Boxoffice-April.28.1956

APRIL 28. 1956 

"^ TuAe ei iAe 

C. V. Whitney, right, industrialist and public servant, who has entered motion picture 

production on a grand scale through the formation ot C. V. Whitney Pictures, 

Inc , 

discusses his plans for filmmaking in an article on Page 18. He is shown 

with Merian C. Cooper, who is vice-president and executive producer ot the company. 

'NATIONAL EXECUTIVE EDITION 

ling tht Swtional Ntwl Pagii of All Edltioni

^^ 

* iji^lliiii 

V^ 

SEEING IS 

WORTH A 

THOUSAND WORDS!

When we showed "THE CATERED 

AFFAIR" in a New York neighborhood 

theatre exhibitors said: "If only 

showmen throughout the nation could 

be here to witness the electrifying 

BETTE 

DAVIS 

Triumphant 

response!" The audience applauded, 

cried, laughed and just plain loved 

it. 

The Film Research Surveys poll 

equalled famed "Blackboard Jungle." 

That's why we're showing it in 

ERNEST 

BORGNINE 

Star of " Marty" 

Exchange cities 

nationwide. Seeing is 

believing. Circuit heads, bring your 

Managers. Local press and opinion 

makers will be there too. 

One of the many 

Big Ones from M-G-M, 

The Hottest Company! 

DEBBIE 

REYNOLDS 

Her Greatest 

Screen Play ty 

GORE VIDAL 

Hrom A PUy ty PADDY CHAYEF5KY 

Producea Ly 

SAM ZIMBALIST 

{Available in Perspicia Stereophonic or 1 -Channel SounJ) 

Directea ty 

RICHARD BROOKS

I i\^' J. 

ii£? 

"THE BEST WESTERN EVER MADE!-. FOR THE MOST EXCITING

U!>. 

^m^ 

^ 

nor 

Warner Bros. 

C.V.Whitney picture 

THE SEARCHERS' 

vistaVision 

VISTAyiSION AND COLOR byTECHNICOLOR 

CO-STARRiNG 

JEFFREYHUNTER VFSA MILES 

^' 

WARD BOND -NATALIE WOOD 

SCREEN PLAY BY EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ASSOCIATE PRODUCER 

FRANK S.NUGENT 

- MERiAN C.COOPER -PATRICK FORD 

. niPECTED BY 4-TIME ACADEMY AWARD WINNER JÔHNFORD 

PRESENTED BY Warner Bros. 155^^ 

CORATION DAY ATTRACTION YOU EVER PLAYED!

BoX(#cfc 

Chm> 

April 18th

I 

I 

l 

Patrick. 

, Executive 

[ ;; 

i 

^^/^ (^t!4e l/lc^/itm ^/'cli^^ //idtiSh// 

THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY 

Published in Nine Sectional Editions 

BEN 

SHLYEN 

Editor-in-Chief and Publisher 

DONALD M. MERSEREAU . 

Associote 

Publisher & General Manager 

JAMES M. JERAULD Editor 

NATHAN COHEN . 

Editor 

JESSE SHLYEN. .. Managing Editor 

HUGH FRAZE Field Editor 

IVAN SPEAR Western Editor 

LARRY GOODMAN Promotion Editor 

I. L. THATCHER. .Equipment Editor 

MORRIS SCHLOZMAN Business Mgr 

Editorial Offices: 45 Rockefeller Plaza. New 

York 20, N. Y. Donald M. Mersereau. 

Associate Publisher & General Manager; 

James .M. Jerauld. Editor; l-arry Coodman, 

Editor Promotion-Sllowmandiser Section; 

.V. J. Stocker. Equipment Advertising. 

Telephone COlumbus 5-6370. 

Central Offices: Editorial—920 No. Michigan 

Ave., Chicago 11, III., Frances B. 

Clou. Telephone Superior 7-3972. Advertising—35 

East Wacker Drive. Chicago 1. 

111,. E«lng llutfliis.in and B. E. Yeck. 

T,-lfph(>:w .V.\M.n.T :)-:iM2. 

Western Offices: ftlitorial and Film Adverliîng—ii404 

lloU.vMood Blvd.. Hollywood 

Offici 

eluded in tht^ n i. .: i 

28. Calif. Ivan Spear, manager. Telephone 

HOUjTvood 5-llSt>- Exiuipment and 

Non-Kilm Advertising—H72 S. Lafayette 

Park Place, Los Ansele.s. r.ilif. Rob Wettir 

lirnlatre-goers and for the industry," he states. 

"This great new product is the most telling testimony 

that the men within the industry could 

offer of their confidence in 

the future." 

In 1946 Johnston, then newly-elected as president 

of MPAA, said the industry was on the 

threshold of a "decisive decade." In the latest 

report he says there is "a new and decisive 

\italit\ and renewed hope for the fuliire." 

Good Suggestion 

Arthiu 11. Cole.

RECORD TOTAL OF GREAT FILMS 

FROM HOLLYWOOD: JOHNSTON 

His Annual MPAA Report 

Says Pictures Stimulate 

Trade in Whole World 

NEW YORK—Hollywood will produce 

more fine motion pictures in 1956 than at 

any other time in its history. The statement 

was made Tuesday 

(24) by Eric 

Johnston, president of 

the Motion Picture 

Ass'n of America, in 

his annual report 

issued in connection 

with the annual meeting 

of the association. 

Johnston stressed 

Eric 

Johnston 

that never within his 

memory had new product 

promised so much 

for theatregoers and 

the industry. 

Thi.s great new product," he said, "is the 

most telling testimony that the men within 

the industry could offer of their confidence in 

the future." 

Discussing a freer world trade in all fields, 

which he always has advocated, Johnston 

called the American motion picture "one of 

the most effective business builders ever 

known." He said that in country after country 

it has been apparent that American films 

"create the stimulus that builds newer and 

better theatres" and that "theatres stimulate 

business wherever they draw customers." 

"We have shown," he said, "that American 

motion pictures create demand for new equipment 

and new construction, but most of all 

our pictures build in the audiences of the 

world the kind of desires for better living upon 

which the gi-owth of modern industry is 

based." 

Johnston noted that a complete victory over 

cen.sorship is .still to be won. He pledged a 

"persistent and relentless" campaign "until 

all prior censorship of motion pictures is 

elim- 

Senate Sets May 21 Date 

For Testimony by Majors 

WASHINGTON—May 21 has been selected 

a,s the date for distribution to appear 

before the Senate Small Business 

Committee and reply to charges of unfair 

and onerou.s trade practices made by 

exhibition. 

Plans call for distribution to present 

its complete ca.se in one day. A tentative 

limit of eight hours has been set. 

Jack Flynn, committee coun.sel, said 

that distribution is drawing up a list of 

witnesses to submit to the committee. He 

said he did not know yet their identities. 

He believed there would be about six 

headed by Adolph Schimel of Universal- 

International, chairman of the legal comnittee 

of the Motion Picture A.ss'n of 

FEATURE-LENGTH PICTURES AND SHORT SUBJECTS (INCLUDING SCRIALS) 

APPROVED BY THE PRODUCTION CODE ADMINISTRATION: 1945-1955 

FEATURE-LENGTH FILMS: 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 

Domestic: 

Member Companies 230 254 229 229 252 272 282 259 241 187 210 

Non-member Companies 128 143 141 165 109 107 87 58 49 45 31 

Foreign: 

Member Companies 14 16 16 25 21 22 31 21 32 41 45 

Non-member Companies 17 12 18 16 37 28 32 30 32 30 19 

Total New Features 389 425 404 435 419 429 432 368 354 303 305 

Reissues 1 — — — 2 — — — — — — 

Total All Features 390 425 404 435 421 429 432 368 354 303 305 

SHORTS Including Serials: 

Member Companies U. S. 466 487 448 465 479 409 450 429 413 368 325 

U. S. Non-member Companies 55 62 96 44 22 37 2 3 1 2 7 

Foreign Companies — — — 2 — 1 — — 1 — 2 

Total Shorts 521 549 544 511 501 447 452~^ 432 415 370 334 

Total Films Approved 911 974 948 946 922 876 884 800 769 673 639 

inated everywhere in the U. S." 

He reported that during 1955 the Pi-oduction 

Code Administration approved 305 features, 

compared with 303 in 1954, and 334 

short subjects, compared with 370 in 1954. 

"The administration ha.s continued over the 

past ten years its successful efforts to assure 

decency and good taste in motion pictures," 

Johnston said. "Inevitably in the course of 

this task it has faced difficulties and criticisms. 

But whenever the code activity has come 

under fire, the overwhelming bulk of the industry 

has been quick to rally to the support 

of the code." 

He also noted that several other countries 

have used the code as a basis for their own 

systems of self-regulation, thus testifying to 

its effectiveness. 

The Advertising Code Administration 

reached the highest annual figure in more 

than a decade, due chiefly to an increase in 

the number of stills handled in its Los Angeles 

office. Slight increases were noted in 

other categories, notably advertisements, 

posters and trailers. 

The percentage of all advertising and publicity 

items which were disapproved or revised 

in 1955 showed a small increase over 1954 

2.55 per cent compared with 2.15 for the preceding 

year. 

Stills totaling 132,975 were reviewed and 

3,410 rejected or revised. 

There were 10.037 advertisements reviewed, 

of which 523 were rejected or revised. 

The Title Registration Bureau observed its 

30th anniversary September 7. During 1955, 

it enrolled 46 new members A total of 4,587 

titles was submitted for registration, of which 

about 52 per cent came from non-members. 

A total of 4,323 was accepted for registration. 

Only 14 titles of the total submitted were considered 

objectionable. 

The Community Relations Department continued 

to demonstrate its worth. It was responsible 

for a continually growing recognition 

of the constructive values in motion 

pictures beyond their essential function of 

entertamment, particularly for exceptional 

films which might not otherwise attain boxoffice 

success. 

It had the close cooperation of 

the Federation of Motion Picture Councils, 

consisting of many local, state and national 

organizations. 

The department cooperated with national 

organizations in planning more than 350 programs 

devoted to film subjects, and members 

of the staff addressed some 150 conventions 

and state and city meetings. More than 500.- 

000 printed brochures and letters endorsing 

outstanding films were mailed to motion 

picture chairmen of the organizations and to 

schools and libraries. 

Additional cooperation was furnished by the 

Film Estimate Board of National Organizations 

which twice a month issues reviews 

In 1955 FEBNO reviewed 242 features, of 

57 were 

of films to educational institutions and civic 

groups representing well over 3,000.000 readers. 

which 31 received the highest rating, 

classified as suitable for the entire family 

Meeting Is Set for May 15 

On Production Code 

NEW YORK—Initial steps toward revisions 

in the production code will be 

taken at a May 15 meeting to be attended 

by Eric Johnston, president of the Motion 

Picture Ass'n of America and chairman of 

the code committee; Abe Schneider of 

Columbia and Daniel I. O'Neil of RKO 

Radio Pictures, the other committee members. 

Kenneth Clark, MPAA vice-president, 

will attend as secretary. 

Tlie date was decided on at a one-halfhour 

exploratory meeting Tuesday f24i 

of the committee members after the regular 

quarterly meeting of the MPAA. Between 

now and May 15 they will formulate 

their individual opinions for discussion 

at the meeting. 

BOXOFFICE

I 

Johnston Re-elected 

MPAA President 

NEW YORK— Erie Johnston, piesideiit, 

and all incumbent officers of the Motion 

Picture Ass'n of America were re-elected 

at its first quarterly meeting Tuesday (24 1 

The other officers ar-e: Ralph Hetzel, 

Kenneth Clark. G. Griffith Johnson and 

Geoffrey Shurlock, vice-presidents: Sidney 

Schreiber. secretary: Stanley R. 

Weber, treasurer: Thomas J. McNamara, 

assistant treasurer, and James S. Howie, 

assistant 

secretary-treavsurer. 

All present directors were elected at the 

annual meeting of members of the association 

which preceded the board meeting. 

Missing from the board, however, were 

Arthur B. Krim. president, and Robert S. 

Benjamin, board chairman. United Artists, 

which resigned from MPAA. 

and 76 were classified as suitable for adults 

and young people. 

The Childi-ens Film Library is in the 

process of reorganization, the MPAA president 

noted. It is hoped that additional films 

will be provided from recent releases which 

have completed their general runs, as well as 

more prints of famous classics. 

Johnston noted a sharp reduction In the 

market for short subjects due to widespread 

use of double bill programs, and called it "an 

unfortunate situation." Production declined 

in ten years from the peak of 549 films to 334 

in 1955. Newsreels, however, presented 520 

issues plus ten special issues, and complete 

reels dealing with important news items as 

the Salk polio vaccine, the New England 

floods and football games were released. The 

five newsreels carried a total of 3,673 clips in 

1955 compared to 3,940 In 1954. They gave 

strong support to humanitarian and charitable 

drives. 

Teaching Film Custodians, another MPAA 

service, supplied schools with valuable educational 

films supplied by the MPAA. The 

Technical Services Department continued a 

clo.se association with the Society of Motion 

Picture and Television Engineers, the Motion 

Picture Research Council and the technical 

staffs of the member companies. It has just 

concluded a decade of safety effectiveness in 

which thei-e was no reported fire loss to release 

film inventories in current distribution. 

There has been an average annual fire 

loss of only $178 for the 29-year period since 

the program's inception, due in large part to 

constant exchange safety inspections. 

Johnston mentioned trends in television. 

"TV station income in the U. S. will continue 

to mount," he said. "No major expansion 

of commercial television broadcasting is 

expected in many foreign countries, and electronics 

manufacturing is well on its way to 

becoming a $10,000,000,000 industry. 

"The use of film TV programming has been 

rising constantly. During the 1955-56 season, 

the three TV networks will originate 1,474 

hours of film, compared to 1,294 hours of live 

programs. Local station programming relies 

even more heavily on film." 

He predicted that the number of TV stations 

in the U. S. will not go above 500 because 

an adequate TV signal now can be received 

by about 97 per cent of all American homes. 

Johnston also described the assistance given 

foreign producers and distributors in the U. S. 

by the Foreign Film Advisory Unit. 

An Old Pattern Is Reversed 

More Men Than Women 

Now Make Up Audiences 

RIDLEY PARK. PA Tlicrc ha.-, bci-n a 

steady drop in movie attendance by women 

since last November, and patronage at U. S. 

theatres today is 60 per cent male and 40 

per cent female—just the opposite of the 

normal male-female ratio of attendance. 

This unexpected statistic comes from 

Sindlinger & Co., research firm which has 

been conducting motion picture industry 

studies for a number of years. Female attendance 

during Holy Week and Easter Week 

this year reached the lowest point ever recorded 

since the company started conducting 

industry research in 1941. 

The company gave no explanation for the 

shift in the male-female ratio, but said that 

the attendance decline since last October 

is primarily due to the fall-off in female 

patronage. Men, however, have kept up their 

movie attendance, and little change was 

noted in male frequency. 

Business diu-ing the Easter season was 20.1 

per cent under the same period a year ago. 

The average weekly attendance for the threeweek 

period ending April 14. 1956 was 35.760.000 

compared to 44.750.000 in the 1955 Easter season. 

Sindlinger estimated theatres sold 29.567,- 

000 admissions to indoor houses and 6,193.000 

admissions at drive-ins. 

The analysis was broken down by days of 

the week to show which days were good 

moviegoing days and which were poor. Comparing 

this year's Easter season figures with 

last, the greatest variance was on Wednesday 

nights. A year ago, 10 per cent of the week's 

attendance was recorded Wednesday night. 

This year the figure dropped to 7.4 per cent 

Total Movie Admissions by Day of the Week 

of the total. The implication, Sindlinger 

points out, is that Wednesday night throughout 

most ot the country is now the night 

Hollywood "goes living room in a big way." 

and such programs as Disneyland, MGM 

Parade and the 20th Century-Fox Hour on 

alternate weeks are credited with keeping 

prospective moviegoers home. 

Sindlinger says his statistics show that 

many individuals, particularly former moviegoers, 

have been watching these programs 

for the past 26 weeks rather than go to the 

movies during midweek, as they formerly did. 

Weekends are still the big days for theatres, 

with 50 per cent of the week's admissioas 

concentrated on Saturdays and Sundays, Friday 

is a 14 per cent day, with the Mondays 

through Thursdays segment the low point. 

The motion picture is in a transition stage 

that is bringing about revolutionary changes. 

Al Sindlinger, head of the company, said. 

There is danger, he adds, that one of the 

industry's greatest assets, its optimism, may 

become a fatal weakness. 

"Optimism—which is an innate characteristic 

of showmen—has always played a large 

part in building this motion picture industry," 

he stated. "Indeed, since the principal values 

of our business—the appeal of personalities 

and the entertainment content of pictures, 

have always been a matter of opinion, our 

optimism has its basis in economics. It has 

paid to be optimistic," 

Today, he says, this is not enough. Knowledge 

of the swift changes in public entertainment 

tastes and habits also is necessary. 

He has explained his weekly national Audience 

Action Index coverage to 39 states where 

87.9 per cent of the population resides, and he 

now is planning to issue special gross index 

figures to apply to 1,705 key theatres. 

(.Average for the three weeks ending .Vpril 14. 1956 and similar period of last yean 

'-, Of 

Change 

Day of Week 

Last Year Easter Season This Year Easter Season From Last Yr. 

SuAday 13,275.000 29.7% 8.968,000 25.2% -32.5% 

Monday 4,028,000 9.0% 3,481,000 9.7%.. -13.6%.. 

Tuesday 4,027,000 9.0% 3,013,000 8.4%., -25.2%.. 

Wednesday 4,475,000 10.0% 2,654,000 7.4%. -40.7%.. 

Thursday 4,475,000 10.0% 3,342,000 9.3%. -25.3%.. 

Fiiday 5,370,000 12.0%> 5,162,000 14.4%. 

- 3.9%.. 

Saturday 9,100,000 20.3% 9,140,000 25.6% + •*% • 

TOTAL 44,750.000.. 100.0^ 35,760,( 10070%. -20.1%.. 

Day 

Movie Admissions by Type of Theatre and Day of Week 

(.Average for the three weeks ending .April 14, 19561

uUe SeâU 

Small Business Hearings 

To Draw Many Leaders 

iJu^tributors still silent on who will go along 

with Adolph Schimel for May 21 testimony, 

but it is reported both Allied and Theatre 

Owners of Amen be strongly represented. 

Outlook for Taxes Is Again 

Clouded by the President 

Tf'lLs |.)ii',^ cnrilevfnce he can see no logical 

reason loi- cui and doesn'r, thinli it would be 

in the pubhi; juiciest at present; Treasury 

Secretary Humplney also holds this viewpoint. 

* 

MPAA Votes $40,000 Fund 

To Help Finance COMPO 

Previously had allocated $50,000; COMPO 

anticipates $100,000 from exhibitor sources 

by June 30, the end of its fiscal year, which 

would mean another distributor contribution 

of $10,000. 

* 

No Al Lichtman Successor 

On COMPO Board As Yet 

MPAA says it will first decide if it will go 

along with COMPO for another year, and 

that the decision for distributor representative 

will be reached at an early meeting. 

• 

Toll TV Ruling May Come 

Soon, Says Arthur Levey 

Skiatron president also predicts there will 

be no monopoly and that Skiatron, Telemeter 

and Zenith systen^s will work without 

danger of interference or crackhig of codes. 

* 

20th-Fox Cut of 100,000 

Shares Up for Approval 

Proposal to be presented at annual meeting 

of stockholders May 15; restoration of cumulative 

voting for directors to be proposed by 

Lewis D. and John J. Gilbert, but management 

opposes proposal. 

• 

Foreign Licensing Formula 

Now Officially Operative 

i-;iir .iolin:-,tnii, MPEA president, says niasliT 

plan liir iIivlskhi of import permits will be 

lir.it applied to Japan, France. Italy, Bel- 

!-',ium, 

Spain, Indonesia, Formosa and Bolivia, 

-jiily countries imposing government re- 

.-trictions. 

• 

Bell & Howell Develops 

Automatic Movie Camera 

Loew^'s Planning Theatrr 

In V/es? Gcrnian Cities 

four-wall 

ip.ars coma 

40,000 CScope Screens 

By End of the Year 

NEW YORK—By the end of the year Cinemascope 

installations will total 40,000, a substantial 

satm-ation of the world mai-ket, 

Spyros P. Skouras reported to 20th Century- 

Fox stockholders in his message to stockholders 

accompanying the annual report this 

week. 

At present there ai-e 35,000 installations, of 

which 17,000 are in the United States and 

Canada out of a total of 23,500 theatres in the 

two countries. Abroad there are 18,000 installations, 

and Skouras estimates that 17,500 

are required to achieve the fullest distribution 

possible abroad. Many of the theatres 

not yet equipped operate on a part-time basis, 

he added, 

•CAROUSEL' IN 35MM 

"Carousel," fhst production to use the 55mm. 

Cinemascope process, now is being distributed 

in 35mm in this country. It opened in London 

April 17 and will open at Sydney, Australia, 

about May 31, followed by openings in Europe, 

Asia and the free world generally. These 

openings will popularize Cinemascope as the 

•world standai-d of motion picture entertainment 

in this country and abroad," Skouras 

predicts. 

Two more Cinemascope 55 productions, 

Cole Porter's "Can-Can," and "Boy on a 

ai-e Dolphin," plamied for 1957. The former, 

to be photographed in Paris, will be released 

during the Christmas and New Year holiday 

.season. 

Skom-as also discussed 20th-Fox TV production. 

Four or five subjects will be added 

to the "My Friend Fllcka" series and the 

20th Centui-y-Fox Horn- on CBS. Skouras 

says this work will expand the company's income 

and help in exploiting theatre product. 

A total of $1,026,000 has been spent on conversion 

of the Western avenue lot in Hollywood. 

The entire program, with equipment, 

will be increased by $4,525,000 after deducting 

depreciation for the year of $1,702,000. 

There can be no indication at present on 

whether the company will sell its backlog of 

product to television, Skouras stated, or 

whether it will distribute the library to television 

stations or spin-off these assets. This 

will depend on the cash requii'ements of the 

company for healthy expansion, Skouras reported. 

The inventory is valued at $48,120,218. 

BIG OIL PRODUCTION 

He also touched on oil production and said 

the company now is producing 4,700,000 cubic 

feet of gas and 3,000 barrels of oil per day. 

The production is valued in excess of $8,500 a 

day. or more than a quarter of a million 

riollai-s per month. 

The products ai-e being distributed through 

two pipe luies to the Union Oil Co. and the 

Pacific Lightmg Gas Co. Well No. 8 now is 

being completed and No. 9 now is being drilled 

at 8,680 feet. About $810,920 has been advanced 

against total drilling and production 

costs of $3,512,397. Wells also may be drilled 

on adjoining property. 

Skouras also reported the company expects 

to be able to take over operation of the 140 

theatres of African Tlieatres, Ltd., in June. 

The closing of the deal is contingent on ac- 

Foreign Rentals Almost 

Equal 

Domestic Total 

New York—Foreign film rentals of 2(Hh 

Century-Fox in 1955 were almost equal to 

the domestic gross, indicating the rising 

importance of the overseas market to the 

company. Rentals reached $53,221,020, 

just $3,124,811 under the domestic gross 

for the year. Domestic rentals dropped 

$8,662,580 in 1955 whereas foreign rentals 

were boosted by $11,884,363. 

In the over-all picture, consolidated 

earnings for the company for the 53 

weeks ending Dec. 31, 1955 were $6,025,- 

039 compared to $8,044,524 for the previous 

year. Earnings were at the rate of 

$2.28 a share, down from the $3.04 per 

share netted in 1954. 

Spyros Skouras, president, in his report 

to stockholders also revealed that dollar 

remittances from abroad, excluding 

Canada, totaled $26,902,000, and that 

expenditures abroad for film productions, 

theatre acquisitions, taxes and the like 

were equivalent to an additional $4,166,000. 

ceptance by 100 per cent of the stockholders, 

but no hitch is expected. 

Ai-rangements for closing the deal are Hearing 

the finish. The company plans to build 

several drive-ins to add to the holdings, as 

the climate in South Africa is ideal for them. 

Blumenstock Resigns 

WBAd-PublicilyPost 

NEW YORK— Mort Blumenstock, vicepresident 

in charge of advertising, publicity 

and exploitation for 

Warner Bros., a post 

he has held since 1945, 

; ^ " ^^^^ 

^^^H 

«_ _i 

from the 

resigned 

company this week, 

with the resignation to 

4. 

take effect May 

The resignation 

terminates a 25-year 

association with the 

company. He said; 

"As my wife's health 

requires us to return to 

Mort Blumenstock California as soon as 

possible, I have asked 

for release from my contract, and Warner 

Bros, graciously consented.'' have Blumenstock 

recently returned to New York after 

having directed the company's advertising 

and promotional program from coast headquarters 

for several years. 

Blumenstock, who is a native of New York 

City, entered the film industry as a writer 

and film editor for First National Pictures 

shortly after attending Columbia University. 

He was in charge of Warner Bros, advertising 

and publicity in the east for 15 years 

before becoming head of the department. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

: April 28, 1956

IF 

ALERTING 

ALL 

SHOWM 

PARAMOUNT has a 

heap of boxoffice 

ingredients will reap a 

to place it 

top grossers. Hold plenty 

of time for it— start your 

planning now. Its profit is 

sure . . . and the bigger the 

planning, the bigger 

the profit 

/ 

HERE 

I 

1 

TURN 

picture that ranks with the biggest! Its 

boxoffice pay-off that's certain 

among I956's

IF YOU UKE BIG GROSSES, YOU'LL LIKE WHAT THIS ONE'S GOT-TO GET THEM! 

^^BBSBBHI

Arthur Interests Slice 

Prices at 3 Theatres 

ST. LOUIS—Admission prices at three 

neighborhood theatres this week were 

shced from 51 cents to 40 cents by the 

Fanchon & Marco-St. Louis Amusement 

Co. circuit, in line with the recently pronounced 

policy of Harry C. Arthur Jr. 

to place theatre prices on a mass attendance 

basis and within the budget requirement's 

of the family of average means. 

The new price schedule went into effect 

at the Avalon, Shenandoah and Tower 

theatres. The admission price is in effect 

all day, and children under 12 when accompanied 

by parents or guardian will 

be admitted free. 

Meanwhile, one drlve-ln theatre, the 

Skyline, operated by Ray Parker and 

associates, abandoned Buck Nite—$1 a 

carload with no limit on the number of 

occupants. This policy, on an everyday 

basis, was introduced by the Arthur interests 

this season, and was followed by 

most of the other drive-ins in the vicinity. 

Five outdoor theatres now operate on 

this basis, and there has been no indication 

that they will abandon It. 

Loew's Quarter Net 

Set at $1,641,682 

NEW YORK—Loew's, Inc., and subsidiaries, 

including theatre units, had a consolidated 

net profit after taxes of $1,641,682 for the 16- 

week period ended March 15. This was at the 

rate of 31 cents per share. Last year in the 

corresponding period the net was $1,753,102, 

equivalent to 34 cents per share. 

Gross sales and operating revenues for the 

period ending March 15 were $52,837,000, compared 

with $52,613,000 for the same period the 

previous year. 

Net profit for the 28 weeks ending March 15 

was $1,889,843, equivalent to 36 cents per 

share, compared with $3,274,451, or 64 cent,s 

per share, in the same period the previou.'^ 

year. 

Gross sales and operating revenues for this 

period were $87,439,000, compared with $92.- 

399.000 tor the same period the previous year. 

Arthur M. Loew, president, said the second 

quarter results were an improvement in earnings 

over the first quarter of 1955. 

In a letter to stockholders Loew said that 

shares of the company had recently been purchased 

in accord with stock option agreements 

approved by the stockholders as follows: 

Arthur M. Loew, 33,000 shares: Charles C. 

Moskowitz, 15,000 shares: Dore Schary, 50,000; 

Louis K. Sidney, 18,332; Benjamin Thau, 

22,000, and Joseph R. Vogel, 22,500. 

Gael Sullivan Appointed 

To Magna P. R. Division 

NEW YORK—Gael Sullivan has returned 

to the industry as a member of the public 

relations department of Magna Theatre 

Corp. He was executive director of Theatre 

Owners of America from 1948 to 1952. He 

conducted the campaign of Sen. Estes Kefauver 

for the presidency in 1952. Recently 

he has been associated with Funk & WagnalLs, 

publishing firm. 

Big Neglect of Comedies, 

Says Norman Krasna 

NEW YORK—"Comedy, the most neglected 

of all fields in motion picture production 

today, is the biggest challenge to a producer," 

according to Norman Krasna, producer-director 

of "The Amba.ssador'.s Daughter," 

which United Artists will relea.se this summer. 

The picture is the only romantic comedy on 

UA's forthcoming release list because, to an 

independent producer, "comedy Ls a lonely 

assignment and must be planned by one individual," 

Krasna said. 

Krasna feels that while a drama may 

thrill all types of audiences, what is funny 

to one per.son may not amuse another. The 

day of the great film comedians, Chaplin, 

Lloyd and Keaton, is gone and, even on TV 

today, "being funny is a tremendous task," 

he said. 

"The Ambassador's Daughter," which was 

filmed in its entirety in France, using Cinemascope 

and Technicolor and with a complete 

crew of French technicians, cost approximately 

$1,250,000 and would have cost 

more than double that amount if filmed in 

Hollywood. The filming received wonderful 

cooperation from the French technicians because 

Krasna actually used them to do their 

own work instead of letting them "stand by" 

NOH.M.W KR.ASNA 

for American technicians, as so many American 

companies do when filming in Fi'ance. 

A few scenes of "The Amba.ssador's Daughter" 

had to be amended slightly to conform 

to the U. S. production code. A few lines 

and scenes which will be perfectly acceptable 

to French audiences would not be permitted 

here, but, despite this, Krasna is violently 

against abolishing the code, although he says 

it is out-dated. However, he feels it is nowbeing 

modernized and amended. "The pressure 

for a production code was enormous 

years ago and, if it were abolished today, individual 

religious groups would be formed 

in all cities and towns and would demand individual 

censoring of films." 

Commenting on Otto Preminger's "The 

Man With the Golden Arm," also a UA release, 

which was denied a code seal, Krasna 

says that independent producers are often 

forced to look for sensational subject matter 

that will replace a star name to get the attention 

of newspapers and audiences. A 

picture starring Clark Gable or Grace Kelly 

"doesn't need a .sensational subject," 

Krasna, who will publicize and promote his 

picture through its release date In August, 

has no immediate plans for his next production, 

which will probably be "Kind Sir," 

film version of his Broadway stage success 

of two seasons ago, which starred Mary Martin 

and Charles Boyer. He may start this 

late in 1956 after he signs two star names. 

"Like the current Broadway stage, the film 

business is becoming an industry where you 

either have a smash hit or a fast flop, there 

are very few In-between films which make 

a modest profit, as there were in the war 

years." 

The American cast of "The Ambassador's 

Daughter" is headed by Olivia de Havilland, 

Myrna Loy, John Porsythe, Edward Arnold, 

Adolphe Menjou and Tommy Noonan. 

Many of Nation's Clocks 

Get Moved Ahead Sunday 

NEW YORK—Daylight saving time will 

become effective at 2 a.m. Sunday (29i. 

forcing operating changes in the motion 

picture industry, radio and television programming, 

the transportation services and 

many other businesses. 

It will go into operation in Maine, New 

Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, 

Rhode Island, New York, New 

Jersey, 

Pennsylvania, Maryland, the District 

of Columbia, Delaware, Indiana, Illinois, 

Nevada and California. Most of them will 

continue daylight time until the last Saturday 

in October. Nevada and the District of 

Columbia will .switch back to standard time 

at the end of September. 

Some Indiana cities switched April 2. 

Others like Elkhart observe daylight saving 

time the entire year. Still others will switch 

Sunday when Chicago does. Other cities to 

follow suit will include Cleveland, Akron and 

Youngstown, Ohio; Louisville, Ky.; St. Louis, 

Mo.; Los Alamos, N. M.; Anaconda and Butte, 

Mont., and Richland, Wash. Most large 

Canadian cities will do likewise. 

Act on Arbitration, 

Says Allied of N. J. 

NEW YORK Tlir ciily in(< lir'ri;' way 

to handle the liisiiiiir sm r i!i oi-lî! • ii ion 

system is tor both .-.ulo.-. l^> li : 

:' 'her 

and talk it over. Tiiat wa.> tlie coli.^tlL'ûs 

of members of New Jersey Allied at a 

meeting Tuesday i24i which devoted 

much time to arbitration. 

There was general agreement that arbitration 

must be all-inclusive and that it 

must be a two-way street, affording equal 

rights to distribution. Some exhibitors 

have argued it should be a one-way street. 

A meeting of exhibition with distribution 

as represented by the major company 

presidents was urged. 

BOXOFFICE 

April

Film Councils in Stand 

Against Censorship 

Officers of the Federatimi ol Motion Picture Councils, Inc., with two of the guest 

speakers at the recently held annual convention at the Jefferson Hotel in St. Louis, 

are shown here. Left to right, standing: .Arthur DeBra, New York, director Community 

Relations Department of MP.\A; Mrs. W. Lashley Nelson jr., Philadelphia, recording 

secretary; Mrs. Arretus F. Burt, St. Louis, first vice-president; Geoffrey M. Shurlock, 

Hollywood, MPAA vice-president and director of the Production Code administration. 

Seated: Mrs. Edward K, Hass, Springfield, Mass., second vice-president; Mrs. Max 

Williams, Detroit, president; Mrs. Philip A. Ley, Youngstown, Ohio, treasurer. 

ST. LOUTS—The Federation of Film Councils, 

which represents 47 film groups and 

more than 2,000,000 members of women's organizations, 

took a solid stand against political 

censorship of motion pictures at the Federation's 

second annual convention here April 

19, 20. 

Instead, the organization expressed its intent 

of "encouraging, supporting and cooperating 

with the Motion Picture Ass'n of America 

in a program of voluntary self-regulation." 

Representing 47 film councils, in various 

section.s of the country, the Federation declared 

it intends to pursue a program of 

boosting the good pictures, rather than condemning 

those with which it may find 

fault. To accomplish this aim, the organization 

plans to: (1) Work closely with exhibitors 

on the local level in promoting good 

pictures; (2) set up telephone chain committees 

.so that every member of a council can 

be alerted within a 48-hour period when top 

product appears at a local theatre; (3) organize 

junior film councils wherever a community 

film council exi.sts; (4) discii.ss every current 

picture, so that information on the better 

films can be passed on to the community at 

large. 

Local councils were urged by Mrs. Max Williams, 

national president, to adopt the "Have 

you seen? Have you heard?" techniques in 

creating word-of-mouth promotions for worthwhile 

films. 

"To develop a taste for motion pictures, 

development must be by tasting," Mrs. Williams 

told the delegates. "People must be 

encouraged to attend motion picture theatres 

regularly to develop the proper taste for good 

pictures. Councils should discuss every current 

picture and pass the information along 

to the rest of the community. Movies are, Indeed, 

better than ever, and they need us." 

The action of the Federation against film 

censorship by legislative action followed a 

lengthy discussion of the whole subject of 

prior censorship, including an address by 

Geoffrey Shurlock, head of the Production 

Code Administration. The resolution expressed 

confidence in the ability of the board 

of directors of the MPAA "to determine if and 

when changes in the production and advertising 

codes are desirable to meet changes in 

public tastes in the concept of right living." 

Shurlock told the convention that only a 

half-dozen areas of subject matter are totally 

forbidden by the Code, purely on the grounds 

of expediency and "this phase of the Code 

Western Still a Favorite 

With Foreign Film 

Fans 

St. Louis—Production of the bread-andbutter 

westerns may have died out in 

Hollywood studios, but the cowboy and 

Indian movie is still a big favorite 

outside the confines of the United 

States, according to Mrs. Ma.x Williams, 

president of the Federation of 

Film Councils, which met here last week. 

Reporting on her recent travels to 

Caribbean countries and Europe, she said 

that wherever she went, residents expressed 

a desire to see more of our west- 

"When I asked 'Why?' the universal 

reply was that they like our wide open 

spaces, the cowboys and Indians since 

they have none in their own countries. 

Tliey are condensed geographically and in 

area, and the hills and vast landscapes 

of our western movies have a special 

appeal," Mrs. Williams said. 

can be amended at any time the organized 

industry so chooses." 

"What cannot be amended, however," he 

declared, "is the basic approach of the Code 

that all subject matter must be treated 

morally, first and foremost; and secondarily, 

within the confines of decency and reasonable 

good taste." 

BASED ON SOUP^fD MORALS 

The motion picture screen should never be 

used to try to make what is basically wrong 

and the Code is 

appear to be right, he said, 

based on sound morals, common to all peoples 

and all rehgions. 

"To put it simply, the Code assumes that 

all 

the tenets of the Ten Commandments are 

as applicable in the field of imagination as 

they are in real life." he said. "Morality means 

money in the bank, to put it in terms of its 

lowest denominator." he declared. 

The proof of this is that in a country like 

France, only 30 per cent of that coimtry's 

films were rated for family entertainment 

last year in comparison with 70 per cent of 

the American imports. 

"The movies have often been accused of 

naivete, in hammering home so persistently 

that virtue gets Its due reward, and showing 

that morality pays dividends, sometimes in 

cash. But the industry has proof of it, not 

only here at home, but abroad." 

Shurlock also discussed the Kefauver report 

on juvenile delinquency and the movies. 

"It would not be candid of me to pass over 

in silence the charges of excessive emphasis 

on violence and brutality on the screen in 

recent years," Shurlock commented. "We otorselves 

were aware of this even before the 

Committee got to work." 

Actually, he pointed out, the Industry had 

discussed the problem in November 1954, some 

months before the Senate study got under 

way. The results are Just beginning to show, 

he added. 

"We must, however, distinguish between 

violence and brutality. Violence is a valid 

element of drama. Brutality, on the other 

hand, is an over-emphasis on Individual personalized 

scenes, showing details in.serted for 

their shock value, which are not valid 

to the 

basic theme of the story. 

"Producers have learned their lesson, and 

slowly this over-emphasis on brutality is being 

dispensed with." 

Nevertheless, the convention adopted a 

resolution asking for less violence and brutality 

in films. 

LIST OF SPEAKERS 

Other Industry figures who spoke at the 

two-day convention were Arthur DeBra and 

Ralph D. Hetzel Jr. of the Motion Picture 

Ass'n: Arthur L. Mayer and Maxwell Hamilton, 

who are engaged In special handling of 

DeMille's "The Ten Commandments," and 

Velma West Sykes, member of BOXOFFICE 

staff and chairman of the National Screen 

Council which picks the monthly winners of 

the BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award. 

DeBra discussed new screen techniques and 

Hetzel spoke of the growing foreign market 

for U. S. films. In addition to participating 

in several panel discussions on film evaluaton. 

Mrs. Sykes spoke on the Natonal Screen 

Council and its role in "accentuating the positive" 

in motion pictures—stimulating attendance 

for good films—rather than condemning 

pictures which are not acceptable in part for 

one reason or another. She urged the Federation 

to organize film councils In towns of 

less than 10,000, where wide dissemination 

of information on motion pictures is needed. 

BOXOFFICE :: April 28, 1956

: 

April 

Arthur Interests Slice 

Prices at 3 Theatres 

ST. LOUIS—Admission prices at three 

neighborhood theatres this week were 

sliced from 51 cents to 40 cents by the 

Fanchon & Marco-St. Louis Amusement 

Co. circuit, in line with the recently pronounced 

policy of Harry C. Arthur Jr. 

to place theatre prices on a mass attendance 

basis and within the budget requirements 

of the family of average means. 

Tlie new price schedule went into effect 

at the Avalon, Shenandoah and Tower 

theatres. The admission price is in effect 

all day, and children under 12 when accompanied 

by parents or guardian will 

be admitted free. 

Meanwhile, one drive-in theatre, the 

Skyline, operated by Ray Parker and 

associates, abandoned Buck Nite—$1 a 

carload with no limit on the number of 

occupants. This policy, on an everyday 

basis, was introduced by the Arthur Interests 

this .season, and was followed by 

most of the other drive-ins in the vicinity. 

Five outdoor theatres now operate on 

this basis, and there has been no indication 

that they will abandon it. 

Loew's Quarter Net 

Set at $1641,682 

NEW YORK—Loew's, Inc., and subsidiaries. 

including theatre units, had a consolidated 

net profit after taxes of $1,641,682 for the 16- 

week period ended March 15. This was at the 

rate of 31 cents per share. Last year in the 

corresponding period the net was $1,753,102. 

equivalent to 34 cents per share. 

Gross sales and operating revenues for the 

period ending March 15 were $52,837,000, compared 

with $52,613,000 for the same period the 

previous year. 

Net profit for the 28 weeks ending March 15 

was $1,889,843, equivalent to 36 cents per 

share, compared with $3,274,451. or 64 cent-'^ 

per share, in the same period the previous 

year. 

Gross sales and operating revenues for this 

period were $87,439,000, compared with $92,- 

399.000 for the same period the previous year. 

Arthiu- M. Loew. president, said the second 

quarter results were an improvement in earnings 

over the first quarter of 1955. 

In a letter to stockholders Loew said that 

shares of the company had recently been purchased 

in accord with stock option agreements 

approved by the stockholders as follows: 

Arthur M. Loew, 33.000 shares: Charles C. 

Moskowitz, 15,000 shares; Dore Schary, 50,000: 

Louis K. Sidney, 18,332; Benjamin Thau, 

22,000, and Joseph R. Vogel, 22,500. 

Gael Sullivan Appointed 

To Magna P. R. Division 

NEW YORK—Gael Sullivan has returned 

to the industry as a member of the public 

relations department of Magna Theatre 

Corp. He was executive director of Theatre 

Owners of America from 1948 to 1952. He 

conducted the campaign of Sen. Estes Kefauver 

for the presidency in 1952. Recently 

he has been associated with Funk & WagnalLs, 

publishing firm. 

Big Neglect of Comedies, 

Says Norman Krasna 

NEW YORK—"Comedy, the most neglected 

of all fields in motion picture production 

today, is the biggest challenge to a producer," 

according to Norman Krasna. producer-director 

of "Tile Ambassador's Daughter," 

which United Artists will release this summer. 

The picture is the only romantic comedy on 

UA's forthcoming release list because, to an 

independent producer, "comedy is a lonely 

assignment and must be planned by one individual," 

Krasna said. 

Krasna feels that while a drama may 

thrill all types of audiences, what is funny 

to one person may not amuse another. The 

day of the great film comedians, Chaplin, 

Lloyd and Keaton, is gone and. even on TV 

today, "being funny Is a tremendous task," 

he said. 

"The Ambassador's Daughter," which was 

filmed in its entirety in France, using Cinemascope 

and Technicolor and with a complete 

crew of French technicians, cost approximately 

$1,250,000 and would have cost 

more than double that amount if filmed in 

Hollywood. The filming received wonderful 

cooperation from the French technicians because 

Krasna actually used them to do their 

own work instead of letting them "stand by" 

MAN KHASN.A 

for American teclinicians, as so many American 

companies do when filming in FYance. 

A few scenes of "The Aniba.ssador's Daughter" 

had to be amended slightly to conform 

to the U. S. production code. A few lines 

and .scenes which will be perfectly acceptable 

to French audiences would not be permitted 

here, but, despite this, Krasna is violently 

against abolishing the code, although he says 

it is it is out-dated. However, he feels now 

being modernized and amended. "The pressure 

for a production code was enormous 

years ago and, if it were abolished today, individual 

religious groups would be formed 

in all cities and towns and would demand individual 

censoring of films." 

Commenting on Otto Preminger's "Tlie 

Man With the Golden Arm," also a UA release, 

which was denied a code seal, Krasna 

says that independent producers are often 

forced to look for sensational subject matter 

that will replace a star name to get the attention 

of newspapers and audiences. A 

picture starring Clark Gable or Grace Kelly 

"doesn't need a .sensational subject." 

Krasna. who will publicize and promote his 

picture through its release date In August, 

has no immediate plans for his next production, 

which win probably be "Kind Sir." 

film version of hLs Broadway stage success 

of two seasons ago. which starred Mary Martin 

and Charles Boyer. He may start this 

late in 1956 after he signs two star names. 

"Like the current Broadway stage, the film 

business is becoming an industry where you 

either have a smash hit or a fast flop, there 

are very few In-between films which make 

a modest profit, as there were in the war 

years." 

The American cast of 'TTie Ambassador's 

Daughter" is headed by Olivia de Havilland. 

Myrna Loy, John Forsythe, Edward Arnold, 

Adolphe Menjou and Tommy Noonan. 

Many of Nation's Clocks 

Get Moved Ahead Sunday 

NEW YORK—Daylight saving time will 

become effective at 2 a.m. Sunday (29i. 

forcing operating changes in the motion 

picture industry, radio and television programming, 

the transportation services and 

many other businesses. 

It will go into operation in Maine, New 

Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts. Connecticut, 

Rhode Island, New York, New 

Jersey, Pennsylvania. Maryland, the District 

of Columbia, Delaware, Indiana. Illinois. 

Nevada and California. Most of them will 

continue daylight time until the last Saturday 

in October. Nevada and the District of 

Columbia will switch back to standard time 

at the end of September. 

Some Indiana cities switched April 2. 

Others like Elkhart observe daylight saving 

time the entire year. Still others will switch 

Sunday when Chicago does. Other cities to 

follow suit will include Cleveland, Akron and 

Youngstown, Ohio; Louisville. Ky.; St. Louis. 

Mo.; Los Alamos. N. M.; Anaconda and Butte. 

Mont., and Richland. Wash. Most large 

Canadian cities will do likewise. 

Act on Arbitration, 

Says Allied of N. J. 

NEW YORK Tlir only intelligent way 

to handle the (iisputr m-er an arbitration 

system is for both .-.uics to get together 

and talk it over. Tnat was the consensus 

of members of New Jersey Allied at a 

meeting Tue.sday (24> which devoted 

much time to arbitration. 

There was general agreement that arbitration 

must be all-inclusive and that it 

must be a two-way street, affording equal 

rights to distribution. Some exhibitors 

have argued it should be a one-way street. 

A meeting of exhibition with distribution 

as represented by the major company 

presidents was urged. 

BOXOFFICE : 

28, 1956

: AprO 

^€t4jîH^lto*t 

TN this day when motion picture exhibitors 

are keeping wet fingers in the air, trying 

to find a trend running in any direction, it's 

a good thing to keep in mind a factor that 

Rep. Sidney R. Yates (D.-Ill.) has underscored 

in a statement issued here. 

"The fastest growing population group in 

oui- country consists of the men and women, 

age 65 and over," he pointed out. "Today, 

there are 13.5 million of them. With 1,000 

more joining theii- ranks daily, their number 

is expected to increase to 20 million by 1975." 

Actually, as Rep. Yates (one of the more 

alert and thoughtful legislators, incidentally) 

would agi-ee, there are many other millions 

who would be counted as "elderly"—60 or over. 

The total 60 and over is close to 17.5 million, a 

.iizable 

figure. 

It is amazing to many surveyors to learn 

that these millions of elderly people, many of 

them on pensions or living off annuities or 

trust funds, are considered so slightly in 

many mai-keting circles. Even if they attended 

the movies only one time a month— 

or once a year—they would add appreciably 

to the boxoffice receipts. 

Once upon a time, when an elderly person 

who had never seen a motion picture would 

go to a theatre, there would be newspaper 

stories about "the first time." Why not some 

.•itories on the first time a lot of these 

elderly people see Cinerama, or VistaVision, 

or other motion pictures with real impact? 

It would be wrong to imply that a lot of 

the elderly are weU-heeled and can go to the 

theatre when they wish. The opposite is true. 

Many of them get pensions of less than $1,000 

a year, which leaves them little "extra" money. 

But some millions of them can afford to go 

to the theatre. Remember them, and remember 

that they ai-e increasing at the rate 

of 1,000 a day. 

-0-0-0- 

fl T the same time, the U. S. Bureau of the 

Census here has pointed out that about 

.seven million more persons, 5 to 29 years old, 

are enrolled in schools and colleges now than 

were enrolled five years ago. There are about 

37.2 million persons 5 to 29 years old, a 23 

Ijer cent gain over the 30.2 million enrolled 

five yeai-s ago. 

Kindergarten enrollment increased very 

rapidly (by 82 per cent) between 1950 and 

1955. Elementary school enrollment went up 

24 per cent, and high school enrollment 19 

IJer cent. 

These percentages, however, do not show 

which grade levels have had the greatest numerical 

gains. In 1955, kindergartens accommodated 

700,000 more children than in 1950, 

whercius elementary school facilities had expanded 

to take care of 4.9 million more 

pupils, and the high schools, 1.2 million more. 

College enrollment declined during the 

early 

years of this decade, but by 1955 it had increased 

to a level above that of 1950. 

These figures could indicate that the best 

years are yet to be for motion picture theatres, 

for there will be a new crop of youngt.ers 

in a few years to occupy the balcony 

cats and to thrill to the great pictures ahead, 

i'lieres no deai-th of a market a-building, if 

the producers and exhibitors can get 'em to 

come in. 

êficnt 

By LARSTON D. FARRAR 

•THE forecast by the staff of the Congressional 

Joint Committee on the Economic 

Report seemed to offer some hope that if 

Congress passed an admissions tax reduction 

or elimination bill, it would meet with White 

House approval, but President Dwight D. 

Eisenhower made it clear that he doesn't think 

that any tax reduction would be wise during 

this session. 

However, he still might approve a tax reduction 

measure for motion picture theatres, 

if Congress were to pass it. 

The subcommittee headed by Rep. Aime 

Forand (D.-R. I.) of the House Committee on 

Ways and Means has proposed that the "continuing 

problems besetting the theatre industi-y" 

be weighed when the excise tax law 

is rewritten this year. 

"The Ways and Means Conmiittee, in view 

of the continuing problems besetting the theatre 

industry arising primarily from competition 

from the television industry, may also 

wish to consider further relief in the admissions 

tax field," the subcommittee stated in 

its report. 

The group already had mentioned the necessity 

of revising the cabaret excise tax by cutting 

the levy from 20 to 10 p>er cent. Similar 

relief was mentioned, but not specifically 

recommended, for night clubs and admissions 

to horse and dog racetracks. In substance, the 

subconunittee came out for downward revision 

of selected excise taxes, despite the 

White House appeal to hold the line. 

The Ways and Means Committee promised 

to consider the subcommittee's report "as 

soon as possible." The subcommittee was 

barred by the fuU committee from making 

firm recommendations on changes in tax rates 

and was empowered only to recommend technical 

changes. 

-0-0-0- 

THE Small Business Administi-ation, headquartered 

here, is boasting about the 

"prosperity" among small businessmen, but 

the Democrats dispute the claim, pointing to 

record-breaking bankruptcy rates reflected in 

Dun & Bradstreet reports. Oddly enough, the 

SBA is reporting, while talking of the "prosperity," 

a record number of loan applications, 

and of loans granted, which makes you wonder, 

for no loan can be approved by SBA until 

at least two bankers have turned down the 

prospect. 

At any rate, SBA is ladling out advice to 

businessmen, too, and some of it could be 

most helpful. 

"Why Small Business Owners Need Sound 

Wills," No. 7 in SBA's Marketers' Aids series, 

has been released here. It points out that a 

sound will may avoid forced liquidation of a 

small company, may help obviate many management 

problems and thus help to perpetuate 

the business. The leaflet is free, from any 

SBA field office. 

-0-0-0- 

gUSINESS Briefs; The proposed merger of 

RKO Pictures Corp. and foior other companies 

into Atlas Coi-p. has been approved by 

the Securities and Exchange Commission and 

now will go to the stockholders of the companies 

for their approval. Besides RKO Pictures, 

Atlas plans to merge Wasatch Corp., 

Airfleets, Inc., Albuquerque Associated Oil Co. 

and the San Diego Corp. 

Senate Asked to Act 

On Subscription TV 

WASHINGTON—An appeal for help in 

getting action for formulation of a program 

for pay-as-you-see television has been made 

to the Senate Interstate and Foreign Commerce 

Committee by James M. Landis, former 

SEC chairman and now special counsel for 

the Skiatron Electronics & Television Corp. 

Immediate authorization was asked by 

Paul Raibomn, board chairman of International 

Telemeter Corp. and vice-president of 

Paramount, which has an 80 per cent interest 

in Telemeter. He estimated a $2 top for 

its programs and cost of between $30 and 

a 

$50 for its decoder and coin box. He said the 

programs would be aimed at specialized and 

not mass audiences. 

Testifying before the committee, Landis 

said that as long as the decision on subscription 

television remains pending before 

the Federal Communications Commission the 

economic plight of many UHF and VHF 

stations will become more serious. Landis 

presented a brief in which he contended that 

the Federal Communications Commission has 

full authority to make a decision on petitions. 

Morris Lefko Joins Para. 

For 2 Special Pictures 

NEW YORK—Morris Lefko, Detroit district 

manager for RKO, will resign May 1 to take 

over the post of special representative for 

The Ten Commandments" 

and "War and 

Peace" for Paramount 

Pictm-es, working directly 

under Charles 

Boasberg. 

Lefko will operate 

out of the New York 

home office of Paramount. 

"War and 

Peace" has been booked 

for the New York 

Capitol Theatre in late 

summer and "The Ten 

Morris Lefko 

Commandments" has 

been set to open at the New York Criterion in 

late November. 

Edward Arnold, Veteran 

Star. Dies Suddenly 

HOLLYWOOD—Edward Arnold, veteran 

film star who appeared in his first motion 

pictiu-e in 1915 at the Essanay studios, died 

Thursday (26) of a cerebral hemorrhage. He 

was 66 years old. He recently returned from 

France where he had made "The Ambassador's 

Daughter" with Olivia de Havilland. 

Among the talking pictures era films in 

which Arnold appeared are: "Rasputin," 

"Diamond Jim Brady," "Idiot's Delight," 

"Dear Ruth," "The Hucksters," "John Loves 

Mary," "Command Decision," "Tlie Yellow 

Cab Man," "Annie Get Your Gun" and "Dear 

Wife." He was a stage star before 1915. 

He helped organize the USO in World War 

II, helped organize various bond drives, was 

a co-founder of "I Am an American" Foundation 

and helped bring about establishment 

of "I Am an American Day." He also had 

served as executive vice-president of the industry's 

permanent charities committee. Last 

week the Edward Arnold chapter of the San 

Fernando Youth Foundation was dedicated 

at Encino, Calif. 

BOXOFFICE : 

28, 1956

produced 

I 

henry 

HATHAWAY 

ONLY HE KNEW 

/j:r in / I 

WHAT WAS GOING 

TO HAPPEN.... 

His only clues ... r^/-,ii 

mwi mmmmmmmmmi/M 

a scent of perfume... 

a cry in the dark! 

His only weapon... 

lêstoBaiKeicSlireet 

COLOR by DE LUXE 

r\^ r\\\ rÂr^l/rr^ 

> 

by 

CECIL PARKER henry \ 

Based on a Novel by PHILIP MacDONALD EPHRON i 

Directed by 

Screenplay by 

NIGEL 

BALCHIN 

i

C V. 

Whitney Outlines 

Film Production Plans 

NEW YORK—C. V. Whitney, the distinguished 

industrialist and public servant, who 

has plunged headlong into motion picture 

production with the formation of C. V. 

Whitney Pictures, Inc., intends to provide 

the moviegoing public with a steady supply 

of topgrade, high-budget films. 

PLANS THREE TYPES OF FILMS 

He supplied some of the reasons why he 

decided to step into the motion picture field 

at a luncheon he gave for the tradepress 

Friday (20) at the Stork Club. He also discussed 

the plans which already have been 

drawn for upcoming product, and his general 

ideas about the making of motion pictures. 

His purpo.se. he said, is 

to make three types 

of pictures: (1) The American Series; (2) 

Nature Dramas, and (3) Films of Fantasy. 

Whitney's initial production, "The Searchers," 

falls into the first category and is 

being released by Warner Bros. The second 

will be "The Missouri Traveler." It, too, will 

be in the American Series. It will be started 

in August. Another will be "The Valiant 

Virginians," a story by James Warner 

Bellah, which will be directed by John Ford. 

Preparations for this are now actively mider 

way. Whitney, with Merian C. Cooper, vicepresident 

and executive producer, left Monday 

(23) for Lexington. Va.. to confer with 

Maj. Gen. William H. Milton, superintendent 

of the Virginia Military Institute, on plans 

for the film which will be made in authentic 

locales of the Civil War. It will go before 

the cameras in the fall of 1957. 

Whitney predicts this picture will rate with 

"Gone With the Wind." Bellah, the author, 

is a foremost historical novelist and John 

Ford is a student of the Civil War. 

Two other properties have been acquired 

for the American Series. One is "William 

Liberty," an unpublished novel by Frank 

Clemensen, a land.scape painter and school 

teacher, who spent six years writing the 

story. Whitney described a it as "masterpiece." 

Another story is about Major Chuck Yeager. 

the army test pilot who was the first to break 

the sound barrier. be incorporated 

It will 

into a picture "with larger scope than the 

life of any one man," said Whitney. 

TO START THREE THIS YEAR 

At least three pictures will be started this 

year. 

In the Nature Drama Series will be "Chang," 

an adventure film made originally by Cooper 

in the jungles of Siam and released by Paramount 

in 1927. It was produced on a modest 

budget, but tiu-ned out to be one of the important 

grossers of that period. 

"The third kind of subject which I shall 

occasionally make will be 'Films of Fantasy,' " 

Whitney stated. "Here I will utiUze the 

unique talents and imagination of Merian C. 

Cooper, who. together with Ernest B. Schoedsack, 

produced and directed 'King Kong'." 

Whitney was asked about budgets for pictures 

he already has in mind. He turned to 

Cooper for the answer. 

"I never know a budget in advance," Cooper 

replied. "I can't figure one out until I have 

worked out a script, have lined up the 

Man of 

Many Interests 

New York—For those who may not 

know, perhaps it should be stated that 

the C. V. in C. V. Whitney's name stands 

for Cornelius Vanderbilt, and his interests 

range afar. After distinguished service as 

a pilot in World War I, he went into mining 

and became chairman of the board 

of the Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting 

Co. He was one of the founders of Pan 

American Airways. He is president of 

Whitney Industries, Inc.; C. V. Whitney 

Farms; trustee of the American Museum 

of National History; director of the 

Whitney Museum of Art and the Metropolitan 

Opera Co.; clubman; former international 

polo player. He was intelligence 

officer on a Flying Fortress bound 

to bomb Tokyo. He served in India, at 

the battle of Alameine in North Africa, 

and the invasion of Iwo Jima. He was assistant 

secretary of the V. S. Air Force 

in the Truman cabinet and later undersecretary 

of commerce. 

principal talent, and made other estimates. 

My orders from Mr. Whitney are to get the 

best. If I don't get it, it will be up to me 

to explain." 

Whitney declared earnestly that he will not 

make a picture that will ever "misrepresent 

or paint a false picture of the United States 

or its people." 

This country is being watched as a leader 

of world opinion, he said, and we must 

present true pictures of our life. Where the 

characters are rough they will be presented 

that way for the sake of authenticity, he 

said. This was done in "The Searchers." 

because, he explained, it "shows the West's 

reality, its grimness, its humor, and, above 

all, its warmth. This, therefore, is a realistic 

picture of that era, and its has been so proclaimed 

by motion picture critics." 

Neither Whitney nor Cooper discussed their 

Films of Fantasy plans. "We can't give away 

any of our ideas now," Cooper explained. 

The association of Whitney and Cooper in 

production enterprises is not new. Both were 

World War I and n aviators. Schoedsack 

was an aerial cameraman with Cooper. 

They both emphasize that their new company 

aims to be a permanent influence in 

film production with the full intention of 

competing in the world market for story 

material and talent. 

An agreement has been made with Dr. 

Herbert T. Kalmus. head of Technicolor 

Corp., for six films in that process. Incidentally, 

Whitney was one of the earliest investors 

in Technicolor when the going was 

rough in 1930 during the depression. 

Whitney and Cooper also were early investors 

in "Gone With the Wind" and Whitney 

still retains his interest in that classic. 

He says two of the greatest pictures ever 

made, "The Birth of a Nation" and "Gone 

With the Wind," were based on Civil War 

themes, and this is one of the reasons he 

has high hopes for "The Valiant Virginians." 

Todd-AO Projector 

For All Systems 

NEW YORK—Standardization of its motion 

picture equipment so that all eight presentation 

processes can now be shown on the 

Todd-AO projector from any angle in any 

theatre on screens that can be adapted to ajiy 

house, was made known Tuesday (24) by 

George Skouras, president of Magna Theatre 

Corp., at a tradepress luncheon. 

Skouras said that the problem of distortion 

had been eliminated and that it will be possible 

to supply this all-purpose equipment at 

a price of about $7,500 for the projector and 

about $2,700 for the adjustable screen. The 

original projector used for the opening at 

the Rivoli Theatre was made by the Philips 

Works of Eindhoven, Netherlands, after many 

experiments and disappointments and is said 

to have cost $45,000. 

70MM STOCK, 65MM PICTURE 

That projector uses 70mm stock with a 

picture 65mm wide and with six sound tracks 

in a 2 to 1 ratio. The three lenses used 

were designed by Dr. Brian O'Brien, director 

of the Institute of Optics at the University 

of Rochester and vice-president of the American 

Optical Co. It used special lenses ranging 

from 128 degrees down through 64, 48 and 37 

degrees. These lenses can be used Interchangeably. 

Skouras returned recently from Europe 

where he started plans for ,showing "Oklahoma!" 

in the Todd-AO process in Paris, 

Berlin. Rome. Milan and Dusseldorf sometime 

in the early autumn. 

A special printer has been developed which 

corrects a Todd-AO print to the necessary 

degree so that projection can be done from 

existing booths, no matter what the projection 

angle may be, without distortion. 

The new type adjustable screen can be adjusted 

from a flat to a curved screen and 

vice versa. Skouras said. The size of the 

screen will be determined by the size of the 

theatre in which It is Installed. 

Skouras also stated that an added advantage 

of the all-purpose screen would be the 

elimination of the "colossal" type where the 

actors appear as giant figures. The screens 

will be kept within the area of the proscenium. 

The new projector can show Cinemascope 

as well as the Todd-AO 70mm film. It will 

be possible to project six-track, four-track and 

optical sound. 

CANNOT BE USED FOR TV 

"The advent of the Todd-AO process marks 

the separation of home entertainment from 

motion picture theatre entertainment. Because 

of the revolutionary concept of the 

Todd-AO process, it is mechanically impossible 

for television to make use of any motion picture 

produced in Todd-AO." Skouras said. 

The pace of openings of "Oklahoma 1" will 

be stepped up in key cities. 

In this country the "Oklahoma!" showings 

will continue to be on a roadshow basis using 

the 70mm stock. In London it will be shown 

in the Cinemascope process. In other large 

European cities the Todd-AO 70mm stock will 

be used, and in smaller places it will be shown 

on 35mm film. When 35mm film is used 

with the multiple-trsick sound the actual picture 

is 22 H mms. 

The U. S. premiere of the picture was held 

October 13 at the Rivoli Theatre here. It is 

now in its 30th week. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

; April 28, 1956

Entertainment Package: $1.75 

Chicago Drive-In Ups 

Capacity to 12,500 

CHICAGO—Now in coiismk-tion at SUmford 

Kohlberg's Starlite Drive-In axe steel 

bleachers 35 feet high, which will encircle the 

stage, increasing the ozoner's seating capacity 

to 5.000. With its 1,875-car ramp capacity 

and parlung space for 900 cais of walk-in pa- 

U-ons, tlie Starlite will be able to accommodate 

around 12.500 patrons in cars and 

bleachers. 

Stage shows were inaugurated at the Starlite 

Friday (27). Kohlberg said that Starlite 

patrons will be able to dance, see a stage 

show and two motion pictures for $1.75. This 

price also includes free milk for the children, 

free diaper service, free candy and souvenirs. 

"Films." Kohlberg pointed out, "will always 

be top product and stage attractions will be 

put on only by big names." 

In line with this policy, Kohlberg has signed 

Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and Pinky Lee. He 

is completing negotiation.s with Dean Martin 

and Jerry Lewis, Spike Jones, the McGuire 

Sisters and like p>ersonalities. Tliere wUl be 

a new show each weekend until May 18, when 

stage shows will be run seven nights a week 

for the rest of the summer. Starting August 

17, Kohlberg has an ice show scheduled with 

a cast of 30. As an added attraction for kids, 

there will be circus aerial acts at each show. 

The program is scheduled to start at 5 

o'clock with dancing, followed by the stage 

show at 7:30 or 8. Then the two film features 

will be shown and the stage show repeated 

about midnight. Closing time is 

4 a.m. 

Kohlberg plans to issue credit cards to 

patrons who want to charge their admissions. 

He also is selling what he calls "Happiness 

Books" containing $5 in coupons. 

Jacksonville to Become 

33rd UA Exchange City 

NEW YORK—United Artists this summer 

will open an exchange office in Jacksonville 

to service the Florida area, according to 

James R. Velde, general sales manager. It 

will be the 33rd UA exchange in the U. S. 

and Canada. 

ByTon Adams will head it. He has been UA 

branch manager at Atlanta since 1951 and 

formerly was Charlotte branch manager. Bill 

Hames will take over at Atlanta. He managed 

the UA Dallas branch until he entered other 

business in 1954. He had previously been 

Indianapolis branch manager. 

UA has had a booking office in Jacksonville 

for three years. The exchange will be 

in new quarters. It will be a part of the 

southern district under Milton E. Cohen, 

eastern and southern division manager, and 

George Pabst, southern district manager. 

Other southern district branches are located 

in Atlanta, Charlotte. Dallas and New 

Orleans. 

'Chose' Dated for June 20 

NEW YORK—"The Great Locomotive 

Chase" will be released nationally by Buena 

Vista June 20. The world premiere has been 

.set at Atlanta June 8. Two other Disney 

films will be booked along with "Chase," 

both at the Atlanta premiere and in national 

release. They are: "Men Against the Arctic" 

and "Jack and Old Mac." 

Film Rentals, Regulation 

Telecaster Problems, Too 

CHICAGO—You would have thought you 

were at an exhibitor convention if you had 

attended the 34th annual convention of the 

National Ass'n of Radio and Television Broadcasters 

here last week. 

What were some of the principal problems 

aii-ed? High film prices for the smaller TV 

stations ajid the need of jxiUcing of film 

rentals. In addition, there was a plea for the 

establishment of a trade association of producers 

and distributors of TV film to enable 

broadcasters and suppliers to get together on 

common problems. 

Film was the dominating subject and motion 

pictures "at a price we can afford to 

p>ay was a cry of protest and hope from the 

' 

small TV station operators, just as it is at 

some of the exhibitor association conventions. 

George Shupart. head of the film syndication 

division of ABC-TV, called for greater 

cooperation between the "packagers" or distributors 

of television film and station operators. 

He cautioned the broadcasters to stop 

criticizing all TV film distributors because 

a few failed to adhere to then- rate cards. 

'I wish there were some way to police our 

industry so that price problems wouldn't arise, 

but there isn't," he declared. 

"I hope," he also said, "that some way can 

be found to enable syndicators to supply 

films to even the smallest markets at a price 

they can afford to pay." Joseph L. Floyd of 

KELO-TV, Sioux Falls, S. D.. also called for 

better treatment of stations in small and 

medium situations. Film distributors, he declared, 

must learn to differentiate between 

the small and medium stations and the large 

operations—the size of the station, studio and 

audience and "the size of the check received 

from our advertisers." To equalize this economic 

bridge, he warned, the smaller stations 

must have film at lower cost. 

Broadcasters have a problem with films 

containing sequences which they believe are 

objectionable. In an attempt to meet regulatioiis 

of the TV code— to which many adhere— 

the stations often act as then- own censors 

and edit out the questionable parts. With 

Actively Fight Pay TV, 

Telecasters Are Warned 

Chicago—Clair McCollough of VVGAL- 

TV, Lancaster, Pa., chairman of the television 

board of directors of the National 

Ass'n of Radio and Television Broadcasters, 

at the organization's 34th annual 

convention here last week warned that 

pay-TV "affecting the very philosophy of 

American free broadcasting must be actively 

opposed by every thinking broadcaster." 

He emphasized the importance of making 

known the facts regarding pay-TV 

"so that when the Lssue is resolved, the 

decision will be made on the basis of 

these facts and of the true public interest 

involved," and he warned that the TV 

industry must "wage a constant fight to 

prevent further government regulation." 

telecasters all through the country acting as 

their own film editors, the problem of keeping 

prints in good condition has become a 

serious one—and appeals were made by film 

syndicators to handle prints with care. 

The fly-by-night distributor of film is another 

headache to telecasters, and Shupart 

wai-ned that all syndicators "are not reliable" 

and station film buyers should be p>artlcular 

from whom they buy their films and the 

types of films selected. 

Michael Sillerman of Television Programs of 

America told the convention that Hollywood 

now is turning out four times as many films 

for television as it is for the motion picture 

theatre. Filmed programs are mounting In 

importance, he said, and now provide more 

than half the TV programming in the United 

States, adding that production for television 

is by far Hollywood's major effort today. 

Outside of the film problems, the broadcasters 

heard about RCA's plan for mass production 

of color receivers which it will make 

available to other manufacturers, and saw a 

demonstration of a new television tape recorder 

developed by the Ampex Corp., which 

is said to produce such high pictorial fidelity 

the viewers cannot tell whether a program 

is alive or taped. The obvious initial benefits 

to the TV industry will be in providing delayed 

telecasts in various time zones because 

the time lapse usually required for film 

processing now is eliminated. 

Times Film Corp. Rentals 

Hit $1 Million in 1955 

NEW YORK—Times Film Corp., distributor 

of foreign films, grossed more than one million 

dollars in film rentals for 1955, according 

to WilUam C. Shelton, vice-president in 

charge of distribution. The three features 

credited with eai-ning the largest grosses 

were: "Naked Amazon," produced in Brazil; 

"Game of Love," a Fiench film, and "One 

Summer of Happiness," a Swedish-made picture, 

all of these still getting playdates in art 

houses and drive-ins in the U. S., Shelton 

said. 

Times Films has acquired eight foreign 

productions for U. S. release in 1956, representing 

a total negative cost of $3,200,000. 

They are "The Naked Night," Swedish film 

written and directed by Ingmar Bergman, now 

playing at the Little Carnegie Theatre, New 

York: "Dark River." produced in Argentina, 

which recently clased a New York run at the 

World Theatre; "Don Juan." made in Austria 

in Agfacolor, based on the opera, "Don Giovanni"; 

"Nana," Fi-ench film version of the 

Emile Zola classic in Eastman Color, starring 

Charles Boyer and Martine Carol: "Royal 

Affairs in Versailles," written, produced and 

directed in Versailles by Sacha Gultxy in 

Eastman Color, starring Orson Welles, Claudette 

Colbert. Jean Pierre Aumont. Gerard 

Philipe. Edith Piaf and Guitry; "The Respectful 

Prostitute," produced in France and based 

on the Jean-Paul Sartre play starring Barbara 

Laage and Ivan Desny, and "Desperate 

Decision," dubbed into English, starring the 

French stars, Daniele Delorme and Henri 

Vidal. 

BOXOFFICE ; 

: April 28, 1956 

19

| 

Circuit Adopts a Line of Light Ridicule 

To Sell Superiority of Movies Over TV 

V6BV BAD CASE Of STAY 

ISl TAKE 

016 SHOW ON A TXEATRf Cl«E(N 

UAST 0MC6 A WE6KI 

MflrS^jcovisfc/ 

mummm^ 

DAT! IVEBT SPECTACULARS on o CIANT THEAmE SCHEEN 

The Set of Light-barbed Frontier Circuit Ads Kidding TV Entertainment. 

DALLAS—If you want to fight television 

as a competitor, don't be evasive about it. 

That's the idea behind a frontal attack 

planned by Frontier Theatres, Inc. during 

May, to sell the public on the fact that entertainment 

is much better on the widescreen 

in the movie theatre than it is on the television 

screen. 

"Our company feels it is time to take off 

the kid gloves and put on the bra.ss knuckles, 

in dealing with the epidemic spread of 

television," 

says L. E. Forester, director of advertising 

and publicity. "We think that TV's 

claim to the 'color spectacle' is not only 

highway robbery of the movie industry, but 

ridiculoiLs as well. 

"As any sensible person must concede, a 

one-hour assortment of one and two-reel 

comedies and short subjects, in Technicolor, 

presented on a theatre's widescreen, exceeds 

in entertainment value any spectacular presentation 

that television has so far been able 

to offer. And shorts are but a prelude to our 

really 'spectacular' features." 

To make its point. Frontier Theatres are to 

introduce a barbed but good-natured sort of 

ridicule in a cartoon series to be used in May 

in conjunction with the regular advertising 

progi'am. In addition to the ad copy, a 

•mecial door knob hanger has been created 

which will be left at homes with TV antoiinae. 

Frontier Theatres, with offices in the 

Tower Petroleum Building here, will make 

the entire series of mats, as reproduced above, 

available to any theatres desiring to join in 

the campaign. The price is $4, which is just 

about enough to cover the cost of production 

and having the mat company address and 

maU the packages postpaid. Forester said. 

Gennan Industry Seeking 

Showcase in New York 

HAMBURG, GERMANY — A New York 

showcase for its pictures is being sought by 

the Real Film Co., a leading west German 

producing-distributing company. It is negotiating 

with Munio Podhorzer, New York 

film importer and president of the Casino 

Film Exchange and United German Film 

Enterprises. Podhorzer has recommended that 

Export Union, German film industry promotion 

agency, be given additional money for 

promotion in the U. S. 

Honolulu Opening Set 

NEW YORK — "The Revolt of Mamie 

Stover," 20th Century-Fox film, will have 

its world premiere Friday (4) in Honolulu. 

It was photographed on location there earlier 

in the year. It will be the next attraction 

at the Capitol Theatre in New York. 

Many Sessions on TV 

On SMPTE Agenda 

NEW YORK—Television will be discussed 

exclusively in more than half of the 20 technical 

sessions of the 79th semiannual convention 

of the Society of Motion Picture and 

Television Engineers which will open Monday 

(30) at the Hotel Statler. An attendance 

exceeding 1,000 was seen as assured. 

More than 35 exhibits wOl feature new developments 

in motion picture and TV equipment, 

designed to improve quality while reducing 

costs. Among the new equipment will 

be a 16mm projector with interchangeable 

optical and magnetic soimd mechanisms and 

separate magnetic sound luiit for recording 

and playback on sprocketed tape. 

This innovation, which SMPTE says permits 

high-quality sound, is useful for adding 

sound track in different languages or particular 

sales messages aimed at specialized 

audiences. 

Another development will be a combination 

16mm-35mm process camera for use in animation 

and optical printer work. It can be 

readily changed from 35mm to 16mm by 

switching the lens, shuttle, sprocket assembly 

and magazine without having to realign as 

when two cameras are employed. 

Technical sessions will stai't at 9:30 a.m. 

Monday and continue through Friday afternoon. 

Social activities will be highlighted by 

the annual banquet Thursday evening in the 

Statler ballroom. 

Companies that will exhibit equipment are: 

Akeley Camera & Instrument Corp., Andre Debrie 

of America, Animation Equipment Corp., Audio Instrument 

Co., Bell & Howell, Byron, Inc., Camero 

Equipment Co., Camera Mart, Capitol Film Laborotories, 

Cinekad Engineering Co., Fairchild Camera & 

Instrument Corp., Florman & Babb, General Precision 

Laboratory, Hanimex, Inc., Harwald Co., Hollywood 

Film Co., Houston Fearless, Kling Photo Corp., Motion 

Picture Printing Equipment Co., Neumode Products 

Corp., Peerless Film Processing Corp., Precision Laboratories, 

Prestoseal Mfg. Corp., Radio Corp. of America, 

Rangertone, Inc., Reeves Soundcroft Corp., S.O.S. 

Cinema Supply Corp., Strong Electric Corp., W. M. 

Welch Mfg. Co., Westrex Corp. and Zoomar, Inc. 

Charles MacArthur Rites; 

Playwright, Screenwriter 

NEW YORK—Funeral services for Charles 

MacAi'thur, playwright and screenplay writer, 

were held at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral 

Church Monday (23). MacArthur, who was 

60, died in New York Hospital April 21 after 

a brief illness. 

MacArthur, who became famous as coauthor 

with Ben Hecht of "The Front Page" 

in 1928, also collaborated with Hecht on "The 

Scoundrel" and "Crime Without Passion" for 

Paramount in 1934-35 and the plays, "Jumbo," 

"Ladies and Gentlemen" and "Swan Song." 

In collaboration with Hecht, he also wrote 

the screenplays for "Gunga Din" and 

"Wuthering Heights" in 1939. His best known 

solo writing job was "The Sin of Madelon 

Claudet," which he WTOte for his wife, Helen 

Hayes, in 1931, for which she won an Academy 

Award. 

Gus Eyssell to Receive 

Horatio Alger Award 

NEW YORK—Gus S. Eyssell, president of 

Rockefeller Center and a director of Radio 

City Music Hall, has been named to receive 

the 1956 Horatio Alger Award which goes 

to men gaining mfluence and affluence after 

a lowly beginning. He started as a theatre 

usher. The award will also go to seven other 

business men. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

: April 28, 1956

. .Watch 

The BOXOFFICE and 

The CRITICS . 

Big openings and solid day-by-day 

business in every early date- 

Detroit and the entire Butterfield 

Circuit, Michigan . the 

multi-theatre run in Los Angeles. 

..the openings in San Francisco, 

Pittsburgh, and more 

and more key cities throughout 

the country soon! 

JOHN SMIIH RAGE 

HAL [ CHESTER p.«^...o..«.«>, LEWIS R FOSTER 

s--,,.

. . RKO 

. . Charles 

: AprU 

lôUcfdMKid *RefiMt 

U-I Purchases Three Yarns 

During the Past Week 

It was Universal-International all the way 

in the literary market, that studio having 

embarked on a story-buying spree which accounted 

for all three of the purchases recorded 

during last week. 

Albert Zugsmith drew the production reins 

on two of the acquired properties—"Badge of 

Whit Masterson. and "The 

Evil." a novel by 

Man Who Rocked the Boat." the autobiography 

of William J. Keating, former New 

York City assistant district attorney. By coincidence, 

"Badge" also deals with an assistant 

d. a.—of the fictional variety, however—who 

uncovers the fact that a retired 

police captain had manufactured evidence 

used to convict suspected criminals. "Boat" 

traces Keating's career during a nine-year 

fight again.st waterfront criminals and corruption. 

Also added to the U-I stockpile was "Alone 

Together," a psychological drama by Barry 

Trivers, the screenplay for which will be prepared 

by Dorothy Cooper. Assigned to Robert 

Arthur to produce, the opus concerns a neurotic 

youngster whose problems are straightened 

out by hLs widowed mother and the man 

she loves. 

Bel-Air Productions. Robert C. Dennis is 

penning "Border Patrol," due for a June 

start for United Artists release . . . Scriptpolishing 

chores were the order of the day 

at RKO Radio for Earl Felton and Robert 

Carson, a-ssigned respectively to "Underdog" 

and "Bundle of Joy" ... In the directorial 

field, Allied Artists inked Francis Lyon to 

pilot the upcoming Joel McCrea starrer, "The 

Oklahoman," while George Blair was handed 

the reins on the 42nd Bowery Boys comedy, 

"Chasing Trouble" . . . Out at 20th Century- 

Fox, Henry Koster will meg "Fraulein," a 

Samuel G. Engel production, when he has 

concluded his loanout assignment to MGM, 

where he is directing "The Power and the 

Prize." 

Joseph Gotten Will Star 

In "The HalUday Brand' 

Gleanings along the casting beat: Collier 

Young tagged Joseph Cotten to star in "The 

Halliday Brand," a galloper about Texas in 

the 1870s, which Young will send before the 

cameras next month for United Artists release 

. . . Under the name of Robert Reed, 

the 15-year-old brother of Tony Curtis will 

make his film debut in Universal-International's 

"The Great Man" . Radio 

booked Kim Hunter to portray the mother 

.md James Gregory for the role of a police 

rrgeant in its upcoming drama of adolescent 

'c.b"ie-tr>s, "Strike a Blow" . . . Producer Hal 

By 

IVAN SPEAR 

Wallis signed Earl Holliman for a lead with 

Katharine Hepburn and Burt Lancaster in 

"The Rainmaker" and cast Tracey Roberts 

as Dean Martin's gal friend in "Hollywood or 

. 

Bust," both of which Wallis is turning out for 

Paramount Laughton drew a 

stellar spot in "The Bridge Over the River 

Kwai," the Sam Spiegel venture for Columbia, 

which rolls on location in Ceylon 

next fall . . . Bel-Air Productions, the busy 

independent unit headed by Aubrey Schenck 

and Howard W. Koch, tagged Diane Brewster, 

Don Gordon and Cain Mason for 

featured roles in "Port Laramie," which 

begins filming at month's end for UA. 

Stewart Granger, Ava Gardner 

To Co-Star in The Little Hut' 

Here and there in the Hollywoodlands: 

Stewart Granger and Ava Gardner, a romantic 

duo in MGM's soon-to-be-released 

"Bhowani Junction." will be teamed romantically 

again in "The Little Hut," a Mark 

Robson-F. Hugh Herbert production, which 

MGM will distribute . . . Continuing his association 

with Hecht-Lancaster, in whose 

Oscar-winning "Marty" he also captured an 

Academy statuette, Ernest Borgnine was 

inked by H-L to co-star with Itahan glamor 

gal Sophia Loren in "Bandoola," due to be 

lensed on location late this year in Ceylon 

Scriveners and Directors 

Maintain Busy Pace 

Reflecting the continuing upbeat in studio 

production plans, several scriveners drew assignments 

to attend the Cannes film festival, tor which 

her MGM starrer, "I'll Cry Tomorrow," was 

to forthcoming scripts. Frank selected as an entry. Lawrence Weingarten, 

Penton is warming up his typewriter on who produced it, also headed for France to be 

"The Mystery of Misty Creek," based on a on hand for the festival. Another MGM personality, 

Cyd Charisse, planed to New Yc 

Saturday Evening Post novelette by Marvin 

DeVries. which MGM will produce ... At and Washington for personal appearances 

and interviews to plug "Meet Me in Las 

Vegas" and was a guest of honor at the 

yearly Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, 

for United Artists release ... On the barnstorming 

beat, Susan Hayward checked out 

Va. 

Paramount Has New High 

In Studio Employment 

Dispensers of gloom anent the Hollywood 

scene had a bit of the wind taken out of 

their sails when Paramount pointed out employment 

at the studio has reached a peak 

of more than 2.700, engaged in the making 

of six pictures, for the highest payroll total 

in more than a year. Furthermore, the same 

high level is expected to continue for some 

weeks. 

It was about a year ago, when Cecil B. 

DeMille was using hundreds of extras for 

"The Ten Commandments." that approximately 

the same figure was reached. With 

that exception, the present mark is the highest 

in many years. 

First Song-and-Dance Role 

Set for Burt Lancaster 

Short takes from the sound stages: Burt 

Lancaster is going to essay his first songand-dance 

role in "The Ballad of Cat Ballou," 

a musical western scheduled by the Hecht- 

Lancaster organization to co-star Lancaster 

and Tony Curtis. For United Artists release, 

it's based on a recently published sagebrush 

William Bloom to Make 

Space Story at RKO 

That William Bloom, who recently 

joined RKO Radio as a producer after a 

tenure of some years in the same capacity 

at 20th Centui-y-Fox, is regarded as a 

specialist in the subject of super-scientific 

high-altitude research was indicated 

when he drew, as his first assignment, 

an as-yet untitled opus concerned with 

U. S. -launched space satellites. 

Bloom, it will be recalled, functioned 

as producer on 20th-Fox's current release, 

"On the Threshold of Space," in 

which the topic of the stratosphere also 

was explored. 

The RKO venture will carry one of 

three titles just registered by the company—"Space 

Satellite," "Operation Vanguard" 

or "Around the World in 90 Minutes." 

Story research will be done by writers 

assigned to work with scientists at Patrick 

Air Force base in Florida and the 

plot, according to production chief William 

Dozier, will be a combination of the 

fictional with the documentary, inasmuch 

as camera crews will be dispatched to 

rocket sites to photograph attempts to 

launch the man-made planet. 

novel by Roy Chanslor . . . Producer William 

Goetz and director Joshua Logan will 

plane to Japan in July to explore location 

sites for their forthcoming "Sayonara," from 

the James Michener tome, which Warners will 

Independent filmmaker Al 

distribute . . 

Gannaway is 

. 

preparing a galloper, "Badge 

of Marshal Brennan," for a late May start 

on location in Utah. 

MGM Plans June Start 

For 'Little Leaguer' 

With a weather eye cocked toward the 

1956 baseball season, which has just gotten 

under way, MGM is speeding preparations for 

the launching of "The Little Leaguer," which 

has been set for a June starting date and 

should be completed in time for release before 

national interest in the pastime is 

whetted to the peak as the annual World 

Series is staged this fall. 

Herman Hoffman has been assigned to 

direct the comedy, penned by Nathaniel 

Benchley—son of the late humorist, Robert 

Benchley—and which deals with the entanglements 

of a well-intentioned father who 

tries to help his son by managing a Little 

League horsehide squad. It's a Henry Berman 

production. 

George R. Batcheller Jr. 

Back As a Filmmaker 

Absent from the production scene for 

several years, George R. Batcheller jr., who 

at one time was in charge of production for 

Producers Releasing Corp., is re-entering the 

field through the formation of the Pelham 

Corp., which will be active in both theatrical 

and telefilm lensing. 

Batcheller is the son of the founder of 

Chesterfield and Invincible Pictures, which 

were well-known independent units in years 

gone by. The younger Batcheller withdrew 

from his Hollywood connections in 1942 when 

he entered the armed forces. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

28, 1956

proudly announces 

that the long-run 

VICTORIA THEATRE 

NEW YORK 

BORN YESTERDAY 

HE MOON IS 

BLUE 

THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM 

r- has selected 

W/ JMS 1I10R[ • JOHN CASSMIES • SAL MINEO.JAI m.«. 

• 

jMf A VINCENl M. FtNNtliy PRODUCIION Duecleil by OONAID SlfGU - Sloiy a(w) Screenpljy by HfGINAlO «OSf Music ty \nu WAXMAN

Rothafel Explains 

Roxy Operation 

To Eager N.Y. Student Editors 

CALENDARiEVENTS 

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LETTERS 

FILM SALES TO TV HURT 

Every year and almost every month exhibitors 

are plagued by pleas from one fUm 

exchange or another to submit dates and 

cooperate in drives to honor the great men of 

distribution. Most of this assortment of executives 

we are asked to honor are either 

those who are noted for their complete indifference 

to the difficulties of operating a 

theatre in these troubled times, or have never 

been heard of outside their own offices. 

In appreciation of the past cooperation of 

the theatres in the numerous drives, distribution 

seems now to be entering a race to see 

who can hand the most to television at the 

lowest price. In one recent slash at the exhibitors' 

throats, a large block of pictures was 

handed over to TV at a price which I believe 

comes to about $20,000 a picture. At the 

same time many exhibitors are complaining 

of a shortage of product. A large percentage 

of the films going to TV on this deal would be 

suitable for reissue over the next few years. 

Reissues can make money for both distribution 

and exhibition. But, now, these pictures 

no longer have that possibility. They are 

in gone, a complete sell-out to a medium 

which will now use them in a way that will 

further reduce theatre attendance. 

How many of the key figures of this industry 

who put over such deals are really 

showmen? It seems to me that many of them 

are not showmen at all, but instead are financiers 

who prefer a quick million, even if it 

helps put out of business many of the little 

people who helped buUd the movie industry. 

I have read and heard most of the arguments 

presented to justify turning over films 

to TV. Not one of them makes sense. Writers 

of television columns in the daily papers 

frequently refer to these films and the public 

is coming more and more to beUeve that all 

the pictures now being shown in theatres will 

soon be available on theii- home flickerboxes. 

One thing is indisputable. The reasoning 

behind it may be far above the mentality of 

some movie industry big-wigs, but certainly 

hundreds of exhibitors who are fighting to 

keep theii- theatres open know it to be a 

fact. While Mr. and Mrs. John Citizen and 

the kids are parked in front of the living 

room TV, they are not buying tickets at the 

theatre boxoffice. 

It is unfortunate that when the first rumors 

of sales to TV were heard, the exhibitor 

organizations did not call off their squabbling 

and begging for government interference long 

enough to organize a boycott of those distributors 

who want to collect fat film rentals 

with one hand while cutting the exhibitors' 

throats with the other. There would have 

been very few sales to television and many 

more dollars coming into the theatres. 

Manager, 

Roxy Theatre, 

Coulterville, 

III. 

I'M ON 

MY WAY. 

FRANK R. MCLEAN 

SHOE ON OTHER FOOT 

jxjkie: X to 30 

ttUbfale-JlimtSIOIllll 

IHtniBf'S 

'WHAT IS PROFIT?" MONTH 

. DfSTHmuTOR, Mr. Produce WIN THE FUN! 

i^ 

We exhibitors are always confronted with 

some kind of a "Week," "Month" or "Drive" 

by the distributors and are asked to bend 

over backwards to help make them a success. 

If they aren't honoring the company president, 

then it's the branch manager; if it 

isn't some official, then it's the company. 

After listening to aU this producer-distributor 

promotion for years, I figured it was time 

for an exhibitor to come up with a drive and. 

business being what it is. the above is the 

result. I doubt if I'll get any concessions but, 

at least, the tables are turned and it might 

inject a laugh among the sobs. 

Manager, 

Jamestown Theatres, 

Jamestown, N. D. 

BURR W. CLINE 

Thomas Flies to India 

For 4th Cinerama Film 

NEW YORK—Lowell Thomas has left by 

air for London to start production of the 

fourth Cinerama adventure spectacle. Otto 

Lang, director, left with him in a Globemaster 

flying the equipment and the Cinerama crew. 

They are heading for New Delhi, India, 

where they will begin a trek into the remote 

valleys beyond the mountains amid wild 

tribesmen into what has been called the "roof 

of the world." 

They plan a story of the search for an 

earthly paradise. 

Harry Squu-e, cameraman for the first two 

Cinerama features and "Seven Wonders of 

the World," will be assisted by Jack Priestley 

and Fred Pordham. In charge of the stereophonic 

Cinerama sound system will be Fred 

Bosch and Ray Sharpies. Edward R. Evans is 

unit manager. 

...to one of the 6,000 theatres ALTEC is proud 

to number among its satisfied customers. 

"In that bag I carry are numerous special 

instruments expressly designed by ALTEC to 

assure the best possible sound service 

procedures. 

"In the trunk of my car are ALTEC instruments, 

tools, and test films to achieve maximum quality 

performance of all types of sound systems. 

"200 other ALTEC field engineers are similarly 

equipped. 

"Accompanying us every step of the way are the 

resources, technical-know-how and reputation 

of ALTEC SERVICE CORPORATION, the finest 

sound service organization in the motion 

picture industry. 

"Are YOU on my call list?" 

MO QUESTION ABOUT /r/ 

WIKOOW CARDS 

•HERALDS' CALENDARS 

/p.s. we also have AD MATS 

ii.iiiiiiiii.ii.i.iiaiim.i«.Liiimi.ii.i.iJiiii.).il.l.l 

BLOWERS 

ALTEC^ 

SPECIALISTS IN MOTION PICTURE SOUND

PROBLEMS AND HOW TO END 

THEM AT D.C, AREA SESSION 

250 Exhibitors Attend; 

Gehring. Braunagel 

Guest Speakers 

WASHINGTON—The Wasliington area 

exhibitors convention held here last week 

drew some 250 theatremen from Delaware, 

Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia 

and the District of Columbia, who mingled 

serious business discussions with social activities 

in the three-day conclave. 

Seymour Hoffman, president, and other 

officers were re-elected by the Virginia Motion 

Picture Theatre Ass'n at its joint session. 

Robert Johnson was added to the board of 

directors, 

A stellar list of industry executives addressed 

the area meetings, held in the Shoreham 

Hotel here. Those attending used such 

adjectives as "outstanding," "wonderful," 

"real instructive and interesting" to describe 

the program, 

GEHRING ADDRESSES GROUP 

William C. Gehring, vice-president of 20th- 

Fox, apparently with an eye to the current 

hearings of the subcommittee of the Senate 

small business subcommittee, told the group 

that the industry ought not to wash its 

dh-ty 

linen in public. He urged both producei-s 

and exhibitors to stop fighting each other 

and instead to "join forces against our common 

enemy—declining boxoffice." 

Gehring came out .strongly against federal 

regulation of the industry in any way. "There 

is not a legislator who can make or sell a 

picture better than the producers can or who 

can promote a picture better than the exhibitors," 

he maintained. "It is foolish to ask 

for outside help when none is as qualified 

as we to handle our own affairs." 

He said Allied States Ass'n and the Theatre 

Owners of America are more closely 

united now than ever and that he would 

welcome one large exhibitor organization 

such as there is in Great Britain. He added 

that producers have many difficulties now 

that they did not have five years ago such 

as competition from television for stories and 

talent, the high taxes talent workers must 

pay (making higher salaries neceisary) , and 

the demands of agents. He invited the exhibitors 

to send a committee to Hollj'wood 

to see first hand the problems of the producers 

and to make suggestions for solving 

these' problem.s. 

of its gross take. 

Jack Braunagel, of the United Theatre 

Corp., Little Rock, Ark,, an exhibitor who has 

been reversing the trend on poor attendance, 

urged his listeners to adopt a recruitment 

program to build the professional level of 

N.J. Allied Withholds 

Tax Drive Approval 

NEW YORK—New Jersey Allied will go 

along "100 per cent" with the position of 

National Allied in opposition to the campaign 

for elimination of the federal admissions tax. 

At a well attended meeting Tuesday (24) the 

members decided against approval of the 

drive at this time. Sidney Stern, president, 

presided. 

It was pointed out that the matter will be 

thoroughly discussed at a May meeting of the 

National Allied board. That possibly could 

result in belated approval of the drive. Members 

said after the meeting that they were 

free, if they wished, to write their senators 

and congressmen as individuals in support of 

the drive. As a unit, however, the national 

organization was upheld in its position. 

Howard Herman, chairman of a television 

research committee, reported that there was 

plenty of evidence that major company use 

of TV for promotion was harmful to exhibitors. 

Members praised his report, which 

will be the basis for a letter to major company 

presidents. It will be made public when 

mailed. 

Members were told that reservations for 

the convention May 27-29 at the Concord 

Hotel, Kiamesha Lake, N. Y., were coming in 

at a record rate. To date there have been 

100 doubles and 41 singles, or better than 

50 per cent of capacity. 

There was criticism of MGM and Samuel 

Goldwyn for the terms on "Guys and Dolls" 

and of National Screen Service for late deliveries 

of material. 

management and operation. While stressing 

the lack of good film product, he nevertheless 

emphasized that not all the troubles of the 

exhibitor stems from this source. 

He said that one answer to the exhibitor 

problem is promotion—not necessarily vast 

and spectacular promotion, but a personalized 

type of work by which each person in the industry 

takes it upon himself to evangelize for 

the business. 

Braunagel, who said that his house grossed 

three times as much as the average comparable 

exhibitor on "A Man Called Peter," 

said that this was due to many factors, 

not the least of which was good exploitation 

of the pictme in every way. He emphasized 

such points as having doormen and ticket- 

•SMALL EXHIBITORS NEEDED' 

Gehring denied that distributors are neglecting 

takers trained to point out the concession 

small theatres, a charge heard often stand to those going into the theatre; havtakers 

ing these, and other management representatives, 

in the recent exhibitor phase of the Senate 

committee hearings. He said 6'-.: per cent 

contacting persons leaving the 

theatre to emphasize stars in the next feature 

of the total film rental in the U. S. and 

Canada comes from the bottom 5,000 theatres 

attraction to come. He said that ex- 

and that "no company is in such a good hibitors are going to have to come to grips 

with the fact that they are in a highly competitive 

position" that it can neglect 6"i. per cent 

show situation and that the only way 

it is to beat to strip for action in every phase 

of their operations. 

In travels about the country, Braunagel 

said, he has seen much evidence of a lack 

of training manpower in the motion picture 

business. He contrasted the sometimes haphazard 

manner In which theatre owners staff 

their houses with that of .some other lines of 

business which specialize in going to college 

campu.ses to get the highest type of g:-aduate 

as likely candidates for future advancement. 

He said the typical theatre's training program 

Ls sadly neglected. In his opinion, the 

junior staffers are not being fitted for management 

and other executive roles. He lamented 

the lack of recognition of the potential 

of industry conventions, meetings and 

gatherings for exchanges of ideas, and 

pointed out that there probably were more 

than 200 motion picture theatres within an 

hour's drive of the Shoreham, where the 

meeting was held, which were not represented 

at the convention by a house manager. 

He said this was an unconscionable failure 

to grasp opportunity to learn more phases 

of a complex business. 

Ralph Plies of Berlo (ABC Vending) emphasized 

the profit-producing pcssibilities of 

closer attention to commodity merchandising 

within the film house. He dealt mostly 

with the selection, placement and serving 

of vending machines and the packaging of 

confections and refreshments. 

A. Julian Brylawski, MPTO of Metropolitan 

Washington, a recognized spokesman 

for the industry in national affairs, 

while shying away from the word "lobbying," 

emphasized that it is important that the exhibitor.s 

make their wants and needs known 

to congressmen and tliat they present their 

points militantly. 

Carlton Duffus of Richmond, executive 

secretary of the Virginia MPTA, was credited 

generally with the excellence of the program. 

Wade Pearson was general chauman and 

Morton Gerljer was co-ordinator. 

Gov. Harriman Vetoes 

Film License Act 

ALBANY—Gov. Averell Harriman has 

vetoed the Noonan-Zaretzki act, w-hich provided 

for an increase from three to four 

dollars per thousand feet of original film 

licensed by the State Education Department 

and for a decrease from two dollars per 

thousand feet to four dollars for each additional 

entire copy. 

In a three-sentence memorandum, the 

governor said the bill changes the license 

fees now charged by the motion picture 

division "with the result that the state will 

lose $285,000 per yeai- in fees." Because "this 

loss of revenue is not taken care of in the 

budget enacted by the legislatuie," he vetoed 

the measure. 

The measure was the subject of acrimony 

and misunderstanding during the 1955 and 

1956 sessions of the legislature. The original 

assumption by a number of lawmakers was 

that it increased the fees collected by the 

motion picture division. However, a clarifying 

amendment, made after Senator Moritt 

publicly criticized the first draft, added the 

word "entire" before "copy," to show that 

the print charge was actually being reduced. 

BOXOFFICE ; 

: April 28, 1956 27

. 

. 

. 

Spring Weather. Many Holdovers Hit ô-JÎZTruiTd Drive""* 

Broadway First Runs; Art Films Big 

NEW YORK—Springlike weather and a 

dearth of new films, except in 

the art houses, 

resulted in a falling-off of business in the 

inajority of Broadway first runs. "The Birds 

and the Bees," the only Broadway opening, 

at the Paramount Theatre, Sunday (22) had 

a big opening day, with George Gobel making 

four personal appearances on the stage, but 

was no smash thereafter. 

Three new art films, "French Can-Can," 

which had a sensational opening week at 

the Fine Ai'ts, following the 20-week run of 

"Diabolique," "A Kid for Two Farthings," in 

a strong first week at the Plaza, and "Lovers 

and Lollipops," which had a very good opening 

week at the Normandie, were the other 

entries. 

Best among the many holdovers was "The 

Man in the Gray Flannel Suit," which had a 

big second week at the Roxy, and "Serenade," 

which was still good in its fifth and final 

week at the Radio City Music Hall. Others 

which held up well included: "The Man Who 

Never Was," in its third week at the Victoria: 

"Alexander the Great," in its fourth week 

at the Capital, and "The Conqueror," in its 

fourth week at the Criterion, all of those 

staying on longer. But "Patterns," "Miracle 

in the Rain" and "On the Threshhold of 

Space" were way down in their final weeks 

at the Mayfair, Loew's State and Globe, respectively. 

"Seven Wonders of the World" attracted 

capacity business in its second week of twoa-day 

performances at the Warner Theatre, 

and "Oklahoma!" in its 28th week at the 

Rivoli and "Richard III" in its seventh at the 

Bijou were near sellouts. 

"The Swan" opened at the Radio City 

Music Hall Thursday (26), just one week 

after the Grace Kelly wedding. "Jubal" and 

two monster films, "The Creature Walks 

Among Us" and "Godzilla, King of the 

Monsters," also opened during the week. 

(Average Is 100) 

Aslor Meet Me in Las Vegas (MGM), 6th wk.. .110 

Bi|ou Richard III (Lopert), 7th wk, of two-a-day . 100 

Capitol— Alexander the Great (UA), 4th wk 1 25 

Criterion—The Conqueror (RKO), 4th wk 1 25 

Fine Arts— French Can-Can (UMPO) 1 75 

55th St. Citiien Kone (RKO), reissue, 9th wk....l05 

Globe On the Threshold ot Space (20th-Fox), 4th 

Loew's State Mirocle 

Moyfair PaHerns (UA 

the Rain (WB), 

2nd 

-Bocklosh (U-l), plus vaudeville 1 

Jilt The Birds and the Bees (Para) 1 

The Ballet ot Romeo ond Juliet (Tohon), 

iZG A Kid for Two 

idio City Music Hall— S. 

show, 5th wk 

vol! Oklohomol (Mogno), 28th wk 

YOUft ORDERS rOR 

SPECIAL NEXT 

TRAILERS 

PERSONAL 

JITTiNTIGNi cHicAoo. 

SEND US YOUR 

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TRAILER ORDER! 

FAST SERVICE! 

QUALITY mm 

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

Fox), plus ice revue, 2nd wk 

Sutton—The Ladykillers (Continental), 9th wk. 

. 

Trans-Lux 52nd ^Doctor at Seo (Rep), 8th wk.. 

. 

Victorio The Mon Who Never Was (20th-Fox), 

Wo ner—Seven Wonders of the World (5W), 2nd 

Id—The Last Ten Days (Col), 2nd wk 1 

'Jubal' and 'Swan' Open 

Firm at Buffalo 

BUFFALO—Business quiet all along the 

line, "The Swan." with Grace Kelly, attracted 

125 per cent business at Shea's Buffalo. 

"Serenade," with Mario Lanza, was only good 

for a 115 at the Paramount. "The Man in 

the Gray Flannel Suit" held up to 125 in its 

fourth week in the Center and was held for 

a fifth stanza. "Jubal" was good for a 135 

in the Lafayette. 

Buffalo—The Swan (MGM) 125 

Center The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (20thcentury—Corousel 

(20th-Fox), 

Cinema Doctor at Sea (Rep). 

Lafayette Jubal (U-l) 

Paramount Serenade (WB). . 

'Gray Flannel' Scores 175 

In Baltimore Opening 

BALTIMORE—The best boxoffice business 

for the week went to "The Man in the Gray 

Flannel Suit," one of five newcomers. 

"Serenade" drew fairly well, but the holdovers 

seemed to have outstayed their welcome. 

Century The Man in the Groy Flannel Suit (20th- 

Fox) 175 

Film Centre Oklohoma! (Magna), 7fh wk 175 

Hippodrome Hot Blood (Col) 95 

Little—Samurai (Fine Aras) 90 

Mayfair—The Conqueror (RKO), 4th wk 100 

New—Alexander the Greot (UA), 4th wk 90 

Town—The Swon (MGM) 100 

Playhouse— Doctor ot Sea (Rep), 2nd wk 100 

Stanley—Serenade (WB) 1 00 

The Cinema Hill 24 Doesn't Answer (Confl), 3rd 

wk 85 

Holdovers Continue Big 

On Pittsburgh Rialto 

PITTSBURGH—Holdover offerings at the 

Fulton and Harris tapered off and juvenile 

shows at the Penn and Stanley flopped. 

Fulton Corousel (20th-Fox), 4th wk 100 

Horns The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (20fh- 

Funeral Rites Are Held 

For Paul Benjamin, 59 

MIAMI—Funeral services were held Thursday 

(26) for Paul J. Benjamin, 59, who retired 

several years ago as production manager of 

National Screen Service. He started with NSS 

in 1919 as an office boy. He was a member 

of the Motion Picture Pioneers, a former 

president of the Associated Motion Picture 

Advertisers and its treasurer for ten years. 

He leaves his wife, Hazel: a son, William, and 

a brother. William. 

Chevalier Film Retitled 

NEW YORK—"My Seven Little Sins" will 

be the American release title for Maurice 

Chevalier's French-language feature, originally 

titled "My Seven Daughters." Kingsley 

International is distributing the picture in 

the U. S.. where it will open at the Guild 

Theatre May 1. 

NEW YORK—Max E. Youngstein, United 

Ai-tists vice-president, received the first annual 

"Joey" award of the Asthma Medical 

Actor Dane Clark presents first annual 

'Joey' award of the Asthma Medical 

Center to Max E. Youngstein. 

Center April 21 

at a "Parade of Stars" show 

in Town Hall here. He was honored for his 

leadership in the national "Attack on 

Asthma" campaign. The entertainment benefited 

the Jewish National Home for Asthmatic 

Children at Denver, which sponsors the drive. 

Youngstein is national chairman of the 

campaign and was general chairman of the 

"Pai-ade of Stars," which featured 23 headliners 

in the theatrical world. Tlie awai'd 

commemorated a Jersey City youngster who 

arrived at the home too late for treatment. 

The boy's parents have set up a special 

memorial fund. President Eisenhower wired 

Youngstein his congratulations. 

Special fund drives were .sponsored by disk 

jockey Martin Block and columnist Dan 

Parker. Receipts from the Block drive were 

presented by Sammy Davis jr., and those from 

the Parker drive by Al Schacht. 

Morey Amsterdam, Block, Davis and Henry 

Morgan were master of ceremonies. Other 

entertainers included Dane Clark. Herb 

Shriner, Bobby Hackett and his orchestra. 

Cab Calloway, Jack Carter, Eileen Barton, Al 

Hibbler, Pi-ed Robbins, Carmen McCrae, Lu 

Ann Simms, Lanny Ro.ss, Arnold Stang, Jill 

Corey, the Bell sisters, Jimmy Karmack, 

Josephine Pi-emice, Leo De Lion, Enzo Stuarti 

and Bas Sheva. 

Publicists 65 Vote Pact 

With Four Major Firms 

NEW YORK—The membership of the 

Screen Publicists Guild No. 65 Tuesday voted 

on a new two-year pact covering advertising, 

publicity and exploitation personnel at Columbia, 

20th-Fox, Universal and Warner 

Bros. 

The new two-year agreement will expire 

in April 1958 and will cover some 140 persons 

at these four major companies. The contract 

provides for an average $10 weeky increase, 

an average $5 increase in minimum wages, 

plus reductions in tolerances at 20th-Fox and 

Universal and three-week vacations for those 

with 15 years of service. A senior publicist 

is raised from $135 to $140.50 a week and a 

publicist from $96.25 to $101.75 a week. 

Contract negotiations between SPG and 

of representatives United Artists were held 

April 25 with MGM April 26. 

BOXOFFICE 

; 

: 

April 28, 1956

: April 

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why the major exhibitors depend on CENTURY. It is 

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Records from exhibitors the world over prove the high 

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TURY installations. 

To find out how you can get better projection and 

sound at lower cost see your CENTURY dealer. 

Century Projector Corporation new york, n 

SOLD BY 

y 

Amusement Supply Co. 

346 West 44fh St. 

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J. F. Dusman Company 

12 East 25fh St. 

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Buffalo Theatre Equipment & Seating Inc. 

505 Pcorl St. 

Buffalo 2, New York 

Albany Theatre Supply Co. 

443 North Peari St. 

Albony 4, New York 

BOXOFFICE : 

28. 1956 29

. . Attending 

. . Jack 

. . Sarah 

. . Len 

. . Baltimoreans 

. . The 

. . 

. . 

. . 

. . William 

. . Amy 

. . 

LBANY 

\risitors to Gloversville reported that Louis 

W. Schine was bronzed and looked well 

after his recuperation in Florida from an operation 

performed in New York . . . Harry 

Lamont offered free magnifier dialers to the 

first 200 cars at the reopening of the Sunset 

Drive-In. Kingston . . . Jim Tobin. Stanley 

Warner district manager, trained back 

to Boston after a local visit. On a previous 

trip here. Tobin went to the Albany airport 

for a return flight, stayed there for hours 

while a storm grounded planes, then finally 

took a bus back. 

"Guys and Dolls" played to holdouts at the 

Strand Saturday night, and to capacity on 

Sunday, according to Strand Manager Al 

LaFlamme. who set up a tieup with Whitney's 

department store, with the store captioning a 

half-page newspaper ad on opening day, 

"Guys Like Dolls in Sports Fashions From 

Whitneys'." The ad also carried a slug suggesting 

that readers .see the picture at the 

Strand. 

Joe Miller described drive-in business 

this spring as "way off" in comparison with 

last year. The Menands operator said the 

combination of late snows, low temperatures 

and rains shredded gi-osses. Miller believes 

that drive-in openings are set too early for 

the uncertain weather which often prevails 

in this area . a B'nai B'rith installation 

dance at the Sheraton-Ten Eyck 

were Aaron Winig, Variety Club property 

master, and his wife; Leonard L. Rosenthal, 

counsel and adviser on film buying for Upstate 

Theatres, and his wife, and Joe Miller, 

Menands Drive-In. and his wife. 

Adam "Chick" Mlinarick, Columbia head 

shipper and president-business agent of Local 

B-43. was married to Louise Cavotta of 

Mechanicville Sunday (22). The couple left 

on a three-week honeymoon in Florida. 

is Mlinarick. resident of Watervliet, a World 

War n veteran. His bride owns a beauty shop 

in Mechanicville . Torre, 20th-Pox 

biller, was to be married to Ronald Houghtaling 

at the St. John's Catholic Church here 

Saturday afternoon (28). He is in the Army, 

stationed at Ft. Monmouth, N. J. The Fox 

Family Club held a party at Keane's Restaurant 

for Miss Torre and for Mrs. Venora 

Genevese, who is taking a maternity leave. 

Leon Duva, Morris, Morrisville, and Ben 

Coleman, buyer-booker for the Carman Drive- 

In, Guilderland, were exchange visitors . . . 

Kinglsey Ryan. Little Theatre. Plattsburg. 

said that con.struction of an Air Force bomber 

ba.se at Plattsburg will mean a $2,000,000 

monthly payroll. The project is expected 

to bring in an additional 20.000 people, including 

Air Force pei-sonnel. 

Schine's Strand in Carthage adverti.sed a 

Wednesday Family night at $1 group rate . . . 

"A quiet theatre" is the description which 

Val Ritchey has been using for the Scotia, 

Scotia, in newspaper copy of late. Scotia 

is a Schenectady suburb. 

The Saratoga, second of the Fabian area 

drive-ins, reopened April 20. George Lourinia 

manages the house, built in 1942 as the 

district's .second . . . The Times-Union's Music 

Festival drew more than 2,000 persons to 

the Palace . Byrne, eastern division 

manager for MGM, and Jack Goldberg, local 

r^3,;ias'er, visited Schine circuit headquarters 

in Gloversville for talks with Louis W. Schine 

and others . . . Fabian's Saratoga Drive-In, 

Latham, gave free chamois skins to the first 

100 cars on opening night. The next 200 

cars admitted received roses for the women 

and cigars for the men. Children were remembered 

with candy. 

Moe Bitman's Dix Di-ive-In. Hudson Falls, 

reopened for the season as did William H. 

Aust's Open-Air Theatre. South Glen Falls; 

Lou Goldstein's Skyler, between Utica and 

Herkimer, and the West Rome Drive-In . 

The Stanley Warner Corp. and lATSE Local 

12 signed a contract for Albany. Contact 

Manager Jim Bracken from the New Haven, 

Conn., zone office and District Manager Jim 

Tobin, Boston, represented SW. Jim Blackburn, 

' president of the union, and Buster 

Foley, represented the stagehands. 

. 

Morris Smaltzbach, 20th-Fox traveling 

. 

auditor, checked into the local exchange 

Francis Keefe is joining 20th-Fox as student 

booker . . Attending a screening of "The 

Proud and the Profane" at the Fox studio 

Monday afternoon were Elias Schlenger. 

Fabian division manager; Irene Econome. 

Fabian division booker; Kingsley Ryan. 

Plattsburg exhibitor; Phil Baroudi. Northwood. 

North Creek: Dan Houlihan. Paramount 

manager; Ed Wall, Paramount field 

representative for Albany and Buffalo, and 

Howard Smidt, salesman. 

BALTIMORE 

/^scar Kantor, Baltimore representative for 

Warner Bros., and his wife Shirley 

boarded a plane for a Virgin Islands vacation. 

They also will visit Martego Bay for 

sports fishing . . . Louis Shector. owner of 

the Times, Roslyn and Rex Theatres, says 

his son Mark will be confirmed in May . 

Maynard Madden is now representing Republic 

in this territory, succeeding the late 

Sam Tabor. Madden comes from Washington 

. 

Silver of Columbia was in town 

for about ten days in advance of "The Harder 

They Fall.'" at the Hippodrome. 

Mark Silver, Allied Artists salesman here. 

is busy placing first run attractions for several 

drive-ins to be shown during June . . . Baltimore 

Variety Tent 19 has booked "The Icecapades" 

in Memorial Stadium July 27-August 

5. The ice show last year netted the club 

a profit for charity of between $65,000 and 

$70,000. 

Milton Schwaber, owner of the Playhouse 

and Cinema, has given to the city of Baltimore 

a lot upon which will be erected a new 

branch of the public library to serve the 

Northwood area . late Frank Durkee. 

who was head of the Dm-kee Enterprises and 

a pioneer in the industry here, left an estate 

of $388,888, according to an inventory filed 

orphans court. 

Herbert Gillis, Paramount Washington 

manager, was visiting here with Charles 

Boasberg, Paramount vice-president from 

New York . 

attending the 

Washington Area Exhibitors convention last 

week were Leon Back, Rome Theatre; Jack 

Little, owner of the Avenue; Jack Fruchtman, 

head of the Fruchtman Theatres; Henry 

Dusman and Clay Hafele of National Theatre 

Supply; Lou Seiber, projectionists' union 

president; Clay Langlotz and Mildred Wolsh. 

Charles Grimes, Silver Springs, also attended. 

He is district manager for Stanley Warner. 

in 

WASHINGTON 

lUTartin Moskowitz, recently promoted to 

supervise the newly formed eastern division 

for 20th-Fox. held a series of sales 

meetings at the Washington branch. With 

him were Abe Dickstein, who was promoted 

from New York manager to Atlantic district 

manager, and Seymour Cohen . . . Variety 

Barker Gerald Wagner, general manager of 

Lopert Washington Theatres, was married 

April 7 to Ruth Shumaker, a reporter on the 

Washington Post and Times-Herald . . . The 

following men were approved for associate 

membership in the Variety Club by the 

board of governors: Paul Cooper and Jack 

Cooper, partners, Capitol Equipment Co.; 

Dr. Milton F. Weingarten, surgeon, and Alan 

R. Klompus. executive vice-president. Food 

Town, Inc. . . . The next board of governors 

meeting will be May 7 in the executive room 

of the Willard Hotel. 

Co-Chairmen of the teenage Juke Box 

Dance in the Variety Club Friday night (20) 

were Joel Margolis, Herman Paris, Norman 

Kal, Bill Hoyle and Hirsh de La Viez . 

The following people have made reservations 

for the Variety Clubs International convention 

in New York May 9-12: Jake Flax, delegate; 

Alvin Q. Ehrlich, delegate, and Mrs. 

Ehrlich; Marvin Goldman, international 

canvasman, and Mrs. Goldman; Morton Gerber. 

chairman of the welfare committee, and 

Mrs. Gerber. Mr. and Mrs. Fred S. Kogod. 

Mr. and Mrs. Han-y Bernstein. Mr. and Mrs. 

I. A. Hofberg. William E. Jasper, Max Podietz, 

Mr. and Mrs. Francis Storty. Mr. and 

Mrs. Joseph Kinsky. Joseph B. Walsh. Nathan 

D. Golden, international heart chairman, 

and his wife; Gertrude Flax and Mrs. 

Hattie Briskman, sisters of Jake Flax; 

Robert Blitz, son of Barker Albert Blitz, and 

Herndon Edmond, friend of William Jasper. 

Universal salesman Stan Taylor. 42. died 

of a heart attack while attending a dance 

with his wife last Friday night. He is sur- 

vived by his wife Loretta and three small 

children Carrier says that Independent 

Theatres Services will do the buying 

and booking for the Shore Drive-In, 

Ocean City, Md.. as of May 2 . . 

Filmrow 

. 

bookers, salesmen and managers were guests 

of the Sidney Lust Theatres at the opening 

ball game Tuesday. 

William Zoellner, MGM short subject sales 

manager, visited the local exchange . . . 

Manager Herb Bennin had a birthday on 

Tuesday and the office staff joined the celebration 

by giving him a party . 

Rohde. 

home office print department, who is vacationing 

in Washington, came into the exchange 

to meet the folks. 

Out-of-town exhibitors .seen on Filmrow 

uicluded Mike Leventhal. "Doc" Westfall, 

M. K. Murphy, Reese Harrington. Doug Connellee 

. . . Gray Barker. Maryland and West 

Virginia exhibitor, just had a book published. 

Title is "They Knew Too Much About Flying 

Saucers," the story of what happened to 

certain researchers and investigators who 

found out where the saucers came from. 

Barker has been head of an English department 

in a Maryland school system, and 

audio-visual education consultant for a 

large school supplier, theatre manager and 

motion picture projection technician and now 

operates a buying and booking firm out of 

Clarksburg. W. Va. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

: April 28, 1956

. . . The 

. . "Picnic" 

: April 

. . Joseph 

. . 

Norman 

. . Norbert 

. . AA's 

. . Memorial 

. . Connie 

NEWARK 

por Friday the IStli, drivers of cars with lUiy 

combination of 13 on their hcense plates 

were awarded prizes at the Totowa, New 

BrunsW'ick, Paramus and Shore driveins. As 

special Friday the 13th attractions, the 

Totowa, Union and Mon-is Plains drive-ins 

showed "Black Friday." in addition to the 

regular bills. "Tlie Ghost of Frankenstein" 

was added to the program at the Paramus. 

Shore and New Brunswick drive-ins . . . Kay 

Baker, ca.shier of the Lyric, is back at work 

after a long illness . . . Matiuel Lima, manager 

of the Newark Di-ive-In, annoimced that 

his playground is open. 

Harold Flannery, assistant manager at the 

Newsreel, is enjoying a vacation in Virginia 

Newsreel cashier, Henrietta Baron, 

IS convalescing at the Beth Israel Hospital . . 

Charles Henry, manager of the Park, was recuperating 

following an eye operation. The 

acting manager is Ralph Hanison ... Ed 

Steinberg, owner of the Chancellor in Irvington, 

reports a successful run of "Hill 24 

Doesn't Answer." 

The West End, Newark, and the Cameo 

m Jersey City are installing new carpeting 

and air conditioning . Geller. recently 

connected with the Pix in Jersey City 

and former manager of various Warner 

houses in this area, is now managing the 

Ridgway at Stamford, Conn. ... A two-week 

vacation was being enjoyed by Mun-ay 

Scharf. manager of Loew's State in Newark. 

Danny Oliner, operator at Loew's, was 

maiTied to nurse Helen Kulka the first part 

of April . . . The new relief cashier at Loew's 

is Mary Modestino ... At the Roosevelt, 

Gregory Ma-sessa is the new assistant manager—transferred 

from the Hollyw'ood in 

East Orange. He is replacing Thomas Hannigan. 

who resigned due to illness . . . The 

Roosevelt ran a Mickey Mouse giveaway for 

the Saturday matinee. 

Frank Flohn, manager of the Colony in 

Livingston, ran kiddy matinees diu-ing spring 

vacation . 

was doing spectacularly 

at the Regent in Elizabeth, on authority of 

Manager Ed Kane. It was in its second week. 

Warner at Erie Observes 

Its 25th Anniversary 

ERIE, PA.—The Warner Theatre celebrated 

its 25th anniversary this week with a record 

of four managers in all that time: Jim Totman, 

Ken Grimes, Henry Rastetter and Bob 

Bowman. 

Members of the industry recall that "everybody 

who was anybody" in Erie attended 

the grand opening as guests of the Harry M.. 

Major Albert and Jack L. Warner, back in 

1931. John H. Harris, at that time zone 

manager for the Warner circuit, was present 

as were Dan Michalove, Thomas J. Fordham 

and Lou Brager. circuit executives. The 

opening program featured Bernie Armstrong, 

from the Pittsburgh Warner Theatre, as 

guest organist, and the film offering was "The 

Millionaire," 

The Warner Theatre, center of Erie's entertainment 

life for 25 years, has staged 

dances in its lobby, basketball has been 

played on its stage. Cinemascope and stereophonic 

sound were innovations of recent 

years, many famous stage personalities have 

appeared here in person. The theatre, which 

cost $l'j million dollars, seats 3,000. 

PL.^QIIE TO ROSEN—Samuel Ro.sen, 

left, executive vice-president of Stanley 

Warner Cinerama Corp., receives a plaque 

from Col. Malcolm C. Hay, president of 

the United Nations Ass'n of Pittsburffh, 

which sponsored the premiere of the 

third Cinerama production, "Seven Wonders 

of the World," at the Warner Theatre, 

April 19. SW Cinerama executives 

from New York were B. F. Kranze, Lester 

B. Isaac, Clifford E. Giesseman, Harry 

Goldberg and Everett C. Callow. 

Piltsburgh 20lh-Fox 

Opens New Home 

PITTSBURGH—The newly constructed one 

and a half story 20th-Pox building was opened 

this week 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. 

PHILADELPHIA 

publicists for "The Man in the Gray Flannel 

Suit" got a break in newspaper promotion 

when District Attorney Victor H. 

Blanc's photograph appeared in print to help 

promote a show of men's fashions at the 

Green Valley Country Club . 

J. 

Kasser, owner of Norman Automatic Vending 

Co.. became an "extra" in "The Harder They 

Fall" when he attended a national convention 

in Chicago last November. Some 

scenes for the picture were being filmed In 

and around the Conrad Hilton Hotel, where 

he was staying. He played the pai-t of a 

newspaper reporter. Kasser donated his 

check to charity. 

George Beattie, William Goldman Theatres' 

executive, was in Florida recuperating from 

ulcer 

trouble. 

PITTSBURGH 

"phe city of McKcpsporl collected only $15,- 

583.28 in amusement taxes dtu'ing 1955 . . . 

Joe Birocco, Clarion exhibitor, is in his second 

year as a student at Clarion State Teachers 

College ... Eli Lagoze, formerly of the 

Philadelphia branch, is the new main line 

salesman here for 20th-Fox . 

Mae, 

daughter of the Joe Freemans iSW Johnstown 

manager), and naval Lt. Edward Barr 

Uhler, Annapolis graduate from Baton Rouge, 

La., were married in New York . . . Harry 

Martin, Oakland district confection store 

owner, recently leased and reopened the Penn 

Theatre, West Tarentum, formerly operated 

by Tom Zaimes, Homestead restaurant owner. 

. 

. 

Bill Manscll, Warner district manager, held 

down the exchange here for several days 

while Jack Kalmenson vacationed in Las 

Vegas. The company's May drive honors 

Mansell . 

Stern, head of As.sociated 

circuit, hospitalized for several months, was 

expected home soon Theatre. 

McKeesport, presented a midnight rock and 

roll stage show April 19 . . 

Stanley Warner 

circuit entered protests with the PUC here 

regarding ESCO's proposed increase in film 

delivery 

rates. 

Mrs. Ernest Stern, whose husband is general 

manager of the Associated circuit, appeared 

in the Rodef Shalom Sisterhood Templayers' 

annual show^ Thursday evening in J. Leonard 

Levy Hall here . 

"The Come On" and 

"The Toughest Man Alive" went out to a 

number of indoor and outdoor theatres in 

first run multiple exhibitions ... We previewed 

the new^ concession building at the 

Maple Drive-In on Route 30. It is four times 

larger than the original building and a 

marked improvement in appearance, accommodations 

and service, now cafeteriadesigned 

for two lanes of traffic. 

Kay Boyle, 65, ticket salesman at the 

Gardens since 1935 and at Forbes Field since 

1939. died at his East End home after suffering 

a heart attack . . . Harry Thomas announced 

that the Police Circus will return to 

Forbes Field July 12-14 . . . Jefferson Borough. 

Allegheny County, collected $14,945.27 in 

amusement taxes during 1955 . . . 

John 

Groves, Duquesne popcorn and concession distributor, 

looks to a record year as drive-in 

theatre owners and his other accounts are 

optimistic regarding the outdoor season. 

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 Wan-en. 

There will be about 35 shops and parking 

faculties for about 1.50O autos. 

Bttttf Th.r E.w 

SAM FINEBERG 

TOM McCLEARY 

JIM ALEXANDER 

84 Von Broom Street 

PITTSBURGH 19, PA. 

Phone EXpfBM 1-0777 

• Htw". Your E«tHp«Mt 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

28, 1956

. . Louis 

: 

April 

B/?04DW>\y 

•yhomas F. O'Neil, chairman of the board of 

directors of RKO Teleradio Pictures, went to 

the coast April 24 for a brief visit to the RKO 

Studio and the Mutual Don Lee Broadcasting 

System, both divisions of the company. 

He returned to New York Friday (27). 

William Nutt, RKO west coast story editor, 

al.so went to Hollywood April 23 after home 

office conferences with Don Moore, eastern 

story head . . . James R, Velde, general sales 

manager of United Artists, got back, to the 

home office April 23 from Toronto and left 

again April 25 for Philadelphia with Milton 

E. Cohen, eastern and southern division manager, 

for a two-day meeting . . . Sanford 

Weiner, general sales manager of Continental 

Distributing, went to Chicago April 24 to set 

up openings of "The Ladykillers" . . . Seymour 

Schussel, eastern division manager for IFE, 

went to Washington the same day for meetings 

with exhibitors. 

Alex Harrison, 20th Century-Fox general 

sales manager, got back from a Toronto visit. 

Also at 20th-Fox, Earl Wingart, merchandising 

manager, returned from a two-week trip 

to Florida and Harold Rand, trade press 

contact, went to Bermuda for a short vacation. 

Harold's a.ssistant, Claude Baruch, will 

be married Sunday (29) to Susan Kaufman at 

the Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun Synagogue 

after which the couple will honeymoon 

in Florida. Another wedding the same day 

will be that of Mary Price, secretary to Mort 

Nathanson, United Artist.s publicity manager, 

who will be married to Samuel Greenblatt at 

the Ambassador Hotel. The couple will honeymoon 

in Bermuda. Alan Bader, tradepress 

contact for RKO, accompanied Nicole Maurey, 

star of "The Bold and the Brave," to Canada 

to publicize the Montreal openings next week. 

Max E. Youngstein, vice-president of 

United Ai-tists, flew to Europe to conduct a 

series of conferences in Paris. Rome and 

Madrid. He will meet with Charles Smadja, 

vice-president in charge of European production; 

Francis M. Winikus, executive assistant 

to Youngstein, and Ben Halpern, 

manager of advertising and publicity for 

Europe and the Middle East . Lober, 

general manager of UA's foreign department, 

flew to Bogota as the first stop on a tour of 

the Central and South America offices , . . 

Others departing for Europe: Philip Gerard, 

Universal eastern publicity manager, on 

publicity plans for "Interlude," which will be 

made in Munich in June, and Lillian Gerard, 

vice-pre.sident of the Paris Theatre, who left 

the same day to attend the Cannes Film 

Festival. 

Also Europe-bound: Mark Robson, who will 

direct "The Little Hut" starring Ava Gardner, 

for MGM; Charles Boyer, William Perlberg, 

Paramount producer-director of "The Proud 

and Profane," and Elsa Maxwell, who sailed 

on the United States: Lowell Thomas, to 

London to start production of the fourth 

Cinerama feature, accompanied by Otto 

Lang, who will direct; J. J. Cohn, MGM 

studio executive, to London; William Snyder, 

pr&sident of Rembrandt Films, to Paris and 

Catuies: Henry Henig.son, to London on 

special assignment for MGM, and Lawrence 

Weingarten, MGM studio executive and producer, 

to Paris. 

Arrivals in New York from Hollywood: 

William Wylo.-, producer-director of Allied 

Artists "Friendly Persuasion": Robert Swink, 

film editor on the picture, and Gary Cooper, 

star of the AA film, who will promote the 

picture in the East before leaving for Europe 

April 30 to make a picture for Billy Wilder; 

Henry Ginsberg, producer of "Giant" for 

Warner Bros., who came in for preliminary 

exploitation and advertising plans; Sal Mineo, 

starred in Allied Artists' "Crime in the 

Streets," who returned to his home in New 

York: Gigi Perreau, featured in "The Man 

in the Gray Flannel Suit," here for a visit, 

and Hedda Hopper. 

Delegates of 55 Countries 

To Attend U-I Meeting 

NEW YORK—Delegates from 55 

home office 

countries, 

sales heads and studio executives 

will take part in the five-day Universal-International 

"Global Conference" to start at the 

Studio May 7 with 72 delegates present. 

Overseas visitors will observe operations and 

hear discussions of the company's distribution 

policies as well as learning about production. 

Alfred E. Daff, executive vice-president and 

president of the foreign subsidiary, Universal- 

International Films, will preside at the conference, 

while sales meetings will be conducted 

by Americo Aboaf, foreign general 

manager. 

Plans for further expansion of the foreign 

mai-kets will be outlined. Tom-s of the studio 

are included in the itinerary and the latest 

product will be screened. 

Nate J. Blumberg, chairman of the board; 

Milton R. Rackmil, president; Edward Muhl. 

vice-president in charge of production; 

Chai-les J. Feldman, general sales manager 

and vice-president, and Vice-President David 

Lipton are scheduled to speak. 

Attending from the foreign department in New York 

will be Ben M, Cohn, assistant foreign manager 

Felix Sommer, vice-president; Fortunat Baronat, director 

of foreign publicity; Joseph Mazer, head of 

the 16mm department; Norman Glucic, vice-president, 

Charles Simonelli, eastern advertising and publicity 

manager; Clark Romsay, executive assistant to Lip- 

Gordon, production code odministrotor; Louis Blame, 

head of the studio foreign department and Maurice 

Myron, head of foreign transportation. 

Foreign executives will include: K. N. Hargreaves, 

loint ossistant managing director of JARFID, U-1 

distributor in the United Kingdom; A. W. Perry, president 

of Empire Universol Films, Ltd., U-I distributor 

in Canada; Here Mclntyre, Australasian supervisor; 

American super-visor; Arthur Doyle, Far East super- 

Jordan, continental sales manager, and 

rsholl. Middle Eurc and Scandir 

Trans-Lux Stockholders 

Re-elect All Directors 

NEW YORK—The management's slate of 

directors was re-elected without opposition at 

the annual meeting Tlaursday (26) of Ti-ans- 

Lux Corp. The board then re-elected all 

officers. 

The directors are: Chester Bland, Harry 

Brandt, who owns 26.3 per cent of the 559,900 

shares of common stock outstanding; Richard 

Brandt, Robert Daine, Jay Emanuel, Percival 

E. Furber. Aquila Giles, Eklison Rice, Jacob 

Starr, Ralph Wiener and Milton C. Weisman. 

The officers are: Furber, board chairman 

and president; Albert D. Erickson, vice-president, 

secretary and treasurer; Giles, vicepresident; 

Herbert S. Keller and Raymond G. 

Pugh, assistant secretaries and a.ssistant 

treasurers. 

Robert Mulligan, TV director, will pilot the 

Alan Pakula production, "The Jim Piersall 

Story," for Paramount. 

Phillips Will Supervise 

MGM Play Production 

NEW YORK—MGM will enter the field 

of theatrical production this fall and has 

named Sidney Phillips 

supervisor of its play- p'" 

producing department W^ 

at the home office in 

New York. Phillips ha.s 

been with MGM for 

many years as a contact 

between the com- 

pany and theatrical 

producers. 

Eighteen years ago, 

MGM backed productions 

of Sam Harris 

and Max Gordon and 

recently the company Sidney Phillips 

acquired the film rights to "The Teahouse 

of the August Moon" in a pre-production 

deal. Affiliation with other producers will be 

sought, according to Phillips, who said that 

MGM has an arrangement with Gilbert 

Miller for the New York production of the 

London stage success, "The Reluctant Debutante," 

which will open at the Henry Miller 

Theatre October 10. 

Loew's Names Silverstein 

Liaison With Producers 

NEW YORK—Maurice Silversteni, m 

chame cil tii^tiitaution for Central and South 

^)BftP»4 " 

. 

^ ^ America for Loew's 

International Co., has 

• 

] \, been named to act as 

liaison with the independent 

producers 

whose pictures will be 

released by MGM, according 

to Arthur M. 

Loew, president of 

Loew's MGM. 

who will 

Silverstein. 

headquarter at 1540 

A 

Broadway. New York 

Maurice Silverstein 

Qj^y^ ^.^^^ initiate new 

package deals with independent producers 

as well as supervise those contracts already 

entered 

into. 

Nat Rudich Named As Aide 

To Mort Nathanson at UA 

NEW YORK—Nat Rudich has been named 

assistant publicity manager of United Artists 

by Roger H. Lewis, 

national director of 

advertising, publicity 

and exploitation. He 

has been radio-TV 

contact for the com- '^. — 

pany since 1953. 

Rudich will work 

with Mort Nathanson. 

publicity manager, on 

national supervision of 

magazine, newspaper, 

television and syndicate 

Â 

planting. 

From 1944 to 1946 ât Rudich 

Rudich staged shows for WABD. DuMont 

station. He also was TV consultant for Columbia 

Pictures and program director for 

WNYC. 

Gene Kelly has the male starring role 

Sol C. Siegel's production, "Les Girls," i 

MGM film. 

jt 

BOXOFFICE 

; 

28, 1956

: April 

. . Two 

. . . Jack 

. . Tap 

BUFFALO 

Xl/ith more than 10,000 tickeUs sold and -six 

organizations signed as sponsors of Melody 

Fair's forthcoming musical tent shows in 

Wurlitzer Park, North Tonawanda, Pi-oducer 

Lewis T. Fisher says: "Tlie western New York 

theatre isn't dead or even ailing. Audiences 

are not only available, they ai-e foresighted 

and energetic. It will be necessary to open 

permanent offices at the theatre early in May 

though our premiere date is June 16 when 

the curtain rises on 'Plain and Fancy.' 

Melody Fair has temporai-y quarters now handling 

ticket sales and reservations in the Tiemont 

building. North Tonawanda. The six 

arena-style musical comedies to be presented 

this summer will include "The King and I," 

"Wish you Were Here," "Call Me Madam," 

"Kismet" and "South Pacific." 

White Cloud. Mohawk Indian stuntman in 

Hollywood for many years, and Lili, Iroquois 

maiden and his assistant in a ballyhoo tour 

in western New York in behalf of "Mohawk," 

which is having a simultaneous world premiere 

in many cities and towns of New York state, 

got a lot of radio, TV and newspaper publicity 

for the 20th-Fox opus while they were in 

Buffalo. In the course of an interview w'ith 

.\i-dis Smith, drama editor of the Buffalo 

Evening New.s, White Cloud declared that he 

entered motion pictm-es as stuntman as a 

blond, named Pauline. In closeups Pauline 

was Pearl White, but her slim cliff-hanging 

or airplane dangling figure very often was 

White Cloud in a blonde wig. Whitecloud, 

who has been risking his neck as a stuntman 

for some 40 years, is staging a knife-throwing 

act on his present tour in behalf of "Mohawk," 

outlining the figure of Lili with knives thrown 

at her as she stands against an oak boai-d. 

The Buffalo Scholastic Legion of Decency 

has awarded a film citation to "Carousel." now 

in its fourth week at the Centm-y Theatre. 

The picture is being promoted in all Catholic 

schools of the diocese, according to Grace 

Downing, legion secretary, and much to the 

satisfaction of General Manager Robert T. 

Mur-phy of the Century. 

Dipson Theatres of Batavia. N. Y., has taken 

over the operation of the Hornell Drive-In 

on a lease from the company headed by Harry 

Berkson of Buffalo. The Avenue Drive-In 

Theatre Corp. of Buffalo, of which Berkson is 

the head, has taken over the Boulevard Drive- 

In on the Niagara Falls boulevard in Wheatfield 

. . . Schine Theatres has given up the 

lease on the Rialto Theatre in East Rochester 

and Harold Dykert. owner of the building, 

has leased the hoase to James L. Russell. 

Following a run of 16 weeks of "Guys and 

Dolls." the Cinema in downtown Buffalo has 

gone back to its regular policy of showing imusual 

pictures from this country and abroad. 

The house also has gone back to its regular 

admission scale, matinees, 60 cents and evenings 

90 cents. The current attraction is 

"Doctor at Sea" . 

firefighters were 

felled by smoke while battling a two-alarm 

fire at the Roxy Theatre. The fii-e caused 

$20,000 damage to the balcony, projection 

booth and second floor of the Basil circuit 

community house. The cause of the blaze 

was not determined, but the arson .squad speculated 

that a cigaret might have been discarded 

in the balcony. The fii'st alarm was 

sent in at 12:16 a.m.. about three-quaiters 

of an hour after the theatre's last show ended. 

Foundation Organizers 

Peter (J. Becker. William Kaikin and 

Mrs. Harvey Kice who have organized 

Foundation Theatre Co. and leased the 

Krlanger. Buffalo's famed legitimate theatre. 

The Foundation Theatre Co., which will 

the local operate Erlanger, legitimate house 

recently sold by Dipson Theatres to Ike Gordon 

of Rochester, has put 5.000 shares of 

nonvoting stock on sale. Incorporation papers 

have been signed by Peter G. Becker, who 

will manage the theatre; William R. Raikin. 

general counsel, and Mrs. Harvey M. Rice, 

director. They will hold the 100 voting shares 

in the nonprofit foundation. Money from 

selling nonvoting stock at $75 a share will 

go into a fund for guarantees to producers of 

plays and musical comedies and for improving 

the Erlanger, they said. Only one share 

will be sold to a person. Stockholders will 

have preference in choice of seats when subscriptions 

for plays are opened. Organization 

of the foundation began when Dipson sold 

the house to Gordon, who planned to raze it 

for a parking lot. 

Deputy Commissioner William C. Sclu-eiber 

estimated damage at $15,000 to the two-story 

brick building and $5,000 to the contents. 

Flames, starting in the balcony seats, swept 

upwai-d to a storage room, raced next to the 

projection booth and then into an office. Firefighters 

had to rip out a metal ceiling to 

reach them. 

Bill Shirley, exploiteer. is in Canada working 

on the advance campaign for "Oklahoma!" 

which started this week at the Tivoli in 

ChUdren in Buffalo and the 

Toronto . . . 

suburbs are watching more than 85 different 

television programs each week which run 

from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. This information 

was compiled, says the Buffalo Evening News, 

as the result of questionnaires sent in by 200 

area pai-ents regarding their children's T'V 

viewing habits. The progi-ams listed most 

often as "good" and "excellent" by the parents 

are Captain Kangaroo. Lassie. Robin Hood, 

Disneyland and Mickey Mouse Club. The 

parents praised all five for their educational 

value and in respect to Captain Kangaroo, 

they also expressed approval of "the nice 

language." The parents also had praise for 

I Remember Mama and its pictm-e of family 

life. 

Monty Schwam of the 20th-Fox home office 

exploitation forces was in Buffalo and western 

New York with White Cloud and Lili, the two 

Indians touring the state in behalf of "Mohawk." 

Monty is a compai-ative newcomer 

in the industry . . . Billy Keaton, past chief 

barker of Variety Tent 7. and his wife Reggie 

have started their tenth year on a highly 

successful Mr. and Mrs. radio show. They now 

broadcast each morning at 9 from WXRA 

in Kenmore . Taplln has wound up 

his .seven-year career as a disk Jockey on 

WEBR, the Buffalo Courler-Expre.ss station, 

and has started his own advertising agency 

downstate in the Ithaca-Blnghamton-Elmlra 

area. 

In connection with "The Swan" at Shea's 

Buffalo. Eddie Meade, ad-pub chief, put over 

a striking beauty ad, featuring "the coiffure 

of a princess," as worn by Grace Kelly in 

. . . Phil Todaro, former 

the MGM opus 

Buffalo theatre manager and now known as 

WXRA's Hernando, the teenagers DeeJee. 

presented his Hideaway Horror Show the 

other night in the Kenmore, using no other 

advertising than his 2:30-4:30 radio stint. 

Phil is booking a number of "horror" films, 

including "The Ape," "Revenge of the Zombies" 

and "Fear." 

The board of directors of Foundation Theatre, 

which was formed to retain legitimate 

attractions in Buffalo on the stage of the 

Erlanger Theatre, has appointed four additional 

members to the foundation's advisory 

council. They are Mrs. Winifred E. Corey, 

Darwin R. Martin, Mi-s. Brayman Pomeroy 

and F. Hammond Kirk. The directors will 

meet soon to map plans for a fund campaign 

Mundstuk. chaii-man of the Vai'iety 

Club's raffle book campaign, has sent out a 

communication jacking up the guys and dolls 

of Tent 7 to get more action on the disposal 

of the books. Assisting Jack in the campaign 

are Mrs. Nina Lux, wife of 

the chief barker, 

Elmer F. Lux; Jack Chinell, manager of RKO; 

Mrs. Gert Bleich and Clint LaFlamme, major 

domo of Tent 7. 

SYRACUSE 

The North, DeWitt and Kallet drive-ins are 

open following a winter which set an alltime 

snow record. Only the Southside Salina 

Drive-In still is closed. Herbie Slotnick, who 

has set the opening of the new Lakeshore 

Drive-In. is having trouble with flood waters 

at the site. Jokesters offer him rowboats for 

a row-in theatre. 

Ralph Stitt 

of Schine's Eckel has a miniature 

log cabin built in the theatre lobby in 

preparation for the world premiere May 2 of 

"Mohawk." about the Indians of the Mohawk 

Valley. Chief 'Whitecloud and Lih. members 

of the cast, will be in Syracu.se for a ceremonial 

at the Onondaga Indian Reservation 

Sunday . . . Sam Oilman, manager of Loew's 

State, has given a white sw-an to the Burnet 

Park Zoo and was pictured in the new.spaper 

with Parks Commissioner William Barry. He 

was inspii-ed. of course, by "The Swan." which 

opened at Loew's right after the Kelly- 

Rainier wedding. 

A Grace Kelly (Princess Alexandra) hairdo, 

like hers in "The Swan," is being featured at 

local beauty salons. Promoting interest in the 

film is Steve Perozzi of the MGM Buffalo 

office. 

Bach Joins IFE in Buffalo 

NEW YORK—Rudolf Bach has been named 

sales representative for IFE Releasing Corp. 

in Buffalo and Pittsburgh with headquaiters 

in Buffalo by Marmy Reiner, general sales 

manager. Bach succeeds Lou Lieser, who resigned. 

Bach has been sales representative for 

Allied Artists in Buffalo and Albany. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

28, 1956 

33

. . Halas 

^(mcUm êîMt 

/"•hanceUaor Harold MacMillan turned 

down the trade's case for a substantial 

cut in the entertainment tax by eschewing 

any reference to tax in his budget statement. 

The All Industries Tax Committee, 

which was responsible for the tax relief campaign, 

is preparing plans to secure some concessions 

during the Committee stage of the 

finance bill. The task will not be easy. 

Treasury statistics show that the Chancellor 

anticipates no less than £39.250,000 from tax 

revenue during 1956-57 compared with £39,- 

518,000 for the current year. These figm-es are 

significant. As long as the Industry can produce 

this amount of revenue Chancellor Mac- 

Millan will hang on tight to his veritable 

milch cow. 

The Minister may, however, allow the industry 

to secure some relief provided that the 

public is prepared to pay for it by an increase 

in seat prices. It would not be impossible 

for MacMillan to follow his silence 

on entertainment tax with some undercover 

talks with the industry whereby in exchange 

for putting up seat prices by one penny the 

exhibitors would get say a halfpenny, the producei-s 

a farthing and the Ti-easury a farthing. 

This is the only way the trade is 

likely to get any relief, even if in doing so 

MacMillan would hit the small independent 

exhibitor, whose case for relief is strongest. 

On the other hand, students of the Treasury 

policy will recall that these same tactics: 

silence on tax in the 1950-51 budget speech 

followed by an increase in seat prices negotiated 

during the last days of the Committee 

stage of the finance bill, ultimately led the 

exhibitors to "voluntarily" accepting the Eady 

scheme. They were in fact, panicked into 

endorsing an increase in seat prices after 

Chancellor Gaitskill had prepared the way 

by appearing to turn down all other requests 

for tax relief. 

The British trade last week had the opportunity 

of viewing Republic's anamorphic 

lens system, Naturama. A demonstration held 

at the Hammer Theatre using Vidoscope lens 

was attended by leading exhibitors throughout 

the country—the date had been fixed to 

tie in with the monthly general meeting of 

the Cinematograph Exhibitors Ass'n. Tlie 

high spot of the demonstration was a pilot 

film introduced by Herbert J. Yates, giving 

advanced details of .some of the company's 

productions available in this 2.35 ratio. Tliey 

included "The Maverick Queen," starring Barbara 

Stanwyck and Scott Brady, and "Lisbon," 

starring Ray Milland and Maureen 

O'Hara. On hand to answer questions was 

Reggie Ai'mour, Republic's executive vicepresident 

in charge of foreign operations. 

all 

General verdict; Naturama is a dual 

lens system compatible with other widescreen 

presentation methods. The color and 

clarity of background detail was quite impressive 

and the over-all picture quality equal 

to anything the trade has seen prior to Cinemascope 

55. 

By ANTHONY GRUNER 

The Kine Weekly last week published an 

interesting survey on the percentage of films 

made in Britain with American money. The 

journal analyzed 83 feature films in the 

editing stage or on the studio floor. Twentysix 

of them had been made with British 

money and 17 partly or wholly with American 

finance. Sixteen companies were involved 

in the survey. Five of them—Columbia, 

MGM, RKO, Fox and Warners—were responsible 

for 12 out of the 17 Anglo U. S. 

productions. The remaining five productions 

were divided as follows: Independent British 

Lion, one partly financed by America; Eros 

and Exclusive, two each. Among the 26 

J. British productions Arthur Rank had 

eight: British Lion, six: Anglo Amalgamated, 

two: Eros, two; Grand National, one; Independent 

British Film Distributors, two, 

and Renown, one. What did the survey 

prove? The amount of American influence 

and money in U. K. film industry has not 

hindered, but increased the production targets 

of British film companies. 

Stephen Bosustow, president of United 

Productions of America, and Ernest Scan- 

Ion, vice-president and treasurer, have announced 

plans to set up a London office for 

UPA. A new company wiil be formed, UPA 

Pictures, Ltd.. and will be staffed almost entirely 

with British personnel. Bosustow said 

that he intended making advertising films 

over here for cinemas and television. UPA 

Pictures also will go in for music publishing 

and merchandising on the lines already 

started in the U. S. To begin with, his company 

was not looking for big profits, but 

merely a chance to break even. 

Betty Box and Ralph Thomas have signed 

a conU-act to produce and direct ten films 

for the Rank Organization. This follows 

the success of the team responsible for some 

of the most popular boxoffice British films, 

including "Doctor in the House" and "Doctor 

at Sea." Their first film under the new contract 

will be "Checkpoint" with Anthony 

Steel, Stanley Baker and James Robertson 

Justice. Meanwhile, in Britain at least, the 

ever-faithful supporters of the "Doctor" series 

will be pleased to know that Betty Box 

and Ralph Thomas will make "Doctor at 

Large," starring Dirk 

News in brief; Two Hollywood artists appeared 

live before a paying audience last 

week—Dorothy Dandridge and Howard Keel. 

Keel, the MGM singing star, who held the 

stage at the London Palladium for 40 minutes, 

wowed everyone with his artistry, received 

ecstatic reviews from the press and 

played to packed house during all his performances. 

Dorothy Dandridge, appearing at 

the Savoy Hotel, drew poor reviews and only 

fair audiences despite excellent publicity 

coverage prior to her debut. Unfortunately 

most people had forgotten that the star of 

the 20th-Fox picture, "Carmen Jones," had 

had her voice dubbed by Marilyn Home and 

the general verdict was "a disappointing performance" 

. and Batchelor have been 

chosen to represent the British cartoon industry 

at the Cannes Film Festival with these 

five cartoons; "Animal Farm," George Orwell's 

story; "To Your Health." a film made 

for the World Health Organization; "Power 

to Fly"; "Moving Spirit," stories dealing with 

the histories of flying and horseless carriages 

respectively, and "Down a Long Way." 

Goldenson Sees Business 

Good in Second Quarter 

NEW YORK—Consolidated net earnings 

of American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres 

were up 34 per cent to $2,570,000 for 

the first quarter and Leonard H. Goldenson 

predicts good boxoffice receipts for theatres 

during the next four months as a result of 

release of a number of high quality pictures. 

Among these he names "The Searchers," 

with John Wayne, Alfred Hitchcock's "The 

Man Who Knew Too Much," with James 

Stewart; "The Swan," with Grace Kelly and 

Alec Guinness; "The Man in the Gray 

Flannel Suit," with Gregory Peck; "The King 

and I." with Yul Brynner; "The Proud and 

the Profane," starring William Holden and 

Deborah Kerr; "Alexander the Great," with 

Richard Burton and Fredric March; "The 

Eddie Duchm Story," with Tyrone Power and 

Kim Novak; "Moby Dick," with Gregory Peck 

and "Ti-apeze," starring Burt Lancaster. 

Goldenson says there is increasing evidence 

of progress toward an even flow of releases 

and this should help theatre business, particularly 

in the second quarter. 

New York, Buffalo, Omaha 

Lead in UA Sales Drive 

NEW YORK—New York, Buffalo and 

Omaha exchanges were the leaders when the 

first lap of the United Artists fifth anniversary 

sales drive ended Wednesday (25). 

according to William J. Heineman, distribution 

vice-president, and James R. Velde, 

general sales manager, co-captains of the 

drive. 

The exchanges are headed, respectively, by 

Joseph Sugar, Stanley Kositsky and David 

McLucas. They were being hard pressed by 

San Francisco, Cleveland and Montreal as 

the second lap got under way. 

The drive was launched to honor the 

present UA management. Since its inception, 

they have become sole owners of the company. 

Cash awards total $50,000. 

Denmark Yields to MPEA, 

Then Revives Dispute 

NEW YORK—The Motion Picture 

Export 

Ass'n dispute with Danish exhibitors was on 

an off-again-on-again basis Tuesday (24). G. 

Griffith Johnson. MPEA vice-president, 

arrived then from Copenhagen with a signed 

agreement making all American imports 

freely negotiable. A few hours later he received 

a cable saying that some members of 

the exhibitor group had repudiated it. 

The MPEA stopped member company film 

shipments to Denmark about a year ago because 

of a 30 per cent ceiling on film rentals. 

The embargo will continue. 

Oscar Neu, William DeVry 

On a Trip to Europe 

NEW YORK—Oscar F. Neu. president of 

Neumade Products Corp.. and William C. 

DeVry, president of Paromel Electronics 

CoiTJ. of Chicago, sailed on the Queen Mary 

April 25 for a European business trip. 

Neu and DeVry will visit England, Belgium, 

Holland, Pi-ance, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, 

Spain and Portugal to renew contacts with 

dealer representatives in those areas. They 

also will attend the Cannes Film Festival 

and return to the U. S. in mid-June. 

34 BOXOFFICE 

: 

: April 28, IS

HOLLYWOOD 

HolWwood Office—Suite 219 at 6404 Holly i 

PRODUCTION 

ivcn Svcar, Western Manaoeri 

CENTER 

Pakistan-Made Film 

To Premiere in Frisco 

HOLLYWOOD—The first American film to 

be made in Pakistan. MGM's "Bhowani 

Junction," will be world-premiered May 17 

at the Warfield in San Francisco. Starring 

Ava Gardner and Stewart Granger, the romantic 

drama was filmed in Cinemascope 

and Eastman Color with Pandro S. Herman 

producing and George Cukor as director. It 

is based on a novel by John Masters. 

Meantime another MGM entry, "Invitation 

to the Dance." bowed Monday (16) 

in Zurich, 

Switzerland, with Gene Kelly, star and director, 

present. 

"Magic Fire," Republic's film biography of 

composer Richard Wagner, was given its 

U. S. premiere Fi-iday (27i at the Monroe 

Theatre in Chicago. Produced and directed 

by William Dieterle. and lensed on location 

in Europe, it toplines Yvonne DeCarlo. Carlos 

Thompson. Rita Gam and Alan Badel. 

Beginning Monday (30). MGM will stage 

all-industry screenings of "The Catered 

Affair," starring Bette Davis. Ernest Borgnine 

and Debbie Reynolds, at theatres in 

exchange centers throughout the country. 

Exhibitors, film buyers and bookers, circuit 

operators and branch managers of all companies, 

as well as press, TV and radio contacts, 

are being invited to the showings. 

"Mohawk," produced by Edward L. Alperson 

for release through 20th-Fox. w'as worldpremiered 

Tuesday (24) at the Mohawk Theatre 

in Amsterdam, N. Y. 

To Exchange With USC 

HOLLYWOOD — A series of exchange 

seminars between U-Ts talent workshop and 

the drama department of the University of 

Southern California has been formulated. 

Under the plan, six members of the USC 

group will be enrolled in the studio's talent 

program, while at the same time six U-I 

contractees will attend drama classes at the 

university. 

WB to Make UJA Film 

HOLLYWOOD—Warner studio facilities 

were made available for lensing of "The Last 

Stop." a short subject for the upcoming 

United Jewish Appeal. Produced by Jack M. 

Warner and megged by Tom Gries. it features 

George Montgomery, John Barrymore jr., 

Mala Powers. Fay Wray. James Dunn. Robert 

Horton. Tommy Cook, Peter Leeds and 

Tracey Roberts. 

V-l Rushes Filming 

Reincarnation Film 

Hollywood— With a scheduled starting 

date of IMonday (301, U-I is rushing into 

production "I've Been Here Before," 

which capitalizes on the current widespread 

interest in reincarnation. Jock 

Mahoney has been set to star in the film, 

to be produced by Howard Christie and 

directed by Richard Bartlett. It concerns 

a man who believes he is the reincarnation 

of a World War I 

fiver. 

Ranger, Inc.. Distributes 

$10,000 to Radio-TV Men 

HOLLYWOOD — Results of the Lone 

Ranger's 23rd anniversary $10,000 cash award 

contest for radio-TV station promotion managers 

were disclosed by Jack Wrather, president 

of The Lone Ranger. Inc. The three 

top whinners were Jack W. Schumacher of 

WICU-TV in Erie, Pa., Don Beedle, KVTV. 

Sioux City, Iowa, and Chuck Olson, WREX- 

TV, Rockford, 111. 

The contest, which began January 10 and 

ended March 15, was staged in conjunction 

with the release of Warners' film, "The Lone 

Ranger." It was sponsored by Warners, 

General Mills, American Bakeries and the 

Wrather organization. 

Technicolor By Mail 

HOLLYWOOD — Direct mail processing 

service for amateur users of 35mm Kodachrome 

film will be offered by Technicolor, 

t>eginning next month, at which time the 

company will begin processing such .stock. Dr. 

Herbert T. Kalmus, president and general 

manager, said the service will be available 

through retail dealers and, in addition to 

direct mail, a pickup .sei-vice will be offered for 

customers who so prefer. Both direct mall 

and pickup orders will be distributed to retailers 

by photo finishers. 

MGM Will Release Four 

During May and June 

HollvTvood—MGM will release four new 

features and one reissue during May and 

June. 

Slated for May are "Gaby. " with Leslie 

Caron, and "The Rack." starring Paul 

Newman. In June the list includes 

"Bhowani Junction," with .\va Gardner 

and Stewart Granger; "The Catered .Affair," 

toplining Bette Davis, Ernest Borgnine 

and Debbie Reynolds, and the rerelease. 

".Vnnie Get Your Gun," starring 

Betty Button and Howard Keel. 

More Pay to TV Writers 

In New Guild Compact 

HOLLYWOOD — Increased minimum fees 

and a higher percentage of rerun payments 

are called for in a new basic agreement covering 

freelance and staff writers in the telefilm 

field, negotiations for which have been 

concluded by Writers Guild of America with 

the Alliance of Television Film Producers. 

The pact, subject to final approval at an 

east-west membership session of the WGA 

May 17. is retroactive to Saturday (21 1 and 

runs until Jan. 15, 1960. It is similar in most 

respects to the WGA's recently inked basic 

contract with the major companies' TV film 

subsidiaries. 

Members of ATFP have already approved 

the contract. Meantime Independent TV 

producers are being notified that the new 

terms and provisions are being made effective 

for them as well. 

With the resignation of Harry Ackerman, 

who has been in charge of -special projects, 

the executive structure of CBS-TV has undergone 

personnel changes headed by the 

appointment of Jack Rayel, a program director 

for the network, as Ackerman's succe.ssor. 

Ackerman is organizing Ticonderoga 

Productions, the output of which will become 

the exclasive property of CBS. 

Guy Delia Cioppa. vice-president in charge 

of west coast programming for CBS radio, 

has been switched to the TV branch as aide 

to Alfred J. Scalpone, in chajge of network 

programming emanating from Hollywood. 

Pine-Thomas Productions will launch its 

initial video venture Monday (30) when 

filming begins on the pilot for a new series. 

Outpost, based on operations of the U. S. 

cavaU-y in frontier territory. Teleplay for the 

first film was written by Martin Berkeley. 

Screen Gems, Columbia's TV subsidiary, 

inked William Bendix for the topline in 

Four Yards, an entry in the Ford Theatre 

series, produced by Joseph Hoffman. 

A F&M Video Venture 

HOLLYWOOD—Fanchon & Marco, theatre 

circuit operator, has organized Fanchon & 

Marco TV Co. in association with Judson Cox. 

First series on the docket is Police Woman, 

the pilot for which was penned by Norman 

Reilly Raine, story editor for the new organization. 

It is based on an idea by Frank 

Butler and will go before the cajneras before 

the month's end. 

Japan gives promise of becoming one of 

the biggest overseas markets for United States 

films. 

BOXOFFICE April 1956 

35

: 

' 

: April 

STUDIO PERSONNEUTIES 

Blurbers 

RKO Radio 

staff promotions m Mervin Houser's department 

found MILT HOWE named assrstant publicity director 

and PHIL GERSDORF drawing the post of editorial 

Cleffers 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

RKO Radio 

Choreographer NICK CASTLE will stage 

jutines in "Bundle of Joy." 

Loanouts 

Universal-International 

»ith in Debbie Reynolds "Tammy," Technicol' 

ImemaScope production which Joseph Pevney 

negging for Producer Ross Hunter. 

Meggers 

Allied Artists 

Executive Producer Walter Mirisch bool

: 

April 

appointed head of the studio mokoup 

deportment. 

WALTER HOLSCHER was ossigned < 

lit art 

director on the Edmund Grainger product Bundle 

Universal-International 

from MGM, ARTHUR E. ARLING 

d 

photograph Tammy " 

Title 

Changes 

Allied Artists 

Mother Sir to NAVY WIFE. 

Hall Barllett Joins 

Jeff Chandler Unit 

HOLLYWOOD—Pioduccr-writ^T Hall Bartlett 

has become associated with Jeff Chandler 

in the latter's independent, unit, Earlmar Productions, 

for which he has scripted and will 

produce "Drango." a post-Civil War action 

drama, as a Chandler starrer. Details of the 

project, first in a group of six Earlmar features 

for United Artists release, were discussed 

by Bartlett and Chandler at a Wednesday i25i 

press conference. 

"Drango." based on an original by Bartlett, 

will be directed by Jules Bricken. active heretofore 

as a stage and TV megaphonist. The 

cinematographer will be James Wong Howe 

and the musicaJ score will be written by Elmer 

Benistein. Location shooting in Louisiana is 

.slated to begin in June. 

Chandler said the pictiu-e will be completed 

in time to go into distribution before the end 

of the year and that he will undertake personal 

appearance tours in connection with its 

bookings. It will be in Technicolor and in 

.some widescreen process not yet selected. The 

actor, who formed Earlmar in association with 

his agent. Meyer Mishkin, also is under nonexclusive 

contract to Universal-International, 

for which studio he recently completed "Toy 

Tiger" and "Away All Boats." 

It was indicated that the Bartlett-Chandler 

association, at present limited to "Drango," 

may be extended to include other pictures. 

Also on the Earlmar docket is "Lincoln Mc- 

Keever," to be made from a Maxwell Shane 

screenplay based on the book by Eleazar 

Lipsky about a frontier lawyer. Rights to 

this property were recently acquired from 

Pine-Thomas-Shane Productions. 

Trial to Be in July 

HOLLYWOOD—A mid-July trial 

date was 

scheduled in superior court for the $250,000 

breach of contract suit lodged by UTiter 

David Chandler against telefilm producer Hal 

Roach jr. The litigation involves rights, 

monies and damages which the plaintiff 

alleges are due him In connection with the 

Public Defender TV series produced by Roach. 

At Chicago NCCJ Parley 

HOLLYWOOD — Robert Young, star of 

Screen Gems' Father Knows Best telefilm 

series, was emcee at the annual meeting of 

the National Conference of Christians and 

Jews, beginning Friday (20) in Chicago. Also 

there was Eugene B. Rodney, who produces 

the series for Columbia's TV subsidiary. 

Use German and Russian Rawstock 

The West German motion picture industry 

used about 27.500.000 meters of rawstock film 

supplied by her manufacturers in 1954 and 

about 20.000.000 meters from the Soviet zone 

of Germany. 

MANGING 

from 10 to 13 

millions of dollars 

is the estimated final cast of 

Cecil B. DeMille's forthcoming "The 

Ten Commandments," While filmdom's railbirds 

thus are at variance regarding what 

the ultimate investment will entail—give or 

take a mere three millions—there can be no 

doubt on one point: The picture will finish 

as the most costly ever produced. 

Assuming, as most everyone does, that it 

to be C. B.'s all-time greatest—and that covers 

a multitude of milestone accomplishments 

a plethora of smart and intense preselling is 

going to be necessary for the opus to enjoy, in 

today's uncertain market, grosses of sufficient 

vastness to assure the desired and deserved 

return of profits on so astronomical an investment. 

That DeMille is cognizant of such need and 

is prepared to meet it head-on is indicated 

by the recent announcement that special 

"news bureaus" have been established on 

both the east and west coasts, fully staffed 

to service every conceivable outlet with news, 

art, features and what-have-you? as a means 

of bringing attention to the upcoming Paramount 

release. On the Hollywood front, the 

"news bureau" is being staffed by Al Finestone. 

Ann del Valle, Frank Friedrichsen and 

Paul Simqu, all veterans of the spacesnatching 

field, and is headquartered on the Paramount 

lot—whence a steady stream of material 

already is emanating. 

Apparently, then, if every possible medium 

for the dissemination of news about the movie 

doesn't know all about "TTC" before it goes 

into release this November, it won't be because 

sufficient data and detail are not available. 

And with Finestone masterminding the 

operation, the details are especially certain. 

A recent trade story from the "bureau," which 

rated no more than a stick of type anywhere, 

devoted approximately 700 words to the announcement 

that De>IiUe Is planning, as his 

next for Paramount, a musical version of "The 

Buccaneer," which he filmed first in the 

late 

'SOs. 

Another probable result of the "bureau's" 

activities will be the launching of a head-tohead 

contest between C. B. and Y. Frank 

Freeman as to which w'ill win the doubtful 

distinction of being Hollywood's mostphotographed 

executive during 1956. 

Ciu-rently. Spring St. bookies are making 

C. B. an 8-to-5 favorite. 

From the publicity director of Woman's 

Home Companion, advance tearsheets of the 

initial installment of still another profile of 

Frank Sinatra, described as "the personal 

story of the tender, tough guy who won't 

" behave. .\bly written by Isabella Taves, the 

is biographical material considerably more 

flattering to Frankie Boy than any of the 

many recently printed scries dealing with 

his life, loves, vagaries, genesis and talents. 

Nonetheless there is one passage therein that 

Is 

accords pause for thought, to wit: "And he 

will carry to the grave a blind prejudice 

against 'finks,' cops and newspapermen." 

Which doesn't exactly square with the fa

Little Indian Detectives Help SE ATTLE 

utb Vandalism at Tucson Alter 

By AUDREY MAC HUNTER 

rucsON, ARIZ.—-If you can't beat 'em, 

Join 'em." This is one theatre manager's 

;in.swer to the vandalism problem that is 

plaguing drive-ins. The Biltmore Motor-Vu 

is here conveniently located near a motel 

center, which means extra dollars from 

travelers, but a few blocks in another direction 

there is a settlement of Yaqui Indians, 

whose economy does not provide for 

many theatre tickets. However, with the 

theatre screen in plain sight of most of their 

homes, there are always plenty of would-be 

customers to crawl over the Motor-Vu fences. 

This was the situation as Ralph Bradshaw 

found it when he took over the management 

three years ago. This, added to the usual 

break-ins and speaker vandalism, was enough 

to drive a good theatreman to another business, 

pronto. 

Before Bradshaw came to the Biltmore, 

an armed guard had been kept on duty at all 

times to patrol the grounds, with orders to 

do what was necessary to scare the vandals 

away. But Bradshaw changed all that in 

one night when he saw the guard fire his 

guii while chasing a small boy over a fence. 

On the other side the boy's voice was heard 

to call back: 

"Shoot again, Meester, you meesed." 

Needless to say Bradshaw got rid of the 

guard and began working out a plan. He 

patched all the weak places in the fences 

except one. Next night he waited behind his 

trap for his first visitor to appear. Soon a 

small Yaqui crawled through the opening. 

Bradshaw told the trapped youngster that he 

was welcome to come in the front gate, but if 

he persisted in breaking in the back, he was 

in for trouble. 

Next, Bradshaw provided a bench that 

would hold 30 watchers, that is if they didn't 

squirm too much. It did not take long for 

the word to get around that there was a new 

deal at the Motor-Vu. As in all groups, there 

was a leader. Bradshaw would seek him out 

whenever there were odd jobs around the 

drive-in that the youngsters could do. He 

found his little charges to be good workers 

and appreciative as they cut and trimmed 

grass or raked and picked up trash for muchneeded 

spending money. 

Soon Bradshaw's loyal little helpers saw 

an opportunity to help their friend by being 

• YOUR ORDmS FOR 1 

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CiNTURY Projector Corporation new york, n 

SOLD BY 

y 

Southwest Theatre Supply Co. 

3750 East Van Buren 

Phoenix, Arizona 

interstate Theatre Equipment Co. 

1923 N. W Kearney 

2419 Second Aven 

Portland, Oregon 

ScotHc, Washingt 

Pembrex Theatre Supply Corp. 

1969 South Vermont Are. 

Los Angeles 7, California 

Walter G. Preddey Co. 

187 GoMcn Gate Ave 

Son Francisco 2, Californio 

^? ^'-iî^^^î 

BOXOFFICE : 

: April 28. 1956

: 

April 

Roundabout the Rockies 

BV BOB WALKER. 

rd Lebby, Warner Bros, salesman and a nice 

little guy, was in western Colorado this 

week on his first trip since he was hospitalized 

last November. Ed had an ulcer 

burst and it necessitated three major operations 

and dozens of blood transfusions before 

they finally got him on his feet. He was 

£0 seriously ill that they gave him up for 

some time, but he fooled them. 

Melba and I had wanted to go see him last 

time we were in Denver, but they said he was 

too serious and there was little hope for him. 

It made us just sick. Tuesday was Melba's 

bii-thday and we were headed for Grand 

Junction to buy her a new sewing machine. 

Just as we were about to leave, the phone 

rang and it was Ed. We were so tickled to 

;ee him that we forgot about the trip and 

spent the afternoon with him. 

He sold film for 30 years and then retired 

thinking he had enough in an annuity to 

live on comfortably. Whamo! The inflation 

trend took him in its backwater and he had 

to go back to work. Now, he's been trying to 

keep going with a gnawing ulcer until he 

could get in another year and a half and be 

eligible for social security. He dang near 

got cheated out of the whole works, but God 

wa.sn't ready for him yet. so he's all patched 

up and says he can eat anything he wants 

to fly low to make it quick. 

Found the slump that has had me chewing 

my nails was nothing to some of the stories 

I heard along the route. 

Much of what is wrong, I still think, is 

due to idiocy in the ranks of exhibition. 

Stopped in one isolated town where counting 

chipmunks and everything else they can't 

muster 800 souls. Albeit, there's nothing 

else for folks to do but go to bed. always 

I 

wondered how the exhibitor there, who was 

a friend of mine, ever made the nice showcase 

he had pay its investment. Now there's 

a nice little drive-in there, too, and if either 

of them can make their overhead then he's 

discovered a new formula for business that 

should be universally shared. 

Stopped in Price, Utah, a town of maybe 

10,000, and that should give them an edge, 

and had a short chat with Bill Webb and his 

lovely little lady. They have a nice downtown 

house and the town's original drive-in. 

They were playing a couple of the biggest 

marquee pinups of the year and I remarked 

about how much such a combination would 

cost me. Mrs. Bill said they were getting so 

used to fantastic terms that they wouldn't 

know what to do with anything priced less. 

Then they told be about some terms that 

left me gasping. Seemed impo.ssible for a 

guy from Fruita to live with them. 

They have a three-way bid going on that 

would seem like suicide to most folks and 

though Bill said it hurt plenty, he wasn't 

down in the dumps like most folks would be. 

He said that they had discovered they were 

setting •nore h'j.ssnes.a out of product in the 

r;-e.-or.t .Mrair-;„-le thin they'd ever believed 

possible to drain out of the town. 

Most of the drive-ins in the Salt Lake area 

were having Easter openings, though there 

were several we noticed still in mothballs, 

and a few in the process of widening towers. 

In some areas it would seem there are drivein 

subdivisions in Ueu of housing projects, 

as the cow farms just darn near take up all 

the space that houses for patrons should be 

occupying. Guess it's nice having it that way 

if you can spread folks thin enough, but I 

can't help thinking something's been overdone. 

There were too many towns with shuttered 

houses all along the route to make a guy 

with a marginal operation, like mine has always 

been, enjoy the travel as much as he 

should. Anyway, since Fruita has become 

almost solidly dotted with antennas I no 

longer get those strange qualms in the solar 

plexis as I ride through the forests of crazy 

aluminum frameworks that have dotted the 

Utah countryside these many years. 

Idaho has many sections where I think the 

populace must really be addle-brained, as 

you see hundreds of houses that have monster 

aerials atop lovely homes, and they have 

more guywires and props on top of the 

dwellings than you will find in a power sub- 

for the first time in years, and that his eyes station. 

Some of the tiny houses have aerials that 

are about twice the size of his cut-down 

stomach. 

Melba and I made a fast trip up into Idaho 

the first of the month to see her parents. I 

must go 50 feet in the air and which are so 

anchored that it is a wonder a good wind 

with 

doesn't take the entire roof off, along 

thought I'd stop off oftener than I did and the TV enticer. What folks won't do to try 

talk .shop, but weather was bad and we had to keep an honest man from eating as regularly 

as he'd like! 

Just had a couple of minutes to spend with 

my friend George Fuller, who owns houses 

in Wilder, Marsing and leases in Homedale, 

Ida. George was most optimistic the last 

time I visited him, but this time he was 

feeling lower than I did when I left home. 

Business in the area is largely dependent on 

agriculture and livestock, and boy, it is on 

the rocks, but real! George has a lovely 

house in Marsing and had it closed, with 

Wilder and Homedale holding classes only 

part of the week. He said he'd lock them up 

before he'd put in another winter businesswise 

like last. He has a big transient labor 

supply come in from below the border and 

was looking forward to recouping his losses 

when they arrived. 

I came back to the grind feeling like I 

didn't have all the troubles in the world and 

ready to go to work again. A guy gets too 

low once in a while and needs to get off 

where he can get a better view of his own 

situation. 

Things picked up a little last weekend. 

Had "The Creature With Atom Brain" doubled 

with a pretty western that they forgot 

to use a director on, and the combo was that 

lost something I had been groping for to 

break my jinx. 

Popped 'em right back with "Tribute to a 

Bad Man," filmed in God's country, Sunday, 

Monday and Tuesday and it did good solid 

business. Nothing like it would have done if 

the TV station got bombed and the farmers 

had some money instead of mortgages, but 

I'd be content to settle for the kind of business 

it did every week from here on until 

the sheriff has his sale. 

Gave them "Billy the Kid" as a followup 

last night. Poor booking, but "Tribute" was 

a hurry-up, as MGM dropped it in my lap 

at the last minute, and who can say poor 

booking either, when the "Kid," old as he 

is. dragged in more business than we had 

Sunday night with Mr. Cagney's newest. 

Anyway, for a few days I can settle back 

down and quit feeling mean and miserly. 

Sure would like to see this national poll of 

exhibitors come off and see them all answer. 

Two-thirds of the guys that write me don't 

belong to anything. So it seems to me like 

we still need one organization that represents 

the majority. If all the companies 

would treat me like MGM does when it 

comes to pricing and would do the same by all 

exhibitors, and if the exhibitors would be as 

fair in return, you'd about be out of anything 

to 

write editorials about. 

I, for one, still don't want government 

regulation. I can see where a fair trade law 

would be good to stop ridiculous double-billing, 

to stop 50-cent and buck nights and all 

such suicidal pricing, to prohibit suggestive 

and lewd art, but, looking it over, most of 

the regulating would be on us and sometimes 

I think most of our troubles are of our own 

making. 

I've been reading Rick Ricketson's book on 

Theatre Management and, while much of it 

is now out of date, I marvel at .some of the 

things he said were so and that have now 

been proven. He said if divorcement came, 

we'd be in a muddle and describes just what 

happened as being what would happen. No 

sir, we don't need government regulation, 

we just need to—all of us on both sides of 

the fence—start practicing the Golden Rule 

as though our lives depended on it. And, believe 

me, I think they do if this business is 

going to stay important. 

Well, I've done it again, and this time without 

even waiting for an answer. If your luck 

holds, though, I can't possibly hold out more 

than a couple more years at the rate my 

overhead is eating up the profit, so you'll 

be rid of me maybe sooner than you think. 

Improved Motor-Vu Opens 

BLACKFOOT, IDA.—Al Barott has opened 

the Motor-Vu outdoor theatre here, with 

several major improvements greeting the 

new season's crowds. The snack bar has been 

remodeled for self-service to speed up between-pictures 

patrons. New seven-inch 

speakers will give clearer voice tones and 

new lighting will enable drivers to find their 

parking places with greater ease. 

C'Scope to Mountain Home, Ida. 

MOUNTAIN HOME, IDA.—Expecting to 

open the Motor Vu Drive-In here soon. Manager 

J. A. 

Devlin said that the con- 

struction of an 86-foot CinemaScope screen 

has made the open-air theatre completely 

modern. 

Academy PR Firm Quits 

HOLLYWOOD—Mayer & O'Brien, public 

relations counsel for the Academy of Motion 

Picture Ai-ts and Sciences the last nine years, 

has ended the contract. Howie Mayer said 

the Academy turned down his request for a 

doubling of his fee. 

In South American theatres chiefly single 

bills are played, with a few shorts to make 

a two-hour program. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

28, 1956

. . . "The 

. . . Charlie 

. . Robert 

. . Filmrow 

. . Roy 

. . Jack 

Bakersfield Showman 

James Banducci Dies 

BAKERSFIELD, CALIF.—James Banducci, 

owner of the River Theatre in North Balcersfield 

and the Arvin and the Rancho theatres 

in Arvin, 20 miles south of here, died 

of a heart attack in a North Bakersfield 

doctor's office recently. He was 56 years old. 

He retired as an exhibitor and leased all 

his theatres last March to relax and rest 

on his extensive raiiching properties in nearby 

Buttonwillow, where he was born June 

3, 1899. He spent hi.s early life in the farming 

community until 1939 w'hen he became 

a partner in the Banducci-Lemucchi Theatre 

Enterprises, which included the Granada, 

Tejon, River and Rancho theatres. About 

five years ago this partner.ship was dissolved 

and Jim retained the River and Rancho, and 

later built the Arvin. He operated all three 

until last March. 

He is survived by his wife Mary, a son 

James jr., a daughter Doris, a brother Fred, 

two grandchildren and his mother Teresa. 

Among his many business interests. Banducci 

was a partner in the development of 

the Bakersfield Speed Bowl, a hotrod racetrack, 

and in the development of the Northchester 

Shopping Center near his home. 

PORTLAND 

n theatre party for school safety patron 

members, teacher.s, parents and advisors 

was held Wednesday (25) by Jack Harroun of 

the 30th Avenue Theatre. He arranged a program 

of a good feature, cartoons and an educational 

short and had Johnny Carpenter, 

member of the Portland traffic commission, 

give a short address. 

Guy Cherney, San Francisco singer and 

Mercury recording star, is appearing at the 

Amatos Supper Club. He sang the title tune 

of "The Kentuckian," the Burt Lancaster 

picture released last summer by United 

Artists, and is being considered for the title 

role in "The Buddy Clark Story," to be produced 

by Armand Deutsch. 

Martin M. Foster, Guild managing director, 

flew in from San Francisco to check details 

on the opening of the Guild Theatre, which 

is being modernized. The theatre, an offthe-beaten 

path located house, has what 

might be considered an up-side-down setup, 

but architects have turned this condition into 

an advantage. A new entrance will lead into 

a spacious behind-the-screen entrance and 

lounge. Sound-proofed and decorated, the 

new lounge will provide ample space for exhibits 

and the between-program gathering 

of patrons. The auditorium has undergone a 

complete renovation, including a widescreen, 

new carpeting and luxury seats, new overhead 

fixtures and complete repainting. The 

exterior of the theatre, still under construction, 

will have a new boxoffice and outer 

lobby and a huge marquee. Poster estimates 

it will be at least three weeks before opening, 

probably on May 18 with MGM's 

"Gaby." 

Buys at Orderville, Utah 

ORDERVILLE. UTAH—The Valley Theatre 

here recently changed hands when Mr. and 

Mrs. Herber Covington sold out to William C. 

Heaton of Orderville. 

SAN FRANCISCO 

Tohn K. .Suusa bou^lU nearly a block of undeveloped 

property in downtown Oakland 

for an estimated $900,000. The property is 

located between Broadway and F^-anklin and 

19th and 20th streets. It was sold to Sousa 

by Fox West Coast Theatres . . . Richard 

Egan served as honorary grand marshal of 

the parade which climaxed the Festival of 

Progress Week in commemoration of San 

Francisco's 50th annivei-sary of the 1906 fire 

and earthquake. 

Lew Maren, Columbia exploiteer, was In 

town working on "The Harder They Fall" 

and "Jubal," scheduled for the Paramount 

Swan," which opened at the Loew's 

Warfield on Grace Kelly's wedding day, had 

many well-wishers Billy Pardini, for 

many years 

. . 

associated 

. 

with George Mann 

theatres and more recently in the insiu-ance 

business, died April 15. He was well known 

to Filmi-owers and will be greatly missed. 

Dudley Jorgenson, husband of Raye Telford 

Jorgenson, secretary to Herman Wobber 

of 20th-Fox, was recovering at St. 

Luke's 

hospital from a recent heart attack and expects 

to be home shortly . . . Eddie Reed and 

Gene Newman of 20th-Fox were out in the 

territory, working like beavers to put the 

next 13 weeks drive over successfully . . . Jack 

Erickson, general manager at 20th-Fox, appeared 

at the office one day with a very red 

face, reports are it could have been Las 

Vegas. 

Naomi Spring, United Artists, was 111 for a 

few days . Mitchum, movie actor, 

w'as in town for prepublicity work on his nevv' 

film, "Foreign Intrigue" . bachelor 

Murray Gerson, sales manager of U-I, has 

thrown in the tow-el. Murray will marry 

Nancy Lachtman, U-I employe, on June 24 

Gray, booker at United Ai'tists, 

has acquired a cabin in the mountains. Every 

weekend, where does Charlie go? To the cabin 

in the mountains . . . Kenneth Sturgis, of 

Walter G. Pi-eddey Co., has resigned . . . The 

El Rancho at Sparks is installing magnetic 

.sound. 

Vern Sandow has leased from T&D the 

Cedars Theatre at Nevada City. Sandow is 

installing a widescreen and will run his theatre 

seven nights a week . . . Visitors to the 

Row included R. E. Degner, Winters, Winters; 

Vic Carlson, Lux, North Sacramento; Rudy 

Buchanan. Lakeside, Stalellne; B. B. Byard. 

Garberville. GarbervlUe; R. B. Smith. Chowchilla, 

ChowchlUa; Mrs. James Lemos. State, 

Benicia . Cooper Theatres has taken 

over the booking and buying for the Gait 

at Gait as of May 1. The owner is Albert 

Schauer. 

The Showboat, Tracy. Principal Theatres, 

will reopen following its winter closedown on 

May 25 . . . The Vallejo at Gustine closes indefinitely 

as of April 30. It Is a Roy Cooper 

theatre . Allen, genial manager of 

the Stage Door, once again has done a tremendously 

fine job on promotion for the 

opening of "Richard III" on April 26. Allen 

arranged for a display in conjunction with 

Sherman-Clay and in addition commLssioned 

the Bay area artist &ni Young to do drawings 

of the principals in the film. 'Young's 

di-awlngs are now hanging in the theatre 

lobby. 

Directors Nominate Four 

For Top Megging Honor 

HOLLYWOOD—Four pictiffes have been 

nominated by members of the Screen Directors 

Guild for honors a.s the best-megged feature 

in release dm-ing the fir.st quarter of 1956. 

The candidates: "Alexander the Great," directed 

by Robert Ro.s.sen, released by United 

Artists; "Carousel," Henry King, 20th-Fox; 

"Meet Me in Las Vegas," Roy Rowland, MGM; 

"The Ti-ouble With Harry," Alfred Hitchcock. 

Paramount. 

Florence C of C Asks Long 

To Rebuild Isis Theatre 

FLORENCE. ARIZ.— Earl Crofford, pre.sident 

of the Chamber of Commerce, has circulated 

a petition addressed to Long Theatres, 

requesting that the Isis Theatre which 

burned recently be rebuilt in preference to 

construction of a drive-in theatre. The petition, 

bearing 61 signatures, has been submitted 

to Louis Long who heads the theatre 

corporation. Long has indicated he will attend 

a meeting of the chamber in the near 

future to discuss hLs plans. 

FETE UA EXECUTIVES—James K. Velde, receiitlv appointed United Artists 

general sales manager, and .\I Fitter, newly named western division manager, were 

honored at an industry luncheon recently in San Francisco. Shown above, left to right: 

Milie Naify, United California Theatres; Velde; George Mann, Mann Theatres; Fitter; 

August Panero, Panero Theatre Co.; John C. Bowles, Bowles Theatres, and Ralph 

Clark, UA west coast district manager. 

BOXOFFICE 

. 

: April 28, 1956

. . . Happy 

. . . Hugh 

. . Leo 

. . 

. . 

sparkling 200 Turned 

Inby'JubarinLA 

LOS ANGELES—Doldrum business was 

pretty much the order of things on the local 

first run rialto, the only sparkling trade being 

done by "Jubal," with a strong 200 per cent in 

its opening stanza, and which figure was 

matched by the second week of "The Man in 

Gray Flannel Suit." 


Chinese—The Man in the Groy Flonnel Suit 

(20th-Fox), 2nd wk 200 

Downtown Paramount ^Meet Me in Los Vegos 

(MGM), 4th wk 85 

Egyption United Artists Oklahoma! (Magna), 

23rd '50 

wk 

Rey—Doctor 80 

ot Seo (Rep), 3rd wk 

Fine Potterns (UA), 4th 

El 

Arts— wk 60 

Four Stor Goby (MGM), 3rd wk 130 

Fox Wilshire Alexander the Great (UA), 4th wk.. 90 

Hawaii, 1 

Stole—The Swan (MGM) 20 

Hillstreet Iris, Fox Beverly Never Soy Goodbye 

(U-i); The World in My Corner (U-l) 90 

Pontages The Seorlet Hour (Para), Jaguar 

(Rep) 30 

Paramount Hollywood The Court Jester (Para), 

6th wk 90 

Beverly—Picnic Warners 90 

(Col), 9th wk 

Warners Downtown, Wiltern, Fox Hollywood 

(Col), Jubol Timetable (UA) 200 

Warners Hollywood Cineroma Holiday (Cinerama), 

23rd wk 150 

'Gray Flannel Suit' A Hit 

In Frisco Debut With 225 

SAN FRANCISCO—The Fox walked away 

with top honors with its opening 225 per cent 

of "The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit." The 

rest of the first run theatres rated average. 

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

Fox) 225 

Golden Gate—The World in My Corner (U-l); Red 

Sundown (U-l) 100 

Poramount Anything 100 

Goes (Poro), 2nd wk 

St, Francis— Picnic (Col), 5th wk 100 

United Artists—Alexonder the Great (UA), 3rd 

wk 100 

Worfield Meet Me in Los Vegas (MGM), 3rd wk,. 68 

'Alexander' Shows Strength 

In Seattle Opening 

SEATTLE—"Alexander the Great" opened 

at the Music Hall with a first week's gross of 

190. Holding up well through its sixth week 

at the Blue Mouse wa.s "I'll Cry Tomorrow," 

which chalked up a healthy 140. 

Blue Mouse I'll Cry Tomorrow (MGM), 6th wk. 140 

Music Box Diobolique (UMPO), 2nd wk 105 

Music Hall Alexander the Great (UA) 190 

Orpheum The Swon (MGM) 05 

1 

Lester Sansom Named 

HOLLYWOOD — Allied Artists has appointed 

Lester Samom, head of its editorial 

department, to fill the company's post on the 

board of directors of the Motion Picture Re- 

,se;irrh Council. The berth was vacated 

through the resignation of Richard HeernrM>ce. 

AA executive, because of hus increased 

uciiv'itif.s ;.t the studio. 

LOS ANGELES Basin Circuit Is Sold 

lyjel Wasserman, formerly with U-I in San 

Francisco, joined the branch as a booker 

and Lew Elman transferred from Milwaukee 

as a salesman. Mel's dad, incidentally, is 

Bill Wasserman, the United Artists salesman 

birthday to Mrs. Lou (Martha) 

Lindley, wife of the Acorn Press head man, 

and to George Bowser, onetime Fox West 

Coast general manager, now on an extended 

leave. 

Celebrating their 30th anniversary were Mr. 

and Mrs. Newt Jacobs—he heads Favorite 

Films . . . Clint Glenny of the Twin-View 

Drive-In headed out for a Hawaiian holiday 

Thomas, former Florida crrcuit 

operator and more recently an associate of 

producer Hal Makelim, has purchased the 

Carlton Theatre here from Fred Dee . 

Charles Kranz of Kranz-Levin Pictures took 

off on a swing around the western territory. 

. . . Booking-buying 

. . . 

. . William Mcllwain, heads 

Tent 25, Variety Club of Southern California, 

hold a bon voyage party Monday 

will (30) to bid adieu to members trekking to New 

York early in May for the Variety International 

"Swan' Leads Denver 

convention 

But Is Not Held 

visitors included Hizzoner Manuel Carnakas, 

DENVER—Even though "The Swan" led mayor of Bakersfield and operator of the 

Vista and Virginia theatres there; Lloyd 

the town, it did not hold at the Orpheum. 

Holding over were "Heartbreak Ridge" at the 

Romeo and 

Katz, in from Las Vegas, and Bert Ki-amer of 

the Village in Coronado. 

Aladdin: "Ballet of Juliet" at 

the Esquire. "The Ladykillers" finished a 

good five-week run at the Vogue. 

George Strebe, Palm Springs exhibitor and 

restauranteur, was seriously injured when his 

Aladdin— Heartbreok Ridge (Tudor) 1 00 

the road while he was en route back 

car left 

Centre On the Threshold of Spoce (20th-Fox), 

2nd wk 75 to his headquarters after a trip to nearby 

Denhom 

Denver 

Our Miss Brooks (WB) 

Jubol (Col); Battle Stotions 

85 

Cathedral City ... A local visitor was Joe 

(Col), 

Zangrilli, Warner salesman in San Francisco, 

2nd wk 100 

1 

who previously was a booker at the Warner 

who 

Esquire ^Ballet ot Romeo and Juliet (Tohan). 20 

Orpheum The Swan (MGM) 1 50 

Poramount—The Creoture Walks Among Us (U-l); branch here . 

Red Sundown (U-i) 1 20 

west coast operations for Cinerama, took off 

Vogue The Ladykillers (Cont'l), 5th wk 100 

for Oklahoma City to supervise installation 

of the widescreen equipment at the Warner 

Theatre 

there. 

Returning from a business junket to New 

York and Chicago were Robert Kronenberg 

and Lester Tobias of Manhattan Films . 

Frank Reimer is back in town, having resigned 

his post with Warners in Denver. Once 

a member of the local Wai-ner staff, he later 

was transferred to the company's Milwaukee 

branch, thence to Denver . Jenson, 

onetime RKO booker, joined Columbia in the 

same capacity . . . Jack Berman of the 

Eastland circuit and wife returned from a 

New York holiday. 

Summer Start on 'Stage' 

HOLLYWOOD—RKO Radio has advanced 

its starting date on "Stage Struck" from 

October until early siunmer and resultantly 

Jean Simmons, who had been set for the starring 

spot, has relinquished the assigrmient. 

Her approaching motherhood will prevent her 

from undertaking the part. 

Dine for Brotherhood 

HOLLYWOOD—The eighth annual Brotherhood 

testimonial dinner was held Thursday 

(26) at the Beverly Hills Hotel, with Jerry 

Lewis as emcee. Dore Schary, MGM studio 

head, and John West, NBC vice-president, 

were among the vice-chairmen in charge of 

arrangements. 

To Texan Peler Barnes 

EPHRATA, WASH.—Columbia Basin Theatres, 

an organization comprising 15 theatre 

houses and drive-ins in Grant and Adams 

counties, has been sold to Texan Peter 

Barnes, it was announced by owner John 

Lee of Ephrata. 

This acquisition reportedly makes Barnes 

the owner of the largest independent theatre 

chain in Washington. Houses in this immediate 

area involved in the transaction 

were the Lee and Marjo theatres and Park 

In outdoor theatre here; the Lake and Ritz 

theatre and Basin Drive-In in Moses Lake; 

Lake Theatre in Soap Lake; Basin Theatre 

in Othello and Warden Theatre in Warden. 

The purchase price was undisclosed, but 

Lee announced he will retain ownership of the 

theatre buildings. 

A resident of San Angelo, Tex., Barnes has 

many commercial investments in Canada and 

the U. S. Besides operating theatres in Oroville, 

Chelan, Mason and Okanogan, Barnes 

owns farms in California and Texas, a motel 

in Chelan, and a farm, department store, 

hotel and theatres in Canada. Barnes also 

is a land developer and home-builder in Vancouver, 

B. C. A bachelor, he is 48. 

Change Airer Name 

TEMPE. ARIZ.—The College Drive-In Theatre 

here has changed its name. Now 

that Arizona State College is called Arizona 

State University, the drive-in changed its 

name to University Drive-In. 

New Airer at Taos, N. M. 

TAOS, N. M.—H. F. Taylor is building a 

300-car drive-in and hopes to have it ready 

for a May 10 opening. Arch Boardman wUl 

do the booking and buying. 

Appear at "Roughnecks' Preview 

HOLLYWOOD—With proceeds going to the 

cerebral palsy fund, Jack Carson and Myron 

Healey, featured in Allied Ai'tists' "Magnificent 

Roughnecks," made personal appearances 

Wednesday (25) at the Hastings Drive- 

In in Pasadena, where the film was given a 

special 

screening. 

D^^ 

BE A LONESOME 

SHOWMAN 

WARM THOSE EMPTY SEATS 

WITH PATRONS 

Sock PROMOTION IKAS USING 

sr^TRAILERS 

WILL KEEP EM COMIN 

fflil?i)tllfflill 

"CALIFORNIA THEATRE" 

Owner soys 1955 gross over 

S35,000. Terms. Write for 

THEATRE EXCHANGE 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

: April 28, 1956

Assoc. 

'Swan Chicago Debut 

/T//^^ C^sf in High Role 

Scores 250 Per Cenl 

.,-.. - 

i n 

- 

" ^îi«^^«i«IIW«« î^-W.^ | f I I |T| 

^^ I I »^ ^* 

ÔlJlId 

t t 

I 

W. ^% f* f* M ^> »^ 

OCr3Z>ICJfl 

'^ 

Loop Theatre were both productive new- 

" 

comers. A double bill of "Comanche" and 

"The Killer Is Loose" at the Roosevelt also 

did well in the opening week. Other Loop 

was good, and particularly so "Alexander 

bu.'iiness 

the Great" in its third week at the 

Chicago. "The Man in the Gray Flannel 

Suit" at the Oriental, also in a third week, 

and "The Harder They Fall" in a .second week 

at the Woods. "Too Bad She's Bad" in its 

second week at the World Playhouse did okay. 

"Diabolique," in its 18th week at the Ziegfeld, 

has held up .so well that its run will continue 

indefinitely. 


Court Jester (Para) 

Alexonder the Greot (UA), 

(SR) 

Carneqie— The 200 

Chicago— wk...260 

3rd 

Cinema— Rapture 190 

Eirel s Poloce- Cineroma Holidoy {Cinerama), 

48th 

Grand— 

wk 

Forbidden 

350 

Planet (MGM); Doy of Fury 

(U-l) 2nd wk 200 

Loop—Meet Me in Las Vegos (MGM) 245 

McVickers—Oklohomo! (Magna), 17th wk 

Monroe—Come Next Spring (Rep) 

Qriental—The Man in the Gray Flannel 

275 

195 

Suit 

i20th-Fox), 3rd wk 230 Snapped at the Federation of Film Councils conference at St. Louis were these 

speakers with Mrs. Max Williams, federation president. Left to right: .\rthur Mayer, 

Roosevelt— Comanche (UAJ; The Killer Is Loose 

^^^ 

State Lake—Anything Goes (Parai, 2'nd wk.! !!!' 195 Mrs. Williams, Arthur DeBra and Mrs. Mayer, and at extreme right, Ralph I). Hetzrl 

DeBra and Hetzel are from the Motion Picture Ass'n of America. 

Surf— Citizen Kane (RKO). reissue, 2nd wk 190 

j^ 

United Artists—The Swan (MGM) 250 

Woods-The Harder They Fall (Col), 2nd wk 225 

'''°K!ngsiiyr°2"nd%l°°..^°''..^.''.*.''.^'"'..'.^^."".200 ST. LOUIS-Film Councils, in their work 

Ziegfeld— Diabolique (UMPO), I's'fh wk 200 y^nh motion pictures, can participate in one 

of the greatest tasks of the modern world 

_ ,. . . . the increa.se of understanding and sympa- 

Kansas City Grosses Oil; 

^^^ among nations and racial groups. 

'Swan' a Weak 110 This inspiring theme was presented to 

KANSAS CITY—With holdovers doing as members of the 41 councils from 14 states 

well or better than opening pictures, theatre and the District of Columbia at the second 

business here was down in first run houses to annual conference of the Federation of Moa 

discouraging low. "The Swan" was dis- tion Picture Councils at the Jefferson Hotel 

appointing at the Midland in view of the here Thursday and Friday by Mrs. An-etus 

playdat* coinciding with the wedding of its -p. Burt of St. Louis, founder of the St. Louis 

star, Grace Kelly, to a prince. "Rock Around council and vice-president of the national 

the Clock" at the Paramount failed to "send" group. 

the hep-cats and the general attendance pic- The motion picture was described as a 

ture was poor. The Athletics were in town major medium in spreading international 

and the wêather was unseasonably cold for understanding and the ideals of world citimuch 

of the past week, so the drive-in oper- zenship. 

ators were not happy, either. "Let us lift our eyes and get a larger vis- 

:,ion—Componions of the Night (Arlan), 2nd wk.. 90 ion of our responsibilities to supply worthy 

- :— Dioboiique UMPO), 5th wk 120 efficient citizcns for the ncxt generation, who 

will follow our American way of life and to 

:;;:.::-;h: %Z SeivvB);- -The- -Rive;"" 

Changes nVB) 80 Create world citizens who can solve the prob- 

Poramount— Rock Around the Clock (Col); Over- ]ejns of war by providing better understand- 

the grand prize at the southeast Asia film 

Festival in Tokyo, was screened for the delegates. 

Mrs. E. J. Riley of California, membership 

chaij-man, reported 11 new councils had 

joined the federation in the last year, an increase 

of 33':, per cent. 

DeBra distributed film clips to all the delegate 

tables in the various processes—Cinemascope, 

Cinerama, Todd-AO. VistaVision, 

55mm, etc. He made an appeal for "intelligent 

people, such as members of your councils, 

to get out the people and prevail on 

them to see the better motion pictures now 

being made available for their entertainment." 

Mayer and his wife, who had attended a 

preview of "War and Peace" in Rome, discussed 

the film. Hamilton, aide to DeMille, 

talked about "The Ten Commandments." 

Vice-President Hetzel of the MPAA 

pointed to the worldwide acceptance of U. S. 

films, which now account for 70 per cent of 

the playing time on foreign screens and 

about half of the revenue realized by Hollywood 

producers. 

"The great acceptance of American films 

among the free peoples of the world," he 

"is said, a remarkable example of the great 

:::;::;::::: 75 ^g among people,- she said "We belleve 

Tower, Fairway and Granada—There's Always IS 

RoxT-clrous"^' ,20th:Fox); ^th wk. 

the great WOrk of Which this federation a 

Tomorrow u-l); Red Sundown (U-i) large part is one of the most significant of 

75 

Uptown—The Mon in the Gray Flannel Suit 

oui nipspnt piesent. aee age. 

" 

(20th-Fox), 2nd wk 110 

Vogue—The Intruder (Assoc. Artists); An Inspector Althur DeBra, director of community rela- 

Coiis Artists) 100 

jg^. (.j^g Motion Picture Ass'n of America; 

similarity in the aims, aspirations and emotions 

^^^^^^ 

Arthur Mayer, producer, distributor and 

of the thinking of the peoples of the 

/^ C 1 T Dlrrn importer of films, and his wife Lillie: Geof- world. The American motion picture possesses 

wide influence. The peoples in for- 

UOUnty bales laX Irian 

freyM.Shurlock. MPAA vice-president; Max- 

PronO

. . The 

. 

films in High Role 

At Council Session 

(Continued from preceding page) 

democracy or communism shall prevail." 

In country after country, however, we are 

facing pressure for the restrictions on the 

use of American films. We are undertaking 

to meet that problem by trying to 

persuade our foreign customers that the continued 

use of American films is for then' own 

economic benefit and expansion . . . The expansion 

of theatres in Italy, Spam, France, 

Britain and Germany has come through 

American films. Those theatres could not 

be successfully operated if it were not for the 

help of American pictures at the boxoffice 

Our pictures make people want and need 

things and this gives great impetus to the 

economic growth that results for the industries 

meeting those wants and needs." 

He said he did not think that Hollywood, 

by gearing its production to the world market, 

was losing something in its appeal to domestic 

viewers, "because most Hollywood 

films are truly international in character." 

Mrs. Max Williams, federation president, 

emphasized that the average motion picture 

council believes in the Pi-oduction Code and 

that self-regulation is the democratic way. 

Mrs. Sykes noted that the National Screen 

Council, of which she is chairman, is in its 

24th year. She pointed out that Ben SWyen, 

editor-in-chief of BOXOFFICE, differs from 

many in Hollywood who hold a family-type 

picture is for the kids. Shlyen believes that 

adult pictures made in good taste also are 

family pictures, pointing out there are millions 

of husband-wife-only families who have 

no children. Commenting on sex in pictures, 

Mrs. Sykes said sex is like garlic and should 

be used in the proper proportions to get the 

desired results. 

Geoffrey Shurlock of the MPAA spoke on 

the Production Code and its administration 

at the closing banquet Friday night. 

ON 'UNKOWN' SET—Exhibitor Abbott 

J. Sher and Mrs. Sher visited Lloyd Nolan 

(center) on the set of "Toward the Unknown" 

at Warner Bros, studio. The picture, 

in WarnerColor, stars William Holden, 

Lloyd Nolan and Virginia Leith. Mervyn 

LeRoy is producer-director of the film. 

Sher is co-owner of the Jayhawk Amusement 

Co., which includes the Jayhawk 

and Midway theatres in Kansas City, 

Kas., and the Friendly Theatres which 

includes the Vogrue Theatre and Terrace 

Drive-In in Lees Summit, Mo. 

Son of Drive-In Owner 

Barney Holt Killed 

ELKHART. KAS.—Aiiman second class 

Barney Holt jr.. 21-year-old .son of Mr. and 

Mrs. Barney Holt sr. of the Sands Drive-In 

Theatre here, was killed in an automobile 

accident north of Texhoma, Okla., Sunday 

(151. 

The airman was stationed at the Amarillo 

Air Force Base. The funeral was held at 

the Agent Funeral Home in Muskogee, with 

the Rev. Lloyd McMillan, pastor of the Boulevard 

Christian Church, officiating. Burial was 

in Memorial Park cemetery, with full military 

honors by Air Force units from Tinker Field 

in Oklahoma City. 

His younger brother. Airman Jack W. Holt, 

and Barney's wife Betty Sue, who were with 

him at the time of the accident, were not 

injured. Besides his wife, his parents and his 

brother, Barney is siu-vived by another brother 

Donald, a sergeant in the Marine Corps, 

and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W. R. 

Casey of Mon-is, Okla. 

Warrenton Theatre Owner 

Files for Legislature 

WARRENTON, MO.—William T. 

Zimmerman 

has announced his candidacy as representative 

in the state legislature on the Republican 

ticket for Warren County. Zimmerman 

is owner and manager of Radio Station 

KWRE and owner and manager of the Vita 

and Moto-Vu theatres here. He has been in 

business locally for 30 years. 

If nominated at the primary election in 

August and elected, Zimmerman has pledged 

to serve the best interests of all of Warren 

County in the state legislature. 

New Manager at Outdoorer 

FRANKFORT, IND.—Jim Partington, 28, is 

the new manager of the Frankfort Outdoor 

Theatre, which opened recently for the 

summer season. Partington has been with 

the Alliance Amusement Corp. for five and a 

half years working at circuit units in Indiana 

and Illinois. He is moving here from Kokomo. 

He is married and has two children. 

CHICAGO 

n braham Gomez, head of Gomez Enterprises 

Corp., has made some drastic changes at 

the Plaza, now the Teatro Plaza, since he 

assumed ownership recently. The theatre was 

completely remodeled and the first of a 

series of stage programs introduced . . . Atlas 

Theatre Corp., new owner of the Wicker Park, 

renamed it the Sine-Atlas and is showing 

Spanish fUms exclusively. The manager is 

Frank Rojas. Phil Bland was former owner 

and operator. 

Whiteway Sign Co. completed a $4,000 

canopy for B&K's Coronet in Evanston . . Al 

. 

Golden of U-I is hospitalized following ea\ 

automobile accident. He considers himself 

very fortimate. despite his hospital stint, for 

his car was demolished. 

Tom Dowd, midwest representative for 

UMPO, and George Sarathain, Ziegfeld Theatre 

manag;er, said that the end of the 

"Diabolique" run is as yet nowhere in sight. 

The attendance record at the 434-seat Ziegfeld 

has been broken. On Friday (20), which 

started the 19th week for the picture. Gov. 

William Stratton and his wife were among 

the patrons. 

Mary O'Leary of the U-I staff here, was 

married to Joe Callahan . . . Faye Chazdon 

is a new employe at Allied Artists . . . 

Les 

Weiru'ott, CBS-TV production chief here, resigned 

to become executive vice-president at 

Kluig Fihn Studios ... Ed Wolk, head of Ed 

Wolk Supply Co., entered Columbus Memorial 

Hospital for a checkup. 

Herb Wheeler of Stanley Warner Tlieatres 

went to Florida on a vacation . Crawford 

Theatre helped to plug Cleanup Week 

by encouraging childi-en to be interested in 

the citywide movement. Bonus to the kids 

were gifts from the Crawford management . 

Robert Young flew in to take over as emcee 

for the nth annual women's spring luncheon 

of the National Conference of Christians and 

Jews. 

The Carnegie Theatre's FM station, WNIB, 

operating after being inactive for eight 

is 

months. Located in the theatre lobby area, 

it a claims great deal of interest among 

Carnegie patrons, mo.st of whom visit the 

theatre week after week. Dick Buckley, wellknown 

disk jockey, opened with a program 

of pop music, jazz and classics. He will be 

followed with special FM musical programs by 

Tom Hill, Bob and Bonnie, and Errol Vieaux. 

Stuart Brent, book dealer in the neighborhood, 

will present book reviews. 

Filmack Trailer Co. announced that loss 

and damage to loud-speakers, considered the 

biggest problem facing outdoor theatre owners, 

is being effectively combated by a new trailer 

produced by their studios. The animated cai-- 

toon pictures a careless patron who breaks 

his car window by pulling away from a ramp 

with the speaker still attached to the window. 

The closing sequence shows the proper method 

of replacing the speaker upon its post before 

leaving. According to Filmack, the film is 

the most effective method to date of fighting 

the speaker damage problem. 

Vivian Blaine made a fast visit before going 

on to New York for preliminary work in her 

next movie with Red Skelton . . . "Magic 

(Continued on next news page)

anish 

your troubles 
















Century Projector Corporation new york. n 

SOLO BY 

y 

An-Lee Inc. 

2831-33 North Clark St. 

Chicaqo 14, Illinois 

McCarty Theatre Supply Co. 

Shreve Theatre Supply Co. 

217 West 18th St. 

Konsos City 8, Mo. 

Movie Supply Company 

BOXOFFICE : 

: April 28, 1956

. 

. . Radiant 

: 

April 

CHICAGO 

(Continued from last 

news page) 

Fire" had its American premiere at the Monroe 

on April 27 . . . With the opening of 

"Ladykillers" at the E.squire rn May, the English 

Speaking Union will take over the theatre 

for a benefit to further the interests of 

then- orgamzation . . . The Sui-f will be the 

site of a benefit sponsored by the Ballet Guild 

of Chicago, in connection with "Ballet of 

Romeo and Juliet." 

HAPPY ABOUT THEATRE REOPENING—F. L. "Doc" Lowe has reopened his 

Royal Theatre at Sterling, Kas.. which had been closed since December 1. Lowe, left, 

also operates the Star at Lebanon, Mo., and the Civic at Brookfield. Leaning on the 

concessions counter is Mrs. Ward Blackhall, who is concessions manager; Blackhall, 

manager; Phyllis Richardson, Lowes daughter, and Bill Richardson, manager of the 

Star at Lebanon and the husband of Phyllis. The photo was taken at the reopening. 

Cat Awakens Theatreman 

To Warn of Fire Hazard 

GRANT CITY. MO.— A Siamese cat named 

Keda was credited with saving the Uves of 

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Robison, owners of the 

Grant City Theatre, recently when flames 

damaged their apartment here. 

The Roblsons were awakened by the cat 

jumping on their bed, meowing and scratching 

at their faces. The room was filled with 

heavy smoke, originating from a fire in a pile 

of coal in the basement. The building also 

houses the theatre and a cafe. Damage to the 

structure and its contents was estimated at 

from $15,000 to $20,000. 

A new screen, recently in.stalled, was ruined 

and the theatre will not be reopened for at 

least two months. 

Closing at Crystal City, Mo. 

CRYSTAL CITY, MO.—Harry Miller of 

Festus plans to close his Highway Theatre 

here, probably for the summer season. He 

will continue to operate his Miller Theatre 

at Festus. The Roxy here and the Gem in 

Festus both have been closed for many 

months. 

Robert Mitchum arrived Sunday night (22) 

for tlii-ee days of advance publicity in connection 

with "Foreign Intrigue" ... In mid- 

May Sir Carroll Reed will be here for advance 

plugging for "Ti-apeze." At the opening 

on June 15, Gina Lollobrigida. Burt Lancaster 

and Tony Curtis are to make personal 

appearances . ManufactiU'ing Corp. 

has introduced a complete line of portable 

tripod, wall-hanging and frame-type projection 

screens designed to give highest quality 

reflection in all aspect ratios from the normal 

ratio of 1.33 to 1, to a full ratio of 2.66 to 1. 

Loge 9 to Meet May 12 

ST. LOUIS—The regular meeting of the 

St. Louis Loge 9, Colo.sseum of Motion Picture 

Salesmen of America, at the Melbourne 

Hotel on May 12, will include a dutch treat 

luncheon and business meeting. All active 

members, honorary members, friends and 

national officers of the Colosseum have been 

ited. 

IF 

YOUR FILLUM RENTAL IS . . UP 

YOUR EXPENSE IS 

YOUR MORTGAGE IS 

YOUR TAXES ARE 

YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE IS 

UP 

UP 

UP 

UP 

AND YOUR GROSS IS . . . 

AND YOUR PROFITS .... 

AND YOUR BANK BALANCE 

AND YOUR PROSPECTS . 

AND YOUR MORALE 

DOWN 

DOWN 

DOWN 

DOWN 

DOWN 

/ 

There Is Nothing Wrong With You . . . You're Just a Typical Exhibitor 

However . . . Don't commit suicide . . . Don't plan to end it all 

. . . There is still hope . . . There is an Allied Convention . . . 

A convention in which problems just like yours will be discussed 

and you will have an opportunity to join in the discussions 

and help form conclusions for possible action and cures. 

On hand to help in these discussions will be men such as: 

BENNY BERGER-Vice-President of Allied from IWinneapolis. 

AL SINDLINGER— Nationally known business analyst, to give 

you trends. 

WM. C. GEHRING-Vice-President, assistant to Mr. Skouras of 

20th Century-Fox. 

SENN LAWLER-Area Chairman CONIPO, progress report on 

Tax Repeal. 

AND OTHER NATIONAL AND LOCAL FIGURES WHO CAN HELP 

YOU WITH YOUR PROBLEMS. 

THE DATE IS TUESDAY, MAY 8th AT THE ALADDIN HOTEL, 

KANSAS CITY, MO. -ALL DAY 

•Registration 9 a. m. • Meeting 10 a. m. • All industry 

luncheon 12:15. (What a day!) 

• Cocktail Party 5:00 p. m and the Famous Rathskeller Party 

Muehlebach Brewery 6:30. 

This is your convention ... YOU SHOULD ATTEND ... YOU 

CAN'T AFFORD TO MISS IT . . . ALL EXHIBITORS INVITED AND 

THERE IS NO REGISTRATION CHARGE WHATSOEVER. BE ON 

HAND FOR A VERY CONSTRUCTIVE CONVENTION AND HAVE 

SOME FUN AFTER BUSINESS. 

Fnrr 

•^ t C 

confidential information which can be worth thousands 

of dollars to you. 

To all exhibitors attending a real choice piece of 

Nuff said. 

PRIZES! PRIZES! MANY VALUABLE DOOR PRIZES 

^° '"^^-'v 

Birds, That Is.) 

ALLIED INDEPENDENT THEATRE OWNERS OF KANSAS & MO., Inc. 

BOXOFFICE : 

28, 1956

. . . The 

. Charles 

. . Tommy 

. . William 

. . Mr. 

. . Regal 

. . Mrs. 

. . 

Howard Kinser Observes 

20th Year on Same Job 

KANSAS CITY Exliibitors in we.stcni ;iiul 

niiiluTii Kansas aie lioiiuring the 20th anniversary 

in that same 

territory of Howard 

'^ ^^ 

Kinser, 20th-Fox 

salesman, in practical 

fashion — with playdates. 

Kinser has been 

f 28 years with the company, 

starting in 1928 

with the old Fox Film 

CoiTD. in Dallas. 

"Out.side of technical 

perfections and increase 

in quality, there 

is not much change in 

Howard Kinser the type of pictures," 

Kinser said recently. "The roads are a lot 

better since I started traveling my territory, 

but they had dust storms in 1936 just like 

they're having today. I think I've made a 

lot of friends the past 20 years among exhibitors—just 

how many I'll learn from my 

amiiversary campaign." 

Asked if he found the same territory, same 

job, same company monotonous, Kinser 

answered, "No, I've enjoyed it." 

Greenfield, Ill» Theatre 

Building Sold at Auction 

GREENFIELD. ILL.—The Lyric Theatre 

building, west side of the square, was sold 

at public auction recently for $4,100 to a 

local business group that included L. E. 

Middleton, J. Russell Shields. Claude Sousley 

and Stan Ei'thal. The building will be used 

for recreational purposes, including roller 

skating. 

The 428-seat Lyric was closed April 13, 1955. 

COMPLETE LINE OF CONCESSIONS 

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 

& L POPCORN CO. \ 

iL 

114 West 18th St. Kansas City, Mo. k 

ATTENTION, EXHIBITORS! 

We hove sevcrol drink mochines, Sno-Cone 

mochincs and syrup dispensers we are offering 

of sole price before inventory, April 30. 

SHREVE THEATRE SUPPLY CO. ' 

T1 

217 W. ISth SI. HA 1-7S49 Kansas City, Mo. 

FIRST IN CONCESSIONS 

SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 

Midwest Popcorn Co. 

25th & Porollcl 

Kansas City, Kans. DR. 1-8067 

BOXOFFICE 

KANSAS CITY 

T^rs. EdRar 1). Krdfeiirn was in town arranging 

for the reopening of the Redfearn 

Theatre at Bronson, Kas. There will 

be two changes . . . J. E. Pennington's Cozy 

Theatre at Topeka, which has been dark the 

first three days of the week, is now going full 

time with two changes per week . . . About 75 

local people and exhibitors from surrounding 

towns attended the demonstration of Cinemascope 

'55 in the Orpheum Theatre at 

Neosho, Mo., Friday i20i. Ed Harris, local 

manager, and Ray McKitrick, 20th-Fox salesman, 

acted as hosts . . . Harry Hixon, manager 

of the Orpheum at Atchison, reports his 

father-in-law, E. Van Hyning, is now home 

from the hospital and in good spii-its, having 

come through major surgery in remarkable 

shape. 

Jack Braunagel, former drive-in manager 

for Commonwealth Theatres and now an 

executive of United Theatres of Little Rock, 

Ark., was in town over the weekend and 

visited Filmrow friends Monday (23> . . . Tom 

Smith of Urbana, Mo., helped with the 

electrical work for the reopening of the drivein 

at Rolla . 

Fulton, owner of the 

Avenue Theatre and operator of the Electric 

Theatre, Kansas City, Kas., is on a trip 

around the world. From Honolulu he postcards: 

"It's a long way around the world— 

you can prove it by me. And I'll be just as 

glad to get back as to get going." 

M. A. Levy, 20th-Fox midwest division manager, 

was in town to confer with Manager 

Joe Neger and talk to circuit heads. Neger 

made a trip to Manhattan where he called on 

Mid-Central executives. A saturation booking 

of "The Proud Ones," film about Kansas, is 

reported by Jack Cohan, sales manager, as 

starting in this area around May 30 . . . 

Don 

Walker, Warner Bros, publicist, is on a trip 

to St. Louis. He is w'orking with theatre men 

on "The Searchers" and "Serenade." Hall 

Walsh, district manager, was in from St. Louis 

last week conferring with Russ Borg, manager. 

Dwight Borin, salesman, has been in 

St. Margaret's hospital for a checkup. 

Ted Mann, who has theatres in the Minneapolis 

and Iowa areas, stopped off between 

planes on his way to Hot Springs for a vacation 

Thompson, Buena Vista 

. 

representative, spent last week in St. Louis 

Kline was in town and said his 

Plug-Hat Drive-In was scheduled to open this 

last week at Oakley. Kas. . 

Poppers 

report the sale of a hot-dog steamer to Sol 

Frank's Rocket Drive-In at Salina . . . Capitol 

Flag & Banner Co. reports its business barometer 

shows these favorites: "The Swan," 

"Meet Me In Las Vegas," "The Man in the 

Gray Flannel Suit." 

The Ed Hartman Motion Picture Booking 

Agency is now buying and booking for the 

Center Theatre at Oakley, Kas. Mary Jane 

Hartman (Mrs. Ed), who worked in the office 

before Claudia (9) was born, is now back 

helping out . 

and Mrs. Herbert Miller 

of the 50 Hi-Way Drive-In at Jefferson City, 

visited their son Carl at Colorado Springs 

who is completing his primary training at 

Camp Carson . . . National Theatre Supply 

furnished Shelby Ai'mstrong new backup 

lenses for his Hi-Five Drive-In at Milan, Mo. 

Columbia office force held a party at 

the Blue Hills Barbecue. 

J. W. Shreve of the Shreve Theatre Supply 

uol out into the territory hnn.scU' a few days 

last week, in central Mls.sourl . 

Clara 

Harding Jordan, mother of Mrs. Prank Weary 

sr. of Richmond. Mo., died Wednesday (18i 

at a nursing home in Kansas City. She was 

a former teacher and would have been 105 

years old this coming July ... A roll containing 

about 1.000 tickets was removed from the 

unlocked cage of the Vogue Theatre recently 

by .several teen-age boys. Police recovered the 

tickets after the boys tried to use some of 

them. Ed Golden, who operates the art house, 

said he would not pro-secute since the boys 

would have to report to the police. 

Clark Rhoden, business manager of the 

Rhoden Enterprises, flew to Los Angeles to 

confer with his father, E. C. Rhoden sr.. and 

to visit over the weekend with his parents . 

Dickinson Theatres is air conditioning the 

stand of the Shawnee Di-ive-In. 

BOWLING 

KANSAS CITY—The Filmrow Bowling 

League sea.son is drawing to a close, although 

the men's teams will play two more games. 

Standings at the close of the gam&s Friday 

(20) were: 

MEN'S 

Team Won Lost Team Won Lost 

Ent. 77 

67 

Shreve's 73 

Alley Rots 57 

Manley Ppcrn 68 Mode O'Ooy 56 

Thriftway .61 

United Film 47 77 

WOMEN'S 

Team Won Lost Team Won Lost 

Finton Jones 66 30 Hortmon's 48 48 

Manley Ppprs 57 39 Borg & Kim .45 51 

Manley, Inc. 52 44 Mode O'Doy 38'/i 57

COLITMBIA HOSTS KMTA LEADEKS—KMTA Iward members attended a gettagether 

in the Kansas City Columbia exchange's recreation room recently to honor 

the Jack Cohn drive. Above, left to right: Marty landau, Horton, Kas.; Tom Baldwin, 

Columbia manager; Dale Danielson. Russell, Kas.; Ben Marcus, Columbia division 

manager, and Ed Harris, Neosho, Mo. Below: Hank Doering, Garnett, Kas.; Richard 

Brous, president of Fox Midwest, Kansas City; Doc Cook, Maryville, Mo.; Elmer Bills, 

Salisbury, and Don Burnett, Larned. Kas., KMTA president. 

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Editorial Pays Tribute 

To Star Jennifer Jones 

IRONTON, MO.—When the 

State Theatre 

here played "Good Morning. Miss Dove," the 

editor of the Iron County Register printed an 

editorial praising actress Jennifer Jones and 

the picture. 

"Those of you who failed to see this picture 

missed genuine pleasure in motion pictures, 

which seems in many ways to be passing 

toward the curtain call," the editorial read. 

"Your writer has followed Miss Jones' colorful, 

versatile and unparalleled career, probably 

the greatest in Hollywood at the present 

time. People who live today and are still 

here 75 years from now, will remember the 

name of Miss Jennifer Jones when it is 

mentioned. 

"In possession of many attainments that 

come to few individuals, her name will remain 

as immortal as Lincoln, Wa-shington, 

Thomas Jefferson and others. In these 

few lines we endeavor in a very meager way 

to honor her and pay homage to one of 

America's greats." 

The editorial, according to Melvin K. 

Dinzer, who has managed the State for the 

Edwards & Plumlee circuit for 20 years, came 

on the heels of poor business with the picture. 

"It's a wonderful picture," Dinzer said. "I 

know the type of pictures that attracts the 

different age groups, but it is a shame something 

like 'Good Morning. Miss Dove' was a 

flop at the boxoffice, at least as far as we 

were concerned." 

Richard Wilson has been signed by Producer 

Lewis Blumberg to pilot UA's "The Big 

Boodle." 

ST. LOUIS 

/"•onsiderable interest among Mi.ssouri-Illinois 

Theatre Owners and others in the 

film industry here has been shown in the 

June meeting of MITO. It will be held at 

the Lebanon Country Club, Lebanon, 111., on 

June 12, with Bernard Temborius as host 

exhibitor. Ed Peters of Confection Cabinet 

and Jimmie James of St. Louis are working 

up some pleasant surprises for those who attend. 

Myra Stroud, managing secretary of 

MITO, can give the details, including the 

surprisingly low cost. A nine-hole golf course 

and an outdoor swimming pool are among 

the attractions. 

Vincent Price appeared on the Fox stage 

April 24 as a feature of the St. Louis premiere 

of "Serenade," a benefit for the Villa 

Duchesne chapel fund. Price also appears 

in the film. Also on the stage were Irene 

Jovanivich, ballerina, and her partner Richard 

Gain, dancing to music by Jack Field's 

orchestra. A fashion show was staged by 

Leppert-Roos, furriers. 

Jesse Chinich, western division manager 

for Buena Vista, was a visitor . . . Bad news 

for Jimmy Frisina of Taylorville, 111., buyer 

for the Fi-isina Amusement Co., came out 

of Washington April 20, when Taylorville's 

hopes of being selected as the site of a new 

Alcatraz-type prison were sidetracked indefinitely 

by the House appropriations committee 

which rejected a $9,500,000 request 

for the project. Jimmy headed the committee 

working on behalf of Taylorville. 

Roman Advertising Co. has been appointed 

advertising agency for National Rejectors, 

Inc., with Festus J. Krebs as the account executive. 

Roman handles advertising for 

Star Manufacturing Co. and Angelica Uniforms, 

both well known to motion picture 

theatre folk . . . The B-1 Bottling Co. has appointed 

Padco Advertising Co. as its agency. 

Padco also has acquired the Rothlan Corp. 

advertising account. 

More tough competition for local theatres 

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BOXOFFICE : 

: April 28, 1956

. . . The 

I perhaps), 

. . The 

and drive-ins—the 1956 police circus with 35 

acts opened Friday (27) to run through Sunday, 

May 6. Proceeds go to the St. Louis Police 

Relief Ass'n for dependents of police disabled 

or killed in the line of duty . . . Frankie 

Laine will sing at the High C luncheon concert 

of the women's division. Jewish Federation 

welfare fund campaign, on May 4 at the 

Chase hotel. It is a $100-a-plate affair. 

Frankie is donating his services. The Jewish 

Federation seeks to raise $1,524,450 as the 

National United Jewish appeal quota and 

$442,500 for the special national United Jewish 

Appeal Emergency Fund. 

Milton F. Napier, attorney and a vicepresident 

of the Better Films Council of 

Greater St. Louis, has filed for the Republican 

nomination for State Senator from the 

First District. He has served several terms 

m the Senate but was defeated four years 

ago . . . Tlie midwest premiere of "The Seven 

Wonders of the World" in Cinerama was 

held at the Ambassador Thursday under 

ters office this week. 

What's in a name? A lot of headaches, if 

it happens to be "Jubal." So found a certain 

very clever chap who was given an assignment 

by Columbia Pictures to go to Lambert- 

St. Louis Municipal Airport to meet Valerie 

French, Columbia's most recent discovery. 

He wanted to come up with something 

special, such as someone named Jubal on the 

local reception committee. But the city directory, 

the county directory and latest telephone 

books were no help. So Bob Goddard 

took along a salesman named George. Valerie 

was worth the trip, being most easy on 

the 

eyes. 

Kansas-Missouri ITO 

Ready for Convention 

KANSAS CITY—The board of Allied Independent 

Theatre Owners of Kansas-Mis- 

.souri Tuesday i24i completed plans for the 

William Gehring 

Senn Lawler 

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 

per.sons" 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 was released on 

$200 bail and the .show went on again later the 

same day. Among the dancers arrested were 

Elenor Rushing (Gayla Loving), 28; Rose 

Martin (Kandy Kane), 24, and Sandra Evans 

(Kitty KaiT) of Kansas City, Mo. 

Telephone Quiz Is Used 

To Promote Programs 

HK1)I-()i;d, IOWA—Mr. and Mrs. Dutch 

Youni;, (nviicrs and operatoi's 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 per.son 

telephoned wins two free tickets and two 

free meals at the Skylark if he answers correctly. 

DLS Time Extension Plan 

ST. LOUIS—A bill to keep dayUght .saving 

time in effect here one month longer than an 

existing city ordinance permits was presented 

to the Board of Aldermen on April 17. If 

the bill passes, the fast time schedule will 

continue until the last Sunday in October. 

Daylight saving time starts here Sunday i29). 

auspices of the Knights of Columbus to benefit 

its charity fund. It was put on with spotlights, 

red carpeting, radio and TV inter- 

buffet luncheon at noon, an all-industry af- 

Raymond R. Tucker impose the month ex- 

convention May 8 in the Aladdin Hotel. A It is expected that if the aldermen and Mayor 

views of celebs, songs by the Santa Cruz fair, will be sponsored by Coca-Cola. 

tension on local residents, a number of the 

choral group, the Knights of Columbus Speakers added since last week's announcement 

include William Gehi-ing, 20th-Fox vice- 

Mississippi River will take steps to follow the 

adjacent communities on both sides of the 

Zouaves in fancy drills and the 4th Degree 

Knights of Columbus Color Guard, "Cinerama 

Holiday" ended its spectacular year P. Skouras, and Senn Lawler, Fox Midwest 

president and executive assistant to Spyros St. Louis lead. 

plus run April 24. 

division manager and area chairman of the 

tax repeal committee. 

Reopening at Winchester, 111. 

It pays to get to the Cinderella early on Reports will be made on how certain localities 

licked the daylight saving threat, and on Route 106 between here and ALsey. near 

WINCHESTER. ILL.—The Green Drive-In 

week nights. In the first 30 minutes the 

bargain price for adults is 25 cents. The Cinderella 

is a unit of the Wehrenberg circuit party following the afternoon meeting will son on Friday (13). It is owned and operated 

on the Senate hearing on EDC. The cocktail Barrows Station, reopened for the 1956 .sea- 

St. Charles Drive-In has joined be sponsored by United Film Service, and the by Paul Stehman and Tom Danner. 

the Buck night parade, apparently to meet Rathskeller at 6; 30 at the Muehlebach Brewery 

will be sponsored by Exhibitors Film 

competition at that rate from various driveins 

in St. Louis County. 

Delivery, A. V. Cauger Service Co., and Dixie 

Enterprises. It will be emceed by Charley 

TOP QUALITY POPCORN 

Homer Hisey, Warner Bros, salesman, was Stark, son of Joe Stark of Stark Enterprises. 

to return to his home in Nashville, 111., April Wichita, who gained considerable experience 

In 50-lb. or 100-lb. bags 

25. Homer has been hospitalized at Sikeston along this line at Southern Methodist University 

at Dallas and on television and radio $fi50 P""- 100 lbs. 

for three weeks . headquarters of Fi'isina 

Amusement Co. needed a traffic cop stations there. 

there being so many film salesmen, 

etc, about. Callers from St. Louis in- 

F.O.B. St. Louis 

cluded Hall Walsh, southern prairie district 

manager; Lester Bona, Warner Bros. St. 

Police Raid Girl Show 

[r|o)72z?v^^ Compcmy 

sas City. 

morals squad raided the Alvin four 

days after it had been resumed following an 

Out-of-town exhibitors seen along Filmrow 

included: Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Williams, the show-house was used as an evangeUstic 

interim of nearly three years dm-ing which 

Union; Paul Musser, Casey, 111.: Eddie Clark, tabernacle. 

A.A. THEATRE CONCESSION 

Metropolis, 111.; Adolph Meier, Cuba; Judge Disorderly conduct charges were preferred 

Frank X. Reller. Wentzville; Charley Beninati, 

Carlyle, 111.; Bernard Temborius, Leb- 

and Manager Alfred Krikorian of Kansas 

against seven stripteasers and lessee Ed Ross 

SUPPLY CO. 

anon, 111.; A. B. Magarian, East St. Louis, City, Mo. 

111.; Tom Bloomer, Belleville, 111 . . . John 

Meinardi, district manager of Fox Midwest 

Theatres, visited the Kansas City headquar- 

Louis manager: Gordon Halloran, 20th-Fox At Twin Cities Alvin 

manager; Tommy Williamson, manager, MINNEAPOLIS—Roadshow burlesque encountered 

a roadblock here when the 

RKO. Walsh later in the week visited Kan- 

Theatre 

police

. . .This 

1. This is the story of an ordinary man 

.. . worked frotn 9:00 to 5:00. . .raised 

hamsters in his spare time . . . 

steered 

clear of doctors. 

2. Oliver did twenty push-ups every 

morning . . . took long bracing walks 

in the fresh air . . . made sparing use of 

condiments and stimulants. 

3. Then one day while he was shaving, 

he noticed a small lump. An icy hand 

reached out and clutched at his heart 

was it-CANCER! 

4. Overnight Oliver became a changed 

man. Hegave his hamsters to a neighbor, 

bought a small harp and a booklet entitled 

"Harp-playing for Beginners." 

5. Instead of taking long bracing walks, 

he tottered into his lawyer's office, cut 

two nephews out of his will and hastily 

added a couple of codicils. 

6. His lawyer, a man of real intuition, 

knew that where there's a will there's a 

way, and firmly bullied Dancer into 

seeing a doctor. 

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY 

¥ 

D Enclosed is 

my 

7. A complete checkup showed he was 

in perfect health, except for a minor 

tone deafness that would preclude much 

skill with the harp. 

8. Dancer was so overjoyed he promptly 

went home and made out a very large 

check to the American Cancer Society, 

and that's what you should do, too. 

9. (MAIL TO: CANCER, c/o your 

town's Postmaster.) Help others and 

help yourself. Fight Cancer with a 

checkup and a Check. 

Through the Courtesy of 

BOXOFFICE 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

: April 28, 1956

Normandy Airer Suit 

Dismissed by Court 

the release of films to any other theatre in 

Duval County for seven days after exhibit 

at the Normandy. As a result, the complaint 

said, persons living in the north, south and 

east parts of the county were denied the 

privilege of seeing the films in their areas 

until seven days after they had been shown 

at the Normandy, which is w-est of town. 

The Main Street charges said there was no 

"substantial competition" between the theatres. 

It claimed that patronage at each was 

'almost exclusively" from the area surrounding 

it. All parties to the suit, including Judge 

Simpson, agreed that the sole question to 

determine was whether the contending theatres 

were in "substantial" competition. The 

judge ruled that both theatres drew substantial 

patronage from areas other than 

their own neighborhoods, and also "considerable" 

patronage from the opposing theatre's 

general neighborhood. 

He ruled tliat "clearances" between film 

showings, such as the seven-day interval, "are 

not illegal, per se. but to the contrary, are a 

vital and necessary feature of the motion picture 

distribution system." 

French 'Sins of Borgias' 

Is Banned at Memphis 

MEMPHIS—The Memphis and Shelby 

County board of censors has banned "Sins of 

the Borgias." a French film. It is the first 

film banned here this year. Although the 

law specifies that there shall be five censors, 

the board has consisted of only three—Mrs. 

B. F. Edwards, Mrs. Walter Gray and Mrs. 

St. Elmo Newton sr.—since the resignations 

of Lloyd T. Binford and Avery Blakeney. 

The film will open May 1 at the Sunset 

Drive-In in West Memphis. Manager Bob 

Kilgore said. The English-subtitled Fi-ench 

picture has been denied the Hollywood Motion 

Picture Producers Ass'n's seal of approval, 

has been condemned by the Roman Catholic 

Legion of Etecency, and is advertised as "so 

.sensational even the French censored it." 

Albert G. Weber to Build 

$150,000 Donelson Airer 

n(lNKI,.S(lN. TENN. Construction of ii 

$150,000 dnvc-in on a 30-acre U'act on the 

JACKSOm'ILLE—A long-pending $450,000 Lebiuion road, two miles from here, has been 

suit, which charged that the Normandy Twin announced by Albert G. Weber, part owner 

Outdoor Theatre monopolized second run of the Colonial Drive-In. Weber has resigned 

films in Duval County (Jacksonville^ In restraint 

of trade, was dismissed here by Fedsale 

jewelers firm, to give full time u, in 

as secretary-ti-easurer of Morris & Co v. lioli- 

. 

eral Court Judge Bryan Simpson. 

drive-ln interests. 

The complaint was filed early in 1955 by An innovation at the new drive-in will be 

owners of the Main Street Drive-In. one of 

a device to transmit sound from the film 

fom- theatres operated by the Jaek.sonville 

track directly to radios on cai-s farthest from 

Theatres Co.. which is headed by Fêd Kent, the screen. A widescreen will be installed 

prominent attorney and showman. The Normandy 

and Main Street are approximately from fried chicken to popcorn." 

The concessions menu will include "everythint; 

ten miles apart. 

Joseph Hart jr.. associated in ownership of 

At the time the suit wa« filed, the Normandy 

was operated by the Tropical Drive-In 

the Colonial, as well as the Bel-Air and New 

Warner Park facilities, will give technical 

Corp.. but it came under the ownership of 

assistance to the Tri-State Theatre Supply 

Loews Theatres on July 6. 1955. 

Co., which is furnishing equipment and service 

to the new theati-e project. 

The complaint charged that the Normandy's 

contract terms with distributors prohibited 

Memphis 'Bears Down' 

On Sunday Tax Law 

MEMPHIS—The Memphis and Shelby 

County administrations have announced that 

they will begin "bearing down" on theatre 

owners in an effort to collect a special assessment 

levied on Sunday motion picture 

performances. 

The assessment, based on the seating 

capacity of the theatre, ranges from $8.50 for 

small theatres to $75 for a large theatre per 

Sunday, It has been in effect since the late 

1930's when Sunday films became legal here. 

Mayor Orgill said the move to collect the 

assessment is aimed at bolstering sagging 

finances of the Memphis and Shelby County 

welfare department, which has been flooded 

with pleas for aid. The Sunday film money 

is paid to the welfare department in addition 

to regularly budgeted tax funds supplied by 

the city and county. 

Some theatres, officials said, are in arrears 

on the assessment and a better method of 

collecting the money is being sought. 

There is talk that the theatre owners may 

get together in an effort to have the assessment, 

which some feel is unfair, eliminated. 

Promote Jesse White 

To District Manager 

COLUMBUS. GA— Je.sso White, member of 

the Martin Theatres of Alabama. Florida, 

Ocort'ia and Tennessee orKanlzatlon for 

Laird 

nearly 20 years, has been named district 

manager for the company in central Georgia 

and central Alabama. White has been city 

manager here for Martin Theatres since 1951. 

T. C. Laird, member of the Martin organization 

for the last ten years, will succeed 

White in his city post, according to C. L. 

Patrick, general manager for the four-state 

chain. 

White started his career with Martin Theatres 

in 1937 in Opelika, Ala. In July 1942 he 

became manager of the Martin at LaFayette. 

Ala., and the next year he was transferred 

to Manchester. Ga.. as manager of the President 

Tlieatre. He remained there until 1949, 

when he was named city manager of Martin 

houses in Americus, Ga. After 18 months 

there, he was moved to Griffin, Ga., where 

he held the same position. 

White, who has three sons, has been very 

active in civic affairs here. He will continue 

to make Columbus his home. 

Laird, in the industry since 1931. has experience 

which includes booking and buying 

for a circuit of theatres in Florida and booking 

for a film exchange in Atlanta. He joined 

the Martin circuit in 1945 and since then 

has managed theatres at Atmore, Ala., and 

Fitzgerald and Americus, Ga. Father of four 

children, he has moved to Columbus, which 

is headquarters for the Martin circuit. 

Kipp Hamilton will play a supporting role 

\ 20th-Fox's "One in a Million." 

Airer Adds Talent Shows 

LEBANON. TENN.—The Cedar Drive-In 

Theatre here is presenting a new talent show 

each Wednesday night through May 9. Recently 

opening on a fulltime basis, the outdoor 

theatre is offering the Wednesday night 

attraction along with the film feature at 

no increase in price. The talent shows are 

sponsored jointly by Lebanon merchants, the 

theatre and the Milkman Band. 

rnu: to relax—Employes of the Florida Theatre. Jacksonville, have learned 

that they can have their fun together after working hours. Here is a group ready to 

take off for a Saturday midnight swim and steak fry under the Florida moon at 

Jacksonville Beach after closing the theatre. Standing at far left are the men who 

frequently devote their after-work hours to bettering relations with employes. Left, 

Robert Heekin, FST district manager; Florida Manager Jim Levine and assistant 

Hoyt Yarbrough. Other employes were already at the beach preparing the st«aks. 

BOXOFFICE

Luxurious $300,000 Showpiace 

In Hollywood, Flo., to Open in Fall 

MIAMI 

HOLLYWOOD, PLA.—Construction of 

the 

luxiu-ious Hollywood Theatre by J. Clai-ke 

Williams is scheduled for completion by early 

this fall. Cost of the project, including land, 

equipment and building, will be approximately 

$300,000. The indoor theatre is being built 

for the Claughton Theatres, designed by local 

architects Stai't and Mceller. 

The marquee will be a softly lighted panel 

set high and flush with the building. A delicate 

fixed canopy will extend from boxoffice 

to curb. Tlie front of the foyer and lobby is 

to be finished in glass, approximately 18 feet 

high: the finish of the boxoffice, marble. 

There will be extensive use of Formica inside 

the foyer. 

Blue will be dominant in foyer and lobby, 

where use will be made of grass cloth, wood 

finishes and wallpaper panels. Foyer plans 

include a television viewing axea and space for 

a modern refreshments concessions. The 

women's lounge and powder room are finished 

with Marlite walls. The manager's office will 

be on the mezzanine, which will have a rail 

of continental design. 

A spacious cii-cular ramp is to lead from the 

lobby to the auditorium standby area. The 

125x75-foot auditorium will seat 1,000. A 

smoking loge on the main floor will be 

elevated, offering the latest in seating comfort. 

The 19x45-foot screen, according to Wil- 

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SOLD BY 

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Alon Boyd Theatre Equipment Co. Joe Hornstein, Incorporated Capital City Supply Co. 

p. 0. Box 362 Shreveport, Louisiana 273 Flagler St. 

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BOXOFFICE

. . Tlie 

95 

Phont: 

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. . Elizabeth 

. . Exhibitors 

. . 

ATLANTA 

Oerinan Abrams of the Lumpkin (Ga.) 

Theatre has taken over the Richland 

'Ga.i Theatre from C. R. Gowart, who ha* 

moved to Jacksonville, Fla. . . . Crescent 

Amusement Co., has equipped the Elite at 

Nashville for Cinemascope . city of 

Atlanta has purchased the property on which 

the Tenth Street Theatre was located at a 

reported price of $120,000. and April 26 marked 

the last day of operation. Pi-operty will be 

used in an expansive midtown expressway 

program. The Tenth Street was operated by 

Georgia Theatre circuit. 

. 

Henry G. Krumm, former film man here, 

was on the Row. The Ki-umms now live in 

San Antonio Atco Drive-In at 

Pearson was opened recently by C. A. Drake, 

who also operates the Drake Theatre . 

J. H. Thompson, president of Georgia The- 

NOW with 

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1010 North Slappcy Drht i Walton StrNt. N.W. 

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146 Wolton, N.W. Ationfo, Ga. 

atre Owners and Operators Ass'n, and head 

of Martin-Thompson Theatres, met with his 

executive committee for lunch at the Variety 

Club. President R. M. "Dick" Kennedy of the 

Alabama Theatre Owners Ass'n was also 

present. They discussed the joint Georgia- 

Alabama Theatre Owners convention to be 

held May 27-29 at the Dinkler-Plaza Hotel. 

Martha Chandler, United Ai'tists, was invited 

to discu.ss WOMPI participation in the 

convention. 

During a recent windstorm, the screen 

tower of the Skyway Drive-In at Fitzgerald 

was blown down. E. G. Johnson, ABC bookoffice, 

agent for the theatre, announced a 

probable reopening date of May 13 ... A 

spring meeting of managers was held by 

Crescent Amusement Co. April 17, 18 in Nash- 

Alfred Starr, Bijou Amusement Co. and 

ville. 

NATO executive, spoke on "Current Showmanship 

Problems": George Doyne, Doyne 

Advertising Agency, Nashville, spoke on 

"How to Get the Most Out of the Advertising 

Dollar," and Mike Simons, customer relations 

director, MGM, spoke on "Relationship 

of the Theatre to Community." 

Owen Vaughn, Buena Vista office manager, 

met with the Tallulah Falls Young Matrons 

Circle at the Piedmont Driving Club to discuss 

plans for the premiere of "The Great 

Locomotive Chase" which the circle will 

sponsor June 8 at Loew's Grand here in Atlanta. 

Ken Laird, Buena Vista district manager, 

returned from Montgomery where he 

conferred with Doug Desch, Midwestern district 

manager . L. Patrick, general manager 

of Martin Theatres, Columbus, made a 

short visit to the Atlanta booking office . . . 

Bob Moscow of the local Rialto Theatre and 

his family returned from a vacation at 

Daytona Beach. 

Another drive-in that "went with the wind" 

was the Athens (Ga.) Drive-In during a 

recent storm. The screen tower was blown 

down, part of the concession stand roof was 

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torn off and loudspeakers uprooted. Georgia 

Theatres will erect a new screen and reopen 

shortly . . . Dan W. Hill, former film man 

in Athens, died recently at his home in Asheville, 

N. C. He served as city manager for 

all the theatres in Athens when operated by 

Georgia Theatres, and later as city manager 

for Wilby-Kincey operating the Georgia Theatre. 

Exhibitors on Filmrow the past week were 

Preston Henn, Henn Theatres, Murphy, N. C; 

Gordon Stonecypher, Cornelia Drive-In, Cornelia: 

J. W. Peck, Pex Theatre, Sparta: Milton 

Moore, Coosa Theatre, Gadsden. Ala.; 

Herman Abrams, Lumpkin and Richland; Mr. 

and Mrs. A. L. Sheppard, Grand and Waynesboro 

Drive-In, Waynesboro: Jay Solomon, 

Independent Theatres, Chattanooga: Tom 

Miller, Park-Vue Drive-In, Muscle Shoals, 

Ala., and Joe Hart, Bel-Air and Colonial 

drive-ins, 

Nashville. 

Jack Weiner, MGM publicist, resigned, 

effective April 27. Weiner expected to leave 

immediately for Paris, France, to visit his 

The Columbia exchange was 

burglarized recently, but nothing of consequence 

was taken and the only damage was a 

broken skylight Wallace of 

National Screen Service returned from a vacation 

in West Palm Beach , L. M. Dabney 

has closed his Lincoln 

. . 

Theatre at New 

The Melody Drive-In 

Smyrna Beach, Fla. . . . 

is the new name of the old Twin City at 

Sandersville, which was opened April 20 by 

Clyde Nihiser . Kenny, UA, spent 

the weekend in Greenville, S. C, with her son 

and his family. 

WOMPI news: President Stella Poulnot 

presided at the luncheon meeting at the 

Variety Club April 25. Highlights of the 

meeting was discussion of WOMPI participation 

in Old Newsboy Day, jointly sponsored 

by Atlanta newspapers and Variety Tent 21 

for the benefit of the Cerebral Palsy School 

on May 18. Last year $75,000 was collected 

for the school. Also discussed were club plans 

for participation in the joint Georgia-Alabama 

Theatre Owners convention. Atlanta 

saluted the Jacksonville, Fla., WOMPI on 

its birthday last week. The Atlanta club was 

very proud of this as it was instrumental 

in starting the club in Jacksonville, and the 

Toronto, Canada, club, which held its first 

anniversary dinner last week. 

Hazard Reeves, president of Cinerama and 

native Atlantan, was principal speaker at the 

spring meeting of the Society of Motion Picture 

and TV Engineers recently at the 

Georgia Tech Architecture building. Reeves 

showed one of the cameras used in Cinerama. 

He is a graduate of Georgia Tech . 

Stars of the Georgia-filmed "Goodbye, My 

Lady" were in Atlanta the day following the 

film's world premiere in Albany, Ga. Brandon 

DeWilde. Walter Brennan and William Hopper, 

son of Hedda, were here for a series of 

personal appearances at the Paramount Theatre 

where the picture was shown. 

The Fulton County unit of the Cancer fund 

of which John H. Stembler, Atlanta showman, 

is local chairman, kicked off a fund raising 

campaign recently. Stembler was given a 

check for $5,000 by Mrs. Eula Morett, president 

of the Women's Allied Beverages Industries, 

at the annual ball held at the 

Dinkler-Plaza Hotel . visiting 

the Row recently were Paul Engler, Engler 

Theatres, Birmingham: Leroy Rollins, Rogers, 

Montgomery: Louis Rosenbaum, Muscle 

Shoals Theatres, Florence; Mrs. Ruby Howell, 

BOXOFFICE

. . . On 

Oscar 

: 

. . 

Top Drive-In. Samson: R. M. Kennedy. Kennedy 

Theatres. Birmingham, all from Alabama; 

Oscar Howell jr.. Belmont Hills. 

Smyi-na: Hugh Prince, Co- At -Co Theatres. 

Toccoa: W W. Fincher. Fincher Theatres. 

Chat.sworth and Tommie Lam. Lam 

Amusements. Rome, and Moon Corker. Alps 

Road Drive-In. Athens, all from Georgia. 

K&B Soda Co., popular Filmrovv gathering 

place for many yeai-s. changed hands when 

Mrs. Abe Brown, widow of Abe Brown, .sold 

the business to Emory Stanford. Stanford 

was formerly with Electric Sales Co.. also 

. Sara Masden, 

located near Filmrow 

former employe of United Artists, has returned 

to work, replacing Betty Landers, 

who accepted a pasition with Georgia Theatres 

United Artists employes enjoyed 

. . . a barbecue at the home of Bob Tarwater. 

sales manager, Saturday (14i 

. . . Frank 

Lowery. Columbia salesman, has resigned to 

join the staff of "Snake" Richardson at Astor 

Pictures. 

Joe Johnson, MGM booker, recently promoted 

to publicist with headquarters in New 

Orleans, has resigned. His future plans were 

not announced . . . W. B. Zoellner, onetime 

manager of MGM in Atlanta and now head 

of the short subjects department in the home 

office, visited the Atlanta exchange . . . 

Byron Adams, United Artists manager,' was 

in Jacksonville, meeting with W. J. Heineman, 

vice-president in charge of distribution. 

.Applications for WOMPI membership 

for the following were approved at the 

April board meeting of Women of the Motion 

Picture Industry: Opal Tate, Wil-Kin: 

Dorothy Eller. MGM. and Joyce Stokes, Republic. 

"Snake" Richardson of Astor pictures, 

got a new desk and donated his old one, plus 

six chairs, to WOMPI for use in the new 

meeting room. WOMPI's are delighted that 

Nell Allen, former president, will soon be 

back at work and in the swing of things. 

Frankie English, the first Atlanta WOMPI to 

receive her insignia pin. is proudly showing 

it to friends. 

The Clayton. Clayton, and Brundidge. Brundidee. 

both in Alabama, have been taken 

over by McLendon Theatres from Olin Evans 

of Florala. Ala., according to Phil Richardson, 

McLendon booker, recently on the Row 

March 31 the Palace. Monterey. Tenn.. 

was sold by D. A. Darwin of Cookeville. 

Tenn., to Dooley Sims, operator of the Ball, 

Grlmsley, Tenn. 

SERVICE 

and 

COURTESY 

For over 20 irMri 

OUR WATCH WORD 

•CENTURY rN?.^|'o{.°N"D' 

STRONG laTps 

CONCESSION EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 

STANDARD THEATRE SUPPLY CO, 

Tenth McElroy Airer 

In Shreveport Area 

SHREVEPORT—Thomas E. McElroy assumed 

operation of the Sunset Drive-In 

Thursday (19i, bringing to ten the number of 

theatres he is operating in Greater Shreveport. 

G. H. Mercer of Shreveport was owner 

and operator of the Sun.set, McElroy said 

that no change will be made in operating 

policy or personnel at the drlve-in. McElroy 

added that the equipment from the Kings 

Drive-In. which he purchased earlier this 

year and dismantled, has been moved to 

Agurs for possible future opening of a theatre 

there if one i.s warranted. 

MEMPHIS 

John Eaton, owner of the Normal Theatre 

here, also has taken over operation of the 

Rialto Theatre from James Augustine . . . 

Mrs. Nate Evans. 52, whose husband has an 

interest in the Idlewild and W. C. Handy 

theatres here, died . . . Mo.ses SUman has 

bought the Delta Drive-In at Osceola from 

Mrs. Violet Martiji. He also owns the Murr 

at Osceola and the Lux at Luxora. 

Grady Cook, owner of the Joy Theatre at 

Pontotoc. Miss., and a newspaper publisher 

there, died . . . Exhibitors visiting Filmrow 

included J. M. Mounger. Mart, Calhoun City: 

Mrs. J. C. Noble. Temple, Leland, and R. B. 

Cox, Eureka. Batesville, all from Mississippi: 

R. L. Norman, Kentucky Lake Drive-In. 

Benton, Ky., and Missourians Lyle Richmond, 

Richmond, Senath, and John P. Ray, Palace, 

Kennett. 

From Tennessee came E. S. Pollock. Strand. 

Hohenwald: Amelia Ellis, Frayser Drive-In, 

Millington, and W. F. Ruffin, Ruffin, Covington, 

and from Arkansas were Robert Carpenter, 

Sunset Drive-In, Hamburg: W. C. Sumpter. 

Strand, Lepanto: J. A. McWilliams. Rialto 

and Majestic, El Dorado; Don Landers, Radio. 

Harrlsburg, and William Ellas, Murr, Osceola. 

Glen Lambert Is Named 

To Shamrock Co. Post 

WINTER PARK, FLA.—Glen Lambert, 

formerly with Walt Disney and Warner Bros., 

has been named the new production manager 

for Shamrock Pictures, according to 

Thomas Casey, president. 

Lambert, who has spent 

his lifetime in the 

film industry, has produced more than 60 

feature films and over 400 short subjects. 

He has worked as producer-director for Paramount, 

20th-Fox and Universal. He also 

wrote and directed many films for Hal Roach 

Studios and MGM. 

Shamrock Studios recently constructed a 

large studio operation containing three sound 

stages, full recording facilities, film laboratories, 

apartment and restaurant facilities. 

Stateline Drive-In Opens 

ELIZABETHTON. TENN.— Earl Boiling has 

opened the Stateline Drivc-In here for the 

season. The first show begins at 7 p.m.. with 

a -second 

feature shown at 9:05 p.m. 

ftttllMeUltltA... 

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keep them full 

Extra long backs of International's 

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Maintenance is reduced, as scuffing 

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further minimizing the already \ow 

maintenance costs to keep Inter, 

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When planning your seating or re* 

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Airer Holds Birthday Fete 

MOBILE, ALA.—Free balloons for kiddies, 

free gum and prizes w-ere features of the 

fifth anniversary celebration at the Air-Sho 

Drive-In Theatre. All tots under 12 also were 

given a free ride on the ferris wheel or the 

electric pony merry-go-round which are features 

of the new playground. 

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BOXOFFICE

. . , The 

Fkm Set of Rules, Rigidly Enforced, 

Eliminates His Teenage Problems 

MIAMI—The teenager problem in theatres, 

now more or less in the national spotlight, 

is 

a controversial situation handled variously 

by managers in this locality. Free discussion 

of common problems brings out interesting 

fn BOOKIOG OfflCE 

Experience — Industry — Integrity 

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160 Walton st. n.w 

tel. alpine 8314 

p.o. box 1422 

atlanta, 

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ROY SMITH CO. 

TAMPA 

JACKSONVILLE 

viewpoints. As Dana Bradford, manager of 

Wometco's Rosetta Theatre, expresses it, "If 

you're managing a neighborhood house running 

kid shows, you've fii-st of all got to 

like kids well enough to understand them a 

little bit and keep a sympathetic attitude." 

A few bad ones can make all the rest look 

bad, too. unless they're seen as individuals, 

not in a mass. 

Bradford, who feels 

he's only carrying out 

circuit policies and following methods of his 

fellow managers, says the youngsters catch on 

very fast. A manager should set a certain 

behavior pattern for his theatre and then 

see that it's enforced. Be friendly, but also 

be firm as a rock. The trouble-making teenager, 

the one who won't conform to the rules 

—keep him out. Far from getting a manager 

roundly disliked, it gets him respected! 

Bradford kept one boy out of the theatre 

a year and a half, at the end of which time 

the boy came, figuratively, with his hat in 

his hand and a voluntary promise, "I was 

sure wrong. I won't give you any more 

trouble." Bradford says he's far from being 

the only manager in town who's had the 

.same experience under similar circumstances. 

••You'll never lose," he says, "by keeping 

an orderly theatre on matinee days." It's a 

bad attitude, he believes, for a theatreman to 

set himself against the teenager as a class. 

It's 

not constructive and there's no future in 

it. There's always that bad minority, it's true. 

There are bad ringleaders. Deal with these 

and don't give an inch. Instead of losing 

customers you'll gain—and chances are the 

bad ones will come back chastened. Bradford 

says he doesn't feel he's doing anything different 

from other of the circuit's managing 

staff. 

His attitude on that is: That's what the 

company pays us for—to run an orderly theatre 

for everyone. It's part of the job. 

Proof of the pudding lies in the fact that 

for special pictures, the Rosetta draws 300 on 

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AND MANY OTHERS 

ALSO headquarters for - - - - 

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Features, etc. 

JACKSONVILLE 

NEW ORLEANS 

a Saturday afternoon, and has a high average 

attendance on any ordinary occasion. Admission 

is 

15 cents up to 12 years, and 30 cents for 

students. For Saturdays the theatre is 

divided 

into sections—adults to the left, children in 

another section, teenagers in another. 

There are always two to three ushers on 

the floor, and one stays only in the teenage 

section. 

The staff has been well trained and 

follows instructions as laid out in the circuit's 

manual to cover almost any situation that 

may arise. 

Ushers are constantly going up and down 

the aisles and nothing out of line is 

tolerated. 

"It's a funny thing," says Bradford, "but 

being firm seems to pay off every way. We 

find that when you put out one bad one 

you gain about ten good ones. Authority is 

respected by the teenager, we have found, 

when he knows it's his individual bad behavior 

you're against, not the fact he's a 

teenager and you're against him on principle. 

They may not show it at the time, but most 

of them respect the firm hand and come 

around later in a different frame of mind. 

"All the boys," says Bradford, meaning his 

fellow circuit managers, "work hard at this 

problem. You've got to if you run matinees." 

Being on the job, never relaxing vigilance, 

having a specific set of do's and don'ts and 

absolutely enforcing them (no whispering 

together, no arm acro-ss the back of the next 

seat, no moving around from one section 

to etc.), another, these are things that must 

be done as a matter of course by the manager 

whose job it is to cater to the filmgoing 

public of which the teenager is a part just 

like anyone else. 

SAVANNAH 

•The Palms Drive-In, dark for several 

months, has been reopened by the Dixie 

Drive-In Co., with Lewis Hickman as manager, 

transferred from the downtown State. 

Andrew Sullivan is city manager for Dixie 

Drive-In, and also recently reopened the 

Circle . . . Area exhibitors are watching results 

in Washington of efforts to get the 

federal tax on admissions eliminated. Several 

have written their representatives. Congressman 

Prince Preston has indicated full support. 

After a court battle, wrestling has been 

resumed at the new Sports Arena. The local 

promotor, denied use of the new facility, 

had claimed a verbal contract with the 

owners which was upheld in a court ruling. 

••Ice Follies of 1956," the first show to go 

into the Arena, drew good crowds during its 

week run ... A three-week revival meeting 

has been scheduled for the City Auditorium, 

which is expected to cut into the 

boxoffices of drive-ins and some of the indoor 

theatres. 

Exec'tive offices for the Weis Theatres 

have been moved from upstairs at the Weis 

Theatre to a suite on the ground floor adjoining 

the main entrance to the theatre 

Kirma mind-reading act was presented 

at the Highway 80 Drive-In . . . 

The 

Avon offered one of the southern premieres 

of ••Goodbye. My Lady" which was filmed 

just 125 miles from here. 

Senator Walter F. George has advised all 

Georgia exhibitors that he will work for 

repeal of the tax on admissions. 

BOXOFFICE : 

: April 28, 1956

we 

. . Max 

. . Recent 

Film Column Written 

By Lillian Claughton 

Invited by Miami Herald amusement 

editor George Bourke to sub for liim 

071 one day of his vacation, Mrs. Lillian 

Claughton. president of Claughton 

Theatres, turned in a column headlined. 

"How Movies Met Challenge of 

TV." and subheaded, "But Now High 

Costs Pose a Neiv Threat." The column 

is reprinted here. 

Several years ago. whenever group conversation 

turned to the movies, invariably, predominantly, 

you heard. "I NEVER go to the 

movies anymore." 

This was foreboding conversation to those 

of us who make a living from those of you 

who used to go to the movies. People were 

staying home, people of all ages. 

GROSSES CONFIRMED FACT 

Our boxoffice confirmed this fact with 

cold, cruel, indisputable figures. What with 

entertainment in their own living rooms via 

television, encompassng in its appeal the 

Lone Ranger set through the intelligentsia 

following of Omnibus, why leave home? 

As time passed, television became a permanent, 

welcomed part in our new way of life 

and as such iwhen time payments had been 

completed 

I restless human beings began 

to look around for somewhere to go. But 

and alack—during these years just past, 

alas 

servants had practically disappeared from the 

average household. Grandmothers and old 

maid aunts are no longer old ladies who sit 

at home. 

There was just no one to leave with the 

children. After all, most of the movies offered 

were not good enough to warrant the extra 

cost of a baby sitter, plus parking charges 

and last but not least, the effort to dress and 

go to town. Drive-ins began to flourish and 

what could be more natural? Drive-ins were 

the answer to the three problems which the 

downtown indoor theatre could not solve: 

babysitting, parking and "dressing up." 

This was all very well for the drive-ins, 

but indoor theatres were apparently heading 

slowly but surely for oblivion unless something 

could be done to save them. There was 

an epidemic of indoor theatre doldrums, but 

all of those affected have not died. 

OFFERED GREAT FILMS 

The motion picture producers got busy and 

very soon came forth with motion pictures so 

boro: Mrs. Margaret Smith, Benson: V. L. 

great, that, presented through the media of 

Hill. High Point: Ben Allen, Greensboro: Joe 

large screens, they caused people once again 

to stand in line tor a seat to the movies. We 

Accardi, Morganton, all of North Carolina. 

also found that these very good movies, on 

the very large screens, could stay in their 

On Filmrow from South Carolina were J. L. 

Hyatta, Midway, Lancaster: Everett Olsen, 

temporary theatre homes for weeks, even 

Windy Hill Beach: H. E. Wessinger, Lexington: 

months, where in the past a movie happily 

C. B. Andrews, Sumter: Pat Patterson. 

stayed a few days or a week at the longest and 

Rock Hill: Sam Bogo. Batesburg, and Harold 

was merrily on its way, having been replaced 

Armistead, Easley. 

with "our next coming attraction." 

Mrs. Rosaline Hutton, chief inspector at 

Is the patient cured? Well, no, not fullyalive, 

Columbia and business agent of Local B-33, is 

yes, but cured? No! 

The producers of motion pictures are charging 

Mrs. Elsie 

such high film rentals that in many in- 

a 

Duncan, mother of Myrtle Parker, president 

stances, the indoor theatre exhibitor finds 

himself feeling much like the money changer, 

with costs so high that the money is received 

in the boxoffice and passed through 

make a profit on his investment. Either the 

producers will find a way to deliver their 

product with less cost to the exhibitor or the 

exhibitor must pass this cost on to you, dear 

public. 

If there is a $1 admission to be found hereabouts 

land there is) you better hurry and 

buy your ticket, for methinks you'll find 

your.'ielf paying $2, $3 and maybe mortv 

CHARLOTTE 

A II North Carolimi theatre owners are cooperating 

with the safety division of the 

North Carolina State Highway Department 

by playing three specially prepared traffic 

safety films. Actor Jmimy Stewart stars in 

the first film to be released, to be followed 

by Jack Webb and Dick Powell in the other 

two. The reels were filmed in Hollywood 

especially for the governor's traffic safety 

council. Theatre owners in North Carolina 

is feel that this a vital public service which 

they can render. Showings began Sunday 

(22). 

High winds blew down the screens of the 

Sunset Drive-In, Hobgood. N. C. and the 

Badin Road Drive-In, Albemarle. Plans are 

under way for rebuilding. Considerable damage 

was reported to screen towers throughout 

North and South Carolina ... A. Fuller Sams 

jr., Statesville Theatre Corp. general manager, 

is a grandfather for the fii'st time. The 

new baby is the child of Sam's daughter and 

son-in-law. 

A scroll of commendation was presented to 

the directors of Theatre Owners of North and 

South Carolina at the recent regular meeting 

by Robert Jones, state director of the National 

Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. The scroll 

was an expression of appreciation by the 

foundation to all theatres who participated in 

"Popcorn for Polio" day January 19, when 

popcorn receipts were turned over to the 

local chapters as donations to the polio fund. 

Frank Harris, industry representative for thi.s 

area, also was present for the scroll presentation. 

Max Reinhardt of Reinhardt Enterprises, 

booking agency, has been hospitalized for 

more than a week . Filmrow visitors 

included T. Y. Walker. State Theatre, Greenville: 

Sam D. Trincher, Charlotte: Howard 

B. McNally, Fayetteville; H. E. Buchanan. 

Hendersonville: R. A. Howell, Smithfield: 

Sam L. Irvin. Asheville: H. Fin Lee, Warsaw: 

Roy Rowe, Burgaw; O. T. Kii-by, Rox- 

of WOMPI, has been seriously ill, but is 

recovering . Price, booker at Paramount, 

has moved to his new home on 

Albemarle road. 

the exhibitor's hands to the distributing 

source and thence to the producer. 

Walter Lord's unpublished book, "East 

There still is the serious problem of the Wind, Rain," may be filmed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. 

exhibitor's survival and to survive he must 

CS at Bushnell Victory 

BUSHNELL, PLA. — CinemaScope equipment 

has been installed at the Victory. 

Here's 

Your Chance 

to get in the 

BIG 

MONEY 

Be Sure 

to Play 

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 seating or car 

capacity. 

HOLLYWOOD 

AMUSEMENT 

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PHONE FR. S-7717 

BOXOFFICE April 1956

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READ BOXOFHCE WANT ADS! 

JACKSONVILLE 

T aMar Sarra, Florida State Theatres vicepresident, 

said the 1,200-seat downtown 

Palace, closed indefinitely the night of > April 

1. will be demolished within the next 100 

days. FST will use the ground space, he said, 

as a parking lot for the remaining four FST 

houses in the nearby downtown section. The 

Florida Times-Union, morning newspaper, 

printed a nostalgic editorial about the Palace 

which paid tribute to the theatre's important 

role in the city's development. 

Tubby Watson's Oceanway Drive-In made 

a generous donation to the Oceanway School 

in the form of a benefit performance . . . 

The first run of "Rock Around the Clock" at 

the Imperial was marked by the erection of 

a complete false front for the theatre, the 

first it had had in many years . . . Cohen 

Bros, department store ran big newspaper 

ads to announce its two fashion shows held 

on stage at the Florida on the opening day 

1 of "The Swan" in cooperation with the 

Patricia Stevens Modeling School and Jim 

Levine, Florida manager . . . Independent 

booker Jack Rigg has moved into a newoffice 

at 901 Lynch Bldg. . . . Roy Smith, 

theatre supplier, spent several days visiting 

exhibitors in south Georgia. 

WOMPI members celebrated the first anniversary 

of the local club the night of April 

20 in Fred Abood's Steer Room, with Sarah 

Keller. MGM, presiding at the speakers' table. 

Edith Prescott. Paramount, was given a 

number of gifts in appreciation for the extensive 

club work she had done during the 

past year. Making the presentation was 

Janice Claxton. eastern regional director. A 

talk on WOMPI aims was given by Marjorie 

Edenfield, MGM. It was announced that Ida 

Bell Levy, UA, has been added to the board 

of directors following the resignation of 

Marian Stowe, Parainount. Special guests at 350-Car Airer Is Planned 

the banquet, bosses of WOMPI members, included 

By Mid-Tenn. Amusement 

Carl Carter. Fred Hull, Ed Chumley, 

Walter Mock, Cam Price, Gene Hudgens, Jack 

Rigg, Marty Kutner, Max Stepkin, Earl Tur- 

in this area, has announced plans to build a 

byfil and Walter Johnson. Several congratulatory 

350-.car drive-in theatre near Cowan. Ernest 

wires were received from other 

WOMPI groups and from Variety clubmen. 

An informal party at Variety headquarters 

Martin, of Winchester, vice-president of the 

company, said his firm has purchased a 24- 

Highway acre tract of land on 41-A, near 

in the Hotel Roosevelt followed the banquet. 

the city limits, as the site for the amusement 

Showmen here on business were Jimmy center. Martin said construction is expected 

Biddle, Jasper: Bob Skaggs, St. Augustine: 

A. H. Gawthrop, Palatka: Harold Popel, West 

Palm Beach and Gainesville; Lee Henry, 

ZephyrhilLs: Ed Roberts, Gainesville: Harry 

Dale, Lake Butler: R. C. Mullis, High Springs, 

and Ray F. Mackes, Okeechobee . . . Dave 

Prince, RKO district manager in Atlanta, 

wa.s in town for a few days . P. 

Tidwell. 20th-Fox manager, postponed a trip 

to Miami to await the arrival of Alex Harrison, 

new 20th-Fox general sales manager, 

who is making a tour of branch offices. 

Phyllis McCutcheon, Harvey Garland's 

secretary at FST, became the bride of William 

Haley at a nuptial mass in a Catholic chapel 

of the local Naval Air Station on April 21. 

They left for a week's honeymoon, destination 

unknown, after which Mrs. Haley planned to 

return to her FST post. 

CS at Gold Coast Ozoner 

DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.—The Gold 

Coast Drive-In has been equipped with a new 

Cinemascope .screen and projection machine. 

WOMPI OF YEAK—Seen above at left 

is Mrs. Stella Poulnot. receiving the 

trophy for Atlanta WOMPI of the Year, 

from Mrs. Laura Kenny. This is the 

Laura Kenny annual award based on 

service, loyalty, interest and attendance. 

Mrs. Poulnot is president of the Atlanta 

Club of Women of the Motion Picture 

Industry. 

Memphis Gives 'Suit' 

150 in Second Week 

MEMPHIS—"The Man ui the Gray Flannel 

Suit." at the State, did 150 per cent of 

average business in its second week and was 

held for a third week. "Anything Goes," at 

the Strand, scored 125. 


Maico Hot Blood (Col) 85 

Palace—The Killer Is Loose 90 

(UA) 

State The Mon in the Gray Flannel Suit (20th- 

Fox), 2nd wk 150 

Strand Anything I 25 

Goes (Para) 

Warner Serenade (WB) 90 

COWAN, TENN.—Mid-Tennessee Amusement 

Co., which operates a chain of theatres 

to start in 

the near future and completion of 

the drive-in is anticipated later this spring. 

Mid-Tennessee Amusement now- operates 

theatres at Winchester. Tullahoma, McMinnville, 

Sparta, Dayton, Smithville, Lawrenceburg 

and Dickson. Officers of the firm, in 

addition to Martin, are Mrs. R. T. Hill, Tullahoma, 

president, and James Cardwell. Sparta, 

secretary-treasurer. 

Combats Slow Business 

With Extra Promotions 

ZEPHYRHILLS. FLA.—The Home Theatre, 

owned and operated by Lee Henry, is running 

a bargain night program once a week. Another 

idea he has for boosting attendance 

is to offer a special price for elderly people. 

The little town has a number of retired people, 

and the lower price is an inducement 

for them to visit 

the theatre. 

Henry states that something has to be 

done to keep up attendance, as busine.ss is 

off about 25 per cent this year. 

BOXOFFICE

25th Anniversary Is 

Celebrafed With a Birthday Week 

Texas Theatre in Dallas Offers Special Entertainment and Prizes 

DALLAS—Oak differs have been exposed 

to a week-long birthday party the past week 

as the Texas Theatre 

celebrated its silver anniversary. 

Special display 

signs on each side 

of the entrance proclaimed 

"A Solid Week 

of Hit Shows," while 

an e n t r a n c e-\v i d e 

herald under the marquee 

carried an anniversary 

medallion and 

the words "Silver Anniversary" 

in gigantic 

letters. A ten-foot Bill Samuels 

high standing sign announced 

free door prizes daily, five double 

orchid corsages and one Duncan Hines barbecue 

grill. 

Under a headline reading "Salute to Texas 

Theatre," an editorial in the Oak Cliff 

Tribune had these words of praise for the 

showhouse 

NINE THEATRES IN CIRCUIT 

"It is 

a privilege to salute one of our neighbors 

on its 25th birthday this week. Exactly 

25 years ago, the Texas Theatre threw open 

its door to the people of Oak Cliff. 

Since that 

time, the attractive theatre has served the 

community continuously. It is still the top 

Cliff showhouse of the nine-house chain operated 

in our community by Rowley United 

Theatres. 

"The Texas has been more than an amusement 

enterprise for profit. Frequently, year 

in and year out, the 1,900-seat cinema house 

has been used for fund-raising shows of the 

leading service clubs, for special religious 

services, for community meetings and a host 

of other civic activities. The men in this 

organization have frequently been associated 

with projects and di'ives which deserve support. 

From President John Rowley through 

City Manager John Callahan, Texas Manager 

Bill Samuels, Projectionist Jasper Barron and 

Publicist George Henger there have been 

many examples of interest in the welfare of 

our community shown. 

A GOOD NTIIGHBOK 

The Texas Theatre has been a good neighbor 

and we wish it continued success during 

the next 25 years." 

Shown during the birthday week were 

"Backlash," "The Littlest Outlaw." and 

"Picnic." During the entire celebration a 

nostalgic sound was heard—the theatre organ 

broke its silence as Earl Kay played between 

shows. 

The first customers of the theatre on its 

opening day in 1931 were the children of Oak 

Chff. This special opening matinee was the 

idea of C. R. "Uncle Mack" McHem-y, partner 

and managing director of the Hughes-Franklin 

circuit house. Uncle Mack was a showman 

known for his interest in children anci 

he had repeatedly said that if and when he 

opened a new theatre the first performance 

would be reserved for the youngsters. So 

large were the crowds for the Texas that two 

additional programs had to be shown on the 

first day. 

In the projection booth that day was Jasper 

BOXOFFICE : 

: April 28. 1956 

Barron, who f 

Buster Kealon i 

John A. Callahan 

first sequences of 

Jedroom and Bath" 

John Rowley 

on the new screen. Since that time with only 

vacation intervals Barron, now assisted by 

his brother Lawrence, has averaged projecting 

five feature pictures weekly in addition to 

half a dozen cartoons, newsreels and kindred 

short subjects. How much film have the 

Barron brothers run through the projector at 

the Texas? Jasper's conservative estimate 

is approximately 70.000 miles of film. 

Two years after the Texas opened, the late 

Uncle Mack McHenry retired, selling his 

interest to Robb and Rowley Theatre, the 

predece.ssor company of Rowley United, which 

now operates the house. 

This Rowley United house, second 

largest theatre in Dallas, was the scene 

of a week-long birthday party on the 

occasion of its 25th year of continuous 

operation. 

SW 

A factor in the perennial popularity of the 

Texas with its patrons has been lUs policy of 

continued improvements which have kept it 

abreast with— and often ahead of— its competition. 

Several years ago the house was clo.sed 

for ten days while the entire house was 

given a new decor treatment by interior 

decorators. At the same time the lower floor 

was reseated, with the new chairs placed 

farther apart to insure maximum comfort. 

The theatre's parking area on Sun.set .street 

was hard topped for better parking and the 

cooling system was stepped up to 200-ton 

capacity. The huge curved screen, largest of 

the suburban theatres, was one of the first 

installations of its type. Stereophonic sound 

with around-theatre speakers accompanied 

the newer projection processes. 

On hand during anniversary week was John 

A. Callahan, city manager of the Rowley 

United Oak Cliff theatres. Before coming to 

Oak Cliff, Callahan was city manager of the 

Waxahachie theatres and has also served the 

company in Palestine. He recently was 

honored by his firm for 20 years of service. 

Only two other city managers have guided the 

destinies of the Texas since its opening. W. 

Lloyd Pullen held the post for 14 years, 

beginning in 1936 and ending when he was 

elevated to the post of manager director at 

Little Rock. Ark. Two years ago Pullen again 

was promoted to district manager for the 

Rowley Theatres of North Texas. Oklahoma 

and Arkansas. Pi'ior to PuUen's arrival in 

Oak Cliff in 1936. George Spence served as 

city manager for twô years. 

Texas Theatre Manager W. S. Samuels, a 

good-natured 230-pound resident of these 

parts, grew up in the theatre business and 

knows every facet of the operation from running 

the big 1.900-seat house to popping the 

corn or designing the art work. 

While he has been at the Texas only a few 

years, his managerial experience extends over 

the state of Texas from Beaumont. Longview 

and other spots to Memphis where for several 

years he handled big first run houses for the 

Malco operation. 

Son of Drive-In Owner 

Barney Holt Killed 

ELKHART. KAS.—Airman second class 

Barney Holt jr.. 21-yeaj--old son of Mr. and 

Mrs. Barney Holt sr. of the Sands Drive-In 

Theatre here, was kiUed in an automobile 

accident north of Texhoma, Okla., Sunday 

(15). 

The au-man was stationed at the Amaxillo 

.•\ir Force Base. The funeral was held at the 

Auent Funeral Home in Muskogee, with the 

Rev. Lloyd McMillan, pastor of the Boulevard 

christian Church, officiating. Burial was in 

Memorial Pai-k cemetery, with full military 

honors by Air Force units from 'nnker Field 

in Oklahoma City. 

His younger brother, Airman Jack W. Holt, 

and Barney's wife Betty Sue, who were with 

him at the time of the accident, were not injured. 

Besides his wife, his parents and his 

brother Jack. Barney is survived by another 

brother Donald, a sergeant in the Marine 

Corps, and his grandparents. Mr. and Mrs. 

W. R. Casey of Morris. Okla. 

59

. . . Herman 

. . Jimmy 

. . W. 

DALLAS 

pviin Lawson. president, explained the sign in 

the Associated Popcorn Distributors window 

which reads: "For rent, apply within." 

"We are going to move within the next nine 

months to our new location in which our 

office and warehouse will be in the same 

building. We shall be able to service our 

customers better and reduce our overhead at 

the same time. We can actually move into 

our new quarters immediately, but we are 

obligated at this address for the next nine 

months. We can pass on a very substantial 

saving, which will include a loss on our part, 

to anyone who can use such space as we 

now occupy at 308 South Harwood." 

Loia Cheaney, a WAVE in the Naval Reserve, 

returned from a two-week tour which 

included the Alameda and Coronado naval 

air stations at San Diego and Alameda. Calif. 

Beiersdorf of the Beiersdorf Distributing 

Co. left on a trip to Kansas City, 

Chicago and other midwestern cities. Natalie 

Beiersdorf is in Mexico City on vacation. Ben 

Cammer was on a sales trip through south 

Texas and San Antonio . Boyle, 

who has been working on "Guys and Dolls," 

returned from Paris, Tex., and then left for 

Denison and Big Spring. 

John Calvert, president of First National 

Distributors, was here negotiating a release 

deal with Herman Beiersdorf for "Dark Venture" 

. . . Kyle Rorex, executive director, and 

Sue Bemiingfield have been hard at work the 

last ten days answering mail and telephone 

calls from exhibitors about the grassroots 

tax elimination campaign of which R. J. 

O'Donnell is national chairman . . . The 

WOMPI was to hold its annual election Thursday 

(26). The new officers will be installed 

in June. 

Drue Wolfe is the new secretary and clerk 

in the Weisenbiu-g Theatres office . . . Fire 

destroyed the Rio Theatre in Frisco last week 

at an estimated loss of $15,000. The theatre 

was not occupied at the time of the fire. It 

is owned by C. E. Barnes . W. Lewis and 

Milt Overman. Cinerama Corp., have been 

arranging for the opening of "Seven Wonders 

of the World" the week of April 30. Monday 

night there will be a press and trade preview, 

with the fiist showing to the public Tuesday 

featuring an array of bands, searchlights and 

radio interviews. Wednesday performances 

will be sponsored by the Dallas Symphony 

Society to benefit its operating fund. Early 

Saturday morning a special screening has 

been arranged for Catholic priests and nuns. 

The monthly meeting of the Variety Club, 

originally called for April 30, has been called 

off on account of the Variety International 

convention. Members ai-e reminded again of 

the golf tournament which will be held at 

Glen Lakes Country Club May 21 . . . Jan 

Baldwin and Don Mcllhenry, SMU students 

who will be maiTied in June, were the first 

couple to sign the special scroll in the Palace 

Theatre lobby wishing Grace Kelly and Prince 

Rainier happiness and a successful marriage. 

The scroll was to remain during the run of 

"The Swan," then be mailed to the couple. 

BOWLING 

DALLAS—Bill Bond, MGM, took the single 

and three-game highs with 220 and 602. 

Helen Davidson, Tower, took the women's 

high single and three-game series with 192 

and 511. 

MGM took single game and three-game 

high with 695 and 1,955. Team standings are: 

Teom 

Won Lost 

65 59


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BOXOFFICE

MOSE-ING 

THROUGH 

When the Stanley Warner Cinerama Corp. 

announced plans to sublease the 1,872-seat 

Dallas Melba from Trans-Texas more than 

two years ago for the 

year and three days of performances. The 22 

months of operation have run up a total of 

more than 700,000 paid admissions. 

William W. Lewis, managing director of 

the Texas Cinerama Corp., premieres "The 

Seven Wonders of the World" Tuesday night 

(1). "It should have been titled 'The Seventy 

Wonders of the World,' " he said, "and it has 

o««^ 

Central & West Texas 

BE A LONESOME 

SHOWMAN 

.By EARL MOSELEY. 

WARM THOSE EMPTY SEATS 

WITH PATRONS 

Sock PROMOnOM IDfAS IftING 

seiTRAILERI 

WILL KEEP 'EM COMIN 

four times more selling possibilities than the 

former production." 

Bill Lewis has been with Cinerama in Dallas 

13th installation of the 

since its opening in 1954. He began as public 

p.ew screen phenomenon, 

the general con- 

relations supervisor, which included promoting 

group sales for schools, clubs, etc. Eight 

census throughout the 

trade area was 

months later he assumed his present title. 

that it 

Lewis is from Kansas City where, in 1927, he 

would do well to last six 

months. However, the 

began his show business career as treasurer 

in 

Elm street showcase 

a legitimate playbill theatre. But, since 

has ali-eady completed 

such 

a ten-month run of 

"Tills Is Cinerama" 

g,M 

theatres were operated seasonally and 

he had to eat all year, he decided to get into 

the motion picture theatre, which he did. 

and will end 

With his education at the University of Kansas 

"Cinerama 

Holiday" Sunday 

and the University of Oklahoma behind 

William W. Lewis night i29> after one 

him. Bill went to New York with Paramount 

Publix and worked ai-ound theatres in 

Yonkers and Poughkeepsie until he was 

transferred to the Metropolitan in Houston 

in 1929. Later he came to Dallas for the circuit 

and managed the Old Mill; the Aztec in 

San Antonio was his next assignment, then 

back to Dallas to the Old Mill again, as well 

as the Melba, the site of his present assignment. 

Departing from the theatre for a time he 

did not actually take leave of show business. 

He did freelance publicity, which included 

promotion for the de luxe Baker and Adolphus 

hotels in Dallas. When the Texas Centennial 

was in progress, he handled the publicity for 

"The Black Forest." 

After three years of exploitation for Wai'- 

ner Bros, out of the Dallas exchange Lewis 

went nito the Aii- Force dm'ing World War 

II. When he was discharged, he became 

drumbeater for United Ai-tists for five yeai-s. 

He took charge of the Dallas Capitan in 1948 

and he remained there until 1953. 

Lewis then handled promotion for Uniersal 

on "The Glenn Miller Story," and followed 

that with the roadshow campaign for 

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LUBBOCK-B & H Warehouse, Inc. 

1405 Ave. A— Box 1506—Phone POrter 5-7773 

FORT WORTH -Binyon-O'Keefe Storage 

70 Jennings Avenue—Phone EDison 3351 

ASSOCIATED POPCORN DISTRIBUTORS, inc. 

302 S. HARWOOD 

Co. 

MGM's "Julius Caesar." 

Cinerama. 

After that he joined 

Bill has had newspaper experience, too 

tin-owing them! Before he was 10 he had such 

a job in Kansas City for $1.75-$2 per week 

with Ben Snlyen. While Bill Lewis went on to 

Cinerama, Shlyen now is editor-in-chief and 

publisher of BOXOFFICE. 

Speaking of newspapers, Texas Cinerama 

places ads in 82 dailies. This is handled by 

Milton L. Overman, the public relations man, 

and he .sets into the Fort Worth papers equal 

linage with the Dallas editions. Fort Worth, 

32 miles west, has a Cinerama boxoffice located 

in the Texas Hotel lobby and there is a 

direct telephone line to the Dallas counterpart 

for immediate reservations. 

Another patron convenience is the "charge 

it" system. All authorized oil company credit 

cards are honored and the patron is billed 

through them. 

The enterprize, which employs a staff of 55, 

features something entirely different in sales 

approach for theatres, but that was necessary 

to make it the longest running roadshow on 

film in history. 

The Melba was the Cinerama choice of the 

southwest for several reasons. Fu-st, the location 

was all important. The directors of the 

corporation had learned that it is imperative 

for them to locate in a metropolitan di-awing 

area at a most fa.shionable point of the main 

street. A side street operation has proven 

to be only half as successful. And, too, the 

building must be such that, after the projection 

rooms are installed on the main floor, 

there will not be undue loss of seating. The 

stage, or front of the building, must be wide 

enough for the huge screen. 

The Melba provided these necessities. Situated 

between Interstate's Majestic and Tower 

on theatre row, it was for several years operated 

by that circuit. Even then it was a 

"house of roadshows." Such attractions as 

"Gone With the Wind" and "Duel in the Sun" 

had first and long runs there, and many 

Broadway road companies had their attractions 

booked for its stage. The initial Dallas 

3-D booking, "Bwana Devil," was shown at 

the theatre. 

Interstate had to dispose of it in 1953 under 

government direction, and the new owner 

it leased to Ti-ans-Texas, who operated it 

the advent of Cinerama. 

until 

Tlie loss of seating amounted to 550, which 

left a total of 1.322. The house manager is 

John A. Altermann and Larry Postal is the 

treasurer. 

The Melba has foin- projection rooms now, 

and a console to direct each one for the 

simultaneous rma. The concave screen, six 

times larger than the original 1.33 to 1 ratio, 

is invisibly divided into three sectons. and the 

three projectors on the ground floor level are 

threaded with 8.000-foot reels of film that 

cross project their images into one large picture. 

Booth 4 is the orginal Melba projection 

room in the upper balcony, and it is now used 

for the prolog runs and the six-track magnetic 

tape reproducer for the sound which 

comes from speakers set strategically over the 

auditorium. 

Ernie D. Gaw is the technician in charge of 

the projection setup. Many area exhibitors 

and projectionists became acquainted with 

Gaw when he was a sound service man for 

RCA and later for Altec. 

Both of the men who control the console 

panel were originally projectionists who 

worked in the Melba several years prior to 

April 28, 1956

. . . Mary 

. . represented 

. , Variety 

Cineriima. R. P. Baker and J. G. Sinz direct 

each performance from the panel located in 

the auditorium neai- the center projection 

room. Tliey watch the flashing lights that 

are created by footage markers on the film 

and tape: each of them must be in perfect 

sync. Sinz and Baker also watch the picture 

for imperfections that can be corrected, such 

as the lighting. 

The two projectionists assigned to the 

sound reproducer ai-e Luther C. Clark and 

L. S. Sauciar. 

The projectionists who run the Century 

Cinerama projectors, designed for a sixsprocket 

frame instead of the usual four, and 

tlie 146 feet per minut« speed (to eliminate 

flulteri compai-ed to the regulai- 90 for other 

tlieatres. are H. B. Bretel, W. W. Carpenter. 

C. C. Cross, W. R. Estes, Sam Hoffman and 

0. J. Moore. Each of the Sti-ong lamps pulls 

90 amperes. 

Nine of these men have been with the crew 

since Cuierama had its beginning in Dallas. 

.All of them ai-e members of Dallas operatoi-s 

Local 249. The stage crew are members of 

Dallas stagehands Local 127. 

OKLAHOMA CITY 

The Variety Club is serving lunches in its 

clubroom and has engaged a combo which 

plays each Saturday night following the 

bingo games . . . Bernice Coley, secretary to 

Cliff White at Video Theatres, quit Friday 

i20i to be married April 28. Aroma McNutt. 

.-secretary to Roger Rice, will take over in 

White's office while Fern Rice, secretary to 

C. F. Motley, will serve as both Mr. Motley's 

and Mr. Rice's secretary. 

Wayne Harris, office manager at National 

Screen, starts on a one-week vacation Monday 

(30> in Oklahoma's Roman Nose Park 

Connolly, National Screen shipper, 

also leaves on vacation April 30. She's going 

to San Francisco. 

Exhibitors in town included Bernard Mc- 

Kenna, Norman; H. D. Cox, Binger; Clint 

Applewhite, Carnegie: Mr. and Mrs. L. C. 

Carter, Spiro: Mrs. Opal Gray, Chickasha: 

Leonard White, Weatherford; Henry Simpson, 

Bristow; Jack Pierce, Stigler: John 

Sanders, Cleveland: S. P. Butler jr., Anadarko: 

Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Freed, Valiant: 

Johnny Fagan. Borger, Tex.: Dana Ryan, 

Pawnee: Mrs. C. W. Duncan, Wetumka: Miss 

Walsie Campbell, Wynnewood: John Hart 

and Marvin Loftis, Altus: Don Abernathy, 

Kingfisher; Avece Waldron Holman, Lindsay, 

and Wesley Hodges, Weatherford. 

Activity-Filled European 

Trip for Julius Gordons 

BEAUMONT, TEX.—Julius and Patti Gordon 

boarded a plane for Cannes earlier this 

month, he armed with credentials as a delegate 

to the Cannes International Film 

Festival and she, with a press card as a 

special Houston Press correspondent covering 

the royal wedding in Monaco. Their base 

of operations is their own boat, which they 

were to pick up in Cannes and sail to Monaco 

harbor. 

Gordon is president of the Jefferson 

Amusement Co. and secretary of the Allied 

Theatre Owners of America. 

David Davidson, noveli.st. is penning "It's 

Only a Paper Moon" for MGM. 

BOXOFFICE 

Sam Landrum Named 

To Foundation Post 

BEAUMONT, TEX. — Sam B, LancUum, 

Beaumont theatre executive, was elected to 

membership on tlie executive committee of 

the board of directors of the Gonzales. Tex.. 

Warm Springs Foundation for Crippled Children 

at the recent annual meeting of the 

directors at the foundation haspital. 

Elected to the board in 1952. Landrum now 

becomes one of 13 members of the executive 

group which meets monthly and directs the 

operation of the $2,000,000 physical rehabilitation 

center. Newly elected to the larger board 

of directors are two other Beaumont residents, 

Julius Gordon, president of the Jefferson 

Amusement Co.. and William Blieden, president 

of the Beaumont State Bank. 

Landrum is vice-president and general manager 

of the Jefferson Amusement Co. and 

East Texas Theatres, president of Yoakum 

Theatres and vice-president of the Beaumont 

State Bank. He also is on the board of 

directors of Family Service of Beaumont, a 

member of the town planning and zoning commission 

and a member of Variety International. 

Loew's Airer Protested 

In Residents' Petition 

HOUSTON—Loew's, Inc., and developer 

. 

Frank Sharp are to be faced with a petition 

protesting the construction of a proposed 

1,200-car. $250,000 drive-in theatre in the 

Sharpstown area. Tlie Shai-pstown Civic 

Club is behind the protest. 

The petition claims; 

"We believe that such a drive-in amusement 

center will destroy the residential chai'- 

acter and lower property values in large portions 

of section one and section nine ... At 

the time we acquired our homes ... we were 

furnished copies of a brochure which clearly 

defines the boundaries of Sharpstown. The 

only area as being available 

for commercial use w-as the area bounded by 

Bellai:-e boulevard. Piney Point road and the 

proposed U. S. Highway 59. It is clear (from 

the attached brochure) that the proposed 

drive-in amusement center in section nine 

is being located in an area which has been 

represented as a residential area. Such a 

development is in complete disregai-d of the 

representation made to us." 

The Civic Club al.so petitioned Loew's to 

drop it.s proposal for the drive-in. 

Column on Nuptials 

HENNESSEY. OKLA.—"Carrie the cashier." 

Mrs. G. E. Ortman. wife of the owner of 

the Ortman Theatre here, devoted a recent 

column, one which she writes weekly for 

the Hennessey Clipper, to the Grace Kelly- 

Prince Rainier wedding and the playdate of 

Miss Kelly's picture "To Catch a Thief" at 

the Ortman. 

Opens at Tishomingo, Okla. 

TISHOMINGO. OKLA.—The Chickasaw 

Drive-In here has opened for the summer 

sea.son. Jetty Kilmer is manager of the outdoor 

theatre. 

HOUSTON 

nrlen*' .Mcintosh is niniiinn the Dclman 

Theatre these days while waiting for 

Harry Sachs and I. B. Adelman to bring 

in a new manager. Ernest Buffington is no 

longer there. Victor Goodwin, former assistant 

manager, is reported to be in the clothing 

business now , Club's Les 

Kamin, Houston ad man and radio executive, 

has bought radio station KAKC, Tulsa, Okla.. 

for his Southland Broadcasting Co., providing 

the Federal Communications Commi,ssion approves 

the -sale. Price is said to be about 

$125,000. 

"On the Threshold of Space" was ushered 

into the Majestic by a spectacular air show 

above the city. From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.. F-80 

Shooting Star units from the 11th Fighter- 

Interceptor Squadron of the Texas Air National 

Guard carried out simulated air attacks 

above. In the evening the Ellington Air Force 

Base band and honor guard performed in 

front of the theati'e at 7 and on stage at 7:30. 

Local volunteers were sworn in on stage by 

Col. Lester C. Hess. Ellington wing executive 

officer. A display of flying equipment and 

other items were on display in the lobby during 

the run. 

The Shepherd Drive-In on Thursday had a 

"Great Western Musical Stage Show" with 

Tex Cheny and his Salt Gra.ss Trailers, a 

group of Texas cowboys, with Billy Darrell 

and his trained palomino, in person. Also 

two films. Saturday. Manager Carl Sheffield 

came up with another four-deal—four Randolph 

Scott films. "Hangman's Knot." "Gunfighters." 

"Fighting Man of the Plains" and 

"Badman's Territory." 

Swan Opens Daily at 3:15 

MADISON. FLA.—The Swan Theatre here 

has adopted the policy of opening its doors 

at 3:15 daily for continuous showing of films, 

with the exception of Saturdays and Sundays, 

on which days the doors will open at 1:30 

p. m. 

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EASTERN OKLAHOMA 

By ART LAMAN 

wFE can say that Tulsa has had it^the 

great Elvis Pi-esley came to town last 

week (181 and created a stampede to the 

Tulsa Fairgrounds Pavilion the likes of which 

has never been before. Thousands of teenagers 

and many adults were on hand for 

both the 7 p.m. and the 9 o'clock shows. And 

what shows, with Presley shaking everything! 

Oh, yes, he was singing, too, with all the 

teeners screaming at each and every shake. 

Most of the 10,000 who went, came away 

without hearing anything much on account of 

noise. 

The reporters had a field day. In dressing 

room interviews Presley declared he is a good 

boy and all the nasty things people have been 

saying just aren't so. Why he doesn't even 

smoke, so the newsmen came home and typed 

up some jolly good copy for the newspapers, 

while some of the others phoned the city 

dads at Oklahoma City claiming the Presley 

.show was not fit to be seen. The police 

and others there were alerted, including the 

.sponsors of the show, and Mr. Presley was 

told to tone down his shakes that rattle and 

roll—or there would be no show. Nevertheless, 

more thousands turned out at Oklahoma 

City to hear the ex-truck driver knock them 

off the seats with "Heart Break Hotel" and 

many more. Wonder what will happen at the 

boxoffice when this lad is featured in a 

motion picture. 

We've been a fan of Tulsa Tribune editor 

Richard Lloyd Jones for these many years, 

we've followed his special Saturday editorials 

some 16 years in all. On Saturday i21i he 

came up with a dinger entitled "Changing 

Show Business," in which he bemoans the 

passing of the olden days when he had some 

good old stage plays, with a Toby comic or the 

1 YOUa ORDfRS FOR 1 

SPECIAL 

\ 

1 TRAILERS 

1 GET 

1 PERSONAL

: April 

WAYS TO GUARD 

YOUR HEART 

1. AVOID SELF-DIAGNOSIS 

In case of doubt see your doctor. 

2. AVOID WORRY 

Worrying cures or prevents 

nothing. 

3. AVOID OVER-FATIGUE 

When you rest or sleep, your 

heart's work load is lightened. 

AVOID OVER-EXERTION 

Exercise in moderation, particularly 

if over 40. 

5. AVOID OVER-WEIGHT 

Excess weight loads extra work 

on your ^heart. 

SUPPORT YOUR HEART FUND 

Your contribution advances the 

nation-wide fight against the 

heart diseases through research, 

education and community heart 

programs. 

Bushnell House Is Being 

Renovated by Owners 

BUSHNKLI,. KI,A Umln the nw lui-slup nl 

Mr. and Mrs. W. U. Wiirick the ukl Vict^jiy 

Theatre has been greatly improved. The 

Wirricks purchased the house In February 

from Mr. and Mrs. Bill Fulton, and Immediately 

stalled a program of renovation, which 

though not quite complete doe.s add much to 

the attractiveness of the place. 

A new 25-foot Cinemascope screen has been 

instiilled: projectors have been rebuilt and a 

special lens for widescreen ha.s been added. 

In the neoi- future all seat-s will be reupholstered 

and new draperies will be added. Saturday 

and Sunday matinees are offered In 

addition to the evening show, but on w'eekdays 

the theatre opens at 7:15 p.m. Wirrick has 

been in the theatre business all his life, and 

the couple formerly owned and operated a 

theatre in Newberry. 

Third Week of 'Sheep' Stays 

Best of Dallas 1st Runs 

DALLAS—The third week of "The Sheep 

Has Five Legs" at the Coronet took fhst run 

honors here with 110 per cent. Others were 

average or below. 


Has Five Legs (UMPO), 3rd 

Coronet The Sheep 

wk 

no 

Maiestic— Jubal (Col) 75 

Palace The Swan (MGM) 95 

Rialto Lady Godiva (U-l); The Price of Feor 

(U-l) 100 

Tower There's Always Tomorrow (U-l) 75 

Choose Miss Largo 1956 

LARGO, FLA.—When Mary Lee Korte was 

chosen Miss Largo 1956 at a ceremony held 

at the Largo Theatre, she received a number 

of gifts from local merchants, including a 

one-month pass to the Largo Theatre. The 

nearby Clearwater area was also interested 

in the contest, and from the Carib Theatre in 

Clearwater came a one-month pass to that 

theatre. Stephen C. Barber, manager of the 

Largo, spared no effort in having the stage 

elaborately decorated in a manner befitting 

the coronation of a queen. 

Ask Foreclosure Right 

TAMPA—State Theatres ha.s petitioned 

circuit court for a mortgage foreclosure involving 

one St. Petersburg and four Tampa 

theatres. The firm seeks foreclosure on the 

Roxy in St. Petersburg, the Northtown here 

and leasehold interests in the Cinema, State 

and Palma Ceia theatres of Tampa. 

Milton, Fla., Airer Open 

MILTON, FLA.—The Joy Drive-In has 

been opened for the summer. It is operated 

by the F. T. McLendon Theatres. 

Airer Open Fulltime 

LIVE OAK. FLA.—The Nova Drive-In has 

returned to a full week schedule, according 

to Leonard Vaughn, manager. The theatre has 

been operating on a three-night-a-week basis 

during the winter. 

RESEARCH BUREAU 

for 

MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS 

ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMATION 

The MODERN THEATRE 

PLANNING INSTITUTE 

325 Van Brunt Blvd. 

Kansas City 24, Mo. 

Gentlemen: 

Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU 

to receive information regularly, as released, on 

the following subjects for Theatre Planning: 

n Acoustics 

n Lighting Fixtures 

n Air Conditioning Q Plumbing Fixtures 

n Architectural Service r-| projectors 

n "Black" Lighting • 

m n •• t 

U Projection Lamps 

D Building Material 

„ _ D Sealing 

D Carpets 

D Coin Machines ° ^'^"^ ^ Marquees 

D ôund Equipment 

D Complete Remodeling 

n Decorating 

Television 

D Drink Dispensers D Theatre Fronts 

D Drive-In Equipment D Vending Equipment 

D Other Subjects 

Theatre 

Seating Capacity 

Address 

City 

State 

Signed 

BOXOFTICE 

: 

This Space Contributed by 

BOXOFFICE 

28. 1956 

CinemaScope at Newberry 

NEWBERRY, FLA.—The Newberry Theatre 

has been equipped with new Cinema- 

Scope equipment. 

Postage-paid reply cards tor your further convenience 

in obtaining information arc provided in The MODERN 

THEATRE Section, published with the first Issue of 

each month.

EDWIN J. THOMAS Po^rtiqit by Fahian Bacbrach 

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 emplo\'ee, encouraging 

him to provide his own security through this 

efifortless 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 Unileil Siuif.s Government does not pay for this advertising. The Treasury Department 

thanks, for their patriotic 

donation, the Advertising Council and 

BOXOFFICE 

BOXOFFICE

Women in Des Moines 

Form WOMPI Club 

DES MOINES—Women of the Motion Picture 

Industry of Des Moines (WOMPI), 

chapter of the National Women of the 

Motion Picture Industry, was organized here 

last week. Meeting at the YWCA at a 

luncheon, about 35 women heard the purpases 

of the organization, qualifications for membership, 

etc.. and elected officers. 

Thelma Washburn, head booker and office 

manager for RKO. presided at the meeting. 

She said the group was to promote goodwill 

for the motion picture industry, promote 

friendship among women working in the industry 

and to give service. National bylaws 

indicate that the organization shall be nonpartisan 

and nonpolitical and that membership 

be confined to women working in the 

industry. 

Dorothy Pobst. United Aitists, was named 

president of the Des Moines chapter. First 

vice-president is Thelma Washburn; second 

vice-president. Alice Weaver. Realart Pictures: 

recording secretary. Joleen Callahan. 

Paramount; corresponding secretary. Betty 

Hemstock. National Screen Service, and treasurer. 

Edna Cloonan. RKO. Board members 

include Florence Work and Mary Jane Jones. 

Central States Theatres Corp.; Gladys Crandall 

and Nan Bishop. Iowa Film Delivery; 

Kaye Hansen, RKO; Pearl Fort, Tri-States 

Theatres Corp., and Mable Magnusson, Universal. 

Monthly meetings will be held. Dorothy 

Pobst called a board meeting for Friday i27i 

at 8 p.m. at her home. 

Esther Green Files Suit 

Against Former Employes 

OMAHA—Mrs. Esther L. Green, owner of 

the FEPCO Theatre Advertising Co.. has filed 

suit in district court against three former 

employes. Mrs. Green has charged that the 

three men took her company secrets, set up 

a competing advertising agency and tried to 

drive her out of business. 

Named in the suit are Henry McGrath, 

Raymond McGrath and Richard Barkes. who 

a.s partners formed the TOP Advertising 

Service and established a business at 6004 

Pine St. 

Mrs. Green has asked for an injunction 

halting the use of materials allegedly taken 

from FEPCO. She also has demanded an 

accounting of the competing advertising 

agency's profits and claims a share of the 

profits derived from the use of former FEPCO 

material. 

In addition, she asked damages of $25,000. 

Mrs. Green's husband founded FEPCO 

shortly after World War I. He died about 

five years ago. 

Feminine Wrestlers 

Periorm on Stage 

Lake Citv. Minn.— The art of HTtstlinu. 

performed by memlM-rs of the "weaker" 

sex, is bolstering the hoxoffice at the 

Hollywood Theatre here, owned by Mrs. 

Florence Fick. Onre a wi-ek, the house 

offers a feminine wrestlinf; match on stage 

in place of the wcond feature. 

I. C. Jensen. 56, Stricken; 

Manager at Iowa Falls 

IOWA FALLS. IOWA I. C, Jensen, 56, 

manaser of the Met Theatre here since 1944, 

died April 15 in Ellsworth Municipal Hospital. 

He had been ill for three months. Before 

coming here, Jensen had been manager of 

a Port Dodge theatre and had had banking 

experience in Clear Lake and Mason City. 

Besides his wife, he is survived by a 

daughter Mary Louise of Chicago, two -sons 

Bryant of New York City and James at 

home, two sisters and two brothers. Services 

were held here, with burial in Clear Lake. 

Jos. E. Matuska Resumes 

As Jackson Exhibitor 

JACKSON. MINN. — Joseph E. Matu.ska 

has purchased the State Theatre and an outdoor 

theatre north of town. Matuska owned 

the State theatre business before selling to 

the partnership of Watters and Nash three 

years ago. He continued to own the theatre 

building. His father, the late Frank Matuska, 

had started the movie business in Jackson. 

Although the outdoor theatre was built 

two years ago. it has never opened. Reconstruction 

of Highway 16-71 prevented its 

opening last year. 

Cold Weather Hurts 

Twin Cities Scores 

MINNEAPOLIS— Unseasonably cold weather 

.should be conducive to theatregolnK. 

but neither of the only two Important newcomers 

was able to get going. Pictures in 

question were "The Harder They Fall" and 

"Miracle in the Rain." A fresh le.sser arrival, 

"Kettles in the Ozai-ks." did fairly well. It 

was the fourth week for "Carousel" and the 

.second for "The Swan," "Diabolique" and 

"Jubal," all of which have given pretty good 

accounts of themselves. 


Gopher- The Kettles in the Oiorkt (U-i) 90 

Lyric— CorouscI /^nth-Fox), 4th wk 100 

Radio C ', The Swan MGM), 2nd wk 90 

RKO:-, The Hordor Th«y Foil (Col) 90 

RKO I Jubol .'nd wk 100 

Slate Mirocic in the Roin (WB) 80 

- .'/PO), Workl DioboliquL- 2nd wk 150 

Third Week of 

Strong at Omaha State 

OMAHA—The State Theatre went well 

above its average take offering "I'll Cry 

Tomorrow" for a third week. The box score 

so far reads 230, 150 and 125, owner Ralph 

Goldberg said. The Brandeis slid a bit belowaverage 

with the third week of "The Man 

With the Golden Arm." 

Admirol-Chiet—Timetoble (UA); Lefj Moke Up 

(UA) 100 

Omaha—The Kettles in the Oiorks (U-I), There's 

Alwoys Tomorrow (U-I) 100 

'Cry' Stays 

Orpheum—Anything Goes (Para) 90 

RKO-Brondeis— The Mon With the Golden Arm 

(U-A), 3rd wk 95 

State— I'll Cry Tomorrow (MGM), 3rd wk 125 

Offers Bargain Matinees 

ELROY, WIS.—The Elroy Theatre here 

has established a Bargain Hour policy. Until 

2 p. m. on Saturdays and Sundays the admission 

for adults and students has been 

reduced to 

40 cents. 

Woody Simek Will Close 

Ashland, Neb., Theatre 

ASHLAND. NEB.—Woody Simek. owner and 

operator of the Circle A Theatre, is plannUig 

to close the house about May 15. He has 

been discussing the possibility of installing 

bowling alleys. 

Woody rebuilt the theatre following a fire 

several years ago. He did much of the work 

himself and the result was one of the 

finest small-town theatres in the area. 

BOXOFFICE 

Valerie French, new Columbia player, appeared at the Orpheum theatres in St. 

Paul and Minneapolis when "Jubal," in which she is cast, opened at the two theatres 

April 11. She also appeared on radio and TV programs and met the newspaper 

reporters. During her visit she met theatre executives in behalf of the Jack Cohn sales 

drive, which ends June 28. Shown above, top panel, left to right: Ben Marcus. Columbia 

division manager; Charles Winchell, president of >Unnesota Amusement Co.; William 

Ronning. MAC booker; Miss French; John Branton. vice-president: Don O'Neill, another 

booker; Ted Mann; Miss French again; Bob Hazelton. Independent Theatre Service, 

and Hy Chapman, Minneapolis Columbia manager. Bottom panel: Cal Nygaard. 

head booker-buyer for Home Theatres; Harry Green, general manager for Walworth 

Theatres; Miss French; Leo Ross, president of Home Theatres and Hy Chapman; Paul 

Lunquist, booker for Northwest Theatre Service; Frank Mantzke, Northwest president; 

Miss French, and Dick Toilette, Northwest booker. 

NC

. . The 

. . 

. . . Richard 

. . Kenneth 

. . 

w I 

,f1 

A H A 

. 

paul Tramp, Oxford exhibitor, hopes, along 

with local mothei-s, that things get back 

to normal pretty soon. The town has gone 

thi-oiigh a siege of measles and chicken pox 

and at one point about half the childi-en were 

out of some grades in school . Corby 

Theatre in Omaha has closed for 30 days 

during redecorating and refurbishing 

Jack Renfro, head of Theatre Booking Service, 

has returned home from the hospital 

after an operation. 

Walt Hagedone, Cozad theatre operator, 

said that his son Donald is home on his first 

leave since entering the Army. Donald is 

with the Air Defense Command in Chicago 

. . . Oliver Patrick. United Artists salesman, 

said his wife is recovering after being hospitalized 

in Des Moines . Cogswell, 

son of UA's Marie Cogswell, is home on 

leave from the Marine Corps base at San 

Diego. 

Howard Kennedy, who operates the Bow 

and drive-in theatre at Broken Bow, attended 

the Variety Club meeting at the Hill 

Hotel to discuss Tent 16 headquarters. Action 

was postponed pending further investigation 

Wilson, MGM salesman, received 

word that his brother-in-law Chal Noe suffered 

a severe heart attack at the hospital in 

Long Beach, Calif. . . . Jesse Chinich, Buena 

Vista western division manager, and Marvin 

Goldfarb, district manager, Denver, visited 

Paul Back at the Omaha office. 

Henry Elseman, 75, father of Evelyn Cannon, 

MGM office manager, is in the hospital 

with severe injuries as the result of being hit 

by an auto at an Omaha intersection. The 

extent of his injuries will not be determined 

until further examinations of X-rays . 

Allan Bograd has been named assistant to 

head booker Bill Lyon at Columbia. 

Co-Op Booking Service has almost cinched 

the Filmrow Bowling League title, with a 

7'- game lead and nine games to go. Closely 

bunched behind, in this order, are Film 

Transport. Warner Shorts, Republic, Warner 

Features and Renfro's Renegades . . . I. M. 

Weiner, Universal manager, and salesmen 

Carl Reese and Harry Fisher will attend a 

regional meeting at Des Moines Monday (30). 

Among Filmrow visitors were lowans Elmer 

Svendsen, Alta.; Ed Osipowicz, Correctionville; 

Arnold Johnson, Onawa: Frank Good, 

Red Oak. and Nebraskans Paul Tramp, Oxford: 

Ai-nold Meierdirks, Pender; Don Campbell. 

Central City; Phil March, Wayne, and 

his brother George, Vermillion, S. D. 

TO SELL YOU 

• STEREOPHONIC SOUND 

HILUX and SUPERAMA SCREENS 

BAUSCH and LOMB 

ULTRA-PANATAR 

ANAMORPHIC LENSES 

STRONG and ASHCRAFT 

PROJECTION LAMPS 

TUBE nd SELENIUM TYPE 

RECTIFIERS 

COMPLETE DRIVE-IN 

THEATRE EQUIPMENT 

NATIONAL CARBONS 

KOLLMORGEN - HILUX 

WOLLENSAK 

BACKUP and WIDE SCREEN 

LENSES 

CENTURY and MOTIOGRAPH 

PROJECTORS and SOUND 

HEYWOOD-WAKEFIELD 

RECLINING THEATRE CHAIRS 

GULISTAN CARPET 

MOTOR GENERATOR SETS 

DES MOINES THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

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

Gimmicks Spark Opening 

Of Stardusk Drive-In 

SHEBOYGAN, WIS.—The Stardusk, Sheboygan's 

only drive-in theatre, opened for 

its eighth season Thursday (19), featuring 

Buck Night both Thursday and Friday. This 

policy will continue on these same nights 

all season. For the opening. Manager George 

Andrews issued a coupon for two gallons of 

free gasoline for every car entering the theatre 

the two opening nights. On Saturday 

night, special gifts were distributed to women 

patrons and free comic books and candy 

were passed out to the children. Patrons expressed 

pleasure at the newly decorated concession 

building, which has been done in 

soft pastel colors. The boxoffice has been 

streamlined and new lighting has been installed 

at the theatre. 

Every Saturday the Stardusk will feature 

a movie marathon, presenting six hours of 

film entertainment with nothing repeated. 

Manager Andrews has been in the theatre 

business for the past nine years, having 

managed houses in Green Bay and Oshkosh 

before coming to the Stardusk last season. 

Capitalize on Big Wedding 

MINNEAPOLIS—The Radio City Theatre 

here capitalized on Grace Kelly's wedding in 

promoting "The Swan" by using a full page 

in color in the Sunday Ti-ibune. This marked 

the fh-st time any film here has had such 

color treatment. Another "first" for the picture 

was its opening on Sunday at Radio 

City. Ordinarily Friday is the opening day at 

this 4,100-seat house. Paying its respects to 

Miss Kelly and her prince fiance, the theatre 

had patrons during the last fortnight sign 

their names to a cablegram congratulating 

the couple and it dispatched the cable on 

the wedding day. Admission was boosted from 

85 cents to $1 to 5 p.m. and from $1 to $1.25. 

John Houseman Speaks 

DUBUQUE, IOWA—John Houseman. MGM 

producer, was a speaker at a three-day regional 

convention of the Catholic Theatre 

Conference held here last week. Delegates 

from Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nebraska 

and Iowa were in attendance. 

BOXOFFICE April 28, 1956

















Century Projector Corporation newyork, n 

SOLD BY 

y 

Quality Theatre Supply Co. 

1515 Davenport St. 

Omaha, Nebraska 

Des Moines Theatre Supply Co. 

1121 High St. 

Des Moines 9, Iowa 

Minneapolis Theatre Supply Co. 

75 Glenwood Ave. 

ineopolis 2, Minnesoto 

BOXOFFICE : 

: April 28, 1956 G9

. . 

Paramount 

. . The 

. . Those 

. . Dorothy 

MINNEAPOLIS 

apolis territory. It gives him five feature 

pictures for immediate selling and brings the 

total of the films he's now handling, all first 

runs, to 25. 

The Navarre Drive-In is the first ozoner in 

this 

territory to make necessary installations 

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FAST SERVICE! 

QUALITY WORK! 

10 permit Cinemascope 55 . . . Harry Wiesen- 

circuit owner and Hollywood producer, is 

recovering from a heart attack and should 

be up and around soon. 

Edward H.vman and Bernard Levy, Paramount-ABC 

vice-president and his assistant, 

respectively, came in from New York to confer 

with Charlie Winchell, newly appointed 

Minnesota Amusement Co. president, succeeding 

Harry B. French, elevated to chairman of 

the board . Fiddlers Club of film salesmen 

and others connected with the industry 

here elected a slate of officers. It comprises 

Harry Levy, president; Bob Hazleton, vicepresident; 

John O'Rourke, treasurer, and Joe 

Rosen, sergeant at arms . . . Red-hot baseball 

fan Jess McBride, Paramount manager, 

was awarded the first ticket to the new 

Minneapolis baseball stadium in recognition 

of his interest in the national pastime. 

Western features the complete line 

Dependable, Nationally-famous 

RCA Equipment and Supplies 

• Display Signs 

• Concession Supplies 

• Seats 

from marquee to the screen 

of 

• Booth Equipment 

• Wide Screens 

• Sound Systems 

You can always depend on WESTERN for 

PARTS and SERVICE 

for all types of theatre equipment 

DES MOINES 

28-30 at the Hotel Savery. More than 100 

delegates representing 30 Hadassah chapters 

are expected to attend . Pobst, 

UA, was elected president of the newly organized 

chapter of Women of the Motion 

Picture Industry here trips to Coon 

Rapids which are frequently taken on weekends 

by Frank Zanotti. RKO booker, are said 

to be on account of a certain pretty girl . . . 

lola West, wife of the insurance man, drove 

to Chicago with her mother for a four-day 

vacation from spring housecleaning and office 

work. 

Oshkosh Gets Widescreen 

OSHKOSH. WIS.—The Highway 44 outdoor 

theatre reopened for the season Friday (13), 

giving patrons their first look at the new 

Cinemascope screen installed dui-ing the winter 

at the 8-year-old drive-in. Manager Frank 

Koppelberger says the new screen has an area 

of 4,500 square feet, as against 2,400 for the 

old screen. The average indoor screen measures 

about 600 square feet, Koppelberger 

added. 

Menomonie Outdoor Opens 

MENOMONIE, WIS.—Featured at the 

Saturday (21) opening of the Menomonie 

Outdoor Theatre was a modern theatre 

restaurant which has been installed on the 

gi-ounds. Manager William G. Klug managed 

the Star-Lite Drive-In at LaCrosse and was 

with Fox Wisconsin Amusement Corp. in 

Milwaukee for eight years before coming 

here. 

"WESTERN 

TtfEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

Everything in 

Theatre 

Equipment 

and 

Supplies 

Harry Buck, 58, Stricken 

ST. PAUL, MINN.—Harry Buck, 58, died 

from a heart attack while in Watertown, 

S. D., in pursuance of his duties as a salesman 

for Reid H. Ray Films here. He at 

one time was a 20th-Fox salesman and later 

ran the local branch for Severaid Theatre 

Brokers. His wife survives. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

: April 28, 1956

Cleveland Grosses 

At Ebb on Holdovers 

CLEVELAND—With four lioldovers downtown 

and only three new pictures on the 

first run screens, total business was the 

lowest so far this year. This attendance drop 

appeared to be general for all theatre classifications, 

as the Cleveland Indians came 

home from spring training. At the top was 

"Alexander the Great," which in its third 

week registered a 120 per cent rating. "Belissima." 

on the strength of the Anna Magnani's 

0,>-car. had a good opening week that hit 

10 per cent above average at the lower Mall. 

Weather was miserable—cold, rain, occasional 

snow squalls. First appearance of the Cleveland 

Indians in an exhibition game at Minneapolis 

attracted a large crowd. "The 

Littlest Outlaw" drew good weekend business 

but its midweek evening attendance fell. 


Allen Mirocle in the Rain (WB) 80 

Hippodrome The Man in the Gray Flannel 

Suit I20th-Fox), 3rd wk 75 

Lower Mall— Belissima (IFE), 110 

re.ssue 

Ohio The Littlest Outlaw (BV) 95 

Palace The Harder They Fall (Col), 2nd 

holdover wk 70 

State Meet Me in Las Vegas (MGM), 2nd 

holdover wk 70 

Stillman— Alexander the Greot (UA), 3rd 

More Showmen at Allied Sessions 

Most Detroit First Runs 

Feel Boxoffice Drouth 

DETROIT—Business sagged at most boxoffices 

here, aside from reserved seat type 

shows like "Oklahoma!" "Picnic" was still 

strong in a sixth week at the Madison. 

Adams I'll Cry Tomorrow (MGM), 6th wk 100 

Broadwoy-Copitol Hot Blood (Col); Over- 

Exposed 

Pox—The 

(Col) 

Man in 

8î 

the Gray Flannel Suit (20th- 

Foxl, 3rd wk 75 

Madison Picnic (Col), 6th wk 1 40 

Michigan—Miracle in the Rain (WB); No Man's 

Woman (Rep) 100 

Palms—Jubol (Col); Stranger at My Door (Rep). .110 

United Artists—Oklahoma! (Magna), 8th wk 20o 

Eduard Werner Renamed 

By Detroit Musicians 

DETROIT — Eduard Werner, former director 

of the Michigan Theatre orchestra, 

was re-elected president of the Detroit Federation 

of Musicians for a two-year period 

by a 3-to-l majority over Fred Crissey. Also 

elected with Werner were vice-president. 

Jack Cooper: secretary, Howard P. Green, 

and treasurer, Lester Clark. 

Directors elected were Russ Weaver, Andy 

Izzo, Art Black, Buddy Fields, Carl Austin, 

Jack Weick and Don Williams. 

A special farewell party is being held Sunday 

(291 at the Laborers Hall honoring 

George Clancy, who is leaving after 23 years 

as secretary of the Detroit local to become 

national treasurer of the AFM. This is Detroit's 

second contribution to the higher echelons, 

with Jack Ferentz, longtime business 

agent, now a.ssistant to James C. Petrillo. 

Book Seven Months Ahead 

CLEVELAND—Cleveland will 

be one of six 

cities in the U. S. to show "The Ten Commandments" 

next November. The picture 

will play the Ohio Theatre. The other cities 

are New York, Washington, Boston, Beverly 

Hills and Baltimore. This is the first time in 

local film history that a Cleveland theatre 

has booked a picture seven months in advance 

of playdate. 

Reproduced above are some additional photos taken at the annual convention of 

Allied Theatres of Michigan, held recently in Detroit. Top panel, left to right: F. Lou 

Mitchell, independent booker; William Wetsman, W&W Theatres; Mike Simons. 

MGM; Ernest Conlon. executive secretary of Michigan .\llied. and (standing) Alden 

Smith and Pearce Farkhurst, Allied officers. Center: Dave Kaplan. Theatrical Advertising 

Co.; Max Gealer, Associated Theatres; Dan Lewis. Cooperative Theatres film 

buyer; Elton V. Samuels. Fontiac. and Howard Sharpley. Hillsdale Drive-In. Bottom: 

Ed Johnson. Bay City; Ray Branch, Hastings; Don McKen2ie, Flint, and Orville C. 

Wells, Theatre Equipment Co. 

Eddie and Ethel Bergman 

Mark 25th Anniversary 

CLEVELAND—Eddie and Ethel Bergman, 

with a combined record of almost 50 years in 

the motion picture industry, recently celebrated 

their 25th wedding anniversary. Eddie, 

a Universal salesman for the last ten 

years, previously was with 20th-Fox for 21 

years in the company's New York and Cleveland 

sales departments. 

For 18 years prior to her marriage, Ethel 

was office manager in Cleveland and secretary 

to the branch manager. At the time 

of their marriage, April 15, 1931, Ethel retired 

to devote her time to home making and 

club work. Within the last few months, the 

Bergmans moved into their new ranch home 

at 2211 Campus road in suburban Beachwood 

Village. 

To celebrate the 25th anniversary, 25 old 

friends of the Bergman's surprised them with 

an anniversary dinner party. 

Wayne and Affihate Firm 

To Go Ahead With Airer 

DETROIT—The Wayne Amusement Co. 

and an undisclosed affihate, now in showbusiness, 

are planning to go ahead with construction 

of a major drive-in in the west side 

suburb of Livonia as soon as approval is 

city, given by the Charles Shafer. president 

and general manager of the company, told 

BOXOFFICE. This sharply contradicts 

previous published reports indicating that the 

company had dropped its plans following 

some local opposition. 

The company and its affiliate already have 

a sizable piece of property in Livonia on 

which they plan to erect both the theatre 

and a tool and die shop, Shafer said. Site 

of the property remains undisclosed. 

This is in addition to another 1,350-car 

drive-in which is to be built about a halfmile 

outside of Livonia, Shafer said, by the 

Wayne Amusement Co. alone. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

: April 28. 1956 ME 71

tu 

Hj;;s5;;; 

. . Two 

. . Louis 

INDUSTRY PROFILE 

John O. Guthrie Exploits Theatre 

As Town's Focal Interest Point 

London NKW LONDON, OHIO—John O. Guthrie, 

sound. Guthrie settled in New owner of the Karolyn Theatre, has because he liked the town and figured it 

|| 

i| 

demonstrated his flair for showmanship was a good place in which to experiment 

Not have 

|: 

on many occasions during his years in in sound development. content to || 

built all of the stereophonic sound equip- !| 

the industry. Not only does he exploit 

his pictures, but he exploits his theatre as ment for his Karolyn Theatre, said to be i| 

a focal point of interest in the town. 

Recently he inaugurated the policy of 

rated 

he has also rigged up a sound system in 

|| 

1 

among the best such installations, 

his home, where friends interested in ji 

presenting only one show each night, 

music gather. 1 

starting at 8 o'clock. The policy has been 

both financially and culturally successful. 

It brings people to the theatre at the beginning 

"We have the room in complete darkness 

for these concerts," Guthrie explains. 

|: 

of the show, resulting in enjoy- 

ment of the entire program. It eliminates 

"This helps create the illusion of occupying 

about the third row in an auditorf 

i 

the confusion of late comers climbing over ium where an actual orchestra is per- !| 

|:! 

those already seated, thus adding to ma- 

forming." 

Guthrie gets his outstanding musical i 

terial comfort of each patron. The oneshow-per-night 

policy also permits patrons 

to get home reasonably early—at least 

early enough to hear the late news on TV 

or radio. The people of New London are 

showing approval of Guthrie's new policy 

by their support of his theatre. 

Further creating interest in Guthrie and 

his theatre was an interview appearing in 

the Mansfield Sunday News-Journal April 

8, featuring his experience and current 

experiments with sound projection. 

"Experimenting in sound equipment," 

says Guthrie, "is my hobby as well as my 

business. 

"I got the bug in England when talking 

pictures were coming into 

vogue," explained 

the British-born exhibitor. "I 

came to this country with the intention 

of studying sound techniques. In the 

early days of sound on the screen, I, along 

with many others, manufactured one of 

the many types of equipment put on the 

market. To refresh the memory of the 

oldtimers, I formed the Cleveland Sound 

Engineering Co. and we made equipment 

installed it in quite a lot of theatres." 

Guthrie has made great strides in his 

favorite field. His theatre (300 seats) was 

the first in a town the size of New Londiiii 

(p()|) 1,700 1 

put in .xtiTPOijlionic 

BOWLING 

DETROIT— It was like a photofinish in 

the Nightingales Club Bowling League, with 

the leaders—finding the pressure too great 

dropping all four points to the bottom place 

team, while the second place team lost three 

points to the third. Here are the final 

standings: 

Team Won Lost Teom Won Lost 

Local 199 601/2 511/2 Ams't 58 54 

Supply 

Altec 591/2 521/2 Ernie Forbes .501/261(2 

NTS 59 S3 NofI Carbon 481/2631,2 

Division winners for the entire season are: 

(singles) Carl Mingione 245, Francis Light 

242: Nick Forest 222: Edgar Douville 215; 

Bert London 263, Joe Foresta 232: Kenneth 

Grenke 200, Roger Valiquette 198. Winners 

for three games: Jack Colwell 656, Roy 

Thompson 652; Edgar Douville 583, Nick Forest 

554, Joe Foresta 596, Bert London 572; 

Kenneth Grenke 503, Melvin Donlon 490. 

High teams for single games were: Amusement 

Supply, 756, and National Theati'e 

Supply, 745; for three game series: Ernie 

"nrbes Theatre Supply, 2,093, and Altec 

Sound Service, 2,081. 

The winning Local 199 team was captained 

effects at home with high fidelity equip- '§ 

ment that includes two theatre-sized ;;;; 

|; 

speakers, one on each side of the living 

room. He has an elaborate tape-recorder |i 

and record-playing attachments. || 

"I keep the speakers isolated to escape || 

vibration," he says. "You've got to have i 

terrific power and good quality speakers to 

get a true bass note. High fidelity with §. 

dual equipment gives high and low notes |i 

without distortion." 

Currently Guthrie is experimenting with || 

stereophonic and binaural sound systems. 

In the stereophonic recording, mikes are :| 

placed on two sides of the orchestra to p; 

pick up two separate parts of the orches- |; 

|| 

tra. is "I think this better than the bi- 

|; 

naural," he says. "Binaural has two mikes 

separated by a metal plate. The mikes are 

i| 

placed about as far apart, one on each side, 

|| 

|; 

is sup- as the 

posed 

ears on a man's head. 

to pick up half of 

Each 

the orchestra 1 

just as the ears do." ij 

Guthrie's idea of showmanship is that || 

it is good if it arouses new interest in || 

the theatre or in the man who operates || 

the theatre. This newspaper story of his 1 

experiments in the field of sound is a 

unique way of advertising the stereophonic |; 

Miiind m thi- Karolyn Thratrc i 

by Carl Mmgione and include., Ray Gagnon, 

Roger Valiquette and Francis Light. The 

big championship trophy will be displayed 

at Local 199's own offices, after the annual 

party, to be held at the Lucky Strike Recreation 

in May. Special thanks of the league 

are conveyed by the secretary, Floyd H. Akins, 

to I. J. London and son Bert "for their 

generous help and cooperation." 

Maysville Drive-In Holds 

Weekly Jackpot Night 

MA'VSVILLE, KY.—Tuesday nights will 

offer special attendance inducements at the 

Park Drive-In here through the summer, with 

two jackpots being awai-ded each Tuesday 

evening and with patrons being admitted that 

night for $1 a carload. A prize of $100 was 

awarded on the first night of the season and 

favors were given to all children attending 

that evening. 

Owners of the Park are Mr. and Mrs. Earl 

Urmston, Henry Means Walker, Henry M. 

Walker jr. and Harris Walker. 

|| 

|| 

U-I to Erect Building 

For Detroit Branch 

DETROIT—A third Detroit exchange will 

have its own exchange building. P. T. Murray, 

manager of branch operations for U-I, 

has revealed ground will be broken next 

week for a new structure on West Columbia 

street, a quarter block from the Film Exchange 

building, where most exchanges have 

been situated for 30 years. 

Only two companies now have their own 

buildings elsewhere—Paramount and 20th- 

Fox, the latter across the street from the 

new Universal project. National Screen 

Service also occupies a separate building, 

formerly used by Paramount. All others. 

with the exception of some independents 

like IFE and Dezel Productions, are in the 

Film Exchange building. 

COL uWb u s 

The Columbus Citizen has announced a two- 

cent increase in advertising rates effective 

June 1. Present amusement page 

Sher 

rates is 26 'j cents per line 

and Ed Shulman, operators of the Bexley 

Art Theatre here and a circuit of similar 

houses in West Virginia, Kentucky, Michigan 

and Colorado, announced the acquisition 

of an art theatre in Milwaukee. 

.stalled. 

Norman Nadel, Columbus Citizen theatre 

editor, and Han-y Franken of the editorial 

Edee Roberts, local 18-year-old beauty, was 

chosen Queen of the Page One Ball in finals 

held on the stage of RKO Palace. Manager 

Edward McGlone of the Palace cooperated 

with the Columbus Citizen and the local 

Newspaper Guild in the selection . . Dismantling 

. 

of the present Loew's Broad 

upright 

sign and marquee signs is progressing. 

New upright and marquee signs will be in- 

staff attended the premiere of "On the 

Threshold of Space" at RKO Keith's in Dayton 

. 

McConnelsville theatremen have 

joined the Independent Theatre Owners of 

Ohio. They are Charles M. Barkhurst, Ace 

Hi Drive-In and Charles P. Sloan sr., Twin 

City Opera House. 

Wayne U. to Offer Classes 

For Detroit Janitors 

DETROIT—The problem of getting properly 

trained maintenance help for operation 

of 

theatres may soon be solved, surprisingly, 

at the university level. Wayne University 

Ls inaugurating a new "janitor school" this 

fall for some 300 janitorial employes of local 

business—at both the working and the 

supervisory levels. The students will attend 

the university full time, taking cours&s 

in sanitation maintenance. This is expected 

to be a pioneering research project 

as well as an actual course in the fundamentals 

of good janitoring. 

A series of ten courses, each for 30 students, 

and lasting from six to 12 weeks, is 

to be offered, under the direction of Dean 

Walter C. Folley of the School of Business 

Administration. This is believed to be the 

fii-st project of this type ever offered by a 

university. Wayne's enrollment now ranks 

it among the top 15 American universities. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

: April 28, 1956


















SOLD BY 

Akron Theatre Supply Co. 

Theatre Equipment Co 

80 North Main St. 

1206 Cherry Street 

2310 Cass Avenue 

Akron 10, Ohio 

Toledo 2, Ohio 

Detroit 1, Michigan 

Hadden Theatre Supply Co. 

209 South Third St. 

Louisville 2, Kcntuck 

y 

BOXOFFICE 

73

. . The 

. . Herbert 

. . . Bob 

. . Morris 

. . Ralph 

. . 

. . 

: April 

DETROIT 

•The Star Theatre at Elkton. which was operated 

formerly was operated by Mrs. Imogene 

by Verne Bolzman, has been Thorne and, earlier, by James Ellis. 

closed . . . Vivan Aumock, operator at the 

Kenneth Owen, Universal booker who has says he has had to resort to unusual methods 

Trenton Theatre who was living in Allen 

been seriously ill, has returned to his home to handle the crowds. Inasmuch as patrons 

moved down Wyandotte 

are seated only at the start of the program, 

Park, has river to 

following hospitalization Ernie Chrysler, 

to be near his work . . . Irving Belinsky, who 

ran the Film Exchange drugstore for many 

years, has become a grandfather for the 

. . . 

Allied Artists salesman, is making his rounds one night he had to lock the entrance doors 

with a husky voice resulting from a sore to keep the crowds from pushing their way in. 

throat . . . Sid Bowman, United Artists manager 

Another night the boxoffice line was so long 

second time. The papa is Irving's son Arnold. 

he sent out an SOS to the police department 

who is hospitalized, is reported progres- 

... Ed Johnson, The grandson was born at Newport 

to assist in the traffic problem. 

sing favorably upstate cu-- 

Jack Hebert, Paramount 

"You never saw anything like it." Jacobelle 

cuiteer, is reopening the Westown at Bay 

Beach, Calif. . . . 

booker, returned from Sault Ste. Marie. Ont., 

"Not only do we have our regular 

owned by Mrs. Harold Bernstein says. 

. 

City, 

where he was called by a death in the family. 

Jack Dickstein, former theatre manager, has patrons, but people are coming from all parts 

Ben J. Robins, who runs the Alhambra in returned to Edgewater Park, where he will be of the city. One of the nicest things about the 

screen tower in charge of concessions this season. 

engagement is the way people cooperate with 

Detroit, rebuilding the at the 

is 

us by not revealing the outcome of the 

General Custer Drive-In at Monroe, wrecked Jack Zide, owner of the Allied Film Exchange, 

mystery. has closed a deal with Woolner Bros, 

We pass out silence pledges with 

in the storm two weeks ago . . . William Kus, 

admission tickets and it is interesting to see 

who has Bill's Popcorn Machine Repair Service, 

is now active with the Confection Cabinet igan, selling the special to the Fox Theatre 

for distribution of "Swamp Women" in Mich- 

how well the secret ending is kept." 

. Corp R. Lane, auditor, was at 

run opening Saturday 

U-I . Lincoln Theatre at Lincoln has 

for a first 

Sympathy to Kal Bruss, 

(28) . . . 

.salesman, 

MGM 

been taken over by Lyle P. Clark. The house upon the death of his sister in Chicago . . . 

Jack and Mickey Zide headed for the Windy 

City to attend the convention of the National 

RCA 

Dealer 

depend o„ RCA 

• RAYTONE and 

RADIANT SCREENS 

THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO. 

106 Michigan St., N.W. 

Grond Rapids 2, Mich. 

See Us Now . 

. . 

Whatever you need— 

we can supply it. 

gp^Jg FQRBES 

214 W. Montcolm Theatre Supply 

Woodward 1-1122 

Detroit 1, Mich. 

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COLD CHIPS 

Potato Chips Exclusively for the Theatre Trade 

VETERAN FOOD PRODUCTS, INC. 

13231 Conant Avenue Detroit 12, Mich. 

Phone TWInbrook 3-4393 

L O. L THEATRE CONCESSION 

INCREASED PROFITS - DECREASED WORRIES 

PERSONALIZED SUPERVISED SERVICE 

DRIVE-IN AND INDOOR THEATRES 

2937 St. Aubin Detroit 7, Mich. 

Temple 13350 

Ass'n of Radio and Television Broadcasters. 

The Capitol Theatre, Lansing, formerly a 

Butterfield house, has been clased and its 

second run policy has been shifted to the 

Esquire . E. Lefko, who has just 

resigned as district sales manager for RKO, 

was in town for his final official visit before 

leaving his desk . . . Jim Padfield, projectionist 

who also at one time doubled as 

head of the u.shers union of the lATSE, has 

moved over on Foley avenue . Boudreau 

is due back from St. Petersburg about 

the first of June. 

Norman Meyers, managing director of the 

Adams, is back with a cold from a trip to 

Kenosha to visit his sister. He was enthused 

over the Stratocruiser flight to Milwaukee, 

which continues on to Seattle and Tokyo . 

Bill Green, regional director of exploitation 

for Cinerama, is back from a three-week 

visit to the west coast. He took an addre.5s 

book with 40 names, visited with 30 of them 

Bothwell. manager of the Fox, has 

cut his poundage from 220 to 198 and is still 

hard at work reducing, reports Vera Brown. 

Herbert Eschbach, in charge of theatre directory 

advertising for the Detroit News for 

many years, has been elected president of 

the St. Pi-ancis de Sales Club. This organization, 

of which he was treasurer for several 

years, represents Catholic workers in the 

field of communications. 

To Manage at Greensburg 

GREENSBURG, KY.—Douglas Ford has 

taken over the management of the Franklin 

Theatre here. He has been teaching in the 

Hiseville school for the past two years and 

has managed theatres in Campbellsville and 

Glasgow. Mr. and Mrs. Ford will move to 

Greensburg from Glasgow where they now 

are living. 

'Diabolique' Sets Record 

At Cleveland Art House 

CLEVELAND — "Diabolique" has established 

an alltime record attendance at the Heights 

Art Theatre, and Manager Nico Jacobelle 

Samuel A. Cowan Stricken; 

Owned Alhambra Theatre 

CLEVELAND—Services were held here for 

Samuel A. Cowan, prominent real estate developer, 

who died in Miami Beach, Fla. He 

was owner of the 1,300-seat Alhambra Theatre 

here, at one time the finest theatre in 

the city. The house now is managed by one 

of his three sons, Merrill I. Cowan. Other survivors 

are his wife Blanche and two sons 

Leonard J. and Joseph M. Cowan was active 

in the University Center Chamber of Commerce 

and other cultural and business developments. 

UA Borrows Joseph Behm 

Borrowed from 20th-Fox. Joseph Behm will 

function as production manager on Ru.ss- 

Field's "The King and Four Queens" for 

United Artists. 

1^ 

RESEAT OR RENOVATE 

Professional work on Seot 

using Foam Rubber or New 

Springs. Meto 

Ena 

In 

Stock—Used 

HEYWOOD-WAKEFIELD SEATING 

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DETROIT 

Service Parts Repoln 

DETROIT POPCORN CO. 

READY-TO-EAT POPPED CORN 

Corn 

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lights- UN 3-U68 

BOXOFFICE ; 

28, 1956

. . Among 

. . 

Nat Lefton, Cleveland, Dies 

In Sarasota, Fla., Hospital 

CLEVELAND—Nat L. Lofton. 62. lonatimo 

independent Ohio distributor initil lii.s retirement 

about ten years ago, died Monday 

NAT L. LEFTON 

(23) in Memorial Hospital at Sarasota, Fla. 

Surviving are his wife Emily, a daughter, 

Mrs. Natalie Perlmutter, and two sons. Benton 

and Gilbert. The funeral was held in 

Cleveland Friday. 

In association with Harry Charnas, he 

owned and operated the Standard Film Service 

Co. Later he owned the Monogram and 

the Republic 

franchises. 

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. 

CLEVELAND 

gill Shartin, 56. who operated Favorite Pictures, 

an independent Seattle exchange, 

was reported killed by an automobile turning 

a corner at a high rate of speed as he 

was walking acro.ss one of Seattle's main 

streets. He is survived by his wife and two 

daughters, Geri of Seattle and Mrs. Iris 

Goldstone of Chicago. Shartin was manager 

of United Artists here and also of the Eagle 

Lon exchange prior to leaving for the west 

Friends of "Mac" MacManus are giving him 

a farewell dinner party May 14 at Rus.so's 

Restaurant (formerly the Alhambra Grille 

at Euclid and East 105th street, next to the 

Alhambra Theatre, prior to his leaving Cooperative 

Theatres to take over the management 

of the Starlite, Telegraph and Parkside 

drive-ins in Toledo. The ladies are invited. 

Returnees included Abe Schwartz of the 

Lexington, Jerry Steel of the Apollo in Oberlin 

and Joe Robins of all the Warren theatres 

... An oldtime Cleveland film man returned 

last week for a short visit from his 

home in Hollywood. Jack Lawrence, who 

used to sell United Artists pictures in this 

territory and who has been successfully operating 

an eatery in the film capital until 

his recent retirement, stopped off en route to 

his home from Florida where he visited 

Walter Katowitz of the Ross, Rossford. 

Joe Hegeman and Jim Nullmeyer of Warwick 

Pictures were in town to set up a promotion 

for "Cockleshell Heroes," relea.sed 

through Columbia, starting April 25 at the 

Allen. Here for the event was Bill Sparks, 

one of the two survivors of the World War II 

operation. Among the plans completed to 

date are a Marine tieup. TV and radio interviews. 

Herb Ochs has chalked up his ninth grandson, 

bringing the total number of second 

generation Oches to 15. The newest member 

of the family was born April 14 to Jim 

and Mary Ochs in Dania. Fla. The youngster 

was named Keith Stuart. 

Victor Seiden has reduced to weekends 

the summer policy at the Grand . . . Nothing 

succeeds like success. In the wake of the 

sensationally successful engagement of "Diabolique" 

at the Heights Art Theatre. Imperial 

Pictures is besieged with requests for 

bookings. Picture has been booked in the 

Esquire, Toledo, and into the Shea houses in 

this area. 

Rhoda Koret, Columbia booker, has 

brought her season of dramatics in little 

theatre work to a close for the summer. She 

just concluded playing an important role in 

"Dark Tower," presented in Wiley Junior 

High School auditorium by the Heights Community 

Theatre . Filmrow visitors 

was one-year-old Ronnie, son of MGM booker 

Bob Dittrick . . . Abe Kramer of Associated 

Circuit, has sold his spacious Golden Beach. 

Fla., home and is heading back to Cleveland 

. . . Hilbert Horwitz, manager of the 

Haltnorth, is a Mount Sinai Hospital patient. 

Edward Weiss Dies 

CUYAHOGA FALLS. OHIO — Edward 

Weiss, manager of the State Theatre, died 

Tuesday (24) of coronary thrombosis. Hi.= 

wife and a daughter survive. The funeral 

was held Friday in Auburn. N. Y. 

T. L. Irwin Quits Paramount 

To Become BV Auditor 

CLEVELAND T L. Irwiii lias left Paramount 

alter an ius.sociation ul more than 30 

year.s to Join Buena 

Vista as auditor, with 

headquarters in Cleveland. 

Irwin's entire business 

career has been 

with Paramount in 

three of its branches 

—Detroit, Columbus, 

^^^^ i-t^^^^^ 3"(} Cleveland. He 

^^fe Joined the Detroit ex- 

^^^ ^^H J* ^^H change about 1925. 

^^* • ^^^ When the Columbus 

T. L. Irwin office was opened, he 

was transferred there 

as a salesman, and he remained there until 

that branch closed in 1938. Since that time, 

Irwin has been at the local office. 

The resignation of T. L. Irwin from Paramount 

has caused a shift in personnel. Irwin 

Sears moved up to head booker. Helen 

Thoma, former secretary to Manager Harry 

Buxbaum, will take over Sears' booking accounts 

upon her return from a leave of absence 

granted because of the illness of her 

parents, and Lillian Ack, cashier, has added 

to her duties that of office manager. 

DRIVE-IN THEATRES!!! 

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Intermission Clock Trailers 

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QUAUTY WORKI

. . . Kip 

. . . O. 

. . Joe 

. . Lou 

. . 

: I N C I N N A T I 

Thf opening of the Reds ball game April 17 

brought quite a number of exhibitors to 

the city. Frank Allara. who never misses a 

game in Cincinnati in which the Cardinals 

play, came in from Delbarton, W. Va., with 

Roy Letsinger, exhibitor at Amherstdale. Allara 

is a good friend of Cardinal player Stan 

Musial. whom he met when the latter was 

training for major league playing. Allara was 

elated because Musial brought the team to 

victory in the opening game . . . Joe Miller 

of the Goldman circuit never misses taking 

his two sons, age 15 and 10, to the opening 

game. 

Frank Carnahan and Bud Hughes, Manchester, 

Ky., were others in the city who 

hoped to go to the ball game. They opened 

the Richmond Drive-In at Richmond, Ky., 

April 12, This is the theatre they acquired 

from Don Reda. Prior to opening it, they 

installed a new widescreen, remodeled the 

concession stand and remodeled the marquee 

. . . Prank Yassenoff and Harold 

Schwartz of Columbus were in the city, as 

was Schwartz' brother-in-law, Milton 

Strauss, who has the Old Town Auto and 

Xenia Auto theatres in Xenia, Ohio. 

Schwartz said that Joe Dejoy has been made 

new head maintenance man at the Milford 

Auto Theatre, Milford. 

Bob Harrell, Avalon, Cleves, recently returned 

from a five-week stay in Florida. In 

June Harrell will have been in the theatre 

business for 23 years. Besides operating his 

theatre, Harrell has 250 acres of corn, 30 

of which is popcorn sold in theatres. He is 

proud of his high grade popcorn and he is 

continuing to experiment with it for even 

greater 

quality. 

George Turlukis, Hamilton, was a visitor, 

as were Ralph Sacker, Lawrenceburg, Ind.; 

Ted Christ, Spencerville; Nat Kaplan, Woodlawn 

Drive-In, Glendale: Mark Cummins, 

local drive-in operator, and Mr. and Mrs. 

Paul Orbaugh. Greenfield . Sher, 

Columbus, who operates the Bexley Art there 

and other art houses in the Cincinnati and 

Cleveland areas and who recently acquired 

one in Denver, Colo., was on the Row. Sher 

is an expert on motion pictures to the extent 

that his friends urge him to try for the 

$64,000 quiz. 

Robert "Red" Strauss, who operates the 

Camargo Theatre, Madeira, was on the Row. 

In addition to running his theatre. Strauss is 

still golf pro at Avon Fields golf course in 

the city. He specializes in kiddy Saturday 

matinees, a popular feature of his theatre 

Smiley, salesman for MGM, is leaving 

the company to join Jack Needham, 

booking and buying service. In addition to 

assisting Needham, Smiley will manage the 

two drive-ins in Xenia, owned by Milton 

Strauss. 

Jim Roberts expects to reopen the Ravenswood 

Drive-In around May 1. He has installed 

Cinemascope and all new equipment 

G. Roaden, circuit theatre owner of 

Kentucky, has taken over the Lyric, Lawrenceburg, 

Ky., from C. O. Humston, effective 

May 1. 

Advertising Method 

PROGRAMS 

Sample Kit! FREE! 

Theatrical Advertising Co. 

2310 CASS AVE. DETROIT 1, MICH. 

Phone: Woodward 1-2158 

Fred Helwig and his wife left for a short 

stay in Florida. The Helwigs operate the 

Owens Drive-In in Charleston and the Nitro 

iW. Va.) Theatre Buffa, who owns 

the Moimtainaire Drive-In, Glen Jean. W. 

. . . 

Va.. installed a new widescreen The 

Midwest Theatre Supply Co. is putting in 

new RCA lamps, generator and widescreen 

in the Cain Auto Theatre. Paintsville, Ky., 

owned by W. T. Cain jr. 

Theatre Owners Corp. is now booking and 

buying for the Royal Theatre, Carrollton, 

Ky., which Frances May Thomas, sister of 

Fred May, now owns. Mrs. Thomas took 

. 

over the part interest of her brother 

Price Coomer. who operates the Opera House. 

HANDY SUBSCRIPTION

. 

RESEARCH BUREAU 

for 

MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS 

ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMATION 

The MODERN THEATRE 

PLANNING INSTITUTE 

S:S Van Brunt Blvd. 

Kansas City 24. Mo 

Gentlemen: 

Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU 

to receive information regularly, as released, on 

the following subjects lor Theatre Planning: 

n Acoustics 

n Air Conditioning 

Architectural Service 

n "Black" Lighting ^ „ . 

n Building Material 

n Carpets 

D Coin Machines 

n Complete Remodeling 

n Decorating 

n Lighting Fixtures 

Q Plumbing Fixtures 

^_ projectors 

U Projection 

Lamps 

° 2^°*'°^ 

^ Signs and .Marquees 

Sound Equipment 

D Television 

n Drink Dispensers D Theatre Fronts 

n Drive-In Equipment D Vending Equipment 

D Other Subjects 

Theatre 

Seating Capacity 

Address 

City 

State 

Signed 

Postage-paid reply cards for your further convenience 

in obtaining infornâtion are provided in The MODERN 

THEATRE Section, published with the first issue of 

each month. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

: April 28, 1956 

•QUINCANNON" WORLD PKEMIEKE—Shown above arc the lilm stars and industryites 

at the recent world premiere of "Quincamnon, Frontier Scout," released by 

Lnited Artists. Standing, left to right: Howard Koch, producer of the Bel-,\ir presentation; 

Jack Fineberg, U.\ branch manager in Cincinnati; starlet Pat Blake; star 

Tony Martin; starlet Sara Shane and Sid Cooper, UA central district manager. Kneeling, 

left to right: co-star John Bromfield; D. J. Edele, UA St. Louis branch manager, 

and Ed Biglcy, Indianapolis branch manager. 

Mitchell Wolfsons On 

Trip Around World 

MIAMI — Mitchell Wolfson, co-owner of 

Womelco Theatres and WTVJ, his wife and 

aaughter Prankie and Miss Doris Weinstein 

left in March for an eight to ten-week 

vacation trip around the world. 

The first major stop for the party will be 

Honolulu, where they have planned four days 

of leisurely sight-seeing, including a drive 

around the island of Oahu, the Mormon 

temple at Laie and Pearl Harbor. From 

Honolulu, a ten-day sojom-n in Japan has 

been mapped out with Tokyo their first 

Japanese attraction. They also will travel to 

Kamakura, via Yokohama, where they will 

see the famous giant bronze Buddha; to 

Kyoto, where accommodations include a stay 

at a typical Japanese style inn, and whose 

attractions include visits to the old Imperial 

palace grounds, Nijo castle, Yaska shrine and 

the Thousand Buddhas; to the pagoda of 

Kofukuji and the cherry blossom dances at 

Nara; to Nikko and its famous shrines of 

the Tokugawa Shoguns and Lake Chuzenji, 

and finally back to Tokyo, from whence they 

will depart for Hong Kong. 

After Hong Kong they will stop at Bangkok, 

Thailand, to see its floating markets, 

royal barges, Temple of the Dawn and 

Pasteur Institute for four days before proceeding 

to Rangoon, Burma, and thence on 

to India. 

In India they will visit the world-famous 

Taj Mahal, Jasmin tower, the Rajghat, where 

Mahatma Ghandi was cremated, take an 

elephant ride in the pink city of Amber, visit 

Parliament House and a multitude of beautifully 

embellished temples and mosques. 

The first of May will find the Wolfson 

party in Cairo, w^here they will visit, by camel, 

the great pyramid of Cheops, the Sphinx. 

King Tufs tomb, the mosque of Mohammed 

Ali and the citadel, and by felucca (sailing 

1, craft across the Nile to Thebes. Five days 

later will find them observing the famed 

Acropolis of Athens, with its magnificent 

Parthenon, Temple of Jupiter, Mars Hill and 

the theatre of Dionysus and the Byzantine 

convent in Daphne. 

Istanbul is their next to last stop, where 

they will see the tomb of Alexander the Great, 

the seraglio Palace of the Sultans, with its 

fabulous collection of jewels and armor, the 

serpentine column of Delphi and the mosque 

of St. Sophia. 

And finally, before sailing from Cannes on 

May 16 aboard the Independence, the Wolfsons 

will spend five days in Rome, seeing the 

Vatican, the Roman Forum, the Arch of 

Hadrian, the Colosseum and the Sistine 

Chapel. 

Second Rock-n-Roll Show 

Booked at Detroit Fox 

DETROIT—A return of live talent to downtown 

show business has been set by Robert 

Bothwell. managing director of the Fox Theatre, 

for the week of June 21. Bothwell is 

booking another rock and roll type show using 

name recording artists from both coasts 

with names not yet released—repeating the 

pattern of the highly successful show of this 

type booked two months ago, which sent 

grosses soaring to three and a half times normal 

for this 5,500-seat house. 

Heads New Chair Co. 

DETROIT—Arnold Gornall, who formerly 

headed the Reliable Seating Service in Detroit, 

is resuming operation under his own 

name. Headquarters are now at 21155 

Meadowbrook Rd. in Northville. Gornall will 

specialize in re-upholstering, resetting and 

repairing theatre chairs. 

Carmack to Build Ozoner 

BLUFFTON, OHIO—George Carmack of 

the Carma Theatre has confirmed reports 

he is planning to build a new drive-in in 

this 

area. 

77

: 

April 

ALFRED IDDLES Porlrail by fob/on Bocfiroch 

11,000, or 70% of Our Employees 

Are Buying U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly 

"The Payroll Savings Plan, a truly 'All American' thrift 

program has been steadily winning employee approval 

all over the country. Employees of Babcock & Wilcox 

are an example of this fact. 

"As the result of a recent campaign nearly 11,000 or 

70% of our employees are now buying U. S. Savings 

Bonds regularly on the automatic Payroll Savings Plan. 

They are cultivating habits of thrift and at the same 

time doing their share in helping to keep our economy 

on a sound basis. This fine program deserves strong 

support by every company." 

ALFRED IDDLES, President 

The Babcock & Wilcox Company 

The campaign to which Mr. Iddles refers was a simple, 

person to person canvass that put a Payroll Savings 

Application Blank in the hands of every B & W employee. 

B & W employees did the rest. Your State Sales 

Director will help you build ijoiir Payroll Savings Plan. 

Phone, wire or write to: Savings Bond Division, U.S. 

Treasury Department, Washington 25, D. C. 

The United States G. 

iocs not pay for this advertising. The Treasury Department 

thanks, for th' patriotic donation, the Advertising Council and 

BOXOFFICE 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

28, 1956

. . 

Massachusetts Bill 

Asks $25 Airer Fee 

BOSTON— House bill 608. petitioned by 

Louis H. Glaser of Maiden to regulate 

licensing of outdoor theatres, has been a- 

mended in a new bill filed. by Glaser, in the 

State Legislature. It is designated as House 

bill 2834. 

The amending bill reads: "The Commissioner 

of Public Safety shall issue licenses for 

indoor theatres, outdoor theatres, special halls 

and public halls upon a fee of $25 yearly for 

each license issued. He may require such 

changes in the structure or other conditions 

of any building or drive-in 

theatre, including 

exits and entrances before issuing the 

license." The sole change in bill 2834 from 

bill 608 is specification of a fee of $25. 

A public hearing on bill 608 was held early 

m March. It was strongly opposed by Carl 

Goldman, executive secretary of Independent 

Exhibitors of New England, and Frank Lydon, 

executive secretary of Allied Theatres of New 

England, The new bill has not been 

scheduled for a public hearing. 

At present there is no requirement for 

license or a payment of a fee to the State 

Commissioner of Public Safety, as each city 

and town in the Commonwealth has its own 

jurisdiction. 

VERMONT 

•Two weeks after flames destroyed the Strand 

Theatre in Winooski, fire broke out again 

in the debris when workers, who were clearing 

the site, apparently broke a gas pipe, 

causing an explosion and a bur.st of flames . . . 

The Mount View Drive-In in Winooski has 

opened its new season, which the management 

predicted would be "greater than ever." Tlie 

opening program included "Love Is a Many- 

Splendored Thing" and "To Catch a Thief." 

\ free showing of the film, "Mister 880," 

was held at the University of Vermont 

museum in Burlington under sponsorship of 

the Student Ass'n . . . Small newspaper ads. 

running only two and three inches, were responsible 

for much of the success of the 1955 

season at the Mid-Haven Drive-In in New- 

Haven, owners O. F. Barr and Ed Morin have 

informed the Burlington Free Pi-ess. "We 

checked with our patrons as to where they 

saw' what picture was showing at the Mid- 

Haven." the e.xhibitors reported, "and many 

of them told us they 'saw it in the Fi-ee Press.' 

This was especially true of patrons attending 

from Chittenden and Addison counties, especially 

campers and tourists. In addition, we 

had more patrons from the Burlington ai-ea 

than ever before—not too many, but an increase 

over our 1954 season." 

George H. Wilkinson Jr. 

Named to Bank Board 

HARTFORD—George H. Wilkinson jr., 

president of MPTO of Connecticut, and operator 

of the Wilkinson Theatre at Wallingford, 

has been named to the advisory board of the 

Wallingford branch of the Union & New 

Haven Trust Co. He previously was a director 

of the First National Bank of WalUngford, 

which has been consolidated with the New 

Haven banking establishment. 

Selectmen Approve Site 

For Middleboro Airer 

MIDDLEBORO, MASS.— A drive-in Ihcatrc. 

with facilities for between 600 and 1.000 

autos, looms ns a distinct possibility following 

a recent four to one vote of approval by 

the board of selectmen. 

George Lovell of Middleboro has sold 183 

acres of land on the north side of Route 44 

between Mill street and Poquoy Brook to 

attorney John J. Abberley of New York 

and Wilbur S. Edwards of Darien, Conn. 

Purchase price wa-s listed as $37,000. 

The board said it would grant a permit 

for the theatre provided all requirements of 

the State Depaitment of Public Works, public 

health, public safety and health laws are met. 

NEW HAVEN 

fôdzilla, King of the Monsters," Embassy 

Pictures horror feature, will play 22 theatres 

of the SW New England circuit during 

May, George Ki'aska has been in from Boston 

to assist with promotion . . . Phil Gravitz. 

MGM manager, took hi£ family to Washington 

for a week's vacation. 

Morris Jacobson, general manager of 

Bridgeport's Strand Amusement Co., was in 

Syracuse, visiting his son. Dr. Eugene Jacobson. 

Morris's daughter Marjorie has been 

accepted at the University of Pittsburgh 

College of Medicine, and is completing premed 

studies at the University of Michigan 

. . . Nat Harris, of the Prudential circuit. 

New York, was a Filmrow visitor. 

Kay Cairns, MGM salesman, was in Hawthorne, 

N. J., for the marriage of his son, Ray 

Cairns jr., a captain in the Air Force . . . Sid 

Kleper, manager of Loew's College, arranged 

to have a "ham" organization, the Fort Hale 

Mobile Radio Club. Inc., maintain a station 

in his lobby during the run of "On the 

Threshold of Space," sending free messages 

throughout the free world for patrons with 

relatives in the armed forces. 

Barney Pitkin, RKO manager, a member of 

the local cancer fund committee, successfully 

solicited all Filmrow offices . . . John Valleca, 

assistant shipper at U-I, has been named 

head shipper at Columbia . . . Phil Gravitz's 

son Michael has been accepted by the University 

of Connecticut School of Pharmacy. 

Four of the five drive-ins in the immediate 

city area have Buck Night every Wednesday, 

with all occupants of each auto admitted for 

$1. Participants are the Bowl, New Haven, 

Summit and Post drive-ins. The E. M. Loew's 

Milford Drive-In charges regular admission 

Wednesdays. A sixth area ozoner, the Center 

in Derby, rebuilt after being destroyed in last 

year's floods, has not reopened, since Army 

Engineers are still 

using the Center property 

in dredging of the adjoining Naugatuck River. 

Ray Squer, U-I salesman just transferred 

from New Haven to Detroit, became a father 

for the fii-st time right after reaching his 

new assignment. A son, Raymond Christopher, 

was born to the couple . . . Maurice Bailey, 

head of the "W" chain, was sidelined by 

illness for four days . . . Tony Masella, manager 

of Loew's Palace at Meriden, has moved 

his family into a newly built home in West 

Haven. 

Holyoke Slate Reopens 

On Fulltime Schedule 

HOLYOKE, MASS.-Thc State Theatre at 

461 Dwlght St., has reopened on a fulltlme 

basis under a new 

manager who will also 

manage the Riverdale 

Drive-In on Route 5 In 

West Springfield. Both 

are E. M. Loew theatres. 

The new manager Ls 

Paul Hachey, a native 

and resident of Plymouth, 

who has been 

with the theatre group 

for three years, last 

managii^g the National 

Paul Hachey Theatre in Boston. 

The State now operates a full week with both 

matinee and evening shows. It had been 

operating lately on a weekend basis with 

foreign films. The Riverdale Drive-In also 

has reopened, featuring an all-new boxofflce 

and front. The popular children's playground 

will operate as in the past. 

Manager Hachey was graduated from Milford 

High School in 1942. He saw army service 

from early 1943 to late 1945, being discharged 

as a captain. He received a battlefield 

commission at Anzio, Italy, and was 

wounded at Casino, receiving the Purple 

Heart. He also served in Africa. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hachey have two children, 

Lynda, 5, and Paul, 3. The family will move 

to this area as soon as possible. 

BRIDGEPORT 

•lyjanager Michael J. Carroll is back at the 

American after being absent since November 

4 because of a fractured heel . . . 

A rock and roll show at the Empress, Danbury, 

was cancelled . . . Manager Matt L. 

Saunders of Loew's Poll is home from Chicago, 

where he attended the funeral of his 

mother. 

Richard D. Turtletaub is manager of the 

drive-in at Canaan. It reopened with a 

public party after extensive repairs were 

made of flood and snow damage . . . Police 

are seeking the mother who abandoned 

two small children in the Rivoli here . 

Harry Furst has been named manager of the 

Palace, Ridgeway and Plaza theatres In 

Stamford. 

GE Plans Color TV Sets 

NEW YORK—The General Electric Co. 

will start distributing color television sets 

during the last half of the year. Technical 

details are not being made known except for 

the fact that a three-gun aperture mask 

tube will be used for both table models and 

consoles. 

Must Repay Embezzled Funds 

NASHUA. N. H.—Mrs. Lorette Miller, who 

had pleaded guilty to embezzlement of $425 

from the local Colonial Theatres, by whom 

she was employed during 1955, was placed 

on probation for two years and ordered to 

make restitution. The sentence was passed 

In Hillsborough County superior court. 

BOXOFFICE April 28, 1956 

NE 

79

. . Jack 

. . The 

. . The 

. . MGM's 

. . Lockwood 

BOSTON 

Tjijhen a small fire 

broke out in the electric 

pane! board on the lobby floor of Loew's 

Orpheum, Manager James Tibbetts informed 

the audience that a minor fire was in progi-es-s 

and urged all to leave the theatre as 

quietly as possible. Between 500 and 600 

patrons at the early matinee filed out in 

orderly fashion. Damage, caused mostly by 

water, was estimated at $2,000 and was confined 

to the panel room. 

Agnes Donahue, booker at United Ai'tists. 

took a week's vacation at the Escape Hotel. 

Fort Lauderdale . Gubbins, sales 

manager at Paramount, had a severe attack 

of virus that put him in the Mary Alley 

Hospital, Marblehead. He is at home now, 

resting before returning to his office . . . 

Sam Horenstein, former Manley district 

manager here, returned to the territory for 

the first time in three months. He has 

been recovering from a bout with pneumonia. 

He lost weight but is still his ebullient self. 

Aaron Shindler, owner of the State, East 

Milton, has closed the theatre permanently. 

The manager, Maurice Sidman, has moved to 

the Adams (Mass.) Drive-In for Morse & 

Rothenberg, replacing Arthm- Rosenbush, who 

resigned . . . The Bijou, Woonsocket, R. I.. 

was sold to Arthur Darman, who also owns 

and manages the Stadium in the same city. 

The Bijou was operated for nearly a year 

by Melvin Safner of Providence. 

MGM put S8,000 on the line for full page 

ads in four Sunday papers in this city on 

April 15 to exploit "The Swan." Captioned 

"Love Story of a Princess," three different 

poses of Grace Kelly were used. One was a 

cameo; the second, the head and shoulders 

of the star with a swan; the third, a lifesize 

picture. The Post and Globe ads were 

the same; the Herald and Advertiser had 

individual poses. This marked the fii-st time 

in years that any film had full page ads in 

four Sunday papers simultaneously in this 

city. The copy added that the film would 

open at Loew's State and Orpheum theatres 

on Grace Kelly's wedding day, April 19. In 

cities of less than 100,000 population, 1.000 ad 

lines were available to local newspapers to 

appear on the Sunday before the film's 

opening date. Karl Pasick, Loew's Theatres 

publicist in Boston, aimed a pitch for the 

"ooh and ah" trade by placing a huge lobby 

fOUi. ORDiRS fOR 

SPECIAL 

TRAILERS 

GET 

PERSONAL 

ATTENTION 

FROM 

[FILMACK 

SEND us YOUR* 

NEXT SPECIAI 


FAST SERVICE! 

QUALITY WORK! 

WANTEDT7. 

ASSISTANT MANAGER 

for iniiGU) theatre situated in Eastern New England. 

r.tf'e e>;perience and qualifications. Reply to 

P/t^C C UAPI>IMr 3S CHURCH STREET 

MRS, F. HARDSNG boston, mass. 

poster display in both theatres of the kiss 

sequences between Miss Kelly and Louis Jourdan, 

in direct contrast to the dignified Sunday 

ads. 

John Peckos, 20th-Fox sales manager, has 

a new daughter in his family. Mother, daughter 

and John are doing well. The Peckos also 

have a son . Weldon Waters are finally 

getting settled in Hancock 'Village. 

Waters, manager of 20th-Fox, called a meeting 

for his salesmen, bookers and office staff 

to discuss plans of the coming bonus set up by 

the company. 

A New England radio and T'V saturation 

for "On the Threshold of Space" was set up 

in Boston by 20th-Fox's Al Levy and Phil 

aigel in connection with the 70 openings in 

this territory. The picture opened at the 

Paramount and Fenway here with excellent 

business . . . Following a screening of "On the 

Thi-eshold of Space" for all the Boston film 

critics, science editors and members of the 

Air Force, the entire party of 25 left for Bedford 

air base to interview members of the 

service. Cocktails and luncheon preceded the 

interviews. Maj. George Woods of the air base 

and Phil Engel arranged the publicity and 

tieup. 

HARTFORD 

Jôug Amos, general manager, Lockwood & 

Gordon Theatres, confeiTed with Arthur 

O'Brien, Webb Playhouse; Bill Howard, 

Plaza, Wind.sor, and Harry Sullivan. East 

Windsor Drive-In . "Ti-ibute to 

a Bad Man," James Cagney starrer, will open 

at the 2,070-car Meadows Drive-In here. May 

2, according to Manager Chet Philbrook. 

Paul Amadeo. Pike Drive-In, and Milt Le- 

Roy. Blue Hills Drive-In, Bloomfield, used 

7.000 heralds and trailers in advance of 

"Dark Venture" . Capitol. Waterbury. 

has a new El Dorado dinnerware giveaway 

for women patrons . & Gordon 

has installed 24-hour telephone information 

service for the Strand, Winsted . . . Reopening 

the Danbury Drive-In, Lockwood & Gordon 

distributed free gifts to the first 200 

cars . . . Sam Cornish, retiring Niantic theatre 

operator, and his wife lunched in Hartford 

with friends, prior to motoring west and 

a new home in California. 

Ralph Mauro of National Theatre Supply, 

was busy with installation of new screen, 

122x56 feet, at the Blue Hills Drive-In, 

Bloomfield . . . Interstate's Palace, Rockville, 

ran a Firday the 13th horror show at 65 

cents top, with women patrons extended this 

invitation via newspaper ads: "If you dare 

sit through the complete show, we'll award 

you a pass to see any future movie!" On the 

screen was "Frankenstein," while a man 

billed as the "Nephew of Frankenstein" appeared 

on stage. The circuit's Bradley, Putnam, 

ran a similar show at 60 cents top on 

the same evening. "The Black Room" was the 

screen 

feature. 

The Mahaiwe in Great Barrington, Mass., 

advertised, "Don't Miss Our Spring Festival 

of Hits!" Two New London area drive-ins, 

the independent Waterford and E. M. Loew's 

Norwich-New London, Montville, played 

"Backlash" as a first run attraction, ahead 

of downtown New London. Booking was billed 

a.s "Southern New England Pi-emiere." 

'Ladykillers' Boston 

Debul Tops 'Marty' 

BOSTON—School vacations in nearby 

towns and cities sent an influx of youngsters 

to Boston but theatres had strong competition 

with opening of the baseball season, the 

General Motors Motorama and warmer weather. 

"Forbidden Planet" was not received 

as well as hoped, while several theatres had 

holdovers. Of these, "The Man in the Gray 

Flannel Suit," in its third stanza at the 

Metropolitan, led the field with "The Conqueror" 

second. "Diabolique." in its eighth 

week, was spurred to better grosses by additional 

newspaper ads. Of the new product, 

"The Ladykillers," the Alec Guinness comedy 

at the Kenmore, was the standout. This film 

chalked up first week figures above those 

of "Marty" and "I Am a Camera." 


Tomorrow (MGM), Astor I'll Cry 6th wk 120 

Beacon Hill Diabolique (UMPO), 8th wk 110 

Boston Cineramo Holiday (SW), 33rd wk 120 

Exeter Street Doctor at Sea (Rep), 6th wk. 

(tinal) 80 

Kenmore The Lodykillers 350 

(Cont'l) 

Memorial The Conqueror (RKO), 3rd 120 

wk 

Metropolitan The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit 

(20th-Fox), 3rd wk 

] 25 

Paramount and Fenway Miracle the Rain 

in 

(WB); Heartbreak Ridge (Tudor) 85 

State and Orpheum Forbidden Plonef (MGM); 

'Littlest Outlaw' With 145 

Is Hartford Pace-setter 

HARTFORD—Downtown area had only 

two holdovers, with the other showcases 

biinging in new product. Extending their 

runs were "Carousel" and "Meet Me in Las 

Vegas." 

Allyn Carousel (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 140 

Art To Bad She's Bad (Getz-Kingsley) 90 

E. M- Loew Jubal (Col); Over-Exposed (Col).... 110 

Palace The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit 

(20th-Fox) 130 

Parsons—The Littlest Outlaw (BV) 145 

Poll Meet Me in Los Vegas (MGM); World 

In My Corner (U-l), 2nd wk 110 

Meodows Drive-In The Creoture Walks Among 

Us (U-l); The Price of Fear (U-l) 100 

Strand Backlash (U-l); Postmark for Danger 

(RKO) )15 

•Rock' With Mild 110 Leads 

Spotty Providence Week 

PROVIDENCE—Despite the first seasonable 

weather of the year, local first runs 

failed to experience any marked improvement 

in business. While a heavy rainstorm, 

last Sunday, cut into evening patronage, it 

was not held strictly responsible for spotty 

conditions. "Rock Around the Clock," at the 

Strand, scored top honors with a mild 110. 

Other attractions either drew average attendance 

or below normal business. 

Albee The Conqueror (RKO), 2nd wk. 80 

Avon The Outlaw 2nd Littlest (BV), wk.... 100 

Loew's Forbidden Planet (MGM) 100 

Majestic Serenode (WB) 85 

Strand Rock Around the Clock 1 I 

'Carousel' Clocks in at 125 

For Best New Haven Returns 

NEW HAVEN—The two Loew's houses recorded 

the best business among the major 

downtowners, with "Carousel" and "Slightly 

Scarlet." 

College—Slightly Scarlet (RKO); Postmark for 

Danger (RKO) 115 

Paramount- Backlash (U-l); The Kettles in the 

Ozorks (U-l) 80 

Poll Carousel (20th-Fox) 125 

Roger Sherman Miracle in the Rain (VVB); The 

River Changes (WB) 90 

Starring with Cyd Charisse in MGM's upcoming 

musical, "Silk Stockings," will be Ann 

Miller. 

BOXOFFICE

April : 


















Massachusetts Theatre Equipment Co. 

20 Piedmont St. 

Boston 16, Mass. 

Phones: LI. 2-9814 LI. 2-0356

20th-FOX BRIEFING—Al Levy, northeast district manager, huddled with exchange 

managers, bookers and salesmen of his territory to update them on new 

products and merchandising plans following his return from the April 5 and 6 national 

sales meeting in 20th Century-Fox studios in Hollywood. With Levy, seated at his desk, 

left to right, are: Charles Koscos, manager, Buffalo; Shep Bioom, manager. New 

Haven; Frank Kelleher, salesman, Boston; Weldon Waters, manager, Boston; Clayton 

Pantages, manager, Albany; John Peckos, sales manager, Boston; Phil Engel, New 

England publicity manager; Bill Graham, manager, Boston; Sam Berg, head booker, 

Boston; Sam Germaine, salesman. New Haven. 

Garden Snake Unwelcome 

On First Theatre Visit 

BRIDGEPORT—A harmless garden snake, 

carried into tlie SW Merritt by two unidentified 

boy.s turned the show into a "near 

riot" on Sunday afternoon. The theatre was 

nearly tilled with teenagers and children 

when someone in the audience screamed 

"there's a snake crawhng!" 

Police summoned to the theatre said children 

were screaming and shouting about 

the snake. The police ordered the manager 

to turn on the house lights. The police then 

told the youngsters that the theatre would 

be closed unless order was restored. 

Two boys picked up the snake and carried SPRINGFIELD 

it outside. The show continued. 

pour local houses collaborated with the 

American Cancer Society and the Motion 

Picture Operators Union 186 of Springfield 

in special showings of a health documentary, 

"Breast Self-Examination." This film is being 

utilized as an educational aid in the 

the Guilford (Conn.i Theatre Corp. be placed fight against cancer. Managers of the Arcade. 

in receivership. 

Bing, Grand and Majestic donated their 

Carlo Lupone, a director of the enterprise, houses and the services of union operators 

asserted that the corporation's business can for the special showings. 

no longer be conducted with equal justice, 

because 

Here for 

of the attitude of the controlling 

a one day bally in behalf of "The 

majority on the board of directors. He asked Harder They Fall," Mike Lane garnered a 

nice chunk of newspaper space by visiting 

the editorial offices of the Daily News for 

an interview. He also had his picture taken 

with 

WANTED . . . EXPERIENCED 

some of the more diminutive distaffers. 

THEATRE MANAGER 

for first-run theatre in Athol, Mass. 

Write quaiificotions to 

ABE OARBOSE • * '"tA?a. ma». 

NEW HAMPSHIRE 

Guilford Receivership 

Demanded by Director 

HARTFORD~A superior court complaint 

has been filed by a Madison man, asking that 

IMAGE & SOUND SERVICE CORP. 

"The Best Value In Sound Service" 

the court to appoint a receiver, issue a decree 

dissolving the corporation and supervise distribution 

of the firm's assets. 

Acting through his attorney, Louis Feinmark, 

the dissatisifed director has placed a 

$25,000 attachment on the theatre property. 

According to the complaint, the theatre 

was incorporated with a capital stock issue 

of $40,000, divided into 400 equal shares. 

Lupone says he owns 100 shares and that 

the remaining are held by three other directors. 

He charges they have withheld 

dividends for the past five years in an effort 

to make him sell his stock. 

•The Manchester Drive-In in Manchester's 

Grenier Heights section opened its new 

.season April 14. Pine Island Park in the 

Queen City was opened April 22, but the Hne 

Island Drlve-In was not ready to resume its 

schedule on that date. The ozoner's management 

said: "We are sorry to be late, but 

it will pay to wait. New England's newest 

and best drive-in will open soon." 

WB Building Is Spared 

In New Roadway Plan 

NEW HAVEN—In a surprise announcement, 

the State Highway Department last 

week said it will not have to take the site 

of Warner Bros, exchange for a new crosscity 

highway. The Warner building is at the 

edge of the 300-foot wide road. Original plans 

indicated that only a corner of the Warner 

branch would be needed, but that the entire 

structure would be acquired by the State. 

The announcement once again changes 

the outlook for the future of the local Filmrow. 

The Warner exchange is next to the 

20th-Fox branch, w^hich was the only building 

scheduled to be spared by the highway 

builders in the original sketches. Now, with 

two major distributors left side by side, it 

is believed that other companies will relocate 

in the immediate vicinity. U-I has already 

committed itself to a new building here. 

The remaining distributors scheduled to 

be displaced by the Oak Street Connector, 

which will be part of the $400,000,000 Connecticut 

Turnpike, are reportedly looking over 

parking lots and other properties adjoining 

the connector as sites for their new offices. 

Thus, it appears that a new film district will 

be located in the same general area as the 

present Filmrow. 

The Warner structure, owned by that 

company, is the newest exchange in this city, 

having been built after World War II. It is 

assessed by the city at $109,000. 

N. Y. Producers Take Over 

Newport, R. I., Casino 

NEWPORT. R. I.—A new producing partnership, 

Michael Howard and Spofford 

Beadle of New York will take over the 

Newport Casino Theatre, summer playhouse 

in this city, for the 1956 season, it was announced 

recently, following negotiations 

with Sara Stamm, the Casino's owner. Miss 

Stamm, who has operated the popular house 

for 14 years, has retired temporarily because 

of 

illness. 

In addition to producing, Howard will direct 

the season's presentations and Beadle 

will function as general manager. Both have 

extensive backgrounds in summer theatre 

and in Broadway and off-Broadway productions 

as well. The new partnership will 

be known as Beadle-Howard Productions, 

with offices at 100 Fourth Ave., New York. 

Opening date at the Casino will be announced 

soon. Screen, stage and TV personalities 

will be starred in the ten-week 

sea.son. 

Berlin, Conn., Residents 

Ban Airer Construction 

HARTFORD—An ordinance banning construction 

of outdoor theatres in suburban 

Berlin has been approved by a vote of 67 to 62 

in a special town meeting, blocking a project 

of George LeWitt. the Connecticut circuit 

operator. The next step in the Lakeside 

Realty Co.'s fight to erect a theatre presumably 

will be a court action, as Harry 

Jackaway, the realty company's attorney, has 

previously stated that his client intends to 

carry the question to coiu't in the event of an 

unfavorable vote. 

Vikki Dougan. television actress, will make 

her film debut in U-I's "The Great Man." 

BOXOFFICE

. . . Nat 

. . Maurice 

. . 

Massachusetts Bill 

Asks $25 Airer Fee 

BOSTON—House bill 60B. |i.t itioiud by 

Louis H. Glaser of Maiden U' uMl.itc 

licensing of outdoor theatres, lia.s bui^ ,imended 

in a new bill filed by Gl.iêi. in llie 

State Legislature. It is designated as House 

bill 2834. 

The amending bill reads: "The Commissioner 

of Public Safety shall issue licenses for 

indoor theatres, outdoor theatres, special halls 

and public halls upon a fee of $25 yearly for 

each license issued. He may require such 

changes in the structure or other conditions 

of any building or drive-in 

theatre, including 

exits and entrances before issuing the 

license." The sole change in bill 2834 from 

bill 608 is specification of a fee of $25. 

A public hearing on bill 608 was held early 

m March. It was strongly opposed by Carl 

Goldman, executive secretary of Independent 

Exhibitors of New England, and Frank Lydon, 

executive secretary of Allied Theatres of New- 

England. The new bill has not been 

scheduled for a public hearing. 

At present there is no requirement for 

license or a payment of a fee to the State 

Commissioner of Public Safety, as each city 

and town in the Commonwealth has its own 

jurisdiction. 

VERMONT 

•Two weeks after flames destroyed the Strand 

Theatre in Winooski, fire broke out again 

in the debris when workers, who w-ere clearing 

the site, apparently broke a gas pipe, 

causing an explosion and a burst of flames . . 

. 

The Mount View Drive-In in Winooski has 

opened its new season, which the management 

predicted would be "greater than ever." The 

opening program included "Love Is a Many- 

Splendored Thing" and "To Catch a Thief." 

A free showing of the film, "Mister 880," 

was held at the University of Vermont 

museum in Burlington under sponsorship of 

the Student Ass'n . . . Small newspaper ads, 

running only two and three inches, were responsible 

for much of the success of the 1955 

season at the Mid-Haven Drive-In in New 

Haven, owners O. F. Barr and Ed Morin have 

informed the Burlington Free Press. "We 

checked with our patrons as to where they 

saw what picture was showing at the Mid- 

Haven," the exhibitors reported, "and many 

of them told us they 'saw it in the Free Press.' 

This was especially true of patrons attending 

from Chittenden and Addison counties, e.specially 

campers and tourists. In addition, we 

had more patrons from the Burlington area 

than ever before—not too many, but an increase 

over our 1954 season." 

George H. Wilkinson Jr. 

Named to Bank Board 

HARTFORD—George H. Wilkinson jr., 

president of MPTO of Connecticut, and operator 

of the Wilkinson Theatre at Wallingford, 

has been named to the advisory board of the 

Wallingford branch of the Union & New 

Haven Trust Co. He previously was a director 

of the First National Bank of WalUngford, 

which has been consolidated w-ith the New 

Haven banking establishment. 

BOXOFFICE : 

Selectmen Approve Site 

For Middleboro Airer 

MIDDLEBOHCX MASS A drive-in theatre, 

with tacilitu's lor between 600 and 1,000 

autos. looms as a distinct po.ssibility following 

a recent four to one vote of approval by 

the board of selectmen. 

George Lovell of Middleboro has sold 183 

acres of land on the north side of Route 44 

between Mill street and Poquoy Brook to 

attorney John J. Abberley of New York 

and Wilbur S. Edwards of Darien, Conn. 

Purchase price was listed as $37,000. 

The board said it would grant a permit 

for the theatre provided all requirements of 

the State Department of Public Works, public 

health, public safety and health laws are met 

NEW HAVEN 

ôdxilla. King of the Monsters," Emba.ssy 

Pictures horror feature, will play 22 theatres 

of the SW New England circuit during 

May. George Kraska has been in from Boston 

to assist with promotion . . . Phil Gravitz, 

MGM manager, took his family to Washington 

for a week's vacation. 

Morris Jacobson, general manager of 

Bridgeport's Strand Amusement Co., was in 

Syracuse, visiting his son. Dr. Eugene Jacobson. 

Morris's daughter Marjorie has been 

accepted at the University of Pittsburgh 

is College of Medicine, and completing premed 

studies at the University of Michigan 

Harris, of the Prudential circuit. 

New York, was a Filmrow visitor, 

Ray Cairns, MGM salesman, was in Hawthorne, 

N. J., for the marriage of his son, Ray 

Cairns jr., a captain in the Air Force . . . Sid 

Kleper, manager of Loew's College, arranged 

to have a "ham" organization, the Fort Hale 

Mobile Radio Club, Inc., maintain a station 

in his lobby during the run of "On the 

Threshold of Space." sending free messages 

throughout the free world for patrons with 

relatives in the armed forces. 

Barney Pitkin, RKO manager, a member of 

the local cancer fund committee, successfully 

solicited all Filmrow offices . . . John Valleca. 

assistant shipper at U-I, has been named 

head shipper at Columbia . . . Phil Gravitz's 

son Michael has been accepted by the University 

of Connecticut School of Pharmacy. 

Four of the five drive-ins in the immediate 

city area have Buck Night every Wednesday, 

with all occupants of each auto admitted for 

$1. Participants are the Bowl, New Haven, 

Summit and Post drive-ins. The E. M. Loew's 

Milford Drive-In charges regular admission 

Wednesdays. A sixth area ozoner. the Center 

in Derby, rebuilt after being destroyed in last 

year's floods, has not reopened, since Army 

Engineers are still using the Center property 

in dredging of the adjoining Naugatuck River. 

Ray Squer, U-I salesman just transferred 

from New Haven to Detroit, became a father 

for the first time right after reaching his 

new assignment. A son, Raymond Christopher, 

was born to the couple . 

Bailey, 

head of the "W" chain, was sidelined by 

illness for four days . . . Tony Masella, manager 

of Loew's Palace at Meriden, has moved 

his family into a newly built home in West 

Haven. 

: April 28, 1956 NE 

Holyoke State Reopens 

On Fulltime Schedule 

HOLYOKE. MASS.^The State Theatre at 

461 Dwlghl St., has reopened on a fulltlme 

basis under a new 

manager who will also 

^^^^^^^^^^^m 

^^^^^^^^^^^^H the RIverdale 

^^^^^^^^^^1 Drive-In on Route in 

^^^^T ^H West Springfield. Both 

^^^H[^>MM^H are E. M. Loew the- 

^^^V^V^ ^^M The new manager Ls 

^B^K^^^^^^H Paul Hachey, a native 

^B^^^^^^^^l 

Plym- 

^^k^^^^^^^H outh, who been 

^^^ ^4 I ^^^H with the theatre group 

BBLbVI ./^H for three years, last 

managing the National 

Paul Ilacliey Theatre In Boston. 

The State now operates a full week with both 

matinee and evening shows. It had been 

operating lately on a weekend basis with 

foreign films. The Riverdale Drive-In also 

has reopened, featuring an all-new boxofflce 

and front. The popular children's playground 

will operate as in the past. 

Manager Hachey was graduated from Milford 

High School in 1942. He saw army service 

from early 1943 to late 1945. being discharged 

as a captain. He received a battlefield 

commission at Anzio, Italy, and was 

wounded at Casino, receiving the Purple 

Heart. He also served in Africa. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hachey have two children, 

Lynda, 5, and Paul, 3. The family will move 

to this area as soon as 

BRIDGEPORT 

Tyjanager Michael J. Carroll is back at the 

American after being absent since November 

4 because of a fractured heel . . . 

A rock and roll show at the Empress, Danbury, 

was cancelled . . . Manager Matt L. 

Saunders of Loew's Poll is home from Chicago, 

where he attended the funeral of his 

mother. 

Richard D. Turtletaub is manager of the 

drive-in at Canaan. It reopened with a 

public party after extensive repairs were 

made of flood and snow damage . . . Police 

are seeking the mother who abandoned 

two small children in the Rivoli here . 

Harry Furst has been named manager of the 

Palace. Ridgeway and Plaza theatres in 

Stamford. 

GE Plans Color TV Sets 

NEW YORK—The General Electric Co. 

will start distributing color television sets 

during the last half of the year. Technical 

details are not being made known except for 

the fact that a three-gun aperture mask 

tube will be used for both table models and 

consoles. 

Must Repay Embezzled Funds 

NASHUA, N. H.—Mrs. Lorette Miller, who 

had pleaded guilty to embezzlement of $425 

from the local Colonial Theatres, by whom 

she was employed during 1955, was placed 

on probation for two years and ordered to 

make restitution. The sentence was passed 

in Hillsborough County superior court.

I 

. . The 

. . Jack 

' 

. . The 

. . The 

. . MGM's 

. . Lockwood 

. 

. 

resting before returning to his office . . . 

. . . 

. 

. 

. 

! 

OSTON 

poster display in both theatres of the kiss 

sequences between Miss Kelly and Louis Jourdan, 

in direct contrast to the dignified Sunday 

^•.^%. f. KAROiNG 

ads. 

Then a 

vv 

nel John Peckos, 20th-Fox sales manager, has 

small fire broke out in the electric 

board on the lobby floor of Loew's 

Orphfium. Manager James Tibbetts informed a new daughter in his family. Mother, daughter 

and John are doing well. The Peckos also 

'he audience that a minor fii-e was in progre.ss 

have a son Weldon Waters are finally 

and urged all to leave the theatre as Between and getting settled in Hancock Village. 

quietly as possible. 500 600 

Waters, manager of 20th-Pox. called a meeting 

patrons at the early matinee filed out in 

for his salesmen, bookers and office staff 

orderly fashion. Damage, caused mostly by 

water, was estimated at $2,000 and was confined 

to discuss plans of the coming bonus set up by 

the company. 

to the panel room. 

Agnes Donahue, booker at United Artists, A New England radio and TV saturation 

for "On the Threshold of Space" was set up 

took a week's vacation at the Escape Hotel. 

in Boston by 20th-Fox's Al Levy and Phil 

Fort Lauderdale Gubbins, sales 

manager at Paramount, had a severe attack Engel in connection with the 70 openings in 

of virus that put him in the Mary Alley this territory. The picture opened at the 

Paramount and Fenway here with excellent 

Hospital. Marblehead. He is at home now, 

Following a screening of "On the 

business 

Sam Horenstein, former Manley district Threshold of Space" for all the Boston film 

manager here, returned to the territory for critics, science editors and members of the 

Air Force, the entire party of 25 left for Bedford 

the first time in three months. He has 

been recovering from a bout with pneumonia. 

air base to interview members of the 

He lost weight but is still his ebullient self. 

Cocktails and luncheon preceded the 

service. 

Maj. George Woods of the air base 

interviews. 

Aaron Shindler, owner of the State, East 

and Phil Engel arranged the publicity and 

Milton, has closed the theatre permanently. 

tieup. 

The manager, Maurice Sidman, has moved to 

the Adams (Mass.) Drive-In for Morse & 

Rothenberg, replacing Arthur Rosenbush, who 

resigned . Bijou, Woonsocket, 

HARTFORD 

R. I.. 

was sold to Ai'thur Darman, who also owns 

and manages the Stadium in the same city. 

The Bijou was operated for nearly a year T>oug Amos, general manager, Lockwood & 

by Melvin Safner of Pi'ovidence. 

Gordon Theatres, confeiTed with Arthur 

O'Brien, Webb Playhouse; Bill Howard, 

MGM put $8,000 on the line for full page 

Plaza, Windsor, and Harry Sullivan, East 

Windsor Drive-In "Tribute to 

ads in four Sunday papers in this city on 

April 15 to exploit "The Swan." Captioned 

a Bad Man," James Cagney starrer, will open 

"Love Story of a Princess," three different 

at the 2,070-car Meadows Drive-In here, May 

poses of Grace Kelly were used. One was a 

Manager Chet 2, according to Philbrook. 

cameo; the second, the head and shoulders 

of the star with a swan; the third, a lifesize 

Paul Amadeo, Pike Drive-In, and Milt Le- 

picture. The Post and Globe ads were 

Roy. Blue Hills Drive-In, Bloomfield, used 

and advance the same: the Herald and Advertiser had 7.000 heralds trailers in of 

individual poses. This marked the fii'st time "Dark Venture" . Capitol. Waterbury, 

in years that any film had full page ads in has a new El Dorado dinnerware giveaway 

for women patrons & Gordon 

four Sunday papers simultaneously in this 

city. The copy added that the film would 

open at Loew's State and Orpheum theatres 

has installed 24-hour telephone information 

service for the Strand. Winsted Reopening 

on Grace Kelly's wedding day. April 19. In 

the Danbury Drive-In, Lockwood & Gor- 

. . . 

cities of less than 100,000 population, 1.000 ad don distributed free gifts to the first 200 

lines were 

appear on 

available to local newspapers to 

cars . . . Sam Cornish, retiring Niantic theatre 

operator, and his wife lunched in Hart- 

the Sunday before the film's 

opening date. Karl Fasick, Loew's Theatres 

ford with friends, prior to motoring west and 

publicist in Boston, aimed a pitch for the 

a new home in California. 

"ooh and ah" trade by placing a huge lobby 

Ralph Mauro of National Theatre Supply, 

was busy with installation of new screen. 

YOUl. OfiDIHS fOR 

SENd us YOURI' Bloomfield . . Interstate's Palace, Rockville, 

SPECIAL NEXT SPECIAli ran a Firday the 13th horror show at 65 

cents top, with women patrons extended this 

TRAILERS TRAILER ORDER! 

invitation via newspaper ads: "If you dare 

122x56 feet, at the Blue Hills Drive-In, 

FAST SERVICE! sit through the complete show, we'll award 

PERSONAL QUALITY WORK! you a pass to see any future movie!" On the 

screen was "Frankenstein," while a man 

ATTENTION 

billed as the "Nephew of Frankenstein" appeared 

on stage. The cii-cuit's Bradley, Put- 

FROM 

nam, ran a similar show at 60 cents top on 

FILMACK 

the same evening. "The Black Room" was the 

.screen feature. 

The Mahaiwe in Great Barrington. Mass.. 

WANTEDT7. 

advertised. "Don't Miss Our Spring Festival 

of Hits!" Two New London area drive-ins, 

ASSISTANT MANAGER the independent Waterford and E. M. Loew's 

Norwich-New London, Montville, played 

theatre sttuated 

"Backlash" as a first run attraction, ahead 

of downtown New London. Booking was billed 

as "Southern New England Pi-emiere." 

Xadykillers' Boston 

Debut Tops 'Marty' 

BOSTON—School vacations in nearby 

towns and cities sent an influx of youngsters 

to Boston but theatres had strong competition 

with opening of the baseball season, the 

General Motors Motorama and warmer weather. 

"Forbidden Planet" was not received 

as well as hoped, while several theatres had 

holdovers. Of these, "The Man in the Gray 

Flannel Suit," in its third stanza at the 

Metropolitan, led the field with "The Conqueror" 

second. "Diabolique," in its eighth 

week, was spurred to better gi-osses by additional 

newspaper ads. Of the new product, 

"The Ladykillers," the Alec Guinness comedy 

at the Kenmore, was the standout. This film 

chalked up first week figures above those 

of "Marty" and "I Am a Camera." 


Tomorrow (MGM), Astor I'll Cry 6th wk 120 

Beacon Hill Diabolique (UMPO), 8th wk 110 

Boston Cineroma Holiday (SVV), 33rd wk 120 

Exeter Street— Doctor ot Sea (Rep), 6th wk. 

(tinol) 80 

Kenmore The Ladykillers 350 

(Confl) 

Memorial The Conqueror (RKO), 3rd 120 

wk 

Metropolitan The Mon in the Groy Flannel Suit 

(20th-Fox), 3rd wk 125 

Paramount and Fenwav Miracle in the Rain 

(WB); Heartbreak Ridge (Tudor) 85 

State and Orpheum Forbidden Planet (MGM); 

Monfish (UA) 1 10 

"Littlest Outlaw' With 145 

Hartford Is Pace-setter 

HARTFORD—Downtown area had only 

two holdovers, with the other showcases 

biinging in new product. Extending their 

runs were "Carousel" and "Meet Me in Las 

Vegas." 

Allyn Carousel (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 140 

Art To Bad She's Bad (Getz-Kmgsley) 90 

M. Loew Jubal (Col); Over-Exposed .110 

E. (Col).' 

Palace The Man the Gray Flannel in Suit 

(20th-Fox) 130 

Parsons The 145 

Littlest Outlaw (BV) 

Poll Meet Me Las Vegas (MGM), in World 

In My Corner lU-l), 2nd wk 110 

Meodows Drive-ln The Creature Walks Among 

Us (U-l); The Price of Fear (U-l) 100 

Strand Backlash (U-l), Postmark tor Danger 

(RKO) 115 

•Rock' With Mild 110 Leads 

Spotty Providence Week 

PROVIDENCE—Despite the first seasonable 

weather ot the year, local first runs 

failed to experience any marked improvement 

in business. While a heavy rainstorm, 

last Sunday, cut into evening patronage, it 

was not held strictly responsible for spotty 

conditions. "Rock Ai-ound the Clock," at the 

Strand, scored top honors with a mild 110. 

Other attractions either drew average attendance 

or below normal business. 

Albee The Conqueror (RKO), 2nd wk. . . 80 

Avon The Littlest Outlaw (BV), 2nd wk.. . 100 

Loew's Forbidden Planet (MGM) 1 00 

Majestic Serenade (WB) ... 85 

.' 

Strand-Rock Around the Clock (Col)' 

'.'.'.'.'.'.'.]] 10 

'Carousel' Clocks in at 125 

For Best Ne-w Haven Returns 

NEW HAVEN—The two Loew's houses recorded 

the best business among the major 

downtowners, with "Carousel" and "Slightly 

Scarlet." 

College Slightly Scarlet (RKO); Postmark tor 

Danger (RKO) 115 

Paramount Backlash (U-l); The Kettles in the 

Ozarks (U-l) 80 

Poll Carousel (20th-Fox) 125 

Roger Sherman Miracle in the Rain (WB); The 

River Changes (WB) 90 

Starring with Cyd Charisse in MGM's upcoming 

musical, "Silk Stockings," will be Ann 

Miller.

: 

April 








why the major exhibitors depend on CEINTURY. It is 










Massachusetts Theatre 

20 Piedmont St. 

Phones: LI. 2-9814 

Equipment Co. 

LI. 2-0356 

Boston 16, Mass. 

BOXOFFICE : 

28, 1956

20th-FOX BRIEFING—Al Levy, northeast district manager, huddled with exchange 

managers, bookers and salesmen of his territory to update them on new 

products and merchandising plans following his return from the April 5 and 6 national 

sales meeting in 20th Century-Fox studios in Hollywood. With Levy, seated at his desk, 

left to right, are: Charles Koscos, manager, Buffalo; Shep B'-oom, manager, New 

Haven; Frank Kelleher, salesman, Boston; Weldon Waters, manager, Boston; Clayton 

Pantages, manager, Albany; John Peckos, sales manager, Boston; Phil Engel, New 

England publicity manager; Bill Graham, manager, Boston; Sam Berg, head booker, 

Boston; Sam Germaine, salesman. New Haven. 

Garden Snake Unwelcome 

On First Theatre Visit 

BRIDGEPORT—A harmless garden snake, 

carried into the SW Merritt by two unidentified 

boys turned the show into a "near 

riot" on Sunday afternoon. The theatre was 

filled nearly with teenagers and children 

when someone in the audience screamed 

"there's a snake crawhng!" 

Police summoned to the theatre said children 

were screaming and shouting about 

the snake. The police ordered the manager 

to turn on the house lights. The police then 

told the youngsters that the theatre would 

be closed unless order was restored. 

Two boys picked up the snake and carried 

it outside. The show continued. 

Guilford Receivership 

Demanded by Director 

HARTFORD—A superior court complaint 

ha.s been filed by a Madison man. asking that 

the Guilford 

in 

receivership. 

iConn.i Theatre Corp. be placed 

Carlo Lupone, a director of the enterprise, 

asserted that the corporation's business can 

no longer be conducted with equal justice, 

because of the attitude of the controlling 

majority on the board of directors. He asked 

WANTED 

EXPERIENCED 

THEATRE MANAGER 

for first-run theatre in Athol, Mass. 

ABE GARBOSE 

Write qualifications to 

• 

IMAGE & SOUND SERVICE CORP. 

"The Best Value In Sound Service' 

the court to appoint a receiver, issue a 

decree 

dissolving the corporation and supervise distribution 

of the firm's assets. 

Acting through his attorney. Louis Feinmark, 

the dissatisifed director has placed a 

$25,000 attachment on the theatre property. 

According to the complaint, the theatre 

was incorporated with a capital stock issue 

of $40,000. divided into 400 equal shares. 

Lupone says he owns 100 shares and that 

the remaining are held by three other directors. 

He charges they have withlield 

dividends for the past five years in an effort 

to make him sell his stock. 

SPRINGFIELD 

pour local houses collaborated with the 

American Cancer Society and the Motion 

Picture Operators Union 186 of Springfield 

in special showings of a health documentary, 

"Breast Self-Examination." This film is being 

utilized as an educational aid in the 

fight against cancer. Managers of the Arcade. 

Bing, Grand and Majestic donated their 

houses and the services of union operators 

for the special showings. 

Here for a one day bally in behalf of "The 

Harder They Fall," Mike Lane garnered a 

nice chunk of newspaper space by visiting 

the editorial offices of the Daily News for 

an interview. He also had his picture taken 

with some of the more diminutive distaffer.s. 

NEW HAMPSHIRE 

•The Manchester Drive-In in Manchester's 

Grenier Heights section opened its new 

season April 14. Pine Island Park in the 

Queen City was opened April 22, but the Pine 

Island Drive-In was not ready to resume its 

schedule on that date. The ozoner's management 

said: "We are sorry to be late, but 

it will pay to wait. New England's newest 

and best drive-in will open soon." 

WB Building Is Spared 

In New Roadway Plan 

NEW HAVEN—In a surprise announcement, 

the State Highway Department last 

week said it will not have to take the site 

of Warner Bros, exchange for a new crosscity 

highway. The Warner building is at the 

edge of the 300-foot wide road. Original plans 

indicated that only a corner of the Warner 

branch would be needed, but that the entire 

structure would be acquired by the State. 

The announcement once again changes 

the outlook for the future of the local Filmrow. 

The Warner exchange is next to the 

20th-Fox branch, which was the only building 

scheduled to be spared by the highway 

builders in the original sketches. Now, with 

two major distributors left side by side, it 

is believed that other companies will relocate 

in the immediate vicinity. U-I has already 

committed itself to a new building here. 

The remaining distributors scheduled to 

be displaced by the Oak Street Connector, 

which will be part of the $400,000,000 Connecticut 

Turnpike, are reportedly looking over 

parking lots and other properties adjoining 

the connector as sites for their new offices. 

Thus, it appears that a new film district will 

be located in the same general area as the 

present Filmrow. 

The Warner structure, owned by that 

company, is the newest exchange in this city, 

having been built after World War II. It is 

assessed by the city at $109,000. 

N. Y. Producers Take Over 

Newport, R. I.. Casino 

NEWPORT. R. I.—A new producing partnership. 

Michael Howard and Spofford 

Beadle of New York will take over the 

Newport Casino Theatre, summer playhouse 

in this city, for the 1956 season, it was announced 

recently, following negotiations 

with Sara Stamm, the Casino's owner. Miss 

Stamm, who has operated the popular house 

for 14 years, has retired temporarily because 

of 

illness. 

In addition to producing, Howard will direct 

the season's presentations and Beadle 

will function as general manager. Both have 

extensive backgrounds in summer theatre 

and in Broadway and off-Broadway productions 

as well. The new partnership will 

be known as Beadle-Howard Productions, 

with offices at 100 Fourth Ave., New York. 

Opening date at the Casino will be announced 

soon. Screen, stage and TV personalities 

will be starred in the ten-week 

sea.son. 

Berlin. Conn.. Residents 

Ban Airer Construction 

HARTFORD—An ordinance banning construction 

of outdoor theatres in suburban 

Berlin has been approved by a vote of 67 to 62 

in a special town meeting, blocking a project 

of George LeWitt, the Connecticut circuit 

operator. The next step in the Lakeside 

Realty Co.'s fight to erect a theatre presumably 

will be a com-t action, as Harry 

Jackaway, the realty company's attorney, has 

previously stated that his client intends to 

carry the question to court in the event of an 

unfavorable vote. 

Vikki Dougan. television actre.ss. will make 

her film debut in U-I's "The Great Man." 

BOXOFFICE

135 Theatres Closed 

In Canada in Year 

TORONTO—During the year ending April 1, 

a total of 135 houses in Canada went diuk. 

according to Clare J. Appel, executive dli-ector 

of the Canadian Motion Picture Distributors 

Ass'n. 

Previously closed were 54 theatres, making 

a total of 189 discontinued houses, which, 

Appel said, represented a drop of 52,392 seats 

to the present seating capacity of 923,697 for 

active theatres. 

Appel said the picture, however, was not as 

dark as it appeared. A number of obsolete 

liouses, operating close to marginal basis, 

entertainment." 

During the last 12 months, 42 theatres 

closed in the Toronto district, while 23 went 

dark in the Wimiipeg territory and 17 in Vancouver, 

where four drive-ins also were closed 

or dismantled. Four drive-in projects in the 

Winnipeg territory did not materialize. In 

Ontario two to be constructed were not built, 

two others were dismantled and nine were 

opened in the year for a present total in the 

province of 89. Total drive-ins to operate in 

Canada this year Is 231. 

OTTAWA 

T B. Priestly, British author and playwright, 

made a personal appearance on the stage 

of the Glebe Cinema Friday (27) night under 

the auspices of the Canadian Ass'n for Adult 

Education. Charles Topshee. executive director 

of the Canadian Film Institute, looked 

iiiter arrangements . . . The Cornwall, Ont., 

drive-in has been reopened by 20th Century 

Theatres. The independent Peterborough 

Drive-In also made its start. 

The dual Main and Little Elgins, managed 

by Ernie Warren, are doing big business. 

There were lineups at the Main Elgin for "The 

Man With the Golden Arm" which has been 

held for a second week. The Little Elgin Is 

busy with the roadshow engagement of "Richard 

III" with three shows daily . . . Manager 

Fred Leavens at the Elmdale featured Maury 

Logan as "Canada's Answer to Elvis Presley" 

in a rock and roll revue on the stage Friday 

and Saturday nights. The screen feature was 

"Rebel Without a Cause." 

Preparations are in hand for the annual 

benefit performance for Variety Village at the 

Capitol May 6 with all managers cooperating. 

Winnipeg Airer Opening Sweepstakes 

Won By Cy Brownstones Starlite 

WINNIPEG-The battle of the "first drivein 

to open this season" is filled with intrigue, 

secrecy, countermaneuvers, espionage, counterespionage, 

and a great deal of first-rate 

acting to mislead other ozone operators, who 

are also trying to outwit and outmaneuver 

rivals in order to open a day ahead of the 

others. The race against time and resourceful 

competition takes into consideration such 

items as the amount of snow left on the 

fields, rapidity of drainage, ability to get all 

speakers and refreshment equipment into operating 

shape, and to be presentable enough 

rival drive-ins. With years of experience in 

exhibition, indoor and outdoor. Brownstone 

played his role to the hilt. Even the day 

before he opened, he misled his competition 

by giving the impression he was hopelessly 

immeshed in undergi-ound cable trouble, unspeakable 

speakers, flooded refreshment 

floors. It was a historical, hysterical, histrionical 

triumph! 

The Starlite opened with "The Mississippi 

Gambler" and "Jumping Jacks." As added 

inducement, 20 free season passes were given 

away. Each pass will admit one car and all 

occupants absolutely free during the entire 

1956 season. Only adults were eligible for 

enticing draw. 

this 

The next day. the Northmain, Eldorado 

and Airport drive-ins opened. Grand opening 

program at the Northmain was Danny 

Kaye in "Knock on Wood" and "Escape From 

Fort Bravo" with thi-ee shows at 7:30. 9:35 

and 11:15. This year's specialities at the 

Northmain Restam-ant are chicken-in-thebasket, 

shrimp burgers and hot dogs. 

The Airport opened with "Vera Cruz" and 

"Cruisin" Down the River," with Manager 

Mark Kramer boasting of his 120-foot screen. 

Toronfo Tivoli Opens 

With 'Oklahoma!' Debut 

Toronto—Famous Players Tivoli, closed 

nearly one year ago for complete renovation 

and installation of Todd-.\0, opened 

Wednesday (25) with tlie Canadian premiere 

of "Oklahoma!" 

Manager Fred Trebilcock said the 

Tivoli, a downtown house, would have the 

only Todd-.\0 presentation in Ontario. 

•Admissions for the extended roadshow 

engagement are set at S2.25 top. 

The Eldorado, managed by Barney Brookler, 

opened with "The Man From the Alamo" 

plus "Mission Over Korea." Manager of the 

Pembina, which opened later, i.s Warren 

Hobman. Over at Western Theatres, Lou 

Miles is supervising the bookings for the three 

chain drive-ins. This year the Airport will 

with the Winnipeg Foto-Nlte pool and 

tie-in 

operate Poto-Nlte on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

Now that we are off to a fast start, all 

the eyes of exhibition across Canada will be 

f(5cused on Winnipeg, where the operators of 

Vancouver Will Have 

First Pay-as-See TV 

VANCOUVER—This city is slated to be 

folded, he said, while others closed in real 

estate deals and still other older houses were for the influx of patrons on the self-imposed drive-ins take no back seat when it comes 

converted to other uses. 

deadline (the greatest secret of all), and the to exploitation, gimmicks and the general 

There was the prospect that important suburban 

theatres in Vancouver would soon be reopened. 

Appel said, although he admitted that 

more of the old-tMJe houses in various centers 

preparation of opening day advertisements. 

This year the ozoner-opening sweepstakes 

went to Cy Brownstone of the Starlite Drive- 

In, who opened Wednesday (18), one day 

atmosphere of a three-ring circus. 

would drop out in the next 12 months. 

more than usual 

ahead of all the other drive-ins in greater 

His survey disclosed the Winnipeg. Besides the honor and distinction, 

number of changes among theatre lessees Brow^nstone should also be awarded a special 

during the la.st year, while many houses leased new type of Academy Award for "acting." 

at prosperity figures had gone back to owners Working around the clock, with only one 

who. he felt, might be able to operate them extra man to help him, Brownstone managed first in Canada to receive "pay-a.s-you-see" 

television, according to Famous Players Canadian 

to display himself around Filmrow and 

profitably. 

Appel declared with respect to obsolete theatres: 

Corp. President J. J. Fitzgibbons, here 

circuit headquarters looking disheveled and 

"Certainly they cannot compete with unshaved, spreading the weary impression 

modern comfortably ventilated theatres for that because there were only the two of them, 

last w-eek to arrange for a studio site for a 

Telemeter network. FPC holds the Canadian 

public patronage. So long as Canada's economy 

remains at its present prosperous level Starlite into shape. 

it would take at least another week to get the 

franchise for International Telemeter Corp. 

"We will be suiTsrised if we're not in operation 

by this time next year," Fitzgibbons said. 

the public can afford, and has demonstrated Brownstone's competitors were thus thrown 

will be the first closed domestic circuit of 

willingness, to pay for comfort along with off track, and not regarding him as a contender, 

"It 

they concentrated their spies on other a commercal scale on the continent." 

Subscribers will be able to obtain the service, 

he added, by depositing coins in a Telemeter. 

Famous Players, he said, is backing 

the experiment with million-dollar reserves. 

"Our operation here will be carefully 

watched from both sides of the border." Fitzgibbons 

continued, adding that Vancouver 

was selected for the experiment because the 

city 

"is recognized as the toughest marketing 

city on the continent." 

If it works here, he said, it will have a 

good chance elsewhere. 

Earlier, while in Toronto to present his 

annual report to shareholders of FPC, Fitzgibbons 

said: 

"Pending the consideration of pay television 

by official government agencies both in Canada 

and the U. S., International Telemeter 

Corp. has been utilizing this time to further 

develop the system and in seeking greater 

simplification of its equipment." 

No Tax Appeal to Be Made 

During Special Session 

TORONTO—Premier Leslie M. Frost of 

Ontario has intimated that a special session 

of the provincial legislature will be caUed In 

June to deal with the pressing taxation situation, 

particularly for financial aid to municipalities 

and for public works. 

At a directors meeting of the Motion Picture 

Theatre Ass'n of Ontario, at which President 

Lionel Lester of Toronto was in the 

chair, the decision was reached after a discussion 

that "this would be a most inopportune 

time to approach the provincial government" 

on further reductions in the amusement 

tax. 

The province made no change in the theatre 

admission tax in its 1956 budget, although 

reduction wâs granted early In 1955. 

BOXOFFICE April 28, 1956

. . Maynard 

. . Babe 

. . Gail 

. . Nora 

. . The 

. . Preliminary 

: 

April 

VANCOUVER 

/Portion Sutherland is the secretary of the 

^ Projectionists Credit Union Mccance 

is business agent for stagehands Local 

. 

118 and Pi'ed Chamberlain is the secretary for 

1956 Joiner, district manager for 

. 

P'amous Players, was on an inspection trip 

covering Vancouver Island theatres . . Beverly 

. 

Clark, formerly with the FPC district publicity 

office here who resigned to go with the General 

Hospital to handle public relations, is 

back in show business with Odeon Theatres 

and will handle newspaper layouts for the 

chain. She replaces Don Barnes, who resigned 

to live in California. 

Sydney Freedman, Studio manager, tied up 

with a local automobile firm for his showing 

of "Touch and Go." The car firm bannered 

its autos to tie in with the picture and the 

company's "push-button" cars . . . Pi-ovincial 

censorship of motion pictui-es is backed by 

most Vancouver people. A local opinion poll 

by Research Associates showed 70 per cent 

in favor of censorship. 

Charlie Nelson, former exhibitor, has opened 

a new night club in the Oriental section of 

town. He formerly operated the State Theatre, 

now the Avon, on Vancouver's east side . . 

Bob Kelly, manager of the Odeon Dunbar, is 

back from a vacation spent in Portland, Ore. 

Earl McMillan of the Studio is holidaying in 

California and Mexico. 

Len Brewer of the Paradise suffered a second 

stroke in the hospital . 

Kelly, 

concession girl at the Vogue, resigned and 

joined a drug chain store here . Miller, 

for eight years at the Odeon Plaza, has 

quit show business . . . After playing midnight 

shows for the last 20 years, the downtown 

Plaza has discontinued them due to slim business. 

Ivan Ackery, manager of the Orpheum. is 

playing "Personality Parade" on his stage 

each Friday night and is building business to 

top returns . Avon Theatre in Chinatown 

is running shows all day on Sundays. 

To keep within the law, admission is by 

tickets sold during the week. 

Presentation of a stage show by the Paragon 

Theatre at Melville, Sask., and violation of 

the Lord's Day act cost Hugh Vassos, manager, 

a fine of $50. Tlie Lord's Day act is a 

federal statute . . . 'Wally Woolridge of the 

Strand and Nippy Gowen of the International 

Cinema, who have worked in local projection 

booths for the last 50 years, are retiring from 

show business in June. Both are in their 70's. 

Five Play 'African Lion' 

TORONTO—Five Famous Players units 

combined for the Show of the Week, playing 

"The African Lion." The theatres were the 

Beach, College, Palace, Parkdale and Runnymede. 

Four Odeon houses, the Danforth, 

Fairlawn, Colony and Humber, continued for 

a second week with "The Man With the 

Golden Ai-m" along with the Toronto Odeon, 

flagship of the circuit. 

Allen's Shift 'Marty' 

TORONTO—"Marty." after playing four 

weeks at the Allen's Hollywood, went into 

the circuit's suburban Willowdale to cash in 

further on the Oscar honors. 

TORONTO 

. 

nrch H. Jolley, executive secretary of the 

Motion Picture Theatres Ass'n, says 

Toronto theatres will be permitted to stage 

Sunday midnight shows during the Empire 

Day holiday May 21 . . Ludmilla Tcherina, 

star dancer of the British feature, "Oh Rosalinda," 

made a personal appearance at the 

annual dinner dance Saturday (21) of the 

Toronto Men's Press Club. The picture will 

be released here soon. Scheduled for a 

Toronto visit is Cleo Moore, star of "Over- 

Exposed," which will be premiered at Nat 

Taylor's theatres in May. 

Although Fred Fink has decided to close 

three of his Toronto neighborhood theatres, 

he was able to smile when he staged a "222- 

Minute Laugh Show" at the Astor with happy 

result. The program consisted of various 

comedies auditions in the 

. 

B'nai B'rith talent hunt staged at the 

Famous Players Beach and College brought 

out many contestants, it was reported by 

Gerald Dillon. Winners of the series go into 

the Spring Carnival May 30 at the Toronto 

Coliseum. 

Variety Tent 28 celebrated its 11th anniversary 

with a big dinner meeting Tuesday 

124), with Chief Barker Dave Griesdorf in 

the chair. Special tribute was paid the tent's 

charter members. A report was received on 

the second annual benefit show Sunday (22) 

for Variety Village of the Windsor, Ont., 

Theatre Managers Ass'n at the Windsor 

Capitol, where Joe Lefave is manager. 

Famous Players reopened its Skyway and 

Mohawk drive-ins at Hamilton under the 

supervision of Lloyd Taylor . . . H. M. Poidevin, 

owner of the Esquire at Southampton, 

has joined the Ontario MPTAO . . . Roy 

Tash, veteran cameraman of Associated 

Screen News, made complete film coverage 

of the flight over the North Pole by Canada's 

Governor-General Vincent Massey . . . Len 

Bi.shop of Shea's shot a 44 in his first nine 

of the year at St. Andrew's golf course, he 

said. 

SIHGLE CHANNEL MAGNETIC SOUND 

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grouping of all units provides greater operating efficiency. The tight 

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gives optical sound, single-film magnetic sound, dual film magnetic sound 

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GENERAL THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY 

LIMITED 

i.r :; HEAD OFFICE: 861 BAY ST. TORONTO, ONTARIO 

Manager Jim Chalmers 

Wins Courtesy Award 

OTTAWAÂ special courtesy plaque was 

awarded to Manager Jim Chalmers of the 

odeon Theatre and his staff by the circuit's 

< 

)ritario district manager, Steve McManus. 

Clialmers and his staff won the award as the 

"most courteous group in any theatre in 

Ontario." 

In addition to Chalmers, employes who 

figured in the final competition included 

Roger Huneault, assistant manager; John 

Neilson, doorman; Louise Clermont, candy 

attendant, and Fern Leblond, usher. 

UAC Profit Down in 1955 

TORONTO—United Amusement Corp., an 

associate of Famous Players Canadian, has 

i-ssued its annual report, which showed net 

profit at $228,793 in 1955, equal to 71 cents 

per share, compared with $312,357, or 97 cents 

per share, in 1954. Working capital at $1,170,- 

713 was an increase of $39,000 over the preceding 

year. United operates a chain in Quebec 

province. 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

28, 1956

. . . And 

. . Lately 

. . Eddie 

. . Besides 

. . 

'Court Jester' Scores 

Top Toronto Gross 

TORONTO—"The Court Jester" at the 

Imperial was the week's outstanding grosser, 

its boxoffice performance being helped by 

good press notices. Strength was shown by 

"The Man With the Golden Arm" in its 

second week at the Odeon. "The Scarlet Hour" 

at Shea's and "Come Next Spring" at the 

University and Eglinton. 


Liiincrsiti Come Next Spring folinton (Rep).... 120 

H\l.;r.| The Ladykillers iJARO), 4th wk 100 

•iicn,)l The Court Jester (Paro) 155 

Forbidden Plonet iMGM) 100 

I .L-^s V, 

N.rto«rT- The Mon Who Never Wos (20th-Fox) 1 05 

Od.o.-- The Mon With the Golden Arm (UA), 

-n.l "k 120 

Shco The 125 

s Scorlct Hour (Poro) 

T.nine -Geordie (British), 4th wk 100 

Lijitovvn -I'll Cry Tomorrow (MGM), 3rd wk 100 

Vancouver Showmen Worry 

Over Continued Slump 

VANCOUVER—Exhibitors were expressing 

worry over the more than seasonal boxoffice 

slump, with a number of top pictures, such 

as "Carousel." "The Conqueror." "Meet Me 

in Las Vegas" and "The Littlest Outlaw," 

failing to reach expectations. It was thought 

that a year or two ago the pictures would 

have delivered much better scores. 

Capitol Meet Me in Las Vegos (MGM) .... Average 

Cinema Inside Detroit (Col), Three Stripes in 

the Sun (Col) Fair 

Orpheum The Conqueror (RKO) (k)Od 

Poradise Wages of Fear (IFD); Man of the 

Moment (IFD) Fair 

Plaza-Circle—Value for Money (JARO), 5 days.. Poor 

Strand The Prisoner (Col) Fair 

Studio Richard III (IFD), 5th Fair 

wk 

Vogue Picnic (Col), 3rd wk Fair 

Special Ratings Started 

By Film Estimate Board 

TORONTO—The Canadian Film Estimate 

Board, made up of representatives of 11 educational, 

religious, patriotic and welfare 

groups, is giving special ratings to pictures 

reviewed here in cooperation with the 

Canadian Moving Picture Distributors Ass'n. 

Pictures considered to be outstanding in 

their class are awarded a "star." Other 

ratings signify audience classification. Member 

associations can thus bring in what is 

virtually a minority report on a picture. 

In the latest list, "The Court Jester" is 

awarded a star with the notation that it is 

a family feature for all ages. "Guys and 

E>olls" has been approved for theatre patrons 

over 12 years of age, but one member organization, 

the Imperial Order Daughters of the 

Empire, withheld its star. 

"Picnic" came in for a variety of opinions 

although it was recommended for grown-ups 

and mature young people. Three of the 11 

members gave it a star, these being the Big 

Sister Ass'n, Canadian Film Institute and 

Canadian Girl Guides but the Canadian 

Council of Churches qualified its attitude as 

follows: "The moral tone is mixed and the 

immature behavior of the chief characters is 

An exhibitor tells us that he is willing to 

most unsettling against the idyllic background 

of the picnic." 

"Rebel Without a Cause" and "The 

Prisoner" received stars for grown-up audiences. 

communicate with your correspondent 

For "The Rose Tattoo" the Council To give Foto-Nite an extra boost at the 

of Churches and the lODE declined to give 

Capitol in Brandon, Manager Leno Turaldo 

stars. "Mii-acle in the Rain" was recommended 

has embarked on a re-registration campaign, 

for patrons over 12 years but received 

a process which completely reactivates the 

no star from any organization. 

interest of the entire population. 

The system will help theatre managers in 

booking pictures for family or adult audiences. 

WINNIPEG 

n slightly dill'crfiil nioveovcr ad was used 

by the Gaiety recently. It read: "Everybody 

is talking about 'Cockleshell Heroes,' now 

playing at the Metropolitan, but it cannot be 

held over on account of the booking of 

Grace Kelly in 'The Swan'—so It moves over 

to the Gaiety" . Shell, many years 

with Columbia as film salesman. Is leaving 

the industry to enter restaurant business 

with relatives ... To accommodate kiddies 

on a Saturday morning, the Garrick opened 

at 9:30 for the showing of Warner Bros. "The 

Lone Ranger" . . . For the first time in two 

years the Dominion has had a holdover. 

Mesho Ti-iller reports that UA's "The Man 

With the Golden Aj-m" did sufficiently well 

for him to keep showing the picture for a 

second week. 

Tom Pacey, Odeon manager, is advertising 

"The Ladykillers" as winner of two Briti-sh 

Academy Awards . giving free 

foreign coins to the kiddies. Ernie Diamond 

of the Rialto bills his w-eekend programs as 

"Gala Family Program," consisting of the 

Bowery Boys in "Paris Playboys," "Cattle 

Town." and Laurel and Hardy in "The 

Chimp." For dessert there are three color 

cartoons . 

letters to the editors of 

local dailies have discussed daylight saving 

time versus standard and the recent ruckus 

about bingo in theatres. 

Teenagers are giving Free Press and 

Tribune movie critics a hard time because 

they dared criticize Elvis Presley, who was 

recently signed by Hal Wallis to appear in 

pictures. Both critics received nasty letters, 

phone calls and messages because they said 

EP was a flash in the pan and without real 

talent. Exhibitors can look forward with 

interest to the outcome of his fii-st picture 

talking about TV stars who made 

movies, Liberace will shortly make a personal 

appearance in Winnipeg. 

Recent visitors to Filmrow were: Mr. and 

Mrs. Bill Zaparaniuk, Prince Albert: Mr. 

and Mrs. Keith McNeil, Twilite Drive-In. 

Fort Qu'Appelle; Mr. and Mrs. Bill Mcintosh. 

Rabbit Lake Drive-In. Kenora: Mr. and Mrs. 

Joe Hersak, Roblin, Roblin; Stan Zaba. Twilite 

Drive-In, Wolseley, Sask. 

Manager Joe Harris of Paragon Theatres 

reports two new accounts have been added to 

the roster of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and 

Ontario exhibitors who are buying and booking 

through Paragon: Bill Barabash. Capitol 

Theatre and Northern Drive-In, Swan River. 

Man., and W. K. Riese. who originally operated 

a 16mm situation in the Aurora, Lac La 

Ronge, Sask., and has recently converted to 

35mm operation. To date, Harris reports. 

Paragon's services extend to three accounts 

in Ontario, 12 in Manitoba and 28 in Saskatchewan. 

BOXOFFICE 

sell any one of the three, or all three, of the 

Yiddish language feature films he owns outright 

for all Canada. Interested parties can 

Several Manitoba exhibitors, who are not 

members of the Manitoba Motion Picture 

ibiu 

paying, have either mailed in a year'.s dues or 

a small donation In recognillon of the successful 

battle waged by the MMPEA to obtain 

a slight cut in the provincial amusement lax. 

A considerable amount of money was spent 

by the MMPEA in the process of the fight, 

and President Ben Sommcrs suggests that 

nonmembers wishing to show their gratitude 

can do so best by malllnR In an application 

for membership. Annual fee for exhibitors 

in towiis under 3,000 is only five dollars. Association 

dues for theatres situated in population 

centers of over 3,000 Is five cents per 

seat, paid quarterly, In advance. "The tax 

fight is not entirely over, .so please pitch In if 

you haven't yet," said Sommers. 

The merger of Alliance and Astral resulted 

in veteran Charlie Krupp leaving Alliance to 

be succeeded by Sam Swartz of Astral as 

head in Winnipeg of the new, enlarged organization. 

Regina Foto-Nite Case 

Put Over Until Fall 

REGINA—The Appeal Court last week put 

over to the next court a crown appeal from 

a case in which a Saskatoon theatre manager 

was acquitted of charges of operating a 

lottery. 

Two managers of Odeon theatres in Saskatoon 

were acquitted of the charges in July 

by Magistrate B. M. Wakeling. The managers 

are Vince Pasternick of the Victory Theatre 

and Ray Resky of the Broadway Theatre. 

The attorney-general filed an appeal against 

Pasternick's acquittal. 

The magistrate dismissed the charges on 

the ground that under a Foto-Nite arrangement 

there was no exchange of legal property. 

The case will be heard next fall. The appeal 

was adjourned because of the unexpected 

length of a labor relations board 

matter now before the court. 

'Unguarded Moment' Is New Title 

Formerly titled "The Gentle Web," the 

new name for the U-I film is "The Unguarded 

Moment." 

) FOR SALE S 

YES! 10,000 LATE MODEL 

USED OR RECONDITIONED 

Also new British-Luxury 

THEATRE 

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libber, 

Choirj available 

CHAIRS 

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Vinyl 

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bargain prices 

Drop us a line—we will gi%e you photographj 

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RECREATIONS, Ltd. 

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945 GRANVILLE ST., VANCOUVER 

MARINE 5034-5428 i. 

ST"^

. . . Doris 

. . Mrs. 

. . Mrs. 

. . 

. . The 

MONTREAL 

lârc Thibault resigned as publicity manager 

for Cinerama at the Imperial to join 

Gratien Gelinas' Fridolinades, now playing 

at the Orpheum theatre. Before leaving Thibault 

"premiered" the second Cinerama film, 

•'Cinerama Holiday" . . . "Richard ni" was 

in its sixth week at the Kent, and "Marty" 

was in its fourth and last week at the Avon. 

of 

Jo Pollon, recently appointed manager 

the International Film Distributors 16mm 

division, and his wife Elizabeth became 

parents of a baby daughter named Abigail, 

their first child ... J. J. Fitzgibbons, president 

of Famous Players Canadian, attended 

the annual meeting of both UAC and Confederation 

Amusements circuit this week at 

the UAC building on MonkJand avenue . 

Audrey Mitchell, cashier at Warner Bros., is 

engaged to Bob Impey, brother of Doreen 

Impey. former cashier at Warners . . . Mrs. 

Shirley Buckley, wife of Del Buckley, salesman 

for RKO, has returned temporarily to 

her former position as stenographer at RKO 

Pearson has resigned as tjijist at 

UA. Nora Harris, cashier, succeeded Jacqueline 

Osher, who resigned to be married in 

Toronto May 29. 

Jack Roher, president of Peerless Films, 

was in Toronto for a week . Lucille 

Montpetit, is the new switchboard operator 

at Paramount . L. Bertrand of the 

Princess Theatre at Riviere du Loup, was a 

Filmrow visitor . . . Seymour Bellman, assistant 

booker at RKO, was ill . . . The TOA 

of Quebec, was to hold its second annual 

banquet at the Helene de Champlain hall on 

St. Helen's Island on the 28th. 

Believes Alberta Should 

Remove All Ticket Tax 

CAMROSE, ALTA.—Commenting on the 

abatement of amusement tax on motion picture 

admissions from children's and student 

tickets, the Camrose Canadian said, in part: 

"Of course it is taken for granted that the 

removal of this tax will be passed on to the 

patrons and not absorbed in a higher price 

of admissions charged by the theatres . . . 

Camrose has been singularly fortunate in that 

the local theatres have held the line against 

exorbitant admission rates. Out at the Coast 

the theatres have gone hog wild with their 

admission prices with the result that even 

with an excellent program their seats remain 

empty ... It is our opinion that the Alberta 

government might as well have gone the 

whole way and removed the amusement tax 

in its 

entirety." 

Crawley Again at Top 

MONTREAL—For the seventh time in seven 

years a motion picture produced by Crawley 

Films has been chosen as "one of the ten 

best sponsored films released for school use" 

in the United States. The pictui-e was "Five 

Faces of Quebec." The ten best list is chosen 

each year by Scholastic Teachers magazine 

of New York. Crawley Vice-Pi-esident Graeme 

F'raser said the award is a tribute to Canadian 

motion picture quality. "Five Faces of 

Quebec" shows the province through the eyes 

of five people with different viewpoints— 

historian, a maitre d'hotel, a truck driver, a 

businessman and a man who likes to fish. 

Herbert Anderson will play the role of 

press agent in Universal's "Star Light." 

DOMiMoi mm 

are privileged to announce that they are 

supplying the folloiving Projection and Sound equipment 

to the National Film Board. 

* Centur'y Projectors 

Century Sound Systems 

Westrex Soundheads 

Ashcraft Arc Lamps 

* Imperial Generators 

Raytone Screens 

Installation will he in the studios 

new National Film Board building 

Ville St. Laurent, Quebec. 

',d 

auditori 

Cole de Li> 

of the 

Road. 

Incorporating the very latest in design and techniques the 

neiv building is the most modern in North America. 

Dominion Sound are justifiably proud of their 

contribution 

to Canada's world renoivned National Film Board. 

DOmilOi soil Equipments LimitBd 

HEAO OFFICi: 4040 St. Catherine Street West, Monfreo/. 

BRANCHES AT: Halifax, Saint John, Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, 

Hamilton, London, North Bay, Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouyer. 

ST. 

JOHN 

A fter a six-week holiday in the States and 

Mexico with his wife, P. Gordon Spencer, 

president of the F. G. Spencer Co., returned to 

his office here in time to be re-elected president 

of the St. John Tuberculosis Ass'n, an 

office he has held for many yeai-s . . . "Reg" 

March, retired manager for 20th-Fox here, is 

mourning the death of his 93-year-old 

mother. 

Peter Herschorn of the Franklin & Herschorn 

Tlieatre Co. and his wife Sylvia have 

returned to Halifax after a short vacation in 

Miami Beach. Fla. . . . With the weather in 

the Maritimes improving and highways open. 

St. John film managers and salesmen have 

taken "to the road," calling upon theatre 

operators . Maritimes Film Board, at 

its annual meeting, re-elected I. J. Davis, 

manager of United Artists, president; Ken 

Snellgrove, manager of RKO, vice-president, 

and Lou J. Simon, manager of Columbia, secretary. 

In booking and buying was Malcolm Walker 

of Halifax, N. S.. president of M. E. Walker, 

Ltd. His Bay Road Drive-In ten miles outside 

of Halifax reopened Monday (23i. Also in was 

"Rocky" Hazel, partner in the Chester Drive- 

In, Chester, N. S. He set the Chester reop)ening 

for Friday (27 1. Byi-on Evans, owner 

and operator of the Sunset Drive-In, Nashwaaksis, 

N. B., will open it at the end of 

April . . . Josephine Reynolds, cashier at 

MGM. is leaving to take up residence in 

Harrison, N. J. 

Harrison Howe, manager of the Pai-amount, 

St. John, arranged a succes.sful contest with 

the cooperation of a large drug store in promoting 

the picture "Anything Goes." Eight 

winners were announced, each receiving a 

year's supply of shampoo. 

Heavy Buying Is Reported 

By Trans-Lux Holders 

WASHINGTON—Heavy buying of Trans- 

Lux Corp, by Harry Brandt and associates 

was reported in the latest summary of the 

Securities and Exchange Commission. 

Brandt bought 700 shares in his own name 

and 600 for the Brandt Foundation during 

February. He acquired 2.600 shares during 

December. His holdings in his own name are 

now 128,515 shares. Mi's. Brandt holds 17,700 

shares, with 200 shares in a holding company. 

Total holdings of the Brandt Foundation are 

800 shares. 

During February Jay Emanuel acquired 

1.000 shares, making a total of 12,000. Albert 

D. Erickson acquired 1.000 for a total 

of 2,600: Percival E. Furber acquired 5,010 

for a total of 7,810. Aquila C. Giles bought 

1,000 for a total of 2,000, and Jacob Starr 

acquired 300 for a total of 2,000. 

Fight Proprietor Boothman 

HAMILTON, ONT. — The projectionists 

Local 303 has levelled its guns at the recently 

reopened Clappison Drive-In at Clappison 

Corners on the ground that the theatre, owned 

by Joe Dydzak, "does not employ union 

projectionists." The union has published formal 

notices to this effect. The Clappison and 

other drive-ins in western Ontario have 

proprietors who contend they themselves are 

qualified projectionists under license of the 

theatres act. 

BOXOFFICE : 

: April 28, 1956

• ALPHABETICAL INDEX 

• AOLINES & EXPLOITIPS 

• BOXOFFICE BAROMETER 

• EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY 

• FEATURE RELEASE CHART 

• FEATURE REVIEW DIGEST 

• REVIEWS OF FEATURES 

• SHORTS RELEASE CHART 

• SHORT SUBJECT REVIEWS 

• SHOWMANDISING IDEAS 

THE GUIDE TO i BETTER BOOKING AND B U S I N E S S B U I L D I N G 

Siyles Top Publicity 

For 'Swan' Premiere 

The world premiere of "The Swan" at 

the Randolph in Philadelphia was backed 

by a comprehensive campaign in which 

fashion tie-ins took the major play. 

Helen Rose, designer of Grace Kelly's 

gowns in the film, appeared at a fashion 

show conducted by Gimbel's and sponsored 

by the Philadelphia Art Museum Fashion 

Wing. The show, attended by museum 

members, Gimbel's executives, editors, fashion 

wTiters, civic and cultural leaders, served 

as a springboard for a series of store displays 

and windows that did much to place 

the name of the film before a good part of 

the female population of the city. 

MOM joined the theatre in publishing a 

page ad in the Inquirer devoted to institutional 

tieups and featuring Campus bridal 

gowns, which were prominently merchan- 

; dised in the displays at the department 

J store. 

Eleven windows on Market street in Gimbel's 

were devoted to "The Swan." Other 

Huge Cake Goes on TV for Carousel' 

Small Merry-Go-Rounds Sell Kids 

®ffiE32Ec 

Tot-size merry-go-rounds have been borrowed, constructed and otherwise pressed into service for 

the early showings of "Carousel." Above are from (left) RKO Proctors in Newark, Y.; Radio City 

N 

Theatre in Minneapolis (center) provided by the Coca-Cola distributor (another one for similar use in 

front of the some theatre was obtained from the Wonder Bread Co.), ond (right) in front of the Glove 

Theatre in Gloversville, N. Y. More than 2,000 kids were given free rides in three days at the Radio City. 

windows featured "Two great stars . . . 

Grace Kelly and You" in their pitch to the 

feminine market, while inside the store 

there were numerous displays built around 

the original costumes used in the film. 

Ten Commandments' Sign 

Set Up 7 Months Ahead 

A "first" in motion picture history is 

claimed for a lobby display at the RKO 

Keiths in Washington heralding an attraction 

which is still seven months away from 

its playdate. Manager Jimmy Baker has 

set up a sign board which reads, "RKO 

Keiths Theatre proudly announces the presentation 

in the fall of Cecil B. DeMille's 

crowning achievement, 'The Ten Commandments,' 

a Paramount picture." 

Dealers for Regal Shoes 

Are Lined Up for 'Suit' 

Exhibitors in 38 cities can look to local 

Regal shoe dealers for support on engagements 

of "The Man in the Gray Flannel 

Suit." The theme, "The Man in the Gray 

Flaimel Suit Wears Regal Shoes," is the 

^1 shoe manufacturer's contribution to the 

"^ campaign, expressed via newspaper ads, display 

ribbons and in-store promotional material 

for the retail outlet. Twentieth-Fox 

field exploiteers are servicing the retailers 

with advance film promotional material 

and a list of local playdates. 

When Manager Richard D. Empey scheduled 

"Carousel" for his Granada in Duluth, 

Minn., he lined up the cooperation of 

WDSM-TV, Oreck's department store and 

Ki-esge's dime store. 

The manager secured some mighty valuable 

television mention by having a huge 

cake baked with a carousel on the top and 

good size letters around the sides spelling 

out "Carousel" and "Cinemascope 55." 

This cake was brought in to the TV studio 

while a femme emcee was doing her show 

and, by arrangement, the cake was put 

right on camera. While the screens showed 

closeups of the cake, she spoke about the 

film: then the television film clip of the 

New York City premiere of "Carousel" 

went on. 

Said Empey: "It was different, and certainly 

worth the effort. With the exception 

of the cake, there was no charge to the 

theatre." 

At Oreck's, Empey set up window displays 

tied In with the "Carousel" sailor 

hats, while the management at Kresge's let 

him use two turntables on the main floor 

of the store for displays. A small carousel 

was installed at the bottom of the stairs. 

For the theatre, the manager had a special 

40x60 made up of magazine covers and 

other published mentions of "Carousel." 

This went up several weeks prior to the 

playdate, along with a mammoth wall display 

featuring the stars. The public address 

BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : : April 28, 1956 — 113 — 

system also piped music through the lobby. 

In Gloversville, N. Y., Manager John G. 

Corbett of the Glove promoted a small 

kiddy carousel from a local store in return 

for some plugs. He set It up outside the 

theatre and offered free rides a week prior 

to the opening. 

A record player in the bottom of the 

stand played the song hits from the motion 

picture. "This ballyhoo caused plenty of 

excitement with yoimg and old," Corbett 

reported. 

Boxers Mix It on Truck 

For 'Harder They Fall' 

A stunt used up Boston way while it was 

still topcoat weather got crowds out to 

talk it up for "The Harder They Pall." 

Loew's Theatres publicist Karl Fasick induced 

two men to strip to the waist and 

climb into a specially rigged boxing ring 

mounted on a flat truck bed. The men 

donned boxing gloves and went at each 

other for a few simulated rounds. Scene 

stills were mounted on the ring posts, 

while a huge side banner on the truck beat 

the drums for the engagements at the State 

and Orpheum. 

With wanner weather on tap, exhibitors 

elsewhere should have an easier time In 

lining up "talent" for similar outdoor productions.

National Guard Mock Bomber 

Signals Opening of Invasion' Duo 

A C57 bomber, six F80 jets and 

a photography plane executed an 

Operation Invasion over Port Arthur 

and Beaumont, Tex., on the 

afternoon "Invasion of the Body 

Snatchers" and "Indestructible 

Man" opened at the Sabine and 

Liberty theatres in the two cities. 

The "bombs" released by the 

bomber of the Ulth jet interceptor 

squadron of the Air Nation;i: 

Guard were toy balloons, each wit: 

a pass to the screen show attached 

—250 over Port Ai'thur and 250 

over Beaumont—and cash awards 

redeemable at the boxoffices of 

both theatres, and bonus prizes oi 

$75 and $100 credits on appliann 

totaling $6,250. 

Following the "bomb" releases, 

the interceptor squadron "attacked" 

the "enemy" plane aiKi 

drove it off. The maneuver was ; 

low level, 800 to 1,000 feet, wit I 

a display of precision flying, winytip 

to wingtip. 

The arrangements for the mock 

attack promoting the picture were 

made by George Bannan, publicity 

director for Allied Artists, and publicists for 

Jefferson Amusement Co. of Beaumont with 

Major General Berry, adjutant general of 

Texas. 

The mock attack also signaled the opening 

of an Air National Guard communications 

squadron at the Jefferson County airport. 

Both papers published stories on the 

"attack" and the film tieup, while the ra- 

Air Force Helps Promote 

'Threshold' in West 

John Burns, manager of the Califoi-nia 

Tlieatre, San Bernadino, buOt up interest 

in "On the Threshold of Space" by displaying 

a T-One suit on a mannequin in 

front of the theatre. Norton Air Force 

Base cooperated with Bums by supplying 

a non-com to explain the space suit to 

passers-by. 

Burns supplemented these attention-getters 

by pasting a 24-sheet, fUled with 

scenes from the space thriller, on the sidewalk 

in front of his theatre: set up a 40x 

60 made with suitable photos; displayed a 

flash showing of miniature planes from 

the Baseline Hobby Shop in the foyer. On 

the first Saturday of the showing. Burns 

gave away 100 guided missile models to the 

first 100 boys and girls who came in. 

A J-35 Jet Engine was placed on display 

in the lobby at the Fox Theatre, Riverside, 

Calif., by Manager David Lackie to 

get attention for the same feature film. 

Lackie kept the engine running with an 

electric motor throughout performances 

preceding opening dates for the space film, 

backing the display with a 24-sheet. Lackie 

Attack' 

WATCH TH? SKY 

TOMCR::*".'i. nnOON 

Siksan alG VM: i 'S;, TERMS 

James S. Nacoi Co. 

.:„ "2P \wm.\ 

dio stations made 120 free announcements, 

and KFDM-TV covered the operation in 

both cities besides making announcements 

on news broadcasts. KOLE had an announcer 

on the roof of its station in Port 

Arthur to make a special broadcast of the 

operation. 

Reproduced herewith is the full page coop 

ad run by the appliance company on the 

tieup. 

secured the jet engine from the USAF Orientation 

Group at Norton Air Base. 

March Field contributed a High Altitude 

Equipment outfit to the Fox display. The 

outfit included helmet, oxygen mask and 

tank, parachute, Mae West and seat type 

survival kit. This kit, valued at $450, was 

a real attention winner among the youngsters, 

as it exhibited a life raft, shotgun, 

hatchet, knife, fishing gear and rations. 

Wayne Shepler at the Fox, Hollywood, 

also promoted "On the Threshold of Space" 

by securing Air Force cooperation. Center 

of interest for Wayne's campaign was 

getting the Air Force Recruit Depot, next 

door to his theatre, to prepare lobby and 

window displays of ordnance. 

Child of Week Contest 

John Butler of the Starland Theatre, Los 

Angeles. Calif., has launched a Child of the 

Week contest, with neighborhood merchants 

giving prizes, such as dresses or 

.suits, shoes, pictures, etc. Each merchant 

is given credit in a lobby display, and the 

drawing to name the Child of the Week is 

held in one of the stores each week. The 

child received his prizes on the stage. 

l-ôintof 

Uiew 

n S the summer vacation for school children 

and teenagers nears, it might be 

wise to consider ways and means of turning .- 

some extra bucks during the coming weeks. '•« 

Of coui-se, graduation shows and graduation 

gift books come readily to mind, but 

here's an idea that's being put into practice 

this year and might bear investigation in 

your own particular situation: A Central 

States house in Iowa has set up a theatre 

rental and a schedule of activities for an 

After Prom Program, tieing in with many 

other merchants and amusement enterprises 

around town. Included are a bowling 

alley, skating rink, tennis court, a local 

club, a bus concern and a boating operation. 

You don't have to use all of these 

angles, but you should be able to work out 

something mutually profitable with several 

concerns in town. 

* 

Don't know what you have in mind, 

but here's how the Roxy in New York 

primped for the opening of "The Man 

in the Gray Flannel Suit" rece?itly— 

a carpet of gray flannel was provided 

for celebrities to walk down as they 

made their entrances. See if you can 

tvork it into your budget. 

And in promoting "The Bold and the 

Brave," you could do much worse than 

feature a blowup of the Time magazine review 

of the film when you exploit this -h 

sleeper. The rave review, to be found in "'- 

the April 16 number, includes a provocative 

photo of Nicole Maurey and Don Taylor, 

and almost two full columns of excellent, 

quotable comment. There are quite a few 

other rather flattering reviews on this 

unheralded film, but in this one the reviewer's 

enthusiasm is contagious. 

* 

An acquaintance of ours, outside the 

industry, posed a question the other 

evening: How do you create interest 

and enthusiasm for the not-so-hot pictures 

after you've kicked up a big fuss 

over the truly great pictures? Well, as 

showmen, you know plenty of good ansivers, 

but we quoted one that was 

lifted, more or less, from an Independent 

Theatre Owners of Ohio bulletin. 

The next morning we went to the files, 

and came up with the original, dated 

aivay back to Dec. 29, 1953. Said the 

bulletin in part: "You obviously can't 

go back to the public with every one 

and tell them this is the biggest, greatest, 

best and most colossal. However, 

there is some good in every picture unless, 

as may be, you are just playing 

this picture because you want to keep 

the doors open and there is nothing 

else. The latter premise is very bad 

psychology. In that program there 

must be something that appeals to 

some people. 

It's those people, however 

few, however scattered, to whom the 

appeal must be directed." 

—LARRY GOODMAN 

114 BOXOFFICE Showmandiser 

g^

'Helen of Troy' Dates 

Inspire Art Stunts 

Picnic' Prompting Many Promotions 

Easy and Inexpensive to Duplicate 

Miss Carol Taipic, Spokane artist, draws an appreciative 

audience to her easel in the lobby ot 

the Fox there, where she painted in oil her interpretations 

of scenes from "Helen of Troy." 

Two showmen on opposite sides of the 

globe came up with promotions involving 

artistic talent for "Helen of Ti-oy." 

Jack Hamacker, city manager for the 

Evergreen circuit in Spokane. Wash., and 

manager of the Fox there, set up an easel 

display in the lobby and hired a young 

Spokane artist to do her stuff. The artist 

created her own impressions, in oil, of 

scenes from the film an hour each evening, 

and, of course, there always was a goodly 

crowd gathered around her to watch and 

talk it up for the coming attractions. 

In Chatham, Kent, England, Manager 

G. C. WiUiams of the Regent devised a picture 

painting contest inspired by artwork 

from "Helen of Troy." Williams, assisted 

by A. A. Allen, worked out an arrangement 

with the Chatham Observer to co-sponsor 

the contest. The newspaper gave the promotion 

prominent play, including five and 

a half inches of double column space in one 

issue. 

Full window displays showing cutouts of 

warriors and a large wooden horse were obtained 

at three good locations in the town. 

Also causing quite a bit of good comment, 

according to the manager, was an excellent 

front-of-house show using cutout figures 

against a pictorial background. Since this 

was adjacent to a bus stop, the attraction 

drew extremely well. 

Two Big Co-Op Ads for 'Cry' 

In Sioux Falls Campaign 

Jim Molohon. manager of the State Theatre, 

Sioux Falls, S. D., garnered two fivecolumn, 

20-inch co-op ads in a tieup with 

the Farmer's Market for "I'll Ci-y Tomorrow." 

The co-ops were paid for by the 

merchant and were run in the Arguse;J 

Leader. In addition to the ads, Parmer's 

Market gave the picture two full windows 

and inside store displays. 

The theatre offered complimentary 

tickets to the picture to the first 50 customers 

to enter the Parmer's Market stores 

the following days. 

"Picnic," In Its playdates around the nation, 

is receiving Impetus at the boxofflce 

from variations on a theme having the 

idea of a genuine picnic at base and all 

being rather inexpensive and easy to duplicate. 

Here's one used by Charles Tucker of 

the HoUand in Bellefontaine, Ohio. Tucker 

tied up with a local appliance merchant to 

stage an allnight picnic party at the store 

on the night the picture opened. Tucker 

set up a display of appliance items in the 

lobby as his side of the bargain, and posted 

.signs inviting all theatregoers that evening 

to follow up the performance with a 

visit to the store for the picnic. Everybody 

was happy as a result of this joint venture. 

In Bo.ston, Columbia's field man Karl 

Fasick stepped in to lend an assist to managers 

Jack Mercer of the State and James 

Tibbetts of the Orpheum. The trio worked 

out a stunt that tied in with a cooking 

school show at the local armory, at a cost 

to each theatre of a few passes. 

Photos of all leading stars in "Picnic" 

were spotted around the exhibition hall 

where the four-day cooking show was held. 

Manager Plays Picture 

In Which He Starred 

Steve Miller, manager of the Owen Theatre, 

Branson, Mo. who starred in "Ti-easure 

of Frank James," a featurette produced 

in the Missouri Ozarks last summer by 

Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. for its TV 

series, "Spotlight on Missouri," played the 

feature at the Owen Theatre recently and 

had to turn away patrons. 

In the picture. Miller plays the role of 

Fiank James, while local hardware merchant 

Arch Mayden plays the part of the 

farmer. 

"Figuring out a marquee billing for this 

feature along with the second feature really 

gave me a problem in the small space atop 

the theatre," Miller said. "I figured it out 

this way: I'd give Arch Mayden top billing, 

so the local people wouldn't accuse me 

of bragging. This really worked out fine 

and I had many pats on the back for 

giving my friend Aixh the top spot. 

"Now, of course, the worst thing about 

this marquee is the fact that John Wayne, 

who was star of the second feature, wound 

up in third billing spot." 

Miller filled the house within ten minutes 

each night of the showing and turned away 

about 300 persons. He said he would have 

to repeat the showing to take care of all 

the people who never did get inside. 

Academy Awards Week 

Manager Jay Thomsen of the Garden 

Theatre, Frankfort. Mich., set up an Academy 

Award Movie Time Week for a five-day 

period shortly after the Oscar ceremonies. 

His newspaper ads gave the Awards presented 

for each picture. 

This show, sponsored by the Boston Post, 

was visited by 15,000 persons dally. The 

theatres announced that the first 50 motion 

picture fans bringing in complete sets of the 

stars' photos would receive guest tickets to 

the theatre of their choice. The promotion 

netted numerous plugs in the Post and on 

radio, in addition to the many mentions at 

the show Itself. 

Manager Bill Newsom of the Imperial In 

Augusta, Ga., worked out a tieup that was 

both simple and mutually attractive to theatre 

and merchant. He arranged to hand 

out a number of passes in connection with 

a local contest in return for good mention 

in a co-op ad taken by a nearby supermarket. 

The food store tied In the film 

title and credits in a large newspaper ad 

plugging picnic hams. 

John Hutchlngs of the Kentucky in Lexington, 

Ky., permitted sorority pledges and 

escorts to hold a picnic in the theatre's 

lobby. One of the gals also was used to pass 

out candy kisses in envelopes, with the following 

copy on each: "Here's a 'Picnic' kiss 

for you and be sure to see William Holden's 

'Picnic' ki.sses with Kim Novak, etc." 

Circus Is Added Treat 

At Kiddy Matinee 

A novel circus program heralded the 

coming of a real circus to the Central Theatre 

in Jersey City for a special kiddy matinee. 

Art work of clowTis. aerialists, horseback 

riders, animals, the midway and of 

the big top formed the background for a 

spread in the 8 '2x11 sheet distributed by 

Manager Murray Spector. Copy hailed the 

circus show as "a swell treat for all the 

kids from 6 to 60." 

On the reverse side of the program, a 

local carpet cleaning firm had a display 

ad, which was part of the payoff to the 

merchant for sponsoring the show and 

printing up the programs. The cleaning 

firm also received a screen ad and a 40x60 

display in the lobby. 

The live show, which lasted for an hour, 

was in addition to the regular film fare 

planned for the day. The circus was staged 

by Gangler Bros., and contained such acts 

as a wonder horse, a high-diving dog. a 

pony "with a human mind," trained 

monkeys and a Peruvian llama. 

"The theatre was simply packed, and both 

kids and grownups present had a wonderful 

time," Spector reported. Moreover, the 

sponsor of the show was completely satisfied, 

the manager noted. 

English War Brides Invited 

English war brides living In the Paris, 

Tex., area were Invited to be guests of 

the Grand Theatre to see "The Man 'Who 

Never Was." The Invitation came from 

Manager Truman Riley. 

BOXOFFICE Showmandiser 

: 

: 

April 28, 1956 — 115

Gimmicks With Extra Punch Devised 

To Corral Crowds for lone Ranger' 

Ideas With Different Slant Supplement 

Contests, Merchandise, Food Tie-Ins, 

Etc. 

Coming right ot you (photo at left) as he did on the streets of Ashland, Ky., is the usher John 

Godfrey used as o walking bally when he played "The Lone Ranger" at his Paramount. The real-life 

brother ond sister of Tonto (Joy Silverheels) ore shown speaking to him (right, top) from the stage 

of the Capitol in Brantford, Ont., on Jay Silverheels night, staged by Manager Bill Burke. A local 

merchant, who tied in with the gala promotion, displayed his merchandise, offered os prizes, in the 

theatre lobby (right, bottom). 

Exhibitors are discovering that a little 

ingenuity can go a long way toward drawing 

extra business when it comes to setting 

up campaigns for "The Lone Ranger." 

John W. CJodfroy of the Paramount in 

Ashland, Ky., devised a giveaway with 

which he drew "plus business." Godfrey 

staged the giveaway on the last night of the 

run. and. he asserted. "Most of the children 

already had seen the picture but returned 

just for the chance at the prizes: 

we had a full house." 

The giveaways consisted of merchandise 

connected with the Lone Ranger character 

—special guns, silver bullets, riding effects, 

boots, masks, silver skates, holsters, etc. 

They were displayed four weeks in advance 

in the lobby and at food stores, the latter 

with the cooperation of General Mills, sponsors 

of the Lone Ranger show on radio and 

television. The smallest gi'ocery up to the 

largest supermarket went along on the 

promotion; in all. 36 stores. 

Godfroy had an usher, dressed as the 

western airwave hero, walk around the city, 

entering shops, banks, groceries and other 

public places starting two weeks in advance. 

He stopped along the way to give children 

his autograph. 

The special one-hour TV film which describes 

the history of "The Lone Ranger" 

was used on WHTN-TV. For the opening, 

Godfroy admitted free all youngsters appearing 

in Lone Ranger garb. Radio station 

WCMI broadcast its Man on the Street 

program from in front of the theatre, interviewing 

the kids on why they wanted to 

grow up to be the Lone Ranger. A contest 

run in Ashland Daily Independent, up to 

the opening, used a car to tour the city 

with a Lone Ranger display on the side 

and the Lone Ranger theme song blaring 

from a loudspeaker while a cutout of the 

24-sheet was erected on top of the marquee. 

Godfroy reports the largest crowd in the 

history of the theatre attended on opening 

day. 

Bill Burke of the Capitol in Brantford, 

Ont., made the most of the fact that Jay 

Silverheels, who plays the Tonto role, is 

from Brantford. He ran a special Jay Silverheels 

night as the topper to a long list 

of promotions, many of which got terrific 

writeups in the Canadian Press and British 

United Press wire services, on radio and 

television stations across Canada, plus pictures 

and stories in all nearby papers and 

some metropolitan dailies. All this at no 

cost, and rewarded with "exceptionally 

good" business. 

Burke first contacted Silverheels' relatives 

now living on the Reserve at Brantford. 

He then organized a Tonto Pan Club 

one month in advance, with numbered 

membership cards distributed to children. 

Prizes were awarded to the lucky card 

holders in four weekly contests. Quinlan's 

Mens and Boy. Wear, at four Saturday 

matinees prior to the opening, gave away 

two Lone Ranger gun and holster sets or 

two Lone Ranger cowboy and cowgirl outfits. 

Quinlan's set up an attractive Lone 

Ranger display in the lobby, and gave over 

a window at the store. In addition, the 

merchant purchased $20 worth of gift book 

tickets, which were given away to children 

at the store. 

Burke then got in touch with Jay Silverheels 

in Hollywood and obtained his consent 

to talk to his brother and sister via 

phone on the stage of the Capitol. He made 

arrangements with the telephone company 

to install a hookup whereby the people in 

the audience could hear the two-way conversation. 

Everything went off beautifully, according 

to Burke, who reported: "What a tremendous 

thrill the audience got out of 

this. Almost 1,600 people in the auditorium 

and you could hear a pin drop. I advertised, 

Bring the children to hear Tonto speak to 

them from Hollywood.' and they certainly 

did. The place was packed." 

The manager also dreamed up a "Miss 

Six Nations" Indian girl beauty contest, 

with 14 Indian girls entered. As judges 

he had the women's editor of a local publication, 

the women's editor of the local 

radio station, and a town alderman, guaranteeing 

him pretty good coverage of the 

event. He promoted radios for the top three 

winners, and nylons for the other contestants. 

In addition there was the usual advance 

publicity. Burke even got the local Indians 

to put on ceremonial dances on the stage. 

Burke simimarized: "My complete campaign 

did not cost much, outside of a few 

expenses for the Indians, increased news 

paper space, etc. But the tremendous 

amount of free space, air and TV time, plus 

the merchandise I promoted for nothing, 

gave me away-above-average business for 

the attraction." 

Front Page Story Rigged 

As 'Ransom!' Ballyhoo 

Bill Butler, manager of the Turnage and 

Reita theatres in Washington. N. C. came 

up with an idea on promoting "Ransom!" 

that might be applied in other small towns 

where the manager knows the police department 

heads and many townsfolk. 

After the regular run of the Washington 

Daily News, Butler had the headlines reset, 

along with a one-haU column story. The 

banner head read: "Child Kidnapped; 

$500,000 Ransom Asked." The front page 

story read as if the kidnapping had occurred 

in Washington. 

The newspaper was posted outside the 

theatre as though it were an extra edition. 

People soon began calling the police department 

and the radio stations to inquire 

about the kidnapping and were told that 

there had been no such kidnapping in 

Washington, that the newspaper was an 

advertisement for "Ransom!" at the theatre. 

^^ 

— 116 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : 

: April 28, 1956

y 

j 

Low-Cosl Gimmicks 

Keep Up Interest 

A roundup of recent promotional activities 

at the DeWitt in Bayonne. N. J., shows 

that Manager Nyinan Kessler has put to- 

gather a string of low-cost stunts to keep 

up interest in the theatre and its attractions. 

"Showmanship is synonymous with tlieatre 

operation in our book, so we try to keep 

going on all eight cylinders without a letup 

to create a desire in the public's mind to 

see our shows," Kessler commented. "We 

like to move from one idea Into another as 

often as our program changes." 

Here are some potent examples of the 

kind of enthusiasm he's been whipping up 

without extending his budget: 

For "The McCormell Story," he rigged up 

a dummy parachutist in the lobby about 

two weeks in advance. 

For "To Hell and Back," he used photos 

of the stars on the backs of circulars, distributed 

at the theatre. An ad from an auto 

dealer defrayed the cost. He also borrowed 

a large tank from a nearby Army base and 

displayed it outside the DeWitt. 

A sporting goods store sponsored the 

printing and distribution of a herald for a 

western double bill. Wild Bill Tucker, 

western player, appeared at the theatre and 

provided a 126-gun lobby display. 

For the Joe McDoakes short, "So You 

Want to Model a Railroad," the manager 

obtained large displays of electrically controlled 

Lionel trains from a local mer- 

) chant for the lobby. "To say that this attracted 

a lot of attention is putting it 

mildly," Kessler observed. "It boosted our 

business a great deal." 

"Good Morning, Miss Dove" was dedicated 

to all the active and retired teachers 

in town in invitations asking them to be 

guests of the theatre for a performance. 

Stores Join Jalopy Nile 

At BushnelL 111.. Rialto 

A merchant-sponsored Jalopy Nite created 

four weeks' worth of word-of-mouth 

publicity around the town and filled the 

house on the night of the giveway, according 

to D. M. "Dil" Dillenbeck, manager 

Showman Jim Barnes' Civic Activities 

Return Dividends on Song of South' 

When Jim Barnes took over as manager 

of tlie Lyric in Huntington Park, Calif., 

the veteran showman promised the patrons, 

via newspaper ads and publicity, that "big 

things were going to happen." In the few 

months of his operation, Barnes has more 

than lived up to his promise. 

One of his latest exploits was his wellrounded 

campaign for "Song of the South." 

Outstanding was a coloring contest conducted 

through the local newspaper, with a 

trip to the Disney studios as first prize. He 

also set up a tie-in display at Ralphs 

supermarket, fui'nished window cards to 

many merchants in town, and secured windows 

at the TWA office, a music store and 

a bookstore. 

He dressed several young girls in clown 

outfits, and got them to play in front of 

the theatre and around the neighborhood 

in the festive garb. Each, of cour.se, carried 

a playdate plug. He posted a six-sheet 

on the side of a nearby building, and built 

an attractive front and lobby display at the 

theatre itself, thanks to a lively use of 

streamers and barmers. 

But Barnes had more than these usual 

exploitation stunts and gimmicks going for 

him. The manager, a firm believer in the 

personal touch and in creating and keeping 

goodwill for the theatre, had the good 

offices of many civic groups in town in his 

corner. 

The foundation of this support was laid 

w^hen he proclaimed his credo in the first 

ad he took on becoming manager. Copy 

read: "This policy, first, embraces good 

citizenship and active participation in 

everything designed for the community 

good. It also includes the selection of pictures 

that will contribute to the moral and 

physical fibre of the American family. Patron 

courtesy and attention will rank high 

in the operation of the Lyric Theatre from 

this day forward." 

Next, he acted upon it: sponsored parties 

Jim Barnes, manager of the Lyric in Huntington 

Park, Calif., plays host to little Leonard Beller 

and his mother in a visit to the Disney studios. 

The youngster won a coloring contest Barnes 

staged for "Song of the South." 

for the kiddies; supplied passes for newspaper 

carrier boys; cooperated with the 

Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Blue Birds and 

Campfire Girls; planned with the local PTA, 

and arranged free shows for the handicapped 

children. 

These groups, of course, came through 

with good publicity and word-of-mouth for 

'Song of the South," as they do for many 

other films at the Lyric. 

And, typical of the entire operation at 

the LjTic, is the following excerpt from a 

herald announcing one of the free kiddy 

shows: "When you go to the Lyric, say a 

big hellow to Mr. Barnes." 

"Alexander the Great" has been awarded 

Picture of the Month honors by Seventeen 

in the April issue. The UA release will 

benefit from intensive school promotion 

sponsored by the magazine. 

of the Rialto in Bushnell, lU. 

Dillenbeck sold 20 merchants at $12 each, 

using this money to purchase a 1947 fourdor 

de luxe Plymouth and to pay for advertising 

and other expenses. He had Filmack 

make up a special announcing "Jalopy 

Nite," and gave each contributing merchant 

a plug on that, too. 

Each merchant gave out a coupon on the 

jalopy with each $1 purchase, and the Rialto 

did the same. A few days prior to the 

drawing, Dillenbeck relaxed the rules at the 

theatre and gave coupons with all admission 

purchases. 

At each participating shop, 9x12 window 

and counter cards publicized the event. 

Said Dillenbeck: "All the local merchants Arthur Morton, managing director of the Paramount in Boston, took advantage of the off-seasonal 

liked the promotion, and want to do it 

blizzard this month to gorner some free newspoper spocc, good word-of-mouth and excellent goodwill 

again." 

Morton hired a horse-drawn sleigh to provide free transportation to the theatre for some youthfui 

Co-op advertising was used in the local patrons when he played "Invasion of the Body Snatchcrs." The Daily Record and Daily American 

paper. 

ran this photo in their news sections. 

BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : : April 28, 1956 117 —

BOXOFFICE BAROMETER 

This chart records the performance of current ottractions in the opening week of their first runs in 

the 20 key cities checked. Pictures with fewer then five engagements are not listed. As new runs 

are reported, ratings are added and averages revised. Computation is in terms of percentage In 

relation to normal grosses as determined by the theatre monogers. With 100 per cent as "normal," 

the figures show the gross rating above or below that mark. 

i Anything Goes (Para)

: 

Shack 

.CD. 

I 

Trial 

. 

. 

BOXOFFICE 

Symbol U denotes BOX- 

time IS in porcnthcsos. c is for CincmaScopc; V VistoVision; S Supci 

OFFICE Blue Ribbon Award Winner; photography. Letters and c; color combi 

story type: iC) Comedy; (Dl Droma; (Adl Adventure-Droma; (CDl Comedy-Drama; (i 

(Complete key on next page.) For review dates ond Picture Guide page num 

BOOKINCUIDE 

Feature chart 

ALLIED 

ARTISTS 

COLUMBIA 

M-G-M 

PARAMOUNT 

RKO RADIO 

,r^^ 

I Phenix City Story, The 

(100) 

llloliar.l Klloy. Kathrjn 

OMan From L.aramie, The 

(104) (6 W..8 

James Stewart. 

Cathy O'Doiintll 

©Bring Your Smile Along 

(83) M..8 

Frankle Lalne. Keefe 

©King's 

1 Thief, The 

(79) © 0..532 

Ann Blyth, Edmund Purdom. 

David Nlven 

j ©Scarlet Coat (110) (B..0..533 

Cornel Wilde. Mldiael Wilding, 

Anne Francis 

©we're No Angels 

(103) iV) CD. 5414 

Humphrey Bogait, Joan Bennett, 

Aldu Ray 

©You're Never Too Young 

(102) ® C.,5415 

Martin ft Lowb, Ulona Lynn 

,)ll Benuaii (78) l«j Ail.. 516 

lllcbard Ointe, Richard Carlson. 

Victor McUitlrn 

|iT] ©Warriors. The (85) ©.D..5523 

Enol Klyiiti. Joanne Uru. 

Peter I'Mnch 

©Footsteps in the Fog (90).D. .802 

Kti'wnrl Grani;er, Jean Simmons 

Night Holds Terror (86) D..807 

Jack Kelly. HUdy Parks 

Special Delivery (86) C. .806 

© Gun That Won the West 

(71) W..S09 

Dennis Morgan, Paula llaymond 

Apache Ambush (67) W. .804 

Bill Wllllam,s. Hlchard Jaeokel 

©It's 

I 

Always Fair Wtather 

(102) © M..601 

Gene Kelly. Dan Dallcy. 

Cyd Cbarkse 

The (85) tyi.M 550' 

9; Return of Jack Slade, The 

(79) ® W..5528 

John Ericson. Marl Blandiard 

1:^ Bobby Ware Is Missing 

(66) D..5532 

Neville Brand, Jean Wllles 

!Ji ©Paris Follies of 1956 

(73) M..5534 

Forrest Tucker, Whiting Sisters 

^©My Sister 

© 

Eileen 

(102) MC 810 

Janet Leigh, B. Garrett 

J. Lemraoii, 

©Count Three and Pray 

(102) © 0D..8U 

Van llefUn, Joanne Woodward 

Devil Goddess (70) Ad.. 805 

Johnny Weissmuller. Angela Stevens 

Duel on the Mississippi (72). 0. .808 

Lex Barker, Patricia Medina 

.819 

Tliree Stripes in the Sun 

(93) CD .820 

.^Jdo liay, Mllsuko Klraura, 

Phil Carey 

(109) 0..604 ©Ulysses (104) D..5503 

Glenn Ford. Dorothy .Mcdulre. 

Arthur Kennedy 

©Quentin 

1 

Durward 

(101) © Ad. 607 

Robert Taylor. Kay Kendall. 

Robert Morley 

[S Teiider Trap, The 

Desperate Hours, The 

(111) © C. 

(112)

1 

Divided 

.W. 

. D 

. . Ad 

. D. 

. . . M 

. 

FEATURE 

CHART 

The Key to letters and eombinatlona thereof Indicating story type: (Ad) 

Drama; (An) Animoted-Aetion; (C) Comedy; (CD) Comedy-Drams; (Cr) Crime-Drama; (DM) Diamo 

with Music; (Doc) Documentary; (D) Drama; (F) Fontosy; (FC) Force-Comedy; (Ho) Horror-Drama; (HI) 

Historical-Drama; (M) Musical; (My) Mystery; (OD) Outdoor-Drama; (SF) Science-Fiction; (W) Western. 

REPUBLIC 

20TH-FOX 

I2i 

UNITED ARTISTS 

UNIVERSAL-INT L 

B li 

WARNER BROS. 

©Love Is a Many-Splen-ne, Natalie Wood, 

Jeffrey Hunter, Vera MUes 

©Thunder Over Arizona (N) W..May 

Skip Horaeler, Krlstine MLler 

©Dakota Incident OD.. 

Unda Darnell. Dale Robertson 

©Lisbon (N) D.. 

Ray Mllland, Maureen O'Hara 

©AcapuIco Story 

Ralph Meeker, Janice Rule 

©Adventures of Daniel Boone.. Ad.. 

Bruce Bennett, Lon (Zhaney 

While Nightmare D.. 

Joan Evans, Ben Cooper 

Hlniiy Dinky Parley Vous C. 

Mickey Rooney. Waily Cox 

Murder on Parole D. 

Dane Clark, May Wyim 

©Sixth of June, The © D..Jun ©Kiss Before Dying. A ©..D.Jun ©Star in the Dust W. .Jun 

Robert Taylor, Dana Wynter 

Robert Wagner. Jeffrey Hunter John Agar. Mamie Van Doren 

©Massacre W. . 

Nightmare 

D..Jun Outside the Law Cr. .Jun 

Dane Clark. Martha Uyer 

E. 0. Robinson, Kevin McCarthy Ray Danton. Leigh Snowden 

©Abdullah the Great CO.. ©Star of India Ad . . Jun ©Rawhide Years, The W. .Jul 

Gregory Ratoft. Kay Kendall 

Cornel Wilde. Jean Wallace 

Tony (Jirtls, Colleen Miller 

©King and I, The ©55. . . DM . .Jul Johnny Conchol W. . Jul ©Congo Crossing Ad . .Jul 

Deborah Kerr, Yul Brynner 

Frank Sinatra. Phyllis Kirk 

George Nader. Virginia Mayo 

©Bus Stop © D. Aug ©Trapeze © D..A ©Toy Tiger CD. .Jul 

Marilyn Monroe, Don Murray 

Burt Uncister, G. Lollobriglda Jeff Chandler. Tim Hovey 

©Ust Wagon, The © W. .Aug Fragile Fox D. .S ©Away All Boats ® D..Aug 

Richard Widmark. Joan Collljis 

Jack Palance. Eddie Albert 

Jeff Chandler. Julie Adams 

©Day the Century Ended ©. .D. .Sep Beast of Hollow Mt. © Ad Francis in the Haunted House. C. Aug 

Robert Wagner. Cameron MltchelJ (3uy Madison. Patricia Medina 

Mickey Rooney. Virginia Welles 

©Best Things in Life Are 

©Ambassador's Daughter ©..CD ©Proud Land © W 

. 

Sep 

Free © M. Sep 0. de Havilland. J. Forsythe 

Audie Murphy. .Anne Bancroft 

Gordon MaeRae. Ernest Borgnlne. Emergency Hospital D ©Written on the Wind D 

Sheree North. Dan Dalley 

.Margaret Lindsay, Walter Reed Rock Hudson. L. BacaU. R Stack 

©Animal World Doc.. Jun 

As Long as You're Near Me. D. .Jun 

0. W. Fischer, Maria Schell 

©Santiago Ad i .Jun 

Alan Ladd, Rossana PodesU 

©Moby Dick © 

00. .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. 

Randolph Scott. Gall Russell 

©Giant 

D.. 

Elizabeth Taylor. Rock Hudson 

©Spirit of St. Louis © D.. 

James Stewart, Rena (Jlark 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuido :: AprU 28, 1956

I Am 

. . . D. 

Dec 

Nov 

. Feb 

Ooc 

. Feb 

May 

. 

Dec 

. 

Feb 

FEATURE CHART 

^HORTS CHART 

INDEPENDENT 

AMERICAN RELEASING 

piApache Woman (83) W. .Sep 55 

Uojd Bridges. Joan Taylor 

Beast With a Million Eyes (78) . SF. .Oct 55 

1-aul mrch. Lorna Thayer 

Operation Malaya (65) Doc Oct 55 

Special cast 

Day the World Ended SF. 55 

(80) is^. 

Idch.ird DeriTilng. Lorl Nel.sun 

Phantom From 10.000 Leajues 

(80) SF..Dec55 

Kent Taylor, (ithy Downs 

ARLAN 

Livino North. The (74) Ooc . 

KUmed In Lapland: n.itlve cast 

MAKELIM 

Peacemaker, The (..) W..Feb56 

J.imes .Mitchell, Koseraarle Howe 

ASSOCIATED FILM 

Ust of the Desperados (71) W..DecSS TRANS-LUX 

J.imes Crale, MargIa Dean 

Lovers and Lollipops 

Two-Gun 

(85) CD. Apr 56 

Lady (76) W.. Dec 55 

l...ii March. Gerald l)'l.i)ilghlbl 

I'eegle Castle. William Talman 

Wild DaVolas (73) W.. Feb 56 

Bill Williams. Ctolecn Gray. Jim Dails VAN WOLF-API 

Blonde Bait (71) D.. Apr 56 Dementia (55) 0.. 

Beverly Michaels, Jim Davis 

Adrienne Barrett. Bruno Ve Sola 

Three Outlaws, The (..) W..Hay56 ©Picasso (50) Ooc. 

Neville Brand, Bruce Bennett 

Ingrid Bergman. CJeorge S:inders 

GIBRALTAR 

©Fury in Paradise (77) D.. 

Peter Thompson, Res Iturbide 

Silent Fear (66) D.. 

Andrea King, Peter Adams 

HOFFBERG 

Vengeance of the Black Eagle, 

The (. .) Ad.. 

Rossiino Brazzl. Glanna Maria Caiaie 

(Filmed In Mexico; English dialog) 

HOWCO 

Lum and Abner Abroad (72) C. Feb 56 

Lura and Abner. JLl Alls 

©M'naga (. .) Ad. .May 56 

Sabu 

IFE 

Lease of Life (93) D Jan 56 

. . 

Robert Donat, Kay Walsh 

(English dialog) 

©Lost Continent (95) © Doc .Feb 56 

Travelog of Indonesian Islands 

(English narration) 

LIPPERT 

Lonesome Trail. The (73) W. .Jul 55 

Waj-ne Morris, John Agar 

OSimba-Terror of the Mau Mau 

(99) 0.. Sep 55 

Ulrk lluit.irJe. Virginia McKenna 

LOUIS daROCHEMONT 

Great Adventure, The (72) . . . . Ooc. Sep 55 

Am, Siiei.s(li.r(f, Anders iNurbiirg 

Helen Keller in Her Story (formerly 

The Unconquered") (55) . .Apr 56 

Nan, lied by Katticriiie Cornell 

MAGNA 

Oklahoma! (150) T-AO DM. Oct 55 

Gordon Maeliae. Shirley Jones 

A lour of the artist's work 

ASTOR 

VISUAL DRAMA 

Fear (..) D.. 

Sins of Pompeii (73) D.. 

Ingrld Bergman, Mathlas Wleman 

GiMrues Marchal. Mlchellne I'resle 

BANNER 

OWetbacks (86) AC. 

WOOLNER BROS. 

Lluyd Bridges, Nancy Gates 

Swamp Women (75) D.. Apr 56 

Beverly Garland, Marie Whidsor, C. Mathews 

BUENA VISTA 

UOAfrican Lion, The (73) Doc. Oct 55 

©Littlest Outlaw, The (75) D . . Feb 56 

Pedro Armendarlz. Andres Velasques REISSUES 

(DGreat Locomotive Chase © D..Jun56 

fess Parker. Jeff Hunter 

SOavy Crockett and the River 

BUENA VISTA 

Pirates (..) Ad.. Jul 56 

©Fantasia 

Fess Parker. Buddy Ebsen 

(81) M . 56 

(Superscopc added, with 4-track sound and 

CONTINENTAL 

stereophonic sound.) 

©Song of the South (95) M . . Feb 56 

Hill 24 Doesn't Answer (100) . 55 

. Ruth Warrick, Bobby Driscoll, Luana Patten 

.Mich.itl Wager. Haya Uararit 

(English dialog) 

COLUMBIA 

CARROLL 

Walk a Crooked Mile (91) D.. Dec 55 

Princess Cinderella (72) F.. 

Louis Hayward. Dennis O'Keefe 

Silvana Jachlno, Roberto VUla 

(Dubbed In English) 

HOWCO 

©Outlaw Women (80) W. Apr 56 

DCA 

.Marie Hlndsor, lUchard itober. J. Coogan 

a Camera (95) C. Aug 55 (States Plights) 

Julie Harris, Laurence Harvey 

Wages of Fear (106) D. .Feb 56 MGM 

Yves Montand. Charles Vanel 

Green Dolphin Street (141) D.. Oct 55 

Please Murder Me (76) D.. Mar 56 Lana Ttiruer, Van llcflin. Donna Reed 

Angela Lansbury, Raymond Burr 

Philadelphia Story (112) CD.. Oct 55 

Jedda the Uncivilized ( . . ) D . . Mar 56 Gary Grant, Katharhie Hepburn 

Naria Kunoth. Robert Tuda Wall 

Guy Named Joe, A (120) D . . Nov 55 

Frisky (98) CD.. Apr 56 Spencer Tracy, Irene Dunne, Van Johnson 

Glna Lollobrigida, Vlttorio De Sica 

30 Seconds Over Tokyo (138) . . . .D. . Nov 55 

Woman of Rome, The ( . . ) D . . May 56 

Spencer Tracy, Van Johnson, P. Thaxtcr 

Gina Lollobrigida. Daniel Gelln 

©Billy the Kid (95) W.. Dec 55 

Robert Taylor, Brian Donlevy 

EDEN 

Honky Tonk (105) D . 55 

One Way Ticket to Hell (65) D. Feb 56 

Clark (table, Lana Turner, C. Trevor 

Non-professional cast 

Stratton Story, The (106) D 

. 56 

EMBASSY 

James Stewart. June .\llyson 

©Three Musketeers (126)) 0.. Feb 56 

Wiretapper (SO) D . 56 

Lana Turner, Gene Kelly, Van Heflln 

BUI William.-i, Georgia Lee 

©Northwest Passage (126) D.. Mar 56 

FILMAKERS 

Spencer Tracy, Robert Young, Itiith Hussey 

©Yearling, The (128) D . 

. 

Mar 56 

Mad at the World (72) D. .Jul 55 

G. Peck, J. Wyman, Claude Jarman jr. 

Frank Lovejoy, (^thy O'Donnell 

FINE ARTS 

PARAMOUNT 

Strangers (80) D.. ©Shepherd of the Hills (98) . . . .D. Oct 55 

John Wayne, Betty Field. H.irry Carey 

©Trail of the Lonesome Pine (99). 0. Oct 55 

Henry Fonda, Fred MacMurray 

©Unconquered (146) D . Oct . 

55 

Gary Cooper, Paulette Goddard 

©White Christmas (120) M . 

. 

Oct 55 

Bing Crosby. Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clmmey 

©Streets of Laredo (92) W. . 

May 56 

William Holden. Macdonald Carey 

Two Years Before the Mast (98) . . D . . 

May 56 

Alan Ladd. Brian Donlevy, William Bendli 

©Whispering Smith (89) W. 56 

. 

Aliin Ladd, Robert Preston, B. Marshall 

RKO 

One Minute to Zero (105) D.. Mar 56 

Robert Jlitchuro. .\nn BIylh 

Bio Sky, The (112) 00. Apr 56 

Kirk Douglas, Dewey Martin, B. Threatt 

©Flying Leathernecks (102) D . 

. 

May 56 

John Wayne, Robert Byan, Janls Carter 

Lusty Men (113) D.. May 56 

Susan Hayward. Robert Mltchura 

UNIVERSAL-INT'L 

©Tap Roots (109) D.. May 56 

Heflln. Siis.in Van Ward Bond 

Haward, 

Raiders (80) ©Kansas W.. May 56 

Audle Murphy, Tony Curtis. B. Donlevy 

U it 1

Nov 

Dec 

Dec 

. . Feb 

. Oct 

I 

Mar 

. . . Mar 

. Aug 

Feb 

SHORTS 

CHART 

Short subiects, listed by company, in order of release. Running time follows title. First b 

month, second the dote of review in BOXOFFICE. Symbol between dotes is roting from BOXOFFICE 

review. ++ Very Good. + Good. ± Foir. — Poor. = Very Poor. Photography: Color and process as specified. 

P14-6 Poop Goes the Weasel 

(6) Jul 55 ± 10-22 

(1955-56) 

P15-1 Rabbit Punch (6) Sep 55 -f 12- 3 

P15-2 Little Audrey Riding Hood 

(6) Oct 55 + 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 + S-20 

POPEYE CARTOONS 

E14-7Gift of Gap (6).... May 55 +8-6 

E14-8Car-azy Drivers (6) . Jul 55 + 10-22 

• 

. 

(1955-56) 

E15-1 Mister & Mistletoe (6) Sep 55 12- 3 

E15-2C0PS Is Tops (ei/'z) Nov 55 1-21 

E15-3 A Job for a Gob (6) Dec 55 + 1-21 

E15-4 Hilibilling & Cooing 

(6) Jan 56 + 1-21 

TOPPERS 

IVI15-1 Three Kisses (10)... Oct 55 12- 3 

M15-2 Reunion in Paris (10) Nov 55 + 1-28 

M15-3 Animals a la Carte 

(10) Jan 56 d: 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 H 12-10 

V14-4 VVVisits Hawaii (17) Jul 55 + 12-31 

V14-5VVVisits 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). Sep 55 

63.602 Put Some Money in the Pot 

(17) Nov 55 

DISNEY 

CARTOONS 

(Technicolor) 

54.112 Flying Gauchito (8), Jul 55+ 8-27 

54.114 Beezy Bear (7) Sep 55 + 10-22 

(Technicolor 

Reissues) 

54.10?Pedro (8) May 55 6-11 

54.110 El Gaucho Goofy (S) Jun 55 + S-27 

54.111 Aquarela do Brasll 

(8) Jun 55 + 8-20 

54.113 Bearly Asleep (7) Aug 55 H 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). Nov 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 

93.402 Bar Buckaroos (16) . 55 

SCREENLINERS 

54.210 Staff of Life (8) . , May 55 8-27 

54.211 Rest Assured (8) . . .Jun 55 + g-27 

54.212 Safety Is Jheir Business 

(8) Jul 55 9-17 

54.213 Film Fun (9) Aug 55 + 8-6 

(1955-56) 

54.201 Gold aO'/i) Sep 55 + 11-26 

64.202 Black Cats and Broomsticks 

(8) Oct 55 + 12-10 

64.203 Make Mine Memories 

(8) Nov 55 

64.204 Teenagers on Trial 

(8) Dec 55 + ]-14 

64.205 Her Honor, the Nurse 

(8) Jan 56 

64.206 Fortune Seekers (8) Feb 56 + 3-24 

SPECIALS 

53,107 Operation Icecap 

+ (19) May 55 6-11 

(1955-56) 

63.101 The Future Is Now 

(15) Sep 55 

63.102 Golden Glamour (15). Oct 55 + 12-10 

63.103 Sentinels in the Air 

(15) Feb 56- 

SPORTSCOPES 

54.310 Everolades Posse (8) . 

May 55 8-6 

54.311 Downhill Yachts (8). Jun 55 + 8-20 

54.312 Bowling Boom (8).. Jul 55+ 8-20 

54.313 Tanbark and Turf (8)'. Jul 55+9-3 

(1955-56) 

64.301 Game Warden (81 .Sep 55 10-22 

64.302 Gym College (8) .Sep 55 + 11-26 

54.303 Bonefish and Barracuda 

(8) Oct 55 12-10 

Canadian Nov 55 1-14 

64.304 Carnival (8) 

54.305 Headpin Hits (8) . Dec 55 + 1-14 

64.306 Island Windjammers 

+ (8) Jan 56 3-24 

SPORTS SPEGIALS 

63,901 Football Headliners 

+ (151/j) Dec 55 1-14 

THEATRE OF LIFE 

53,301 Devil Take Us (21) . .Jun 55 ++ 6-4 

WILDLIFE 

ALBUM 

(Technicolor) 

53,001 The Whitetail Buck 

(271/2) Oct 55 + 11-12 

20tli CENTURY-FOX 

CINEMASCOPE SPECIALS 

(Color) 

7512-7 Children of the Sun 

+ (7) May 55 8-27 

7514-3 Sorcerer's Apprentice 

(13) May 55 + 8-6 

7507-7 Tears of the Moon 

(10) Jun 55 8-27 

++ 

7506-9 Land of the Nile (9) Jun 55 (+ 7-23 

7517-6 Volcanic Violence (9) Jun 55 H 8-20 

7516-8 Winter Jamboree (10) Jul 55 + 8-6 

7515-0 Naughty Mermaids 

(7) Aug 55 

7519-2 Survival City (10) Aug 55 + 8-20 

7518-4 That Others May Live 

(10) Sep 55 

Gods 7520-0 of the Road 

(10) Sep 55 

.Sep 55 + 1-7 

7521-8 Desert Fantasy (8) 

7513-5 Clear the Bridge (10) Oct 55 

7522-5 Water Wizardy (7).. Oct 55 

7523-4 Carioca Carnival (9) Nov 55 

7525-9 Queen's Guard (17). Dec 55 

(1S55-56) 

7501-8 Lady of the Golden Door 

(9) Jan 56 

A Thoroughbred Born 

7502-6 Is 

(9) Jan 56 + 4-21 

7503-0 Adventure In Capri 

(9) Feb 56 + 4-21 

MEL ALLEN SPORTS 

3501-4 Topsy Turvy Thrills 

+ (8) Jun 55 8-27 

SEE IT 

HAPPEN 

5501-1 Man vs. Nature (9) Jun 55 + 8-27 

TERRYTOONS 

5501-3 Phony News Flashes 

(7) Jul 55 +1-7 

5511-1 Foxed by a Fox (7) Aug 55 + 1-14 

5512-9 Last Mouse of Hamlin, 

(7) Sep 55 

(1955-56) 

5601-0 The Clockmaker's Dog 

(7) Jan 56 + 4-21 

TERRYTOON-CINEMASCOPES 

(Techtiicolor) 

5531-9 Willie the Walrus in An Igloo 

for Two (7) May 55 8-20 

5532-7 Good Deed Daly (7) Jul 55 + 12- 3 

5533-5 Bird Symphony (7) Aug 55 ff 12- 3 

5534-3 Little Red Hen (7). Sep 55+ 1-7 

(1955-56) 

5631-7 Park Avenue Pussycat 

(7) Jan 56 

UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL 

CINEMASCOPE FEATURETTE 

(Technicolor) 

2500 The Nat "King" Cole 

Musical Story (18) ++ 12-10 

COLOR 

PARADE 

1385 King Salmon (9) Jul 55 8-27 

1385SwinoHi-$wing Lo (9) Aug 55 8-27 

1384 The Big Test (10) . . . , Jun 55 + 10- 8 

1387 Dream Island (9) . . , ,Sep 55 ± 11-19 

1388 Against the Stream (9) Oct 55 + 1-28 

(1955-56) 

2671 Pacific Sports (8) .... Nov 55 

2572 Fighters of the Lakes 

(9) Jan 56 

2573 Blue Coast (9) Feb 56 H 1-28 

MUSICAL FEATURETTES 

1309 Roundup of Rhythm 

+ (15) Jul 55 8-27 

1310 Eddy Howard and 

His Orchestra (14).. Aug 55 + 8-27 

1311 The Ink Spots (15).. Sep 55 + U-19 

1312 The Sauter-Finegan 

Orchestra (18) Oct 55 + 11-19 

(1955-56) 

2601 Mamho Madness (15) Nov 55 + 11-12 

2602 Ralph Marterie & His 

Orchestra (15) Nov 55 + 11-26 

Melodies by Martin 

2552 

(16) Dec 55 + 1-28 

2653 Lionel Hampton & Herb 

Jeffries (15) Jan 56 + 2-18 

VARIETY 

VIEWS 

1345 Brooklyn Goes to 

Cleveland (10) Jul 55 10- 8 

1346 Monkey Shines (9) .. Aug 55 + 11-26 

1347 Brooklyn Goes to Las Vegas 

(?) Sep 55 3-31 

Small 55 + 3-31 

1348 Wonders (9) 

WALTER LANTZ CARTUNES 

(Technicolor) 

1329 Paw's Night Out (7) Aug 55 10-22 

1330 Flea for Two (6).... Aug 55 + 8-27 

1331 Square Shootin' Square 

(6) Sep 55 + 8-27 

1332 Hot and Cold Penguin 

(7) Oct. 55 12-10 

1333 Bunco Busters (7) Nov 55 + 1-7 

(1955-56) 

2511 TTie Tree Medic (6).. Oct 55 11-12 

2612 Pigeon Holed (6) Jan 56 3-3 

2613 After the Ball (6) 56 + 3-3 

2614 Get Lost (6) Mar 56 

WALTER LANTZ REISSUES 

1354 Kiddie Konccrt (7).. May 55 

1355 Pixie Picnic (7) Jun 55 

1355 Wacky Bye Baby (7) Jul 55 

WARNER BROS. 

BLUE RIBBON HIT PARADE 

(Technicolor 

Reissues) 

3301 Doggone Cats (7) Sep 55 

3302 Rattled Rooster (7).. Oct 55 

3303 Fair and Wormer (7) Nov 55 

3304 Monscmerizcd Cat (7) Nov 55 

3305 Foghorn Leghorn (7). Dec 55 

3305 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 

(1955-55) 

3723 Knight-Mare Hare (7) Oct 55 

3724 Roman Legion-Hare 

(7) Nov 55 1-28 

3725 Bugs Bonnets (7) Jan 56 + 3-31 

3726 Broomstick Bunny Feb 56+ 4-21 

(7). 

3727 Rabbitson Crusoe (7) .. Apr 56 

3102 It 

(1 

3103 Dog 

2010 1 

2011 Adventures of Alexander 

Selkirk (17) Jun 55 +8-6 

2012 Uranium Fever (..).. Jul 55 

(1955-56) 

3001 Mo.ieland Magic (19), Oct 55 

3002 Golden Tomorrow (17) . Nov 55 +1-7 

3003 Behind the Big Top 

(IS) Dec 55 

3004 They Seek Adventure 

(19) Jan 56 + 

3005 Out of the Desert (19) . 56 ++ 

3005 Copters & Cows (17) . 56 H 

JOE McDOAKES COMEDIES 

3401 So You Want to be a Vice- 

President (10).,,. Oct 55 + 12-: 

3402 So 

Policeman (10) Dec 55 + 1-; 

3403 So You Think the Grass 

Is Greener (10) Jan 56 + 3-: 

to 3404 So You Want he 

Pretty Mar 56 + 4-) 

MELODY MASTER BANDS 

(Reissues) 

3801 Jan Savitt & Band 

(10) Sep 55 

3802 Artie Shaw & Orch, 

(10) Oct 55 

3803 Ozzie Nelson & Orch. 

(10) Dec 55 

3804 Carl Hoff & Band (10). Feb 56 

3805Borrah Minevitch (10). Apr 56 

MERRIE MELODIES—LOON EY TUNES 

(Technicolor) 

Sep 1-: 

3701 Dime to Retire (9).. 55++ 

3702 Speedy Gonzales (7).. Sep 55+ 1- 

3703 Two Scents Worth (7) Oct 55 + 1-: 

3704 Red Riding Hoodwinked 

(7) Oct 55 

Heir Nov 55 + 3- 

3705 Guided Muscle (7) Dec 55 

3707 Pappy's Puppy (7) Dec 55 + 2-; 

3708 One Froggy Evening 

(7) Jan 56 

Too 3709 Hop to Hanitle 

(7) Jan 56 

3710 Weasel Stop (7) Feb 56 ± 3-. 

3711 High & the Flighty Feb 56 

(7). 

3712 Rocket Squad (7) 55 ++ 4-1 

Mar 55 

3713 Tweet & Sour (7) 

3714 Heaven Scent (7) Mar 56 

3715 Mixed Master (7) Apr 56 

3716 Gee Whiz-z-z-z (7) ... May 56 

SPORTS 

PARADE 

2507 Riviera Revelries (10) May 55 + 7-: 

250S Rocky Mountain Big Game 

(10) Apr 55 

2509 Italian Holiday (10) Jul 55 

2510 Aqua Queens (10) 55 + ll-I 

(1955-56) 

3501 Picturesque Portugal (9) ± 1- 

3502 Fish Are Where You 

Find Them (10) Jan 56 

WARNER VARIETIES 

3501 An Adventure to Remember 

3603 Faster and Faster (9) Dec 55 

3604 Neckin' Parly (9)..,. Mar 56 

3605 I Never Forget a Face 

WARNERCOLOR SCOPE GEMS 

(Two Reel) 

3211 Journey to the Sea 

(18) Sep 55 ++3-3 

(One 

Reel) 

3220 Heart of an Empire 

(9) Sep 55 + 2-18 

3222 Ski Valley (9) Sep 55 + 2-25 

3221 Springtime in Holland 

(9) Dec 55 

INDEPENDENT 

Britain's Choice (14) (House of 

(Commons) British Information 

Service + 9-3 

Highland Journey (24) (Technicolor) 

British Information Service. , + 9-3 

Baby Long Legs (16) (World of Life 

Series) Noel Meadow + 9-3 

Arabesques (9) (UltraScope) 

Transatlantic + 9-3 

Fiesta in Seville (9) (UltraScope) 

Transatlantic + 9-3 

Queen's 

Report on Love 

(15) Edward Kingsley 

Goya (20) Edward Harrison 

++ 12- 3 ^ 

+ 12-10 

Grey Ghosts (21) 

British Information Service rt 1-14 

The Heart of England (20) Technicolor 

British Information Service. + 1-21 

The Rocket (17) British Information 

Service + 1-21 

Pantomimes (13) Go Pictures,... ++ 1-21 

On the 12th Day (20) (Color) 

George K. Arthur ++3-3 

The Face of Lincoln (16) Cavalcade. ++ 4-21 

10 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide : 

: April 28, 1956

• 

A 

. Hit 

I 

ALLIED ARTISTS 

Bowerj- Boys Meet the Monsters, 

The AA'— L

EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY 

(Continued from preceding page) 

anything better than this?" 'Nuff 

said. Played Tues. Weather: 

Fair.—Michael Chiaventone, Valley 

Theatre, Spring Valley, 111. 

Pop. 5,123. 

20th CENTURY-FOX 

Man CaUed Peter, A (20th-Fox) 

Richard Todd, Jean Peters, Marjorie 

Rambeau. Here I was all 

set to clean up, and instead I 

was taken to the cleaners. And 

the walkouts! It seemed they 

went in one door, walked across 

the foyer and out the other door. 

Personally, I thought it was 

great. I should, since I paid so 

much out of my own pocket to 

get to see it. Played Sun., Mon. 

Weather: Cold.—Frank R. Mc- 

Lean, Roxy Theatre, Coulterville, 

111. Pop. 1,160. 

Rains of Ranchipur, The (20th- 

Fox) — Lana Turner, Richard 

Burton, Fred MacMurray. This 

is an excellent picture with some 

wonderful shots of the flood and 

earthquakes. It should have done 

above average business, but it 

failed to do more than just average, 

and the average this year 

is darn poor. Played Tues.-Thurs. 

Weather: Cool.—W. L. Stratton, 

Lyric Theatre, Challis, Ida. Pop. 

728. 

TaU Men, The (20th-Pox) — 

Clark Gable, Jane Russell, Robert 

Ryan. Beautiful scenery that 

got out of focus a couple of times 

in Cinemascope, but as far as 

boxoffice was concerned it was 

just another western, and the 

crowd gets filled up on them on 

TV. That, the film companies are 

to blame for. Played Sun., Mon., 

Tues, Weather: Good, but shower 

last day.—M. W. Long. Lans Theatre, 

Lansing, Iowa. Pop. 1,536. 

Violent Saturday (20th-Fox)— 

Victor Mature, Richard Egan, 

Virginia Leith. Played with "Life 

in the Balance" (20th-Fox). Gave 

orchids Friday and did about 50 

per cent extra business, so broke 

even on the orchids in very ideal 

weather. Then snow struck for 

Saturday, cutting our average by 

half or more. Anyway, Easter expenses 

are hurting them. Played 

Fri., Sat. Weather: Warm on 

Friday, snow Saturday.—Arden 

A. Richards, Craigsville Year- 

Round Drive-In, Craigsville, W. 

Va. Farm, timber and coal patronage. 

UNITED ARTISTS 

Big House, U. S. A. (UA) — 

Broderick Crawford, Ralph 

Meeker, Reed Hadley. A routine 

prison picture which again tells 

of prison life, the inmate's desire 

to escape, his attempts, his success 

and his recaptm-e. Business 

poor. Played Tues. Weather: 

Cold.—Michael Chiaventone, Valley 

Theatre, Spring Valley, 111. 

Pop. 5,123. 

Kentuckian, The (UA)—Burt 

Lancaster, Dianne Foster, Diana 

Lynn. A picture doesn't have to 

be super to be entertaining, and 

that is what this picture has in 

large doses — entertainment! 

Played Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather: 

Six Inches of .snow.—M. W. 

Long, Lans Theatre, Lansing. 

Iowa. Pop. 1,536. 

Not As a Stranger (UA)—Olivia 

DeHavilland, Robert Mitchum, 

Frank Sinatra. A picture that 

will hold the crowd attentive the 

full 134 minutes. It has truth, 

honesty, fascination and most 

anything in good entertainment 

that one will want. Will pay out. 

Why I didn't have bigger crowds 

is anybody's guess. Played Sun., 

Mon., Tues. Weather: Cloudy and 

cool.—Ray Kincade, Kesner Theatre, 

LeRoy, Kas. Pop. 695. 

UNIVERSAL-INTERNAT'L 

Creature From the Black Lagoon, 

The (U-D—Richard Carlson, 

Julie Adams, Richard Denning. 

Tills is probably the last 

theatre in the U. S. to play this 

old one. But it did big business 

with no extra selling. Monsters 

usually do pretty well here. The 

picture was well made, better 

than many of this type. Played 

Fri., Sat. Weather: Cold.—Frank 

R. McLean, Roxy Theatre, Coulterville, 

111, Pop. 1,160. 

Female on the Beach (U-D— 

Joan Crawford, Jeff Chandler, 

Jan Sterling. Lay off of this 

lemon. The pictui-e is poor and 

Crawford is a poor draw in my 

A washout at the boxoffice. 

situation. 

Two days' gross less than 

average Sunday. Played Sun., 

Mon. Weather: Good.—W. L. 

Stratton, Lyric Theatre, Challis, 

Ida. Pop. 728. 

Private War of Major Benson, 

The (U-D—Charlton Heston, 

Julie Adams, William Demarest. 

Swell little comedy for large or 

small town. The little boy, Tim 

Hovey, stole the complete show. 

Attendance was poor. My private 

war with TV is slowly forcing me 

toward desertion! Played Fri., 

Sat. Weather: Cool. — Ralph 

Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville. 

W. Va. Pop. 1,343. 

WARNER BROS. 

Ring of Fear (WB) — Clyde 

Beatty, Pat O'Brien, Mickey Spillane. 

I should have left it in 

Warner's vault. First they sent 

me a 2-D trailer narrated by Mickey 

Spillane. He should stick to 

writing books. The picture was 

real ham in thick slices. Clyde 

Beatty should use his profits on 

the picture to buy a moth killer 

for his lions. They are pretty 

frowsy looking. Does anyone 

know how to get money back 

from Warner Bros.? Played 

Fri., Sat. Weather: Pair.—Frank 

R. McLean, Roxy Theatre, 

Coulterville, 111. Pop. 1,160. 

Tall Man Riding (WB)—Randolph 

Scott, Dorothy Malone, 

Peggie Castle. Fair average 

Technicolor western. Doubled 

with "Project Moonbase," and 

almost broke even. Played Thurs., 

Sat. Weather: Hot.—Lew Bray 

jr.. Queen Theatre, McAlIen, Tex. 

Pop. 20,068. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

Canadian Pacific (SR)—Reissue. 

Randolph Scott, Jane Wyatt, 

J. Carrol Naish. Originally released 

by 20th-Fox. Another old 

Randy western that really pleased 

my action trade. Too bad his 

westerns of today aren't as good. 

Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Good. 

—Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, 

Rivesville, W. Va. Pop. 1,343. 

RKO 

SHORT SUBJECT 

REVIEWS 

Canadian Lancers 

(Sportscope) 8 Mins. 

Good. The children of Halifax, Nova Scotia, display their 

equestrian skills in intricate formation. The children are appealing, 

especially a tiny six-year-old, and the horses spirited in a 

background of pageantry. The riding group has modeled itself/ 

on India's Bengal Lancers. ^ 

The Golden Equator 

RKO (Special) 13 Mins. 

Good. Good black and white shots of life and industry in 

Ecuador, high up in the Andes Mountains in South America. 

The principal scenes deal with road building, the manufacture of 

Panama hats, churches which are virtually of solid gold and silver 

and the banana industry. 

Hooked Bear 

RKO (Disney Cartoon) 7 Mins. 

Good. This Cinemascope short in Technicolor presents 

Humphrey, the bear, and a forest ranger during fishing season. 

The bear isn't allowed to use fishing tackle, but is told to "fish 

Uke a bear." As it finally succeeds in stealing fish, the fishing 

season ends and the hunting season starts. Exit bear. 

The Merchandise Mart 

RKO (Screenliner) 8 Mins. 

Good. This traces the development of a tiny trading post in 

Chicago into the colossal market place of the city where buyers 

by the thousands do their wholesale shopping. The Mart, a building 

of tremendous size and modern appointments, is shown most 

interestingly. 

Striper Time 

RKO (Sportscope) 9 Mins. 

Good. A must for every fisherman. Boat and surf fishermen 

seek the striped bass from Cuttyhunk to Hatteras and from the 

mouth of 

catch them, 

the Columbia River to the Golden Gate, 

too—big ones. Every devotee of Walton will 

and 

thrill 

they 

to 

the bending rod and song of 

RKO 

the reel. 

We Never Sleep 

(Screenliner) 8 Mins. 

Good. An interesting history of the Pinkerton detective agency 

with glimpses at the capture of some criminals and the steps 

leading up to them. There are also glimpses into old Pinkerton 

files at photographs of the Dalton boys and the fabled Jesse 

James. The film explodes a popular conception of "private eyes." 

RKO 

Where Is Jane Doe? 

(Screenliner) 

8 Mins. 

Good. This will have popular appeal. It deals with a girl who 

has apparently committed suicide, but the Missing Persons 

Bureau of the police has reason to think otherwise. After tracing 

clues it is discovered she ran away from home to become a 

model. The ending is a happy one. 

Uranium Blues 

20th-Fox (Terrytoon) 7 Mins. 

Good. The old prospector for gold discards his faithful burro 

for a jeep when the uranium rush starts, and becomes isolated on 

a high peak and attacked by vultures. The little burro goes to 

his rescue and there is a happy and moving reunion. 

Warner Bros. 

Crashing the Water Barrier 

(Sports Parade) 

9 Mins. 

Good. Impressive shots of Donald Campbell, speedster, setting 

a world record for a motor boat on Lake Mead in Nevada. In 

a previous attempt, his friend, Don Cobb, was killed when his 

boat disintegrated. This film builds up suspense very well before 

the record of 216.2 miles an hour is set. 

Green Gold 

Warner Bros. (Sports Parade) 9 Mins. 

Very good. The South American country of Ecuador has been 

seen before on film, but probably never to such advantage as in -i 

this short. The selection of scenes showing the people, activities ^ 

and scenic backgrounds could hardly have been improved on, " 

and the color photography and narration are excellent. The title 

derives from the country's business of exporting bananas—green. 

The High and the Flighty 

Warner Bros. (Merry Melody) 7 Mins. 

Good. Daffy Duck as a salesman of practical jokes takes 

advantage of a feud involving Foghorn Leghorn, the rooster, and 

the barnyard dog, setting them against each other. In the end 

his double-dealing is discovered and he gets roughed up. 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide : 

: April 28, 1956

H Very Good; ^ Good; -- Fair; - Poor; = Very Poor. rolcd 2 plusci, OS 2 i 

BV 

An Interpretive onolyjis of loy and trodcpress revlewj. 

degree of merit. Listings cover current brought 

The plus end minui ilgni Indlcote 

reviews, up to dote regularly. This depart- 

feoturo releoses.' Syn^bol •' 

d'no.es 

S'«C«ee.rr«!""',,''J.°" iOXOFFICE ALPHABETICAL Blue R.bbon Aword Winner. 

Vision; Superseope. INDEX to Photogrophy: ^ Color; c CinemoScopo; v Vist" 

order o» rcleosc, see Feofure Chart. 

s For listings by compony, in the 

digest 

AND AlPHABETICAl INDEX 

I |b all il s»l|^ 

1821 OOAfrican Lion (73) Documentary. S-13-! 

ITSOOAIn't Misbthavin' (81) Musical. ... U- 5- 28- 55 + * ± 

+ 

* 

+ 

— 

++ 

± 

+f 

± 

9+1- 

ft+6- 

195S ©Alexander the Great (141) i,e Drama UA 4- 7-56 H ++ + +f + tt Ifrf 

1868 ©All That Heaven Allows (59) Drama. U-l 10-29-55 ++ +| ++ +t tt ± +12+1- 

1965 ©Animal World. The (82) Doc WB 4-21-56+ + 2+ 

1916 ©Anythino Goes (108) v Musical Para 1-21-56 ++ + ++10+ 

.. 

1824 Apache Ambush (67) Western Col 8-13-55 ± 

+ 

± ± 

+ 

-f 

ff 

— 

+ 

— — 4+6— 

1857 ©Aoache Woman (83) Western ARC 10-15-55 ± S: + ± 4+3- 

1875 ©Artists and Models (109) (V- Para 11-12-55 + + + ++ 9+1- 

+ fj- 

1891 ©At Gunpoint (90) ig Western AA 12-10-55 + + + H H + + 9+ 

1963 Autumn Leaves (108) Drama Col 4-21-56 ± + + + 4j.i_ 

1941 ©Backlash (84) Western U-l 

1931 Battle Stations (81) Drama Col 

1847 Benjazi (78) >?: Adventure RKO 

lS9S!ÔBenny Goodman Story (116) IVIus. U-l 

1927 Betrayed Women (70) Melodrama AA 

1808 Bij Bluff. The (70) Drama UA 

1845 Big Knife. The (111) Drama UA 

1956 0Birils and the Bees (95) iV. Com.. Para 

1958 Blacicjack Ketchum, Desperado 

(76) Western Col 

1847 ©Blood Alley (115) © Drama WB 

1876 Bobby Ware Is Missing (66) Drama. . .AA 

1953 Bold and the Brave (90) « Drama.. RKO 

1923 ©Bottom of the Bottle (88) © Dr..20-Fox 

1942 Brain Machine. The (72) Drama.... RKO 

1812 Break to Freedom (SS) Drama UA 

1799 ©Bring Your Smile Along (83) Mus...Col 

1930 Broken Star, The (82) Western UA 

3- 3-56 + 

2-18-56 ± 

9-24-55 ± 

12-17-55 ++ 

2-11-56 ± 

7-16-55 + 

9-24-SS + 

3-31-56 + 

4- 7-56 ± 

9-24-55 + 

11-12-55 ± 

3-24-56 + 

2- 4-56 + 

3- 3-56 It 

7-23-55 + 

7- 2-55 - 

2-11-56 + 

±L 

1936 OQCarousel (127) ©55 Dr./M. 2mh-Fox 

1827 Case of the Red Monkey (73) Drama.. UA 

1912 Cash on Delivery (82) Farce RKO 

1799 Chicago Syndicate (86) Crime Col 

1869 City of Shadows (70) Action Rep 

1787 ©Cobweb. The (124) © Drama.... MGM 

1934 ©Cockleshell Heroes (97) © Drama.. Col 

1945 ©Comanche (87) © Outdoor UA 

1925 ©Come Next Soring (92) Drama Rep 

1933 Come On, The (82) fi Drama AA 

1940 ©ConQueror, The (111) © Drama.. RKO 

1846 ©Count Three and Pray (102) © Dr.. .Col 

1925 ©Court Jester, The (101) (» Com... Para 

1849 Court Martial (105) Drama Kingsley 

lS90©Caurt-Martial of Billy Mitchell 

(100) © Drama WB 

1772 Crajhout (90) Crime Fllmakers 

1947 Creature Walks Amono Us, The 

(78) Science- Fiction U-l 

1792 Creature With the Atom Brain 

1882 Crooked Web, The (77) Melodrama. . .Col 

2-25-56 Vt 

8-22-55 ± 

1-28-56 + 

7- 2-55 + 

11- 5-55 — 

6-11-55 + 

2-18-56 ++ 

3-10-56 + 

2- 4-56 ++ 

2-18-56 ff 

3- 3-56 -H- 

9-24-55 + 

2- 4-56 ++ 

10- 1-55 + 

3-17-56 +- 

(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 Afl 4-14-56 + 

U-26-55 ±

. . Rep 

REVIEW DIGEST- 

Very Good; + Good; ++ is rated 2 pluses, — as 2 minuses. 

1777 ©Love Me or Leave Me 

(112) g) Musical 

1649 Lover Boy (85) Com. -Dr. (Reviewed 

as "Lovers. Happy Lovers") . .20th-Fox 

11-13-54 + 

1851 ©Lucy Gallant (104) (V- Drama .... Para 10- 1-55 ++ 

1943 Lum & Ahner Abroad (72) Comedy. Howco 3-10-56 ± 

—M 

1793 Mad at the World (71) Dr Filmakers 6-25-55 -I- 

1771 CDMaonificcut Matador 

(93) © Drama 20tli-Fox 5-21-55 -f 

1848 ©Man Alone. A (96) Western Rep 9-24-55 -f 

1933 ©Manfish (76) Adventure UA 2-18-56 + 

1957 ©Man in (he Gray Flannel Suit 

(153) © Drama 20th-Fox 4- 7-56 -H- 

179S©Man From Laramie (104) © Wn...Col 7- 2-55 H 

1895 Man With the Golden Arm 

(119) Drama UA 12-17-55 -Hthe 

1862 Man With Gun (S3) Western UA 10-22-55 + 

1812 ©Man Who Loved Redheads (86) Com..UA 7-23-55 + 

1928 ©Man Who Never Was 

(103) © Drama 20th-Fox 2-11-56 ++ 

1774 Master Plan, The (77) Drama Astor 5-21-55 it 

1823 t?©McConnell Story (109) © Drama. WB S-13-55 H 

1924 ©Meet Me in Las Vegas 

H 

(112) rci Musical MGM 2- 4-56 

1926Miracl> in the Rain (107) Drama.... WB 2- 4-56 ++ 

1770 ,'.;©Mister Roberts (123) © Com....WB 5-21-55 -H 

(79) Outdoor 1952 ©Mohawk 20th-Fox 3-24-56 + 

1767 ©Moonfleet (87) © Adventure MGM 5-14-55 + 

lS3S4;©My Sister Eileen (108) © Mus...Col 9-10-55 ff 

—N— 

(82) U-l 1S14 ©Naked Dawn. The Drama 9-24-55 = 

Sea. 1871 ©Naked The (69) Doc RKO 11- 5-55 + 

1826 Naked Street. The (84) Drama UA 8-20-55 + 

1929©Never Say Goodbye (96) Drama... U-l 2-11-56 + 

1827 Night Freight (79) Action 8-20-55 AA - 

1807 Night Holds Terror (86) Drama Col 7-16-55 -t+ 

1905 Night My Number Came Up. The 

(94) Drama Confl Dis. 12-31-55 + 

1815 Night of the Hunter (93) Drama.... UA 7-30-55 + 

1956 No Man's Woman (70) Melodrama. 3-31-56 ± 

1790 Not As a Stranger (135) Drama UA 6-18-55 H 

5-28-55 -H H -H 4+ H + H 13+ 

S: 

1858 ©Oklahoma! (105) T-AO M 

1802 ©One Desire (94) Drama ..U-l 7- 9-55 ++ 

1944 ©On the Threshold o( Space 

Magna 

(95) © Drama 20th-Fox 

1783 Othello (92) Drama UA 

1929 Our Miss Brooks (87) Comedy WB 

1962 Outside the Law (80) Drama U-l 

10-15-55 ff 

3-10-56 ff 

6- 4-55 + 

2-11-56 + 

4-14-56 +

Opinions on Current Productions 

Feature reviews 

Symbol O denotes photography; t^ is CincmoScopo; V 

For itory tynopils 

"- 1' MGM 

The Catered Aifair F ^^'i 'Zl 

( 

) 93 Minutes Rel. June '56 

Like the 1955 Academy Award winner, "Marty," this is a 

regular widescreen black-and-white picture based on an 

outstandinK TV drama by Paddy Chayefsky and also dealing 

with a middle-class family in the Bronx. However, this 

has strong name value, headed by Ernest Borgnlne, who ,,„,) 

has acquired marquee draw since winning his Oscar for 

"Many," Bette Davis, wlw is superb in her fir^t drab, 

matronly character portrayal, and Debbie Reynolds, who 

does her best screqp acting to date. It should do strong 

business in almost any type of house. Again Chayefsky 

proves that he has a great gift for holding a mir-ror up to 

ordinary human beings and capturing their everyday 

actions and speech. Well directed by Richard Brooks, "who 

stresses the drama and human interest in the story of a 

Bronx mother who wants to give her daughter a catered 

wedding with all the trimmings that she never had In 

her own life. However, the inherent comedy in this situation 

has not been neglected and many laughs are supplied by 

Barry Fitzgerald, in one of his typical crochety Irishman 

portrayals, and by Dorothy Sticknev, as his widowed woman 

friend. Produced by Sam Zimbalist. 

Bette Davis, Ernest Borgnine, Debbie Reynolds, Barry 

Fitzgerald, Dorotiiy Stickney, Rod Taylor.

. . Terror, 

FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Exploifips; Adiines for Newspaper and Programs 

THE STORY: "Terror at Midnight" (Rep) 

Just after Scott Brady, police officer on a prowl-car assignment, 

tells his fiancee, Joan Vohs, about his promotion 

to detective sergeant in homicide, she borrows his car to go 

apartment hunting and accidentally runs into a night 

watchman on his bicycle. In a state of shock. Joan i.s 

advised by a bystander, Percy Helton, to drive away and .^ 

avoid publicity. After she does this, Helton tries to black- (.^_ 

mail Brady and Joan becomes involved with Frank Faylen, , 

amorous garage proprietor, who fixes up the car. When 

Faylen's jealous wife kills him, Joan is suspected and Brady 

finally learns the truth about the accident. Brady does 

some detective work on his own and tracks down the real 

killer. 

EXPLOITIPS: 

Play up Scott Brady as star of 'Gentlemen Marry Brunettes" 

and the recent "Mohawk" and remind patrons of 

Frank Faylen's memorable performance in "Lost Weekend." 

The title suggests a midnight show for stay-up-lates. 

CATCHLINES: 

Terror Strikes at Midnight as an Innocent Hit-and-Run 

Accident Leads to Tragedy—and Murder ... An Honest 

Police Sergeant Learns His Fiancee Is Involved in a Deadly 

Crime . Danger and Death Strike on the Highway,

I all 

magazines, syncmotor. 12V motor w/bailerv 'all 

' 

RATES: 15c per word, minimum Sl.bO. cash with copy. Four conaeculive inserlions for price 

of three. CLOSING DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy and 

Kansas Mo. • 

• answers to Box Numbers to BOXOFFICE. 825 Van Br 

/d.. City 24. 

POSITIONS WANTED 

enlloiial. drl«e-lll. He 

opportiiriltj-. Kamlly 

. Bosofflce. 7127. 

Do you need partner with cash to lielp or 

assunu- riill rfs|.i.ri>ibiiity. 30 years onnersnip 

e\peil«nce l«.lli Iniiuoc and drive-lii operation. 

Must siaiid rigid Iniesllgalion if needed. Win 

buy or lease good operation. Contact, Boxotflce. 

wife team. Man top e.\plolUtlon type 

»lth 16 years experience. Highest 

lioiioftice and concession record. Wife 

n' icip notdi working concessionaire. Hlil 

(oi good offer. Prefer percentage In- 

Plan. Now employed with large drlve-ln 

.Available regular notice. Boiofflce. 7135 

Manaoer or projectionist. 25 years experience 

pha.ses tlieaUe operation. No chUdren. Wife 

so works. Both now employed. Desire diange 

rsl iif references. Keply, Boxofflce, 7137. 

J 120. Boxofflce, 7140, 

Projectionist, manager. 26 years indoors, deire> 

locale outdoor. South, Handled ail phases 

f busines,s. Slate salary, Boxofflce, 7141, 

HELP WANTED 

Thorouohly experienced manager for 

theatre. .Must be sober, lionest and 

GENERAL EQUIPMENT—USED 

Keeriess maonarcs, cu'ellini condition J3D5. 

reconiliiluiiiil .Niumade film cabinets 2.000'. J2 

secliun: hand reuind $7.95 set. Dept. cc. S.O.ts. 

Cinema Supply Corp., 602 W. 52nd St.. Nc« 

For sale, Simplex speakers, excellent condilion, 

flexible cords, connect Ing lugs, completely 

reconditioned, reflnislied, wonderful tone, gnaranteed. 

Sacrifice. Only $2.75 each, Joy Sado», 

Box 438, llosstllle, Uu. 

Mo, 

Best RCA ilriie-in iheatre booth cQulpment. 

S|ie.ikei pules. .Sirien tower 80'x67". Frame maripiee. 

.M.isonry block concession stand 80' plywood 

counter. I'lumblng fixtures. Other Hems. 

All in place to highest bidder. Alleen llatliorn, 

.'1103 Soiiih .Main. Houston 2. Texas. 

Beautifully rebuilt like new! I 

plex 

projectors, cabinet pedestals, 3,000 magazine: 

Magnetic or Mogul arclamiis, 70/140 generatni 

IICA I'C-J.iO sound, price $3,950. Available " 

lime, h.'iil (T, ,s II ,s Cinema Supjily Corp., tin 

CLtflRIIlG HOUSE 

THEATRES FOR SALE 

300-car dri»i-in now under em 

,m muie cars. .North central Ke 

80 fi. wide, all len.ses. A. V. 

South 3rd St., L.aulsvllle, Ky. 

West coast theatres for sale. Write for IIji 

Ihiaire Exchange. 200 Kearny St.. San l^ranclscii 

8, Calif, 

Theatres. Teiaa, Colorado, Mluouri, Kaa

Boxoffice-April.28.1956

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