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long PITTSBURGH Review of 1959 in the Pittsburgh Area Mike Wellman of the Hickory Drive -In in the Sharon area, who featured fireworks Christmas night and New Year's Eve, said he will stage at least a half dozen fireworks shows during 1960 as he did in the year just passed .... Judge Joseph P. Willson refused to dismiss an 11 -count indictment against Theodore Cozza, Teamster Local 211 president accused of accepting illegal payments for work never performed for the Sun-Telegraph. The Millcreek police investigated a large display of obscene words painted on the rear of the Dipson Theatre at the West Erie Plaza, which faces Villa Maria Academy . . . Max Summerville closed the Knox Theatre, Knox. Operator of the Parker, Parker, he recently reopened the old Lincoln, Rimersburg, as the Union Theatre . . . Joe Wayne, Columbia salesman, and Flora Lee Wilson of Detroit were married here December 31 . . . Ben Amdur of the Garden Theatre, northside, who was here for the holidays, was preparing to return to his Lantana, Fla., home. Mrs. Amdur had remained there while Ben was here briefly. The veteran showman has a number of industry friends at Lantana who get together for gabfests: they include Hayes Garbarino, former Clarion exhibitor and now manager of the Lake at Lakehurst; Frank Bloomer, St. Louis outdoor exhibitor, and Jack Bullwinkle, former Columbia manager at Albany. We asked Ted Manos why the Manos organization had purchased the Harris Theatre at Tarentum only to close it shortly thereafter? He explained there is product only for one theatre in a small community or situation. His circuit owns the Manos Theatre at Tarentum which continues in operation . . . Michael Karolcik, Perryopolis theatre owner for nearly 40 years and grocer, was elected chairman of the Fayette County commissioners. His Perry Theatre adjacent to his grocery Gus Gianakos, store is dark at this time . . . Grafton, W. Va., theatre manager, has sold his clothing store there, quit exhibition and moved to Chicago . . . Lou Stuler and Durward Coe, partners, were scheduled to reopen the Plaza Theatre in Brownsville this week. Joe Pecheck is the manager. < With the recent closing of the Manos Theatre known as the Bandbox) only the Casino Theatre is left in operation at Vandergrift. The Manos is being The Ernest converted into a storeroom . . . Sterns were planning to leave on a vacation cruise about the first of February . . . Richard Neff, Wilson circuit manager at Tyrone, planned a vacation. John Coussoule, manager of the Indiana ' Pa.» Theatre, who was hospitalized a month ago following a heart attack, is recuperating at his sister's home in Greensburg . . . Pete Marshall, who makes his film debut with Tommy Noonan in 20th- Fox's "The Rookie," is a former Wheeling Island boy and a brother of actress Joanne Dru Frank J. "Bud" Thomas now . . . represents Charles Clausner who has acquired the Grand Theatre at Mount Pleasant, formerly Chris Pourgis' theatre. PITTSBURGH — A resume of events of the motion picture industry in this area during 1959: January Norbert Stern and Bart Dattola died January 1. A proposal was introduced in the legislature to return film censorship in Pennsylvania. Al Kolkmeyer settled here with his wife and five children, coming from Cincinnati. Ralph W. Quinn and Mrs. Marion (John J.) Maloney died. Two Ambridge theatres warn they will close if not given amusement tax relief. Dave Brown returned to Pilmrow as BV booker. February Pittsburgh Drive-In Theatre sold for more than $700,000 to the May Co. (Kaufmann's) which will build a department store on site. Greenville lifted amusement tax after a seven- year fight. At Ambridge, old Perm and State theatres were sold for parking lots. Golden anniversary honors were accorded to Terrance Cunningham of Erie Local 113. George Basle leased the SW State and Washington at Washington, Pa. Film clearances, or protections, continued to break down from the 28-day period which had been in effect for a score and a half years. Modesto Capalbo, Nathan Braverman and Mrs. Peter Antonopolos died. Chatham Investment Corp. purchased the Casino Theatre here. The Enright Theatre was razed. Fifty-five year showman Charles Eagle resigned as manager of the Stanley Theatre and retired, and Larry Knee was named his successor. This was the first manager change at the theatre in 23 years. ESCO again increased film delivery rates 10 per cent, and cut out several runs. March James Hendel promoted to UA district manager; John Zomnir succeeded him as branch manager, and Maurice "Red" Silverberg returned here as sales manager. Ozoners knocked out the two-man booth. Formerly two projectionists worked 36 hours weekly, now one man works 37 hours and gets a 30 per cent Wage increase. Morty Henderson, Emmett P. Goodrich, Mrs. Al Nordquist sr., George Dewey Tyson, Sam Jaeobson, Marshall Peterson and Silvio Innocenfci died. April Alex Mussano's Roxy at Natrona destroyed by fire. Jake Soltz and son Sidney got a total of $110,635, increased figure by court action, for their Rhumba Theatre, razed in the lower hill redevelopment project. Deaths included Frank Ranalli, Paul C. Klinger, George S. Harrison, Mrs. Dorothy Robinson Lang and Mrs. William Gray. May Joe Bell quit exhibition. J. K. "Cuppie" Kaupp resumed operation of Cuppies Drive-In near Brownsville. Joe Morocco's Bel-Aire Drive-In was taken over and dismantled in a deal with Associate circuit, which will operate the Blue Dell swimming pool adjoining as a cabana club in partnership with Morocco. Wilson Theatres opened the new Nittany Lion Drive-In near State College. With the labor situation improved, the Stanley Warner Rowland at Wilkinsburg was reopened after a seven-month closing. John Comuntzis bought the Westover Drivein at Morgantown from Laskey Bros. Andy Gibson died. The third theatre at Ambridge, Pennware - Notopoulos', was closed, leaving only the SW Ambridge Theatre in the town. Twelve years ago this month the Warner circuit listed 32 neighborhood theatres in newspaper ads; now SW lists only eight. Roy Fiedler of the Shiloh Theatre leased the Parkway in West Park from Mrs. M. A. Rosenberg. The South Hills Drive-In was opened by the Warren family. June Ed "Goodie" Good retired after 47 years on Filmrow. Perry Nathan retired as National Screen Service manager, and Irving Marcus was promoted to succeed him. NSS salesman Carl Dortic was transferred to the Albany-Buffalo area. Paramount closed operations at Cleveland and moved a few personnel to the local office to handle the Cleveland area business from here. A. Harry Passarell died. July Filmrow exchanges now have 58 backroom workers; two years ago the total was 120, and five years ago there were 178 on the payrolls. The Fairground Drive-in was opened near South Park fairground. Albert John Redfoot and Lew Lefton died. August In the Basle case, 29 theatre ownersintervenors charge distributors violate the decree. Associated circuit leased the Regent Theatre in East Liberty. It had been closed four years. The Farkas family observed its 42nd year in exhibition in Johnstown. September The Ardmore Drive-In was opened by Associated. The Guild Theatre filed a damage suit against Stanley Warner Theatres and distributors. Jimmy Stewart airport dedicated at Indiana. James G. Balmer marked his 50th year with the Harris enterprises. Robert "Barney" Barker was indicted in ESCO payoff in teamster union relations. Art England died. New Pennsylvania censorship code enacted. October Mary Thomas' Franklin-Acme distributing business folded when AA turned its prints over to U-I. Mort England quit Filmrow. Chris Fourgis quit exhibition. Harry Spang retired after 51 years as a projectionist. Sam Navari returned from a vacation in Italy with a bride. November Sunday movies approved in all referenda except at Indiana. Lester C. Chamberlain, John C. Friburg, Charles Kosco and Steve Dascalos died. The new state motion picture censorship board powers placed on test in Dauphin County court. Paramount and Bob Caskey parted. Edward F. Weinheimer indicted in second ESCO payoff. Pittsburgh re-enacts its 10 per cent amusement tax. December Charles H. Balsley, W. M. Lodge and Lindley Dailey Dugan died. E-8 BOXOFFICE January 11, 1960

NEWS AND VIEWS THE PRODUCTION CENTER (Hollywood Office—Suite 219 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd., Ivan Spear, Western Manager) Ben Hechi io Write For Jessel's 'Todd' HOLLYWOOD — Ben Hecht has been dotted to screenplay "Mary Todd, the Story of a Woman," for producer George Jessel. The script is based on the novel by James A. Rhodes-Dean Jauchius, "The Trial of Mary Lincoln," which Jessel bought. Jessel has signed Arthur Marx and Manny Manheim to pen the screenplay of "Seven Keys and a Girl," based on George M. Cohan's "Seven Keys to Baldpate." * * • Producer John Houseman has signed to a long-term contract with MGM and will resume a career in motion pictures February 1 on completion of his current commitment with Columbia Broadcasting System. He will prepare Lwin Shaw's novel, "Two Weeks in Another Town," to be brought to the screen with an all-star cast. It will be his 15th major film production, and the first since "Lust for Life" in 1956 when he resigned from Metro to accept the appointment at CBS. * * * Marpessa Dawn, Negro actress, has been signed by Fred Kohlmar to play the femme lead in "The Devil at 4 O'clock" opposite Spencer Tracy and Sidney Poitier. Peter Glenville will direct the Columbia release, based on the novel by Max Catto. The actress, who will be making her American film debut in the film, received much critical acclaim for her performance In "Black Orpheus," prize-winning French film at this year's Cannes Film Festival. * * * Max Steiner has signed an exclusive contract with Warner Bros., with whom he has been on a picture-by-picture basis since 1953. His first assignment will be "Ice Palace." Directors Dinner Feb. 6 HOLLYWOOD—The annual awards dinner of the Directors Guild of America will be held February 6. Frank Capra, president, said the highlight of the event at the Beverly Hilton Hotel will be the presentation of the "Most Outstanding Directorial Achievement for 1959" award. The awards are selected from films nominated and screened by the membership at the guild theatre. Music to Paul Dunlap HOLLYWOOD — Paramount has signed Paul Dunlap to compose the background musical score for James Clavell's "Walk Like a Dragon." ACCEPTS HONOR — Pioneer film director King Vidor (right), who began his career in 1929, is pictured receiving a Los Angeles City Council citation "for his significant contribution to the motion picture industry." Mrs. Vidor looks on as Councilman James Q. Corman makes the presentation. Vidor, who was the first president of the Screen Directors Guild, has helmed many outstanding films in the past 40 years, among them the memorable "Big Parade." His latest photoplay is "Solomon and Sheba," $6,000,000 Edward Small Biblical spectacle. Releasing Plans Set For Two MGM Films HOLLYWOOD-^Joseph R. Vogel, president of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, has returned to Gotham after finalizing release plans for the company's next two important releases for 1960, "Home From the Hill" and "The Last Voyage." While here, Vogel also huddled with studio head Sol C. Siegel, administrative head Benjamin Thau and other studio toppers on tentative release plans for other films now in various stages of editing, among them The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Subterraneans, Please Don't Eat the Daisies, All the Fine Young Cannibals and The Time Machine. Title Changes Let No Man Write My Epitaph (Col> to REACH FOR TOMORROW. Crescendo, the Story of Franz Liszt (Col) to SONG WITHOUT END, THE STORY OF FRANZ LISZT. Heller With a Gun to HELLER IN PINK TIGHTS. Producers Combat Change in Tax Law HOLLYWOOD—A group of independent video and theatrical producers are combining to combat new tax legislation which could subject income from telefilms and motion picture features to the 85 per cent personal holding company income rate instead of the present 52 per cent corporate income tax. The legislation, already passed by the House of Representatives, is due for consideration by the Senate in the new session. Alerted to the fact that the bill contains language which tax attorneys fear could subject producers and participants in TV films and features to the holding status, the producers were empowered to set up a special committee under the chairmanship of Louis Brown, and special subcommittees under Martin Gang and Don Rosenfeld. In addition, the producers have engaged Paul Ziffren locally and James W. Tidell and Robert Schulman in Washington to fight the legislation. The producers also have set up a finance committee to raise funds in the fight against the bill which, as intended, was written to help music publishers out of a growing dilemma, but wherein the traditional interpretation of television and theatrical film income as "rental" could be interpreted as "royalties." Under present tax rules, rentals are taxable as straight, corporate income (52 per cent over $25,- 000), but royalties are held to be personal holding company income, which is taxable at 85 per cent. Leith Stevens Re-Elected HOLLYWOOD—Leith Stevens has been re-elected president of the Composers and Lyricists guild of America. Ben Ludlow was named first vice-president. Other officers are David Raskin and Milton Kraus. second and third vice-presidents, the former an incumbent, and Jerry Livingston re-elected secretary-treasurer with John Gart as assistant. Johnny Green remains as assistant to Stevens. Dicker on 'Farewell to Arms' HOLLYWOOD — Negotiations are on between David O. Selznick and 20th-Fox for the former to sell his interest, reportedly approximately 50 per cent, in "A Farewell to Arms," the film which 20th released in 1957. Selznick International Pictures sold its 50 per cent interest in "Gone With the Wind" to MGM. BOXOFFICE January 11, 1960 W-l