid War II
recoi'd
in theatre participation has been set by the
industry's latest Bi'Otherhood Week campaign,
^>El
Annual Brotherhood Awards went this
year to William J. Heineman of United
Artists and SpjTos S. Skouras of the circuit
bearing his name (left and right)
at the dinner preceding the opening of
Brotherhood Week. In the center is Sol
A. Schwartz of RKO Theatres who received
a special award. His circuit accounted
for almost 25 per cent of the national
theatre collection in 1957.
according to Alex Harrison. 20th Century-Fox
general sales manager and industry national
chairman. He said that 11,714. or 67.56 per
cent, of the 17,339 theatres operating in the
U. S. actively participated.
In addition, a study of reports from area
chairmen shows participation reaching a
record high in the grassroots areas, and participation
by theatres in the southern states
more than tripling the 1957 output, Harrison
said.
A great aid to the campaign was unprecedented
cooperation received on local levels
from radio and television stations. There
were gratis tieups with 582 radio and 311 TV
stations.
In previous years, the bulk of theatre collections
came from the first-run situations.
The reports show that this year neighborhood
theatres were the dominant factor. The number
of urban first-run and subsequent-run
houses was slightly above that of 1956.
Southern and border state participation
totaled 3.769 theatres, according to Harrison,
after checking reports from chairmen in the
various territories.
Brofherhood Drive to Gef
Eight-Day
Extension
New York—The storm which blanketed
most of the country has resulted in an
eight-day extension of the industry's
Brotherhood campaign. .Alex Harrison,
national chairman, announced Wednesday
1191 that it will now end Sunday,
.March 2.
The extension was requested by a majority
of the area chairmen. It was reported
that more than 2.800 theatres were
closed or had reduced attendance during
the week virtually everywhere east of
the Rocky Mountains.
A

. . Following
. . Bob
: February
I
I
ALBANY
TTariety's summer Camp Thacher for needy
boys drew praise from Michael H. Pendergast.
state division of safety director, at a
Kings for a Day dinner honoring Jack Spitzer.
heart fund chairman, and M. Fred Rosenthal,
his associate. Pendergast said operation
of Camp Thacher materially aids in the
campaign against juvenile delinquency. Arthur
Levitt, state comptroller and a frequent
Tent 9 visitor, contributed a humorous talk
to the occasion. Other .sf)eakers were Gerald
H. Salisbury, general manager of the Knickerbocker
Press, and Albert J. Bearup of the
Times-Union. Forty attended.
Fabian's Palace, like other first runs in
the exchange district, had a children's charge
. . Gerry Schwartz,
of 50 cents for Walt Disney's "Old Yeller."
Another Disney release. "Portugal," and a
Mickey Mouse cartoon, "Squatters Rights."
completed the bill here .
manager of Lamont's Sunset Drive-In.
Kingston, described the cafeteria-type concession
stand w^hich Scott Construction Co.
is building there as "large and beautiful."
Schwartz, a former Seabee and long experienced
in drive-in construction and operation,
came here for the Variety Kings for a Day
dinner. Diuing the winter, he is a motorboat
company factory representative in the
northeast. Schwartz lives at the Sunset.
"Peyton Place" completed a four-week run
at Kallefs Olympic in Utica . . . Assemblyman
Harold I. Tyler closed, sometime ago.
the Delphia in Chittenango. The reasons:
"Poor basine,ss and the kids." The theatre
had been on parttime schedule. Tyler, serving
in the legislature his fourth year, operates
a furniture-appliance store and a funeral
directing basiness in the Oneida County village.
He is also vice-president of the State
Bank of Chittenango.
Blizzard Halts Business
In Albany Territory
ALBANY—A blizzard, described as the
worst here in 43 years, kayoed theatre business
Sunday and Monday, but cancellations
of screenings or print missouts reportedly
were rare. The former Smalley house in Dolge\ille
was said to have discontinued operations
for the two days.
In Albany proper, 18 inches of snow fell
from Saturday through Sunday night, clogging
streets and closing surrounding highways.
High winds piled drifts to small-mountain
levels. Virtually no traffic moved Sunday.
Monday, all .schools were closed, as well
as a number of stores and offices.
Film exchanges, which were almost shut
off from view on North Broadway by snowbanks
five feet high, operated until 3 p.m.
Monday, in some cases, with reduced staffs.
No exhibitors visited the Row.
Don't Blow Your Top
S P E C I A L
CHICAGO
13 2 7 So.
Woboth
NiW YMK
630 Ninlh
jAom ^Dod Old (Dapandabta
FILMACK
Always Quick • Always Good!
William Zeilor Shifted
To Century at Buffalo
BUFFALO—"William Zeilor, new managing
director of the Century Theatre, comes here
from Pittsburgh,
where he was general
manager of the Penn
& Harris group of
United Artists Theatres.
Hailing originally
from Romney. W.
Va., Zeilor has held
managerial and supervisory
posts from New
York to St. Louis and
was a captain of artillery
in the Seventh
Armored Division, in
whose progress he par-
William
Zeilor
ticipated from Omaha Beach to the Baltic.
The Century now is a member of the United
Artists Theatres circuit. It was transferred
from a corporation called Buhawk to UA
some time ago.
Zeilor is the successor of the late Robert
T. Murphy, whose memory he salutes "for
such a well-trained staff that I wonder if I
can find something useful to do. With people
like George Mason, Century house manager,
and Rita Inda, secretary, running things,
maybe I can get on with my reading. I'm
on a Napoleonic binge. The Emil Ludwig biography's
got me at present."
SYRACUSE
Cam Oilman, manager of Loew's State,
and his wife observed their 23rd wedding
anniversary February 14 by going to Rochester
to see "Auntie Mame," with Constance
Bennett . "Raintree County,"
Loew's will play "Witness for the Prosecution"
for which there was a special preview-
February 15. Bemie Young of United Artists
flew in from cold Atlanta to promote the
film. He commuted to Binghamton through
more snow and cold for special disc jockey
shows on the songs from "Witness."
.\s a special promotion on "Darby's Rangers"
former members of the unit were sought
by the management for the opening day of
the picture. Manager Sol Sorkin found half
a dozen in the city. For Lincoln's Birthday
Sorkin put on a 20-cartoon show and for
Valentine's Day a midnight screen rock and
roll show.
Harry Unterfort, zone manager of Schine
Theatres, his wife; Harry Berinstein of the
Cornell Theatre. Ithica. and Nevart Apikian,
film editor of the Post-Standard, drove to
Cortland to meet Lowell Thomas of Cinerama,
who was skiing and visiting friends
there . Sokolsky. movie-radio-TV
critic is better following a minor operation.
James G. Fater Dies
BLTFALO—James G. Fater, former membtr
of the local Columbia sales staff and
manager of that exchange for several years
and later a member of the local U-I sales
.staff, died recently in Rochester, where he
resided He had been ill for over a year.
Surviving are his wife Alice: two daughters,
Mrs. Stanley Roggenburg of Staten Island,
and Patricia and a grandchild. Services were
Monday il7i, with burial in Holy Sepulchre
cemetery, Rochester.
BUFFALO
li7illiam Zeilor. new managing director at
the Century, says "The Bridge on the
River Kwai" will have its western New York
premiere in his UA circuit theatre March
William M. Delaney. 67. independent
14 . . .
exhibitor, is dead. He was a projectionist for
many of the agencies of the Cathohc diocese
of Buffalo. He showed films for the children
of St. Mary's School for the Deaf every
Sunday night for more than 25 years.
. . .
. . . Basil's
Barkers of Variety Tent 7 will give a testimonial
dinner Monday i24i at the club's
headquarters in honor of Abe Harris, who is
retiring from MGM. He has been a member
of the sales staff of the Buffalo exchange
for many years . Constantine J. Basil, president
of Basil
. .
Enterprises, and Mary Basil
have gone to Florida for a few weeks
George H. Mackenna. general manager.
Basil's Lafayette, and Gerald M. Westergren.
general manager. BasU Enterprises, have been
appointed exhibitor co-chairmen of the
Brotherhood Week drive for 1958 ... V.
Spencer Balser. film buyer and booker of
Basil Enterprises and chief barker of Tent
7. is busy studying French and Italian and
the exchange rates on his money preparatory
to a trip to Europe via London for the Variety
International convention
Lafayette Theatre building has a new -white
marble entrance and stainless steel doors.
George H. Mackenna, general manager,
Basil's Lafayette, and Arthur Krolick. district
manager. Paramount Theatres, co-regional
chairmen, promoting exhibitor backing
of the Academy Awards telecast March
26. are lining up a number of stunts for the
event. A meeting soon will be held with
leading exhibitors ... An iriformal opinion
by Buffalo Corporation Counsel Anthony
Manguso has ruled out the possibility of a
referendum this year by Buffalo voters on
the question of bingo. Manguso said he had
received a copy of an opinion from County
Attorney Elmer WeU. which held that such
a referendum can be held in a county, town
or village in an even-numbered year when
state officers are elected. However. Manguso
said this does not apply to the city of Buffalo
and "we are not contemplating a referendum
and related legislation" this year on
bingo. Manguso said he had discussed the
ruling with Mayor Sedita and the mayor said
the city would abide by the state law. The
o:her day. a report from Albany indicated
an unidentified state legal officer contended
cities would be able to authorize bingo this
year under provisions of the constitutional
amendment adopted by voters in November,
The local Republic exchange will close
March 1. The Buffalo branch is located in
the Film building and is managed by Leon
Herman. It is understood Waldman Films
will take over the distribution of Republic
films on March 1 and that Herman will become
associated with that firm, handling the
Republic product . . . Basil's LaSalle Theatre,
Niagara Falls, opened "The Ten Commandments"
for a two-week run. Prior to the
opening. Manager Frank Mancuso and General
Manager Gerald M. We.stergren put on
a Hollywood premiere-tjije campaign. All
BasU community theatres in western New
York tied in on "April Love" by promoting
300 Pat Boone records and 10,000 Boone star
photos, w-hich were given away prior to the
opening day.
1
I
E-6
BOXOFFICE
:
24, 1958

. . . Louis
. . . Melvin
: February
. . Nat
. . David
. . Frank
. . Warner
PHILADELPHIA
Toe Barnes, formerly associated with Willow
Grove Park, has taken over the Convention
Hall pier in Wildwood. N. J., on a long-term
lease, and plans to put up an amusement
park there which will include some 20 rides
and a miniature golf course. Hunt's Ocean
pier at this restort also will open a new section
offering amusement rides.
Harry Perleman, well known local exhibitor,
has leased the Ca>-uga Theatre from
George Resnick . . . Robert Fitzgerald, public
relations and advertising manager at the
Boyd Theatre, handling Cinerama, lost his
job in aji economy move.
Prominent industryit« and former Philadelphia
city chairman James P. Clark now
heads the party's finance committee and has
been named director of the city Democratic
party's S25 a plate Jefferson-Jackson Day
dinner which will be held April 22 at Convention
Hall. Michael Felt, another prominent
member of the industry and former state
acting censorship head, will serve as executive
assistant to Clark.
The Stanley Theatre invited 318 teenagers
of the area to act as a preview audience to
see "Witness for the Prosecution" as guests
Amarando. 13, son of clerk of Philadelphia's
quarter session court, was injured
in a fracas on Sunday (2i at the
Broadway Theatre. The boys who did the
beating escaped.
John Golder's sister Sara died . . . David
Altman, former operator of the Rialto, is
now a salesman for Community Chevrolet
J. Fox is being honored by a
"Progressive Award" by the Greater Rio
Grande iN. J.i Chamber of Commerce. Fox
has a drive-in in the area
Blanc, formerly chief barker of "Variety Tent
13 and district attorney of Philadelphia, will
be honored on March 4 at a dinner at the
Benjamin Franklin Hotel. The proceeds will
go for the benefit of Haym Solomon Hospital
in
Israel.
Helen Twelvetrees Dead
H.ARRISBURG. PA. — Helen Twelvetrees.
50. film star of the 1930s, died in the hospital
at nearby Olmstead Air Force Base February
13. She was the wife of Capt. Conrad
Payne, who was stationed at the base. Miss
Twelvetrees went to Holl>-wood in 1929 to appear
in one of the early Fox talkies. "The
Ghost Talks." and later appeared in productions
for RKO-Pathe, Paramount. Universal
and Columbia.
Fast Time Out
FRANKFORT. KY, — Before adjourning,
the Kentucky general assembly passed a
measure which adds a p>enalty section to
the statute outlawing daylight .saving time.
Penalties include fines from $50 to $500 and
jail sentences ranging from 10 to 30 davs.
Knowland Praises Films
As Goodwill Envoys
WASHINGTON— In a speech Wednesday
191 in the U. S. Senate. Sen. William F.
Knowland of California praised Hollywood
motion pictures as "successful American amba-ssadors.
spokesmen of the art and culture
and spirit of ovu- country wherever people
watch an image on a screen.""
He emphasized the importance of the Academy
Awards and put this year's nominations
in the record. He noted that Hollywood
films embrace the creative talents of
all nations.
'Last year, for example." he said, "an Italian
actress won the award for the finest actress
of the year. This was a three-day wonder
in the world's press, with metropolitan
I:alian dailies hitting the streets with extras,
but was no wonder in Hollywood which believes
that talent, wherever it's from, is the
key to the door of the magic screen.
"Here is one American enterprise that has
ir.ade a unique contribution not merely to
our own enjoyment and pleasure, but, in
fact, to America's role as a leader in the free
world today. I thing all of us can be proud of
this accomplishment. In my home stat€ of
California we are deeply proud.'"
Knowland leaves the Senate this year to
run for governor of California.
BALTIMORE
"pred Perry, owner of the Cameo and Edgemere
theatres, has taken over the Rex
on a long lease. Tentative plans are for a
change of policy and renovation ... A furnace
blast at the New Theatre. Leonardtown.
shattered all windows in the building, caused
i.s walls to bulge and rocked the town's business
section . . . Howard Wagonheim. vicepresident
of the Schwaber Theatres, was receiving
condolences on the death of his father
David.
Owen Schnepf, manager of the McHenry
and Garden, made a hurried round trip to
New York on his day off . . C. Robert
.
Moore, of the Stanley's projection staff, is
a Mercy Hospital patient, being treated for
a kidney stone .
O. Colburn, manager
of the Annapralis theatres, addressed a
recent PTA meeting .
J. Hurley,
publicist for the Town and Film Centre, spent
the weekend in New York, seeing Broadway
shows . Hodgdon. general manager for
the Fruchtman Theatres, was in Waldorf,
checking the new drive-in being constructed.
CPC Management Wins
NEW YORK—Of a total
of 810,000 proxies
voted. 550.000 supported management at the
annual meeting of Cinerama Productions
Corp. February 11. Counting was not completed
until the end of that week and announced
by management, which added that
Perry N. Selheimer. dissident board member.
h£us lost his place on the board.
WASHINGTON
•The Variety Club hosted a luncheon Saturday
at the WiUard for the ladies who
worked on the welfare awards drive. Present
were members of the board. Chief Barker
Hirsh de LaViez; Morton Gerber and George
A. Crouch, welfare chairmen, and Frank
Boucher. Wives of Japanese officials were
guests of honor. The theme of the decorations
and fashion show was "Oriental Wings
of Fashion." A guest entertainer was Sgt.
Walter Skees. vocalist with the Army band,
who was recently on Arthur Godfrey's Talent
Scout show. Heading the women's committee
were Mrs. Sara S. Young and Mrs. Mannie E.
Lipskey. Mrs. Marie Janof. Mrs. Frank
Boucher and Mrs. Clark Davis. Among the
many who aided the club in its annual welfare
awards drive were wives, widows and
daughters of Variety Club members, employes
of local film exchanges and theatre
organizations, as well as many local charitable
organizations and women's groups. The
club recently pledged up to S200.000 toward
the erection of a new building on the Children's
Hospital grounds, to be called the
Variety Club Research Center of Children's
Hospital for expansion of research in the
following fields: allergic diseases, antibiotics,
cancer and leukemia, cerebral palsy, hematology,
pediatric analgesics, psychiatry and
virus infections.
. . .
. . . Paramount
Fred Sapperstein, Columbia office manager,
went home from the hospital after
surgery . exchange District Manager
Booker Ida
Robert Smelzer retired . . . Barezofsky vacationed in New York
Agnes Turner. 20th-Fox cashier, celebrated
Salesman Harry "Valentine
a birthday . . .
was recovering from pneumonia
Manager Herbert Gillis has
returned
to his desk after several weeks of illness.
Richard L. Mealand Dies;
Formerly With Paramount
NEW YORK—Richard Lewis Mealand, 54.
novelist, short story writer and former production
executive of Paramount, died Wednesday
(19) at his home in Old LjTne. Conn.,
after a long illness. A private funeral was
held Saturday i22>. Illness obliged Mealand
to give up in 1956 the posts of Paramount
European production representative and
managing director of Paramount British
Productions. He then retired to his Old LjTne
home and resumed his writing career. His
last novel. "Holiday From God.'" will be published
in the fall by Doubleday & Co.
Mealand was bom in Greenfield. Mass. He
held editorial positions on various newspapers
and magazines. He became eastern story editor
for Paramount in 1939. In 1944 he became
head of the story and wTiting departments at
the Paiamount HoUjT^ood studio.
He leaves his wife. Marie Mealand; a
daughter, Mrs. Scot Leavitt of Hong Kong.
China; a granddaughter, his mother, two
brothers and a sister.
BOONTON, N. J.
Large Core
Greater Crater Area
means
MAXIMUM LIGHT
in West Virginia—Charleston Theatre
4-4413
in District of Columbia— R & S
Evenly Dittributed j Supply,
Thcotrc Supply
Charleiton— Oickeni
Co., Washington
Theatre Service & Supply, Huntington—2-4043
Veterans Electricol Construction and Service, Elkins—832
BOXOFFICE :
24. 1958
E-7

. . Jack
. . Mrs.
PITTSBURGH
The sale of 750 pre- 1948 Paramount pictures
to TV was taken in stride by local film
house operators, reported the Pittsburgh Sun-
Telegraph. Theatres are not fretting, stated
the Hearst newspaper, continuing: -One
spokesman pointed out that not more than
a dozen pictures in the 750 would have enough
potency to keep people at home instead ot
going out to a movie. Most of these TVbound
movies were made in the 30s and early
40s, and what was hot stuff then would drawyawns
and jeers today." Another film official
here said today's current crop of hits is
setting new longevity records. He indicated
that this might be proof that people ai-e getting
more than a bit tired of those late, late
movies with those long, long commercials.
Still another local theatre leader pointed out
somewhat gleefully that the post-1948 crop
of movies would present quite a problem when
TV doubtlessly tries to acquire them, asserting
"Most of the movies in recent years have
;
been filmed in Cinemascope, and unless TV
develops some technical aspects, they can
never be shown on television. The widescreens
would cut most of the actors' heads, and also
the left and right sides of the film if they
were to use Cinemascope pictures today."
All three agreed, however, that the sale to
TV was a foolish move by the film industry
"by digging its own grave."
Mrs. Jean Servinsky, Johnstown, writes;
"I'm sure the upswing in the theatre business
will continue if we are offered good, enjoyable
movies and the managers will respect
our good taste and refrain from serving us
either domestic or imported immoral fare
which is most distasteful to the many people
who do believe in God and His laws."
Edward J. Steele of United Speaker Co.,
New Kensington, and his wife Ida, reported
that Allied's fifth annual drive-in convention
at Louisville w-as worth while and that
they enjoyed it very much. John Groves, popcorn
suppher of this city, attended, as did
Jim Naughton of National Carbon. Mr. and
Mrs. George Tice, outdoor exhibitors here,
departed for a vacation in Florida following
the Kentucky convention.
The Ambridge Theatre hosted area Boy
Scouts in observance of National Boy Scout
Week, the arrangements having been made by
Joe Zazzaro. manager Kalmenson,
.
WB manager, was greeted by many friends
when he resumed film distributing duties
after recuperating from pneumonia. He had
high praise for his assistant, Paul Krumenacker,
veteran sales executive with the company
here, and all members of the WB staff
. . . Lois Ash. BV secretary, vacationed in
Miami . . . Jess Cramblett closed his fine
Village Theatre at Salisbury, while he continues
operation of the Roxy Theatre at
MeyersdaJe.
Adolph Farkas, Johnstown exhibitor, is
discontinuing Wednesday openings at the
Lyric, Rial to and Laurel theatres, booking two
three-day programs weekly for these houses
Fire of undetermined cause destroyed the
interior of a six -room ranch type home at
Mount Carmel and Aber roads, Penn township,
late last Saturday. George C. Shearer,
owner, who has operated the independent
Exhibitors Delivery Service locally for many
years, was on the job away from his home at
the time of the fire, which caused damage in
(he amount of $8,000. His wife died recently
E-8
and Shearer lives alone Ben Steerman,
wife of the SW cii-cuit executive here,
.
recuperated in New York after undergoing
surgery there . . . Warren R. Smith opened
his new film producing plant in the Oakland
district this week.
A Filmrow visitor was George McFadden,
Renovo exhibitor WendeU Yeagley tried
. . .
to reopen his theatre at Confluence but the
weather has interfered several times. He is
a letter-carrier in his hometown and he's
been having it rough with the coldest and
snowiest winter in times remembered . .
.
Eli Zucker had just settled down here as a
new WB representative and was on his initial
sales trip when he was recalled suddenly by
the death of his father in New York. The
WB office here located him by telephone and
he made immediate plans to go to his home.
. . .
Mr. and Mrs. John Amoroso of the Baden
Theatre, Baden and son Johnny look tonvard
to April and a visit from Old Doc Stork. They
hope for a girl . . . Pittsburgh FUm Service
office again is located on Filmrow in
Lysle
the
Atlas Theatre Supply buUding
Harding, local theatre manager whose death
is reported on these pages, was a friend of
your correspondent for 35 years. Another
longtime friend was Ross Gibson of tlie
brothers Gibson, Gordon and Milton of Atlas
Theatre Supply.
J. Lysle Harding Is Dead;
Long in Pittsburgh Area
PITTSBURGH— J. Lysle Harding, whose
theatrical career sparmed back to the Rowland
& Clark circuit days, died of a heart attack
in his home February 12. For more than
30 years he had managed theatres for Stanley
Corp.. Warner Bros. Theatres, Stanley
Warner Theatres in this area.
A native of Homestead, he entered into the
theatre field there as an usher at John E.
Stahl's Theatre, later becoming assistant to
Hany Thomas, then manager of the Manor
in Squirrel Hill. Thomas, for many years
manager of the SW Schenley Theatre at
Oakland, and Harding, who had been at
the SW Sheridan Square Theatre, East Liberty,
for nearly a quarter-of-a-centui-y, were
friends many years. Harding had served at
other cii-cuit theatres in Wilkinsburg, Ei-ie
and in the Pittsbm-gh city area prior to going
to his East Liberty post. Surv-iving are his
wife Helen and his mother Estella.
Plan "Indecent' Film, Book Plan
committee
NEW CASTLE. PA—A citizens
here authorized the drawing up of an ordinance
dealing with the dissemination of literature
and films within the city. The action
was taken upon advice of local law enforcement
officials. An attorney was empowered
to draft the ordinance which will be presented
to city council for enactment. Such an
ordinance will deal with the tj-pe and scope
of literature and motion pictures which are
to be distributed in the city in order to prevent
a recurrence of the recent incident
which resulted in the closing out of several
objectionable pictures at the Victor Theatre.
in
Robert Loggia and EUen Parker will star
William Berke's "The Lost MissUe." a UA
release.
Phil Bordonaro in Booth
At SW Harris 32 Yeccrs
TARENTTJM, PA.—Phil "Blackie" Bordonaro
is observing his 32nd year as projectionist
at the SW Harris Theatre here. In the summer
he also is projectionist at a local outdoor
theatre. Bordonaro's career began in
1912 at the age of 14 in Becker's Star Family
Theatre in New Kensington. The old silent
slapstick comedies, Blackie recalls, were even
funnier when he cranked them full speed
ahead, or double the designated speed. He
became the Han-is' first projectionist in 1926.
"Our first picture was 'The Showoff with
W. C. Fields." he recalls fondly.
Although he can look out of his booth and
size up the audience. Blackie has httle time
to sui-vey movie watchei-s. He thinks that today's
audiences have a higher teenage ratio,
but aside from that doesn't see too much difference.
Because he must change reels and
maintain a close w-atch on other equipment,
he hasn't seen a picture from start to finish
in more years that he can remember.
Bordonaro for many yeai-s has been president
of lATSE Local 444, and is active in
lATSE's Ti-istate Ass'n and in lA's district
policies.
Belington, W. Va.. Seneca
Leased to George Everitt
PITTSBURGH—Don C.
Hayman and Bill
Lloyd are retu-ing from the exhibition field
with the leasing of the Seneca Theatre, Belington.
W. Va., to George Everitt, who had
been employed there for eight years, the past
fom- years as manager. Hayman and Lloyd
also formerly operated the Isabella Theatre,
Isabella, Pa", and the Tunnelton Theatre,
Tunnelton, W. Va.. which burned to the
groimd last summer.
The partners are going into a new enterprise,
opening a bar. hotel and club on U. S.
1 in Bucks County, in addition to continuing
their operation of four newspapers.
Circuit Asks Tax Repeal
WILKINSBURG, PA.—The Stanley Warner
circuit urged the local borough councU
to repeal its long-standing 10 per cent amusement
tax. This firm charges that the levy
has created a hardship on its local theatre,
the Rowland, built and opened more than
45 years ago by Dick Row-land, who became
one of the motion picture industry's outstanding
producer-distributoi-s. The SW officials
stated that the amusement tax has
affected attendance and that relief is needed.
The Wilkinsburg tax office showed that the
borough had collected S746 during Januar>from
the amusement tax, this amount being
paid in part by the theatre, bowhng alleys
and other similar establishments that would
be subject to charging the amusement levj-
Exploit 'Pe-ylon' Screen Version
WHEELING, W. VA—A page-one feature
concerned the Wheeling-Ohio County pubUc
libran- cii-culating "Peyton Place." while at
Charleston, Mayor John T. Copenhaver said
that he would oppose any more contributions
to the Charleston public library unless "Peyton
Place" is removed from its shelves. Copenhaver
said the book was "carved out ol
the fog of sin . . . with filth beyond description."
On the amusement page here half-incli
letters in a theatre ad read: "You wouldn'i
dare read the book but you can see thi
movie!"
BOXOFFICE
:
: Febmary
24, 1951
i

I
VIEWS OF THE PRODUCTION CEINTER
Hulli/wood Office— Suite 219 at 6404 Hollyioood Blvd.. Ivan Spear. Western Manager)
Omaha Tent Sponsors
Xattle Empire' Bow
HOLLYWOOD—Omaha Variety Tent 16
will sponsor the world premiere of "Cattle
Empire" at the Omalia Theatre Wednesday
i27> as a benefit for the children's hearing
school. Joel McCrea, star of the Robert W.
Stabler 20th-Fox release, will head a contingent
of celebrities to the affair which includ£s
Texas Gov. Pi-ice Daniel and Nebraska
Gov. Victor E. Anderson.
Disney TV Series to Star
Texas John Slcnighter
HOLL'V'WOOD — "Texas John Slaughter,
Outlaw Hater," one of the Walt Disney projects
for his 1958-59 Disneyland-TV series, has
been handed to Jim Pratt as the latter's first
producer assignment at the studio. Pi-att,
who joined Disney after 12 years at U-I, will
produce the life story of Texas John Slaughter
as several live-action sagas from Disney's
Frontier realm. Bert Styler and Al Lewin
are writing the teleplays.
» • «
Simultaneously with the current shooting
of the theatrical film, "Tarzan's Fight for
Life." for MGM, Producer Sol Lesser has
reactivated his plans to shoot a video Tarzan
series.
Lesser previously filmed a TV pUot with
Gordon Scott and Lisa Davis co-starred, but
objections and a legal hassle with Commodore
Productions at that time curtailed continuation
of the Tarzan telefilms. A second pilot
film, starring Scott and Eve Brent, femme
lead in the movie version, has been completed
at Desilu-Culver City entitled "Tarzan and
the Trappers," which will be available for
agency screening shortly.
'Day Before Spring' Added
To MGM Production List
HOLLYWOOD—MGM will film "Tlie Day
Before Spring," with Ai-thur Freed producing
and Alan Jay Lerner and Pi-ederick Loewe
writing the screenplay and score of the musical
which they originally wrote in 1946.
The story deals with a young married
woman's dream about what life would have
been if she'd married someone else.
At the same time, the Culver City studio
announced that it will remake "Cimarron,"
Edna Perber's dramatic story about the opening
of the Oklahoma Territoi-y. Edmund
Grainger wUl produce and Halsted Welles Is
writing the screenplay.
Nacirema to Start
'Water Devils' Next
HOLLYWOOD — "Water Devils," an original
screenplay by Norman T. Herman and Marvin
Segal, w'ill be the next film to roU under
the Nacirema Productions banner. Herman
and Segal just completed "Dateline Tokyo"
for AA release. Negotiations are on for
"DevOs" to be released through AA. Herman
will both produce and direct, with Segal
acting as executive producer.
Guests at Paramount
HOLLYWOOD— Dr. J. H. van Roijen, ambassador
from the Netherlands, and his wife
were luncheon guests of Cecil B. De Mille at
the Paramount studios.
AA Signs Boris Karloif
For Two More Films
HOLLYWOOD—After viewing "Frankenstein-1970,"
which they made for Allied Artists
with Boris Karloff in the star role. Producer
Aubrey Schenck and Director Howard
Koch signed Karloff for two more films, as
yet untitled. He is slated to start the first
one by midsummer upon his return from
England where in April he goes to make
"Stranglehold," an Amalgamated production.
* * *
Sammy Davis jr. has been engaged for the
role of Sportin' Life in Samuel Goldwyn's
production of "Porgy and Bess." He will be
starred with Sidney Poitier, Dorothy Dandridge
and Pearl Bailey in the screen version
of the George Gershwin-DuBose Heyward
classic, with production slated to start in
May.
* * *
Dianne Foster, who recently completed
"Gideon of Scotland Yard" for John Ford,
will continue under the Ford banner as the
femme star in "The Last Hurrah." Miss
Foster will be seen as Maeve, the wife of
sports writer Adam Caulfield (Jeffrey Hunteri,
who resents his affection for his uncle.
Mayor Frank Skeffington (Spencer Tracy).
Among the male character names recently
assigned to the cast are James Gleason,
Frank McHugh and Basil Rathbone.
Vincen^e Minnelli is directing "The Reluctant
Debutante," an MGM release.
Parleys Moving to LA
On TV Ads Contract
HOLLYWOOD — Representatives of the
Film Producers Ass'n of New York, the national
advertising agencies and Screen Actors
Guild announced that nearly three weeks of
negotiations in the east have failed to produce
agreement on a new collective bargaining
contract for television film commercials.
The present agreement expires
midnight March 1.
Following a recess so that negotiators may
consult with their principals, negotiations
will resume in about a week in Los Angeles.
It is expected that during this period SAG
will ask its membership for authority to call
a strike, if the negotiations fail to produce a
satisfactoi-y new contract.
BOXOFFICE February 24. 1958
EXIUBITORS-DISTKIBIITOKS MEETING—More than 140 films are scheduled
for orderly release in 1958, Edward L. Hyman, vice-president of AB-PT Theatres, Inc.,
told a Los Angeles, meeting of exhibitors and distributors held at the National Theatres
Building. .Among the industry toppers present were (left to right) Jerry Zigmond,
Paramount Theatres; Sherrill C. C'orwin, Metropolitan Theatres; Hyman, Pat R.
Notaro, Stanley Warner Theatres; William Forman, Pacific Drive-ins, and Frank H.
Ricketson jr., National Theatres.
W-1

I
New MPPC President
Is William Kelley
HOLLYWOOD — William F. Kelley was
elected president of the Motion Picture Research
Council at a regular meeting of the
organization's board of dbectors. Kelley. with
MPRC for 20 years, will also continue in his
present posts as MPRC technical director and
treasurer.
In addition to Kelley. MPRC officers are
Y. Frank Freeman, chairman of the board:
Alexander Golitzen, vice-president: Farciot
Edouart. secretary: Walter Beyer, assistant
secretary.
• • *
Curtis Kenyon. president of the TV-Radio
branch of the Writei-s Guild of America, announced
that the chopping off of TV credits
in TV sj-ndicated film series by out of town
stations is to be oppo.sed by the guild. Its
board has voted to write letters to the offending
stations pointing out that depriving
writers of their credits is an unfair
practice, with onus descending on the series'
sponsors. If the stations persLst in the offense,
it is the branch's plan to notify such
sponsors.
H-H-L Planning Quartet
Of Television Series
HOLLYWOOD — Hecht-Hill-Lancaster
moving into telefilm production with plans
for four series, all based wholly or in part
on the company's former theatrical films.
The first will be based on "Vera Cruz," which
starred Burt Lancaster in 1954. The second
will be ba.sed on "Apache." released by H-H-
L in 1954: the third will be an adventure
series based on "His Majesty O'Keefe." Burt
Lancaster's 1953 starrer, and the fourth will
be "The Office." based on one incident of
the company's 1957 release. "The Bachelor's
Party."
The company will also go on the outside for
telepicture ideas and production talent to
handle them as series.
Tennant Wright to Guide
'Miracle' Production
HOLLYWOOD— Leaving the retirement he
started in August 1956. Tennant "Tenny" C.
Wright is returning to Warner Bros, to act
a£ manager of production for "The Miracle,"
Cinemiracle presentation of Max Reinhardfs
classic which Irving Rapper will dii-ect. Until
his temporary retirement, Wright was with
Warners for 34 years, during the last 21 of
which he headed the production department
as general studio manager.
Leon Ames to Washington
HOLLYWOOD— Leon Ames, president of
the Screen Actors Guild, at the invitation
of Eric Johaston will attend a conference on
"The Foreign A.spccts of U. S, National Security"
tomorrow i25i In Washington. Johnston,
writing on White Hou.se stationery, said
he was acting at the request of the P»resldent.
Changes
Title
Acro.ss the Everglades iWBi to LOST
MAN'S RIVER.
Seeds of Violence lU-Ii to LIVE PAST.
DIE YOUNG.
W-2
is
AWARD TO rRODUC'CR—-Jerry Wald
displays the certificate of award given by
the Southern California Motion Picture
Council for "Peyton Place" as "a picture
of outstanding merit." The council award
was made to the 'iOth-Fox producer, Director
Mark Robson and scripter John
Michael Hayes.
CBS Entries Leading
In Emmy Balloting
HOLLYWOOD—Leading the way in number
of preliminary entries among the major
nomination categories in the 1957 Emmy race,
is CBS, accordmg to a spot .survey of ballots
distributed by the Academy of TV Arts and
Sciences.
CBS garnered 11 entries in the Best Single
Program categoi-y. to lead by a slight margin
over NBC. which placed eight, and ABC-
TV. which showed two. CBS al.so led the
other networks in Best Actor—Single Performance,
racking up 15 to NBC's six: Best
Actress— Single Performance saw CBS with
15 to NBC's four, and Best Teleplay Writing
placed CBS with 19 to NBC's thi-ee.
The ATAS membership balloting will be
tabulat.ed by Price Waterhou.se accounting
fn-m begimiing Wednesday i26i. Nominees
will be announced March 12, and the Emmies
presented to 25 winners on the Emmy award
telecast over NBC-TV April 15.
Tony Curtis Wins Poll
HOLLYWOOD—Tony Curtis was named
the most popular film star in Israel, Italy
and Australia, according to preliminary re-
.-ults of the annual poll conducted by the
Hollywood Foreign Press Ass'n. leading up
to presentations of its annual Golden Globe
award,-?. Deborah Kerr won out in Italy and
Greece as most popular actre.ss; Tyrone
Power most popular male star in Greece.
Kay Kutcr Heads Committee
HOLLYWOOD — The Society of Motion
Picture Art Directors has cho.sen Kay Kut«r
as chairman of the administration committee.
Committee members are: Carl Ander.son.
Alex Roelofs. Gib.son HoUey, Edward CaiTer,
Stanley Flel.scher. Harvey Glllett. David Milton.
Stephen Goos.son. James Vimce, Duncan
Kramer. William Ro.ss. William Craig Smith.
Scott McLean and Albert Wein.
Scribes Determined
On Television Bights
HOLLYWOOD—A militant stand taken by
members of the screen branch of Writers
Guild West may involve the film industry in
strike difficulties this year.
The writers voted unanimously to cancel
their contracts with the major studios as
soon as legally passible and authorized their
board to give 60 days notice of strike action
agamst unnamed independent United Artists
producers who have released pictures to television,
if .satisfactory deals cannot be made
for additional payment to writers. The scribes
also approved an immediate strike against
Republic Pictures Cor|5-. which, however, in
accordance with existing contractural provisions
cannot take effect until March 22.
The key to the difficulties of the writers
with the majors is pay TV. in which they are
insistent on establishing participation rights,
if and when this new field comes into vogue.
In conformance with legal requirements, termination
of the agreements with the major
studios affected means that the writers can
walk out by November 6 of this year. In the
meantime, they plan to pursue negotiations
elsewhere.
The UA beef concerns independent producers
and stems from theii- failure and or
refusal to pay additional compensation to
writers for post-48 films released to TV. A
similar basis underlies the strike vote against
Republic which recently announced release
of pyst-1948 films to TV without indicating
that any payment to the writers of these
films was planned.
"X^ecMluj^e. ^fixioeleM
We.-t: Mel Hulling, co-owner of Allied
Artists west coast franchise, arrived for conferences
regarding sales of upcoming product
with studio toppers.
• • •
West: Elmer Rhoden jr. arrived from Kansas
City to start production on "Daddy-O"
• • •
West: Geoffrey Martin, publicity-advertising
director for Rank Films, arrived for business
conferences with west coast representatives.
• • *
West: Dli-ector Rout)en Mamoulian returned
after three weeks in New York interviewing
candidates for roles in "Poi-gy
and Bess."
• • *
West: Morton A. Spring, president of
Loews International, arrived at MGM studios
for a week of meetings.
• • •
East: Kirk Douglas went to Gotham U)
meet with UA executives on selling plans
for
"The Vikings."
• • •
East: Frank H. Ricketson jr.. National Theatres
vice-president, flew to New York to
confer with producer Louis DeRochemont on
the release of NT's "Windjammer."
East:
• • •
Cecil B. DcMlUe planed to New York
for conferences with home office executives
on release plans for 'Tlie Ten Commandments"
Internationally.
BOXOFFICE ;: Pebi-uao' 24, 1958
i
J

"The
"Ride
Warners to Distribute
'Fury.' Madison Starrer
LONDON — Warner Bros, will distribute
"Sea F\iry." an Anglo-American co-production
which will star Guy Madison, with his
partner in the Hollywood fiiin of Romson
Productions. Helen Ainsworth, acting as executive
producer, and Charles Deane handling
the British end.
George Sherman, who guided Madison's
"The Hard Man" for Columbia, is being
sought to direct "Sea Fury." which will location
in Spain and Portugal, and will be in
Technicolor.
A second Madison-Ainsworth-Deane picture
called "Brigand's Gold" is on the drawing
boards.
MPIC Moves to Support
Tax Averaging Plan
HOLLYWOOD—The Motion Picture Industry
Council will meet Monday (24) to
map out steps to back Ronald Reagan's recent
appearance before the House ways and
means committee in Washington at which
time the actor asked the solons for a general
reduction in taxes and an averaging
plan which would spread taxes over a period
of years instead of yearly. MPIC. of course,
will not move until the committee's decision
is heard. Also on the agenda at the meeting
was presentation of a distinguished service
award to George MuiiDhy for his leadership
and donations to the film industry.
Academy Picks
British
'Kwai' as Best '57 Film
LONDON—Columbia's "The Bridge on the
River Kwai" was chosen by the British Film
Academy as the best motion picture of 1957.
Alec Guinness was named the best British
actor for his performance in the film;
Heather Sears won the best British actress
award for "The Story of Esther Costello."
titled "The Golden Virgin" here; Hem-y
Fonda was named best foreign actor for
"Twelve Angry Men," and Simone Signoret
received the award of best foreign actress for
"The Witches of Salem."
Curt Jurgens Is Going Far
On 'Enemy' Promotion
LOS ANGELES—Curt Jurgens will conduct
exploitation activities in five world capitals
across Europe and Asia within the next ten
days in connection with 20th-Fox's "The
Enemy Below" in which he stars with Robert
Mitchum. The actor is slated for meetings
with exhibitors and other key groups
in Rome. Athens. Istanbul. Madrid and
Lisbon. He is en route to Hong Kong where
he will report for his starring role in "Inn of
the Sixth Happiness."
Ties Up Ham and Hattie
HOLLYWOOD—TJPA Pictures has signed
a contract to produce two additional Ham
and Hattie cartoons for Columbia release.
The agreement was made upon receipt of
the second of the two-segment series and
shortly after the first, now in general release,
was nominated for an Oscar. The new epi-
.sode will go into immediate production at
the UPA studio under the supervision of executive
producer Stephen Bosustow. Under
the terms of the deal. Columbia retains an
option on the series for another five years.
eOLLYWOOD'S
organized laborites are
virtually unanimous in indicating
their approval of pay television. The
production capital's AFL Film Council has
registered its unqualified indorsement of the
action taken by the Los Angeles City Council
in franchising the proposed operations of
Skiatron and Telemeter; while individual
units such as the Publicists Ass'n have hurried
to add their respective approbations to
the toll video idea.
individually and collectively, from lowly
grips to ranking directors, toilers in the celluloid
vineyards are vehement in expressing
the opinion that coin-in-slot TV is destined
to be the Moses that will lead them out of
the wilderness of limited* employment; that
the considered new medium for disseminating
mass entertainment can accomplish as
much for a faltering industry as did the advent
of sound several decades ago.
At this point in the development of the
fee television—what with the innumerable
bugs and the opposition and doubts it is
encountering, officially and industrially—it
is impossible to determine how much of wishful
thinking and what degree of logic enters
into film labor's attitude.
There can be little doubt that therein is
something of the drowning man and straw
philosophy. But also to be considered is an
equally venerable axiom—the one concerning
the slaughtered goose and the golden
eggs.
The busy blurbers of Burbank wax enthusiastic
because "Mervyn LeRoy was honored
again . . . when he was installed as a
deputy sheriff of Salem, Mass.," at which
historical location he was piloting sequences
for a forthcoming Warner Bros, opus, "Home
Before Dark."
With that commission — pins a ten dollar
bill—Mervyn can now park his car any place
in Salem.
During the closing months of 1957 there
was plenty of palaver and no small amount
of protest among exhibitors about the revenue-jeopardizing
and long-standing practice
pursued by major distributors of simultaneous
placing in release to compete against
one another their respective best filmmaking
efforts. Many of the nation's ranking
showmen interested themselves in the issue
—such men as Leonard Goldenson, president
of American Broadcasting-Paramount
Theatres, and Frank H. Ricketson jr., vicepresident
and general manager of theatre
operations for National Theatres. These men
and several others went to considerable expense
and trouble to conduct surveys and
assemble statistics to establish that the procedure
of bunched bookings of blockbusters
—often stemming from avidity to garner a
share of mythical increased seasonal grosses
—Is costing the distributors, as well as the
theatremen, substantial slices of potential
profits.
Whether it was the logic or the overall,
solid-front weight of the remonstrances that
brought action is of little consequence, but
many of the top fUm-[>eddling organizations
indicated intentions of doing something to
alleviate the venerable evil.
Up until February 1, however, the bright
new resolves had apparently attracted little
more than lip service. Perhaps nothing more
convincingly demonstrates that fact than the
ballot which was broadcast to its members
by the National Screen Council so that they
could register their individual selections of
the "best picture which is also suitable entertainment
for the whole family—including
children if accompanied by adults." The
feature receiving the largest number of
votes—and by the time these paragraphs are
printed it will have been announced—became
the recipient of the BOXOFFICE Blue
Ribbon Award for January 1958.
As is widely known, membership of the
NSC comes from the ranks of motion picture
editors of newspapers and magazines, radio
commentators, members of clubs, film councils,
social, civic and educational organizations.
While BOXOFFICE sponsors the
Council and issues the monthly Blue Ribbon
plaques to those figuring in the fabrication
of the monthly winners, this publication in
no way influences the voting of members.
Velma West Sykes, a BOXOFFICE staffer.
is the efficient chairman of the Council and
supervises the preparation of the monthly
ballots, the compilation of the voting and
the issuance of the coveted Blue Ribbon
kudos.
Listed on the January ballot are the following
pictures released during that month:
"Across the Bridge" (RFDA) ; "The Deep
Six" (WB); "Don't Go Near the Water"
(MGM); "The Enemy Below" (20th -Fox);
"Jamboree" (WB); "Legend of the Lost"
(UA) ; Long Haul" (Col) ; "Man in the
Shadow" (U-I); "Paths of Glory" (UA);
"Peyton Place" (20th-Fox) ; a Violent
Mile" (20th-Fox); "The Sad Sack" (Para),
and "Sayonara" (WB).
Even a glancing gander at that list reveals
the NSC members must have had a
tough time picking a winnah, that there were
several features richly deserving of their consideration,
pictures which entered in a less
competitive field could have won hands
down.
And it discloses further that to date the
loudly acclaimed determinations to correct
the disadvantages of bunched bookings of
blockbusters is still akin to Mark Twain's
celebrated weather—much talk and no action.
A profound statistical observation from
Rogers, Cowan and Jacobs informs that "The
Old West is getting too crowded. Because of
the annual convention of the National Rotary
Clubs being held ... in Sonora, Calif., producer
Walter M. Mirisch ... set back until
February 10 the start of 'Man of the West'
. . . Not only were there no accommodations
in Sonora for his cast and crew but there
were none to be found in all of Calaveras
County."
Cheer up, boys, no matter how crowded
the "Old West" may become, there'll always
be room for one more partner—and perhaps
a bit more of the news gathering talents that
might transcend the broadcasting of such
trivia.
BOXOFFICE February 24, 1958
W-3

—
—
—
———
—
—
—
. . . Sympathy
. . Morrie
. . Stan
. . Bernie
. . Morrie
. . Jules
. . Wendell
. . Glenn
. . Along
: February
Trosecution' Big 300
In Opening at Frisco
SAN FRANCISCO—The opening of
"Witness
for the Prosecution" at the United
Artists walked away with top honors of 300
per cent. In the second spot was the third
great week of "Peyton Place" at the Fox with
170.
(Average Is 100)
Fox Peyton Place (20th-Fox), 3rd wk 1 70
Golden Gate Old Yeller (BV), 2rvd wk 100
Poromount Fort Dobbs (WB) 100
St. Francis Bonjour Tristesse (Col) 125
United Artists Witness for the Prosecution
iUA) 300
Warfield Don't Go Near the Water (MGM),
8th wk 100
Tristesse' Opens in LA
With Top 210
LOS ANGELES—Good openers and strong
holdovers saw the local first-nins continue
at satisfactory stride in regular situations.
"Bonjour Tristesse" led the newcomers with
210 per cent, while "Sayonara" in its eighth
frame held to a sizzling 210.
Beverly Canon, Vogabond And God Creoted
Woman (Kingsley), 5th wk
Corthoy Circle— Around the World in 80 Days
125
(UA), 61st wk 250
Downtown Paramount, Hollywood and 8 driveins
Darby's Rangers (WB); Oregon Passage
(AA) 155
Egyptian
El Rey—Gervoise
Bridge on the River Kwai (Col), 9th wk.
(Conf'l), 6th wk
170
50
Fine Arts All at Sea (MGM) 1 65
Four Star Bonjour Tristesse (Col) 210
Fox Beverly, Los Angeles, Loyola, Vogue
Peyton Place (20th-Fox), 10th wk 75
Fox Wilshire The Gift of Love (20th-Fox), 2nd wk. 55
Hollywood Paramount Sayonara (WB), 8th wk. 210
Ponfoges Seven Klills of Rome (MGM), 2nd wk. 115
Warners Beverly Witness for the Prosecution
(UA) 9th wk 80
Warners Hollywood Seven Wonders of the World
(Cinerama), 37th wk 125
'Silken Affair,' 'Arms' 150
As Denver Top Films
DENVER—Six programs, one a double bill,
were holding over. Included were Old Yeller,
Farewell to Arms, Wild Is the Wind, Light
Across the Street, And God Created Woman
and Don't Go Near the Water with Parson
and the Outlaw.
Aladdin Old Yeller (BV), 8th wk ) 10
Centre A Farewell to Arms (20th-Fox), 2nd wk. 150
Denhom Wild Is the Wind (Pora) 110
Denver The Gift of Love (20th-Fox)- Plunder
Rood (20t-h-Fox) 75
Esquire Light Across the Street (UMPO) 110
Orpheum Don't Go Near the Water (MGM); The
Parson and the Outlaw (Col), 3rd wk 120
Poromount The Tornished Angels (U-1); Voiue
for Money (RFDA) 125
Tabor And God Creoted Womon (Kingsley), 4th
wk 100
Vogue Art The Silken Affair (DCA) 150
Two Portland Theatres
Gross High With 'Woman'
PORTLAND. ORE.—Both the Guild and
Fine Arts enjoyed business exceeding 200
per cent with "And God Created Woman."
Outside the art situations, the big business
was "Rodan!"
Broadway Darby's Rangers (WB) 120
Fine Arts And God Created Woman (Kingsley) 225
Fox A Farewell to Arms (20th-Fox), 3rd wk. ..140
Guild And God Created Womon (Kingsley),
4th wk 275
Liberty Campbell's Kingdom (RFDA) 90
Orpheum Rodan! ( DCA) 170
Paramount Old Yeller (BV), 3rd wk 105
'Raintree County' Dominates
Seattle Grosses With 250
SEATTLE — "Raintree County" which
wound up its second week at the Music Box,
ran off with top honors with a very strong 250.
Blue Mouse Around the World in 80 Doys
(UA), 44th wk 175
Music Box—Raintree County (MGM), 2nd wk. 250
Music Holl The Quiet American (UA) 90
Orpheum—Compbcll's Kingdom (RFDA) 85
AWARDS TO DIRECTORS — George
congrratulates Don Weis upon
Sidney, left,
winning: the Screen Directors Guild
award for Revue Productions' "The Lonely
Wizard Steinmetz." Looking on is George
Stevens, right, who accepted the award
for David Lean, who is in England, for
his direction of "Bridge on the River
Kwai."
Blair Family Takes Back
Calistoga. Calif., House
CALISTOGA, CALIF.—The Blair family
has taken back the Ritz Theatre here, operating
it every night and Sunday matinee.
Sharon Marcario, the son-in-law, is acting
as manager.
The Blairs recently spent several days in
Las Vegas, Nev., and reported a wonderful
outing.
$25,000 Policy on Lasky
HOLLYWOOD—The will of the late Jesse
L. Lasky, film pioneer who died January 13,
was filed for probate in superior court. The
will bequeathed the family home and personal
effects to his wife Bessie, and made
provision for disbursement of a $25,000 life
insurance policy. After payment of administering
the estate costs and inheritance taxes,
the balance of the $25,000 goes to the family,
plus $2,000 to Randolph Rogers, Lasky 's
secretary for many years. Out of the remainder,
two sons, Jesse jr. and William, are
each to receive three-tenths, and a daughter
Betty four-tenths. Anything remaining goes
the wife.
to
To Pick SEG Nominees
HOLLYWOOD— All
members of the Screen
Extras Guild have been notified that the
board of directors will appoint a nominating
committee March 1 to select candidates for
the annual election June 6. Six guild officers
are elected each year for one-year terms
in addition to directors.
Ted Klages to Para. Post
HOLLYWOOD—Ted Klages,
prominent in
music circles, was appointed business manager
and assistant head of the Paramount
music department. He succeeds Bill Stinson,
recently promoted to head the department.
Burglars Get $250 Loot
PANORAMA CITY, CALIF.—Burglars recently
pried open a safe at a local theatre
escaping with $250, according to Manager
Doye Snelling.
LOS ANGELES
Tricking off the annual observance of National
Brotherhood Week, representatives
of over 500 independent and circuit theatres
and film distributing companies met Wednesday
il9i at the Fox Boulevard Theatre.
Taking part in the program, which marked
the film industry's 12th annual participation
in Brotherhood Week, were Frank H. Ricketson
jr.. National Theatres vice-president:
actress Dolores Michaels, Moms Sudmin,
20th-Fox exchange manager, and Max Dubin,
associate rabbi Wilshire Boulevard Temple.
The testimonial lunctieon held for B. F.
"Robbie" Robi.son, 20th-Fox salesman who is
retiring, was attended by some 275 friends.
M. J. E. "Mac" McCarthy emceed the event
and presented Robbie a farewell gift of a
check. Other speakers were Ben Peskay and
Herman Wobber, who flew down from San
Francisco . Livingston, formerly of
Fred Stein Enterprises, is now handling the
operation of Joe Hertzberg's Montrose Theatre
in Montrose. Plans are under way to
completely remodel and decorate the theatre
Burton Jones, Capri Theatre in
. . . San Diego and Reseda in Reseda, has been appointed
manager of Pat Brown's campaign in
San Diego County for governor of California.
Thornton Sargent, who checks out after
24 years as publicity-advertising chief of National
Theatres, was feted by associates in
the office of M. Spencer Leve, Fox West
Coast southern California division manager
. . . Al Drebin, Emperor Film Co. representative
in New York, and Albin Films,
Hollywood, lunched with Harry Novak on
Filmrow . . . Evelyn Wood, DCA secretary,
resigned . Cobb, Columbia salesman,
resigned . Overtm-f, former
salesman for Republic, is now a booker at the
MGM exchange . Slipper has been
appointed manager of the Kansas City National
Theatre Supply office.
Bill School, UA exploitation chief, was in
San Diego . Needleman, Columbia
salesman, was in Arizona on a film selling
trip . Abrahams, Columbia exploiteer,
left for Tucson for the opening of "Bridge
on the River Kwai" . Filmrow were
Bob Berkum, Ken Theatre, San Diego; Mr.
and Mrs. Jolxn Dickey, Del Mar in Carpenteria;
Dick Sims, Bay Theatres, National
City: Steve Chorak. Chino in Chino: Bob
MacCracken, Arizona-Paramount Theatres,
Phoenix, and George David Diamos, Tri-
Delta Amusement Co., Tucson.
Fire hit the booth of the Vista in Hollywood,
causing an undetermined amount of
damage . and Lou Del Mont« are
the new owners of the Film Row cafe and
promise the boys along the Row "a new deal"
to Mae Friedman and to
Gladys Collins, secretai'y to Roy Dickson,
whose mothers died.
Temporary reshuffhng of personnel at National
Theatres and FWC Theatres offices
brought the transfer of Gordon Hewitt from
NT's film buying department to district manager
of FWC's Los Angeles first-run houses.
Hewitt replaces district manager Roy Evans,
who will assume operational .supervision of
Cinemiracle opening of "Windjammer" April
6 at the Chinese Theatre.
I
W-4
BOXOFFICE
:
24, 1958

SAN FRANCISCO
fawners representing 280 Bay area and
northern California motion picture theatres
were asked to raise $25,000 this year
for the National Conference of Cloi-istians and
Jews. About ten cuxuit ownei-s and executives
met with Dr. Karl Bennet Justus, vicepresident
and northern California director of
the conference, last week at the Concordia
Club. After Robert Naify, co-chairman of
the theatre committee, pointed out that past
efforts to raise funds for the conference "were
not too successful," the exhibitors at the
meeting agreed to hold a series of benefit
previews to raise funds for the conference.
Co-chairman Jack Erickson, San Fi-ancisco
manager for 20th-Fox, said his studio again
would contribute film prints for the previews.
Celeste .-idams, 21-year-old Trans-World
Airlines stewardess, was chosen as Miss Paradise,
the official hostess for a benefit dinner
preceding the premiere of Cinerama's "Search
for Paradise" at the Oi-pheum March 11. The
Press and Union League Club and the Chamber
of Commerce are sponsoring the dinner
with proceeds going to the club's scholarship
awards.
Theatreman Irving Levin, who successfully
promoted the first International Film Festival
here, is getting ready to ti-y for a western
film festival, according to reports . . . Two
wives of local theatremen were forced by a
robber to drive him to safety after he held
up a swank Las Vegas hotel gambling casino.
Tlie women w'ere Mildred Levin, wife of theatre
owner Manuel Levin, and Mrs. James B.
Lima, whose husband owns theatres in San
Jose area. The women and their husbands
were attending a concessionaires convention
at the Riviera Hotel.
, . .
Matinee showings of "Cartoons Unlimited"
were held at ten local theatres for the vacationing
kids on Lincoln's Birthday . . . The
Golden Gate reissue of "It Came From Outer
Space" in 3-D was doing a landoffice business
The Vogue here is undergoing a
On the Row were Howard
. . . . . . facelifting
Hill. Hills Drive-In, Biverdale; Audrey Jacobs,
Capitola and Soquel; Tiny Turner,
Coalinga Drive-In: Jess Wells, Lyric in San
Ed
Jose, and R. B. Smith, ChowchUla
Shceline of the Alexandria Theatre is going
around with his arm in a sling following
The Redding Theatre was closed
surgery . . .
February 6 by United California.
Irving Levin, owner and director of San
Francisco Theatres which runs the art house
Vogue, was cited in the February 17 issue of
Time magazine as the only theatreman in
the U. S. to play the Indian fUm, "Father
Panchali," termed by the magazine as "one
of the finest pictures of recent years." Time
said that New York art houses were reluctant
to show it because it's "got no sex in it."
Kramer Names Controller
HOLLYWOOD—Red Kennedy has been appointed
controller of the Stanley Kramer
productions and checks in immediately to
prepare for a March 1 start on "The Defiant
Ones." Kramer will do six films for
UA release in the next two years.
Alex Harrison Helps
Denver Unity Start
DENVER—With Robert W. Selig, president
of Fox Intermountain Theatres, presiding,
a meeting was held to get Brotherhood
Week under way in the Denver film area.
There will be no collection in theatres, but
containers will be set up in lobbies so persons
caji drop their contributions as they enter
or leave the theatre.
About two dozen attended the meeting.
Alex Harrison, general sales manager of 20th-
Fox who is national chairman of Brotherhood
Week, said his company is making available
at least three films—"Cattle Empire," "Gift
of Love" and "Sing Boy, Sing"—for midnight
shows to raise money for the week. He said
some other companies would also have a few
films available for such showings.
Brotherhood kits can be secured from National
Screen Service for $2 each, which will
contain a 90-foot trailer. 40x60 easel and a
page of ad mats. These should be ordered at
once. Exhibitors desiring to set up a midnight
show for Brotherhood Week should
contact Richard Fulham, manager for 20th-
Pox who is regional chairman for the week.
AFM Contract Ends;
New Moves Awaited
BULLETIN
New York—A strike order has been
issued to Local 47, AFM, which serves
Hollywood studios. The companies affected
are Columbia, Loew's, Paramount,
20th-Fox and Warner Bros. It became
effective at midnight Wednesday (19)
when negotiations for a new contract
failed.
NEW YORK—The American Federation of
Musicians is considering its next move in its
business relationship with the Ass'n of Motion
Picture Pi-oducers since the present
agreement expired at midnight Wednesday
(19). A spokesman said there will probably
be several policy meetings before a course of
action is set.
James C. Petrillo, AFM president, and
Charles F. Boren. AMPP vice-president, issued
a joint statement Tuesday (18) which
said that "after almost continuous negotiations
from Febmary 10 for a new collective
bargaining agreement, the parties regretfully
announced their inability to reach agreement."
Motion picture company executives present
throughout the negotiations were Ed Morey,
vice-president. Allied Artists; Abe Schneider,
executive vice-president, Columbia; Bonar
Dyer. Walt Disney Productions; Joseph R.
Vogel, president, Loew's, Inc.; Barney Balaban,
president. Paramount; Spyros P.
Skom-as, 20th Century-Fox; John J. O'Connor,
vice-president, Univereal-International,
and Ed DePatie, vice-president, Warner Bros.
Participating with Petrillo and the AFM
international executive board were negotiating
committees from Local 47, Los Angeles,
and Local 802, New York.
The negotiations dealt with salaries, working
conditions and financial participation in
the sales of post-1948 films to television.
Organize Promotion
Of Academy Awards
DENVER—At a meeting attended by about
24 theatre and film folk, the area coverage
and utilization of the television broadcast of
the Academy Awards March 26 were discussed,
and some committees were named to
expedite the activities.
A special committee was named to receive
and evaluate promotion ideas and make those
deemed acceptable available to theatre folk
who can utilize them. It was said that practically
every section of the Denver area can
and does receive television, so that all theatres
can benefit from the committee activities.
The committee consists of Dave Davis,
Jack Wodell, Mrs. Vera Cockrill, William
Hastings, Pat McGee, Fred KnUl and Robert
Sweeten, all Denver theatre folk.
Paul Lyday, manager of the Denver Theatre,
was named exhibitor chairman, and
Henry Friedel was named distributor chairman.
Their responsibilities will be to feed
information, publicity and promotional ideas,
as crystallized by the special idea committee,
distributors and exhibitors in the field.
to all
F. A. Millspaugh Assumes
Midstate Circuit Post
WALLA WALLA, WASH.—Frank A.
Millspaugh
has been named general manager of
Midstate Amusement Co. here, succeeding
Perd Nessel who has gone into another field
of employment. Millspaugh heads a circuit
of 12 indoor houses and six drive-in theatres
in central and southeastern Washington, with
headquarters at Walla Walla.
Prior to assuming his new position, MUlspaugh
was with Alliance Amusement Co.,
Chicago, parent company of Midstate, for 12
years, as manager of Alliance theatres in suburban
Roseland, and was also in the booking
department of Alliance in Chicago. Before
joining Alliance, Millspaugh worked for the
Y&W Management Corp., Indianapolis, as
manager of theatres in Gary and Muncie, Ind.
AA Board Meets
HOLLYWOOD—Allied Artists
board meeting
Monday (24> was attended by Steve
Broldy, president; George D. Burrows, executive
vice-president and treasurer; W. Ray
Johnston, chairman; Edward Morey, vicepresident.
New York; Norton V. Ritchey,
vice-president. New York; Herman Rivkin,
Boston; Sherrill Corwin and Paul Porzelt,
New York.
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BOXOFFICE February 24, 1958 W-5

. . . Reville
: Febmary
.
Distributors Halt
Supermarket Tieup
LOS ANGELES—A tleup benveen the 48
Thriftymart supeitnai-kets in this area and
Pacific Drive-In Theatres which called for
the distribution of passes at the markets
was halted this week by distributors. The
tieup provided that customers collecting $17
in cash register tapes would receive a pass to
one of the circuit's drive-ins. The promotion
received top exploitation and advertising, both
from theatres and supermarkets, but distributors
turned thumbs down, on the contention
that where the circuit plays a percentage
picture, the established admission price must
be charged for each of the passes turned in.
The action of the distributors brought an
immediate reply and protest from Pacific's
William Forrran, president. The circuit
chief pointed out that there had been a
lot of clamor by distributors, berating theatremen
for their failure to do anything except
howl to bring back the lost audience. He
said Alex Harrison, 20th Century-Fox sales
manager, in a talk here February 1 had suggested
supermarkets as tieup potentials, because
of the tremendous mass circulation that
could be reached via that medium.
"It is recognized in the trade that usually
a person does not go to a show alone, either
in the drive-ins or the hardtop theatres. It
was our thought that a pass, in, many instances,
would bring in one or more paid admissions,
and that through the distribution
of passes we were reaching out to many who
were no longer theatre patrons," Forman said.
He said it had been clearly stated in the
advance publicity that passes were restricted
to the Sunday-through-Thur.sday period, the
days when there are plenty of empty seats
and car stalls. Besides, he added, the promotion
was to end in April.
"It w-as our firm conviction." Forman declared,
"that in the final analy.sis there would
be no dollar loss, either to us or the distributor.
We felt that the extra admissions generat«d
by the pa.sses would more than compensate
for the lo.ss through premium admissions.
We so advised the distributors. All
we asked was a fair trial and I agreed personally
to review the results in any case
where a distribtuor was dissatisfied and
make an adjustment on a reasonable basis.
Our appeal fell on deaf ears. They wanted
their pound of flesh or we would get no pictures."
Forman said other businesses, when business
falls off, rush out with all sorts of inducements—free
autos, sample foods, cutrate
magazines, anything to stem the tide.
Business as usual doesn't work any more, he
said, and exhibitors should be encouraged instead
of deterred in any worthwhile effort to
get more business to the boxoffice.
"The old staid methods or, in many instances,
lack of effort, won't solve our problems.
We need new ideas, a new aggressive
sales approach, none of which is possible if
we get only discouragement from distributors,"
Forman said.
PHOENIX
•phe only place in the country right now with
beautiful weather, Phoenix, may be the
location for two more filmed television features.
Don Barry is here from Hollywood to
.study the location. Barry, now in the writing,
producing and directing field, hopes to
shot two films here with Ken Kennedy of
Phoenix Films. The shows would be "Savage
Patrol," a feature, and "Tales of Tumbleweed."
a series. Arizona tax laws and high
insurance rates are the drawbacks. According
to Barry, they are the main reasons many
motion picture companies do not come to
Phoenix. One TV series is always being
filmed here by Russell Hayden, "26 Men."
starring Ti'is Coffin.
"Around the World in 80 Days" has broken
all records at the 'Vista Theatre and is still
going strong. In the first six weeks it drew
43.000 persons, a good record for a 700-seat
house. The 'Vista is a Fox theatre . . . Danny
Thomas will do a benefit show here in April
for the St. Jude Hospital. Memphis. The event
is sponsored by the local American-Lebanese-
Syrian Society, the local president being the
father of Bernie Borane. manager of the
Cinema Park Drive-In.
In promoting "Witness for the Prosecution,"
which started Wednesday (19) at the Fox
Theatre, Manager Sam Boswell asked 1.835
Phoenix adults to write to the theatre for
a free preview ticket per request for a special
showing at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday (18). Boswell
also asked that those wTiting in mention any
club or community group to which they belonged.
Requests were filled in order of their
receipt. The invitation, run in the newspaper
in a large box ad. brought a good response
from Phoenix fans.
I'KODICKK HOST TO THK.XTRE EXECUTIVIS— Buddy Adier. executive head of
production at 20th-Fox, is pictured at the luncheon he host«d at the studio for Taramount
Theatre toppers during their recent convention here. .MtendinR were (I. to r.)
John Krier, vice-president and gencTal manager of Paramount Intermountain Theatres;
Jerry Zigmond. Paramount Theatres west coast division manager for San Franci.sco
and L. A.; Edward L. Ilyman, .'\B-PT vice-president; .\dler. Bernard Levy,
assistant to Hyman. and George Aurelius, vice-president and general manager,
Arizona Paramount Theatre.
PORTLAND
Col .'Vlaizeis, Aladdm, joined forces Tue.sday
1 181 with the Ballet Society for the
northwest opening of the Russian featurelength
ballet, "The Ballet of Romeo and
Juliet." Maizels turned the house over to
the active group for a benefit showing. The
public opening was Wednesday with good
results. The next benefit showing will be for
a showing of "Marcelino." the Spanishmade
religious film which the University
of Portland Alumni club will sponsor at the
Aladdin. Special promotions for art films are
moneymakers. Maizels has discovered.
. .
Eari Keate, United Artists, was in town
working on "Witness for the Prosecution"
and "Paths of Glory" . Rex Hopkins. Fox-
Evergreen city manager, has booked "Peyton
Place" for an exclu.sive showing at the
Hollywood 126) for its first second-run showing
here. The film will be advertLsed as an
Oscar nominee picture. All but three pictures
featui-ed in the Oscar nominations
played Fox-Evergreen houses—Fox. Oi-pheum
and Hollywood here. "Raintree County"
played an extended run at the Broadway;
"Wild Is the Wind" opened Thursday (20)
at the Paramount. "Witness for the Prosecution"
opened Tuesday (18) day and date
with Oscar nomination annoimcements at
the Liberty. Both Earl Keate and Bill Hupp,
Liberty manager, played up the fact in newspaper,
radio and T"V publicity.
Tom Walsh jr., .son of J. J. Parker executive
Tom Walsh, was one of the city wrestling
champions representing Portland high schools
. . .
at the .state meet at Corvallis Saturday (22).
Young Walsh, a six-footer, weighs 194 pounds
and was defeated in the city championship
matches by the 1957 champion. He is an
"A" student as weU as a star athlet«
M. M. Mesher. Paramount, is back after
several weeks busine.ss and vacation in California.
SEATTLE
rilmrow was obsei-ving Brotherh(X)d Week
Kniffin, 20th-Fox district
manager, was up from Los Angeles . . . Chester
Nilsson is vacationing in Sun Valley . . .
"Seven Hills of Rome." in Technirama and
Technicolor, opened at the Music Hall . . .
Two F^-ench fUms. with English subtitles,
"Earrings of Madame De" and "Manon."
are now being shown at the Guild 45th.
Curtis Nagel personally narrated his exclusive
color film. "Portraits of the Pacific.
" at the Polmar, starting Monday (17)
and running through Saturday (22). The
film pictures Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti. Fiji and
Hong Kong. Other cities to view the film
include Tacoma. Everett, and Bellingham .
Filmrow visitors included D. Saunders.
C.iineo. Tacoma: F. F. Beilfus. Brown's Thea;re,
Snohomish: Orrln E. Lee. Showboat
and Star Light Drive-In. Coeur d'Alene,
Ida., and Peter Barnes and Jerry Van Diver,
Moses Lake and Orovllle,
Four Star
Nina Laemmle to
HOLLYWOOD—Dick Powell, president of
Four Star Films, named Nina Laemmle story
editor of the telefilm company. Miss Laemmle
supplants Coles Trapnell. who resigned to
enter independent production.
W-6 BOXOFFICE
:
24, 1958

-1
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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 fypical
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
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buckled film."
Miracle Mile Drive-in,
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See your CENTURY dealer for this new aid to better
motion picture proiection.
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187 Golden Gate Ave.
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2007 South Vermont Ave.
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San Francisco 2, California
Los Angeles 7, California
Pembrex Theatre Supply Corp.
1969 South Vermont Ave.
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Western Sound & Equipment Co.
264 East 1st South Street
Salt Lake City 1, Utah
Western Service & Supply Inc. Southwest Theatre Supply Co. Modern Theatre Supply Inc.
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Denver 2, Colorado
3750 Eost Van Boren
Phoenix, Arizona
2400 3rd Avenue
Seottle 1, Washington

—
. . . Don
. . Theatre
. . Larry
I
THEATRICAL
DENVER
/~«arl Mock. Filmrow personality, brings this
news Irom California; San Bernadino's
famous E street was startled one day last
week when two nice, shiny, almost new, yellow
cars smacked fenders with a resounding
bang. Out jumped two irate drivers but before
an argument started, passersby were
astonished to see them shake hands in the
middle of the busy street. Yes, they were
both from Denver and, in case you haven't
already guessed, they were Carl Mock and
Don Hammer. Naturally a reunion was held
in the middle of the street la busy street at
thati. Hammer has been in nearby Ai'lington
for two years as managing director of the
de luxe Arlington and Mock had recently
migrated to San Bernadino to become advertising
manager fcr the three Pierce publication
papers.
The new Rocky Mountain Screen Club,
which has clubrooms on Filmrow, will hold
a general election soon after March 1 and
will elect officers at that time. At present
a memberslup campaign is under way and it
is hoped to have a full roster by that date
Write, wire or phone
International Seat Division
Union City Body Company, Inc.
Union City, Inciiana
'^Osr
High Qualify. ...
Fast Service
MOTIOM PICTURE
RVICK CO.
laS HyilsSt.
anPninclMsW.CalM.
Urquhart, Warner Bros, manager in
Minneapolis, has been moved to Denver in
a like capacity, where he succeeds Carl Miller,
who was moved to the Seattle-Portland
area as manager.
George Tucker, booker and buyer for Albuquerque
Theatres flew to Albuquerque and
on to Dallas for visits at the company offices
Stanley Dixon will operate the
. . . Valley Drive-In, Hotchkiss. this summer.
. . .
Going to Los Angeles the first of the month
to attend a sales meeting at National Theatre
Supply -will be Joe Stone, manager;
Dick Lutz, assistant manager; Robert Tankersley
and Morton Dyksterhuis, salesman,
and Ray Miller, manager at Salt Lake City
Ruth Yoeman has been moved here from
the Kansas City Allied Artists office as
cashier. The company is returning the billing
and confirmation back to Denver. William
Porter, auditor, was in to see that
things got started off in good fashion.
Atlas Theatres is closing the Salida, Salida,
the last of this month. While the house is
closed indefinitely, the management will
redecorate and modernize it . . . William
Pi-ass, United Ai'tists publicity man, retui'ned
from Salt Lake City where he set up the
campaign on "Witness for the Pi-osecution,"
after which he did the same for the film
here at the Paramount.
.
V. J. Dugan, formerly manager for 20th-
Fox here, out of the film business for about
three years, has retui'ned to the company as
city salesman in Cleveland Stai-smore,
president of Westland Theatres, has
been plagued with laryngitis . . . H. Neal
East, western division manager for Paramount,
is due in for a sales meeting with
the local sales force.
. . .
John Vos, Paramount, and Bruce Marshall,
Columbia, are delegates to the Dallas Colosseum
convention John Thomas, operated
on recently, is staging a rapid recovery
and will soon hit the road again
Kolitz, Rank district manager,
. . .
reports
A2
he
is setting up a saturation booking for the
Denver and Salt Lake territories to follow
similar booking in the Seattle-Portland areas.
Ralph Batschelet, concessions head for Fox
Intermountain Theatres, has been named
manager of the Mayan, succeeding Dick
Smith, who had resigned. The position of
concessions manager has not been filled . . .
Ralph Ham, formerly with Fox Intermountain
Theatres, lately with Atlas Theatres,
has been named manager for Fox at Longmont,
where he succeeds Marvin Skinner,
who has been holding the job until a permanent
replacement could be secured.
Hank Fischer, booker for the southern district,
Fox Intermountain Theatres, has retiu'ned
to his former post in the film statistical
department. Si Saunders, northern
district booker, will add the southern district
to his list, with Ray Davis, northern district
manager, doing the booking in five of the
towns . folks seen on Filmrow included
Don Monson, Rifle; Leonard Scales.
Grand Junction; Jack Scales, Durango; Curt
Helwick. Rawlins, Wyo.; Dr. Willis Scott,
Meeker; Claude Graves and Wilbur Williams.
Boulder; Glen Wittstruck. Meeker;
Marie Goodhand, Kimball, Neb.; Robert
Smith, Steamboat Springs; Neil Beezley,
Burlington, and Dr, F. E. Rider, Wauneta.
Neb.
13th House Acquired
By Art Theatre Guild
CLEVELAND—Louis Sher and Edward
Shulman of Art Theatre Guild, have acquired
their 13th art theatre with completion of
negotiations with Andrew Martin for leasing
the Dayton Theatre in Akron. The art circuit
takes over the house March 1, when it
will be closed for about thi-ee weeks for
remodeling in the continental style adopted
for the circuit.
The Dayton is a 550-seat neighborhood
house which has always played a conventional
feature policy.
The Art Theatre Guild also operates 12
other art theatres in ten cities throughout
the United States. They aj-e: Cleveland,
Heights Art and Continental; Columbus,
Bexley; Detroit, Studio and World; Denver,
Vogue; Kansas City, Rockhill; LouisvUle,
Ky.. Crescent Art; Milwaukee, Coronet Art;
Memphis, Ritz; Toledo, Westwood; Yellow
Springs, Ohio, Little Art Theatre.
Nico Jacobellis, general manager of the
two Cleveland art theatres and in charge of
advertising for the entire circuit, wOl also
supervise the Aki-on house which will be renamed
the Art Theatre. He will be assisted
by F^-ank Shaw Stevens, formerly connected
with the Cleveland Playhouse and Musicamival,
who has just joined the Art Theatre
Guild organization.
J. J. Fitzgibbons Dubbed
In Knight of Malta Rite
OTTAWA—J. J. Fitzgibbons. president of
Famous Players Canadian Corp., was invested
as a Knight of Malta in an induction
here of the Canadian Ass'n of the Sovereign
Military Order of Malta when seven prominent
citizens of Canada were knighted in
recognition of outstanding service. The title
is Knight of Magistral Grace.
Fitzgibbons is chairman of St. Michael's
Hospital. Toronto; a governor of Notre Dame
College. WUcox. Sask., and is a fourth degree
member of the Knights of Columbus. He is
also a member of the councU of the Toronto
Board of Trade and is an international representative
of Vai-iety Clubs International,
as well as serving as first chairman of the
Motion Picture Industry Council of Canada.
Close Mexico Exchange
MEXICO CITY—Republic Pictures de
Mexico has closed its office here after 13
years of operation. Eduardo B. Vidal. manager
of the exchange since 1949. has been
named general manager of Distribuidora
Sotomayor, a firm which primarily distributes
Mexican pictures. Vidal started with Republic
in October 1944 as assistant manager.
Ashton Productions' "Man of the West"
will be released through UA,
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W-8 BOXOFFICE February 24, 1958

Loop Grosses Hold
High 1958 Levels
CHICAGO— Business in the Loop held up
despite the freezing: weather. Tlie general
good average was due to some holdovers and
to some newcomei-s alike. Strong openers
were "Darby's Rangers" at the State Lake
and the combination of "Fort Dobbs" and
"Long Haul" at the Roosevelt.
(Average Is 100)
Carnegie Gervaise (Cont'l), 2nd wk 210
Chicago Soyonaro (WB), 7th wk 230
Esquire Wild Is the Wind (Para), 8th wk 195
Gorrick Viking Women and the Sea Serpent-
(AIP); The Astounding She-Monster (AlP),
2rKl wk 200
Grarud Nooh's Ark (Dominant), 3rd wk 185
Loop And God Created Womon (Kingsley),
7fh wk 195
McVickers Rointree County (MGM), 16th wk.
Monroe Lady of Vengeonce (UA);
. .220
The Careless
Yeors (UA) 190
Orientol A Farewell to Arms (20th-Fox), 3rd wk. 245
Palace Seven Wonders of the World (Cinerama),
62nd wk 300
Roosevelt Fort Dobbs (WB); The Long Houl
(Col) 215
State Lake Dorby's Rangers (WB) 225
Surf The Admirable Criehton :Col), 3rd wk 190
Todd's Cinestage Around the World in 80 Days
(UA), 45th wk 330
United Artists Don't Go Ncor the Water (MGM),
7th wk 195
Woods Rodon! (DCA), 3rd wk 200
World Playhouse The Lost Bridge (Union), 2nd
wk 195
Kansas City Slow Except
For 'Woman' and 'Yeller'
KANSAS CITY—Business here was noticeably
off both in first-run and neighborhood
houses, with the Kimo and Tower theatres
the exceptions. "Seven Hills of Rome" failed
to generate any excitement at the Midland
and "The Gift of Love" proved disappointing
in its multiple opening. The Paramount Theatre
lost an evening's business Monday (17)
when the house was evacuated and closed
for the evening following a minor explesion.
believed to have resulted from a leak in a
natural gas line underneath the street in
front of the theatre. "Fort Dobbs" had enjoyed
a good weekend in the theatre and it
was a toss-up whether or not it would hold.
Glen The Story of Bob ond Solly (SR); She
Shouldo Soid No (SR) 11 th wk ) 00
Kimo And God Created Woman (Kingsley), 2nd
wk 500
Midland Seven Hills of Rome (MGM); The
Happy Rood iMGM) 85
Missouri Seven Wonders of the World
(Cinerama), 26th wk 1 25
Paramount Fort Dobbs (WB); Short Cut to Hell
vPara) 130
Roxy Raintree County (MGM), 8th wk 90
Tower Old Yeller (BV), 3rd wk 200
Uptown, Foirway ond Granada The Gift of Love
(20fh-Fox); Plunder Rood (20th-Fox) 105
Top Product Does Well
Despite Bitter Cold
INDIANAPOLIS—Top product did excellent
business despite the prolonged bitter cold
wave that was in its second week. "Raintree
County" opened a roadshow engagement
impressively at the LjTic, and "Old
Yeller." at the Circle, and "A Farewell to
Arms." at Keith's, continued running strong
in holdovers.
Circle Old Yeller (BV), 2nd wk 200
Esquire And God Creoted Woman (Kingsley],
7th wk I 10
Indiana The Enemy Below (20th-Fox); Young
and Dangerous :20th-Fox) 100
Keiths A Farewell to Arms (20th-Fox), 2nd wk. 200
Loews Seven Hills of Rome (MGM); Fort
Bowie UA) 90
Lyric Raintree County (MGM) 225
Leonard Midyett Closed Ava
AVA. ILL.—The Ava, 300 seats, which had
been operating on weekends only since late
in December, was closed on February 2 by
owner Leonard Midyett of St. Louis.
BOXOFFICE February 24, 1958
Show-A-Rama Speakers Will Cover
Specifics of Approach and Methods
KANSAS CITY—More details have been
released concerning program highlights to be
presented during the combined Show-A-
Rama to be presented by Kansas-Missouri
Theatre Owners and Allied Independent
Theatre Owners at the Pickwick here March
11-13.
The convention will open on the third floor
of the hotel where equipment dealers and
.suppliers will have 17 booths and rooms displaying
the latest in various lines. The first
morning will be devoted to registration, after
which delegates may visit the booths and
special displays. The first session will be a
kickoff luncheon sponsored by Pepsi-Cola
for all delegates at 1:00 p.m. to be followed
by a business session which will be devoted
to "Motion Picture Product and Showmanship."
Edward Hyman will open the convention
with a special address concerning the
future product from Hollywood and plans
for its orderly release.
A high point of the afternoon will be presented
by Fred Souttar. Fox Midwest Theatres
district manager, speaking on "Reaching
the Uru-eached." Souttar recently developed
a mailing piece which consisted of 18
pages devoted to selling forthcoming productions
from Hollywood. The idea was widely
used in this territory and by Fox Theatres
in other parts of the nation. Souttar will
explore the possibilities and problems of such
a project and will analyze methods by which
the exhibitor can use relatively unexplored
channels in the selling of motion pictures to
the public.
A fresh viewpoint will be expressed by Miss
Estelle Steinback. Fox Strand Theatre. Milwaukee,
in her presentation "Know Your Potential."
Her fame has spread nationally in
recent months because of her unusual and
highly interesting methods of selling motion
pictm-es. National Theatres recently presented
her the Showman of the Year award
for 1957.
On Wednesday morning. H. E. Jameyson,
chairman of the board of Commonwealth
Theatres, will deliver an address in a session
devoted to "Industry Cooperation." The
morning schedule will open with a breakfast
honoring the film distributors here in Kansas
City, and will be open to all delegates.
Jameyson will speak at 9:30 a.m. on the
subject "Is the Sickroom a Place for a Family
Quarrel?"
Richard Brous. president of FMW. will be
in charge of the program duj'ing the breakfast
and the agenda which will follow. Some
special awards will be made during the
breakfast which will honor film distributors,
bookers and showmen in this territory—the
awards to be presented jointly by Allied and
KMTA.
The convention will close with a special
luncheon on Thursday. March 13, sponsored
by the Coca-Cola Co. Arthur Cole will act
as master of ceremonies at the finale, with
Kroger Babb of Hallmark of Hollywood delivering
the key address.
F. A. Millspaugh Assumes
Midstate Circuit Post
WALLA WALLA. WASH.—Frank A.
MiUspaugh
has been named general manager of
Midstate Amusement Co. here, succeeding
Ferd Nessel who has gone into another field
of employment. Millspaugh heads a circuit
of 12 indoor houses and six drive-in theatres
in central and southeastern Washington, with
headquarters at Walla Walla.
Pj-ior to assuming his new position, Millspaugh
was with Alliance Amusement Co.,
Chicago, parent company of Midstate, for 12
years, as manager of Alliance theatres in subm-ban
Roseland. and was also in the booking
department of Alliance In Chicago. Before
joining Alliance, MiUspaugh worked for the
Y&W Management Corp., Indianapolis, as
manager of theatres in Gaiy and Muncie, Ind.
•TRAVELER' DOCUMENTS FOR LIBRARY—One of the promotions for the world
premiere of 'The Missouri Traveler" at the Uptown Theatre in Kansas City took place
in the Truman Library in nearby Independence. Former President Harry S. Truman
is shown above in his office there receiving the original copy of the screenplay and
the original manuscript of John Burress" novel from Lee Marvin, a star in the C. V.
Whitney production, and Leo Samuels, president of the distributing company. Looking
on are Ross Roach, extreme left. Optimist Club; Jesse Chinich, BV district manager,
and C, L. Hataway, Optimist. The premiere was sponsored by the Optimists.
C-1

KANSAS CITY
pimer Dillon, owner of the National Theatre
here, sees a sign of encouragement in
what he spots as a new trend in moviegoing.
Mrs. Dillon, who is a member of a study club
in Kansas City. Kas.. recently gave a talk on
motion pictures, following which came this
heartening response—women came up to her
and talked enthusiastically about pictures
they had recently .seen, evincing more interest
in movies and going to the theatre to
see them than Mrs. Dillon had heard in
years. Among the pictures mentioned were
"Sayonara." "Peyton Place" and "Don't Go
Near the Water." The favorable talk these
and other pictures are evoking have convinced
Dillon that "the producers have a
point in wanting to concentrate on making
better pictures which are pulling in patrons
and generating new enthusiasm for our business."
Mr. and Mrs. Sol Frank of the Rocket Drivein
Theatre at Salina. Kas., are postcarding
their friends from the West Indies where they
are vacationing . . . Dorothie Wameke of
Buena Vista received word from Bud Broun
of Phillipsburg, Kas., that his father-in-law,
Ralph Winship. suffered a broken hip in a
fall and is in the local hospital there. Bud
is running the Majestic Theatre for Winship.
Tommy Thompson, BV manager, received a
letter from exhibitor Adrian J. Ehler of the
Orris Theatre in Ste. Genevieve. Mo., praising
"The Missouri Traveler" as a smaU-town audience
picture and saj'ing he intends to bring
it back this summer.
Beverly Miller returned from the Allied
Drive-In convention in Louisville with nothing
but good words for the program and the
spirit displayed by the conclaving exhibitors.
While there he saw Howard Kinser, formerly
of the 20th-Fox exchange here and
now stationed at the Indianapolis exchange.
Howard sent greetings to all his Kansas City
friends. Among drive-in people at Louisville,
Bev saw Mr. and Mrs. Herb Jeans of the
Parkade Drive-In at Columbia, Mo., and Mr.
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STEBBINS THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO.
1804 Wyondottc Konioj City, Mo.
and Mrs. Hub Miller of Jefferson City. While
in Mexico recently. Bev and his wife ran
into Harold and Vera Lux of the Boulevard
Drive-In (Kansas City. Kas.1 at the Covodongo
Hotel in Valles. The only warm
weather the Millers encountered south of the
border was in Acapulco.
Mrs. Muriel Ellis of the Holly Theatre in
Holly, Colo., was a Filmrow visitor last week.
Kansas exhibitors in town included Warren
Webber of Junction City, Chet Borg of Fort
Scott. Mr. and Mrs. William Bancroft of
Ottawa and Mr. and Mrs. Glenn R. Hladek of
the Y Drive-In at Wakeeney. The Hladeks
plan to start operating the outdoor theatre
fuUtime Friday, March 28. Missouri exhibitors
on the Row included Harley Fryer of
Lamar. Louis Crowe of Odessa, Mr. and Mrs.
Elmer Bills of Salisbury. Ed Harris of Neosho
and Jim Taylor of Maysville.
at
be held
The combined SHOW-A-RAMA to
the Pickwick here March 11-13 was finding
favor with trade exhibitors, with 14 of
the 17 available booths ah-eady spoken for
at presstime. Displayers to date include:
American Fireworks. Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper,
J. W. Stark Enterprises. L&L Popcorn, Manley.
Inc., Mickelberry Food Products. M. L.
Campbell Paint, Pepsi-Cola. Regal Poppers
Supply and Velvet-Creme.
Betty Brandt shuttered the Lyric at Plattsburg.
Mo.. Monday (17i and the Hays Theatre
at Sublette. Kas., was reported to be
dark again . . . Chick
Evens, 20th-Pox exploiteer.
was in Minneapolis and Omaha
working on saturation bookings for the midwest
opening of "Cattle Empire," with the
picture's star. Joel McCrea, slated to make
personal appearances in both cities . . .
Capitol Flag & Banner Co. lists these titles
as high on the popularity barometer; Fort
Dobbs, A Farewell to Ai-ms, And God Created
Woman and Darby's Rangers.
Here and gone with a whoosh was actress
Mary Webster, young star of AB-PT's
"Eighteen and Anxious," a Republic release
slated to open soon at the Paramount here.
According to Paramount Theatre Manager
Harold Lyon Miss Webster flew here from
Hollywood for a round of radio and television
interviews Tuesday and Wednesday
(18, 19* which included appearance telecasts
with Bill Yearout on Channel 5, Randall
Jesse on Channel 4 and Bea Johnson on
Channel 9 and radio guest shots with Toi->'
Southwick on ICMBC, Chuck Maxwell on
WDAF and Johnny Argo on KUDL
Visiting briefly at the U-I exchange here
early last week were H. H. Martin, general
sales manager, and Foster M. Blake, western
division manager ... A photograph of Darlene
Basgall. Fox Theatre cashier in Hutchinson,
Kas., appeared in the paper there recently
along with the announcement of her
enagagement to Gaylord D. Brada. also of
Hutchinson ... An old theatre in Eldon. Mo.,
built by the late Fred C. Hickok and which
had been under lease since 1929 to Tom Edwards
of the Ozark Theatre and Corral
Drlve-In. has been purchased by Howard
Scott and Dean Clawson. operators of the
Eldon Skelgas Service. They plan to remodel
the building and move their business
into it from their present location which is
across the street.
Carl F. Mensing, believed to have been one
of the first—if not the first—motion picture
exhibitors in Kansas City, died recently at
the age of 83 in Miami. Fla., where he had
lived since retiring .some 25 years ago. Clyde
Badger of Stebbins Theatre Equipment recalls
that Mensing operated penny arcades
in the Eighth and Main district even before
nickelodeons came in and that he installed
his first motion picture equipment in the
"back room" behind one of the arcades.
. .
Mrs. D. A. Bisagno, who has the Augusta
and Isis theatres and the Augusta Drive-In
at Augusta, Kas., has been visiting with her
sister, Mrs. John H. Kongs of the Seneca
Theatre at Seneca, Kas. .
Shreve Theatre
Supply recently furnished anamorphic and
backup lenses to the Catholic Seminai-y at
Conception Junction. Mo. The work also included
revamping the projection equipment
to accommodate Cinemascope ... Ed Harris,
an exhibitor frequently seen on the Row,
has been accepting compliments and congratulations
on the naming of his town,
Neosho. Mo., to the roster of All-American
cities of 1958.
Kansas City Inciustryites
Affirm Brotherhood Ideal
KANSAS CITY—A crowd of close to 200
Filmrow and theatre folk, one of the best
turnouts on record, gathered at the Uptown
Theatre Monday morning (17) to participate
in the launching of Brotherhood Week here.
On the platform were Joe Neger, 20th-
Fox manager, representing distributors and
Dick Orear of Commonwealth, exhibitor
chairman. Chm-chmen participating were the
Rev. Thomas S. Bowdern, S. J.. profe.ssor of
education at Rockhurst College: Rabbi
Maurice Solomon. Temple Kehilath Israel,
and Ru.ssell Rine. regional director. National
Conference of Christians and Jews.
The three religious leaders, in talks which
complemented each other, stressed the great
strides already made toward brotherhood in
America and emphasized the need for deeper
and more purposeful education along these
lines. Rabbi Solomon said that, in these days
of reaching toward space, the great need is
to put heart into the heavens.
Speaks at CofC Luncheon
FARMINGTON. MO.—Missouri Lt.-Gov.
Edward V. Long of Clarksville. owner of theatres
in Elsberry and Troy and a director of
the Missouri-Illinois Theatre 0\niers, was
the guest speaker at the annual installation
meeting of the Fajmington Chamber of Commerce,
at which Clayton Osman. vice-president
of the Missouri National Gas Co., was
installed as president to succeed Frank L.
Plumlee, head of Edwards & Plumlee Theatres,
who declined to i-un for re-election because
of the time demands of his theatre
business.
Everything for the Stage
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C-2
BOXOFFICE :: February 24, 1958 IB

. . Ben
. . Arthur
I
CHICAGO
/^harleton Heston is scheduled to aiTive
. .
here Monday (24) with his wife and 3-
year-old daughter for a visit with his mother
in suburban Wilmette. Prom here the
Hestons will go on to Rome, where he will
star in "Ben Hur" . The "Raintree County"
run at the McVickers has once more been
extended. Steady and solid business has followed
the initial announcement that the attraction
would close February 7. It will now
run until March 4. If ticket sales continue as
at present, it may even stay longer. "South
Pacific" is due the latter part of March.
. . .
As president of Chicago Used Chair Mart,
Sam Levinsohn has announced the formation
of a subsidiary, Chicago Chair Industries.
The subsidiary will manufacture upholstered
occasional benches for sale to furniture
stores. Operations of the new company take
place on the Chicago Used Chair Mart premises.
829 South State St. . . . "Gervaise," already
held over for a second week at the
Carnegie, shows signs of holding up under
an indefinite run George Rose, U-I
booker, broke an almost perfect attendance
record when he had to remain at home because
of flu.
Neil Agnew is here to confer with Tom
McCleaster and Tom Gilliam on a plan involving
subsequent runs for "Farewell to
Aj-ms" . . . Balaban & Katz is changing the
policy of the Roosevelt Theatre to handle
long-run first-run films. The new policy will
be inaugurated with "The Young Lions" . . .
Lai-ry Mominee of Atlas FUm Coi-p., president
of the American Ass'n of Film Producers,
called a meeting here Febi-uary 21
for members from Minneapolis, Atlanta,
Cleveland and Detroit. Discussions concerned
new color film stock.
At Kling Film Studios. Edward W. Rinker
was promoted to the post of vice-president
. . . The Admiral Corp. wiU cooperate with the
local showing of "Seven Hills of Rome" by
giving a S575 Italia hi-fi set as a prize and
will run a page ad announcing the contest.
prize and film. "Seven Hills of Rome" goes
into the Oriental Theatre the second week
in March and meanwhile the hi-fi set is on
exhibit in the Oriental lobby. The contest
will be citj-wide, all Admiral distributors and
salesmen cooperating.
theatres are introducing matinees. They are
now opening their doors at 1 p.m. seven days
a week . Katz, Universal's press agent
in this area, was in Detroit to set up campaign
plans for "Big Beat" and "Summer
Love" . Lindheimer of National
Screen Sei-vice announced that Academy
Award press books are all set for blanket distribution.
"The Ten Commandments" proved it still
has the capacity to do above average business
since it started its second subsequentrun
at the Tiffin, Belmont, Jeffery, Lido and
Hoosier in Wliiting. All theatres reported peak
business. On Lincoln's Bu-thday they did as
much business in one day as they customarily
do in a one or two-week period. Since "Commandments"
opened at McVickers about a
year ago and also since its fu'st subsequent
run in four outlying theatres, grosses for the
attraction reached $2,000,000.
The Esquire Theatre marked its 20th year
Sunday (16i. Elmer and Harry Balaban built
the theatre in 1938 at a cost of $360,000. Last
October the Balabans sold the theatre to
Paramount Pictures and a rumor circulated
that the theatre was to be converted into a
theatre studio for Telemeter closed circuit
pay-as-you-go TV. The rumor that the theatre
has been wired for such operation stUl
persists, despite denials from the "powers
that be." The Balabans, retained as managers
of the theatre by Paramount, insist the
theatre will continue to operate as an outlet
for first-run films, a poUcy which was
successfully launched with "Wild Is the
Wind," which concluded a nine-week run
February 20. The Esquire is the only theatre
in this area not selling popcorn. This edict
put into effect when the theatre opened is
still in force.
Shutter Farina, 111., Lyric
FARINA, ILL.—The Lyric Theatre here has
ceased operations. Ray HoUlnshead, who had
been operating under a lease, gave poor business
as the reason for closing.
THE)g*rRE EQUIPMENT
442 N. ILLINOIS ST., INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
"Everything for the Theatre"
SW Midwest Zone Drive
Prize Winners Named
CHICAGO—Now that all the details in
connection with the Stanley Warner Theatres
midwest zone Showmen's Sell-a-Thon
Drive have been hooked together, Alex Halperin,
midwest zone manager, announced
prize winners.
Winners in the Chicago district were Pete
Pisano, manager of the Avalon; Herbie Fi-ank,
Rhodes; Bob Kennedy, Capitol. In the Wisconsin
district, prizes were awarded to Al
Meskis, Warner, Milwaukee, and Ralph
Schallow, Rex, Sheboygan.
Winners of the buttered popcorn contest
conducted in connection with the Sell-a-Thon
drive were William Bindel, Rial to, Racine;
Al Meskis, Wamer, Milwaukee; Ralph Schallow,
Rex, Sheboygan: Leo Schuessler, Sheboygan,
Sheboygan: Robert Kennedy, Capitol,
Chicago: Joe Real, Midwest, Oklahoma City;
Cornelius Szakatis, Parthenon, Hammond;
William Jefferson, Oakland Square, Chicago.
Confection Cabinet Coi-p. participated in the
drive on concessions.
Reopens at Chrisman, 111.
CHRISMAN, ILL.—The Empire Theatre,
owned and managed by Mr. and Mrs. Stanley
R. Kent, reopened Sunday (9). The house, a
340-seater, had been dark since last November
2.
Dark at Sandoval, 111.
SANDOVAL, ILL.—The Sando, a 375-
seater, was closed recently by Earl Cummins,
who had been operating the house
since November 3.
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Lucille Ballantine is assisting MGM press
agent Norman Pyle with a campaign publicizing
"Brothers Karamazov." A screening
was held for exhibitors and the press Februai-y
20 and full fleged plugging will begin
when Maria Schell arrives here Monday (24i.
Balaban & Katz announced the lease on
the Covent Theatre will not be renewed when
it expnes March 31 . . . The Forest and Ehn
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C-3

-
. .
1
Jimmy James Named
Secretary of MITO
ST. LOUIS—Jinuny James, who has been
sergeant at arms for the Missouri-Illinois
Theatre Owners, was advanced to secretary
at a meeting of the directors Tuesday ill',
succeeding Frank Plumlee of Edwards &
Plumlee Theatres. Farmington. Mo. Plumlee
resigned because of the press of his personal
business.
Jim Demos, also of St. Louis, was elected
sergeant at arms.
The meeting, presided over by President
Eddie Clark of Metropolis, was one of the
best-attended in some time. Others in atrendance
included Tom Bloomer and Tom
Williamson. BelleviUe: Lester R. Kropp. Paul
Krueeer. Edward B. Arthur. Jimmy Arthur.
Frank Henson. Sidney Sayetta. Lou and Joseph
Ansell. Charles Goldman. Albert Magarian.
Phil Nanos and Tommy James, all of
St. Louis: L. J. WUliams. Union: Pete Gloriod.
Poplar Bluff: Herschell Eichom. Moxmds:
Clyde Metcalf. Edwardsville.
George Roscoe. Charlone. N. C field
representative
for TOA. was the principal
speaker, giving an account of recen: TOA
activities, such as i:s business building program,
exhibitor j>articipation in the Academy
Awards TV program and its campaign for
orderly release of product.
Edward Arthur said he had a chance to
obtain three spot announcements in connection
with the televised TV Awards program.
The time will include a 20-second spot
and an eight-second one immediately before
the program and a one-minute spot a: :he
conclusion of the program. The board voted
to have Arthur contract for the three spots
on behalf of MITO. Estimated cost of S560
wiU be prorated among the theatres participating,
making the cost comparatively
small for each theatre.
The directors urged member theatres to
participate in Brotherhood Week this week,
and voted their fullest support to the Variety
Club benefit premiere of "South Pacific"
in Todd-AO at the Pageant Theatre
here April 16.
Out-of-town exhibitors attending the meeting
said they would arrange to run trailers
advertising the Variety Club benefit.
'SELECT' FOUNTAIN SYRUPS
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Independent Amusements
Elects Officers for 1958
ROCK ISLAND. ILL. — Independent
.\musements. Inc.. at its annual shareholders
meeting February 1 elected officers and
directors for the coming year. The firm.
which owns the Memri Drive-In here and
the Semri Drive-In near Moline. has the
following officers: John G. Koletis. president:
Charles F. Carpentier. first vice-president:
Barney Brotman. second vice-president:
Robert Danico. secretary, and Emil
Carpentier. treasurer.
In addition :o these officers, the board consists
of Sam Shiaes. Abe and Sherwtn Brotman
and Polly Brotman.
Officers for the Memri Drive-In are Rmil
Carpentier. president: Koletis. first vice-president;
Sherwin Brotman. second vice-president
: Barney Brotman. secretary, and Shiaes,
treasurer.
The Semri Drive-In officers are Shiaes,
president: Polly Brotman. vice-president:
Daxuco. treasurer, and Abe Brotman, secretary.
Danico will serve a^ manager of both driveins
during the coming season. The frrni plans
considerable remodeling work at the Semri
this spring.
Name Marcella DeVinney
Local F-1 Business Agent
ST. LOUIS—MarceUa DeVir-ne7, RepubUc.
who was Miss Filmrow of St. Louis for 1956-
57. recently was elected business agent for
film exchange employes Local F-1 to succeed
Ruth Shumas of Paramount. Miss Shumas
was named tc a place on the union's executive
board.
Other officers elected for 1958 are president.
Ralph Hacker. United Artists: vicepresident.
W. Cole. Universal: financial secretary.
Mabel Schmidt. MGM re-elected : recording
secretary. Marlene Buck. National
Screen: corresponding secretary. Hazel HUdebrand.
Republic: treasurer. Charlotte Murphy.
Columbia, and members of the executive
board. RutJi Shumas and Jane Smoller.
Parsunount: Jeanne Dolan, Warner Bros ireelected),
and Marge Coplin, United Artists
re-elected'.
Jerry Baker Quits Frisina
To Operate Own Business
iL\TrOON. ILL. — Jerry Baker, theatre
manager here since 1952 for the FYisina
.\musement Co. of Springfield, has resigned
to devote full time to the organ tape recording
business which he has been operating
from a studio in the basement of his home
for about a year. Baker began recording
crgan music for use in roller rinks during
his spare time, and the business now has
grcs-n until Baker has accounts in 38 states.
He has been succeeded as resident manager
here for Frisina by James Prisma jr. of
Taylorville. who graduated from the University
of Illinois at Urbana last month.
Frisina s father is buyer for the circuit, which
ruras the Clark. Mattoon and Times theatres
i.-.d the Sk\-»av Drive-In here.
ST.
LOUIS
Dabbi Ferdinand >L Issennan of Temple
Israel gave the eulogy at the ftinera!
services for Harry Hynes. 66. retired St. Loui;
manager for Universal, at the Lupton Chapel
Monday 1 10 The pallbearers were Joe Saf
> .
arty, retired salesman, and Hillis Barry, shipper,
both of whom worked for Harry at Universal
for many years: Hal Walsh and Lester
Bona from Warner Bros.. Tommy James and
.^rt La Plant. Columbia.
While in Kansa-s City last week. Dr. D. A
Squires, whc. in addition to his medical practice,
crerates the Vamdalia Drive-In Tneatre
at Vandalia. Mo., paid a visit to the BOX-
OFFICE headquarters and plant. Dr. Sc- .-^<
likes the motion picture business, whicr. :.-
entered in 1953 and is optimistic about the
future. The Vandalia Drive-In is to be reopened
around the end of February . . . Harry
C. Arthur jr. is stiU in New York City .
John Mernardi. Fox Midwest district manager,
visited the circuit's headquarters in
Kansas City . . . Les Mortensen. booker for
Fox Midwest here, was home a few days with
the flu.
Exhibitors seen along Filmrow were Prentice
Oxford and daughter from Cave-in-
Rock. lU.: Burton W. Smith, WellsvUle. and
Dick Fisher. Willow Springs . . . John Alexander,
formerly of New York, who has succeeded
Ray McCafferty as manager here for
Republic, has won many friends along Filmrow
and among exhibitors . . . CUff Mantle.
former fi:-n salesaian. exchange ms.- --. :. i
independent film distributor, w:.. .-
.
St. Louis manager for Rank Pictures ~/.rr.
the firm is set to go in these parts. ?t.:-
pective spots for exchange office have been
surveyed.
BeiieviUe, m.. theatre owners and mar.^jrrs
win participate in the eighth annual G-I Pal
d-nner of the BelleviUe-Scott community relations
committee. Music far this year's affair
will be provided by the Airmen of Note
Band of Washington. DC.... Harold Patton,
formerly of Cincinnati is the new second
booker at 20rh-Fox ...MA. Levy.
Midwest district sales manager for 20th-Fox,
visited St. Louis before going on to Kan.sas
City . . . The world premiere for Paramount'S
"St. Louis Blues" will be staged at the Pok
Theatre here. I: will have all the necessary
trJnmmgs. including a bevy of film luminaries
from HoUvwood.
Harry Arthur IH Dies
ST LOUTS— Ser.-.ces for Harry c. Arthur,
m. aere held recently at Ocean Side. Calif.
He died there recently at the age of 36. .Mtez
Marine Corps flyer service in World War II.
he and other members of the .Arthur f ^rrJy
became ijartners in the Service Group Co.
which oi>erated the Shu'oert Theatre, r.ow
the American, on Grand boulevard as •
motion picture house for some months. Later
he was connected with the Panchon A: Mi.-:o
Sen-ice Corp.
J
S2.00 FOX HOLE SPROCKETS 52.00
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STEBBINS THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO.
1804 w„ondoft« Konso» Cit>, Mo
E(5rP Reopens Odeon
BON'NE TERRE—The Od^-.:.. ^ oCO-seat
unit of the Edwards & Plumlee Theatres.
Farmington. Mo., was reopened February 7
'3\iT nights each week with two changes.
EVERYTHING FOR THE THEATRE
SL Louis Theatre Supply Company
Mn Arch Hoiter
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C-4
BOXOFFICE
:
: February
2*. 1961

m
Fred H. Kent Acquires
Tallahassee Houses
TALLAHASSEE. FLA—Fred H. Kent. Jacksonville
lawyer and head of the Jacksonville
Theatre Co.. has acquired the stock of Tallahassee
Enterprises. Inc.. consisting of three
local downtown theatres, the State. Florida
and Ritz, and two drive-ins. the Capitol and
Outdoor.
The theatres had been under the general
management of Tommy Hyde for the last
eight years. Hyde has been elected vicepresident
of the new organization and will
continue as resident manager of the theatres.
Kent also controls the Main Street and
Southside drive-ins in Jacksonville and the
Beach Theatre and Beach Drive-In at Jacksonville
Beach, as well as the Suburbia Drivein.
Gainesville, which ai-e under the general
management of H. S. Stewart.
Kent plans to reopen the Ritz and Outdoor
theatres here, which have been closed
for several months. He also plans to present
second runs of pictures at the Outdoor, immediately
after the fUms complete their
downtown first-run engagements.
Kent is a foiTner vice-president and general
counsel of Florida State Theatres, the
position now held by LaMar Sarra, and he
is a director of the Florida National Bank
and a former member of the powerful State
Board of Control.
11 Theatres in Memphis
Close Four Days a Week
MEMPHIS — Owners of nearly half of
Memphis' suburban theatres have found that
they can come out better financially these
days with the doors locked and the screens
blank four days out of seven. Eleven theatres,
including three drive-ins. are now
closed Monday. Tuesday. Wednesday and
Thursday.
All say these closings for four days are
temporary and they will reopen full time
when schools recess for the summer.
The three drive-ins, Jaxon, Frayser and
Bellevue, should be counted as open part of
the week instead of closed part of the week,
owners say. Last winter they closed completely
from December to March. This winter
they started to stay open.
Theatres operating only on Fridays, Satirrdays
and Sundays are the Bristol, Joy, Linden
Circle, Memphian, Northgate, Rialto,
Suzores No. 1 and 2 and the three drive-ins.
Fifteen suburban theatres, including three
drive-ins, continue full time.
Kingsport Fox Reopens
KINGSPORT, TENN. — The Fox Theatre
here has been reopened under the new management
and ownership of Thomas R. Assaid
and H. H. Allsbrook. The theatre had
been closed for about one year. The new owtiers
said the theatre had undergone considerable
remodeling. It will be operated on a
fulltime basis.
W. R. Watkins Manager
ALEXANDRIA. LA.—W. R. Watkins of Enterprise.
Ala., theatreman for 16 years, has
been named manager of the Joy Theatre
here. He previously managed the Levy in
Enteiprise.
Transway Gives Safe Driver Awards
NEW ORLEANS—Transway, Inc., specializing
in the transportation of motion picture
films, newspapers, magazines and the U. S.
mail, held its annual banquet-drivers award
presentations meeting recently at the Jung
Hotel here, with M. H. Brandon, president,
and D. W. Brandon, general manager, presiding.
In attendance were 74 company employes
who reside in Louisiana. Mississippi, Alabama,
Florida and Arkansas, the territories
covered by Transway.
New Orleans Councilman James Fitzmorris
presented the awards and certificates. Odell
J. Savoie, New Orleans, who has driven over
a million miles during the last ten years
without a chai'geable accident, received the
'Mardi Gras' Crew Films
Carnival Day Scenes
NEW ORLEANS—A crew headed by Joe
Parker, director, and 31 pieces of equipment
wsre to film Mardi Gras scenes for the Jerry
Wald-20th-Fox production of "Mardi Gras,"
which will star Pat Boone. The feminine lead
is to be selected. Robert Jeffreys, public relations
director of Virginia Military Institute,
came in to confer with Parker on the
shooting of additional scenes for the film at
VMI in April, and to work with the VMI
band which headed the Rex parade on Carnival
day.
Rare New Orleans Snow
Great Only ior Kids!
NEW ORLEANS—The one-inch
blanket
of snow which fell here last week 1 12
created the biggest weather story of the
20th centm-y in this area, and caused
many business difficulties.
But it was a great delight for kids from
1 to 61. The snow was a new, grand and
glorious sight for the youngsters, and
they reveled in it. making snowmen and
snowballs.
However, all outdoor entertainment
and festivities were cancelled, including
drive-in theatre shows. There was a
noticeable drop also in in-town and downtown
theatre attendance.
In the ensuing days two of the Mardi
Gras outdoor events were cancelled.
safety award of a gold watch and pin, and a
gold key to the city of New Orleans. L. D.
Foles, Hattiesburg, Miss., who over the last
ten-year period drove 654,000 miles without
a chargeable accident, received a gold watch.
Vester Boimds, Hattiesburg, Miss.; Cecil
Bounds, New Orleans; Alex Lemoine jr.,
Plaucheville, La., and Albert Schneider, Le
Compte, La., last year's recipients of safety
awards for ten-year records, were given 11-
year pins and awards. Awards also were
given to seven, eight and nine-year safety
drivers.
In the photograph, left to right: M. H.
Brandon, Councilman Jimmy FHtzmorris, L.
D. Poles and Odell J. Savoie.
Malco Chain Granted
UHF Video Channel
MEMPHIS — Malco Theatres has been
granted channel 48 — ultrahigh frequency
television channel—here. Memphis has four
TV stations, three commercial and one educational.
Pay television may be a possibility
on the new channel.
Herbert Levy, Malco, said the theatre chain
definitely plans to build and operate a XJHF
station under this new license. Estimated
cost of the station is $307,786. It must be
finished in eight months or an extension
granted by the Federal Communications Commission.
Levy said Malco had not applied for a pay
TV license and was not thinking along those
lines.
Malco foiTnerly had a UHF station at
Evansville, Ind., but is not operating any now.
It has applications for UHF stations at
Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Columbus,
Davenport, Iowa; Utica, N. Y.
M. A. Lightman sr., president of Malco theatres,
owns 75.8 of the new company's stock.
Heads Heart Publicity
BIRMINGHAM. ALA.—P. M. Russell jr.,
manager of the Alabama Theatre here, has
been named Jefferson County publicity chairman
for the 1958 Heart Fund drive.
Russell,
a native of Birmingham, has been in the
theatre business for 15 years.
BOXOFFICE February 24, 1958
SE-1

. . Hugh
. . Fi-ank
. . . Roy
—
CHARLOTTE
tJob Pinson. American-Astor lectures, returned
from New York where he made
Mr. and Mrs.
some deals for new picturas . . .
Vernon Holder. Skyvue Drive-In at Rocky
Mount. N. C. became p.Trent,s of a baby .son
. . . J. L. Sims. Edisto Theatre, Orangeburg.
S. C. is recuperating from a heart attack.
His manager. Ray Linn, returned to work
after a hospital stay . . . C. S. Hurts, Belt Line
Drive-In. Columbia, was at the Queen City
Booking Service getting spring bookings lined
up.
1 15^ . . .
.
W. B. Jacoby, Lake Lanier Drive-In at
The winners
Tryon, N. C, was in booking . . .
in the recent Paramount leadership
contest were hosts at a steak dinner for the
entire Paramount personnel at the Steak Palace
Saturday Paramount Manager
Lawrence Terrell returned from a sales
meeting in Atlanta Hugh Skyes, Queen
City Booking, is
. .
now driving a new Ford
which he won last month at the Variety Club.
The February WOMPI luncheon was held
at Delmonico's with Mrs. Stephan of the
Woman's Club explaining how to make the
bandages for the Cancer Society which is
the WOMPI project for the month. J. Francis
II
Sno Cone Machines
Popcorn Machines
Hot Dog Machines
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BOONTON, N. J.
White, Howco Pi-oductions, won the $100 at
the drawing on the "buck of the month club."
Mrs. Elizabeth Hinson was the WOMPI of
the month.
N. J. Kellum of the Jacksonville (N. C.i
Drive-In, conferred with his booking agent.
Russ Henderson. Lawrence Goldsmith. Lyric
at Sumter. S. C. was in on business. Other
exhibitors seen on the Row: Walter Bond.
Bond Auto Drive-In, Bennettsville; C. B.
Seats. Seats Theatre. Yadkinville; Zaye
Bridges, Ruby at Blacksburg; O. T. Kirby.
Kirby at Roxboro: George Duffy, Orpheum
at Oxford; Gilbert Faw. Albemarle; M. N.
Holder. East Bend; Lyle Wilson, Imperial at
Roanoke Rapids; Jolinny Dineen. Draper,
and W, B. Sams. Statesville . . . R. H. Phillips
is taking over the operation of the Strand
in Walhalla . . . The Mebane (N. C.) Theatre
was closed by Stewart-Everett Theatres.
. . .
Alton Craver, who is the son of A. B. Craver
of the Plaza Theatre, Charlotte, is the father
of a baby boy Verdah Looper. Howco
booker, visited relatives in Greenville, S. C.
... At the WOMPI board meeting at the
Oriental Restaurant plans were discu.ssed to
have a fish fry and square dance late In
March. Sei-vice project for February will be
making bandages for the Cancer Society.
J. E. Holston, manager of the local 20th-
Fox exchange, died early Friday morning at
his home here. He was associated with 20th-
Fox for 35 years. He was a member of the
Baptist Church, a Mason and a charter member
of the Variety Club of Charlotte. Survivors
include his wife, Madeline Larke Holston
and son Eugene Kent Holston of the
U. S. Air Force.
. . .
Max Reinhardt Enterprises is no longer
booking and buying for the Grand Theatre,
Greer, S. C. Bill Drace, owner, will handle
Tommy
his own booking in the future
Sands appeared on the stage of the Carolina
Theatre here with his first picture, "Sing
Boy Sing" ... J. Francis White, Howco Productions,
has retiu-ned from a trip to the west
coast.
Tom Baldridge, formerly with MGM, visited
in town . McDonald, Rose McIIroy
and Dorothy Mitchell, MGM, have been at
home nursing the flu . . . Frank Savage jr.,
MGM, attended the Mecklenburg County fireman's
annual banquet at Park Center . . .
MGM booker Dorothy Mitchell's son Dee is
in Memorial Hospital, recuperating from an
operation . Savage jr., MGM office
manager, has again been elected president of
the Derita Firefighters Club.
. . .
Exhibitors seen on Filmrow: George Duffy,
Oxford; M. N. Holder, Pilot Mountain; O. T.
Kirby. Roxboro; Walter Brown, Winnsboro;
Johnny Dinnen, Leaksville; "Dutch" Albrecht,
Ritz. Newberry; Sam Bogo. Batesburg;
H. P. McMannus, Spartanburg; Woodrow
Fussell, Bladenboro; Pete Zorus, Village,
Greenwood; Charlie Burgin. Valdese; Willie
Sams, State-svillle Theatres, Statesville;
WOMPI
E. C.
Quails jr.. State, Burlington
members are pounding Filmrow soliciting
funds for the American Heart Ass'n.
ATLANTA
TV^r, and Mrs. J. B. Dumestre jr. of Southeastern
Theatre Equipment Co. have returned
from a business and pleasure trip to
New Orleans. Also on business in New Orleans
was Johnny Harrell. Martin circuit executive
... A successful .spring fashion show
was presented by Mrs. Isabel Allen, couturiere.
with millinery by Loretta Bonta at noon
Wednesday and Thursday (13) in the Variety
Club for the Variety ladies committee and
their guests. Donations were $2.50 a person,
with proceeds going to Variety charities for
children. Mrs. Allen is the w-ife of Chief
Barker Leonard Allen. Mrs. Jack Dumestre
III was in charge of reservations.
Republic office manager Joe Dumas has
. . .
entered Emoi-y Hospital for observation
Bobbie Cobb of the Cobb circuit. Fayette.
Ala., was confined to his home with flu.
Cobb operates indoor theatres in Fayette.
Vernon and Sulligent, Ala., and drive-ins at
Huntsville, Haleyville and Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Avey, Georgia Theatre Co executive
is vacationing in Florida with president William
K. Jenkins. Tlrey will spend most of
their time in Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
However, they also will cruise for several
days off the Florida keys. Avey, accompanied
by Dr. Floyd McRae, will return in approximately
two weeks.
Due to snow and extreme cold weather during
the past week, few exhibitors visited the
Row. Among those braving the weather were
Walter Morris, Pike and Tower. Knoxville;
. . .
J. C. Harwell. State, Bessemer, Ala.; Ai-nold
Gary. West End. Birmingham, Ala.; Don
Wenger, Pekin. Montgomery. Ala., and Phil
UA
Bradley. 41 Drive-In. Chattanooga
southern district manager George Pabst
spent several days with exchange manager
W. C. Hames and sales manager R. W. Tarwater.
Pabst headquarters in New Orleans.
ALBERT E.
160 Walton st. n.w.
ROOK
V»H?..
^0^''llS>^^^
tel. Jackson 5-8314 stv.tci^^''jtoR>o*'-
P.O. box 1422 ^^baU
atlanta,
ga.
,.H^::^ss.^
C

. . Carl
. . . Artemise
. . Leon
. . Tom
. . Wesley
•
JACKSONVILLE Jacksonville Tent LITTLE ROCK
T eon D. Netter. who retiied two years ago
as president of Florida State Tlieatres.
and Mrs. Netter were here for several days
visiting friends. They now reside in Bronxville,
Hoyt Yarbrough jr.. manager
N. Y. . . . of the Matanzas Theatre. St. Augustine, and
a group of St. Augustine art film patrons were
to attend a special advance screening of the
motion picture opera, "Don Giovanni." held
for local music critics in the Studio Theatre
prior to its first local run at the San Mai-co
Art Theatre.
Members of the Motion Picture Council
were mourning the recent deaths of Mrs.
A. L. Clayton and Mrs. E. B. Smith. Both
had been active members of the civic group
for many years. The council under the leadership
of Col. John Crovo. performs a valuable
service to community leaders in advising
them of motion pictures which provide
cultural and educational entertainment.
Harley Bellamy, Sheldon Mandell's assistant
at the downtown St. Johns, and cashier
Clara Harmon were robbed at gunpoint in
the theatre's office a few minutes after they
had closed the boxoffice at night February
12. The gunman took S40 from the cashier's
purse and $75 of theatre money visible on a
desk before making a hasty departure . . .
The Harlem Globetrotters will appear at the
Jacksonville ball park the night of February
25 under the sponsorship of the Variety Club
. . . Local Women of the Motion Picture Industry
received $500 from Variety for services
rendered by WOMPI member's while acting
as ticket takers at the Jacksonville Fair
last November. The fair is sponsored by Variety
The Variety crew has made plajis
. . .
to conduct a March 1-May 17 fund-rai.sing
campaign for its Blind Children's Foundation.
The goal is $10,000.
A leng:thy second run of "The Ten Commandments"
got off to a fine start at the
suburban Edgewood, managed by George
Krevo . Carter's Ribault and Airbase
drive-ins and Fred Kent's Southside and Main
Street outdoorers teamed up for an unprecedented
date-and-date booking of two DCA
foreign films, "Love and Jealousy" and "Loser
Take All." The four drive-ins have always
shown domestic films in the past . . . Projectionist
Tom Frierson is back at his post
at the Florida after hospitalization.
JET SPRAY
DRINK DISPENSERS
ROY SMITH CO.
365 PARK ST JACKSONVILLE
Names Bill Beck
JACKSONVILLE—The 1958 crew of Va-
Tent 44 here has been named with Bill
riety
Beck. Five Point Theatre, as chief barker;
B. D. Benton, Benton Bros. Film Express,
first assistant; Tom Sawyer, Florida State
Theatres, second assistant; Jack Rigg, Rigg
Booking Agency, dough guy; Ai-v RothschUd,
National Theatre Entei-prises, property master.
Crew members are Harvey Garland, Florida
State Theatres; Ralph Nimmons, WFGA-TV;
Buford Styles, Universal; Fred Hull, MGM;
John Tomlinson, 'Warner Bros., and Mai-ty
Kutner, Columbia.
Fred Kent, Jack.sonville Theatre Co., was
named to head the heart fund. The house
committee is composed of Oliver Mathews,
Univei-sal, chauman, and Tomlinson and
Sheldon Mandell, St. Johns Theatre. Nimmons
heads the publicity group and serving
with him are Judge May, Florida Times-
Union, and George Mason, Jacksonville
Journal. On the entertainment committee
are Sawyer, chaii'man, and Kutner and Marshall
Fling, Jacksonville Theatre Co. Hull
is chairman of the membership committee
and serving with him ai-e Ed Bell, owner of
radio station 'WPDQ, co-chairman, and Garland
and Styles.
MEMPHIS
T> L. "Bob" Bostick, National Theatre Supply
Co. southern district manager, attended
the national drive-in meeting at Louisville
. Ford, who owns and operates
the Ford Theatre at Rector, Ark., in the f:-uit
counti-y, was in town and .said: "No, I don't
think the present cold spell has damaged the
1958 fruit crop. Peaches and other fruit had
not budded out sufficiently for there to be
much damage."
J. U. Burton, exhibitor, has taken over the
operation of the Strand at Tiptonville and
the Palace in Ridgely, two west Tennessee
theatres . . . W. A. Jones and Carl Ingle have
closed the Riverside Theatre at Clifton, Tenn.
Gray has temporarily closed the
Skylark Drive-In, Newport, Ai-k. . . . The
Rex Theatre, Lilboum, Mo., has been reopened.
Exhibitors Services announced.
TAThat may be a local
endurance record for
bowling was set by Lloyd Pullen, local
manager for Rowley Theatres. After 32 hours
and 118 games he decided he had had enough.
With a thumbfull of blisters and sore feet,
a night's rest lost, he just said, "I like to
bowl."
The 1958 convention of the Independent
Theatre Owners of Arkansas will be held
March 30-April 1. Velda Rose Motel, Hot
Springs again will be the scene of the convention.
Ernest Stellings, national president,
will be one of the speakers.
talk about
COMFORTI
Manufacturers
.
"Go to the Movies," says the telephone op- Foam Rubber &
t i. r,rti.,- T-, 1 , ., Spring Cushiorvs,
erator at 20th-Fox when she answers the s;:s
back and seat
phone. Then: "Good Afternoon, 20th-Fox" |;; covers.
Rountree, Holly, Holly Springs and „. .,^
TT ,, TT, ^ XT ,, . , , . Distributors
Valley, Water Valley, reports, "There's a good .::
yp,^,^^^^ ..^rics
deal of ice and snow on oui- roads around and generol seot-
Holly Springs" McGarr, Dixie, '"9 supplies.
Ripley, and R. B. Cox, Eureka, BatesvUle, were
among visiting Missis,sippi exhibitors.
n<
Comfort is our business! We can
give your old weary, worn-out theatre
seats a new lease on life.
We'll completely refurbish, re-
. . you continue your
habilitate and replace worn parts.
The cost? Amazingly low! Time
lost? None .
shows uninterrupted. Coll today
for a free estimate.
WRITE, WIRE or PHONE ALPINE 5-8459
Don't Blow Your Top
filaifl SaisL-OAjcbuL youA,
SPECIAL
CHICAGO
1 3 27. So.
Wabash
NfW YORK
630 Ninth
jAom Sood Old (Dapandabla
FILMACK
Always Quick • Always Good!
.
Amelia Ellis, owner of the Ellis Drive-In,
Millington, is recovering from an illness at
Baptist Hospital Mrs. Ann Hutchins,
State, Coming;
. .
Mi's. John Keller, Joiner,
Joiner; Alvin Tipton, Tipton theatres at Caraway,
Manilla and Monette; J. D. Shepherd
jr.. Rex. DuValls Bluff; Buck Renfro, Grove,
Holly Grove, and John Staples, Carolyn, Piggot
t, were in town from Ai-kansas.
Jimmie Gillespie, Dallas, 20th-Fox exploitation
man, was in town to promote "A Farewell
to Ai-ms," which opens Februai-y 28 at
Strand.
BOXOFFICE February 24, 1958
SE,3

I
Phone:
. . Exhibitors
. . Lorraine
and
NEW ORLEANS
\xr L. Mitchell, operator of the Mitchell
Drive-In. Hammond, La., leased the
Star Drive-In, Tallulah, La., from H. G.
Prophit jr. . . Mr. .
and Mrs. H. M. Wise of
Pop's Drive-In at Jena will resume fulltime
operation March 8 . . . John Waterall of the
43 Drive-In, Mcintosh, Ala., curtailed operation
to weekends only . . . Sue and Herb Hargroder
of the Beverly Drive-In. Hattiesburg,
has Ijoiight the Broadway Drive-In there
from F. K. Phillips and sons. They plan some
improvements and will reopen in March if
weather permits. L. G. Broggi's office will
handle the buying and booking.
. . .
Milton jr., Mamie and Milton Dureau's
youngster, was home from the hospital and
well on the road to recovery Leo V.
Seichsnaydre, Republic manager, is back on
the job after a four-week siege of pleurisy
. . . Jack Auslet, an oldtimer in distribution,
was down more than a week with an abdominal
irritation.
Bohlan. a well-known French Quarter
artist, has a role in the short, "Brooklyn
Goes to New Orleans," showing at the Joy
. . . Joy N. Houck. president of Joy Theatres
and executive of Howco Productions, returned
from a stay of several weeks in Hollywood
in the interest of several films in production
for Howco release. He remained at
his desk here for one day, then was off again
aboard his plane for his home in Shreveport.
Branch managers, salesmen and theatre-
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COMPLETE THEATRE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES
Prompt, Courteous Service 'Round the ClKk
men from this area conferred with area exhibitor
and distributor chairmen and their
committees at the 20th-Fox screening room
on Monday morning '17) on participation in
the Brotherhood Week Drive. Henry G. Plitt,
president of Paramount Gulf, is the exhibitor
chairman, and WiUiam Briant, manager of
20th-Fox, and Lucas Conner, manager of the
Warner exchange, are distributor co-chairmen
. . . Lonnie Davis, drive-in booker, and
Jim DeNeve, supervisor of drive-in operations
for Pike Booking & Supply Co., Mc-
Comb, Miss., attended the National Allied
drive-in theatre convention in Louisville,
. . Hodges Theatre Supply
.4ndy Bevels. Exhibitors Cooperative Service
booker, and wife Maxine, former Pittman
Theatres buyer and booker, are looking forward
to a blessed event. It will be their
third child . . . Louis Dwyer, Pike Booking
& Supply Co. indoor theatre booker, said Pike
will keep its drive-ins open the year-around.
The Aiiport in Greenwood, Miss., w-as closed
recently for extensive renovations and refurbishing,
and will reopen on or before
Easter Sunday .
Co. announced the following February installations:
a new pearl screen at the Rex in
Pensacola, Fla.: Super 135 high intensive
Strong lamps and rectifiers at the Broadway
Drive-In in Hattiesburg, and at the Echo
Drive-In, New Iberia.
Frank Pasqua of the Pasqua Theatre in
Gonzales purchased the Gonzales Drive-In
from J. P. Guitreau and Irving Zeller . . .
Burke Saucier reopened the recently closed
Arcade, Patterson, La., on a lease from owner
Aubrey Lasseigne . . . J. C. McCurdy advised
Ti-answay that consistent poor attendance
for many months has forced him to shutter
the Santa Rosa at Jay, Fla.
. . .
June (Steven's Picture booker > Henry
Glover (Film Inspection shipping clerk) plan
to move to their new home in Metairie in
Connie Aufdemorte,
the next week or so . . .
who for the past few months has been on
the job full time at Hodges Theatre Supply
to break in a new girl, has resumed a threeday
schedule Larry Dufour, Harold F.
Cohen Enterprises field representative, spent
several days of anxiety after thieves stole
his car from in front of the 20th-Fox exchange
here. It was found by the FBI in
Jacksonville, Fla.
George Pabst, UA .southern district manager,
conferred with Manager BUI Haines
and .staff in Atlanta . Ca&s,
WOMPI service chairman, booked trailers for
the heart fund drive in all of the in-town
theatres. Other WOMPIs helped with the
stuffing of kits for the solicitors . . . Ebthibitors
making the rounds on Filmrow: Claude
Darcy, Morgan City: F. G. Prat jr., Vacherie:
Anna Molzon, Labadieville, and Sid P^ihrman,
Covington. F*uhrman operates the Mandeville
and Madisonville theatres.
Don Kay of Don Kay Enterprises returned
from New York where he negotiated for new
film product, particularly art and exploitation
movies . from out of town
who braved the week of cold, snow and rain
for a buying and booking trek here included
"Preacher" Crossley, indoor and drive-in operator.
Laurel, Miss., and Robert DeGruy of
the Stan Taylor Theatres, also of Laurel,
who called on their buyer and booker. Page
M. Baker, Theatres Service, and Sid F\ihrman,
Covington, La.
Vernon Dupepe has curtailed operations at
his Aireon, Metairie, to weekends only . . .
John Schaffer sr., who suffered an attack of
palsy on Sunday before Chri.stmas. is still
confined to his home, but is much improved
. . . Patsy Cantrell, formerly at Republic, now
is secretary to Heru-y Glover. Allied Artists
manager.
'Rainlree' and 'Hills'
Are Memphis' Best
MEMPHIS—Two of Memphis' five first
runs did twice average business during the
week. The other three dropped below average.
(Average Is 100)
Molco— Sing Boy Sing r20th-Fox), 2nd wk 75
Palace— Rointree County (MGM), 3rd wk 200
State—Seven Hills of Rome (MGM) 200
Strand— Peyton Ploce :20rh-Fox), 7fh wk 90
Warner— Reform School Girl (AlP); Rock Around
the World AlP) 7S
Mitchell Wolfson Named
Chairman of Loan Ass'n
MIAMI — Mitchell Wolfson, co-owner of
Wometco Theatres and president of
TV station
WTVJ, has been named chairman of the
board of the Miami Beach Federal Savings
& Loan Ass'n, the second oldest such institution
in the U. S., with assets of SllO.OOO.OOO.
Wolfson also sen-es as a director of Florida's
largest bank, the First National Bank of
Miami. He is a past president of Theatre
Owners of America and currently is chairman
of the TOA finance committee.
Desilu May Finance
Theatrical Picture
HOLL"YlA^OOD—Desilu is reportedly considering
expansion into the financing of theatrical
motion pictures, with "Wildcat 13,"
a Rorvic production, one of the many properties
being discussed,
Rory Calhoun will star and co-produce
Tom Gill's adventure story with 'Victor Or- |
satt!.
Carolina Openings Set
NEW YORK— "Lafayette Escadrille" will
open at 200 theatres in North and South
Carolina Fi-iday (28i following its premiere
the day before at the Tumage Theatre, Washington,
N. C, Warner Bros, reports.
Charles Arrington Dies
ROCKY MOUNT. N. C—Charles H. Arrington.
67-year-old foiTner president of the
North Carolina and South Carolina Theatre
Owners Ass'n, died recently in a local hospital.
Columbia Airer Robbed
COLUMBIA, S. C—The Slarlite Drive-In
lost 75 packages of cigarets and 50 bars of
candy recently to intruders who removed the
putty and pane from a concessions building
window to gain admission.
Dissolve Mctnsfield Firm
MANSFIELD. LA —Mansfield Theatres has
filed notice of dissolution of its charter of
incorporation with the office of the secretary
of state in Baton Rouge.
j
'
t
SE-4
BOXOFFICE :: February 24, 1958 ^

•
where
Bonham Theatre Post
For Morris Goicher
HWI IKX M.rrL% CK)Uhfr. DwIUu.
'\rr >.« nmitasrr or ttir Anirrlran
In U\r«trpa herr. Miccfrdinc Bob
*ltu rr&lcnrd rfcrnliy to Join the Mc-
Uklahoma and LouL^lana.
1 U years by Trl-Sute The-
and two by Leon Theatreai
itres
:> Corp . UttllA-t
her h»» been in theatre •ork more
:S ymrs- He ha.t tteen serving as manr
the Haniplon Road Dn\-e-In. DalUu
M '.h'.- PkMitton. he had martaced Ihe-
}Xf rr.fc! tn the South Pacific four years
Air n. belns assigned to op-
in that area, and cloa-
.ues by setting up and oper-
!n Tokyo
a native of Decatur, and hu wife
..-.^^h thetr home herv vilhln a short
.:.— rr had been manager here for the last
our years, but gave up the post when he
tad an opportunity to become aAsistanl to ihr
halnnan of Che board of the McLendon flrn.
>

. . . Sam
OKLAHOMA CITY
paul Rice, Paramount salesman, and his
family had a very narrow escape recently
when they were involved in a car mishap
near Huntsville. Tex. Paul, his wife
Billie and two of their children, Bill and
Nancy, were on the way to Houston to get
another son Jimmy. A pickup truck, accord-
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ANNOUNCING
A Change in
;ng to Paul, tried to pa.ss another car coming
up a hUl. then the driver, seeing he
couldn't make it. slammed on his brakes,
which froze, making him lose complete control
of the pickup. Paul, trying to avoid a
collision, headed for a ditch.
His car was facing
the opposite direction when it finally
stopped. No one was injured, except son Bill
who suffered a slight cut on the forehead.
The car was not damaged, but traffic was
blocked for some distance on both sides of
the highway, while wTCckers worked to get
the cars out of the ditches.
Don Abernathy and his wife of the 89er
Theatre. Kingfisher, are converting the
garage and utility room in their home into
Name Only!
Sauce With Meat Now Becomes
JIM-BO Chili Hot Dog Sauce
We're changing our name, but not, we hasten to say, our product.
As of February 1.5th, the deliciou.s, profit-making hot dog sauce you
have known as ATCO (^hili Sauce with Meat will come to you as
JIM-BO Chili Hot Dog Sauce. There has been absolutely no change
in the high quality ingredients that go into this wonderful product.
Only the name is different!
We know that you know and appreciate our delicious, hickorysmoked
JIM-BO Barbecued Beef. To make it easier for you to
remember our trade name, we decided to drop the ATCO name In
favor of JIM-BO Chili Hot Dog Sauce.
Check your supply now of this mouth-watering, money-making hot
dog saure. Now, while its cold weather, you can make extra sales
and profits with JIM-BO Chili Hot Dog Sauce! Because when the
mercury goes down, appetites perk up for JIM-BO Chili Hot Dogs!
.Meaty but not chunky, won't run. Of course. Federally inspected.
Re-order today from these fine distributors.
Alamo Concession Supply Company
San Antonio
Associated Popcorn Distributors Dallas and Houston
Cohen Candy Company Dallas
Houston Popcorn & Supply Company
Houston
Corpus Christ! Concession Supply Company Corpus Christ!
Logan Concession Supply Company
Tulsa
Modern Sales & Service Company Dallas
Panhandle Popcorn Company Plainvlew
H. G. Townsend Company Shreveport
Makers of
ATCO FOOD CO.
2921 Commerce Street Dallas, Texas
JIM-BO Chile Hot Dog Sauce and JIM-BO
Hickory -Smoked Barbecued Beef
another living room, since the family now
has outgrown the house. The Abernathys
have four girls, ages 16. 13. 11 and 9. and
an 18-month-old son Don Jr. Don is doing
all the work in converting the new room.
Mrs. Abernathy has no time to .sjjend at the
theatre, but the three oldest girLs handle
the ticket booth and the concession stand,
while Don handles the De Luxe restaui-ant
which he took over a few months ago. Eton's
father and mother. Mr and Mrs. Roy Abernathy.
have owned and operated the Royal
Theatre at Fairview. since 1917. Don has had
the Kingfisher theatres for about five years.
His other theatre, the Marsy, is closed, as
is the Thomas Drive-In.
When "Old Yeller" played two days at the
Woodward Theatre. Woodward, recently it
brought in the greatest matinee and night
show patronage that any like picture has
brought in the same number of days during
the 31 years that Vance and Ben TeiTy have
been operating theatres there. "Old Yeller"
played against "The Ten Commandments,"
which was at the Terry at advanced admissions
and did very fine business, too . . .
It was reported in a recent issue of BOX-
OFFICE that "The Ten Commandments" was
booked in the 54 Drive-In at Guymon for
an extended run and at advanced admission
prices. This was in error as the picture will
not play in any drive-in until a suitable
deal is worked out for di-ive-ins by Paramount.
Hank Kobb of Dallas and Alex Blue of
Tulsa were on the Row arranging for bookings
in their Admiral Drive-In. Tulsa. Also
on the Row was Johnny Fagan. Bunavista
Drive-In, Borger, Tex. He and his partner
are reported to be building another bowling
alley and cafeteria, like the one they recently
opened in Borger. The Borger setup has been
•so successful that they are contemplating enlarging
the cafeteria area. Jolirmy recently
was elected secretai-y of the Texas Drive-In
Theatre A.ss'n at its convention in Dallas.
Also in town booking for Frontier Theatres.
Dallas, was Eddie Erickson, who handles the
bookings for the K. Lee Williams circuit . . .
Don Grierson. representing Empire Pictures
of Dallas, was in talking to Video and other
bookers about product that is available for
this
territory.
Kay Miller,
Arnett Theatre. Amett. who is
also salesman for the local Chevrolet dealer,
is spending a two-week vacation in Florida
Brunk, BOXOFFICE correspondent,
left town Saturday (15) to attend the fimeral
of an older brother Glen, who died February
14 in the Veterans Hospital. Big Spring. Tex.
Funeral was held in Plainview, Tex.. Monday
(17>.
Discuss New Film
In Puerto Rico Carl Foreman and William
Holden have been discussing a new film for
Columbia Pictures tentatively titled, "Holiday."
SERVING SOUTHWEST TEXAS
COMPLETE CONCESSION
SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT
Call on Us Anytimt— for Anything!
ALAMO CONCESSION SUPPLY COMPANY
IRV. COHN, Mgr.
640 W. Martin St. • Son Antonio, To.
SW-2 BOXOFFICE
:
; Febniary
24, 1958

For Sharp, Straightforward^
Focus • •
(pmrrp
That's
right -to
keep your picture
sharp, run your
film through the
NEW CENTURY
CURVED GATE.
I
I
I
\
\
\
#
I
I
E
i
k
CENTURY curved gates are patterned dfter 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 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
motion picture projection.
Century Projector Corp.
NEW YORK 19, N. Y.
DISTRIBUTED
Hardin Theatre Supply Co.
714 South Hampton Road
Dallas 11, Texas
Oklahoma Theatre
628 West Grand Ave.
Oklahoma City 2, Oklahoma
Supply Co.
Southwestern Theatre Equipment Co.
1622 Austm Street
Houston 2, Texas
OXOFFICE :
: Februarj- 24. 1958
SW-3

Konsas
.
To Reissue 'Summertime'
LOS ANGELES—United Artists will rerelease
"Summertime" in March to capitalize
on Rossano Brazzi's starring role in "South
Pacific." due for release that month. It was
"Summertime" that first brought the Italian
actor to American audiences.
To Jail for Screen Damage
PONCA CITY. OKLA.-A cup of ice thrown
through the motion picture screen of the
Poncan Theatre here, with an estimated
total damage cf S6.000. resulted in a 60-day
jail sentence for a 17-year-old local boy.
Johnny Fulton.
Reseating and
Seat Repair are
SO simple
with Internationals
Ask today for an INTERNATIONAL
Seafing Engineer for all the facts.
Modern Sales & Service, Inc.
2200 Young Street Dallas, Texas
... or
International Seat Division
Union City Body Company, Inc.
Union City, Indiana
W. Lewis Long Wins $100
Bond in AIP Drawing
OKLAHOMA CITY—Exhibitor prizes in
the American International Pictures 13-week
playdate drive, which ended February 7.
were awarded Tuesday illi following a drawing
in the local Screen Guild exchange at
9 a.m.
W. Lewis Long. Long Theatre. Keyes. Okla.,
won first prize, a $100 bond: Video Independent
Theatres. Miami Theatre. Miami, won
second prize, a S75 bond: Video's Twilight
Gardens Drive-In. Oklahoma City, third. $50
bond, and Glen D, Thompson. Thompson
Theatre, Walters. Okla.. fourth, $25 bond.
Present for the drawing were E. R. "Red"
Slocum. executive director of United Theatre
Owners of Oklahoma and chief barker
cf Variety Tent 22: Don Grierson. representing
Empire Pictures in Dallas, which has
the AIP franchise in that territory; Han-y
McKenna. Lois Scott and Nina Milner, all of
Screen Guild, and Sam Brunk, BOXOFFICE
correspondent and SG salesman. Slocum drew
the lucky cards and Grier.son checked the
results.
Of the 20 exchanges competing in the drive,
Dallas is in first place and Oklahoma City
in second place.
Card Avalanche Opposes
Pay TV, Says Solon
MINNEAPOLIS — Minne.sota
congressman
John A. Blatnik informed the Twin Cities
press that he has received "an avalanche of
cards, telegrams, letters and petitions opposing
pay television."
At latest count, he said, more than 12,000
had voiced their opposition.
WANTED
SMALL TOWN THEATRES
Non Competitive in Florida
Will trade modern-profitable non
competitive small town in East
Texas. Give or take difference.
825 Von Brunt Blvd ,
Write Box 7705
CO Boxoftice
City 24, Mo.
HANDY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM
BOXOFFICE:
S2S Van BrunI Blvd.. Kansas City 24. Mo.
lain
Please enter my subscription lo BOXOFTICE. S2 issues per year (13 ol whuli co-i
The MODERN THEATRE Section).
D $3.00 FOR 1
THEATRE
STREET
TOWN
NAME
ADDRESS
YEAR
D S500 FOR 2 YEARS D S7.00 FOR 3 YEARS
n Remittance Enclosed Send Invoice
STATE
POSITION
Babb Sues Columbia
In Tloyd' Dispule
HOLLYWOOD—Charging "unfair competition,"
producer Krogtr Babb filed a $100,000
lawsuit against Columbia Pictures, Sam
Katzman and Clover Productions and asked
an injunction to halt the scheduled filming
of "Pretty Boy Floyd."
The complaint declared that Babb became
interested in a Floyd biopic in 1955 and the
following year acquired releases and biographical
data from the Floyd family for approximately
$4,000. This, the complaint
added, was followed by publicity and ads In
the tradepress announcing the project. Babb
further alleged that last spring he talked to
a Columbia executive about making the picture
there and, when no interest was shown,
began discussing a deal with William Stephens
anent financing.
With Katzman's announcement ju.st before
Christmas that he was to make a film titled
"Pi-etty Boy Floyd," talks with Stephens
halted and nothing further can be done until
Kroger's right to the property is made clear.
Crosby Editor Boosts
Theatre in Editorial
CROSBY, N. D.—The editor of
the Divide
County Journal in Crosby published the following
editorial recently, referring to the
Crosby Theatre, owned and operated by William
Ingwalson:
"Are your eyes beginning to get a little
sore from watching TV? Do they get a little
scratchy' after ti-ying to keep up with the
flicker for an hour or two? Would you like to
give them a nice rest for an evening?
"O. K., we'll tell you how. Forget your
TV set for an evening. Drive up town and
buy a ticket for the Crosby Theatre. You'll
be amazed how clear and restful the picture
will be. You'll congratulat-e Bill Ingwalson
for the wonderful improvements he has made
in his equipment. You'll go home without
your eyes smarting and you'll feel great.
"Now. as a matter of fact. Bill has not
made any improvement in his equipment of
late, but it just seems that way. You've been
straining your eyes on TV until the theatre
pictures looks like a million dollars to you."
Ontario Censors Review
7,500 Films in 11 Years
TORONTO— A review of operation.";
by the
Ontario censor board .shows that 7.500 films
liave been submitted for examination and
only 17 have been rejected in their entirety
since the board's inception. The board started
classifying films in 1946 because of the increase
in strictly adult ihemes.
The coming annual report of the censors
is expected to show that some 575 pictures
will have been examined, with more than 80
classified as adult entertainment.
'o.
High Quality...
Fast Service
MVfca CO.
1SBM
ainFr«ncle

jrosses Stay Strong
Despite Cold Wave
MILWAUKEE— All
the downtown theatres
hd well despite the cold spell. "Peyton Place"
ed the parade, with women predominating
n the audience by over 75 per cent.
Average Is
i
100)
vlhombra And God Created Woman iKingsley)
7th wk 140
aloce Peyton Place ,20th-Fox), 2nd wk 250
.iverside Old Yeller (BV), 4th wk 200
trond Around the World in 80 Days (UA),
35th wk 150
owne Seven Hills o* Rome (MGM) 110
Vorn.'r— Radon! iDCA); Hell in Korco (DCA). . . .200
Visconsrn A Farewell to Arms (20th-Fox), 3rd
wk 175
ielo'w-Zero
Weather
lurts in Twin Cities
MINNEAPOLIS—With the departure of a
lumber of pictures that had chalked up long
uns. there was room downtown for four
lewcomers— "The Enemy Below." "Daj'by's
tangers," "The Third Key" and the "Spanish
tffair"-"Escape From Red Rock" twin bill.
lU the fresh entries won praise, but none
,as any too hot at the boxoffice. Subzero
emperatures probably helped to account for
tieir failure to score more strongly.
.cademy Around the World in 80 Days (UA),
32nd wk 140
entury Seven Wonders of the Wor!d (Cinerama),
80th wk 175
opher Don't Go Near the Wafer (MGM),
8fh wk
ync— Spanish Affair (Pare);
120
Escape From Red Rock (20th-Fox) 75
odio CiTy A Farewell to Arms {20th-Fox),
2nd wk 150
KO OrpheuT, Darby's Rangers (WB) 90
KO Pan—Old Yeller (BV), 4th wk 110
late The Enemy Below (20th-Fox) 100
loi\a— The Third Kev (Rank) 100
litter Cold Socks
Dmaha Grosses
OMAHA—The third week of "Peyton
'lace" continued to top average at the
irpheum Theatre, but the Omaha was the
nly downtowner to get above the figure,
litter cold weather left its mark at the gate.
rondeis -Steel Boyonet (UA); Gun Fever
(UA) 90
maha Eighteen and Anxious (Rep); Girl in the
Woods (Rep; 80
rphcum Peyton Ploce ;20fh-Fox), 3rd wk 110
rote The Missouri Traveler (BV) 100
FD Twin City Exchange
Sets Republic Franchise
MINNEAPOLIS — Abbott Swartz. branch
perations manager for the Independent
'ilm Distributors exchange. owTied by his
rother Etonald, has acquired the Republic
ranchise for the Minneapolis and Milwaukee
srritories. effective March 1.
With the closing of the Minneapolis and
lilwaukee Republic exchanges, Joe Loeffler.
lanager here, and Jack Frackman. who has
erved in a similar capacity in Milwaukee.
ill remain in their respective citias as Reublic
representatives under Swartz.
Swartz was a long-time United Artists
lanager here. His brother Donald recently
ecame vice-president-general manager of
he local National Television A.ssociates TV
tation here. KMGM-TV. at the same time
etaining his Independent Film Distributors
xchange ownership.
Donald appointed Abbott to the post of
ndependent Film exchange manager and
le'll continue in that capacity, too.
Youth Steals the Money
To See 'Commandments'
O'Neill, Neb. \ 14-year-old boy was
arrested in the Koyal Theatre in connection
with the theft of $35 from the
O'Neill Grain Co.
Holt County Sheriff Leo Tomjack, said
the sum—minus the price of the ticket
and a bag of popcorn—was recovered.
The name of the movie: "The Ten
Commandments."
Chadron, Neb.—The moral of the
film being shown at the Pace Theatre
apparently failed to register with one
of the viewers, who stole eight of the
souvenir booklets being sold in the lobby.
The picture was "The Ten Commandments."
Allied of Wisconsin
To Meet June 16-18
MILWAUKEE — Allied's state convention
will be held June 16-18 at swanky Oakton
Manor near Pewaukee, Wis., according to
Harold Pearson, executive secretary.
Located on beautiful Pewaukee Lake, between
convention chores, membei-s will be
afforded plenty of opportunities for boating,
swimming, fishing and other sports. In addition,
the resort features an expertly staffed
health spa with mineral and steam baths,
lamp treatments and massages. And Pearson
says, "E^'ery meal here, is a culinary adventure."
Oakton Manor is located 22 miles west of
Milwaukee and 95 miles north of Chicago.
The resort station wagon meets you at the
Milwaukee Road station: Soo Line trains stop
at nearby Waukesha, and the roads are perfect
for those who intend to drive.
Collier Electric Given
Alliance TV Franchise
ALLIANCE. NEB.—Collier Electric Co. of
Denver has been gi-anted a three-year franchise
to bring cable television to Alliance.
CoUier has 30 days to accept or reject the
franchise. If it accepts, it must be ready to
operate within 150 days.
A $25 installation charge will be made and a
$6.50 monthly fee assessed. Construction will
involve a microw'ave relay system and service
will be provided on five channels. The
operation would be called the Alliance Community
Television Co.
Pox Intermountain Theatres of Denver has
asked directors of its parent company National
Theatres, to join with Collier if it
establishes cable TV in Alliance. Collier now
operates cable systems at Sterling, Colo..
Sidney, Neb., and Laramie, Wyo. and is completing
installation at Kimball, Neb.
Seeks Sunday Shows
HUMPHREY. NEB.—The Lions Club has
purchased the equipment in the Coronado
Theatre and leased the building and proposes
to offer shows on Sunday as soon as a manager
can be obtained.
BLANCHARDVILLE, WIS.—T. J. -Watson,
owner of the Blanchard Theatre here, has
closed the house because of declining business,
with no plans for reopening.
Big Parade to Herald
Omaha Xattle' Debut
OMAHA—The world premiere of "Cattle
Empii-e" at the Omaha Theatre February 27
will be ushered in with a full-scale parade,
according to Chief Barker Pat Halloran of
the Variety Tent 16. The premiere of the
20th-Fox picture is being sponsored by the
Variety Club for the benefit of its school
for hard-of-hearing children.
Halloran said the parade was scheduled
to include six high school bands, the Union
Pacific Ditim & Bugle Corps, two riding clubs
of 50 horsemen each from the stockyards industry,
at least three floats and other groups.
The comedy act of Conlin &, Ryan has
been booked for the premiere and Halloran
said another act or two may be added.
Mayor John Rosenblatt has been named
honoraiy ticket chairman. Jake Isaacson,
general manager of Ak-Sar-Ben, statewide
booster organization, will be the parade marshal.
The premiere is being tied in with
Omaha's All-America City celebration.
Joel McCrea, star of "Cattle Empire," will
aiTive in Omaha and make numerous appearances
in addition to his part in the premiere
on the Omaha stage.
Rock Island, Ill„ Council
Rescinds Theatre Levy
DES MOINES—Officials of the Tri-States
Theatre Coi-p. announced that the Rock Island,
111., city council voted unanimously to
rescind the city's two per cent municipal tax
on theatre admissions effective April 1,
L. M. McKechneay of the theatre corporation
had met with the city council several
times prior to the decision to impress them
with the unfairness of the tax and to stress
the importance of the theatres to the community.
Tri-States operates the Fort and
Rocket theatres in Rock Island.
Previously, the Rock Island Chamber of
Commerce had passed a resolution urging
abolition of the tax, and the Rock Island
Ai-gus had come out editorially urging that
theatres be relieved of the local tax.
MAC Gets 'Kwai/ 'Brothers'
On Competitive Bids
MINNEAPOLIS—On competitive bids the
Minnesota Amusement Co. has won "The
Bridge on the River Kwai" and "The Brothers
Karamazov" for first runs here and in
St. Paul. Both will be presented at advanced
admissions, "Bridge" likely at $1.50, instead
of 90 cents after 5 p.m., and "Brothers"
at $1.25.
"Bridge" opens at the Radio City here
March 14 and goes into the St. Paul Paramount.
"Brothers" opens at the Lyric here
March 7.
Vern DeBolt New Manager
Of Rapid City Theatre
RAPID CITY, S. D.— Vern DeBolt, BeUe
Fourche, has been appointed manager of the
Elks Theatre here by Dick Klein, general
manager of the Black HiUs Amusement Co.
DeBolt had been in charge of the Belle Theatre
at Belle Fourche.
Howard Allhouse, formerly of Hot Spi-ings,
succeeded DeBolt as the Belle Theatre manager.
OXOFFICE February 24, 1958
NC-1

. . E.
i
DES MOINES
tJev Mahon had an unusual audience at his
recent showing of "The Ten Commandments"
at the Holiday Theatre. All attending
were hard-of-hearing. and the Rev, Laurence
M. Stacey, pastor of Calvary Lutheran
Church for the Deaf, stood at one side of the
screen and interpreted the entire picture in
sign language. The Rev. Mr. Stacey used
luminous paint on his ai-ms and hands and
sa\ ultra-violet light to make his sign language
visible. Before the show, he distributed mimeographed
sheets giving real and Biblical
names of the leading characters and the
"sign" by which he would indicate each name.
The consensus was that the audience had no
difficulty in watching both the screen and
the minister—particularly after he put on
white gloves.
Lloyd Hirstine, chief barker of Variety, announced
that the March 17 meeting of the
tent will be at noon at the Standai-d Club.
Judge Ray Harrison will be guest speaker . . .
The Chamber of Commerce in Sioux Rapids
is promoting the Sioux Theatre with a Lucky
Buck Night every Wednesday . . . Dick Phillips,
manager of the Algona Tlieatres for Central
States, has been named "Showman of
the Yeai-" by the corporation for the fifth
consecutive time. Phillips will receive a gold
cup and a cash award. He also won tlu-ee
cash prizes for best promotional ideas,
judged by major film studios.
Two more state newspapers have written
editorials encouraging support of local theatres.
The Vinton Times pointed out the advantages
of having a motion picture theatre
in a town and the Anthon Herald congratu-
NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY'
Supplies • Carpets • Concession Supplies
W. R. DAVIS
H20 Hioh Street Des Moines 9, Iowa
lated Cy Schulte on reopening the Star Theatre
in Anthon . S. Tompkins, Washington.
Iowa, has succeeded A. A. Hopper as
manager of the Met and Falls Drive-In theatres
at Iowa Falls. Hopper has accepted a
position as executive secretai-y of the Iowa
Palls Chamber of Commerce, a position he
had held on a parttime basis.
Kay Wissinger, 17, cashier at the Paramount
Theatre, 509 Grand Ave., foiled a
holdup attempt Februai-y 13 by being too
scared to give a gunman the theatre currency
when he demanded it at her window.
"I had my hand on the bills in the cash
drawer," Miss Wissinger said, "but I couldn't
bring my.self to pull the bills out and give
them to him. I kept talking to him, telling
him I thought he was kidding. He saw some
people coming up to buy tickets, so he put
the gun back in his pocket, looked at me real
disgusted and walked away." Mi.ss Wissinger
is a junior at Roosevelt High School.
Fairfield Coed Manager
Will Prosecute Vandals
FAIRFIELD. IOWA—Charges may be filed
against the youths who caused considerable
damage at the Coed Tlieatre here Febioiary
7. A spokesman for the theatre management
said theatre officials from Des Moines were
in Fairfield and said they would press
charges.
Robert Dunnuck, theatre manager, was out
of town, but a spokesman said electric light
fixtures were pulled from the wall, two waste
baskets were set afire, sand from the smoking
stands was scattered about, furniture turned
over and other damage caused. Police were
.summoned but the youths had left the building
by the time the officers arrived. Those on
duty at the theatre said no charges would be
filed until the manager returned.
Two WB Managers Named
NKW YORK—Chai-les Boasberg, Warner
Bros, general sales manager, has named Carl
Miller branch manager at Seattle. Donald
Urquhart, Minneapolis salesman, has succeeded
to Miller's post as Denver manager.
Let Us Supply
You With Coca-Cola
MILWAUKEE
peyton Place," in its third straight week at
the Palace Theatre, offers a few statistics
which might prove interesting. According to
Milt Harmon, manager, the film is pulling
stronger at the boxoffice, than any other picture
in the last two years. He says that
women greatly outnumber men at every performance;
the audience at matinees, has
been 85 per cent women; at night 75 per cent
female.
Harold "Bud" Rose, Allied Artists manager,
says that Jimmy Ascher has replaced Bob
Baker on the sales staff. Ascher was foi-merly
with MGM for years. He will handle the
Wisconsin teiTitoi-y . . . Elvira Kappes, former
assistant manager at the Riverside Theatre
and now managing the Downer Theatre
(we had her name spelled wrong in a
previous issue) seems to be getting her feet
on the ground, getting ink into the papers
and promoting product.
Serious consideration is being given to formation
of a Catholic group similar to the
Legion of Decency for radio and television
in this area. Television, it has been found,
according to the announcement, has done
little "for the advancement of the spiritual
and intellectual." Tlie report also added that,
"religious movies had not been very good attractions,
unless they were put in a very
superficial and popular way."
Strand at Creston. Iowa
Remodeled and Reopened
CRESTON. IOWA.—Commonwealth Theatres
IS reopening the Strand Theatre here
and closing the Uptown, which it al.so operates.
The Strand is the larger of the two
theatres, seating about 800. It has been
completely remodeled, redecorated and reseated.
John Newcomer is manager.
Third Ten-Year Sentence
MUSCATINE, IOWA—Lester Wilson Kelley,
30. was sentenced to serve a sentence not
to exceed ten years at Fort Madison for participating
in the $120 burglai-y of the Hilltop
Drive-In here last summer. Kelley is the
third Muscatine man to draw up to ten years
at the Fort Madison institution for the theatre
burglary.
5 1^5 PER GAL
Shipped from our stock in case lots
(4 gallons) or in 20-gallon lots from
Chicago
stock — prepaid.
Also
ORANGE CRUSH
Closes Until Spring
SHELBY, IOWA—Tlie
Shelby Theatre has
been closed for the remainder of Uie winter.
Lack of patronage was blamed for the shutdown,
according to Je.sse Pike, Shelby American
Legion Post commander. The Legion,
which operates the theatre, will reopen It
again in the spring after interior decorating
has been completed.
Orange Crush
^Hr^"!'
p„„j D„_, 1.75 Gal.
KooT Beer
t en /-
I „-.„«^-jo 2.50 Gal.
Lemonade , _^ _ ,
Old Colony Orange, Grape, Wild Cherry
l./bt^al.
DES MOINES THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY
1121-23 High Street Ph. CHerry 3-6520 Des Moines, Iowa
Elkader Theatre Closed
ELKADER, IOWA—Lack of attendance has
caused the Elkader Theatre to close its doors,
and this city is without a motion picture
house the first time in 44 years. Harold Hall,
theatre owner, said the business had shown
A Steady loss the pa-st year, and that it Is
impossible to continue operating under the
circumstances,
NC-2
BOXOFFICE
:: Febi-uai-y 24, 1958

. . Circuit
. .
. . Sam
. . Mr.
MINNEAPOLIS
As siniultaneuus lone downtown runs are
depriving them of what Uiey consider
suitable" product on the breaks and finds
them without "desirable" attractions for the
one or more changes a week, subsequent-run
neighborhood houses again are resorting to
more reissues and return engagements.
Among the pictiu-es now being revived uptown
are Three Faces of Eve. The Ti-ouble
With Harry. Show Boat. Lady Killers. To
Par^s With Love. The Secret Conclave. Sands
of Iwo Jima. Lili. Alexander the Great. The
Conqueror. Black Beauty and The Buster
Keaton Story.
Because of the big success of Brigitte Bardot
in the six-week run of "And God Created
Woman" at the World. "Doctor at Sea." in
ivhich slie appears, is being revived by local
neighborhood houses. Likewise, the Campus
has hurriedly brought in one of her oldies
never seen here before. "Mile. Striptease."
Previously "Doctor at Sea" had been playiated
only in several of the outljing "fine
irts" houses. Now the nonart theatres are
grabbing it and playing up the cast presence
3f Miss Bardot. who wasn't even mentioned
originally in the art house ads.
Sidney Eckman, MGM manager, is using a
inique gimmick to promote his current
bonus" sales contest, extending through
June 26. Its a tiny box of cough di-ops which
ire being mailed to all of the territory's
exhibitors accompanied by a facsimile of a
lector's prescription. The prescription calls
or the exhibitors to "cough up" some extra
>laydates for the local exchange which is
)ff to a fine start in the race for extra
lough.
Ben Berger and William Volk are back
rom Florida vacations . owner
red Mann was in Chicago on film deals
Screen star Esther Williams
jusiness . . .
vill appear here in person during the sumner
for the local annual aquatennial. the
Vlinneapolis version of the Mardi Gras .
3on Halloran and Bill Wood, president and
jast -president of the local Colosseum, or-
;anization of film salesmen, represented the
ocal body at the national convention in
Dallas.
3ob Carnie, Howco Head
"or Kansas City Area
I
K.\NSAS CITY—Robert E. "Bob" Carnie,
familiar figure on Filmrow for many years.
las emerged from retirement to head up the
ictivities of Howco International Producions
in this territory. Howco has been a
arge-scale distributor in the south for several
ears, and the decision to enter the Kansas
Tity trade territory marks a major expanion
in the company's operations. The Kansas
;ity office is under the supervision of W. C.
Croeger. district manager, who headquarters
n Memphis. Tenn. The firm's home office
s in Charlotte. N. C.
In addition to distributing its own motion
>ictures. Howco serves as an outlet for Kingsey
Imports and for various states rights
xploitation films.
Carnie. a native of Australia and "an
American by choice." came to the U.S. in
917 to sell Liberty bonds and has been here
ver since. He was a salesman for Paramount
nany years before going to Allied ArtisU.
rom which he retired in 1956.
MAC to Offer Fightcast
At Twin City Houses
MIIvrNEAPOLIS—The Minnesota Ainu.sement
Co. will present the closed circuit telecast
of the forthcoming second Basilio-Robinson
championship fight at both its 4,100-
seat Minneapolis Radio City and 2.300-seat
St. Paul Paramount.
The admission scale will be the same as
before, ranging from $2.50 to $5.
Telecast of the first Robinson-Basiho fight
attracted 2.932 payees here for a gross of
Just under $10,000. In St. Paul 1,640 customers
paid just under $6,000.
U-I Omaha and Des Moines
To Merge Office Work
OMAHA— I. M. Wciner, U-I manager, announced
that the Omaha and Des Moines exchantres
would merge effective March 1.
Bocking and shipping will continue to be
handled out of the Omaha office, but the
office detail work will be done is Des Moines.
Weiner said. He and the sales staff will remain
in Omaha.
Ivan Besse Buys Theatre
He Managed 20 Years
BRITTON. S. D.—Ivan Besse, manager of
the Strand Theatre for the last 20 years, has
purchased the
interest of Bob Baker, Trinidad,
Calif., in the theatre. The Baker family
has owned the theatre for many years.
Besse, who also operates Besse Electric
here, will continue to manage the theatre.
Reopen at Barron, Wis.
BARRON. WIS.—The Majestic Theatre
here has been reopened by Charles Stokke
and Robert St. Vincent, two local men who
recently leased the theatre and its equipment
from Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Davis. The
theatre, at present, is operating on Friday-
Saturday and Sunday-Monday nights, with
two program changes.
r-
NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY
W. M. "BILL" ALLISON
307 No. 16th St. Omoho, Neb.
D 2 yeors for $5 D
THEATRE
STREET ADDRESS
OMAHA
1'ames ".Sparky"
Sparks, United Artists salesman
for five years and before that as-
.sociated with RKO, is resigning to join the
Forest City Mfg. Co. of St. Louis, a women's
ready-to-wear firm. He will be as.signed to
the territory covering North and South
Dakota and Wyoming . and Mrs.
Norman Grint, exhibitors at the Sun Theatre
in Sargent, have returned from a vacation
in California.
Erma DeLand, United Artists booker, says
she's going to have to diet since attending a
Lutheran Church smorgasbord in her hometown
of Osceola, but the male gentry on the
Row .swear her figger didn't suffer. The annual
event draws food fanciers from a wide
area .
Deutsch's upper-lip adornment,
just beginning to add that suave touch
to the Universal office manager, has disappeared.
. . .
Mrs. Henry Carlin, exhibitor at Spalding,
is back home after hospitalization in Lincoln
Warren Hall, who has the Rodeo Theatre
at Burwell, is going to concentrate more
on the horses and less on autos—he's giving
up his Buick agency . . . PhyUis Davis, 20th-
Fox biUer, w'as called to the bedside of her
father at Chadron after he suffered a cerebral
hemorrhage. Her husband, traveling in
the western pai't of the state, was hospitalized
at Scottsbluff for a tooth extraction.
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Vermass, who have
the Kay Theatre at Sumner, visited relatives
in Lincoln . . . Bitter cold cut down on Filmrow
visitors but among the hardy in town
were R. E. Bui'rows, North Loup: Art Goodwater,
Madi-son; Walter Austin. Plainview;
Howell Roberts. Wahoo, and Dick Johnson
and Frank Good, Red Oak, Iowa.
Don t
Blow Your Top
SPECIAL
CHICAGO
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BOXOfflCf THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY 52 issues a year
825 Von Brunt Blvd., Kansas C\\y 24, Mo.
OXOFFICE February 24. 1958
NC-3

.
"A challenge to all of us". .
a statement by Robert B. Anderson, Secretary of the Treasury:
"The ownership by 40 million citizens of over 41 billion
dollars in Series E and H Savings Bonds is a striking
testimonial of confidence in America's bright future. It
families
means security and opportunity for millions of
—a way to provide for children's education, the building
of new homes, or more comfortable retirement.
"America benefits, too, from such widespread savings
bonds ownership. This partnership of individual citizens
in their government's fiscal operations means better
management of the public debt— greater stability for
our money— brighter prospects for the years ahead.
"Our country iieeds more savings— in all forms, including
U.S. Savings Bonds— to help finance our growing
economy; to pay for the plants and tools that mean
more and better jobs for our ever-increasing population.
"Meeting this need is a challenge to all of us. Americans
everywhere should be encouraged to regularly put aside
part of their earnings for future needs. And certainly
part of that saving belongs in the now better-than-ever
U.S. Savings Bonds."
The United States Government does not pay for this advertising. The Treasury Department
thanks, for their patriotic donation, the Advertising Council and
^"tSSJi
BOXOFFICE
NC-4
BOXOFFICE :: February 24, 1958 i

. . Louis
Xounly' and 'Arms' Go
Boom in Cleveland
CLEVELAND
The boom which started
Christmas continued in the downtown theatres.
"Raintree County" opened big at the
Stilhnan and "Farewell to Aims" got a
warm reception by Allen patrons. "Winchester
73" dualed w^ith "Criss Ci-ass" scored
above average at the Embassy. "Peyton Place"
and "And God Created Woman" were
stronger in their seventh weeks. The weather
was unfavorable, with temperatures around
10 above.
Only one picture has outrun "Peyton Place"
at the Hippodrome in the past five years.
This was "The Robe," the first Cinemascope
picture, whicli played an engagement of 11
weeks. "Peyton" held eight weeks and was
still drawing better than average business
when it made way for "Old Yeller."
Average Is 100)
Allen A Farewell to Arms (20th-Fox) 225
Embossy Winchester 73 U-l); Criss Cross (U-l) 130
Hippodrome Peyton Ploce ,20th.Fox), 7th wk. 100
Heights Arts And God Created Woman (Kingsley)
155
Lower Moll Dance Little Lady (Trons-Lux);
Bed of Gross (Trons-Lux) 70
Ohio Around the World in SO Days (UA),
35th wk 110
State The Quiet American (UA) 60
Stillman Rointrce County (MGM) 225
'Farewell' Is Top Grosser
In Detroit With 210
DETROIT—Near-zero weather with stiff
winds and high humidity seriously hurt weekend
business and for some days following,
but top attractions managed to draw some
surprising grosses just the same.
Adorns Don't Go Near the Wafer (MGM), 7th wk. 90
Broodway Capitol Steel Bayonet (UA)- Man on
the Prowl (UA) '
100
Fox— Peyton Place (20th-Fox), 6th wk 90
Madison Old Yeller (BV), 4th wk 145
Michigan Sayonaro WB), 5th wk 125
Palms Eighteen and Anxious (Rep); Girl in
the Woods (Rep. 110
United Artists— A Farewell to Arms (20th-Fox) 210
Holdovers Strong
In Cincinnati
CINCINNATI—Holdovers seem to be the
regular thing these days in the downtown
houses. "Old Yeller," which opened the first
week to the tremendous gross of 220, did 150
in the second week, and stayed in Keiths;
"Don't Go Near the Water," opened to 150
at the Albee. and also remained. "Raintree
County" went for its eigth week at the Grand.
Albee Don't Go Near the Water (MGM) 150
Grand— Raintree County (MGM), 7th wk 100
Keiths Old Yeller (BV), 2nd wk 150
Palocc Peyton Place (20th-Fox), 7th wk 120
TOC Stockholders Name
Ackerman as President
CINCINNATI — Howard Ackerman was
elected president of Theatre Owners Corp.,
a booking, buying and service organization,
at the 12th annual stockholders meeting.
Willis Vance and Maurice Chase were named
vice-presidents; Gordon Pape, treasurer; F.
W. Huss, secretary, and James W. McDonald,
associate secretary-treasurer and general
manager.
All the officers except McDonald al.so are
directors. Other directors are Elstun Dodge,
John Hewett, Herman H. Hunt, Jerome Kunz.
C. J. Weigel and David Weinig.
TOC now represents 50 theatres in this
exchange area in Ohio, Kentucky and West
Virginia.
BOXOFFICE February 24, 1958
Detroit Free Press Starts Eighth
Annual 'New Faces
DETROIT—^Providing an unusually timely
tie-in with the industry's nationwide business-building
program, the Detroit Free Press
is starting its eighth annual presentation of
the "New Faces—Going Places" series. This
now well-established annual has proved a
source of special interest and information
about potential new stars, and is run dally
in the paper on the amusement page. The
sketch gives personal background and photo
and is typically presented in three-column
format at the head of the page, where it
can assure maximum attention from the
amusement-minded public.
Typical is the sketch headed, "Kevin's an
Old Pro—And He's Only 8," about young
Kevin Corcoran. Each sketeh obviously required
a substantial amount of research to
dig up the necessary factual material to assure
reader interest.
The series, one of the big major promotions
of the Free Press, runs for three weeks
and was largely originated and handled for
years through the cooperative efforts of
Helen Bower, Free Pi-ess film critic, and the
late Alice N. Gorham, director of advertising
for United Detroit Theatres. Miss Bower
incidentally gives entire credit for conceiving
and "selling" the original idea to Mrs. Gorham.
Selections of 21 names of new players
are made in advance by Miss Bower. Material
for the actual presentations was assembled
COLUMBUS
Tyjanager Ed McGlone reported the RKO
Palace will be included In the closed
circuit telecast of the Carmen Basilio-Sugar
Ray Robinson title fight March 25 from Chicago
Stadium . . . L. C. Schenimann, 66, died
at his London, Ohio, home after a 14-month
illness. For many years he was a theatre manager
with the Alpine circuit and served in
a number of cities, including London. He was
managing a theatre in Hundred. W. Va..
when he retired two years ago and returned
to London.
Manager Walter Kessler of Loew's Ohio
acted as .stand-in for Tyrone Power in the
presentation of a trophy to Lynn Redman,
18-year-old Ohio State freshman from Lancaster,
Ohio, named 1958 campus Independent
Queen. Power sponsored the trophy in
connection with the coming engagement of
"Witness for the Prosecution." Kessler arranged
with Power to sponsor the award during
Power's recent local appearance in "Back
to Methuselah."
The wave of long runs continued with an
eighth week for "Peyton Place" at RKO
Grand, a third week for "Old Yeller" at
RKO Palace and a fifth week for "Raintree
County" at Loew's Broad . Sher. operator
of the Bexley and Drexel art theatres
here, has the largest circuit of art houses
in the country, wrote Norman Nadel. Citizen
theatre editor, in a Sunday feature.
Film Series
this year by Marie D. Meyer, longtime assistant
to Mrs. Gorham, who is now handling
UDT's advertising.
The opening gun in the presentation was
a featured Sunday story, occupying seven
columns at the top of the theatre page, announcing
the selection of the award winner
for 1957 Yu\ Brynner. The actual award was
based upon the vote of "Detroit movie fans
by their boxoffice patronage." This story,
like the 21 which will follow, was written by
Helen Bower. The Brynner stoi-y included
an extended telephone interview with the
actor in Hollywood, with significant news on
his forthcoming European trip.
The actual awai-d, now made traditional
over eight years, is a portable illuminated
star's dressing room mirror, suitably inscribed.
The Free Press considers "New Faces" important
enough to justify the extensive space
devoted to it by this leading metropolitan
paper. "We think it's an excellent feature,"
managing editor Prank Angelo said, noting
the fact that "despite everything, there is
still a tremendous interest in Hollywood.
"We find there is good reader interest in it.
Prom a selfinterest standpoint, it gives us a
prestige factor."
Angelo commented on the difference in
public acceptance today from eight years ago
when the program was started, pointing to
cumulative accomplishment: "There is a
greater interest now in new faces—and we
think this program has been a factor in developing
it. From the indiistry standpoint it
undoubtedly helps to call attention to movies,
and what the movies are doing,"
Success of the Detroit program is expected
likely to lead to its adoption within a few
weeks by at least one other of the John S,
Knight newspapers, utilizing the Detroit "New
Paces" selections, and bringing the idea
closer home to a national audience.
James Levitt Is Named
Cleveland BV Manager
CLEVELAND—James Levitt, Universal city
salesman, has resigned to take over the newly
created post of manager of the local Buena
Vista exchange. This will give Ted Levy, district
manager, the freedom and time to keep
in closer personal touch with the other offices
in his district at Cincinnati and Detroit.
Jimmy's father Lew is a well-knowrn projectionist
who, for many years was associated
with his brother, the late Joe Leavitt. in the
operation of the Film building projection
room. The father now is projectionist at the
Center-Maylield Theatre.
Jim started his career as projectionist for
the late Dave Scheuman. He has served as
president of the Salesmen's Club of Cleveland,
and is always a leader in local industry
charity drives.
Phil McNamee Is
Dead
DETROIT—Word was received here of the
death of Phil McNamee, formerly one of the
city's best known theatre managers. He managed
the Hollywood, Roxy and former Paradise
theatres at various times for the former
Ben and Lou Cohen circuit, now known as
Detroit Theatre Enterprises. He had been
out of the film business for some time and
was owner of the cigar stand in the Broadway
Market building. He is sui-vived by his
wife.
ME-1

2
!
. . Donald
. . James
CINCINNATI
IJobert "Bob" Dopp«s, exhibitor from Cynthiana.
Ky.. made the rounds of the exchanges.
He was recovering from a vii-us
infection. He said the snows were deep in
Cynthiana, cutting in on his theatre attendance
. . . Frank AUara of Matewan, W.
Va.. and Roy Letsinger. Amlierstdale, W. Va.,
were in town Monday 10 and tlien left for
the National Allied Drive-In convention in
Louisville. Othere in the city were Walter
Wyrick. Carlisle; Charles Bohlen, Lexington;
Ray Law, Lebanon; R. L. Gaines. CaiTollton,
Ky.. and Joe Joseph. Parkersburg. W. Va. . . .
Mrs. Milton Gurian, wife of the Allied Artists
manager, is convalescing at home from
a recent eye operation.
When the fii-st national convention of
American International Pictures is held in
Hollj'wood March 24-26, Mrs. Lee Goldberg,
franchise owner for Cincinnati and Indianapolis;
Selma Goldberg Blachschleger and
Mr. and Mrs. Jay Goldberg plan to attend
from here. They w^ill take part in making
of a picture. "How to Make a Monster."
James Brunetti, Paramount office manager,
and bookei-s Eton "Popeye" Berming.
Morris "Casper" Hail and Lillian "Little
Audrey" Ahern have waxed poetic in enlisting
the cooperation of exhibitors in the local
bookers drive for short .subject dates during
March and April.
Johnny Goodno of the Palace Theatre,
Huntington, W. Va.. visited Filmrow in spite
of the fact that he had a slight cold. "Old
Yeller." which played in his house for 12
days, broke all house records. Goodno's theatre
and the NBC station in Huntington conducted
a unique campaign, giving free tickets
as prizes to contestants who made the most
words from the letters contained in "Old
Yeller." Results were tremendous— 5,000 replies;
400,000 words—and the top winner had
145 words from the nine letters contained in
the title. One extremely cold day while patrons
were lined up around the block waiting
to get into the theatre, Goodno sei-ved hot
coffee to everyone in line. When it comes to
showmanship, it's hard to beat Johnny
Goodno
William Borack of Tristate Theatre Service,
has added the North Auto Drive-In at
Circleville. Ohio, to his list of booking and
buying clients. This theatre is owned by Bill
Ballou . R. Hicks. Paramount
manager, and William A. Meier, sales manager,
attended a division meeting in Philadelphia
. A. McDonald, general
manager for Theatre Owners Corp.. and John
Hewitt, exhibitor at Bethel, Ohio, left for
the National Allied dinve-in convention in
Louisville.
Affected by Warner Bros, discontinuing
district exploitation supervision was Ii-ving
Tombach, publicity representative in Cincinnati
for the last eight years.
Filmed in Acapulco, "The Beach Boys," has
been purchased by Columbia Pictures.
Youngstown House Leased
For Business Conversion
YOUNGSTOWN — Peter Wellman, president
of Wellman Theatres, announced that
the circuit's Belmont Theatre property has
been leased for 12 years by Atlantic Mill.s
World Shoppers and Virginia Dare Stores
with three renewal options of five years each.
The property will be remodeled to meet the
needs of the new occupants.
The l,000-.seat Belmont was opened by the
circuit in 1948. Two years later it was leased
to the Newport Amusement Co., subsidiary
of Associated Theatres, Cleveland. This lease
was abrogated Sept. 3. 1957. and the theatre
turned back to the Wellman circuit. A feature
of the agreement under which the circuit
took back the theatre was the restriction that
the Belmont should not be opei-ated as a
theatre or for any other type of amusement.
It was clo.sed September 3.
Detroit Fox Will Play
Two Reissues in 3-D
DETROIT—Breaking with long-established
policy, the Fox Theatre is playing a pair of
reissues starting Februai-y 20— "The House
of Wax" and "Phantom of the Rue Morgue."
The horror duo will also set another departure
from precedent, in playing in 3-D and
the patrons of Detroit's biggest houses will
receive the almost-forgotten optical glasses
as they enter the show.
"I think there's still a lot of interest in
3-D," commented Managing Director Robert
Bothwell, noting active audience attention
to the trailer and to lobby displays.
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ME-
BOXOFFICE Febmary 24, 1958

. . Carl
. .
. . . Local
. . . The
. . . Frances
. . And
. . Leroy
. . Also
few Industry Service Club
'lanned by Mary Kanipe
DETTROIT—The organization of a service
lub connected with the motion picture inustry
is being projected by Mai-y Kanipe.
aughter of James H. Kanipe. operator at
le Strand Theatre. Miss Kanipe was presient
of the former Marlon Brando Services
lub in Detroit, which departed from tlie
sual tradition of fan clubs and undertook a
eavy program of charity activities. This was
cognized in the national Oscar presented
jr outstanding services among fan clubs.
•etails of plans for the new service organizaon.
to be oi-ganized on a wider basis, have
ot been completed.
BOWLING
DETROIT—For what is believed to be the
;cond time in the 30-year history of the
rightingale Club Bowling League, the 700
ign went up when Jack Lang rolled a huge
13. He had a bad break in the sixth frame,
hich could have been the strike needed to
ive him a 300 game. Scores were remarkbly
high, changing team standings, as Al-
;c took thi-ee games from National Theatre
upply to slide into first position. National
larbon took three from Amusement Supply
3 win thii'd place, and Local 199 at last
loved off the bottom by taking a strong four
rom the Ernie Forbes team. New standings
re:
earn Won Lost Team Won Lost
.Itec 43 25 Amus't Sup. 35 33
lot'! Sup. ..42 26 Local 199 26 42
lofl Carbon 36 32 Ernie Forbes 22 46
High scores were: Jack Lang, 277-234-202,
Dtal. 713: Jack Lindenthal. 247-196, 607; Jack
;olwell, 217, 196, 582; Robert Armstrong. 195-
10, 575: Carl Mingione, 197, 574; Edgar DouiUe.
211-193. 558: Francis Light. 190-191.
52; Burt London, 191-200, 542: Roy Thompon,
201. 535; Matt Haskin, 197; Richard
. Phil
Jonnell. 194.
Notes—Jack Colwell was happy with his
17 in the first game, till Jack Lindenthal
oiled 247—then Jack Lang turned in that
Edward Waddell was mighty
lig 277 . . .
iroud to get his team moving upwards in
he standings . Mingione and Francis
jight are rated the hottest bowlers in the
eague right now . . Majeske. Julius
'avella and Roy Thompson jr. were missing
md unaccounted for . . . Bill ArendeU did
veil for a starter in taking over Richard
Cemp's place on the Ernie Forbes team .
/isitor Stu Apltn tried to bowl, Joe Gates
vas a visiter but left the bowling balls alone.
>Iick Forest is reported still in the frozen
;outhland, says secretary Floyd Akins.
J^o Developments Yet
Dn Cleveland Campaign
CLEVELAND—Nothing concrete has developed
as yet as the result of two exhibitor
neetings called to outline a plan to stimulate
theatre attendance by means of a pin-pointed
Jistitutional advertising campaign. The first
Tieeting was held in December and a second
)ne followed in January.
THE
BIG COMBINATIONS
COME FROM
Allied Film Exchange Imperial Pictures
2310 Cat! Ave.
[>etTolt, Mick.
21 Ot Porn* Ay*.
Cleveland, Ohio
CLEVELAND
r ean Enken, president of the Ro-bins Amusement
Co. of Warren, became the father
cf a son named Joseph Jack in honor of his
maternal grandfather, the late Joe Robins
who was the circuit's head until his death
last fall Don Jacobs, manager of
.
the Parma Theatre, announced the an-ival of
an eight-pounder named Geoffrey . . .
Nate
Schultz. Allied Artists franchise owner in
northern Ohio, and wife were optimistically
seeking warmer weather in Florida and Cuba
exchanges closed Friday (21 1, in
observation of Washington's birthday on Saturday.
George Planck, owner-operator of the Ohio
Theatre in Loudenville until he retired about
three years ago to go into the dairy business,
was a Filmrow visitor last week and got
red carpet treatment. He came to assist
the theatre's new lessees, Ivan Sellers and
Bernard Raden, in their booking problems
Valley Theatre, Salineville, formerly
the Alpine, which has been closed the past
four years, turned on the lights again on
the 14th. The new operators are Harold
Merriner and Joseph Knight. It formerly
was a unit of the Alpine circuit of Crescent,
W. Va.
Bill Biggio of the Virginia at Carrollton
was liome in Steubenville with a back injui-y
Bolton of National Screen, who
submitted to a second heart operation a
couple of weeks ago, has been dismissed
from St. Vincent Charity Hospital and is
convalescing at home . convalescing
at home after ticker trouble is Sam Schwartz.
Associated circuit auditor.
Robbers broke into Leo Burkhart's Crest
Theatre at Crestline twice in one week and
literally cleaned him out. "Had to borrow
money from the bank to open the house."
Burkhart reported . Griffith, manager
of the Gayety in Toledo, saved the day's
receipts and foiled a robbeiT when he chased
a holdup man through downtown streets,
caught and held him until the police arrived.
The would-be robber is James Sohulte,
21, of Grand Rapids.
. . . Aaron
Sam Galanty, Columbia eastern division
manager, conferred with local Manager Sam
Weiss and salesmen Bill Gross, Leonard
Steffens and Marty Grassgreen on "The
Bridge on the River Kwai," etc. "Kwai" will
open at the Allen Theatre March 12 and is
booked in most key situations in the territory.
Ray Nemo of the house office is handling
the local publicity on the picture . . "Sayonara."
.
after completing six big weeks down-
town at the Allen, opened to good business
on the 12th in the Lake. Painesville; Vine.
Willoughby; Berea. Berea; Stillwell. Bedford,
and Willow, Independence
Wayne. UA salesman, was home a couple
of days to nurse a stubborn cold.
F. J. Nickens to Defiance
DEFIANCE, OHIO—Frank J. Nickens, who
has been a theatre manager at Knoxville,
Tenn.. for many years, has been appointed
manager of the Valentine. Strand and Defiance
Drive-In by the Armstrong circuit.
"The Naked and the Dead," a Warner release,
is being produced by Paul Gregory and
directed by Raoul Walsh.
Two in Detroit Territory
Modernized to Reopen
DETROIT—Good news for smaller community
theatres was evident this week in the
announcement of plans for extensive modernization
programs under way for two small
houses.
At S". Clair Shores, remote eastern suburb
of Detroit, the 560-seat Lakeview is being
readied for reopening after being closed about
five years. The house was formerly operated
by Community Theatres and then by Mrs.
Catherine Bennett and Burton Neely.
New owner is Floyd Chrysler, head of
Clirysler Associated Theatres, independent
booking service, and at one time on the sales
staff of MGM. He is doing extensive remodeling,
including installation of Cinemascope
and widescreen. and refurbishing of the marquee
and front. The house name will also be
shortened to the Lake.
At Swartz Creek, Art Sills has closed the
400-seat Creek Theatre for remodeling. He is
installing CinemaScope and widescreen and
adding other features. Sills plans to resume
independent booking for the house.
Brigitte in Three Houses
DETROIT — French star Brigitte Bardot
was batting an amazing 600 in the art theatre
league here last week. Her "And God Created
Woman" has been setting house records
at the Trans -Lux Krim Theatre and is currently
into the fourth week. Meanwhile, her
"The Bride Is Much Too Beautiful" opened
at both the Coronet and Surf theatres, giving
her top billing in three out of five of the
city's art theatres.
New Manager at Benton, Ky.
BENTON. KY.—Mrs. Leon Byers. who resigned
as manager of the Benton Theatre,
has been succeeded by Mr. Shaw, who came
here from Mississippi. The theatre is owmed
by the Ruffin Amusement Co.
Head "Naked and Dead' Cast
Aldo Ray, Cliff Robertson and Raymond
Massey head the cast of Warners' "The
Naked and the Dead."
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OXOFFICE February 24, 1958 ME-3

. Others
. . Lowell
. . Ben
I
. . William
. . Rene
. . Muriel
DETROIT
.
. . . Sitting near scribe
Cearch for Paradise" got off to an excellent
start with the first public screening here
Tuesday ill), following an informal trade and
press preview the previous night. Notes on
the opening—Frank Upton and his cohorts.
Manager George H. Santer and assistant Bill
were busy gi-eeting all the local
TV and
McLaughlin,
filmites. pressmen and celebrities of
radio . . . Bill Green, exploitation chief, was
handling the important arrangements for the
opening Thomas circulated
through lobby greeting old friends . . .
the
Bob and Leona Anthony, the latter of the
Aquarama, came in from St. Clair
your
Shores
for the occasion
were Fred Huber of Olympia and Donald L.
Swanson. State Fair manager.
Lined up to meet the incoming audience
were some of the sturdy projection crew,
W. J. "Pop" Stolz, Gary Lamb and Roy
. . Bob Han-y McKee, manager of
Light .
the Cass Theatre, was delighted at seeing
the travel views in Cinerama Rosen,
.
Confection Cabinet chief, was busy looking
over operation of the concession department
met included Carl Shalit. Columbia
district manager, and family; Milton
Zimmei-man, Columbia manager: Bob Morrison,
past president of the Michigan Showmen's
Ass'n, with his wife and son and party;
Lou Marks, MGM manager; Dillon M.
RCA
Dealer
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Krepps. managing director. United Artists
Theatre; Albert Dezel, Coronet Theatre, and
Fred Sweet, managing director, Telenews
Theatre.
The new film was off to a good press. Kenneth
A. Thompson, business editor of the
Detroit F:-ee Pre.ss, pointed out that the three
previous films have had a significant part in
restoring business to this part of town, inspiring
some significant refurbishing of other
buildings, and drawing 4,420,000 people, including
1,768,000 from beyond the Detroit
area.
E. B. Dudley has closed the Victory Theatre
here, and he has no plans in view for reopening,
according to Bill Clai'k . . . Jack Broder,
former Detroit circuit operator now in Hollywood,
we learn, has a sizable investment in
T Was a Teenage Frankenstein" and "Blood
of Dracula" .
Clai-k, former Republic
salesman now retired, is reported living
in Grand Rapids . . . Lloyd A. Turel has
left Clark Theatre Service, where he was
booker for the last three years, and is making
plans to establish his own independent
booking service, with detaUs to be announced
later. Turel was and technically remains
general manager of the Jack Broder Theatres,
operating as the Van Houdt circuit,
which still owns the Rex and Seville, which
are under the active operation of A&W-
Sterling Theatres. Walter Corey, formerly
salesman with Republic Pictures, has succeeded
Turel in the Clark organization.
. . Dick
Gladys M. Pike, Film Truck chieftain. Is
Joseph P.
watching her blood pressure . . .
Uvick, theatrical attorney, had a protracted
siege of the flu . . . Jack StuiTn, 20th-Fox
salesman, is the father of Craig, bom February
8. That makes it two boys and a girl,
the grandchildren of the late Les Sturm,
Warsaw
longtime 20th-Fox manager .
of Film Truck Service is sporting a cane
as the result of an attack of gout . . .
Leonard
Jalaski. shipper at National Service, is leaving
the staff after ten years in the Film
building, mostly with RKO.
Mary Zemla reminisces pleasantly of her
27 years with the old RKO exchange . . .
Milton London of the Midtown Theatre called
the Allied Theatres board of directors together
for a meeting Wednesday (19) . .
.
Jack Zide of Alhed Film Exchange was off
to Cleveland for the bachelor party honoring
Buena Vista district manager Ted Levy upon
his approaching marriage.
Sol Krim postcards from Mexico—in Spanish,
no le-ss—that he and brother Leonard
Krim are enjoying a fine vacation after disposing
of theii- active interests here. He plans
further show business activity upon his return
here German! of the Majestic.
Mom-oe. was the only upstate exhibitor
.
reported willing to brave the Monday cold
to visit Filmrow . Losee, Columbia
receptionist, graced the WXYZ-TV feature
production of "Night Court" as a dramatic
actress re-enacting actual life roles . . . Jay
Frankel. former 20th-Fox salesman, is very
happy in a new field of business.
. . .
Holden Drury, assistant manager of the
Trans-Lux Krim, reports a remodeling program
is progressing on the special "observation
room" for this unique house
. . . Roy
Dwight F. Erskine, operator at the Woods
and president of Local 199, is in Pompano
Beach, Fla., for a few weeks to soak up some
of the state's missing sunshine
Ruben and Gilbert Light, leaders of Local
199, hiked to Lansing to attend the meeting
of the Michigan State Alliance . . Saul
.
Conn, veteran operator from the Broadway I
Capitol, is getting along very well after his
recent heart attack.
Clarence "Dicli" Richards, who used to be
at the Your Theatre, is now sharing the
booth at Del Ritter's Rialto with Percy
Huebner, succeeding Roy Connell.
David Newman of ATM
Comments on Rate Case
DETROIT—Reviewing the article on the
Film Truck Service developments (temporary
rate increase and suit against Allied of
Michigan) in the February 17 issue, David
Newman, counsel for Allied Theatres of
Michigan, said that in checking the findings
of the Michigan Public Service Commission,
he noted that the commission ordered that
the Film Ti-uck Service petition for increase,
filed last December, be withdrawn and
canceled; that, pending a hearing scheduled
for April 29 at which the entire matter will
be reviewed, only a temporary increase of not
more than half the amount sought be
granted, and that in the meantime the commission
staff would make an audit of the
carrier's records, including all underlying
data, for analysis and presentation at the
next hearing.
He .said statements in the article attributed
to Mrs. Gladys M. Pike. FTS president, were
"sheer nonsense." "All we ever did was to
oppose legitimately the recent applications
for increase in behalf of the membership, and
at their request," he said. "And we are
confident that our opposition will influence
the commi.ssion to deny them permanently."
Newman said that he had not yet seen the
declaration in the case, which should state
the detailed grounds of the action.
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ME-4
BOXOFFICE
:: February 24, 1958

.
^--,
New England Allied
Renames M. J. Mullin
BOSTON—Martin J. Mullin, president of
New England Theatres, was re-eleoted president
of Allied Theatres
of New England at the
luncheon
annual
meeting of the exhibitor
organization, consisting
of 200 theatres
* C^ in the five New England
states. The five
vice-presidents were
also re-elected: Samuel
Pinanski, president
of American Theatres
Corp.; Charles E.
Martin J. Mullin
Kurtzman, northeast
division manager of
Loew's Theatres; Ben Domingo, managing
iirector of Keith Memorial Theatre; Harry
Feinstein. district manager in New Haven
for Stanley Warner, and Edward S. Canter,
treasurer of American Theatres Corp.
Stanley Sumner, a charter member of the
jrganization. was re-elected treasurer, and
John J. Ford, president of Maine & New
Hampshire Theatres, was re-elected chairnan
of the board. The board of directors
elected includes Walter A. Brown, Boston
jarden; Theodore Fleisher. president of
interstate Theatres Corp.; Winthi-op S. Knox,
^resident of Middlesex Amusement Co.;
Philip Smith, president of Smith Manage-
Tient Co.; Richard J. Dobbyn, treasurer of
Vlaine & New Hampshire Theatres; Max
[. Hoffman of New Haven. B&Q Associates,
ind James A. Bracken of Stanley Warner
rheatres. FYank C. Lydon was reappointed
executive secretary of the organization, which
5 not affiliated with any national exhibitor
^oup.
In addition to the annual reports, other
jusiness before the meeting included a resoution
that all theatre executives and perwrmel
adopt the attitude of "full speed
ihead" to obtain total elimination of the
'ederal admissions tax to motion picture
Jieatres. Another resolution pledged full support
of all theatre members in the Brotherlood
Week campaign, which is under the
eadership in this area of Charles E. Kurtznan,
a -vice-president. Edward A. Canter
iccepted the local chairmanship of the
icademy Awards program.
Mousketeers Ballyhoo
Reissue in Providence
PROVIDENCE—Four of
the video Mouseceteers,
Doreen Tracey, 14; Annette Funicello,
15, and Tommy Cole, 16, and Jimmy Dodd,
recently visited here to promote the opening
3f "Snow White" at the RKO Albee. Their
personal appearances were the subject of a
special feature In the Journal-Bulletin newspaper.
The visit of the Mouseketeers, added to the
excellent exploitation program worked out
py Phil Nemirow, Albee manager, which In-
;luded window displays, special Mouseketeer
joloring books, and other facets, heralded a
successful engagement for "Snow White."
Filming of Warners' "The Naked and the
3ead" in Panama was done with the co-
)peration of the Panamanian government and
he U.S. Army forces in the Canal Zone.
Business Trend Is 'Upbeat'
Among Showmen in Conn.
By ALLEN M. WIDEM
NEW HAVEN—Connecticut exhibitors,
distribution
representatives and members of the
press heard John P. Byrne of Loew's, Inc.,
Friday il4i contend that Hollywood has a
discernible upbeat trend at the moment.
Addressing an MPTO of Connecticut luncheon
at the Union League Club, the MGM
general sales manager said that major studios
are striving as never before for quality product
and this pattern will eventually reflect
itself in greatly improved grosses.
Byrne, who at one time served as Connecticut
manager for Loew's, pointed to renewed
activity at MGM and indication of expanded
plans at other studio facilities. At the same
time, Hollywood's creative ability is one of
the domestic industry's brightest hopes.
The Byrne statement came as Connecticut
first runs, experiencing one of the bitterest
winters weatherwise, since World War II, reported
much gratification over steadily increasing
boxoffice activity throughout the
state. Harry F. Shaw, division manager.
Exhibition Permit Denied
Providence Restaurcmt
PROVIDENCE—The local bureau of licenses
recently denied an application to show
motion pictures in Christy's Spaghetti Place,
19 Aborn St. (It was previously reported
that the restaurant was Christy's in Newport;
but there is no connection, other than
the similarity of names.)
In denying the application, the licensing
board cited testimony given by the department
of building inspection and Lt. George
P. Blessing, police amusement inspector. The
bureau held valid Blessing's objections that
the exhibition of films in the Class B establishment
would present "the serious problem
of substitution of undesirable films
without knowledge of the (police license enforcement)
bureau" and would make it difficult
to control such exhibition "even
though every motion picture was previewed."
Also held pertinent by the licensing bureau
was Blessing's belief that the motion pictures
"would encourage minors coming into
a licensed liquor place and would increase
the possibility of liquor being consumed by
minors."
Vincent DiMase, director of the Inspection
group, pointed out that the building code did
not permit such mixed occupancy and also
prohibited the showing of motion pictures on
premises lacking fireproof walls, emergency
lighting, fixed seats and more adequate
means of egress. He said that the showing
of films might Increase the occupancy far
beyond what was contemplated in approval
of the premises for a Class B liquor license.
The applicants pointed out that no licenses
were required for television sets in restaurants
but this argument was not considered
inasmuch as no comparison could be made
between the two forms of entertainment.
Because the FCC controlled the showing of
pictures via TV, the board contended the
use of television sets in restaurants did not
offer the same problems as the exhibition of
motion pictures.
Loew's Poli-New England Theatres, and long
one of the tenitory's exponents of optimistic
statements, reported that 20th-Fox's "Peyton
Place" has been holding over in every key
Loew situation in Connecticut and Massachusetts,
adverse weather conditions notwithstanding.
Shaw said that the film's seven-week run
at the College, New Haven, was an unprecedented
hold-over. A similar situation existed
at the Poll. Hartford, which held the Jerry
Wald melodrama for five weeks. Under normal
conditions, the Poll, Hartford, in particular,
plays a film one week only, because
of backlog of quality product.
Brigitte Bardot releases—notably "And God
Created Woman" and "The Bride Is Much
Too Beautiful"—have smashed boxoffice records
at the Lincoln. New Haven, and Pine
Arts, Westport, for the burgeoning Sampson-
Spodick-Bialek circuit, more foiTnally known
as the Nutmeg Theatre circuit.
The trend is upbeat again in Connecticut
and there are fewer long faces on Pilmrow!
New England Drive-In
Men Meet in Boston
BOSTON—Speakers for the annual meeting
of the Drive-In Theatres Ass'n of New
England, a unit of Independent Exhibitors,
Inc.. on Tuesday (18) included Robert A.
Wile, head of exhibitor relations for 20th-
Fox; Edward Lachman, president of Lorraine
Carbons, who told of his recent business trip
to Europe, and William Goodnight, newly appointed
eastern division sales manager for
Alexander Films, who was accompanied by
Cliff E. Parker, vice-president in charge of
the theatre division.
The afternoon session, after luncheon at
the Hotel Bradford, was devoted to concessions
and related operations with panel discussions,
new merchandising and concessions
items aired and helpful hints in the management
of the refreshment area. Philip L.
Lowe, treasurer of Theatre Candy Co., was
the moderator during the open discussion
period.
William Staples Manager
Of Reopened Maine House
MADISON, ME.—The State Theatre has
been reopened on a four-day-a-week basis,
with William Staples, Winslow, as manager.
The theatre, which had been closed In the
fall, is operating on Friday, Saturday, Sunday
and Monday evenings.
The reopening followed a meeting in nearby
Waterville of Madison-Anson business men
and representatives of Lockwood & Gordon.
Manchester Airer to Bow
HARTFORD—Bemie Menschell. president
of Bercal Theatres, is planning a March 7
reopening of the Manchester Drive-In. The
Bolton Notch, Conn., ozoner, has been shuttered
since fall.
I
JOXOFFICE February 24, 1958
NE-1

THEATRICAL
. . The
BOSTON
n rthur Howard, president of Affiliated Theatres
Coi-p.. suffered an injury to his
spine when he fell on an icy pavement. After
a week's rest he expects to return to his
office although he will have to wear a brace
for a few months . . . Tony Weyand, the
locksmith and electrician who had served
Filmrow personnel for many years, died
Februai-y 9 after a lingering illness.
Jack Finn, Columbia booker has joined
Daytz Theatre Enterprises to replace Arlene
K. Sugarman, who has resigned to await the
stork. With Finn at the Daytz office, Warren
Gates has returned to Columbia as a booker
and will remain there . . . Louis Goldstein,
assistant manager at the Boston Capri under
Joe Longo, has resigned. The present seats
are up for sale at tiie Capri Theatre, as the
new owner, Benjamin Sack, has decided to
reseat the entire house. The original 1,000
seats, all in good condition, must be sold
before March 15.
Alexander Film Co. held its annual New
FOR SALE:
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Boston, offered for quick sale
before March 15. We are installing
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Present seats are
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Write Theatre or call CO 7-9030.
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York-New England regional meeting in Albany
February 19-23. Attending from this
area were Irving Saver, district manager,
and his salesmen. Chuck Bouchard. C. Leo
Powers, Harry Green and Sam Ruttenberg,
who met for the first time the new company
president, Keith Munroe of Colorado Springs.
National plans for the 1958 season were outlined.
Also in attendance from the home
office of Alexander were Jay Berry, executive
vice-president; Cliff Parker, vice-president
in charge of theatres; Jay Piccinati,
national marketing director; Bill Goodnight,
eastern division manager, and others.
In town to plug the 20th-Fox film, "Gift
of Love," Lauren Bacall charmed the members
of the press, radio and TV by her
naturalness and humor. She answered every
question willingly except those concerning
her private Ufe and Frank Sinatra in particular.
Her next picture will probably be for
20th-Fox, she said, although she has not
as yet read the script which officials have
offered her. Phil Etagel, publicist for 20th-Fox,
arranged the press luncheon at the Hotel
Statler.
Mrs. Muriel Saver, wife of Irving Saver of
Alexander Film Co., w-as re-elected president
of the Norwood PTA. When Saver was in
Providence selling a theatre advertising deal
for Alexander, he was amazed to discover
that the head of the company was his former
buddy in the 82nd Airborne Division.
Ben Rosenthal has closed the Strand Theatre,
Gloucester, after operating it nearly 20
years. With Rosenthal out, the owners of the
property are considering taking over active
management, with Phil Bloomberg operating
it. He is the son of the owner. Also closed
wa5 the Ideal Theatre. Roxbury, by the E. M.
Loew interests. There are no plans for the
reopening of this theatre, closed for lack of
business.
Albert Lourie is expanding his circuit. He
plans for a new drive-in and two other
theatres to be added this season. With Al
Daytz of Daytz Theatre Enterprises, Lourie
has taken a lease on the Berkshire Drive-In,
Pittsfield. formerly owned and operated by
Harry Brookner. with the Daytz offices
SGMfine IH
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825 Von Brunt Blvd., Konsos City 24, Mo.
handling the buying and booking. Also with
Daytz, Lourie operates the Nashoba Drive-
In, Boxboro, and the Hadley Drive-In, Hadley.
Under his own management. Lourie
operates three drive-ins in Maine, the Brunswick
and Bowdoin in Brunswick and the
Kittery-York in Kiltery. He also owns and
operates the Adams Theatre, Dorchester, his
only hardtop house. Negotiations are under
way for adding two more drive-ins to the
Lourie circuit.
NEW HAVEN
Tack Byrne, general sales manager of Loew's
'
and at one time at the MGM branch
here, returned here to address the February
14 combined meeting of MPTO of Connecticut
and the Union League Club. Bryne reaffirmed
his belief in the motion picture
medium and loyalty to the motion picture
exhibitors. A sizable trade delegation gave
him a rousing reception and not a few were
heard to lament that Byrne is a rare visitor
locally. "Get this guy back to Connecticut
more often!" went up the shout. And many
an earnest showman in the room said "Hear!
Hear!"
Imports are showing up handsomely in
Connecticut of late but the display of business
chalked up for Kingsley's "And God
Created Woman" has proceeded to knock
record figures for the proverbial loop in
more than one large municipality, adverse
weather notwithstanding. Leonard Sampson,
Norman Bialek and Robert Spodick of the
Nutmeg Theatre circuit said that the Fine
Arts, Westport, and Lincoln, New Haven,
did very handsomely indeed with the import
and they expressed a wish for similar recordbreaking
attractions. At the same time, the
Nutmeg downtown Crown here brought back
two major releases, "The Strange One" and
"The Prince and the Showgirl." imder the
enticing head of "Two of the Best of 1957."
Publicity pointed up Sam Spiegel's past
achievements and noted he produced the current
Columbia release, "The Bridge on the
River Kwai."
NEWHAMPSHIRE
n 17-year-old Springfield, Mass.. boy suspected
of burglaries at the Paramount
Theatre and three other business establishments
in Brattleboro, Vt., walked into poUce
headquarters in Keene and gave himself up
after being surprised in the Keene railroad
station, where he had sought refuge with two
other Springfield youths. The other two boys,
who fled when they saw the police approach
the station, were captured within a short
time.
The Capital Theatre in Hillsboro has
been sold by Lockwood & Gordon Enterprises
of I»rovldence, R. I., to Walter C. Heath, who
has been in the motion picture business for
13 vears and has managed the Hillsboro
theatre for the last five years. The buUdlng
housing the theatre is owned by Joseph GarafoU
of Hillsboro and Concord and the new
owner will sublease It from the Providence
firm. It was reported .
State In Manchester
announced an extended engagement
for "Sayonara." Adult prices were 50, 70 and
90 cents, with a 25-cent charge for chUdren
at all limes.
NE-2
BOXOFFICE
:
: February 24. 19S"

. . . Joe
. . Jack
,„„
00
. . Sympathy
•
HARTFORD
Cam Safenovitz, Yale, Norwich, tied up with
a Nonvicli restaurant for reduced fees
extended to Yale patrons on a Thursday
night as a midweek inducement experiment
Giobbi, Crown, for the third consecutive
year, hosted upwards of 600 Boy
Scouts at a Saturday morning screening, in
conjunction with the National Boy Scout
Week observance. The youthful delegation
marched tiu-ough downtown traffic, carrying
appropriate banners . Sanson, everebullient
Strand manager, offered free "Old
Yeller" admission to youngsters bringing in
pictures of their mongrels resembling the
canine star of the Walt Disney release.
Numerous disc jockey shows also plugged the
family melodrama, and also gave the film
several contest breaks.
Ray McNamara, Allyn, landed sizable
newspaper spreads on "Wild Is the Wind"
. . . Bill Murphy, Cine Webb, hosted critics
and Spanish teachers at an advance screening
of "El Vaquero and the Girl." Paul Burton-Muixer,
producer-writer, came in for
press-radio-TV interviews. Also here were
Doug Amos, general manager, Lockwood &
Gordon Theatres, and Lou Ginsburg, New
England Film Distributors, handling the
Spanish import along the Atlantic seaboard.
Lou Cohen, Loew's Poll, planted "Seven
Hills of Rome" and institutional copy in the
Sunday Herald ... Ed Hale, Buena Vista,
hosted Jimmie Dodd and thi-ee young ABC-
TV Mickey Mouseketeers on a 20-city tour
ahead of the "Snow White and the Seven
Dwarfs" revival. The Connecticut press and
Frank Ferguson, BaUey Theatres, and Sal
Adorno II, M&D Theatres, lunched with
the delegation at Statler-Hilton. Also there
were Lou Brown, Lou Cohen, Jack Keppner
and Ed Miller, Loew's.
COMPO Ad Asks Papers
To Back Awards Telecast
NEW YORK—Newspaper cooperation with
the March 26 Academy Awards telecast was
invited in an advertisement placed in the
February 8 issue of Editor & Publisher by the
Council of Motion Picture Organizations. It
was headed: "Wanted: An Audience of 70
Million Moviegoers."
Stressing there will be industry sponsorship
of "90 minutes of uninternipted entertainment,"
the ad notes that some 10,000 theatres
are expected to do their utmost to present
the telecast.
"For the first time since TV and the movie
theatre became competitors," the ad said,
'Theatre owners are urging their customers
to tune in on a telecast. They feel that,
even at the possible sacrifice of their own
boxoffices that one night, Oscar's TV spectacular
will arouse a great upsurge in moviegoing.
After all, there are 364 other nights
in the year.
"So, if you need any help In covering the
Oscar night developments, your local movie
theatre will be glad to cooperate."
Socco V. Matorese Dies
HARTFORD—Rocco V. Matarese, 61,
stage
manager at the State Theatre here for 20
rears, is dead following a brief illness.
iOXOFFICE February 24. 1958
Strong Boston Pace
UcSPlIC UOiU ft 66K
T"*^"
BOSTON- Although extreme cold
BRIDGEPORT
Daugherty has resigned as manager of
weather
'J^'T"^""- ^^^ ""T" '^.^rT"'' ''''"'
J J ^ fv,„ ,„=„!, i„ rf^,„„f^„„i handled by Speri Perakos, district manager
cau.sed a drop durmg the week m downtown
^^^ ^^^^^^^^ Associates ... The
heatres, the weekend was ve-y strong. "The
^.^^^^^ ^.^.^^.^^^ ^^^.^^^ ^^^^^ .,^^^ ^.,^
Met, playing "A Farewell to Arms, took ,„.,., ,.•
„ , » j u ^ ^i.
. f f . , „i, „„H ,„ni of Samt Ignatius' for two days before the
in a good gross in its first week and will
,,,i o

. a
HAIVIr S FiafSTONf JR
'E\rr\ iiionlli movr lluui 00 [xm' vn\[ of
Firestone ('ni|tlou'c's
imcsl S9()(),()()0
"Evpry month more th;in 90 p«'r c-ciit
tliroiiiih lh

; was
. . . Francois
. . George
. . Tom
lATI Selects Seven
In Arbitration Unit
MONTREAL- Ouelx'o Allied Tlu'utilcal In-
the ar-
ustries has named the personnel of
Itratlon committee whicli was set up reently
at the organization's annual meet-
George Destounis of United Amusement
;3rp. and A. P. Bahen of Odeon Theatres are
ommlttee consultants. Other conuiiitt«e
lembers are B. C. Salamis. local indepenwit
exhibitor who proposed establishment
f the committee In a resolution at the conention;
Ed Gauthier. L. Jones. J. Adelson
nd DorLs Robert, QATI president.
Paul Vermet. executive secretary' of the
rganlzation, said the new committee, workig
with the general managers of film disribution
companies and with a similar
roup from the National Committee of Moion
Picture Elxhlbitors Ass'ns of Canada,
•ill try to set up a plan for assisting exlibitors
who need relief in the form of lower
entals and l>etter buying terms.
The resolution creating the committee said
necessitated by "the large financial
jsses and the plight of the small exhibitor
iho finds it difficult to continue his movie
heatre business unless immediate relief is
iven him."
Jellevue at Toronto
'lays Soviet 'Carnival'
TORONTO—The Bellevue, a B&F unit on
;olltge street, opened the Soviet picture,
Carnival."
Jack Rne said an interesting arrangement
lad been worked out in the early teaming of
he Bellevue with the York where "Torero"
rom Mexico has completed its third week.
he unusual angle is that two versions of
he Soviet's "Othello" will play the two
louses. At the York the English language
.111 be heard but at the York the picture will
lave the original Russian dialog. "Torero"
las enjoyed success at the York partly beause
of the impression it made as a Mexian
entry in the film festival at Stratford
ist summer.
Majestic in Vancouver
.eased for Roadshows
VANCOUVER— Frank Walsh, who traded
lis Paramount Drive-In at Burnaby to the
)deon circuit for the former Pantages Thetre
here, has leased the property to Isy
Valters of the Cave night club and Charles
lelson. who operated the former State Thetre.
now the Avon.
Walters and Nelson plan to open the
.275-seat house, now called the Majestic,
or touring roadshows and orchestra one-
Ighters. The theatre was built In 1911 by
ilexander Pantages.
^ome Vincent Sherman
HOLLYWOOD— Vincent Sherman wiU dlect
"The PhUadelphian" as his first motion
icture assignment since returning to Warner
Iros. last month. No stars have been set yet
or the film adaptation of Richard Powell's
lovel about the struggle of a Philadelphia
amily to gain "main line" status.
MONTREAL
'Vhf National lilin Hoard luus iiunii' l\so iiupurLiiit
appointments in its Prenchlansuage
department. Pierre de BellefeulUe.
for four .years codlrector of Canadian distribution,
is now director of the French-language
distribution. Gilles Marcotte, NFB producer
for a year. ha.s been appointed director
of research for Frencli-language production.
Both are newly created positions.
The Canada-Italian Ass'n of Businessmen
sponsored a dinner here for Gina Lollobrigida
to promote her latest picture,
'Beautiful But Dangerous." Raphael Esposito.
lawyer and president of the association.
presided. Guests included Senator Sarto
Fournier. the mayor and representatives of
the diplomatic corps and local organizations.
.All profits from the dinner were given to the
Oiphelinat St. Joseph.
The Canadian embassy in Rome announced
that three National Film Board productions
won awards at the recent Rapallo film festival
in Italy. Norman McLaren's "Rythmetic"
won first prize for abstract films, and a first
prize for scientific films was awarded to
"Embryonic Development: the Chick." An
animation film about the ethnic background
of Canada's population. "Family Tree," won
second prize for art films. All three winning
films were in color.
. . .
John Ganetakos. president of United
Amusement Corp. and of Confederation
.Amusements, and his wife ai'e spending time
in the south . Destounis. assistant
to William Lester, vice-president and managing
director of UAC, along with Guy L'-
Heureux. manager of the Imperial Theatre
at St. Johns, left by plane for Paris on a
three-week business and pleasm-e trip . . Joe
.
Dorfman. booker at Empire-Universal, was
holidaying in New York City Joe Oupcher.
district manager for IFD. cabled his
wife that his plane reached Paris safely. He
will be away several weeks . Dowbiggin,
formerly of Paramount Pictures, left
on a six-week cruise to the Caribbean. He
was accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Norton,
both friends of long duration.
.Appearing at local Filmrow were Paul Cardinal,
manager of the Cinema Theatre in
Joliette and Henry Lodge, the Lize, Asbestos
LaRoche. 62, well-known local
motion picture and radio personality died
here February 12 after a long Illness. He was
at one time with Renaissance-Films and
CKAC. He leaves hLs wife and a daughter.
Frank Kinas Tries Again
With Wisconsin Thorp
THORP. WIS. The Tliorp Theatre, which
was closed indefinitely early in the winter.
has been reopened by Frank Klnas. who said
he was resuming operation because he had
had so many requests to make motion pictures
available here. Klnas said It was his hor)e
that all the people who have pressed him to
reopen the theatre will attend at least once
a week.
Klnas announced a policy of one showing
each evening, supplemented by a Sunday
matinee. He reopened with "Thunder Over
Arizona" and followed with Elvis Presley In
"Jallhouse Rock" as his first weekend attraction.
Three Canada Cities
To Hold Sweepstakes
TORONTO— For the third year, the Toronto
Daily Star, the Winnipeg Tribune and
the Calgary Herald will cooperate with motion
picture exhibitors in presenting the
Academy Award Sweepstakes, biggest Canadian
interest and business-builder for the
industry in recent years.
Locally, the Star will print the Sweepstakes
ballot in the newspaper and will give
exhibitors 100.000 printed separately for distribution
by theatre doormen to patrons.
Details for this year's contest were worked
out at a meeting of the sweepstakes committee
here recently. Attending were Charles
Chaplin, head ol the Motion Picture Industry
Council of Canada public relations committee;
Clare Appel, Canadian Motion Picture
Distributors Ass'n; Mort Margolius. Famous
Players Canadian, and Ron Leonard, Odeon
Theatres.
The committee urged exhibitors throughout
the country to join with their local newspapers
and merchants in sponsoring a Sweepstakes
event. It was pointed out that cost to
exhibitors this year is expected to be virtually
nothing, since the trailers are free and all
that is involved is the cost of printing ballots,
which some newspapers may donate.
All prizes are promoted locally from
merchants.
Ti-ailers detailing the prizes to be offered
are being prepared for distribution by Film
Art Trailers of Toronto.
Jean Simmons Tours Set
For 'Big Country' Debuts
LOS ANGEXES—For the first
time in her
career, Jean Simmons will go out on tour
with a picture, hitting the road in August
for William Wyler's "The Big Country" in
which she costars with Gregory Peck, Charlton
Heston, Carroll Baker and Burl Ives.
The Anthony Worldwide Production is
scheduled for world premiere on July 4th.
Miss Simmons is slated to attend openings in
New York. Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia
and Dallas.
Charles Bronson, Susan Cabot and Morey
Amsterdam are starred in AIP's "Machine
Gun Kelly."
DCJ I features the complete line of
dependable and internationally famous
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SOUND MASTER
EQUIPMENT
• PROJECTORS • IN-A-CAR SPEAKERS
• LAMPHOUSES • JUNCTION BOXES
• SOUND SYSTEMS • WILLIAMS SCREENS
• RECTIFIERS • ANAMORPHIC LENSES
You can olways depend on
BEST
for PARTS and SERVICE
for ALL types of thcotrc equipment.
BEST
THEATRE SUPPLY REG'D.
ARMANO BESSE, Prop.
9370 S». Hubert Street Montreol, Que.
Phone: DUpont 7-7818
OXOFFICE February 24, 1958
K-1
1

. . Bob
. . . Famous
, . . Dick
. . Jimmy
. .
—
—
—
: Febiniary
VANCOUVER
^ndy Roose, general manager for General
Tlieatre Supply, reported Ai-thur Richardson,
former Perkins Electric manager in eastern
Canada, has been appointed Vancouver manager,
succeeding Bill Forward, who resigned
after 12 years with GTS . Lightstone,
Paramount manager, became father of a
baby daughter named Karen Patricia. It's
the third daughter for the Lightstones . .
.
Sydney Summers. 69, who worked 48 years
backstage in local theatres, died. He was at
the Orpheum the last 25 years. He was a
member of the Famous Player 25-year Club
and the Canadian Picture Pioneers.
Alex Barclay, manager of the FPC Regent
at Burnaby, now closed, was named assistant
. . . Bob
to Dick Letts at the local Strand, which will
open with Cinerama in March
Kelly supervised the promotion for "The
Bolshoi Ballet." currently in its second week
at the Odeon Park at roadshow prices . . .
Additions to the Provincial adult entertainment
list are The Cat Girl, Motorcycle Gang,
Street of Sinners, The Tarnished Angels and
Baby Doll.
James Robertson Justice, British star, was
FOR SALE
THEATRE CHAIRS
Great Bargains in theatre chairs used and
reconditioned. Spring to edge with fully
upholstered bocks. $16.50 value at $5.50
eo. up. Photographs on all chairs.
Hardwood folding chairs—Steel folding &
stacking
chairs.
Low Intensity Users * * Get More Light * *
Complete Pr. of Ashcraft Syclex Lamps with
G.E. Current changer new reflectors in new
condition for $450.00 FOB Van.
Pr, 70 amp. Strong Moguls "Like new" &
55/110 Amp. Westing house Generator 220
Volts, 3-Phase. Special Price $1,005.00.
DOMINION THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO.
LTD.
847 DAVIE STREET VANCOUVER, B. C.
here over the weekend promoting "Campbell's
Kingdom" at the Vogue. He was to visit
key towns in the northwest and make personal
appearances before returning to England.
Justice is be.st known in Canada for his
"Doctor" film series . . . Lou Kai-p. with FPC
29 years, joined Owen Bird of WCBA in 'West
Coast Booking Sen'ice, serving 35 independent
situations in British Columbia ... A
Toronto newspaper had tills to say about
toll TV in Vancouver: "J. J. Fitzgibbons, Famous
Players boss, returned here with the
comment that Vancouver is not likely to get
his toll TV operation as a result of that
town's lack of interest."
Wi!ina Gillies, an arrival from Australia,
is now cashier at the Dominion Theatre .
Bud Slater. Vancouver actor, is to report bo
Cinerama Productions in Hollywood to narrate
a 25-minute segment of the forthcoming
"Cinerama in the South Seas."
Cecil Steel, partner in the Nechako Theatre
at Kitimat, is a new member of the
Canadian Picture Pioneers. His partner
Harry Howard has been a member some time
Players will hold a western conference
of executives, partners and associates
here May 21-23. Robert Eves will be in charge.
Motion pictures will be included with opera
music and art programs in the first annual
international festival to be held in Vancouver
July 19-August 16. under auspices of the
Vancouver Festival Society, which reports
receipt of 106 film entries from 36 producers
in 19 countries . Patterson and
Violet Hosford will be the local exchange captains
for the testimonial sales drive for
Alex Harrison, general sales manager for
20th-Fox. March 2-29 . . . Projectionist Fred
Hirtle has leased the Capitol at Rossland
from Famous Players. Dark for two years.
the theatre will be operated as a family affair.
The Town is six miles from Ti-ail where
Odeon operates the Odeon Theatre. West
Coast Booking will book-buy for the Capitol
Fairleigh of the Hollywood Theatre
and Herb Stevenson of the Prince George
circuit in northern British Columbia have
joined to build a housing and shopping centre
at Horse Shoe Bay in the West Vancouver
area.
SGhd fn^ IH
D 2 years for $5 Q 1 year for $3 D 3 years for $7
n Remittance Enclosed D Send Invoice
THEATRE.
STREET ADDRESS
TOWN ZONE STATE
NAME
POSITION..
BOXOfflCf THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY 52 hsu&S O yeof
825 Von Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 24, Mo.
Vancouver Patrons Flock
To See 'Peyton Place'
VANCOUBER—The objectionable label
placed on the book "Peyton Place" had adults
and a heavy measure of teenagers flocking
to see the picture at the Capitol. Also sturdy
were "The Bolshoi Ballet" and 'Blue Murder
at St. Trinians."
Copitol Peyton Place (20th-Fox) Excellent
Cinema Mon Without o Stor (U-l); The
Glenn Miller Story (U-l) Good
Orpheum Don't Go Near the Woter (MGM),
5th wk Foir
Pork The Bolshoi Ballet (Rank) Very Good
Paradise Motorcycle Gong (AlP); Sorority Girt
(AlP)
Moderate
PlazG-Fraser The Long Haul (Col); Sierra
Stranger [Col) Fair
Stanley Around the World in 80 Days (UA),
26th wk Foir
Studio Blue Good
Murder at St. Trinians (IFD) . . . .
Vogue The Tarnished Angels (U-l) Fair
"Angels' 115 Score Is Best
Among Winnipeg Houses
WINNIPEG—Local first runs held near the
average mark, as holdover bills predominated.
Best of the week was "The Tarnished
Angels" at the Odeon with 115 per cent in
its second week.
(Average Is 100)
Copitol Peyton Place (20th-Fox), 2nd wk tlO
Gorrick Hell Drivers (JARO) 85
Lyceum I Was a Teenage Werewolf (AlP);
Invasion of the Soucer Men (AlP) 100
Met— Don't Go Neor the Water (MGM), 4tti wk. 110
Odeon ^The Tarnished Angels (U-l), 2nd wk. ..115
L.A. to Vote in June
On Pay TV Franchises
HOLLYWOOD—Los Angeles residents will
have an opportunity in the June elections to
decide on the merits of the pay TV franchises
granted by the L. A. city coimcll to
Skiatron and Fox West Coast-International
Telemeter.
The council was informed by the city
clerk's office that the 51,700 mark in names
on petitions circulated against the toll TV
franchises by the Citizens Committee Against
Pay TV had been passed.
Meanwhile, International Telemeter Corp.,
a subsidiary of Pai-amount Rctures Corp.,
which is the sponsor of a closed circuit pay
television system which utilizes channels in
addition to those broadcasting free TV, announced
that joint arrangements had been
concluded with J. S. Norris, president of tiie
International Boxing Club and Madison
Square Garden Corp., whereby certain sports
and other programs originating in arenas like
the Garden would be made available exclusively
on Telemeter's pay-as-you-see TV
system on an experimental basis.
Medford, Wis., Newspaper
Supports Film Slogan
MEDPORD. WIS.—"There Is nothing that
takes the place of a night out to see a mo\1e,"
.said the local Star News editorially in support
of this new Industry slogan. "Our city
isn't the same without those marquee lights
blazing at nights, but until it can be put
on a paying proposition, our exhibitor here
isn't going to burn them Just to add a cheerful
note to Main street.
"It Is hoped that a more workable agreement
between producers, distributors and
exhibitors can be reached."
Medford's only theatre, the Avon, owned by
Ray Blakeslee, is closed at present, due to
the patronage falloff.
K-2 BOXOFFICE
:
24, 1958

. . The
. . The
WINNIPEG
IV^anitoba's motion picture theatre operators
want to cut the amusement tax In an
effort to reduce falling attendance. A delega-
;ion from the Motion Picture Exhibitors
\ss'n met with Hon. C. E. Greenlay, pronncial
treasurer, and requested that all adnissions
under $1 be tax free. At present, the
government levies a 10 per cent tax on all
idmissions over 50 cents. This 50 cent figure
vas started last year after another delegaion
had asked for tax concessions. Previously
he tax was chai-ged on admissions of 35
;ents and over. Greenlay said that the gov-
;rnment plans to look at the situation. The
lelegation told Greenlay that three motion
jicture houses have closed in Winnipeg alone
luring the past year and more are likely to
ilose unless attendance rises.
The Canadian Picture Pioneers annual
Wovie Ball will be held at the Club Morocco
A^ednesday, March 12. As capacity is limited,
Ickets should be secured early. Plans in-
;lude a floor show and other entertainment
. . Visiting POmi-ow this week were Arnold
3ercovitch. Broadway Theatre, Reguia; Garlet
Wright, Keewatin; Mi's. J. Remenda, Lac
Du Bonnet, and F. Melkoske of Beausejour
Famous Players Theatres in Fort
iVilliam have tied in with a local dairy and
ire offering free admission to kiddies matnees
on presentaton of 25 bottletops.
The Sky Vue Drive-In,
Calgary, after operating
later than any drive-in theatre in
:hat pai-t of the counti-y, has closed until
?arly spring . Paramount Theatre,
jethbridge, is running a contest in connecion
with their engagement on "Sayonara."
rhe contest, tied in with Warner Bros, and
Bantam books, requires contestants to com-
Dlete in 50 words or less, the sentence— "I
vant to see Sayonara after reading the book,
because ..." The prize is an all -expense trip
:or two to HoUjTvood, and will include a tour
)f Warner Bros, studio, and attendance at
:he Academy Awards presentation in March.
Bill McCauley, Edmonton-bom musician,
las become a top name in motion picture
:ilm music as musical director for Canada's
Drawley Films. With the independent film
company since 1949. he has composed and
recorded music for more than 80 films. He
also formed and led a choir which has re-
;orded for Columbia Records. Bill began his
:areer at 19 as music copyist for Horace
Lapp's band at the Royal York in Toronto.
His film job came when Crawley had him
.vrite and record a singing commercial for an
advertising film. Several of his picture scores
lave been turned into suites and played on
the CBC. He is a grandson of Edmonton's
first mayor.
Spence Steinhurst Added
LOS ANGELES—American International
tias added Spence Steinhurst as field pubUcity
and exploitation director for the southeast
and Gulf states. President James H.
Nicholson said Steinhurst will aid exhibitors
on opening of AIP product, with his
first assignment to be setting up southern
key city campaigns for AIP's "Viking Women
and the Sea Serpent"-"The Astounding She
Monster" and "Jet Attack"-"Stiicide Battalion"
packages.
TV Station Ads on Old Films Honest
At Detroit; Press Plugs Not So Fair
DETROIT—The universal use of motion should hold back their product at least seven
pictures on television is being shai-ply attacked
by exhibitors generally in this terri-
it on television."
years after it plays the theatres—then play
tory, as it has been for several years, but a Bzovi is one exJiibitor who has done something
about meeting the television problem
sober comparison indicates that the Detroit
market is better off than a good many other by writing to the home office of a major
sections of the country. Excessive use of advertising
giving the im.pression that current able business, to protest the early release
distributor, with which he has done consider-
features are available on home screens appears
to be at a minimum in this market. besides complain.
of product to video. He also does something
PAPERS PLUG TV FILMS
"We try to make the theatre more comfortable
for the patron—^by wider screen,
Stations, and sometimes sponsors and networks,
are using newspapers to plug then-
better projection, good sound, and comfortable
seats—and balanced programs. And
feature attractions, for instance, but a review
most important, we take extra newspaper
of copy in the local newspapers and TV
space regularly, local advertising, store displays,
and use direct mail to tell the people
Guide failed to turn up any that could be
termed misleading. The use of 24-sheets has
about it."
not been reported in this market.
He summarizes a fairly common exhibitor
The advertising of stations naturally plugs
view toward the daily press handling of the
their attractions strongly—such as CKLWproblem
by using "first run" or "Hollywood
TV's "Exclusive MGM Movies . . . Featuring
premiere" or similar phrases in television
Hollywood's Brightest Stars ... All Week
publicity.
Long"—but does not suggest that the features
are really recent. Thus the same station
"Panther I think conventional theatres axe
is
advertising "Young Tom Edison," which Detroiters
recall as having
not getting the breaks in writeups of new
pictures—television seems to be favored in
its three-theatre
world premiere at nearby Port Huron in
the newspapers in advance buildup and ballyhoo,"
he said. "You don't see two weeks'
1939. TV Guide in its program listings typically
gives the vintage of pictures, as "Girl advance buildup on the first iiuis as you
From Paris" (1937).
used to."
A careful appraisal of the situation was 62 FILMS PER WEEK
made by Harold Brown, president of United
Detroit has four television stations operating
commercially, with a fifth UHF educa-
Detroit Theatres— "The majority of Detroit
newspapers are very fair to our industry.
tional station, which does not enter the field
There has been some misleading advertising
of feature films. A rundown of feature films
in the past—^but it has been eliminated. I on the four stations shows: Sunday, 10;
think it was called to their attention that
Monday, 8; Tuesday, 7; Wednesday, 7;
they were misrepresenting, and they realized
Thm-sday, 9; Friday, 9: Saturday, 12, a total
it and corrected the situation accordingly."
of 62 for the week.
Brown takes a firm position as a theatreman—
"I certainly wish the big ones had ing and publicity are best gleaned from the
Statistics on cm-rent newspaper advertis-
been kept off television. Frankly we would
big Sunday papers. In a recent Sunday issue
like to see pictures only for theatres, and
of the Detroit News, for instance, television
none sold to television." He suggested that
publicity space was counted at 312 inches,
it may be to the best interests of producers
plus 37 inches for radio. Paid space ran 95
themselves to follow this policy of protecting
inches.
the established picture outlets— "I don't think
In the
any features should be sold to television. The
same edition, motion picture publicity
ran 84 inches while the
story rights and
motion picture
the residual rights are worth
advertising
more than
space ran 88 inches in display
the television rights ."
. .
and 80 inches in the paid directory advertising—a
total of 168 inches, or just about
USE PROVEN MONEY-MAKERS
He pointed out that several good pictures double the amount of publicity space—in
are remade each year from old stories and contrast to air media, in which the free
prove good moneymakers and what producers space was about four times the amount of
can earn from a good remake like "Farewell paid space.
to Arms" is worth more than several years' To take another example, the Sunday issues
of the Detroit Free Press had 766
sales to television.
A step in this direction has been taken columns of television publicity, including 29
by one distributor, it was pointed out by
inches for radio, and 86 inches of program
Jack Zide, head of Allied FUm Elxchange, an advertising. The same issues shows 38 inches
independent organization— "While the majors
are giving lip service relative to the
of motion picture publicity, compared to 91
inches of paid display space and 80 inches
sale of pictures to television, the only one of paid directory space—a total of 171 inches.
to do anything about it is a leading independent,
American International Productions, more than four times the amount of free
The paid movie space in this case is a little
which has made a firm commitment to keep
space, while in the case of the all- media, the
their pictures off television for a long period
free space is over six times the paid.
of years."
Exhibitor reaction at the independent subsequent
run level was typified in the comments
of Dan Bzovi of the Harbor Theatre,
one of the metropolitan area's newest houses,
in suburban Ecorse— "I believe distributors
Snack Bar Robbed of $20
ARVIN, CALIF.—Orland Karr, owner or
the Village Theatre, reported to police recently
that his snack bar had been robbed
of $20 in cash.
I
50XOFFICE February 24, 1958
K-3

: February
I
BOXOFFICE leads the field
with more exhibitor subscribers
because it publishes . . .
lYiUKh Local
and National News
lYlUKt Booking
Information
lYlURE Showmandising Ideas
fVlUKc Projection
Information
lYiUKb Equipment and Concessions Tips
fYlURc Convention Coverage
—read and relied on by MORE Theatremen
IIMII||IU than any other film trade paper in the world
First in Editorial Coverage • First in Circulation • First in Advertising
K.4 BOXOFFICE
:
24, 1958

• ALPHABETICAL INDEX
• AOLINES & EXPLOITIPS
• BOXOFFICE BAROMETER
• EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
• FEATURE RELEASE CHART
• FEATURE REVIEW DIGEST
• REVIEWS OF FEATURES
• SHORTS RELEASE CHART
• SHORT SUBJECT REVIEWS
• SHOWMANOISING IDEAS
BOXOfflCt
mmrnm,
THE GUIDE TO I BETTER BOOKING AND B U S I N E S S - B U I L D I N G
Lucky 'Joey' Tickets
With Monthly Bills
Three thousand lucky number tickets
went into as many homes in the territory
of the Trans-Lux Colony Theatre in New
York City in behalf of "Pal Joey," and it
didn't cost the theatre a penny. Eric H.
Rose got the Job done through a local
business house, which had the tickets inserted
in monthly statements.
The tickets (5x2y2 inches) were numbered
consecutively, contained an illustrated
plug for the picture, the theatre
name and playdates and the notation:
"Lucky Number Ticket. Check this number
and details in our lobby for FREE AD-
MISSION."
Rose handed out 2,000 additional coupons
in his neighborhood. Among the
5,000 were several lucky numbers which entitled
winners to see "Pal Joey" free. The
winning numbers were not posted in the
lobby display till opening day.
Rose devoted considerable attention to
this display board. To have something
more than the lucky numbers to feature
on it, he contacted Bantam Books and received
75 free "Pal Joey" books for another
giveaway.
The Capitol Records Co. distributor gave
the theatre two albums from the soundtrack
for playing over the Colony public
address system and in the lobby.
770 FUm Song Titles Win
'Wild Is
Wind' Contest
Mrs. Rita Cook, a Boston housewife,
submitted 770 motion pictm-e song titles
In a contest put on by the Astor Theatre
there for "Wild Is the Wind," and won a
record player and a telephone conversation
with Johnny Mathis, singer. Astor Manager
Louis Krasna and Tod OUara, radio
station disc jockey who plugged the contest
in all his programs, presented the
prizes to Mrs. Cook.
More 'Giit' PTeselling
A second major merchandise tieup has
been arranged for the Valentine Day release
of 20th-Pox's "The Gift of Love."
Allied Stores, with more than 100 outlets
in the nation, will participate in the film
promotion with co-op ads, direct mail,
phone calls and TV and radio time. Previously
5,000 Page & Shaw outlets were
lined up.
BOXOFFICE Showmondiser Feb. 24, 1958
A Go to Movies' Campaign
In Cartoons for $1.35
POOR'OIMARROOELlJ
HftJUJTFOI/NDOI/r
THATPEOPLEUl'E
lON«R«4(rEr
MOREOUToP
LIFE...
WHEHTHEY
(MOOT
TO THE,
movies'.
Y0UR.WIF6 //ILL
Gtt MORE our OF
IIFE..TAKEHER
MOVIBI
^%
YOOR FOTURE..
GITMOREOUTOFUFd
(^Q our
THE AHSWBR IS
YES. ..GET MORE
ouroFUFE;
GO our TO A
MOVf£'
Fox Midwest Theatres, whose headquarters
are at Kansas City, currently is
doing its part in the national "Get More
Out of Life ... Go Out to the Movies"
campaign with a newspaper cartoon campaign.
Seven cartoons. Illustrated above,
aU one-column in size, have been supplied
in mat form to all theatres in the circuit
by the ad-publicity office headed by Joe
Redmond.
The iUustrated Industry slogans are being
used by several FMW theatres as eyecatchers
off the amusement page with a
list of 15 or 20 names of local people. A
different cartoon is spotted each day and
the persons whose names appear underneath
receive passes, each good for two.
Thus, the newspaper gives the space free.
A composite mat of the seven cartoons
will be foi-warded to any exhibitor, $1.35
each order, or 75 cents each in orders of
six or more mats. Address Pox Midwest
Amusement Corp., Uptown Theatre Bldg.,
l>eMUST-§TR\KE'
FoROURW&HTSTriKENlCHrj
TO^TMOREW/ToPUFE
•aWOUTTOAMOViEJ
GETMOREOOTOFUFE-
GO OOT TO A, MOVIE.'
lineA M/u/oN?\
(jET M0R^.OUT
oPL\FE..i
MOVIE
Kansas City 11, Mo., Attention Joe Redmond.
The cartoons get considerably more reaction
than use of the slogan in slugs,
says Redmond.
Churches Boost Rerun
Arnold Feldman got a prominent announcement
in one nion, N. Y., church bulletin
and pulpit announcements in two
other churches when "A Man Called Peter"
played a return engagement at the Capitol
Theatre.
Has Hurd 'Covirboy' Painting
Manager James Bnmo of the Capitol
Theatre in New York City placed a Peter
Hurd painting, inspired by "Cowboy," In
the lobby in advance of the Columbia attraction.
The picture, valued at $25,000.
will have a prominent position in the new
Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City.
43 1

JUIT
Theatre Newspaper Ads Hit Back at Old Films on TV
Public Relations Campaign in Fitchburg, Mass., Plays Up Screen Attractions
A little exhibitor imagination will go
a long way in competing with old films on
television. It can dispel any belief they are
the equal of the pictures in widescreen and
color seen on the theatre screen, it can whet
the public's appetite for the superior product
and at the same time it can do a public
relations job for the industry.
A three-pronged approach has been deftly
used by Frank Boyle, city manager of the
Saxon and Fitchburg theatres in Fitchburg,
Mass. In a letter to BOXOFFICE he observed:
"With the product at band, now's
the time to shout, if ever."
He enclosed sample ads featuring his own
special approach.
"We got a Uttle tired of the way TV was
pushmg us around and decided to push back
a little," Boyle wrote. "Don't know if TV
felt the shove but we know the customers
read the ad. Ever since the ad ran, we've
been buried in snow and bad weather, so the
effects at the B.O. are hard to judge. However,
we let 'em know we ain't dead yet."
Boyle added that he would follow through
with more ads of the same type, and tie in
with merchant cooperation, trailers, lobby
displays, etc. He also did some guest shots
on local radio stations "at which time we
talked up the movies and gave some facts
and figures to refute some of this downbeat
talk that's been gotog around."
He fired the first gun m his campaign in
a three-column, 13-inch ad in the January 11
issue of the Fitchburg (Mass.) Sentmel. It
was outlmed by heavy broken lines for emphasis.
It read:
"Are you a whlllaloo bird? It flies backward
because it doesn't care what's coming.
It only wants to see where it's been.
"WhiUaloo birds never see any new movies.
They're too busy looking back at all the old
ones. They check the TV page for their films,
but all the new thrills, new stories, new wonders
are on the theatre page.
"Don't be a whillaloo bird! Look ahead I
I
• r i fl i m«
I P Jt - »mtaj rnm t • I
TOAA'W.
THRU SAT!
a NEW John Wayne Hit!
I WILL lOT BE Vl'iiw L&Vii^^'.'^
I SHOWN ON TV
I
FOR YEARS!
It Will N«v«r Bt
Shown On TV At
You Will S«c It In
Th« Gloriout N«v
TcchnirAma Tachni
color Process On Oui
St«9c-Wida Scrvcnl
Don't B« A
WhilUloo Birdf
Look Ahead f Sm
A New Movm!
LVT DAK-
"»ATJ- .
Ul
"JAMIORK"
Three-column, 8-inch ad in the January 14
issue of the Fitchburg (Mass.) Sentinel.
[
I
ARE YOU A
WHILLALOO BIRD?
It Flief Backward Boctuse
It Doesn't Cars What's Coming
- tt Only WanH To S«e
WKcri It's Been I
WHILLALOO BIRDS NEVER SEE ANY NEW MOVIES . . . .
THEY'RE TOO BUSY LOOKING BACK AT ALL THE OLD
ONES . . . THEY CHECK THE TV PAGE FOR THEIR FILMS
BUT ALL THE NEW THRILLS .... NEW STORIES . . . .
NEW WONDERS ARE ON THE THEAfRE PAGEI
DONT BE A WHILLALOO BIRD! LOOK AHEAD! SEE
WHAT'S COMING SOON!
'Peyton Place'
Walt
Disney's
Marlon
Brando
'BRIDGE th".
Old Yeller'
'SAYONARA'
RIVER KWAI'
"AROUND THE
"APRIL LOVE"
WORLD IN 80 DAYS" ' TARNISHED ANGELS'
"A FAREWELL
TO ARMS"
"DON'T GO NEAR
THE WATER"
And More ! Almost All In C'Scope and Color ! I
362,000,000 Slated for 1958 Production for the I
GIANT Movie Screen ! Check the THEATRE PAGE "
For What's NEW at the Movies ! Moke the WHILLA- |
loo bird As Dead As the Dodo !
|
5^331
^(a^j^uuc
Three-column, 13-inch ad in the January 11
issue of the Fitchburg (Moss.) Sentinel.
See what's coming soon."
The text continued with mention in large
type of coming attractions— "Peyton Place,"
"Old Yeller," "Sayonara" and "Bridge on the
River Kwai" and in lower display type
"Around the World in 80 Days," "April Love,"
"Tarnished Angels," "A Farewell to Arms"
and "Don't Go Near the Water."
Then back to the sales talk:
"And more! Almost all in C'Scope and
Color! $362,000,000 slated for 1958 production
for the giant movie screen! Check the theatre
page for what's new at the movies! Make
the whillaloo bird as dead as the dodo!"
At the bottom were the signature cuts ol
the Faxon and Fitchburg.
On the same page, Boyle had a two-column,
14-inch ad of the current show at the Faxon
and a three-column, eight-and-one-half inch
ad of the Fitchburg show. The Fitchburg ad
canied the line: "Don't be a whlllaloo bird!
See new moviesi"
A reading notice on the same page noted
that "Peyton Place," "Bridge on the River
Kwai," "Sayonara" and "Around the World
in 80 Days" would be shown locally early In
1958 except that the duration of the Boston
engagements of "River Kwai" and "80 Days"
would affect their local showings.
Boyle was back at It again in the January
I
14 issue of the newspaper, again with an EUl
outlined with heavy broken lines. It was
three columns by eight inches. In ballyhooing
"Legend of the Lost" it shouted: "This
picture will not be shown on TV for years!
It will never be shown on TV as you will see
it in the glorious new Technirama-Technicolor
process on our stage-wide screen! Don't
be a whillaloo bird! Look ahead! See a new
movie!"
Boyle's campaign seems well worth a trial
elsewhere. And how about some exhibitor
who's also something of an artist drawing his
conception of a whillaloo bird and sending
it to Boyle? And how about similar local art
contests for young folks with merchant tieins
and prizes? And your imagination needn't
stop there.
Surprise-Afler-Game
Show Pulls Teeners
A low-cost promotion, involving only the
use of a few heralds, brought in considerable
late night patronage at the New
. .
Marion Theatre in Marion, Iowa, as the
result of an idea of Manager G. E. Rathman.
Rathman dreamed up a "surprise-afterthe-game"
show on Friday night, starting
at 10 p.m. Everything about the surprise
show was kept a dark secret, even from
the theatre employes. Lone method of
promotion was a 6x9-inch herald. Copy
read:
"Special . . . Friday, January 31. After
Marion Theatre . . . Sur-
the Game .
prise Night ...??? Everybody Likes a
Surprise ???... Come and Seel How
Lucky is 13! Could Be Almost Anything
. . . Stage Maybe, Screen Maybe . . . We
Just Can't Tell . . . Something Old, Something
New . . . Not a Sneak Preview . . . We
Have Surprises Just for You . . . Could Be
Scary? Mystic? Musical? Maybe Even
Prizes, Who Knows? We Promise You'll
Starts Immediately
Be Entertained . . .
After the Game."
At the theatre, Rathman gave away a
few passes, admitted each 13th person
free, used some local amateur talent for
a short stage stunt and finished up with
a science-fiction feature. The entire program
was completed in about two hours.
"For the first show of its kind here,"
Rathman said, "X feel satisfied, and I'm
sure that if it is tried again it will double
itself. It has been a long time since the
young patrons have made it a point to stop
and let me know they enjoyed a progi-am,
as they did for this one, asking if we could
put on a similar show again soon."
'Elms' in February Issue
A cover portrait and an interior layout
on Sophia Loren and "Desire Under the
Elms" appear in the February issue of
Cosmopolitan.
— 44 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser Feb. 24, 1958

Backs Up 'Old Yeller'
With Playdate Push
"Old Yeller" has been doing fine business,
because of its merits and TV promotion
on the Disney Mickey Mouse Club program,
but good local campaigns to back it
up are helping bring in the top results.
Ray LaBounty, manager of the Wicomico
Theatre in Salisbury, Md., for the Schine
cu'cuit, feels an important part of his
campaign was having gumbacked snipes
made up with sig and playdates pasted on
window cards and one-sheets which were
plastered in every town within 30 miles of
Salisbury. They were all put in good spots
under the personal supervision of LaBounty
to make sure their being seen by the greatest
number.
LaBounty also had four counter tieups
on books and two on music. He got the
local TV station to plug the starting date
at the theatre for two days before opening.
All teachers were contacted and their
aid enlisted in spreading word of the engagement.
One second grade teacher
brought in 44 kids—her entire class—in
one group. Three mothers attended with
them.
LaBounty reports customers really came
out to see "Old Yeller," some of them standing
in a line for two hours in a cold rain.
The local paper ran a six-inch story under
the headline, " 'Old YeUer' Makes Boxoffice
at the Wicomico Theatre."
Tom Williams, manager of the Vernon
Theatre in Mount Vernon, Ohio, got three
-^ restaurants to have "Old Yeller" playdates
'-*
typed on their menus. He had counter
tie-ins at S. S. Kresge's on books and coloring
books, and arranged a contest offering
passes to the five dog owners whose pets
looked the most like Old Yeller.
Art House Passes Patron
In Exchange for 'Hen'
The Trans-Texas circuit's Fine Arts in
University Park section of Dallas, has been
using a series of ad mats for "The Smallest
Show on Earth" which satirize the plot of
the film. One layout had a patron in front
of a boxoffice paying his admission with a
chicken instead of a shilling. So, imagine
doorman George Stonegate's surprise when
a Pine Arts patron actually duplicated the
copy and handed over a hen (dressed) to
him instead of a ticket.
Manager Robert Payne could also be
classified as impressed. At least, he let the
Oak Cliff man and his companion in on
the bird fare.
In the picture, a patron is admitted into
an English theatre in exchange for a
chicken.
You Should Go Out . . . !
George H. Wilkinson jr., operator of the
Wilkinson Theatre, Wallingford, Conn., and
president of the MPTO of Connecticut,
runs this legend atop the theatre signature
in newspaper ads: "Been Out to a Movie
Lately? You Should!"
CITATION OF HONOR
WINNERS FOR JANUARY 1958
Walter Pyle, Dreamland Theatre, Rockglen, Sask. Placed a TV set
on the stage at
one of the infrequent times he had a packed house, made a brief talk citing
the advantages of the theatre, then flashed the "Anastasia" trailer on the Dreamland
screen and comi)ared this with tiny TV picture.
•
James Barham, Warwick Theatre, Netvport News, Va. Who has displayed true showmanly
industry and skill in presenting Virginia Hayride, a weekly stage show
which has filled hundreds of extra seats at the Warwick since last October.
•
Floyd Lorimer, Arcade Theatre, Horton, Kas. Fighting a flu epidemic, bad crops,
etc., he devoted more promotion, more work to come through with colors flying.
•
Ted Mann, own^r of the World Theatre, Minneapolis. Who has kept his theatre "in
the money" by alert, independent booking and promotion. Specifically for
spotting "Les Girls" ads off the amusement pages, using the "subliminal"
approach.
•
Eddie Jette, Sunland Theatre, Osoyoos, B. C. His Sunland" Soiree, featuring a special
booking, has been drawing extra customers to his
month for the last two years.
•
small-town theatre once a
Farris Shanbour, manager of the Harber and promotion director of the Harber
and Criterion theatres for Cooper Foundation in Oklahoma City. The "Get More
Out of Life" discount plan he arranged with a supermarket chain wins another
BOXOFFICE Citation for Shanbour, who was chosen Showman of the Year by
his circuit.
•
Nyman Kessler, manager of the DeWUt Theatre, Bwyonne, N. J. Who filled his theatre
at a matinee with a New Year's Eve party just for the kids. Kessler also
is
a former BOXOFFICE Citation winner.
•
Russell Ackley, city manager for the State, Grand and Cactus theatres at Pecos, Tex.
His 50th wedding anniversary party, done up in great style for the long-wedded
couples.
•
Robert Sweeten, manager of the Center, Denver, Colo. Who has made many extra
dollars for his theatre by selling benefit shows to labor unions and other groups
to sweeten their welfare funds.
•
Meyer Holder, owner of the Pilot Drive-In, Pilot Mountain, N. C. For the "Noah's
Ark" float he constructed for his community's annual Christmas parade.
Names Concession Boy
A lucky refill ticket, distributed in popcorn
boxes by Manager Dale Baldwin at
the Parkway Theatre in West Jefferson,
Includes the name of the concession salesboy,
Billy Joe Faw, in order that theatre
patrons might get to know him. The ticket
brought to the concession stand along with
the empty popcorn box entitles a patron to
a free refill of popcorn.
Gets Spread on 'Arms'
Harry F. Shaw, division manager for
Loew's Poll Theatres, reports Matt L.
Saunders of the Poll at Bridgeport, Conn.,
arranged an eight-column spread In the
Bridgeport Sunday Post In the interests of
20th-Fox's "A Farewell to Arms."
Music and Book Tieups
Arranged for 'Cowboy'
A series of major promotions will be
given Columbia's "Cowboy" as a result of
tieups effected with a book publisher and
three recording companies. A novelization
has been prepared by Gold Medal
Books, a soundtrack album by Decca and
single records of the title song by Decca,
Epic and Roulette. Decca has readied a
complete set of window and counter cards
for a drive aimed at disc jockeys.
Three single versions of the title song
have been recorded by such topliners as
Dickson Hall (Epic) , Danny Scholl (Decca)
and the Riders of the Purple Sage (Roulette).
All of the recordings will give
"Cowboy" radio-jukebox penetration.
BOXOFFICE Showmandlser Feb. 24, 1958
45

Here is the ballyhoo
which toured the
streets of Toronto
three days before
"Island in the Sun."
Manager Vjc
Nowe
and a local dance
school
got the stunt
together.
Toronto Is Showered With Belafonte
And Calypso!
A large assortment of photographs forwarded
to Showmandiser by Manager Victor
Nowe of the Carlton Theatre in Toronto,
Ont., discloses that he really
"papered" the town with placards, stills,
displays, etc., on Harry Belafonte and
"Island In the Sun."
This, nicely rounded out via heralds,
street ballyhoo, music tieups and radio,
started the film off to a very successful
five-week run in the 2,318-seat Odeon theatre.
HIS BIGGEST PROMOTION
Literally the biggest of the promotions
undertaken by Nowe was a street stunt
with a decorated soundtruck utilizing live
talent. Banners measuring 12x3 feet were
used on the truck sides. Tropical colors
made up the banner backgrounds and lettering
was in rich yellow, blue and green.
The floor of the truck was covered with
masonite and the edges of the floor were
covered with green palm branches.
"From the Arthur Murray studio,"
Nowe said, "we promoted two excellent
calypso dancers who performed for three
days on street tours at no cost to the
theatre. The dancers were attired in
calypso costumes and performed their
dance routines while the truck moved
along all main streets. At busy intersections
downtown the truck stopped and the
dancers entertained observers to the best
of the calypso music being played through
the truck loudspeakers."
Nowe began his promotion of the film
with a mammoth lobby display, measuring
18x6 feet, six weeks in advance. The display
featured a 40x60 blowup of Belafonte
and two 22x28 portrait blowups, one of
Joan Collins, the other of Etorothy Dandridge
and Belafonte. The background of
the di.splay was a tropical yellow, with a
Sm Shines Five Weeks
green palm tree in one corner. Title and
credits were in bright red. The display was
moved to the front of the theatre during
the five-week run. Nowe also used a 40x60
standee at the theatre front, featuring the
film review pages from Ebony magazine.
The theatre candy stand was decorated
with colorful beach balls on white lattice
work on both sides of the backwall mirror.
Palm leaves were scattered about in the
lattice and at the base of the mirror. The
center of the mirror featured one-sheet
cutouts and an "Island in the Sun" cold
drink.
The PICA Victor record distributor in
Toronto tied in with Nowe on additional
promotion, including an advance screening
for all local disc jockeys, at which RCA
gave each deejay a free "Island in the Sun"
disc and a long-play Belafonte albimi.
••Island in the Sun" recordings supplied by
RCA also were used in the theatre, on the
street in front of the Odeon Carlton and on
all local juke boxes.
A hi-fi phonograph promoted from a
local dealer was placed just in front of the
doors in the main lobby of the theatre and
25 Belafonte recordings were played 12
hours each day.
2,000 BELAFONTE STILLS
RCA also provided 2,000 8x10 stills of
Belafonte, which were given away in music
and department stores.
In window and counter displays, Nowe
really outdid himself, with full space in all
the best locations, including Kresge's; all
major record shops, which featured Belafonte
albums along with theatre and picture
credits; florist shops, where tropical
palms were utilized with special stills;
musical Instrument stores, where calypso
instruments were displayed: drugstores,
with suntan oil tieups; clothing stores,
— 46 —
featuring holiday beachwear and summer
clothing, and travel agencies, using the
Caribbean vacation angle.
In all window displays prominent space
was given to Belafonte and the big names
in the cast.
A total of 25,000 numbered heralds were
distributed house-to-house in various parts
of the city. The heralds featured a mat on
the picture, and RCA Victor cooperated in
putting them out. Forty lucky numbers
were posted in the theatre lobby each day
and the patron bringing in the lucky herald
matching the number posted in the theatre
lobby received a free Belafonte long-play
record, promoted from RCA.
Special representatives from the British
Book Service, which distributes the novel,
"Island in the Sun," attended a screening
and gave their assistance to promotion of
the film.
••We had art work done on the original
book cover," Nowe said, "using all its
splendid colors, and screened 300 special
window cards for book stores throughout
the city and for department stores carrying
the hard-cover edition. We used the
same idea for smoke shops, drug stores and
variety stores carrying the pocket size edl-
"The book service also supplied book
marks in all the main book stores and in
all the libraries, distributed all window
cards and secured excellent positions for
us in hundreds of fine city locations. Their
sale of the book was tremendous and the
tieup was eKceptionally advantageous for
us.
Overtime Parking Ticket
Issued for 'Pol Joey'
In a tieup with an Urbana, Ohio, restaurant
for "Pal Joey" W. H. Bean, manager
of the Gloria Theatre, had 200 coupons
made up the same color and size as tickets
given by the police for overtime parking.
The restaurant advertised on the back of
the coupon and paid the entire cost.
One week before opening of the picture.
Bean toured downtown streets, putting
money into meters where cars were parked
overtime and placing coupons on the auto
windshields.
Copy on the coupons read: "Your meter
expired, but 'Pal Joey" saved you. Be sure
to see me at the Gloria Theatre Sunday
with Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth. No
advance in prices. Three big days, etc."
The National Guard tied in with Bean
for "Jet Pilot," providing a display of
weapons for both the theatre lobby and outside
the theatre. Picture of the displays
was run in the local paper prior to opening
The National Guard paraded to the
theatre the day after the opening, and
Bean said: "We had the best gross on Sunday
in a long time, and Monday and Tuesday
were terrific."
Launching 'Swivel' Dance
United Artists Records is launching a
national dance promotion for its fast-selling
new platter, "The Swivel." The campaign
features the Swivel dance, created
by Arthur Mmxay In a tie-in with TJA.
BOXOFHCE Shovmiandiser
: :
Feb. 24, 1958
'^

uriljJ
Maximum Coverage Given
On 'Old' Preview for Dogs
James F. Thames, advertising, publicity
head for Rowley United Theatres in Little
Rock, Ark., took the pressbook Idea of an
all-dog showing of "Old Yeller" and got
maximum benefit from it.
In a one-column, nine-inch newspaper
ad. Thames used copy reading: "Dogs admitted
free if on leash and accompanied
by master to the special advance showing
a.m. . . . One Show only. Please note:
There will be only one performance . . .
Boxoffice opens 9:30 . . . Show stars at 10
a.m. . . . Children 35 cents . . . Adults 65
cents ... Be among the first to see this
wonderful picture."
The preview performance for local dogs
was held about one week in advance of the
picture's scheduled opening, and Thames
said. "Although it was for publicity purposes,
nevertheless we had a packed house."
The preview got front-page coverage,
with a three-column photo, In the Arkansas
Democrat, and an earlier story on the
affair was run on the front page of the
sports and market section of the Arkansas
Gazette.
Both stories, humorous in vein, pointed
out special accommodations set up by
Thames for the dogs, including free refreshments
from bowls In the theatre lobby
and a miniature fire hydrant placed Ln a
sand box in the lobby.
Open at 8:30 for Teller'
Recognizing the unusual juvenile appeal
of Its current attraction, "Old Yeller," the
Madison Theatre in Detroit opened at the
unheard-of hour of 8:30 a.m. on Saturday
mornings to take advantage of the one day
in the week that youngsters are free from
school and other obligations to get downtown
early.
Big Coloring Contest for Teller'
Doc Elliott, manager of the Ohio Theatre
in Lima, Ohio, made no secret of his
engagement of "Old Yeller." He used, in
addition to his regular advertising, onethird
of a page, the entire length of the
newspaper, the Lima, Citizen, for a color
contest. The response to the contest, and
then to the picture, was in Elliott's word,
"sensational."
No Trick to Get Something for Nuthin!
Cashier, Using Idle Hours, Collects Information
Vital to Money-Making Operations
Who says you can't get something for
nothing? asks Showman, the National Theatres
pubUcation, and goes on to say that
there's an amazing list of important things
you can get for nothing. And to illustrate
its point. Showman cites a page from the
book of a "competitor showman" in Oklahoma
City.
Dean Ziettlow, Showman reporter, describes
a fantastically simple and completely
inexpensive device for building attendance,
interest and goodwill—and at
the same time gathering information utterly
vital to such money-making matters
as booking, programming, house operation,
allocation of advertising budget, general
and specific poUcies, and a score of other
items of tremendous Interest to the theatre
manager.
"That's a lot to get for nothing, isn't it?"
Showman comments. "And he pays for it
by trading something that either doesn't
cost him anything in the first place, or
would be wasted anyway."
Zietllow is quoted:
'
"A well-coached cashier, with plenty of
time on her hands in the afternoons, has
started with the As in the telephone book
and calls the niunbers which appear to
be residential. In a friendly maimer she
chats with the person called, asks a few
questions about their moviegoing habits,
then invites the entire family down to (her
theatre) as the theatre's guest."
That's only the beginning.
The rest of it is tabulation of the information
obtained during these short chats
and this consolidation can also be accomplished
by the cashier, candy girl or someone
else with nothing to do during a slow
matinee. In Oklahoma City, the first report
was assembled after 58 persons were
called during the first week of this something-for-nothing
policy,
form, here are the results:
In
condensed
ATTENDANCE HABITS: attend regularly,
8; attend occasionally, 27; seldom, 18;
never, 5.
MOVIE PREFERENCE (some multiple favorites)
: comedy, 5; musicals, 19; drama,
10; westerns, 8; suspense, 4; family type,
12; no preference, 16.
THEATRE PREFERENCE (some multiple
favorites) : theatre A, 15; theatre B, 9;
theatre C, 16; no preference, 21.
INFLUENCE: radio, 6; TV, 3; friends, 8;
newspaper, 32; magazine reviews, 10.
CX)LOR MOVIES: prefer color, 22;
no difference,
23.
NONATTENDANCE: lack of time, 5; prefer
TV, 12; have small children, 14; unable
to get out— (combines money, age,
religious objection, etc.), 11.
"Before we go a step further, however,
let's make it very clear that this survey
was made in Oklahoma City.
A similar survey
in Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Detroit,
Wenatchee, Milwaukee, Philadelphia or Pomona
might come up with completely dissimilar
results. Don't base any thinking on
the results of 58 persons in Oklahoma City,"
the article reads.
"Of course, you're waiting for the final
clincher. How many people slammed down
the phone when they were quizzed? How
many were nasty? How many were uncooperative?"
Out of 58 families called, between a third
and a half of them (21 to be exact) actually
responded to the invitation to be the
theatre's guests. Can you get a percentage
response like that from any other form of
advertising?
>
Horror Campaign Simple
But Business is Big
T. L. Pike reports a New Year's Eve
double feature late horror show enjoyed
more business at the Twin Starlight Drive-
In at Atlanta, Ga., than it has done on any
previous day in the last year and a half,
although Pike spent only $50 in promoting
it. His mainstay was a bristol paper eye
. . .
. . South
. . .
mask stating simply: "Plan to Attend Our
New
Double Feature Horror Show
Year's Eve
. Starlight
Show Starts at 12 O'clock."
Drlve-In
Other promotion
was limited to jumbo cards arotmd
the theatre and a teaser trailer announcement.

BOXOFFICE
BAROMETER
This chart records the performonce of current attractions in the opening week of their first runs in
the 20 key cities checked. Pictures with fewer than five engagements are not listed. As new runs
ore reported, ratings are added and averages revised. Computation is in terms of percentage in
relation to normal grosses os determined by the theatre managers. With 100 per cent as "normal,"
the figures show the gross rating above or below that mark.
(Asterisk * denotes combination bills.)
issi^iym^?m^fmm'4sm.
I
And God Created Woman (Kingsley)

An biterpratotive onolysli of toy ond trodepress reviews. Th« plus ond minus signs Indlcot*
degree of merit. Listings cover current reviews, updoted regularly. This department serves
also 01 on ALPHABETICAL INDEX to feature releases. Symbol

—
REVIEW DIGEST very Good,- ^ Good, ^ Foii Poor; = Very Poor. In the summery
'
is roted 2 pluses,
= OS 2
2122 Lady of Venjeance (73) Mystery UA S- 17-57
2183 0Lady Takes a Flyer, ttie
(94) it' Romantic Comedy.
2191 Ijlayette Eicadrille (93) Dr.
2107 Urd Unknown. Ttie (78) ® Ad»
2180 OLe?"'!' » '•" '-'*'
U'l
WB
Ul
(109)

Feoture productions by company In order of releose. Number in square is nafionol releose date. Running
time Is in parentheses. © Is for CinemaScope; ® VistoVlsion; i^ Superscope; (S) Noturamo; (g) Regalsco(>e;
® Techniramo. Symbol O denotes BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award; Q color photography. Letters ond combinations
thereof indicate story type—(Complete key on next page.) For review dotes and Picture Guide
page numbers, see Review Digest.
^EATURE CHART
ALLIED ARTISTS | ti

FEATURE CHART
The key to letters ond combinations thereof indlcoting story type: (Ad) Adventure Drama; (Ac) Action
Drama; (An) Animoted-Action; (C) Comedy; (CD) Comedy-Drama; (Cr) Crime Drama; (DM) Drama
with Music; I Doc) Documentary; (D) Drama; (F) Fantosy; (FC) Force-Comedy; (Ho) Horror Dromo; (HI)
Historicol Dromo; (M) Musicol; (My) Mystery; (OD) Outdoor Dromo; (SF) Science-Fiction; (W) Western.
RANK 1 l£

. D
I Accuse
. . . D .
.
•
uril*
9
>-
<
O
O
0£
LU
00
>-
<
>
a:
<
Th« key to letters and combinations thereof indicating story type: (Ad) Adventure Drama; (Ac) Action
Dramo; (An) Animated-Action; (C) Comedy; (CD) Comedy-Oromo; (Cr) Crime Drama; (DM) Drama
with Music; (Doc) Doeumentory; (D) Dramo; (F) Fantosy; (FC) Farce-Comedy; (Ho) Horror Drama; (Hi)
Historical Droma; (M) Musicol; (My) Mystery; (OD) Outdoor Drama; (SF) Science-Fiction; (W) Western.
WARNER BROS.
[4] Shoot-Out at Medicine
Bend (S7) W..615
Randolph Scott, James Craig
El The Counterfeit Plan
(SO)
D..612
Zachary Scott, Peggie Castle
BS Untamed Youth (80) D..613
Mamie Van Doren, John Russell
ii@Deep Adventure
(46) Featurette 4912
Q] A Face in the Crowd
(126) D..616
Andy Griffith. Patricia Neal, Antlionj'
Franciosa, Lee Bemick
a The D.I. (106) D..617
Jack Webb, Monica Lewis
[S ©The Prince and the Showgirl
(117) CD..61S
Maiiljn Monroe, Laurence Olivier
BX the Unknown (SO) ..SF..619
Dean Jagger, Edward ChapmaD
@©The Curse of Frankenstein
(83) Ho.. 620
Peter Cushlng, Hazel Court
©Band of Ansels (127) D..621
Cl.irk Gable, Yronne De Carlo
Risinj of the Moon (81) D..622
Frank Lanton, Denis O'Dea
The James Dean Story
(82) Doc. 623
James Dean
m CQThe Pajama Game
(101) M..701
Doris Day, John Raltt, Orol
Haney
m Black Patch (83) W. .702
George Montgomery, Diane Brewster
a Johnny Trouble (SO) D..703
Ethel Barrymore, Carolyn Jones
El The Helen Morgan Story
(118) © D..704
Ann Bljlli, Paul Newman
H The Black Scorpion (8S) Ho.. 705
Richard Denning, Mara Corday
[a ©The Story of Mankind
(100) D..706
Ronald Colman, Hedy LaMarr, 40
other stars
gl Woman in a Dressing
Gown (93) D..707
Yvonne Mitchell, Anthony Quayle
a ©Bombers B-52 (106) © D..70g
Karl Maiden, Natalie Wood
dl Jamboree (86) R/M..709
Count Basle, Fats Domino, Kay
Mcdford, Robert Pastlne
53 Green-Eyed Blonde (73).. D.. 710
Susan Oliver, Tom Greenway
Forbidden Desert (45) Featurette
©Sayonara (147) ® ..D..711
Marlon Brando, Patricia Owens,
Martha Scott, James Garner
SI ©The Deep Six (105) . .D. .712
Alan Ladd, Dlanne Foster, William
Bendix
El Fort Dobbs (90) W..713
Clint Walker, Virgtala Mayo
II Darby's Rangers (121) . . D. .714
James Garner, Etchlka Choureau
ASTOR
Hour of Decision (70) . .D. .Jan 57
MISCELLANEOUS
Jeff Morrow, Hazel Court
Stranger in Town (74) . . D. .May 57
Ale.\ Nicol, Colin Tapley, Anne
Paige
Black Tide (79) D..Jun57
John Ireland, Maureen Connell
Time Without Pity (SS) . . D. .Jan 58
.Michael Redgrave, /\nn Todd
BUENA VISTA
If AH the Guys in the World
(95) Ad..Jun57
Andre Valmy, Jean Gavcn, Georges
Poujouly, (French-language: Eng.
titles)
©Johnny Tremain (SO) . .Ad. .Jul 57
Hal Stalmaster, Luaim Patten
©Perri (75) Nature Fantasy Nov 57
©Old Ycller (S3) 0D..Dec57
Dorothy AIcGuIre, Fess Parker
©The Story of Vickie
(lOS) CO.. Feb 58
Romy Schneider, Adri;ui Hoven
©The Missouri Traveler
(103) WD.. Mar 58
Brandon de Wilde, (Jary Merrill
BURSTYN
Stella (93) D.. Oct 57
Melina Mercourl, Georges Foundas
(Greek-language; Eng. titles)
CONTINENTAL
©The Love Lottery (82) C..Ffcb57
David Niven. Peggy (^mrains
©Raising a Riot (91) . .0. . May 57
Kenneth More, Mandy Miller
The French They Are a Funny
Race (83) C. .Jun57
Martine Carol. Jack Buchanan,
Noel-Noel (English-language)
Maid in Paris (88) C. Aug 57
Danny Robin, Daniel Gelin
(French-language: Eng. titles)
©A Novel Affair (S3) ..D.. Sep 57
Ralph Ridiardson, Margaret
Lei;^liton
Brothers in Law (95) C. .Oct 57
Richard Attenhorough. Ian Carmlchael
Deadlier than the Male
(100) D.. Nov 57
Jean G.abln, Danielle Delorme
Gervaise (116) D.. Jan 58
Maria ScheU, Francois Perler
DCA
Rock. Rock, Rock (85) . . M . .Dec 56
Alan Freed, Frankie Lymon &.
Teenagers
©John and Julie (82) . .C. .Feb 57
Constance Cummings, Wilfrid
Hyde-Wliite
Colditz Story (97) D . . Feb 57
John Mills. Eric Portman
Gold of Naples
(107) Episode Dr Mar 57
\'ittorio de Sica. Silvana Mangano.
Sophia Loren, (Italian-language:
Eng. titles)
©Baby and the Battleship
(96) C. Mar 57
John Mills. Richard Attenhorough
Bermuda Affair (87) ..D.. Mar 57
Kim Hunter, Gary Merrill
©Loser Takes All
(88) © CD.. Mar 57
Glynls Johns, Rossano Brazzl
©Don Giovani
(157) Opera Film Apr 57
Cesare Siepl, Lisa Delia Casa
Battle Hell (112) D.. May 57
(Formerly "Yangtze Incident")
Richard Todd, Akira Tamlroff
Monster From Green Hell
(71) Ac. May 57
Jim Davis, Barbara Turner
Half Human (63) Ho.. May 57
John Carradlne, Robert Karnes
©The Miller's Beautiful Wife
(92) C. May 57
Vitlorio de Sica. Sophia Loren
The Green Man (SO) . .M/C. .Jun 57
Alastalr Sim, George Cole, Jll
Adams
©Scandal in Sorrento
(92) © C.Jun 57
Vittorio de Sica, Sophia Loren
(Dubbed in English)
The Devil's General (120) D.. Aug 57
Curt Jurgens, Marianne Cook
(German-language; Eng. titles)
The Silken Affair (96) . .C. .Sep 57
r>avid Niven. Beatrice Straight
Escapade (87) CD.. Sep 57
John Mills, Alastalr Sim
Hell in Korea (S2) D. .Oct 57
Stanley Baker, George Baker
Please! Mr. Balzac (99) C. Oct 57
Brigitte Bardot, Daniel Cclin
(French-language; Eng. titles)
End of the Road (76).. D. .Oct 57
Finlay Currie, Edward (Jiapman
©Rodan! (70) SF..Nov57
English-dubbed; Japanese cast)
Cast a Dark Shadow (84) D.. Nov 57
Dirk Bogarde, Margaret Lockwood
Panic in the Parlor (..) C.. Nov 57
Peggy Mount, Shirley Eaton
JACON
Midnight Episode (78) ..C. Aug 56
Stanley Holloway. Leslie Dwyer
Forbidden Cargo (83) . .Ac .Sep 56
Xlgel Patrick, EUz;ibeth Sellars
JOSEPH BRENNER ASSOC.
Drew Pearson Reports on the Holy
Land (60) Doc. Mar 57
Narrated by Drew Pearson
MOTION PICTURE DIST'RS
©Oedipus Rex (SS) ....D.. Jan 57
(Stratford, Ont., Festival players)
TRANS-LUX
La Strada (107) D. .Apr 57
Anthony Quirxn, Giulietta Masina
(Italian with Eng. titles and
English-language versions available)
Danger Flight 931
(78) D.. Apr 57
Danny Robin, Dieter Borche
(Fr. language—Eng. titles)
Bed of Grass (SO) ....D.. Jul 57
.Anna Brazzou, Mike Nichols
(Greek language— ling, titles)
Four Bags Full (85) ..C. Sep 57
Jean Gabin, Bourvil
(Fr. language—Bug. titles)
©Melbourne Rendezvous
(90) Documentary Oct 57
Complete coverage of the Olympic
games
REISSUES
BUENA VISTA
©Cinderella (75)
©Bambi (70)
. Feb 57
.Apr 57
COLUMBIA
The Harlem Globetrotters
(80) CD.. Oct 57
Thomas Gomez, Dorothy Dandridge.
and the original Harlem Globetrotters
MGM
Gaslight (114) D.. Apr 57
Ingrid Bergman, Charles Boyer
The Postman Always Rings
Twice (113) D. Apr 57
Lana Turner. Jolin Garfield
The Bride Goes Wild (98) C. .Jun 57
June .\llyson. Van Jolinson
Our Vines Have Tender Grapes
(105) D.. Jun 57
Edward 0. Robinson, Margaret
O'Brien
PARAMOUNT
©For Whom the BeH Tolls
(130) D.. May 57
Gary Cooper, Ingrid Bergman, A.
Tamiroff
Sailor Beware (96) C. .Sep 57
REPUBLIC
The Woman They Almost Lynched
(90) D. Apr 57
John Lund, Audrey Totter, B.
Donlevy
©The Quiet Man (129) CD.. May 57
John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara,
Ward Bond
WARNER BROS.
Jim Thorpe—All American
(105) D.. May 57
Burt Lancaster, (Carles Blckford
The Winning Team (98) . May 57
. .
DorLi Day. Ronald Reagan, F.
Love oy
Bright Leaf (110) D.. May 57
Gary Cooper. Lauren Bacall
The West Point Story
(107) D.. May 57
James Cagney, V. Mayo. Doris Day
Strangers on a Train
(101) D.. May 57
Farley Granger, Huth Roman
Young Man with a Horn
(112) D..May 57
Kirk Douglas, Lauren Bacall,
Doris Day
ALLIED
ARTISTS
The Pagans D.
Pierre Cressoy, Helene Remy
Beast of Budapest Ac.
John Hoyt, Greta Thyssen
©Cole Younger, Gunfighter ©. .W. .
Frank Lovejoy, Myron He-aly
Never Love a Stranger D..
John Drew Barrymore, Llta Milan
The Bride and the Beast D..
Lctnce Fuller, (Hiarlotte Austin
©Quantrill's Raiders © OD..
Steve Cochran. Gale Robhins
Se.en Guns to Mesa W.
Lola Albright, Charles Quinllvan
©Bullwhip © OD..
Guy Madison, Rhonda Fleming
Cry Baby Killer D.
Jack Nicholson, Citrolyn Mitchell
LOUIS deROCHEMONT
©Albert
©Queen of the Universe
Schweitzer
©
.
(SO) Doc Mar 57
(Produced by Hill and Anderson)
Zsa Zsa Gabor
Astounding Giant Woman SF.
.\llison Hayes. William Hudson
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL
Cool and the Crazy, The D .
Scott Marlowe, Gigi Perreau, Dick
Jones
Jet Alert Ac.
John Agar, .\udrey Totter
Fantastic Puppet People .... Ho.
John Agar, John Hoyt, June Kenney
Suicide Battalion D.
Michael Conners. John .Ashley
BUENA VISTA
©The Light in the Forest OD..
Fess P.Trker, Wendell Corey,
Joanne Dru. James MacArthur
©The Young Land OD..
Patrick Wayne, Dennis Hopper
COLUMBIA
©This Angry Age ® D. .
S. Mangano. A. Perkins, VaUi
©Bridge on the River Kwai © D..
FEATURE CHART
COMING
.
William Holden, Jack Hawkins,
Alec Guinness
©High Flight © D. .
Ray Mllland. Sean Kelly
©Paradise Lagoon CD.
Kenneth More. S.ally Ann Howes
She Played With Fire D..
Arlene Hahl, Jack Hawkins
Bitter Victory D.
Itichard Burton, Curt Jurgens
©Cowboy W.
Glenn Ford, Jack Lemmon
The Goddess D.
Kim Stanley, Lloyd Bridges
The True Story of Lynn Stewart. .0.
Betsy Palmer. Jack Lord
©The 7lh Voyage of Sinbad . . . . Ad .
Ken' in Mathews. Katlirjn Grant
©Friday the 13th
D..
Van Johnson, Betsy Palmer
Me and the Colonel D..
Danny Kaye. (^rrt Jurgens
Curse of the Demon Ho.
liana .Andrews, Peggy Cummins
Gideon of Scotland Yard D .
Jack Ha«kins, Dianne Foster
Let's Rock M..
Julius LaRosa, Phyllis Newman
The Lineup Ac
Eli Wallach. Warner Andei-son
MGM
©Raintree County 65 D .
Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery Clift
The Happy Road C. .
Gene Kelly, Barbara Laage
©Merry Andrew © C.
Danny Kaye, Pier Angela
Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis ©Gigi
C/M..
Jumping Jacks (103) . . . .C. .Sep 57
Dean Martin. Jerry Lewis
Le:V;le Caron,
©
Chevalier
D.
Maurice
Jose Ferrer, VIveca Llndfors
Cry Terror D .
James Mason, Inger Stevens, Rod
Stciger. Angle Dickinson
Handle With Care D..
Dean Jones. Joan O'Brien.
Thomas Mitchell
©The Sheepman © CD .
Glenn Ford. Shirley JIacLaine
Tunnel of Love MC.
r>»rls Day. (jlenn Ford
©Tom Thumb M .
Russ Tamblyn. .Alan Young
PARAMOUNT
Hot Spell ® D..
Slilrley Booth, Anthony Quhm
Teacher's Pet ® C.
Clark Gable. DorLs Day
Desire Under the Elms ® D..
Tony Perkins. Sophia Loren
The Matchmaker C .
Shirley Booth, Anthony Perkins.
Shirley MacLalne
©Vertigo D.
J.ames Stewart, Kim Novak
Louis Blues (j) D/M..
St.
Nat "King" Cole, Bartha Kitt
©Houseboat ® CD..
Cary Grant, Sophia Loren
Another Time, Another Place.. D..
Lana Turner, Barry Sullivan
King Creole M.
Ehls Presley, Dolores Hart
©Rock-a-bye Baby® C.
Jerry Lewis, Marilyn Maxwell
Black Orchids D..
Anthony (iuinn. Sophia Loren
REPUBLIC
©In Old Vienna M..
Hehiz Roettuiger, Robert Kllllck
Held on Suscicion D..
Phyllis Kkk, Dan OHerlihy
Strange Case of Dr. Manning. . My.
Ron Randall, Greta Gynt
Juvenile Jungle (S)
Ac.
Coiey Allen, Rebecca Welles
Joy Ride tg) Ac.
Gene E\;ins, Scott Marlowe
RANK FILM DIST'RS OF AMER.
Hell Drivers ® AC.
St;inley Baker, Herbert Lom
A Night to Remember D.
Kenneth More
The One That Got Away P..
Hartiy Kniger
High Tide at Noon D.
Betta St. John, Wm. Sylvester.
Michael Cr;iig
©Campbell's Kingdom D . .
Dirk Bogarde. Stanley Baker
©Dangerous Exile ® D..
Louis Jourdan, Belinda Lee
Night Ambush P.
D.rk Bogarde, Marlus Goring
20th-FOX
The Young Lions © P .
.Marion Brando, Montgomery CUft
©Fraulein © P.
Mel Ferrer, Dana Wjuter
Count Five and Die © D..
Jeffrey Hunter, .Annemarle Duringer
The Hell-Bent Kid © P..
Don Murray, Diane Varsi
©The Barbarian and the
Geisha © P.
John Wayne. Elko Ando
Ten North Frederick© P..
Gary Cooper, Suzy Parker, Diane
Varsi. Gerildine Fitzgerald
UNITED ARTISTS
©Paris Holiday C.
Bob Hope, Fernandel, A. Ekberg
Calypso Island Ac.
Maile Whidsor, Vhice Edwards
I Bury the Living Cr. .
Richard Boone, Peggy Maurer
They Can't Hang Me Ac.
Yolajide Donlan, Terence Morgan
©The Vikings ®
Ad.
Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis,
Eriwst Borgnine, Janet Leigh
©The Big Country® OD..
Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons
The Steel Bayonet P .
Leo Genn, Keiron Moore
Operation Murder P .
Tom Conway, Sandra Dome
God's Little Acre D.
.
Robert Ryan, Aldo Kay
UNIVERSAL-INT'L
©The Lady Takes a Flyer ©
. .CP.
Lana 'nirner, Jeff Chandler
The Female Animal © P .
Hedy La.Marr, J.ane Powell
Summer Love M.
John Saxon, Judy Meredith
Damn Citizen! P.
Keith Andes, Margaret Hayes
The Voice in the Mirror P.
Julie London, Richard Egan
-©The Western Story OD .
Jock Mahoney, Unda CrlsUl
Teach Me How to Cry © P.
John Saxon, Sandra Dee
©Never Steal Anything Small © P.
James Cagney, Shirley Jones
And Ride a Tiger © P .
June Allyson, Jeff Chandler
WARNER BROS.
Lafayette Escadrille © P.
Tab Hunter, EtcWka Choureau
No Time for Sergeants C.
Andy Griffith, Myron McCorraick
Misguided
P- •
George Baker. Frankie Vaughan
©Marjorie Morningstar P..
Gene Kelly, Natalie Wood
©Westbound 00..
Randolph Scott, Vlrghiia Mayo
Ontonhead C.
Andy Griffith. Felicia Farr
The Left-Handed Gun W. .
Paul Newman. Lita Milan
Chase a Crooked Shadow P..
.Anne Ba.\ter. Richard Todd
Indiscreet D-
Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman
©The Naked and the Pead
© 0..
Aldo Ray. Cliff Robertson
Across the Everglades P..
Burl Ives, Christopher Plummer,
Gypsy Rose Lee
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide Feb. 24, 1958

—
""5.XHIBITOK HAS HIS SAY
lABOUT PICTURESI
ALLIED ARTISTS
Hunchback of Notre Dame, The
(AA) — Gina Lollobrigida, Anthony
Quinn, Jean Danet. We did
excellent business, but so did the
newspaper, radio and TV with the
extra large amount of advertising
we used on this film, without
which it would possibly have only
done fair business. It's a big production,
but not a great film. It's
the old story; a great classic is
filmed once or twice and becomes
a wonderful motion picture, then
someone else tries to remake it
and top the original. When a
great film is produced, why not
leave it that way? Played I'hurs.,
Pri., Sat. Weather: Mild.—Stan
Parnsworth for H. L. P. McNeil,
Roseland Theatre, New Glasgow,
N.S. Pop. 9,933.
BUENA VISTA
Bambi (BV) — Reissue. Animated
feature. This little heartwarmer
played to a lot of kids.
The only adults we had were the
ones who brought the smaller
kids. Played Fri., Sat. Weather:
Snow. — Michael Chiaventone,
Valley Theatre, Spring Valley, 111.
Pop. 5,123.
COLUMBIA
Operation Mad Ball (Col)
Jack Lemmon, Kathryn Grant,
Ernie Kovaks. Excellent. No wonder
the Army disapproved this
picture. It sure got the approval
of the people here. Good grosses.
Played Sun., Mon.—M. P. Jones,
Martin Theatre, Florala, Ala.
Pop. 3,000.
Brings 'Em In
With Technicolor, VlstaVision
and everything else, Cecil
B. and his "The Ten Commandments"
brought people
back in this house that haven't
been to a movie in ten years.
This one set all new records in
cold, unpleasant weather. After
two weeks, I hated to see it go.
Buy it with holdover privileges
and run it day and night. No
walkouts or unfavorable comments.
Better get hold of this
one, and the sooner the better,
sir.
CARLTON WEAVER
Carlton Theatre
Sulphur, Okla.
Tall T, The (Col)—Randolph
Scott, Richard Boone, Maureen
O'Soillivan. This was more like
what Scott's fans learned to expect
of him a few years ago when
everything he made was a small
town single bill natural. I had
about decided he'd lost the formula,
but there's life in the old
boy yet. It's a beautiful job of
filming, too. Maybe more so because
there's been so little color
on my back wall these past several
months. How you all doing
out there? Sure was nice hearing
from so many of you last month.
I'll try to answer a few cards as
soon as I get back on my feet.
Played Pri., Sat.—Bob Walker,
Uintah Theatre, Pruita, Colo.
Pop. 1,463.
3:10 to Yuma (Col)— Glenn
Ford, Van Heflln, Felicia Parr.
Nice film, but why, why in black
and white? In color it would
have been worth at least the
effort to open the door. Played
Sun. Weather: Cold.—Duane Ellickson.
Park Theatre, Wautoma,
Wis. Pop. 1,376.
3:10 to Yuma (Col)— Glenn
Ford, Van Heflin, Felicia Farr.
Another black and white production
with almost as much suspense
as "High Noon." In color
It would have been good enough
for Sunday-Monday change.
Played S\in., Mon. Weather:
Good.—B. Berglund. Trail Theatre,
New Town, N. D. Pop. 1,200.
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER
Julie (MGM)—Doris Day, Louis
Jourdan, Barry Sullivan. Excellent
story with a suspense twist
to top all suspense. It had customers
checking and rechecking
their seat belts. "Julie" bringing
in the plane to a successsful
landing left us all limp.—Prank
E. Sabin, Majestic Theatre, Eureka,
Mont. Pop. 929.
Something of Value (MGM)—
Rock Hudson, Dana Wynter, Sidney
Poitier. The stars of value, a
different story of value, a good
title, but in TV colors of black
and white. Are they making them
in B&W with an eye on the future
for TV sales? Did average
here, but I don't believe it is
for your best playing time. Too
much blood, etc. If they are not
in color, the value of best playing
time isn't there. Hudson's poorest
picture to date. Played Sat.,
Sun., Mon. — Ken Christianson.
Roxy Theatre, Washburn, N. D.
Tip on a Dead Jockey (MGM)
—Robert Taylor, Etorothy Malone,
Martin Gabel. It breaks my
heart to have the once-mighty
Leo putting out "Tips on Dead
Jockeys" at a time when everyone
needs the kind of hits they
used to turn out hi assemblyline
fashion. This is a nice little
picture, but with the title where
can you put it to entice folks to
come in and be entertained?
Played Pri., Sat. Weather: Rain.
—Bob Walker, Uintah Theatre,
Pruita, Ctolo. Pop. 1,463.
PARAMOUNT
Devil's Hairpin, The (Para)—
Cornel Wilde, Jean Wallace, Arthur
Franz. This picture is the
clearest print I have ever had
the pleasure to put on widescreen.
The color is simply flawless.
People walked out of this
show with a sore stomach from
the car racing. Also a very good
story. Play it. Played midweek.
Weather: Old.—Sam Holmberg.
Regal Theatre, Sturgis, Sask.
Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
(Para)—Burt Lancaster, Kirk
Douglas, Rhonda Fleming. On all
counts a very fine picture. Hal
Wallls is now and always has
been one of Hollywood's best. The
story is one that has been done
time and time again, but. Just
like Jesse James, It never seems
to grow old. A two- day downpour,
and the high flood waters
that followed, kept business down,
but even at that it did above
average. Also, the flu bug is still
in our midst and I, for one, wish
he would find new worlds to conquer—Mars
for instance. Played
Wed., Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather:
Rain and cool.—Victor Weber,
Center Theatre, Kensett, Ark.
Hi and Thanks
Last year I said I was gonna
give folks a long-needed rest
from my ranting and raving.
Since then I've been on the
sick list and haven't had
enough push left come nightfall
to use this mistakemaker,
even if I had decided to go
back on my promise. I've had
so many wonderful letters and
I got so many cards at Christmastime
from folks all over
the country and even from
England, who still remembered
me that I decided to impose
on EHHS again. I haven't had
a chance to answer letters or
cards for so many months that
I'll never get caught up, so I'll
say, "HI" and "Thanks" here.
BOB WALKER
Uintah Theatre
Fruita, Colo.
Mister Rock and Roll (Para)—
Alan Freed, Rocky Graziano,
Teddy Randazzo. Played this on
New Year's Eve midnight, which
gave me extra business, mostly
teenagei-s. This one should have
been in color. They should all be
in color nowadays. This should
do in any situation. Played Tues.,
Wed. Weather: Cold. — James
Hardy, Shoals Theatre, Shoals,
Ind. Pop. 1,200.
Zero Hour! (Para)—Dana Andrews,
Linda Darnell, Sterling
Hayden. Dana Andrews has made
a lot of statements pro-toll TV.
Brother, if anyone needs it, he
does. If ever there was a "has
been" it's Andrews. Can't rave
about this. Business was lousy.
Played Sun., Mon., Tues.—Jim
Fraser, Auditorium Theatre, Red
Wing, Minn. Pop. 10,645.
CENTURY-FOX
20th
Bemardine (20th-Fox) — Pat
Boone, Terry Moore, Janet Gaynor.
This delightful film has
proved popular everywhere.
Strange thing about this Is that
it not only appealed to the teenagers,
but fihngoers from all
over our territory of all ages
were clamoring for seats at all
performances. There's practically
nothing in this film except good
entertainment. Grab it now while
Pat Boone is hot. It will pay
handsome dividends when you get
around to "April Love," which I
understand is even better. Played
Tues.-Sat. Weather: Pine.—Dave
S. Klein, Astra Theatre, Kltwe-
Nkana, Northern Rhodesia, Africa.
Government, mining and
business patronage.
Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison
(20th-Pox)—Deborah Kerr, Robert
Mitchum. Another Cinema-
Scope picture in wonderful color
that Is one of the best movies I
have seen in a year. If Miss Kerr
does not get the Academy Award
for her performance, they had
better investigate the whole setup.
Play it, by all means. It's ter-
Played midweek. Weather:
rific.
Good. — Sam Holmberg, Regal
Theatre, Sturgis, Sask. Pop. 850.
UNITED ARTISTS
Ambassador's Daughter, The
(UA)—Olivia DeHavUland, John
Porsythe, Myma Loy. Picturewise
this was one of the most
pleasant surprises I've ever had.
A cast composed of old troopers,
favorites every one, then this
Forsythe guy and what a story!
It had everything. Business? It
was terrible. Well, you take It
from there. I retired from the
business last month. I sold out
to a wonderful young fellow,
Whitey Laumer. He was hail and
hearty and 36 and was doing a
good job. Then on Friday the
3rd of January, he got his summons
from higher up. Now Melba
and I are helping Mrs. Laumer
until she can find a buyer. You
folks missed knowing a fine new
showman.—Bob Walker, Uintah
Theatre, Fruita, Colo. Pop. 1,463.
UNIVERSAL-INTERNAT'L
Man of a Thousand Faces (U-I)
—James Cagney, Dorothy Malone,
Jane Greer. Here is a picture
of more than ordinary entertainment
value, liked by young
and old. But so many did not
come because they thought It
would be Uke some of Chaney's
old pictures, more or less on the
horror order. Not so! The story
was a somewhat touching one, /
depicting the life of Chaney and V
his deaf and mute parents. There
was some comedy, too. It was one
of those pictures that will stand
seeing more than once. I blame
myself for not advertising Just
what the picture was about.
Played Pri., Sat., Sun.—Leo W.
Smith, Elk Theatre, Elkton, S. D.
Night Passage (U-I)—James
Stewart, Audie Murphy, Dan
Emryea. This is an exceptionally
fine movie that did not do too
much business. Color was extra
good and that is what we need
in our features today. I thought
James Stewart did an outstanding
Job with his role. Played
Sun., Mon. Weather: Cold.—I.
Roche, Vernon Theatre, Vernon,
Fla. Pop. 610.
Slim Carter (U-D—Jock Mahoney,
Tim Hovey, Julie Adams.
Now here's a family picture.
Everyone liked this one. Did better
second day than first. As
always, Tim Hovey steals the
show. Played Thurs., Pri.
Weather: Good. — M. P. Jones,
Mai-tin Theatre, Florala, Ala.
WARNER BROS.
Prince and the Showgirl, The
,WBi — Marilyn Monroe, Laurence
Olivier, Sybil Thorndike.
This picture isn't really longer ,
than "The Ten (Commandments." (
It Just seems longer. Lots of ^
walkouts, a large percentage, that
is. We seriously considered just
locking up the third night rather
than bore the few trusting souls
who would lay their money on
the line to get in. Played Sun.,
Mon., Tues. Weather: Good.—
Paul Ricketts, Ness Theatre, Ness
City, Kas. Pop. 1,612.
BOXOmCE BooklnGuide
: : Feb. 24, 1968
'

Opinions on Current Productions
Feature reviews
Symbol © denotes color photograpbr; ® ChwmaScepo; ® VhtoVhtoii; 9 Siipwwsp*; S Naturoiiis. For ttory raoptb on each pktvre, sm raven* dde.
Cowboy i- Lg5.i e,
/^^TrrK^vr C
"s'lK^ Western Drama
Columbia (233) 92 Minutes ReL March '58
As this superlative sagebrusher draws to a close, the
average spectator probably will be tempted to rise to his
feet and shout for more. In fact, the only quarrel that the
ticket buyer might have with "Cowboy" may stem from the
(pinion that it is too short, for here is the brOliant accomplishment
of that thing about which television has been so
unjustifiably chattering—the adult western. Contributing to
this precedential and fascinating departure from the norm
is Edmund H. North's uncompromising screenplay which
reveals the cattle business of the 1870s as dirty, hard and
heartless, and yet retains relieving qualities of romance
and humor. This, plus the film's beautiful, rugged backgrounds—expertly
photographed in Technicolor—and the
top bracket name value of its two male stars, Glenn Ford
and Jack Lemmon, assure substantial profits for any theatre
into which it is booked. The performances of Ford and
Lemmon, backed by a talented supporting cast, are flawless,
with a slight edge going to Ford in a mite more exacting
role. For the feature's top characteristics, much credit is
due the effective direction of Delmer Daves and the production
know-how displayed by Julian Blaustein, who endowed
the vehicle with spectacular mountings.
Glenn Ford, Jack Lemmon, Anna Kashfi, Brian Donlevy,
Dick York, Victor Mendoza, Richard JaeckeL
^f
Campbell's Kingdom
F ^[ O""-^"--
or
Rank 102 Minutes Rel. March '58
Replete with thrilling outdoors action, rugged portrayals
and magnificent scenic backgrounds photographed in
Eastman Color, this is one of the best of the Rank pictures
in
houses
regard to general U.
Dirk
S. appeal, particularly
whose
in action
^*'\
drive-ins. Bogarde,
)
three "Doctor"
5> comedies have made him popular in America, is equally
good in a strong di-amatic role and the bearded James
Robertson Justice and Stanley Baker are familiar to all devotees
of British fare. Well produced by Betty E. Box against
Canadian Rockies backgrounds, the picture starts off at a
fast pace and director Ralph Thomas maintains Interest
throughout with the melodramatic highlights Including a
truck race along a rocky roadside, the dynamiting of a hUlside,
the blowing up of a wooden bridge (a la "River Kwai"),
an oU tanker explosion and the collapse of a huge dam
which sends the workers into raging floodwaters. A pleasing
romance is woven into the plot, plus a few touches of whimsical
comedy—something to suit all tastes. Although he
starts off looking a bit wan, as befits a city-bred Scotsman,
Bogarde later takes part in the fisticuffs and turns in a fine
performance. Baker is rapidly
most convincing villains.
becoming one of Britain's
Dirk Bogarde, Stanley Baker, Michael Craig, Barbara
Murray, James Robertson Justice, Athene Seyler.
The True Story of Lynn Stuart F "^i
Drama
Columbia (235) 78 Minutes Bel. March '58
Based on an actual case m Orange County, Calif., and on
newspaper articles by Pat Michaels, "The True Story of
LjTin Stuart" is an interesting picture with plenty of suspense.
Although there is a tendency toward over-melodramatic
treatment, the picture as a whole should hold the
interest of most types of audiences. It deals with an actual
case in which a housewife offers her services to the police as
an undercover agent in order to run down a gang of dope
peddlers. Her efforts are rewarded after some thrilling experiences.
Betsy Palmer does an effective job as the volunteer
agent and she is ably supported by Jack Lord, Barry
Atwater and a capable cast. The film should be a good supporting
picture in twin bill situations. It has all the elements
which appeal to the action fans—Intrigue, hijacking,
fights, shooting and chase. Bryan Foy, a veteran of production,
produced the picture. It was directed by Lewis Seller
from a screenplay by John H. Kneubuhl. An explanatory
introduction of what he describes as being "an almost unbelievable
true story" is presented by Edmimd G. Brown,
attorney general of the state of California.
Betsy Palmer, Jack Lord, Barry Atwater, Kim Spalding,
Karl Lukas, Casey Walters, Harry Jackson.
h
Tl
/ Accuse
F
Ratio: Drama
2.55-1 ©
MGM (817) 99 Minutes ReL March '58
An interest-holding, splendidly acted drama based on the
infamous Dreyfus case of 1894-1902, this should have its
strongest appeal to serious-minded, discerning patrons
those who attend the art houses. Its general audience draw
will rest on the stars, Jose Ferrer, who is stern and unyielding,
but rarely sympathetic, as the bearded Dreyfus; Viveca
Lindfors, who imparts great dignity and charm to the only
feminine role, and several of Britain's finest, David Farrar,
Leo Genn, Emlyn Williams and Herbert Lom, all of them
better known to devotees of class fare. Teenagers and those
who seek light entertainment might find it duU going.
Credit Ferrer, who also directed, with a strong feeling for
authenticity, as regards backgrounds and costumes, and a
sense of impending tragedy even if the picture has few
human interest touches. The same case was the subject
in "The Life of Emlle Zola," superbly played by Paul Muni
in Warners' 1937 film. Now Emlyn Williams' portrayal of
Zola is an outstanding character gem; David Farrar and
Leo Genn are excellent; Donald Wolfit is cruelly impressive
as the general who demands Dreyfus' exUe to Devil's
Island and Anton Walbrook is suavely effective as the real
traitor to France. Esterhazy. Produced by Sam Zimballst.
Jose Ferrer, Viveca Lindfors, Anton Walbrook, Leo
Genn, David Farrar, Emlyn Williams, Herbert Lom.
Cross-Up
United Artists {5808) 83 Minutes
Ratio: Mystery Drama
LS5-1
Rel. Jan. '58
A lone American vs. a gang of international thieves in
London is the familiar theme of this exciting programmer
produced in England by Robert S. Baker and Monty Berman.
With Larry Parks (it's a long time since his Al Jolson portrayal)
and Constance Smith to supply mild marquee draw,
this will satisfy as a supporting dualler generally or in lesser
action houses. The original British title, "Tiger by the Tail,"
seems a more intriguing one and better describes a story
dealing with one man's fight against a powerful syndicate.
As directed by John Gilllng, the opening is a terrifying one,
showing the hero's shooting and collapse—with aU the rest
one long flashback from his arrival in England. The screenplay,
by GUllng and Willis Goldbeck, is well plotted and suspenseful
and the London backgrounds are faithfully photographed
by Eric Cross. Parks is convincing enough as an
American newspaperman whose chance meeting with a
girl at a London bar leads to double-dealing and killings.
Constance Smith, formerly under contract to 20th Century-
Fox, is attractive and capable in the feminine lead, but Lisa
Daniely is less effective as the other woman. The Negro
singer, Marie Bryant, is heard in a nightclub sequence.
Larry Parks, Constance Smitli, Lisa Daniely, Cyril
Chamberlain, Donald Stewart, Thora Hird.
Man From God's Country F T^l'l ^"""L
^ Z.55-1 © Q
Allied Artists (5803) 72 Minutes Rel. Feb. 9, '58
Cinemascope photography, De Luxe Color and whatever
fan following George Montgomery commands might win for
this faltering western a smidgen more attention—in bookings
and patronage—than that which is normally accorded
assembly line sagebrushers. n so, the picture wUl be getting
everything—perhaps more—than its entertaiimient content
merits, because those are the only ingredients to distinguish
it from the most prosaic horse operas that have been made
by the literal thousands. Basically it is that dated yam
about the ruthless freight tycoon who wants to keep the
railroad from coming to the frontier town he dominates. An
effort to transcend such hackneyed formula by touching
on several other plot situations—all of them comparably
venerable—proves a llabUity rather than an asset inasmuch
as they result in an over abundance of dialog at the expense
of the action which galloper fans expect. Only in the closing
sequence— a shoot-'em-up melee that undertook to resolve
all of the dangling ends—is there evidence of such action.
Further, the use of trail herd stock shots in an attempt to
build production values defeats its purpose because of crude
interpolation. Paul Landres directed for producer Scott R.
Dunlap.
George Montgomery, Randy Stuart, Gregg Barton, Kim
Chamey, Susan Cummings, James Griffith.
The ravlewi on tbeie pefea may b« filed for future reference In eny of the fonowint woyt: (1) In any itendord three-rht«
binder; i2) Indtrleaelly, by compeny. l?.'!!l'j*^
In eny nenaara JxS care Index file; or (S) In rn* fOXOFFICI flCTURI
6UIDI tbree-nna, pockef-elx* binder. The letter, Ineladlnf e veor-i toppty of booKinf end daity buiineii recora iaeate,
may be obtained tnm Anociated PabHcatlana, MU Vaa Brunt Blvd., Kenia* City 14, Mo., for SI ••, pairafe paid.
2196 BOXOFFICE BookinGuide Feb. 24, 1968 2195

FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Exploitips; Adiines for Newspaper and Prograrrvs
THE STORY: "Campbell's Kingdom" (Rank)
On the death of Old Campbell, who had owned a "kingdom"
of land in the Canadian Rockies which he believed
was rich in oil, Stanley Baker, a contractor, goes ahead with
the building of a huge dam, which will eventually flood the
Campbell property. But the grandson. Dirk Bogarde, arrives
from Scotland and refuses to believe Baker's survey showed ^lei.
no oil on tJie Campbell land. Although the townspeople are Faj'
against Bogarde, because the dead man had Invested their »-
money in his oil scheme, he wins support from Barbara Murray
and from Michael Craig, the survey expert. Refusing
Baker's offer for the "kingdom" he hires James Robertson
Justice to start driUing for oil. Although Baker's men do
everything possible to stop them, even to threatening to
flood the land, a gusher is brought out. But faulty cement
used on the dam cracks and the valley is flooded, thus saving
Bogarde's oil land.
EXPLOITIPS:
Play up Dirk Bogarde as star of "Doctor in the House,"
"Doctor at Large" and "Doctor at Sea."
CATCHLINES:
Rugged Adventure, Exciting Action, Torrid Romance—in
the Heart of Canada's Magnificent Rockies . . . Dirk Bogarde,
Handsome Star of "Doctor in the House," in the
Most Dramatic and Romantic Role of His Career.
THE STORY:
"Cowboy" (Col)
Glenn Ford, a hard-bitten, ruthless but square-shooting
cattleman from the range, brings a herd to Chicago where
it is sold at a handsome profit. In one night of gambling
and carousing. Ford blows his entire bankroll. While drunk
and in need of money, he enters into a partnership deal
, with Jack Lemmon, a sensitive, Boston-bred hotel clerk
lie who hankers to enter the cattle business in Mexico because
he's in love with a girl there. From then on, it's a toothand-nail
conflict between the two men, with Lemmon slowly
but surely being molded into a man even tougher than
Ford. A happy conclusion finds the two, through mutual
respect and admiration, close friends as well as partners.
EXPLOITIPS:
Play up marquee value of Ford and Lemmon. Reach the
crop of western fans via television and radio spot aimouncements
anent "Cowboy" being the first western ever made
to reveal the true life a cowboy leads. Arrange with disc
jockeys to spin western type records, with plugs for the
picture interspersed. Arrange lobby display of posters and
stUls surrounding a western scene—perhaps a corral with
western regalia hanging on the fence.
CATCHLINES:
At Last—An Adult Western, Presenting the Life of Cowboys
as It Really Was in the 1870s . . . The Exciting, Dramatic
Saga of Life on the Range.
THE STORY: "I Accuse" (MGM)
In 1894, Captain Dreyfus (Jose Ferrer) of the French
Army is suddenly placed under arrest, accused of being a
spy by a counter-intelligence colonel who had fought Dreyfus'
appointment because he was a Jew. The real spy, Anton
Walbrook, tips Dreyfus' arrest to anti-Semitic newspapers,
who insist he be punished. At the court-martial, the War
Minister insists on a guilty verdict and gets it from a jury
of Army officers. Stripped of his honors and sent to life
imprisonment on Devil's Island, Dreyfus has friends who
find evidence establishing his innocence but the Army refuses
to reopen the case. Later, Walbrook is accused but
acquitted—this causing Emile Zola, novelist, to campaign
to print a stirring letter to the President of France, "I
Accuse." The people now clamor for a new trial for Dreyfus
and, after five years, the goverimient offers him a pardon.
Reunited with his family, Dreyfus Is eventually cleared and .„/,
acclaimed by the crowds who had once shouted *"
for his
death.
EXPLOITIPS:
To attract the literary-minded and class patrons, play
up the author Zola and his part In Dreyfus' acquittal.
Arrange for bookstore displays of Zola's famous novels.
CATCHLINES:
The Infamous Trial That Shocked the Nation . . . Condemned
to Devil's Island for a Crime He Didn't Commit.
i. Pc
THE STORY: "The True Story of Lynn Stuart" (Col)
Betsy Palmer, a Santa Ana, Calif., house wife, goes to
work for the police to help smash a gang of dope peddlers
after her nephew is killed in a car accident as the result of
narcotics. Under the name of Lynn Stuart, she wins the
attention of Jack Lord, a leader of the gang, who takes
her into his confidence. She reports her findings secretly
to the police. Miss Palmer is forced to accompany Lord on
a major dope smuggling operation over the Mexican border,
during which Lord commits three murders. She manages
to keep in touch with the police, however, and, after some
exciting adventures, the gang is rounded up. The gang
never learns that Miss Palmer is an undercover agent and
after the mobsters are convicted, she and her family are
forced to move to another city for their own protection.
EXPLOITIPS:
Law enforcement agencies should be asked to cooperate
on the promotion of the picture. Put "Wanted" photos in
the lobby. Screen the picture for civic leaders and editors.
Solicit editorial comment.
CATCHLINES:
An Incredible Real-Life Drama ... Do You Know This
Woman? . . . She Must Live in Hiding Forever . . . Who Is
"The Woman Without a Pace"? . . . California's Attorney
General Says This Picture Is "An Almost Unbelievable True
Story" . . . It's Daring, It's Thrilling . . . and It's True!
THE STORY: "Man From God's Country" (AA)
After resigning his Job of sheriff In a Southern town.
George Montgomery rides to Montana to find a former
Civil War buddy whom he plans to join in building a ranch.
Arriving, he learns that his erstwhile pal's life is messed
up, romantically and because he is in the gun-.slinging
employ of the town tyrant, a freight line operator who
is fighting the impending advent of the railroad. At the
same time, Montgomery falls for a dance hall gal. Randy
Stuart, the heavy's supposed sweetheart. By posing as a
representative of the raUroad and with the cooperation of
an honest local lawman, he ultimately brings all issues into
the open. The baddies are all killed and our hero rewins
his friend and the girl.
EXPLOITIPS:
In advertising, stress the fact that the film Is In Cinema-
Scope and De Luxe Color and also play up George Montgomery,
star of many westerns. Decorate the lobby and
front of the theatre with guns, six gallon hats, saddles, and
other paraphernalia reminiscent of the west.
CATCHIJNES:
From Out of the West Rode the Man Prom God's Country
... A Saga of the Western Frontier—Packed With Exciting jus
Action, Rugged Adventure, Tantalizing Romance.
eem
MU
oe r
THE STORY: "Cross-Up" (UA)
Larry Parks, an American newspaperman who expects
to be sent to Paris, is instead assigned to London. His new
secretary, Constance Smith, is unable to keep him company
so he goes to a bar, where Lisa Daniely takes him home and
he falls in love with her. She refuses to reveal anything
about herself until Parks learns that she is involved with
a gang of international thieves. In a struggle with Parks,
Lisa is accidentally killed by her own gun and he runs
away, taking her secret diary with code messages. The
thieves bend every effort to track down Parks and get the
diary, but Constance helps him escape them. Finally, the
thieves are captured by the police, who had been trailing
them, but only after Parks is seriously wounded.
EXPLOITIPS:
Mention that Larry Parks portrayed Al Jolson in "The
Jolson Story" and "Jolson Sings Again" in 1946 and 1949,
respectively. Constance Smith, formerly a 20th Century-Fox
star, was in "The Mudlark," "Taxi," "The 13th Letter" and
"Lure of the Wilderness," among others. A lobby display of
counterfeit money will attract attention.
CATCHLINES:
The Walls of the Whole City Were Closing In—and Now
He Was Running for His Life . . . The Hot Money Mob's
Hottest Story . . .A Young Newspaperman's Most Exciting
Adventure—On the Trail of Hot Money.
c
BOXOFFICE BookinGuld* :: Feb. 24. 1938

Opinions on Current Productions
^lATURE REVIEWS
Symbol © denotes color photography; © CInetnoScope; ?i VIstoVlslon; g) Supeneope; ® Noturamo. For story synopsis on each picture, see reverse side.
The Big Beat F T T'
Univ.-Int'l (5822) 83 Minutes Kel. April '58
A lively, entertaining, tune-packed musical with tremendous
appeal to the teenagers, who are the chief support of
the record industry, this is by far the best in the current
cycle of rock 'n' roll-jive programmers. In addition to Fats
Domino, The Four Aces and others who thrill the juveniles,
the picture boasts Harry James, The Mills Brothers, Freddy
Martin and Jeri Southern, who are also popular with general
patrons, as well as a believable story line and—best of all—
the use of Eastman Color to add production gloss. Produced
and directed by Will Ckjwan, long adept at making U-I's
musical featurettes, the story deals with the record business,
thus permitting the logical introduction of 13 song numbers
by top singers or vocal groups. One of these, the velvetvoiced
Gogi Grant (she did the vocals in "The Helen Morgan
Story") , warbles "You've Never Been in Love" and two other
tunes in addition to enacting the heroine in pleasingly
modest style. Her romantic vis-a-vis is the handsome, cleancut
William Reynolds while the eccentric Hans Conreid, the
raucous Rose Marie and Bill Goodwyn ably take care of the
comedy chores. In some spots, this will be teamed with
U-I's "Summer Love," making a strong combination.
William Reynolds, Gogi Grant, Jeffrey Stone, Andra
Martin, Hans Conreid, Rose Marie, Bill Goodwin.
Summer Love F tf ^2..
CniT.-Infl (5821) 85 Minutes Rel. April '58
Geared for adolescent appeal and featuring several of the
young leads of "Rock, Pretty Baby," including the teenage
heart-throb John Saxon, this comedy with musical interludes
is a natural for the neighborhood spots patronized
by the youthful element. Molly Bee, young recording star,
who sings "Magic Penny" and "To Know You Is to Love
You" in pleasing style. Is another selling name. But for the
oldsters (meaning anyone over 25), the only recognizable
player will be Fay Vfray, who gives her customary Ingratiating
portrayal in a mother role. Several of the other tunes including
"Beatin' on the Bongos" and "Ding-a-Long" are
played in typically noisy style by a jive group—this bedlam
is better appreciated by the hepcats. As directed by Charles
Haas, the story deals almost entirely with juvenile antics'
and romantics at a summer camp, none of this to be taken '
too seriously. Saxon does well enough as the moody, ratherserious
hero, playing opposite Jill St. John, excellent as a
teenage vamp, and Judy Meredith as his steady girl. The
lanky and engaging Rod McKuen stands out and the frogvoiced
George Winslow, now all of 11, gets laughs with his
hoarse line delivery. Produced by William Grady jr.
John Saxon, Molly Bee, Rod McKuen, Judy Mereditb,
John Wilder, Jill, St. John, George Winslow, Fay Wray.
Girl in the Woods F l^ *'"" """"
Republic (5771) 71 Minutes Rel. Feb. 22, '58
The latest AB-PT production for Republic release is a
better-than-average action film with a capable cast, including
Forrest Tucker and Barton MacLane, both familiar
to devotees of this type of fare. Well produced by Harry
L. Mandell, the picture also has considerable feminine
appeal, unusual in this type of film, with newcomer Diana
Fi-ancis giving a sexy jwrtrayal in the title role, Maggie
Hayes contributing a fine acting job as a loyal young wife
and Joyce Compton, returning to the screen after an eightyear
absence, playing a comedy character role. The screenplay
by Oliver Crawford and Marcel Klauber, based on
Crawford's story, has several predictable moments but holds
interest well enough and director Tom Gries has included
a plenitude of action, including shooting, chases and really
rugged fistic encounters. The husky, handsome Tucker, who
was recently featured in "The Abominable Snowman" and
"Break in the Circle," both made abroad for 20th Century-
Fox, is ideally suited to the role of a lumberjack and Mac-
Lane and Murvyn Vye also fit into the northwoods background.
Jack Marta's photography of the forests is excellent
but, here again, color would have enhanced the picture's
value.
Forrest Tucker, Maggie Hayes, Barton MacLane, Diana
Francis, Paul Langton, Joyce Compton, Murvyn Vye. 'icei;
wnrtl: rtll
cos ist/
Ratio: Romantic Drama
Beautiful But Dangerous F 1.85-1 with Music
O
20th-Fox (816-9) 103 Minutes Rel. Feb. '58
"The Most Beautiful Woman in the World," the European
release title of this Franco-Italian co-production, is an apt
description of its star, Gina Lollobrigida, who has never
looked more ravishing than she does in Eastman Color
wearing the becoming period costumes of the early 20th
century. Purporting to be the life story of Lina Cavalierl,
celebrated opera star, this Maleno Malenotti production has
a fanciful, operetta-type plot but director Robert Z. Leonard
has included considerable swordplay and derring-do for
action-minded fans, as well as several operatic arias to delight
music lovers. Gina reportedly does her own singing of
the "Bissi d'Arte" from "Tosca" and some tuneful Italian
street songs and the glorious voice of Mario Del Monaco Is
heard in the opera scenes. The Italian Vittorio Gassman
makes a handsome romantic figure and America's Robert
Alda does well enough as the jealous impresario who directs
her to stardom. Another cast asset is Anne Vernon, who
adds a few lighter touches as a Spanish guitarist who becomes
the singer's companion. No less than eight Italian
writers collaborated on the screenplay, but the story is no
credit to any of them. The settings are lavish and authentic.
Gina Lollobrigida, Vittorio Gassman, Robert Alda, Anne
Vernon, Gino Sinimberghi, Tamara Lees, Enzo Biliottl.
Ambush at Cimarron Pass F
Ratio: Western
2.55-1 ®
20th-Fox (815-1) 73 Minutes ReL March '58
Here's still another Indian-and-cavalry adventure picture
from the busy production lines of Regal Films which assays
as little more than adequate to fulfill the exhibition niche
for which it was made, namely, to bring up the rear on
the double bills of the less important situations. Indications
are that the feature's budget was something lower than
the average established for Regal's output. Despite which,
producer Herbert E. Mendelson succeeded in mounting the
feature without too startling evidence of the limited bankroll
with which he was made to operate. This was accomplished
through having the offering photographed in Its
entirety against outdoor backgrounds, thus eliminating the
cost of constructing sets. Another dollar-conserving gimmick
to which he resorted provided for having the Injuns steal
all of the horses during an early sequence and having his
cast afoot the rest of the time—a somewhat horseless hoss
opera. Showmen will find some merchandising material in
the fact that Regalscope is utilized and that a reasonably
well known name, Scott Brady, heads the cast. Under
direction of Jodie Copelan—his solo piloting job—Brady
and the supporting cast do as well as could be expected.
Scott Brady, Margia Dean, Baynes Barron, William
Vaughan, Key Mayer, John Damler, Keith Richards.
The Fighting Wildcats
RepubUc (5706)
74 Minutes
F
Ratio: Action Drama
1.85-1
ReL Dec. 23, '57
A title which suggests action (even if it has scant connection
with the plot) and the mild name draw of Keefe Brasselle
are the sole exploitable assets of this British-made programmer.
Because the picture opens with an explosive sequence,
which has the hero dynamiting an oil well fire, and contains
plenty of fisticuffs and other violence, it will satisfy
the thrill addicts or serve as supporting dualler in neighborhood
houses. Brasselle, who also directed in acceptable
fashion, has staiTed in several action films but will be best
remembered for playing the title role in "The Eddie Cantor
Story" in 1953. The attractive blond Kay Callard takes care
of the romantic chores and Karel Stepanek is an especially
sinister villain. The screenplay by Norman Hudis is based
on his own story in collaboration with Lance Hargreaves and
stands out from a formula yarn mainly in that the hero,
heroine and villain are all killed off in the dynamite charged
climax—leaving only lesser characters alive. Among these
is a Scotland Yard inspector played by Bruce Seton. Produced
by Derek Winn and Kay Luckwell for Amalgamated.
Bill Luckwell is executive producer.
Keefe Brasselle, Kay Callard, Karel Stepanek, Vrsnla
Howells, Bruce Seton, Sheldon Lawrence, Alex Galller.
The reviews on these poges may be filed for future reference in ony of the following woys: (1) In ony stondord three-ring
loose-leaf binder; (2) Individually, by company. In any stondord 3x5 cord Index file; or (3) In the BOXOFFICE PICTURE
GUIDE three-ring, pocket-iixe binder. The lotter. Including o yeor'i supply of booking and dolly business record sheets,
mey be obtained from Anoclatad Publlcotlons, S25 Von Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 24, Mo., for $1.00, postaoa paid.
2198
BOXOFFICE BookinGuido : : Feb. 24, 1958 2197

. . Never
. . Virgin
. . Seven
. . They're
FEATURE REVIEWS
Story Synopsis; Exploitips; Adiines for Newspaper and Programs
TlIE STORY:
"Beautiful But Dangerous" (20th-Fox)
In 1900. Lina Cavalieri (Gina Lollobrigida) rushes in to
replace her ailing mother in a singing act at a cheap music
hall in Rome. Vittorio Gassman, a Russian prince, quiets
the noisy audience and gives her money so she can study
to be a great singer. Gina meets a well-known conductor,
Robert Alda. who offers to coach her and wants her to
become his mistress. She refuses and, after a fight with
her singing rival, the publicity gets Gina an offer as star of
PoUes-Plastique.s, billed as "the most beautiful woman in
the world." She again meets Vittorio and falls in love with
him while Alda and other admii-ers still seek her affections.
One admirer is mysteriously slain and Vittorio is suspected
because he cannot be found. Gina then goes on a world
singing tour with Alda, who finally confesses he is the
killer. Gina and Vittorio are reunited.
EXPLOITIPS:
Play up the fact that Gina, who looks more beautiful
than ever before, also sings on the screen for the first time.
For music lovers, mention that Mario Del Monaco, famed
Metropolitan Opera star, is heard in the picture. Arrange
music store tieups for displays of Del Monaco's albums and
for recordings of "La Tosca," performed in the picture.
CATCHLINES:
Gina Sings! Gina Dances! Gina Loves! . More
Fiery! Never More Exciting! Never More Beautiful! . . .
The Life Story of Lina Cavalieri, Famed Operatic Star.
THE STORY: "The Big Beat" (U-I)
William Reynolds, son of Bill Goodwin, owner of a conservative
record company concentrating on albums, graduates
from college and comas to work for his father. From the
start, friction develops because Rejmolds wants to put out
single records for the teenagers. Anxious to sign up Gogl
Grant, Goodwin lets his son and Jeffrey Stone start a subsidiary
company to market popular-type records. Reynolds
signs Gogi and other jazz and rock 'n' roll artists and makes
thousands of records, but they just don't sell. When everything
looks black and Goodwin is ready to close the subsidiai-y.
Reynolds turns to Hans Conreid, an eccentric friend
who agrees to market the popular records in his chain of
grocery markets. With the future of the popular-tJTje record
company assured, Conreid even agrees to sell some of Goodwin's
albums in his stores.
EXPLOITIPS:
The title and theme are naturals for music shop displays of
the many albums and single records made by F^ts Domino
(Imperial), Gogi Grant (RCA Victor) and The MUls Brothers,
Jeri Southern, The Four Aces and the George Shearing
Quintet.
CATCHLINES:
A Big Musical Jammed With 18 Top Recording Stars . . .
The Tempo-Torrid Story of the Guys and Gals Who Make
America's Heart Beat to Their Music.
THE STORY: "Ambush at Cimarron Pass" (20th-Fox)
An army sergeant, Scott Brady, is returning to his fort
with the remnants of his command, a supply of repeating
rifles which had been captured from the Indians and a
prisoner, the man who sold the contraband firearms to the
Redskins. En route, his outfit encounters a group of ex-
Confederate soldiers, still embittered over the Civil War.
Brady convinces them that their best chance of surviving
is to join forces against the common enemy. The Redskins,
intent upon recapturing the guns, steal the horses and
then offer to swap them for the firearms. Brady refuses
and the party fights its way through to the fore after
innumerable adventures and skirmishes, during which he
wins the respect of the southerners—and, of coiu-se, the girl.
EXPLOITIPS:
Promote items from children's shops to give as prizes
for kids who come to the theatre wearing the most authentic
western outfits. Arrange a contest with the English or
History teachers in your schools for students to write in
100 words or less what true story of the old west days they
think would make a good western movie, with free passes
to tile winner. Play up Scott Brady on marquee.
CATCHLINES:
Prom Dusk to Dawn They Fled on Foot Prom the KUler
Apaches . . . Caught in the Wilds of Apache Country, They
Bravely Faced Their Savage Enemies.
M
Pc
THE STORY:
"Summer Love" (U-I)
Joiin Saxon, who leads a five-man musical combo, gets
the group its fii-st professional engagement at a summer
camp, where the local vamp, Jill St. John, is given a rush by
John Wilder. But Jill has eyes only for Saxon, who is loyal
to his back-home girl, Judy Meredith. Wilder's escapades
with Jill almost cost the band their job so Saxon starts to
straighten her out but, instead, finds himself falling for her.
When Judy arrives at camp and sees the situation, she goes
off with Wilder, hoping to make Saxon jealous. When the
combo is booked for another camp, Saxon goes to Jill and
soon finds she doesn't want to be tied down to anyone. Saxon
then returns to Judy, knowing that she is his real romance.
EXPLOITIPS:
For the teenage patrons, play up Molly Bee, who records
for Capitol Records, and make a tieup with a local music
shop for window displays of her albums, as well as the
Decca album of the "Summer Love" soundtrack. Play up the
other attractive newcomers in the cast, especially the dark,
handsome John Saxon.
CATCHLINES:
The "Rock, Pretty Baby" Kids Are Back—Living, Loving
and Laughing Through a Summer of Fun . Wild
About Love and Crazy About Music . New IXmes in
a New Teenage Romance With Souped-Up Rhythm and
Mixed-Up Notions About Love.
THE STORY: "The Fighting WUdcaU" (Rep)
When Keefe Brasselle gets a $5,000 fee for dynamiting a
mideastern oil well fire to save the field, he quits his job and
goes to London to see his girl friend, Kay Callard. In London.
after a near-disastrous stopover in Algiers, Keefe is approached
by smugglers who want him to lay a charge of
dynamite that will assassinate a Middle East envoy on a
peace mis.sion. Keefe's plans to tunnel under the envoy's
hotel room are watched by Scotland Yard Investigators
When Kay tries to warn Keefe she runs into the path of the
dynamite charge and Is killed. Keefe attacks the head of
the smuggling ring and, while dying, hurls a grenade which
kills the villain. The peace mission then comes to a safe conclusion.
EXPLOITIPS:
Keefe Brasselle, the only American in the cast and the
best-known name, played the title role in "The Eddie Cantor
Story" for Warner Bros, and was also featured in Paramount's
"A Place in the Sun" and in "Three Young Texans
among "
others. Cutouts of oU wells In the lobby or on the
house front may attract attention.
CATCHLINES:
Violence Exploded—The Pay-Off Was Right But the Plot
Backfired
. . Dynamite For Hire ... He Traded in Dynamite—But
Some Plres Can't Be Put Out . . . Action In the us
Middle East. ~,
/lU
THE STORY: "Girl in the Woods" (Rep)
Forrest Tucker, a roving lumberjack, arrives ui a northwest
lumbering town with his loyal wife, Maggie Hayes. En
route, they stop to aid PaiU Langton, who has been injured
while cutting down trees on land on which he maintains
a powerful lumber company stolen from his father years
before. The townspeople have the same belief and refuse
to tell Murvyn Vye, the company owner, where Langton
hides out. Tucker is hired by the lumber company, where
he attracts the attention of Diana Francis, 18-year-old who
wants to get away to the city. Being promised $5,000 for
learning where Langton is, Diana tricks Tucker into revealing
his hiding place. When Langton is killed by Murvyn's
men, the town blames Tucker for his death. But Diana's
father learns that she is planning to leave town with a
huge sum of money. He forces her to confess and later
Tucker beats up Vye and wins the respect of Maggie, as
well as the townspeople.
EXPLOITIPS:
Stress the picture's action content by playing up Forrest
Tucker, rugged star of "The Abominable Snowman," "Break
in the Circle," "Quiet Gun," "Sands of Iwo Jlma," etc., and
Barton MacLane and Murvyn Vye.
CATCHLINES:
' Giant Men . . . Reckless Love . Wilderness . . .
^n This Giant's Arms Slie Became a Woman.
C
BOXOFnCE BooldnGulde Feb. 24. 1958

ATES: 15c per word, minimum S1.50, cash wilh copy. Four consecutive insertions for price
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. •
POSITIONS WANTED
I nwd a jobi MamiBfi capable of operating.
•efor Tex;ii:. Cjin also book and buy. Write.
jsofllce. "GSo.
25 years conventional including first runs.
;>od exploitation. .\ge 48. Go ajiywlicre for sound
curiiy. Boxoffice. 7696.
Projectionist, sober, reliable, references. Capile
of repairing, maintaining, projection, sound.
[iilpnient. Southern Michigan drive-in. Boxoffice,
197.
Projectionist. 5 years experience. Single, rcible.
siiber, good references. Richard F. Nelson.
(28 Winchester Ave.. Ashland. Ky. I'hone: E;isl
3340
HELP WANTED
Wanted, manager for Chicago area drive-in.
list be expU>lta[itM> minded. Top salary for right
in. Give reference, age and experience. Boxflee.
7691.
Immediate openino for experienced, aggressive,
[iloitaiion, ttieatre minded managers. Must be of
Sh character, best personal and business referees
required. First run and sub run situations,
rmanent connections, midwest. Boxoffice. 7693.
General manager wanted for small Pennsylvania
i-a'ri' chain of six theatres. Excellent starting
lary. many other benefits. State qualifications
letter. Boxoffice. 7695.
Experienced drive-in manager. Louisville area,
lod opportunity. Send (tualificalions to, P.O.
IX 506. Jeffersonvilie, Ind.
Wanted. ex;:erienced drive-ln manager. Indiana
rrilory. Full ye;tr or seasonal job. State quallfitlons
in letter. Boxoffice. 7701.
VIP! Very important position is opening in
ge national sales organization in Indianapolis,
(i. area. Income imlimiled. Send photo, referees,
experience. Boxoffice. 7702.
Wanted manager. Small to»n, capable malnunof.
Can use wife as assistant. Good pay.
rerences necessary. Apply, H. A. Daniels, Seguin,
xas.
Wanted. Experienced manager for specialized
I theatre policy. Top .salary and many benefits.
>ply Walter Reade Theatres, Oakhurst, New Jery.
Kellogg 1-1600.
Projectionist, single or man and wife for con-
y time. C. T. NeJson. Box C.
24", $3.00. Dept cc. S.O.S. Cinema Supply Hahira. Ga.
Corp.. 602 W. 52nd St.. New York 19.
THEATRES WANTED
Theatres. Wired television system. Kadio stations.
Television stations, Ralph Erwin. Broker,
1443 South Trenton. Tulsa.
Financially responsible, experienced Bhowman
wants to iejise drive-in tlieatre in Missouri, Iowa
or Illinois. Wiite complete details and photos if
possible. Boxoffice. 768G.
Waited to buy or lease, drive-in theatres in
Ohio. I'enn., Mich. Act now before season opens
I!iiNnf;ice, 7688.
Wanted, small town theatre, noncompetitive in
Florid, I, Will trade modern. p:ofitJibIe, nonconi-
IK'tiliie small town theatre in east Texas. (Jive
or take difference. Boxoffice. 7705.
Wanted to lease or buy drive-in theatre, southern
stales. Details first letter, confidential. Krnest
Pollock. Hohenwald, Tenn.
BUSINESS STIMULATORS
Bingo, more action! $4,50M caids. Other games
available, on-off screen. Novelty Gan»es Co., 106
Itogcrs Ave.. Brookbn. N. Y.
Build attendance with real Hawaiian orchids.
I''ew cents each. Write Flowers of Hawaii. 670
S. Lafayette Place. Los Angeles 5, Calif.
Bingo Cards, Die Cut! 1, 17-500 combinations.
I. 100-200 combination. Can be used for KENO.
$4.50 per M, Premium Products, 346 West 44tli
St.. New York 36. N. Y.
Bumper strips. Ask for our p:ice first on your
order for big savings. Mack Enterprises, Centralia.
Illinois.
BOOKS
Don't operate wastefully in these tough times!
Hundreds of ways to save money, all based on
practical theatre experieiKe, are yours in the
"Ma-ster Guide to The^atre Maintenance." The
Miister Guide contains three chapters devoted
specifically to drive-Ins only. Each one of them
may be worth far more to you th;m the $5,00
the book costs. Send for your copy today. Ca--li
with order, no CODs. Boxoffice Book Dept.. 825
Van Brunt Blvd., Kan.sas City 24. Mo.
THEATRE SEATING
Chair supplies, parts for all chairs. Fensin
Sealing. Chicago 5.
Repairing and reupholstertng in your theatre.
Fensin Seating. Chicago 5.
New spring seats for all chairs. Fensin Seating,
Cliicago 5.
Patch-o-Seat cement, permastone anchor cement.
Fensin Seating. Chicago 5.
Seat coverings, sewed combination, all styles,
Fensin Seating, Chicago 5.
Plastic leatherette, all colors, send sample.
Fcasin Seating. Chicago 5.
Utholslery fabrics, all types, send sample.
Fensin Seating. (Tiicago 5.
Cash for your old theatre chairs, Fensin Seatin,
Chicago 5.
SCREEN TOWERS
We specialize in building and widening steel
screen towers. Get our estimate before you build,
to save money. Write, M. E. Renfrow Construction
Co.. c/o Kentucky Grill, Central Gty, Ky.
Phone: 339,
STUDIO AND PRODUCTION
Akeley audio sound camera, $9,500 value,
$1,995; Mitchell 35mm tiacking camera. $095;
liCA photophone 35mm recording outfits, fiom $2.-
295: snrpius B&ll eyemo 35mm cameras V4, cost
—turret, finder, magazine and motor mount, $205:
-Neumade 35mm film cleaning machines, ,$205:
Houston 35mm processors, $8,000 value, from
$1,495; 35mm -Moriolas. $189. Dept cc. S.O.S.
Cinema Supply Corp., 602 W. 52nd St., New York
19.
MISCELLANEOUS
Theatre Supply Company for sale. Large midwestern
city. $50,000 in accounts. $10,000 inventory.
Valuable franchises. Boxoffice. 7706.
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