Boxoffice-08.01.1960

. . . After
. . . R.
. . Mr.
. . The
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30 Original Staffers of Frisco Fox SAN FRANCISCO
Compare Memories of 31 Years Ago
Members of the original staff at the Fox Theatre sing "Hail, Hail, the Gang's
All Here" with Joaquin Garay at the piano. Sitting beside him is Lou Singer, Fox
usher in 1929. now manager of the Fox Redwood Theatres. Standing behind them
is Bob .•\pple, present manager of the San Francisco Fox.
Prize Spanish Production
Headed for San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO — Irving M. Levin,
head of the San Francisco International
Film Festival, touring Europe in the interests
of the world-wide competition, has
revealed that the Spanish film declared
winner of the Berlin International Festival
was invited to the San Fl'ancisco event before
it won the German Golden Bear prize
at the recent contest.
"The Little Guide of Tormes" ("El
Lazarillo de Tormes" > , directed by Cesar
Fernandez Ardavin, that swept the field
at Berlin to win top prize, was spotted by
L2vin bDforc its victory. He secured the
promise of Un- Spanish producers to enter
the film in the San Francisco event. The
picture from Spain was the surprise winner
over the international field that included
Stanley Kramer's "Inherit the Wind."
"The Little Guide of Tormes," according
SAN FRANCISCO—Some 30 members
of the staff of the Fox Theatre when it
opened 31 years ago gathered recently at
the Leopard cafe for a dinner and to exchange
memories of the comradeship they
enjoyed under an outstanding management
in one of the world's largest and
most beautiful theatres. The group calls
itself the Fox Alumni Ass'n.
There were 227 persons on the original
Fox staff. The overhead was $42,000 a
week. There were 125 ushers, 16 doormen,
14 cashiers, a manager, an assistant manager,
treasurer, house manager, chief usher,
assistant chief usher, four captains,
two pages and 60-piece orchestra.
Today some are prominent businessmen,
including Hai-vey Binns of the AGE Discount
Stores: Arthur Bridgett, lawyer;
Sam Barnblatt, owner for 27 years of the
California Tire Co.; Graham Kislingberry,
public relations; "Doc" Wilson, organist
at Fox. now retired; Hermine King, piano
player; John Grunning, Internal Revenue
agent for 20 years; Joe Brennfeck, business
agent of the garage employes union;
Walter Swope, ex-chief of police at Millbrae,
now an attorney in San Bruno; Al
Graft, foi-mer politican; Pete Zelis, police
officer; Tom Maloney, fireman; Carl
Schilbred, maintenance shop with the city
of San Francisco; W. Winston, former
page boy, now in the moving business, and
Joaquin Garay, night club owner.
Still connected in the theatre business
are Herman Kersken, first manager of the
Pox. now managing director of Paramount
Theatre, Oakland; Lou Singer, manager of
the Fox Redwood Theatre; Bud Tapper,
manager of United Artists Theatre; Dick
Warfield, manager of the Embassy Theatre;
Warren Pechner, manager of the
Telenews; Lou Williams, manager of the
Royal; Ernie Hoffman, still working as a
projectionist at the Fox; William Ford,
projectionist at the Larkin; Bill Woutherland,
director of theatrical employes union,
and Frank O'Leary, business agent for
the stagehands union.
to reports from Berlin, captures the extraordinary
beauty and marvels of the
medieval period in Spain. It recently won
top prize in Spain as the "best" film and
was awarded top honors for its musical
score composed by Salvador Ruiz de Luna.
San Francisco's film festival is the only
event sanctioned by the International Film
Federation that includes the John.stoii
office. The occasion is the fourth year of
its activation and will be held October 19-
November 1.
Audrey Hepburn Will Star
In 'Mistress of Mellyn'
HOLLYWOOD— Audrey Hepburn will
star in "Mistress of Mellyn," to be produced
at Paramount by Henry Blanke. immediately
following completion of the
actress' top role in Jurow-Shepherd's
"Breakfast at Tiffany's. slated to roll at
"
the Marathon lot in September.
Cunrise at Campobello" opens at the
Marina Theatre October 6 for an exclusive
Northern California roadshow engagement.
San Francisco w'ill be one of
the only six cities to see the film this year
a two-month vacation, Mr. and
Mrs. Walter Preddy made their return trip
from Europe by the new TWA jet.
. . .
Ward Stoopes has reopened the Capri
Theatre on Courtland avenue. The 320-
ssat house was completely painted, a new
candy counter, stage curtains and lighting
William A.
fixtures were installed . . . Blair jr. opened the Parkwood Auto Movies
on Highw-ay 129. north of Cloverdale.
The
Wednesday evening. July 20
Coalinga Drive-In has been reopened by
Fred Cuthbert. who took it over from G. E.
Turner. The Roy Cooper office is handling
the bookings.
A preview opening of the Encore
Theatre. Sacramento, was held July 21 by
owner-manager Anson J. Longtin. who also
operates the Guild Theatre there .
Robert Bemis. manager of the Walter
Preddy Theatre Supply, returned from a
business visit at the Tahoe Drive-In, Lake
Tahoe. The firm recently installed a new
Boddie screen in the Empire Theatre, San
Francisco, and high intensity lamps were
placed in the Sky View Drive-In. Salinas
O. Bartel. service man for the company,
covered the Democratic convention.
Six neighborhood houses were showing
Warner Bros.. "Ice Palace" .
Roosevelt
Theatre on 24th street has been
closed . and Mrs. Sam Guilbert,
managers of the Columbia Theatre, Firebaugh.
were on the Row shopping . . . The
Bloopers are in the lead in the summer
game of the mixed team of the 'Variety
Bowling League.
Adler Will Names Wife,
Children to Inherit
HOLLYWOOD—An estate of approximately
$4,000,000 was left by Buddy Adler
to his widow. Anita Louise Adler. and two
children. Melanle. 12. and Anthony, 10, it]
was disclosed when the will was filed for
probate in Santa Monica Superior Court.
The widow and attorney Arnold M. Grant
were named executors and trustees.
Real and personal property amounting
to approximately $1,900,000 was included
In the estate, and the balance was in deferred
payments from 20th-Pox and life
insurance policies.
Ed Morris Signs as Scripter
HOLLYWOOD—Ed Morris has been
signed by producer Fred Kohlmar to prepare
the screenplay for "Barbara Greer,"
upcoming production for Columbia release
based on "Barbara Woodcock," the
Stephen Birmingham novel.
Fess Parker as Elvis' Costar
HOLLYWOOD—Fess Parker has been
ipl for the costarrlng role with Elvis
Presley in "Flaming Lance. " 20th-Pox release
which David Weisbart will produce
and Don Siegel helm.
W-4 BOXOFFICE August 1, 1960