Boxoffice-May.12.156

. , Story 

1^7^ 4-i^ 

fictuAe 

Jennifer Jones and Gregory Peck, in a moment of domestic simplicity, 

in sequence from "The Mon in the Gray Flannel Suit," the 20th 

Century-Fox picture which has been awarded the April BOXOFFICE Blue 

Ribbon Award by the National Screen Council . 

on Poge 30. 

JWî 

NATIONAL fcXECUIIVfc fcDIIION 

Indudint (h> Stclionll Ntol Cagti of All r-til'oni

\\f // 

Love Adventures of the 

Planet Girl and the Earth- 

Man amazing Broadway. 

FORBIDDEN 

PLANET' 

Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, 

Leslie Nielsen and Robby, The Robot 

CinemaScope— Color

Here's how Leo welcomed Variety 

International to New York town! 

RADIO CITY 

MUSIC HALL 

Packed houses love it. 

Never such reviews, 

"THE SWAN" 

Gnice Kelly, Alec Guinness, 

Louis Jourdan 

CinemaScupe— Color 

RADIO CITY 

MUSIC HALL 

( Next Attraction ) 

Aflame with love and 

revolt. A Big One. 

"BHOWANI 

JUNCTION" 

Ava Gardner, Stewart Granger 

CinemaScope— Colo r 

TRANS- 

LUX 

52nd STREET 

Not since famous "Lili" 

such screen entertainment! 

The love story of 

"GABY" 

Leslie Carol/, John Kerr 

CinemaScdpe— Color 

VICTORIA 

( 

Comhig 

Young love faces life 

with joyous courage. 

"THE CATERED 

AFFAIR" 

Bette Darts, Ernest Borgnine, 

Debbie Reynolds, Barry Fitzgerald 

PLAZA 

(Starts May 22) 

Nothing like it ever! 

A screenful of romance 

and beauty. 

"INVITATION 

TO THE DANCE" 

Gene Kelly, Tamara Toumanova, 

Igor Youskevitch 

Technicolor 

EXTRA! special: 

GUILD 

{Soon) 

The Exclusive Featurette 

in CinemaScope — Color 

"WEDDING 

MONACO" 

IN 

and 

The Prize Picturization 

in 

CinemaScope — Color 

"BATTLE OF 

GETTYSBURG"

TffFREYHUNTER VERA MILES 

scffiN puY BvFWNK S.NUGENT- EXEcum producer MERIAN C.COOl'tKÔTA^^^^^^^

Thank 

Mr. Exhibit^ 

Thank you 

Mr. Trade 

Thank you 

Mr. Column\ 

For calling 

WARD BOND NATALIE WOOD 

« ACADEMY AWARD WINNER ÔHNFORD presented by WARNER BROS. 

'THE BIGGES1 

ROUGHEST, TOUGHEST. 

AND MOST BEAUTIFUL 

PICTURE EVER MADE!"

. ): , 

. Executive 

,: 

< 

:,; \ . 

: 

THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY 

Published lit Nine Sectional Editions 

BEN 

Editor-in-Chief 

SHLYEN 

and Publisher 

DONALD M. MERSEREAU. .Associate 

Publisher & General Manager 

JAMES M. JERAULD Editor 

NATHAN COHEN . Editor 

JESSE SHLYEN. .. .Managing Editor 

HUGH FR AZE Field Editor 

IVAN SPEAR Western Editor 

LARRY GOODMAN. Promotion Editor 

I. L. THATCHER. .Equipment Editor 

MORRIS SCHLOZMAN . Business Mgr. 

Published Every Saturday bv 

ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS 

Editorial Offices: 45 Rockefeller Plaza. New 

York 20. N Y. Donald M. Merscreaii, 

Associate Publisher & fieiicral ManaBcr: 

.lames M. .Icraiild. Editor; Larry Goodman. 

Editor Promation-Showmandiser Section: 

A. .1. Stocker. Equipment Advcrtisins. 

Telephone COliimbus 6-6370. 

Central Offices: Edltorinl—920 No. Micliizm 

Are.. Chicago 11, III.. Frances I! 

now. Telephone Superior 7-.-!972. AduTlising—35 

East Waeker Orive. Chirak'o 1, 

28. ralif. Ivan Spe 

phone IlOll.vivnnrt 5-11SI5 Enuipmnit 

Non-Film Adierlisins—fi72 S L.ifayi 

Park Place. I/Os Ancele-i. Calif, Bull W. 

itein. manaeer. Telephone nUnkirk 8-22 

London Office: Antlionv fininer. 41 Wa 

nnr St. Telephone GEItard 5720/82 

Charlotte: Annie Mae Williams. EP 2-1254 

rincinnall: Lillian Lazarus. 1746 Cairahrn. 

CHeieland: Elsie Loeb. F.iirmonnt l-004fi 

Columbus: Fred Oestreicher. 646 Iihn,ades 

Place. 

Dallas: Frank Bradley. 2n08A .laekson St. 

Denver: Jack Rose. 1645 Ijfayetic SI. 

Des Moines: I^lss Sehoch. Reglster-Tiibiine. 

Detroit: IT. F Riws, I'nx 'nieitre lild)!. 

Miami I \i \r„n,s 

\M«:tnl,., Ur,, \;,i 

: .u h St' 

Minne.mnlH: I^s Itrcs. 212:1 Fn-mnnl Sq 

New Haven: Walter Diiilar. The lleKisler 

.N. Orleans: L. Dwyer. SSI 8 Pritchard U) 

Oklahoma City: .loyce Owthier. Hales Rid:;, 

Omaha: Inlng Baker, nil N. nui Rt 

Philadelphia: Nnrmnn SMjon. 5:!6.'! Berk 

Plltsbiirgh: R. F. Kllngon^mith. 516 .leannette. 

Wllkinsburg. Hiurrhill I -2800. 

Portland. Ore: Arnnlrl M.irk*. Inurnal 

St. Louis: D:iie V.^'rm nlio Dnq;, 

Salt Lake Cllv: II I' I., , 

• 

\,.,w 

San Francisco: 

Ave.. Skyline 

Nowell. Hob 

Washlneton: Sai 

Montreal: 

chelle. 

St. .lohn: 

Toronto: 

Ont . \ 

Winnipeg:

: May 

AN ERA ENDS: WARNERS GIVE 

UP CONTROL OF COMPANY 

Major Portion of Stock 

Is Sold to Syndicate; 

To Stay on Board 

HOLLYWOOI>—An era in the history of 

the motion picture industry came to an 

end this week. The Warner brothers 

Harry M., Albert and Jack L.—sold the 

major share of their holdings in Warner 

Bros. Pictures, Inc. 

ANNOUNCEMENT IS BRIEF 

On Thursday (10>, in a two-paragraph 

statement to the press, the brothers who 

brought sound to the motion picture screen 

30 years ago made this official announcement 

of their decision to give up control 

of the company: 

"Messrs. Harry, Albert and Jack L. 

Warner have agreed to sell the major 

portion of their holdings in Warner Bros. 

Pictures, Inc. to a group headed by Serge 

Semenenko who plans to continue to operate 

the company actively and aggressively 

under strong and competent management. 

"The three Warner brothers will continue 

on the board of the company and 

they and their families will retain a substantial 

stock interest in the company." 

The holdings of the three brothers, with 

shares acquired recently, represent approximately 

28 per cent of the 2,482,000 shares 

outstanding. The report is they will retain 

about 10 per cent of the stock. 

The announcement here ended several 

weeks of conjecture in financial and film industry 

circles on a possible sale of the company. 

It was known that several groups had 

expressed an interest in acquii-ing control 

of the properties. Wall Street was rife with 

rumors that deals were under study, particularly 

in view of substantial trading in 

Warner Bros, stock. On a single day, over 

14,000 shares were transferred. 

By Thursday morning (10) it was quite 

evident that something definite had developed, 

or was in the process of being developed 

and that the Warners were about to 

step out of control of a business they had 

started to build when they acquired the Cascade 

Theatre in New Castle, Pa. in 1906. 

ACQUIRE OVER 700,000 SHARES 

The Wall Street Journal in its Thursday 

edition reported that more than 700,000 

shares of Warner stock had been .sold to the 

syndicate at $27.50 a share, a sufficiently 

large enough block to give the Semenenko 

group working control. The stock closed 

Thursday at 22%. 

Despite thLs revelation, the Warners maintained 

a "no comment" policy, but among 

industry observers and studio spokesmen the 

concensus was that the sale of the vast empire 

was imminent. Then, about mid-afternoon, 

the two-paragraph statement announcing 

the passing of control to the Semenenko 

syndicate was released to the press. 

No additional information was forthcoming. 

There were no answers to such questions as 

Jack L., Harry M. and Albert Warner 

A two-paragraph statement announces the end of an era. 

to when the change will take effect and, 

whether Jack L. Warner would continue in 

his executive producer capacity. Nor was 

there any announcement from the syndicate 

as to its plans. There was some conjecture, 

however, that Jack L. Warner would continue 

as production head. 

It is believed that S. H. Fabian, head of 

Stanley Warner Theatres which acquired the 

theatre holdings of the pre-divorcement War- 

angles. In addition to being president of the 

Stanley Warner circuit, he also heads the 

SW Cinerama Corp., which controls the distribution 

and exhibition of Cinerama attractions 

as well as holding production rights 

in the widescreen process. Under terms of 

the consent decrees, the Stanley Warner circuit 

cannot engage in production of motion 

pictures except after receiving authorization 

by the Justice Department and the courts. 

This authorization was obtained by the Cinerama 

corporation, with certain restrictions, 

but full-scale production of pictures for standard 

35mm theatres is another matter. 

Fabian also is president of Fabian Theatres, 

a 42-theatre circuit in New York. Penn- 

ner Bros., looms as an important figure in 

the new setup. Also said to be associated with 

Semenenko are David Baird and Charles Allen, 

sylvania and Virginia. Along with his associate, 

Sam Rosen, he has been close to the 

both Wall Street figures. Fabian is resylvania 

Warner situation for years. At one time, 

ported to be in line for the presidency, replacing 

Harry M. Warner. 

the Stanley Corp. of America acquired control 

The reported presence of Fabian in the 

of the Fabian circuit and these theatres 

negotiations presents some interesting trade went in the Warner setup when Warner 

Bros, moved forward after the advent of 

sound. 

Semenenko, as senior vice-president of 

(Continued on page 22) 

The 50-Year Log of the Warner Brothers Journey 

1906—The Warner brothers, Harry, Sam, Albert and Jack enter the industry by acquiring 

the Cascade Theatre, New Castle, Pa. 

1906-1913—Warners develop a distribution company, handling films on a regional 

franchise basis. 

1913—Warner Features is formed, to produce for national release. 

1918— "My Four Years in Germany," 9-reel feature, gains stature for Warners in motion 

picture production circles. 

1923—Warner Bros. Pictures is incorporated. 

1924—Company acquires first theatre in building own circuit, Youngstown, Ohio. 

1935—Warners acquires Vitagraph, Inc. with 34 exchanges in U. S. and Canada, plus 

the name and assets of First National Pictures. 

1926—The brothers introduce Vitaphone in the film-with-sound feature "Don Juan" 

August 6, at Warner Theatre in New York. 

1927_"The Jazz Singer," first movie with spoken words, presented at Warner Theatre, 

October 6. 

1947—Warners enter newsreel field, acquiring RKO Pathe News. 

1950—Company signs consent decree to divorce theatre and production-distribution 

divisions. 

1953-Warner Bros. Pictures Co. formed out of divorcement proceedings. 

1956—Backlog of features and short subjects sold for television use for $21,000,000. 

1956—Harry M., Albert and Jack L. Warner sell major portion of holdings. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

the 

12, 1956

VARIETY IS TOLD $36,000,000 

HAS BEEN SPENT ON WELFARE 

Last Year Alone Totals 

Went Up to $2,700,000; 

Expansion Planned 

BULLETIN 

New York—Henry Ford II was the winner 

of the 1956 Humanitarian Award of 

Variety Clubs International. The presentation 

was made Saturday night to 

Joseph McDaniel, secretary of the Ford 

Foundation. Ford was on the west coast 

and could not reach New York in time 

for the presentation after votes were 

tabulated. 

NEW YORK—Since 1927, Variety Club 

tents have spent approximately $36,000,- 

000 on charitable enterprises and during 

1955 the total reached $2,700,000, Nathan 

D. Golden, International Heart chairman, 

reported to the opening session of the 20th 

aiuiual convention Wednesday ^9). 

This announcement was greeted with 

cheers, led by Sir Thomas O'Brien of the 

London delegation, who is general secretary 

of the National Ass'n of Theatrical and Kine 

Employes of Great Britain, the British 

counterpart of the American lATSE headed 

by Richard F. 

BRITISH ENTHUSIASM GROWING 

O'Brien delivered a brief talk in which he 

described the growing enthusiasm of Variety's 

British members for the work they have 

undertaken. 

George C. Hoover, International chief barker, 

presided at the sessions. 

Golden also reported that 250,000 individuals 

have benefited from the organization's 

welfare activities and many others have been 

aided indirectly. In all the "heart" activities 

the tents have made special efforts to aid 

physically handicapped and afflicted children. 

Golden stated. 

Details of the expenditures were made 

known at the business session held Friday and 

the individual reports from tents were used 

as the basis for the annual Heart Awards 

made at the closing banquet Saturday night. 

John H. Rowley, first assistant chief barker, 

who is president of Rowley United Theatres, 

was elected chief barker to succeed Hoover. 

The Dallas tent, of which Rowley is a member, 

collected $108,567 for its charity program 

during the year and is aiming for $110,000 

this year. 

Three tents were seeking allocation of the 

next convention—Las Vegas, with a delegation 

of 57 in attendance, and Dublin. These claims 

were scheduled for decision Saturday. 

HUMANITARIAN COMMITTEE 

Following custom, no advance announcement 

was made of the man selected for the 

annual Humanitarian Award, a feature of the 

closing banquet Saturday night. The committee 

which made the selection was made up of 

77 well-known editors, business leaders and 

others prominent in public life, among whom 

were Sir Winston Churchill, himself a winner 

of the award, and Bernard Baruch, who was 

? ^^

; ' liidmg 

; Owners 

I 

M.ssumption 

uUe ^cciU 

jn Blank Wants to Hold 

Festival in Miami 

li 

of America president tells 

iilR-nce that he and Walter Reade 

mompanied him to Cannes Film 

.>.il had been impressed by three Euro- 

• 

James R. Grainger at Work 

On Co-Production Program 

Leaves for coast to push plans for making 

Ijictures through a new company backed by 

well-known circuit; proposes to stay in topbudget 

bracket. 

• 

Jerry Wald Wants to Become 

An Independent Producer 

Says his schedule in charge of production 

for Columbia is strenuous; contract has over 

two years to go but he is discussing a new 

deal in order to have more leisure time. 

* 

CBS First Quarter Earnings 

Up 14.6 Per Cent Over 1955 

Net income for 1956 period is $4,462,783, 

highest in company's history, compared with 

$3,892,677 for the same period last year; the 

1956 earnings are at the rate of 60 cents per 

share. 

* 

Todd Plans to Swap Soviet 

Films for His '80 Days' 

Producer, back from Russia, says he will 

make five pictures in Todd-AO in USSR, 

for which Russians will put up rubles for his 

dollars; first to start in June. 

• 

Spyros P. Skouras Will Talk 

On Subscription Television 

20th Century-Fox president agrees to appear 

before Senate Commerce Committee 

May 21 instead of next Monday to explain his 

objections to pay-as-you-see air programs. 

• 

British Films Are Leading U. S. 

In Canada, Nat Taylor Says 

President of Allied Artists Pictures of Canada 

attributes situation to inability of subruns 

to get top American product; Italian 

and German films trail American films 

closely; TV impact now felt. 

• 

Foreign-Made Equipment Due 

At TESMA Fall Tradeshow 

President signs into law permitting manufactured 

material to enter U. S. without 

going through customs; also permits its sale 

at end of show or shipping to place of origin 

without customs interference. 

• 

RKO Theatres Stockholders 

Vote lor Reorganization 

To i.ssue 1,043,706 shares of common stock 

ir. exchange for assets of Cleveland Arcade 

its controlling stock in Gera 

of liabilities of Cleve- 

^.!.- 

Co. 

Adult Ticket Potential 

120.990.000 Weekly 

KANSAS CITY—The adult attendance 

potential for motion picture theatres in the 

United States is now 120,990,000 a week— but 

the industry sold only about 35,000,000 admissions 

weekly in April, Albert E. Sindlinger, research 

analyst, declared in an address at the 

Allied Independent Theatre Owners of 

Kansas and Missouri spring convention Tuesday 

(8). 

From September through February, there 

was a gain of 200,000 potential moviegoers 

month, representing those growing into 

eacli 

the adult price range—and since February 

the gain has accelerated to nearly 300,000 a 

month, Sindlinger said. 

The acceleration will be continuously increasing 

as more and more "war babies" 

move into the adult movie price range, he 

added. 

Sindlinger gave the following figures for 

the montli of April. 

Week Male Female Male 

Ending Attendance Attendance Attendance 

April 7 22,571,999 13,639,000 36,210,000 

April 14 18,641,000 17,414,000 36,055,000 

April 21 20,296,100 16,605,900 36,902,000 

April 28 18,843,300 16,108,500 34,951,800 

The cause of attendance decline among 

women patrons is attributed to the salacious 

newspaper ad copy placed by exhibitors, 

Sindlinger said. For example he cited the 

words, "The Story of a Tramp" inserted in 

Variety 

cussion. One unidentified tent was said to 

have a total of 100. George Eby of Pittsbin-gh 

said only the international organization had 

the right to name them and that only three 

had been so honored—presidents Ti'uman 

an ad to sell "The Scarlet Hour." He explained 

this is a good family picture and 

would appeal to more women if advertised 

properly. Misleading advertising detracts 

rather than attracts patronage, he contended. 

Exhibitors should clock their attendance to 

ascertain the number of men and women 

patrons on various nights, Sindlinger recommended. 

Each community has different 

problems, he said, and the exhibitor can 

determine what is best for him. 

Sindlinger expressed great confidence in 

the future of the motion picture theatre business, 

stating it is up to the people who run 

the theatres to draw the patrons. They have 

to do something to convince the public of the 

merits of their product—not just sit back and 

expect attendance. 

"Many exhibitors have made a mistake in 

cutting out kiddie shows," he said. "After all, 

if it were not for the kids, the adults would 

not go to the theatre. According to one of 

our surveys, parents get their information 

about the movies from the children. Get the 

kids interested now with the kind of pictures 

they like to see and they will continue coming 

to the theatre when they are older." 

Sindhnger questioned the advisability of 

free admissions for children at the drive-ins. 

He explained that children under 12 not 

accustomed to paying any admission price 

object strenuously when they become of age 

and have to pay the adult rate. 

and Eisenhower and Prince Charles of Brittain. 

It was voted that honorary members 

should be included in the current lists as 

(Continued from page 9; 

associate members and that dues on thencards 

voyage by liner out of New York was tabled 

must be paid by local tents to the in- 

ternational body. Ben Goffstein of Las Vegas 

for a year. It was voted to choose convention 

made the motion, and it was earned. 

Cities two years in advance instead of one 

as formerly, to allow more time for preparations. 

Nathan Golden discussed copyrighted 

and and 

in- 

Rowley noted that convention costs signia uniformity of stationery, it 

was voted to have the international body distribute 

are rising to the point where they are a 

burden on the host tent, and suggested ways 

mats of the insignia for use by tents. 

will 

could be found of keeping them down. He The distribution of uniform lapel pins 

praised the cooperation of Coca-Cola and be studied, it was decided. 

Pepsi-Cola in this respect. 

Sii- Tom O'Brien of London advised the 

Edward Emanuel, international property convention that financial considerations have 

clarified forced the London tent to withdraw its bid 

master, the position of associate 

members. There now are 4,000 of them in for the 1957 conclave, but that it was hoped 

It could be held there in 1958. He asked that 

46 tents. Dues-paying members total 8,000. 

Of the total of 12,000, more than 1,300 attended 

as means of raising revenues U. S. get out 

the convention. 

Richard F. Walsh, president of the International 

a convention brochure, as well as the London 

tent, with the proceeds to go to London, and 

Alliance of Stage Employes, paid that there be other methods of relieving Lon- 

obligations. 

tribute to Sir Tom O'Brien, a London delegate 

don's 

No action was taken on a suggestion that 

and British labor leader. Walsh is a 

member of the host tent. 

new and simplified constitution be drafted 

a 

The Rev. Sylvester McCarthy, international for submission to tents 30 days before the 

next convention. 

chaplain, who recently visited the Bombay, 

India, tent, said Calcutta is anxious to form Ralph Staub, who has been producing "The 

a tent. He said Variety can now begin expanding 

Heart of Show Business," a 60-minute 

its operations in the Far East. documentary presenting top show person- 

Limitation of the number of honorary alities and who had put $15,000 of his own 

members in a tent aroused considerable dis- 

money into it, was voted $12,500 to complete 

the film, in Technicolor and widescreen. The 

tents will promote the film when released by 

a national distributor. Rotus Harvey of San 

Francisco asked that each tent appoint a 

special committee for that purpose. 

BOXOFFICE May 12, 1956

THE 

GREATEST 

NOVEL 

EVER WRITTEN . 

. 

Paramount is pleased to announce to the exhibitors of the 

world that production has been completed, editing is under 

way and unparalleled preselling has started . . . for the most 

important literary property that has ever reached the hoxoffice. .

The motion pictinr which has challcn^rd the dreams of rvrry producrr for the fifty years of screen history has at last 

been made. The miracle of VistaVision, the talent of an international cast, the tireless work of eleven years preparation, 

the vast filming project of many months . . . all these have now placed this masterpiece in its final stages of 

editing. Already the tide of public interest is rising higher and higher— in anticipation of this epic story of the grandeur 

of man and the horror of war. And the far-flung mass audience awaiting it will share in the most deeply felt love 

story the screen has ever had the privilege to record. 

"WAR AND PEACE" will reach theatres late this year. It will 

be a milestone in exhibition, as well as in production. It will be a major experience in the lives of all who see it.

LEO TOLSTOY'S

Mi! K 

DIM! ii 

ill Hi 

APONII'DEUURENIIISPHCIION 

Co-stamng 

mmi 

I 

HIIlOM'mHWLKl'HtEK 

HELMUT OANIINE • BARRy lONES • ANNA MARIA FERRERO • MILLy VIIALE • lEREMy iM and 

Jifl iU!i 

IMmlliyHDEUHIITK'DricUbyKIIICVIIM 

Based on the novel "War And Peace" tiy LEO lOLSM 

Color by TECHNICOLOR

: May 

National Film Service 

Eyes Trailer Market 

NEW YORK—The motion picture Industry 

may get a new entry in the field of producing 

trailers and manufacturing accessories. 

This step may be taken by the rapidly expanding 

National Film Service, which already 

is servicing a number of companies in the 

handling of prints, including inspection, shipping 

and delivery, and is putting up central 

shipping buildings in a number of cities. 

The development came at the semi-annual 

meeting of the organization here this week. 

The meeting continued unexpectedly to the 

weekend because of "developments pending in 

negotiations." 

Chester M. Ross, executive vice-president, 

would say only that the negotiations were 

with an unidentified distributor, concerned 

nationwide service and that several announcements 

can be expected in about a week. 

He said the meeting also had been called 

to discuss the billing, collection and backroom 

work done for Buena Vista—the Walt 

Disney distribution firm—which is handled 

in all 33 NFS depots. 

The board heard a report on the recent 

signing with BKO in Chicago and New York 

and Allied Artists in New York for backroom 

work, as well as a rundown on the new 

facilities in Salt Lake City and Butte and 

the proposed new depot in Atlanta. 

National Film Carriers at the .same time 

held its annual meeting. Ira S. Stevens, NFS 

executive secretary, was named to the same 

post with NFC, replacing Clint Meyer, who 

resigned because of ill health. 

Ray Trampe. Milwaukee, was elected president. 

M. S. Wycoff, Salt Iâke City, vicepresident, 

and George Callahan, Pittsburgh, 

treasurer. Named to the executive committee 

were M. H. Brandon, Memphis, chairman: 

Callahan, Earl Jameson jr., Kansas City: 

Trampe and John Harmon Vickers jr., Charlotte. 

The new board of governors consists of 

Meyer Adleman, Philadelphia: George Altman. 

Canada: L. D. V. Benton, Atlanta: Dan 

Brandon, Memphis: James P. Clark, Philadelphia: 

Frank Gartner, Omaha: Thomas E. 

Gilboy, San Francisco: Paul Gruenwald. 

Seattle; Charles Isles, Des Moines: R- V. 

Smith. Atlanta, and G. A. White, Houston. 

Named to the executive committee were 

Brandon, chairman; Callahan, Jameson. 

Trampe and Vickers. 

WB Television Show 

To Continue Over ABC 

HOLLYWOOD—"Warner Bros. Presents" 

will continue as a weekly television entry on 

the ABC-TV network, it was announced 

jointly Monday i7> by Jack L. Warner and 

Robert E. Kintner. ABC president. The program, 

which made its debut last September, 

will retain its present one-hour format, with 

Warner personally supervising and William 

T. Orr as executive producer. 

The spotlight will continue to be on "Cheyenne." 

a series of western dramas. 

DCA Reports Package Deal 

NEW YORK—Distributors Corp. of Ameriica 

has teamed "Brute Force," 1947 Burt 

Lancaster film, with "Naked City," released 

in 1948, for reissue, according to Irving 

Wormser and Arthur Sachson, sales executives. 

BOXOFTICE : 

Distribution Policy Is Set 

For Tbrillarama Feature 

DALLAS—Distribution plans for "Thrillarama 

Adventure," the first production in 

the new dual-camera process which a Texas 

company headed by Albert Reynolds and 

Dowlen Russell has developed were announced 

here this week. The pictui-e will be 

distributed on a worldwide basis by a newly 

organized company, Thrillarama Releasing 

Corp. 

The distribution plan devised by the company 

is unique, in that the exhibitor will be 

offered a package deal to include the film 

itself, the giant .screen required for the picture 

and all necessary booth attachments. 

Reynolds and Russell said they felt this was 

the best procedure in order to have a company 

familiar with the technical aspects of 

the new process also handle the distribution. 

Both Reynolds and Russell are stockholders 

and officers of Thrillarama Productions, 

which produced the first picture. Conley 

G. Cox. a veteran Texas theatreman, is associated 

with them in the releasing .setup. 

The new company's general offices are located 

at 2011';; Jackson St.. Dallas. A branch 

office already has been opened in Hollywood 

and is located at 5631 Hollywood Blvd. This 

office, headed by James A. White, will serve 

the West Coast and other western states. 

Shortly following the world premiere of 

"Thrillarama Adventure." plans call for the 

opening of branch offices in New York and 

Chicago. 

The date of the new picture's world premiere 

in Houston will be announced soon. 

Twenty-five key cities have been earmarked 

for immediate runs following the premiere, 

and approximately 700 other cities in the 

United States and Canada will be served as 

rapidly as the supply of equipment packages 

permits. 

A foreign distribution program will be 

launched shortly after the Houston opening, 

with South and Central American countries 

MGM to Release 28 Films 

1956-57: Schary 

In 

NEW YORK—For the next fiscal year, 

starting in August 1956, MGM will produce 

approximately 20 features in its own studios 

while another eight features will come from 

independent producers, according to Dore 

Schary, vice-president in charge of the studio. 

Schary is in New York for home office conferences 

and to attend the Loew's board of 

directors meeting May 15. 

The MGM 1956-57 schedule of 28 wlU be 

approximately the same as the current season, 

which will have a total of 22 pictures 

made at the studio, plus six from the independent 

producers, including Samuel Goldwyn's 

"Guys and Dolls" and the Desilu production 

of "Forever Darling." Another. 

"Svengali." was produced in England by 

George Minter for Renown Pictures. 

Commenting on TV story material for pictures. 

Schary mentioned that the company's 

first, "Ransom," which was released in January, 

did "pretty well" but this was not a fair 

test as the title was changed from the orig- 

Albert Reynolds (left), president of 

Thrillarama Productions, and Dowlen 

Rus.sell, vice-president, as they completed 

plans for distribution of their new-process 

motion picture. 

being the first slated for foreign exhibition 

of "Thrillarama Adventure." A veteran in 

the field of foreign distribution will be named 

shortly to head up this phase of the distribution 

company's operations. 

Arrangements have been completed for a 

staff of engineers and technicians to conduct 

the technical phase of the new company's 

operations. J. C. Skinner of Sterling 

Sales and Service, Dallas, who was in charge 

of all phases of the development and experimental 

work on the new process, apart from 

the development of the camera equipment, 

will provide the technical supervision necessary. 

The new company, it was announced, soon 

will be ready to negotiate film contracts 

for "Thrillarama Adventure." Interested exhibitors 

will have an opportunity to see the 

picture in Houston. Because of the special 

installation required, no definite plans have 

yet been made for a tradescreening. 

inal TV drama. "Fearful Decision." Two more 

features made from TV dramas. "The Rack" 

and "The Catered Affair," will be released by 

MGM in May and June, respectively. The 

last should offer a definite test 

point of view, Schary said. 

from MGM's 

AA Votes Dividend 

HOLLYWOOD — Allied Artists' regular 

quarterly dividend of ISli cents a share on 

the company's 5U- per cent cumulative convertible 

preferred stock wa-s voted at a meeting 

of the executive committee of the board 

of directors. The dividend is payable June 15 

to stockholders of record as of June 4. 

Fox Title Correction 

NEW YORK—"D-Day the Sixth of June" 

the new title of the 20th Century-Pox 

is 

Cinemascope picture made under the name 

of "The Sixth of June." The new title was 

erroneously reported last week to be "Day 

the Sixth of June." 

12. 1956 IS

20th take 

LIKE BROADWAY TAKES TO 2 

Dudweiser 

ROXY 

s 

F. Zanuck 

Darryl 

presents 

THE MAN 

IN THE 

GRAY FLANNEL 

SUIT 

.C|NemaScoP£ 

COLOR BY 

DE LUXE 

H

BROADWAY'S 

ONE WAY 

NOW... 

THE 20th WAY!

: May 

7IMISM AT U-I's GLOBAL CONFERENCE 

World Revenues to Rise 

For US. Filmmakers 

i,,;#|X 

'^^w-^'f^^,:^' V 

' 

Delegates representing 55 countries throughout tlie world were briefed on Uni- 

\ci sal-International's production plans and its plans to intensify overseas distribution 

activities when they arrived at the company's studios in Universal City for a week-long 

series of conferences. 

The above is a group shot. Top company officials are in the second 

row from the bottom, beginning third from left with Charles J. Feldman, vicepresident 

and general sales manager; David A. Lipton, vice-president in charge of 

advertising and publicity; Edward Muhl, vice-president and production chief; Alfred 

E. Daff, executive vice-president; Milton R. Rackmil, president, and Americo Aboaf, 

foreign general manager. 

HOLLYWOOD—World revenues for American 

films in general are certain to increase 

as living standards improve in various foreign 

nations, Milton R. Rackmil, Universal-International 

president, predicted in keynote remarks 

at U-I's first global sales conference, 

a week-long affair which got under way Monday 

(7) at the studio. The conclave was 

attended by 72 delegates representing 55 

countries. 

Rackmil waxed optimistic concerning U-I's 

increasing .share of such upped foreign 

grosses and stressed that his company is 

pursuing a policy of "carefully analyzing" 

its product to make certain that all upcoming 

features have "international appeal." Tastes 

throughout the world "vary only slightly," he 

said, "where good entertainment is concerned." 

Overseas trade will continue to expand as 

long as the free countries of the world prosper, 

the U-I head man asserted, adding: 

"I do not believe we have reached anything 

like our peak in the international 

field." 

In opening the conference, Alfred E. Daff, 

executive vice-president, stressed that the 

gathering marked the culmination of his desire 

of many years to have the entire foreign 

sales organization meet in Hollywood so they 

could meet U-I's production and creative personnel 

and become acquainted with filmmaking 

problems and techniques. 

"The governments of the world should 

focus their eyes on this spot," Daff said. 

"They would see different nationalities mixing 

in a way to confound the prophets of 

international rivalries and jealousies. Here 

under this one roof we have representatives 

of all the free countries of the world, meeting 

in a spirit of complete friendship and understanding, 

with the object of assisting each 

other to make a great company even greater." 

Daff paid tribute to the conventioneers as 

a "great world team." 

Welcoming the delegates to the studio, Edward 

Muhl, vice-president in charge of production, 

declared he was certain they will 

become "effective ambassadors" for Hollywood 

and U-I in particular after analyzing 

the complexities involved in making pictures 

and studying the "tremendous" technical advances 

of the past few years, including widescreen 

anamorphic techniques and stereophonic 

sound. 

Other addresses of welcome came from Nate 

J. Blumberg, board chaii-man; Charles J. 

Feldman, vice-president and general sales 

manager; David A. Lipton, vice-president in 

charge of advertising and publicity, and 

Americo Aboaf, foreign general manager, who 

conducted the sales meetings. Also a speaker 

was Col. Dean Hess, the Korean war ace, 

whose life story is being brought to the 

screen in U-I's '^Battle Hymn," starring Rock 

Hudson. 

On the opening of the conference, Rackmil 

read to the participants a telegram from 

President Eisenhower, hailing the industry 

and U-I for "day-by-day contributions to international 

goodwill." Said the President's 

message: 

"Please extend my greetings to all those, 

from this country and from overseas, who will 

participate ... I wish all of you the greatest 

possible success in your day-by-day contributions 

to international goodwill." 

Prior to the beginning of the meetings the 

visitors were hosted by Daff and Blumberg 

at their respective homes. Blumberg paid 

tribute to the overseas representatives for 

their efforts. 

U I's Foreign Take 

Up 78% in 5 Years 

HOLLYWOOD — Universal-International's 

foreign business has increased 78 per cent 

since 1951 and the company's product now is 

playing in more than 25,000 situations, exclusive 

of the United States and Canada and 

the Iron Curtain countries, Americo Aboaf, 

vice-president in charge of the foreign subsidiary, 

told the global sales conference at 

the opening day's session Monday (7). 

Between 1950 and 1955, the percentage of 

Universal's foreign business in relation to the 

company's total percentage increase was from 

33 per cent to 43 per cent. The European 

market alone showed a jump of 36.58 per 

cent since 1951. 

In breaking down the sources of the income 

abroad, Aboaf said 35 per cent came from 

Europe; 19 per cent from England; 19 per cent 

from Latin American; 15 per cent from the 

Far East; 6 per cent from Australasia and 

6 per cent from licensees during the 1955-56 

year. 

Bookings increased in 1955-56 over 1954-55 

with England and Europe showing the greatest 

percentage of increase at 8 per cent each, 

while Latin America showed 7.62 per cent and 

Australasia 3.24 per cent. 

More than 6,000 prints a year in black and 

white. Technicolor and Cinemascope are used. 

Aboaf said that a satisfactory ratio has 

continued to exist between the increase in 

income and expenses at a time when costs 

of the entire industry have been rising. 

The company will release 30 productions 

in the foreign market during the 1956-57 

releasing year—March 1, 1956, to Feb. 28, 

1957, Alfred E. Daff, executive vice-president 

of Universal Pictures and president of Universal-International, 

said. 

Of the 30 on the list, 20 have been completed, 

or are in the final stages of production. 

Eighteen, or 60 per cent, are in Technicolor, 

ten in Cinemascope and one— "Away 

All Boats"—in VistaVision. 

The Cinemascope films will be: "Istanbul," 

"Kelly and Me," "Battle Hymn," "Walk the 

Proud Land," "Four Bright Girls," "Gun for a 

Coward," "Cory," "My Man Godfrey," "The 

Goddess" and "Interlude." 

Other Technicolor 

pictures are: "Congo Crossing," "Toy Tiger," 

"Written on the Wind," "Unguarded Moment," 

"Raw Edge," "Tammy" and "The 

World and Little Willie." 

The conventioneers attended a tradescreening 

of "Away All Boats." 

UA Reissues 'High Noon' 

To Play Up Grace Kelly 

NEW YORK—United Artists will re-release 

Stanley Kramer's "High Noon," Academy 

Award-winning picture starring Gary Cooper 

in June, according to William J. Heineman, 

vice-president 

in charge of distribution. 

Since the picture was originally released by 

UA in May 1952, Grace Kelly who played 

opposite Cooper, has become a world-famous 

star. The picture played 22,000 domestic dates 

and grossed more than $4,000,009. 

The reissue will have a new ad campaign, 

plus a promotion of the Academy Awardwinning 

title song, which will be reissued on 

Columbia, MGM, Capitol, London and King 

Records. The reissue will be aimed at driveins, 

which have increased by 1,800 to make a 

total of 5,000 current open-air theatres, since 

the picture was originally 

18 BOXOFFICE 

: 

released. 

12, 1956

ABOUT IT 

I 

I 

'^ 

COLUMBIA PICTURES presents A WARWICK Produc 

VICTOR 

MATURE 

• 

JANET 

LEIGH 

Filmed on safari in Aft 

itilery 

tne»' 

,t\t» toê 

V>\to' tV.eP" 

age it »s 

p\ctore 

.of 

»tir \tv »n9 ©ro* 

.o\* 

r::-»'""'~o;-v.o- ffice 

pro* Boxo ,CK 

>M»'^ 

•rf- 

vast 

and wildT"^ 

Ids! .-: 

with n c. 

.-^ 

^HN JUSTIN ROLAND CULVER 

• 

• 

LIAM REDMOND EARL CAMERON • ORLANDO MARTINS 

i-K'Hv^J^r::. 

\^^kî!?-m>i,)?am aP^ 

c^., .JECHNICOLOR 

ôML ^ -Hvt e/G-jeitf^ C^

KHIBITORS TOLD NOT TO FEAR 

TECHNICAL FILM IMPROVEMENTS 

No Major Changes Seen 

In Present Equipment 

By Herbert Barnett 

OMAHA—Exhibitors need not fear that 

technical improvements in motion pictures 

signal major obsolescence of their equipment, 

Herbert Barnett, assistant to the 

president of General Precision Equipment 

Corp., told the annual convention of 

Allied Independent Theatre Owners of Iowa 

and Nebraska Tuesday (8>. 

"They should in no important way influence 

you in delaying programs of improvement 

which you may now contemplate," he 

ASKS EXHIBITOR COOPERATION 

Barnett spoke as a representative of the 

Theatre Equipment & Supply Manufactui-ers 

Ass'n as well as GPEC. He is a former presi- 

Uent of the Society of Motion Picture and 

Television Engineers, He said that exhibitor 

problems and those of equipment manufacturers 

are insepai-able, and asked exhibitor 

cooperation in solving them. He added 

that much of a helpful nature had already 

developed through an open discussion. 

"Among the more important innovations 

recently adopted and which appear to be 

here to stay," Barnett said, "is the concept of 

increased screen dimensions. As desirable as 

the larger picture ai-ea may be, it has brought 

several undesii'able factors which engineering 

must eventually correct. The most important 

of these is loss of picture quality 

through mcreased magnification of the 35mm 

frame." 

Barnett said Hollywood is experimenting 

with wider film providing more picture information, 

but that there is a lack of optimum 

width increase. He said that wide film considerations 

relate to photography and the 

gains in picture quality to be realized through 

increased frame size, but that projection possibilities 

in the new dimensions ai'e yet to be 

determined. He mentioned 20th Century-Pox 

55mm film and progress in 65mm film made 

by MGM and Columbia. 

OTHER LIMITATIONS SEEN 

Barnett said the merits of the processes 

will depend on the degree of improved picture 

quality which can be maintained in 

transfer of 35mm release print, that "rea- 

.sonable success" has been indicated, that 

continuing development will result in considerable 

improvements and that many expensive 

problems in printing, lenses and other 

elements may be faced by the studios pioneering 

in those fields. 

"As successful as these developments may 

be," he said, "it is not likely that all the 

quality available on wide negative will be 

realized on 35mm release print. Additionally, 

contmued use of 35mm prints means that 

other limitations which handicap quality 

projection remain. One of the more important 

is inadequate screen illumination in conf 

nection with larger screens. In most instances 

the limiting factor with respect to hght is 

Plea for Standardization 

At Omaha Convention 

OMAHA—Standardization of equipment 

was the key topic at the opening sessions of 

the annual convention of Allied Independent 

Theatre Owners of Iowa, Nebraska and South 

Dakota here this week. Underneath was a 

current of optimism—nothing of sweeping 

proportions nor general in all quarters, but 

nevertheless present in words here and there. 

The standardization demand was sounded 

loudly by Hugh McLachlan, chairman of the 

equipment committee of Allied of Indiana. 

"We're in the midst of the 'Battle of the 

Millimeter' and we'll get big prints," he told 

a crowd of some 200 exhibitors gathered in 

the balhoom. "But don't forget this—we 

must have support and we must go forward 

with orderly progress. There is nothing wrong 

with our business except that we got in a 

rut back in the plush days. We must be 

showmen—and we must accept progress, not 

fight it." 

McLachlan blasted the attempt to bring m 

"four-wall deals" to fight prereleases. He said 

that offers to bring in projection equipment 

for big prints was a move to cut exhibitors 

down to a 4 or 5 per cent profit deal and 

disorganize the exhibitor. 

"Don't take a bone thrown out to certain 

exhibitors here or there," he warned. "Work 

with your Allied organization. You've got to 

put something into Allied to get anything 

out. The new National Allied committee will 

prove a benefit to all exhibitors and to the 

industry as a whole." 

He said he was confident standardization 

would be worked out in the fields of sound, 

projection and ratio. He said he was 

confident manufacturers and supply dealers 

film buckle, resulting in out-of-focus conditions 

sufficient to seriously reduce picture 

quality." 

There must be adequate improvement in 

screen illumination before it will be possible 

for drive-ins and some large indoor situations 

to overcome a serious problem of light, he 

said. One solution could be adoption of wide 

release prints. The additional advantage 

here is that more negative quality would be 

retained in the print. 

"May I assm-e you there is no intent on the 

part of anyone to force acceptance of a 

change in film dimensions by conditioning 

availability of product on ability to accept 

the wide print," Barnett said, "Having been 

close to this work, I can assure you that one 

of the basic requirements has been that, 

whatever the intermediate process, ability to 

release in 35mm must be assured. Therefore, 

no one should fear he will be forced to pm-- 

chase nonstandard equipment due to wide 

film developments. 

"There is much to be said, however, for 

were not out to wring exhibitors dry but had 

a long-range outlook for the betterment of 

the industry. 

"It's true some dealers can give better 

service," he said, "but most of them are 

working for the exhibitor." 

He said that he believed if the exhibitors 

show they have intent to buy magnetic sound 

that the producers would put out the films. 

A floor discussion developed over the question 

of improving equipment and brought 

some positive statements from both sides. 

Bob Kr'ueger, energetic young exhibitor from 

Sioux City, said he doubted that the mass of 

motion picture fans knew the difference 

between various technical offerings on the 

screen. He added that he had tried several, 

ballyhooed them and that his boxoffice tally 

showed no results. 

Al Wuebben, Parkston, S. D., took the 

opposite view, and said it is imperative that 

theatres go toward magnetic sound and he is 

confident it will pay off. 

Leo Wolcott, chairman of the board and 

master of ceremonies, raised the question 

whether theatre owners would be justified to 

put in equipment, for example, for 20th-Fox 

sound and then have only a few pictures 

during the year that could fully utilize it. It 

was then that McLachlan said that he felt the 

producers would fall in line if the theatre 

owners indicated they intended to buy such 

equipment. 

Play Colvin, TEDA executive director and 

public relations expert from St. Louis, admonished 

exhibitors not to lose faith. 

"I haven't," he said, "and the public is the 

one that made me feel that way." 

the appUcation of wide prints in drive-ins and 

indoor theatres employing screen widths 

greater than 40 feet. Notable increase in 

screen illumiiiation, as well as in picture 

quality, can be realized." 

Barnett said eventual release in wide film 

versions is a complex problem that has not 

yet been solved. The wide print can be produced, 

but costs are much higher than those 

for 35mm release prints. Projection equipment 

is available from several manufacturers 

and preparations to produce wide film 

equipment are well advanced. However, 

Barnett said, there are serious questions as to 

a worthwhile market. 

"The question of wide film now requires 

the combined thinking of production, exhibition 

and manufacturers to arrive at sound 

conclusions," he said. "You, as exhibitors, 

can be of invaluable service in this respect 

and I urge you, through your organizations, 

to carefully examine this proposal and assist 

in determining what, if any, form this new 

medium should take." 

BOXOFFICE :: May 12, 195G

HINGTON, D. C. Metropolitan & Ambassador • SEATTLE 

LE ROCK. Center • PHILADELPHIA. Stanley • MINN 

ERTOWN. Tnu/r^^ PiTTCFiFi n Union Square • UT 

lOdrom 

WIC 

• 

! 

Coliseum • PORTLAND, ME., Strand • PROVIDENCE, 5 

pher • MEMPHIS, MaIco HOT SPRINGS, 

'Liberty • TACOMA, Rialto • CLEVeI 

ST. CLOUD, Eastman • ST. PAUL. r| 

d . ASHEVILLE, Paramount • SPAI 

rfibra • ALBANY, Leiand • FITCHE 

Batavia • SHENAND 

TRENTON, Capitol • DETROIT, Palms 

Winona ABERDEEN. 

Paramount, Cinema A RALM GH, V 

CKSON. Maico 

Hollywood 

OSANG 

BREMEF 

I • EVERETT, Rox 

TC 

Paramount • BELVE 

OENS (PAsMk) 

FAIN. Palace • KAN^^CITY, Paramount 

NCISCO. Paramount • BUTTE, Rialto 

.S, Hollywood • CAMDEN.âvar 

•.ts • RIVERSIDE, De An 

Dta . DULUTH 

Broadwa 

CHATTANOO: 

JACK 

CKT 

ARwilKf Granada 

'oyal • GLENS 

NN ARBOR, Mi£hi 

SBURY, Boul^mSSmP^ CITY, Palace • ANDERS 

REAOin.^»Al*^LARKSBURG, Robinson Grand 

States' ja^FlELD, Granada • LAWRENi 

al'i EVANSVILLE. 

LYNN, Capitol • HARifDRtf|VJi/.iiw •'PASADEN/ 

LONG 

AMSGIPC Mohawk 

^ mg^ 

, 

Bijou • JACKS0rjLp7^r|(|piMi 

SlNB^Graamore SKEGON, Michiga 

Hollywood • Bkuimii. EmmM/» MT. 

W. PALM BEACH 

Warner • OLEAN, Olean^NMtHMill^, Cir(# • LONG Bll 

e & Town • SAN BERNARDIN 

DRO, Warner • NEW LOAIiUi.ffiW* ALEXANDRIA, Joy • OKLAI 

\ State • BELLINGIM|J|yiifker • MONTGOMER 

State • DES MOINES, Paran 

SANTA MONICA, El Miro • UNIONTOWN, St| 

ALEXANDRIA, iirgm 

EWS, VS, Palace • KNOXVILLE, Riviera • SftRINGFIELD. 

SMINGFII 

TINGTON PARK, WMr îWDYGAN, Rex . NEW CASTLE, Super^^^ Drive A» Mc> McKEES 

ONGVIEW, Columbia* pijIÂûnity • RACINE, Ri alto • PORTL^JUiÂJTPortlar^rivîn . WO 

Plymouth • SAN^DIEGoAiM^ÂNBURY. Danbury Drive 

^ 

In •^SO^^CSKaLK, Etti^Q CLARKSBURG, Rob 

d • uwssoim.il • mfmQm, capitoi • no. adams, •^REEN*W)|gdp^nd • TAMPA, Palace • W 

RE, * 

W/if'jti^^ 

BINGHAMTON, Capitol JNOTDN, Pala^ôTNGSTW^N. Palace SANTA FE, Sar 

ARTJWnffbme • BEAUMONT. Liberty • PONTIA and • tyXGi, Stan! 

WASHINl 

hington • FRESNO, Warner • OAKLAND, T & D • BERKEL-Noaks • S 

so • SPOI 

e • MOBILE, Saenger • POCATELLO. Chief • WACO, Imperial • BISMARCK, 

town • Bi 

to • MARION, Paramount • LOUISVILLE, Brown • HASTINGS, Strand • OWENSBOf

A wounded soldier is assisted by Charles McGraw. bareheaded, and another sailor 

from an overturned landing craft in this scene from "Away All Boats." 

FEATURE 

REVIEW 

'Away All 

Universal-International 

By IVAN SPEAR 

Pver since "All Quiet on the Western Front" 

—and probably prior to that—war pictures 

have had their foundation in one or 

more of three filmmaking plot structures, 

namely, action, suspense and spectacle; an 

informative insight into the modus operandi 

of some branch of the armed forces; or a 

character-analyzing probe of the feelings and 

reactions of men under the stress of conflict. 

Universal-International's impressive "Away 

All Boats" generously incorporates all of 

those basic ingredients, and the manner in 

which they are interwoven into a logical, 

interest-commanding screenplay by Ted 

Sherdeman—from Kenneth Dodson's bestselling 

novel—should in itself constitute sufficient 

assurance that the feature will enjoy 

enthusiastic and profitable bookings from de 

luxe to the tail end of subsequent situations. 

Embellishing such major elements, and again 

characteristic of the better photoplays in its 

category, is an alleviating and substantial 

thread of comedy. Adding to the offering's 

over-all appeal, and enhancing its sizable 

exploitability, are VistaVision photography 

and Technicolor, so tellingly utilized to accent 

the beauties and atmosphere «f the marine 

and tropical backgrounds against which it 

was filmed. 

The feature is the most important and 

the most costly ever undertaken by the valley 

studio. Taking full advantage of the precedential 

budget at his disposal, plus all-out 

cooperation by the U. S. navy, producer 

Howard Christie mounted the vehicle so that 

in every detail it reflects the dollars and 

painstaking preparation that were devoted 

to its making. 

Unavoidably the players are, with one exception, 

entirely male. To provide a touch 

22 

Boats' 

of romance and tenderness, Julie Adams is 

used in a flashback sequence, which, although 

a bit contrived, will be welcomed by the 

femme ticket buyers. As a result of such 

casting, focus is on, and thespian honors 

the lot of, the men troupers, with rugged, 

iray-thatched, toplining Jeff Chandler usurping 

the lion's share thereof. Under the 

steady-handed direction of Joseph Pevney, 

his performance and those contributed by 

virtually every member of the carefully 

chosen supporting aggregation are virile and 

convincing. 

Chandler portrays the iron-willed master 

II. The vessel moves on with the fleet to 

Okinawa, where it is badly damaged by 

Japanese suicide planes, and Chandler, 

mortally wounded, survives long enough to 

see the transport brought safely to anchor. 

Universal- Internationa I 

Presents 

"AWAY ALL BOATS" 

In VistaVision. Photogroplied in Technicolor 

Ratio: 2-1 

Running Time: 114 Minutes 

THE CREDITS 

Directed by Joseph Pevney. Produced by 

Howard Christie. Screenplay by Ted Sherdeman. 

From the best-seller "Away All Boots" by 

Kenneth M. Dodson. Director photography, 

of 

William Daniels, A.S.C. Special photography' 

Clifford Stine. AS.C. unit production 

Tom Shaw. Technicolor consultant 

manager 

Wilhom' 

Frifzsche. Special action scenes directed by 

James C. Havens. Film Ted editor, Kent, 

J. 

A.C.E. Art direction, Alexander Golitzen and 

Richard H. Riedel. Set decorations, Russell A 

Gousmon and Oliver Emert. Dialog director, 

Leon Charles. Sound, Leslie Carey and Joe 

I. 

Lapis. Assistant directors, Marshall Green, Terry 

Nelson and Tim Welch. Technicol advisers 

Copt. V. Gregory, USN, and Lt. Col F r' 

R. 

Findtner, USMC. Music composed by Frank 

Skinner. Music supervision, Joseph Gershenson. 

THE CAST 

Copt. Jebediah S. Hawks Jeff Chandler 

Lt. Dove MocDougoll George Nader 

Nadine MocDougoll Julie Adams 

Commander Quigley Lex Barker 

Doctor Bell Keith Andes 

Lt. Froser Richard Boone 

Ensign Kruger William Reynolds 

Lt. Mike OBonnion Charles McGrow 

Alvick Jock Mahoney 

Old Man John Mclntire 

Chief "Poppy" Moran Frank Foylen 

Lt. J. G. Sherwood Grant Williams 

Lt- J. G. Robinson Floyd Simmons 

Ensign Twitchell Don Keefer 

Lt. Randall Som Gilman 

Warners 

• Continued from page 8) 

First Boston Corporation, has been involved in 

motion picture financing for many years and 

his name frequently has bobbed up in film 

financial negotiations. He was one of the 

principal figures in the negotiations which 

led to the formation of the Stanley Warner 

theatre circuit. 

The Warners have on several occasions in 

recent years been reported ready to negotiate 

for the sale of the companies, but each time 

they decided against giving up the company 

which had been part and parcel of their lives 

for almost a half century. By the sheerest 

coincidence, it was five years ago to the day 

—May 10, 1951— that the Warners turned 

down a $25,000,000 offer by a syndicate headed 

by Louis R. Lurie, San Francisco financier, 

after the deal had been reported ready for 

signatures. At the last moment, the Warners 

couldn't tear 

themselves away from the 

film structure they had erected. 

Warner Bros. Pictures Inc., which the 

syndicate takes over, took over the production 

and distribution assets and liabilities of the 

predecree Warner Bros, organization on 

February 23, 1953. In addition to its domestic 

and foreign motion picture production and 

distribution facilities, it also holds 37'-; per 

cent of Associated British Picture Corp. 

which operates 400 theatres in Great Britain, 

and owns Music Publishers Holding Corp. 

which in turn owns all of the stock of Witmark 

& Sons, Harms Inc. and Remick Music 

Corp., and Edward Steige, printers of music. 

In its three years under the new corporate 

setup, the company has shown a steady improvement 

in earnings. For the fiscal year 

ending August 31, 1955, the company re- 

of an attack transport which, manned by a 

ported film rentals and sales totaling $72,597,- 

largely untried crew, undertakes a rugged 

shakedown cruise, then participates in landing 

678 with net earnings of $4,002,000 compared 

and and 

actions at Kwajalein during World War to film rentals sales of $67,014,014 a 

net of $3,976,000 the previous year. About 40 

per cent of the company's revenues is derived 

from the foreign market. 

Investment companies consider the outlook 

for the Warner organization bright. Arnold 

Bernhard & Co., investment advisers 

which publishes "The Value Line Investment 

Survey" estimates that gross revenues will 

reach $78,000,000 in 1956 and hit $82,000,000 

in 1957. "We project the average annual 

revenues for Warner Bros, in the hypothesized 

1959-61 economy to $90 million, earnings 

to $2.60 a share and dividends to $1.80," the 

survey forecast. Last year, earnings were $1.61 

a share and dividends were $1.20. 

Estimate Board Listing 

Finds No Family Films 

NEW YORK—No features are rated for 

family audiences in the May 1 list of joint 

estimates issued by the Film Estimate Board 

of National Organizations. Nine are rated 

for adults and young people and four for 

adults. 

Those in the first category are: "The Man 

in the Gray Flannel Suit" (20th-FoxK also 

rated an outstanding picture; "The Birds and 

the Bees" (Para), "A Day of Fury" (U-I), 

"The Harder They Fall" (Coli, "Outside the 

Law" (U-I>, "The Swan" iMGMi. "Blackjack 

Ketchum, Desperado" (Col), "Star in the 

Dust" (U-I) and "The Way Out" (RKO). 

The adult pictures are: "Gaby" (MGM), 

"Jubal" (Col), "The Price of Fear" (U-I) and 

"The Scarlet Hour" (Para).

C. V. WHITNEY TOLD McRIAN C. COOPER 'Ge^ ike-Beii' 

Wke/Skmimm 

COOPER asked 

JOHN FORD to have filmland's 

most gifted and daring stuntmen 

enact the hand-to-hand combat the C 

scenes. They were: 

BILLY CARTLEDGE 

CHUCK HAYWARD 

SLIM HIGHTOWER 

FRED KENNEDY 

FRANK McGRATH 

CHUCK ROBERSON 

DALE VAN SICKLE 

HENRY WILLS 

TERRY WILSON 

V. W HIT iM EY PicturesJnc, attraction 

JOHN WAYNE 

co-starring 

JEFFREY HUNTER- VERaMILES-WARdBOND-NATAUE WOOD 

from a novel personally selected by V^ . V . 

AAERIAN C. (-*V-/C«)r lK, vice-president in 

soon to be presented by 

directed by 

W 

JOHN FORD 

Color by TECHNICOLOR 

• 

WARNER BROS. 

jkiMttiiMiii mmmmmmm wmm 

Ml I IN t T , president 

charge of production 

in VistaVision

C. V. WHITNEY TOLD MERIAN C COOPER VI7I 

Then COOPER asked 

JOHN FORD to capture the 

sweep of the novel, THE 

SEARCHERS. FORD took the entire 

company to Monument Valley 

where he got real Navajos. The 

entire tribfi-Ciiapec^te. 

the

: May 

BACKGROUND FOR OPTIMISM 

A Veteran Exhibitor Shows How Industry Overcame Handicaps 

Of the Past and Points to the Bright Spots in 

the Future 

Hotuard E. Jameyson, chairman of 

the board of Commonwealth Theatres, 

a circuit operating approximately 95 

theatres in the Midwest, and a veteran 

of 40 years in the motion picture business, 

prepared the accompanying report 

for stockholders in the company 

as ivell as for members of the organization. 

In reviewing problems ivhieh 

have beset the film industry in the 

past, he cites situations paralleling 

those confronting the industry today to 

demonstrate his point that production, 

distribution and exhibition have been 

able to shift ivith the times. He also 

calls for more industry research, to 

enable the industry to proceed along 

scietitific lines, and gives his views on 

what exhibitors must do in the future 

to maintain a sound level of business. 

By HOWARD E. JAMEYSON 

Our industry started with short single 

reels costing a few hundred dollars. It has 

advanced to the multi-million dollar productions 

we now exhibit. Starting with flickering, 

unsteady and badly photographed pictures, 

it has advanced to the breath-taking 

artistic and technical excellence of Cinemascope 

55. Oddly, our technological and artistic 

advance has almost exactly paralleled 

that of the automobile from Model T to 

Continental. 

America's leisure hours provided the nourishment 

for the growth of our industry and 

these leisure hours were not many in our 

early days. As leisure time increased, other 

industries arose to feed upon it. Millions of 

automobiles meant billions of hours of pleasure 

driving. The two-weeks vacation, a rarity 

in 1900, is almost universal today and the 

huge motel industry is a manifestation of 

that development. The attendance at spectator 

sports, baseball, football and basketball, 

has increased a hundredfold. Participating 

sports like golf, fishing, hunting and even 

skiing have had an equally phenomenal 

growth. We met all this competition and. 

in fact, thrived while meeting it. 

ENTER: RADIO AND TELEVISION 

However, during the period of my motion 

picture experience twô forms of competition 

arose with such dramatic suddenness as to 

profoundly affect us. I refer, of course, to 

radio and its offspring television. 

Most of the people in our organization were 

not here when our industry had to readjust 

itself to the competition offered by radio. 

And time has dulled the memory and healed 

the bruises of those who. like me, were 

around. It was a costly, di.scouraging and prolonged 

process. Some thought it could never 

be accomplished, but it was. New and improved 

methods of presentation turned the 

tide. 

BOXOFFICE ; 

It's a matter of recorded history and statistical 

fact that, after the first impact of 

radio, we went forward to the longest period 

of prosperity we have yet enjoyed. We not 

only learned to live with radio we learned 

to use it. Radio gave us such stars as Bing 

Crosby, Bob Hope, Abbott and Costello and 

numerous lesser but important names. It 

also provided a new avenue of exploitation. 

Now we have television to take its bite out 

of the leisure hours of our people. It could 

not have come at a more inopportune time. 

When it came, our whole industry was undergoing 

a vast reorganization. Long-established 

trade practices were being abandoned and 

new ones were being painfully substituted. 

Federal court rulings had shaken our industry 

to its foundations; our leaders were pre-occupied 

and bewildered. In all this turmoil 

we were unprepared to meet a new peril. 

It would be ridiculous of me to minimize 

the impact of television upon the public or 

to discount its effect upon us. Television 

offered something no other form of competition 

had ever provided. It presented an inferior, 

but still a reasonable facsimile of the 

thing we sell. It brought this into the living 

room. And it was free! Here, indeed, was a 

menace. And worse, much of what television 

gave free to its audience had been paid for 

at our boxoffices. Here was a situation 

unique in American industrial history. A para- 

BOTH COASTS ^T TO BLAST 

FILM STARS FROM AIR WAVES 

N«« York IndM R»odv lor ~ ~ ~ CaldemlQ ITO S»li Plan* 

"gCLlI; MPTO Raps Competition 

from Radio Durir^g Theatre Hours 

Hollywood Grows Conscious of Inroads 

Made by Radio in Entertainment Field 

More Co-operation Between Radio-film* 

May B« Solution to Competition Threat 

Produttn 

41i9"in9 Tkcmicl.ci W,lh B.oodcoit 

^^pj 

4;jfH0lllTY 

From BOXOFFICE Files 

Trade headlines of the mid-1930s. when 

exhibitors considered radio a competitor 

which would destroy the motion picture 

theatre. H. E. Jameyson points out in 

his article that after the first impact of 

radio, the industry "went forward to the 

longest period of prosperity we have yet 

enjoyed." 

sitic industry deriving most of its nourishment 

from the prostrate but still living body 

of another. At the risk of being macabre 

we find an analogy in nature: the vulture 

feeding upon the stricken but still breathing 

creature of the forest. 

But making due allowance for televi.-.ion's 

profound impact upon the public, it wasn't 

the receiving set in the living room that did 

us the most harm, it was the mental state 

of our minds. Television's menace—hysterically 

overemphasized—became an industry 

obsession. High-placed and respected leaders 

publicly voiced the most dismal prophecies. 

There was no valiant and defiant 

Churchill for us to rally around. Many of us 

simply waited for the inevitable invasion. 

Financial sources dried up. Production went 

into a deep and prolonged slump. Many talented 

people moved from the movie set to 

the television set. 

STILL HAVE A REGULAR AUDIENCE 

While our industry had no one man to 

essay the role of Churchill, we did have a 

hard core of undefeated, courageous men w-ho 

were not ready to surrender. And we still 

had a loyal if reduced audience, conservatively 

estimated at 50 million. 

What we have witnessed can be compared 

to what frequently occurs in the fight ring. 

The powerful aggressor has his opponent on 

the ropes but can't quite summon enough 

strength to deliver the final knockout. Meanwhile, 

the almost vanquished victim clears his 

mind, recovers his vision, calls upon hidden 

reserves of stamina and goes ahead to win. 

All these things can happen in a fight ring 

in a few dramatic, exciting moments. The 

same process in a multi-million dollar industry 

t.akes long wearisome, discouraging 

years. Processes, plans and people must 

change. Faith must replace anxiety. Courage 

must overcome fear. Vision must dispel 

darkness. 

All these changes are taking place, but in 

our preoccupation w-ith daily problems, many 

of us do not see or feel them. On that account, 

I feel it is desirable and worthwhile 

to call your attention to certain developments 

you may not have observed. 

AN ALTERED PRODUCTION PLAN 

First and most important is the altered 

production policy of Hollywood. The quantity 

of pictures annually produced had been 

steadily declining for several years. At the 

very time we desperately needed more pictures 

we got fewer. In 1956 this trend is reversed. 

Paramount is the only company that hasn't 

increased its releasing schedule. This year, 

theatres can look forward to a 15 per cent 

to 20 per cent increase in the number of 

pictures available. But, more important, we 

can look forward to better pictures. While we 

know that many of these "better" pictures 

(Continued on page 28) 

12. 1956 25

».OH»^_'r.f.'« 

j^ 

^5itiii» 

«^ -^t 

'^v^^^^^ 

^^:^ 

^^'m 

ROARING 

^^ 

£^. 

CONTACT YOUR BUENA VISTA

Cinemascope 

FESS PARKER 

JEFFREY HUNTER 

w 

DISNEY TRADITION! 

IN IM ^ 

ACROSS 

THE 

NjriON 

ABOARD 

OFFICE NOW!.., 

CAMPAIGN

H. E. Jameyson 

(.Continued from page 25) 

will not live up to boxoffice expectations, we 

know their general high quality will impress 

the patrons who see them. We also know 

that the Model T movie will soon be for 

the living room only, not our screens. 

Secondly, our distributors have re-oriented 

their attitude towards release schedules. Releasing 

conditions have been chaotic for several 

years, with each distributor jockeying 

for a favored position. Distributors have 

now learned the folly of releasing their more 

attractive wares in a manner that resulted 

in a "feast or famine" condition. We are 

promised this year an even, steady flow of 

quality merchandise. 

LACK OF INDUSTRY RESEARCH 

We are only now reaching the point where 

we can see history repeating itself. Necessity 

being the mother of invention, we are seeing 

our industry turning to new devices and new 

methods. We are re-enacting the battle we 

had 20 years ago with radio. 

One of the great problems this industry 

has always faced is our lack of precise information 

about our business. Even as these 

words are written no two distributors of films 

can agree on the actual number of theatres 

we have in the United States. We don't 

know how large our audience is. We don't 

know how many dollars are spent at our boxoffices. 

Fi-om studio to theatre, we operate 

by intuition and inspiration. We use "feel" 

instead of knowledge. While other industries 

have turned to scientific procedures to learn 

about themselves and to map their com-ses, 

we still operate like a "seat-of-the-pants" 

pilot. 

I think that's about to be changed. I won't 

go into details, but a research outfit, Sindlinger 

& Co., business analysts, have been 

taking a hard and expensive look at our 

industry. So far their coverage is not complete 

and their techniques not perfected but 

they are already telling us things about ourselves 

we never knew before. I foresee the day 

when theirs, or a similar service, will be as 

important and valuable to us as a dictionary 

is to a writer. 

FILM STOCKS HOLD APPEAL 

From another source comes very encouraging 

news. I refer to the analysis sent to 

the clients of Ai-nold Berhard & Co. It is 

commonly known as the Value Line Investment 

Survey and is highly regarded in financial 

circles. It recently surveyed the position 

and prospects of our industry as well 

as those of each individual producing company. 

It is much too long and detailed to 

quote here but it does dwell intelligently and 

at length upon our problems and our future. 

With regard to the stocks of producing 

companies it says this: "These stocks offer 

special appeal at this time." With reference 

to television competition it has this to say: 

"Actually, it appears that the motion picture 

industry has been gaining the upper hand 

in its battle with television for some time." 

Bear in mind these are not the words of 

a wLshful-thinking movie man, but the advice 

of disinterested financial advisors, jealous 

of their standing with conservative investors. 

On some future day, when we look back on 

these troubled times, we'll probably credit 

Cinemascope with reviving our hopes and 

BritishFilmsNeedMoreU.S,Playclates; 

M. P. Warns Against U. K. Restrictions 

NEW YORK—Sir Tom O'Brien, member of 

Parliament and general secretary of the 

National Ass'n of Theatrical and Kinematograph 

Employes (the British equivalent of the 

lATSE), had been in this country only a 

few hom-s early in the week when he predicted 

that, unless British films get more 

playing time in this country, something might 

happen. 

O'Brien was a member of the group who 

came over to attend the Variety Clubs International 

convention. While here he will confer 

with Ei'ic Johnston, MPAA president, and 

Richard P. Walsh, president of the lATSE. 

O'Brien pointed out the possibility that a 

Labor government might return to power 

our faith. While all producers did not embrace 

Cinemascope at first, and while some 

still have not fully employed it, it has, nevertheless, 

won a permanent place. For this 

we can give thanks to the courage and vision 

of Spyros Skouras and his associates at 20th 

Century-Pox. Today, we have a picture with 

a visual aspect ratio unsuited to the television 

screen. We have pictures that are 

ours and ours alone. They will never be the 

"come-on" for a coast-to-coast medicine 

show, chiefly designed to peddle dentrifices, 

detergents and deodorants. 

Generally speaking, television came late 

to our Midwest territory, and in many homes 

its novelty has not yet worn off. In addition, 

our territory is suffering from climatic conditions 

and declining agricultural income. 

Though industry may be moving in, we still 

operate in an agricultural economy and are 

vitally affected by its 

vagaries. 

I cannot refrain from pointing out a favorable 

trend that seems to be developing. One 

of our standard procedures is to keep a tenweek 

daily attendance record of each theatre. 

Each week this is changed to fit the performance 

of the previous ten weeks. All last fall, and 

for the fii-st few weeks of this year, the trend 

in the majority of our theatres was downward. 

In recent weeks this trend has reversed. 

We now find the great majority of our theatres, 

week-by-we€k, returning more than the 

previous ten weeks' averages. 

CAN'T BE COMPLACENT 

However, in this fact, hopeful as it is, there 

are no grounds for complacency. We cannot 

trust "nature to take its course" or expect 

our missing patrons, occupied with other diversions, 

to voluntarily return to the fold. 

For years we have communicated with our 

patrons through the newspaper, our screen 

and other standard media. These still have 

their value and are essential, but they are 

not enough. Thousands of our former patrons 

no longer read our ads and, of course, 

never see our screens. Oiu- job today can 

be likened to that of the missionary seeking 

converts. His task requires persistence and 

patience, and above all, zeal. I have told 

our men they face a grass roots task. 

In our business we have never made personal 

solicitations like the insurance salesman 

or the Fuller Brush man. But I've told 

our managers, these times and these conditions 

require just that sort of an approach. 

I've asked them to pei-sonally contact a 

and said that, in that case, the American industry 

would have "increasing difficulties in 

maintaining its position in the Brtish market." 

He declared that, unless proper machinery 

is set up, no progress can be made. One of 

his suggestions was that an international film 

council be set up to discuss and solve the 

problem of insuring more American bookings 

for the British imports. 

New restrictions, he admitted, would be bad 

both for American distributors and British 

exhibitors who would face a film shortage. 

Discussions of a new quota agreement with 

Great Britain in 1957 would be influenced by 

the situation prevailing then. He said he 

personally favored quotas. 

specific number of stay-at-homes each week. 

I have told them that reams of printed matter 

extolling the merits of a certain picture will 

not accomplish as much as a few words of 

sincere recommendation from the lips of the 

manager or one of his employes. 

If each of our managers can promote, 

through personal contact, a hundred admissions 

that would have otherwise not come, 

wê will gradually reconvert many of our 

former patrons. 

Up to the present, we have not been able 

to enter into any such program with confidence, 

because we have not had enough 

quality merchandise. This condition is 

rapidly changing. We have, in the immediate 

future, some wonderful product for 

our theatres. Upon this foundation we can 

rebuild our patronage. 

AN ENCOURAGING REPORT 

While I've avoided using figures and statistics 

in this statement, I must conclude it 

with some information that I consider very 

impressive. The Value Line Investment Survey 

previously mentioned, shows that during 

the whole period from 1948 to 1951, only four 

pictures grossed more than five million dollars 

in our domestic market. In 1954, eight pictures 

hit that figure. In 1955, there were 15 

in that category. Add that information to the 

fact that "Carousel," now having its first 

showing in New "5fork, grossed over $300,000 

in its first three weeks and you'll certainly 

reach the conclusion that our straying patrons 

must be returning to the fold. 

And if it's faith in our business you are 

looking for, consider this: Paramount has 

spent more than ten million dollars on "The 

Ten Commandments" which will be released 

We 

this year. It took faith in our industry for 

men to make tremendously spectacular pictures 

like "War and Peace," "Meet Me in Las 

Vegas," "Alexander the Great," "The King 

and I," "The Conqueror," "Moby Dick" and 

several others, costing over 5 million each. 

With these facts in mind, it becomes the 

duty of management and our managers in 

the field, to extend greater efforts than ever 

before. We must justify the faith that courageous 

men have shown in our business. 

owe it to our company and our associates to 

make the most of what will be handed us 

this year. And, above all, we owe to our lost 

patrons a personal appeal to witness and revel 

in our recent artistic and technological 

achievements. 

28 BOXOFFICE

EXHIBITORS WHO FEEL 

THAT 

THEY'VE BEEN GIVING THEIR PATRONS AN 

OVERDOSE OF SEX, VIOLENCE, MURDER AND 

BLOODSHED SHOULD FIND 

îpO^ ^ll^rg^^ 

A WELCOME RELIEF... it's loaded with laughs... 

built for wholesome family entertainment!"... 

MOTION PICTURE 

DAILY 

ToYTjGpElt boasts all the 

heart-warmrng, wholesome qualities 

of its predecessor.. ("The Private 

War of Major Benson") and 0)/^^!^ 

should establish an even more 

impressive revenue record!" 

BOXOFFICE 

ToYTjCpER is 

to insure exhibitors 

healthy grosses . . 

designed 

." 

MOT/ON PICTURE HERALD 

'^YTjGER 

"The whole family will 

...when real honest- 

love 

to-goodness family pictures 

are not too plentiful, here is one 

to really sell the folks . . 

ideal entertainment for 

young and old alike!" 

SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW 

Film should appeal to young and old ^Wi^ 

alike., .preview audiences' warm /pi 

response concludes that ToY^teER ^^ 

will sell well all over the country!" 

FILM 

DAILY 

wthCECIL KELLAWAY 

• RICHARD HAYDN 

Directed b^ JfRRf HOPP[R 

• Screen Stcry mi Screenplay b'/ lEO SHERDEMAN • Pictad by HOWARD CHRISTIE 

PRINT BY TECHNICOLOR

. . For 

. . Theatres 

. . Completely 

. . This 

'The Man in 

the Gray Flannel Suit' 

Wins April Blue Ribbon Award 

By VELMA WEST SYKES 

pOR the second consecutive month, a 20th-Fox picture is voted the BOXOFFICE Blue 

Ribbon Award, having met the combined test of being both outstanding and suitable 

entertainment for the whole family. National Screen Council members, who pick the 

winner by marlcing postcard ballots, seemed to have the same reaction expressed by Anna 

Joyce Reardon, of the Woman's College at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, 

when she commented: " 'The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit' is an interesting story showing 

problems of an everyday American family and is well done." It brings forcibly to mind 

the wounds inflicted on loved ones at home by war-induced emotional experience, leaving 

scars that will fade only through mutual understanding and love that face up to accepting 

responsibility as a family unit. 

The Sloan Wilson best seller has had 

expert treatment on the screen. Jennifer 

Jones and Gregory Peck caiTy the lead 

roles in such competent fa.shion that their 

suffering and ultimate rainbow of happiness 

after the storm passes go deep into the 

patron's own vicarious emotions. The picture 

is gi-ossing well in key first runs, having 

scored 179 per cent in those situations. 

BOXOFFICE gave it a feature review in 

the issue of March 31, its Hollywood editor, 

Ivan Spear, commenting in part: 

"The photoplay appears surefire to rank 

high among the year's toppers in public and 

critical acclaim, as well as capacity patronage 

the ticket-buyers who relish 

other than problems in their screen fare, 

there are exciting and spectacular spots of 

action, made possible through flashback 

glimpses of Peck's army experiences, and 

the yarn is not wanting in touches of wholesome 

and alleviating comedy." 

TV Council . is a good portrayal of 

the rat-race we are all engaged in!—Charles 

G. Sampas, Lowell Sun. 

Today the public wants realism and this 

it is.—Jeanette Mazurkl, Glendale (Calif.) 

News Press . . . This story is compiled by 

using the best of all the ingredients that 

make a good movie.—Mrs. Henry Earl Smith, 

Sheboygan County (Wis.) Better Films 

Council . true-to-life show. 

—Tom Peck, Charleston (S.C.) News & 

Courier. 

"The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit" is 

the first 1956 release that impressed me as 

Academy Award material.—Glenn Tj-ump, 

Omaha World Herald ... A fine screen 

adaption of Sloan Wilson's novel.—Fields 

Warner, Montgomery Advertiser . . . Sock 

acting!—George Stump, KCMO, Kansas 

City. 

I pick "The Man in the Gray Flannel 

Suit," as it is a good story, well told, and 

follows the book better than is usual. The 

children in the picture are wonderful and 

Selected comments from NSC members, 

who backed up their votes with expressions 

about the picture, are these: 

natural. The whole cast is great—fine acting.—Mrs. 

E. P. Swisher, Cleveland Cinema 

An engrossing story with top performances 

by an all-star cast.—Malcolm Miller, Knoxville 

Journal . showing such top- 

Club. 

drawer entertainment as "The Man in the 

Gray Flannel Suit" will have an overflow 

treasurer's drawer.—Mrs. Virginia Rollwage human.—Mrs. Alvin C. Johnson, Indianapolis 

NSC Collier, president, D.C. Motion Picture and 

Group. 

For an evening of enjoyment, see "The 

Man in the Gray Flannel Suit." It has 

troubles and emotions but is warm and 

To7n Rath 

Gregory Peck 

Betsy Jennifer Jones 

Hopkins FÊDRic March 

Maria 

Marisa Pa van 

Judge Bernstein Lee J. Cobb 

Mrs. Hopkins Ann Harding 

Caesar Gardella 

Keenan Wynn 

Hawthorne 

Gene Lockhart 

The Cast 

Susan Hopkins GiGi Perreau 

Janie Portland Mason 

Walker Arthur O'Connell 

Bill Ogden 

Henry Daniell 

Mrs. Manter 

Connie Gilchrist 

Edward Schultz 

Joseph Sweeney 

Barbara 

Sandy Descher 

Pete 

Mickey Maga 

Production Staff 

Executive Producer Darryl F. Zanuck 

Produced by Darryl F. Zanuck 

Directed by 

Nunnally Johnson 

Screenplay by NtmNALLY Johnson 

From the Novel by Sloan Wilson 

Music Bernard Herrmann 

Director of Photography 

Charles G. Clarke, A.S.C. 

Art Direction 

Lyle R. Wheeler, 

Jack Martin Smith 

Set Decorations Walter M. Scott, 

Stuart A. Reiss 

Special Photographic Effects 

Ray Kellogg 

Fihn Editor Dorothy Spencer, A.C.E. 

Wardrobe Direction Charles Le Maire 

Color by 

De Luxe 

Color Consultant 

Leonard Doss 

%J This Award is given each month by 

and suitability for family entertainmeni 

film commentator-, and representatives 

tional Screen Coun I on the basis of outstanding merit 

prises motion picture editors, radio 

civic and educational organizations.

1 

91 

Montana ITO Convention 

• / 

Proposes Brainstorming 

Session for the Industry 

BILLINGS. MONT. — Injection of the 

"brainstorming for idea-s" theory into the industry's 

search for solutions to its current trade 

problems was recommended here Tuesday (8) 

by Claude C. Mimdo. assistant to the president 

of Theatre Owners of America, at the 

opening session of the Independent Theatre 

Owners of America convention. 

Tliis new method in the development of 

new ideas and its use in the film industry 

may come up for discussion at the TOA convention 

in New York next September. 

TRIED AT D. C. CONFERENCE 

The "brainstorming" discussion concept Ls 

attributed to a Hillsdale. Mich., educator as a 

new means by which to generate ideas needed 

for the solution of one or a gr-oup of problems. 

It is designed to get away from "ti-aditional" 

thinking on the specific subject, 

Mundo pointed out. The principle was used 

with success in the much-publicized White 

House Conference on Education last September. 

Mundo reiterated the national organization's 

strong endorsement of the ten-point 

program evolved by Leonard Goldenson and 

Edwai-d Hyman of American Broadcasting- 

Paramount Theatres for rejuvenation of the 

industry. 

Mundo listed these objectives of the program 

: 

( 1 ) Orderly distribution of quality products 

through the year, (2) equalization of advertising 

rates and contract.s between television 

stations and theatres, i3i improved trailers, 

i4i recapture of the women's audience, i5) concentration 

on increased attendance. (6) development 

of new faces, (7) the importance 

of publicity coverage for Hollywood and theatres, 

(8) continuation of Audience Awards, 

support of special projects and (10) a "rebirth 

of showmanship." 

Mundo, in an open forimi discussion among 

theatre owners, industry representatives and 

equipment salesmen during the opening ses- 

.sion of the meeting, suggested adding "an 

11th point in answer to current problems— 

rebirth of production," and it was in this 

connection that he suggested an industry 

brainstorming" session. 

TALK OPENS SESSION 

Mundo's talk at the first general session 

was the high point of the program preliminary 

to the business session of the convention. 

Association members, sales representatives, 

supply dealers and associate members attended 

a "get acquainted" luncheon held in 

the Northern Hotel ballroom, convention 

headquarters, Tuesday noon. C. E. Anderson 

of Kalispell, president of MTA, was toastmaster. 

Montana theatremen were warned against 

"complacency" by out-of-state exhibitors in 

a discussion of means by which the "captive 

audience" of television can be won back into 

theatres. 

Coaxial cable or microwave TV is still to 

come into the state, delegates were reminded 

by a Bingham, Utah, visitor who urged theati-e 

owners to make use of the time to "make 

adjustments" necessary to competing with 

fireside entertainment. 

During forum comments on the possible Inroads 

television might make on the Montana 

theatre audience, several exhibitors by their 

remarks implied they would continue to "take 

things in stride" and would "crass the television 

bridge when they got to it." Concensus 

of others was that "the industry will recover 

and we'll live through it like we have through 

other things." 

The matter of pricing also was taken up at 

the forum following one exhibitor's query. 

"Are we pricing ourselves out of business?" 

Exhibitor opinion was that it is "generally 

true" in the region that people are not yet 

price conscious. 

Pulitzer Group Turns 

Down Film Award 

NE'W YORK—The Pulitzer Prize trustees 

again turned down consideration of the award 

of an annual prize to the best motion picture 

of the year at a closed meeting Monday I7). 

The film award topic was first suggested in 

1932 by Jack L. Warner, but the Pulitzer 

trustees have annually refused to take action, 

contending that a film does not deserve 

classification with the yearly awards for 

plays, novels, journalism, etc. 

"The Dairy of Anne Prank," written by 

Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, who 

have written "Seven Brides for Seven 

Brothers." "The Thin Man," and other 

screenplays for MGM, was awarded the 

Pulitzer Pi'ize as the best American play of 

1955. The play, currently playing at the Cort 

Theatre, has already won the New York 

Drama Critics' Circle prize and the American 

Theatre Wing's Antoinette Perry award as 

the best play of the season. Mrs. Hackett 

writes under her maiden name and the husband 

and wife are the first writing team to 

win a Pulitzer Prize. 

"Andersonville." a 767-page novel of the 

Confederate prison camp for Union soldiers in 

the Civil War. by MacKinlay Kantor, was 

published in October and was a Book-of-the- 

Month selection and is a current be.st-seller. 

The book has been sold for $250,000 to Columbia 

Pictures for production in 1956. 

Selznick to See 20th-Fox 

On Production Contract 

NEW YORK—David O. Selznick was scheduled 

to meet late in the week with 20th 

Century-Fox officials on a contract for the 

production of a number of independent films 

calling for some 20th-Fox financial backing. 

Selznick until recently was under contract to 

RKO. 

S. Hurok Re-SignsWith NBC 

NEW YORK—S. Hurok, well-known impresai-io, 

has signed a new one-yeai- contract 

with National Broadcasting Co. as television 

consultant and producer. 

No Smooth Sailing Seen 

For Todd-Russian Tieup 

NEW YORK Nru p.ipri- reports from 

Mo.scow that Michael Tixld will eo-produce 

five films in Russia were toned down in a 

statement issued by the To

W€t4Au^lto*t êfiont 

r-RIC JOHNSTON has returned to Washington 

only for "flying trips" since his 

hegira abroad. 

The Motion Picture Ass'n of America, which 

maintains its headquarters staff here, nevertheless 

is making more news than ever since 

the on-the-go nominal head of the industry 

came baclc from his 'round-the-world tour. 

After a brief vacation, he began to malce 

news by his analysis of the Near East situation, 

with which he is very familiar, having 

served in that area as the President's envoy 

extraordinary. Among other things, he is 

appearing on the national "Youth Wants to 

Know" program, and, undoubtedly, will be in 

the limelight in other ways in the coming 

weeks. 

Johnston is represented by associates as 

being "very optimistic" about the motion picture 

business and he is as much in favor of 

a "united front" by all elements of the industry 

as ever. 

Besides the annual meeting of MPAA, 

Johnston has conferred with many producers 

and distributors about changes in the Production 

Code, and on other matters. There's 

never a dull moment with an "executive's 

executive" in the motion picture industry! 

o-o-o 

rj S. FILM companies shipped 28.362,510 

linear feet of film to foreign nations in 

January, with a total value of $1,019,292, the 

U. S. Department of Commerce has reported 

here, with the biggest shipment of 

exposed positive film going to Brazil, which 

received 2,443,603 linear feet valued at $59,497. 

The report showed that the United Kingdom, 

during the month, received 922,957 linear 

feet of film, valued at $80,904: Canada, 1,136,- 

753 linear feet, at $65,017: Italy. 1.285,540 

linear feet, $59,705, and Australia, 968,800 

linear feet valued at $53,404. 

The statistical report showed that U. S. 

companies imported 327 positive feature 

prints of foreign pictures during January 

1956, compared to 312 imported in the same 

month a year before. 

Some 165 films came from the United 

Kingdom; 38 came from Mexico; 37 from 

Hong Kong, and 36 from Japan. Others came 

from the Bahamas, 16; France, 15; West 

Germany, 8; Chile, 4; Italy, 4; Finland, 2 and 

Canada and Belgium, one each. 

U. S. distributors also imported 124 feature 

film negatives from overseas countries, including 

82 from Brazil, eight from Hong Kong, 

eight from Panama, five from Japan, three 

from West Germany, three from the Philippines, 

two from Canada, one from Egypt, and 

one from Australia. 

0-0-0 

THE Theatre Owners of America, through 

A. 

man, 

Julian 

has 

Brylawski, 

requested 

its legislative chair- 

permission—which no 

doubt will be granted— to testify before the 

subcommittee of the Senate Committee on 

Labor and Public Welfare in opposition to 

proposals to extend the federal minimum 

wage law to motion picture theatres. 

Actually, there is little threat this year, 

from any organized source on Capitol Hill, in 

favor of extending the minimum wage to "uncovered" 

groups. The administration made a 

big to-do about its intention to seek such additional 

coverage before Congress met, but so 

By LARSTON D. FARRAR 

far there has been no recommendation from 

the White House. 

Meantime, the Democrats, who normally 

might favor such a move, have been taken up 

with the farm bill, and other legislation they 

consider more pressing. 

The unions, except through their various 

publications, have not plugged hard for the 

extension of coverage in this session. It seems 

extremely unlikely that any bill will be reported 

to both the Senate and the House of 

Representatives this year. 

"phe action of 

the Federal Reserve Board in 

raising its rediscount rate to three per 

cent may or may not "stop inflation"—as it 

allegedly is designed to do—but it certainly 

will make it more difficult for motion picture 

theatre owners to borrow money, for 

either short-term or long-term use, although 

they have found it increasingly difficult in 

recent years. 

In the context of today's strange economic 

conditions, there is a big question about the 

FRB's actions tightening bank credit. The 

action will raise interest rates, no doubt 

about it. This will rebound to the credit of 

banks and other lending institutions. 

It also will raise the cost of carrying the 

federal government's huge debt, which now 

stands at $7.1 billion a year. And it will raise 

the cost of state and municipal debt-handling, 

thus socking the average taxpayer, who 

pays for all these interest rates through taxes 

and. of course, when he makes loans. 

The action may "stop inflation," but it certainly 

will stop expansion by many small 

businesses, and it also may be the piece of 

straw that broke the camel's back in the case 

of many a small busine.ss that has been "hanging 

on" in hopes of a break. Bankruptcies 

among small businesses are at the highest 

rate in modern history now, and this move 

will do nothing to stop this ominous trend. 

All in all, you can't help but wonder whose 

idea it was, although you do not have to 

wonder long if you know many bankers. 

Interest is the wages of money, and those 

who have greenbacks are anxious for more 

profits than even the record-breaking profits 

they have made off handling currency in 

recent years. 

o-o-o 

gUSINESS Briefs: Manufacturers in the 

photographic equipment industry shipped 

35mm motion picture equipment valued at 

$24,594,000 in 1954, compared to 1947 shipments 

of $10,642,000, the U. S. Bureau of 

the Census has reported here. In the eight 

mm and 16 mm combined, shipments for 

1954 were $83,561,000 against 1947 shipments 

of $79,460,000 . . . Representative Gordon H. 

Scherer (R.Ohio), who went to Los Angeles 

recently as a member of the House Committee 

on Un-American Activities to hold 

hearings, was "drafted" into a motion picture 

role, when he stood around in his hotel lobby. 

The director thought the Congi-essman was 

an "extra," and ordered him to smoke, 

although Scherer is not a smoker. The legislator 

says he went through two packages of 

cigarets in 15 retakes, and never did tell the 

du-ector who he was. It was a hotel scene 

in "Julie," star of which is Doris Day, who 

hails 

from Cincinnati. 

CALENDARiEVENTS 

MAY 

T W T F S 

12 3 4 5 

S M 

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 

27 28 29 30 31

. 

^_ 

: May 

History of Motion Pictures in U.S. 

Serves as a Big Draw in Milwaukee 

^^LWAUKEE—The old silents we still a 

lure for the public. More than 2,000 persons 

turned out for a program devoted to the history 

of the American 

film held as part of 

Marquette University's 

Festival of the American 

Arts. The festival 

marked the University's 

75th anniversary. 

The program was an 

indication to the trade 

\ .^,^^1 here that the history 

^^ 

motion pictures, 

X. ^1 presented as discussions 

illustrated with 

Roger Albright excerpts from old films 

an exhibition of prints from famous motion 

or 

pictures and other memorabilia, 

can 

play a role in stimulating renewed interest 

in movies. Similar programs have from time 

to time been urged by industry leaders. 

The two-part program at the University 

included a three-reel history of motion pictures 

produced by Iris Barry, curator of the 

Film Library of the Museum of Modern Art, 

with Roger Albright, director of education 

for the Motion Picture Ass'n of America, and 

George Sidney, president of the Screen Directors 

Guild, conducting the discussions. 

Albright led in discussing early films and 

Sidney those of the modern era. 

Many of those who attended saw silents 

for the first time and heard, also for the first 

time, the kind of music which the traditional 

piano player provided for the "flickers." 

Joseph F. Wesley, local piano player who used 

to play for silent films at the old Mozart 

and Merrill theatres here, presided at the 

upright piano, plucking countless melodies 

out of the keyboard to cuplure the varyuig 

moods. The audience appealed to be so 

fascinated by this demonstration of an oldtime 

art that it frequently broke out with 

applause when Wesley came through with a 

particularly appropriate descriptive bit. He 

said it had been 30 years .since he la.st played 

for silent pictures. 

Among the sequences shown were the famoiLs 

"kiss" by May Irwin and John C. Rice, 

dated 1896, 'The Great Train Robbery" produced 

in 1904, Mary Pickford in "The New 

York Hat" (1912), "A Fool There Was" with 

Theda Bara (1915), "The Four Horsemen of 

the Apocalypse" with Valentino (1920), "The 

Covered Wagon" (1924), "Greed" (1924), the 

Eric Von Stroheim masterpiece, "The General" 

(1927), with Buster Keaton, and .some 

of the earlier talking pictures. 

Albright told the audience that moviegoers 

of 30 years ago would be startled by 

some of the frankness expressed in today's 

motion picture, but, he commented, "that 

doesn't mean any lessening of morals in the 

industry. The attitude of the public toward 

certain expressions and situations changes 

over the years, and motion pictures change 

with it." 

Actually, he said, the industry lags behind 

public acceptance because all sections of the 

country do not progress uniformly in this 

acceptance, and the industry must follow the 

more reluctant segments of the population. 

Motion pictures, he declared, are as "clean" 

today as they ever were and are being used 

on a much greater scale for educational and 

scientific purposes. 

Ben Marcus, circuit operator, and the public 

relations firm of Barkin-Herman & A.'^sociates, 

were instrumental in helping the University 

set up its motion picture program. 

SMPTE Technical Course 

Declined by Columbia 

NEW YORK—Columbia University has declined 

to add a course on the latest technical 

developments in the motion picture Industry 

that was requested by the Society of Motion 

Picture and Television Engineers. 

It was said 

that Columbia's policy limits it to courses 

providing credits for degrees in courses controlled 

by the university. 

SMPTE will now approach other local 

.schools with its project for spon.soring technical 

courses having a .syllabus to be set by 

its educational committee. Such projects are 

being .successfully conducted at two California 

universities as non-credit courses open 

only to members of the industry. 

BIG, BIG 

PROMOTION 

COAST-TO-COAST! 

MGM's 'Swan' Is Breaking 

Records in Keys Abroad 

NEW YORK—MGM's "The Swan," currently 

playing in all U. S. key cities to cash 

in on the wave of publicity about Grace 

Kelly's wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco, 

also is doing strong business abroad, according 

to cables received by Loew's International 

executives. 

In London, the first week at the Empire 

Theatre resulted in the biggest receipts in 

ten years, in Paris the opening at the 

Ermitage Theatre was a record and in Antwerp, 

at the Metro Theatre, business was 

the bigge.st since "Quo Vadis" In 1953. Same 

for the Eldorado In Brussels. 

In Montevideo, the first week at the Metro 

Theatre was record, topping every picture in 

the theatre's history, including "Quo Vadis," 

which played at higher prices; in Lima, the 

opening was a record, with "Quo Vadis" at 

higher prices, the only picture to exceed it 

and, in Panama City, the gross was the biggest 

in two years at the Bellavlsta Theatre. 

In Australia, playing nine theatres in four 

cities, the first week was ahead of every 

picture except "Quo Vadis." In Cairo and 

Alexandria, at the Metro theatres, opening 

day set a house record and advance sales of 

tickets were record-breaking. 

BOXOFFICE : 

12, 1956 

Mpls. Papers Say 'No' 

To Title of French Film 

MINNEAPOLIS—The two local daily newspapers, 

both under the same ownership, are 

censoring local theatre ads. Because of 

reader complaints, it's explained, thumbs 

down have been placed on copy which is considered 

overly bold and daring for pictures 

of a sexy nature. 

W. R. Frank's neighborhood "fine arts" 

Avalon wasn't permitted to advertise the 

French picture "Intimate Relations" by its 

correct title. In the newspaper ads, the 

theatre had be content with the name 

to 

"Dangerous Relations." 

When previously presented in Minneapolis 

several years ago the picture was advertised 

in the same newspapers under its true name. 

Krassner to New Post 

NEW YORK—Ted Krassner, assistant playdate 

head at the Paramount home office, has 

been named assistant to Charles Boasberg 

and Morris Lefko in handling distribution of 

"The Ten Commandments" and "War and 

Peace." Before joining Paramount he was 

buyer and booker for independent circuits 

and at one time a New Jersey exhibitor.

. . . Carmen 

. . RKO 

. . . MGM 

. . Producer 

. . Glamor 

: May 

WoUtftMcd êfo

HELPS PLANT TREES—Mrs. Murray 

Silverstone, wife of the head of the international 

department of 20th Century-Fox, 

planting trees during ground breaking 

ceremonies for Israel's new Dionysia 

Gardens, an international park adjoining 

the International Cultural Center for 

Youth now under construction in Jerusalem. 

The park is named in memory of 

Dionysia Skouras, daughter of the president 

of 20th Century-Fox and Mrs. 

Sp>Tos P. Skouras. (Photo by Isreal Government 

Tourist Office). 

New Para. Production Man 

Named for Great Britain 

NEW YORK—Richard L. Mealand has resigned 

as general production representative 

in Great Britain for Paramount because of 

ill health. He held the post five years. He 

will be succeeded by Lawrence P. Bachmann, 

.son of the late Jack Bachmann, former 

Paramount Hollywood studio executive. 

Bachmann has been living in London and 

active in the independent production field 

there. He has just returned there after conferences 

with Russell Holman. eastern production 

manager of Paramount. He has 

written many stories for motion pictures, 

and has served RKO and MGM in production 

capacities. 

Mealand was formerly a magazine editor 

and writer. He has been on both the New 

York and Hollywood staffs of Paramount. 

He will return to the U. S. and resume writing 

after his recovery. 

Milton Cross to Narrate 

Two APA Opera Films 

NEW YORK—A. 

W. Schwalberg. president 

of Artists-Producers Associates, has closed 

a deal with Milton Cross, Metropolitan 

Opera commentator, to do the narration and 

introduction on film for "The Life and 

Music of Giuseppe Verdi" and "Figaro, the 

Barber of Seville," opera films which APA 

will 

release. 

Cross is host and commentator for the 

Saturday Opera matinees and has been present 

for every one of the Metropolitan Opera 

broadcasts since they w'ere launched Christmas 

Day 1931. He also will work on a later 

group of APA op)era films. Schwalberg said. 

Films Are Still Top Entertainment 

Throughout World, UNESCO Reports 

NEW YORK Motion pictures have retained 

their pre-eminent role in the world of 

entertainment de.spite the challenge of newer 

media, according to the third annual report 

on world communications is.sued by the 

United Nations Educational. Scientific and 

Cultural Oi-ganization. Each week motion 

picture attendance equals one-tenth of the 

world's population, it says. 

The U, S. leads in world production and 

distribution with the gi-eat majority of countries 

relying on it 

for about 70 per cent of all 

features exhibited. Exceptions are Russia, 

continental China and a few European countries. 

Annual production here totals some 

350 features and 800 newsreeLs. 

19,000 U. S. THEATRES 

The U. S. has 19,000 permanent theatres, 

of which 4,000 are drive-ins, the report says. 

Total seating capacity has decreased to 10.- 

000.000 and about 6.000 theatres have gone out 

of business since 1946, largely due to television. 

Annual attendance per person is 16. 

Canada has 1,906 permanent theatres and 

174 drive-ins for a total .seating capacity of 

about 1.000,000. Its production of features is 

limited but it is active in the newsreel field. 

Mexico ranks next to the U. S. in production 

in the western hemisphere. It exports 

its films to 30 countries. There is much 

less feature production in Puerto Rico. 

Guatemala and Jamaica. Argentina remains 

the largest South American producer and the 

largest exporter. It averages 39 features a 

year and exports to more than 15 countries. 

Argentina and Brazil have legislation aiding 

local motion picture production. Paraguay 

and Peru have made exhibition of local newsreels 

compulsory. 

South America as a whole depends on the 

U. S. for from 70 to 90 per cent of its feature 

entertainment. 

Theatre construction has increased in the 

Caribbean area. Mexico now has 2,062, the 

Dominican Republic 74 and Panama 60, the 

report says. 

In Europe, production is active and the 

films are exported to many parts of the world. 

The leading producers are Italy, the German 

Federal Republic, Prance and the United 

Kingdom. Attendance in the United Kingdom 

is highest in the world. Tlie rate is 25 

per person annually. Italy has a rate of 16 

per person, equal to the U. S. rate, and 

Germany 14 per person. 

DECLINE IN SWEDEN 

There has been some attendance decline in 

Scandinavia and the low coimtries. 

The Soviet Union has 40.000 theatres, including 

35,000 in the villages, and of its total 

of 60,000 projectors, about half are used in 

mobile units. All features produced are shown 

on television. Theatre attendance is stable. 

The U. S. remains the main source of features 

for Africa, though production Is increasing 

there. Egypt averaged 69 features in 

1953. and French Morocco has 15 producing 

companies that make features in Arabic, 

French and English. Production is limited 

in the Union of South Africa and Tanganyika. 

There are 368 theatres in the Union of South 

Africa and 365 in Egypt 

Japan has passed India as the leading 

Asian producing country with 302 features in 

1953, only 50 less than in the U. S. India 

is in second place. Japanese and Indian films 

have found good niiirkets in Asia, and there 

also are exports to Europe, 

Exhibition is progressing in Asia. Japane.se 

theatres have increased to 3,750 and Indian 

theatres to 2,000. Continental China is adding 

to its total of 800. Theatre attendance 

in 1953 ro.se 30 per cent over that of 1952. 

Pew features are made in Australia and 

New Zealand. About 80 per cent of all features 

come from the U. S. Attendance Is high. 

UNESCO stresses the important role played 

by documentary and educational films. Its 

report discusses all types of media— pre.ss, 

film, 

radio and television. 

y 

READY 

FpR TH 

HIGH ^ 

pdwEÊ 

NATIONWb. 

EXPltolTÔN 

BOXOFFICE :: May 12, 1956

: May 

. . 

LETTERS 

MUST PROTECT 'FOUNDATION' 

I vvaiit to thank you on behalf of myself 

and the many hundreds of exhibitors in this 

country for the fine treatment that you 

accorded the article, "An Appeal for Little 

Pictm-es," in your issue of April 21. I sincerely 

hope that the ideas expressed by my 

associate, Jack D. Braunagel. in tills article 

will be read and re-read by every person in 

this industry. I would like to see every exhibitor 

organization in this country have reprints 

made and distributed to each of its 

exhibitor members and in turn ask them 

to express their views direct to the producers 

and distributors. 

In my opinion, nothing that has ever 

occuiTed in this business is more alarming 

than the present apathy on the pai-t of the 

producers and distributors for the motion 

picture patron in small communities at the 

grass-roots level. They seem to have lost sight 

of the fact that this business of ours was 

built on family patronage and the development 

of frequent moviegoing habits. They 

forget that the motion picture theatre is a 

family institution and that it has always 

been so and can only prosper by i-emaining 

so: and, lest we forget, there are still 

43,000,000 families in America today. 

When we stop to analyze om- business, we 

find that, recently, our greatest decline has 

been in women and childi-en patronage. Because 

we have developed such a contemptuous 

regard for them, they are simply staying away 

from the films we are offering. And if we 

want to vanish into oblivion, along with the 

horse and buggy, I can think of no faster or 

surer way than to continue the emphasis on 

SEX, SWORDS and BRUTALITY—and the 

failure to develop new talent—coupled with 

the retirement of the "grandmas" and 

r^,.»- 

V Our 31 

Years In Theatre Advertising Assures t 

. / Exhibiloi 

31 SCREEN ASPECT RATIO WITH OPTICAL SOUND 

"grandpas" that for two generations have 

monopolized our rc.eens. 

If you will notice the pressbook on two 

cm-rent releases that we consider better than 

average pictures, you will note that in the 

ads on "The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit," 

Gregory Peck is standing erect and between 

his legs a soldier is bashing another man's 

brains out. In the case of the ads on 

"Jubal," Ernest Borgnine, gun in hand, is 

dragging a woman and the catchline is. "I'm 

going to kill you. Jubal, for what you did to 

my wife." Is it any wonder that we are 

frightening the women and children away 

from our theatres? 

Sui-ely no one can criticize the producers 

for putting their top efforts behind a certain 

number of super epics, looking and hoping 

for a 20-million-dollar world gross, even 

though, on the word of a top authority in 

this field, all the talent in Hollywood cannot 

make more than 75 top pictures in a single 

year; and the smash hit is the exception 

rather than the rule—and often-times one 

super epic failiu-e can wipe out the entire 

year's profit of a major studio. But, while 

we are turning out these "Rolls Royces" and 

"Cadillacs," let us fortify ourselves with an 

abundance of "Fords" and "Chevrolets," the 

family type pictures that Braunagel is appealing 

for, films of American history, traditions, 

and family life—that have a mass appeal and 

that accounted for the 90 million weekly theatre 

attendance a few short years ago that has 

now dwindled to less than half that number. 

When we overlook these thousands of small 

communities and neighborhood theatres, 

which are the vei-y heart of America, we are 

undermining the very structure that has built 

and will continue to build our business. We 

are doomed to failm-e, if we continue to try 

to build from the top, while, at the same 

time, we destroy the roots and foundation 

of this 

business. 

President, 

United Theatres Corp., 

North Little Rock, Ark. 

M. S. McCORD 

OPPOSES FILM CLIPS ON TV 

Thanks for your "spectacular" coverage of 

our private little war with television. As is 

always the case with advertising that is 

institutional in nature, it is difficult to 

accurately pin down the benefits, but at 

least we are not just twiddling our thumbs. 

Incidentally, we have been pleased to see 

a steadily increasing number of motion picture 

showmen who are raising their voices 

against the .showing of short scene clips from 

big pictures on the Ed Sullivan program and 

other film companies' sponsored TV series. 

How can we possibly impress the public 

with the unequalled magnificence of movie 

entertainment in Cinemascope or Vista- 

Vision, in truly beautiful color, when we show 

the TV viewer short clips in blurred black 

SUPERSCOPE STANDARDIZES 

THE WIDE SCREEN 

ONLY SUPERSCOPE PROVIDES ANAMORPHIC 

RELEASE PRINTS FROM STANDARD "FLAT" NEGATIVES 

PRINTS BY TECHNICOLOR OR IN BLACK AND WHITE 

IMPRESSED BY IDEA FILE 

This is to inform you I have been .so impressed 

by the wonderful promotional ideas 

that you have in your Showmandising IDEA 

FILE that I would like to take this opportunity 

to pass one along to other interested 

readers of this section. (Mr. Chabillon's contribution 

will appear soon in the IDEA FILE 

feature: Editor's Note). 

RAY CHABILLON 

Red Deer Drive-In Theatre. 

Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. 

and white, reduced to the postage stamp size 

of a 19 or 21-inch screen in your living room? 

If they must show clips from movies on TV, 

why, at least, don't they stage them so that 

the TV camera is shooting the scene inside a 

movie theatre, taking in part of the proscenium 

and at least show the perspective of 

Cinemascope. They might move in for a 

suitable close-up, but at least begin and end 

the clip so as to show the perspective of a 

theatre's widescreen. 

We would really like to see this controversy 

stirred into a storm—enough to make the 

film companies stop hurting business through 

the showing of film clips on national television 

programs. 

L. E. FORESTER 

Frontier Theatres, Inc., 

Dallas, Texas 

FOR DOWN-TO-EARTH FILMS 

Today I read this clipping from a Los Angeles 

newspaper column: 

"Oklahoma!" Upset Her: "On what 

prmciple could you have possibly recommended 

the tasteless, vulgar, oversized, 

hideously noisy 'Oklahoma!' to the muchabused 

public? Do you realize that small 

children leave the theatre where such 

enterprises are shown, trembling and crying 

they know not why because of these 

giant spectacles? 

"By recommending such a spectacle you 

can be sure that you have made a significant 

contribution to what is hideous 

and increasingly more so in American 

life today. Delinquency Is not going to 

stop at the juvenile level, for if such 

spectacles become common we shall all 

be brutalized." 

—Margaret Fisher, Reseda. 

Today we played the oldie "Shepherd of 

the Hills." Did the best Sunday business in 

months. 

Are the moguls correct In believing people 

want giant spectacles? Could it be our lost 

customers are hungry for down-to-earth, 

family pictures with problems so simple that 

average people can project themselves into 

a story? After all. isn't it the "simple" 

things they like on TV? Darned if I know . 

but doesn't the popularity of the movie 

"Picnic" prove such a point? 

MRS. G. E. ORTMAN 

Ortman Theatre, 

Hennessey, Okla. 

S€/#»Fi?SCOPE 

2:5S SCREEN ASPECT RATIO WITH MAGNETIC SOUND 

BOXOFFICE : 

12, 1956

: May 

Goldwyn Announces 

Plans for New Opus 

HOLLYWOOD—In addition to continuing 

his personal selling efforts on behalf of the 

multi-million-dollar "Guys and Dolls." which 

is being distributed by MGM. veteran filmmaker 

Samuel Goldwyn intends to put a new 

picture before the cameras early next year, 

provided he can develop a suitable and satisfactory 

story line for the untitled property. 

That was the word from Goldwyn at a 

press conference called upon his return from 

a trek to the Orient, during which he attended 

and plugged openings of "G. and D." 

and conferred with industry and government 

leaders in Japan. 

His next independent venture, the topic 

of which was not disclosed, will be in blackand-white 

and Cinemascope. Goldwyn declared, 

adding that a solid script is the prime 

essential for a successful motion picture and 

that star names, color and other garnishments 

are secondary. 

The producer is planning a June 1 departure 

on a trip to Europe to attend "G. and 

D. ' premieres in FYance. Germany and England. 

The musical, based on the stage hit, 

was well received in Japan, he reported, although 

U. S. tunefilms ai-e not as popular 

there as are romantic dramas with "heart 

and warmth." A $10,000,000 gross will have 

to be secured by "Guys and Dolls" before 

it 

starts showing a profit, he said. 

Buffalo Showing Halted 

After Bombing Threat 

BUFFALO—The Niagara Theatre. Paramount-operated 

community house at 426 

Niagara, closed early Fi'iday night (4) 

after a telephone bomb thj-eat blamed on 

teenage rowdies. Acting Manager Blase 

Palumbo called police and Walter E. Szczpanski. 

assistant detective chief, advised him to 

evacuate the theatre. Palumbo halted "Gunpoint," 

and told the audience there were 

mechanical difficulties." He feared panic if 

he told the patrons the real reason for the 

move. A thorough search of the Niagara by 

theatre attendants and police failed to reveal 

any explosive. Palumbo said strict discipline 

is maintained at the Niagara at all times and 

that it is possible a youth who was banned 

for misconduct made the false phone call. 

Hicksville, Not Babylon, 

Reopened by Prudential 

NEW YORK—Reported reopening of an 

Associated Pi-udential Theatres house at 

Babylon on Long Island in last week's issue 

of BOXOmCE .should have been credited to 

Hicksville instead of Babylon. The Hicksville 

opening on Friday (4i followed a complete 

renovation and redecorating job. Wall-to-wall 

screen, new drapes and curtain and a rock 

wall base for improved acoustics were major 

improvements. 

The Hicksville foyer also was changed, one 

stairway eliminated, lounges and restrooms 

modernized. The refreshment counter is new. 

RKO Film at Cork Fete 

NEW YORK—Allen B. Miner's "Naked 

Sea." in Pathe Color, will be presented at the 

Cork Film Festival in Eire, to be held May 

21-27, according to Walter Branson. RKO vicepresident 

in charge of worldwide distribution. 

Walsh, Downing, Halloran 

Feted by lATSE of N.Y. 

HARMONY WAS THF, THEME—Richard F. Walsh. lATSE president, scrond from 

right; Russell V. Downing, Music Hall managing director, right, and Charles W. 

Halloran, New York State first deputy industrial commissioner, left, received awards 

from Mayor Robert F. Wagner of New York for their labor-management-govornment 

contributions at a dinner Sunday (6). 

NEW YORK—New York State lATSE 

locals gave a dinner May 6 for Richard F. 

Walsh. lATSE president, to celebrate his 

election to the executive council of the merged 

has shown it can work as a unit in peace 

and harmony despite newspaper reports to the 

contrary. He said that James C. Petrillo. 

president of the American Federation of 

AFL-CIO. It was held at the St. George Musicians, who also attended the dinner, 

Hotel. Brooklyn. 

could corroborate the statement. 

Other guests of honors were Russell 'V. 

John C. McDowell, secretary of New York 

Downing, managing director of the Radio City 

Local 1. was toastmaster. Chairmen were 

Music Hall, and Charles W. Halloran, first 

deputy industrial commissioner of the Thomas Murtha. business agent of Brooklyn 

state, 

who were cited for their contributions to Local 4. and H. Paul Shay of Elmira Local 

lATSE labor - management - government harmony. 289, secretary-treasurer of District 

Presentations were made by Mayor Robert 10, which comprises all New York State locals. 

F. Wagner. 

Labor, industry and government were well 

Walsh declared that the executive council represented at the dinner. 

Examinations July 7 

For Chief Censor's Job 

ALBANY—A competitive examination for 

the directorship of the State Education Department's 

motion picture division i censoring 

i 

will be held July 7. The job, which pays 

from $8,820 to $10,590 in five annual salary 

increases, has been filled on a temporary 

basis since September 1955, when Dr. Hugh 

M. Flick was promoted to executive assistant 

to the commissioner of education. Dr. Ward 

C. Bowen, chief of the bureau of audio and 

visual aids, took over temporarily after Flick 

left, but when Dr. Bowen suffered a heart 

attack recently. Helen H. Kellogg, a veteran 

in the state censorship setup, was made acting 

director. She will not be a candidate 

for the post of director, having arrived at 

the statutory age for retirement. 

The eligibles will be drawn from persons 

permanently employed in the competitive 

class in the State Education Department, 

with a minimum of one year's continuous 

service on a permanent basis prior to the 

examination in positions allocated to Grade 

23 (associate director) or higher. There are 

at least 20 holding positions in that grade. 

Whether they will all try the test—for a job 

paying about $1,000 a year more—is uncertain, 

in view of the fact it is based in 

New York City rather than in Albany. 

There will be a written examination, testing 

a knowledge of five areas; may also be an 

oral one. The written part will be on social 

sciences and literature; standards of morals 

and good taste with special application to 

mass media of communication; laws and 

regulations relating to the review and licensing 

of motion pictures and their exhibition 

in New York state; principles and techniques 

of administration and supervision, and related 

knowledge and abilities involved in performing 

the duties of the position. 

Individual achievement, facilitation of 

group objectives, and ability to deal effectively 

with others, will be the scope of the oral 

test. 

Applications will be accepted up to June 8: 

fee for examination is $5. An appointment is 

expected within two to three months of the 

test 

date. 

Greene and Sommers Win 

Reade Circuit Prizes 

NEW YORK—Bert Greene of the St. James 

Theatre. Asbury Park, won first prize in the 

February "Manager of the Month" contest of 

Walter Reade Theatres. Joe Sommers of the 

Paramount Theatre. Long Branch. N. J., won 

second prize. Cash prizes are awaa-ded for 

the best over-all job in advertising, exploitation, 

public relations and physical management 

of a theatre. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

12. 1956

MGM's 'Forbidden Planet/ 'Swan 

Strong; Mild Weather Hits Others 

NEW YORK—Broadway's first run film 

theatres again suffered from the competition 

of pleasant spring weather and daylight 

saving, but two MGM pictures. "Forbidden 

Planet," which had a big opening week, at 

the Globe, and "The Swan," which was again 

very good in its second week at the Radio 

City Music Hall, attracted plenty of customers. 

The other important new picture, "Hilda 

Crane," was just fair in its opening week at 

the Victoria, as was "My Seven Little Sins," 

in its first week at the Guild, an art house. 

Best among the other holdovers was "The 

Man in the Gray Flannel Suit," which had 

a good fourth week at the Roxy, where it is 

expected to remain until the end of May, 

and "Godzilla, King of the Monsters," which 

is doing better than first expected and had 

a good holdover week at Loew's State, "Alexander 

the Great," in its sixth week at the 

Capitol: "The Conqueror," its sixth week at 

the Criterion, and "The Birds and the Bees," 

in its second week at the Paramount, held up 

well enough but all will be replaced by new 

fare by mid-May. "Jubal" was disappointing 

in its second week at the Mayfair. 

Much better were most of the art house 

films, including "Madame Butterfly," in its 

second smash week at the Baronet; "French 

Can Can." in its third big week at the Fine 

Arts, and "Lovers and Lollipops," In its third 

fine week at the Normandie. 

The three two-a-day pictures were all off 

PEP UP YOUR INTERMISSION! 

INCREASE SNACK BAR SALES! 

with a 

BRAND NEW 

SPOT TAG 

THE FUN GAME FOR DRIVE-INS 

featuring the comical character 

Spotty in "SpotCapades" 

Spotty plays hide and seek with your audience 

while they try to catch him with their spotlights 

. . . ends with a plug for your Snack Bar. 

YOU CAN BUY SPOT TAG 

OUTRIGHT AND USE IT 

OVER AND OVER 

$1750 

Mow mm SiPicE c 

WANTED 

MANAGERS AND ASSISTANT MANAGERS tor 

drive-in theotres Massachusetts, New Jersey 

in 

and New York stote. Apply in writing stating 

qualifications ond experience to 

from preceding weeks, but "Seven Wonders 

. 

of the World" was practically a sell-out in its 

third week of two-a-day at the Warner Theatre. 

"Richard III" was just fair in its ninth 

week of two-a-day at the Bijou and "Oklahoma!" 

was good enough in its 30th week of 

two-a-day at the Rivoli. 

"The Revolt of Mamie Stover," "The 

Harder They Fall" and "Gaby" opened during 

the week. 

(Average Is 100) 

Astor—Meet Me in Las Vegas (MGM), 8th wk, .100 

Baronet Modame Butterfly (IFE), 2nd wk 190 

III Bi|ou iLopcrt), Richord 9th wk. of two-a-day 95 

Capitol Alexander the Greot (UA), 6th wk 110 

Criterion—The Conqueror (RKO), 6th wk 110 

Fine Arts— French Can Can (UMPO), 3rd wk 130 

55th St —The White Sheik (Janus), 2nd wk 105 

1 50 

Globe Forbidden Plonet (MGM) 

Guild My Seven Little Sins (Kingsley) 115 

Little Cornegie—The Noked Night (Times), 3rd 

King of the 

(Teleradio), 2nd wk 

Mayfair Jubal (Col), 2nd wk 

Normandie Lovers ond Lollipops (Ire 

3rd 

ace—Wetbacks (Banner), plus vaudeville. 

Paramount The Birds and the Bees (Para), 

2nd wk 

Paris The Ballet of Romeo and Juliet 

(Tohan), 5th wk 

Plazo A Kid for Two Farthings (Lopert), 

3rd 

Radio City Music Hall—The Swan (MGM), plus 

stage show, 2nd wk 140 

Rivoli Oklahomo! (Magna), 30th wk. of two-aday 

'0 

Roxy The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (20th- 

Fox), plus ice stage revue, 4th wk 120 

Suffon Lodykillers (Cont'l), The 11th 115 

wk 

Trans-Lux 52nd Doctor at Seo (Rep), 10th .105 

wk. 

Victoria— Hilda Crone (20th-Fox) I 20 

Warner—Seven Wonders of the World (SW), 

1 4th wk of two-a-day 70 

World—The Lost Ten Days (Col), 4th wk 120 

Baltimore Takings Slim, 

With Most Under 100 

BALTIMORE—Grosses were somewhat disappointing 

at the first run theatres. "Ti-ibute 

to a Bad Man" and "Cockleshell Heroes" did 

not merit holdovers. 

Century The Man in the Groy Flonnel Suit 

(20th-Fox), 3rd wk 1 00 

Film Centre Oklahoma! (Magna), 9th wk 140 

to Hippodrome Tribute a Bad Man (MGM) 85 

Little Confess (WB); Notorious (WB) 90 

90 

I 

Mayfair The Conqueror (RKO), 6th wk 

New—On the Threshold of Spoce (20th-Fox) 90 

Town Cockleshell Heroes (Col) 

. 

90 

Playhouse Doctor of Sea (Rep), 4th wk 95 

Stanley—The Bold ond the Brave (RKO) 90 

Cmema The Night My Number Came Up 

(Confl) 90 

Business Only Fair 

At Buffalo 

BUFFALO—Business was just fair all along 

first run row. Shea's Buffalo with "Tribute to 

a Bad Man" turned in a normal week and so 

did the Paramount with "The Maverick 

Queen" and "Slightly Scarlet." 

Buffalo Tribute to o Bod Mon (MGM) 100 

Center— Hilda Crane (20th-Fox) 110 

Century—Slightly Scarlet (RKO) 100 

Cinema Doctor at Seo (Rep) 95 

Lafayette—Rock Around the 110 

Clock (Col) 

Paramount—The Moverick Queen (Rep) 100 

Larry Lapidus to Boston 

To Join B&Q Theatres 

NEW YORK—Larry Lapidus has resigned 

from the Newark home office of Eastern 

Management Corp., operators of eight North 

Jersey drive-ins, where he has been film 

buyer and booker. He will leave May 26 

and will join the B&Q Theatre circuit in 

Boston. 

Bob Deitch will take over the buying and 

booking in the Newark office. 

Tax Anything Revenue 

Now Past SO Million 

Pittsburgh—Pennsylvania's "tax anything-" 

law, which gives local governments 

power to 

tax anything not taxed by the 

state, produced over 50 million dollars in 

1954. The State Department of Internal 

Affairs this week placed the total tax 

collection by 2.711 political subdivisions 

under the 1947 act at 851,520,229 for 1954. 

In 1948, total receipts by 382 imits were 

just under 15 millions. The new summary 

made by the department shows that 

school districts, boroughs, townships and 

third-class cities imposed 3.552 separate 

taxes under the act, which permits local 

amusement taxes not to exceed 10 per 

cent. 

Wage and salary taxes were the biggest 

single revenue raiser and amounted 

to 48 per cent of the total receipts. More 

per capita taxes, 1,978, than any other 

type were imposed, however. The 1953 

revenue of taxes levied under the law 

was just over 42 millions. In 1954 almost 

5,000 local units were eligible to impose 

taxes under the "tax anything" act. 

Frank S. Daniel Is Named 

Republic Representative 

NEW YORK—Frank S. Daniel has been 

named special representative for Republic 

Pictures International in Austria by Reginald 

Armour, executive vice-president in charge of 

foreign operations. Republic pictures are distributed 

throughout Germany and Austria by 

Gloria 

Filmverleih. 

Daniel, who is in New York discussing 

forthcoming releases with Republic home office 

executives, will leave for his Vienna post 

in mid-May. 

Dominant to Offer Warner 

Reissues to Theatres 

NEW YORK—Fifty-two Wai'ner pictures 

recently sold to PRM, Inc., for television use 

are to be handled by Dominant Pictures Corp.. 

according to Norman Katz, vice-president in 

charge of distribution. Many of them will be 

made available for theatrical use and 15 exchanges 

will be set up for this pm-pose. 

Dominant will handle the reissues directly. 

It had been stated that franchise holders 

would take over the distribution. 

Shectman Takes Over Two 

Paramount Departments 

NEW YORK—Benjamin Shectman has 

been made head of the recently combined 

home office contract and playdate departments 

of Paramount Film Distributing Corp. 

He previously headed the contract department. 

He has been in the industry 30 years, 

with Warner Bros. International Pictures, 

Eagle-Lion and Paramount. 

Fully 

tres. 

Requ 

SOUTH TEXAS 

controlled ty 12,000. All beautifur thea- 

ot of year-round y 

sunshine ond flowers. 

Landd 

$80,000 cash. Exclusive private sole. 

RALPH J. ERWIN 

BOXOFFICE

; 

May 

. . . Charles 

. . . The 

. . 

. . 

Film-Making Abroad 

Will Aid Industry 

NEW YORK "Making Americiui pictures 

abroad, such as MGM now is doing with 'Teahouse 

of the August 

Moon' in Japan, will 

help the American 

major companies in 

their negotiations to 

get larger quotas in 

these c u n t r i e s." 

according to Collier 

Young, who recently 

completed production 

of "Huk" in the Philippines 

for United 

Artists release. 

The Far East has 

become an important Collier Young 

part of a picture's film income and Huk." 

which deals with the Philippine guerilla warfare 

following World War II. would have an 

especial interest, not only in the Philippines. 

but in Hong Kong, Singapore. Tokyo and 

other Asian territories. Young said. 

Young is a fervid disciple for Philippine 

production, especially since "Huk." which was 

financed by United Ai-tists, cost only $350,000 

to produce there. It would have cast approximately 

three times that amount if made in 

Hollywood. A number of Philippine film 

producers and exhibitors have a financial 

stake in the picture and Young figured that 

he gave employment to thousands of extras 

and a few technicians, including Manuel 

Rojas, who was the unit's second cameraman. 

The stars who came on from HoUj^vood were 

George Montgomery. Mona Freeman and 

John Baer but most of the smaller roles, 

including three featured parts, were filled 

by local talent. The Philippine film industry 

makes from 50 to 60 local pictures yearly, 

most of them on the crude side, Young 

admitted. 

Young hopes for a simultaneous premiere 

of "Huk" in Manila and in a key U. S. city 

some time in July or August, when the picture 

will be released. He will start production 

of "The Halliday Brand." a western 

feature to star Joseph Gotten, some time in 

June. This also will be a UA release. 

Young has not given up his production 

chores for Filmakers but the latter company 

has been inactive mainly because his coproducer, 

Ida Lupino, has been occupied 

with her TV chores on "Fom- Star Playhouse." 

He also has created a TV series. "Mi-. Adams 

and Eve." which will star Miss Lupino and 

her husband. Howard Duff, and he also is 

readying a TV series ba.sed on famous trials, 

which will star Joseph Gotten as narrator. 

Two of these pilot films have been completed. 

Young, who came east with his wife, Joan 

Fontaine, will return to Hollywood Monday 

(141. 

Fox Family Club Elects 

Reinhardt President 

NEW YORK—Harry Reinhardt has been 

elected president of the 20th Century-Fox 

Family Club. Bernard Bozzone vice-president, 

Hy Salant treasurer. Ann Virus secretary, 

and Leo Israel publicity manager. Coming 

activities will be the annual outing, gin 

rummy tournaments, the annual fall dance, 

a bowling tournament and a swimming club. 

BOXOFFICE 

; 

BROADWAY 

lyjiinny Keiner, IFE general sales manager, 

went to Chicago May 7, starting a tenday 

swing of midwest exchanges to finalize 

"Madame Butterfly" playdates . . . Charles 

Boasberg. Paramount supervisor of sales for 

"The Ten Commandments." went to Philadelphia 

May 9. Mervin Hou.ser, RKO studio 

director of publicity, returned to Hollywood 

May 10 after ten days of home office meetings. 

Joe Friedman of Wainer Bros, home 

office special events department, left for 

Detroit and Chicago to set up arrangements 

for John Wayne's personal appearances with 

the C. V. Whitney film, "The Searchers" . 

Bernie Kamber. head of the New York office 

of Hecht-Lancaster. left for Hollywood May 8 

in connection with the charity opening of 

"Trapeze" at the Fox Wilshire May 29. 

Charles Levy, formerly advertising-publicity 

director for Buena Vista and later with 

20th Century-Fox, is now eastern publicity 

representative for Byrna Productions and is 

working on "Spring Reunion." which United 

Artists will relea.se . . . Bob Perilla. column 

contact in Columbia's publicity department, 

has been awarded the master of arts degree 

in communications by New York University 

C. Moskowitz. Loew's vice-president 

and treasurer, is vacationing in Florida 

United Artists softball team opened 

its 1956 season May 3 with a 10 to 4 victory 

over Sesac Music Corp. in Central Park. Matt 

Daniels of the UA contact department, 

pitched a four hit game. The 18-man UA 

squad is managed by Don Base. 

Heading for Europe early in May were; 

Hugh Herbert, who will produce "The 

F. 

Little Hut" for MGM in England and Spain, 

who planed to London May 5: Noel Coward, 

who sailed on the Liberie May 11 after appearing 

in TV spectaculars; George S. Kaufman, 

playwright, and Judge Learned Hand, 

who sailed on the Queen Mary May 9, and 

John Sutherland. TV film producer, who left 

for Cairo via London and Paris May 4 . . . 

The returnees from abroad were more numerous 

and included; Arthur Abeles, managing 

director of Warner Bros.. Ltd., with Mrs. 

Abeles; Richard W. Mealand. executive director 

of Paramount in England, with Mrs. 

Mealand, and Sheldon Reynolds, writerproducer-dij-ector 

of "Foreign Intrigue" for 

United Artists, with Nicole Milinaire, his 

French associate producer, and Margaret 

Webster, Shakespearean producer-director. 

back from Europe were A. R. Broccoli, 

.4Iso 

co-producer with Irving Allen in Warwick 

Productions, who got in from London May 9 

en route to Trinidad to start "Fire Down 

Below"; Morgan Hudgins, MGM studio publicist, 

who got in from England and France 

and headed for the coast two days later; 

Howard Keel. MGM singing star, who got 

back from an engagement at the London 

Palladium, and Arthur Hornblow jr.. who will 

produce "Witness for the Prosecution" for 

United Artists in England, in association 

with Edward Small. 

Albert Deane, manager of the Paramount 

International department of censorship and 

editing, got back to the home office May 9 

following a tour covering Australia. Hong 

Kong, Tokyo and Honolulu. R. D. Purie, who 

has joined Hoffberg Productions as foreign 

sales representative, left May 9 for Mexico 

City, first leg of a trip through Latin 

James R. 

America. He will return in July • 

Vclde, general sales manager of United 

Artists, was guest of honor at an exhibition 

luncheon in Boston May 10. Alan F. Cummlngs. 

in charge of MGM exchange operations, 

and Harold Postman, his assistant, 

headed for Chicago for the MGM auditors 

meeting Friday-Saturday (11-12). Marvin Atlas, 

assistant secretary of Loew's, Inc., planed 

to Chicago the same day to attend the meeting. 

Eddie Cantor, who will return to films 

after a ten-year absence in "The Fifth 

Season," which Gregory Ratoff will produce 

in Manhattan for 20th Century-Fox, was 

guest of honor at an after-theatre supper 

party at the Eden Roc Thur.sday (10). 

Another Cantor. Dave. RKO's exploitation 

manager, left May 9 for Denver to finalize 

plans for the opening of "Great Day in the 

Morning" at the Orpheum Theatre . 

Spyros P. Skouras. with Mrs. Skouras, 

Leonard Goldenson, Billy Ro.se and Joyce 

Matthews. Julius Monk, Mrs. Marie Hillman, 

Kitty Carlisle and Moss Hart and Kenne 

Berry were among the notables applauding 

at the opening of "A Most Happy Fella," new 

musical hit at the Imperial Theatre . . . Joan 

Collins, who has completed "The Opposite 

Sex" for MGM, arrived from the coast May 6 

for press interviews . . . Joan Crawford also 

arrived from Hollywood May 6. 

Walter Branson to Europe 

On Business, Sales Talks 

NEW YORK—Walter Branson. RKO vicepresident 

in 

charge of worldwide distribution, 

left Friday ill) for a business trip of several 

weeks through England and Continental 

Europe. 

While on tour, Branson will hold conferences 

with Robert S. Wolff, managing director 

for the United Kingdom; Joseph Bellport, 

general EXiropean manager; Charles 

Rosmarin. European general sales manager, 

and other RKO foreign sales executives and 

Europe exhibitors. He will discuss distribution 

policies of "While the City Sleeps," "The 

Bold and the Brave," "Great Day in the 

Morning," "The Brave One" and "The First 

Traveling Saleslady." the latter the first 

production from the reactivated RKO Studio. 

Industry Leaders Pledge 

$190,000 to UJA Drive 

NEW YORK—Pledges totaling over $190,000 

for the 1956 United Jewish Appeal drive were 

made at a luncheon of industry leaders, called 

by Barney Balaban. president of Paramount. 

at his Paramount offices. 

Samuel D. Leidesdorf. New York accountant 

and treasurer of UJA. called attention to "the 

grave crisis which the f)eople of Israel are 

undergoing today and the tremendous 

nece.ssity of re-settling and rehabilitating 

over 450.000 refugees from the danger spots 

of North Africa as rapidly as possible." 

Builds at Liverpool 

LIVERPOOL. N. Y —Sam Slotnick is opening 

a new drive-in in this city. Slotnick 

also operates several four-wall houses in 

Syracuse, near here. 

12. 1956 39

. . Prank 

U F F A L O 

Reports Salvador Upbeat 

pdmund C. DeBerry, former Buffalo Paramount 

manager, sold his house and moved 

his family to Cincinnati where he is Paramount 

manager . Saviola and Mike 

Jusco of the Buffalo Paramount sales force 

have switched areas. Fi-ank covers Buffalo 

and Mike covers Rochester and Syracuse 

territory . . . Hugh Maquire, local Paramount 

manager, was in New York City on business. 

The Women's Leagrue of the Variety Club 

of Buffalo elected Mr-s. Irving Cohen president. 

She succeeds Mrs. Marvin Atlas, who 

automatically became a member of the board. 

Other new officers: Mrs. Audrey Wagner, first 

vice-president; Mrs. Elmer F. Lux. second 

vice-president; Mrs. Samuel Geffen, third 

vice-president; Mrs. Leonard E. Belling, recording 

secretary; Mrs. Herman Bleich, coiTesponding 

secretary; Mrs. Frank B. Quinlivan, 

financial secretary; Mrs. David A. Zachem, 

treasurer. Ti-ustees are Mrs. Hem-y Rothschild. 

Mrs. Irving Sanders, Mi's. Sidney Lipsitz, 

Marion R. Ryan, Mrs. Michael D. Perna, 

Mrs. Sidney Cohen, Mrs. Robert Gray, Ethel 

Tyler, Mrs. Constantine J. Basil, Mrs. Edward 

A. Paepke, Gianlna Pappalardo and Mrs. 

Harold Bennett. 

Gianina Pappalardo, a member of the Shea 

theatres executive staff for 25 years, has resigned 

to take a position with the Buffalo 

Envelope Co. . . . Mary Phelan, former secretary 

to the late Vincent R. McFaul, also is 

employed by the Buffalo Envelope Co. . . . 

William Colson, manager of the Niagara, a 

Paramount community house on the west 

side, left the hospital where he underwent 

minor surgery for injuries suffered in a fall 

several weeks ago. Bill hopes to be back on 

the job in a few weeks. He has eight children. 

"Note! John Wayne has a personal message 

for you! Call MA 9231 now!" So read a 

personal ad in the Buffalo newspapers as well 

as in display space on the theatre pages. A 

person calling the number indicated gets an 

earful about "The Searchers" with John 

Wayne doing the talking. The recorder is 

at the Center Theatre, where "The Searchers" 

wall open Thursday (17 1. Five recordings 

of the talk by Wayne are on the machine and 

a local tape was made giving the date and 

the theatre. The machine has been hitting 

on all cylinders since the ads went into the 

papers. Wayne is to be here for the opening. 

A big official welcome has been arranged 

for him at the airport. 

"Who's Who of the Month" in the Buffalo 

Variety Club's official publication. "The 

Broadcast," is Robert T. Murphy. Says the 

publication, "Bob Murphy, charter member 

and two times chief baxker, has been in the 

industry 40 years, going back to the old piano- 

|cH,C.O..U

. . The 

. . Norman 

. . Filmrowers 

. . The 

. . Chris 

. . Press 

. . Joe 

. . Manager 

. . Paul 

RKO Theatres Voles 

For Reorganization 

WILMINGTON—Reoiganizatiou of RKO 

Theatres Corp. was approved Tuesday i8i at 

the annual stockholders meeting held here. 

Under the terms of the agreement 1,043.706 

shares of common stock will be issued in 

exchange for the assets of the Cleveland Arcade 

Co.. including its controlling stock in 

Gera Corp. and the assumption of the liabilities 

of the Cleveland Arcade Co. 

RKO Theatres, by the action, thus became 

a firm with diversified financial and industrial 

interests—with a special division for its 

theatre properties. 

Re-elected directors were: Theodore R. 

Colborn. David J. Greene. Dudley G. Layman, 

Albert A, List. A. Louis Ore.sman. Edward C. 

Raftery and Sol A. Schwartz. 

Consolidated net income of RKO Theatres 

Corp. and subsidiaries for the first quarter 

of 1956 was $355,138, as compared with 

$535,236 for the first quarter of 1955. 

Income from operations before depreciation, 

interest and other charges and income taxes 

was $1,114,544, compared with $1,515,723 for 

the first quarter of 1955. 

Shajes of common outstanding totaled 

3.151.736. not including 170,200 shares held 

in 1956 and 672.377 held in 1955. 

Joe Warren Is Building 

Ballston Spa Ozoner 

ALBANY — Joe Warren, owner of the 

Greater Pittsburgh Drive-In, Pittsburgh, and 

the Super 30 Drive-In. McKeesport. Pa., has 

broken ground for a large automobiler on 

Route 50 two miles from Ballston Spa. and 

hopes to have it in operation by July 1. Capacity 

of 1,000 cars is planned. Perkins Supply 

Co. of Buffalo will equip the airer. Berlo 

Vending Co. will have the concessions. 

Warren, who has operated coal mines in 

Pennsylvania and who has met with success 

in the drive-in field, told exchange managers 

he would like to play fii-st run pictures at the 

new ozoner. This would make it a competitive 

situation with Walter Reade's Community 

in Saratoga and with Sartos Smalldone's 

Malta Drive-In eight miles below the Spa. 

The Community and the Malta are now bidding 

for product. 

Warren and his wife have taken springsummer 

residence in Ballston. Their son is 

supervising the Pennsylvania airers. 

Olympic Boxing Trials 

To Be Variety 9 Project 

ALBANY—Plans for the eastern division 

eliminations in competition for places on 

the U. S. Olympic boxing team, under cosponsorship 

of Albany Variety Club and 

Adirondack District AAU at Hawkins Stadium 

in Menands August 22, 23. were formulated 

at a Tent 9 meeting Monday night. Ben 

Becker, AAU district president, Philip 

Schuyler vice-president, outlined the details. 

Originally, the Variety Club and Becker had 

hoped to stage a championship professional 

boxing bout at the Stadium during the Saratoga 

racing season for Camp Thacher, but 

this proved to be impossible. 

Becker said that 100 top amateur boxers 

from all parts of the country east of the 

Mississippi River, including an Air Force 

team to be flown in from Europe, w-ill take 

part. Squads from ten cities are expected. 

ALBANY 

Jules I'erlmiittiT's cxijaiulinn operations have 

' reached Watertown, where he is taking 

over the Star-Lit Drive-In, operated last season 

by Joe Agresta, and for .several years 

before by Fred Kleemeier. Perlmutter took over 

Agresta's lease and equipment, according to 

reports here; started ramping and other 

changes prior to a May 25 reopening. Perlmutter 

now conducts three automobilers; the 

Fort George at Lake George Village, the 

Spar near Corinth and the Richmondville at 

Cobleskill. He also operates, on lease, the 

Paramount and Royal, Albany; conducts the 

Grand and Strand in Watervliet, as well as 

three Benton-owned situations, the State in 

Mechanic ville, the Capitol in Ballston Spa, 

and the Capital in Whitehall. Howard Goldstein 

is his general manager. Agre.sta still 

has the Orvis and Rialto m Massena. 

Promotion for "Away All Boats," U-I production, 

was launched here by Maurice 

"Bucky" Harris. Last in Albany for the premiere 

of "Man Without a Star" at the 

Strand in March 1955, the veteran exploiteer 

called on Edgar S. Van Olinda of the Times- 

Umon and Harold Henderson of the Knickerbocker 

News. He worked out of the U-I 

offices and in cooperation with branch manager 

Norman Weitman. "Away," based on a 

popular novel, stars Jeff Chandler, Julie 

Adams and George Nader. It is to be a 

summer release, enjoying strong U. S. Navy 

cooperation. While in his native city. Harris 

renewed acquaintances with industry and 

other friends. He helped to stage the Variety 

Club's dinner for "hometown" Kirk 

Douglas a year ago. A son Tom, onetime U-I 

booker here and later a special U-I representative, 

now manages American Legion 

post rooms during the winter and operates 

a successful mobile vending service business, 

from West Chatham (on Cape Cod), during 

the summer. 

Louis W. Schine made his first trip to Albany 

since a recent operation, visiting the 

. 

Schine-owned radio station WPTR. Mrs. 

Schine accompanied him reported 

Monday that bulldozing was under 

way for the drive-in which Sylvester Albano 

has announced near Ravena. The site is four 

or five miles from the Klein Bros. Hi-Way 

Drive-In at Coxsackie. Albano is a justice 

of the peace and a businessman in Ravena. 

A second automobiler, on which the Kleins 

started work last August, on Jericho road 

between Albany and Ravena. has been stymied 

pending a court decision on a motion to invalidate 

a town of Bethlehem ordinance adverse 

to it. 

Jim Tobin, Stanley Warner district manager, 

and Lou Green, SW sound engineer, 

were in town . Strand management 

distributed 5.000 reduced price tickets to students 

in Albany schools for "Alexander the 

Great." Abe Bernstein. UA exploiteer. worked 

hard on the premiere. 

May 5 was reported a big Saturday for 

drive-ins around Albany, weather and other 

factors being helpful ... A fine response to 

Al Marchetti Week at the close of the Charles 

J. Feldman testimonial drive was reported by 

the U-I exchange. Marchetti's has been booking 

for 25 years Weitman, U-I 

. 

manager, reported his mother was a weekend 

visitor . . . Eddie Fabian and Bernie 

Brooks closed a strenuous round of business 

activities here and returned to the home offices 

in New York. Brooks is chief buyerbooker 

for Fabian Theatres. Fabian inspected 

the circuit's area hou.ses with Division Manager 

Ellas Schlenger . Warren, Pittsburgh 

area drive-in operator who is building 

a 1,037-car airer near Ballston Spa, brought 

letters of introduction from Pittsburgh branch 

managers when he called on Albany exchange 

chiefs. Warren and his wife are occupying 

a large residence in Ballston. 

. 

. 

Morris Schmalzbach, 20th-Fox auditor, renewed 

acquaintances with Bucky Harris, 

U-I exploiteer, one evening at the Variety 

clubrooms Pope. Schine booker, 

checked in for several days of date-.setting 

with the various exchanges Wallen's 

Leland dualed "Dark Venture" and 

"Bride of the Monster." 

Clarifying the status of the Erie in Schenectady, 

a Fabian spokesman explained that a 

petition had been filed by representatives 

of two estates owning the theatre building 

for its demolition and conversion into a parking 

lot. No date for this action had been 

announced, he pointed out. Meanwhile, the 

Erie will continue showing motion pictures 

and booking stage plays—when the latter 

are available. Gene Ganott manages the 

Erie and the State, in an adjoining building 

and connected by an arcade ... Ed Scully, 

son of John J. Scully, former Universal district 

manager, now operates the State in 

Pittsfield, Mass. He sold for Universal at one 

time. 

SYRACUSE 

T Dew's Strand broke its regular policy for 

three days to stage "Tea and Sympathy" 

with Maria Riva . agents in town 

included Bob Sandbach for "Alexander the 

Great" and Edwin W. Hale jr. for Disney 

Productions . . . Don Day has replaced 

Richard Rivitte as chief of service at Loew's 

State . State's assistant manager. 

Gene Mielnicki. spent a busman's holiday in 

Buffalo seeing motion pictures, including 

"Cinerama Holiday" . Sam Gilman 

of the State has made contacts in Atlantic 

City. N. J., to get a boardwalk rolling 

chair for publicizing "Alexaiider the Great." 

He's also on the lookout for a chariot. 

A reunion between White Cloud, a Mohawk 

Indian, and Chief John Big Tree of the 

Onondagas took place on the reservation here. 

It was preliminary to a public appearance 

White Cloud and his a.ssistant Lili made on 

the stage of Schine's Eckel Theatre before 

the first showing of "Mohawk." legend of the 

Iroquois . . . Ralph Stitt has resigned as 

manager of the Eckel and wUl be replaced 

by Marvin Coon of Madison. Wis. ... A 

regional meeting of Schine executives from 

the Gloversville office took place in Syracuse. 

Attending were Seymour Maurice, Bernard 

Diamond, Charles Horwitz and Stanley 

Worthman. 

The Paramount was completely "air 

force" 

for the showing of "On the Threshold of 

Space." Part of a jet plane was on the 

marquee. Part of the ballyhoo included a 

youth dressed in a jet fUer's suit. 

BOXOFFICE :: May 12, 1956 

41

. . . More 

. . lATSE 

. . Leonard 

. . Another 

. . . RKO 

. . . The 

. . "Miracle 

. . The 

: 

May 

ITTSBURGH 

Theodore Grance's Everett Theatre, Everett, 

and Super 220 Drive-In at Altoona now are 

being represented for licensing and booking by 

the Star Distributing Agency here ...CM. 

Ducray, co-owner of the Sunset Beach swimming 

pool and drive-in theatre, closed because 

a bridge washed out March 14, and other 

Washington, Pa., area businessmen charge 

highway officials with master-minding "the 

worst road-bungling job" in Pennsylvania history. 

The bridge was a vital link on Route 40 

between Washington and Wheeling. Ducray 

and other businessmen, stripped of their 

financial lifeline until the bridge is restored, 

were to call on Governor Leader to investigate 

the project. 

Liberace, who "hung them from the rafters" 

at Syria Mosque during the street car strike, 

will return there for one performance Thursday 

night, June 7. 

SAM FINEBERG 

TOM McCLEARY 

JIM ALEXANDER 

84 Van Braam Street 

PITTSBURGH 19, PA. 

Phone EXpress 1-0777 

Ujnit f Art Betttf Thin E»er How's Your Egulpmentr 

GPE First Quarter Profit 

Decreased to $346,973 

NEW YORK—Consolidated net profit of 

General Pi-ecision Equipment Corp. for the 

first quarter of 1956 ended March 31 was 

to two resident doctors and a dentist. At a 

later date, the second floor will be remodeled 

into a private hospital, according to Hasley, 

also owner and manager of the Lakeside 

Drive-In at Conneaut Lake. He said the Terrace 

Medical Center will be opened late in 

Jime. 

John Troy at Clarion Airer 

CLARION. PA.—The Midway Drive-In, 

owned by Ernest Stem of the Associated circuit, 

formerly under lease to Mrs. Louise Cook, 

has been leased to John Troy. Parker exhibitor. 

Troy has modernized the theatre and reopened 

it. 

Closes at Conneautville 

CONNEAUTVILLE, PA.—The Palace Theatre, 

operated by Guy and Howard Christy, 

brothers, has closed, and Howard now is 

assisting his parents, the veteran Tldioute exhibitors, 

James and Hazel Christy. Guy attends 

Edinboro State Teachers College. 

NEWARK 

^harles Dortic. Columbia Pictures salesman 

^XZalter Reade jr., president of Walter Reade 

and a veteran film distributor, underwent a 

Theatres, said William Seelig had been 

third operation in Mercy Hospital this week 

$346,973. equal to 20 cents a share on 1,065.329 appointed sales promotion director of Convention 

Hall, the huge Asbury Park board- 

than a dozen out-of-town drive-in shares of common stock outstanding, compared 

with $961,986. equal to 90 cents a share, walk auditorium operated by the circuit. 

theatre owners negotiated unsuccessfully to 

inaugurate an additional advertising list of on 972,412 shares outstanding at the end of Seelig assumed his duties at once and they 

their- ozoners and film offerings in Pittsbui'gh 

the same 1955 period, Hermann G. Place, included preparing for a gigantic exposition 

newspapers . Allison, of Ebensburg, 

formerly associated with his brother 

board chairman and president, reported to of the "Royal Crown Jewels," "Ripley's 

stockholders Tuesday (8). 

Believe It or Not" and the "Atom Bomb 

Ray, who is retired and making his home Consolidated net sales for the 1956 period Exhibit." as well as displays and exhibits of 

in Florida, is holding down a political job at were $32,678,823. compared with $34,253,560 commercial and industrial films. Public admission 

will be free and several million 

Harrisburg. 

for the 1955 period. 

Closing of The Gardens, Oakland 

Place 

sports 

attributed the 1956 decline in earnings 

em- 

and sales to a slight decline in both ship- 

Labor Day. Seeling will be in charge of sales 

visitors are expected between July 2 and 

arena, brought furloughs for about 100 

ployes, ushers, ticket collectors, etc., all members 

of the Pittsburgh athletic events union 

ments and profit margins of defense orders, to industrial and advertising agency accounts 

a long strike in an important motion picture 

Proctor's had a tie-up with the Air 

Local 188, whose contract with the 

equipment plant 

Harris 

and severe competitive conditions 

Force for "On the Threshold of Space." On 

Amusement Co.. operator of The Gardens, had 

on some industrial equipment. 

the opening day of this feature, a 60-foot 

been in effect for the last 20 years . . . Bob He predicted improved results for the remainder 

of the year, due to larger shipments was on exhibit—as well as a lobby display of 

trailer with a stripped-down plane (F-84) 

Munn was in from Moundsville on his first trip 

to Filmi-ow since he was a film salesman more and increased profit margins on defense business, 

figures of airmen. A guided missile, 7*2 feet 

than seven years ago. Munn is a busy 

a man higher amount and profit margin on tall, was in the lobby. 

in 

Moundsville with theatre operation, 

industrial billings 

radio and 

and better motion picture 

A benefit party was given at the Bellevue 

a racetrack . Filmrow equipment business. At the end of the first 

visitor 

in Upper Montclair by the Northern New 

was William Hansmeier of the 

1956 Sun quarter the consolidated 

Theatre. 

backlog of 

Jersey Alumni Ass'n of Alpha Epsilon Phi. 

Altoona. and it was his 

orders 

initial stop. He 

amounted to $129,861,000. compared 

is a 

The film was "Gates of Hell" . . . Karl 

brother-in-law of George McFadden. 

with $99,335,000 at the 

Renovo 

end of the 1955 first 

Ledzion, manager of the Pix in Jersey City, 

exhibitor. 

quarter. 

reported a marvelous 

The directors voted a cash dividend of 60 

week's run with two 

Thomas Joseph Smith, 

Grace Kelly releases "To Catch a Thief" 

58. one of the cents a share on the common stock, payable 

original employes 

and "Rear Window" . Pix is starting a 

of Loew's Pen Theatre 

June 15 to stockholders of record June 1. 

foreign 

here, 

policy two nights a week. 

died 

"The Jolson 

of a heart attack in his Dormont 

home. He was 

They also voted a regular quarterly dividend 

Story" will be brought 

employed 

back here and for 

for more than of $1.18-'i a share on the $4.75 cumulative 

28 years 

"Hill 

as a 

24 Doesn't Answer," there will 

stage 

be a 

electrician. Requiem mass prefeiTed stock, payable on the same date. 

was tie-in 

sung Tuesday 

with Jewish organizations. 

morning in St. Bernard's 

Church 

. Local 171 reports a 

contract settlement 

Main in East Pittsburgh 

An old-fashioned sales day in Orange. N. J., 

has been reached with 

is the kick-off idea for the booking of a 

the Kenmawr Drive-In on Route 51 near Shifts to Medical Center Rudolph Valentino, plus a regular feature, 

Coraopolis. The Kenmawr failed to accept PITTSBURGH—The Main Theatre at Main at the Embassy in Orange. About $500 in 

a recent three-year pact negotiated by an and Center in the Bessemer Terrace section merchant-sponsored prizes will be given away 

industry committee with the union to cover 

of East Pittsburgh, closed for three years, to patrons . in the Rain" will 

11 theatres. James V. Sipe. Local 171 business 

agent, said operation of the ozoner has 

will be remodeled into the Terrace play to a benefit audience sponsored by the 

. . 

have been removed. Hasley worked for three Capitol here. Gladys O'Dell was transferred 

years on plans to convert the theatre into a to Warners' Central as assistant manager. 

medical center, which he now has leased 

Medical 

Center by P. Elmer Hasley, owner, who continues 

in exhibition a block away at the 

Harrison cashier, Mrs. Mary Cic- 

Terrace Theatre. 

Holy Cross Church at the Warner Harrison 

Opened in 1919, the Main 

since been taken over by Chris Lampros from 

Theodore Grance, and a booth contract was 

been replaced 

by Mrs. Anne W. Munley . 

carelli. left to have a baby and has 

signed. Lampros has theatre interests at Theatre, with inside measurement of 23x125 

Sharon and Farrell, Sipe stated. 

feet, is being dismantled and its 350 seats cashiering for more than ten years 

After 

at the 

"The King and Four Queens" will be photographed 

by Lucien Ballard for United 

Artists. 

'Oklahoma!' Opens June 7 

At Pittsburgh Nixon 

PITTSBURGH — Area theatregoers will 

have their first look at Todd-AO when the 

film version of "Oklahoma!" opens at the 

Nixon June 7. Gabe Rubin of the Nixon 

said that the installation will cost approximately 

$40,000. The theatre's 1.760 seats will 

be reduced by about 150 along the walls. 

There will be matinee and evening .shows 

Shirley Jones of nearby Smithton and 

daily. 

Gordon MacRae are costarred in "Oklahoma!" 

Recently the Nixon presented the Sam 

Goldwyn Cinemascope version of "Guys and 

DoUs." With the Todd-AO installation, the 

theatre may remain in operation 52 weeks 

each year, as stage offerings continue harder 

and harder to book and more roadshow pictures 

are on release charts. 

New Morgantown Airer 

MORGANTOWN, W. VA.—John and Mary 

DiAngelis of the Grafton Drive-In will locate 

a new airer at Dellslow, near here on the 

Masontown-Kingwood road. 

BOXOFFICE : 

12, 1956

. . Exchange 

. . Bob 

. . Ralph 

. . "The 

. 

. 

. . . Morris 

. . Bert 

. . Henry 

. . . Head 

. . Cashier 

. . Booker 

. . Mr. 

. . Joe 

. . Joe 

. . The 

. . Mr. 

. . 

PHILADELPHIA 

\irithout rity." an Italian made film distributed 

locally by Sieg Horowitz, did a 

good first run business at the Vogue Theatre 

in its first Philadelphia showing. The 

p:i:i:ii> was exploited as the "story of a 

Niu:.' CiI" . . . The Dover. Del., chapter of 

i!u National Ass'n for Advancement of 

Coluifd People called a boycott by Negroes 

of two theatres in Dover, a drive-in south of 

town, and one each at Middletown and 

Smyrna. Bernard F^-isby. a member of the 

chapter's integration unit, claimed that the 

four theatres were segregated and the drivein 

made Negroes park their cars on one side. 

A spoke.îman for the family owning the five 

theatres said there was "no segregation at 

the 

drive-in." 

James VV. Ercolani, a 19-year-old South 

Philadelphia youth, has been signed to a 

seven-year contract by Columbia Pictures on 

the strength of his photograph showing his 

good looks . . . Frank Colantuono. father of 

Lou. the Arcadia Theatre executive, was in 

Misericordia Hospital . Swan" at 

the Randolph here has taken a swan dive 

since opening day from the boxoffice receipts 

which had been expected. It is expected 

to do a landoffice business at the 

Alden Theatre, which is in the princess' home 

territory. East Falls. "To Catch a Thief" 

caught fire at the boxoffice at the theatre 

when it played there. 

believes that the city may not be able to 

pass such a local law without special enabling 

legislation from the state. 

Leo Barrett, who has operated the theatre 

in Ashley for many years, now is manager of 

the New Lyric in South Philadelphia. The 

owner is Leo Posel . Garman. local 

Paramount sales manager, was recuperating 

in Germantown Hospital . . . Severe w'inds 

completely demolished the Scavo brothers' 

Ideal Drive-In in Newton Lake. Rebuilding 

is to start immediately . . . Thi-ee score exhibitors 

and exchangemen attended a testimonial 

dinner to Frank Sculli at Remington Hotel 

in Wilkes-Barre. Sculli, longtime local representative 

for MGM. has been elevated to 

cover Philadelphia sales. 

The Savoy Theatre at Catasqua has been 

sold by William Humphries to Jack Green- 

bergs Northampton Theatre Co. . . . Perry 

Lessy has leased the Strand from Ray 

Schwartz Finance Co. is moving 

from Vine street to 1901 Market St. . 

Jim Forte, manager of Stanley Warner's 

Waverly Theatre, sold a goodwill packet of 

500 tickets to Sheffield Furniture & Carpet 

Co. The store will give away the tickets to 

customers . Kessler, manager of the 

SW Benn Theatre, has been running Saturday 

"Space Helmet Patrol" matinees for the 

kiddies. 

PLAN WIMIK OPENING—Adolph 

Zukor. chairman of the board of Paramount, 

and Jack Kruchtnian. ownor of the 

New Theatre, Baltimore, which has been 

selected as one of the first 12 theatres in 

the world to play Cecil B. DeMille's production 

of "The Ten Commandments," 

are shown above discussing: this ambitious 

undertaking. The picture, DeMille's 70th 

production, opens in Baltimore in December. 

Fruchtman started his film career 

as an office boy for Paramount in 1929. 

Today he owns seven Maryland theatres. 

The jurj' listening to the Rossman miu'der 

trial made a trip to the Viking to see "The Drive-In Is Relocated 

Man in the Gray Flannel Suit." The theatre 

had to cut out the newsreel for the show. 

The bill was sent to quarter sessions court . this political 

The city counci: will explore the possibility 

of local motion picture censorship. The April injured in a traffic 

grand jury expressed a need for the city to 

have the power to ban "obscene, immoral and 

crime-inciting" films, and the jury said that 

the city should have a censorship ordinance. 

However, council president James H. J. Tate 

EVANSVTLLE. W. VA.—Page Irvin has relocated 

his Town and Country Drive-In to 

subdivision after being installed 

for several years at Cheat Lake. Irvin was 

collusion last year and his 

outdoor theatre was closed most of the season 

following this accident. 

BALTIMORE 

/êorge Hendricks, manager of the Mayfair, 

leaves soon for a vacation in Connecticut. 

A new assistant at the Mayfair is Jon Hall, 

formerly of the U. S Marines . Jones, 

manager of the Town, had Bill Sparks in 

Baltimore for a day, to provide advance promotion 

for "Cockleshell Heroes." Sparks was 

technical advisor during the picture's filming. 

Chief Barker Earl Lewis of the Baltimore 

Variety Club attended Variety's annual convention 

in New York. Other delegates from 

here included Mike Rendelman and Harry 

Goldberg, both of Berlo Vending; Jack Whittle, 

ex-chief barker and owner of the Avenue 

Mechanic, retired Baltimore theatre 

owner, and his wife entertained with a 

party Monday night (7i for the opening of 

"Can-Can" at Ford's Theatre. A supper for 

the guests and several members of the cast 

followed at the Sheraton Belvedere. 

Hal Talmadge Colley, publicist for the Century 

and New. had TV comedian George 

Gobel in town Wednesday to meet the press, 

radio and TV. Colley invited the group to 

a breakfast party, after which Gobel went 

on to Washington . Cremers is a new 

assistant manager to Jimmy Richards at the 

Little Theatre. He is a University of Baltimore 

student, majoring in public relations. 

WASHINGTON 

w 

O.Ml'I of WashinKton elected Madeline 

Ackerman, Elmer Bncnt Co.. president; 

Mary Agnes Sweeney, Louis Bernheimer Theatres, 

and Mary Jane Wlnebrenner, Warner 

Bros., vice-presidents; Florence Carden. Allied 

Artists, recording secretary; Ethel Curtis, 

20th-Fox, recording secretary; Nelia Turner. 

RKO, treasurer, and Clara Lust of Ben Lust 

Theatre Supply, ElUeen Oliver of 20th-Fox, 

Sally Myers of Columbia to the executive 

board. Past president Lucille Traband was 

elected to serve as delegate to the WOMPI 

convention in Atlanta September 28-30 with 

Eilleen Oliver as alternate. 

Dr. Harley W. Davidson Jr., son of the 

Independent Theatre Service head, has been 

appointed captain in the Air Force, and assigned 

to study pathology at the Medical 

College of Virginia in Richmond and the Johns 

Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore . Victor 

Orsingers, Villa Theatre. Rockville, became 

parents of a baby son. They now have three 

daughters and four sons Arganzio, 

manager of the Governor Ritchie Drive-In, 

Glenburnie, Md. and the Mount Vernon 

Drive-In, Alexandria, suffered a heart attack 

and is in the Kenmore Hospital at Boston. 

The Dale Theatre at South Norfolk has 

been renamed the Glen . . . Independent 

Theatres Service advises that the Diamond 

Theatre. Selbyville. Del., will close June 2 . . . 

Rudolph Berger, MGM division manager, and 

wife were vacationing in Florida . . . Esther 

Blendman celebrated a birthday Thursday 

and Sid Eckman celebrated one Friday . 

Local F-13 voted to change its meeting night 

from Monday to the first Tuesday of each 

month. 

. 

. 

John Garst came in from Martinsville to 

buy and book and Mrs. Robert 

Smelzer. Warner exchange, were vacationing 

in Florida . Sadie Bowles celebrated 

a birthday Sunday . Oulahan is back 

in town, selling for Warner Bros. and 

Mrs. Albert Landgraf. Republic office manager, 

celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary 

. Joyce Kriso was vacationing 

shipper Billy Wilson is breaking in 

as a Republic salesman, which makes Stanley 

Cotrill head shipper. 

Actor George Murphy will be honored by 

the Motion Picture and Television Council of 

the District of Columbia at its annual 

luncheon on Tuesday (15) in the Sheraton- 

Carlton Hotel. 

William Goldman Adds 

Two Reading Theatres 

PHILADELPHIA—William Goldman, president 

of William Goldman Theatres, Inc., has 

acquired two Reading theatres from Harry 

J. Schad of Schad Theatres. One is the Astor 

at 734 Penn St. and the other is the Strand 

at 9th and Spring streets. He will take over 

operation May 30. 

Renovation now is in progress on the 2,150- 

seat Astor. New seats, a new marquee, a new 

facade with herculitc doors; new lobby and 

boxoffice, and complete air conditioning are 

part of the improvements. David Supowitz of 

Philadelphia is the architect. 

The Strand will continue its present policy 

until plans for changes have been completed. 

J. Lester Stallman of Reading will be city 

district supervisor and Clayton Evans of 

Reading will manage the Strand. 

BOXOFFICE May 12. 1956 43

. . . Peter 

. . Charles 

. . Director 

. . David 

: May 

i&act(m êfiont 

v» HINT that possibly the government 

/jisi may have something to say about the 

"Americanization" of the British film 

industry was given by David Kingsley. managing 

director of the National Film Finance 

Corp., speaking last week on the annual report 

to a selected group of journalists. 

Kingsley admitted that as a result of the 

increased number of British films being made 

with the financial support of American controlled 

distributing companies, fewer calls 

were being made on the funds of the NFFC. 

In the coming year, not less than one third 

of the featm-e films made in Britain would be 

financed by Americans. "I think this is a 

most important issue that will have to be 

considered soon," he said. Kingsley's statement 

underlined the strenuous tussle now 

engaging the industry, between those producers 

who are making films through their 

own British resources, and those whose production 

is partly—if not wholly—the result 

of U. S. finances. 

The managing dii-ector of the NFFC, in 

his annual report, noted that "British independent 

production as a whole is still unprofitable, 

and the present downward trend 

in boxoffice takings is likely to continue." 

Kingsley said that in spite of assistance 

from the British Film Production Fund, only 

62 out of a total of 152 films financially aided 

by the NFFC in the four years from 1952 to 

1955 were likely to be profitable. This is indeed 

the very argument that will be advanced 

many times during the coming months by 

those who fear that the extra production 

profits derived from the Eady Scheme will 

be lost to these same independent film producers, 

because the bulk of Eady earnings 

will go to the more expensive spectacular 

co-production features, which are doing so 

wêll in Britain at the present time. One of 

the American companies whose features are 

now enjoying lucrative boxoffice business is 

Columbia, which plans no fewer than 18 

Anglo U. S. productions during the next 18 

months. All these films will naturally qualify 

for quota and Eady money will be made on 

By ANTHONY GRUNER 

a high budget, with at least two top international 

stars. The same goes for MGM. 

who in cooperation with Sir Michael Balcon 

and Herbert Wilcox, is restarting Anglo U. S. 

production in a big way. 20th Century-Fox 

is negotiating with certain independent producers 

and will shortly (it is rumored be 

i 

following suit. Naturally, a feeling akin to 

panic is beginning to grip some of the smaller 

British It if producers. looks as Mr, Kingsley 

and the president of the Board of Trade will 

need Solomon's wisdom to sort out this 

particular industry problem, which strikes 

at the very heart of Anglo-American film 

relations. 

Rod Steiger, in London for a brief visit, 

captured the imagination of most of London's 

film columnists and received great editorial 

coverage when Columbia, who is releasing 

his latest pictures over here, "The Harder 

They Fall" with Humphrey Bogart and 

"Jubal" with Glenn Ford, thi'ew a party in 

his honor at Claridges. It is usual at these 

receptions for the male star, unless he is a 

worldwide personality, to be surrounded by 

the lady journalists, while their male brethren 

cluster in groups round the cocktail bar, discussing 

the latest film and press gossip. But 

not with Mr. Steiger! This literate, thoughtful 

and witty artiste found himself the center 

of everyone's attention and the most lonely 

people at the reception turned out to be the 

waiters behind the bar. Rare is it indeed that 

Fleet Street journalists let Scotch play second 

fiddle to a Hollywood actor, but in the case of 

Rod Steiger, such a sacrifice was well worth 

while. 

The Cinematograph Exhibitors' A.ss'n. 

which has been battling against the onward 

sweep of television, last week gave a sign 

that some members of its General Council 

were thinking very wisely about the medium. 

It is now revealed that negotiations have 

been proceeding with the BBC to try to 

stop the corporation screening films which 

CELEBRATING A NEW COMPANY—Richard Gordon, second from left, American 

o-producer of "Requiem for a Redhead," first film of Amalgramated Productions, 

clebrates at Kettner's Restaurant, London, on completion of the picture there. Others, 

2ft to right, are Jack Phillips, general sales manager; Carole Mathews and Richard 

H'lming, American stars of the film, and William G. Chalmers, the producer. 

do no credit to the industry and would 

naturally keep people away from their 

cinemas. The CEA has offered to provide 

20 feature films (selected in conjunction with 

the renters) to the BBC, from which 12 

could be televised at the rate of one a month. 

The BBC, in its turn, would guarantee not to 

show any other features except those vetoed 

by the exhibitors. This is such a bold move 

on the part of the CEA that when the rumor 

of the current negotiations leaked from a 

local branch, most people were inclined to 

disbelieve it. If these TV talks are concluded 

to the trade's satisfaction, it will be a great 

step forward, and a sign that there are still 

some broad and statesmanship minds at 

work among British exhibitors. 

News in brief: When Chief Barker Nat 

Cohen and immediate past Chief Barker 

James Carreras left Saturday, May 5, heading 

a party of Tent 36 Variety delegates to 

attend the international convention, they 

were seen off by British Broadcasting Corp. 

television cameras. Henry Caldwell, one of 

BBC's top TV men, produced an excellent 

film sequence, which was shown later on TV. 

The film has been presented to Variety for 

the private use of the Club, and was screened 

at the Ladies' Luncheon at the Savoy Hotel, 

when three nation celebrities—America's 

Dorothy Dandridge, Britain's Merle Oberon 

and Spain's Conchita Montes—were the 

. guests of honor Laughton has 

been signed by executive producer Sam 

Spiegel as the first star of his Horizon- 

British production for Columbia Pictures 

"The Bridge Over the River Kwai." This is 

Laughton's fu-st screen role for more than 

two years. He recently has been concentrating 

on direction and production in association 

with Paul Gregory. In "The Bridge 

Over the River Kwai" he will portray Colonel 

Davidson, a British military leader who is 

captured with his troops by the Japanese in 

World War II and forced to labor in the 

building of a bridge. David Lean directs 

Finch has been given the leading 

role in Ealing's "The Shiralee," the second 

film to be made in cooperation with MGM. 

(The first, "The Man in the Sky," is a test 

pilot story starring Jack Hawkins) . , . Louis 

Ai'mstrong, who arrived over here last week, 

is organizing a special concert to help the 

National Playing Fields' Ass'n and the Variety 

Club of Great Britain . E. Rose is 

in town for the premiere of his Coronado 

Production's "Port Afrique," with Pier Angeli, 

Phil Carey and Dennis Price . . . William 

Perlberg of the Paramount producing-directing 

team of Perlberg and Seaton is in town 

for a short holiday . Billy Wilder 

has been signed to direct the film version of 

Agatha Christie's London and New York stage 

success "Witness for the Prosecution," which 

will be produced by Arthur Hornblow jr. in 

association with Edward Small for United 

Artists release. The stage thriller, set against 

the background of the Old Bailey, was first 

persented in London at the Winter Gardens 

Theatre in 1953. Gilbert Miller opened with 

the play in New York in October the following 

year. It is still running there . . . Esther 

Williams, the former MGM film star swimmer, 

will be arriving in London to appear in the 

"Aqua Spectacle" at the Wembley Pool, which 

will be televised by the National Broadcasting 

Co. of America under the title of "Aqua 

Spectacle of 1957" ... Sir Laurence Olivier's 

VistaVision production for Warner release, 

"The Sleeping Prince," with Marilyn Monroe, 

will commence shooting at Pinewood Studios 

on July 30. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

12, 1956

: 

May 

and 

HOLLYWOpp 

HoUvwood Otfice— Suite 219 at 6404 Holly wood lUvd.: 

PRODUCTION 

Ivcn Spear, Western Manager j 

CEIMTER. 

Navy Relief to Benefit 

By 'Boats' Premiere 

HOLLYWOOD—With the Navy Relief 

Society 

as the beneficiary, U-I's "Away All 

Boat,s." Technicolor-VistaVision film version 

of the Kenneth Dodson novel about World 

Wiu- II amphibious operations in the Pacific, 

will be given a celebrity-studded premiere 

here in mid-June. The Navy League will 

assist in the event and patrons and patronesses 

will include Navy officials as well as 

state and civic dignitai'ies. 

First nighters also will include Howard 

Christie, who produced: Joseph Pevney, who 

directed, and stars of the film, Jeff Chandler, 

George Nader, Julie Adams, Lex Barker. 

Keith Andes and Richard Boone. 

Dat€ of the premiere, and the theatre in 

which it will take place, will be announced 

later. 

"Magic Fii-e," Republic's Trucolor film 

biography of Richard Wagner, produced and 

directed by William Dieterle, will have its 

west coast opening Monday (21) at the Pom- 

Star Theatre. It stars Yvonne De Carlo, 

Carlos Thompson, Rita Gam and Alan Badel. 

Pi-emiere dates during May have been set 

for two Allied Artists releases, with "Screaming 

Eagles," produced by Samuel Bischoff 

and David Diamond, scheduled to debut 

Tuesday i22> at the Colony Theatre in 

Fayetteville, N. C. and the Vincent M. Pennelly 

production, "Crime in the Streets," to 

bow the next day at the Victoria in New York. 

Fayetteville was selected as the site 

for the 

"Eagles" opening because it is adjacent to 

Port Bragg, training center in 1942 for the 

famed Company D, 502nd Regiment, 101st 

Airborne Division, the exploits of which are 

detailed in the film. Invitations to the premiere 

have been extended to top Army brass 

and the affair will be attended also by Hollywood 

luminaries. Directed by Charles Haas, 

the feature toplines Tom Tryon, Jan Merlin 

and Alvy Moore. 

"Crime in the Streets," directed by Don 

Siegel, stars James Whitmore and John 

Cassavetes. 

RKOs "While the City Sleeps," a Bert 

Priedlob production starring Dana Andrews, 

Rhonda Fleming and Ida Lupino, was given 

its world premiere Wednesday (9> at the 

Warner Theatre in Pittsburgh. 

"The Searchers," the initial C. V. Whitney 

Pictures film, which is being distributed by 

Warners, will begin its New York engagement 

Wednesday (30 1 at the Criterion Theatre. 

Starring John Wayne, the outdoor action 

drama was directed by John Ford. 

earlier films. 

22 New Members Added 

To Roster of Academy 

HOLLYWOOD—The Academy of Motion 

has added 22 new 

REUNION—When lensing began recently 

on RKO's "Public Pigeon Number 

One" it marked a reunion for Red 

Skelton (left), star of the comedy, and 

director Norman McLeod, who piloted the 

carrot-topped comic in many of his 

Picture Arts and Sciences 

members to its roster, including: 

Actors—Fred Astaire, George Gobel, Rock 

Hudson, Don Taylor, Tom Tully. Administrators—Marvin 

E. Mirisch. Art directors—William 

Flannery. Cinematographers—Russell 

Harlan. Executives—Schuyler A. Sanford. 

Film editors—Viola Lawrence. 

Musicians—Ernest Gold, Milton Rogers. 

Producers—William Hawks. Public relations 

—Jay Thompson, Allan G. Warshauer. 

Sound—Charles B. Goldsmith, Harold P. 

Watkins jr. Writers—Philip Yordan. Members-at-large—Eugene 

Busch. Associates 

Martin H. Lencer. David P. O'Malley. Harvey 

Pergament. 

Art Arthur to Represent 

DeMille on Para. Planning 

HOLLYWOOD—Art Arthur, executive assistant 

to C. B. DeMille in charge of pubUc 

relations, has been designated by the producer-director 

to .serve as his personal representative 

on the planning board of Paramount 

executives who will guide the releasing 

policies, publicity and advertising campaigns 

on behalf of DeMille's forthcoming "The Ten 

Commandments." 

In line with his new duties, Arthur will 

make regular trif)s to New York to join in 

conferences with Maxwell Hamilton, coordinator 

of the program. He took off Friday (11) 

on his first such junket. 

Screen Extras Retain 

Incumbent Officers 

HOLLYWOOD— All incumbent officers of 

the Screen Extras Guild have been re-elected 

for the coming year via mail ballot, in which 

members also named 14 new members of the 

board of directors. Of the latter, 13 were 

nominated by the SEG's official nominating 

committee and one was a candidate by independent 

petition. 

Returned to office were Richard H. Gordon, 

president: Pranklyn Farnum, Tex 

Brodus and Paul Bradley, vice-presidents: 

Kermer G. Kemp, recording secretary, and 

Jeffrey Sayre, treasurer. Elected to the board 

for three-year terms were Billy J. Williams, 

Paul Cristo, Tina Menard. Evelyn Ceder, Ethel 

Greenwood, Leo Abbey, Guy Gifford Way, 

Frank Radcliffe, Kemp, Roy Thomas, Sid 

Troy; two-year term, Anna Mabry; one-year 

terms, Max Reid and Joe Brooks. Brooks was 

an independent candidate. 

Tlie Screen Directors Guild will elect eight 

new members of the board of directors and 

eight new members of the assistant directors 

council at its annual meeting Friday (25) at 

its new headquarters. 

New board and council members are chosen 

for a two-year term. Incumbent board representatives 

who still have a year to serve 

include Fi-ank Capra, John Ford, Henry 

Hathaway, Mervyn LeRoy, Frank Lloyd, 

George Marshall. George Sidney (now SDG 

president I George Stevens. Continuing 

for another year on the assistant directors 

council are Milton Feldman, Stanley Hough, 

Bill McGarry, Sam Nelson, Ivan Volkman, 

Bernard McEveety jr., Bernard L. Kowâlski 

and George Loper. 

Retiring board members include Frank 

Borzage, Willis Goldbeck. Stuart Heisler. 

Hem-y Koster, Walter Lang, Anthony Mann, 

William A. Seiter and William Wyler. Completing 

their terms on the assistant directors 

council are Nathan BaiTager, Francis X. 

Baur, William Beaudine jr., Ralph Black, 

Henry Brill, Ru.ssell Haverick. Robert H. 

Justman and Ralph Slosser. 

Gobel to Star in RKO Film 

HOLLYWOOD — Negotiations have been 

finalized whereby George Gobel will star in 

"So There You Are," a Gomalco production 

for RKO, with lensing to start In July. William 

Bloom has been assigned to produce 

for the studio. Gobel, the TV comic who 

made his theatrical film debut in Paramount's 

"The Birds and the Bees," will portray 

a junior advertising executive who 

enters a Mr. and Mrs. America contest with 

his wife, a former beauty contest winner. 

BOXOFFICE : 

12, 1956 45

was 

Barnstormers 

STUDIO PERSONNELITIES 

Columbia 

VALERIE FRENCH returned from moking personal 

appeorances here and abrood in connection with 

openings of "Jubal," in which she appears with 

Glenn 

Ford. 

Blurbers 

Independent 

HAROLD L. PALMER, who for a time hondled 

radio-TV publicity for Warners, joined the Wendell 

W. Olsen agency as head of its locol public relations 

department. 

Cleffers 

Allied Artists 

SALTER was signed as rr 

Independent 

Hampshire Productions, headed by Harry Totelman, 

inked composer-conductor FREDERICK STEINER 

to a three-picture deal. 

RKO Radio 

Musical score for "Tension at Table Rock" will be 

composed by DIMITRI TIOMKIN. 

United Artists 

Producer Samuel Goldwyn jr. booked JEROME 

MOROSS to score "The Shorkf ighters." 

Loanouts 


Russ-Field Productions borrowed ELEANOR PARKER 

from MGM to star with Clark Gable in "The King 

and Four Queens," which Raoul Walsh will direct 

for Producer David Hempstead. 

Meggers 


LEW LANDERS is piloting the Lindsley Parsons 

production, "The Cruel Tower," starring John Ericson. 


Robert Goldstein Productions booked GERD OSWALD 

to direct "Love Story," a forthcoming Barbara Stan- 

Options 


the Bowery Boys Casting on entry, "Chasing 

Trouble," was completed with the signing of LAURIE 

MITCHELL, CHARLES WILLIAMS, ANN GRIFFITH and 

BENNY BURT. George Blair megs the comedy, a 

the top femme 

ite Joel McCreo in "The Oklohomon," 

Diter sch. 

actor to PETER VOTRIAN was added the cast. 

MARl BLANCHARD was signed to star with John 

in Ericson the Lindsley Parsons production, "The 

is Cruet Tower," on which Lew Landers the mega- 

Columbia 

BILL BISHOP was cast os the hero in "The White 

Squaw," the Wallace MacDonald production in Technicolor, 

which also features David Brion. The director 

IS 

Roy Nozarro. Contractee WILLIAM LESLIE 

drew a featured part. 

Producer Sam Kotzman booked the MARY KAYE 

his TRIO and PEREZ PRADO and orchestra for top 

roles in "Cha, Cho, Cha," a tunetilm which Fred F. 

Sears will direct. 

Independent 

JOHN CARRADINE was cast as the principal heovy 

Golden State Productions' "The She-Creature," 

in 

toplining Cothy Downs, Tom Conway and Maria 

English. ictioner, Megging the science-f which American 

is International will release, Edward L. Cahn. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

ELIZABETH FLOURNOY was cast in "The Power 

and the Prize," a Nicholas Noytack production 

starring Robert Taylor, with Henry Koster directing. 

Producer Hal W 

role of a chorine in the Dei 

comedy, "Hollywood or Bust," 

Paramount 

VALERIE ALLEN for 

RKO Radio 

Frank 

Tashlin 

JEFF SILVER, 19-year-old TV-radio actor, was cost 

in a featured role in "Strike a Blow," adolescentdelinquency 

drama, which stars James MacArthur and 

Kim Hunter. It will be produced by Stuart Millar 

and megged by John Frankenheimer. 

TV comedienne NITA TALBOT will make her film 

debut with Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher in 

"Bundle of Joy," on Edmund Grainger production 

which will roll early next month with Norman Taurog 

wielding the megaphone. 

Handed a comedy role in the Red Skelton starrer, 

'Public Pigeon Number One," was JOHN ABBOTT. 

Norman McLeod is piloting the Harry Tugend pro- 

20th Century-Fox 

Added to the cast of the Henry Ephron production, 

"The Best Things in Life Are Free, PHYLLIS 

" 

AVERY. Starring Gordon MacRoe, Dan Doiley, Sheree 

North and Ernest Borgnine, the tunefilm is being 

piloted by Michael Curtiz. 

Actress DANA WYNTER has been held 

term. 

other 


Character actor JERRY PARIS was inked to portray 

an airline pilot in the Jock Mahoney-Leigh Snowden 

vehicle about reincarnation, "I've Lived Before," 

is which Richord Bortlett megging for Producer 

Howard Christie. 

Orchestra leader RUSS MORGAN will undertake a 

"Cory," which stars Tony Curtis and Martha Hyer 

and will be produced by Robert Arthur. 

Character actress MILDRED NATWICK was cast 

a spinster aunt in the Debbie Reynolds-Leslie 

as 

is Nielsen vehicle, "Tammy," which being produced 

Technicolor and CinemaScope by Ross Hunter. 

in 

The director is Joseph Pevney. Drawing a featured 

was MALA POWERS. 

spot 

Warner Bros. 

Playwright-actor BERNIE HAMILTON was cast as 

in Girl a corporal "The He Left Behind," army con 

starring Tab Hunter and Natalie Wood. The F 

Rosenberg production is being directed by Davi 

Butler. 

Scripters 

Melro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

JACK SCHAEFER is penning "Company of Cow 

World War II drama, which Charles Schne 


R. WRIGHT CAMPBELL is writing the 

for "The Man of a Thousand Faces," a fi 

phy of the late Lon Chaney, which Robert , 

produce. The Chaney role wi be undertake 

Story Buys 


it to in Planning shoot on location Central America 

next spring. Producer Lindsley Parsons bought 

Incredible "The Yonqui," a story by Herman D. 

Deutch about an American locomotive engineer 

who goes to Honduras and becomes a political power. 

Independent 

Planning to set up her own unit to produce the 

subject—în which, however, she will not star—Jane 

Powell purchased "The Gay Saint," a historical novel 

by Paul Bailey about a Mormon adventurer who 

made a fortune in the early days of San Francisco. 

Hampshire Productions, headed by Harry Tatelman, 

purchased "The 446," an account by Cooper Adams 

ond Roger Aston of their experiences aboard the LST 

446 during World War II. 

Paramount 

Producer Hal Wallis acquired film rights to "Girls 

of Summer," a play by N. Richard Nash, which will 

be produced on Broadway this fall. 

nthol 

product 

RKO Radio 

I 

believed 

sters 


Scheduled os a Van Heflin starrer, film rights were 

to secured "If Should Die," a magazine story by 

Hugh Pentecost about a New York newspaper reporter. 

It 

will be produced by Howie Horwitz as 

his first assignment since being recently inked to 

RETIRE AT MGM Three MGM workers, the latest to retire under Loew's, Inc., 

retirement plan, received from Dore Schary, studio head, thanks and congratulations 

at a gathering of department supervisors in Schary's office recently. The three going 

on retirement are James Ryan, assistant chief of police; Will B. McCormick, electrical 

department, and D. E. Woods, sound department. The three had 74 years of 

service at the Culver City plant. Left to right; E. C. DeLavigne, head of labor relations; 

Dr. Wesley C. Miller, recording director; Ryan; W. P. Hendry, chief of studio 

poUce; Schary; McCormick; A. Sydney Moore, head of the electrical department; 

Woods; By EUerbrock, studio representative of Loew's retirement fund, and W. W. 

Spemcer, studio manager.

: May 

. . signed 

Dana Andrews Is Honored 

At Uvalde, Tex., Event 

HOLLYWOOD—Dana Andrews, cuiTently 

starring in RKOs •While the City Sleeps," 

was guest of honor Fi-iday ilH at ceremonies 

marking the 100th anniversai-y of the founding 

of Uvalde, Tex., where his father was a 

Now if they could have dropped "vision" 

somewhere into that label, it would have con- 

minister for many years. Uvalde also is the 

home town of former Vice-President John 

to prove that there's 

Garner. 

JUST 

always room trived to lift somrthing from the name of 

for one more—especially at the top every established widescreen medium. Y. 

A special public exhibition of 115 production 

Republic has unveiled 

the new, widescreen photographic 

its contribution 

to techniques. 

drawings and paintings by staff 

Frank Freeman isn't Koing to be too happy 

or is he?—about boinR slighted thataway. 

artist 

John L. Jensen for Cecil B. DeMille's new 

Paramount enti-y, "The Ten Commandments," Attractively tagged Naturama, the process 

is being presented for two weeks at the makes its debut in the Trucolor outdoor action 

Waxing uncharacteristically .sanguinary, 

Chouinard Art Institute here. Jensen is a drama, "The Maverick Queen," co-starring 

Milton Luban, currently a .stress agent for 

Barbara Stanwyck and BaiTy Sullivan former student of the institute. 

Frank and Walter Seltzer's Boss Productions, 

and recently unveiled for press appraisal. The reports: "William Phlpps . ... to 

who 

Z^^cuti4JJ^ '1nxi4Ji^'il 

anamorphic system, developed by Republic's 

engineering department in collaboration with 

Consolidated Film Industries, represents two 

play a killer massacres four federal 

agents and a horde of innocent bystanders 

..." 

years of research and development under 

So, what does he do for an encore? 

Ea.*it: C. V. Whitney Pictures dispatched 

Aiin Hai-ris. head of it,s story department, to the supervision of Herbert J. Yates, Republic 

New York to scout the eastern literary market, 

president, and Daniel J. Bloomberg, chief 

while Allan Reed of the art department engineer and technical manager. 

"FOCR DASTARDS FOCL THINGS UP IN 

headed for Missouri for a two-week stay to 

In its application to "The Maverick DISNEY'S 

check locations for the upcoming Whitney 

Queen," Naturama eliminates practically all •DAVY CROCKETT AND THE RIVER 

entry, "The Missouri Traveler." 

graininess. and compai-es favorably, as concerns 

PIRATES' " 

depth-illusion and scope, with similar 

—Joe Reddy-Walt Disney 

Headline. 

East: Robert Goldstein, who has a multiplepicture 

releasing commitment with United 

Artists, headed for Gotham for huddles with 

UA distribution brass. 

East: A visitor from Indo-China was Jean 

Schwoerer. circuit operator in Saigon, who 

conferred at Pai-amount with Cecil B. De- 

Mille. 

East: G. Ralph Branton, Allied Artists 

executive and president of its video subsidiary. 

Interstate Television, left for New York 

on a w-eek's business trip. 

West: Henry King, 20th-Fox megaphonist, 

returned from a trek to Manhattan. 

West: Expected in at the studio for planning 

huddles were SpjTOs Skouras, 20th-Fox 

president, and Joseph Moskowitz, eastern 

production representative, who were to confer 

with Buddy Adler, in charge of production. 

East: Harold J. 

Mlrisch, Allied Artists vicepresident, 

headed for New York for parleys 

with Ed Morey, also a vice-president, and 

Morey Goldstein, vice-president and general 

sales manager. 

East: William Bloom, RKO production, took 

off for Manhattan on a business jaunt. 

East: Maxwell Amow, Hecht-Lancaster 

vice-president and talent executive, left for 

Gotham to test a number of new acting personalities 

for possible term tickets. 

West: 

Mervin Houser, RKO studio publicity 

chief, returned Thursday (10) from ten 

days of conferences with New York executives 

of the company. 

West: Producer Arthur Hornblow jr. 

planed in from London after three weeks of 

planning conferences concerning "Witness for 

the Prosecution," based on the Agatha 

Christie stage play, which he will produce in 

Britain next year in association with Edward 

Small for United Artists release. 

BOXOFFICE : 

12. 1956 

devices now in use. It utilizes specially designed 

lenses manufactured by a French 

optical firm, attached to standard Mitchell 

camera lenses, which provide a 2.35-1 aspect 

ratio. Prints will be available with an 

optical -sound track only, and no additional 

equipment is required for theatres now 

capable of handling widescreen presentations. 

For showcases that do not have wideangle 

lenses Naturama will be squeezed down 

to a 1.85-1 ratio. The system has one 

"exclusive"—an automatic adaptor attachment 

which controls the simultaneous focusing 

of both the Naturama and Mitchell 

lenses, thus eliminating the human element 

of possible error and distortion. 

Yates has revealed that the bulk of his 

company's program for 1956 will be filmed in 

Naturama and Trucolor. On the heels of 

"The Maverick Queen," earmarked for early 

distribution, will come two others similarly 

garnished— "Lisbon," starring and directed 

by Ray Mllland, and "Thunder Over Arizona," 

which features Skip Homeler and 

Kristlne Miller. 

Far-seeing industryites long since concluded 

that the most potent and promising weapon 

to curb and contain the growing competition 

of television is constant accent upon the 

theatrical .screen's— -the widescreen, preferably—superior 

ability to reflect all that is 

desirable and impressive in filmed entertainment. 

Thus Naturama will be welcomed by both 

the production and exhibition branches of the 

trade as added strength for that weapon. 

Expectedly, the rash of new processes is 

not without its opportunistic, all-is-confusion 

facets. Witness the announcement that an 

independent outfit calling itself Ireland- 

Grashoff Productions intends to launch an 

actioner, "The Violent Wait," in an anamorphic 

system ta£g:ed Ciramascope. 

You must be more careful about those 

typographical errors, Joe. 

From Teet Carle's Paramount prai-sery, a 

painstaking handout about the hardships involved 

in moving "the film industry's largest 

portable wind machine" to Lone Pine for 

use in shooting scenes for "The Lonely Man." 

It would have been easier—and cheaper— 

to fly Bob Goodfried to the location. 

Jovial 

Johnny Flinn, chief adjective-agitator 

for Allied Artists, advises that "Ann Griffith, 

daughter of H. J. Griffith, Dallas, Tex., 

president of Frontier Theatres, Inc.," is making 

her screen debut in an AA entry, "Night 

Target." 

The picture now Is assured of bookings 

throughout the Frontier circuit, If nowhere 

else. 

A communique from the RKO Radio ravery 

discloses that the studio is planning early 

production of a feature dealing with the 

launching of a man-made satellite into space 

300 miles above the earth's .surface. Of three 

titles tentatively selected for the venture, one 

is "Around the World in 90 Minutes." 

What are they trying to do, make a bum 

out of Mike Todd? It's taking him 80 days— 

and seven million dollars—to make the same 

trip. 

The same RKO's praise pundit, Mervin 

Houser, broadcast word that Alice Englert, a 

member of the publicity staff, had been selected 

by officiak of the U. S. Volleyball Ass'n 

to be on the AII-.American women's team, 

which will compete in Paris this coming .August 

for the world's championship. 

That figures, .\nyone who has toiled for 

Mervin should be quite expert at passing the 

bailor buck.

INDUSTRY PROFILE 

More Honesty Is His Remedy for Industry Headaches 

TOWNSEND, MONT. — Benjamin 

"Shorty" Sauter, owner -operator of the 

Rex Theatre, began his theatre business 

by buying out the L. J. Opie circuit in 

1935, which included Basin, Boulder, 

Radersburg, Marysville and Townsend, all 

in Montana. 

"I raised the necessary $200 for the investment 

and paid it back within five 

months," said Sauter. "In those days, $200 

wasn't too easy to come by." 

Prior to woriung for L. J. Opie, whose 

circuit he bought. Sauter had relieved his 

brother-in-law in Rupert, Ida., in the old 

Wilson Theatre during the silent era. Said 

Sauter: "It was very simple. If I had lots 

of time I cranked slow, if not, I cranked 

fast in order to end on time." 

In September 1935, Sauter made permanent 

headquarters at Townsend, He 

dropped Marysville from his circuit but 

added Harrison and Pony. 

He continued with this circuit for four 

years, never missing a scheduled show because 

of weather, even at 52 degrees below 

zero. There were times when he was unable 

to get into Boulder by direct route and 

went ai-ound by Butte, many extra miles. 

There were also many times when he 

literally had to shovel his way to the door 

of the building where he was to show a 

picture. 

MAE WEST FILM HIS FIRST 

The first picture Sauter ran on his circuit 

was "I'm No Angel," starring Mae 

West, in the little town of Marysville. He 

had 1,000-foot reels of film and one broke. 

He didn't know how to patch it so he just 

put a paper clip on the broken part and 

let it run out on the floor. "My life was 

full of emergencies in those days and I 

had to meet them anyway I could," said 

Sauter. 

Sauter's biggest problem seemed to be 

how to keep awake when driving home 

early In the morning. Once his wife 

grabbed the car wheel as he fell asleep. 

One time in 30 degrees below zero he found 

himself getting drowsy and decided to 

step outside his panel truck for a breath 

of sharp air. The freezing au- revived him 

but when he tried to open the truck door 

he discovered that it had locked on him. 

About 400 yards from the truck he spotted 

a snow-covered dump and remembered 

that most dumps harbored at least one 

pair of old bed springs. Sure enough, this 

dump did al.so. Sauter released the springs 

from the other junk, fashioned a hook 

with it and opened the truck door. 

His nearest brush with death occurred 

on Feb. 22. 1936, on his way out of Butte 

after picking up his film for the week. A 

huge rock crashed down through his radiator, 

just missed his head and turned his 

car over on one side. Pinned inside the 

overturned car, Sauter made three attempts 

to get the upper door opened before 

he finally was successful. His car 

was completely demolished 

"Durmg the .summer the circuit was 

11 

AXBKN.IAMIN SAUTER 

real family affair," said Sauter. "As soon 

as we hit town my four kids (three sons 

and a daughter) would spill out of the 

panel truck and start putting up posters. 

As we promoted a baseball game before 

each show, there was plenty of time to 

advertise. We would hold off the show 

until after the game, thus assuring a good 

audience. Incidently, so much ball playing 

must have had an effect on my children 

because they all turned out to be 

good athletes. My wife sold and took 

the tickets." 

Sauter promoted many amateur shows 

at Townsend and Boulder but baseball was 

always close to his heart. A friend, Father 

Harrington, a Catholic priest, was usually 

on hand to share his enthusiasm in these 

towns, and together they rode donkeys for 

donkey baseball. Judging by the regular 

turnouts, their efforts were much appreciated. 

Needless to say, the baseball fans 

usually found relaxation at Sauter's show 

later. 

SHOWS IN STREET CARS 

Sauter has always recognized a bargain 

even when it was camouflaged as a street 

car. When street cars were discontinued 

in Butte in 1938, a friend of Sauter bought 

five cars to use for tourist accommodations. 

Sauter at the time was remodeling his 

Boulder Theatre so he purchased the five 

cars from his friend for $50. He dismantled 

the cars, (the reed seats had 

strong springs and heavy, double upholstering! 

and gave the dismantled cars to 

the man who had hauled them to Boulder 

for freighting charge. 

In 1953 Sauter put in a cryroom in the 

Rex in Townsend, the first in Montana. 

At the same time he installed 260 fullfloating 

American chair seats with two 

additional seats for long-legged patrons. 

The long-legged row was an immediate 

success but it took some time befoie parents 

acquired enough confidence to leave 

their children in the cryroom. All seats 

were closed in at the back to discourage 

children from sticking their feet out in 

front to annoy patrons in front of them. 

By 1940 Sauter had given up his circuit 

but retained the Rex in Townsend 

as a permanent business. He remodeled 

the front to keep pace with the modernized 

interior. A marquee with red, blue, 

green and yellow flood lights replaced the 

out-moded sign. 

Only once since 1940 has Sauter raised 

admission prices and that was just ten 

cents. His present prices are 60 cents for 

adults, 50 cents for students and 20 for 

children. 

Sauter is a charter member of Theatre 

Owners of Montana. When the organization 

was first formed, members met in a 

room in the Film Hotel in Butte. According 

to Sauter, it didn't take a very large 

place for them as there were only four 

members. 

STRESSES GOOD EQ1JIPMENT 

Sauter has the best equipment he can 

buy including a Cinemascope widescreen 

and optical sound. A more powerful sound 

system would be too loud for the Rex. 

Each Christmas Sauter presents a free 

show with his large miniature train, tunnel 

and track set on exhibit for the pleasure 

of oldsters and youngsters alike. A 

youth recreation picture is another annual 

free show looked forward to by the Townsend 

teenagers. 

An ex-mayor of Townsend (from 1945- 

1950) Sauter is one of the town's most 

popular citizens. During World War II, 

he met the farm labor problem by going to 

the hay fields at 8 in the morning. He returned 

home each evening just in time to 

open his theatre for the evening show. 

Making his motto "a bond for every seat 

in the Rex" Sauters won a presidential 

citation for his bond selling abilities. 

If exhibitor and distributor would be 

more honest with each other the theatre 

business would have fewer headaches 

Sauter thinks. He said: "A 50 per cent 

film percentage is too high for a small 

independent operator, I wouldn't object 

to paying 50 per cent on film once a week 

if I could make a profit but I can't break 

even, I prefer a $60 flat rate per week with 

a split figure at $240 and split over at 25 

per cent at the first dollar," His weekly 

breakdown in tenths averages three-tenths 

on Sunday, one on Monday, one on Wednesday, 

two on Fi-iday and two on Saturday, 

Overhead is approximately $325 a 

week, 

"Every business has its problems," said 

Sauter, "When I look back at the socalled 

good old days, today seems extra 

good. But wouldn't have traded any- 

I 

thing else for them. In the theatre business 

I have met many fine people and I 

really enjoy trying to give them the best 

in enteitainment Tovinsend is one of 

the best little towns to live iii theie isi 

BOXOFFICE :: May 12,19

. 

. . . Raymond 

. . Another 

. . Mrs. 

. . "Cockleshell 

. . John 

. . Agnes 

. . 

, . . Naomi 

'Stover' and 'Fall' Get 

Top Scores in L. A. 

LOS ANGELES—Each recording a substantial 

150 per cent, "The Revolt of Mamie 

Stover" and "The Harder They Fall" proved 

the week's strongest opening fii-st run attractions 

during a period which found business 

generally only tolerable. 


in Man the Gray Flannel Chinese The Suit 

(20th-Fox), 3rd wk 140 

Egyptian, United Artists Oklahomal (Magna), 

24tti wk 

El Rey— Doctor ot Sea (Rep), 5th wk 

125 

60 

Fine Arts— Patterns (UA), 6th wk 50 

Star Four Goby (MGM), 5th wk 90 

Fox Wilshire Alexander the Greot 70 

(UA), 6th wk. 

Hawaii, State Tribute to a Bod Men (MGM). . . I 20 

Hillstreet, Vogue The Bold ond the Brave (RKO);. 

The Way Out (RKO), 2nd wk 90 

Los Angeles, Fox, Ritz, Loyola The Revolt of 

Mamie Stover (20th-Fox), The Broken Star (UA), 150 

Orpheum, Ins Cockleshell Heroes (Col); Blackjack 

Ketchum, Desperado iCol), 2nd wk 100 

Pontages, Downtown Paromount, Worners Wilfern 

—Serenade (WB), A Day of Fury (U-l) 125 

Paramount Hollywood The Birds and the Bees 

(Para), 2nd wk 125 

(Col), 1 1 th Warners Beverly- Picnic wk 75 

Warners Downtown, Fox Hollywood, Uptown 

The Harder They Fall (Col); Star in the Dust 

lU-l) 150 

Warners Hollywood Cinerama Holidoy (Cinerama), 

25th wk 130 

"Forbidden Planet' Soars 

To 155 in Denver Debut 

DENVER—Business among the first runs 

was generally off and for the first time since 

Christmas nothing was held over. Best 

grossers were "Forbidden Planet" with "Bride 

of the Monster" at the Orpheum and "Miracle 

in the Rain" with "Steel Jungle" at the 

Paramount. 

Aladdin Gaby (MGM) 100 

Centre Hilda Crone ;20th-Fox), 2nd wk 85 

Denham Glory (RKO) 80 

Denver The Maverick Queen (Rep); The Yearling 

(MGM), reissue 90 

Esquire Samurai 120 

(Jocon) 

Orpheum Forbidden Planet (MGM); Bride of the 

Monster (Realart) 155 

Paramount Miracle in the Rain (WB); The Steel 

Jungle !WB) 115 

Vogue Letters From My Windmill (Tohan), 2nd 

wk 100 

Tail' and 'Gray Flannel' 

Are Frisco Top Grossers 

SAN FRANCISCO—Two first run houses 

walked away with slightly better than average 

grosses to take top honors. The opening 

of "The Harder They Fall" at the Paramount 

and the third week of "The Man in the Gray 

Flannel Suit" at the Fox were the leaders. 

Fox—The Man In the Gray Flonnel Suit (20th-Fox), 

3rd wk 125 

Golden Gate Come Next Spring (Rep); When 

Gangland Strikes (Rep) 60 

Paramount The Harder They Foil (Col); Over- 

Exposed (Col) 125 

Francis—Miracle 90 

St, in the Roin (WB) 

United Artists—World Without End (AA); Indestructible 

Man (AA) 90 

Worfield The Swan (MGM), 110 

2nd wk 

'Planet' Grosses Good 

170 at Portland 

PORTLAND — "Forbidden Planet," the 

science-fiction drama, scored 170 per cent at 

the Broadway. 

Broadway— Forbidden Planet (MGM) 1 70 

Fox—Serenade (WB) 1 20 

Guild Samurai (Jacon) I 50 

Liberty Hot Blood (Col) MO 

Orpheum The Horder They Foil ICol) 135 

Paramount-One-way Ticket to Hell (Eden) 110 

Frisco Clay Gets C'Scope 

SAN FRANCISCO—The Clay Theatre, local 

art house where "House of Ricordi" now is 

playing, is installing Cinemascope and widescreen 

projection. The first film to be shown 

will be "Gaby." 

SAN FRANCISCO 

Tack Marpole, property manager for the 

Variety Club, presented membership cards 

to George Christopher, mayor of Snn Pi'ancisco: 

Clifford Ri.shell. mayor of Oakland, 

and Wayne Thompson, Oakland city manager, 

after they were sworn In as honorary 

barkers by Nate Blumenfeld, chief barker. 

The presentation was made at a special 

luncheon held at the Fairmont Hotel last 

week (2). 

Glenn Coffey of Hayward has been appointed 

by the Roy Cooper Theatres to 

manage the Midway Drive-In at Reedley . 

Hannah Oppie died recently following a long 

illness. Mrs. Oppie had been associated for 

many years with Westland Theatres and once 

was executive secretary for the Northern 

California branch of Independent Theatre 

Deepest sympathy to Hulda Mc- 

Owners . . . 

Ginn, public relations woman for California 

Theatres Ass'n, on the death of her husband 

Walter. 

Visitors to the Row included Edna Bell, 

Altos, Los Altos; Bert Henson, city manager 

in Klamath Falls for Redwood Theatres; Tiny 

Turner, Coalinga Drive-In, Coalinga; Robert 

Gingerich, Westerner Drive-In, Carmichael; 

Bill Garren, Albany, Albany; Lou Spitzler, 

Auto Movies, Pittsburg, and Dan Tocchini, 

Analy, Sebastapol. The latter was contemplating 

a trip to Europe. 

. 

. 

The Porter in Woodland was closed, as was 

the Rialto in Eureka. Both belong to the 

Redwood Theatres chain Newton, 

Fair Oaks, Fair Oaks, now operating the theatre 

formerly operated by C. J. Remington, 

was along the Row visiting with friends. 

Newton formerly operated a theatre in Portland 

visitor to the Row was 

Victor Carlsen, who came from the north 

with Newton and has taken over the Lux in 

Sacramento with Mary Stevens. 

Marvin Fox was named city manager of 

the Pittsburg area for Blumenfeld circuit, 

replacing Carol Bradley. Fox was an exhibitor 

. in Washington Heroes" 

will open at the St. Francis May 18. It Is 

based on an incident of two men surviving a 

war situation and will be promoted by the 

personal appearance of one of the survivors, 

Cpl. Bill Sparks of the British Royal Marines, 

opening day . Leora Nelson is the 

new secretary to Jack Stevenson, local Paramount 

manager . . . Elizabeth Merritt, cashier, 

after 42 years at Paramount, has retired. 

Ward Pennington writes to his local pals 

that he's very happy at his new post as manager 

for Paramount, Milwaukee. Taking over 

Ward's spot here as sales manager was 

Milton Anderson, promoted from salesman 

Lockerman, ledger clerk for 

Paramount, was vacationing . . . Eric Smith, 

"Tiny" Siita replaced Smith . Sherman 

returned from her vacation and Al 

Grubstick, WB's sales manager, left on his 

vacation. 

Jesse Wriglit, 'WB booker, now is called 

"Slim Jim" after shedding a few pounds 

working out with the Filmrow branch of 

VTMCA. Next project in mind for Jesse is 

giving up cigarets. Je.s.se claims he lost four 

pounds, but everyone on the Row claims It's 

English money . . . Francis Bateman, district 

manager for Republic, was in town 

with Mr. and Mrs. Whelpley. Whelpley 

Is the head of the board of directors of Republic 

. . . Stew Klein of Columbia had a 

tooth pulled. Now, when he bites exhibitors, 

they only have imprint of three teeth. 

John Bowles has taken over the booking 

and buying of the Valley Theatre in Anderson 

for owner LewLs E. Blair . . . The Lucky 

Drive-In at Turlock was sold to Affiliated as 

of April 29. Bob Clark formerly handled the 

theatre . . . Je.sse Levin, General Theatrical, 

took over as agent for the booking and buying 

of the Mountain View Drive-In, Mount 

Shasta, owned by Mr. and Mrs. George English. 

Charlie Gray left UA to join U-I . . . Jack 

Voorhies, apprentice, succeeded Gray at UA 

Spring, United ArtLsts, left to wed 

... In town on her honeymoon last week was 

Blanche Livingston, assistant to Harry Mandel, 

national director of publicity and advertising 

for RKO theatres , . . Kenneth Morris 

was named manager of the State and Porter 

in Woodland, replacing Rose Saso who had 

been acting manager for the two George 

Mann theatres. Morris served with other theatres 

in the chain in Klamath Falls, Modesto 

and Fortuna. He worked with the Mann theatres 

in Woodland in 1949 and 1950. Mrs. 

Saso is the regular manager of the State in 

Modesto. 

Disappearance of $1,498 in Coronet Theatre 

receipts over the last ten weeks was reported 

in the Examiner (2) as police and 

insurance company agents started an investigation. 

According to the Examiner, 

Manager John A. Dobbs told police that a 

check of ticket sales against receipts .showed 

that the money began disappearing after 

opening of "Oklahoma!" on February 10. 

Showless After 30 Years 

CATHLAMET, WASH.—Lack of business 

has forced the Elco Theatre here to clase 

Its doors and the town is without a theatre 

for the first time in nearly 30 years. The 

house is owned by Eugene Brock, who has 

brought first run shows to town and had 

installed the latest wldescreen equipment. 

Attendance, however, had fallen off to a point 

where It is now impossible to keep operating, 

he said. 

CKICtaO.ILL 

IJ27 S. WlltSH 

NEW VOIIK. 

N.Y. 

f

. . Al 

. . The 

. . John 

. . . Ralph 

. . Another 

. . FUmrow 

: May 

SEATTLE 

(Suck Smith has been named Seattle-Portland 

manager for Favorite Films to succeed 

Bill Shartin . . . Bill Foreman of the 

United Theatres Drive-ins was up from Los 

Angeles . Larpenteur, former Northwest 

Releasing salesman, now is managing the 

Starlight Drive-In, Tacoma . Variety 

clubrooms in the New Washington Hotel are 

getting plenty of use. Tliey have been beautifully 

redecorated under the supervision of 

Fi-ank 

Christy. 

Among those attending the Variety Club 

convention in New York were Ed Cruea, 

Allied Artists manager; Paul Grunwald of 

Northwest Film: Celia Blatt, 20th-Fox 

booker, and the B. C. Johnsons . Riley 

of National Theatre Supply recently sold new 

equipment to Mai-garet Lowe Bradford, owner 

of Loew's Igloo in Dillingham, Alaska, including 

a new Walker screen and a pair of 

Ultra-Panatar lenses for widescreen presentation. 

Northwest Releasing is handling the 

Liberace concerts in the northwest. 

Teenage Book Club Picks 

'Valiant' Book of Month 

HOLLYWOOD—The Teenage Book Club 

has chosen "The Valiant Virginians," the 

James Warner Bellah novel which C. V. 

Whitney Pictures will produce next year, as 

its Book of the Month. The organization has 

a membership of 100,000 students in 8,000 

high schools throughout the country. The 

film version of the Bellah tome, a Civil War 

drama, will be megged by John Ford. 

Meantime four record companies are bringing 

out platters of "Tlie Searchers," theme 

song of the Whitney production starring 

John Wayne and being released by Warners. 

Penned by Stanley Jones, the tune has been 

recorded by Capitol, Victor, MGM and Capp. 



with a 

BRAND NEW 

SPOT TAG 




spotty plays hide and seek with your audience 

while they try to cotch him with their spotlights 




OVER AND OVER 

$1750 

Mow mm S[iiuicE co. 

CITE ANGEL OF MERCY—Judge 

Alvln E. Weinberger, regional chairman 

for City of Hope, presents Angel of Mercy 

award to Irving Levin, owner of the 

Balboa Theatre, as Leonard Goldberg, 

center, president of the San Francisco 

chapter of the City of Hope, looks on. 

The presentation to Levin was in recognition 

of the fourth consecutive year in 

which he made the Balboa Theatre facilities 

available gratis so that the City of 

Hope medical center program would benefit 

from all admissions to a special preview 

night showing. This year's preview 

is 

theatre party netted $750. The sum 

earmarked for leukemia research. 

George J. Flaherty Named 

Vice-President of MPIC 

HOLLYWOOD—The Motion Picture Industry 

Council has completed its new slate 

officers and delegates with the election of 

George J. Flaherty as vice-president, succeeding 

John Lund, and Fred Lehne as 

treasurer, replacing Cy Baer. Ronald Reagan, 

president, and Marvin Paris, secretary, were 

elected in January and continue in office. 

MPIC delegates include Dore Schary and 

Steve Broidy, representing the A.ss'n of Motion 

Picture Producers; Flaherty. Ralph H. Clare 

and Clayton Thoma-son, Hollywood ATL 

Film Council: Edward Finney and B. C. 

Wylie, Independent Motion Picture Producers 

Ass'n; Robert Monosmith, Lehne and 

Reggie Harris, Independent Office Workers; 

Reagan, Leon Ames and Walter Pidgeon, 

Screen Actors Guild; Samuel G. Engel, Carey 

Wilson and Jerry Wald, Screen Producers 

Guild; Leroy Llnick, Kay Lenard and Dorothy 

Mox, Story Analysts Guild; Daniel 

Taradash, Jesse Lasky jr. and Leonard 

Spigelgass, screen writers' branch. Writers 

Guild of America, West; Paris, Gunther 

Lessing and Walter Wanger, Society of Independent 

Motion Picture Producers; Paul 

Groesse, Preston Ames and Serge Krizman, 

Society of 

Motion Picture Art Directors. 

Recorded Radio Program 

To Bally 'Battle Hymn' 

HOLLYWOOD—Universal's "Battle Hymn," 

film version of the career of Col. Dean Hess, 

Korean war ace, will be plugged by the Air 

Force and the Armed Forces Radio Service 

via a recorded radio program featuring 

Colonel Hess as well as stars of the film including 

Rock Hudson, Martha Hyer, Dan 

Duryea and Don DeFore. 

Douglas Sirk dii-ected the Technicolor- 

CinemaScope feature, a Ross Hunter production. 

of 

LOS ANGELES 

fêorge Walcott, recently appointed manager 

of 

the Lyric Theatre in Monrovia following 

purchase of the showcase by Fred Stein 

Enterprises, is a former actor, having appeared 

in about 30 features prior to World 

War II. He previously managed the United 

Artists in Pomona . . . Pi-eferred Theatres, 

which operates houses in San Diego, Long 

Beach and Bakersfield, has purchased the El 

Cajon Theatre in San Diego from the estate 

of Yvonne Gallagher, it was reported by S. R. 

Wieder, circuit general manager. 

Fox West Coast has undertaken an extensive 

remodeling of its State Theatre in Pasadena, 

including a new marquee and front, 

boxoffice, carpeting and reupholstering. The 

State is managed by Albert Szabo . . . James 

Schiller, Allied Artists exploiteer headquartering 

here, headed for San Diego to 

work on opening campaigns for two pictures 

Clark, western district chief for 

United Artists, took off for Salt Lake City 

and Denver for branch conferences in those 

cities. 

Barbara Sheftel resigned at 20th-Fox. Her 

husband Jerry is a booker there . . . Jeannette 

Banks, secretary to Fox branch chief Morris 

Sudmin, went to Minneapolis to attend her 

mother's funeral . . . Here from San Francisco 

for branch huddles and to attend the 

company's global sales convention at the 

studio was Barney Rose, western district 

manager for U-I. 

While vacationing in Minnesota, Jo Brenner, 

secretary in Earle Johnson's booking 

office, was seriously injured in a motor accident 

. . . Jack Grossman of the Magnolia 

Theatre in Burbank has taken over the Montrose 

in Montrose from Hugh McKee and will 

operate on a seven-day basis. Richard Shaefer, 

formerly with Fox West Coast, will be 

the manager . operational change 

found Orlando Kan- acquiring the Lamont 

in Lamont from Joe Rogers. 

Resigning as a secretary at Favorite Films 

was Joanne Katz . 

personnel going 

to New York to attend the Variety International 

convention included Mr. and 

Mrs. Ezra Stern (he's chief barker of Tent 

25) M. J. E. McCarthy, Mr. and Mrs. Frank 

; 

Diamos, Lloyd Ownbey, Mr. and Mrs. Roy 

Reed, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Sonny, Ed Sonny, Mr. 

and Mrs. Morris Borgos, Mr and Mrs. Bill 

Srere, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Wineberg, Mr. 

and Mrs. Herb Turpie, Izzy Berman, Mr. and 

Mrs. Murray Odel, Harry Marx, Mr. and 

Mrs. Glenn Adair, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Diaz, 

Sugar Bocklage and Mr. and Mrs. Bundy 

Smith . . . Sero Amusement has moved into 

new offices on Cordova street, vacating its 

previous headquarters on Washington boulevard. 

RKO Edits Eight Films 

HOLLYWOOD—Hitting a four-year peak, 

eight features—five of them in color—are 

now in various editing stages at RKO. Being 

scissored are "The First Ti-aveling SaJeslady," 

"Tension at Table Rock," "Back Fi-om Eternity." 

"Beyond a Reasonable Doubt," "The 

Brave One," "Jet Pilot," "Man in the Vault" 

and "Public Pigeon Number One.' 

Jane Howard has drawn a featured role in 

the Fred MacMurray starrer, "Gun for a 

Coward," a Universal film. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

12, 1956

Oak Harbor Reopening 

Hinges on $600 Fund 

OAK HARBOR. WASH.—The Oiik Theatre 

here may be opened again in the near future 

provided a $600 fund can be raised among 

individuals and organizations to finance the 

venture. News of the plan to reopen the 

theatre came to Bud Leuck, president of the 

North Whidbey Chamber of Commerce, in 

the form of a letter from R. A. Gardner, from 

liis Seattle office. 

Teenagers of Oak Harbor have had to go 

to Mount Vernon and Anacort.es theatres 

.vince closure of the Oak Theatre here in 

the early fall of 1954. Many groups and individuals 

have attempted to get the theatre 

opened again, believing that young people, 

as well as adults, need a nearby entertainment 

center. 

In the letter, Gardner explained that opening 

of the theatre was proposed as the result 

of a purchase of a partner's interest in the 

firm. Gardner wrote: "I am in a position, 

at this time, to open the theatre ... It is my 

opinion that it will take some time to build a 

business in Oak Harbor that will meet operating 

expenses. It will cost $1,800 to open the 

theatre ... I earnestly solicit the support 

of your local businessmen to the extent of 

S600: which would be one-third of the opening 

cost. This could be paid one-half at the 

opening date and one-half 30 days later." 

Lueck expressed the view that not only 

merchants, but various organizations and individuals 

as well, should contribute to the 

fund, because it is to the general benefit of 

the entire community to have a theatre in 

Oak Harbor. He added that he expected a 

good many parents would contribute modest 

sums to the fund as a measure to keep their 

teenagers closer home on "movie nights," 

and to avoid the nighttime traffic menace of 

teenage travel to neighboring towns to attend 

movies. 

Marvin Lowe Is Promoted 

By Telepictures, Inc. 

HOLLYWOOD—Marvin Lowe has been 

upped from central division manager to vicepresident 

and domestic sales director for 

Telepictures. Inc.. TV marketing organization, 

of which Edwan J. Baumgarten is president. 

Lowe checked in from his Chicago 

headquarters to confer with Baumgarten on 

expansion of the Telepicture library, which 

now consists of 175 feature-length films. 

Baumgarten also is president of Associated 

Film Releasing Corp. 

A feature-length theatrical subject featuring 

Cecil, the Seasick Sea Serpent, Beany 

and other puppet characters created by Bob 

Clampett is in the planning stages for lensing 

in widescreen and color under the barmer 

of the newly formed Clampett-Toon Commercials. 

Gerald Mayer has been set to direct. 

Succeeding Don DeFore, Johnny Mercer has 

been elected president of the Hollywood chapter 

of the Academy of Television Arts and 

Sciences. Other new officers include Robert 

Longenecker and Sheldon Leonard, vicepresidents: 

Frank Love joy. secretary, and 

Harry Ackerman, treasurer. They also form a 

steering committee along with Fenton Coe, 

Gerard Wilson. Madelyn Pugh and Hal Moore. 

Roundabout the Rockies 

XX7ith as many miles and miles of miles and 

miles between marquees as there are in 

the Fourth congre.ssional district of western 

Colorado, it should give petroleum stocks a 

nudge every time the Western Colorado Theatre 

Owners and Managers have a gettogether. 

For that reason, we only put out 

a call for a meeting of the clans when there's 

trouble afoot, or w'hen Tom Polos, beloved 

dean of showmen in "God's Country." invites 

us in for an old-fashioned Greek barbecue. 

Unlike most organizations in the industry, 

ours is one that, to date, has seen fit to 

confine its efforts to working for the good 

of the order. Ours is strictly a "poor showman's 

organization" and when we met the 

first time, at the outset of the original tax 

campaign, each manager or owner put up two 

dollars with which to carry on. At our meeting 

last week. Luther Strong. Westland manager 

in Grand Junction, and treasurer of our 

group, reported that we still had ten dollars 

on hand. 

Part of the ten was used to send a telegram 

to Congressman Aspinal urging his support of 

the King bill. All those present further 

pledged themselves to write the Hon. Aspinal 

a personal letter and to get the neighboring 

exhibitors not present at the meeting to 

follow 

suit. 

Luther Strong received a wire the following 

morning from the Colorado congressman 

assuring the gi-oup of his support when the 

King bill is brought out of committee. 

I get a lot of personal satisfaction out of 

the way the guys and gals respond to a call 

to duty and make the long trip to a quickly 

called meeting. Really small town showmen, 

with a lot of mean mountain roads between 

them and our meeting place, alwâys make it. 

However, something that seems more 

is astonishing the way the circuit managers 

of the area always manage to meet with us, 

and they enter into the discussions on ridding 

theatres of the tax burden just as wholeheartedly 

as w-e small operators. Probably 

none of them realized more than a month or 

two of tax relief during the last two yeai-s, 

but they swing right in there and help get the 

job done. 

Leo's new western. "Tribute to a Bad Man," 

was filmed in the rugged area lying between 

Dutch Strough's independent operations at 

Telluride and Norwood and Ed Nelson's Fox 

stronghold at Montrose. So Jimmy Cagney's 

stock in western Colorado is riding at an 

alltime high, as most of the showmen in 

the area are reporting from better-thanaverage 

to excellent returns on the early 

show-ings. 

Don Polos has joined his father Tom in a 

return to show business by taking over their 

recently acquired Hotchkiss Theatre at 

Hotchkiss. Father and son made the trip to 

the conclave at Grand Junction. 

A new overall 10 per cent increase with a 

By BOB WALKER. 

lot of gimmicks that made it more nearly a 

30 per cent increase in film haul rates has 

had western Colorado exhibitors in an uproar 

since March 1. Because of this, Dick 

Wadley and Sid Johnson of Southwest Film 

Service in Denver Joined the showmen at 

their luncheon and offered to start regular 

.•service in the area if enough exhibitors were 

interested and a permit could be obtained. 

Interest enough was shown, .'o the Denver 

men soon will contact all theatres in person 

and will make application to the state Public 

Utilities Commission for a permit. 

MGM's announcement that it is laying 

plans for the "junking" of prints TV leaves 

me cold. 

to 

Have just had two MOM reissues 

do much bettor gro.sswLse than the big 

"stretchies" have been doing. Started out by 

cutting off the ones who sold to my impossible 

competition, and still have the first 

one "out," but soon found no one really missed 

me very much and had to have something to 

back up the lenses with. 

The folks that make Holloway suckers out 

in Chicago have a nice little promotion that 

won't hurt anyone's business and might stir 

up some new interest. They'll send any theatre 

that wants to use it a nice color trailer 

on a "free sucker" matinee and enough 

suckers to take care of a whomping big house. 

Sent me a thousand, so you take it from 

there. I might squeeze in two or three 

matinees in my 200-seater. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ted Shanks and two children, 

operators of the under-starrer at high-up 

Estes Park, stopped in Fruita the other morning 

for a short chat. They had spent the 

winter in Palm Springs, where Ted sold 

Mercurys and Lincolns so he could support 

his expensive hobby. He reports the sale of 

automobiles in this class in that rich area 

as not much more rushing than that of 

tickets. And it's logical. 

Who bought all the Cadillacs and Lincolns 

back in the days of Lassie? Roy Flogers—and 

300 pictures a year! The Estes Park showman 

was hurrying to the summer resort to 

prepare for reopening. About the time we 

started talking shows, young little Master 

Shanks decided to have the mumps, and as 

they pulled out for their summer's stint he 

was doing a real good job of it. 

Always have liked to use Delsey in the 

restrooms as part of the little "extra" something 

we offer in services. Dang, how they 

wasted it ! Just like all of them were used to 

such luxuries! The other day I stuffed a 

small piece wadded up in the roll with the 

roller as a drag and danged if it didn't last 

two days. 

Since then I've cut down my expense in 

this department by over half. It seems like 

a guy smart enough to figure out how to 

save over half the cost of Delsey, after 11 

years, ought to be able to figure more gimmicks 

to gimmick folks into sitting more often 

in my comfortable chairs. 

But, here lately, I'm beginning to wonder 

if a 40-year-old brain works like a 30-year-old 

one did. Anyway, if you like to give them the 

best, you can sure save on Delsey with this 

little trick. 

BOXOFFICE May 12. 1956 51

. . Ray 

. . 

Paramount 

. . 

Mrs. 

DENVER 

Otewart Granger and his wife Jean Simmons 

have bought a large ranch near 

Silver City, N. M.. and are having plans 

drawn for a ranch house costing around 

Word received here is that 

Ward 

. . . 

Pennington, former branch manager 

$250,000 

here for Paramount, has been made manager 

at Milwaukee York has put in a 

. 

widescreen and Cinemascope in the Summit, 

Harrison, Neb. The installation was 

made by Ted Knox. 

Tillie Chalk, Paramount cashier, was vacationing 

and entertaining her daughter and 

four gxandchildren, who leave soon for a fouryear 

stay in Germany has 

. 

chopped off two jobs, dividing the sales territory 

between two salesmen, John Vos and 

John Thomas. William Peregrine, who has 

been handling the northern section, goes into 

the office as office manager, Frank Carbone 

becomes booker and Don Cook, booker, quits 

to take a job as truck driver for Safeway 

stores. The other job abolished is that of 

Sylvia Grief, biller. 

Mayer Monsky, Universal manager, and 

wife were vacationing in New York and the 

east . . . John Allen, MGM district manager, 

was in from his Dallas headquarters, calling 

on the circuits and conferring with Henry 

Priedel, branch manager . . . 

Chick Lloyd, 

independent distributor, is taking over the 

agency for Realart, American Releasing Corp., 

and others being handled by Robert Herrell, 

who will devote his full time to his Kansas 

City exchange. Laura Haughey, office manager, 

also moves to the Lloyd office at 820 

21st Leon Blender, sales manager for 

St. 

American Releasing, was in to make the 

switch for that company. He was accompanied 

is by his wife Miriam, who a niece of 

Oscar Galanter, office manager at Universal. 

Increase in Sales Tax 

Is Proposed in Utah 

SALT LAKE CITY—An additional tax burden 

looms for Utah theatregoers. Three 

mayors of the state this week joined in a 

move to have the igST state legislature increase 

the Utah sales tax to 3 per cent from 

2 per cent. 

The boost was proposed by Mayor Adiel F. 

Stewart of Salt Lake. He had the backing 

of the city commission and later in the day 

mayors of Ogden, Utah's second largest city, 

and Logan, its fourth largest, said they would 

join him in the move. 

The mayors and commissioners proposed 

that the state increase the tax and then kick 

back to cities the one per cent boost. They 

said more money is needed to operate cities 

and that property taxes have reached their 

limit. 

A similar proposal was made two years ago 

and enabling legislation passed the legislature. 

A year ago. Mayor Earl J. Glade suggested 

the city tax of 1 per cent, but the matter was 

dropped when it was pointed out that to put 

a 1 per cent tax on city sales would result in 

the amount due. 

Meantime, all SAG members have been invited 

to inspect the new Guild headquarters 

Hal Fuller, Dimension Pictures exchange 

. . . 

owner, went to Albquerque on a sales trip building at an open house to be held Saturday 

Theatre folks seen on Filmrow included Mr. 

(19). 

and Mrs. John Groy, Vista; Buena Fi-ank 

Aydelotte, Fort Collins; Emmett Sevard, 

'Great Day' Mass Opening 

Greeley; Mrs. Nora Wright, Flagler; Wilbur 

Williams, Boulder; William Taggart. Delta; 

L. N. Scheidigger, Seibert; George McCormick, 

In 215 Western Theatres 

NEW YORK—"Great Day in the Morn- 

Canon City; Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Ad- 

mg 

rian, Fairplay; Dr. F. E. Rider, Wauneta; 

Glen Wittstruck, Meeker, and Bernard Newman, 

and Salt Lake City exchange areas within 

Walsh. 

two weeks after it has had its premiere Wed- 

nesday (16) at the Orpheum Theatre, Denver, 

MPPC to Break Ground 

For New Headquarters 

HOLLYWOOD — Groundbreaking ceremonies 

for the new Motion Picture Permanent 

Charities headquarters will take place 

Tuesday (15) with Samuel Goldwyn, who 

earlier this year donated $75,000 to the building 

fund, tur-ning the traditional fu-st shovelful 

of earth. Civic leaders, welfare agency 

heads and industry members will attend. 

The event will be followed by a luncheon 

honoring Goldwyn, at which the MPPC and 

the Ass'n of Motion Picture Producers will 

present the producer with citations commending 

him for his years of service to the 

charity organization. Goldwyn conceived the 

idea of the MPPC in 1940 and was its first 

president. 

Steve Broidy, chau-man of the MPPC building 

committee, said construction work will 

begin immediately. 

loss 

of business in the city. 

SAG Removes Bash Firm 

From Its Unfair List 

HOLLYWOOD—John Bash Productions, TV 

and theatrical film unit, has been removed 

from the "unfair" list of the Screen Actors 

Guild, that organization disclosed in a report 

to its membership. Bash, so listed because 

he had not paid an arbitration award 

in favor of SAG, protested that he had not 

done so because he had not been notified. 

TTie SAG said the filmmaker now has paid 

SALT LAKE CITY 

poy Pickrell, longtime employe at the 20th- 

Pox branch office, was seriously injured 

when hit by a car. Roy was running to 

catch a bus. A driver, who had started on a 

yellow light, hit Roy and threw him beneath 

the wheels of an oncoming truck, which 

stopped just inches short of running over the 

filmman. Roy was in fair condition in a Salt 

Lake hospital. 

Ellis Everell, operator of the Park-Vu Drivein, 

plans to open a new playground at the 

ozoner May 18. A miniature train is one of 

the attractions . . . Variety Tent 38 is planning 

a sports car race in June to raise funds 

for building a hospital for retarded children. 

This will be the second event in a series of 

activities designed to put the name of Variety 

before the people of Utah. The first, a 

gigantic Helldorado Days, attracted more 

than 1,000 persons to the Newhouse Hotel, 

new headquarters for the tent. Irving Gillman, 

chief barker, is sparking the events. 

Film stars Virginia Mayo, Robert Stack and 

Rory Calhoun will appear on the stage of 

the Utah Theatre for the premiere of "Great 

Day in the Morning." They are scheduled 

to fly over from Denver, where premiere 

activities are slated prior to the Utah event, 

which is planned for May 17 . . . 

Harry 

Wood, auditor for Fox, was in . . . 

Sam Seigel, 

Columbia's tub-thumper, flew down from the 

northwest to set up campaigns for three pictures 

. . . Cleo Swedenborg is a new bookerstenographer 

at 20th-Fox Jack 

. 

(Betty Smith) Fullenwidder, daughter of the 

Frank Smiths, was a visitor from her California 

home. 

Business in the Utah-Idaho-Montana area 

is reported way off in some situations. Television 

is only now being installed in some 

communities in the three states. Bad weather 

knocked grosses at Salt Lake drive-ins again, 

although May 1 brought sunny skies and 

hope for a respite from storms . . . Helen 

Rice Woolford, public relations representative 

for Intermountain Theatres, won a transistor 

radio at a recent Ad Club luncheon. 

U. S. Film Festival Idea 

will open in 215 situations in the Denver Under Consideration 

HOLLYWOOD—Key figures in the Holly- 

according to Walter Branson, RKO vicepresident 

in charge of worldwide distribution. 

Among the theatres are the State, Albuquerque; 

Skyline, Canon City; Chief, Colorado 

Springs; Piney, Boise; Rialto, Butte; 

Babcock, Billings; Egyptian, Ogden; Lyric, 

Fort Collins; Isis, Aspen; Chief, Pueblo; Flatirons, 

Boulder; Paramount. Cheyenne, and 

Santa Fe, Santa Fe. 

To Screen Hope Starrer 

HOLLYWOOE>—Members of the southland 

press will be guests of Paramount, Bob Hope 

and the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce 

on a weekend junket to the desert resort 

beginning Friday (25), when Hope's new 

starrer, "That Certain Feeling," will be 

screened as a benefit for the Desert Hospital. 

The Norman Panama-Melvin Prank 

production also toplines Eva Marie Saint and 

George Sanders. 

wood industry are again mulling the idea of 

an international film festival to be held in 

the U. S., which would be similar to the affair 

just concluded in Cannes, France, it was 

reported by George Murphy, official American 

representative to the event, upon his return 

after a ten-day stay. 

Murphy, MGM director of public relations, 

said there is some feeling that such a festival 

should not be held in the film capital, and 

asserted there was general agreement among 

U. S. visitors to Cannes that Hollywood should 

either participate in that annual event on 

a much larger scale or bow out. 

'Juggernaut' to Republic 

HOLLYWOOD—Republic will distribute 

"Juggernaut," an upcoming John Bash- 

Elizabeth Dickinson production, which will 

be directed by Paul Henreid. It will be the 

second Bash-Dickinson entry for Plepublic, 

following the already completed "Acapulco," 

filmed in Mexico. 

BOXOFFICE 

;: May 12, 1956

: May 

KM ALLIED SESSION STRESSES 

WAYS TO BOOST PATRONAGE 

What Exhibitors Can Do 

Themselves Is Keynote 

Of Convention 

KANSAS CITY—Several speakers at the 

Kansas-Mis?ouri Allied ITO convention held 

here Tuesday i8t at the Aladdin Hotel took 

pot-shots at each other's remedies for industry 

problems, but all in all it was a harmonious 

gathering which sought to outline 

the exhibitor's situation and what he himself 

could do to improve it. 

As usual, there was the difficulty of getting 

started on time with the planned program 

with members straggling in. a matter 

upon which Beverly Miller, president, commented 

in his welcoming address. M. B. 

Smith, director of publicity and advertising 

for Commonwealth Theatres whose talk 

opened the morning session, stressed what he 

called "gimmicks and things that work." 

WORK, FAITH AT BASE 

"I have no cure-all to offer for present conditions 

but when the going is rough, there are 

certain things an exhibitor can do," Smith 

said. "There are two great ingredients in 

American democracy—work and faith. In any 

kind of advertising, you have to face facts 

and stay out of the ruts. It's easy to fall in 

and easier to stay in." 

Smith said he often marvels at the variance 

of showmanship in the territory. For 

instance, for "Diabolique," which "almost 

out-Hitchcocks Hitchcock," patrons were 

urged at each performance in two towns, 

"please do not divulge the ending of this 

picture." The film broke records in both 

situations. Of course it had suspense, good 

acting and a good story, but he feels it was 

the gimmick that put it over. 

"Reaching Fi'om Heaven," which has a religious 

theme, was screened for no less than 

100 in each community. Thus, in spite of its 

lack of star power, the good story well done 

plus attention to its presentation and promotion 

resulted in good business. 

PERSONAL OPTIMISM NEEDED 

Smith emphasized that without personal 

optimism, an exhibitor loses the ability to 

make a creative analysis of a picture. He 

recalled that in buying Hi-Fi records he was 

intrigued by the "sales talk" on each record 

which told in detail about the persons who 

made the record, from the composers to the 

performers, and suggested the same can be 

done with pictures. As an illustration, he 

cited Commonwealth's art house in Columbia 

which began issuing a four-page booklet 

which "souped up" the patrons on coming 

pictures and resulted in doing exceptional 

business. This could be done on standard pictures. 

Smith believes the services of exchange 

exploiteers are not always utilized as much 

as would be profitable. Jim Castle of Paramount 

reminded Smith that Dial soap which 

serves 110 grocery stores in the area had a 

tieup on "The Birds and the Bees," and as a 

result local playdates were placed in the Dial 

BOXOFFICE 

; 

12. 1956 

JJwii, 

These groups were snapped by the photograplur at the

Kansas-Missouri Allied 

Session 

Stresses Ways to Win Patrons 

(Continued from preceding pagei 

with good results even if you yourself consider 

this type of thing "drivel." He showed 

slides to illustrate good and bad advertising, 

and made these significant points: (1) the 

first five or ten words are the most important; 

(2) let an ad "breathe"; (3) weigh your 

ads like a telegram; (4) put your "barker" 

at the top and let it float; (5) sell your picture, 

not the playdate. 

Pi-esident Miller commented he found the 

slogan, "More Show for Your Dough." used 

in radio advertising was bringing more people 

per car to his drive-ins. He also mentioned 

his own success in using animals—alligators, 

monkeys, baboons and bears—for publicity 

purposes. When his Cowtown Drive-In at 

St. Joseph was getting ready to open, his 

selection of a name aroused the indignation 

of some of the town's citizens to the point of 

writing letters to the local papers. If answers 

lagged, he nudged them into further frenzy 

by writing rebuttals of his own. 

Komp Jarrett of the Trail Drive-In at Nevada, 

Mo., even capitalized on the drought 

situation, offering rainchecks if it rained at 

any time during a show during a certain period. 

This resulted in a world of local publicity. 

SAYS IT'S QUICK MONEY 

Jay Wooten presented a stunt which worked 

at Hutchinson and credited his energetic 

manager, Dick Wright, with the idea. This 

was for screen advertising and Wooten insists 

the plan can mean quick money for exhibitors. 

The Ayr-Vu or Southutch Drive-In 

issued tickets to merchants who took trailer 

ads at $10 a week. Merchants gave out the 

tickets to their customers and later "redeemed" 

them at a nominal sum. The free 

ticket was for any Monday or Tuesday night 

and had to be accompanied by a paid admission, 

so everyone including the patron 

was happy about the deal. Also, Wooten said 

it was something which could be worked out 

with the film companies, on percentage pictures, 

unless it might be MGM. 

After a report from John Hilburn, president 

of the Advertising and Sales Executives 

Club, following the buffet all-industry luncheon 

sponsored by the Coca-Cola Co., Ben 

Shlyen, editor and publisher of BOXOFFICE, 

spoke briefly in which he commented on the 

fact that he was glad to see other than Allied 

members at the gathering. He suggested 

some exhibitors have been laggard about 

leading patrons to the boxoffice by quality 

showmanship and expressed the hope that 

exhibitor and distributor relations will be 

rebuilt to the satisfaction of both. 

URGES WORK, FAITH, PEACE 

"Showmanship is not dead," Shlyen said, 

"and I 

am glad to see this exchange of ideas. 

We need to give our problems more time, 

more thought and more attention. But you 

can't sell by crying on each other's shoulders 

or just by telling your troubles. In the motion 

picture business we are selling happiness 

to our patrons and we can't do this 

wearing gloomy faces. The division between 

the various branches of the industry is very 

narrow and can be bridged." 

Mike Simons, director of customer relations 

for MGM, injected a note of optimism 

when he called attention to some figures 

that challenge the current contention that 

there are less theatres in this country today 

than before by pointing out that in 1944, 

MGM started out to put its trademark on 

every theatre screen in the United States 

and Canada. MGM succeeded in reaching 

17,698 theatres. In February of 1956, with 

few drive-ins open and without counting Canada, 

the trademark reached 17.710 theatres, 

12 more than in 1944—and it was not drivein 

season for much of the country. 

Simons warned that for those who thought 

they were making pictures for the Music Hall 

in New York instead of for small-town audiences 

that more small-town patrons see 

pictures 

at the Music Hall in New York every 

week than in any small-town theatre in the 

United States. He felt that the tieup arranged 

by MGM with Quaker Oats on a 

couple of pictures had been misinterpreted 

by Allied in the warning issued by A. F. 

Myers, the organization's counsel, when he 

sent out letters attacking the deal. The result 

was that the fii-st picture did not do as 

well on this but the kids forced the issue on 

"Forbidden Planet" and it proved its worth. 

"There is no overall cure." Simons insisted. 

"Every picture is a one-shot deal, and the 

situation changes every week, so that adjustments 

have to be made to meet the change. 

However, the folks who are going around like 

the lumbering Bre'r Bear in the Uncle Remus 

stories with only one line, 'Le's knock his 

head off.' are not being practical about economic 

conditions. Analyze your potential in 

your situation and you'll probably find that 

you are playing to about 2,500 of a possible 

audience of 10.000. Concentrate on getting 

that other 7.500 into your theatre." 

After Al Sindlinger, analyst, spoke on the 

research his company has made (and which 

is reported in another section of this issue). 

Ben Berger. chairman of the Allied EDC 

ROUNDUP—Jay Wooten, exhibitor at 

Hutchinson, Kas., made a trip to the 

Dodge City celebration where Tex Ritter 

made an appearance. This photo shows 

Tex., left, and Wooten with Barbara 

Ann Bristol, daughter of exhibitor Wallace 

Bristol at Meade, Kas., who was riding 

in one of the events, and two of her 

young friends, Diane Copple (extreme 

left) Johna Lou Wolfe (extreme right). 

committee and president of North Central 

Allied, gave a talk on the plight of the small 

exhibitor. 

Berger. who has been speaking around the 

country to a number of exhibitor conventions 

on the same platform with Mike Simons, commented 

"Mike is a wonderful guy but he 

reminds me of a mother with a couple of 

active little tots who keep messing things up 

and she has to come along and clean up after 

the young ones." Berger contended the Quaker 

Oats campaign misunderstanding was due 

to an attempt to sound out the 22 Allied 

units and that the Allied board analyzed reports 

which came in and ended up being sold 

on the deal. 

Then he lashed out at the film companies, 

whom he accused of "hypnotizing" personalities 

and trade publications, among which 

he included BOXOFFICE and its publisher. 

He used such strong terms as "thievery" 

when he insisted two short subjects had to be 

contracted for each week, and when these 

were not available, had to be paid for anyway. 

CASE FOR SMALL THEATRES 

"The film companies have not only deprived 

those of us who cannot pay 50 per 

cent for a well-advertised picture but they 

have deprived the people," he argued. "The 

people they have deprived are those who cannot 

patronize the high-priced theatres. They 

are the pensioners, the unemployed, the ones 

who have sickness which has drained their 

resources. The distributors have muscled 

themselves in as partners and we have got 

to get this Capone influence out. Now it is 

like waving a sizzling steak in front of hungry 

people when you advertise pictures they 

cannot afford to see. I tell you the public is 

going to demand our product like they did 

penicillin. Small theatre conditions are getting 

progressively worse and that's why the 

small attendance at this convention is disheartening—because 

you can easily break a 

single toothpick, but not a bundle of them 

together." 

Fred Harpst, general manager of local Allied, 

gave his talk on "Product Outlook" and 

rental terms at the closed meeting which 

followed Berger's talk. It was too late to hold 

the business meeting and election 

of officers, 

so this was postponed until a later date, the 

same officers continuing to hold over. 

The convention wound up with a cocktail 

party, at which the United Film Service acted 

as host, and then adjourned to the Muehlebach 

brewery for a rathskeller party. 

Most decisions to go to the movie are made 

about three hours before the show, reports 

analyst Al Sindlinger. He also says that 

women are being repelled by certain types 

of theatre ads which are directed at the male 

patron. He found that 200 women interviewed 

did not want to see a certain picture because 

of the newspaper advertising. In the 

32 situations where the particular ads were 

used, the picture fell on its face. 

Among the exhibitors and wives in attendance 

were Mr. and Mrs. Glen Cooper of Dodge 

City. Kas.; Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Miller of 

Jefferson City; Mi-, and Mrs. Herbert Jeans, 

Columbia; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Porta, Osceola; 

Mr. and Mrs. A. N. Peterson, Greenfield. Mo. 

Incidentally. Mrs. Porta and Mrs. Peterson 

not only are sisters but look-alikes and are 

frequently mistaken for each other on Filmrow. 

"The only time we object," they said, 

"is when they get our bills mixed up." 

BOXOFFICE

: 

and 

: 

end 

: 

ager 

: 

and 

: 

Avon 

he 

New Loop Crop Misses 

Hoped-for Returns 

CHICAGO—Six highly publicized first 

run films in the Loop area didn't boost busiluss 

to the high brackets anticipated, bad 

weather unquestionably being a fly in the 

ointment. "The Birds and the Bees" at the 

State Lake was the outstanding new entry. 

Never Say Goodbye" at the Grand and "The 

Last Hunt" at the Roosevelt, two other newcomers, 

were also good grossers. "Magic Fire" 

held up fine in its second week at the Monroe. 

The same was true of "The Swan" in 

its third week at the United Artists Theatre. 


Carnegie The Night My Number Come Up 

Dis.) (Conf! 190 

Ch,cago— Serenade ( WB) 210 

C.nemo Innocents in Paris 1 75 

(Tudor) 

Eitels Palace Cinerama Holiday (Cinerama), 

50th wk 350 

Grand Never Say Goodbye (U-l); The River 

Changes (WB) 215 

Loop Meet Me wk...2l5 

in Las Vegas (MGM), 3rd 

McVickcrs Oklohoma! (Mogno), 19^ wk 275 

Fire Monroe Magic (Rep), 2nd wk 220 

Oriental The Man in the Groy Flannel Suit 

(20th-Fox), 5th wk 210 

Roosevelt— The Lost Hunt fMGM); The Noked 

Street UAi 215 

State Lake The 240 

Birds and the Bees (Poro) 

Surf Ballet ot Romeo and Juliet (Tohon) 180 

United Artist The Swon (MGM), 3rd wk 230 

Woods—The Harder They Fall (Col), 4th wk...200 

World Playhouse Hamlet (Jacon) 175 

Ziegfeld Diobolique (UMPO), 20th wk 190 

'Gaby' Scores 250% 

At Kansas City Kimo 

KANSAS CITY—"Gaby," opening at the 

Kimo, art house in the Armour-Main street 

area, grossed 250 to lead the town. Other 

first runs barely made average. 

Glen Too Bad She's Bad (Getz-Kingsley), 2nd 

wk 90 

K.mo Gaby (MGM) 250 

Midland The Lost Hunt (MGM); It's o Dog's 

Life (MGM) 90 

Kiss Missouri— the Blood Off My Hands (U-l); 

Johnny Stool Pigeon (U-l), reissues 100 

Paramount— Jubol (Col), 2nd wk 

Rox^ —Meet Me in Los Vegas (MGM), 

85 

wk...100 

2nd 

Tower Uptown Fairway and Granada Never Soy 

Goodbye (U-l); A Doy of Fury (U-l) 90 

(U-l), Vogue Touch and Go 2nd wk 100 

Reopens at Herrin, 111. 

HERRIN. ILL.—The 425-seat Annex Theatre. 

Marlow circuit unit which was heavily 

damaged by fire last July, has reopened. 

Under the summer season plans of John Marlow, 

operating head of the circuit, the Annex 

will be open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 

and the Marlow, 1,400-seater, on Fridays, 

Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. The circuit 

also operates Marlow's Drive-In on Route 148. 

To Reopen at Hardin 

HARDIN, MO.—Kenneth Bachman and J. 

D. Martin are reopening the Bach-Mar Theatre 

here. The theatre has been clased about 

four years, and Bachman and Martin hope 

to have it open by June 2. 

Adolphe Menjou will star with Debbie Reynolds 

and Eddie Fisher in RKO's "Bundle of 

Joy." 

INDUSTRY 

PROFILE' 

Tom Dowd Says living 

With Film 

Is First Step in Good Promotion 

CHICAGO—To Tom Dowd, midwest district 

manager for United Motion Picture 

Organization, a good program of consistent 

promotion is 

a highly important 

part of a manager's 

job. His past performance 

and current 

operations indicate 

that he ha.. 

worked out his own 

sound logic for productively 

carrying 

out picture promotion. 

Basically, it 

amounts to this- Thomas Dowd 

before a film opens, 

he studies all the pertinent and available 

material connected with the picture and 

then he "lives" with it. 

Tom has literally "lived" the theatre 

business since 1937 when he started with 

Warner Theatres as an usher in the 

Brooklyn Strand. It is apparent that his 

enthusiasm for the theatre struck a 

proper note, for next he was advanced to 

assistant manager and to treasurer. He 

w-as associated with Warners until 1945, 

with a stint in the Navy during World 

War II making the sole break in his 

eight-year record with this organization. 

Tom acknowledges he has a penchant 

for sticking with a job. A run-down of 

his background proves he sees jobs through 

for all they have to offer. He makes a 

move when a move is provident. After 

leaving the Warner circuit, Tom became 

manager of the Ambassador at Broadway 

and 49th, New York City, where he remained 

for three years. When he developed 

an interest in art-type films 

(Which interest hasn't lessened during the 

subsequent years i joined Lopert's art 

theatres, as manager of the 55th Street 

Avenue playhouses. 

His next move was in the art house 

of the business; he took over as manof 

the Beacon Hill Theatre in Boston, 

served in the same capacity with the 

Cinema in Providence, R. I. 

Before coming to Chicago in April 1954, 

i 

his first real venture into the midwe--, tn 

State Not to Be Sold 

IRONTON. MO.—Frank L. Plumlee of 

Edwards & Plumlee Theatres, Farmington, 

Mo., owners of the State Theatre here, this 

week advised that there was no basis in fact 

for a report that the State wâs to be sold. 

Plumlee said that reports of the sale were 

mere rumors. 

manage the Ziegfeld Theatre, he spent 

some time as a publicist with Universal- 

International, handling the world premiere 

of "Creature From the Black Lagoon" In 

Detroit and "The Glenn Miller Story" in 

the New England area. 

Shortly after the first of this year he 

added the post of district manager for 

UMPO here, currently releasing "The 

Sheep Has Five Legs," "Holiday for 

Hemietta" and "Diabolique." Tom calls 

hi.s association with Richard Davis, president 

of UMPO, a "happy one to say the 

least." He considers Mr. DavLs one of the 

most progressive leaders In the foreign 

film business today. "We are in sound 

agreement on two prime factors as necessities 

in the theatre ... a good picture 

and a good publicity campaign!" said 

Dowd. "Instead of the tried and true campaigns, 

it takes new ideas such as the 

policy of barring all patrons once 'Diabolique- 

.starts." This policy limits the 

ticket-selling time to 13 minutes for every 

show at the Ziegfeld. The effect ivene.ss 

of this one little angle can be measured 

enthusiastically at the boxoffice, as "Diabolique" 

has generously outgrossed "Come 

Back, Little Sheba" in comparable running 

time. 

"The smallest angle," declared Dowd. 

"might easily be the biggest selling point 

in promotion." He cites "Mile. Gobette" as 

an example. During its run at the Ziegfeld 

he used original ads (disregarding the 

pressbook ads entirely) wîth smart limericks 

to describe the story and an array 

of illustrations. The film racked up the 

highest opening day gross the Ziegfeld had 

enjoyed in two years, while other openings 

at the same time were completely uneventful. 

Tom says he believes it is necessary 

sometimes to pass up the "obvious" selling 

angle and concentrate on copy which has 

appeal to the reader. "Publicity and promotion," 

he said, "should receive a great 

deal more thought than they receive today. 

No matter how good the film, it will 

still require an appropriate publicity campaign 

to fill the theatre seats." 

Currently. Tom is working up a spark- 

Knc campaieii i-": Frenrh Can Can.- 

1 Mo.-CENTRAL SHIPP. & INSPECTION, Konsos Cify-Grand 2094 

NATL THEATRE SUPPLY, St. Louis—Je»erson 1-6350 

, Kansos-THEATRE SERVICE Co , Inc., Topcka-Tel 3-7225 

1 Jllinois-KAYLINE COMPANY, Chicago-Tel. Webster 9-4643 

NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY. Chicogo—Wobash 2-8266 

BOXOFFICE 

55

. . Jim 

. . Keith 

. . Rita 

. . Mr. 

. . . Missouri 

. . . Bob 

. . . Kansas 

. . Arthur 

. . J. 

. . Harold 

. . George 

. . Nat 

. . Jerry 

. . George 

. . 65 

. . Kansas 

. . Colosseum 

: May 

I 

ANSAS CITY 

lyiike Daniel, who has been a student booker 

at Universal, has been transferred to the 

booking staff of the Seattle office. Larry 

Klein, office manager, and his wife drove to 

Florida for a two-week vacation . 

and 

Mrs. Bob Robison of Grant City, were Filmrow 

visitors and said it would be .several 

months before they could reopen their theatre 

because of the fire damage . . . Patti 

Pierstorff of Warner Bros, is in Ti-inity Lutheran 

Hospital for observation. 

Mrs. J. A. Becker, wife of the president of 

Associated Theatres at Independence, is 

seriously ill at her home. 939 S. Main Street 

Castle, Paramount exploiteer, spent 

several days last week in town. He headquarters 

in St. Louis . 

Kiefer, billing 

department at Allied Artists, will be married 

in St. Vincent's Parish House to Jim 

Sherrow. She will return to work after an 

Ozark honeymoon . 

Blackburn of 

Shreve Theatre Supply installed lamps and 

rectifiers in the Roxy at Warsaw. 

Stebbins Theatre Supply furnished a pair 

of Bausch & Lomb anaraorphic lenses to Paul 

Ricketts for his drive-in at Ness City, Kas. 

OUR BUSINESS IS SOUND 

'pncd 'm. 

TVatU 

THEATRE SERVICE CO.. INC. 

RELIABLE SOUND SERVICE PAYS 

COMPLETE LINE OF CONCESSIONS 

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 

L & L 

POPCORN CO. 

14 West 18th St. Kansos City, Mo, 

ATTENTION, EXHIBITORS! 

SHREVE THEATRE SUPPLY ^^H 

HA 1-7849 

217 West 18th St. Kansas City, Mo. 

Everything for the Stage 

• CURTAINS • TRACKS • RIGGING • STAGE 

LIGHTING • HOUSE DRAPERIES 

GREAT WESTERN STAGE EQUIPT. CO. 

1324 Grand Kansas City. Missouri 

FIRST IN CONCESSIONS 

-SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 

Midwest Popcorn Co. 

25th & Parallel 

Ricketts has sold his home in Holyrood and 

has his family with him in Ness City, where 

he also has the Ness Theatre. He has a 

manager for his Charm Theatre in Holyrood 

exhibitors seen recently on 

Filmrow include L. O. Regan, Buckner; 

Dewey L. Kiser, Gallatin: Forrest White, 

Hopkins; Bill Presley, Hamilton; Dave Williams, 

King City; Doc and Mrs. Cook, Maryville. 

Tom Bailey, MGM manager, made a trip 

to St. Louis w^here his wife underwent major 

surgery at St. Anthony's Hospital Friday (4i 

Johns. MGM salesman, has been in 

St. Mary's Hospital two weeks for observation 

. . . Margaret Dawson of the MGM con- 

tract department has left and will move to 

California . . Ruby Molder has resigned to 

become secretary to M. B. Smith, publicity 

and advertising director at Commonwealth 

Theatres "Count" de Stefano of 

National 

. 

Theatre Supply made a business 

trip to Omaha. 

Columbia Division Manager Ben Marcus 

met Rube Jackter, assistant sales manager, 

in Minneapolis and came back here Wednesday 

(91 with Jackter for a meeting with 

Manager Tom Baldwin . 

Winkler, 

booking clerk, parked before 9 a. m. in front 

of the office and his car was towed to the 

police garage at 11th and Charlotte. It cost 

him $10 to get it back . Hechtman of 

Capitol Flag & Banner Co. says he has had 

to put on extra help to handle orders. These 

show "Serenade" and "The Revolt of Mamie 

Stover" as registering highest on the week's 

business barometer. 

Elmer Rhoden jr. and Dick Orear, president 

and executive vice-president of Commonwealth 

Theatres, and their wives went 

on a fishing trip to the Ozarks. According 

to Rhoden. they caught nothing but rain, 

but were philosophical about it. thinking how 

much it would help theatre business. Maybe 

they ought to take a similar trip to western 

Kansas, hoping for similar results, Rhoden 

said. He reports the purchase of about 

$35,000 worth of mechanical playground 

equipment for Commonwealth drive-ins. 

Woodie Latimer and Chris Bean of L&L 

Popcorn exhibited the Roto-Grille at the National 

Restaurant show in Chicago May 7 

through May 11. There were 1,300 booths 

Filmi-ow- visitors reported include 

Dick Whitley, Mid-Central at Manhattan; 

Lon Cox, Salina; Harry Hixon, Atchison; 

Hank Doering, Garnett . 

Kopulos 

of Regal Poppers Supply made a business trip 

to Omaha Larson is closing his 

indoor house at Webb City, except for weekends, 

while operating his drive-in. 

Manager Bert Becker has been transferred 

from Commonwealth's Sunset Drive-In at 

Washington. Mo., to the Pawnee Drive-In at 

North Platte, Neb. Dick Womack was transferred 

from the Pawnee to the Great Bend 

iKas.) Drive-In . Wadlington has 

closed his Kansan at Fredonia and will just 

operate his drive-in during the summer 

months . W. Snyder and associates will 

close the Mainstreet May 12 at Oakley, Kas.. 

and only operate the Center Theatre and the 

new drive-in, which is scheduled to open 

May 17. 

Dick Wright, city manager for Jay Wooten's 

theatres in Hutchinson, became a 

grandfather Thursday i3i. The new baby 

is a boy. Wright manages Wooten's two driveins 

and Midland Theatre in Hutchinson. 

Barbara Yeamans, former secretary to 

M. B. Smith at Commonwealth Theatres, was 

mai-ried recently to Joseph White, who is in 

the building business. She is the daughter of 

Mrs. L. J. Kimbriel and was given in marriage 

by her stepfather exhibitors visiting 

the Row recently included George 

Nescher, Valley Falls; Glen Dulac, Onaga; 

. 

Lawrence Gilbreath, Lucas; R. F. Fite, El 

Dorado; Leon Pugh, Fort Scott. Missouri 

visitors were Harley Fryer, Lamar; Mr. and 

Mrs. Elmer Bills from Salisbury on their way 

back from his Oklahoma operations; J. Leo 

Hayob, Marshall members and 

their wives held a party at the Holiday Inn. 

Three St. Louis Closings 

ST. LOUIS—The LaCosa Theatre. 632- 

seat F&M unit, closed for the summer after 

the final show the evening of Sunday (6). 

The Virginia, 881-seat Fred Wehrenberg 

house, was scheduled to close May 12. General 

business conditions will determine its 

future. The Pauline Theatre, 750-seater, 

owned and operated for many years by Arthur 

Kalbfell. has been closed indefinitely. 

BOWLING 

KANSAS CITY—The final standings of the 

men's teams of the Filmrow Bowling League 

Team Won Lost Team Won Lost 

Dixie 78 SO Filmrow 60 68 

?? 

Shreve's 76 52 Mode O'Day 59 69 

Manley 68 60 Alley Rots 58 70 

Ppcrn 

Thrjftwoy 63 United Film .48 

REGAL POPPERS SUPPLY 

1813 Baltimore BA 1-9766 

Kansas City, Mo. 

STEBBINS THEATRE 

F/ovo-R/te's 

ORIGINAL 

SHRIMP ROLL, 

PIZZA PUFF 

end TURKEY 

STEAMROLLER 

r r'rwf^^ f» T»v>> > ^ 

SEE KIM FOR 

The Best Deal in Single-Trock, 

netic-Sound Reproducing Equipm 

MISSOURI THEATRE 

SUPPLY COMPANY 

St. 

i. Mo. 

> 2-3070 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

12, 1956

. . Maurice 

. . Loge 

: 

May 

. . William 

. . The 

ST. 

LOUIS 

TTariety Tent 4 will stage a spring festival 

May 26 at 8 p. m. in the Kiel Auditorium, 

with the proceeds to go into its Heart fund. 

The program will featme the Crew Cuts and 

Blue Bai-ron's orchestra. In addition to a 

talent show and dance contest, there will be 

square dancing for the young-of-heart. The 

booths will be managed by members of Tent 

4 in full regalia to provide the necessary atmosphere 

. 19, Colosseum of Motion 

Picture Salesmen of America, planned a 

luncheon meeting in the Melbourne Hotel 

Saturday U2). National officers of the Colosseum 

and all honorary members of Loge 19 

were invited to attend the meeting. 

MITO officers and directors heard a report 

from Paul Krueger, vice-president, and 

1956 convention chairman, on the plans for 

that gathering to be held here August 27 

and 28. Bernard Temborius of Lebanon, 111., 

and Jimmy James of St. Louis reported on 

the final details for the June 12 meeting to 

be held at the Locust HlUs Country Club, 

Lebanon, 111. 

iVIary Jane Webb, private secretary to Clarence 

Ritzier. MGM office manager, has returned 

to work after ilhiess had kept her off 

the job smce late in March . C. 

Earle jr. has resigned from the sales staff of 

National Theatre Supply and on May 15 will 

become a salesman for the Missouri-Illinois 

Tractor & Equipment Co., distributors of 

road building and general construction equipment. 

He will cover the northern parts of 

St. Louis and St. Louis County. He joined 

National Theatre Supply under his father, 

Wilham C. Earle, St. Louis manager, in September 

1945. 

A. C. Brown, an auditor for Paramount, 

is back in St. Louis for the first time since 

1936. Upon arrival he sought to telephone 

the old Beers Hotel, Grand boulevard at Olive 

street, where he formerly stayed, to make a 

reservation—only to find it had disappeared 

from the local scene. Prior to World War 

II, he covered auditing assignments in various 

parts of Europe over a period of some 

12 years. He discovered there have been 

many changes here since his last visit to 

town . Schweitzer, Allied Artists 

manager, visited exhibitors in Jacksonville, 

Jerseyville, Marion and Benton, 111., during 

the week. 

The assets of the bankrupt McCarty Theatre 

Supply Co. were sold at public auction 

Friday (4). Principal items sold were office 

furniture, fixtures and equipment It has 

been many years since such a sad scene took 

place along Filmrow. Some firms have alltime 

highs for income and profits: others 

the smaller ones—go broke, it appears. The 

bidding wasn't too lively or high . . . The 

world premiere of "The Proud Ones" will be 

staged at the St. Louis Theatre June 1. The 

accompanying picture will be the short subject 

in Cinemascope, "Land of the Bible." 

Gordon Halloran and his sales staff have already 

lined up some 120 playdates for the 

picture in the St. Louis film territory. 

Pat O'Brien, Hollywood star, speaks at a 

banquet In the Chase Hotel Sunday (13) in 

connection with the celebration of the 100th 

anniversary in the Archdiocese of St. Louis 

of the Sisters of Mercy. The celebration will 

also include a two-day pageant in the Kiel 

Opera House to be presented by 350 college 

and high school students . Better Films 

Council here will have its annual luncheon 

and Installation of the 1956-57 officers at the 

Congress Hotel Friday il8) ... Former State 

Sen. Milton Napier, who is a vice-president 

and general counsel of the Better Films 

Council, on May 1 was presented the prized 

American Legion Award medal by the Clarence 

Sodemann Post No. 203 for meritorious 

services rendered over a period of many years 

to the Legion, its members and to servicemen 

generally. 

Charles L. Ciine, 49. a former member of 

projectionists Local 143. died of cancer April 

23 at Lake Charles. La. Cline served as an 

operator in various local theatres for some 

ten years prior to 1943. He retained membership 

in the union until 1953. He was a 

nephew and namesake of Charles L. Cline, 

who founded Local 143 in 1908, serving as its 

first president. The younger Cline served 

as a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy 

during World War II. In recent years he 

headed a farm bureau in Lake Charles. 

Jesse Chinich. Buena Vista western division 

manager, was a recent visitor here . . . 

The 61 Drive-In on U. S. 61 at Pevely now 

is operating on a full week schedule. Pi-eviously 

it was open weekends only. 

f 

Central headquarters 

CHUAOOAN.S ON LOT — Howard 

Lubliner. rieht, second generation of the 

pioneer Lubliner & Trinz circuit operators 

in ChicaBo, and Mrs. Lubliner were recent 

Hollywood visitors. During their stay 

they met producer-director Cecil B. De- 

Mille on the Paramount lot. They are 

shown with DeMille in the Paramount 

studio commi.ssary beneath framed enlargements 

of Charlton Heston and Yul 

Brynner, who are among the stars in De- 

Mille's "The Ten Commandments." 

for Complete Theatre equipment 

OUTDOOR THEATRES 

Ballantyne is your complete source. From famous Dub'l- 

Cone speakers to any operating supplies. Soundheads, 

projectors, arc lamps, amplification systems, parts. One 

call to Ballantyne covers everything. 

INDOOR THEATRES 

From carbons to complete sound systems for any size 

theatre. Magnetic or optical. All types of lenses. All are 

in slock at Ballantyne. 

FAST SERVICE on all Stock Items 

^Mmfinp^ 

1712 Jackson OMAHA, NEBRASKA 

"SELECT" FOUNTAIN SYRUPS 

DRINK DISPENSERS 

Select Drink Inc. 

yVWAJWSAWWWSJV^Â/SA/WV'i^V^^ 

EVERYTHING FOR THE THEATRE 

St. Louis Theatre Supply Company 

Mn. Arch Holler 

Bernard J. McCarthy, sales mgr. 

3310 Olive Street, St. Louii 3, Mo. 

Telephone JEtterton 3-7974 

BOXOFFICE : 

12, 1956 

57

. . Irving 

WE Will DO 

THE ENTIRE 

JOB FOR YOU 

. „ew drive-in 

theotre or 

„y„up.ontoercc.onew 

^^^_^^^^^_^^^^ 

conten^plot^ conver,.n9 ^-'J_,^.,„„„ „. 

'-"""; .rsoltUy 

noMet u, -o .He 

''""':: 

-'•""' we wi« design. 

Tl 

pcTR nrr 

office 

THEATRE EOUIPMENl CO 

Rio Now Has Those Famous Blue 

Sutherland Carry-Out Trays in Stock 

$1750 

per 1,000 

Other trays from $14.00 per thousand 

F.O.B St. Louis, Mo. 

A.A. THEATRE CONCESSION 

Distributors . . . 

SUPPLY CO. 

/\ 

• CASTLEBERRY'S FOODS 

• CANDIES 

• POPCORN 

• SEASONING 

• PAPER ITEMS 

1538 Tower Grove Ave., St. Louis 10, Mo. 

1321 S. WABASH 

NEW YORK. H.y. 

Phone MOhowk 4-9579 

SPECIAL 

TRAILERS 

riLMACK 

^—mirM-^^:ill^^^.iKvn^Î^ 

AREAD BOXOFHCE WANT ADS! 

SEND US YOUR NEXT TRAILER ORDER. 

WE GUARANTEE SATISFACTION! 

CHICAGO 

pjore Schary .stopped here en route to New 

York . Mack has appointed Theatre 

Poster Service of Oklahoma City as 

Filmack representative to provide more per- 

.'•onalized service for exhibitors in the southwest. 

The Oklahoma City company is operated 

by Bob and Charles Smith at 625 West 

California. 

R. W. Favaro, formerly of the Hilton Hotel, 

is new assistant to MGM publicist Norman 

Pyle. He succeeds William J. Schaefer, promoted 

to handle publicity out of the Omaha 

and Des Moines offices . . . During April, the 

Chicago Censor Board reviewed 77 films 

Three were rejected, two were placed in the 

adults-only category; 18 were foreign films. 

"Helen of Troy" will open at the State Lake 

May 16. Diana Kanakis of Decatur, 111., acclaimed 

the most beautiful Greek beauty in 

the recent statewide "Helen of Troy" contest, 

will be here May 14 for newspaper, TV and 

radio interviews . . . The Four-Star Theatre 

is being renovated in gradual stages. To 

date, a new confection counter in the lobby, 

new carpeting throughout and a number of 

redecorating features have improved the theatre's 

appearance. 

Opening of "The Searchers" at the Chicago 

May 16 will be highlighted by John Wayne 

on the stage. This will be the star's first appearance 

here in 20 years. His welcome will 

be embellished with every frill imaginable, 

including special greetings from Mayor Richard 

J. Daley and Gov. William Stratton. The 

latter will present a citation to Wayne as 

"The No. 1 Man of Motion Pictures" on behalf 

of the motion picture industry of Illinois. 

Hardly a week goes by that Herb Ellisburg, 

managing director of the Essaness Halsted 

Outdoor Theatre, doesn't introduce a 

new entertainment feature. The latest is the 

revival of band music. Every Sunday at dusk 

the marches of Sousa and other great composers 

are heard as part of the regular program. 

Patrons may request favorite numbers 

... Ed Mager, in the industry more than 

40 years, died recently. He was associated 

with Allied Theatres of Illinois. 

Several members of the 'Variety Club of Illinois 

attended the annual convention of 

Variety International in New York City this 

week, including Irving Mack, Johnny Jones, 

Mike Stern, Sam Levinsohn, Mannie Smerling 

and Dudley Gazolla . . . The Cinema 

Theatre has promoted Dennis Bell to assistant 

manager. A classical musical, "I've Always 

Loved You," opened there May 11. The 

Cinema from time to time brings back old 

films with comparative success. 

Vacations made news: Ben Klitzner, manager 

of the Maryland, went to Florida. Frank 

Riley, who .spends his time at both the Maryland 

and Tivoli, assumed Klitzner's duties. 

B. M. Nagle was holding the fort at the 

Lakeside while Manager Jack DeWiggins 

visited his parents in Florida. Lou Abramson. 

assistant to Jack Kirsch, was vacationing 

in California. Eddie Seguin of B&K's 

publicity staff was in Tucson for a week. 

Ann King, cashier at the Tivoli, planed to 

Europe. Ethel Buccieri of Filmack Ti-ailer 

Co. went to Hot Springs, Ark. 

RESEARCH BUREAU 

for 

MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS 

ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMATION 

The MODERN THEATRE 

PLANNING INSTITUTE 

825 Van Brunt Blvd. 

Kansas City 24, Mo. 

Gentlemen: 

Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU 

lo receive information regularly, as released, on 

Ihe lollowing subjects lor Theatre Planning: 

n Acoustics 

n Air Conditioning 

n Architectural Service 

n "Black" Lighting 

n Building Material 

n Carpets 

n Coin Machines 

n Complete Remodeling 

n Decorating 

n Drink Dispensers 

n Drive-In Equipment 

n Other Subjects . 

Theatre 

Seating Capacity... 

Address 

City 

State 

Signed 

n Lighting Fixtures 

n Plumbing Fixtures 

n Projectors 

n Projection Lamps 

n Seating 

n Signs and Marquees 

n Sound Equipment 

D Television 

n Theatre Fronts 

n Vending Equipment 

Postage-paid reply cards for your further convenience 

in obtaining information are provided in The MODERN 

THEATRE Section, published with the first issue of 

each month. 

BOXOFFICE May 12, 1956

• 

ARTHUR, 

'- 

'- 

NARTB Session Foresees 

New Markets for Film 

CHICAGO—An entirely new market for industrial 

and educational films, represented 

by motion picture distribution through 

closed-circuit television in school systems, 

was foreseen by experts participating in a film 

workshop at the Morrison Hotel. Bryon L. 

Friend, chairman of the workshop sessions 

panel and president of Telecine Film Studios, 

said that this type of motion picture distribution 

is just coming into use in some large 

cities. 

The workshop represented the first meeting 

of a committee appointed during the recent 

National Ass'n of Radio and Television 

Broadcasters convention to deal with problems 

of TV films and motion picture films. 

The importance of film for overcoming 

time problem,'-, and bridging distances was 

stressed by Don Meier, producer-director of 

NBC-TV's "Zoo Parade," and participant in 

the workshop. 

O. H. Coelln jr., editor and publisher of 

Business Screen Magazine, said that contrary 

to popular belief the use of an industrial 

film on TV increases its circulation instead 

of decreasing it. He explained that 

program chairmen who see a TV presentation 

of an industrial or educational film ask for 

it for their own social or educational group. 

In addition to expressions on the expanded 

use of the motion picture in various media, 

the panel discussed attendant production 

problems, such as audience interest in the 

use of copyrighted materials, including music 

and scripts. The group also covered new 

processes and techniques in the industry, including 

multiple camera filming techniques 

and the magnetic video recorder. 

Other members of the workshop sessions 

panel were Reed Drummond, Fuller. Smith 

& Ross Agency: Henry Ushijima, director 

of Production Services, George W. Colburn 

Laboratory; Neal Keehn. vice-president. Calvin 

Co.. Kansas City: Edward L. Gordy, assistant 

general manager of Research Development. 

Standard Oil of Indiana; Bill 

Stern, Information Supervisor in charge of 

film and audio-visual materials, Illinois Bell 

Telephone Co.; Donald Buck, Department of 

Research, Coronet Instructional Films: Harry 

Trieg, National Broadcasting Co. 

of Alger Theatres, petitioned the council 

to lower or possibly abolish the city license 

fee of the theatre. The theatre spokesman 

called the council's attention to license fees 

in other communities the size of Mendota 

which were considerably lower than the $300 

fee paid by the State Theatre. Larson said 

the theatre has not advanced its prices and 

has four complete changes of pictures each 

week. He also said many teenagers petitioned 

him to reduce prices for that age 

group, 

Spencer Johnson, local Chamber of Commerce 

manager, reminded the council that a 

town without a theatre is a "dead" town in 

the evenings. He recommended the council 

consider lowering the license fee. Any action 

will be retroactive to May 1, when all city 

licenses ai-e renewed. 

Buys Sumner, Dl., House 

SUMNER, ILL.—The Idaho Theatre, 300- 

seater which had been dark for some time, 

has reopened under the ownership and management 

of D. L. Simmons. He said he is 

considering the construction of a drive-in 

theatre near here. 

Ozoner Launches 8th Season 

NORTH JUDSON, IND.—Dick Hand recently 

opened the Melody Drive-In at Ba.ss 

Lake. This is Hand's eighth season in operating 

the outdoor theatre which has just 

been equipped with a widescreen and facilities 

for showing the newer films. 

KMTA Board Meets May 16 

KANSAS CITY—Kansas-Missouri Theatre 

Owners Ass'n will hold its regular board 

meeting on Wednesday (16) at its offices in 

the Paramount building. A buffet luncheon 

will be served. Don Burnett of Larned, Kas., 

is president. 

Charles Smith Buys Theatre 

ILL.—Charles E. Smith has 

closed a deal with Mr. and Mrs. Harold Ramage 

for the Lamar Theatre and takes over 

the operation of that 265-seat house Sunday. 

May 13. Smith is a resident of Ai'thur. 

High Water Marks Erased 

ARCADIA, WIS.-Thf Vugui- Theatre here, 

which wa.s closed at the time of the recent 

flood waters. Is again open for business. 

Manager Leland has worked hard to get the 

building back in shape. At the high point of 

the flood seven feet of water stood In the 

auditorium. 


INCREASE SNACK BAR 

SALES! 

with a 

BRAND NEW 

SPOT TAG 





*hile they try ro cotch him with their spotlights 

. . . ends with o plug for your Snack Bar. 



OVER AND OVER 

Price 

only 

51750 

Moil PicToni Smii CD. 

THE BEST . . 

Advertising Method ... is 

PROGRAMS! 

FREE! 

Sample 

Kit! 

FREE! 

Aldermen Propose a Move 

Against Segregation 

ST. LOUIS—A proposed city ordinance has 

been presented to the local board of aldermen 

to eliminate racial discrimination in 

public places, including hotels, restaurants 

and amusement place.s. and giving the St. 

Louis Council on Human Relations power to 

conduct investigations of alleged discriminatory 

practices, hold public and private hearings, 

subpoena witnesses, administer oaths 

and take testimony. 

The bill was introduced by four Democratic 

aldermen from the Fourth, Sixth. Eighteenth 

and Nineteenth wards, all of which have 

large numbers of Negro residents. The bill 

would have little, if any, effect on theatres 

and drive-ins since there is presently no racial 

discrimination in such amusement 

Film Return Alter Six Years 

Emerging from a six-year retirement, Don 

Castle will enact a key role in Paramounfs 

"Gunfight at the OK Corral." 

HANDY 

Theatrical Advertising Co. 

2310 CASS AVE. DETROIT 1, MICH. 

Phone: Woodward 1-2158 

Mendota Theatreman Asks 

License Fee Reduction 

MENDOTA, ILL.—Harold Larson, manager 

of the State Theatre, and a representative

Cancer and healthy cells seem to feed 

on different kinds of "food." We 

know how to make some cancer cells 

die by starving them. Will we starve 

out all kinds of cancer cells one day? 

Onlv more work and research will tell. 

stances that fight their own tumors. 

When science knows more about antibodies, 

we may have a new cancer 

treatment. Only more work and reirrh 

will 

tell. 

Some cancers are being halted by 

atomic materials. Can new radioactive 

isotopes affect other cancers in the 

same way? Only more work and research 

will tell.

. . Roy 

: May 

. . Jack 

. . George 

'Bold and Brave' Bows 

At 135 in Memphis 

MEMPHIS— 'The Bold and the Brave" did 

35 per cent above average busines.s at the 

Warner Theatre to set the first run attendance 

pace in Memphis. 

(Average U 100) 

Maico Invasion ot the Body Snotchers (AA) . . . . 50 

PolQce—The Swan (MGM) I 00 

State—The Rock (MGM) 75 

Strand—The Come On (AA), 2rnd wk 100 

Warner—The Bold ond the Brovc (RKO) 135 

NEW ORLEANS 

John Williams closed tlie State. Jackson, 

Miss., May 5. Williams also operates the 

first run Lamar in Jackson . Downing 

of the Haven and Rex. Brookhaven, Miss., 

said the Pike Booking Co.. operated by T. G. 

Solomon in McComb, MLss.. will buy and 

book for his theatres. Pike Booking also does 

the booking for the Dixie at Brookhaven, a 

part of Dixie Amusement Co. Downing will 

manage all three theatres there. 

. 

. 

The first run Panorama here, a part of the 

Joy Houck circuit, is undergoing vast improvements. 

New carpets, seats and general 

redecoration are planned Chadwick 

of the 35 Drive-In, Carthage. Miss., has 

been forced to close the drive-in on weekdays. 

Poor business resulted in the partial shutdown 

Varnado, formerly second 

booker at Warner Bros., resigned to enter 

another business. Joe Sacco. former head 

cashier, moved over to the booking department. 

The WOMPI's held their annual Bosses 

luncheon Wednesday (9) at the Variety Club. 

New officers for the 1956-57 term will be 

elected this month . . . F. T. McLendon Theatres 

reopened the Hub Drive-In, Monroeville, 

Ala., Friday (4i for the summer. 

Merger at Brookhaven 

Headed by L. E. Downing 

BROOKHAVEN, MISS.—The Haven, Dixie 

and Rex theatres here have been merged 

under the management of L. E. "Jack" Downing. 

I. A. Foogo had operated the Dixie 11 years. 

Downing took over the operation of the Rex, 

which serves Negro patrons, several months 

ago. The Dixie was taken over April 1 by 

the Pike Amusement Co. of which Teddy Solomon, 

McComb, is president. It had formerly 

been operated by the Dixie Theatre Co., 

which has its main offices in New Orleans. 

Solomon's organization operates theatres 

in Yazoo City, Jackson, Crystal Springs and 

Natchez, Miss. 

Reopens at Demopolis, Ala. 

DEMOPOLIS, ALA.—The Grove Drive-In, 

on Highway 80 near here, has opened for 

the season, offering two shows nightly. 

PersonalHelptoShowmen 

Available at Convention 

ATLANTA— Personal counsclini; .service on 

individual theatre problems will be available 

to all exhibitors attending 

the joint annual 

convention of the 

Alabama 

Ass'n and 

Theatres ^KÎiJV 

the Theatre ^BLtm^ 

I'D 

J • - 

Owners and Operators 

of Georgia May 27-29 

at the Dinkier Plaza 

hotel here. 

Counselors will be 

men from the exhibition 

industry who 

are well qualified by ' 

training and experi- Alfred Starr 

ence to help the individual 

showman on problems of concessions, 

product, advertising or theatre equipment 

and financing. 

The personal counseling service, according 

to J. H. Thompson, president of the 

Georgia group and chairman of the convention 

committee, and R. M. Kennedy, 

president of the Alabama unit, came upon 

the realization that many small exhibitors 

have special problems in their operations 

that are peculiar to their own situations. 

The counseling will be available upon request 

by the individual exhibitor, and it will 

be something new in exhibition conventions, 

according to the organization heads. It will 

offer personal help on an exhibitor's particular 

problem which may be unlike any 

other covered in a general way on the program. 

Theme of the convention this year, Thompson 

and Kennedy said, will be "Gold Mining 

. 

flood rains . . . 

Your Concession Stand." 

in 

M. A. Connett of Connett Theatres in Mississippi 

"Sales and profits in concessions," Thompprize, 

plans to close the Ritz, West Enterson 

said, "have expanded tremendously, and 

Miss . . A. L. Royal of the Meridian thousands of exhibitors have barely scratched 

Drive-In, Meridian, Miss., set back the the surface of the gold mine in their own 

scheduled reopening for the theatre. The backyards." 

drive-in recently 

and 

was heavily damaged by A concessions clinic will be one of several 

The HiWay 43 Drive-In, in the Cyclorama of Modern Exhibition 

Mcintosh, Ala., was to reopen Saturday (12). clinics, dealing with all the major phases of 

Johnny Waterall, owner, said the new screen theatre operation and management and including 

product, advertising tower would not be complete until then. The 

and general 

tower was blown down recently by high winds. theatre equipment and financing. 

ALFRED STARR TO SPEAK 

BOXOFFICE : 

Alfred Starr, past president of TOA, will 

speak Tuesday afternoon. Thompson and 

Kennedy said that in preparation for his 

appearance here, Starr has been contacting 

major distributors to ascertain what they 

plan to do for the relief of the small exhibitor, 

and has been bringing to distributors' 

attention the serious plight of theatremen 

faced with extinction unless something is 

done to help them. 

Planning of the convention has been concentrated 

on making the features of value 

to the average small town exhibitor, the 

organization heads said, adding: "Never before 

has the small exhibitor faced such perplexing 

problems as he faces today. We 

realize that neither we, nor anylxidy else, 

have all the answers to these problems, but 

out of the combined experience of many exhibitors, 

some progress has been made in 

coping with them successfully." 

The Dinkier Plaza Hotel has been remodeled 

recently and has fine convention 

^ 

accommodations. It is located uptown, just 

three blocks from Filmrow. 

J. H. Thompson 

>feî#fr;K«J 

R. M. Kennedy 

As the first event of the convention Monday 

morning the Stanley Warner Corp. 

has arranged for a special screening of "This 

Is Cinerama." 

Committee members for the convention 

are: 

General program—Thompson; Kennedy; J. 

H. Harrison, Georgia; Gordon Bradley and 

Paul Wilson, distributors. 

Publicity—O. C. Lam, chairman; A. B. 

Padgett, Ray Edmond.son, Ronnie Otwell. 

Judson Moses and Leonard Allen. 

Guest.s—C. L. Patrick, chairman, and John 

Stembler. 

Women's activities—Mrs. J. S. Tankersley, 

chairman, and Mrs. John Carter and Mrs. 

Lester Neely jr. 

Equipment dealers—Coley Brown and Charlie 

Fortson. 

Registration—L. M. Stockton, chairman, 

and Jimmy Gaylard. 

Hotel reservations—John Thompson, chair- 

Product—A. B. Padgett, chairman. 

Entertainment—L. M. Stockton, chairman, 

and John Stembler and A. B. Covey. 

Program ads—Fred Storey, chairman, and 

Harry Curl. 

Industrywide affairs—E. D. Martin, chairman, 

and Mack Jackson. 

Resolutions—Willis Davis, chairman. 

Clinics—J. 

O. Hoover, chairman, and Emil 

Bernstecker, E. E. Whittaker, William N. 

Wolfson, Dan Davis, Norris Hadaway and 

Eddie Watson. 

Thieves Escape With $50 

JACKSON, MISS.—Safe burglars raided 

the Skyvue Theatre here after midnight, 

escaping with nearly $50. A deputy sheriff 

said safe robbers peeled the metal from the 

top of the safe in the outdoor theatre with 

a chisel and hammer and lifted the money 

from inside. The burglars broke open a 

window to climb into the concession building. 

They ransacked a storage room in the 

concession stand, but took nothing. 

Started Career in 1908 

NEW ORLEANS—Philip Foto. 85-year-old 

pioneer theatre operator who died recently, 

began his theatre career Ui 1908 in Algiers. 

La., at the Market Theatre. In 1915 he 

constructed Foto's Folly, then the south's 

largest picture house. He later became 

affiliated with United Theatres. 

12, 1956 61

: May 

lotwick Emphasizes 

industry Triumphs 

MIAMI—When Harry Botwick. Florida 

State Theatres southeastern manager, was 

invited to write a guest column on the Miami 

Herald's amusement page, he declared he was 

tempted "to lambaste some of our severest 

critics, but we resisted this impulse so that 

we could use the opportunity to say what we 

think is 'right' with the movies." Botwick's 

column emphasized the motion picture industry 

ranks high among American industries 

that contribute to the economy, the happiness 

and the welfare of the nation. 

"One hears of the nickelodeon days and one 

speaks of the movies which is a literal magic 

carpet, transporting the average patron into 

{gold Mining in 

a wonderful world, not only of make-believe, 

but into a world of entertainment that no 

other medium can provide. One speaks of 

stereophonic sound, Cinemascope, Vista- 

Vision and Technicolor. We often wonder if 

the average patron, when he or she buys a 

theatre ticket, realizes just what he is getting 

for the price of that admission. 

"We know that they seek out top entertainment, 

such as Oklahoma! Rose Tattoo, 

Guys and Dolls. I'll Cry TomoiTOW. Man in 

the Gray Flannel Suit and The Swan, but 

we wonder how often they realize that with 

the privilege of witnessing a top production, 

they also pm-chase the right to a comfortably 

cushioned ai-mchair in a scientifically designed 

theatre, thoroughly air conditioned 

and witness a motion pictm-e projected and 

shown through the best scientific and mechanical 

equipment available, upon which 

YOUR Concession Stand} 

that's the slogan of this 

ALABAMA 

Joint Annual 

Convention 

Theatres Association and Motion Picture 

Theatre Owners and Operators of 

GEORGIA 

(MAY 27 - 28 - 29 

Dinkier Plaza Hotel 

Atlanta, Georgia 

Program Highlights: 

• Personal Counselor Service • Cyclorama of Clinics 

•Inspirational Message by Alfred Starr 

•Lavish Entertainment for Exhibitors and Wives 

•Special Showing, "THIS IS CINERAMA" 

This convention has been carefully planned 

to bring you maximum returns on your time 

with a small expense to you. You'll certainly 

PROFIT from this great, interest-packed 

program. Enjoy the many entertainment 

features. 

The entire program is focused on features of 

value to the average small town exhibitor. 

All major phases of theatre operation and 

management will be covered with emphasis 

on the Concessions Clinic. 

Other clinics will feature Product, Advertising, 

General Theatre Equipment and Financing. 

For further information and reservations contact: 

J. H. THOMPSON, Chairman 

Convention Committee 

Something new has been added with the Personal 

Consultation Service. Upon request, 

your problem will be answered by well qualified 

experts. 

You'll hear a message of great importance 

to you from Alfred Starr, post president of 

TOA and a nationally-known champion of the 

exhibition industry. 

Exhibitors and their wives will both enjoy 

"THIS IS CINERAMA," special showing 

through the courtesy of the Stanley Warner 

Corporation. Three days of fun and entertainment 

are also scheduled for exhibitors 

and wives. 

Hawkinsville, 

Georgia 

constant research and improvements are continually 

being made? 

Just think of the vast technological advances 

made in the past five years! Movies 

are better, bigger, have more production 

values, more talent, more creative ability and 

more effort is being made constantly to provide 

om- patrons with the best stories, best 

plays and best musicals. 

'During the last year, top pictm-es have 

played to more people than ever before because 

of an interest and hunger for pictui'es 

of this type—this is in spite of Intense competition 

from radio, TV, sports and other 

amusements for your attention and leisure 

time! 

Culminating the technical and creative 

triumphs of motion pictui-es over the past 

years is the crowning achievement of all 

the presentation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's 

'Oklahoma!' in Todd-AO. This daring 

process is presently and quietly revolutionizing 

the motion picture business, since 

more and more producers are considering the 

production of films in this new technique. 

'Already completed and to be shown this 

year is Michael Todd's production of Jules 

Verne^s Around the 'World in 80 Days.' In the 

planning stage is Rodgers and Hammerstein's 

'South Pacific' 

"One of my greatest satisfactions in recent 

years was to stand in the lobby of the Sheridan 

Theatre and see people who have not 

been to the movies in years walk in as skeptics 

and come out as devotees, commenting 

that they never knew that the motion pictui-e 

could provide such glorious entertainment. 

"At dinner tonight, ask yourself, or ask 

your sons and daughters, if they like the 

movies, and we will bet that everyone will 

say they are wonderful! 

"We of Florida State Theatres are very 

proud to be motion picture exhibitors, and 

I am even prouder to be associated with 

PST, the pioneer organization of all motion 

pictui-e theatres in the state of Florida, and 

a sub.sidiary of American Broadcasting- 

Paramount Theatres, Inc." 

Two Knoxville Drive-Ins 

Updated With $110,000 

KNOXVILLE—The Family Drive-In 

Corp. 

has leased the Starlite Drive-In on Alcoa 

highway and the Skyway Drive-In on the 

Maynardville pike for 20 years from Eugene 

Monday. Spence Pierce, president of the 

corporation, said $110,000 will be invested in 

remodeling the two drive-ins. 

The Starlite will be renamed the Cinema 

and $75,000 tabbed for its renovation, remainder 

of the funds being used to improve 

the Skyway. The Skyway will open about 

May 15, Pierce said, and the Cinema on June 1. 

The Family Drive-In firm also leases the 

Family Drive-In on North Broadway and the 

Knoxville at Bearden from Monday. 

Prize to Thomas Waterfield 

TAMPA — Thomas 'Waterfield of the 

Seminole Theatre was a top winner in the 

recently closed "Guys and Dolls" sales contest 

sponsored by R. R. Harris, confection 

sales manager of Florida State Theatres. 

Airer Opens at Sanford, Ky. 

SANFORD. KY.—Davis Drive-In Theatre 

on the Hustonville road, near here, has 

opened for the spring, summer and fall season. 

The outdoor theatre is equipped to show 

Cinemascope. 

82 BOXOFFICE : 

12, 1956

. . Ditto 

95 

Phone: 

. . Miriam 

CHARLOTTE 

•The offices of Wilby-Kineey Theatres here 

are undergoing a renovation . . . Opening 

the summer vacation schedule was Ann 

Rivenbark, of the Paramount staff, whose 

husband Jack returned home after a twoyear 

.service in the Ai-my . Maner 

AUred, daughter of Cliff Allred of Winston- 

Salem, who is well known in the theatre industry, 

will wed T. L. Canipe June 16 . . . 

David K. Phillips, booker at Columbia, has 

been installed as commander of the VFW 

Stonewall Jackson post. 

. 

. 

Mrs. VV. P. White and Mrs. W. R. Stroupc 

.served as hostesses of the Variety women's 

monthly bridge luncheon. Mrs. F. E. Dyer 

was in charge of prizes . . Rowites celebrating 

. 

birthdays: Betty Beaty. Margaret Brown, 

Rosaline Hutton. Doris Ducker and Ilene 

McGee Margaret Smith of the 

. . Princess Theatre at Benson, S. C. Gail 

Letchworth of the Thompson Orphanage was 

the guest at a WOMPI committee meeting at 

the home of Viola Wister. The club is helping 

on the school tuition of Gail . . . Blanche 

C;irr, Mildred Hoover and Margaret Raines 

have been named to the WOMPI auditing 

committee. 

Pauline Griffith, former executive secretary 

of the Theatre Owners of North and South 

Carolina, is recuperating at home following a 

stay in the hospital . . . Kathryn Lomax returned 

to the Howco staff . . . A. B. Graver 

is manager of the Plaza Theatre, which is one 

of the bright spots in the Central aveniie 

business district . . . H. F. Kincey, who is 

president of the local YMCA, introduced the 

board members at the recent banquet opennig 

the $2,000,000 campaign for a new Y buildmg 

here. 

Rebecca Miller. NSS bookkeeper, was uistalled 

as treasurer of the VFW Post 1160 

auxiliary ... Ed Rosenblatt of Theatrical 

Engineering reports a dozen theatres have 

signed up for his projection supervision plan. 

MW THKATKK ol'l M I)— 1 Iji ik « Ur.isg Theatre at Fayetteville, N. C, 

recently opened by Stewart

. . R. 

. . Al 

. . Also 

. . Eugene 

. . Paul 

m BOOwnG offict 

Experience — Industry — Integrity 

ALBERT E. ROOK, Owner 

160 Walton st. n.w 

tel. alpine 8314 

p.o. box 1422 

atlanta, ga. 

.^^^ 

you Heceiite . . . 

QUALITY • SERVICE 

and 

• SATISFACTION 

when you entrust your business to: 

THE QUEEN FEATURE SERVICE. Inc. 

Complete Theatre & Dhve-ln Equipment 

& Suppliei 

SNOBALL MACHINES 

Make $50 to $100 a Week 

From $25 and Up 

Send for circular and prices 

ATLANTA POPCORN SUPPLY 

146 Walton St. Atlanta, Ga. 

ATLANTA 

. 

. 

. 

LTorace Denning, Florida district manager 

Skinner, Atlanta 

tre in Smyrna 

district manager, Dixie Drive-In Theatres, 

for Dixie Drive-In Theatres, spent several 

days in the Atlanta office . . . Mildred spent the week on business in Charlotte . . . 

Gordon Bradley. Paramount district manager, 

Castleberry, Martin booking office, was one 

of the many Atlantians enjoying opera during 

has returned from a visit to the Jack- 

the week. She heard "Tales of Hoffman," 

Davis, Paramount 

sonville branch 

"Die Meistersinger" and "Tosca" . . . Charlie booker, is back from his vacation, part of 

Simpson, operator of theatres in Chattanooga. 

which was spent in Florida. 

Knoxville and Auburn, Ala., spent a 

day on the Row en route to New York. Hugh Filmrow folk and visiting exhibitors are 

Rainey. manager of his Riviera Theatre, glad to learn that an application for a permit 

for a new parking garage has been approved 

Knoxville, was hospitalized for several days, 

but is in fine shape again. 

Scott Lett, Howco district 

by the Atlanta aldermanic board's police 

committee. The new garage will be located 

at Cone and Walton streets and will house 

manager headquartering 

253 cars . . . 

in Charlotte, spent several days 

Ben Hill. Universal publicist, hit 

between the Atlanta and Jacksonville offices. the trail blazing new releases including "Toy 

Homer Clark, Howco salesman, is back on Tiger," and "Away All Boats." He visited 

Charlotte, Knoxville, Nashville, Birmingham, 

the road following a virus attack. Evelyn 

Hazouri, Jacksonville Howco booker, has resigned 

ABC 

Jacksonville, Miami, New Orleans and Memphistrical 

J. "Hap" Barnes, Thea- 

Enterprises, and Paul Engler, Engler 

Theatres, Birmingham, have returned from Frederick G. Storey, who heads a chain 

Lexington where they attended the Kentucky of suburban theatres, both indoor and driveins, 

named 

Derby. Prior to Barnes' departure, his car was 

in Atlanta, has been president of 

the newly organized Rotary Club of Brookwood, 

stolen from in front of his office, but it was 

which has been granted its charter by 

reported found three days later in Cartersville, 

Rotary International's board of directors. 

victim of auto thieves was 

Its 

Ga. Another 

Lida Smith, Wilby-Kincey, whose new Pontiac 

was stolen from in front of her mother's 

sponsor is the Rotary Club of Atlanta . . . 

Seen on the Row booking were Nat Williams, 

home in .south Georgia where she was visiting 

at the time. The car had not been re- 

Richardson, McLendon Theatres, Union 

Interstate Enterprises, Thomasville; Phil 

covered last weekend. 

Springs, Ala.: Mack Jackson, Strand Theatre, 

Alexander City, Ala.; L. J. Duncan and Sid 

Cecil Hudson has closed Laird, Al-Dun Amusement Co., West Point; 

his Legion Theatre, 

. 

Acworth, Ga. Rook, Film Book- 

Jack Ramsey, Mars Theatre, Springfield; 

Tom Brett, Arcade Theatre, Sandersville, and 

ing Office, has taken over the buying and 

booking for the new Belmont Hills Thea- 

Tommy Lam, Lam Amusements, Rome. 

the best source of supply for the finest^ 

In approved 

equipment 

everything 

for the 

theatre 

except film 

wii-icin theatre supply, inc. 

Jo-Anne Blake, office manager's secretary 

at United Artists, resigned effective May 4, 

and Betty Thompson, assistant cashier at 

UA, resigned as of May 11, to await the 

stork. They were guests at a luncheon at 

Camellia Gardens May 4 . . . Mrs. Nell Middleton. 

secretary to MGM exploiteer Judson 

Moses, is spending a two-week vacation in 

Miami and other points in Florida. 

Mrs. Lillian Claughton, Claughton Theatres, 

Miami, was in Atlanta for Opera Week 

as the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie Harrison, 

Wilby Theatres. Mrs. Claughton is on 

the executive board of the Miami Opera 

Guild . attending the opera were Mrs. 

Nat Williams and daughter of Thomasville. 

The Fox Theatre was given over to the Metropolitan 

Grand Opera for the four days it 

was presented in Atlanta. 

WOMPI news: The board of directors and 

committee chairmen met for dinner Monday 

(7> at the Variety Club. Chief topic discus.sed 

was the third annual convention to 

be held at the Dinkler-Plaza Hotel September 

28-30. Reports from all committees were 

made to Laura Kenny, convention chairman. 

atlanta, ga. charlotte, n. c. 

SPECIAL TRAILERS |

: May 

. . . Despite 

. . The 

. . Herman 

. . Jerry 

. . Louis 

NEW IMIRACLE THEATRE—The new 

1,500 seat Miracle Theatre, under construction 

in Fayetteville, N. C. for H. B. 

Meiselman Theatres, is expected to be 

completed by June 15. The theatre building 

includes a seven-store arcade, as seen 

at left in the above architect's drawing. 

Four of the stores are located in the theatre 

lobby which runs 200 feet from Hay 

street to the main auditorium. The theatre 

fronts on two main streets and 

patrons will have access to either 

entrance. Unusual features of the house 

will include a full lobby wall of modem 

art. three projection machines in the 

booth, smoking lounge and a big stage. 

florida's FIRST Supply House 

NEW ADDRESS . 

206 MEMORIAL HIGHWAY 

TAMPA, FLORIDA 

NEW PHONE 8-5189 

NEW CONVENIENT PARKING 

for Our Customers 

Visit us at our new building 

UNITED THEATRE SUPPLY CORP. 

SNO KONE 

MACHINES & SUPPLIES 

ROY SMITH CO. 

TAMPA 

JACKSONVILLE 

LOST LEASE!! . . . CLOSEOUT 

Complete Equipt Conventional Theatre 

• 50-ton Carrier Air • Altex Sound 

Conditioner 

• Simplex Heads • American Seals 

Will sell all or separately . . . Contact 

State ^ 

Theatre Jackson. Mississiooi 

. 

-jrst New Theatre in Jacksonville 

Since 1950 Opened by Cecil Cohen 

JACKSONVILLE—The Arlington Theatre, 

fh-st indoor house to be constructed here 

since 1950, opened to the public May 3. 

Located in a fast-growing section of the city's 

south side at 1127 Chaseville Rd., it is being 

operated by Cecil Cohen who also runs 

another suburban theatre, the Murray Hill. 

Built of brick and concrete in the modernistic 

lines of contemporary Florida architecture, 

the Arlington has a 25-foot-high marquee in 

the shape of a flat-topped capital A, with 

marquee copy being placed on the crossbar 

of the A by means of movable plastic block 

letters. 

Pity the 

Poor 

Woiking^^ 

She sits on her . . 

office choir oil day. 

When she goes to the 

movies at night, she wants 

real relaxation and comfort 

or she simply doesn't go! To attract 

the working girl—and her boy 

friend and mother and father and 

sister and brother— let us repair or 

replace worn, uncomfortable seats. 

We'll do it in a jiffy ... for a pittonce 

. . . without interrupting your 

show. Wanna know how much? 

WRITE, WIRE or PHONE 

ALpine 5 8459 

MANUFACTURERS 

Leading features include a large, adjacent 

parking lot, a soundproof cry room, complete 

air conditioning, extra width between auditorium 

seats, a spacious lobby and snack bar 

and continuous prices of 50 cents for adults 

and 25 cents for children from the time the 

boxoffice opens at 12:45 p.m. until closing. It 

has a Cinemascope screen and RCA sound 

equipment. 

Seating, carpeting and projection equipment 

were furnished and installed by the 

Southeastern Equipment Co. of Florida. 

Opening with a subsequent run policy, the 

Arlington's first double bill consisted of "The 

Tall Men" and "How To Be Very, Very 

Popular." 

It is expected that the Ai'lington will face 

stiff competition in a few months, as soon 

as a second Chaseville road theatre, the 

is Miracle, completed by builder Henry 

Kramer. According to a public announcement 

the Miracle will be leased to H. B. 

Meiselman, operator of a theatre chain in 

North Carolina. To be a 1,200-seat house, it 

now being erected in the Town and Country 

is 

Shopping Center, one of the largest shopping 

districts in north Florida. 

Pittsburgh 20th-Fox 

Opens New Home 

PITTSBURGH—The newly constructed one 

and a half story 20th-Pox building was opened 

recently at 1723-25 Boulevard of the Allies, 

immediately next door to the quarters this 

company had occupied for many years. 

Executive and sales offices are in the front, 

facing the booking counters in the general 

office. In the rear is the .shipping and inspection 

departments. On the second floor 

is a large screening room, not as yet equipped, 

which will feature a 22-foot widescreen and 

stereophonic sound with nine spaced speakers. 

Restrooms are on the second floor. The 

building is air conditioned. 

Nat C. Rosen, branch manager, hosted 

friends in the industry this week and he Invites 

inspection of the new film exchange 

building. Visitors included Martin Moskowitz, 

eastern sales manager, and his assistant Seymour 

Cohen; Abe Dickstein, Atlantic district 

manager, and Clarence A. Hill, manager of 

exchange operations. 


lor 

theatre seat 

seruice co. 

160 Hermitage Ave. 

Nashville, 

Empire-Universal Demands 

Advance Rental Payment 

WINNIPEG—Len Norrie, local manager of 

Empire-Universal Films, has informed exhibitors 

of this exchange area that future 

film shipments must be paid for in advance. 

The letter from Norrie was forwarded to 

exhibitors in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and 

Western Ontario. 

Norrie's letter read, in part: "In accordance 

with the contracts held with this company, 

film being used must be paid for prior to the 

shipping date or that shipment will go 

forward C.O.D. If this presents a problem, 

I suggest that you forward this company 

an advance deposit for an average month's 

film rental. Shipments then will go to you 

open."

: May 

. . . Moses 

. . MGM 

Police Raid Girl Show 

At Twin Cities Alvin 

MINNEAPOLIS—Roadshow burlesque encountered 

a roadblock here when the police 

morals squad raided the Alvin Theatre four 

days after it had been resumed following an 

interim of nearly three yeai-s dining which 

the showhouse was used as an evangelistic 

tabernacle. 

Disorderly conduct charges were preferred 

against seven stripteasers and lessee Ed Ross 

and Manager Alfred Ki-ikoriun of Kansas 

City. Mo. 

Jake Sullivan, morals squad head, said that 

after receiving "numerous complaints," he 

and three other policemen and a policewoman 

witnessed a performance. He asserted they 

found it "just as bad as the complaints had 

pictured it." 

Dancers were accused of appearing on the 

stage and "making indecent exposure of their 

persons" and of being guilty of "certain 

obscene and filthy acts and lewd, indecent, 

immoral and insulting conduct and behavior." 

The men were charged with permitting and 

consenting to such violations. 

Each of those arrested wa-s released on 

$200 bail and the show went on again later the 

same day. Among the dancers arrested were 

Elenor Rushing (Gayla Loving l, 28; Rose 

Martin (Kandy Kane), 24, and Sandra Evans 

(Kitty Karr) of Kansas City, Mo. 

Mgr. Moves to California 

WINNIPEG, MAN.—L. C. Straw, who has 

been manager of the Roxy Theatre for the 

past four years, resigned his position recently 

and left for California, where he intends to 

make his future home. He was accompanied 

by Mrs. Straw. Barney Brookler, who has 

been appointed to the position, has already 

assumed his new duties. 

Besides the rawstock manufactured at 

home, West Germany imports from Belgium, 

the United States, Canada and the United 

Kingdom. 

MEMPHIS 

•piu- Folly TluMtif. MiUk.^, Mis.s.. has been 

leased by Clark Shivley and Henley 

Smith from owner Howard Langford . . . 

Vernon Adams, Memphis, has lea.sed the 

Roxie, Memphis, from Strand Enterprises 

Sliman, Osceola and Luxora. Ark., 

theatre owner, has bought the Delta Drivein 

at Osceola from Jim Martin and is spending 

around $20,000 to install Cinemascope 

equipment and otherwise modernize the outdoor 

theatre . and Loew's Stale 

staged a sneak preview of "The Catered 

Affair." 

T. N. Jourdon, owner. Majestic Theatre, 

luka. Miss., has returned home after a brief 

illness at Baptist Hospital in Memphis . . . 

Mrs. Wesley McGar, part owner of the Dixie 

Theatre, Ripley, Miss., is recovering at 

Methodist Hospital in Memphis after surgery. 

W. F. Ruffin jr., Ruffin Amusements Co., 

Covington; R. B. Gooch, Ritz, Selmer; M. E. 

Rice, Rice, Brownsville; Amelia Ellis, Frayser 

Drive-In, Frayser; Louise Mask. Luez, 

Bolivar; G. H. Goff, Rustic. Parsons; Guy 

Amis. Princess, Lexington, and Douglass 

Pierce, Jackson Drive-In. Jackson, were 

among visiting Tennes.see exhibitors . . . Mr. 

and Mrs. Alex Harrison were visitors at 20th- 

Fox. Mr. Harrison is general sales manager. 

Mark Sheridan, district manager, Dallas, and 

Jimmie Gillespie, exploiteer. Dallas, were also 

Memphis visitors at 20th-Fox. 

From Mississippi came Roland Adams. 

Rebel Drive-In. Oxford; C. N. Eudy, Houston, 

Houston; Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Azar. Lin, 

Greenville; Mrs. J. C. Noble, Temple. Leland; 

C. J. Collier, Globe, Shaw; Mrs. E. S. Gullett. 

Benoit, Benoit; Joe Davis, Globe, Drew; 

Leon Rountree, Holly at Holly Springs and 

Valley at Water Valley; J. C. Pratt, Dixie, 

Fulton; Bem Jackson. Ellis, Cleveland; Vinson 

Danna, Chief Drive-In, Cleveland; J. 

M. Mounger, Mart, Calhoun City; Clark 

Shivley and Mr. and Mrs. Henley Smith, Skylark 

Drive-In. Clarksdale. 

Lloyd Pullen Named 

Arkansas Manager 

DALLAS— Lloyd Pullen lla^ been appointed 

Arkansas district manager for Rowley 

United Theatres, with headquarters at 

Little 

Rock, succeeding Jim Carbery, who was promoted 

to division manager for United Artists 

Theatres in Los Angeles. 

C. V. Jones, vice-president and general 

manager of Rowley United, will supervise 

operations in Durant, McAlesler and Muskogee, 

Okla., and Laredo, Tex. Bill Slaughter, 

district manager, and Don C. Douglas, director 

of publicity and public relations, will 

supervise operations in 21 Texas towns. 

The changes were effective May 7, according 

to President John H. Rowley. 

Here's 

Your Chance 

to get in the 

BIG 

MONEY 

Be Sure 

to Play 



with a 

BRAND NEW 

SPOT TAG 



Spotty in 'SpotCapades" 

Spotty ploys hide ond seek with your audience 

vhile they fry to cotch him with their spotlights 

. . . ends with a plug for your Snock Bar. 



OVER AND OVER 

Price 

Mm PicTuiE Service cd. 

only 

51750 

Exhibitors visiting from Arkansas included 

Tom Ford. Ford. Rector; K. H. Kinney, Hays, 

Hughes; Roy Cochran, JuRoy, North Little 

Rock; W. L. Moxley, Savoy, Blytheville; 

Moses Sliman. Lux, Luxora; Mr. and Mrs. 

Frank Patter.son, City, Junction City; J. E. 

Singleton, New, Marked Ti-ee; E. L. Boggs, 

70 Drive-In, Hot Springs; Mr. and Mrs. J. T. 

Hitt. Cozy and Plaza at Bentonville and the 

Apollo and Concord. Springdale; Mrs. Ann 

Hutchins, State and 67 Drive-In, Corning; 

Carl Burton. 22 Drive-In. Fort Smith, and 

J. T. James. James, Cotton Plant. 

Telephone Quiz Is Used 

To Promote Programs 

BEDFORD, IOWA—Mr. and Mrs. Dutch 

Young, owners and operators of the Hardin 

Theatre here, have started a "telephone 

game." Here's how it works: 

They select a telephone number at random, 

call it and ask the name of the show that 

will be at the theatre on a certain day. It 

already has been advertised. The person 

telephoned wins two free tickets and two 

free meals at the Skylark if he answers correctly. 

As a screen 

game, Hollywood takes 

top honors. As a boxoffice attraction, 

it is without equal. It has 

been a favorite with theatregoers for 

15 years. 

Write today for complete details! 

Be sure to give sealing or car 

capacity. 

HOLLYWOOD 

AMUSEMENT 

COMPANY 

3750 Oakton St. 

Skokie, Illinois 

BOXOFFICE : 

12, 1956

: May 

EDWIN J. THOMAS PottfOit fa/ Fabian Bachracb 

added over 20,000 employees 

to The Payroll Savings Plan." 

"The Savings Bond Program—like any other program in 

a corporation — will succeed only if it has the complete 

support of top management. Recently the Goodyear 

Tire & Rubber Company added over 20,000 employees 

to the Payroll Savings Plan, attaining an overall participation 

of over 71%. While the drive itself was successful 

I feel the job is only half done. Now we are 

installing a program to maintain this high peak of participation. 

Such a program will constantly keep the 

merits of the program before each employee, encouraging 

him to provide his own security through this 

effortless plan of saving." 

EDWIN J. THOMAS, President 

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Inc. 

What is the percentage of employee participation in 

your Payroll Savings Plan? If it is less than 50%, get in 

touch with Savings Bond Division, U.S. Treasury Department, 

Washington, D. C. Your State Sales Director 

will be glad to help you increase your participation to 

60% or higher. A phone call, telegram or letter to 

Savings Bond Division, U.S. Treasury Department will 

bring a prompt response. 

The United States Government does not pay for this advertising. The Treasury Department 

thanks, Jor their patriotic donation, the Advertising Council and 

BOXOFFICE 

BOXOFFICE : 

12, 1956

Frels Will Build Airer 

At Victoria; 1000 Cars 

VICTORIA. TEX.—Frels Theatre.s, operator 

of a dozen theatres in this area, will construct 

a 1.000-car drive-in on a 77-acre .site 

in the Lone Ti-ee section in the southern .section 

of this city. Rubin S. Frels. vice-president, 

and EKjyle Oliver, general manager, 

said no completion date had been set. 

"We ai-e making a broad study of outdoor 

theatre trends." Oliver said, "in order to 

include the latest and most serviceable features 

for patrons in our new outdoor unit. 

"Tlie screen, for instance, will be the new 

Manco-Vi.sion extruded aluminum type, designed 

to give maximum visibility without 

character distorton in all parts of the parking 

area. This screen tends to refract rather 

than reflect light, re.sulting in equal distribution 

of light throughout the viewing area. 

"Other screens tend to throw the light 

straight back, resulting in picture distortion 

in lateral areas. We have had this type of 

screen in operation at our Rice Drive-In in 

El Campo for the past year with highly 

favorable results." 

The new drive-in, as yet unnamed, will 

make four in the Frels circuit. 

'Oklahoma!' Debut June 14 

In Dallas and Houston 

HOUSTON—Texans will get their first look 

at "Oklahoma!" June 14 when the Todd-AO 

feature opens at two Interstate Theatres 

the Tower in Dallas and the local Tower. 

Al Lever, the circuit's city manager here. 

is supervising construction of a booth and 

screen to accommodate the Todd-AO process 

at the 1,100-seat Tower. The 46-foot screen 

will be the largest in the city. 

Fourteen performances a week are scheduled 

for "Oklahoma!" w'ith seats costing between 

SI.50 and S2. The Variety Boys' Club 

will be recipients of opening night's receipts. 

The second Todd-AO pictiu-e to be shown 

here will be "Around the World in 80 Days," 

now being filmed. This is expected to be 

followed by "The Cardinal" and "South 

Pacific." 

The UA picture, "Witness for the Prosecution," 

is the film version of Agatha Christie's 

stage success. 

G. E. Ortmans to Be Guests 

Of Hollywood Studios 

HENNESSEY, OKLA.--Mr. and Mrs. G. E 

Ortman. operators of the Ortman Theatre 

liere, left Monday (7) for Hollywood. In recounition 

of Mrs. Ortman's motion picture 

publicity work as "Carrie the Ca.shier" they 

were to be special guests of the publicity 

departments of Warner Bras, and RKO studios 

during their Hollywood stay. While there 

they expect to see the filming of some .scenes, 

visit the cartoon department and have luncheon 

at the studio restaurants. They plan to 

attend a premiere and to -see the new Cinerama 

production, "Seven Wonders of the 

World." 

The following week they will visit Mrs. Ortman's 

brother, Orville von Gulker, and fam- 

at Downey and her sister, Mrs. Max Rum- 

ily 

baugh, and family at Arcadia. Gaylord Ortman, 

who has been in the Navy Hospital at 

Bremerton, Wash., expects to return to his 

ship in San Diego by the middle of May and 

will visit with his parents at the home of his 

grandparents. Dr. and Mrs. E. J. Ortman, in 

Santa Monica. 

Paul Covey Dies: 29 Years 

In Oklahoma Theatres 

LAVERNE. OKLA.—Paul Covey, operator of 

the local theatre for many years, died at his 

home here recently. He was 60 years old. 

Covey was born at Lawrence, Kas., and he 

served overseas in France during World War 

I. 

He brought his family to Laverne in June. 

1927, and opened the Laverne Theatre. Later 

he operated a theatre in Waynoka for three 

years and in Beaver for five years. In 1939 

the family returned here to operate the theatre 

and have lived in Laverne since. For the 

past few years. Covey also operated a por- 

Two Family Nights a Week 

HENRIETTA, TEX. — Claude Thorp has 

opened the Rietta, local outdoor theatre, on 

a fulltime schedule for the spring and summer 

season. Wednesday and Thursday nights 

each week will be family nights, when a full 

carload will be admitted for 75 cents. 

Earl Snyder Elected 

UTO Board Chairman 

OKLAHOMA CITY '1 lie beard ul directors 

of United Theatre Owners of Oklahoma, 

Monday (7) elected 

Earl Snyder Tulsa 

of 

as chairman of the 

board to fill the unexpired 

term of Ed 

Thorne, who resigned 

recently after leaving 

the Cooper Foundation 

Theatres in Oklahoma 

City. Snyder is owner 

of the Apache Drlve- 

In, Tulsa. 

Also at Monday's 

meeting, the board 

Earl Snyder considered the possibility 

of holding its July monthly meeting in 

Tulsa. Snyder was appointed chairman of a 

committee to check possibility of a Tulsa 

meeting. 

Board members were given a final report 

on the annual convention held earlier this 

year. E. R. "Red" Slocum, UTOO executive 

director, informed the board that the convention 

was a financial success. Slocum also 

gave details on correspondence betw-een himself 

and Interstate Theatre circuit on availability 

of motion pictures at Army camps. In 

a third report he told of contacts made w'ith 

various legislators and officials regarding 

theatre admission tax reduction. 

Present at Monday's board meeting wêre 

Dick Thompson, Claude Motley, Harold 

Combes and Robert Busch, Oklahoma City: 

Ray Hughes, Heavener, and Mrs. Hughes; 

Paul Stonum, Anadarko; Bill Slepka, 

Okemah; Johnny Jones, Shawnee: H. D. Cox. 

Binger; Volney Hamm, Lawton: Henry Simp- 

trait studio. 

son, Bristow: Allen Dean. Ardmore: Earl 

Surviving are his wife, a daughter, Mrs. O. Snyder, Tulsa: Bernard McKenna, Norman: 

J. LeFevers of Oklahoma City, a son Robert Seibert Worley, Shamrock, Tex.: Molly 

Laverne and two grandchildren. 

Goerke. Canton: Avis Waldron Holman, Lindsay: 

of 

Juanita Miller, Turley, and Dick Grumpier. 

Checotah. 

"Two Worlds' to Paul Henreid 

"Two Worlds," a screenplay by Paul Richard 

Shelton, has been purchased by Paul 

Henreid. 

J. B. "Jack" Underwood, southwest division manager for Columbia, 

and Men Witcher. Dallas manager, recently hosted a 

barbecue shrimp and fixin's party for buyers and bookers of the 

circuits and independent groups at Dallas. Here are several snapshots 

taken at the party. Left photo, left to right r Glenn McClain, 

J. G. Long Theatres; H. G. Ferguson, Downs Drive-In, Grand 

BOXOFFICE May 12, 1956 sw 

Prairie; Inderwood: H. S. Ferguson, Downs Drive-In; Leon .Abrahams, 

Long Theatres. Center: M. Godwin. Superior Booking Service; 

Ted Lewis; Tim Stamps, Blankenship Theatres; Mat Dowling. 

Adrian Upchurch and Debbs Reynolds. Right: Underwood and 

Witcher, standing, and seated are Conrad Brady and A. D. Deason, 

Interstate, and Vem Gregg, Texas Consolidated,

. . Vacationing 

. . 

Don 

; May 

. . 

New Front and Entrance Is Given OKLAHOMA CITY 

Old Travis, Now Iris, at Houston T-7j,-:--;;-rKrZe 

np^'l 

^^^•^1 

^ I W^. 

lijj ff mR 

^ 

: May 

People who go places like a light refreshment 

That's why Pepsi-Cola is America's 

fastest growing soft drink 

And Pepsi means more drinks per gallon—more profit per drink, too! 

Pepsi-Cola Company, 3 West 57th Street, New York 19, New York 

BOXOFFICE : 

12. 1956

: May 

MOSE-ING 

THROUGH 

n UBREY Van Hoy, manager of Interstate's 

871-seat Majestic in Eastland, began a 

compilation several years ago of a mailing 

list, which now enables him to guarantee delivery 

of his weekly programs into 570 households 

in his drawing area. Eastland, which 

has a population of 3.626, is situated on 

Highway 80 halfway between Cisco and 

Ranger. With the postal delivery even the 

remotest farm patron is reached. 

Van Hoy simply uses the regulation twocent 

postcard. He lays out his weekly program 

to fit the size and delivers it to Victor 

Cornelius, the nationally known theatrical 

printer whose plant is located in Eastland, 

and has it published. Van Hoy and his staff 

addre.ss the cards. 

The same program format is also printed 

on multi-colored cards for delivery within 

the city and to patrons attending the theatre. 

Van, as he is called, first came to Eastland 

as assistant to Barton J. Ellsworth June 1, 

1937, while the Lyric was being remodeled 

for continuous operation. The Connellee, the 

huge 1,300-seater which had been constructed 

during the oil boom days as the largest theatre 

between Fort Worth and El Paso, had become 

cumbersome to operate for the normal 

population and went into use as a weekend 

is operation only. After the war was remodeled 

into the present Majestic, one of 

the nicest small-town theatres in America. 

But Van did not remain in Eastland dur- 



with a 

BRAND NEW 

SPOT TAG 

THE FUN GAME FOR DRIVEINS 








OVER AND OVER 

Central & West Texas 

Price 

.By EARL MOSELEY. 

only 

$1750 

Mow PlCTUni S[II1E ED. 

ing his entire length of service with Interstate. 

He relieved Fred Palmer, now Interstate's 

Vernon city manager, in the Breckenridge 

theatres for a short time during the 

early part of World War II. 

Later, he served 

in the Army some 18 months while his wife 

subbed for him in Eastland. In 1951 he was 

transferred to Brownsville to manage the 

Capitol and Queen with J. C. McNeill for six 

months, and was at the Cactus Drive-In 

at Pharr until May 1954, when he returned 

to Eastland. 

His first experience with theatres was at 

Plainview in 1922. where he was relief projectionist 

for Roy E. Mitchell. He left there 

in 1925 and went to Dallas to usher in the 

RKO Majestic. After working in a Dallas 

drugstore he returned to the Plainview projection 

rooms. Oskar Korn took the Mitchell 

theatres and Van worked for him at the 

Granada. 

However, when the Griffith circuit, in partnership 

with Chester McSwain, bought the 

theatres, the entire staff was changed and 

he was out of theatre work for six months. 

He returned to the Texas projection room 

and re-entered the Granada when its projectionist 

died a short time later. When he 

left Plainview for Eastland, he was chief 

projectionist at the Granada, Texas and Fair 

theatres. 

Van uses a Family Night each Tuesday at 

the Majestic (entire family for 50 cents) and 

a Surprise Night each Thursday, which consists 

of an extra feature booking whose title 

remains a mystery until screen time. He has 

always believed in the use of displays, but 

now he concentrates on the use of them behind 

his concession bar and in the inner 

lobby. One that was quite effective was a 

tropical gold fish bowl exhibit designed for 

"The Blue Lagoon." 

He is a member of the Lions Club. 

Jim H. Pouns. projectionist at Brownwood's 

Bluff Vue Drive-In, has worked out a surefire 

way for burning his carbon stubs as short 

as possible for his employers, Mr. and Mrs. 

Jack Needham. Since carbon has become 

such an expense to the exhibitors, especially 

in theatres with Cinemascope installations 

and an excessive "throw" such as the Bluff 

Vue, this item will be of special Interest to 

many projection rooms. 

Pouns uses 11mm positives and ll/32mm 

negatives in the Strong Super 135 lamps, but 

his system of saving can be used in any projection 

room that does not have any type of 

manual carbon savers. 

First, he timed a 20-minute reel while burning 

a fresh trim in the lamp. After changeover, 

he measured the amount of carbon used 

during the run. He set the amount down 

on paper with "20" written beside it. Then 

he divided the consumed amount in half and 

set the number "10" beside it—that being 

HOT DOGS sell like HOT CAKES 

when served with America's besf-tastin' dressing! 

ATCO 

CHILE SAUCE with MEAT 

2921 COMMERCE • DALLAS, TEXAS 

the determined length for ten minutes of 

showing. Afterward, he halved the new total 

and added it on to the ten-minute figure, 

giving him the 15-minute length. Thereafter, 

in such fashion, it becomes a simple matter to 

calculate the totals for each minute of running 

time to the fraction of an inch. 

Pouns typed the results and mounted it 

on a cardboard. He also calculated the footage 

lengths (his "house" reels had footage 

markings on the side) into the minutes and 

pasted them on the board alongside the carbon 

stub data. 

Now, with an ordinary foot ruler, he is 

able to measure each reel with the proper 

length of carbon stub. There is little or 

nothing to burn after changeover time. 

W. S. "Bill" Samuels, who has been house 

manager at the Rowley United Texas in Oak 

Cliff two years, was quite enthusiastic over 

their double Cymbidium orchid giveaway, 

which was used during the theatre's recent 

25th anniversary week celebration, highlighted 

in the April 28 issue of BOXOFFICE. 

"They are excellent prizes for the ladies 

on Mother's Day. Easter, or any other occasion." 

Bill told us. 

During the celebration they gave away five 

of them each day. "Another good feature 

about them." he went on. "is that they last 

five days. The Hawaiian orchid can only 

be worn one time but the Cymbidium is so 

much more durable. They are priced right for 

giveaways too." 

Before becoming the Texas manager he 

worked for Jefferson Amusement Co. of East 

Texas off and on since 1937 and the Malco 

Theatres of Memphis. After his stint in the 

Army he worked for Manley Popcorn Co. 

in the eastern states. 

Hazel Panciera, head of the National 

Screen Service shipping department in Dallas, 

reported that activity at the advertising 

exchange had increased higher this spring 

than ever before during her 14 years of experience. 

Apparently showmen all over Texas have 

been on the ball plugging their attractions 

during the slow season. The wise ones know 

that you cannot sell your product by hiding 

its quality from the public. The answer is 

advertising. 

Hazel originally came to Dallas from Cleburne. 

Will Operate Outdoorer 

PERR'V, OKLA.—Mr. and Mrs. Jim Mc- 

Kenna and their two daughters have moved 

here from Tulsa where Jim had operated the 

Royal Theatre. He is a brother of Gene Mc- 

Kenna, manager of the Perry and Chief 

drive-in theatres here, and will take charge 

of operations of the Chief. The local theatres 

are owned by Allied Theatres, which recently 

relinquished operation of the Tulsa 

Royal. 

Airer Has 10th Birthday 

PHARR, TEX.—The Cactus Drive-In, local 

unit of Interstate Theatres, celebrated its 

tenth annivei-sary recently. Patrons were 

served from a huge birthday cake and the 

theatre distributed a number of "birthday 

prizes." Free balloons were handed out to 

the youngsters, many of the balloons containing 

coupons good for treats at the concession 

stand. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

12, 1956

. . . Bette 

. . Report 

. . The 

. . Mark 

. . The 

. . Others 

HOUSTON 

Oharron Lee and Dicky Wysjant of the 

Heights Theatre have become parentis of 

their third daushter. Tara Rachelle was 

born in Herman Hospital May 1. The other 

little Wygants are Jeanne. 6, and Deborah. 2 

Davis is expected to make a personal 

appearance here soon Sheridan. 

Southwest district manager of 20th- 

. Fox. was here is that RKO i.s 

planning a film about Galveston and that 

Niven Busch, author of "Duel in the Sun" is 

in the gulf town doing research for it. 

Preview of "The Revolt of Mamie Stover" 

at 20th-Fox was followed two days later by 

a showing of "Hilda Crane." Viewers included 

the Hi-Nabor Drive-In bosses' wives. 

Mrs. Albert Raines and Mrs. Ralph Lowe. 

They had as guests Mr. and Mrs. Paul Brown, 

Mrs. Jim Dezendorf, sr. and jr.. and Mrs. B. 

Warner. Also at the preview were Bill Stone. 

Daisetta. Daisetta; Mrs. Tex Peden; Albert 

and Margaret Peden: the Harold Mitchamores. 

Market Street Drive-In; Mr. and Mrs. 

Ernest Forsythe. Don Gordon Theatre. The 

Post and Chronicle were well represented by 

reporters . . . Hitchcock's thriller "The Trou- 

feels that it's good for everybody to make a 

change for a while like he did as it gives 

one a new perspective. 

Alvin Guggenheim, manager of the South 

Main Drive-In, an Interstate theatre, is to 

be the new general manager of Bill O'Donnell's 

Broadway and Yale houses. W. L. 

Edwards is the Yale's manager. Mrs. H. H. 

Thornton, who has worked for Interstate 

off and on for several years, is the newcashier 

at the Yale. Alvin was married to 

Hildred Brummett Monday (7i. They left 

on a two-week wedding trip to Denver and 

Salt Lake City. They will be at home at 

1217 Bomar St. ... A replacement for Alvin 

at South Main has not been named. 

Demonstrations at Beaumont, Dallas, San 

Antonio and here of a new admissions control 

system for drive-ins have been well attended. 

Southwestern Theatre Equipment 

Co. is the Texas distributor for the system; 

RCA, the national distributor. The Alamo 

Drive-In at San Antonio, scene of the demonstration 

in that city, will be the first airer 

to install the system in the state. 

STAR VISITS VAKIl I ^Wluri ,„\\- 

boy star Roy Rogers was in Houston recently 

he visited the Variety Club and was 

photographed with Variety Club Manager 

Rex Van. 

Lloyd Pullen Named 

Arkansas Manager 

DALLAS—Lloyd Pullen has been appointed 

Arkansas district manager for Rowley 

ble with Harry" wa-s held a second week at 

the River Oaks . Eastwood and Fulton 

Theatres led off with the same picture, 

"Come Next Spring." for a first Houston United Theatres, with headquarters at Little 

showing. 

Rock, succeeding Jim Carbery, who was promoted 

to division manager for United Artists 

Southwestern Theatre Equipment Co.'s 

Theatres in Los Angeles. 

Tom Vincent was out in the territory on business 

. . . Horwitz Theatres' Gladys Horwitz manager of Rowley United, will supervise 

C. V. Jones, vice-president and general 

left Houston May 8 on a European trip . . . 

operations in Durant, McAlester and Muskogee, 

Okla., and Laredo, Tex. Bill Slaughter, 

Forrest Gamble is back at Columbia Pictures 

... In the this-is-where-we-came-in department, 

Ellis Ford was back as manager of the 

district manager, and Don C. Douglas, director 

of publicity and public relations, will 

Delman Theatre as of May 1, with Aline Mcintosh 

as his able assistant! For ten years The changes were effective May 7, accord- 

supervise operations in 21 Texas towns. 

Ellis was at I. B. Adelman's Delman on 

ing to President John H. Rowley. 

South Main, leaving about a year ago. Ellis 

admits it's like coming home. He worked 

for Augie Schmitt at Houston Popcorn Co. 

for a while and then took over managership 

of Willowin Theatres, Broadway and Yale. 

Maybe it's a little drastic, Ellis said, but he 

Robert F. Coxe Manages 

Talladega. Ala., Ritz 

TALLADEGA, ALA.—Robert F. Coxe, manager 

of the Broadway Drive-In here since 

1952. has been named manager of the Ritz 

Theatre. Coxe first came to Talladega in 1942 

as an operator at the Ritz. He first went into 

the theatre business in Columbiana, Ala,, In 

1933, but left a year later to work for the 

Reconstruction Finance Corp, He was employed 

by the RFC until he came to Talladega 

in 1942. 

Stanley Butler Succeeds 

Stephen Barber in Largo 

LARGO, FLA.—Stanley Butler now is managing 

the Largo Theatre. He replaced 

Stephen Barber, who became manager of the 

Ritz in Clearwater. 

Butler came to Largo from Wauchula, where 

for the past two years he was manager of the 

Hardee. Prior to that, he was in Tampa with 

the Florida State Theatres. He and his wife 

and small daughter Cheryl Ann are making 

their home in Largo. 

SAN ANTONIO 

T»7 .1. "Hutch" Cammer, Dallas, roprc-enlative 

of the Bolersdorf Distributing Co., 

was here calling on the trade , in 

town Included Florence Chadwlck, San DIcko; 

Milton Lindner, NSS, Dallas, and Johnny 

Floore, Helotes . . . Lee Aronstein, manager of 

the old Palace, now is In the haberdashery 

busine.ss at Todd's downtown store. 

Phil Conway, repre.sentatlve for Walt 

Disney studios, Hollywood, was in town. He 

said the Fe.ss Parker starrer, "The Great 

Locomotive Chase," would hit the screen here 

the latter part of June . 

Majestic had 

a rock and roll midnighter Saturday with 

Johnny Olenn and his orchestra sharing 

honors with "Meet Me In Las Vegas" on the 

screen. Admission was 95 cents. 

Herbert D. Myers, a theatreman In the 

silent picture days, celebrated his 58th birthday 

May 1 ... A. J. "Curly" Rebecca, stage 

manager at the Azt«c, was back on deck 

after undergoing surgery In Nix Hospital. 

Raze Jacksonville Palace 

To Provide FST Parking 

JACKSONVILLE—The Palace Theatre, for 

27 years a local entertainment landmark, is 

coming down to make way for a parking lot. 

LaMar E. Sarra of Florida State Theatres has 

announced that the contract to raze the 

buUding has been let to the Cuyahoga Wrecking 

Co. of Jacksonville, and that work will 

start immediately. 

The wrecking will be completed in about 

100 days. The theatre chain will use the 

area as a parking lot for the other theatres 

it owns in the area. 

Moses Sliman Buys Airer 

BLYTHEVILLE. ARK —Moses Sliman. owner 

of the Lux and Murr theatres, has purchased 

the Delta E>rive-In, located south of 

Osceola, from Mrs. Tom Martin of Hot 

Springs. He announced the name will be 

changed to Elias Drlve-In. The theatre 

screen will be enlarged for Cinemascope and 

the latest equipment will be Installed. Work 

is getting started immediately and Sliman 

hopes to 

HOUSTON 

open soon. 

J&i;

Cleveland Film Club 

Observes 40th Year 

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cinema 

Club, said to be the oldest women's club in 

the country, organized in 1916 "to study the 

art of the motion picture and its educational 

and moral effect and to promote a better 

understanding of its problems," celebrated 

its 40th anniversary at a membership luncheon 

recently in the Higbee Grill. Mrs. 

Sally Swisher, president, welcomed the members 

and presided at the meeting which followed 

the luncheon. 

The two speakers represented the past and 

present history of the motion picture industry. 

Bertelle Lyttle, one of the club's founders, 

looked back to the club's beginnings and gave 

a list of its accomplishments. Victor Johnson, 

projectionist at the Allen Theatre and husband 

of one of the Cinema Club members, 

explained Cinemascope 55. 

"So far as I can learn from the records." 

Miss Lyttle said. "We coined the now wellknown 

phrase, 'better films." By 'better films' 

we emphasized the support of worthwhile 

films, using manners and morals as our yardstick. 

We still maintain that standard of 

selection; namely, objecting to pictures that 

overemphasize bad manners and bad morals. 

We never believed in precensorship. Rather 

we believed in educating the public to make 

better selections of film fare. 

"Another one of our firsts was to recognize 

motion pictures as a new American art. In 

that we had excellent cooperation from the 

Cleveland Art Museum, the Cleveland public 

rhepciiCcfh»aH 

We specialize 

in 

library and the club editors of the Plain 

Dealer. In fact, through our persistent efforts 

the Cleveland Art Museum became one 

of the first such institutions to accept motion 

pictures as art and to help in its development 

by gallery displays and showing selected pictures 

in its auditorium. 

"Also we were among the first groups in 

the country to campaign for an organized 

film delivery service. We saw theatre managers 

carrying cans of films from the exchanges 

to the theatres and back again and 

it was our feeling this was not the way to do 

the job. Now film delivery service is standard 

procedure. 

"We inaugurated the special, selected children's 

programs and organized junior councils 

in high schools to teach young people 

appreciation of the many arts used in the 

production of a motion picture. They learn 

to listen to the music critically, to watch the 

projection, to concentrate on the acting and 

the direction. In other words, we aim to 

better the taste of young folks so that the demand 

for better pictures will grow. 

"Today." Miss Lyttle continued, "We not 

only follow the same principles but we also 

maintain an evaluation service in the Cleveland 

Public Library. All any parent has to 

do to learn whether a particular picture is 

suitable for children is to call the library. 

Every film is classified as adult, family or 

for children." This has been Miss Lyttle's 

personal project the last several years. 

Detroit Backroom Activity 

To National Film Service 

DETROIT — National Film Service has 

taken over operation of inspection and other 

backroom activity for Allied Film Exchange. 

Manager Edward P. McCauley announced. 

This eliminates the last independent backroom 

operation in the Motor City, with all 

being serviced by National. This firm employs 

ten women and three men. 

MGM Florida Assignment 

Goes to Norm Levinson 

NEW HAVEN—Norman Levinson. a New 

Haven native who acquired his theatrical 

training in this city, has been promoted to 

MGM press representative for all of Florida 

and part of Georgia. He had been serving 

in a similar capacity in the Minneapolis-St. 

Paul territory. Levinson will make his home 

in Jacksonville. The promotion was announced 

by Emery Austin. MGM director 

exploitation. 

The MGM press representative started his 

show business career at Loew's Bijou Theatre, 

now demolished, as an assistant to Manager 

Sidney Kleper. He was lat«r student assistant 

manager at Loew's Poll here and then rejoined 

Kleper, now at Loew's College, as 

assistant manager. Harry Shaw, division 

manager for Loew's Poll, shifted Levinson to 

the Poll at Hartford several years ago as 

assistant manager. He was given the MGM 

position in Minnesota early in 1955. 

of 

concession supplies 

and equipment! You 

get only the BEST at 

ASSOCIATED 

^ 

POPCORN DISTRIBUTORS, Inc. 

Former Theatreman Dies 

GLADEWATER. TEX.—Lester Bert Payne, 

retired Gregg county businessman and onetime 

owner of a Garland motion picture 

house, died here recently. Payne operated 

theatres in Garland and Glen Rose about 

1919. After leaving Garland, he came to Gladewater 

and opened this city's first theatre, 

which was called Payne's Palace. 

HANDY SUBSCRIPTION

: May 


or 

MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS 

ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMATION 

The MODERN THEATRE 

PLANNING msTmrrE 

825 Van Brunt Blvd. 

Kansas City 24, Mo. 

Gentlemen: 

Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU 

to receive information regularly, as released, on 

the iollovîng subjects for Theatre Planning: 

D Acoustics D Lighting Fixtures 

D Air Conditioning 

[] Plumbing Fixtures 

D Architectural Service ;-, projectors 

n "Black" Lighting 

U Prbjection Lamps 

n Building Material 

n Carpets 

° Seating 

D Coin Machines ^ îgns and Marquees 

n Complete Remodeling Sound Equipment 

D Decorating 

D Television 

D Drink Dispensers D Theatre Fronts 

D Drive-In Equipment D Vending Equipment 

D Other Subjects 

Theatre 

Seating Capacity 

Address 

City 

State 

Signed 

Postage-paid reply cords for your further convenience 

in obtaining information are provided in The MODERN 

THEATRE Section, published with the first issue o» 

eacfi month. 

Obscene Films Shown 

In Ohio, Letter Charges 

COLUMBUS—Maiiy pictures .shown In Ohio 

.since the end of slate cen.sor.shlp have been 

obscene, declared Catherine Stattrnillcr of 

Colinubus In a letter to the editor of the Columbus 

Uispiitch. The writer dlsaKreed with 

boxoffice receipts," said Miss Stattmlller. 

"This Is not the first time that we have been 

exposed to this propaganda, that movies have 

no ill effects for the state's theatregoers." 

They speak, she continued, of House Bill 

712 as "a law with teeth In it, one that prevents 

obscene or illegal movies. Jvist what Is 

included under ob.scene? Webster's dictionary 

says . . . 'expressing or presenting to the 

mind or view something which delicacy, purity 

and decency forbids to be exposed— as obscene 

language or pictures.' 

"Many of the pictures which have come 

into Ohio during the past year certainly 

come in that category," she added. Miss 

Stattmiller did not list such pictures. 

"Everyone knows the bulk of tlieatregoers 

are children of all ages. There they are, shut 

up in a darkened room with nothing to look 

at or distract their attention but what Is 

flashed before them. Can anyone deny the 

impact of this on the minds and culture of 

children? 

"If we are to improve this culture of ours, 

let's work at it and not against it. Education, 

both spiritual and moral, is and should be 

everyone's patriotic duty and in particular 

those serving the public, namely theatre 

owners and producers." 

Airer Screen Is Replaced 

After Damaging Winds 

LENOIR CITY, TENN.—The Dixie-Lee 

Drive-In Theatre, which had been unable to 

present films for several weeks because of 

damage inflicted to the screen in a severe 

storm, is back in operation again. Mose Waller 

jr., operator of the theatre, said that the 

storm damage to the picture screen amounted 

to several thousand dollars. However, the 

screen has been replaced and the theatre is 

now running on a fulltime basis. 

'Mystery Farm' Popular 

TALLADEGA, ALA. — A popular stunt 

worked out by the local paper in cooperation 

with the Ritz Theatre is a "Mystery Farm" 

feature. The paper carries an aerial view of 

a farm in the locality and invites any who 

can identify it to call or write the News. Free 

tickets to the Ritz Theatre or Broadway 

Drive-In are awarded for correct identifications. 

The owner or operator of the farm pictured 

also receives a free ticket, upon making 

himself known to the paper. 

To Rebuild Damaged Airer 

MAQUOKETA, IOWA—Plans for rebuilding 

a drive-iji theatre near Moline wliu-h wa.s 

heavily damaged by winds are beuiu' made 

by the owner, Walter E, Allen of Maquoketa. 

Known as the Corral, the theatre was a 

duplicate of the 61 Drive-In near here. 

ALB Corp. Files Suit 

For Belmont Relief 

CHICAGO— ALB Theatre Corp., operator 

of the Belmont Theatre, has filed suit against 

Loew's, Universal, Warner Bros., United 

a statement that there have been no "ill effects" 

to Ohio thenlregoer.s because of censor- mount and Balaban & Katz Corp.. a.sklng for 

Artists. Columbia, 20th Century-Fox, Para- 

.shlp's deml.se. 

equitable relief for the Belmont Theatre, 

"I do not think theatre owner.s in general which wants to be taken out of the 7X)ne In 

are at all concerned with the harmful effects which film companies have placed It. The 

of any movie, but are more concerned with zone includes the Century and Covent theatres, 

both B&K houses. 

The suit claims that the Belmont Is not 

substantially competitive with the Century 

and Covent. It alleges that the zones which 

have been created by the distributors were 

.solely for the purpose of giving the B&K 

theatres competitive advantage over Independents 

for first outlying runs. 

The case has been assigned to Judge Julius 

Hoffman. B&K operated the Belmont until 

November 1955, when ALB took over ownership. 

Fred McLendon Resimies 

Operation at Clayton 

CLAYTON. ALA .—The Fred T. McLendon 

Theatres of Union Springs, Ala., once more 

has taken over the Clayton Theatre. Mrs. 

Roy Saimders will be manager of the house, 

which will be operated only on Friday, Saturday. 

Sunday and Monday. 

The la-st several months the theatre has 

been under lease to the Olin Evans Theatres 

of Florida. During that time CinemaScope 

was installed and the house operated on a 

fulltime basis. 

lacksonville Exchange 

To Be Opened by UA 

JACKSONVILLE- United Artists is opening 

a new exclianyt' ollice in Jack.sonville. 

according to an announcement from James 

R. Velde. general sales manager. Byron 

Adams, United Artists manager in Atlanta 

for the past five years, will be transferred to 

Jacksonville to head the new exchange. 

A booking office has been maintained by 

the UA in Jacksonville for the past three 

years. 

Pittsburgh Shop District 

To Be Built Near Airers 

PITTSBURGH—North Versailles Township 

commissioners gave the green light to a $5.- 

000,000 shopping center on Route 30. a halfmile 

east of the Westinghouse bridge, near 

the Greater Pittsburgh Drive-In, where a 

second outdoor theatre is In construction for 

Joe Warren. 

There will be about 35 shops and parking 

facilities 

1121 S. WAltSH 

HI W. Mlk ST 

for about 1,500 autos. 

SPECIAL 

TRAILERS 

FILMACK 

Mi 

US YOUR NEXT TRAILER 

CSEND ORDER. 

WE GUARANTEE SATISFAC1 

BOXOFFICE : 

12, 1956

: May 

CONGRATULATIONS on Your 15th Anniversary 

May 1st marked the Fifteenth Anniversary of the introduction 

of the Series E Savings Bonds. In a deeper 

sense it was your anniversary, because you, in 1941, 

helped to initiate and build a thrift movement new to 

America—The Payroll Savings Plan for the purchase of 

Series E Bonds. 

In the intervening years millions of m'^.i and women 

have invested billions of dollars in Series E Bonds 

through the Payroll Savings Plan. 

Today, forty million Americans hold Series E and 

Series H Bonds (the H Bond was introduced in 1952) 

with a cash value of more than $40 billion — a reservoir 

of future purchasing power. In addition. Savings Bonds 

have paid for college educations, new homes, retirements 

and other family needs. 

To the executives of more than 40,000 companies that 

have the Payroll Savings Plan ... the 8,000,000 employed 

men and women who invest $160 million per 

month in Series E Bonds . . . the publishers of 500 business 

papers and the managements of radio, television 

and other media who give freely of their space . . . the 

Advertising Council . . . the advertising agencies who 

contribute their skills 

... to all of you who have had a 

part in the success of the Payroll Savings Plan, the 

United States Treasury offers its heartfelt thanks. 

Oer/ett//T/ c/'//le'V/i^'ie-ri//// 

BOXOFFICE 

BOXOFFICE : 

12, 1956

: May 

FULL ARBITRATION OR ACTION 

BY CONGRESS IS ALLIED STAND 

Convention at Omaha Says 

Film Shortage Is Basic 

Industry Evil 

OMAHA—The Allied 

Independent Tlieatre 

Owners of Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota 

wound up its annual convention at the Fontenelle 

Hotel here Wednesday (9) by: 

1. Passing a strong set of resolutions topped 

by a petition to the U. S. attorney general 

and the Senate Select Committee on Small 

Business for aid in bringing about better conditions 

with distributors. 

2. Hearing a straight-from-the-shoulder 

talk by W. C. Gehring, vice-president of 

20th-Fox, on what causes the shortage of 

pictures and what exhibitors can do to help 

the 

situation. 

POINTS OUT HIGH COSTS 

Tlie Fox official pointed out the tremendous 

cost of making a picture, the cost of stars and 

increased overhead which make it impossible 

to make more pictures than the company has 

produced. 

"Exhibitors can make many profitable suggestions 

in all phases of production to improve 

the situation," he said. 

"The film industry has the most teiTific 

competition that any industiy in this nation 

must face today. We have to realize that 

television is better than ever and will continue 

to improve." 

Before TV, he asserted, the weekly theatre 

patronage was 85,000,000 people, and now it 

is between 45,000,000 and 50,000,000. 

"We, the pictui-e makers, and you, the theatre 

owners, must join forces against the 

common enemy—television," he said. "This 

idea of going to the government to settle our 

problems is utterly ridiculous. We can't fight 

together if we are constantly haggling in the 

courts." 

He charged that some exhibitors were staying 

at home evenings watching television, 

then phoning the boxoffice to see how much 

business they did. 

"You should be at the theatre as much as 

possible, greeting your customers, listening 

to their complaints and correcting them, 

checking to make sure the sound Ls good and 

the film is in focus," he said. 

PERSONAL OPERATION HELPS 

"Pei-sonalized operation will help you get 

your customers back. You can't get the job 

done by watching Perry Como." 

Benjamin N. Berger, North Central Allied 

president from Minneapolis, said the distribution 

end of the industry was driving exhibitors 

toward government regulations by its 

policy which is designed to put the exhibitor 

out of business. 

At the concluding session the Allied group 

resolved 

"That we hereby proclaim our faith in 

motion pictures as the foremost entertainment 

medium and our confidence that, given 

an adequate supply of suitable pictures to be 

played on availability at prices they can 

Remain at 

ITO Helm 

All officers and directors of Allied Inpendent 

Theatre Owners of Iowa, Nebraska 

and South Dakota were re-elected 

at the convention in Omaha this week. Leo 

VVolcott, Eldora, lona, at left, was renamed 

chairman of the board, and Al Myrick, 

Lake Park, Iowa, was re-elected president. 

afford, the exhibitors of 

the country can and 

will win back their audiences and restore 

motion pictures to theii- rightful place as 

America's leading entertainment. 

"That we recognize that the existing acute 

film shortage is the basic evil in the business 

today and we recommend to the attorney 

general and to the Senate Select Committee 

on Small Business that the so-called divorced 

circuits be permitted to engage in the production 

and distribution of films under such 

reasonable terms and conditioixs as will prevent 

any reciu-rence of former monopolistic 

acts and practices and at the same time not 

discourage the circuits from bringing additional 

product into the market. 

"Tliat pending the restoration of a free and 

open market for films, with adequate supplies, 

we hereby petition the film companies to 

join our Allied States Ass'n of Motion Picture 

Exhibitors and Theatre Owners of 

America in putting into effect an arbitration 

system that will include arbitrating the reasonableness 

and fairness of film rentals, and 

that the attorney general and the Senate 

Small Business Committee use their good 

offices to bring this about. 

"That we petition the attorney general for 

Convention Call Sent 

To All NCA Members 

Minneapolis— S. D. Kane, North Central 

Allied executive counsel, fears that 

attendance at the annual convention here 

next week (15. 16) will be hurt because 

"so many of the smaller city exhibitors no 

longer can afford to attend the meetings." 

But he urged attendance if at all possible. 

"It is only in unity that there is strength 

and strength is the only thing which distributors 

respect." he said. "For you to 

plead with a film salesman for a better 

deal is a sheer waste of time. The convention 

is the place for you to air your 

grievances and seek remedies." 

a more foi-ceful and vigilant policy by the 

Department of Justice in policing and a.ssuring 

compliance with the decrees in the Paramount 

Case, particularly as regards to the 

prereleasing of pictures, the forced raising of 

admission prices, unreasonable clearances 

and unreasonable delayed availabilities on 

top quality pictures needed to attract patrons 

into the theatres. 

"That in case the film companies do not 

give prompt assurances of a sincere purpose 

to put into effect an all-inclusive arbitration 

system, including the arbitration of complaints 

against unfair and unreasonable film 

rentals, as well as complaints involving the 

abuses cited in paragraph 4 hereof, the Senate 

Small Business Committee be petitioned to 

recommend the enactment of suitable legislation 

to protect and preserve the independent 

motion picture theatres for the use and 

enjoyment of the American people. 

CONDEMN HIGH RENTS 

"That wê strongly condemn national distributing 

companies who are withholding certain 

pictures from playing many small towns 

by the various policies of asking exorbitant 

rental terms, must percentage, prereleasing 

of pictures like 'Guys and Dolls,' 'I'll Cry 

Tomorrow,' 'Picnic,' 'The Conqueror,' 

'Alexander the Great' and others. Be it resolved 

that we strongly condemn any practice 

which calls for the so-called four-wall 

leasing of theatres for the exhibition of pictures 

by any distributing company. 

"That we expre.ss our appreciation of the 

work of our officers who are responsible for 

our speakers, our yearbook advertisers and 

the many exhibitors who left businesses to 

attend. 

"That we condemn the National Screen 

Service for the poor condition of much of 

the advertising material which it rents to 

theatres and for its failure to meet declining 

boxoffice conditions by any similar reduction 

in prices of its merchandise. 

"That we extend our heartfelt sympathy 

to Don McLucas, who at this time Is in St. 

Joseph's Hospital, and extend our sincere 

hopes for speedy recovery." (Lucas is United 

Ai'tists manager in Omaha). 

RE-ELECT OFFICERS 

All officers and directors were re-elected 

at the banquet which terminated the twoday 

convention. Al Myrick, Lake Park, Iowa, 

was renamed president. Other officers: 

Leo F. Wolcott, Eldora. chairman of the 

board: Jim Watts, Osage. Iowa; Harold 

Struve, Deshler, Neb. : Le.ster Versteeg, Springfield, 

S. D.; A. B. Jefferis, Piedmont, Mo., and 

Robert Krueger, Sioux City, Iowa, vice-presidents: 

Elmer Huhnke, Omaha, treasurer, and 

Charles Jones, Northwood. Iowa, secretary. 

On the board of directors, in addition to 

the officers, are Richard Marvel. St. Paul, 

Neb.: Lloyd Kingsbury, Kimball, S. D.: Wes 

Mansfield. Tama; Harry Lankhorst. Hawarden; 

R. M. Kuhl, Corning; Carl Harriman, 

Alton: Herman Fields, Clarinda, and Glen 

Partlow, Stuart, all of Iowa; Leonard Leise, 

Randolph, and Harry Hummel, Scrlbner, Neb.; 

Harrison Wolcott, Eldora, Iowa, and Esco 

Lund, Viborg, S. D. 

BOXOFFICE : 

12, 1956 

NC

. . Among 

. . Al 

: May 

. . There 

DES MOINES 

a nnual vacations are beginning on Piliru-ow 

here! Kathryn Simpson, Universal ledger 

clerk, is taking her two weeks and spending 

most of the time at home. Stanley Soderberg, 

Warner salesman, will be the first to go from 

that exchange. He leaves the last of the month 

for a trip west . the exhibitors on 

the Row recently was Paul Cote, who is following 

in his family's footsteps in the business. 

His parents opened the fii-st Cote 

Tlieatre in Waukon in 1911. built a new building 

in 1914 and added the Town Theatre in 

1937. Paul took over management of the Cote 

and Town theatres in 1950 and is doing a 

good job! 

Kenneth Claypaol, former booker at Warners, 

is the new head booker and office manager 

at Universal . Kolitz, RKO district 

manager from Denver, was at the local exchange 

. . . Bill Schaefer is the new exploitation 

man at MGM. replacing Bob Stone, 

transferred to Minneapolis. Bill will work in 

both the Des Moines and Omaha offices, with 

headquarters in Des Moines . . . Filmrowers 

have been delighted to see Gerry McGlynn, 

MGM manager, back on the Row on visits 

and attending a screening now and then! 

AA Host at Huron, S. D. 

HURON, S. D.—Several South Dakota exhibitcrs 

were the guests here of Allied Ai'tists 

at a cocktail party, luncheon and screening of 

two pictures, "Crime in the Streets" and "The 

First Texan," at the Huron theatre. 

MILW AUKEE 

Jêws of Henry Stephenson's death reached 

Ann Shoemaker, his wife, who was appearing 

at the Fred Miller Theatre here in 

"The Bad Seed." just as she was about to go 

on. In the tradition of the stage, she continued. 

Stephenson has appeared in numerous 

films and on the English and American 

stage for 53 years. He retired in 1949 due to 

ill health . . . Marquette University celebrated 

its 75th anniversary with oldtime films as a 

highlight. The motion pictures were brought 

here through the cooperation of Ben Marcus, 

circuit owner, and drew close to 2,000 patrons. 

Admission was free, but the fans were really 

enthusiastic and cried for more. 

Arden Thur, who formerly handled Allied's 

advertising here under Harold Pearson, 

visited her parents here. She has been working 

for Vendome on the west coast. Prior to 

this affiliation she traveled in England, 

France, Italy, China and India is 

. 

good reason why Mary Edna O'Donnell, the 

New York school teacher who won $8,000 

on "The $64,000 Question" program, chose 

motion pictures for her category. Her father 

is an auditor with Republic Pictures in New 

York. 

TO SELL YOU 

• STEREOPHONIC SOUND 

HILUX and SUPERAMA 

BAUSCH and LOMB 

ULTRA-PANATAR 

ANAMORPHIC LENSES 

STRONG and ASHCRAFT 

PROJECTION LAMPS 

TUBE and SELENIUM TYPE 

RECTIFIERS 

COMPLETE DRIVE-IN 

THEATRE EQUIPMENT 

SCREENS 

KOLLMORGEN - HILUX 

WOLLENSAK 

BACKUP and WIDE SCREEN 

LENSES 

CENTURY and MOTIOGRAPH 

PROJECTORS and SOUND 

HEYWOOD-WAKEFIELD 

RECLINING THEATRE CHAIRS 

GULISTAN CARPET 

NATIONAL CARBONS . MOTOR GENERATOR SETS 

DES MOINES THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

1121-23 High Street Phone 3-6520 Des Moines, lowo 

The city motion picture commission has 

recommended deletions in the film "Diabolique." 

The film was slated to open at the 

Downer May 18 . . . The commission's secretary 

has taken this columnist to task for 

"misquotations." Sorry, Val. Apparently some 

of our sources are not always reliable. The 

fact remains, however, that the theatre folk 

would appreciate a little broader viewpoint 

concerning certain pictures. 

Would Make Parents Pay 

For Teenage Damage 

DAVENPORT, IOWA—Teenage "rippers" 

are causing thousands of dollars worth of 

damage annually in Quad City theatres and 

to city buses. Efforts are being exerted by 

the theatre managers and officials of the bus 

lines to overcome the problem. In a number 

of cities throughout the country neighborhood 

theatres have closed because of excessive 

damage to business and equipment caused 

by teenagers. Destructive teenagers, it was 

pointed out, operate behind a "cloak of security" 

in that they are minors. Some states 

have passed laws making parents responsible 

for damage done by their children. Iowa has 

no such legislation. 

Theatre operators say that in order to fight 

the problem, they have to police the theatre 

continually, especially during performances 

when the program attracts large gi'oups of 

teenagers. Sometimes it is necessary for an 

usher to abandon his ushering duties and become 

a policeman in order to cope with the 

problem. Theatre managers and officials of 

the bus line agree that if Davenport had 

some legislation which would make the parents 

responsible for damage done by their children 

it would help in solving their problem with 

vandalism. 

Opens at Alexandria, Minn. 

ALEXANDRIA, MINN.—Mr. and Mrs. 

Wally Bloom opened their Sunset Drive-In 

for the season with a showing of "The Long 

Gray Line." Admission was $1 a carload 

opening night, with children admitted free. 

BOXOFFICE : 

12, 1956

. . Rich 

: May 

. . Don 

. . Orville 

. . Frank 

. . Jack 

. . Mrs. 

OMAHA 

^liff Slu'aron, who operates thoatif,-- at 

Genoa and Fiillerton. said lie is considering 

auctioning his theatre at Akron, Iowa. 

There is talk that the city may take over 

operation . Wilson, MGM salesman, 

received word of the death of his brotherin-law, 

Chal Noe, in Los Angeles. Noe recently 

suffered a severe heart attack . . . Axel 

Sorensen, who has the Vogue at Beresford, 

S. D., is on the sick list . . . Tony Goodman, 

Warner office manager and Indian Hills golf 

champion, won an electric razor w'hen he and 

the state champion. Bob Astleford, were 

victors in a television exhibition of driving 

and approaching. Their opponents were Bob 

Frazer. former state champ, and Mark 

Stevens, leading city linkster. 

Glenn Slipper, area representative for 

National Theatre Supply Co., is moving to 

new quarters at 307 North Sixteenth St. He 

expects to be set up at the new location 

about May 15 Flo Hamer, MGM as- 

. . . 

sistant cashier, and Viola Coburn also of 

MGM, were vacationing . Renfro, 

Theatre Booking Service, has been back at 

the office parttime since his operation. He 

has been battling a reaction from antibiotic 

drugs and has dropped about 20 pounds. 

The Flmrow Golf League is officially under 

way. Three foursomes teed off at Dodge Park 

for the opening round . Eby and 

two fishing pals got five yellow catfish from 

seven to 15 pounds in the Missom-i River. 

Eby is a Paramount booker . Evelyn 

Cannon. MGM office manager, reported that 

her father showed some improvement. He 

was hit by an auto and suffered fractured 

vertebrae and pelvis . Hollingsworth, 

owner of the Holly at Beatrice, still 

is hospitalized here . McLucas, United 

Artists manager, also on the hospital list, was 

somewhat better at St. Joseph's. 

'Gray Flannel' Debut 

Scores 150 in Omaha 

OMAHA—"The Man in the Gray Flannel 

Suit" drew a bell-ringing crowd to the 

Orpheum Theatre opening week and the boxoffice 

percentage ran to 150 per cent. Two 

holdovers in their fifth and final week 

skidded well under the average count. These 

were "The Man With the Golden Arm" at 

the Brandeis and "I'll Cry Tomorrow" at the 

State. 


Admirol-Chief Stronger ot My Door (Rep); Tsrror 

ot Midnight (Rep) 100 

Brandeis The Mon With the Golden Arm (UA), 

5th wl< 50 

Omaha Slightly Scorlet (RKO); Hidden Guns 

(Rep) 85 

Orpheum The Mon in the Groy FlonncI Suit 

(20th-Fox) 150 

I'll State Cry Tomorrow (MGM), 5th wk 80 

Minneapolis Cold, So 

Are Screen Bills 

MINNEAPOLIS—Holdovers made the best 

boxoffice showing as business, despite favorable 

cold weather, continued on the drab side. 

None of the newcomers demonstrated much 

robustness. It was the fourth and final week 

for "Diabolique" and the second for "Man 

in 

the Gray Flannel Suit." 

Gopher ^Femole Jungle (SR); Oklohomo Woman 

(AlP) 90 

Lyric Creature Walks Among Us (U-l); Price of 

Fear (U-l) 85 

Radio City The Man in the Gray Flonnel Suit 

(20fh-Fox), 2nd wk 150 

Orpheum—Hot Blood (Col) 85 

Pan— Killer Is Loose (UA); Broken Stor (UA).. 85 

State—Comonche (UA) 90 

World Diabolique (UMPO), 100 

4th wk 



SALES! 

with a 

BRAND NEW 

SPOT TAG 




Spotty plays hide ond seek with your audience 





OVER AND OVER 

$1750 

MOTl PltTOlE SEiyiEE CD, 

SOUTH TEXAS 

Fully controlled city 12,000. All bcoutiful tl 

tres. Lond ot ycor-round sunshine ond floM 

Requires $80,000 cash. Exclusive private i 

RALPH I. ERWIN 

Exhibitors on Filmrow included Otto Leise, 

Bloomfield: Mr. and Mrs. Tony Schroedl, 

Humboldt: Mr. and Mrs. Sam Burrus, Crete: 

Marvin Jones, Red Cloud: Jack McCarthy, 

Louisville: Howell Roberts, Wahoo: Lloyd 

Kingsbury, Platte and Kimball, S. D., and 

lowans Carl Harriman, Alta: Bob Krueger, 

Sioux City: C. C. Moore, Dunlap. and C. D. 

Vickers, Mapleton. 

Ray W. Anderson Is Named 

Grand Forks Manager 

GRAND FORKS, N. D.—Ray W. Anderson 

has taken over as Grand Forks city manager 

for the Minnesota Amusement Corp. Anderson 

came from Sioux Falls, S. D., where he 

managed the Egyptian Theatre. A theatreman 

of long standing, he .succeeds Clifford 

L. Knoll, who was assigned as city manager 

for the company at Sioux Falls. Anderson 

will have charge of the Empire and Dakota 

theatres. 

W. R. "Dick" Arndt Dies at 49 

RUTHVEN, IOWA—W. R. "Dick" Arndt, 49, 

owner of the Palo Alto Theatre here, died 

following a sudden heart attack. Born in 

Minneapolis in 1907, he moved to Ruthven 

with his parents about 25 years ago and 

operated a clothing store until about ten years 

ago when he bought the theatre. Survivors 

include his wife and two sons, Richard and 

Ronald. 

North Central headquarters 

Complete Theatre equipment 

OUTDOOR THEATRES 

Ballantyne is your complete source. From famous Dub'l- 

Cone speakers to any operating supplies. Soundheads, 

projectors, arc lamps, amplification systems, parts. One 

call to a Ballantyne dealer or Ballantyne covers everything. 

INDOOR THEATRES 

From carbons to complete sound systems for any size 

theatre. Magnetic or optical. All types of lenses. All are 

hi stock at Ballantyne. 

FAST SERVICE on all Stock Items 

^BallantiineCjmipcuiy. 

1712 Jackson OMAHA, NEBRASKA 

BOXOFFICE : 

12, 1956

. . Rube 

. . Don 

. . Fay 

. . Ben 

: May 

MINNEAPOLIS 

'phe \'aricty Club's fii-st •glnerama" this 

season—gin rummy tournament—was so 

successful that a second will be held in the 

Hotel Nicollet clubrooms next Monday night 

(14). Champion Gil Nathanson will defend 

his title. There's no admission charge and 

the entry fee is only $1. Members are urged 

to come early and have their dinners in the 

clubrooms. Bill Broms at Theatre Confections 

asks those planning to attend to let 

him know by calling Federal 2-8015 so that 

arrangements and reservations can be made. 

Phil Conway, Buena Vista, was in town to 

beat the drum for "The Great Locomotive 

Chase" . Jackter, Columbia sales 

manager, was here to meet ciixuit buyers and 

other exhibitors. 

Robert Stone, Des Moines, took over as 

MGM exploiteer here, succeeding Norm Devinson 

who has been transfeiTed to Florida 

and Georgia . Swartz of Independent 

exchange spotted his twin bill of "Female 

Jungle" and "Oklahoma Woman" into the 

Loop Gopher here . Dressell. RKO 

manager, was back on the job after a siege 

in the hospital where he underwent treatment 

for a sinus infection, but he's still not 

feeling too hot. Some warm weather is needed 

to bring him around, no doubt . . . Warner 

exploiteer Don Walker came in from Kansas 

City to set up campaigns for saturation 

bookings of "Animal World" and "Goodbye. 

My Lady." 

SPECIAL 

Ml W. 44111 SI 

TRAILERS 

FILMACK 

* ^jm ^moi.iJiiT.Lri-iTinia 

AIM 

SEND US YOUR NEXT TRAILER ORDER. 

M ^^\ WE GUARANTEE SATISFACTION! 

Irving Marks has set Allied Ai'tists' twin 

bill "World Without End" and "Atomic Man" 

into the Minneapolis Lyric and St. Paul 

Riviera day and date June 22 . . . Sim Heller, 

Variety Club chief barker, and wife left on 

a European jaunt . Berger, North 

Central Allied president, and wife will depart 

late this month on a six-week trip 

to Eiu-ope. 

The Variety auxiliary has chosen Mrs. Ev 

Seibel as president. Other officers are Mi-s. 

Woodrow Fraught, secretary; Mrs. L. J. Ludwig. 

corresponding secretary; Mi-s. Lowell 

Kaplan, treasurer, and Mi-s. Bob Murphy, 

publicity chairman. The advisory board 

comprises Mi'S. Ben Berger, Mi-s. S. D. Kane 

and Mi-s. Martin Lebedoff. Committee chairmen 

are Mesdames Saul Malisow, Jack Bradley, 

Jess McBride. Tom Burke, Sim Heller 

and Bill Broms. The next auxiliary meeting 

and luncheon will be at 12;30 p.m. on May 22 

in 

the clubrooms. 

Bill Broms of Theatre Confections has been 

named a special Hennepin County deputy 

sheriff . . . Eddie Schwartz is taking a bow 

for the "swell job" done by him in getting out 

the 1956 roster of Variety Club members. Recent 

Variety membership additions include 

John R. Kelvie, James Howard Hall, Mandt 

Torrison, Clifford Luzar (former steward and 

now a Warner booker), Leo Gross, Charles C. 

Creamer, C. P. Kriedberg and Elliott Goldenberg. 

For the second consecutive summer, 17 independent 

neighborhood theatres have gone 

into a two-for-one ticket sale promotion . . . 

Otto Kob.s, owner of the Obboro Theatre in 

suburban Eden Prairie, lost out for a second 

time in his effort to obtain a permit from 

the city council for a new drive-in which 

would have been the ninth in the Twin 

Cities' area. Opponents claimed the ozoner 

would depreciate surrounding property values 

by attracting such undesirable businesses as 

hot dog stands, etc.. and also would contribute 

to traffic 

difficulties. 

Sound and 

Problems ? 

Projection 

No matter what equipment you ore now using, you'll profit by 

consulting with WESTERN for— 

PARTS, SERVICE and TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW" 

to keep those patrons coming with 

j^^wec^ SCREEN PRESENTATION 

Let us show you the 

many advantages of 

nationally-famous 

WESTERN 

THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

RCA EQUIPMENT 

and SUPPLIES 

Everything in 

Theatre 

Equipment 

Supplies 

lyf^^WtiiîimiiJ 

With Burt Ennis in tow, the Altec Service 

promotion cai-avan created a considerable 

stir here ... Ed Schwartz, Ad-Ai-t theatrical 

printer, returned from a New York 

combined pleasure and business trip . . . 

Myron Adcock and Ted Mann, co-chairmen 

of the Brotherhood drive of the National 

Council of Christians and Jews in this territory, 

report that exhibitors collected $1,150. 

Charles Zinn Is Named 

Supervisor By MAC 

MINNEAPOLIS—The Minnesota Amusement 

Co. is making a number of managerial 

changes. 

, 

Charles Zinn, who 

has been Radio City 

Theatre managing director 

here as well as 

supervisor of Twin 

Cities theatre, under 

the rearrangements 

announced by Charles 

Winchell, presidentgeneral 

manager, is 

elevated to the new 

post of Twin Cities 

district manager. 

Tommy Martin, who 

Charles Zinn has been manager of 

local State, moves over to Radio City 

the 

where he'll assume the managing director's 

duties. John McCashin remains as Radio 

City house manager. 

Francis Wiggins is being moved from the 

managerial post at the Lyric here to the 

State as manager. The Lyric will have a 

new manager in the person of Douglas Martin 

who has been manager of a theatre at 

Pierre, S. D., and who was with MAC once 

before at St. Cloud, Minn. 

Barker's Co-Ops Capture 

Omaha Bowling Crown 

OMAHA—Barker's Co-Ops were crowned 

champions of the Filmrow Bowling League as 

the keglers wound up their first season. 

Members of the championship team were 

Bill Barker, Bill Haarmann, Gleim Slipper, 

Orville and Phyllis Eby and Mona Hansen. 

Film Transports came out second in the 

hottest league fight. Warner Shorts was 

third; Republic, fourth; 20th-Fox, fifth; 

Renfro's Rogues, sixth; RKO, seventh; Warner 

Features; eighth; MGM Barney Bears, 

ninth, and MGM Tom and Jen-ies, tenth. 

Tom and Jerries were voted the best sports. 

The league will have its big banquet May 

22 at the Birchwood Club. 

Charles Herbst Jr. Dies; 

Theatre Engineering Co. 

MILWAUKEE—Charles Herbst jr., owner of 

Theatre Engineering Service here, died April 

24 after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. 

Herbst is survived by his wife Gertrude, a 

daughter Mrs. Verna Jean Love of Pacific 

Grove, Calif., and a son James Charles. 

Herbst serviced theatres in the Wisconsin 

and northern Michigan area for the last four 

years through his Theatre Engineering Service. 

Formerly he was a field engineer for RCA 

in this same area. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

12, 1956

Cleveland Theatre Union Burns Headquarters Mortgage 

More than 304 Local 160 members, their wives and friends attended the dinner 

dance celebrating the burning of the mortgage on the headquarters building in Cleveland. 

CLEVELAND — Some 380 members of 

lATSE Local 160, their wives and friends, 

aathered in the Hollenden Hotel here recently 

for a dinner dance to celebrate the burning 

of the mortgage on their headquarters building 

at 1866 East 25th St. 

Among those who came for the event and 

were introduced by Perry L. Carter, business 

manager who acted as master of ceremonies, 

were International President Richard 

Walsh, International Secretary-Treasurer 

Harland Holmden and John Schiff of Akron, 

who is vice-president of the eighth district 

of which Cleveland is a member. 

Also present at this gala affair which 

started at midnight and ended at the break 

of dawn were prominent leaders in the labor 

movement and sister locals from Cleveland 

and surrounding cities. 

A notable fact was the attendance of many 

e.xhibitors representing the independent chain 

and outdoor theatres of this area. Among 

those introduced by the emcee were Frank 

Murphy, Loew's Theatre division manager: 

Dick Wright, district manager for the Stanley 

Warner theatres; Max Mink, manager of 

the Palace; Jack Silverthorne, manager of 

the Hippodrome; Louis Weitz, executive secretary 

of the Cleveland Motion Picture Exhibitors 

Ass'n; Joseph Rembrandt, James 

Kalafat, Ted Vermes, Howard Reif, representing 

the independent theatres, and Ben 

Hirschberg and Alan Shaw representing the 

drive-ins. 

As a prelude to the main business at hand 

—burning of the mortgage—Carter, whose 

efforts made the affair po.ssible, wa.s given 

a diamond studded gold life membership 

card in Local 160. 

The party started on the stroke of midnight 

with cocktails in the lounge adjoining 

the hotel ballroom, where an elaborate dinner 

was served. International President Richard 

Walsh and International Secretary- 

Treasurer Harland Holmden complimented 

Local 160 for its accomplishments. Then followed 

the actual burning of the mortgage, 

with Carter holding the mortgage and Walsh 

and Holmden applying the matches. This 

ceremony was accompanied by a toast with 

champagne. Dancing followed. 

Local 160 is one of the very few locals in 

the country that has its own building. Prior 

to starting construction in 1949, the local 

occupied space in the Hippodrome building. 

This new building, valued at about $85,000, 

is equipped with facilities for all membership 

activities including, in addition to busine.ss 

offices, a spacious recreation area with card 

room, pool tables and a TV set. The building 

committee that devised the plans and 

supervised construction consisted of Carter, 

Mike Saw-do and Ed Levy. 

Carter, who in 1952 succeeded Harland 

Holmden as business manager, has been a 

Local 160 member since 1916. He did not become 

active in the affairs of the local, however, 

until 1946 when he wa,s appointed a mem- 

Burning the mortgage on the Local 

160 building in Cleveland are, left to 

right: Richard Walsh, I.\TSE president; 

Perry L. Carter, Local 160 business manager, 

and Harland Holmden, lATSE secretary-treasurer. 

ber of the board of directors. Then, in 1950 

he was elected president, and since 1952 

has been business manager of the local, 

w'hich numbers approximately 237 members. 

This number has been fairly constant 

through the years in spite of the fluctuating 

theatre conditions. Opening of drive-ins, it 

is said, has compensated for the closing of 

hardtop theatres In this area. 

Local 160 received congratulations from 

many sister locals for its Initiative in erecting 

its own building and for clearing it of all encumbrances 

within a period of seven years. 

National Carbon Triumphs 

In Cleveland Bowling 

CLEVELAND—Last week was the 24th and 

last week of the local bowling season for foiuteams 

that played under the banner of the 

Moving Pictuie Operators Union, Local 160. 

First place winner was the National Carbon 

team, made up of Earl Gehringer, Bob 

Bullock, Carl Lucht and Harry Lee. 

Oliver Theatre Supply Co. was runnerup. 

Local 160 was third, National Theatre Supply 

fourth. 

Because of the working schedules of the 

projectionists, there will be no end of the 

season banquet this year. Neither will there 

be a championship playoff with the Detroit 

Nightingales, as in previous years. 

Cynthiana Midway Opens 

CYNTHIANA. KY.—The Midway, outdoor 

theatre four miles south of town, has been 

open for business the past several weekends, 

planning to start its regular schedule as soon 

as weather permits. 

Albany Man Buys Tenn. Theatre 

ALBANY, KY.—B. C. Byers, local businessman, 

recently bought the Ray Cooper Theatre 

in Byrdstown, Tenn. At the same time, 

he sold his property in Monticello, Ky., to 

Curtis Cooper. 

Cast Toppers in 'She-Creature' 

Set for top roles in "The She-Creature." 

Golden State production, were Tom Conwa 

and Cathy Downs. 

Opens New Kentucky Airer 

SOUTH SHORE. KY.—Formal opening of 

the new Blue Grass Drive-In was held Friday 

night (41. W. B. Hannah, who operates 

a local indoor theatre, is the owner. National 

Theatre Supply Co. equipped the drive-in. 

SPECIAL 

TRAILERS 

FILMACK 

Iriiii'itilH 

SEND US YOUR NEXT TRAILER 

WE GUARANTEE SATISFACTI 

BOXOFFICE :: May 12, 1956 ME

' 

. . UA 

. . . John 

. . Louis 

. . George 

. . 

. . 

. . 

DETROIT 

tJarry K. Berns, formerly at the Jolly Roger 

Drive-In, has moved to the reopened 

World . . . Dillon M. Krepps, managing director 

of the United Artists, is back from a 

short trip to Toronto . now has a pair 

of oldtlme Detroit filmites in the top brass- 

Jim Velde, formerly with Paramount and 

Eagle Lion, as general sales manager, and 

Milton Cohen, formerly of RKO, as easternsouthern 

division manager. 

George Clancy, onetime with the Michigan 

Theatre orchestra, was feated on his 

elevation to national treasurer of the American 

Federation of Musicians. Ed Werner, 

director of the Michigan orchestra for many 

years and Detroit local president, was in the 

chair, with Les Clark and Hud Green on the 

dais. Guest speakers included Andy Mc- 

Clellan, who has succeeded the late Frank 

X. Martel as president of the Detroit-Wayne 

County Federation of Labor, and well-publicized 

leader of the Teamsters, James Hoffa. 

Buddy Fields, veteran booker, was key con- 

• KOLLMORGEN 

and B & L LENSES 

THtATBt tQUlPMtNT CO. 

106 Mkhigan St., N.W. 

_ Grand Rapids 2, Mick. 

T»l. elendaU 4-8aS2«l)i9hls « Sundoy* 3-Mlf 

tact man coordinating the event. John Fuilayson, 

Detroit News film critic, had to rush 

off to cover another show . 

Stark, 

former News dramatic critic, and his wife, 

who is Anne Campbell, well known in her 

own right as a poet, exchanged gossip of the 

old neighborhood with your scribe . . . Del 

Delbridge, who formerly led the Broadway 

Capitol orchestra, was another guest. 

The old White Cloud Theatre, which was 

operated by the late Glen W. Beach, has been 

dismantled, with the Glen-Arah the only 

active theatre in the town of White Cloud . 

Wade Allen of the old Fine Arts writes 

about "God's country" as the goal of informed 

travelers, from Phoenix, Ai'iz., where 

he is with MGM Theatres. 

The Elliot Theatre in River Rouge now is 

being operated by E. V. Dudley under lease 

from cii-cuiteer Saul Korman, with Harold 

Butler as manager. Title of the Elliott 

Theatre has been registered by Walter Muller, 

but is not connected with this house . . . 

The Orr at Fowlerville, operated by Schuckert 

& Stafford, has been closed . . . Ida Gottlieb, 

formerly of UA, has joined Allied Film.s 

Colwell sr., operator at the Broadway 

Capitol, is hospitalized, as is John jr. of 

the Nortown, who is in Jennings Hospital for 

ulcer treatment . . . Phil Stanton, UA salesman 

from Seattle, is taking over Lee Goldsmith's 

old territory in western Michigan. 

In the booths—Jerry Herlihy has succeeded 

Gus Wetzel at the Rio . Wolf, former 

soundman, is at the Belair Drive-In . 

William Waddell of the Alhambra succeeded 

William Schmitz at the Cameo . . . William 

R. Moesta has moved from the Broadway 

Capitol to the Colonial. 

The Cub Theatre at Bear Lake, formerly 

scheduled for dismantling, is being reopened 

by Mrs. Stanley C. Dilley . . . Stan Baran 

reports the Film Bowling League banquet 

will be canceled this year . . . Mrs. J. E. 

Upthegrove of Port Austin was a local visitor 

. . . Russ Taylor reopened the Temple at 

Petoskey on Saturday for John and Henry 

Galster . . . Mrs. Leon Robbe is reported 

negotiating for sale of the Elsie Theatre . 

Irwin Lovett, RKO booker, is back from 

a Florida trek. 

George Delis Plans 

$250,000 Drive-In 

CANTON, OHIO—A 1,200-car drive-in to 

cost about $250,000 will be built a half mile 

northeast of here on Route 62 by George A. 

Delis, local theatreman. 

Associated with Delis in the project are 

Nate Schultz, president of Selected Theatres 

cii-cuit of Cleveland, and Myer S. Pine, president 

of the Associated Theatres circuit. 

Associated Theatres operates the North Canton 

and Midcity drive-ins here. Selected 

Theatres operates the East 30 Drive-In. 

Tlie new drive-in, still unnamed, will have 

an air conditioned concession building, in-car 

heaters and a children's playgi'ound ai'ea with 

free rides. The screen tower will be 135x75 

feet. Pi-ojection equipment will handle all 

the new processes, including Cinemascope 55. 

Delis said construction will start as soon as 

plans have been approved by the Ohio Department 

of Industrial Relations. 

Cleveland MP Council Luncheon 

CLEVELAND—Tlie Motion Pictm-e Council 

of Greater Cleveland will hold its annual 

spring luncheon in the Higbee Auditorium 

Thui-sday (17). Mrs. Joseph Chase, president, 

will preside. 

John Mclntire has been cast as a psychiatrist 

in Universal's "I've Been Here Before." 

RESEAT OR RENOVATE 

Professional work on Seat 

Renovation — factory trained 

crew. Your chairs recovered, 

using Foam Rubber or New 

Springs. Metal parts refinished 

in Baked Enamel—like 

new. Estimates anywhere. 

In Sfock—Used 

1200 plywood chairs 

650 full upholstered chairs 

1500 squab seot, pad bock 

HEYWOOD-WAKEFIELD SEATING 

Sej^ylce Partt Rapain 

DETROIT POPCORN CO. 

READY-TO-EAT POPPED CORN 

Corn - Seasoning - Boxes - Salt 

DISTRIBUTORS OF CRETORS' POPCORN MACHINES 

5633 Grand River Ave. Phone TYIer 4-6912 

Detroit 8, Mich. Nights- UN 3-1468 

THEATRE CHAIRS 

INSTALLED and REPAIRED 

REASONABLE 

PRICES 

upholstered 

Lavina Stretch, RKO head inspector, is 

vacationing in parts unknown . . . Jerry 

Gross, former U-I salesman, has married and 

is returning to Wayne University . . . George 

and Tony Ellul reopened the Garden Thursday 

. . . Julia Stui-devant of Ernie Forbes 

Supply is back from a short Jamaica vacation. 

The Motor City's key delegation of ten 

flew to New York for the Variety International 

convention. The group was headed by Chief 

Barker Ben Rosen and Jack Zide, national 

canvasman. The delegation included Ai-thur 

Weisberg, head of A&W-Sterling Theatres: 

Joseph Forbes, Confection Cabinet Corp., 

and Hy Schwartz, theatrical electric contractor. 

The wives of the five delegates will accompany 

them. Zide will stay over until May 

17 on business for Allied Film Exchange. 

RCA 

For Rent — Small Private 

OFFICE OR DESK SPACE IN 

Top Prestige Locotion. Heart ot 

Secretarial Service Avoilable. R 

Mich. Phone WOodward 2-1100. 

DETROIT

. . "Madame 

. . Exchanges 

. . Jack 

: May 

. . Nat 

. . 

. . 

. . The 

. . 

CLEVELAND 

lôrris Leiko, RKO distikt manaRer, ended 

26 years affiliation with the company 

and moved to New York as sales representative 

for Paramount in charge of "The Ten 

Commandments" and "War and Peace." He'll 

be comins back, however, when a date is set 

for the farewell testimonial dinner now being 

iu-ranged . . . Robert Bial heads the new 

Arkay Sign Studio, successor to Luthi Sign 

& Display Co.. 614 Film Bldg. Matt Bial, a 

brother, is head of the art department . 

The film exchange employes Local B-5 will 

hold a benefit drawing June 6 for an RCA 

radio clock, an RCA table radio, a GE mixer 

and Universal electric coffee percolator. All 

Local B-5 members are accepting contributions. 

Robert Yodice, 44, onetime assistant manager 

at Loew's State, and In recent years 

manager of a chain of parking lots, died 

last week. He is survived by his wife and 

four children . Wolf is home from 

Texas, where he looked over his theatre interests 

and visited relatives . . . Arthur Marchand, 

assistant to P. L. Tanner, head of Film 

Transit Co.. and his wife are vacationing 

in Lake Worth. Fla. . . . "Diabolique" was 

in its fifth week at the Heights Art Theatre. 

Barbara Salzman has resigned as bookeroffice 

manager at IFE. Until her successor 

is named. Florence Friedman Harris, who 

held that post until her marriage, is holding 

down the fort for District Manager Mark 

Goldman . Butterfly," made in 

Japan, has a first run local booking at the 

Heights Art Theatre this month . . . Danny 

Rosenthal, UA manager, was called to New 

York by the illness of his mother . . . Wedding 

bells rang April 29 for Paula Stutz, one 

of the twin daughters of E. J. Stutz, managing 

director of the Circle Theatre. Paula 

became the bride of Lawrence Lilbiger. 

Betty Kaplan, secretary to MGM manager 

Jack Sogg, won a bowling "Oscar" for rolling 

the most pins over average for all 

women's leagues at the Trianon Bowling Alley 

in March . have been notified 

that the Grafton in Grafton will close May 

15. after which it will be dismantled . . . 

Also closing is the Palace in Continental . 

Bert Schoonmaker of the World Theatre, Toledo, 

is a gi'andpa. John jr. was born to the 

wife of Bert's son. 

Larry Kunz, local salesman for American 

Seating Co., died. Prior to moving his offices 

to Brookpart road, he occupied space in the 

National Theatre Supply Co. storeroom on 

Payne avenue. He left his wife, a son, who is 

attending Case Institute of Technology, and 

a daughter . 

Silverthorne announced 

his Hippodrome will play "The Man Who 

Knew Too Much," the second Paramoiuit 

picture ever to play there. Paramount pictures 

usually play the Loew theatres. 

Columbia Pictures was excited over the 

May 9 world premiere of "Autumn Leaves" 

SIGNS KENTUCKY TAX REPEALER—A. B. 'Happy" Chandler, governor of 

Kentucky, signing the repeal of the Kentucky state amusement tax covering theatre 

admissions up to and including 50 cents. Witnessing the signing are, left to right: 

Russ Brown, Trail and Mills theatres, Morehcad; Jim Denton, Majestic, Owingsville; 

Johnny Smith, South Williamson; Jim Atteberry, Grand, Frankfort; Bob Cox, Schine 

district manager, Lexington, and Gene Lutes, Chakeres Theatres Kentucky manager 

and chairman of the Kentucky theatre tax repeal 

at the Allen Theatre, with Cliff Robertson 

here for the event H. MacManus 

testimonial dinner 14 at Rasso's restaurant, 

May 

105th and Euclid avenue, 

promises 

to be an industry milestone in.sofar as attendance 

is concerned. MacManus has left 

Cooperative Theatres of Ohio, where he was 

assistant to President Milton A. Mooney, to 

manage the Starlite, Telegraph and Parkside 

Drive-ins in Toledo. 

Newcomers to Industry 

Open Cleveland Airer 

CLEVELAND—Spring opening of the Peai'l 

Road Drive-In. located at 7591 Pearl Road, 

took place Friday i4) under an arrangement 

between the present owners and two newcomers 

in the local theatre field who will operate 

it with an option to purchase it at close 

of the present season. 

The new operators are Fi-ank Schiessl and 

Alfred H. Homeier. said to be interested in 

motels in Florida. 

The Pearl Road Drive-In, with a 725-car 

capacity, was built last year by local interests. 

It is the newest outdoor theatre in the 

Greater Cleveland area. Under the new 

arrangement, just announced by Jerome 

Friedlander, attorney who handled the tr-ansaction, 

all buying and booking will be done by 

Milton A. Mooney's Cooperative Theatres of 

Ohio. Opening double feature program wa-s 

"The Last Hunt" with Robert Taylor and 

"Square Jungle" with Tony Curtis. 

The former operators of the theatre do 

not participate in its operation in any way. 

according to Friedlander. James J. Barton, 

owner of the land on which the theatre is 

built, confirmed that he has leased it to the 

new operators. 

committee. 

..SHAKE: 

A NEW and BETTER 

Chocolate Drink 

^ Serve HOT or COLD 

r Troiler FREE ] •P /| O U Pcf cose 

~~~ 

With a 10-case * of 

k. order. J 

48 cons 

AT CONCESSION HEADQUARTERS 

NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY 

2129 Poyne Ave. Phone PRospccf 1-4613 

CLEVELAND 14, OHIO 

Intermission Clock Trailers 

For Drive-In Theatres 

CASH GUARANTEE 

$300.00 to $3,000.00 

theofre promotion business In 

will 

20 

Clevelond; 

Yeors in 

be here TOMORROW to stond 

of bock every deol we moke TODAY. 

New DINNERWARE . 

.... BANKO Card Gomes 

Write, Wire or Phone NOW for 

Details 

JACK L. 6ERTZ ENTERPRISES 

2300 Payne - Warner Bldg. 

Phone Cherry 1-7559 

Personalized Film Buying & Booking 

• Styled to Your Individual Situation 

HERBERT H. HORSTEMEIER 

1-7222 

1-9812 

409 Film Bldg. Cleveland 14, Ohio 

jT^MjlCiAM^ ^ 

GreatcrTrateÂre 

r^^r^ \///J/rV^^^^ MAXIMUM LIGH 

\ "J v.—^^>ÔONTON. N. J. Even/y D/sfWbufec 

in Michigon— NAT'L THEATRE SUPPLY, Detroit-Woodword 1-2447 

in Kentucky-STANDARD VENDORS of LOUISVILLE-Wabash 0039 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

12, 1956

. . Edward 

. . Leo 

. . Manager 

. . MGM's 

: May 

iNCINNATI 

^jsrilliam Rogers, exhibitor of Keystone, W. 

Va., has closed his Rogers Theatre for the 

•season . , . Dick Breslin, salesman for 20th- 

Fox in the Dayton area, resigned effective 

May 11, to become an associate of Sam Levin 

in operation of drive-in theatres in Dayton 

and Springfield. Breslin plans to continue to 

make his home here. Levin who plans to increase 

his drive-in circuit, currently is building 

a new ozoner in Chicago, 

Joseph H. McKnight, Kentucky salesman 

for Paramount, has resigned. Jack Kirschbaum, 

booker at Paramount, will handle the 

Kentucky territory while Don Benning, former 

ledger clerk, takes over the booking job. 

Stuart Jacobson will represent Paramount 

in the Columbus ten-itory, in place of James 

Doyle. William A. Meier continues as local 

sales manager . . . Lillian Ahern, cashier for 

Paramount, was enjoying another week's 

vacation. 

Anna Bell Ward Olson, president of the 

Somerset (Ky.i Amusement Co., returned 

from a vacation in Florida and points south. 

Her husband David has been undergoing 

treatment in a local hospital. 

Mrs. S. C. Tabor of the Dixie Theatre, Olive 

Hill, Ky., received condolences on the death 

of her mother . McGlone of the 

RKO Palace in Columbus, and his wife report 

the addition to their family of a son 

named David. 

Lowell Thomas of the Liberty Theatre in 

Oak Hill has curtailed operations of his thea- 

WIDE SCREEN and 

CINEMASCOPE 

Equipment of All Kinds 

MID -WEST THEATRE 

SUPPLY CO., 

1638 Central Parkway 

INC. 

CINCINNATI 10. OHIO 

CHerry 7724 

Whatever You Need- 

We Can Supply It. 

tre to weekends only . . . Charles Behlen, 

Kentucky circuit exhibitor, is convalescing 

after an operation ... Si Stewart, a former 

Filmrow booker and salesman, is still active 

in show business. Stewart manages the Imperial 

in Cincinnati for the Associated Theatres 

circuit, with which he has been affiliated 

for 12 years. 

Out-of-towners seen on the Row were Clyde 

McCoy, Williamson; Dorman Law, Roseville; 

W. T. Cain jr., Paintsville; Jim Denton, 

Owingsville; Asa Hay, Aberdeen: Han-y 

Wheeler, Gallipolis; Mrs. Julia Simons, 

Charleston, and Bill Powers, Pendleton. 

Gustave Boudot, office manager, UA, and 

his wife celebrated theii- 28th wedding anniversary 

. 

. . Robert J. McNabb, manager for 

20th-Pox, was in New York on business . . . 

Edward Salzberg, Screen Classics, drove to 

Columbus, Miss., to meet his wife, who had 

been visiting family there . . . James I. Doyle, 

Columbus salesman for Paramount, has resigned. 

He now is representing Universal in 

the Columbus territory. 

. 

Fanny Voss, head inspector. Paramount, 

celebrated her 40th anniversary with Paramount 

in April Adler, auditor, 

UA, left for Los Angeles. This was his last 

audit in the eastern division. He will devote 

his time to branches in the west . . . Fred 

Robbins, who received training here for sales 

work, left to take up his duties in the Detroit 

UA office. 

'Oklahoma!' Remains 

Detroit Bright Spot 

DETROIT—The general level of business 

continued to drop, with unfavorable weather 

as the only apparent reason. "Oklahoma!" 

in its tenth week continued to lead. 


Adams I'll Cry Tomorrow (MGM), 8th wk 85 

Broadway Capitol The Come-On (AA); Crashing 

Los Vegos 

Fox—Hilda Crone 

(AA) 80 

(20th-Fox), Swamp Women 

(Wooiner) 100 

1 Madison Picnic 20 

(Col), 8th wk 

1 Michigan The Swan (MGM), 2nd wk 00 

Palms Comanche (UA); Monfish UA) 100 

United Artists Oklahoma! (Magna), 10th wk. . 

. 1 50 

Upsurging Cincinnati Reds 

Draw A'way Theatre Trade 

CINCINNATI—Business continued at a low 

ebb at both downtown and neighborhood runs. 

The Cincinnati Reds have been playing good 

baseball and heightened interest in their 

games has kept potential film patrons either 

at the ball park or near their TV or radio sets. 

Albee—Anything Goes (Paro) 1 25 

Grand—The Killer Is Loose (UA); Timetoble (UA). 90 

Keiths The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit 

(20th-Fox), 3rd wk 105 

Palace—On the Threshold of Space (20th-Fox) . . 95 

'Cockleshell' in Cleveland 

Grosses 115 Per Cent 

CLEVELAND—-Cockleshell Heroes" was 

the best boxoffice attraction of the week in 

the first run area, with "Jubal" running a 

close second. Other takes were just fair. Bad 

weather with rain almost daily hit boxoffices 

generally. Bad weather usually helps indoor 

theatres at this time of the year, but this year 

is an exception. Business generally, is reportedly 

down from a comparable time last 

year. 

Allen Cockleshell Heroes (Col) 115 

Hippodrome Jubal (Col) 05 

1 

Shall Lower Mall The Sea Not Have Them (UA). 80 

Ohio Dance, Little Lady (Trans Lux), 5 days. ... 00 

1 

Palace— The World in My Corner (U-l); The Kettles 

in the Oiorks (U-l) 80 

Stotc—The Swon (MGM), 2nd wk 70 

Stillman—The Scarlet Hour (Para), 5 days 80 

COLUMBUS 

The Birth of a Nation," D. W. Griffith's si- 

lent screen masterpiece, was booked by 

Charles Sugarman for the Indianola art 

house. The film was banned by the Ohio 

censor board some 40 years ago and has not 

had a public showing in Ohio in four decades 

Edward McGlone of the 

Palace was host to the annual cooking school 

held at the theatre . "The Wedding 

in Monaco" has been booked to play 

on the single-feature bill headed by "Alexander 

the Great" at Loew's Ohio starting 

May 16. 

Manager Walter Kessler of Loew's Ohio 

sent miniature boxing gloves to local sports 

writers with an invitation to see Columbia's 

"The Harder They Fall." As a result. Earl 

Flora of the Ohio State Journal and Lew 

Byrer of the Columbus Citizen devoted full 

columns to the Ohio feature . . . Herbert 

Schloss, Columbia exploiteer, was in town for 

the advance campaign on "The Harder They 

Fall," 

The Empress neighborhood house has been 

turned into a revival auditorium called the 

United House of Prayer. "Sweet Daddy" 

Grace, traveling evangelist and cult leader, 

has been the attraction there. 

The New Lexing:ton Theatre, formerly 

owned and operated by Paul Russell of 

Somerset, has been leased to the Epifano 

Corp. of New Lexington. Russell will continue 

to operate the Russell at Somerset. 

Ralph G. Pollock, United Artists representative 

here in advance of "Comanche" at Loew's 

Broad, is campaigning to have the U. S. 

Treasury recoin Indian head pennies. Pollock 

and Manager Robert Sokol arranged for 

Mayor M. E. Sensenbrenner to sign the petition 

which is sponsored by the White Buffalo 

Council of Denver, Colo., representing all 

Indian tribes in the U. S. The Indian head 

penny has not been minted in the last 20 

years. 



SALES! 

with a 

BRAND NEW 

SPOT TAG 





*hile they try to cotch him with their spotlights 

. . . ends with o plug for your Snack Bar, 



OVER AND OVER 

Price 

only 

S1750 

MOWPlCTOnESllCECO. 

BOXOFFICE 

; 

12, 1956

: May 

National Film Plans 

To Build in Hamden 

NEW HAVEN—An announcement this week 

by National Film Service of New York City 

that it plans to build a $300,000 structiu-e in 

the suburb of Hamden. some six miles from 

the present cluster of Filmrow buildings, 

confused the problem of relocating the New 

Haven Filmrow district, soon to be pai-tially 

wiped out for a new highway. 

The news broke at a meeting of the Hamden 

board of zoning appeals when that body 

gave National permission to erect a fireproof, 

air conditioned structure on land which 

it has purchased for $85,000. 

James P. Doherty. a Hamden attorney representing 

National before the zoning board, 

said 90 per cent of the building would be 

used for office space and the remainder for 

the processing of film for distribution to 

theatres throughout Connecticut. Doherty 

later told a BOXOPFICE representative he 

did not know which distributing companies 

would move to the Hamden structure, and 

referred such questions to National's New 

York headquarters. 

There, a spokesman declined any comment 

on tenancy of the building. He said a fiu-ther 

announcement would be made "at an appropriate 

time." 

The New^ York firm is a nationwide organization 

engaged in the storage, processing and 

delivery of films. At present, its only New 

England outlet is in Boston. This office does 

not serve Connecticut. Virtually the local 

all 

exchanges have theli- own processing and 

storage vaults, and most shipping is done 

through Rosen's Film Delivery Service, a 

New Haven concern. 

The cross-city highway will spare the 

Warner Bros, and 20th-Fox exchanges, but all 

other exchanges will be forced to move. Just 

a few weeks ago. there were strong indications 

that the displaced branches would build 

on land near the Warner and 20th-Fox locations, 

thereby keeping the industry intact 

at one location here. 

The size of the National Film Service 

building planned for Hamden leaves no doubt 

that this company is proceeding in the belief 

that some of the exchanges will relocate 

in it5 structure. Managers of the offices 

affected by the cross-city highway said they 

still are awaiting definite word from their 

home offices. 

The National site has a frontage of 260 

feet on a main highway, and the depth ranges 

from 150 to 260 feet. There would be offstreet 

parking for both customers and employes. 

ATC Contest Victor Wins 

Flight to Disneyland 

BOSTON—Ten-year-old Jackie Peterson, 

son of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Peterson of 

Mattapan. was the whinner of a trip for two 

to Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., in a picture-coloring 

contest conducted by the American 

Theatre Corp. 

Twenty-six greater Boston ATC theatres, 

of which the Oriental theatre is one, conducted 

this contest and it is estimated that 

approximately 3.900 children sent in entries. 

Jackie and his mother were .scheduled to be 

flown to Disneyland where they w^re to 

sp>end five days as guests of Disneyland Hotel. 

INDUSTRY PROFILE 

mmmmmmm 

Retired Showman Henry L Needles 

Devotes His Time to Inventions 

By ALLEN M WIDEM 

HARTFORD— Retirement has not idled 

^ energetic Henry L. Needles, for many years 

^ with Warner Bros. Management Corp. 

^ Needles, living in 

retirement with his 

wife in a modest 

ranch house at sub- 

Wethers- 

urban 

field, Conn., ha-s 

come forward with 

an invention — an 

expanding coat 

hanger—and he is 

busily engaged in its 

marketing, among 

his other activities. 

:| Needles, at one 

i Henry L. Needles time Hartford dis- 

1 trict manager and northeastern labor rei 

lations director for Warner Bros. Theatres, 

i has been retired for three years. Time away 

i from exhibition has enabled him to invent 

i a coat hanger that is now in its early 

|| marketing stages. 

"You have to have an appreciation of 

:| 

i good clothes to be in the market for 

I hangers like these." Needles said. "People 

i who throw their clothes over a chair at 

i night wouldn't care if they had hangers 

;:| or not." 

The hanger works on this principle: A 

1 spring catch on the hanger's underside 

i permits expansion of several inches on 

;| both sides. "Seventeen inches closed, 23 

I inches expanded," he explained. "No more 

II coats hanging over the ends of the hanger. 

i The rod on the bottom expands, too. 

I That's why I call it the hanger that didn't 

II forget the pants!" 

He has even devised channels in the 

1 hanger tops to accommodate moth balls 

i or flakes. "Five, six years ago I got the 

I idea," he said. "I came into my office in 

i Hartford one rainy day and hung up my 

I coat. The way it flopped on the hanger 

i I knew it would be all out of shape. So 

II my secretary, Estelle O'Toole. says. 'Why 

i don't you invent a hanger that would take 

|| care of any size coat?' " 

I Needles was one of the youngest theai 

tre managers in Connecticut; he became 

i manager of the old Opera House at Wini 

sted at the age of 20. and he proceeded upward 

and onward in the field. By 1929, 

II 

1 he was district manager in Hartford for 

M Warner Bros., supervising the Strand, 

1 Regal, Princess. Colonial, State, Lyric, 

i Lenox and Rialto, Hartford, and the 

i Central, West Hartford. 

i Inventions always have occupied top 

i priority in his leisure time, 

"Back in the old days," he said, "Harti 

ford didn't have top-name vaudeville, but 

i I saw to it that it had top equipment. The 

Trans-Lux Signs Regal 

NEW YORK—Regal Pictures of Boston will 

distribute current Trans-Lux releases In the 

New England territory. The releases are 

"Dance Little Lady" and "Lovers and Lollipops." 

Strand had the second eli-viiting 

orchestra 

pit in the country. The Roxy. New York, 

was flr.st. I designed a pit that would 

raise and had an elevator company build It. 

"Twenty-four musicians, led by Bert 

rl.se Williams, u.sed to up Into the spotlights. 

Then talkies came in and the 

orchestras were done." 

After leaving the Warner Bros, organization 

some five years ago, Needles Joined 

the Hartford Theatre circuit for a brief 

time, then retired to concentrate fully 

on backyard gardening and Inventions. 

"I have plans for the best coffeemaker 

you ever .saw." he enthused. "The coffee 

brewed in it would never vary. And I have 

plans for a toy parachute gun for children. 

But whether they'll ever be developed—who 

can tell?" 

Now nearing 70, Henry L. Needles has 

optimism and faith in the motion picture 

business that would be difficult to find 

in many younger men. 

"Retirement?" he asked. "There's nothing 

worse, after an active life, after testimonial 

dinners, after being chairman of 

fund drives. There's no worse punishment 

than retirement. So I invent things." 

But an interviewer gets the impre-ssion 

that if tempted with an employment offer 

in the exhibition end of the industry. H. L. 

Needles would be quick to accept. 

"This industry," he said, "is "only as 

strong as the men in it. and as long as 

they don't lo.se their belief in its entertainment 

abilities, the industry can't lose." 

A broad smile crossed his amiable face 

as he recalled the time he Invented the 

first and only vaudeville elevator—in the 

long ago. 

"I had six girls, three of them foreign 

diving champions, three other girls I 

picked up for the act. They weren't the 

highest type ladies in America, you understand, 

but they never gave me much trouble. 

There was a tank on stage, and some 

marble columns, and behind the marble 

columns I worked out this elevator arrangement. 

"The elevator not only elevated. I fixed 

it so it revolved. The girls stood on it in 

various poses as they came, then dived 

off into the tank. It was very artistic. 

The only place I had trouble was a certain 

city which will go unmentioned. Tlie 

censor made me go out and buy—what 

would you call them—gauze loin-cloths. I 

guess. He thought the girls' diving costumes 

were too skin tight. They were, 

too!" 

He invites oldtimers in the industry to 

drop by the house—13 Cedar St., Wethersfield—to 

say hello. 

"I'm sure we can recall some good times 

in a still fabulous industry." he said. 

New Aide at Groton 

HARTFORD—Eddie O'Neill, district manager 

for Brandt Drive-In Theatres, has appointed 

Albert Hawkins as assistant manager 

of the Bridge Drive-In at Groton under 

Manager G. Malcolm Clark. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

12. 1956 

NE 

85

I Connecticut-NAT'L 

: May 

larold Rubin Chosen 

Sentry Lodge Head 

BOSTON—Harold Rubin has been elected 

1956-1957 president of the Sentry lodge, the 

theatrical lodge of 

B'nai B'rith. Rubin is 

president of Globe 

Premium Co. and 

Eagle Box Co. He has 

been in the industry 

for 20 years and has 

offices in New Haven 

and Boston. doing 

business in New England 

and New York. 

He spends his summers 

with his family 

on Cape Cod, where 

Harold Rubin his hobby is boating. 

A member of the Sentry Lodge for ten years, 

Rubin has been recording secretary and on 

several entertainment and financial committees. 

Installation of the 1956 officers and directors 

will be held Sunday evening, May 

13, at Hotel Bradford. New vice-presidents 

are Ai'nold H. Dunne, son-in-law of Samuel 

Pinanski, Max H. Tobin and LouLs P. Katz. 

Recording secretary is Hem-i Schwartzberg, 

head buyer at American Theatres Corp. The 

chaplain is Harry Segal, manager at United 

Artists, and his assistant is Julius Meyer. 

The list of trustees is made up of industry 

men, including Edward S. Canter, Theodore 

Fleisher, Lawrence Laskey, Arthur Lockwood, 

Elias M. Loew, Harry Cohen, Louis 

W. Richmond, Michael Redstone. Herman 

Rifkin, George Roberts, Benn H. Rosenwald 

and Harry L. Wasserman. 

Richard Menga to Manage 

Drive-In at Quinebaug 

QUINEBAUG, CONN.—Richard Menga, a 

native of North Grosvenor Dale, has been appointed 

to serve as manager of the Quinebaug 

Drive-In, according to Erwin Meumann, 

district manager for the Interstate Theatre 

Corp. 

Menga, a graduate of the Tourtellotte High 

School, recently completed a tour of duty with 

the Navy. He has been active for some time in 

Boy Scout work. The new manager succeeds 

Robert Prince of Dudley, Mass., who is now 

serving as sports editor of the Webster Times. 

Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis will star 

in the Hecht-Lancaster venture. "Sweet Smell 

of Success," a United Artist-s film. 

^^ WANTED ! 

-^ 

MANAGERS AND ASSrSTANT MANAGERS for 

drive-in theatres Massachusetts, New Jersey 

in 

and New York state. Appfy writing stating 

in 

qualifications and experience to 

REDSTONE DRIVE-IN THEATRES 

Boston 16, Mass. 

lonm^ 

NEW HAVEN 

Qjie drive-in which was virtually 

destroyed 

in last year's floods reopened this week, 

and reconstruction of another, which was 

wiped out, is under way. The Center Drive- 

In, Derby, resumed operations with U-I's 

"Never Say Goodbye" and Columbia's "Battle 

Stations." Fred Quatrano and John and Bill 

Sirica, operators of the ruined Watertown 

Drive-In, plan to reopen July 1, with a new 

name, the Chase Drive-In. 

Columbia publicist FYank Petgralia was in 

town, working on "Jubal" and "The Harder 

They Pall" at Loew's Poli and "Rock Around 

the Clock" at Loew's College . . . Another 

visitor was Nicole Maurey, French beauty 

appearing in RKO's "The Bold and the 

Brave," who came to town for TV, radio and 

press interviews. 

Jim Darby, manager of the downtown 

Paramount, is convinced trouble comes in 

threes. In one week, projectionist Louis La- 

National Theatre Supply, headed here by 

Ralph Mauro, is installing all new projection 

and booth equipment and a 120x52-foot Cinemascope 

screen at the Chase Drive-In, 

wrecked by the floods. Mauro is also contractor 

for a new 115-foot screen at the Blue 

Hills Drive-In. Bloomfield 

... Joe Gins, U-I 

district manager, was in for three days of 

conferences with Manager Alec Schimel. 

The latter distributed "quite a few" silver key 

chains to exhibitors who played at least one 

U-I release every day during April . . . Jim 

Darby's daughter Rosemary has been accepted 

for enrollment at Quinnipiac College, 

where she will major in medical secretarial 

work. 

The latest display of ingenuity by Frank 

Ferguson came when he persuaded a Dairy 

Queen distributor to provide coupons good 

for free ice cream to all children attending 

Saturday matinees at the Whalley and Whitney. 

Ferguson sold him by pointing out that 

the stand was a considerable distance from 

the theatres and that the children would 

undoubtedly tender the coupons when driven 

to the stand by their parents. The parents 

and others in the car would probably buy ice 

cream, covering the cost of the giveaway and 

introducing them to the product, Ferguson 

said. The distributor bought the idea. 

Quits Bercal Ad Staff 

HARTFORD — Rudy D'Angona has resigned 

from the advertising staff of Bercal 

Theatres Inc. 

Redstone Corp. Now 

Northeast Drive-Ins 

BOSTON — Redstone Drive-In Theatres 

Corp. has changed its corporate name to 

Northeast Drive-In Theatres Corp. Michael 

Redstone remains as president. 

This drive-in circuit has three new ozoners 

under construction for September openings. 

Two are in New Jersey—the first in Palmyra, 

near the Philadelphia line, with 1,800-car 

capacity; the second in Sayreville, near Perth 

Amboy, 1.200-car capacity. The third is 

the Suffolk Downs Drive-In, East Boston, 

for 1,800 cars. This ozoner was slated to 

open this spring but bad weather hampered 

construction. 

Two newcomers have joined the managerial 

staff. Hervey Keator is new manager at 

the Salinas Drive-In, Syracuse, N. Y., while 

Jack Koegan is new supervisor of the circuit's 

three western New York drive-ins. Edward 

Redstone, vice-president of the company, 

said that managerial positions are still open 

in the circuit. 

Vorgna fractured a foot while on a parttime Tlie Redstones have moved into new offices 

assignment as stagehand at the Shubert, on the seventh floor of the Metropolitan 

87-year old doorman George Harrison entered 

and 

Theatre building where they have expanded 

St. Raphael's Hospital for surgery projectionist 

their original quarters into attractive, spacious 

surroundings. 

Maurice Moriarty, president of 

the lATSE local here, went into Milford Hospital 

for observation. 

portVand 

Large C 

Greater Crater Ar 

MAXIMUM LIGHT 

Dette Davis and Gary Merrill of Cape Elizabeth 

have set September as the probable 

month for filming the Sheldon Bonnewell- 

John Beradino play. Miss Davis will portray 

a nun and Men-ill a wounded war veteran. 

Catholic orphanages in Biddeford, 

Saco and Lewiston are being considered for 

the locale. On Friday (4) Miss Davis received 

an award from the Lowell Tech Players 

of Lowell (Mass.) Technological Institute 

for her interest in the Little Theatre movement. 

The Tech Players are observing their 

50th anniversary as the dramatic group of 

the engineering college. Miss Davis was born 

in Lowell, Mass. 

Manager Silver, Strand, entertained members 

of the press, radio and television at a 

performance of "Carousel" following a "Carousel" 

cocktail party in the Hotel Eastland 

sunroom. Fred H. Snow of the P. H. Snow 

Canning Co., Pine Point, Me., was host. Robert 

Rounseville, who plays Capt. Enoch Snow, 

Fred Snow's father, in the film, sang "I 

Love You" and "Star Dust" at the party. 

Snow's clam chowder was served in the theatre 

lobby. A "Snow" boat filled with clam 

chowder was featured in the lobby, as well 

as in 199 other theatre lobbies throughout 

the country. 

Manager Ralph TuUy, State, gave the stage 

show, "Tea and Sympathy," recently. The 

State also presented "Mi's. Maine of 1956," 

winner of the American Gas Ass'n's homemaking 

contest. 

1 Mass.—MASS. THEATRE EQUIP. Co., Boston— Liberty 2-98)4 

THEATRE SUPPLY, New Haven—State 7-5829 

BOXOFFICE : 

12, 1956

. . . The 

BOSTON 

Oympathy to James A. Sayer jr. and hi.s 

family in the death of his father, James 

A. Sayer sr.. in Salem, N. H. The elder Sayer 

was a retired exhibitor who entered the industry 

years ago with Louis B. Mayer in his 

first theatre in Haverhill. He manasjed theatres 

in Boston and Lawrence before his retirement. 

His son Jim operates three driveins 

in New Hampshire—the Ole Rock at 

Salem Depot, the Somersworth and the North 

Hampton. 

Dave Kaplan, manager of the Trans-Lux, a 

.-.econd run house in Boston, is conducting a 

letter-writing contest among patrons on the 

.subject "Why I Like the Movies," offering 

nine prizes. First prize is a round-trip by 

American Airlines to New York with a twonight 

stopover at the Hotel Taft. Second, 

third and fourth prizes are Bulova watches: 

fifth, a man's sport suit; sixth, a year's 

supply of nylon hosiery: seventh, a case of 

strawberry jam: eighth, a Western Electric 

toaster: ninth. $10.00 in merchandise. Judges 

are to be Boston newspaper film critics. All 

merchandi.se was contributed by local 

merchant.s. This is the second contest conducted 

by Kaplan. 

Jack McCarthy, former salesman for 

Warner Bros., has joined Embassy Pictures 

Corp. as a salesman covering six New England 

states . . . "Buster" Holt, manager of 

the Den Rock Drive-In, North Andover, was 

in town reporting a successful opening for 

this new theatre owned by the Shay brothers 

antitrust case of the Ideal Theatre, 

Milford. owned by Leon Task, is docketed for 

trial during the latter part of May in the 

U. S. Federal District Court ... At the 99th 

annual meeting of Temple Mishkan Telfla. 

Roxbury, Nathan Yamins, president of 

Yamins Enterprises, was re-elected president. 

Burroughs Theatres Suit 

Against WB Settled 

BOSTON—The antitrust case of the Roy 

Bun-oughs theatres, the Strand in Amesbury 

and the Strand and Premier in Newburyport 

for a fraction of the amount 

Many Improvements 

PITTSFIELD. MASS. — The Berkshire 

Drive-In on West Housatonic street, which 

opened recently for its ninth season, has been 

improved substantially, according to Manager 

Robert J. Sharby. 

The 46xl04-foot screen has been reconditioned, 

new ainusements have been added to 

the children's playground and the snack bar 

menu has been expanded. Daniel Zavatter 

has been named manager of the snack bar. 

'Ladykillers' Leads 

Boston in 3rd Week 

BOSTON -Business fell off because of lack 

of strong product and holdovers. "The Ladykillers" 

continued to lead the field In its 

third week. "Serenade." in its first stanza, 

disappointed. "The Swan." in its first stanza, 

dropped sharply. 

100) 

Astor— I'll Cry Tomorrow (MGM), 8th wk 

Beacon Hill Dioboliquc (UMPO), 10th wk 

Boston Cineromo Holiday (SW), 35th wk 

Exeter Street-Touch ond Go (U-l); Helen Keller 

in Her Story (DcRochcmont), 2nd wk 

Kcnmore The Lodykillers (Confl), 3rd wk 

Memorial The Creature Walks Among Us (U-l); 

The Price of Feor (U-l) 

Metropolitan—Serenade (WB), 1st wk 

Paramount ond Fenway Mohawk (20th-Fox); 

Red Sundown (U-l) 

State and Orphcum The Swan (MGM), 2nd ond 

'Space' New Haven Opening 

Grosses 115 Per Cent 

NEW HAVEN—The first sunny and warm 

weekend of an unusually wintery spring gave 

drive-ins capacity trade, but didn't do the 

big downtow-ners much good. "On the 

Threshold of Space" was the outstanding 

vehicle, on a percentage basis, increasing 

receipts at Loew's College 15 per cent. 

College On the Threshold of Space (20th-Fox); 

The Maverick (AA) 115 

Paramount Come Next Spring (Rep); The Scarlet 

Hour (Para) 65 

Poll The Man in the Groy Flonnel Suit (20th- 

Fox), 2nd wk 90 

Roger Shermon Serenade (WB); Animal Form 

(DCA) 100 

'Swan' Sets High Mark 

Oi Week in Hartford 

HARTFORD—Only three holdovers were 

featured locally. Extending their runs were 

"Diabolique," "Jubal" and "The Man in the 

Gray Flannel Suit." High mark of the week 

was the 170 set by "The Swan." 

Allvn Maverick Queen (Rep); Wiretopper 

Embassy) 100 

Art— Diobolique (UMPO), 2nd wk 105 

Loews Jubol (Col); Over-Exposed wk..l20 

(Col), 3rd 

Palace The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (20th- 

Fox), 3rd wk 145 

Parsons The Sea Shall Not Hove Them (UA). .. . 1 50 

Poll—The Swan (MGM) 1 70 

Meadows Dnve-ln Tribute to o Bod Man (MGM), 

Timetable (UA) 115 

Strand—Godlilla (Telerodio); The Steel Jungle 

(WB) 115 

has been settled 

sought. 8250,000 in triple damages, plus attorney's 

fees, was the original amount demanded. 

The Burroughs theatres had sued 'Gray Flannel' Hits 145 to 

the Warner Bros, distributing and theatre Set Pace in Providence 

corporations and the Massachusetts Amusement 

Co., claiming that when Warner built 

PROVIDENCE—In a somewhat spotty 

week, "The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit," 

the new Port in Newburyport, the circuit 

playing at the Majestic, reported 145 to lead 

was attempting to squeeze the Strand and 

all Providence first runs. Closest in pursuit 

Premier. 

of the pace. "The Bed." playing for a second 

The case was first heard before Master 

week at the Avon Cinema, hit 110. 

Marcus Morton, who found that the plaintiff 

Albee—The Creature Walks Among Us (U-l) 100 

was not entitled to recover damages. The case Avon The Bed (Getz-Kmgsley), 2nd wk 110 

was sent to the U. S. district court before Loew's The Swan (MGM), 2nd wk 90 

Majestic The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit 

Judge Francis Ford and a jury. 

(20th-Fox) 145 

Strand—The Harder They Fall (Col) 100 

Pittsfield Airer Shows 

Opposition to Be Heard 

GLOUCESTER, MASS.—A public hearuis 

on the appeal of Concord street residents 

from the granting of a building permit to the 

Cape Ann Drive-In will be held at 2 p.m.. 

May 15. The corporation, which has the 

building permit and a license to operate the 

theatre, is headed by Robert C. Mechem, 

Annisquam summer resident. The protesting 

residents are represented by Judge Edward 

Morley of Manchester. 

PROVIDENCE 

n larRi- throng «uvc' Ptgwy Wood, star of 

.stage, screen and TV, a rousing ovation 

when she recently appeared at the Outlet, 

.southern New England's largest department 

store, on the occasion of the store's 62nd 

anniversary. Mi.ss Wood, who first appeared 

here for the opening of Shubcrt's Majestic 

w'ith "Blossom-Time." autographed photographs. 

She was the subject of almost a fullpage 

feature in the local press . . . Eddie 

Constantine, featured player in French crime 

films, who spent his youth in Rhode Island, 

sang with his daughter Tania, 10, at a gala 

party in Monaco in honor of Prince Rainier 

and Grace Kelly, prior to their wedding. 

Constantine, born in California, came to 

Providence as a child with his parents. He 

attended local grade schools and was graduated 

from Commercial High School. 

Several hundred persons attended "A Night 

in Las Vegas" at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet 

given by the Warwick Young Women's Club 

for the benefit of the new Veterans Memorial 

High School. Cooperating in the gala 

event was Bill Trambukis, Loew's State manager, 

in a carefully timed exploitation for 

"Meet Me in Las Vegasj" which will be shown 

soon at the State. Gambling games of all 

descriptions, cancan girls, cigaret girls, 

mustachioed faro dealers and a floor showhighlighted 

the activities. 

Ray Heindorf will function as music 

rector on Warners' "The Pajama Game." 



SALES! 

with a 

BRAND NEW 

SPOT TAG 




Spotty ploys hide ond seek with your audience 

while they try to cotch him with their spot 

lights . . . ends with o plug for your Snack Bar. 

YOU CAN BUY SPOT TAG p, 


°' 

OVER AND OVER 

S1750 

Mm PimiE SERDItE CO.

. . Manager 

FALL RIVER 

J^ 

search for the man in the gray flannel 

suit was promoted by Paul Slayer, manag'er 

of the Durfee Theatre, for "The Man in 

the Gray Flannel Suit." A man attired in a 

gray flannel suit visited the numerous stores 

cooperating. Persons who identified him received 

gifts of merchandise . . . Charles 

Proctor, identified with the motion picture 

industry in this city for four years, died recently 

at his home. He served as projectionist 

for 21 years at the Diu-fee. He was 68. 

Thousands of women residents of the 

greater Pall River area viewed the special 

. 

film on cancer shown at the Strand, Capitol 

and Park theatres over a period of several 

days John J. McAvoy of the 

Empire was a patron for the Catholic 

Women's Club scholarship fund dance . . . 

William S. Canning, personal consultant to 

Nathan Yamins, was co-chairman for the 

elaborate dinner and reception given U. S. 

Senator John F. Kennedy by residents of this 

city and New Bedford at the Lincoln Park 

ballroom. 

The appearance of the Pall River twins, 

Vincent J. and John L. Kelly, Marine Corps 

privates, in "The Proud and Profane," a 

Paramount pictur-e, resulted in considerable 

publicity for the film in the local press. The 

Kellys are the sons of Mrs. Dorothy Kelly. 

Newtown, Conn., Planners 

Oppose Airer Application 

NEWTOWN, CONN.—A request to deny an 

application by George J. Ryan, of Fairfield, 

for a drive-in on Route 34 near here has 

been made to the State Police Commissioner 

by the town planning commission. The commission 

was asked at least to defer action 

on the matter until the local board completes 

its comprehensive plan for the town. That 

way, the theatre proposal could be studied 

in light of the comprehensive plan's rating 

of the land in question. 

According to George Northrop, town planning 

commission chairman, the area in question 

is largely of a rural and residential 

character with a certain portion devoted to 

farming. 

The sole motion picture theatre here, the 

Edmond, is owned and operated by the town.

I 

. On 

: May 

OnlarioMPTAAsks Tent 28 Salutes Charter Members 

Film Rental Data 

TORONTO—Tlie Motion Picture Tlicatros 

Ass'n of Ontario, in a move to prevent the 

closing: of additional theatres tluoughout the 

province, has placed the services of its newly 

formed Exhibitors Relations Committee at 

tlie disposal of hard-pressed theatres owners 

to pres.s for film rental relief. 

Association President Lionel Lester said 

this week that the special committee, of which 

lie is chairman, has launched a survey of 

independent exhibitors to obtain information 

on possible rental difficulties. Other member.s 

of the committee are H. C. D. Main and Harry 

S. Mandell, both past presidents of MPTAO. 

"Many theatres ai-e closing as a result of 

high cost of operation and in particular, excessive 

film costs," Lester said. "The problems 

of our Ontario members who, in our 

opinion, must secure relief from the film 

distributors in order that the theatres may 

continue to operate, will be brought to the 

attention of the National Exhibitors Relations 

Committee." 

The Canadawide committee was established 

under the chairmanship of Dave Griesdorf, 

Toronto, at the convention last November of 

the National Committee, Motion Picture Exhibitors 

Ass'ns of Canada to handle complaints 

of independent exhibitors. The MP- 

TAO committee has asked for facts and figures 

concerning operation of individual theatres 

and Lester said the information would be 

treated as confidential "unless the committee 

feels that it is in your interest" to divulge the 

details. 

Information sought includes boxoffice receipts 

for the last 12 months, total cost of 

film rentals for the same period, an itemized 

list of operating expenses with a separate 

tabulation of any salaries to the exhibitor 

and members of his family and complete 

information on present film contracts including 

names of distributing companies. 

Tlie committee has asked that such statements 

be signed by the exhibitor and certified 

by an accountant. 

MGM Magnetics Need 

Sprocket Changeover 

WINNIPEG—MGM Manager A. G. Levy 

announced that commencing with "Kismet" 

magnetic prints of MGM product also may be 

u.sed in optically equipped theatres, providing 

the present sprockets are changed to the 

foxhole type. Theatre supply houses, now 

changing the spi-ockets of various circuit 

houses, have announced they will do the same 

for any theatre for less than $20. 

i 

In order to make this change, a theatre 

manager needs to provide the following information 

for the equipment companies: (1> 

how many pairs of sprockets are required 

some machines have four and would require 

four pair? for the two machines: others have 

five and would require five pairs 2 advise 

i : 1 ) 

as to type of equipment (projection head and 

sound head receipt of an exhibitor's 

order, the required sprockets will be forwai-ded 

and the theatre's projectionist can 

install them. The sprockets thus replaced 

must then be forwarded to the supply house 

to be ground for another account. When 

changeover has been completed, it will be 

necessary to notify the Winnipeg MGM office. 

BOXOFFICE : 

Tent 28, Toronto, paid tribute to its 

11 charter members at the recent 

Heart .Award fete. Of the surviving 

nine, six were present. They are, in 

top photo, left to right: Nat Taylor, 

J. J. Fitzgibbons, Ernie Rawley and 

Oscar Hanson. They are posed with 

present Chief Barker Dave Griesdorf. 

To his left are the two other charter 

members, Ben Okun and Gordon 

Lightstone, with club chaplain Kev. 

G. .\. t'herrier. In photo at right, Dan 

Krendel, left, previous winner of the 

Heart .\ward, presents the annual 

Heart Award to James K. Nairn. 

Eight Hamilton Theatres 

Unite in Foto-Nite Pool 

HAMILTON, ONT.—Eight theatres here 

have united in a pool to operate the Foto-Nite 

promotion. In the gi-oup are the following 

houses and their respective managers: Delta, 

Mi-s. Lila Whillans: Emph-e, Al Smith; 

Mountain, Bus Hodgins: Queen's. Ted Wilson: 

Windsor, Bill Britt: York, Dick Warner; 

Roxy-Dunda.s. John Grant; Roxy-Burlington, 

Gordon Gotts. 

Foto-Nite chief George Oullahan, Toronto, 

in cooperation with the eight managers, inaugurated 

a citywide registration campaign 

May 1, followed by concentrated radio, screen, 

lobby, herald, window card and newspaper 

promotion. 

Resident Foto-Nite organizer from May 1 

to 23 is Ben Sommers, who was brought from 

Winnipeg to assist local managers in theiiinitial 

campaign. The Hamilton Foto-Nite 

pool will be headquartered at the Delta Theatre 

linder the supervision of A, Kent Craig, 

president and general manager of Kent Hamilton 

Theatres. 

Canadian ARTE Approves 

Limit on Investment 

OTTAWA—The Canadian Ass'n of Radio 

and Television Broadcasters has formally approved 

the policy of the Canadian Broadcasting 

Corp. to limit foreign investment in 

stations of this country, according to a letter 

from T. J. Allard. association vice-president, 

to Transport Minister Marler in the federal 

cabinet. 

The CBS recently decided to place a limit 

of 20 per cent on foreign ownership, the same 

as stipulated in the U.S. for radio and TV 

stations. This action was taken when RKO 

Distributing Corp. of Canada, Toronto, applied 

to the CBS for permi-ssion to purchase 

privately owned TV and radio stations at 

Windsor, which is opposite to Detroit. 

Holdovers Stay High 

In Toronto Houses 

" 

TORONTO— "Oklahoma! at the Tivoli and 

"The Swan" at Loew's and the Uptown, both 

in their second weeks, set the business pace 

among the first runs during a week in which 

there were holdovers at nine theatres. "On 

the Threshold of Space," the new one at the 

Odeon, registered nice returns. 


University The Birds and Eglinton, the Bees 

(Poro), 2nd wk 105 

Hyland The Lodykillers (JARO), 6th wk 95 

Impenol The Court Jester (Para), 3rd wk 100 

Loew's, Uptown The Swan (MGM), 2nd wk 130 

Nortown Anything Goes (Para) 100 

Odeon On the Threshold of Spoee 1 10 

(20th-Fox) . 

Shea's— Serenade (WB), 2nd wk 110 

Tivoh Oklahoma! (Magna), 2nd wk 135 

Towne Geordie (British Lion), 6th wk 95 

Outdoor Competition Shows 

Vancouver Downtown Trade 

VANCOUVER— Another off week was reported 

by the downtown houses. With the 

start of daylight saving time, night baseball 

and drive-in competition, business slowed 

down earlier this year than usual. Matinee 

business was away off in all spots. "The 

Swan" limped through a second week. The 

teen crowd gave "Rock Aiound the Clock" at 

four theatres an average week. 

Capitol—The Swon (MGM), 2nd wk 

Fair 

Cinemo Meet Me in las Vegas (MGM) 

2nd wk Averoge 

Orpheum—Cockleshell Heroes (Col) Fair 

Poradisc Border Street (SR); The Square 

Ploza-Circle Rock Around the Clock (Col). Average 

Strand- The Body Snotchers (IFD); Indestructible 

Man IFDi Good 

Studio Magic Fire Rep) Poor 

Vogue The Lodykillers Foir 

(JARO), 2nd wk 

End Kiddy Show Season 

TORONTO—Following the adoption of daylight 

saving time in Ontario, Saturday children's 

shows at theatres have started to close 

for the season. One of the first to terminate 

was the Odeon Movie Club at Brantford. 

12, 1956 89

. . Outdoor 

. . The 

. . Alex 

. . 

. . Ted 

: May 

ANCOUVER 

|3iTi I'ollock, projectionist at the Capitol, is 

going into the oil burning business with 

liis son . . . Alfred Perry, president of Empire- 

Universal Films, was here to confer with his 

new manager, Charlie Backus . Myers, 

Odeon relief manager, was hospitalized with 

a heart attack. 

Frank Fisher, vice-president of Odeon Theatres, 

before leaving for the east after a tenday 

visit, reported an overall increase in theatre 

business in western Canada in spite of 

TV and bingo competition ... A local 

theatre 

executive said the theatre business is 

being held together with soft drinks, popcorn 

and candy sales . . . From a local paper: 

"It's getting so that every time Grace Kelly 

and her prince blow their noses, the U. S. 

press sends up rockets and, Canadians, we're 

wearying of it all." P. S. "The Swan" 

was a disappointment on ite first showing 

here. 

A bingo game held in Victoria grossed $18,000, 

with thousands turned away. The theatres 

were really hurt . teenage "leather 

windbreaker crowd" are giving local movies 

plenty of grief, especially at night performances 

. theatre operations are in 

full .swing in British Columbia and Alberta, 

with business reported on the slow side. 

George Combes, shipper at JARO, resigned 

to join the Canadian Air Force ... A film 

exchange manager was trying to sell an 

exhibitor with the following talk about an 

oldie: "You should get this picture for your 

house. It's not too old and really stupendous." 

The exhibitor said, "Are you kidding? 

It's so old I saw it on TV last night and so 

bad my wife turned it off and went to bed." 

Gerry Alderson of Creston, who is 

building 

a drive-in at Penticton, was arrested by 

RCMP and taken back to Creston, charged 

with theft of tools which were recovered by 

police on the site of the new ozoner . 

Dorothy Prat was elected president of the 

Vancouver Film Council. Other officers are 

James D. Patterson and Ernest Gross, vicepresidents; 

Daniel Muir, secretary . . . Winnifred 

Renworth, 46, well known organist 

in theatre and radio ciixles, died . . . 'With 

) FOR SALE s 

YES! 10,000 LATE MODEL 

USED OR RECONDITIONED 

Also new British-Luxury Chairs ovailable 

THEATRE 

CHAIRS 

Spring edge steel bottom seat cushions and 

iully upholstered bocks—spring back types also. 

Carpeting, osphalt, rubber. Vinyl tiles and 

WE ARE FACTORY AGENTS- 

AT BARGAIN PRICES 

Drop us a line—we will give you photographs 

and full information. 

"LA SALLE" 

RECREATIONS, Ltd. 

Theatre Chairs, Carpet, linoleum and Tile Division. 

945 GRANVILLE ST., VANCOUVER 

MARINE 5034-5428 

theatre business on the slow side, an exhibitor 

said the cashiers along theatre rowhere 

are catching up on their pulp magazine 

reading while trying to sell tickets at the 

same time. This looks bad, he said, as does 

seeing ushers gossiping with the cashiers in 

the boxoffice instead of being on the floor 

where they belong. 

Preliminaries to choose a Miss Canada 1956 

will be held the last week in May at the 

Vogue Theatre. Announcement that the Vancouver 

theatre is playing host to the Miss 

Canada pageant this year was made by Manager 

Al Jenkins of the Vogue. First prize, 

which can be won by a Vancouver girl, is a 

screen test with the Rank film organization, 

an all-expense trip to England, a $1,000 

scholarship and a second trip to Atlantic City 

for the Miss America contest. A crosscountry 

trip to visit all Odeon theatres will 

follow the Atlantic City trip. The Miss 

Canada contest will be held in all Rank 

houses across Canada. 

Many theatres In the suburban areas have 

increased grosses by enlarging or building 

parking lots. A theatre executive said this 

trend indicated that many of the now closed 

theatres had lost business because of their 

locations in crowded neighborhoods where 

no parking areas were available . . Bill 

. 

Myers jr., local projectionist, joined the staff 

of Trans-Canada Films and will work in 

the studio, which is now making TV films for 

CBC stations. 

Courtesy pays, but sometimes a little 

rudene.ss gets a good effect, too. A Fi'aser 

Valley drive-in theatreman recently proved 

it. While he was running a Sunday night 

sponsored show, a dog-fight (honest!) slowed 

up refreshment service halfway through the 

break and patrons who had been served 

began honking. Striding to the mike, the 

manager, already nettled by the fracas in 

the stand, reminded the honkers that Sunday 

evening shows were allowed only because 

all services were donated, that there had been 

an unforeseen delay in serving other hungry 

and thirsty patrons and that disturbances 

might result in the Sunday shows being shut 

down by tolerant authorities. Warming to his 

task, he reminded the noisemakers who had 

already been served, that the show would 

continue as quickly as possible and "if you 

want these Sunday evening shows to continue 

—then shut up!" P. S.: They did! 

. 

William Robinson, booker at UCA has returned 

to duty after being on sick leave for 

three weeks Atkinson, manager of 

bill 

Astral Alliance Films, said the double 

action program, "Day the World Ended" and 

"Phantom From 10,000 Leagues," will open 

at the Princess here on June 8. 

To Narrate TV Series 

MONTREAL—Associated Screen News has 

signed Danny Gallivan to narrate its forthcoming 

television series of films, entitled 

"This Week in Sports." Gallivan is particularly 

known for his radio and television coverage 

of hockey as well as a sportscaster. 

"This Week in Sports" a sports action newsreel, 

is a 15-minute roundup of the week's 

major international activities in the world of 

sports, including top Canadian events. 

75 Per Cent of Films 

Okayed in Ontario 

TORONTO—Chauman O. J. Silverthorne 

of the Ontario censor board, in his annual 

report to Provincial Treasurer Dana Porter, 

pointed out that 75 per cent of all featurelength 

pictures had been approved "without 

deletions or classification." 

English-language features in standard 

width during the fiscal period had the following 

sources: United States, 305; Great Britain, 

57; India and Israel, one each. Foreignlanguage 

films were as follows; Italy, 76; 

West Gei-many, 23; France and Soviet Russia, 

eight each; Czechoslovakia and Mexico, 

two each, and Poland and Sweden, one each. 

The total was 485, with the number from the 

United States stationary, but those from 

Great Britain showing a slight drop. 

Silverthorne said that 23 per cent of the 

485 featiu'es were in languages other than 

English. Those from the USSR, Poland and 

Czechoslovakia had "nationalistic and cultural 

content," but without offensive tones, 

he said. 

"Once again there was almost a complete 

absence of family-type entertainment so 

prominent a few year's ago," the censor chief 

asserted. "The cuirent taste of the motion 

picture producer on this continent, who appeals 

to the adult mind, is responsible for the 

increa.se in the number of films being treated 

and classified. On occasion, sex was presented 

in an offensively candid manner, and 

brute force and violence, emphasized by the 

vividness of color, required restriction. 

"The lack of family fare ... is to be regretted," 

Silverthorne continued. "The absence 

of the unpretentious homey-type of film 

with constructive moral and social values, 

once important economically to the producer, 

has brought hardship to the smaUer operator 

in rm-al and urban situations alike." 

Silverthorne said: "This department believes 

that the motion picture occupies an all-important 

place in communications and that 

the screen art can function and exercise its 

responsibilities without resort to sex, cruelty 

and sadism, resulting in dangerous social 

impact." 

Buzz Blondell Is Manager 

NIAGARA FALLS, ONT.—Walter "Buzz" 

Blondell, a native of Winnipeg, has been appointed 

manager of the Capitol Theatre on 

Queen street. Blondell succeeds the late 

Robert C. Harvey. The new manager comes 

to this city from Brantford, where he was 

manager of the Odeon Theatre. He has been 

in the theatre business tor 21 years and 

worked for some years in Toronto and Sarnia 

before moving to Brantford. A veteran of 

World War II, he served for some time with 

the R.C.A.F. 

Film 'Oedipus Rex' 

TORONTO—The Audio Pictures studio at 

310 Lakeshore Rd. is making a screen version 

of "Oedipus Rex," the ancient tragedy 

by Sophocles, which was featured last summer 

in the Shakespearean Festival at Stratford, 

Ont. The director of the pictui'e is 

Tyi'one Guthr-ie, who was the producer at 

Stratford. Ai-thui- Gottlieb is president of 

Audio. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

12, 1956

. . Bernard 

: May 

. . When 

. . Manager 

. . Ernie 

on AW A 

lyjanagcr Don Walts of the Rideau got a full 

week out of "Rock Around the Clock" 

with which he featured the "Rock 'n' Roll 

Revue" on the stage nightly with Maury 

Logan. "Canada's Elvis Pi-esley," aa the staiattraction 

. . . The Capitol was the scene of the 

seventh concert of the s-eason last Monday 

night i7> in which Vronsky and Babin, duopianists, 

appeared. Screen shows were canceled 

for the evening. 

The National Film Board staged a special 

screening for press and radio people of the 

Nova Scotia picture "Identity." a 16mm 

. travelog in Cinemascope Jim 

Chalmers of the Odeon ha-s turned the thea- 

Liees," the advertising contained the following 

interesting line: "Tliis film will not be 

shown on TV." 

Two more drive-ins have had a delayed 

opening In the Ottawa district. One was the 

Starlite at Cornwall, which requii-ed extensive 

repaii-s following a windstorm late last 

year, A new 75-foot CinemaScope screen has 

been erected. Tlie Brockville Drive-In also 

reopened with "The Benny Goodman Story." 

a fu'st run picture for Brockville and vicinity 

... A traffic accident in the Manor Park 

section of Ottawa caused the death of Douglas 

Gray, employe of the National Film Board. 

He was struck by a car- as he was retmning 

home . Monette. manager of the 

Aladdin Drive-In at Ottawa, is causing quite 

a stir with a special giveaway, a free pair of 

nylon stockings to one woman in a car. He 

also is distributing passes w'hich are good 

for an admission on payment of a service 

charge of 25 cents. 

CBC Asks TV License Fee 

To Replace Excise Tax 

OTTAWA- The opening .se.ssion of the 

royal commission on broadcasting under the 

chairmanship of R. M. Fowler, authorized to 

dj-aw up recommendations on television and 

radio operations for consideration of the 

Dominion government, developed Into a nearhassle 

when the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. 

presented a 30,000-word brief to .start the 

fireworks. 

The CBC, which is the government's controlling 

agency, sought a $15 annual license 

fee on all TV receivers to replace the 15 per 

cent exci.se tax on new .sets which, it was 

contended, was not sufficient to finance its 

operations and fm-ther expansion, which 

would require many millions of doUai's. 

tre's lobby and mezzanine floor into an art It was contended by the CBC that it privately 

owned TV stations were permitted to 

gaJlery for the exhibition of paintings by 

Florence Pitt Richardson, which will continue enter communities ah-eady .served by the CBC, 

to the end of May. Local ai-t critics gave important 

newspaper publicity to the show. empowered to invade territories where pri- 

then the government corporation should be 

vate stations operate, in which case it would 

Canadian Paramount supplied the screen 

cost Canadians more money. 

feature for the annual benefit performance 

Sunday night i6i at the Famous Players The Canadian Ass'n of Radio and Television 

Broadcasters, representing the private 

Capitol here in aid of Toronto's Variety Village 

which drew- a big crowd. The sponsor 

interests, demanded the right to establish a 

was the Ottawa Theatre Managers Ass'n, 

second TV network in Canada. A. D. Dunton, 

headed by Don Watts . the Cinema CBC chairman, declared talent was not available 

in 

in Hull played the French featiu-e, "Les Mains 

Canada for such a proposal. 

The private TV studios 

asked for a regulatory 

body separate from the CBC which also 

was a competitor, but a brief from organized 

labor pressed for no change from present 

control. Arguments waxed hot at many points 

in 

the week's discussions. 

ST. 

JOHN 

lîtchell Bernstein, partner of B&L Theatre 

Co.. and Mitchell Franklin, vicepresident 

of Franklin & Herschorn Theatre 

Co., acted as chairmen at an Lsrael bond 

planning conference for the May 27 bond 

drive here . . . The Grand View Drive-In at 

Amherst; the North River Drive-In, Charlottetown, 

P.E.I. . and the Mountain Drive-In 

Campbellton, N. B., owned and operated by 

the P. G. Spencer Co., St. John, reopened 

Monday (7). 

J. M. Franklin, president of the Franklin 

& Her.schorn Theatre Co., and Mrs. Franklin 

have returned to their St. John home after 

spending the winter at their home in Miami 

Beach . A. Whelpley, manager ol 

Alliance Films here, is mourning the death ot 

his 78-year-old father. 

Visiting Filmrow were Bert Giraurd, owner 

and operator of the Family Drive-In, Newcastle, 

N. B., and Bruce H. Yeo, owner and 

operator of -yeo's Theatre, Montague, P.E.I. 

. . . Unusual cold weather in the Maritimes is 

hurting drive-in business, yet the "hard top" 

theatres show no improvement in boxoffice 

take. Theatre operators can only point to 

TV and bingo games as the reason. 

Larger Screen at OrilHa 

ORILLIA, ONT.—The Orillia Drive-In has 

been improved by the addition of a new and 

larger screen. The theatre will be managed 

this season by Ken Johnston, manager of the 

Opera House. 

"Richard III" is still going strong at the 

Little Elgin, managed by Ernie Warren. It 

opened April 23 at this Ottawa off-beat theatre 

. . . The Princess at Prescott, operated 

by Casey Swedlove of Ottawa, had a successful 

six-day run of "Guys and Dolls" at $1 

admission. Prescott has 5.000 residents. 

'Richard' in Tenth Week 

TORONTO—"Richard III" played a tenth 

week at the International Cinema at roadshow 

prices, but the engagement was approaching 

its end. The Hollywood and Casino 

teamed for the initial run of JARO's "The 

Woman for Joe." with a stage presentation an 

additional offering at the 

Casino. 

Ticket Books for Mother's Day 

TORONTO—Managers of the Famous 

Players chain pushed the sale of books of 

admission tickets around the circuit as gifts 

for Mother's Day. 

Burt Kennedy will script "The Reef 

20th Century-Pox. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

12. 1956 

for 

SINGLE CHANNEL MAGNETIC SOUND 

Simplex XL-101 is the most modern of single track sound equipment. Its compact 

grouping of all units provides greater operating efficiency. The tight 

loop system used in the Magnetic Sound Head has been used and proved by 

all major studios — eliminates all gears and belts. The System Selector Box 

gives optical sound, single-film magnetic sound, dual film magnetic sound 

whichever you want, merely by pushing a button! Let our experienced 

engineers survey and install your sound system. Services from coast to coast. 

GENERAL THEATRE SUPPLYCOMPANY 

LIMITED 

HEAD OFFICE: 861 BAY ST. TORONTO. ONTARIO

. . Lake 

. . . William 

. . SheUa 

. . Bob 

. . Morey 

. . John 

: May 

. 

. 

TORONTO 

tJesults of a film star popularity contest conducted 

by Toronto's Italian newspaper, 

Corriere Canadese, and announced at the 

Italian ball in the Royal York Hotel, gave 

Gina Lollobrigida first place with 81,743 

votes, with Anna Magnani second, 21,180 

votes, and Sophia Loren third 16,350. The 

first non-Italian was Grace Kelly in eighth 

place. First prize was a trip to Italy ... On 

arrival in Toronto for personal appearances 

with "Over-Exposed" at 20th Century units, 

Cleo Moore announced she would run for 

governor of Louisiana in 1960 when she is 

30 years of age. 

Morris Stein, eastern division manager of 

Famous Players, also has become a General 

Motors dealer in Toronto. He is president of 

a new agency. Plaza Chevrolet at 3738 

Bathurst St. His two sons hold other offices. 

Morris is not leaving FPC . 

Shore 

Drive-In at St. Catharines featured the 

Grantham Police Boys band at a buck night 

last week, after running a performance last 

fall for the Grantham Police Benefit Fund. 

Paramount will be found at 277 Victoria 

St. for some months while its Canadian head 

office building at 111 Bond St. is being reconstructed, 

said Gordon Lightstone, 

Canadian general manager of Paramount 

who, incidentally, was a founder of Toronto 

Variety Tent 28. His name was missed in ouirecent 

originals' list . . . F. H. Fisher of 

JARO reported that two Rank features, 

"A Town Like Alice" and "Lost," as yet not 

released in Canada, were screened on the 

maiden voyage of the CPR Empress of Britain 

from England to Montreal. 

Win Barron, promotion director of 

Canadian Paramount, said that Gay C. 

Barron, one of his five daughters, has been 

awarded her silver wings as a stewardess 

of American Airlines and will be based at 

New York. She is a former member of the 

Toronto Flying Club. 

The Niagara District Theatre Managers 

Ass'n sponsored it.s annual benefit show May 

6 at the Odeon Palace, St. Catharines, for 

Variety Village. The Hamilton Theatre 

Managers Ass'n ran a two-column "thank 

you" advertisement in the Hamilton Spectator 

to express appreciation to everybody 

who helped to make its Variety benefit performance 

a success. Listed in the display 

were the names of 20 cooperating theatres. 

J. R. Nairn of Famous Players shot out dis- 

"Oklahoma!" to 

play advertisements for 

newspapers m Ontario cities in connection 

with its opening at the Toronto Tivoli, announcement 

having been made that the Todd- 

AO production will not play elsewhere in 

this province although it is scheduled for 

Winnipeg and Vancouver. Incidentally, Nairn 

had quite a time before he found a surrey for 

the local ballyhoo ... As a lobby feature for 

"The Ladykillers" at the Toronto Hyland, 

Manager Barry Carnon secured the cooperation 

of Canadian Kodak Co. for a display 

of cameras dating back to 1888. 

U. S. Theatres Using Ads 

In Ontario Newspapers 

TORONTO—Daily newspapers in numerous 

Ontario cities are enjoying a flush of thea- 

for weekend tourist patronage. 

Two Cinerama theatres, the Teck at Buffalo 

and the Music Hall, Detroit, are using 

space in the newspapers of Toronto, Hamilton, 

Windsor and other cities to attract Canadian 

customers, and in preparation for its 

season at Stratford, Ont., the Shakespearean 

Festival is using a wide campaign in Ontario. 

The feminine lead in Allied Artists' "Chasing 

Trouble" has been assigned to Adele 

Jergens. 

MONTREAL 

N 

icole Maurey took this French-Canadian 

city by storm when she arrived here to 

pubhcize the opening of RKO's "The Bold 

and the Brave" in five theatres of the United 

Amusement Corp. Miss Maurey drew record 

crowds of enthusiastic moviegoers and autograph 

seekers, causing traffic jams everywhere 

as she visited historical sites for 

pictorial layouts for local publications. Following 

a luncheon in her honor. Miss Maurey 

was greeted by Mayor Jean Drapeau at city 

hall, where she received the key to the city. 

At the Montreal Forum, she greeted a defending 

Fi-ench wrestling titleholder after 

a title bout watched by a large television 

audience. Miss Maurey also was interviewed 

by press and magazines and appeared on 

radio and TV shows. Miss Maurey is a staiin 

the Supei-scope presentation with Wendell 

Corey, Mickey Rooney and Don Taylor. 

Another first in Montreal's motion picture 

history took place as Consolidated Theatres 

screened "Oklahoma!" in the Todd-AO widescreen 

process at the Alouette Theatre for 

press and trade. The picture will be presented 

to the general public at the Alouette 

tre advertising from outside points, including 

Buffalo, Detroit and elsewhere in a bid for 

Mannard, secretary-treasurer of 

additional business. Famous Players is staging 

a wide campaign for "Oklahoma!" at the 

United Amusement Corp., and his wife left 

by plane for a holiday in Miami, Fla. . . . 

Tivoli in Toronto which emphasizes the mail 

"I'll Cry Tomorrow," starring Susan Hayward, 

order sale. 

was held for a thii-d week at the large Loew's 

The Piincess at Niagara Falls, Ont., which 

Theatre and "The Swan," starring Grace 

has turned legitimate after operating as the 

Kelly, was drawing record attendance at 

Hollywood, a film theatre for many years, is 

the Palace. At the Princess, "Forbidden 

using display space in Ontario dailies. Motion 

Planet," starring Walter Pidgeon and Ann 

pictui-e theatres at Massena and Ogdensburg, 

Francis, also was receiving good boxoffice 

N. Y., are advertising on the Canadian side 

results. Thus three MGM releases were playing 

at the same time in three of Montreal's 

first run St. Catherine street theatres . . . 

Pierre Theriault, actor and song writer, is 

now completing several new songs and French 

lyrics 

for radio and television. 

Jacqueline Osher, cashier for UA. was 

presented a parting gift by the office staff 

on the eve of her leaving to. be married in 

Toronto . 

Brown of the art department 

of UAC announced being all set for a 

carefully planned fishing trip to Lake Memphramagog 

near Sherbrooke. Pete Baird of 

Baird Films Transport will accompany Brown 

Mrs. Suzanne Rousel, secretary to 

Jacqueline Morin, manager at the Warner 

16mm division, resigned . 

Levitt, 

salesman for Columbia, left on a business 

trip Yellin is the new switchboard 

. 

operator at Paramount while Claude Forget 

is the new shipper Hamat, salesman 

for UA, was out in the province . 

. 

Among exhibitors who visited Filmrow were 

Albert Roy and his sister Gisele, owners of 

the Cinema Rex and Beauceville Theatre of 

Beauceville, and Guy Bachand, owner of the 

Rex and Pi-emiere of Sherbrooke. 

FRENCH STAR VISITS CANADA—Nicole Maurey, star of RKO's "The Bold and 

the Brave." participates in advance publicity for the film in Montreal, where the 

Irving Levin production opened in five theatres of the United Amusement circuit, the 

Snowden, Outremont, Papineau, Strand and Seville. With Mile. Maurey are, left to 

kight: John Speradlios, advertising director of United Amusement; George De Stounis, 

film buyer for the chain; John Ganatakos, president of United Amusement; Jack 

Labow, RKO Canadian district manager, and Allan Spencer, publicity manager for 

T'nited Amusement. 

Burglary at Belleville 

BELLEVILLE. ONT.—Forcing the lock at 

the front door of the Capitol Theatre, thieves 

pried a small wall safe from the wall in the 

manager's office and escaped with aJi undetermined 

amount of cash. Inspector J. C. Hayes 

said that the small safe was taken away from 

the theatre through the back door, where it 

was presumably loaded into a car. 

A featured part in MGM's "The Power and 

the Prize," has been assigned to Richard 

Erdman. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

12, 1956

'z) 

• ALPHABETICAL INDEX 

• ADLINES & EXPLOITIPS 

• BOXOFFICE BAROMETER 

• EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY 

• FEATURE RELEASE CHART 

• FEATURE REVIEW DIGEST 

• REVIEWS OF FEATURES 

• SHORTS RELEASE CHART 

• SHORT SUBJECT REVIEWS 

• SHOWMANDISING IDEAS 

THE GUIDE TO l^ BETTER BOOKING AND B U S I N E S S - B U I L D I N G 

Food Chain Displays 

Pep 'Birds' Opening 

The opening of "The Birds and the Bees," 

at the Indiana in Indianapolis was pepped 

up by a tie-in of citywide scope with Standard 

Stores, a food store chain having 46 

outlets in the local area. 

The supermarkets and grocery stores used 

mountainous displays of Dial soap in every 

outlet, each array topped with a 22x27-inch 

sign urging customers to see George Gobel 

in the new film at the Indiana. Dial, sponsor 

of Gobel on television, also worked out 

a giveaway with the food chain and with 

Paramount, w-herein each soap wrapper 

was numbered and winning numbers worth 

merchandise prizes were posted in each 

store. 

The title time from the film, moreover. 

was piped into every store over the public 

address systems. 

^ Al Hendricks, manager of the Indiana, 

rf reported favorable reaction and comment 

over town, reflected in increased business. 

'Living Marquee' at Denver 

Stops Traffic for 'Jubal' 

A "living marquee," composed of a bevy 

of five beautiful models from a local 

agency, proved a cogent traffic stopper outside 

the Denver in the city of the same 

name. Publicist Alberta Pike dressed the 

gals in cowboy hats and boots and shorts, 

and had each bearing one of the letters 

from the title, "Jubal." Then she arranged 

the beauties on a platform erected above 

the boxoffice. spelling out "Jubal." Used 

at peak traffic times, the "living marquee" 

was a real "stopper," according to Miss 

Pike. 

A similar gimmick was used to whip up 

interest for "The Harder They Fall." For 

this, the publicist used just one model, 

clad in a T-shirt and shorts, and wearing 

boxing gloves. The shirt bore the title of 

the film on front and back, and the platform 

revolved above the boxoffice. 

Gives Passes for Smiles 

When Bob Rosen, manager of the Bismarck 

Theatre, Bismarck, N. D., came 

across the information that a recent week 

was National Smile Week, he decided to 

promote it. He had a girl tour the downtown 

streets during the week with instructions 

to hand free theatre passes to everyone 

she met who was smiling. 

Theatre in Memphis Gets Air Show 

In Lobby With Trading Stamp Deal 

Ray Thome, managing director of the 

Malco Theatre in Memphis, is very happy 

with a 30-minute radio program broadcast 

five evenings a week right from the 

theatre lobby, featuring interviews with 

patrons and constant plugging of current 

and coming attractions, which was engineered 

with the help of two sponsors. 

One of the backers of the Meet Me at the 

Malco program, 7:30 to 8 p.m. Monday 

through Fi-iday, is the Memphis Pepsi-Cola 

Bottling Co. This national concern has 

representatives in all sizeable cities, and 

requires no explanation. 

The other sponsor is the Memphis distributor 

of Quality stamps, one of the 

promoters of the trading premiums which 

retail merchandisers have resorted to these 

many years. 

The Quality stamp savers may turn in 

their filled books at the redemption store 

for books of theatre coupons good at 19 

Malco circuit houses in the Memphis area. 

The Quality company distributed 34,000 

handbills explaining the theatre hookup 

in shopping bags of customers at supermarkets 

throughout the city, set up 250 

store cards and plugged the tie-in on the 

Warns Patrons on Title 

Darren Shelon, Council Bluffs, Iowa, theatreman, 

playing "Bottom of the Bottle" 

at the Strand, warned patrons in the advance 

ad lead-line with, "Don't let the 

title fool you!" Then he repeated the title 

several times, with a paragraph of selling 

copy each time. He sold the film as a new 

kind of screen adventure, emphasizing the 

western screen beauty in color and Cinema- 

Scope. 

Experts in Leap Year Show 

Chub GoUaday, Fox Midwest manager at 

Port Madison, Iowa, staged a Leap Year 

show recently, playing "Gentlemen Prefer 

Blondes" and "Meet Me After the Show," 

starring Betty Grable, Marilyn Monroe and 

Jane Russell. His headline for the show 

read: "Gals, take a lesson from the experts 

as they teach you how to set the 

tender trap at our Leap Year midnight 

show." 

Dotty Abbott broadcasts o Meet Me at the Malco 

rodio program five nights weekly from the lobby 

of the Malco Theatre in Memphis. Seen with 

her is Ray Thome, Malco managing director. 

radio program. The 19 theatres, in turn, 

ran a trailer on the premium stamp deal. 

In addition Malco Theatres was given a 

prominent place in the redemption story. 

Alexanders in Portland 

Given 'Alexander' Party 

For "Alexander the Great" at the Paramount 

Theatre in Portland, Ore., Manager 

Dick Newton and Bill Scholls, UA publicist, 

arranged a parade of Grecian-garbed 

models riding DeSoto and Plymouth convertibles, 

supplied by Alexander Motors, 

throughout the city. Alexander the Great, 

a local magician who uses that stage name 

for his unusual mind-reading tricks, appeared 

at the theatre, and there was a 

dinner party in the Heathman Hotel, followed 

by a night club show at the Amatos 

for 22 couples named Alexander. Portland 

has some 200 families by that last name. 

Assist for RKO Short 

RKO-Pathe's Screenliner. "Her Honor, 

the Nurse," gets a strong assist in the 

National League for Nursing's current 

newsletter, sent to 12.000 hospital schools 

of nursing and nursing career committees. 

BOXOmCE Showmcmdiser : : May 

12, 1956 

125

I Manos 

KIDDY SHOWS THRIVE ON SURPRISES AND GOOD TIMES' 

Program of Manos Theatres Fun Shows Loaded With Gifts and Stage Contests 

Many children in four Pennsylvania 

towns in the Pittsburgh area have become 

year-around theatregoers once more, won 

away from their TV cowboys at least once 

a week by good times in which they may 

take part at Monessen Amusement Co. 

I 

theatres. Known as Vacation Fun 

shows, the children's matinees are held 

each Wednesday morning during summer 

vacation and on Saturday mornings during 

the school term. 

The F\in shows were started last summer 

and have been continuous in Monessen 

Amusement theatres in these four western 

Pennsylvania towns: Elwood City, population, 

12,945; Indiana, 11,743; Monessen, 

17,896; Uniontown, 20,471. 

A typical Vacation Fim show consists of. 

a Film Library picture, such as a Lassie 

film, three cartoons and a comedy, along 

with two or more stage contests among 

youngsters chosen from the audience, 

winners receiving theatre passes and worthwhile 

prizes promoted from town merchants. 

A major prize, such as a bicycle, 

Davy Crockett outfit, etc., is awarded 

weekly. Over one period of seven weeks, for 

instance, a Monessen theatre awarded a 

bicycle each of the first six weeks and a 

$300 power-driven Eshleman Sports Car for 

children the seventh week. 

"We believe the success of our Vacation 

Fun shows is due to the fact that we have a 

program loaded with surprises and varied 

entertainment," said Joseph F. Bugala. 

Monessen general manager. "The shows 

have been very successful in our circuit 

with regards to cultivating the theatre 

habit among small fry." 

On most of the Vacation Pun shows, 

Monessen managers include contests with 

prizes promoted from local merchants. 

Manos Theatre Fun Club 

1955 SEASON CARD 

This is a reproduction of the Fun Club membership 

cords. Printed on bristol, the over-oil 

meosurement is 3?ix4'54 inches. Note the perforotion 

which allows separation into two ports, 

one for the young member and the other for 

the theatre file. 

Bud Fike of the Manos Theatre 

Fun Club to children in the lobby. 

Contestants are chosen from the audience 

by numbers on ticket stubs, usually six to 

ten children taking part in each contest 

such as pie-eating races, baUoon-blowing, 

cracker-eating, mixed-up crazy shoes, 

watermelon eating and many others devised 

by alert managers. Details of ten of these 

contests appear on the opposite page. 

"We always try to keep our shows interesting 

with the elements of surprise 

and variety," explains Bugala. "In July we 

even had Santa Claus stroll down the aisle 

without previous announcement." Santa 

then went up on the stage and presided 

over a surprise "Christmas in July" program 

by giving away presents promoted 

from a local toy shop. One theatre of the 

circuit had sold its Christmas show by the 

end of October. 

More happy sui-prises among the youngsters 

also are created by such a stunt as 

taping passes under seats scattered 

throughout the auditorium. The emcee 

suddenly will call for a "seventh-inning 

stretch" during the stage show, advising the 

kids to look under the seats. Dropping 

balloons bearing passes from the ceiling 

another stunt that keeps the kids alert. 

is 

Ushers in one of the Monessen theatres 

have added to the fun by wearing huge 

papier-mache heads of Bugs Bunny, Tom 

and Jerry and suitable costumes. The 

heads are three feet high and sit on top 

of the shoulders. The ushers have worked 

out a dance routine wearing these costumes 

which they perfoi-m on the stage during the 

giveaway portion of the Fun show. 

"We found pet giveaway shows to be 

the most successful of all our programs," 

continued Bugala. "Although it is not 

really a show, we found that the word 

'show' added glamor to the program, 

which tied in with a five and ten-cent 

Is pictured handing memberships in the Vacation 

store. A typical pet show Includes such 

awards as 25 bowls of goldfish, pet tui'tles, 

bunnies and three or four parakeets. The 

kids are advised to buy their accessories 

from the sponsoring merchants." 

Other special shows popular with the 

kids included a Lassie program, with a 

collie pup promoted from a local pet shop 

and given away as the top award, and kiddy 

spook shows—The Three Stooges in 

"Spooks," a Casper cartoon, and "The 

Bowery Boys Meet the Monster," with a 

local magician doing tricks on the stage as 

an added treat. 

Popular giveaways have included three 

reconditioned TV sets promoted by one 

Monessen manager from his local TV shop 

Here is a sample of the letter mailed to Fun 

Club members on their birthdays. A proper membership 

file will enable the cashier to handle 

this 

chore. 

— 126 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : : May 

12, 1956

3 

TESTED STUNTS 

1. FREE PASS GAME 

On 40x60-inch boord are jumbled scores of printed, colored numbers 

from one to ten. In addition to the mixcd-up numbers, the boord hos 

one circled area designated os "Blue Special" and another os "Red Special." 

Kids ore called to the stage and given suction cop guns (the kind that stick 

when they hit) and each gets to shoot until he has mode one cap stick somewhere 

on the board. If a cap sticks on a number two, the contestant gets two 

passes; if on o five, he gets five passes. Making a cap stick on the 

Blue Special area is good for o two-week poss, while the Red Special areo 

pays off with o one-month pass. This contest should be used every week 

with one other contest, since the youngsters will look forward to it and will 

keep trying for the speciols. The number of kids to be used con be judged 

by number of passes the manager wants to give away. 

2. BABY BOTTLE CONTEST 

Six contestants are colled to the stage. Each is given o baby bottle 

with nipple (bottles contain the same number of ounces of soft drinks—each 

bottle containing a different flavor to moke contest colorful). The emcee 

announces that this contest has a time limit of 45 seconds. The whistle is 

blown for start and agoin offer 45 seconds have elopsed. Bottles then ore 

checked to see which contestant was able to drink the most. Prizes ore 

aworded accordingly. (A good idea is to give three merchandise prizes and 

give the lost three contestants one pass each.) 

3. ROPE SKIPPING CONTEST 

Six contestants make o good number for this event. Each is given o 

jumping rope and advised of these rules: emcee will blow whistle to stort 

jumping. When one contestant falters, emcee blows whistle ond oil stop. 

The person stepping on his rope or making other kind of jumping error is 

given one theatre poss and withdraws from stage. Emcee blows whistle to start 

again. The procedure continues until champion jumper is determined. This 

contestant wins a puppy as first prize; second prize is o bowl of goldfish; 

third prize, three passes. First three contestants eliminated receive a single 

Here Are the Details on How 

The Monessen Circuit Planned 

And Executed Them 

6. BALLOON BURSTING CONTEST 

Six contestants ore chosen ond each is given o toy balloon. First priu 

is owordcd the first person blowing up a bolloon until it bursts. A triol run 

is made so each contestant knows what the gome is obout, the trial ruB 

being mode with penny balloons. Then each is given a contest balloon, ond, 

what the contestants find out after they hove storted is that the contest 

bolloons are KING SIZE—standing three feet high ond a foot wide. Thil 

contest must be token in stoges easy on the kids. After each 30 seconds 

of blowing, a 15-second rest period is held. The emcee must have whistle to 

control contest, os well as all other Vocotion Fun Club contests, sine* 

in is of cheering kids seats too loud for contestonts on stage to heor emcea 

voice orders. To encourage the cheering, the emcee should ask oudiencai 

members to cheer for their friends among contestants. 

7. WATER GUN-CANDLE OUT CONTEST 

A lighted candle is ploced on o toble of the front of stoge. Kid 

contestonts, six or more, are lined up six feet bock of table, ond eoch gets 

three shots to try to put out candle, with first row of the audience getting 

sprayed if contestants overshoot the candle. The contestants take o 

shot in rotation, and if all miss on first round, o second ond third round, 

continues until each has hod three shots, if needed. Eoch contestont putting 

out candle wins o poss. 

8. WATER GUN CONTEST * 

Six or ten contestants for this stunt, with each given o loaded wol 

gun when he steps on the stage. Emcee asks kids in oudience to help h 

judge the stunt. Noturolly 200 hands go up, as kids think they will go 

on stage to help with judging. Emcee then announces contest: the idea being 

to see which contestont con shoot farthest out into the audience. Member* 

of oudience ore asked to raise bonds if they get wet. Being o funmoker 

that always produces much laughing and yelling, this stunt is procticolly 

impossible to judge— but each contestant con be awarded a pass for his fun 

This is good stunt with which to end o contest period. 

i 

4. SPELLING BEE 

Get ten kids to theatre stage. Moke up two teams, five each, ond try 

to even the youngsters os to age (don't match five lO-yeor-olds ogoinst five 

8-year-olds, for instonce). Start with words from first grade speller, then 

move to second grade speller. One miss eliminates contestant from his 

team's efforts. One team wins, of course, when all members of the other 

team have been eliminated. Winning team members get o puppy dog each; 

members of losing team each receive a poss. No coaching from the oudience. 

5. BASKETBALL-DIXIE CUP CONTEST 

Contestonts must try to keep basketball bouncing while picking up 

paper cups from stage floor ond taking across stage to table where cups 

must be placed into each other. Each contestant gets 45 seconds. First prize 

goes to the one able to stock the most cups in 45 seconds without missing 

bounce with the boll. The contestants try this stunt one at a time. 

9. SHOES IN BARREL 

Ten contestonts moke this stunt really entertaining. All ore asked 

sit down on stoge and remove their shoes. Shoes are placed in o barrel in] 

front center of stage about ten feet from the contestants. When the 

blows whistle, oil run to barrel ond try to get their own shoes. The first one] 

up to the emcee with his own shoes ON is the winner. Prizes also ore given 

for second and third places. For added fun with this contest, some Moness 

managers place ten extro pairs of shoes in the barrel before the show. 

10. CRACKER EATING CONTEST 

Each contestant is given three crackers to eat. The first one oble 

whistle after eating crackers is judged the winner. Prizes olso go to eoe 

3f the other contestants in the order they regain their whistling obilil 

Remind kids not to put oil three crockers in their mouths at once. Also ha^ 

:ups of water handy If needed. 

Kiddy Shows Thrive 

in return for screen ads and plugs from the 

stage. On this tieup, "A TV for Your 

Room" was the theme, with the results that 

many adults also turned out for the Vacation 

Pun show to try to take home one of 

the TV sets. 

"If a manager can promote water guns, 

balloons, jumping ropes and so on," advises 

Bugala, "let the contestants keep them. 

So far we have been able to do this with 

exception of the basketball in the basketball 

dribbling event. We even let the kids 

keep the baby bottles. All it takes to promote 

this stuff is a few passes to the 

store owner and a good commercial from 

the stage during the contest. Also you can 

give him a plug on your F\tn show ad. Run 

contests so the audience can see what is 

going on from their seats. Be sm-e to turn 

on all the house lights and work lights, too, 

if necessary during the contests. 

"Always try to have a load of prizes, the 

more the merrier. One week we gave away 

40 fish, a Persian cat, a puppy, a Coca-Cola 

cooler and 15 free passes at one theatre." 

Most youngsters attending the Fun shows 

are signed up as members of the Manos 

Pun Club. The membership card is made 

out in two sections, one of which the member 

retains to show to the doorman whenever 

he attends a Manos operated theatre. 

BOXOFFICE Showmandiser May 12. 1956 127 — 

: : 

The other section is filed by the theati 

cashier, according to the month and date ( 

the member's birth. One week prior to 

member's birthday, the cashier sends tfc 

member a personal letter of good wishe 

from the manager and encloses fou 

passes—for the member's parents, a frier 

and the member, these guest passes beir 

good any time. The birthday letters 

written on the theatre's stationery and th 

member is addre.ssed as "Master" or "Mis 

"This birthday tieup with Manos 

Club members is an excellent public reli 

tions project," said Bugala. "It should 

dividends over the long haul." 

The membership cards are also number 

(Continued on Showmandiser page 129)

. . . IT'S 

. . 

. . BASED 

. . AND 

. . 

. . 

. . . AND 

. . . YOU'LL 

. . 

. . TODAY 

. . 

. . YOU'LL 

. . 

. . 

. . 

MAKING MOST OF INTERVIEW PLATTER 

FPC Showman Works One in 

The star interview platters, available 

from the distributors on some films, can 

be used as the nucleus of a radio presentation, 

which in content and length of time 

COURAGE YOU'LL NOT SOON FORGET. 

MGM HAS MADE IT INTO A DIS- 

TINGUISHED AND INSPIRING MOTION 

PICTURE. DON'T MISS "I'LL CRY TOMOR- 

ROW" STARRING SUSAN HAYWARD, JO 

VAN FLEET, RICHARD CONTE, EDDIE 

is able to do a good job of 

ALBERT 

selling. 

AND DON TAYLOR, PLAYING TO- 

DAY AT THE ALGOMA THEATRE. 

For example, Norman Gray, manager of 

ANNCR: AND 

the Algoma NOW LET'S HEAR FROM 

Theatre 

SUSAN HAYin 

Sault Ste. Marie, WARD AGAIN, AS SHE SINGS THE TITLE 

Ont., bought two 15-minute segments on SONG FROM "I'LL CRY TOMORROW" . . . 

CJIC there and arranged programs based 

on the Susan Hayward interview and platters 

of the songs she sings in "I'll Cry ANNCR: CO-STARRING WITH SUSAN HAYWARD IN 

"I'LL CRY TOMORROW" ARE RICHARD 

Tomorrow." One-quarter hour was 11:45 

CONTE, EDDIE ALBERT, DON TAYLOR AND 

to 12 noon Satm-day after a Thursday 

RAY DANTON, WHO PORTRAY THE FOUR 

MEN WHO PLAYED A PROMINENT PART 

opening, and the second from 7 to 7:15 on 

IN LILLIAN ROTH'S LIFE. ACADEMY 

the following Monday AWARD WINNER JO 

evening. 

VAN FLEET PLAYS 

THE PART OF LILLIAN ROTHS MOTHER. 

In addition^ Gray bought ten spots. In 

THEME: IN BRIEFLY AND OUT . 

return he received free spots on three of 

CJIC's regular programs and on 

COMMERCIAL . 

all the 

"I'LL CRY TOMORROW" HAS BEEN PLAYlate 

night disk jockey shows. 

ING AT THE ALGOMA THEATRE AND MAY 

BE SEEN 

The 

THROUGH THURSDAY. THE 

cost of time on the small stations WHOLE TOWN HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT 

not affiliated with the big networks IT . . . 

will 

NOT ONLY FOR THE TERRIFIC PER- 

FORMANCES, AS GIVEN BY SUSAN HAYbe 

found to be within small advertising 

WARD, RICHARD CONTE, EDDIE ALBERT, 

budgets. 

AND JO VAN FLEET, BUT BECAUSE OF THE 

MORE THAN HUMAN THEME THAT UNDER- 

The script of Gray's Saturday noon program, 

working in the interview 

LIES THE ENTHRALLING STORY ... IT 

transcription, 

follows: 

ANNCR: THE ALGOMA THEATRE IS PLEASED TO 

PRESENT, 'TLL CRY TOMORROW! 1 THE 

YEARS MQ?r TALKED ABOUT MOTION 

PICTURE! I THE REMARKABLE LIFE STORY 

OF LILLIAN ROTHl I 

THEME: UP BRIEFLY AND UNDER FOR . . . 

ANNCR: •Til CRY TOMORROW," MGM's FILMIZA- 

TION OF LILLIAN ROTH'S REMARKABLE 

AUTOBIOGRAPHY, IS THE INTIMATE, GRIP- 

PING, AND SOMETIMES SHOCKING STORY 

OF A YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL GIRL WHO 

BECAME A STAR OF STAGE AND SCREEN 

THEN ENTERED A NIGHTMARE WORLD OF 

MISERY AND NEAR-SUICIDE BEFORE GAIN- 

ING THE HELP THAT ENABLED HER TO 

START A NEW LIFE. THE PORTRAYAL OF 

LILLIAN ROTH GIVES SUSAN HAYWARD 

AN EVEN MORE DRAMATIC CHALLENGE 

THAN HER ROLES IN "SMASH UP " "MY 

FOOLISH HEART" OR "WITH A SONG IN 

MY HEART," THREE PICTURES FOR WHICH 

SHE RECEIVED ACADEMY AWARD NOMIN- 

ATIONS. THE NEW FILM IS AlÔ THE 

P?,?J,>,IP 

SINGING 

REVEAL THE STAR'S THROATY 

VOICE, FOR MISS HAYWARD 

HERSELF, SINGS SUCH SONGS, IDENTI- 

FIED WTH THE CAREER OF LILLIAN ROTH, 

AS "SING YOU SINNERS," "HAPPINESS IS 

A THING CALLED JOE," AND MANY 

OTHERS. HERE NOW IS AN INTERVIEW 

WITH MISS HAYWARD, IN WHICH SHE 

TELLS US HOW HER NEW-FOUND TALENT 

WAS DISCOVERED. 

15-minute 'Cry' Program 

TRANSCRIPTION 

INTERVIEW 

SUSAN 

ANNCR: THAT WAS THE SINGING VOICE OF SUSAN 

HAYWARD IN ONE OF THE SONGS FROM 

"I'LL CRY TOMORROW" ... IN WHICH 

MISS HAYWARD PLAYS HER MOST STARK- 

LY DRAMATIC ROLE AS THE VICTIM OF 

ALCOHOLISM. 

COMMERCIAL 

. 

PLAYING TODAY AT THE ALGOMA THEA- 

TRE IS THE MOST ACCLAIMED MOTION" 

PICTURE SINCE "GONE WITH THE WIND 

"I'LL CRY TOMORROW" STAR- 

RING SUSAN HAYWARD IN THE ROLE OF 

THE EVER FAMOUS ENTERTAINER 

. 

LILLIAN ROTH. IT'S THE DRAMATIC MOVIE 

JOLTER OF THE YEAR . 

ON THE 

REAL LIFE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A GIRL 

WHO FOUGHT HER WAY FROM SHAME 

... AS ONLY A WOMAN CAN. IT'S A 

STORY THAT WAS FILMED ON LOCATION 

. . . INSIDE A WOMAN'S SOUL . 

MILLIONS WEPT UNASHAMEDLY WHEN 

THEY READ LILLIAN ROTH'S FRANK REVE- 

LATIONS IN THE BEST SELLING NOVEL 

"I'LL CRY TOMORROW." NOW IN INTI- 

MATE DETAIL, THE STORY OF HER LIFE IS 

TOLD ON THE SCREEN 

. IT'S THE 

STORY OF INDOMITABLE FAITH AND 

TELLS OF A WOMAN'S RISE TO THE TOP, 

IN HER PROFESSION AS A SINGING 

ENTERTAINER ... OF HER ACHIEVEMENTS 

IN WINNING FAME, ADULATION AND 

MONEY. AND THEN IT DARES . . . BECAUSE 

THE WOMAN WHO LIVED IT DARED . 

TO TELL THE STORY OF THE WHOLE AND 

TERRIBLE TRUTH OF WHAT HAPPENED TO 

HER ... OF HOW SHE DESCENDED INTO 

THE LIVING HELL OF AN ALCOHOLICS 

DAYS AND NIGHTS ... OF HOW SHE RE- 

ACTED TO HER SELF-MADE ATMOSPHERE 

OF HOW OTHERS, MOST 

ESPECIALLY THE PEOPLE CLOSEST TO 

HER, REACTED TO HER . GASP 

AT THE EVENTS AND INCIDENTS THIS 

COURAGEOUS WOMAN DARES TO EXPOSE 

TO THE CURIOUS EYES OF THE WORLD 

MARVEL AT HOW BEAUTIFUL 

SUSAN HAYWARD LOSES HERSELF . 

AND THE AUDIENCE ... IN THE PART OF 

LILLIAN ROTH, IN "I'LL CRY TOMORROW" 

INCIDENTALLY, SUSAN'S SINGING VOICE 

WILL BE A PLEASANT SURPRISE TO YOU 

... BE SURE TO HEAR IT . . . AND SEE 

HER . AT THE ALGOMA. 

THEME: UP TO TIME AND OUT . 

The Monday script featured similar copy 

and music from the film. 

To supplement the radio promotion. Gray 

spent one entire afternoon placing 45 playdate 

cards in strategic spots in and around 

the city. He arranged window displays 

in a department, music and four drug 

stores and featured a book standee out 

in front of the theatre. 

Accent Placed on Bing 

For 'Anything' in Hartford 

The campaign for "Anything Goes" conducted 

by Fred R. Greenway, manager of 

the Palace in Hartford, placed the accent 

on stunts built around Bing Crosby, who 

stars in the fUm. First there was a search 

for a singer having King's qualities. 

Auditions 

were held at the New Empire restaurant, 

a downtown night spot, which 

signed the winner for an engagement. 

During the run, Greenway had printed 

4x5 cards which were attached to jukeboxes 

around the downtown area. These 

read: "Hear Bing Crosby's Songs From 

'Anything Goes' . . . Now Loew Poh Palace." 

f-ôintoP 

fOMOBROW is Mother's Day. 

Uiew 

If you just 

never got around to doing anything for 

this special event, you can redeem your- '^^ 

self with Father's Day, which will fall on 

June 17 this year. This gives you a whole 

month to set a few things up, so don't 

goof on this one. 

We viewed Republic's new widescreen 

process on the screen t'other 

a.m., at the showing of "The Maverick 

Queen." There are plenty of eyefilling 

exteriors to make your audience 

feel they're getting their money's 

worth. And, incidentally, "The Maverick 

Queen" is one of the fastest-paced, 

interest -holding loesterns to come your 

way in quite some time. In case you 

haven't been keeping up loith the 

tradepaper news. Republic's new system 

is called Naturama, an apt appellation. 

We also caught the screening of a 

Cinemascope two-reeler in color at the 

SMPTE convention last week. Called 

"Stunt Pilot," it was 18 minutes of thrills, 

excitement and fun for the delegates, especially 

for the plane lovers in that crowd 

of technicians. And the antics in the air, 

as portrayed on the widescreen, were real 

enough to have many in the audience spinning 

and reeling for quite some time afterwards. 

Talk of a sense of participation 

this Cinemascope short has it! It's been 

in general release for the past year, we 

learned. 

IjOts of luck to Norm Levinson, 

rounding out his first week in his new 

in Jacksonille, Fla. Norm, who 

office 

was press representative for MGM 

operating out of Minneapolis, was a 

steady contributor to these pages. Now, 

he's been promoted by MGM to a larger 

territory, taking in the Atlanta territory 

as well as the Florida area. We 

also hear that Norm will take himself 

a wife this summer— a young woman 

from Duluth who will soon follow him 

to the sunny South. Congratulations, 

Norm, and let's hear from you soon! 

Here's a good deal which is working well 

for one manager and could easily be picked 

up elsewhere: Foster Liederbach of the 

Strand in Cumberland, Md., takes care of 

the mail distribution of advertising pieces 

for a local printing firm. The company 

has a group of accounts who quite regularly 

have cards printed and mailed for them, 

and the theatre gets one entire side of 

each card free for its own copy in return 

for handling the distribution. With theatres 

who have built up a strong mailing 

list over the years, this could work out 

quite advantageously. 

—LARRY GOODMAN 

— 128 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : : May 

12, 1956 

^"

lal T« 

: May 

Drive-In Operators 

Like Pressbook Aid 

Operators of drive-in theatres in a representative 

cross-section of tlie country have 

signified in writing their appreciation of 

Columbia's new policy of including special 

drive-in exploitation sections in presslx)olcs. 

The new program, outlined by A. Montague. 

Columbia general sales manager, at the 

Allied States drive-in convention in Cleveland 

several months ago, has been put into 

effect in the campaign manuals for 

"Jubal" and "The Harder They Fall." 

Owners and managers of ozoners have 

penned bouquets to Montague, some of 

which are reprinted below: 

Roy Cooper, West Side-Valley Theatres 

of San Fiancisco: "... Your idea is so 

good that I am sending photostatic copies 

of your first exploitation section on 'Jubal' 

to all our theatre managers—conventional 

and drive-in alike." 

J. J. Rosenfeld of Favorite Theatres of 

Spokane: "I think this is a great idea... 

should help to stimulate interest and create 

some new business." 

W. W. Hammonds jr. of the Bowline 

Drive-In of Decatui-: "I have just mailed 

our drive-in managers a letter on the importance 

of new and fresh ideas . . . your 

knowledge of the drive-in manager's need 

in adding the special section to your pressbooks 

will certainly produce these new and 

fresh ideas ... I am confident your idea 

not only will grow with your company but 

soon will be a part of all the distributor 

pressbooks." 

Kiddy Shows Thrive 

(Continued from page 127) 

for Fun show giveaways from the stage. 

Another valuable use of the card numbers 

is gained by encoui-aging the Fun Club 

members to read the theatre's nightly ads 

which often carry such an insertion as: 

"Pun Show Club Member 2012 is awarded 

two free pases if claimed at the boxoffice 

before 9:30 tonight." 

"We find the kids checking our ads daUy 

before turning to the comic pages," 

Bugala reported. 

The following week's Pun show program 

is always announced by distribution 

of a herald. 

"We found the most effective type of 

herald to be one column by about 15 

inches," said Bugala. "These are distributed 

to the playgrounds and at the 

theatre during the vacation months. While 

schools are in session the heralds are distributed 

directly to the schools." 

The Monessen general manager gives 

generous credit to summer playgrounds 

supervisors and instructors in each of the 

Pennsylvania towns where the theatres are 

located for helping start the F\m shows. 

"In addition to signing up children for 

the Manos Fun Club," Bugala pointed out, 

"the officials originate projects of their 

own which take place on the theatre stage 

weekly during the summer shows." 

BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : 

It's Touch and Go' Promotion for Days 

When Car Dealer Joins Theatre 

"Touch and Go," the J. Ai-thur Rank 

film being released by U-I, is a natural for 

a cooperative promotion with the Chrysler 

Motor Corp.'s pushbutton (touch and go) 

drive, and for this alone, the sprightly 

comedy merits consideration for a booking 

spot in all situations where this tieup can 

be put over. 

Johnston Motors, the largest Chrysler- 

Plymouth dealer in Vancouver, B. C, extended 

outstanding cooperation with Syd 

Freedman, manager, starting five days in 

advance and continuing through the run 

at the Studio, a downtown ai't house. 

The entii-e lounge floor of the theatre 

was turned into a showroom for Chrysler- 

Plymouth products and accessories. A 

cutaway of a Plymouth spotlighted the 

"Touch and Go" pushbutton driving, with 

a salesman on duty at all times to answer 

questions, with, of coui-se, special attention 

to prospective buyers. A pretty model 

handed out advertising folders to one and 

all. There was even a special booth for 

receiving phone calls. 

Two attractive standees, one outside and 

the other on the main floor, directed people 

to the showroom. Soft drinks, chocolates 

and nuts were served to the guests, 

courtesy of the theatre. These were obtained 

free from distributors via a special 

deal. 

Outside assists by Johnston Motors was 

more extensive. Two days In advance, the 

dealer had spots on the film and the pushbutton 

drive on radio every half hour, day 

and night, and followed through for a 

week. Starting a day before opening a 

caravan of eight Chryslers and Plymouths 

covered the downtown district with "Touch 

and Go" signs, while 27 other cars covered 

other parts of the city from morning to 

night through the run. A big Chrysler 

hardtop with overhead sign was parked 

12. 1956 — 129 — 

in front of the theatre at all times. On opening 

day two girls posed on the hood of 

this car (upper photo), and this was reproduced 

in local papers. 

Drivers of all the cars invited all to see 

"Touch and Go," and passed out special 

invitations to the people who stopped. 

In all promotions, radio and ads on 

sports and other pages, the motor firm 

offered special discounts during the "Touch 

and Go" tieup. 

To keep things going at a sprightly pace 

during the run, Freedman an-anged a Miss 

"Touch and Go" beauty contest, also with 

cooperation of Johnston Motors. Everyone 

was invited to send in a picture of the 

most beautiful girl he or she knew. The 

photos were displayed in the main foyer at 

the Studio, and the public was asked to 

vote for its choice. Valuable gifts, including 

a "surprise" for the person sending 

in the wirming photo, were promoted. 

In all, the theatre and the motor dealer 

kept things popping right through the 

showing of "Touch and Go." 

Pearl, Pass in Envelope 

For 'Pearl of So. Pacific' 

Lew Bray jr., manager of the Queen 

Theatre in McAllen, Tex., tj^ped this on 150 

small envelopes (234x5'4> : "This Envelope 

Contains a Pearl. It's Not Real—But 'Pearl 

of the South Pacific' in Technicolor, Starring 

Virginia Mayo, Is Real and Will Be 

Showing at the Queen Theatre for Three 

Big Days, Starting, etc." Each envelope 

contained a small, imitation pearl and a 

pass good for two admissions with payment 

of 60 cents. He distributed these 

around town. 

A 24-sheet he had pasted on the sidewalk 

didn't last long—the police chief 

ordered him to take it up.

BOXOFFICE BAROMETER 

This chart records the performance of current attractions in the opening week of their first runs in 

the 20 key cities checked. Pictures with fewer than five engagements are not listed. As new runs 

are reported, ratings are added and averages revised. Computation is in terms of percentage in 

relotion to normal grosses as determined by the theatre managers. With 100 per cent as "normal," 

the figures show the gross roting above or below that mark. 

Backlash (U-I)

1 

©Paris 

D 

1 

©Quentin 

) 

OTciirieiiee's 

BOXOFFICE 

denotes BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award; O col 

story type: (C) Comedy; (D) Dromo; (Ad) Advcnl 

(Complete key on next pogc.) For review dc 

ALLIED ARTISTS 3 U COLUMBIA 

©Footsteps in the Fog (90) , 802 

ini ©Warriors, The (85) (g).D..5523 

Enol I'Mynn, Joanne Uru. 

Peter Iflncli 

Specie Deliv 

Gun That Won the West 

(71) W..8 

Dennis Morgan. Paula Raymond 

Apache Ambush (67) W..8 

Bill Williams, lilchard Jaeckel 

M-G-M 

tH ©It's Always Fair Weather 

(102) © M 

Gene Kelly, Dan Dalley, 

Cyd Charis.M 

BOOKINGUID 

jromo. Symbol 

ns thcrcot Indicate 

sical; (W) Wostc 

100 Review Digest 

PARAMOUNT 

Kusscll. Fernando Lamas 

RKO RADIO 

Partner 

(87) a) W.i 

John Payne. Rhnnila Fleming, 

Ronald Iteagan 

19] Return of Jack Slade. The 

(79) (fl W..5528 

Jntin Ertcson, Marl Blanchard 

a Bobby Ware Is Missing 

(66) D..5532 

Neville Brand. Jean Wllles 

U©My Sister Eileen 

(102) © MC..810 

Jani't Leigh. J. Lcmmon. B. Garrett 

©Count Three and Pray 

(102) ® CO.. 811 

Heflln, Joanne Woodviard 

I Goddess (70) Ad.. 805 

jhnny WelssmuUer. Angela Stevens 

I on the Mississippi (72). D. 808 

e\ li.irker. Patricia Medina 

Ourward 

(101) ©...T, Ad. 607 

Robert Taylor. Kay Kendall. 

Robert Morley 

I!) ©Treasure of Pancho Villa 

(96) % OD. 601 

Kory Calhoun, Gilbert lloluid. 

Shelley WIntera 

Follies of 1956 

(73) M..5534 

Korrest Tucker, ffhltlng Sisters 

Three Stripes in the Sun 

(93) CD .820 

Aldo Uay. Mitsuko Klmura. 

I'hil Carey 

ij] ©Tender Trap. The 

(111) © C..608 

Debbie Reynolds. Frank Sinatra, 

Celeste Holm. David Wayne 

Desperate Hours, The 

(112) (?) D..5509 

Humphrey Bogart, Fredric March 

Claudelte 

Colbert, 

©At Gunpoint 

I 

(80) ©. .W. .5531 

I'Ved MaCiMurray, Dorothy Malone. 

Walter Brennan 

©Last Frontier. The (98)©. W.. 812 

Victor Mature. Anne Bancroft, 

Guy Madison 

U©Guysand Dolls (149) ©.M..614 

Marlon Brando. Jean Simmons. ©Artists and Models 

(109) MC..5510 

(V) Frank Sinatra. Vivian 

H ©Kismet (113) © 

Blaine 

M..613 Martin ft Lewis, Dorothy Malone 

H. Keel. Ann Blyth, Vic Damone 

a ©It's a Dog's Life 

(87) © CD.. 603 

(Reviewed as "The Bar 

Sinister" 8-27-55) 

Edmund Gwenn. Jarma Lewis 

a ©Diane (110) © D..616 

Lana Turner. Pedro Armendarlz. 

Marlsa 

Pavan 

m Ransom! (102) D..617 

Glenn Ford. Donna Reed. 

Leslie 

Nielsen 

©Trouble With Harry, The 

(100) (» CD.. 5508 

Edmund Gwenn, John Forsythe. 

Shirley 

MacLaine 

I 

©Naked Sea. The 

IB] ©Glory (100) (g D..60S 

Margaret O'Brien. John Lupton. 

Walter Brennan. (Charlotte Greeo- 

:S) 

5] Invasion of the Body Snatchers 

(80) ® SF..5602 

Kevin McCarthy. Dana Wynler. 

King Donovan 

©Picnic (113) © D..826 

Wm. Holden. R. K. Novak 

Russell. 

Battle Stations (81) D..828 

J. Lund. Wm. Bendix. K. Brasselle 

Houston Story, The (79) . . . .D. .821 

Lee J. Cobb. B. Hale. Edw. Arnold 

Fury at Gunsight Pass (68). W.. 817 

David Brian. Neville Brand 

Joe Macbeth (90) D..822 

Paul Douglas, Ruth Roman 

H ©Forever Darling (96).. C. 620 

Lucille Ball. Desl Arnaz 

James 

Mason 

g©Last Hunt, The 

(108) © 0D..621 

Robert Taylor, Stewart Granger. 

Debra Paget 

Anna Magnanl, Burt 

.834 

a ©Meet Me in Las Vegas 

(112) © M,,622 

Dan Dalley, Cyd Charlsse, 

Paul Henreid 

:J ©Conqueror, The (111) ©.D. .i 

John Wayne. Susan Hayvard. 

Pedro Armendarli 

SI ©World Without End 

(80) © SF..5607 

lliigli Marlowe. Nancy Gates 

Thunderstorm (81) D . . 5604 

Linda Christian. Carlos Ttiompson, 

Charles Kon'ln 

Navy Wife (S3) D..5611 

Joan Bennett, Gary Merrill, 

Shirley Yamagiichl 

Over-Exposed (SO) D..835 

tleo .Moore. Richard Crenjia 

Harder They Fall. The (109). D. 827 

Humphrey Bogart, Rod Stelger. 

Jan Sterling 

Blackjack Ketchum. Desperado 

(76) W..831 

Howard Duff. Maggie M.iboney 

Rock Around the Clock (77). M.. 838 

Johnny Johnston, Bill ILiley 

©Jubal (101) © W..S33 

Glenn Ford. Ernest Borgnine, 

Rod Steiger (Prerelease) 

©Cockleshell Heroes (97) © D..813 

Jose Ferrer. Trevor Howard 

(Prerelease) 

Autumn Leaves (108) D.. 

Joan Crawford, Cliff Robertson 

a ©Forbidden Planet 

(98) © SF..625 

Walter Pldgeon, Anne Francis, 

Leslie 

Nielsen 

a ©Tribute to a Bad Man 

(95) © M 

James Cagney. Irene Papas 

@ ©Swan, The (112) ©..CD.. 628 

Grace Kelly. Alec Guinness. 

Louis 

Jourdan 

©Anything Goes (108) ®..M..5513 

Ring Crosby. Donald O'Connor. 

Mitzi Gaynor. Jeanmaire 

Scarlet Hour, The (95) ®..D..5514 

Cirol Ohmart. Tom Tryon. 

Elaine Strltch. Jody Lawrance 

©Birds and the Bees. The 

(94) (?) C..5515 

George Gobel. Milzl OayTior, 

David Niven. Reginald Gardner 

Jii Bold and the Brave, The 

(90) $ D..612 

Mickey Rooney. Wendell Corey. 

Nicole Maurey 

(D ©Great Day in the 

Morning (92) ® D.. 

Virginia Mayo. Robert Stack. 

Ruth Roman 

^ While the City Sleeps 

(100) D..615 

Dana Andrews. Ida Luplno, 

Rhonda Fleming 

J 

a Crime in the Streets 

(91) Cr..5614 

Jiilm fiissau'tes, James HTlitmore 

m ©Naked Hills. The (84) OD. .5605 

David Wayne. Keenan Wynn. 

James Barton. Marcia llenderson 

S Kino of the Coral Seas 

(74) Ad.. 5617 

H 

I 

ntruder. The D . . Aug 

Edmund Purdom. Ida Luplno 

©Friendly Persuasion D.. 

r.ary Cooper, Dorothy McOulre 

Voung Guns W. 

Rins Tamblyn. Gloria Talbott 

©Storm Over the Nile 

(107) © 0D..829 

Anthony Steel. Laurence Harvey 

Gamma People. The (79) .... D .. 836 

Paul Douglas. Eva Bartok. 

Medina 

Patricia 

©Safari (90) © Ad.. 

Victor Mature. Janet Leigh, 

Chips Rafferty. lima .\dey 

John Justin, Roland Culver 

El ©First Texan, Tlie © W. Jul ©Eddy Duchin Story, The ©.D..Jul 

Joel McCrea. Felicia Farr 

Tyrone Power. Kim Novak 

SSQNo Place to Hide (72).. D. Jul Storm Center (. .) 0. 

David Brian. Marsha Hunt 

Belte Davis. Kim Hunter 

g Hold Back the Night D. Jul Solid Gold Cadillac C. 

John Payne. Mona Freeman 

Judy Holllday, Paul Douglas 

S% Magnificent Roughnecks. . .CD. .Jul ©Port Afrique D. 

Jack Carson. Mickey Rooney 

[s] ©Canyon River © W. .Aug 

George Montgomery. Peter (Jraves Victor Mature. Anita Blberg 

@ Three for Jamie Dawn . . . . D . . Aug ©He Uughed Last M.. 

Lar.alne Day. Ricardo Montalban Frankle Laine. Lucy Marlow 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide : : May 12, 1956 

Pier Angell. P. Carey, D. Price 

©Zarak Khan© 

D.. 

©Odongo © OD. . 

Rhonda Fleming, Macdonald Carey 

©Beyond Mombasa© Ad.. 

Ciirnel VVlldc. Donna Reed 

1984 D 

. 

Edmond O'Brien. Mirhiel liofl-riiv 

E ©Bhowani Junction 

(108) © Ad.. 631 

.\va Gardner. Stewart Granger 

Abraham Sotaer 

a Catered Affair. The (93). CD. .633 

Bette Davis, Ernest Borgnine. 

Debbie 

Reynolds 

I'll Cry Tomorrow (119) 0..eiS 

(Special release) 

Susan Hayward. Ediile Albert 

©Living Idol, The ® D. . 

Steve Forrest. L. MontevecchI 

©Lust for Life © D.. 

Kirk Douglas. A. Qulnn, P. Brown 

©High Society © M.. 

B. Crosby. G. KeUy. P. Sinatra 

©Invitation to the Dance M . 

Fastest Gun Alive W. 

Glenn Ford. Jeanne Oain 

©Opposite Sex. The © M . 

June Allyson. Joan Collins 

Iron Petticoat. The CD.. 

Katharine Hepburn. Bob Hope 

Somebody Up There Likes Me D.. 

Paul Newman. Pier Angell 

©Man Who Knew Too Much 

(119) ® D. 

James Stewart, Doris Day 

Leather Saint (. .) ® W. 

John Derek. Jody Lawrance. 

Paul Douglas 

©That Certatn Feeling ® C. Jul 

Bob Hope. Eva Marie Saint 

©Pardners ® C.Jul 

Dean .Martin. Jerry U»ls 

©Proud and Profane, The ®.0..Aug 

Deborah Kerr. William HoMen 

©Mountain. The ® D.. 

Spencer Tracy. Claire Trevor 

©Vagabond King. The® M.. 

Kathryn Grayson. Oreste 

©Ten Commandments. The ®..D.. 

C Heston. Y. Dc Carlo. A Baiter 

©Maverick. The ® W.. 

Charlton Heston. Anne Baxter 

©Loves of Omar Khayyam. The 

® Ad.. 

Cornel WUde. Debra Paget 

©First Traveling Saleslady. .CD ..Jul 

Ginger Rogers. Barry Nelson 

Pay the Piper 0. 

Richard Ba.sehart. Mary Murphy 

Man in the Vault D. 

William Campbell. Anita Ekberg 

©Tension at Table Rock W. 

Richard Egan. Dorothy Malone 

Back From Eternity . 

R. Ryan, Rod Stelger, A. Ekberg 

Silken Affair, The CD. 

David Niven. Genevieve Page 

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt D. 

Dana Andrews, Joan Fontaine 

Bundle of Joy C. 

Debbie Reynolds. Eddie Fisher 

Public Pigeon No. One C. 

Red Skelton. VMan Blaine

! 

I 

' 

Wayne 

I gi 

.My. 

. D 

. . Ad. 

D 

I 

0©McConnell 

EATURE 

CHART 

The Key to letters and eombinotlans thereof Indieoting story type: (Ad) Adventure-Drama; (Ac) Aetlon- 

Droma; (An) Animated-Action; (C) Comedy; (CD) Comedy-Drama; (Cr) Crime-Drama; (DM) Drama 

with Music; (Doc) Documentary; (Dj Drama; (F) Fantasy; (PC) Farce-Comedy; (Ho) Horror-Drama; (HI) 

Histericol-Droma; (M) Musicol; (My) Mystery; (OD) Outdoor-Drama; (SF) Science-Fiction; (W) Western. 

REPUBLIC 

|@Divi(ie!l Heart, The (S9) D..540g 

Cornell Borchers, Alexander Knox 

r Ss) Headline Hunters (70) . . D. .5440 

I Kod Cameron, Julie Bishop 

'3lj0Last Command, The 

(UO) 

0D..5407 

i' 

S. Hayden. A. M. Alberghetti 

, 

Cross Channel (60) D..5441 

Morris, Yvonne Furneaux 

20TH-FOX 

©Left Hand of God, The 

(87) © D.. 520-7 

Humphrey Bogart, Gene Tlerney 

©Seven Cities of Gold 

(103) © D.. 522-3 

Richard Bgan. Rita Moreno, 

Michael Rennle 

UNITED ARTISTS 

light of the Hunter, The 

(90) D..5527 

Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters 

UNIVERSAL-INT'L 

B H WARNER BROS. 

Story, The 

(107) © D..501 

Alan Ladd, June Allyson 

glTwinkle in God's Eye, The 

(74) CD. 5444 

Mickey Rooney, Coleen Gray 

E)©Man Alone, A (96) . .W. .5409 

Bay Milland. Mary Murphy 

@ Mystery of the Black Jungle 

(72) Ad. .5442 

Lex Barker, Jane Maxwell 

a No Man's Woman (70) . . , 5445 

Marie Windsor. John .\rcher 

.5443 

S Vanishing American, The 

(90) W. .5501 

Scott Brady, Audrey Totter 

©Tall Men. The (125) ©.W.. 523-1 

Clark Gable. Jane RusseU 

(Prerelea.ie) 

©Girl in the Red Velvet Swing 

(108) © D.. 524-9 

R. Milland, J. Collins, F. Granger 

Lover Boy (85) CD.. 526-4 

(Hevievred as "Lovers, Happy 

Lovers" 11-13-54) 

Gerard Philipe, Joan Greenwood 

©View From Pompey's Head, The 

(97) © D.. 525-6 

Richard Egan, Dana Wynter 

©Deep Blue Sea, The 

(99) © D. .527-2 

Vivien Leigh, Kenneth More 

©Good Morning, Miss Dove 

(107) © 0.. 528-0 

Jennifer Jones, Robert Stack 

©Gentlemen Marry Brunettes 

(99) © M..5531 

Jane Russell, Crain 

Jeanne 

©Fort Yuma (79) 0D..5533 

Peter Graves, Joan Vohs 

Othello (92) D..5530 

Orson Welles, Cloutler 

Suzanne 

©Savage Princess (101) .. .Ad. .5534 

(Filmed In India with native cast) 

Big Knife, The (lU) . . . . D. .5532 

.lack I'alance, Ida Luplno, 

SheUey Winters, ru)d Steiger 

©To Hell and Back 

(106) © 0..539 

(Standard version: 540) 

Audie Murphy, Charles Drake 

2] ©I Died a Thousand Times 

(109) © 0..50 

Jack Palance, Shelley Winters 

S ©Sincerely Yours 

(115) M..50 

Llberace, Dorothy Malone. 

©Rains of Ranchipur, The 

(104) © D..! 

Lana Tyrner, Richard Burton, 

Fred MacMurray 

©Heidi and Peter (89) 

. . . .D . .5538 

Elsbeth Sigmund, Thomas Klameth 

©Indian Fighter, The 

©Second Greatest Sex, The 

(88) © OD. 5537 (89) © M.. 

Kirk Douglas, Elsa Martlnelll 

Jeanne Crain, George Nader 

Top Gun (73) W..5536 

Sterling Hayden, Karen Booth 

S ©Court-Martial of Billy 

Mitchell (100) © D..507 

Gary Cooper, Ralph Bellamy 

a ©Flame of the Islands 

(90) D..5502 

Yvonne De Carlo, Howard Duff, 

Zachary Scott 

m Jaguar (66) Ad . . 

5531 

Sabu, Barton MacLane 

13 Track the Man Down 

(73) D..5533 

Kent 'Taylor, Petula Clark 

©Lieutenant Wore Skirts, The 

(101) © C. 601-5 

Tom Ewell, Sheree North 

©Bottom of the Bottle, The 

(88) © D.. 602-3 

Van Johnson, Roman, 

Ruth 

Joseph Gotten 

Man With the Golden Arm, The 

(119) D..5540 

Frank Sinatra, Eleanor Parker, 

Kim Novak 

Storm Fear (88) D..5539 

Cornel WUde, Jean Wallace 

©All That Heaven Allows 

(89) D..5609 

Jane Wyman, Rock Hudson 

©Spoilers, The (84) D . 

Jeff Chandler, Anne Baxter, 

Rory Calhoun 

5607 

g©Hell on Frisco Bay 

(98) © 

Alan Ladd, Joanne Dru 

HWhen Gangland Strikes 

(70) .Cr.,5535 

Raymond Greenlcif, Marjie Millar 

Clifton 

Webb, Gloria Grahame 

Killer Is Loose, The (73) . . D . . 5608 

Joseph Gotten, Rhonda Fleming, ©Benny Goodman Story, The 

Wendell Corey 

(116) M . . 5611 

©Let's Make Up (72) . . . .M . .5604 Steve Allen, Donna Reed 

Errol Pljnn. Anna Neagle 

SManfish (76) Ad.. 5607 There's Always Tomorrow 

John Bromfield, Victor Jory 

(84) 0..5610 

Shadow of the Eagle (93) D..5605 Barbara Stanwyck. Fred MacMurray, 

Richard Greene, Valentina Cortesa Joan Bennett 

ESQCome Next Spring 

(92) D..5505 

Steve Cochran, Ann Sheridan 

Stranger at My Door (S7). .D. .5507 

Macdonald Carey, Patricia Medina 

©Zanjabuku (71) Doc..550S 

Lewis Cotlow's African Trip 

©Circus Girl (88) D..5506 

Special production 

Terror'at Midnight (70) . 

.5536 

Scott Brady, Joan Vohs 

©On the Threshold of Space 

(96) © SF. 605-6 

Guy Madison, Virginia Leith 

©Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, The 

(152) © D. .606-4 

Gregory Peck, Jennifer Jones 

Fredric March, Marisa Pavan 

©Revolt of Mamie Stover, The 

(93) © D..608-0 

Jane Russell, Richard Egan 

©Mohawk (79) CD.. 609-8 

Scott Brady, Rita Gam, 

Neville Brand 

©Hilda Crane (85) ©.... D. .611-4 

Jean Simmons,»-Jean Pierre Aumont, 

Guy Madison 

©23 Paces to Baker Street 

(..) © D.. 607-2 

Van Johnson, Miles 

Vera 

Ghost Town (75) 

W..5610 

Kent Taylor, Marian Carr 

Patterns (S3) D..5612 

Van Hellin, Beatrice Straight 

©Comanche (87) © W..5611 

Dana Andrews, Linda Cristal 

Sea Shall Not Have Them, The 

(91) Ad.. 5606 

>Ucbael Redgrave, Dirk Bogarde 

©Alexander the Great 

(141) © D..5621 

Richard Burton, Claire Bloom, 

Fredric March (Prerelease) 

Timetable (79) D..5609 

Mark Stevens, Farr 

Felicia 

Broken Star (82) W..5614 

Hoviard Duff, Lita Baron 

Creeping Unknown (78) .SF. . .5620 

Brian Donlevy, Margia Dean 

Crime Against Joe (69) .. My. .5615 

John Bromfield, Julie I^ndon 

©Quincannon, Frontier Scout 

(S3) 

W..5616 

Tony Martin, Peggie Castle 

©Foreign Intrigue (..)... .D. . 

Robert Mitchum, Genevieve Page 

Unidentified Flying Obietts 

(91) Doc. 

Creature Walks Among Us, The 

(78) SF..5617 

Jeff Morrow, Leigh Snowden 

©Day of Fury, A (78) . . . . W. .5619 

Dale Robertson, Mara Corday, 

Jock Mahoney 

©Serenade (121) DM . 

' 

Mario Lanza, Joan Fontaine 

Serlta Monteil, Vincent Price 

.516 

a Goodbye, My Udy (95).. D.. 517 

Brandon de Wilde, Walter Brenr,an 

! ©Searchers, The (119) ®.W. .518 

John Wayne, Natalie Wood, 

Jeffrey Hunter. Vera Miles 

©Thunder Over Arizena 

. . 

. 

. 

©Osceola 

OD..Jul 

James Craig. Llla Milan 

©Dakota Incident OD.. 

Linda Darnell, Dale Robertson 

Lisbon (g) 0.. 

Ray Milland, Maureen O'Hara 

©Acapuico Story D.. 

Ralph Meeker, Janice Rule 

Oaniel Boone, Trailblazer. 

Bruce Bennett, 1,od Chaney 

White Nightmare D.. 

Jaan Bvans, Ben Cooper 

Hlnky Dinky Parley Vous C. 

Mickey Roonty, Wally Cos 

Dangerous Cargo D. 

Dane Clark. May Wynn 

Man Question, The in D 

Ella BaioM. Derek Farr 

©D-Day the 6th of 

©King and I, The ©55 DM . .Jul 

Deborah Kerr, Yul Brynner 

©Bus Stop © D . . Aug 

Marilyn Monroe, Don Murray 

©Last Wagon, The © W. .Aug 

Richard Widmark, FeUcia Farr 

©Day the Century Ended ©. . . .Seo 

Robert Wagner, Cameron Mitchell 

©Best Things in Life Are 

Free © M. .Sep 

Gordon MaeKae, Ernest Borgntoe, 

Sheree North, Dan Dalley 

©Massacre W. . 

Dane aark. Marta Roth 

©Abdullah the Great CD. 

Gregory Ititoff. Kay KendaU 

©Boy on a Dolphin © Ad. 

Robert Wagner, 

Joan OolUns 

©Kiss Before Dying, A 

(..) © D..5622 

Robert Wagner, Jeffrey Hunter, 

Virginia Leith, Mary Astor 

Nightmare (. .) D. 

Bdw. G. Robinson, Kevin McCarthy 

©Star of India (92) Ad.. 5623 

Cornel Wilde, Jean Wallace 

Black Sleep, The (..).... Ho. .5617 

Basil liathbone, Bela Liigosi 

Johnny Concho! W. .Jul 

Frank Sinatra, Phyllis Kirk 

©Trapeze © D..Jul 

Burt Lancaster, 0. Lollobrigida 

©Ambassador's Daughter © . CD . . Aug 

0. de Havilland, J. Forsythe 

Emergency Hospital D . . Aug 

Margaret Lindsay, Walter Reed 

Fragile Fox D..Sap 

Jack Palance, Eddie Albert 

Beast of Hollow Mt. © Ad.. 

Guy Madison, Patricia Medina 

©Run for the Sun ©235.. Ad.. 

Richard Widmark, Jane Greer 

Huk 

D.. 

George Montgomery. Mona Freeman 

Wild Party 0.. 

Anthony ftuinP; Carol Ofamart 

©Rawhide Years, The W..Jul 

Tony Curtis, Colleen Miller 

©Congo Crossing Ad . . Jul 

George Nader, Virginia Mayo 

©Toy Tiger CD . . Jul 

Jeff Chandler, Tim Hovey 

©Away All Boats ® D..Aug 

Jeff Chandler. Julie Adams 

Francis in the Haunted House. C. Aug 

Mickey Rooney, Virginia Welles 

©Proud Land © W. .Sep 

Audie Murphy, Anne Bancroft 

©Raw Edge OD..Sep 

Rory Calhoun. Yvonne De Carlo 

Behind the High Wall D..Sep 

Tom Tullj, SylWa Sidney 

©Showdown at Abilene W Oct 

Jock Mahoney, Martha Hyer 

Long as You're Near Me 

(101) D..519 

0. W. Fischer, Maria Scbell 

Animal World (82) Doc. 520 

Nature feature (photography plus 

anlnwtlon) 

©Santiago (. .) Ad. 

Alan Ladd, Ro.isana Podesta 

©Moby Dick © 

OD. .Jul 

Gregory Peck. Richard Basehart 

©Burning Hills, The W. 

Tab Hunter, Natalie Wood 

Bad Seed, The D.. 

Nancy Kelly, Patty McCormack 

©Seven Men From Now W. 

R.mdolph Scott, Gail RusseU 

©Giant 

D.. 

Taylor, Rock Hudson 

Elizabeth 

©Spirit of St, Louis @ 0.. 

James Stewart, Rena Clark 

Toward the Unknown D.. 

WUIinm Holden, Virginia Leith 

Baby Doll D. 

Karl Maiden, Carroll Baker 

Buffalo Grass W. 

Man Ladd, Virginia Mayo 

BOXOFFICE BookJnGulde :: May 12, 1956

I Am 

. . . Doc. 

. Sep 

Noy 

. D 

. Feb 

. 

Feb 

. May 

. Dec 

. 

Feb 

. Nov 

Feb 

. . 

Mar 

FEATURE CHART 

^HORTS CHART 

you 

f 

INDEPENDENT S 5; 

AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL 

©Simba'Terror of the 

pApiche Woman (B3) W . 55 

Lloy.1 Brlclfcs. Joan Taylor 

Beast With a Million Eyu (78) SF. Oct 55 

LOUIS deROCHEMONT 

I'iul lilrch, Urna Tliayer 

Operation Malaya (65) Doc. Oct 55 

Special cast 

Day the World Endeil (80) Si..SF..Dk55 

Hlclinrd Kenning. Lorl Nolfion 

Phantom Frqm 10,000 Leagues 

(80) SF..0ec55 

Kent Taylor, dlhy Downs 

ARLAN 

Livinj North. The (74) Doe . 

Kilninl In Lapland: natlie cast 

(KriKllsli 

narratloD) 

ASSOCIATED FILM 

Last or the Desperados (71) W. Dec 55 TRANS-LUX 

.lanKS Craig, Margla Hean 

Lovers and Lollipops (85) CD. 

Two-Gun Lady (76) W.. Dec 55 

l.iiri .Mareli. lliTald OLoiighlhl 

IViSie Castle, WUllam Talman 

Wild Dakotas (73) W.. Feb 56 

VAN WOLF-API 

Bill Williams, Colten Gray. Jim Darts 

Blonde Bait (71) D. .Apr 56 Dementia (55) D. 

AUrienne Barrett, Sola 

Beverly Michaels, Jim Darts 

Bruno Ve 

©Picasso (50) Doc. 

Three Outlaws, The (..) W..May56 

A tour of the .Noiille Brand, Bruce Bennett 

aillst's work 

ASTOR 

Fear (82) D . 

Inerld Bergman, Matlilas VTlemao 

BANNER 

QWetbacks (86) AC. 

Lloyd Bridges, Nancy Gates 

BUENA VISTA 

O® African Lion, The (73) . . Oct 5b 

©Littlest Outlaw, The (75) D.. Feb 56 

Pedro Armendarlz, Andres Vela-sqiiez 

©Great Locomotive Chase © O..Jun56 

Fess Parker, Jeff Hunter 

©Davy Crockett and the River 

Pirates (..) Ad .Jul56 

Fess Parker, Buddy Bbsen 

CONTINENTAL 

Hill 24 Doesn't Answer (100) D. . . . . . 

Michael Wager, Haya Hararit 

I English dialog) 

55 

Wages of Fear (106) D.. Feb 56 

Y>cs Montand. Charles Vanel 

Plea-'ê Murder Me (76) D.. Mar 56 

.\nsela Iânsbury, Kaymond Burr 

Jedda the Uncivilized (. .) I 

N.iria Kunoth, Robert Tuda Wall 

Frisky (98) CD.. Apr 56 

(iina Lollobrigida, Vlttorlo De Slca 

Woman of Rome, The ( . . ) . . I 

Glna Lollobrigida, Daniel Gelin 

EDEN 

One Way Ticket to Hell (65).... D.. 

Non-professional cast 

EMBASSY 

Wiretapper (80) D.. 

liUl Williams. Georgia Lee 

FILMAKERS 

Mad at the World (72) 

Cathy 

FINE 

ARTS 

O'DonneU 

Strangers (80) 

Incrid Bergman. George Sanders 

GIBRALTAR 

QFury in Paradise (77) D.. 

I'eier Thompson, Rea Iturblde 

Silent Fear (66) D.. 

Andrea King. Peter Adams 

HOFFBERG 

Vengeance of the Black Eagle, 

The (..) Ad.. 

Uossaim BrazzI, Glanna Maria Canale 

(Filmed in Mexico; English dialog) 

HOWCO 

Lum and Abner Abroad (72) C. Feb 56 

Lnm .ind Abner. Jill Alls 

OM'naga (..) Ad. .May 56 

Sabu 

IFE 

Lease of Life (93) D . 

Robert Donat. Kay Walsh 

. Jan 56 

(Englt.'ih dialog! 

©Lost Continent (95) © Doc. Feb 56 

Travelog of Indonesian Islands 

(Engikh narration) 

LIPPERT 

Trail, The (73) W. Jul 55 

layne Morris, Jotm Agar 

Ifuta Virginia McK.i 

Great Adventure, The (72) Doc. Sep 55 

K Sucksdorff. Anders Norbort 

Keller In Her Story (formerly 

"The Unconquered") (55). Doc Apr 56 

rr.ited by Kalhcrine Cornell 

REISSUES 

BUENA VISTA 

©Fantasia (81) M . 56 

(Superscope added, with 4-traek sound and 

stereophonic sound.) 

©Song of the South (95) M . 56 

Kuth Warrick, Bobby Drlscoll. Luana Patten 

COLUMBIA 

Walk a Crooked Mile (91) D.. Dec 55 

LouLs Hayward. Dennis O'Keefe 

HOWCO 

DCA 

a Camera (95) C. .Auj 55 

Julie Harris, Laurence Haney 

MGM 

©Outlaw Women (80) W. .Apr 56 

Marie Windsor, Kicbard Rober, J. Coogan 

(Stales 

Rights) 

Guy Named Joe, A (120) D . 

. Nov 55 

Silencer Tracy, Irene Dimne, Van Johnson 

30 Seconds Over Tokyo (138) D 

. 

. Nov 55 

Spencer Tracy, Van Johnson, P. Thaiter 

©Billy the Kid (95) W.. Bee 55 

Robert Taylor, Brian Donlevy 

Honky Tonk (105) D 55 

. 

Clark Gable, Lima Turner. C. Trevor 

Stratton Story, The (106) D . 56 

James Steuart. June Ailyson 

©Three Musketeers (126)) D.. Feb 56 

Lana Turner, Gene Kelly, Van Hetlin 

©Northwest Passage (126) D . . Mar 56 

Spencer Tracy. Robert Young, Ruth HiL^sey 

©Yearling, The (128) D.. Mar 56 

G. Peck, J. Wyman. Claude Jarman jr. 

PARAMOUNT 

©Shepherd of the Hills (98) D. .Oct 55 

. . . . 

John Wayne. Betty Field, Harry Carey 

©Trail of the Lonesome Pine (99) . D . Oct 55 

. 

Henry Fonda, Fred MacMurray 

©Unconquered (146) D , Oct 55 

. 

Gary Cooper. Paulett* Goddard 

©White Christmas (120) M . Oct 55 

. 

Cini; Crosby. Danny Kaye, Rosem.-u-y Cloonty 

©Streets of Laredo (92) W. .May 56 

William Holden, Macdonald Carey 

Two Years Before the Mast (98) 

. 

. 

. 

May 56 

Alan Ladd. Brian Donlevy. William Bendix 

©Whispering Smith (89) W.. May 36 

Alan Ladd. Robert Preston, B. Marshall 

RKO 

One Minute to Zero (105) D. Mar 56 

Robert Mltchum. \na Blyth 

Big Sky. The (112) OD. Apr 56 

Kirk Douglas. Devvey Martin. E. Threatt 

©Flying Leathernecks (102) D . 

56 

John Wayne. Robert Ryan. Janls Carter 

Lusty Men (113) D . May 

. 

56 

Susan Hayuard. Robert Mltchum 

King Kong (100) F-Ad..Jun56 

r.riire Cibot, Fay Wray, Robert Armstrnnc 

I Walked With a Zombie (69) . . . Ho. .Jun 56 

Frances fiir, Jame.s Ellison. Tom (imaay 

UNIVERSAL-INT'L 

©Tap Roots (109) D.. May 56 

Heflln. Van Susan Ward Bond 

Havvard. 

Raiders (SO) ©Kansas W.. May 56 

Audle Murphy. Tony Donl«v7 

Curtis. B. 

COLUMBIA 

10' 8 

8412 He Took a Powder (17) Oct 55 .... 

8413 Hook a Crook (16), . 55 

8414 Come On Seven . 

(16) 56 :*: 4-21 

ASSORTED 

FAVORITES 

8421 Honeymoon Blues (17) Sep 55 .... 

8422 The Jury Goes Round 'n 

Round (18) Nov 55 . 

3423 Should Husbands Marry? 

(17) Dec 55 

CANDID MICROPHONE 

(One-Reel Specials: 

8551 Subject 3. Series 2 (11) Sep 55 

8552 Subject 4, Series 2 

(IQi/j) Dec 55 

8553 Subject 5, Series 2 (11) Jan 56 

CINEMASCOPE 

(Technicolor) 

FEATURETTE 

S441 Wonders of Manhattan 

(16) Feb 1-21 

56, ft 

COLOR 

(Technicolor 

FAVORITES 

Reissues) 

8601 Tooth or Consequences 

(61/2) Sep 55 

8602 Up 'n Atom (6) Oct 55 

8603 Hot Foot Lights (7) .. Nov 55 

8604 Rippling Romance (8) . Nov 55 .... 

8605 Foxy Flatfoots (6) Dec 55 

8606 Cagey Bird (e'/a) Jan 56 

COMEDY 

FAVORITES 

(Reissues) 

8431 Pardon My Lamb Chop 

(17) Oct 55 

S432 Radio Romeo (I71/2). .Dec 55 

8433 Wedlock Deadlock (16) . Dec 55 .... 

MR. MAGOO 

(Technicolor) 

7704 Madcap Magoo (6)...Jun55 

(1955-56) 

8701 iiaoc Door Magoo (7) .Oct 55 

MR. 

MAGOO CINEMASCOPE SPECIAL 

B751 Magoo Makes News (6). Dec 55 

SCREEN SNAPSHOTS 

8851 Hollywood Bronc Busters 

(9) Sep 55 ± 11-19 

S852 Great Al Jolson (11). Oct 55 

SS53 Hollywood Premiere 

(10) Nov 55 

Ramblin' Hollywood 

8854 Around 

(101/2) Dec 55 

Hollywood A-fishin' 

8855 Goes 

(lOi/z) Jan 56 

8856 Hollywood Small Fry 

(11) Feb 56 ± 3-24 

SERIALS 

(15 Chapters) 

S120The Sea Hound Sep 55 

STOOtE COMEDIES 

(Reissues) 

8401 Wham-Bara-Slam (16). Sep 55 + 10- 8 

8492 Hot Ice (I6I/2) Oct 55 

8403 Blunder Boys (16) Nov 55 

8404 Husbands Beware (16) .Jan 56 

8405 Creeps (16) Feb 56 ± 3-24 

THRILLS OF MUSIC 

(Reissues) 

8951 Louis Prima & Orch. 

(10) Sep 55 

8952 Buddy Rich & Orch. 

(IOI/2) Nov 55 

8953 Charlie Spivak & Orch. 

(10) Dec 55 

UPA ASSORTED 

(Technicolor) 

8501 Christopher Crumiirs 

Playmate (6

. 

Nov 

Sep 

Nov 

. Nov 

Dec 

Dec 

Oct 55 + 

: 

Aug 

May 

Aug 

^ 

SHORTS 

CHART 

Short subjects, listed by 

order o» releose. Running time follows title. First is national release 

month, second the dote of ri view in BOXOFFICE. Symbol between dotes is rating from BOXOFFICE 

review. ++ Very Good. + Good. i: Fair. - Poor. = Very Poor. Photography: Color and process os specified. 

P14-6 Poop Goes the Weasel 

(6) Jul 55 ± 10-22 

(1955-56) 

P15-1 Rabbit Punch (6) . . . .Sep 55 + 12- 3 

P15-2 Little Audrey Riding Hood 

(6) Oct 55 -f 12- 3 

P15-3 Kitty Cornered (6).. Dec 55+ 1-21 

PACEMAKERS 

K14-4 Five Hundred Horses 

(10) May 55 9-17 

K14-5 Florida Aflame (9)..Jun55 10-22 

in K14-6 Walk the Deep (10) Jun 55- + 8-20 

POPEYE CARTOONS 

(Technicolor) 

E14-7Gift of Gap (6).... May 55 +8-6 

TOPPERS 

M15-1 Three Kisses (10)... Oct 55 12- 3 

in M15-2 Reunion Paris (10) Nov 55 + 1-2S 

M15-3 Animals a la Carte 

(10) Jan 56 ± 1-21 

M15-4 There's Gold in Them 

Thrills (10) Mar 56 - 3-31 

VISTAVISION 

SPECIALS 

V14-3VVVisits the Sun Trails 

(16) May 55 ff 12-10 

V14.4 VV Visits Hawaii (17) Jul 55 + 12-31 

V14-5VV Visits Japan (17). Aug 55 +1-7 

UNICEF 

SPECIAL 

T14-4 Assignment Children 

(19) Mar 55 

REPUBLIC 

SERIALS 

5483 Panther Girl of the 

Kongo Jan 55 .... 

(12 Chapters) 

5484 Jesse James Rides Again Mar 55 

(13 Chapters) (Reissue) 

of the Carnival. Jun 55 

5485 King 

(12 Chapters) 

THIS WORLD OF OURS 

(Trucolor) 

+ 8-6 

5388 Venezuela (9) Mar 55 

RKO RADIO 

BROWN-KIRKWOOD REISSUES 

63.601 Heart Troubles (16) . 55 

63.602 Put Some Money in the Pot 

(17) Nov 55 

DISNEY 

CARTOONS 

(Technicolor) 

54.114 Beezy Bear (7) Sep 55 + 10-22 

(Technicolor 

Reissues) 

54.109 Pedro (8) May 55 6-11 

54.110 El Gaucho .Jun 55 + 8-27 

Goofy (8) 

54.111 Aquarela do Brasil 

(8) Jun 55 + 8-20 

54,113 Bcarly Asleep (7) Aug 55 ++ 10-22 

EDGAR 

KENNEDY REISSUES 

63.501 No More Relatives 

(IS) Sep 55 

63.502 How to Clean House 

(18) Oct 55 

63.503 Dig That Gold (17) . 55 

63.504 Contest Crazy (17) . . Dec 55 

GIL LAMB REISSUES 

63.301 Groan and Grunt (17) Sep 55 

53.302 Bashful Romeo (16). Oct 55 

LEON 

ERROL REISSUES 

63.701 Wife Tames Wolf (17) Sep 55 

63.702 Dad Always Pays 

(18) Oct 55 

63.703 Spook Speaks (19) . 55 

63.704 In Room 303 (17) . 55 

MY PAL 

REISSUES 

63.201 Dog of the Wild (21) Oct 55 

63.202 Pal. Canine Detective 

(22) Nov 55 

RAY WHITLEY 

REISSUES 

63.401 Musical Bandit (16)0cl 55 

63.402 Bar Buckaroos (16) . 55 

SCREENLINERS 

54.211 Rest Assured (8) . . . .Jun 55 + 8-27 

54.212 Safety Is Their Business 

(8) Jul 55 9-17 

54.213 Film Fun (9) Aug 55 + 8-6 

(1955-56) 

54,201 Gold (IQi/j) Sep 55 + 11-26 

64.202 Black Cats and Broomsticks 

(8) 0ct55 + ] 

64.203 Make Mine Memories 

(8) Nov 55 

64.204 Teenagers on Trial 

(8) Dec 55 + 

64.205 Her Honor, the Nurse 

(8) Jan 56 

64.206 Fortune Seekers (8). Feb 56 + 

64.207 We Never Sleep (8). Mar 56 

64.208 Where Is Jane Doe? 

(8) Mar 56 

64.209 Merchandise Mart 

(8) Apr 56 

SPECIALS 

63.101 The Future Is Now 

(15) Sep 55 

63.102 Golden Glamour (15) . 

63.103 Sentinels in the Air 

(15) Feb 56 

53.104 Golden Ettuator 

(13) Mar 56 

SPORTSCOPES 

54.310 Everglades Posse (8). May 55 + 

54.311 Downhill Yachts (8). Jun 55 + 

54.312 Bowling Boom (8).. Jul 55 + 

54.313 Tanbark and Turf (8) .Jul 55 + 

(1955-56) 

64.301 Game Warden (8)..Sep55 College (S) . . 64.302 Gym .Sep 55 + 

64.303 Bonefish and Barracuda 

(8) Oct 55 64.304 Canadian Carnival (8) Nov 55 64.305 Headpin Hits (8) . . Dec 55 + 

64.306 Island Windjammers 

(S) Jan 56 + 

64.307 Ski-Flying (8) Feb 56 

64.308 Canadian Lancers 

(8) Mar 56 

SPORTS SPECIALS 

63,901 Football Headliners 

(151/2) Dec 55 + 

THEATRE OF LIFE 

53,301 Devil Take Us (21) . .Jun 55 H 

WILDLIFE 

ALBUM 

(Technicolor) 

63.001 The Whitetail Buck 

(271/2) Oct 55 + 

20th CENTURY-FOX 

CINEMASCOPE SPECIALS 

(Color) 

7514-3 Sorcerer's Apprentice 

(13) May 55 + 

7507-7 Tears of the Moon 

(10) Jun 55 -H- 

7506-9 Land of the Nile (9) Jun 55 ++ 

7517-6 Volcanic Violence (9) Jun 55 ff 

7516-8 Winter Jamboree (10) Jul 55 + 

7515-0 Naughty Mermaids 

(7) Aug 55 

7519-2 Survival City (10) Aug 55 + 

7518-4 That Others May Live 

(10) Sep 55 

7520-0 Gods of the Road 

(10) Sep 55 

7521-8 Desert Fantasy (8). Sep 55 + 

7513-5 Clear the Bridge (10) Oct 55 

7522-6 Water Wizardy (7). Oct 55 

7523-4 Carioca Carnival (9) . Nov 55 

7525-9 Queen's Guard (17). Dec 55 

(1955-56) 

7601-8 Lady of the Golden Door 

(9) Jan 56 

7602-6 A Thoroughbred Is Born 

(9) Jan 56 + 

7603-0 Adventure In Capri 

(9) Feb 56 + 

MEL ALLEN SPORTS 

3501-4 Topsy Turvy Thrills 

(8) Jun 55 + 

SEE IT HAPPEN 

6501-1 Man vs. Nature (9) Jun 55 + 

TERRVTOONS 

5501-3 Phony News Flashes 

(7) Jul 55 + 

5511-1 Foxed by a Fox (7) Aug 55 + 

5512-9 Last Mouse of Hamlin, 

(7) Sep 55 

(1955-56) 

56C1-0 The Clockmaker's Dog 

(7) Jan 56 + 

TERRYTOON-CINEMASCOPES 

(Technicolor) 

5531-9 Willie the Walrus in An Igloo 

for Two (7) May 55 + 

5532-7 Good Deed Daly (7) Jul 55 + 

5533-5 Bird Symphony (7) Aug 55 -H 

5534-3 Little Red Hen (7). Sep 55 + 

(1955-56) 

5631-7 Park Avenue Pussycat 

(7) Jan 56 

5632-0 Uranium Blues (7). Feb 56 4-28 

UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL 

CINEMASCOPE FEATURETTE 

(Technicolor) 

2600 The Nat "King" Cole 

Musical Story (18) H 12-10 

COLOR 

PARADE 

1385 King Salmon (9) . . . .Jul 55 8-27 

13S6SwinBHi-Swing Lo (9) Aug 55 8-27 

1384 The Big Test (10) . . . .Jun 55 + 10- 8 

1387 Dream Island (9) . . . .Sep 55 =t 11-19 

1388 Against the Stream (9) Oct 55 + 1-28 

(1955-56) 

2671 Pacific Sports (8) .... Nov 55 

of 2672 Fighters the Ukes 

(9) Jan 56 

2673 Blue Coast (9) Feb 56 ++ 1-28 

(16) Jul 55 + 8-27 

Eddy 1310 Howard and 

His Orchestra (14) 55 8-27 

1311 The Ink Spots (15).. Sep 55 + 11-19 

1312 The Sauter-Finegan 

Orchestra (18) Oct 55 + 11-19 

(1955-56) 

2601 Mambo Madness (15) Nov 55 + 11-12 

2602 Ralph Marterie & His 

Orchestra (15) Nov 55 + 11-26 

Melodies by Martin 

2652 

(16) Dec 55 + 1-28 

2653 Lionel Hampton & Herb 

Jeffries (15) Jan 56 + 2-18 

VARIETY* VIEWS 

to 

1345 Brooklyn Goes 

Cleveland (10) Jul 55 10- 8 

.. 1346 Monkey Shines (9) Aug 55 + 11-26 

1347 Brooklyn Goes to Las Vegas 

(9) Sep 55 + 3-31 

1348 Small Wonders (9).. Oct 55+ 3-31 

WALTER LANTZ CARTUNES 

(Technicolor) 

(7) Oct. 55 12-10 

1333 Bunco Busters (7) Nov 55 + 1-7 

(1955-56) 

2611 Tbc Tree Medic (6).. Oct 55 11-12 

2612 Pigeon Holed (6) Jan 56 3-3 

2613 After the Ball (6) ... Feb 56 + 3-3 

2614 Gel Ust (6) Mar 56 

WALTER LANTZ REISSUES 

1354 Kiddie Kontert (7).. May 55 

1355 Pixie Picnic (7) Jun 55 

1356 Wacky Bye Baby (7) Jul 55 

WARNER BROS. 

eels) » 12-31 

BLUE RIBBON HIT PARADE 

(Technicolor 

Reissues) 

3301 Doggone Cats (7) Sep 55 

3305 Rattled Rooster (7) Oct 55 

.. 

3303 Fair and Wormer (7) Nov 55 

3304 Mousemerized Cat (7) Nov 55 

3305 Foghorn Leghorn (7) . Dec 55 

3306 Bone. Sweet Bone (7) Jan 56 

BUGS BUNNY SPECIALS 

(Technicolor) 

2729 This Is the Life (7).. Jul 55 

2730 Hyde and Hare (7).. Aug 55 + 10-22 

(1955-56) 

3723 Knight- Mare Hare (7) Oct 55 

3724 Roman Lcgion-Haie 

(7) Nov 55 1-28 

Bugs Jan 56 + 3-31 

3725 Bonnets (7) 

3726 Broomstick Bunny Feb 56+ 4-21 

(7). 

3727 Rabbitson Crusoe (7) .Apr 56 

CLASSICS OF THE SCREEN 

3101 Small Town Idol (20). Sep 55 

3102 It Happened to You 

(18) Dec 55 •(+ 2-25 

COLOR 

SPECIALS 

2010 Wave of the Flag (19) . 55 -ft 

2011 Adventures of Alexander 

Selkirk (17) Jun 55 + 

2012 Uranium Fever (..).. Jul 55 

(1955-56) 

3001 Movicland Magic (19). Oct 55 

3002 Golden Tomorrow (17). Nov 55 + 

3003 Behind the Big Top 

(IS) Dec 55 

3004 They Seek Adventure 

(19) Jan 56 + 3-17 ' 

3005 Out of the Desert (19) .Feb 56 1+ 3-31 

3006 Copters & Cows (17). Mar 56 ++ 4-21 

JOE McDOAKES COMEDIES 

MELODY MASTER BANDS 

(Reissues) 

3801 Jan Savitt & Band 

(10) Sep 55 

3802 Artie Shaw & Orch. 

(10) 0ct55 

3803 Ozzic Nelson Sc Orch. 

(10) Dec 55 

3804 Carl Hoff & Band (10) . 

Feb 56 

3805 Borrah Minevitch (10). Apr 56 

MERRIE MELODIES-LOONEY TUNES 

(Technicolor) 

3701 Dime to Retire (9). Sep 55 H 1-14 

3702 Speedy Gonzales (7) . 

.Sep 55 -j- 1-7 

3703 Two Scents Worth (7) Oct 55 + 1-14 

3704 Red Riding Hoodwinked 

^,, 

Oct 55 

3705 Heir Conditioned (7) Nov 55 + 3- 3 

. . 

3706 Guided Muscle (7) Dec 55 

. . . . 

3707 Pappy's Pupp_y (7) Dec 55 + 2-25 

3708 Oni 

Evenir 

Jan 56 

3709 Too Hop to Handle 

i56 

3710 Weasel Stop

ALLIED ARTISTS 

Mighty Fortress, The (AA^-^ 

Religious Documentary. Peaturette 

is 

that worth playing. Some 

EHHS called it a glorified newsreel, 

etc. It w-as well received 

^toere and many, many favorable 

youTomments. Played Good Friday 

"'weekend and was pleased with 

patrons this drew. Played Thurs., 

Fri., Sat. weather; Fair.—Ken 

Christianson, Roxy Theatre, 

Washburn, N. D. Pop. 913. 

Treasure of Ruby Hills (AA1 — 

Zachary Scott. Carole Mathews, 

Barton MacLane. A good western 

with plenty of action for a weekend 

spot. Business average. 

Played Sat. Weather: Good.— 

D. W Ti-isko. Range Theatre, 

Runge, Tex. Pop. 1,055. 

COLUMBIA 

Picnic iCoH —William Holden, 

Rosalind Russell. Kim Novak. 

Certainly one of the finest pictures 

we have played in a long 

time. A picture any audience will 

appreciate. A good old-fashioned 

hometown picture. A good grosser, 

but won't make you any 

money at 50 per cent terms. 

Seems like all the film companies 

are interested in is taking 

their slice between our chin and 

shoulder. At the rate they ai-e 

going they'll have our throats 

soon. Played one week, opening 

Wednesday. Weather: Fair. 

Robert Klinge. Uptown Theatre, 

Sedalia, Mo. Pop 20,354. 

Picnic (Col) —William Holden, 

Rosalind Russell, Kim Novak. 

is ijPfvHere a pictiu-e that will please 

ifiit/young and old. Ideal for small 

town. Tlie cast, acting, story and 

were excellent. Drew to 

color 

above average business. Terms too 

high. Played Sun.-Wed. Weather: 

Very good.—Lloyd Bellefeuille. 

Rialto Theatre, Aitkin, Minn. 

Pop. 2,079. 

Three for the Show (Col)— 

Betty Grable, Jack Lemmon. 

Mai-ge and Gower Champion. 

Anyway, I found out why this 

stretched print came so cheap. 

Wish the reason had stayed Columbia's 

secret. Played Wed.. 

Thurs. Weather: Nice. — Bob 

Walker, Uintah Theatre, Fruita, 

Colo. Pop. 1,463. 

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER 

Executive Suite iMGMi—William 

Holden, June Allyson, Barbara 

Stanwyck. And then there 

were Fredric March, Walter 

Pidgeon, Shelley Winters. What 

more could you ask? Well, I'll tell 

you. They needed a story to display 

all 

this wonderful talent. I 

was very disappointed and so 

were others, who told me so. 

However, weather very poor, as 

usual, so not many were disappointed. 

Played Fri., Sat.—F. 

L. Murray, Strand Theatre, 

Spiritwood, Sask. Pop. 355. 

Love Me or Leave Me (MGM)— 

JDoris 

Day, James Cagney. Cameron 

Mitchell. Tops in entertainment. 

Put it in late where a picture 

was pulled, so it wasn't on 

my calendar, but it did the best 

busine.ss of this year so far. 

M. D. Harris, Gem Theatre, Gibsland, 

La. Pop. 1,085. 

Tarzan Escapes (MGM)—Reissue. 

Johnny Weissmuller, Mau- 

s. 

reen O'Sullivan. Picked up this 

oldie for the kid trade. They ate 

it up. Never a dull moment. 

Played Tues,, Wed.—Frank E. 

Sabin, Majestic Theatre, Eureka, 

Mont. Pop. 929. 

Trial (MGM)—Glenn Ford, 

Dorothy McGuire, Arthur Kennedy. 

A ti'uly great picture, well 

acted. Ever so many said they 

had no idea even as to how a 

trial was conducted. Tliey liked 

it exceedingly. Played Sun., Mon. 

Weather: Cloudy and cool.—Ray 

Kincade, Kesner Theatre, LeRoy. 

Kas. Pop. 695. 

Big Grosser 

Rain the second night hurt 

"Battle Cry" (WB) a little, but 

thLs great picture gave me the 

biggest gross in many months. 

Here is an example of the way 

Cinemascope should be used. 

The battle scenes were terrific, 

but some of the stock footage 

from World War II was very 

grainy when blown up to Cinemascope 

size. We had some 

patrons who showed up both 

nights; also some ex-Marines 

who haven't been in the theatre 

for years. Let's have some 

more entertainment like this! 

FRANK R. McLEAN 

Roxy Theatre 

Coulterville, lU. 

PARAMOUNT 

Artists and Models (Para) — 

Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Shirley 

MacLaine. Not the best of 

M&L pictures, but pleased all 

who who saw it. 'VistaVision at its 

best. Below average draw for 

Martin and Lewis. Played Sun., 

Mon., Tues. Weather: Fair. — 

Lloyd Bellefeuille, Rialto Theatre, 

Aitkin, Minn. Pop. 2,079. 

Girl Rush, The (Para) —Rosalind 

Russell, Fernando Lamas, 

Eddie Albert. Ran this on our action 

change. My mistake. Starved. 

They should have come to see it, 

because it's really good in a 

semi-corny way. Played Tues., 

Wed.—Frank Sabin, Majestic 

Theatre, Eureka, Mont. Pop. 929. 

Girl Rush, The (Para)—Rosalind 

Russell, Fernando Lamas, 

Eddie Albert. Fairly fast moving 

musical. Pair comedy angle with 

some nice outdoor scenery and 

Las Vegas gambling casinos. 

Some nice floor show acts. Business 

average. Played Wed., 

Thurs. Weather: Okay.—D. W. 

Trisko, Runge Theatre, Runge, 

Tex. Pop. 1,055. 

To Catch a Thief (Para)—Cary 

Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce 

Landis. Beautiful color and good 

story. With Grace Kelly in the 

headlines, should make money 

anywhere. Played Sun., Mon. 

Weather: Good. — B. Berglund, 

Bijou Theatre, Ray, N. D. Pop. 

721. 

To Catch a Thief (Para)—Gary 

Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce 

Landis. After this. I hope Prince 

Ranier does make his bride retire 

from the screen. The makeup 

department must have been on 

strike for Grace Kelly's scenes. 

Or maybe Technicolor's dyes are 

fading. The smug, self-satisfied 

XHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY 

expression Grace wore through 

much of this picture may be 

great acting, but I doubt If most 

theatre patrons care too much for 

it. The picture didn't please too 

well and the latest feminine import 

from France can take the 

next boat back for my money. 

Played Sun., Mon. Weather: 

Fair.—Frank R. McLean, Roxy 

Theatre, Coulterville, 111. Pop. 

RKO RADIO 

Glory (RKO)—Margaret O'- 

Brien, Walter Brennan, Charlotte 

Greenwood. A race horse 

picture that will just get by. No 

extra business, so bank account 

will not grow. Watch it. Made a 

mistake by giving it a Sunday 

opening. Weather: Good.—Leo A. 

Backer, Valley Theatre, Browns 

Valley, Minn. Pop. 1,117. 

Music Land (RKO)—Reissue. 

Cartoon feature. I never in all my 

years in show business ever made 

a dime by playing Disney pictures. 

Early in the show, I had 

four walkouts. It's the last Disney 

to play my house. Played 

Wed., Thurs. Weather: Good. — 

Leo A. Backer, Valley Theatre. 

Browns Valley. Minn. Pop. 1,117. 

Tarzan and the She-Devil 

(RKO)—Lex Barker, Joyce Mac- 

Kenzie, Raymond Burr. As usual 

for kid-pullers. Good Sunday 

with kids to spare. Not. so good 

Monday, with seats to spare. Ran 

with three cartoons. Played Sun., 

Mon. Weather: Hot Sunday and 

rain Monday. — Lew Bray jr.. 

Queen Theatre, McAllen, Tex. 

Pop. 20,068. 

REPUBLIC 

Doctor in the House (Rep) — 

Dirk Bogarde, Muriel Pavlow, 

Kenneth More. A cute little comedy 

of a class of students learning 

to be doctors. Only comment 

on this is that we just can't do 

any business on foreign productions. 

I don't know why. Certainly 

a lot of them are far superior 

to some of the stuff we 

have been releasing in the past. 

Guess it's the British accent they 

use. Placed Thurs., Fri. Weather: 

Cold.—Robert Klinge, Uptown 

Theatre, Sedalia, Mo. Pop. 20,354. 

Headline Hunters (Rep)—Rod 

Cameron, Julie Bishop, Ben 

Cooper. Doubled this newspaper 

cops and robbers with "Ten 

Wanted Men" for a fair average 

weekend date for the customers 

who like fightin' instead of lovin'. 

Played Thurs.. Sat. Weather: 

Mild, intermittent rains.—Lew 

Bray jr., Queen Theatre, McAllen, 

Tex. Pop. 20,068. 

Hell's Outpost (Rep) — Rod 

Cameron, Joan Leslie, John Rus- 

Good action feature for 

sell. 

small-town theatre. No attendance. 

Fri., Sat. Played Weather: 

Cold.—Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, 

Rivesville, W. Va. Pop. 1,343. 

Timberjack (Rep) — Sterling 

Havden. Vera Ralston, David 

Brian. This is a good action picture. 

The Ti-ucolor was very 

good. We did a few bucks above 

the average for this change. Action 

fans will like it. Played Tues. 

Weather: Pair—Michael Chlaventone. 

Valley Theatre, Spring 

Valley. 111. Pop. 5,123. 

lABOUT PICTURESI 

20th CENTURY-FOX 

Broken Lance (20th-Fox) — 

S|)tn(CT Tracy. Robi^rl Wagner, 

Jean Peters. An excellent westerii 

with a super cast. A good picture 

for art houses as well as rural 

areas. Just a good picture. Period. 

Only one fault: priced too 

high. After Fox got Ihelr's there 

was only skim milk left for yours 

truly. What with price and bad 

I weather, barely broke even. 

Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Bad. 

— F. L. Murray. Strand Theatre, 

Spiritwood, Sask. Pop. 355. 

How to Be Very, Very PopuUr 

(20lh-Fox)—Betty Grable, Sheree 

North, Bob Cummlngs. A 

very, very cute comedy with a 

pair of cute dames. There are 

some hilarious moments in this 

one. Color good. Pulled better 

Monday night than on Sunday 

night, which proves that word of 

mouth got around. Played Sun., 

Mon. Weather: Fine.—I. Roche, 

Vernon Theatre, Vernon, Fla. 

Pop. 610. 

Lieutenant Wore Skirts, The 

(20th-Fox)—Tom Ewell, Sheree 

North. Rita Moreno. A very good 

comedy that pleased the very 

small attendance. No fault of 

the picture, In normal times 

would have done good business. 

Played Sun., Mon. Weather: 

Good —W. L. Stratton. Lyric Theatre, 

Chains, Ida. Pop. 728. 

Seven Year Itch, The (20th- 

Fox)—Tom Ewell. Marilyn Monroe. 

Evelyn Keyes. Today, the 

kind of business this did was 

mighty nice. A year or so ago, 

it would have been just average. 

I liked it the "Itch," but seemed 

to be over the heads of most of 

my regulars, while a few of the 

seldom-comers thought it was 

great. I think half the little guys 

and gals in my area have the 

"Itch." is one reason business 

doesn't come back. Never have I 

heard of so many cases of 

measles, mumps, chicken pox and 

whooping cough. A youngster 

gets over one and the next day 

, 

is down witli another, so the boxoffice 

wallows. Played Sun., 

Mon., Tues. Weather: Windy, 

chilly.—Bob Walker. Uintah Theatre, 

Fruita, Colo. Pop. 1.463. 

Good for Top Time 

Kentuckian, The (U A)—Burt 

Lancaster, Dianne Foster, 

Diana Lynn. Very good job 

about an early day feud, a man 

and boy's ambition to get from 

Kentucky to Texas. Plenty of 

action, l()ve and beautiful scenery. 

.\ very good fight. Business 

average. Good enough for 

anyone's top playing time. 

D. W. TRISKO 

Runge Theatre 

Runge. Tex. 

UNITED ARTISTS 

Beachhead (UA)—Tony Curtis. 

Frank Lovejoy, Mary Murphy. 

Not so much of a war picture. I 

would call this an action picture. 

The story moves at a rapid rate. 

Suspense runs high and almost 

continuous. The color Is magnificent, 

and so is the scenery. 

This is a picture that will go over 

(Continued on following page) 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: May 12, 1956 

11

.Slmone 

-Marta 

Iiaxely, 

Michael 

: 

May 

l"- 

' 

EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY 

(Continued from preceding page) 

well in any situation. I had 

Plenty of compliments. Played 

ipri., Sat. Weather: Poor.—F. L. 

Murray, Strand Theatre, Spmtwood, 

Sask. Pop. 355. 

Desert Sands (UA) — Ralph 

Meeker, Maria English, J. Carol 

Naish. The theme has been done 

so many times that people won't 

leave their TV sets to come to 

this. Played Thiu-s., Fri., Sat. 

Weather: Good.—M. W. Long. 

Lans Theatre, Lansing, Iowa. 

Pop. 1,531. 

Fort Yuma (UA) — Peter 

Graves, Joan Vohs, John Hudson. 

This is not much of a picture. 

Did not please and failed to draw 

50 per cent of normal action business. 

Can't recommend it. You 

can see this stuff on TV. Played 

Fri., Sat. Weather: Okay.—W. L. 

Stratton. Lyric Theatre, Challis, 

Ida. Pop. 728. 

Gentlemen Marry Brunettes 

(UA) — Jane Russell, Jeanne 

Crain, Alan Young. Jane Russell 

and Bob Waterfield seem to 

be getting off to a good start in 

the producing end of the business. 

Thought this picture would 

be horrible, but it wasn't too bad. 

At least, the cast didn't burst 

forth into song every time somevone 

opened the door to get the 

morning paper, as happens in 99.9 

per cent of the musicals. Played 

Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair and 

warm.—J. D. Wilbanks, Wagon 

Wheel Drive-In, Spearman, Tex. 

Pop. 1,852. 

Indian Fighter, The (UA) — 

Kirk Douglas, Elsa Martinelli, 

Walter Abel. Good picture. The 

title tells what it's about. Business 

not so hot. Played Sun., Mon. 

Weather: Cold.—Michael Chiaventone, 

Valley Theatre, Spring 

Valley, 111. Pop. 5,123. 

Robbers' Roost (UA)—George 

Montgomery, Richard Boone, 

Bruce Bennett. Good western, as 

most Zane Grey novels are, for 

small towns. Had record attendance 

for Saturday night^20 paid 

admissions for adults. Can stand 

alone. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: 

Fair and cold.—Ralph Raspa. 

State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. 

Pop. 1,343. 

UNIVERSAL-INTERNAT'L 

All That Heaven Allows (U-I) 

—Jane Wyman, Rock Hudson, 

Agnes Moorehead. Very good picture 

with the "Magnificent Obsession" 

star. Will make a few 

dollars for you, so play it. Played 

Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather: Good. 

—Leo A. Backer, Valley Theatre, 

Browns Valley, Minn. Pop. 1,117. 

Chief Crazy Horse (U-D—Victor 

Matm-e, Suzan Ball, Jolin 

Lund. Played Palm Simday and 

with a lot of people saying, "Oh, 

another Indian show," but the 

farmers and the man on the 

saw and liked it. 

street came, 

Business good for this Sunday. 

Again the Indians came through 

and we are satisfied. Played 

Sun., Mon. Weather: Warm and 

windy.—Ken Christianson, Roxy 

Theatre, Washburn, N. D. Pop. 

913. 

Naked Dawn, The (U-D—Arthur 

Kennedy, Betta St. John, 

Eugene Iglesias. Arthur Kennedy, 

playing a Mexican robber, 

did a good job. Plenty of action. 

Good scenery and color. Cast 

portrayed pai-ts very well. Business 

bad due to being played the 

Saturday before Easter. Played 

Sat. Weather: Okay.—D. W. 

Trisko, Runge Theatre, Runge, 

Tex. Pop. 1,055. 

Running Wild (U-D—William 

Campbell, Mamie Van Doren, 

Keenan Wynn. Another "Blackboard 

Jungle." Not much show, 

but it pulls them in. Guess it's 

that music! If the cash di-awer 

looks good what does it matter? 

M. D. Han-is, Gem Theatre, Gibsland, 

La. Pop. 1,085. 

WARNER BROS. 

Command, The (WB)—Guy 

Madison, Joan Waldon, James 

Whitmore. It may have been 

outstanding in CS. In 2-D, it was 

an average Injun-soldier thing. 

Business okay. Played Fri., Sat., 

Sun. Weather: Okay.—Frank E. 

Sabin, Majestic Theatre, Eureka, 

Mont. Pop. 929. 

Dragnet (WB)—Jack Webb, 

Ben Alexander, Ann Robinson. 

Good preview. Fairly good story. 

Jack Webb has a lot of fans 

listening to his TV program and a 

lot of them came in to see it. 

Played "Pete Kelly's Blues" with 

Jack Webb on the next playdate. 

Guess I am a lazy exhibitor or 

would not have played it that 

close. Too much alike. Maybe I 

should blame the salesman. 

Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Good. 

—B. Berglund, Bijou Theatre, 

Ray, N. D. Pop. 721. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

Barefoot Savage (IFE)—Eleanora 

Rossi Drago, Amedeo Nazzari, 

Marcello Mastroianni. English-dubbed 

Italian picture. Wow 

Steer absolutely clear unless you 

have a good, and then some, draw 

If you do, then consider 

of art fans. 

this one. Played Tues., Wed. 

Weather: Hot and dusty.—Lew 

Bray jr., Queen Theatre, Mc- 

Allen, Tex. Pop. 20,068. 

Day the World Ended, The 

(ARC)—Richai'd Denning, Lori 

Nelson, Adele Jergens. This show 

was not for a college town. Students 

not much interested in this 

sort. I agree. They have been 

overdone of late. Played Fri., 

Sat.—Ken Gorham, Town Hall 

Theatre, Middlebury, Vt. Pop. 3,- 

614. 

Farmer's Daughter, The (SR) 

—Reissue. Loretta Young, Joseph 

Cotten, Ethel Barrymore. Originally 

released by RKO. We played 

this in our drive-in. The print is 

excellent. The picture still pleases 

and will do as much business as 

some new super-colossal percentage 

deal. Play it.—W. S. Funk, 

Star Theatre, St. Stephen. S. C. 

Pop. 1,341. 

Theodora, Slave Empress (IFE) 

—Gianna Marie Canale. George 

Marchal, Renato Baldini. English-speaking 

Italian picture. 

Okay for art fans and fine in this 

small town sub run house of 

mine with family and kid bills 

on each end. Doing much better 

with art pictures than with 

American second run and "B" 

pictures midweek, so looking forward 

to more of them. Played 

Tues., Wed. Weather: Intermittent 

rain.—Lew Bray jr.. Queen 

Theatre, McAllen, Tex. Pop. 20,- 

FOREIGN 

FEATURES. 

Foreign-longuage productions by notive country listed olphobeticolly 

by title, followed by running time. Dote shown is issue of BOXOFFICE 

in which review appeared. Name of distributor is in parentheses. 

ARGENTINA 

;Tiii.es). .H, Del CarrU, A. Beneill 

Reviewed 

4-28-56 

Appointment in London (96) 12-31-55 

(Assoc. Artists).. D. Bogarde. lJina)l Shen(l.in 

Belles of St. Trinian's, The (90) . . 

4-30-55 

(Assoc. Artists) 

. .Alastair Sim, Joyce Gientell 

Chance Meetina (94) S-27-55 

d'aceraaliei) .Odlle Versois, David Knight 

©Cocktails in the Kitchen (S3) 

(Stratford) Dili! Bogarde. Dennis Price 

Court Martial (105) 10- 1-55 

(Kiiigsley) 

- .Darid Niven. Margaret Leighton 

Cure for Love. The (97) 11-26-55 

.R. Donat, Itenee Asherson 

Eight O'clock Walk (S7) 8-20-55 

(Asso. .\rts)..R. Attenborougll. C. O'Uonnell 

Four Against Fate (84) 9-10-55 

(.\ssoc. Artists).. A. Neagle. Michael Wilding 

Front Page Story (95) 7-23-55 

(.issoc. Artists) . .Jack Haukins. Eva Bartok 

©Fuss Over Feathers (84) 1-29-55 

(Assoc. Artists) . .John Gregson, Muriel Pavlow 

Game of Danger (88) 11- 5-55 

(Assoc. Artists) . .Jack Warner. Veronica Hurst 

Green Scarf, The 4-23-55 

(Assoc. Artists).. IL Redgrave. A. Todd 

Heart of the Matter. The (100) . . . .12-25-54 

(Assoc. Artists) . .Trevor Howard, Maria Schell 

His Excellency (84) 4-28-56 

(Brenner) .Eric Portman. Parker 

Cecil 

Innocents in Paris (103) 2-19-55 

(Tudoi) . -Claire Bloom. Alastair Sim 

' 

Inspector Calls, An (80) 

1- 8-55 

[Asioc. Artists).. Alstair Sim. EUeen Moore 

Intruder, The (84) 2-12-55 

(Assoc. Artists) . Jack Hawkins, Dennis Price 

©Kid tor Two Farthings, A (91) . 4-28-56 

. 

(Lopert) . .Celia Johnson, Diana Dors 

©Make Me an Offer (88) 4- 7-56 

(Dominant). .Peter Finch. Adrienne Corri 

Midnight Episode (78) 9-17-55 

(Fine Arts) . .Stanley Holloway. Leslie Dwyer 

Room in the House (98) 

(Uiijraltcr) . .Patrick Barr, Marjorie Rhodes 

Teckman Mystery, The (90) U-19-55 

(Assoc. Artists) . ..Margaret Leighton. J. Justin 

Three Cases of Murder (99) 5-21-55 

(Assoc. Artists) - Ol-son Welles, John Gregson 

©To Paris With Love (78) 4-30-55 

(Continental) . .Alec Guinness. Odile Versois 

True and the False, The (SO) 4-23-55 

(Helene Davis) . .Signe Hasso, Wm. Lingford 

©Will Any Gentleman? (84) 11- 5-55 

'" 

(Stratford) . .George Cole. "Hurst 

FRANCE 

Adorable Creatures (108) 1- 7-56 

(L'onfl His.) . .Marthie Carol, E. Feuillere 

©Ballet de France (83) 

(Lewis) . .Janine Cliarrat, Mllorad Miskovitch 

Companions of the Night (104) 

. . 8-28-54 

(.\rlan) .Francoise Arnoul. Raymond Pellegrln 

. 

Diabolique (107) 3- 3-56 

(fMPO) Meurlsse 

Signoret. Paul 

a Diary of Country Priest (95) 7-31-55 

(Br.indon) .C. Laydu, N. Maurey, (Jiiibert 

A. 

Dr. Knock (102) 

(Lewis) 

. .Louis Jouvet. Jean Brochard 

©Frenph CanCan (93) 

(irMPO)..Jean Cabin. Francoise Arnoul 

French Touch. The (84) 9-25-54 

(Times) . .FernandeL Kenee Devillers 

Game of Love, The (IDS) 2-19-55 

(Times) .Pierre-Michel Beck. Edwige Feuillere 

- 

Heartbreak Ridge (86) 6-11-55 

(Tudor) 

. Real French troops In Korea 

Holiday for Henrietta (103) 5-21-55 

(Ardec) .Dany Robin, Michael Auclair 

. 

In a Girls Dormitory (102) 

(Eilis) . .Jean Marais, Francoise Arnoiil 

Letters From My Windmill (116) . 

(Tohaii) . 

. 

4-21-5fd 

Henri Vllbert. Rells *v. 

Mr. Hulofs Holiday (85) 10-30-54 

(GBll Infl) . .Jacdues Tati. Nallialie Pascaud 

One Step to Eternity (94) 1-28-56 

(Ellis).. D. Darritux, M. Auclair, C. Calvet 

Sheep Has Five Legs, The (93) .11-26-55 

. 

. 

. 

(UMPO) Kcrnaiidel. Francoise Arnoul 

Sunderin (SO) • 

^'^^r^l 

(Prod. Rep3-)..Hildegarde Neff, G. FroehUch 

GREECE 

Barefoot Batallion (89) 6-26-54 

(Brandt).. Maria Costi. Nicos Fermas 

ISRAEL 

Hill 24 Doesn't Answer (100) 12- ^"^.^ 

. 

(Confl Dis) Wagner, Haya Hararit 

Alone in the Streets (SO) 

(Cairull) ..Story of street wails 

Bed, The (101) 

\\,^''^'^^ 

(Octz-Kingslcy)..R. Todd, DawT) Addams 

Four Ways Out (77) • 1; IfS 

( Carroll).. Gina LoUobriglda, Renalto Baldini 

Hello Elephant (78) 1-29-55 

(Arlan) . .Vlttorio de Sica. Sabu 

©House of Ricordi (112) 

• 

\ 

(Manson).. Paolo Stoppa, MarU Toren 

^"^^ 

©Maddalena (90) .- 

. 

(IFE) Torcn, Glno Cervi, J. Sernas 

Mademoiselle Gobette (78) 4- 9-55 

. 

(IFE) -Silvana Pampanini. Lulgl P-ivese 

Return of Don Camilla (115) 

(IFE) . 

.Fernandel, Gino Cervi 

Too Bad She's Bad (95) 

1-21-56 

. 

(Getz-Kingsley).. Sophia Loren, V. De Sica 

rsl;^%^;isr;c:Ba«ista;M:-S^'' 

White Sheik, The (86). .•• 

(Janus) .Alberto Sordi. Brunella Bovo 

JAPAN 

©Gate of Hell (Jigokumon) (89) . . 1- 8-55 

(Harrison & D,aridson) . .M. Kyo. Hawgawa 

©Golden Demon (95) '.;*'', 

(Harrison) . .Fujiko Yamamoto, Ncgaml 

Jun 

Hiroshima (85) • 

„J'^'^ 

(Confl Dls.)..Isu2u Yamada, M. Tsuklda 

Imposter, The (89) „ }'^-^;^^ 

(Brandon) .Utaemon Ichikawa, Chlkako Mltagl 

. 

• • 

©Samurai (100) .. .11-13-55 

(Jacon) . .Toshlro Mifune, K. Yachlgusa 

(Har^r^son)..Machiko"Ky'o. 

MEXICO 

jiasayukl Mori 

' 

This Strange Passion (82) • 

y „^^",?V.« 

(Omnifilms)..Arturo De Cordova, D. Garces 

RUSSIA 

©Boris Godunov (105) 

(Artkino)..A. Pirogov, 0. NcUep 

©Romeo and Juliet Ballet (96).. 

. 

(Tohan) .Galina Ulanova. Yuri Zhdûiov i 

SWEDEN 

• 

Naked Night, The (82) • • • — 

(limes).. Harriet Andersson, Ake Groenberg 

One Summer of Happiness (92) • ''1*\55 

• 

(Times-Film) .UUa Jacobson. Folke Sundqulst 

. 

YUGOSLAVIA 

Legends of Anika (85) ••• 

;/,• 

(Grand Prize) . .MUena Dapcevlc, B. Grlblc 

12 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide 

: 

12, 1956

' 

'^ 

interpretive anoiysls of lay ond tradcprcss 

BV 

• r; 

rco of merit. Listings cover current reviews 

. OS on ALPHABETICAL INDEX to tcotur 

Ribbon Aword Winner. Photogrophy: Col 

c 

H. pe; Noturomo. For listings by compony, 

eviows. The plus and minus signs indicate 

updated regulorly. This deportment serves 

releases. Symbol ' 

denotes BOXOFFICE 

C CincmoScopc; VistoVision; Supern 

v s 

the order of releosc, sec Feoturc 

Chart. 

digest 

AND ALPHABETICAL INu£X 

H Very Good; + Good; — Foir; ~ Poor; the summary t( js rated 2 plu 

1 llisl 

(Itii5 

°''i,'*2H>©African Lion (73) Documentary . 8-13-55 + 

'" 

17S0fflAin't Misbfhj«in' (81) Musical. ... U-l 5-28-55 + 

1958 ©Altxaniier the Great (141) © Drama UA 4- 7-56 H H + tt + 

1868 ©All That Heaven Allows (89) Drama. U-l 10-29-55 H 

1965 ©Animal World, The (82) Doc WB 4-21-56 + 

1916©Anythino Goes (108) ® Musical. . Para 1-21-56++ 

1824 Apache Ambush (67) Western Col 8-13-55 ± 

1857 ©Apache Woman (S3) Western ARC 10-15-55 ± 

1575ffiAriists and Models (109) V- Com.. .Para 11-12-55 + 

1891 ©At Gunpoint (90) © Western AA 12-10-55 + 

1963 Autumn Leaves (lOS) Drama Col 4-21-56 ± 

1941 ©Backlash (84) Western U-l 3- 3-56 -f 

1931 Battle Stations (81) Drama Col 2-18-55 ± 

1847 Benoazi (78) ifi Adventure RKO 9-24-55 ± + 

1898 (JOBenny Goodman Story (116) Mus. U-l 12-17-55 ++ 

1927 Betrayed Women (70) Melodrama AA 2-11-56 ± 

1969 0Bhowani Junction (108) © Dr...MGM 5- 5-56 ff 

1808 Big Bluff, The (70) Drama UA 7-16-55 + 

1845 Bij Knife. The (111) Drama UA 9-24-55 + 

1956 ©Birds and the Bees (95) (Vi Com.. .Para 3-31-56 + 

1958 Blackjack Ketchum, Desperado 

(76) Western Col 4- 7-56 ± 

1847 ©Blood Alley (115) © Drama WB 9-24-55 + 

1876 Bobby Ware Is Missino (66) Drama... AA 11-12-55 ± 

1953 Bold and the Brave (90) (T Drama.. RKO 3-24-56 + 

1923 ©Bottom of the Bottle (88) © Dr..20-Fox 2- 4-56 + 

1942 Brain Machine, The (72) Drama.... RKO 3- 3-56 ± 

1812 Break to Freedom (88) Drama UA 7-23-55 -f 

1799©Brin|| Your Smile Along (S3) Mus... Col 7- 2-55 - 

1930 Broken Star. The (82) Western UA 2-11-56 + 

1936 OeCarousel (127) ©55 Dr./M. 20th-Fox 2-25-56 ++ 

1912 Cash on Delivery (82) Farce RKO 1-28-56 + 

196S Catered Affair, The (93) Com. Dr...MGM 4-28-56 + 

1799 Chicago Syndicate (86) Crime ! Col 7- 2-55 + 

-1787 ©Cobweb, The (124) © Drama.... MGM 6-11-55 + 

'1945 ©Comanche (87) © Outdoor UA 3-10-56 -f 

1925 ©Come Next Spring (92) Drama Rep 2- 4-56 -ff 

1933 Come On, The (82) ® Drama AA 2-18-56 ff 

1940 ©Conqueror, The (111) © Drama.. RKO 3- 3-56 f+ 

1846 ©Count Three and Pray (102) © Dr.. .Col 9-24-55 + 

1925 ©Court Jester, The (101) (g) Com... Para 2- 4-56 ++ 

1849 Court Martial (105) Drama. ... Kingsley 10- 1-55 + 

1890©Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell. The 

(100) © Drama WB 12-10-55 + 

1772 Crashout (90) Crime Filmakers 5-21-55 ± 

1947 Creature Walks Among Us, The 

(78) Science-Fiction U-l 3-17-56-+- 

1792 Creature With the Atom Brain 

(70) Science-Fiction Col 6-18-55 — 

1961 Creeping Unknown, The (79) SC.-F....UA 4-14-56 + 

1945 Crime Against Joe (69) Mystery UA 3-10-56 ± 

1962 Crime in the Streets (91) Drama.... AA 4-14-56 + 

1882 Crooked Web, The (77) Melodrama. . .Col 11-26-55 ± 

—D 

1797 Dam Busters (101) Adv.-Dr WB 7- 2-55 i: 

1771 ©Daw Crockett, King of the 

Wild Frontier (95) Adv.-Dr BV 5-21-55 ++ 

1962 © Day of Fury, A (78) Western U-l 4-14-56 -f 

1910 Day the World Ended 

(80) ® Science-Fiction ARC 1- 7-56 ± 

1781 Day to Remember. A (72) Comedy Rep 6- 4-55 ± 

1852 ©Deep Blue Sea (99) © Drama. 20th-Fox 10- 1-55 -flS23©Descrt 

Sands (87) ® Adventure. ... UA 8-13-55 ± 

1842 Desperate Hours, The (U2) ® Dr.-. Para 9-17-55 ++ 

Devil Goddess (70) Adventure Col 

1901 ©Diane (110) © Costume-Drama. .MGM 12-24-55 + 

Dig That Uranium (61) Comedy AA 

1824 Divided Heart, The (89) Drama Rep 8-13-55 -f 

1937 ©Doctor at Sea (92) Cf) Comedy Rep 2-25-56 ± 

1876 Double Jeopardy (70) Action Rep 11-12-55 ± 

1846@Duel on the Mississippi (72) Drama. Col 9-24-55 -f 

1779 ©Far Horizons. The (108) ® Adv... Para 5-28-55 + 

1808 Female on the Beach (97) Drama. . . .U-l 7-16-55 + 

1897 ©Flame of the Islands (90) Drama.. Rep 12-17-55 + 

liM4 ©Footsteps in the Fog (90) Drama... Col 9-17-55 + 

1949 ©Forbidden Planet (98) © Sc.-F..MGM 3-17-56 ++ 

1928CForever Darling (96) Comedy. .. .MGM 2-11-56 + 

1852 ©Fort Yuma (78) Outdoor UA 10- 1-55 + 

1793 ©Foxfire (92) Drama U-l 6-25-55 + 

1800 Francis in the Navy (80) Comedy- .. .U-l 7- 2^55 + 

',^''^'1934 ©Cockleshell Heroes (97) © Drama. .Col 2-18-56 ++ 

I?i'"ll954 Emergency Hospital (62) Drama UA 3-24-56 + 

—F— 

+ +f H 9+1- 

- ± ± 6+6- 

10+ 

+ 12+1- 

5+ 

ff 10+ 

- 4+6- 

4+3- 

± 9+1- 

+ 9+ 

5+2-

REVIEW DIGEST Very Good; — Good; — Fair; = as 2 minuses. 

l•y^^ Loier Boy (S5) Com. -Or. (Reviewed 

as "Lovers. Hagpy Lovers") .20th-Fox 11-13-54 + + -H- + = + + 7-^2- 

. 

©Lucy Gallant (104) ® Drama Para 10- 1-55 +f + -f + + + + S+ 

1851 

(72) 1943 Lum & Abner Abroad Comedy. Howco 3-10-56 ii = - 

1+3- 

—M— 

at the 1793 Mad World (71) Or Filmakers 6-25-55+ 5+2- 

it + + ± 

1771 ©Maoniftcent Matador 

© 

lS48©Man Alone. A (96) Western Rep 9-24-55+ 

(93) Drama 20th-FoK 5-21-55+ + 

++ 

± 

+ 

-H- 

+ 

-H- 

+ 

+f 

± 

+10+1- 

+ 8+1- 

1933©Manfish (76) Adventure UA 2-18-56+ ± — — = — 2+6— 

1957 ©Man in the Gray Flannel Suit 

4- 7-56 9-^- 

(153) g Drama 20th-Fox +f ff + -R -H- 

©Man From Laramie (104) ©Wn... Col 7- 2-55 tt + + -H- ++ 12+ 

1798 +1 ++ 

1895 Man With the Golden Arm 

(119) Drama UA 12-17-55 -H W +1 -H + + 11+ 

Man With the Gun UA 10-22-55 + -H- + + -R + 7+10+ 

1862 (S3) Western 

1970 ©Man Who Knew Too Much. The 

Suspense-Drama Para 5- 5-56 5-^ 

(120) X -H- + -ff 

©Man Who Loved Redheads (86) Com.. U 7-23-55+ + + ± 7+2- 

1812 ± + + 

1928 ©Man Who Never Was 

(103) .© Drama 20tli-Fox 2-U-56 ++ -H- + W +t 4+ -rl 13-1- 

ll74 Master Plan. The (77) Drama Astor 5-21-55 ± 1+1- 

1970 ©Maverick Queen (90) ® Western.. Rep 5- 5-56+ + + 3-i- 

1823 OQMcGonnell Story (109) © Drama. WB 8-13-55 ++ H- -H ++ ++ ++ +13+ 

1924 ©Meet Me in Us Vegas 

(112) © Musical MGM 2- 4-56 H ff t+ tt -Hi: 

± + +f + ff 10+2— 

1926 Miracle in the Rain (107) Drama WB 2- 4-56 ff 

WB 5-21-55 f+ +f H -ff 

+ ± + 

++ +f 

+ 

++14+ 

7+1- 

1770 U©Mistcr Roberts (123) © Com.. . . 

1952 ©Mohawk (79) Outdoor 20th-Fox 3-24-56+ ++ 

1767 ©Moonfleet (87) © Adventure MGM 5-14-55+ ± ± + + + + 7+2- 

1838 0©My Sister Eileen (108) © Mus... Col 

—N— 

9-10-55 ff ++ +f ++++++++ 14+ 

1S14 ©Naked Dawn. The (82) Drama U-l 9-24-55 it it it + — it it 6+6— 

1871 ©Naked Sea. The (69) Doc RKO 11- 5-55 + + + f+ + 6+ 

1826 Naked Street. The (84) Drama UA 8-20-55+ it it - + 6+4- 

+ it 

1929 ©Never Say Goodbye (96) Drama.... U-l 2-11-56-^ + + + = + + 7+1- 

1827 Night Freight (79) Action AA 8-20-55- it it — = 2+6- 

1807 Night Holds Terror (86) Drama Col 7-16-55 ++ ff + + ++ +10+ + 

1905 Night My Number Came Up. The 

(94) Drama Confl Dis. 12-31-55 + + + + ff 6+ 

Night of the Drama UA 7-30-55 + it it + it 7+4— 

1815 Hunter (93) it + 

1956 No Man's Woman (70) Melodrama Rep 3-31-56 it ±: 2+2— 

1790 Not As a Stranger (135) Drama UA 6-18-55 ff ++ +12+ 

ff ++ + ++ 

1858 ©Oklahoma! (105) T-AO Musical... Magna 10-15-55 ff ff +| ff ff ff +f 14+ 

1802 ©One Desire (94) Drama U-l 7-9-55++ ifc i: i: ++ it it 9+5— 

1944 ©On the Threshold of Space 

Drama (95) f 20th-Fox 3-10-56++ ++++ + ++ ff ff 13+ 

17830lhello (92) Drama UA 6-4-55+ ++ +1 + 8-1- 

1929 Our Miss Brooks (87) WB 2-11-56+ 

++ 

it it it 6+4- 

Comedy + it 

1962 Outside the Law (SO) Drama U-i 4-14-56+ it it it 4-^3- 

1938 Over-Excosed (SO) Melodrama Col 2-25-56+ it ± ± + - - 5+6- 

1904 ©Paris Follies of 1956 (73) Musical.. AA 12-31-55 it it 

1955 Patterns (S3) Drama UA 3-31-56 + ff 

1803 ©Pearl of the S. Pacific (86) ® Adv RKO 7- 9-55 + it 

1818 ©Pete Kelly's Blues 

(95) © Drama/Music MGM 8-6-55+ + 

1914 Phantom From 10,000 Leaijues 

(80) Science-Fiction ARC 1-14-56 = — 

ISllPhenix City Story (lOO)' Drama. .. .AA 7-23-55+ ++ 

1893 ©Picnic (113) © Drama Col 12-17-55 ff ff 

1934 Please Murder Me (76) Drama OCA 2-18-55+ 1921 Postmark for Danger (77) Mystery. RKO 1-28-56 it + 

1954 Price of Fear, The (SO) Drama U-l 3-24-56 = = 

1905 Princess Cinderella (72) Comedy .Carroll 12-31-55 — 

1898 Prisoner, The (94) Drama Col 12-17-55 it ++ 

1780 ©Private War of Major Benson 

(105) Comedy-Drama U-l 5-28-55+ ff 

1767 ©Prize of Gold (98) Adventure Col 5-14-55 1+ -4- 

+ ^ 

1782 ©Purple Mask (82) © Adventure ..U-l 6-4-55- it 

1863 Queen Bee (95) Drama Col 10-22-55 + + 

1862©Quenlin Durward (101) © Adv.. MGM 10-22-55 + + 

1965 ©Quincannon. Frontier Scout 

(83) Western UA 4-21-56 + 

—R— 

1964 Rack, The (100) Drama MGM 4-21-56+ + 

18S6 ©Rains of Ranchipur (104) Dr. .20-Fox 12-17-55 ++ + 

1909 Ransom! (102) Drama MGM 1-7-56+ ff 

1863 ©Rebel Without a Cause (111) © Dr..WB 10-22-55 -i- ff 

1927 ©Red Sundown (81) Western U-l 2-11-56 ff + 

1853 Return of Jack Slade (80) $ Wn. . . . AA 10- 8-55 + + 

1969 ©Revolt of Mamie Stover. The 

(93) © Drama 20th-Fox 5-5-56 + 

River Changes, The Drama.... WB 2-18-56 it 1932 (91) - 

.17960Road to Denver (90) Western .... Hep 6-25-55 ff + 

1950 Rock Around the Clock (77) Musical.. Col 3-17-56 it + 

1875 Rose Tattoo, The (117) ® Drama.. Para ll-U-55 ff +

,.J' 

1 

! 

• 

Opinions on Current Productions 

Feature reviews 

Symbol O denotes color photography 

noScopc; 

^' VlstoVJsion; S Supcrscopc; For story synopsis on each picture 

Star of India 

7) ou nlUnited Artists (5623) 

Ratio: 

Coslume Drama 

Rel. June "50 

A routine costume drama, similar to several Cornel Wilde 

made for Columbia and RKO several years back, this will 

satisfy action-minded fans and make a fair supporting dualler 

generally. Wilde and his wife. Jean Wallace, (they re- ;. 

: 

cently stt»rred together in "Storm Fear" for UA) supply the i. 

J 

marquee value, the rest of the cast is British. Produced in 

France by Raymond Stress, the picture has lavish castle settings 

and costumes, which look exquisite in Technicolor, 

but the few exteriors could have been filmed in the U. S. 

As directed by Arthur Lubln, the plot is far-fetched and full 

of intrigue and swordplay revolving around the Star of India, 

a fabulous diamond which was stolen from a Dutch collection 

by a scheming French Vicomte. However, there is 

surprisingly httle suspense. Wilde plays a dashing French 

nobleman effectively enough, but the flaxon-haired Miss Wallace, 

playing a beautiful Dutch widow, merely acts and talks 

like Marie Wilson in nth Century costumes. Herbert Lorn 

and Basil Sydney (as Louis XIV of France) wear their 

wigs and rich robes with the proper flair and Yvonne Sanson 

makes a beautiful Madame de Montespan, the King's 

mistress. 

Cornel Wilde, Jean Wallace, Herbert Lom, Basil Sydney, 

Yvonne Sanson, Walter Rilla. John Slater. 

Zanzabuku 

Republic (5508) 64 Minutes Rel. May '56 

This has authentic, always interesting and at times 

exciting Trucolor scenes of an expedition among African 

wildlife and natives. It rates high as a supporting feature 

because of the great variety of wildlife shown, some of which 

will appeal to any type of patron, and its reasonable 64- 

minute footage. Besides more or less conventional shots of 

-^ birds, beasts and huge snakes, there are scenes of really 

,.,,'^ dangerous encounters to which added interest is lent by the 

participation of a teenager. The most striking are repeated 

attacks on a jeep by a rhinoceros; the jeep is finally overturned 

and its occupants forced to flee for their lives. 

Another exciting moment is when a young elephant ts 

captured alive despite the charges of the herd, and still 

another the spearing of a vicious leopard. There are also 

appealing views of animals and monkeys that had been 

tamed by Carr Hartley, famous game collector, to be sold 

to zoos. Their evident contentment in captivity removes any 

life 

regret at seeing wildlife captured. Scenes of tribal 

are colorful but nothing really new is offered. The title, 

translated, means dangerous safari. The film lives up to 

the title. Produced by Lewis Cotlow. explorer and author. 

Photographed by Fred Ford, Fred Ford jr. and John 

Coquillon. 

" 

'\ 

3 

St,in

: ups. 

FEATURE REVIEWS Sfory Synopsis; Exploitips; Adiines for Newspaper and Programs 

THE STORY: 

"The Last Ten Days" (Col. Int'l) 

In April 1945, are drawing close to Berlin and 

the Allies 

Adolph Hitler makes his headquarters in a bombproof 

bunker with Dr. Goebbels and his top generals. Oskar 

Werner, a young captain seeking reserves for his nearly 

surrounded unit in the field, is shunted about from general 

to general without getting to Hitler, who Is occupied with 

seeking advice from an astrologer and the pictu-? of 

Frederick the Great and in decorating teenage ; 

When Hitler learns that General Steiner's army hat. disintegrated, 

he flies into a rage, orders people shot and the 

subways, where the citizens of Berlin and the wounded are 

taking refuge, flooded. Hitler makes his last will, marries 

Eva Braun and then commits suicide with her. The bodies 

are cremated. 

EXPLOITIPS: 

For the art houses, the name of Erich Maria Remarque, 

author of the screenplay and of the famous Universal film, 

"All Quiet on the Western Front," should be stressed. 

Mention that the picture received the highest honors at 

the Edinburgh Film Festival in 1955. For younger fans, play 

up the handsome young Oskar Werner, who attracted 

, 

attention in "Decision Before Dawn," 20th-Fox film in 1952. 

CATCHLINES: 

From Heil to Hell . . . Erich Maria Remarque, Who Wrote 

the Greatest Story of World War I, Now Gives Us a Story 

of the Final Days of World War II.

RATES: ISc per word, minimum Sl.bO. cash with copy. Four consecutive insertions lor pnce 

jI three. CLOSING DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy and 

• answers to Box Numbers to BOXOFFICE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 24. Mo. • 

CUfllllllG HOUSE

WHY DID 

MAMIE STOVER 

HAVE TO LEAVE 

SAN FRANCISCO ? 

The sxMinecs 

got Just the patronpulling 

eye-appeal 

to boost your 

boxoffice! 

See that it gets around ... in 

your lobby, out-front, in hotels 

and terminals, all over 

town! Wherever this lifelike, 

traffie-stoppino; Ballyhoo 

faees the public... it 

boosts the talk 

about your 

shows I 

Get "'Mamie" tonight! 

Call your nearest branch of 

m 

nnTionni. \ ciee/i service 

\JpmzfBaaroi 

1pmzi Bnar Of mrinDUSTHY

Boxoffice-May.12.156

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?