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. Page<br />
APRIL 9. 1962<br />
IN THIS ISSUf:<br />
THi<br />
MODBRN<br />
THBATED<br />
SECTION<br />
TuAe<br />
&jt ^ m&tcm. T^ctuAe<br />
Natalie Wood and Richord Bcymer ore shown in a scene from "West Side Story," United<br />
Artists release, which hos been selected as the March winner of the BOXOFFICE Blue<br />
Ribbon Award. The Award is chosen eoch month by the National Screen Council on the<br />
basis of general entertainment value ond suitability for family viewing .<br />
15.<br />
^Second Clott poitooe paid at ICan>ai Oty, Me.<br />
>blit>wd wMkty ot Bis Van Brunt Blvd., Kan-<br />
City, Mo SubMTiption rotM Sectional<br />
tion, )3 00 per yeor, Notionol Edition, J7.S0.<br />
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE EDITION<br />
lnclii«
'<br />
Caugari Crocks<br />
The Coghoscehti!<br />
THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART<br />
NEW YORK 19<br />
I<br />
flLM<br />
UKAir<br />
March 9, 1962<br />
I WfSr 31rrf STUn<br />
7£lf^H0N£: CIKClf S-»900<br />
CAIIES: MODIUHAKT, NtW.yOKK<br />
Dear Mr.<br />
Skouras:<br />
Vhen I first heard of it, I hated the idea of a re-make<br />
of CALIGARI. Re-makes usually lack the vitality of originals,<br />
and this particular old master seemed specially impossible to<br />
resurrect todayl I don't think I have ever been so surprised<br />
in ray life as I was at Monday's screening. Your CALIGARI is<br />
entirely true to the basic idea and spirit of the old picture,<br />
but it is in itself an independent work of art, and one of the<br />
most strikingly original uses of the medium that I have seen<br />
in a lifetime of looking at movies. In writing, direction,<br />
performance, and most especially in lighting and the use of<br />
the space provided by Cinemascope, it is as stunning and as<br />
stylish as can be imagined. Best of all, eveiything in it<br />
works, rings true, and contributed to the vast surprise of the<br />
ending. Not to go on and on, it is a brilliant Job and one on<br />
which I heartily congratulate you and your associates.<br />
I hope it makes you millions. I can't wait to see it a<br />
second time so as to examine in detail how artfully I was<br />
fooled and mystified. Vive le cinema.<br />
With all good wishes.<br />
Sincerely yours.<br />
Richard Griffith 1/<br />
Curator<br />
J<br />
Mr. Spyros Skouras<br />
c/o Mr. Murray Silverstone<br />
20th Centiuy-Pox Film Corp.<br />
4U Vest 56th Street<br />
New York 19, N. Y.<br />
the<br />
b/g<br />
,<br />
reasons<br />
for<br />
joining<br />
THE<br />
SPYROS P. skouras"<br />
2a»NNIVERS*RyCELEBRAllOfc<br />
I
I<br />
I<br />
I Salt<br />
I<br />
San<br />
.<br />
.Manoging<br />
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THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY<br />
Published in Nine Sectional Editions<br />
BEN SHLYEN<br />
Editor-in-Chief and Publisher<br />
DONALD M. MERSEREAU, Associate<br />
Publisher & General Manager<br />
NATHAN COHEN. .Executive Editor<br />
JESSE SHLYEN. . Editor<br />
HUGH FRAZE Field Editor<br />
AL STEEN Eastern Editor<br />
WILLIAM HEBERT. .Western Editor<br />
L. THATCHER. .Equipment Editor<br />
I.<br />
MORRIS SCHLOZMAN Business Mgr.<br />
Publication Offices: 825 Vin Brunt BItd.<br />
Kuisas Cliy 24, Mu. Natlian Cotien, Eiecullve<br />
Editor; Jesse Slilyen. Mamtglnt<br />
Editor: Morris Scblozman, Business Manacer;<br />
Iluch Ifraze, Field Editor: I. L.<br />
Tliatcber. Editor llie Modern Theatre<br />
Section. Telephone CHestnut 1-7777.<br />
Editorial Offices: 1270 Sixth A?e., llocketellor<br />
Center. New York 20, N. T. Donald<br />
M, Mer.sereau, Associate Publisher k<br />
fieneral Manager: Al Steen, Eastern Edllur.<br />
Teleiihone fOlumbus 6 6370.<br />
Central Offices: Editorial—920 N. Mich-<br />
IgiL Ave., Cblcaeo II, 111., Frances B.<br />
Clovt, Telephone Superior 7-3972. Advertising—5809<br />
NorlJi Lincoln, Louis Dldler<br />
and Jack Broderlcit, Telephone LOngbeach<br />
1-52S1.<br />
Western Offices: Editorial and Film Adver-<br />
Ilslng—6362 Holli"»ood Blvd., Hollywood<br />
2S. Calif. William Hebert, manager. Telephone<br />
IlOlly-ttood 5-1186. Equipment and<br />
Non-Film Advertising—672 S. Lafayette<br />
Park, Los Angeles, Calif. Bub Wettstein,<br />
manager. Telephone DUnklik 8-2286,<br />
London Office: Anthony Gruner. 1 Woodberry<br />
Way. Flnchley, No. 12. Telephone<br />
Hillside 6733.<br />
Atlanta: Jean Mullls, P. 0. Boi 1695.<br />
J. S. Albany: Conners. 140 State SL<br />
Baltimore: George Browning, 119 E.<br />
25tb St.<br />
Boston: Guy Livingston, 80 Boylston,<br />
Boston, Mass.<br />
Blanche Charlotte: Cart, 301 S. Church<br />
Clncbinati: Frances Hanford, UNlversUy<br />
1-7180.<br />
Cleveland: W. Ward Marsh, Plain Dealer.<br />
Columbus: Fred Oestrelcher. 62% W.<br />
North Broadway.<br />
Dallas: Mable Cnilnan, 5927 Wlnton.<br />
Denver: Bruce Marshall, 2881 S. Cherry<br />
Way.<br />
Des Moines: Pat Cooney, 2727 49th Bt.<br />
Detroit: 11. F. Iteves, 906 Foi llieatre<br />
Bldg., woodward 2-1144.<br />
Hartford: Allen M. WIdem, CH 9-8211.<br />
Indianapolis: Norma Geragbty, 436 N. Il-<br />
Minneapolis: Don Lyons, 72 Glenwood.<br />
New Orleans: Mrs. Jack Auslet, 2268%<br />
"<br />
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Virginia.<br />
Omaha: Irving Baker, 6108 Izard St.<br />
linois St.<br />
Jacksonville: Kobert Cornwall, 1199 Edgewood<br />
Ave.<br />
Memphis: Null Adams, 707 Spring St.<br />
Miami: Martha Lummus, 622 N.E. 93 St.<br />
Milwaukee: Wm. Nlchol, 2251 8. Lsyton.<br />
Pblladelphla: Al ZurawskI, The Bulletin.<br />
Pittsburgh: Tl. F. Kllngensmltb, 516 Jeanette,<br />
Wilklnsburg, CHurchlU 1-2809.<br />
Portland, Ore.: Arnold Marks, Journal.<br />
Providence: Guy Langley, 388 Sayles St.<br />
1 a. Louis: Ji« k Joan Pollack, 7335<br />
Shaftsbury, llnlverslty aty, PA 5-7181.<br />
Lake City: 11. Pearson. Deseret News.<br />
Francisco: Dolores Barusch, 25 Taylor<br />
St., Olidway 3-4813; Advertising:<br />
Jerry Nowell, 417 Market St., YUkon<br />
2-9537.<br />
In<br />
Canada<br />
kUonlreal: Room 314. 625 Belmont St.<br />
I Jules Larochelle.<br />
I St. John: 43 Waterloo, Sam Babb.<br />
Toronto: 2675 Bayvlew Ave.. Wlllowdale.<br />
I Ont. W. Gladlsb.<br />
IVancouver: 411 Lyric Theatre Bldg. 751<br />
I Granville St.. Jack Droy.<br />
fHlnnlpeg: 93 Albert St., Barney Brookler.<br />
Member Audit Bureau of Circulations<br />
Second (Tla-ss postage paid at Kansas City.<br />
|Mo. Sectional Edition, $3.00 per year.<br />
^National Biilllon. $7,50.<br />
APRIL<br />
IVol, 80<br />
19 6 2<br />
No. 25<br />
FOR A BETTER TOMORROW<br />
I^ATE, the term "fast buck artists" has<br />
Ol''<br />
liceii attachtid to producers who make and<br />
exhibitors who show motion pictures designed<br />
to appeal to the baser instincts of potential ])atrons.<br />
Theie is no doiilit that this does >;reat<br />
harm to the industry, that it creates a bad image<br />
for the motion picture medium and is destructive<br />
of good pul)lic relations. But the tenii goes<br />
far deeper than that in destructive policies and<br />
practices of those who extend their "fast buck"'<br />
tendencies in directions that can drive this business<br />
to a point of no return.<br />
We refer to tliose who show little or no regard<br />
for the industry's "tomorrow,"' whose every<br />
action is motivated as though a tomorrow will<br />
never come, and so they grab all they can, in<br />
every way they can, today. These policies and<br />
practices are evident in virtually every phase of<br />
this industry's operations; they are not only<br />
shortsighted, they are foolhardy and, in fact,<br />
suicidal.<br />
At times when all branches of the industry<br />
should be working together for the common<br />
good, it has been pulling itself apart. First, it<br />
began selling off its libraries of films to television<br />
that served to strengthen its biggest competitor,<br />
while it, thus, weakened its own structure.<br />
Whether or not the money thus obtained<br />
was needed by those companies tliat made such<br />
sales, tliere is no denying that, in the long run,<br />
they reduced their own primarv market. At first,<br />
this danger was minimized bv the theory that<br />
"onlv very old" films were involved. But,<br />
gradually, tliey became more and more current<br />
until, now some that are only two years old are<br />
being sold to television.<br />
It has been said that television has deteriorated,<br />
that its programs are of very low quality, as a<br />
consequence of which there was an upsurge in<br />
attendance at movie theatres. In.stead of taking<br />
steps to accelerate the momentum in this direction<br />
by increasing the output of high quality<br />
theatrical product, several of the major studios<br />
embarked on heavy programs of production for<br />
television, cutting down their theatrical filmmaking<br />
to the point of dwarfing it by comparison.<br />
One studio, alone, invested up to 4 million<br />
dollars in each of about eight series of one-hour<br />
TV shows, or a total of $.'52 millions so invested<br />
in one season. If that money had been used for<br />
the making of theatrical films, it would have<br />
provided a minimum of eight good features that,<br />
we would wager, would not only return a greater<br />
profit to the [iroduction company but would have<br />
helped to strengtlien the entire indiistr\ . Multiply<br />
til is by only four—not the nine or ten studios in<br />
operation—and exhibitors would have been furnished<br />
with 32 additional good features on which<br />
In build for tomorrow and. at the same time.<br />
be iiettei MT\ing their needs for today.<br />
Another hurtful policy is the fast playoff of<br />
pictures via tlie over-extended multiple day-anddate<br />
booking practice. In our book, thi> was<br />
(l(\is(il to get picture investment back fasti\(n<br />
though the total netted was far less than<br />
iitheiwisc could have been attained. In the<br />
doing, this practice did much to destroy the<br />
|)otential of many worthwhile attractions, at the<br />
same time, it has been a deterrent of patronage,<br />
a destroyer of the moviegoing habit.<br />
Fart and parcel of this was the high rental<br />
terms it brought about, since the move-up of<br />
runs thus was created. And, in its wake, the<br />
entire orderly release and clearance patterns that<br />
had been basic in the industry's success, was<br />
upset. Last runs became first runs; secondary<br />
and third-rate houses played ])roduct that was<br />
out of their heretofore-profitaljle realm; bidding<br />
for pictures became widespread: and high tenns<br />
were applied, regardless of run. Pictures were<br />
not only played off fast, they were booked in on<br />
such short notice that time was lacking for<br />
sufficient advance promotion. Is it any wonder<br />
that so many really good, exploitable films have<br />
been flops'?<br />
Still another by-product of these practices is<br />
the lack of newspaper cooperation on a far<br />
wider scale than should exist. The opportunity<br />
for a build-up campaign at the local level has<br />
been eliminated in all too many instances. Too<br />
many pictures are shot into release without even<br />
the exhibitors having knowledge of them, what<br />
they are about, who is in them, what are their<br />
merchandising values. This cuts down on the<br />
opportunities of causing more to be done each<br />
day and each week for the firming of a foundation<br />
on which exhibitors can build an industry<br />
structure strong enough to withstand the vicissitudes<br />
of tomorrow.<br />
There has been too much seekhig of "greener<br />
pastures"" outside the industry, too much direct<br />
competition w ith it, instead of seeking to<br />
>trengthen the industry from within and at every<br />
point where this may be necessary. There has<br />
been too much division in the indu.-try's ranks,<br />
too much pulling in opposite directions instead<br />
of uniting every element to concentrate all<br />
attention on creating more public interest and<br />
more attendance—more regular attendance—on<br />
more pictures, rather than on a comparative<br />
handful.<br />
This business has the people, the talent, the<br />
creative minds, the facilities and the means to<br />
make it. again, tlie biggest lit already is the best!<br />
medium of mass entertainment. It needs only<br />
to harness together the essentials it possesses and<br />
direct its "team"" into taking the right road, the<br />
proper action and continuing to pull together.<br />
\JL^ /MJL^yy^
EXHIBITORS HAVE 24 FILMS<br />
AVAILABLE DURING EASTER<br />
Many Are Fcanily Pictures;<br />
Nine More Releases<br />
Than for April '61<br />
NEW YORK—Tlie month of April, which<br />
includes the Easter period when youngsters<br />
and teenagers are on vacation, will offer<br />
exhibitors 24 new features, including two<br />
prereleases, from the major companies,<br />
plus Buena Vista, Continental and Pathe-<br />
America. The Easter period of 1961 had<br />
only 15 new pictures available for the<br />
month of April, instead of the 22 originally<br />
announced.<br />
LIST OF FAMILY FARE<br />
As always, several of the new pictui-es<br />
will be aimed at the youngsters or family<br />
audiences, including Walt Disney's newest<br />
live-action film. "Moon Pilot." a sciencefiction<br />
talc which is currently playing the<br />
nation's largest theatre. Radio City Music<br />
Hall: "State Fair," a new Cinemascope version<br />
of the Rodgers and Hammerstein<br />
musical with two teenage recording favorites,<br />
Pat Boone and Bobby Darin: "The<br />
Horizontal Lieutenant," a comedy with<br />
two young MGM stars, Paula Prentiss and<br />
Jim Hutton: "Rome Adventure," a Delmer<br />
Daves picture in Technicolor, with the<br />
popular teenage star, Troy Donahue: "The<br />
Magic Sword." a fantasy aimed at the<br />
youngsters, and a big-scale John Ford<br />
western, "The Man Who Shot Liberty<br />
Valance," starring John Wayne and James<br />
Stewart.<br />
The prereleases, which wOl be playing<br />
key cities before national release dates, are<br />
a chase film made in Europe. "The Counterfeit<br />
Traitor." starring William Holden<br />
and Elvis Presley's "Follow That Dream."<br />
For the adult patrons are such dramas<br />
as "Sweet Bird of Youth." from the Tennessee<br />
Williams Broadway hit: "Jessica."<br />
a sexy comedy with music, filmed in<br />
Europe: "Experiment in Terror." starring<br />
Glenn Ford: "Reprieve." a drama based on<br />
an actual pri.son case: and "The Outsider,"<br />
"The Big Wave" and "War Hunt," grim<br />
dramas in black-and-white.<br />
"Whistle Down the Wind" is a British<br />
drama dealing with three children and an<br />
escaped prisoner. In a lighter vein are<br />
"Safe at Home." starring Mickey Mantle<br />
and Roger Maris, the baseball greats;<br />
"Harold Lloyd's World of Comedy." compiled<br />
from the silent film comic's old features,<br />
and two Briti.sh comedies, "Doctor in<br />
Love" and "Nearly a Nasty Accident." "The<br />
Brain That Wouldn't Die" and "Invasion of<br />
the Star Creatures" make up a double exploitation<br />
bill and "Don't Knock the Twist"<br />
i.s the latest of the Twist exploitation films.<br />
NINE ARE IN COLOR<br />
Of the 22 April releases, nine, including<br />
the prerelease, arc in color. In contrast to<br />
other months. oi\ly seven pictures were<br />
largely f.lmed in Europe or England.<br />
Broken down by companies, the April<br />
releases are:<br />
ALLIED ARTISTS— "Reprieve," starring<br />
Ben Gazzara, Stuart Whitman, Sammy<br />
N. J. Allied to Probe Legal<br />
Angle of UA's TV Deal<br />
New York— Doe.s the sale of 30 recent<br />
pictures to television by United<br />
Artists constitute a violation of the<br />
consent decrees'.' Allied Theatre Owners<br />
of New Jersey is of the opinion that<br />
there may be a violation and intends to<br />
do something about it.<br />
At a meeting of the unit's members<br />
here Tuesday i3l, U'illiani Infald,<br />
president, appointed a committee to<br />
confer with legal counsel to determine<br />
what steps can be taken. The committee<br />
then will meet with Lee Loevinger.<br />
assistant attorney general in<br />
charge of the antitrust division, to<br />
probe further into the ramifications of<br />
the television deal,<br />
Infald told BOXOFFICE that the<br />
New Jersey unit regarded the United<br />
Artists TV sales as "murder" and that<br />
it was unfair trade practice, particularly<br />
because the films will be shown<br />
on prime time Sunday nights next fall.<br />
The committee consists of Irving<br />
Dollinger, Wilbur Snaper, Richard<br />
Turteltaub, Sidney Stern and Infald.<br />
Allied wUI hold its 1963 national<br />
convention in New York during October<br />
with New Jersey Allied as the host<br />
organization, Infald revealed at the<br />
meeting.<br />
Davis jr., Broderick Crawford and Vincent<br />
Price, and "The Big Wave," made in<br />
Japan with Sessue Hayakawa starred.<br />
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL — A<br />
double-bill program of "The Brain Tliat<br />
Wouldn't Die" and "Invasion of the Star<br />
Creatures."<br />
BUENA VISTA—"Moon Pilot." a<br />
Disney live-action picture, starring<br />
Walt<br />
Tom<br />
Tryon, Brian Keith and Edmond O'Brien<br />
with Dany Saval.<br />
CONTINENTAL—"Harold Lloyd's World<br />
of Comedy." compiled from his silent features,<br />
and "Rififi for Girls," a French picture<br />
starring Nadja Tiller and Robert<br />
Hossein.<br />
COLUMBIA— "Experiment in Terror,"<br />
starring Glenn Ford and Lev Remick:<br />
"Safe at Home," starring Mickey Mantle<br />
and Roger Maris with Patricia Barry, and<br />
"Don't Knock the Twist," starring Chubby<br />
Checker with the Carroll Brothers and<br />
Lang Jeffries and Mari Blanchard.<br />
GOVERNOR FILMS—"Doctor in Love."<br />
in Eastman Color, starring Michael Craig,<br />
Virginia Maskell, James Robert.son Justice<br />
and Leslie Phillips.<br />
MGM- -"Sweet Bird of Youth." based on<br />
the Temiessec Williams play, in Cinemascope<br />
and color, starring Paul Newman<br />
and Geraldine Page, with Rip Tom, Ed<br />
Begley and Shirley Knight, and "The<br />
Horizontal Lieutenant," in Cinemascope<br />
and color, starring Paula Prentiss, Jim<br />
Hutton and Jack Carter, with Miyoshi<br />
Umeki.<br />
PARAMOUNT—"The Man Who Shot<br />
Liberty Valance," directed by John Ford,<br />
starring John Wayne and James Stewart,<br />
with Vera Miles, Lee Marvin and Andy<br />
Devine. The prerelease for Easter is the<br />
Perlberg-Seaton picture, "The Counterfeit<br />
Traitor," in color, starring William Holden<br />
and Lilli Palmer with Hugh Griffith. National<br />
relea.se will be July.<br />
PATHE-AMERICA— "Whistle Down the<br />
Wind." produced in England, starring Hayley<br />
Mills with Alan Bates and Bernard Lee,<br />
had .some saturation dates in March but is<br />
generally released in April.<br />
TWENTIETH CENTURY-FOX—"State<br />
Fair." the new Rodgers and Hammerstein<br />
version in Cinemascope and color, starring<br />
Pat Boone. Bobby Darin. Ann-Margret,<br />
Pamela Tiffin, Alice Faye and Tom Ewell,<br />
and "The Broken Land," in color, starriiig<br />
Kent Taylor with Dianna Darrin and Jody<br />
McCrea.<br />
UNITED ARTISTS—"The Magic Sword."<br />
in color, starring Basil Rathbone. Estelle<br />
Winwood and Gary Lockwood: "Jessica,"<br />
produced in Italy in color, starring Maurice<br />
Chevalier, Angle Dickinson, Gabriele Ferzetti<br />
and Agnes Moorehead, and "War<br />
Hunt," with John Saxon and Robert Redford.<br />
Elvis Presley's "Follow That Dream,"<br />
in Panavision and color, will have special<br />
pre-release engagements for Easter.<br />
UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL — "The<br />
Outsider." starring Tony Ciu'tis. and<br />
"Nearly a Nasty Accident." a British<br />
comedy with Jimmy Edwards. Kemieth<br />
Connor and Shirley Eaton.<br />
WARNER BROS.— "Rome Adventure."<br />
produced in Italy in color, starring Troy<br />
Donahue. Angle Dickinson. Rossano Brazzi<br />
and Susanne Pleshette.<br />
U. S. Exhibitors Respond<br />
To Skouras Salute Bids<br />
NEW YORK—Exhibitors from almost<br />
every state will attend the testimonial dinner<br />
and reception for Spyros Skouras on<br />
April 12. according to early ticket orders.<br />
The event, which will salute the president<br />
of 20th Century-Pox on his 20th year as<br />
president of the company, is being sponsored<br />
jointly by Allied States Ass'n and<br />
Theatre Owners of America.<br />
Marshall Fine. Allied president, and John<br />
Stembler, president of TOA, announced<br />
that the dais acceptances indicated a starstudded<br />
head table for the event. They<br />
said the response of exhibitors and film<br />
companies had been excellent and that<br />
presidents of almost all companies had accepted<br />
bids to sit at the head table. Dimitrios<br />
Bitsios. Greek Ambassador to the<br />
United Nations, and the Greek Consul General,<br />
Basil Vitsaxis, and his wife, will be<br />
among those present.<br />
Tickets for the black tie event are priced<br />
at $25 each and may be obtained through<br />
the Allied headquarters in Detroit or the<br />
TOA offices in New York. The dinner will<br />
start at 7:30 o'clock, following a reception.<br />
BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962
-<br />
Lazarus lo Bronston Film Classification Bill Advocates<br />
As Executive V-P<br />
NEW YORK- -Paul Lazarus jr.<br />
lias joined<br />
Samuel Bronston Productions as executive<br />
_ vice-president, effec-<br />
|^HHP'''i^^HB live April and<br />
^^^^^ ^^^H be in produc-<br />
^HL ^«^| ^^on- distribution and<br />
^^p^ *^ ^^M expansion of opera<br />
^^^^k^^^ v'^H Lazarus, who<br />
^^^B^^^'^H signed as vice-presi-<br />
^^^^nji^^^l dent of Columbia Pic-<br />
^^^^H A^^H be in New<br />
^^^^^'^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^H York<br />
considerable time at<br />
raul Lazarus<br />
the Bronston studios<br />
jr.<br />
in M a d r i d. headquarters<br />
of the Bronston organization.<br />
Lazarus will be active in the pre-production<br />
plans for the next two Bronston<br />
pictures. "55 Days at Peking" and "The<br />
Fall of the Roman Empire." The former<br />
will start in late May and the latter will<br />
go into production in the fall. In addition,<br />
Lazarus will supervise the distribution of<br />
Bronston's "King of Kings" and "El Cid."<br />
In commenting on his association with<br />
Bronston, Lazarus told <strong>Boxoffice</strong> that he<br />
had been impressed by Bronston's methods<br />
of operation and that he believed it to be<br />
the future pattern of independent production.<br />
By selling distribution rights to<br />
outlets around the world, the negative costs<br />
were underwritten before a picture went<br />
into production, he said. The broadest<br />
possible markets thus were attained.<br />
In addition to the major product of the<br />
"55 Days" and "Roman Empire" calibre.<br />
Bronston plans to produce pictui'es of a<br />
more modest nature as well as expanding<br />
into television fibii production. Lazarus<br />
said the growth potential was unlimited.<br />
Lazarus' affiliation with Bronston was<br />
announced formally at a press luncheon<br />
Thursday i5» at 21 Club.<br />
Stock Options Are Granted<br />
To 100 Disney Employes<br />
LOS ANGELES— In accordance with the<br />
Incentive plan previously approved by the<br />
board of directors and stockholders, options<br />
for 84.000 shares of Walt Disney Productioiis<br />
stock were granted to 100 key<br />
employes of the company. A committee<br />
comprised of Walt E. Disney. Roy O. Disney<br />
and attorney Gordon E. Youngman<br />
granted the options and disclosed that<br />
15,000 shares of stock are still available<br />
under the plan.<br />
A limit of 5.000 shares for each employe<br />
was set at $34.91 a share, five per cent less<br />
than the closing price on March 28. Participants<br />
must agree to continue working<br />
for the company at least one year after obtaining<br />
the option, which expires five<br />
years from the granted date. The corporation<br />
has first option on buying back shares<br />
if an employe elects to sell within two<br />
years from grant date.<br />
UA to Rerelease 'Trapeze'<br />
LOS ANGELES—"Trapeze." 1956 film<br />
starring Burt Lancaster. Tony Curtis and<br />
Gina Lollobrigida. will be rerclea-scd next<br />
summer by United Artists. Sir Carol Reed<br />
directed.<br />
BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962<br />
Aim to Carry Fight Nationwide<br />
ALBANY—The proponents of film classification<br />
legislation, rebuffed in the closing<br />
days of the New York as.sembly, intend to<br />
take their fight nationwide.<br />
Luigi R. Marano. Brooklyn Republican<br />
and sponsor of the film bills, .said the<br />
Joint Legislative Committee on Offensive<br />
and Ob.scene Material, of which he is<br />
chairman, would .soon start holding conferences<br />
with representatives from other<br />
states—California, Florida, Michigan, New<br />
Jer.sey. Kentucky—on the whole problem<br />
of obscenity with the goal of achieving<br />
.some uniformity in laws concerning the<br />
problem. Marano said he expected 15 to 20<br />
states to send repre.sentatives.<br />
He also disclosed that the committee will<br />
meet in May in New York City, when he<br />
indicated the committee will be glad to exchange<br />
views with Motion Picture Ass'n of<br />
America representatives on the matter of<br />
designating films acceptable or suitable for<br />
children in public primary and secondary<br />
schools. MPAA representatives fought<br />
against classification until the senate<br />
committee on education killed the houseadopted<br />
proposal.<br />
Marano and his group won their fight<br />
for a bill aimed at "obscene prints and<br />
articles," which was passed by the senate,<br />
46 to 9. Marano emphasized that this<br />
measure will not affect motion picture<br />
theatre owners, but is aimed at "newsstand<br />
filth in print." It adopts the Supreme Court<br />
definition of obscenity.<br />
Marano and James L. Herlihy, MPAA<br />
representative, disagreed on the classification<br />
bill. The former said the bill was not<br />
censorship, and insisted there was no justification<br />
for the fear expressed by the theare<br />
industiT that a penalty clau.se would be<br />
inserted later to support designations by<br />
the New York state motion picture division<br />
that a film is "acceptable" for exhibition<br />
to children attending public schools.<br />
He said exhibitors would not have to advertise<br />
such designations either in ads or<br />
on their marquees.<br />
Herlihy contended the bill was censorship<br />
and a violation of the constitutional<br />
rights.<br />
"Parents," he observed, "should bear the<br />
responsibility themselves of detemiining<br />
right and wrong for their children during<br />
the formative years. It should not be the<br />
right of the state or of individual groups<br />
to judge motion pictures, television shows<br />
or other media, and exercise their will upon<br />
children."<br />
Herlihy underlined his belief that the<br />
motion picture industry should police itself;<br />
also, his firm support for good, clean<br />
pictures.<br />
Johnston Has 3-Point<br />
Anti-Censorship Plan<br />
NEW YORK — Although the proposed<br />
motion picture cla.ssification bill died in<br />
the New York legislature, the fight against<br />
any censorship must continue. Eric Johnston,<br />
president of the Motion Picture Ass'n,<br />
commented this past week.<br />
Johnston outlined a three-point course<br />
of action to be followed on a continuing<br />
basis if the industi-y is to succeed in the<br />
battles ahead. He listed the three specific<br />
proiX)sals as follows:<br />
"We must pool our strength and energies<br />
into a cohesive organization ever alert to<br />
any and all attacks on freedom of the<br />
screen.<br />
"We must make every effort to show people<br />
that we are producing finer films today.<br />
Only by exposing more people to more<br />
of our pictures can we destroy the false<br />
notion fostered by our detractors that films<br />
have deteriorated in quality.<br />
"We must make clear to the public that<br />
it has at its fingertips a wealth of advance<br />
information on motion pictures—reviews<br />
and ratings published by the scores by<br />
newspapers, magazines, religious and educational<br />
groups."<br />
Johnston hailed the work of Charles<br />
McCarthy of COMPO and Tim Claggett of<br />
the MPAA. as well as others, in helping to<br />
defeat the mea.sure.<br />
Commonwealth Leases<br />
Six Wyoming Theatres<br />
KANSAS CITY—Commonwealth Theatres,<br />
Inc., rapidly expanding Mid-America<br />
circuit, has leased six Wyoming theatres,<br />
effective April 1. in a deal with Rialto<br />
Theatre. Inc.. Richard Orear. Commonwealth<br />
president, announced this week. The<br />
lease agreement brings to 111 the number<br />
of indoor and outdoor properties in .seven<br />
states now under the Commonwealth banner.<br />
The latest negotiations were concluded<br />
recently between Orear and E. C. Rhoden.<br />
chairman of the board for Commonwealth,<br />
and Russell W. Schulte. president of Rialto<br />
Theatre.<br />
Properties concerned are the Rialto and<br />
America theatres and Terrace Drive-In.<br />
Casper. Wyo.: Mesa Theatre. Douglas:<br />
Ramona Theatre. Wheatland, and Fiesta<br />
Theatre, Gillette.<br />
This marked the second such expansion<br />
in recent months for Commonwealth,<br />
which in December purchased six theatres<br />
in the Scottsbluff. Neb., area. The circuit,<br />
which was founded in 1930. now operates<br />
theatres in Iowa. Nebraska. Kansas.<br />
Missouri. Arkansas and South Dakota, in<br />
addition to the properties in Wyoming.<br />
Approximately 50 per cent of the holdings<br />
are drive-ins.<br />
Rialto Theatre. Inc.. which entered the<br />
industry back in the 1920s, has other theatre<br />
interests not involved in the deal with<br />
Commonwealth. Schulte said the press of<br />
other business interests brought about his<br />
decision to lease the theatres.<br />
Speaking for the Commonwealth organization.<br />
Orear said: "We have a great<br />
respect for Russell W. Schulte and the tradition<br />
of his history in show business and<br />
we shall seek to carry on in that tradition."<br />
Columbia Dividend<br />
NEW YORK—A quarterly dividend of<br />
$1.06'4 per share on the $4.25 cumulative<br />
preferred stock of Columbia Pictures was<br />
declared by the board of directors last<br />
week. The dividend is payable May 15 to<br />
stockholders of record on May 1.
'Theafrevision Network<br />
Seen by End of Year<br />
NEW YORK—The recent presentation<br />
of "Theatrevision." a closed circuit television<br />
system under which a Broadway play<br />
was hooked up to a theatre in Rochester,<br />
was the forerunner to a network of such<br />
theatres which may be in operation by the<br />
end of the year.<br />
On Wednesday night (28), the Paddy<br />
Chayefsky play. "Gideon," was picked up<br />
from the stage of the Plymouth Theatre<br />
here and telecast to approximately 2,500<br />
patrons in the Auditorium Theatre in Rochester,<br />
about 280 miles away. The play<br />
was transmitted again on Thursday, Friday<br />
and Saturday nights and Saturday<br />
matinee.<br />
"Theatrevision" is a product of Dynamic<br />
Films and was developed by the Marconi<br />
Wireless and Telegraph Co. of Great Britain.<br />
According to Nathan Zucker, president<br />
of Dynamic, the New York-to-Rochester<br />
telecast paved the way to an e.xtensive expansion<br />
program of the medium which, he<br />
said, would send other Broadway plays.<br />
operas and concerts to cities from coast to<br />
coast.<br />
Roger Lewis, former vice-president of<br />
United Artists, who has been serving as a<br />
consultant on "Theatrevision." told <strong>Boxoffice</strong><br />
it was the company's plan to install<br />
equipment in 12 cities between New York<br />
and possibly Detroit. The equipment, which<br />
is portable, would remain in the theatres for<br />
four weeks, during which time a different<br />
Broadway play would be picked up each<br />
week. The equipment then would be taken<br />
out and moved to 12 more theatres west of<br />
Detroit. This procedure, Lewis .said, probably<br />
would continue until the machines<br />
could be turned out in quantity so that the<br />
theatres could have permanent Installations.<br />
Lewis said he regarded "Theatrevision"<br />
as an exhibitor answer to pay television.<br />
Not only can the theatre present live shows<br />
from Broadway but can utilize the present<br />
"dead" morning hours with food and fashion<br />
symposiums that can be piped to the<br />
theatre by sponsors. The theatre, he said,<br />
thus would become an entertainment center<br />
rather than merely a place to show motion<br />
pictures.<br />
The "Theatrevision" machine in the theatre<br />
is approximately eight feet long, three<br />
and a half feet high and four feet wide<br />
and throws a picture on a screen measuring<br />
15 by 20 feet. It is planned to have 24<br />
machines in operation by the end of this<br />
year.<br />
To Start Three Stooges Film April 10<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Production of "The<br />
Three Stooges Meet the Martians" is<br />
scheduled to go before the cameras on<br />
April 10. Norman Mauer is producer of the<br />
comedy for Columbia release.<br />
Astor Distribution Change<br />
NEW YORK — Astor Pictures has acquired<br />
Francois Truffauts "Shoot the Pianist"<br />
for United States distribution only<br />
—and not worldwide as previously announced.<br />
ABC-TV Acquires 30<br />
Posl-1954 UA Films<br />
NEW YORK—A deal whereby American<br />
Broadcasting Co. acquii-ed 30 post-1954<br />
United Artists pictures brought mixed reactions<br />
from exhibitors contacted by<br />
BoxoFFiCE. The pictures will start on the<br />
ABC television network next fall on Sundays<br />
in the 8 to 10 p.m. time slot.<br />
Some exhibitors said they w'ould make<br />
formal protests to their respective trade<br />
associations which, in turn, would be asked<br />
to protest further to United Artists. Others<br />
said that the Sunday showings would not<br />
be as drastic as would be telecasts of the<br />
same product on Friday or Saturday nights.<br />
One of the pictures in the lineup was a<br />
theatrical release of last year, "The Hoodlum<br />
Priest," starring Don Murray. Three<br />
others were released in 1960; namely, "Inherit<br />
the Wind," with Spencer Tracy.<br />
Fredric March and Gene Kelly; "Tlie Unforgiven."<br />
with Audrey Hepburn. Burt Lancaster.<br />
Audie Mui-phy and Lillian Gish;<br />
and "The Gallant Hours," starring James<br />
Cagney.<br />
Others in the package are "Vera Cruz,"<br />
1954; "Apache," 1954: "The Big Country,"<br />
1958; "Thunder Road," 1958; "The Naked<br />
Ma.ia." 1959; "The Horse Soldiers." 1959;<br />
and "The Devil's Disciple," 1959.<br />
Among the stars in the latter group are<br />
John Wayne, William Holden, Kirk Douglas.<br />
Robert Mitchum, Gregoi-y Peck, Charlton<br />
Heston, Jean Peters, Burl Ives and Sir<br />
Laurence Olivier.<br />
Roy Evans Returns to UA<br />
Circuit in Los Angeles<br />
LOS ANGELES—After three months in<br />
New York. Roy Evans has returned to the<br />
United Artists Theatre circuit here as assistant<br />
to Fred Kunkel. general manager,<br />
in buying, booking and theatre operations.<br />
Evans, who was UA's division manager in<br />
New York, was brought back to work on<br />
the circuit's expansion in Southern California.<br />
Evans also will assist Kunkcl in UA's<br />
remodeling plans for which $1,000,000 has<br />
been tabbed for refurbishing and remodeling<br />
the 11 houses operated by the chain.<br />
The Four Star, UA Pasadena and Glcndalc<br />
have been done over, and UA Long Beach is<br />
now getting a face-lift.<br />
'Marco Polo' Premiere<br />
July 4 in Memphis<br />
HOLLYWOOD—The world premiere of<br />
American International's spectacle, "The<br />
Adventures of Marco Polo," has been set<br />
for July 4 at the Warner Theatre in<br />
Memphis, it was announced by Leon P.<br />
Blender, AIP vice-president in charge of<br />
sales.<br />
Filmed in Color and CinemaScope, the<br />
picture stars Rory Calhoun and Yoko Tani.<br />
Hugo Fregonese directed.<br />
New Executive Posts<br />
For 5 at Columbia<br />
NEW YORK—Five executives of Columbia<br />
Pictures were elevated to new posts and<br />
titles by the board of<br />
directors at a meeting<br />
W^ ^M^^<br />
'^ ^^^^*^ in the homeoffice on<br />
Tuesday
Your Holiday Entertainment<br />
Comes from The Mirisch Co. and UA!<br />
FOR<br />
THANKSGIVING<br />
ELVIS PRESLEY<br />
"KiO<br />
GALAHAD"<br />
Color by DE LUXE<br />
The Mirisch Company presents Elvis Presley<br />
as "Kid Galahad" co-starring Gig Young<br />
Lola Albright • Joan Blackman<br />
Charles Bronson • Produced by<br />
David Weisbart • Directed by Phil Karlson<br />
Screenplay by William Fay<br />
Color by De Luxe<br />
Spec/a/ Pre-release engagements set for Easter.<br />
\nd,<br />
of course, now booking all thru summer— including July 4th.<br />
:ga&j;^gMB
1962,<br />
'<br />
Circuit Execufive Tells How Hollywood Prerelease Promotion<br />
Can Improve Theatre Attendance Continuing by UA<br />
'Make More Product Available to Exhibitors,<br />
Stop Practice of Selling Top Films to TV<br />
ALBANY—Charles A. Smakwitz, who<br />
supervises about 45 Stanley Warner theatres<br />
in the Newark.<br />
N. J., zone which includes<br />
Albany. Troy<br />
and Utica, N. Y.. has<br />
two answers to the<br />
question. "What can<br />
Hollywood do to improve<br />
attendance?"<br />
"First." he replies,<br />
"make a larger supply<br />
of pictures. Second,<br />
realize that the<br />
major source of film<br />
revenue is from film<br />
houses, and stop the Charles Smakwitz<br />
destructive isractice of allowing topflight<br />
films of the past, especially of the immediate<br />
past, to be shown free in homes at the<br />
same time one of the current Hollywood<br />
releases is being exhibited in theatres.<br />
MISTAKES ON TV HURT<br />
"I am not opposed to television: it is a<br />
popular medium. The thing to which I am<br />
opposed is Hollywood selling pictures, on<br />
which a big profit has been made in<br />
theatres,<br />
to television, for simultaneoas exhibition<br />
on home screens for free while one<br />
of its current films is being shown in theatres.<br />
In some cases, the current release<br />
is not as good as the one being telecast.<br />
Naturally, boxoffices suffer. To compound<br />
what I think is an error for film producers.<br />
two first class films are sometimes shown<br />
on one TV program.<br />
"From what I am told, the amount motion<br />
picture producers receive from the<br />
sale to TV of films originally made for theatres<br />
is small—only a fraction of the take<br />
from theatres. Yet the hann done to film<br />
houses is immense."<br />
Explaining that he does not profess to<br />
possess all the answers about television,<br />
the Stanley Warner zone chief suggested<br />
that Holb^vood produce special films, a<br />
half-hour or more long, for television, or<br />
confine the sale to television pictures made<br />
primarily for theatres to those 20 years old<br />
or more. Smakwitz pointed to the recent<br />
showing on TV of "A Star Is Born," which<br />
he characterized as "a better picture than<br />
some of the new ones being screened in<br />
theatres."<br />
COMMENTS ON TOLL TV<br />
Of motion pictures on "paid television,"<br />
Smakwitz observed, "This is still in the<br />
strictly experimental stage—no one can<br />
be sure now just how paid television will<br />
work out."<br />
"I am certain," he said, "that there will<br />
always be many motion picture theatres in<br />
operation. But to keep them running, and<br />
at a profit, there must be more pictures<br />
produced in Hollywood. The present scarcity<br />
of product is causing extended runs. I<br />
am not .speaking, in this connection, of<br />
populous cities like New York or Chicago,<br />
but to average-size communities where a<br />
film can do profitable business, say for a<br />
week, but where if its run is extended to<br />
three, the profits are diluted or wiped out.<br />
"Hollywood should make more pictures.<br />
The.se can be of two types: those with stars<br />
to put the films acro.ss. and tho.se with<br />
great-story content, usually ba.sed on<br />
either a successful play or a best-seller<br />
novel, without big names in the cast."<br />
He cited "Sergeants 3" as an example of<br />
the first type . . . "its pack of stars makes<br />
this western a boxoffice smash." He mentioned<br />
"West Side Story." based on a play,<br />
as an example of the second type. He<br />
thinks this one will come up with an<br />
Academy Award.<br />
CALLS PRODUCERS LAZY<br />
Why does not Hollywood turn out more<br />
films in view of the fact they are needed<br />
to keep in profitable operation theatres<br />
playing to a mass audience? Smakwitz replied:<br />
"Perhaps producers become too<br />
satisfied: maybe even a little lazy, or they<br />
depend too much on 'stai's' whose ability to<br />
draw is questionable."<br />
Smakwitz does not rate all "stars" as<br />
"smart," even though their voices in decisions<br />
may be the final word, nor does he<br />
class all Hollywood producers as "knowing."<br />
"I do not pretend I know how to make<br />
motion pictures: if I did, I would be in the<br />
West Coast film capital." he said. "But I do<br />
understand theatre operation and film exploitation.<br />
Give us more pictures to exhibit<br />
and we will continue playing profitably<br />
to the great mass audience which has<br />
and will patronize our theatres."<br />
He added there is room for art houses,<br />
too. whose line of product is for class<br />
audiences.<br />
He believes that exhibition today needs<br />
greater enthusiasm and greater energy.<br />
"Exhibition still is suffering from attitudes<br />
which developed during the highly<br />
prosperous days of World War II w hen all<br />
that became necessary was to open the<br />
doors and screen pictures—audiences<br />
flocked in," he explained.<br />
"This is a different time and the number<br />
of competing media has grown, but<br />
there are a number of men in exhibition<br />
and theatre management who have not adjusted<br />
themselves to the changes. Some of<br />
them do not hustle enough: others do not<br />
use their imaginations effectively. In some<br />
cases, they do not know the advertising<br />
men on newspapers, or have insufficient<br />
contacts with local merchants. They think<br />
that knowing two or three of the latter is<br />
enough."<br />
PRESS CONTACTS NECESSARY<br />
Smakwitz criticized what he described as<br />
Hollywood's lessening or effort to contact<br />
newspajjers and to work on promotions<br />
with or through them. "The producers are<br />
making a mistake in this area of activity,"<br />
he concluded.<br />
Originally employed in a Syracuse theatre<br />
while attending Syracuse University,<br />
Smakwitz has lost none of his drive and<br />
community consciousness with the passing<br />
of years. His headquarters are in New-ark.<br />
NEW YORK—United Artists is continuing<br />
its recently announced policy of prerelease<br />
promotion on<br />
its blockbuster pictures,<br />
notably Harold<br />
Hech t 's $7,000,000<br />
epic. "Taras Bulba.<br />
which will not go into<br />
release until the<br />
h^ * '^'"^<br />
1<br />
^^^^^^^^<br />
Fred Goldberg, executive<br />
director of<br />
^^^^^m^<br />
1^^^^ ^~' ^^^<br />
advertising, publicity<br />
. -^ Christmas season in<br />
according to<br />
and exploitation.<br />
Fred Goldberg All during the production<br />
of the picture,<br />
which started filming in the Argentine<br />
October 12 and was completed in Hollywood<br />
late in March. Hecht and United<br />
Artists had Jim Denton as unit publicist on<br />
the scene and had special leiismen, including<br />
Ted Allan and Marv Newton, making<br />
location and studio photographs of the<br />
principals and the off-stage filming.<br />
DENTON TOURING KEY CITIES<br />
While J. Lee Thompson, who directed<br />
"Taras Bulba." is cutting and editing the<br />
completed footage on the West Coast and<br />
Franz Waxman is preparing the musical<br />
score. United Artists has Denton touring<br />
key cities in the U.S. and Canada with an<br />
art display of hundreds of color and blackand-white<br />
blowups of the location filming.<br />
These are being shown to newspapers and<br />
exhibitors in each city to build up interest<br />
in the picture. The newspapers will prepare<br />
layouts for forthcoming Sunday supplements<br />
or for the amusement pages, Denton<br />
pointed out.<br />
Denton has already accompanied his<br />
mobile promotion unit to Denver, St. Louis,<br />
Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland. Pittsburgh,<br />
Buffalo and Toronto. Following his New<br />
York stay April 3. 4. Denton went to Boston,<br />
then Philadelphia. Washington, Atlanta.<br />
Miami. New Orleans. Houston and<br />
Dallas April 16. aft«r which he will return<br />
to Los Angeles. He will leave for Europe in<br />
June to repeat this process in London,<br />
Paris. Rome and other Continental cities.<br />
United Artists is currently preparing a<br />
tradepapcr insert for May and will contact<br />
the national magazines with additional<br />
"Taras Bulba" material later in the spring.<br />
But, the new'spapers are getting the first<br />
crack at the location photographs. Goldberg<br />
pointed out.<br />
TO REPEAT 'TARAS' TOUR<br />
Denton, a former reporter, city editor,<br />
rewrite man and college English instructor,<br />
will repeat the "Taras Bulba" tour in a few<br />
months to keep up the impact of the yearend<br />
release with the moviegoing public.<br />
Director Thompson and Christine Kaufmann.<br />
leading lady of the picture, which<br />
stars Tony Curtis and Yul Brynner. have<br />
already given radio-TV and newspaper interviews<br />
and other personalities may be<br />
available for later tours. Goldberg said.<br />
United Artists will have special photographers<br />
on hand during the filming of<br />
George Stevens' "The Greatest Story Ever<br />
Told," which will start studio work in the<br />
early summer.<br />
BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962
!<br />
zMyJme.<br />
mi<br />
ROHVSCHNEIDER<br />
KaRLBOEHM-<br />
BY ^yec/i/if'co/b't<br />
A PARAMOUNT RELEASE<br />
Ernst Marischkaproduction/wntten and Directed byErnst Maflschka<br />
AND SENSATIONAL HIT WITH THE CRITICS<br />
"Truly a sight for<br />
sore<br />
eyes... visually<br />
striking film...<br />
magnificent natural<br />
and interior<br />
setting, gleaming<br />
in color." -N.Y. Times<br />
" Depi cts<br />
Vienna at<br />
its best. A<br />
captivating<br />
romance."<br />
-N.Y. Daily News<br />
In<br />
pageantry<br />
the picture is<br />
at its decorative<br />
best."<br />
—New Yorl-i<br />
Herald Tribune<br />
"Has a wealth of<br />
gorgeous old world<br />
scenes and sets,<br />
a seemingly endless<br />
array of costumes<br />
that billow and<br />
swirl and captivate."<br />
-N. Y. Mirror<br />
IT'S HOT!<br />
NOW<br />
FROM<br />
PARAMOUNT<br />
» »
''People Who Live in Glass Houses . .<br />
An aroused exhibitor, taking exception to the attack upon the motion picture Industi-y<br />
by a Raleigh. N.C.. newspaper editor, hits back with some resounding tmths.<br />
The exhibitor, who operates several theatres in Georgia, has asked that his name<br />
be withheld. His letter follows:<br />
Evei-y time I read in the trade papers<br />
where some newspaper editor with a<br />
halo attacks our business, I get rather<br />
damn mad.<br />
So my blood pressm-e went up a few<br />
points when I read the Raleigh. N.C..<br />
dispatch in the April 2 issue of <strong>Boxoffice</strong>,<br />
which told of the editor of a<br />
paper there writing an editorial in<br />
which he said he felt no pride in printing<br />
theatre ads. concerned mainly with<br />
the wording in the ads, which included<br />
some catchlines to the effect that some<br />
of the movies being advertised were<br />
adult films.<br />
I wonder if the hallowed editor was<br />
proud of everything else in his paper<br />
that day. the blood and thunder stuff<br />
that must have been on his front page,<br />
for surely his daily is no different than<br />
the others?<br />
I also wonder if the editor contacted<br />
his advertising manager and was he<br />
ashamed to accept the money for the<br />
ads. and did the editor turn down his<br />
share of the money for the ads, that<br />
Atlanta Downtown Theatre<br />
To Lead Integration<br />
ATLANTA—First-mn theatres in Atlanta<br />
will lead off a desegregation program<br />
agreed to sometime ago by members of the<br />
Atlanta student movement and the theatre<br />
men. followed by desegregation of neighborhood<br />
theatres.<br />
Theatre owners proposed waiting until<br />
after the Met appears here at the Fox dui'-<br />
ing the week between April 30 and May 5.<br />
although the students had insisted on desegregation<br />
by January 1.<br />
Following the agreement reached on the<br />
date of May 5. most of Atlanta's downtown<br />
houses will begin desegregation at<br />
that time by permitting two Negroes to attend<br />
each showing for a trial period of<br />
several weeks. The neighborhood theatres<br />
will then follow suit as downtown houses<br />
allow full-scale desegregation.<br />
Desegregation Into Effect<br />
At Varsity in Raleigh<br />
RALEIGH. N. C—Negro students at<br />
North Carolina State College are now being<br />
admitted to the 'Varsity Theatre on<br />
Hillsboro street here.<br />
Raleigh Mayor W. G. Enloe, district manager<br />
of the chain to which the 'Varsity<br />
belongs, said Friday the first instance of<br />
desegregation came more than a week ago.<br />
"I'm glad, though not surprised, that the<br />
integration of the theatre was carried out<br />
without incident of any kind," he commented.<br />
State College information officer Rudy<br />
Pate .said that between 20 and 40 Negro<br />
students have been attending the institution.<br />
He pointed out that the number<br />
varies from semester to semester. Negro<br />
students have been in the graduate .school<br />
since 1953 and in the undergraduate school<br />
since 1956.<br />
The Varsity was the second theatre in<br />
!'<br />
would represent his pro-rata share as<br />
his salary for that week?<br />
I wonder if the editor was ashamed<br />
of some of the ads his paper, no doubt,<br />
has carried from the department stores<br />
on panties, brassieres and other feminine<br />
attire usually shown on half-clad<br />
models?<br />
Many of us in the business are concerned<br />
about these adult tyjje films,<br />
and we have an obligation to watch our<br />
copy. And, in the case of the Raleigh<br />
editor, if the paper did not like the copy<br />
they had the right to refuse same,<br />
rather than to accept any copy they felt<br />
was objectionable.<br />
People who live in glass houses should<br />
not throw bricks. Newspapers sell<br />
papers based on sensational news, on<br />
the very type of story this Raleigh editor<br />
was objecting to.<br />
Let's edit our copy closely, and at the<br />
.same time, let's not accept any backtalk<br />
from editors who are as guilty of<br />
sen.sationalism as the motion picture industry<br />
ever dared to be.<br />
the North Carolina district of Wilby-Kincey<br />
to desegregate. The Carolina in Chapel<br />
Hill admitted Negro students from the University<br />
earlier this year and later expanded<br />
the desegregation practice to include all<br />
Negroes.<br />
'Pithole, U.S.A/ Available<br />
Through American Int'l<br />
PITTSBURGH—"Pithole, U.S.A.." a 13-<br />
minute film subject available without<br />
charge to theatres, will be released this<br />
week by American International Pictures.<br />
The unique short uses the still-life-inmotion<br />
technique to "bring alive" the roaring<br />
activity of oil history's first and wildest<br />
boom town.<br />
New York Times critic. A. H. Weiler.<br />
described "Pithole. U.S.A." as "A phase of<br />
Americana heretofore unheralded in films."<br />
Pithole was born, grew to bursting and<br />
died within the short span of 500 days, just<br />
a few miles from the Drake well, the world's<br />
first oil well. Today. Pithole does not exist.<br />
It is gone from the map. Tall grass grows<br />
again in the old cellar holes, all that is left<br />
of the hectic days when Pithole was the<br />
boisterous oil capital of the world.<br />
Produced for United States Steel's Oil<br />
Well Supply Division. "Pithole. U.S.A." is<br />
distributed by F & K Distributing Co. of<br />
Pittsburgh and can be booked through<br />
AIP exchanges.<br />
Taste of Honey' Is Named<br />
British Entry at Cannes<br />
NEW YORK—"A Taste of Honey." Tony<br />
Richardson's film version of the Shelah<br />
Delaney stage hit, which Ls coproduccd and<br />
distributed in the U. S. by Continental Distributing,<br />
has been selected as the official<br />
British entry at the Cannes Film Festival,<br />
according to Irving Wormser, president of<br />
Continental.<br />
Four New Members<br />
On MPAA Board<br />
NEW YORK—Four new members were<br />
elected to the board of directors of the Motion<br />
Pictiu'e Ass'n of America last week to<br />
fill existing vacancies. All other directors<br />
were reelected as were incumbent officers.<br />
Newly elected to the board were Leo<br />
Jaffe. vice-president of Columbia Pictures;<br />
Joseph J. Laub. secretary and general counsel<br />
of Buena 'Vista: Adolph Schimel. vicepresident<br />
and general counsel of Universal<br />
Pictures, and Eugene Picker, vice-president<br />
of United Artists.<br />
Reelected officers were Eric Johnston,<br />
president: Kenneth Clark, Ralph Hetzel<br />
and Charles Boren. executive vice-presidents:<br />
Geoffrey Shurlock. William Fineshriber<br />
jr.. Manning Clagett and Edward<br />
Cooper, vice-presidents: Sidney Schreiber,<br />
secretary: Stanley R. Weber, treasurer;<br />
Thomas J. McNamara, assistant treasurer,<br />
and Robert T. Watkins. assistant treasurerassistant<br />
secretary.<br />
The following were re-elected members<br />
of the executive committee of the board<br />
of directors: Barney Balaban. Steve Broidy,<br />
Benjamin Kalmenson. Arthur Krim. Irving<br />
Ludwig. Milton R. Rackmil, A, Schneider.<br />
Spyros P. Skouras. Joseph R. 'Vogel and<br />
Johnston as chairman.<br />
Re-elected to the board were Johnston.<br />
Balaban. George Weltner. Broidy. Edward<br />
Morey. Schneider, Earle W. Hammons,<br />
Pandro S. Berman, Roy O. Disney, Ludwig,<br />
Kalmenson, Howard Levinson. Krim, Walter<br />
Mirisch. Rackmil. William Perlberg,<br />
Hal E. Roach. Herman Robbins. Skoui-as,<br />
W. C. Michel, C. B. Stratton. Vogel. Benjamin<br />
Melniker and Jerry Wald.<br />
MPAA Adopts Resolution<br />
On O'Connor's Death<br />
NEW YORK—The board of directors of<br />
the Motion Picture Ass'n of America<br />
adopted the following resolution in tribute<br />
to the memory of John J. O'Connor, who<br />
died March 26, at its annual meeting:<br />
"Be it resolved, that the board of directors<br />
of Motion Picture Association of<br />
America expi'esses its deep grief at the<br />
death of John J. O'Connor, a member of<br />
the board since May 8. 1947. He was closely<br />
identified with our industry for almost<br />
half a century and actively participated<br />
in its development and growth in exhibition,<br />
production and distribution. His services<br />
to the board, as in many other industry<br />
posts he held, were devoted, loyal<br />
and able. For many years as chairman of<br />
the board's committee on solicitations, he<br />
fostered and directed the participation of<br />
the member companies in humanitarian<br />
causes and projects to fmther the welfare<br />
of the industry. The members of this boai-d<br />
respected him for his integrity and fairness<br />
and loved him for his kindness, modesty<br />
and understanding. Tliey mom-n the<br />
loss of a congenial and treasured friend,<br />
and join with Universal Pictures Company<br />
in lamenting his death. They extend to his<br />
family their heartfelt sympathy."<br />
Code Seal to "Chapman Report'<br />
HOLLYWOOD—A Code Seal was given<br />
"The Chapman Report." Richard Zanuck<br />
production for Warner Bros., by the Association<br />
of Motion Picture Producers following<br />
the initial screening of the film.<br />
BOXOFFICE April 9. 1962
'"'"•<br />
"<br />
.<br />
„,s„.. «-- rr..«<br />
IN CITY AFTER CITY. .<br />
KING OF KINGS<br />
JJ<br />
BUILDS GIANT BOX-OFFICE GROSSES!<br />
A<br />
GREEN BAY, WISG.<br />
FLINT, MICH. . . .<br />
DAVENPORT, IOWA<br />
KALAMAZOO, MICH.<br />
BRIDGEPORT, CONN<br />
FRESNO, CALIF. .<br />
LAS VEGAS, NEV. .<br />
SAVANNAH, GA. .<br />
ABILENE, TEXAS .<br />
166%<br />
129%<br />
1 18%<br />
112%<br />
1 1 1%<br />
103%<br />
110%<br />
100%<br />
100%<br />
OF<br />
RECORDy<br />
BREAKING<br />
"BEN-HUR"<br />
BUSINESS<br />
IE PERFECT FAMILY PICTURE FOR EASTER -OR ANY OTHER TIME<br />
J<br />
BOOK IT NOW! CONTACT YOUR M-G-M BRANCH!<br />
I
was<br />
Honorary, Scientific<br />
Oscars Announced<br />
HOLLYWOOD—The Irving C. Thalberg<br />
Award has been voted to producer-director<br />
Stairley Kramer, it was disclosed by Wendell<br />
Corey, president of the Academy of<br />
Motion Picture Aits and Sciences.<br />
The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award<br />
was voted by the Academy board of governors<br />
to writer-director George Seaton. with<br />
honoraiT awards going to Fred L. Metzler.<br />
20th-Pox e.xecutive administrator, for "his<br />
dedication and outstanding service to the<br />
Academy": Jerome Robbins for "his brilliant<br />
achievements in the art of choreography<br />
on film," and Bill L. Hendricks.<br />
Warner Bros, public relations director, for<br />
"his outstanding patriotic service in the<br />
conception, writing and production of the<br />
Marine Corps film. 'A Force in Readiness'<br />
which brought so much honor to the Academy<br />
and the motion picture industry."<br />
The scientific and technical achievement<br />
awards presented annually by the Academy<br />
also were announced by Corey.<br />
Plaques signifying Class n Awards will<br />
be pi'esented to:<br />
Sylvania Electric Products. Inc.. for the<br />
development of a hand-held high-power<br />
photographic lightmg unit known as the<br />
Sun Gun Professional.<br />
James Dale. S. Wilson. H. E. Rice, John<br />
Rude. Laurie Atkin. Wadsworth E. Pohl,<br />
H. Peasgood and Technicolor for a process<br />
of automatic selective printing.<br />
This process employs a unique cueing<br />
distance counter combined with an automatic<br />
optical printer whereby scenes may<br />
be selectively deleted, shortened, or interchanged<br />
for different versions of a motion<br />
picture without recutting the negative. The<br />
.system is also applicable to the automatic<br />
production of fades and dissolves.<br />
20th Century-Fox Research Department,<br />
under the direction of E. I. Sponable and<br />
Herbert E. Bragg, and De Luxe Laboratories,<br />
Inc., with the assistance of F. D. Leslie.<br />
R. D. Whitmore, A. A. Alden, Endel<br />
Pool and James B. Gordon for a system of<br />
decompre.ssing and recomposing Cinema-<br />
Scope pictures for conventional aspect ratios.<br />
Certificates signifying honorable mention<br />
for Class III Awards will go to:<br />
Electronic Systems, Inc.. for an automatic<br />
light changing system for motion<br />
picture printers.<br />
Wadsworth E. Pohl and Technicolor<br />
Corp. for an integrated sound and pictuie<br />
transfer process.<br />
All the above awards will be presented<br />
with all other Oscars on the 34th<br />
annual Academy Awards show April 9.<br />
Blevins Popscor Award<br />
To Stars O'Hara, Mills<br />
NASHVILLE. TENN.—The 1961 "Popscar"<br />
Award, given annually by Jim Blevins.<br />
mayor of Popcorn Village here, has gone to<br />
Maureen O'Hara and Hayley MiUs. each<br />
of whom will receive a bronze statue and<br />
her weight in popcorn.<br />
The "Popscar " Award is given to the motion<br />
picture personality who inspires the<br />
most popcorn eating in the movies. Blevins<br />
said that the amount of corn coixsumed by<br />
patrons during the O'Hara-Mills perfomiances<br />
in "The Parent Trap." topped all<br />
popcorn crunching in the movies in 1961.<br />
Universal Has 'Sportacus'<br />
On General Release Basis<br />
NEW YORK—Universal's "Spartacus"<br />
went into domestic general release on<br />
April 5 after 18 months on full and modified<br />
roadshow policies and at advanced admission<br />
prices. The general release will be<br />
on a staggered territorial basis.<br />
Initial engagements wUl be in the Charlotte<br />
territoi-y. with other exchange areas<br />
launching the film during the next eight<br />
weeks. By the second week in June.<br />
"Spartacus" will be available for general<br />
release engagements throughout the United<br />
States and Canada, according to H. H. "Hi"<br />
Martin, vice-president and general sales<br />
manager, who said that both 70mm and<br />
35mm prints wUl be used in the general<br />
release playoff.<br />
In the 18 months of its roadshow exhibition.<br />
"Spartacus" played about 1,300 engagements<br />
and brought in revenue of $8,-<br />
000.000. Martin said. For general release.<br />
Universal has prepared a new pressbook<br />
and new ads. In addition to the regular<br />
accessories, certain of the roadshow materials<br />
which were effective will be made<br />
available for use in the regular engagements,<br />
he said.<br />
East and West Premieres<br />
Set Aug. 1 for 'Grimm'<br />
LOS ANGELES—A simultaneous premiere<br />
for MGM-Cinerama's "The Wonderful<br />
World of the Brotiiers Grimm" has<br />
been set for August 1 at the Stanley Wai--<br />
ner Theatre Hollywood and Loew's Capitol.<br />
New York. The film will of>eJi in 48<br />
other theatres in the U. S. between the<br />
premiere date and August 15. according to<br />
announcement of plans being developed by<br />
Robert Mochrie, MGM general sales manager,<br />
and Bernie Kranze. Cinerama's sales<br />
vice-president.<br />
The sum of $300,000 will be spent by the<br />
Stanley Warner circuit -to convert the Hollywood<br />
Warner house into Super Cinerama.<br />
"How the West Was Won." second MGM-<br />
Cinerama production, will bow in 40 foreign<br />
situations toward the end of the year,<br />
according to present blueprints.<br />
Name Kramer's 'Judgment'<br />
Best by Italian Critics<br />
ROME— Stanley Kramer's "Judgment at<br />
"<br />
Nuremberg named best foreign film<br />
of the year by a jury of Italian film critics.<br />
The United Artists release will receive the<br />
Silver Ribbon, an annual aw'ard made in<br />
this category.<br />
Michelangelo Antonioni's "La Notte,"<br />
being released in the U.S. by Lopert Pictures<br />
as "The Night." will receive the Silver<br />
Ribbon as the best Italian picture while<br />
Monica Vitta. featured in the film, was<br />
named best supporting actress by the jury<br />
of film critics. "La Notte" was also named<br />
best picture of the year by the Gennan<br />
film critics.<br />
M. H. Brandon Is Dead<br />
MEMPHIS—M. H. Brandon, fonner director<br />
of National Film Service, died here<br />
April 1 after a long illne.ss.<br />
Brandon, who was 65 years of age, was<br />
the founder of Film Transit and Transway<br />
Ti-uck Lines of Memphis and New Orleans.<br />
He is survived by two sons. Daniel and<br />
Gilbert, who are active in the business.<br />
CALENDARiEVENTS<br />
APRIL
The Motion Picture<br />
Industry's<br />
1962 TRADE SHOW<br />
EQUIPMENT * CONCESSIONS * SUPPLIES<br />
Sponsored<br />
By<br />
ALLIED STATES ASSOCIATION OF MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITORS<br />
THEATRE<br />
EQUIPMENT & SUPPLY MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION<br />
THEATRE EQUIPMENT DEALERS ASSOCIATION<br />
in fhe Brand New Exhibit Hall<br />
Slieraton- Cleveland Hotel<br />
Cleveland,<br />
Ohio<br />
December 3, 4, 5, 1962<br />
A brochure containing detailed information concerning<br />
the ALLIED-TESMA-TEDA 1962 Trade Show has<br />
been placed in the mail and should reach manufacturers,<br />
suppliers and concessionaires soon.<br />
INSPECT THE BROCHURE<br />
CHOOSE YOUR SPACE<br />
MAIL YOUR APPLICATION<br />
To:<br />
Or:<br />
Theatre Equipment and Supply Manufacturers Association,<br />
1501 Broadway, Room 2101, New York 36, N.Y. OX 5-7828.<br />
Allied States Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors,<br />
1008 Fox Building, Detroit 1, Michigan. WO 3-9040.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: April 9. 1962 13
BETWEEN THE LINES<br />
By AL STEEN<br />
Gold in Them Tills<br />
PICTURES, good or bad, really never grow<br />
old. There s always another generation<br />
on the way up which has never seen the<br />
pictures which had been seen by their parents,<br />
or even by their older brothers and<br />
sisters.<br />
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is finding this<br />
out. Let's eliminate the above phrase: "Pictures,<br />
good or bad ."<br />
. . . MGM has singled<br />
out eight top-flight pictures; there are no<br />
bad ones. And the company is putting<br />
them out in combinations of two. with<br />
brand new campaigns.<br />
The first duet is composed of "Ivanhoe"<br />
and "Knights of the Roundtable." some<br />
nifty ones of circa 1952-53. That's about<br />
ten years ago. So kids of five or six years<br />
old at the ti:nc are 15 or 16 years old today<br />
and the chances are that they didn't see<br />
either of the films when they were in the<br />
kindergarten era: if they did. they were<br />
too young to remember them. But some of<br />
the star names are, perhaps, as magnetic<br />
as they w^ere when the pictures first were<br />
released.<br />
Take a look at "Ivanhoe." Topping the<br />
cast were Robert Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor.<br />
Joan Fontaine and George Sanders, among<br />
others. "Knights of the Roundtable" had<br />
Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner and Mel Ferrer.<br />
No small potatoes: names that the kids<br />
today know. And the adults don't mind going<br />
back for a second helping when they<br />
know they enjoyed the first.<br />
In mid-JanuaiT. MGM started to release<br />
the above combo on a test basis and the<br />
results were so encouraging that the company<br />
has estimated that it will gross, conseiTatively.<br />
more than $1,000,000. Loew's<br />
will play it over its circuit of theatres<br />
starting on March 21.<br />
Succeeding combinations are "Battleground"<br />
and "Go for Broke." "King Solomon's<br />
Mines" and "The Naked Spur" and<br />
"Escort From Fort Bravo" and "Ride. 'Vaquero."<br />
And they have names, names.<br />
names.<br />
According to Fred Schwartz, who is<br />
heading up this special sales division for<br />
MGM, the interest in these pictures is<br />
"fantastic." But he resents the term "reissue"<br />
or "rerelease" when referring to<br />
them. He insists that they are brand new<br />
pictures for the brand new audience. MGM<br />
has established ten offices around the<br />
counti-y just to handle these films.<br />
It is quite probable that MGM could have<br />
received a sizable chunk of money from<br />
these pictures, if they had been made available<br />
to television. But the chances are that<br />
they will make more money at the boxoffices<br />
of the counti-y. So, to use a timeworn<br />
and antiquated expi-ession, a tip of<br />
the lid to Metro. If the cry about the product<br />
shortage is sincere, then iierhaps MGM<br />
is supplying the answer. Evei-y company,<br />
from the largest to the smallest, has .solid,<br />
money-making product on its shelves which<br />
has been liquidated from a bookkeeping<br />
standpoint, but there is still gold in them<br />
thar tills and it can come from the theatres<br />
and not from television.<br />
By doing a little probing, we found that<br />
several other major companies were observing<br />
MGM's trial balloon in this field<br />
and were preparing to do likewise. So, until<br />
more new product comes along, perhaps<br />
MGM's project will provide the answer, in<br />
part at least, to the alleged product short-<br />
'State Fair' Campaign<br />
TWENTIETH Century-Fo.x's pre-opening<br />
newspaper ads on "State Pair" has<br />
won almost unprecedented acclaim by advertising<br />
men both inside and outside the<br />
industi-y. according to company spokesmen.<br />
A full-page ad in the New York Times,<br />
heralding the picture's opening at the<br />
Paramount Theatre on Broadway on April<br />
10 was placed three weeks in advance. This<br />
was followed up by a cooperative page ad<br />
with Macy's, the first of four, and spotted<br />
on a non-amusement page. Another offthe-amuscmont-page<br />
half-page ad was<br />
tied in with Sam Goody, large record store,<br />
as a plug for both the picture and the<br />
"State Pair" album.<br />
These off-the-amusement-page ads. tied<br />
in with two firms, plus the initial playdate<br />
announcement, has aroused considerable<br />
interest, particularly the co-op display with<br />
Macy's and Sam Goody. While co-op ads<br />
have been utilized before, the spotting of<br />
them on pages away from the amusement<br />
section has had a strong impact on readers<br />
who become sold on both the picture and<br />
tiie merchandi.se involved.<br />
This is good showmanship and the re.sult<br />
is sure to reflect the confidence which the<br />
20th-Fox promotion department has placed<br />
in the venture. New Yorkers are well aware<br />
of the attraction slated for the Paramount<br />
because of the strategy.<br />
Reproductions of these ads are sliown in<br />
the Showmandiser Section in this issue.<br />
Exhibitors everywhere should endeavor<br />
to make similar tie-ups in their communities.<br />
•<br />
Good<br />
Nostalgia Is<br />
•pHE NEW YORKER THEATRE in<br />
New-<br />
York .specializes in showing old pictures.<br />
In front of the theatre one day last<br />
week, a six-year-old girl was asked to name<br />
her favorite western star. She said it wa-s<br />
William S. Hart. Not even her parents were<br />
bom when Hart was a star. But it just<br />
proves that pictures never die.<br />
This same theatre recently presented the<br />
first Marx Brothers picture. "The Cocoanuts,"<br />
one of the early talking pictures.<br />
If you were lucky, you might have been<br />
able to get a seat.<br />
Nostalgia is not a sickness. It's a hj-po.<br />
Nothing New Dept.<br />
\A7E THINK of motion pictures on jet<br />
flights as something new. but. according<br />
to an old newspaper clipping, films were<br />
shown on the night bus between Philadelphia<br />
and Asbui-y Park. N.J.. back in<br />
1926. The screen was placed behind the<br />
drivers seat.<br />
Nine New MGM Releases,<br />
31 Reissues to October<br />
LOS ANGELES—In addition to nine new<br />
MGM pictures set for release in the next<br />
six months, it was disclosed that the studio<br />
will reissue 31 old features.<br />
New films are "All Fall Down," for release<br />
this month: "Damon and Pythias,"<br />
May: "Ride the High Country" and<br />
"Lolita," June: "Swordsman of Siena,"<br />
July: "Two Weeks in Another Town" and<br />
"Savage Guns," August; "Seven Seas to<br />
Calais" and "Password is Courage,"<br />
September.<br />
Included in the old features, many of<br />
which have been seen on TV, are "A Night<br />
at the Opera," "A Day at the Races," "A<br />
Tale of Two Cities," "Captains Courageous,"<br />
"The Merry Widow," "Naughty<br />
"Marietta," "The Big Store," "Rose Marie,"<br />
"Meet Me in St. Louis," "Easter Parade,"<br />
"Anna Christie." "Grand Hotel." "David<br />
Copperfield." "Dinner at Eight." and<br />
"Cliocolate Soldier."<br />
Among the features that have not been<br />
on the video circuit are "Student Prince,"<br />
"This Could Be the Night," "Flame of<br />
Boixrbon Street" and "Kim."<br />
Air Force Cooperating<br />
On 'Starfighters' Film<br />
HOLLYWOOD—The Department of Defense<br />
has granted producer Will Zens full<br />
Air Force cooperation on the subject of<br />
the F-104 jet fighters. Titled "The Starfighters,"<br />
this Riviera production is a<br />
dramatic, full-length. Eastman Color feature<br />
which now is completing air shooting<br />
at George Air Force Base in California. In<br />
the cast are Richard Masters and Dick<br />
Jordahl, who also were featm-ed in<br />
Riviera's current release. "Capture That<br />
Capsule."<br />
Lee Marvin on 13-City Tour<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Actor Lee Marvin departed<br />
for a tour of 13 key cities across the<br />
U.S. in conjunction with regional openings<br />
of John Ford's "The Man Who Shot Liberty<br />
Valance." in which Marvin costars with<br />
James Stewart and John Wayne. Marvin's<br />
nationwide itinerary includes Boston,<br />
Philadelphia. Washington. D.C., New-<br />
Orleans, Dallas. Ft. Worth. Chicago. Detroit.<br />
Milwaukee. Minneapolis, St. Paul,<br />
San Francisco and Los Angeles.<br />
Medallion Gets 'Kings'<br />
NEW YORK— Medallion Pictures has acquired<br />
the Bealyn Productions Eastman<br />
Color-CinemaScope picture. "The Tomb<br />
of tlie Kings." for release in the U.S. in<br />
June, according to B. R. Schrift. president,<br />
and Murray Kaplan, sales head. Debra<br />
Paget and Robert Alda are starred. The<br />
feature is the seventh in color and 'Scope<br />
on Medallion's 1962 schedule.<br />
THEATRE FOR SALE<br />
5,000 sq. ft., 570 seat air-conditioned building<br />
for sale by owners. Downtown Brookfleld,<br />
Chicago suburb. Very reasonable. Neil Spurgeon,<br />
4315 W Fullerton Ave., Chicago 39. Phone<br />
HU 9-3700<br />
14 BOXOrnCE :; April 9. 1962
. . . Shakespeare<br />
. . Suitable<br />
. . This<br />
—<br />
. . The<br />
—<br />
. .<br />
'West Side Story' (UA) Winner<br />
Of March Blue Ribbon Award<br />
By VELMA WEST SYKES<br />
gOXOFPICE Blue Ribbon Award winner for March is "West Side Story," modern<br />
version of the Romeo-and-Juliet tlieme transposed to New York City, with its<br />
clash of opposing juvenile gangs. Although a musical, with colorful choreography to<br />
help tell the story, it is still a tragedy of yoiuig love in which the Puerto Rican Juliet<br />
(Maria, played by Natalie Wood) loses both her brother and her lover. Based on the<br />
stage play, the screenplay is by Ernest Lehman. Richard Beymer plays Romeo,<br />
under the direction of Producer Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins. Robbins also did<br />
the choreography.<br />
.<br />
In selecting "West Side Story" as the<br />
outstanding picture of the month which<br />
is suitable for viewing by the whole<br />
family. National Screen Council members<br />
confirmed the <strong>Boxoffice</strong> reviewer's estimate<br />
in the October 9, 1961 issue, which<br />
read in part:<br />
"Mirisch Pictures' presentation of the<br />
enormously successful Broadway stage hit<br />
proves equally effective as a screen blending<br />
of the dramatic, musical and dance<br />
form for family audiences.<br />
but not the very young." Playing now on<br />
a roadshow basis, it has been grossing 266<br />
per cent of average business in key cities.<br />
Study Guide Available<br />
The National Council of Teachers of<br />
English published a study guide for "West<br />
Side Story" for its October issue of<br />
"studies in the mass media" and makes<br />
available to classroom use at a nominal<br />
it<br />
price.<br />
Comments from NSC members gave<br />
these reasons for its selection as the<br />
March Award wimier:<br />
"West Side Story" is a beautiful, dramatic<br />
and distinguished film.—Paine<br />
Knickerbocker. San Francisco Chronicle<br />
would not recognize this<br />
modern adaptation but his big plot has its<br />
classic appeal today.—May Williams<br />
Ward. Wellington iKas.) author.<br />
This 20th Century version of the<br />
Romeo-and-Juliet theme is beautifully<br />
presented and executed.—Virginia M.<br />
Beard, Cleveland Public Library Film<br />
Curator . is an extraordinary production,<br />
a brilliant fusing of drama, ballet<br />
and music.—Mrs. Edward F. Caixan,<br />
This will be a<br />
G.F.W.C. Cleveland . . .<br />
sure winner of the Academy Award.<br />
William Hebert, Western <strong>Boxoffice</strong><br />
editor.<br />
In my opinion, "West Side Story" is<br />
"unfair" competition. With an obvious<br />
emphasis on bigness and spectacle in our<br />
motion pictures today, quality and artistic<br />
value are somewhat overlooked. "West<br />
Side Story," although a giant of production,<br />
also overflows with the art of music,<br />
choreography, cinematography, direction,<br />
dialog and costuming for the situation at<br />
hand. Moreno and Tamblyn were excellent.<br />
So were Natalie Wood and George<br />
Chakiris. It's a shame there couldn't be<br />
a "sweepstakes" prize for this realistic<br />
as well as entertaining—movie.—Jack<br />
Ong, Mesa (Ariz.) Tribune.<br />
While "West Side Story" has brutal<br />
incidents, the music is so outstanding, as<br />
well as the acting, that it gets my vote.<br />
Mrs. Paul Gebhart. Cleveland Cinema<br />
Club . . . Vibrant, vivid and volcanic, this<br />
eiTjpts bnlliance.—Art Preston. Portland<br />
(Me.<br />
I teacher.<br />
Good Enough for Oscar<br />
What's good enough for Oscar is good<br />
enough for me. I'm waiting to see it<br />
again—Wayne Allen, Springfield (111.)<br />
Journal -Register ... By all odds, "West<br />
Side Story" should win.—Raymond<br />
Lowery. Raleigh News and Observer.<br />
The music, ballet, race strife of New<br />
York "caverns" and the fine photography<br />
win my vote.—Mrs. A. L. Murray,<br />
Long Beach Kappa Kappa Gamma .<br />
This is an excellent list, for a change.<br />
"West Side Stoi-y" is great.—Glenn Himebaugh.<br />
Canton Repository.<br />
ThLs "best picture of the year-" has<br />
something for everyone. The coloring is<br />
tops—so is the music by Bernstein.<br />
Chuck Fisher, president MP Appreciation<br />
Ass'n, Kansas City . best-filmed<br />
musical I ever saw.—Dick Kenworthy,<br />
Chicago White Sox.<br />
ilililllilililiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinMiiiiiiiilillliiliii<br />
RUSS TAMBLYN AS RIFF ENTERTAINS HIS GANG WITH<br />
A SPOOFING OF EXPLANATIONS ABOUT DELINQUENTS<br />
NATALIE WOOD (MARIA) AND RICHARD BEYMER (TONY)<br />
PLEDGE THEIR ILL-FATED LOVE IN THE BRIDAL SHOP<br />
A RUMBLE THAT ENDS TRAGICALLY FOR GANG MEMBERS<br />
LEAVES MARIA BEREFT OF BOTH BROTHER AND LOVER<br />
iiiiMiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii<br />
The Cast<br />
Maria Natalie Wood Lieutenant Schrank Simon Oakland<br />
Tony Richard Beymer Officer Krupke<br />
Bill Bramley<br />
Riff<br />
Russ Tamblyn Doc<br />
Ned Glass<br />
Anita<br />
Rita Moreno Glad Hand<br />
John Austin<br />
Bernardo<br />
George Chakiris "The Jets" and "The Sharks"<br />
Production Staff<br />
Producer<br />
Directed by<br />
Screenplay by<br />
Associate Producer<br />
Choreography by<br />
Music by<br />
Robert Wise<br />
Robert Wise.<br />
Jerome Robbins<br />
Ernest Lehman<br />
Saul Chaplin<br />
Jerome Robbins<br />
Leonard Bernstein<br />
Lyrics by<br />
Stephen Sondheim<br />
Based on tha stage play by<br />
Robert E. Griffith.<br />
Harold S. Prince<br />
Soofc by<br />
Arthur Laurents<br />
Color by Technicolor<br />
This awird is given each month by the<br />
National Screen Council on the basis of outstandng<br />
merit and suitability for family<br />
enteitainment. Council membership comprises<br />
motion picture editors, radio and TV film<br />
commentators, representatives of better films<br />
councils, civic, educational and exhibitor or.<br />
ganizations.
'f^txCiifdAMd ^e^tont<br />
15 Cinerama Properties<br />
Are Now in Preparation<br />
Max E. Youngstein. executive vicepresident<br />
of Cinerama, states he has at<br />
least 15 properties in preparation for the<br />
company wliich he recently joined. He has<br />
been in Hollywood with Cinerama president<br />
Nicholas Reisini for meetings with<br />
Robert Weitman, MGM production head,<br />
on the latter company's two Cinerama<br />
productions, "The Wonderful World of the<br />
Brothers Grimm" and "How the West Was<br />
Won." Completion of both films is<br />
anticipated in about 60 days, with release<br />
planned for summer of this year, when<br />
between 110 and 12.5 theatres are expected<br />
to be equipped for Cinerama. Of the 15<br />
properties being readied, at least two are<br />
committed to MGM. with others under discussion.<br />
Under Reisini. Youngstein and associates'<br />
management. Cinerama is reported<br />
to be in its best financial position to<br />
date with prospects bright for expanding<br />
use of its facilities.<br />
Laurence Harvey Committed<br />
With Five Companies<br />
Laurence Harvey w'ill be starring for Columbia.<br />
MGM. Seven Arts. Hal Wallis. and<br />
his own Laurence Harvey Productions this<br />
year, if he fulfills the schedule he has set<br />
for himself. First is "Ballad of a Running<br />
Man." novel by Shelly Smith to be produced<br />
and directed by Sir Carol Reed for<br />
Columbia. For his own company. Harvey<br />
has purchased "The Feathers of Death."<br />
by Simon Raven. Since "Ballad" rolls in<br />
Dublin next month, with locations in<br />
Switzerland, and MGM has call on him for<br />
September for its multiple-picture contract,<br />
his independent production will<br />
almost certainly have to be pushed over<br />
into next year. Meanwhile, he is supposed<br />
to start the remake of "Of Human Bondage"<br />
for Seven Arts in November and Hal<br />
Wallis has him down for a December or<br />
January start at Paramount on a property<br />
in preparation.<br />
Jim Backus Gets Sheriff<br />
Role<br />
In 'My Six Loves' for Para.<br />
Paramount has pinned a badge on Jim<br />
Backus as a sheriff in "My Six Loves."<br />
which stars Debbie Reynolds. Cliff Robertson,<br />
David Jan.ssen and co.stars Eileen<br />
Heckart. Backus, who.se attainments in the<br />
entertainment world range from gaining<br />
world renown as the voice of the cartoon<br />
character "Mr. Magoo" to costarring with<br />
the late comedienne Joan Davis in the TV<br />
series. "I Married Joan." plus a.s.sorted<br />
other appearances on Broadway and virtually<br />
every divei-sional medium, will essay<br />
the role of a sheriff in a .small Connecticut<br />
tow-n.<br />
Miss Reynolds heads the cast as a<br />
famous Broadway and musical-comedy star<br />
who suddenly finds she has "adopted" six<br />
homeless waifs and discovers that she<br />
needs help from friends and acquaintances<br />
who don't understand her problem any<br />
more than she does.<br />
The picture is being produced by Gant<br />
By WILLIAM HEBERT<br />
Gaitiier. directed by Gowcr Champion and<br />
is adapted from a novelette written by<br />
Peter V. K. Funk published in Redbook<br />
magazine.<br />
Robert Darwin Organizes<br />
New Production Firm<br />
Robert Darwin EnteiTorises. Inc., with<br />
Danvin as president, has been organized to<br />
enter both independent production of theatrical<br />
films and possible expan.sion into<br />
TV. Associates are investor R. H. Johnson<br />
and attorney Dan Felts, both of Austin.<br />
Tex.<br />
Darwin states the corporation has<br />
acquired rights to an "experimental" film<br />
titled "A House of Sand." now in production.<br />
U.se of the term "experimental" is<br />
not explained in the company's original<br />
announcement, and as this column goes to<br />
press no representative could be reached<br />
to supply details. With financing by a<br />
Texas group, the company is announced<br />
as planning acquisition of a large studio lot<br />
with complete facilities plus a talent-training<br />
adjunct.<br />
Headquarters are given as 1205 Nueces<br />
St.. Austui. Tex.. Hollywood offices, 7050<br />
Pacific View Drive.<br />
Sam Katzman Assigns Three<br />
For 'Broken Lariat' Cast<br />
Sam Katzman has set<br />
James Philbrook.<br />
Nancy Kovack and Guy Mitchell for<br />
"Broken Lariat," a Four Leaf Production<br />
for Columbia release. The story is a Civil<br />
War drama backgrounded against the<br />
frontier goldfields of Montana. Screenplay<br />
is by Gerald D. Adams. Philbrook, recently<br />
starred in "The Investigators" TV series,<br />
plays a government marshal. Miss Kovack,<br />
SLACiC^TlG<br />
AT<br />
HOLLYWOOD OPENING—Cyd<br />
Charisse, star of "Black Tights," is<br />
shown with .Salah Hassanein, president<br />
of Skouras Theatres and executive<br />
vice-president of United Artists Theatres.<br />
Inc.. at the Hollywood premiere<br />
of the dancing musical at the Four<br />
Star Theatre. Patrons of the Los<br />
Angeles Ballet Theatre sponsored the<br />
black tie opening.<br />
whose exclusive contract is held by Columbia,<br />
recently completed the classic role of<br />
Medea in Charles H. Schneer's screen version<br />
of "Jason and the Golden Fleece."<br />
Mitchell, mainly known as a nightclub<br />
singe!' and recording artist, assumes the<br />
non-singing dramatic role of a nithless<br />
outlaw.<br />
Dale Robertson Returning<br />
To Theatrical Films<br />
Dale Robertson, who first came to<br />
prominence as a contract leading man for<br />
20th-Fox. then branched into TV as star<br />
of Revue's "Wells Fargo." in which he has<br />
been .seen in family living rooms for the<br />
past six years, is returning to feature films.<br />
His Juggernaut Corp. has scheduled "The<br />
1.000 Guns of Justin Malloy." in which he<br />
will star. Original screenplay is by Elliott<br />
Monet, with William Hawks producing and<br />
Ray Kellogg directing.<br />
To be made as an independent production,<br />
it is scheduled to begin .shooting in<br />
June with budget under $1,000,000.<br />
Also for Juggernaut bannerlining is<br />
"The Rebel General." a biography of Gen.<br />
Robert E. Lee. which Monet is scripting.<br />
Tony Randall Set to<br />
Costar<br />
In 'Not on Your Life'<br />
Tony Randall will make his bow at<br />
Warner Bros, as Robert Preston's costar in<br />
"Not on Your Life." on which Morton<br />
DaCosta has the reins.<br />
Preston is title star of Meredith Willson's<br />
"The Music Man." in which he had a long<br />
run on Broadway and which is also, in the<br />
screen version, produced-directed by Da-<br />
Costa.<br />
Latter is headed for Eiuope to select<br />
locations in Greece for the new Leo<br />
Katcher original screen -scripted by David<br />
Schwartz.<br />
Warner's has it scheduled for a start this<br />
summer.<br />
Sinatra Signs Lee J. Cobb<br />
For 'Come Blow Your Horn'<br />
Lee J. Cobb will play Frank Sinatra's<br />
father in "Come Blow Your Horn." hit<br />
Broadway comedy by Neil Simon. Picture<br />
is being mutually made in cooperation<br />
between Sinatra's Essex Productions and<br />
Tandem Productions iBud Yorkin-Norman<br />
Leari. Sinatra will star as a "free-wheeling<br />
bachelor." Lear will write and produce,<br />
Yorkin direct. September 10 is set as starting<br />
date, picture to be filmed in color at<br />
Paramount and on locations in New York.<br />
Important stars, in addition to Cobb, are<br />
planned to be added to the cast.<br />
Marlon Brando Sr. to Film<br />
'The Winston Affair'<br />
Marlon Brando sr.. president of Pennebaker,<br />
Inc.. has announced acquisition of<br />
Howard Fast's novel. "The Wiiiston Affair.<br />
" to be produced by Walter Seltzer.<br />
Tlie story is that of an American officer<br />
charged with murder during World War<br />
II and defended in court martial by an<br />
infantry captain taken out of the front<br />
lines to plead his fellow-officer's case. The<br />
book has t)een published to healthy sales<br />
in both hard-cover and paperback editions.<br />
No cast or director has been<br />
announced.<br />
16 BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962
Set 350 'Sword' Openings<br />
In U.S. Keys for Easter<br />
NEW YORK— Bert I. Gordon's "The<br />
Magic Sword," filmed in Eastman Color<br />
with Basil Rathbone and Estelle Winwood<br />
starred, will open in 350 theatres across<br />
the U. S. during Easter, according to Jame.s<br />
R. Vclde. United Artists vice-president in<br />
charge of domestic sales.<br />
Among the key cities where the picture<br />
will open on a saturation basis are Buffalo,<br />
25 theatres; Denver, 29 theatres: Indianapolis.<br />
25 theatres: Kansas City, 20 theatres:<br />
Los Angeles, 50 theatres: New Orleans,<br />
20 theatres: Milwaukee. 25 theatres:<br />
Pittsburgh, 45 theatres, and San Francisco,<br />
55 theatres.<br />
Last December, Velde and Fred Goldberg,<br />
UA executive director of advertising,<br />
publicity and exploitation, demonstrated<br />
the "Magic Sword" campaign to the trade<br />
press. This campaign was successfully<br />
tested recently in Hawaii, Velde said, to<br />
"the biggest grosses Hawaii has witnessed<br />
in years."<br />
Elaborate Record Album<br />
For 'Mutiny on the Bounty'<br />
HOLLYWOOD—One of the most elaborate<br />
record albums in the history of MGM<br />
Records will present Bronislau Kaper's entire<br />
musical score of "Mutiny on the<br />
Bounty." one of the longest scores ever<br />
written for a film.<br />
The de luxe album, recorded by an enlai-ged<br />
MGM Symphony Orchestra with<br />
Robert Armbruster conducting, will include<br />
a souvenir book on the making of the<br />
Areola production and special color photographs<br />
from the film, which stars Marlon<br />
Brando, Trevor Howard and Richard<br />
Harris.<br />
Edward Harrison to Show<br />
'Devi/ New Ray Film<br />
NEW YORK—Edward Harrison, who introduced<br />
Satyajit Ray's Indian film trilogy<br />
to the U. S.. has acquired Ray's newest<br />
film. "Devi" iThe Goddess) for distribution<br />
here. The picture has been chosen by<br />
India as its official entry at the Cannes<br />
Film Festival in May.<br />
Harrison distributed Ray's "Father Panchali."<br />
followed by "Aparajito" and "The<br />
World of Apu." Starring in "Devi" are<br />
Sharmila Tagore and Soumitra Chatterjee.<br />
MGM Signs Terry-Thomas<br />
To Star in 'Kill or Cure'<br />
HOLLYWOOD — In London. Terry-<br />
Thomas has been signed to star in MGM's<br />
"Kill or Cure." a comedy thriller to be<br />
made in Britain starting in April.<br />
Producer George Brown, director George<br />
Pollock and writers David Pursall and Jack<br />
Seddon, who teamed on "Murder She<br />
Said," will hold the same assigiunents on<br />
"Kill or Cure." which will follow the trend<br />
started by "Miu-der."<br />
"Equilateral' Rights to Philip Dunne<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Philip Dunne. 20th-Fox<br />
writer-director, has acquired the film<br />
rights to "Equilateral." upcoming novel by<br />
John Hammond to be published next<br />
month.<br />
FEATURE<br />
REVIEW<br />
'The Counterfeit Traitor'<br />
Paramount<br />
By AL STEEN<br />
OTORIES of foreign intrigue and espionage<br />
usually find ready made audiences.<br />
The fascinating angle of "The<br />
Counterfeit Traitor" is that it's a real life<br />
story, 99 per cent factual, according to Eric<br />
Erickson. the central character who currently<br />
is touring the United States in the<br />
interest of the picture. The Perlbcrg- Seaton<br />
production combines all the elements<br />
of so-called cloak-and-dagger stories plus<br />
authentic locales, excellent color by Technicolor<br />
and underground romance.<br />
"The Counterfeit Traitor" is based on a<br />
novelized version of the actual facts by<br />
Alexander Klein and tells the story of an<br />
American-born Swedish oil importer.<br />
Erickson. who was recnrited by the Allies<br />
during World War II as a .spy. Because he<br />
represented a neutral country and appeared<br />
to be a Nazi sympathizer, he was<br />
given the red carpet treatment by Berlin<br />
and allowed to roam at will through Germany,<br />
supposedly to inspect oil refineries<br />
but actually gathering important data for<br />
the Allies. His hair-breadth escapes and<br />
his romance with another Allied agent, a<br />
German girl, provide the ingredients for a<br />
most absorbing picture. Tliis looks like a<br />
money-in-the-bank attraction.<br />
William Holden plays the role of Eric<br />
Erickson and he turns in a smooth, convincing<br />
performance. Opposite him is Lilli<br />
Palmer, German-born actress, who gives a<br />
fine interpretation of the role of the<br />
tragedy-ridden Marianne Mollendorf, who<br />
works for the Allies in order to help free<br />
her country from the Nazi regime. These<br />
are the only two players well known to<br />
American audiences. The supporting cast,<br />
each member carefully and skilfully selected,<br />
was drawn from German, English.<br />
American. Danish and Sw'edish talent.<br />
From the time that Holden, as Erick.son,<br />
accepts the request to serve as a spy for the<br />
Allies, the plot motivation moves foi-w-ard<br />
with mounting tension. His first chore is<br />
to cultivate an alliance with pro-Nazis and<br />
the German Legation in Sweden. When<br />
this is accomplished, he is given unques-<br />
"THE COUNTERFEIT TRAITOR"<br />
Paramount<br />
Technicolor<br />
In<br />
Ratio: 1.85-1<br />
Running time: 140 minutes<br />
CREDITS<br />
Produced by William Periberg. Directed by<br />
George Seoton, Screenploy by Seaton. From the<br />
book of the same title by Alexander Klein.<br />
Music by Alfred Newman. Director of photography,<br />
Jean Bourgoin. Art director. Tombi Lorsen.<br />
Assistant director, Tom Pevsner. Costumes, Edith<br />
Head, Film editor, Alma Macrorie.<br />
THE CAST<br />
Eric Erickson Williom Holden<br />
Marianne Mollendorf Lilli Palmer<br />
Collins<br />
Hugh Griffith<br />
Kloro Holtz Erica Beer<br />
Dr. Jocob Karp Jochen Blume<br />
Porter Martin Berliner<br />
Horold Murray Phil Brown<br />
Fischer Max Bucf^sboum<br />
Urvger Peter Copcll<br />
Ingrid Erickson Eva Dohlbeck<br />
Prof, Christionsen Ejner Fedcrspiel<br />
Hans Holtz Helo Gutschwoger<br />
Corl Brodley Holger Hogen<br />
Lt. Nogler Dirk Honscn<br />
Otto Holtz Carl Raddotz<br />
William Holden, Carl Raddatz and<br />
Helo Gutschwager in a scene from<br />
•'The Counterfeit Traitor."<br />
tioned entry into all parts of Germany<br />
where he gathers information which he<br />
carries back to Stockholm and then passes<br />
on to London, enabling the British and<br />
Americans to carry out concentrated bombing<br />
raids on oil plants. In the coui'se of his<br />
work, he meets up with Lilli Palmer and<br />
their dangerous missions bring them closer<br />
and closer together, she being an Allied<br />
agent. When her role is exposed. Holden<br />
has the ghastly experience of having to<br />
watch her being executed by a firing squad.<br />
Although almost every sequence has<br />
moments of suspense, it is Holden's escape<br />
from Germany, after being exposed by a<br />
member of the Hitler Youth Movement,<br />
that provides edge-of the-seat reactions.<br />
The well-organized underground, especially<br />
in Demnark. is brought into full<br />
play: the step-by-step maneuvers by<br />
Holden and the underground accomplices<br />
in getting him back to Sweden are vividly<br />
and even tragically portrayed.<br />
To give the picture the utmost authenticity,<br />
no backgrounds were faked. Production<br />
crews and cast members were sent<br />
to Berlin, Hamburg, Copenhagen and<br />
Stockholm to capture the time atmosphere<br />
of the stoi^y.<br />
The design for authenticity was further<br />
carried out in the selection of players. The<br />
producers cast American for American.<br />
German for GeiTnan. Swede for Swede,<br />
Dane for Dane and Englishmen for Englishmen.<br />
The results are self-evident.<br />
Alfred Newman's musical score catches<br />
the mood of the screen subject. Newman<br />
visited the location sites during production<br />
and absorbed the atmosphere to give each<br />
sequence the proper background.<br />
Exhibitors have a great deal to sell in<br />
the pictme. an intriguing subject based on<br />
a highly publicized book and star names<br />
such as William Holden and Lilli Palmer.<br />
It is not strictly a man's picture despite its<br />
subject matter and war background.<br />
Women at a sneak preview gave it their<br />
overwhelming approval and were particularly<br />
fascinated by the perilous romance<br />
between the two principals and the<br />
feminine fashions of the period. 1942.<br />
BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962 17
BOXOFFICE BAROMETER<br />
This chart records the performance of current attractions in the opening week of their first runs in<br />
the 20 key cities checked. Pictures with fewer than five engagements are not listed. As new runs<br />
are reported, ratings are added and overages revised. Computation is in terms of percentage in<br />
relation to normal grosses as determined by the theatre managers. With 100 per cent as "normol,"<br />
the figures show the gross rating above or below that mark. (Asterisk<br />
* denotes combination bills.)<br />
Cold Wind in August. A (Aidart) 140 300<br />
Colossus of Rhodes (MGM)<br />
Desert Warrior (Medallion)<br />
215<br />
- -<br />
7S 150 190 100 100 130 200 135
I Jt<br />
Theatrevision Plans<br />
Ten Insiallations<br />
BUFFALO—Plans to install Theatrevision<br />
in ten communities in and around<br />
New York State are under way followinj^<br />
the first test of the closed-circuit TV system<br />
at the Auditorium Theatre in Rochester<br />
where audiences, paying $1.50 to $3 admission,<br />
saw "Gideon" on a large screen<br />
simultaneously with its presentation on<br />
the stage of the Plymouth Theatre in New<br />
York, where tickets were $7.50 top.<br />
OPINION POLL IS TAKEN<br />
An opinion poll taken by the Auditorium<br />
management showed that 80 per<br />
cent of the first-nighters "definitely" or<br />
"probably" would go to see another theatrecast<br />
of a live Broadway show. Others<br />
were recorded as uncertain, definitely opposed<br />
or of qualified opinions.<br />
Walter Lowenthal, vice-president of the<br />
Dynamic Theatre Network, Inc., which<br />
owns Theatrevision, said the company is<br />
purchasing equipment for installation in a<br />
string of towns smaller than Rochester. All<br />
installations will be limited to cities on the<br />
eastern seaboard because time zone problems<br />
would logically preclude trying to<br />
link New York theatre with cities to the<br />
west, Lowenthal pointed out. The whole<br />
plan is based on the simultaneous feature,<br />
or the live telecast, he added, and therefore<br />
performances in the west would necessarily<br />
start too early to be practical.<br />
While declaring that it is not the intention<br />
of the company to operate Theatrevision<br />
in so-called "theatre" cities, he said<br />
it was felt that Rochester falls into the<br />
Theatrevision category because it has no<br />
steadily operating legitimate theatre. While<br />
Rochester had as many shows last year as<br />
Detroit and Toronto, Lowenthal thought<br />
that potential patronage in Kodak Town<br />
would still support the addition of four<br />
Theatrevision shows.<br />
INTERESTED BUT NOT EXCITED<br />
The first Theatrevision audience in Rochester,<br />
some 2,000 persons, brought out<br />
the fact that people were interested in but<br />
not excited over the results.<br />
"Although the results have to be studied<br />
in more detail, the first measure of the<br />
audience's reaction is even more favorable<br />
than we expected," said Nathan Zuckor,<br />
president of Dynamic. The company now<br />
will conduct an opinion sm-vey of the general<br />
public to detemiine reactions of people<br />
who have not seen the theatrecast for<br />
comparison pmposes. Dynamic announced.<br />
It has been reported that Buffalo and<br />
Jamestown may be among the cities installing<br />
Theatrevision next season.<br />
Correction<br />
NEW YORK—The Brooklyn Paramount<br />
Theatre will close on August 31, not August<br />
1 as reported in the last issue of <strong>Boxoffice</strong>.<br />
The theatre and building are being taken<br />
over by their owner. Long Island University.<br />
New TOA Member<br />
NEW YORK—The Sidney Theatre, Sidney,<br />
N.Y., has been enrolled in Theatre<br />
Owners of America by its owner. James<br />
Richards.<br />
New Pennsylvania TOA<br />
To Meet in Philadelphia<br />
Leonard Rosenthal Elected<br />
NY Allied Vice-President<br />
BUFFALO—Leonard H. Rosenthal was<br />
elected Albany regional vice-president of<br />
Allied Theatres of<br />
New York State at a<br />
meeting in the Variety<br />
Club here April<br />
2. Rcscnthal will<br />
head a group which<br />
'^ will stage a drive for<br />
rV<br />
)J<br />
members in the Al-<br />
^ bany area.<br />
^ Sidney J. Cohen,<br />
. I unit president, appointed<br />
William Brett<br />
* as regional coordina-<br />
'<br />
Leonard Rosenthal<br />
t"'' f°'- the Will Rogers<br />
Hospital fund<br />
drive. Al Wright was appointed to study<br />
the possibility of bringing the COMPO<br />
merchandising plan into the Buffalo area.<br />
Cohen said he would announce shortly<br />
the date of the spring film buyers' clinic<br />
to be held in Buffalo. Exhibitors of the<br />
entire state will be invited to attend<br />
whether they are members or not.<br />
Cohen announced the following new<br />
members who had joined the association<br />
during the last month:<br />
Frank Dittrich. Lyric Theatre, and James<br />
Dittrich, State, both of Endicott; Al Klayman.<br />
Hollywood, Mattidale: L. M. Levitch,<br />
LaSalle, LaSalle; Henry K. Martin, Silver<br />
Lake Drive-In, Perry: Lewis E. Mentis,<br />
Ridge, Webster: John Martina, Cinema,<br />
Rochester and Buffalo: Myron Bloom.<br />
State, Fulton: George Tator, Lockport<br />
Drive-In, Lockport: Alex Stornalli, Sunset<br />
Drive-In, Middleport: Morris Slotnick,<br />
Coronet and Fine Arts, Rochester: Elliott<br />
Press. Rochester Drive-In, Rochester, and<br />
Peter Bifarella, Joylan, Springville.<br />
N.Y. Allied to Join N.J. Unit<br />
In Annual Convention<br />
NEW YORK—Allied Theatre Owners of<br />
New Jersey's annual convention this year<br />
will be held in cooperation with the newly<br />
formed Allied Theatres of New York. The<br />
convention will open on August 6 and will<br />
be held at the Concord Hotel, Kiamesha<br />
Lake. N.Y. The New York unit has indicated<br />
it will send 200 members to the meeting.<br />
At a meeting on Tuesday (3i, William<br />
Infald, New Jersey Allied president, appointed<br />
Wilbur Snaper as regional coordinator<br />
for the Will Rogers Hospital fund<br />
drive.<br />
The New Jersey exhibitors also condemned<br />
Metro-Goldw'yn-Mayer for its<br />
handling of "Ben-Hur" in the subsequent<br />
runs, charging that the current wave of<br />
engagements was unfair to many theatres.<br />
The unit currently is conferring with MGM<br />
sales executives as to how they expect to<br />
handle the general release of "King of<br />
Kings."<br />
Carl Benton Reid will play a key featui-ed<br />
role in UA's "Point Blank."<br />
PHILADELPHIA — The first general<br />
membership meeting of the recently formed<br />
Theatre Owners of<br />
Penn.sylvana will be<br />
held m the Bellevue<br />
Stratford Hotel here<br />
April 16 and six exhibitor<br />
leaders will<br />
be among the<br />
.speakers.<br />
David Milgram,<br />
unit president, said<br />
he had received acceptance<br />
from John<br />
Stembler. TOA president:<br />
Philip Harling. David E. Milgram<br />
chairman of the Joint<br />
Committee Against Pay TV: Walter Reade<br />
jr., past TOA president: Herman Levy,<br />
TOA general counsel, and John Broumas,<br />
president of Maryland Theatre Owners<br />
Ass'n.<br />
Milgram said he expected S. H.<br />
Fabian, president of Stanley Warner and<br />
former chairman of American Congress of<br />
Exhibitors, to attend and address the unit.<br />
All exhibitors in Pennsylvania, as well<br />
as those in southern New Jersey and<br />
northern Delaware, who are served out of<br />
the Philadelphia exchanges have been invited<br />
to attend, Milgram said.<br />
At a meeting on [Monday, an 18-man<br />
board was elected to serve the new unit.<br />
The directorate consists of:<br />
Morton Brodsky, Lancaster: Harry Feinstein,<br />
Pittsburgh: Melvin Fox, Paul Klieman.<br />
Harry Penneys. Martin Ellis, Jack<br />
Greenberg, Norman Silverman and Merton<br />
Shapiro, all of Philadelphia: Ben Rosenberg.<br />
Wilkes-Barre; Prank Damas. Stanley<br />
Warner of Pennsylvania: Thomas Friday,<br />
Scranton: Max Korr. Allentown: Claude<br />
Schlanger. Doylestown. and Milgram.<br />
Gerard Savoie Rebuilding<br />
Ossining, N.Y., Victoria<br />
OSSINING. N.Y.—Reconstruction of the<br />
Victoria Theatre is under way. the goal of<br />
its manager, Gerard A. Savoie, being to<br />
make it "the most modern theatre" in<br />
Westchester County.<br />
In outlining improvements recently to<br />
Chamber of Commerce directors, Savoie<br />
said that the stairs and marquee in the<br />
front will be removed, a new front wall will<br />
be constructed and entrance will be provided<br />
through the small store on the west<br />
side of the building which formerly served<br />
as a taxi office.<br />
The interior will be reduced to a shell<br />
before rebuilding begins. The stage and<br />
horseshoe balcony are to be eliminated,<br />
making way for the new screen, which will<br />
be placed close to the rear wall. The building<br />
will be enlarged, a new balcony construction<br />
with a lounge in back of what is<br />
now the projection booth and new seats installed<br />
giving greater distance between<br />
rows.<br />
Savoie said the reconstruction should<br />
take about 12 weeks.<br />
BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962 E-1
^<br />
'Sweet Bird Is<br />
Heavy Rain Hurts<br />
NEW YORK—Of the<br />
three new Broadway<br />
first runs opening late in March,<br />
"Sweet Bird of Youth." had a smash first<br />
week at the Capitol and had long waiting<br />
lines outside the east side Sutton Theatre,<br />
despite the weekend rain which hurt business<br />
on the week's biggest days. "Forever<br />
My Love" also had a big opening week at<br />
the 72nd Street Theatre but "Madison<br />
Avenue." a brief ten-day fill-in at the<br />
Paramount Theatre, did mild business.<br />
Among the many holdovers. "Rome Adventure"<br />
had a satisfactory third and final<br />
week at the Radio City Music Hall, where<br />
it was succeeded by the first of the Easter<br />
pictures. Walt Disney's "Moon Pilot. which<br />
"<br />
started Thursday i5> in conjunction with<br />
the Hall's annual Easter stage pageant,<br />
which will draw the usual crowds until the<br />
end of April. The only other newcomer was<br />
"<br />
"Beir Antonio at the tiny Guild Theatre.<br />
The other long-running films included<br />
"The Children's Hour. " holding up well in<br />
its third week at the Astor and the east<br />
side Trans-Lux 52nd Street: "The Day the<br />
Earth Caught Fire." good in its third week<br />
at the 'Victoria and the east side Trans-<br />
Lux 85th Street, and "Walk on the Wild<br />
Side," good in its sixth week at the Criterion<br />
and the east side Murray Hill. "The<br />
Four Horsemen" was only fair in its fourth<br />
week at Loew's State and will be followed<br />
by "All Pall Down" April 11. The exploitation<br />
film, "Satan in High Heels," was big<br />
in its second week at the Forum Theatre.<br />
The two United Artists two-a-day films,<br />
"West Side Story," in its 24th week at the<br />
Rivoli, and "Judgment at Nuremberg," in<br />
its 15th week at the Palace, both were again<br />
absolute capacity while "El Cid," in 16th<br />
week of two-a-day at the Warner Theatre<br />
did well at all evening performances.<br />
In the art houses, the business was<br />
mostly smash with long lines outside most<br />
spots, even during the rainy weekend. Best<br />
were "Last Year at Marienbad." in its<br />
third sensational week at the Carnegie<br />
Hall Cinema; "The Night," in its sixth week<br />
at the Little Carnegie; "Only Two Can<br />
Play," terrific in its second week at the<br />
Pine Arts, and "Les Liaisons Dangereuses,"<br />
in its 13th week at the NoiTnandie.<br />
— Astor<br />
Beekmoi<br />
3rd V<br />
Copitol— Sweet<br />
B<br />
Carnegie HqH Cir<br />
(Astor), 4fti y,<br />
Criterion—Wolk e<br />
OoMillc—A View<br />
lOtti wk. . .<br />
lAveroge Is 100)<br />
Children's Hour (UA), 3rd wk.<br />
Through a Gloss Dorkly (Janus),<br />
Smash at Two Spots;<br />
.145<br />
.165<br />
I Youth :MGM) 175<br />
— Lost Yeor ot Marienbad<br />
185<br />
c Wild Side (Col), 6th wk. 125<br />
the Bridge (Cont'l),<br />
125<br />
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Most Holdovers<br />
Embossy— La Dolce Vita (Astor), moveover,<br />
15th wk<br />
5th Avenue— Victim (Pathe-Americo),<br />
125<br />
moveover, 8tti wk<br />
1 20<br />
55th Street—Victim (Pothe-Amcrico), moveover,<br />
8th wk 120<br />
Fine Arts—Only Two Can Play (Kingsley),<br />
2nd wk 200<br />
Forum— Satan in High Heels (Cosmic), 2nd wk. 150<br />
Guild—Tomorrow Is My Turn (Stlowcorp)<br />
9th wk<br />
1 10<br />
Little Cornegie— The Night (Lopert), 6rh wk. ..150<br />
Loew's Stote—The Four Horsemen ot the Apocalypse<br />
(MGM), 4th wk 125<br />
Murroy Hill—Walk on the Wild Side (Col),<br />
6th wk 125<br />
Normondie— Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Astor),<br />
moveover. 1 3th wk 155<br />
Palace—Judgment at Nuremberg (UA), 15th wk.<br />
of two-o-doy 200<br />
Paromount—Madison Avenue (20th-Fox) 120<br />
Pons—Viridiana IKingsley), 2nd wk 160<br />
PiQzo— Block Tights (Magno), 6th wk 135<br />
Rodio City Music Holl—^Rome Adventure (WB),<br />
plus stage show, 3rd wk 125<br />
Rivoli—West Side Story (UA), 24th wk.<br />
of two-a-doy 200<br />
68th Street—Murder She Said (MGM), moveover,<br />
13th wk 150<br />
72nd Street— Forever My Love (Para) 190<br />
Sutton—Sweet Bird ot Youth (MGM) 200<br />
Trans-Lux 52nd St —The Children's Hour<br />
(UA), 3rd wk 160<br />
Trons-Lux 85th St —The Doy the Eorth Caught<br />
Fire (U-n, 3rd wk 140<br />
Victorio—The Day the Earth Caught Fire<br />
(U-l), 3rd wk 140<br />
Warner—El Cid (AA), 16th wk. of two-a-doy 145<br />
World—Wild for Kicks (Victoria), 24fh wk 120<br />
"Sweet Bird,' Horror Duo<br />
Draw Buifalo Patrons<br />
BUFFALO — "Sweet Bird of Youth"<br />
turned in a 220 at Shea's Buffalo for the<br />
week. The horror combo at the Paramount<br />
scored a neat 125. being especially well<br />
patronized on the weekend. "West Side<br />
Story" continued to do top business in<br />
the Teck.<br />
Buttolo—Sweet Bird of Youth (MGM) 220<br />
Center— Twist All Night (AlP) 105<br />
Century—Walk on the Wild Side (Col), 3rd wk. 100<br />
Cinema—Breakfast at Tiffany's (Para)<br />
subrun<br />
HO<br />
Granodo— El Cid (AA), 7th wk 140<br />
Lafayette—Lover Come Bock (U-l), 7th wk. ..125<br />
Paromount— Horror Chamber of Dr. Faustus<br />
(Cameo Infl); The Monster: Half Man, Holf<br />
Monster (Cameo Int'l) 125<br />
Teck—West Side Story (UA), 4th wk 200<br />
'Sweet Bird' and 'View' Do<br />
Well in Baltimore Starts<br />
BALTIMORE — Two new attractions<br />
scored substantial openings and continued<br />
strong. They were "Sweet Bird of Youth"<br />
and "A 'View Prom the Bridge," the latter<br />
at an art house. Holdovers made up the<br />
other current film fare. "Lover Come Back"<br />
continued to draw and two roadshow films<br />
were getting plenty of patronage— "West<br />
Side Story" and "El Cid," the last-mentioned<br />
having its best boxoffice during<br />
weekends.<br />
Aurora—From<br />
Chorles—Soto<br />
2nd wk ,<br />
Cinema—The<br />
to Eternity (Col), reissue<br />
vcr Sleeps (20th-Fox),<br />
e-Doy Lover (Kingsley),<br />
2nd wk 120<br />
Five West— Summer ond Smoke (Para), 5th wk. .120<br />
Hippodrome— Sweet Bird of Youth (MGM) 175<br />
Little—Light in the Pioiia (MGM), 2nd wk. 130<br />
Moyfoir—West Side Story (UA), 7th wk 150<br />
New— Sergeants 3 :UA), 4th wk. .<br />
120<br />
Playhous.^— A View From the Bridge (Confl) ..,160<br />
Stontorv— Lover Come Back (U-l), 6tti wk 120<br />
Town— El Cid (AA), 4th wk 140<br />
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Drastic Area Rebuilding<br />
Is Threat to Theatres<br />
ALBANY—The state's 20-million-dollar<br />
South Mall revitalization project would cut<br />
the city in two and would be disastrous to<br />
some downtown motion picture theatres,<br />
said Charles A. Smackwitz, veteran theatreman<br />
active in the local redevelopment<br />
work.<br />
Smackwitz joined Mayor Erastus Corning<br />
in demanding that the ambitious state<br />
plan be integrated into the plan of the<br />
Downtown Albany Development Committee.<br />
Smackwitz. zone manager for Stanley<br />
Warner now headquartered in Newark, N.<br />
J., attended a meeting of committee directors,<br />
who decided on one basic plan and<br />
instructed a group of New York City planning<br />
consultants to have a final report on<br />
it, in two months.<br />
The state, which took title last week to<br />
40 city blocks comprising nearly 100 acres,<br />
contemplates building state buildings,<br />
parking lots and arterial highways in the<br />
area. Corning contends this plan would<br />
uproot many small businesses and displace<br />
from 6,000 to 10,000 people. Some ten stractures.<br />
including the Cathedral of the Immaculate<br />
Conception and the New York<br />
Telephone Co. building, would not be razed.<br />
The area residents are chiefly in the<br />
lower income brackets, and staunch theatregoers.<br />
The Albany Downtown Development<br />
Committe has been studying the problem<br />
of area renovation for two years. As noted<br />
above, its detailed plan will be ready in<br />
two months.<br />
Resnais' 'Hiroshima'<br />
Returns to New York<br />
NEW YORK—Alain Resnais' "Hiroshima,<br />
Mon Amom-," being distributed in the U.S.<br />
by Zenith International, started a return<br />
engagement at the 55th Street Playhouse<br />
Friday i6i.<br />
The picture ran for 36 weeks in its first<br />
run in 1961 at the Pine Arts and Arts<br />
theatres and won the New York Film<br />
Critics Award as best foreign film and the<br />
Joseph Burstyn Award. The picture is<br />
being brought back because of the success<br />
of Resnais' latest, "Last Year at Marienbad,"<br />
being distributed by Astor Pictures,<br />
which is breaking records at the Carnegie<br />
Hall Cinema two blocks away from the 55th<br />
Street.<br />
'All Fall Down' in 2 Spots<br />
"<br />
NEW YORK— "All Fall Down.<br />
starring<br />
Eva Marie Saint. Warren Beatty. Karl<br />
Maiden and Angela Lansbury. will open<br />
April 11 at Loew's State Theatre and the<br />
east side Murray Hill. The MGM picture<br />
is based on the James Leo Herlihy novel<br />
and was adapted for the screen by Broadway<br />
playwright William Inge.<br />
Italian Film to Ellis<br />
NEW YORK— Ellis Films has acquired<br />
U.S. distribution rights to "Psycosissimo."<br />
an Italian film produced by Flora Films,<br />
which has been one of the largest grossing<br />
films in Italy, according to Jack Ellis,<br />
president. The picture, scheduled for<br />
spring release, stars Ugo Tognazzi and<br />
Raimondo Vianello.<br />
E-2<br />
BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962
Chance for Pay Relief<br />
With State Board Now<br />
ALBANY— Pailuii' of the st-nalc labor<br />
and industi-ial comniittoc to i-pport on a<br />
piopasal to exempt theatre employes from<br />
provisioius of the newly enacted Jeny-Amman<br />
law, which increases the minimum in<br />
New York state to $1.15 an hour next<br />
October 15 and subsequently to $1.25,<br />
means that exhibitors must depend on administrative<br />
decisions for any relief they<br />
may receive.<br />
The n:w law empowers the state labor<br />
commissioner to exempt per.sons because of<br />
youth or age. In the old law the possible<br />
exemptions were confined to "aRe." D.<br />
John Phillips of the Metroiwlitan Theatre<br />
Owners Ass'n said the insertion of "youth"<br />
is not enough to give theatre owners the<br />
relief they need.<br />
"The justice of our case is recognized,"<br />
he said, "but there is a reluctance to spell<br />
it out in the minimum wage law."<br />
There is no doubt Governor Rockefeller<br />
will sign the Jerry-Amman act. Phillips<br />
said the initial result will be the elimination<br />
of weekday matinees by several hundred<br />
theatres, with a loss in take-home<br />
pay by hundreds of theatre staffers, including<br />
projectionists, etc. He predicted<br />
the mandatory pay hikes ultimately will<br />
force additional theatre closings in the<br />
state.<br />
Phillips recalled that 2,000 ushers, most<br />
of them students, lost their jobs after the<br />
$1 hourly minimum went into effect in<br />
1960.<br />
Calendars to Promote 'Mutiny'<br />
LOS ANGELES— As part of the extensive<br />
exploitation campaign being launched for<br />
"Mutiny on the Bounty," MGM is preparing<br />
a 1963 calendar with each month featuring<br />
a color photograph of a scene from<br />
the production. More than 50,000 of the<br />
calendars will be printed and distributed<br />
throughout the world at the end of the<br />
year to coincide with release of the Areola<br />
production starring Marlon Brando, Trevor<br />
Howard and Richard Harris.<br />
'Cape Fear' to Open in Two<br />
NY Theatres April 18<br />
NEW YORK—"Cape Fear." the U-I picture<br />
starring Gregory Peck and Robert<br />
Mitchum, will open at the Victoria and<br />
Trans-Lux 85th Street theatres Wednesday<br />
1I81 following U-I's "The Day the<br />
Earth Caught Fire," which will open the<br />
same day in over 100 theatres on the metropolitan<br />
circuit.<br />
. The companion feature to "Fire" on the<br />
circuits will be another U-I release, "The<br />
Pharaoh's Woman," produced in Italy<br />
starring Linda Cristal and John Drew Barrymore.<br />
Barrie Chase, who plays a featui-ed role<br />
in "Cape Fear," arrived from Hollywood<br />
Sunday 181 for two days of press, radio and<br />
TV activity to promote the picture. On<br />
April 10. she will go to Miami in connection<br />
with the world premiere of "Cape Fear"<br />
at the Olympia, Beach, Gable and Shore<br />
theatres April 12. She will later visit Washington,<br />
Detroit, Chicago and Indianapolis,<br />
concluding her tour April 20.<br />
Waller Reade Plans<br />
New Ulster Theatre<br />
KINGSTON, N. Y.— Plans for a conventional<br />
indoor theatre to be constructed on<br />
the site of the 9-W Drive-In at Saugerties<br />
road, town of Ulster, were revealed by Walter<br />
Readc jr., president of Walter Reade<br />
Theatres.<br />
Stadium type in design, the new theatre<br />
will be open the entire year and will convert<br />
the present 9-W Drive-In into an indooroutdoor,<br />
all-weather oi)eration. Patrons<br />
may watch the screen program from either<br />
theatre without regard to weather conditions.<br />
The new indoor theatre will be<br />
one of the most luxurious theatres in the<br />
state and will feature livingroom comfort<br />
with pushback divan .seating. The theatre<br />
will have transistorized stereophonic sound<br />
and will utilize the latest projection systems.<br />
The new theatre, which will cost about<br />
$250,000. is being designed for the Reade<br />
organization by John McNamara. one of<br />
the country's leading architects.<br />
Walter Reade Theatres, which recently<br />
announced a new theatre con.struction program<br />
costing in excess of five million dollars<br />
for 1962. owiLs and operates theatres<br />
throughout New York and New Jensey. In<br />
the King.ston area, the company owns and<br />
operates the Community Theatre. Sunset<br />
Drive-In and the 9-W Drive-In.<br />
WB's "Critic's Choice." motion picture<br />
comedy, is based on Ira Levin's stage hit.<br />
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5 1 . Highlights<br />
"<br />
B RO ADW Ay<br />
OIDNEY KRAMER, foreign sales manager<br />
for Cinerama, will visit Jamaica. Panama.<br />
Venezuela. Trinidad and Puerto Rico.<br />
• • •<br />
Lloyd Burns, vice-president in charge<br />
of international operations for Screen<br />
Gems, left on a four-week business trip to<br />
Europe, his third in the past six months.<br />
He will confer in London, Paris. Rome,<br />
Amsterdam, Vienna and the Scandinavian<br />
countries with producers and distributors<br />
of TV and feature films. ' * * Morton Da-<br />
Costa, producer-director of Warner Bros."<br />
forthcoming "The Music Man." left for<br />
Europ)e to scout locations in Greece for his<br />
next. "Not on Your Life." which stars<br />
Robert Preston and Tony Randall.<br />
Joseph E. Levine. president of Embassy<br />
Pictures, returned from his tw^o-week<br />
cruise of the Caribbean on the Mauretania.<br />
accompanied by his wife and two childi-en.<br />
Kim Novak, star of Le\'ines "Boys' Night<br />
Out." also got back from a European holiday<br />
for a week of promotion in New York<br />
on the film. Charles E. Kurtzman. general<br />
manager of theatre operations for Loew's,<br />
is also back from the Caribbean. * * * At<br />
Columbia. Tony Silver, who entered the<br />
film industry in 1957 in the advertising<br />
department of United Artists and then w^ent<br />
to National Screen Service as a trailer<br />
copywriter, has become a copywriter in the<br />
advertising department. Stanley Schneider,<br />
administrative assistant to the executive<br />
vice-president of Columbia, is the proud<br />
father of a son, Todd Joseph, born to Mrs.<br />
Schneider at Doctors Hospital March 27.<br />
This is the couple's fourth child.<br />
!<br />
Jerry Lewis Interrupted production on<br />
"It's Only Money" for Paramount in Hollywood<br />
to fly to New York to be guest of<br />
honor at the Boys' Town of Italy Ball of<br />
the Year at the 'Waldorf-Astoria Hotel<br />
Thursday
1<br />
I<br />
Berlin).<br />
London)<br />
and<br />
—"<br />
Loew's Theatre Ads Plug<br />
Academy Award Telecast<br />
NEW YORK<br />
< 9<br />
Loews Theatics .scheduled<br />
an advei'ti.sins and sliowmansliip canipaif^n<br />
on the occasion of the 34th annual A-<br />
cademy Awards presentation Monday<br />
which was designed to benefit both the<br />
motion picture companies and exhibitors,<br />
according to Arthur M. Tolchin, assistant<br />
to the president of Loew's.<br />
Pull-page ads in the New York Times.<br />
Mirror and Journal-American and 600-line<br />
units in the Daily News. Herald-Tribune.<br />
World-Telegram and New York Post quote<br />
Laurence A. Tisch, president of Loews<br />
Theatres, on behalf of the company's<br />
executive management, theatre managers<br />
and personnel and its movie-going patrons,<br />
expressing pleasure with the creative and<br />
technical achievements of the film companies,<br />
producers and artists whose efforts<br />
have been nominated for awards. The ads<br />
carry the titles of the pictm-es in nomination<br />
as well as a listing of important<br />
new product to be released by each company.<br />
The message on the ad stresses that "to<br />
make it possible for regular movie fans to<br />
attend a movie and still get home in time<br />
to see the Academy Award telecast, all<br />
Loew's Theatres in the metropolitan area<br />
have scheduled their showings to begin the<br />
last main feature at 8:25 p.m. tonight.<br />
Columbia Overseas Drive<br />
Reaches Halfway Point<br />
NEW YORK—Irwin Marks, captain of<br />
Columbia International's "Treasure Chest-<br />
'62" overseas sales drive, has mailed a<br />
bulletin from the home office to Columbia<br />
branches throughout the world to mark<br />
the half-way point in the drive.<br />
The bulletin, printed in eight languages,<br />
including English, Swedish, Japanese,<br />
Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French and<br />
German, carries an attached key and notes<br />
that "the real key to the Treasure Chest<br />
is your own effort . , , with hard work rewarded<br />
in cash on May 26 at the conclusion<br />
of the Drive."<br />
The current overseas sales drive, which<br />
began with a 17-week billings drive ending<br />
May 26, is open to all sales personnel<br />
in more than 130 overseas branches including<br />
territorial managers, branch managers,<br />
salesmen, bookers and assistant<br />
bookers. The second phase is a "Top o' the<br />
Mast" drive from May 13 to May 26. with<br />
the awards allocated on the basis of billings,<br />
bookings, collections and general performances.<br />
Prizes will range from a minimum<br />
of one week's salary to a maximum<br />
of four weeks' pay.<br />
20th-Fox's Foreign Division<br />
Has One of Biggest Weeks<br />
NEW YORK—The foreign division of<br />
20th Century-Fox had more than $2,000,000<br />
in billings for the week ended March 31.<br />
according to Murray Silverstone, president<br />
of 20th Century-Fox International Corp.<br />
Silverstone said it was one of the largest<br />
billings weeks in the history of the company.<br />
W. C. Michel, international chairman of<br />
the drive, presented Skouras last week with<br />
certificates signed by more than 16.000<br />
exhibitors and circuit owners throughout<br />
the world, pledging their supE>ort to the<br />
celebration.<br />
^(Mcl/M "^CfK^<br />
QNE OF the big events of the year for<br />
Associated British Cinemas is the annual<br />
dinner in honor of the circuit's champion<br />
manager. This year Bill Cartlidgc, assistant<br />
managing director of ABC, was in<br />
the chair, when tribute was paid to the<br />
new champion. R. J. Pansons, of the ABC,<br />
Briston Road, Birmingham. Among those<br />
pre.sent were Sir Philip Warter, chairman<br />
of ABPC: D. J. Goodlatte, managing director,<br />
ABC: Robert Clark, an executive of<br />
ABPC; Jimmy Carreras, Nat Cohen and<br />
Stuart Levy. Parsons was a most impressive<br />
speaker whose youth, enthusiasm and<br />
capacity for public relations and exploitations<br />
are bound to move him up into higher<br />
executive po.sitions as the years go on. His<br />
speech was distinguished by its wit, commonsense<br />
and profundity of thought. Parsons'<br />
prize will be a fortnight's visit to the<br />
United States with his wife as guests of the<br />
corporation.<br />
"The Brain," a Raymond Stross production,<br />
starring Anne Heywood. Peter van<br />
Eyck, Cecil Parker and Bernard Lee, is to<br />
be made in association with Artur Brauner,<br />
one of Germany's most prolific and successful<br />
producers, at Twickenham Studios.<br />
Based on a novel by Cui-t Siodmak, with a<br />
script by Philip Mackie and John Knise,<br />
"The Brain" will be directed by Freddie<br />
Francis. Additional leading roles will be<br />
played by German screen actress Ellen<br />
Schwiers, Maxine Audley and Jeremy<br />
Spenser. This thriller is the first of a fourpicture<br />
deal finalized in Berlin this month<br />
between the newly-formed Garrlck Film<br />
Distributors, Ltd. and Artur Brauner of CC<br />
Films<br />
I<br />
Two will be Raymond<br />
Stross productions and two will be for CCC<br />
I<br />
Films Ltd. Stross will follow<br />
"The Brain" with a further production,<br />
tentatively titled "Knife Edge." to be made<br />
at Ardmore Studios in Ireland, starting<br />
June 11. Casting is in progress and will be<br />
announced later. Other subjects, already<br />
in the planning stage with CCC Films<br />
London) Ltd., are "Naked and Alone" and<br />
a remake of the German classic, "The<br />
Testament of Dr. Mabuse."<br />
Gibraltar Films has announced the production<br />
of "The Man Who Laughs," based<br />
on Victor Hugo's immortal story. The film<br />
will be made in Technicolor. Technirama<br />
and widescreen. The screenplay is by Milton<br />
Subotsky and George Baxt. Casting is<br />
now in progress and exteriors will commence<br />
shooting in the late spring. "The<br />
Man Who Laughs" will be released by<br />
British Lion.<br />
A new production company, Magna Film<br />
Distributors, will release its product in association<br />
with British Lion, it was announced<br />
in London last week. Magna's<br />
board is headed by chairman and managing<br />
director Norman Williams. The other<br />
board members are Stanley Baker, William<br />
Gell, Phil Green, Dennis Truscott and Clifton<br />
Brandon. The company will promote<br />
and finance independent productions, both<br />
by its own board members and by outside<br />
producers.<br />
By ANTHONY GRUNER<br />
"We will be only too ready to consider<br />
interesting ideas from any source." says<br />
Norman Williams. The first film in<br />
Magna's program will go into production<br />
in mid-May. It is tentatively titled "The<br />
Man Who Finally Died." It is a major first<br />
feature to be produced by Norman Williams<br />
and directed by Quentin Lawrence.<br />
The script is by LewLs Greifer and Louis<br />
Marks. Magna also announces that the<br />
best-selling novel, "The Rape of the Fair<br />
Country," is set for filming later in the<br />
year.<br />
Production of "The L-Shaped Room"<br />
started at Shepperton Studios last week,<br />
starring Le.slie Caron and Tom Bell. Bryan<br />
Forbes has scripted the film and will also<br />
direct. This will be Forbes' second assignment<br />
as director. His finst was with<br />
"Whistle Down the Wind," one of last<br />
year's mo.st successful British Films. His<br />
partner. Richard Attenborough. will produce.<br />
James Woolf is executive producer.<br />
"The L-Shaped Room" is a contemporary<br />
story of a French girl alone in London. The<br />
girl, played by Leslie Caron, is pregnant.<br />
She takes a room, an L-shaped room, in a<br />
down-at-heel house. And there, through<br />
her relationship with a sti-uggling author<br />
played by Tom Bell—and the other occupants<br />
of the house, she finds a new awareness<br />
of life. Location scenes will be filmed<br />
in Notting Hill Gate and Hyde Park. "The<br />
L-Shaped Room" will be distributed by<br />
British Lion and Lion International.<br />
Independent Artists' latest film. "This<br />
Sporting Life." a comedy-drama about a<br />
footballer, started studio production at<br />
Beaconsfield last week after preliminary<br />
location shooting in the North. Richard<br />
Harris, who starred in "The Long, the<br />
"<br />
Short and the Tall recently completed<br />
filming with Marlon Brando and<br />
Trevor Howard in "Mutiny on the Bounty,<br />
and Rachel Roberts star in the film which<br />
will be produced by Karel Reisz. who directed<br />
"Saturday Night and Sunday Morning."<br />
Lindsay Anderson is director. The<br />
central character in "This Sporting Life"<br />
is Fraiik Machin played by Richard Han-is.<br />
After several weeks shooting at Beaconsfield<br />
Studias, the film unit will go on location<br />
to Yorkshire. "This Sporting Life"<br />
will be distributed by the Rank Organization.<br />
Services for Aaron Fox.<br />
Brother of William Fox<br />
NEW YORK—Funeral services for Aaron<br />
Pox. 65. brother of the late William Fox.<br />
founder of the old Fox Film Corp.. were<br />
held at Riverside Funeral Chapel Thursday<br />
i5i. Fox. who was a former vice-president,<br />
treasurer and director of the Fox company,<br />
died at Roosevelt Hospital April 2.<br />
Fox, who had been with City Stores Co.<br />
in recent years, is survived by his widow,<br />
the former Roslyn Bloom: a son. William<br />
Devroe: a daughter. Mrs. Ann Williams,<br />
and a brother, Maurice Fox.<br />
BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962 E-5
. . Old-time<br />
. . Frank<br />
AT SYRACUSE PREVIEW—Managers of Sehine theatres in upstate New York<br />
met two days in<br />
Syracuse to discuss promotional plans and preview "State Fair."<br />
Among those attending were, left to right: Bill Lavery, Oswego: Gary Rhodehouse,<br />
Penn Yan: William Webb, Carthage; Richard Shane, Nonvich; Jim LaFarr,<br />
Salamanca: Steve O'Bryan, Hamilton: Carl Dickenson, Watertown; Toby Ross,<br />
Corning: Ray Corcoran, .Auburn; Herb Brown, Syracuse; Jerry Fowler, Geneva;<br />
Max Rubin, Syracuse; Harold Lee, Bath; Phil Thorne, Canandaigua; Harold<br />
Carey, Oneonta: Dave Arnold, Norwalk; Lou Hart, Auburn; Bob Anthony, Cortland,<br />
and Harry Goldsmith, Lockport. Also present were Donald Sehine, vicepresident<br />
of Sehine Theatres. Gloversville: Ralph Buring of 20th Century-Fox;<br />
Sy Evans, publicity director for Sehine: Chris Pope, Sehine film booker: Bernard<br />
Diamond, director of theatre operations: Herb Brown, city manager of Sehine, and<br />
Harry Unterfort, Sehine central New York zone manager.<br />
BUFFALO<br />
capacity house of barkers<br />
J^<br />
and their<br />
friends attended the luncheon Thursday<br />
'5) given In honor of Lord Mayor Robert<br />
Briscoe of Dublin, Ireland, In the Delaware<br />
avenue clubrooms of the Variety<br />
Club. Hizzoner, introduced by James J.<br />
Hayes, chief barker, gave a highly entertaining<br />
talk. The visit of the Dublin executive<br />
was very timely because the 1962<br />
Variety International convention will be<br />
held in Dublin and the Buffalo tent will<br />
send a large delegation there.<br />
James Denton, United Artists, was In<br />
to do some tub-thumping for "Taras<br />
Bulba," UA's forthcoming blockbu.stcr. Local<br />
motion picture editors were guests of<br />
Denton at a luncheon and there was a<br />
cocktail party for exhibitors late in the<br />
afternoon in the Statler-Hilton. Bill Shirley,<br />
UA exploiteer. set up the program for<br />
the Denton vLsit . . . Ben Weiner. UA publicist,<br />
helped launch "West Side Story" at<br />
Sheas Teck here, then left for Rochester<br />
and Syracuse to help promote the premiers<br />
in those two cities. The Kodak Town<br />
opening night was sold out to the Junior<br />
Chamber of Commerce. It was held in<br />
Schine's new Riviera. The local MDA Fund<br />
gave its support to the premiere in the<br />
Shoppingtown Plaza Theatre in Syracuse.<br />
George Davis, treasurer at the Center<br />
Theatre, is on leave for a tenn in the Army<br />
Reserve at Ft. Knox. George joined the<br />
National Guard April 3. He expects to be<br />
back in six months .<br />
movie serials,<br />
but with new subjects, are bringing<br />
in new audiences to the Capitol Theatre<br />
in Rochester, Manager Albert Penyvessy<br />
reports. Thirty weeks of serials have been<br />
played at the Capitol, and now one entitled<br />
"Lost Planet," is being shown. A new chapter<br />
will be shown every Saturday for 15<br />
weeks, Penyve.ssy said . H. Lindkamp,<br />
manager of the Palace in Rochester,<br />
put on a Golden Age Springtime Party the<br />
other morning at 11 a.m., when seven<br />
"Golden Age" acts of vaudeville were presented,<br />
with Jack Prlel of WHEC radio<br />
station, acting as master of ceremonies.<br />
Golden Age admission was 40 cents and<br />
those attending were permitted to remain<br />
for the regular showing of "Satan Never<br />
Sleeps."<br />
Al Anscombe, past chief barker of the<br />
Variety Club and president of Broadcast<br />
Properties, is completing construction of<br />
two new studios in his recently acquired<br />
office building on Pearl street. The studios<br />
will be used to record programs for Anscombe<br />
's planned FM stations in Syracuse,<br />
Albany, Binghamton and Erie. He expects<br />
to begin recording for two outlets in late<br />
summer when his UHF station WBJA-TB<br />
goes on the air in Binghamton . . . Betty<br />
Hutton has become the ninth star signed<br />
for Melody Fair this summer. She will appear<br />
at the Wurlitzer Park thoatre-in-theround<br />
the week of June 19 in the leading<br />
role of "Wildcat." Gordon and Sheila Mac-<br />
Rae will be featured in the cast of "Bells<br />
Arc Ringing." opening July 17.<br />
Buffalo's live theatre scene has had a<br />
new name added to a growing list with the<br />
report that stage productions will be presented<br />
at the Circle Art Theatre, 444 Connecticut<br />
St. The live productions would occasionally<br />
supplement the foreign film programs<br />
.scheduled for the Circle Art. They<br />
would be staged by Proscenium Players,<br />
owners and operators of the theatre. Closed<br />
for about five weeks, the Circle Art has reopened<br />
with the Italian "Umberto D." The<br />
theatre is being operated by Rodney Logan,<br />
general manager of Proscenium Players.<br />
ALBANY<br />
The Variety Club opened its annual campaign<br />
for Camp Thacher at a luncheon<br />
given Wednesday i4i for Dublin's Lord<br />
Mayor Robert Briscoe. More than 400 men<br />
and women laughed and applauded a.s the<br />
chief speaker and others turned on a steady<br />
flow of wit and humor. Briscoe talked about<br />
Ireland's deej) belief in the right of private<br />
conscience, and his career as "an exposition<br />
of the false description of the Irish<br />
people as bieotcd." He. a Jew, had been<br />
elected twice as lord mayor of a city whose<br />
population is 95 per cent Catholic. There<br />
are 1.000 Jewish families and five .synapo?ues<br />
in Dublin. Mayor Briscoe added.<br />
The Lord Mayor characterized "tourism as<br />
Ireland's second biggest business," invited<br />
Americans to visit it in even larger numbers.<br />
The country had undergone extensive<br />
industrialism in the last five years,<br />
Mayor Briscoe stated. One of the expanding<br />
industries is the distilling of Irish<br />
whisky— here he boosted John Jamieson &<br />
Co.<br />
The recently organized auxiliary of the<br />
Variety Club installed officers at a luncheon<br />
meeting in the Sheraton-Ten Eyck.<br />
Charles A. Smakwitz. Stanley Warner<br />
zone manager, a former chief barker of<br />
Tent 9 and now a member of the New<br />
York Variety Club, acted as installing officer.<br />
Mrs. G. Brandon Donahue took over<br />
as president. Mrs. Samuel E. Rosenblatt is<br />
vice-president, Mrs. John Costas is secretary<br />
and Mrs. Harold Solomon is treasurer.<br />
Columbia's 'Experiment/<br />
'Five Finger' Dates Set<br />
NEW YORK—Two Columbia releases<br />
will open In Manhattan first-run theatres<br />
April 13 and April 19. They are "Experiment<br />
in Terror," Blake Edwards' production<br />
starring Glenn Ford and Lee Remick,<br />
which will open at the Criterion April 13<br />
following Columbia's "Walk on the Wild<br />
Side," and "Five Finger Exercise," Frederick<br />
Brisson's production starring Rosalind<br />
Ru.-sell, Jack Hawkins, Maximilian<br />
Schell and Richard Beymer, which will<br />
open April 19 at the Forum and Plaza<br />
theatres.<br />
Massey As Lincoln Again<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Raymond Massey has<br />
joined the all-star cast of the MGM-Cinerama<br />
production of "How the West Was<br />
Won." in which he will portray Abraham<br />
Lincoln. For Massey, the role is nothing<br />
new. He created it on Broadway in "Abe<br />
Lincoln in Illinois" 23 years ago. and later<br />
won an Academy nomination for his performance<br />
in the film version in 1940. Pour<br />
years ago, the actor played Lincoln in<br />
"The Rivalry" in a tour throughout the<br />
U. S.. and early last year he again starred<br />
as Lincoln on the TV version of "The<br />
American Heritage."<br />
Scholastic Magazines Honor 'Hatari!'<br />
HOLLYWOOD—The annual Bell Ringer<br />
Award, given by Scholastic Magazines,<br />
which are circulated among the nation's<br />
schools, goes to Howard Hawks' production<br />
of "Hatari!" starring John Wayne for<br />
Paramount release. The magazines kudoed<br />
the spectacular African wild animal adventure<br />
film as being "an outstanding motion<br />
picture as voted by the editors. "<br />
E-6 BOXOmCE :: April 9, 1962
. . . Bob<br />
. .<br />
BALTIMORE<br />
n suddrn. heavy riiin.stoiiii washed the<br />
tension out of a threatening situation<br />
when a large crowd gathered outside the<br />
Glen Theatre in Glenburnie. 15 miles from<br />
here, to heckle and jastle a group of integrationists.<br />
Three demonstrators, two of<br />
them girls, were as-saulted.<br />
The wiie of Loen Back, general manager<br />
of Rome Theatres, was visiting her mother.<br />
Mrs. Harry Ball, in Norfolk. Back planned<br />
to join her during the week . .<br />
Kimpel. Rome circuit executive,<br />
. Edward<br />
was back<br />
at work after a trip to the hospital.<br />
I. M. Rappaport. head of Rappaport Theatres,<br />
was at a hospital for examinations<br />
Folliard. vice-president of Rappaport<br />
Theatres, visited the Columbia offices<br />
in Washington. George Pfeiffer has resumed<br />
duties as projectionist at the Senator<br />
aft-r recovery from pneumonia . . . Al<br />
Morstein. projectionist at the Crest, has<br />
returned to work. He un:lerwent surgery at<br />
Sinai Hospital.<br />
Ushers at the Stanton, Mayfair and New<br />
which are operated by JF Theatres, are in<br />
brand new uniforms and white gloves .<br />
Frank Gibson, maintenance supervisor for<br />
JF Theatres, resigned ... An exhibit valued<br />
at $10,000, lent by the Maryland Academy<br />
of Sciences, is on display in the<br />
New Theatre lobby in advance of "Moon<br />
Pilot." At a sneak preview, the first 150<br />
patrons were given a "piece of the moon."<br />
An attached note explained since "the<br />
management was unable to obtain GREEN<br />
cheese, of which the moon allegedly is<br />
made. BLUE cheese was being substituted."<br />
Taking advantage of the first acceptable<br />
weather on his day off since prior to the<br />
beginning of this year. Tom Lynch, zone<br />
manager for Schwaber Theatres, polished<br />
his golf clubs and went into action.<br />
Geo. English Screen Crews<br />
Servicing Va. Drive-Ins<br />
BERWYN. PA.—As a result of the George<br />
English Co. ad in the Modern Theatre<br />
Drive-In edition of <strong>Boxoffice</strong>, February<br />
12, three drive-ins of the Neighborhood<br />
Theatres circuit in Virginia are being<br />
processed with the English PRISM screen<br />
surfacing to assure maximum quality<br />
brightness.<br />
Neighborhood Theatres, which is headed<br />
by Morton Thalhimer jr. and has its headquarters<br />
in Richmond. Va.. contracted with<br />
English for the surfacing of screens at the<br />
Bellwood Drive-In. Richmond; Ridge Drive-<br />
In, Charlottesville, and Amherst. Lynchburg.<br />
English, who has his headquarters here,<br />
told <strong>Boxoffice</strong> his work in Virginia this<br />
month is a direct result of his ad in the<br />
Drive-In edition and "I thought you might<br />
like this as a news item and also as a<br />
testimonial to the efficaciousness of <strong>Boxoffice</strong>."<br />
A "Drum Song' Benefit<br />
PHILADELPHIA— Melvui J. Foxs Hill<br />
Theatre in Chestnut Hill was the scene of<br />
a special benefit performance of "Flower<br />
Drum Song" recently. The Chestnut Hill<br />
Hospitals Doctors' Wives Ass'n sponsond<br />
the showing and admittance was by special<br />
tickets only.<br />
Philadelphia Aims Triple Thrust<br />
At Nudity on Screen and in Ads<br />
PHILADELPHIA—The controversy<br />
over<br />
the handling of .sex and nudity on the<br />
.screen and in theatre advertising has<br />
bounced around considerably here, from<br />
the court, to the city council and to the<br />
Bulletin, the daily newspaper.<br />
The city council last week passed a bill<br />
banning the exhibition of misleading or<br />
ob.scenc advertising outside motion picture<br />
theatres. The new law carries a fine of up<br />
to $300 for each offense. Each day banned<br />
advertising is displayed constitutes a separate<br />
offense. City officials explained that<br />
the law is aimed at preventing theatres<br />
from making displays from films that arc<br />
"for adults only" and placing them on<br />
public exhibition.<br />
District Attorney James C. Crumlish jr.<br />
requested the legislation. It contains a<br />
definition of obscenity that follows the one<br />
set down by the U.S. Supreme Court and<br />
adopted by the Pennsylvania legislature.<br />
and local officials feel this should be able<br />
to withstand any court challenges of the<br />
legality of the bill.<br />
Failure to pay fines levied under the<br />
ordinance can result in a 90-day jail<br />
.sentence.<br />
The Theatre Owners Ass'n of Pennsylvania<br />
endorsed to adopt the measure<br />
David E. Milgram, president, .sent a letter<br />
to George Schwartz, chairman of the council's<br />
law and government committee,<br />
pledging "any help that we may be able to<br />
offer you in bringing about the final solution<br />
to tills problem." Milgram pointed<br />
out that the organization "consists of<br />
many prominent theatre men who have<br />
voiced their objections against the 'fast<br />
buck and fly by night operators.' "<br />
The Bulletin ran a notice that it no<br />
longer will accept advertising for motion<br />
pictures which it judges to be an exploitation<br />
of nudity, and since then has been<br />
flooded with letters to the editor that are<br />
almost 99 per cent In endorsement of the<br />
stand.<br />
The latest and perhaps the most significant<br />
is one from Rep. Kathryn E.<br />
Granahan, chairman of the congressional<br />
subcommittee on postal operations and<br />
long an opponent of obscene films and<br />
books. Mrs. Granahan noted that the<br />
Bulletin's action "will serve as a fine example<br />
for all other newspapers in the<br />
country and is most encouraging to those of<br />
us who share your interest in protecting<br />
the public—and particularly the young<br />
peoi)lc from immoral and degrading<br />
influences."<br />
Forcing court action is Isadore Lidman,<br />
60. proprietor of the Benson Adult Showplace<br />
and the New Broadway Theatre, who<br />
was indicted by the March grand jury for<br />
exhibiting two allegedly obscene films at<br />
his theatre. The Benson is at 64th and<br />
Woodland avenue, and the New Broadway<br />
at Front and York streets.<br />
is<br />
Lidman is charged with putting on ob-<br />
.scene exhibitions, possessing ob.scenc literature,<br />
corrupting the morals of a minor<br />
and conspiracy. Philadelphia police raided<br />
the Benson on March 7 and confiscated<br />
"Nude Striporama" and "Behind Closed<br />
Shutters." Sixty-six patrons in the audience,<br />
including two juveniles, were sent<br />
away.<br />
Exactly one week later, the police raided<br />
another Lidman theatre, this time the New<br />
Broadway, where "Nude Beauts" was showing.<br />
Some 160 patrons in the audience<br />
when the raid occurred were sent away.<br />
The grand jury panel of ten women and<br />
eight men were shown "Nude Striporama,"<br />
which runs 31 minutes, and "Nude Beauts,"<br />
which i-uns 28 minutes. After viewing the<br />
films the jury deliberated only two minutes<br />
before announcing its decision to indict<br />
Lidman.<br />
Also indicted on four bills was Robert<br />
Sterner, projectionist at the Benson.<br />
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BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962<br />
E-7
. . Ted<br />
. . The<br />
. . Michael<br />
. . John<br />
. .<br />
. . George<br />
l.ll.i.ituri-<br />
. .<br />
PITTSBURGH<br />
rieorge C. Wilson III of Tyrone, who heads<br />
a circuit of theatres in central Pennsylvania<br />
which was founded by his grandfather<br />
in the early silent film days, is a<br />
candidate on the Democratic ticket for the<br />
seat in Congress now held by J. Irving<br />
Whalley of Windber. Wilson is leader in<br />
numerous business and civic organizations<br />
at Tyrone, and is married and has four<br />
children.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
U'ilson Theatres reopened the Nittany<br />
Lion Drive-In at State College, and the<br />
Huntingdon in the town of that name,<br />
leased recently from Wally Anderson. Howard<br />
Harry<br />
Sorenson is the manager . . Manos. manager at Vandergrift, informed<br />
us of the recent death of his wife<br />
Ralph Buring, 20th-Pox field man, and<br />
Margarite Paprocki plan to be married<br />
June 17.<br />
Carol Brice, 19, a Miss Universe contestant<br />
from Washington, Pa., claimed a<br />
man snipped a lock of her hair while<br />
watching a film in the Stanley Theatre<br />
here. The scissors and hair were later found<br />
in the theatre . . . Paul Reith of Theatre<br />
Service Corp. says he has lots of night work<br />
since Dinty Moore has gone to Florida for<br />
his health . Tolley, MGM shipper,<br />
is obsei-ving his 50th year in the film business<br />
here. He started with the Al Weiland<br />
film exchange. Now retired, he lives at<br />
Conneaut Lake. He was lATSE B-11 president<br />
for 22 years.<br />
John McKool is leasing his Silver Drivein<br />
at Windber to Charles Sheftic and Ed<br />
Troll, outdoor exhibitors in that area, and<br />
retiring from exhibition . Ridilla.<br />
drive-in builder and owner, is heading a<br />
new company to take over the fire-gutted<br />
Indiana 'Pa. i Hotel and remodel the fivestory<br />
structui'e into a 50-unit hotel and<br />
two-level garage . mother of Archie<br />
Fineman, local exhibitor, died.<br />
Homer Michael and wife have acquired<br />
the Evergreen Drive-In near Mount<br />
Pleasant from Mrs. Donald Ruth on a lease<br />
with option to purchase. Donald Ruth died<br />
more than a year ago . sold his<br />
Liberty Theatre on the south side last year<br />
for a food company warehouse. Homer and<br />
his deceased father Louis have been in exhibition<br />
for years. Homers wife Rita will<br />
manage the Evergreen concession section.<br />
Floyd Klingensmith is reopening the<br />
Sunset View Drive-In at Natrona Heights<br />
for the tenth season. Ray Woodard, Franklin,<br />
is a partner. Floyd reports his son<br />
Avoid Sudden Breakdowns-Dark Screen^)<br />
You should be cm owner ol Trout's<br />
Service Manual and monthly Service<br />
Sheets. Servicing Data on Sound and<br />
Projection Equipment— Diagrams-Schematics,<br />
Etc, Data on Simplex, Ballantyne<br />
and Century, and other makes. Also.<br />
Simplified course on audio amplibers<br />
and soundheads. Addresses where to<br />
purchase hard-to-get parts. Only S7.50.<br />
cash or P.O. Order, lor Loose-leaf Manual<br />
and Monthly Service Sheets.<br />
Send Nowl<br />
Wesley Trout, sound Engineer<br />
"20 YIARS OF EXPERIENCE"<br />
^P.O. Box 575-ENID, OKUHOMA—<br />
Ronnie, a Columbia U. graduate, is with<br />
Continental Can Corp. in Pittsburgh, and<br />
he and his wife have a boy named Joey.<br />
Another son, Jimmy, is at William and<br />
Mary, married and has two children, while<br />
son Bob is a senior at Har-Brack High<br />
School. Floyd's wife Bille is managing the<br />
Sunset View's concession stand, operated<br />
by Berlo.<br />
Ralph Stewart, who has operated the<br />
Victoria Theatre. Parsons, W. Va.. in recent<br />
years, has acquired the long-closed<br />
Rowlesburg Theatre, Rowlesburs, W. Va.,<br />
which he will reopen May 4 as the Virginia<br />
Theatre ... A Filmrow visitor was Ken<br />
Dawson, Gallitzon exhibitor for many<br />
years . Tice is the new president<br />
of the Tri-State Drive-In Theatres A.ss'n,<br />
succeeding Ernest Warren.<br />
.<br />
Jack Cole, relief manager for the Associated<br />
circuit, has been promoted to manage<br />
the Miracle Mile Drive-In, owned by<br />
Associated and Warren Enterprises<br />
Another child was born to Al Nordquist,<br />
and wife of Galeton. Their Main Street<br />
Theatre has been closed since mid-<br />
December.<br />
Allied Artists Offering<br />
Reward of $100,000<br />
LOS ANGELES—An exploitation gimmick<br />
to accompany the release of Three<br />
Crown Pi'oductions' "Hitler," has been anmounced<br />
by Allied Artists in the form of a<br />
reward of $100,000 to anyone who can prove<br />
the former German dictator is alive.<br />
According to the 1,000,000 handbills being<br />
distributed in areas where the film has<br />
been booked, the reward will be paid on<br />
"documented proof beyond any doubt, and<br />
which leads to Hitler's capture."<br />
AA Acquires 'Rider'<br />
NEW YORK—Allied Artists has acquired<br />
the world distribution rights to "Rider on<br />
a Dead Horse," a Phoenix Film Studios<br />
outdoor film directed by Herb Strock. Phoenix<br />
Film is headed by Jules Schwartz and<br />
Kenneth Altose, executive producer and<br />
producer, respectively, and the cast is<br />
headed by John Vivyan, Lisa Lu and Bruce<br />
Hagen.<br />
Rome Adventure' in 400 Keys<br />
LOS ANGELES — "Rome Adventure,"<br />
Warner Bros, film now at the Radio City<br />
Music Hall, will open in 400 key theatres<br />
across the country for the Easter holiday<br />
season, with iiutial engagements beginning<br />
April 11. Troy Donahue, Suzamie<br />
Pleshette, Angle Dickinson and Rossano<br />
Brazzi topline the romantic Technicolor<br />
picture, which was written, pixxluced and<br />
directed by Delmer Daves.<br />
DRrVE-IN SCREEN SURFACING<br />
Twice the Brijlilness—Sharper<br />
ON BETTER DRIVE-INS EVERYWHERE<br />
THE GEORGE ENGLISH CORP.—Berwyn, Po.<br />
\.,ll,.mil.li' Senlr.. .<br />
. . T.I. .Nl.ig.ir.i -i-iMi<br />
Christine Kaufmann Inked<br />
By Many U.S. Producers<br />
NEW YORK—Christine Kaufmann, the<br />
17-year-old German actress who has been<br />
seen by the American public only in Kirk<br />
i<br />
Douglas' "Town Without Pity" to date except<br />
for the English-dubbed version of<br />
"The Last Days of Pompeii," which United<br />
Artists distributed here in 1960 1. is now<br />
one of the most-in-demand leading women<br />
with U.S. independent producers.<br />
Christine, who returned to her native<br />
Germany March 15 on the Bremen<br />
has been in the western hemisphere for<br />
several months, first in Argentina, where<br />
she co-starred with Tony Curtis and Yul<br />
Brynner in "Taras Bulba," the Panavision-<br />
Technicolor version of the Gogol novel, and<br />
then in New York to publicize this United<br />
Artists relea.se and negotiate for the<br />
feminine lead in Walter Wood's "Tunnel<br />
28," which will be filmed in Germany in<br />
April.<br />
Christine has also been signed by Carl<br />
Foreman for his next spectacle for Columbia<br />
release. "The Victors." for which<br />
Sophia Loren. Ingrid Bergman and Simone<br />
Signoret have also been signed. Harold<br />
Hecht. who produced "Taras Bulba." has<br />
Christine under a non-exclusive contract<br />
to make five pictures, she revealed early in<br />
the week in New York.<br />
Christine appeared in more than 26<br />
European films before making "Town<br />
Without Pity." She speaks English. French,<br />
Italian, German and Spanish and her pictures<br />
included "Salto Morale," her film<br />
debut: "Silent Angel." "Winter Vacation,"<br />
"Red Lips" and the new German version of<br />
"Maedchen in Uniform," co-starring Lilli<br />
Palmer, which will be released in the U.S.<br />
shortly.<br />
Canadian-Made Musical<br />
Acquired by Universal<br />
NEW YORK—Universal Pictures has acquired<br />
the U. S. distribution rights to "Ten<br />
Girls Ago." currently being produced in<br />
Canada in Eastman Color by AmCan Pi'oductions,<br />
according to Hem-y H. "Hi" Martin,<br />
vice-president and general sales manager.<br />
The pictm-e, being produced by Edward<br />
A. GoUin and directed by Harold Daniels,<br />
is a comedy about television with music<br />
and dancing. Dion, the teenage recording<br />
star, is starred with Buster Keaton. silent<br />
days film star, and Bert Lahr and Eddie<br />
Foy jr. of the Broadway stage.<br />
U-I Makes Brazzi Deal<br />
NEW YORK—Universal Pictures Co. and<br />
the production firm of Seymour Maurice.<br />
S.A., have made an agreement for the joint<br />
development of screenplays and production<br />
of one or more features to star Rossano<br />
Brazzi, according to Edward MuM, vicepresident<br />
in charge of production. The pictures<br />
will likely be made in Italy, Muhl<br />
said.<br />
'Horizontal' for Easter<br />
NEW YORK—MGM will release "The<br />
Horizontal Lieutenant," a Joe Pasternak<br />
production starring Jim Hutton, Paula<br />
Prentiss and Jack Carter, as the Easter<br />
attraction throughout the U. S., according<br />
to Robert Mochrie, general sales manager.<br />
"Sweet Bird of Youth" will also be an<br />
April i-elease from MGM.<br />
•E-8<br />
BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962
I<br />
Ilollijiiood<br />
5<br />
JjDLLYWOOD<br />
NEWS AND VIEWS OF THE PRODUCTION CENTER<br />
Of/icc^Suite 320 at 6,ifi:' Holhnroocl BZrd.. William Hebert. Western Manager'<br />
Movieland Museum<br />
Marathon May 4,<br />
HOLLYWOOD — An around-the-clock<br />
benefit premiere has been scheduled for<br />
May 4. 5 by the Movieland Wax Museum,<br />
proceeds to go to the Motion Picture Relief<br />
Fund. The event will take place at the<br />
new $1,500,000 museum located at 7711<br />
Beach Blvd. in Buena Park.<br />
The marathon premiere will begin at 6:30<br />
p.m. on May 4 with an invitational showing<br />
for stars, representatives of all branches<br />
of the film industry, civic, social and business<br />
leaders. Doors will be opened to the<br />
public at 9:30 and the show will continue<br />
through the night and the next day until<br />
midnight. The museum's 70 wax likenesses<br />
of motion picture and TV celebrities will<br />
be displayed in scenes from their most<br />
notable performances.<br />
Personal appearances and other events<br />
are being scheduled to keep the show going<br />
throughout 30 hours. The 20,000<br />
square-foot Wax Museum is in the vicinity<br />
of Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.<br />
Hal Roach Jr. Declares<br />
Voluntary Bankruptcy<br />
HOLLYWOOD—A petition of voluntary<br />
bankruptcy for Hal Roach jr. was filed by<br />
his attorneys in federal court here. Assets<br />
of $39,000 were shown in the papers with<br />
liabilities listed in excess of $1,000,000 in<br />
debts. According to Roach's attorneys,<br />
however, some of these claims were<br />
duplicates.<br />
It was reported that over 90 per cent of<br />
Roach's debts listed were a result of his<br />
guaranteeing obligations of F. L. Jacobs<br />
Co. and Scranton Corp.. which had taken<br />
over the Hal Roach Studios in Culver City,<br />
and had not risen out of Roach's<br />
expenditures.<br />
Krupp Trial Judge Guest<br />
At 'Judgment' Opening<br />
SEATTLE—"Judgment at Nuremberg"<br />
opened at the Blue Mouse with a judge who<br />
presided at the trial of munitions-maker<br />
Krupp among the special opening night<br />
guests. The distinguished visitor was John<br />
William J. Wilkins of Superior Court who<br />
was one of the three judges at the Krupp<br />
trial in Nuremberg following World War II.<br />
President Paul P. Ashley of the Washington<br />
State Bar Ass'n: S. C. Soderland.<br />
president of the Seattle-King County Bar<br />
Ass'n, and other dignitaries, judges and<br />
their wives were in the first night audience.<br />
Fox Signs Henry Koster<br />
To Three-Year Pact<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Executive<br />
producer<br />
Peter Levathes has signed Henry Koster to<br />
a three-picture contract as director at<br />
20th-Pox, with Koster's initial production<br />
to be "Take Her, She's Mine," starring<br />
James Stewart. F^-ank McCarthy will produce<br />
the Broadway hit written by Heni-y<br />
and Phoebe Ephron, for which Nunnally<br />
Johnson probably will write the script.<br />
"Take Her, She's Mine" is a comedy<br />
dealing with a mother and father who send<br />
their teenage daughter to an eastern college<br />
and her experiences there.<br />
Rip Torn Joins 'Choice'<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Rip Torn, who starred<br />
in "Sweet Bird of Youth" on Broadway, has<br />
been signed by Warner Bros, for a top role<br />
in "Critic's Choice," to be produced by<br />
Frank P. Rosenberg. Torn joins a cast<br />
comprised of Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Jessie<br />
Royce Landis, John Dehner and Jim<br />
Backus.<br />
BALLYHOO FOR AlP FILM—Leon<br />
P. Blender and Milton I. Moritz,<br />
.'Vnierican International Pictures' sales<br />
and pub-ad chiefs, respectively, check<br />
out itinerary plans of the driver of a<br />
100-year-old horse-driven hearse used<br />
to ballyhoo Los Angeles city-wide multiple<br />
opening of .A IP's filmization of<br />
Edgar Allan Foe's "The Premature<br />
Burial." The unique vehicle and its<br />
public service safety message, combined<br />
with a plug for the picture, was<br />
the talk of the town in Ix>s Angeles<br />
and is credited with a big assist for<br />
smash business achieved by the Ray<br />
Milland starrer.<br />
Big Star Array Joins<br />
United Jewish Effort<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Thirty-two entertainment<br />
world personalities have joined the<br />
"Stars for United Jewish Welfare Fund"<br />
committee, according to chairman Steve<br />
Allen, who said the group of volunteers<br />
from stage, screen and television will donate<br />
their time to help tell the $8,000,000<br />
UJWP campaign story.<br />
Members of the committee are: Morey<br />
Amsterdam, Roxanne Arlen, Jim Backus,<br />
Gene Barry, Ann Blyth, Lee Bowman,<br />
Scott Brady. Peter Breck, Steve Cochran.<br />
Richard Conte. Jackie Cooper. Norman<br />
Corwin, Linda Darnell, Sammy Davis jr.,<br />
Eric Fleming, Paul Henreid, Marsha Hunt.<br />
Carolyn Jones, Barbara Luna, Diane Mc-<br />
Bain, Marie McDonald, Doug McClure.<br />
Jayne Mansfield, Jayne Meadows, Pat<br />
O'Brien, Walter Pidgeon, Ziva Rodann.<br />
Cesar Romero, Rod Serling, Jan Sterling.<br />
Greta Thyssen and Benay Venuta.<br />
In addition, the following stars have recorded<br />
spot announcements currently being<br />
heard on radio: Steve Allen. Lucille Ball.<br />
Milton Berle. Gertrude Berg. Polly Bergen.<br />
Janet Blair, Yul Brynner, Kirk Douglas,<br />
Bob Hope, Lena Home, Eartha Kitt. Jayne<br />
Meadows, Jay North, Gregor Piatigorsky,<br />
Dick Powell, Edward G. Robinson. Rosalind<br />
Russell. Dinah Shore and Susan Strasberg.<br />
The United Jewish Welfare Fund campaign<br />
maintains 169 local, national and<br />
overseas agencies and services, of which<br />
92 are located in the Greater Los Angeles<br />
area.<br />
UJA Drive Cochairmen<br />
Appointed by Mirisch<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Walter M. Mirisch.<br />
chairman of the entertainment industry<br />
section of the United Jewish Welfare Fund<br />
campaign, announced the appointment of<br />
these co-chaiimen:<br />
Jack Fier. Columbia-Screen Gems;<br />
George Slaff. Goldwyn studios: Sam Arkoff,<br />
Arnold Burk. Al Kallis. Ray Kurtzman<br />
and Marvin Mirisch. Independent Producers:<br />
Ray Klune and Roger Mayer.<br />
MGM and MGM-TV: Elmer Bernstein and<br />
Johmiy Green, music: Robert S. Heifer,<br />
musicians: Bernard Donnenfeld. Paramount<br />
and Para-T'V: Lester Blumberg.<br />
chairman, and Sherrill Corwin and Eugene<br />
V. Klein, theatres and exchanges: Fred<br />
Metzler, chairman and Art Houser, TCF<br />
and TCF-TV: Morrie W. Welner, Universal<br />
Pictures, and Abe Heller, Warner Bros,<br />
and WB-TV.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: April 9, 1962 W-1
in<br />
Golden Makes Pitch<br />
For Film Festivals<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Here from Washington<br />
on his annual visit. Nathan Golden, motion<br />
picture director for the Department of<br />
Commerce, asserted that the United States<br />
is currently enjoying favor abroad and<br />
business in most foreign countries is being<br />
eased by restrictions lifted on frozen<br />
money.<br />
Golden said that planners and directors<br />
of international film festivals are revising<br />
their thinking to the extent that American<br />
complaints against these events should be<br />
cleared up in the future. According to<br />
Golden, it is important that Hollywood<br />
take an active part in these festivals, because<br />
Hollywood is still considered throughout<br />
the world as the major film industry<br />
and its films are still regarded as best.<br />
Participation in the festivals will maintain<br />
this image, he said, and added that it is<br />
particularly important for Hollywood stars<br />
to attend the festivals as ambassadors for<br />
American films.<br />
John Mclvar Gets Role<br />
In MGM's 'Adjustment'<br />
HOLLYWOOD—John Mclvar will play<br />
the key role of Anthony Franciosa's fatherin-law<br />
in MGM's film version of the Tennessee<br />
Williams comedy "Period of Adjustment."<br />
Concurrently, it was announced<br />
that Henry Levin will direct MGM's "Girl<br />
on a Wing." slated to roll in June at the<br />
London Studio. Anatole de Gi-unwald will<br />
produce.<br />
Bill Blatty and Nate Monaster have been<br />
engaged by MGM to prepare properties<br />
which will be produced by Ted Richmond,<br />
bringing to four the number of writers<br />
currently working on three screenplays for<br />
the producer. Blatty is writing "Don't<br />
Leave Me Now": Monaster is doing "Inside<br />
Man" as his first solo screen .script, and<br />
Seaman Jacobs and Sy Rose are writing<br />
"Take Me to the Fair." With the exception<br />
of Monaster, none of the scriveners<br />
has written for the screen before.<br />
Jcones Neilson Will Direct<br />
'Mooncussers' for Disney<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Walt Disney has set<br />
James Neilson to helm "The Mooncussers,"<br />
a story of 19th Century plunderers<br />
who lured ships to their doom on the New<br />
England coast with false signal lights on<br />
moonless nights.<br />
Production is slated to start April 16 at<br />
Disney's Burbank lot. Lowell Hawley<br />
adapted the screenplay from Iris 'Vinton's<br />
novel. "Flying Ebony."<br />
Last year, Neilson directed two Disney<br />
features— "Moon Pilot" and "Bon 'Voyage."<br />
Natalie Wood's Sister Cast<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Chip-off-the-old<br />
block<br />
department: Lana Wood. 16-year-old sister<br />
of actress Natalie Wood will soon t>e seen<br />
with Rosalind Russell. Jack Hawkins. Max<br />
Schell and Richard Beymer in "Five Finger<br />
Exercise." Frederick Brisson production.<br />
The younger Miss Wood recently played<br />
her sister as a child in "The Searchers"<br />
with John Wayne.<br />
Roger Lewis in MGM Deal<br />
To Film 'Pawnbroker'<br />
HOLLYWOOD—MGM has completed an<br />
agreement witli Roger Lewis for the production<br />
of "Tlie Pawnbroker. based on the<br />
"<br />
novel by Edward Lewis Wallant.<br />
Rod Steiger will head the cast of the<br />
drama which is the initial independent<br />
production for Lewis, formerly vice-president<br />
of United Artists. Lensing will take<br />
place at the MGM British Studios sometime<br />
in September.<br />
The story deaLs with a man who tries to<br />
escape from his tragic past by becoming<br />
a pawnbroker in the Soho district of London<br />
and becomes involved in a strange set<br />
of circumstances that force him to face<br />
death.<br />
Doris Day Signed to Star<br />
In 'The Thrill of It All'<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Doris Day was set<br />
by<br />
producer Ross Hunter to star in his Universal<br />
production. "The Thrill of It All." a<br />
comedy about a TV "pitch" girl by Carl<br />
Reiner and Larry Gelbart.<br />
The film will bring the actress to the<br />
screen in a modern, glamorous role calling<br />
for her to wear a lavish wardrobe, such as<br />
she sported in "Pillow Talk" and "Midnight<br />
Lace." The picture, to be len.sed in color, is<br />
slated to roll in September.<br />
Miss Day is currently starring in "Billy<br />
"<br />
Rose's Jumbo<br />
at MGM.<br />
DONATE RADIO EQUIPMENT —<br />
Patients at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital<br />
in Downey received some useful<br />
"ham" radio equipment, thanks to the<br />
efforts of the Filmrow Club and the<br />
generosity of an electronics firm. The<br />
two-meter amateur communicator,<br />
with self-contained transmitter, receiver<br />
and power supply will be used<br />
by the Rancho's amateur radio club in<br />
providing rehabilitation therapy and<br />
in bolstering Civil Defense capabilities.<br />
Pictured above at the presentation<br />
ceremonies are Art Starr (in<br />
wheelchair), president of the Rancho<br />
Radio Club, and standing 1. to r.,<br />
supervisor Frank G. Bonelli of the First<br />
District; Ray Myers, Southwest director<br />
of the American Radio Relay<br />
League; Lou Gillingham. general manager<br />
of Gonset Division of the Young<br />
Spring and Wire Corp., which made<br />
possible the equipment; William Watmough,<br />
president of Filmrow Club, and<br />
Don Norton of Gonset.<br />
Mastermind Seized<br />
In Acting Swindle<br />
HOLLYWOOD — William Stockton, alleged<br />
mastermind of a bunco scheme which<br />
defrauded scores of would-be actors and<br />
actresses of thousands of dollars, has been<br />
apprehended in New York and will be returned<br />
here for trial. Stockton and Jack<br />
Montgomery, former actor's agent still at<br />
large, are charged with defrauding young<br />
thespians by promising them roles in a<br />
filmed TV scries and then collecting from<br />
each victim $215 which they said was for<br />
Screen Actors Guild initiation fees and<br />
dues. SAG. which authorizes no person<br />
outside of its office to collect money for it,<br />
learned of the racket and called in the<br />
.sheriff's office.<br />
Paramount Acts to Step<br />
Up Studio Space Rentals<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Paramount studio head<br />
Jack Karp has appointed Y. Frank FYeeman<br />
to head a special facilities division to<br />
coordinate, direct and generally supervise<br />
management of rentals for outside pictures,<br />
theatrical and TV. in which Paramount has<br />
no financial or distribution interest. Such<br />
activity will in no way interfere with or<br />
interrupt Paramount's own theatrical production,<br />
Karp emphasized.<br />
The new division is a result of growing<br />
demands for studio space in Hollyw'ood.<br />
Karp stated, together with pressures<br />
brought on by accelerated need by independent<br />
production companies for professional<br />
and technical know-how.<br />
Ronald Lubin to Produce<br />
'Bolivar' Independently<br />
"<br />
HOLLYWOOD— 'Bolivar.<br />
"<br />
a screenplay<br />
by Herbert Kline, has been acquired for<br />
production by Ronald Lubin. who will film<br />
it under the Kaufman-Lubin banner with<br />
the tentative title of "Simon Bolivar, the<br />
Liberator.<br />
Lubin will produce the film, but it has<br />
not yet been determined whether Millard<br />
Kaufman, partnered with him in the independent<br />
outfit, will write or direct. The<br />
team recently completed "Reprieve" for<br />
Allied Artists release.<br />
Calif. Women's Clubs Vote<br />
Honors to 'King of Kings'<br />
HOLLYWOOD— Five top awards were<br />
liresented to Samuel Bronston's "King of<br />
"<br />
Kings a poll conducted by the California<br />
Federation of Women's Clubs, comprised<br />
of 800 clubs and 70.000 members<br />
The awards will be presented May 8 at<br />
the organization's 60th annual convention<br />
in San Diego as follows: MGM. studio;<br />
Samuel Bronston. producer: Jeffrey Hunter,<br />
best actor: Siobhan McKcnna, best<br />
actre.ss. and Milton Krasner. photography.<br />
Plaque to Fred Berger<br />
HOLLYWOOD—The American Cinema<br />
Editors ha.s awarded a plaque to pastpresident<br />
Frew W. Berger for his 12 yeai's<br />
of "outstanding service" to the honorary<br />
Hollywood organization in various official<br />
capacities. Berger is supervising editor at<br />
Filmasters Productions.<br />
W-2 BOXOFFICE April 9. 1962
—<br />
Richard Jeha Airer Runs<br />
Into Berkeley Roadblock<br />
BERKELEY, CALIF. — Tlic iMoposed<br />
two-screen. 2.000-car drive-in on tlie<br />
Berkeley waterfront has lost another<br />
round. The application of Richard Jeha to<br />
locate the drive-in on the west side of the<br />
East Shore freeway north of the Vireinia<br />
street extension was denied "without prejudice"<br />
by the board of adjustment by a<br />
vote of 5-0.<br />
B>nrd members stated they based tlieir<br />
decision on the basis that both the waterfront<br />
development committee and the<br />
Berkeley plannms commission had recommended<br />
denial. The matter now goes to<br />
the city council for final action.<br />
Red Carpet for Wives<br />
At SMPTE Convention<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Red carpet entertainment<br />
will be provided for wives of delegates<br />
attending the 91st convention of the Society<br />
of Motion Picture and Television Engineers<br />
April 30-May 4 at the Ambassador<br />
Hotel here. Arrangements include a lunch<br />
and tour of 20th Century-Pox studios<br />
where a color fashion reel from U-I will be<br />
screened with De Luxe Laboratories acting<br />
as host: a banquet and dance at the Cocoanut<br />
Grove: lunch at the Moulin Rouge,<br />
plus other events.<br />
Milton Sperling Purchases<br />
Sheridan Gibney Yarn<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Sheridan Glbney's<br />
original yarn, "What Evei-y Girl Should<br />
Know," has been purchased by Milton<br />
Sperling, president of United States Productions,<br />
with Gibney assigned to write<br />
the screenplay.<br />
The project marks Glbney's first Hollywood<br />
motion picture assignment in seven<br />
years. The writer, who penned "The Story<br />
of Louis Pasteur" and other Warner films,<br />
has been working abroad.<br />
'San Franciscans' Writing<br />
Chore to Charles Schnee<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Charles Schnee has been<br />
signed by Joseph Pasternak to write the<br />
screenplay for "The San Franciscans,"<br />
Niven Busch novel which Pasternak will<br />
produce for MGM release. Schnee recently<br />
completed the script of "The List of Adrian<br />
Messenger" for U-I release.<br />
Cioppa to Production<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Guy della Cioppa, who<br />
recently resigned as west coast production<br />
vice-president at CBS-TV, will go into<br />
independent motion picture and TV film<br />
production. It is understood that Della<br />
Cioppa will form a company in association<br />
with a film star, and will prepare a theatrical<br />
film and video pilot for the star<br />
after he leaves the network on May 15.<br />
Gene Barry Acquires 'Fix'<br />
HOLLYWOOD-^Gene Barry has purchased<br />
Jack Usher's novel, "The Fix," and<br />
will star in the film adaptation which his<br />
Barbety Productions will make late this<br />
summer. Robert L. Welch is currently<br />
writing a treatment on the property and<br />
also has been set as executive producer.<br />
WE<br />
COLUMNISTS are required to<br />
attend so many award functions<br />
at this time of year—everybody<br />
gives awards prior to the Oscars— that I<br />
am thinking of establishing the Point of<br />
View annual award and, out of pure stubbornness,<br />
not giving it to anyone. This could<br />
turn out to be a major contribution to the<br />
community because it would be at least<br />
one affair that everybody doesn't have to<br />
show up for.<br />
I have seen Bob Hope presiding at so<br />
many of tliese functions through the years<br />
that I am beginning to think he owns stock<br />
in Price-Waterhouse and takes a firm<br />
stand on the dais only to make sure that<br />
the boys deliver the results without peeking.<br />
If I should ever yield up the priceless<br />
trophy mentioned above I would certainly<br />
give it to him first. Just as he is considered<br />
a "comedian's comedian" he could be rated<br />
an award-winner's award winner and at<br />
the same time get a standing ovation.<br />
Of course, he needs another award like<br />
the Smithsonian Institution needs another<br />
skeleton. But I wonder if he will ever be<br />
fully appreciated, not only as a comedian<br />
but as an all-around wonderful human being.<br />
Most of the things I say about him are<br />
purely for fun, but It so happens that I<br />
have known him for a good many years and<br />
of all the people I have worked with in<br />
show business, and sometimes it gives me<br />
a headache to think about some of them, I<br />
have the greatest fondness and respect for<br />
Bob, both as a performer and a person.<br />
We have worked together only sporadically,<br />
but I have watched his activities<br />
with other people and no kindlier man<br />
lives. Also, in case anyone is misled by his<br />
particular brand of foolishness, he has a<br />
head full of brains. He didn't have to be<br />
a comedian. He would have been a success<br />
at anything. It is built-in.<br />
if ^ ^<br />
Another favorite adornment of any dais<br />
is to me, and undoubtedly everybody else,<br />
Adolph Zukor. (This must be my day for<br />
saying nice thing:s about everybody—though<br />
if anybody ever deserved to have nice<br />
thing:s said about him it is Mr. Zukor.)<br />
This gentlest of gentlemen has sat on so<br />
many daises in the past 50 years that he<br />
must have worn out enough dinner suits to<br />
outfit all the male dress extras in Hollywood.<br />
I took a close look at him at one of<br />
the award functions the other night and<br />
am happy to report to one and all that he<br />
looks fit enough to have a go at this industry<br />
for another 50 years, and maybe<br />
longer. Miraculously enough, he doesn't<br />
even show any signs of incurring cauliflower<br />
ears from listening to all those<br />
speeches.<br />
I have met Mr. Zukor only casually on<br />
various occasions but worked as advertising<br />
and publicity director lat separate<br />
times after they had been long-established)<br />
for three fledgelings he helped get started<br />
in the business, namely Samuel Goldwyn,<br />
Jesse L. Lasky and Cecil B. DeMille.<br />
"C. B.," as intimates were permitted to<br />
call him, maintained a respect amounting<br />
to reverence and throughout his lifetime<br />
never addressed or referred to his longtime<br />
friend in any other way but 'Mr." Zukor.<br />
Mr. Goldwyn likes to tell privately of the<br />
first encounter he and Jesse Lasky had<br />
with the young man who, in 1912, had already<br />
made a name for himself by importing<br />
"Quern Elizabeth," the first featurelength<br />
film ever made, and distributing it<br />
in this country. Thinking of risking their<br />
minor capital by going into the picture<br />
business, they timidly sought an interview<br />
with this pioneer and were granted it.<br />
What impressed them most, beyond his<br />
kindness—the way Goldwyn tells it— was<br />
the fact that he smoked a cigar throughout<br />
the interview. Deciding that this must be<br />
the emblem of the "big" producer, Goldwyn<br />
and Lasky bought some cigars and went<br />
back to their hotel to practice. Lasky got<br />
an obvious enjoyment out of the experience<br />
but Goldwyn became so nauseated that he<br />
swears he has never smoked a cigar since<br />
which I believe because on occasions I<br />
have seen him light a cigaret and almost<br />
immediately put it down in distaste.<br />
This column is confidentially advised<br />
that "Slinky," the cat, sex unknown except<br />
to other cats, may well become the<br />
feline counterpart of "Lassie" on the<br />
.
—<br />
.<br />
formerly<br />
'Bird' Is Runaway Hil<br />
In Bay Cily De Luxer<br />
SAN FRANCISCO—"Sweet Bird of<br />
Youth," MGM picture produced by Pandro<br />
S. Berman. took top honors of the<br />
week at the Stage Door Theatre, with a<br />
high of 450 per cent. Another MGM film,<br />
"All Pall Down," opened with a strong 150<br />
per cent at the Warfield. In the 16th week<br />
at the United Artists, "West Side Story"<br />
continued to chalk up a good figure.<br />
(Averogc Is 100)<br />
Esquire—The Children's Hour (UA), 3rd wk 100<br />
Fox— Kins of Kinss (MGM), 2nd wk 90<br />
Golden Gate—The Day th« Eorth Cousht Fire<br />
(U-l) 125<br />
Metro—Two Women Embossy), 14ttl wk 300<br />
PoronxHjnt—The Horror Chomber of Dr.<br />
Foustus .Comeo Infl) 125<br />
Presidio—A View From the Bridge (Cont'l),<br />
5th wk 100<br />
Stogc Door—Sweet Bird of Youth (MGM) 450<br />
St. Francis—Wolk on the Wild Side (Col). 5th wk. 90<br />
United Artists—West Side Story (UA), 16th wk. 275<br />
Vogue—The Bridge AA), 3rd wk 200<br />
Wort leld— All Foil Down (MGM) 1 50<br />
York 24— A Weekend With Lulu (Col), 2nd wk. 100<br />
'Black Tights,' 'Jessica' Are<br />
Big Art House Entries in L.A.<br />
LOS ANGELES— "Black Tights," on a<br />
reserved seat basis, opened with a sock<br />
300 per cent, while exclusive "Jessica"<br />
rang up a hefty 225 in its local bow. Hardticket<br />
"West Side Story" continued in its<br />
16th go-round with a strong 200.<br />
Beverly Conon—The Night (Lopert), 4th wk 1 10<br />
Cor^txiy Circle— El Cid (AA), 15th wk 145<br />
Chinese—West Side Story UA), 16th wk 200<br />
Egyption—Sweet Bird of Youth (MGM), 2nd wk. 140<br />
El Rey—The Children's Hour MGM), 3nJ wk. . . 65<br />
Four Stor—Block Tights (Mogno) 300<br />
Fine Arts—Jessico (UA) 225<br />
Fox Wilshire, Pix—A Majority of One (WB),<br />
2nd wk 115<br />
Iris, Stote—The Premoture Burial (AlP) 95<br />
Hillstreet, Hawaii—Tha Big Country (UA);<br />
for SPECIAL ShewmoitsUip<br />
TRAILERS<br />
mOTIOnPICTlESEIUICECi.<br />
125 HYDE ST. SAN FRANCISCO (2), CALIF<br />
THE TICKET<br />
TO ADDED DOLLARS<br />
AT THE BOXOFFICE<br />
kELAX-RECllNEK CHAIR<br />
o iMghl pr«iiure tills the<br />
bock to any deiirad pilch.<br />
Thunder Rood (UA), reissues 65 TX» 1 ft 1 J my f<br />
"iiLTi2j^°h ?ix) i°n^ d ; Tin" ^ : ' 65 Dick Conley Is Named<br />
Hollywood Poromounr—The Four Horsemen of *<br />
the Apocalypse (MGM), 6t-h wk 75 rfl \ "iTll iOl"<br />
''^^i^'^^'"'"""''"''*'''''-"^:... 65 To Assist noberi belm<br />
Music Hall— Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Astor), ^<br />
6th wk 105 LOS ANGELES—Dick Conley has been<br />
West Side Story' Stays High<br />
In Spring-Touched Portland<br />
PORTLAND—Despite a touch of spring<br />
that sent many potential showgoers into<br />
their gardens, "West Side Story" continued<br />
its high-flying run with a 250 per cent<br />
estimate at the Music Box.<br />
Broadway— Lover Come Back (U-l); This Happy<br />
Feeling (U-l). return runs 150<br />
Fox—Walk on the Wild Side (Col); A Weekend<br />
With Lulu (Col) 1 50<br />
Hollywood—This Is Cineramo (Cinerama),<br />
18th wk 145<br />
Music Box—Welt Side Story (UA), 3rd wk 250<br />
Orpheum—The Four Horiemen of the Apocalypse<br />
(MGM), 2nd wk 150<br />
Paramount—Ivanhoe (MGM); Knights of the<br />
Round Table (MGM), reissues 150<br />
Gets 'Tomboy' Rights<br />
LOS ANGELES — Director Francis D.<br />
Lyon has acquired from Signal Pictures<br />
Corp. worldwide distribution rights, exclusive<br />
of the U.S. and Canada, of "The<br />
Tomboy and the Champ," which he directed.<br />
Lyon left for Europe to negotiate<br />
distribution deals for the Eastman Color<br />
film in the British Isles and on the continent.<br />
U-I distributed the film in North<br />
America.<br />
HeywoodWokelield ouditoriutn choirs with the nev<br />
tour" formed rubber cushions assures "steady" customers at<br />
your boxoffice. Superbly comfortable regardless of how they<br />
ihifl their weight or position. Available with odjusloble<br />
pitch bocks and self-rising hinges that operate perfectly on<br />
any rodius.<br />
See them demonilroted ol our neoreit office.<br />
B. F. SHEARER COMPANY<br />
Fred Friedman Promoted<br />
In FWC Booking Office<br />
LOS ANGELES—Fred Friedman has<br />
been promoted to southern California-<br />
Arizona head booker by Fox West Coast<br />
Theatres, according to Dan Poller, chief<br />
film buyer for National General Corp.. parent<br />
company. Friedman, who joined FWC<br />
20 years ago as a theatre manager in Long<br />
Beach, moved into the circuit's home office<br />
booking department in 1950 and was named<br />
assistant head booker in 1958. Other new<br />
booking department assignments include<br />
Chuck Doty, suburban district; Emmett<br />
Shane, San Diego-Arizona district: Ben<br />
Ohr, Los Angeles first -run district, and<br />
Bob Simonton, Orange Belt-Long Beach<br />
district.<br />
MGM Reissues Up to '56<br />
In Special Sales Push<br />
LOS ANGELES—Fred Schwartz, head of<br />
the special reissue division of MGM. has<br />
arrived here from New York. According to<br />
Robert Mochrie, general sales head,<br />
Schwartz' visit to the coast is to stimulate<br />
more attention among circuit buyers and<br />
independent bookers in the western area.<br />
Schwartz' division is handling all pictures<br />
generally released up to 1956, and<br />
the division will distribute the pictures to<br />
independent distributors throughout the<br />
country, with Seymour Borde handling the<br />
11 western states from his office here. The<br />
backlog from 1956 to last year is being<br />
handled by the MGM sales force.<br />
Eric Erickson on Tour<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Eric Erickson. considered<br />
by Allied Intelligence as the key<br />
spy of World War II. arrived here on a<br />
national tour in conjunction with the<br />
Perlberg-Seaton production. "The Counterfeit<br />
Traitor," filmization of his adventures<br />
with William Holden portraying the spy<br />
role. The film, which costars Lilli Palmer<br />
and Hugh Griffith, opens an exclusive engagement<br />
at the Warner Hollywood Theatre<br />
on April 13.<br />
W-4 BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962
on<br />
. . The<br />
. . Henry<br />
. . Jess<br />
Stein Buys Leimert;<br />
Arden to Allied Co.<br />
LOS ANGELES—Fic'd Sli'in's Statewide<br />
Theatres has acqiured the Leimert Theatre<br />
in South Los Angeles and will take over<br />
operation of the house not later than May<br />
1. Stein will make extensive alterations, includinsr<br />
installation of refrigeration and<br />
modernization of the theatre, which was<br />
built and operated for many years by Dave<br />
Bershon.<br />
Allied Theatres of California has purchased<br />
the Arden Theatre, Lynwood, from<br />
Bill Zimmerman, who has owned and operated<br />
the house since 1934. Charles R.<br />
Helm of Allied said the new policy for the<br />
Arden will be first run, first-run moveover<br />
and seven-day availabilities.<br />
James Russel, formerly with the Schine<br />
circuit, has been appointed manager, replacing<br />
H. C. Gilbert, who has been associated<br />
with the Arden for the past 15<br />
years.<br />
NGC Joins Development<br />
Of Site North of Frisco<br />
LOS ANGELES—National General Corp.<br />
and Sunset International Petroleum Corp.<br />
have concluded joint agreement for the<br />
development of the 2,000-acre Freitas C<br />
Ranch 28 miles north of San Francisco.<br />
Eugene V. Klein, president of NG. and<br />
Morton A. Sterling, Sunset, said development<br />
will begin immediately, with preliminary<br />
studies calhng for construction of<br />
a plamied community of about 4,000 dwellings.<br />
The first single family residences are<br />
expected to be ready in Febi-uary 1963.<br />
Newcomer Bill Munchel<br />
Managing Indiana Theatre<br />
BATESVILLE, IND.—William Munchel<br />
of Oldenburg has been appointed manager<br />
of the local Gibson Theatre by Joseph P.<br />
Pinneran, president of Syndicate Theatres.<br />
Prior to his association with the Gibson.<br />
Munchel farmed in Franklin County for a<br />
number of years.<br />
.Abandons 'Child's Game'<br />
HOLLYWOOD—"A Child's<br />
Game." feature<br />
film which Richard Bernstein planned<br />
to roll this month under the Parallel-<br />
Ivanhoe banner, has been shelved indefinitely<br />
due to "insurmountable production<br />
problems." Gabriel de Caesar had been set<br />
to direct the film.<br />
Casting 'If Man Answers'<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Stefanie Powers and<br />
Christopher Knight have been set for feature<br />
roles in U-I's "If a Man Answers." Ross<br />
Hunter production. Knight was pacted by<br />
the studio a year ago, after he essayed the<br />
title role in "Studs Lonigan."<br />
Experience' Being Booked<br />
LOS ANGELES—National Theatres is<br />
releasing "The Crowning Experience" in<br />
Colorado, Utah and Kansas following the<br />
picture's premiere at the Bluebird Theatre.<br />
Denver. Joel McCrea gives the introduction<br />
on the film which stars Muriel Smith.<br />
who recently completed a tour of the Moral<br />
Re-Armament play, "Tlie Hurricane."<br />
LOBBY TO SET— Fox West Coast Theatres cashiers and usherettes in the<br />
greater L. A. area visited actor Laurence Harvey (in uniform) and executive<br />
producer Howard W. Koch (behind Harvey I the Santa Monica location set<br />
of United Artists' "The Manchurian Candidate. " The theatre employes lunched<br />
with the stars and were guests all day on the set after being selected for courtesy,<br />
efficiency and appearance by circuit executives. Left to right: Mary Jane Marlin<br />
(Academy, Inglewood), Irene Wagner (Fox, Inglewood), Barbara Gibson<br />
Loyola, L. A.), Margaret Ashby (West Coast, Long Beach), Phyliss Luskin (Fine<br />
Arts, Beverly Hills), Marilyn Morocco (Granada, Ontario), Jerry Kelly (Chinese,<br />
Hollywood), Sandy Kaufman (Fine Arts, Beverly Hills), Kathy Ball (La Reina,<br />
Sherman Oaks) and Jean Welch (Crest, Long Beach).<br />
Desilu Reports Increase<br />
In Nine Months Net<br />
LOS ANGELES—A net income of $293,-<br />
416 or 25 cents a share was reported by<br />
Desilu Productions for the nine months<br />
ended January 27. For a similar period last<br />
year, the company had a net of $264,949<br />
or 23 cents a share. Gross income was<br />
$11,937,730, as compared to $14,432,798 for<br />
the same period in 1961.<br />
For the third quarter of the current<br />
fiscal year, the gi-oss was $4,531,939, for a<br />
net profit of $163,121, equal to 14c a share,<br />
as against a gross of $5,970,303 and net of<br />
$144, 032, or 13 cents a share, for the three<br />
months ended January 28.<br />
President Desi Amaz disclosed that<br />
Desilu is postponing Its projected feature<br />
to star Lucille Ball in view of her CBS-TV<br />
series next season. Amaz stated that the<br />
firm is contemplating a $4,000,000 20-year<br />
refinancing program to strengthen its<br />
financial position and provide more working<br />
capital for expansion.<br />
Frank E. Treanor Dies;<br />
Santa Ana Paulo Manager<br />
SANTA ANA, CALIF.—Frank E. Ti-eanor.<br />
67. manager of the Paulo Theatre,<br />
died here recently, a victim of arteriosclerotic<br />
heart disease.<br />
Prior to becoming manager of the Paulo.<br />
Treanor was manager of the Pox Theatre,<br />
Anaheim, for ten years. He was a former<br />
member of the Santa Ana Kiw^anis Club, a<br />
war veteran, member of the American Legion<br />
and Veterans of Foreign Wars.<br />
Survivors are his wife Jane: two sons.<br />
Eugene. Santa Ana, and Walter G., San<br />
Francisco: two sisters and two grandchildren.<br />
Peter Montemuro Quits<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Peter Montemuro, 20th-<br />
Pox studio manager, has resigned following<br />
26 years with the company to enter real<br />
estate.<br />
Closing in Granger, Wash.<br />
GRANGER. WASH —The Granger Theatre<br />
has been closed for an indefinite period<br />
by Bill Carey, owner.<br />
LOS<br />
ANGELES<br />
The Earle Goldbergs, Film Transport Co.,<br />
who are touring Europe, plan to wind<br />
up at the Variety Club convention in Dublin,<br />
beginning May 14 . . . The Stein Enterprises<br />
Beverly Theatre, which is undergoing<br />
a $150,000 facelift, will reopen April<br />
11 . . . Charles Tarbox. Film Cla.ssics exchange,<br />
went to Gotham on business.<br />
Bill Ramsey, manager of the Cinema,<br />
was called back to Denver. Pinch-hitting<br />
for Bill is Bart Miller, from the home office<br />
in Columbus, Ohio . Levin, San<br />
Francisco exhibitor, and his wife were In<br />
town . Dick Ettlngers, Sero Amusement,<br />
vacationed a few days in Palm<br />
Springs.<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Max Laemmle, Los Feliz<br />
Theatre, vacationed in the Las Vegas sunshine<br />
with Laemmle's 80-year-old mother<br />
and his young son . Lipetzky,<br />
branch manager of the Bank of America,<br />
was recuperating at home following an<br />
automobile accident in Pasadena.<br />
Matt Freed, 52, died. He formerly was<br />
with Lippert as district manager and also<br />
was an independent producer. He is survived<br />
by three sons.<br />
Guy Williams plays the title role in<br />
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's "Captain Sinbad."<br />
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Theatre Equipment Supp(y Dealer:<br />
Export—Westrex Corp.<br />
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BOXOFFICE April 9. 1962 W-5
. . Alfred<br />
. .<br />
SAN FRANCISCO<br />
The Humbolt Drive-In, Alton, has been<br />
reopened by Charles P. Hansen. The<br />
John Bowles Motion Picture Purchasing<br />
Co. service is taking care of bookings .<br />
Marvin Bell has reof>ened the Coalinga<br />
Drive-In . Hitchcock, who is<br />
finishing the mystery thriller "The Birds"<br />
at Bodega Bay. which cost him a $400 fine<br />
for "abusing" a wild life pennit, said that<br />
Princess Grace of Monaco should gross<br />
$1 million plus a percentage of the profits<br />
for playing the title role in "Marnie."<br />
Edwin LaMontasne was in town visiting<br />
friends on the Row and looking pretty<br />
chipper after undergoing surgery ... In<br />
booking and buying were James Stephens<br />
of Dixon and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Franklin<br />
of Chowchilla ... In the Variety Mixed<br />
Bowling League, the El Rancho Drive-In<br />
team won three games and lengthened its<br />
lead to four games.<br />
Appoint Klein-Barzman<br />
HOLLYWOOD—The Minsch Co. and<br />
United Artists have appointed Klein-Barzman.<br />
west coast freelance creative group,<br />
to develop radio and TV advertising and<br />
short subject promotion for "Two for the<br />
Seesaw," forthcoming Mirisch-Wise-UA<br />
comedy starring Robert Mitchum and Shirley<br />
MacLainc. The group performed the<br />
same assignments recently for Billy Wilder's<br />
"One. Two. Three." current Mirisch<br />
Co. presentation for UA release.<br />
IWoJi&Qi<br />
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The ONLY Imported Carbon<br />
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in America's Leading Theatres<br />
DISTRIBUTED BY:<br />
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168 Golden Gate Avenue<br />
San Francisco, California<br />
Helena Showmen Voice<br />
Protest to Fast Time<br />
HELENA, MONT.—Chub Munger. owner<br />
of the Sumet Drive-In: Keith Didrik.sen.<br />
owner of the Sky-Hi Drivp-In. and Allen<br />
Schrimpf. manager of the Marlow Theatre,<br />
appeared before a meeting of the retail<br />
merchants branch of the Helena Chamber<br />
of Commerce to voice their opposition to a<br />
proposal to install daylight saving time<br />
here this summer.<br />
Munger .said the drive-ins would be<br />
forced to start their screen programs at<br />
10 p.m.. and patrons would not be able to<br />
get home before 2 a.m. if there was a double<br />
feature. The theatremen said their combined<br />
yearly payroll amounts to about<br />
$55,000 and the daylight saving time would<br />
hurt all of their business. Merchants<br />
President Marius Olsen. after the meeting,<br />
requested the membership to carefully consider<br />
the merits and weaknesses of the daylight<br />
saving proposal before making a decision<br />
whether to support it or not.<br />
Irving, Eleanor Glasser<br />
Apply for Venice Theatre<br />
VENICE. CALIF.—Opening of a motion<br />
picture theatre here is indicated in an application<br />
for a variance to permit a fiveyear<br />
waiver of a requirement for 45 automobile<br />
parking spaces.<br />
A public hearing was scheduled on the<br />
application before the Los Angeles city zoning<br />
administrator on the request for parking<br />
facilities in connection with the proposed<br />
theatre at 1307-1309 Ocean Front<br />
Walk.<br />
The applicants, Irving and Eleanor<br />
Glasser. said the theatre would seat 228<br />
persons. However, to insui-e adequate parking<br />
for the film house, the parking spaces<br />
have to be provided on a lease arrangement<br />
with existing parking lot operators.<br />
Riverside Arlington Helm<br />
Assigned to Anita Bailey<br />
RIVERSIDE. CALIF.-Anita Bailey, assistant<br />
manager at<br />
the Rubidoux Drive-In<br />
for six years, has been appointed manager<br />
of the Arlington Theatre, succeeding Don<br />
Hammer in the post. Miss Bailey has 15<br />
years of experience in motion picture exhibition,<br />
starting as a cashier in McPherson.<br />
Kas.. as a young girl.<br />
There will be no change in the operation<br />
of the Arlington, located at 9670 Magnolia.<br />
Narration by Fred MacMurray<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Fred MacMurray has<br />
been .selected by the United Community<br />
Funds and Councils of America to appear<br />
in and narrate a new film for the United<br />
Fund and Community Chest campaigns to<br />
be distributed nationally thLs fall. The film<br />
will be available for showings in theatres,<br />
on TV and in industrial plants and busincs.s<br />
offices in advance of the national<br />
solicitation funds.<br />
To Film "Hissssssss!'<br />
HOLLYWOOD — "Hissss.s.sss." a farce<br />
comedy murder trial yarn, has been scheduled<br />
for filming under the Gomcr L. Jones<br />
Production banner, with William Free producing<br />
and directing. The original .screenplay<br />
is by Marian Cooper and Free, and<br />
will be shot without a release.<br />
''X^eC'Ui.ujie<br />
^nxufelen^l<br />
Eugene V. Klein, president of National<br />
General Corp.. to Chicago. New York and<br />
Miami.<br />
Robert W. Selig. vice-president of National<br />
Theatres theatre operations, to Salt<br />
Lake City and Denver for meetings with<br />
Fox Intermountain district and theatre<br />
managers.<br />
Irving H. Levin, executive of National<br />
General Corp.. to New York to attend the<br />
testimonial dinner honoring 20th-Fox<br />
topper Spyros P. Skoiu-as.<br />
Manager Shifts Made<br />
In Kindair Theatres<br />
MONTEREY. CALIF.—There have been<br />
several managerial changes by Kindair<br />
Corp. in its art houses in Monterey and<br />
Salinas. Jerry Drew, manager of the local<br />
Steinbeck Theatre, has been moved to the<br />
new luxury Salinas showcase, the Globe<br />
International. Howard Williams, formerly<br />
with Cinerama in Los Angeles, is the new<br />
manager at the Steinbeck.<br />
Bob Horton. manager of the Hill Theatre<br />
in Monterey, will also act as manager<br />
of the new sweet shop and cafe in the Hill<br />
building.<br />
Drew, until his relocation, handled all of<br />
the advertising for the Steinbeck and Hill.<br />
Williams now has taken over these duties.<br />
Arnold Strouse will act as relief manager<br />
at all three houses.<br />
New Theatre in 2nd Phase<br />
Of Washington Project<br />
FEDERAL WAY, WASH.—Ground was<br />
broken recently for the construction of the<br />
first phase of The Village Shopping Center,<br />
a 30-acre complex of business buildings<br />
which will be built at 312th St. South between<br />
South Maltby road and 21st Place,<br />
Southwest. The project will include a theatre,<br />
although it will not be built until the<br />
project enters its second phase.<br />
The project is sponsored by Village Properties,<br />
which is owned by Wesley R. Rounds<br />
and associates. Property for the first phase<br />
is zoned.<br />
Hal Wallis Signs Ginny Tiu<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Ginny Tiu, eight-yearold<br />
Hong Kong-born entertainer, has been<br />
signed by producer Hal Wallis to make her<br />
screen debut singing with Elvis Presley in<br />
"Girls, Girls! Girls" for Paramount release.<br />
WHETHER irS A DRIVE-IN<br />
OR AN INDOOR THEATRE<br />
GIT EXTRA PROFITS BY SELIINC<br />
MERCHANT ADS<br />
AND KEEP YOUR MERCHANTS HAPPY<br />
WITH YOUR TRAILERS MADE BY<br />
W-6<br />
BOXOFHCE April 9, 1962
said<br />
. . Tom<br />
. . Ken<br />
. . The<br />
—<br />
DENVER<br />
Uugh Ilaynrs of the Valley Theatre at<br />
Powlci' is critically ill in a hospital in<br />
Pueblo. MGM salesman Ed Brinn reported<br />
that blood donors are needed, and Denverites<br />
can donate blood at the local Belle<br />
Bonfils blood bank to be credited to Hugh<br />
in Pueblo . Knight. Acme Theatre.<br />
Riverton. was ill.<br />
John Sawaya, Strand. Trinidad, finally<br />
walked down the aisle and is introducing<br />
his wife Evelyn . Curtis, now starring<br />
in the TV Ripcord series, has been<br />
visiting his father in Holly. Colo. He called<br />
on Marvin and Muriel Ellis, who operate<br />
the Holly Theatre . Starlite Drivein.<br />
Rocky Ford, is getting a wide screen.<br />
Legislators Ask to See<br />
What Film Censors Do<br />
VICTORIA~The provincial motion picture<br />
censor should demonstrate his craft<br />
to all members of the legislature, two of<br />
the members proposed. James Rhodes and<br />
Arthur Turner asked to see what the<br />
censor does.<br />
We're voting $20,000 and we don't know<br />
"<br />
why. Rhodes. iThe vote for the Vancouver<br />
office totaled $20,421.1<br />
Dave Barrett wanted to know what yardstick<br />
the censor used in his decisions. He<br />
noted some of the literature most prized<br />
by scholars could be questioned by some<br />
people.<br />
"Nobody's got it on Shakespeare for a description<br />
of life in the raw. Canterbury<br />
Tales in comic book form would shock the<br />
pants off some of our citizens." he said.<br />
Randolph Harding disagreed with Barrett's<br />
doubts that there was a valid argument<br />
for censorship. He didn't agree with<br />
non-censoring of movies or non-censoring<br />
of newsstands. It undoes the work done in<br />
education, he said.<br />
"If some of these silly pictures were<br />
censored across the line, everyone would<br />
be better off." he said.<br />
John Tisdalle called for a salary boost<br />
for the censor, R. W. Macdonald, who now<br />
earns $6,180.<br />
All Cape Shopping Center<br />
Will Have Art Theatre<br />
HYANNIS, MASS.—This Cape Cod community,<br />
reigning during the JFK administration<br />
as the Summer White House<br />
town, is the site of one of the nation's<br />
most unusual shopping centers, to be<br />
known as the All-Cape Shopping Center,<br />
and covering a 35 -acre tract.<br />
Construction has already started on the<br />
shopping plaza, a striking highlight to be<br />
a lovely, natural four-acre kidney-shaped<br />
lake in the middle of the Picture Pond<br />
Plaza. Encircling the lake will be stores,<br />
a summer playhouse, an art film theatre<br />
and a restaurant. A fishing footbridge will<br />
bridge the neck of the lake.<br />
Florence Adams Promoted<br />
HOLLYWOOD — MGM staffer<br />
Florence<br />
Adams, longtime aide to the late W. S.<br />
"Woody" Van Dyke, has been named assistant<br />
to producer Milo O. Frank jr. on<br />
"O'Houlihan's Jest." his forthcoming film<br />
for Threemen Productions.<br />
New Colorado Springs Theatre Era<br />
Dawns as Old Trail Runs Last Show<br />
COLORADO SPRINGS. COLO. — The<br />
trail ended for the Trail Theatre, this<br />
city's oldest motion picture house, but a<br />
rosy new future is promised moviegoers<br />
here as Cooper Foundation is busy on plans<br />
for a bigger and better theatre.<br />
The final look at the Trail and its long<br />
life in exhibition was taken.<br />
Ted Wilcox, feature writer for the Free<br />
Press, thus recorded the final night of the<br />
Trail and looked back at its long life in<br />
exhibition:<br />
At 11:15 p.m. the last torrid love scene<br />
had flashed on the screen, the final cowpoke<br />
had shot his quota of redskins, and<br />
Colorado Springs' oldest movie hou.se is<br />
henceforth a thing of the past.<br />
By the end of April, the chances are that<br />
it will be virtually scoured from its familiar<br />
place at 22 East Pikes Peak Ave., to make<br />
way for the nearly $1 million expansion of<br />
the First National Bank.<br />
NOSTALGIA FOR OLDTIMERS<br />
While the expansion of the First National<br />
is a huge asset to the community,<br />
many an oldtimer, recalling the days when<br />
the chorus lines and comics romped the<br />
boards of the early Trail—then called the<br />
Majestic—will probably gaze on, mournfully<br />
as wrecking crews raze this particular<br />
landmark.<br />
Starting as the Majestic in 1910 irumor<br />
has it that the building was previously a<br />
livery stable the theatre housed vaudeville<br />
i<br />
acts before the coming of the animated<br />
cinema.<br />
At that time is was owned by the Tammen<br />
brothers of Denver, a ribald and hilarious<br />
outfit, who appeared to be as busy<br />
with the vaudeville acts as they were with<br />
the management of the theatre.<br />
CHANGED TO EMPRESS<br />
Later the name was changed to the Empress<br />
and so came the silent movies to<br />
Colorado Springs. It remained as such until<br />
after World War I, when the trend was<br />
away from regal theatre titles, and the<br />
name was again changed to the more<br />
realistic America. About the same time,<br />
another theatre, the Princess—at the site<br />
of the current Ute—became the Rial to.<br />
The biggest innovation in modern theatrics—the<br />
talkie movie—hit the Ti-ail in<br />
the 1930s when it was picked up by Paramount<br />
Public.<br />
"It made quite a splash when they added<br />
sound to the picture," recalls Vern Howard,<br />
one of the oldest of the oldest in the local<br />
movie business.<br />
"As I recall the first talkie that played<br />
in the Trail— it was the America then<br />
was about 1929. I was the projectiomst for<br />
the first talkie in Colorado Springs which<br />
played in the Rialto in about 1928."<br />
Howard, who started as a projectionist<br />
in 1913 and whose recollection of movies<br />
dates back to "Birth of a Nation," moved<br />
from the Rialto to the Trail in 1930. He's<br />
been there ever since and retired two years<br />
ago after spending 29 years in the Trail's<br />
projection booth.<br />
As Howard remembers, the Trail was remodeled<br />
many times—once in 1928, then in<br />
1937 and again in 1952. It was in 1935 and<br />
before the 1937 remodeling that the Trail<br />
was picked up by the Cooper Foundation<br />
Theatres.<br />
The name was changed to the Trail Theatre<br />
during the '37 remodeling, as Howard<br />
recalls.<br />
"It was sort of a .successive thing," he<br />
said. "The Ute was being constructed at<br />
the time, and since ours was just down<br />
the street, the name naturally followed.<br />
Ute-Trail, you know."<br />
Trail it has been ever since. But Thursday<br />
night, as projectionist F. O. Black removed<br />
the last reel of "Pace in the Crowd"<br />
the Trail became a thing of the past.<br />
However, Colorado Springs may be in for<br />
a bigger and better theatre, according to<br />
the officials of the Cooper Foundation<br />
which also owns the Tompkins and Ute.<br />
Jack Carnes, manager of the Trail for<br />
the past five years, said Thursday that<br />
Cooper Foundation was laying plans for a<br />
new theatre in the city. The statement<br />
was backed up by Kenneth E, Anderson,<br />
general manager of the Cooper Foundation<br />
Theatres, who said the organization is<br />
meeting to lay plans for a modem, high<br />
class theatre in Colorado Springs. Where<br />
or when has yet to be announced.<br />
According to Ted Kroll. Cooi>er's city<br />
manager, the seats from the TraU will be<br />
moved to the Tompkins and razing of the<br />
building will begin as soon as bids have<br />
been let and accepted.<br />
Writer Gavin Lambert and director<br />
Daniel Mann will prepare the screenplay<br />
for Paramount's "The Second Mrs. Asland,"<br />
starring Ingrid Bergman.<br />
As a screen game,<br />
HOLLYWOOD fakes fop<br />
honors. As a box-office attraction,<br />
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been a favorite with theatre goers for<br />
over 15 years. Write today for complete details.<br />
Be sure to give seating or ear capacity.<br />
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BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962<br />
W-7
9<br />
PORTLAND<br />
J^artin Foster, here from San Fiancisco<br />
for the opening of his newest theatre<br />
holding, the Cinema 21, the former 21st<br />
Avenue, says he was pleased with the<br />
opeiiing of "The Mark." Foster is remodeling<br />
his Fine Arts. He plans to run domestic<br />
and foreign product, as has been his policy,<br />
in both houses.<br />
The Journal's Academy Awards Sweepstakes<br />
contest, a promotion sponsored by<br />
first-run downtown and drive-in theatres,<br />
has brought in ballots fi-om Oregon. Washington<br />
and parts of California. It is expected,<br />
however, that the flood of entries<br />
will be coming in Monday 1 1 . The deadline<br />
is 6:30 p.m.. prior to the ABC-TV telecast<br />
scheduled for Portland's KPTV. The<br />
first prize is S200 and a gold pass for a<br />
party of four to any first-run theatre.<br />
Fourteen other prizes include six-month<br />
passes for two: three-month passes for two,<br />
and one-month passes for two.<br />
Harry Hunsaker, Guild manager, has<br />
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'Outsider' Hits 190%<br />
In Kansas City Bow<br />
KANSAS CITY—'Thi' Outsider" was a<br />
strong conti'ndi'r for boxoffice lionors in its<br />
first week at the Paramount, turning in a<br />
190. Holdovers were the rule at most firstrun<br />
houses and most of them did well.<br />
"West Side Story" was building solidly at<br />
the Plaza and should be set for a long stay.<br />
With "Judgment at Nuremberg" installed<br />
in the Brookside for an extended run. three<br />
i<br />
other FMW houses Isis and<br />
I<br />
Vista be expected to present more<br />
first-run product than they have since the<br />
first of the year.<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Brookside Light in the Piazza (MGM),<br />
3rd wk., 6 days 155<br />
Copri— El Cid (AA), 6th wk 250<br />
Empire South Seas Adventure (Cineroma),<br />
3rd wk 200<br />
Gronoda Satan Never Sleeps (20t'h-Fox) 120<br />
Kimo Purple Noon (Times), 2nd wk 150<br />
Paromcunt The Outsider (U-1) 190<br />
West Side Story (UA), 2nd wk 310<br />
Plozc.<br />
Roxy Sweet Bird of Youth (MGM), 2nd wk. ..150<br />
Saxon The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse<br />
(MGM), 2nd wk 90<br />
Studio Murder She Said iMGM), 2nd wk 200<br />
L>ptown Lover Come Back (U-l), 4th wk 305<br />
"Forever' in Good Start<br />
At Chicago Esquire<br />
CHICAGO — The overall grosses were<br />
good despite the anticipated letdown which<br />
prevails during the Lenten season. "World<br />
in My Pocket" was a nice opener at the<br />
Oriental. "Paradisio" had its first showing<br />
as an "adults only" in three-dimension<br />
at the Capri. "Forever My Love" had a good<br />
start at the EsQuire on the near north side.<br />
"Lover Come Back" held up to grosses<br />
reaped in the previous week in the seventh<br />
round.<br />
Capri Paradisio iSR) I 55<br />
Cornegie Double Bunk (Showcorp) 115<br />
Chicago Lover Come Bock (U-l), 7th wk 170<br />
Cinema La Belle Americoine (Cont'l), 5th wk. ..135<br />
Cinestage— El Cid (AA), 14th wk 115<br />
Esquire Forever My Love (Para) 170<br />
Loop Marizinia iSR); Huza (SR)<br />
Monroe The Most Wanted Mon (Astor); Five<br />
165<br />
Sinners (SR) 30<br />
Oriental World in My Pocket (MGM)<br />
1<br />
185<br />
Roosevelt Walk on the Wild Side (Col), 7th wk. 155<br />
Stote Lake The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse<br />
(MGM), 2nd wk 150<br />
Surf Doctor in Love iGDvernor), 5fh wk 100<br />
Todd West Side Story (UA), 7th wk 225<br />
Town Mary Had a Little (UA), 2nd wk 110<br />
United States All Foil Down (MGM), 2nd wk. 150<br />
Woods The Children's Hour (UA), 5th wk 165<br />
World Playhouse Lo I>olce Vita (Astor),<br />
return run, 2nd wk 115<br />
Springfield Orpheum Sold<br />
But Frisina Will Operate<br />
SPRINGFIELD. ILL. — Although the<br />
Orpheum Theatre has been sold for almost<br />
a half million dollars by the Lincoln Square<br />
Building Corp., the Frisina Amusement Co.<br />
will continue operation of the movie house<br />
under lease with the building owners.<br />
Identity of the buyers was not disclosed<br />
however. Peter W. McCue jr., of Springfield<br />
was buyer's agent and the Bernard<br />
Investment Co. handled the transaction.<br />
AT TRADESCREENING—Theatremen in the St. Louis area viewed "Taras<br />
Bulba" at a tradescreening there recently, then held a discussion afterward.<br />
Seated, left to right: Tom Williamson, Bloomer Amusement Co.; Jim Frisina,<br />
Frisina Amusement Co.; Jim Denton, publicity. United Artists; Howard Zulauf,<br />
Esquire Theatre, St. Louis; Wesley Bloomer, president. Bloomer Amusement Co.<br />
Standing: Sam Levin, Esquire at St. Louis; H. E. McManus, General Drive-In<br />
Corp.; John Meinardi, National Theatres; Vince O'Leary, Publix Theatres; Fred<br />
Mound, UA; and E. J. Stevens, branch manager for UA.<br />
Kansas City Lawyers See Judgment'<br />
And Hear From a Trial Participant<br />
KANSAS CITY— "Judgment at Nurem- Council of World Affairs. He was introberg"<br />
is installed at the Brookside Theatre duced by Bob Lockwood, program director<br />
here on a three-a-day schedule, with all of KB-Radio.<br />
prospects pointing toward a long. long run, Hill said no other picture shown at the<br />
according to Roy Hill, manager. He bases Brookside has given rise to so many conthat<br />
prediction on comments received fol- gratulatory phone calls or such unstinting<br />
lowing the Tuesday night special preview praise.<br />
and the Wednesday and Thursday night<br />
premieres.<br />
The benefit premieres, sponsored by the<br />
Kehilath Israel Sisterhood, grew to two in<br />
number from the originally planned<br />
Wednesday ( when the Wednesday<br />
night tickets sold out within the first three<br />
or four days of the campaign. Hill then<br />
arranged with the group to add the Thursday<br />
night premiere.<br />
On Tuesday evening ( local<br />
lawyers, as well as press, radio and industrjrepresentatives<br />
attended an invitational<br />
screening. At that performance, as well as<br />
at the two premieres. J. Robertson Clagett.<br />
member of the law firm of Kemp, Koontz,<br />
Clagett and Norquist, gave a brief background<br />
of the Nuremberg Trials and their<br />
meaning in the history of international<br />
law. Clagett was a participant in the Nuremberg<br />
Trials; a captain in the U.S. Army,<br />
he was assistant to the chief U.S. prosecutor<br />
of Axis Criminality. Clagett is a past<br />
president of the Lawyers Ass'n and of the<br />
Big Organ to Texas<br />
FORT WAYNE—The three-manual, 13-<br />
rank organ in the Paramount Theatre<br />
since its opening in 1929. has been dismantled<br />
and shipped to Texas. Weldon<br />
Flanagan jr. of Dallas piuchased the tenton<br />
organ for use in making recordings.<br />
His bid was made just ahead of one by<br />
comedian Herb Shriner, who was a boy in<br />
Fort Wayne. Flanagan plays the 20-rank<br />
organ at the Palace in Dallas.<br />
Indiana Airer Aids Boys<br />
TERRE HAUTE. IND.—Opening<br />
night<br />
proceeds of the North Terre Haute Drive-<br />
In were again given to the Boys Club's<br />
Camp Gulick. Pi'ofits from drive-in theatre<br />
tickets March 29. in connection with Honor<br />
Night sponsored by firemen and policemen,<br />
are to be used for feeding approximately<br />
200 boys.<br />
JonnOAMC<br />
BOONTON, N. J.<br />
Large Core<br />
Greater Crater Area<br />
MAXIMUM LIGHT<br />
Even/y Distributed<br />
lllinoll— Kaylln« Company, Chicago—Wibttw 9-M43<br />
Paromol Electronks, Chkago—Avenue 3-4422<br />
Supply Company, Kansas Missouri—MIsouri Theatre City— Boll<br />
more 1-3070<br />
Natlorvil Theatre Supply, St. Louis—Jtfterson 1-4IS0<br />
BOXOFFICE :: April 9, 1962 C-1
. . Don<br />
KANSAS CITY<br />
T^avid Hume, son of FMW booker Harold<br />
Hume, continues to show good daily<br />
progress in recovering from severe injuries<br />
sustained the night of March 31 on the<br />
Kansas turnpike when his car was struck<br />
head on by a speeding car that went out<br />
of control and jumped the medial strip<br />
during a drag race. David, a KU junior<br />
classman and premedical student, was accompanied<br />
by another KU student. Wendy<br />
Wilkerson of Wichita. Both young people<br />
sustained severe facial and chest injuries.<br />
Miss Wilkerson also received a serious skull<br />
injury and David underwent surgery for removal<br />
of a shattered kneecap. Both students<br />
are patients at KU Medical Center<br />
here in Kansas City.<br />
Harold Cass, WB salesman, spent several<br />
days in the haspital in Salina. Kas., after<br />
becoming ill at Larned during a territorial<br />
trip. Mrs. Cass went to Salina to be with<br />
her husband and plans were to transfer<br />
him to St. Joseph Hospital here for further<br />
tests and treatment. The Casscs live in<br />
Excelsior Springs and Harold travels out<br />
of the Kansas City exchange . Wal-<br />
WHETHER ITS A DRIVE-IN<br />
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STEBBINS Theatre<br />
Equipment
an<br />
•<br />
2 Fire Bombs Hurled<br />
At Gene Cramm Home<br />
r\<br />
vf- ^- T^ six sons were sleep-<br />
KANSAS CITY—Two "Molotov cocktails"<br />
— bottle-type fire bombs — were<br />
fhio-vn early Tuesday<br />
morning i3i at<br />
the home of a Durwood<br />
Theatres official<br />
while the man's<br />
I<br />
ins in the home. This<br />
I V latest in a long chain<br />
ft \ ot<br />
,<br />
assaults and van-<br />
^L / dalism against Dur-<br />
^ -<br />
wood Theatres and its<br />
staff members occurred<br />
at the home f?<br />
of<br />
Gene Cramm Gene Cramm. 1814<br />
East 48th St. He is<br />
supervisor of maintenance and construction<br />
for the Durwood circuit, operators of<br />
the Capri. Empire. Saxon, Roxy and Studio<br />
theatres here.<br />
Police said the "cocktails" apparently<br />
were hurled from a passing car at the<br />
Cramm home, which is across the street<br />
from a wooded area and has only one<br />
other house immediately adjoining it. One<br />
of the bombs, a beer bottle filled with gasoline<br />
and stuffed with a wick, struck a<br />
wooden casing, cracking the window glass,<br />
and shattered on the porch. The ensuing<br />
blaze scorched a large area around the window<br />
and on the porch ceiling before it apparently<br />
burned itself out. The second<br />
missile, a quart whiskey bottle filled with<br />
fluid and corked with a saturated rag, fell<br />
short of the house, into shrubbei-y, and<br />
did not break.<br />
Asleep in the home at the time were the<br />
Cramms' sons, Gerald, 17; Warren, 16;<br />
Craig, 13; Stephen, 10; Gene jr., 4, and<br />
David 3.<br />
Cramm said some nonunion workers<br />
have been filling theatre jobs during the<br />
circuit's dispute with two unions which<br />
have picketed the theatres. He said he has<br />
been threatened face-to-face more than<br />
once. His wife said she has received six or<br />
seven anonymous telephone threats, one<br />
from a woman.<br />
During the last year, a stick of dynamite<br />
was found in the yard of Stanley H. Durwood,<br />
president of the theatre chain;<br />
screens have been slashed at the Capri and<br />
Empire, seats slashed at the Roxy and film<br />
doused with varnish and oil at the Empire.<br />
Schlanger Quits Fabian<br />
Division Manager Post<br />
Schlanger has resigned<br />
ALBANY—Elias<br />
as division manager of Fabian's upstate<br />
theatres, although he had been scheduled<br />
to take over new duties as division manager<br />
for Pennsylvania and 'Virginia.<br />
Schlanger had been with the Fabian organization<br />
since 1935 when he became assistant<br />
director of advertising and publicity<br />
for the Pox. Paramount and Strand<br />
Theatres in Brooklyn. After army service<br />
in World War II. he served as advertising<br />
director and assistant district manager of<br />
Fabian's Staten Island theatres and was<br />
named district manager there in 1950. He<br />
took over the upstate assignment in 1955.<br />
Henry Mancini will compose the musical<br />
score for Warner Brothers' "Days of Wine<br />
and Roses."<br />
BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962<br />
UPA Animation Company<br />
Diversifying Production<br />
HOLLYWOOD Hrnry O. Sapcr.slcm,<br />
president of United Productions of America,<br />
announced that the animation company<br />
will branch out into all phases of film,<br />
TV and legitimate production.<br />
"<br />
With "Gay Purr-ee, animated feature<br />
near completion for Warner Bros.<br />
Christmas release, it is expected that a<br />
deal will be finalized shortly with the Burbank<br />
studio for UPA's first live action undertaking,<br />
"The Mink Coat." Saperstein is<br />
limiting budgets to $1,000,000, with both<br />
I<br />
"Mink" to be filmed at Warners i and<br />
"Purr-ee" to be made at that price, as well<br />
as future productions.<br />
Unavailability of Gleason<br />
Delays Start of 'Soldier'<br />
HOLLYWOOD— Producer-director Blake<br />
Edwards announced that his production of<br />
"Soldier in the Rain," starring Jackie Gleason<br />
and Steve McQueen, for Allied Artists<br />
release, has been postponed from a fall<br />
start to June 1963. due to Gleason's unavailability<br />
because of his upcoming TV series.<br />
Maurice Richlin is currently writing the<br />
script based on William Goldman's novel.<br />
The film will be a joint venture of Edwards'<br />
Patricia Productions and McQueen's Condor<br />
Productions.<br />
Mann-Kasfner Picks<br />
De Sica for 'Sanchez'<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Writer Abby Mann and<br />
producer Elliott Kastner have concluded<br />
a deal with 'Vittorio De Sica to direct "The<br />
Children of Sanchez." a novel which Mann-<br />
Kastner Productions will film the end of<br />
this year on location in Mexico. The film<br />
will be De Sica's first directing a.ssiBnment<br />
for an American company.<br />
Maiui. who leaves for Rome to polish the<br />
script of "The Condemned of Altoana" for<br />
De Sica, will begin his own screenplay of<br />
"The Children of Sanchez" this summer.<br />
Technicians Earmark<br />
'Stop Runaway' Fund<br />
HOLLYWOOD—The lATSE laboratory<br />
technicians Local 68'3 voted to earmark<br />
$2,500 from its general fund for use by the<br />
APL Film Council to battle film productions<br />
abroad, it was disclosed by Don Haggerty,<br />
business representative. The vot«<br />
followed a talk by Clayton Thomason, business<br />
representative of the .scenic artists<br />
Local 816, which took similar action last<br />
week when members voted a minimum assessment<br />
of $1 a month per member for a<br />
fund to be used by the film council for a<br />
positive action program against such<br />
production.<br />
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CHICAGO<br />
l^ike Yelk, manager of the Milford Theatre,<br />
i.s celebrating a triple anniversary<br />
—his 16th year at the Milford, 31 years<br />
with H&E Balaban, and his 30th wedding<br />
anniversary . Film Guild programs<br />
in the Clark Theatre during April<br />
include I'm All Right, Jack, Expresso<br />
Bongo, Touch of Evil, The Apartment, A<br />
Pace in the Crowd, The Seven Hills of<br />
Rome, April in Paris, Sons and Lovers and<br />
Elmer Gantry.<br />
Eric Erickson, underground spy and<br />
World War hero portrayed by William<br />
Holden in Paramount's "The Counterfeit<br />
Traitor," attended an invitational preview<br />
of the picture at the Surf Theatre. It will<br />
— Our "19th" Year —<br />
CANDY-POPCORN<br />
SEASONING — BOXES<br />
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For Theatres and Drive-Ins<br />
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WE—9-4643—<br />
1314 S, Wabofh Ave. Chicago i. III,<br />
H<br />
U
an<br />
Film Appeals Board<br />
Named at Chicago<br />
CHICAGO—Five members of the new<br />
motion picture board, duly educated as<br />
specified by the city ordinance passed last<br />
December 27. were appointed by Mayor<br />
Richard Daley.<br />
Appeals may be made to the board by<br />
exhibitors or distributors from decisions<br />
by the police censor board, whose members<br />
are widows or wives of aldermen or pwlicemen,<br />
or the film review section, still to<br />
be named.<br />
The appeals board, the law stipulates,<br />
must be composed of persons educated in<br />
"art. drama, literature, philosophy, sociology,<br />
psychology, history, music, .science,<br />
or other related fields."<br />
The appointments: Mrs. Martha King,<br />
public relations consultant for the Art Institute:<br />
Dr. Ner Littner, medical director<br />
of the child therapy program at the Institute<br />
of Psychoanalysis: Henry Rago, editor<br />
of Poetry magazine and fonner University<br />
of Chicago humanities lecturer: Matthew H.<br />
Schoenbaum, dean of the school of social<br />
work at Loyola University, and Thomas R.<br />
Mulroy, Winnetka, and vice-pre.sident of<br />
the Chicago Crime Commission.<br />
Strand Theatres in N.J.<br />
Changes Name to Schriver<br />
OCEAN CITY, N.J.—Two major changes<br />
have been announced by the Strand Theatre<br />
Co.<br />
The company name now becomes the<br />
Schriver Theatre Co. and owners Mr. and<br />
Mrs. Charles Schilling have appointed<br />
Arthur Oehlschlager as general manager to<br />
replace D. Roscoe Paunce, who has retired.<br />
Oehlschlager will handle the booking<br />
and hiring among other major duties. Mrs.<br />
Schilling in the former Helen Schriver. The<br />
Schriver family was founder of the circuit<br />
which includes the Moorlyn, Strand, Village<br />
and Surf theatres, all in the seaside<br />
resort town.<br />
Jack Senior also becomes first assistant<br />
under Oehlschlager.<br />
The circuit only operates the Village<br />
during the winter season and is rushing<br />
repairs on the Strand for an Easter opening.<br />
The Strand sustained a damaged floor<br />
during the recent storm which battered<br />
the East Coast.<br />
The retiring Paunce will continue to live<br />
here.<br />
Eastern Would Lease New<br />
Bergen Turnpike Airer<br />
LITTLE FERRY, N.Y.—A drive-in theatre<br />
with 1,000-car capacity is under study<br />
for inclusion in a $10 million. 65-acre. industrial-shopping<br />
center complex just off<br />
the Bergen turnpike just north of Route<br />
46 traffic circle. The planning board<br />
granted tentative site approval for the outdoor<br />
theatre last November, but has yet to<br />
give the necessary final approval which<br />
would open the way to immediate construction.<br />
Ercole Tamburelli. Englewood builder<br />
who owns the 65-acre site, would lease the<br />
drive-in to the Eastern Management Corp.<br />
of Newark, which operates drive-ins at<br />
numerous spots throughout the state. The<br />
corporation has set a July 1 target for completion<br />
of the theatre.<br />
Conscience Finally Works<br />
—But It Takes 32 Years<br />
RALEIGH, N. C— Mrs. Barney Aron.sor..<br />
widow of one of the proprietors of the<br />
Grand Theatre which stood on Fayctteville<br />
street here where the Amba.ssador<br />
Theatre is located, recently received a curious<br />
little note that recalled the days before<br />
the Grand burned in 1929.<br />
The note, apparently resulting from a<br />
conscience grown unusually .sensitive over<br />
the years, said: "Enclosed find $1 I am<br />
sending for payment for slipping by doorkeeper<br />
when your husband and Mr. Brown<br />
lO. R. Brown who now resides at 1510<br />
i<br />
HilLsboro St. the Grand Theatre. I<br />
feel guilty and want to get it off my conscience.<br />
Thanks and forgive ... I am also<br />
sending Mr. Brown one, too." The note was<br />
not signed.<br />
Mrs. Aronson, 84, who resides at 2206<br />
Beechride Rd.. is the mother of Raleigh<br />
attorney Arthur Aronson who recalled that<br />
the Grand was a burlesque house as well as<br />
a movie. This probably explains why the<br />
admission was so high for 1929.<br />
Art Guild Acquires<br />
Four in California<br />
COLUMBUS—Four additional California<br />
art houses have been leased by the Art<br />
Theatre Guild, with home offices in Columbus,<br />
it was announced by Louis Sher, president<br />
of the circuit which now includes 24<br />
houses from Ohio to the west coast.<br />
The acquisitions include the 800-seat<br />
Roosevelt in San Francisco, the 500-seat<br />
Guild in Sacramento, the 800-seat Mayfair<br />
in Fresno and the 400 -seat Cinema in<br />
Hollywood. ATG acquired the 774-seat<br />
Presidio in San Francisco last November.<br />
The Roosevelt, in the Mission district,<br />
will be redecorated and renamed the York<br />
24 and will serve as a moveover house for<br />
the Presidio. The Mayfair will be renamed<br />
the Pine Art. The Roosevelt was acquired<br />
from Ben Levin, the Guild from the Langton<br />
circuit, Mayfair from the Hardy circuit<br />
and the Cinema from Fred Reeki.<br />
Robert Little, manager of the Presidio, is<br />
in charge of west coast operations for ATG.<br />
UAR Government Approval<br />
Given to MGM's 'Cairo'<br />
HOLLYWOOD— "Cairo," the first international<br />
motion pictui'e to be filmed in<br />
English in the city on the Nile, has been<br />
set by MGM with the full cooperation of<br />
the United Arab Republic, it was announced<br />
by Lawrence Bachmann. in charge<br />
of production for MGM's British studios.<br />
Costarred will be George Sanders. Richard<br />
Johnson and Paten Harnana. The story<br />
deals with an attempt to rob the Cairo<br />
Museum, which contains a priceless collection<br />
of antiques. Ronald Kinnoch will<br />
produce and Rilla Wolfe will direct. Production<br />
is slated for late this month.<br />
Winsted Lions Hear Widem<br />
HARTFORD—Allen M. Widem, Hartford<br />
Times amusements editor and coluinnist.<br />
was invited to address the Winsted Lions<br />
,Club dinner meeting March 26, the speaker<br />
to be introduced by John Scanlon III,<br />
owiier-operator of the Strand Theatre,<br />
Winsted.<br />
AIP President Hosts 200<br />
Exhibitors at Chicago<br />
James Nicholson, president of<br />
American International Pictures, outlined<br />
the year's lineup of product in<br />
conferences with exhibitors in Chicago,<br />
one of the stops on a nationwide tour<br />
by AIP executives. Top photo, left to<br />
right: Harry Lustgarden. Balaban &<br />
Katz circuit film buyer; George Kerasotes,<br />
president of Kerasotes Theatres:<br />
Nicholson; Si Greiver, who heads a<br />
booking service bearing his name; Joe<br />
Strother, film buyer for the Marcus<br />
circuit of Wisconsin. Center: Ralph<br />
Smitha, film buyer and general manager<br />
for Essaness Theatres: Nicholson:<br />
Aaron Shelsman, Stanley Warner Theatres:<br />
Stanford Kohlberg, head of the<br />
Kohlberg circuit, and Harry Balaban<br />
of the H&E Balaban theatres. Bottom:<br />
Nicholson is pictured with Edward Seguin.<br />
director of advertising and publicity<br />
for Balaban & Katz, Joe Fuelner<br />
of II & E Balaban. and Jack Rose,<br />
president of the Indiana-Illinois Theatres.<br />
Nicholson hosted 200 exhibitors<br />
and circuit heads at a luncheon at the<br />
.Ambassador East Hotel, which was followed<br />
by a screening of "Burn, Witch,<br />
'<br />
Burn at the Carnegie Theatre.<br />
BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962 C-5
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after a long illness.<br />
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HOLLYWOOD takes top<br />
The Missouri-Illinois Theatre Owners<br />
Ass'n board held its monthly meeting<br />
Monday at the Chase Hotel. Highlighting<br />
the luncheon was the presentation of a<br />
plaque to Dave Arthur for his "outstanding<br />
performance as master of ceremonies and<br />
entertainer" at the last two MITO conventions<br />
. K. Cohn, whose son<br />
George is office manager at Columbia, died<br />
honors. As a box-office attraction,<br />
it is without equal. It has<br />
been a favorite with theatre goers for<br />
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Better Films Council of Greater St. Louis<br />
and its public relatioiLs chairman, wa.s<br />
given a silver tea at the home of Mrs.<br />
William E. Moore. Members of 30 organizations<br />
affiliated with the council were invited<br />
to the tea, the first such event to be<br />
given by the council. Mrs. Richard Moll,<br />
president of the council, and Mrs. Leo<br />
Lundergan as arrangements chairman<br />
planned the tea. Serving were Mrs. Guy<br />
Randall. Mrs. Leslie Bargo, Mrs. Ray Alexander,<br />
Mrs. James Friend, Mrs. Dennis<br />
Phelan, Mrs. Gustav Goetsch, Mrs. Fred<br />
Kennedy. Mrs. Karl Kurth, Mrs. Otto<br />
Leffler and Mrs. Lundergan.<br />
Ann Garner Long, daughter of exhibitor<br />
and U.S. Senator and Mrs. Edward V.<br />
Long, was crowned Missouri Princess by<br />
Vice-President Lyndon B. Johnson in the<br />
annual Cherry Blossom festival at a dinner<br />
in Washington Wednesday. Miss Long<br />
was cho.sen Mis.souri prince,ss by a vote of<br />
members of the Army-Navy Club. She is<br />
a sophomore at George Washington Univer.sity<br />
in Washington.<br />
Sarah Beth Stevens, who was Miss State<br />
Pair of 1961 and is a student at Missouri<br />
University, will represent "State Fair" while<br />
presenting the Bowler of the Year with a<br />
trophy April 14 over ABC-TV network on<br />
the "Professional Bowlers' Tour" program<br />
which will emanate from St. Louis. Pamela<br />
Tiffin was in town Tuesday and appeared<br />
on radio stations in behalf of the Society<br />
for Crippled Children.<br />
Jerry Bahner, Paramount, spent the week<br />
on jury duty . Ritzier was given<br />
a surprise birthday luncheon Monday in<br />
the office at MGM . . . There was a special<br />
screening March 27 for "Burn, Witch,<br />
Burn" released by Realart. Circuit buyers<br />
attended and were entertained afterward<br />
at the Pageant at a cocktail party . . . Jack<br />
Goldstein, AA publicist, has been<br />
working on "El Cld," which opens at the<br />
St. Louis Theatre for six weeks April 13.<br />
Seen on the Row: Tom Gates, Barry,<br />
111.: Albert Smith, Nashville, Dl.; Dick<br />
Fisher, Willow Springs, and Leon Hoofnagle,<br />
Commonwealth Theatres, Kansas<br />
City.<br />
Irving Hulst Adds Airer<br />
To Fast-Growing Circuit<br />
MAYBROOK, N.Y.—Chaffee's Drive-In.<br />
recently purchased by Irving Hulst of Port<br />
Jervis from Harold Chaffee sr.. has been<br />
opened for the season. The Maybrook<br />
Drive-In has 750 speaker posts and an indoor<br />
theatre seating 250.<br />
Hulst, with the acquisition of the drivein.<br />
increased his theatre holdings to six, including<br />
those in Port Jervis, Matamoras.<br />
Livingston Manor. Roscoe and Milford.<br />
He was associated with Grand Union and<br />
managed stores in Newburg and Middletown<br />
before entering the theatre business.<br />
Hosts Kiddies in Norwich<br />
NORWICH. CONN.— Mrs. Evelyn Barrett,<br />
Stanley Warner Palace, ran a six>cial<br />
kiddies matinee, featuring MGM's "Th^<br />
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and cartoons.<br />
Free cowboy hats went to the first<br />
650 youngsters in attendance.<br />
Bill Setlos Started<br />
At Theatre in 1912<br />
SPRINGFIELD. O. — William Settos,<br />
owner of the Liberty Theatre and a longtime<br />
civic leader, is celebrating 50 years as<br />
a showman. Settos came here as a young<br />
boy, helping after school at the Princess,<br />
the community's first motion picture house,<br />
in which his uncle had an interest. Naturally,<br />
the boy and the motion picture industry<br />
grew up together, reports the local<br />
Springfield Sun.<br />
Settos today can look back on a number<br />
of advances in the motion picture industry<br />
and his present Victory is evidence<br />
of the progress. While proud of his sparkling<br />
house, he is justly proud of his record<br />
as an exhibitor in having good family entertainment<br />
at his theatre.<br />
He not only has given us good entertainment<br />
fare through the years, but has<br />
devoted much of his time to civic matters.<br />
He has been a member of the local<br />
YMCA for 40 yeare, during which time he<br />
not only gave vent to his considerable<br />
athletic abilities, but has been an outstanding<br />
example for the youth of the city.<br />
He has served on the board of directors<br />
for the Kiwanis Club and for the Salvation<br />
Army, and has helped in innumerable ways<br />
to encourage the 4-H clubs in the county.<br />
He has received numerous citations in recognition<br />
of his civic achievements in making<br />
the community a better place in which<br />
to live. He also is a member of Variety<br />
Tent 3 in Cincinnati, which supports the<br />
Will Rogers Memorial Hospital at Saranac,<br />
N. Y.<br />
In congratulating Bill for his 50 years<br />
in the movie industry, it is hoped he will<br />
not only continue to lead in civic affairs,<br />
but continue to keep his standard high at<br />
the Liberty, which he has done so well during<br />
the past years.<br />
"Critic's Choice," produced by Frank P.<br />
Rosenberg for Warners, stars Bob Hope and<br />
Lucille Ball.<br />
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C-6 BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962
a<br />
B.C. Picture Headed<br />
For Venice Festival<br />
VANCOUVER—Froni Vancouver to Venice<br />
and then on to theatres throughout the<br />
world is the route announced for the first<br />
film to be shot here by Commonwealth<br />
Film Productions. "The Bitter and the<br />
Sweet" is expected to go before cameras<br />
about May 1 and it's hoped to enter it as<br />
Canada's first feature motion picture in<br />
the Venice Film Festival. So said E. J.<br />
Baumgarten. president of InL 'rcontinental<br />
Pictures Corp., a new company set up to<br />
handle western hemisphere distribution for<br />
movies made in British Columbia by Oldrich<br />
Vaclavek's Commonwealth Film Co.<br />
and by Hollyburn Film Productions, Ltd., a<br />
United Kingdom company.<br />
Vaclavek, just back from Britain, also<br />
said Anglo-Canadian Film Corp. will distribute<br />
B. C.-made films in the eastern<br />
hemisphere. Commonwealth Film Productions<br />
controls Intercontinental Pictures and<br />
has an interest in Anglo-Canadian. The<br />
distributing and production companies, Vaclavek<br />
explained, have access to more than<br />
$1 million and additional and "adequate"<br />
funds from Britain and th? U. S. to make<br />
and distribute movies made here.<br />
The distribution setup is a giant step for<br />
Canadian moviemaking, he claimed, and<br />
with the pipeline now laid to the world's<br />
movie screens. Commonwealth will make<br />
four to eight features here per year to fill<br />
that pipeline.<br />
An international cast for "The Bitter and<br />
"<br />
the Sweet, story about B. C. Japanese<br />
in the Second World War— will be announced<br />
in a couple of weeks and director<br />
James Clavell will start shooting his $350,-<br />
000 film to have it on local screens by the<br />
fall.<br />
"Circle of Greed," originally set to be<br />
first, has been postponed. Other features<br />
due for production here this year include<br />
"High North," based on an Ernie Perrault<br />
story. He also did "The Bitter and the<br />
Sweet."<br />
The Wendigo, The Yellow Florentine,<br />
Easy as Pie and Barrier North are titles<br />
of other proposed feature films.<br />
Shenson Starting Sequel<br />
To 'Mouse That Roared'<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Walter Shenson has obtained<br />
screen rights to "The Mouse of the<br />
Moon," a novel by Leonard Wibberly, as a<br />
follow up to his previous Columbia release,<br />
"The Mouse That Roared," also by<br />
Wibberly.<br />
"Moon," a comedy, will be .shot in England,<br />
with locations in New York and<br />
Washington. A fall production start is<br />
scheduled.<br />
Gets Part in 'Only Money'<br />
TOLEDO—Joyce Wilber of Toledo, who<br />
won the title of Young Model of the Year,<br />
received a Paramount movie contract to<br />
appear in the JeriT Lewis pictm-e, "It's<br />
Only Money." The brunette beauty was<br />
one of three semifinalists who won trips to<br />
Hollyw-ood as the result of a contest staged<br />
in the United States and Canada by the<br />
Patricia Stevens Schools, which trains<br />
models. The final choice of Joyce Wilbur<br />
was made by a committee which included<br />
Jerry Lewis.<br />
BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962<br />
Elmer Eaddy Directs<br />
TONSC Parley Plans<br />
CIIARLOTTF^ Klincr S. Eaddy of Consolidated<br />
Theatres here has been appointed<br />
chairman of the annual convention of the<br />
Theatre Owners of North and South Carolina<br />
Ass'n, which will be held at the new<br />
Queen Charlotte Hotel here December 2-4.<br />
The Queen Charlotte is the former Hotel<br />
Charlotte, which is being completely refurnished<br />
and redecorated.<br />
Assisting Eaddy in planning the convention<br />
are Jack Ambrose and Dean Phillips,<br />
representing the suppliers: Sam Cloniger<br />
and Walter Thomas, distribution; Prank<br />
Lowry, booking agencies: Mrs. Mac Wci.ss,<br />
the WOMPIs, and Jack Jordan, Jack Kirby<br />
and Jack Wadsworth, members of the association.<br />
The wife of Ernest G. Stellings<br />
will be chairman of the women's activity<br />
committee.<br />
Charles B. Duncan, membership chairman,<br />
arranged an area gathering the last<br />
of January in Greenville, S.C, which was<br />
attended by about 50. On the program<br />
were a screening of "Tender Is the Night"<br />
at the Carolina Theatre, managed by Kerr<br />
McBride, after doughnuts and coffee in the<br />
lobby: luncheon at the Country Club, after<br />
which Gerald Rafshoon, 20th-Fox publicist,<br />
presented campaigns on "Tender" and<br />
"The Innocents." Speakers included H.<br />
George Meyer, pi-esident: Warren Irvin,<br />
public relations committee chairman:<br />
Traynor Perillo, Charleston, and membership<br />
chairman Duncan. Harold Armistead<br />
presided.<br />
C. H. Morgan and Edwin Pettett of<br />
Greenville had charge of the arrangements.<br />
N. J. Shopping Center<br />
Plans Indoor Theatre<br />
WAYNE, N.J.—A $650,000 motion picture<br />
theatre is planned for construction<br />
in the shopping center on Hamburg turnpike,<br />
according to Mayor Richard P.<br />
Browne.<br />
Gerrard Berman, owner of the shopping<br />
center, said the proposed theatre will seat<br />
800 patrons. It will feature reclining seats,<br />
stereophonic sound, wide angle projection<br />
equipment and widescreen. Sidney Schenker,<br />
Paterson architect, prepared the plans<br />
for the theatre.<br />
New Harlow Bogue Post<br />
HARTFORD—Monis Keppner and<br />
Lou<br />
Lipman, partners in the Mansfield Drivein.<br />
have named Harlow Bogue, formerly<br />
supervising manager of the Post, Summit<br />
and North Haven drive-ins in suburban<br />
New Haven for New York interests, as<br />
manager of the Mansfield, succeeding<br />
Harry Finger, who died some months ago<br />
at the age of 56. Finger w-as Lipman's<br />
father-in-law.<br />
Pickus Books 'Summer'<br />
NEW HAVEN—Paramount booked the<br />
firet Bridgeport area showing of "Summer<br />
and Smoke" into the Stratford, Stratford,<br />
owned and operated by Albert M. Pickus,<br />
TOA "Theatre Owners of America > board<br />
chairman, the move by-passing downtown<br />
Bridgeport, traditionally premiere site for<br />
important product.<br />
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BOXOFFICE<br />
C-8 BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962
Family<br />
Drive-In<br />
M. H. Brandon Dies;<br />
In Industry 50 Years<br />
MEMPHIS—M. H. Brandon, a leading<br />
figure in the motion picture industry of<br />
HMemphis and its<br />
trade territory for<br />
half a century, died<br />
at Methodist Hospital<br />
at the age of 65.<br />
He organized Film<br />
Transit, which picks<br />
up and delivers films<br />
to theatres in Memphis<br />
and to sections<br />
of five states, in 1935.<br />
serving as its president<br />
until a month<br />
M. H. Brandon ago, when he was<br />
named chairman of<br />
the board.<br />
In 1957, he founded Air Dispatch and<br />
saw it grow into one of the large air<br />
freight forwarding companies in the<br />
country. It also handles motion picture<br />
films. Brandon was president of the Film<br />
Carriers Conference of the ATA.<br />
He was chief barker of Variety the year<br />
Tent 20 was organized and when the club<br />
established Variety Children's Heart Institute,<br />
a children's hospital operated here<br />
by Variety.<br />
Brandon is survived by his wife and two<br />
sons. Services were held in Memphis and<br />
burial was in Forest Hill Cemetery.<br />
Only Theatre in County<br />
Is Reopened by Jaycees<br />
WINDSOR, N. C—The Palace Theatre<br />
here, Bertie County's only film house, reopened<br />
Thursday night. It had been closed<br />
for several years. Operation of the theatre<br />
was resumed as a community project by<br />
the 'Windsor Junior Chamber of Commerce.<br />
George Mardre jr. heads the project.<br />
Wallace Byrum. projectionist, is the only<br />
paid employe. Other duties in connection<br />
with the operation of the theatre have<br />
been assumed by members of the Jaycee organization.<br />
The club hopes to realize sufficient<br />
profit to maintain the operation and<br />
assure its future.<br />
Georgia Theatre in TOA<br />
CARROLLTON, GA.—J. E, Duncan of<br />
the Carroll Amusement Co. has enrolled his<br />
local Carroll Theatre in Theatre Owners of<br />
America.<br />
Here Today, Gone Tomorro'w<br />
CHAPEL HILL. N. C—A poster In front<br />
of the Carolina Theatre here this week<br />
read as follows: "Now Playing: 'The Innocents.'<br />
Opening tomorrow: 'Loss of Innocence.'<br />
"<br />
Joseph Wiseman, in the title role of UA's<br />
"Doctor No," portrays the handless villain<br />
who seeks to dominate the world.<br />
QUALITY PRODUCTS<br />
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19121/3 Morris Avenue Phone: ALp 1-8665<br />
Birmingham, Alaboma<br />
700-Car Hollywood, Flo., Drive-In<br />
Announced by John Gardner, Sons<br />
June Wilkinson Charms<br />
Southeast on AIP Tour<br />
By JEAN MULLIS<br />
ATLANTA — June Wilkin.son. ri.sinfi<br />
young starlet of American International<br />
Pictures, arrived here March 14 for a sixday<br />
personal appearance tour along the<br />
Martin circuit in Georgia and Tennessee,<br />
in connection with American International's<br />
current release, "Twist All Night."<br />
Miss Wilkinson, accompanied by Jimmy<br />
Bello, American International's Atlanta<br />
representative, appeared at theatres owned<br />
by Martin in Chattanooga and Nashville<br />
in Tennessee and Columbus, Ga. While in<br />
Nashville, she was made a member of the<br />
Sigma Nu fraternity at Vanderbilt University.<br />
WMAK radio station in Nashville<br />
presented her with a beautiful diamond<br />
wrLstwatch and several other gifts.<br />
Miss Wilkinson, who surprised local reporters<br />
in every town by her refusal of<br />
cocktails and cigarets, received a small<br />
golden key from the mayor of each town<br />
she visited along the tour route. She said<br />
she planned to have a bracelet made from<br />
these tiny keys, to remind her of the wonderful<br />
hospitality shown her while in this<br />
area.<br />
Bello. remembering with a hint of nostalgia<br />
his six-day trip with Miss Wilkinson,<br />
described it thus, "Just like a lion<br />
carrying a lamb in his teeth without biting<br />
it."<br />
He also displayed amazement at just how<br />
different the "real" girl was from the one<br />
she portrays in "Twist All Night," in which<br />
she plays up the sex elements sm-rounding<br />
the newest dance craze, the twist. Jimmy<br />
described June as one of America's finest<br />
"typical American girls." She is a star of<br />
whom American International can be very<br />
proud.<br />
BIRMINGHAM<br />
^wo big pictures are working on long local<br />
runs this week. "Pinocchio" is in its<br />
fourth week at the Strand. Harry Cm-1<br />
"<br />
plans to pull "Lover Come Back this week<br />
after its seventh week at the Melba.<br />
"State Fair" received a press preview<br />
here recently. Cecil McGlohon, manager<br />
of the Alabama Theatre, will show the film<br />
at Easter. Emmett Weaver, Post-Herald<br />
movie critic, says the film is "that rarity<br />
in Hollywood, a picture the whole family<br />
can enjoy without fear of embairassment<br />
or being shocked" . . . Cecil McGlohon was<br />
a judge for the two beauty contests held recently<br />
to raise funds to rebuild a burnedout<br />
local high school. Also judging was<br />
star Jim Holden of TV's Adventures in<br />
Paradise.<br />
1<br />
The Gadsden Times reports that the<br />
Princess Theatre in Gadsden was the scene<br />
Monday 2<br />
1 of the state twist championships,<br />
bringing twisters from Martin circuit<br />
towns as well as other communities.<br />
.\ twist film was also shown.<br />
HOLLYWOOD. FLA.—Con.structlon of<br />
an all-new. modern drive-in theatre on<br />
State Road 7 'U. S. 441 1, two miles north<br />
i<br />
of Hollywood boulevard, has been announced<br />
by John Gardner and sons, residents<br />
of Hollywood.<br />
Gardner, who has been in the theatre<br />
business for more than 30 years and has<br />
built and operated several drive-ins and<br />
indoor theatres in upper New York State,<br />
is planning a theatre with a capacity of<br />
700 cars. The giant 150-foot screen is to<br />
be constructed of concrete to withstand 200<br />
mile-per-hour winds.<br />
A fast, self-service snack-bar will be located<br />
in the center of the theatre together<br />
with the lounge room. This building will be<br />
tiled in.side and out. The projection room<br />
is to be equipped with one of the first installations<br />
of transistor hi-fidelity sound<br />
systems to be installed in Florida.<br />
Also, a new optical system for drive-ins<br />
will project a super-bright picture on the<br />
giant curved screen, which will face away<br />
from the setting sun enabling an early<br />
show every evening at early dusk.<br />
First and second-run policy will be inaugui-ated<br />
with an opening date during<br />
early May. The admission policy will featm-e<br />
low family prices and full carload bargain<br />
prices during a special midweek night<br />
each week.<br />
James A. Young, engineer of Hollywood,<br />
is drawing up the elaborate plans for the<br />
project. The name of the theatre will be<br />
The Arrow i<br />
Theatre.<br />
Harvey Ford is the attorney for this new<br />
company.<br />
Pete Dawson of the United Booking Service<br />
out of Miami will handle the buying<br />
and booking of films.<br />
Robert H. Schoew represented the Seminole<br />
Agency in the leasing of the 11 -acre<br />
plot for a longterm lease.<br />
New Yorker A. V. Iselin<br />
Buys Sarasota Drive-In<br />
SARASOTA. FLA. — The local Trail<br />
Drive-In has been purchased by Alan V.<br />
Iselin. Albany, N. Y., from John Hmit and<br />
Raymond Carsky, who with their families<br />
had operated the theatre as a successful<br />
and profitable venture for the last seven<br />
years.<br />
Although Hunt and Carsky plan to rest<br />
and take things easy for the present, they<br />
will keep in close touch with exhibition<br />
and maintain their industry contacts.<br />
Noted composer and conductor Franz<br />
Waxman is scoring "Taras Bulba" for UA.<br />
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BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962<br />
SE-1
has<br />
. . Eddie<br />
Nancy<br />
MIAMI<br />
Tayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay were<br />
the special guests at the Children's<br />
Asthma Research Institute dinner at the<br />
Fontainebleau. She was discussing her next<br />
"<br />
film. "The Loves of Hercules. Miss Mansfield,<br />
who received a plaque from the Institute,<br />
said she and her husband also work<br />
for muscular distrophy as well as a number<br />
of other charitable project^s. They also<br />
were special guests at the opening of the<br />
; a screen game,<br />
HOLLYWOOD takes top<br />
honors. As a box-office attraction,<br />
it is without equoL If has<br />
been a favorite with theatre goers for<br />
over 15 years. Write today for complete details.<br />
Be sure to give seating or car capacity,<br />
HOLLYWOOD AMUSEMENT CO. .<br />
3750 Ookton St. * Skokic, Illinois<br />
new CMA discount store March 29. at 135th<br />
St. and South Dixie Highw^ay lU. S. li.<br />
John Payne, who was here last 20 years<br />
ago to make a movie, is currently doing<br />
"Tender Loving Care" at the Coconut Grove<br />
Playhouse.<br />
i<br />
Eleanor Powell was awarded the annual<br />
PROPS Academy Aw^ard at the dinner held<br />
at the Eden Roc Hotel. The award is called<br />
the "Jerri" in honor of Mrs. Paul<br />
Kjueger) Pollak, who is the<br />
Jerri<br />
guiding light<br />
of this area's group of women of show<br />
business.<br />
James D. MacDonald, whose best seller,<br />
"The Executioners," has been made into a<br />
"<br />
suspense movie, "Cape Pear, arrived<br />
to take part in the world premiere April<br />
12 at Florida State's Olympia, Beach, Gables.<br />
Shores and Florida in Hollywood in<br />
Fort Lauderdale and the Paramount in<br />
Palm Beach. Also due in town for the<br />
opening is Barrie Chase, who has a dramatic<br />
role in the film.<br />
The Camera Equipment Co. has received<br />
word that the filming of "PT-109" will<br />
start June 1 with locations ranging from<br />
Key Largo to Key West.<br />
Si Steinhouser, secretai-y of the Miami<br />
Variety Club, has been placed on the advisory<br />
board of the newly created Radio<br />
Hall of Fame, the brainchild of the American<br />
College of Radio Arts. Crafts and<br />
Sciences. Steinhouser has 30 years of experience<br />
as radio commentator and TV<br />
editor.<br />
Twentieth Century-Fox's Harry Reinhardt<br />
and his wife Bea have been vacationing<br />
at the Algiers Hotel, Miami Beach.<br />
Their son Burt has just been made head<br />
of Movietone Newsreel.<br />
Frank Sinatra, who has been in Nassau,<br />
came to Miami Beach for a one night show<br />
for guests only at ths Fontainebleau Hotel.<br />
He is plannmi a trip to South America.<br />
South Miami Hoipital's auxiliary has<br />
made arrangements With Womctco's Miracle<br />
Theatre in Coral Gables for a benefit<br />
pr miere showing of "St:,te Fair." Proceeds<br />
will be used to au_;min„ i.ie lunds for<br />
a hoipic.'.l tlevator. Th." event will have a<br />
i;rcmitrj flavor with all the trimmings anj<br />
Bunny Leninger is chairman of th3 event.<br />
i<br />
<<br />
.<br />
Variety Children's Hospital will have a<br />
dinner dance benefit December 20 at the<br />
Eden Roc Hotel, with Mrs. Al<br />
Pollak and Mrs. Robert<br />
i<br />
Phyllis!<br />
Greene<br />
as cochaiiTnen Bracken was in<br />
tow-n and was scheduled to drop in to<br />
watch a Twist-a-Thon at the PAL Auditorium.<br />
Cliif Lorbeck to NAC Board<br />
CHICAGO — Clifford Lorbeck has been<br />
appointed to fill the vacancy on the board<br />
of directors of National Ass'n of Concessionaires,<br />
created by the resignation of<br />
George Bi-ummett.<br />
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SE-2 BOXOFFICE :: April 9, 1962
. . Gene<br />
. . TOMMY<br />
Theatrevision Inaugural<br />
In New York, Rochester<br />
ROCHESTER. N. Y. — Nt-ws wiitcr.s<br />
talked to images on a .screen and the images<br />
replied in a press conference that<br />
took place the other day in the Auditorium<br />
Theatre to pretest an entertainment<br />
"<br />
medium called "Theatrevision. The closedcircuit<br />
television system by which Rochester<br />
and New York City simultaneously<br />
watched the play, "Gideon," was inaugurated<br />
at the Auditorium. In New York the<br />
play was presented in the cour.se of its<br />
current run in the Plymouth Theatre.<br />
Audiences here saw it on a 15x20-foot<br />
screen.<br />
At the trial-run ceremony. Mayor Henry<br />
E. Gillette said "hello" and a few words to<br />
Douglas Campbell, who plays the title role<br />
in "Gideon": to playwright Paddy Chayefsky:<br />
to Nathan Zucker, head of Dynamic<br />
Theatre network, owner and operator of<br />
Theatrevision, and to Arthur Cantor, vicepresident.<br />
All were seated on the New<br />
York stage, which was set for a performance.<br />
The camera showed the full stage<br />
and moved in for medium shots and closeups.<br />
The figures in full stage setting were<br />
life-size and larger in closeups.<br />
Questions directed to each of the four<br />
elicited comments on the play itself, on the<br />
possible future of Theatrevision and on<br />
technical aspects of the experiment. What<br />
was said was eclipsed by the technical impact<br />
of the whole operation. Those present<br />
concurred that the images were of the<br />
quality of clearly projected television images,<br />
though larger, and that the sound<br />
was satisfactory.<br />
Mayor Gillette proclaimed Wednesday,<br />
March 28, the opening day as Theatrevision<br />
Day, extending a welcome to New York<br />
critics and theatre personalities.<br />
Joaquin Murietta Story<br />
To Be Filmed in Spain<br />
HOLLYWOOD—"The Firebrand," a biographical<br />
film of Joaquin Murietta which<br />
Robert L. Lippert will film as his next lowbudget<br />
feature for 20th-Pox, will be shot in<br />
its entirety in Spain, according to the producer.<br />
Hari-y Spalding has written the<br />
script for the film which is slated to start<br />
in about six weeks.<br />
Lippert is cuiTently making "Air Patrol,"<br />
which Maui-y Dexter is producing and directing<br />
at Producers Studio here, and also<br />
has scheduled a spring start for "Gold<br />
Mountain," based on the Lost Dutchman<br />
gold mine legend in Arizona. Besides these,<br />
Lippert will make one more film on his<br />
present 20th-Pox pact.<br />
Berlin Festival Retains<br />
Pam/Joseph for Publicity<br />
HOLLYWOOD—The firm of Pam Joseph<br />
& Associates will represent the Berlin Film<br />
Festival in public relations, according to<br />
Bert Reisfeld, Festival coordinator in this<br />
country. A special committee now is screening<br />
American entries for the Festival, which<br />
is scheduled for June 22-July 3 in West<br />
Berlin.<br />
Pam Joseph will also be at the Festival<br />
to handle facilities for English-speaking<br />
journalists, under supervision of Dr. A.<br />
Bauer, secretary general of the film<br />
festival.<br />
CHARLOTTE<br />
The red carpet was rolled out for Mrs. Kip<br />
Smiley March 28 when the girls at<br />
Paramount honored her at a luncheon at<br />
the Luau restaurant. Mrs. Smiley, who.se<br />
husband is the new Paramount exchange<br />
manager, having been transferred here<br />
from Cincinnati, was presented a corsage<br />
of red roses, the red rose being the official<br />
flower of Charlotte. Wives of the office<br />
manager, salesmen and bookers also were<br />
guests at the luncheon. The Paramount<br />
hostesses included Teresa Wilkinson, Mildred<br />
Hoover, Myrtle Parker, EUein Austin,<br />
Mrs. Jerry Helms, Mrs. Jack King. Mrs.<br />
James C. Neil. Mrs. T. A. Talbert, Mrs.<br />
Yates Pryor, Mrs. Joe Cutrell and Mrs.<br />
Barney Slaughter jr.<br />
WOMPI members again acted as hostesses<br />
at the Carolina Theatre March 22 for<br />
the press preview opening of "Seven Wonders<br />
of the World," one of the Cinerama<br />
series. Hostesses were Betty Beatty. Clarinda<br />
Craig, Libby Hinson, Hazel Miller,<br />
Mildred Hoover, Thelma Cupp, Evelyn<br />
Robinson and Sylvia Lowe.<br />
The Rev. Lee R. Spencer, pastor of the<br />
Hawthorne Lane Methodist Church and<br />
chaplain for the Ass'n of Women of the<br />
Motion Picture Industry, was the guest<br />
speaker at the Charlotte WOMPI club's<br />
March luncheon meeting. He was introduced<br />
by Mrs. Myrtle D. Parker, association<br />
president. Committee chairman reports<br />
were given by Amalie Gantt, service,<br />
and Mrs. Mack Wess, finance.<br />
The St. Patrick's Day party given by<br />
the WOMPI service committee at Green<br />
Acres Rest Home was a big success. The<br />
program included a dance routine by Beth<br />
and Kathy Royster, whose father George<br />
is a salesman at Universal. Their mother<br />
Jeanette is employed at Buena Vista Film<br />
Distributors. Jimmy Hutton, husband of<br />
Rose Hutton at Columbia, sang several<br />
Irish songs. Mack Wess, dressed as St. Patrick,<br />
did an Irish jig. Refreshments of<br />
punch and green and white cookies were<br />
served by Ruth Youngblood, Ruby Brooks,<br />
Mary Klouse. Blanche Carr, Alice Craver,<br />
Myrtle Parker, Mable Long, Irene Monahan,<br />
Amalie Gantt, Jeanette Royster, Viola<br />
Wister and Rose Hutton.<br />
sef»ef/nG<br />
Annie Mae Williams, a member of<br />
WOMPI and former Charlotte correspondent<br />
for BoxorricE, died Sunday, March 25.<br />
Services were held here Tuesday, March<br />
27. Miss Williams was a charter member of<br />
Charlotte WOMPI. She is survived by her<br />
mother, Mrs. Rufus Williams, and her<br />
brother Edgar.<br />
Thelma Gulp, Warner Bros., is a patient<br />
at Pre.sbyterian Hospital after undergoing<br />
minor surgery. She is making satisfactory<br />
progress and hopes to return to her desk<br />
soon .<br />
Jacobs, UA divisional manager,<br />
spent several days in the local UA exchange.<br />
Heartfelt sympathy Ls extended to Louise<br />
Goodson, United Artists, on the recent loss<br />
of her father. L. A. Punderburk . . . Gene<br />
Skinner of the Dixie Drive-In Theatres,<br />
Atlanta, was here this week . . . Johnnie<br />
Johnston, UA booker, has been confined to<br />
her home by<br />
UA cashier,<br />
flu . . . Josephine Donnelly,<br />
is a new grandmother. Hei<br />
grandson is Roy Bryan Stoker.<br />
Among others, Mrs. Harold Keeler, Linda<br />
and Richard Breyare, Gene Gregory, Clarinda<br />
Craig, Nancy Wise, Janet Ingle, Janet<br />
Floyd. Mildred Warren, Mrs. J. H. Dillon,<br />
Viola and Emery Wister attended the invitational<br />
screening of "Judgment at Nuremberg"<br />
at the Dilworth Theatre March<br />
29 "Watty" Watson and "Addie" Addison<br />
jr. . . .<br />
were in Charlotte a few days in<br />
connection with the exploitation of "Judgment<br />
at Nuremberg."<br />
Nancy Wise, United Artists, and her<br />
mother spent a weekend in Charleston, S.<br />
C, visiting the gardens and taking a tour<br />
of old Charleston.<br />
Richard Brooks will film "Lord Jim,"<br />
the Joseph Conrad classic for Columbia.<br />
jCcutoiina.<br />
. . William<br />
. . The<br />
. . The<br />
. . New<br />
. . WOMPI<br />
. . Long<br />
. . . Ida<br />
. . . Here<br />
. , Kay<br />
and<br />
. . The<br />
JACKSONVILLE<br />
Dernard Levy, new executive liaison officer<br />
for the southern motion picture theatres<br />
of AB-PT, arrived here from New<br />
York for a downstate tour of Florida State<br />
Theatres properties . . . FST's underwater<br />
theatre at Weeki Wachee Spring which<br />
features hourly subterranean ballet shows<br />
to audiences in a snug-and-dry 400-seat<br />
auditorium, continues to gain national<br />
prominence. An interesting story in the<br />
May issue of "Teen" magazine carries<br />
Weeki Wachee to youthful readers and<br />
NBC's Today program, shown locally over<br />
WFGAs Channel 12 Thursday i5i gave<br />
national televising to the Weeki Wachee<br />
attractions.<br />
Douglas Walker, well-known Columbia<br />
booker and prominent in Co-WOMPI<br />
activities, has leased the Ilan Theatre at<br />
nearby Pernandina from owner Ed Beach.<br />
Walker's operation of the Ilan began March<br />
30 . Parker of Charlotte, N. C.<br />
husband of Mildred Parker, president of<br />
the national WOMPI Ass'n, spent an evening<br />
here with Mary Hart, fomier national<br />
WOMPI vice-president, and her husband<br />
John Hart, national president of Co-<br />
WOMPI, while Parker was en route to a<br />
national Shrine directors convention in<br />
Miami.<br />
Filmrow visitors included Sam Strathos<br />
of Daytona Beach, who operates the Park<br />
Theatre, Starke: J. C. Kaniaris. San Marco<br />
Drive-In. St. Augustine Beach: Bob MuUis,<br />
High Springs; T. E. Bell, New Smyrna<br />
Beach, and Bill Carroll, Orlando . . . Burial<br />
services were held here Saturday. March<br />
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31. for Mrs. Minnie Lee Burton, long an<br />
active member of the Motion Picture<br />
Council and the mother-in-law of F^-ed<br />
Mathis. Paramount manager.<br />
F. L. "Bill" Alig, 52, owner and operator<br />
of the Volusia Drive-In at Daytona Beach,<br />
died of a heart attack in his home there<br />
March 26. He was well-known in the industry<br />
and had operated other theatres in<br />
Waycross. Ga.. and both indoor and drivein<br />
theatres in the Florida communities of<br />
Tampa. Plant City, Lakeland and Winter<br />
Haven. He is survived by his wife, a son,<br />
and by his father F. L. Alig sr. of Lakeland,<br />
who was controller of Florida State Theatres<br />
many years ago.<br />
. . .<br />
A WOMPI membership meeting March<br />
24 was addressed by Frank Blodgett,<br />
Mary<br />
Civilian Defense executive<br />
Booker. 20th-Pox, won the door prize , . .<br />
Ida Belle Levey. WOMPI service chairman,<br />
received Jerry Lewis citations of merit from<br />
the Muscular Dystrophy Ass'n on behalf<br />
of her organization and the many local<br />
theatres which participated in the group's<br />
recent fund drive . . . The next WOMPI<br />
board meeting is scheduled for April 10 in<br />
the FST conference room.<br />
Special WOMPI birthday felicitations<br />
were extended to Philomena Eckert, Columbia:<br />
Shirley Gordon. United Artists:<br />
Betty Healy, FST, and Betty Loop, Dixie<br />
Drive-In Theatres . Celeste<br />
Art Linkletter, radio and television entertainer,<br />
was the guest of honor and speaker<br />
at a March 27 luncheon in the Roosevelt<br />
Hotel attended by more than 200 business<br />
and governmental leaders of the city. Linkletter<br />
came here to attend a meeting of Blackshear. Ga. . WOMPI members<br />
Crawford and her husband have moved to<br />
the directors of the Royal Crown Cola Co. are Edwina Ray. FST: Carol House. 20thand<br />
to observe operations of the firm's Pox, and Linda Griffin, United Artists.<br />
bottling plant. When he arrived here, a<br />
huge throng of parents and<br />
A fine tribute to the<br />
children were<br />
WOMPI organization<br />
waiting for Linkletter at Imeson<br />
was received by President<br />
Airport<br />
Anne Dillon<br />
and Lithona Rozier, current Gator Bowl<br />
from William A. Ruth, prominent business<br />
queen, presented him with man<br />
a two-foot<br />
and a leader of the Heart Ass'n.<br />
long<br />
He<br />
alligator.<br />
said, in part: "The WOMPI reputation in<br />
fund raising is widely known but this is<br />
the first time we have had occasion to<br />
observe and admire your work. The tireless<br />
efforts and outstanding initiative of<br />
WOMPI in the Heart Ass'n drive are<br />
deserving of the highest commendation.<br />
On behalf of the Heart Ass'n board of<br />
directors and executive committee. I express<br />
our sincere thanks for all the work<br />
"<br />
that WOMPIs have done.<br />
The Florida Theatre's motion picture<br />
screen went on the fly to permit stage<br />
presentations April 4, 5 of Meredith Willson's<br />
touring production of "The Music<br />
Man" . screen version of Beethoven's<br />
opera, "Fidelio," a Germanmade<br />
film, was presented by Manager Al<br />
Hildreth of the San Marco Art Theatre<br />
under sponsorship of the Friday Musicale.<br />
C. H. "Danny" Deaver, manager of the<br />
Town and Counti-y. had a strong advance<br />
exploitation campaign for his showings<br />
of "The Children's Hour". . runs<br />
continued for "Cinerama Holiday" at the<br />
"<br />
Five Points and "Sweet Bird of Youth at<br />
the Center . only new downtown<br />
first-run openings were of "The Outsider"<br />
at the Florida and the double-billing of<br />
"Last of the 'Vikings" and "Desert Warrior"<br />
at the Imperial.<br />
The Motion Picture Charity Club of Florida,<br />
which maintains clubi-ooms in the<br />
local Seminole Hotel for its rapidly expanding<br />
membership, has announced a<br />
membership drive under the leadership of<br />
President W. A. "Bill" McClure and with<br />
all members of the board of directors serving<br />
on the membership committee. A sliding<br />
scale of reasonable dues, based on each<br />
member's annual wage, is one of the main<br />
incentives for joining the club. McClure<br />
stated. Dues were payable beginning April<br />
1. MPCC provides an interesting round of<br />
annual social activities for its members and<br />
gives them an opportunity for individual<br />
and group participation in a worthwhile<br />
charity, the Blind Children's Foundation,<br />
which is financed solely by MPCC.<br />
Jane Davis, FST newspaper ad writer,<br />
came up with the idea of promoting a "motion<br />
i)icture of the month" on the front<br />
cover of the monthly "WOMPI Bulletin."<br />
"Lover Come Back" was featui'ed in February<br />
and "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse"<br />
in March. Jane said. "We need more<br />
enthusiasm among our own Filmrow people<br />
for the outstanding entertainment<br />
product we are providing for the public."<br />
Bonnie Dixon, former WOMPI. and Richard<br />
Lewis. 20th-Fox booker, are planning<br />
a June wedding . . . Jackie Hess. WOMPI<br />
honorary member at Columbia, has returned<br />
to her desk after a recent illness<br />
Belle Levey. United Artists, reported<br />
that WOMPIs donated 142 hours<br />
of service to the Heart Ass'n during February<br />
. Tomlinson. Edgewood concessions<br />
worker and Lee High student, is a<br />
transfer from a girls' school in Switzerland.<br />
Her father is an oil company pathologist<br />
in Saudi Arabia.<br />
Newly welcomed into WOMPI membership<br />
are Edwina Ray. FST home office:<br />
Linda Griffin, United Artists; and Carol<br />
House, 20th-Pox . next WOMPI<br />
board meeting has been set for 5:15 p.m.,<br />
April 10, in the FST conference room.<br />
Harry Clark, Allied Artists salesman, and<br />
Ed Bledsoe, Universal salesman, were both<br />
calling on exhibitors in the Miami area<br />
for appearances in stage performances<br />
of "Prescription: Murder" at the<br />
Armory were stars Joseph Gotten, Thomas<br />
Mitchell, Agnes Moorehead and Patricia<br />
Medina.<br />
AA Will Distribute 'Rider/<br />
Phoenix Films Production<br />
LOS ANGELES—Allied Artists announced<br />
it has acquired world distribution<br />
rights to Phoenix Film Studios' "Rider on<br />
a Dead Horse." an outdoor drama.<br />
John Vivyan. Lisa Lu. Bruce Gordon and<br />
Kevin Hagen head the cast of the film,<br />
directed by Herb Strock from a screenplay<br />
by Stephen Longstreet based on a story by<br />
James Edmiston. Jules Schwartz and<br />
Kenneth Altose, Phoenix toppers, were<br />
executive producer and producer, respectively.<br />
WB Signs Henry Mancini<br />
For 'Wine-Roses' Score<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Henry Mancini has been<br />
set to compose the musical score for "Days<br />
of Wine and Roses." Warner Bros, film<br />
starring Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick.<br />
Mancini recently scored "Experiment in<br />
"<br />
Terror was nominated for an Oscar<br />
for his song. "Moon River," from "Breakfast<br />
at Tiffany's."<br />
SE-4 BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962
. . . Margaret<br />
—<br />
. . Lorene<br />
. . Howard<br />
. . Louise<br />
. .<br />
'South Seas' 400 Tops<br />
Solid Memphis Week<br />
MEMPHIS — The first week of Cinerama's<br />
South Seas Adventure" did 400 per<br />
cent of average at the Palace Theatre to<br />
set the pace for Memphis first runs. The<br />
State Theatre had twice average attendance<br />
with "The Outsider."<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Molco Lover Come Bock (U-l), 5th wk 150<br />
Palace— South Seas Adventure (Cinerama) 400<br />
Ploza The Four Horsemen of the Apocolypse<br />
(MGM) 100<br />
Stotc—The Outsider (U-i) 200<br />
Strond A View From the Bridge (Cont'l) 100<br />
Warner—Walk on the Wild Side (Col), 2nd wk. 150<br />
MEMPHIS<br />
V K. King, owner, said that the Dixie<br />
Drive-in, Searcy. Ark., went into weekend<br />
operation March 30 and will hit a fulltime<br />
schedule April 22 .<br />
Nicholson,<br />
Paramount exchange manager, held<br />
a sneak preview of the Paramount film,<br />
"Escape Pi-om Zahrain" at the Park Theatre<br />
March 28.<br />
Drive-in openings: White River. Batesville.<br />
Ark.. March 30: Ozark. Harrison. Ark.,<br />
March 30; Lake, Sardis, Miss., March 29:<br />
Maurice Bass, owner, Skyvue, Jackson.<br />
Tenn.. April 4: Twilight, Bruce, Miss., for<br />
weekend operatioiis, April 6: J. U. Burton,<br />
owner. Lake. Wynnbmg. Tenn.. March 30;<br />
H. B. Palmer, owner. South Twin. Paducah,<br />
Ky., April 1, and W. C. Schmidt, owner,<br />
Arrow, Steelville, Mo., April 4.<br />
Amelia Ellis, who owns and operates the<br />
Ellis Drive-In, Millington, is up and around<br />
after eight weeks in a Memphis hospital.<br />
Miss Ellis is well on the road to recovery<br />
Dukes, Malco Theatres, Is in<br />
Methodist hospital recovering from a<br />
broken hip . Stephens of Air Dispatch<br />
is recovering from an illness in St.<br />
Joseph's Hospital.<br />
Leon Rountree, Holly, Holly Springs, and<br />
T. E. 'Williams, Tyson, Clarksdale, were in<br />
Memphis from Mississippi . Mask,<br />
Luez. Bolivar, was in Memphis booking .<br />
Gordon Hutchins. 64 Drive-In. Russellville.<br />
and John Staples, Carolyn, Piggott,<br />
were among visiting Arkansas exhibitors.<br />
WOMPI members had a spaghetti dinner<br />
in the Continental Baking Co.'s hostess<br />
room. Hostesses were Jesse Rae Lucy. Leone<br />
Cooper and Juanita Hamblin . . . Lurlene<br />
Carothers, 'WOMPI service chairman,<br />
has received a certificate for 35 hours of<br />
service to the March of Dimes . . . 'Ways<br />
and means 'WOMPI chairman Bonnie<br />
Steward announced that plans are being<br />
made to sponsor a 'WOMPI Academy<br />
Awards contest. Forms for taking part are<br />
available at the film exchanges.<br />
'Airborne' to Pctrade<br />
HOLLYWOOD — "Airborne," an 85-<br />
minute feature produced by Art Diamond,<br />
former booker, has been optioned for release<br />
by Parade, although Diamond says<br />
he is seeking a major distribution deal.<br />
The film, dealing with the 82nd Airborne<br />
Division, was shot on a 16-day schedule at<br />
Ft. Bragg on a $90,000 budget, and stars<br />
Diamond's son Robert. James Landis wrote<br />
the<br />
script.<br />
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BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962 SE-5
. .<br />
ATLANTA<br />
The Atlanta Better Films Council held a<br />
hat style show for their members and<br />
friends at the Atlanta Federal Savings &<br />
Loan Co. March 29. The spring chapeaux<br />
were sold to help finance club projects.<br />
The Martin circuit sold the President<br />
Theatre. Manchester, to H. R. Richards.<br />
The Tom Jones Agency will handle all<br />
booking and buying for this theatre .<br />
J. D. Houslcy. Dixie Lee Drive-In. Lenoir<br />
City, Tenn., is recuperating after a two-<br />
Arc Carbons<br />
^tanda/id &^ ike<br />
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The ONLY Imported Carbon<br />
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. . Gene<br />
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. . Mr.<br />
. .<br />
. .<br />
NEW ORLEANS<br />
Lo-<br />
shown with the new<br />
arc follow spotlight recently installed<br />
at the Gordon Theatre, Baton Rouge,<br />
La.<br />
NEW ARC SPOT—Joe Beasley,<br />
cal 540. lATSE, is<br />
Plato Skouras Points Out<br />
Challenge in 'Assisi'<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—Trying to<br />
do the right<br />
thing i.s much better than doing nothing,<br />
Plato Skouras. producer of "Francis of<br />
Assisi." points out in a letter to Mother<br />
Mary Jude of the Villa Maria Academy at<br />
Prontenac, Mimi.. which was published in<br />
the Wanderer, Catholic publication of<br />
this diocese.<br />
Mother Mary Jude had written Skouras<br />
praising him for making the "inspiring"<br />
film.<br />
Pointing out that about 90 per cent of<br />
the Catholic press supported "Francis of<br />
Assisi," he said the film did not do the<br />
business of "Song of Bernadette" in this<br />
country and felt the Catholic clergy was<br />
responsible in part for this, along with<br />
weaknesses in the picture. He urged people,<br />
clergy and laymen, who are interested<br />
in the triumph of the spiritual way of life,<br />
as contrasted with the material, to write<br />
film producers and the press in support of<br />
honestly made productions such as "Francis<br />
of Assisi," even though they may not<br />
be perfect.<br />
The business manager of the Wanderer<br />
is Kay Farkas, who is active in supporting<br />
all types of good films.<br />
Rawitch, Livingston Move<br />
To New Industry Posts<br />
VAN NUYS, CALIF.—Bernard Rawitch,<br />
formerly with Statewide Theatres, has<br />
been named managing director for the<br />
Panorama Theatre, Panorama City.<br />
Rawitch replaces Stan Livingston, who<br />
has resigned to accept the position of general<br />
manager for Holiday Theatres, the<br />
newest circuit in Southern California. Holiday<br />
is the property of Jack Grossman and<br />
associates.<br />
Donahue, Mills Teen Choices<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Troy Donahue and Hayley<br />
Mills were voted by teenagers a,s<br />
"favoi-ite movie performers of the past<br />
year" for their roles in "Parrish" and<br />
"Parent Trap." according to a ballot conducted<br />
by Teen magazine.<br />
^r. and Mrs. Harry Thomas ol the Gulf<br />
States personnel week-ended at Beaumont<br />
. Goodman of UA and Joe<br />
.'-liver and Louise Oubre of 20th-Fox confirrcd<br />
at the Gulf States office in Mc-<br />
Comb . Ragsdalc. assistant at Loews<br />
State, became father of a baby daughlrr<br />
named Faith.<br />
Joseph Cotten, Thoma.s Mitchell and<br />
Agnes Moorehead were due in a Municipal<br />
Auditorium presentation April 17, 18. Nelson<br />
Eddy was singing at the Roosevelt.<br />
George Bruno, who helps to keep activities<br />
himiming at the F. F. Goodrow<br />
exchange, was home a couple of days suffering<br />
with bronchitis . and Mrs.<br />
Pa-se Baker attended the funeral of M. H.<br />
Brandon in Memphis . Kay, chief of<br />
Don Kay Enterprises, planed to Atlanta<br />
for a week, while Floyd Harvey jr., was on<br />
a trek to Little Rock and Memphis.<br />
Barney Woolner was back at his desk at<br />
Woolner Pictures offices here after a trek<br />
to Jacksonville and Miami. Lawrence Woolner<br />
returned from a swing through the<br />
east and midwest and in Canada. The Woolners'<br />
interest these days are the many openings<br />
of "Plight of the Lost Balloon" .<br />
Jim Frew, Continental Distributing, Atlanta,<br />
was joined here by Carl Peppercorn<br />
from the home office in New York .<br />
Catherine D'Alfonso. Warner head cashier,<br />
and her husband Anthony attended the<br />
wedding of Catherine's daughter Jean Tanner<br />
and Ed Baxley in Atlanta.<br />
Transway items: J. G. Broggi, buyer and<br />
booker for the Ritz Drive-In. Lucedale.<br />
Miss., reported a reopening on May 6 is<br />
scheduled. The owner is S. L. Graham, who<br />
also operates the indoor Ritz there . . .<br />
Lee Gaudet who held the reins at the Cox.<br />
Pierre Park, for a short time, found business<br />
not up to par so he closed the theatre<br />
Ail<br />
IT'S<br />
the<br />
DIFFERENT!<br />
. . . A. L. Royal reopened the Meridian<br />
I<br />
Miss. Drive-In.<br />
I<br />
Among Fihnrow callers were Fred T. Mc-<br />
Ltndon, head of the McLendon circuit<br />
Union Springs. Ala.: Doyle Maynard.<br />
Natchitoches; Jim Davis of W. P. Straub's<br />
theatres in Wiggins, MLss.; Mrs. O. J. Barre.<br />
Luling; Anna Molzon, Royal at Norco;<br />
Frank Olah jr., Star at Albany; T. G<br />
Solomon, Jim DeNeve and Ed Delaney ol<br />
Gulf States, McComb; Alex A.shy, Delta<br />
at Oakdale; Mrs. Aubrey Lasseigne, Arcade<br />
at Patterson and St. Mary's Drive-In<br />
at Berwick: Paul Brunet. local Dixie; Pic<br />
Mosely. Picayune theatres; Claude Bourgeois,<br />
Biloxi, and Prank Pa.squa. Pasqua<br />
Theatre, Gonzales.<br />
The screen lighting of the Joy Drive-In<br />
at Minden has been adjusted by installation<br />
of a pair of Strong 135 lamps furnished<br />
by Hodges Theatre Supply. The drive-in is<br />
one of Bill Cobb's string of theatres in<br />
Louisiana. H. J. Ballam, Hodges field engineer,<br />
John Cadwell.<br />
was on the job . . . Hodges manager, called at theatres in Oakdale<br />
and towns in that vicinity . . . Paul<br />
Back, new Buena Vista salesman, started<br />
work Monday i2) in the job vacated by<br />
Floyd Harvey jr., who has been with Don<br />
Kay Enterprises since early January. Douglas<br />
Desch, BV southwestern district reprepresentative,<br />
accompanied Back to New<br />
Orleans.<br />
Two Investigators from the city council<br />
rt ported they found nofning obscene in<br />
"Walk on the Wild Side," which did a<br />
terrific business in its first week at the<br />
RKO Orpheum, nudging the $25,000 week<br />
of "The Guns of Navarone" in 1961.<br />
"A Child Is Waiting." a UA release, is<br />
the story of a mentally retarded youngster<br />
who brings a crisis in the lives of all concerned<br />
with him.<br />
ITS GREAT!<br />
IT'LL MAKE YOUR 'OFF NIGHT'<br />
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Phone WAlnut 8-5832 P. O. Box 158<br />
JOHNSON CITY, TENNESSEE<br />
WYLIE<br />
A<br />
Also "BAKER'S"<br />
LUCKY or BINGO<br />
BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962 SE-7
"<br />
he<br />
and<br />
Classification, Oscar Nominee Ads<br />
Frowned On by Producer Dore Schary<br />
By RAYMOND LOWERY<br />
CHAPEL HILL. N.<br />
C.—Doie Schary disclosed<br />
at a news conference here that he<br />
has two new works in progress. Both are<br />
plays, although one will appear first as a<br />
book of personal reminiscences.<br />
Broadway audiences are seeking out<br />
musicals as a relief from the plays of bitterness<br />
and decay, according to Schary.<br />
but staging a successful musical is "very<br />
tough."<br />
Movies have improved, he feels. "Television<br />
forced them to improve." he said,<br />
"just as sound forced them to improve."<br />
He added that the outstanding foreign pictures<br />
are having an effect on moviegoing<br />
and moviemaking in America.<br />
Schary said he was opposed to the classification<br />
of movies, not only by legislative<br />
edict, but by the producers and exhibitors<br />
as well. He explained he distrusted "the<br />
hustlers" who play up the "adults only"<br />
tag in theii- advertising.<br />
As for the Academy Awards, they have<br />
been "scandalized by advertising and<br />
hustling." Schary maintained. He admired<br />
actor George C. Scott for trying to withdraw<br />
his name from nomination as best<br />
actor in a supporting role.<br />
"It took a lot of courage." said Schary.<br />
"but I don't know what effect it will have."<br />
Would he advertise for an award?<br />
"When Sunrise at Campobello' received<br />
two nominations. I took out one ad." he<br />
said, "just as a favor to my agent." Schary<br />
won an award for "Boys Town."<br />
Schary's book, based on his family lof<br />
Newark. N. J.i and set in the period of<br />
1916-24. will be published by Random<br />
House in October. This work, titled "For<br />
Special Occasions," is expected to reach<br />
Broadway as a play with music, either next<br />
season or the one to follow.<br />
The second play— it has a Hollywood<br />
background and is untitled as yet—will be<br />
concerned with the breakup of the large<br />
movie studios in the 1950s and the influence<br />
of power in the industry.<br />
"It will be kind of critical." he said.<br />
"and kind of favorable."<br />
Schai-y, a former production chief for<br />
SE-8<br />
seticfine<br />
Ihc RKO and MGM studios, turned to the<br />
legitimate theatre a few years ago and<br />
i<br />
achieved fame as a playwright "Sunrise<br />
I<br />
at Campobello" director i"The Unsinkable<br />
Molly Brown" >.<br />
Recently he was artist-in-residence<br />
at the University of North Carolina's department<br />
of dramatic art. Students and<br />
faculty reported he introduced vigor and<br />
excitement into the departmental agency<br />
of the famed Carolina Playmakers.<br />
With dignity and an easy manner, he<br />
commented Friday on a wide variety of<br />
topics pertaining to the entertainment<br />
world. He said he preferred the theatre to<br />
n.olion pictures because "in the theatre<br />
one is more closely identified with his work.<br />
"One reason I left Hollywood is that I<br />
wanted to get away from judgment by a<br />
board of directors. I told the studio iMGMi<br />
I wanted to leave in a year, but I left before<br />
the year was up. I was fired."<br />
This was a time of upheaval at MGM.<br />
The late Louis B. Mayer was removed before<br />
the axe fell on Schary.<br />
So I went to Europe with the family<br />
to decide what to do." he continued, "and<br />
my decision was to enter the theatre."<br />
Dors he hope to write another "Sunrise<br />
at Campobello?"<br />
"You can catch lightning in a bottle just<br />
once, said. "But I'm still interested in<br />
biography."<br />
Schary deplored the "obscenity and pornography"<br />
in many of the plays on and<br />
off Broadway today. But he could see a<br />
reason, if not an excuse, for it.<br />
"The curious kind of shadow under which<br />
we have all been living, and which the<br />
young feel more deeply than others," he<br />
said, "is reflected in the present-day theatre.<br />
The theatre always reflects the world<br />
in which it exists, as do the movies and our<br />
novels and stories."<br />
Fear and instability, he said, are characteristic<br />
of our time: "Our young people<br />
have lived only in an atmosphere of tension<br />
and trouble, under the shadow of the<br />
atomic cloud."<br />
This has resulted in a breakdown in our<br />
basic moral standard. "I don't mean by<br />
D 2 yeors for $5 D<br />
D Remittonce Enclosed D Send Invoice<br />
THEATRE<br />
STREET ADDRESS<br />
1 yeor for $3 D 3 ycors for $7<br />
TOWN ZONE STATE<br />
NAME<br />
POSITION<br />
^^^^THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY 52 Issues a year<br />
825 Van Brunf Blvd., Kansas City 24, Mo.<br />
Cashier Sews on Button<br />
For Loew's 'Customer'<br />
Syracuse—Arthur Ijcvey, who will be<br />
managing: director of Loew's Hotels'<br />
first auto inn, the Howard Johnson<br />
Motor Lodge in New York City, was<br />
here recently to meet Loew's Manager<br />
Sam Oilman.<br />
Levey was standing outside the theatre<br />
when a button dropped off his<br />
coat. Cashier Emily Cecconi was just<br />
going off duty and spied him standing<br />
there with the button in his hand. She<br />
took him into the lobby and sewed on<br />
the button. The cashier didn't know<br />
him from Adam, even if he was better<br />
dressed.<br />
The Loew-Down commended it as<br />
"an example of customer-relations in<br />
action." and sent congratulations.<br />
that the Victorian standards, but such<br />
things as are reflected in our quiz scandals,<br />
the business and government .scandals,<br />
and the wilful cheating we do in oui- income<br />
tax preparation."<br />
"The bitterness of much of our playwriting<br />
is a bit alai-ming." he said. The<br />
theme in these work.s— that the ability<br />
of man is an illusion—he said he could understand.<br />
He could understand why it had<br />
taken root. "But although I agree with the<br />
disease. he said, "I don't agree with the<br />
"<br />
conclusion, their prescription. Man aspires<br />
to more. There is an incorruptible man!"<br />
"But the theatre will recover from its<br />
present troubles." he added. "It will recover<br />
because people who love the theatre will<br />
fight for it; playwrights who love it will<br />
write compelling plays and an audience<br />
who loves it will support it."<br />
Asked for his opinion of the hard-hitting<br />
Bosley Crowther biography of Louis B.<br />
Mayer, Schary said he felt Crowther was<br />
"a little harsh."<br />
"Bosley is a good, honest reporter," he<br />
said. "But his account wasn't well balanced,<br />
and I told him so. Mayer did some<br />
deplorable things, of coui-se. But he built<br />
up something that served as a pattern for<br />
the whole industry—the big studio and the<br />
star s.vstem—and that was extraordinary."<br />
New Concession Building<br />
ERIE. PA.—When the Lawrence Park<br />
Drive-In, a Blatt Bros. Theatres operation,<br />
opens for the 1962 season, it will have an<br />
all-new concession building on the site of<br />
the former structure. The new building, of<br />
concrete block and glass, will measure 80x40<br />
feet, or twice the size of the former buildin?.<br />
Western Automatic of Buffalo, managing<br />
the concession here, operates all the<br />
Blatt circuit concessions, indoor and outdoor.<br />
The new Lawrence Park Drive-In<br />
concession will be a self-service or cafeteria-type<br />
operation.<br />
Award to Drive-In Preacher<br />
SPRINGFIELD — The Rev. Kay M<br />
Glaesner. pastor of the St. John's Evangelical<br />
Lutheran Church, has been given<br />
the Freedom Award for a sermon he delivered<br />
last summer in Chakeres' Melody<br />
Crui.se-In drive-in. The .semion was entitled<br />
"From Musket to Rocket."<br />
BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962
. . . Lester<br />
. .<br />
EL PASO<br />
gill T. Bohling of the Capri Theatre and<br />
the Times and Herald-Post, local<br />
dailies, hosted carrier boys at a special<br />
performance of "Cinerama Holiday" .<br />
C. H. Crenshaw and wife were going over<br />
arrangements witli Joe Birdwell of El<br />
Paso Theatre Equipment & Service Co. for<br />
the opening of their Lyric Drive-In at<br />
Balmorhea.<br />
Ed Brinn of the MGM exchange at<br />
Denver called on local theatre managers<br />
and projectionists while here on a vacation<br />
H. Dollison, who owns several<br />
drive-ins in New Mexico and the North<br />
Loop here, conferred with Dan Negovan,<br />
manager of the North Loop.<br />
Joe Birdwell reports he has been appointed<br />
representative in western Texas,<br />
Arizona and Mexico for Strong Electric<br />
Corp. His El Paso Theatre Equipment &<br />
Service Co. is an advertiser in the Modern<br />
Theatre section of <strong>Boxoffice</strong> . . . Anii-<br />
Margret was here March 30 plugging the<br />
April 4 "State Pair" premiere at the Plaza<br />
Theatre. She is a staj- in the 20th-Fox<br />
musical. She was greeted by councilman<br />
Ted Bender at the airport and presented a<br />
western outfit from the local Del Norte<br />
luncheon for her at the Hilton.<br />
"Question 7" opened at the Valley Theatre<br />
managed by Ruben Calderon jr. . . .<br />
Thinking Out Loud, the citizens corner in<br />
the El Paso Herald-Post devoted to airing<br />
public opinions, has brought this information<br />
to readers concerning the recent film<br />
ratings published by the women's department<br />
of the Chamber of Commerce. Mrs.<br />
Virginia Clare writes: "I'm confused and<br />
disappointed. When the Herald-Post began<br />
the Movie Ratings coliunn recently, I<br />
thought what help this would be, but now<br />
I realize it won't! Wanting to know which<br />
were wholesome family movies, I tui'ned to<br />
the ratings one evening and saw that<br />
'Flower Dnim Song' was rated adult entertainment<br />
only, whUe 'Teenage Millionaire'<br />
was rated for the family. Thinking this<br />
sounded strange, I consulted Parent's<br />
Magazine and read: 'Flower Drum Song'<br />
excellent, Family Medal, while 'Teenage<br />
Millionaire' had this remark: 'Shoddy film<br />
obviously made to sell recordings, some excruciatingly<br />
vulgar scenes.' I would like to<br />
know where the committee from the<br />
Chamber of Commerce gets its information,<br />
and how can opinioiis be so different? Your<br />
idea of the movie review is fine, but if<br />
readers cannot trust the results, I believe<br />
it does more harm than good."<br />
Joe Racine Ass't Manager<br />
WORCESTER—Joe Racine has been<br />
named assistant manager of Loew's Poll<br />
Theatre,<br />
Vigorous Demand for Fair Reviews<br />
Published by Tulsa's Earl Snyder<br />
TULSA Earl Snyder, who operates the<br />
Orpheum Theatre and Sand Springs,<br />
Apache and Bellaire drive-ins, appealed<br />
to "citizens of Tulsa " to join him and his<br />
managers in urging the newspapers to provide<br />
honest and true reviews of motion<br />
pictures.<br />
His appeal, appearing in a two-column,<br />
11 -inch all-type ad in the Tulsa World,<br />
was made in answer to what he called "unjust<br />
and irresponsible" accusations, made<br />
in a letter by the president of a parents<br />
group which was published in Wheat's<br />
Field, a column by Chuck Wheat, by the<br />
World against "Walk on the Wild Side."<br />
Snyder's ad contended that Wheat's<br />
discussion of the film is personal opinion<br />
and fails to give a true analysis of the film.<br />
After pointing out that both the letter<br />
and Wheat's "review" condemn "Walk on<br />
the Wild Side" and the theatres playing it,<br />
the Snyder ad continues:<br />
"Too often of late this has happened<br />
without the theatres making a reply, simply<br />
because of the tremendous cost involved<br />
in buymg space in the paper to do so. But<br />
there comes a time when one can no longer<br />
ignore unjust and irresponsible accusations.<br />
"We feel sure that the letter written by<br />
the Tulsa w-oman indicating she feels it is<br />
her duly and desire to be a guardian of<br />
the American public was sincere in every<br />
way. But she apparently wrote this letter<br />
before the picture appeared on the Tulsa<br />
screen. Prom her reference to the story, it<br />
appears she had read the book but had<br />
not seen the pictm'e before writing her<br />
letter of condemnation.<br />
"As to the columnist, we are sure he gave<br />
you his honest opinion of 'WALK ON THE<br />
WILD SIDE.' But it was his personal<br />
opinion, to which he is certainly entitled.<br />
But it still does not give the public an<br />
honest and true review of the picture. The<br />
point we make is that it isn't the duty or<br />
obligation of a few individuals who never<br />
attend the movies to dictate what the<br />
American public Can see or Not see. Nor<br />
should a columnist expect the public to rely<br />
on his recommendation. Everyone has a<br />
mind of his own. and has his ow-n likes and<br />
dislikes for different things and should be<br />
allowed the privilege of choosing for himself.<br />
"We feel it is a moral obligation of the<br />
theatre management to let the public know<br />
what type of film is being offered on the<br />
screens so that you may choose freely for<br />
yourself whether you desire to see a<br />
particular movie. We also feel that Saturday<br />
afternoons should be the time when<br />
children may attend the movies if they so<br />
desire. It has always been the policy of<br />
the Orpheum Theatre, when playing a<br />
movie strictly for adults, to have a special<br />
children's show on Saturday afternoons.<br />
Many times it has been extremely costly<br />
for the theatre to do this—especially for a<br />
one time showing. But we feel this is an<br />
important service to our patrons to provide<br />
children's fare on Saturday afternoon. Yet.<br />
you never see an article in the paper commending<br />
the theatre for doing this. Nor do<br />
you receive any notice of these shows except<br />
through the advertisements which are paid<br />
for by the theatre.<br />
"We think that the columnist and the<br />
individual are sincere but instead of writing<br />
letters without facts, or giving personal<br />
opinion review, they should give you a<br />
complete review- of the picture so you may<br />
choose for yourself whether to see it, or<br />
let your children see it.<br />
" 'Walk on the Wild Side' is definitely<br />
a picture for adults. This we have been<br />
stating—not once— but two and three times<br />
in each of our ads.<br />
"As for the reference to 'lesbian' in the<br />
picture you can thank the newspaper<br />
columnist and the Tulsa woman's letter for<br />
knowing about this. This is not referred<br />
to in any way in the movie. Even the<br />
adults who have seen the picture have<br />
stated they did not know about this before<br />
reading the Friday morning new^spaper<br />
article. We now wonder which is the most<br />
'harmful'— the newspaper article or the<br />
movie? Thank you for your kind support<br />
of oui- theatres. We ask that you join with<br />
us in urging the newspapers to inform you<br />
properly of the motion pictures of today."<br />
"Lisa" has been chosen as the final title<br />
for 20th-Fox's "The Inspector."<br />
E for sPEcrAL Showtntutslup<br />
TRAILERS<br />
nOTIDIIPICTiESEIIIEEGi.<br />
125 HYDE ST. SAN FRANCISCO (2). CALIF.<br />
EL PASO THEATRE<br />
EQUIPMENT & SERVICE COMPANY<br />
2804 Cotnip St. Phone LY 8-0884<br />
El Poso, Texos<br />
Notional ond Lorroinc Carbons<br />
Peerless Mognorc, Strong 135<br />
ond U.H.I. Projection Arc Lomps<br />
JoflflOOi^<br />
THEATRE SUPPLY CO., Oklahoma City—<br />
Large Core<br />
Oklohomo—OKLAHOMA<br />
Greater Crater Area<br />
CE 6-8691<br />
BOONTON, N. J. E''«"'y DUtributed .'<br />
-' MAXIMUM LIGHT<br />
Texos—MODERN SALES & SERVICE, INC., 2200 Young St ,<br />
Dallas<br />
— Riverside 7-3191<br />
TEXAS PROJECTOR CARBON, Doilos— Ri»crs.de 1 3807<br />
BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962 SW-1
C<br />
,<br />
—<br />
. . Fred<br />
. . Virginia<br />
Sue Benningfield Still fbe 'Heart' DALLAS<br />
Of Dallas' Ever -Changing Filmrow<br />
DA I J IAS—The Dallas film center may be<br />
spreading geographically but thanks to 122<br />
pounds of pulchritude,<br />
it enjoys a<br />
closer relationship<br />
than ever before.<br />
Situated in what<br />
formerly was the<br />
"heart of Filmrow" is<br />
the office of the<br />
Texas Council of Motion<br />
Picture Organizations<br />
I O M P O ><br />
which for the past 11<br />
Sue Benningfield<br />
years has been the<br />
official spokesman<br />
for the motion<br />
picture industry in the Southwest. Active<br />
in the offices of Texas COMPO for ten of<br />
these 11 years has been Sue Bemiingfield.<br />
secretary to Kyle Rorex. executive director.<br />
As COMPO acts as a clearing house and<br />
information bureau for exhibition and distribution<br />
as well as the public. Sue's responsibilities<br />
are not only diversified but<br />
unique. In addition to handling the secretarial<br />
duties for Texas COMPO, she also<br />
assists Rorex with research, special campaigns,<br />
publicity, etc.<br />
It is not an easy task to keep account of<br />
WHt IHtK irS A DRIVE-IN<br />
OR AN INDOOR THEATRE<br />
GET EXTRA PROFITS BY SELLING<br />
MERCHANT ADS<br />
AND KEEP YOUR MERCHANTS HAPPY<br />
WITH YOUR TRAILERS MADE BY<br />
mj S>. Woboik<br />
rILMACK Chi
. . and<br />
. . over<br />
. . distribution<br />
by<br />
Blind Center Kitchen<br />
Equipped by WOMPI<br />
DALLAS—The Women of the Motion<br />
Picture Industry of Dallas has equipped the<br />
kitchen at the building for the Dallas<br />
Service for Blind Childn-n. which is being<br />
constructed by Variety Tent 17. The kitchen<br />
is done in natural birch, with Formica<br />
counter top and four-inch splashboard,<br />
double sink, waste disposal, stainless steel<br />
kitchen hood with fan and light. The<br />
kitchen also has a GE cooking top with<br />
built-in oven, a Rcfco. built-in refrigerator<br />
with freezer compartment and ice-maker.<br />
There are lights beneath the upper cabinets,<br />
vinyl floor covering and a revolving<br />
kitchen ventilator.<br />
The kitchen is in the center of the building,<br />
making it acce.ssible to the office<br />
staff and working area. It is adjacent to<br />
the auditorium, where it will be a stepsaver<br />
for the committee in charge of dedication<br />
services and other group meetings in<br />
the building.<br />
WILL LAST MANY YEARS<br />
This is only one of the WOMPI service<br />
projects this year but it is the one which<br />
will be of service for the greatest number<br />
of years. Among other projects. WOMPIs<br />
are making surgical dressings for the<br />
American Cancer Society, a project which<br />
takes many steps of preparation before the<br />
finished dressing is ready to be turned over<br />
to the office for distribution to the patients.<br />
WOMPIs meet each Wednesday night and<br />
stuff Cancer Cmsade kits for the National<br />
Health Agencies in preparation for the<br />
annual fund-raising campaign. Members<br />
are block workers for the Heart Fund<br />
drive; during the March of Dimes drive,<br />
they collected funds at the Baker Hotel.<br />
During the State Fair, WOMPIs manned<br />
the booth selling merchandise which had<br />
been made at the Dallas Light House for<br />
the Blind. A check was given to the Carla<br />
victims relief fund, and food baskets were<br />
made at the various offices and delivered<br />
by the WOMPI members.<br />
STUFFING HOSPITAL TOYS<br />
Another of their projects is the stuffing<br />
of toys for the Texas Crippled Children's<br />
Hospital. Members and friends save discarded<br />
nylon ho.se and these are sterilized,<br />
then cut into small pieces used for the<br />
stuffing of the toys, making them easily<br />
handled, and durable for many washings<br />
in the washing machines.<br />
Not only do these representatives of our<br />
motion picture industi-y contribute their<br />
time and efforts for the many charitable<br />
agencies, they assist in many ways to aid<br />
the growth and development of our industry.<br />
The girls serve as beautiful and<br />
gracious hostesses at the premieres of our<br />
roadshow attractions, they sell souvenir<br />
books at the roadshow engagements, they<br />
screen favorable pictures for invitational<br />
screenings to encourage better publicity for<br />
the pictures worthy of good clean word of<br />
mouth advertising. They help with the addressing<br />
of envelopes for the invitational<br />
screenings of the roadshow attractions and<br />
assist the Variety Club. Texas Drive-In<br />
Theatre Owners conventions and other industry<br />
projects on which they are called<br />
upon to help.<br />
Michael du Pont makes his film debut<br />
in Allied Artists' "Hands of a Stranger."<br />
Dallas Group Seeks to Extend Bar<br />
On Youths at Adults-Only Films<br />
DALLAS—The warning given to theatremen<br />
at the Texas Drive-In Theatre Ass'n<br />
convention in February by Mayor Earle<br />
Cabell to curb what he called "unrepressed<br />
sex . out-and-out trash" in films.<br />
words which the theatre operators firmly<br />
resented, still is echoing around the city.<br />
There has been little talk about censor-<br />
.ship: in fact, no such discussion has<br />
reached public attention, but .several<br />
groups have propo.sed different foiTns of<br />
classification.<br />
The latest move triggered by the mayor's<br />
words, which were protested in a resolution<br />
by the drive-in operators, is the organization<br />
by a group of citizens headed by<br />
Herschel Forrester. foiTner SMU football<br />
player, and Thomas Byrne jr.. realtor, of<br />
the Citizens Committee for Decent Movies<br />
to seek ways to bar children and young<br />
people from entering theatres show-ing<br />
"adult" pictures.<br />
Dallas exhibitors said the group had<br />
made no contact with them. They saw no<br />
rea.son for the organization since they<br />
have been barring youngsters from "adult<br />
only" pictures for some time.<br />
FIRST APPEARANCE MARCH 29<br />
The group made its first public appearance<br />
Thuisday (March 29 1 issuing a<br />
three-page letter to prospective members.<br />
In the letter, the group expressed a "growing<br />
concern . those movies that are<br />
sordid and degrading, and their influence<br />
on the youth of our community. The committee<br />
believes that a society has the right<br />
to protect itself from a possible detrimental<br />
influence."<br />
Members of the citizens group, which includes<br />
lawyers, football players and<br />
housewives, said that censorship of the<br />
movies is not their intention. Instead, their<br />
aim is to appeal to theatre owners to keep<br />
young people from viewing unsuitable<br />
films.<br />
"We're not looking for censorship—that's<br />
out." Byrne said. "We would like a voluntary<br />
classification system within the movie<br />
industry. We realize there are adult movies<br />
—but we would like adults only to attend<br />
them."<br />
OUTLINED OBJECTIVES<br />
In their solicitation letter, the members<br />
of the group set out the broad objective of<br />
providing "a better moral climate for the<br />
young people of the community through<br />
action to assure protection from exposure<br />
to movies in theatres, on TV and related<br />
advertising that may have an adverse effect<br />
on their moral development."<br />
Four specific objectives of the group were<br />
listed in the letter as "a program to improve<br />
the caliber of movies and movie advertising,<br />
encourage self-appraisal by the<br />
motion picture industry and its respon.sibility<br />
to the community, to create more<br />
parental concern, and to enlist .support of<br />
its program from existing organizations.<br />
The citizeiK committee proposed a fivepoint<br />
program to reach the.se goals.<br />
The five points include:<br />
1. "The . of literature to<br />
create awareness of the problem and the<br />
iniperalivc need for immediate corrective<br />
actinn.<br />
2. "An organization of volunteer<br />
workers to seek the help of other civic<br />
groups and individuals in the forni of letters<br />
and personal contact with theatre<br />
owners, motion picture indu.stry executives,<br />
editors, city officials and others: and preferential<br />
consideration for motion picture<br />
exhibitors who cooperate.<br />
3. "Contact local newspapers to obtain<br />
more favorable reviews and publicity for<br />
decent movies and minimal news treatment<br />
for degrading movies such as those condemned<br />
by the Legion of Decency . . . and<br />
to encourage daily publication of motion<br />
picture directories with the Motion Picture<br />
Review Board cla,ssification for every<br />
picture.<br />
"A bureau oppor-<br />
4. speakers to solicit<br />
tunities for talks on this subject.<br />
5. "Contact . . . theatre owners to .solicit<br />
their voluntary cooperation and to encourage<br />
them to .show more family-type<br />
films: discontinue adult-type movie trailers<br />
at family-type movies; return to the<br />
standards of the original production code:<br />
authorize the Motion Picture Review<br />
Board to make recommendations for deleting<br />
offensive scenes; refuse admittance to<br />
persons under 18 at all 'adults only'<br />
movies; place 'adults only' on marquees for<br />
all movies in this classification: keep all<br />
movie advertising within the bounds of<br />
taste and truth: and to include the MPRB<br />
cla^'Sification in all movie advertising.<br />
"The citizens committee believes that<br />
motion picture producers and exhibitors<br />
have a responsibility to produce and show<br />
movies that will have an influence for<br />
good," the letter stated. "The committee<br />
deplores and condemns all movies that<br />
contain overt obscenity, overemphasis of<br />
sex in any aspect and portrayals of shocking<br />
juvenile delinquency.<br />
"On the other hand, the committee<br />
strongly urges community .support of decent<br />
movies and the exhibitors who show them."<br />
Byrne said that his group hopes to<br />
achieve wide support in asking for more<br />
"family-type" films for theatres in Dallas.<br />
"We would like to work with the movie<br />
industry—we are not taking a hammer<br />
and hitting them on the head." Byrne said.<br />
"We are merely asking for their cooperation."<br />
H<br />
U
he<br />
and<br />
Drive-ln Food Specialist Amundsen<br />
Merges Atco, Pi-Do Into MCrB Foods<br />
DALLAS—Robert F. Amundsen has announced<br />
the merging of Atco Poods and<br />
Pi-Do Corp. into<br />
M&B Foods simultaneous<br />
with the purchase<br />
of food manufacturing<br />
facilities<br />
from Champion<br />
Foods iPritoi in the<br />
2800 block of Nagle<br />
street.<br />
On Sept. 30. 1951.<br />
Amundsen, having<br />
conceived the idea of<br />
a special chili dre.ssin.g<br />
for Bob Montgomery<br />
hot dogs, went<br />
to a local food manufacturer<br />
and started selling Jimbo Chili<br />
Hot Dog Sauce. In quick succession,<br />
Jimbo's Barbecue Beef and Jimbo's Chili<br />
Dip were added to his line.<br />
Five years later. M&B Foods was acquired,<br />
adding additional barbecue and<br />
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chili sales, and then in 1961 Pi-Do Corp.<br />
was acquired. The growth in sales made it<br />
desirable to secure manufacturing facilities,<br />
so after investigating plants throughout<br />
the Southwest, Ajnund.scn purchased the<br />
Frito Co.'s Champion Poods Dallas plant,<br />
2827 Nagle. This federally inspected plant<br />
is operating at full speed, satisfying the<br />
ever growing needs and desires of the great<br />
Southwest.<br />
As this company has grown, several<br />
young men have joined the organization,<br />
including Bob Montgomery, one of the<br />
founders of M&B Poods. Bob attended<br />
Texas Tech, Wayne University and Dallas<br />
I<br />
College is a Dale Carnegie Sales Course<br />
i<br />
graduate now is vice-president and<br />
sales manager of the institutional division.<br />
Walt Byerly, a graduate of the University<br />
of Illinois, was for six years associated<br />
with IBM and .joined Amundsen in 1981 in<br />
the Pi-Do Corp. and in the new M&B Co<br />
operates as assistant to the president and<br />
general manager. Harry McMains, long<br />
associated in the food business as well as<br />
advertising, newspaper and publication<br />
busine.ss, was one of the founders of Pi-Do<br />
Corp. In 1961 McMains brought Pi-Do into<br />
a.ssociation with Amundsen and Byerly and<br />
in the new M&B Co. serves as vice-president<br />
and marketing advisor.<br />
In addition to sei-ving as president of the<br />
new M&B Poods, Amundsen is active in<br />
numerous other enteiTDrises based in Dallas,<br />
included in wliich he serves as president of<br />
Ranch Foods, Royal Dutch Laundry &<br />
Cleaning. Cliff A. Jones Furs. Dar-Sen Co.<br />
and chaimian of the board of the La Sands<br />
Western HUls Motor Hotel in Shreveport,<br />
La.<br />
Arabs Picket 'Exodus'<br />
KINGSVILLE. TEX.—With the<br />
opening<br />
of "Exodus" at the 1.200-seat Texas Theatre,<br />
owned by Hall Industries here, Arab<br />
students attending the Texas A&I College<br />
placed a picket line out front to show their<br />
disapproval of the film story of the Jcwi.sh<br />
people returning to Israel in 1947. But<br />
Manager Bill Lanoue said he had no objections<br />
to their picketing as long as his<br />
patrons were not bothered. Kingsville, a<br />
population of approximately 20,000, is a<br />
part of the King ranch, noted for being the<br />
largest ranch in the world.<br />
Stabbing at Theatre<br />
TULSA—Henry C. Sowders, 52, a projectionist,<br />
was arrested after the near-fatal<br />
stabbing of Maurice M. Donley sr. at the<br />
Municipal Theatre where Donley was preparing<br />
for the opening of "Prince of Peace."<br />
Donley is a freelance stagehand. Leonard<br />
Jack, manager of the theatre who said he<br />
saw the stabbing, called the police. There<br />
had been a longtime feud between the two<br />
over union status.<br />
William Inge is writing the screenplay<br />
for Columbia Pictiu-es' "That Hill Girl."<br />
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.<br />
. . . The<br />
. . The<br />
. . . Gonzales<br />
I<br />
The<br />
. featuring<br />
Carolina Exhibitors<br />
Plan December Meet<br />
CHARLOTTE. N.C.— Plans arc already<br />
shaping up for the 1962 annual convention<br />
of the Theatre Owners of North and South<br />
Carolina.<br />
This year's convention, which will be a<br />
Golden Anniversary celebration, will be held<br />
December 2-4 at the Queen Charlotte Hotel<br />
in Charlotte ' formerly the Hotel Charlotte<br />
i<br />
Ulmer S. Eaddy of Consolidated Theatres.<br />
Charlotte, has been selected to<br />
organize the association's convention.<br />
The convention will open officially Sunday<br />
afternoon. December 2. with a tradeshow.<br />
Negotiations are already in progress<br />
to have star personalities present for this<br />
grand opening, as well as for appearances<br />
at all the functions of the three-day meeting.<br />
Assisting Eaddy in the planning for the<br />
meeting are Jack Ambrose and Dean<br />
Phillips. representing suppliers: Sam<br />
Cloniger and Walter Thomas, representing<br />
distribution: Frank Lowry. representing the<br />
booking agencies: Mrs. Mac Weis. representing<br />
WOMPI. and association members<br />
Jack Jordan. Jack Kirby and Jack Wadsworth.<br />
Mrs. E. G. Stellings, wife of association<br />
member Ernest G. Stellings. will be chairman<br />
of the ladies' activities.<br />
First Tad Mosel Script<br />
To Be Romantic Comedy<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Producer Martin Manulis<br />
and director Delbert Mann have formed<br />
a company to produce a film based on an<br />
original screenplay, as yet untitled, by<br />
Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Tad<br />
Mosel. The picture marks Mosel's debut as<br />
a screen writer and Is a romantic comedy<br />
with a modem American setting.<br />
Manulis, currently producing "Days of<br />
Wine and Roses" at Warners, will be the<br />
producer, and Mann will direct the film<br />
following "A Gathering of Eagles" for U-I.<br />
Mosel won the Pulitzer Prize last year<br />
for his Broadway play, "All the Way<br />
Home."<br />
Lee Bradley President<br />
Of Reorganized Firm<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Delta Diamond. Inc.. independent<br />
production company, will be<br />
headed by Lee Bradley as president and<br />
Harold L. Kahan. executive vice-president,<br />
following reorganization due to former<br />
Delta partners Richard W. Christian. William<br />
F. CoUigan and Johnny Pop leaving<br />
to form their own Yearling Productions.<br />
Other new Delta officers are Jack Cantor,<br />
vice-president: Donald M. Laiffer,<br />
vice-president in charge of production, and<br />
Edward Critchfield, secretary-treasurer.<br />
The company is located on the Goldwyn lot.<br />
SAN ANTONIO<br />
. . .<br />
. . .<br />
f^harles AiiRoliiii has remodeled the interior<br />
of his Pilmrow cafe. Among<br />
.some of the .showfolks .seen dining there wa.s<br />
Lester MacDonald. former Texas Valley<br />
Film Service employe, now with REA and<br />
The<br />
still delivering motion pictures<br />
twister, which recently hit the small town<br />
of Mineola in eastern Texas, blew the front<br />
off of the Select Theatre where .some 80<br />
kids were watching a matinee on Saturday.<br />
"The<br />
No injuries were reported Passion Play. with " an all-star cast from<br />
Mexico, opens a midmonth engagement on<br />
the stage of the Alameda Teatro. according<br />
to Ignacio L, Torres, general manager<br />
for the Jack Cane Theatre Corp. here.<br />
Ann-Margret, starlet of "State Fair."<br />
was here two days to meet with the press,<br />
radio and television media in behalf of the<br />
premiere of the musical at the Majestic<br />
Wednesday i4). Incidentally, this columnist<br />
had a small bit part in the film when<br />
it was made in Dallas last year.<br />
. . . Billy<br />
Gene Chisholm of the Chisholm Drive-In<br />
at Grand Prairie was at the Azteca and<br />
Columbia exchanges booking<br />
Walker. Houston, is the emcee at the Eastwood<br />
. Expreffi News and the Aztec.<br />
Majestic. Broadway. Texas. Josephine.<br />
Laurel and Woodlawn theatres again invited<br />
readers and theatregoers to ballot<br />
on their favorites in their annual Movie<br />
Sweepstakes poll.<br />
The National is getting a nice play with<br />
its Ladies Day matinee every Wednesday<br />
when admission is 25 cents ... J. J. Rodriguez,<br />
owner of the Panamericano Teatro<br />
in Dallas, was in booking Spanish films<br />
Guadalupe Teatro on the far<br />
west side of town is getting good results<br />
with Friday Family Days when any group<br />
of eight is admitted for a dollar.<br />
N. Ray Hugger, manager of the Ritz in<br />
STOP SPEAKER<br />
lluu.slon. was in to book Mexican pictures<br />
theatre owner Lynn Smith<br />
announced that the Warm Springs Foundation<br />
Hospital in that town will remain<br />
open. Smith i.s the executive secretary of<br />
the foundation. This reporter 'Lester Ketnen<br />
is .sponsoring a weekly commentary<br />
in Spanish on movie news from Mexican<br />
film studios over KUBO.<br />
The Churubusto studio in Mexico City<br />
has been buzzing with activity. "La Bandida."<br />
Bandit), a Rodriguez Bros,<br />
I<br />
musical western, has been completed, as<br />
have "Pilotcs Muerte," with Mexico's ace<br />
cameraman. Gabriel Figueroa. and Carlos<br />
Buenos directing, and "A Ritmo de Twist,"<br />
i<br />
Rhythm of the Twist Elizabeth<br />
Campbell. Loco Vadlez. Shorty Boticario<br />
and Eugenia San Martin. The latter is a<br />
William Calderon Pi-oduction.<br />
Adrian Evans, manager of the Lackland<br />
Drive-In. taking honors among local ozone<br />
skippers as a Beau Brummell . . . Manager<br />
Tommy Long of the Trail Drive-In is dressing<br />
all his feminine employes in western<br />
garb to coincide with the theatre's motif.<br />
David Stone is the new assistant manager.<br />
improve Your Projection<br />
with<br />
. .<br />
Several<br />
OKLAHOMA CITY<br />
J^s executive secretary, we express on behalf<br />
of the officers their pleasure in<br />
the fine attendance at the one-day convention<br />
of the United Theatre Owners of<br />
Oklahoma and the Paiihandle of Texas,<br />
and extend thanks to every exhibitor and<br />
distributor who attended. To those who<br />
were not there, we mention that you missed<br />
a good meeting and hope you will plan to<br />
attend the third one-day convention next<br />
year. Johnny Jones, theatre operator of<br />
Shawnee who was re-elected president, has<br />
called a meeting of the board for Monday,<br />
May 7. Newly elected directors and exhibitors<br />
in Oklahoma City that day arc invited<br />
to attend.<br />
Several new pictures opened at first runs<br />
during the week of March 25 to take advantage<br />
of the influx of .some 10.000 Future<br />
Homemakers of America girls from all over<br />
the state. The girls filled the hotels and<br />
motels to capacity, and immediately went<br />
on a shopping spree Friday, and to the<br />
movies that night, since no sessions were<br />
scheduled till Saturday. New screen offerings<br />
included Light in the Piazza, Walk<br />
on the Wild Side, Call Me Genius and<br />
Satan Never Sleeps. Holdovers were The<br />
Hustler, Lover Come Back, King of Kings,<br />
Mating Time. The Bed, El Cid and Windjammer.<br />
All reported excellent business<br />
on Friday and Saturday nights. The<br />
young women had no escorts, so few attended<br />
the many dances and other competing<br />
entertainments.<br />
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The Sprinfflake amusement park opened<br />
for the weekends, starting the 6th. The<br />
national AU-Star bowling tournament<br />
opened on the 4th at the Lincohi lanes.<br />
Both provided stiff competition to movies.<br />
After several years of planning and construction,<br />
and numerous pitfalls, the<br />
Variety Health Center building at 1504<br />
South Walker has been completed and the<br />
personnel and equipment of the old building<br />
at 600 South Hud.son moved into its<br />
new quarters over the weekend of March<br />
.30-April 1. Much credit goes to the Variety<br />
Club members of the building committee<br />
including Ray Wil.son, who did most of the<br />
leg work in securing the property on which<br />
the new building was consti-ucted : Don<br />
Tullius, Warner Bros, manager: Harry Mc-<br />
Keiuia, Screen Guild Productioris, and Jack<br />
LaMonte, Mistletoe Express. Earl Snyder,<br />
of Tulsa, chief barker, had a big hand in<br />
the construction, as did George Sam Caporal,<br />
Caporal Theatres, who handled the<br />
legal matters.<br />
Several racing fans in the motion picture<br />
industry have attended the racing meet in<br />
Hot Springs, including Mr. and Mrs. Jess<br />
Bollman, Oklahoma Theatre Supply: the<br />
Howard Pedders, Center and State theatres,<br />
and Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ray. Warner<br />
Bros. Prom Tulsa was theatre owner Earl<br />
Snyder and wife. They all reported a good<br />
time except Mr. and Mrs. Bollman, who<br />
said they were under the weather most of<br />
their stay.<br />
With only a few more weeks left to play<br />
in the Pilmrow Mixed Bowling League's<br />
season, it looks like the Lakeside team has<br />
the best chance for the title. The sweepstakes<br />
and awarding of the trophies and<br />
payoffs will be held April 30. The team<br />
high In the Mai-ch 30 play, 2,183. was rolled<br />
by the Plaza Theatre, with the high single<br />
going to Ed Burchfield with 199. Norman<br />
Shelton had 191-485. Bates Parley picked<br />
off the 6-7-10.<br />
Only a few exhibitors were on Pilmrow<br />
the week following the convention. Noted<br />
were: Everett Mahaney, 54 Drive-In, Guymon:<br />
H. D. Cox, Binger: Mrs. C. W. Duncan,<br />
Redskin, Wetumka: Betty Cook. Joyce<br />
Drive-In, Pi-yor: Frank Henry, Caddo at<br />
Anadarko: George Jennings, 81, and Levi<br />
Mctcalf, Canadian, Purcell: Volney Hamm.<br />
Lawton: Howard Collier, Geary, who reported<br />
he had leased his cafe and tavern<br />
and intends to put all his efforts in the<br />
operation of his theatre: Milan Steele.<br />
Pawnee: Dick Thomp.son, Thompson theatres.<br />
Healdton and Lindsay, who reported<br />
that he was reopening his drive-in: Roy L.<br />
Rollier, Lamont, who has purchased the<br />
scats in the closed Billings theatre; Jess<br />
Jones. Ritz. Crescent, and Johnny Jones,<br />
Video partner, Shawnee,<br />
We regret to report the death of Russell<br />
H. Eason of Edmond. He was a former<br />
Oklahoma City restaurant owner and<br />
father of Harold R. Eason, who owns and<br />
operates the coffee shop located on Filmrow<br />
. theatre owners and operators<br />
of Oklahoma City met with officials<br />
of the Oklahoma Publishing Co.. to protest<br />
the elimination of the Funfare section<br />
of the Sunday Oklahoman. which had<br />
carried only the entertaiiiment news for<br />
the city. The theatre ads and what few<br />
writeups there were in the section have<br />
been pushed back into the last part of the<br />
Home section, which is hard to find. No<br />
relief was promised the theatre owners but<br />
officials of the paper promised to think<br />
it over.<br />
Good news for the theatre owners was<br />
the announcement by officials of General<br />
Electric Corp. that a multimillion dollar<br />
plant would be constructed west of town<br />
which eventually will employ several<br />
thousand people, to construct material for<br />
the government space program. Instrumental<br />
m getting the plant to locate here<br />
were U.S. senators Robert S. Kerr and<br />
Mike Monroney.<br />
Gale Livingston Is Named<br />
Westrex Recording Chief<br />
HOLLYWOOD— Appointment of Gale<br />
Livingston as general manager of Westrex<br />
Recording, a department of the Data<br />
Systems division of Litton Systems, is announced<br />
by John J. Connolly, vice-president<br />
and general manager of the division<br />
Ralph Wight, who has been vice-president<br />
and general manager of Westrex Recording,<br />
has been appointed to the staff<br />
of George T. Scharffenberger, executive<br />
vice-president of Litton Systems, and will<br />
carry out special assignments in his new<br />
capacity. Wight has been with Westrex for<br />
32 years, including tenme with Western<br />
Electric, the former Westrex parent company.<br />
Drive-In Near Honolulu<br />
Opened by Consolidated<br />
LOS ANGELES—The Kam Drlve-In was<br />
opened outside of Honolulu by Consolidated<br />
Amusement Co., Hawaiian subsidiary of<br />
Pacific Drlve-In Theatres which operates<br />
19 theatres and ozoners In Hawaii The<br />
cost of the new Kam, exclusive of land was<br />
about $500,000. The firm announced It has<br />
acquired two other drive-in sites, with construction<br />
blueprinted to start this summer<br />
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BOXOmCE :: April 9. 1962
. . Manager<br />
. .<br />
Wallis.<br />
Slocklon Airer Wins A M A R I L L O<br />
Plan Group Approval<br />
STOCKTON, CALIF— A use permit has<br />
been Ri-anted by the county phmnhig commission<br />
for a drive-in theatre at Hammer<br />
and West lanes and construction will begin<br />
soon. The 148-acre parcel has been purchased<br />
by the Stockton Theatre Co..<br />
headed by Rodda Harvey, from Tony Meath<br />
and Thomas E. Davis for $318,000.<br />
Plans for the outdoor theatre were anniunced<br />
by Don Babcock, resident manager<br />
of the Stockton Theatre, who said<br />
that the drive-in will be developed on 30<br />
acres of the site. The airer will be set back<br />
from the corner about nine acres. Access<br />
roads will be developed from both Hammer<br />
Lane and West Lane.<br />
Twin boxoffices serving four lanes of<br />
traffic, plus a holding area for 250 cars,<br />
are planned, according to Babcock. The<br />
drive-in will be built to accommodate 1.000<br />
to 1.200 cars. A 120-foot screen, a large concessions<br />
area (operated cafeteria-style<br />
i<br />
and spacious restrooms will be features.<br />
Target date for completion of the theatre<br />
is June 1.<br />
The drive-in will be constructed by the<br />
Harvey Theatre Construction Co. of Stockton,<br />
also headed by Harvey, which has also<br />
designed the theatre. The theatre company<br />
will continue to operate the Stockton Theatre<br />
at 1825 Pacific.<br />
Italian-Made 'Marco Polo'<br />
To AIP for Release<br />
LOS ANGELES—American International<br />
Pictures will distribute the multi-million<br />
dollar production "Marco Polo" in all English-speaking<br />
countries, it was disclosed by<br />
company toppers James H. Nicholson and<br />
Samuel Z. Arkoff. Arrangements were<br />
made with Jolly Films in Italy during the<br />
executives' recent trip to Rome.<br />
Rory Calhoun and Yoko Tani head the<br />
cast of the adventure film, now shooting<br />
in English in CinemaScope and Technicolor<br />
in Rome, with Hugo Fregonese directing.<br />
The spectacle has been in production<br />
for over a year in China, Malaya and<br />
Egypt as well as Italy, and will be released<br />
this summer.<br />
Arlington, Wash., Theatre<br />
Managed by Philip Weber<br />
ARLINGTON. WASH.— Philip Weber,<br />
formerly with the Avon Theatre in Bothell,<br />
has taken over management of the New<br />
Olympic Theatre here, relieving Mrs. Washburn,<br />
who had been in charge for the past<br />
year.<br />
Weber, who recently completed his military<br />
service, and his wife Maria have moved<br />
into ths apartment in the theatre building.<br />
Department Store Owner<br />
Buys Florida Theatre<br />
STARKE, FLA. — The Florida Theatre<br />
here has been sold to Robert G. Barksdale,<br />
local department store owner, for $40,000.<br />
The purchase price was revealed by Barksdale,<br />
who has taken charge of operating<br />
the theatre.<br />
The Florida formerly was a unit of the<br />
Martin Theatres circuit, which has headquarters<br />
in Columbus, Ga.<br />
The local premiere of "State Pair" enjoyed<br />
a brisk advance ticket sale, according<br />
to Interstate city manager Jack<br />
King. For the one performance Wednesday<br />
night i4i traffic was blocked off on Eighth<br />
and Ninth streets for the Polk street<br />
crowds, while members of the city commission,<br />
officials of the Chamber of<br />
Commerce, the Jaycces and Roundup Club,<br />
and beauty queen of the three local high<br />
schools and two colleges were special guests.<br />
Tickets were $1 and there were no reserved<br />
.seats sold.<br />
Sincp Amarillo has had the highest population<br />
growth in the state during the past<br />
year, and nearby Lubbock came in as No.<br />
5. Local 469 business agent Jimmy Cheshire<br />
has started investigating possibilities of<br />
having Cinerama make an installation<br />
here. He has already found that its 150-<br />
mile radius has more potential patrons than<br />
either El Paso or Albuquerque and a clientele<br />
similar to Denver, high on Cinerama's<br />
barometer, according to <strong>Boxoffice</strong>. Judging<br />
from the above average response to<br />
ticket sales for the national stage roadshows<br />
that consistently play in this area<br />
and the nearest Cinerama theatre more<br />
than 300 miles away, he is convinced it<br />
would be successful. Cheshire, points out<br />
that there are also eight colleges to draw<br />
from and the advantage of a dual-city boxoffice<br />
1120 miles from Lubbock i. Not only<br />
that, but this area is acquainted with movie<br />
and television location work and many film<br />
personalities bring their stage and night<br />
club acts here successfully. Cheshire, whose<br />
father owned and operated a theatre in<br />
Abilene, has studied this project for several<br />
months from all sides.<br />
The Tascosa Drive-In held over "Peeping<br />
Tom" and "She Walks By Night" four additional<br />
nights, and the Twin brought back<br />
"The Guns of Navarone" because of its<br />
Oscar race . Brad Rushing<br />
opened the "Battleground" and "Go for<br />
Broke" reissues at the subm-ban Esquire<br />
and followed with a first run of "The<br />
Happy Thieves." He will have a pre-Easter<br />
kid show sponsored by Pepsi-Cola. .<br />
Carl Benefiel's Victory and Morris Mendel's<br />
Lyric (downtown and suburban! returned<br />
"Blue Hawaii" over the weekend day and<br />
date to good business.<br />
This reporter lEarl Moseley) and his<br />
wife will celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary<br />
on Friday the 13th. It wasn't<br />
planned this way. The original date was<br />
a Wednesday. But they are not superstitious.<br />
The finst of their three daughters<br />
was born on a Friday the 13th. . . . State<br />
projectionist A. L. Blankenship put in a<br />
full day last Monday by working the openin?<br />
shift at the theatre and showing pictures<br />
of Hawaii to the Boy Scouts that<br />
night.<br />
Dub Wallis. Fort Worth,<br />
Dies From Heart Attack<br />
"<br />
FORT WORTH—L. A. "Dub<br />
56,<br />
manager of the Lsis Theatre here for more<br />
than 35 years, died from a heart attack.<br />
Wallis entered theatre work at the Palace<br />
Theatre here under the late Harry<br />
Gould, soon moving to the lsis for L. C.<br />
Tidball.<br />
Wallis owned the Westex and Ol-Worth<br />
drive-ins in Olney. Survivors include his<br />
wife Connie, his mother Myrtle, a son<br />
James, and four daughters, one of whom,<br />
Mrs. Ben Sherwin of Sherman Oaks. Calif.,<br />
gave birth to a baby son a short time before<br />
the death of Wallis.<br />
New York City, the locale of UA's "Two<br />
for the Seesaw," will be the location for<br />
.lome of the filming.<br />
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BOXOFFICE April 9. 1962 SW-7
WHAT HAPPENS<br />
WHEN A NATION<br />
SPENDS MORE<br />
ON GAMBLING<br />
THAN IT<br />
SPENDS FOR<br />
HIGHER EDUCATION ?<br />
If you can find any Romans around, ask them. They lived<br />
pretty high on the hog in their day. That is. until some<br />
serious-minded neighbors from up North moved in. The<br />
rest is ancient history.<br />
You'd think their fate would have taught us a lesson.<br />
Yet today we Americans spend twenty billion dollars a<br />
year for legalized gambling, while we spend a niggardly<br />
four-and-a-half billion for higher education. Think of<br />
it! Over four times as much! We also spend six-and-ahalf<br />
billion dollars a year for tobacco, nine billion dollars<br />
for alcoholic beverages, and billions more on other<br />
non-essentials.<br />
Can't we read the handwriting on the wall?<br />
Our very survival depends on the ability of our colleges<br />
and universities to continue to turn out thinking men<br />
and women. Yet today many of these fine institutions are<br />
hard put to make ends meet. Faculty salaries, generally,<br />
are so low that qualified teachers are leaving the campus<br />
in alarming numbers for better-paying jobs elsewhere.<br />
In the face of this frightening trend, experts estimate<br />
that by 1970 college applications will have doubled.<br />
If we are to keep our place among the leading nations of<br />
the world, we must do something about this grim situation<br />
before it is too late. The tuition usually paid by a<br />
college student covers less than half the actual cost of<br />
his education. The balance must somehow be made up<br />
by the institution. To meet this deficit even the most<br />
heavily endowed colleges and universities have to depend<br />
upon the generosity of alumni and public spirited<br />
citizens. In other words, they depend upon you.<br />
For the sake of our country and our children, won't you<br />
do your part? Support the college of your choice fnday.<br />
Help it to prepare to meet the challenge of tomorrow. The<br />
rewards will be greater than you think.<br />
It's important for you to know what the impending college crisis<br />
means to you. Write for a free booklet to HIGHER EDUCATION,<br />
Box 36, Times Square Station, New York 36, New York.<br />
*:>2;sis><br />
Sponsored an a public service<br />
in co-operation with The Council for Financial Aid to Education<br />
eOUCATlOM<br />
*
Embassy),<br />
!<br />
1 2)<br />
'Hour/ 'Walk' Score<br />
Heavily in Milwaukee<br />
MILWAUKEE—The Strand Theatre<br />
led<br />
for the second week in good grosses, featuring<br />
"West Side Story." At the Wisconsin<br />
"The Children's Hour" was ringing up a<br />
fine 250, while "Walk on the Wild Side"<br />
at the Warner was third. Most situations<br />
around town reported good business.<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Downer—Two Women i 4th wk 175<br />
Poloce—South Seas Adventure (Cinerama),<br />
I4th wk 200<br />
Riverside—The Four Horsemen ot the Apocalypse<br />
(MGM) 150<br />
Strond—West Side Story (UA), 2nd wk 300<br />
Times—The Mon Who Wagged His Toil<br />
(Times) 80<br />
Towne—Satan Never Sleeps (201ih-Fox),<br />
2nd wk 100<br />
Worner—Walk on the Wild Side (Col) 225<br />
Wisconsin—The Children's Hour (MGM) 250<br />
'Premature' Is a Good Draw<br />
In Movie-Minded Omaha<br />
OMAHA—There was nothing anemic in<br />
the condition of the downtown movie business<br />
last week and four holdovers did average<br />
or better at the boxoffice. Noteworthy<br />
was "Lover Come Back," which<br />
was shifted from the Orpheum after four<br />
fat weeks to the Omaha Theatre, where it<br />
rang up a 110 per cent mark in its fifth<br />
week. "The Premature Bm-ial" did double<br />
average business at the Admiral and "Pinocchio"<br />
did nearly as well in its second<br />
w'eek at the State.<br />
Admiral—The Premature Burial (AIR) 200<br />
Cooper—Seven Wonders ot the World<br />
(Cmeroma), 1 8th wk 1 50<br />
Dundee—The Mark (Cont'l), 2nd wk 100<br />
Omaho—Lover Come Bock (U-l), moveover ....110<br />
Orpheum—Walk on the Wild Side (Col) 125<br />
State— Pinocchio (BV), reissue, 3rd wk 175<br />
'Outsider' by Far the Best<br />
Of Mill City Newcomers<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—"The Outsider," which<br />
opened at the Gopher, pulled a big 250<br />
per cent. Tying that score was "Sergeants<br />
3" in its sixth week at the Uptown. Business<br />
generally w-as aided by clear, sunny<br />
weather with most offerings registering<br />
average or better business.<br />
Academy—El Cid (AA), 6th wk 110<br />
Gopher—The Outsider (U-l) 250<br />
Lyric—Walk on the Wild Side (Col), 4ttl wk 110<br />
Mann—West Side Story ,UA), 6th wk 165<br />
Orpheum—Soton Never Sleeps (20th-Fox),<br />
2nd wk 90<br />
Stote— Lover Come Back (U-l), 7th wk 120<br />
Uptown—Sergeants 3 (UA), 6th wk 250<br />
Westgate—Secrets of Women (Janus), 2nd wk. 100<br />
World—All Fall Down (MGM) 150<br />
Two Features Slated<br />
For Production Abroad<br />
HOLLYWOOD—20th Centui-y-Pox has<br />
added "Second Sin," screenplay by Ivan<br />
Goff and Ben Roberts, to Frank McCarthy's<br />
production schedule. The picture is<br />
blueprinted to follow "Blood and Guts,"<br />
the story of General Patton, and will be<br />
filmed in Prance.<br />
Seven Ai-ts has signed Elia Kazan to produce<br />
and direct his own script. "Anatolian<br />
Smile." The film, slated for lensing in<br />
Greece and Turkey, will be entirely financed<br />
by Se\en Ails, with no distributor<br />
involved imtil shooting is completed.<br />
"How to Be a Rich Uncle." an original<br />
screenplay by Edmund Beloin, will be made<br />
by the WTiter and director Gordon Douglas<br />
as an independent pi-oduction. Negotiations<br />
are currently under way for United<br />
Artists release.<br />
Revived Unit of Allied<br />
Hears National Leaders<br />
Iowa's Blue Boy Oinks<br />
In Shame at Texas Fair<br />
DES MOINES—Some lowans,<br />
including<br />
Gov. Norman Erbe, think Hollywood has<br />
gone too far. And they're speaking out<br />
about it!<br />
The current fuss has nothing to do with<br />
"adult" film fare or loosening of the production<br />
code. It goes much deeper. It has<br />
to do with the indignity suffered upon<br />
learning that 20th Century-Pox's latest<br />
film version of "State Pair" has Texas for<br />
its .setting and a "counterfeit" Texas hog<br />
in the role of Iowa's beloved Blue Boy<br />
The late Phil Stong, a native of Keosauqua,<br />
Iowa, wrote "State Pair" in 1932<br />
about the Iowa state fair. Stong died in<br />
1957. Two earlier film versions of the book<br />
kept with the original locale. When he<br />
found that the new movie was filmed in<br />
Texas, about Texas, Governor Erbe dashed<br />
off a telegram to John Cory jr., of Spencer,<br />
president of the Iowa fair board. Erbe<br />
urged that Cory protest this "departure<br />
from reality" to officials of 20th-Pox.<br />
" 'State Pail'' wears a strawhat," said<br />
Erbe, "not a ten-gallon Stetson." The governor<br />
said that if movie officials persist in<br />
such an error, they soon may film an epic<br />
on the discovery of off-shore oil deposits in<br />
Iowa.<br />
An editorial in the Des Moines Sunday<br />
Register < where Stong once worked as a<br />
reporter) admits that perhaps Texas has a<br />
classier fairgrounds than Iowa, but goes on<br />
to state "no lowan will ever be able to believe<br />
that they have found a hog as big,<br />
and gallant as Blue Boy.<br />
"A Texas steer may be real, but a Texas<br />
hog can only be an impostor!" The writer<br />
adds: "They may insult our state, but they<br />
had better treat oui' hogs with respect."<br />
The Register wonders what Stong, with<br />
his permanent gold pass for the Iowa state<br />
fair, would think about what's happened to<br />
his authentic Iowa epic.<br />
Well, just imagine how Egyptians would<br />
feel if Hollywood put Cleopatra on a royal<br />
barge and floated her down the Susquehanna<br />
!<br />
Tour of Film Festival<br />
CHICAGO—The World Playhouse and<br />
the Towne theatre will sponsor a tour to<br />
the 'Venice Pilm Festival this summer, departing<br />
August 13 and returning September<br />
2. The tour will also include attendance at<br />
film showings in London, Paris and Prankfurt,<br />
along with visits to Paris, Heidelberg.<br />
Zurich, Florence and Rome.<br />
New Tightening at Columbia<br />
HOLLYWOOD—The Columbia studio<br />
continued to cut down its operation with<br />
the art department, under the direction oi<br />
Richard Pearl, reportedly blueprinted to<br />
meld with the production department<br />
managed by Jack Pier, this summer.<br />
Previously, the studio di.scontinued its research,<br />
still photography, transportation<br />
and sound recording divisions.<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—The reactivated North<br />
Central Allied convened in the Lakeland<br />
room of the Pick-NicoUot Hotel Monday<br />
1 9). All independent exhibitors in the<br />
area, whether members of Allied or not,<br />
were invited to attend.<br />
The program included a discussion of<br />
trade practices and sales policies, film<br />
runs, television, toll television, unfair<br />
16nmi competition, bingo, contracts and<br />
contract terms, unemployment compensation,<br />
group insurance and cooperative<br />
advertising.<br />
Speakers included Lee Loevinger, head<br />
of the antitrust division of the Department<br />
of Justice. Washington: Manshall Pine,<br />
Cleveland, president of National Allied:<br />
Milton London, Detroit, executive director<br />
of National Allied, and Ben Marcus, Milwaukee,<br />
chairman of the board of National<br />
Allied.<br />
Omaha 'West' Benefit<br />
For Child Sight Aid<br />
OMAHA — Pinal plans for the 'Variety<br />
Club Tent 16's midwest premiere of "West<br />
Side Stoi-y" at the Admiral Theatre were<br />
drawn at the Variety Club stag Monday<br />
at the 40 Bowl.<br />
The movie, nominated for 11 Academy<br />
Awards, will open with the premiere showing<br />
April 11. Tickets will be $5. A special<br />
Golden Circle has been set aside and seats<br />
in this section will be $25. A cocktail buffet<br />
supper w^ill be given for Golden Circle<br />
patrons before the show.<br />
Chief Barker Don Shane told the stag<br />
gathering that ticket sales have been encouraging<br />
and extended a special plea to<br />
exhibitors in the area to boost the project.<br />
Benefits will go to the ChUdi'en's Sight<br />
Center, at the C. Louis Meyer Therapy<br />
Center adjacent to the Children's Memorial<br />
Hospital. It is a nursery school for visually<br />
handicapped children and is administered<br />
by the State Department of Education.<br />
Mayor James Dowark is honorary ticket<br />
sales chairman and purchased the fii-st<br />
ticket. Others on the ticket committee are<br />
Peter Kiewit, head of Peter Kiewit Sons<br />
Co.. internationally operating construction<br />
company: W. B. Millard jr.. chaiiman of<br />
the board of the Omaha National Bank:<br />
Morris Jacobs, president of Bozell and<br />
Jacobs Advertising Co.. and Frank Pogarty,<br />
general manager of WOW radio and television<br />
stations.<br />
The score for Mel Shavelson's production,<br />
"The Pigeon That Took Rome," was<br />
composed by Italian Alessandro Cicognini<br />
for Paramount.<br />
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BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962 NC-1
. . . does<br />
theatre<br />
—<br />
. . . Exhibitors<br />
. . Three<br />
5<br />
. .<br />
Red Wing Trust Case<br />
Lost by John Wright<br />
ST. PAUL—Jim Fiaser. operator of the<br />
Auditorium Theatre at Red Wing, and all<br />
other defendants in the conspiracy lawsuit<br />
brought by John Wright and associates of<br />
Minneapolis were found not guilty by<br />
Judge Demiis Donovan in federal district<br />
coui't here.<br />
Judge Donovan ruled that "the evidence<br />
not reveal any substantial basis<br />
from which to infer the existence at any<br />
time of a fraudulent or illegal agreement or<br />
conspiracy among any of the defendants or<br />
the existence of any intent on the part of<br />
the defendants to exercise monopoly power<br />
to the detriment of the plaintiff."<br />
"In fact." Donovan added, "the strongest<br />
and most compelling inference which can<br />
be drawn from the evdence. in the opinion<br />
of this court, is that the decline of plaintiff's<br />
i<br />
business at the Chief i<br />
was<br />
part of an overall, nationwide decline in<br />
the motion picture industry which came<br />
with the advent of television.<br />
"Therefore, although plaintiff, in a<br />
well-prepared and thoroughly presented<br />
case, has infercntially cast suspicion upon<br />
the acts of the defendants, the court is not<br />
convinced that the required burden of substantial<br />
evidence is present to such an extent<br />
in the instant case to warrant a finding<br />
that said antitrust laws have been<br />
violated."<br />
Judge Donovan's decision did take a<br />
sympathetic note of Wright's business<br />
problem at the Chief Theatre, which he at<br />
one time operated in Red Wing, and includes<br />
a mild rebuke to the defendants and<br />
Red Wing generally. Judge Donovan's<br />
decision, however, makes clear that he can<br />
find in the Sherman antitrust act no<br />
legal basis for the damages of $165,000<br />
which Wright asked.<br />
Wright also has pending in Goodhue<br />
County district court a $202,000 damage<br />
suit against all present members of the<br />
Auditorium board and a former member.<br />
The suit was filed Sept. 5. 1959. but<br />
Wright's attorneys never have had it<br />
placed on the calendar for trial.<br />
The 13-page decision from Judge Donovan<br />
begins with a review of the legal<br />
sti-uggle between the Chief and Auditorium<br />
HERE'S YOUR CHANCE<br />
. • Skokic, lllmols<br />
. .<br />
. .<br />
theatres and outlines the legal theory on<br />
which Wright based his claim for damages.<br />
This is. that the defendants<br />
Praser. the members of the Auditorium<br />
board and the Red Wing Daily Republican<br />
Eagle— "knowingly engaged ni concerted<br />
and parallel action" designed to make the<br />
Auditorium the only first-run theatre in<br />
Red Wing and sought to "eliminate the<br />
plaintiff as an effective competitor in the<br />
business of exhibiting motion pictures" in<br />
Red Wing.<br />
Illegal action by the defendants. Wright's<br />
attorney as.scrted. tended to result "in the<br />
creation of a monopoly in Red Wing of<br />
the motion picture exhibition business in<br />
the Auditorium Theatre and to restrain<br />
the free flow of trade in interstate<br />
commerce."<br />
Reviewing the law. Judge Donovan observed<br />
that no previous cases under the<br />
Sherman antitrust act seem to offer a<br />
clear guide to decision in this lawsuit. But<br />
"acts which only incidentally or indirectly<br />
restrict competition while their principal<br />
purpose and effect is the reasonable advancement<br />
of legitimate purposes, are not<br />
prohibited by the law ."<br />
"A reasonable construction of the antitrust<br />
laws is demanded .." Donovan<br />
added, and "those laws are not intended<br />
to thwart or otherwise finastrate the intelligent,<br />
reasonable and vigorous conduct<br />
of business enterprise."<br />
And. while circumstantial evidence is admissible,<br />
"the circumstances relied upon by<br />
the plaintiff to prove a fraudulent conspiracy<br />
to restraint of trade must represent<br />
substantial evidence of such violation and<br />
nmst rise above the realm of mere suspicion."<br />
This. Judge Donovan concluded.<br />
Wright's evidence did not do.<br />
Original defendants in the lawsuit were<br />
members of the T. B. Sheldon Auditorium<br />
board at Red Wing, the city<br />
and the city council president, the editor<br />
of the Daily Republican Eagle and the<br />
newspaper itself. Eraser. 20th-Fox, United<br />
Artists and Paramount. As the trial<br />
progressed, however, Wright's attorneys<br />
agreed to dismiss the film companies, the<br />
council president and two board members.<br />
Filed Sept. 10, 1959, the lawsuit went<br />
through a number of pretrial hearings and<br />
depositions before trial actually began last<br />
August 29. Arguments and presentations<br />
of evidence continued through Oct. 25,<br />
1961.<br />
of Red Wing<br />
Long Frank Puglia Career<br />
Continues in Wallis Film<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Actor Prank Puglia,<br />
who bowed in films for D. W. Griffith as<br />
the crippled youth who saved the girl in<br />
"Orphans of the Storm." will play the lead<br />
role of Syavros in support of Elvis Presley<br />
in Hal Wallis' "Giris! Girls! Girls!" for<br />
Paramount release.<br />
The film marks Puglia's return to the<br />
screen and to Paramount, his last role<br />
having been as Sophia Loren's neighbor in<br />
"The Black Orchid" .several years ago.<br />
From 4 Below to 83 Hot!<br />
LOS ANGELES—Prom surfboard to<br />
parka was the fate of a sun-tanned,<br />
shivery booker in MGM's local exchange<br />
this week. He put the company's "The<br />
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" into<br />
Honolulu, temperature 83. and then booked<br />
the film in Anchorage, Alaska, temperature<br />
4 below I<br />
MINNEAPOLIS<br />
pioneer Theatres conducted a special meeting<br />
Thursday > 1 for its drive-in managers<br />
to make plans for the upcoming outdoor<br />
theatre season. The session was in<br />
Carroll. Iowa. Attending from Minneapolis<br />
were Harold Field, president of the circuit,<br />
and Eton Smith, general manager.<br />
Gordon McKinnon, district manager, of<br />
Spencer, Iowa, also was at the meeting.<br />
Product and promotion plans wer:' discussed.<br />
James S. Lomb!rd jr., has been named<br />
managi r of the Oi-pheum Theatre and executive<br />
director of all legitimate .shows at<br />
the hous;'. replacing Bo'd Whclan. who will<br />
be in ch irge of the physical supervision of<br />
all Mann theatres in the Twin Cities. Whelan<br />
will work out of the circuit's headquarters<br />
above the World Theatre. Lombard<br />
formerly was with Broadway Theatre<br />
Alliance, a subsidiary of Columbia Artists.<br />
A year ago the firm was sold out to United<br />
Performing Artists. Lombard was western<br />
states director of the theatre division for<br />
the firm and was stationed in Hollywood.<br />
His father is director of concerts and lectures<br />
at the University of Minnesota.<br />
John P. Stopka has been added to the<br />
advertising-publicity department staff of<br />
Minnesota Amusement Co.. according to<br />
Ev Seibel. director, and has been assigned<br />
to the Century Theatre, which opens next<br />
Friday il3i. to work with Tom Martin,<br />
manager. Stopka was with Malco's advertising<br />
department in 1954. For the past<br />
three years he has been a salesman for a<br />
local office supply firm, and on occasion<br />
done relief manager work in neighborhood<br />
theatres.<br />
In a realignment of assistant managers<br />
in Minnesota Amusement's houses in Minneapolis.<br />
Pat McCashin. who has been at<br />
the State, has been named assistant at the<br />
Century. Richard Anderson, assistant manager<br />
at the Lyric, was moved to the State.<br />
John Olson, formerly with Radio City and<br />
the State, is new assistant manager at the<br />
Lyric. The new trainee at the Lyric is<br />
John D. McCashin.<br />
One of the first drive-ins in the area to<br />
open for the season was the St. Croix at<br />
Houlton. Wis., which resumed March 30<br />
on the Row were Ray Blakeslee.<br />
Medford. Wis.; Arvid Olson. Pine<br />
Island, and Pete dePea. Milbank. S. D. .<br />
Carol Charley is the new stenographer at<br />
United Artists.<br />
John Calhoun, MGM publicist, was in . . .<br />
Avron Rosen, manager of Buena 'Vista, was<br />
in the territory calling on accoimts . . .<br />
Lucile Langer. contract clerk at Universal,<br />
was in St. Mary's Hospital with pneumonia<br />
. men accused of robbing<br />
the Edina and Suburban World theatres in<br />
February were returned to Minneapolis<br />
from Plattsburg. Mo., where sheriff's deputies<br />
arrested them February 18. Warrants<br />
charging the three with first degree grand<br />
larceny were issued.<br />
The auxiliary of the 'Variety Club of the<br />
Northwest will stage a fashion show May<br />
23 at Oak Ridge Country Club in suburban<br />
Hopkins. Marie Wolpert. president, has<br />
appointed a committee to handle the event.<br />
NC-2 BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962
. . Mary<br />
. . Mrs.<br />
. . Fran":<br />
. . Walt<br />
OMAHA<br />
lA/arren Hall, who owns Iho Rodeo Theatre<br />
at Biuwell and is one of the directors<br />
and active promoters of the famous<br />
Burwell Rodeo, lias been appointed county<br />
judge to fill a vacancy He plans to run for<br />
re-election. Hall not only is one of the<br />
area's leading boosters of the rodeo but is<br />
also a participant in many civic activities<br />
and every fall plays host to numerous<br />
groups of hunters who visit for grouse and<br />
pheasant shooting .<br />
Larson, 20th-<br />
Fox exchange manager, attended a meeting<br />
in Des Moines.<br />
Don Campbell, veteran exhibitor at Central<br />
City, was one of a number of theatre<br />
owners who had to take circuitous routes to<br />
get to Filmrow last week because of flooded<br />
highways. Although there were no reports<br />
of theatres suffering from flood damage,<br />
some lowland drive-ins felt the brunt of<br />
high water. Phil Lan.nn. West Point exhibitor,<br />
said he had to drive about twice as<br />
far as usual to get to Omaha.<br />
Central States set the first of the month<br />
for opening its drive-ins at Columbus,<br />
York, Fremont and Mason City and in most<br />
cases was able to go through with plans.<br />
Norman Grint, who has the Sun Theatre<br />
at Sargent, is all set to do aerial crop<br />
spraying again this spring, if and when<br />
winter decides to leave the territoi-y. Another<br />
weekend of snow and sleet kept the<br />
headache going for drive-in owners.<br />
Ed Cohen, Columbia salesmrn, got a card<br />
from a retired midwest drive-in owner in<br />
Florida saying he was watchinT for the delivery<br />
of the 50-horsepower outboard motor<br />
Cohen said he was sending. But Cohen says<br />
it is Leo Young of the Center Drive-In<br />
Corp. who is to do the sending.<br />
Marvin Jones, exhibitor and mayor at<br />
Red Cloud, said he had had a big run on<br />
hay sales at his farm because cattle feeders<br />
had been unable to get to supplies in<br />
The Brown brothers, exhibitors<br />
the field . . .<br />
at Oconto, have a new Volkswagen<br />
and are like kids with a new toy. They say<br />
it is just the ticket to get to their ranch<br />
property . Frangenberg, 20th-Pox<br />
cashier, was singing the blues after bowling<br />
singles and doubles in the Nebraska<br />
Women's Bowling Tournament at the<br />
Ranch Bowl. Her handicap scores: 513 in<br />
doubles and 490 in singles. Governor Morrison<br />
threw the first ball—down the gutter<br />
—opening night when Mary bowled.<br />
Bill Zedicher, theatre owner at Osceola,<br />
did the finishing work on the new postoffice<br />
there . Paul Fine, who spent<br />
the winter in Tucson, bumped into Jack<br />
Kennedy, former MGM exchange manager<br />
in Des Moines, and Mi-s. Kennedy in<br />
Juarez. Mrs. Fine was worried about driving<br />
back to Omaha and learned the Kennedys<br />
were driving back at the same time,<br />
so they formed an Omaha-bound caravan.<br />
Carence Brubaugh, formerly on the Rowin<br />
Omaha, visited here last week . . . Exhibitors<br />
in town included Nebraskans<br />
Charles Thoene, Lyons: Frank Hollingsworth,<br />
Beatrice: Don Campbell, Central<br />
City: Clarence Frasier, Lincoln: Phil Lannon.<br />
West Point, and lowans S. J. Backer,<br />
Hajlan, and Byron Hopkins, Glenwood and<br />
Villi-sca.<br />
Ludy Bosten, 5 0-Year Exhibitor, Hopes<br />
For Return of Mass-Appeal Films<br />
MUSCATINE, IOWA— Fifty years ago,<br />
Ludy Bostcn, a "whiz" of a button cutter,<br />
sat in a local street fair tent to watch "The<br />
Great Train Robbery" and saw a great<br />
To-<br />
future for the motion picture theatre.<br />
day. Ludy Bosten, with a half-century in<br />
the theatre busine.ss behind him, looks<br />
ahead to still a greater future for the industry,<br />
"if the producers ever get back on<br />
the ball and make pictures that the general<br />
public would like to see."<br />
The owner of the Uptown Theatre and<br />
Hilltop Drive-In here and the Wapello<br />
Theatre at Wapello, Ludy's 50-year career<br />
is a personal chronology of the film industry<br />
and the changing times. It all started<br />
back in 1912. Inspired by "The Great<br />
Train Robbery." the first motion picture<br />
with a plot, Ludy gave up the button business<br />
and launched his first theatre, the<br />
Princess, a nickelodeon. Later, it was<br />
known as the Gayety,<br />
OPENED A-MUSE-U THEATRE<br />
Several years later, in the heydey of<br />
movies plus live entertainment, Ludy<br />
opened the A-Muse-U where, he recalls, all<br />
543 seats were filled every Sunday afternoon,<br />
and they came from as far away as<br />
Cedar Rapids! Betw-een showings of the<br />
feature, Ludy offered a ten-man orchestra,<br />
decked out in "costumes from Chicago."<br />
The director was Cliff Reckow, formerly<br />
with the Minneapolis symphony, and the<br />
drummer once played with Sousa.<br />
At one time, Ludy also operated the<br />
Family Theatre at Muscatine with Carl<br />
Laemmle jr., who later went to Hollywood<br />
and founded Universal Pictures. The<br />
Family's ten-cent matinee included "highclass<br />
vaudeville." The Grand, another of<br />
Ludy's theatres in the days before movies<br />
found a voice, featured road companies,<br />
minstrels and vaudevUle along with the<br />
films. The Palace, closed two years, ago,<br />
also was a topnotch first-run theatre w'ith<br />
a seating capacity of 700.<br />
TURNED ARMORY INTO THEATRE<br />
Ludy's present Uptown is one of the<br />
finest theatres in the state. But in 1929,<br />
when he bought an armory building with<br />
plans to turn it into the Uptown Tlieatre,<br />
they told him he was "crazy." The 70x140-<br />
foot armory had an 11-inch concrete floor,<br />
and w'hen Ludy ordered workmen to "tear<br />
it out!"—they laughed, said it was foolish<br />
and couldn't be done. "But we got the job<br />
done." he recalls," and we came up with<br />
a fine theatre and a credit to the town."<br />
During the 50 years, Ludy spent two on<br />
the road as a salesman for Cecil B. De-<br />
Mille's "The King of Kings." With him for<br />
th^ last 45 years in Muscatine theatre<br />
business has been Agnes Dollman. Miss<br />
Dollman started as a cashier back in 1917.<br />
when a ca.shier was kept quite busy becau.se<br />
the shows ran from 30 minutes to an hour.<br />
She now serves as his bookkeeper and<br />
secretary.<br />
From the 1912 nickelodeon to the 834-<br />
foam-rubber-seat Uptown, and the 500-cai<br />
Hilltop, which he operates with his son<br />
Clayton. Ludy Bosten has seen a lot of<br />
celluloid. But he isn't content to reminisce.<br />
"I always have loved the busine&s,<br />
still do. and always will." Ludy says. With<br />
I.udy Bosten, who has been operating<br />
theatres since 1912, says the film industry<br />
"badly needs family entertainment<br />
to bring the masses back into<br />
th^ theatre . Disney is the<br />
leader. Why not follow the leader?"<br />
an eye to the future, he is determined that<br />
"our business will stage a comeback when<br />
the producers again produce mass entertainment<br />
that can be sold at prices which<br />
will allow the exhibitors a fair profit in<br />
return."<br />
The veteran Iowa exhibitor feels that a<br />
great deal of money is being spent nowadays<br />
on productions that do not represent<br />
much appeal to the theatregoing public.<br />
Ludy says "we badly need family entertainment<br />
to bring the masses back into the<br />
theatre." He urges more entertainment for<br />
children, teenagers. Ma and Dad, and more<br />
slapstick comedy. He sees lots of room today<br />
for these productions in color.<br />
"Walt Disney is the leader," says Ludy,<br />
and he asks, "Why not follow the leader?"<br />
The theatreman from Muscatine just<br />
doesn't think the present-day pictures entertain.<br />
He cites several, which he labels<br />
"masterpieces in production," but because<br />
they do not appeal to the masses, they'll<br />
never pay back the cost tag."<br />
Jim Philbrook 'Lariat' Star<br />
HOLLYWOOD—James Philbrook signed<br />
to star in Sam Katzman's Columbia production<br />
of "The Broken Lariat."<br />
WHETHER ITS A DRIVE-IN<br />
OR AN INDOOR THEATRE<br />
GET EXTRA PROFITS BY SELLING<br />
MERCHANT ADS<br />
AND KEEP YOUR MERCHANTS HAPPY<br />
WITH YOUR TRAILERS MADE BY<br />
w....FILMACK
. . . Our<br />
. . . Shortly<br />
. . . Roy<br />
. . Columbia<br />
. . Bert<br />
. . Don<br />
. . Ben<br />
Directors Better But Film Stories<br />
Aren't, Says Longtime Boothman<br />
LINCOLN—Roy McGraw, 72, has been<br />
busy in this city's movie and stage life for<br />
more than 50 years.<br />
If anyone wants<br />
proof of this longtime<br />
experience. Floy<br />
can pull out his gold,<br />
50-year membership<br />
card presented to him<br />
in a suj'prise ceremony<br />
March 11 by<br />
fellow members of<br />
Local 151 of the<br />
lATSE. Roy was one<br />
of the six original<br />
Roy McGraw movie house operators<br />
joining the group<br />
in 1912.<br />
Roy still is on the job, though only parttime<br />
since his 68th birthday. He does this<br />
by relieving other operators on fuUtime<br />
jobs. Aside from local memories gathered<br />
through the years, Roy has these thoughts<br />
on the industry to which he's given his<br />
loyalty for more than half a century:<br />
"Give me a Disney picture on the reels<br />
and the house won't be able to handle the<br />
crowds . . . Picture directing was pretty<br />
crude in the early days. The fine directors<br />
represent the best thing that has happened<br />
during the years but they're not making<br />
the most of this. Pictm-es have deteriorated<br />
working conditions have improved.<br />
I worked ten hours for $18 a week on my<br />
first job in 1910, cranking out the film.<br />
Today, it's a five-hour shift, paying anywhere<br />
from $97 to $120 weekly."<br />
Roy recalls the films in his early days<br />
usually ran about 500 feet. Today pictures<br />
are about 13 reels for a total of 20.000 feet.<br />
Friends also like to hear Roy talk about<br />
the first movie serial ever .shown in<br />
Lincoln: "It was 'What Happened to<br />
Mary?' and it was so popular they made a<br />
sequel serial called 'Who Will Marry<br />
Mary?' " Roy says this preceded Pauline's<br />
famous "Perils."<br />
The Lincoln veteran of movies and stage<br />
shows has a son named Jack living in<br />
Texas.<br />
DBS MOINES<br />
Jf everyone stays on key and in step. June<br />
19 should be a great day at Mason City.<br />
Ninety-six busloads of bandsmen from all<br />
over the U.S., will be on hand for the press<br />
premiere of "The Music Man" at the<br />
Palace Theatre. That figure doesn't include<br />
hundreds of Iowa "horn tooters," a<br />
Wamer Bros, contingent, film celebrities,<br />
other notables and, of course, press folk. In<br />
all, about 8,500 persons are expected to<br />
participate. And it's safe to say that most<br />
of Mason City's 30,000 residents will be in<br />
evidence to honor their favorite son, Meredith<br />
WilLson.<br />
With late March behaving itself, more<br />
drive-ins were reopening. In Des Moines.<br />
Lloyd Hirstine tui-ned on the lights at the<br />
Capitol. A few weeks earlier. Vern Carr,<br />
manager of the Southeast 14th Drive-In,<br />
reopened for the season . . . Bill Barker of<br />
Co-Op Theatre Services came from Omaha<br />
to bowl in the ABC. Barker and his wife<br />
visited friends on the Row during then'<br />
stay . staff members entertained<br />
at a farewell party for Faye Ty.sdal.<br />
assistant cashier who is leaving to await<br />
the bu'th of a baby.<br />
M. E. Lee of Central States was convalescing<br />
at home after a too-long stay<br />
in the hospital . Thomas. B&I booking<br />
agency, also was hospitalized, but is<br />
back on the job and OK . . . Best wishes for<br />
a speedy recovery to Doc Twedt of the Chief<br />
Theatre at Britt. who recently underwent<br />
surgery at Mayos . Allen and Don<br />
Knight of Tri-States. Frank Rubel of Central<br />
States and Charles Caligiuri, Paramount<br />
manager attended a merchandising<br />
meeting in Chicago in behalf of Paramount's<br />
"Hell Is for Heroes" . Marcu.s.<br />
Columbia division manager, was in Des<br />
Moines to call on exhibitors . . . Ken<br />
Weldon. a fomier booker at MGM who now<br />
lives in Winterset. dropped into the local<br />
office to say "hello."<br />
Frank Jones is the new manager of Commonwealth's<br />
Strand and Skylark drive-ins<br />
at Creston. Jones, who has been with Commonwealth<br />
Theatres for 19 years, comes to<br />
Creston from Pratt, Kas., where he managed<br />
two drive-ins. Frank Banning, fonner<br />
manager at Creston, has been transferred<br />
to Columbia, Mo., to head the Broadway<br />
Drive-In there.<br />
An impressive article in the Cherokee<br />
Courier has as its subject, Rollin Stonebrooke,<br />
manager of Pioneer's American,<br />
Arrow and Corral theatres at Cherokee.<br />
Stonebrooke lists as his No. 1 hobby: babysitting,<br />
especially on Saturday afternoons<br />
after noting "Rock" Schwanebeck<br />
of Knoxville as the handsome fellow<br />
pictured w-ith the "Star of the Year," comes<br />
along a photo of Rock Hudson and Monticello<br />
theatreman Jim Gray. Again, one has<br />
to read far down in the outlines to determine<br />
whether the matinee idol is the guy<br />
on the right, or the one on the left. Either<br />
Iowa can boast of good-looking theatre<br />
managers, or Show-A-Rama had some excellent<br />
photographers.<br />
George Lefko from Pathe-America in<br />
Chicago was in Des Moines on a sales trip<br />
and Ida Metcalf of Cedar Rapids<br />
were in to attend the screening of "West<br />
Side Story" at the Capri . . . Other visitors<br />
on the Row included Bob Hutte of<br />
Osceola and Don Horton, Mount Vernon.<br />
MILWAUKEE<br />
Things are beginning to happen in connection<br />
with the $704,000 added in<br />
construction items to the new museum<br />
without obtaining competitive bids. Alderman<br />
George W. Whittow has asked the<br />
city attorney to determine whether it was<br />
legal. An article, which appeared in a previous<br />
issue of BoxoFFicE March 26) concerning<br />
20th-Pox publicist Louis Orlove's<br />
I<br />
movie projection equipment donated to the<br />
museum, only to be denied space is nowbeing<br />
debated. A member of the museum<br />
board has issued a statement to the effect<br />
that the additional funds went for a mezzanine,<br />
a second elevator, floor tile and<br />
wall plastering. "But." says Orlove. "why<br />
not for the badly needed additional space?"<br />
Projectionists returned to work at the<br />
Tower Theatre after reaching an agreement<br />
with the management in a contract<br />
dispute. Al Camillo, manager, said both<br />
sides agreed to a 90-day moratorium in<br />
which time a settlement was expected on<br />
the issue of whether the theatre would pay<br />
first-run scale when it showed second run<br />
motion pictures. The agreement was with<br />
Local 164. A similar agreement is expected<br />
with Local 18 of the stagehands union, he<br />
said.<br />
The death of Harold J. Fitzgerald while<br />
vacationing in Florida was a severe blow<br />
to the motion picture industry here and<br />
civic activities in general for "Fitz" was<br />
usually expected to lead the way in practically<br />
evei-y campaign that meant anything.<br />
As former president of Pox Wisconsin<br />
Amusement Corp.. a circuit with<br />
about 70 theatres at one time, his advice<br />
and leadership were much in demand.<br />
Lew Breyer, vice-president of King of<br />
Comedy. New York, w'as among those who<br />
attended the Al Camillo testimonial.<br />
Breyer formerly was on the sales staff of<br />
U-I here.<br />
New Form 61S Covers<br />
Collapses From Snow<br />
DETROIT—Insurance coverage against<br />
collapse of a theatre building is now available<br />
in Michigan, according to Clive R.<br />
Waxman, general manager of Independent<br />
Exhibitors Theatre Service of Grand<br />
Rapids. The basic protection is now furnished,<br />
since February 12. by Special Extended<br />
Coverage Endorsement 61S (Uniform<br />
Form Edition. September 1961 1. when<br />
this endorsement is attached to the policy<br />
and the appropriate premium charged,<br />
reading:<br />
"Extend said policy to insure against all<br />
other risks of direct physical loss except<br />
as specifically excluded in the fonn."<br />
Waxman checked extensively into this<br />
situation following the collapse of the roof<br />
of the Sun Theatre at Marion due to accumulated<br />
weight of snow, and the decision<br />
of the owners that they would be<br />
unable to rebuild because the loss was<br />
found not to be covered by insui'ance.<br />
As Waxman explains the insurance situation:<br />
"The major factor as the special<br />
coverage endorsement applies to our situation<br />
is that 'collapse' is NOT listed as one<br />
of the exclusions— therefore it is covered."<br />
He notes that this covere a $100 deductible<br />
feature on perils other than ordinary<br />
extended coverage.<br />
Noting that fonn 61S applies to business<br />
and industrial buildings. Waxman advises<br />
that a different form is applicable to homeowner<br />
package policies.<br />
Reopens in Versailles, Ind.<br />
VERSAILLES. IND. — The Versailles<br />
Theatre, closed .since 1958, w-as reopened<br />
early this month under the management of<br />
Herbert Thompson.<br />
The screenplay for Columbia's "Diamond<br />
"<br />
Head. Peter Oilman's dramatic story of a<br />
dynastic Hawaiian family, was written by<br />
Marguerite Roberts.<br />
NC-4 BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962
—<br />
——<br />
—<br />
"<br />
"<br />
. . founded<br />
. . James<br />
'Bird' a Soaring 200%<br />
In Detroit's Mercury<br />
DETROIT — "Swi'ct Bird of Youth"<br />
topped all piTccntaKt' ratings of the past<br />
few months in its opening at one of this<br />
city's more luxurious ncishborhood theatres.<br />
It was followed by "Pinocchio," at<br />
one of the downtown theatres, a re-re-rere-relcase<br />
which still charms viewers of alj<br />
ages even though cartoon techniques have<br />
changed considerably since it was first<br />
shown—probably to the parents of the<br />
present full-house audiences.<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Adorns BoHleground (MGM); Go for Broke<br />
(MGM), reissues 60<br />
Fox<br />
(20th-Fox), Corousel<br />
The King ond I<br />
(20th-Fox), reissues, 2nd wk 80<br />
cGrond Circus—The Children's Hour (UA), 2nd wk. 135<br />
Mddison West Side Story (UA), 6th wk 165<br />
Mercury— Sweet Bird ot Youth (MGM) 200<br />
Michigan Pinocchio (BVl, reissue 185<br />
Polms—World in My Pocket (MGM); The<br />
Singer Not the Song (WB) 100<br />
Trans Lux Krim Murder She Said (MGM), 2nd wk. 80<br />
Cincinnati <strong>Boxoffice</strong> Is Up<br />
But Still Disappointing<br />
CINCINNATI—Overall attendance at the<br />
movies was better during the week, despite<br />
miserable weather and some very good live<br />
entertainment. "West Side Story" in its<br />
second week at the Valley rated 160, and<br />
two art houses. Hyde Park, playing "Breakfast<br />
at Tiffany's" and the Guild, with "Les<br />
Liaisons Dangereuses," both pulled 125.<br />
Albee Sweet Bird of Youth (MGM) 110<br />
Copitol Judgment at Nuremberg (UA),<br />
7th wk 75<br />
Esquire Victim (Pothe-America) 100<br />
Grand -The Four Horsemen of th« Apocalypse<br />
(MGM), 3rd wk 80<br />
Guild Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Astor), 2r>d wk. 125<br />
Hyde Park Breakfast ot TIffany'i (Pora),<br />
reissue 1 25<br />
Keith—Walk on the Wild Side (Col) 100<br />
Palace The Children's Hour (UA), 2nd wk 90<br />
Twin Dnve-ln Bod Doy at Black Rock (MGM),<br />
reissue 90<br />
Volley— West Side Story (UA), 2nd wk 160<br />
Two Before Zero' Being<br />
Prepared for Release<br />
CHICAGO—Negotiations are under way<br />
between producers of "Two Before Zero,<br />
which was made at the Fred Niles studio<br />
here, and three major distributors for releasing<br />
rights. Present plans are for a<br />
Washington, D.C., premiere. Dr. Stefan<br />
Possony, who is on President Kennedy's<br />
staff as adviser on Russian matters, was<br />
technical adviser on "Two Before Zero."<br />
Moaon Picture Corp. of America, headed<br />
by Chicagoan Reginald J. Holzer, is behind<br />
the 90-minute feature. Basil Rathbone and<br />
Mary Murphy are the stars.<br />
Would License Drive-Ins<br />
TOLEDO—The city council is coirsidering<br />
a proposal to license drive-in theatres.<br />
The measure would affect only the Miracle<br />
Mile. The fee would be $235 a year.<br />
Starring in Columbia's "Diamond Head<br />
is Academy Award winner Charlton Heston.<br />
Dismissal Motions Up<br />
In Far Hills 'Teas' Case<br />
DAYTON—Judne Carl I). Kes.sler heard<br />
three motions Friday i6i in connection<br />
with the recent indictments against the<br />
.<br />
Far Hills Theatre, Inc., and its manager,<br />
Edward Eads, 31, accused of exhibiting an<br />
alleged obscene film, "The Immoral Mr.<br />
Teas."<br />
Harry 'Wright, counsel for the theatre<br />
manager, asked that the court dismiss the<br />
indictments becau.sc they "are insufficient<br />
and upon incompetent evidence<br />
obtained illegally and without facts."<br />
He sought authority to inspect the grand<br />
jury proceedings on grounds the proceedings<br />
were ba.sed on "incompetent, improper,<br />
and legally insufficient evidence." The<br />
grand jury indictment stemmed from the<br />
dismissal of several Oakwood muiricipal<br />
court suits against Eads as a result of a<br />
decision of the Ohio supreme court in another<br />
case involving the French import,<br />
"The Lovers."<br />
In this case, the supreme court freed<br />
Allen 'Warth, Dayton, theatre manager,<br />
because he had been prosecuted under a<br />
section of the obscenity law which had<br />
been declared unconstitutional.<br />
COLUMBUS<br />
f5,round- breaking for the multi-milliondollar<br />
underground parking garage at<br />
the State House, opposite Loew's Ohio and<br />
RKO Grand, may take place by Labor Day,<br />
said William E. Knepper, chairman of the<br />
commission in charge of the project. Engineers<br />
sketches published in local newspapers<br />
show that entrance and exit ramps<br />
are planned for State street, virtually at<br />
the doors of the two theatres. The street is<br />
to be widened, possibly with a mall in the<br />
center to divide traffic. Pedestrian entrances<br />
and exits are expected to be placed<br />
near the theatres. Capacity may be between<br />
1,000 and 1,500 cars. The garage<br />
would be U-shaped, with arms parallel to<br />
High and Broad streets, as well as State<br />
street. East Broad street entrance and<br />
exit are near the RKO Palace.<br />
Ed McGlone, manager of the RKO Palace,<br />
held Walt Disney's "Pinocchio" for a<br />
second week .<br />
McCann, assistant<br />
in the Coluinbus Citizen-Journal theatre<br />
department, has joined the U. S. Army for<br />
two years.<br />
Indie Playstar Organized<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Pioducer Alfeo Bocchicchio<br />
and Clark Paylow, assistant director<br />
on Allied Artists' "Hitler," have foi-med an<br />
independent production company, Playstar,<br />
and have acquired "The Kiss" by Lewis<br />
Simeon for their initial venture. The film<br />
is slated to go before the cameras in early<br />
summer. No release has yet been set.<br />
41 Theatres Sponsor<br />
TV Awards Contest<br />
CINCINNATI—An Academy Awards contest<br />
for movie fans was conducted this<br />
week, sponsored by 41 theatres of this city,<br />
Hamilton and Middletown, Ohio, and<br />
northern Kentucky, in conjunction with<br />
WKRC-TV. Trailers were shown in all the<br />
hou.ses during the w^eek urging moviegoers<br />
to vote.<br />
Patrons were requested to vote for the<br />
best picture, actor and actress on a postcard,<br />
mailed and postmarked not later<br />
than midnight April 8. Cards will be placed<br />
in a hopper and the persons whose names<br />
are drawn will be asked a simple question<br />
by phone.<br />
The winners will be announced on the<br />
WKRC-TV Jane Lynn .show in the midweek.<br />
Prizes are: first. Zenith color T'V:<br />
second, Bulova watch, and the third, a<br />
Bulova watch-transistor radio.<br />
Maurice Baker, Manager<br />
At Youngstown. Is Dead<br />
YOUNGSTOWN—Maurice A. Baker, 65,<br />
manager of the Palace Theatre, died of a<br />
heart ailment. He was active in show business<br />
throughout his adult life, beginning<br />
as an entertainer and piano player in the<br />
era of vaudeville and silent films. In the<br />
1920s, he transferred to the management<br />
field and became district manager of the<br />
New England territory for Paramount Publix<br />
Corp. He was manager of one of the<br />
first theatres in the country designed for<br />
sound films, the Colfax Theatre In South<br />
Bend, Ind.<br />
Baker managed theatres in Steubenvllle,<br />
Ohio from 1934 to 1944, then he came to<br />
Youngstown as manager of the Palace. He<br />
had been there since, except for a twoyear<br />
period in 1947-49 when he operated<br />
his own theatre in Fort Myers, Fla., and<br />
from 1956-59, when he retmned to the<br />
management of theatres in Steubenville.<br />
Besides his wife Vera, whom he married<br />
in 1956. he leaves two stepdaughters.<br />
Cinerama at Cuyahoga Falls<br />
CUYAHOGA PALLS. OHIO — "This Is<br />
Cinerama" opened at the downtown Falls<br />
Theatre, remodeled at a cost of $125,000,<br />
with a benefit sponsored by local Sigma<br />
Delta Chi to raise funds for its scholarship<br />
fund. The Falls is owned by L. M. Horwitz<br />
of Cleveland.<br />
DRIVE-IN SCREEN SURFACING<br />
Twice the Briohtncss—Sharper<br />
ON BETTER DRIVE-INS EVERYWHERE<br />
THE GEORGE ENGLISH CORP.—Berwyn, Pa.<br />
\,ilii.ii»i,l,- S.-iiir.' . . Littra'iiit<br />
. . M.<br />
.M.ig.ir.i 4-4362<br />
JonAOM<br />
BOONTON, N. J.<br />
Large Core<br />
Greater Crater Area<br />
MAXIMUM LIGHT<br />
^^•lAy Oitfribvted<br />
.<br />
,is—Gordcner Theatre Service, I<br />
cogo— Buckinghom 1-0S91<br />
2831-33 N. Clork St., Chi.<br />
Supply, Detroit—Woodward 1-2447<br />
BOXOFFICE April 9. 1962 ME-1
. . . Captain<br />
. . Twig<br />
. . Fred<br />
. . Roy<br />
DETROIT<br />
The meeting of the Federation of Motion<br />
Picture Councils at Grand Rapids<br />
draws the attention of the industry to<br />
Michigan again. Detroit made history in<br />
this field when the convention was held<br />
here a few years ago under the leadciship<br />
of Mrs. Max M. Williams of suburban Royal<br />
Oak. who was first national president.<br />
Sol Krim. heading the family which owns<br />
the Trans-Lux Krim Theatre in Highland<br />
Park, returned home after wintering in<br />
California. He headed east for a couple of<br />
weeks, but will be due back in the Motor<br />
City about April 15.<br />
Nightingale news: Joe Poresta was the<br />
HERE'S YOUR CHANCE<br />
to get in the<br />
.5^1^ BIG MONEY<br />
As a screen game,<br />
HOLLYWOOD takes top<br />
honors. As a box-office attraction,<br />
it is without equal. It has<br />
been a favorite with theatre goers for<br />
over 15 years. Write today for complete details.<br />
Be sure to give seating or car capacity.<br />
HOLLYWOOD AMUSEMENT CO.<br />
3750 Ooklon St. • Skokic, Illinois<br />
DETROIT POPCORN CO.<br />
READY-TO-EAT POPPED CORN<br />
Corn - Seoioning Boxes - Salt<br />
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Detroit 8, Midi. Nights-UN 3-1468<br />
^E.<br />
fxpert in pin spilling at the latest bowling<br />
session . Dewitt was elated with<br />
his 518. going into first place and taking<br />
high single and high three in his division<br />
Carl Mingione is changing his<br />
lineup to stop that losing streak for his<br />
Local 199 team . Warendorp had a<br />
nice day of pin spilling and managed to<br />
raise his average . Thompson was<br />
due back from his trip on the road to help<br />
pull his team out of their slump . . . President<br />
Melvin Donlon was out for a visit and<br />
asked about the man in charge of tickets.<br />
Zealous secretary Floyd Akins says he appointed<br />
every member a committee of one<br />
to help do the job.<br />
Projectionist Local 199 dropped thi'ee<br />
points to Altec, closing up the margin in<br />
the race as the Nightingale Club Bowling<br />
League approached tlie end of the season.<br />
Theatre Equipment took three from National<br />
Theatre Supply to move up into the<br />
second slot, and National Carbon took all<br />
four from Amusement Supply, getting into<br />
the act as a last-day dark horse. The<br />
.standnigs:<br />
Team W L Teom W L<br />
Locol .61 43 Altec 4912 541/j<br />
199<br />
TEC 591/2 441 2 Ams't Supply 441,, 59!/j<br />
Not. Carbon 531/2 SOVj NTS 44 60<br />
High scores rolled were: Joe Foresta, 191-<br />
211. 575: Carl Mingione. 196. 558: Eddie<br />
Waddell, 194-216, 545: William Fouchey.<br />
190. 542; Fi-ancis Light. 190-193, 535; Julius<br />
Pavella, 202, 533; Edgar Douville, 203, 517;<br />
Nick Forest, 200, 516; Roger Robinson.<br />
520; Twig Dewitt, 518; Bud Gates, 513.<br />
McCrea, Scott Costarring<br />
In Lyons' 'Recollection'<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Richard E. Lyons is<br />
preparing "Recollection Ci'eek." a screenplay<br />
by Fred Gipson. as a sequel to his first<br />
MOM project. "Ride the High Country,"<br />
starring Joel McCrea and Randolph Scott,<br />
which will be released in June.<br />
The new pix)ject will be rewritten as a<br />
costarring vehicle for McCrea and Scott.<br />
Henry Novak to Sales Job<br />
With Borde Associates<br />
LOS ANGELES—Harry Novak has been<br />
named to handle sales in southern California<br />
for Seymour Borde & Associates, independent<br />
film distributors with offices<br />
here. San Francisco and Denver. Novak at<br />
one time was head booker for RKO Pictures<br />
here when Borde was brancli<br />
manager.
. . Both<br />
. . The<br />
. . Mary<br />
. . Irvin<br />
. . Prom<br />
3<br />
CINCINNATI<br />
Variety Tent 3 held open house in its<br />
clubi-ooms in Hotel Metropole April 7 as a<br />
"thank you" gesture to all the workers who<br />
participated in the recent successful telephon<br />
fund raising campaign. In appreciation<br />
of his strong support of the entertainment<br />
field, movies in particular. Tent<br />
3 is sponsoring a testimonial dinner to be<br />
held late this month for E. B. Radcliffe, the<br />
morning Enquirer's movie reporter, who is<br />
celebrating 35 years as a newspaperman.<br />
The Cincinnati chapter of the Japanese<br />
American Citizen League is sponsoring two<br />
noncommercial films at the neighborhood<br />
Nordland to raise funds in an effort to repeal<br />
the Washington state alien land law.<br />
Washington is the only state that still has<br />
the outmoded law, prohibiting Americans<br />
of Japanese descent to own land.<br />
In the evening Post and Times-Star,<br />
there was a brief blurb about UA's "The<br />
Children's Hour," now playing the Palace,<br />
in which it was explained that it was not<br />
for children. The morning Enquirer quipped<br />
the next day that sometime it was going to<br />
invest all its money in making a Mickey<br />
Mouse picture and advertise it as "not<br />
recommended for adults" . subrun<br />
houses and drive-ins were showing Dis-<br />
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ney's "Plnocchlo" and quite a few of the<br />
better family films. This was a break for<br />
the youngsters as not a single film being<br />
presented during the week in the firstrun<br />
houses was for them; all were labeled<br />
"For Adults Only."<br />
Cince spring is in the air. and also because<br />
they need more elbow room, two<br />
members of the film colony moved during<br />
the weekend. Murray Baker, district manager<br />
for Continental Distributing, moved<br />
RKO's Palace entertained a large group<br />
of Golden Age members at a screening of<br />
his office from 1716 Logan<br />
"The Children's<br />
St. into the<br />
Hour." coupled with other<br />
films suitable<br />
first floor quarters at 1634 Central Parkway,<br />
which houses the majority of the film<br />
to their tastes . . . The Chakeres<br />
circuit gave youngsters something different<br />
exchanges. Tristate Theatre Services<br />
Saturday,<br />
also<br />
March 31, when the Regent,<br />
Springfield,<br />
moved from its office within the building<br />
at a morning show, and<br />
at<br />
into the same section . companies<br />
Xenia in the afternoon, presented a live<br />
were greeted by Don Duff, manager puppet<br />
for<br />
show called "St. George and the<br />
AIP, also a new tenant who has been<br />
Dragon." Also very successful throughout<br />
the<br />
dodging ladders and paint buckets the<br />
season have<br />
last<br />
been the Mickey Mouse<br />
birthday<br />
two weeks. Duff extended neighborly<br />
shows<br />
greetings<br />
to the newcomers before hurrying off<br />
on Saturdays played in the<br />
various circuit theatres.<br />
to a preview of AIP's "Burn, Witch Burn" Phil Chalieres, president of the Chakeres<br />
at the Esquire, which was followed by a circuit, whose winter home is in Miami<br />
cocktail party for the exhibitors at a nearby<br />
cafe. William Borack, president of Trifield,<br />
during the first week of April . . .<br />
Beach, was at the home office in Springstate<br />
Theatres, missed out on the fun as he Robert Laws, Columbia booker, vacationed<br />
was home convalescing from an illness. in Arizona . . . Lucille Arnold, secretary to<br />
U-I Manager Prank Schreiber, and Margaret<br />
Wooda-uff, Columbia head booker,<br />
looked over the new home of Helen Cirin,<br />
secretary to MGM Manager H. Russell<br />
Gaus . Illing. fomierly with MGM,<br />
is now at U-I, replacing Loretta Cecardo,<br />
who resigned to await a visit from the<br />
stork . Klass, owner of the Ames,<br />
Dayton, is convalescing after surgery.<br />
Two MGM publicists were on Filmrow,<br />
Roger Bauer for the "King of Kings" subrun<br />
which began in April at the Hollywood,<br />
Mariemont, Ambassador, and at the Madison,<br />
Covington, Ky., and Karl Bruss, working<br />
on "Horizontal Lieutenant," scheduled<br />
for a saturation of 60 area houses beginning<br />
April 20.<br />
In were these exhibitors from Kentucky:<br />
Gene Lutes, Frankfort: Floyd Morrow,<br />
Louisville; Marvin C. White, Flatwoods;<br />
Glen Peters, Richmond; William Powers,<br />
Pendleton: Howard Sheldon, Vanceburg;<br />
Bud Hughes, Manchester . Ohio<br />
were Dick Dickerson and William Settos,<br />
Springfield; Carl Pfister, Troy: Moe Potasky,<br />
Dayton: Hank Davidson, Lynchburg:<br />
James Chakeres, Washington, C. H.;<br />
William Queen, Columbus; Jerry Jackson,<br />
Mount Holly, and A. J. Dwyer. regional<br />
manager. Army and Air Force motion picture<br />
services. St. Louis.<br />
Theatre to Skating Rink<br />
YOUNGSTOWN—The Art Guild Theatre<br />
in suburban Glrard was clo.sed March<br />
27. and will reopen April 18 as a roller<br />
skating rink. Al Garfield, owner and operator<br />
of the New Mock and Art Guild, said<br />
the stage will be changed into a restaurant<br />
and concession area, entered by ramps<br />
from the .skating floor, which will cover<br />
the entire 3,000 square feet of the auditorium.<br />
The New- Mock Theatre will continue<br />
to operate as a film house, he said.<br />
Leonard Young Trcrvel Agency<br />
HARTFORD—Leonard Yomig, at one<br />
time assistant to George E. Landers, Hartford<br />
division manager for E. M. Loew's<br />
Theatres, has opened his own travel agency,<br />
Young Travel Service, 152 West 42nd St..<br />
New York. He is a brother-in-law of Morris<br />
Keppner, partner in the Burnside Theatre<br />
and General Theatres of Hartford.<br />
THE<br />
NEARLY<br />
CURABLE<br />
CANCER!<br />
A simple, painless examination,<br />
the "Pap<br />
smear", helps physicians<br />
detect cancers of<br />
the uterus in time.<br />
When discovered early<br />
and properly treated,<br />
this second most common<br />
cancer in women is<br />
nearly 100 7^ curable.<br />
Our film, "Time and<br />
Two Women" will show<br />
you how to guard yourself<br />
against uterine cancer.<br />
It has already saved<br />
many lives. To see it,<br />
call the office of the<br />
American Cancer<br />
Society nearest you, or<br />
write to "Cancer", c/o<br />
your local post office.<br />
CANCER<br />
SOCIETY,<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
BOXOFFICE April 9. 1962 ME-
NY TIME is a GOOD TIME<br />
to read and use the busy<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
CLASSIFIED WANT ADS<br />
Use these speedy little<br />
business builders to get<br />
quick results at slight cost<br />
Buyers meet sellers<br />
Employers locate good help<br />
Suppliers find a market<br />
BOXOFFICE Clearing House<br />
Best Reader Coverage in the Field—Most for Your Advertising Dollar<br />
ME-4 BOXOFFICE :: April 9. 1962
—<br />
—<br />
—<br />
—<br />
W.Al<br />
sometimes<br />
i<br />
Xiaisons' Maintains<br />
Fast Hartford Pace<br />
HARTFORD— Astor's '•Los Liaisons Dangereuses"<br />
went into a tliiid Cine Webb<br />
week.<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
,<br />
Allyn Hitler (AA); Honds of o Stranger (AA) 85<br />
Art Cinema Heot of Summer ;SR:, Forbidden<br />
Fruit (SR), revivals, 2nd wk 90<br />
Cincroma Seven Wonders of the World<br />
(Cineromo), 110<br />
Cine Webb Les Liaisons Dangcreuses (Astor),<br />
Jrd wk 130<br />
E. M. Loew Walk on the Wild Side (Col) 105<br />
Loews Palace^ Goliath ond the Dragon (AlP);<br />
Goliath and the Barbarians (AlPl, revivals... 90<br />
Loews Poll— The Four Horsemen of the<br />
Apocalypse 1 .'n.l wk 105<br />
Rivoli— Purple Noon Times); Mon in the Moon<br />
(Trans-Lux), return runs 90<br />
Transit Tieup Cuts Deep<br />
Into Hub First Runs<br />
BOSTON—The transportation strike cut<br />
30 per cent off the normal Boston firstrun<br />
film houses and openers were 'way off<br />
when the wildcat strike was called tying<br />
up all public transportation in Boston. Not<br />
a streetcar moved in the enth'e Hub; cabs<br />
and private cars were the only means of<br />
transportation as 400,000 Satm-day riders<br />
were affected. "Doctor in Love" opened<br />
good at the Kenmore, high above average.<br />
"The Outsider" opened good at the Memorial,<br />
above average. "The Head" opened<br />
. .<br />
fine at the Paramount, high above average.<br />
Roadshows, with their advance ticket<br />
sales, were not too badly affected by the<br />
strike, as their patrons came by cab and<br />
carpool, having already paid for their seats.<br />
Astor— El Cid (AA), 1 5th wk 130<br />
Boston South Seas Adventure (Cinerama),<br />
reissue, 13th wk 100<br />
Beocon Hill Les Liaisons Dangereuses (A&tar),<br />
2nd wk 175<br />
Capri Light 1 50<br />
in the Piazza (MGM), wk.<br />
Exeter Murder She Said (MGM),<br />
2nd<br />
5th wk 150<br />
Fenway The Angry Silence (SR) 1 40<br />
Gory West Side Story UA), 12t-h wk 200<br />
Kenmore Doctor in Love Governor) 1 75<br />
Metropolitan Julius Caesar (MGM), reissue. ... 1 25<br />
Memorial The Outsider (U-l) 175<br />
Paramount—The Head (Trans-Lux) 180<br />
Orpheum—The Four Horsemen of the<br />
Apocalypse MGM), 2nd wk 150<br />
Pilgrim Battleground (MGM), reissue 110<br />
Saxon Judgment at Nuremberg (UA), 7th wk. 140<br />
Stote The Maiden (SR) 1 50<br />
'View' Is Best Grosser<br />
In Dull New Haven<br />
NEW HAVEN—Most of the suburban<br />
drive-ins resimred operations for the season.<br />
Crown—Ocean's 11 (WB); Seven Thieves<br />
(20th-Fox), revivals 80<br />
LirKoln Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Astor),<br />
3rd wk 100<br />
Loew's College Walk on the Wild Side (Col),<br />
2nd wk 110<br />
Poramount Hitler fAAi Armored Command<br />
(AA) 80<br />
Roger Shermon King of Kings (MGM), 3rd wk. 90<br />
Vvhalley A View From the Bridge (Confl),<br />
2nd wk 115<br />
Mel Safner Man of Year<br />
For Central Falls Lions<br />
CENTRAL PALLS. R. I.—Mel Safner.<br />
New England exhibitor, has been named<br />
Man of the Year by the Central Palls<br />
Lions Club, the organization honoring the<br />
owner of the Lafayette Theatre here as<br />
196rs outstanding citizen, contributing<br />
significantly to the Central Palls community.<br />
Safner is also associated with independent<br />
film distributor Eddie Ruff in Eddie<br />
Ruff Associates.<br />
BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962<br />
Quality Films for<br />
Build Business for<br />
By ALLEN M. WIDEM<br />
SPRINGPIELD—To independent exhibitor<br />
Vincent Blais, operating the Forest Park<br />
Phillips Tlicatre under lease from the<br />
Nicholas Zeo interests, 1962 poses as great<br />
a challenge as any year in the history of<br />
American motion pictures.<br />
"I've found," lie told this inquiring <strong>Boxoffice</strong><br />
correspondent, "that people are<br />
vitally interested in quality motion picture<br />
entertainment and as long as we can come<br />
up with programs of such stature tiic ink<br />
on the boxoffice statements can not only<br />
appear decidedly black, but the totals<br />
themselves can even surprise the most con-<br />
I<br />
firmed optimist!"<br />
Blais. aware of the tremendous competition<br />
for the smaller, independent, subsequent-run<br />
first-rum situation<br />
outside of the hard-core, downtown area<br />
of a metropolitan city, finds that in his<br />
bookings he has the structural key to<br />
making the Phillips formula work with<br />
resounding success.<br />
And while he has been experimenting of<br />
late—he leased the theatre six months ago<br />
—with first-run attractions, primarily from<br />
Showcorporation of America and Trans-<br />
Lux Distributing, New York, he finds<br />
necessary the liaison, the rapport, so to<br />
speak, between theatre and family groups<br />
in the Forest Park area, predominantly<br />
residential.<br />
Significantly, during a recent public<br />
school vacation week. Blais found it most<br />
advantageous to go out of his way to find<br />
motion pictures of primary concern to<br />
youngsters.<br />
"I decided to slate special kiddy shows<br />
James Mahoney Accepts<br />
Jimmy Fund Leadership<br />
Boston—Uilliam S. Koster. vicepresident<br />
of the Children's Cancer Research<br />
Foundation, announced today<br />
that James F. Mahoney, general manager<br />
of Interstate Theatres, will again<br />
serve as general cochairman for this<br />
year's Jimmy Fund Drive.<br />
For the past 12 years, the motion picture<br />
industry throughout New England<br />
has been the backbone of the<br />
Jimmy Fund. More than GOO theatres<br />
throughout New England annually<br />
participate by showing a trailer and<br />
taking audience collections.<br />
.At the present time, 652 children<br />
afflicted with cancer are undergoing<br />
treatment. The Jimmy Fund Hospital<br />
continues to be the world center for<br />
research of children afflicted with cancer.<br />
Mahoney said the same team that<br />
participated last year has voluntarily<br />
offered to serve in this year's drive:<br />
Mahoney and Joseph E. Cronin. general<br />
cochairmen; William S. Koster. executive<br />
director: Ted Williams, honorary<br />
chairman; Curt Gowdy, sports chairman;<br />
Bob Emery, "small fry" chairman,<br />
and Hector J. Pelletier, law enforcement<br />
agencies chairman. In addition,<br />
local and state chairmen will<br />
be named.<br />
Special Segments<br />
Vincent Blais<br />
tor every aftcinoon ol that week—from<br />
Monday through Saturday— with nary a<br />
deviation. I wanted to prove to myself, in<br />
particulai-, that given a definite schedule of<br />
definite appeal, the families in my commuting<br />
region would respond."<br />
And respond they did—encouragingly!<br />
"I was most gratified to gel comments from<br />
ths kiJs in line; they said that their parents<br />
were pleased over the choice of fare," said<br />
Blais.<br />
He blossomed forth with two-column by<br />
eight-inch deep ads, emblazoned with the<br />
heading, "A Mcs-sage of Possible Interest<br />
to All Parents of School Age Children."<br />
The copy: "Monday marks the beginning<br />
of No-School Week in this area.<br />
SUCCESSFUL NO-SCHOOL WEEK<br />
"Therefore, with great pride and effort.<br />
we are happy to announce tiiat we have<br />
made special arrangements during this No-<br />
School Week to present on our screen for<br />
the entire week a completely different and<br />
new matinee program w'hich will be of<br />
interest to your youngsters. 'See our other<br />
ad for our regular evening show !<br />
"May we suggest that you cut out the<br />
schedule below and use it as a guide for<br />
the entire No-School Week?<br />
"These special programs will start every<br />
day at 1:30 p.m. and will end at approximately<br />
4 p.m."<br />
The attractions: Monday. Paramount's<br />
The Greatest Show on Earth, plus two cartoons:<br />
Tuesday. AA's Raymie and Columbia's<br />
The Plying Fontaines, plus two cartoons;<br />
Wednesday. Paramount's Tarzan the<br />
Magnificent and 20th-Fox's A Dog of<br />
Flanders: Thursday, 20th-Fox's Misty and<br />
UA's The Boy and the Pirates; Friday, Columbia's<br />
Comanche Station and The Sword<br />
of Sherwood Forest: and Satm-day, UA's A<br />
Dog's Best Friend and Dance With Me,<br />
Henry I<br />
Blais, moreover, has taken meticulous<br />
care not to overlook the foreign film<br />
aficionado, the avant-garde entertainment<br />
seeker, the "snob" or "high-brow" motion<br />
picture buyer, if you will.<br />
CAPITALIZES ON 'SNOB APPEAL"<br />
"I'm aware that the 'snobs' may read<br />
The Saturday Review' or 'Harper's' and<br />
discourse at will on the general 'downgrading'<br />
of motion pictures in general, at<br />
the same time patronizing films called to<br />
their attention sporadically."<br />
He played the western Massachusetts<br />
premiere of Showcorporation's British<br />
comedy import, "Double Bunk," slanting<br />
advertising and promotional endeavor to<br />
the "snob" and art film field. His advertising<br />
catchline read, intriguingly, "They<br />
doubled up—and so wUl you!"<br />
To assuage the fears of single-featurepreferred<br />
patrons in a notoriously-difficultto-change<br />
double-feature town, Blais<br />
booked UAs "Pocketful of Miracles," slating<br />
two featurettes, "Australian Water<br />
Sports" and "Assignment New Zealand,"<br />
rather than a full-length attraction as<br />
supporting fare.<br />
In an experimental mood— "And you<br />
might say, he added with a merry twinkle<br />
"<br />
in his eyes, "that I'll probably always be<br />
'Continued on page NE-4i<br />
NE-1
.<br />
. . The<br />
'1<br />
BOSTON<br />
HI Lt'vy, 20th Century-Fox manager,<br />
visited the New Haven. Albany and<br />
Buffalo offices under his supervision during<br />
the Spyros Skouras Drive and repoi-ted<br />
that business is on the uptrend. With the<br />
drive-ins opening soon, the outlook is for a<br />
still further increase in business.<br />
Phil Engel, 20th-Pox publicity manager<br />
in New England, is .setting up his campaigns<br />
for •State Pair" in all key situations<br />
for Easter release. Phil reports that<br />
20th-Pox has increased its national and<br />
local ad expenditures to its alltimc peak,<br />
the advertising including a full page in<br />
Sunday supplements April 1, 8 and 15.<br />
These ads. seen by millions of readers, are<br />
bound to help attract patrons to this fine<br />
family picture. Engcl said. At the local<br />
level. Fox is using radio support on advertising<br />
campaigns in key areas plus promotions<br />
with music stores, music distributors<br />
and large window displays. Engel and<br />
Jerry Schcer of Dot Records worked out a<br />
series of screenings for "State Pair." inviting<br />
all disc jockeys, radio and TV program<br />
managers, music distributors and<br />
music store owners to see the pictiue at the<br />
Fox screening room.<br />
.\fter many years as Pox head booker.<br />
Sam Berg has retired under the company's<br />
pension plan. The office staff is now planning<br />
a big party for Sam Berg and Bill<br />
Graham, the latter leaving 20th-Fox to<br />
take up duties with the Al Daytz-Al Lourie<br />
organization. Gifts will be presented both<br />
men at the party. In line with the company<br />
policy of promotions. Bob Rancatore<br />
has been appointed head booker by Al Levy.<br />
and Rancatore's place has been taken by<br />
Jim Barry, formerly of the Albany branch<br />
Ferguson Returns to Duty<br />
NEW HAVEN — Franklin E. "Fergie"<br />
Fergu-son, general manager and advertising<br />
director of the Maurice Bailey Theatres<br />
here, has returned to his Whalley Theatre<br />
Building office, following recuperation<br />
from surgery.<br />
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'State Fair' Star Guest<br />
Of Boston News Media<br />
BOSTON—Pamela Tiffm. star of<br />
•Stale<br />
Fail." which opens at the Metropolitan<br />
Theatre April 17. was here on the first leg<br />
of a tour of several cities before the April<br />
4 world premiere in Texas and Oklahoma.<br />
She was given a reception at the Statler-<br />
Hilton by 20th Century-Fox officials and<br />
the Boston film press contingent.<br />
Phil Engel. 20th-Fox publicist and field<br />
exploitation chief, arranged the visit for<br />
Miss Tiffin, with pre.ss interviews and a<br />
round of radio and television appearances.<br />
The film star was on Pri'-'cilla Portescue's<br />
program on WEEI; on WORL. WEZE,<br />
WNAC and WMEX in a whirlwind one-day<br />
stop.<br />
Along with 20th-Fox officials from the<br />
Boston exchange and officials of the<br />
Metropolitan and New England Theatres<br />
Corp. were Jerry Scheer and representatives<br />
of the Dot Recording Co. on which<br />
label the soundtrack of 'State Pair.^' with<br />
Miss Tiffin's photo on the cover, is being<br />
released.<br />
Following the Boston rounds in behalf of<br />
the picture, her third, others were 'Simimer<br />
and Smoke. ' and One. Two, Three"'<br />
i<br />
she planed out with her mother, who accompanied<br />
her. for Cleveland and Detroit<br />
appearances.<br />
2 Downtown Theatres Are<br />
Hartford Highway Victims<br />
HARTFORD—Two downtown first<br />
—the<br />
runs<br />
4.200-seat State, owned by Harris<br />
Bros.,<br />
by Maurice Greenberg—have been demolished<br />
and the 1,200-seat Parsons, owned<br />
to make way for the multimillion<br />
dollar east-west highway.<br />
Neither the Harris nor the Greenberg interests<br />
intend to rebuild locally.<br />
Two more first runs—Loew's Poll, 2.800<br />
seats, and Loew's Palace. 1,400 seats—are<br />
destined for demolishment in the foreseeable<br />
future, their particular land area<br />
designated for modernistic apartment<br />
blocks. To date, Loew's Theatres, New<br />
York, has not disclosed future Hartford<br />
plans.<br />
The State, in its heyday, was a top<br />
vaudeville mecca. running combination<br />
motion picture-stage shows on a seven-day<br />
basis, and, in its concluding years, the<br />
Parsons was more concerned with legitimate<br />
theatre productions.<br />
As of this writing, the downtown theatre<br />
situation, less Loew^s theatres, will include<br />
the Allyn (New England Theatres', E. M.<br />
Locw^s, Daly iDaly Theatre Corp.i, Strand<br />
(Stanley Wanaer) and Crown (Syzmanski)<br />
CAREW SCREEN TOWERS<br />
• Present o clear functional design and require only 4 support piers<br />
• Arc extremely flexible as to screen area and height.<br />
• All structurol members are of hot rolled A-36 Steel having a<br />
minimum thickness of '4" and primer painted.<br />
• Anchor bolts, leveling plotes, and anchor bolt plans and reactions<br />
are included.<br />
• Screen is heavy gage golvanized metal with a baked prime coat<br />
of<br />
paint.<br />
• Prices furnished upon request.<br />
CAREW STEEL COMPANY<br />
York, Pennsylvania<br />
Suburbans Flourish<br />
While MTA Strikes<br />
BOSTON — The city's two-day subway<br />
strike proved to be a boon to suburban<br />
and neighborhood theatres, managers of<br />
these houses reporting that their business<br />
jumped far beyond weekend normals as<br />
people returned to the practice of walking<br />
to the theatre. Among those experiencing<br />
their best weekend business in years were<br />
the Circle in Brighton and the Coolidge in<br />
Brookline.<br />
The strike cut downtown film houses 30<br />
per cent from normal business. Saturday.<br />
March 31. and 50 per cent Sunday. April 1.<br />
Work stoppage began at 4 a.m. Saturday<br />
on the MTA. Bostons transportation<br />
system, affecting more than 400.000 Saturday<br />
riders. The strike ended when workers<br />
agreed to go back to their jobs after the<br />
governor had called the legislature into<br />
session and threatened to use the National<br />
Guard to seize the transportation system.<br />
Film theatres suffered more than night<br />
clubs or legit theatres and opening pictures<br />
were considerably off. As one manager put<br />
it: ••Many of our patrons make a day of<br />
Saturday shopping, bringing the kids in<br />
town and all going to a picture. We lost all<br />
that busine.ss. Also. Sunday and Sunday<br />
night where throngs would come pouring<br />
out of the subway stations bound for film<br />
theatres was lost."<br />
PROVIDENCE<br />
The Shipyard Drive-In heralded the opening<br />
of "The George Raft Story" with<br />
a half-page ad in the Journal-Bulletin.<br />
Saturday. March 31. the airer gave cigaret<br />
lighters to the first 150 cars, phonograph<br />
records to the next 300 cars, free guest<br />
certificates to the Fred Astaire Dance<br />
Studios to the next 500 cars and lollipops<br />
to all the children. There were also drawings<br />
for various prizes and a big Twist<br />
contest.<br />
Autographed photos of Tony Curtis were<br />
given to the first 1.000 patrons attending<br />
the opening of the new Curtis film. The<br />
Outsider." at the RKO Albee March 30.<br />
The Sophia Loren film, '•Two Women."<br />
proved to be one of the biggest hits in this<br />
area in months when it went into a sixth<br />
week at the Art Cinema, where it was<br />
shown in its original uncut version in<br />
Italian, with English subtitles. Another<br />
extended run was being accorded '•Walk on<br />
the Wild Side." which was held for a "third<br />
smash week" at the Elmwood. with five<br />
performances daily.<br />
.<br />
The Cinerama Theatre announced that<br />
the Lowell Thomas production, "Seven<br />
Wonders of the World," was in its closing<br />
weeks so "South Seas Adventures " may<br />
start April 25 Union Land Corp.<br />
announced acquisition of land directly<br />
under the auditorium of the Strand Theatre<br />
for approximately $160,000. The firm<br />
reportedly owns the land on which the<br />
movie establishment is located, while the<br />
building is owned by the National Realty<br />
Corp.<br />
Daniel Mann will direct and Henry Blank<br />
will produce "The Second Mrs. Asland" for<br />
Paramount.<br />
NE-2 BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962
. . . Morris<br />
. . Earl<br />
and<br />
. . TOA<br />
. .<br />
. . UA's<br />
. . Sperie<br />
NEW HAVEN<br />
Tim Darby. Paramount, -sncak-prpviewcd<br />
Paramounfs "Tho Man Who Shot<br />
Liberty Valance" . Wright. Lockwood<br />
& Gordon-E. M Loew'.s jointly operated<br />
Candlelite-Pi.x Twin Drive-In. distributed<br />
free peppermint on Friday night<br />
of his "Hey. Let's Twist!" ensagement .<br />
Interstate of New England's Bradley. Putnam,<br />
brought back the Charlie Chaplin<br />
"<br />
classic. "The Gold Rush, UA's "Man<br />
i<br />
in the Net" the latter was filmed on location<br />
in Connecticut several years ago < . on<br />
a double bill.<br />
Lew Ginsburg;. at one time partnered<br />
with Bernie Levy in Amalgamated Theatres,<br />
local booking combine, and gctive in<br />
recent years in film importation, using<br />
New York as a home base, has now<br />
branched out to talent management,<br />
initially representing rising French star<br />
Daniel Cauchy on this side of the Atlantic.<br />
Sal Adorno jr., owner-operator of the<br />
Middletown Drive-In. reopened the airer<br />
for 1962. showing UA's "Sergeants 3," as<br />
his initial attraction.<br />
NEWHAMPSHIRE<br />
Stanley Warner booked the Polish import,<br />
"The Knights of the Teutonic Order,"<br />
(English titles I. into the first-run Warner,<br />
Bridgeport, at $1.50 top. March 30 through<br />
April 1. Children were charged 50 cents<br />
Jacobson booked an all-<br />
Ukranian bill into his American for a<br />
single night's engagement . board<br />
chairman Albert M. Pickus. who owns and<br />
operates the Stratford, Stratford, attended<br />
a TOA directors session in Washington.<br />
Qne of the most successful films in Manchester<br />
in months has been "King of<br />
Kings." which was held over for its third<br />
week at the State Theatre.<br />
A Foreign Film Festival will be held at<br />
the Latchis Theatre in Claremont during<br />
May. "Hiroshima. Mon Amour" will be<br />
shown there May 2 while "The 400 Blows"<br />
will be the attraction May 23. Both are<br />
French films.<br />
John Gardner to Build<br />
ALBANY—John W. Gardner,<br />
who sold<br />
his Glen Drive-In near Glens Palls to Sam<br />
Rosenblatt and Jules Perlmutter last season,<br />
and his interest in the Unadilla Drive-In<br />
near Sidney to partner Al LaFlamme, will<br />
build a 750-car outdoor theatre two miles<br />
north of Hollywood. Fla.. where he now<br />
lives. The new airer, to be called the Arrow-,<br />
will be a family affair with Gardner, w-ife<br />
Marge and two sons all active in it.<br />
Ernie Grecula Corporation<br />
Buys Hartford Art Cinema<br />
IfAUTFORD The H.OO-.scal. fnst-run<br />
Art Cinema has been .sold for an undisclosed<br />
sum by the Park St. Investment Co.<br />
interests to a newly foniied corporation.<br />
Connecticut Cinema, listing Ernest A.<br />
Grecula. a veteran of independent exhibition<br />
operations in Connecticut, as principal<br />
spokesman and resident manager.<br />
Lockwood & Gordon had been operating<br />
the theatre. A first-run policy will be<br />
continued.<br />
Grecula was advertising and publicity<br />
director for the Hartford circuit and. at one<br />
time operated the first-run State, Torrington,<br />
on lease from Morris Jacobson. For a<br />
time, moreover, he was Hartford sales<br />
rcpre.sentative for National Screen Service.<br />
VERMO^NT<br />
Joey Dee, star of "Hey. Let's Twist!"<br />
brought his band, the Starlighters, to<br />
Vermont April 6 for a four-hour program<br />
at the Winooski High School. Sponsoring<br />
the performance was the Winocski Teenage<br />
Club, which has 350 members.<br />
Films are on the program of the seventh<br />
annual Festival of Fine Arts at the Fleming<br />
Theatre. University of Vermont. Burlington.<br />
The festival opened March 28 and<br />
continues through April 22.<br />
The Sunset Drive-In, Burlington, reopened<br />
March 30. It was the second<br />
Burlington ozoner to resume for the summer.<br />
Vermont has had its usual tough winter<br />
but moviegoers became convinced that<br />
spring had really arived when the Burlington<br />
Drive-In opened March 23. although<br />
there was still plenty of snow in<br />
the Green Mountain State hills. The management<br />
announced there would be two<br />
shows nightly<br />
Sam Germaine Testimonial<br />
By Connecticut Industry<br />
NEW HAVEN — Connecticut e.xhibition<br />
and distribution gathered at a testimonial<br />
luncheon AprU 5 in the Colonial House.<br />
Hamden. honoring Sam Germaine. who has<br />
resigned, after 37 years association, from<br />
the 20th-Pox Connecticut exchange staff,<br />
to join Second National Pictures of Boston.<br />
Chairmen of the luncheon were Sam's<br />
brother Henry, Paramount exchange manager,<br />
and Angelo Lombardi, Warner Bros,<br />
manager.<br />
WB Releases<br />
Angie Dickinson<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Actress Angie Dickinson<br />
was granted release from her Warner Bros,<br />
contract at her own request.<br />
HARTFORD<br />
Trving Ilillman. formerly Stanley Warner<br />
zone adveitising publicity director, was<br />
named United Artists exploitation representative<br />
for the April 10 opening of "West<br />
Side Story" at the SW de luxe Strand here<br />
... Ed Stokes, supervisor of art theatre<br />
operations for Lockwood & Gordon, conferred<br />
with Alan M. Brunner. Cine Webb,<br />
on upcoming product.<br />
Bernie Korban of the Univer.sal-International<br />
home office exploitation staff returned<br />
to New York after several days of<br />
activity here . . . Elliot Kone. president of<br />
Group Nine Productions, Connecticut-based<br />
independent production fum, completed<br />
work on his .second effort, a science-fiction<br />
spoof titled, "Oswald, You've Botched It<br />
Again!" Distribution is yet to be arranged.<br />
Hector Frascadore, manager of E.M.<br />
Loew's Farmington Drive-In. resuming for<br />
thj season, cited use of his highway<br />
marquee during the winter months for<br />
cammunity and national "messages," including<br />
at one time U.S. Air Force recruiting.<br />
"Better have a 'message' of sorts<br />
instead of empty spaces!" Hector reasoned.<br />
Earl R. Mortemore, general manager of<br />
the Connecticut company, has asserted that<br />
the Hartford division does not at the<br />
moment plan to hike its 25-cent cash fare<br />
on Hartford area buses. The present token<br />
rate, which amounts to approximately 3^'4-<br />
c^nt discount, will probably be eliminated,<br />
h iwever. Moreover, studies are under way<br />
on the school children's fare, 15 cents at<br />
present. An increase in this fare is pos.sible.<br />
he said.<br />
Albert G. Swett of the Stanley Warner<br />
zone office was in town . "West Side<br />
Story" was preview'ed for the press and<br />
O-her opinion-makers ahead of its SW<br />
Strand Connecticut premiere . P.<br />
Perakos. general manager of Perakos Theatre<br />
Associates, and Maurice W. Shulman,<br />
Shulman Theatres, booked UA's "Exodus"<br />
for retmn runs into the Elm, West Hartford,<br />
and Webster, Hartford, respectively.<br />
Pakistan Airlines to Show<br />
Inflight Motion Pictures<br />
NEW YORK — Pakistan<br />
International<br />
Airlines will inaugurate the presentation<br />
of first-run motion pictures early in April,<br />
arrangements having been completed with<br />
Inflight Motion Pictures, Inc.<br />
David Plexer. president of Inflight, said<br />
that the Pakistan line would be the first<br />
international company, based outside of<br />
the United States, to provide this service<br />
to its passengers. Tians World Airlines has<br />
been showing films on some domestic and<br />
international routes since last July. PIA<br />
will present the films in both the first class<br />
and economy sections on the New York to<br />
Karachi flights.<br />
JonnOAM^<br />
BOONTON, N. J.<br />
Large Core<br />
Greater Crater Area<br />
tifant<br />
MAXIMUM LIGHT<br />
^^•n\y Dittributad,<br />
in Connecticut—NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY,<br />
Homden 14— Atwoter 8-2547<br />
1890 Dixwell Ave.,<br />
in Massachusetts -MASSACHUSETTS THEATRE EQUIPMENT Co<br />
Boston— Liberty 2-9814<br />
BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962 NE-3
and<br />
1<br />
he<br />
Quality Films for<br />
Build Business for<br />
'Continued from page NE-1<br />
experimenting with bookings, since in this<br />
activity I find my greatest challenge and<br />
most rewards!" Blais played Warners' "The<br />
Roman Spring of Mis. Stone," after downtown<br />
Springfield, and used a Trans-Lux<br />
British comedy import. "Man in the Moon,"<br />
as supporting fare, advertising succinctly,<br />
"Another in Om- Series of Pine British<br />
Comedies!"<br />
For the "novelty" trade, he booked<br />
Aidarfs forcefully dramatic study of a<br />
prostitute, "A Cold Wind in August."<br />
The teenagers have not been overlooked,<br />
either. He played UAs "Town Without<br />
Pity" and "Three on a Spree" ithe latter,<br />
incidentally, a British<br />
i<br />
comedy on a single<br />
bill, interrupting the run for his Saturday<br />
matinee only to show Columbia's "Twist<br />
"<br />
Around the Clock "Homicidal."<br />
In conjunction with "Twist," Blais' teenage<br />
inducements ranged from cash door<br />
prizes to Chubby Checker records and<br />
Arthur Murray Dance Studio certificates.<br />
Moreover. Murray instructors were<br />
prominently in attendance to demonstrate<br />
the twist.<br />
Blais is realistic to the point where he<br />
knows that sitting back in his office and<br />
waiting for business to flock over the<br />
threshold belongs part-and-parcel to the<br />
w'orld of illusions.<br />
"We're fighting competition and the degree<br />
of vigorous fight is the difference be-<br />
Special Segments<br />
Vincent Blais<br />
'<br />
tween red ink and black ink, said. "I'm<br />
confident that the tremendous creative<br />
abilities of the international film community<br />
will provide us with great product, and<br />
we must back this creative element with as<br />
much imaginative showmanship as is<br />
humanly possible!"<br />
Beverly Ware Reopening<br />
Awaits Building Repairs<br />
BEVERLY. MASS. — The i^roposed reopening<br />
of the Ware Tiieatre by the E. M.<br />
Loew Corp.. will have to be postponed until<br />
the building can be repaired to meet city<br />
specifications, according to building inspector<br />
Erwin R. Dolloff.<br />
Dolloff revealed that the Porter Constiiiction<br />
Co. of Peabody was hired by the<br />
Loew circuit to make certain repairs on the<br />
structure prior to the reopening. However,<br />
after checking the architect's plan Dolloff<br />
found that more work than was originally<br />
plamied by the company must be done before<br />
the building will meet safety standards.<br />
The city official found that the center<br />
of the building has dropped 11 inches and<br />
that the outside wall had bulged out approximately<br />
five inches. This indicated<br />
weak timbers and Dolloff ordered holes cut<br />
in one side of the structure for inspection<br />
purposes.<br />
Dolloff said that he discovered that the<br />
trusses were badly rotted at the ends and<br />
that at least five timbers needed support by<br />
steel beams or angle irons. The next step<br />
in the reopening of the sti-ucture will be<br />
for the architect to submit new plans for<br />
the repair work.<br />
The building inspector pointed out that<br />
the building was constructed in 1923 and<br />
he wants to be sure that the job is done<br />
correctly and take no chances on the safety<br />
of anyone attending the theatre.<br />
Seven Continents Opens<br />
Operations in U.S.<br />
NEW YORK—Seven Continents Film Associates,<br />
which has previously dealt only<br />
in the European and Far East areas, has<br />
incorporated in New York to concentrate in<br />
the distribution of foreign theatrical and<br />
art films in the U.S. and arrange for distribution<br />
of independent U.S. films abroad.<br />
Edward Kanbar is president and Matt<br />
Shermer is vice-president in charge of<br />
stateside operations from offices at 363<br />
Lexington Avenue. The Paris office continues<br />
under the direction of Benjamin<br />
Omanoff.<br />
Ginsburg Cancer Director<br />
WASHINGTON. D.C.—David<br />
Gmstaurg.<br />
public relations director for Sidney Lust<br />
Theatres, again has been chosen to lead the<br />
Cancjr Crusade sponsored by the Prince<br />
Georges chapter of the American Cancer<br />
Society.<br />
Zachary Scott will menace Jerry Lewis<br />
in Paramount's "It's Only Money."<br />
If It's Good Promotion<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
someone will<br />
report it in . .<br />
Fresh from the scenes of the activities each week come constant<br />
reports of merchandising of films. Most of these are ideas you<br />
can use for 'your own promotion. All of them are interesting and<br />
most of them are profitable in other similar circumstances. Make<br />
full use of these practical ideas hy practical showmen, man'/ of<br />
whom "you may know.<br />
Motion pictures lend themselves ideally to good advertising. The public interest is<br />
high.<br />
Capitalize on the interest that already exists and increase your attendance<br />
"with proved ideas.<br />
NE-4 BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962
—<br />
—<br />
Tiffany's' Ties Mark<br />
In Toronto Theatre<br />
TORONTO—Two new features<br />
were offered<br />
at ace theatres in downtown Toronto<br />
in the playing of "Satan Never<br />
Sleeps" at the Imperial and "The Outsider"<br />
at Loew's Uptown and both quickly<br />
drew good crowds. There was excitement<br />
at the Hollywood when "Breakfast at Tiffany's"<br />
held for a 16th week to equal the<br />
house record. Also of interest was that<br />
Loew's continued to have queues for night<br />
performances in the second week of "Lover<br />
Come Back."<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Carlton Wolk on the Wild Side (Col), 3rd wk. 100<br />
Eghnton Holiday in Spoin<br />
(C(ncmiraclc), l5Hi wk 105<br />
Hollywood Breakfast at Tiftony's (Pora),<br />
16th wk 100<br />
Hyland Victim (20fh-Fox), 2nd wk 105<br />
Imperial Satan Never Sleeps l20th-Fox) 110<br />
L^-ows— Lover Come Back (U I), 2nd wk 110<br />
Tivoli— El Cid (AA), I 5th wk 105<br />
Towne Light in the Pioiio 105<br />
(MGM), 3rd wk<br />
University Judgment at Nuremberg (UA),<br />
105<br />
7th wk<br />
Uptown The Outsider (U-l) HO<br />
Women Shoppers Boost<br />
Matinees in Montreal<br />
MONTREAL—With good weather prevailing<br />
and a great number of women shoppers<br />
in the downtown department stores,<br />
the matinees at the St. Catherine Street<br />
theatres had much extra business. The programs<br />
at the various leading cinemas continued<br />
good.<br />
Aloucfte West Side Story (UA), 5th wk.<br />
Avenue Summer and Smoke (Para)<br />
. . Excellent<br />
Good<br />
Capitol The Outsider (U-l) Good<br />
Imperial Judgment at Nuremberg (UA),<br />
6fh wk Excellent<br />
Kent Raising Good<br />
the Wind (SR), 2nd wk<br />
Loew's The Four Horsemen ot the Apocalypse<br />
(MGM)<br />
Good<br />
Palace Light in the Piazza (MGM), 3rd wk. Good<br />
Seville— El Cid (AA), Mfh wk Good<br />
Snowdon Two Women (Astral), 3rd wk. ..Excellent<br />
West-mont The Mark (IFD), 3rd wk Excellent<br />
"West Side Story' Appeals<br />
To Vancouver Patrons<br />
VANCOUVER—"West Side Story" was<br />
the town's biggest news, with weekend<br />
tickets being hard to get for this roadshow<br />
attraction at the Stanley. The Studio was<br />
doing a healthy business with "Mary Had<br />
a Little."<br />
Capitol A Majority of One (WB) Averoge<br />
Orpheum The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse<br />
(MGM), 2nd wk Fair<br />
Pork Dentist on the Job (20th-Fox) Foir<br />
Plaza— Something Wild UA) Fair<br />
Stanley West Side Story ;UA), 2nd wk. ..Excellent<br />
Strond— Pinocchio BV), reissue, 4th wk Good<br />
Studio— Mary Hod a Little (UA), 2nd wk Good<br />
Varsity— Cobiria (SR), 2nd wk Good<br />
Vogue On the Fiddle (20th-Fox) Moderate<br />
Engineers Sign, But Other<br />
Rail Unions Have Not<br />
TORONTO — There was no walkout<br />
against Canada's two main railway systems<br />
April 2 as promised because an agreement<br />
was reached after a 23-hom- talk between<br />
the companies and the Brotherhood<br />
of Locomotive Engineers, which represent<br />
4,500 workers. No details of settlement<br />
were announced but it was i-umored the<br />
engineers secured a B'o per cent pay<br />
increase. There is still a strike threat because<br />
of demands by other unions for<br />
110,000 members who are employed by the<br />
railroads.<br />
Jerry Bresler is producing "Diamond<br />
Head," a Columbia release, on location in<br />
the Hawaiian Islands.<br />
Tax, Censors Denounced<br />
At Quebec Allied Rally<br />
MONTREAL—Frank Fisher, president ol<br />
the Motion picture Industry Council of<br />
Canada, in an address at the 2i)th annual<br />
meeting of Quebec Allied Theatrical Industries,<br />
hit sharply at Quebec province's<br />
amusement tax and also at film censoring<br />
anomalies.<br />
Gaston Theroux, Montreal, was reelected<br />
president and managing director<br />
of Quebec Allied: William Lester was<br />
elected chairman of the board; Maurice<br />
Arpin, first vice-president; Leo Clioquette,<br />
second vice-president; G. R. Arnott, treasurer,<br />
and George Destounis. A. R. Bahen<br />
and Eniest Tabah. directors.<br />
Fisher told the more than 200 exhibitors<br />
at the meeting that Quebec's "discriminatory<br />
and unjust" amusement tax has put<br />
Quebec province's film exhibitors in an unfair<br />
position compared with other competitors,<br />
particularly radio and TV.<br />
QUEBEC TAX HIGHEST<br />
He said that the 10 per cent basic tax<br />
of Quebec is the highest in the United<br />
States and Canada.<br />
"And," he added, "some admission prices<br />
here have a tax on the tax. TV and radio,<br />
that very fonn of entertainment that has<br />
made you fight for your existence, has no<br />
amusement ta.x—and we the people, are<br />
subsidizing them to the tune of about $75,-<br />
000,000 a year.<br />
"This tax is discriminatory and in many<br />
instances a real hardship. This unjust tax<br />
forces one section of the public to pay a<br />
toll for its amusements that another<br />
escapes."<br />
Fisher noted that the United Kingdom,<br />
and the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan<br />
have removed the amusement<br />
tax entirely. In British Columbia it has<br />
been eliminated on admission prices up to<br />
75 cents, and reduced from 10 to 5 per cent<br />
the levy on admissions from 76 cents to $1.<br />
Ontario also has removed the tax on admissions<br />
up to 56 cents and lowered it on<br />
higher admissions.<br />
PROFIT IN CENSORS BOARDS<br />
Turning to movie censorship in this<br />
counti'y, Fisher said each of the Canadian<br />
provinces shows a profit in the operation of<br />
its censor boards and "this I very definitely<br />
think is a wrong that should be removed."<br />
"Television is not controlled by these<br />
same regulations, or indeed any cen.sorship.<br />
It is a well known fact that in Quebec<br />
province films have been telecast that<br />
have been condemned by the Quebec Motion<br />
Picture Censor Board.<br />
"In Canada, we have eight provincial<br />
censor boards and no two seem to think<br />
alike. There is no consistency. One board<br />
will pass a film and classify it as suitable<br />
for the whole family, another board will<br />
make eliminations and classify it as suitable<br />
for adults only, while still another will<br />
condemn it entirely."<br />
Cutting not only makes a screenplay disjointed<br />
but .sometimes even makes it very<br />
suggestive, Fisher said.<br />
He urged self-policing of films by the<br />
motion picture industry on a nationwide<br />
tasis in order to correct anomalies in<br />
censorship. He said "policing from within"<br />
should be unifoiTn across Canada, spwnsored<br />
and operated by the industry itself,<br />
against the "fast buck operator."<br />
"I would never suggest intervention by<br />
the government," he emphasized.<br />
Fisher predicted that 1962 will be a<br />
better year for motion picture operators,<br />
matching a 7.6 per cent increa.se in boxoffice<br />
gross in the United States in 1961.<br />
Court Ruling on 'Lover'<br />
A Yardstick in Canada<br />
OTTAWA — The Supreme Court's<br />
decLsion<br />
on D. H. Lawrence's novel, "Lady<br />
Chatterley's Lover," establishes for Canada<br />
a legal yardstick by which to judge ob-<br />
.scene writing. The key point in the law on<br />
obscenity is that a piece of writing shall<br />
not unduly exploit sex. But the point has<br />
been open to a wide degree of interpretation.<br />
Now, even though the Supreme Court<br />
split by five to four, the judgment does offer<br />
a judicial guidepost that will be invaluable<br />
in future cases of this kind. Justice<br />
Ritchie said than any harmful effect that<br />
might be caused by objectionable passages<br />
which might be sought out for sp>ecial<br />
reading was counterbalanced "by the desirability<br />
of preserving intact the work of<br />
a writer who, according to the only evidence<br />
we have before us, is regarded as a great<br />
artist by teachers, authors and critics<br />
whose opinion is entitled to respect."<br />
These points are well taken. Too often,<br />
Canadian com'ts have not given sufficient<br />
weight to the broad context of a book under<br />
indictment because of isolated passages<br />
which, standing alone, could be interpreted<br />
as obscene.<br />
"Lady Chatterley's Lover" has occasioned<br />
much controversy, marked at times by<br />
ribald wit. As a British peer remarked during<br />
debate on the book in the House of<br />
Lords. "I do not fear the effect the<br />
book will have on my wife; I do not even<br />
fear the effect it will have on my children;<br />
but I dread the effect it may have<br />
on my gamekeeper."<br />
AFM Threat to TV<br />
TORONTO — Privately owned television<br />
stations on Canadian networks may t>e<br />
forced to drop li\e programs in which<br />
musicians are employed because of a demand<br />
by Walter M. Murdoch of Toronto.<br />
Canadian executive officer of the American<br />
Federation of Musicians. Murdoch has<br />
ordered payment of a basic fee for two<br />
stations using the same program in a<br />
period of 21 days and graduated charges<br />
for subsequent performances elsewhere, as<br />
well as 15 per cent of the first fee for repeat<br />
presentations by videotape in other<br />
countries. The fee schedule varies with extent<br />
of rehearsals and type of show. One<br />
program has already been dropped here as<br />
well as live music for another presentation.<br />
BOXOFFICE AprU 9, 1962 K-1
. . , The<br />
. . Gerald<br />
. . Ted<br />
. . Out<br />
. . The<br />
. .<br />
MONTREAL<br />
Poy jr. and Buster Keaton ai-e the male<br />
stars. In New York, Miss Miner is doing<br />
TV conmiercials . latest count shows<br />
that 62 communities have voted in favor<br />
Joe Rimmer. accountant for Montreal of Sunday motion picture shows under the<br />
Poster Exchange, and his wife left on revised regulations of the Lord's Day act<br />
a trip to Eui-ope and to Israel . . . Mrs. adopted by the Ontario government a year<br />
M. C. Brais. former cashier for Warner ago.<br />
Bros, and a Pilmrow personality, entered<br />
a hospital for surgery . Atkinson, For their reopening for the season, the<br />
who has been at the hospital in Ste. Agathe Hamilton and Starlite drive-ins at Hamilton,<br />
des Monts for six months, looks forward<br />
owned by Joe Dydzak, offered triple<br />
when he will return home, definitely by bills, plus a variety of gifts for all comers.<br />
early summer.<br />
The Clappison near Waterdown, also a<br />
Dydzak operation, is conducting a Bargain<br />
The Royal Theatre in Lac Etchmin was<br />
night for the first three evenings of the<br />
reopened April 1 by owner Claude Giguere<br />
week, the price being $1.50 a carload, up<br />
Canadien and Plaza theatres,<br />
25 cents from the rate collected some time<br />
operated by Michael Custom, reported good<br />
ago.<br />
business with "Mon Dernier Tango," in its<br />
lifth week at the two houses . in<br />
Frank Morriss is established once more as<br />
the territory were Michael Prank, 20th-Fox,<br />
film editor of Toronto's morning daily, the<br />
and Joseph PoUon, IPD-Allied Artists salesman.<br />
Globe &<br />
from the<br />
Mail,<br />
city<br />
having<br />
desk.<br />
been sliifted<br />
The film<br />
back<br />
industry is<br />
"Le Dialogue des Carmelites" has been happy to see him back on the entertainment<br />
beat , . . Canceled out for a Toronto<br />
booked at the St. Denis . . . "La Source"<br />
was on the screen of the Laval. It's an stage engagement because of a poor advance<br />
sale was a performance starring<br />
Ingmar Bergman film . . . H. David of<br />
Carol Channing. But her show, as pre-<br />
K.nted in New York, has been offered twice<br />
during the season to Telemeter subscribers<br />
the Viau Theatre at Pont Viau was on the<br />
Row booking.<br />
TORONTO<br />
H t a luncheon of Toronto Variety Tent 28<br />
Jan Miner, romantic female lead in "Ten<br />
Girls Ago," is doing plenty of commuting.<br />
She flies to New York City each weekend<br />
from Toronto, where the picture is being<br />
made at the International Films studio by<br />
Am-Can Productions. Bert Lahr, Eddie<br />
WE'RE ON THE MOVE !<br />
TO MAKE ROOM FOR ALL OUR STOCK<br />
OF SOUND PROJECTORS AND PARTS<br />
ON MAY FIRST WE ARE MOVING<br />
INTO LARGE QUARTERS<br />
BUT NOT TOO FAR<br />
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Specialists in stage layout, draperies,<br />
tracks, controls, rigging, grid design<br />
data, special effect lighting, control<br />
board, auditorium seating, rental.<br />
in suburban Etobicoke.<br />
During the week prior to the Academy<br />
Awards ceremonial at Santa Monica, "The<br />
Guns of Navarone" was brought back for<br />
still another run in Toronto, this time at<br />
six units of 20th Century Theatres .<br />
The Odeon Palace in nearby Hamilton<br />
featured a stage concert Sunday night of<br />
the Hamilton Philharmonic orchestra with<br />
in the Park Plaza Hotel Tuesday the<br />
aimual Heart Award was presented to<br />
Eddie DeRocher of the Royal Alexandra<br />
Theatre in recognition of his personal<br />
work for the Variety Village School for guest artists from Toronto<br />
Handicapped Boys. Chief Barker Lionel Vic Nowe of the<br />
. . .<br />
Odeon Carlton<br />
Manager<br />
arranged<br />
Lester presided . Pratley, wellknown<br />
motion picture commentator, has artist Raymond Taylor in the art gallery<br />
an exhibition of paintings by the Canadian<br />
resigned as manager of Toronto's Little of the theatre, which will be on di.splay<br />
Cinema which was opened 15 months ago until April 14.<br />
in an office building on Avenue road. It<br />
operated by Yvonne Taylor.<br />
is<br />
Luxury Features Planned<br />
For Mt. Kisco Theatre<br />
MOUNT KISCO, N.Y.—An April 1 construction<br />
start has been scheduled for a<br />
600-seat theatre here. The de luxe house,<br />
the first new indoor theatre to be built in<br />
upper Westchester County in many years,<br />
will open its doors to the public under the<br />
management of Howard and Ronald Lesser<br />
of the Valley, Spring Valley, and the<br />
Roslyn, Roslyn, L.I. Conveniently located<br />
in the heart of Mount Kisco, the theatre<br />
will offer patrons the most advanced equipment<br />
and conveniences available.<br />
The interior will include spacious seating,<br />
more than ample leg room between rows,<br />
luxurious soundproof lounging area, large<br />
screen facilities, all the newest film<br />
processes and the best film available. Col.<br />
Drew Eber.son, one of the nation's foremost<br />
theatre architects, designed the theatre.<br />
The theatre will be booked by the Island<br />
Theatre circuit of New York City.<br />
Plaque to Jerry Levels<br />
HOLLYWOOD—The Peace Officers Ass'n<br />
of Los Angeles County awarded comedian<br />
Jerry Lewis a plaque citing him as "an Ail-<br />
American favorite for his exemplary<br />
citizenship in serving the cause of law and<br />
order." Lewis was presented the plaque<br />
during a luncheon attended by top-rankins<br />
city and county law officers and members<br />
of the district attorney's office.<br />
Sam Fingold Rises<br />
In Financial Field<br />
TORONTO— Samuel Fingold, who four<br />
years ago was \'irtually unknown outside<br />
the motion picture business, emerges as<br />
head man in one of Canada's broadest construction<br />
complexes. He is chaimian and<br />
president of Slater Steel Industries, Ltd.,<br />
of Hamilton, the company which was the<br />
mystery bidder for shares of Foundation<br />
Canada, Ltd.<br />
The Slater Steel bid, made March 13,<br />
through National Trust Co., was successful<br />
and it now owns more than 500,000 shares<br />
of Foundation's 1,188,816 issued shares, at<br />
least enough to give it effective control.<br />
Before the Foundation bid, Fingold and<br />
his associates bid successfully in 1960 for<br />
control of N. Slater Industries of Hamilton,<br />
and in 1961 for control of Burlington Steel<br />
Co., also of Hamilton. Out of these two<br />
purchases emerged Slater Steel Industries,<br />
w'hich now controls Foundation, a much<br />
larger company, with its stamp on about<br />
every part of Canadian construction.<br />
A country boy born 50 years ago, he was<br />
the son of Louis Fingold who had a general<br />
store at Clareniont, about 25 miles<br />
from Toronto. At 18, Sam opened a country<br />
store of his own at Aurora not far<br />
from Toronto. In 1937 Fingold and his<br />
wife, the former Sidney Rosenberg, entered<br />
the theatre business by buying the Roxy at<br />
Mount Forest.<br />
They continued to acquire or build .small<br />
town theatres at the rate of two or three<br />
a year until they had a chain of 40 theatres,<br />
for which they organized National<br />
Theatre Services. 1295 Bayview Ave.,<br />
Toronto. Sam Fingold was president and<br />
the secretary was Ralph Dale, a prominent<br />
executive in the theatre field.<br />
With the growth of television, FMngold<br />
.sold his chain in 1958, most of it to Odeon<br />
Theatres.<br />
"When the theatre business stopped<br />
growing, I lost interest," declared Fingold.<br />
"I did little for a couple of years and was<br />
most unhappy." He added that he decided<br />
to look around.<br />
This led him first to N. Slater, manufacturers<br />
of about 5,000 items, including<br />
telephone, telegraph and hydro "pole line<br />
hardware" and with stamping and enamelware<br />
operations at Hespeler, Ont. Burlington<br />
Steel, which manufactures a wide<br />
range of products from steel salvaged from<br />
railways, followed. Foundation was next.<br />
In the Foundation case, he offered S14.75<br />
a share, or about S3 above the market<br />
price at the time the offer was made.<br />
Foundation's balance sheet, including its<br />
subsidiaries, showed total assets of $42,-<br />
180,840 for the year ended Dec. 31, 1960. A<br />
pro forma balance sheet for Slater Steel<br />
Industries at October 31 last showed total<br />
a.sscts of $19,027,679.<br />
SPG Election May 7<br />
HOLLYWOOD—New officers<br />
and seven<br />
executive board members will be elected<br />
by the Screen Producers Guild at its annual<br />
meeting May 7. Up for posts on the board<br />
are Robert Arthur, Pandro S. Bcrman,<br />
William Castle, Don Fedderson, Boris D.<br />
Kaplan, Howard W. Koch. Harriet Parsons,<br />
Martin Rackin. Stuart Reynolds, Aubrey<br />
Schenck, Milton Sperling, Jerry Wald and<br />
Richard Wil.son.<br />
K-2 BOXOFFICE April 9, 1962
. . Casey<br />
. .<br />
. . Jo-Ann<br />
. .<br />
. .<br />
Sudbury Court Fines<br />
17 in Bingo Swindle<br />
TORONTO — Autlioiitics<br />
have cracked<br />
down on operators of biuKO games in a<br />
number of Ontario cities.<br />
At Sudbury 17 person-s pleaded guilty to<br />
a swindle charge.<br />
At Wind.sor. where bingo playing has<br />
been rampant, police action also brought<br />
about the closing of halls and the cancellation<br />
of games by many organizations<br />
which were conducting bingo game nights<br />
eveiT week. There were arrests in the<br />
Toronto area where promoters faced<br />
gambling charges, and in other places the<br />
games have been called off by service<br />
clubs and other groups following police<br />
warnings.<br />
In the Sudbury case, John Poxley, 56, the<br />
ringleader, was given a fine of $1,000 or<br />
six months in jail, while the others paid<br />
fines of $50. The police said the accused<br />
had netted a total of $10,000 from ten<br />
bingo nights sponsored by a service club.<br />
Phony cards were used to win prizes.<br />
Sam Pox, president of the Windsor<br />
Arena, said he would not comply with a<br />
police order to suspend weekly bingo<br />
games, but apparently changed his mind<br />
because the following notice appeared in<br />
the Windsor Daily Star: "Due to circumstances<br />
beyond our control there will be NO<br />
BINGO TONIGHT at the WINDSOR<br />
ARENA."<br />
C. Campbell, chairman of the Windsor<br />
Priests Conference, announced, "All bingo<br />
sponsored by Catholic parishes in the<br />
Greater Windsor area will be suspended."<br />
The Ionic Masonic lodge put it this way;<br />
"Masonic bingo closed—We will certainly<br />
miss the many friends we made but we<br />
must say Au Revoir."<br />
Other Windsor organizations who canceled<br />
games included the Canadian<br />
Legion Branch 143, the Caboto Club, the<br />
Serbian Society and a number of church<br />
clubs.<br />
OTTAWA<br />
H fter considerable debate in city council<br />
on authorizing Sunday motion picture<br />
shows, the subject was referred back to the<br />
board of control which decided once again<br />
that referendum would not be placed before<br />
the voters at the municipal elections<br />
next December unless a petition bearing<br />
signatures of 10,000 qualified residents is<br />
presented to the city well in advance of<br />
voting day. This apparently means the<br />
Ottawa Theatre Managers Ass'n will have<br />
to circulate the lists. The board of control<br />
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took the same stand on a request for Sunday<br />
sports.<br />
Jack Clarke, general manager of the<br />
Central Canada Exhibition, has announced<br />
that the headliner of the grandstand .show<br />
August 19-25 will be comedian George<br />
Gobcl. Last year Tcnncs.sce Ernie Ford was<br />
the star and capacity crowds resulted .<br />
On the night of Academy Award presentations,<br />
the Famous Players Capitol is not<br />
playing a film feature, according to Manager<br />
Bill CuUum. Instead. Theodore Bikel<br />
will appear in a program of folk songs<br />
which should conclude in time to enable<br />
the patrons to catch the O.scar telecast<br />
from Santa Monica. Incidentally the<br />
Capitol had a sellout for the recent<br />
Vienna on Parade concert.<br />
. . .<br />
( 3 starting<br />
The first drive-in to reopen in the<br />
Ottawa perimeter was the Auto-Sky on the<br />
Baseline road, an operation of Bill Frcedman.<br />
The fir.st bill con.sisted of "Battle at<br />
Bloody Beach" and "Rio Bravo." No gifts<br />
With<br />
or giveaways were announced<br />
.school exams just about over for the winter<br />
term, Manager Charles Brennan of the<br />
Regent used a splash announcement for<br />
the return engagement of "Pinocchio,"<br />
n with six shows on Saturday<br />
at 10 a.m.<br />
"Le Hibou," the name for Ottawa's only<br />
Coffee House, was able to reopen Thursday<br />
with two vocalists for entertainment<br />
after being clo.sed temporarily because the<br />
enterprise had no public hall license . . .<br />
Ottawa authorities have not taken steps to<br />
ban or restrict bingo games although such<br />
action has been evident in various other<br />
places in Ontario. The Ottawa Lions Club<br />
put on a big night at the Coliseum last<br />
week and the building wasn't big enough.<br />
At Cornwall the municipal council is considering<br />
a bylaw to govern the construction<br />
and maintenance of overhead and<br />
projecting advertising signs under a<br />
licensing system with annual inspection.<br />
More than three months after the voters<br />
of Gananoque gave favorable support to<br />
the referendum on the question of Sunday<br />
movies, the town council finally adopted<br />
the necessary bylaw to legalize Sunday<br />
shows and concerts after 1:30 p.m. One of<br />
the first to benefit is George Delaney who<br />
is preparing to reopen his Skylark Drive -In<br />
there . Swedlove of the Linden<br />
had a holdover of three days for the engagement<br />
of "Breakfast at Tiffany's". He<br />
received many phone calls requesting an<br />
extension of the iTin, he said.<br />
At the Art Houses<br />
TORONTO—Off-beat film enthusiasts<br />
liked "La Belle Amerlcaine" at the International<br />
Cinema, which was held for a<br />
second week. At the dual Little Cinema.<br />
"Lady With the Dog" continued a fourth<br />
week in one studio while the other auditorium<br />
introduced "Peter the Great." "The<br />
Kitchen" was good for a third week at the<br />
Christie Cinema, and for its second feature<br />
since becoming a movie house, the<br />
Civic Square presented "La Dolce 'Vita."<br />
There was no word that this theatre would<br />
return to a stage policy. "Satm-day Night<br />
and Sunday Morning" was the attraction<br />
at the suburban Park Cinema and the program<br />
at the downtown Savoy consisted of<br />
"The Truth" and "Scream of Fear."<br />
CALGARy<br />
jDlaine Covert. Warner Bros, munaycr who<br />
has been transferred to manager at<br />
Winnipeg, was given a farewell party at<br />
Caravan motor hotel , Schellaska<br />
returned to work following a mid-March<br />
operation.<br />
"La Dolce Vita" opened to excellent<br />
grosses at the Paramount in Lethbridge.<br />
A preview of the film for radio and television<br />
folk was held at the Capitol here .<br />
Eric Rosebourne attended a conference at<br />
the Consolidated Poster Exchange Co. here.<br />
No official notices have been given yet<br />
to tenants in the old Film Exchange building<br />
here, but they will have to vacate in<br />
the near future since the building is to be<br />
torn down to make way for a parking lot.<br />
George Chakiris will star in Columbia's<br />
"Diamond Head" as Dr. Dean Kahana.<br />
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BOXOFFICE April 9. 1962 K-3
. . Harr.v<br />
. . Police<br />
. . Home<br />
. . Placed<br />
VANCOUVER<br />
Ceing passed along Filmrow was an item<br />
about a small-town exhibitor who<br />
wrote several distributors that their willingness<br />
to make adjustments on the smaller<br />
films had kept him in business. This exhibitor<br />
said the big roadshow pictures<br />
don't mean much to a small-town theatre.<br />
Canadian newspapers are full of articles<br />
agitating that the Canadian dollar be unpegged<br />
and let it reach its own level in<br />
relation to the U.S. dollar, which now costs<br />
$1.05^4 Canadian . Howard of<br />
Theatre Equipment Supply, theatre owner<br />
and president of Canadian Picture Pioneers<br />
here, left on a six-week sea trip.<br />
Famous Players has closed the downtown<br />
FOR SALE<br />
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Empress in Edmonton. The 800-.seater was<br />
formerly an Allan circuit unit, and was<br />
built in 1912. PPC still operates .seven<br />
theatres there . are conducting a<br />
drive against bingo in this area. The<br />
closings may help the .suburban theatres.<br />
. .<br />
M. Wolfe Chechik, who operates the Bay<br />
Theatre here, also heads Mayer Enterprises<br />
and serves as director of the British<br />
Columbia Exhibitors A.ss'n ... A radio<br />
station is cooperating with the Studio Theatre,<br />
managed by Syd Prcedman. in an<br />
Academy Award contest . ill were<br />
Prank Doyc. Avon staffer, and<br />
Norman<br />
Jack<br />
Stewart, Dominion doorman .<br />
"Scotty" Wallace, projectionist at the<br />
downtown Colonial, died from a heart attack.<br />
He was 64.<br />
Most of the drive-in theatres in this area<br />
have opened for the season . on<br />
the "restricted" list by censors are No Love<br />
for Johmiie, The Marriage Go Flound, A<br />
French Mistress and Saturday Night and<br />
Sunday Morning. Classified as adult are<br />
Mary Had a Little, Something Wild, Long.<br />
Hot Summer and The Hustler.<br />
Production is under way at the new<br />
Commonwealth studio in West Vancouver<br />
across the inlet, according to Oldrich<br />
Valavek, executive producer, and William<br />
The<br />
Magginetti, production manager . . .<br />
Dominion Theatre Equipment Co. is moving<br />
to larger quarters at 970 Davie St. in the<br />
old Pilm Exchange building. The new<br />
.space formerly was occupied by General<br />
Sound.<br />
Casper DeBeer, who operates the Tri-<br />
Town Theatre in Hazelton in northern<br />
British Columbia, told bookers on Pilmrow<br />
that the Indians in his area love cowboy<br />
pictures . . . ALso in booking w-as Sam<br />
Bamiister of the Astor Theatre at Mission<br />
in the Pra.ser valley . . . The new objective<br />
of exhibitors is the legalization of Sunday<br />
shows in the province.<br />
. . . George<br />
George Lane and Sucha Singh of the<br />
Sundown Drive-In at Kamloops were on<br />
Filmrow booking and buying<br />
Harrington of the 20th-Fox staff has been<br />
transferred to the Toronto office . . . Pat<br />
Johnson, Strand cashier, now is at the<br />
Studio.<br />
Legislator in Alberta<br />
Upset by Film on TV<br />
VANCOUVER—A member of the Alberta<br />
li'iAi.slature ha.s introduced a private motion<br />
to apply provincial movie censorship to<br />
television broadca.sts of the CBC. At present<br />
the censorship is obligatory only for<br />
films exhibited in motion picture theatres,<br />
relates an editorial in the Vancouver Sun.<br />
His ire was aroused when the CBC night<br />
show broadcast "The Wild Ones." banned<br />
from Alberta theatres in 1954. Television<br />
thus has revolutionized the controversial<br />
censorship question. It is no longer a matter<br />
of whether the movie ceiisor is right<br />
or wrong, moral or immoral, necessary or<br />
unnecessary, but whether he is possible or<br />
imix).ssible.<br />
This may not have occurred to the indignant<br />
member from Edmonton, but it<br />
will be immediately apparent to the citizen<br />
of Vancouver. Television waves bounce<br />
merrily across borders. It is not beyond<br />
imagination that an industrious viewer here<br />
might have his soul saved in B. C. but lose<br />
it to a broadcast from the state of Washington.<br />
Then there is the question of the national<br />
network.<br />
Does Mr. Holowach propose ten industrious<br />
scissor-snippcrs operate on every<br />
film nationally broadcast? Whatever was<br />
left, of course, would be morally impeccable<br />
in ten provinces.<br />
Further, they are now on the verge of<br />
launching communications satellites which<br />
will relay to cur sets TV broadcasts from<br />
all over the world.<br />
Where would it all end. Mr Holowach?<br />
Graeme Fraser Cites<br />
Canada Filming Gains<br />
VANCOUVER — A Canadian film industry<br />
executive believes we live in a visual<br />
age rather than a literary one. He said Canadians<br />
last year turned out more motion<br />
pictures than new books. Graeme Fraser,<br />
vice-president of Craw-ley Films of Ottawa,<br />
told the Vancouver Board of Trade ad and<br />
sales bureau Monday that Canada's 66<br />
film producers made 1,200 motion pictures<br />
and 5,000 other film items last year.<br />
The film industry is growing rapidly and<br />
many Canadian-made films reach an audience<br />
of more than one million viewers, he<br />
said. Trends associated with this growth<br />
include a greater TV market, more export<br />
films, and commercial films designed to do<br />
a direct selling job rather than to build<br />
a public relations image.<br />
Although marketing films are coming<br />
into greater use because of broad distribution<br />
now available through film libraries,<br />
public relations films have also gained by<br />
helping to fill the 55 per cent Canadiancontent<br />
requirements of television broadcasting.<br />
Recently films have been made specially<br />
for the export market, Fraser said. "Up<br />
to seven different languages have been<br />
dubbed in, depending on w-hich country<br />
the film is going to," he said.<br />
Ben and Delphine Slowe<br />
Sell Cashmere Theatres<br />
CASHMERE, WASH.—Ben and Delphine<br />
Slowe. who ow-ned and operated the Vale<br />
Theatre and the Mountainview Drive-In<br />
from 1949 to 1961, have sold their theatre<br />
interests and have moved to Pocatello,<br />
Ida., where they will be co-owners and<br />
hosts of the new 30-unit Imperial 400<br />
Motel.<br />
Prior to their 13 years as exhibitors in<br />
Cashmere, the Slowes were active in the<br />
resort and night club field in the wellknown<br />
Land O'Lakes region of northern<br />
Wisconsin. The Slowes have two sons and<br />
a married daughter residing here.<br />
Coronado Festival in July<br />
HOLLYWOOD—The second annual Coronado<br />
Film Festival will be held July 8-14.<br />
Screen entries, which will be accepted after<br />
June 8, will be screened at the Village Theatre.<br />
All films must not have been in general<br />
release in the U. S. prior to July 1.<br />
1962. Tlie festival, originally held last October,<br />
will continue its policy of noncompetitive<br />
screenings, with special recognition<br />
given to outstanding achievements.<br />
K-4 BOXOFnCE April 9, 1962