Boxoffice-March.06.1948
Im /'cauon ucuiAe. m YEAR'S PRODUCT SHOWS RISE; COLOR, REISSUES IN A BOOST Page 10 SURVEY ON ADMISSION PRICES; EAST, WEST COAST GET TOPS COVER STORY: 'Pet and Pup' Show —In the Showmandiser Section lONAL EXECUTIVE EDITION tht Sectional Htm Pagts of All Editions
- Page 2 and 3: w THE DICKEY BIRD TELLS YOU WHY THR
- Page 4 and 5: i J tVfeRY ^i^^zis;^- Oh April SKow
- Page 6 and 7: THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY PaSLISHO I
- Page 8 and 9: HOPES HIGH, THEN BOG DOWN IN BRITIS
- Page 10 and 11: ; March UP; YEAR'S TOTAL PRODUCT IS
- Page 12 and 13: u BY ACTUAL VOTE*- THE FUNNIEST PI
- Page 14 and 15: : March Clearance Setup in Dallas H
- Page 16 and 17: East and West Coasts Pay Top Admiss
- Page 18 and 19: : March ^Jften
- Page 20 and 21: ANYTHING mm YOUR Bi ^^^^^^si^i
- Page 22 and 23: . . Screen . . "Night . . Madeleine
- Page 24 and 25: SKy/lOemBUSmss formno 0, wmei 1 "On
- Page 26 and 27: : March ^
- Page 28 and 29: isjhe picture or all of theatres an
- Page 30 and 31: . . . Warner . . Arthur : March FRO
- Page 32 and 33: Kroger Babb (standing) co-prodjcer
- Page 34 and 35: Defies Superstition With Jinx Previ
- Page 36 and 37: Lobby Displays Exploitation of comi
- Page 38 and 39: . . consequently If you can help me
- Page 40 and 41: . . Joseph . . Thomas . . John . .
- Page 42 and 43: 3rd : March ' Film Cenler Building
- Page 44 and 45: . . Larry . . Dora . . The . . . .
- Page 46 and 47: : March US. Seeks Information Film
- Page 48 and 49: lor ' STUDIO PERSONNELITIES Blurber
- Page 50 and 51: : March Z^cjec44tiae. West: Argyle
Im /'cauon ucuiAe.<br />
m<br />
YEAR'S<br />
PRODUCT SHOWS RISE;<br />
COLOR, REISSUES IN A BOOST<br />
Page 10<br />
SURVEY ON ADMISSION PRICES;<br />
EAST, WEST COAST GET TOPS<br />
COVER STORY: 'Pet and Pup' Show<br />
—In the Showmandiser Section<br />
lONAL EXECUTIVE EDITION<br />
tht Sectional Htm Pagts of All Editions
w<br />
THE DICKEY BIRD<br />
TELLS YOU WHY<br />
THREE DARING<br />
DAUGHTERS' IS<br />
FOR YOU!<br />
"It was terrific at Capitol, N. Y., second<br />
best in 12 months — topped<br />
only by 'Hucksters.' It's doing<br />
great in all openings, too! Buffalo,<br />
,_<br />
Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, C^ ^<br />
New Orleans, Toledo rate with top<br />
M-G-M hits of the year!"<br />
•<br />
"It's something absolutely new, novel and different<br />
in screen musicals. Not in many years an<br />
entertainment so sparkling with charm, excitement<br />
and melody!"<br />
"Technicolor at its best . . . revealing the lavishness<br />
aboard a luxury liner . . . the spectacle of<br />
exciting night club life . . . the exciting escapades<br />
of three mischievous daughters who try<br />
to block the romance of their beautiful, young,<br />
flirtatious, divorcee mother."<br />
"A cast with unusual appeal. A New JEANETTE<br />
MacDONALD in better voice than ever. JOSE<br />
ITURBI in a real-life role, wait till you hear<br />
his boogie-woogie. JANE POWELL, rising<br />
young movie star, of radio and record fame . . .<br />
and many more."<br />
"Bubbling with songs— 12 to be exact and including<br />
the newest hit of the airwaves—The<br />
Dickey Bird Song. That's me folks!"<br />
M-G-M's TECHNICOLOR MUSICAL!<br />
THREE DARING<br />
DAUGHTERS''<br />
JEANETTE """"'<br />
JOSE<br />
MacDONALD ITURBI<br />
•<br />
JANE POWELL<br />
wilh<br />
Edward ARNOLD • Harry DAVENPORT<br />
Colo, by TECHNICOLOR<br />
"Jimmy Fidt<br />
gave it top<br />
rating on hi<br />
nationwide<br />
broadcast!'*<br />
i<br />
FRED M. WILCOX<br />
JOE PASTERNAK
A TERRIFIC TECHNICOLOR TRADE SHOW!<br />
po yourself a favor by seeing now what is destined to be one of the<br />
greatest musicals of our time. Nothing quite like it! A rare combination<br />
of story and music, romance and fun. A BIG one for everyone!<br />
*^^<br />
*|#^^<br />
ALBANY—THUR. 3/11—8 P.M.<br />
20lh-Fox Scraen Room, 1052 Broodwo<br />
ATLANTA THUR. 3/11—10 A.M.<br />
20lh-Fox Screen Room, 197 Wollon St., N.W.<br />
BOSTON—THUR. 3/11—10 A.M.<br />
M-G-M Screen Room, 46 Church Slr**l<br />
BUFFALO—THUR. 3/11—2 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 290 Franklin SIrael<br />
CHARLOTTE—THUR. 3/11—1:30 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 308 South Church SIrael<br />
CHICAGO—THUR. 3/11—2 P.M.<br />
H. C. Igel's Screen Room, 1301 South Woboih Ava.<br />
CINCINNATI—THUR. 3/11—8 P.M.<br />
RKO Screen Room, 16 East Sixth Street<br />
CLEVELAND-THUR. 3/11—1 P.M.<br />
20lh-Fox Screen Room, 2219 Payna Avanua<br />
DALLAS—THUR. 3/11—2:30 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Scraen Room, 1803 Wood Street<br />
DES MOINES—THUR. 3/11—1 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 1300 High Street<br />
INDIANAPOLIS—THUR. 3/11—2 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 326 North Illinois Sfraal<br />
KANSAS CITY—THUR. 3/1 1—1:30 PJA.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 1720 Wyandotte St.<br />
MEMPHIS—THUR. 3/11—<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 151 Vonc<br />
MILWAUKEE—THUR. 3/11—1:30 P.M.<br />
Worner Screen Room, 212 W. Wisconsin Ava.<br />
MINNEAPOLIS-THUR. 3/11—2 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 1015 Currie Avan<br />
NEW HAVEN—THUR. 3/11—2 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 40 Whitinq Street<br />
NEW ORLEANS—THUR. 3/11— 1:30 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 200 South Liberty SI.<br />
NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY—Previously Tradeshown<br />
M-G-M Scraen Room, 630 Ninth Avenue<br />
OKLAHOMA CITY—THUR. 3/11— 1 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 10 North Lea Street<br />
WALTER HUSTON<br />
FRANK MORGAN<br />
BUTCH JENKINS<br />
MARILYN MAXWELL<br />
AGNES MOOREHEAD<br />
SELEHA ROVLE<br />
„ >\^ by EUCENt ONSIll 1 HEIIO COtOWtN HA«ER PICURE<br />
HARRY WARREN<br />
RALPH BLANE<br />
o,....wROUBENMAMOULIAN<br />
ARTHUR FRFFR<br />
OMAHA—THUR. 3/1 1—1:30 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room. 1502 Davenport St.<br />
PHILADELPHIA—THUR. 3/11—11 A.M.<br />
M-G-M Screen Room, 1233 Summer Street<br />
PITTSBURGH—THUR. 3/11—2 P.M.<br />
M-G-M Screen Room, 1623 Blvd. of Allies<br />
ST. LOUIS—THUR. 3/11—1 P.M.<br />
S'Renco Art Theatre, 3143 Olive Street<br />
SALT LAKE CITY—THUR. 3/11—1 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 216 East First Street. So.<br />
SAN FRANCISCO—THUR. 3/11— 1:30 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 245 Hyde Street<br />
SEATTLE—THUR. 3/11—1 P.M.<br />
Jewel Box Preview Theatre, 2318 Second Avanua<br />
WASHINGTON—THUR. 3/11—1 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Scraen Room, 932 New Jersey, N.W.
i J<br />
tVfeRY<br />
^i^^zis;^-<br />
Oh April SKowers<br />
comiag your way<br />
brlnginglhe dbll^s<br />
//<br />
thOToom t^t^^S^<br />
^^0%lC<br />
Wi<br />
^^^^^A1«&^<br />
'^'ssuZj''''^
ROBERT ALDA'S.Z.SML -<br />
Directed by<br />
Produced by<br />
JAMESV.KERN<br />
WILLIAM JACOBS
THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY<br />
PaSLISHO IN<br />
NINE SECTIONAL EDITIONS<br />
BEN SHLYEN<br />
Editor-in-Chief and Publisher<br />
JAMES M. JERAULD Editor<br />
NATHAN COHEN Associate Editor<br />
JESSE SHLYEN Managing Editor<br />
IVAN SPEAR<br />
Western Editor<br />
J. HARRY TOLER Equipment Editor<br />
RAYMOND LEVY General Manager<br />
Published Every Saturday by<br />
ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS<br />
Editorial OHices: 9 Rockefeller Plcea, New York 20.<br />
N. Y. Raymond Levy, General Manager; James M<br />
Jerauld, Editor; Chester Friedman, Editor Showmandiser<br />
Section; A. J. Stocker, Eastern Representative<br />
Telephone Columbus 5-6370, 5-6371, 5-5372. Cable<br />
address: BOXOFFICE, New York."<br />
Central Oliices: 332 South Michigan Blvd., Chicago<br />
A, 111. J. Harry Toler, Editor Modern Theatre Section.<br />
Telephone WABash 4575.<br />
Western Offices: 6404 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood<br />
28. Calil. Ivan Spear, Manager. Telephone GLad-<br />
Etone 1186.<br />
Washington Offices: 302-303 International Bldg., 13!S<br />
F St., N. W. Lee L. Garling, Manager. Telephone<br />
NAtional 3482. Filmrow; 932 New Jersey, N. W. Sara<br />
London Offices: 136 Wordour St.. John Sullivan, Manager.<br />
Telephone Gerrard 3934-5-6.<br />
Publication Offices: 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City<br />
1. Mo. Nathan Cohen, Associate Editor; Jesse Shlyen,<br />
Managing Editor; Morris Schlozman, Business Manager.<br />
Telephone CHestnut 7777-78.<br />
Other Publications: BOXOFFICE BAROMETER,<br />
published in as section November a of BOXOFFICE;<br />
THE MODERN THEATRE, published monthly as a<br />
section oi BOXOFFICE.<br />
ALBANY—21-23 Walter Ave., M. Berrigan.<br />
ATLANTA— 163 Walton, N. W., P. H. Savin.<br />
BIRMINGHAM—The News, Eddie Badger.<br />
BOSTON—Frances W. Harding, 20 Piedmont St., Lib,<br />
9314. Home: Com. 4700.<br />
BUFFALO— 157 Audubon Drive, Snyder, Jim Schroder.<br />
CHARLOTTE—216 W. 4th, Paulme Grillith.<br />
CHICAGO—332 S. Michigan, Jonas Perlberg, WA-4575.<br />
CINCINNATI— 1634 Central Parkway, Lillian Seltzer.<br />
CLEVELAND—Elsie Loeb, Fairmount 0046.<br />
DALLAS—4525 Holland, V. W. Crisp, 18-9780.<br />
'<br />
DENVER— 1645 Lalayette, Jack Rose, TA 8517.<br />
DES MOINES— Register & Tribune Bldg., Russ Schoch.<br />
DETROIT— 1009 Fox Theatre Bldg., H. F. Reves.<br />
Telephones: RA 1100; Night, UN-4-0219.<br />
HARTFORD— 109 Westborne, Allen Widem.<br />
HARRISBURG, JA.—The Telegraph, Lois Fegan.<br />
INDIANAPOLIS—Rt. 8, Box 770, Howard M. Rudeaux.<br />
MIAMI—66 S. Hibiscus Island, Mrs. Manton E. Harwood.<br />
2952 Merrick Rd., Elizabeth Sudlow. '<br />
MEMPHIS—707 Spring St., Null Adams, Tel. 48-5452.<br />
MILWAUKEE—529 N. 13th, J. R. Gahagan, MA-0297.<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—29 Washington. Ave. So., Les Rees.<br />
NEW HAVEN—42 Church St., Gertrude Lander.<br />
NEWARK, N. J.—207 Sumner, Sara Carleton.<br />
NEW ORLEANS—218 So. Uberty St., Mrs. Jack Auslet.<br />
Telephone MA 5812.<br />
OKLAHOMA CITY— 125 NW 15th St., Polly Trindle.<br />
OMAHA—Omahg World-Herald Bldg., Lou Gerdes.<br />
PHILADELPHIA—4901 Spruce St., J. M. Makler.<br />
PITTSBURGH—86 Van Braam St., R. F. Klingensmith.<br />
PORTLAND, ORE.—David C. Kahn, 823 S. E. Ash St.<br />
RICHMOND—Grand Theatre, Sam PuUiam.<br />
ST. LOUIS—5149 Rosa, David Barrett, FL-3727.<br />
SALT LAKE CITY—Deseret News, Howard Pearson.<br />
SAN ANTONIO—333 Blum St., L. J. B. Ketner.<br />
SAN FRANCISCO—25 Taylor St., Gail Lipman,<br />
ORdway 3-4612.<br />
SEATTLE—928 N. 84th St., WiUard Elsey.<br />
TOLEDO-^330 Willys Pkwy., Anna Kline.<br />
IN CANADA<br />
CALGARY—The Albertan, Wm. Campbell.<br />
MONTREAL-^330 Wilson Ave., N. D. G., Roy Carmichael.<br />
Walnut 5519.<br />
ST. JOHN— 116 Prince Edward St., Wm. J. McNulty.<br />
TORONTO—242 Milwood, Milton Galbraith.<br />
VANCOUVER-^ 11 Lyric Theatre Bldg., Jack Droy.<br />
VICTORIA—938 Island Highway, Alec Merrimon.<br />
WINNIPEG—The Tribune, Ben Lepkin.<br />
Member Aodit Bureau of Circulations<br />
Entcrad as Second Class matter at Post Office, Kansas City, Mo.<br />
OXOFFICE<br />
TEAMWORK WILL TRIUMPH!<br />
by many hands pulling together, there is this statement:<br />
"Teamwork will triumph. To quote an old proverb, 'Whe<br />
was ever honey made with one bee in the hive?' Objectivt<br />
in this world and in this business can be attained only 1:<br />
cooperation—teamwork. The principle, the practice, of pullir<br />
together can assure victory to you in this and future cat<br />
paigns."<br />
Occupying half the large front page of the Fox West Coa<br />
Theatres house organ, this message is used to inspire mai<br />
agers and executives in that circuit's current business driv<br />
as well as for others to come. We pick it up and carry it<br />
our readers, hoping that it will inspire them also—to get t<br />
gether and work together for the common good. We mec<br />
exhibitor, producer and distributor.<br />
It's an old story with us—this trying to talk some sem<br />
into the heads of the disruptive elements within this busine?<br />
who are self-seeking. But it's ever new, so long as there is tl<br />
need, which seems to be as great, if not greater, today wh«<br />
not only the various branches of this business, but the se'<br />
ments of each as well, keep pulling further and further apa:<br />
For the past year or more the industry has been on a sc<br />
of reconversion program, getting back to the normal from tl<br />
stratospheric heights it reached during the war years. Tl<br />
transition called for understanding cooperation all up at<br />
down the line. But instead there seemed to be an excessi^<br />
amount of recrimination and distrust. There is no one pa<br />
ticular element more to blame than the others. All have bet<br />
at fault. Each has tried to go it alone; as though nothing mc<br />
tered but his group's or company's interests. When, as a mo<br />
ter of fact and truth, all are intervowen into the pattern thi<br />
goes to make up this business. No branch can independent<br />
stand off the others, for all are interdependent.<br />
The distrust has some basis, because of the evidei<br />
that come to the surface that seem to justify it. But the<br />
dustry itself is bigger than the individual cases that throw >w.l'<br />
bad light on it, from time to time.<br />
It seems such a simple thing to realize that picture-makd<br />
picture-distributor and picture-exhibitor are all in one boat<br />
gether. That they cannot be separated. That each needs tl<br />
other. Yet the way they carry on, the way each disregan<br />
the other's problems—the way they all disregard even the<br />
Sectional Edition, $2.00 per year; National Edition. J7.50<br />
Vol. 52<br />
MARCH<br />
No. 18<br />
1948
J<br />
I<br />
fl.<br />
S,<br />
''<br />
'<br />
^^<br />
, against<br />
' Paraphrasing<br />
'C^ndiistti<br />
common problems—has caused a complicated, unwieldy obstruction<br />
to the industry's over-all progress.<br />
Not only in the readjustment which economic conditions<br />
call for, but even when things are going along on an even<br />
keel, is it necessary lor the various branches of this industry<br />
* to understandingly work together. There is no set rule as to<br />
how this might be accomplished, unless it be the rule of<br />
"give-and-take"—with the addition<br />
, of some self-restraint<br />
that credo of seeking "all that the traffic will bear and<br />
f;ilet the devil take the hindmost."<br />
y<br />
It's about time that maker, buyer and seller of pictures<br />
'realize that together they are the motion picture industry; that<br />
together they serve the public—and one another; that the<br />
success of each is tied up in the success of all. That they can<br />
;o I<br />
uc<br />
move faster and go farther when all are going in the same<br />
i,P direction.<br />
,1:<br />
* *<br />
2 Prayer Praises Pictures<br />
There is inspiration in the prayer delivered by the Rev.<br />
F. F. Moore at the opening of a theatre at Waverly, Tenn. It<br />
'*" points up the many fine things for which the motion picture<br />
'"<br />
stands and its accomplishments in the pubHc interest. The<br />
'text in full, published on page 19 of this issue, is recommended<br />
V<br />
I<br />
reading for all in this business. And there is a suggestion that<br />
it might be adapted, quite helpfully, in the work of building<br />
better pubhc relations.<br />
"Yes, Everybody But<br />
^<br />
Schnozzle Durante's famous line, "Every-<br />
^'<br />
body IS in the act," when it comes to using films as patron-<br />
* ^ '<br />
lures. For instance: In New Jersey a chain of grocery stores<br />
is putting on 16mm film shows for children so their parents<br />
'" may shop in the meanwhile. Around the country bars and<br />
'"<br />
grills also are operating 16mm units as business-getters. And<br />
° " ' traveling units long have used film shows as tieins with mer-<br />
* chants of every description.<br />
'"<br />
Strange how alluring the film is in these instances, while<br />
theatres showing the far superior regular film product seem<br />
to be feeling the need for something else as "bait."<br />
Everybody seems to be merchandising films—everybody,<br />
that is, except the film merchants themselves.<br />
V^Cvw /O'hJyt^r/UU^<br />
'Pc(UcSc
HOPES HIGH, THEN BOG DOWN<br />
IN BRITISH TAX CONVERSATIONS<br />
U.S. Is Insistent Upon<br />
Getting a Substantial<br />
Return of Receipts<br />
LONDON—Negotiations for a settlement of<br />
the Anglo-American film impasse brought on<br />
by the 75 per cent import tax got under way<br />
here last Monday with a flourish and then<br />
began to show signs of bogging down by<br />
Thursday.<br />
At that point, the Americans were still insisting<br />
they were not going to pay the tax,<br />
that they had to have a substantial percentage<br />
of their receipts for transfer to this country,<br />
and that whatever funds were to be<br />
blocked in England would be eligible for investment<br />
there or for purchase of exportable<br />
goods.<br />
BRITISH FOR SOME COMPROMISE<br />
British exhibitors and leading distributors<br />
were for some form of compromise to prevent<br />
theatres from going into bankruptcy when<br />
they run out of film, but there were rumors<br />
of a division of sentiment in government<br />
circles, with Sir Stafford Cripps insisting on<br />
no compromise.<br />
With the first session was a top level conference<br />
at the Board of Trade with Eric Johnston,<br />
MPAA head: Allen Dulles, MPAA counsel;<br />
Lewis O. Douglas, American ambassador;<br />
Joyce O'Hara, executive assistant to Johnston;<br />
F. W. Allport of the MPAA, and James<br />
A. Mulvey, president of Samuel Goldwyn<br />
Productions, sitting on the U.S. side of the<br />
table and Ernest Bevin. British foreign mininster:<br />
Sir Stafford Cripps, chancellor of the<br />
exchequer, and Harold Wilson, president of<br />
the Board of Trade, representing the British<br />
government.<br />
Mulvey was present as a representative of<br />
the Society of Independent Motion Picture<br />
Producers.<br />
The following day the negotiations were<br />
taken over by committees, with Johnston,<br />
Dulles and Mulvey and Allport doing most<br />
of the talking for the Americans and Wilson<br />
sitting in for the British.<br />
LUNCH WITH U.S. OFFICIALS<br />
Johnston took time out to meet the heads<br />
of American companies in<br />
Great Britain and<br />
to have lunch with J. Arthur Rank, Nate J.<br />
Blumberg, Joseph H. Seidelman, J. Cheever<br />
Cowdin and Charles Prutzman of Universal-<br />
International, who were here for discussion<br />
of a new distribution deal with Rank.<br />
Johnston and other members of his party<br />
and Ambassador Douglas let it be known that<br />
they had Friday reservations for a quick trip<br />
back to the United States. This may have<br />
been to create the impression they expected<br />
a quick end to the conferences.<br />
On the British side, window dressing appeared,<br />
apparently to convince the public the<br />
government was getting tough.<br />
Tom O'Brien, MP and general secretary of<br />
the NATKE as well as a leader in the Labor<br />
party, publicly congratulated Foreign Secretary<br />
Bevin and asked him to "strain every<br />
effort" to prevent a breakdown.<br />
Almost immediately, an unnamed spokesman,<br />
presumably Sir Stafford Cripps, stated<br />
Rank's 40 Features for '48<br />
Reach Production Top<br />
NEW YORK—Most British studios, with<br />
the exception of those controlled by American<br />
companies, are working at capacity, and it<br />
is doubtful if the industry can increase production<br />
over the 1948 level, according to<br />
George Archibald, managing director of Independent<br />
Producers, Ltd., Rank production<br />
unit.<br />
The Rank units will turn out 40 features<br />
this year, an increase of 12 over 1947, Archibald<br />
said. He doesn't believe this can be<br />
stepped up any more unless more studio<br />
space is available. Towar-d this end, Ai-chibald<br />
sees little chance that the British government<br />
will gi-ant construction permits to<br />
the industry within the next few years.<br />
Archibald arrived from England Wednesday<br />
(3). He plans to visit U-I and Eagle<br />
Lion exchanges and study reaction to Rank<br />
product. He will map releasing plans on new<br />
British, films with executives of both companies.<br />
He will return to England on the<br />
27th.<br />
Archibald said the present budget of $36,-<br />
000,000-$40,000,000 plarmed for Rank films<br />
during 1948 is two and one-haJf times larger<br />
than the 1946 production budget. He denied<br />
reports that Rank was hmiting film budgets.<br />
We do not intend to cut the quality of films,<br />
he stated.<br />
Archibald contends the British industi'y<br />
cannot survive without making a number<br />
of big productions. He also feels the British<br />
industry cannot succeed in the American<br />
market, if films are slanted toward American<br />
audiences. "When tliis is done, the film seems<br />
always to strike a false note," he declared.<br />
Concerning a speedup in shooting schedules,<br />
Ai-ohibald said the Gainsborough and<br />
Denham studios in England have managed<br />
to cut shooting time. His own group, which<br />
films at Pinewood, has not been as successful.<br />
All Rank units axe attempting to cut<br />
shooting time by rehearsing casts for longer<br />
takes, however.<br />
emphatically that the government could not<br />
drop the tax. This was followed by gene^pl<br />
acceptance of a story that Bevin and Cripps,<br />
the latter, the great exponent of austerity, had<br />
split on the issue, because it had reached<br />
the stage where international relations were<br />
involved.<br />
Mono French Deal in Work<br />
PARIS—William Satori, Monogram continental<br />
European representative, has arrived<br />
here to arrange a new releasing deal<br />
with the company distributor in France,<br />
Interfrance Films, S.A.R.L. Before arriving<br />
in Paris, Satori visited Brussels and Copenhagen<br />
to set up Monogram 16mm release.<br />
Korda Gets $1,500,000<br />
Advance From 20th-Fox<br />
London— Sir Alexander Korda has rereceived<br />
an advance payment of $1,500,000<br />
from 20th Century-Fox for the first three<br />
pictures to be released by the American<br />
company under their recent distribution<br />
deal. This represents the largest lump<br />
sum payment in dollars to be received by<br />
a British film company.<br />
The pictures covered by the payment<br />
are "An Ideal Husband," "Anna Karenina"<br />
and "Mine Own Executioner."<br />
"Husband" is being released in the U.S.<br />
this month by 20th-Fox. The other two<br />
films are scheduled for release during<br />
1948.<br />
At present Archibald's Independent Producers,<br />
Ltd., has three fUms in cutting<br />
"Oliver Twist," "The Red Shoes" in Technicolor<br />
and "Esther Waters." Three others axe<br />
filming. These are: "Dulcimer Street," "The<br />
Blue Lagoon" in Technicolor and a film based<br />
on the H. G. Wells novel, "The Passionate<br />
Friends."<br />
These six will be released this year.<br />
Also on the schedule at Pinewood are:<br />
"Once a Jolly Swagman," "All Over the<br />
Town" and "Fair Stood the Wind for Prance."<br />
Archibald said that British producers find<br />
they can recoup about 60 per cent of the<br />
negative cost on big budget fUms on the domestic<br />
market.<br />
Concerning the U.S. ban on film sihipments,<br />
he believes British theatres can continue<br />
operating for six months with reissues if<br />
there is no tax settlement.<br />
Archibald intends to visit the Cleveland,<br />
Buffalo, Albany, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia<br />
and Washington exchange teiTitories before<br />
returning to England.<br />
U.S.-Sponsored Films Get<br />
An Okay for Foreign Use<br />
WASHINGTON—The House approved an<br />
amendment Thursday paving the way for<br />
distribution in foreign theatres of films<br />
sponsored by the United States information<br />
services. Tlie amendment, offered by Rep.<br />
Karl Stefan (R. Neb.i was adopted unanimously<br />
by the House which considered an<br />
appropriation for the information program.<br />
Stefan said the distribution of films abroad<br />
had been limited to small clubs. The amendment<br />
offers "far-reaching" distribution scope<br />
for films. The theatres could be paid to<br />
show U.S. films under the program, he said.<br />
BOXOFHCE : : March 6, 1948
COURT SEES VTTER DISREGARD'<br />
FOR TERMS OF CHICAGO DECREE<br />
'Do It the Way I Advise/<br />
Judge Igoe Suggests in<br />
Interpreting Orders<br />
By JONAS PERLBERG<br />
Chicago Bureau. <strong>Boxoffice</strong><br />
CHICAGO — Judge Michael L. Igoe of<br />
federal district court, who is liearing the<br />
petition of Jackson Park Theatre owners to<br />
cite defendants in the Chicago antitrust<br />
suit for alleged violation of the decree he<br />
handed down gave every indication this<br />
week that he is considerably irked by the<br />
actions of the defendants.<br />
In an outburst during the hearing on<br />
Tuesday, he declared that the proceedings<br />
so far "clearly indicated an absolute disregard"<br />
for provisions of the decree.<br />
"The difficulty with the whole proceeding,"<br />
he said, "is that you gentlemen did not go<br />
any place to find out what the decree meant.<br />
You just went ahead and advised your clients<br />
what you thought it meant. Now you are<br />
trying to justify what you thought it meant."<br />
FOLLOWS ATTORNEY'S STATEMENT<br />
Judge Igoe's outburst came after Ed Johnston,<br />
counsel for Paramount, informed the<br />
coui-t that he had advised his clients regarding<br />
the meaning of the decree in reference<br />
to the roadshowing of "Unconquered."<br />
When the attorney pointed out that defendants<br />
could have brought in a petition<br />
for interpretation of the decree, the judge<br />
declared that "is exactly what they are doing<br />
now, after all the trouble has been<br />
brought down on your heads."<br />
"You go ahead and do it the way I advise<br />
you to," 'he said. "The decree is pretty plain.<br />
A lot of this evidence clearly indicates an<br />
utter disregard of the decree and everything<br />
it stands for."<br />
Johnston denied that his clients had been<br />
advised to proceed with intention of violating<br />
the decree.<br />
Judge Igoe's startling comments, however,<br />
were interpreted by some as an ominous<br />
warning on how he intends to rule on the<br />
petition for the citations.<br />
On the stand during the week's hearings<br />
was Jack Donahue, Paramount's central division<br />
manager, who defended clearances on<br />
"Where There's Life," "Road to Rio" and<br />
"Golden Earrings" as essential to prevent<br />
chaos in bookings in some 15,000 theatres in<br />
the coimtry.<br />
FILM TO NET 8-9 MILLION<br />
In accounting for the roadshow status of<br />
"Unconquered." he disclosed that Paramount<br />
will garner between eight and nine million<br />
dollars on the picture. He said that the original<br />
production cost was $4,500,000, and that<br />
the print cost was $800,000 and advertising<br />
upwards of $900,000.<br />
Donahue said that although there were no<br />
fixed admission prices in Paramount's contract<br />
for the picture, the company "suggested"<br />
advanced admission prices, averaging $1.20 on<br />
Final<br />
Judge Still<br />
Arguments Find<br />
Caustic<br />
CHICAGO—Summation of arguments<br />
in the Jackson Park contempt case began<br />
Thursday.<br />
Thomas McConnell, counsel for the<br />
Jackson Park Theatre, lashed out at the<br />
defendants, contending that they had<br />
not at any time tried to comply with<br />
the provisions of the decree. He reviewed<br />
the charges against Paramount,<br />
Balaban & Katz, 20th Century-Fox,<br />
Loew's, Warners and RKO and declared<br />
that by their action it is shown that<br />
"we are dealing with national, not local<br />
conspiracy."<br />
He softened, however, when he said<br />
that RKO had tried to comply with the<br />
decree, and that the only complaint was<br />
that the company imposed clearance<br />
on the picture "Tycoon."<br />
Ed Johnston. Paramount and B&K<br />
counsel, denied chai-ges made against<br />
his clients as to double featuring, clearances,<br />
advanced admission prices and<br />
the withdrawal of the picture "Unconquered"<br />
from the Chicago area. He read<br />
into the record various opinions in an<br />
attempt to show that the contempt<br />
charges could only be civil in that no<br />
agent of the government was involved<br />
that would make it criminal.<br />
Judge Michael Igoe interjected: "Apparently<br />
your position is that if conspiracy<br />
is broken up, that element of evil<br />
can be continued individually, wliich<br />
was quite apparent from the final evidence."<br />
The judge also asked what provision<br />
of the decree did not apply to<br />
"Unconquered" and Johnston replied<br />
that the section on waiting time did not.<br />
Otto Koegel, counsel for 20th-Fox,<br />
speaking in behalf of that company, said<br />
that if there was a violation of the decree<br />
it was nonintentional and that any<br />
acts, if the court construed them as<br />
wrongful, would be corrected immediately.<br />
He said that if the 20th-Fox<br />
zoning plan for bidding on films was declared<br />
unlawful, it would be dropped immediately.<br />
a roadshow basis. The film is being released<br />
nationally for general run April 9.<br />
John Balaban. secretary-treasurer of the<br />
B&K circuit, testified that it was the decree<br />
which forced the company to cut short the<br />
run of "Unconquered" at the United Artists<br />
Theatre. The picture was pulled on December<br />
2. Judge Igoe's decree went into effect on<br />
November 19.<br />
Balaban said he had been too busy with<br />
Near East relief and his television station to<br />
notice whether he was in contempt of court<br />
on the "Unconquered" booking. He knew<br />
that the United Arti.sts Theatre was charging<br />
$1.20 for tlie picture, but explained that<br />
the theatre had to pay Paramount 60 per<br />
cent rental which necessitated<br />
price.<br />
the Increased<br />
He told the court that he did not realize<br />
B&K had booked "Where There's Life" with<br />
provision for a 21-day clearance period between<br />
the end of the Loop run and release<br />
to outlying theatres. The picture ended its<br />
run at the Chicago Theatre December 4 and<br />
did not become available to neighborhoods<br />
until December 25. Balaban said the first he<br />
knew of the forbidden 21-day clearance provision<br />
in the contract was when the Jackson<br />
Park contempt petition was filed in January.<br />
COSTON TAKES THE STAND<br />
Another witness during the hearing was<br />
James Coston, Warner Bros. Theatres zone<br />
manager, who took the stand to deny any<br />
allegation that he had threatened Eagle Lion<br />
that if the Jackson Park Theatre played EL's<br />
"Lost Honeymoon" it would not have been<br />
booked into WB houses. He said that the<br />
reason the picture was pulled from the Avalon<br />
Theatre was to clear for other product.<br />
The film has since played Warner theatres.<br />
He also denied that the company had participated<br />
in any clearance or zoning agreements<br />
with distributors. He said there was no<br />
agreement on admissions with Balaban &<br />
Katz theatres.<br />
Sam Gorelick, RKO district manager, was<br />
on the stand to tell of the system of zones<br />
worked out for the selling of films.<br />
Cooper, Paramount Settle<br />
Ownership of Theatres<br />
NEW YORK—Paramount has ended its<br />
long drawn-out controversies with the Cooper<br />
Foundation through a cash payment by the<br />
Cooper group, the amount of which has not<br />
been disclosed. Under the terms of the agreement<br />
Paramount drops its claims for one-half<br />
interest in the Stewart and Nebraska theatres<br />
in Lincoln, Neb., in the Ute Trail and<br />
Tompkins theatres, Colorado Springs; in the<br />
Main and Uptown theatres, Pueblo: in the<br />
Sterling and Park theatres, Greeley, and in<br />
the Cooper and Joy theatres. Grand Junction.<br />
Also Paramount has sold to the Cooper<br />
Foundation its one-half interest in the corporation<br />
operating the Lincoln Theatre,<br />
Lincoln, Neb., and six theatres in Oklahoma<br />
City.<br />
MPF Trustees Meeting<br />
Is Postponed to April<br />
NEW YORK—The scheduled meeting of<br />
the board of trustees of the Motion Picture<br />
Foundation has been postponed from March<br />
16-18 to April. A definite date will be set<br />
shortly. The postponement was made public<br />
by E. V. Richards jr.. president of the<br />
Foundation.<br />
Richards said the session had been postponed<br />
because the board of directors of TOA<br />
is meeting on the coast March 9, 10.<br />
BOXOFFICE : : March 6, 1948
; March<br />
UP;<br />
YEAR'S TOTAL PRODUCT IS<br />
COLOR. REISSUES IN A BOOST<br />
Estimate Increase of 16<br />
Releases for 1947-48<br />
Over Last Season<br />
By DORIS SULTAN<br />
NEW YORK—Color films and reissues<br />
from 11 major distributors for tlie first six<br />
months of the current season show a sharp<br />
rise over the first half of 1946-47. Releases<br />
in Technicolor. Cinecolor and Republic's<br />
new Trucolor hiked the color film lineup<br />
by seven for the six-month period. Reissues<br />
increased eight over the first half<br />
of last season.<br />
Westerns, including the Gene Autry and<br />
Roy Rogers starrers, dropped from a total<br />
of 32 in the first half of 1946-47 to 19 for<br />
the six months just ended. This is a decrease<br />
of 13. British films remained at<br />
four.<br />
197 FEATURES IN RELEASE<br />
The 11 companies rolled up a total of 197<br />
feature releases during the first half of the<br />
current season, an mcrease of 18 over the<br />
product lineup during the first six months<br />
of 1946-47. Releases last season added up to<br />
384, with distributors stepping up output<br />
during the latter half of 1946-47 to 205.<br />
If the companies maintain current schedules,<br />
releases for this season will give exhibitors<br />
approximately 400 features through<br />
August of this year. This is an increase of<br />
about 16.<br />
Four distributors contributed to the increase<br />
in releases during the first half of<br />
the current season. EL jumped its releases<br />
over PRC output during the six months from<br />
16 to 26: Monogram had three additional<br />
features; U-I hiked the total from eight during<br />
the first half of last season to 14; Warners<br />
jumped from 13 to 16.<br />
A comparison of the color releases during<br />
the six months shows five companies with<br />
increases in color product. Coliunbia had<br />
three, compared to one the first half of last<br />
season: EL had two. compared to none from<br />
PRC; RKO had five, compared to two; U-I<br />
had two, with none the first half of last<br />
season; MGM had one more Technicolor release.<br />
ADD REISSUES TO LIST<br />
Three companies that did not relelase any<br />
reissues during the first half of last season<br />
did offer reissues during the six months<br />
just ended. EL had two, RKO had three,<br />
and 20th-Fox had six. Monogram and Warners<br />
had two and four, respectively, representing<br />
increases.<br />
The company showing the biggest drop in<br />
western releases in the first half of the<br />
1947-48 season is Republic, with four, compared<br />
to 11 westerns, including the Roy<br />
Rogers starrers, released during the first half<br />
of 1946-47. Columbia westerns dropped from<br />
seven to four. UA had none during the six<br />
months just ended, compared to two the<br />
half of last season.<br />
first<br />
Several distributors began stepping up<br />
release schedules early in 1948. Twentieth-<br />
Fox UA, and Universal-International began<br />
Dramas, Melodramas<br />
Top New Lineup<br />
New York—Dramas, melodramas and<br />
comedies, in that order, will dominate<br />
the second half of the 1947-48 release<br />
season, according to incomplete schedules<br />
from 10 companies. To date 65 dramas,<br />
23 melodramas and 18 comedies have<br />
been scheduled for the last six months<br />
of the current release season. Outdoor<br />
spectacles and musicals follow with 14<br />
a.nd 11, respectively.<br />
Here is a breakdown of pictures by<br />
types on the basis of available release<br />
information:<br />
Columbia—8 dramas, 3 westerns, 1<br />
comedy, 2 musicals.<br />
Eagle Lion—13 dramas. 1 western, 3<br />
comedies, 1 musical, 8 melodramas, 6<br />
outdoor spectacles, 2 films with historical<br />
themes.<br />
MGM—5 dramas, 1 comedy, 1 musical.<br />
Monogram— (From Allied Artists) 1<br />
drama, 1 western, 1 musical, 1 melodrama,<br />
1 outdoor spectacle.<br />
Paramount— 1 drama, 2 comedies, 1<br />
musical, 6 melodramas, 2 outdoor spectacles.<br />
20th-Fox—10 dramas. 2 comedies, 1<br />
musical, 2 melodramas, 1 outdoor spectacle,<br />
2 documentary dramas.<br />
UA—5 dramas, several westerns, 4<br />
comedies, 1 outdoor spectacle.<br />
U-I—8 dramas, 1 western, 2 comedies,<br />
3 musicals, 4 melodramas.<br />
Warners—10 dramas, 2 comedies, 1<br />
musical, 1 outdoor spectacle.<br />
planning releases on the basis of the calendar<br />
year. Twentieth-Fox started off the<br />
1948 calendar year by releasing seven big<br />
budget pictures in January and February.<br />
Early in January UA set nine features for<br />
1948. U-I promised at least 24 features during<br />
the calendar year.<br />
Here are the release schedules for the second<br />
half of 1947-48 season by company. Some<br />
distributors have not set definite release<br />
plans through spring:<br />
Columbia originally set a minimum of<br />
27 for the season. Twenty-eight were released<br />
thi-ough February. At least 13 more<br />
will be released between March and August.<br />
Scheduled are "The Return of the Whists-,"<br />
"Adventure in Silverado," "West of Sonora,"<br />
"The Sign of the Ram," "The Lady From<br />
Shanghai," "The Black An'ow," "The Mating<br />
of Millie," "Let's Fall in Love," "The<br />
Return of October," "Tlie Gallant Blade,"<br />
"The Man From Colorado," "The Puller<br />
Brush Man" and two Gene Autry productions.<br />
Eagle Lion originally planned 27 releases<br />
during all of 1947-48 seasons, twenty-six<br />
were released through February. At this<br />
rate EL will double its schedule. Thirtyfour<br />
more features and four westerns are<br />
currently in release or to be released soon.<br />
Included are "Northwest Stampede," "The<br />
Noose Hangs High," "Ruthless," "Raw Deal,"<br />
"Mickey," "Man From Texas," "The Spiritualist,"<br />
"Hollow Triumph," "Let's Live a<br />
Little," "The Blank Wall," "The Bastille,"<br />
"Lady Pirate." "Tulsa," "The October<br />
Man," "Gas House Kids in Hollywood," "The<br />
Enchanted 'Valley," "Close-Up," "Assigned<br />
to Danger," "Kenny," "Sons of the Musketeers,"<br />
"Career in Manhattan." "Montana,"<br />
"Prince 'Valiant," "Beggar's Choice," "Draw<br />
Sabres," "Pride of New York," "New Girl<br />
in Town," "The Cobra Strikes," "The Hypo<br />
Murder Case," "Rampage," "Jungle Girl,"<br />
"Catch Me Before I Kill," "Matteawan,"<br />
plus four Eddie Dean westerns.<br />
MGM plans about 33 for the season.<br />
Through February 16 were released. Set<br />
from March through April are "Three Daring<br />
Daughters," "Alias a Gentleman," "B.<br />
F.'s Daughter," "The Bride Goes Wild." Also<br />
planned for the current season are "State of<br />
the Union," "The Search" and "Piccadilly<br />
Incident."<br />
55 FILMS FOR MONOGRAM<br />
Monogram planned 55 for the season, including<br />
seven from Allied Artists. Through<br />
February 23 features were released. Those<br />
due from Allied Artists include "Song of My<br />
Heart," "Pan Handle," "The Hunted," "Smart<br />
Woman," "Tenderfoot."<br />
Paramount may deliver about 24 by the<br />
end of the season. Eleven were released<br />
through February. Twelve more released<br />
have been set from March through early<br />
July. In this group is "Caged Fury," "Saigon,"<br />
"Unconquered," "Mr. Reckless," "The<br />
Big Clock," "The 'Sainted' Sisters," "Speed<br />
to Spare," "Hazard," "Shaggy," "Hatter's<br />
Castle," "Waterfront at Midnight," "The<br />
Emperor Waltz."<br />
RKO promised a minimum of 36 films for<br />
1947-48. Through February 17 were dehvered.<br />
The schedule for the second half of<br />
the season includes 13 additional films.<br />
These are: "Western Heritage," "I Remember<br />
Mama," "Mystery in Mexico," "Arizona<br />
Ranger," "Tarzan and the Mermaids,"<br />
"Miracle of the Bells," "Fort Apache," "Berlin<br />
Express," "Fighting Father Dunn," "Your<br />
Red Wagon," "Melody Time," "The Return<br />
of the Bad Men." "The Velvet Touch."<br />
Republic announced 47 features. For the<br />
first half of 1947-48 were delivered.<br />
SCHEDULE FOR 20TH-FOX<br />
Twentieth-Fox set 48 for the 1948 calendar<br />
year. Twenty-one were delivered from September<br />
through February. Tentatively set<br />
for March through August are 18 additional<br />
releases: "Gentleman's Agreement," "Tlie<br />
Challenge," "Half Past Midnight," "Let's<br />
Live Again," "Gay Duelist." "Sitting Pretty,"<br />
"Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!" "Anna Karenina,"<br />
"13 Lead Soldiers." "Fury at<br />
Furnace Creek," "The Iron Curtain," "Green<br />
Grass of Wyoming," "Escape," "Deep Waters,"<br />
"Street With No Name," "Bonnie Prince<br />
Charlie," "For Fear of Little Men," "Give<br />
My Regards to Broadway."<br />
United Artists is expected to deliver more<br />
(Continued on page 11<br />
10 BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
6. 1948
: March<br />
UA Will Release Six The Television Front:<br />
Filmed in England<br />
NEW YORK—The United Artists<br />
board of<br />
directors has approved a deal to release six<br />
pictures to be produced in England by Artists<br />
Alliance, Mary Pickford-Lester Cowan<br />
producing unit. These films are "entirely<br />
apart" from another plan for production in<br />
Britain recently approved by the board, according<br />
to Arthur W. Kelly, executive vicepresident<br />
of UA.<br />
This plan was brought back from England<br />
by Kelly early this year. It calls for production<br />
of five pictures yearly in England for<br />
seven years at a cost of $1,000,000 each with<br />
British backing. Kelly said there have been<br />
no further developments on this producing<br />
arrangement. No pictures have been set to<br />
date.<br />
The Pickford-Cowan films will have all-<br />
American casts. The first will feature the<br />
Marx Brothers,<br />
Four other deals were approved by the directors:<br />
UA will put up $150,000 for a 25 per<br />
cent interest in "Innocent Affair," starring<br />
Madeleine Carroll and Fred MacMui-ray: UA<br />
will release "A Man Scans His Past," to be<br />
produced for Elie Rothschild by Leopold<br />
Schlossberg in Canada : UA will release "Little<br />
Shepherd of Kingdom Come," Technicolor<br />
production from Dink Templeton; UA will<br />
release "Confessions of a Communist," to be<br />
produced by A. Edward Sutherland.<br />
Product<br />
Lineup<br />
(Continued from page 10)<br />
than 22 this season. Eleven were<br />
through February. At least eleven more will<br />
be released in the second half of the season.<br />
In the group are: "Man of Evil," "Lafftime,"<br />
"Arch of Triumph," "Atlantis," "They<br />
Passed This Way," "So This Is New York,"<br />
"Texas, Brooklyn and Heaven," "The Pitfall,"<br />
"Mad Wednesday," "Outpost in Morocco,"<br />
plus several Hopalong Cassidy westerns.<br />
Universal-International for the entire release<br />
season running through August, about<br />
32 films will be delivered. For the first half<br />
14 were released. Eighteen more are set<br />
from March through August. In the group<br />
are: "Black Bart." "The Naked City,"<br />
"Double Life," "Casbah," "Jassy," "All My<br />
Sons," "Ai-e You With It," "Another Part<br />
of the Forest," "Letter from an Unknown<br />
Woman," "River Lady," "White Unicorn,"<br />
"Brain of Frankenstein," "Up in Central<br />
Park," "Man Eaters of Kumaon." "Race,"<br />
"Ma and Pa."<br />
Warners probably will deliver 30 during the<br />
current release season: Sixteen were released<br />
during the first six months. Fourteen more<br />
are scheduled for the second half. Included<br />
are "I Became a Criminal," "Robin Hood,"<br />
"April Showers," "To the Victor," "Winter<br />
Meeting," "Valley of the Giants," "The<br />
Fighting 69th," "Woman in White," "Silver<br />
River," "Wallflower," "Romance on the High<br />
Seas," "God's Counti-y and the Woman,"<br />
"Key Largo," "Life With Father."<br />
SG Adds Two Reissues<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Screen Guild has added<br />
two reissues, "Forbidden Music" and "Flirting<br />
With Pate," to its 1948 release program.<br />
"Music" stars Jimmy Durante and "Fate"<br />
is a Joe E. Brown comedy.<br />
BOXOFHCE :<br />
Theatre and Radio Spar<br />
OnWho Pays for What?'<br />
NEW YORK—The television and film industries<br />
are sparring like a couple of lightweights<br />
trying to find out the weak points.<br />
Blows are light and fast with plenty of footwork,<br />
but nothing that looks like a good solid<br />
sock as yet.<br />
That sock may come in the next few weeks.<br />
NBC and CBS have been warning all and<br />
sundry on then- television screens that no<br />
admission can be charged for seeing the programs.<br />
There is nothing new about this;<br />
they b^an warning several years ago when<br />
the Scophony apparatus was demonstrated in<br />
the New Yorker Theatre. Then it was merely<br />
an academic legal move. Lawyers sent<br />
letters to Scophony and the theatre management<br />
warning that the television broadcasters<br />
had property rights in their programs<br />
and they would protect them in court.<br />
They may have them, but the courts have<br />
not decided the problem.<br />
WATCHFUL ATTITUDE TAKEN<br />
Developments have reached the point where<br />
something may happen soon, but who will<br />
take the first crack on the chin and pay the<br />
bill?<br />
Exhibitors on both coasts w
u<br />
BY ACTUAL VOTE*-<br />
THE FUNNIEST PI<br />
* TABULATED AUDIENCE POLL A<br />
1Ibeoest.<br />
Best 1 T:imel Time'.<br />
l^ong<br />
In A Long,<br />
Long<br />
^<br />
Audiences<br />
^^^ Audience;<br />
Loaded xv ^^<br />
.<br />
Everywti^'^^' ^^ nroves<br />
'^i^^^^^^rdtncesRaSetheKoof.<br />
^iU Make<br />
Audienc^^^^<br />
-^ZZ^Z:^<br />
fvery Exhibitor Is Sitting Pretty With These<br />
Gr^<br />
Gentleman's Agreement-Captain From Castile lectinicoior- You Were Meant Forjii
URE EVER HADE<br />
w<br />
m**<br />
tractions From flU| Century-Fox<br />
Northside J/J-Scudda-Hoo! Scudda-Hay! Technicolor -fury At Furnace Creek
: March<br />
Clearance Setup in Dallas<br />
Hit in $1200.000 Suit<br />
DALLAS—R. J. O'Donnell, general manager<br />
of Interstate Theatres, Inc., denied<br />
categorically that his company had ever entered<br />
into agreement with any film distributor<br />
for the fixing of admission prices when he<br />
appeared as a witness in the $1,200,000 antitrust<br />
suit brought by B. R. McLendon against<br />
Interstate, Robb & Rowley and a large number<br />
of major distributors. O'Donnell also<br />
denied that his circuit made special agreements<br />
with McLendon over the availability<br />
of films for the latter's Casa Linda and<br />
Beverly Hills theatres in Dallas.<br />
ON SAME BASIS AS OTHERS<br />
McLendon's theatres received films on the<br />
same basis that other operators received them.<br />
O'Donnell testified. The availability is based<br />
upon several factors, however, and the price<br />
charged is one of them,<br />
O'Donnell's denial came after a vigorous<br />
direct examination by McLendon's attorney,<br />
Dick Holt, who introduced a flood of contracts<br />
and agreements tending to show that both<br />
McLendon and the public suffered under<br />
the alleged monopolistic setup of distributing<br />
films in Dallas.<br />
J. B. Underwood, southwest division manager<br />
for Columbia Pictures, Inc., conceded<br />
that the admission price was one factor in<br />
the film rentals set by his company, but he<br />
denied that Columbia forced any operator to<br />
charge a certain price. The amount of the<br />
admission, he testified, was also one of the<br />
factors in arriving at the availability of films.<br />
The higher admission price in downtown first<br />
run theatres was protected, he said.<br />
"The purpose of the whole thing, then, is<br />
to get more people to come to the downtown<br />
theatres where you will get more from the<br />
showing of your films?" Underwood was<br />
asked by counsel for McLendon.<br />
"That's not our program, but that's the<br />
way it works out," he answered.<br />
OFFER NUMEROUS DOCUMENTS<br />
Interstate offered in evidence nimierous<br />
contracts between Columbia and exhibitors<br />
tending to show that the operators were not<br />
obligated to show more than a limited number<br />
of pictures What had been given first<br />
run in the downtown theatres.<br />
McLendon is seeking treble damages for<br />
a $400,000 loss incurred in the disposition of<br />
his Beverly Hills Theatre, which, he alleges,<br />
was forced to accept 45-day clearance on<br />
films after they were shown in downtown<br />
and some other neighborhood theatres.<br />
Dick Holt, counsel for McLendon, in a preliminary<br />
argument to Judge Atwell, said the<br />
alleged monopoly forced the public to attend<br />
the higher-priced downtown theatres or wait<br />
until the films were available to the neighborhood<br />
theatres, including that operated by<br />
McLendon,<br />
The plaintiffs announced they would present<br />
proof of discrimination in the clearance<br />
of the films.<br />
Delay 'Victor' Screenings<br />
NEW YORK—The national trade showing<br />
of Warners' "To the 'Victor," co-.staiTing Dennis<br />
Morgan and 'Viveca Lindfors, has been<br />
changed from March 15 to March 29. The<br />
national release date will be April 10.<br />
Sorrell Denies Charge<br />
He Is a Communist<br />
WASHINGTON—Herbert K. Sorrell,<br />
head of the Conference of Studio Unions,<br />
characterized an alleged membership<br />
card in the Communist party said to<br />
have been issued to him under the name<br />
"Herbert Stewart" as a "fake" at the<br />
He<br />
house hearing on studio labor strife.<br />
signed his name to prove the signatui-es<br />
differed.<br />
Meanwhile as Sorrell vented bitterness<br />
against rival studio labor leaders,<br />
Chairman Carroll D. Keams of the<br />
house labor and education subcommittee<br />
said he would ask Westbrook Pegler,<br />
tell columnist, to what he knows about<br />
Hollywood labor troubles.<br />
In his testimony, the CSU chief said<br />
that Disney helped make "Communists"<br />
by paying too Uttle. SorreU helped lead<br />
the strike against the Disney studios in<br />
1941. He said that the AFL screen cartoonists<br />
guild and the lATSE helped<br />
scuttle the strike.<br />
The committee remained unconvinced,<br />
despite the flow of testimony from Matthew<br />
Levy, counsel for the lATSE, and<br />
Roy Brewer, lATSE representative in<br />
Hollywood, that Communism was a basic<br />
problem in settlement of studio labor<br />
troubles. Congressman Kearns pointed<br />
out that the discussions always return<br />
to the old AFL directive which was supposed<br />
to solve the jurisdictional strife.<br />
Quarrels over jurisdictional matters<br />
within the AFL seemed to be the basic<br />
problem, Congressman Thomas Owens<br />
'Red River' Awarded to UA<br />
By Arbitration Board<br />
NEW YORK—Monterey Productions wiU<br />
have to deliver "Red River" to United Artists<br />
under the terms of an arbitration award<br />
made by a three-man panel at the headquarters<br />
of the American Arbitration Ass'n<br />
March 3.<br />
The decision of the three arbitrators was<br />
unanimous. The panel consisted of William<br />
Zimmerman, RKO sales executive, impartial<br />
arbitrator; Abe Bienstock, representing UA,<br />
and Charles Abramson, representing Monterey.<br />
The arbitration proceedings grew oat<br />
of dispute between UA and Monterey over<br />
the delivei-y of the Howard Hawks production.<br />
UA had claimed that Monterey was<br />
refusing to fulfill its contract obligations in<br />
failing to deliver the film. Monterey has<br />
claimed that the picture has not been reaxly<br />
for delivery.<br />
Meanwhile depositions in the scheduled<br />
counter suit filed by WUliam Cagney in California<br />
against UA were taken Thursday (4i.<br />
Oagney's counter-suit contests a suit filed by<br />
UA in New York supreme coiu-t to force delivery<br />
of "Time of Your Life." Cagney's<br />
counter-suit will be tried March 15.<br />
EL Seeks to Increase<br />
Accounts Per Film<br />
NEW YORK—Eagle Lion will work for a<br />
minimum of 12,000 domestic accounts on<br />
every American-made release and 10,000 on<br />
every British-made release, according to William<br />
J. Heineman, recently appointed vicepresident<br />
in charge of distribution.<br />
In the past the average number of accounts<br />
on EL U.S. product has been about<br />
8,500, and "much less" for British-made J.<br />
Arthur Rank films, Heineman said.<br />
The average number of accounts reported<br />
by one of the five majors for its pictures is<br />
about 12,000, but top musicals go as high as<br />
14,000 or 15,000 accounts.<br />
Eagle Lion branch managers and salesmen<br />
are being instructed to "poll" exhibitors in<br />
their territories as to what stories and stars<br />
wUl draw the most customers. These "polls"<br />
will be informal. The branch sales personnel<br />
will question the exhibitors on futm-e productions<br />
and possible casts being considered<br />
by Eagle Lion. The salesmen will pass on<br />
their information to the district managers<br />
who will forward the reports to the home<br />
office. There will then be consultations between<br />
production and sales executives as to<br />
future courses of<br />
action.<br />
Mochrie, Back From Coast,<br />
Sees a Record RKO Year<br />
NEW YORK — RKO anticipates<br />
a record<br />
sales year on the basis of its product lineup,<br />
according to Robert Mochrie, vice-president<br />
in charge of distribution. Mochrie made this<br />
statement during the week after his return<br />
from a studio visit. He said the spring and<br />
summer release lineup offers more quality<br />
pictures than the company has released to<br />
date in a similar period.<br />
"With such product, produced under the<br />
supervision of Dore Schary, plus weU organized<br />
selling effort, we expect to roll up<br />
business on a greater scale than ever before,"<br />
he declared.<br />
Mochrie listed forthcoming pictures he reviewed<br />
during his coast stay, including "Joan<br />
of Arc," starring Ingrid Bergman; "Berlin<br />
Express;" "The 'Velvet Touch," produced by<br />
Independent Artists; "Melody Time," Walt<br />
Disney production.<br />
Mochrie said "I Remember Mama" will<br />
open at the Radio City Music Hall March 11.<br />
"The Miracle of the Bells" will open at the<br />
Rivoli March 16.<br />
Claim 66% Fan Magazine<br />
Readers Are in 83 Cities<br />
NEW YORK—Sixty-six per cent of the<br />
readers of 12 screen fan magazines is concentrated<br />
in 83 key cities, according to results<br />
of a survey made by the Ass'n of Screen<br />
Magazine Publishers. Inc., and released by<br />
the Monroe Greenthal Advertising Co.<br />
The 66 per cent figure indicates that 13,-<br />
250,000 of a total of 20,000,000 readers is concentrated<br />
in the areas where film companies<br />
get most of their revenue.<br />
The 12 magazines represented in the survey<br />
are: Motion Picture, Movie Story, Modem<br />
Screen, Stories, Screen Photoplay, Movie<br />
Movie Stars' Pai'ade, Movieland, Screen<br />
Life,<br />
Guide, Screenland, Silver Screen and Movie<br />
Show.<br />
14<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
6, 1948
The Leading Figure In The Industry Leads The<br />
Industry In Academy Award Nominations!<br />
est Motion Picture of tlie Year<br />
'GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT" -"MIRACLE ON 34th STREET"<br />
Best performance by an Actor<br />
Best performance by an Actress<br />
Best performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role<br />
Best performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role<br />
Best Achievement in Directing<br />
Best Written Screenplay<br />
Best Original<br />
Motion Picture Story<br />
Best Achievement in Film Editing<br />
Best Achievement in Black-and-White Art Direction<br />
Best Scoring of a Musical Picture<br />
Best Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture<br />
Best Original Song<br />
Best Cinematography, Black and White<br />
Best Cinematography, Color
East and West Coasts Pay<br />
Top Admission Scales<br />
By NATHAN COHEN<br />
A survey of motion picture theatre admissions<br />
in key runs reveals that, on the<br />
whole, patrons on the east and west coasts<br />
pay more for their film entertainment<br />
than those elsewhere in the country, and<br />
that the lowest admissions are paid in<br />
the midwest and south. The study was<br />
made in 32 of the 92 cities with 100,000<br />
population or more, and was undertaken<br />
in cooperation with the corps of BOX-<br />
OFTUCE field representatives.<br />
Filmgoers in Seattle, Portland. San Francisco,<br />
Boston. Miami and Philadelphia, for<br />
example, pay more for their tickets than<br />
those in Kansas City. Dallas, Atlanta, Fort<br />
Wayne, Cincinnati and Tulsa. Prices range<br />
from a first run low of 50 cents in Birmingham,<br />
where the admissions scale has not<br />
changed since 1934. to a high of $1.20 for loge<br />
seats at the Lincoln Theatre in Miami<br />
Beach. Average for the 32 cities is 68 cents.<br />
Top admissions, as was expected, go to<br />
theatres in cities with populations of a half<br />
million or more with the scale falling—as a<br />
general rule—as the population drops. There<br />
is no general pattern on admission schedules<br />
on a population basis, however. Unusually low<br />
ticket costs turned up in several top bracket<br />
cities and exceptionally high prices popped<br />
up in the smaller cities group. The study included<br />
eight cities with 500,000 population or<br />
more, 13 cities with populations from 250,-<br />
000 to 500,000, and 11 cities in the 100,000-<br />
250.000 class.<br />
In the eight top metropolitan centers<br />
Chicago, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Boston,<br />
Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit and Milwaukee<br />
the survey shows that the average evening<br />
admission price is 82 cents. Chicago gets<br />
the top price, 98 cents, and the price is constant,<br />
matinee and evening. Neighborhoods<br />
playing day and date with Loop theatres get<br />
the same price. Detroit's first runs charge<br />
95 cents, and Philadelphia's key theatres get<br />
94 cents but the Philadelphia price includes<br />
one of the top tax highs in the country, a<br />
10 per cent municipal tax in addition to- the<br />
20 per cent federal levy.<br />
Patrons in Buffalo get the ticket bargain<br />
among the major cities. Top prices here are<br />
40 cents matinees and 60 cents evenings,<br />
weekdays, with the scale rising to the 50-70-<br />
cent level on weekends and holidays. In<br />
Baltimore, there's a 65-cent evening scale<br />
and a 44-cent matinee at all downtown first<br />
runs, although the Hippodrome (Rappaports)<br />
Survey of 32 cities reveals<br />
first run prices range from<br />
50 cents to $1.20, witfi no<br />
set pattern for determining<br />
cost of theatre ticket.<br />
gets 70 cents for a stage and screen program<br />
and Warners hikes its customary 65-<br />
cent ticket to 70 cents for weekends and<br />
holidays.<br />
When the scales for cities under a half<br />
it million population are studied, becomes<br />
apparent that exhibitors have yet to adopt<br />
a uniformity of admission prices. In the<br />
24 cities surveyed in this group, the prices<br />
ranged from 50 cents to 85 cents, with the<br />
average 65.5 cents. Wichita, Kas., gets 75<br />
cents for first runs, but Kansas City, Mo.,<br />
sets its key run scale at 65 cents. Miami<br />
prices range from 85 cents to $1.20. but<br />
Atlanta has an evening top of 60 cents.<br />
In the Miami area, the Wometco circuit<br />
has a scale of 74 cents daytime and $1 evenings<br />
at the Lincoln Theatte, with the loge<br />
at $1.20. At other first runs, however, Miami<br />
residents attending the Wometco and Paramount<br />
houses pay 70 cents for matinees and<br />
85 cents evenings.<br />
Of the 32 cities surveyed, theatres in approximately<br />
one-third of them have a state
;<br />
I<br />
while<br />
I<br />
population<br />
,<br />
its<br />
'<br />
85<br />
or local tax to pay in addition to the federal<br />
admissions levy. In addition to the 10 peicent<br />
lug in Philadelphia. Cleveland and Chicago<br />
have a 3 per cent admissions tax; Qallas<br />
exhibitors pay one cent for each 10 cents<br />
over 50 cents; in Richmond it is 5 per cent<br />
of all admissions over 20 cents; Baltimore<br />
theatres pay a gross receipts tax of one-half<br />
of one per cent; and the two Kansas Citys,<br />
New Haven, Tulsa and Birmingham have a<br />
2 per cent sales tax.<br />
Children's prices vary considerably. Except<br />
for Texas, where the price has been<br />
standarized at 9 cents, day or night, the old<br />
10-cent admission for children is no longer<br />
the universal practice except in isolated<br />
neighborhood situations. In Chicago, first<br />
runs get 30 cents for matinees and 50 cents<br />
for evenings. A 35-cent scale prevails in<br />
Boston, Detroit and Baltimore. Cincinnati<br />
runs get 30 cents, as does Newark where<br />
first<br />
the weekend and holiday scale boosts the<br />
cost to youngsters to 35 cents.<br />
MEET TEEN-AGE PROBLEM<br />
In Fall River, Mass., the theatres have no<br />
evening scale for children posted. The law<br />
does not permit children in theatres at night,<br />
unless accompanied by their parents. Then<br />
they pay the regular adult admission cost.<br />
The adult price for children also prevails on<br />
Sundays and holidays—even at the neighborhoods.<br />
This is probably as tough a<br />
situation for children as there is in the<br />
country—as there is close supervision by<br />
authorities, in cooperation with exhibitors,<br />
over juvenile theatre attendance. This is<br />
particularly true in watching attendance<br />
during school hours.<br />
The survey also reveals that exhibitors in<br />
some sections are making an effort to meet<br />
the problem of the teen-ager, who, in a<br />
number of instances, have protested having<br />
to pay adult prices. In Wichita, a student<br />
price of 50 cents prevails—a 25-cent discount<br />
on the evening scale—and tickets are sold<br />
through the schools. A teen-age scale is in<br />
effect in Duluth, following a movement instituted<br />
by the Minnesota Amusement Co. to<br />
recognize the special needs of the 12 to 18-<br />
year olds. The price is 35 cents, a 15-cent<br />
cut under the adult scale. In Houston, neighborhoods,<br />
in many instances, offer a teenage<br />
price of 20 cents on Wednesdays and<br />
Thursdays.<br />
It is also revealed that some cities follow<br />
the practice of offering balcony seats at<br />
bargain rates. It is not too prevalent, but<br />
the practice does show up. The Malco circuit<br />
in Memphis sells its first-run balcony<br />
seats for 50 cents, which is 10 cents below<br />
scale. Neighborhoods in Birmingham have<br />
a 25-cent balcony charge. RKO Proctor's<br />
in Newark has this arrangement, with the<br />
upper tiers selling at 15 cents under the<br />
regular 85-cent rate, and Warners in Baltimore<br />
makes its balcony seats available at<br />
60 cents, 10 cents under the evening scale.<br />
NEIGHBORHOOD PRICES VARY<br />
As for prices charged by neighborhoods and<br />
subsequent runs, no pattern of admissions<br />
is evident in the study. They vary city by<br />
city. Chicago neighborhoods get 72 cents<br />
Cleveland, sixth largest city, with a<br />
nearing the million mark, sells<br />
neighborhood films at an average of 45<br />
cents. Top neighborhood price reported was<br />
cents, for a Sunday performance at the<br />
newly remodeled Locust in PhUadelphia.<br />
Do^^-n in San Antonio, a number of subsequents<br />
are listing 17 cents as the evening<br />
^ admission price. That's the low in 32 cities.<br />
iefs Streamline Trailers,<br />
Exhibitor Group Suggests<br />
NEW YORK—Recommendations for improving<br />
trailers as an advertising medium<br />
have been sent to leading affiliated and independent<br />
circuits and major distributors by<br />
Leonard Goldenson, president of Paramount<br />
Theatres Service Corp. The 15-point program<br />
for trailers was worked out by an industry<br />
trailer committee at a recent meeting<br />
in New York.<br />
The conunitte comprises officials of Paramount<br />
affiliates, representing about 2,460<br />
houses, and heads of several circuits in metropolitan<br />
New York, representing about 350<br />
houses.<br />
Here are the recommendations:<br />
1. Trailers should be shorter.<br />
2. A special short trailer is needed for multiple<br />
change houses.<br />
3. Trailers should arouse immediate interest.<br />
4. Trailers should minimize superlatives.<br />
5. Trailers should minimize stereotyped material.<br />
the<br />
6. Music in trailers should set a mood.<br />
7. Trailers should not reveal too much of<br />
plot.<br />
8. They should not use critics' comments.<br />
9. They should omit company advertising<br />
and not tie<br />
in more than one picture.<br />
10. Trailers should not publicize directors of<br />
films.<br />
11. Use of costumes should be avoided<br />
wherever po.ssible.<br />
12. Trailers for Briti.sh films should use an<br />
American commentator.<br />
13. Trailers on controversial films should<br />
emphasize the entertainment, not the preachment.<br />
14. The manager's endorsement of the film<br />
should not be used too freely.<br />
15. Trailers should be a custom buUt ticket<br />
selling medium.<br />
The committee working on the recommendations<br />
included Edward H, Hyman, chairman;<br />
Earl Hudson, United Detroit Theatres;<br />
Charles Winchell, Minne.sota Amusement Co.;<br />
Dick Kennedy, Wilby-Kincey; BUI Hollander,<br />
Balaban & Katz; Leon Netter, Robert Weltman,<br />
Paramount, plus representatives of the<br />
Fabian, Rinzler, Century and Rugoff and<br />
Becker circuits in New York,<br />
Goldenson said the suggestions were compiled<br />
because exhibitors feel trailer producers<br />
"have gotten too far away from the theatre<br />
boxoffice and have lost track of the basic<br />
function of a trailer and the type of content<br />
necessary."<br />
New Ascap Rate Forms Being Printed,<br />
Exhibitors to Get Them March 15<br />
NEW YORK — Ascap application forms<br />
containing the new licensing fee schedule<br />
for a revised rate schedule, effective March<br />
15. At a meeting held here March 1, the<br />
members expressed their disappointment over<br />
are now in the hands of the printers, and<br />
are expected to be mailed to theatre owners the postponement of congressional hearings<br />
before March 15. That is the date the new on the Lewis bill which would amend the<br />
rates will<br />
copyright law by making the producers, instead<br />
go into effect.<br />
Ascap officials do not think that any of<br />
of the exhibitors, pay the public per-<br />
forming rights fees of music on sound<br />
the society's theatre customers will refuse<br />
The hearing has been postponed from<br />
to sign the new applications. In the event tracks.<br />
the applications fail to reach the theatres March 1 to 22.<br />
by March 15, contracts wiU be made retroactive<br />
to that date.<br />
Members of the New Jersey unit had hoped<br />
from to receive guidance these hearings as<br />
The new schedule, which was agreed upon what action they should take on the new<br />
to<br />
contracts. after long negotiations between representa-<br />
Meanwhile the members voted<br />
tives of the TOA and Ascap, covers a tenyear<br />
period and provides for increases for<br />
theatres over 500 seats only. These increases<br />
range from 2'2 cents per seat for theatres up<br />
to 799 seats, to increases up to 5 cents per<br />
seat for theatres with more than 1,599 seats.<br />
The TOA has advised its members to accept<br />
the new agreement, and many regional<br />
organizations and individual members have<br />
already indicated that they will.<br />
The executive board of Allied voted to<br />
make a more thorough study of the new rates<br />
dui'ing its recent session in WasJiington.<br />
N. J. Allied in No Hurry<br />
To Sign Ascap Pacts<br />
NEW YORK—Members of the Allied Theatre<br />
Owners of New Jersey are in no rush<br />
to sign the new Ascap contracts providing<br />
to back the proposal. The National Allied<br />
board of directors had already come out in<br />
favor of the<br />
Three Quarterly Dividends<br />
Are Declared by 20th-Fox<br />
NEW YORK—Tire board of dii'ectors of<br />
20th-Fox Film Corp. has declared a quarterly<br />
dividend of 50 cents per share on outstanding<br />
common stock of the corporation<br />
and a dividend of 37'- cents per share on<br />
outstanding convertible preferred stock. Both<br />
dividends are payable March 31, 1948 to<br />
stockholders of record March 10.<br />
The board also declared a quarterly dividend<br />
of $1.12 '2 a share on outstanding prior<br />
preferred stock. This is payable March 15,<br />
1948, to stockholders of record March 10.<br />
BOXOFnCE :: March 6, 1948
: March<br />
^Jften
. Named<br />
: March<br />
. . . Such<br />
$61108,975 Suit Filed<br />
By 'Unfriendly Ten'<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Those writers, directors<br />
and producers labeled as •imfriendly" witnesses<br />
and indicted for Congressional contempt<br />
when they refused to answer the socalled<br />
"$64 question" before Rep. J. Parnell<br />
Thomas and his house un-American activities<br />
comimittee have finally decided to reply<br />
—with a $61,108,975 damage suit.<br />
The stratospheric action was filed in superior<br />
court against virtually the entire industry<br />
by Lester Cole, Ring Lardner jr., Dalton<br />
Trumbo, Alvah Bessie, Samuel Ornitz.<br />
Albert Maltz, John Howard Lawson, Edward<br />
Dmytryk, Herbert Biberman and Adrian<br />
Scott. The voluminous complaint makes three<br />
major charges:<br />
CHARGES ARE LISTED<br />
1. The studios are guilty of "malicious interference"<br />
with their individual employment<br />
and with their right to maintain political<br />
beliefs.<br />
2. The studios violated sections of the California<br />
state labor code which forbids an employer<br />
to discriminate because of political<br />
affiliations.<br />
3. The studios entered into a "con.spiracy"<br />
to "blacklist" the plaintiffs when the Motion<br />
Pictui'e Ass'n of America and the Society of<br />
Independent Motion Picture Producers adopted<br />
a resolution last November barring from<br />
employment anyone who refused to tell Congress<br />
whether he is or ever has been a Communist<br />
party member.<br />
The action was filed by Attorneys Robert<br />
W. Kenny, Ben Margolis, Bartley C. Crum<br />
and Charles J. Katz, who appeared as counsel<br />
for the "unfriendly ten" during the<br />
Thomas corrunittee hearings.<br />
Each of the plaintiffs demands about<br />
$2,000,000 actual and $4,000,000 punitive damages,<br />
basing the claims on individual earnings<br />
and on whether the petitioners were<br />
working with or without written contracts.<br />
They also demand an injunction "perpetually<br />
restraining and enjoining" the defendants<br />
from "maintaining any blacklist or policy<br />
of blacklisting or discriminating against<br />
plaintiffs with respect to employment in the<br />
motion picture industry."<br />
DEFENDANTS NAMED<br />
as defendants, in addition to the<br />
MPAA and the SIMPP, were LoeWs, 20th<br />
Centui-y-Fox. Paramount, Columbia, RKO<br />
Radio, Warners, Republic, Samuel Goldwyn,<br />
Hal Roach and Universal-International.<br />
Individual defendants named were Eric<br />
Johnston, Donald Nelson, Nicholas M.<br />
Schenck, Louis B. Mayer, Spyros P. Skouras,<br />
James K. McGuinness, E. J. Mannix, Joseph<br />
M. Schenck, William C. Michel, Barney Balaban,<br />
Y. Frank Freeman, Henry Ginsberg,<br />
Harry and Jack Cohn, Ben B. Kahane, N.<br />
Peter Rathvon, Dore Schary, Ned Depinet,<br />
Leon Goldberg, Harry and Jack Warner,<br />
Herbert J. Yates and Walter Wanger.<br />
Attorney Margolis made it clear in a statement<br />
to BOXOPFICE that the action is entirely<br />
separate from civil suits previously<br />
filed by Trumbo, Cole, Lardner, Dmytryk and<br />
Scott against MGM, 20th Century-Fox and<br />
RKO Radio, charging breach of contract because<br />
of their discharge from studio positions.<br />
Althoug-h the four scenarists labeled among<br />
the industry's "unfriendly ten" will receive<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
Here's a Minister With Something<br />
Good to Say of Films- In Prayer<br />
Filmrow in Memphis is still talking<br />
about the prayer which the<br />
Rev. F. F. Moore, pastor of the<br />
Methodist church at Waverly. Tenn.,<br />
delivered at the recent opening of<br />
the Mi-De-Ga Theatre there by Nathan<br />
Flcxer. Leonard Shea, branch<br />
manager. Eagle Lion, was so impressed<br />
he is having covies of the<br />
prayer printed tvhich he plans to<br />
distribute throughout the United<br />
States. The prayer folloivs:<br />
"Our Father, We come to invoke Thy<br />
blessings upon this gathering of citizens<br />
who are here for the opening of this<br />
splendid institution. We pray that Thou<br />
wilt rest Thy blessings upon the owner<br />
of this theatre. We give Thee thanks<br />
for all of the tireless effort which has<br />
been put forth to make possible such<br />
an institution for the benefit of the<br />
people of this area. Thy blessings be<br />
upon his family. Bless the people of<br />
our town and of our nation in these<br />
days of restlessness and uncertainty.<br />
"We thank Thee for the technological<br />
advances which make possible entertai:mient<br />
for the common man. Most<br />
of us who are here are caught in the<br />
monotony of a work-a-day world. Our<br />
lives are filled with mundane things,<br />
so that we need this medium of escape<br />
from the hard, difficult places of life<br />
to recreate ourselves. To some of us<br />
this offers our only means of recreation.<br />
"We thank Thee for the movie screen<br />
no official help from the Screen Writers Guild<br />
in their trials on charges of contempt of<br />
Congress, the "blacklist" as applied to them<br />
and other industi'y workers by the producers<br />
on ideological and political grounds will be<br />
fought to the limit.<br />
That was the substance of a declaration<br />
by Thurman Ai'nold, one-time trust-buster<br />
who has been retained by the SWG to assist<br />
the WTiters—Trumbo, Cole, Lardner jr. and<br />
Scott—in their respective civil actions against<br />
their former studio employers, who discharged<br />
them following their indictments. Arnold<br />
will represent the SWG in its appearance as<br />
"amicus curiae" in those cases.<br />
Arnold specified he will not appear in the<br />
congressional contempt proceedings, but emphasized<br />
that the alleged "blacklist," as<br />
promulgated in a statement of industry policy<br />
by Eric Jolmston, is "intolerable."<br />
The program, he said, constitutes an "industry<br />
court which determines the fitness<br />
of every wi-iter to have his work produced.<br />
a court cannot be tolerated in any<br />
industry involving freedom of expression."<br />
He charged the producers' action was "lai-gely<br />
dominated by feai-" and reiterated that<br />
the film makers individually have the right<br />
to hire and fire "as they see fit," but that<br />
when such action is taken as part of a unified<br />
plan the situation becomes "intolerable."<br />
Arnold was here for a weekend stay to confer<br />
with President Sheridan Gibney of the<br />
SWG. Gibney pointed out that Arnold's fees<br />
which has made of us world travelers.<br />
Most of us will never see the palms on<br />
a Pacific island or know how people<br />
live in the great metropolitan centers<br />
of the world. We will never see what<br />
life is like in China or in Poland. We<br />
will never walk the streets of London<br />
or rub shoulders with Fiji islanders.<br />
But through travelogue, we are made<br />
aware of the nature of our world and<br />
our society. The hopes of a peaceful<br />
world rest upon an understanding of<br />
the people of our world and this is'<br />
means to that understanding.<br />
"We thank Thee for this medium of<br />
teaching. That which we read may be<br />
little understood, but not that which<br />
we see. Many of us with limited education<br />
have had opened to us vast vistas<br />
of new information of which we had<br />
never dreamed. Grant us wi.sdom to use<br />
this mode of entertainment and education<br />
wisely. May we have insight so as<br />
to separate truth from farce. Enable us<br />
to be wise enough to see that farce can<br />
be used in such fashion as to teach<br />
and to demonstrate the right.<br />
"Give courage to the leaders of the<br />
industry so that they may face squarely<br />
the issues of life. Help them to know<br />
their responsibility to society. Grant,<br />
we pray Thee, to the motion picture industry<br />
a serLse of its responsibility to<br />
foster clean living, since it is such a<br />
powerful instrument in the formation<br />
of character. May it glorify the good<br />
rather than the evil."<br />
and other costs will be met through "voluntary"<br />
contributions from high-salaried members<br />
of the writers' organization. There will,<br />
he said, be no membership assessment.<br />
U-I and Stars Are Sued<br />
Over Rights to Novel<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Damages of $1,000,000 are<br />
sought in a superior court action filed by<br />
Charles K. Feldman Group Productions<br />
against Joan Fontaine, Burt Lancaster. Universal-International<br />
and others pertaining to<br />
the film rights to the Gerald Butler novel.<br />
"Kiss the Blood Off My Hands." Lancaster<br />
and Miss Fontaine are to co-star in the film<br />
version for U-I release. Feldman contends<br />
the defendants conspii-ed to deprive him of<br />
film rights to the book. He demands an injunction,<br />
an accounting and a "quiet title."<br />
Czech Reds Pull U.S. Film<br />
PRAGUE—"This Land Is Mine," American<br />
film dealing with underground resi.stance to<br />
German occupation, has been withdrawn after<br />
a one-day run at the Cinema Freedom<br />
Theatre here. "Love Letters," starring Joseph<br />
Cotten was substituted. In the U.S., Charles<br />
Laughton, star of "Tliis Land," said the move<br />
did not surprise him, since the film strongly<br />
occupation "of any kind."<br />
6, 1948 19
ANYTHING<br />
mm YOUR Bi<br />
^^^^^^si^i
THE MATTERl:>.<br />
HNESS THAT A<br />
COLUMBIA PICTURES<br />
Susan<br />
Peters<br />
IHc Sfgi Of o«»w'<br />
Tie Ram ^,x|<br />
CO -starring<br />
ALEXANDER PHYLLIS PEGGY ANN<br />
KNOX • THAXTER • GARNER<br />
RON DAME MAY ALLENE<br />
RANOELL • WHITTY • ROBERTS<br />
>?(P^^i^^^_<br />
\<br />
1^<br />
Screenplay by Charles Bennett • Based upon the novel by Margaret Ferguson (^<br />
cTiiDPcc . Dr,.H..rQH h» ipuiwf: ritMMlNn
. . Screen<br />
. . "Night<br />
. . Madeleine<br />
. . Marie<br />
: March<br />
.<br />
^Mfw^Md ^efoont<br />
Seven New Story Properties<br />
Purchased During Week<br />
Writers and the agents who purvey thenbrain-children<br />
to the studios had good reason<br />
to be wearing broad smiles during the<br />
period, wherein a healthy total of seven properties<br />
were acquired by the film makers.<br />
MGM went for "Act of Violence," an<br />
original by Collier Young, purchasing it<br />
from the company formerly headed by the<br />
late Mark Hellinger. It will be produced<br />
by William Wright from a script now being<br />
prepared by Robert L. Richards . . . "September."<br />
an original screenplay by Robert<br />
Thoeren from an idea by Fritz Rotter, went<br />
to Hal Wallis as an addition to his independent<br />
schedule for Paramount release.<br />
The story concerns a woman pianist who forsakes<br />
love for a career . . . Radio writer<br />
Aleen Leslie sold an original, "Turn of the<br />
Century," to Columbia, where it will be produced<br />
as a musical by Burt Kelly . . . Jerry<br />
Gruskin's original comedy about a girl who<br />
is rescued from a watery grave by an underseas<br />
scientist, "The Octopus and Miss Smith,"<br />
went to Warners, where it is being scripted<br />
by Harry Kurnitz. He is also set to produce<br />
rights were acquired by<br />
Harry Sherman to a series of western stories<br />
by W. C. Tuttle, featuring two cowpoke<br />
characters. "Hashknife" and "Sleepy," for<br />
independent production, possibly through<br />
Enterprise . Cry," a novel by William<br />
L. Stuart, was picked up by Frank<br />
Rosenberg's Colony Pictures, to be filmed<br />
PS a semidocumentary. He has set no release<br />
... To Eagle Lion went "I Married a<br />
Communist," by George W. George and<br />
George P. Slavin, which is also slated for<br />
documentary film treatment under the guidance<br />
of Producer Aubrey Schenck.<br />
Screen Guild Adds Eight<br />
To Release Schedule<br />
Screen Guild Productions added eight subjects<br />
to its 1948 distribution schedule by acquiring<br />
two reissues and setting up a production<br />
deal for a half-dozen sagebrushers<br />
co-staning Lash LaRue and Al St. John,<br />
who were riding the PRC range until recently.<br />
The reissues are "Forbidden Music,"<br />
with Jimmy Durante, and a Joe E. Brown<br />
comedy, "Flirting With Fate." The LaRue-<br />
St. John westerns will be turned out by Ron<br />
Ormond.<br />
Three More Independents<br />
To Release Through EL<br />
Whether the master-minds of Eagle Lion<br />
are deliberately pointing in that direction<br />
it or not, to if begins look as the company's<br />
1948 will output reach astronomical proportions,<br />
at least as to quantity, judging by<br />
the number of distribution deals it has been<br />
setting up of late with various independent<br />
film-making units. Latest to announce<br />
plans for production unier the EL banner:<br />
William Moss Pictures, Inc., to make thi-ee<br />
films annually, the first to be "Judgment in<br />
the Wilderness," a Cinecolor outdoor drama<br />
based on an original by Morton Grant. Moss<br />
—who recently turned out two "Kilroy" subjects<br />
co-starring Jackie Cooper and Jackie<br />
22<br />
By<br />
IVAN SPEAR<br />
Coogan for Monogram—has charted a May<br />
starting date.<br />
John Sutherland Productions, which signed<br />
a two-picture commitment and scheduled<br />
"Lady at Midnight," from a story by Richard<br />
Sale, as its initialer, to go before the<br />
cameras immediately. Sherman Scott will<br />
direct.<br />
Additionally, EL has priority on United<br />
California Productions' next film, "That's<br />
Hollywood," described as the story of Robert<br />
Cummings' screen career to date. United's<br />
first, is "Let's Live a Little," now in work<br />
for EL release with Cummings and Hedy<br />
Lamarr as the co-stars. Cummings is developing<br />
"That's Hollywood" and will have<br />
the topline in the subject.<br />
Bing Crosby and Four Sons<br />
Signed for Disney Film<br />
The latest Crosby film venture is somewhat<br />
more than a mere casting commitment<br />
—it's practically a merger. Der Bingle has<br />
signed to narrate and sing three songs in<br />
Walt Disney's new animation-and-live-action<br />
feature, "Two Fabulous Characters"<br />
and going with liim in the package are his<br />
four sons, Philip, Gary. Dennis and Lindsay.<br />
They'll make their acting debut in the subject,<br />
which RKO Radio will release.<br />
Three Players Terminate<br />
Their Studio Contracts<br />
A rash of terminations-by-mutual-agreement<br />
of player-studio commitments broke<br />
out during the period. Lloyd Nolan checks<br />
out of 20th Century-Fox, after an eight-year<br />
association, when he completes "The Street<br />
With No Name;" Ellen Drew secured a release<br />
from the balance of her Columbia<br />
ticket; and Richard Hart and MGM called<br />
it quits. All announced plans to free lance in<br />
the future Carroll will resume<br />
her film career in "An Innocent<br />
.<br />
Af-<br />
fair," co-starring with Fred MacMurray in<br />
the James Nasser production for United<br />
Audrey Long replaced Anne<br />
Artists .<br />
Gwynne in Monogram's "Stage Struck," with<br />
PLAY IT LIKE THIS—Suggests Director<br />
Steve Sekeley (right) as he explains<br />
a scene in "Hollow Triunph" to Paul<br />
Henreid, co-starring with Joan Bennett<br />
in the Eagle Lion drama. Henreid is also<br />
producing the film, marking his debut in<br />
that category.<br />
P. J. Wolfson Planning<br />
Shakespeare Biography<br />
Old Will Shakespeare, who has had a<br />
hand in many a Hollywood opus (with<br />
and without screen credit), is coming<br />
into his own at last. A film version of<br />
the life and works of the Bard of Avon<br />
is in preparation as an independent<br />
venture by P. J. Wolfson, former Paramount<br />
writer-producer, for an as-yet undesignated<br />
release.<br />
Wolfson intends to get under way<br />
with the offering early next year, shooting<br />
it<br />
both in England and the U.S.,<br />
on a high-budget scale. He has not yet<br />
lined up a cast.<br />
Conrad Nagel and Ralph Byrd also joining<br />
the cast . . . Lon McCallister, Julie London<br />
and AUene Roberts are toplined in Sol Lesser's<br />
new one for UA, "Girl Shy" . . . MGM<br />
handed Frank Morgan a role in "The Story<br />
of Monty Stratton," upcoming Van Johnson<br />
starrer. At the same studio Tom Drake was<br />
set to portray Richard Rodgers, the tunesmith,<br />
in "Words and Music."<br />
RKO Promotes Jack Gross<br />
To Schary's Assistant<br />
Intending to keep a sharp eye on production<br />
costs, RKO Radio has elevated Jack<br />
Gross, for five years an executive producer,<br />
to a new post as assistant to Dore Schary,<br />
wherein he will devote his energies to a<br />
"pre-filming analysis" of budgets, scripts and<br />
acting commitments Quigley, west<br />
coast as.sistant production to Joseph Bernhard,<br />
president of Film Classics, has replaced<br />
Phil Krasne as FC's production contact . .<br />
Michael F. Johnson, who for 15 years served<br />
in various production capacities with a number<br />
of British studios joined Jerry Fairbanks<br />
as studio manager . . . Added to the executive<br />
lineup of R. B. Roberts Productions as<br />
secretary-treasurer and general manager is<br />
Martin Jurow, formerly a partner in the<br />
James Saphier agency.<br />
Writing-Producing Chore<br />
For Seton Miller at WB<br />
"Fighter Squadron," a story of World War<br />
II aviation, will be written and produced at<br />
Warners by Seton I. Miller. On the same<br />
lot Delmer Davies was assigned the writingdirecting<br />
chore on "The Turquoise" . . . Paramount<br />
handed the producer-director assignment<br />
on "Look Homeward, Angel," the<br />
Thomas Wolfe novel, to William Wyler . .<br />
Over Eagle Lion way, Leonard Picker and<br />
Chuck Reisner were set to produce and direct,<br />
respectively. "Born to Fight," prize ring<br />
drama featuring Scott Brady.<br />
Descendant of Hamilton<br />
Plans Historical Films<br />
So great has interest become in the independent<br />
film-making field that even Alexander<br />
Hamilton is going to take a whirl at<br />
it. Not the first U.S. secretary of the treasuary,<br />
but a great-great grandson, bearing the<br />
same name and associated in the organization<br />
of Americana Productions with Jess<br />
Smith.<br />
The new outfit projects a series of films<br />
based on U.S. history, and plans to gun the<br />
first,<br />
as yet untitled, in June.<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
6, 1948
, New<br />
I<br />
: March<br />
1 3)<br />
Foreign Heads Hear<br />
About Export Rules<br />
NEW YORK-^Heads of foreign departments<br />
of the MPAA member companies have<br />
been briefed on the new Department of Commerce<br />
regulations covering U.S. exports to<br />
Europe and parts of Africa and Asia. The<br />
new regulations, which went into effect<br />
March 1. cover film and film equipment as<br />
well as many other commodities.<br />
Details of the new rules were explained by<br />
Nathan D. Golden, chief of the fihn unit of<br />
the Department of Commerce.<br />
Golden pointed out that film and equipment<br />
exports must be shipped under a consolidated<br />
license. This type of hcense, he<br />
said, peiTnits the American shipper to send<br />
his goods to anybody within a designated area<br />
in the territories covered by the new regulations.<br />
However, certain conditions have to<br />
be met. The shipper must submit an estimate<br />
of the amount of goods he plans to<br />
send abroad within the next 90 days, but<br />
exportei-s of film and film equipment will be<br />
able to submit estimates for a four-month<br />
period ending July 1.<br />
In addition to all of Europe, including the<br />
British Isles and Iceland, the areas covered<br />
by the new regulations are: Asiatic Russia,<br />
Asiatic Turkey, Spanish possessions in Africa<br />
and tlie Spanish islands in the Mediterranean.<br />
The new license regulations, first announced<br />
January 16, are the result of congressional<br />
action taken last November to control the<br />
export of American commodities.<br />
Paramount Video Hearing<br />
Is Postponed to May 10<br />
WASHINGTON—The FCC has postponed<br />
hearings on applications by Paramount affiliates<br />
for television stations and on Paramount's<br />
interest in Allen B. Du Mont Labiiratories<br />
from March 1 to May 10. The hearing<br />
in Washington was postponed after the<br />
FCC decided to hold field investigations of<br />
the applications for television stations.<br />
Tlae field hearings wUl be held in Detroit,<br />
March 15-17: Cleveland, March 18-24; San<br />
Francisco, April 5-9: Dallas, April 13-16: Boston,<br />
April 26-May 7.<br />
Menjou to Anti-Red Group<br />
WASHINGTON — Adolphe Menjou, motion<br />
picture star, is one of 14 distinguished<br />
Americans who have joined the Committee<br />
to Stop World Communism. Arthur Bliss<br />
Lane, co-chairman of the committee, announced.<br />
The objective of the committee is<br />
the preservation of American security and<br />
the restoration of freedom and democracy<br />
in Europe, said Lane, former ambassador to<br />
Poland.<br />
Train Has a Theatre<br />
PHILADELPHIA—The Pennsylvania railroad<br />
has a new all-coach streamliner with a<br />
theatre showing newsreels continuously and<br />
a children's playroom. The new train is in<br />
i service on the Jefferson run that operates<br />
r between New York. Philadelphia and St.<br />
Louis.<br />
BOXOFnCE :<br />
6, 1948<br />
7iJa4j^ui^t
SKy/lOemBUSmss formno 0, wmei<br />
1<br />
"One of those bright pieces of<br />
entertainment which comes along<br />
all too infrequently . . . provides<br />
nothing but amusement and<br />
laughs." —M. P. Herald<br />
"Audiences looking for laughs<br />
will find them in abundance . . .<br />
entertainment that should result<br />
in popular and profitable boxoffice."<br />
—Boxofflce<br />
"Should gaily make the bigmoney<br />
grade . . . loaded with<br />
everything the target demands."<br />
—Film Daily<br />
"There can be no question of the<br />
picture's performance at the boxoffice<br />
... A fast-paced, volatile<br />
"Howls interspersed with constant<br />
chuckles . . . Apparently<br />
and highly amusing example of<br />
headed for top-money brackets<br />
how to entertain the public."<br />
. . . good songs and strong exploitation<br />
possibilities."<br />
-M. P. Daily<br />
"The family aura of this comedy — Showmen's Trade Review<br />
should help . . . Should do okay<br />
"Cantor-Davis team hits comedy<br />
at boxoffice." — Variefy<br />
stride . . . bright boxoffice prospects<br />
. . . one laugh sequence<br />
after the other."<br />
—Hollywood Reporter<br />
"Chock full of the good old kind<br />
of comedy which audiences go<br />
for in droves . . . slick entertainment."<br />
—Daily Variety a
% Cleveland, Boston, Cincinnati,<br />
Kansas City, Chicago, Minneapolis,<br />
San Francisco, Springfield (Mass.),<br />
Des Moines, Cedar Rapids
: March<br />
^
: March<br />
1 1 greater<br />
.<br />
. .2:30<br />
Local Amusement Tax<br />
Urged by Professor<br />
HARRISBURG. PA.—Carl H. Chatters,<br />
professor of muncipial aciministration and<br />
finance. Northwestern university, urges municipalities<br />
to adopt amusement taxes to Increase<br />
revenues and to avoid local sales and<br />
income levies. The Pennsylvania internal<br />
affairs department's monthly bulletin published<br />
these recommendations.<br />
'The amusement tax is an ideal local tax,"<br />
Chatters said in pointing out possible sources<br />
of revenue for meeting inflated costs of local<br />
goveniment-s. The yield from an amusement<br />
tax can be "substantial," he said, noting that<br />
federal income from this som'ce is more than<br />
$400,000,000 annually. "Local sales taxes are<br />
not generally feasible and can be used best<br />
when collected as part of a state tax," he<br />
added. "Both local income and local sales<br />
taxes are strong medicine and should be used<br />
only when carefully prescribed."<br />
Most local government bodies in Pennsylvania<br />
have the power under a 1947 law to tax<br />
almost anything not taxed by the state. Many<br />
have levied amusement taxes and some have<br />
passed income taxes. The "tax expert" also<br />
recommends 1 share of the state<br />
gasoline taxes, (2i graduated license fees so<br />
that large businesses pay more than the<br />
small, (3i charge other municipalities on the<br />
same basis as citizens for services rendered,<br />
(4) get maximum revenue from use of idle<br />
funds and rental of city properties. Chatters<br />
warned, however, that all cities differ and<br />
require varied methods of financing.<br />
Creative Ideas Save Production Costs,<br />
Says President of Screen Plays, Inc.<br />
NEW YORK — With production costs<br />
mounting steadily, Hollywood is fast becoming<br />
a "creative idea world," with saving<br />
becoming a byword among the younger producers,<br />
according to Stanley Kramer, president<br />
and executive producer of Screen Plays,<br />
Inc. The company's first picture, "So This<br />
Is New York," comedian<br />
starring radio<br />
Henry Morgan, will be released by United<br />
Artists this spring.<br />
The group that formed Screen Plays is<br />
composed of Kramer, George Glass, vicepresident<br />
and director publicity<br />
of advertising,<br />
and exploitation, and three writers<br />
and two directors. Kramer and his group<br />
intend to produce three more pictures in the<br />
next two years and, although each of the<br />
writers and directors may not work on all<br />
the pictures, all seven will participate in the<br />
profits. Among the scripts already prepared<br />
for filming are an adaptation of Taylor Caldwell's<br />
novel, "The Wide House," a Ring<br />
Lardner story, "Champion," and a Carl Foreman<br />
original based on the life of Adah<br />
Menken, the first chorus girl. In addition,<br />
Kramer has options on the majority of<br />
Ring Lardner's many magazine stories and<br />
he will probably make another picture starring<br />
Morgan.<br />
Production budgets on the Screen Plays<br />
pictures will range from $850,000 minimum to<br />
$1,300,000 top. The figure is increased if a<br />
top-ranking star or director is signed for<br />
the picture. Kramer believes that a twoweek<br />
rehearsal period for the players prior<br />
to the actual shooting of a picture means<br />
a big saving in time and money. However,<br />
it is difficult for independent producers to<br />
secure production loans on anything but the<br />
actual shooting period of a picture, he said.<br />
Director Alfred Hitchcock recently employed<br />
the two-week rehearsal period for his first<br />
Transatlantic Pictures film, "Rope," and<br />
completed the picture in 34 days shooting<br />
time.<br />
Kramer believes that creative effort In<br />
production technique can cut down on the<br />
picture's cost without impairing its quality.<br />
As an instance, an important scene in "So<br />
This Is New York." which shows the principal<br />
characters walking along Broadway in<br />
the 1919-20 period would have cost $31,500<br />
to reproduce storefronts and restaurants.<br />
By filming just the characters' feet, in the<br />
footwear of this period, walking past the<br />
name plates on the Broadway sidewalks, the<br />
entire one and one-half minute sequence was<br />
filmed for only $2,100.<br />
To Show 'Winter Meeting'<br />
NEW YORK—"Winter Meeting," starring<br />
Bette Davis, will be tradeshown in all Warner<br />
Bros, exchanges March 29. Janis Paige<br />
and James Davis are featured.<br />
PARAMOUNT<br />
TRADE SHOW<br />
Monday, March 15th<br />
PAULETTEGODDARD<br />
MACDONALD CAREY<br />
HAZARD^<br />
with<br />
Fred Clark • Stanley Clements<br />
Frank Faylen • Maxie Rosenbloom<br />
.c.d by MEL EPSTEIN<br />
GEORGE AAARSHALL<br />
CITY ^ PLACE<br />
ALBANY<br />
FOX PROJ. ROOM, 1052 Broadway<br />
ATLANTA PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 154 Walton St., N.W. . .<br />
BOSTON<br />
PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 58 Berkeley Street<br />
BUFFALO<br />
PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 464 Franklin Street<br />
CHARLOTTE PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 305 So. Church Street . .<br />
CHICAGO PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1 306 So. Michigan Ave. .<br />
CINCINNATI PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1214 Central Parkway .<br />
CLEVELAND PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1735 E. 23rd Street<br />
DALLAS<br />
PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 41 2 So. Harwood Street<br />
DENVER<br />
PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 2100 Stout Street<br />
DES MOINES PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1125 High Street<br />
DETROIT PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 479 Ledyard Avenue . .<br />
INDIANAPOLIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 116 W. Michigan Street.<br />
JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA THEATRES SCREEN ROOM, 128 E. Forsythe S<br />
KANSAS CITY PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1800 Wyandotte St<br />
LOS ANGELES BOULEVARD THEATRE, Washington & Vermont Sts. . .<br />
MEMPHIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 362 So. Second Street . .<br />
MILWAUKEE: PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1121 N. Eighth Street . . .<br />
MINNEAPOLIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1201 Currie Avenue<br />
NEW HAVEN PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 82 Slate Street<br />
NEW ORLEANS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 215 So. Liberty St<br />
NEW YORK CITY FOX PROJ. ROOM, 345 West 44th Street<br />
OKLAHOMA CITY. . .PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 701 W. Grand Ave. . . .<br />
OMAHA<br />
PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1704 Davenport St<br />
PHILADELPHIA PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 248 No. 12th Street<br />
PITTSBURGH PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1727 Blvd. of Allies<br />
PORTLAND PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 909 No. West 19th Ave.<br />
ST. LOUIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 2949 Olive St<br />
SALT LAKE CITY PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 270 E. 1st South St<br />
SAN FRANCISCO PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 205 Golden Gate Ave.<br />
SEATTLE<br />
PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 2330 First Avenue<br />
WASHINGTON PARAMOUNT fROJ. ROOM, 306 H Street, N.W<br />
TIME<br />
8 P.M.<br />
.2:30 P.M.<br />
.2.30 P.M.<br />
....n A.M.<br />
.1.30 P.M.<br />
..1:30 P.M.<br />
.2:30 P.M.<br />
....2 P.M.<br />
.2.30 P.M.<br />
.3:30 P.M.<br />
.12:45 P.M.<br />
2 PM.<br />
.10:30 A.M.<br />
....a P.M.<br />
.2:30 P.M.<br />
..7:30 P.M.<br />
P.M.<br />
....2 P.M.<br />
..1:30 P.M.<br />
2 P.M.<br />
70 A.M.<br />
.2.30 P.M.<br />
7 P.M.<br />
2 P.M.<br />
2 P.M.<br />
2 P.M.<br />
...77 A.M.<br />
.7.30 P.M.<br />
.1:30 P.M.<br />
...2 P.M.<br />
.2:30 P.M.<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
6, 1948 27
isjhe picture<br />
or all<br />
of theatres<br />
and all kinds<br />
of audiences!<br />
TOP BUSINESS... WORLD PREMIERE.. ORPHEUM-ESQUIRE<br />
IN<br />
SAN FRANCISCO<br />
vjinmX'^<br />
TOP BUSINESS AT THE FOX, DETROIT<br />
TOP BUSINESS<br />
aw^<br />
AT THE RKO PALACE. CHICAGO<br />
TOPPED "EGG AND I" AND BROKE ALL HOUSE RECORDS<br />
AT THE CAPITOL THEATRE. ASHLAND. KY.
UNIVERSAL- INTERNATIONAL presents<br />
^<br />
YVONNE De CARLO<br />
DAN OURYEA<br />
JEFFREY LYNN^A<br />
PERCY KILBRIDE<br />
•<br />
Screenplay by LUC! WARD, JACK NATTEFORD and WILLIAM BOWERS Directed by GEORGE SHERMAN<br />
•<br />
Original Story by Luci Ward and Jack Natteford Produced by LEONARD GOLDSTEIN
. . . Warner<br />
. . Arthur<br />
: March<br />
FROM THE FILES O<br />
J<br />
JNSANE competition in theatre building is<br />
the industry's worst evil, according to Sidney<br />
R. Kent, vice-president and general<br />
manager of Paramount, in a comniittee hearing<br />
in Washington. He suggested selling of<br />
pictures on a percentage basis as one way out<br />
of the industry's many difficulties.<br />
.<br />
Mayor Jimmie Walker of New York is<br />
reported to have turned down the presidency<br />
of the Stanley Co. of America, a leading<br />
film circuit. The salary was said to have'<br />
been $125,000 . . . Universal is sending out ten<br />
roadshow companies >with "Uncle Tom's<br />
Cabin" Lake has been selected<br />
to play title role in the picture based on<br />
the<br />
the popular comic strip. "Harold Teen" . . .<br />
The Drama League of America is seeking a<br />
fund of $L000,000 with which to save the<br />
spoken drama from extinction by the films.<br />
The league reports there are now only 40<br />
theatres in the U.S. devoted exclusively to<br />
legitimate plays and musical comedy. In<br />
1910 there were 1.500 outside the metropolitan<br />
centers. .<br />
Charles Ray is reported to be living in<br />
New York in poverty. At one time he had a<br />
fortune estimated at a million dollars. Ray<br />
blames casting in the wrong kind of roles<br />
Bros, have started on the first<br />
picture to be made entirely with Vitaphone.<br />
There will be 50 speaking parts.<br />
TBA Asks Hearing on Bill<br />
To Share Band With FM<br />
WASHINGTON—The Television Broadcasters<br />
Ass'n has filed a petition with Rep.<br />
Charles Wolverton, chairman of the house<br />
interstate and foreign commerce committee,<br />
seeking a hearing of opponents to a proposed<br />
bill to assign part of the 50 megacycle band<br />
now used by television to frequency modulation.<br />
The TBA petition was filed by Thad H.<br />
Brown jr.. Washington representative. The<br />
petition points out that the house committee<br />
already has conducted a hearing on the bill,<br />
introduced by Representative Lemke of North<br />
Dakota, but only proponents of the bill were<br />
heard at that time.<br />
Clifford Ruf fner Dies<br />
NEW YORK—Clifford H. Ruffner. 71. associated<br />
with the advertising department of<br />
Eastman Kodak Co. for more than 40 years<br />
before his retirement in March 1947. died<br />
February 20. Ruffner joined Kodak in 1901<br />
as a salesman traveling through the northwest<br />
and Pacific coast territory when it was<br />
sparsely settled.<br />
Palmer, WB Auditor, Dies<br />
WASHINGTON— Funeral services for Ray<br />
Palmer, traveling auditor for Warner Bros.<br />
since 1921. were held here February 28.<br />
Palmer, who died in Atlanta February 26,<br />
leaves a wife, daughter ond son.<br />
(Film Daily said it first— about Paramount's new hit)<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
6, 1948 I
DeVry Adapts 16mm<br />
For Big Theatres<br />
PORT MONMOUTH, N.<br />
J.—A 16mm projector,<br />
manufactured by the DeVry Corp. of<br />
Chicago for use by the special services of<br />
the army, can be used to show pictures effectively<br />
on the screens of big theatres, according<br />
to Edward K. Kaprellan, chief of the<br />
photographic branch of the army signal<br />
corps laboratories.<br />
A new lens with a longer focal length has<br />
been developed by DeVry to overcome the<br />
problem of getting enough light in the 16mm<br />
projectors to show pictures on big screens<br />
suitable for 35mm film, according to Kaprelian.<br />
The projector has also overcome<br />
••jumping" and allows the film to run at high<br />
speed through the projector without producing<br />
a blurred image on the screen.<br />
The model for the army is similar to one<br />
that will soon be placed on the market for<br />
the pliotographic industry, according to a<br />
DeVry representative here.<br />
Rank Denies Filming Off; Promises 40<br />
LONDON Cliiirges by British fihn employes<br />
and some theatremcn that production<br />
is lagging at the Rank Organization studios<br />
were flatly denied by J. Arthur Rank,<br />
who declared his studios would turn out 40<br />
pictures during 1948. Rank pointed out that<br />
the original production estimate for this year<br />
was 38, and he intends to increase this.<br />
To indicate the increase in production over<br />
the past two years. Rank cited figures. He<br />
said 19 films were planned and delivered in<br />
1946; 28 films in 1947.<br />
Concerning a statement by the Film Industry<br />
Employes Council that only one picture<br />
is in work at the Pinewood studios, Rank<br />
said this Is inaccurate. He declared: "It is<br />
not necessary for a camera to be turning before<br />
a film can be reckoned as '"in production."<br />
The planning of shooting schedules<br />
the building and striking of sets . . . are<br />
integral parts of film production."<br />
He listed five films in work at Pinewood—<br />
••Dulcimer Street," now shooting: "The Passionate<br />
Friends," to begin shooting within a<br />
ClfflRinfi<br />
HfllLSf
Kroger Babb (standing) co-prodjcer and owner of •Mom<br />
and Dad the year s outstandino hoxofficc grosser, chats with<br />
none other than Mom and Dad^Lois Austin and George<br />
Eldridge who played the trtle roles in Hygienic's famous<br />
delinquency story<br />
Show business isn't<br />
. . . just rusty!<br />
dead<br />
Petita Miss Alyce Wical receives a birthday present from<br />
Hygienic Productions, presented by office supervisor Jacli<br />
Crouthers. at one of the company's monthly birthday parties<br />
for employes. The "IVIom and Dad" company is strong on<br />
goodwill among its more than 250 employes, who are<br />
effectionately referred to always as "chairwarmers" and<br />
Allied Artists prexy, Steve Broidy (left), with R. Kenneth<br />
Kerr, Lancaster, Ohio newspaper man named by Forbes<br />
magazine as "one of America's 50 outstanding young business<br />
executives last year," and Mrs. W. Bernard Herman, of Toronto,<br />
Ontario, wife of prominent Canadian barister, "look on" at<br />
party in Holly\vood where company's employes<br />
were handed $111,111.11 in bonuses and prizes for<br />
last year's fine work.<br />
Hygienic's "dynamiters"—our road agents—have been assembled here in<br />
Wilmington (OHIO—thai is) this week for a bi-monthly meeting. Wish you could<br />
have been here with 'em to absorb some o{ their enthusiasm, ideas and pep. One<br />
agent even suggested we write this ADitorial and use as a caption. "Is Show<br />
Business Dead?"<br />
The agents from every section of the U. S. were here. They all brought the<br />
same reports: Daily grosses on regular programs are off 10 to 50 per cent but<br />
"Mom and Dad" with the proper exploitation efforts continues to set just as<br />
phenomenal new boxoffice records as it did during the height of the wartime<br />
entertainment boom.<br />
But the agents warn us some exhibitors are getting pretty moody—are rapidly<br />
losing heart. They told of exhibitors who almost got cold feet and weren't going<br />
to play "Mom and Dad" when the agent laid out our exploitation campaign and<br />
estimated its cost.<br />
Last December at our convention in Hollywood a couple of our agents spent<br />
so much time talking with those west coast "gloom-spreaders" around the hotel<br />
lobby they got cold feet, too. This was going to be a tough yecrr, they decided.<br />
We decided right then was the time to retire them and replace 'em writh new redblooded<br />
showmen who would see to it that "Mom and Dad" got thorough and<br />
complete campaigns. It proved a good move.<br />
The theme of that December convention was "The Best Is Yet to Come." Our<br />
1948 playing time with "Mom and Dad" is by far the greatest yet—and today's<br />
grosser, are the most phenomenal of the picture's history. The theme is proving<br />
itself every dcry. somewhere, in some way.<br />
For this March agents meeting we decided to prove to the fellows "Show<br />
business isn't dead!" To do it, we cooked up a trick idea last January. We planned<br />
a series of benefit shows here in Wilmington (pop>. 10,000) for the first Thursday<br />
night—each month—this year. We wanted to aid local community-charity funds<br />
and at the some time see for ourselves what results could be had with a few<br />
twists of showmanship. Phil Chakeres (what a guy) gave us his big Murphy<br />
theatre (1,000 seats) for the experiment first Thursday night, each month.<br />
Most local charity drives—Red Cross, Conununity Chest, March of Dimes, etc.,<br />
raise from $2,500 to 510,000. We went off the deep end at the start, announcing we<br />
intended to gross $25,000 with 11 benefit shows. Without showmanship, we know<br />
in small towns boxoffice admissions cannot be successfully raised. Local price<br />
top is 50 cents, including tax. We went for $1 plus—$1.20. We eliminated balcony<br />
and children's prices, too—all seats, all shows buck-twenty. That, we figured,<br />
should "bankrupt" any idea. Someone said there are few new pictures—and fewer<br />
good ones. Sooooo. we announced there would be no movie—just stage. We<br />
advertised a two-hour stage program with a band, some acts and amateurs. "What<br />
band, what acis?" was the question they asked. "Can't be announced in advance,"<br />
we replied. The whole show had to be "kept a secret." The public was asked to<br />
buy "a pig in a poke.' We turned on the full-steam and put the tickets on sale.<br />
It required four dctvs to sell 1,000 ducats and our February 5th show was sold<br />
out 11 days in advance. That night hundreds without tickets came by anyway and<br />
battled to get in—what to see, thev didn't know! We geared uo for two nerformcmces<br />
on March 4th. These 2,000 ducats were sold out a week ahead. Thursday<br />
night our agents "saw it with their own eves." We were more than doubling<br />
admission . . . permitting no balcony or children's orices . . . using no picture<br />
. . . selling no names or famous stars—and the public was knockin' the doors<br />
down. Now they all agree that "show business isn't dead"—it's just a bit rusty!
CHESTER FRIEDMAN<br />
EDITOR<br />
HUGH E. FRAZE<br />
Associate Edjtor<br />
SECTION<br />
PRACTICAL IDEAS FOR SELLING SEATS BY PRACTICAL SHOWMEN<br />
Frank Shaffer forwards a recent<br />
editorial which appeared in the<br />
Staunton, Va.. Evening Leader. In<br />
it the WTiter laments the growing<br />
favcr of singing cowboys who have<br />
replaced in popularity the traditional<br />
stern-visaged, hard-hitting,<br />
hard-riding, two-fisted, two-gun<br />
heroes of the horse operas.<br />
Nowadays, continues the writer,<br />
cowboys must sing and serenade<br />
their true loves soulfully, tenderly,<br />
to the accompaniment of guitars.<br />
Oh, he sighs, for the days of Bill<br />
Hart, Tim McCoy, George O'Brien<br />
and Tom Mix.<br />
What the editor of the Evening<br />
Leader has apparently missed is<br />
that the new outdoor heroes have<br />
brought improved production standards<br />
to our horse operas along with<br />
their crooning. Also, it is much<br />
easier to promote a star who has attained<br />
some fame as a radio and<br />
recording artist.<br />
During our own exhibition days,<br />
we recall when Bob Steele had n«<br />
peer among the rough-and-tumble,<br />
rootin' tootin' cowboys. Bob could<br />
GOtdraw at the boxoffice any of the<br />
singing cowboys who were just becoming<br />
popular with the western<br />
fans, just as he could outdraw any<br />
bad,man on the screen.<br />
We also recall quite vividly how,<br />
in one of his best thrillers. Bob had<br />
to jump his white horse across a<br />
ravine while trying to head off a<br />
band of rustlers. The faithful animal<br />
was just not up to it and carried<br />
his master to the bottom of the<br />
chasm in as nasty a fall as Hollywood<br />
could conjure.<br />
Breathlessly waiting to see if the<br />
hero had survived, the audience, the<br />
theatre staff, and undoubtedly Bob<br />
Steele himself were amazed at what<br />
followed. The camera slowly shifted<br />
to where horse and rider were struggling<br />
to their feet, only the white<br />
charger had. miraculously changed<br />
into a horse of another color.<br />
If there are any appreciable number<br />
of horse opera fans who feel that<br />
the glamor which our current fancypants<br />
heroes inject into these productions<br />
does not compensate for the<br />
lusty action of the old days, they<br />
may at least be certain that when<br />
Roy Rogers starts on a manhunt<br />
with Trigger, that Trigger is going<br />
(Continued on next page)<br />
Pei 'n<br />
Pup Parade Peps<br />
Kid and Adult Interest<br />
(Photos on cover)<br />
Pet shows long have been in favor with<br />
theatremen as an effective means of popularizing<br />
the theatre with juvenile audiences.<br />
Doubtless, during the next tew months every<br />
variety of this promotion will be given an<br />
airing by managers who previously have<br />
enjoyed success with them, and by many<br />
exhibitors who sense the need for such a<br />
hypo just as the weather begins to tm-n<br />
favorable for outdoor diversions by the<br />
youngsters.<br />
In Norwalk, Ohio, George Cameron, manager<br />
of the Norwalk Theatre, introduced a<br />
version of the kiddy pet show which he calls<br />
a Pet 'n' Pup parade. The stunt had the<br />
added support of service and patriotic organizations<br />
and gathered sufficient national<br />
attention to attract the cameras from two<br />
newsreel companies.<br />
This year, Cameron is already planning<br />
a repeat performance and invitations to give<br />
the event coverage already have been sent<br />
to national magazines, the newsreels and<br />
the television station located in Cleveland.<br />
Radio Audience Competes<br />
For 'Swordsman' Cash<br />
A contest staged by WJBK focused extra<br />
attention on the engagement of "The Swordsman"<br />
at the United Artists Theatre in Detroit.<br />
The tieup was arranged by Marie Meyer<br />
of the UDT publicity staff with Bob Anthony's<br />
Square Block Junior program.<br />
Radio listeners were invited to submit a<br />
of pictures in which Larry Parks, star of<br />
list<br />
"The Swordsman" previously appeared. A<br />
$25 cash prize and a few theatre tickets<br />
made up the come-on. with hundreds of<br />
motion picture fans contributing. The high<br />
enti-y listed 20 titles of pictui'es in which<br />
Parks has made an appearance.<br />
Dance Contest Staged<br />
For 'Earth' in Cardiff<br />
A dancing contest staged by Manager A. J.<br />
Brown in conjunction with "Dowii to Earth"<br />
at the Empire in Cardiff, 'Wales, drew strong<br />
newspaper support.<br />
Brown invited dancing students to compete<br />
on the theatre stage for prizes. Eliminations<br />
were held during the first four days of the<br />
picture's engagement, vrith the grand finals<br />
on the last night of the show.<br />
—397—<br />
The Pet 'n' Pup parade, which last year<br />
attracted more than 400 entries, bids fair<br />
to eclipse itself this year and holds promise<br />
of becoming a regular annual event in Norwalk.<br />
Once Cameron had the mayor of Norwalk<br />
lined up to lead the procession, it was<br />
a simple task to get police aid, a suitable<br />
escort and local bands pledged to cooperate.<br />
The parade forms at the edge of the business<br />
district, heads for the high school playground<br />
where the judging takes place, and<br />
proceeds thence to the theatre stage where<br />
the prizes are awarded.<br />
Civic organizations are contacted for<br />
funds which pay for the admission of all<br />
entrants to the theatre. Every merchant in<br />
Norwalk donated a prize and last year more<br />
than 400 gifts were awarded to a happy<br />
group of youngsters.<br />
Cameron's stunt seems to offer great possibilities<br />
with but little work on the part<br />
of the theatre manager and sounds like a<br />
surefire method of winning patronage and<br />
goodwill among both youngsters and adults.<br />
Surprise Nights Tempt<br />
Patrons in Portland<br />
Frank Pratt, manager of the Paramount in<br />
is Portland, Ore., offering his patrons a<br />
"surprise night" one Friday night each<br />
month. No hint is given of what the show<br />
will be; patrons are merely advised to be in<br />
their seats by 8:15 to catch the show. Usually<br />
it is a preview of a major coming attraction<br />
or an outstanding stage show.<br />
Pratt recently put on a highly successful<br />
campaign on "Call Northside 777." Telephone<br />
message slips advising an unnamed person<br />
to call NOrthside 777 immediately for an<br />
urgent message were spread in buses, department<br />
stores, taxis, restaurants and every<br />
place where they might be picked up.<br />
Sets Co-Op Ads<br />
Two large co-op display ads which helped<br />
exploit "You Were Meant For Me" ahd<br />
another co-op on "Good News" were promoted<br />
by Edward DiResta. manager of the<br />
Rialto, Amsterdam, N. Y.<br />
33
Defies Superstition<br />
With Jinx Preview<br />
On Friday 13th<br />
Dwight Seymom-, manager of the Ai-bor<br />
Theatre. Nebraska City, capitahzed on the<br />
fact that "The Man Who Dared" opened on<br />
Friday the 13th of Febniai-y, and used the<br />
lobby to exploit the superstitions of patrons.<br />
On one side of the lobby were a ladder, a<br />
broken mirror, a caged black cat, an open<br />
umbrella, a hat hung from the ceiling and<br />
a boom tied in with copy daring patrons to<br />
break the old superstitions.<br />
Seymour opened the picture at a jinx midnight<br />
preview on February 13. He used a<br />
large banner 26 feet long over the entrance<br />
doors announcing the special performance.<br />
One thousand handbills were distributed to<br />
school chUdren. in cars and in stores prior<br />
to opening. The handbills had trick copy<br />
annoimcing the jinx preview, with a scene<br />
cut. In the upper comer a black spot was<br />
imprinted instructing recipients to blow on<br />
the spot and cautioning them that if the<br />
spot tiu-ned green, they were too weak to attend<br />
the Friday the 13th jinx preview. An<br />
advance trailer helped to exploit the program.<br />
To ballyhoo "Magic Town," dated as a<br />
Valentine day attraction, Seymour had an<br />
attractive young woman dressed in evening<br />
gown handing small envelopes containing<br />
candy hearts to every patron leaving the<br />
theatre. This was done for a week prior to<br />
opening. Imprint on the outside of the envelope<br />
called attention to the playdates and<br />
included a two-column ad cut from "Magic<br />
Town."<br />
Ljundy Ljuitard<br />
(Continued from preceding pagei<br />
to last throughout the picture and not suddenly<br />
materialize into a red stallion.<br />
On the other hand, maybe the exhibitor<br />
should play up this controversy in a new version<br />
of the battle of the cowboys. Redblooded,<br />
he-man versus dude crooner, Rogers<br />
versus Hart, Kitter versus McCoy, Hoot Gibson<br />
vesrus Gene Autry. With a bit of prospecting,<br />
Mr. Exhibitor might strike fresh pay<br />
dirt.<br />
Co-Op on 'lush. Rose'<br />
An attractive full-page newspaper co-op<br />
ad was promoted by Joe Burns, manager of<br />
the Van Wert Theatre, Van Wert, Ohio, to<br />
launch "My Wild Irish Rose." Bums contacted<br />
11 local merchants w^ho agreed to run<br />
advertisements tied in with Irish quotations<br />
and slogans, leaving enough space for a<br />
3-coIiunn, 10-ihch illustration of his attraction<br />
in the center of the page and a banner<br />
streamer reading: "Values for a Wild Irish<br />
Rose."<br />
Windows Blast 'Secret'<br />
Arnold Gates, manager of the Stillman in<br />
Cleveland, arranged a series of nine window<br />
displays on "Secret Beyond the Door.<br />
Stillman played up the fact that it was the<br />
picture's first Cleveland showing.<br />
Ritz Film Replaces<br />
Nature's Wonders<br />
On Taxi Bumpers<br />
Residents of Tallahassee, Fla., where siuto<br />
bumper strips, except those extoUing the<br />
city's natiu-al beauties, have been seldom<br />
used, had an opportunity to see a motion<br />
picture advertised through this medium<br />
because James MacDannold, manager of the<br />
Ritz there, had the initiative to sell the<br />
idea to the operators of all local cabs. Mac-<br />
Dannold introduced the innovation in his<br />
campaign on "My Wild Irish Rose."<br />
The Mystery Time radio show also helped<br />
to exploit the picture. MacDannold contacted<br />
the program director of WRHP,<br />
which features a daily program called the<br />
Tallahassee Bandstand. On this show a<br />
tune was played, and the first person to<br />
call<br />
the station and correctly name the title,<br />
the vocalist or the orchestra was given a<br />
pass to see "My Wild Irish Rose." Many of<br />
the mystery tunes played were selections<br />
from the musical score of that pictm-e.<br />
The theatre received a minimum of four<br />
daily annomicements in return for the few<br />
passes given away. The station director reported<br />
that he was flooded daily with phone<br />
calls from listeners trying to identify the<br />
tunes, with special interest displayed by<br />
Florida university students.<br />
Permission was received from the city<br />
manager and the chief of police to mount<br />
loudspeakers on the marquee of the Ritz<br />
so outstanding musical selections from the<br />
pictm-e could be broadcast to<br />
passersby.<br />
Spring Draws On<br />
Loew Theatres throughout the nation have taken the offensive<br />
against the calendar by promoting the early spring<br />
arrival of a new crop ol film attractions. At right, Lou Cohen,<br />
manager of the Poll, Hartford, has trellis effect surrounding<br />
lobby panels. Below at lell: In Indianapolis, manager Boyd<br />
Sparrow gives his entire lobby some real spring almosphere,<br />
while at right, Abe Ludacer, manager of the Valentine in<br />
Toledo, uses a 24-sheet board to explain the "new look" to<br />
curious patrons. Trailers and ad slugs are being used to<br />
put over the idea.<br />
—398— BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: Mar
I of<br />
f<br />
Safety Council Okays<br />
Placards on Poles<br />
In 'Milly' Tieup<br />
Through a tieup arranged by Bob Hynes,<br />
manager of the Missouri Theatre in St.<br />
Joseph, the Safety council approved the<br />
placement of 750 "Don't Be a Mitty" cards on<br />
light and phone poles and traffic stanchions,<br />
urging pedestrians and motorists to use care<br />
when crossing streets and driving. The cards<br />
were put up ten days in advance by local<br />
Boy Scouts.<br />
Hynes promoted 3.000 ''Don't Be a Mitty"<br />
safety pamphlets from the Kansas City<br />
Safety council, restamped them "St. Joseph<br />
Safety council" and had them distributed in<br />
his own community.<br />
One hundred "How to dream the Mitty<br />
way" booklets were placed in all St. Joseph<br />
hotels, librai'ies, doctors' offices, beauty parlors,<br />
etc., well in advance.<br />
Envelopes were imprinted with copy: "These<br />
envelopes contain dream powder. Don't be<br />
a Mitty. Do your dreaming at night." Additional<br />
gag copy included the playdates. Five<br />
thousand of these envelopes were distributed<br />
by ushers throughout the shopping center a<br />
week in advance. Hynes mounted two sixsheets<br />
on the theatre marquee, using them<br />
as an advance ballyhoo as well as during the<br />
current engagement.<br />
Exchange window cards were imprinted<br />
with theatre copy and placed in 100 selected<br />
locations within the 35-mlle radius of St.<br />
Joseph. Eight window tieups were promoted,<br />
and special art and publicity stories were<br />
landed in the Shopper and the Stockyards<br />
Journal, reaching all home owners on rural<br />
and urban routes.<br />
Poster Cutouts Provide<br />
Extra Marquee Service<br />
Lester M. Fagg, manager of the Roxy in<br />
Tacoma, Wash., passes along an idea to<br />
BOXOFFICE readers which has proved very<br />
effective for him.<br />
Fagg searches through the press sheets for<br />
posters which can be cut out and used in<br />
lobby displays, serving double duty dui-ing<br />
the engagement of the picture by incoi-porating<br />
them as part of the marquee attraction<br />
sign. The Roxy marquee, fortunately, is 35<br />
feet long and about five feet high so that<br />
even 24-sheet cutouts frequently tie in nicely<br />
with the regular letters.<br />
Fagg reports that the posters ai-e pasted<br />
to regular beaverboard, cut out and strengthened<br />
with 1x2 strips of firring. A light coat<br />
of varnish serves to protect the display<br />
against the elements.<br />
They are easily suspended, made a part<br />
of the attraction sign, and illuminated by<br />
goose-necked spotlights rigged above the top<br />
the marquee.<br />
Observes Scouf Weelr<br />
W. Ray McCormack. manager of the Elco<br />
Theatre, Elkhart, Ind., gave 100 per cent<br />
cooperation to the recent Boy Scout anniversary<br />
celebration by running a trailer in<br />
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: Mar. 6, 1948<br />
Penny Wise Earns<br />
Prestige Rise<br />
K. B. Buffington, manager of the Palace<br />
in Weatherford, Tex,, believes it is the<br />
little things which build goodwill on a<br />
big scale.<br />
Three months ago parking meters were<br />
installed downtown in Weatherford.<br />
Every day, Buffington pockets about a<br />
dollar in pennies and makes the rounds,<br />
bailing out overtime parkers. Even the<br />
local policemen have become so familiar<br />
with the Palace manager doing his good<br />
deed that they permit him to precede<br />
them along the block to avoid handing<br />
out parking tickets.<br />
Buffington does not claim any credit<br />
nor does he leave any card to identify his<br />
good Samaritan deed. However, in a<br />
town of 10,000 it doesn't take long for<br />
word to spread, and the fact that the theatreman<br />
was not expecting any credit or<br />
reward for his helpfulness has already<br />
increased his personal prestige and that<br />
of the theatre among the townspeople.<br />
Buffington believes that by getting out<br />
on the street and circulating more often,<br />
he is able to keep a better perspective<br />
on his own theatre operation.<br />
Irish Songs Played<br />
In Lobby for 'Rose'<br />
Several interesting promotions used by<br />
Mike Piccirillo, manager of Loew's Dyckman<br />
in New York, helped sell "My Wild Irish<br />
Rose" and attracted attention to the theatre<br />
generally.<br />
In the lobby, set up on a small table, was<br />
a globe of the world which was split in two,<br />
one half of which was filled with strips of<br />
song titles from the picture, and a still of<br />
Dennis Morgan. A card read, "Have a look<br />
at the man who filled the world with wonderful<br />
Irisih songs." The ot)her half of the globe<br />
was filled with stage money, with a card<br />
reading: "A world full of money couldn't<br />
buy a better picture t)han ..."<br />
Records of Irish melodies were played in<br />
the lobby for two weeks in advance of playdate.<br />
The recorder was enclosed in a wooden<br />
picket fence which was decorated with wild<br />
Irish roses, scene and star stills, and playdate<br />
signs.<br />
For outdoor ballyhoo, a 28x44 card made up<br />
to simulate a house pass, was set up on a busy<br />
street corner, with the following copy: "Don't<br />
destroy me. I'm a pass to Loew''s Dyckman.<br />
Carry this pass to the theatre without mutilating<br />
it and you will be admitted as a guest<br />
"<br />
of the management to see . . .<br />
Theatre Aids Boy Scouts<br />
Observe Anniversary<br />
Mutual cooperation extended by Len<br />
Utecht, manager of the Lake Theatre, Oak<br />
Park, 111., with the Boy Scout observance<br />
of anniversary week resulted in an attractive<br />
exhibit in the Lake lobby which attracted<br />
many parents and well-wishers of that or-<br />
tribute to the youth organization and permitting<br />
Scout troops to exhibit tent and<br />
ganization.<br />
A camp setting was erected with material<br />
camping equipment in the lobby. The front supphed by local troops. With Boy Scouts<br />
page of the Elco's 5,000 weekly programs on hand to demonstrate the equipment, the<br />
was also dedicated to a message of good exhibit attracted new faces to the Lake with<br />
notable results at the theatre boxoffice.<br />
wishes to the movement.<br />
—sea-<br />
Bob Taylor Fan Club<br />
Formed to Assist<br />
'High Wair Run<br />
A highlight of the campaign for "High<br />
Wall" at the Palace in Meriden, Conn., was<br />
the formation of a Robert Taylor Fan club.<br />
MoUie Stickles, manager, and assistant Lou<br />
Jaffa collaborated on details of the promotion,<br />
which included a large display in the<br />
theatre lobby two weeks prior to the opening,<br />
the distribution of 3,000 Fan club heralds, a<br />
tieup with WMMW for eight gratis announcements<br />
on its Ladies Hour program, the placement<br />
of 25 di.splay cards in stores on the<br />
main shopping street, and special art and<br />
story breaks in the Meriden Journal.<br />
The Fan club was tied in with St. Valentine's<br />
day since the opening coincided with<br />
that annual observance. The heralds offered<br />
free membership to all Meriden girls who<br />
submitted an original Valentine greeting<br />
card expressing their personal sentiments to<br />
Robert Taylor. Cash prizes of $20 and 25<br />
free theatre admissions were offered for the<br />
best entries submitted.<br />
A thousand napkins with theatre imprint<br />
were placed in downtown restaurants, a<br />
beauty co-op ad was promoted from a local<br />
charm salon, and window displays were set<br />
in several prominent locations.<br />
Promotes Birthday Cake<br />
In conjunction with a circuit celebration<br />
of Donald Duck's birthday, Harold Murphy,<br />
manager of Evergreen's Liberty in Olympia,<br />
Wash., promoted a birthday cake from a<br />
local baker which was the center of attention<br />
during a special Saturday morning<br />
matinee. Five Donald Duck cartoons plus<br />
the regular feature attractions helped to draw<br />
a capacity audience.<br />
Mrs.<br />
Jay Has Her Say<br />
Ther-tre patrons are so likely to complain<br />
when something does not strike<br />
them right and so infrequently take the<br />
trouble to express their appreciation for<br />
the service, comfort and entertainment<br />
which the theatre provides that Milan<br />
Steele, who operates the Kitz in Pawnee,<br />
Okla.. was recently surprised to find the<br />
following letter in the mail:<br />
"Dear<br />
Sir:<br />
"It's probably customary to accept<br />
public courtesies without any word of<br />
r.ppreciation.<br />
"Maybe so, but I do want to thank<br />
you for my copy of 'Shows of the Month.'<br />
I found in my door this morning.<br />
"Thanks.<br />
"Mrs. Cecil Jay."<br />
Steele responded by voicing his own<br />
appreciation, amplified by the fact that<br />
the monthly calendar of his bookings is<br />
expensive and he had considered<br />
dropping them as a matter of economy.<br />
Two tickets to the Ritz were enclosed in<br />
the letter, and the Pawnee showman is<br />
now convinced that his advertising has a<br />
useful and helpful influence in prompting<br />
his shows.<br />
35
Lobby Displays<br />
Exploitation of coming and current shows through<br />
art occupies a prominent portion of the theatreman's<br />
time schedule. Pictured here are some recent lobby<br />
ideas and a simple but dramatic theatre front easily<br />
adapted in any situation.<br />
m
. .<br />
Tom Mix Kiddy Parly<br />
And $300 in Prizes<br />
Attract iOOO<br />
Bus Waitees Serenaded<br />
With 'Carnegie' Music<br />
A four-page program prepared by Mark<br />
Allen, manager of the Austin. Kew Gardens,<br />
N. Y., to sell "Carnegie Hall" was mailed to<br />
1,700 persons on the theatre mailing list.<br />
Allen listed the musical compositions heard<br />
in the film and used New York newspaper<br />
critics' quotes to point up the picture's entertainment<br />
value.<br />
A special lobby setpiece was displayed, listing<br />
the musical artists playing in the picture.<br />
A novel window tieup, adjacent to the subway<br />
and bus terminal, included an automatic<br />
record playing device which was hooked up<br />
to a loudspeaker so that people waiting for<br />
buses during rush hours could enjoy the<br />
music from "Carnegie Hall." Signs called<br />
attention to the playdates.<br />
Free Horseback Rides<br />
For Children Focus<br />
Eyes on 'Stallion'<br />
A theatre party for children which turned<br />
in a record-breaking advance sale of 4,000<br />
tickets the day before the party was scheduled<br />
at Loew's in Rochester, N. Y., was arranged<br />
by Manager Lester Pollock.<br />
The party was arranged in conjunction<br />
with Tom Mix-Ralston Straight Shooters<br />
radio program, heard daily in Rochester over<br />
WEVT. Noah's Ark stores provided $300 in<br />
prizes in addition to gifts for each child<br />
who attended. The large selection of gifts,<br />
which included bicycles, basketballs, roller<br />
skates, etc., were given away through lucky<br />
number drau-ings.<br />
WEVT announced the party during the<br />
Tom Mix broadcast every day for two weeks<br />
in advance. Twenty free spot announcements<br />
were broadcast daily during the same<br />
period. Five hundred cards bearing imprints<br />
on the party were distributed to grocery<br />
stores.<br />
The show also was played up in newspaper<br />
ads of the theatre and the cooperating merchants.<br />
Every boy and girl who attended the<br />
party received a toy parachute.<br />
Pollock arranged for the Rochester Royals,<br />
champion professional basketball team, to<br />
give an exhibition of trick and fancy shots<br />
on tihe theatre stage.<br />
All prizes were placed on exhibition in the<br />
lobby two weeks in advance.<br />
Horses and Women Plug<br />
That's My Man' at Rialto<br />
A simple but attractive lobby display helped<br />
exploit "That's My Man" for D. M. Dillenbeck,<br />
manager of the Rialto, Bushnell, 111.<br />
Against a white background an illustration<br />
of a horse's head was placed at the top, with<br />
the catchline "Fast horses and beautiful<br />
women." 'Within the outline of a horseshoe,<br />
sketched below, stills were pasted to the<br />
board. Additional copy, title and star heads<br />
out the display.<br />
Home Fashions Display<br />
Tom Grace, manager of the Eastwood, East<br />
Hartford, Conn., arranged a full window display<br />
highlighting home fashions to exploit<br />
"Blondie's Anniversary." The store also<br />
plugged the picture inside the premises.<br />
Co-Ops and Jingle Contest<br />
Activate 'Sleep, My Love'<br />
Matt Saunders, manager of Loew's Poll.<br />
Bridgeport, Conn., tied up with a local beauty<br />
parlor for a 3-column by 10-inch display ad<br />
in connection with "Sleep, My Love." The ad,<br />
which ran in the Sunday Post and Sunday<br />
Herald, featured a large cut of Claudette<br />
Colbert with title, cast and playdates.<br />
Saunders also arranged for a jingle writing<br />
contest in the Post, featuring a two-column<br />
scene cut from the film production, and drew<br />
wide response.<br />
John DiBenedetto, assistant to Saunders,<br />
tied up with a local florist for another co-op<br />
which also featured a two-column scene cut<br />
from the production and prominent credits.<br />
.lillliillliliii<br />
Earle M. Holden, manager oi the Center<br />
in Hickory, N. C, has a novel way ot<br />
bringing special news clips of the news<br />
reel to the attention of special groups.<br />
A stock of postal cards, imprinted as<br />
above, are kept on hand. As soon as<br />
Holden receives his newsreel synopsis<br />
sheet, it is culled for items which he<br />
believes might be of special interest<br />
locally. Cards are then addressed to<br />
individuals, organizations, groups or<br />
places of business. For example, a if<br />
reel contains shots pertaining to aviation,<br />
cards are addressed to persons at<br />
the local airport, flying school, etc.<br />
BOXOFFICE Showrmahdiser Mar. 1948 —401—<br />
Diggmg deep into his bag of exploitation<br />
tricks, Louis Nye, manager of the Hoosier,<br />
Whiting, Ind., came up with strong ballyhoo<br />
for "Red Stallion."<br />
One of the features was a sports matinee<br />
for youngsters on Saturday afternoon. Nye<br />
promoted many prizes from a local merchant<br />
and awarded them to children who participated<br />
in stage activities<br />
such as dart throwing<br />
at balloons, a yo-yo contest, etc.<br />
Two thousand cards were distributed and<br />
3,000 small dodgers with the announcement,<br />
"Racing tonight . . . $25,000 handicap .<br />
See 'Red Stallion' at the Hoosier," were<br />
handed out.<br />
Under the windshield wipers of cars<br />
throughout Whiting, colored tags were placed<br />
with the imprint: "Summons. You have violated<br />
no law but are hereby invited to see<br />
Red Stallion.' " Playdates followed.<br />
Two cowboys were engaged to ride horses<br />
and instructed to give all children free rides<br />
on horseback. The kids were closely attended<br />
by the cowboys to prevent accidents.<br />
Another ballyhoo which attracted attention<br />
employed two cowboys, carrying banners<br />
on their backs, engaged in horseshoe pitching<br />
contests on busy street comers. Passersby<br />
were then invited to try for a ringer,<br />
and successful throwers received a pass to<br />
see "Red Stallion."<br />
Magazine Selection Aids<br />
St Louis 'Timberlane'<br />
Russel Bovim, manager of the State, St.<br />
Louis, capitalized on the fact that Cosmopolitan<br />
magazine recently designated "Cass<br />
Timberlane" as the "picture of the month."<br />
He promoted a deal with the local news<br />
distributor in which window cards were imprinted<br />
with the announcement of the magazine<br />
award, a scene cut from the picture<br />
and theatre playdates. The cards were displayed<br />
at all St. Louis newstands prior to<br />
the State opening and during the current<br />
engagement.<br />
Guess Bricks in Building<br />
Tying up with the Hartford Times, Fred<br />
Greenway staged a newspaper contest for<br />
"High Wall" in which readers were Invited<br />
to guess the number of bricks used in<br />
building<br />
a local structure. Tickets to the Poll<br />
Palace were offered to those coming nearest<br />
to 'the correct ai
. . consequently<br />
If you can help me to recover the missing numbers I surely would appreciate it . . .<br />
. . which<br />
i<br />
"We Practically LIVE<br />
By BOXOFFICE-'<br />
EVERSON, WASH.<br />
BOXOFFICE,<br />
825 Van Brunt Blvd.,<br />
Kansas City 1. Mc.<br />
Gentlemen:<br />
WE PRACTICALLY UVE by BOXOFFICE—in fact we lind the Picture Guide section<br />
indispensable to carrying on our busine:s—small town and rural patronage. Our<br />
patrons are very choosey about their pictures and we have to know what kind of pictures<br />
we are booking for exhibition. Your reviews are always<br />
•<br />
words reliable.<br />
accurate and fair, in other<br />
Can you tell me— is there any way in which I can recover missing PG pages?<br />
We changed theatres a while back and in the moving process -I didn't get around to tearing<br />
out the PG section of several issues .<br />
is not good busi-<br />
on several pictures and have to practically do "blind booking" .<br />
ness for us.<br />
we find ourselves in the dark<br />
the list appears below.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Mr. and Mrs. HAROLD WESTON, Owners<br />
'The capitaif^ and underscorings are the Weston's.<br />
More Exhibitors Read BOXOFFICE<br />
Than Any Other Film Trade Paper
Pass Bill for Control<br />
Of Child Patronage<br />
ALBANY—Town boards are given the same<br />
authority to control theatre attendance by<br />
children as is now enjoyed by incorporated<br />
cities and villages in a bill passed unanimously<br />
by the legislature and sent to Gov.<br />
Thomas Dewey for his signature.<br />
The measure authorizes town boards to<br />
pass ordinances licensing motion picture theatres<br />
for the admission of children between 8<br />
and 16 years of age, unaccompanied by a<br />
pai'ent, guardian or other adult person, where<br />
the theatre provides a matron. It was drafted<br />
to correct inequalities which now exist where<br />
two theatres situated in the same populated<br />
area face different treatment because one<br />
is in an incorporated locality and the other<br />
is not.<br />
Senator William S. Hults jr., co-sponsor<br />
of the measure with Assemblywoman Genesa<br />
M. Strong, said the bill is needed to cover<br />
several situations on Long Island, where<br />
there are several large unincorporated villages.<br />
Incorporated commimities have had<br />
authority to regulate theatre attendance by<br />
children since 1937.<br />
The local ordinances may specify theJiumber<br />
of attendants theatres shall provide.<br />
Matrons' licenses, to be paid by the management,<br />
are not to be more than $2. The law<br />
does not permit theatre attendance by childi'en<br />
during school hours or after 6 p. m.<br />
Harvey English to Operate<br />
New Theatre in CaHcoon<br />
ALBANY—Harvey English expects to assume<br />
operation by July 1 of the 500-seat<br />
theatre which Fred Stark is building in<br />
Calicoon. English, who conducts a dozen<br />
film houses in the Albany, Buffalo, New<br />
York and Philadelphia territories, has leased<br />
the Calicoon situation from Stark, onetime<br />
Liberty exhibitor. Calicoon is a town<br />
of approximately 1,000, with a large summer<br />
population. It has one theatre. now.<br />
English, mayor of Hancock, revealed during<br />
a visit here that he would sell several<br />
of the present string if he could get the<br />
right price. He reported that "business has<br />
been off considerably, due to the tough<br />
winter we experienced and to the fact people<br />
do not have the money to spend."<br />
Brooklyn Senator Seeks<br />
iO-Cent Tax on $1 Ticket<br />
ALBANY—A tax of ten cents on admissions<br />
over $1<br />
in New York City is one of the<br />
special imposts which would be permissible<br />
under terms of a bill introduced by Senator<br />
P. G. Moritt, Brooklyn Democrat. Passage<br />
of the mea.sure is doubtful. Senator Moritt<br />
fathered a similar bill last year.<br />
MPAA Awaits Approval<br />
On Plan for Annex<br />
Washington—The IMPA.\ is awaiting<br />
approval of a plan to build an annex to<br />
its present headquarters on 16th and<br />
Eye Streets. The project is being considered<br />
by the District Fine Arts Commission.<br />
The district zoning board already<br />
has reviewed the building plans.<br />
The MPAA intends to construct a projection<br />
room adjoining its present building.<br />
Later on new offices will be added.<br />
PCA Hears John Lardner<br />
At Film Division Meet<br />
NEW YORK— John Lardner, newspaper<br />
and magazine writer, addressed the PCA<br />
Film Division meeting held imder the chairmanship<br />
of John T. McManus. newly elected<br />
president, at Holland House, March 1.<br />
First rushes of the films taken at the<br />
Wallace Golden Gate ballroom meeting by<br />
a group of producers, directors and cameramen<br />
working with members of the Film<br />
Division workshop were shown. Recordings<br />
of the Wallace speech and of Paul Robeson<br />
singing the campaign song, "Fresh Breeze<br />
Blowing," were played. The membership<br />
also heard a complete report on Film Division<br />
activities of<br />
the past year and the projected<br />
program for the coming year.<br />
Al Sherman Lining Up Deal<br />
For Sponsored Film Plan<br />
WASHINGTON—Al Sherman, president of<br />
Sherman Plan, Inc..^ new system for distributing<br />
sponsored films to theatres, is lining<br />
up a local independent circuit and is planning<br />
talks with circuit heads in New York. Sherman's<br />
plan is copyrighted.<br />
It involves formation of a preview committee<br />
composed of leading exhibitors in<br />
various exchange areas who will approve<br />
sponsored films for theatrical showing.<br />
New York Booth Men<br />
Reach Agreement<br />
NEW YORK—Informal agreement on<br />
terms of a new contract between theatre circuits<br />
and Local 306 of the operators union<br />
was reached in the early hours of Friday<br />
morning after a day of sabotage in theatres.<br />
Films were run upside down and sound apparatus<br />
failed. Some houses were closed for<br />
several hours.<br />
The argument was with RKO, Warners and<br />
United Artists Theatres Corp. The agreement<br />
calls for a 15 per cent wage increa.se,<br />
provides for vacations, covers use of substitutes<br />
and includes a clause requiring the<br />
same wages for operators in leased theatres<br />
as are paid in owned houses.<br />
Two membership meetings were held during<br />
the past week. A meeting also was held between<br />
union representatives and those of theatre<br />
management at the Waldorf Astoria<br />
March 4. There had been talk that a strike<br />
would begin in 120 theatres March 7 or 8<br />
unless the union got what it wanted.<br />
The operators have been working under<br />
the terms of the old contract which expired<br />
last August. Negotiations have been under<br />
way since May 1947. They have been broken<br />
off and resumed several times. Richard F.<br />
Walsh, president of the lATSE has stepped<br />
in twice to prevent a strike.<br />
Max Herschmann Directs<br />
Filmack Eastern Sales<br />
NEW YORK—Appointment of Max Herschmann<br />
as eastern sales manager of the<br />
Filmack Ti-ailer Co. was announced by Irving<br />
Mack, general sales manager. Herschmann,<br />
a veteran trailer executive, will work from<br />
the newly opened New York studio of<br />
Filmack at 245 West 55th St. Full laboratory<br />
facilities are available at the studio for the<br />
making of trailers of all types.<br />
Mulvey to Head Drive<br />
NEW YORK—James A. Mulvey, president<br />
of Samuel Goldwyn Prod., will be chairman<br />
of the Catholic charities drive for Brooklyn<br />
and Long Island. Others on the committee<br />
are Edward C. Dowden and John Murphy of<br />
LoeWs, Charles McDonald of RKO, Samuel<br />
Rinzler of the Randforce circuit. Fred<br />
Schwartz of Century circuit, and Walter F. J.<br />
Higgins of the Associated Prudential Theatres.<br />
HOSPITAL BENEFIT PL.^NNEKS—.Arrangements for a joint concert to be given by<br />
the Choral Society of the Paramount Pictures club and the St. John's University glee<br />
club at Town Hall, May 19, were set at a recent meeting in New York. Proceeds will<br />
go to the New York Foundling hospital. Left to right, Charles M. Reagan, Paramount<br />
vice-president in charge of distribution; Father Robert Rivard, conductor of the university<br />
glee club; Father J. P. Kelly, assistant chaplain for the hospital; Monroe Goodman,<br />
presrdent of the Paramount Pictures club; Monsignor John Reilly, chaplain of<br />
the hospital; Agnes Mengel Grew, founder of the Paramunt choral group, and Robert<br />
J. O'Brien, secretary of Paramount.<br />
BOXOFFICE : : March 6, 1948
. . Joseph<br />
. . Thomas<br />
. . John<br />
. . . Clement<br />
. . Jeremy<br />
GKKET SIR PHILIP A. WARTER—Warner Bros, home office executives gathered<br />
in the Empire suite of the Waldorf-Astoria In New York to<br />
at a luncheon Tuesday (2)<br />
meet Sir Philip A. Warter, chairman and director of Associated British Pictures, Ltd.,<br />
an associate corporation of Warner Bros. Seen in the photo, left to right: Mort Blumenstock,<br />
W. S. McDonald, Stanleigh P. Friedman, Robert Perkins, Karl MacDonald,<br />
Samuel Carlisle, John J. Glynn, Ben Kalmenson, G. R. Keyser, Jack L. Warner jr.,<br />
Herman Starr, Harold S. Bareford, Joseph Hummel, Samuel Schneider, Sir Philip,<br />
Max Milder and Harry Kalmine. Sir PhiUp and Lady Warter left for Los Angeles at<br />
the weekend to meet Harry M. and Jack L. Warner.<br />
B RO A D W Ay<br />
Tames E. Perkins, managing director for Paramount<br />
in Great Britain, and Max Milder,<br />
temporary<br />
ganization<br />
headquarters<br />
office until<br />
at<br />
March<br />
the<br />
10,<br />
Rank<br />
when<br />
Or-<br />
J.<br />
Arthur Rank is due from England. Fields<br />
president of Warner Bros. Int'l., sailed Friday<br />
for England. Perkins spent two months will divide his time between Gotham and the<br />
in coast.<br />
the U.S. conferring with company heads<br />
here and on the coast . . . Paul N. Lazarus jr.,<br />
UA advertising and publicity director, is In<br />
Hollywood for a three-week stay . . . Margaret<br />
Leczer, secretary to William F. Rodgers,<br />
MOM vice-president and general sales manager,<br />
is vacationing in Miami . B.<br />
Howell has been named head of publicity<br />
and public relations for Chappell & Co.,<br />
music publishers.<br />
NEW MIRROPHONIC SOUND<br />
lOE<br />
HORNSTEINJnc.<br />
630 Ninth Ave.. New York City<br />
Cecil Barker, assistant to David O. Selznick,<br />
here for conferences with Selznick and<br />
is<br />
Neil Agnew, president of SRO, and Laudy<br />
Lawi-ence, vice-president in charge of foreign<br />
distribution. Release plans will be discussed<br />
S. Crystal, Paramount International<br />
theatre department head, left for<br />
Lima, Peru, during the week to attend the<br />
opening of the Tacna Theatre there.<br />
Norman Taurog and Bennett Compton left<br />
for the MGM studio to begin new directorial June Lockhart will head west to discuss<br />
assignments .<br />
Hummel, Warner her next film assignment with EL<br />
First Run Exclusively<br />
studio<br />
NEW YORK—Brandt Theatres is converting<br />
its 900-seat Pix Theatre on 42nd Street<br />
general manager for Europe, and C. J. Van heads when her cuiTent play, "For Love or<br />
Neir'Eastman Kodak controller, sailed for Money," goes on tour May 30 . . . Selig J.<br />
to a first run foreign film house. It will be<br />
England on the S.S. America . M. Seligman of Paramount is planning an April<br />
the first house In the Brandt circuit to be<br />
Whittaker, RKO vice-president and William wedding with Muriel Bienstock of Jackson<br />
devoted exclusively to first run foreign pictures.<br />
To date the Pix has been a subsequent<br />
Fadiman. left for the coast. Paul Hollister Heights . . . David D. Home of Monogram<br />
returned from the RKO studio . . . Max Weinberg,<br />
MGM eastern shorts representative, the Caribbean and South America . . . B. G.<br />
International Is touring company offices in<br />
rtm.<br />
The Apollo, another Brandt house, has<br />
visited Chicago.<br />
Kranze, vice-president and general sales<br />
been combining one foreign and one U.S.<br />
manager of Film Classics, is visiting the San<br />
George Archibald, managing director of<br />
film on a double feature program for several<br />
Francisco exchange . Gury hfjfe<br />
Independent Producers, Ltd., one of the Rank<br />
years. The circuit occasionally shows foreign<br />
been elected a vice-president of Donahue &<br />
producing units, and Sid Field, British stage<br />
films In various houses throughout the city.<br />
Coe. He will direct copy . . . Oscar Doob is<br />
comedian, arrived on the Queen Mary during<br />
the week. Archibald Intends to spend a Boucher of the Motion Picture Theatre<br />
The Pix will play French and Italian prodback<br />
from a Havana vacation . . . Frank<br />
month here with his wife. He will set up Owners of Washington was here for talks<br />
with Robert Coyne at TOA headquarters.<br />
ROADSHOW PROJECTION<br />
THE HARVEY WILLIAM CO.<br />
C. J. Latta, Warner Albany zone manager,<br />
was in town for a few days . . . Evelyn l^s<br />
Jones, for the past five years manager of<br />
the contract and traffic division of the<br />
Donahue & Coe radio department, has been<br />
named time buyer for the agency . . . Fred<br />
Zinneman, director of "The Search" (MGM)<br />
arrived in town for the opening of the film<br />
at the Victoria Theatre.<br />
'Floss' to Follow 'Song'<br />
NEW YORK—"The Mill on the Floss,"<br />
English Films reissue, will open at the Park<br />
Theatre following the run of "Song of My<br />
Heart."<br />
Notables Turn Out<br />
For 'Naked City'<br />
NEW YORK—Leaders in the newspaper,<br />
stage, screen and radio fields attended the<br />
benefit opening of "The Naked City" (U-I)<br />
at the Capitol Theatre, Wednesday (3). The<br />
opening was a tribute to the late Mark Hellinger,<br />
who produced the film. The event<br />
was sponsored by the Mark Hellinger Memorial<br />
fund, which is part of the entertainment<br />
division of the New York Heart campaign.<br />
All proceeds from the opening will go<br />
to the heart campaign.<br />
The "Naked City" screening was preceded<br />
by a stage show featuring film, variety and<br />
radio stars. The opening was covered by<br />
radio and television.<br />
Guests at the benefit received copies of<br />
a 140-page bound volume of tributes to Hellinger.<br />
His friends in the entertainment and<br />
newspaper worlds contributed articles lauding<br />
the late writer and film producer. Film<br />
companies, stars, film executives, restaurateurs<br />
ran tributes to Hellinger. "Weegee."<br />
the PM photographer who complied the book<br />
on which "The Naked City" was based, contributed<br />
still photographs.<br />
Thfe book includes contributions from Ed<br />
Sullivan. Ben Hecht, Hi Phillips, Russell<br />
Patterson, Arthur "Bugs" Baer. Igor Cassinl,<br />
Milton Caniff, Louis Sobel, Paul Gallico, Earl<br />
Wilson, Walter Winchell, Faith Baldwin,<br />
Irving Hoffman, Jimmy Cannon. Louis<br />
Bromfield. George Dixon, Rube Goldberg,<br />
Grantland Rice. Bill Corum, Bob Considine,<br />
Hedda Hopper, Quentin Reynolds. Leonard<br />
Lyons, Prank Graham, Budd Schulberg, Abel<br />
Green, Henry McLemore, Billy Rose, Ted<br />
Husing, Frank Scully, Nick Kenny. John<br />
McNulty. Jlmmie Fidler, Louella Parsons<br />
and others.<br />
Pix to Show Foreign Films<br />
Goldenson Heads Drive<br />
NEW YORK—Leonard Goldenson will be<br />
chairman of the amusement division of the<br />
1948 fund raising campaign of the Boy Scouts<br />
of America. The goal is $1,000,000. Other<br />
amusement division chairmen are: legitimate<br />
and theatrical equipment and suppliers.<br />
Krimsky to Public Relations Firm<br />
NEW YORK—John Krimsky has joined the<br />
Institute of Public Relations. Inc., in an executive<br />
capacity. He recently returned from<br />
Hollywood where he was manager of the motion<br />
picture division for Buchanan & Co.<br />
advertising agency. Prior to his service with<br />
SHAEP in World War n, Krimsky was engaged<br />
in promotional work In the motion picture<br />
industry.<br />
40<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
: : March 6, 1948
: March<br />
. . . Arthur<br />
. . Bernard<br />
. . Jerry<br />
UOPWA Maps Fight<br />
For 25% Boost<br />
NEW YORK—Tlie United Office & Professional<br />
Workers of America, CIO, will<br />
fight<br />
for 25 per cent wage increases during 1948,<br />
according to a report presented to 500 union<br />
delegates attending the seventh constitutional<br />
convention March 1-5 at the Hotel St. George.<br />
Brooklyn. The UOPWA includes 3,500 film<br />
industry workers, members of SOPEG and<br />
SPG. Total UOPWA membership is said to<br />
be 70,000 employes of banking, insurance,<br />
radio and Wall Street firms in addition to<br />
the white collar motion picture workers.<br />
Meanwhile the 20th-Fox unit of SPG has<br />
received wage increases ranging from $5.50<br />
to $20.00 per week as a result of arbitration<br />
conducted by the American Arbitration Ass'n.<br />
All other film companies except Eagle Lion<br />
will soon enter into arbitration proceedings<br />
over the wage demands made by their SPG<br />
units. Management and the union are now<br />
selecting<br />
arbitrators.<br />
Jules Lapidus Son to Wed<br />
Miss Lois Elaine Liff<br />
NEW YORK—Dr. and Mrs, Albert A. Liff<br />
have announced the engagement of their<br />
daughter, Lois Elaine,<br />
to Lawrence Herbert<br />
Lapidus. son of Jules<br />
Lapidus, eastern sales<br />
^^^^ manager for Warners,<br />
^^" and Mrs. Lapidus of<br />
Mount Vernon.<br />
in her jimior year at<br />
Barnard collegeu<br />
Lois Elaine Liff Lawrence Lapidus Is<br />
attending Pennsylvania state college.<br />
Along New York's Film<br />
QHARLES BOASBERG, north-south division<br />
manager for RKO, and assistant<br />
By WALTER WALDMAN<br />
Carl Peppercorn conducted a meeting at the<br />
New York exchange March 2 to discuss the<br />
Ned Depinet drive, which has passed the<br />
halfway mark. Exchange staffers present<br />
were Len Gruenberg, district manager; Phil<br />
Hodes, branch manager; Lou Kutinsky,<br />
Charles Penseer, Herman Silverman and John<br />
Dacey, salesmen; Jack De Wald, accountant;<br />
Bill Hartman, office manager, and Sy Kaplan,<br />
Max PoUnsky and Jean Sleigh, bookers.<br />
Gruenberg expects to saU for Bermuda<br />
March 25 for a ten-day vacation .<br />
Harry Margolis, booker, has been appointed<br />
MGM shorts subjects supervisor for the second<br />
shorts subjects sales drive. The leading<br />
shorts subjects supervisor for each MGM<br />
division annually wins a trip to Hollywood.<br />
Last Year Ed Richter, head booker, was the<br />
lucky guy<br />
. . . Bea Friedman, assistant MGM<br />
cashier, is back at her desk after a two-week<br />
cruise to the West Indies.<br />
Spring is just around the corner, according<br />
to the members of the Motion Picture Bookers<br />
club. Plans were discussed at the weekly<br />
meeting at the Hotel Taft March 1 for the<br />
organization of a softball team. Max Fried<br />
was named a committee of one to start the<br />
ball rolling . . . Mrs. E. Knickerbocker invited<br />
Flimrow salesmen and bookers to the<br />
opening of her recently acquired Dover Theatre,<br />
Dover Plains, N. Y.<br />
Miss Liff is a graduate<br />
of the Fieldston<br />
Harry Fuchs of the Skouras publicity department<br />
school. She attended<br />
is getting used to work again after<br />
the University of<br />
a six-month absence. He has been back at<br />
Rochester and is now<br />
the job two weeks and is just beginning to<br />
catch up with his correspondence . . . Sam<br />
Lefkowitz, eastern district manager for Warners,<br />
ran into a snowstorm his second day<br />
back from a five-week vacation in Florida<br />
Row<br />
Weinberg, WB office manager,<br />
will return from Miami March 8 . . . The<br />
combination of snow and rain March 2 was<br />
too much for the weatherproofing of several<br />
New Jersey theatres. Water seeped through<br />
the roofs, causing carpet and seat damage.<br />
The weather also kept customers at home.<br />
Dan Halpern, former WB booker, became<br />
father of a baby girl . . . Albert MacKenna<br />
paid one of his infrequent visits to Pilmrow<br />
March 2. He operates the Albermac Theatre,<br />
Pawling, N. Y. . . . Oscar A. Doob, John<br />
Murphy and Dan Terrell of Loew's have<br />
returned from their travels. Doob had vacationed<br />
in Havana and Murphy and Terrell<br />
spent a week visiting Loew's theatres through<br />
the south . ICranze, general sales<br />
manager for Film Classics, is visiting exhibitors<br />
and company personnel in and aroimd<br />
San Francisco . . . Seymour Florin, 20th-Fox<br />
branch manager, is on his vacation.<br />
Harold Postman, assistant to Alan F.<br />
Cummings, head of MGM exchange operations,<br />
returned from a three-week tour of<br />
the southern exchanges . . . Vaudeville will<br />
be resumed at the St. James Theatre, Asbury<br />
Park, March 11. Stage shows were dropped<br />
two months ago as a result of the severe<br />
snowstorms . Segal, former assistant<br />
manager of the Mayfair Theatre. Asbury<br />
Park, has been appointed manager of the<br />
Lyric, also of Asbmy Park. Segal succeeded<br />
Jack Thompson, who resigned.<br />
Hickey to Confer in N.Y.<br />
NEW YORK—Duke Hickey, community<br />
relations division field coordinator for the<br />
MPAA, has returned to the New York office<br />
for department conferences. This is his first<br />
trip here in more than four years.<br />
N.Y. Cinema Lodge Honors<br />
Javits and Hazel Scott<br />
NEW YORK—Rep. Jacob K. Javits of Mew<br />
York and Hazel Scott, pianist, were honored<br />
by the Cinema Lodge of the B'nai B'rith at<br />
the Hotel Astor. Tuesday (March 2i. Representative<br />
Javits received a Cinema Lodge<br />
"Honor Scroll" from Robert M. Weitman,<br />
president of the lodge, for his outstanding<br />
Americanism. Miss Scott was cited for her<br />
contributions to the American democratic<br />
way of life.<br />
Representative Javits addressed the group.<br />
He said "the ultimate test of success of our<br />
constitutional democracy will come in the<br />
way in which we treat our minorities in the<br />
next decade." He discussed the problem of<br />
displaced persons in Europe.<br />
Weill Named UA Director<br />
NEW YORK — Harold Weill has been<br />
elected a member of the United Artists board<br />
of directors. He will fill the vacancy left by<br />
the resignation of Ai-nold Grant several<br />
months ago, and will represent Mary Pickford.<br />
Grant. Miss Pickford's attorney, had<br />
been one of the four directors representing<br />
her on the UA board. Weill, also an attorney,<br />
is a member of the law firm of Leon, Weill<br />
and Mahony.<br />
NEW<br />
YORK<br />
PHONE<br />
PLAZA<br />
7-3809<br />
YORK<br />
WEST<br />
55 STREET<br />
Yes, our New York City Branch<br />
at 245 WEST 55TH STREET<br />
is now in full swing and<br />
ready to serve you.<br />
Send your next special announcement<br />
trailer order to Filmack . .<br />
and see why exhibitors all over<br />
the country get their trailers<br />
Los Angeles<br />
1574 W.Wosh.,<br />
ington st<br />
]<br />
BOXOFHCE :<br />
6, 1948
3rd<br />
: March<br />
'<br />
Film Cenler Building<br />
Acquired by Reade<br />
NEW YORK-The 13-story Film Center<br />
Bldg 630 Ninth Ave., has been bought by<br />
Walter Reade Jr. Enterprises for investment<br />
purposes. The company, headed by Walter<br />
Reade jr., bought the stock of the Film Center<br />
Bldg. Corp., subject to a mortgage of<br />
about si. 700,000. The building is assessed at<br />
$1,800,000.<br />
Reade has already assigned the contract<br />
for the stock to a syndicate which will operate<br />
the building. Daniel A. Brener and Edward<br />
Lewis, brokers in the sale, will manage<br />
the pioperty for the new owners.<br />
There were reports in the last few weeks<br />
that the building had been sold to a syndicate<br />
headed by Joseph Harris of Realart<br />
Pictures. Inc. Harris said that he had been<br />
negotiating for the building, which he wanted<br />
for investment purposes and as headquarters<br />
for his film interests. These negotiations<br />
were broken off about one week before the<br />
Reade deal was made.<br />
Reade eventually may take office space in<br />
the building for his various enterprises, which<br />
include a 40-house ciixuit and considerable<br />
real estate in New Jersey and New York.<br />
The Film Center Bldg. has been a headquarters<br />
for New York exchanges, equipment<br />
dealers and trailer services since December<br />
1928. It now includes among its tenants<br />
NSS, MGM, RKO, Columbia, U-I, United<br />
Artists, Monogram, Eagle Lion and Republic.<br />
'Naked City' Benefit Nets<br />
$180,000 for Heart Fund<br />
NEW YORK—A benefit premiere of<br />
Mark<br />
Hellinger's "The Naked City" at Capitol Theatre<br />
Wednesday night (March 3) rolled up a<br />
gross of $150,000 at $5 per seat and this was<br />
increased $30,000 by presentation of a check<br />
from the Skouras Theatres Corp. The<br />
Skouras check was a result of a campaign in<br />
the theatres.<br />
All the money" goes to the New York Heart<br />
Ass'n's drive to collect $500,000.<br />
Milton Berle was master of ceremonies.<br />
Among the well known performers who appeared<br />
were: Bill Robinson, Harry Richman.<br />
Morton Downey, Jane Kean, Louis Prima, the<br />
Golden Gate quartet and Horace Heidt and<br />
his<br />
orche.stra.<br />
Publicists With 20th-Fox<br />
Granted Wage Hikes<br />
NEW YORK—The American Arbitration<br />
Ass'n has awarded wage increases and has<br />
set a new minimum wage scale for publicists<br />
employed at 20th-Fox. The decision settled<br />
a wage dispute between the company and the<br />
Screen Publicists Guild, Local 114, UOPWA,<br />
CIO.<br />
The wage increases included a $20 weekly<br />
pay hike for senior publicists, $15 for pubheists,<br />
$10 for associate publicists and $5.50<br />
for apprentices. The new minimum wage<br />
scale grants $125 weekly to senior publicists,<br />
$87.50 to publicists, $62.50 to associate publicists<br />
and $40 to apprentices. The new<br />
salary scale is retroactive to Sept. 27, 1947.<br />
A union demand for salary hikes for publicists<br />
employed at Warners also will be<br />
settled by arbitration. Both the union and<br />
Warners have named their representatives.<br />
The award in the negotiations between the<br />
union and 20th-Fox was handed down after<br />
a two-day hearing at arbitration headquarters.<br />
The decision was made by a board<br />
consisting of Prof. Harry Shulman of Yale<br />
University Law school, Aaron Schneider,<br />
regional director of the UOPWA, and Norman<br />
Steinberg, attorney associated with 20th-<br />
Fox.<br />
Salary Increases Granted<br />
To 1,100 Film Employes<br />
NEW YORK — About 1,100 home office<br />
workers at Loew's and RKO, members of the<br />
Screen Office and Professional Employes<br />
guild, have been granted salary increases by<br />
'he American Arbitration Ass'n. Awards for<br />
workers at Columbia, UA, 20th-Fox, Paramount<br />
and National Screen are pending. The<br />
SOPEG represents 3,000 employes at the<br />
home office here.<br />
Salary boosts ranging from $5 to $10 weekly<br />
were awarded to 600 white coUar workers at<br />
RKO. About 500 workers at Loew's received<br />
wage hikes of from $5 to $12 weekly. The increases<br />
are retroactive to Sept. 27, 1947.<br />
The arbitrator in the Loew's case was<br />
Sidney A. Wolff. Dean John T. Madden represented<br />
Loew's; Albert Shepard of the Book<br />
and Magazine guild of the United Office and<br />
Pi-ofessional Workers of America represented<br />
the SOPEG. The arbitrator in the RKO<br />
negotiations was Isadore Broadwin. RKO<br />
was represented by Wilbur England.<br />
The union originally asked for an increase<br />
of $10 weekly or 30 per cent, whichever was<br />
higher.<br />
'Pearl' Leads B'way<br />
During Slow Week<br />
NEW YORK—Leading the first runs during<br />
a generally slow week was "The Pearl,"<br />
which finished a strong second week.<br />
It was a week of holdovers on Broadway,<br />
with "Road to Rio" at the Paramount, "Three<br />
Daring Daughters" at the Capitol," "Call<br />
Northside 777" at the Roxy, "To the Ends<br />
of the Earth" at the Rivoli, and "A Double<br />
Life" at the Music Hall doing above average<br />
business.<br />
New arrivals toward the end of the week<br />
included "Black Bart" at the Winter Garden;<br />
"Song of My Heart" at the Park Avenue, and<br />
"The Naked City," Capitol. "The Naked City"<br />
opened its regular run March 4 after a special<br />
benefit showing the previous night sponsored<br />
by the Mark Hellinger memorial fund. Proceeds<br />
went to the New York Heart Ass'n.<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Astor—The Bishop's Wile (RKO), 12th wk 93<br />
Capilol—Three Daring Daughters (MGM),<br />
Cnler1on^feep,°My LoveTuAiVM" wk::;:.:; tO<br />
Globe—Body and Soul (UA), 17th wk. i4<br />
.<br />
Loews S.ate-KiUer McCoy (MGM), 3rd wk to<br />
Maytair—Gentleman's Agreement ('.tOth-Fox)<br />
pJia«^' You Knew "Susie (RKO):'" 2rid^wk:.;;;; :::::: as<br />
Park Avenue—Holiday Camp lU-1), 6th wk.<br />
(6 days) ,<br />
Paramount—Road lo Rio i : - plus stage<br />
Rad.o'^C.ty Music Hij!! -A Double Lile""(U-l).<br />
plus stage show, 2nd wk U^<br />
gl?^r?ri?e ^hf^e'^^rth (coi):3rd wk:::::::18^<br />
Roxy-Call Northside 777 (20th-Fox), plus<br />
stage show, 2nd wk ^.<br />
HO<br />
Strand—My Girl Tisa (WB), plus stage show.<br />
Sutton-The Pearl (RKO), 2nd wk..<br />
.125<br />
Cross (SG) 2nd v,k 9b<br />
Victor.a-The Burning<br />
Warner-A Miracle Can Happen (UA) 4th wk bb<br />
Wmter Garden—lossy (UA), 2nd wk. (6 days) 82<br />
Huge Philadelphia Opening<br />
For "Gentleman's Agreement'<br />
PHILADELPHIA— All the news this week<br />
is "Gentleman's Agreement," opening at<br />
the Fox. The combination of a topflight<br />
film, popular stars, the Academy Award publicity,<br />
and a thorough job of exploitation<br />
done by the local group, is paying off at the<br />
boxoffice. Other openers, "A Double Life,"<br />
at the Boyd; "Out of the Blue" at the Stanton,<br />
and "My Girl Tisa" at the Mastbaum,<br />
are not making too spectacular a splash.<br />
Most of the other first run houses had holdovers,<br />
and the grosses show it,<br />
Aldine-Black Narcissus (U-I), 2nd wk 9b<br />
Boyd-A Double Liie (Ul) /,.,„;<br />
Arcadia-Treaure ol Sierra Madre (WB), oj 2nd<br />
^^^<br />
Eae—ffigh Vail (MGM) , wk. ..^:." 90<br />
Erlanger—Cass Timberlane (MGM), bth<br />
Fo'i-Gentleman's Agreement (20th:Fo°x)°..-. '280<br />
Goldman-II Winter Comes (MGM), 3rd wk 00<br />
Karlton-The Bishop's Wile (RKO). 3rd wk 150<br />
Keith—You Were Meant for Me (20th-Fox).<br />
^^^<br />
::::"<br />
Maslba^My Girl Tisa (WB):::^.::::::.^::::::::" 95<br />
Pix—The Outlaw (UA) 2nd run, 5th wk 100<br />
Stanley—A Miracle Con Happen (UA), 2nd wk 9b<br />
Stanton-Out ol the Blue (EL) 100<br />
^^<br />
^^^<br />
42<br />
AT "BELLS' SCREENING—This happy quartet appeared at RKO's New York<br />
trade screening of "The Miracle of the Bells." Left to right: Israel Zatkin, Lane<br />
Theatres; Phil Hodes, RKO's New York exchange manager; Irving Dashkin, Savoy<br />
Theatres, and Irving Rcnner, Endicott circuit.<br />
'Susie' and 'Bishop's Wife'<br />
Catching Trade in Baltimore<br />
BALTIMORE—With a week of weak pictures<br />
and two holdovers, bulk of the trade<br />
went to "If You Knew Susie" and one of the<br />
holdovers, "The Bishop's Wife." "Intriguehad<br />
an average week and the others were<br />
way below par.<br />
'00<br />
Century-Intrigue (UA) ,-<br />
Hippodrome— If You Knew Susie<br />
(RKO). plus stage show if<br />
Keiths-la sy (U-I) §5<br />
mHJ<br />
., j<br />
New—Call Northside 777 (20th-Fox), .^rd -.-.k.<br />
Mayfair-Frieda (U-I) -^^--^<br />
Stanley—Intermezzo (SRO), reissue<br />
Town-The Bishop's Wife (RKO), 2nd wk<br />
a/<br />
HO<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
6, 1948
I<br />
some<br />
! Crashers<br />
: March<br />
• , . Twentieth-Fox<br />
, , . Monogram<br />
. . Charles<br />
. , The<br />
. , Rita<br />
. . Filmi-ow<br />
. . Morris<br />
WASHINGTON<br />
fjoward Minsky, accompanied by his assistant<br />
Nat Rosen, visited the 20th-Fox exihiinge<br />
to hold a series of sales conferences<br />
with District Manager Glenn Norris, Branch<br />
Manager Gordon Contee and the sales staff<br />
had Uiree pictures playing<br />
on P street this week, "Call Northside<br />
777" at Loews Palace. "The Tender Years"<br />
at the Capitol and "You Were Meant For<br />
Me" on a moveover at the Columbia,<br />
The Carver Theatre in Alexandria is now<br />
open<br />
. . . Warners lost a print of "The Wild<br />
Irish Rose" in the fn-e at the Mecca Theatre,<br />
Chase City, Va,<br />
, was shocked<br />
by the sudden death of Ray Palmer, Warner<br />
auditor, in Atlanta, Death was due to heart<br />
trouble<br />
, Sidney Lusts are sojourning<br />
in Florida<br />
, Mader, Monogram biller,<br />
and her navy hubby are visiting their folks<br />
in New Orleans<br />
, . . Little Barbara, daughter<br />
ot Bill Hoyle, District Theatres publicity chief,<br />
is recovering from a seige of pneumonia.<br />
AID BROTHERHOOD WEEK—Variety<br />
Club Tent 11 paid tribute to Brotheriiood<br />
week at a luncheon at the Statler hotel<br />
in Washington February 25. In the top<br />
photo are honored guests Eric Johnston<br />
(left) of the MPAA and Drew Pearson,<br />
columnist, who spoke on "The Dignity of<br />
Man." Seen in the rear is Frank Boucher,<br />
chief barker of the Washington<br />
tent. Directly above is Fred Kogod<br />
(right) , chairman of the Variety Club<br />
welfare committee, presenting a check<br />
for S250 to .Alfred McGarraghty (left)<br />
as the club's contribution to Brotherhood<br />
week. Looking on is Mrs. Frank Linzel<br />
of the Washington Round Table, National<br />
Conference of Christians and Jews.<br />
Are Troublesome<br />
ALBANY—Crashers are proving trouble<br />
at the Strand. Assistant Manager Ted<br />
Freidman caught four girls, about 17 years<br />
old, opening exit doors to permit the entry<br />
of boys. A few nights later. Manager Al<br />
LaFlamme, acting on a tip from a patron,<br />
discovered a group of yoimg boys who had<br />
sneaked into the balcony via an exit door.<br />
'Relentless' in New York<br />
NEW YORK—"Relentless," Columbia picture<br />
in Technicolor stan-ing Robert Young<br />
and Marguerite Chapman, opened at the<br />
Criterion March 6.<br />
Reg^ U. S. Pat. Off.<br />
ATTENDANCE BOOSTER<br />
For Information. Write, Wire or Phone<br />
FOTO-PAY-DAY, INC.<br />
161 W. Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee 3, WU.<br />
|ST CLASS DISTRIBUTION<br />
THE ENTIRE SOUTH - FOH<br />
thru<br />
T (JOHN) O T^<br />
(O. K.)<br />
J ENKINS OC I3( OURGEOIS<br />
ASTOR PICTURES COMPANY<br />
In the absence of President Agnes Turne.',<br />
Vice-President Bill Fisher presided at a meet-'<br />
ing of the FB local this week . , , Albertha<br />
McConnell, Lust circuit, spent Monday nig-ht<br />
with the Ira Sichelmans . . . Millie Layden,<br />
20th-Pox secretary and her hxisband celebrated<br />
their first wedding armiversary on<br />
March 1.<br />
Harry Cohen, formerly with Metro, is now<br />
with E, H. Brient and Sons, Inc, handling<br />
RCA equipment . Mechanic, New<br />
Theatre, Baltimore, has gone to Miami Beach<br />
to visit brother Bill and his family . . , Mrs.<br />
Marie Cannon. Loew's Capitol, is in Doctors<br />
hospital , . . Bernice Kahn, Republic Pictiu-es,-<br />
announced her engagement to Fred<br />
Rosenstock.<br />
Helen Inglee, for the past seven years confined<br />
to Will Rogers Memorial, died Monday<br />
of a lung hemorrhage. Before her illness<br />
she was an inspector at 20th-Fox , , . Al Benson,<br />
Paramotmt branch manager, was a home<br />
office visitor . . . Mai-garet Stant. United<br />
Artists, was sick several days , . . Bill Michelson,<br />
20th-Fox exploiteer, spent several days<br />
in Norfolk. Richmond, and Roanoke, setting<br />
campaigns for "Gentleman's Agreement."<br />
Out-of-town exhibitors seen on P^mrow<br />
were Julian Gordon, Grayson Sandy, T. E.<br />
Wilson, Maurice Hendricks, J. E. Connellee<br />
jr., Lieut, Johnson of the Fifth naval command,<br />
C. Weaver. Morris Oletsky. Barry Goldman.<br />
Julius Levine. Jack Levine. Joe Baer<br />
and L. Cohen.<br />
Elmore Heins is mighty proud of his son<br />
Robert, who was graduated from Princeton<br />
imiversity recently . , . Variety ladies had a<br />
big tui-nout at their Wednesday luncheon<br />
star Johnny Mack Brown<br />
made a personal appearance at the Academy<br />
Theatre in Lynchburg. Va. This was the<br />
beginning of a six-week personal appearance<br />
tour . Starrett, Columbia cowboy<br />
star, is also making a personal appearance<br />
tour through this territory.<br />
"Voice ol Theatre Speakers"<br />
JOE HORNSTEIN has them!<br />
Combination ramp identificalit<br />
and drivewa'y flood light<br />
. . Larry<br />
. . Dora<br />
. . The<br />
. .<br />
. . . Henry<br />
. . . Mr.<br />
. . Tommy<br />
. . BaiTy<br />
. . Mrs.<br />
: March<br />
PHILADELPHIA<br />
pxcitement is brewing over the premiere of<br />
"The Miracle of the Bells," which comes<br />
off Mai-ch 26 at the Earle Theatre. Ev Callow,<br />
Warner exploitation chief, said Jesse<br />
Lasky, producer of the film, and several of<br />
the stars are expected in town to participate<br />
in the accompanying festivities . . . The Arcadia<br />
was registered recently under the Pennsylvania<br />
Fictitious Names act . . . The Castor<br />
Theatre was added to the Ellis circuit officially<br />
as of February 22.<br />
The Elm Theatre in Camden, recently remodeled,<br />
is now under new management. In<br />
an open letter to residents of the section,<br />
published in the Camden papers. Gene Edwards,<br />
the new manager, set forth the policy<br />
for dii-ection of the theatre: Cleanliness at<br />
all times, a quiet theatre will be maintained,<br />
and the theatre will provide a variety program<br />
to please the varied tastes of its patrons.<br />
Si Shaltz, head of Adelphia Associates,<br />
leaves this week for a ten-day stay in Palm<br />
Beach .<br />
Graver, Warner Bros, district<br />
manager, got a plug from Babe Rutih m<br />
this week's issue of the Saturday Evening<br />
Post. Graver is mentioned in the Bambino's<br />
memoirs, since he was secretary of the Red<br />
Sox when the Babe pitched for the club.<br />
Maury Passero, press agent for "Panic," the<br />
French film, slated as the next attraction at<br />
the Princess, was married Saturday to singer<br />
Maralyn Towne . Fox previewed "Sitting<br />
Pretty" one night last week . . . Local<br />
newspapermen are expressing great interest<br />
in "Call Northside 777," which is supposed<br />
to give an accurate picture of their profession.<br />
Dan Katlin of the Music Hall in Lansdale<br />
was in Temple hospital for an operation . . .<br />
Dorothy Wilson, U-I telephone operator, was<br />
.sick. Also ill were Peggy Johnson, Warner<br />
clerk, and Jerry Levey and Elaine Gerber,<br />
both of Columbia. Returned following an<br />
illness was Lee Matela, of Columbia . . .<br />
Condolences are extended to Betty Hubbai-d,<br />
RKO, whose brother died, and to Bob Anderberg,<br />
of the Rich-Art sign shop, who lost his<br />
mother.<br />
The Variety Club is working on plans for a<br />
camp for underprivileged boys, wtiich the<br />
club will operate ... Eli M. Orowitz, for eight<br />
years with the Savar Amusement Co., in<br />
Camden, is now general manager and treasurer<br />
of the Peggy O'Neill mail order house<br />
in that city . . . Joyce Robbins, secretary to<br />
the Universal -International office manager,<br />
resigned . Medora is new at RKO .<br />
Thieves at the Bromley Theatre last week<br />
were unsuccessful in an attempt to smash<br />
the safe, but looted two vending madiines of<br />
$66, according to Manager Patrick Nataro.<br />
The Allcntown amusement tax went into<br />
THE IDEAL THEATRE CHAIRS<br />
JOE HORNSTEIN has them<br />
METRO PREMIUM CO.<br />
now oliers<br />
BEAUTYWARE PREMIUMS<br />
Gills ol ovorpowering Boxoifice Appeal<br />
334 W. 44tli SI. COLumbus 5-1952 New York<br />
257 No. 13tK St. RITtenhouse 6-7994 Philadelphia, Pa.<br />
PRESENT POLIO CHECKS—KB circuit<br />
and the Little Theatre in Washington<br />
took up a total of $2,668.25 for the<br />
March of Dimes. Above, Frank M.<br />
Boucher, general manager of K-B (left),<br />
and Victor Orsinger of the Little (right)<br />
present their poUo collection checks to<br />
Edgar Morris, District of Columbia chairman<br />
for the MOD drive.<br />
effect this week, causing an eight percent rise<br />
in admission prices. In some cases, in order<br />
to bring the admission price to an even<br />
figure, the established admission fees have<br />
been raised, but the rise is a fraction of or<br />
just a penny.<br />
The MPAA's Children's Film library is<br />
going full blast on its campaign to enlist exhibitor<br />
support to use the library facilities to<br />
find films suitable for children's diet. Mrs.<br />
Marie Dawson, head of the library, will can-y<br />
her message to the Motion Picture Preview<br />
group, at its March 3 meeting.<br />
The lost-and-found department of this<br />
column has reported from time to time on<br />
such unusual items found in theatres, like<br />
false teeth and crutches. But this is probably<br />
the best yet. A woman patron of the<br />
Orpheum called Lee Kline, manager, who<br />
said, yes, her skirt had been found by the<br />
cleaning<br />
women.<br />
One U Stock Profit Suit<br />
Dismissed, 2nd Upheld<br />
NEW YORK—Federal Judge Simon H.<br />
Rivkind has granted a motion by five Universal<br />
directors to dismiss the suit brought<br />
by Stephen Truncale, minority stockholder,<br />
charging them with questionable stock option<br />
deals. Judge Rivkind ruled that Truncale<br />
was not a stockholder in the company<br />
at the time the deals in question were<br />
consummated.<br />
However, Judge Rivkind granted WilUam<br />
Freiday, an intervenor, permission to taKe<br />
over as plaintiff in the suit because he Ead<br />
owned Universal stock longer than Truncale.<br />
The .suit asks for an accounting of profits<br />
allegedly participated in by the Universal<br />
directors.<br />
Island Booking Trial<br />
Adjourned to March 8<br />
NEW YORK—Hearings in the conspiracy<br />
ca.se filed by Island Theatre Circuit Coitj.<br />
against Liggett-Steiffel Booking Service have<br />
been adjourned until March 8 because of illness<br />
of Aaron Steuer, New York supreme<br />
court.<br />
BALTIMORE<br />
T^oug Connelly, who has been operating in<br />
the Elkton armory foui- days a week since<br />
his house burned down, has broken ground<br />
for a new building in Elkton . Goldman,<br />
back in town from his New York trip,<br />
celebrates 'his birthday March 11 . . . Harry<br />
and Marie Welch of the Mayfair are getting<br />
ready for a California vacation . . . Mr. and<br />
Mrs. Sol Klein celebrated their 16th wedding<br />
anniversary.<br />
Permit to build a theatre in the 5400 block,<br />
Reisterstown road, was referred back to committee<br />
when the ordinance came up before<br />
the city council . . . Mr. and Mrs. Hem-y Sauber.<br />
Cameo Theatre, are celebrating the arrival<br />
of a daughter, Nanette . Jack<br />
Taylor, wife of the owner of the Charles<br />
Theatre in La Plata, is the new chairman of<br />
the First District unit, ladies auxiliary. Physicians<br />
Memorial hospital . . . Charles Starrett,<br />
Columbia cowboy star, has been making<br />
personal appearances around the state with<br />
his troupe.<br />
Bill Michalson, 20th-Fox ejcploiteer, was<br />
working on "An Ideal Husband" at New Theatre<br />
.. . The Waldorf Theatre, Waldorf, has<br />
been completely redecorated by the Paramount<br />
Decorating Co. . . . Pearl Gimbel, secretary<br />
to Bill Saxton, Loew's, is preparing<br />
for her man'iage to Milt Kessler . . . Sam<br />
Mellits, Mellits circuit with headquarters in<br />
Denton, Md., was in town visiting relatives<br />
Dusman, Dusman Theatre Supplies,<br />
made a swing thi-ough the eastern<br />
shore territory . . . Bill Buck, Rising Sun,<br />
Md., held a roller skating party last week.<br />
Morris Mechanic, New Theatre, flew to<br />
Florida to spend two weeks in the sun and<br />
for a visit with his favorite niece and nephew<br />
and Mrs. Jack Whittle, Avenue<br />
Theatre, are spending four weeks in the<br />
Bahamas . Tomlin, stewat-d at<br />
the Variety Club for eight years, resigned<br />
... Vic Flashman, nephew of Al and Harry<br />
Vogelstein, was married last week to Aileen<br />
Lyons, niece of Ben Lyons and Bebe Daniels.<br />
They spent their, honeymoon in New York.<br />
Joe Katzoff, National Screen Service, celebrates<br />
his birthday March 10 . . . The Regent<br />
Theatre is recarpeting, among other improvements<br />
. . . Bill Myers, Echo and De Luxe,<br />
is listed as the No. 1 fan for the Bullets<br />
basketball team.<br />
Out-of-town guests at tlie Variety Club<br />
last week included Mr. and Mrs. Marty Kuttner<br />
of Colimibia, Mr. and Mrs. Danny Rosenthal<br />
of Eagle Lion and Mi', and Mrs. Ira<br />
Sichelman of 20th Century-Fox ... A general<br />
meeting of the Variety Club has been<br />
called for 8 p. m., March 16.<br />
$100,000 Fire Razes Mecca,<br />
Only House in Chase City<br />
CHASE CITY, VA.—The 750-seat Mecca<br />
was destroyed by fire early February 25. The<br />
cinder block and brick building was razed<br />
despite the efforts of a volunteer fire department.<br />
Damage loss was estimated at<br />
$100,000. It was the only theatre in the city.<br />
loins Warner Tub Thumpers<br />
MUt Harker has joined the Warner studio<br />
publicity staff headed by Alex Evelove.<br />
Harker formerly was the Los Angeles bureau<br />
manager for International News Service.<br />
BOXOmCE :<br />
6, 1948
. . . The<br />
: March<br />
. . Ben<br />
. . Ray<br />
. . HaiTy<br />
. .<br />
. .<br />
l"i'!><br />
ALBANY<br />
Ciiul J. UUman, general manager for Fabian<br />
Theatres upstate, is industry chairman<br />
in the Albany area for the Red Cross<br />
drive. Theatres are showing the Red Cross<br />
short starring Gregory Peck but audience<br />
collections are not being made generally, Ii<br />
is reported, however, that some small town<br />
houses may pass the basket as they did in<br />
1947. Pledge cards have been distributed \o<br />
personnel of theatres and exchanges.<br />
Harry Lamont made a trip to New York to<br />
confer with officials of TOA prior to a meeting<br />
of the Theatre Owners of the Albany<br />
Exchange Area, which was scheduled for<br />
March 5. On the agenda was the election of<br />
directors, to round out the list necessary for<br />
the selection of officers. Lamont, who with<br />
Leonard L. Rosenthal attended the national<br />
TOA conference in Chicago several months<br />
ago, was named temporary chairman at a<br />
meeting in December. Owners of approximately<br />
60 theatres had pledged themselves<br />
to join the local unit at the last count.<br />
Booking: of "Panic" by Fabian's Grand, at<br />
65 cents top, marked the first foreign language<br />
film played there in some time. It was<br />
reported a two-week run might be scheduled<br />
Colonial booked its second consecutive<br />
English double bill, consisting of "The Captive<br />
Heart" and "The Tawny Pipit."<br />
"Pirates of Monterey" and "Captain Boycott"<br />
comprised the second U-I bill at the<br />
Ritz under the new first rtm policy. The latest<br />
Deanna Durbin picture will follow, and then<br />
a British-made Warner release, "I Became a<br />
Criminal," will come in with "The Exile" .<br />
Johnny Kelsey of the Leland was re-elected<br />
president of the Albany projectionists' union<br />
and Greg Fisher of the Grand was named<br />
business agent.<br />
Eleanor Paradeis of Pam-O-Films, Buffalo,<br />
handling Screen Guild releases, and<br />
.<br />
Arthur Greenblatt, Screen Guild sales executive<br />
from New York, huddled in Gloversville,<br />
with George Lynch, chief buyer for the<br />
Schine circuit Smith, Screen Guild<br />
representative, a retm-n trip from Toronto,<br />
on<br />
called on exhibitors in Syracuse .<br />
Names of Chief Barker HaiTy Lamont and<br />
Leo Rosen were inadvertently omitted from<br />
tne list of those attending the Variety Club<br />
farev^ell dinner for Dick Hayes, long-time<br />
Paramoimt salesman Hellman,<br />
veteran Albany exhibitor, was reported to<br />
have come thi-ough a gallstone operation<br />
nicely. It was performed at Doctors hospital<br />
in New York.<br />
Exhibitors on Filmrow Monday included<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Dop, operating in four<br />
upstate towns; Jules Perlinutter, Schenectady;<br />
Frank Wieting, Cobleskill, and Morris<br />
Slotnick, Utica . Smith, Warner manager,<br />
drove to Oneida for a meeting with Sid<br />
Kallet of Kallet Theatres; to Utica for huddles<br />
with Harold Lewis of the Lincoln and<br />
Morris Slotnick of the James, and to Binghampton<br />
to see Norm Pearlman. He reports<br />
that Mrs. Smith, who had been seriously ill,<br />
is now able to go outdoors.<br />
Johnny Gardner, owner of the Colony,<br />
Gulistan Wilton Theatre Carpet<br />
JOE HORNSTEIN has it!<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
DICK HAYES HONORED — Variety<br />
Club of Albany gave a testimonial dinner<br />
for Diclc Hayes, who resigned as salesman<br />
for Paramount Pictures in Albany<br />
after an affiliation of 22 Approximately<br />
years.<br />
75 attended the affair. Seen in<br />
the picture, left to right: Saul Ullman,<br />
Fabian Theatres; Harry Lamont, chief<br />
ba.rker; Hayes; C. J. Latta, Warner Bros.<br />
Theatres; and Eugene Vogel, Universal.<br />
Schenectady, was due back from an automobile<br />
trip to California . . . Fred Sliter,<br />
20th-Fox salesman, writes from Hot Springs,<br />
Ark., that he "is sweating it out" for three<br />
weeks in the baths.<br />
Keyes Perrin spent a few days with his<br />
parents. Mi-, and Mrs. Oscar J. Perrin. Keyes<br />
works on a Saturday night radio program with<br />
Al Schacht, baseball clown, announces Mutual<br />
network programs for Sumner Welles and<br />
Fulton Lewis, and does several shows of his<br />
own. His father manages the Ritz.<br />
N.J. Allied Plans<br />
Decree Committee<br />
NEW YORK—The Allied Theatre Owners<br />
of New Jersey will set up a committee to<br />
watch for and report on violations of the<br />
antitrust decree once it is made final by<br />
the supreme court. This move was decided<br />
upon by the members at a meeting here<br />
March 1.<br />
Edward Lachman, president, took a vote<br />
on this question after he presented a report<br />
on the recent meeting in Washington<br />
of the Allied board of directors. The establishment<br />
of such committees by regional<br />
units was one of the recommendations made<br />
by the national board. Allied Independent<br />
Theatre Owners of Kansas-Missouri has already<br />
established a committee to keep tabs<br />
on decree violations. Other regional units<br />
are expected to follow suit in the near future.<br />
Other matters discussed at the March 1<br />
meeting of the New Jersey group were: the<br />
New Jersey tax situation and news that the<br />
New Jersey State Alcoholic Beverage Control<br />
has advised tavern owners against showing<br />
16mm films.<br />
A proposed vote on the Motion Picture<br />
Foundation has been postponed until the<br />
next meeting of the imit late in March.<br />
Lachman explained that a number of executives<br />
and members were unable to attend the<br />
March 1 meeting, so it was thought best to<br />
postpone any action on the Foundation.<br />
Renovated Paramount<br />
Opens in Rochester<br />
HOCHESTER, N. Y.—One of Rochester's<br />
favorite theatres had a new name and a<br />
brand new lobby March 3.<br />
The Century Theatre, under Paramoimt<br />
iii:m:i"cniriit -ince last year, has become the<br />
I'l -tn.iiir llicMtre, with a new mai-quee<br />
•'!<br />
'<br />
'inipletely remodeled at a cost<br />
ii\ .Mill,. SI, ,11, mill. The work was done by Stewart<br />
and Beimett, contractors, according to<br />
a de.sign by Michael J. DeAngelis, Rochester<br />
a'chitect, with results so pleasing to Paramount<br />
that DeAngelis has been commissioned<br />
to redesign another Paramount house in<br />
Philadelphia.<br />
Color .scheme of the new lobby is coral,<br />
buff and grey, with the .same hues in the<br />
heavy Mohawk carpet. Cathode indirect<br />
comes from above the new floating<br />
lighting<br />
ceiling and from concealed lights in two<br />
columns and an ornamental light of stainless<br />
steel. Concealed heat sources replace the<br />
old exposed radiators. Mirrors are freely<br />
used to increase the width of the lobby. Several<br />
deep cases for three-dimensional displays<br />
on coming attractions line the lobby.<br />
From the more convenient boxoffice under<br />
the triangular marquee to the modernly<br />
equipped and newly designed lavatories and<br />
powder rooms and the check room where patrons<br />
may leave packages, the new lobby is<br />
gracefully designed for customer comfort.<br />
Only the lobby was closed dimng the remodeling<br />
job, patrons using a side entrance<br />
while work was in prepress. The auditorium<br />
was redecorated and new seats installed some<br />
months ago.<br />
A gala opening was staged Wednesday by<br />
Paratnoimt's City Manager James Eshelman<br />
and Arthur Krolick, manager of the theatre.<br />
Paramount officials from New York attended<br />
the affair.<br />
Distributors Win Motion<br />
In New York Fraud Case<br />
NEW YORK—Paramount Pictures. Inc.,<br />
20th Century-Fox Film Corp, and Warner<br />
Bros Pictures Distributing Corp. have been<br />
granted a motion to modify demands made<br />
by Jesse L. Stern, Abram H. Levy and their<br />
corporations for detailed bills of particulars<br />
of the distributors' action for alleged fraudulent<br />
under reporting. The exhibitor defendants<br />
operate the Parkwest and Washington<br />
theatres in Manhattan and the Howard<br />
Theatre in Brooklyn. Justice Pecora rendered<br />
the decision in New York supreme<br />
court February 26.<br />
The court held that the distributors were<br />
not required to furnish copies or contents<br />
of statements made by the defendants showing<br />
that they knew that the reports of gross<br />
admission receipts were a material factor in<br />
determining flat rentals. The court ruling<br />
also held that the distributors need not<br />
furnish copies of statements of receipts made<br />
by the exhibitors. The court also struck<br />
out the defendants' demand for a statement<br />
of the law providing that the exhibitors are<br />
required to preserve their records and their<br />
demands for copies of the license agreements—except<br />
for specimens.<br />
These decisions by Justice Pecora establish<br />
a precedent respecting demands of bills<br />
of particulars customarily made by exhibitors<br />
answering fraud complaints, according<br />
to Phillips, Nizer. Benjamin & Krim, attorneys<br />
for the distributor plaintiffs.<br />
6, 1948 45
: March<br />
US. Seeks Information Film Fund Actors, Writers Seek<br />
WASHINGTON—The State department<br />
wants to spend $4,800,000 for the motion<br />
picture part of the U.S. information program<br />
in fiscal 1949. The house appropriations<br />
committee after studying the request in executive<br />
sessions, approved most of the request.<br />
Following the passage of the Mundt bill,<br />
authorizing an expanded information program,<br />
the State department asked an additional<br />
$34,378,000.<br />
The film fimds would pay for 50 original<br />
documentary reels made by the motion pic-<br />
Expect Large Attendance<br />
At Television Institute<br />
NEW YORK—Between 500 and 1,000 television,<br />
radio, advertising, film, newspaper,<br />
school and hotel executives and tradeshow,<br />
to be held at the Hotel New York, April<br />
19-21. The event is sponsored by Televiser<br />
Magazine.<br />
Eleven panels will meet during the threeday<br />
conference: studio production, station<br />
operation, remotes and special events, network<br />
operations, advertising and sponsors,<br />
films for television, theatre and hotel television,<br />
receivers and antennas, training<br />
panel, demonstration panel, television film<br />
coordinating committee. Panel speakers and<br />
chairmen will be announced shortly.<br />
Televiser has reserved more than 70 display<br />
booths on the mezzanine floor of the<br />
hotel for displays of films, film cameras,<br />
studio equipment, lighting equipment, lenses<br />
and television receivers. Receiver dealers in<br />
the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut<br />
areas will be invited to the tradeshow.<br />
Heineman Shifts Southwest<br />
Eagle Lion Selling Area<br />
NEW YORK—William J. Heineman, Eagle<br />
Lion vice-president in charge of distribution,<br />
has shifted his divisional setup so that Clair<br />
HUgers, southwestern district manager, will<br />
supei-vise a new area to include Oklahoma<br />
City, Dallas, St. Louis, Des Moines and<br />
Omaha. The new district will be called the<br />
southwestern-central district.<br />
Heineman said this was pa.rt of a plan to<br />
realign existing districts and sales department<br />
assignments and to re-zone existing<br />
sales districts.<br />
At the same time he said that Clarence<br />
B. Wilson has been named as a salesman in<br />
the Dallas exchange.<br />
Under the new setup Grover Parsons'<br />
southern territory will include New Orleans,<br />
Atlanta. Charlotte and Memphis.<br />
Lipton's Sets Ad Tieups<br />
On 20th-Fox, WB Films<br />
NEW YORK—Lipton's Tea has made national<br />
advertising tieups with 20th-Fox on<br />
"Sitting Pretty" and Warner Bros, on "Johnny<br />
Belinda."<br />
Forty of the leading newspapers will carry<br />
"Sitting Pi-etty" ads during April, when the<br />
picture is in national release. Pour-color advertisements<br />
on Jane Wyman, star of<br />
"Johnny Belinda," will appear In Ladies<br />
Home Journal, McCall's, Woman's Home<br />
Companion, This Week, Parade, Country<br />
Gentleman, Progressive Farmer and Southern<br />
Agriculturist. This is one of a series of ad<br />
campaigns planned on Warner product.<br />
ture industry, 60 reels acquired and adapted,<br />
and 2,200 reels to be made in 20 foreign<br />
languages, and 32,000 reels of exhibitor<br />
prints. Some 10,000,000 persons monthly<br />
would see the films. Other uses for the<br />
funds would be to acquire 170 new 16mm<br />
projectors and 68 mobile units.<br />
There would be motion picture officers in<br />
Europe, the Near and Middle East, China,<br />
Philippine Islands and Siam to develop exhibitor<br />
circuits for the showing of the films.<br />
Salt Lake City Gets Lead<br />
In Ned Depinet Drive<br />
NEW YORK—The RKO Radio Salt Lake<br />
City branch headed by G. Davison was in<br />
the lead at the end of the tenth week of<br />
the Ned Depinet drive. This was the halfway<br />
mark.<br />
Sioux Falls, Oklahoma City and Denver<br />
followed in that order.<br />
Toronto, with Jack Bernstein as manager,<br />
held first place in Canada, followed by St.<br />
John and Calgary.<br />
The western division, headed by Walter E.<br />
Branson, was in the divisional lead, with<br />
eastern division (Nat Levy) second, and<br />
north-south (Charles Boasberg) third. In the<br />
district division Rocky Mountain, in charge<br />
of Al Kolitz, was out front, followed by<br />
Canadian and southwestern.<br />
Depinet Drive Captains<br />
Visiting RKO Branches<br />
NEW YORK—The three captains of the<br />
RKO 1948 Ned Depinet drive and their lieutenants<br />
are continuing their trips to the<br />
company exchanges during the final phase<br />
of the drive.<br />
Walter E. Branson, accompanied by Sid<br />
Kramer, will conduct meetings in Chicago,<br />
Milwaukee and Minneapolis. Nat Levy, accompanied<br />
by his assistant, Frank Drumm,<br />
will conduct meetings in Washington and<br />
Philadelphia. Charles Boasberg and his assistant,<br />
Carl Peppercorn, conducted a meeting<br />
at the New York exchange March 2<br />
following a trip throughout the south and<br />
southwest.<br />
WB-Savings Bonds Tieup<br />
NEW YORK—A poster showing scenes<br />
from "My Girl Tisa," United States production<br />
for Warner Bros, release, has been sent<br />
to schools and educational institutions all<br />
over the U.S. to stimulate the savings bond<br />
program of the U.S. Treasury department.<br />
It is estimated that the "Tisa" posters" will<br />
be distributed to at least 35,000 educational<br />
institutions under the aegis of Jarvis M.<br />
Morse, director of the savings bond education<br />
section.<br />
Schlaifer Meets Exhibitors<br />
NEW YORK—Charles Schlaifer, director<br />
of advertising, publicity and radio for 20th-<br />
Fox, held a series of meetings with exhibitors<br />
on his way back from the coast for discussion<br />
of campaigns on "Gentleman's Agreement."<br />
First among these was in Salt Lake<br />
City, followed by Omaha.<br />
Help for Writers<br />
NEW YORK—An organization to combat<br />
national and state loyalty investigations and<br />
what the leaders call other forms of censorship<br />
and suppression of artistic freedoms<br />
was formed by a group of actors, dramatists<br />
and wi-iters at a meeting at the Savoy-Plaza<br />
hotel February 24. Among the actions taken<br />
by the 200 attending the rally was a vote<br />
to support, financially and morally, the ten<br />
Hollywood writers charged by the house<br />
committee with contempt.<br />
The meeting made tentative plans to stage<br />
a rally in Madison Square Garden in about<br />
three weeks to raise funds for the assistance<br />
of writers now facing court charges.<br />
Among those who spoke at the meeting<br />
were Christopher LaFarge, who presided as<br />
chairman; John Garfield, Aline MacMahon<br />
and Morris Carnovsky, actors; Donald Ogden<br />
Stewart, Edna Ferber, John Lardner,<br />
John Hersey and Ai-nold Perl, writers; Hudson<br />
Walker, president of the American Federation<br />
of Arts, and Howard Taubman, music<br />
critic of the New York Times. Canada Lee,<br />
Negro actor who is featured in "Body and<br />
Soul," said that the Thomas committee had<br />
condemned the picture as subversive. Lee<br />
declared that this, plus the decision not to<br />
film a picture based on the life of Jackie<br />
Robinson, Brooklyn baseball player, was a<br />
"blow to all Negroes in the acting profession."<br />
The meeting was called by a sponsoring<br />
committee composed of Moss Hart, Walter<br />
Huston, Arthur Garfield Hays, James Thurber,<br />
Oscar Hammerstein II, Cheryl Crawford,<br />
Leon Kroll, Norman Rockwell and<br />
LaFarge.<br />
A continuations committee met February<br />
26 to discuss plans aimed to bring the various<br />
entertainment unions into the organization.<br />
These include Actors Equity, Screen<br />
Guild, American Guild of Musical Artists<br />
and American Federation of Radio Artists.<br />
Live Talent Will Offset<br />
Competition: Finston<br />
NEW YORK—First run showcases should<br />
turn to live talent as an extra audience lure<br />
to counteract the draw of home television<br />
receivers, according to Nathaniel Finston,<br />
president of Symphony Films, producer of<br />
"Song of My Heart." Finston made this state^<br />
ment shortly after his arrival from the coast<br />
He feels neighborhood houses will be able<br />
to offset home television competition by installing<br />
receivers in theatre lounges, but that<br />
first runs must offer live talent. Finston<br />
vaudeville returning.<br />
The producer also predicted that admissions<br />
will be forced to come down as television com<br />
petition increases.<br />
Symphony was organized recently by Fin<br />
ston and Barney Glazer. Both had been con-;<br />
nected in the past with Paramount an(J<br />
MGM. "Song of My Heart," which deals<br />
with the life and music of Tchaikovsky, is'<br />
their first joint offering. Allied Artists<br />
handling release through Monogram.<br />
Finston plans tlu-ee additional films based;<br />
on the lives of famous composers. One featuring<br />
the music of Stephen Foster may<br />
into production by midsummer. Release<br />
these pictures has not been set to date.<br />
BOXOFnCE :<br />
6, 19
m^LT^QW<br />
NEWS AND VIEWS OF THE PRODUCTION CEIMTER<br />
(Hollywood Office—Suite 219 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd.: Ivan Spear, Wester7i Manager) f<br />
Directors to Negotiate<br />
New Wage Conf ract<br />
HOLLYWOOD — A round-table session<br />
with producers will be called shortly by the<br />
Screen Directors guild to open negotiations<br />
for a new contract, supplanting the current<br />
basic pact which expires in midmonth. The<br />
terminating commitment was signed in 1939.<br />
Although not officially outlined, the SDG's<br />
demands were expected to include a new<br />
set of wage scales for freelance film pilots,<br />
elimination of layoff provisions in term contracts,<br />
revision of loanout scales, and clauses<br />
covering the right to terminate term tickets.<br />
The demands, as drafted by a basic agreement<br />
committee, will be submitted to the<br />
SDG at a general membership meeting before<br />
a definite conference date with the producers<br />
is sought.<br />
Jack Gross Will Analyze<br />
RKO Production Costs<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Further exemplification<br />
of the film colony trend toward production<br />
i' economies came with the elevation by RKO<br />
j Radio of Jack Gross to a position in which<br />
1 he will supply a pre-filming analysis of<br />
1<br />
production costs to Dore Schary, studio chief.<br />
The appointment is in line with studio policy<br />
to eliminate all possible waste. For five<br />
years an executive producer. Gross now joins<br />
a "production cabinet" comprising J. J.<br />
Nolan, Edgar Peterson, William Fadiman<br />
and Leon Goldberg.<br />
New <strong>Boxoffice</strong> Calculator<br />
Devised by Burton Jones<br />
LOS ANGELES—A new exhibitor's item<br />
for the rapid calculation of boxoffice statements,<br />
invoices, percentages, pay rolls and<br />
other matters has been devised by Burton<br />
Jones, operator of the Helix in La Mesa,<br />
Calif. The 50-page manual, titled "Ready<br />
Reckoner," is being distributed for Jones by<br />
National Screen Service.<br />
Star to Film Own Story<br />
HOLLYWOOD—"That's Hollywood," film<br />
version of Robert Cummings' screen career,<br />
will be next on the United California Productions<br />
schedule, with Cummings now developing<br />
his origin?!. He will star in the<br />
subject. The outfit's first offering, "Let's<br />
Live a Little," is now before the cameras<br />
with Cummings and Hedy Lamarr as stars,<br />
with Eagle Lion set to release.<br />
NLRB Dismisses Charges<br />
Of Carpenters Against lA<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Because of "insufficient<br />
evidence," the regional office of the National<br />
Labor Relations board dismissed 20 complaints<br />
filed against the lATSE by the striking<br />
studio carpenters.<br />
Also junked was a petition<br />
filed on behalf of 20 rank-and-file<br />
studio employes which urged use of the Taft-<br />
Hartley law to break the jurisdictional stalemate.<br />
The carpenters' complaints charged the lA<br />
was responsible for the present strike, had<br />
discriminated against individual workers, had<br />
set up discriminatory initiation fees and dues<br />
and was guilty of "feather-bedding." Howard<br />
LeBaron, regional NLRB director, set a tenday<br />
deadline in which the petitioners may<br />
appeal the decision.<br />
Gov. Warren Pushes<br />
Bill for Fast Time<br />
LOS ANGELES — California's recordshattering<br />
dry spell is emerging as another<br />
potential headache for showmen throughout<br />
the state. Gov. Earl Warren has introduced<br />
an emergency measure in the legislature at<br />
Sacramento calling for an emergency daylight<br />
savings program to conserve dwindling<br />
power resources due to the shortage of water.<br />
If passed, the measure would call for clocks<br />
to be moved ahead one hour, starting immediately,<br />
the new time to continue for one<br />
year unless terminated before that time<br />
by state proclamation.<br />
Exhibitors, who have consistently been<br />
against daylight savings in the past, concede<br />
generally in this instance, however, that the<br />
action is a necessary one, although they are<br />
convinced that it will result in a slash in<br />
boxoffice takes. The change would extend<br />
daylight hours into the early evening, when<br />
theatre patronage is usually at its highest<br />
level.<br />
Paramount Buys Rights<br />
To 'Look Homeward'<br />
HOLL'YWOOD—Paramount has acquired<br />
screen rights, a shooting script and 20,000<br />
feet of background material on "Look Homeward,<br />
Angel," the Thomas Wolfe novel. The<br />
deal was made with Rudy Monter and Arthur<br />
Ripley, who bought the book in 1944 for production.<br />
William Wyler will produce and<br />
direct.<br />
Monter and Ripley intended the project<br />
originally for independent production. Observers<br />
held their decision to sell to Paramount<br />
probably stemmed from casting difficulties.<br />
Stars Go to Missouri,<br />
Texas for Premieres<br />
HOLL'YWOOD-Twentieth Century-Fox'r<br />
"Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!" was slated for<br />
world premiere treatment March 10 ir<br />
Sedalia, Mo. Lon McCallister, who has the<br />
topline, planed to that locality to attend<br />
accompanied by Colleen Townsend, studic<br />
contract player. Following the Sedalia debut<br />
the feature was set for 150 day-date openings<br />
in six states.<br />
Stars of Monogram-Allied Artists' "Panhandle"<br />
embarked on a trek to Dallas,<br />
Houston. San Antonio and Fort Worth in<br />
connection with openings of the film following<br />
its world premiere March 2 in Amarillo,<br />
Tex. The group, accompanied by President<br />
Steve Broidy, includes Rod Cameron, Cathy<br />
Downs, Anne Gwynne, Blake Edwards, Producer<br />
John Champion, Gale Storm, Roddj'<br />
McDowall, Fi-eddie Stewart and "Cannonball"<br />
Taylor.<br />
Five Crosbys Have Roles<br />
In New Disney Feature<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Marking their first fea<br />
ture film appearance, the four Crosby children—Philip,<br />
Gary, Dennis and Lindsaywill<br />
appear with their crooning father in<br />
a new Walt Disney feature-length animation-and-live-action<br />
vehicle, "Two Fabulous<br />
Characters." The junior Crosbys will have<br />
acting roles and Bing will narrate and sing<br />
three numbers.<br />
The Disney picture will combine two<br />
stories—Washington Irvlng's "Legend of<br />
Sleepy Hollow" and Kenneth Grahame's<br />
"The Wind In the Willows." It is for RKO<br />
release.<br />
Academy Ballots Out<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Approximately 1.933 final<br />
ballots for the forthcoming Academy awards<br />
have been placed in the mail and Jean Hersholt.<br />
Academy president, set March 13 as<br />
the deadline for their return. Tlie tally will<br />
be audited by Pi-ice & Waterhouse, public<br />
accountants. The presentations will be made<br />
March 20 at the Shrine auditorium.<br />
Forms Relioious Film TTnit<br />
HOLL'YWOOD—With plans to produr-e f<br />
series of religious films in Italy, Jesus Pro<br />
ductions. Inc., has been in'-ornorated ir<br />
Sacramento by Lpdy Maria Korda. formewife<br />
of Sir Alexander Korda. and one-tlm'<br />
star of British and American films. As<br />
sociated with her In the company are A. J<br />
Roche and Hallle M. Daniel.<br />
BOXOFTTCE :: March 6, 1948<br />
47
lor<br />
'<br />
STUDIO PERSONNELITIES<br />
Blurbers<br />
Warners<br />
BILL PEIRCE JR. checked out o( Transallantic Prouclions<br />
following the completion ol Alfred Hitchock's<br />
"Rope, which he served as public re-<br />
"<br />
gions chief.<br />
Briefies<br />
Metro<br />
Pete Smith started shooting his new short subject.<br />
"Pest Control," starring Dave O'Brien. The onereeler<br />
is being megged by David Barclay.<br />
short subjects sei<br />
Paramount<br />
Cleffers<br />
Columbia<br />
"Superman," serial The score for produced<br />
Sam Katzman. will<br />
nposed by MISCH^^<br />
BAKALEINIKOFF.<br />
Independent<br />
lUAN DUVAL and VICTOR GRANIODOS were<br />
signed to write the score for Film Classics' "Blonde<br />
Ice."<br />
Metro<br />
ROBERT ALTON has been assigned as director of<br />
musical numbers for "Words and Music," Technicolor<br />
story of Rodgers and Hart.<br />
Paramount<br />
FREDERICK HOLLANDER was set to compose the<br />
musical score for "A Foreign Affair," the Jean<br />
Arthur, Marlene Dietrich and John Lund starrer.<br />
RKO Radio<br />
EMIL NEWMAN was chosen to direct HUGO<br />
FHIEDHOFER'S score for Sierra Pictures' "loan of<br />
Arc."<br />
Universal-International<br />
Four musical directors w<br />
chores on current and forthc<br />
FRANK SKINNER, composer and "<br />
.Saxon Charm," nd Costello<br />
JcTo^fir'Th'e<br />
"Abbott<br />
Meet Frankenand<br />
"Washingto EDGAR FAIRCHILD,<br />
3irl";<br />
conductor for Deanna Durbin's song numbers in<br />
"Wdshington Girl"; LEITH STEVENS, musica<br />
rector for "Larceny" and "The Wonderful Race<br />
at Rimrock." and MIKLOS ROZSA, composer and<br />
conductor for "Roaues' Regiment" and "Kiss the<br />
Blood Off My Hands."<br />
Meggers<br />
Eagle _le Lion<br />
'Born to Fight,'<br />
fight ring, will roll with LEONARD PICKER producing<br />
and CHARLES RIESNER directing. Scott<br />
Brady plays the lead<br />
Paramount<br />
Producer of the film version of Edna Lee's novel,<br />
"Web of Days," will be ENDRE BOHEM. Paulette<br />
RKO Radio<br />
WILLIAM DIETERLE was handed the director post<br />
for Robert Sparks' production of "Weep No More."<br />
starring Joseph Gotten.<br />
Warners<br />
"<br />
DELMER DAVES will direct "The Turquoise, film<br />
version of the Anya Seton novel, to be produced<br />
by Henry Blanke Doves will also prepare the<br />
screenplay.<br />
Options<br />
Columbia<br />
SAM LEVENE drew a top spot in "Winner Take<br />
Nothing," joining Cameron Mitchell, who olays the<br />
pivotal part. Richard Quine and William Asher<br />
produce and direct. HENRY O'NEILL joined the cast<br />
to portray an amiable drunk.<br />
GLORIA JEAN was inked for the top spot in<br />
Producer Sam Katzman's new musical, "Sweetheart<br />
of the Blues," which Arthur Dreifuss will direct<br />
A suDDortina SDOt in "Rusty Takes a Walk" went<br />
to PEGGY MOFFETT. Co-featured in the film are<br />
Ted Donaldson and Sharyn Moffett.<br />
STEWART HARJ makes his film debut in the<br />
romdntic lead of "Texas Sandman," action musicol<br />
to be produced by Colbert Clark with the Hoosier<br />
Hot Shots heading the cast.<br />
Eagle Lion<br />
A feature role in the Paul Henreid starrer, "Hollow<br />
Triumph," goes to BENNY RUBIN<br />
Independent<br />
Producer Sig Noufeld has awarded the starring<br />
FRANCES' RAFFERTY. The screen "adaptatio"°of<br />
Douglas Carter's novel has a carnival background.<br />
GENE RAYMOND joined the 'Sofia" cast, which<br />
toplines Patricia Morison, Sigrid Gurie and Mischa<br />
Auer under John Reinhordt's direction. To be made<br />
in Mexico City, the film will be produced by Reinhardt<br />
and Robert Presnell sr. for Film Classics re-<br />
Metro<br />
FRANK MORGAN was set to join Van lohnson in<br />
"The Story of Monty Siratton," which will be directed<br />
by Roy Rowland with Idck Cummings pro-<br />
WINIFRED HARRIS drew a character role in<br />
"luha Misbehaves." Joining the roster are HENRY<br />
STEPHENSON and AUBREY MATHER. Greer Garson<br />
and Walter Pidgeon are starred Everett Riskin's<br />
in<br />
production.<br />
lANET LEIGH was selected for a lead role in<br />
"Words and Music." oortraving Dorothv Rodgers,<br />
wife of composer Richard Rodgers. TOM D^AKF<br />
drew the role of Richatd Rodgers and Arthur Freed<br />
IS producing. VERA-ELLEN was signed also in this<br />
Mickey Rooney starrer which Norman Taurog will<br />
is direct. The production a fitmusical based on<br />
of the song-team Rodgers and Hart.<br />
is Joining "The Three Musketeers" cast RICHARD<br />
RTAPLEY. Pandro S. Berman's production toplines<br />
Monogram<br />
JOHN GAILAIIDKT, WANDA McKAY CHART-'-,<br />
TDOWBRIDOE. NINA BRYANT and SELMER lACK-<br />
SON were listed as additional castings for "Stage<br />
S*nick," starrina Kane Richmond ond Audrev Lona.<br />
"William Nigh is th» director and Jeffrey Bernerd<br />
the producer RALPH BYRD was sianed for the<br />
in re-<br />
heavy role "Stage Struck" AUDREY LONG<br />
places Anne Gwynne in the femme lead. Mis*^<br />
Gwynne was forced to withdraw becouse of another<br />
commitment. CONRAD NAGEL hds been signed<br />
for a starring spot<br />
Paramount<br />
A Brorrdwav veteran, MARY YOUNG, was signed<br />
for the "Abinail. Dear Heart" cast. Mitchell Leisen<br />
is directina for Richard Moibaum, the producer.<br />
An addi'ion to ""The Great Gatsbv" company is<br />
PSHBY SUH.TVAN. who takes tl too supportim role.<br />
HOWARD DA SILVA has been booked for an important<br />
part in this lilmization of F. Scot Fitzner^ld's<br />
novel, wh'ch Elliott Nugent will dip<br />
Producer Richard Mo<br />
Nine-year-nid I ARRY OLSEN was sianed lor "Isn't<br />
It Romantic?" Dariiel Dare i': producing the romantic<br />
comedv with Norman Z. McLeod directina<br />
At^N DORAN drew a featured role in the Hal<br />
Walhs-A"ato!e Litvak production, "Sorry, Wrong<br />
pears in "Abiaoil, Dear Heart," currently before<br />
the cameras with Claude Rains, Manda Hendrix<br />
and Macdonold Carev starred.<br />
A ve
I :OHN<br />
, Friedman<br />
: March<br />
and<br />
MANN, camera; EARL SITAR, sound, and BILL<br />
.'lUSTIN, cutter.<br />
Paramount<br />
The cinematogropher assignment lor "Isn't It<br />
°~-^antic?" went to LIONEL LINDON.<br />
he services ol WALLY WESTMORE, head of the<br />
.^up department, have been extended for three<br />
Galsby"<br />
Republic<br />
MACBURNIE drew the photography as-<br />
U signment for "The ThriU Man "<br />
20th Century-Fox<br />
Ccrmeraman ARTHUR E, ARLING was signed to<br />
Universal-International<br />
RUSSELL METTY was signed by Harold Hechtas<br />
comeramcm for "Kiss the<br />
Warners<br />
The art directorship on "Silver Lining" wa<br />
iigned to [OHN HUGHES<br />
Title Changes<br />
Eagle Lion<br />
New lag lor "Blood on the Snow<br />
CITY.<br />
Monogram<br />
"<br />
Allied Artists' "The Tenderfoot<br />
as THE DUDE GOES WEST,<br />
Screen Guild<br />
Edward Small's "Red Salute" is I<br />
20th Century-Fox<br />
"Symphony Story" is now UNFAITHFULLY YOURS<br />
Universal-International<br />
ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN<br />
was set as the new title for "The Brain of Frankenstein."<br />
Schary Collects Honors<br />
For Humanitarianism<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Dore Schary, RKO production<br />
chief, added two more awards to<br />
his ah-eady crowded shelf when he was<br />
named the recipient of kudos from the One<br />
World award committee and from the<br />
northern California division of the American<br />
Jewish Congress. The One World tribute<br />
was presented Schary by Jacques Perrand,<br />
executive secretary, for his production ,-^f<br />
"Crossfire" and other films "advancing One<br />
World's concepts." The official presentation<br />
will be made Schary in New York April 27<br />
at ceremonies in Carnegie Hall.<br />
The studio topper trekked to San Francisco<br />
to receive the AJC's award, for which<br />
he was named recipient because of his "contributions<br />
to films."<br />
Susan Peters, Columbia actress, was the<br />
guest of paraplegic veterans of Birmingham<br />
general hospital at a dinner meeting which<br />
was followed by a special screening of her<br />
new .starring picture, "The Sign of the Ram."<br />
Due here shortly from London is Joseph<br />
Friedman, British manager for Columbia<br />
. and co-chairman of the command perform-<br />
!ance committee which staged an all-star<br />
show in the British capital last November.<br />
is bringing with him silver medallions<br />
to be presented to the Hollj-wood<br />
H<br />
players who participated in the performance.<br />
The presentations will be made to Bob Hope,<br />
Robert Montgomery, Loretta Young, Alexis<br />
Smith and Craig Stevens, with a special<br />
medallion to go to Samuel Goldwyn, whose<br />
"The Bishop's Wife" was the Command Performance<br />
screen attraction.<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
6, 1948<br />
is<br />
THESE days of near-hysterical econo-<br />
in film advertising and promotion<br />
MNmies<br />
—and at a time when such ticket-selling<br />
activities should be intensified rather than<br />
curtailed—noteworthy and laudatory is the<br />
handsome brochure published and distributed<br />
by the Selznick Releasing Organization and<br />
dedicated principally to David O. Selznick's<br />
"Intermezzo," about to be reissued.<br />
A 32-page affair, obviously patterned after<br />
the Life Magazine format and liberally illustrated,<br />
it was designed as a mailing-piece<br />
to stimulate exhibitor interest in the Ingrid<br />
Bergman-Leslie Howard film and was sent<br />
to virtually every showman in the nation.<br />
The slick editing job contains page after<br />
page of description of that picture, its stars<br />
and its story; a recapitulation of David O.<br />
Selznick's production achievements, coupled<br />
with a full-page portrait of the filmmaker;<br />
and a summary of his past record from 1933<br />
to the present. Additionally, the brochure<br />
presents a photograph-and-word description<br />
of the Selznick talent roster; a chatty<br />
film gossip column, labeled "Personal Appearance,"<br />
with emphasis, of course, on<br />
Selznick players and product; and a wellcomposed<br />
"Letters" department.<br />
The emphasis is not entirely on "Intermezzo,"<br />
since the two current SRO releases,<br />
"Duel in the Sun" and "The Paradine Case,"<br />
and an upcoming -entry, "Portrait of Jennie,"<br />
are also given considerable editorial<br />
attention.<br />
Obviously DOS is one magi of production<br />
and distribution who refuses to adhere to<br />
that archaic tenet of show business, "When<br />
business is bad, fire the bill-poster." In fact,<br />
he seems to be giving the bill-poster more<br />
work—and if others among the trade's brass<br />
hats followed his example, there would be<br />
less wailing about declining grosses; very<br />
possibly there'd be fewer declining grosses<br />
about which to wail.<br />
Previewed recently on the same day were<br />
Sol Wurtzel's "Half Fast Midnight" (20th<br />
Century-Fox) and Paramount's "The Big<br />
Clock."<br />
How chronological can a day be?<br />
Praise Pundit Perry Lieber tinkles the<br />
welkin with an item informing that, "By<br />
injecting helium into soap hubbies, RKO's<br />
trick department has come up with a new<br />
process enabling the foam to rise to a<br />
height of ten feet and more."<br />
Nat James, one of Lieber's glib assistants,<br />
has been making foam rise higher than that<br />
for lo ! these many years—and without benefit<br />
of<br />
helium.<br />
Edmund O'Brien Freelance<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Another actor hit the freelance<br />
trail when Edmond O'Brien secured a<br />
release from the balance of his Universal-<br />
International ticket, effective when he completes<br />
his role in "The Judge's Wife."<br />
"FOURTEEN BULLFIGHTERS<br />
BEGIN WORK IN 'CARMEN' "<br />
—Lou Smith Headlinr.<br />
The publicity department's manpower was<br />
simultaneously depleted.<br />
Punsters cannot overlook the fact that two<br />
pictures being prepared at RKO Radio are<br />
"<br />
titled "Mr. Whiskers "The Great Man's<br />
Whiskers." To make it a logical threesome,<br />
the studio should schedule a film version<br />
of "The Barber of Seville."<br />
Not cast so far: Monty WooUey or Louise<br />
Beavers. Nor has the studio blurbery succeeded<br />
in perfecting a tleup with the Gillette<br />
safety-razor outfit.<br />
Cinemactor Robert Young's first productional<br />
venture—for Columbia release—was<br />
"Relentless." Eagle Lion has one on the<br />
fire y-clept "Ruthless."<br />
If one paid attention to the cries echoing<br />
from Hollywood's wailing wall, it might be<br />
suggested that next in the cycle be called<br />
"Hopeless."<br />
And those same wailing wall habitues<br />
should pause and give a passing thought to<br />
a projected venture by Producer Robert<br />
Frost, "Shed No Tears."<br />
Always in step with the times, Howard<br />
Strickling's Rover Boys in Mighty Leo's<br />
blurbery freighted the mails with a yarn<br />
about a banquet scene in "The Three Musketeers,"<br />
citing such luscious items on the<br />
menu as three stuffed pigs, two sides of<br />
beef, three dozen rabbits, three dozen chickens<br />
and two dozen pheasants.<br />
The sequence will be a great hit In hungry<br />
Europe.<br />
Bill Hebert, space-snatcher-in-chief for<br />
Producer Samuel Goldwyn, comes up with a<br />
publicity idea sufficiently meritorious to rate<br />
a pa.ssing paean. He arranged a special<br />
"press conference" at the Carthay Circle,<br />
when "The Bishop's Wife" was playing there,<br />
and invited junior reporters from all Los<br />
Angeles high school publications to interview<br />
Loretta Young. The aspiring journalists<br />
were supplied with special press passes,<br />
facilities for photographers, and refreshments<br />
—soft, of course. The best interview and<br />
the best editorial on any subject dealing<br />
with films won their respective writers a<br />
portable typewriter.<br />
But Blurbing Bill fell down on an opportunity<br />
of a lifetime. During the current run<br />
of "The Bishop's Wife" at San Francisco's<br />
Golden Gate Theatre, he was unsuccessful<br />
in his efforts to have the showcase's name<br />
changed to the Goldwyn Gate.<br />
Fairbanks Signs Manager<br />
HOLL'YWOOD—Jerry Fairbanks has signed<br />
Michael F. Johnson as studio manager. Johnson<br />
recently came to the U.S. from Britain,<br />
where for 15 years he served in various<br />
capacities with major English and Anglo-<br />
American film companies.
: March<br />
Z^cjec44tiae.<br />
West: Argyle Nelson, production manager<br />
for SRO, returned from Sweden, where he<br />
checked on studio facilities preparatory to<br />
launching production there of "A Doll's<br />
House." Another SRO visitor is Jenia Reissar,<br />
European talent head, who is huddling<br />
with studio toppers anent castings for>that<br />
picture.<br />
West: Paul Raibourn, Paramount vicepresident;<br />
Stanley Shuford. advertising manager;<br />
Ben Washer, New York publicity chief;<br />
Sid Mesibow, assistant exploitation manager;<br />
Rudy Mpntgelas. Paramount account executive<br />
with the Buchanan agency; and others<br />
are due in early next week from Manhattan.<br />
They will confer with studio chiefs concerning<br />
campaigns for several forthcoming<br />
West: James R. Grainger. Republic sales<br />
chief, planed in from Gotham for several<br />
weeks of studio conferences with President<br />
Herbert Yates and other company brass.<br />
West: N. Peter Rathvon, RKO Radio<br />
president, in from four-week stay in New<br />
a<br />
York and Washington. Another studio arrival<br />
was William Pereira, producer, returning<br />
from London, where he set up plans for<br />
British filming of "The Captain Was a Lady"<br />
in association with J. Arthur Rank. He was<br />
generous in his praise of English production<br />
techniques and the industry's manpower<br />
and skill.<br />
East: Spyros Skouras, president of 20th<br />
Century-Fox, returned to New York after a<br />
brief stay at the studio, during which he<br />
gandered new product and huddled with<br />
Darryl F. Zanuck and Joseph M. Schenck.<br />
East: Morton A. Spring, Loew's Intema-<br />
-lonal Corp. vice-president, back to his eastern<br />
office after two weeks of production<br />
huddles at Metro.<br />
East: Albert Margolies, public relations<br />
director for Transatlantic Pictures, the Alfred<br />
Hitchcock-Sidney Bernstein unit which<br />
1.'. producing two films for Warner release.<br />
Margolies headed for New York, accompanied<br />
by Joan Chandler, leading lady in Transatlantic's<br />
"Rope," to tee off a publicity and<br />
exploitation<br />
campaign.<br />
West: Gregor Rabinovitch, Columbia producer,<br />
arrived from Italy for conferences<br />
with company officials regarding future filmmaking<br />
activity in that country. He recently<br />
completed "The Eternal Melody" In Rome.<br />
West: Neil Agnew, president of SRO, came<br />
In from New York to confer with studio officials<br />
and architects who are laying out<br />
plans for the new home office headquarters<br />
to be constructed In Beverly Hills.<br />
East: Edward A. Golden, United Artists<br />
producer, checks out for Gotham next week<br />
for huddles with UA officials on advertising<br />
schedules for his new picture, now before<br />
the cameras.<br />
'^nJCUfei^/U<br />
East: Producer-Director Frank Capra will<br />
check out early next month to attend special<br />
trade showings of "State of the Union," which<br />
he made for Metro release, in important distribution<br />
centers, including Chicago, New<br />
York, Philadelphia and other key areas. He<br />
is making the trip at the request of William<br />
F. Rodgers, Metro distribution chief.<br />
South: Robert L. Lippert, Screen Guild distribution<br />
chief, checked in from San Francisco<br />
for home office sessions. Returning<br />
from the east was F. A. Bateman, general<br />
sales manager. Who attended a board of directors<br />
meeting in Chicago and held sales<br />
huddles in Nashville, New Orleans and Dallas.<br />
East: William Fadiman, executive aide to<br />
Dore Schary at RKO, left for New York for<br />
a two-week survey of current plays and conferences<br />
with homeoffice officials. He is in<br />
charge of stories and writers.<br />
East: Alfred Hitchcock and Sidney L. Bernstein,<br />
partners in Transatlantic Pictures, will<br />
head for England late in April to prepare for<br />
the filming of their second subject for Warner<br />
release. The property wiU hit the cameras<br />
in June with Ingrid Bergman in the<br />
starring spot. Checking out for New York<br />
after a Warner studio visit was Norman<br />
Moray, short subjects sales chief, who conferred<br />
with Harry and Jack Warner and Gordon<br />
HoUingshead, shorts production supervisor,<br />
on the 1948-49 program.<br />
PCC Reserves Used to Put<br />
Third Appeal Over Quota<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Even though the Permanent<br />
Charities committee's recent third annual<br />
United Appeal drive failed to reach the<br />
allotted quota of $1,312,190, that amount will<br />
be paid to 193 specified charitable agencies<br />
to fulfill the industry's commitment 100 per<br />
cent, it was revealed by Edward Arnold, campaign<br />
chairman.<br />
Tabulation of contributions at the final<br />
report meeting disclosed the goal was only<br />
90 per cent reached, but the PCC directorate<br />
immediately authorized the transfer of the<br />
balance from reserve funds in order to put<br />
the campaign over the top. The reserves<br />
had been tabled last year when they were<br />
rejected by the Red Cross and the National<br />
Foundation for Infantile Paralysis following<br />
the second annual United Appeal. The<br />
fourth yearly drive, Arnold said, will begin<br />
early next fall.<br />
Two-Reeler Being Edited<br />
For Florida Railroad<br />
HOLLYWOOD—After previewing the film<br />
in Tampa, Fla.. for officials of the Seaboard<br />
Airline railroad, Carl Dudley, head of Dudley<br />
Pictures Corp., returned to complete final<br />
editing of "New Horizons," a two-reel 16mm<br />
subject in color, turned out for that firm.<br />
The reel traces the resources, industrial<br />
growth, vacation spots and other attractions<br />
of Florida and the southeastern U.S.<br />
Jerry Fairbanks Productions began camera<br />
work on "Power of Flight." sponsored film for<br />
Eastern Airlines, with Barbara Wooddell and<br />
James Bannon topping the cast.<br />
Filmiles By-Passed<br />
In Tenny Bed Quiz<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Motion pictures were almost<br />
completely by-passed in the recently<br />
concluded Red quiz conducted locally by<br />
State Senator Jack Tenney and his California<br />
committee on un-Americanism.<br />
Tenney's investigation was devoted primarily<br />
to the legitimate stage and included<br />
an examination of several personalities identified<br />
with the Actors Laboratory, including<br />
Rose Hobart, J. Edward Bromberg and<br />
Roman Bohnen. None gave a direct answer<br />
to the question as to whether they were<br />
members of the Communist party.<br />
In another phase of the probe, the committee<br />
queried Florence Eldridge, actress-wife of<br />
Fredric March, who denied any Communist<br />
affiliation. Ira Gershwin, lyric writer, entered<br />
a similar denial.<br />
Although Tenney made no official pronouncement<br />
when the hearings were concluded,<br />
it was generally believed no further<br />
effort would be made by his group, at this<br />
time at least, to look more closely into the<br />
political beliefs and ideologies of studio executives<br />
and workers.<br />
PCCITO Supports Lewis Bill<br />
LOS ANGELES— Support of the Lewis bill,<br />
to outlaw payment of theatre fees to .^scap,<br />
is urged by the Pacific Coast Conference of<br />
Independent Theatre Owners, which dispatched<br />
a telegram to Rep. Earl R. Lewis<br />
endorsing his proposed legislation and<br />
pledging cooperation in seeking<br />
its<br />
of the measure by Congress.<br />
To Film Life of Bard<br />
HOLLWOOD — To the list of upcoming<br />
biographical films is added '"The Life of William<br />
Shakespeare," which P. J. Wolfson,<br />
former Paramount producer-WTiter. plans to<br />
turn out independently for an unannounced<br />
release. It will hit the cameras early next<br />
year. Filming will be done in both the U.S.<br />
and England.<br />
Lloyd Nolan to Freelance<br />
HOLL"YWOOD — Terminating an eightyear<br />
association. Lloyd Nolan has secured a<br />
release from the balance of his 20th-Fox<br />
acting ticket and will freelance following<br />
completion of his current chore in "The<br />
Street With No Name."<br />
EL Lines Up 'Judgment'<br />
HOLL'YWOOD—Eagle Lion added another<br />
property to its release schedule by arranging<br />
to distribute "Judgment in the Wilderness,"<br />
to be produced by William Moss Pictures, Inc.<br />
Based on an original by Morton Grant,<br />
"Judgment" is slated to roll in May.<br />
Ellen Drew to Freelance<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Planning to freelance,<br />
Ellen Drew has secured a release from the<br />
balance of her Columbia acting ticket. Her<br />
last assignment was in the Glenn Ford<br />
starrer. "The Man Prom Colorado." not yet<br />
released.<br />
50<br />
BOXOFnCE :<br />
6. 1948
Fox Intermountain<br />
Powwow Next Week<br />
DENVER—Fox Intermountain Theatres<br />
will hold its spring convention March<br />
15-17 at the division offices. The delegation<br />
from the division offices will be headed by<br />
Frank H. Ricketson jr., president, and Robert<br />
Selig, his assistant. Matters affecting theatre<br />
operation will be given a thorough going-over.<br />
The convention will be hosts to a party<br />
from National Theatres, of which Fox Intermountain<br />
is an affiliate. Those expected from<br />
the Los Angeles offices of National Theatres<br />
are Charles P. Skouras, president: Henry Cox,<br />
treasurer: Ed Zabel, film buyer: John Bertero,<br />
legal department: Andy Krappman,<br />
mercliandise department: Irving Epstein, insurance<br />
department, and Tom Page, assistant<br />
to Skouras.<br />
, The opening day will be given over to the<br />
visiting executives, while the following two<br />
days will be devoted to discussions of divisional<br />
problems.<br />
The social side of the meeting tentatively<br />
includes a dinner-dance on Tuesday night,<br />
and events for the managers' wives.<br />
District and theatre managers attending<br />
will be:<br />
Montana district—Hall Baetz, district manager:<br />
Don Sheedy, Billings: William Powers,<br />
Butte: Irving Simpson, Caldwell: Will Steege,<br />
Great Falls: Dan Driscoll, Helena: Vern<br />
Fletcher, Idaho Falls: Jack Casey, Lewistown:<br />
Frank Larson, Missoula: Virgil Odell,<br />
Nampa: Ted Kirkmeyer, Ogden: Robert Anderson,<br />
Pocatello.<br />
Northern district—Ray Davis, district manager:<br />
Jim Hughes, Alliance: Wilbur Williams.<br />
Boulder: Jack McGee, Cheyenne: Robert<br />
Pennock, Fort Collins: Wilford Williams,<br />
Kemmerer: Tom Brennan, Laramie: Don<br />
Smith, Longmont: Ray Search, McCook: A. C.<br />
Stalcup, North Platte: Marvin Skinner, Rawlins:<br />
Russell Berry, Rock Springs: Les Newkirk,<br />
Sheridan: Elmer Haines, Sidney: Chet<br />
Miller, Sterling.<br />
Southern district—Harold Rice, district<br />
manager: Harvey Gollogher, Canon City:<br />
Keith May, Delta: Jack Kramer, Durango:<br />
Elmer Snyder, Florence: Bernard Chancellor,<br />
Hot Springs: Dick Conley, La Junta: Henry<br />
Westerfeld, Las Cruces: Mike Zaiesny, Las<br />
Vegas Robert Nelson. Leadville: Ed Nelson,<br />
Montrose: Harold McCormick, Trinidad: Don<br />
Campbell, Walsenburg.<br />
Denver district—Harry Huffman, district<br />
manager: Robert Bothwell, Aladdin: Ralph<br />
Lee, Bluebird: Bernie Hynes. Denver: Helen<br />
SpiUer, Esquire: Virgil Campbell, Isis: John<br />
Denman, Mayan: H. A. Goodridge, Ogden:<br />
Ralph Batschelet, Paramount: Jack Copeland.<br />
Rialto: Frank Culp, Tabor: Robert Lotito,<br />
Webber: Andrew Sutherland, Fox,<br />
Aurora.<br />
Local Conductor's Short<br />
Premiered in Portland<br />
PORTLAND— J. J. Parker's Broadway and<br />
United Ai-tists theatres offered a world premier<br />
showing last Saturday of the Werner<br />
Janssen musical short, "Fingal's Cave." The<br />
Broadway featured a Governor's day ceremony<br />
on stage, marked by the personal appearances<br />
of Oregon's Governor John H.<br />
Hall: Werner Janssen, local symphony conductor,<br />
and his wife, and Ann Harding, screen<br />
actress. The program was broadcast over<br />
station KEX.<br />
At Denver Screen Club Stag<br />
Dinner<br />
'hoto of the head table at the annual Sportsmen's stag dinner and party, given<br />
b.\ the Rocky Mountain Screen ciub at the clubroom.s in Denver. More than 70 sat<br />
down to dinner of antelope, wild rice, and all the trimmings. Horseracing films, with<br />
guests betting just like at a racetrack, featured the evening, along with several reels<br />
of film taken of wild life in Colorado, shown by Earl Scanlan, local bond dealer,<br />
who makes amateur films his hobby.<br />
Seated it the table clockwise, are Kibby Gart, sporting goods dealer; unidentified<br />
gncst; Ralph Batschelet, manager of the Paramount Theatre; Robert C. Hill. Columbia<br />
manager and president of the club; John O'Donnell, Denver chief of police;<br />
Kenneth MacKaig, United Artists manager and secretary of the club, and Cleland<br />
N. Feast, Colorado state game and fish commissioner.<br />
The committee that put the party over in such fine style consisted of MacKaig.<br />
Batschelet and Tom Bailey. Film Classics exchange manager.<br />
Gallery for Utah's Artists<br />
Incorporated Into Theatre<br />
KAYS'WLLE, UTAH—The new Kaysville<br />
Theatre Bldg., which has been under construction<br />
for nearly three years, is expected<br />
to be opened for occupancy next March.<br />
The theatre, being run by Cliff Ross of<br />
Miu-ray, is already completed.<br />
The building, one of the most modern of<br />
its type in the state, houses five stores in<br />
addition to the theatre. The lobby of the<br />
theatre will serve as an art gallery for Utah<br />
artists, and will be under the direction of<br />
LeConte Stewart of the University of Utah<br />
art department, who expects to attract many<br />
top showings to the Kaysville galleries.<br />
In addition to the theatre the building<br />
will house a handicraft and book shop, a<br />
ladies' style shop, a department store, a<br />
radio and appliance firm and a drug store<br />
and soda fountain.<br />
The theatre is completely air conditioned<br />
and has a seating capacity of 550. Its concrete<br />
floors are covered with carpeting.<br />
Ready to Start Work Soon<br />
On Clovis Theatre Project<br />
CLOVIS, N. M.—Reconstruction of the<br />
Mesa Theatre is expected to start here shortly<br />
and E. R. Hardwick said he hoped to have<br />
the job completed in 100 working days. Jack<br />
Corgan, Dallas theatre architect, was in<br />
town to confer with Hardwick on the plans<br />
and to prepare for the letting of contracts.<br />
Hardwick said everything in the building will<br />
be new. There will be 784 seats, arranged in<br />
a stadium-type auditorium. There will be<br />
four large rest rooms, two for colored patrons<br />
and two for white, and the auditoriiun<br />
will be redesigned to improve the acoustics.<br />
Tlie front will be all tile below the marquee.<br />
Above the marquee will be a vertical name<br />
sign.<br />
Larry Parks Loses<br />
His Contract Suit<br />
LOS ANGELES—Larry Parks lost his suit<br />
to break his contract with Columbia Pictures.<br />
Judge William C. Mathes ruled Parks<br />
waited too long before trying to break a<br />
seven-year contract signed Sept. 28, 1945.<br />
But he added there was "coercion" in getting<br />
Parks to sign the pact and that the actor<br />
"knew he couldn't get the lead in 'The Jolson<br />
Story' unless he signed."<br />
RKO Signs H. C. Potter<br />
HOLLYWOOD—H. C. Potter joined the<br />
RKO directorial roster on a long-term contract.<br />
He recently completed "Mr. Blandings<br />
Builds His Dream Hoase," Cary Grant<br />
starrer, produced by RKO for distribution by<br />
the Selznick Releasing Organization.<br />
Sutherland-EL Pact<br />
HOLLYWOOD — A two-picture<br />
distribution<br />
deal with Eagle Lion has been set by<br />
John Sutherland Productions, Inc., with the<br />
initialer, "Lady at Midnight." slated to roll<br />
early this month. Sherman Scott will direct<br />
from an original .screenplay by Richard Sale.<br />
loins R. B. Roberts<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Joining R. B. Roberts<br />
Productions as secretary-treasurer and general<br />
manager is Martin Jurow, formerly associated<br />
with the James Saphier agency.<br />
Plan New Waldport Theatre<br />
WALDPORT, ORE.—E. A. and L. E. Tedraw,<br />
owners of the Waldport Theatre, have<br />
announced that plans are being prepared<br />
for a new theatre they will build here.<br />
BOXOFFICE : : March 6, 1948 H 51
. . Lon<br />
. .<br />
. . . Charles<br />
. . William<br />
. . Bob<br />
. .<br />
LOS ANGELES<br />
Qharles P. Skouras, president of Fox West<br />
Coast, was in San Francisco for a regional<br />
meeting . . . District Manager Bemy<br />
Wolfe of National Screen Service headed for<br />
Dallas . . . Pat Patterson of Astor was in<br />
town en route to San Francisco following a<br />
trip to Gotham . . . Also in from New York<br />
was Nat Sanders, head of English Films .<br />
Betsy Bogart, booker at the Warner exchange<br />
for 30 years, retired three years a30<br />
to take an extended tour of the U.S. Back<br />
home following her three-year junket, she<br />
now resides at 150 North Coronado and<br />
would like to hear from her many friends<br />
along the Row.<br />
Dave Cantor, RKO exploitation chief, returned<br />
from San Francisco following his activities<br />
in setting up the opening of "If You<br />
Knew Susie" at the Golden Gate . . . Booking<br />
and buying chores brought Carl and<br />
Ford Bratcher of the Del Rio in Riverside,<br />
and George Page, Fairoaks, Arroyo Grande,<br />
to the Row . Hoss, U-I salesman, is<br />
back on the job after a two-week illness . . .<br />
Al Taylor's secretary, Betty De Brown, left<br />
her desk at the Paramount exchange for a<br />
brief Palm Springs vacation . . . Selznick<br />
Releasing Organization is readying to move<br />
to new headquarters at Doheny and Wilshire<br />
in Beverly Hills.<br />
The Desert and L. A. Theatres in Lincoln<br />
Acres near San Diego have been added to the<br />
Cooperative Theatres lineup by Roy Dixon . . .<br />
Elmer Sedin, RKO home office accountant.<br />
NOW<br />
VACUUM PACKED IN 10-LB. CANS<br />
FOR<br />
LASTING TOP RESULTS<br />
MANLEY<br />
HYBRID JUMBO POPCORN<br />
W. H. TURPIE, Wes Divis Manager<br />
1914 So. Vermont. RE 7528 Los Angeles 7. Calil.<br />
QUALITY<br />
PLUS<br />
SERVICE<br />
1327S.Wobash<br />
Chicago 5<br />
has been checking the local office's ledgers<br />
. . . Charles Feldman, U-I division manager,<br />
left on a sales trip with Foster Blake,<br />
district<br />
chief.<br />
Walter Branson, RKO western sales chief,<br />
accompanied by Sid Ki-amer, is conducting a<br />
midwest tour of exchanges on behalf of the<br />
current Ned Depinet drive. First stop will be<br />
Chicago, to be followed by Milwaukee and<br />
surrounding territory . . . B. G. Kranze,<br />
worldwide sales chief for Film Classics,<br />
checked out for San Francisco where he will<br />
confer with his local manager.<br />
To New York went Film Classics'<br />
director<br />
of advertising and publicity, Al Zimbalist.<br />
While in Hollywood he will set up national<br />
publicity campaigns for "Money Madness,"<br />
"Devil's Cargo," "The Argyle Secrets" and<br />
"Blonde Ice" . . . G. Ralph Branton, executive<br />
of Tri-States Theatres, Des Moines, and<br />
Mrs. Branton were recent visitors at Paramount<br />
studios . . . Ebba Blackwood, receptionist<br />
at RKO, and G. T. Alexander were<br />
married in Las Vegas on February 20 . . .<br />
Funeral services for William James Edwards<br />
sr., 82, long-time exhibitor, were held March 2.<br />
Edwards, father of James Edwards jr., independent<br />
circuit operator, died February 28<br />
Al Gorrel, formerly with Universal-International<br />
in Seattle, is taking over the Los<br />
Angeles and San Francisco territories for<br />
English Films.<br />
The La Tosca has been taken over from A.<br />
Roc'hlin by Frank Mednick. operator of the<br />
Trojan. Mednick came here in 1940 from<br />
Casper, Wyo. . . . Visitors included Earl Calvert,<br />
in from Lompoc, with his house manager,<br />
Jimmy Mason: Harry Denny, city manager<br />
for Fox West Coast in San Bernardino,<br />
and Lou Maren, UA exploiteer . . . Earl Collins,<br />
Republic's coast division chief, headed<br />
for<br />
Salt Lake City.<br />
FOR THE BEST IN<br />
SPECIAL TRAILERS<br />
You'll Get<br />
SPEED!<br />
Los Angeles Office Now Open<br />
1574 W. WASHINGTON BLVD.<br />
staff additions at the Manley popcorn<br />
machine office include Ray SurwiUno, office<br />
manager, Robert Reischling, concession<br />
supervisor, and Harold Tafford . Dunnigan<br />
of Blythe is preparing for the opening<br />
of his new Hub Theatre, and will have Monogram<br />
stars in attendance.<br />
In on the Row from Long Beach was Milt<br />
Arthur, head man at the Southside Theatre<br />
. . . Jack Clark, Ventura theatreman, was<br />
also on the Row for business confabs . . .<br />
Jerry Thomas, son of Producer Harry Thomas,<br />
is the father of a baby girl, born February<br />
19 . . . Also on the cigar-passing list was<br />
Screen Guild's salesman Stoney Goode,<br />
whose wife gave birth to a boy.<br />
Harvey Goldman closed his Princess Theatre<br />
here while it undergoes renovation .<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Emanuel and their<br />
daughter Bessie were recent visitors. Emanuel<br />
owns the Sutter Theatre in San Francisco<br />
Shapiro of the Essaness theatre<br />
circuit of Chicago stopped by to see friends<br />
on the Row.<br />
B. L. Kroehler, president of the Kroehler<br />
push-back seat organization, was a visitor<br />
from his home in Illinois . . . Steve Chorak<br />
opened his new 650-seat theatre in Puente<br />
pendent circuit operator, died February 28.<br />
February 19 . Heineman, Eagle<br />
Lion vice-president, and his assistant, Jack<br />
Schlaefer, were Row visitors.<br />
Natalie Wineburg is the new secretary to<br />
Screen Guild's office manager. Frank Schindler<br />
. . . From Chicago came Nathan Soland,<br />
vice-president of Mercury film laboratories,<br />
to give the local offices the once-over.<br />
New Culver City Ozoner<br />
CULVER CITY, CALIF.—A new drive-in<br />
wUl be built at 5250 SepiUveda Blvd. for the<br />
LaVere Co. of Los Angeles. Plans provide<br />
for an asbestos-sheet covered screen tower,<br />
with built-in neon decorations, office, projection<br />
building, snack bar, rest rooms, etc.,<br />
and a fence of steel and sheet-asbestos. Cost<br />
is estimated at $70,000.<br />
Theatre to Sunnymount<br />
LOS GATOS, CALIF.—Sunnymount Theatres.<br />
Inc., will operate the theatre which<br />
J. O. Myers will build here in connection<br />
with his 1,000 homes development on Union<br />
avenue, it was announced by Don Brown,<br />
manager of the Los Gatos Theatre.<br />
Charter Santa Rosa Airer<br />
SACRAMENTO. CALIF.— Articles of incorporation<br />
have been filed with the secretary<br />
of state by the Santa Rosa Drive-In<br />
Theatre. Directors are Leslie M. Kessler<br />
of Berkeley and Albert H. Kessler and H.<br />
Rosener of Oakland.<br />
Revamp Benicia Auditorium<br />
BENICIA, CALIF.—James Lemos is rearranging<br />
the seating in his Victory Theatre<br />
here, eliminating the two aisles in favor<br />
of one down the center and installing a<br />
stadium-type layout to increase capacity.<br />
Reg U, S Pat Oil<br />
ATTENDANCE BOOSTER<br />
For Iniormation. Write. Wire or Phone<br />
FOTO-PAY-DAY, INC.<br />
IGl W. Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee 3, W<br />
BOXOFFICE : : March 6, 1948
: March<br />
'Northside' Scores 190<br />
For Los Angeles High<br />
LOS ANGELES—Among three new openings<br />
in local first riur situations "Call Northside<br />
777." in its initial stanza in four daydate<br />
houses, topped the week's takes with<br />
a hefty 190. The period found business somewhat<br />
spotty, with "The Outlaw." in the<br />
second week of a return engagement, carding<br />
a 165 and "Black Bart" rating 130 to<br />
finish with place and show money, respectively.<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Belmonl, Culver, El Rey, Orpheum, Vogue—<br />
For You I Die (FC); Women in the Night (FC) ^JO<br />
Carthay, Palace—The Sign ol the Ram (Col)<br />
2nd wk 100<br />
Chinese, Loyola, Stale, Ucloivn- Call Northside<br />
777 (20,h-Fox), Let's Live Again (20th-Fox) ISO<br />
Guild, Culver, Ins, Ritz, Studio City. United<br />
Artists—Black Bart (U-1) 130<br />
Downtown, Hollywood Paromounts—Albuquerque<br />
(Para); Caged Fury (Para), 2nd wk 75<br />
Egyptian, Los Angeles, Wilshire—High Wall<br />
(MGM), 2nd wk ?0<br />
Four Star—Mourning Becomes Electra (RKO),<br />
10th wk,, roadshow ICO<br />
Four Music Halls-The Outlaw (UA), .:nd run 165<br />
Pontages, HiUslreet—Night Song (RKO), The<br />
Woman From Tangier (Col), 2nd wk 90<br />
Warners Downtown, HoUvwood, Wiltern-The<br />
Voice of the Turtle (WB), 2iid wk 110<br />
'Black Bart' and "Double Life'<br />
High San Francisco Scorers<br />
SAN FRANCISCO—"Black Bart." coupled<br />
with "Bmy Me Dead" at the Esquire and<br />
Orpheum. pulled down top honors with 200.<br />
followed closely by "A Double Life" at the<br />
United Artists. Other high scorers were "The<br />
Voice of the Turtle" on a double bill at the<br />
Fox. "If You Knew- Susie" with a stage show<br />
at the Golden Gate, and "Albuquerque" and<br />
"Big Town After Dark" at the Paramount.<br />
"Gentleman's Agreement" continued strong<br />
in its fifth week at the United Nations.<br />
Esquire and Orpheum—Black Bo (U-I);<br />
Voice of the Turtle (WB),<br />
Alwrays Together (WB)<br />
Golden Gate— If You Knew Susie (RKO),<br />
plus stage show<br />
Paramount—Albuquerque (Para), Big Tc<br />
Alter Dark (Para)<br />
St. Francis-T-Men (EL), 3rd wk<br />
State—Treasure of Sierra Madra (WB),<br />
4th d, t. wk<br />
United Artists—A Double Life (Ul)<br />
United Nations—Gentleman's Agreement<br />
(20th-Fox), 5th wk<br />
Warfield—If Winter Comes (MGM).<br />
Slippy McGee (Rep)<br />
Portland Grosses Improve;<br />
"Northside/ "Turtle' Lead<br />
PORTLAND—A couple of heralded newcomers<br />
took boxoffice honors among the first<br />
run houses this week. "Call Northside 777"<br />
giving the Paramount an outstanding week<br />
and "The 'Voice of the Turtle" doing the<br />
same for the Oriental and Orpheiun. Grosses<br />
were up generally among the showcases, due<br />
in part to a break in the unpleasant weather<br />
of the past weeks.<br />
Broadway—Sleep, My Love (UA), The<br />
(Rep)<br />
Guild—The Senator Was Indiscreet (U-I);<br />
The Hat Box Mystery (SG), 2nd d, t wk<br />
Maylair—My Girl Tisa (WB), San " Antonio<br />
(WB), refssue<br />
Music Box—You We<br />
Moment<br />
for Me COlh-Fo<br />
wk Lost (U-I). t. 4th d. 90<br />
Oriental and Orpheum—The Voice of the Turtle<br />
(WB): Whispering City lEL, 120<br />
Paramount— Call Northside 777 ::-h-Fox):<br />
Ho-es Are Red :::- F--: 125<br />
Playhouse— Relenlle.ss Cc, Mary Lou (Col),<br />
2nd d. t. V.-,: 100<br />
United Artists-High Wall (MGMj 75<br />
Snow Slows Denver Gate<br />
But All Houses Fare Well<br />
DENVER—Business at Denver first nms<br />
would have been better but for a snow Sunday<br />
night and all day Monday. "Albuquer-<br />
que" is getting a second week at least at the<br />
Denham after a fine first seven days.<br />
Aladdin—The Voice of the Turtle (WB); Perilous<br />
Waters (Mono), 3rd wk d. t<br />
Dunham—Albuquerque (Para)<br />
200<br />
150<br />
^"'^ Webber— Call Northside 777<br />
^''".X'',''-,.'^"''""*^<br />
(20,h-Fox); Heading lor Heaven (E:L) 13'/<br />
Orpheum— Night Song (RKO);<br />
Bush Pilot (SO)<br />
Colu<br />
(UA)<br />
Proceeds of Hub Opening<br />
Given to Closed Hospital<br />
BLYTHE. CALIF.— All proceeds from a<br />
three-day grand opening of his new Hub<br />
Theatre hej-e March 4-6 were turned over to<br />
the local hospital by Dick Simmons, owneroperator<br />
of the house. The institution had<br />
been closed for more than a year due to<br />
lack of money.<br />
Simmons' initial booking was Metro's "Three<br />
Daring Daughters." He lined up Janet Leigh.<br />
Marshall Thompson. Barry Nelson and Marcia<br />
Van Dyke. Metro contract players, to<br />
make personal appearances.<br />
Theatre to House Concerts<br />
SPOKANE. WASH.—The Garland Theatre<br />
will sponsor four pop concerts by Spokane's<br />
Philharmonic orchestra. The concerts will<br />
be March 23. April 5. April 19 and another in<br />
May. the date to be decided later. C. F,<br />
Frank Harris originated the idea of these<br />
concerts and solicited the aid of Harold P.<br />
Whelan, conductor of the Philharmonic and<br />
his musicians. Han-is plans to take only<br />
enough of the proceeds to enable him to pay<br />
his overhead and Whelan and his musicians<br />
will take the boxoffice proceeds. In order to<br />
provide ample room for the orchestra, Harris<br />
has arranged to have the stage extended.<br />
Exchange Theatres<br />
WOODBURN, ORE. — Operation of the<br />
Bungalow Theatre here was taken over<br />
Februai-y 15 by the new owner, Irving Westenskow.<br />
who sold his theatre in Montesano.<br />
Wash., to the former Bungalow owner. Peter<br />
Koppinger. 'Westenskow^ purchased property<br />
here for construction of a new 500-seat house<br />
before buying the Bungalow and says he will<br />
operate both houses when he gets the new<br />
one built.<br />
Hawthorne House Reopens<br />
HAWTHORNE, CALIF.—Redecorated and<br />
re-equipped from front to back, the old Rex<br />
Theatre has reopened here under its new<br />
name, the Cal. E. S. "Ned" Calvi, operator<br />
of the theatre for the last ten years, installed<br />
new booth equipment and a new screen, new<br />
seats, and redecorated throughout.<br />
To Film State's Beauty<br />
PORTIjAND—Preliminary work is under<br />
way for the production of a motion picture of<br />
Oregon's scenic attractions and natural resources.<br />
The picture, when completed, will<br />
be made available for showing through<br />
schools, colleges, and the armed forces, as<br />
well as scientific and techlncal societies.<br />
Recarpet in Tigard, Ore.<br />
PORTLAND — Theatre Utilities Service<br />
Coi-p. recently completed the recarpeting of<br />
the Joy Theatre in<br />
Tigard. Ore.<br />
: March<br />
Says Showmanship in Australia Runs<br />
From Very Good to Extremely Poor<br />
By WILLIAM A. BEECHAM<br />
Australian Bureau, <strong>Boxoffice</strong><br />
PERTH, W. A.— It would seem that two<br />
Australian film trade publications are waging<br />
a war regarding the question o£ theatre<br />
showmanship in Australia. One insists that<br />
Australian showmanship is as high as any<br />
in the world, while the other is certain that<br />
iL is at a low ebb. An outside observer might<br />
be pardoned (after more than a quarter of<br />
a century of observation i for coming to the<br />
conclusion that both publications are right,<br />
and both are wrong.<br />
In many cases, in both large and small<br />
cinemas, the showmanship displayed (and<br />
this covers the general running of the theatre<br />
is of a very high order, and patrons must<br />
1<br />
feel to some extent that it is a pleasure to<br />
pay their money at the boxoffice. But in<br />
some theatres (again both large and small)<br />
the word "showmanship" does not mean a<br />
thing. Staffs are ill-trained and even discourteous,<br />
the plant is woefully out-of-date,<br />
and a general attitude of "take it or leave it"<br />
is very apparent. The contrast between the<br />
efficient and the inefficient houses is very<br />
great, and unfortunately the proprietors of<br />
the inefficient theatres do great harm to the<br />
industry as a whole.<br />
Maj. R. P. Baker, managing director of<br />
Ealing Studios and associated companies,<br />
was recently given a luncheon at the Adelphi<br />
hotel, Perth. Speaking on the success of the<br />
Australian production, "The Overlanders,"<br />
he said: "It has been listed as one of the<br />
ten best films of the year in America and<br />
we hope to get many dollars from there. It<br />
is doing big business in the English and<br />
American zones of Germany, but we cannot<br />
get our money from there. It is a success<br />
in Italy, but the lira is frozen; similarly is<br />
popular in France, but not only is the franc<br />
devalued, but we cannot get our money from<br />
there either. Still, a profit has been made,<br />
even though it will be some time before we<br />
receive the cash."<br />
Custard pie nights are proving extremely<br />
popular around the Melbourne suburbs, the<br />
idea being put over by Hoyts Theatres, Ltd.<br />
Program consists of a feature film and six<br />
old-time silent slapstick comedies, each with<br />
a gag soundtrack added. Succe.ss will probably<br />
lead to the same type of shows being<br />
tried<br />
in other centers.<br />
Films have recently been made of the<br />
much-publicized Braund treatment of cancer,<br />
and these are proving an attraction<br />
wherever shown. The whole business continues<br />
to be front page news, ,and the Cinesound<br />
special, "Can Braund Cure Cancer?"<br />
when first screened at a Sydney theatrette,<br />
had to be repeated three times to enable all<br />
those who turned up to see it.<br />
His Majesty's Theatre, Perth, which for<br />
some long time past has been a secondrelease<br />
cinema under the Fuller banner, has<br />
now been taken over by a company headed<br />
by J. Moss, of the Mayfair Theatrette, and<br />
after being redecorated it will open with<br />
vaudeville and musical comedies.<br />
In the Sydney central police court recently,<br />
Stanley Hammond was charged with having<br />
falsely obtained the sum of 1,000 pounds<br />
($4,800 at pan from Victor August Edmonds,<br />
of Melbourne. Evidence disclosed that Hammond<br />
assured Edmonds that he had an offer<br />
for the engagement of screen comedians<br />
Laurel and Ha,rdy in Australia. Case remains<br />
part heard.<br />
Wolfe Cohen, vice-president of Warner<br />
Bros. Pictures International Corp., who last<br />
visited Australia about three years ago, is<br />
expected in Sydney early in April. Cohen<br />
intends to spend about four weeks touring<br />
the commonwealth, visiting the company's<br />
branches. He will then go on to New Zealand.<br />
Film star Jane Barrett, here from Britain<br />
for "The Blue Lagoon," and husband Hans<br />
Helwig have both been inmates of Sydney<br />
hospitals. Miss Barrett suffered from infected<br />
insect bites, and Helwig had a nasty<br />
time with meningitis. Both are now once<br />
again back in circulation.<br />
A 16mm film of the British royal wedding<br />
has been secured by the education department<br />
of Western Australia, and this will be<br />
shown to all school children throughout the<br />
state. But as it will be some time before<br />
this film arrives from England, the department<br />
has arranged that, where a film of the<br />
wedding is being screening at a theatre matinee,<br />
sanction will be given to the attendance<br />
of the school children during school<br />
hours.<br />
We regret to record the death of Charles<br />
Chuter, who until quite recently was Queensland<br />
films commissioner. Indeed, only a<br />
month ago the film industry feted him. Funeral<br />
was large and impressive, many cabinet<br />
members attending. Chuter leaves a wife<br />
and family.<br />
Dan Duryea to Salt Lake<br />
For 'Black Bart' Opening<br />
SALT LAKE CITY— Dan Duryea, star of<br />
"Black Bart," will make a personal appearance<br />
on the stage of the Utah Theatre here<br />
in connection with opening of the picture.<br />
His visit is being arranged, however, by a<br />
local department store, which is bringing<br />
him here for store appearances during the<br />
city's spring fashion show.<br />
Duryea will arrive here Monday and meet<br />
the press that day at a special luncheon.<br />
After that, he will make appearances at the<br />
store and the following day will appear at<br />
the store again and make an appearance on<br />
the stage of the Utah. Wednesday the star<br />
and his company will tour the city.<br />
Approve West Point Permit<br />
WEST POINT, CALIF.—Approval has been<br />
granted by the office of the housing expediter<br />
in Washington for construction of a 300-seat<br />
prefabricated theatre here, according to Wes<br />
Taylor, manager of the San Andreas Theatre.<br />
He said construction would start at once.<br />
'Northside' Does Well<br />
In First Seattle Week<br />
SEATTLE—Opening one day after its<br />
world premiere in Chicago, "Call Noithside<br />
777" started drawing at the Fifth Avenue and<br />
racked up a solid 134 in its first week. Sterling's<br />
moveover house, the Roosevelt, and the<br />
neighborhood UptowTi, tried something different<br />
by playing "Shoe-Shine" day and date<br />
and did average business.<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Blue Mouse—Tycoon (RKO). Dick Tracy Meats<br />
Gruesome (RKO), 2nd d. t. wk 85<br />
Filth Avenue—Call Northside 777 (20th-Fox),<br />
The Lone Wolf in London (Col) 134<br />
Liberty—To the Ends oi the Earth (Col)<br />
Blondie's Anniversary (Col), 2nd v^k 145<br />
Music Box—Treasure oi Sierra Madre (WB),<br />
4th d t wk 90<br />
Music Hall— Cass Timberlane (MGM), 4th wk IbO<br />
Paramount—The Mark of Zorro (20th-Fox),<br />
Drums Along the Mohawk (20h-Fox), reissues... 70<br />
Orpheum—T-Men (EL); Pacific Adventure (Col).... 85<br />
Palomar—Out oi the Blue (EL);<br />
The Trespasser (Rep) 75<br />
Roosevelt and Uptown—Shoe-Shine (Lopert) 100<br />
Griffith Circuit Lights Up<br />
Theatre in Kermit, N. M.<br />
KERMIT, N. M.—The Kermit Theatre,<br />
newest unit in the Griffith circuit, opened<br />
here February 17 with the showing of "Tycoon."<br />
Opening of the theatre culminated<br />
long efforts of the Chamber of Commerce<br />
to bring a theatre to town. Kenneth Blackledge<br />
of Lubbock, Tex., district manager for<br />
Griffith Theatres, was here for the premiere<br />
showing. The house is being managed by<br />
Tom Moorehead. It is built of masonry, has<br />
acoustical plaster in the auditorium, a tile<br />
lounge and rest rooms, and smoking and cry<br />
rooms, and has completely new equipment.<br />
Children's Shows Expand<br />
ALBUQUERQUE, N. M.—Success of the<br />
first PTA-sponsored show at the downtown<br />
Kimo and Sunshine theatres led George<br />
Tucker, city manager here for the Interstate<br />
circuit, to expand the Children's Film<br />
Library offerings to two neighborhood<br />
houses. The pictures are now being shown<br />
at the Yucca and Lobo as well as the downtown<br />
places.<br />
Exchanges Raise Pay<br />
SALT LAKE CITY—Exchange employes<br />
in Salt Lake City offices have been given<br />
new contracts providing for 15 per cent<br />
wage increases, effective March 1. Bert<br />
Fisher, formerly head shipper for Paramount,<br />
resigned as vice-president of the<br />
back office workers. He was replaced by<br />
Ed Vranizan of National Screen.<br />
Buys Hall in Deary. Ida.<br />
DEARY, IDAHO—The old Legion hall<br />
here has been purchased by Walter S. Campbell<br />
of Genesee and is being refitted for the<br />
showing of motion pictures. Campbell<br />
operates houses in Genesee, Lapwai, Asotin,<br />
Peck and Emida.<br />
Books Films for Guam<br />
SAN FRANCISCO — Ed Rowden of the<br />
Rowden Theatre Service has closed a deal<br />
to supply Brown-Pacific-Maxon in Guam with<br />
a complete show each week for their four<br />
theatres in Guam.<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
6, 1948
. . Frank<br />
: March<br />
. . Bruce<br />
. . Ray<br />
. . Fay<br />
. . H.<br />
DENVER<br />
Dobert Selig, assistant to the president of<br />
Fox Intermountain Theatres, has been<br />
named chairman of Denver's Army day celebration<br />
April 10 . Marsliall. Columbia<br />
salesman, is the daddy of a baby boy,<br />
Culver Marshall, born at Pi-esbyterian hospital.<br />
Mrs. Marshall was a booker at Universal<br />
at the time of their mai-riage,<br />
Howard Metzgar, resigned 20th-Fox salesman,<br />
has been named local manager for Embas.sy<br />
Pictures, which opened a Denver office<br />
at 925 Twenty-first St. The Denver<br />
Shipping and Inspection Center will distribute<br />
the film . . . Robert Martin, manager<br />
of the Liberty. Pagosa Springs, retui'ned from<br />
a two-month vacation In California.<br />
Dick Lutz, National Theatre Supply salesman,<br />
flew to Ogden on btisiness . . . Kate<br />
Willis, 79, wife of E. J. Willis, Atlas Theatres<br />
auditor, died here after a long illness. Funeral<br />
services were in Denver, with biu-ial in Pueblo,<br />
Colo. . . . H. E. Kelly, owner of the Mancos,<br />
Mancos, Colo., is using the Elks hall<br />
until he can get another building put up to<br />
replace the theatre, recently destroyed by fire.<br />
Chick Kelloff has closed the La Plaza, Antonito,<br />
for a month for remodeling . . . Walter<br />
Branson, western division manager of<br />
RKO, and Sid Kramer, assistant to Han-y<br />
Michaelson, head of short subjects, were here<br />
for a sales meeting attended by Al Kolitz, district<br />
manager; Joe Emerson, branch manager;<br />
Quenton Horn, office manager, and<br />
Davis, northem<br />
fche Denver salesmen district manager for Fox Intermountain,<br />
.<br />
and Christine Ford were married.<br />
Elmer Snyder, manager of the Rialto, Florence,<br />
Colo., went to the St. Joseph hospital<br />
there for an appendectomy . Esmond<br />
Hardin has given his Civic, formerly the<br />
Star, Hay Springs, Neb., a grand reopening<br />
after having installed new projection and<br />
sound . Childs. president of Selected<br />
Pictures exchanges, who was discharged<br />
from the hospital after a week there because<br />
of a fall, was taken back to the hospital after<br />
he ran a temperature . Gardner installed<br />
new Motiographs in his Star. Cm-tis.<br />
Neb., with Ted Knox doing the Installing.<br />
Beverly Miller, Eagle Lion district manager,<br />
was in Denver before going on to Salt Lake<br />
City. On his way back to his Kansas City<br />
headquarters he again stopped over . . . Bryan<br />
Foy. in charge of production for Eagle Lion,<br />
was in Canon City making arrangeemnts to<br />
make a picture based on the latest of the<br />
prison breaks at the Colorado State penitentiary<br />
. . . Frank Culp. Tabor manager,<br />
went to Florida on vacation.<br />
Theatre folk on Filmrow: Mr. and Mrs.<br />
Fred Hall, Akron; Mr. and Mrs. George<br />
Hodge, Lamar; Mr. and Mi-s. Fred Lind,<br />
Rifle; L. M. Scheidegger, Seibert; Max Campbell<br />
and Robert Schmitt, Trenton, Neb.; Tom<br />
Knight, Riverton, Wyo.; Dorrance Schmidt,<br />
Bridgeport, Neb.; Dave Warnock, Johnstown,<br />
and Frank Whalen, Deertrail.<br />
Heating, Air Conditioning Installed<br />
PLEASANTON, CALIF.—A new heating<br />
and air conditioning system has been installed<br />
in the Roxy, according to Gordon<br />
Shirley, manager.<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
6. 1948<br />
CHECK FOR MOD—Entire proceeds of<br />
one night's performance at the Starlite<br />
Theatre in Belmont, Calif., were turned<br />
over to the March of Dimes fund. Only<br />
the federal tax was deducted from the<br />
gross. Claude J. Hirschey (left), treasurer<br />
of the San Mateo county chapter of<br />
the National Foundation for Infantile<br />
Paralysis, is shown receiving a check from<br />
James B. Howell jr. and Irwin B. Mc-<br />
Monagle of the StarUte Theatre Corp.<br />
3 Pet. Tax in Eugene<br />
May Get Court Test<br />
EUGENE, ORE.—Despite protests on the<br />
part of local theatre owners, led by Ted R.<br />
Gamble of Portland, president of the Theatre<br />
Owners of America, the Eugene city<br />
council passed an ordinance calling for a 3<br />
per cent admission tax. The ordinance,<br />
which goes into effect this month, is expected<br />
to raise $30,000 annually for operation<br />
of the city's parks and playgrounds.<br />
Gamble told the council that the theatre<br />
owners' national organization is conducting<br />
a drive to repeal or have set aside all municipal<br />
taxes of this nature. Harold Wyatt,<br />
city manager of the Evergreen Theatres,<br />
said local theatre interests are consulting<br />
their attorneys with the aim of circulating<br />
referendum petitions to bring the controversy<br />
before the city voters at the coming<br />
May elections. It is also possible. Wyatt<br />
said, that the tax will be contested in the<br />
courts.<br />
Milton Samis of San Jose<br />
Drowns Near Las Vegas<br />
SAN JOSE. CALIF.—Milton F. Samis. 55.<br />
operator of the Hester Theatre here, drowned<br />
February 20 while fishing at Willow Beach.<br />
35 miles southeast of Las Vegas, Nev.<br />
The boat from which Samis was fishing<br />
apparently overturned and he was last seen<br />
thrashing in rapids off Willow Beach. A<br />
search for the body was unsuccessful. Samis<br />
suffered a breakdown about six weeks before<br />
his death and had been vacationing In Las<br />
Vegas.<br />
He recently announced plans to establish<br />
a new downtown theatre here in partnersliip<br />
with Jay McCabe, manager of the Civic<br />
auditorium.<br />
Branson Resumes Tour<br />
NEW YORK—Walter E. Branson, RKO<br />
western division manager, has resumed his<br />
tour of the company exchanges on behalf<br />
of the current Ned Depinet drive. Accompanied<br />
by Sid Kramer, assistant to Harry<br />
Michalson, short subjects sales manager,<br />
Branson will conduct meetings in Chicago,<br />
Portland, Seattle, San Franci.sco and Los<br />
Angeles.<br />
SALT LAKE CITY<br />
^^arren Butler and his Lyric Theatre obtained<br />
more un.sought front-page space<br />
111 the local press last week than he ever<br />
could have hoped to purchase. A woman<br />
climbed to the top of the Lyric sign, 60 feet<br />
above the ground. She threatened to jump<br />
and then lost her nerve. Firemen reached<br />
her side and rescused her after she had<br />
been perched atop the sign for 20 minutes.<br />
One afternoon paper gave the event three,<br />
three-column pictures, covering threequarters<br />
of page one, with the big Lyric sign<br />
prominent in nearly every picture . . . Another<br />
paper gave it a three-column on page one<br />
and the morning paper the next morning<br />
gave it a three-column inside.<br />
The mother of Helen GaiTity, publicity<br />
representative for Intermountain Theatres,<br />
died after a lengthy illness . . . The picket<br />
placed in front of RKO by Irving Gillman<br />
and his United Intermountain Theatres returned<br />
after a one-day absence due to 111-<br />
Al Knox and his wife noted their silver<br />
wedding anniversary this week . . . Joe<br />
Nercisian of Associated celebrated his 52nd<br />
birthday last Monday, and Wednesday ne<br />
and Mrs. Nercisian noted their wedding anniversary<br />
. . . Jesse Chinich of Intermountain<br />
and Mrs. Chinich became parents of a son<br />
Leap Year day, February 29 . . . The HoUoy<br />
Theatre at Adrain, Ore., opened March 3.<br />
Paul Holloy is manager.<br />
National Screen Conducts<br />
Sales Session in Dallas<br />
DALLAS—A National Screen Service regional<br />
sales meeting was conducted here by<br />
Herman Robbins. president; George F. Dembow,<br />
vice-president in charge of sales, and<br />
William B. Brenner, vice-president in charge<br />
of service, who arrived from New York.<br />
Burton E. Robbins, son of the president, and<br />
attached to the home office, accompanied<br />
that group.<br />
Others here were district managers Bernard<br />
Wolfe, of the west coast, and Charles<br />
Lester of Atlanta, and branch managers Ben<br />
Ashe, Los Angeles; Jack Marpole, San Francisco;<br />
Jack Flannery, Seattle; Fred Weiman,<br />
Salt Lake; Gilbert Clark, Oklahoma City:<br />
Al Rosenthal, Memphis; J. L. Boyer, New<br />
Orleans, and F. W. "Doc" Allen. Dallas.<br />
Spokane Orpheum Holds<br />
Folk Dances on Stage<br />
SPOKANE. WASH.—In cooperation with<br />
the city park department, the Orpheum<br />
Theatre put on a program of cowboy and<br />
early American folk dances on its stage Friday<br />
night. Twenty adult dancers showed up<br />
and put on two 20-minute programs during<br />
the evening. James Keef, theatre manager,<br />
Invited members of the city council to attend<br />
the performances.<br />
Empire Theatrical Consultants<br />
Exclusive distributors (or Poblocki & Sons Pretiesioned<br />
Tllealrcs. Fronts. Boxofficcs. Poster<br />
Cases, etc. 323 to 689 scat houses. Immediate<br />
925 21st St. TAbor 4962 Denver, Colo.
!<br />
I r<br />
. . Following<br />
. . The<br />
. . The<br />
: March<br />
SAN FRANCISCO<br />
lyjanager Mark Ailing of the Golden Gate<br />
Theatre announced the temporary discontinuance<br />
of vaudeville at the RKO Golden<br />
Gate, effective March 3. That day the theatre<br />
opened with "The Bishop's Wife." Occasional<br />
vaudeville is contemplated for the<br />
future, but only in connection with "big<br />
name" personalities.<br />
Robert L. Lippert of the Lippert circuit<br />
denied a rumor that the Royal in Sanger<br />
would be sold. "We want to emphatically<br />
deny this vicious rumor as being unfounded<br />
and untrue," he announced in Sanger. Lippert<br />
purchased the theatre shortly after the<br />
outbreak of the war. R. P. Corbin is resident<br />
manager.<br />
Frank Maun, owner of two theatres in<br />
Marysville, has purchased lot in Danville<br />
a<br />
on which to erect a new theatre . . . Reports<br />
are that the Rex Theatre Corp. will establish<br />
a newsreel theatre in Alameda.<br />
Ned Steele jr. of the Gem Theatre in<br />
Colusa is the father of an infant son . . .<br />
Ray Syufy of the Rita Theatre in Vallejo,<br />
was on the Row. Also in town were Dan<br />
Tocchinl of the El Rey in Sebastopol and<br />
Bill Peters of the El Rey in Manteca.<br />
Victor Moore, film comedian, and the<br />
Curran Theatre were named defendants m<br />
a $6,473 damage suit filed in superior court<br />
by Elizabeth Robb of Piedmont. She said<br />
she was injured when "a crowd of patrons<br />
rendered boisterous and exuberant by the<br />
two-hour performance of the defendant<br />
Victor Moore" rushed out and knocked down<br />
^^C E N T U R Y"<br />
THE MODERN PROJECTOR<br />
187 Golden Gate Ave.,<br />
San Francisco 2, Calif.<br />
Phone Underbill 7571<br />
METRO PREMIUM CO.<br />
now oilers<br />
BEAUTYWARE PREMIUMS<br />
and trampled her . his radio<br />
broadcast from the St. Mary's college campus.<br />
Bob Hope presented a two-hour show under<br />
the auspices of St. Mary's at the Orinda<br />
where B. B. Randall is manager.<br />
Sid Klein of the Arena in Riverside is a<br />
man with a heart. All his correspondence is<br />
stamped with the green stamps of the Help<br />
Crippled Children campaign spirits<br />
of Doris Soravilla. cashier at the Alexandria,<br />
are not so high these days. Frank Duino,<br />
staff artist for San Francisco Theatres,<br />
stepped into the foyer of the Alexandria to<br />
arrange his lobby display and overheard<br />
an urchin ask his mother, "Mommie, why's<br />
girl all that alone in the glass closet?" Unable<br />
to forego an object lesson in discipline,<br />
the harassed parent told the child: "That<br />
girl's been bad. She's locked in there by<br />
herself every day!"<br />
Dorothy Haley stayed away from work for<br />
one day due to a cold . . . Publicist Leo Longo<br />
of RKO is in the dog house. Has no respect<br />
for members of the Fourth Estate in that<br />
he forgets appointments . . . The Saturday<br />
night shows at 11:30 at the Orpheum in San<br />
Francisco have more than tripled the theatre's<br />
midnight show business. Don Anderson,<br />
21-year-old organist, is the lad who leads<br />
and plays for the community sings . . . RKO<br />
tradeshowed the Jesse Lasky production,<br />
"The Miracle of the Bells," at the Alhambra<br />
March 1 and the acclaim was great satisfaction<br />
for the RKO boys.<br />
.<br />
Eugene Poplack has transferred his managerial<br />
duties from the Esquire to the United<br />
Ai-tists Theatre here and Ken Means moved<br />
from the UA to the Esquire opening<br />
of "Black Bart" at the Orpheum and the<br />
Esquire, accompanied by personal appearances<br />
of Dan Duryea, Jeffrey Lynn and<br />
Yvonne De Carlo, gave the theatres an opening<br />
day gross approaching the record set<br />
by "The Egg and I" . . . "If You Knew Susie '<br />
at the Golden Gate had a record opening<br />
day with star Eddie Cantor on the stage and,<br />
without Cantor on the stage, the theatre had<br />
a record Sunday. The attraction came very<br />
close to the record set by Danny Kaye's personal<br />
appearance.<br />
A dozen patrons interrupted a holdup at<br />
the Uptown here last week, but only temporarily.<br />
The robber occasionally stepped<br />
aside to permit ticket sales. Then he walked<br />
up to the boxoffice and said to the two girls<br />
in the booth: "My wife is sick and I have<br />
Gills ol overpt<br />
to have $60 bucks. If you don't give it to<br />
242 Hyde Si. GRays<br />
me, I'll shoot both of you." They gave him<br />
a few greenbacks and he left.<br />
^<br />
COMPLETELY NEW<br />
'^'^<br />
AND MODERN<br />
SHOWIN(<br />
New Slyling, Nen Comforl and Diirabilily<br />
!! I<br />
HEYWOOD-WAKEFIELD THEATRE CHAIRS<br />
^ J I<br />
Pacific Coast Distributon
. . . Jean<br />
, . Arthm-<br />
. . Amato's<br />
. . Anthony<br />
: March<br />
. . H.<br />
. . Fred<br />
. . Moz<br />
. . . The<br />
. . Universal<br />
. . Merriman<br />
PORTLAND<br />
t> H. Lange, head man of the local RKO exchange,<br />
was host to Irving Lessor of the<br />
Hollywood offices. Discussion dealt mainly<br />
with booking arrangements of RKO anu<br />
Lessor pictures . . . Local Evergreen bosMs<br />
are making ready to leave for Seattle nrxi<br />
week for meetings with Charles Skouras.<br />
president of National Theatres<br />
. . . A. M.<br />
Dunlop, supervisor of the J. J. Parker outstate<br />
theatres, recently returned from a<br />
trip to Pendleton, where he reviewed the<br />
Parker interests.<br />
Screen star Larry Parks was a Portland<br />
visitor this week. Accompanied by his wife,<br />
actress Betty Garrett, he spent two weeks at<br />
Timberline lodge and followed with a stop<br />
over at Oswego, Ore., where his wife's aunt<br />
lives. Although it was his first northwestern<br />
visit. Park claims the local skiing as the best<br />
anyplace . "Dagwood" Lake paid<br />
the Rose City a call, bringing actor Rodney<br />
Bell to promote a show to benefit the Sandy<br />
hospital fund. They hope to raise $125,000<br />
. . . Garry Moore also stopped off in Portland<br />
last week.<br />
Jack Kloepper, Film Clossic's district<br />
manager,<br />
was to be married this weekend in<br />
Seattle . . . M. Ki-ause of the New York of-<br />
fice of FC was due in town this week for<br />
a business confab Buries, Monogram<br />
manager, was in eastern Oregon contacting<br />
exhibitors Lake, executive with<br />
the J. J. Parker theatres, and his partner<br />
knocked off the consolation prize in the<br />
recent Ocegon state badminton tourney.<br />
Lake, by the way, is considered one of the<br />
west's outstanding authorities on taxation<br />
and offers a course on the subject at Multnomah<br />
college.<br />
Russ Phalen, secretary of the Portland<br />
Theatrical Federation, was down with a cold,<br />
but latest reports have him back on his feet<br />
Alter reported from Bob Anderson's<br />
downtown Newsreel house that the<br />
short, "China Fights Hunger," caused unusual<br />
local comment. Reason was that the<br />
screen flashed a local milling concern's name<br />
on bags of flour .sent to China to alleviate<br />
hunger. Company executives were called in<br />
and an on-the-spot promotion deal was<br />
cooked up . Supper club opened<br />
this week over the Broadway Theatre.<br />
William Katsky, former assistant manager<br />
of Vancouver's Castle and Kiggens, took the<br />
Orpheum's assistant job left vacant when<br />
Sterling Orick left . . . Grover H. Handley,<br />
manager of the Broadway, announced that<br />
his ultramodern refreshment bar w'ill open<br />
soon.<br />
Sam Miller, Eagle Lion district manager,<br />
visited the local exchange this week. EL<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
6, 1948<br />
CONFER ON EL SALES POLICIES—Eagle Lion conducted its first west coast<br />
meeting for branch and district sales managers at the Eagle Lion studio. It was<br />
a three-day huddle in which company executives sat in. Shown at the gathering<br />
are, left to right, seated,: Herman Beiersdorf, western sales manager; Harold Dunn,<br />
circuit sales manager; Bryan Foy, vice-president in charge of production; Arthur B.<br />
ICrim, president; and Max E. Youngstein, vice-president in charge of advertising,<br />
p'lblicity and exploitation. Standing, Frank Soule, supervisor of exchanges; C. T.<br />
Charack, Los Angeles manager; Arthur M. Jolley, Salt Lake City manager; Martin<br />
R. Austin, Denver manager; Sam Milner, San Francisco district manager; Ralph<br />
Amacher, Portland manager; Wallace Rucker, Seattle manager, and Del Goodman,<br />
Los Angeles district manager.<br />
Screen Service stayed over at Depoe bay, enjoying<br />
the beach sunshine and water. Salesman<br />
Peter Thorn of RKO went skiing on<br />
Mount Hood.<br />
Estelle Pendelton was happily welcomed<br />
back to the Hamerick-Evergreen main office<br />
after a six-week illness. Estelle had an operation<br />
. exchange's assistant<br />
booker, Lowell Puis, and branch manager's<br />
secretary Frances Parcher announced their<br />
engagement over the weekend.<br />
Basil Bashor, owner of the Liberty and<br />
Kelso theatres in Kelso, Wash., recently returned<br />
from a prolonged motor trip through<br />
Wyoming. Greatly enjoying his trip, he reported<br />
that the heavy snows didn't bother<br />
him. He took a great many photos which he<br />
recently displayed with pride on Filmrow.<br />
Ray Henderson, operator of the Rialto Theatre<br />
in Albany, Ore., was here this week<br />
looking at book pictures . . . T. Schwartz of<br />
the Los Angeles Maharam Fabrics Corp. al.so<br />
visited . . . H. S. McLeod of Theatre Utilities<br />
Service Co. returned from a tour of Washington<br />
.<br />
Holtz, Screen Adette<br />
boss, returned from New York.<br />
Eagle Lion's new office is finally completed<br />
Oriental Theatre has a new assistant<br />
manager, Dicky Willis. He moved up from<br />
the Columbia exchange and replaced Robert<br />
Butts jr., who took a job in Vancouver, Wash.,<br />
as assistant manager of the Kiggins and Castle<br />
theatres.<br />
Dickson Group Leads<br />
LOS ANGELES—Dick Dickson's southern<br />
plans an "open house" at its new offices<br />
soon . . . Jack Flannery, branch manager of<br />
National Screen Service, was in from Seattle<br />
California district of Fox West Coast continued<br />
in first place in the tenth week of the<br />
for a few days . Danz of Sterling<br />
Theatres was another Filmrow visitor from<br />
circuit's Back-to-Work drive, with Dick<br />
up north.<br />
Spier's northern California forces in the<br />
cellar spot. The tenth stanza was named<br />
Washington's birthday gave Filmrow an<br />
George Bowser week in honor of FWC's general<br />
manager.<br />
extra long weekend and many took full<br />
advantage of the time off to have fun and<br />
frolic at some of the northwest's prime vacation<br />
spots . . . Helen Frydendall of the Republic<br />
exchange and Miss Mapes of United Merrill White has signed with Windsor Pi-o-<br />
Signs With Windsor<br />
Artists took a trip to Timberline lodge in the ductions to .serve as a production associate<br />
mountains . Ellis of National and as film editor in a supervising capacity.<br />
Kiddy Show, 23 Years Old,<br />
Moves to Its New Home<br />
From Souths<br />
Edil<br />
DALLAS—The oldest radio-theatre kiddy<br />
club in Texas, and perhaps in the nation,<br />
moved recently from the Melba Theatre to<br />
the Palace, where its scope will be enlarged.<br />
The show originated in the Old Mill Theatre<br />
on Elm Street 23 years ago. It was the first<br />
stepping stone for Dallas' Linda Darnell,<br />
who now is making history for her home<br />
city and the industry. The star, then a little<br />
under teen-age, came to the theatre with her<br />
mother and took the top prize for her song<br />
and dance act.<br />
The show has been an established thing<br />
at the Melba for 15 years. Frequent stage<br />
.shows there caused some confusion in the<br />
programming, however, and that is why it is<br />
being moved. Besides, the Palace stage and<br />
seating capacity are larger.<br />
Child performers, from about 5 to 15, put<br />
on song and dance numbers starting at 9:30<br />
each Saturday morning. Judges award cash<br />
prizes and wares of the radio sponsor. A<br />
feature picture follows, and the house is<br />
cleared about noon, in ample time for the<br />
day's regular performance.<br />
The kiddy club was conceived by James O.<br />
Cherry, now city manager for Interstate circuit,<br />
and John Thorwald, then manager of<br />
radio station WRR. In recent years the club<br />
has been managed by Roy Newman of the<br />
WRR .staff, who produces the .show and<br />
serves as emcee. Newman said the club is<br />
just a side line with him, as he spends most<br />
of his time with other WRR accounts, tout<br />
that he gets much pleasure from working<br />
with the youngsters.<br />
lor Qmck AclionI<br />
THEATRE<br />
THEATRE EXCHANGE CO,<br />
Portland 5. Oregon
. . . Jeanette<br />
. . . Murray<br />
: March<br />
J.J.RosenfieldBids<br />
For Atomic Center<br />
SPOKANE. WASH.—J. J. Rosenfield has<br />
entered a bid to operate the new 1,500-seat<br />
theatre in North Richland, which is controlled<br />
by the atomic energy commission and<br />
General Electric. Rosenfield owns the Post<br />
here and Lyric in Salt Lake City, is a partner<br />
with H. D. McBride in the Granada<br />
here, and handles the Kennewick and Walla<br />
Walla drive-ins for AUiance Theatre Corp.<br />
SPOKANE, WASH — J. J. Rosenfield.<br />
Washington circuit operator, has sold his<br />
interest in the Autovue drive-in theatre,<br />
which opened last June, to his partner, R. S.<br />
Strawick. and Cy Young, former Warner<br />
salesman. Rosenfield joined in the project<br />
after Strawick had started to build and<br />
sold out in order to devote more time to his<br />
other theatre interests.<br />
Actress Jane Powell Sings<br />
With Portland Symphony<br />
PORTLAND—Jane Powell, former Portland<br />
student and now a film player, was<br />
guest soloist at a special concert of allrequest<br />
niunbers which the Portland Symphony<br />
orchestra presented March 5. The concert<br />
is being played for the purpose of building<br />
up the symphony's maintenance fund.<br />
Plans Kiddy Show<br />
TULARE, CALIF.—In cooperation with<br />
the PTA and American Ass'n of University<br />
Women, Manager Lawrence Pilegard of the<br />
Tulare Theatre is trying to work out Saturday<br />
programs that will be particularly attractive<br />
to children. He arranged with representatives<br />
of the two organizations to<br />
check his bookings and to nominate pictures<br />
deemed most suitable for Saturday<br />
showing. Where Saturday bookings are not<br />
suitable for children, Pilegard said, a special<br />
film will be brought in for children and<br />
.shown Saturday afternoon only.<br />
Golden Gate Opens Drive-In<br />
SAN FRANCISCO-The Stadium Auto<br />
Movie opened February 12 in San Leandro.<br />
It is a unit of the Golden State circuit. Jim<br />
Reed is manager.<br />
SEATTLE<br />
Tn advance of the National Theatres spring<br />
drive. Evergreen circuit will hold a general<br />
meeting at the 01>TTipic hotel March 12<br />
MacDonald probably will make<br />
her retm-n to this town on both stage and<br />
screen. She is set for a concert at the Moore<br />
April 11 just about the time her picture,<br />
"Three Daring Daughters." will be released<br />
Lafayette, 20th-Fox exploiteer,<br />
is rasslin' with paint in his basement.<br />
a . .<br />
Ray Coach of the Admiral held a highly<br />
successful "Kids' Valentine Show," which<br />
. featured sketching contest Murt<br />
Makins. manager of the Admiral in Bremerton,<br />
worked four years on a magazine sales<br />
crew before entering show business . . . Chris<br />
Casper at the Blue Mouse did all right with<br />
an all-Negro screen program last Saturday<br />
at midnight. Top feature was "Sepia Cinderella"<br />
. . . John O'Connor, assistant at the<br />
Music Hall, was late to work last week when<br />
his apartment house elevator got stuck between<br />
floors . . . Frank L. Newman sr.. Evergreen<br />
president, has arrived back from Palm<br />
Springs.<br />
Robbery in Hillsboro, Ore.<br />
Nets More Than $2,000<br />
HILLSBORO, ORE. — The Hill Tlieatre<br />
was robbed of $1,783 in cash and $225 in<br />
checks last week. Orange Phelps, owner,<br />
said the money was the Hill receipts over<br />
the weekend and one day's receipts of the<br />
Venetian Theatre, which he also owns. The<br />
robbery was discovered by A. J. Foelker, Hill<br />
florist, who shares the theatre telephone. He<br />
found the wall safe opened when he entered<br />
the theatre ticket office to use the telephone.<br />
Burdick Installs Seats<br />
MOORCROFT, WYO.—Installation of new<br />
seats at the Avon Theatre has been completed,<br />
according to Frank Burdick, ownermanager.<br />
He bought the house a few weeks<br />
ago.<br />
Takes Expensive Nap<br />
ALBUQUERQUE, N. M.—Seeing a show<br />
may be much more expensive than he bargained<br />
for to Milton C. Roberts. He put up a<br />
reward of $25 for the hat which was taken<br />
from him when he fell asleep at the Rio.<br />
HANDY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM<br />
Please enter my subscription fo BOXOFFICE, 52 issues per year (13 of which contain<br />
The MODERN THEATRE Section), including the NEW BOXOFFICE PICTURE<br />
GUIDE, DATE & RECORD BOOK.<br />
D $2.00 FOR 1 YEAR D $3.50 FOR 2 YEARS D $5.00 FOR 3 YEARS<br />
n Renuttance Enclosed Q Send Invoice<br />
THEATRE<br />
STREET ADDRESS<br />
TOWN<br />
NAME<br />
POSmON<br />
STATE..<br />
Paramount Houses Book<br />
Goldwyn Film in L. A.<br />
LOS ANGELES—"The Bishop's Wife,"<br />
which wound up an eight-week roadshow<br />
engagement recently at the Carthay Circle,<br />
will reopen at regular prices March 25 at<br />
the Paramount Downtown and Hollywood<br />
theatres. It is the first time a Goldwyn<br />
film has played those houses since the producer<br />
effected release through RKO Radio<br />
some years ago. Normally his films book<br />
locally into RKO's Hillstreet and Pantages.<br />
Parkin Springville, Utah,<br />
Opened by J. F. Schow<br />
SPRINGVILLE, UTAH—J. F. Schow put<br />
into operation the Park Theatre here February<br />
18. He leased the old Ritz Theatre and<br />
completely remodeled it, putting in a new<br />
cement floor, modern heating and cooling<br />
system, carpeting and cry room.<br />
'Time' No Clue, He Says<br />
EPHRATA, WASH.—Participating in a<br />
panel discu.ssion of motion pictures at a recent<br />
session of the PTA, John Lee, manager<br />
of the Marjo Theatre, said that pictures<br />
panned by Time magazine are the ones that<br />
usually do good business here and, invariably,<br />
the ones that magazine rates highly are poor<br />
money makers. Foreign films do not succeed<br />
in Ephrata. he added. Lee said he planned<br />
to start children's matinees, consisting of a<br />
western and serials, on Saturdays. Other<br />
speakers at the session, all of them discussing<br />
motion pictures and their effect on children<br />
and the community, were a high school<br />
teacher, student, minister and other representative<br />
citizens.<br />
To Build at Palmdale<br />
PALMDALE, CALIF.—Plans have been<br />
completed by architect S. Charles Lee of<br />
Los Angeles for construction of a theatre<br />
building at 990 Sierra highway here for<br />
Smith & Chaffin, Los Angeles. The stucco<br />
building will be two stories in height and<br />
will contain 8.200 square feet of floor space.<br />
Plans call for an aluminum roof. The cost<br />
is estimated at $75,000.<br />
Bird Exhibit in Lobby<br />
TORONTO—For the showing of the British<br />
film, "Tawny Pipit," the theme of which<br />
is a pair of birds in wartime. Manager<br />
Yvonne Taylor arranged an art gallery in<br />
the lobby of the International Cinema, which<br />
consists of pictures of birds in flight and in<br />
their nests. Scheduled for early showing at<br />
the International Cinema are a number of<br />
foreign features including "Beauty and the<br />
Beast" and "Man About Town" from France<br />
and "The Pearl" from Mexico.<br />
Approve Olympia Permit<br />
OLYMPIA, WASH.—Federal authorization<br />
has been given for construction of a 1,100-<br />
seat theatre here for operation by the Evergreen<br />
circuit, according to Thomas L. O'Leary,<br />
Olympia lawyer. Evergreen Theatres is giving<br />
up its operation of the Liberty March 1<br />
and will have no showcase here until the<br />
new theatre is opened.<br />
BOXOrnCE<br />
:<br />
6, 1948
V. U. Young Stricken<br />
Ai Home in Florida<br />
INDIANAPOLIS—V. U. Young, pioneer<br />
motion picture theatre operator here, died<br />
at his home in Miami Beach last week.<br />
He was 70 years old, and returned to<br />
Florida recently after an operation at the<br />
Mayo clinic in Rochester,<br />
president of the Y&W Management<br />
Minn.<br />
Corp.,<br />
He was<br />
operators of 27 theatres in Indiana, with offices<br />
in Indianapolis. He began his career<br />
in the entertainment business in 1907 at<br />
Gary, Ind., formerly his home, and had retired<br />
about five years ago.<br />
Survivors include the wife, a daughter,<br />
Mrs. Roy Clore of Gary: one son Robert of<br />
Indianapolis, and three brothers.<br />
Kato Film Delivery Trucks<br />
Start Running in Kentucky<br />
INDIANAPOLIS—The Kato Theatre Service,<br />
operated by Andy Anderson. Kentucky<br />
exhibitor, is now picking up film at local<br />
exchanges and making door deliveiy in remote<br />
parts of Kentucky served from Indianapolis.<br />
Before the organization of this<br />
sei-vice, exhibitors had to rely on express delivery,<br />
which was vei-y unsatisfactoi-y. Trucks<br />
pick up and deliver thi-ee days each week.<br />
Indiana ATO to Convene<br />
At French Lick July 26<br />
INDIANAPOLIS—The midsununer meeting<br />
of the ATO of Indiana will be held at<br />
French Lick hotel, French Lick, Ind., July 26<br />
aiiu 28, it was announced by William Carroll,<br />
executive secretarj'.<br />
Charles A. Mast Dies<br />
ST. LOUIS—Charles A. Mast, who joined<br />
the St. Louis Theatrical Brotherhood Sept.<br />
8, 1892, and who worked for various times<br />
in practically every theatre in St. Louis, died<br />
of the infirmities of age February 24. He<br />
was born July 28, 1869. His most recent employment<br />
was at the Grand Opera House<br />
early in 1945,<br />
Joe Burke Redecorates<br />
BATAVIA, ILL.—The Capitol Theatre<br />
closed for three days recently to permit the<br />
completion of a redecoration project. Joe<br />
Burke, who has operated the theatre for 21<br />
years, said the theatre has been given new<br />
carpets and furniture, except for theatre<br />
seats, which were renovated: the walls have<br />
been redecorated, and the exterior repaired<br />
and improved. The work cost between $5,000<br />
and $6,000. Roses were given to all the<br />
women patrons when the theatre reopened<br />
with "Golden Earrings."<br />
Plan Soo Renovation<br />
SAULT STE. MARIE. MICH. — The Soo<br />
Amusement Co. has plans to redecorate the<br />
Soo Theatre and remodel the Temple this<br />
spring, according to Joseph DePaul. manager.<br />
The marquee on the old Colonial<br />
Theatre here was recently removed and it<br />
is likely the property will be converted<br />
to other than theatre use.<br />
BOXOFFICE : : March 6, 1948<br />
Bottler Suggests Coin<br />
Between Dime, Nickel<br />
MILWAUKEE—Here's a new thought for<br />
theatre operators who sell -soft drinks.<br />
A new 7';; cent "convenience" coin was<br />
advocated here last week by Edward W.<br />
Mehren, president of the Squirt Bottling<br />
Co.. Beverly Hills. Calif. Speaking before<br />
the 33rd annual convention of the Wisconsin<br />
Bottlers of Carbonated -Beverages, Mehren<br />
said:<br />
"It is evident the nickel has become a<br />
dodo in the soft drink industry. We cannot<br />
junk millions of dollars worth of bottles to<br />
change sizes in tune with changing nickel<br />
value. So. the price must go up. And the<br />
next convenient coin is a dime.<br />
"We need a new convenient coin, a coin<br />
of les.ser value than a dime, to save people<br />
money, to give us greater production, and<br />
to give thousands of bottlers a profit they<br />
need to stay in business."<br />
Mehren asserted the use of a 7'-: cent coin<br />
would make raising the price of nickel .soft<br />
drinks to 7'j cents feasible, because the<br />
industry has become strong on one-coin<br />
sales.<br />
Navy Cites Bryn Griffiths<br />
For Photography in Battle<br />
MILWAUKEE—Bryn Griffiths, former Pox<br />
Wisconsin public relations director and theatre<br />
manager, received a belated war honor<br />
last week when the navy announced that he<br />
is among a group of men to receive the<br />
presidential unit citation.<br />
The citation was awarded to inembers of<br />
the crew of the USS Lunga Point, aircraft<br />
carrier on which Griffiths served for two<br />
years during World War II. The carrier<br />
participated in the Leyte, Iwo Jima, Luzon,<br />
Okinaw^a and Third Fleet operations against<br />
Japan.<br />
Stage Show Is Cancelled<br />
In Dispute With Union<br />
INDIANAPOLIS—The Circle Theatre last<br />
week canceled a stage show because of a<br />
dispute with the American Federation of<br />
Musicians. AFL. over hiring of standby musicians.<br />
The theatre has not hired standby<br />
musicians since the Taft-Hartley act became<br />
a law. The show was to consist of Harry<br />
Cool's orchestra, the Harmonicats and other<br />
acts. "If You Knew Susie" was substituted<br />
for<br />
the stage attraction.<br />
Fred Reeth Vacationing<br />
MADISON—Fi-ed Reeth. manager of the<br />
Capitol, and Mi-s. Reeth left February 27<br />
for a four week's vacation trip to the west<br />
coast. They will visit relatives in California<br />
and will also visit Hollywood studios. Tlie<br />
trip is being made by automobile. Ray<br />
Rackow. manager of a Warner house in<br />
Sheboygan and former manager of the<br />
Majestic here, is managing the Capitol during<br />
Reeth's absence.<br />
Crack Theatre Safe<br />
INDIANAPOLIS—Yeggs roUed a heavy safe<br />
from the office of the Rivoli Theatre and<br />
hammered it open in an aisle. The strong<br />
box was destroyed and two days' receipts<br />
were taken. The loss w^as not estimated by<br />
Walter Pursley, manager.<br />
Variety Club to Benefit<br />
From Ansell Picture<br />
ST. LOUIS- Receipts from the local premiere<br />
of the An.sell Bros, production, "Woman<br />
in the Night," will be turned over to<br />
the heart fund of the Variety Club, according<br />
to Tommy James, chief barker.<br />
The picture will open the night of March<br />
30 in the Fanchon & Marco Fox Theatre.<br />
James al.so disclo.sed plans for a series<br />
of midnight shows to be held in local theaties<br />
to help boost the charity fund. The<br />
first of these will be at the Esquire Theatre.<br />
Joe Smith, booker of floor shows here, will<br />
supply the talent.<br />
Another money-raising venture of the<br />
local tent will be a hor.se show here in the<br />
spring. Club leaders hope to net from $3.-<br />
000 to $5,000 through this promotion.<br />
Between 30 and 50 new members are to<br />
be initiated into the club at the March<br />
meeting. A guest at the last session was<br />
Gordon Halloran, former chief barker of the<br />
Des Moines Variety Club, who recently came<br />
here as succes.sor to B. B. Reingold as manager<br />
of 20th-Fox exchange.<br />
Gordon Craddock Joins EL<br />
As Indianapolis Manager<br />
INDIANAPOLIS—Gordon C. Craddock has<br />
been named Indianapolis branch manager for<br />
Eagle Lion by William J. Heineman. vicepresident<br />
in charge of distribution. Craddock<br />
has held various sales posts with Universal,<br />
including branch manager in Indianapolis<br />
and Portland and home office sales<br />
executive.<br />
Drive-In Plans Rebuffed<br />
CHICAGO — Efforts of a group of Chicagoans<br />
to force the village of Skokie. suburb<br />
north of here, to issue a permit for construction<br />
of a drive-in theatre have been<br />
rebuffed in court. Judge Paul McWilliams<br />
of Litchfield. 111., sitting in superior court,<br />
ruled that there was some doubt that the<br />
Chlcagoans had complied with an ordinance<br />
requiring them to submit plans and specifications<br />
to the village and for that reason he<br />
ruled the village need not issue a permit.<br />
Promotions in Jefferson City<br />
JEFFERSON CITY—A shift of managers<br />
of two of the local theatres in the Durwood<br />
was announced by Arnold Gould, city<br />
circuit<br />
manager. Howard Griffen. who has been<br />
manager of the Roxy, has been promoted to<br />
manager of the larger State. He succeeds<br />
Robert Howard who is returning to his home<br />
in Phoenix, Ariz. Raymond Spencer, who<br />
has been assistant manager of the Roxy.<br />
has been upped to manager for that house.<br />
Albyn England Dies<br />
GARY. IND.—Albyn England, manager of<br />
the Gary Theatre and advertising manager<br />
in this district for the Y&W Management<br />
Corp.. died here recently of a heart attack.<br />
He was 47 years old. Before entering service<br />
England was city manager for Y&W in<br />
Richmond. Ind. He came to Gary three<br />
years ago. Surviving are his wife and three<br />
brothers.
eissue<br />
, '<br />
Chicago's 'Norlhside'<br />
Big as Loop Pacer<br />
CHICAGO—Springlike weather and crowds<br />
of visitors for Washington's birthday helped<br />
average and "Relentless," doubled with "You<br />
^jy(,j^ g^^s May 30. got under way February<br />
spark business downtown with four new attractions<br />
bowing in.<br />
Were Meant for Me" at the Strand, neared<br />
gg following a two-day meeting here of 50<br />
par. "The Voice of the Tiu-tle" at the Warner<br />
^n^nagers and home office executives,<br />
At the Chicago "Call Northside 777." with<br />
shoved above average and "Ride the Pmk<br />
p^..^^ money for the recent showmanship<br />
a great buildup in the dailies, got off to a<br />
Horse," bowing late in the week at the<br />
gg^^pajgn .j^as distributed at the meeting by<br />
big start. "The Voice of the Turtle" opened to<br />
Towne, started well. jack Rose. More than $2,000 was split among<br />
very good crowds at the Roosevelt. "I Know<br />
Alhambra-The Bishop's Wile (RKO), 3rd d I,<br />
^^is winners, major prizes going to Edward<br />
Where I'm Going" at the RKO Grand, and<br />
"How Green Was My Valley" at United Artists<br />
did around average. "Shoe-Shine" at the<br />
^, of the Lido, Maywood: Louis Nye of the<br />
PaTace-A\buqSerque°(pSr''ar Womm. From Brown of the Gayety, Chicago; Leo Haney<br />
Tangier (Col)<br />
^<br />
World Playhouse is still the outstanding hold-<br />
"'Thow"^'^''.^°°°'"" ' Hoosier. Whiting, Ind.. and Art Wartha.<br />
Strand—Relentless (Col), You Were Meant<br />
^^ district manager.<br />
Towne-Rife''h'e°PinkHorse\u-n ::::::::.:: lOO A review of the past year and a refresher<br />
Warner-The Voice of the Turtle (WB); ^^^ session which included a cover-to-cover<br />
over, with "Desire Me" at the Moni-oe the<br />
runnerup.<br />
The Oriental continued with "Sleep. My<br />
Love" plus a stage show headed by Buddy<br />
Lester and the Pied Pipers for a fine third<br />
week. The State-Lake's '"To the Ends of the<br />
Earth." plus a stage show headed by Marion<br />
Hutton and Dean Murphy had a nice second<br />
week. "Tlie Bi-shop's Wife" at the Woods and<br />
"Gentleman's Agreement" at the Apollo were<br />
still<br />
boxoffice.<br />
(Average is 100)<br />
Apollo-Genlleman-s Agreement (20th-Fox) ,<br />
.<br />
Chicdgo— Call Norlhside 777 (20th-Fox) 120<br />
Garnck—Captain From Castile (20th-Fox)i<br />
Key Witness (Col), 2nd d run 90<br />
I<br />
Grand— I Know Where I'm Going (U-I) SO<br />
La Salle—Betrayed (Mono), reissue; High<br />
Tide (Mono) 90<br />
Monroe—Deiire Me (MOM), 2nd wk 120<br />
Oriental—Sleep, My Love (UA), plus stage<br />
show, 3rd wk 100<br />
Palace— If You Knew Susie (RfCOl, 2nd wk 90<br />
Riallo—Green Hell (Realart); Lady From<br />
Cheyenne (RealoYt), reissues 100<br />
.<br />
Roosevell-The Voice of the Turtle (WB) 120<br />
State-Lake—To the Ends oi the Earth (Col), plus<br />
stage show 2nd wk - 100<br />
United Arlists-How Green Was My Valley<br />
(20th-Fox), 2nd wk 90<br />
,<br />
Woods—The Bishoo's Wife (RKO), 7th wk 115<br />
World Playhouse—Shoe-Shine (Loperl), 3rd wk IZb<br />
'The Voice of the Turtle,' 'Northside'<br />
Good Milwaukee Grossers<br />
MILWAUKEE—Several days of mild weather<br />
brought out patrons even though Lent<br />
some patronage away.<br />
anfi;led<br />
"Call Northside 777" at the Wisconsin<br />
^_^<br />
still applied the brakes and the Shrine circus<br />
TUf--!- PnCP OnPIIC<br />
pulled far over par and "The Bishop's Wife." iViailla CX nOaC U[JClid<br />
in its third week on an Alhambra moveover.<br />
again jumped above average<br />
ton and his band on the Riverside<br />
Duke Elling<br />
stage,<br />
J ' T\<br />
\hnWm?inSnin UriVG<br />
•<br />
Ol&U WlUaildllip 1/1 iVC<br />
augmented by "The Gangster." drew average CHICAGO—The 1948 Soaring Showmangrosses.<br />
"Albuquerque" at the Palace hit<br />
^^^^^ ^^.^^^ ^j jj^g Manta & Rose circuit,<br />
wfsroim-Cau''Nor°hside' 777 (20th-Fox)- resume of the Manager's Manual which includes<br />
every phase of exhibition, mainte-<br />
Glamour Girl (Col) ""<br />
nance, exploitation, business administration,<br />
Indianapolis Grosses Zoom etc., was held. Alex Manta concluded the<br />
With 'Timberlane,' 'Turtle' two-day business meeting with a talk whose<br />
INDIANAPOLIS—Grosses zoomed upward theme was "Thought put into action is the<br />
at the first run houses last week as strong ^gg^ definition, and incidentally the shortest<br />
new attractions and favorable weather com- j^j. showmanship."<br />
bined to make one of the best sessions m<br />
recent months. "Cass Timberlane" almost<br />
doubled average at Loew's and "The Voice<br />
PJqj^s DrQWIl lOT DriVe-Ill<br />
tTo.T'"' ^^' "'' ^' ''' ''"'' Of 600 Cars at Herrin. 111.<br />
Circle-The Voice of the Turtle (WB); Perilous HERRIN, ILL.-Plans have been com-<br />
^^<br />
Waters (Mono) ^ . ,^„ ^0 g^ j^^. ^ ^qq jq 600-car dnve-m to be<br />
constructed on Route 148, about^<br />
lS:^-^;^ir^bI^
St. Louis Anticipates<br />
Surge by Television<br />
ST. LOUIS—Television competition for<br />
motion picture theatres in the St. Louis area<br />
assumes more threatening proportions almost<br />
week by week.<br />
Up to this time the St. Louis Post-Dispatch<br />
television station, an adjunct of KSD,<br />
has been the only televisor here, but there<br />
has been filed with the FCC applications for<br />
permits to operate several other stations.<br />
KWGD of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat is<br />
the most recent applicant yet. Other applications<br />
from the area are those of WEW,<br />
owned and operated by St. Louis university;<br />
KWK, owned by Thomas Patrick, Inc., the<br />
local Mutual outlet, and the New England<br />
Television Co. of Pall River, Mass.<br />
Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. and the<br />
American Telephone & Telegraph Co. have<br />
taken steps to increase their facilities for<br />
handling television. Already a coaxial hookup<br />
betvTeen St. Louis and Chicago via Evansville,<br />
Ind., has been completed and another<br />
line from St. Louis to Memphis is now under<br />
construction. This apparently will make possible<br />
some attempt at network televising<br />
by early summer.<br />
CHICAGO<br />
Would Exempt Safety Film<br />
From Storage Regulations<br />
CHICAGO—Alderman Alban Weber has<br />
started action in the city council to exempt<br />
retailers, schools, churches and individuals<br />
having more than 2.000 feet of 8mm and<br />
16mm safety film from obtaining a special<br />
license and abiding by strict precautions in<br />
handling the films. A resolution to amend<br />
such an ordinance is pending before the<br />
licensing committee.<br />
His action followed filing of a suit in<br />
superior court for an injunction to restrain<br />
the city from enforcing the ordinance. The<br />
lawyers content that the council erred in<br />
failing to provide a clause for home movie<br />
fans, photographic shops and educational<br />
institutions ownmg or showing only safety<br />
films. They maintain the law was designed<br />
to affect users of celluloid film, which bursts<br />
into flames on contact with fire or excessive<br />
heat.<br />
ESfe-Size Photo as Clown<br />
At Bier of 'Ginger' Gilard<br />
CHICAGO—Gus "Ginger" Gilard, veteran<br />
projectionist at the B&K Lakeside Theatre,<br />
died last week. Near his coffin in the chapel<br />
stood a life-size photo of Gus in a clown<br />
costume, which is the way he was most<br />
familiar to many Balaban & Katz employes.<br />
Gus became a circus clown in 1909 and in<br />
more recent years, while working at the<br />
Lakeside, returned to his first love by entertaining<br />
at parties on his days off. Ill at<br />
the time, Gus was on hand at the B&K<br />
children's Christmas party last December<br />
to greet the boys and girls as they entered.<br />
METRO PREMIUM CO. |
NEW ALL-IN-ONE DRINK DISPENSER<br />
MAKES SERVING SOFT DRINKS EASY<br />
IN<br />
MOVIE HOUSES<br />
The bottle bugaboo and the high cost<br />
of installing carbonating units has<br />
caused many theatre operators to<br />
abandon the idea of serving soft drinks<br />
in their houses. With the All-In-One<br />
drinli dispenser, this problem is solved<br />
once and for all. It makes soft drink<br />
sales in theatres not only practical but<br />
profitable as well. AU-In-One dispensers<br />
are available as ice cooled or mechanically<br />
refrigerated units. All units feature<br />
famous Multiplex faucets and<br />
Temprite carbonators.<br />
Tol-Pak
. . Eugene<br />
: March<br />
. .<br />
in the 20th-Fox building, having recovered<br />
from an attack of gall bladder trouble.<br />
Max A. Davis, a former St. Louis furniture<br />
dealer, died in Houston of a heart attack.<br />
He was an uncle of Louis Davis, who<br />
operates the Vernon. Mount Vernon, Ind.,<br />
and Maiu-ie Davis of the Will Rogers. St.<br />
Louis . Abelin. 23, trer.surer of<br />
Fox Theatre, is recovering at Barnes hospital<br />
from a bullet w'ound received February<br />
15th in an attempted holdup at his office,<br />
William "Red" McKenzie, 49, pioneer jazz<br />
band leader and recording artist who started<br />
his musical career while a bellboy at the<br />
Claridge hotel here in 1919, died of a liver<br />
ailment in New- York City recently. He appeared<br />
at various St. Louis theatres during<br />
his career . . . Harold Postman, assistant to<br />
Alan F. Cummings, in charge of MGM exchange<br />
operations, was a recent visitor. His<br />
schedule also included visits to Kansas City<br />
nnd New Orleans . . . John B. Giachetto of<br />
the Fi-isina Amusement Co., Springfield, has<br />
resumed his duties after being home with<br />
a heavy cold.<br />
Sol Francis, district manager for Monoyram,<br />
arrived recently on a tour of his district<br />
. . . "Paghacci" is being shown nightly<br />
at the St. Louis Music university. Free<br />
tickets are being distributed thi-ough the<br />
school. The run to end March 6. The<br />
is<br />
hall is just around the corner from the<br />
Shenandoah Theatre.<br />
Most Patrons 19-Year-Olds<br />
Says Public Relations Chief<br />
BEAVER DAM. WIS.—The largest theatre<br />
audience comes from the 19-year-old<br />
group, and this is the group producers<br />
naturally try to please, according to Estelle<br />
Steinbach, public relations director for Fox<br />
Wisconsin. Speaking at a PTA meeting on<br />
motion pictures here February 19. Miss Steinbach<br />
said only 19 per cent of the audience<br />
is made up of the age group under' 12.<br />
C. Lorbeck, district supervisor of Fox Wisconsin,<br />
and F. J. Bickler, manager of the<br />
local Odeon, also spoke briefly. It was announced<br />
that the Odeon will present special<br />
matinees for children Saturday afternoons,<br />
to continue as long as patronage<br />
warrants.<br />
Pressnel in Mount Vernon<br />
MOUNT VERNON, ILL.—Dave Pressnel ;s<br />
the new manager of the Fox Midwest Plaza<br />
here. He formerly was assistant manager<br />
under C. C. Murray at the Lincoln in Springfield.<br />
He was succeeded at the Lincoln by<br />
Donald Foss, former chief of staff.<br />
KEEP YOUR HOUSE 15 DEGREES COOLER IN SUMMER<br />
Insulate with success, save up to<br />
40% on fuel, 30% or the cost of<br />
electricity for Cooling system.<br />
Arthur Benjamin Brenton, manager of<br />
BRENTON CO., INSULATION-ROOFING<br />
6525 S. Harvard Ave., Chicago 21, III.<br />
Authorized Applicator oi<br />
Baldwin-Hill Mineral Wool<br />
Natural water repellant, fireproof material<br />
For free estimate, phone: WENworth 4277<br />
BOXOFHCE :<br />
6, 1948<br />
from the BoxoFFicE Files<br />
(Twenty Years Ago)<br />
in the U.S. and Canada a motion picture<br />
theatre, with from 3,000 to 5,000 projection<br />
machines being required. Later, when labor<br />
becomes firmly entrenched in the exhibition<br />
field, the production and distribution of pictures<br />
for display in the labor theatres will<br />
be given serious consideration,<br />
Harry Redmon, managing director and<br />
part owner of the new Majestic Theatre<br />
on CoUinsville avenue near Missouri avenue,<br />
East St. Louis, now under construction, announces<br />
that the $1,000,000 pictine palace<br />
will open this week. Harry Hynes, formerly<br />
manager of the St. Louis Film exchange,<br />
is now handling St. Louis city sales for<br />
Universal.<br />
Chester Graber of the Miners Theatre,<br />
ColUnsville, 111., and Nat Steinberg, president<br />
of Premier Pictures Corp., have become<br />
inventors. They have patented the Lin-D-<br />
Bow tie, which is tied up with aviation,<br />
being shaped like the propeller of an airplane.<br />
More Playgrounds Seen<br />
As No. 1 Chicago Need<br />
CHICAGO—Chicago ought to have fewer<br />
blood and thunder comic books and objectionable<br />
motion pictures and more playgrounds,<br />
according to first retm-ns from<br />
questionnaires sent Parent-Teacher Ass'n<br />
groups by the Juvenile Protective Ass'n.<br />
The association, which sent out approximately<br />
2,000 questionnaires last fall, reports<br />
that over 1,000 have been returned. Both<br />
parents and teachers thought the need for<br />
playgrounds the most important step in combating<br />
juvenile delinquency. Also high up<br />
on the list of corrective measures were suggestions<br />
that the comic books be cleaned up,<br />
with the accent taken off crime. A surprising<br />
niunber of parents also registered<br />
objections to motion pictures, complaining<br />
specifically about crime films and films in<br />
which sex was overstressed or handled in<br />
blunt fashion.<br />
Harris Dudelsoii Heads<br />
Cleveland UA Branch<br />
CLEVELAND—Harris Dudelson. until re-<br />
Biler . . .<br />
.<br />
O. HURLEY has purchased the Joyland<br />
J^ cnlly division manager for Screen Classics,<br />
Theatre in Bloomfield, Mo., from John<br />
last week moved into<br />
The Wilson, St. Louis, is now<br />
the local United Artists<br />
under the management of C. A. Zuehkle.<br />
exchange as manager.<br />
B. Castelli formerly operated this house This post has<br />
W. C. Calhoun is reported to have purchased<br />
been officially "to<br />
the Princess, Franklin, 111., from H. L. Hamilton.<br />
let" for the past six<br />
months. The appointment<br />
Mrs. Louise Hamilton is opening a<br />
new theatre in Franklin to be known as the<br />
was made by<br />
Moe Dudelson, district<br />
New Palace . . . C. C. Cravens has transferred<br />
the Rex, Lilbourne, Mo., and the Lyric,<br />
manager, who also<br />
Portageville, Mo., to L. B, Cravens . . . L.<br />
announced the resignation<br />
Remey is the new district manager for Fox<br />
of Joe Krenitz<br />
in the St. Louis territory.<br />
as salesman covering<br />
the Toledo area. Har-<br />
Coal miners and operators in southern Harris Dudelson j-jg Dudelson is well<br />
known in this territory, having at one time<br />
Illinois have failed to reach a .satisfactory<br />
been United Artists branch manager in Cincinnati.<br />
settlement, so motion picture exhibitors in the territory are all set for a gloomy<br />
He also was manager in St. Louis<br />
season ahead after a very unprofitable winter. at one time. He joined Albert Dezel about<br />
a year ago, serving at first as district manager,<br />
Organized labor, it has been learned in<br />
and later as division manager. He<br />
made frequent trips to Cleveland in both<br />
St. Louis from a soiu-ce high in the councils<br />
of the American Federation of Labor, plans capacities.<br />
to organize in every branch of the motion<br />
picture industry, including production and<br />
distribution. Organized labor contemplates<br />
making every labor temple and meeting hall<br />
Fox Wisconsin Reopens<br />
Rialto in Marinette<br />
MARINETTE. "WIS.—The Rialto Theatre<br />
has been reopened here by Fox Wisconsin<br />
circuit after a $45,000 overiiaul. The house<br />
was almost completely done over. It has 600<br />
new seats, new carpets, new projection, heating<br />
and ventilating equipment, a new screen<br />
and a new vending stand. The interior was<br />
redecorated. Charles Nelson is manager.<br />
Fire Ruins Ace Theatre;<br />
Loss Exceeds $15,000<br />
PIPER CITY, ILL. — The 214-.seat Ace<br />
Theatre here was destroyed by fire February<br />
22. Damage was estimated by Manager E. O.<br />
Quick as between $15,000 and $20,000.<br />
For Greater Profits<br />
Manleq<br />
Supplies<br />
Manley's Supreme Popcorn<br />
$13.00 per Cwt.<br />
Manley's Cocoanut Oil<br />
40c per Lb.<br />
In 50-Pound Cans<br />
F. O. B. St. Louis Warehouse<br />
R. D. VON ENGELN<br />
Monley Representative<br />
Eastern Missouri -Southern Dlinois<br />
3138 OLIVE STREET<br />
ST. LOUIS 3, MO. NEwstead 7G44
. . . George<br />
. . Art<br />
. . Carol<br />
. . Arthur<br />
. . . And<br />
. . . Nathan<br />
MILWAUKEE<br />
jl^braham Melcher, 76 died here recently.<br />
Melcher. who operated a theatre at<br />
Omaha several years ago. was the father of<br />
Harry Melcher. Eskin Theatres executive<br />
. . . F. J. McWilliams of the Home and<br />
Portage, Portage. Wisconsin, is in Florida<br />
Langheinrich of the Burleigh<br />
became a grandfather recently.<br />
Sig Goldberg of the Hollywood, Wausau,<br />
and Harold Pearson, ITO of Wisconsin and<br />
Upper Michigan field man, attended that<br />
national Allied board conclave in Washington<br />
Stanisch, Wisconsin manager,<br />
stressing courtesy above else at the<br />
is all<br />
Incidentally. Gloria Smith, that new<br />
theatre.<br />
easy-to-look-at Wisconsin usherette, cour-<br />
is<br />
tesy<br />
personified.<br />
The friendly feud between Stanisch and<br />
John Brunette, Palace manager, in the courtesy<br />
department, reached a new high last<br />
week. Stanisch required Brunette to display<br />
a court order before entering the Wisconsin<br />
... A fire at the Vernon. Viroqua,<br />
temporarily shuttered the house. Repairs are<br />
under way . Hammer is back at her<br />
Columbia post following an illness.<br />
Bill Young, SRO manager, plans installing<br />
a mobile telephone in his car . . . Paramounc<br />
tradescreened "Sainted Sisters" . . . The new<br />
U-I building should be ready for occupancy<br />
by late April or May . Adams is a<br />
new MGM student salesman . . . Max Mazui-,<br />
Film Classics manager, was a Chicago caller.<br />
Eskin Theatres acquired the Midway,<br />
Prairie du Chien, and the Fenway, Fennimore,<br />
from William Charboneau . . . Rosemary<br />
Fusso, secretary to John G. Kemptgen.<br />
MGM manager, will say "I Do" May 1 . . .<br />
That 20th-Fox sneak preview of "Sitting<br />
Pretty," with Clifton Web as the baby sitter,<br />
drew boffo laughs at the Wisconsin.<br />
Joe' Woodward, 20th-Pox manager, and<br />
Lou Elman, RKO manager, were discussing<br />
"Northside 777" Elman expressed the view<br />
that the hero of the piece, failed to show<br />
appreciation for his mother's many years of<br />
floor scrubbing. Said Woodward, "Well! He<br />
bought her a new scrub bucket and mop<br />
didn't he?"<br />
Jules Gerelick, Paramount salesman, resigned<br />
to enter the automobile business at<br />
Omaha. The exchange gave a farewell party<br />
and the Reel-fellows club staged another at<br />
the Shorecrest. The salesman and managers,<br />
about 40 attending, presented Gerelick<br />
a traveling bag autographed by Dave<br />
Chapman, Columbia salesman, in pink ink.<br />
Max Wicsner of the Alamo and Mozart returned<br />
to Mount Sinai hospital here for a<br />
checkup . . . The Row water supply was cut<br />
off for one day recently. RKO played good<br />
Samaritan to thirsty people, with Walter<br />
Blaney RKO office manager providing the<br />
"cokes" ... At West Salem, Wis., Sunday<br />
church services were held at the Salem<br />
Rey. U, S, Pal. Oil.<br />
ATTENDANCE BOOSTER<br />
For Inlormalion, Writo, Wire or Phone<br />
FOTO-PAY-DAY, INC.<br />
161 W. Wisconsin Avo. Milwaukee 3. Wis.<br />
through courtesy of<br />
the fuel shortage.<br />
the management during<br />
Booking on the Row: Ray Lenz, Pastime,<br />
Horicon; Frank Eckhart, Jefferson, Jefferson:<br />
Harold Hamley, Victor, Hartland: W. C.<br />
Fisuher, Oampo, Campbellsport; Eddie<br />
Moyle and Johnny Schuyler. Delft circuit,<br />
Marquette; Billy Pierce of the Savoy, and<br />
Ed Johnson, Roosevelt, Milwaukee; Joe<br />
Malits, Eighth Street; Sid Margoles, Regal,<br />
and Barney Sherman, Douglas, Racine;<br />
Larry Kelley, Majestic, Cudahy; Nick Berg,<br />
State, Sheboygan; Nick Johnson of the<br />
Strand, and Bob Guiterman. Capitol, and<br />
Mikadow. Manitowoc; Clem Kramer, Fern,<br />
Atlas and Mars, Milwaukee; J. Juell, Garden,<br />
South Milwaukee; Nick Michael, Main<br />
Street, Racine; Louis Machat. Kino, Milwaukee;<br />
Erv Koenigsreiter, Greendale,,<br />
Greendale; James Boden, Garden, South<br />
Milwaukee; Joe McMahon, Eskin Theatres,<br />
Milwaukee; Lon Husten, Troy, East Ti-oy.<br />
Rosemary Crawford, a local Pat Stevens<br />
graduate who now is secretary to Kay<br />
Thompson, is scheduled to visit Florida,<br />
Paris and Hollyw'ood this year, with a possible<br />
screen test in the offing . . . N. Provencher.<br />
UA salesman, welcomed those two<br />
spring days with another racetrack ensemble<br />
George Edgerton, 20th-Fox<br />
. . . salesman, says he actually received a piece<br />
of butter with toast at a Row eat«ry last<br />
week. Milwaukee Journal photographers<br />
captured the event for "things that can't<br />
happen, but did."<br />
Dave Goldman, U-I salesman says he<br />
passed more new cars in Wisconsin than<br />
there are candidates for mayor of Milwaukee<br />
Joe Reynolds, Oriental manager, has<br />
been seeking a new Pontiac for two years<br />
Marcus. Warner manager, contacted<br />
state exhibitors.<br />
Jack Lenehan, Paramount booker, finally<br />
found a barber that cuts hair quietly the<br />
way Jack desires the job done . . . Elsie<br />
Seidl, MGM staffer is wearing those "new<br />
look" gla.sses with radar lenses.<br />
In the recent front office Local F27 election,<br />
Ray Shulz, 20th-Fox booker, was reelected<br />
business agent. Others named; President,<br />
Jake Kaiser, Warner booker; secretary,<br />
Mildred Ritchter, Warner booker's secretary;<br />
treasurer, Persus Naab of Paramount . . .<br />
Smiling faces among Row personnel are due<br />
to the recent 15 per cent raise announced for<br />
both F and B union locals, retroactive to<br />
Dec. 1. 1947.<br />
Art Krass, Republic salesman, bought a new<br />
car. The next day out in the territory, Krass<br />
was involved in a smashup that virtually<br />
pulverized the machine. Returning to R4Hwaukee<br />
by train for another vehicle, Krass<br />
relayed the story to his family. Fortunately<br />
Krass was not greatly injured, but his little<br />
daughter, overlooking the fact, said: "But<br />
daddy I never had a ride in your new car!"<br />
Orphans See 'Saint'<br />
FORT WAYNE—The orphans of Fort<br />
Wayne's three homes were guests of the<br />
Quimby Theatres at the recent showing of<br />
"Citizen Saint" in Quimby Auditorium. The<br />
children were from St. Vincent's villa, the<br />
Reformed Orphans home and the Allen<br />
County Children's home.<br />
Jack Kirsch Names<br />
Cross Drive Aides<br />
CHICAGO—Committeemen in the amusements<br />
and recreation division of the 1948<br />
Red Cross drive met last week in the American<br />
Institute of Banking quarters to go<br />
over their plans with Jack Kirsch, president<br />
of Allied Theatres of Illinois and chairman<br />
of the division.<br />
Kirsch has named the following committees<br />
to assist him:<br />
Circuit theatres, Edwin Silverman, Arthur'<br />
Schoenstadt, James E. Coston, Elmer Balaban,<br />
John Balaban, Prank Smith and Harry<br />
Turrell.<br />
Independent theatres. Jack Rose, Harold<br />
GoUos, Charles Lindau, Howard Lubliner<br />
and Sinuel Roberts.<br />
Distributors, W. E. Banford, T. R. Gilliam<br />
and J. H. Stevens.<br />
Theatrical agents and entertainment,<br />
Charles Hogan.<br />
Music publishers and representatives, Jerry<br />
Baxter.<br />
Producers and studios, Harris Silverberg.<br />
Unions, E. J. Atkinson, Thomas J. Burke,<br />
Edward Donovan, Clarence Jallas, Frank<br />
Gorey and Sam Lamasky.<br />
Legitimate theatres, Herbert Rles.<br />
Holiywood Films Rapped<br />
By High School Girls<br />
ST. LOUIS—Hollywood was taken to task<br />
for the quality of its motion pictures by<br />
four seniors of St. Alphonsus high school<br />
who participated in the Junior Town Meeting<br />
of the Air sponsored by the St. Louis<br />
Star-Times. Speaking on ""youth's Challenge<br />
to the Movies," the girls criticized pictures<br />
for their "fantastic plots," typing of<br />
stars, glorification of crime and overemphasis<br />
on sex.<br />
FORT WAYNE<br />
peter G. Mailers of Mailers Theatres found<br />
a way to beat the cold wave that swept<br />
the middle west recently. He went to Tulsa,<br />
Okla., to attend the wedding of a nephew.<br />
Holy week services at noon during the<br />
week preceding Easter will again be held In<br />
downtown Fort Wayne theatres. Two services<br />
are held each day, one by churches of<br />
the Missom-i Lutheran Synod and the other<br />
by members of the Associated Churches of<br />
Fort Wayne, a group of the major Protestant<br />
denominations.<br />
Work has started on a large tract of<br />
ground along State Road 3, just north of<br />
the California road, on a drive-in theatre<br />
being constructed by Auto Theatres, Inc.,<br />
at a cost of $80,000. Horace Shock, Lima,<br />
Oliio, recently purchased the site. The corporation<br />
was formed to operate this theatre<br />
and possibly another one to be built<br />
outside the city.<br />
"Henry V" played three days at the<br />
Quimby Auditorium, recently, showing twice<br />
daily. Attendance was uniformly good, officials<br />
of Quimby Theatres reported.<br />
BOXOFTICE : : March 6, 1948
: March<br />
. . Mrs.<br />
. . The<br />
. . William<br />
. . George<br />
. , Herman<br />
. . The<br />
. . Mrs.<br />
Video in Milwaukee<br />
Off lo Fast Siarl<br />
MILWAUKEE— After only ten weeks of<br />
the impression that she had summoned aid<br />
through a call button.<br />
Theatre for Monticello, Wis.<br />
Studied by Businessmen<br />
MONTICELLO, WIS. — Tentative plans<br />
for a new theatre here was discussed re-<br />
interest.<br />
Plan Video in Madison<br />
MADISON—Application for a permit to<br />
operate a television station here has been<br />
made by the Badger Broadcasting Co.,<br />
operators station WIBA. If the permit is<br />
of<br />
cently at a meeting of the Commercial club.<br />
J. R.<br />
The<br />
Boyce<br />
club's board<br />
has<br />
of directors was to name<br />
reopened his Strand Theatre<br />
in Warsaw, Ind., after<br />
committees<br />
being closed<br />
to study the matter and several<br />
weeks by an epidemic of<br />
make<br />
further plans.<br />
diphtheria in<br />
the city . Isis, Lyons, Ind., is closed<br />
and all contracts have been canceled. Notice<br />
of<br />
Collects<br />
the closing<br />
$33.45 for MOD<br />
was given out by Eddie<br />
Omstein, who operates the RivoH in Marengo<br />
JUNEAU, WIS.—The Juno Theatre here<br />
. . . Mi-s. Grace Holt, who operates the<br />
opened just a few weeks ago, but its collection<br />
of donations for the infantile paida<br />
after an extended vacation with her hus-<br />
Hamilton, Indianapolis, returned from Florralysis<br />
drive totaled $33.45 in the short time band . Nellie Hensley. Monogram<br />
the collections were made. Manager Carl F. cashier, spent a weekend in St. Louis visiting<br />
Neitzel received a letter from Mrs. Walter her father.<br />
Hauser, local campaign chairman, expressing<br />
thanks and appreciation for the theatre's<br />
granted, the new station may become the<br />
third television outlet in Wisconsin. WTMJ-<br />
TV is in operation in Milwaukee and another<br />
'station is being planned there.<br />
Harvey Cocks, Grandfather<br />
FORT WAYNE—Tlie birth of a son to Mr.<br />
and Mrs. Jack McCormick, 3703 Shady Court,<br />
has been announced. Mrs. McCormick is the<br />
former Jane Cocks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.<br />
Harvey Cocks. Cocks is manager of Quimby<br />
Theatres.<br />
Don Pearson to Galva, Dl.<br />
GALVA, ILL.—Don H. Pearson of Mexico,<br />
Mo., is the new manager of the Galva Theatre.<br />
It had been handled by William D.<br />
Schneider of Amboy since the first of the<br />
year when Marchesi Bros, assumed control of<br />
the<br />
house.<br />
i [ BOXOFnCE :<br />
6, 1948<br />
INDIANAPOL IS<br />
Roger Scherer, manager of the Wayne, Fort<br />
Wayne, is doing one excellent job in supervising<br />
the remodeling of his theatre. He<br />
has been working nights and Simdays and<br />
it has enabled him to move up his formal<br />
opening date about two weeks . Russell<br />
Bleeke, wife of the office manager at<br />
Republic, retm-ned from an extended vacation<br />
in Florida . McGovern, who<br />
operates the Ritz, Loogootee. Ind., was a<br />
visitor.<br />
Carl Kemp, manager of Eagle Lion, spent<br />
most of last week calling on exhibitors in<br />
southern Indiana and Louisville . . . H. L.<br />
Hancock, salesman at 20th-Fox, has gone to<br />
Florida for a two-week vacation.<br />
Edwin Brauer, Republic manager and an<br />
advanced pupil in horticulture, having taken<br />
a course from Chris Harm, husband of the<br />
operator of the Zionville Theatre, is forcing<br />
the season. On Sunday last, Brauer took<br />
down his storm windows, seeded his lawn,<br />
raked all the leaves from his tulip beds and<br />
began to trim his shrubbery. Asked why, he<br />
replied that spring was just around the corner.<br />
Spring weather arrives here about the<br />
last week in April.<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Claud McKean celebrated<br />
their 30th wedding anniversary Febi-uary 21<br />
at home with friends and relatives. Luncheon<br />
and refreshments were served and the<br />
guests lingered until the early hours Sunday<br />
morning. McKean is manager of the<br />
Warner exchange.<br />
Henry Billiett of Wanee Resigns<br />
WANEE, ILL.—Henry Billiett has resigned<br />
as assistant manager of the local theatre.<br />
He had served here for a year under the<br />
Norton brothers.<br />
Three Theatres Loom<br />
.<br />
i.s<br />
.<br />
gam Shapin, home office representative, was In Radius of 20 Miles<br />
at the Warners exchange .<br />
directors of the ATO of<br />
board<br />
Indiana met<br />
BEAVER DAM, WIS.—The opening of<br />
of television operations in Milwaukee, a survey<br />
March 2 in the<br />
three<br />
Hotel new theatres within a radius of 20 miles<br />
Antlers . . Al Borkenstein,<br />
who operates<br />
was a possibility in Dodge county last week.<br />
the Wells Theatre,<br />
indicates over 1,300 television sets in-<br />
stalled in this area. Of these, 75 per cent<br />
are in homes. The Milwaukee Journal Fort<br />
station,<br />
WTMJ-TV, is operating on a five-day who never saw snow. He and is<br />
Wayne, has a visitor from<br />
One new theatre has already been opened<br />
California<br />
arrived<br />
doing a very nice business.<br />
when<br />
This is the<br />
Fort<br />
week and has purchased a mobile Wayne had television<br />
eight inches of snow and<br />
Juno Theatre in Jimeau, operated<br />
in the<br />
by Carl F.<br />
formerly midst of one of the winter's worst blizzards.<br />
Neitzel, operator of a theatre at<br />
truck for better coverage of special<br />
programs<br />
Hartland. Neitzel remodeled a building he<br />
planned for September.<br />
Ralph Fisher converted the upper floor of purchased in the downtown section to give<br />
his theatre, the Maumee, into a seven-room Juneau its first theatre in many years,<br />
events. Broadcasts of network<br />
streamlined apartment and quit worrying A second theatre project is now under<br />
about the housing problem<br />
Bandit Frightened Away<br />
Mailers,<br />
.son of Pete Mailers of the Mailers cir-<br />
formed Hustisford Amusement Corp., made<br />
way at Hustisford, where the newly<br />
cuit, is<br />
In Second Holdup Attempt<br />
getting top marks at Indiana U, up of local businessmen, is building a $100,-<br />
where he is studying law . Morgan<br />
and his family seem to be rushing the foot quonset building and will have a seat-<br />
000 theatre. Tlie new showhouse is a 100x40-<br />
SPRINGFIELD—A revolver-wielding banbit<br />
ing capacity expected that the<br />
seized $190 from the cashier's window at season. Last Sunday they took in the sights<br />
of 500. It is<br />
completed<br />
the Strand, a Kerasotes house, one night of Brown county, Ind. Herman said he has theatre will be by the end of<br />
seen the hills in all their summer glory, but March.<br />
last week but lost his nerve in a similar<br />
never saw them in winter covered with snow. A third project is being considered by the<br />
robbery attempt at the Roxy, operated by<br />
the Frisina Amusement Co., about 35 minutes<br />
\olunteer fire department at Clyman, just<br />
later, when the cashier, Genevieve<br />
a short distance from both Juneau and<br />
Buguveskie, stalled him long enough to give<br />
Hustisford. The department last week sent<br />
a special committee to Hustisford to inspect<br />
the building under construction there, and<br />
it was to inspect several other nearby theatres<br />
before offering recommendations.<br />
Diorama Contest Winners<br />
Named by Fox Wisconsin<br />
MILWAUKEE—In the Fox Wisconsin<br />
diorama contest, Francis Bickler, manager<br />
of the Odeon in Beaver Dam, w^as the state<br />
winner and Al Camillo of the Dow-ner was<br />
the Milwaukee winner. John Isley. Strand,<br />
was runnerup in Milwaukee, ancf Carl Doty,<br />
Allis, West Allis, copped third Milwaukee<br />
prize. The dioramas were developed by the<br />
managers to give a third dimension appearance<br />
to their lobby displays.<br />
Form Brook, Ind., Group<br />
BROOK, IND.—One hundred and fifteen<br />
stockholders in the community organization<br />
interested in erecting a theatre here met<br />
recently and elected Raymond Barten, Dr.<br />
E. W. Pippenger, Burford Lyons, Tyrus Conn<br />
and Harry Lawrence directors. Due to a<br />
lack of materials, plans for a new theatre<br />
here have been retarded for three or four<br />
years. It is expected that action will take<br />
place soon, however. The directors have<br />
made several trips to inspect various types<br />
of theatres before deciding on final<br />
the one here.<br />
plans for<br />
Photoplay Reseated<br />
CLAY CITY, IND.—New upholstered red<br />
leather seats have been installed in the<br />
Photoplay Theatre here by Damon Frank,<br />
the new owner.<br />
Leo Cantor Hospitalized<br />
INDIANAPOLIS—Leo Cantor of Cantor<br />
Amusements is a patient at the Kahler hospital,<br />
Rochester, Minn.<br />
Raise for Row Employes<br />
INDIANAPOLIS—A 15 per cent increase<br />
salaries was granted all local F35 mem-<br />
in<br />
bers, retroactive to Dec. 1. 1947.
: March<br />
St. Louis Old-Timers Recall Days<br />
When $15 Bought Film for a Week<br />
Pioneers of l!ic motion picture industry in the St. Louis area were guests at a dinner<br />
given by the St. Louis Variety Club recently. Top photo, left to right in the<br />
back: John Rees, Wellsville, Mo.; Joe Litvag of the Apollo Theatre, St. Louis; Louis<br />
Kerasotes, Springfield; John Karzis, who gave St. Louis its first permanent motion<br />
picture house, the World's Dream, early in 1906; Gus Kerasotes, Springfield, and<br />
Harry Kahan, lilm delivery service operator the last 32 years.<br />
Bottom photo: Joe Smith, booking agent and veteran circus and vaudeville performer<br />
who played most of the St. Louis theatres 40 years ago; Sam Levin, co-owner<br />
of the Esquire and Norside, St. Louis, and chairman of the Variety entertainment<br />
committee; Tommy James, chief barker, who opened the first tent shows in St.<br />
Louis; Fred Wchrenberg, king for the day. Theatre Owners of America chairman,<br />
who opened the first film house in St. Louis in 1906; Mrs. Bessie Schulter, owner<br />
of the Columbia and Roxy theatres, St. Louis, who was queen for the day, and (head<br />
shown in corner) John Rees.<br />
By DAVE BARRETT<br />
ST. LOUIS—Veterans of the motion picture<br />
industry in the St. Louis territory<br />
turned time backward at the Variety Club's<br />
luncheon last week to regale the youngsters<br />
present with their tales of 16-ounce beers<br />
for five cents, with free lunch on the side;<br />
tent show cashiers who fired the cannon<br />
ball stoves and swept the snow off the tent<br />
as part of their nightly routine; comedians<br />
rolling 'em In the aisles for $3 a night, and<br />
the days when a<br />
week's supply of film could<br />
be had for $15.<br />
Mrs. Bessie Schulter, owner of the Columbia<br />
Theatre and other St. Louis houses,<br />
as queen of the day, was the only woman<br />
veteran in attendance.<br />
Fred 'Wehrenberg, who started his exhibition<br />
career in 1906 with a theatre as<br />
an adjunct of his neighborhood grocery and<br />
tavern, was king for the day. His co-king<br />
the day, Barney Rosenthal, manager for<br />
for<br />
Monogram, was unable to attend, since he<br />
was released from the Jewish hospital on<br />
that day after a three-week illness.<br />
At the head table, in addition to Queen<br />
Bessie and King Fred were Tommy James,<br />
who started with a tent show at 16th and<br />
Chestnut streets about 1914, currently the<br />
chief barker of the Variety Club; John Rees,<br />
Wellsville, Mo.; Joe Litvag, owner of the<br />
Apollo, St. Louis: Louis and Gus Kerasotes,<br />
Springfield; John Karzin, who gave St.<br />
Louis its first permanent motion picture<br />
house, the 'World's Dream, back in 1906, and<br />
now retired from the business; Harry Kahan,<br />
who has been delivering films for 32 years<br />
and still giving service; Sam Levin, who is<br />
interested in the Esquire, Norside, Lexington<br />
and Palm theatres, and Joe Smith,<br />
veteran circus and vaudeville performance<br />
and currently booking floor show acts.<br />
Smith got a real hand when he announced<br />
that he would supply acts free for contemplated<br />
midnight performances in various<br />
theatres to raise money for the Variety<br />
Club's heart fund.<br />
Other old-timers in attendance, included<br />
Fred Keller, who as manager of O. T.<br />
Crawford's film exchange sold Fred Wehrenberg<br />
a two-piece Edison projection machine<br />
for $140 and, as Fred put it: "I<br />
thought he was robbing me." Keller is now<br />
in the insurance and advertising fields but<br />
confessed that he still has a warm spot in<br />
his heart for pictures.<br />
Joe Gallagher, city registrar, a member<br />
of the old Knickerbocker Four, who was on<br />
the bill when Wehrenberg opened his Best<br />
Theatre, the first permanent theatre in<br />
south St. Louis, also was there. He and Bud<br />
Ward and Jimmy Brown sang a number of<br />
old songs in the style popular with the<br />
nickelodeon and tent show audiences.<br />
Christ Zotos recalled that he bought the<br />
World's Dream from John Karzin about<br />
1908 and a year later took over the Retina,<br />
which he sold to Tommy James a short time<br />
afterward. Zotos then bought the old Pathe<br />
Theatre and two years later had the old<br />
Family Theatre. He went to Greece in 1919<br />
but returned to St. Louis and the film exhibition<br />
field in 1920. He now runs the<br />
Roosevelt.<br />
Mrs. Schulter told of her start as a 15-<br />
year-old girl as inspector for the William<br />
H. Swanson exchange at $6 week. She<br />
a<br />
worked nights as cashier for Harry Koplar's<br />
Montgomery Tent show. Wehrenberg recalled<br />
the first night he met Bess when<br />
she reported the night's receipts as "not so<br />
good, only $18," to Han-y Koplar as they<br />
were seated on a bench in the tent. She<br />
told of standing in the snow to sell tickets<br />
and of firing the four cannon stoves prior<br />
to the start of the night's show in the winter<br />
time.<br />
MIKE NASH MISSES PARTY<br />
In 1920 when she was a booker for Universal<br />
she entered the exhibition field as a<br />
co-owner with Joe Litvag in the Ashland<br />
Theatre. The theatre had 800 seats and the<br />
adjoining airdome seated 1,200 on benches.<br />
In the summer, when it rained, it was a real<br />
problem to get the 1,200 persons from the<br />
airdome into the 800-seat theatre, she recalled.<br />
Their scale was 10 and 15 cents and<br />
later went to 11 and 17 cents when the first<br />
federal tax was imposed. Special pictures<br />
rated a 20-cent admission. She built the<br />
Columbia Theatre in 1926.<br />
Harry Nash, who runs a theatre in California,<br />
Mo., took a bow for his father, Mike<br />
Nash, who was a pioneer here and who m<br />
recent years had operated the King Bee<br />
on Jefferson avenue. Mike had a number<br />
of teeth extracted and couldn't be on hand,<br />
so sent his son to pinch hit for him.<br />
B. N. Lueken of the Macklind Theatre<br />
brought regards from his father, now 89 years<br />
old, who was also a pioneer here. Young Lueken<br />
told of sitting on the floor to run handoperated<br />
projectors at the Macklind, which<br />
was opened in February 29, 1920. His father,<br />
he said, purchased a hall interest in the<br />
old Family Theatre for $50, the principal<br />
assets being two projectors and two cannon<br />
ball stoves.<br />
Sol Hankin, veteran film exchange manager<br />
and salesman, recalled an early booking<br />
deal with Gus Kerasotes in Springfield.<br />
Gus refused Hankin a 50-50 deal on a Jesse<br />
James picture. So Sol rented his house for<br />
three days for $120 and then promptly<br />
kicked the admission to 20 cents, after ballyhooing<br />
the picture with lots of paper and<br />
large space in the paper. Gus thought Sol<br />
was trying to ruin him, doubling his admission<br />
scale. Hankin left town with a<br />
profit of $1,000 or $1,200 for the run.<br />
FATHER SOLD SCENERY<br />
Dick VoUand pinch hit for his father, who<br />
sold scenery for most of the early picture<br />
houses of St. Louis. Lester Bena, Warner<br />
Bros, manager, was another young veteran<br />
who took a bow. Lester started as an usher<br />
and singer at the first of a series of Merry<br />
Widow theatres in the 1400-1500 block on<br />
Chouteau avenue.<br />
Messages of regret for their inability to<br />
attend were received from Charles Skouras,<br />
president of National Theatres: Harry C.<br />
Arthur of Fanchon & Marco, and Harry<br />
Miller of Festus, Mo. Several other oldtimers<br />
in the territory also had to sidetrack<br />
plans to attend at the last minute for<br />
various causes, including John Marlowe of<br />
Herrin. 111.: I. W. Rodgers of Cairo, 111.,<br />
and Dominic Frisina and J. Giachetto,<br />
Frisins Amusement Co., Springfield, 111.<br />
Harry Hynes suggested that the old-timers<br />
gathering be made an annual feature of<br />
is Variety Club. It very probable this will<br />
62 BOXOFFICE ;<br />
be<br />
done.<br />
6, 1948
Co-Op Delivery Plan<br />
Formed by Allied<br />
KANSAS CITY—A Kansas-Missouri Allied<br />
committee has formed the nucleus of a<br />
cooperative film delivery system built around<br />
trunk terminals in Wichita and Salina and<br />
feeder points at El Dorado, Hays and<br />
Topeka in Kansas. Other feeder points are<br />
to be established. Contact already has been<br />
made with trucking firms to haul the film.<br />
Jack Stewart, general manager of Allied,<br />
said that even though the committee to investigate<br />
the film delivery situation had<br />
been in operation only one week, many exhibitors<br />
in the territory have expressed a<br />
desire to "get in on the deal."<br />
"Response from Kansas exhibitors will<br />
determine the outcome of the cooperative<br />
proposal." Stewart said. "Those who ha\e<br />
expressed their interest so far are financially<br />
able to support such a program."<br />
The corrmiittee, consisting of W. B. Adams<br />
of El Dorado, Bill Blair of Osborne, Kas., and<br />
Louis Sosna of Moberly, Mo., reported to<br />
Stewart that the program virtually is set for<br />
operation except for the number of signed<br />
participants. Pinal arrangements, according<br />
to Stewart, should be made within a week<br />
or two.<br />
Film Delivery in Kansas City<br />
To Ask for Rate Revision<br />
KANSAS CITY—Exhibitors Film Delivery<br />
announced Tuesday that it would petition<br />
the Interstate Commerce commission for<br />
a revision in rates and the elimination of a<br />
lot shipment delivery or "pickup" charge to<br />
exhibitors. Earl Jameson of the delivery<br />
firm said that action on the petition would<br />
take "at least 30 days" and that if a hearing<br />
proved necessary, there could be no estimate<br />
as to when an ICC decision would be handed<br />
down.<br />
Pushes Children's Show<br />
VINTON, IOWA—Ernest Krammerer, manager<br />
of the Palace here, is urging parents to<br />
again send their children to Saturday matinees.<br />
"For some time now," he said, "murder,<br />
crime and other films undesirable for<br />
citizens of the future have been omitted<br />
from the Saturday afternoon showings. The<br />
worst the kids will run into will be a rousing<br />
western which kids used to enjoy when Tom<br />
Mix was in flower."<br />
Cill T IOK BOB—Bob Hynes, manager<br />
of the .Missouri Theatre in St, Joseph<br />
for the Dubinsky circuit of Kansas City,<br />
receives an IVIGM Photo of the Month<br />
award from Mayor Burton Allison of St.<br />
Joseph in the mayor's office. Hynes received<br />
a pen and pencil set for having<br />
the most photos in the contest during<br />
1947. The mayor is at left with Bernie<br />
Evens, MGM exploiteer, in the center,<br />
RKO Applies to Court<br />
For Permit to Build<br />
MARSHALLTOWN, IOWA—RKO has been<br />
compelled to apply to the U.S. district court<br />
in the District of Columbia for pel-mission to<br />
replace the Capitol Theatre, which was destroyed<br />
by fire here nearly two years ago.<br />
The housing expediter offered two reasons<br />
for refusing RKO permission to build a new<br />
1,100-seat theatre here. First, it is asserted<br />
by the expediter, RKO waited too long after<br />
the fire to file its application, and second,<br />
the request was opposed by the department<br />
of justice.<br />
"The department of justice," the authority<br />
continued "is now engaged in efforts to discourage<br />
larger theatre holdings by companies<br />
also involved in the production of motion<br />
Cass Theatre in Omaha<br />
Closed by Authorities<br />
OMAHA—The Omaha fire<br />
department has<br />
closed the Cass Theatre here as a "fire<br />
hazard" and the building in which it is<br />
housed was closed for lodging by the health<br />
department as a "health hazard."<br />
Stars to Visit Sedalia<br />
In'ScuddaHool'Bow<br />
SEDALIA, MO.—The premiere of "Scudda<br />
Hoo! Scudda Hay!" will be held here next<br />
Wednesday (lOi and will feature appearances<br />
by Lon McCallister, star of the film, Coleen<br />
Townsend, who has a role in the Technicolor<br />
film and a principal part In "Walls of<br />
Jericho." and Betty Ann Lynn of Kansas<br />
City, who is featured in "Sitting Pretty,"<br />
The stars will arrive Wednesday morning<br />
and will participate in a mule show and a<br />
parade and will make personal appearances<br />
at the Fox and Liberty theatres. A blue<br />
jeans contest will be held in which a Queen<br />
of the Jeans will<br />
the Sedalia area.<br />
be chosen from entrants in<br />
The queen and the stars will return to<br />
Kansas City for personal appearances at the<br />
Tower and Uptown theatres there the following<br />
day.<br />
36 Prints in Iowa Sector<br />
For 'Scudda Hoo!' Dates<br />
DES MOINES—Thirty-six prints of "Scudda<br />
Hoo! Scudda Hay!" are being readied for<br />
a special Iowa opening March 11. Walter<br />
Hoffman, 20th-Fox exploiteer, is here laying<br />
plans for the opening, which will take place<br />
simultaneously here and in 35 other Iowa<br />
towns. Within two weeks later, Hoffman<br />
said, he expects the picture to show in 250<br />
Iowa towns.<br />
Edward Shafton Resigns<br />
As R. D. Goldberg Officer<br />
OMAHA—Edward Shafton, general manager<br />
for the R. D. Goldberg Theatre Enterprises,<br />
has resigned, effective March 6. Shafton<br />
joined the Goldberg circuit at the end<br />
of the war. He spent four years in the army's<br />
counter intelligence department. Shafton<br />
probably will devote full time to his law practice.<br />
Al Anson Convalescing<br />
DULUTH—Al Anson, Duluth, northwest<br />
district manager of the Minnesota Amusement<br />
Co., is convalescing in St. Mary's hospital<br />
from a major operation.<br />
CARPETS<br />
ENTRANCE MATS<br />
Alexander Smith-<br />
U. S. Royalite<br />
Colors - Lettering - Designs<br />
Crestwood<br />
Shad-O-Rug<br />
Masland Wilton - Red - Green - Black<br />
R. D. MANN CARPET CO.<br />
928-930-932 Central Victor 1171 Kansas City, Mo.<br />
Hood Asphalt Tile<br />
American Rubber Tile<br />
Linoleum.<br />
BOXOFnCE : : March 6, 1948 MW 63
. .<br />
. . Mrs.<br />
DBS MOINES<br />
JJliglble bachelors on Filmrow for Leap year<br />
gals: Jim McCann, 20th-Fox office manager:<br />
Carl Olsen, EL salesman: Mayo Beatty,<br />
Monogram manager: Bob Newman, NSS of-<br />
tie with a hula dancer painted upon it; E.<br />
W. Kerr. Denver, a red wool shirt.<br />
Fern Bitting, inspector at Warners, returned<br />
to work after suffering with an in-<br />
fected finger. Mrs. Eleanor Yaryan. who replaced<br />
Fern will remain for a few weeks<br />
Helen Surber, booking clerk at<br />
Warners, had to be shoveled out of her home<br />
at Johnson station after the heavy snow,<br />
and arrived at work at 10 o'clock.<br />
C. J. Feldman, Universal division manager.<br />
COMPLETELY NEW<br />
HORKY'S CAFE<br />
Bigger and Better Than Ever<br />
— Featuring 'Delish' Steaks<br />
1202 High SI. Des Moines. Iowa<br />
Where FUmrow Friends Gather"<br />
Open Doily at 4 p. m.<br />
was at the local exchange . . . Paul Leatherby.<br />
salesman, for Columbia, is back after a<br />
venture in business for himself . . . Edna<br />
Weiner, 20th-Fox bookkeeper, has received<br />
a diamond from Harold Burnstein, who is<br />
employed at Helzberg's jewelry store.<br />
MEirie Frye, Tri-States merchandising department<br />
head, is back at work after a bout<br />
fice manager; Dallas Kessler, NSS booker;<br />
Gerd Prankel,<br />
with the flu . . .<br />
NSS<br />
Ralph Pielow jr., 20th-Fox<br />
shipper: Stanley Sodirberg,<br />
Columbia, and Ralph<br />
manager, needs an apartment for his wife<br />
Harper, bookkeeper<br />
and 5-year-old son . Marie Butcher,<br />
at Tri-States.<br />
contract clerk at MGM, is walking to work<br />
Ralph Branton, Tri-States, returned from following sale of the family car . . . George<br />
his vacation in California . . . E. W. Kerr,<br />
Hart, district manager for the E. W. Kerr<br />
Denver, has taken over the Grand and circuit, has moved to Knoxville, Iowa.<br />
Marion theatres in Knoxville, Iowa .<br />
What the well-dressed man is wearing on<br />
the Row: Fred D. Ai-mington. MGM, green<br />
Antone Berggren Is Dead;<br />
Popcorn Company Head<br />
OMAHA—Antone Berggren, 71, president<br />
of the Midwest Popcorn Co., become fatally<br />
ill here February 28 as he was about to leave<br />
a taxicab to enter the Medical Arts Bldg. for<br />
an eye checkup. Death came from a heart<br />
ailment. Survivors include his wife and four<br />
sons, two of whom i William B. and James L.i<br />
were associated with him in the popcorn<br />
firm. Another associate, Vice-President Lee<br />
Coffee, died unexpectedly several weeks ago.<br />
imm<br />
'Walk Alone/ 'Bishop'<br />
High in Kansas City<br />
KANSAS CITY—Business downtown continued<br />
slow with only the first week of top<br />
product drawing above normal. "The Bishop's<br />
Wife" on a double bill at the Orpheum managed<br />
to shove its way to 130 on the barometer<br />
clock, but "Call Northside 777" hovered near<br />
the average mark all week. "The Bishop" was<br />
held for an additional session but "Northside"<br />
moved out at the end of its seven-day stretch.<br />
"Cass Timberlane" drew average crowds during<br />
its second and final week at the Midland,<br />
and "I Walk Alone" at the Paramount<br />
did somewhat better.<br />
(Averaae Is 100)<br />
Esquire—Shoot to Kill (SG); Road to the<br />
Big House (SG) 75<br />
Midland—Cass Timberlane (MGM), 2nd v,-k. 100<br />
Orpheum^The Bishop's Wile (RKO),<br />
Desperate (RKO) .. 130<br />
Paramount— I Walk Alone (Para) 130<br />
Roxy—Topper (Recrlart), Turnabout (Realart),<br />
Tov Fan -Call Northside 777<br />
Grosses Fatten in Omaha;<br />
'T-Men,' 'Castile' Heavy<br />
OMAHA—Theatre managers here had few<br />
complaints this week. Best boxoffice pull<br />
was "Captain from Castile" at the Paramount,<br />
with "T-Men" and "Linda Be Good," the<br />
Orpfteum double bUl a close second.<br />
Omaha Sleep, My Love (UA), Secret Mission<br />
d. (ENG), 2nd wk 100<br />
t<br />
Paramount—Captain From Castile (20th-Fox).. 130<br />
Orpheum-T-Men (EL); Linda Be Good (EL) 125<br />
RKO-Brondeis- li You Knew Susie (RKO),<br />
Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome (RKO) 105<br />
State—The Gangster (AA-Mono); Merton ot the<br />
Movies (MGM), 2nd wk 100<br />
Town—Cheyenne Takes Over (EL), High School<br />
(WB);<br />
We Have Been Appointed<br />
Iowa Distributors<br />
CRETORS<br />
for<br />
POPCORN MACHINES<br />
Hollywood Model No. 48 Giant Model No. 41 Cadet Model<br />
Prices Quoted on Request<br />
We Sell Popcorn Supplies ""<br />
CORN — BAGS — BOXES — SALT — KETTLE CLEANER<br />
LIQUID AND SOLID COCOANUT SEASONING<br />
DES MOINES THEATRE SUPPLY CO<br />
1121 High Street Phone 3-G520 Des Moines, lo'wa<br />
BOXOFFICE :: March 6, 1948
. . Don<br />
. . Rodney<br />
: March<br />
. . Leo<br />
j<br />
. . . The<br />
. . . Commonwealth<br />
. . . The<br />
. . Rube<br />
. . The<br />
KANSAS CITY<br />
in last week . . .<br />
gen Marcus, Columbia district manager, ;-eturned<br />
from a district managers meeting<br />
New York Mis. Sophie<br />
Pisanos, former secretary and cashier at<br />
Film Classics, gave birth to a boy, named<br />
Mrs. Les Durland, wife of the FC<br />
Jeffrey . . .<br />
manager, is now up and around with aid<br />
of a cane. She injured her ankle in a fall<br />
recently . . Julian King of King Enterprises<br />
and Screen Guild VK'as in town.<br />
Herman Beiersdorf, Eagle Lion western<br />
.sales manager, and Claire Hilgers, district<br />
manager with headquarters in Dallas, were<br />
expected during the week at the local exchange<br />
. Walker, Warner exploiteer,<br />
wa.s a father again Tuesday. This time it<br />
was a boy . Bush. 20th-Fox exploitation<br />
manager, and Sy Freedman, area<br />
publicist, were in making final plans for the<br />
"Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!" premiere at<br />
Sedalia next week.<br />
Mrs. Norris Cresswell is helping her husband<br />
at the Selected Pictures exchange . .<br />
Glenn Neeley, one-time exhibitor at Arma,<br />
Kas., who has been in New Mexico, was a<br />
Filmrow visitor . . . Charles Meeker of Everton<br />
and Miller, and T. C. KUlebrew of the<br />
Rialto and Grand in Siloam Springs also<br />
were on the Row. A. E. Garansson was a<br />
visitor at the exchanges . McCarthy,<br />
one-time Fox Midwest film buyer, was a<br />
visitor . . . Virginia Gaylord's sister Harriet<br />
Webber, whose husband formerly was in exhibition<br />
in this area, has orders to sail for<br />
Japan March 21. She will join her husband<br />
there.<br />
Isis had a 50-piece marine corps<br />
band on the stage last Thui-sday night. Burl<br />
Ives, radio singer of American folk music,<br />
.<br />
broadcast from the stage of the Rockhlll Friday<br />
night Melcher of Poppers<br />
Supply, who short his vacation to fly to<br />
cut<br />
his father's funeral in Milwaukee, had difficulty<br />
in getting back to Kansas City this<br />
w^eek due to bad weather.<br />
The Colosseum of Motion Picture Salesmen<br />
will have a luncheon Monday in room<br />
3C at Hotel Phillips to formulate further<br />
plans for the proposed Movie ball in May<br />
plans to open the new-<br />
Norton in Norton, Kas., about the middle of<br />
the month. The house will be a 700-seater<br />
and is being built at a cost of about $100,000<br />
local U-I exchange has been absorbed<br />
by the western district, comprising<br />
Los Angeles, Denver, Salt Lake City, Des<br />
Moines and Omaha. Jack Langan remains<br />
here as branch manager.<br />
Howard Jameyson, Fox Midwest district<br />
manager, conferred with managers in his<br />
territory in Wichita this week . front<br />
office employes union will have a buffet<br />
supper and party following a meeting at<br />
Warner Bros. March 12. Committee for the<br />
affair includes George Regan, 20th-Fox;<br />
Woody Walker, MGM; Amy Armstrong, U-I:<br />
Chuck Purduski, Columbia, and Hildred<br />
Grob and Harriette Hull of National Screen.<br />
Occasion is a celebration of the recent raise<br />
effective March 5. It will be the first party<br />
of its kind in the history of the four-yearold<br />
local.<br />
The Southtown played "The Years Between"<br />
and "Caravan" first run last week<br />
SELL YOUR THEATRE PRIVATELY<br />
Your Deal Handled Personally<br />
27 years experience<br />
We Cover the U. S. Markel<br />
Arthur Leak<br />
Theatre Sales Exclusively<br />
3422 Eininore Dallas 10. Tc<br />
Phone T3-2026<br />
Reported Ritz Sale Unconfirmed<br />
DESHLER, NEB.—Lester Butcher of the<br />
Ritz Theatre here has received no information<br />
regarding the reported sale of the Ritz<br />
building to Joe Chantry, co-owner of Golden<br />
Dough Enterprises, Omaha. Dutcher has not<br />
sold the theatre, nor has any intention to<br />
do so.<br />
J^^<br />
OIITIKIIIII<br />
mum EDiiiP«Ei\T<br />
Theatre supply dealers:<br />
Write, wire or call for<br />
Satisiaction — Always<br />
Missouri Theatre Supply Co.<br />
L. J. KIMBRIEL, Manager<br />
Phone GRand 28B4<br />
S 115 W. 18lh Kansas City 8, Mo.<br />
—<br />
IDEAL<br />
Slide -Back<br />
Theatre Chairs<br />
Your best buy.<br />
Post-war design . . . pre-war quality ii<br />
various<br />
models.<br />
STEBfllNS THEATRE EQUIPMENT COT^<br />
1804 Wyandotte St.. Kansas City 8, Mo.<br />
Clyde Badger, Manager<br />
mOTIOn PICTURE SERVin CO.<br />
TALKING TRAILERS, LOBBY PAPER<br />
AND MATS<br />
Write, Wire or Phone<br />
PENNINGTON POSTER SERVICE<br />
130 West 18th Phone: GRand 8626<br />
Kansas City 8, Mo.<br />
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT<br />
TRAILERS<br />
I6mm — Motion Pictures — 35mm<br />
Sound Recording — Talkies<br />
HAL PARKER STUDIOS<br />
1719 Wyondofe — Suite 208<br />
Telephone GR. 53G5 Kansas City,<br />
complete informolion<br />
We can supply a new Neopret<br />
:<br />
underground cable unsurpassed<br />
quality at a price that is right,<br />
DRivE-im nmu<br />
lyNiiNCTiRj^ii ro.<br />
2017 Grand Avenue<br />
Kansas City- Missouri<br />
HArrison 8077<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
6, 1948 65
MINNEAPOLIS<br />
11 be Kaplan, Northwest Variety Club treasurer,<br />
in an interview over radio station<br />
WDGY told of the Lakers' basketball game<br />
at the Auditorium here March 14 for the<br />
benefit of the club's University of Minnesota<br />
hospital fund. He explained that the club<br />
already has raised $300,000 for the hospital<br />
and turned it over to the university, but that<br />
additional sums are needed. Construction of<br />
the 80-bed hospital will start in April, he<br />
said. The club was host at a luncheon for<br />
sports writers, who heard LeRoy J. Miller<br />
and Ted Bolnick explain the benefit, and<br />
who promised their full cooperation in helping<br />
to make it a success.<br />
Branch managers nere were guests of the<br />
University of Minnesota at a campus luncheon,<br />
where their help was solicited for the<br />
(1
: March<br />
Cleveland Lays Plan<br />
To Curb Delinquency<br />
CLEVELAND — To curb juvenile delinquency<br />
and vandalism in public places, an<br />
extensive program of parental education is<br />
under way. Media to be used will include<br />
radio, newspapers, screens and special programs<br />
conducted by educational and civic<br />
organizations.<br />
This widespread campaign to educate<br />
parents in ways of curbing the youth of<br />
Cleveland has been adopted by the department<br />
of juvenile delinquency of the police department,<br />
in cooperation with Councilman Mary<br />
Sotak, who agreed to withdraw support of<br />
the curfew ordinance she recently introduced<br />
in city council.<br />
At a meeting in the auditorium of the<br />
Cleveland board of education, representatives<br />
of the school board, PTA, Catholic<br />
schools. Motion Picture council of greater<br />
Cleveland and Cleveland Cinema club met<br />
with Capt. Arthur Roth of the juvenile delinquency<br />
department of the police department<br />
and Inspector Flanagan to lay the<br />
foundation of a program. Also present were<br />
Dick Wright, assistant zone manager of<br />
Warner Theatres: Orville Crouch. Loew<br />
iiuision manager; Max Mink, RKO city manager:<br />
Ernest Schwartz, president of the<br />
Cleveland Motion Pictirre Exhibitors Ass'n.,<br />
and a group of independent theatre managers.<br />
Ernest Schwartz convinced Councilman<br />
Sotak that her proposed curfew ordinance,<br />
restricting the hours at which children should<br />
be admitted to theatres without being accompanied<br />
by an adult, was unenforcible<br />
without parental cooperation, that it placed<br />
unwarranted burden on the theatre manager<br />
and that, even if it were practical, it<br />
presented unlimited opportunities for undesirable<br />
adults to pick up children hanging<br />
around theatre boxoffices just waiting for<br />
.an opportunity to get an adult escort.<br />
At subsequent meetings a definite program<br />
will be annoimced and responsibility for its<br />
being carried out will be delegated to leaders<br />
in the field of education and civic interests.<br />
Allied Holds Slim Lead<br />
In Detroit Pin League<br />
DETROIT—Allied retained its lead in the<br />
Film Bowling league last week, with Monogram<br />
a close second. Also in the top four<br />
245: C. Sherman. 244, and S. Small, 242.<br />
Other high scores were: D. Frill 230: M.<br />
Bernbaum 224: W. Goi-yl 209, and E. Alexander<br />
206.<br />
Vogue Wins Decision<br />
CINCINNATI—Anthony B. Dunlap, arbiter<br />
in a dispute between Herman Hunt and<br />
Maurice Chase, and Loew's, Inc., has stated<br />
that there is no competition between the<br />
Vogue, owned by Hunt and Chase, and<br />
local<br />
the Emery Reading. The Vogue therefore<br />
is entitled to play day and date with the<br />
Emery, according to Dunlop's decision.<br />
BOXOFnCE :<br />
6. 1948<br />
Harris Dudelson Heads<br />
Cleveland UA Branch<br />
CLEVELAND-Harris Dudcl.son, until recently<br />
division manager for Screen Classics,<br />
last week moved into<br />
the local United Artists<br />
exchange as manager.<br />
This post has<br />
been officially "to<br />
let" for the past six<br />
months. The appointment<br />
was made by<br />
Moe Dudelson, district<br />
manager, who also<br />
announced the resignation<br />
of Joe Krenitz<br />
as salesman covering<br />
the Toledo area. Harris<br />
Duaelson well Harris Dudelson<br />
is<br />
known in this ten-itory, having at one time<br />
been United Artists branch manager in Cincinnati.<br />
He also was manager in St. Louis<br />
at one time. He joined Albert Dezel about<br />
a year ago, serving at first as district manager,<br />
and later as division manager. He<br />
made frequent trips to Cleveland in both<br />
capacities.<br />
George Sallows Profiting<br />
From Children's Shows<br />
MOR.GANTOWN, W. VA.—George Sallows<br />
has been very successful with a two-hour<br />
Saturday morning Cracker Jack radio show<br />
and cartoon carnival, co-sponsored by WAJR<br />
and Coca-Cola. The broadcast goes on the<br />
air from the stage of the Metropolitan at<br />
10 a. m., and for 30 minutes there are prizes<br />
for all contestants and a big grand prize for<br />
solving the cracker jack riddle. Last Saturday's<br />
big award was a $65 bicycle. Many<br />
tickets for the kiddy show, at 25 cents, with<br />
all taxes included, are sold in advance. Sallows<br />
reports, and this keeps the waiting line<br />
moving more rapidly.<br />
New Cleveland Code<br />
May Limit Marquees<br />
CLEVELAND—Theatre owners of greater<br />
Cleveland were all upset last week when<br />
word got around that a revision of the loca.i<br />
building code now under way, would includs<br />
the elimination of all marquees, theatre and<br />
otherwise.<br />
A visit to the office of William Gulon.<br />
building inspector, revealed that the rumoi<br />
was entirely false. However, in the revision<br />
proposed by Emile Zende, city expert now in<br />
consultation with the building department,<br />
all horizontal signs above the marquee will<br />
be limited to five feet, provided the marquee<br />
extends over the sidewalk. Where the building<br />
sets back and the marquee does not cover<br />
the walking area, no such restrictions are<br />
Ernest Schwartz, president of the Cleveland<br />
Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass'n, says<br />
that a five-foot horizontal limitation would<br />
work a hardship on theatres, as the averagf<br />
.space used over the marquee for advertising<br />
purposes is eleven feet. Further meetings<br />
will be held before any measures are definitely<br />
adopted.<br />
Zende does not propose any limitations to<br />
the height of vertical marquee signs.<br />
Kato Film Delivery Trucks<br />
Start Running in Kentucky<br />
INDIANAPOLIS—The Kato Theatre Service,<br />
operated by Andy Anderson, Kentucky<br />
exhibitor, is now picking up film at local<br />
exchanges and making door delivery in remote<br />
parts of the Kentucky served from Indianapolis.<br />
Before the organization of the<br />
service, exhibitors had to rely on express delivery,<br />
which was very unsatisfactory. Trucks<br />
pick up and deliver three days each week.<br />
Being Chief Barker, Leo Haenlein Finds,<br />
Is Just Doin What Comes Naturally<br />
COLUMBUS—Leo Haenlein finds himself<br />
in a congenial situation. He has just gotten<br />
into stride as chief barker of the Columbus<br />
Variety Club. His business of creating fun<br />
for patrons of Zoo park, which he operates<br />
during the spring and summer, is not too<br />
cession at Olentangy Park, now the site of<br />
an apartment and residential development<br />
in Clintonville.<br />
"The park then was a pleasant trolley car<br />
ride for our patrons," said Haenlein. "People<br />
didn't have cars and they appreciated the<br />
cooling breezes of the open-air street cars<br />
and the picnic grounds atmosphere of the<br />
park."<br />
The Haenleins prospered with the penny<br />
arcade and during World War I they opened<br />
an arcade in Chillicothe near Camp Sherman.<br />
Other arcades also were operated In<br />
Dayton and in downtown Columbus. W. J.<br />
ME<br />
and J. W. Dusenbury. owners of Olentangy<br />
Park, decided to dispose of the property in<br />
1923 and the two Haenleins were happy to<br />
take it<br />
over.<br />
In the years that followed, the nation was<br />
getting on wheels and the park's patrons<br />
soon weren't content to limit their amusement-seeking<br />
to a nearby park. When the<br />
Haenleins were offered a good proposition<br />
from a developer of multiple housing 1937.<br />
different from his avocation of helping his<br />
fellow barkers, their wives and guests have<br />
are Republic and Quality. High scores<br />
were: Team, RKO 2.633: Republic 2,573, and fun in the clubrooms of this second oldest<br />
Cooperative 2,558. High game. Theatrical, Variety tent in the country.<br />
968: Co-Operative. 939, and RKO, 939. High With his brother Elmer, the new chief they sold the amusement center.<br />
individual, J. Pavella, 657: W. Goryl. 617. barker has been connected with amusement<br />
and S. Small. 616. High game, J. Pavella,<br />
parks and allied entertainment since 1905.<br />
Leo Haenlein and Jacob F. Luft, perennial<br />
treasurer of the Variety Club, have been<br />
It was in that year that the young Haenlein<br />
lifelong friends and it was a personal satisfaction<br />
brothers obtained the penny arcade con-<br />
to the latter that Haenlein was<br />
chosen chief barker. "Jake," as he is known<br />
to everyone, was a grammar-school mate of<br />
the new chief barker in the old Fourth Street<br />
school. This year, as in too many previous<br />
years to count, the two went on Valentine's<br />
day to the home of Miss Alvina Turkopp,<br />
their teacher, and solemnly presented her<br />
with Valentines. Miss Turkopp is now over<br />
80 but she still looks forward to these visits<br />
of her "boys."<br />
It is this same sentiment that makes the<br />
new chief barker at his happiest when he's<br />
playing ho.st.<br />
71
. . . William<br />
. . Alice<br />
. . Bert<br />
. . Milton<br />
. . Eddie<br />
. . Ned<br />
. . Jack<br />
. .<br />
: March<br />
FILM EXCHANGE DRUGS I DETROIT<br />
The Showmen 's Drug Store<br />
'<br />
*<br />
Drugs<br />
Cosmetics<br />
Piescriplion<br />
Personal Service irom Two Showmen<br />
MAX BERNBAUM JACK GALLAGHER<br />
Pharmacist<br />
Manager<br />
Phone CLidord 1527, CUiiord 3B94<br />
Distributors<br />
Michigan<br />
for the Gtale ol<br />
RITJGOLD THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO.<br />
lOS Michigan St.. N. W.. Grand Rapids 2. Mich.<br />
TheatrpSign and Marquee Maintenance<br />
/^*^<br />
Our Specialty<br />
y^Worstman
: March<br />
Big Cleveland Coin<br />
Taken by Reissues<br />
CLEVELAND—Majority of the downtown<br />
houses went over the line to a better than<br />
average gross last week, with "Bambi" at the<br />
Allen way out front. This reissue played to<br />
capacity matinees and good evening attendance,<br />
finishing its one-week downtown run<br />
with a score of 130. Another reissue bill. "The<br />
Bride of Frankenstein" and "The Son of<br />
Frankenstein." had 'em standing in line at<br />
the Ohio, crowding the lobby and filling the<br />
auditorium. Of the new pictures shown,<br />
"Ttaee Daring Daughters" was far in the<br />
lead. The return engagement of "Henry V"<br />
at advanced prices at the Low-er Mall had<br />
gratifying results. "Treasure of Sierra Madre"<br />
lield strong in its fourth and last week on<br />
the Main Stem.<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Alien—Bambi (RKO), reissue 130<br />
Dnie—Voice of the Turtle (WB), 2nd wk 12<br />
L^ke—Treasu Sierra Madri (WB), 4tl<br />
Lower Mall—Henry V (UA), return run at ad-<br />
Ohio—Son ol Frankenstein (Dezel), Bride oi<br />
Frankenstein (Dezel), reissues 1S5<br />
Prlace—Night Song (RKO) 95<br />
?vte—Three Daring Daughters (MGM) 116<br />
Shllmcn—I Walk Alone (Para), 2nd d t dw 100<br />
Second Week of 'Bishop's Wife'<br />
Stronger Than the Opener<br />
PITTSBURGH—"The Bishop's -Wife," in<br />
a successful exhibition at the Fulton, turned<br />
In a better gross for its second week than<br />
for the initial period, which was something<br />
new in the theatre's record. "Cass Timberlane,"<br />
after two good weeks in Loew's Penn,<br />
was a strong attraction when moved over to<br />
Loew's Ritz. "A Woman's 'Vengeance" flopped<br />
at the J. P. Harris and was pulled after four<br />
days.<br />
Fulton—The Bishop's Wife (RKO), 2nd wk 140<br />
Harris A Woman's Vengeance (U-I), 4 days<br />
Penn—High Wall (MGM)<br />
f^5<br />
85<br />
Ritz—Cass Timberlane (MGM), 3rd d t wk 130<br />
Senator—North Star (SR), Turnabout (SR),<br />
reissues, 4 days 70<br />
Se-a'or-You Were Meant lor Me (', t Ih-Fox)<br />
2nd d. wk t 90<br />
80<br />
Stanley—The Voice oi the Turtle (WB), 2nd wk<br />
Warner—The Fugitive (RKO), 2nd wk 80<br />
Chain Gang (WB); A Slight Case oi Murder<br />
(WB), reissues 90<br />
Cinema—The King's Jester (Superlilm) 80<br />
Adams—Cass Timberlane (MGM) 150<br />
Broadway Capitol— I Am a Fugitive From a<br />
Downtown—Gone With the Wind (MGM) reissue,<br />
2nd wk , 75<br />
Palms-State—Relentless (Col);<br />
in the Knockout (Mono), 2r<br />
United Artists—Bambi (RKO),<br />
Slippy McGee (Rep)<br />
Oweqo Joins GTS<br />
DETROIT—The Owego Theatre in Mancelona,<br />
operated by Cecil C. Noecker, has<br />
joined General Theatre Service of Detroit,<br />
according to Carl 'W. Buermele, general<br />
manager.<br />
City Buys Parking Sites<br />
ANN ARBOR, MICH.—The city council<br />
has decided to buy outright three of five<br />
proposed parking lot properties. One of<br />
these is the Majestic Theatre and site.<br />
Juvenile Film Tastes Today Follow<br />
Those Generation Ago, Poll Shows<br />
CLEVELAND-Omar Ranney, drama and<br />
motion picture editor of the Press, is conducting<br />
a survey of the motion picture tastes<br />
of the children of all ages attending the<br />
Lakewood schools. Lakewood is one of the<br />
exclusive residential suburbs of Cleveland,<br />
and as such is typical of the children coming<br />
from the better homes.<br />
Outstanding result of the poll, conducted<br />
with the assistance of the Lakewood board<br />
of education, is that the children, 1948 style,<br />
are no different from their parents, their<br />
grandparents or their great grandparents.<br />
They want their heroes brave, strong and<br />
winners. Alan Ladd best exemplifies this<br />
combination of virtues today, just as the<br />
Rover Boys, Dick Ti-acy et al, satisfied and<br />
stimulated the previous generations of youth.<br />
From the fourth through the 12th grades,<br />
Ladd had no close competitors. Roy Rogers<br />
comes closest to being one. Bob Hope listed<br />
high in this age group. But as the grades<br />
and ages advanced, Bing Crosby nosed out<br />
Hope in popularity rating.<br />
THOSE NOT SO POPULAR<br />
Among the not-so-popular film stars with<br />
the youth of Lakewood are Frank Sinatra<br />
and Van Johnson.<br />
As is to be expected, there is a great divergence<br />
of opinion between the boys and<br />
girls of school age as to who are the best<br />
screen stars. The little girls—those in the<br />
4th, 5th and 6th grades—are still strong<br />
for Shirley Temple and Margaret O'Brien.<br />
The boys like Abbott and Costello, Jeanne<br />
Grain, Guy Madison, Dana Andrews and<br />
Larry Parks. But get into the senior high<br />
grades and the leader, by many lengths, is<br />
Lana Tui-ner.<br />
Girls, according to the Ranney survey, especially<br />
in the Junior high group, like<br />
movies better than the boys. They like<br />
action westerns, without music; they do not<br />
like horror pictures; they can go for some<br />
screen romance, but the boys of this age<br />
definitely want none of this love stuff. The<br />
'<br />
'Timberlane' Outstanding<br />
In Poor Detroit Session<br />
and<br />
DETROIT—Business generally far below<br />
par last week, with a couple of outstanding<br />
girls boys<br />
mal stories.<br />
animal. They<br />
agree, however, in liking ani-<br />
And the horse is their favorite<br />
quote "Flicka" as a type of<br />
exceptions, notably "Cass Timberlane." Major<br />
entertainment they would like to have repeated.<br />
competition was offered by the Sonja<br />
Henie ice show at Olympia and Frankie Laine<br />
in person at the Bowery.<br />
ALL-TIME BEST*<br />
Like many of their elders, they think<br />
"Gone With the 'Wind" the top picture of<br />
all times. They like it better than any of<br />
the newer pictures. In that they also emu-<br />
DOXOFFICE :<br />
6, 1948<br />
late their elders, as is attested by the fact<br />
that it is grossing more on its fifth repeat<br />
than on any of its previous popular priced<br />
runs.<br />
"The Jolson Story" and "The Yearling"<br />
were heavy favorites with the Senior high<br />
group, but neither could approach the<br />
popularity of GWTW. Some of the other<br />
pictures which rated high among the teenagers<br />
were "Pride of the Yankees," iwith<br />
the boys), "Margie" (with the girls), "Great<br />
Expectations," "I Wonder Who's Kissing<br />
Her Now," "Fantasia," (with the girls),<br />
"Best Years of Our Llives," "Northwest<br />
Passage," "Going My Way," "Lassie Come<br />
Home," "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"<br />
and "Bambi."<br />
Ranney reports that "it was interesting<br />
in tabulating the results of the poll to see<br />
ho.v the film interests of children change<br />
through the successive age groups. The boys<br />
started out in the fourth grade by giving<br />
western the most votes, seconded by<br />
comedies. This lineup continued until the<br />
seventh grade when the boys gave comedies<br />
top position and westerns second.<br />
"In tha ninth grade it was comedies first<br />
and mysteries second. Comedies still held<br />
top position in the 11th grade but musicals<br />
replaced mysteries as runnersup. Then in<br />
the 12th grade, the boys put musicals first<br />
and comedies second.<br />
"The girls began in the fourth grade with<br />
comedies first and westerns second. In the<br />
sixth grade a growing interest in musicals<br />
was evidenced and their preference wascomedies<br />
fii-st and musicals second."<br />
In the seventh grade it was musicals first<br />
and comedies second. In the ninth grade<br />
mysteries replaced comedies in second<br />
position and in the tenth grade screen<br />
romance went into second place, with<br />
musicals still in first.<br />
Among the things that these children<br />
do not want are: Not so many drinking<br />
scenes, and not so much glamor. The girls<br />
especially ask for pictures depicting the<br />
average home life. How this lines up with<br />
their voting Lana Turner their favorite<br />
actress is one of the irreconcilables of<br />
youth.<br />
SHOW FEATURES SERIALLY<br />
The young persons of Cleveland are probably<br />
better qualified to judge motion pictures<br />
than their like in other large cities.<br />
This is because a majority of the public<br />
schools show movies daily during the noon<br />
movie hour. It is the practice locally for the<br />
schools to show selected features serially;<br />
that is, two reels are shown daily during<br />
the lunch period. If the picture is too long<br />
to complete within the five-day period, it<br />
is held over through the following week<br />
until it is completed. If it is too short to fill<br />
the five-day period, the incompleted time Is<br />
completed with shorts.<br />
Some schools have junior motion picture<br />
council groups to discuss pictures critically<br />
with the aid of adult leadership. The<br />
neighborhood theatres are vei-y conscious<br />
of their juvenile patrons and have carefully<br />
selected programs over the weekends,<br />
especially on Saturday. The opinion of<br />
these children is not haphazard. They have<br />
a critical consciousness and their voices<br />
should be heard.<br />
Magazine Subscriptions-<br />
The Ideal Gift<br />
nplete periodical service—<br />
and general magazii<br />
J. NAZAR, 1009 Fox<br />
Detroit 1. Mich.<br />
PERYL'S<br />
COSTUMES<br />
UNIFORMS for Entire Theatre Staff.<br />
Special Costumes for Al] Occasions, Acts and<br />
Special Shows<br />
Peryl LaMarr, Prop. 3737 Woodward<br />
Phone: TEmple 2-3948 Detroit 1. Mich.
: March<br />
Vandergrift, Pa., Prepares to Levy<br />
10 Per Cent Tax on Amusements<br />
VANDERGRIFT, PA. — Eventual adoption<br />
of a 10 per cent amusement tax. a new<br />
$3 per capita tax and coin-machine fees,<br />
rather than a one-half of 1 per cent wage<br />
tax appeared likely following a meeting of<br />
the borough council. Appropriate ordinances<br />
likely will be adopted at the March meeting.<br />
9:30 p. m. He appeared before council at<br />
its January meeting and the town fathers<br />
voted to take no definite action until the<br />
February session. At their meeting this week<br />
the members voted to allow the residents to<br />
make the decision.<br />
PITTSBURGH—Amendments to exempt<br />
the payment of amusement taxes on children<br />
under 12 and disabled veterans, under<br />
certain conditions, have been submitted to<br />
the city council. One proposed change would<br />
exempt payment of the tax by children under<br />
12 when they are admitted to any place<br />
of amusement for 10 cents or. less. Another<br />
amendment would exempt payment of the<br />
tax by disabled veterans admitted free of<br />
charge to any place of amusement.<br />
BUTLER, PA. — This city's 5 per cent<br />
amusement tax will become effective April<br />
1. It was passed unanimously by the council<br />
and is being advertised for 30 days. The<br />
city expects approximately $25,000 yearly<br />
from the levy. The five per cent rate is a<br />
compromise measure. Council earlier indicated<br />
a 6 per cent levy and theatre owners<br />
wanted the tax held to 4 per cent. Admissions<br />
on all shows and athletic games will be<br />
affected.<br />
SEWARD, PA.—When the council enacted<br />
a 4 per cent amusement tax several weeks<br />
ago, special permission was granted for the<br />
Sunday opening of the Seward Theatre.<br />
Such permit is illegal and council has withdrawn<br />
the special license. Sunday film exhibitions<br />
in Pennsylvania are legalized only<br />
by local option under prescribed conditions.<br />
The local amusement tax is effective April<br />
PITTSBURGH—Pennsylvania boxing promoters<br />
probably are correct in their cry that<br />
PARSONS, W. VA.—Citizens of Parsons their form of amusement is hit hardest of<br />
all, this being due to the extra 5 per cent<br />
will vote during the summer on whether<br />
they want Sunday shows. The question is an collected by the state. Federal tax is 20 per<br />
outgrowth of a request to the council from cent and city tax is 10 per cent. Total taxation<br />
Keith Chambers, local exhibitor, for the<br />
is 35 per cent. Tax applies regardless<br />
of whether the proceeds go to promoters right to have motion pictures Sunday afternoon<br />
or<br />
from 1 until 6 p. m., and again after to<br />
charity.<br />
LEWISTOWN, PA. — Overriding all opposition<br />
on the part of the local amusement<br />
interests. Chamber of Commerce tax study<br />
committee, CIO, etc., the borough council<br />
passed a revenue deficit budget and a 10<br />
per cent amusement tax.<br />
UNIONTOWN, PA.—An amusement tax<br />
at the rate of one cent for each 25c or fraction<br />
thereof of the established price has been<br />
enacted by Uniontown city council. Amusement<br />
establishments also are hit under a<br />
new mercantile licensing ordinance.<br />
ordinances are effective April 1.<br />
The new<br />
MONONGAHELA. PA.—The new tax package—an<br />
ordinance imposing mercantile and<br />
amusement levies and providing for a $3 head<br />
tax—was enacted into law by city council on<br />
unanimous approval.<br />
MASONTOWN, PA.—Council is enacting a<br />
10 per cent amusement tax.<br />
CLARION, PA.—Under enactment here is<br />
new 10 per cent amusement tax.<br />
Cleveland Sales Meet<br />
CLEVELAND—Earl Sweigert. Paramount<br />
eastern division sales manager, presided over<br />
a three-day local exchange sales conference<br />
recently. District Manager Harry H. Goldstein<br />
and local manager ,Saul Frif ield assisted.<br />
Sweigert went to Philadeluhia from here<br />
thence to Cincinnati and Detroit.<br />
READY TO SERVE YOU<br />
COMPLETE EQIIPMEW tor THEATRES and DRIVE-I^S<br />
Immediate Delivery .. LOWEST PRICES<br />
CENTURY PROJECTORS AND SOUND SYSTEMS Including the Great New<br />
24-HOUR PROJECTION AND SOUND SERVICE<br />
Write lor<br />
Free Literature<br />
THEATRE EQUJPME«IT COHPAM<br />
AL BOUDOURIS<br />
Manager<br />
Stage Show Zooms<br />
Grosses at Albee<br />
CINCINNATI—The return of vaudeville for<br />
one week at the Albee proved to be a spring<br />
tonic to an ailing boxoffice, as is evidenced<br />
by the results listed below. "Gentleman's<br />
Agreement" was also unusually productive<br />
in its second week at the Grand, and was<br />
held another week. Other grosses were fair.<br />
Only "Night Song" remained for an extended<br />
run.<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Albee The Fabulous Texan (Rep), plus stage<br />
show 220<br />
Capitol—Tenth Avenue Angel (MGM) 90<br />
Grand Gentleman's Agreement (20th-Fox),<br />
t 2nd wk d 180<br />
Keilh s—My Girl 65<br />
Tisa (WB)<br />
Lyric—The Voice oi the Turtle (WB). 3rd<br />
d t wk 4 days; Bambi (RKO), reissue, 3 days..l20<br />
Palace—Night Song (RKO) 110<br />
Shubert— II You Knew Susie (RKO), 2nd d. t. wk 90<br />
States Case for Critics<br />
Of Popcorn in Theatres<br />
SPRINGFIELD— Sale of popcorn In local<br />
theatres has come in for criticism from<br />
Martha Enoch, local theatregoer who wrote a<br />
letter to the editor of the Springfield Daily<br />
News on the subject. She termed the<br />
"crunchy presence of an obnoxious odor of<br />
fresh popcorn in the theatres as quite disconcerting."<br />
Miss Enoch said: "Even the essence of<br />
sweet, freshly popped corn seems to be out<br />
of its elements in a darkened auditorium,<br />
which primarily is for the purpose of displaying<br />
motion pictures for the entertainment<br />
of the public."<br />
Then she raised two questions:<br />
"Do the citizens of this city attend the theatres<br />
to see a picture or because they are<br />
hungry? Is it necessary for the theatre<br />
owners to supplement their income with the<br />
sale of popcorn 'to make ends meet?' "<br />
Miss Enoch further declared, "I am sure<br />
there are other moviegoers who feel as I do<br />
and would welcome the banishment of the<br />
sale of popcorn in our theatres. Cockroaches<br />
run themselves ragged chasing kernels<br />
about the floor and on the seats."<br />
Dorothy Cozine Dayton's<br />
Only Woman Manager<br />
DAYTON—To Mrs. Dorothy Cozine falls<br />
the distinction of being the only woman theatre<br />
manager here. And it all started seven<br />
years ago when a friend told her the Rialto<br />
was in need of a cashier. Dorothy applied,<br />
and remained with<br />
was accepted for the job,<br />
the organization during the war.<br />
Two years ago Mrs. Cozine was assigned<br />
the managership on the merit of her proficiency<br />
and loyalty to the theatre during<br />
the five years she served as cashier. Earlier<br />
she had served as assistant manager of the<br />
Ohio Theatre.<br />
"Some day I hope to own a theatre," declares<br />
Mrs. Cozine.<br />
Mrs. Cozine's daughter Joyce is a senior<br />
at Dayton Kiser high school.<br />
Hi Hat House Burns<br />
HI HAT, KY.—The Hi Theatre, owned by<br />
Harmon Snyder, burned to the ground last<br />
Wednesday (25). Fortunately the fire occurred<br />
before the doors had opened for the<br />
evening performance. There were no fatalities.<br />
Snyder also owns the Ligon in Ligon<br />
and the Weeksbury in Weeksbury.<br />
BOXOFHCE :<br />
6, 1948
: March<br />
. . Pour<br />
. . Robert<br />
head<br />
. . Marty<br />
. . The<br />
. . . Nat<br />
. . For<br />
Regional Supervisor<br />
Named by Typhoon<br />
NEW YORK—Martin Janasik has been<br />
appointed regional director for the central<br />
states area by the Typhoon Air Conditioning<br />
Co. of Brooklyn, it was announced by Don<br />
V. Petrone. sales manager. Formerly with<br />
the Chrysler Air Temp organization. Janasik<br />
will make his headquarters in Detroit, from<br />
where he will supervise Typhoon representation<br />
in Michigan. Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky,<br />
and western Pennsylvania.<br />
SPRINGFIELD<br />
Phil Chakeres, president of Chakeres Theatres,<br />
and Mrs. Chakeres have gone to Miami<br />
Beach to stay in their winter home until<br />
April or May . passes to the State<br />
are given away daily during the 15-minute<br />
organ program OUie Nicklas. manager,<br />
plays over WWSO. Nicklas plays "mystery<br />
tunes" and listeners are invited to call or<br />
write the radio station to tell what he is<br />
playing. The program, broadcast from the<br />
State, is used to promote the current picture<br />
at the State.<br />
Woody Owens, manager of the Majestic,<br />
planned a midnight cartoon jamboree for<br />
February 28. During the "two hours of fun"<br />
he planned to show 20 cartoons. Tickets were<br />
sold in advance at 55 cents . F.<br />
Terry, former program director, has been<br />
named assistant manager of WIZE. Robert<br />
G. Christol. who came here after theatrical<br />
work in Cleveland and New York, is the<br />
new program director.<br />
Three per cent admissions taxes collected<br />
by the city of Springfield during December<br />
totaled $3,168.69, showing a drop of $130.44<br />
from the November total. Twenty-nine organizations<br />
have registered as taxable during<br />
1948. Forty-five groups were registered<br />
for taxes in 1947.<br />
More Films for Talking Pictures<br />
CLEVELAND—B. W. Payne jr., Ohio manager<br />
for Modern Talking Pictures, announces<br />
the arrival of eight new subjects to his library,<br />
now consisting of 60 sponsored subjects.<br />
He has on hand ten prints of each<br />
subject, all of which are available to schools,<br />
churches, clubs and groups free of charge.<br />
In addition to the film, Payne supplies free<br />
projection service, including a projector and<br />
an operator.<br />
fiuSAeirMAKEs<br />
Yes. our New York Cily Bran<br />
cri 245 WEST 55TH STREET<br />
is now in full swing and<br />
ready to serve you.<br />
'<br />
N EW Send your next special anneun<br />
YORK BienI trailer order to nimack .<br />
PHONE and see why exhibitors all om<br />
PLAZA the eonntry get their trailers<br />
7-3809 irea ns.<br />
NEW YORK<br />
t<br />
245 WIST<br />
55 rr«irr<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
CLEVELAND<br />
p<br />
Leonard Halper. head of the Warner construction<br />
and maintenance department<br />
the Ohio zone, and his wife celebrated<br />
in<br />
their 25th wedding anniversary. Several<br />
hundred friends, including practically the<br />
entire Warner Theatres personnel, attended<br />
the "open house" at their home . . . Ray<br />
Brown, Warner Theatres southern Ohio district<br />
manager, at City is hospital, Springfield,<br />
convalescing from a attack pneumonia.<br />
of<br />
George Settos, who recently bought the<br />
Lyric in Lima and the building of which the<br />
theatre is a part, has remodeled the theatre<br />
and renamed it the Ranger ... It is<br />
reported that the Rayland Drive-In Theatre.<br />
Rayland, Ohio, operated by Herbert<br />
Ochs and John Gardner, will reopen for the<br />
season March 27. This is the earliest drivein<br />
opening announcement to date.<br />
"Gentleman's Agreement" had the bigge.st<br />
opening at Warners' Hippodrome of any picture<br />
in many moons, according to Warner<br />
officials. This in spite of the fact that there<br />
was a pouring rain all day. The picture had<br />
been extensively exploited both by Harry<br />
Weiss, 20th-Fox publicity director, who held<br />
a series of 12 screenings for specially selected<br />
groups, and by J. Knox Strachan, publicity<br />
director for Warner Theatres, who arranged<br />
for the distribution of bookmarks throughout<br />
the Cleveland public library system and<br />
display windows at book stores.<br />
The Variety Club, under the leadership of<br />
Chief Barker Milton A. Mooney, has installed<br />
Max Rieger, well known restaurateur, as<br />
steward, and he is accepting reservations for<br />
daily luncheon . . . F. H. Hathaway, with theatres<br />
in Struthers, Canfield and Campbell,<br />
is reported building a drive-in between<br />
Conneaut and Ashtabula.<br />
Paul Badger is back in town as an exhibi-<br />
tor. Formerly of the Rex, he has been devoting<br />
his time to a chemical company which<br />
he owns. Last week he purchased the former<br />
Waldorf Theatre, renamed the Ace by Sol<br />
Korman, who sold it to Badger. This leaves<br />
Korman. Detroit exhibitor, with only one<br />
Max Lefkowiches<br />
local house, the King<br />
I of the Community circuit! left)<br />
Nate<br />
for a belated Florida vacation<br />
Schultz, Monogram franchise owner, and<br />
Mrs. Schultz are back from the Florida playgrounds<br />
wearing the latest style in sunburns.<br />
Lester Zucker, U-I manager, and Alex<br />
Schimel, salesman, covered the Toledo area<br />
together last week . Seed, formerly<br />
with United Artists and Eagle Lion, has resigned<br />
from the Realart sales force . . .<br />
Keith's East 105th Street Theatre will reinstate<br />
vaudeville for a series of special stage<br />
attractions starting March 10, with Sid<br />
Andorn of WGAR as master of ceremonies.<br />
The bill will feature two weekly winners on<br />
Andorn's Audition Ambition programs. Four<br />
other acts will join the wonners. Not since<br />
1931 has the theatre played vaudeville.<br />
Mrs. Milton A. Mooney is temporary chairman<br />
of a group of wives of Variety Club<br />
board members who are forming a Variety<br />
Club women's auxiliary. Working with Mrs.<br />
Mooney, wife of the chief barker are Mrs.<br />
Nat Barach as first vice-president; Mrs.<br />
Oscar Ruby, second vice-president; Mrs. William<br />
S. Shartin, treasurer, and Mrs. Lou<br />
Marx, recording secretary. A series of afternoon<br />
entertainments is being planned.<br />
Manny Stutz, Realart franchise owner, and<br />
his wife are enjoying a vacation in Martinsville,<br />
Ind. . . . J. E. Fontaine, SRO division<br />
manager, and J. J. Oulahan, district manager,<br />
were here tor a brief conference with<br />
Leonard Mishkind, local sales representative,<br />
and Sol Gordon, salesman-booker ... J. J.<br />
Houlihan, Republic manager, supervised a<br />
series of invitational screenings of the allbnd<br />
feature, "Bill and Coo."<br />
.<br />
Madeleine Fain, daughter of Ben Fain,<br />
owner of the Milo Theatre in partnership<br />
with Charles Gottlob, is engaged to man-y<br />
Stanley Roberts the second time<br />
within a year, Louis Roth, manager of the<br />
Western Union office in the Film Bldg., was<br />
told to "stick 'em up." Two holdup men who<br />
entered the office and demanded the cash<br />
box were scared away, however, before they<br />
could accomplish their purpose. The office<br />
is opposite from the central police station.<br />
Leroy Kendis of Associated circuit, laid up<br />
with a recurrent back ailment, was hobbling<br />
around with the aid of a cane. Next move<br />
to correct the trouble will be an operation<br />
Wolf, Warner Ohio zone manager,<br />
and wife have returned from their annual<br />
family reunion in Texas, where. Wolf reports,<br />
they encountered snowy weather while<br />
the Cleveland weather was balmy . . . Mrs.<br />
S. A. Gerson reports that she has sold her<br />
motel just outside Los Angeles and is living<br />
in a small apartment until she decides on<br />
just which coast she will make her home.<br />
All Hygienic booking agents, advance men<br />
and field representatives numbering some<br />
50 men, met in Wilmington, Ohio, home office<br />
of the organization, in the first of a<br />
series of quarterly gatherings, for the purpose<br />
of discussing exhibition and exploitation<br />
problems for "Mom and Dad" on an international<br />
basis. Kroger Babb, Hygienic president,<br />
conducted the meetings.<br />
New Sound at Port Huron<br />
PORT HURON, MICH.—Voice of the Theatre<br />
horns have been installed in the three<br />
Butterfield theatres here, the Desmond,<br />
Majestic and Family. C. A. Dailey is manager<br />
of the Desmond and James S. Helsdon<br />
manages the Family and Majestic.<br />
METRO PREMIUM CO.<br />
BEAUTYWARE PREMIUMS<br />
Gifts of overpowering Boxofiice Appeal<br />
1705 E. 21st St. Film BldJ.<br />
CHerry 613S Cleveland. 0.<br />
OLIVER THEATRE<br />
SUPPLY CO., INC.<br />
M. H. rarrcHLE<br />
23rd and Payne Avenue<br />
Phone: PRospect 6934<br />
CLEVELAND<br />
6, 1948 75
: .t<br />
. . . Jack<br />
hore<br />
..rvice<br />
. . Harry<br />
. . Playhouse<br />
. .<br />
. . . Orchestra<br />
. . Mathilda<br />
. . James<br />
. . Werner<br />
. . . Frank<br />
. . The<br />
. . John<br />
. . The<br />
: March<br />
. .<br />
PITTSBURGH<br />
nnthony Weyrauch, veteran Filmiow shipper,<br />
will be a grandpop this spring. His<br />
son James and wife are expecting . . . Dr.<br />
H. C. Winslow, Meadville physician, theatre<br />
and radio station owner, is vacationing in<br />
Florida . . . Joseph Kosco, Brockway exhibitor,<br />
and family have returned from a vacation<br />
in the south.<br />
Louis Averbaeh, newly appointed assistant<br />
division manager for Paramount, spent last<br />
;<br />
weeker after enjoying his initial week<br />
•'<br />
on I"', job . . . Jack Servies, National<br />
T! . district supervisor, was here<br />
:.:e: -iig with Newt Williams, manager .<br />
Filmrow Bowling league plans a special<br />
roller skating party at Navari's Flamingo,<br />
East Liberty .<br />
Minsky Kalmine,<br />
head of the national Warner circuit and former<br />
local zone manager, was here last weekend<br />
. . . Abe Weiner, Monogram manager,<br />
announces a special drive April 2-July 2.<br />
Charles E. Warner, Clarksburg, W. Va., was<br />
a Filmrow visitor . . . Gabe Rubin of the<br />
Art Cinema was in New York on business<br />
Balmer, .son of James G. Balmer,<br />
Harris executive, is manager of the Gardens,<br />
succeeding Howard Adelsberger, who resigned<br />
due to illness.<br />
John Jaffurs jr., Glassport exhibitor, and<br />
his bride, have returned from New York<br />
where they spent their honeymoon . . . The<br />
new picture being produced by Bert M. Stearn<br />
and Harry Hendel for Screen Guild release<br />
has a jungle backgroiuid. Hendel is in Los<br />
Angeles working on this production.<br />
South Hills Theatre, Dormont, operated by<br />
the Warner circuit for a score of years, reverts<br />
to the Harris interests May 1 . . . Jim<br />
Alexander of the Alexander Theatre Supply<br />
has been very active in the YMCA membership<br />
campaign . production of<br />
"All My Sons" will open March 12 . . . Columbia<br />
is not replacing Sidney Goldberg for<br />
the present, his West Virginia area being<br />
covered by Jack Judd and Leo Isaacs, main<br />
line and north area sales representatives.<br />
Andy Battiston flew to Chicago in connection<br />
with the opening of "Citizen Saint" in<br />
the Studebaker Theatre March 13 . . . Bert<br />
M. Stern departed March 5 for a week's busi-<br />
WE PREFER<br />
That you investigate thoroughly the<br />
character of any Premium Concern offering<br />
to solicit your neighborhood merchants<br />
on giveaways.<br />
Too bad we have to make this sugges-<br />
NATIONAL THEATRE ADVERTISING CO.<br />
Max & Joe Berenson<br />
1325 S. Wabash Ave. Chicago 5, HI.<br />
15 Years of Successful Operation<br />
Speed-O-Bikes * Radio Phonograph<br />
Combinations * 3-Pc. Luggage Sets<br />
Bicycles * Hobby Horses and Other<br />
Items at No Cost to the Exhibitor.<br />
Wlile. pvi PaiticuloAi.<br />
ness trip to Hollywood . "Fuzzy"<br />
Lund, circuit exhibitor, sold his Twin Gables<br />
night club.<br />
Fred A. Beedle, Allied MPTO board chairman,<br />
staged a general membership meeting<br />
March 5 instead of calling only directors of<br />
the association. The Ascap situation, government<br />
suit and other matters were to be discussed<br />
. Kiel, Allied MPTO's assistant<br />
secretary, who resided in Brentwood<br />
for a number of years, now has a residence<br />
in Arlington Heights . . . Israel Roth, city<br />
exhibitor, is up and around and looking in<br />
good health after an illness.<br />
I. Elmer Ecker reports that dozens of local<br />
barkers will attend the April 12-17 convention<br />
of Variety Clubs Intern.nional in Miami<br />
Beach . M. Totman, publicity director<br />
Warner Theatres in the zone,<br />
for<br />
spoke on "Promotion" before the Etna<br />
Chamber of Commerce.<br />
The Film Council of Allegheny county has<br />
been organized under direction of Dr. Herbert<br />
T. Olander, professor of visual eiucaticn<br />
at the University of Pittsburgh, of<br />
persons interested in the showing of 16mm<br />
A $200,000 improvement program is announced<br />
for the Fulton this summer. Included<br />
will be reseating, redecorating and<br />
installation of a cooling system. The Shea<br />
operated house will be closed during most<br />
of June and July. John D. Walsh, Fulton<br />
manager, has rented a house in Newport,<br />
R. I., for the summer ... An animal act<br />
from Hollywood is being booked in the area<br />
bookings at theatres in the<br />
tristate district in recent months have not<br />
met with success.<br />
. . . Margaret<br />
George Comuntzis, veteran Morgantown<br />
exhibitor and restaurant operator, is back<br />
from a vacation in New Orleans<br />
Miller, former switchboard operator at<br />
Paramount who resigned after a score of<br />
years, has joined the film inspection staff<br />
at UA.<br />
Maurice Fruhlinger, Baltimore exhibitor,<br />
was a Filmrow visitor in company with John<br />
Lengyel, local projectionist ... A favorite<br />
show in Clarksburg, W. Va., the Elk's Minstrels,<br />
will be revived at the Robinson Grand<br />
there March 10-11. Tickets are $2 . . . The<br />
Penn, Ambridge, used a ten-inch display in<br />
the Daily Citizen to advertise the newsreel<br />
.subject, "Cinderella Romance," the Winthrop<br />
Rockefeller-Barbara Sears newlyweds.<br />
The John D. (Fulton) Walsh juniors and<br />
the William J. (Ascap) O'Brien juniors were<br />
hosts at the family night party in the Variety<br />
Club February 27 . . . Tom McCleary, R^A<br />
ciistiict manager, was here from Detroit . . .<br />
Ray Laux of the Warner Mount Oliver is<br />
the new assistant manager at the downtown<br />
Warner, and his brother Jim, who managed<br />
the circuit's Whitehall, now is at the<br />
Memorial, replacing temporarily the ailing<br />
Lou Fordan.<br />
Charles Argentine reported that the stork<br />
hovered over the Keith, Burgettstown, one<br />
night recently and almost dropped a little<br />
bundle from heaven in Lana's lap. (The<br />
Keith was screening "Green Dolphin<br />
Street."! The young woman from Avella,<br />
who figured her days too few, received<br />
ministrations from a local medic, and<br />
promptly hurried home to her own fireside<br />
where the blessed event took place.<br />
Malcolm MacMillan, who has been in the<br />
radio business in Scranton for a year or<br />
so, rejoined the local Altec organization .<br />
Bill Serrao, New Kensington-Arnold exhibitor,<br />
is vacationing in Florida for a month<br />
. . . Bill Graham, projectionist at the Rialto,<br />
broke his eye glasses and was getting ready<br />
to depart from his home to have them replaced<br />
when he fell down a flight of stairs<br />
and broke his collar bone. He is in South<br />
Side hospital . . . Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Mc-<br />
Gillick, Coraopolis exhibitors, after vacationing<br />
in Florida, were expected back this<br />
week.<br />
Theodore Gri:nce, president of Outdoor<br />
Theatres, Inc., has enrolled the Super Castle<br />
drive-in. New Castle, with Co-operative Theatre<br />
Service . . . C. W. Dickinson, Brownville<br />
exhibitor, is motoring through the south<br />
and southwest, headed for Mexico . . . Aaron<br />
Rosenzweig resigned as salesman for Eagle<br />
Lion . . . Joseph Parrell and Edward J.<br />
Mulcahy's new Fairview drive-in, St. Marys,<br />
Pa., will be represented by Co-operative Theatre<br />
Service.<br />
C. C. Kellenberg, 20th-Pox manager, is<br />
back on the job having recuperated from an<br />
illness. Mrs. Kellenberg has lost her parents<br />
during recent weeks, her father having died<br />
less than a month after the death of her<br />
mother . . . Betty Kearns McConnell was<br />
absent from the MGM office for several days<br />
due to the death of her mother-in-law.<br />
John J. Maloney, MGM central division<br />
manager, was called to an executive session<br />
in Los Angeles . E. Stahl, Homestead<br />
exhibitor, is proceeding with construction<br />
of his new commercial building in Homestead.<br />
Later lie and his son John S. Stahl<br />
plan to construct a new theatre building<br />
there. John A. Reilly, manager of the Mervis<br />
circuit's Rialto, set this week aside for<br />
teeth<br />
extraction.<br />
William Brooks, Paramount booker, has<br />
assumed city sales duties, succeeding Louis<br />
Averbach, who was promoted to Philadelphia<br />
as assistant mideast division manager. A.<br />
Harry Passarell, office manager, is assuming<br />
additional duties as booking manager.<br />
.<br />
Welden Waters, 20th-Fox manager, was<br />
called to Wilkes-Barre last week due to the<br />
sudden death of his father State,<br />
Altoona, used a full page ad "Body and<br />
on<br />
Soul" in the Tribune, which carried a hearty<br />
recommendation of Jack Day, manager . . .<br />
August F. Joerger and William J. Betz have<br />
registered the Hillmount Amusement Co.,<br />
Pittsburgh . David Hadburgs of the<br />
Hazelwood are vacationing in Miami Beach<br />
. . . Sylvia Linder of Jimmy Totman's publicity<br />
department at Warner circuit headquarters<br />
is departing for a vacation in<br />
Florida . . . Larry Lapidus, Penn State student<br />
and son of Jules Lapidus, Warner<br />
eastern-Canaaian sales manager, and Lois<br />
Liff, New York City, are engaged.<br />
T ou Hanna has been named film buyerbooker<br />
for the Butler drive-in, Butler,<br />
and the Skyline drive-in. New Castle, the<br />
appointment having been made by R. O.<br />
Fredley, representing the outdoor theatres<br />
Michael, until recently with the<br />
army in the Pacific, will assist his mother,<br />
Mrs. Martha Michael, in management of<br />
BOXOFHCE :<br />
6, 1948
. . The<br />
. . . Ike<br />
. . George<br />
. . Sunset<br />
: March<br />
. . Allied<br />
. . The<br />
.<br />
. . . William<br />
. . Joe<br />
. .<br />
the Rex. Next fall, he plans to enter college.<br />
Glenn Carruthers, Grove City exhibitor,<br />
reports that community's sesquicentennial<br />
will be an event of next August . . . Larry<br />
Lowstetter. Meyersdale exhibitor, has sold<br />
"Miss Economy." his race honse . . . Lee Conrad<br />
put on a stage show at the Park, Meadville,<br />
which featured the three Kress sisters<br />
of Meadville, former Rockettes who have<br />
made three USO overseas tours . . M. A.<br />
.<br />
Silvers, Warner circuit zone manager, is<br />
active again after being down with virus X.<br />
John Perry, Belle Vernon exhibitor and<br />
liotel man, was active at the state restaurant<br />
owners' convention here, as was Jack Mapel,<br />
Point Marion theatre owner-restaurateur<br />
Hi-Way Theatre, summer playhouse,<br />
will present eight plays in the Ebensburg-<br />
Cambria high school auditorium June 26 to<br />
August 21. Warners' Harris in Donora, is<br />
advertising for musicians and entertainers<br />
Browarsky, local exhibitor, has been<br />
\acationing in Florida . MPTO directors<br />
were in session March 5 at headquarters<br />
. Jaffee of the Casino<br />
has been taking the" baths at Hot Springs.<br />
Junior Miss America contest, scheduled<br />
for May, has been set back to September,<br />
according to the Pittsburgh Junior Chamber<br />
of Commerce ... An Equity summer<br />
theatre will open at Colonial Manor near<br />
Irwin in June with Carl Low and Clay<br />
Flagg producing, and Paul Foley directing<br />
. . . P. D. "Dinty" Moore, Warner manager,<br />
would like to take his vacation to "bake<br />
out" a lingering cold but he can't get away<br />
from the office.<br />
The M. A. Rosenbergs. McKee.s Rocks exhibitors,<br />
have returned from their vacation<br />
in Florida . Drive-In at Meadowbrook,<br />
W. Va., has installed pipes for in-acar<br />
speaker field stands and the former<br />
screen structure is<br />
screen.<br />
being replaced by a larger<br />
Mrs. Ray Hickman Elected<br />
To Late Husband's Posts<br />
CLEVELAND—Mrs. Ray C. Hickman has<br />
been elected vice-president and secretary<br />
of the Washington Theatre Co.. to fill the<br />
offices held by her late husband. John<br />
Woodard, Dover, Ohio, has been named to<br />
succeed Hickman on the board of directors.<br />
Steve Broidy to Visit<br />
PITTSBURGH—Exhibitor friends of<br />
Steve<br />
Broidy, president of Monogram and Allied<br />
Artists, will greet him here next Thursday<br />
111). Broidy will stop here en route to New<br />
York from Amarillo, Tex., where he attended<br />
the premiere of AA's "Panhandle," sepia tone<br />
western thriller starring Rod Cameron. "Panhandle,"<br />
will open locally in the Fulton at<br />
an early date.<br />
Fined for Obscene Show<br />
GREENSBURG, PA.—Charged with giving<br />
and permitting the exhibition of an obscene<br />
show and obscene pictures, Tom R. Kamerer,<br />
Charles Kisner and Sam W. Betters were<br />
fined $100 and costs by Judge Edward G.<br />
Bauer. State police pressed charges following<br />
a raid on a North Huntingdon township<br />
tavern last June 22.<br />
•BOXOFFICE :<br />
Quiz Show Takes to Air<br />
From National. Louisville<br />
LOUISVILLE SomclhinK new in quiz<br />
shows has reached Louisville by way of the<br />
National Theaatre. Sponsored by a local<br />
ice cream manufacturer, the show is called<br />
"Heaa of the Family." The initial program<br />
was presented to the theatre audience<br />
Wednesday night, February 25, and was<br />
broadcast over station WHAS. The program<br />
i.s of the audience participation type with<br />
prizes awarded to the winners. The show is<br />
scheduled as a weekly affair and is to continue<br />
for an indefinite run. The National<br />
is herded by Vance Schwartz and is managed<br />
by Jimmy Robertson.<br />
From the BOXOFFICE Files<br />
(Twenty Years Ago)<br />
E. FONTAINE has returned to Cleveland<br />
J<br />
as manager of the Paramount exchange.<br />
He has been in Pittsburgh for Paramount.<br />
H. Brauer and Harry Dodge succeeded him<br />
in Cleveland. Brauer is now in Columbus,<br />
and Dodge has gone in the advertising business.<br />
Harry Goldstein, Albany manager, has<br />
become Pittsburgh manager. K. G. Robinson,<br />
salesman from Boston, has taken over the<br />
Albany exhange.<br />
Fines are being paid weekly by three motion<br />
picture theatre managers in Dover, Ohio.<br />
This has been going on all winter. Every<br />
Sunday the proprietors of the Ohio, Webber<br />
and Pike theatres are arrested for infraction<br />
of the law. pay a fine of $15.45 ani then go<br />
back to their shows.<br />
Reade's Hippodrome in Cleveland has inaugurated<br />
a bargain matinee policy of all<br />
seats in the house at 25 cents till 5 p. m. .<br />
J. C. Hudges of Hillsboro, Ohio, has purchased<br />
the theatre in Leesburg from H. L. Wiggins<br />
of Hillsboro. H. W. Byrd of the Forum Tlieatre<br />
has a lease on this house . Playhouse,<br />
at Jackson. Ohio, has been sold by<br />
O. J. Welsh to Harold Priest. Joseph and<br />
Robert Stern, operators of the Marlow, Grand,<br />
Eastern and Lyric at Ironton, are planning<br />
the erection of a new theatre in Jackson at a<br />
cost of $60,000. It will be across from the<br />
Cambria hotel.<br />
The Troy Amusement Co. has opened its<br />
new $100,000 theatre in Troy, Ohio, the Mayflower.<br />
It is a two-story playhouse in the<br />
Georgian style . . . A. G. Longbrake, formerly<br />
m?nager of the Band Box Theatre in Springfield,<br />
has been transferred to the Regent in<br />
the same capacity . . . Phil Charnas, manager<br />
cf the Bucyrus Theatres Co., has announced<br />
plans to erect a new theatre in Bucyrus.<br />
George Shenker has sold the Cozy Theatre<br />
in Lorain. Ohio, to the Interstate Theatres.<br />
Inc. This was the last of a chain of houses<br />
in Lorain owned by Shenker. Sam T. Read<br />
is<br />
managing the Cozy.<br />
. .<br />
Richard Weil, formerly in charge of<br />
publicity for Progress Pictures Corp., has<br />
been heard from. He is with Educational<br />
Films on the west coast and agrees with<br />
Arthur Brisbane that there's nothing like<br />
California . "The Jazz Singer" blazed a Out of<br />
nev." trail in Columbus, now in its eighth<br />
week at the Grand, a history-making engagement.<br />
COLUMBUS<br />
prcd Astaire was to look at his proposed<br />
dance studios on East Broad street . . .<br />
John B. Brobst of the Ohio, known as Benny<br />
to his Loew's co-workers, was given a pin<br />
by Manager Walter Kessler, signifying completion<br />
of a score of years as electrician<br />
at the Ohio and Broad E. Brown,<br />
stage and screen star and native of Holgate,<br />
was invited to be a gue.st at the Variety Club<br />
membership dinner held during his local<br />
appearance in "Harvey" at the Hartman.<br />
Charles Koch, operator at the Southern<br />
for 17 years, is taking a three or four-week<br />
vacation in California. Bert Fletcher, his<br />
fellow operator, just returned from a<br />
holiday<br />
in Mexico. Tom Johnston is subbing for<br />
Koch ... J. Real Neth is recovering at his<br />
home from an illness which has kept him<br />
from his desk for several weeks.<br />
A cashier and usher at Neth's Eastern<br />
were held up by two bandits who threatened<br />
them and then fled with $170 in cash.<br />
Florence H3ll. cashier and Lewis Hagen,<br />
usher, were in the boxoffice when one of<br />
the gunmen drew a pistol from under his<br />
jacket and ordered: "Give us all the money<br />
you got. We mean business." J. A. "Jimmy"<br />
Tallman, manager, told police Miss Hall gave<br />
the gunman all the money in the booth.<br />
Lou Holleb, Robert Nelson, John Bracroft<br />
and Leo Haenlein of the Variety Club landed<br />
in the Dispatch as some of the bachelor<br />
targets for the Leap Year party held last<br />
Saturday in the clubrooms. They were pictured<br />
with a local model and one of the 20<br />
from a New York modeling school who picked<br />
the most eligible bachelor at the party .<br />
The sophomore class of Capitol university<br />
here presented "Knickerbocker Holiday," the<br />
old Nel-son Eddy film, on the campus for<br />
35 cents, "including refreshments." Show<br />
held one performance only on Saturday<br />
night. Other campus organizations are<br />
planning similar film shows.<br />
Thertres are fating other forms of competidon,<br />
too. First boxing bill in some years<br />
w.^'s held last week at Memorial hal! with<br />
3,462 patrons paying $14,723. An ice rink<br />
large enough to permit hockey games is<br />
under consideration in the Ohio State university<br />
district. The rink, to cost $100,000.<br />
would permit skating nine months a year<br />
Perry, known along the Rialto<br />
as "Jiggs." was killed when he walked into<br />
a house trailer while crossing a downtown<br />
street. Jiggs was a ballyhoo man who worked<br />
street stunts for all downtown theatres at<br />
one time or another.<br />
. . Harold<br />
The Variety Club will take over the first<br />
night's sale of tickets for "The Skating<br />
Vanities of 1948." which will be staged here<br />
starting April 27. Portion of the proceeds<br />
will go into the heart fund . . . Patricia<br />
"Pat" Moore was chosen "Miss Loew Springtime"<br />
to symbolize Loew's Springtime Hit<br />
Parade now being celebrated at the Ohio<br />
and Broad. She is a local model .<br />
painter, reports a first<br />
Martindrle. Loew's<br />
sign of spring—he caught a two-foot blacksnake<br />
in his back yard.<br />
Gory Category<br />
Eagle Lion will make its film title. "Blood<br />
on the Snow." less sanguine and call it<br />
"Canon City" instead.<br />
6. 1948 77
. .<br />
. . Added<br />
. . Leo<br />
. . Mary<br />
: March<br />
LOUISVILLE<br />
IJenry Keiss, executive of Amusement Enterprises,<br />
is in Miami on vacation .<br />
Also planning to take in the Florida sunshine<br />
was Fred Dolle of the Fourth Avenue<br />
Amusement Co., who was scheduled to leave<br />
this week for St. Petersburg . . . Louis<br />
Steuerle, former owner of the Broadway, who<br />
went into retirement some time back<br />
couldn't stand to be idle, and is now handling<br />
the 'affairs of tiie Towers. He replaced<br />
Hughy Bernard, who resigned.<br />
K. R. McAllister is planning to open the<br />
Theat.air Drive-In, Jeffersonville, Ind., at<br />
the first indication of summer. Every effort<br />
is being made to complete the restaurant<br />
now under construction for use in conjunction<br />
with the concessions of the Theatair,<br />
as well as for the regular transit trade. Due<br />
to it's location on a main highway, the<br />
restaurant will remain open the year aroimd.<br />
Robert Harned, co-owner with McAllister in<br />
the Theatair, also owns the Empire, Sellersburg,<br />
Ind.<br />
The new Valley Theatre, TaylorsvUle, Ky.,<br />
which is virtually completed, was partially<br />
flooded during the recent high waters. The<br />
damage, however, was reported as being<br />
slight and it is not expected to interfere with<br />
the contemplated opening date. The "Valley<br />
is owned by Morris Smith and Clark Bennett.<br />
William "Bill" Blank, new resident manager<br />
of the Switow Amusement Co. in Seymour,<br />
Ind., was formerly with Alliance Theatres.<br />
Fox circuit, and Paramount. He replaced<br />
George Jaeggers, who returned to<br />
Switow's Elks Theatre, New Albany, Ind.,<br />
replacing C. Hedden, who in turn was transferred<br />
to the Cozy Theatre, Louisville.<br />
A. N. Miles of the Eminence Theatre,<br />
Eminence, Ky., left for a tour to Natchez.<br />
Miss., where he intended to film the annual<br />
garden pilgrimage. From Natchez he<br />
planned to go on to New Orleans for a short<br />
stay. Miles has the distinction of having<br />
made a 2>i; hour film of local interest, which<br />
was run as a special show in his Eminence<br />
Theatre, with regular admission prices prevailing.<br />
The volume of business at the showing<br />
so far exceeded expectations that it<br />
POPCORN<br />
Lose's Hybrid Block Busier<br />
Pops 32-1 or $125.00 Up per Bag<br />
$13.25 per Bag<br />
Satisfaction Absolutely<br />
Guaranteed<br />
Give Us a Trial and You Will Be<br />
Amazed at the Results!<br />
LOSE BROTHERS<br />
204-20G E. Jefferson Street<br />
Louisville, Kentucky<br />
was necessary to have a second showing for<br />
those unable to get in.<br />
In attendance at the Kentucky-Temple<br />
basketball game recently were Gene Lutes,<br />
Chakeres Kentucky manager in Frankfort;<br />
George Bauers. Chakeres Theatres. Spring-<br />
field, Ohio, and Oscar Hopper of the Arista<br />
Theatre. Lebanon, Ky. . to the list<br />
of local theatres running Saturday matinee<br />
cartoon shows for the kiddies is the Airway,<br />
managed by "Vernon Powell Electric<br />
Automaticket machines have been purchased<br />
by the Switow Amusement Co. for the Grand,<br />
New Albany, and the Indiana, "Washington,<br />
Ind. Purchase was made through the Falls<br />
City Theatre Equipment Co.<br />
Erwin W. Rau, mayor of Leitchfield and<br />
owner of the Alice Theatre there, donated<br />
ultra-violet germ-killing lights to the first<br />
grade classroom attended by Kentucky's<br />
famous Lashley quads. Mayor Rau's son<br />
David is also a member the class . . Mr.<br />
of .<br />
and Mrs. Louis Koppel announced the engagement<br />
of their daughter Elaine to Edward<br />
S. Saag, son of Mr. and Mrs. David<br />
Saag, owners of the Hi-Land Theatre,<br />
Louisville. The wedding will take place June<br />
1 in Adath Israel temple.<br />
"Cass Timberlane" earned a second week<br />
Loew's and "The "Voice of the Turtle"<br />
at<br />
held over at the Mary Anderson. Following<br />
a two weeks run of the stage show. "Hollywood<br />
on Ice." the National returned to pictures<br />
only, bringing in "Black Narcissus"<br />
and "Something in the "Wind." Also back<br />
in the double feature class was the Strand,<br />
with "The Tender Years" and "Dangerous<br />
Years." "I Walk Alone" opened at the<br />
Rialto. The Scoop had "The Seventh "Veil"<br />
and the Brown played two reissues. "Pittsburgh"<br />
and "Green Hell."<br />
Recent visitors here were A. N. Miles,<br />
Eminence. Ky.; Homer 'Wirth. Crane, Ind.;<br />
Lewis Baker, "West Point, Ky.; M. H. Sparks,<br />
Edmonton. Ky.; Robert Enoch. Elizabethtown.<br />
Ky.; C. O. Humston. Lawrenceburg.<br />
Ky., and Luther Knitley, Knifley, Ky.<br />
H. A. Fitch, who formerly operated the<br />
Fitch-Provo circuit in Kentucky, is now<br />
operating<br />
W. H.<br />
the<br />
Blank<br />
Erin<br />
is the city manager of the<br />
Switow theatres in Seymour, Ind., which<br />
. . .<br />
include the Majestic, "Vondee and Little<br />
The Rialto. Marengo, Ind., which has been<br />
operating only .six days a week, is now running<br />
seven days with regular matinees. The<br />
Rialto is controlled by E. L. Ornstein Theatres.<br />
In addition to the regular 35mm theatre<br />
exhibitors, much concern over the censorship<br />
bill recently introduced to the Kentucky<br />
legislatiu-e is being shown by the 16mm distributors<br />
and roadshowmen. The national<br />
association has requested members to take<br />
'<br />
whatever action they deem suitable to sifow<br />
their opposition to the passage of such a<br />
bill.<br />
. . . Shortly<br />
"Henry V" has been booked for a return<br />
engagement at the Scoop from March 11<br />
through March 17. "While the prices will be<br />
somewhat lower than for the original run,<br />
they will still be tilted at $1.80 tops for<br />
the evening performances and 90 cents for<br />
the matinees. For the evenings and Sunday<br />
matinee seats will be reserved<br />
before Joe E. Brown opens at the Memorial<br />
Auditorium in "Harvey," the Strand will play<br />
his "Tender Years" on its screen.<br />
CINCINNATI<br />
rivin L. Doll and Max Milbauer of the Belmont<br />
Auto Theatre in Dayton, visited<br />
exchanges in preparation for their opening<br />
in March. Also in town were Deane Dennis<br />
of the Xenia Auto In, Xenia. and Ray Stout.<br />
Melody Drive-In, Springfield . . . The girls<br />
in the RKO office surprised Lillian Seltzer,<br />
BOXOFFICE correspondent, with a shower<br />
at the "Variety Club February 24. Manager<br />
Stanley Jacques was the only male present.<br />
Rita lori, cashier at Eagle Lion, and<br />
Lawrence Lalmiann of Lahmann Trucking<br />
Service were married Saturday in Price Hill<br />
. . . Ira Epstein, "Warner publicity representative,<br />
was confined to his home for several<br />
days due to a severe cold . . . Conversion of<br />
the hemp plant on the Winchester Pike, 12<br />
miles out of Lexington, Ky., into a factory<br />
site and drive-in theatre was announced<br />
by W. B. Brown of Lexington. Warren<br />
Shafer of that city, who operates a chain<br />
of theatres in Kentucky and West Virginia,<br />
contracted with Brown _ for about 46 acres<br />
adjoining the plant, and' on this tract plans<br />
the construction of a drive-in.<br />
Correction on date of the installation of<br />
officers dinner by the Cinema club: The<br />
affair will take place Monday night, March<br />
29, at the Netherland Plaza hotel . . . N. M.<br />
Burris of Lewisburg and Mrs. Burris are<br />
spending a vacation in Florida . . . New<br />
drive-ins are under construction near Eastou,<br />
Miamisburg. Troy. Chillicothe. and Lancaster.<br />
Willis/m Chancellor of the Ritz at Arcanum<br />
is recovering from a recent heart ailment<br />
. . . Mrs. J. T. Gates of West Alexandria left<br />
for Florida for an indefinite stay to regain<br />
her health . Adler. home office representative<br />
for United Artists, is visiting the<br />
local exchange after an absence of several<br />
years.<br />
J. Real Neth, owner of theatres in Columbus,<br />
was confined to bed due to illness,<br />
but is on the mend. It is reported that Fred<br />
Helwig of the Mountain State circuit in West<br />
Virginia has sold his Powellton in Powellton,<br />
W. Va., to Stanley Clemens . Long,<br />
former secretary to Harris Dudelson at<br />
Screen Guild, now is with Theatre Owners<br />
Corp.. as secretary to Rex Carr.<br />
Marvin Samuelson of the Warner zone office.<br />
Cleveland, was in the city last week.<br />
He plans to become a benedict in June, or<br />
sooner, if he is able to locate suitable quarters<br />
in which to house his bride . . . Jack<br />
Furrer. West Virginia salesman for RKO. is<br />
proud of the good record his son Martin has<br />
made with the Montgomery Ward Co., for<br />
whom he manages the Charleston store.<br />
Young Furrer has been summoned to New<br />
York for special conferences with executives<br />
of the company, and a promotion is<br />
undoubtedly in the offing . . . W. B. Urling,<br />
Alpine circuit, and Mrs. Urling have been<br />
enjoying a vacation in Florida the past three<br />
weeks.<br />
The new automobile of Charles Schroeder,<br />
Warner West Virginia salesman, was demolished<br />
last week when it jumped over an<br />
embankment near Page. W. Va., and turned<br />
over several times. Schroeder, fortunately,<br />
escaped with only some minor bumps and<br />
is scratches, but, of course, bemoaning the<br />
loss<br />
of the car.<br />
78<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
6, 1948
: March<br />
Committeemen Named<br />
By Variety Teni 31<br />
NEW HAVEN—Arthui- Greenfield, property<br />
master of the Variety Club of Connecticut,<br />
Tent 31, announced the new committees<br />
is chairman of the births, anniversaries, etc.,<br />
committee, acting with Bernard W. Levy, and<br />
George Reif. Ben Simon, 20th-Fox manager,<br />
heads the membership committee, assisted<br />
by Henry Germaine, Lou Cohen, Edward<br />
Fitzpatrick, William Vuono, Morris Jacobson,<br />
and Robert Elliano. Harry F. Shaw,<br />
Loew Poll division manager, is chairman of<br />
the entertainment and special events committee,<br />
with Ben Segal manager of the Shubert,<br />
New Haven legit theatre, as co-chairman,<br />
and William Brown, Morris Podoloff,<br />
Ed Schweitzer, Rudy Frank, James Milne,<br />
William Vuono, Sid Kleper and George Weber<br />
as committeemen.<br />
TO DRAFT BYLAWS<br />
jr., Harry Rosenblatt, Tim O'Toole, Ben Simon,<br />
Harry Lavietes, Maurice Bailey, Carl<br />
Goe, Ben Segal and Hugh Maguire.<br />
Barkers are asked to make early reservations<br />
for the Variety Clubs International convention<br />
at the Roney Plaza hotel, Miami<br />
Beach, April 12-17. Lou Brown heads the<br />
"On to Miami" convention committee.<br />
Ex-Vaudevillian Working<br />
Back Into Show Business<br />
BOSTON— George F. Brown, who once<br />
smiled and bowed at theatregoers from behind<br />
the footlights, Is<br />
once again smiling<br />
and bowing to theatre<br />
patrons, but in a dif-<br />
for 1948, appointed by Barney Pitkin, chief<br />
barker. The organization, comparatively new<br />
ferent way. His profession<br />
in this state, has dedicated itself to increased<br />
activity in many directions. Members<br />
died with the<br />
passing of vaudeville<br />
invited to contact committee chairmen<br />
with all helpful ideas for the furtherance of<br />
and he is. getting back<br />
into show business<br />
group's program.<br />
Maurice Bailey, of the Bailey circuit. New<br />
way, as<br />
Haven, is chairman of the welfare committee, doorman at the Astor,<br />
assisted by I. H. Levine,<br />
top<br />
Edward Levy,<br />
house<br />
A.<br />
of B&Q Associates.<br />
J.<br />
hard<br />
the<br />
now the<br />
Mattes, L. S. Ginsburg, William Brown, Morris<br />
Jacobson and Michael Tomasino.<br />
Bernard Stewart,<br />
manager of the Astor, George F. Brown<br />
ALL ASPECTS COVERED<br />
says he is about ready to step up to an assistant<br />
manager's job.<br />
The ways, means and finance committee<br />
A native Bo.stonian. "Brownie" got his<br />
is headed by George H. Wilkinson jr., of the<br />
Wilkinson, Wallingford, with Harry Lavietes .start in vaudeville here doing song and<br />
of the Pequot, New Haven, as co-chairman,<br />
and Al Pickus, Edward J. Peskay, Leo Schuman<br />
dance routines and impersonations.<br />
his vivid memories is a benefit show<br />
One of<br />
given<br />
and John Perakos assisting. The tickets here for the Theatrical Mechanics Ass'n, in<br />
and testimonials committee consists of which he sang with a quartet. He says an<br />
Harry Rosenblatt, Metro exchange manager, unknown youngster by the name of Al Jolson<br />
and Sam Germaine. Maurice Shulman, Sam stopped that show with his singing of "My<br />
Rosen, Jack Fishman, Leo Ricci, Samuel Rosary."<br />
Bailey, John Pavone and Lou Phillips. On Brown played Fox and Loew time, later<br />
house and building committee Hugh A. Magujre,<br />
RKO office manager and head booker,<br />
joined A. B. Marcus and then the Bob Ott<br />
musical comedy company at the time Ray<br />
serves as chairman, with Tim O'TooIe, Columbia<br />
Bolger was breaking in. For five years Brown<br />
exchange manager, as co-chairman,<br />
was straight man to Mike Sachs in burlesque.<br />
and Jerry Lewis, William J. Hutchins, Frank<br />
After leaving vaudeville he became man-<br />
Meadow, and Morton Katz.<br />
Carl Goe, Warner Bros, exchange manager,<br />
ager of a small resort hotel in Newport,<br />
then joined Confidential Reports. Sam<br />
Cohen and Pete Lavesque, managers of the<br />
B&Q house in Quincy, urged him to get in<br />
touch with circuit headquarters for a permanent<br />
position. Stewart got him just in<br />
time for the world premiere of "The Fugitive"<br />
which opened the Astor. "I needed<br />
somebody with tact, class and diplomacy,"<br />
said Stewart, "and Brownie fits the bill."<br />
Ernest Emerling to Speak<br />
At Newspaper Meeting<br />
SPRINGFIELD—Ernest Emerling of New<br />
York, director of advertising and publicity<br />
of the 139 Loew's theatres in the United<br />
Luncheon and speakers will be in charge States, will speak at the New England Newspaper<br />
Advertising Executives Ass'n conven-<br />
of Dr. J. B. Fishman. head of Fishman Theatres,<br />
as chairman, and Herman M. Levy, tion at the Hotel Kimball here March 9 on<br />
MPTOA counsel, co-chairman, R. W. Davis, -Motion Picture Theatre Advertising." He<br />
John A. Brown, and Milton Hyams. Working<br />
with publicity and trade papers, as well ness, the peculiarities of theatre advertis-<br />
outlined the problems of the picture busi-<br />
as radio are Lou Brown. Loew Poll publicity ing, adherence to advertising code, the matter<br />
of rates and free publicity, how the ad-<br />
chief, as chairman, and Robert F. Kaufmann,<br />
Rudy Frank, James Milne and Franklin Ferguson.<br />
Bylaws will be drafted by Herman M. of keeping amusement pages clean.<br />
vertising dollar is spent and the importance<br />
Levy and Maxwell Alderman, Allied Theatres<br />
of Connecticut secretary, as co-chairmen, 28 years, of which 18 were spent in the New<br />
Emerling has been associated with Loew's<br />
and Sherman Rosenberg. George Comden, York advertising department. Pi-ior to that<br />
and Phil Sherman.<br />
he was city manager and manager in various<br />
The new board of governors, consisting of Loew houses throughout the country.<br />
chairmen of committees and officers of the<br />
club, includes Barney Pitkin, Harry F. Shaw.<br />
Dr. J. B. Fishman, Lou Brown, Herman M.<br />
Boost Theatre Ad Rates<br />
Levy, Maxwell Alderman, Arthur Greenfield,<br />
William Brown, George H. Wilkinson WATERBURY. CONN. — Theatre space<br />
rates jumped on the Republican-American,<br />
morning and evening papers, from $1.95 to<br />
$2.10 an incli as of March 1. following similar<br />
moves in several parts of the state. Only<br />
town to limit use of space because of lack of<br />
newsprint now is Bridgeport, where limit is<br />
20 inches per day, and space is not cumulative.<br />
2,000 Attend Funeral<br />
Oi Fred J. Greene, 46<br />
WOONSOCKET, R. I.—Two thousand<br />
mourners attended the funeral .service of<br />
Fred J. Greene. Woonsocket exhibitor, who<br />
died suddenly Saturday morning, February<br />
21, while at his desk at the Bijou Theatre.<br />
He was 46 years old.<br />
Every theatre owner of Rhode Island was<br />
present at the services, as well as representatives<br />
from the Knights of Columbus, the<br />
Lions, Rotary and other civic and .social organizations.<br />
Many came from Boston's Filmrow.<br />
Friends and exhibitors traveled many<br />
miles to pay silent tribute to "the most beloved<br />
New Englander in show business."<br />
A great civic leader, Greene was responsive<br />
to all worthy cau.ses, using his theatres, the<br />
Park and the Bijou, to further and promote<br />
civic drives, including the Red Cro.ss, Community<br />
Fund, March of Dimes, Cancer Research<br />
and other humanitarian projects<br />
sponsored by the city and by the industry.<br />
At the time of his death he was president of<br />
the Woonsocket Chamber of Commerce, a<br />
director of the Woonsocket Trust Co. and a<br />
director of the Rotary club. He was a past<br />
president of the Lions and was an active<br />
member of Independent Exhibitors. Inc., of<br />
New England and the Independent Theatre<br />
Owners of Rhode Island.<br />
Last year he was presented the "Swell<br />
Guy" award given annually by the Variety<br />
Club of New England.<br />
He was a graduate of Pi-ovidence college<br />
and a director of Hill college of Woonsocket,<br />
a business school. He is survived by his wife,<br />
the former Alice Comior. and three small<br />
children; a sister, who flew from California<br />
for the services; a brother. Gregory Greene,<br />
sports editor of the Woonsocket Call, and<br />
another brother. Leo, captain of the Woonsocket<br />
police, who is seriously ill in a hospital.<br />
Independent Theatre Owners of Rhode Island<br />
had planned to give Greene a huge testimonial<br />
dinner this spring.<br />
Golden Wedding Marked<br />
By Joseph Mekelburgs<br />
BOSTON—A golden wedding anniversary<br />
was celebrated by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph<br />
Mekelburg February 22 when 100 friends attended<br />
a dinner at the Hotel Somerset to<br />
honor the happy couple.<br />
Seated at the anniversary table with the<br />
Mekelburgs were their son Alan, his wife<br />
and daughter, who came on from Portland,<br />
Ore., for the event; their daughter. Mrs. Isaac<br />
Schwartz of New Bedford, her husband and<br />
daughter, and Mr. and Mrs. Louis Josephs.<br />
Josephs, a film salesman for Bay State<br />
Films, was an usher at the wedding 50 years<br />
ago.<br />
Joseph Mekelburg is the manager of the<br />
Roxbury. Roxbury, and has been in the filiiji<br />
business for many years. He has sold film<br />
for Metro. UA. Warner's and other exchanges<br />
and is one of the oldest industryites in point<br />
of service in the territory.<br />
Vote for 'Mom and Dad'<br />
FRANKLIN. N. H.—Tlie mayor and city<br />
council voted in favor of allowing Hygienic<br />
Productions' "Mom and Dad" to be shown at<br />
the Capitol Theatre. The council-mayor<br />
meeting vote followed a preview of the film<br />
by the council.<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
6. 1948<br />
79
. . . From<br />
. . One<br />
. . Mrs.<br />
: March<br />
BOSTON<br />
.<br />
. . Collections<br />
features . . .<br />
At Universal Joe Kelly, fonner booker, has<br />
Qhanges in management at M&P Theatres been shifted to the Maine ten-itoiy as salesman.<br />
include the appointment of Joseph Lourie<br />
He is the son of the late Bill Kelly,<br />
U-I manager who died in 1942. Harold Harris<br />
at the Oriental in Mattapan. He came from the Strand in Dorchester and replaced has been moved from the shipping room to<br />
his brother Albert, who resigned to<br />
replace Kelly in the booking department.<br />
take over<br />
the Adams in Dorchester, which he recently Matt Moriarty. also a booker, is expected to<br />
purchased. Marvin Huban has gone into the go on the road shortly. Ken Mayer, former<br />
Strand from the Codman Square in Dorchester,<br />
Maine salesman, has been given the New<br />
and Louis Kenney has stepped into Hampshire and Vermont sector.<br />
the Codman from the Field's Corner Theatre.<br />
In the latter spot. Saverio Romano is the<br />
Lester Hughes, owner of the Nordica, Freeport,<br />
Me., was recently elected vice-presi-<br />
new manager, coming in from the Upham's<br />
Corner Theatre. Albert Kaye, substitute<br />
dent of the Chamber of Commerce of<br />
manager in District B, is now manager of the Freeport Ethel Germaine, wife of<br />
Regent in Norfolk Downs Harry Germaine, head of Price Premiums<br />
.<br />
here, died at her home following a hospitalization<br />
totaling $216 at the<br />
Strand Theatre in<br />
at the Massachusetts General hos-<br />
Westboro, Mass., were pital. Burial was in New Haven.<br />
recently turned over<br />
Joseph Levine of<br />
by Manager Paul<br />
Embassy Pictures has<br />
acquired<br />
Barker to Postmaster<br />
"My Man Godfrey" for reissue.<br />
''^ f^^MMM Charles H. McDonald,<br />
Embassy also has lined up six Abbott and<br />
comedies and Deanna Durbin<br />
chairman of the March<br />
Costello six<br />
Harry "Zippie" Goldman, partner<br />
of Dimes campaign<br />
committee.<br />
in Embassy, and Mrs. Goldman, left for<br />
Florida spend a month.<br />
to<br />
Mrs. Leona Davidson<br />
is the new bookkeeper<br />
E. M. Loew volunteered to be "host of the<br />
with Film Clas- month" at a Variety Club party March 27 at<br />
Henry Sperling<br />
the club's headquarters in the Hotel Statler.<br />
Central. Manville,<br />
Loew is making arrangements for the entertainment<br />
Paul Barker sic . . .<br />
of the<br />
of members and their guests. This<br />
R. I., bought his young son Albert into<br />
affair will be the first of a series of monthly<br />
the district during the boy's school vacation<br />
the Rifkin circuit comes word of<br />
parties at which a prominent member will<br />
be the host.<br />
the promotion to manager of the Strand,<br />
Springfield, of Michael McAndrew, who received<br />
his training at the Suffolk, Holyoke.<br />
under Paul Kessler . of the largest<br />
turnouts in many months showed up at the<br />
trade screening of Universal's "The Naked<br />
City."<br />
Every seat was taken.<br />
Elinor McKoan, secretary to Samuel Pinanski<br />
of M&P, and Shirley McMillan, secretary<br />
to Marion Coles, spent a week's vacation<br />
in North Conway, N. H., skiing ... In<br />
connection with its national playdate and<br />
sales drive. Screen Guild is conducting a local<br />
campaign honoring BUI Cuddy's 30th anniversary<br />
in the show business drive. Cuddy is a<br />
New England salesman. Al Swerdlove is directing<br />
the drive with Cuddy handling the<br />
METRO PREMIUM CO.<br />
now oflers<br />
BEAUTYWARE PREMIUMS<br />
Gifts of overpowering <strong>Boxoffice</strong> Appeal<br />
47 Church St. Liberty 4088 Boston, Mass.<br />
five New England states and Hymie Levine<br />
in charge of the Connecticut territory.<br />
Western Mass. Collects<br />
$3,837 for Polio Fund<br />
SPRINGFIELD—The March of Dimes fund<br />
received a healthy injection recently when<br />
Harry Smith, representing Western Massachusetts<br />
Theatres, presented to Postmaster<br />
Thomas J. Ashe, county polio chairman, a<br />
check for $3,837.75, a compilation of the<br />
contributions received in the organization's<br />
houses throughout western Massachusetts.<br />
The breakdown of the individual theatre<br />
contributions was as follows:<br />
Paramount in Springfield, $1,153.89;<br />
Broadway in Springfield, $220.05; Rivoli in<br />
Chicopee, $211.94; Bijou in Holyoke, $221.17;<br />
Strand in 'Westfield, $274.95; Victory in<br />
Holyoke, $1,187.36, and Strand in Holyoke,<br />
$568.40.<br />
it umU fUiAf. dio4de4td6, ta cohAmU<br />
Stocked With All<br />
Necessary Repair<br />
and Replacement<br />
Parts for Any<br />
Sound System.<br />
"Ask any<br />
exhibitor using<br />
our service"<br />
Sound-<br />
£nqins.txinc^St<br />
HAROLD DAVIDSON<br />
Will Direct the Score<br />
Emil Newman will direct the musical score<br />
written by Hugo Friedhofer for "Joan of<br />
Arc." This is being made by Sierra Pictures<br />
and released by RKO.<br />
Now<br />
with<br />
Expanding<br />
Additional<br />
personnel to cover<br />
a Larger Service<br />
Area.<br />
Many theatres<br />
under our<br />
maintenance<br />
Committees Named<br />
For Hub Allied Meet<br />
BOSTON—W. Leslie Bendslev and 'Walter<br />
E. Mitchell, chairmen of the 20th anniversary<br />
convention of Independent Exhibitors of New<br />
England, have announced the following committees:<br />
Reservations—W. E. Mitchell. Dominic TurtuiTo<br />
and Joseph Mathieu.<br />
Finances—W. L. Bendslev, Francis Perry,<br />
John Anthony and Ernest Ziu-etti.<br />
Year book—James Guarino, Julian Rifkin<br />
and David Hodgdon.<br />
Display booths—Samuel Resnik, Leonard<br />
Richter and Melvin Safner.<br />
Entertainment—Mrs. Katharine Avery,<br />
Marie Bi-uno, Mrs. M. E. Buckley, Mrs. Rose<br />
Fasano and Mrs. Ella Mills.<br />
Publicity—Leonard Goldberg, Theodore<br />
Rosenblatt and Nonnan Glassman.<br />
Program—Nathan Yamins, Herman Rifkin<br />
and Warren Nichols.<br />
Business meetings—Arthur Howard, Nathan<br />
Yamins and Francis Lydon.<br />
Gifts and prizes—Mam-ice Safner, Julius<br />
Meyer and Henry Sperling.<br />
Committee on attendance—Massachusetts,<br />
Daniel Murphy and Harry Mamas; Vermont,<br />
J. W. Bird, and Andrew Tegu; Maine, Marshall<br />
Carlton and Harold Young; New Hampshire,<br />
Leon Bolduc and George Pike; Rhode<br />
Island, Joseph Carollo and Meyer Stanzler;<br />
Connecticut. Maxwell Alderman and Dr, J. B.<br />
Fishman.<br />
Reservations for both display booths and<br />
hotel accommodations are being received at<br />
Independent Exhibitors offices at 36 Melrose<br />
St. and indications are that a huge gathering<br />
will attend the convention scheduled for<br />
May 4, 5 at Hotel Somerset.<br />
This convention will mark the 20th anniversary<br />
of the foi-ming of the unit, which<br />
has been an active branch of National Allied.<br />
Exhibitors are urged by Ray E. Feeley,<br />
business manager, to send in their requests<br />
for hotel accommodations, as there is a limited<br />
amount of space available at the hotel.<br />
Several outstanding personalities of the<br />
industry and many local civic leaders have<br />
accepted invitations to attend the convention.<br />
Two Ask $80,000 Based<br />
On Falls in Theatres<br />
BRIDGEPORT — In negligence actions<br />
brought in superior court here two complainants<br />
claimed aggregate damages of $80,000<br />
for injuries alleged to have been received<br />
in falls on theatre properties.<br />
Mable G. Hilton, New Canaan, claims damages<br />
of $50,000 against the Playhouse of<br />
New Canaan, Inc., and the Associated Prudential<br />
Theatres, Inc., charging that she sustained<br />
a hip fracture the night of March 21,<br />
1947, when she fell on a step while leaving<br />
the Playhouse by a side exit.<br />
Damages of $30,000 are sought by Margaret<br />
Kocsis of Norwalk against the Connecticut<br />
Theatrical Corp., Hartford, for injuries<br />
claimed to have been received April<br />
8, 1947 in a fall in the Palace. South Norwalk.<br />
Anthony Lokot Named Manager<br />
HARTFORD—Anthony Lokot of Hartford<br />
has been named manager of the Ridgefield<br />
Theatre, Ridgefield. Conn., replacing Eugene<br />
R. Alden who has joined the per.sonnel staff<br />
of Prudential Playhouses.<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
6. 1948
: March<br />
. . . Edwin<br />
. . Henry<br />
. . Mr.<br />
Paramount Promotes<br />
Kane to Division Job<br />
BOSTON—Charles M. Reas<br />
dent in chai-ge of distributuni<br />
Pictures. announced<br />
the promotion of Albert<br />
M. Kane to assistant<br />
division manager<br />
of the eastern division,<br />
making him an<br />
aide to Hugh Owen,<br />
eastern -southern division<br />
manager.<br />
Kane has been dis-<br />
-prt'si<br />
trict manager of the<br />
Boston exchange since<br />
1944. He started with<br />
the company 23 years<br />
Albert M. Kane<br />
ago and has served as<br />
assistant chief accountant, assistant booker,<br />
chief accountant, booking manager, salesman.<br />
sales manager, branch manager and district<br />
manager in that order. Born in Brighton<br />
and now residing in Belmont, he was graduated<br />
from the Brighton high school. Bentley<br />
accounting school and Suffolk law<br />
school. He served with the infantry in World<br />
War I and is a member of the Lieut. Mac-<br />
Auley post. American Legion. His memberships<br />
in other clubs include the Exchange<br />
drives and other industry benefits.<br />
The position taken by Kane is newly created.<br />
As the news of the promotion became<br />
known, hundreds of congratulatoi-y messages<br />
were received by Kane.<br />
Two Germaine Children<br />
Perish in Home Fire<br />
PITTSFIELD, MASS.—Tragedy overtook<br />
Germaine Gei-maine. manager of the Palace<br />
Theatre here, and his wife when two of thei;-<br />
children, age one and three, respectivley,<br />
were burned to death in a fire at the Germaine<br />
home on the outskirts of the city.<br />
Kay Beth, who was one year old the day<br />
to burn rubbish, returned about five<br />
minutes later and found the house in flames.<br />
Benjamin Bates, 30, of Pittsfield, entered<br />
a window of the five-room cottage and carried<br />
the little girl out. He said he also could<br />
hear the boy crying but was unable to<br />
discover where he was.<br />
Kay Beth had a State police inhalatcr<br />
applied to her for more than an hour before<br />
she was pronounced dead.<br />
Three other Germaine children—Eugene,<br />
9, John, 7, and Mark, 5—were in the Palace<br />
with their father attending a Saturday<br />
morning children's show.<br />
Gets Low Car License Number<br />
HARTFORD—Fred Greenway, Palace man<br />
ager, has obtained 1948 license number FHfor<br />
his motor car.<br />
FALL RIVER<br />
pile Embassy here has been leased to the<br />
Rialto Amusement Co, . . . Under the<br />
terms agreed on by William C. Purcell,<br />
builder, the Rialto company takes immediate<br />
possession, with William S. Canning,<br />
general manager of I he Yamins houses here,<br />
in charge. John McAvoy is the manager.<br />
The theatre occupies the site of the former<br />
First Christian church. It is reported it<br />
will be occupied by the New Yorkers, a stock<br />
company, this summer.<br />
A few weeks ago, the management of the<br />
Embassy placed a request blank in the local<br />
newspaper on which it asked theatregoers<br />
to write out the name of a film they had enjoyed<br />
and would like to see again. Tlic<br />
management reported, under the caption cf<br />
"Command Performance," that the public<br />
response was unprecedented. Hundreds of<br />
filled-in blanks were mailed in and the<br />
Embassy office literally was deluged with<br />
telephone requests for favorite films. The<br />
Embassy bookings were canceled and popular<br />
favorites substituted. "The Lost Week-End"<br />
with 862 votes headed the list of productions<br />
Fall Riverites demanded to see again. Others<br />
were "Casablanca," "When Irish Eyes Are<br />
Smiling," "Follow the Fleet" and "Laura."<br />
on the screens.<br />
Mary Quigley has resigned as candy girl<br />
at the Academy to accept another position<br />
Stephenson is the new projectionist<br />
at the Academy, replacing James Garvey<br />
who is now at the Embassy . and<br />
Mrs. Harry Zeitz of the Zeitz Theatres plan<br />
to attend the Variety Club convention in<br />
Miami Beach in April. There they will meet<br />
their son Robert, who will be enjoying a<br />
midterm vacation from the University of<br />
Georgia.<br />
NEWHAMPSHIRE<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
persons who want to attend shows have solved<br />
of the blaze, and Gary, three, were in a<br />
the baby-sitter problem in Sandwich.<br />
cottage-type structure on Pontoosuc Lake<br />
about 11 a. m. when a fire, apparently caused When a minstrel show was staged, a preview<br />
was held, at which girls who were to<br />
by the explosion of an oil heater attached to<br />
the kitchen stove, raced through Mrs.<br />
care for children of couples attending the<br />
it.<br />
regular<br />
Germaine, who had gone to a nearby dump<br />
show the following night, were admitted<br />
free ... A total of $180.70 was collected<br />
at the Somersworth Theatre during<br />
the March of Dimes campaign. In Farmington.<br />
the Strand patrons contributed $160.<br />
John T. Dallas, retired Episcopal bishop<br />
of New Hampshire, has established a "hideout"<br />
home in Lee, where he has a tiny chapel<br />
with hand-worked candles on the altar. The<br />
candles are sent to him every year by Charles<br />
Starrett, Massachusetts-born western film<br />
star, whom the former bishop confirmed in<br />
his boyhood.<br />
Art Rothefel, son of the famous "Roxy" of<br />
New York theatrical fame a generation ago.<br />
has become manager of WFEA in Manchester,<br />
where he formerly was program director<br />
of WKBR . Myers, superintendent<br />
of the Dover Film Corp.. was one of<br />
the speakers at an institute on industrial relations<br />
held in Dover.<br />
Long Holiday Brings<br />
Big Boston Grosses<br />
BOSTON— The long holiday weekend pulled<br />
packed houses in most downtown spots. A<br />
Sunday morning snowstorm seemed an ill<br />
omen but fortunately skies cleared in time<br />
for a good Sunday night and a smash<br />
Monday.<br />
Loew's State and Orpheum held over with<br />
"Three Daring Daughters" and at the Metropolitan<br />
"Saigon" nearly reached the holdover<br />
figure but was replaced the la.st moment<br />
with "Call Northside 777." "Night Song" at<br />
the Memorial, which opened on the holiday,<br />
had a fancy first four days. "The Voice of<br />
the Turtle" at the Paramount and Fenway,<br />
in a moveover from the Met, was also stanch.<br />
At the Astor, where "The Bishop's Wife"<br />
completed its ninth week, business showed<br />
one of the best weekends since its opening.<br />
(Average is 100)<br />
Astor—The Bishop's Wile (RKO), 9lh wk<br />
Bostori— I Love Trouble (Col), plus stage show<br />
Exeter Street—The Upturned Glass (U-I): One of<br />
Our Aircrait Is Missing (SR)<br />
(Tri 2nd<br />
-Night Song (RKO); Fighting Mad<br />
-Saigon (Parr Let's Live Again<br />
(20lh-Fox)<br />
Parornount and Fenwav—The Voice of the<br />
Turtle (WB): The Challenge (2nth Fox)<br />
State and Orpheum—Three Daring Daughters<br />
(MGM); Wreck of the Hesperus (Col)<br />
Timberlane' High With 125<br />
In Good New Haven Stanza<br />
NEW HAVEN—The public school holiday<br />
of a week and good billings brought business<br />
up above several figures for some of the<br />
downtowns. "Gentleman's Agreement" stayed<br />
a third week at the College and "Cass Tim-<br />
L-erlane" went to the Bijou for its second<br />
week instead of in the usual Poli-to-College<br />
pattern. At the Paramount "Saigon" and<br />
"Gas House Kids in Hollywood" also were<br />
second week tenants. Unprecedented lines<br />
waited at the Bijou matinees for "Bambi."<br />
Bijou-Bambi (RKO), reissue; On the Old<br />
Spanish Trail (Rep) 115<br />
College—Gentleman's Agreement (20th-Fox),<br />
Philo Vance's Secret Mission (EL), 2nd wk 110<br />
Loew Poll—Cass Timberlane (MGMl,<br />
Campus Honeymoon (Rep) 12b<br />
Paramount—Saiqon (Para); Gas House Eids in<br />
Hollywood (EL) 110<br />
Roger Sherman—The Voice of the Turtle (WB);<br />
Adventures of Don Coyote (UA) 100<br />
Better Weather Lifts<br />
Grosses at Hartford<br />
HARTFORD—With improved weather, the<br />
first runs took in healthier grosses. Openings<br />
included "Call Northside 777" and "Intrigue."<br />
AUyn—Saigon (Para); Campus Honeymoon<br />
(Rep), 2nd wk 120<br />
E. M, Loews—Relentless (Col); Two Blondes and<br />
a Redhead (Col), 2nd wk 90<br />
Loew's Poll—Call Northside 777 (20th Fox);<br />
Half Past Midnight (20th-rox) 140<br />
Palace—Cass Timberlane (MGM);<br />
Devil Ship (Col), 2nd wk 100<br />
Regal—The Voice of the Turtle (WB), 2nd wk 110<br />
State—Song of the Drifter (Mono),<br />
plus stage show 100<br />
,<br />
Strand-Intrigue (UA); Captain Boycott (U-I) 90<br />
Seek 'Screening' Group<br />
NAUGATUCK. CONN.—Ralph Pa.sho of the<br />
Salem Theatre held an infonnal meeting in<br />
his office with the heads of the Naugatuck<br />
Parent-Teachers Ass'n in response to a suggestion<br />
made by the Rev. Willard B. Soper<br />
of the Congregational chm-ch at a recent<br />
forum that a committee of PTA men and<br />
women and other community groups be organized<br />
for the purpose of ".screening" motion<br />
pictures and other entertainment.<br />
6, 1948 81<br />
130
. . Manager<br />
. . William<br />
. . Fitchburg<br />
. . Helen<br />
. . Two<br />
WORCESTER<br />
IJaroId H. Maloney, manager of Loews Poll,<br />
has installed a "musical bar" on the<br />
mezzanine, from which he plays records of<br />
music from his films . . . With "The Gangster"<br />
playing at the Plymouth unmolested,<br />
the police apparently have dropped their<br />
long-standing ban against gangster pictures.<br />
Thom Conroy of the Playhouse has gone<br />
to Hollywood where he is learning film technique<br />
under Producer Hal Wallis and Director<br />
Anatole Litvak during production of<br />
"Sorry, Wrong Number" .<br />
Walker's<br />
family here received word from her in Hollywood<br />
that she has amicably departed from<br />
20th-Fox becau.se of a disagreement over<br />
terms of a new contract, and will free-lance.<br />
Edward Aseltine has resigned from the<br />
Modern in Marlboro and Bradford Cutler jr.<br />
has joined the theatre . . . A:-t Mooney, the<br />
band leader, was in town . young<br />
men received long prison terms when foimd<br />
guilty of breaking into the Capitol and<br />
stealing a small amount of money. A break<br />
at the Plymouth also was laid to one of<br />
them.<br />
A Sunday Telegraim columnist says, "Lawson<br />
Daniels, manager of the Royal, gets to<br />
look more and more like his dad, Elmer<br />
1 Capitol) Daniels" . Bob Portle<br />
of the Elm Street reports a holdover on "You<br />
Were Meant for Me" . Erwin of<br />
the Playhouse was married in San Gabriel<br />
Mission, Calif., to Frances MacLachlan.<br />
Muiray Guralnick, formerly of the Plymouth,<br />
has joined Gene Krupa's orchestra on<br />
tour . . . Leo Lajoie, manager of the Capitol,<br />
screening "I Walk Alone," observed that three<br />
of the leads played here separately as unknowns.<br />
Bin-t Lancaster was a vaudeville<br />
acrobat, Lizabeth Scott did walkons in<br />
"Hellzapoppin" and Wendell Corey was in<br />
stock.<br />
The Modern in Marlboro has organized a<br />
Booster club among children, awarding 25<br />
free admissions each Saturday and a free<br />
birthday admission . city officials<br />
are endeavoring to obtain a municipal<br />
parking lot in the theatre district . . . The<br />
daddy of all doormen here is Bill Humphrey,<br />
who has been collecting tickets at the Royal<br />
for 26 years.<br />
Robert Drouin has resigned as doorman at<br />
the Marlboro in that city . . . June Raymond,<br />
Worcester showgirl at the Copacabana in<br />
Miami, tiu-ned down a bid from George<br />
Jessel to go to Hollywood for film tests. He<br />
said he was impressed by her similarity to<br />
Amy in "Little Women."
: March<br />
!."!'A"*Ll".t.''!?"<br />
Sold by Max Brock<br />
LAWTON, OKLA.—Max Brock, vice-president<br />
of Theatre Owners of Oklahoma, Inc.,<br />
has sold his interest in the Lawton. Palace,<br />
Dome and Murray theatres here to Mrs.<br />
Margaret Day who owned the other half interest<br />
in the operations. Brock retained his<br />
half interest in the theatre properties.<br />
Mrs. Day pm-chased Brock's half interest<br />
in the houses for herself and her grand,son,<br />
Joe Tiu-ner, and she is expected to return<br />
to active participation in the operations<br />
with Turner. She retired about two years<br />
ago, letting her grandson assume her interest.<br />
Brock started in the show business 23<br />
years ago as a salesman of short subjects.<br />
He quit and went into partnership with<br />
Harry Williams and Mrs. Day. When Williams<br />
retired a few years ago, he sold to<br />
Brock, giving the latter half interest.<br />
The four houses have a total of about<br />
4,000 seats.<br />
Brock, within the next few weeks, is opening<br />
a community center theatre, named the<br />
Vaska. The theatre, surrounded by business<br />
rental space, is of a very modern structm-e.<br />
Brock also has various other realty interests,<br />
but the Vaska will be his only theatre<br />
interest. Max Brock jr. will manage this<br />
new house when it opens. Brock sr. also devotes<br />
much of his time the development<br />
to<br />
of stock on his large ranch near Lawton.<br />
Plan New Orleans Bow<br />
Of 'Mom and Dad' Soon<br />
NEW ORLEANS—Kroger Babb, president<br />
of Hygienic Productions, producer-distributor<br />
of "Mom and Dad," stopped here for<br />
conferences with the Joy Houck circuit, arranging<br />
an early date for the film's first run<br />
in New Orleans. "Mom and Dad" recently<br />
won a district court decision here and was<br />
given a "green light" for local exhibition.<br />
Babb stopped here, en route to his Wilmington,<br />
Ohio, offices, coming up by plane<br />
from Mexico City. He was completing a<br />
four-week trip which carried him through<br />
southern states, Cuba, Argentina, Brazil,<br />
Colombia, 'Venezuela and other South American<br />
coimtries. Jack Lament of Mexico City,<br />
who Is in charge of "Mom and Dad" distribution<br />
in Mexico, South and Latin America,<br />
accompanied the Ohio showman on the<br />
southern part of his trip.<br />
Babb said Hygienic's next production, an<br />
alcohol story, "One Too Many," was now in<br />
its final draft and would be ready for<br />
Hollywood production in a few weeks.<br />
Griffith Circuit Lights Up<br />
Theatre in Kermit, N. M.<br />
KERMIT, N. M.—The Kermit Theatre,<br />
newest unit in the Griffith circuit, opened<br />
here February 17 with the showing of "Tycoon."<br />
Opening of the theatre culminated<br />
long efforts of the Chamber of Commerce to<br />
bring a theatre to town. Kenneth Blackledge<br />
of Lubbock, Tex., district manager for<br />
Griffith Theatres, was here for the premiere<br />
showing. The house is being managed by<br />
Tom Moorehead. It is built of masonry,<br />
has acoustical plaster in the auditorium, a<br />
tile lounge and rest rooms, and smoking and<br />
cry rooms, and has completely new equipment.<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
Small Town Clearance<br />
Is Issue in Teague Case<br />
DALLAS—The first theatre arbitration<br />
hearing here in two years was completed in<br />
three and one-half hours Friday last week<br />
1 27 1 in the AAA office in the Texas State<br />
Bank Bldg.<br />
W. B. "Bill" Henderson, operator of the<br />
Lee in Teague. asked for a reduction of his<br />
60-day second run availability and for a division<br />
of first run pictures. He named the<br />
J. G. Long circuit, operating the Star Theatre,<br />
as interested party. Henderson's complaint<br />
was brought against the Big Five exchanges.<br />
Paramount. MGM, Warners, 20th<br />
Century-Fox and RKO.<br />
Webster Atwell, the arbiter, is a son of<br />
federal Judge William H. Atwell, who this<br />
week was hearing the B. R. McLendon damage<br />
suit against two circuits and several distributors.<br />
Only one attorney appeared at the Henderson<br />
hearing. R. E. Nickerson of New York,<br />
who came here to represent 20th-'Fox at the<br />
McLendon trial, killed two birds on the trip<br />
by appearing at the Henderson arbitration.<br />
Other representatives were Leroy Bickel, manager<br />
of the MGM exchange: H. L. Beecroft,<br />
manager for 20th-Fox: Roy Litsey, office<br />
manager at Warners, and Douglas Detsch, office<br />
manager at RKO.<br />
Paramount effected an agreement with<br />
Henderson in advance of the hearing and,<br />
with all parties agreeing, the arbiter dropped<br />
this case.<br />
Henderson said that shortly after he opened<br />
the Lee early last year 'he began to feel "the<br />
pressure." He said Long's Star was charging<br />
40 and 10 cents and that he was charging<br />
35 and 10. He recited a continuous program<br />
of price cuts by the Star, showing of top<br />
films on double bills, use of lotteries at the<br />
Star which the county attorney stopped, and<br />
numerous other practices he claimed were<br />
unfair.<br />
IS<br />
Henderson said he was forced to reduce<br />
admission prices, and later, in order to obtain<br />
any top product at all, he was obliged<br />
to accept a distributor suggestion that he<br />
bid for pictures, though he opposed this practice.<br />
As a result MGM sold ten pictures to<br />
Henderson while 14 went to the Star, but<br />
he received practically no first runs from<br />
20th-Pox and RKO, all going to the Star.<br />
He said Warners sold him a number of second<br />
run films but declined to offer first runs<br />
on a bidding plan.<br />
Henderson said 60-day clearance on second<br />
run was too long and thought 14 days<br />
would be fair. He submitted newspaper ads<br />
by the Star and other exhibits in support<br />
of all claims.<br />
Photographs were offered to show the Lee<br />
was the best equipped, appointed and best<br />
operated house of the two, and this was supported<br />
by a petition signed by local citizens.<br />
The petition asked the film companies to<br />
supply pictiu-es to the Lee in keeping with its<br />
first class operation. It bore between 400<br />
and 500 names.<br />
Bickel testified MGM sold films to the Lee<br />
with no clearance, and asked that the chai-ges<br />
against MGM be dropped. The arbiter and<br />
Henderson agreed to exciLse -MGM on clearance<br />
but held the company on availability.<br />
Nickerson of 20th-Fox said the arbiter was<br />
empowered to change the 60 days clearance<br />
if he saw fit, but that he had no right to<br />
consider product division<br />
as the Lee was not<br />
in existence when the decree became effective.<br />
Beecroft said 20th-Fox offered Henderson the<br />
opportunity to bid on its pictm-es. He insisted<br />
the print question would make it poor business<br />
to allow shorter clearance in Teague;<br />
that the Teague clearance was similar to<br />
that in other tovras of its size. Detsch of<br />
Warners said Long was the established satisfactory<br />
customer.<br />
PROJECTION and<br />
SOUND EQUIPMENT<br />
STANDARD THE WORLD OVER<br />
for<br />
DRIVE-INS as well as the REGULAR INDOOR<br />
THEATRES<br />
SOUTHWESTERN THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO.<br />
2010 Jackson St.<br />
DALLAS 1, TEXAS<br />
Tel: Central 8579<br />
6, 1948 SW<br />
1416 Main St.<br />
HOUSTON 2, TEXAS<br />
Tel: Capitol 9906
, .<br />
. .<br />
: March<br />
OKLAHOMA CITY<br />
tlenry S. Grlffing, executive vice-president<br />
of Griffith Theatres, was renamed to the<br />
board of trustees for Casady Hall, new Oklahoma<br />
City country day school for junior<br />
high schools boys and girls, which opened<br />
last autumn under the sponsorship of the<br />
Oklahoma Protestant Episcopal church.<br />
Business in local theatres was generally<br />
better since the snowstorms . . . John Monroe,<br />
Griffith manager at Cuero, Tex., has<br />
been re-elected secretary-treasurer for the<br />
second year of the Cuero Youth program .<br />
Abe Rosewall, Griffith manager, Vinita, has<br />
been named chairman of the planning committee<br />
for the Craig county Red Cross chap-<br />
The John Monroes of Cuero, Tex,, are parents<br />
of a daughter born February 25 . . ,<br />
Morgan Duval of Duncan was chairman of<br />
the fund drive for the Boy Scouts . , . Joe<br />
Delorio, manager at Mangum, celebrated his<br />
birthday recently.<br />
Alec Templeton will appear in a solo concert<br />
at the Municipal auditorium on March<br />
7 . . . Diana Barrymore was here two days as<br />
///an^M~The Popcorn<br />
Machine<br />
That Serves EVERYBODY EVERYDAY<br />
iP^<br />
(IIITIKKII!<br />
302 S. Harwood St.<br />
m Wcarner<br />
\I)iinsional<br />
Managers<br />
Dallas, Texas C-753G & R-3854<br />
THEATRE<br />
EQIIPJIE^T<br />
Theatre supply dealers:<br />
Write, wire or call for<br />
complete information<br />
OUR BUSINESS IS<br />
SERVICE<br />
We can supply a<br />
underground cable<br />
qualily at a price that is right.<br />
IIIIIVE-I^ TIIEATIIE<br />
MMIIFAITIIKI^Ii (III.<br />
2017 Grand Avenue<br />
Kansas City. Missouri .<br />
HArrison 8077<br />
It is our business to see that your business runs smootlily<br />
... at least where operation of equipment is concerned!<br />
A top crew of trained repairmen are at your service .<br />
and a complete supply of theatre necessities is on hand<br />
at all times.<br />
Call us whenever you nee'd speedy service or supplies<br />
of any kind!<br />
OKLflHOmn THEflfRE SUPPLV<br />
J. BLOON PEEK<br />
Telephone 7-8691<br />
62S West Grand A»f<br />
City 2,<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
6, 1948
. . . Mary<br />
. . . The<br />
. . Screen<br />
the star of "Joan of Lorraine" at the Home<br />
Theatre. The Criterion March 1 started an<br />
added feature, an organ concert and community<br />
sing program at 6:15 nightly with<br />
Dean Murdock at the organ and Don Este.s<br />
leading the singing. Dee Fuller is manager<br />
Martin will be here in "Annie Get<br />
Your Gun" for five days starting April ?"<br />
Midwest has moved its opening tim,j<br />
up one hour, to 10:45 a. m.<br />
C. F. Hudson, manager of the May Theatre<br />
here, has replaced Taylor Jouce as manager<br />
of the Chickasha Griffith operations.<br />
Jouce resigned. A manager for the May here<br />
will be named later. Other Griffith changes<br />
include the transfer of Cecil Hudson, former<br />
assistant at Pampa, Tex., to the management<br />
of the Rialto in Oklahoma City. He<br />
succeeded Wesley White who resigned. Gilbert<br />
Rounsaville, assistant at Okmulgee, was<br />
transferred to Bartlesville to be Manager<br />
Bill<br />
Turk's assistant.<br />
Lawrence Wells, assistant manager for<br />
Griffith in Vinita, will be in charge of the<br />
Hobart situation for a few weeks while C. B.<br />
Akers, partner-manager, is on leave of absence<br />
. bills: "Three Daring Daughters"<br />
opened Tuesday (2) at the Criterion;<br />
"Relentless" opened the following day at the<br />
Center; "The Voice of the Turtle" moved<br />
into the Midwest on Wednesday; "Panhandle"<br />
started at the Warner on Thursday "Treasure<br />
of Sierra Madre" went on the screen at the<br />
Home on Wednesday.<br />
f—<br />
I<br />
Charles W. "BiU" Weaver, son of C. H.<br />
"Buck" Weaver, Paramount branch manager,<br />
was graduated from the University of<br />
Texas last month and is now an announcer<br />
! MR.<br />
1<br />
for radio station KEYS in Corpus Christi,<br />
Tex. Young Weaver attended North Texas<br />
Agriculture college for two years and spent<br />
a year and a half at the Pasadena Playhouse<br />
in California before going into service.<br />
He spent two years in Africa and<br />
France, and on his return to this country<br />
attended Southern Methodist university for<br />
a time before transferring to Texas U. He<br />
is married and has a child . . . "Buck"<br />
Weaver jr., another son of the Pai'amount<br />
manager, is in Will Rogers veterans hospital<br />
here with a case of arthritis. He was manager<br />
of the Odom Drive-In last year and<br />
hopes to be able to get back on the job for<br />
the<br />
new season.<br />
The Vic, a C&R operation, has gone back<br />
to a double bill policy after another try at<br />
English pictures. This change in policy was<br />
made the weekend of February 21 . . . The<br />
Uptown has a new, large graded parking lot<br />
adjoining the theatre block for its patrons.<br />
Republic Executives Close<br />
Deals With Three Circuits<br />
DALLAS — James R. Grainger, executive<br />
vice-president of Republic, and W. L. Titus<br />
jr., southern division manager, were here from<br />
New York to assist N. G. Colquhoun in closing<br />
three of the principal circuits. After several<br />
days of joint sales work, it turned out that<br />
Jefferson Amusement Co., Robb & Rowley<br />
Theatres and the J. G. Long circuit will play<br />
Republic's 1947-48 product in all of their<br />
towns. Grainger left for the west coast and<br />
Titus returned to New York.<br />
EXHIBITOR:<br />
200 Exhibitors Guests<br />
Oill-I Dallas Office<br />
DALLAS - J. A. "Jimmie" Prltchard,<br />
branch manager for Universal-International,<br />
celebrated Dallas' lead in the nationwide<br />
Constellation drive by hosting 200 theatremen<br />
of this area at an old-fashioned feast In<br />
a meeting hall off Gaston avenue.<br />
Many of the circuit men from the top<br />
dowfi and some independents met with the<br />
genial U-I manager and F. T. Murry of New<br />
York, who is in charge of exchange operations.<br />
A wide variety of food and refreshments<br />
were distributed under supervision of<br />
Office Manager Walter Armbruster, who<br />
seemed to have acquired the know-how for<br />
such things when he was a first lieutenant<br />
in the army.<br />
The drive ends May 1 and Dallas seems<br />
to be in a good position for taking first prize.<br />
Pritchard was transferred here from Oklahoma<br />
City over a year ago to succeed E. S.<br />
"Dutch" Olsmith, who is on sick leave. The<br />
new manager, with years of experience in<br />
other places, fitted into the changed scheme<br />
of things readily, as is indicated by his firstplace<br />
standing in the drive.<br />
SELL YOUR THEATRE PRIVATELY<br />
Your Deal Handled PersonallT]<br />
27 years experience<br />
We Cover the U. S. Market<br />
Arthur Leak<br />
Theatre Sales Exclusively<br />
3422 Kinmore Dallas 10, Texas<br />
Phone T3-2026
Pre-Easter Drop Hits<br />
First Runs in Dallas<br />
DALLAS—The expected pre-Easter slump<br />
was felt at all downtown first runs with only<br />
one picture doing an average business. No<br />
other reason but Lenten observance was given<br />
for the slump.<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Cupilol—Billy the Kid Outlawed (EL); Biol Squod<br />
-<br />
Gamble (Col); False Colors (UA), reissue 75<br />
Majestic— 1 Walk Alone (Fara) ii<br />
100<br />
Mfrlba—Tycoon (RKO), 2nd wk<br />
90<br />
Indiscreet (U-L) Palace—The Senator Was<br />
Rialtc^-Public Cowboy No. 1 (Hep); Woman From<br />
Tangier (Col); split with A Gentleman After<br />
Dark (EL); South of Pago Pago (EL, reissues... 90<br />
Telenews— Intermezzo (ShO) 8b<br />
Tower—Love From a Stranger (EL) 75<br />
National Screen Conducts<br />
Sales Session in Dallas<br />
DALLAS—A National Screen Service regional<br />
sales meeting was conducted here by<br />
Herman Robbins, president; George F. Dembow,<br />
vice-president in charge of sales, and<br />
William B. Brenner, vice-president in charge<br />
of service, who arrived from New Yorli.<br />
Burton E. Robbins, son of the president, and<br />
attached to the home office, accompanied<br />
that group.<br />
Others here were district managers Bernard<br />
Wolfe, of the west coast, and Charles<br />
Lester of Atlanta, and branch managers<br />
Ben Ashe, Los Angeles; Jack Marpole, San<br />
Francisco; Jack Flannery, Seattle; Fred Weiman,<br />
Salt Lake; Gilbert Clark, Oklahoma<br />
City; Al Rosenthal, Memphis; J. L. Boyer,<br />
New Orleans, and F. W. "Doc" Allen, Dallas.<br />
One evening's entertainment was provided<br />
at the Cipango club, and all meetings were<br />
held in an exclusive suite at the DaUas Athletic<br />
club. Hotel accommodations were not<br />
to be had but Robbins and Dembow were<br />
fortunate in obtaining an oil millionaire's<br />
suite at the club for two nights.<br />
After discussing the new sales plans and<br />
ideas, Robbins indicated he was sniffing a<br />
favorite food odor and remembered he always<br />
ate barbecue sandwiches while visiting<br />
Filmrow. He then remembered he always<br />
Shoemaker's barbecue stand on Jackson<br />
visited<br />
street. He took the whole group to<br />
Shoe's new place on Young street for 50<br />
sandwiches.<br />
SELL YOUR THEATRE PRIVATELY<br />
Your Deal Handled Personally<br />
27 years experience<br />
We cover the U. S. Market<br />
Arthur Leak<br />
Theatre Sales Exclusively<br />
"<br />
' '<br />
3422 Kinmo<br />
THEATRE SEAT<br />
Metro's "Words and Music"<br />
Metro has assigned Dave Friedman to be<br />
unit manager on "Words and Music" and<br />
Robert Webb for casting director.
. .<br />
. .<br />
Big Amarillo Doings<br />
For 'Panhandle' Bow<br />
AMARILLO. TEX.— Amarillo turned out .1<br />
huge crowd Wednesday night for the world<br />
premiere of the Allied Artists picture, "Panhandle."<br />
at the Paramount.<br />
Steve Broidy. president of Monogram and<br />
Allied Artists, arrived with stars of the film-<br />
Rod Cameron, Gale Storm, Roddy McDowall.<br />
Max Terhune. and Producer J. C. Champion.<br />
William O'Donnell. Frank Starz aiid Conrad<br />
Brady from Interstate circuit headquarters<br />
in Dallas participated and Lloyd Rust and<br />
Ed Blumenthal of the Monogram exchange<br />
also came in from Dallas.<br />
A junior cowboy contest, a west Texas<br />
barbecue at the Herring hotel, a band from<br />
the Amarillo college, police escorts, and presence<br />
of city officials added color to the premiere<br />
festivity. Jack King, Interstate city<br />
manager, made the arrangements.<br />
The Dallas visitors left next day to be on<br />
hand for the opening at the Majestic there,<br />
which preceded key city showings in other<br />
Texas cities.<br />
DALLAS<br />
IJoward Hiegcl, manager of the Avon Theatre<br />
was absent from that job during<br />
last illness and burial of his grandfather,<br />
the<br />
Joseph L. Hiegel. A partner,<br />
Frank<br />
Merrill, ran the house in his absence .<br />
Ed Euler, employe of Southwestern Theatre<br />
Equipment Co., flew around in off hours in<br />
a private plane looking for his airport. He<br />
finally located it. He has been flying since<br />
his recent discharge from the army.<br />
B. A. Weller, who put in the first independent<br />
theatre at Brownwood since sound<br />
came along, the Texas, was here taking care<br />
of his house requirements for some time to<br />
come. He rarely makes the long trip here,<br />
preferring to make his deals with film and<br />
equipment men who travel . . . Debbs Hale,<br />
Jefferson Amusement Co. booker, had his<br />
appendix removed and was sent home in the<br />
modern manner even before this notice could<br />
be printed.<br />
George Mitchell, v/ho has worked for the<br />
Eddie Joseph Theatres in Austin for some<br />
time, was here on vacation after ending that<br />
connection. He plans to rest up for some<br />
time before taking another assignment .<br />
Wallace Blankenship, who operates the Panhandle<br />
circuit, with headquarters in Lubbock,<br />
was in town on retui-n home from a long<br />
rest in Houston. New Orleans and Miami.<br />
Mrs. Peggy Harris, a National Theatre<br />
Supply secretary for seven years on February<br />
24, is said to hold a record among<br />
women of that office for continuous service.<br />
She was secretary to the late J. I.<br />
who gave her the job.<br />
Roberts,<br />
John Franconl returned from Kansas City,<br />
where he attended a banquet marking the retirement<br />
of three old acquaintances, O. K.<br />
Mason, vice-president of the Commonwealth<br />
circuit; Ward E. Scott, 20th-Fox district<br />
manager, and Ray M. Copeland, Paramount<br />
branch manager. Franconi served in the<br />
Kansas City territory during his long film<br />
career.<br />
REMOOELING-DECORATING<br />
LUPE<br />
ROMERO<br />
Lafayetis DALLAS 4. TEX. T-0060<br />
Westerns-Features-Serials<br />
Tower Pictures Co<br />
HAHOLD SCHWAHZ<br />
302I/t 3. Haiweod St. C—T3»7<br />
DALLAS 1. TEXAS<br />
THE NEW<br />
New York Debut<br />
ready to serve you.<br />
'NEW Send your<br />
YORK meni traUer order to rUmack . .<br />
PHONE and sec why oxhibilors all over<br />
PLAZA the country gel their trailers<br />
7-3809 boa as.<br />
NIW YORK<br />
,<br />
245 WIST<br />
55 STRirr<br />
iriLMacKf<br />
.<br />
JOSEPHINE THEATRE. San Antonio. Texas<br />
CINE PLAZA THEATRE (2.500 seats). Juarez, Mexico<br />
TOWER THEATRE. Itasca. Texas<br />
QUEEN THEATRE. Mart. Texas<br />
VILLAGE THEATRE. Greggton. Texas<br />
DRIVE-IN SAN PEDRO. San Antonio. Texas<br />
CHANGE OF OLD TO NEW<br />
MISSION THEATRE. Dalhart. Texas<br />
PALACE THEATRE. Childress. Texas<br />
MELBA THEATRE. Dallas. Texas<br />
PLAZA THEATRE. Boerne. Texas<br />
MoTioGRAPH<br />
ALL OPEN WITH THE NEW<br />
A A Projectors<br />
MiRROPHONic Sound Systems<br />
Watch This List Grow!<br />
YOU WILL KNOW THE ANSWER WHEN YOU SEE<br />
THIS REVOLUTIONARY COMPLETELY NEW PROJECTOR<br />
NOW ON DISPLAY ON OUR FLOOR . . . COME IN AND SEE<br />
DISTRIBUTED<br />
BY<br />
ODERn THEATRE<br />
m EQUIPmEHT CO.<br />
214 South St. Paul Street Phone Riverside 5009 Dallas 1, Texas<br />
Lot<br />
BOXOFFICE : : March 6, 1948
: March<br />
|/,i<br />
Housfon Tent Preparing to Select<br />
Charitable Project to Support<br />
ities, R. J. O'Donneil, national chief barker<br />
and Col. William McGraw, executive director,<br />
outlined charitable activities being carried<br />
on by the Dallas tent and by tents over<br />
the nation.<br />
"Look about you," O'Donneil said, "there<br />
are opportunities everywhere to lend a helping<br />
hand to some underprivileged children.<br />
You will find the truest measure of personal<br />
happiness in giving from the heart."<br />
The state tent now supports the Copperas<br />
Grove Boys Ranch and aids in supporting another.<br />
I<br />
John Paul Goodwin, chief barker of the Houston branch of the Variety Club of<br />
Texas, oversees two young women from Houston as they pin floral boutonnieres on two<br />
members of the Dallas tent before they attend the special "side show" presented for<br />
the visiting Dallas barkers by the Houston branch. Left to right: Goodwin, Val<br />
Flower, "Doc" Allen of Dallas. Henrietta Hilscher and Chief Barker Julius Schepps<br />
of<br />
Dallas.<br />
HOUSTON—The Houston Variety Club ii<br />
studying several charitable projects from<br />
which it will chose one for sponsorship. The<br />
135 members already are planning to give<br />
a benefit show featuring motion picture and<br />
radio entertainers to raise funds for the<br />
project.<br />
This was disclosed by Chief Barker John<br />
Paul Goodwin at the two-day meeting here<br />
of barkers of the local tent and the Variety<br />
Club of Texas, of which the Houston club<br />
is a branch.<br />
The visit of the Dallas delegation marked<br />
the formal opening of the Houston club's new<br />
quarters in the Texas State hotel. At a banquet<br />
in the Rice hotel climaxing the festiv-<br />
NEW ORLEANS<br />
pill Shields, salesman for RKO, has been<br />
appointed local manager tor Selznick Releasing<br />
Organization . . . Joseph Beregi,<br />
Emery C. Beregi and Nicholas L. Erdey, operators<br />
of the Fox Theatre, Livingston, La.,<br />
were Pilmrow visitors. Booking for this<br />
house is handled by Broggi Booking Co.<br />
Wednesd,ay (25)<br />
was quite an eventful day<br />
in the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Auslet of<br />
Dixie Films. On that day Mrs. Auslet celebrated<br />
her birthday, and she and Mr. Auslet<br />
celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.<br />
The Auslets were guests at a surprise party<br />
arranged by personnel of Dixie Films, and<br />
attended by the entire third floor of the Film<br />
Bldg. and a number of persons from other<br />
offices on the Row. Cecile Robbins, head<br />
inspector, composed a poem for the occasion<br />
. . . Mr. and Mrs. Auslet were called to Tliibo-<br />
Griggs<br />
Seating<br />
Is<br />
Better!<br />
Illustrated is Model<br />
IGMBW — newest<br />
member of the<br />
Griggs line of comfortable<br />
theatre seats. This chair may be<br />
had in any one of several color schemes<br />
and with a choice of end designs.<br />
There's a dealer near you-<br />
Write today for full details.<br />
GRIGGS C^cj^ulpment Compani^ BOX 630 BELTON, TEXAS<br />
MANUFACTURERS OF COMFORTABLE SEATING FOR ALL OCCASIONS<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
;<br />
6, 1948<br />
i
. . . Exhibitors<br />
. . Joy<br />
: March<br />
. .<br />
daux. La., by the death of their aunt, Mrs.<br />
Paul Auslet.<br />
A tradescreening of "The Miracle of the<br />
Bells" was held at the Circle March 1 . . .<br />
The Nila in New Iberia, operated by Lee<br />
Fung, did not close on March 1 as previously<br />
announced it would. Due to a revision of<br />
plan, the theatre will continue to operate as<br />
before . . . Mississippi exhibitors on the Rowlast<br />
week included Arthur Lehman, who with<br />
his brother was here from Jackson, and Pic<br />
Moseley, from Picayune . . . Out-of-town<br />
Louisiana exhibitors in town were T. L. Mc-<br />
Elroy, Shreveport; Roy L. Saxon, Franklinton;<br />
Roy Pfeiffer, Baton Rouge; Don George.<br />
Alexandria, and Phillip and Warren Salles,<br />
Covington.<br />
Visitors to the local Altec office were C. J.<br />
Zern and George Wiltse of the Dallas office<br />
Poster Service has an elaborate<br />
new sign above its entrance . . . Bill<br />
Cobb. EPS president was on a trip through<br />
the territory this week.<br />
Filmrow visitors included George French,<br />
Mendenhall, Miss.; A. W. Vowell, Taylorsville,<br />
Miss.; Bill Jenkins, De Ridder, La.; W. Morehead,<br />
Dlo, Miss.; and J. O'Quinn, Welsh, La.<br />
. . . Jack Pope of the Joy circuit was a visitor<br />
from Rayville, La. . . . Leon Felder, Altec<br />
sound engineer, returned from Alexandria,<br />
La . Houck. president and general manager<br />
of the Joy circuit, returned from a business<br />
trip to Texas.<br />
Bob KeUy, Screen Guild, left for Slidell,<br />
La., and a trip through eastern Louisiana . . .<br />
HOUSTON<br />
Y'le Tower Theatre wa.s reopened at 6:30<br />
p. m. Febi-uary 27 after a complete job<br />
of remodeling and renovation. The cost, said<br />
Manager Russel Rindy, was $50,000. The<br />
opening attraction was "Killer McCoy" .<br />
Ralph T. Dodge, manager of the Uptown, has<br />
opened the Nut Hut. an auxiliary nut and<br />
popcorn stand, featuring all kinds of nuts,<br />
popcorn, apples, etc. . . . Al Lever, city manager<br />
for Interstate Theatres, has announced<br />
that "Harvey," Mary Chase's Pulitzer prizewinning<br />
comedy, will be brought to Houston<br />
for five performances at the Music Hall April<br />
8-10. Joe E. Brown will play the starring<br />
role.<br />
F. M. Fletcher, manager of the Iris, reports<br />
Frankie Mota is back with the theatre as<br />
chief of staff. Before entering the service,<br />
Frankie was with the Iris for 11 years. He<br />
recently returned from overseas duty . . . The<br />
concert of Ezio Pinza, bass baritone of the<br />
Metropolitan Opera, was regarded as an outstanding<br />
vocal event of the cm-rent season.<br />
Other celebrities due this month are Nelson<br />
Eddy at the City Auditorium March 11 and<br />
James Melton March 18 . . . Anne Edwards.<br />
Houston singer and actress, has signed a contract<br />
with the Indianapolis Theatre Ass'n.<br />
Inc.. to play leading roles in forthcoming<br />
operetta productions.<br />
Ben Donaldson, west Texas showman, has<br />
returned to his home state after ten years<br />
in Kansas. He resigned late last<br />
manager of the Star Theatre, owned by W. A.<br />
Snell and F. L. Lane at Hays, Kas. Last<br />
September he came to Galnsville. Tex., as<br />
manager of the L. C. Dennis theatre and In<br />
December was tran-sferred to Houston. He<br />
is now manager of the Avalon of O. K.<br />
Theatres.<br />
WE PREFER<br />
That you investigate thoroughly the<br />
character ol any Premium Concern olfering<br />
to solicit your neighborhood mer<br />
chants on giveaways.<br />
Too bad we have to make this suggestion.<br />
NATIONAL THEATRE ADVERTISING CO.<br />
Max 4 loe Berenson<br />
1325 S. Wabash Ave. Chicago S, 111.<br />
15 Years of Successful Operation<br />
Speed-O-Bikes * Radio Phonograph<br />
Combinations * 3-Pc. Luggage Sets<br />
Bicycles * Hobby Horses and Other<br />
Items at No Cost to the Exhibitor.<br />
WnUe fjO^<br />
PoAticula/ii<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
6, 1948
. . Gordon<br />
, BOXOFFICE<br />
: March<br />
. .<br />
. .<br />
SAN A N T O N I<br />
pirst runs: •'High Wall" at the Aztec, "The<br />
Bishop's Wife" at the Majestic, "Swell Guy"<br />
at the Empire and "The Perfect Marriage"<br />
at the Texas .<br />
Dunlap, manager<br />
here for Clasa-Mohme. has been appointed<br />
a subcommittee chairman by the Chamber<br />
of Commerce to handle Latin-American news<br />
for<br />
publications.<br />
A free kiddy show was offered Saturday<br />
morning at the Majestic in which the Drome<br />
miniature racing car was demonstrated on<br />
the stag in a tieup with the Evening News<br />
O<br />
and Morning Express. The program included<br />
"Sunset Pass," and a cartoon . . .<br />
Little Thomas Ritter made his first stage<br />
appearance here recently when his father<br />
Tex, the western film star, carried him out<br />
and introduced the infant to the audience<br />
at the Texas.<br />
W. D. Glasscock has changed the name of<br />
his Cascade in Boerne to the Plaza. Located<br />
30 miles from here the house recently installed<br />
new Motiograph projectors and sound.<br />
Henry Sorenson of Modern Theatre Equipment<br />
Co., Dallas, made the installation.<br />
Exhibitors in town to book Mexican pic-<br />
tures were John Flache, Alameda, Lamesa,<br />
and W. W. Youngblood, Texas, Poth<br />
R. A. Calderon, secretary-treasurer of<br />
Azteca Films, Los Angeles, has returned to<br />
Jewel<br />
the west coast headquarters<br />
Truex, former assistant manager for Clasa-<br />
Mohme here, has been appointed manager<br />
of the Azteca POm exchange here. He succeeds<br />
the late<br />
Albert Coppel.<br />
Dave Younger, Brownsville, was in town<br />
booking Spanish product. Jimmy Wakely of<br />
Hollywood was in town for the premiere of<br />
"Panhandle" at the Majestic . . . Ai-nulfo<br />
here, was in<br />
Arias, Azteca representative<br />
Weslaco on business last week. J. Truex,<br />
new office manager for the same company,<br />
has returned from a business trip to Los<br />
Angeles.<br />
"DID YOU KNOW"<br />
. . . that we can rebuild your Simplex mechanisms completely and like new<br />
for approximately $250. This work is done by an A-1 mechanic, Mr. Otto<br />
Aiken, formerly with Interstate for 17 years. He knows his business! All<br />
work is guaranteed. We use Century, La Vezzi and Wenzel. not genuine<br />
Simplex parts—but we consider them better, and if they did not give satisfaction,<br />
we could not afford to guarantee them. We will furnish a loan<br />
mechanism, and handle the job on a contract basis, if<br />
Write. Call or<br />
Telephone!<br />
desired.<br />
HARDIN THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO.<br />
All Kinds of Theatre Equipment<br />
714 South Hampton Road M-2235 Dallas, Texas<br />
Wenzel Pro 4 Projection Machines<br />
Syncrofilm Synchro Dynamic Combination Projector<br />
and Sound Mechanism<br />
Speaker Systems<br />
STRONG LAMPS AND<br />
RECTIFIERS<br />
LAMPHOUSE PARTS<br />
Strong and feerless<br />
REFLECTORS lor<br />
• SYNCROFaM SERIES 400 and MODEL E<br />
Western Electric Licensed Sound Equipments<br />
Complete with Single and Double Amplification<br />
and Crossover Net Work.<br />
WASHED AIR COOLING UNITS & BLOWERS<br />
WENZEL 18 INCH UPPER & LOWER MAGAZINES<br />
PROJECTOR PARTS<br />
GOLDBERG REELS<br />
For Powers and Simplex FILM SPLICERS<br />
STAB POP CORN<br />
WESTINGHOUSE<br />
MACHINES and Parts<br />
Rectigon Bulbs<br />
COMPLETE PROJECTION EXCITER LAMPS<br />
and Sound Equipments PHOTO ELECTRIC<br />
TICKET MACHINES<br />
EXTINGUISHERS<br />
FIRE<br />
Series I and II,<br />
Strong, Peerless,<br />
Mazda and<br />
CELLS<br />
Others<br />
NATIONAL CARBONS<br />
For Type Lamps<br />
TICKET BOXES<br />
THUMB TACKS<br />
All<br />
SNAPLITE COATED LENSES AUTOMATIC AND HAND PERFUMES and Deodorants<br />
Rewinds<br />
EXIT LIGHTS<br />
FILM TABLES<br />
RECORD LEDGERS<br />
FILM CABINETS<br />
SAND URNS, MOPS, ETC.<br />
Most Anything lor the Theatre<br />
\ HERBER BROTHERS<br />
"Fair Treatment and Adequate Service for 25 Years"<br />
408 S. HARWOOD DALLAS 1, TEXAS<br />
Gidney Tailey, owner and operator of the<br />
new Hi-Ho, neighborhood house here, has<br />
been showing pictures that cater mostly to<br />
school children.<br />
EL PASO<br />
The engagement of Helen "Sammie" Brosnohan<br />
and Louis Vaughan, assistant<br />
manager of the Pershing, has been announced<br />
here. Both Miss Brosnohan and<br />
Vaughan attend the College of Mines, and<br />
will graduate at the end of the present term.<br />
They plan to be married in late March .<br />
Jimmie Brooks, Pershing doorman, returned<br />
from Dallas, where he took examinations for<br />
entrance into the navy. He leaves in September<br />
to begin a three-year hitch.<br />
Quintan Lacy, advance man for "Henry V,"<br />
arrived three days ahead of the film, which<br />
was shown at the Pershing March 2-4 at<br />
roadshow prices. The picture w?s plugged<br />
through window cards, newspaper advertising,<br />
and local schools, where the educational<br />
merits of the picture, literary as well<br />
as historical, were stressed.<br />
The Boy Scouts were treated to a benefit<br />
show at the Wigwam recently in appreciation<br />
of the fine work they did in collecting<br />
March of Dimes contributions . . . Hazel<br />
Harrison of Howard university concert pianist,<br />
played February 29 in a concert sponsored<br />
by the Community Council of Organizations<br />
... A piano quartet made up of<br />
Adam Garner, Vladimir Padwa, Frank Mittler,<br />
and Edward Edson will appear at Liberty<br />
hall March 8 . . . The El Paso Symphony<br />
presented an all-Beethoven concert March 4.<br />
Sheriff Falby invited law enforcement officers<br />
and members of civic organizations to<br />
see the film "Drunk Driving" at the Plaza.<br />
The picture was shown through the courtesy<br />
of John Pazton.<br />
Rip Payne Holds Luncheon<br />
To Start Red Cross Drive<br />
DALLAS—A kickoff Red Cross drive<br />
luncheon was held in the Variety Club rooms<br />
by about 60 film and theatremen with Rip<br />
Payne, amusements section chairman, presiding.<br />
John Adams of Interstate, Don<br />
Douglas of Robb & Rowley and Don Dickson<br />
of the Haskell will assist Payne. The drive<br />
is to end before theatres start solicitations<br />
for funds to bring the battleship Texas back<br />
lionie.<br />
:<br />
6, 1948
: March<br />
Auburn Studies Tax;<br />
750-Seater Planned<br />
AUBURN. ALA.—Just as the city council<br />
announced it was considering adoption of an<br />
amusement tax, a local firm announced plans<br />
for construction of a new theatre and cafe<br />
at a cost of more than $100,000.<br />
Robert Sims, president of the Auburn Theatre<br />
Co., announced plans for the 750-seat<br />
theatre, w-ith an adjoining cafe. Other officers<br />
of the firm are Walter Gilbert, vicepresident<br />
and Charles A. Flowers, secretarytreasurer.<br />
The building has been designed by Paul<br />
W. Hofferbert, Gadsden. Batson & Cook is<br />
the contractor. It is hoped to have the theatre<br />
ready in six months.<br />
On March 10. the city council will meet<br />
to determine public sentiment on the amusement<br />
tax. Proceeds of the tax. if imposed,<br />
would be used for school improvements.<br />
Top Officials to Attend<br />
Birmingham Party<br />
BIRMINGHAM—International officers will<br />
be honor guests when MPMO Local 236 celebrates<br />
its 36th birthday here March 21.<br />
Ralph A. Root sr.. business agent for the<br />
union, said that Richard F. Walsh, international<br />
president, and William P. Raoul,<br />
secretary-treasurer, would come here from<br />
New York for the event. Also expected to<br />
attend are three international representatives,<br />
A. S. Johnstone, New Orleans: John N.<br />
Spearing. Jacksonville, Fla.. and Eddie Miller,<br />
Houston. Tex.<br />
Invitations have been extended to Big Five<br />
representatives in Atlanta. Nashville. Chattanooga,<br />
KnoxviUe and Memphis, as well as<br />
members of locals in nearby Alabama cities.<br />
Twigg Theatre Destroyed<br />
JEFFERSONVILLE, GA.—The entire business<br />
section of Jeffersonville was threatened<br />
February 23 by a fire which originated in<br />
the T\^'igg Theatre. Mrs. Josh Wimberly. wife<br />
of the manager, said none of the 35 persons<br />
in the theatre was injured. However, more<br />
than an horn- was required to bring the blaze<br />
under control and additional fire fighting<br />
equipment was called from Dublin and<br />
Macon. The fire threatened an adjoining<br />
bank and a large cotton warehouse. Mrs.<br />
Wimberly was unable to make an estimate of<br />
fire<br />
losses.<br />
Name Kiddy Shows<br />
MEMPHIS—Kiddy matinees annoimced by<br />
Better Films council for this week include:<br />
Rosemary Theatre, "Copacabana" and "Trail<br />
to San Antone"; Peabody, "High Conquest"<br />
and "Susie Steps Out." and Airways Theatre.<br />
"Blondie's Anniversary" and "Trail to San<br />
Antone."<br />
EXTRA ATTRACTION—A nice<br />
for eoing to the Star Theatre in Fort<br />
Walton, Fla., is that you are greeted there<br />
by this beautiful young manager. She is<br />
17 -year-old Marcelene Kelly, a postgraduate<br />
student at the Fort Walton high<br />
school. She has been managing the theatre<br />
for a year and is very good at it, too,<br />
says the theatre owner, Neal Robinson.<br />
Free Shows for Children<br />
Stir Interest in Red Cross<br />
TUSCALOOSA, ALA.—Foiu' theatres in the<br />
Tuscaloosa district gave a free show Saturday.<br />
February 28, for school children to<br />
create interest in the Red Cross drive.<br />
The shows were presented for students of<br />
the thii-d thj-ough ninth grades at the Bama<br />
and Diamond theatres in Tuscaloosa, the Alberta<br />
City Theatre in Alberta City, and the<br />
Disney in Northport. Children were eligible<br />
to attend if they wrote a thente of 40 or 50<br />
words on "Why We Should Give to Red Cross."<br />
B&L COATED<br />
Court Rules Theatre<br />
Can Alter Entrance<br />
BIRMINGHAM— U.S. District Judge Clarence<br />
Mullins has ruled that the city's action<br />
in revoking a permit for converting the Birmingham<br />
Theatre into an all-Negro house Is<br />
nuU and void.<br />
Judge Mullins said that the action of the<br />
city commission in denying the permit<br />
when the Panta Theatre Corp. qualified<br />
by law was unconstitutional. Judge Mullins<br />
read from a U.S. supreme court zoning<br />
case to support his ruling that the city action<br />
was taken ".solely because of color."<br />
The city had expressed fear that peace<br />
would be disturbed by "the co-mingllng of<br />
whites and Negroes in large numbers in that<br />
area."<br />
However, there are no immediate plans for<br />
the actual conversion of the house. A. H.<br />
Borisky, president of Southeast Amusement<br />
Enterprises Corp,, explained that he wanted<br />
a court ruling so that he could be guided<br />
in the future. Borisky leased the theatre<br />
from Panta Theatre Corp.<br />
The Birmingham is located at 17th street<br />
and Third avenue in the downtown district.<br />
The theatre had proposed to close its present<br />
Third avenue entrance for whites, and use<br />
the 17th street entrance for Negroes exclusively.<br />
L. W. McClintock Leaves<br />
For Rest in California<br />
MEMPHIS— L.<br />
W. McClintock, manager at<br />
Paramount, left March 3 with Mrs. McClintock<br />
for Ukiah. Calif., his home town, for a<br />
rest of several weeks. McClintock recently<br />
suffered a heart attack. He is on leave of<br />
absence from Paramount. After several weeks<br />
in Ukiah, Mr. and Mrs. McClintock plan a<br />
torn- of the Pacific northwest and the Dakotas.<br />
Tom Bridge, sales manager of the Dallas<br />
district office, is here as acting branch manager.<br />
HIGH SPEED LENSES<br />
afford maximum light transmission.<br />
Let us demonstrate how<br />
they improve your projection.<br />
Wounded Manager Recovering<br />
GADSDEN, ALA.—Benton Pierce jr., 29,<br />
manager of the Gadsden Theatre who was<br />
seriously wounded in a recent holdup attempt,<br />
has been taken from Holy Name of<br />
Jesus hospital to his home, according to D. B.<br />
Dixon of Crescent Amusement Co. He plans<br />
a trip to Florida soon to recuperate and<br />
hopes to be back at work within another<br />
month.<br />
ATLANTA, GA.<br />
•Erpry thing tor the theatre except film"<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
6, 1948 SE
. . . Jackie<br />
. . Betty<br />
. . Francis<br />
. . The<br />
. . Manager<br />
. . The<br />
. . The<br />
MEMPHIS<br />
T^avid Flexer, head of Flexer Theatres and<br />
chief barker of the Variety Club, is home<br />
after six weeks in New York on business.<br />
Flexer is currently engaged in making plans<br />
for a nationwide chain of drive-ins . . .<br />
Tommy Baldridge. free lance publicity man.<br />
is home from Miami and Atlanta, where he<br />
has been doing publicity work for United<br />
Artists.<br />
Flans for promoting the "spring parade<br />
hits" of were discussed here with Loew's<br />
Managers William Kemp of the State and<br />
Cecil Vogel of the Palace by three Loew's<br />
executives, John Murphy, who is in charge<br />
of all Loew's theatres outside New York;<br />
Allen Sparrow, southern division manager,<br />
Atlanta; and Dan Terrell, assistant to<br />
Ernest Emmerling, Loew's publicity director.<br />
The Princess, Lightman "family" theatre<br />
on Main street, is receiving minor face lifting<br />
in the form of new attraction panels<br />
around the old marquee. M. A. Lightman<br />
jr. said repairs are also being made on some<br />
of the Princess' concessions. "We are doing<br />
a patchup job now," he said, "but as soon<br />
as CAP restrictions on amusements are removed,<br />
we intend to do extensive building<br />
and remodeling on all of our theatres."<br />
Ignition of accumulated butane gas in the<br />
basement of Diane Theatre caused the explosion<br />
February 24 which killed one man<br />
and injured three other persons at Pocahontas,<br />
Ark., J. M. Blair, chief boiler inspector<br />
of the state labor department, reported<br />
after an investigation. Three buildings<br />
were demolished by the explosionincluding<br />
the theatre. The explosion occured<br />
when three men went in to look for<br />
the escaping gas and one struck a match for<br />
light.<br />
'jm^jm.<br />
M. A. Lightman, president of Malco Theatres,<br />
and his family returned from an extended<br />
vacation in Florida. With Lightman<br />
for several weeks in various parts of Florida<br />
were Mrs. Lightman, their daughter Jean<br />
and Lightman's sister, Mrs. Herman Lubin<br />
Tunstill, 4-year-old son of Jack<br />
Tunstill, manager of the Malco, and Mrs.<br />
Tunstill, had his tonsils removed last weekend.<br />
Theatre attendance is hitting high again.<br />
Loew's Palace held over "Cass Timberlane"<br />
for a second week— the first holdover in some<br />
time. Loew's State got off to a dandy start<br />
with "The Fugitive." The Warner had a big<br />
opening with "The Voice of the Turtle."<br />
The Strand and Ritz had double features<br />
and Ritz prepared for the March 5 opening<br />
of "Shoe-Shine" . Joy Theatre, Blue<br />
Mountain, Miss., closed for two weeks after<br />
a fire, reopened March 1. George Donnell<br />
is owner.<br />
Fentress Offenheusel, assistant cashier at<br />
Columbia, resigned to become cashier at<br />
RKO . Brewer, stenographer at<br />
Columbia, announced her engagement to<br />
Bobby Hickey . Joe Simon of<br />
the Ritz announced Charles Rice as his new<br />
doorman, succeeding Tommy Regan, resigned.<br />
.<br />
The Better Films council picked "Life With<br />
Father" as the outstanding picture released<br />
during 1947. The council picks a picture<br />
each month and from these 12 selects an<br />
annual one Robinson, former<br />
.<br />
Nashville newspaperman who is now serving<br />
as tour agent for Metropolitan, was in town.<br />
He was working on plans for Metropolitan's<br />
annual Memphis visit April 6 and 7 . . . The<br />
Variety Club pitched a Leap Year dance<br />
Saturday night club took occasion<br />
last week, when Collier's magazine paid<br />
tribute to the Variety Clubs International,<br />
to mention local activities—which include<br />
the Mothers Milk bank and the taking of<br />
motion pictures and other entertairmient to<br />
orphans and shut-ins Rev. Bron<br />
Clifford, Baptist minister, who gave up a<br />
contract with MGM as an actor for the<br />
ministry, is preaching in Memphis.<br />
Midsouth exhibitors booking on Filmrow<br />
included Walter Lee, Forrest City; W. R.<br />
Tutt, Tunica; Don Landers, Harrisburg; Mr.<br />
and Mrs. W. C. Kroeger, Shannon; Charles<br />
Collier, Shaw; Mrs. C. H. Collier, Drew; Bim<br />
Jackson, Ruleville; Howard Langford, Marks;<br />
P. E. Morris, Indianola; Mr. and Mrs. Frank<br />
Patterson, Junction City, and Jack Stegar,<br />
Tunica.<br />
Also E. R. Cunningham, Holcomb; J. F.<br />
Adams, Coldwater; W. R. Lee, Heber Springs;<br />
Amelia Ellis, Mason; Pauline Morgan,<br />
Mountain Home; J. Jackson Rhodes, West<br />
Memphis; J. A. Owens, Amory; J. E. Singleton,<br />
Tyronza, and Emma Cox, Osceola.<br />
Tony Tedesco, salesman for United Artists,<br />
has a new Chrysler . . . C. L. "Babe" Rounsaville,<br />
Selznick representative, was in Dallas<br />
. . . George Brannon, Dallas publicity man,<br />
was at the Warner Bros, exchange . . . Tom<br />
Bridge, Dallas, sales manager for Paramount<br />
in this district, arrived to take over as acting<br />
branch manager of Paramoimt's Memphis<br />
exchange. He succeeds L. W. McClintock,<br />
who has taken a leave of absence because of<br />
ill health.<br />
A farewell party was given at Variety<br />
Club for Mr. and Mrs. McClintock February<br />
27 before they left for Cahfomia. Employes<br />
of Paramount and a small group of intimate<br />
friends, including Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Wallace,<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Alton Sims, Mr. and Mrs.<br />
Elliott Johnson, Mi-, and Mrs. J. Jackson<br />
Rhodes, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Kroeger and Mr.<br />
and Mrs. George Gaughan, attended. Mrs.<br />
McClintock received flowers and McClintock<br />
fishing equipment.
: March<br />
. . . Doris<br />
. . Mrs.<br />
. . Hoke<br />
Crescent Challenges<br />
Heavy Decalur Tax<br />
DECATUR, ALA.—Declaratory judgment<br />
proceedings attacking Decatur's new increased<br />
amusement tax—branded the highest<br />
in the nation—has been filed in chancery<br />
court here by Crescent Amusement Co. of<br />
Nashville. The circuit operates the Capitol,<br />
Roxy and Princess theatres.<br />
The amusement tax, it is maintained, is<br />
"arbitrary, unreasonable, discriminatory, illegal"<br />
and in violation of the state and fedoral<br />
constitutions, the 14th amendment to<br />
the U. S. constitution and the statutes of<br />
the state of Alabama.<br />
FIXED BY ORDINANCE<br />
City ordinances fix the amusement tax at<br />
1 cent on each ticket of 15 cents or less, 2<br />
cents on 16-20 cent admissions, 4 cents on<br />
21-30 cents and 7 cents on admissions in excess<br />
of 30 cents. This schedule was adopted<br />
Sept. 22, 1947.<br />
The new schedule supplanted one passed<br />
by the city council in June 1941, fixing the<br />
tax at 1 cent on admissions of 15 cents or<br />
less and 2 cents on admissions in exce.ss of<br />
15 cents.<br />
These tax hikes, it is contended in the suit,<br />
has caused the pri^alege or license tax on<br />
motion picture shows to jump from $100 in<br />
1940 to $17,000 in 1947 and approximately<br />
$39,000 in 1948.<br />
HAS MADE NO PAYMENT<br />
Since the tax went into effect. Crescent<br />
has filed tax statements but has made no<br />
payment. Surety bond in the amount of<br />
$25,000 was posted to guarantee tax payment<br />
if the current suit is lost.<br />
On 15 other foreign corporations doing<br />
business in Decatur, according to the suit,<br />
the 100 per cent valuations of real and personal<br />
properties exceed $1,077,000, but the<br />
total license taxes paid by them in 1947 was<br />
only $3,429.80. Although the real and personal<br />
properties of these 15 corporations together<br />
are 17 times greater than that of<br />
Crescent, according to the suit, the amusement<br />
company's tax would be 11 times greater<br />
than that exacted from the 15 corporations.<br />
The theatres' license schedule is in "enormous<br />
and shocking disparity to the business<br />
license imposed by the city upon each of the<br />
persons, firms and corporations conducting<br />
such other business," Crescent charged.<br />
National Screen Conducts<br />
Sales Session in Dallas<br />
DALLAS — A National Screen Service regional<br />
sales meeting was conducted here by<br />
Herman Robbins, president; George F. Dembow,<br />
vice-president in charge of sales, and<br />
William B. Brenner, vice-president in<br />
charge<br />
of service, who arrived from New 'York.<br />
Burton E. Robbins, son of the president, and<br />
attached to the home office, accompanied<br />
that group.<br />
Others here were district managers Bernard<br />
'Wolfe, of the west coast, and Charles<br />
Lester of Atlanta, and branch managers Ben<br />
Ashe, Los Angeles; Jack Marpole, San Francisco;<br />
Jack Flannery, Seattle; Fred Weiman.<br />
Salt Lake; Gilbert Clark, Oklahoma City;<br />
Al Rosenthal, Memphis; J. L. Boyer, New<br />
Orleans, and F. 'W. "Doc" Allen. Dallas.<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
6, 1948<br />
ATLANTA<br />
Oteve Broidy, president ol Monogram Pictures,<br />
was here for a conference with Babe<br />
Cohen, local manager, and was guest of honor<br />
at a luncheon given for the press and radio<br />
and theatre people . . . J. H. Lutzer, Film<br />
Classics southern district manager with headquarters<br />
in Dallas, was another visitor, huddling<br />
with Ralph McCoy, branch manager.<br />
Mrs. Pearl Beaslcy, who has been with<br />
Universal exchange 25 years, was honored by<br />
employes at a party at the exchange and was<br />
presented with a gold watch for her long<br />
and faithful service . . . United Artists has<br />
transferred Shag Jordan from the Termes-<br />
•see territory to Georgia . Gewlnner,<br />
publicity director for Georgia Theatres,<br />
was ill in the hospital.<br />
Vistitors on the Row included Sam Raine<br />
of Bessemer, Ala.; P. L. Taylor of Columbus,<br />
Ga.; Charlie Camp, former Filnu'ow employe<br />
now at the naval air station in Jacksonville,<br />
Fla.; O. C. Lam of Rome, Ga.; Mi-s. Wallace<br />
Smith of Barnesville, Ga.; Jay Soloman ol<br />
Chattanooga, Teim.; Mi-, and Mrs. Harry<br />
Whitestone of Fair Mount, Ga.; L. L. Duncan<br />
and Sidney Laird of the Al-Dun circuit of<br />
West Point, Ga.; Charlie Hutchinson of Austell,<br />
Ga.; Ed Duncan of the Duncan-Richard<br />
Theatres in Carrollton, Ga.; 'W. 'W. Hammond<br />
jr. of Fyffe, Ala.; Mi-, and Mrs. J. E. Jerrell<br />
of Commerce, Ga., and Lawrence Buzbee of<br />
Dadeville,<br />
Ala.<br />
Ray Palmer, traveling- auditor for 'Warner<br />
Bros., died here February 26. Funeral services<br />
were held in 'Washington where he lived<br />
with his wife, daughter and son . . . Bob<br />
Ingram, district manager for Columbia Pictures,<br />
was in New 'York on business . . . Tom<br />
Guinan of the Eagle Lion home office was<br />
a visitor at the local exchange.<br />
In order to comply with the fire safety law<br />
and avoid the risk of losing its operating license,<br />
the Cameo Theatre here has agreed<br />
to install a sprinkler system at a cost of<br />
about $10,000, together with a few other<br />
minor changes.<br />
Sunset Carson, Astor western star, made a<br />
personal appearance at the East Point Theatre<br />
along with the Sunset Rangers, cowboy<br />
harmony group . C. Mason, formerly<br />
with Columbia, has joined the Republic staff<br />
Barber of FUm Classics spent a<br />
week in her home town, Cartersville. Ga.<br />
Benton Film Forwarding Co. of Atlanta<br />
started handling the physical distribution of<br />
Film Classics product March 1. This service<br />
includes film inspection, shipping, mounting,<br />
storage, etc. National Film Service, of which<br />
Benton is a member, now handles Film Classics<br />
distribution in 19 exchange centers.<br />
Orders 'No Smoking' Signs<br />
PENSACOLA—All theatres and 40 other<br />
business firms here have been ordered by<br />
Capt. R. G. 'Ward, chief of the bureau of fire<br />
prevention, to display "no smoking" signs.<br />
Joins Sowego Drive-In<br />
PUTNE"Y, GA.—M. C. Dunford is a new<br />
partner and manager of the Sowego Auto<br />
Theatre, replacing J. C. McLellan.<br />
cP^<br />
OITIKIOR<br />
wAfM m\n\m<br />
Theatre supply dealers:<br />
Write, wire or call for<br />
complete information<br />
We can supply a new Neoprer<br />
underground cable unsurpassed :<br />
quality at a price that is right,<br />
nmu num<br />
IIMIIFACTIIIIIKII CO.<br />
2017 Grand Avenue<br />
Kansas City, Missouri<br />
HArrison 8077<br />
93
. . . Actress<br />
. . Gene<br />
. . . The<br />
. . Dropping<br />
. . "Holiday<br />
. . Henry<br />
. . Spring<br />
: March<br />
MIAMI<br />
John Pennekamp, associate editor of the<br />
Miami Herald, printed a letter from Ed<br />
Claughton, the theatre owTier, in answej- to<br />
a recent column of his taking Claughton<br />
to task for allegedly blocking the building<br />
of a new railroad station here . .<br />
Wometco<br />
.<br />
carried a special ad for its Saturday children's<br />
shows at the Surf, Tower. Rosetta,<br />
Parkway, Biltmore, Strand. Grove and Center.<br />
Serials, westerns, cartoons and surprises<br />
were featured.<br />
The recent Hellinger Variety fund show<br />
had an all-star cast including Milton Berle.<br />
Phillip Turnipseed<br />
CARPET LAYING CONTRACTOR<br />
II you want it done right, let us sew and lay it tight<br />
530 E. Cambridge Ave. COLLEGE PARK, GEORGIA<br />
Phone CAlhoun 3G42 (in suburban Atlanta)<br />
WE PREFER<br />
That you investigate thoroughly the<br />
character of any Premium Concern offering<br />
to solicit your neighborhood mer<br />
chants on giveaways.<br />
Too bad we have to make this suggestion.<br />
NATIONAL THEATRE ADVERTISING CO.<br />
Max & loe Berenson<br />
1325 S. Wabash Ave. Chicago 5, 111.<br />
15 Years ol Successful Operation<br />
Speed-O-Bikes * RadioPhonograph<br />
Combinations 3-Pc. Luggage Sets<br />
*<br />
Bicycles *<br />
Hobby Horses and Other<br />
Items at No Cost to the Exhibitor.<br />
llJi-Ue ^ PaniiculaM.<br />
Lucille Ball, Gracie Barrie, Gene Baylos.<br />
Tony Martin. Joe E. Lewis. Harry Richman.<br />
Sophie Tucker. Jackie Miles. Barry Gray.<br />
Willie Howard, Martha Raye, Jan Murray,<br />
the Vagabonds. Vivian Blaine and Desi Arnaz.<br />
It was heralded as the "greatest showever<br />
presented in Miami Beach." Papers<br />
carried one column Individual ads by the<br />
various stars appearing.<br />
Wometco's downtown Capitol recently featured<br />
two return showings on the same bill:<br />
"The Grapes of Wrath" and "Tobacco Road"<br />
"The Arch of Triumph." which world<br />
premiered here at Paramount's Colony, was<br />
in its .second week at advanced prices . . .<br />
"Sitting Pi-etty."* which also had its world<br />
premiere here recently, is taking the town by<br />
storm and packing them in at every performance<br />
at Wometco's Lincoln and Miami<br />
Vivian Blaine sang for 150 Red<br />
Cross campaign leaders at a dinner here to<br />
launch the 1948 drive.<br />
J. Richard Kennedy, author of the novel<br />
and screenplay. "To the Ends of the Earth."<br />
shown here recently, is vacationing in Miami<br />
Beach. He spent more than two years writing<br />
the book and plans to start on a new<br />
script soon .<br />
Autry, cowboy star,<br />
was initiated into the Boys Club of Miami<br />
during his recent visit here.<br />
'Timberlane'SlillBig<br />
In Atlanta Holdover<br />
ATLANTA — "Ca.ss Timberlane" remained<br />
strong in its second week at Loew's and patronage<br />
was high at the Tower, where "Dragnet"<br />
was accompanied by a stage show.<br />
Otherwise the first run houses had an un-<br />
.spectacular week.<br />
(Av 100)<br />
fox— Ti of Sierra Madre (WB)<br />
s—Cass Timberlane (MGM), 2nd<br />
Tiount—The Senator Was Indiscre<br />
3—Relentless (Col)<br />
—You Were Meant for Me (20thnd<br />
d.<br />
(SG), plus stage show<br />
Miami Variety Nears<br />
Charity Fund Goal<br />
MIAMI—A thousand persons filled the<br />
Lincoln Theatre for the world premiere of<br />
"Sitting Pretty." enriching the coffers of<br />
the<br />
Variety Club's fund for children's charities.<br />
The fund now stands at $40,000. leaving only<br />
$10,000 to be raised to reach the pledged<br />
quota.<br />
Hundreds of people were gathered outside<br />
the theatre to witness the "sidewalk show."<br />
Searchlights gave the Hollywood touch. The<br />
Greater Miami Boys' Drum and Bugle coips<br />
provided plenty of oom-pah, and under the<br />
marquee the Rudy Baiun trio heralded the<br />
arrival of each notable with an appropriate<br />
-^<br />
chorus of a popular song.<br />
Adding further color was "Silver Dollar"<br />
Jake Schreiber, decked as an organ grinder,<br />
complete with a flowing Sicilian mustache,<br />
and a vivacious monkey cavorting atop the<br />
hurdy-gurdy as Jake ground out tunes.<br />
Barkers, including Paramoimt's George<br />
Hoover and Wometco's Sonny Shepherd, enlivened<br />
the scene as they alternately greeted<br />
celebrities and hawked the last few remaining<br />
seats for the show. An hom-'s stage show<br />
preceded the presentation of "Sitting Pretty."<br />
Manager Ed May made himself very popular<br />
by providing baby-sitters for fii'st ten person<br />
who telephoned for reserved tickets.<br />
BIRMINGHAM<br />
pd Cutcliffe. assistant to Paul Engler. head<br />
of Jefferson Amusement Co., is reported<br />
making progress toward recovery from a<br />
heart attack suffered February 8 . . . Miriam<br />
Jackson, daughter of J. A. Jackson, Empire<br />
manager, spent a weekend with her parents.<br />
She is a student at Alabama college. Montevallo.<br />
Grouped arcund a table at John's restaurant<br />
here one night recently were the following<br />
out-of-town visitors: Ken Land. U-I: R. J.<br />
"Hap" Barnes, Montgomery Drive-In operator;<br />
Eddie Poster, RepubUc: Collier PhilUps,<br />
UA; Jinimie Bello, Astor; Ben Jordan, Monogram:<br />
Ben Butler, MGM, and Bud Chalmers,<br />
Screen Guild .<br />
mto town later<br />
in the week was H. M. Addison. EL publicist.<br />
"Carnegie Hall" drew good business at<br />
the<br />
Clover, Montgomery, at advanced prices recently.<br />
The Empire Theatre here didn't do<br />
so well with the film at regular admission<br />
Clover also reported good business<br />
on a roadshowing of "Henry V," as did the<br />
Druid, Tuscaloosa.<br />
Baimy weather the weekend of February 27<br />
forced most local theatres to turn on their<br />
air conditioning. Managers said it was the<br />
earliest in recent years that cooling equipment<br />
has been brought into use this early<br />
"The Bishop's Wife" has been booked<br />
for the Empire here starting April 4.<br />
.<br />
"You Were Meant for Me," a moveover<br />
from the Alabama to the Lyric, was the only<br />
film to remain on a downtown screen for a<br />
second week on Ice." with a<br />
cast of 110. booked for the Municipal<br />
is<br />
auditorium March 13-21. Saturday and Sunday<br />
matinees are scheduled for the show,<br />
which is sponsored by the Federated Women's<br />
clubs.<br />
Ralph A. Root sr., business agent for the<br />
MPMO local, has returned from a three-day<br />
visit to Memphis . Vick, Lyric projectionist,<br />
was off more than a week because<br />
of<br />
illness.<br />
Around<br />
THE SUNSHINE STATE<br />
By F. P. BRYAN<br />
JACKSONVILLE — Horace Denning, district<br />
manager for the Robinson Drive-In<br />
circuit in Florida, reports construction has<br />
started on a $150,000 airer on the Beach<br />
road. It will be one of the finest in the<br />
coiuitry.<br />
Connee Boswell. the radio and film star,<br />
recently completed an SRO engagement at<br />
Jacksonville's finest night spot, the Peacock<br />
club. Victor Lombard orchestra followed<br />
her.<br />
•Holiday on Ice" opened Friday<br />
(5) at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville,<br />
moving from Tampa . is certainly<br />
in the air down here what with the major<br />
league baseball clubs hard at muscle-limbering<br />
exercises at their training camps. And<br />
full the azaleas are In bloom, surely a wonderful<br />
sight!<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
6, 1948
: March<br />
Power Shortage Eases<br />
In Southern Ontario<br />
TORONTO—The power shortage in<br />
southern<br />
Ontario has eased and the hydroelectric<br />
commission reduced the number of blackouts<br />
from three to two daily from Monday to Friday,<br />
inclusive, commencing March 1. The<br />
two blackout periods have been shortened,<br />
one of them being in the mornings, so that<br />
theatre performances are less disrupted.<br />
At the same time, the cheering announcement<br />
was made by Premier G. A, D/ew that<br />
the 25-cycle current in the affected area i.s<br />
to be changed to 60 cycles to conform with<br />
the rest of the North American continent.<br />
the cost of the switchover being estimated at<br />
$191,000,000. The government will pay twothirds<br />
of the cost of changing electrical<br />
equipment of industrial users and the whole<br />
cost for householders.<br />
The change to 60-cycle current will not only<br />
remove southern Ontario from its isolation<br />
in respect to other parts of the country but<br />
win bring improvement in projection for<br />
the many theatres from Oshawa to Windsor.<br />
Exhibitors will also be able to buy electrical<br />
equipment without specifying that it is for<br />
25 cycles, thus allowing freedom of purchase.<br />
In future, too, power can be brought<br />
in from any other service to relieve a local<br />
shortage.<br />
Hymie Singer Organizing<br />
Foreign Picture Circuit<br />
VANCOUVER—Hymie Singer, owner of the<br />
State Theatre here and the Rio in Victoria.<br />
is looking over theatres in Montreal, Toronto<br />
and Hamilton with a view to setting up a Dominionwide<br />
circuit of foreign film showcases.<br />
He is said to be eyeing the possibilty of<br />
houses in Winnipeg and Calgary, too.<br />
FPC to Pay 25 Cents<br />
TORONTO—Famous Players Canadian<br />
has declared a dividend of 25 cents on each<br />
of its common shares, payable March 27 to<br />
stockholders of record March 12,<br />
for the fh'st<br />
quarter of 1948. This payment equals the<br />
rate of dividend for the past two years. The<br />
stock is currently selling on the stock exchanges<br />
at $16, a slight decrease from last<br />
year.<br />
Tom Bowyer's Dad Dies<br />
VANCOUVER—The father of Tom Bowyer,<br />
head of Odeon Movie clubs in Canada, died<br />
February 21 at his home here. He was 85<br />
years old. Bowyer arrived from Toronto in<br />
time to see his father before he died and<br />
stayed here for several days afterward to<br />
check the club situation in this area.<br />
Radio Show Cited<br />
VANCOUVER—The Harmony House radio<br />
program, broadcast from the Orpheum stage<br />
for the last five years, was selected by the<br />
Vancouver Tourist Ass'n as the program that<br />
did the most in 1947 to advertise Vancouver.<br />
The program is produced by Fred MacDowell.<br />
13c Consolidated Quarterly<br />
MONTREAL — Directors of Consolidated<br />
Theatres. Ltd., have declared initial<br />
quarterly<br />
dividend of 13 cents per share on class A,<br />
payable March 1 to stockholders of record<br />
February 18.<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
6, 1948<br />
Touch of Hollywood<br />
At Victoria's Odeon<br />
Shown at the opening of the new Odeon in Victoria are Earl Havler, assistant<br />
western supervisor; Howard Boothe. supervisor; Leonard VV. Brockington. Odeon<br />
vice-president and director of theatres; Gccrge Peters, vice-president; Al Davidson,<br />
manager of the new Odeon.<br />
VICTORIA—With searchlights playing in<br />
the sky and flags and strings of colored lights<br />
decorating the streets, Odeon Theatres of<br />
Canada opened its luxurious 1,550-seat Odeon<br />
Theatre here February 27.<br />
It was a gala occasion for the city and<br />
prominent officials and citizens of Victoria<br />
and other parts of the province turned out<br />
for the opening, which also served as the<br />
North American premiere for J. Arthur<br />
Rank's "The Master of Bankdam." The aflair<br />
was followed by a formal reception in<br />
the<br />
Empress hotel.<br />
Officiating at the opening were Leonard<br />
Brockington, chairman of the board of Odeon<br />
Theatres; George Peters, circuit vice-president:<br />
J. Howard Boothe, district manager for<br />
British Columbia, and K. Earl Hayter, supervisor<br />
of theatre operations for the Pacific<br />
coast division. The theatre is being managed<br />
by Al Davidson, who was transferred<br />
from the Plaza.<br />
Mayor Percy George spoke briefly on how<br />
the new theatre will benefit Victoria. Cere-<br />
Two Concerns Handle<br />
EL Films in Canada<br />
Toronto—Eagle Lion product is being<br />
distributed in Canada by two separate<br />
companies.<br />
Eagle Lion Films of Canada, Ltd.,<br />
which has its head offices here, handles<br />
J. Arthur Rank's British films. Frank<br />
H. Fisher is general manager of this<br />
company, which is a member of the Rank<br />
group that includes Odeon Theatres of<br />
Canada, Gaumont-Kalee, Ltd., and other<br />
Canadian enterprises headed by J. Earl<br />
Lawson. Its product is distinguished by<br />
the introductory, "J. Arthur Rank Presents<br />
."<br />
. .<br />
The other company. International Film<br />
Distributors, Ltd., distributes Eagle Lion<br />
product which originates in Hollywood.<br />
David Griesdorf, sales manager of the<br />
now-extinct Producers Releasing Corp.,<br />
is president and managing director of<br />
International Films, which also has headquarters<br />
here.<br />
Executive personnel of 20th Century<br />
Theatres here is associated with International.<br />
Twentieth Century is linked<br />
with Famous Players Canadian Corp.<br />
monies were broadcast over station CJVI.<br />
The theatre, designed by H. H. Simmonds,<br />
Vancouver architect, in consultation with the<br />
late Jay I. English of Toronto. One of its<br />
plu.shiest -points is the carpeting, which extends<br />
from wall to wall in the auditorium,<br />
even under the seats, making the place as<br />
nearly perfect acou.stically as is possible.<br />
It fronts 30 feet on 'bfates street, Victoria's<br />
second main artery, and extends through to<br />
Johnson street. An immense glass roof,<br />
whigh forms the canopy extends approximately<br />
30 feet back from the street.<br />
Glass doors lead from the outer lobby to the<br />
vestibule, w-hich is paneled in walnut, and a<br />
series of glass doors give entrance to the<br />
foyer. On the main floor are a candy bar<br />
and rest rooms. Check rooms are on both the<br />
main floor and mezzanine.<br />
The auditorium seats 962 on the main floor,<br />
228 in the loges and 300 in the balcony.<br />
The Odeon is the circuit's 31st theatre in<br />
British Columbia and the third in Victoria.<br />
It will be the circuit's showcase here and is<br />
getting a top price of 75 cents.<br />
With the transfer of Al Davidson to the<br />
new- theatre, Odeon announced several other<br />
changes in managers. Johnnie Stobbard of<br />
the Rio in Vancouver was transferred to replace<br />
Davidson at the Plaza, Tommy Backus<br />
was moved from the Kmgsw-ay in Vancouver<br />
to the Rio, Jimmy McGregor, former assistant<br />
at the Plaza in Vancouver was shifted to<br />
the Kingsway, and Jack Cooshek moved from<br />
the Hastings to the Plaza.<br />
Fitzgibbons in Newsreels<br />
TORONTO—Current newsreels throughout<br />
the Dominion include shots of J. J. Fitzgibbons,<br />
president of Famous Players, and his<br />
wife at Government house in Ottawa after<br />
he had received the decoration of commander<br />
of the Order of the British Empire in recognition<br />
of his war services. He was chairman<br />
of the National Motion Picture Theatres War<br />
Services committee and an executive official<br />
of various war loan drives.<br />
Roadshow 'Shoe-Shine'<br />
TORONTO — A Canadian premiere of<br />
unique nature is that of "Shoe-Shine," the<br />
Italian production, which is opening March<br />
8 at the Royal Alexandra as a roadshow.<br />
The dialog is in the Italian language but<br />
English subtitles have been superimposed.
. . Raoul<br />
. . George<br />
. . Norman<br />
. . . George<br />
. . . Harry<br />
. . Graham<br />
. . Eddy<br />
. . Belle<br />
. .<br />
: March<br />
MONTREAL<br />
Q<br />
Gaston Beaulieu, East Angus exhibitor,<br />
owner of the Theatre Royal there and<br />
ex-officer of the Canadian navy, is delighted<br />
with his new career, and is exerting himself<br />
to please clients with a varied program of<br />
first class American and French pictures.<br />
In his office is a unique photograph showing<br />
his aunt, a very attractive woman, in the<br />
company of Prime Minister W. L. Mackenzie<br />
King. Beaulieu, who bought the Theatre<br />
Royal shortly after leaving the navy a few<br />
months ago, has a charming wife and two<br />
children,<br />
Francois Fortin is owner of the Beloeil<br />
Theatre in the town of that name. It is under<br />
the management of G. Choiniere, formerly<br />
of the Caro in Windsor Mills , . Leo<br />
Gagnon, owner of the Plaza, Ste. Anne de la<br />
Parade, is planning improvements in the<br />
theatre, which is playing both French and<br />
English language films.<br />
E. Tardiff, proprietor of the Weedon in<br />
Weedon, Que., was compelled by an unusually<br />
heavy snowfall to operate only Sundays,<br />
but is looking forward to opening with two<br />
programs a week. He is assisted in operating<br />
the theatre by two sons who recently left<br />
the army, and who learned to speak English<br />
when overseas . Turcotte and his<br />
partner Dr. Giguere, owners of the Cinema<br />
de Levis, and residents of Ste. Marie de<br />
Beauce, are spending considerable money on<br />
improvements.<br />
Arniand Gingras, manager of the Canada<br />
Theatre, Levis, had a lot of booking forms<br />
with him when he visited Filmrow, causing<br />
an observer to remark, "It looks as if he is<br />
booking some other theatres besides the Canada"<br />
. Lafrance of the Rialto, Quebec<br />
City, is another enterprising exhibitor who<br />
is making alterations and improvements to<br />
his<br />
theatre,<br />
Leo Archambault, manager of the Empire,<br />
Quebec City, has been exploiting "The Prince<br />
of Thieves," which did such good business it<br />
was held over . Rajesky, booker<br />
at RKO, will be married March 21 in Toronto<br />
to Molly Weinberg of that city. They<br />
will leave on a ten-day wedding trip to New<br />
York.<br />
John Ganetakos, managing director of<br />
Confederation Amusements, is spending a few<br />
weeks convalescing from his recent illness<br />
at the Val David, Que., home of John Parker,<br />
manager of the statistical department.<br />
Germaine Daoust, manager of the new<br />
Champlain at Cap de la Madeleine, has been<br />
operating the theatre since its opening and<br />
FOR SALE: THEATRE CHAmS<br />
W* now have a<br />
reconditioned iw) Theatre Chairs<br />
Quantilios<br />
1200 of a kind<br />
IMMEDIATE DELIVERY<br />
irge stock ol excellent<br />
Inquiries Respectlully Solicited<br />
LA SALLE RECREATIONS LTD.<br />
(Theatre Seating and Carpet Division)<br />
IS doing a very good job . . . Arthur Hirsch,<br />
Ijresident of Consolidated Theatres, will spend<br />
a .six-week vacation in Florida . . . Charles<br />
S. Chaplin, Toronto. Canadian General manager<br />
for United Artists, visited Filmrow<br />
here.<br />
.<br />
David Coplan, London, general manager in<br />
England for United Artists, was a visitor<br />
Koppelman, salesman for International<br />
. . .<br />
Films, was in Toronto Eloi<br />
Cormier. Peerless Films, was in Sherbrooke<br />
Kaufman, eastern division manager<br />
of Cardinal Films, returned from St.<br />
John, where he appointed David Brager as<br />
salesman Mathews, Monogram<br />
salesman in Toronto, will work at the local<br />
office a few weeks.<br />
Empire-Universal's French stenographer,<br />
Robert E. Foucault, is leaving to join the<br />
Abbott Laboratories in St. Laurent as accountant<br />
. Yaworsky, on contract<br />
work with MGM, is the father of a baby boy<br />
. . . Pearl Louch, typist at MGM, became engaged<br />
St. Valentine day . Corber.<br />
assistant manager and booker at MGM, left<br />
the hospital and is recuperating at home .<br />
ArUne Reinhart, Eagle Lion-Monogram secretary<br />
and stenographer, will be married in<br />
June.<br />
R. P. Robert, Granby, expects to open a<br />
new theatre there as successor to the Palace<br />
which was burned. The new building, which<br />
cost approximately $1,250,000 and will house<br />
a radio station, stores and offices, will open<br />
around the end of March.<br />
Niagara Peninsula Ass'n<br />
Elects Manager Hudson<br />
ST. CATHARINES—The Niagara Peninsula<br />
Theatre Managers Ass'n, in its annual<br />
meeting here, elected Manager Vern Hudson<br />
of the local Capitol president, succeeding<br />
Jack Allen, proprietor of the Tivoli at<br />
Thorold. The new secretary is Dewey Mc-<br />
Court, manager of the Brock at Niagara-onthe-Lake,<br />
and the treasurer is Sid Burton<br />
of the Strand, Port Colborne.<br />
The association laid immediate plans for<br />
organized opposition to the proposed renewal<br />
of the amusement tax in Ontario by<br />
the province or by the municipalities if and<br />
when the federal tax of 20 per cent on theatre<br />
grosses is dropped.<br />
The following new members were welcomed:<br />
C. D. Fleming, Imperial, Humberstone;<br />
Mike Zahorchak, Drive-In Theatre,<br />
St. Catharines, and Jack Whitfield, Capitol,<br />
Niagara Falls.<br />
Premiums Increasing<br />
In Subsequent Runs<br />
TORONTO—Premiums are making their<br />
appearance at more theatre in Ontario at a<br />
time when subsequent run situations are finding<br />
attendance on the downgrade. First Tun<br />
palaces are holding their own because many<br />
people still have plenty of money, it is pointed<br />
out, but the inflation and a lower income<br />
trend for ordinary wage earners have combined<br />
to hit the neighborhood houses.<br />
Johnny Cohn of Toronto has signed on the<br />
Nola and Rexy in Ottawa for tableware which<br />
is being introduced as giveaways at both<br />
suburban houses at the begimiing of March.<br />
The Nelson at Ottawa introduced glassware<br />
February 23 which is being offered the first<br />
three days of the week plus a 5-cent service<br />
charge for both matinee and evening performances.<br />
VANCOUVER<br />
Phe circuits are reported interested m<br />
acquiring three of the independent houses<br />
in this area, the Sam's Theatre in Mailiardville,<br />
the Rex in downtown 'Vancouver and<br />
the Edison in New Westminster . . . Paul<br />
Hoefler, operator of Paul Hoefler Productions,<br />
Hollywood, has completed a color film<br />
for Trans-Canada Airlines which includes<br />
shots of Banff and Lake Louise, Jasper, the<br />
Columbia icefields and Waterton lakes.<br />
A screening of "T-Men" was put on here<br />
for members of the Vancouver and provincial<br />
police departments, undercover agents<br />
of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and<br />
officials of the customs, treasury and narcotics<br />
departments. The picture played at<br />
the Orpheum this week . . . The new candy<br />
bar in the lobby of the Dominion Theatre is<br />
doing great business, according to Dave Borland,<br />
manager.<br />
Net proceeds of Basil Horsfall's production<br />
of "A Night in Vienna" in Oliver, B. C, are<br />
being presented to the Crippled Children's<br />
hospital of Vancouver. Horsfall, a member<br />
of Canadian Picture Pioneers and former film<br />
exchange manager, is now musical director of<br />
the Theatre Under the Stars here and is<br />
touring all of western Canada, as far east as<br />
Winnipeg, with "A Night in Vienna."<br />
Sam Lambert, British Columbia manager<br />
for Hanson IGrrun exchange, reports a growing<br />
demand for narrow gauge product from<br />
churches and other nontheatrical organizations<br />
. . . Edmonton, fast-growing gateway<br />
to the Arctic, now has a population of 110,-<br />
000, making it the eighth largest city in the<br />
Dominion. Vancouver's population has<br />
jumped to more than 300,000.<br />
Comedies appear to be the best drawing<br />
pictures in Vancouver theatres these days,<br />
with romance second, adventure stories third<br />
and heavy drama fourth . . . Reis-sues seem<br />
to have run out of appeal, and the major distributors<br />
are offering very little in tliis category<br />
today. However, there are plenty of<br />
oldies being offered by the state rights distributors.<br />
After a bit of historical research, we find<br />
that "talking" films were seen and heard in<br />
Vancouver as long ago as 1910. They played<br />
the old National Theatre, now a large department<br />
store, on the local skid road. The<br />
talking part of the equipment consisted of a<br />
gramaphone with an oversized horn which<br />
was placed at the side of the stage. The<br />
films were operas such as the "Chimes of<br />
Normandy" and the musical records were<br />
supposed to synchronize with the film. Sometimes<br />
they did and sometimes they didn't,<br />
which caused plenty of amusement to the<br />
audiences, according to George Gerrard, projectionist,<br />
who is still in the booth at the<br />
Strand.<br />
Michael Redgrave to Appear<br />
TORONTO—Michael Redgrave, British film<br />
star, is returning by air to Canada to appear<br />
in a stage production of "Macbeth" which<br />
soon will open a Canadian tour at London,<br />
Ont., other engagements being at Toronto,<br />
Ottawa and Montreal. The company, which<br />
includes Flora Robson, will leave for New<br />
York at the end of March for a projected<br />
rim of eight weeks.<br />
100 BOXOFFICE :<br />
6, 1948
. . . The<br />
: March<br />
OTT AW A<br />
The IGinm projection equipment in the Elgin<br />
Dual Theatre was publicly used for the<br />
first time February 29 when upwards of<br />
1.000 guests, including the Catholic clergy,<br />
attended two screenings of the color films<br />
The Linden, owned by Casey Swedlove. is<br />
the latest theatre in here to adopt a giveaway<br />
policy, premiums of dinnerware being offered<br />
for the first time March 1 for the first<br />
three days of the w^eek. The Nelson, Rexy<br />
and Nola have all added giveaways in recent<br />
weeks and previously the Westboro had<br />
offered them. The trend supports the claim<br />
that Ottawa has become overseated in view<br />
of postwar conditions.<br />
At the 41st annual assembly of the Royal<br />
Architectural Institute of Canada, tribute<br />
was paid to the memory of Jay I. English,<br />
tormer chief architect of Odeon Theatres of<br />
Canada, who died in a drowning accident last<br />
August . . . "Frieda," an Arthur Rank feature,<br />
proved a hit at the Centre, where it was<br />
held over for a second week by Manager Gord<br />
Beavis.<br />
Horse lovers turned out for a special program<br />
at the Linden under the auspices of the<br />
Ottawa Valley Pony club, an admission being<br />
charged. The pictures dealt with horses<br />
booking of "The Unfmished Dance"<br />
at the Capitol was timed to precede the presentation<br />
of a stage performance of the<br />
Ottawa Ballet company for the one night of<br />
March 3.<br />
The Capitol, the largest theatre in Ottawa,<br />
has started a weekly stage quiz under commercial<br />
sponsorship. Prizes are offered . . .<br />
Friends gave farewell party for John Kurk.<br />
manager of the Imperial, prior to his marriage.<br />
The feature of the stage was "Condemned<br />
to Life," with the guest of honor in<br />
the starring role. There was the presentation<br />
of a piece of practical furniture to Kurk, who<br />
is president of the Ottawa Theatre Managers<br />
Ass'n in conjunction with the hearing of "The<br />
Case of John Kurk" with the following cast:<br />
Judge, Frank Paul, manager of the Victoria;<br />
prosecutor, Casey Swedlove, Linden; clerk of<br />
the court, Isser Singerman, Rideau; defense<br />
attorney, Louis Gauthier, Cartier, and jury<br />
foreman, Ernie Taylor.<br />
'Gentleman'<br />
Takes<br />
Honors in Toronto<br />
TORONTO—"Gentleman's Agreement" attracted<br />
the most attention among first run<br />
engagements during the past week, playing<br />
to big crowds at the Tivoli and Eglington.<br />
of the Marian congress in Ottawa last year. Only other new picture in town was "I Walk<br />
Chief among the guests was Archbishop Alone" at the Imperial. There was a return<br />
Alexandre Vachon of Ottawa. Ernie Warren,<br />
manager, presented two releases of the<br />
(Average is 100)<br />
of winter for a day or two.<br />
National Film board, "Listen to the Prairies" Capitol and Victoria-The Grapes ol Wrath (20lh-<br />
Fox); Tobacco Road (lOth-Fox), reissues 90<br />
and "Singing Pipes," both dealing with music, Eglinton and Tiv:.li Gentleman's Agreement<br />
(20th-Fox) 120<br />
in addition to the congress pictures.<br />
Fairlawn—Whispering City (IX) VnJ wk lOi<br />
Says Ban on U.S. Films<br />
Aids British Production<br />
HALIFAX, N. S.—Thomas R. Clark of<br />
Gloucester. England, who has recently arrived<br />
here to enter the contracting industry, says<br />
the restrictions on American films is a blessing<br />
to the British picture industry, and it is<br />
taking full advantage of the benefits accruing<br />
from the ban. He adds. "I believe the<br />
British productions are more artistic than<br />
the Hollywood variety and not so artificial."<br />
He has worked briefly in British studios.<br />
lib<br />
Imperial— I Walk Alone IFura)<br />
Loews— II Winter Comes (MGM), 2na wk 105<br />
Sheas—Captain From Castile (20th Fox),<br />
2nd wk 105<br />
Uptown—The Senator Was Indiscreet (U I),<br />
Weather Causes <strong>Boxoffice</strong> Droop;<br />
'Jassy' Best Vancouver Newcomer<br />
VANCOUVER—WeaUier didn't play ball<br />
with the boxoffice and as a result grosses<br />
generally dipped. "My Wild Irish Rose" did<br />
well in its second week at the Capitol. "Jassy"<br />
got away to a nice start at the Vogue, but<br />
"T-Men" at the Orpheum never got in the<br />
groove despite an excellent publicity campaign<br />
and good notices.<br />
Capitol—My Wild Irish Rose (WB),<br />
2nd wk Very Good<br />
Dominion—Glamour Girl (Col);<br />
Nightmare Alley (20th-Fox), moveover Fair<br />
International Cinema— Quiet Weekend (EL) Good<br />
Orpheum—T-Men (IFD) ) Average<br />
Paradise-The Flame (Rep). Joe Palooka<br />
in the Knockout (Mono) Moderate<br />
Park and Ploia-Pirates of Fair<br />
Monterey (U-1)<br />
Strand—The Tender Years (20th-Fox).<br />
Average<br />
reissue Blockheads (Ind),<br />
Vogue—lossy (EL)<br />
Good<br />
<strong>Boxoffice</strong> Barometer Sinks<br />
As Slorms Buffet Calgary<br />
CALGARY—Another week of wintry, subzero<br />
weather, with storms and snow fltirries<br />
all week, forced a drop in the boxoffice<br />
barometer. There were no special attractions<br />
at the first runs to induce the venttiresome<br />
to come out. However, "T-Men" at the Palace<br />
did get off to a good start.<br />
Capitol—Daisy Kenyon (20th-Fox) Fair<br />
Grand—Her Husband's Affairs (Col) Fair<br />
Palace—T-Men (IF) Good<br />
No 'Eyes on Canada' Ban<br />
OTTAWA—J. J. McCann. minister of national<br />
revenue who has cabinet jurisdiction<br />
over the National Film Board, denied in the<br />
House of Commons that the NFB release.<br />
"Eyes on Canada," had been banned in the<br />
United States or other countries. His announcement<br />
discounted a rumor that the picture<br />
had been disapproved. The theme of the<br />
film suggests the position of Canada, geographically<br />
and otherwise, in the event of a<br />
conflict between eastern and western powers.<br />
Feaime to Be Started<br />
Soon in Dominion<br />
Toronto—Phil Rosen, Hollywood executive,<br />
appeared at a press conference at<br />
the King Edward hotel to unfold plans<br />
for the production of a feature picture<br />
in the Dominion which would meet the<br />
wishes of the government for more filmmaking<br />
in the country under the dollarsaving<br />
import regulations.<br />
Actual work is to get under way soon.<br />
TORONTO<br />
n t a meeting of the Toronto Variety tent<br />
at Malloney's Art Gallery, Chief Barker<br />
J. J. Fitzgibbons decorated Conny Smythe<br />
with the Order of Human Being, first clas.;.<br />
The award was made to Smythe in recognition<br />
of his assistance to the club for crippled<br />
children and adults. He is general manager<br />
of the Maple Leaf Gardens. Assistant<br />
Chief Barker Morris Stein of Famous Players<br />
and Peter G. Campbell joined Fitzgibbons<br />
in paying tribute to Smythe. Highlighting<br />
the ceremony was the presentation of a<br />
desk set to Smythe.<br />
Manager Fred Leavens of the Circle enlivened<br />
the atmosphere with the use of an<br />
outdoor loudspeaker to promote the forthcoming<br />
engagement of "Tlie Fiery Cross."<br />
this stunt being something new for Toronto.<br />
Leavens, who took over the Circle recently<br />
after the departure of Ralph Wilson to Detroit,<br />
has become a columnist, being the<br />
editor of film column in both the North<br />
a<br />
Toronto Herald and the Leaside Advertiser<br />
regarding the doings of theatres in the<br />
north end.<br />
Edward Farhood, formerly with theatres in<br />
Montreal, has been appointed manager of<br />
the 20th Century Grand at Sudbury . . . The<br />
Kent, an independent house here, introduced<br />
premiums in the form of dinnerware<br />
for the first three days of the week starting<br />
March 1. The service charge is ten cents.<br />
Ray Lawson, Lieutenant-governor of Ontario,<br />
Premier George Drew, Mayor E. H.<br />
McCallum of Toronto, Lady Eaton, Lady<br />
Kemp, and D. Roland Michener are among<br />
the distinguished people who are patrons for<br />
the North American premiere of "The October<br />
Man" March 11 at the Fairlawn. The<br />
performance is under the auspices of the<br />
young men's section of the Board of Trade<br />
. . . Arch H. Jolley, executive secretary of<br />
the Motion Picture Theatres Ass'n of Ontario,<br />
has returned to his office after a spell<br />
of sickness . . . Manager Mel Jolley of the<br />
Marks in Oshawa (no relation to Arch) has<br />
been elected president of the Junior Chamber<br />
of Commerce in the nearby city.<br />
The Odeon Palace in Hamilton dropped its<br />
film policy for the night of February 25 when<br />
a community concert was staged before a<br />
capacity audience.<br />
WINNIPEG<br />
pamous Players has switched managers in<br />
three neighborhood houses here. The<br />
changes, announced by Harold Bishop. Manitoba<br />
supervisor: Andy Ostrander has gone<br />
from the Uptown to head the Tivoli: Dave<br />
Robertson, former Tivoli manager, has taken<br />
over the Osborne: Hilliard Gunn, formerly<br />
at the Osborne, has been placed in charge of<br />
the Uptown.<br />
G. Moskal is opening a 35mm house in Elbow,<br />
Sask. He has leased a hall from the<br />
is town, replacing 16mm. Mokal also arranging<br />
to open a 35mm house in Eyebrow,<br />
Sask.. in a hall now being built and expected<br />
to open April 4.<br />
Title Change at 20th-Fox<br />
"Symphony Story" will be released under<br />
the title, "Unfaithfully "Vours."<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
6, 1948<br />
101
. . Every<br />
. . Daniel<br />
: March<br />
Motion Pictures Hit<br />
By Winnipeg Sources<br />
WINNIPEG— Shan: attacks on motion pictures<br />
were launched here last week from two<br />
quarters, lashing out in particular at the<br />
supposed effects on young people.<br />
Mrs. G. R. Lennox, a former member of<br />
the Manitoba censor board, warned a home<br />
and school association meeting that certain<br />
pictures have given children the impression<br />
life consists of smoking cigarets and drinking<br />
cocktails. She called the psychological effect<br />
of these films on children a crime. Mrs. Lennox<br />
blamed parents who let their children<br />
go to the show without bothering to find out<br />
about their plots or dialog.<br />
She said films in Manitoba were classified<br />
by the censor board as either "adult" or<br />
"general" but that no provision is made for<br />
the immature minds of children between<br />
7 and 10 years of age. "Films classified as<br />
'adult' are of no interest to the child." she<br />
said. "Those classified as 'general' should be<br />
considered by the parent before the child<br />
is allowed to attend."<br />
Parents choose their children's schools,<br />
food and clothing, "but they do not always<br />
see to the danger of not selecting proper<br />
films for their children to attend," Mj-s. Lennox<br />
pointed out. She deplored the growing<br />
tendency of parents to park their children<br />
in a movie whenever they had something<br />
they wanted to do.<br />
The other blast against pictures came from<br />
the Rev. Wat.son Argue, pastor of Calvai-y<br />
Temple, who denounced films, along with<br />
dance halls, as "part of the devil's business."<br />
CALGARY<br />
•Phe Parnell brothers, operating theatres in<br />
Blairmore, Bellevue and Coleman in the<br />
Crow's Nest Pass, were in the city on business<br />
pertaining to their theatre in Coleman,<br />
which was destroyed recently by fire . . .<br />
Booth Film Service, now located in a new<br />
office in the basement of the Film Exchange<br />
Bldg. annex, has been appointed representatives<br />
for Granada 16mm film, a subsidiary<br />
of H. J.<br />
Allen.<br />
While the winter season slowed down renovations,<br />
there has been some activity this<br />
month. The New Theatre in Edson is being<br />
reseated. Refurnishing and reseating of the<br />
Roxy in Stettler also is proceeding.<br />
A weekend Chinook so cleared up the main<br />
highways that mercantile and film salesmen<br />
took to the road in all directions last week<br />
, . , Reports from country points, meanwhile,<br />
state that winter storms closed roads into<br />
many country towns, limiting theatre attendance<br />
to local residents and causing delay<br />
in film deliveries.<br />
Royal Shots to Hinterland<br />
OTTAWA—After purchasing a number of<br />
prints of the royal family on the South<br />
African tour, the Imperial Order, Daughters<br />
of the Empire, has bought similar prints from<br />
the Gaumont-British color film of the royal<br />
wedding, and made all available to the National<br />
Film Board for distribution throughout<br />
its rural circuit organization in the Dominion.<br />
ST. JOHN<br />
n fter deciding to boycott theatres that "persist<br />
in showing objectionable movies, and<br />
stores displaying and selling the same type<br />
of books," the Halifax St. Thomas Aquinas<br />
parish branch of the Catholic Women's<br />
league urged the provincial CWL coimcil to<br />
make the dual ban province-wide . . . The<br />
Empire, Kentville, which is substituting for<br />
the burned Capitol, is only about 100 yards<br />
from the debris. It had been operating irregularly<br />
in recent months.<br />
George MacKenzie, projectionist at the<br />
York in Hantsport, makes it a point to study<br />
the reactions of the York patrons to films he<br />
screens . item of equipment in the<br />
Kentville fire department was used in the<br />
fire in the Capitol, which lasted four hours<br />
in a subzero temperature.<br />
While John Fitzpatrick of Halifax was taking<br />
a snooze at an army film show there, his<br />
watch was stolen from a wrist ... At the<br />
Halifax Capitol advance bookings were linked<br />
up in an advertising bulletin as a panacea<br />
for winter discomforts . Morgan,<br />
35-year-old truck driver recently sent to<br />
prison for two years after conviction for<br />
throwing acid at girls, chiefly their legs, was<br />
a member of a Sydney church choii'. Some<br />
of the acid showering had been in theatres,<br />
but chiefly in stores.<br />
The stork is coming to the household of<br />
Doug Williams, a member of the staff of the<br />
Mayfair here, and Williams feels he may be<br />
getting the bird for the last time. With this<br />
addition, he will have eight offspring. Wallie<br />
Himiby, chief projectionist at the Mayfair, is<br />
also heading into parenthood—for the fourth<br />
time. Franklin & Herschorn, amateur statisticians,<br />
report every married employe of<br />
the circuit has at least one child. When asked<br />
what the name the eighth blessed event would<br />
bring, Williams said, "Period."<br />
Efforts to obtain a permit to build a theatre<br />
in Rothesay, N. B., have failed so far-. The<br />
committee governing this ritzy village, nine<br />
miles east of here, have turned thumbs down<br />
on a public picture center. The Community<br />
Theatre, opened last sunmier. is about two<br />
miles east.<br />
High school pupils of Fredericton are seeking<br />
a special reduced rate at the local theatres.<br />
Children's matinees admissions here<br />
have been increased from 12 to 14 cents, except<br />
on Saturday, when the 12-cent fare<br />
continues.<br />
Art Fielding will retiu-n to Halifax following<br />
the sale of his home at Ea,st Riverside,<br />
eight miles east of here. He owns the Capitols<br />
at Bridgewater and Digby, N. S., and has<br />
a new theatre in the works at Bridgewater,<br />
where his son Ron is manager. The senior<br />
Fielding was general manager for SpeiTCer<br />
chain for about a decade, and was on the<br />
Spencer staff about 30 years. He originated<br />
at Truro, N. S.<br />
AH local theatres are donating free tickets<br />
to student nurses. For a start, each house<br />
will hand out 18 doubles. The action was<br />
taken because of the low training pay at<br />
hospitals.<br />
Guests at a cocktail party held in Miami,<br />
Fla„ for Gene Autry to signalize the premiere<br />
of his first film for Columbia were<br />
Joe and Mitch Franklin, father and son of<br />
St. John. The latter will return to St. John<br />
the last of February. While the Franklins<br />
were partying with Autry, "Sioux City Sue,"<br />
one of his final Republics, was being routed<br />
through their theatre chain.<br />
Bob Roddick, maritime chief for FPC,<br />
went to bat for patronage, personally, in the<br />
case of "Green Dolphin Street" at the Halifax<br />
Capitol. He issued an advance boost for<br />
the picture over his own name.<br />
Sees Vast Video Web<br />
Within Three Years<br />
MONTREAL—Television will exist on a<br />
coast-to-coast basis covering 36 American<br />
states and two Canadian provinces within<br />
the next thi-ee years. Such was the optimistic<br />
outlook for this new medium predicted by<br />
Eugene S. Thomas, president of the Advertising<br />
Club of New York in addressing the<br />
Montreal Advertising and Sales Executives<br />
club. As sales manager of the Bamberger<br />
Broadcasting Service, Thomas is directly connected<br />
with television in New York.<br />
At present, he said, there are 250,000 television<br />
sets in use, a figure that is expected<br />
to reach the million mark by Christmas.<br />
There are actually 18 television stations<br />
broadcasting regularly and plans are already<br />
in progress to have 193 stations operating in<br />
78 cities as soon as the factors of production<br />
permit, he said.<br />
The price of new sets now ranges from<br />
$175 to $2,500, but Thomas said he believed<br />
that eventually the price of an ordinary set<br />
will fluctuate somewhere aromid $150.<br />
Telecasting is particularly adapted to major<br />
news events, films and plays, he explained.<br />
All the baseball games in New<br />
York will be telecast this season. He claimed<br />
that in his New York home he saw Barbara<br />
Ann Scott win the Olympic skating championship.<br />
"Eventually, television will have a profound<br />
influence in unifying the peoples of the<br />
world." the speaker concluded.<br />
Pioneer Executives Meet,<br />
Plan Social Activities<br />
TORONTO—J. Earl Lawson, president of<br />
Odeon Theatres, was in the chair for the<br />
first meeting of the 1948 executive of the<br />
Canadian Picture Pioneers in his office here.<br />
Preliminary arrangements were made for a<br />
series of entertainments and social nights<br />
to be climaxed by the Pioneers ball in the<br />
autumn, which is expected to be a costume<br />
affair.<br />
The following standing committees were<br />
appointed: Membership, Ben Cronk, L. M.<br />
Devaney, Sam Sternberg and C. J. Appel;<br />
entertainment, Len Bishop, Joseph Garbarino,<br />
Walter Kennedy, Morris Doyle and<br />
O. R. Hanson; publicity, C. J. Appel, A, J.<br />
Laurie, Ben Cronk and Walter Kennedy;<br />
sick committee, William Reeves and W. J.<br />
O'Neill.<br />
The benevolent fund trustees are Charlie<br />
Mavety, Ray Lewis, O. R. Hanson and G. H.<br />
Beeston. The solicitor is David Ongley.<br />
J. J. Fitzgibbons was reappointed public relations<br />
officer.<br />
102 BOXOFFICE :<br />
6, 1948
BookinGuidc<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
FIRST RUN REPORTS<br />
This chart shows the records made by<br />
pictures in five or more oi the 21 key cities<br />
checked. As new runs are reported, ratings<br />
are added and averages revised.<br />
BAROMETER<br />
TOP HIT OF THE WEEK<br />
Cass Timberlane—<br />
Kansas City 200<br />
Indianapolis 190<br />
Detroit 150<br />
Computed in terms oi percentage in<br />
relaUon to normal grosses. With 100<br />
per cent as "normal," the figures<br />
show the percentage above or below<br />
that mark.
EXHIBITOR HA& HI& bAT<br />
PICTURES<br />
Just as the Barometer page shows first run reports on current pictures, this<br />
department is devoted for the most part to reports on subsequent runs, made by<br />
exhibitors themselves. A one-star contributor is new, two stars mean the exhibitor<br />
has been writing in for six months or longer, and a three-star contributor<br />
is a regular of one year or more, who receives a token of our appreciation. All<br />
exhibitors welcome.<br />
COLUMBIA<br />
Blonde From Brooklyn (Col)—Robert Stanton,<br />
Lynn Merrick. A good little ieature that<br />
failed to do business. The theatres in a nearby<br />
city are giving me plenty of competition<br />
a big double feature every day, and to get<br />
there all you need to do is get on a bus and<br />
pay seven cents. Played Fri., Sat. Weather:<br />
Fair.— Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville,<br />
• W. Va. Rural patronage. • »<br />
Down to Earth (Col)—Rita Hayworth, Lorry<br />
Parks, Marc Piatt. Some people expected<br />
to see a picture of "The Jolson Story" caliber<br />
—and were disappointed. But they did see<br />
a pleasing Technicolor musical that was good<br />
start to finish. entertainment from Some people<br />
didn't like the fantastic story, most were<br />
satisfied, and others said it was the best<br />
Technicolor they had ever seen." Played Sun.,<br />
Mon., Tues. Weather: Cold.—Carl E. Pehlman,<br />
Rio Theatre, Edinburg, 111. Rural and<br />
small town patronage. * * *<br />
South of the Chisholm Trail (Col)—Charles<br />
Starrett, Smiley Bumette, Nancy Saunders.<br />
A fair western with the Durango Kid. This<br />
had a little bit better story. Smiley gave a<br />
few goo(l laughs. Played Fri., Sat. Weather:<br />
Cold and rainy.—James E. Davis, Riglto Theatre.<br />
Bennington, Okla. Rural and small town<br />
patronage. * *<br />
EAGLE LION<br />
Green for Danger (EL)—Sally Gray, Trevor<br />
Howard, Rosamund John. Too English<br />
enough said. Played Wednesday. Weather:<br />
Cold.—D. W. Trisko, Ritz Theatre, Jerome, Ariz.<br />
Mining town patronage. * *<br />
Railroaded (EL)—John Ireland, Sheila Ryan,<br />
Hugh Beaumont. This is very good—better<br />
than some of the so-called A murder pictures.<br />
Don't be afraid to advertise this picture.<br />
did<br />
Snow and below freezing here.<br />
better than average business.—L.<br />
This<br />
Brazil<br />
jr.. New Theatre, Bearden, Ark. Rural patronage.<br />
* * *<br />
Red Stallion, The (EL)—Ted Donaldson,<br />
Robert Paige, Noreen Nash. This picture really<br />
drew them in. Not since I played "The Outlaw"<br />
have I had such crowds. Everyone<br />
thought it was grand. Give us more like it.<br />
Played Sat., Sun. Weather: Fair.—T. M.<br />
Patton, Scenic Theatre, Lexington, 111. Small<br />
town patronage.<br />
*<br />
FILM CLASSICS<br />
Heart of Arizona (FC)—Reissue. William<br />
Boyd, Natalie Moorhead. Good western but<br />
it doesn't matter what I play, business is off.<br />
Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair.-Ralph<br />
Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va.<br />
Rural patronage. * *<br />
Patient Vanishes, The (FC)—James Mason,<br />
Mary Clare, Margaret Vyner. Another English<br />
picture that did not do anything in this<br />
west suburban Chicago community. Comment<br />
in general was poor, with a demand for better<br />
grade pictures. Played in combination<br />
with "Thief of Bagdad"—a reissue. Played<br />
Thurs. through Sat. Weather: Very cold.—<br />
L. C. Utecht, Lake Theatre, Oak Park,<br />
Suburban patronage.<br />
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER<br />
Fiesta (MGM) — Esther William, Akim<br />
Tamiroff, Ricardo Montalban. A very pleasing<br />
south-of-the-border Technicolor romance,<br />
comedy and thrills of the bull ring. From my<br />
personal viewpoint, think the dance sequences<br />
with Ricardb Montalban I<br />
and Cyd<br />
Charisse stole the show. A suitable holiday<br />
show which did average business. Played<br />
Thurs., Fri- Weather: Cold and clear.—Carl<br />
E. Pehlman, Rio Theatre, Edinburg, 111. Rural<br />
and small town patronage.<br />
Green Dolphin Street (MGM)—Lana Turner,<br />
Van Heflin, Donna Reed. Not a roadshow, by<br />
any means, although we did not buy it that<br />
way. It gave general satisfaction. The mechanics<br />
very good. Played Sun. through Wed.<br />
Weather: Cold.—M. W. Mattecheck, Mack<br />
and Lark Theatres, McMinnville, Ore. Local<br />
patronage.<br />
Guniighlers (Col)—Randolph Scott, Barbara<br />
Britton, Dorothy Hart. Good action<br />
Living in a 6ig Way (MGM)—Gene Kelly,<br />
picture.<br />
We didn't do too badly, in spite of adverse<br />
Marie McDonald, Charles Winninger. This<br />
and<br />
Snow,<br />
weather.<br />
wind,<br />
Played Sat.,<br />
cold.—Horland<br />
Sun. Weather;<br />
Rankin, Plaza<br />
picture should please everyone it is clean<br />
and wholesome, so you need not be afraid to<br />
take the whole family. is one of the best<br />
It<br />
Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. Small town patronage.<br />
* * * I've played in a long time and 1 have had<br />
some good ones. The scene where Gene<br />
Kelly dances and plays with the children is<br />
well worth the price of admission. The attendance<br />
was not too good, perhaps due to<br />
the fact that the picture is not highly advertised<br />
and due also to the severely cold<br />
weather. Played Sat.. Sun.—T. M. Patton,<br />
He's Agitating Again<br />
About Theatre Fires<br />
BYE COVERSTON of the Cherokee<br />
I Theatre at Southwest City, Mo., has<br />
thrown his hat in the ring for exhibitorcontributors<br />
with the followuig:<br />
"Up until now I have been able to stay<br />
away from your EXfflBITOR HAS HIS<br />
SAY department. Being a small town exhibitor<br />
with not much to say, I have refrained<br />
from dusting off the keys. Now<br />
I have decided to write a few, and if you<br />
want them, more will be forthcoming.<br />
(Send them along, Bye.)<br />
"Some years ago you printed an article<br />
for me on fire prevention and inflammable<br />
film. From that article (occasioned by<br />
a girl burning to death in a local theatre)<br />
I received praise from all over the<br />
world and was made an honorary member<br />
of an operators' union in Pennsylvania.<br />
Some little progress has been made<br />
since then—more can be made.<br />
"Now that the State Theatre at Columbus,<br />
Kas., has burned to the grourrS"<br />
twice in one year (something that<br />
shouldn't happen to my worst competitor<br />
and certainly not to a swell guy like Art<br />
Pugh, the owner) I feel like taking up the<br />
crusade again and lending my small voice<br />
to start a flood of opinion (hat may lead<br />
to means of stopping a lot of this unnecessary<br />
loss to our industry. But I will<br />
need help, lots of help, and I don't mean<br />
money. What about it? What are you<br />
willing to do to help, having as much to<br />
lost as anyone else in the industry? Because<br />
we each and everyone connected do<br />
lose by every remote fire in some secluded<br />
building, even if no lives are lost."<br />
Disney Reissue Plays<br />
16 Days in Oak Park<br />
FANTASIA (RKO)—Reissue of Disney<br />
feature. We played this to overflowing<br />
crowds for over two weeks. Comment in<br />
general was very good. The greatest draw<br />
was due to the big exploitation campaign<br />
two weeks in advance of exclusive suburban<br />
showing. The theatre broke all<br />
records and played to holdouts daily.<br />
Music and art was the greatest pulling<br />
power. Played 16 days in all. Single feature.<br />
Weather: Cold and rain most of<br />
the run.—L. C. Utecht, Lake Theatre,<br />
Oak Park, 111. West suburban Chicago<br />
patronage. *<br />
Scenic Theatre, Lexington, 111. Small town<br />
patronage.<br />
Mighty McGurk, The (MGM) — Wallace<br />
Beery, Dean Stockwell, Edward Arnold. This<br />
story has a lot of appeal. Wallace Beery is<br />
as good as ever. The boy and dog make it<br />
what it is and it went over okay here. Played<br />
Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair.—R. W. Burgess,<br />
Roxy Theatre, McClusky, N. D. Rural<br />
and small town patronage.<br />
*<br />
i^YeorUng, The (MGM)—Gregory Peck, Jane<br />
Wyman, Claude Jarman jr. My top in a poll<br />
for the year's best ten, with Gregory Peck<br />
an Academy Award winner. This story is<br />
perfect. These good pictures are all too few,<br />
so if you haven't got it, get it. Played Sun.,<br />
Mon. Weather: Cold and stormy.—E. J. Petersen,<br />
Cozy Theatre, Jeffers, Minn. Rural and<br />
small town patronage. * *<br />
MONOGRAM<br />
Eilroy Was Here (Mono)—Jackie Cooper,<br />
Jackie Coogan, Wanda McKay. This is a fair<br />
little comedy but as all had come out to see<br />
Cisco, there weren't many remarks about the<br />
Kilroy story. Played Sunday. Weather: Cold.<br />
—D. W. Trisko, Ritz Theatre, Jerome, Ariz.<br />
*<br />
Mining town patronage.<br />
PARAMOUNT<br />
Blaze of Noon (Para)—Anne Baxter, William<br />
Holden, Sonny Tufts. This was a good<br />
picture that failed to draw. Played Tues.,<br />
Wed. Weather: Cold.—Otto W. Chapek, Annex<br />
Theatre, Anamoose, N. D. Rural and small<br />
town patronage. * * *<br />
UBlue Skies (Para)—Bing Crosby, Fred<br />
is<br />
Astaire, Joan Caulfield. Although this<br />
it is rather old among the best of Technicolor<br />
musicals and did above average business.<br />
It proved to be a well received holiday attraction.<br />
Played Thursday., Fri. Weather:<br />
Clear and cold.—Carl 'E. Pehlman, Rio Theatre,<br />
Edinburg, 111 Rural and small town<br />
patronage.<br />
Ladies' Man (Para)—Eddie Bracken, Cass<br />
Daley, Virginia Welles. This is a swell picture.<br />
If you haven't played it, do so. Eddie<br />
Bracken should be seen in more pictures.<br />
Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Rainy and cold.<br />
—James E. Davis, Rialto Theatre, Bennington,<br />
Okla. Rural and small town patronage. * *<br />
Perfect Marriage, The (Para)—Loretta Young,<br />
David Niven, Eddie Albert. The first night was<br />
no good but the second night it really went<br />
over big. Played Wednesday. Weather: Icy.<br />
—Harland Rankin. Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, On'.<br />
Small town patronage.<br />
Wild Harvest (Para)—Alan Ladd, Dorothy<br />
Lamour, Robert Preston. We did a very good<br />
business on this picture, just right for this<br />
territory, and our farmers went for it in a big<br />
way.. Lots of action they could understand<br />
and enjoy. Plenty fast, with something doing<br />
all the time and a very good cast. Get it and<br />
tie up with the Massey Harris man. Played<br />
Sun,. Mon., Tues. Weather: Fine.—Mayme P.<br />
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide Mar. 6, 1948
: presume.<br />
'<br />
RKO RADIO<br />
Banjo (RKO)—Sharyn Molfett, Jacqueline<br />
White, Waller Reed, Doubled with "Thunder<br />
Mountain" and it made a nice double bill.<br />
The kids came 100 per cent to see the dog<br />
story and the older ones had to come along.<br />
Played Wednesday. Weather: Snow.—D. W.<br />
Trisko, Ritz Theatre, Jerome, Ariz. Mining<br />
town patronage. * *<br />
Crossfire (RKO) — Robert Young, Robert<br />
Mitchum, Gloria Grahame. We ployed this<br />
on a Fri., Sat. but the extreme cold weather<br />
was against us, as well as a local basketball<br />
game. General comment among those few<br />
who came was: "overrated." This race<br />
oroblem doesn't seem so vital in these areas,<br />
Perhaps it had too much buildup.<br />
— R. E. Halstead, Tri-Town Theatre, Lindstrom,<br />
'.Iinn. Rural and small town patronage.<br />
It's a Wonderful Life (RKO)—James Stewart,<br />
Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore. One of the<br />
finest pictures ever to come out oi Hollywood.<br />
The boxolfice didn't set any record but truly<br />
a pleasure to run this. Business only fair.<br />
Played Sun., Mon. Weather; Rain.—Terry<br />
Axley, New Theatre, England, Ark. Rural and<br />
small town patronage. * * '<br />
Magic Town (RKO)—Jimmy Stewart, Jane<br />
^'.^'man, Kent Smith. There is a lot of comdy<br />
and swell entertainment in this picture<br />
but it didn't draw like we expected. However,<br />
.'.e didn't have much of a break in the<br />
it weather. Buy. right and the picture will<br />
liold up on your best time. I think we will<br />
bring it back soon. Played Sun., Mon.<br />
Weather: Stormy.—Moyme P. Musselman,<br />
Roach Theatre, Lincoln, Kas. Small town patronage.<br />
My Pal Wolf (RKO)—Jill Esmond, Sharyn<br />
Moffett. Played on a single bill to weekend<br />
business, fair results. It is with well worth<br />
playing. Played Thurs., Fri., Sal. Weather:<br />
Cold.—Harland Rankin, Beau Theatre, Belle<br />
River, Ont. Small town patronage. * * *<br />
USecret Life of Waller Milty, The (RKO)—<br />
Danny Kaye, Virginia Mayo, Boris Karloff.<br />
We have never had much luck with Danny<br />
Kaye, but this one drew fairly well and<br />
pleased more than any of the others. Comedy<br />
is what we need to give this business<br />
a shot in the arm. This is one of them.<br />
Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair.—Mayme P.<br />
Musselman, Roach Theatre, Lincoln, Kas.<br />
Small town patronage.<br />
Trail Street (RKO)—Randolph Scott, Robert<br />
Ryan, Anne Jeffreys. This is right down our<br />
alley as our patrons like westerns and this<br />
one was super, so we did okay in spite of<br />
sub-zero temperatures. Randolph Scott, as<br />
usual, was, good in the part of the U.S. marshal.<br />
You can't go wrong on this. Played<br />
Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather: Cold.—R. W.<br />
Burgess, Roxy Theatre, McClusky, N. D.<br />
and small town patronage.<br />
REPUBUC<br />
Rural<br />
*<br />
Dangers of the Canadian Mounted (Rep)<br />
Serial. This action serial brings in enough<br />
additional revenue to take care of film rental<br />
on our Fri., Sat. change. Saturday night busi-<br />
.ness is our bread-and-butter night and helps<br />
to pay our losses on other nights. Plays each<br />
Fri., Sat. night.—R. W. Hailey, Lott Theatre,<br />
Lott, Tex. Rural patronage.<br />
Heldorado (Rep)—Roy Rogers, Dale Evans,<br />
George "Gabby" Hayes. This was a good<br />
western but the print was so rotten that all<br />
we had was breaks and the people ore still<br />
wondering what the film was all about.<br />
Played Tues., Wed. Weather: Cold.—Otto W.<br />
Chapek, Annex Theatre, Anamoose, R ^D^<br />
Rural and small town patronage.<br />
BOXOFHCE BookinGuide Mar. 1948<br />
Kelly,<br />
Spoilers of the North (Rep)—Paul<br />
Adrian Booth, Evelyn Ankers. We are gradually<br />
spoiling up north here. With the business<br />
so bad, we envy you southern exhibitors<br />
whose business is average. Played Fri., .<br />
Sot. Weather: Coldern hell.—Harland Rankin,<br />
Joy Theatre, Bothv/ell, Onl. Small town<br />
patronage. * * *<br />
Petersen Looks Ahead<br />
To Cantor's Next Film<br />
20th CENTURY-FOX<br />
SHOW BUSINESS (RKO)—Eddie Cantor,<br />
George Murphy. I played this oldie<br />
Boomerang (20th-Fox) — Dana Andrews, for a "co-op" free show. Not only is it<br />
Jane Wyait, Lee J. Cobb. Here is the best good comedy, but it is good advertising<br />
mystery show ever to hit this theatre. The if you intend to play "If You Knew Susie,"<br />
people liked it because of its being a true since Cantor has been off the screen a<br />
long time. Played Tuesday. Weather:<br />
story. The actors were perfectly picked in<br />
Good.— E. J. Petersen, Cozy Theatre,<br />
this one and the court scene really brought<br />
the show into a first-class entertainment. We Jeffcrs, Minn. Rural and small town patronage.<br />
had the Royal Wedding on as a short and<br />
• *<br />
probably that brought<br />
Fri., Sat. Weather: Snowy.—George<br />
the crowds. Played<br />
Mac-<br />
Hantsport, N. S. Small<br />
Kenzie, York Theatre,<br />
town patronage.<br />
Housekeeper's Daughter, The (UA)—Reissue.<br />
*<br />
Joan Bennett, Adolphe Menjou. This is<br />
Foxes of Harrow, The (20th-Fox)—Rex Harrison,<br />
a good reissue with plenty of comedy.<br />
Bennett is one of the favorite movie<br />
Joan<br />
stars<br />
Maureen O'Hara, Richard Haydn. Ex-<br />
here. Good average draw. Played Mon., Tues.<br />
cellently produced. Drama of life in and<br />
New Orleans in the early days.<br />
near<br />
Good<br />
—L. Brazil jr.. New Theatre, Bearden, Ark.<br />
audience reaction and good business. Rural patronage. * * *<br />
Stanley Leay, Stanley Theatre, Galena, 111.<br />
General patronage, • • Whistle Stop (UA)—George Raft, Ava Gardner,<br />
'Victor McLagen. This was one of our<br />
I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now (20th-Fox)<br />
—June Haver, Mark Stevens, Martha Stewart.<br />
first pictures with George Raft in it and it<br />
didn't go very well—or maybe it was the snow<br />
that kept the people home. The story itself<br />
This picture is solid entertainment for our<br />
family trade. June Haver and Mark Stevens was very good and all the actors portrayed<br />
will be greater attractions here after their their parts very well. The only complaint is<br />
that there were only few people to see it.<br />
splendid performances in this outstanding<br />
a<br />
musical. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Cold Played Wed., Thurs. Weather; Heavy snowing.<br />
and wet.—R. W. Hailey, Lott Theatre, Lott, —George MacKenzie, York Theatre, Hantsport,<br />
N. S. Small town patronage.<br />
Tex. Rural patronage. * *<br />
*<br />
Margie (20th-Fox) — Jeanne Grain, Glenn<br />
Langan, Lynn Bori. Fox didn't pull any UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL<br />
bloomer on this one—entertainment for the Song of Scheherazade (U-1)—Yvonne De<br />
whole family. It played to above average attendance<br />
Carlo, Brian Donlevy, Jean Pierre Aumont.<br />
and pleased 100 per cent. Played<br />
Wednesday. Weather: Cold.— J. E. Rougeau,<br />
The sound and print were all that could be<br />
desired but this is too high class for a small<br />
town situation, so in spite of the beautiful<br />
Technicolor, I played to average business. Remove<br />
the singing scenes and it might get by<br />
Thinks Theatre Robbery<br />
a small town. Played Sun., Mon. Weather:<br />
Fine.— I. Roche, 'Vernon Theatre, 'Vernon, Fla.<br />
*<br />
Cut Down His Patronage Small town and rural patronage.<br />
GREAT EXPECTATIONS (U-I)—John<br />
Song of Scheherazade (U-I)—Yvonne De<br />
Mills, Valerie Hobson, Bernard Miles.<br />
This is another one of J. Arthur Rank's<br />
productions and it is from the novel written<br />
by Charles Dickens. We didn't get<br />
Carlo, Brian Donlevy, Jean Pierre Aumont.<br />
The name of this thing should be enough<br />
to kill it. You can't pronounce it—you have<br />
to sneeze it. Just another Universal flop.<br />
the crowds that we should have. The<br />
theatre was robbed over the weekend<br />
Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Fair.—Bill<br />
Leonard, Leonard Theatre, Cedarvale, Kas.<br />
Small town and rural patronage. * * •<br />
so maybe everybody was afraid to leave<br />
his house. It is a very good picture<br />
though. Played Mon., Tues. Weather:<br />
Fine.—George MacKenzie, York<br />
Temptation (U-I)—Merle Oberon, George<br />
Theatre,<br />
Brent,<br />
Hantsport, N. S. Small town patronage.<br />
Charles Korvin. Poor business and poor<br />
* comments. We barely took in film rental for<br />
two days. Skip it, by all means, if you operate<br />
in a small town. Played Tues., Wed. Weather;<br />
Fair and cold.—Arthur E. Phifield, Park Theatre,<br />
South Berwick, Me. Small town patron-<br />
Club Theatre, Seven Sisters Falls, Man. Small<br />
town and rural patronage. * * *<br />
age. * * *<br />
Mother Wore Tights (20th-Fox)—Betty Grable,<br />
Dan Dailey, Mona Freeman. Here is the<br />
WARNER BROS.<br />
kind of picture that a manager can show with<br />
Cry Wolf (WB)—Errol Flynn, Barbara Stanwyck,<br />
pride and stand in his lobby to receive the<br />
many fine compliments from patrons as they<br />
Richard Basehart. I wasn't expecting<br />
too much but had many compliments on this<br />
leave, after being completely entertained.<br />
Business was swell. I paid a fair price for picture. I thought myself it was just average.<br />
rental. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Cold Played Sat., Sun, Weather: Cold.—Otto W.<br />
but clear.—A. L. Burke jr., Venita Theatre, Chapek, Annex Theatre, Anamoose, N. D.<br />
Herculaneum, Mo. Small town patronage. * Rural and small town patronage. * * *<br />
Swamp Water (20th-Fox)—Reissue. Walter One More Tomorrow (WB)—Ann Sheridan,<br />
Brennan, Walter Huston, Anne Baxter. This Dennis Morgan, Jack Carson. I was mildly<br />
is a very good reissue which pleased on<br />
well as<br />
surprised that this picture drew as<br />
it did. Maybe they came to see Jack Carson<br />
Fri., Sat. Weather: Good.—E. M. Freiburger,<br />
Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town and Dennis Morgan, or perhaps they get tired<br />
many might have been<br />
patronage. * * *<br />
of so westerns, or it<br />
I that the weather eased up a bit. think it<br />
UNITED ARTISTS<br />
was all three reasons put together. Anyway,<br />
Carson and Morgan are liked here and I<br />
Christmas Eve (UA)—George Raft, George could use more of their pictures. Played Wed.,<br />
Brent, Joan Blondell. A rare combination of Thurs. Weather: Mild and warmer.— I Roche,<br />
comedy, thrilling action and tear-jerking Vernon Theajre, 'Vernon, Fla. Small town<br />
drama. Randolph Scott steals the show as and rural patronage.<br />
a rural rodeo rider in the city. The strong<br />
interestholding<br />
Svring Styles (WB)—Short. A very good<br />
cast brought in the customers and the<br />
film pleased them. Played Sun., Mon.<br />
musical. In fact, I am going to bring it back<br />
Weather: Bad roads.—R. W. Hailey, Lott Thea-<br />
later.—L. Brazil jr.. New Theatre, Bearden^<br />
Ark. Small town patronage.
FEATURE CHART
( .<br />
ILY?<br />
l<br />
JULY 12<br />
CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES<br />
JULY 19<br />
g(68) Urama 803<br />
OF THE BEES QGUNFIGHTERS<br />
Kandolpli Scutt<br />
Barbara Britton<br />
Bruce Cabot<br />
li—June 14—PG-830<br />
|18] (104) Mus-Dr 727<br />
©FIESTA<br />
Esther Williams<br />
Ricardo Montalban<br />
Mary Astor<br />
Cyd Charlsse<br />
R-^une 14- -PO-830<br />
JULY 26<br />
(68) Weslern 7;<br />
J26]<br />
GHOST TOWN RENE-<br />
GADES<br />
R—AUB.<br />
9— PG-849<br />
j^ (85) lir.cma IC<br />
CARAVAN<br />
it—Sept.<br />
H<br />
6—PG-8B3<br />
Reprint<br />
(103) Musical 723<br />
THE GREAT WALTZ<br />
AUGUST 2<br />
|3b] (77) Urama<br />
©LAST OF THE<br />
REDMEN<br />
R—Aug.<br />
THE<br />
2—PG-844<br />
HUCKSTERS<br />
AUGUST 9<br />
[7] (09) Drama 8<br />
THE SON OF RUSTY<br />
Ted Donaldson<br />
Stephen Dunne<br />
Ann Doran<br />
11—Aug, 16—PO-848<br />
(106) Drama :<br />
ROMANCE OF ROSY<br />
RIDGE<br />
Vim Johnson<br />
Janet Leigh<br />
Thomas Mitchell<br />
R—.luly 5— PG-a36<br />
AUGUST 16<br />
[y]<br />
(55) Weste<br />
RIDERS OF TH<br />
LONE STAR<br />
Charles<br />
Smiley<br />
Virginia<br />
Slarretl<br />
Uurnette<br />
Hunter<br />
[y] (81) Drama 1<br />
RED STALLION<br />
Robert Paige<br />
Noreen Nash<br />
II—July 26—PO-841<br />
AUGUST 23<br />
^ (67) M.IS-W<br />
SMOKY RIVER<br />
SERENADE<br />
g<br />
FEATURE CHART<br />
-Aug. 23— PG-850<br />
(83) Comedy 7<br />
GAS HOUSE KIDS I<br />
HOLLYWOOD<br />
Oirl "Alfalfa" Swltzer<br />
lienny Bartlett<br />
Rudy WIssler<br />
Tommy Bund<br />
R—Sept. 6—PG-863<br />
AUGUST 30<br />
^ (58) Mjslery<br />
UlLO VANCE'S<br />
SECRET MISSION<br />
j<br />
[19] (68) Comedy 6<br />
KILROY WAS HERE<br />
lackie Cooper<br />
lackie Coogan<br />
Wanda McKay<br />
(!—July 5— PG-835<br />
[i|] (95) Comedy 4616<br />
DEAR RUTH<br />
loan Caul Held<br />
William Holden<br />
Edward Arnold<br />
Billy De Wolfe<br />
It—May 31—PO-824<br />
^ (63) Drama 4624<br />
COVER BIG TOWN<br />
'hilip Reed<br />
Hilary Brooke<br />
!—Mar. 1—PO-795<br />
(106) Drama 4613<br />
tiWELCOME STRANGER<br />
Blng Crosby<br />
Joan Caulfield<br />
R—April 26-PG-814<br />
^<br />
(95) Drama 4617<br />
©DESERT FURY<br />
Lizabeth Scott<br />
John Hodiak<br />
Burt Lancaster<br />
^<br />
(67) M'drama 4625<br />
JUNGLE FLIGHT<br />
Robert Lowery<br />
Ann Savage<br />
Mary Hatcher<br />
Olga San Juan<br />
R—July 19—PG-840<br />
(44) Mys-Com 4617<br />
i<br />
ir BOX MYSTERY<br />
h Neal<br />
):n Jenkins<br />
IneU Blake<br />
(Jan. 3—PO-888<br />
3roup 6<br />
(CO) Drama 7<br />
OICK TRACY'S<br />
DILEMMA<br />
Ralph Byrd<br />
Kuy Christopher<br />
Ian Keith<br />
R—May 24—PG-822<br />
m (T5) Wester<br />
©SPRINGTIME I<br />
SIERRAS<br />
THE<br />
Roy Rogers-Jane Frazee<br />
R—Aug. 2—PG-843<br />
Tsl (71) Western 685<br />
ROBINHOOD OF TEXAS<br />
I!—Sept.<br />
1.3— rn-8.5.';<br />
Reissue<br />
B] (65) Western HC12<br />
BAR 20 JUSTICE<br />
William Boyd<br />
Russell Hayden<br />
George Hayes<br />
Group 6<br />
(60) Western 73(<br />
THUNDER MOUNTAIN<br />
51] (67) Drama 6<br />
BLACKMAIL<br />
William Marshall<br />
.Wele Mara<br />
R—Aug. 16—PG-847<br />
M (40) Mys-Com 4618<br />
Case of the baby<br />
SITTER<br />
Fom Neal<br />
Allen Jenkins<br />
I'.amela Blake<br />
THEY WON'T<br />
ME<br />
Robert Young<br />
Susan Hayward<br />
Rita<br />
Johnson<br />
Elliott<br />
BELIEVE<br />
[ ^2—PG-a43<br />
IT] (71) Com-Dr 4702<br />
KILLER DILL<br />
Stuart Erwin<br />
Anne Gwynne<br />
Frank Albertson<br />
R—May 17—PG-819<br />
Group 1<br />
(80) D<br />
RIFF-RAFF<br />
Group 1<br />
(61) Western 8<br />
UNDER THE TONTO<br />
RIM<br />
Tim Holt<br />
Nan Leslie<br />
R-^une 14^PG-829<br />
g] (58) Western 667<br />
MARSHAL OF CRIPPLE<br />
CREEK<br />
Allan Lane-BohV Blak<br />
R—Aug. 23—PG-849<br />
lis] (69) Drama 6<br />
THE PRETENDER<br />
R—Aug. 30—PG-851<br />
Group 1<br />
(68) Drama<br />
SEVEN KEYS TO<br />
BALDPATE<br />
Phillip Terry<br />
Group 1<br />
(86) Drama 8 '<br />
CROSSFIRE<br />
Robert Young<br />
Robert MItchum<br />
Robert Ryan<br />
Gloria Orahame<br />
Sam Levene<br />
K—June 28—PO-833<br />
g<br />
(64) Western 651<br />
©ALONG THE OREGON<br />
TRAIL<br />
Miinle ll.ile<br />
Adrian Booth<br />
R—Sept. 13—PG-855<br />
•(M) Drama 72<br />
ET ME AT DAWN<br />
tUsoi E;tbe<br />
ltd Court<br />
Irgarct Rutherford<br />
(76) Drama 722<br />
THE CRIMSON KEY<br />
Kent Taylor<br />
Doris Dowling<br />
Itennis Hoey<br />
Louise Currie<br />
R—July 12—PG-838<br />
(104) .Musical 72:<br />
©I WONDER WHO'S<br />
KISSING HER NOW<br />
Mark Stevens<br />
Martha Stewart<br />
Reginald Gardiner<br />
R—.Jtme 21—PCf-832<br />
[19] (96) Drama<br />
THE OTHER LOVE<br />
Barbara Stanwyck<br />
David Niven<br />
R—Apr. 12— PG-810<br />
li] (60) Western<br />
HOPPY'S HOLIDAY<br />
William Boyd<br />
-iJidy Clyde<br />
It—May 24— PG-821<br />
f9] (133) Musical<br />
CARNEGIE HALL<br />
William<br />
Prince<br />
g (112) Comedies<br />
©COMEDY CARNIVAL<br />
9RUTE FORCE<br />
Burt Lancaster<br />
Hume Cronyn<br />
R—June 28—PG-833<br />
OSLAVE GIRL<br />
Yvonne Dc Carlo<br />
George Brent<br />
R—.luly 26—PG-842<br />
^<br />
(108) Drama 624<br />
POSSESSED<br />
loan Crawford<br />
V;m lien in<br />
ll.iymnnd Mnssey<br />
Ceraldine Brooks<br />
R—June 7—PC- 835<br />
Reissues<br />
rin (81) Drama 6<br />
MARKED WOMAN<br />
Bette Dav1s-n, Bngnrt<br />
[9] (87) Drama 6<br />
DUST BE MY DESTII<br />
John Garfield<br />
Prisrilla Lane<br />
[Te] (84) Drama 625<br />
CRY WOLF<br />
Krriil Flynn<br />
Stanwyck<br />
B.-irbara<br />
Brooks<br />
Geraliline<br />
R—July 12—PG-837<br />
Drama New Rel<br />
( . . 1 Drama New<br />
MONEY MADNESS<br />
Iluah Beaumont<br />
Frances Rafferty<br />
ARGYLE SECRETS<br />
William Garg.in<br />
Marjorte Lord<br />
. ) Drama New<br />
DISCOVERY<br />
Adm. R. E- B.vrd<br />
DEVIL'S CARGO<br />
Rochellc Hudson<br />
(90) Drama New Rel<br />
WOMEN IN THE NIGHT<br />
Tala BIrell<br />
William Henry<br />
R—.Ian. 17—PO-891<br />
(80) Drama New Rel<br />
FOR YOU I DIE<br />
Cathy Downs<br />
R— Dec. -PC-88.'><br />
SPIRIT OF WEST<br />
POINT<br />
Blanchard-Davis<br />
R—Oct. 11—PG-863<br />
(95) Drama Reissue<br />
CATHERINE THE GREAT<br />
Douglas Fairbanks jr.<br />
Elisabeth Bergner<br />
(81) Drama Reissue<br />
THE RETURN OF THE<br />
SCARLET PIMPERNEL<br />
(981 Drama Relssiir<br />
SCARLET PIMPERNEL<br />
Merle Oberon<br />
Leslie Howard<br />
(124) Drama Reissue<br />
THAT HAMILTON<br />
WOMAN<br />
Vivien Leigh<br />
Laurence Olivier<br />
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide Mar. 6, 1948
EATURE CHART<br />
SEPTEMBER 6 SEPTEMBER 13 SEPTEMBER<br />
m (65) Mystery 821<br />
BULLDOG DRUMMOND<br />
STRIKES BACK<br />
Hon Rindell<br />
Gloria Henry<br />
It—Aug. 2S—PG-850<br />
m (87) Mystery 803<br />
THE ARNELO AFFAIR<br />
John Hodlak<br />
George Murphy<br />
Frances GIfford<br />
R—Feb. 15—Pa-790<br />
[e] (55) Drama<br />
ROBIN HOOD OF<br />
MONTEREY<br />
Gilbert Koland<br />
Evelyn Brent<br />
Chrls-rin Martin<br />
^<br />
(86) Comedy 801<br />
SONG OF THE THIN<br />
MAN<br />
William PoweU<br />
Myrna Loy<br />
Kcenan Wynn<br />
R—Aug. 2—PO-844<br />
^<br />
(68) Drama 622 Allied Artists<br />
NEWS HOUNDS 1^ (89) Outd'r-Dr AA2<br />
Leo Gorcey<br />
BLACK GOLD<br />
Chlrstine Mclntyre Anthony Quinn<br />
Bowery Boys R—June 28—PG-833<br />
R^Iune 21—PG-831 ^ (69) Western 673<br />
FLASHING GUNS<br />
R—Jan. 31— PG-895<br />
SEPTEMBER 27<br />
|7) (68) Mus-Com 827<br />
WHEN A GIRL'S<br />
BEAUTIFUL<br />
Adele Jergens<br />
Marc Piatt<br />
Patrica Whit«<br />
Stephen Dunne<br />
R—Sept. 27—PG-859<br />
1^ (72) Drama 710<br />
RAILROADED<br />
lolin Ireland<br />
K—Oct. 18—PG-866<br />
(92) Drama 4701<br />
ID<br />
WILD HARVEST<br />
Alan Ladd<br />
Dorothy Lamour<br />
Robert Preston<br />
Lloyd Nolan<br />
R—Aug. 9—PG-84B<br />
CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES<br />
OCTOBER 4<br />
[4] (93) Com-Myst 802<br />
GREEN FOR DANGER<br />
Sallv Gray-Trevor Howard<br />
R—Aug. 16—PO-848<br />
[3] (118) Drama 802<br />
©UNFINISHED DANCE<br />
Margaret O'Brien<br />
C>d Charisse<br />
Karin Booth<br />
R—Aug. 9—PO-846<br />
(53) Western 685<br />
[4]<br />
RIDIN' DOWN THE<br />
TRAIL<br />
Jimmy Wakely<br />
"Cannonball"<br />
Beverly Johns<br />
Taylor<br />
OCTOBER 11<br />
(y| (67) Drama 905<br />
KEY WITNESS<br />
John Beal<br />
Trudy Marshall<br />
Jimmy Uoyd<br />
R—Sept. 6—PG-854<br />
[u] (87) Comedy 801<br />
OUT OF THE BLUE<br />
Gtorge Brent<br />
R—Sept. 6—PG-853<br />
[n] (53) Western 755<br />
RETURN OF THE LASH<br />
Al "Lash" La Rue<br />
R—Nov. 15—PO-873<br />
[lO] (118) Drama 804<br />
SONG OF LOVE<br />
Katharine Hepburn<br />
Paul Henreld<br />
Robert Walker<br />
R—July 26—Pa-841<br />
In] (72) Drama 4701<br />
HIGH TIDE<br />
Don Castle<br />
Anabel Shaw<br />
Lee Tracy<br />
R—Aug. 9—PQ-845<br />
[lo| (67) M'drama 4702<br />
©ADVENTURE ISLAND<br />
Rory Calhoun<br />
Rhonda Fleming<br />
Paul Kelly<br />
R—Aug. 23—PG-860<br />
OCTOBER<br />
[14] (55) Western 961<br />
BUCKAROQ FROHA<br />
POWDER RIVER<br />
R—Nov. 15— PG-873<br />
|16] (69) Comedy 911<br />
BLONOIE IN THE<br />
DOUGH<br />
R—Sept. 27—PG-859<br />
^<br />
(68) Drama 803 (58) Western"<br />
ID<br />
BURY ME DEAD CHEYENNE TAKE<br />
Mark Daniels<br />
OVER<br />
R—Oct. 11—PG-864 Al "Lash" La Rue<br />
[is] (61) Western 756 g (58) Westwn<br />
FIGHTING VIGIUNTES BUCK HILLS<br />
Al "Lash" La Rue Eddie Dean<br />
R—Nov. 29—PG-877<br />
^<br />
(82) Comedy 803<br />
MERTON OF THE<br />
MOVIES<br />
Red Skelton<br />
Virghila O'Brien<br />
R—July 19—Pa-839<br />
Reprint<br />
(133) Drama 806<br />
THE WOMEN<br />
|J8] (72) Comedy 4702<br />
JOE PALOOKA IN THE<br />
KNOCKOUT<br />
Joe Kirkwood jr<br />
Elyse Knox<br />
Leon Errol<br />
R—Aug. 30— PG-851<br />
OCTOBER 1\<br />
K. Hay«orth-L. Parta<br />
R—Aug. 8—PG-844<br />
|3] (68) Musical<br />
I<br />
SWEET GENEVII<br />
J. Porter-J. Lydon<br />
R—Sept. 20—PG-'<br />
ID (55) Drama :<br />
PRAIRIE EXPRESS<br />
Johnny Mack Brown<br />
VU-ginia Belmont<br />
Raymond Hatton<br />
Group 1<br />
(95) Comedy 801<br />
OBACHELOR AND THE<br />
BOBBY-SOXER<br />
(!ary Grant<br />
Myrna Ixiy<br />
Shirley Temple<br />
R—June 7—rG-82e<br />
(97) Drama 8<br />
THE LONG NIGHT<br />
Henry Fonda<br />
Barbara Bel Oeddes<br />
Ann Dvorak<br />
Vincent Price<br />
R—June 7—PG-826<br />
Special<br />
(105) Comedy 851<br />
y©SECRET LIFE OF<br />
WALTER MITTY<br />
Danny Kaye<br />
Virginia Mayo<br />
R—July 19—PG-840<br />
Special<br />
(73) Comedy 891<br />
©FUN AND FANCY<br />
FREE<br />
Edgar Bergen<br />
Dinah Shore<br />
Luana Patten<br />
R—Aug. 23—PO-849<br />
Special<br />
(103) Comedy<br />
MAGIC TOWN<br />
lames<br />
Aug.<br />
Stewart<br />
30—PG-85B<br />
107) Musical 724<br />
©MOTHER WORE<br />
TIGHTS<br />
Betty Grable<br />
Dan Dalley<br />
Mona Freeman<br />
R—Aug. 30—PG-852<br />
[5] (102) Drama<br />
LURED<br />
George<br />
Liiellle<br />
Charles<br />
R_Ju|,<br />
Sanders<br />
Ball<br />
Cobum<br />
19—pa-839<br />
[s] (69) Drama 62<br />
EXPOSED<br />
Adele Mara<br />
Robert Scott<br />
B—Sept. 20—PG-857<br />
^<br />
(55) Drama S-1<br />
RACKETEERS<br />
Preston Foster<br />
Melvyn Douglas<br />
|l3| (74) Drama S-2<br />
CALL IT MURDER<br />
Humphrey Bogait<br />
Richard Wllorf<br />
(99) Drama 725<br />
KISS OF DEATH<br />
Victor Mature<br />
Brian Donlevy<br />
Coleen Gray<br />
R—Aug. 16—PG-847<br />
[l2| (93) Comedy<br />
HEAVEN ONLY KNOWS<br />
Robert (^immlngs<br />
Brian Donlevy<br />
Marjorle Reynolds<br />
R—Aug. 2—PO-843<br />
^<br />
Herald (Negro)<br />
(69) Mus-Com X-2<br />
BOY, WHAT A GIRL!<br />
Tim Moore<br />
Elwood Smith<br />
Sheila Quyse<br />
Duke WUltam<br />
B—Feb. 15—PG-790<br />
Reissue<br />
Reissue<br />
(118) Drama 727 (90) Drama<br />
HOW GREEN WAS MY SWAMP WATER<br />
VALLEY<br />
Walter Brennan<br />
Walter Pidgeon<br />
Walter Huston<br />
(62) Drama 726 Anne Baxter<br />
SECOND CHANCE<br />
R—July 26—PG-842<br />
(59) Western 751<br />
U]<br />
THE WILD FRONTIER<br />
Allan "Rocky" Lane<br />
Eddie Waller<br />
Jack Holt<br />
R—Oct. 11—PG-863<br />
[n] (78) Drama 4704<br />
THE BURNING CROSS<br />
Hank Daniels<br />
Virginia<br />
R—July<br />
Patton<br />
26—PO-842<br />
Reissues<br />
m (119) Drama 729<br />
FOXES OF HARROW<br />
^ (93) D<br />
THE MARK ZORRO<br />
Rex Harrison<br />
Maureen O'Hara<br />
Power-Darnell<br />
Richard Haydn<br />
|lo] (103) Drama 741<br />
Victor McLaglen DRUMS ALONG THE<br />
Vanessa Brown<br />
MOHAWK<br />
R—Sept. 27—PG-859 Cnaudette Colbert<br />
(89) Comedy<br />
MAD WEDNESDAY<br />
Harold Lloyd<br />
Frances Ramsden<br />
R—Feb. 22—PG-792<br />
(123) Comedy<br />
MONSIEUR VERDOUX<br />
(Carles Chaplin<br />
Martha Raye<br />
R—Apr. 26—PG-813<br />
ra (75) Outd'r-Mus 6<br />
©ON THE OLD SPAN<br />
ISH TRAIL<br />
Roy Rogers<br />
Tito Guizar<br />
Jane Frazee<br />
Andy Devlne<br />
R_Nov. 1—PG-870<br />
Herald<br />
(Negro)<br />
[is] (70) Musical X-:<br />
SEPIA CINDERELLA<br />
Billy Daniels<br />
Sheila Guyse<br />
Tondalayo<br />
Ruble Blakey<br />
R—Aug. 9—PG-845<br />
(73) Drama 732<br />
[JD<br />
THE INVISIBLE WALL<br />
R—Oct. 16—PG-866<br />
[18) (111) Drama 730<br />
NIGHTMARE ALLEY<br />
Tyrone Power<br />
Joan Blondell<br />
R_Oct. 18—PG-8fi5<br />
^<br />
(71) Mys-Dr 4J<br />
DRAGNET<br />
Henry Wllcoxon<br />
.Mary Brian<br />
Vlrlgnia Dale<br />
Douglass DumbrUle Ule!<br />
R—July 12—PG-<br />
g<br />
Special<br />
i<br />
(140) Drama q<br />
©FOREVER AMBEiC<br />
Linda Darnell<br />
Cornel Wilde<br />
Richard Greene<br />
R—Oct.<br />
18—Pi<br />
1<br />
George Brent<br />
Joan Blondell<br />
Randolph Scott<br />
R_Oov. 8—PO-873<br />
SINGAPORE<br />
Fred MacMurray<br />
Ava Gardner<br />
Richard Haydn<br />
R—Aug. 16—PO-848<br />
(98) Dra<br />
FRIEDA<br />
David<br />
Glynls<br />
Farrar<br />
Johns<br />
(101) Drama 625<br />
RIDE THE PINK HORSE<br />
Robert Montgomery<br />
Wanda Hendrix<br />
R—Sept. 20—PG-857<br />
Vt78) Comedy 628<br />
WISTFUL WIDOW OF<br />
WAGON GAP<br />
Abbott & Costello<br />
Marjorle<br />
Audrey<br />
R—Oct.<br />
M.iin<br />
Young<br />
4—PG-862<br />
Dane Clark<br />
Wayne Morris<br />
R—Aug 2— Pfl-843<br />
^<br />
(118) Comedy 702<br />
©LIFE WITH FATHER<br />
William Powell<br />
Irene Dunne<br />
Blljabeth Taylor<br />
^<br />
(106) Drama 703<br />
DARK PASSAGE<br />
Humphrey Bogart<br />
;—Sept.<br />
6—PG-854<br />
(71) Drama 704<br />
\J]<br />
BAD MEN OF MISSOURI<br />
D Morgnn-J. Wyman<br />
[T] (84) Drama 705<br />
EACH DAWN I DIE<br />
Cagney-Ii.ift<br />
[li] (103) Drama 706<br />
THE UNSUSPECTED<br />
Joan Caulfleld<br />
Claude Rains<br />
Audrey Totter<br />
Hurd Hatfield<br />
R—Sept. 20—PG-S58<br />
(140) Drama<br />
_ ©DUEL IN THE SUN<br />
O Jennifer Jones<br />
PCj Gregory Peck<br />
CO Joseph Gotten<br />
Lionel Barrymnre<br />
R^Ian. 11—PO-780<br />
GIRL ON THE CANAL<br />
R— Nov. 29— PG-877<br />
(68) Docum-Dr<br />
Eng. Films<br />
(61) Docum-Dr<br />
Eng. Films<br />
CHILDREN ON TRIAL<br />
R—Nov 29— PG-878<br />
(80) Musical<br />
Four Continents<br />
SPRINGTIME<br />
R—Feb. 14—PG-902<br />
(85) Drama<br />
Jewish NafI Fund<br />
MY FATHER'S HOUSE<br />
R—Oct. 4—PG-861<br />
Sept. (85) Western 1208 Oct. (71) Myst-Dr :<br />
LADY IN A JAM BLACK FRIDAY<br />
Irene Dunne Boris Karloff<br />
Ralph Bellamy Bela LugosI<br />
Sept. (891 Western 1121 Oct. (72) Myst-Dr I<br />
LADY FROM CHEYENNE THE BLACK CAT<br />
Loretta Young Alan Ladd<br />
Robert Preston Basil Rathbone<br />
BOXOFFICE BookJnGuide :: Mar. 6, 1948
CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGE<br />
FEATURE CHART<br />
.1
I<br />
FEATURE CHART<br />
CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES<br />
ROSE OF SANTA ROSA<br />
lliiosier Hotshots<br />
IMricla White<br />
Edtiiirdo Noriega<br />
K— Fan. 3—PG-888<br />
R— Noi. 1— PG-869<br />
SIX-GUN LAW<br />
Starrett-Burnctte<br />
R—Jan. 10—PG-890<br />
(81) Drama 9<br />
©THE SWORDSMAN<br />
Larr.v Parks<br />
R—Oct. 23— PG-867<br />
^ (911 Drama 8<br />
T-MEN<br />
Dennis O'Keere<br />
R— Dec. 20— PC-884<br />
GLAIVIOUR GIRL<br />
Virginia Grey<br />
Michael Duane<br />
Gene Knjpa's Orcb.<br />
R—Jan. 3—PO-888<br />
|i7| (71) Drama 810<br />
HEADING FOR HEAVEN<br />
Stuart Erwin<br />
Glenda Farrell<br />
IMARY LOU<br />
Robert Loiiery<br />
Joan Barton<br />
Glenda Farrell<br />
Frankie Carle<br />
R—Jan. 31—PG-896<br />
LOVE TROUBLE<br />
P. Tone-J. Blair<br />
R—Feb. 28—PG-905<br />
(72)<br />
im<br />
Drama 933<br />
PRINCE OF THIEVES<br />
J. Hall-P. Morison<br />
R—Dec. 6— PG-879<br />
|H| (85) Drama 811<br />
©THE SMUGGLERS<br />
Michael Redgrave<br />
R^lan. 17—PG-892<br />
WRECK OF THE<br />
HESPERUS<br />
Willard Parker<br />
Edgar Buchanan<br />
Patricia WTiite<br />
R—Feb. 14—PG-899<br />
[7] (83) Drama 812<br />
ADVENTURES OF<br />
CASANOVA<br />
Arturo de Cordova<br />
Turhan Bey<br />
Lucille Bremer<br />
R—Feb. 28—PG-905<br />
WOIVIAN FROM<br />
TANGIER<br />
Adele Jergens<br />
Stephen Dunne<br />
Michael Duane<br />
B—Feb. 28—Pa-90<br />
[nj (70) Drama<br />
OPEN SECRET<br />
.lohn Ireland<br />
Jane Randolph<br />
Roman Bohnen<br />
R-^an. 24—PG-89;<br />
'm<br />
m<br />
|2g] (95) Musical 810<br />
©GOOD NEWS<br />
June Allyson<br />
Peter Lawford<br />
Joan McCracken<br />
R—Dec. 6—PO-87<br />
[9] (119) Drama I<br />
CASS TIMBERLANE<br />
Spencer Tracy<br />
Lana Turner<br />
Zachary Scott<br />
R—Nov. 8—PG-872<br />
|17| (98) Drama 814<br />
IF WINTER COMES<br />
Walter PIdgeon<br />
Deborah Kerr<br />
Angela Lansbury<br />
R—Dec. 27—PO-88B<br />
[e] (99) Drama 8<br />
HIGH WALL<br />
Robert Taylor<br />
Audrey Totter<br />
Herbert Marshall<br />
R—Dec. 20—PG-883<br />
I27J<br />
Reissue<br />
(661 Drama 4706<br />
BETRAYED<br />
[3] (68) Drama 627<br />
SMART POLITICS<br />
Freddie Stewart<br />
Noel Neill<br />
[in] (66) Comedy 4704<br />
JIGGS AND MAGGIE<br />
IN SOCIETY<br />
[it] (53) Musical 686<br />
SONG OF THE DRIFTER<br />
Jimmy Wakely<br />
m<br />
(58) Western 4751<br />
OVERLAND TRAIL<br />
Johnny Mack Brown<br />
Raytnond Hatton<br />
Virginia Belmont<br />
[7] (75) Drama 4709<br />
FIGHTING MAD<br />
Joe Klrkwood jr.<br />
Leon Errol<br />
B—Feb. 7—PO-89:<br />
[y]<br />
(66) Drama<br />
PERILOUS WATERS<br />
Don Castle<br />
Audrey Long<br />
Peggy Knudson<br />
|l|] (98) Drama 4708<br />
1 WALK ALONE<br />
Burt Lancaster<br />
Llzabcth Scott<br />
Wendell Corey<br />
Kirk Douglas<br />
R—Dec. 20—PG-883<br />
Group 2<br />
(114) Drama<br />
SO WELL<br />
REMEMBERED<br />
in Mills<br />
Martha Scott<br />
;la Roc<br />
Group 2<br />
(102) Drama 806<br />
NIGHT SONG<br />
Merle Oberon<br />
Dana Andrews<br />
Ethel Barrymore<br />
R—Nov. 15—PG-874<br />
Reissue<br />
0) Western<br />
LAWLESS VALLEY<br />
George O'Brien<br />
Kay Sutton<br />
Group 3<br />
(91) Comedy 811<br />
IF YOU KNEW SUSIE THE FUGITIVE<br />
Eddie Cantor<br />
Henry Fonda<br />
Dolores Del Joan Davis<br />
R—Feb. 7—PG-89T<br />
Rio<br />
R—Nov. 15—PG-87<<br />
m (64) Com-Dr 701<br />
MAIN STREET KID<br />
Pearcc<br />
[KJ] (72) Outd'r-Mus 644<br />
©GAY RANCHERO<br />
Roy Rogers<br />
Tito Guizar<br />
.\ndy Devine<br />
R—Jan. 10—PO-88<br />
(65) Drama 702<br />
SLIPPY McGEE<br />
Don Barry<br />
Dale Evans<br />
Tom Brown<br />
r\ (61) Comedy 703<br />
AMPUS HONEYMOON<br />
Richard Crane<br />
Lyn WUde<br />
Lee WUde<br />
Hal Hackett<br />
Feb. 14—PO-899<br />
(72) Drama 4706<br />
ROAD TO THE BIG<br />
HOUSE<br />
[10] (80) Drama 4705<br />
THE PRAIRIE<br />
Lenore Aubert<br />
Alan Baxter<br />
Reissue<br />
\f\ (70) Western HC14<br />
N OLD MEXICO<br />
fiiliam Boyd<br />
Gabby Hayes<br />
Russell Hayden<br />
1^ (99) Drama 731<br />
DAISY KENYON<br />
Juan Crawford<br />
ini Drama 801<br />
©CAPTAIN FROM<br />
CASTILE<br />
Tyrone Power<br />
lean Peters<br />
Cesar Romero<br />
Lee J. Cobb<br />
John Sutton<br />
R—Dec. 6—PG-880<br />
1) Drama 803<br />
THE TENDER YEARS<br />
Joe E. Brown<br />
Richard Lyon<br />
Noreen Nash<br />
Charles Drake<br />
B—Dec. 6—PO-880<br />
1) Musical 202<br />
YOU WERE MEANT<br />
FOR ME<br />
inne Crain<br />
Dan Dalley<br />
Oscar Levant<br />
B-^an. 24—PO-894<br />
62) Drama<br />
DANGEROUS YEARS<br />
William Halop<br />
Scotty Beckett<br />
Richard Gaines<br />
(97) Drams<br />
SLEEP, MY LOVE<br />
Claudette Colbert<br />
Robert (Jjmmlngs<br />
(90) Drama<br />
MAN OF EVIL<br />
1 Mason<br />
Phyllis divert<br />
R_Feb. 7—PO-898<br />
(107) Comedy<br />
A MIRACLE CAN<br />
HAPPEN<br />
.M!-Star Cast<br />
R—Feb. 7—PO-898<br />
-July<br />
12— PG-838<br />
(81) Drama<br />
THE SENATOR WAS<br />
DISCREET<br />
William Powell<br />
Ella Raines<br />
\rleen V\'helan<br />
It— Dec. 20—PG-883<br />
(93) Drama<br />
CAPTAIN BOYCOTT<br />
Stewart Granger<br />
Kathleen Ryan<br />
Cecil Parker<br />
Dec. 6—PG-8aO<br />
ra (96) Drama<br />
A WOMAN'S<br />
VENGEANCE<br />
Charles Boyer<br />
.Km Blyth<br />
Jessica Tandy<br />
R—Dec 27—PG-88e<br />
U_llec<br />
!.!— P(;-8R2<br />
^<br />
(78) Drama 7<br />
ALWAYS TOGETHER<br />
Joyce Reynolds<br />
Robert Hiitton<br />
R—Dec. 20—PG 884<br />
_<br />
(126) Drama 714<br />
TREASURE OF<br />
SIERRA MADRE<br />
Humphrey Bogart<br />
Waller Huston<br />
Holt<br />
THE GREAT DAWN<br />
U—Aug. 30— PO-852<br />
(93) Drama<br />
Lopert<br />
SHOE-SHINE<br />
R—Sept, 6— Pn-854<br />
(105) Melodrama<br />
LO QUE VA DE AYER<br />
A HOY<br />
R—Sept. 13—PG-85S<br />
(81) Mu8-Dr<br />
Superrilra<br />
I LIVE AS I PLEASE<br />
R—Sept 13—PG-8B6<br />
(07) Com-Dr<br />
Clasa-Mohme<br />
GUADALAJARA PUES<br />
R—Sept. 13—PG-856<br />
(105) Drama<br />
Superfilm<br />
THE DEVIL'S ENVOYS<br />
Arletfy<br />
R—Sept.<br />
20—PO-858<br />
(101) Drama<br />
Film fits. Infl<br />
MARCO VISCONTI<br />
R—Sept. 20—PG-858<br />
(93) Comedy<br />
NO BASTA SER<br />
CHARRO<br />
R—Sept.<br />
27—PG-860<br />
(95) Drama<br />
Film Dist. Co.<br />
SCHOOLGIRL DIARY<br />
R—Oct. 11—PG-864<br />
(100) Mus-Dr<br />
Saturnia<br />
FAREWELL, MY<br />
BEAUTIFUL NAPLES<br />
R—Oct. 18— pc-sne<br />
(90) Drama<br />
FUra Classics<br />
FURIA<br />
R—Oct. 18—PG-865<br />
(91) Drama<br />
Leo Cohn<br />
THE BLUE VEIL<br />
R—Oct. 25—PG-868<br />
(97) Comedy<br />
QUE VERDE ERA N<br />
PADREI<br />
R—Oct.<br />
25—PO-868<br />
BOXOmCE BookmGuide Mar. 6, 1948
'-1
REVIEW DI(jE>I<br />
and Alphabetical Future Guide Index-<br />
^<br />
A<br />
905 Advcnluies of Casanova (83) EL 2-28-4S +<br />
B50 Adventure Island (67) Para g-23-47 +<br />
893 Albuquerque (90) Para 1-24-48 -f<br />
Alias 895 A Gentleman (78) 1-31-48 MGM -<br />
906 All My Sons (94) U-l 2-28-48 ff<br />
BSSAIonj the Oregon Trail (64) Rep..- 9-13-47 -f<br />
884 Always Together (78) W8 12-20-47 ±<br />
Anoels' Alley (67) 894 Mono 1-24-48 ±<br />
904 Arch of Triumph (119) UA 2-21-48 -f<br />
790Arnelo Affair, The (87) MGM 2-15-47 +<br />
B<br />
826 Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (95)<br />
RKO 6- 7-47 tt<br />
881 Bandits of Dark Canyon (59) Rep.. .12-13-47 -f<br />
872 Beware of Pity (102) U-l 11- 8-47 +<br />
903 B. F.'s Dauoliter (110) MGM 2-21-48 -f<br />
904 Big Clock, The (93) Para. 2-21-48 +<br />
Big After 875 Town Dark (69) Para 11-22-47 ±<br />
Bill 887 and Coo (16) Rep 1- 3-47 +<br />
875 Bishop's Wife. The (109) RKO 11-22-47 4+<br />
Bart U-l 897 Black (SO) 2- 7-48 ±<br />
900 Black Hills (60) EL 2-14-48 ±<br />
833 Black Gold (91) Allied Artists.... 6-28-47 +<br />
838 Black Narcissus (91) U-l<br />
847 Blackmail (67) Rep g-16-47 ±<br />
Blonde Savage (62) 864 EL 10-11-47 ±<br />
in the 859Blondie Dough (69) Col 9-27-47 ±<br />
885Blondie's Anniversary (67) Col 12-27-47 ±<br />
848 Body and Soul (104) UA 8-16-47 H<br />
Bowery Buckaroos (66) Mono<br />
905 Bride Goes Wild. The (98) MGM.. 2-28-48 +<br />
833 Brute Force (98) U-l 6-28-47 -f-<br />
873 Buckaroo From Powder River (55)<br />
Col U-15-47 ±<br />
850 Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back (65)<br />
Col 8-23-47 ±<br />
842 Burning Cross, The (77) SG 7-26-47 -f<br />
877 Bush Christmas (76) U-l 11-29-47 -|-<br />
864 Bury Me Dead (66) EL 10-11-47 +<br />
C<br />
899 Caged Fury (60) Para 2-14-48 -f<br />
894 Call Northside 777 (lU) 20-Fox. ,<br />
.<br />
1-24-48 +f<br />
899 Campus Honeymoon (61) Rep 2-14-48 +<br />
880 Captain Boycott (93) U-l 12-6-47 +<br />
880 Captain From Castile (141) 20-Fox 12- 6-47 H<br />
853 Caravan (84) EL 9- 6-47 -f-<br />
797 Carnegie Hall (136) UA 3-8-47 ±<br />
Case of the Baby Sitter (40) SG<br />
872 Cass Timberlane (119) MGM 11- 8-47 ++<br />
906 Challenge, The (68) 20-Fox 2-28-48 -f<br />
877 Check Your Guns (55) EL 11-29-47 +<br />
886<br />
884 Chinese Ring, The (67) Mono 12-20-47<br />
-f-<br />
±<br />
872 Christmas Eve (90) UA 11-8-47 +<br />
881 Crime Doctor's Gamble. The (66) Col. 12-13-47 ±<br />
838 Crimson Key (76) 20-Fox 7-12-47 ±<br />
833 Crossfire (86) RKO 6-28-47 ++<br />
837 Cry Wolf (83) WB 7-12-47 ±<br />
819 Cynthia (98) MGM 5-17-47 ++<br />
D<br />
878 Daisy Kenyon (99) 20-Fox 11-29-47 ++<br />
796 Danger Street (66) Para 3- 1-47 it<br />
884 Dangerous Years (62) 20-Fox 12-20-47 -f<br />
B54Dark Passage (106) WB 9- 6-47 -f-<br />
724 Dear Ruth (95) Para. 5-31-47 -f<br />
843 Deep Valley (106) WB 8-2-47 ++<br />
844 Desert Fury (95) Para 8-2-47 +<br />
896 Design for Death (48) RKO 1-31-48 -|-<br />
860 Desire Me (91) MGM 9-27-47 +<br />
820 Desperate (73) RKO 5-17-47 -f<br />
879 Devil Ship (62) Col 12- 6-47 ±<br />
861 Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome (65) RKO 10- 4-47 -|-<br />
822 Dick Tracy's Dilemma (60) RKO.. 5-24-47 ++<br />
887 Double Life, A (103) U-l 1-3-48 -4<br />
844 Down to Earth (101) Col 8- 2-47 4+<br />
838 Dragnet (71) SG 7-12-47 ±<br />
874 Driftwood (90) Rep 11-15-47 ±<br />
E<br />
871 Escape Me Never (104) WB U- 8-47 +<br />
868 Exile. The (92) U-l 10-25-47 +<br />
857 Exposed (59) Rep 9-20-47 —<br />
F<br />
873 Fabulous Texan, The (95) Rep 11-15-47 ++<br />
830 Fiesta (104) MGM 6-14-47 898 Fighting Mad (75) Motio 2-7-48 +<br />
•77 Fighting Vigilantes, Tli« (61) EL. ..U-29-47 ±
M<br />
92 Mad Wednesday (94) UA<br />
51 Magic Town (103) RKO<br />
93 Main Street Kid, Ttie (65) Rep..<br />
,67 Man About Town (89) RKO<br />
98 Man of Evil (90) UA<br />
39 Marauders. The (100) UA<br />
49 Marshall of Cripple Creek (58)<br />
95 Mary Uu (66) Col 1-31-48 ± ±<br />
35 Merlon of the Movies (S3) MGM.... 7-19-47 + ±<br />
-f 98 Miracle Can Happen, A (107) UA.. 2- 7-48 ±<br />
M Mr. Reckless (66) Para<br />
13 Monsieur Verdoux (120) UA<br />
Mother Wore Tipths (107) 20;Fox.<br />
79 Mourning Becomes Electra (173)<br />
RKO<br />
»My Girl Tisa (95) WB<br />
My Wild Irish Rose (101) WB...<br />
.10-25-47<br />
. 2- 7-48<br />
. 7-19-47<br />
. 8-23-47<br />
2-21-48<br />
4-26-47<br />
8-30-47<br />
.12- 6-47 + ±<br />
1 II 1 I il II i"<br />
6+<br />
7-1- 1-<br />
4-1- 7-<br />
7+ 2-<br />
2-f 3-<br />
3+ 3-<br />
5-f 3-<br />
6-1- 6-<br />
7-1- 3-<br />
8-t-<br />
2-<br />
2+ 5-<br />
9+ 4-<br />
10-1- 1-<br />
N<br />
L )6 Naked City. The (96) U-l 1-31-48<br />
,.,31 News Hounds (63) Mono 6-21-47<br />
!,i76 Nicholas Nickleby (95) U-l 11-22-47<br />
74 Night Sons (102) RKO 11-15-47<br />
55 Nightmare Alley (111) 20-Fox 10-18-47<br />
n North of the Border (40) SG 9-27-47<br />
9 Northwest Outpost (91) Rep 5-17-47<br />
6+ 1-<br />
6-t- 3-<br />
8+ 2-<br />
1+ 1-<br />
7-1- 5-<br />
On the Old Spanish Trail (75) Rep. 11- 1-47<br />
»3 Open Secret (70) EL 1-24-4S<br />
aOreoon Trail Scouts (58) Ren 5-24-47<br />
.0 Other Love, The (95) UA 4-12-47<br />
>3 0ut of the Blue (84) EL 9- 6-47<br />
S- -SOutof the Past (96) RKO 11-22-47<br />
±6+5-<br />
-f 10-1-<br />
± 10-1- 2-<br />
+ S+ 1-<br />
14 Pacific Adventure (97) Col 6-28-47 ±<br />
)S Panhandle (84) Allied Artists 1-31-48 +<br />
Paradine Case, The (129) SRO.... 1- 3-48 +f<br />
)3 Pearl. The (79) RKO 2-21-48 —<br />
Perilous Waters (64) Mono<br />
a Perils of Pauline (96) Para 5-24-47 +<br />
Philo Vance's Secret Mission (58) EL<br />
W Piccadilly Incident (87) MGM.... 2-7-48 ±<br />
16 Pioneer Justice (56) EL 7- 5-47 —<br />
of '6 Pirates Monterey (78) U-l 11-22-47 ±<br />
H-<br />
5 Possessed (108) WB 6- 7-47 ++<br />
Prairie Express (55) Mono<br />
Pretender, The (69) Rep 8-30-47 ±<br />
.1<br />
9 Prince of Thieves. The (72) Col.... 12- 6-47 +<br />
IsRailrtaded (72) EL 10-18-47<br />
' iRtd Stallion. The (81) EL 7-26-47<br />
fZ Relentless (92) Col 1-17-4S<br />
urn of Rin Tin Tin, The (67) EL 11- 8-47<br />
iS Return of the Lash (53) EL 11-15-47<br />
Return of the Whistler, The (63) Col<br />
7 Ride the Pink Horse (101) U-l.... 9-20-47<br />
Ridss of the Lone Star (54) Col<br />
Ridin' Down the Trail (53) Mono.<br />
9Riff-Raff (80) RKO 6-14-47<br />
a Road to Rio (101) Para 11- S-47<br />
9 Road to the Big House (74) SG....11- 1-47<br />
Robin Hood of Monterey (55) Mono<br />
5 Robin Hood of Texas (71) Rep 9-13-47<br />
6 Romance of Rosy Ridge, The<br />
(105) MGM 7- 5-47<br />
7 Roosevelt Story, The (80) UA 7-12-47<br />
8 Rose of Santa Rosa (65) Col 1- 3-48<br />
2 Roses Are Red (67) 20-Fox 11- 8-47<br />
7 Rustlers of Devil's Canyon (58) Rep. 7-12-47<br />
L Saddle Pals (72) Rep 6-21-47<br />
7 Saigon (95) Para 2- 7-48<br />
2 Second Chance (62) 20-Fox 7-26-47<br />
9 Secret Beyond the Door (98) U-l... 1-10-4S<br />
(Secret Life of Walter Mitty, The<br />
(105) RKO 7-19-47<br />
J Senator Was Indiscreet, The (81) U-l 12-20-47<br />
SSeven Keys to Baldpate (68) RKO.. 6- 7-47<br />
(Shadow Valley (58) EL 12-6-47<br />
3 Shepherd of the Valley (103) 20-Fox 6-14-47
'<br />
'-<br />
SHORTS REVIEWS<br />
Tex Beneke and His<br />
Orchestra<br />
(Martin Block's Musical Merry-Go-Round)<br />
MGM 10 Minutes<br />
Good. Second in the new series is an informal<br />
telling of a success story interspersed<br />
with the playing of several of the most popular<br />
Beneke and Glenn Miller records by Martin<br />
Block. Beneke, a broad-shouldered, likable<br />
guy, joined Glenn Miller's orchestra in the<br />
early part of the war. When Miller was reported<br />
missing v/hile entertaining the troops,<br />
Beneke took over and brought Miller's musical<br />
aggregation continued success.<br />
Freddy Martin and His<br />
Orchestra<br />
Very good. First of a new series starring<br />
America's No. 1 disk jockey is a lively and entertaining<br />
short with both band and film star<br />
value. Keenan Wynn, MGM comedy star,<br />
comes in to interview Martin Block as he sits<br />
at the turntable with a supply of records to<br />
play. Freddy Martin is then seen as well as<br />
heard playing "Cumana," "Tonight We Love,"<br />
based on the Tchaikovsky concerto, and<br />
"Come to the Mardi Gras."<br />
Jungle Closeups<br />
20th-Fox (Movietone Adventure) 8 Minutes<br />
Very good. Movietone's long-range camera<br />
gels some remarkable closeup views of South<br />
Africa's wild life in its natural habitat in the<br />
5,000,000-acre Kruger National Park in eastern<br />
Transvaal. This short has the best shots of<br />
giraffes, zebras, monkeys and lions seen in<br />
recent years. Ed Thorgerson adds some<br />
amusing narration.<br />
Olympic Class<br />
Swiss Cheese Family<br />
Robinson<br />
20th-Fox (Terryloon) 7 Minutes<br />
Good. Mighty Mouse again comes to the<br />
rescue of some unfortunate rodents in a novel<br />
cartoon subject. The victims of a shipwreck<br />
toss a bottle with a message into the sea.<br />
They land on a desert island and are almost<br />
devoured by cannibals before the message<br />
reaches the mouse relaxing on the sands of<br />
Miami Beach. Of course, he dashes to rescue<br />
and vanquishes the cannibals.<br />
Tex Beneke & Orchestra<br />
Univ-Int'l (Name Band Musical) 15 Minutes<br />
Good. A Number of old and new dance<br />
favorites make this a pleasant short. There<br />
is "Moonlight Serenade," long the identifying<br />
theme of the late Glenn Miller, who formerly<br />
headed the Beneke orchestra. In addition,<br />
there are: "Over the Rainbow" from the<br />
film "Wizard of Oz," "Too Late," "Sleepy Time<br />
Gal," "Blue Is the Night" and "Kalamazoo."<br />
Beneke and the Moonlight Serenciders handle<br />
the vocals.<br />
Opinions on the Current Short Subjeets-<br />
Snow Capers<br />
Univ-Int'l (Two-Reel Special) 19 Minutes<br />
Good. A little late for the winter season<br />
but still an interesting filler. There are striking<br />
scenes of the Canadian Rockies around<br />
Banff, Alberta, with beautiful shots of ski<br />
experts speeding down the mountainsides.<br />
There also are several scenes of midwinter<br />
swimming in an outdoor pool heated by natural<br />
springs. Mel Allen, radio sports announcer,<br />
handles the narration.<br />
A Feather in His Hare<br />
Warner Bros. (Bugs Bunny Special) 7 Minutes<br />
Hilarious. Bugs Bunny is in top form as he<br />
tangles with a not-so-bright Indian intent on<br />
capturing his scalp. Bugs is captured several<br />
times, but the Indian doesn't give up easily.<br />
He manages to lure Bugs into an improvised<br />
tepee barber shop for the purpose of scalping<br />
the rabbit. The carrot-munching rascal knocks<br />
the Indian unconscious and places a bunch<br />
of cigars in his fist. At the close the Indian<br />
complains to Bugs that he is the last Mohican.<br />
Bugs looks up to the sky to find a stork<br />
delivering a baby Indian. This stork is followed<br />
by a squadron of storks carrying miniature<br />
Bugs Bunnies. They chorus, "What's up.<br />
Pop?"<br />
The Friendship Train<br />
Warner Bros. (Documentary) 14 Minutes<br />
Good. The foreword to the reel by Harry<br />
Warner explains that the film was made as<br />
a gesture of thanks to the millions of Americans<br />
who contributed gifts to the Friendly<br />
Food train. The film follows the course of the<br />
train from its gala sendoff in Los Angeles,<br />
eastward across the U.S. Contributions of<br />
food are shown being piled into boxcars as<br />
the train lengthens in its journey to New York.<br />
Drew Pearson, originator of the Friendship<br />
Food train idea, is depicted at various stops<br />
the train makes, personally helping to load<br />
the boxcars and thanking food contributors.<br />
Dwight Weist and Andre Boruch are narrators.<br />
20th-Fox (Movietone Sports Review) lOMins.<br />
Good. A group of aqua queens demonstrate Teddy, the Rough Rider<br />
that they have what it takes to achieve<br />
Olympic class. The American girls, Ann<br />
Warner Bros. (Technicolor Special) 20 Minutes<br />
Curtis, Marilyn Sahner, Nancy Merki, Jeanne Good. Sidney Blackmer, who plays Theodore<br />
Roosevelt in the film, "My Girl, Tisa,"<br />
Wilson, Suzanne Zimmerman and Zoe Ann<br />
Olson, work at making top speed swimming portrays the feature role of the Rough Rider<br />
turns under the eye of coach Charlie Savage. in this rerelease. The film offers particular<br />
Other athletic events narrated by Mel Allen appeal to civic and school groups. The short<br />
are Robert Bennett of Brown university, for follows his career from 1895 when he became<br />
track and field; Bob Fitch, discus thrower, police commissioner of New York City to his<br />
and Dr. Steve Seymour of Los Angeles, javelin d'eath. There is a brief exciting scene of the<br />
expert.<br />
action in the Spanish-American War. Blackmer's<br />
portrayal of Roosevelt is effective. His<br />
speeches are a trifle over-long.<br />
Thanks, America<br />
Warner Bros. (Italian documentary) 27 Minutes<br />
Interesting. Incum, Rome, newsreel producer<br />
in Italy, has donated this documentary<br />
account of the distribution of the Friendship<br />
Food train gifts for showing in the U.S. to<br />
Warners. Footage concentrates mainly on<br />
shots of unloading of the food gifts and the<br />
reactions of the Italians when they ore told<br />
the food will go to children. Orson Wellse is<br />
narrator. The film is particularly suited for<br />
showing in Italian neighborhood houses.<br />
What's Brewin Bruin?<br />
Warner Bros. (Merrie Melody) 7 Minutes<br />
Amusing. The bear family decides to go<br />
to sleep for the winter. The baby bear is<br />
built like Garantua and speaks in a manner<br />
reminiscent of Finnegan on the "Duffy's Tavern"<br />
radio show. Papa bear spends the winter<br />
trying to stop a leak in the roof and attempting<br />
to prevent the baby bear from<br />
crushing him to death in his sleep. They<br />
share the some bed. When papa finally is<br />
prepared to get some sleep, spring downs.<br />
In the Newsreels<br />
Movietone News, No. IG: President describes '<br />
reactionaries as "lloogie birds"; American ,;<br />
flour arrives in China; helicopter tested; carni- i<br />
val in Rio; films of "Tokyo Rose" who enter- 9<br />
tained GIs in the Pacific; Ming leads a dog's 9<br />
life; navy wrestling; U.S. Olympic star takes '1<br />
ski jump. ^<br />
News of the Day, No. 250: Democrats open %<br />
presidential battle of 1948; starving China to- \<br />
day; quintuplets for the Leos; baseball in the<br />
|<br />
air; one-man helicopter; carnival time in Rio.<br />
Paramount News, No. 53: Joe Louis; Selassie<br />
attends Epiphany rites; Mountbatten calls on<br />
maharajah; fashions—spring and summer; political<br />
fireworks begin; Red Cross trailer.<br />
Universal News, No. 120: Truman keynotes<br />
1948 campaign; U.S. food arrives in China;<br />
spring rains flood Seville and other Spanish<br />
towns; colorful carnival in Rio; hill-climbing<br />
machine demonstrated at Seattle; billiard<br />
champ shows amazing skill at Barcelona-<br />
Gregory Peck appeals for Red Cross.<br />
Warner Pathe News, No. 55: Demonstrate<br />
plans for Turks; Mountbatten honored by<br />
maharajah- Democrats at Jackson day dinner;<br />
feeding China's needy; this was "Tokyo Rose";<br />
canaries in melodrama; London art show.<br />
• ^,<br />
Movietone News, No. 17: Atom bomb kills<br />
"<br />
i<br />
40, injures 100; United Nations faces a crisis;<br />
'>':<br />
first films aboard an illegal ship; Czecho-<br />
Slovakia taken over by Communists; President ,<br />
Truman's trip; General Eisenhower in civilian -;.<br />
life; Los Angeles Freedom Train; 15 to I long jj<br />
shot beats Assault. J<br />
News of the Day, No. 251: The Palestine *<br />
tragedy; explosion rocks Jerusalem; United 1<br />
Nations crisis; the Hagonah ship drama; new |<br />
look for General "Ike"; Czechoslovakians in •»!<br />
chains. 5<br />
Paramount News, No. 54: Communists con- sj<br />
trol Czechoslovakia; Truman the tourist; Eisen-<br />
|<br />
hower in civilian clothes; Palestine and the s<br />
United Nations.<br />
Universal News, No. 121: United Nations -t<br />
ponders Palestine crisis; bomb explosion in °<br />
Jerusalem; refugee ship seized by British;<br />
Truman tours the Caribbean; third pctrty candidate;<br />
General "Ike" dons civilian clothes.<br />
Warner Pathe News, No. 5B: U.S. rejects<br />
force in Palestine; Henry Wallace and Senator<br />
Taylor; Truman in the Caribbean; Eisenhower<br />
dons civilian attire; long shot wins<br />
Widc-ner cup race; Reds take over Czecho- ^<br />
Slovakia; Great Americans—Sam Houston. m<br />
Telenews Digest, No. 7: South boycotts Jack-l<br />
son day dinner; Bulgarian exile tells of fightl<br />
with communism; US. coins get treasuryl^<br />
check: tea imports put to U.S. taste test; should:*<br />
women be permitted to drink in bars alone?;-*<br />
Latin-American nations join to fight delinquency;<br />
the inauguration of President Ramon<br />
;<br />
Vallegos; Mexican rodeo shows off co-wboys i<br />
and tractors: Czechoslovakian cavern will be- j'l<br />
come national tourist spot; Samoan king pre- .1<br />
fers to be GI soldier; facsimile broadcasting,<br />
the women's world; Florida—the same old<br />
'.<br />
story; European wrestling championship; j<br />
Celebes ox fighting.<br />
All American news, VoL 6, No. 279: Howori<br />
graduate is new Notre Dame librarian; NegroJ<br />
minister elected head of Brooklyn church<br />
federation: 4-year-old Dayton, Ohio, boy composes<br />
and plays o-wn piano numbers: annual<br />
sports festival in Congo is great demonstration<br />
of skill; annual carnival held in New<br />
Orleans.<br />
All American News, Vol. 6, No. 280: Joe Louis<br />
and wile Marva sail on Queen Mary for exhibition<br />
tour of Europe; President speaks to-<br />
Jefferson day dinner; Thomas family of Jack<br />
sonville, Fla., rears triplets; Emperor Haile Se-jl<br />
lassie and Marshal Montgomery revie-w<br />
troops; All American news cameraman covers<br />
President Truman's Caribbean journey.<br />
}<br />
12<br />
BOXOrnCE BookinGuide :: Mar. 6, 1948,<br />
J
II<br />
i'^<br />
Opinions on Current Productions; Exploitips for Selling to the Public<br />
FEATURE REVIEWS<br />
Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay! F<br />
,""'"'<br />
' ^ (Technjcolor)<br />
20th-Fox (811) 98 Minutes Bel. Apr. '48<br />
At first blush it would seem hardly likely that a story<br />
in which the pivotal characters are a callow farm youth<br />
and a team ol mules would hove much to ofier in the way<br />
of diverting film entertairunent. In this instance, at least,<br />
such a surmise is far from correct—for out of those elements!<br />
plus a simple, homespun story. Technicolor photography and<br />
a gold-plated cast, has been fashioned a straightforward<br />
piece of entertainment that has undeniable charm, a refreshing<br />
lack of sophistication, and all the earmarks of a<br />
boxoffice winner. In atmosphere and plot technique the subject<br />
is reminiscent of Charlie Ray's great silent-screen hits<br />
and—once showmen surmount the hurdle of an awkward<br />
title—should do top business, not only in first run spots but<br />
also, and emphatically, in small town and rural communities<br />
Directed by F. Hugh Herbert.<br />
June Haver, Lou McCallister, Walter Brerman, Anne Revere,<br />
Natalie Wood. Robert Karnes, Henry Hull, Tom TuUy.<br />
The Sainted Sisters<br />
Paramount (- 89 Minutes Rel.<br />
That old one about the regeneration of a crook through the<br />
influence exerted by more soulful companions is accorded<br />
an intriguing new twist in this one, wherein the lawbreakers<br />
are a couple of confidence gals on the lam after a $25,000<br />
blackmail shakedown. The accent is on homespun comedy,<br />
performances are generally good, and the marquee lure of<br />
Barry Fitzgerald, Veronica Lake and Joan Caulfield should<br />
be potent enough to draw the customers in satisfactory<br />
quantities. It is Fitzgerald, a tombstone-carver for a smalltown<br />
cemetery, who sets the girls on the straight-and-narrow<br />
path after they moved into his home, intending to use it as<br />
a hideout. Ultimately his integrity convinces them they must<br />
pay the penalty, so they go back to New York and give<br />
themselves up, planning to return when they have discharged<br />
their debt to society. Directed by William Russell.<br />
Veronica Lake, Joan Caulfield, Barry Fitzgerald, William<br />
Demarest, George Reeves, Beulah Bondi.<br />
Miracle of the Bells<br />
RKO Radio (869) lis Minutes Rel.<br />
Producers lesse L. Lasky and Walter MacEwen have a<br />
solid hit in their film version ol the best-selling tome by<br />
Hussell Janney—adroitly combining fact and fancy, realism<br />
ana spiritual overtones, in a manner that can hardly fail to<br />
striko a responsive chord in the hearts of all but the most<br />
cynical audiences. Splendidly cast, ably directed by Irving<br />
Pichel, Janney's sentimental tale of a priest, a pre.ss agent<br />
and a famous film actress who returns in death to her birthplace,<br />
a Pennsylvania coal town, is told largely in flashback.<br />
Slow in getting under way, the tempo picks up rapidly<br />
once the plot and characters have been established, and<br />
the "miracle" referred to in the title is handled so deftly<br />
that it provides a novel and heart-warming climax. Fred<br />
IvIacMurray is the press agent, Valli the actress and, in an<br />
unusual casting, Frank Sinatra portrays the priest.<br />
Valli, Fred MacMurray, Frank Sinatra, Lee J. Cobb, Philip<br />
Ahn, Dorothy Sebastian, Billy Wayne.<br />
Strawberry Roan F<br />
°"cT^o°orr<br />
Columbia (<br />
)<br />
—<br />
Minutes Rel.<br />
There s a pot ol gold for all but de luxe houses at the foot<br />
this rainbow-colored film. Combining a less routine kind<br />
ol<br />
of western action, ranch chores such as capturing and<br />
breaking wild horses from the hills, with Autry's singing and<br />
breath-taking scenery in Cinecolor, there is tense drama<br />
in the plot. A ranch owner's love son causes for his blind<br />
rage at the stallion which injures Joe when the boy tries to<br />
break him. Autry hides with the horse in the hills and gentles<br />
him so the boy will recover his spirit and ride again. Musical<br />
numbers are patently dragged in and the "chase" element<br />
is not overlooked; even birds-and-the-bees information<br />
simply dramatized by the arrival of a foal. Small town audiences<br />
and neighborhood houses will love all this which<br />
augurs well for future Autry films under the Columbia banner.<br />
John English directed.<br />
Gene Autry, Gloria Henry, Jack Holt, Dick Jones, Pat Buttram.<br />
Rufe Davis, John McGuire.<br />
The Man From Texas b Phantom Valley<br />
Eagle Lion (815) 71 Minutes ReL Mar. 6, Columbia (965) 53 Minutes Rel. Feb. 19, 48<br />
This outdoor drama makes cagey use of the interest audiences<br />
always have in daring American frontier bandits.<br />
With a competent cast headed! by James Craig, this saga<br />
of the El Paso Kid also shows what his unconventional means<br />
of making a living meant to his wife and family. Loving him<br />
and pleading with him to live a normal life of respectability,<br />
this churchgoing woman always wanted a church ceremony<br />
performed in addition to their hasty marriage by a justice<br />
of peace, but a posse interferes. At times the Kid tries to go<br />
straight, even legally borrowing money from a bank to go in<br />
business. There is a whimsical, tongue-in-cheek quality to<br />
much of the script which will delight sophisticated audiences<br />
as well as action ones. The climax is really sensational, the<br />
Kid saving the gold-laden train carrying him 1o prison from<br />
the holdup gang that betrayed him. Leigh Jason directed.<br />
James Craig, Lynn Ban, Johnnie Johnston, Una Merkel, Wally<br />
Ford, Harry Davenport, Sara AUgood.<br />
Tornado Range<br />
Different from others of the Durango Kid series in little but<br />
names and places, and perhaps in that the leader of the<br />
outlaw gang turns out to be a woman. Ever since the murder<br />
of one of the ranchers and the robbery of granger funds<br />
he had withdrawn from the bank, a feud has been going<br />
on which Charles Starrett in his twin-personality of Steve<br />
Collins, government agent, and Durango Kid, outlaw, tries<br />
to settle. Smiley Burnette rides about on his sway-backed,<br />
ring-eyed white nag, cracks his jokes and sings his corny<br />
tunes, with an occasional assist to the plot. Ozie Waters<br />
and his Colorado Rangers give out with those western tunes<br />
which have become routine for recent sagebrush dramas.<br />
In spots where the series has drawn a following, this sagebrusher<br />
should fill out a weekend action double bill. Directed<br />
by Ray Nazarro.<br />
Charles Starrett, Smiley Burnette, Virginia Hunter, Joel Friedkin,<br />
Robert W. Filmer, Mikel Conrad, Zon Murray.<br />
Oklahoma Badlands<br />
Eagle Lion (854) 56 Minutes Rel. Feb. 21,<br />
Eddie Dean's ingratiating personality and pleasing way<br />
with a cowboy ballad are the outstanding features of a<br />
formula western. It will do good business in western and<br />
action houses only. Once again Roscoe Ates plays the stuttering<br />
comedy relief and Jennifer Holt makes a decorative<br />
heroine but George Chesebro, usually the villain, is on the<br />
side of the law this time. There is plenty of gunplay and<br />
cross-country riding as well as one rip-roaring fistic encounter.<br />
Dean is assigned by the U.S. land office to protect<br />
the interests of the homesteaders, who are moving west .<br />
.<br />
have open title. The ranchers warn Dean that they mean<br />
to claim their government land to which the cattle ranchers<br />
to stop the homesteader caravan from coming through.<br />
When Dean convinces the ranchers that outlaws are stirring<br />
up trouble, peace is assured. Directed by Ray Taylor.<br />
Eddie Dean, Roscoe Ates, Jermiler Holt George Chesebro,<br />
Brad Sloven, Terry Frost, Marshall Reed, Russell Arms.<br />
i<br />
nno<br />
ROYOFPirtE / March<br />
'48 Republic (753) 59 Minutes Rel. Feb. 22. '48<br />
It's diificult to see how, in an hour's footage, there could<br />
have been crammed more action, gunplay, fist-fights, runaway<br />
stage coaches, cattle-rustling and other assorted<br />
skulduggery. Latest in the series starring Allan "Rocky"<br />
Lane, the sizzling pace marks it as a sure-fire entry in<br />
action houses and should have the red-blooded juvenile fans<br />
tearing up the seats. The ingredients are of the staple,<br />
bread-and-butter variety: Cowardly cow-thieves; the brain<br />
behind the gang; the comedy-relief ranch foreman; the beautiful<br />
girl kidnapped by the crooks and rescued in time's nick.<br />
With these items as the story framework. Lane ric'es into the<br />
Iray, masquerading as a dude from the big city, and virtually<br />
single-handed rounds up the rascals—disposing of<br />
enough ammunition in the process to ventilate everybody<br />
within miles. Directed by Yakima Canutt.<br />
Allan "Rocky" Lane. Eddy Waller, Mildred Coles, Roy Barcroft,<br />
Gene Stutenroth, Earle Hodgins, Dale Van Sickel.
. . . the<br />
. . . Exploding<br />
. . Your<br />
. . Galloping<br />
. . Allan<br />
. .<br />
. .<br />
. .<br />
. .<br />
. . Tender,<br />
. . Greater<br />
. . And<br />
. . He<br />
. . Guns<br />
. . They<br />
. . She<br />
. . She<br />
. . Head<br />
. . Made<br />
. .<br />
EXPLOITIPS Suggestions for Selling; Adiines for Newspaper and Programs<br />
SELLING ANGLES: "Miracle of the Bells"<br />
SELLING ANGLES:<br />
"Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!"<br />
The novel on which this is based hit the best-seller lists<br />
and should be made the basis of special library and bookstore<br />
displays. Secure the endorsements of religious and<br />
civic groups after inviting representatives to a special<br />
screening. Supply local religious and school publications<br />
virith scene mats and stories. As giveaways use small<br />
pieces of cardboard cut out in the shape of bells and hcrng<br />
similar bell cutouts around the marquee. Scour newspaper<br />
files for stories of modern "miracles" and blow them up for<br />
lobby display.<br />
CATCHLINES:<br />
It's Heading Your Way . . . the Warmest, Humanest Movie<br />
You've Ever Seen . Heart Will Be Wearing a Great<br />
Big Smile . . . You'll Choke Up With Tears and Laughter<br />
... at This Unforgettable Story.<br />
Just Once in a Lifetime . . . the Screen Rises to Such<br />
Triumph . . . You'll Want to See It Over and Over Again<br />
Happiest, Heartiest, Warmest Hit Ever Filmed .<br />
and a Human Story You'll Never Forget.<br />
jat<br />
in<br />
Scour around among outlying farm communities for mule<br />
teams and stage a contest to determine the most intelligent<br />
and hard-working, offering a prize to the winning owner.<br />
Point out in your advertising that the original by George<br />
Agnew Chamberlain was serialized in the Country Gentleman,<br />
condensed in the Readers' Digest and published as a<br />
novel. A young man resembling Lon McCallister, astride<br />
a mule, would make effective street ballyhoo. Conduct a<br />
contest for the longest list of words that can be spelled from<br />
the letters<br />
in the title.<br />
CATCHLINES:<br />
A Heart-Warming Triangle ... a Boy, a Girl and His Mule<br />
Team . Homespun Romance . . . the Story of a<br />
Simple Farm Boy Who Knows There Ain't No Animal as<br />
Smart as a Mule ... if He's Handled Right.<br />
It's as Neighborly as the Family Next Door . . . the Tender,<br />
Human Tale of a Love-Smitten Farm Boy . Over Heels<br />
in Love With the Belle of the County ... It was Great as<br />
a Book .<br />
as a Movie.<br />
SELLING ANGLES: "Strawberry Roan" SELLING ANGLES: "The Sainted Sisters"<br />
CATCHLINES:<br />
The Screen's Mightiest Drama of a Stallion Outlaw .<br />
Four-Footed Fury and Two-Fisted Daring ... A Magnificent<br />
Outlaw Stallion That Becomes a Legend of the West .<br />
Gene Autry Defies a Gun-Crazed Posse to Win Justice for a<br />
Great Horse.<br />
Run a rocking-horse contest by having one on display in<br />
the lobby and advertising it will be given away to the ticketholder<br />
having the lucky number the night of the show opening.<br />
Ask local shops to feature "Autry gloves," "Autry hats,"<br />
"Autry boots." Get local music stores to display Gene Autry<br />
platters and guitar exhibits. Use a horseshoe display in the<br />
lobby—also a large still of the Strawberry Roan.<br />
Both Branded Outlaws but a Kid's Life and a Girl's Happiness<br />
Depend on Them . . . The Wild Horse Country Hurls<br />
Aulry His Greatest Challenge . . . "Horses, Like People, Need<br />
a Lot of Lovin' "... A Great Horse Story, a Great Heart<br />
Story.<br />
Tie the title in with a "sister act" display of women's and<br />
girls' clothing, shoes, etc., with local merchants, illustrated<br />
with stills of Veronica Lake and Joan Caulfield, who portray<br />
sisters in the picture. Stage a "two-for-one-price" matinee for<br />
sisters who can identify themselves as such. Use two attractive<br />
blonde girls, who resemble each other, in street<br />
ballyhoo. Stills of Barry Fitzgerald as a tombstone-carver<br />
could be used in gag tieups.<br />
CATCHLINES:<br />
The Guy Was Amorous . Had Money to Spend .<br />
He Thought the Sisters Were Honeys ... But He Changed<br />
His Mind When He Discovered the Interlude Cost Him<br />
Twenty-Five Grand .<br />
All His lllu<br />
You'll Love the Sainted Sisters . . . Who Were Too Generous<br />
With Other People's Money . Had Plenty of<br />
Ideas About Making a Living ... At the Expense of Somebody<br />
Else . . . Until a Guy Without A Dime . Them<br />
Realize Honesiy Pays Off.<br />
SELLING ANGLES: "Phantom Valley" ^;-<br />
Use still displays of the Durango Kid in striking poses, accompanied<br />
by stills of Smiley as comedy relief. Ask local<br />
owners of juke boxes to use Smiley records in their machines<br />
and get displays of some in the music stores. Use a<br />
newspaper or radio "Valley Quiz" asking for the names of<br />
valleys famous for winter sports, little rainfall, world famous<br />
power and irrigation, etc. Have a masked man or boy on<br />
horseback ride the principal streets wearing a sign: "I'm<br />
heading for Phantom Valley, State Theatre, Friday."<br />
CATCHLINES:<br />
Deadly Durango Shooting Up Bad Men, Songster Smiley<br />
Cooking Up Laughs . . . Durango and Smiley Rout Rustlers<br />
With Bullets and Song in Yippee Style . . . Roaring<br />
Rhythm and Fast Action on the Old Cattle Range.<br />
Song-Studded Thrills in Bandit Infested Hills . . . The West's<br />
Big Tune, Action and Thrill Team . Hoofs, Blazing<br />
Guns, Rollicking Tunes ... He Looked for the 'Woman<br />
and Found Her the Leader of the Gang.<br />
SELLING ANGLES:<br />
'The Man From Texas"<br />
Groundwork has been laid by the producers for advance<br />
advertising in national magazines and with product tieups.<br />
A true-false quiz contest about Texas will help to call<br />
stills attention to the film as will from the picture decorating<br />
the lobby. Radio spot announcements can whip up interest<br />
in the thrilling aspects of the film and local bookstores using<br />
window cards with displays of western books or those containing<br />
the word Texas arouse interest. A lobby showcase<br />
display of a train holdup will be worth the trouble of<br />
assembling.<br />
CATCHLINES:<br />
He Didn't Say Much—His Guns Talked for Him . . . Shooting,<br />
Looting, Loving—All in His Blood . Found What a<br />
Thousand Bullets Missed—His Heart ... A Price on His<br />
Head, a Woman in His Heart, Hot Guns in His Hands.<br />
The Renegade Hero of a Lawless Era Texas Was His<br />
.' . .<br />
Country, Plenty Big, Plenty Rough, Plenty Tough . . . Half<br />
Saint, Half Renegade, but All Man . Wanted a Church<br />
Wedding and a Respected Place in the Community ... He<br />
Got Money From a Bank—Once—by Signing a Note!<br />
SELLING ANGLES: "Oklahoma Badlands" SELLING AN€n.ES: "Tornado Range"<br />
If you haven't already done so, organize an Allan "Rocky"<br />
Lane Fan club among your juvenile patrons and supply them<br />
with inexpensive membership cards and badges. With local<br />
merchants supplying prizes, stage a cowboy costume contest<br />
for the kids at matinees. Arrange window displays of<br />
western-type clothing and make the usual tieups with magazine<br />
distributors on pulp western pubUcations. For lobby<br />
display prepare a blown-up map of the Oklahoma badlands<br />
country.<br />
CATCHLINES:<br />
It's Your Favorite New Western Hero . "Rockv"<br />
Lane ... in Fierce, Furious Outdoor AdVenture ... a Six-<br />
Shootin' Gang Buster ... Out to Corral Land-Lootin' Killers<br />
... in a Flaming Showdown.<br />
A Two-Fisted, Straight-Shooting Story of the Old West .<br />
as Allan "Rocky" Lane Fights a Fearless Battle ... to Bring<br />
Justice to the Bandit-Ridden Badlands . . . It's a Fast and<br />
Furious Outdoor Thriller.<br />
Arrange tieups with music shops and department stores<br />
for window and counter displays of songs by Eddie Dean<br />
and his Majestic recordings. Run a contest to discover the<br />
boy or girl who has the best singing voice and let the opening<br />
night audience be the judge. Make the winner honorary<br />
president of a local Eddie Dean Fan Club. A man<br />
wearing a cowboy outfit and riding a horse with a playdale<br />
slung over the saddle will attract attention.<br />
CATCHLINES:<br />
Eddie Dean Has a New Gal, a New Horse and a Saddle-<br />
Bag of New Songs . . . Eddie Is Hot on the Trail of the Outlaws<br />
Who Ride Tornado Range . Blaze and Bullets<br />
Fly As the Cattle Ranchers Claim Open Range.<br />
Eddie Dean and His Horse, Copper, in a Tale of Rip-<br />
Roaring Action . . . It's Action at Its Best as Eddie Dean<br />
Battles the Outlaws Who Are Fighting the Homesteaders.
Opinions on Current Productions; Exploitips for Selling to the Publit<br />
FEATURE REVIEWS<br />
Holiday Camp<br />
Univ-Int'l 97 Minutes<br />
Drama<br />
Rel. Fob. '47<br />
Typically British in its atmosphere and characterizations,<br />
yet a delightfully warm and entertaining tale ol working<br />
people on a holiday. Because the all-English cast has scant<br />
name value, the picture is best suited to art houses. However,<br />
it rates extra selling as a dualler in neighborhood<br />
spots, where average audiences will enjoy the down-toearth<br />
humor. Director Ken Annikin skillfully employes the<br />
"Grand Hotel" pattern to bring together the many sub-plots<br />
in a rambling story which alternates between comedy and<br />
dramatic sequences. While their accents seem too heavy<br />
at the start, the British players have an acting field day with<br />
their well-sustained characterizations. Flora' Robson gives<br />
a moving portrayal of a lonely spinster. Jack Warner is<br />
amusing as a family man and Esma Cannon makes an<br />
engaging, man-chasing nitwit.<br />
Flora Robson, Dennis Price, Hazel Court, lack Warner,<br />
Kathleen Harrison, Jimmy Hanley. Esme Cannon.<br />
Kings of the Olympics - Part 1 F<br />
United Artists 60 Minutes Hel.-<br />
With the sports writers stirring up interest in the Olympic<br />
games to be held in London next July, this hour-long camera<br />
record of the 1936 Berlin Olympics should prove timely.<br />
During the next six months it will have boxolfice possibilities<br />
as a second feature in regular situations or as a single feature<br />
for newsreel theatres. Its appeal need not be restricted<br />
to sports fans. There is artistic camera work and keen drama<br />
for all in the foot races, jumping events, and water sports<br />
shown here. Some of the U.S. athletes who made sports<br />
history as participants in these events are Jesse Owens,<br />
Ralph Metcalfe, Glenn Cunningham and Ken Carpenter. Narration<br />
is well handled by Bill Slater. Joseph Lerner and<br />
Max Rosenbaum are to be commended for their editing job<br />
on the vast footage shot by 600 German cameramen. Part<br />
II of the 1936 Olympics will be released after Part I has been<br />
played off. It will include soccer, polo, bicycle races, the<br />
decathlon and marathon.<br />
Jenny Lamour A J^Z;.<br />
The Fight Never Ends<br />
F<br />
Foremost Films 102 Minutes Hel.<br />
A racy, realistic and suspensful murder mystery with a<br />
backstage background which permits the logical introduction<br />
of songs and specialties. One of the best of the Frenchlanguage<br />
imports, it should do strong business in art houses.<br />
The Parisian music hall atmosphere and sexy theme also<br />
might be exploited in other metropolitan spots but it's<br />
strictly adult fare and not for neighborhood audiences. The<br />
English titles approach the risque, several of the characters<br />
are degenerate and some of the situations are spicy, to say<br />
the least. The songs, including the catchy "Dance Avec Moi,<br />
ore delivered in spirited fashion by Suzy Delair, who gives<br />
an excellent portrayal of an ambitious entertainer. Louis<br />
Jouvet gives another outstanding performance as a calm<br />
and cagy police inspector. Directed by Henri-Georges<br />
Clouzot. Foremost Films is at 229 West 42nd St., N.Y.C.<br />
Louis Jouvet, Suzy Delair, Bernard Blier, Simone Renant,<br />
Charles DuUin, Rene Blancart.<br />
A Lover's Return<br />
A<br />
Westport International 96 Minutes Rel.<br />
A slow-moving and cynical tale of revenge and adolescent<br />
love, this French-language film is adult fare. The names of<br />
Louis Jouvet and Gaby Morlay aie familiar to art theatre<br />
patrons and the film will do good business in sure-seaters.<br />
Except where French-speaking patrons predominate, the<br />
picture will hove little value generally. Jouvet gives one<br />
of his customary suave portrayals of a middle-aged lover<br />
and Miss Morlay contributes a sincere performance as a<br />
matron who hopes to recapture the thrills of young love. But<br />
it is Ludmila Tcherina who stands out for her beauty, her<br />
capable acting and her hne dancing in the several ballet<br />
sequences. These have been lavishly staged and well<br />
photographed. A successful impresario returns to the town<br />
where a shooting broke up his romance of 20 years before.<br />
Directed by Christian Jaque.<br />
Louis Jouvet, Gaby Morlay, Francois Perier, Ludmila<br />
Tcherina, Jean Brochard, Marguerite Moreno.<br />
Laugh, Pagliacci<br />
Continental Films 89 Minutes Rel.<br />
One of the better Italian-language films with some dramatic<br />
acting and fine singing to offset the out-moded plot.<br />
Beniamino Gigli's draw with opera lovers makes this surefire<br />
in the art theatres and in a few metropolitan houses.<br />
Public curiosity about 'Valli, currently starring in Selznick's<br />
"The Paradine Case," also mokes it suitable for duals, especcially<br />
in Italian neighborhoods. 'Valli looks lovely in period<br />
costumes and gives an engaging performance as an unsophisticated<br />
girl. Gigli's glorious voice is heard to advantage<br />
in arias from "Pagliacci" but his acting and hefty<br />
appearance leave something to be desired. However, Paolo<br />
Hoerbiger gives a moving portrayal of a tragic old clovim,<br />
the prototype of the character in the Leoncavallo opera. Directed<br />
by Guiseppe Fatigati. Continental is at 1560 Broadway,<br />
N.Y.C.<br />
Alida Valli, Beniamino Gigli, Paolo Hoerbiger, Dagny Servaes,<br />
Carlo Romano.<br />
Alexander 70 Minutes Rel.<br />
With Joe Louis, world heavyweight chomp, as the star,<br />
this all-Negro film about juvenile delinquency in Harlem<br />
should be able to boost grosses for Negro theatres down<br />
south and for northern theatres catering to predominantly<br />
Negro audiences. The Joe Louis reputation also should help<br />
sell the picture as a Saturday children's show attraction.<br />
Aside from Louis and the Mills Brothers, the picture has little<br />
to offer except a peachy story about the evils of crime. The<br />
acting and story leave much to be desired. As long as Louis<br />
is kept busy on the screen and) is shown sparring in the<br />
ring, it is doubtful whether the production shortcomings will<br />
bother his many fans. There also is the chance that the film<br />
may convince some potential reform school candidates that<br />
crime doesn't pay. Joseph Lerner directed. Alexander Productions,<br />
306 Lennox Ave., New York, N. Y.<br />
Joe Louis, Ruby Dee, The Mills Brothers,<br />
Fanny<br />
Harrel Tillman.<br />
Siritzsky International 126 Minutes Rel.-<br />
The artistry of producer-writer Marcel Pagnol and the<br />
superb acting ability of the late Raimu are combined in<br />
an outstanding French language film. The popularity of<br />
the character actor with art theatre patrons, plus the favorable<br />
critical comjnent, will make this a strong draw in the<br />
sure-seaters. The picture's illegitmacy theme and the twohour<br />
running time make it unsuitable for dual showings in<br />
neighborhood and subsequent runs. The story has a strong<br />
emotional appeal, is filled with human interest andi contains<br />
enough realistic dramatic and comedy touches for two<br />
ordinary films. Raimu gives a deeply moving performance<br />
of an anxious grandfather and Charpin splendidly alternates<br />
the amusing and pathetic side of an excitable middle-aged<br />
lover. Orane Demazis is fair. Directed by Marc AUegret, this<br />
was originally filmed as port of a trilogy in 1937.<br />
Raimu, Orane Demazis, Pierre Fresnay, Charpin. Alida<br />
Rouffe.<br />
Passionelle<br />
A<br />
Distinguished Films 81 Minutes Rel.<br />
Marriage for convenience with sex on the side gets a<br />
thorough goingover in this French film based on a novel by<br />
Emile Zola. It is a picture for adult art and foreign-language<br />
audiences who will not be shocked by its blunt treatment<br />
of premarital relations. There is nothing idyllic about the<br />
story of a small town family of French aristocrats. The practical-minded<br />
mother arranges a "good" marriage for her<br />
convent-educated daughter. The daughter, who has been<br />
having an affair with her maid's son, balks at marrying<br />
the man of her mother's choice. When her jealous lover<br />
' '"", threatens to expose her, she murders him and calls in the<br />
'.'"v to village postal clerk dispose of the body. This clerk has<br />
long been in love with the girl, and therefore does as he is<br />
asked. As a result he is accused of the murder, and "takes<br />
the rap." Edmond Gieville directed.<br />
Jacques Castel-<br />
Odette Joyeaux, Alorme, Sylvie, Roger Blin,<br />
lot, Raymond Galle.<br />
March 6. 1948 909
EXPLOITIPS Suggestions for Selling; Adiines for Newspaper and Program'.
'<br />
1 Cinespeclal<br />
reorder<br />
. I'ovvers.<br />
' \iiiiiican<br />
: March<br />
'<br />
!<br />
I miles.<br />
1 A-r,<br />
Dept,<br />
For Sale: 225-seat, first class, small tlie i<br />
Bargain. Write Academy Theatres, 328 E. I<br />
I St.,<br />
. A-2!)7i;,<br />
l,kTES: 10c per word, minimum Sl.OO. cash with copy. Four insertions for price of three.<br />
[losing DATE: Monday noon preceding publication dale. Send copy and answers to<br />
Box Numbers to BOXOFFICE. 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 1, Mo. •<br />
GENERAL EQUIPMENT—USED<br />
n(j day for us. Must move surplus inven-<br />
Anunoaii: 16mm outfits, $995; drive-ins.<br />
I^Ary H.l. Arcsound complete outfits.<br />
:>u mid Gd ampere high Intensity Imperial<br />
!Mre generators, panel, ballasts, starters<br />
' '.'i; complete rebuilt projection, sound<br />
Simplex, Motiograph, Century,<br />
ni all size theatres and drive-ins, $995<br />
~ linniii Supply Corp., 602 W. 52nd<br />
^ N. Y.<br />
THEATRES FOR SALE<br />
Build double parking dine-in theatres under<br />
franchise patent No. 2,102,;i8, reissue No. 22,756<br />
and improvements. p.ileiu pendliit;. Up to JO',c<br />
mure seating capacliy with little additional ci i<br />
Louis '<br />
Josserand, Architect, 6J8 M ^ M Hi
'<br />
Comedy H,> of J<br />
|i<br />
History was made at<br />
Loew's Yonkers Theatre when<br />
an SRO Preview audience welcomed the comedy hit<br />
that's headed for the box-office headlines! In a scientific<br />
survey by the Motion Picture Research Bureau,<br />
it registered the highest will recommend rating in<br />
years. There are few real belly-laugh comedies on<br />
the market. The public wants to laugh and here's<br />
your chance to give them the funniest Film in 10 years!<br />
/-ce.b, NORMAN TAUROr<br />
--ducec/ b, WILLIAM H WR/GHT<br />
*''''-o-GoUw<br />
Picture
I<br />
What an entertainment! A big<br />
cast of talented showfolks!<br />
Margaret O'Brien in her sunniest<br />
and funniest role, laughing, singing,<br />
clowning. She's terrific. At<br />
its first Coast audience preview it<br />
captivated a cheering audience.<br />
of M-G-M's Big-Hearted<br />
Drama with Songs<br />
'BIG CITY"<br />
Also Reprint of "DRUNK DRIVING'<br />
A Crime Does Not Pay Short.<br />
ALBANY—MON. 3/2J—8 P.M.<br />
20«h-Fox Screen Room, 10S2 Broadway<br />
ATLANTA—MON. 3/22—10 A.M.<br />
20fh-Fox Screen Room, 197 Wallon SI., N.W.<br />
BOSTON—MON. 3/22—10 A.M.<br />
M-C-M Screen Room, 46 Church Street<br />
BUFFALO—MON. 3/22—2 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 290 Fronklin Stre<br />
CHARLOTTE—MON. 3/22— 1 30 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 308 South Church Street<br />
CHICAGO—MON. 3/22—2 P.M.<br />
H. C. Igel's Screen Room, 1301 South Wobos<br />
CINCINNATI—MON. 3/22—8 P.M.<br />
RKO Screen Room, 16 Eost Sixth Slre<<br />
CLEVELAND—MON. 3/22—1 P.M.<br />
20lh-Fox Screen Room, 2219 Poyne Avenue<br />
DALLAS—MON. 3/22—2:30 P.M.<br />
201h-Fox Screen Room, 1803 Wood Street<br />
DENVER—MON. 3/22—2 P.M.<br />
Paramount Screen Room, 2100 Stout Street<br />
DES MOINES—MON. 3/22—1 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 1300 High Street<br />
DETROIT—MON. 3/22—1:30 P.M.<br />
Max Blumenlhol's Screen Room, 2310 Cos<br />
INDIANAPOLIS—MON. 3/22—2 P.M.<br />
20fh-Fox Screen Room, 326 North Illinois Street<br />
KANSAS CITY—MON. 3/22— 1:30 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 1720 WyondoMe St.<br />
LOS ANGELES—MON. 3/22—2:30 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 2019 So. Vermont Ave<br />
MEMPHIS—MON. 3/22—10 A.M.<br />
20«h-Fox Screen Room, 151 Vance Ave<br />
Starring<br />
IMARGARET O'BRIEN ROBERT PRESTON<br />
•<br />
lANNY THOMAS • GEORGE MURPHY<br />
•<br />
KARIN BOOTH EDWARD ARNOLD<br />
BUTCH JENKINS<br />
And Introducing To The Screen<br />
BETTY GARRETT and LOTTE LEHMANN<br />
sen Play by Whitfield Cook and Anne Morrison Chopin • Additional Dialogue<br />
Aben Kcndel • Based on a Story by Miklos Laszio • As Adapted by Nanette<br />
Directed by NORMAN TAUROG<br />
• Produced by JOE PASTERNAK<br />
A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Picture<br />
mRA! SEE M-G-M's "DRUNK DRIVING"!<br />
the suggestion of many of our customers we<br />
et<br />
e re-releasing the Crime Does Not Pay subject,<br />
Drunk Driving." It is even more timely than<br />
c/er now and all the tie-ups which made it<br />
s great exploitation Short are again available<br />
t) help bring in extra receipts.<br />
MILWAUKEE—MON. 3/22—1:30 P.M.<br />
Warner Screen Room, 212 W. Wisconsin Ave.<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—MON. 3/22—2 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 1015 Currie Aven<br />
NEW HAVEN—MON. 3/22—2 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 40 Whiting Street<br />
NEW ORLEANS—MON. 3/22— 1:30 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 200 South Liberty SI.<br />
OMAHA—MON. 3/22—1:30 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 1502 Davenport Si.<br />
PHILADELPHIA-MON. 3/22—11 A.M.<br />
M-G-M Screen Room, 1233 Summer Street<br />
PITTSBURGH—MON. 3/22—2 P.M.<br />
M-G-M Screen Room, 1623 Blvd. of Allies<br />
PORTLAND—MON. 3/22—2 P.M.<br />
B. F. Shearer Screen Room, 1947 N.W. Kearney St.<br />
ST. LOUIS—MON. 3/22—1 P.M.<br />
S'Renco Art Theatre, 3143 Olive Street<br />
SALT LAKE CITY—MON. 3/22—1 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 216 East First Street, So.<br />
SAN FRANCISCO—MON. 3/22— 1:30 P.M.<br />
20lh-Fox Screen Room, 24S Hyde Street<br />
SEATTLE—MON. 3/22—1 P.M.<br />
Jewel Box Preview Theotre, 2318 Second Avenu<br />
WASHINGTON—TUES. 3/23— 1 P.M.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room, 932 New Jersey, N.W.
THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY<br />
PUBLISHED IN<br />
NINE SECTIONAL EDITIONS<br />
BEN SHLYEN<br />
Editor-in-Chief and Publisher<br />
JAMES M. JERAULD<br />
Editor<br />
NATHAN COHEN Associate Editor<br />
JESSE SHLYEN Managing Editor<br />
IVAN SPEAR<br />
Western Editor<br />
J. HARRY TOLER Equipment Editor<br />
RAYMOND LEVY General Manager<br />
Published Every Saturday by<br />
ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS<br />
Editorial Offices: 9 Rockeieller Plaza, New York 20,<br />
N. Y. Raymond Levy, General Manager,- James M.<br />
Jerauld, Editor; Chester Friedman, Editor Shovirmandiser<br />
Section; A. I. Blocker, Eastern Representative.<br />
Telephone Columbus 5-6370, 5-6371, 5-6372. Cable<br />
address: BOXOFriCE, New York.-<br />
Central Offices: 332 South Michigan Blvd., Chicago<br />
4. 111. J. Harry Toler, Editor Modern Theatre Section.<br />
Telephone WABash 4575.<br />
Western Offices: 6404 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood<br />
22, Calif. Ivan Spear, Manager. Telephone GLadstone<br />
1186.<br />
WasUngton Offices: 302-303 International Bldg., 1319<br />
r S; , N W. Lee L. Garling, Manager. Telephone<br />
NAtional 3482. Filmrow: 932 New Jersey, N. W. Sara<br />
London Offices: 136 Wardour St., John Sullivan, Manager.<br />
Telephone Gerrard 3934-5-6.<br />
Publication Offices: 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City<br />
1, Mo. Nathan Cohen, Associate Editor; Jesse Shlyen,<br />
Managing Editor; Morns Schlozman, Business Manager.<br />
Telephone CHestnut 7777-78.<br />
Other Publications: BOXOFFICE BAROMETER,<br />
published in November as a section BOXOFFICE;<br />
of<br />
THE MODERN THEATRE, published monthly as a<br />
section of BOXOFFICE.<br />
ALBANY-2I-23 Walter Ave., M. Berrigan.<br />
ATLANTA— 163 Walton, N. W., P. H. Savin.<br />
BIRMINGHAM-The News, Eddie Badger.<br />
BOSTCN—Frances W. Hardrng, 20 Piedmont St., Lib.<br />
9814. Home: Com. 4700.<br />
BUFFALO— 157 Audubon Drive, Snyder, Jim Schroder.<br />
CHARLOTTE—216 W. 4th, Pauline Griffith.<br />
CHICAGO—332 S. Michigan, Jonas Perlberg,<br />
WAB-4575.<br />
CINCINNATI— 1634 Central Parkway, Lillian Seltz»r.<br />
CLEVELAND-Elsie Loeb, Fairmount 0045.<br />
DALLAS-^525 Holland, V. W. Crisp, 18-9760.<br />
DENVER— 1645 Lafayette, Jack Rose, TA 8517.<br />
D£S MOINES—Register 6 Tribune Bldg., Russ Schoch.<br />
DETROIT— 1009 Fox Thecrtre Bldg., H. F. Reves.<br />
Telephones: RA 1100; Night, UN-4-0219.<br />
HARTFORD— 109 Westborne, Allen Widem<br />
HARRISBURG, PA—The Telegraph, Lois Fegan.<br />
INDIANAPOLIS—Rt. 8, Box 770, Howard M. Rudeoux.<br />
MIAMI—65 S. Hibiscus Island, Mrs. Monton E Harwood.<br />
2952 Merrick Rd., Elizabeth Sudlow.<br />
MEMPHIS—707 Spring St., Null Adams, Tel. 48-5462<br />
MlLWAUKEE-529 N. 13th, J. R. Gahagan, MA-0297.<br />
MlNNEAPOUS-29 Washington Ave. So., Les Rees.<br />
NEW HAVEN—42 Church St., Gertrude Lander.<br />
NEWARK, N. J.-207 Sumner, Sara Carleton<br />
NEW ORLEANS—218 So. Uberty St., Mrs. Jack Auslet.<br />
Telephone MA 5612.<br />
OKLAHOMA CITY— 125 NW 15th St., Polly Trindle.<br />
OMAHA—Omaha World-Herald Bldg., Lou Gerdes<br />
PHILADELPHIA-—1901 Spruce St., J. M. Mailer<br />
PITTSBURGH—85 Van Braam St., R. F. Klingensmith<br />
PORTLAND, ORE.—David C. Kahn, 823 S. E. Ash St<br />
RICHMOND—Grand Theatre, Sam PuUiam<br />
ST. LOUIS—5149 Rosa, David Barrett, FL-3727<br />
SALT LAKE CITY-Deseret News, Howard Pearson<br />
SAN ANTONIO—333 Blum St., L. J. B. Ketner<br />
SAN FRANCISCO-25 Taylor St., Gail Lipman,<br />
ORdway 3-4S12.<br />
SEATTLE—928 N. 84th St., WiUard Elsey.<br />
TOLEDO-^330 Willys Pkwy., Anna Kline.<br />
IN CANADA<br />
CALGARY—The Albertan, Wm. Campbell.<br />
MONTREAL—4330 Wilson Ave., N. D. G., Rov'<br />
Carmichael.<br />
Walnut 5519.<br />
ST. JOHN— 116 Prince Edward St., Wm. J. McNulty.<br />
TORONTO—242 Milwood, Milton Galbraith.<br />
VANCOUVER^lll Lyric Theatre Bldg., Jack Droy<br />
VICTORIA—938 Island Highway, Alec Merriman<br />
WINNIPEG—The Tribune, Ben Lepkln.<br />
Member Audit Bxjreau of Circulations<br />
OXOFFICE<br />
A DANGEROUS TREND<br />
^^0<br />
' # OT ONLY the dearth of quality product.1<br />
but the waste of what little there is are two of the underlyingi<br />
causes of the drop in theatre patronage. The peaks and the<br />
valleys of theatre attendance are more accentuated now thani **'<br />
at any time in the past decade or more. The very good pic<br />
tures continue to do very good business, while the ordinary,jJ**<br />
let alone poor, pictures do very badly. As a result,<br />
theatre factotums, seeking to bolster patronage, are resorting **-<br />
to the dual-billing of top product, thus shortening their sup-)<br />
ply of drawing attractions which could do well singly or, at<br />
least, supported by average secondary fare<br />
For instance, as recently as last Saturday, the following<br />
weekend bookings were advertised in a midwest city: "Cap-:<br />
tain From Castile" and "Good News"; "Tycoon" and "The<br />
Swordsman"; "Road to Rio" and "The Gangster"; "Road tc<br />
Rio" and "Magic Town"; "Good News" and "The Other Love.'<br />
With the latter two exceptions all the bookings were in a ma-;<br />
jor circuit's theatres. In the first two instances, both features<br />
were in Technicolor. With that in itself a drawing attraction,<br />
why waste it? And why, on a weekend, run programs that<br />
are four hours and ten minutes long! Where is that old show<br />
manly technique of trying to get as many turnovers as poi<br />
sible in each day's operation?<br />
The records show that theatre attendance is off by<br />
average of about 20 per cent. But that's still good as comi<br />
pared to prewar times. And it's still good enough to warron;<br />
exercise of judicious booking and merchandising to get thi<br />
most out of each top attraction. Granting that the instance£[<br />
above cited are double-feature situations, there seems to b(>jj|."<br />
little justification for such extravagant waste of good product^,<br />
And this is not restricted to a single area; it is a dangerous<br />
trend that is spreading across the country.<br />
It's easy to tell the other fellow what to do and to "operate'<br />
a theatre, let alone a chain, from an editorial desk, but<br />
wonder how much better it would be, not only for the presenB^we<br />
but for the long pull, to put that extra cost of double-A-in«<br />
into advertising, promotion and aggressive showmandising.<br />
There's not much use talking about rounding out a gooe<br />
feature offering with a program of good shorts, when the a{<br />
filiated key houses don't even treat their own company';<br />
product that way. But, with the call for a return of old-timf^Kjii<br />
showmanship, tliat would seem to be part of the old operatii<br />
that worked so well. It would, at least, be a relief to<br />
monotony that has persisted for so long.<br />
Distributors are emitting a cry in the wilderness for bette<br />
showmanship, better programming, greater and better play "ai<br />
ing of the vast quantities of unplayed good short subject?<br />
when the several thousand key exhibition stands in whicl<br />
they have interests, themselves fail to set the good exampk<br />
These key houses create the pattern, which the subsequent<br />
have no choice but to follow. So, as a poor practice become<br />
•i=c<br />
Ketlii<br />
Entered as Second Cl«s matter at Post Office, Kansas City, Mo.<br />
Sectional Edition, $2.00 per year; National Edition, $7.50<br />
Vol. 52 No. 19<br />
MARCH 13, 1948<br />
1
—<br />
idustry-wide. so could the implementation of good practices.<br />
Ind they must start at the top.<br />
I<br />
\nother Look at Ascap<br />
Allied Ass'n units freely admit that ii the Lewis bill, which<br />
hey are backing, becomes law, thus requiring the American<br />
iociety of Composers, Authors and Publishers to collect its<br />
-lusic fees from producers, these fees will be passed on to<br />
•xhibitors as a part of film rental. Of course there is the argument<br />
that this will leave some room for negotiation, implying<br />
hat such fees may be very small or even totally absorbed by<br />
he producers. But, assuming that the very minimum charge<br />
or such "music license" were only 50 cents per feature, the<br />
tverage small theatre playing three changes of double bills<br />
ler week would find itself paying a minimum of $150 per year,<br />
'hen there are shorts, too; all of which have music in their<br />
ound tracks.<br />
Maybe the good bargainers among exhibitors could talk<br />
ne salesman out of the music charges on the smaller pictures;<br />
)ut it's a cinch the rates would be jacked up pretty high on<br />
^e "specials," especially the big musicals. Of course, there<br />
'»<br />
the chance that as with sound, which distributors originally<br />
!old separately, the fees assessed by Ascap might eventually<br />
)e entirely absorbed by the producers. But that eventuality<br />
oight be a long time in coming and the accrued costs to exlibitors<br />
in the meanwhile could be monumental as compared<br />
present Ascap rates. It seems like a pretty big risk for extibitors<br />
to be taking.<br />
There's another way of looking at the matter. Back in the<br />
'(Id silent days, even the smallest of one-night operations re-<br />
'[uired a piano player. Maybe the wage was only a dollar a<br />
light and there was plenty of free music available. But even<br />
hat minimum cost was more than the minimum license fee<br />
tow assessed by Ascap.<br />
We hold no brief for Ascap, having once been an exhibior.<br />
But we always think it wise for one to count one's blessags—to<br />
weigh the good against the bad. And in the case of<br />
he music tax, with the rate scale fixed for a period of ten<br />
^ears, we think the good far outweighs the bad.<br />
There's another view to be considered. The various Allied<br />
mits as well as those belonging to the Pacific Coast Conference<br />
of Independent Theatre Owners and others committed<br />
io fight Ascap have appropriated funds vnth which to support<br />
heir actions. To make the job complete, time, thought and<br />
sfiort will be consumed. For should the Lewis bill or any other<br />
similar legislation be enacted into law, it will be challenged;<br />
md that will call for still more time, thought, effort—and<br />
noney.<br />
We think there are better uses—and much better risks<br />
o which exhibitors can put their hard-raised funds and ef-<br />
\J^'V^J<br />
'PuC^^caU<br />
Bill to Repeal Ticket Tax<br />
Introduced in House<br />
Representative Landls of Indiana submits<br />
legislation to drop wartime excise levies, including<br />
admission taxes; goes to ways and<br />
means committee for consideration.<br />
$330,000 Antitrust Suit<br />
Is Filed in Missouri<br />
Cape Pictures. Inc., operating Esquire Theatre<br />
in Cape Girardeau, Mo., sues distributors<br />
and Fox Midwest for alleged conspiracy<br />
to keep first run product from its house.<br />
Ascap Six-Month Contract<br />
Ofiered ITOA Plaintiffs<br />
Pacts based on new rates agreed on by society<br />
and ITOA to have 30-day cancellation<br />
clause; payments to be held in escrow pending<br />
outcome of antitrust suit against Ascap.<br />
X<br />
To Consider Test Suit<br />
On Telecast Pickups<br />
Independent and affiliated exhibitors to<br />
meet March 17 in New York at invitation of<br />
Colonial Corp. to determine theatre rights to<br />
video programs.<br />
Great Britain Film Bank<br />
Is Undergoing Study<br />
Harold Wilson, president of board of<br />
*<br />
trade,<br />
discloses government plan while presenting<br />
outline of film tax settlement to house of<br />
commons; says will aid industry.<br />
Rank Organization Formed<br />
For Canada Distribution<br />
J. Earl Lawson named president; aim to<br />
coordinate activities of various J. Ai-thur<br />
Rank companies in the Dominion; James A.<br />
Cowan is director of advertising and publicity.<br />
Technicolor 1947 Profit<br />
Triples Previous Year<br />
-X<br />
Net of $1,422,752 is reported, an increase of<br />
$986,584 over the net profit of $436,168 on<br />
record for 1946; the 1947 net is equal to $1.55<br />
a share, a gain of $1.07 over 1946.<br />
Wage Dividend of $11,600,000<br />
Paid by Eastman Kodak Co.<br />
Sum goes to more than 49,300 employes in<br />
the western hemisphere; last year $8,100,000<br />
was paid to 48.800 workers; Rochester employes<br />
receive 70 per cent.<br />
Foreign Correspondents Pick<br />
'Gentleman's Agreement'<br />
Association in Hollywood selects 20th-Fox<br />
film as best of 1947, and gives best acting<br />
awards to Rosalind Russell and Ronald Colman;<br />
Ella Kazan, best director.
: March<br />
.*<br />
THE COMPROMI^b<br />
American companies will be allowed remittances of<br />
$17,000,000 a year, and retain profits on British films shown in this country. A plan is<br />
being prepared to determine how receipts remaining in Great Britain may be spent.<br />
Export of new U.S. films to England begins April 1. Remittances to U.S. begin June 14.<br />
BRITISH SITUATION SETTLED<br />
AND BOTH SIDES ARE PLEASED<br />
NEW YORK—American film exports to<br />
Great Britain will be resumed April 1.<br />
The British 75 per cent tax will be rescinded.<br />
For the next two years American companies<br />
will be allowed to remit $17,000,000<br />
per year to this country and will be permitted<br />
to retain the profits on British films<br />
shown here.<br />
The agreement is for four years and it<br />
will be reviewed at the end of two years for<br />
adjustment to any changes that may have<br />
taken place in the condition of British<br />
finances.<br />
U.S. TO GET ABOUT $22,000,000<br />
Depending upon how much profit is turned<br />
in by British films here, the American industry<br />
may be able to collect something less than<br />
half of its estimated total of $48,000,000 from<br />
the<br />
British market.<br />
All money over the $17,000,000 taken in in<br />
England will be held there.<br />
Last year earnings of British films in this<br />
country were about $4,000,000. An optimistic<br />
estimate for the year starting in June is $5,-<br />
000,000. If this pans out, total income from<br />
British market—the $17,000,000 remitted plus<br />
the income from British films here—would<br />
reach about $22,000,000.<br />
Under the terms of the agreement the<br />
money blocked in Great Britain can be used<br />
in various ways. Distribution charges for<br />
American pictures over there average about<br />
25 per cent, so this would use up about $12,-<br />
000,000 of the estimated blocked income. A<br />
clause in the agreement will permit American<br />
distributors to pay British talent hired over<br />
there for American production out of such<br />
funds. These funds also can be used for purchase<br />
of scripts, production in England and<br />
investment in film companies and theatres.<br />
COMPANIES PLAN EXPANSION<br />
Use of some funds may be allowed for investments<br />
not directly coimected with the<br />
film industry.<br />
Details of these arrangements are still to<br />
be worked out. Technical advisers will handle<br />
these negotiations.<br />
The agreement was formally signed Friday<br />
morning.<br />
A new quota law is now under consideration<br />
by the house of lords and is nearing<br />
enactment.<br />
The British tax Is expected to go off April<br />
1 and the arrangement for remittances will<br />
start June 14, Exports of film will begin<br />
from this country as soon as the tax goes<br />
off.<br />
The plan was agreed upon Wednesday<br />
afternoon, March 10, at a conference of<br />
'Democratic' Deal<br />
"This is by no means a Johnston<br />
agreement or a British agreement,<br />
but a democratic<br />
compromise,"<br />
Eric<br />
Johnston,<br />
president of<br />
the Motion<br />
Picture Ass'n<br />
of America,<br />
declared in a<br />
statement released<br />
shortly<br />
after the settlement<br />
was<br />
Eric Johnston<br />
announced.<br />
"Once again there will be a free<br />
flow of films between the United<br />
Stales and Great Britain and we<br />
avoid the consequences of a dangerous<br />
precedent."<br />
Johnston also added that the<br />
agreement will avoid any adverse<br />
effects on British economy and<br />
would keep Hollywood a flourishing<br />
and going concern.<br />
Discussing the compromise w^ith<br />
BOXOFFICE over transatlantic<br />
telephone, the MPAA president<br />
said he was pleased to learn the<br />
immediate reaction in the United<br />
States was favorable.<br />
American representatives headed by Eric<br />
Johnston, MPAA president, and Harold Wilson,<br />
president of the British Board of Ti-ade.<br />
It was presented to the house of commons<br />
by Wilson Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock.<br />
Parliamentary action was required in order<br />
to rescind the tax.<br />
^<br />
In the meantime, the details were telephoned<br />
to this country with instructions that<br />
they should be kept secret until Wilson had<br />
had time to present them to the house of<br />
commons.<br />
Francis Harmon, vice-president of the<br />
MPAA, called a meeting of company heads<br />
and foreign department executives at the<br />
MPAA offices and the word spread like a<br />
prairie fire. During the meeting calls were<br />
made to executives in Florida and Hollywood<br />
in order to test sentiment. It was generally<br />
agreed that the settlement was a good compromise.<br />
Newspaper men arrived at the MPAA offices<br />
while the meeting was convening and<br />
saw executives entering. Harmon blandly<br />
denied any meeting was in progress and<br />
ordered the heavily loaded coat racks in the<br />
reception room taken into the board of<br />
directors room.<br />
From that time on Harmon could not be<br />
reached. Even the Washington headquarters<br />
of the MPAA received his orders for silence.<br />
TO STIMULATE DISTRIBUTION<br />
One effect of the agreement, it was agreed,<br />
would be the stimulation of efforts to secure<br />
distribution of British pictures here. With<br />
only about a third of the total British revenue<br />
reaching this country, the American distributors<br />
will still be pinched, even though<br />
the books show British deposits. The situation<br />
is greatly eased, however, and all executives<br />
agree that this settlement will have a<br />
tendency to halt some of the restrictions in<br />
other countries that began pihng up.<br />
Barney Balaban, Paramount president, on<br />
vacation in Florida said he was "delighted"<br />
with the settlement, because the American<br />
industry had suffered a 4.9 per cent decrease<br />
in foreign revenue which had wiped out<br />
profits. Further economies in production and<br />
distribution costs will be made between now<br />
and June 14 when the agreement goes into<br />
effect, he said.<br />
Arthur Loew, president of Loews International,<br />
sounded the only critical note in the<br />
chorus of satisfaction. He said there could<br />
have been a more equitable remittance arrangement.<br />
On the coast Floyd B. Odium, head of<br />
Atlas Corp., said he was not going to express<br />
any enthusiasm until he found out more<br />
about the details. Sam Goldwyn said he<br />
could not decide how satisfactory the deal<br />
was until he fomid out more about it.<br />
STRONG MARKET REACTION<br />
The stock market reacted strongly to the<br />
Thursday morning news flash from London.<br />
Film stocks were strong. Eighteen thousand<br />
shares of Paramount were sold and they went<br />
up a point to 20':, Warner Bros, advanced<br />
one-half point on sales of 10,900 shares, 20th-<br />
Fox was up three-eighths to 21's, Loews up<br />
Vi to n^i and RKO up 'i to 8''a.<br />
At a press interview in London Friday<br />
morning, Wilson said that American production<br />
in Great Britain would increase and<br />
Johnston optimistically indicated he hoped<br />
American companies eventually would be able<br />
to get most of their money out in some form.<br />
A representative for MGM said his company<br />
would start building new studios as soon as<br />
possible and a Warner Bros, representative<br />
said his company would extend its studio facilities<br />
in England and rent space to others.<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
13, 1948
: March<br />
BACKGROUND<br />
TO SETTLEMENT<br />
THE<br />
tax was imposed suddenly Aug. 7,<br />
of the blow w-hen it fell.<br />
Under the terms of the Britisli edict ;in<br />
estimate of profits on each film was to be<br />
made as the film arrived in port and thi.'^<br />
money was to be paid in advance, with a<br />
refund if the film failed to come up to estimates.<br />
American distributors quickly estimated<br />
that this would tie up about $25,000,-<br />
000 without interest and that the reniaining<br />
25 per cent of profits would be completely<br />
eaten up by the costs of distribution.<br />
It was the first time any such drastic attack<br />
on an American export had been made<br />
outside the Russian sphere of influence. Some<br />
speculated that it was a deliberate attempt<br />
to bar all American films from the British<br />
market.<br />
Apparently it was as much of a surprise to<br />
J. Ai-thur Rank as it was to film men in the<br />
U.S. He inmiediately promised a sharp increase<br />
in British production to make up for<br />
the prospective famine of films, but as of<br />
Febniai-y 28 he had succeeded in adding only<br />
two pictures to his proposed schedule of 38<br />
and all the British studios controlled by<br />
Americans were idle.<br />
Also on that date there were 17 American<br />
pictm-es left for release in England. All these<br />
had been imported before the ban went into<br />
effect. Ten of them were not top grade<br />
product.<br />
n CTUAL cash losses of American firms from<br />
August 8 to the first week in March were<br />
not large. Remittances were continued on<br />
films which reached England prior to the<br />
tax date and the total of payments for November.<br />
December and January ran up to<br />
about $12,000,000. a normal sum for a threemonth<br />
period. This money came out of the<br />
$3,000,000,000 U.S. loan upon which Great<br />
Britain was drawing.<br />
The exhaustion of this loan and the prospective<br />
start of the Marshall plan seemed<br />
to be coincidental.<br />
Indirect effects of the tax were widespread.<br />
Several other European countries took theiicue<br />
from the British action and began to devise<br />
restrictions of their owm, all based on<br />
the explanation that they lacked dollar exchange.<br />
The impression gained ground in<br />
this country that this was part of a general<br />
worldwide move to hurry the Marshall plan<br />
into operation.<br />
In England theatre business fell off as new<br />
films failed to arrive. Production slipped.<br />
Even J. Arthur Rank found it difficult to<br />
get loans for production that obviously was<br />
not going to get a warm reception over here<br />
so long as the British exclusion continued.<br />
He began reorganizing his complicated holdings<br />
and induced the Odeon circiut to buy<br />
his Cinema Finance Corp., a holding company.<br />
In this comitry major producers went into<br />
a panic much like the one which swept the<br />
industry at the outbreak of World War II<br />
Rank Is Here: He Believes<br />
Settlement to Benefit All<br />
1947. and shipment of American films<br />
to Europe was stopped by the Motion<br />
Picture Export Ass'n the following day.<br />
For some weeks before the tax was imposed NEW YORK— J. Arthur Rank predicts<br />
had been campaign<br />
stated, was to secure more playing time for<br />
there a in the British<br />
press against American films, and the slogan<br />
that the settlement of the British tax problem<br />
and resumption of<br />
British pictures here. He said there had been<br />
a substantial Increase in bookings of British<br />
of "food or films" was presented to the<br />
film exports from this pictures and the number of imports had increased<br />
British people by Sir Stafford Crrpps. but<br />
country will benefit<br />
from five in 1945 to 11 in 1946 and<br />
this did not prepare either the British or<br />
the industries of both<br />
the American industry for the drastic nature<br />
20 in 1947.<br />
countries.<br />
The increase was steady, he said, and he<br />
"I felt from the beginning,"<br />
intended to "have patience."<br />
he s a i d,<br />
Rank discussed the financial position of<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
13, 1948<br />
"that if<br />
the leaders of<br />
the American industry<br />
would go to London<br />
and sit down around<br />
a table that something<br />
satisfactory could be<br />
worked out. I am a<br />
J. Arthur Rank great believer in this<br />
method of doing business,"<br />
Rank's comments were made at a press<br />
interview Thursday morning (11) in the<br />
Sherry-Netherland hotel. He reached New<br />
York the evening before on the Queen Elizabeth.<br />
A daily newspaper correspondent read a<br />
flash bulletin from London to him announcing<br />
that an agreement had been reached.<br />
He professed surprise, although it was known<br />
at the time that a meeting of foreign department<br />
heads and company presidents had<br />
been held the previous night at the MPAA<br />
for discussion of the terms of settlement, and<br />
that the details had been telephoned to company<br />
presidents in Florida and Hollywood<br />
who were unable to be present.<br />
Rank said frankly that there had not been<br />
"a spectacular increase in production in<br />
Great Britain in anticipation of a film<br />
shortage." He had increased his own production<br />
from 38 to 40 and some other producers<br />
had expansion plans, he said.<br />
There had been no actual shortage of<br />
American films, he said, up to the time of<br />
settlement, and the public had not shown<br />
much interest in the problem.<br />
Like the American companies, Rank said,<br />
British producers had cut production costs<br />
about 15 per cent in anticipation of revenue<br />
One of the objects of his current trip, he<br />
when everybody feared the complete loss of<br />
the foreign market.<br />
Wholesale economies were instituted in both<br />
production and distribution departments.<br />
The number of employes let out ran into<br />
the thousands. Eric Johnston has said that<br />
it was at first decided to impose top budgets<br />
of $500,000 on pictures, but that later the<br />
producers raised this to $1,000,000, so that<br />
product would not obviously deteriorate.<br />
Some of the major companies have indicated<br />
in their amiual reports that they had<br />
cut overhead to the point where they expected<br />
to be able to get along without the<br />
his companies in Great Britain. He said the<br />
growth had been too .speedy and that his corporate<br />
structure was now being simplified.<br />
None of the individual companies have lost<br />
money he said, and one of the purposes of<br />
his current visit is to discuss with Spyros P.<br />
Skouras, 20th Century Pox president, the<br />
simplification of the 20th-Fox share of<br />
Gaumont British Theatres. Twentieth-Fox<br />
owns 47 per cent of Gaumont British through<br />
a<br />
holding company. Metropolis and Bradford<br />
Ti-ust.<br />
At present American newsreels are in a<br />
state of agitation over the fact that Rank<br />
has received exclu.sive rights to photograph<br />
the Olympic games in England next summer.<br />
He said that he would discuss this with the<br />
American newsreel companies and try to work<br />
out a satisfactory arrangement. He, like<br />
others, had been offered the exclusive rights<br />
at a price. He accepted the offer, he said, because<br />
one of his companies intends to make<br />
a feature next fall Including Olympic footage.<br />
Whatever footage is included in the feature<br />
he wants exclusively.<br />
His plans for use of television in .some of<br />
his British theatres, he said, were still indefinite<br />
because the British Broadcastmg<br />
system to date has granted him only experimental<br />
licenses and these do not permit<br />
showings before paid audiences. He hopes<br />
to get this permission. If he does, he said,<br />
he will put television into two theatres.<br />
In reply to a question he said that in England,<br />
at least, he did not feel television would<br />
be theatre competition, because sporting<br />
events which he wants for theatres take<br />
place afternoons when theatres need a boxoffice<br />
stimulus.<br />
British income.<br />
In recent weeks it had become apparent<br />
that Great Britain and other European countries<br />
had begun to realize that this country<br />
was not going to toss Marshall plan fmids<br />
aroimd like Lend-Lease and UNRRA, but intended<br />
to use them where they would benefit<br />
business in this country as well as In the<br />
countries receiving them.<br />
The State department took this stand some<br />
time ago and all the congressional discussion<br />
has indicated that there will be strings<br />
on the spending.<br />
About the same time that the British leaders<br />
indicated they were in the mood for<br />
further discussion of the tax, Denmark decided<br />
to peiTnit the entry of 81 films from<br />
this country in the next ten months.<br />
Toward the end of February Mexico began<br />
talking about imiwsition of an ad valorem<br />
tax on American films. The MPEA immediately<br />
asked for .state department intervention.<br />
It thus became apparent that the state<br />
department had decided to go into foreign<br />
restrictions in a realistic way.
HUGE PUBLIC RELATIONS JOB<br />
SET BY TOA<br />
TO SELL FILMS IS<br />
'Humanitarian Week' Also<br />
Approved for a Single<br />
Theatres Collection<br />
LOS ANGELES—Approval of a largescale<br />
public relations campaign to combat<br />
the public's "depressive thinking" and inform<br />
it of the great film entertainment<br />
that will reach the screens during the next<br />
two years was voted by TOA officers and<br />
directors in the closing sessions of their<br />
two-day meeting here. Pi-esident Ted Gamble<br />
was appointed to spearhead the drive.<br />
made necessary, he declared, to counteract<br />
the impression that the British tax and<br />
congressional investigations have disheartened<br />
Hollywood and reacted unfavorably<br />
as concerns the quality of upcoming<br />
product.<br />
ELABORATE CAMPAIGN PLANNED<br />
The campaign may include preparation of<br />
special trailers, tours of the film capital<br />
by newspapermen, commentators and showmen<br />
for a pre-release look at new pictures<br />
and a "Motion Pictures' Greatest Year"<br />
drive, Gamble said.<br />
The board also took action on a number<br />
of other important matters, besides picking<br />
Chicago as the site for TOA's first annual<br />
convention to be held late in September.<br />
The directors discussed and outlined plans<br />
for promoting a "Humanitarian Week," to<br />
include theatre collections and with proceeds<br />
to be used in charity activities. A<br />
single united drive of this sort has been<br />
suggested from time to time in the last year<br />
by both individual theatre owners and exhibitor<br />
groups, but no action had been<br />
taken previously by a national organization.<br />
The board also voted to sponsor a national<br />
safety drive, similar to that initiated<br />
by Fox West Coast Theatres, and which is<br />
to be carried into a number of NT theatres<br />
this year.<br />
The matter of the Motion Picture Forum<br />
was again discussed, and it was decided<br />
to delay definite action on the project until<br />
the supreme court hands down its decision<br />
in the antitrust suit.<br />
TELEVISION A NO. 1 PROBLEM<br />
That television probably is the No. 1 problem<br />
facing the nation's exhibitors was made<br />
obvious by the amount of attention devoted<br />
to that new entertairunent medium at the<br />
two-day meeting.<br />
After devoting to video the lion's share of<br />
their discussions in the huddles, delegates to<br />
the meetings concluded to refer the matter<br />
to the group's television committee, headed<br />
by E. V. Richards, New Orleans circuit operator,<br />
with instructions to continue—on a greatly<br />
accelerated scale—its investigation of video<br />
and where, if at all, it may fit into the operation<br />
of motion picture theatres.<br />
It was pointed out that, with the exception<br />
of action by showmen in the southern California<br />
area, very little has been done by<br />
circuits or theatre organizations to make definite<br />
plans regarding the manner in which a<br />
video-film exhibition liaison can be effected.<br />
Consensus opinion among the delegates<br />
Juvenile<br />
Delinquency<br />
Aid Is Endorsed<br />
nAM<br />
Tom Clark (C) is greeted at the<br />
convention by Ted Gamble, TOA<br />
president (R), and Charles Skouras,<br />
who was named chairman of the<br />
association's juvenile delinquency<br />
committee.<br />
HOLLYWOOD—A highlight of the<br />
first day's TOA session, was the appearance<br />
of Tom Clark, U.S. attorney<br />
general, who flew in from Washington<br />
to appeal for TOA support on behalf<br />
of a campaign he is initiating to combat<br />
rising juvenile delinquency, which<br />
Clark indicated is growing at an alarming<br />
rate. The TOA agreed to support<br />
an active campaign in every community<br />
throughout the U.S. and the executive<br />
committee recommended that a<br />
national committee be set up immediately<br />
to set up machinery for implementing<br />
the drive.<br />
Clark submitted statistics pointing to<br />
an increase of 27 per cent in juvenile<br />
delinquency dimng the past year and<br />
urged the assembled exhibitors to point<br />
their campaign for an April start, since<br />
that period has been designated "Youth<br />
Month" by President Tnunan. TOA<br />
will cooperate through the National<br />
Conference for the Prevention and<br />
Control of Juvenile Delinquency, established<br />
by Clark in 1946. Supplementing<br />
Clark's appeal for TOA assistance<br />
was John W. Andrews, vicepresident<br />
of the NCPCJD and a member<br />
of the U.S. department of justice<br />
who made the trip here with the attorney<br />
general.<br />
was that a five-point plan now imder consideration<br />
between members of the Southern<br />
California Theatre Owners Ass'n—a TOA unit<br />
—and local television stations and advertising<br />
agencies is possibly the most progressive<br />
step so far taken. Details of that plan were<br />
made familiar to the TOA officers and directorate<br />
in a general meeting Tuesday<br />
morning.<br />
Also discussed were various legal<br />
facets of<br />
the relationship between exhibition and television,<br />
including the important question as<br />
to civil rights and how theatres will have to<br />
be protected thereunder. This phase of the<br />
problem was referred to TOA's general counsel,<br />
Herman Levy, who opined that showmen<br />
must proceed cautionsly—since no precedent<br />
has yet been established, and the probability<br />
is that the courts will have to pass judgment<br />
on whether a theatre can pick up a<br />
television Show and broadcast it to a paying<br />
audience.<br />
Second only to video in importance at the<br />
meetings were discussions of 16mm competition<br />
and taxation. On the former, and following<br />
widespread talks, it was generally<br />
agreed that theatres are already receiving<br />
unfair competition from narrow-gauge prints.<br />
The delegates went on record to approve the<br />
showing of 16mm film in hospitals and<br />
schools, but suggested that in the latter locations<br />
the .subjects be limited to educational<br />
or highly literary properties.<br />
EXPRESS VIEWS ON 16MM<br />
Otherwise, strong objections were voiced to<br />
the indiscriminate display of 16mm prints,<br />
most especially those reduced from 35mm<br />
films which could be regarded as actual<br />
booking material for theatres.<br />
It was decided that TOA must do everything<br />
possible to convince distributors and<br />
producers that the continued distribution of<br />
narrow-gauge celluloid not only offers unfair<br />
competition to showmen but will, over a long<br />
pull, work to the detriment of the producers<br />
and distributors themselves.<br />
Another development was the action of the<br />
officers and board members in voting to recommend<br />
to TOA members that they give full<br />
support to the Motion Picture Foundation.<br />
Ted Gamble, TOA president, outlined the<br />
organization's firm stand on behalf of a concentrated<br />
drive to reduce all excise taxes, if<br />
necessary, and the federal amusement tax oni<br />
theatre admissions in particular. Opining i<br />
that it is "dangerous to wait," Gamble saidi<br />
that despite the fact this is an election year,<br />
TOA's legislative committee will seek ani<br />
amendment to the Knutson tax bill to remove<br />
the present wartime 20 per cent levy on<br />
admissions. Although any tax measure is,<br />
Gamble said, necessarily political, the matter<br />
must be successfully fought now.<br />
PROSPERITY SEEN FOR A WHILE<br />
In a discussion of general business conditions,<br />
the TOA leader told the delegates to<br />
enjoy a fair measure of prosperity at least<br />
for the next two or three years, and said he<br />
did not view as particularly alarming the decrease<br />
in theatre patronage noted in the<br />
early months of 1948. There is little likelihood<br />
of an economic depression, he contended,<br />
unless the people themselves talk<br />
their way into one.<br />
Formal ratification of TOA's new 10-year<br />
licensing agreement with Ascap was voted<br />
by the attending officers and directors at<br />
the first day's session, and it was unanimously<br />
voted that the agreement be recommended<br />
to all TOA members as a "fair deal." As.<br />
previously recorded, the commitment will<br />
save exhibitors an estimated $31,000,000 during<br />
the next 10 years, according to Robert W.<br />
Coyne, who presented the report on the subject.<br />
It amounts to a 25 per cent increase in<br />
fees as opposed to the original demands by<br />
10<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
: March 13, 1948
: March<br />
AMONG THE COUNTRY'S TOP EXHIBITORS AT THE TOA BOARD MEETING<br />
TOP PANEL (Left to right) :1—Ted Gamble, TOA president, at right with S. H. Fabian, center, and Robert W. Coyne, TOA executive<br />
director; 2—Morton Thalhimer, Richmond, Va.; Martin Mullin, Boston; Charles Skouras, Los Angeles; and Tom Friday, Scranton;<br />
3—Max A. Connett, Newton, Miss., with W. F. Ruffin sr., Covington, Tenn.; 4—Harry Lowenstein, Ardmore, Okla., and Robert Livingston,<br />
of Nebraska, register.<br />
BOTTOM PANEL (Left to right): 1—Welcome from Charles Skouras (second from right) to Mack Jackson, Alabama; Ray Cooper,<br />
San Francisco; Ben Strozier, Carolinas Assn; and Harr> Lowenstein, Oklahoma; 2—Lewen Pizor, Philadelphia, and Stanley Prenosil,<br />
TOA's public relations chief, get convention greetings; 3—Robert W. Coyne. TOA executive; Herman Levy, TO.\ general counsel;<br />
A. J. Brylawski, Washington, D. C, and Dee Masters, Los Angeles; 4—E. A. Pugh, Tom Friday of the Comerford circuit.<br />
Ascaip, which Coyne declared would have<br />
totaled approximately 300 per cent. The compromise<br />
agreement prescribes that houses<br />
with a seating capacity of 500 or less will pay<br />
no increase, while the boost for larger theatres<br />
will approximate 25 to 30 per cent.<br />
Other first-day activities included:<br />
Authorization for the legal<br />
committee, under<br />
Herman Levy, general counsel, to<br />
anticipate<br />
the forthcoming supreme court decision<br />
on the government's antitrust case against<br />
the major companies, in an effort to prepare<br />
TOA members for any eventuality. Levy's<br />
committee will endeavor to prepare advance<br />
analyses covering as many phases of the an-<br />
Board Actions:<br />
1. Authorized a vast public relations<br />
program to carry the message of good entertainment<br />
to the public.<br />
2. Outlined a "Humanitarian Week"<br />
program, to include theatre collections.<br />
3. Approved a national safety drive.<br />
4. Endorsed and voted to join in a national<br />
movement to combat juvenile delinquency.<br />
5. Ratified the new Ascap ten-year licensing<br />
agreement negotiated by a special<br />
TOA committee.<br />
6. Recommended to members that they<br />
give full support to the Motion Picture<br />
Foundation.<br />
7. Voted to delay projecting plans for<br />
a Motion Picture Forum until the decision<br />
is handed down in the antitrust<br />
suit.<br />
8. Authorized its legislative committee<br />
to seek an amendment to the Knudson<br />
tax bill removing the wartime admissions<br />
tax.<br />
9. Decided to participate in program<br />
supply entertainment for veterans<br />
to<br />
hospitals.<br />
BOXOmCE :<br />
13, 1948<br />
ticipated decision as possible, and will also<br />
take steps to seek modification of the U.S.<br />
statutory court's original decree in the event<br />
the supreme court should send the case back<br />
to that lower tribimal.<br />
Appointment of a committee to study<br />
methods and recommend a course of action<br />
in support of a proposal that theatres cooperate<br />
in the film industry's program to continue<br />
supplying entertainment in veterans<br />
hospitals. Pleas for such support were presented<br />
by Abe Lastfogel, George Murphy and<br />
Y. Frank Freeman of the Hollywood Coordinating<br />
Committee.<br />
The two-day meeting culminated with a<br />
formal dinner at the Ambassador hotel, where<br />
the visitors were headquartered, Wednesday<br />
evening, with Charles P. Skouras as the host<br />
and George Jessel serving as master of ceremonies.<br />
Other social highlights included a<br />
cocktail party at which Skouras was the guest<br />
of the assembled TOA ofifcers and directors.<br />
Prom the financial point of view TOA is<br />
in excellent condition. Charles P. Skom-as<br />
told the assembled officers and directors when<br />
he presented his treasurer's report. No policy<br />
of establishing regular dues is contemplated,<br />
at least for the present, since TOA's<br />
special assessment at the rate of 10 cents<br />
a seat per theatre will be ample to support<br />
the organization.<br />
Membership in TOA is approximately 3,500<br />
theatres with a seating capacity of nearly<br />
5.000,000, which will give TOA an annual income<br />
of about $500,000, Skouras revealed.<br />
Attending the two-day business meeting<br />
were:<br />
D. C; Max A. Connelt, Roxy Theatre, Newton, Miss.;<br />
Roy Cooper, Golden State Theatre and Realty Co.,<br />
San Francisco; S. H. Fabian, New York; Thomas<br />
Friday, Comerford circuit, Scranton. Pa.<br />
Ted R. Gamble, Capitol Theatre, Portland. Ore.;<br />
Leonard Goldenson, New York; Russell Hordwicke,<br />
Clovis, New Mexico; Milas L. Hurley, New Mexico<br />
Theatre Cwners; Mack lackson, Alabama Theatre<br />
Owners and Managers Ass'n, Alexander City, Alcr;<br />
George Kerasotes, Pantheon Theatre, Springfield.<br />
Harry Lament, Albany, New York; Herman M.<br />
Levy, New Haven, Conn. Lightn Memphis,<br />
Tenn.; Robert R. Livingston. Lincoln. Neb<br />
Morris Loewenstefn, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Harry<br />
Lowenstein, Ardmore, Okla.; Walter Morris, Tennessee<br />
Theatre Owners Ass'n, Knoxville, Tenn.; M. "<br />
Mullin, Boston; Claude Mundo, Little Rock; R.<br />
O'Donnell, Dallas.<br />
Lewin Pizor, United MPTC of Eastern Pennsylvania,<br />
Southern New and Delaware, Jersey Philadelphia;<br />
Albert Pickus, New Haven; Stanley W<br />
Prenosil, New York; E. A. Pugh, Comerford circuit<br />
Scranton, Pa.; Henry Reeve, Texas Theatre Owners,<br />
W. F. Ruffin, Covington, Tenn.; Ben L. Strozier, Rock<br />
Fred Wehrenberg, St. Louis; R. B. Wilby, Atlant<br />
George H. Wilkinson jr., Wallingiord, Conn.; Paul<br />
Williams, Southern Calif. Theatre Owners Ass'n<br />
Los Angeles; Tom Clark, U.S. attorney aeneral,<br />
Washington, C: Peyton Ford and John W. An<br />
D.<br />
drews, U.S. department of justice, Washington<br />
D. C; Georae Nasser, San Francisco; Richard Spier<br />
Fox West Coast, San Francisco, and Robert W<br />
Coyne, New York.<br />
George Murphy, MGM star, is shown<br />
addressing the TOA board, asking that<br />
theatres cooperate in helping the film<br />
industry continue its program of providing<br />
entertainment for veterans hospitals.<br />
The plea was recognized and a<br />
committee to assist is to be named.<br />
With Murphy were Y. Frank Freeman,<br />
left. Paramount's production executive,<br />
and Abe Lastfogel, all of whom were<br />
representing the Hollywood Coordinating<br />
Committee.
: March<br />
Ascap Will Consider Yearly Pacts,<br />
But Will Reject 30-Day Deals<br />
NEW YORK—The American Society of<br />
Composers, Authors and PubUshers will issue<br />
special exhibitor licenses covering one<br />
year, if necessary, according to an executive<br />
of the organization, but no license will be<br />
issued on a month-to-month basis. This<br />
type of deal would cost too much time and<br />
trouble,<br />
he explained.<br />
Tlie Ascap official made these statements<br />
after learning that some Allied members are<br />
considering short-term agreements under<br />
which they would pay the new performance<br />
fees, which go into effect March 15. The<br />
new contract forms are now on their way<br />
to Ascap customers.<br />
TOA UNITS READY TO SIGN<br />
During the three-day Washington meeting<br />
of the Allied board of directors last month,<br />
several directors suggested that Allied members<br />
should try to get monthly, quarterly or<br />
annual contracts from Ascap. The agreement<br />
worked out between Ascap and the<br />
TOA calls for a ten-year period with increases<br />
ranging from 2',;. cents per seat to 5<br />
cents for theatres seating more than 500.<br />
Most TOA members have said they will sign<br />
the new contracts.<br />
Allied members realize that they have to<br />
work out some sort of an agreement with<br />
Ascap if they want to exhibit sound films.<br />
They prefer to wait for the outcome of the<br />
house committee hearings on the Lewis bill,<br />
backed by Allied, to be held March 22. This<br />
bill is designed to amend the copyright law<br />
so that the producer instead of the exhibitor<br />
will pay the public performance rights for<br />
copyrighted material. Alli^^ also wants to<br />
wait for a decision in the antitrust case filed<br />
by the ITOA of New York against Ascap<br />
and which has just been tried before the<br />
federal district court of New York. The new<br />
rate schedule goes into effect March 15.<br />
SEVERAL ALLIED IDEAS ON FEES<br />
Some Allied members say they will not<br />
sign the new contracts b-ut will send in<br />
checks to Ascap at the new rate at the end<br />
of each quarter. With these checks will be<br />
letters of protest against paying any fees to<br />
Ascap. Members of Allied Independent Theatre<br />
Owners of Kansas and Missouri have<br />
been cautioned not to sign any agreements<br />
sent out by Ascap, but to make monthly<br />
payments on a special form which refers to<br />
the Lewis bill and the antitrust case. The<br />
form states that the payment is being made<br />
under protest.<br />
The Ascap official said that no action will<br />
be taken against any customer who delays<br />
his payments in good faith. He indicated<br />
that those who intentionally hold up their<br />
payments may be in for trouble. Exhibitors<br />
have had plenty of time to consider the<br />
situation, he added.<br />
Atlas Stockholders to Act<br />
NEW YORK—Stockholders of Atlas Corp.<br />
will be asked to authorize reduction of the<br />
capital stock by 53,682 shares at the annual<br />
meeting April 7. These shares are now held<br />
in the treasury. The proxy statement shows<br />
that Floyd B. Odium has increased his holdings<br />
by 8,000 shares over a year ago. He now<br />
holds 74,820 shares.<br />
Myers Predicts<br />
New Suits<br />
Over Ascap's Schedules<br />
WASHINGTON — Abram F. Myers,<br />
Allied board chairman and general co\msel,<br />
re-entered the Ascap discussion Tuesday<br />
(9i by pointing out that a U.S. supreme<br />
court decision barring use of crosslicensed<br />
patents for price-fixing pm-poses<br />
could open the way for more suits<br />
against the authors' organization.<br />
He specifically referred to a warning he<br />
issued some months ago that if the TOA<br />
reached an agreement with Ascap on<br />
rates, exhibitors not parties to the agreement<br />
could file triple-damage suits<br />
against these organizations. When the<br />
results of the TOA negotiations were announced<br />
regional Allied members began<br />
to act on their own.<br />
TOA was careful not to sign any agreement<br />
with Ascap. It simply reached an<br />
understanding and recommended its acceptance<br />
by individual members of regional<br />
units.<br />
In expressing his opinion on the implications<br />
of the supreme court decision<br />
early in the week Myers said : "It appears<br />
certain that a great copyright pool issuing<br />
uniform licenses at uniform rates<br />
amomits to a price-fixing conspiracy.<br />
When films moving in interstate commerce<br />
are burdened by that conspiracy<br />
the applicability of the Sherman act becomes<br />
apparent."<br />
Cagneys Settle With UA<br />
For 'Time of Your Life'<br />
HOLLYWOOD—The<br />
on - again - off - again<br />
liaison between Cagney Productions and<br />
United Artists is on again, with William<br />
Cagney disclosing his company has reached<br />
an "amicable settlement of its difficulties"<br />
with UA as the result of long-distance negotiations<br />
with Gradwell Sears, UA president,<br />
in New York.<br />
Pending litigation by UA against the Cagneys<br />
has been halted, and UA will release<br />
William Saroyan's "The Time of Youi- Life,"<br />
over Which all the trouble started. That<br />
film was completed by the Cagneys last fall,<br />
shortly before they served notice on UA that<br />
their distribution pact was being terminated,<br />
at which time a new Cagney-Warner Bros,<br />
tieup was effected and it was announced<br />
"The Time of Yom- Life" would go with the<br />
Cagneys in their new affiliation. UA promptly<br />
served notice it expected delivery of the<br />
picture and the litigation began.<br />
An unusual feature of the peace terms<br />
gives Cagney Productions the right to make<br />
its next picture for distribution by another<br />
company—not specified in the announcement,<br />
but probably Warners—with its third to be<br />
released tlu-ougti UA.<br />
Cagney said he was "delighted with the<br />
solution" and with the "opportimity to continue<br />
his association" with the Sears company.<br />
Selznick: You Can Cut<br />
Production Costs<br />
NEW YORK—"Hollywood can cut production<br />
expenses," says David O. Selznick, "but<br />
where should it begin?" Not on star salaries;<br />
there are only about 25 stars with top boxoffice<br />
value, and their salaries will go higher<br />
before they go lower.<br />
"Has anybody figured out what proportion<br />
of the costs go to union labor? Here is one<br />
of the biggest items.<br />
"So what should we do? We should spend<br />
more time in preparation of shooting schedules.<br />
We should do more rehearsing. We<br />
should insist that directors know what they<br />
want in a picture before shooting. We should<br />
stop taking long shots, medium shots and<br />
closeups of every scene and rolling up ten<br />
times more footage than we require.<br />
CITES THE HITCHCOCK METHOD<br />
"It is a lot cheaper to reconstruct a set<br />
for a camera angle and make a retake of a<br />
scene at a cost of a few thousand dollars, if<br />
we find something missing, than it is to spend<br />
hundreds of thousands of dollars on protection<br />
shots that we know in advance we are<br />
not going to use.<br />
"Some directors can do this." He named<br />
Alfred Hitchcock as one.<br />
Selznicks remarks were made in a frank<br />
discussion of production problems with the<br />
press at his Hampshire House apartment before<br />
leaving for the coast last week.<br />
The discussion ranged from an appraisal<br />
of star values, best-seller values and title<br />
values through "the pseudo scientific research<br />
on audience tastes" to the way exhibitors<br />
handle the pictures after they get<br />
them.<br />
When he was asked what he thought of<br />
current surveys to test public reaction to<br />
titles and story types in advance of production<br />
he chuckled.<br />
"Suppose," he suggested, "the researchers<br />
had gone out to test the value of 'Gone With<br />
the Wind' as a title before it became a bestseller.<br />
The answer would have been: 'It's no<br />
good.'<br />
"Suppose somebody had made a survey to<br />
find out if the public wanted a story of the<br />
civil war. What would the answer have<br />
been?"<br />
ON SHORTER PICTURES<br />
Should pictures be shorter? he was asked.<br />
"I can't decide in advance how long a picture<br />
should be," he responded. "Pictures<br />
have to rmi long enough to tell the story.<br />
I have to test them to see where the interest<br />
lags, and I have to spend days and days<br />
taking film out by inches, or filling in gaps."<br />
He admitted some producers had made<br />
pictures long on the theory that long pictures<br />
were important pictures, but could see<br />
no excuse for this.<br />
Sales values in pictures crept into the discussion.<br />
Selznick is a strong believer in the<br />
value of star names and in best-selling<br />
novels.<br />
'"When you take an unknown story and an<br />
unknown cast you are banging right up<br />
against the antagonism of sales departments<br />
and exliibitors. You are lucky it you get<br />
your money back. Sometimes these pictures<br />
start catching on; they even become hits,<br />
but the selling pressure isn't applied until<br />
after they have demonstrated their value as<br />
attractions. Every producer has to consider<br />
these<br />
factors."<br />
14<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
;<br />
13, 1948
: March<br />
Fine of $1,000,000<br />
Posed in Chicago<br />
CHICAGO—Following the close of hearings<br />
on contempt charges against six<br />
distributors and 13 individuals over alleged<br />
violation of the Jackson Park injunction,<br />
Thomas C. McConnell, attorney<br />
for<br />
the Jackson Park Theatre, suggested<br />
that the defendants be fined $1,000,000<br />
and that the money be held one year by<br />
the court clerk. It should be returned,<br />
he proposed, if the original order were<br />
not violated in that time.<br />
Judge Igoe will have the task of<br />
determining whether the defendants have<br />
defied his injunction against the old<br />
Chicago system of film bookings. If he<br />
finds them guilty he may fix jail sentences<br />
or fines, or both, the size depending on<br />
his own discretion.<br />
The Jackson Park contended that the<br />
major exhibitors and producers had violated<br />
a court order against the former<br />
system whereby neighborhood theatres<br />
could not obtain films until long after<br />
Loop showings.<br />
McLendon Loses Case<br />
On Trust Charges<br />
DALLAS—The R. B. McLendon $1,200,000<br />
antitrust suit against the Interstate circuit,<br />
the Robb & Rowley chain and eight major<br />
distributors went to the defendants when<br />
Judge William H. Atwell ruled that McLendon<br />
and his associates had failed to prove<br />
their charges of monopoly.<br />
The federal court judge made his decision<br />
orally, but it is expected that he will submit<br />
a memorandum when the finding of facts<br />
and conclusions of law are officially filed<br />
with the clerk of court.<br />
"We find no sufficient satisfaction of burden<br />
of proof that rests upon Mr. McLendon,"<br />
Judge Atwell declared.<br />
The suit was patterned somewhat along<br />
Chicago's Jackson Park Tlieatre case but included<br />
as one of its important angles an<br />
allegation by McLendon that because of<br />
clearance and other film distribution restrictions<br />
in the Dallas area he was forced to<br />
sell his Casa Linda Theatre to Robb & Rowley<br />
at a price $200,000 less than what it was<br />
worth.<br />
This was a point on which the court dwelt<br />
briefly in the oral decision. Judge Atwell<br />
commented that the plaintiff himself had<br />
testified to making $50,000 when he sold the<br />
theatre.<br />
It is expected that an appeal will be taken<br />
by McLendon. Thomas MoConnell, who<br />
handled the Jackson Park suit, helped prepare<br />
the case here, but the Chicago attorney<br />
was not in court for the trial. He w'as<br />
detained in Chicago by the hearing there on<br />
the Jackson Park contempt petition. The<br />
suit was heard in week's time. That was<br />
a<br />
the hmit set by the court, and the deadline<br />
was met by holding a night session.<br />
MGM to Release 11 Films<br />
From April to August<br />
Seen at the opening of a week of sales meetings at the MGM studio in Culver City.<br />
Seated, left to right: E. M. Saunders, W. F. Rodgers, LouLs B. Mayer, *:. J. Mannix and<br />
E. W. Aarons. Standing: George Hickey, John Allen, Herman Ripp, Jack Byrne,<br />
Frank Hensler, John Maloney, Ralph Maw, Sam Gardner, L. K. Sidney, Burtus Bishop,<br />
Rudolph Berger, Sam Shirley and H. M. Richey.<br />
HOLLYWOOD— Belief that 'the entire industry<br />
needs outstanding product now" to<br />
bolster dwindling domestic grosses keynotes<br />
MOM'S decision not to hold back top product<br />
for release at the beginning of the so-called<br />
"new season" this fall. Consequently William<br />
F. Rodgers, distribution chief, disclosed<br />
following a week of sales huddles at the<br />
studio that 11 films have been slated for<br />
release between April 1 and August 30.<br />
The 11-pictm-e lineup comprises;<br />
April—Fi-ank Capra's "State of the Union."<br />
with Spencer Ti-acy and Katharine Hepbiu-n;<br />
"B. F.'s Daughter." starring Barbara Stanwyck,<br />
and "Summer Holiday," Technicolor<br />
musical with Mickey Rooney.<br />
May—Clark Gable and Lana Turner in<br />
press and radio representatives in each territory<br />
"Homecoming"; a Judy Garland-Gene Kelly<br />
to attend. Capra will attend several<br />
"The Pirate."<br />
of the eastern showings.<br />
starrer.<br />
June—"The Big City," with Margaret<br />
Rodgers and his aide, E. W. Aaron, are<br />
remaining at the studio for an additional<br />
O'Brien: "On an Island With You." tunefilm<br />
two weeks. Other visitors checked out for<br />
where home immediate<br />
Technicolor, starring Esther Williams.<br />
in<br />
their respective posts,<br />
sectional sales huddles were slated to<br />
be held. Nine divisional meetings were<br />
Berlin's "Easter Parade,"<br />
July—Irving<br />
Technicolor musical, and another tunefilm, scheduled between March 11 and 13.<br />
"A Date With Judy," starring Wallace Beery<br />
Slated regional conclaves were to include:<br />
and Jane Powell.<br />
March 11—Albany, Buffalo and Boston<br />
August "Julia Misbehaves," with Greer exchanges forces, meeting in Albany: March<br />
Garson, and a Red Skelton comedy, "A<br />
Southern Yankee."<br />
The new schedule was set up by Rodgers<br />
with Louis B. Mayer and E. J. Mannix after<br />
the sales topper, his division manager and<br />
studio officials had screened all available<br />
finished product. Tliree will go out in April.<br />
followed by two each in May. June, July<br />
and August.<br />
•It is imperative." Rodgers said, "that<br />
every effort be made to attract at least a<br />
good percentage of the more than 50,000,000<br />
Americans who do not regularly go to the<br />
theatre ... We are going to ask the exhibitors<br />
of the nation for their fullest cooperation<br />
in giving these new productions<br />
the kind of support and important presentation<br />
they deserve."<br />
During the week of March 22, MGM will<br />
tradeshow Frank Capra's "State of the<br />
Union" in the 32 key exchange centers,<br />
Rodgers disclosed, and will take over a theatre<br />
in each city for the pm-pose. In addition<br />
to exhibitors and circuit buyers. Metro<br />
exchanges will invite the governors of each<br />
state, mayors, city officials, civic leaders and<br />
12—St. Louis, Kansas City and Indianapolis,<br />
meeting in St. Louis; Dallas. New Orleans,<br />
Oklahoma City and Memphis, huddling in<br />
Dallas: Atlanta. Charlotte and Washington,<br />
gathering in Washington: and the Pittsburgh,<br />
Cleveland, Cincimiati and Detroit<br />
delegations, meeting in Pittsburgh; March<br />
13—Portland, Seattle. San Francisco and<br />
Los Angeles, huddling in San Francisco;<br />
Denver and Salt Lake City, in Denver.<br />
Warners Theatres Ad Managers Meet in New York<br />
NEW YORK — Warner Theatres zone<br />
advertising managers held a two-day meeting<br />
at the company home office, Monday and<br />
Tuesday (8, 9i. to discuss campaigns on three<br />
films. "To the Victor." "The Woman in<br />
White" and "Silver River."<br />
Home office executives attending included<br />
Harry Kalmine. president and general manager<br />
of Warner Bros. Theatres: Ben Kalmenson,<br />
vice-president in charge of distribution:<br />
Mort Blumenstock. vice-president in<br />
charge of advertising and publicity, and Harry<br />
Goldberg, advertising and publicity director<br />
for Warner Theatres.<br />
Zone advertising men present included J.<br />
Knox Strachan, Cleveland; Dan Finn. New<br />
Haven; George Kelly. Newark: Charles<br />
Smakwitz. Albany; Everett C. Callow. Philadelphia:<br />
James Totman, Pittsburgh: Frank<br />
LaFalce, Washington: Harry MacDonald,<br />
Milwaukee: Irving Windisch, New York: Ben<br />
Wallerstein, Hollywood.<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
13, 1948<br />
15
mm^nk^}^bhA<br />
WORLD PREMIERE<br />
AT THE LONG-RUN<br />
RIVOLI THEATRE<br />
MARCH 16<br />
Produced by JESSE L LASKY and WALTER MacEWEN • Directet
' #n '/ yjjwrjffffy/ii y]<br />
JESSE L. LASKY productions, inc.<br />
presents<br />
RUM JANNEY'S<br />
mrr<br />
^*^ ^»««'' "^<br />
Starring<br />
FRED<br />
^<br />
FRANK<br />
with<br />
LEJ.<br />
•i^<br />
I<br />
'ING<br />
PICHEL- Screen Play by BEN HECHIand OOENIIN REYNOLDS<br />
Released through RKO RADIO PICTURES, Inc.
: March<br />
7K€*t a*tcC S(^'^*tt^<br />
Straws in the Wind<br />
QN THE THEORY that if there are any<br />
good theatres on the market, or any<br />
new forms of exhibition that show profit<br />
prospects, some of the leading figures in<br />
the business are looking around with checkbook<br />
in hand.<br />
It's an open field. Men associated with<br />
distributor-owned circuits can do it as<br />
individuals. Independent exhibitors, who<br />
are usually owners of small circuits, are<br />
doing it, too.<br />
Divorcement, if it is ordered by the<br />
supreme court, won't bring a revolution; it<br />
will bring on a realignment of operations.<br />
Theatres will not be thrown on the market<br />
wholesale: they will be sold individually,<br />
and the men who buy them probably<br />
will be the ones with the longest experience<br />
as exhibitors.<br />
Take Louis B. Mayer, for instance. He<br />
thought he would like to have a theatre,<br />
so he bought the Rivoli on Broadway, New<br />
York.<br />
Take Paramount, for another instance,<br />
it has accumulated a sizeable block of its<br />
own stock through purchase on the open<br />
market. These shares can be used in case<br />
the 95-5 requirement for circuit ownership<br />
should be upheld by the supreme<br />
court.<br />
On the other hand, it is getting out of<br />
unsatisfactory operations. The company<br />
has just ended its long controversy with<br />
the Cooper Foundation, founded by J, A.<br />
Cooper, and has given up a number of theatres<br />
for a cash payment.<br />
Joseph M. Schenck owns theatres as an<br />
individual, E. V, Richards jr. and M. A.<br />
Lightman do the same. A long list of<br />
names could be compiled.<br />
Some important figures now in distribution<br />
have observed that year in and year<br />
out the theatres make more money per<br />
dollar invested than do the production and<br />
distribution branches.<br />
They may not be getting ready for a<br />
rainy day. but at least they are looking<br />
for green pastures where the sun seems to<br />
shine brightly.<br />
Drive-in theatres are often described<br />
as competition for the established enclosed<br />
theatres. They are. That is the reason<br />
some of the leading circuit operators are<br />
going into the drive-in business—as individuals<br />
or by investing in new companies,<br />
of course.<br />
Firemen Go Haywire<br />
gOME weird bills pop up in state legislatures<br />
from time to time, but the firemen's<br />
pension measure presented at Albany<br />
reaches a new high in absurdity. The<br />
bill was introduced at the request of the<br />
Uniformed Firemen's Ass'n of New York<br />
City.<br />
It provides that a fire commissioner in<br />
any city with a paid fire department could<br />
assign a fireman for each performance<br />
at $10 per fireman per show. Theatres<br />
with five shows would pay $50 per day<br />
and those with seven shows $70 per day,<br />
with the scale ascending to $1,500 per<br />
show at the Roxy or Music Hall. This<br />
By<br />
JAMES M. JERAULD<br />
would come to $10,500 per day in<br />
those houses, if the commissioner should<br />
decide that many firemen were necessary.<br />
Fantastic?<br />
There are 849 film theatres in the New<br />
York City exchange area alone, with another<br />
535 in the Buffalo and Albany exchange<br />
areas—a grand total of 1,384.<br />
At the minimum rate of $50 per day for<br />
five-show houses this could total up to<br />
$69,200 per day. or $484,400 per week, or<br />
$25,188,800 per year.<br />
This explains why New York exhibitors<br />
were indignant enought to protest with<br />
such vehemence that the bill was pulled<br />
from the hopper.<br />
April Fool's Joke<br />
J^ BOXOPFICE reader suggested the other<br />
day that we print a stoi-y about April<br />
1 saying Allied had decided to make peace<br />
with Ascap and sign the new rate schedules.<br />
"What a sensation!" he suggested.<br />
It's not a sensation: it isn't even a ripple<br />
on the surface of events. Allied will not<br />
make peace with Ascap—officially, that is<br />
—but plenty of its individual members will<br />
sign up at the new rates. For all houses<br />
with 500 seats it's the old rate and in<br />
larger houses the increase is cheaper than<br />
going to court or helping somebody else<br />
go to court.<br />
Trailer Improvement<br />
pHE PRINCIPAL result of the report on<br />
trailers submitted by a committee of<br />
theatremen on which Paramount partners<br />
were heavily represented probably will be<br />
to establish the fact that many exhibitors<br />
think some new ideas could be used.<br />
Setting the thinking apparatus in motion<br />
should be easy for the major theatreowning<br />
companies. All they have to do is<br />
go into conference with the publicity and<br />
advertising departments which furnish<br />
trailer material and suggestions to National<br />
Screen Service. NSS is anxious to please.<br />
If other trailer companies see a "new<br />
look" being introduced they will go to work<br />
in a hurry. Competition is keen in this<br />
field.<br />
Late Tele Notes<br />
piEL BROTHERS brewery has made a<br />
survey of television sets in taverns.<br />
Some say they draw customers, but slow<br />
down the spending. 'When the world seri^.<br />
big boxing matches and other popular<br />
sporting events are on the places are<br />
jammed. Piel predicts that as the home<br />
sets increase the novelty will wear off for<br />
tavern use.<br />
On the legal front the Embassy Newsreel<br />
Theatre. 72nd street. New York, has<br />
decided not to risk a suit from NBC for the<br />
showing of television programs taken off<br />
the air. Instead. Colonial, the firm that<br />
makes the portable theatre television projectors,<br />
will confer with other theatre<br />
owners to discuss raising a fund for defending<br />
a suit after a paid admission<br />
showing.<br />
Romance Wins Victory<br />
Down Juarez Way<br />
JUAREZ, MEXICO—'Women of the<br />
feminine police corps are back in their<br />
kitchens shelling peas and young couples<br />
have resumed their romancing in Juarez<br />
theatres after a hectic month.<br />
The police department got the idea<br />
about a month ago that love-making in<br />
the theatres was all too prevalent off<br />
the screen. Hastily they formed a Feminine<br />
Police Corps. A dozen women started<br />
patroling the theatres. Couples caught<br />
romancing were trotted off to the police<br />
station to pay a 20 peso fine. Romeos<br />
complained it got so bad you could not<br />
even rest your hand lightly on the girl<br />
friend's arm.<br />
Business in the theatres took an alarming<br />
drop. Theatre managers started complaining<br />
that the situation was critical.<br />
Their pressure forced the police to disband<br />
the feminine corps. Now when you<br />
buy your ticket in a Juarez cinema it's<br />
nobody's business but your own if you<br />
come out again without the slightest<br />
idea of what's showing today, and everybody's<br />
happy again—except, maybe, the<br />
Juarez police department.<br />
All Distributors Groping<br />
On Television: O'Connor<br />
WILMINGTON, DEL.—All film companies<br />
are groping for the proper approach toward<br />
television, John J. O'Connor, Universal vicepresident,<br />
told a meeting of company stockholders<br />
Wednesday (10 1. He said that the<br />
directors of Universal held a two-hoiu- meeting<br />
on television problems on Tuesday.<br />
All directors of Universal Pictures Co., Inc.,<br />
were re-elected by the stockholders. They<br />
are: Robert S. Benjamin, Nate J. Blumbei-g,<br />
Paul G. Brown, J. Oheever Cowdin, Preston<br />
Davie, Matthew Pox, Wilham J. Gei-man,<br />
O'Comior, Ottavio Prochet, Charles D. Pi-utzman,<br />
J. Arthur Rank. Budd Rogers, Daniel<br />
M. Scheaffer and G. I. Woodham-Smith.<br />
Goodman Resigns EL Post;<br />
Coast District Formed<br />
NEW YORK—Del Goodman has resigned<br />
as west coast division manager for Eagle<br />
Lion. No successor will be named. His post<br />
will be eliminated, and a new Pacific Coast<br />
manager will be appointed. The Pacific Coast<br />
district will include the Los Angeles, San<br />
Francisco, Seattle and Portland branches.<br />
At the same time, EL has realigned the<br />
sales staff on the coast. Sam Milner has<br />
been named branch manager in Los Angeles,<br />
and C. T. Sharack is sales manager.<br />
Goodman joined EL last year. Pi-eviously<br />
he had been with Paramount as west coast<br />
district<br />
manager.<br />
'Agreement' in 359 Spots<br />
NEW YORK— "Gentleman's Agreement"<br />
will be opened by 20th-Fox in 359 cities<br />
Easter week. This calls for all available<br />
prints. All showings to date have been considered<br />
pre-release. Since the picture was<br />
first shown it has received 47 citations.<br />
18<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
13, 1948
[RADE SHOW OF THE YEAR!<br />
DON'T MISS the timeliest film of<br />
the year. It's red-hot up-to-the-minute<br />
entertainment. Broadway's famous<br />
Pulitzer Prize Play now a Prize Picture<br />
with a Prize Cast! It's Great!<br />
ALBANY—THUR. 3/25—8 P.M.<br />
Delaware Theatre, 290 Delowore Av<br />
BOSTON—WED. 3/24—8 P M.<br />
Fine Arts Theatre, Moss. Ave. and Norwoy St.<br />
CHARLOTTE—THURS. 3/25—8 P.M.<br />
Monor Theatre, 607 Providence Road<br />
CHICAGO—THURS. 3/25—8 P.M.<br />
Vogue Theatre, 3810 No. Broadway<br />
CINCINNATI—WED. 3/24—8 P.M.<br />
Ridge Theatre, 6042 Montgomery Road<br />
CLEVELAND—TUES. 3/23—8 P.M.<br />
Theatre, Coventry Road and Euclid Heights Blvd.<br />
DALLAS—WED. 3/24—8 P.M.<br />
Copitan Theatre, 232 North Henderson<br />
DES MOINES—THURS. 3/25—8 P.M.<br />
Uptown Theotrc, 4115 University<br />
DETROIT—WED. 3/24—8 P.M.<br />
Columbia<br />
Cinema Theatre, 58 E.<br />
INDIANAPOLIS—WED. 3/24—8 P.M.<br />
Coronet Theatre, 2145 Tolbott Avenue<br />
KANSAS CITY—WED. 3/24—8 P.M.<br />
Vogue Theatre, 3444 Broadway<br />
LOS ANGELES—MON. 3/22—8:30 P.M.<br />
Four-Star Theatre, 5112 Wilshire Blvd.<br />
MEMPHIS—MON. 3/29—8 P.M.<br />
Hollywood Theatre, 2465 Chelsea Ave.<br />
Mefro-Goldwyn-Mayer<br />
and<br />
Liberty Films<br />
present<br />
SPENCER TRACY<br />
KATHARINE HEPBURN<br />
VAN JOHNSON<br />
ANGELA LANSBURY<br />
ADOLPHE MENJOU<br />
LEWIS STONE<br />
FRANK CAPRA'S<br />
STATE or THE UNION<br />
Based on the<br />
Play by Howard Lindsay and Russel Grouse<br />
Screen Ploy by Anthony Veiller and Myles Connolly<br />
Associate Producer Anthony Veiller<br />
Produced and Directed by FRANK CAPRA<br />
A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Picture<br />
MILW/AUKEE—TUES. 3/23—8 P.M.<br />
Tosa Theatre, 6823 W. North Ave., Wauwatoso, W<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—WED. 3/24—8 P.M.<br />
Grenada Theatre, 3022 Hennepin Avenue<br />
NEW HAVEN—WED. 3/24—8 P.M.<br />
Strand Theatre, 1217 Dixwell Avenue<br />
NEW ORLEANS—THURS. 3/25—8:15 P.M.<br />
Cortei Theatre, 201 South Corlei Street<br />
NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY—MON. 3/22—10:30 ,<br />
Normandie Theatre, 51 E. 53rd St.<br />
OKLAHOMA CITY—WED. 3/24—8 P.M.<br />
Plaia Theatre, 1725 N. W. 16th St.<br />
OMAHA—WED. 3/24—8 P.M.<br />
Avenue Theatre, 2819 Leavenworth Street<br />
PHILADELPHIA—WED. 3/24— 11 A.M.<br />
M-G-M Screen Room, 1233 Summer Street<br />
PinSBURGH—WED. 3/24—8:30 P.M.<br />
Shadyside Theatre, 5518 Walnut Street<br />
PORTLAND—TUES. 3/23—8 P.M.<br />
Esquire Theatre, 838 N. W. 23rd Street<br />
ST. LOUIS—THURS. 3/25—8 P.M.<br />
Apollo Theatre, 323 De Boliviere Street<br />
SALT LAKE CITY—WED. 3/24—8 P.M.<br />
Tower Theatre, 876 East Ninth, South<br />
SAN FRANCISCO—TUES. 3/23—8 P.M.<br />
Guild Theatre, 1069 Market Street<br />
SEATTLE-WED. 3/24—8 P.M.<br />
Neptune Theotre, 1307 E. 45th Street<br />
WASHINGTON—WED. 3/24—8 P.M.<br />
National Archives Auditorium, 8th St. and Penn Av
Business is<br />
at Paramount<br />
Contrary to popular opinion, business at theatres playing Paramount pictures<br />
is holding up to and even beyond levels of the boom period for comparable<br />
budget and comparable star pictures. Cases in point are:<br />
ROAD TO RIO which in many situations is topping previous<br />
"Road" pictures released at the height of the boxoffice boom.<br />
ALBUQUERQUE which is equalling and in some cases surpassing<br />
Paramount's last previous color-western released a year ago.<br />
I WALK<br />
AL>ONE, black-and-white production which is consistently<br />
topping Hal Wallis' previous Technicolor release which had<br />
the same 2 leading stars.<br />
And now comes Paramount's 4th consecutive release which is topping comparable<br />
previous pictures. Film Daily called it "Ladd's best since 'Two Years<br />
Before The Mast'" and now the boxofFice is proving that<br />
ANOTHER GRhlAT<br />
ENTERTAINMENT FROM<br />
Paramount<br />
f^OUGi As
!<br />
^<br />
1^ OUTCROSSING LADD'S<br />
TWO PREVIOUS SHOWS...<br />
with these reports from first dates: Har(fo/d— topped both; New<br />
Haven — bigger than "Wild Harvest" and within a few dollars of<br />
"Calcutta's" giant holiday week; Bosto // — topped "Calcutta" and<br />
comparably stronger than "Harvest" at another house; Detroit—<br />
\<br />
comparably bigger than both at another house with similar seating<br />
capacity; San Francisco— h'xggex than "Calcutta" at same house<br />
and rivalling the figures of "Harvest" at a house with double the<br />
seating capacity; Rochester— \nggex x^vaxv "Calcutta"'and "Harvest."
. . Enterprise<br />
. . "Be<br />
. .<br />
. .<br />
. . . RKO<br />
. . . Producer<br />
. . Cast<br />
. . Warner<br />
"f^oUffCM^ ^cfront<br />
Seven Manuscript Sales<br />
Reported for the Week<br />
While the production picture remains definitely<br />
bearish, with no signs that it will be<br />
otherwise for some time to come, the studio<br />
market for literary wares paradoxically continues<br />
on the bullish side—indicating that<br />
although the filmmakers are currently reluctant<br />
to start the cameras turning, they<br />
still retain sufficient faith in the industry's<br />
future to risk their bankrolls on building up a<br />
stockpile of story properties for future production.<br />
The period just ended was no exception,<br />
since a substantial total of seven manuscript<br />
sales were completed. To Metro went "Remembrance<br />
Rock." Carl Sandburg's new historical<br />
novel of America from Revolutionary<br />
da,vs to the present, which will be published<br />
in September and thereafter will be made<br />
into a motion picture by Sidney Franklin.<br />
The work was five, years in the writing . . .<br />
Hal Walhs, whose film output is released by<br />
Paramount, snagged "The Soimd of Years,"<br />
a first novel by Merriam Modell. and signed<br />
Lucille Fletcher to write the screenplay. Barbara<br />
Stanwyck will have the pivotal role as a<br />
married woman whose life is complicated by<br />
the arrival of her adolescent daughter by a<br />
previous marriage . Nice to Emily," a<br />
romantic comedy by Matt Taylor, went to<br />
Warners, where it will be produced as a<br />
Viveca Lindfors vehicle by Alex Gottlieb. It<br />
concerns a Swiss girl who shelters three Yank<br />
fliers and comes to visit them in the U.S.<br />
after the war . purchased "The<br />
Fabulous Hoosier," a biography by Mrs. Carl<br />
Fisher of her late husband, who developed<br />
the Indianapolis speedway and Miami Beach.<br />
It will be produced under the title of "The<br />
Miami Beach Story," . . . Roger D. WiUiams'<br />
original, "Postoffice Investigator," went to<br />
Republic, where it will be produced and directed<br />
by Allan Dwan. It will reveal the activities<br />
of postoffice agents who track down<br />
criminals who use the federal mails in their<br />
activities . . . Robert Frost's Equity Pictures<br />
purchased "Lillie of Six-Shooter Junction,"<br />
Katherine Phillips' biography of Mrs. Lillie<br />
Drennan, who built up an oil empire in Texas<br />
two decades ago. Eagle Lion will release .<br />
Alfred Noyes' new novel, "The Devil Goes to<br />
Santa Barbara," was picked up by Picture<br />
Plays, Inc., independent unit recently organized<br />
by Tim Whelan.<br />
Gary Cooper to Portray<br />
Orville Wright Next<br />
Gary Cooper, who has played everybody<br />
on the screen from Sergeant York to Lou<br />
Gehrig, goes up in the air for his next biographical<br />
assignment. He's been cast as<br />
Orville Wright in Warners' projected film<br />
story of the famed aviation pioneers, be to<br />
produced by Henry Blanke ... On the same<br />
lot Jane Wyman replaced Joan Crawford<br />
as David Niven's co-star in "A Kiss in the<br />
Dark," with Miss Crawford instead going into<br />
"Mi,ss O'Brien,<br />
" story of a school teacher .<br />
Dick Powell draws another tough-guy assignment<br />
as the male lead opposite Marta<br />
Toren in Universal-International's "Rogue's<br />
Regiment"<br />
. . . Title role in "Michael O'Hal-<br />
By<br />
IVAN SPEAR<br />
loran," which Windsor Pictures is making<br />
for Monogram release, goes to Scotty Beckett<br />
Radio and Vanguard are splittii-^<br />
a long-term contract set with Betsy Drake,<br />
young Broadway and London stage actress<br />
Frank Seltzer lined up John<br />
Emery and Tamara Geva for the leads in<br />
"The Gay Intruders," his second for 20th<br />
Century-Fox release . . . Ilka Chase goes into<br />
Paramount's "The Tatlock Millions." with<br />
Henry Hull set for the same studio's "The<br />
Great Gatsby" . additions to Columbia's<br />
"Winner Take Nothing" included Blake<br />
Edwards, Jane Nigh and Henry O'Neill.<br />
Big-League Scale Plans<br />
For SRO Coast Offices<br />
In the David O. Selznick tradition, the<br />
pending transfer of his company's home offices<br />
from New York to the film capital is<br />
being planned on a big-league scale. The<br />
blueprints as whipped up by J. McMillan<br />
Johnson, production designer for SRO, call<br />
for complete reconversion of the former Western<br />
Airlines building in Beverly Hills—which<br />
covers more than a half-acre of space.<br />
One of the purposes of the current Hollywood<br />
visit of Neil Agnew. SRO president, was<br />
to check over the final plans for the structure,<br />
which will be strictly modern in decor.<br />
Columbia to Distribute<br />
'Knock on Any Door'<br />
Columbia added another subject to its<br />
schedule via the sharecropping route when<br />
it arranged to distribute "Knock on Any<br />
Door." film version of the Willard Motley<br />
novel about adolescent dehnquency, which<br />
will be turned out on an independent basis<br />
by the new unit headed by Robert Lord and<br />
Humphrey Bogart. Lord recently checked<br />
out of a producing berth at Metro to become<br />
associated with the outfit, an outgrowth<br />
of the Bogart-Mark Hellinger company which<br />
dissolved with Hellinger's recent death.<br />
RKO Signs H. C. Potter<br />
To Long-Term Contract<br />
H. C. Potter has been signed to longterm<br />
directorial ticket by<br />
a<br />
RKO Radio, at<br />
which studio he recently completed "Mr.<br />
Blandings Builds His Dream House," produced<br />
for distribution by SRO . . . William<br />
Selwyn replaces Lew Kerner as executtve<br />
talent director for Samuel Goldwyn, moving<br />
over from a similar spot with Walter<br />
Wanger. Kerner recently submitted his<br />
resignation.<br />
Douglas Morro'w Returns<br />
To MGM As a Writer<br />
Once under MGM contract as a leading<br />
man, Douglas Morrow returns to that studio,<br />
this time as a writer, to develop the script<br />
of "The Life of Monty Stratton," on which<br />
he turned out the original . . . Edward<br />
Small borrowed Gordon Douglas from Co-<br />
Contracted Players<br />
Reduced to 463<br />
Just about everybody in Hollywood<br />
agrees lugubriously that times are tough<br />
and that there is widespread and increasing<br />
unemployment among studio<br />
toilers. Considerable of the talk has been<br />
in the scuttlebutt category, however, and<br />
the conversation among the alarmists<br />
has sometimes tended to draw a gloomier<br />
picture than actually is the case.<br />
Partially confirming such conflicting<br />
and unofficial guesses, at least so far as<br />
employment among actors is concerned,<br />
the Screen Actors Guild now bobs up<br />
with an authoritative compilation of the<br />
number of contract players as of March<br />
1, 1948, compared' with the same date a<br />
year ago. The figures as released are<br />
not cheerful ones.<br />
Guild records show 463 players under<br />
studio contracts, compared with 742 a<br />
year ago, for a reduction of slightly<br />
more than 37 per cent. In addition to<br />
this decrease, Guild spokesmen said,<br />
"there unquestionably has been a still<br />
greater decrease In employment of freelance<br />
actors." The breakdown shows 2G2<br />
men and 201 women currently under<br />
contract, compared with 401 men and<br />
341 women a year ago.<br />
lumbia to pilot "G-Men vs. Scotland Yard,"<br />
which Small will make for Eagle Lion release<br />
. . . Charles Lamont was booked by<br />
Pi-oducer Harry Joe Brown to meg "The<br />
.<br />
Wrangler," sagebrusher to be released<br />
through Columbia assigned<br />
scenarists on two upcoming Henry Blanke<br />
productions. Ranald MacDougall went to<br />
work on "The Hasty Heart," with Stephen<br />
Longstreet set on the film story of Wilbur<br />
and Orville Wright.<br />
Jesus Productions, Inc.<br />
To Produce in Italy<br />
Although the company was incorporated<br />
here, production headquarters will be established<br />
in Italy for a new independent unit,<br />
Jesus Productions. Inc., which will turn out<br />
a series of religious pictures. Heading the<br />
unit is Lady Maria Korda. former wife of<br />
Sir Alexander Korda, and one-time British<br />
and American film actress, with whom A.<br />
James Roche and Hallie M. Daniel are associated<br />
in the project.<br />
Sol Wurtzel Schedules<br />
7 Films for 20th-Fox<br />
There may be a picture-making slowdown<br />
in some quarters, but not at the Sol Wurtzel<br />
unit. The 20th Century-Fox sharecropper<br />
has set five properties to start within the<br />
next five months, which with two pictures<br />
ready for release will give his company a<br />
total<br />
of seven subjects on 20th's current program.<br />
Completed is "Arthur Takes Over,"<br />
which will be followed by "Fighting Back,"<br />
"Big Dan," "Trouble Preferred," "Tucson"<br />
and "Ticket to Nowhere.'<br />
24 BOXOFFICE :: March 13, 1948 i
"The Movingest Movie Pihe-Thomas Has<br />
Ever Turned Out For Paramount"<br />
* Stands for<br />
Pine-Thomas,<br />
of course.<br />
This Exploitation<br />
Trade Press says:<br />
'Showmen can have a field day with it."(Heraid)<br />
"Best of the Pine-Thomas thrillers." (Variety)<br />
"Climaxed with thrilling fire." (FiimOaiiy)<br />
"Never misses the mark." (m. p. oaiiy)<br />
"Break-neck tempo." (Hoik wood Reported<br />
"Pine-Thomas' top contender." (Oaiiy vaneuj<br />
SHEILA RYAN<br />
BUSTER CRABBE<br />
MARY BETH HUGHES<br />
Directed by WILLIAM BERKE Original Screen Play by David Lang
1 20th<br />
: March<br />
Quarterly First Run Reports:<br />
TOP FILMS STILL DOING WELL<br />
BUT SO-SO PICTURES ARE NO-GO<br />
36 Pictures in Hit Class<br />
In First Half of Year.<br />
Equaling '47 Mark<br />
Bp NATHAN COHEN<br />
The industry's top product is doing better<br />
business this season than a year ago.<br />
but run-of-the-mill pictures are not faring<br />
so well. The country's motion picture patrons<br />
are still flocking to the theatres when<br />
good, substantial, entertaining pictures are<br />
being offered, but it's no-go on low grade<br />
features.<br />
This fact is very much in evidence in the<br />
quarterly analysis of first run business made<br />
by BOXOPFICE on the basis of reports from<br />
21 key cities. Other significant trends also<br />
reveal: Uii More pictures are being released,<br />
but a greater percentage of films is<br />
failing to do average or better business;<br />
1 2) There have been as many top hits this<br />
season as last; (3i Pictui-es which are doing<br />
"average or better business" are bringing<br />
in a greater return than the same type of<br />
films in the preceding season.<br />
POOR SHOWING BY SOME FILMS<br />
For the first time in many years, however,<br />
key situations are reporting pictures<br />
as doing only 60 to 80 per cent of average<br />
business on a considerable number of releases.<br />
Significantly enough, it was product<br />
released in the second quarter of the current<br />
season—December through February—<br />
which sent averages on the skids, in spite<br />
of the fact that just as many pictures rocketed<br />
into the hit class in that period as<br />
they did in the previous three months. In<br />
the first three months of the current season,<br />
88.5 per cent of the releases did average<br />
or better business. By the end of the sixmonth<br />
period, however, only 64.5 per cent<br />
of the season's pictures had achieved this<br />
distinction.<br />
Of 76 pictures placed in release in the<br />
second quarter—on which there have been<br />
sufficient runs to provide an indication of<br />
pulling power—29, or approximately 38 per<br />
cent, failed to satisfy exhibitors with at least<br />
average business. But those which did averaged<br />
122.5 per cent, whereas last season this<br />
type of picture averaged only 119 per cent.<br />
18 NEW HITS DURING QUARTER<br />
Significantly, however, just as many pictures<br />
went into the hit class in the quarter<br />
as in the preceding quarter—18—to bring the<br />
total for the year to 36 hit pictures. At this<br />
time last .season, 36 features had reached<br />
the top-level cla.ssification. Under Barometer<br />
calculations, a picture goes into the hit<br />
bracket when it does 120 per cent or better<br />
in its key run dates. This season, this type<br />
of a picture is drawing more business to<br />
the boxoffice than it did last year. The 36<br />
this season so far have done an average of<br />
145.5 per cent. Last season's hits did 141<br />
per cent.<br />
The hits are topped by Paramount's "Road<br />
to Rio," which has a record of 170 per cent,<br />
and holdovers in virtually every run. It<br />
First Quarters Top Hits<br />
(September 1947 through February 1948)<br />
PERCENTAGES<br />
Albuquerque (Para)<br />
)<br />
-Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer. The (RKO)<br />
Bishop's Wife, The (RKO)<br />
Body and Soul (UA)<br />
Call Northside 777 (20thFox)<br />
Captain From Castile (20lhFox)<br />
Cass Tiraberlane (MGM)<br />
Crossfire<br />
(RKO)<br />
Dark Passage (WB)<br />
Down «o Earth (Col)<br />
•Forever<br />
Foxes of<br />
Fugitive,<br />
Amber (20th-Fox)<br />
Harrow. The (20fh-Fox)<br />
The (RKO)<br />
Fun and Fancy Free (RKO)<br />
Good News (MGM)<br />
Green Dolphin Street (MGM)<br />
Intrigue<br />
(UA)<br />
It Had to Be You (Col)<br />
Killer<br />
McCoy (MGM)<br />
K=S3 of Death (20th-Fox)<br />
*Life With Father (WB)<br />
Monsieur Verdoux (UA)<br />
Mother Wore Tights (20th-Fox)<br />
.My Wild Irish Rose (WB)<br />
Road to<br />
Rio (Para)<br />
WSecret Life of Walter Mitty. The<br />
T-Men<br />
(EL)<br />
To the Ends of the Earth (Col)<br />
Treasure of Sierra Madre (WB)<br />
Tycoon (RKO)<br />
"Unconquered (Para)<br />
Voice of the Turtle. The (WB)<br />
iJWelcome Stranger (Para)<br />
WWhere There's Life (Para)<br />
(RKO)<br />
Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap, The (U-I)<br />
You Were Meant for Me (20th-Fox)<br />
wBlue Ribbon Award Winners<br />
'Roadshows<br />
played strongly everywhere, and had a top<br />
mark at the Paramoimt Theatre in San<br />
Francisco, where the picture did 300 per<br />
cent, and ran for six weeks. The Palace in<br />
Cincinnati reported 250 per cent on the film,<br />
and Radio City Theatre in Minneapolis held<br />
the feature for five weeks and reported business<br />
at 230 per cent of average.<br />
Second in drawing power among the quarter's<br />
releases was "Captain From Castile"<br />
120 130 140 150<br />
Century-Foxi, which placed with an<br />
average of 162 per cent. Again it was San<br />
Francisco which produced the top business,<br />
but in the case of this picture it was the<br />
Pox Theatre. Business was recorded at a<br />
whooping 350 per cent, and the picture held<br />
over for four weeks. Other top spots were<br />
the Fox Theatre, Philadelphia, 220 per cent;<br />
Fifth Avenue, Seattle, 210 per cent; Esquire<br />
and Paramount in Denver, and a four-the-<br />
26 BOXOFFICE :<br />
13, 1948
atre day and date booking in Los Angeles,<br />
200 per cent each. In each case, too, holdovers<br />
were for three weeks.<br />
Third highest gi'osser of the quarter was<br />
Samuel Goldwyn's •'The Bishop's Wife," an<br />
RKO release. In its first 11 key run dates,<br />
it was reported at 155 per cent, and carrying<br />
into holdovers in every engagement.<br />
The picture doubled normal business at the<br />
Astor Theatre in Boston, which Goldwyn<br />
recently acquired as a showcase, and at<br />
the Karlton in Philadelphia. Currently it<br />
is in its 13th week at the Astor in New<br />
York, its tenth week in Boston and its eighth<br />
week at the Woods Theatre in Chicago where,<br />
apparently, the Chicago antitrust decree limiting<br />
Loop runs to two weeks does not hold<br />
for the independently-owned Woods.<br />
COMEDIES BEST GROSSERS<br />
Filmgoers were about evenly divided as to<br />
their favorite fare. Of the 36 hits, 16 were<br />
dramas, another four were color costumers,<br />
14 were musicals and comedies, one was<br />
an animated feature and another was an<br />
action story. The comedies, however, were<br />
drawing the top grosses—on an average.<br />
Of 13 comedies playing at regular admis-<br />
.cions, key runs reported the lighter fare had<br />
done 146 per cent at the boxoffice, whereas<br />
19 dramas playing at regular admissions did<br />
only 133 per cent.<br />
It was the fourth time in a row that a<br />
picture either starring or co-starring Bing<br />
Crosby and Bob Hope has landed in the<br />
top three quarterly winners. It was "Blue<br />
Skies" with Crosby in March 1947; Hope in<br />
"My Favorite Blonde" in June 1947; "Variety<br />
Girl" with both stars in September<br />
1947; Crosby in "Welcome Stranger" for the<br />
quarter ending November 1947; and the current<br />
"Road to Rio."<br />
Following are second quarter releases and<br />
percentages reported by exhibitors in key<br />
cities:<br />
per<br />
COLUMBIA<br />
Blondie in the Dough<br />
Blondie's Anniversary<br />
Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back.<br />
Crime Doctor's Gamble<br />
Devil Ship<br />
Down to Earth<br />
Glamour Girl<br />
Her Husband's Affairs<br />
I Love Trouble<br />
It Had to Be You<br />
Key V/itness<br />
Last of the Redmen<br />
Lone Wolf<br />
Mary Lou<br />
Prince of Thieves<br />
Relentless<br />
Son of Rusty, The<br />
Sweet Genevieve<br />
Swordsman, The<br />
To the Ends of the Earth...<br />
Two Blondes and a Redhe<br />
When a Girl's Beautiful<br />
Woman From Tangier<br />
EAGLE LION<br />
Blonde Savage<br />
Bury Me Dead<br />
Green for Danger<br />
Heading for Heaven<br />
Linda Be Good ^<br />
Love From a Stranger<br />
Out the Blu<br />
Railroaded<br />
Return of Rin Tin Tin..<br />
T-Men<br />
Whispering City<br />
METHO-GOLDWYN-MAYER<br />
Arnelo Affair, The<br />
Cass Timberlane<br />
Desire Me<br />
Good News<br />
Green Dolphin Street<br />
High Wall<br />
If Winter Comes<br />
Killer McCoy<br />
Merton of the Movies<br />
Song of Love<br />
Song of the Thin Man<br />
This Time for Keeps<br />
Unfinished Dance<br />
Chinese Ring, The<br />
Gangster, The (AA)<br />
High Tide<br />
Joe Palooka in the K<br />
King of the Bandits<br />
Louisiana<br />
News Hounds<br />
Smart Politics<br />
PABAMOUNT<br />
Adventure Island<br />
Albuquerque<br />
Big fown After Dork<br />
Golden Earrings<br />
I Walk Alone<br />
Road to Rio<br />
Unconquered<br />
Welcome Stranger .<br />
Whe The<br />
Wild Harv<br />
REO RADIO<br />
Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer, The...<br />
Bishop's Wife, The 7"'"<br />
Crossiire<br />
Fugitive, The ;;;<br />
Fun and Fancy Free<br />
If You Knew gusie<br />
Long Night, The.
tjaiYOttiH!!!<br />
mM/HUM
DFMnnuii^<br />
Screenplay by Charles Bennett<br />
• Based upon the novel by Margaret Ferguson
: March<br />
'I<br />
PRODUCTION IN MARCH GAINS<br />
WITH 31 STARTERS SCHEDULED<br />
By IVAN SPEAR<br />
HOLLYWOOD—After crashing in February<br />
to a disastrously low tempo, unequaled<br />
in years, the production pace accelerated<br />
somewhat in March's early days<br />
as a tally among major and independent<br />
filmmakers carded a total of 31 starters<br />
for the period. This represented a gain<br />
of six over the previous month's 25 candidates<br />
for the green light.<br />
Those of statistical and pessimistic minds<br />
among the film colony's railbirds were quick<br />
to point out, however, that despite the<br />
slightly increased output, Hollywood still<br />
continues to hew close to the line as concerns<br />
budgets and shooting schedules. A<br />
breakdown revealed that of the 31 vehicles<br />
poised at the starting gates, only 11 could<br />
be labelled big-bankroll offerings, the remaining<br />
20 being classified as programmers,<br />
series entries and westerns. In short, although<br />
quantitatively the March schedule<br />
reflects an upswing, in point of dollars and<br />
cents it is still well under the average for<br />
the lush years of 1946 and 1947.<br />
With the possibility, always constant, of<br />
amendments either increasing or decreasing<br />
the total as the month proceeds, the<br />
is "Canon City," to be supervised by Bi-yan<br />
Foy, with Crane Wilbur in the director's<br />
chair. To be told in semidocumentary style,<br />
it is a film version of the recent Colorado<br />
jailbreak wherein nine prisoners escaped and<br />
terrorized the countryside for days before<br />
they were killed or captured. The other<br />
studio offering is "Born to Fight," a melodrama<br />
of the prize ring, with Chuck Riesner<br />
directing for Producer Leonard Picker. Scott<br />
Brady has the male lead. From Audio Pictm-es,<br />
an independent outfit headed by<br />
Perenz Fodor, will come "Children of the<br />
Sun," described as a semidocumentary story<br />
U-rs 'Kiss the Blood'<br />
Starting This Month<br />
Hollywood—Noteworthy on several<br />
counts, in addition to the fact that it is<br />
one of the month's few heavy-budgeted<br />
film properties, is "Kiss the Blood Off<br />
My Hands," due for the starting gun at<br />
Universal-International as one of three<br />
pictures to get under way at that studio<br />
during the period.<br />
For one, it marks the production bow<br />
of Burt Lancaster, who not only costars<br />
with Joan Fontaine but is a partner<br />
of Harold Hecht in Norma Productions,<br />
under which company banner it is<br />
being produced. For another, it is a<br />
screen adaptation of a widely read and<br />
acclaimed suspense novel by the English<br />
author, Gerald Butler. Miss Fontaine<br />
was borrowed for the assignment from<br />
Rampart Productions, another sharecropping<br />
unit which she heads In association,<br />
with her husband, WiUiam<br />
Dozier, also a U-I executive.<br />
lineup by studios includes:<br />
Laincaster is cast as a London underworld<br />
Columbia<br />
tough who depends on violence<br />
and even miu-der to solve his problems.<br />
Program entries dominate the schedule<br />
Miss Fontaine, a gentle shopgirl, is responsible<br />
for his regeneration when he<br />
here, with four subjects on tap. "Rusty<br />
seeks refuge in her rooms while fleeing<br />
Takes a Walk," latest in the boy-and-hisdog<br />
the police.<br />
series, got under way late last month<br />
with Ted Donaldson, Sharyn Moffett, Ann<br />
Doran and John Litel in the toplines, and<br />
Directing the property for<br />
and Hecht is Norman Foster.<br />
Lancaster<br />
Will Jason directing. Hobert Cohn produces.<br />
In the "Crime Doctor" series is "The<br />
Gentleman From Nowhere," to be produced of the Navajo Indians and<br />
by Rudolph Flothow, with Warner Baxter economic plight.<br />
their current<br />
Chief Thundercloud, redskin<br />
in his familiar role as the medical man with<br />
actor, has the topline and Robert Tan-<br />
a flair for amateur detection. From the sey will direct. John Sutherland Productions<br />
Sam Katzman production unit comes "Sweetheart<br />
will gun "Lady at Midnight,"<br />
of the Blues," a romantic comedy<br />
with music, toplining Gloria Jean. Arthur<br />
a suspense<br />
mystery, with Sherman Scott as the<br />
pilot. The first of two from Sutherland, it<br />
Dreifuss is the director. The Hoosier Hot stars Richard Denning.<br />
Shots will be featured in "Texas Sandman,"<br />
outdoor tunefilm in which Stewart Hart<br />
makes his film debut as the romantic male<br />
Film Classics<br />
This up-and-coming organization, a comparative<br />
lead. The Colbert Clark production will be<br />
piloted by Ray Nazarro.<br />
newcomer in the production field,<br />
slated two starters. Phil Krasne's Falcon<br />
Eagle Lion<br />
Productions was geared to go with "Blue<br />
Holiday," a new entry in the "Falcon" series,<br />
A projected output of four subjects under<br />
with John Calvert cast as the devil-may-care<br />
the EL banner will Include two from independent<br />
units and a pair from the studio melodrama in Cinecolor, was being readied<br />
amateur sleuth. "Jungle Blindness," action<br />
itself. Probably the most important entry<br />
by Producer Sig Neufeld, with Frances Rafferty<br />
in the femme lead and Peter Stewart<br />
named to direct.<br />
Independent<br />
Cancelling previous plans to film it in<br />
Italy, Rod E. Geiger leased studio space locally<br />
for the production of "Give Us This<br />
Day," film version of Pietro di Donato's<br />
novel, "Christ in Concrete." Starring roles<br />
are filled by Luise Rainer. Sam Wanamaker<br />
and Albert Dekker, with a director and releasing<br />
arrangements yet to be set. The<br />
subject concerns a family of Italian laborers<br />
in New York, their philosophies, struggles<br />
and romances.<br />
Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer<br />
The Culver City film plant is keeping the<br />
production pot boiling with plans to launch<br />
a pair of films during the month, both importantly<br />
cast and in the upper budget<br />
brackets. "Words and Music," a filmized<br />
biography of the famed song-writing team<br />
of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, will<br />
team Mickey Rooney las Harti and Judy<br />
Garland in the starring spots, with Tom<br />
Drake in the role of Rodgers and 'Vera-<br />
EUen in a supporting niche. Norman<br />
Taiu-og has the directorial reins the Arthur<br />
on<br />
Freed production. The title role in<br />
"The Story of Monty Stratton," which Jack<br />
Cummings produces, goes to Van Johnson,<br />
too, is a biography—the story of the Chicago<br />
with Frank Morgan in a character lead. It,<br />
White Sox pitching ace who lost a leg in a<br />
hunting accident just as he was reaching<br />
the peak of a spectacular sports career. Roy<br />
Rowland is<br />
Monogram<br />
the director.<br />
With no less than five subjects awaiting<br />
the green light at month's beginning, this<br />
studio established the fastest pace of any<br />
company. From Windsor Pictures (Frank<br />
Melford and Julian Lesser) will come "Michael<br />
O'Halloran," new version of the widely-read<br />
novel by Gene Stratton-Porter. To<br />
be megged by John Rawhns, its only cast<br />
members early in the month were AUene<br />
Roberts, "borrowed" by Julian from his<br />
father, Sol Lesser, and Scotty Beckett. "A<br />
Palooka Named Joe," fifth in the series<br />
based on Ham Fisher's comic strip, was<br />
scheduled by Producer Hal E. Chester, with<br />
Leon Errol and Joe Kirkwood repeating in<br />
the toplines and Reginald LeBorg directing.<br />
On deck for Pi-oducer-Director Will<br />
Jason was "Street Song," the story of a<br />
Congressional Medal of Honor winner, to<br />
star Phil Brito, radio and screen singer. The<br />
Bowery Boys were readying to go into "Smugglers'<br />
Cove," with Jan Grippo as the producer<br />
and William Beaudine piloting. Rounding<br />
out the quintet, and the month's only<br />
can-yover was "Stage Struck," with Jeffrey<br />
Bernerd and William Nigh as the producer<br />
and director, respectively. Starred are Kane<br />
Richmond, Audrey Long, Conrad Nagel and<br />
Ralph Byrd in a story of adolescent delinquency,<br />
once known as "Where Are Your<br />
Daughters?"<br />
Paramount<br />
.<br />
The Marathon Street plant accounts for<br />
two of the month's aggregation of starting<br />
vehicles, one a newcomer to the lineup, the<br />
other a carryover from January. The new<br />
entry is "Tatlock's Millions," a Charles<br />
Brackett production, with Actor Richard<br />
Haydn making his directorial debut thereon.<br />
The starring lineup includes Wanda Hendrix,<br />
John Lund, Barry Fitzgerald and Monty<br />
WooUey and the subject, a comedy, casts<br />
Lund as Schulyler Tatlock, heir to a fortune;<br />
Fitzgerald as his caretaker-bodyguard;<br />
30<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
13, 1948
: March<br />
and Woolley as a distant cousin who conspires<br />
to be named the rightful heii'. The<br />
holdover subject is "The Great Gatsby,"<br />
postponed when the directorial reins were<br />
shifted from John Farrow to Elliott Nugent.<br />
Starring Alan Ladd, Ruth Hussey and Betty<br />
Field, with Richard Maibaum producing, it<br />
is a film version of the F. Scott Fitzgerald<br />
novel, laid in the jazz era of the mid-20s.<br />
RKO Radio<br />
Only one subject (and that one a tentative<br />
starter! was on the Une at this studio.<br />
Titled "Brothers in the Saddle," it is another<br />
in the Tim Holt sagebrush series,<br />
based on stories by Zane Grey. No director<br />
had been assigned, early in the month, to<br />
the Herman Schlom production.<br />
Republic<br />
One action melodrama and one serial<br />
constituted<br />
the period's scheduled starts on this<br />
valley lot. Uncast in the month's early days<br />
was "Flight Fi-om Fm-y," a Sidney Picker<br />
production to be megged by R. G. Springsteen<br />
and described as the story of a young couple<br />
who steal some money and then find that<br />
their loot cannot buy them happineses. In<br />
the chapter-play category is "The Thrill<br />
Man," which concerns the exploits of motion<br />
pictm-e stunt men and is slated to incorporate<br />
famous stunt scenes from other films.<br />
Russell Hayden and Lynne Roberts have the<br />
leads and Yakima Canutt du'ects for Pi-oducer-Writer<br />
Franklin Adreon.<br />
20th Century-Fox<br />
A thi'ee-picture starting schedule here relies<br />
heavily on the output of independents,<br />
with Sol M. Wurtzel and Pi-ank Seltzer to<br />
gun two of the trio. "Fighting Back" is the<br />
Wurtzel contribution, a melodrama in the<br />
boy-and-dog category, toplining Paul Langton,<br />
Jean Rogers and Gary Gray, to be piloted<br />
by Malcolm St. Clair. From Seltzer comes<br />
"The Gay Intruders," a burlesque on the<br />
Hollywood conception of psychiatric subjects.<br />
It concerns two temperamental<br />
Broadway stars whose marital difficulties<br />
compel them to consult a pair of psychiatrists,<br />
only to get the doctors hopelessly entangled.<br />
John Emery, Tamara Geva and<br />
Hugh French head the cast. The studio itself<br />
will launch "Bm-lesque," a remake of the<br />
one-time stage success and early-day talkie,<br />
with Betty Grable and Dan Dailey reunited<br />
as the topliners, and June Havoc and<br />
Jack Oakie in supporting roles. George Jessel<br />
produces, Walter Lang directs.<br />
United Artists<br />
Several "firsts" characterized the month's<br />
only entry for distribution by this company.<br />
Titled "An Innocent Affair," it is the initial<br />
production venture for James Nasser, circuit<br />
owner and operator of General Service studios,<br />
who set up an independent production<br />
unit and borrowed Lloyd Bacon from 20th<br />
Century-Fox to direct the romantic comedy.<br />
it is Also the first screen appearance<br />
Universal-International<br />
This valley film emporium unlimbered the<br />
Paramount 2-Reels Out;<br />
70 One-Reelers Listed<br />
NEW YORK—Paramount will release 70<br />
one-reelers, 104 issues of Paramount News<br />
and discontinue its two-reelers for 1948-49,<br />
according to Oscar A. Morgan, sales manager<br />
of shorts and Paramount News.<br />
He said the company is dropping its tworeel<br />
subjects because "for over a year there<br />
has been a definite trend in theatres to onereel<br />
subjects and away from the longer pictm-es."<br />
According to Morgan, exhibitors in<br />
single bill territories say they can build a<br />
better balanced program with the single-reel<br />
shorts. Exhibitors in double bill territories<br />
have pointed out that the single-reel short<br />
fits more easily into their shows, Morgan<br />
added.<br />
During the past several years Paramount<br />
has been concentrating its two-reel efforts<br />
on a series of musicals with Olga San Juan,<br />
Johnnie Johnston, Peggy Lee and other film.<br />
bankroll to schedule March starting dates<br />
on three comparatively high-budgeted subjects,<br />
a fairly rapid pace, especially in view<br />
of the general trend. One of them, as a matter<br />
of fact, emerges as probably the month's<br />
most important properties in point of star<br />
names and story values. Titled "Kiss the<br />
Blood Off My Hands," it is described fully<br />
in the box on the facing page. Deanna Durbin<br />
goes before the cameras in "Washington<br />
Girl," a romantic comedy in which her<br />
co-stars are Jeffrey Lymi and Don Taylor,<br />
with Robert Ai-thur producing and Frederick<br />
de Cordova in the pilot's seat. Miss Durbin<br />
is cast as a telephone switchboard operator<br />
in a government building in Washington.<br />
Taylor is the owner of a Pacific island who<br />
comes to the nation's capital to protest<br />
against use of his property by the U.S. navy<br />
for atomic bomb tests. Producer Robert<br />
Buckner will gun "Rogues' Regiment," a<br />
story of the modern, postwar French Foreign<br />
Legion, with Robert Florey directing and<br />
Dick Powell co-starring with Marta Toren.<br />
Warner Bros.<br />
The new entry here is "Sunburst," to be<br />
turned out by the studio's newly created<br />
lower-budget unit headed by Saul Elkins.<br />
With Dane Clark, Geraldine Brooks and<br />
S. Z. it is Sakall as the leads, a melodrama<br />
Clark i who<br />
about a hit-and-run driver<br />
i<br />
searches for, and engages in a romance<br />
with, his victim (Miss Brooks). Felix Jacovers.<br />
promoted from a dialog director's<br />
berth, is to pilot the piece as his first task<br />
behind a megaphone.<br />
Polaroid's 3-Color Plant<br />
Is Ready for Operation<br />
NEW YORK—Polaroid Corp. stockholders<br />
were informed in the company's annual re-<br />
in the post-war era for Madeleine Carroll,<br />
who co-stars in the subject with Fred Mac-<br />
Murray. In a top supporting role is Rita<br />
Johnson. The film, described as a light port that a pilot plant capable of turning<br />
romantic comedy, has a modern New 'Vork out several million feet of the three-color<br />
separation process has been completed.<br />
background.<br />
Paramounfs cartoon orders will keep the<br />
plant running practically to capacity, the<br />
report states. The process is said to be<br />
cheaper than Technicolor.<br />
radio and recording artists.<br />
Morgan said that the market is strong for<br />
cartoons, and that Paramount will meet this<br />
trend by increasing its cartoon output from<br />
24 subjects to 30. It also will Increase the<br />
Pacemaker series from six to 12, using new<br />
personalities including Jinx Palkenberg, Tex<br />
McCrary and Monica Lewis.<br />
The complete 1948-49 schedule is listed<br />
below: Eight Popeye cartoons, ten Noveltoon<br />
cartoons, 12 Screen Song cartoons, 12 Pacemakers,<br />
6 Speaking of Animals, 6 Popular<br />
Science, 6 Unusual Occupations, 10 Grantland<br />
Rice Sportlights, 104 Issues of Paramount<br />
News. In addition, there will be 52<br />
Canadian Paramount News.<br />
issues of<br />
Morgan left New York March 13 for a<br />
thi'ee-month tour of Paramount exchanges.<br />
He also will spend some time in Hollywood<br />
conferring with studio officials and producers.<br />
Four International Chiefs<br />
On Road for Paramount<br />
NEW YORK—Four officials of Paramount<br />
International, including George Weltner,<br />
president, left New York during the past ten<br />
days.<br />
Weltner and A. L. Pratchett, division manager<br />
for Latin-American, left together March<br />
6 for a five-week tour of South America.<br />
They will visit company offices in Brazil,<br />
Argentina, Chile, Peru and the Canal Zone.<br />
Rio De Janeiro will be their first stop. They<br />
are expected in Lima April 1 to attend the<br />
opening there of the Tacna Theatre.<br />
J. E. Perkins, managing director for Great<br />
Britain, boarded the Queen Mary last weekend<br />
and is now back at his London office<br />
after a series of conferences at the New York<br />
home office.<br />
Paul Ackerman, director of advertising and<br />
publicity, is now in Hollywood for talks with<br />
studio<br />
officials.<br />
Arnold Says Film Leaders<br />
Yielded Independence<br />
WASHINGTON -Thurman Arnold says<br />
film executives have "surrendered the independence"<br />
of the industry. His comments<br />
were sent to Sheridan Gibney, president of<br />
the Screen Writers Guild, in explaining why<br />
his law firm. Arnold. Fortas & Porter, has<br />
taken over defense of the guild.<br />
Arnold says he is not representing the ten<br />
writers charged with contempt by the House<br />
committee on un-American activities. Arnold<br />
calls it an issue of "paramount importance"<br />
and says the industry has set up<br />
"what amounts to a private court."<br />
20th-Fox Film Retitled<br />
NEW YORK—"The Law and Martin Rome"<br />
has been selected as the final title for the<br />
20th-Fox picture previously known as "The<br />
Chair for Martin Rome." 'Victor Mature and<br />
Richard Conte are co-starred.<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
13, 1948<br />
31
Reprinted from the March 8th Edition of Motion Picture Daily<br />
,.t shaping ^^^''^'^<br />
\;«/da, «.«-^^^,^uc. can<br />
be pretty i^^^^.^,ttot.<br />
For L_.^ J<br />
Century -Fox has the Product!
jentleman's j^reement<br />
Its record at the boxoffice<br />
is matched only by its<br />
record acclaim!<br />
(japtain prom ([astile<br />
TECHNICOLOR<br />
2nd Consecutive month a<br />
Motion Picture Herald <strong>Boxoffice</strong><br />
Champion!<br />
bu^ere|^eantpor|^i<br />
The musical that's meant<br />
|£<br />
for audiences and showmen<br />
everywhere!<br />
i Call Northside 777<br />
"Smash! Leading the field!"<br />
reports Variety as it outgrosses<br />
the biggest of 20th's<br />
outstanding "true" dramas!<br />
Sitting Pretty<br />
Setting records for laughs<br />
and ticket-selling in New<br />
York-Miami-Boston!<br />
Scudda-JJoo! ^cudda-JJay!<br />
TECHNICOLOR<br />
Matching the pace of "My<br />
Friend Flicka," "Smoky" and<br />
"Home In Indiana" in 6-state,<br />
329-Theatre World Premiere!
: March<br />
16mm Industry Faces<br />
Censorship, Taxes<br />
NEW YORK—The 16mm industry is<br />
being<br />
cftreatened by new taxes, censorship and<br />
violations of copyright laws, according to<br />
Wiiliam F. Kruse, president of the Allied<br />
Nontheatrical Film Ass'n. Kruse made this<br />
statement during the recent meeting of the<br />
ANFA board of directors called to work out<br />
the agenJa of the forthcoming annual convention<br />
originally scheduled for April 22-24<br />
at the Hotel New Yorker. The convention<br />
committee has voted to extend the convention<br />
an extra day, through Sunday April<br />
25, at the request of ANFA members.<br />
Kruse pointed out that 40-year-oId police<br />
regulations covering the storage of nitrate<br />
film are being dusted off to harrass photographic<br />
retailers and other dealers. There<br />
has been an increased tendency among taxing<br />
bodies to impose license and other fees<br />
on firms and individuals engaged in the 16mm<br />
industry, he added.<br />
He also brought out the fact that "inexperienced"<br />
persons have been trying to supply<br />
local television stations with films to<br />
wliich they do not have the television rights.<br />
These problems and many others will be<br />
discussed at the convention. Among the<br />
other problems are: severe shortage of raw<br />
stock, and "recurrent efforts to establish or<br />
intensify film censorship in several areas."<br />
The third national 16mm industry tradeshow<br />
will be held jointly with the convention.<br />
There will be exhibits of the latest equipment<br />
and services offered by all branches.<br />
Benefit Balls to Feature<br />
'Emperor Waltz' Runs<br />
NEW YORK — Paramount's<br />
exploitation<br />
campaign on "The Emperor Waltz," Technicolor<br />
film starring Bing Crosby and Joan<br />
Fontaine, will feature a series of benefit<br />
balls in 31 cities in connection with the opening<br />
of the film. Anita Colby, executive assistant<br />
to Henry Ginsberg, head of the Paramount<br />
studios, left March 8 to set advance<br />
plans for the balls.<br />
Proceeds from the affairs will be donated<br />
to the Damon Runyon Cancer fimd. The picture<br />
will be released July 2 at regular prices.<br />
During her tour Miss Colby will contact<br />
newspaper editors and enlist their cooperation.<br />
She will arrange for window displays<br />
on "The Emperor Waltz" with department<br />
store executives.<br />
Miss Colby's eight-week trip will take her<br />
to New Haven, Boston, Montreal, Toronto,<br />
Detroit, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City,<br />
Des Moines, Omaha, Denver, Salt Lake City,<br />
Mimieapolis, St. Paul, Milwaukee, Chicago,<br />
Memphis, Dallas, New Orleans, Jacksonville,<br />
Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland,<br />
Pittsbm-gh, Washington, Baltimore. Philadelphia,<br />
Albany, Buffalo and New York. She is<br />
expected back here May 7.<br />
'Turtle' Held in 135 Spots<br />
NEW YORK—Warner Bros, reports 135<br />
holdovers in the first 150 engagements of<br />
"The Voice of the Turtle." The company<br />
says "Tm-tle" is the company's highest<br />
grosser of the year, except "Life With<br />
Father."<br />
FROM THE FILES OF<br />
THE SMALL EXHIBITOR would be<br />
driven<br />
out of business by the abolition of blind<br />
and block booking. President C. F. Williams<br />
of the Western Iowa and Nebraska MPTO<br />
on the stand last week in Washington, at<br />
hearings on the Brookhart bill. "Block booking<br />
is the only thing which enables the small<br />
showman to get along," said Williams, "for<br />
he knows what he is going to get over an<br />
extended period. Blind booking is not blind,<br />
for he knows about what a given star will<br />
produce and can safely buy on star names."<br />
One-Eyed Connolly, the world's most<br />
famous gate crasher, is not so good when it<br />
comes to keeping others from crashing a gate.<br />
Connolly has been gate keeper at the Pox<br />
studios in Hollywood, but so many people<br />
have slipped through, the gate crasher has<br />
lost his job.<br />
S.O.S. Moves Its Offices<br />
NEW YORK—S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp.<br />
has moved its offices to 602 West 52nd St.<br />
The receiving and shipping entrance to the<br />
new offices is on 51st St. S.O.S. formerly<br />
was located at 449 West 49th St.<br />
COLUMBIA PICTURES<br />
f<br />
ANNOUNCES THAT PRINTS OF THE FOLLOWING PICTURES &<br />
ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN OUR EXCHANGES FOR SCREENING #<br />
ADVENTURES<br />
in SILVERADO<br />
w,.h WILLIAM BISHOP<br />
•<br />
GLORIA HENRY • EDGAR BUCHANAN<br />
Forrest Tucker • Edgar Barrier<br />
Screenplay by Kenneth Garnet, Tom Kilpatrick and Jo Pagano<br />
SONG OF IDAHO<br />
with<br />
THE HOOSIER HOT SHOTS<br />
(Hezzie, Ken, Gil and Gabe)<br />
KIRBY GRANT • JUNE VINCENT • TOMMY IVO<br />
DOROTHY VAUGHN • EMORY PARNELL • THE SUNSHINE BOYS<br />
THE SUNSHINE GIRLS • THE STARLIGHTERS<br />
Suggested by the story 'Silverado Squatters" by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON<br />
Directed by PHIL KARLSON • Produced by TED RICHMOND and ROBERT COHN<br />
THE RETLRn<br />
OF THE UIHISTLER<br />
v.ith MICHAEL DUANE • LENGRE AUBERT • RICHARD LANE<br />
Screenplay by Edward Bock and Maurice Tombragel<br />
Suggested by the CBS Radio Program entitled 'The Whistler"<br />
Directed by D. ROSS LEDERMAN • Produced by RUDOLPH C. FLOTHOW<br />
Original screenplay by Barry Shipman<br />
Directed by RAY NAZARRO • Produced by COLBERT CLARK<br />
Charles STARRETT<br />
Smiley BURNETTE<br />
WEST OFSONORA<br />
with<br />
• GEORGE CHESEBRO • ANITA CASTLE<br />
STEVE DARRELL<br />
THE SUNSHINE BOYS<br />
Original screenplay by Barry Shipman<br />
Directed by RAY NAZARRO • Produced by COLBERT CURK<br />
34 BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
13, 1948
CHESTER FRIEDMAN<br />
EDITOR<br />
HUGH E. FRAZE<br />
Associate Editor<br />
OXOfflM<br />
SECTION<br />
PRACTICAL IDEAS FOR SELLING SEATS BY PRACTICAL SHOWMEN<br />
February Bonus Awards Dominated<br />
By Rural and Surburban Managers<br />
Three theatre managers, one a woman,<br />
duplicated their previous accomplishment.s by<br />
having their names appear again on the list<br />
of BOXOFFICE Bonus winners.<br />
The three. Norman Lofthus, manager of the<br />
California in Santa Barbara; Elmer Adams<br />
jr., manager of the Hornbeck. Shawnee, Okla.,<br />
and Miss Mildred FitzGibbons of the Roosevelt.<br />
Flushing, N. Y.. were awarded Bonuses<br />
of $10 each for promotions of exceptional<br />
caliber submitted to the Showmandiser section<br />
during February. Seven other managers<br />
and publicity men were also cited.<br />
Charles E. Shutt, manager of the San<br />
Francisco Telenews, scored with his outstanding<br />
lobby displays.<br />
His talent at building theatre fronts at the<br />
Paramount. Jackson. Tenn., earned a Bonus<br />
for manager Harold Thomas.<br />
A Texan, William Hardwick of the Star in<br />
Hereford, submitted the outstanding window<br />
display.<br />
Leo Haney, Lido, Maywood, 111., who has<br />
):een trying consistently for almost a year to<br />
earn a bonus, finally clicked with an excellent<br />
public relations project.<br />
Earle Holden's contribution of a form post<br />
card to bring newsrecl items to the attention<br />
of special groups won the Hickory, N. C.<br />
showman a Bonus.<br />
For a series of co-op ads in conjunction<br />
with a Dairy Maid contest promoted at the<br />
Oneonta Theatre, Oneonta, N. Y.. a Bonus<br />
was awarded to Harold DeGraw.<br />
Nate Wise, publicity director for RKO<br />
Cincinnati Theatres, was honored for several<br />
meritorious campaigns.<br />
Lofthus captured top ballyhoo honors by<br />
duplicating a fine campaign on a short subject<br />
which had appeared in the Showmandiser.<br />
Adams' dexterity with ad layouts was<br />
deemed outstanding for a community of his<br />
size.<br />
Miss FitzGibbons developed as an original<br />
idea, a tieup of cartoons and comic strip<br />
characters with the New York Journal-<br />
American.<br />
Elmer .\daiiis<br />
jr.<br />
Mildred FitzGibbons Normian Lofthus Earle Holden<br />
I<br />
flot on tL P^roaram 'f<br />
Last ueek, the newspapers reported New York motion picture<br />
machine operators had been running reels backward on<br />
the s
NS^TIO N'^L ^,R.*Ci«yM««VH»'" f'"""<br />
st e^g'agetnents p' ov^d it a<br />
BOX-OFFICE<br />
HIT.<br />
ihou^man'<br />
delight-<br />
stag^ hit"'greater<br />
^foadtvay tfjjfi<br />
as a movie!<br />
soiC<br />
SSe^ ^,,,,rHVRRAmpresenta^<br />
JnlerrmUonal
The Bally-Hooper<br />
Keeps Climbing
)<br />
Fine Radio-Press Aid<br />
Garnered on Duo by<br />
Dick Feldman<br />
Giving "The Prince of Thieves" and "I Love<br />
Trouble" equal billing for their double-feature<br />
engagement at the Paramount in Syracuse,<br />
Manager Dick Feldman obtained excellent cooperation<br />
from local radio stations and the<br />
press to exploit the show.<br />
Using the educational theme of "The Prince<br />
of Tliieves" as a selling approach, Feldman<br />
secui-ed permission to place cards in all local<br />
public and branch libraries, book stores and<br />
book counters of department stores.<br />
A tieup with WOLF was arranged in which<br />
the station gave the pictm-e 40 gratis spots<br />
in exchange for a short trailer plugging<br />
WOLF'S daily adventure programs. In newspaper<br />
ads, radio spot.s and lobby displays for<br />
two weeks prior to opening, the catchline,<br />
"See Jon Hall as Robin Hood," was played up<br />
advantageously.<br />
The Robin Hood recording was planted with<br />
disk jockeys on stations WAGE, WSYR,<br />
WFBL, DOLF and WNDR.<br />
Exploitation for "I Love Trouble" included<br />
a four-color front cover art break in the<br />
Sunday magazine section of the Post-Standard,<br />
along with a two-column box story on<br />
Leon Korr Uses Own Car<br />
To Bally 'The Senator'<br />
Leon W. Korr, manager of the Earle. Allentown,<br />
Pa., used his car advantageously<br />
for ten days to exploit "The Senator Was<br />
Indiscreet." Atop the car frame was<br />
a<br />
erected which held a card with copy: "What<br />
this country needs is a five-cent nickel. A<br />
vote for Ashton's is a vote for two families<br />
in every garage." Additional copy called<br />
attention to the engagement at the Earle.<br />
The car was driven around the shopping<br />
section and drew chuckles from pedestrians<br />
and motorists.<br />
Illustrated Window Cards<br />
Increase Attraction<br />
Gilbert E. Rathman, manager of the Marion<br />
Theatre in Marion, Iowa, has introduced<br />
something new in his window card advertising,<br />
Rathman has been using window cards advertising<br />
his weekend attractions for an entire<br />
month. Recently he switched from straight<br />
type to illustrations from newspaper cuts.<br />
He reports a check revealed that the public<br />
stops and looks more than ever and actually<br />
spends time in reading the posters.<br />
BOXOFnCE Showmandiser :: Mar. 13, 1948<br />
Reading Citywide Pigtail Contest<br />
Tops Campaign on 'Avenue Angel'<br />
A citywide contest to discover "Miss Pigtails,"<br />
the girl with the longest pigtails, was<br />
the highlight of Manager Larry Levy's<br />
campaign for "Tenth Avenue Angel" at the<br />
Colonial in Reading, Pa.<br />
The contest was limited to girls of 12 or<br />
under. Applications were distributed, with<br />
page nine of the same edition.<br />
One hundred "I Love Trouble" emblems<br />
were awarded to the first 100 women attending<br />
spaces for contestants names addresses, ages,<br />
the show on opening day. A co-op length of pigtails and telephone numbers.<br />
ad was arranged with Rifkin's beauty parlor Over 200 entries were received.<br />
showing Janis Carter, with mention of the Final judging<br />
stage Satm-day<br />
was held<br />
afternoon,<br />
on<br />
with<br />
the Colonial<br />
ten finalists<br />
picture title, theatre and playdates. A onecolumn<br />
by eight-inch display ad was promoted<br />
making an appearance. Guest tickets, a<br />
gratis in the Italian Gazette.<br />
Duosonic portable phonograph in a carrying<br />
Supplementing a strong campaign for "The case, four additional phonographs and five<br />
Senator Was Indiscreet," Feldman promoted<br />
a two-column art break and story in eight<br />
Margaret O'Brien record albums (promoted<br />
from a local music store i were awarded as<br />
suburban newspapers. Daily publicity in the prizes.<br />
Herald-Joiu-nal and Post-Standard included Setwitz, the cooperating merchant, helped<br />
many unusual art breaks in addition to a<br />
publicize the contest through three large<br />
special feature story on "Powell learns the<br />
cooperative ads, featuring cuts of Margaret<br />
won-ying part of film acting."<br />
O'Brien. Two full window displays and the<br />
store's radio program also helped.<br />
The theatre distributed 5,000 contest<br />
A Goodwill Builder<br />
John Newkirk, manager of<br />
the Beach Cliff<br />
in Rocky River, Ohio, has a novel way of<br />
institutionalizing his theatre and building<br />
goodwill among liis patrons. Newkirk watches<br />
the daily news columns for items mentioning<br />
citizens of his community. He clips these,<br />
mailing them to the person in the news<br />
headline with a cordial note of greeting<br />
and an invitation for the recipient to spend<br />
an evening in comfort, relaxation and enjoy<br />
good entertainment at the Beach Cliff.<br />
Patrons Swell Poll Fund<br />
The recent March of Dimes collections<br />
benefited handsomely through a device placed<br />
in the lobby of the RKO 105th Street Theatre,<br />
Cleveland. Ed Pyne, manager, rigged up a<br />
lucky wheel in the lobby and invited patrons<br />
who contributed a dime to the infantile paralysis<br />
fund to try their- luck. Those who made<br />
the arrow stop on the title. "My Wild Irish<br />
Rose," received a pass to come back during<br />
the picture's run.<br />
—407—<br />
heralds in schools, homes, music stores and<br />
at the theatre. Underlines were carried<br />
in all newspaper ads announcing the contest,<br />
with a large box ad on the day of the<br />
final judging. Newspapers delivered several<br />
fine publicity stories, including a threecolumn<br />
art break.<br />
Dash cards were posted on street cars and<br />
buses serving Reading and the suburbs. In<br />
newspaper ads and a lobby announcement.<br />
Levy offered Margaret O'Brien hair ribbons<br />
to the first 100 girls attending the Saturday<br />
morning performance accompanied by their<br />
mothers.<br />
Levy also tied up with the Green five and<br />
ten-cent store for an identification contest<br />
in which customers were invited to name the<br />
pictures Margaret O'Brien previously had<br />
appeared in, as indicated by stills displayed<br />
on various counters throughout the store.<br />
Tickets were awarded to winners.<br />
Window cards and special counter displays<br />
of stills were used in 34 downtown<br />
locations.<br />
'Song of Love' Direct Mail<br />
Sent to Music Societies<br />
Norman Lofthus. manager of the California<br />
Theatre in Santa Barbara, used a direct mail<br />
campaign to exploit "Song of Love" and "The<br />
Great Mr. Handel" as a double feature program.<br />
After obtaining the mailing lists of music<br />
groups he sent each member a post card informing<br />
them of the musical and romantic<br />
background in Ijotih of these features and giving<br />
playdates.<br />
Judging from business, reports Lofthus, the<br />
device was very effective.<br />
Women Look Too<br />
A shadowbox built around the peephole<br />
stunt proved effective in exploiting "The<br />
Trouble With Women" for J. Matthews,<br />
manager of the Fantasy in Rockeville Center,<br />
N. Y. Matthews teased his patrons with<br />
a "for men only" snipe which attracted<br />
women as well as his male patrons. Inside<br />
the shadowbox were cartoon sketches which<br />
Matthews lifted from the press book.<br />
39
The Bally-Mmfier<br />
Keeps Climbing<br />
**<br />
lisuj'aei^ipBjfiit<br />
^L § mhflkninqiif<br />
t NAKED<br />
CITY<br />
Homicide squad crime detection<br />
apparatus was used effectively to<br />
promote "The Naked City" prior to<br />
its opening at the New York Capitol.<br />
Publicist Paula Gould borrowed<br />
the paraphernalia from the<br />
police department laboratory and<br />
incorporated it into this attractive<br />
lobby display.<br />
At right, a novel walking<br />
ballyhoo exploits<br />
"T-Men" at the Fox Palace<br />
in Milwaukee. Manager<br />
Harry Bruruiett<br />
off teed with this one<br />
used it in advance and<br />
currently to good ad<br />
vantage.<br />
When Max Phillips, manager of the Regent, Sudbury. Ont., observed excavatic<br />
faking place in business section, he did some -Down to Earth" talking to<br />
banner placed where curious sidewalk superintendents couldn't miss the m<br />
1^1^'°^^°^' ° "^Y",.^""<br />
«='"• scheduled for production in Buffalo<br />
T°Trlon ad-pubUcity<br />
,^; ^r<br />
chief for Shea's and used as on approo-r,.<br />
''"'^^' ^^°"^'^<br />
and<br />
-"-'^
'<br />
I<br />
'<br />
'<br />
stops and looks m-jrt uiiii. svtr; iu* ^..t'iuiJ,,<br />
_<br />
Hvine Radio Prf>:<<br />
I "Garnered on r>u: S<br />
Dick Feldman<br />
Givinc "'nie Prinrf ft: Thirt>j>s' •<br />
Trouble" evj-oaJ ^•..^;.ic "v :'Npr t5> '<br />
engagemen: s: :':<br />
'"Manager D;:3; ?;<br />
operation 'r.--.<br />
press to exv-: •<br />
Using :r.e t-;..'.<br />
*of Thieves i--<br />
secured perrius.^.<br />
public and r-M.<br />
book cou:--:er;<br />
A tieu? —.::- -<br />
the station £i.- ;<br />
kn<br />
nf«r<br />
in exchange ; :<br />
"<br />
WOLFS da::? .= -<br />
paper ads. r;.i<br />
two weeii ;:r :<br />
'<br />
f<br />
"See Jon Hii: : ^ - - .<br />
advantage: .15-^<br />
The Roc::: H<br />
disk jociey; :: -^<br />
WPBL. DOIT ; : :<br />
-"<br />
J<br />
•.<br />
Exploitation ::r - 1.";<br />
a four-colMT £r:a:'i .-j^t.:<br />
Sunday magazme aerutir<br />
dard. alone aiii i rv;-wii<br />
page nine o* ttif SRinf srii;<br />
'.<br />
One hunoitc " l-nTf<br />
were awarded 'J3f zir^- ': "<br />
tending the sfciDT or. oiif-::::<br />
ad was arrange;: wiZL S::::.:<br />
showing Janis Csrr.er -r::; ::<br />
^'•""<br />
picture title. laes-^rs- am. pii.-r:„:s^ ^ j^a^ .^.<br />
coliunn by asic-iacL nisiua^ ai "was "nrr-- -n-.<br />
moted gratis in tJiif It^aiiaT . Sazettt ^:<br />
Supplementine £ sitdiu: camnai^: re- T.<br />
Senator Wa^ Iitdissrefr. " rfinrnr. : -nrcn.<br />
a two-column an nreti; :iiir =^i~ :: - -<br />
» suburban neTreoaperj. 3:.: -<br />
ai Herald-Joum^ sixs ?>a5 -f<br />
/ri many unusual ar: tE-ear<br />
J^i<br />
special feature st-orr dz. ? .<br />
worrying part of film acEin^<br />
_<br />
^ Xf I<br />
('<br />
JLi'<br />
i •<br />
Pi? Leon Korr Uses Own Car<br />
To Bally 'The Sesnatar'<br />
jj^<br />
Bv Mjj lentown. Pa., used iuE car gnvanritpetaEr -i.<br />
for ten days to erpltm -Tik EsnEt— "We<br />
^t j<br />
~^^^ Jl<br />
Indiscreet." Atop i±e rar £ :-. :<br />
in every garage." Adiitiona:<br />
attention to the enEaEemeii: £<br />
The car was criren axDunt tii- _^__.<br />
section and dre";? cimiSd»<br />
'^'<br />
irnn. inaaauiaii.<br />
***'<br />
and motorists.<br />
V<br />
'<br />
Illustrated Wmdcm<br />
Increase Attrocficoi<br />
Gilbert E. Ra-_n r-TiST'. manage! a: tat<br />
Theatre in Mano<br />
erected which helu a card -witfc c:-<br />
this country needs is a Irwe-cen<br />
vote for Ashion'E is a -wns icr -<br />
something new in nis winfliw jiK.-<br />
ing.<br />
Rathman has been usiiK -wmtiin<br />
vertising his weei:?-'<br />
-;—<br />
v-- ....<br />
month. Recer.:.-- -<br />
type to ma;:ri-..<br />
He reports a ::- r: i: . -<br />
rOKTJt.<br />
W*%^^\m^ |tH4 tNs*<br />
spends time in rfviArn^ i^k -pBtten<br />
BOXOmCE Shcwni3iKifl^<br />
4»//
'. »f Kioloui ul force* .>ili./ it'., .pur,' Iduciio Patsom<br />
GEORGE BRENT • VIRGINIA M/iYO • TURHAN BEY<br />
ANN DVORAK • CAROLE LANDIS
. . Keep<br />
'<br />
The House Program<br />
ipjoanBi^i<br />
Wood Corpse Box Gag<br />
Set Up as Whodunit<br />
For 'Corpse Came'<br />
M. C. Glendy, manager of the La Salle<br />
Theatre, La Salle, 111., stirred up interest ft iiW<br />
in "The Corpse Came C.O.D." with a promotion<br />
which was good for a special story<br />
pllBli*<br />
in the local newspaper.<br />
Glendy arranged to have a local undertaker<br />
ship to the theatre a regular casket shipping<br />
box with the original label on it from Chicago.<br />
The entire theatre cost was $2.<br />
The inside of the box was dressed up with<br />
stills and a three-sheet from the picture.<br />
Lettering on the sides carried copy: "From<br />
city morgue, San Francisco . . . One Corpse,<br />
C.O.D. to the La Salle Theatre . . . Use no<br />
hooks . . . One corpse . in a cool,<br />
dry place."<br />
Upon receipt of the box, Glendy took the<br />
story to the editor of the Daily News-Tribune<br />
which reported that the theatre had received<br />
the box and was at a loss to explain its<br />
origin. An announcement followed that if no<br />
further information was forthcoming, the<br />
box would be opened on Sunday and its contents<br />
examined.<br />
On opening day of the picture, Glendy<br />
opened the box before a large crowd of curious<br />
citizens, who, thereupon were highly amused.<br />
The News-Tribune ran a followup story, explaining<br />
the contents of the box.<br />
In addition to engendering word-of-mouth<br />
comments, Glendy reports excellent business<br />
during the picture's run.<br />
]<br />
The appearance of the cover page ol the house program frequently determines whether or<br />
not the patron will be interested enough to continue reading the sales message within. At<br />
the Louis Theatre in Chicago, Manager Hugh Borland endeavors to make the page so attractive<br />
and so interesting that seldom does anyone refuse them as they are proffered by<br />
ushers on breaks, and rarely is one discarded after acceptance. The trick, as Borland points<br />
out, is to make each issue different from its predecessor. Teaser copy, institutional messages,<br />
announcements of house policy or just personal philosophy brighten the cover each<br />
week. In the inside spread appear small cuts on the week's coming attractions. The back<br />
page heralds either future bookings or additional copy in the institutional vein.<br />
BOXOFFICE NUGGETS<br />
To exploit "Good News," Eddie DiResta,<br />
manager of the Rialto in Amsterdam, N. Y.,<br />
sold the back page of several thousand exchange<br />
heralds to a local record dealer<br />
plugging the "Good News" album. A window<br />
display completed the tieup, and DiResta used<br />
a sound truck to ballyhoo the playdate around<br />
town.<br />
Bert Ruder, manager of the Malone in<br />
Malone, N. Y., promoted a full page co-op ad<br />
from local businessmen in behalf of the March<br />
of Dimes campaign. Banner headline read:<br />
"Schine's Malone and These Leading Merchants<br />
Join in Support of the March of<br />
Dimes." The current attraction was well<br />
played up on the page at no cost to the theatre.<br />
Carrying out the prison theme of "Each<br />
Dawn I Die," Jerry Siegal, manager of the<br />
Lyric, Asbury Park, N. J., dressed his ushers<br />
and ticket takers in convict's uniform. Siegal<br />
also tied up with a local pet shop which paid<br />
for the printing of heralds announcing the<br />
show.<br />
Sleep capsules distributed by a pretty young<br />
woman dressed in a nurse's uniform and cap<br />
helped to promote "Sleep, My Love" for manager<br />
Boyd Sparrow at Loew's Indianapojjs.<br />
To attract extra interest, the capsules read:<br />
" 'Sleep, My Love.' The most terrifying words<br />
ever whispered to a woman. See why, etc.,<br />
etc."<br />
Extensive outdoor ballyhoo preceded the<br />
opening of "Green Dolphin Street" at the<br />
Beach and Paramount theatres in Miami.<br />
Twenty-two 24-sheets were sniped and all<br />
Royal Crown Cola trucks were bannered with<br />
signs announcing the playdates. Window<br />
tieups were placed in excellent locations to<br />
augment a stepped-up radio and newspaper<br />
campaign.<br />
Trailer Ballyhoo Used<br />
To Aid 'Frankenstein'<br />
An animated performance by an usher<br />
during the showing of the trailer for "Son<br />
of Frankenstein" provoked an interesting<br />
audience reaction at the Strand in Amsterdam,<br />
N. Y.<br />
Clark Jordan, manager, had the usher strut<br />
across the stage with his cap worn backwards<br />
and special makeup on his face, while a green<br />
spot played on him. This was done at the<br />
evening performance a week in advance<br />
while the trailer was being run.<br />
Jordan also had a young woman in nurse's<br />
attire sitting in the lobby in advance of playdate<br />
with a sign announcing: "We are taking<br />
this precaution for those who have weak<br />
hearts and intend seeing, etc., etc."<br />
A sandwich man helped ballyhoo the program.<br />
WCOP Radio Quiz Sparks<br />
'Treasure of Sierra'<br />
A novel treasure hunt radio quiz highlighted<br />
the campaign for "Treasure of Sierra<br />
Madre" at the Metropolitan in Boston.<br />
A tieup was made with WCOP with Nelson<br />
Bragg conducting the quiz daily, in advance<br />
of the opening, in the Hotel Statler lobby.<br />
Contestants and radio listeners were asked<br />
to name the place they would hide "the<br />
treasure" and their reasons. Somewhere in<br />
the city "the treasure" was hidden. The<br />
entrant who came closest to guessing the<br />
hidden location was awarded a savings bond.<br />
The daily press also carried stories on the<br />
promotion with the theatre benefiting<br />
through playdate announcements.<br />
42 -410- BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: Mar. 13, 1948
Co-Op Tieups Push 'Ends of Earth'<br />
Publicity to Ends of New Haven<br />
A tieup with a chain of 65 grocery stores<br />
in the New Haven area was the feature of<br />
Manager Morris Rosenthal's campaign to<br />
publicize "To the Ends of the Earth" at the<br />
Poli Theatre.<br />
Rosenthal arranged for the distribution<br />
15.000 numbered heralds in stores. Customers<br />
of<br />
wlio found their numbers posted on<br />
a lobby board at the Poll were given passes<br />
to the picture on opening day.<br />
The stores displayed 200 cards announcing<br />
the stunt. The Allen drug -stores cooperated<br />
in a slogan contest in which their patrons<br />
were invited to complete the sentence. "I<br />
prefer to patronize Allen's, because ." . . The<br />
company ran a three-fifth page newspaper<br />
ad publicizing the contest with free tickets<br />
to see the Poli attraction as the prizes.<br />
PLUGS ON STORE PENNANTS<br />
The picture and playdates came in for<br />
top billing in all advertising, including pennants<br />
which w'ere displayed in each store,<br />
with counter and window displays. The merchant<br />
also donated 25 bottles of imported<br />
cologne for presentation to the first 25 women<br />
who arrived at the theatre opening day.<br />
Rosenthal provided all downtown restaurants<br />
with illustrated doiUes imprinted with<br />
the starting dates. He tied up a total of seven<br />
full window displays.<br />
Radio promotion included free advertising<br />
over WNHC, which offered a Dick Powell<br />
souvenir record album to the first ten persons<br />
bringing in an old Dick Powell record.<br />
The same stunt was worked successfully for<br />
five days with WAVZ. Spot announcements<br />
were also promoted on the Yale university<br />
station which is piped into all dormitory<br />
rooms of students.<br />
CROSS TRAILERS IN OTHER HOUSES<br />
Cross trailers at all local Loew houses,<br />
hotel displays, and a special front gave added<br />
impetus to the campaign.<br />
The army recruiting service distributed<br />
200 cards tying the title in with an enlistment<br />
message and used ten poster A-boards<br />
to promote the tieup in addition to two full<br />
window displays.<br />
On opening night the New Haven press<br />
extended an invitation to the wives of all<br />
former soldiers who married abroad to be<br />
guests of the management. The idea was<br />
to have representation from "The Ends rif<br />
the Earth" on hand.<br />
Merchants Sponsor Party<br />
For Valentine Program<br />
A Valentine show and party for kiddies held<br />
Saturday morning at the Lido in Maywood,<br />
111., proved very successful for Manager Leo<br />
Haney and resulted in a complete sellout,<br />
despite a feature cartoon as opposition.<br />
The program consisted of 15 color cartoons,<br />
and free gifts plus 100 giant Valentine<br />
books promoted from a local merchant were<br />
distributed to the childi-en. The merchant<br />
also devoted a fiUl window display to the<br />
show and sold tickets at his store two weeks<br />
In advance.<br />
Large newspaper ads in the Maywood Herald.<br />
Sentinel and Bellwood Star-Progress,<br />
plus numerous gratis stories, attracted considerable<br />
attention as did the distribution of<br />
heralds, special house programs and an unusual<br />
lobby display.<br />
Black Book Hypos<br />
Little<br />
'Adventuress' Interest<br />
Tw'o attractive 40x60s helped to focus attention<br />
on the booking of 'The Adventuress"<br />
at the Century Midwood Theatre in Brooklyn.<br />
Manager Howard Cohn had one display<br />
selling Deborah Kerr and the "mystery of the<br />
little black book" angle, plus critic reviews<br />
of the production. The other display showed<br />
a romantic scene from the picture. Cohn<br />
interrupted the show at certain peak hours<br />
to offer passes to patrons who could produce<br />
a "little black book." He then gave the<br />
picture a special in-person pitch from the<br />
stage.<br />
Music Tieup Tuned<br />
To 'My Irish Rose'<br />
By Jim Barnes<br />
Jim Barnes, manager of the Forum Theatre,<br />
Los Angeles, tied up with Culbreath's<br />
music store to exploit "My Wild Irish Rose."<br />
Barnes obtained a large imitation RCA<br />
record, attached music albums to it and<br />
used it in the lobby.<br />
The store used a window display with art<br />
and stills from the film, backed up with<br />
albums of Irish music. The store also paid<br />
for 4-column, 10-inch and 6-column, 10-<br />
inch ads, with most of the space devoted to<br />
art illustrations from the picture and an<br />
announcement of an Irish ballad contest in<br />
which newspaper readers were invited to<br />
submit the titles of Irish ballads and win<br />
record albums and theatre tickets.<br />
Barnes promoted free radio plugs over<br />
KFWB and distributed 2,500 movie news<br />
programs featuring "My Wild Irish Rose."<br />
Jukes Ante Charity<br />
George Sharp, manager of the Wilson<br />
and Tower theatres in Fresno, Calif., has<br />
installed jukeboxes in the theatre lounges.<br />
All revenue goes to a local welfare fund.<br />
THERE WAS EXCITEMENT in Chicago when the "Black Barf<br />
premiere at the Orpheum and Esquire was ballyhooed with a<br />
rephca of Wells Fargo stage coach, left. RKO Theatres exploiteer<br />
Lou Mayer had mounted escort convey the vehicle through the<br />
busy Loop area. At right: Harry Potter, manager of the Roosevelt,<br />
also in the Windy city, checks up on one of the many window<br />
tieups arranged in conjunction wrilh the opening of "The Voice of<br />
the Turtle." The promotion included 88 window displays with<br />
Walgreen chain and four Liggett drug stores.<br />
BOXOFFICE Showmandis Mar. 13, 1948 —411-
,<br />
»u;"kcM<br />
^.u<br />
So.'
I Guild<br />
PITTSBURGH<br />
Milton Brauman<br />
, Gi,.ld Prododions ol Pill<br />
Van Broom Street PIttst<br />
SEATTLE •PORTLAND<br />
Gordon G. WaHingti<br />
m<br />
tol Second A.enue Seattle. Wosh<br />
ST. LOUIS<br />
Andy Dieti<br />
Prodsclioni ol St looii<br />
Olive Street. Si Louis. Mo<br />
SAN FRANCISCO<br />
WASHINGTON<br />
Berni* Mi//><br />
BUTCH MINDS «r„.,. race. Bred. Crawford.<br />
THE BABY °--; o<br />
''>"<br />
G.o<br />
Wash.naion. D C.<br />
^^"S'.K<br />
R»»P>'<br />
MODEL WIFE<br />
RK AVENUE. NEW YORK (16) N Y.<br />
'0^1 Tfl. MURRAY HlU 9-0443
Manager's Know-How With Ad Layout<br />
Compensates for Lack of Space<br />
Limited seating capacity frequently places<br />
its own limitations on the amount of money<br />
a manager can spend for advertising. This<br />
problem requires extra thought and discretion<br />
on the part of the manager particularly<br />
when it is necessary to make every dollar<br />
count proportionately in terms of actual return<br />
at<br />
the boxoffice.<br />
Jim Freddy, manager of the Telenews in<br />
Dallas, has such a problem every week. The<br />
theatre is small and caters to a clientele interested<br />
in foreign produced and so-called<br />
"art" features. Emphasis is also directed to<br />
newsreel subjects and shorts, making it<br />
to necessary give the average program as<br />
much sales effort as would be required in<br />
any first run operation.<br />
AD BUDGET IS FIXED<br />
All the time, the budget must remain fixed<br />
in the manager's mind, lest he find he is<br />
spending more for advertising than he can<br />
hope to recoup profitably.<br />
Newspaper ads are, of course, a must in<br />
such a situation. Trying to compete for<br />
attention against half a dozen larger first<br />
run theatres in the matter of space is<br />
neither practical nor possible. Pi'eddy must<br />
therefore depend on layout, sales copy and<br />
general attractivity of his newspaper ads<br />
to make up in punch and sales appeal what<br />
they lack in size.<br />
Here the manager's own knowledge of the<br />
likes and dislikes, the whim and fancy of his<br />
potential audience and what they will "go<br />
for" is important. The star values, directors,<br />
story plots, themes, book adaptations,<br />
authors and other factors must be sifted and<br />
analyzed so that the most salient selling<br />
points will receive billing in proportion to<br />
their respective merit.<br />
LAYOUTS IMPORTANT<br />
Then comes the problem of condensing<br />
these factors into an ad that will compel the<br />
reader's attention and not be lost in a maze<br />
of competitor announcements. Freddy uses<br />
a variety of patterns and designs to give his<br />
ads an air of distinction. At times he resorts<br />
to reverse effects, combining his copy<br />
and illustrative matter into compact but<br />
forceful advertisements. At other times he<br />
depends on surrounding white space to keep<br />
his message centralized in an area removed<br />
from the competitors' ads. And at all times<br />
he must direct attention to his newsreel and<br />
subject attractions along with starting<br />
short<br />
times in order to reach those people who<br />
like to drop into the Telenews just to catch<br />
topical events.<br />
A friendly relationship maintained with<br />
the editorial members of the Dallas newspapers<br />
has been largely responsible for the<br />
consistently fine publicity the theatre receives.<br />
Cuts, writeups and reviews are secured<br />
regularly in all of the local dailies.<br />
The lobby and front of the Telenews are<br />
substantially influential in attracting transient<br />
trade off the streets and helping to<br />
bring patrons back for subsequent visits.<br />
The outer lobby is used regularly to display<br />
blowups and plenty of stills. Six panels are<br />
given over to the promotion of feature attractions.<br />
Additional panels play up the<br />
newsreel subjects and shorts. Large front<br />
panels invariably display blowups, frequently<br />
of press book covers. Highlights of each program<br />
are featured in 40x60 easel frames.<br />
STRONG LOBBY DISPLAYS<br />
Coming attractions are publicized in the<br />
inner lobby and in the lower lounge rooms.<br />
The marquee attraction sign is used to publicize<br />
the main feature and news highlights,<br />
which are changed frequently as later<br />
of interest are added to the show.<br />
topics<br />
Trailers are in use regularly, frequently<br />
getting as much as three weeks of advance<br />
showing.<br />
Freddy is not averse to making outside<br />
tieups whenever the opportunity presents itself.<br />
Invariably he follows up music and<br />
book leads with Window tieups.<br />
A scrambled word contest offering passes<br />
to winners helped to ballyhoo "That Hamilton<br />
Woman" recently, and he built up interest<br />
in "The Upturned Glass" by promoting a<br />
contest in which patrons were invited to<br />
submit the names of husband and wife combinations<br />
who have appeared together in<br />
motion pictures.<br />
It's an interesting and fascinating job.<br />
handling a theatre like the Telenews. It<br />
sounds like a job requiring special talent,<br />
patieiice and showmanship, just the type<br />
of job that Freddy admirably fits into.<br />
Open<br />
10:«S
THOUGHT OR TWO FROM HYGIENIC CORNER<br />
-Taoitorial<br />
* ADITORIAL No. 10 of a SERES* (*in>y hygienl bldg<br />
^^l^f^ WILMINGTON, OHIO USA<br />
Hygienic is Crazy —<br />
Sooooooo What?<br />
The other day, a magazine writer and his cameraman were in our oiiices.<br />
They got awiuUy mad. They wanted to "give us" a big spread, with pictures, that<br />
would make Hygienic lamous. But there was a "string" attached. They wanted to<br />
quote us as saying some things about other producing and distributing companies<br />
which we have not said. A mere suggestion that we twist the facts around a bit<br />
to "make a story." Nothing doing, we told 'em, and added Hygienic wasn't looking<br />
for fans or publicity. What we want and need are friends—and business.<br />
"You're nuts!" the mag-man said. We agreed! "This outfit's a freak!" he<br />
suggested. We agreed! "Hygienic is craryl" he fold our local hotel man. Soooo<br />
what?<br />
The big majors and little minors in Hollywood are having troubles. Big executives'<br />
salaries may be off 50 per cent. Big producers may be having their budgets<br />
cut. Directors may be pulling their hair, stars starving and writers wilting. Even<br />
exploitation men may these days be borrowing their room rent. But certainly these<br />
are over-statements. There just can't be anything vreong with Hollywood or the<br />
motion picture industry that Hollywood can't cure. Gosh, Hollywood can do anything!<br />
Here at Hygienic we tell folks we're a two-bit size, a peanut size outfit. But<br />
we're happy—and everything is running fairly smooth. Business is wonderful and<br />
our 268 "slaves" and "chairwarmers " are eatin' more meals and sleepin' more<br />
hours a day than they need. They're happy—doing a bang-up job writh "Mom and<br />
Dad." We aren't in competition with anyone. Hygienic has always stood ready<br />
to help any other company or any exhibitor, any time and any way it can. Here,<br />
we do busiriess by "The Golden Rule."<br />
Those magazine writers are nice fellows all right, but they can't understand<br />
us. Home offices in "the slicks" and branch offices in the big cities doesn't make<br />
sense to them. Why we need 2GS people to distribute "Mom and Dad" after it has<br />
been on the nation's best screens for three years, is a jig-saw puzzle they can't<br />
understand. But we do!<br />
Hygienic doesn't want glorv. We want more friends—more business. We<br />
want to treat exhibitors right. We wont the theatremen to treat us fair. We want<br />
only hard-working Americans "slaving" for "Mom and Dad." Someone else can<br />
have the "Ism-boys." We want good folks who can and vuill do big day's work in<br />
preference to wrise guys who wrrote the books. (Shucks, we sell books!) We want<br />
to pay people all the money they can earn but we can't afford those "something<br />
for nothing" deals.<br />
Hygienic has no "crow to pick" with anyone. We're not mad at a single soul.<br />
We were a bit miffed at the tax man, but we've even decided he was right. A lot<br />
of people trv to do us "dirt"—downright harm and injury. But we don't even dislike<br />
L. them. There's the C. O. D. for example. They plastered a "C" rating on<br />
"Mom and Dad" after it was two and a half years out of the lab. They say it is<br />
"lacking in the supernatural." Well, we didn't have enough bucks to put everything<br />
in it. Yet, every knock has proven a boost. It oftentimes turns out that way.<br />
The more than 4,000 exhibitors who have already played "Mom and Dad" will<br />
tell you it may be short on the "supernatural " angle—but that it's "suner" just<br />
the same! It's the opinions of the people—the good folks who buy tickets—that<br />
really counts! They're sure "for it" and that should be reason enough for any<br />
real American exhibitor to book it!
Only<br />
Endorsement by Mayor<br />
Publicizes 'Night Song'<br />
Sam Torgan. manager of the Keith in<br />
Lowell, Mass., took advantage of the fact<br />
that the leading citizen of his community.<br />
Mayor G. A. Ayotte, is a choir director and<br />
keenly interested in good music by obtaining<br />
a public endorsement of "Night Song" prior<br />
to the opening.<br />
The mayor addressed a letter to Ned E.<br />
Depinet, president of RKO Radio Pictures,<br />
the producer, in which he expressed his<br />
personal appreciation for the company's contribution<br />
to good music. The letter was<br />
publicized locally.<br />
Torgan mailed postal card announcements<br />
to music devotees in Lowell and posted<br />
placards on bulletin boards of schools, libraries<br />
and churches.<br />
Another feature of his campaign was a<br />
broadcast of the "Night Song" concerto by<br />
station WLLH.<br />
Usherettes at Depots<br />
'Welcome Strangers'<br />
To Santa Barbara<br />
gives<br />
FLAV^JR<br />
they<br />
favor<br />
popcorn<br />
^^^^<br />
Simonin of Philadelphia<br />
SEASONING SPECIALISTS<br />
TO THE NATION<br />
Merchants Pay Expense<br />
Of Alliance Program<br />
Pearce Parkhurst, publicity director for<br />
Tri-Tlieatres in Alliance, Ohio, puts out a<br />
weekly theatre program which is paid for<br />
by cooperating merchants. The back page<br />
is devoted to quarter space ads for the merchants,<br />
the front page and center spread arefilled<br />
with news stories and cuts announcing<br />
coming attractions at the Strand.<br />
Parkhurst had fake $10 bills imprinted to<br />
exploit "The Frisco Kid" recently. On the<br />
reverse side tiein copy announced: "Even<br />
the 'Frisco Kid' couldn't this pass phony<br />
. $10 worth of entertainment for the 30-<br />
cent admission at the Strand ." . . Ushers<br />
distributed the throwawa^-s at restaurants,<br />
barbers and other public points.<br />
Heralds on 'T-Man' Date<br />
Distributed From Jeep<br />
Robert Davis, manager of the Olean Theatre,<br />
Olean. N. Y., obtained the use of a jeep<br />
to ballyhoo "T-Men," using the vehicle to<br />
distribute several thousand heralds at busy<br />
street locations.<br />
A bogus-money identification contest was<br />
promoted with the Times-Herald. Threesheets<br />
were posted and many window tieups<br />
were secured.<br />
Davis tied up with two local stores for<br />
newspaper co-op ads and garnered extensive<br />
newspaper stories in weekly papers.<br />
Chief of Staff Promotes<br />
'Timberlane' Co-Op Ad<br />
For "Cass Timberlane," Kenny Green,<br />
chief of service at Loew's in Indianapolis,<br />
promoted a three-column, eight-inch co-op<br />
ad from the Allied Florists Ass'n. The -ad<br />
featured three-column art of Lana Turner<br />
admiring flowers, with copy mortised into<br />
the lower corner incorporating theatre<br />
credits in the association's selling message.<br />
Recruits 'Unconquered'<br />
Charles B. Taylor, publicity director for<br />
Shea's, Buffalo, arranged a tieup with the<br />
army recruiting service for "Unconquered"<br />
at the Hippodrome Theatre. "Keep America<br />
•Unconquered,' Join the U.S. Army," was<br />
the theme of one-sheet posters, displayed<br />
throughout the city on federal A-boards.<br />
Playdates were prominent.<br />
According to Reg Streeter, manager of the<br />
Mission Theatre in Santa Barbara, theatre<br />
patrons in his area have been trying to recuperate<br />
from the recent holidays, necessitating<br />
special exploitation to get them to the<br />
theatre.<br />
Starting off with "Welcome Stranger,"<br />
Streeter had three of his usherettes attired<br />
in their regular uniforms act as official<br />
greeters at all ports of enti-y to the city.<br />
They distributed small cards to visitors with<br />
"welcome" copy which drew attention to the<br />
playdates at the Mission. They covered railroad<br />
stations, airports and all bus depots,<br />
creating excellent comment wherever they<br />
appeared.<br />
For "Desert Fury," previously publicized<br />
in prior run theatres in the area, Streeter<br />
distributed 500 envelopes containing sand.<br />
An imprint on the envelope read: "Sand<br />
from the desert. What a story of violence,<br />
intrigue and romance it could tell." Theatre<br />
mention followed.<br />
In an effort to reach private homes,<br />
Streeter tied up with a local merchant who<br />
paid the bulk of the cost of mailing 1,000<br />
list. heralds to the theatre's mailing The<br />
heralds carried selling copy on "Born to Kill"<br />
and an ad for the cooperating merchant.<br />
A novel method of presenting a trailer for<br />
"Mother Wore Tights" helped to focus attention<br />
on its opening. A wire was strung across<br />
the stage, with a banner attached through<br />
eyelets. Just before the trailer was screened,<br />
an attractive usherette appeared on one side<br />
of the stage in tights, doing a dance step to<br />
music from the opening of the trailer, and<br />
pulled the banner with her across the stage.<br />
As soon as she had crossed the stage, the<br />
operator opened the douser and the trailer<br />
appeared on the screen.<br />
Streeter reports that although these little<br />
stunts are not entirely new, they did much<br />
to contribute towards bringing his attractions<br />
before the public.<br />
Tieups Prove Valuable<br />
For 'Red Stallion' Date<br />
Exploitation for "Red Stallion" at the<br />
Station Theatre. Huntington, N. Y.. included<br />
several art and publicity breaks in the local<br />
press. Manager Dan Martin arranged with<br />
the county watchman to sponsor a coloring<br />
contest starting two weeks in advance. A<br />
full page co-op ad was promoted from a<br />
stationery concern and 3,000 heralds were<br />
promoted at no cost through another merchant<br />
co-op.<br />
—416— BOXOFFICE Showrmandiser Mar. 13, 1948
.<br />
per<br />
1 new.<br />
.It.<br />
^<br />
1 prospective<br />
mths. Copy-<br />
other Inter-<br />
r<br />
Roy Boomer Spends<br />
Little, Employing<br />
Odds and Ends<br />
Limited to an advertising budget which is<br />
hardly more than nothing, may be annoying<br />
to an aggressive theatre manager lilce Roy<br />
Boomer. Boomer, however, does not let<br />
himself get discouraged and uses whatever<br />
means are at his disposal at the new Park<br />
Theatre, Miles City, Mont., to exploit his<br />
shows. An attractive lobby setpiece recently<br />
was fashioned from some old display board,<br />
a one-sheet and stills which created plenty<br />
of interest in his date for "Captain From<br />
Castile." Boomer also has found it economical<br />
to imprint his coming shows on popcorn<br />
bags, some of which are given to confectionary<br />
stores to provide outside interest.<br />
All-Negro Screen Show<br />
Introduced at Strand<br />
An all-Negro screen snow, 'oooked at the<br />
Strand, Rockville Center, N.Y., attracted a<br />
capacity audience for Manager Cort Clarkson.<br />
The program was put on at midnight<br />
of a weekday and attracted Negro patronage<br />
from many surrounding communities. Theatre<br />
patrons previously had° to travel to New<br />
York for all-Negro entertainment and the result<br />
of the experiment was so successful that<br />
Clarkson intends to make the innovation a<br />
monthly feature.<br />
Lobby displays helped to create interest in<br />
the program. Clarkson contacted Negro<br />
organizations and newspapers in the vicinity<br />
and obtained their full support.<br />
A popular Rockville Center restaurant paid<br />
for the printing and distribution of 3,000<br />
special in all heralds residences throughout<br />
the community.<br />
Kids Get Show and Candy<br />
At Forest Park Party<br />
A Satui-day morning Valentine party for<br />
children at the Forest Theatre, Forest Park,<br />
111., arranged by John Misavice, city manager,<br />
cost t;he theatre exactly nothing—two<br />
sponsors, a pet shop and a florist, shouldering<br />
the cost.<br />
Two features plus bhree color cartoons and<br />
a serial attracted a full house of youngsters<br />
who had been informed of the show through<br />
a three-sheet lobby display, special marquee,<br />
newspaper ads, house programs and a special<br />
trailer which ran two weeks in advance.<br />
A bag of valentines, supplied by the cooperating<br />
merchants, was given away to<br />
every boy and girl<br />
attending.<br />
.CLEIlfilOG<br />
THEATRE SEATING<br />
10,001) till, Nil >!.. ,<br />
(Continued from Inside<br />
, ,:<br />
(Hmplelc<br />
Stop loose chairs with Pcrmastoiie ancho<br />
ment._ Fensin Seating Co., 62 E. 13th St.,<br />
Iheatre chair supplies. Everything lor theatrf<br />
cliairs. Kensin Seating Co.. 62 E. 13th St., Chicai!o<br />
5.<br />
Reasonable<br />
e, 2565 McClellan<br />
Mich.<br />
500 exceptionally good theatre chairs (Heyiiud)<br />
veneer back, spring seat. $5.25 eii. Other<br />
.l< Bii.lclsim & Co., 10-38 J:u;kson Ave., Long<br />
Folding Chairs. 650 folding<br />
Tlie.iI.e Clij.i; 1-'"<br />
i^td, rebuilt. Advise quantity<br />
hs mailed with quotation.<br />
Chicago 5. IlL<br />
li..M.-teil liark, paddeil eii.shion.<br />
Your choice $2.50<br />
ehouse. must sacrifice<br />
Albany Theatre Supply<br />
400 veneer back, box<br />
i. 400 leatherette inspring,<br />
available now.<br />
id backs, form<br />
chair. Nat 1'.<br />
Philadelphia 7. Pa.<br />
HOUSf.<br />
back cover)<br />
THEATRE SEATING (Com.)<br />
120 Veiiet. Mm .11, ,1,11,, iiiih padded stal<br />
BUSINESS STIMULATORS<br />
Co.. 1434 Bed-<br />
'atres. Legal In any<br />
cer since Uank Night.<br />
1947 by L.T.W. Co.<br />
on. Secure exclusive<br />
litiQo iJie-Lui cards, iO or lUU uumber, $3 |<br />
Screen dial $l!0. Premium Products. 354<br />
h St.. New York City 18. N. V.<br />
lingo, the biggest boxoftlce attraction ever proed.<br />
Illngo Amusement Co.. 1422 Uepubllc<br />
ik nidg. Phone Central 4800. U.Uhis. Tex.<br />
Theatre Stimu r For Sale: 1<br />
Every theatre<br />
400% profit. Will pay out In few i<br />
righted and advertised. Sell account<br />
esis. $30,000 with half down, b^<br />
profits. Exclusive with ".loe" Josep<br />
REAL ESTATE<br />
Investigate this. Best offer. Selling Improved<br />
business property 200 ft. by 125 ft. in exclusive<br />
Chicago neighborhood. Included specifications for<br />
medical center, six retail stores, 32 bowling alleys,<br />
1.000-seat theatre. References required. Owner.<br />
.Ir,. Tony Sheftic, 14501 Sherman Ave., Posen. 111.<br />
SIGNS<br />
Easy Way to Paint Signs. Use letter paiierns.<br />
Avoid sloppy work and wasted time. No experl-<br />
.nce needed for expert work. Write for free samples.<br />
John Itahn. B-1329 Central Ave.. Chicago<br />
51. ill.<br />
EQUIPMENT WANTED<br />
Wanted Old Simplex heads, and condition.<br />
Write Projection Service Supply Co.. Ill North<br />
&<br />
nth St., .Minneanolis 3, Mbin.<br />
STUDIO AND PROJECTION<br />
EQUIPMENT<br />
Spot Quizzes on Radio Aid<br />
Music Box in Portland<br />
Archie Zarewski, manager of the Music<br />
Box in Portland, Ore., theatre made a tieup<br />
with station KPDQ to pubhcize the theatre.<br />
KPDQ, broadcasting from sunrise to sundown,<br />
offers its listeners various spot quizzes<br />
throughout the day, giving a pass to the<br />
Music Box for each correct answer. Usually<br />
popping out with odd "trick," yet comparatively<br />
simple questions, the radio station<br />
gives its listeners a few minutes to phone in<br />
the correct answers. Zarewski said the plan<br />
has increased his business appreciably.
: March<br />
DRIVE-IN THEATRE OWNERS<br />
...T^^m^Jn<br />
OVER ONE-QUARTER OF A CENTURY<br />
IN OUTDOOR REFRESHMENT SERVICE<br />
OPERATING OVER 300 UNITS<br />
IN 88 CITIES AND 28 STATES, 40 OF<br />
WHICH ARE DRIVE-IN THEATRES<br />
'E are specialists in the successful operation<br />
refreshment concessions throughout the nation . . .<br />
yes, you travel in the best company when you choose<br />
SPORTSERVICE. Here is a partial list of the Drive-in<br />
Theatres we are now serving: Chicago, 111.; Pittsburgh, Pa.;<br />
Cleveland, O.; Cincinnati, O.; Louisville, Ky.; Rochester,<br />
N. Y.; Springfield, O.; Geneva, O.; London, Ont.; Windsor,<br />
Ont.; Toledo, O.<br />
^KC(Mie TO YOU WITHOUT ^*UAC4t0teHt<br />
SPORTSERVICE offers you these important<br />
advantages: expert knowledge, over one-quarter<br />
of a century of experience, the best facilities and<br />
trained<br />
year 'round personnel.<br />
INQUIRIES WELCOMED— write,<br />
wire or<br />
phone and our representative will call at your<br />
convenience.<br />
HURST BUILDING BUFFALO 2, N. Y.<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
13, 1948
: March<br />
Move for Dismissal<br />
Of Ascap Action<br />
NEW YORK — Louis Frohlich, counsel for<br />
Ascap, on Wednesday ilOi<br />
made a motion for<br />
dismissal of the antitrust suit brought against<br />
the music society by Alden-Rochelle. Inc.,<br />
and 160 other members of the ITOA of New<br />
York in U.S. district court. Judge Vincent<br />
L. Leibell reserved decision on this and a<br />
similar motion entered by F. Gilbert, counsel<br />
for G. Scliirmer, music publishing firm.<br />
Frohlich asked for dismissal on the ground<br />
that the plaintiffs had failed to prove conspiracy<br />
or monopoly in their agreements and<br />
had established no cause of action. He cited<br />
the Ascap consent decree of 1940 and said<br />
the society has complied with it. He said the<br />
plaintiffs had prospered dm-ing the period<br />
they paid Ascap performing fees.<br />
Frohlich asked for dismissal after the<br />
plaintiffs had closed their arguments. The<br />
last witness for the plaintiffs was Harry<br />
Brandt. Deems Taylor also testified Wednesday.<br />
Name Weitman, Bergman<br />
As Associates' Aides<br />
NEW YORK—Robert M. Weitman, managing<br />
dij-ector of the Paramount Theatre,<br />
has been appointed head of the entertainment<br />
committee for the annual dinner dance<br />
of the Motion Picture Associates, which will<br />
be held at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel May 21.<br />
The souvenir journal will be edited by<br />
Maurice A. Bergman, eastern advertising<br />
and publicity manager for Universal-International.<br />
Ralph Pielow, MGM branch manager,<br />
and Edward L. Hyman, vice-president<br />
of Paramount Theatres Service Corp., will<br />
be in charge of advertising for the book.<br />
Leon J. Bamberger, head of RKO sales<br />
promotion, will head the public relations<br />
committee.<br />
Maryland Theatremen<br />
Elect Lauritz Garman<br />
BALTIMORE — Lauritz Garman was<br />
elected president of the Motion Picture Theatre<br />
Owners of Maryland at a meeting here<br />
recently.<br />
Others elected: Louis Gaertner, vicepresident;<br />
Jacob Levin, treasurer: Mrs. Helen<br />
Diering, secretary, and directors Walter D.<br />
Pacy, Harry Valentine, Leon Back. Meyer<br />
Leventhal. I. M. Rappaport, Harry Silver.<br />
Oscar B. Coblentz jr., William C. Allen, L<br />
E. Green and H. R. Worman.<br />
^ y Jheahes Win Baffle<br />
On Drasfic Fireman Bill<br />
NEW YORK—United exhibitor protests,<br />
scathing editorials in newspapers and a barrage<br />
of telegrams that descended on legislative<br />
leaders in Albany caused the backers of a<br />
new theatre tax grab to run for cover late in<br />
the week.<br />
On February 17 Senator Paul A. Fino,<br />
Bronx Republican, and Assemblyman William<br />
E, Clancy, Queens Democrat, introduced<br />
identical measures in the two legislative<br />
branches to compel the use of two firemen<br />
at each performance in a theatre at the rate<br />
of $10 per performance per fireman.<br />
It al.so provided that theatres having 5,000<br />
or more seats could be compelled to use as<br />
many as 15 firemen, with a co.st limit of $1,500<br />
a show, or $7,500 a day.<br />
BACKED BY FIREMEN<br />
The bill was backed by the Uniformed<br />
Firemen's Ass'n of New York City and was<br />
aimed to build the pension funds.<br />
Those who inquired about the bills<br />
were told they probably would not reach the<br />
floor, but early last week they went on the<br />
calendar with every indication that both Republicans<br />
and Democrats were backing them.<br />
An explosion resulted. All exhibitor organizations<br />
and representatives of legitimate<br />
theatres went to work.<br />
A meeting was held March 7 for discussion<br />
bill.<br />
of the It was attended by Oscar<br />
Doob, acting for Loew's, Inc., and the<br />
MMPTA, and representatives of the ITOA<br />
of New York, MPTO of Buffalo, ATO of Albany,<br />
League of New York Theatres, and<br />
executives of Loews, Inc., RKO, J. J. Theatres.<br />
Paramount, Fabian, Carnegie Hall,<br />
Metropolitan Opera Ass'n and the City Center<br />
of Music and Drama.<br />
At its close, Doob described the bill as<br />
"preposterous" and said it could cost small<br />
theatres $36,000 a year and could cost the<br />
Music Hall and Roxy $7,500 per day.<br />
A barrage of telegrams was sent to Albany<br />
and Orrin G. Judd. attorney for MMPTA,<br />
the measure.<br />
was there battling<br />
Harry Brandt, president of the ITOA of<br />
New York, declared that: "If this obnoxious<br />
bill is enacted into law, there will be no independent<br />
theatre owners. Tliis measure<br />
will at once do more damage to the theatres<br />
of this state than any group of strategically<br />
placed atomic bombs. It Is ridiculous that<br />
a theatre should be required to pay more<br />
than it receivees in gross revenue for the<br />
performance of an unproductive function<br />
"This bill is nothing more than a vicious<br />
grab on behalf of a special group while<br />
arbitrarily singling out another to pay the<br />
freight."<br />
As a result of this pressure Clancy offered<br />
to amend the bill with the following provisions:<br />
It would apply only to legitimate<br />
theatres and motion picture houses with stage<br />
shows; a maximum of two firemen would be<br />
stationed in each of these theatres regardless<br />
of seating capacity, and theatre operators<br />
would pay $10 per day per man, or a<br />
maximum of $20 per day for the two firemen.<br />
When foes of the bill still were dissatisfied,<br />
Clancy had the bill .sent back to the<br />
assembly judiciary committee, which had reported<br />
on the original measure. This means<br />
that the bill is dead until the next legislative<br />
session. There was not enough time to<br />
DISPLAYS INDUSTRY'S POWER<br />
Spokesman for the Metropolitan Theatre<br />
Owners Ass'n, Theatre Owners of America<br />
Albany exchange area, the Independent Theatre<br />
Owners Ass'n. the lATSE, the League<br />
of New York Theatres and others were<br />
jubilant. He declared the results showed<br />
the industry could make its weight felt on<br />
the legislature when properly organized:<br />
that the united front of opposition, brought<br />
to bear on all legislators, upstate and downstate,<br />
had killed the bill which in its original<br />
form would have cost exhibitors 20 to 25<br />
million dollars annually and driven a large<br />
number out of business.<br />
Orrin E. Judd, MPTOA counsel, and<br />
Leonard L. Rosenthal, attorney for the TOA<br />
Albany unit, were among those hailing the<br />
result. They said, "it was the most impressive<br />
triumph the New York industry has<br />
registered in 25 years."<br />
Pickman Returns to N.Y<br />
NEW YORK—Jerry Pickman, Eagle Lion<br />
assistant director of advertising and publicity,<br />
has returned to New York with Sam<br />
Israel, studio publicity director, after studio<br />
conferences. On their way east they conferred<br />
at Canon City, Colo., scene of a recent<br />
prison outbreak, with Warden Roy Best.<br />
Background material will be used in "Canon<br />
City," to be produced by Brian Foy.<br />
Archibald Convalescing<br />
NEW YORK—George Archibald, managing<br />
director of Independent Producers, Ltd.. J.<br />
Arthur Rank unit, stricken with virus pneumonia,<br />
is reported in favorable condition at<br />
Doctors hospital in New York. He was taken<br />
ill<br />
in Philadelphia.<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
13, 1948<br />
WARNER AD HE VDS (OM I K-Mo.tins (.f W.mi.r rii.-..lr.- /one ad managers<br />
at the company's home (rffice. Left to right, seated: .lohn H»--se, New Haven;<br />
Ben Wallerstein. Los Angeles: Mort Blumenstock, Harry Goldberg. J. Knox Strachan,<br />
Charles Smakwitz, Albany: James Totman. Pittsburgh: Irving Umdisch,<br />
Cleveland:<br />
New York, and Dan Finn. New Haven. Standing: Sidney Kane, home office exploitation:<br />
Harrv MacDonald. Milwaukee: Everett Callow. Philadelphia: Charles<br />
Steinberg. Bill Brumberg. Larry Golob, Herb Pickman, home office exploitation, and<br />
George Kelly, Newark.<br />
N
. . Joseph<br />
. . Betty<br />
. . Frank<br />
. . George<br />
. . Homer<br />
. .<br />
. . Wolfe<br />
B R O A DWAY<br />
fiUiam B. Zoellner, head of MGMs short<br />
W"<br />
subjects sales and reprints and importations,<br />
is back from a mideastern trip . . .<br />
Jeanne Cagney is spending a month in town.<br />
Carl Dreyer, European director, is expected<br />
here from Copenhagen March 26 lor the<br />
opening of "Day of Wrath" at the Little<br />
Carnegie Theatre. He also will visit Hollywood<br />
.<br />
Harris, Realart board chairman<br />
and treasurer, is vacationing at Boca<br />
Raton, Fla., with Mrs. Harris . . . Gregory<br />
LeCava arrived from Hollywood ... Sol A.<br />
Schwartz, vice-president and general m.\nager<br />
of RKO Theatres, and Mrs. Schwartz<br />
returned from a three-week stay on the coast.<br />
Schwartz visited circuit houses in San Francisco<br />
and Los Angeles and reviewed new product<br />
at the studio.<br />
A son was born to J. V. Washburn, Altec<br />
Service inspector, and Mrs. Washburn .<br />
Leonide Kipnis. president of Westport International<br />
Films, distributors of "The Raven,"<br />
left for Canada to select background locations<br />
for a picture to be produced by the company<br />
this summer . . . Jean Louis, Columbia head<br />
fashion designer, spent a few days in Gotham<br />
before flying to Europe Rockwell,<br />
.<br />
publisher of Screenland. Silver Screen and<br />
Movie Show magazines, left for Hollywood to<br />
see studio executives.<br />
Paulette Goddard, who recently arrived<br />
from Hollywood, and Macdonald Carey will<br />
appear on a Motion Picture Relief Fiuid, Inc.,<br />
broadcast on the Screen Guild Players show<br />
over CBS March 15 Stevens and<br />
.<br />
Harriet Parsons, executive producer-director<br />
and producer, respectively, of "I Remember<br />
Mama," came east for the opening of the<br />
film at the Radio City Music Hall . . . Ray<br />
Milland is here for a series of radio broadcasts<br />
as part of the campaign on Paramount's<br />
"The Big Clock."<br />
Jules Levey, producer, will sail for Europe<br />
on the SS Amsterdam March 16 ... Ed<br />
Grigsby of the Altec Lansing sales staff in<br />
Hollywood has been elected to the board of<br />
directors of the West Coast Electronic Manufacturers<br />
Ass'n . C. Walker, Comerford<br />
Theatres executive, was awarded the<br />
Laetere medal for 1948 by Notre Dame university<br />
. Krone, secretary to CoKunbia's<br />
Rube Jackter, become engaged to<br />
Bernard G. Unger.<br />
Charles C. Moskowitz, Loews vice-president<br />
and treasurer, left at the weekend for<br />
Hollywood . . . Leon Leonidoff, senior producer<br />
for Radio City Music HaU, returned<br />
from Florida.<br />
Samuel Eckman jr., chairman and managing<br />
director of MGM Pictui-es, Ltd., Robert<br />
Wolff, managing director for RKO Productions,<br />
Inc., and Lawrence R. Kent, 20th-Fox<br />
representative in England, arrived on the<br />
Queen Elizabeth.<br />
Jay Eisenberg of the MGM legal department<br />
and Irving Helfont met with Henry L.<br />
Nathanson, president of MGM Films of<br />
Canada, and Ted Gould, sales manager, in<br />
Montreal . Cohen, Warner International<br />
vice-president in charge of far eastern<br />
and Latin American distribution, is in<br />
Shanghai on an inspection tour . . . Hal Wallis<br />
is here for a two-week visit. He will confer<br />
with Joseph Hazen, president of Hal Wallis<br />
Production, on futiu-e film plans. Wallis<br />
will be joined here by Anatole Litvak, who<br />
has just completed work on "Sorry, Wrong<br />
Number." They intend to fly to Paris to set<br />
plans for an overseas production.<br />
Stanley Hand, general sales manager for<br />
Nu-Screen, is visiting Florida and the southern<br />
territory. He is due back April 10 . . .<br />
Jack Segal, vice-president of Columbia Pictures<br />
Infl Corp., left for Palm Beach where<br />
he was married to Shirley Edelman of this<br />
city. The couple will leave for a honeymoon<br />
in Europe the latter part of the month.<br />
Jay Gove, head of the MGM sales development<br />
division, is back from a Nassau vacation<br />
. . . J. E. Currie, manager of National<br />
Theatre Supply's drive-in theatre department,<br />
is back from the coast.<br />
MGM executives are back from a five-day<br />
conference at the studio. William F. Rodgers,<br />
vice-president and general sales manager,<br />
will return in a few weeks with Edwin<br />
W. Aaron, his assistant. Back at their desks<br />
are Henderson M. Richey, exhibitor relations<br />
head: John P. Byrne, eastern sales manager,<br />
and Herman Ripps, assistant to Byrne.
: March<br />
. . Ann<br />
. . Mi-s.<br />
Jersey Solons Get<br />
Legal Bingo Plan<br />
NEW YORK—A bill to legalize bingo for<br />
religious and charitable groups was introduced<br />
in the New Jersey assembly by Assemblyman<br />
J. Richard Kates of Trenton.<br />
It is now before the judiciary committee.<br />
Ways of defeating the proposal are being<br />
studied by trustees of the Federation of<br />
New Jersey Theatre Owners, who met at<br />
the Newark office of Warner Bros. March 11.<br />
The trustees represent the Allied Theatre<br />
Owners of New Jersey, Warners, Loew's,<br />
RKO, Paramount, Skouras and independent<br />
exhibitors. George Gold presided.<br />
Under the new constitution, the bill, if<br />
passed by the legislature, can be submitted<br />
as a referendum at the general election next<br />
November.<br />
The measure is designed to permit municipalities<br />
to issue licenses under which bingo<br />
can be conducted by approved religious and<br />
charitable organizations.<br />
SRO Shifts 'Blandings'<br />
Into the Astor Theatre<br />
NEW YORK— Selznick Releasing Oi-gaiilzation<br />
booked "Mr. Blandings Builds His Di-eam<br />
House" into the Astor Theatre for March 25<br />
on short notice. The Astor management was<br />
notified March 6 that the film was available<br />
and the deal was signed March 7.<br />
The Astor arrangement has complicated<br />
matters for "Arch of Triumph." UA and<br />
Enterprise executives were anxious to settle<br />
for the Astor after negotiations to put the<br />
film into the Capitol fell through.<br />
As matters now stand, it seems likely that<br />
"Ai-ch" may open at Brandt's Globe Theatre.<br />
John W. Benas, Skouras<br />
Theatres Booker, Dead<br />
NEW YORK—John M. Benas. 49, head film<br />
booker for Skouras Theatres in the metropolitan<br />
area, died March 7. Funeral services<br />
were held Wednesday at the East 74th street<br />
Greek cathedral. Survivors are his wife and<br />
two daughters.<br />
Benas started his career in the shipping industry.<br />
In 1925 he joined Rosenblatt-Welt<br />
Theatres. He had been with Skouras tor the<br />
last ten years.<br />
Review Board to Discuss<br />
Film in Public Affairs<br />
NEW YORK—More than 500 delegates<br />
from motion picture councils throughout the<br />
country and representatives of 25 national<br />
organizations affiliated with the National<br />
Board of Review will attend the 39th anniversary<br />
conference of the board at the<br />
Hotel McAlpin, Thursday, March 18. "The<br />
Motion Picture in I»ublic Affairs" will be<br />
the theme of the conference.<br />
Theatre Wing Hears Linet<br />
NEW YORK—Henry A. Linet. eastern advertising<br />
manager for U-I, was guest lecturer<br />
at the American Theatre Wing screen seminar.<br />
He discussed motion picture advertising.<br />
Along New York's Film<br />
TARNER BROS,<br />
w<br />
is<br />
the eastern district which covers the<br />
By WALTER WALDMAN<br />
considering changes in<br />
New York, Boston, Albany, New Haven and<br />
Buffalo branches ... A plan now being discussed<br />
calls for the appointment of an additional<br />
eastern district manager to handle<br />
all of the exchanges except New York. Sam<br />
Lefkowitz, the present district manager, would<br />
concentrate on the New York area. He would<br />
take charge of some of the more important<br />
New York deals now handled by home office<br />
executives in addition to his regular duties.<br />
A final decision on this plan is expected in<br />
about two weeks.<br />
Nearly every exchange and circuit was represented<br />
at the funeral services held March<br />
10 for John M. Benas, Skouras film buyer,<br />
who died March 6. Archbishop Athenagoras,<br />
head of the Greek Orthodox church in the<br />
Americas, officiated at the ceremony at the<br />
Greek cathedral on East 74th street. The<br />
Skouras home office closed at 11:30 a. m.<br />
March 10.<br />
. . . Herb<br />
Harry Royster manager for Paramount<br />
Theatres in Newburgh, Glens Palls, Peekskill<br />
and Poughkeepsie, has been studying the<br />
vaudeville situation. He may try out stage<br />
shows in some of these theatres<br />
Pickman, WB field exploitation man, recently<br />
played host to Bob Cose, Reade district manager<br />
in Kingston, and Mrs. Case when they<br />
were in New York.<br />
Arthur- L. Mayer, president of the Motion<br />
Pictui-e Associates, has called a general membership<br />
meeting and luncheon for March<br />
23 at the Hotel Piccadilly. The members will<br />
vote for the recipient of the 1947 Beacon<br />
award. The three former winners are Samuel<br />
Rinzler, 1946: Si H. Fabian, 1945. and George<br />
J. Schaefer, 1944. The award will be presented<br />
NEW<br />
YORK<br />
PHONE<br />
PLAZA<br />
7-3809<br />
NEW YORK<br />
THE IDEAL THEATRE CHAIRS 245 WEST<br />
JOE HORNSTEIN has them 55 STREET<br />
i<br />
BOXOFnCE :<br />
13, 1948<br />
Row<br />
at the annual MPA dinner and dance May<br />
21 at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel.<br />
Moe Goldman, New York and New Jersey<br />
exhibitor, is now a grandfather. Parents of<br />
the granddaughter are Mr. and Mrs. Harold<br />
Goldman . Brown, .secretary to Nat<br />
Stern, head booker for Paramount, will marry<br />
Jack Hammell April 11.<br />
Helen Price has resigned as assistant booker<br />
for 20th-Fox after a five-year hitch. She will<br />
be married May 9. All we know about the<br />
bridegroom-to-be is that he is related to<br />
somebody in the film indu.stry. Helen's fellow<br />
workers gave her a solid sendoff at the<br />
Piccadilly hotel. Those present included Bess<br />
Allen, Ann Jones, Estelle Herman, Minnie<br />
Smith, Shirley Mandel, Lillian Bloomberg,<br />
Bertha Jacobson and Ann Guido.<br />
Nathan H. Seidman, father of Lloyd Seidman,<br />
vice-president in charge of the Donahue<br />
& Coe theatre department, died March 10. He<br />
was 64. He was president of Inter-Racial<br />
Press of America, Inc. . . . Eddie Bell, Paramount<br />
salesman, was almost snowbound in<br />
upstate New York last week . HaiTy<br />
Fellerman, wife of the U-I salesman, is recuperating<br />
from pneumonia at the North<br />
County Community hospital. Glen Cove, L. I.<br />
MPAA Building Plan to Get<br />
Final Review March 24<br />
WASHINGTON—The proposed MPAA annex<br />
to its present headquarters here wiU come<br />
up for final approval at a meeting of the<br />
District of Colimibia zoning board March 24.<br />
The District of Columbia fine arts commission<br />
already has approved the plan.<br />
The amiex will consist of a new projection<br />
room adjoining the present building, with<br />
other sections to be added at a later date.<br />
Here we are at 245 W. 55TH ST.<br />
Ready to serve you with<br />
finest special announcement trailers.<br />
If you haven't tried Filmack's<br />
quality and rapid service, send us<br />
your next order and be agreeably<br />
surprised.<br />
Los Angeles<br />
1574 W.Woshington<br />
st
. . England's<br />
. . WPTZ<br />
: March<br />
PARAMOUNT OPENS IN ROCHESTER—Mayor Samuel B. Dicker of Rochester,<br />
N. Y., is shown in the picture at right buying the first ticket to the new Paramount<br />
Theatre from Manager Arthur Krolick (right). Pictured at left during a luncheon<br />
it the Rochester club celebrating the theatre opening are, left to right, Michael J.<br />
DeAngelis, architect on the remodeling project; Thomas Woods, public safety comnissioner;<br />
James H. Eshelman, city manager for Paramount, and Edward L. Hyman,<br />
;ice-president of Paramount Theatres. DeAngelis, a Rochester architect, has received<br />
1 commission to remodel a Paramount house in Philadelphia.<br />
PHILADELPHIA<br />
pilmmen here are watching with great interest<br />
the latest developments in a circulation<br />
fight being waged by Philadelphia's<br />
two largest dailies. Each paper is trying to<br />
outdo the other in providing special features<br />
for the readers, and the latest, pulled by the<br />
Evening Bulletin, is giving a lot of free newspaper<br />
space to the film industry. The Sunday<br />
Bulletin now carries a special column called<br />
"Let's Go to the Movies." an appraisal of<br />
new films by the paper's film critic and coliminist<br />
Laura Lee. She writes what is described<br />
as a "breezy, up-to-the-minute ar-<br />
•^icle on movie malting and film personalities."<br />
These locally written articles are coupled with<br />
She syndicated columns of Hedda Hopper and<br />
I'.ENJAMIN GOLDFINE —<br />
Alden Theatre, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—<br />
writes:<br />
"15 years of service by RCA<br />
has insured me of continuous<br />
good sound in my theatre."<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
—write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Camden, New Jersey.<br />
Sheilah Graham, and make for almost a<br />
page of film news.<br />
Variety Club is currently playing host to<br />
the Academy of Modern Acting. The academy,<br />
which was burned out by the recent fire at<br />
the Metropolitan Opera House, is directed<br />
by Richard Hernden. who. finding the organization<br />
homeless, appealed to the always<br />
generous Variety Club for relief . . . Pat R.<br />
Notaro, manager of the Bromley Theatre,<br />
will go to Havana in April to take charge<br />
of all the Warner theatres in that city. His<br />
headquarters will be in the exclusive Vedado<br />
neighborhood.<br />
The Lehighton, Pa., school board March 5<br />
ai>proved a 5 per cent amusement tax to<br />
help defray mounting school expenses. The<br />
action was taken to avoid increases in the<br />
regular school taxes ... An 8 per cent amusement<br />
tax was approved in Topton, Pa., in<br />
the Slate belt, near Allentown. This tax is<br />
patterned after the 8 per cent tax in Allentown,<br />
and was passed over the objections of<br />
the town's citizenry and theatremen.<br />
Russell Janney, author of "The Miracle<br />
of the Bells," was due here to help with the<br />
exploitation and to be on hand for the festivities<br />
connected with th" opening of the<br />
film version of "Miracle" the end of this<br />
month . No. 1 film mogul, J.<br />
Arthur Rank, will be in Philadelphia with<br />
Mrs. Rank around April 6.<br />
Local 306 Studying<br />
New Wage Contract<br />
NEW YORK—Members of Local 306, lATSE,<br />
the New York projectionists, are now studying<br />
the terms of a new contract worked out<br />
between union leaders and representatives of<br />
Broadway theatres and affiliated circuits.<br />
The members will have to ratify the agreement<br />
at a general meeting.<br />
Terms were worked out during an aU-nlght<br />
session March 4, 5. The oral agreement<br />
reached by the negotiators headed off a strike<br />
scheduled by projectionists in 120 RKO,<br />
Loew's, Paramount, Warner, and Broadway<br />
theatres for March 7. The booth men had<br />
previously rejected a contract submitted by<br />
management because it failed to include theatres<br />
leased and operated by circuits. They<br />
also found fault with provisions covering<br />
substitutes and vacations.<br />
The new contract provides for a 15 per cent<br />
wage increase retroactive to Sept. 1, 1947.<br />
The old contract expired August 31. The new<br />
pact will run until Aug. 31, 1949.<br />
Operators in neighborhood theatres will<br />
have their hourly base pay increased from<br />
$2.72 to $3.13. Broadway projectionists will<br />
be raised from $4.30 to $4.94 per horn-.<br />
The closed shop wiU continue. The negotiators<br />
agreed that the Taft-Hartly ban against<br />
closed shops does not apply to Local 306<br />
because it is not engaged in interstate com-<br />
New York Local Forming<br />
16mm Operators' Unit<br />
NEW YORK—An effort is bemg made to<br />
unionize 16mm operators for the first time.<br />
It is being done by Local 306. Authority for<br />
he organizing was granted by the lATSE two<br />
years ago.<br />
Both Sides Are Lined Up<br />
For Lewis Bill Hearing<br />
WASHINGTON—TOA's opposition to the<br />
Lewis BiU at March 22 hearings before a<br />
house judiciary subcommittee will be presented<br />
by Ted Gamble, president, and A.<br />
Julian Brylawski, TOA legislative representative.<br />
The bill seeks to require producers<br />
to pay performing rights on Ascap<br />
music.<br />
Abram F. Myers is expected to head a<br />
group of Allied officials in favor of the bill.<br />
'Smugglers' Due at Rialto<br />
NEW YORK—"The Smugglers," J. Ai'thur<br />
Rank production being released by EL, will<br />
open at the Rialto Theatre following the<br />
current run of "Furia." The Technicolor<br />
picture stars Michael Redgrave and Joan<br />
The R. J. Reynolds Co. hit the video screen<br />
Greenwood.<br />
recently with a nightly ten-minute newsreel<br />
show, the film being made by Movietone<br />
News and released in New York. The show<br />
broke simultaneously on WPTZ 'Dawn' Showings March 19<br />
here, and<br />
the NBC outlet in New NEW YORK—Marcel Haliman's production<br />
of "Meet Me at Dawn" will be trade-<br />
York and Schenectady.<br />
Baltimore, Wilmington, Washington,<br />
Boston and Richmond<br />
shown by 20th-Fox in all U.S. branches<br />
are .scheduled to pick<br />
up the show<br />
March 19.<br />
vei-y soon . is airing a<br />
program called Children's Matinee. Running<br />
for an hour and a half, the show features<br />
Hollywood-made films—a cartoon, a serial<br />
|ST CLASS DISTRIBUTION FOE<br />
and a full-length western. Pi'ogram is scheduled<br />
Friday afternoons, from 4 till 5:30 . . .<br />
THE ENTIRE SOUTH - thru<br />
James N. Furness has been named program<br />
producer at 'WFTL-TV, local outlet belonging<br />
to the Philadelphia Inquirer.<br />
ENKINS &BOURGEOIS<br />
ASTOR PICTURES COMPANY<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
13, 1948
to Mr. and Mrs. Bert Gordon of California.<br />
Gordon is the brother of Univer.sal Director<br />
Michael Gordon, w*ose last picture was "An-<br />
Part of the Forest" . . . Sympathy to<br />
j<br />
other<br />
I<br />
I<br />
. . New<br />
. . Mark<br />
. . Gordon<br />
: March<br />
. . William<br />
. . Bud<br />
. .<br />
. .<br />
. .<br />
. . John<br />
. . WMBG<br />
. . Jimmy<br />
BALTIMORE<br />
representative, weekended in Baltimore . . .<br />
Pred Rohrs, EL manager, visited Tom Ayres<br />
in Sealord, Del.<br />
Tom Ayres, Seaford, is getting ready to<br />
open his new Sydney in Bridgeville, Del. . .<br />
.<br />
Herman Pumell, Insley cu'cuit, Salisbury, has<br />
secured the franchise for the Drink-O-Matic<br />
machines in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.<br />
He is givii:ig a tradeshow at the<br />
Emerson hotel here next Fi-iday and Saturday,<br />
and all exhibitors have been invited.<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Sapperstein were hosts<br />
Albert Fine, associate member of the Variety<br />
Club, on the death of his wife this week.<br />
Irvin Bender became a grandfather again<br />
this week .<br />
Mills, general manager<br />
of the Myers circuit, was pinch-hitting as<br />
J<br />
cashier at Variety Club.<br />
manager, is<br />
doubling.<br />
I. iVIakover of the New Albert Theatre is<br />
working on campaign for "Carnegie Hall" .<br />
B. Schick is the new manager of the Laffmovie,<br />
replacing Sam Shouben, resigned .<br />
Loew's Centui-y held a contest in conjunction<br />
with WCAO giving a six-month course<br />
in piano playing at the Peabody Conservatory<br />
offered by Jose Iturbi, star of MGM's<br />
"Three Daring Daughters" .<br />
Zell,<br />
Harlem Theatre manager, was called for jury<br />
duty . student assistant at the Parkway<br />
Theatre is John Stokes.<br />
Early Solution Seen<br />
On Czech Release<br />
NEW YORK- A solution lu the stalemate<br />
on renewal o? the Motion Picture Export<br />
Ass'n distribution deal with the Czech Film<br />
Monopoly for 1948-49 is expected in a few<br />
declared.<br />
BUFFALO<br />
pire caused $750 damage to Basil's Victoria<br />
Theatre, smoke having been detected<br />
about 4:30 a. m. by thi-ee policemen as they<br />
passed on their way to work. One called<br />
firemen: the others gained entrance with a<br />
passkey and used two fire extinguishers until<br />
firemen arrived. The blaze, confined to<br />
the balcony, burned 17 seats. The theatre<br />
operated the next day as usual. A defective<br />
ai.sle light was blamed for the fire.<br />
Charles X. Bordenaro, 75, president of<br />
Bordenaro Bros. Co., theatre firm which a<br />
month ago won $85,500 damages in an antitrust<br />
suit against three motion picture companies,<br />
died last week. The firm operates<br />
the Palace Theatre, Olean.<br />
Dick Carroll, former office manager, is<br />
now booker for Paramount. Dick Etkin,<br />
former office manager, has gone into business<br />
for himself McMahon, assistant<br />
booker, is moving his wife and year-old<br />
.<br />
daughter here from New Haven. A big opening<br />
is set for "Saigon" at Rochester Century<br />
Bill Saxton, Loew's city manager, has been<br />
appointed a co-chairman of the Advertising<br />
club's annual Maypole dance . . . Charles Raymond,<br />
assistant to Carter Barron, Loew's<br />
division manager, has been ill two weeks .<br />
Theatre, now under Paramount control.<br />
The Centui-y Theatre has replaced usherettes<br />
with ushers for the evening hours . . . Brock<br />
Whitlock, publicist for Loew's in Washington,<br />
has resigned and Jack Fox. Columbia<br />
David Rosengarten Dead<br />
MIAMI BEACH—David Rosengarten, 65.<br />
former chairman of the New York Film Board<br />
of Trade, died here March 5 following a heart<br />
attack. He had been connected with the old<br />
Fox Film Corp. and MGM as exchange manager.<br />
His wife Anna, two sons. Alfred and<br />
Leonard, and two sisters survive.<br />
BOXOFHCE :<br />
13, 1948<br />
Fielding Resumes Post<br />
As N.Y. License Head<br />
NEW YORK—Benjamin Fielding has been<br />
reappointed as New York City license commissioner.<br />
He resumed his post with the license<br />
department March 12 after he resigned<br />
as welfare commissioner. He had been head<br />
the welfare department since last October<br />
of<br />
when he replaced Edward E. Rhatighan.<br />
Patrick Meehan. deputy hcense commissioner,<br />
had been acting commissioner during<br />
Fielding's absence.<br />
Incorporations<br />
ALBANY<br />
RICHMOND<br />
Ti7illiam L. Sacks, accountant for Rome circuit,<br />
died in Sinai hospital . Rose,<br />
nn automatic pojjcorn vendor has been Installed<br />
in the lobby of the State by<br />
UA. will go to Florida for two weeks of sunbathing<br />
Silver, UA district man-<br />
Berlo. The Berlo organization will Install<br />
.<br />
soft drink machines in all local houses of<br />
ager, and Jerry Price, local manager, were<br />
the Neighborhood circuit shortly . . . George<br />
in Norfolk looking over the territory . . . Jack<br />
days. Louis<br />
Est ridge. Kay Films, also was<br />
Kanturek. association supervisor<br />
Crozier, Brookland projectionist, and Sam<br />
in Norfolk.<br />
in eastern<br />
Pulliam,<br />
Europe, declared Wednesday<br />
manager at the Grand, will be<br />
HO).<br />
Jack Lcvine, Irvington Theatre, will leave Kanturek made this statement at a luncheon neighbors soon when they both move Into<br />
for Florida on the 16th . . . Izzy Rappaport, in his honor at the Harvard club. International<br />
heads and company executives at-<br />
new homes in the Maymont .section of town.<br />
Hippodrome, Town and Little, returned from<br />
David Kamsky, advertising manager for<br />
a Florida sojourn . . . The Barry Goldmans tended.<br />
the Neighborhood circuit, is vacationing at<br />
will celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary Kanturek arrived from Prague several days<br />
home. Many odd Jobs around the house will<br />
Monday (15) . . . Aurora Tlieatre's new ago for conferences with Irving Maas, MPEA keep him occupied ... A .series of Monday<br />
marquee is being installed by Litsinger Sign vice-president and general manager. He reviewed<br />
business conditions in Austria, Hun-<br />
midnight stage shows have been inagurated<br />
Co. . . . Howard Theatre's new marquee is<br />
at the Booker T. "Brown-Skin Models" was<br />
now in operation.<br />
gary, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Poland<br />
and Yugoslavia for the luncheon guests.<br />
the first . . . "Panic," a French-language<br />
Dick Jarrett, son of Cliff Jarrett, Equity<br />
film, opened at the National.<br />
In all countries under his supervision, with<br />
salesman, is 5 years old and is the youngest<br />
the exception of Yugoslavia where the MPEA Joe Eagan of the Fabian circuit home office<br />
was in town on a routine trip . . . "Gentle-<br />
member of the student council at Montebello has not yet started to operate, attendance at<br />
school, representing the kindergarten. He American films has reached a new high, he man's Agreement" was previewed at the<br />
celebrated his birthday March 7 . . . Mr. and<br />
Byrd before and invited audience composed<br />
Mrs. Curtis Hildebrand, Eagle Lion Vii-ginia<br />
of local ministers, judges, educators, stu-<br />
Animex, Inc.; To produce and release motion<br />
pictures: incorporators. Pieter J. Looiman.<br />
Frank Macellino and Henry Werker.<br />
National Cine Equipment: To manufacture<br />
and deal in motion picture equipment:<br />
incorporators. Abraham Goldstein, Abraham<br />
H. Goldblatt and Beatrice Kirschner.<br />
dents and civic leaders. The picture will<br />
open its regular run later in the month at<br />
the Byrd and State.<br />
Lillian Ballenger, widow of the late W. F.<br />
Ballenger, for many years at the Grand,<br />
is now in Philadelphia operating her own<br />
children's dress shop.<br />
A reel of film and a damaged portion of<br />
a projection machine were the only casualties<br />
in a booth fire at the Maggie Walker Theatre<br />
here. More than 300 patrons filed out<br />
of the theatre as employes quickly extinguished<br />
the flames .<br />
Heslep.<br />
senior at the University of Richmond and<br />
relief manager for several of the local Neighborhood<br />
circuit theatres, was the subject of<br />
a feature article on the Friday youth page of<br />
the Richmond News Leader. The interesting<br />
article told how Jimmy combined his job<br />
and school work together so that neither<br />
suffered from inattention.<br />
Judith Jeffries, Jerri Jedd. Marion Wilson,<br />
Shirley Nye and Virginia Mattis, all Barter<br />
Theatre players, modeled for a local department<br />
store last week during its weekly fashion<br />
show . is conducting auditions to<br />
find three suitable representatives to represent<br />
Richmond on the Phillip Morris<br />
Horace Heidt program to be broadcast from<br />
Loew's stage the evening of March 21.<br />
The Broadway open-air theatres opened<br />
. . .<br />
for the season March 11 "American<br />
Serenade," with the Morton Gould orchestra<br />
and soloists Wilbur Evans and Mimi BenzeU,<br />
appeared at the Mosque March 9. Lily Pons<br />
whose concert was canceled in January will<br />
sing at the Mosque March 18.<br />
ROADSHOW PROJECTION<br />
THE HARVEY WILLIAM CO.<br />
"Voice of Theatre Speakers"<br />
JOE HORNSTEIN has them!]
. . The<br />
. . Fred<br />
. . The<br />
. . . Joanne<br />
Congratulations<br />
. . Local<br />
. . Herman<br />
: March<br />
WASHINGTON<br />
Wariety Club news: Carter Banon held a<br />
luncheon in the Variety Club last week<br />
for sportswriters and radio announcers, as<br />
a gesture of thanks on the part of the Variety<br />
Club for their assistance in publicizing<br />
Variety's welfare ventures during the past<br />
year . Variety clubrooms now boast<br />
a new piano, which should make dancing at<br />
the club on Saturday nights, an even greater<br />
pleasure . . . New members of Tent No. 11<br />
are Ernest L. Schier, drama editor, Washington<br />
Times-Herald: James W. Cummings<br />
jr., assistant director photography. National<br />
Archives; Richard P. McCann, general manager,<br />
Washington Redskins: Harry Shapiro,<br />
actively associated with theatrical and motion<br />
picture ventures, and owner of Maison's<br />
millinery: also the following new associate<br />
members elected by the board of governors:<br />
Jack J. Blank, president of the Aixade-<br />
Pontiac Co. .<br />
Schneider and Morton<br />
Gerber, of the Variety Club building committee<br />
met on March 5 with Chief Barker Frank<br />
Boucher and Milford Schwartz, associate<br />
counsel for the Tent, to discuss improvements<br />
for the club . . . Hardie Meakin, director of<br />
public relations called a meeting of his committee<br />
on March 8 . ladies committee<br />
called off its scheduled March 17 luncheon<br />
because of the St. Patrick's night party.<br />
. . . Jonas<br />
excellent stage show . .<br />
Warner Theatres: R. W. Knepton, field<br />
supervisor from the home office, is auditing<br />
. . the Washington zone office Deepest<br />
.<br />
sympathy is extended to Katherine McGlynn<br />
of the booking department in the recent<br />
death of her brother, Edward<br />
Bernheimer, Warner Bldg. superintendent,<br />
has returned from a two weeks' vacation in<br />
Miami and Havana. He drove with brother<br />
Louis Bernheimer and Fi-ank Storty, both<br />
theatremen. In Havana, they attended a<br />
performance at the new Warner Theatre<br />
and were much impressed with the building<br />
and the performance, which included an<br />
Doreen Millett has<br />
.<br />
taken over her new duties as secretary to<br />
Frank LaFalce, director of advertising and<br />
Planning a Drive-In?<br />
Use the<br />
MOONLIGHT<br />
MOVIES<br />
SYSTEM<br />
We furnish your construction plans with<br />
licensure under Patent App. 7179.<br />
Write or Wire<br />
MOONLIGHT MOVIES SYSTEM<br />
842 Bussey St.<br />
San Bernardino,<br />
Cclil.<br />
publicity. Mrs. Millett arrived in this country<br />
last February on the Queen Mary. She was<br />
formerly personal secretary to the midland<br />
area supervisor of Associated British Cinemas,<br />
Ltd., a position she held from 1943 to 1948.<br />
Helen Palty, former secretary to Frank La-<br />
Falce, will soon become Mrs. Joseph Reino<br />
Cobb, contact department, escaped<br />
without serious injury in a motorcycle accident<br />
. . . Doris MuUneaux, advertising and<br />
publicity, combined her birthday with a<br />
celebration of her fifth wedding anniversary<br />
I fifth month, that is) ... Lyle Selby tells<br />
anyone who will listen in the advertising<br />
and publicity department about his plans for<br />
bass fishing next simimer in his new 15-foot<br />
boat, soon to be launched in Lake Triadelphia,<br />
near his Maryland farm.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
Buck Stover, Alexandria Amusement Co.<br />
was certainly genuinely surprised when his<br />
charming wife "thi-ew" a surprise birthday<br />
party for him last week. Many happy returns<br />
to a nice guy Posey,<br />
Alexandria Amusement Co. was married on<br />
Highway Express Lines are<br />
March 6 . . .<br />
now serving the Mayfair Theatre, Colonial<br />
Beach, Va.<br />
advantage<br />
. .<br />
of<br />
375<br />
the<br />
persons<br />
TB<br />
on<br />
chest<br />
Filmrow<br />
X-ray<br />
took<br />
mobile<br />
unit which was set up on the first floor of the<br />
Warner Pictures building on Wednesday<br />
afternoon . F-13 sponsored the movement<br />
and made arrangements for the setup<br />
.. to Sidney Bowden,<br />
Wilder Theatres, who recently became<br />
engaged to Miss Frances Murrell<br />
Rickards. The wedding is planned for sometime<br />
in April ... On the sick list at 20th-<br />
Pox were Fred Klein and Dick Norris with<br />
a good portion of the office working and<br />
fighting heavy colds.<br />
Maida Penwell is the new bookkeeper at<br />
Theatre Consultants, Inc. . . . Earle Horn<br />
came in town to book his State Theatre,<br />
Radford, Va. . . . Brock Whitlock has resigned<br />
as head of publicity for Loew's theatres in<br />
Washington to operate his own theatre in<br />
North Carolina. Jack Foxe, in addition to<br />
his regular assignment as manager of the<br />
Columbia Theatre, will handle the publicity<br />
reins for the time being.<br />
Protestant Group to Aid<br />
Good Films; Ignore Bad<br />
NEW YORK—Good films will<br />
be publicized<br />
and bad films ignored under a policy decided<br />
upon by the Pi-otestant Motion Picture<br />
Council. This is to be done because condemnation<br />
of bad films usually results in increased<br />
business for them, according to Mrs.<br />
Jesse Bader, council president.<br />
Universal Heads in Paris<br />
NEW YORK—Universal's top executives,<br />
who went to London some weeks ago to discuss<br />
a distribution deal with J. Arthur Rank,<br />
went to Paris from London to attend a sales<br />
meeting. They are due back in New York<br />
about March 20. They will return by ship.<br />
In the party are J. Cheever Cowdin, chairman<br />
of the board; Nate Blimiberg, president;<br />
Joseph Seidelman, head of foreign distribution,<br />
and Charles D. Prutzman, vice-president<br />
and general counsel.<br />
Makers of 'Fantasia'<br />
Target of Lawsuit<br />
PHILADELPHIA—A suit was filed in District<br />
of Columbia federal court demanding<br />
all the profits earned by the film "Fantasia."<br />
The suit was brought against Leopold Stokowski,<br />
former conductor of the Philadelphia<br />
orchestra, and Walt Disney, co-producers of<br />
the film, and RKO, which distributed it.<br />
Plaintiffs are Stetson Kieferle, a Lewistown,<br />
Pa., music teacher, and his wife, who claim<br />
that they originated the system of wedding<br />
music and color with sound, a theoi-y on which<br />
the film was based.<br />
Kieferle contends that prior to October<br />
1937, he and his wife created and reduced to<br />
WTiting a system of musical dynamics involving<br />
the use of color to accentuate and interpret<br />
the sound volume. Kieferle said that<br />
in December 1937 he submitted the idea to<br />
Stokowski, asking the conductor to pass<br />
judgment on the new concept's artistic worth.<br />
The idea, he said, was embodied in "Fantasia"<br />
without his consent. No set sum is named in<br />
the suit, just "all the profits the picture has<br />
earned."<br />
At the time the film was made, Stokowski<br />
was conducting the orchestra here, and the<br />
orchestra supplied all the music for the film.<br />
ROCHESTER<br />
Theatre operators and members of the<br />
Stagehands union conducted vigorous<br />
opposition to proposed state legislation that<br />
would require theatres to pay a tee for the<br />
assignment of firemen to every motion picture<br />
performance.<br />
Typical of the busy life of a theatre manager<br />
is the case of Fi-ancis Anderson, RKO<br />
manager for the city. Anderson is hoping<br />
that some day he will see the end of "Black<br />
Narcissus," which played a week at the<br />
RKO Palace and three days at the RKO<br />
Temple. He was especially interested in the<br />
film because of the memories evoked by^<br />
scenes of the mountainous country around<br />
Darjeeling, India, where he was stationed<br />
during the war. He saw most of the picture<br />
several times, but every time the climax<br />
approached he was called to his office or<br />
some appointment.<br />
Chairman of Rochester's cuirent drive for<br />
the American Red Cross is Edward Peckl<br />
Curtis, Eastman Kodak's motion picture<br />
sales manager.<br />
Brandt to Head Campaign<br />
NEW YORK—Harry Brandt has been<br />
named chairman of public relations and special<br />
events for the New York campaign ol<br />
the American Overseas Aid and United Nations<br />
Appeal for Children. Spyros P. Skouras<br />
is national chairman. A children's parade<br />
planned for April 12, and a show in Madisor<br />
Square Garden May 15.<br />
NEW MIRROPHONIC SOUND<br />
JOE HORNSTEIN, Inc.<br />
630 Ninlh Ave., New York City<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
13, 1941
1<br />
N.<br />
: March<br />
. . Gordon<br />
. . Tony<br />
. . Fabian's<br />
. . Harold<br />
)aign'<br />
Early Drive-In Debut<br />
At No. Philadelphia<br />
ALBANY—The Fabian-Hellman drive-in<br />
at North Philadelphia will open for the<br />
Easter season March 27, while the Saratoga<br />
drive-in at Lathams will begin operations<br />
April 3 and the Nohawk, on the Albany-<br />
Saratoga road, will start about April 10. The<br />
Ti-i-City drive-in, near Binghamton, will tee<br />
off April 3, according to Leo Rosen, assistant<br />
general manager.<br />
'Expendable' Rusty Ryan<br />
Gets $3,000 From WB<br />
BOSTON—Damages of $3,000 were awarded<br />
to Cmdr. Robert B. Kelly by Judge Charles<br />
E. Wyzanski jr. in a $500,000 libel suit against<br />
Loews, Inc.. producers of "They Were Expendable."<br />
Kelly alleged he was held up to<br />
ridicule and his reputation was injured among<br />
his fellow officers by the portrayal given of<br />
him as Rusty Ryan in the pictm'e. He is now<br />
an instructor at Annapolis naval academy.<br />
Judge Wyzanski ruled that while the portrayal<br />
given Kelly did not injure his reputation<br />
among the general public, it did hurt<br />
him in his standing among naval officers and<br />
caused him mental distress.<br />
"Viewed from the professional aspect," the<br />
Judge w-rote, "Rusty Ryan may be a hard<br />
fighter of noble character but he does not<br />
measure up to the "regulation" model of a<br />
good officer. Since the only elements of<br />
damage proved related to (1) loss of reputation<br />
among naval officers who attended showings<br />
of the film and (2) mental disturbance,<br />
the recovery cannot be of large proportions."<br />
Tent 9 Publicizes Story<br />
On Variety Boys Work<br />
ALBANY—A 40x60 attractively painted<br />
easel sign in the lobby of the Grand suggests<br />
that patrons read the February 28 issue<br />
of Collier's magazine "to learn what a<br />
Variety Club means to the community."<br />
The sign bears three cutouts from a Collier's<br />
article. "Boys at Work." written by<br />
Herman B. Deutsch and Paul Short. Milton<br />
Shosberg, local Tent 9 member, manages<br />
the Grand. Similar signs have been<br />
prepared for other theatres.<br />
Chief Barker Harry Lamont mailed all<br />
members copies of the magazine containing<br />
the article with a letter.<br />
Special Capital Showing<br />
Of Italian-Made Film<br />
WASHINGTON—The National Friendship<br />
Train committee will act as host to a specially<br />
invited audience on Saturday evening,<br />
March 20, at 8:30 p. m., for a permlere showing<br />
of the film, "Thanks America." produced<br />
by the Italian people as a token of<br />
their appreciation for the gifts of food carried<br />
to them by the Friendship Tiain. The<br />
performance, lasting an hour and a half, will<br />
be given at the Warner Theatre.<br />
Tony Boscardine Opens<br />
House in Dover Plains<br />
CANAAN, CONN.—Tony Boscardine. operator<br />
of the Colonial. Canaan, Conn., began<br />
interstate operations when he opened<br />
his 725-seat Dover Theatre, Dover Plains,<br />
Y., March 3.<br />
BOXOFHCE :<br />
13. 1948<br />
ALBANY<br />
rjddie Susse, office manager for Metro here<br />
four and a half-years, has been promoted<br />
to salesman in the Buffalo territory. He<br />
was to be feted by the MOM staff at a dinner<br />
in Jack's restaurant Friday and to leave<br />
for his new post Saturday. Susse served as<br />
booker for MGM in the New York exchange<br />
for a decade before his transfer to Albany.<br />
Branch Manager Jack Goldberg said Bennett<br />
Goldstein, head booker, will double as<br />
office manager.<br />
Sylvan Leff, operator of the Highland in<br />
Utica announced on a visit to this city Monday<br />
that he was now selling Realart reissues<br />
on the side. He is covering the Buffalo and<br />
Albany territories. Leff worked as salesman<br />
for Universal for some years before resigning<br />
in 1946 to become an exhibitor . . . Sam<br />
Rosenblatt, operator of theatres in Watervliet<br />
and Lake George, and George Thornton,<br />
owner of the Orpheum in Saugerties, made<br />
their first visits to Filmrow since returning<br />
from Florida vacations . . . Neil Hellman<br />
left to inspect the out-of-town Fabian-Hellman<br />
drive-ins.<br />
Johnny Gotuso, who underwent a delicate<br />
brain operation in Albany hospital last summer,<br />
now does some ticket selling in the<br />
afternoon at Fabian's Palace and also does<br />
some typing. He formerly served as assistant<br />
manager and treasurer. Gotuso has made a<br />
game recovery, one which all the film boys<br />
hope will end in complete success. Si Fabian<br />
paid all his hospital bills, in addition to his<br />
weekly salary during the long siege.<br />
in White Plains. He is a member of a<br />
wealthy Albany family and practices law in<br />
New York City.<br />
Harry Alexander, Eagle Lion branch manager,<br />
passed a weekend in his home town,<br />
Boston . Bugle, Eagle Lion salesman,<br />
saw Siena college defeat Rensselaer<br />
poly in the Siena's final basketball game of<br />
the season before a record-breaking crowd of<br />
6,000 in the State armory . Lattaznio,<br />
usher at the Madison, is leader of the Albany<br />
high school band and Tyler Halse, another<br />
usher, manages the school's basketball team.<br />
A 16-day strike at Schine's Ten Eyck hotel<br />
and a 12-day walkout at the De Witt Clinton<br />
hotel ended in a compromise settlement.<br />
This was said to be the first labor dispute<br />
the Schines had in 28 years. Both hotels<br />
operated during the strike, although their<br />
restaurants and bars were closed . . . Weekend<br />
business has been holding up, but some<br />
exhibitors and theatre managers believe the<br />
Holy week slump has already begun to manifest<br />
itself.<br />
The Rivoli in Schenectady, presented a<br />
"premiere showing" of J. Arthur Rank's<br />
"Hungry Hill." Admission was 65 cents for<br />
adults and 25 cents for children. The newspaper<br />
advertising which Jules Perlmutter<br />
ran for this and other first run British pictures<br />
caused favorable comment. Perlmutter<br />
makes effective use of white space in much<br />
of<br />
his copy.<br />
Floyd Fitzsimmons, Metro explolteer,<br />
journeyed to Gloversville to confer with Seymour<br />
Morris, Schine director of exploitation<br />
and publicity, on promotions for "Three Daring<br />
Daughters" in Amsterdam and Watertown.<br />
He also went to Glens Falls to talk<br />
with Charley Daniels, manager of the Paramount,<br />
on "If Winter Comes."<br />
"I Walk Alone," at the Strand, had local<br />
flavor through the appearances of Kirk<br />
Douglas and Mike Mazurki in important roles.<br />
Douglas spent five days here in January<br />
with him family. Mazurki is a former Cohoes<br />
wrestler. The Knickerbocker News ran a<br />
picture of Douglas' family watching a preview<br />
. Strand in Schenectady<br />
followed last week's Monday PolLsh bill with<br />
a Monday Italian show this week. Features<br />
were "Carnavele de Venezia" and "Regina<br />
Delia Scala."<br />
Ray Smith of Warners hopped to the<br />
Schine offices in Gloversville for talks with<br />
Louis W. Schine, George Lynch, Bill Kraemer<br />
and Lou Goldstein. Ray reports that<br />
"The Voice of the Turtle" is pressing "I.Iy<br />
Wild Irish Rose" for boxoffice hon'jrs in the<br />
situations already played . Carlock,<br />
RKO .salesman, fought off a bad cold.<br />
The engagement of Beverly Jane Delaney<br />
John Delehanty. assistant manager of the<br />
Johnny Rubach, United Artists, was scheduled<br />
make the north country to<br />
Colonial, has been announced. Miss Delaney<br />
to a trip to . . .<br />
Dave Willig. of the Auto-Vision, East Greenbish,<br />
is an employe of the state motor vehicle<br />
ankled the exchanges in .search of prod-<br />
bureau . Jack Holt, who with Jack Olshansky<br />
uct for the new season. It was reported he<br />
plamied an early May opening<br />
operated the Colonial for a time, is reuct<br />
ported to have opened a slenderizing salon<br />
manager for John Francisco of the Fonda<br />
Town Hall, also was around.<br />
Gulistan Wilton Theatre Carpet<br />
JOE HORNSTEIN has it I<br />
STEWART R. MARTIN— I'reasurer<br />
and General Manager, Embassy<br />
Newsreel Theatres, New York City,<br />
and Newark, N. J.—says:<br />
"Good sound is as important as<br />
a good news shot. We use RCA<br />
Service to keep our sound<br />
operating at peak efficiency."<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
—write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Camden, New Jersey.
-<br />
: March<br />
Technicolor 1947 Net<br />
Triples '46 Profit<br />
NEW YORK—Technicolor. Inc., reported a<br />
net profit of $1,422,752 for 1947. This is an<br />
increase of $986,584 over the net profit of<br />
$436,168 reported for 1946. The 1947 net profit<br />
is equal to $1.55 per sihare, compared to 48<br />
cents per share paid on common stock for<br />
1946.<br />
Dividends on capital stock for 1947 amoimted<br />
to $1 a share, compared to 50 cents a<br />
share in 1946. The 1947 net profit totaled<br />
$3,492,049 before deductions for taxes and<br />
other obligations.<br />
Herbert T. Kalmus, president and general<br />
manager of the company, reported that the<br />
output of 35mm Technicolor release prints<br />
for 1947 almost doubled over the output for<br />
the previous year. In 1947, 222,017,439 feet<br />
were manufactured, compared to 165,027,297<br />
the year before. Color commitments for 1948<br />
will keep the plants operating at capacity.<br />
A total of 30 Technicolor featm-es were<br />
processed by the company in the U.S. in 1947.<br />
The financial report lists 48 now in work or<br />
under contract for this year. Prints for six<br />
features were turned out by the company's<br />
British affiliate. Technicolor, Ltd., during<br />
1947, and nine have been scheduled so far<br />
for 1948.<br />
Technicolor net sales for 1947 totaled $17,-<br />
407,957, compared to $13,057,510 in 1946. The<br />
company assets as of last December 31 were<br />
$9,123,002. Liabilities as of that date were<br />
$4,024,646.<br />
Earnings of Eastman Kodak<br />
Show 17% Gain in<br />
NEW '47<br />
YORK—Ea.stman Kodak Co. reported<br />
1947 consolidated net earnings of $43,199,254,<br />
compared with $35,691,318 for 1946. This is a<br />
rise of $7,507,936. Perley S. Wilcox, chairman,<br />
and Thomas J. Hargrave, president, declared<br />
in an annual report to .stockholders that EK<br />
production, sales and earnings in 1947 were<br />
"at higher levels than ever before."<br />
The 1947 net is equal to $3.46 a share on<br />
common stock, compared with $2.85 in 1946.<br />
Total sales increa.sed $77,047,650, with $351,-<br />
751,098 reported for 1947 and $274,703,448<br />
reported for 1946.<br />
Cash and securities of the company have<br />
been reduced by $44,440,380 since the start of<br />
1946, the report said. It pointed out that a<br />
large amount of cash resources was used to<br />
finance increased inventories and to make<br />
additions and improvements to plants and<br />
equipment. The cost of additions and improvements<br />
amounted to $38,971,233 during<br />
1947 and $44,581,688 during 1946.<br />
Columbia's 26-Week Net<br />
Is 54% Below Last Year<br />
NEW YORK—Columbia Pictm-es Corp. reported<br />
a net profit of $725,000 for the 26<br />
weeks ended Dec. 27, 1947. This is $835,000<br />
under the net profit of $1,560,000 for the second<br />
half of 1946.<br />
The earnings for the last 26 weeks of 1947<br />
are equal to 90 cents a share on 638,352 shares<br />
of common stock outstanding, compared with<br />
$2.20 a share on 622,782 outstanding shares<br />
the last half of the preceding year.<br />
Operating profit for the 26 weeks ended<br />
Dec. 27, 1947, was $1,175,000, compared with<br />
$2,480,000 for the corresponding period in<br />
1946.<br />
The annual meeting of Columbia stockholders<br />
has been postponed from March 9 to April<br />
9 at the home office.<br />
Soviet Council Pamphlets<br />
Attack 'Iron Curtain'<br />
NEW YORK—Approximately 500,000 pamphlets<br />
attacking Darryl F. Zanuck's "The<br />
Iron Curtain." were distributed during the<br />
week by the National Council of American<br />
Soviet Friendship to unions, church groups<br />
and clubs.<br />
The pamphlet asks filmgoers to urge theatre<br />
managers not to show the film. It also<br />
carries an open letter to Spyros Skouras,<br />
20th-Fox president, asking him to "exercise<br />
your good judgment and power to stopping<br />
the release of this destructive, immoral film."<br />
Previously the council had protested release<br />
of the film to Skouras and Eric Johnston,<br />
MPAA president.<br />
Loew's Not to Increase<br />
Newspaper Ad Space<br />
SPRINGFIELD. MASS.—Ernest Emerling.<br />
advertising director of Loew's Theatres, cautioned<br />
that the circuit has no plans to increase<br />
its newspaper advertising budget over<br />
the 1947 level in an address before the New<br />
England Newspaper Advertising Executives<br />
Ass'n, Tuesday (9). Ad men from New York<br />
state dailies also were present.<br />
"It just isn't in the cards. We hope to<br />
spend as much in 1948 in newspaper advertising<br />
as we did in 1947, despite the economies<br />
forced upon us by the British ad<br />
valorem tax, rising labor and production costs<br />
and new taxes imposed by some states and<br />
municipalities," he declared. Emerling warned<br />
that while theatres spent money freely on<br />
newspaper ads during the war years, they<br />
are no longer an easy touch. He said that<br />
any move to raise local amusement ad rates<br />
without allowing for agency conmiission<br />
would result in less space, because "budgets<br />
cannot be hiked in a falling boxoffice market."<br />
Emerling also asked that newspapers consider<br />
film theatres as legitimate retail outlets<br />
and offer theatres local retail advertising<br />
rates for comparable space. He pointed<br />
out that theatres are about 90 per cent<br />
dependent on newspapers to sell films, and<br />
spend a larger percentage of their gross than<br />
any other retail advertiser.<br />
Emerling reported that 12 major film companies<br />
spent $13,000,000 on newspaper, radio<br />
and magazine advertising during 1946. Newspapers<br />
received $7,150,000; magazines received<br />
$4,000,000: radio received $1,836,000. During<br />
1946 Loew's Theatres spent an additional<br />
$2,750,000 on local new.spaper advertising.<br />
New Book on Film Probe<br />
NEW YORK—Boni & Gaer, Inc.,<br />
publishers,<br />
will put out a new book, "Hollywood on<br />
Trial," by Gordon Kahn, April 12, tl;g. day<br />
the first trial of one of the ten Hollywood<br />
figures cited for contempt of Congress is<br />
scheduled to open. The book contains a<br />
forward by Thomas Mann, novelist. Mann<br />
compares the contempt charge trials with<br />
the Nazi domination of Germany. The book<br />
contends the Hollywood film probe was suppression<br />
of freedom of expression.<br />
Turkey Seeks Release Deal<br />
NEW YORK—The Turkish film industry<br />
is seeking foreign release for a new feature.<br />
"You Cannot Destroy My Home." The picture<br />
features Galip Arcan and Oya Sensev.<br />
TBA Wants Time Cut<br />
For Tele Stations<br />
WASHINGTON—The Television Broadcasters<br />
Ass'n has asked the FCC to reduce<br />
the amount of time television stations shall<br />
be on the air during the developmental<br />
stages of their programming. At present<br />
the requirement is 28 hours per week.<br />
The TBA would Uke to have the requirement<br />
not less than two hours in any five<br />
broadcast days; not less than 12 hours per<br />
week during the first 18 months, and not<br />
less than 16 hours, 20 hours and 24 hours,<br />
respectively, for each succeeding six months<br />
thereafter.<br />
Outside of New York, Philadelphia, Washington,<br />
Chicago and Los Angeles talent is<br />
scarce, the TBA points out, and it will be<br />
necessary for many stations to build up a<br />
library of film subjects.<br />
Televisers May Make Films<br />
NEW YORK—The television industry will<br />
make its own films if Hollywood doesn't<br />
supply satisfactory pictiu-es for television<br />
broadcasting, according to Frank Mullen,<br />
executive vice-president of NBC. Mullen recently<br />
returned from Hollywood. He re-,<br />
ported most major studios are very much'<br />
interested in television and consider it a<br />
good advertising medium.<br />
Concerning the problem of television com<br />
petition for theatre attendance, Mullen said<br />
television stations will show mostly shorts<br />
instead of features and will not interfere<br />
with theatre business. He predicted a Pacific<br />
Coast network will be in operation ir<br />
18 months. Mullen believes coast-to-coasi<br />
television will come in 1950.<br />
NBC to Have 31 Affiliates<br />
On Air by End of Year<br />
NEW YORK—A total of 31 NBC television<br />
station affiliates will start broadcastg<br />
before the end of the year, Frank E<br />
Mullen, NBC executive vice-president, declared.<br />
Representatives of all the station!<br />
H3t<br />
met here Friday (March 12) to discuss plam<br />
for program exchange and operation of thej'^"<br />
stations.<br />
"^"'*<br />
To date NBC has nine affiliated station.'<br />
on the air. They are: WNBT, New York<br />
nd WNBW. Washington, both operated<br />
NBC; WPTZ, Philadelphia: WRGB, Schenecdy:<br />
WW J, Detroit: KSD, St. Louis; WTMJ.<br />
Milwaukee: WLWT. Cincinnati; WBAL ,,<br />
more. The Baltimore station went oi<br />
f/^'<br />
the air Thursday.<br />
,,<br />
TO<br />
No Republic Booking Agen;<br />
In Florida: Grainger<br />
NEW YORK—James R. Grainger. Republi<br />
executive vice-president in charge of distri<br />
bution, denied that the the company has an<br />
representative in Florida engaged in bookin<br />
personal appearances of Republic stars in<br />
statement issued during the week.<br />
The denial was issued as a result of a:<br />
inquii-y by Windell C. Yomit, president c<br />
the chamber of conmierce of Titusville, Fla<br />
which mentioned bookings of the Sons of th<br />
Pioneers singing group which appears in Ro;<br />
Rogers Tnicolor films.<br />
58 BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
13, 19'<br />
Ml<br />
SLL
: March<br />
I<br />
Cd!<br />
HOLLYWOOD<br />
PRODUCTION<br />
Hollywood Office-Suite 219 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd.: Ivan Spear. Western Manager;<br />
CEINTER<br />
Correspondents Pick<br />
Hollywood's 'Bests'<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Members of the Hollywood<br />
Foreign Correspondents Ass'n climbed aboard<br />
the season's award-giving bandwagon when<br />
they handed out "Golden Globes" to industry<br />
members for outstanding film achievements<br />
during 1947. The kudos were distributed<br />
at a banquet attended by more than 300.<br />
with Walter Pidgeon as emcee and Maureen<br />
O'Hara as hostess.<br />
Garnering most of the plaudits was 20th<br />
Century-Fox's "Gentleman's Agreement," for<br />
which Darryl P. Zanuck received the "best<br />
pictm-e" nod: its pilot. Elia Kazan, was voted<br />
best director: Dean Stockwell. of the cast,<br />
was hailed the top juvenile actor: and Celeste<br />
Holm, who had a featured role, won the<br />
"best supporting actress" citation.<br />
Other winners:<br />
Best actress. Rosalind Russell, for "Mournii^<br />
Becomes Electra": best actor, Ronald<br />
Colman. for "A Double Life": best supporting<br />
actor, Edmund Gwenn. for "Miracle on<br />
34th Street," and George Seaton, best screen<br />
story, same picture: best feminine newcomer.<br />
Lois Maxwell. "That Hagen Girl": best<br />
male newcomer. Richard Widmark. "Kiss of<br />
Death": best musical score. Max Steiner.<br />
"Life With Father"; best photography. Jack<br />
Cardiff, "Black Narcissus."<br />
Display Magnetic Tape<br />
HOLL"YWOOD—A demonstration of magnetic<br />
tape recording for radio and film work<br />
and a screening of a cartoon printed in the<br />
new Polacolor process highlighted a program<br />
of the Pacific coast section of the Society of<br />
Motion Picture Engineers, held at Enterprise<br />
studios. The tape recording demonstration<br />
comprised a comparison test between that<br />
system and a direct pickup. The editing and<br />
splicing technique was also shown.<br />
McDowall-Parsons Deal<br />
HOLL"YTVOOD—A new actor-associate producer<br />
contract has been set for Roddy Mc-<br />
Dowall with Producer Lindsley Parsons, film<br />
maker releasing through Monogram and Allied<br />
Artists. The first picture for McDowall<br />
under the new deal will be "Typee," by Herman<br />
Melville.<br />
Mono to Make 'Passport'<br />
HOLL"irwOOD—"Passport to Freedom"<br />
has been added to the Monogram schedule as<br />
a dramatic musical, to be produced and directed<br />
by Will Jason, with Maurice Duke as<br />
his associate. Sam Mintz is writing the<br />
script as a starring vehicle for Freddie Stewart<br />
and Phil Brito.<br />
BOXOFnCE :<br />
13, 1948<br />
Jean Hersholt Declines<br />
Another Academy Term<br />
HOLLYWOOD— Jean Hersholt will not be<br />
a candidate for re-election as president of the<br />
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences<br />
when he completes his second term in office<br />
late next month. Hersholt said the pressure<br />
of other business, including his work with the<br />
Motion Picture Relief Fund, Inc.. an airshow<br />
and other matters, precludes consideration of<br />
the Academy post. He will remain as a<br />
member of the board of governors for the<br />
ensuing year, however.<br />
Meantime plans for staging the Academy's<br />
annual Oscar glamorfest at the Shrine auditorium<br />
March 20 were proceeding on schedule,<br />
with Delmer Daves. Warner writer-director,<br />
in charge of producing the show. His<br />
aides include Margaret Herrick, Academy secretary:<br />
Fred Richards, Leo Forbstein, Ray<br />
Heindorf, Robert Haas and C. Kenneth De-<br />
Land.<br />
Hersholt will take off for New York shortly<br />
after the awards ceremonies, en route to Europe<br />
for an extended vacation. He will return<br />
to the coast in August.<br />
Z^cecutlae<br />
West: Paul Raibourn. Paramount vice-president,<br />
came in from New York, accompanied<br />
by home office advertising and publicity<br />
executives and staff members, to confer with<br />
studio officials on campaigns for forthcoming<br />
releases. In the party were Stanley Shuford,<br />
advertising manager: Ben Washer, publicity<br />
manager: Sid Mesibov, assistant exploitation<br />
chief; Rudy Montgelas, Paramount<br />
account executive for the Buchanan agency,<br />
and others.<br />
East: Chester Erskine. Universal-International<br />
producer-writer, headed for Manhattan<br />
to discuss prerelease campaigns for "All My<br />
Sons," which opens at the Criterion in New<br />
York Easter Saturday.<br />
West: Jack Votion, former production representative<br />
for RKO Radio in London, checked<br />
in for a three-month stay, to set up details<br />
for a project to turn out a series of adventure<br />
pictures in England.<br />
East: Manny Reiner, Latin American sales<br />
chief for SRO, left for New York for business<br />
huddles after a short stay in Hollywood,<br />
during which he conferred with Neil Agnew,<br />
SRO president, currently here going over<br />
final plans for the company's new home office<br />
headquarters, to be located in Beverly<br />
Postpone U.S. Action<br />
Against Technicolor<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Because the government<br />
has not yet secured all the depositions needed<br />
to complete its case. Federal Judge William<br />
C. Mathes has agreed to postpone until May<br />
10 a pretrial hearing in the antitrust action<br />
filed by the U.S. against Technicolor. Inc.,<br />
charging that firm with conspiracy to violate<br />
the Sherman antitrust laws. The hearing had<br />
originally been slated for the latter part of<br />
March in U.S. district court here. The government's<br />
antitrust division seeks an injunction<br />
restraining Technicolor from alleged<br />
monopolistic practices in the color-processing<br />
field.<br />
The charges were denied by Dr. Herbert<br />
T. Kalmus. Technicolor president, in a recent<br />
statement declaring his firm "welcomes<br />
competition" in the field as a means of stimulating<br />
more widespread interest in and use<br />
of<br />
color in motion pictures.<br />
^^u24Jiel^/U,<br />
Hills. Reiner came in by clipper from Honolulu<br />
for his talks with Agnew.<br />
North: James R. Grainger, Republic sales<br />
chief, checked out for San Francisco, from<br />
whence he will continue on to Chicago and<br />
New York, after a ten-day local stay during<br />
which he conferred with Herbert J.<br />
Yates, company topper.<br />
South: N. Peter Rath von, RKO Radio<br />
president, left for Mexico City on a business<br />
junket in cormection with the company's<br />
Chiu-ubusco studios there, expecting to be<br />
gone about a week.<br />
West: Paul Lazarus jr.. publicity-advertising<br />
director for United Artists, arrived from<br />
Gotham for a week of conferences with local<br />
UA executives and members of its production<br />
family.<br />
East: Hal Wallis, sharecropping producer<br />
releasing through Paramount, took off for<br />
New York for two weeks of conferences with<br />
Joseph Hazen, president of his company,<br />
concerning future production plans.<br />
East: Sam Israel, Eagle-Lion publicity director,<br />
headed for New York for business<br />
huddles, accompanied by Jerry Pickman of<br />
the company's eastern office. Israel expected<br />
to return to the coast within a week.
-<br />
starring<br />
. upcoming<br />
which<br />
: March<br />
STUDIO PERSONNELITIES<br />
Barnstormers<br />
Eagle Lion<br />
Western singing star EDDIE DEAN was inked to a<br />
contract as grand marshal for the annual Journal<br />
'uniors celebration in Portland. Ore., staltmg May<br />
22. While in the northern state, dates have been<br />
set for Dean to do a three-week swing around a<br />
circuit of smaller theatres, doing personals.<br />
Universal-International<br />
Blurbers<br />
Warners<br />
MILT MARKER, former International News Service<br />
bureau manager in Los Angeles, has joined Alex<br />
Evelove's studio publicity staff.<br />
Briefies<br />
Paramount<br />
"Big Sister Blues," fifth in the current series of<br />
'echnicolor Musical Parade featurettes, went before<br />
he cameras with Alvin Gonzer meggmg from a<br />
cript by lack Roberts. Virginia Maxey, night club<br />
Universal-International<br />
The Red Ingle<br />
Cleffers<br />
Metro<br />
ROBERT FRANKLYN was signed to orchestrate two<br />
Passing Parade short subjects, "Souvenir of Death,"<br />
and "The Fabulous Fraud." John Nesbitt wrote and<br />
narrated the briefies.<br />
for "Mr. Blandings Buildi<br />
the<br />
Warners<br />
set by Michael O<br />
RAY HEINDORF<br />
nger-dir<br />
Technicolor musical.<br />
Composer DAVID BUTTOLPH has begun scoring<br />
"John Loves Mary," filmization of No<br />
-<br />
-<br />
Broc<br />
Can<br />
SAMMY CAHN and JULIE STYNE checked in<br />
begin writing the songs for "The Gay Nineties<br />
Alex Gottlieb's production<br />
WILLIAM LAVA was signed to prepare the origin<br />
score for "The Big Punch," toplming Wayne Morri<br />
Lois Maxwell and Gordon MacRae, with Sher<br />
Shourds directing.<br />
Loanouts<br />
Eaglele Lion<br />
Producer Edward Small has borrowed GORDON<br />
DOUGLAS from Columbia to direct his forthcoming<br />
production, "G-Men vs. Scotland Yard,"<br />
Enterprise<br />
LILLI PALMER has been borrowed from Milton<br />
Sperling's United States Pictures to star with Dana<br />
Andrews in "No Minor Vices," a modern. New York<br />
social comedy. Lewis Milestone is producing and<br />
directing from an origincfl screenplay by Arnold<br />
Manoff,<br />
Meggers<br />
Metro<br />
RICHARD THORPE drew the directorial post<br />
on "Sun in the Morning," which will star Lassie<br />
and Claude Jarman Robert produce<br />
Sisk jr. will<br />
from an original story by Marjone Kinnan Rowlings.<br />
ANDRE PREVIN will do the musical score.<br />
20th Century-Fox<br />
Reliance Pictures inked JEAN YARBROUGH to direct<br />
"The Creeper," which Bernard Small and Ben<br />
Pivot are producing.<br />
Options<br />
Columbia<br />
•Ten-yec(r-old blues singer TONI HARPER makes<br />
her film debut in "Sweetheart of the Blues." The<br />
comedy lead in Sam Katzman's production was set<br />
for ALICE TYRRELL. The leading male comedy spot<br />
was drawn by BENNY BAKER. Gloria Jean and<br />
Ross Ford have the romantic leads.<br />
The femsie lead iri "T^XQ'S Sandman" was awarded<br />
to GLORIA HENRY She will appear with the<br />
in Ihe Hoosier Hot Shots action musical which Hay<br />
Nazarro is directing for Producer Colbert Clark.<br />
JANE NIGH drew the leading feminine role in<br />
"Winner Take Nothing." VIRGINIA GREY and<br />
BLAKE EDWARDS received important casting as-<br />
Eagle Lion<br />
Producer Walter Wanger set SUSAN HAYWA"P<br />
to star in "Anne of the Indies," a Technicolor film<br />
ctbout an I8th century femme pirate.<br />
KATHLEEN OMALLEY checked in to join the<br />
"Let's Live a Little" company, which stars Hedy<br />
Lamarr and Robert Cummings tor United California<br />
Productions.<br />
RICHARD DENNING was signed for the star role<br />
and TOM DUGAN and HARLAN WARDE were named<br />
for support in John Sutherland Productions' "Lady<br />
at Midnight." Sherman Scott is the director.<br />
Metro<br />
EDMUND BREON is a cast addition to "Julia Misbehaves,"<br />
the Greer Garson comedy<br />
Monogram<br />
SCOTTY BECKETT drew the title role in "Michael<br />
O'Halloran," which Producers Frank Mellord and<br />
Julian Lesser are filming under their Windsor Pro-<br />
An additional casting assignment for Jeffrey Bernerd's<br />
"Stage Struck" went to EVELYN BRENT.<br />
Paramount<br />
ILKA CHASE, stage and screen actress and authoress,<br />
was booked for a character lead in "The<br />
"<br />
Totlock Millions, Wanda Hendrix, John<br />
Lund and Barry Fitzgerald. The Richard Mmboum<br />
production will be piloted by Richard Haydn. Into<br />
the cast goes ROBERT STACK<br />
in Cast the Hal Wallis opus, "Sorry, Wrong<br />
Number," was CLIFF CLARK, veteran character<br />
CAROLE MATHEWS drew a top supporting spot<br />
in "The Great Gatsby," and HENRY HULL was<br />
signed for an important role in this produchon<br />
starring Alan Ladd, Betty Field, Macdonald Corey<br />
and Ruth Hussey Elliott Nugent directs with Richard<br />
Maibaum as producer<br />
RKO Radio<br />
BETSY DRAKE, discovered by screen scouts when<br />
in she appeared on the London stage "Deep Are<br />
the Roots," was inked to a long-term contract,<br />
20th Century-Fox<br />
SI WILLS makes his first screen appearance m<br />
seven years in Frank Seltzer's "The Gay Intruders."<br />
Ray McCarey is the director. Inked for roles in this<br />
first film to satirize Hollywood's conception of<br />
psychiatry, were JOHN EMERY, TAMARA GEVA,<br />
HUGH FRENCH and ROY ROBERTS.<br />
JULIUS TANNEN was booked for a role in Preston<br />
Sturges' "Unfaithfully Yours," the Rex Harrison-<br />
Gene Tierney starrer.<br />
Universal-International<br />
JEFFREY LYNN is slated to co-stoT with Deanna<br />
Durbin and Don Taylor in "Washington Girl." Robert<br />
Arthur's production which Frederick De Cordova<br />
IS directing.<br />
HARRY SHANNON. EDDIE COBB, FRED KOHLER<br />
JR. and HOWLAND CHAMBERLAIN checked in for<br />
roles in the Donald O'Connor-Marjorie Main starrer,<br />
"The Wonderful Race at Rimrock."<br />
Additional supporting role assignments for "The<br />
Saxon Charm" went to ADDISON RICHARDS and<br />
JOHN BARAGREY. Signed for a top role in Joseph<br />
Sistrom's production which toplines Robert Montgomery<br />
and Susan Hayward, was the character<br />
actor, HENRY MORGAN—not the radio comedian.<br />
New York stage and radio actor PETER CAPELL<br />
was inked to play a top role in "Rogues' Regiment,"<br />
story of the present day French Foreign Legion,<br />
which stars Dick Powell, Marta Toren and Vincent<br />
Price. This production starts late this month with<br />
Robert Florey directing for Producer Robert Buckner.<br />
"^<br />
Warners<br />
Co-starring with Viveca Lindfors in "Be Nice to<br />
Emily" will be RONALD REAGAN.<br />
BRODERICK CRAWFORD was ticketed for a<br />
leading role in "A Kiss in the Dark." Harry Kurrutz<br />
will produce from his own screenplay. Replacing<br />
Joan Crawford in the starring spot opposite David<br />
Niven is JANE "WYMAN. Delmer Daves will direct<br />
the comedy by Everett Freeman.<br />
TOM WILSON, LESTER DCRR, TOMMY WIGHT,<br />
ROD RODGERS and FREDERICK BEREST were added<br />
to the "Sunburst" cast. Directed by Felix Jacoves,<br />
the film stars Dane Clark and Geraldine Brooks.<br />
Inked for feature roles in "One Sunday Afternoon"<br />
were RAY THOMAS, MARY FIELDS, WILLIAM<br />
MURPHY. PAT FLAHERTY and RALPH DUNN.<br />
Scripters<br />
Columbia<br />
Walla<br />
production about the U.S. naval academy, is being<br />
scripted by HOWARD J. GREEN.<br />
MAURICE TOMBRAGEL is developing his original,<br />
"Boston Blackie's Honor," as next in the series<br />
starring Chester Morris, to be produced by Rudolph<br />
Flothow.<br />
BARRY SHIPMAN will develop his original story,<br />
"Smoky Mountain Moon," as on action musical on<br />
Producer Colbert Clark's slate.<br />
Paramount<br />
The option of writer ARTHUR SHEEKMAN<br />
Republic<br />
JOHN K. BUTLER will write the screenplay from<br />
his own original story, "The Castaways," yarn<br />
about sponge fishermen in Key West and Tarpon,<br />
Florida. Sidney Picker will produce.<br />
LILI HAYWARD was ticketed to work on On original<br />
for Producer-Director Joe Kane titled "Powder<br />
River," to star William Elliott.<br />
20th Century-Fox<br />
FRANK DAVIS was inked to a writer's ticket with<br />
the first assignment slated to be on untitled original.<br />
Universal-International<br />
DANE LUSSIER was signed by John Beck of Westwood<br />
Productions to do the script polishing stint<br />
with Director Andrew Stone on "The Countess of<br />
"<br />
Monte Cristo, will star Sonja Heme.<br />
Warners<br />
LESLIE BUSH-FEKETE checked in to work on the<br />
screenplay of his own original, "Until Proven<br />
Guilty," slated as a Joan Crawford starrer on Jerry<br />
Wald's production schedule.<br />
Story Buys<br />
Eagle Lion<br />
by<br />
Kathe<br />
Six-Shooter Junction," an oil field yarn<br />
e Phillips, was set by Producer Robert<br />
s next film under the Equity Pictures<br />
Independent<br />
Tim Whelan of Picture Plays, Ltd<br />
,<br />
an-<br />
? purchase of screen rights to Alfred<br />
novel, "The Devil Goes to Santa Bar-<br />
nklin folli ing ublK<br />
Metro<br />
Remembra<br />
3m Revolt<br />
"<br />
Rock, historical<br />
lary days to the<br />
uction by Sidney<br />
the book next<br />
20th Century-Fox<br />
"Mother Is a Freshman," by Rafael David Blau,<br />
has been acquired for production by Walter Morosco.<br />
Richard Sale and Mary Loos are writing the screenplay,<br />
which tells of a young mother who enrolls<br />
as a freshman in the same college where her dough-<br />
United Artists<br />
; concluded negotiations with Mrs.<br />
Carl Fisher fc the purchase of the biography of<br />
her husband, The Fdbutous Hoosier." To be<br />
filmed under t ? title of "The Miami Beach Story,"<br />
career of the late developer<br />
of the Indianapolis Speedway and Miami Beach.<br />
Warners<br />
"Be Nice to Emily," a romantic comedy by Matt<br />
Taylor, was acquired as a' starring subject for Viveca<br />
Lindfors. Lester Fuller is scripting tor production<br />
by Alex Gottlieb. The yarn concerns a Swiss girl<br />
who shelters three U.S. fliers during World War II<br />
and comes to visit them in this country after the<br />
Technically<br />
Eagle Lion<br />
ERNEST LASZLC replaced Stanlev Cortez as cameraman<br />
on United California Productions' "Lets Live<br />
a Little."<br />
Crew assignments for John Sutheiland Productions'<br />
"Lady at Midnight" went to MARTY COHNE,<br />
film editor, and JACK GREENHALGH, cameraman.<br />
FRANCIS D, LYON will edit Arthur Lyons' production<br />
of the Thomas B, CoBtain best-seller, "The<br />
Monogram<br />
Producer-Director Roy Del Ruth signed PHILIP<br />
TANNURA as director of photography for "The Babe<br />
Ruth Story."<br />
Paramount<br />
Costumes for "The Tatlock Millions" are being<br />
designed by EDITH HEAD<br />
RONNIE LUBIN will serve as dialog director for<br />
"The Tatlock Millions."<br />
RKO Radio<br />
Republic<br />
Signed to a new one-year lensing<br />
REGGIE LANNING.<br />
20th Century-Fox<br />
THOMAS MCULTON was reoptioned for another<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
13, 1948
f- l^."*<br />
: March<br />
head ol the sound depart-<br />
United Artists<br />
ot Double post art director and production designer<br />
was handed to NICHOLAI REMISOFF by Enterprise<br />
lor the Dana Andrews starrer. "No Minor<br />
Vices," which Lewis Milestone will produce and<br />
direct.<br />
Technical crew appointed lor James Nasser Productions'<br />
"An Innocent Allair" includes CLARtlNL<br />
EURIST, assistant director; EDWARD CRONJAGER<br />
head cameraman, JACK MAPES, set decorator: and<br />
FRED BERGER. Iilm editor.<br />
Universal-International<br />
Producer Robert Arthur signed NICK CASTLE as<br />
dance director lor "Washington GirL" WILLIAM<br />
DANIELS drew the photography stint<br />
Checking in lor the lilm editor post on "The<br />
Wonderlul Race at Rimrock" was EDWARD CUR-<br />
Wamers<br />
. Crew assignments tor "A Kiss in the Dark" went<br />
to ROBERT BURKES, director of pholographv; ERit^<br />
STACEY, unit manager, STANLEY FLEISCHER, art<br />
director, and DAVID WEISBART, lilm editor. STAN-<br />
LEY FLEISCHER was assigned to the art directorship<br />
and ANTON F. GROT won the same post on<br />
Your;<br />
CARL GUTHRIE<br />
^EILLY<br />
edit<br />
Title Changes<br />
Columbia<br />
"Rusty Takes a Walk" is now called RUSTY<br />
LEADS THE WAY.<br />
Metro<br />
e Eurt<br />
Lagctt Wechsler, will<br />
SUN IN THE MORNING is the new tag lor '<br />
ior Jock."<br />
Republic<br />
The release title of "Alcatraz Prison Train"<br />
TRAIN TO ALCATRAZ.<br />
United Artists<br />
FOUR FACES WEST is the new tog tc<br />
"<br />
Sherman's "They Passed This Way, made<br />
Universal-International<br />
FEUDIN', FUSSIN' AND A-FIGHTIN' was<br />
the new name lor 'The Wonderlul Race at R<br />
Warners<br />
SMART GIRLS DON'T TALK is the new<br />
"Dames Don't Talk."<br />
Chester J. Bell, Manager<br />
For Paramount, Dies<br />
DEN'VER— Chester J. Bell. 54. manager of<br />
the Paramount, exchange here since 1936.<br />
died in Burbank, Calif.,<br />
^^^^^' ^ ^°"^ illness. He<br />
R- ^ .^^^^^L. .^MK^.<br />
had been on leave since<br />
October when he was<br />
operated on and in<br />
November went to<br />
Califoniia to visit<br />
. .<br />
^^^^<br />
relatives.<br />
Bom in Dunkirk,<br />
Ind., Bell attended<br />
Valparaiso university<br />
and the University of<br />
',f<br />
^HH Washington. A veteran<br />
of World War I, he<br />
Chester Bell worked for Prestolite<br />
as a salesman before joining Paramount in<br />
1922 as a salesman.<br />
He was a salesman in Detroit, later in<br />
Chicago, and returned to Detroit as sales<br />
manager, was then moved to Salt Lake City<br />
as manager, and was promoted to the Denver<br />
exchange in 1936.<br />
He is survived by his wife Lida Mae; his<br />
parents. Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Bell, Los Angeles,<br />
and a sister, Mrs. Rhea Ketchiun, New York.<br />
The funeral was in North Hollywood, and<br />
be in Louisville. Ky.<br />
burial will<br />
HETHER those who produce motion<br />
pictures or those who exhibit them<br />
know best what the public desires in<br />
the way of screen entertainment has always<br />
been, and probably always will be, one of<br />
filmdom's most provocative issues.<br />
The magi of production are prone to sit in<br />
their ivory towers quoting from laudatory<br />
critiques to justify the continued making of<br />
certain types of pictures, the pursuance of<br />
antiquated cycles, in the face of advices from<br />
their respective distribution departments that<br />
such offerings are encounteri:ig exhibitor resistance<br />
and public indifference. During lush<br />
times, when virtually any picture is dependable<br />
to record favorable grosses—on paper,<br />
at least—the Hollywood mighty glibly cite<br />
stratospheric figures,<br />
as well as rave reviews,<br />
to uphold their arbitrary and often too-costly<br />
sallies into artistry.<br />
Certainly it is unnecessary to record that<br />
such lush days are over, a fact which is<br />
forcefully being brought to Cinemania's attention<br />
by curtailed production activities,<br />
executive salary cuts and widespread unemployment<br />
among film workers.<br />
America's showmen, especially those who<br />
remain alert to changes in the public's film<br />
tastes and do their best with available product<br />
to cater thereto, realized many months<br />
ahead of filmmakers that the golden era had<br />
come to an end, that, for the time being at<br />
least, ticket-buyers are shopping for screen<br />
fare and giving their patronage only to the<br />
type of pictures their current appetites find<br />
acceptable.<br />
One such discerning theatreman is Harold<br />
J. Fitzgerald, president of the Pox "Wisconsin<br />
Amusement Co., a National Tlieatres subsidiary.<br />
Recently, while in Hollywood to attend<br />
a series of NT executive huddles, Fitzgerald<br />
revealed to this department some very illuminating<br />
facts and figures from a survey which<br />
he had conducted as to what classifications<br />
of films are asserting the widest appeal<br />
among the movie fans in the sizable territory<br />
covered by the large circuit which he heads.<br />
The Fox "Wisconsin topper explained that<br />
the poll pointed up his belief that, among<br />
other factors, the element of timing enters<br />
into the boxoffice success or failure of any<br />
given feature. In the war years, for example,<br />
Fitzgerald learned that certain types of films<br />
were in vogue: now, in the unstable postwar<br />
era, he finds that the American public—or,<br />
at any rate, that portion of it which patronizes<br />
the showcases in the chain which he<br />
heads— is considerably more interested in its<br />
own problems, rather than the problems of<br />
others.<br />
"The vast majority of motion picture audiences,"<br />
Fitzgerald set forth, "look for a<br />
Open First Drive-In Using<br />
Moonlight Movies System<br />
RIALTO. CALIF.—A new motif in drive-in<br />
theatre design was made public when W. A.<br />
Tharp. former Indiana exhibitor, opened his<br />
Foothill Drive-In here March 6. The theatre<br />
counterpart of themselves, or .someone they<br />
know, in a picture . . . whether the theme is<br />
romantic or .something else."<br />
In other words, so-called "escapist" entertainment<br />
is in demand, to the detriment of<br />
features dealing with controversial subjects<br />
or preachment, "arty" themes and features<br />
appealing primarily to the intelligentsia.<br />
Fitzgerald's<br />
survey embraced the boxoffice<br />
results as tabulated on 90 recent top releases,<br />
which were divided into 14 type classifications.<br />
U.sing 100 per cent as a base index,<br />
his findings worked out like<br />
of<br />
their popularity and revenue:<br />
this, in the order<br />
Musical comedies, 135 per cent; general<br />
musicals, 121; general comedies, 117; westerns,<br />
101; psychopathic drama. 97; adventure,<br />
96; general dramas, 94; gang.ster-detective,<br />
94; farce comedies, 91; musical-concert-dramas,<br />
90; 81; mysteries, light dramas,<br />
80; sophisticated comedies, 62; and concertmusicals,<br />
50.<br />
Fitzgerald's exhibition domain covers a<br />
typical and sizable slice of America. It seems<br />
reasonable to assume that showmen in other<br />
parts of the nation are having similar experiences,<br />
although they may not take the<br />
time to reduce their observations to statistics<br />
and analyses.<br />
Wheher or not such observations will have<br />
effect on future production schedules is, however,<br />
a question that time alone can answer.<br />
Anyone guided by past performances, remembering<br />
Hollywood's characteristic ostrich-like<br />
attitude toward exhibitor opinion,<br />
might risk a few bob on a negative answer.<br />
Further evidence that current production<br />
plans are all wet may be found in the fact<br />
that Universal-International is making "Mr.<br />
Peabody and the Mermaid," Warner has "The<br />
Octopus and Miss Smith" and Monogram is<br />
doing "Sixteen Fathoms Deep."<br />
TITLE TINKERS CORNER<br />
Harry Sherman's latest for Enterprise,<br />
which began its life as "They Passed This<br />
Way" and with considerable fanfare was<br />
changed to "New Mexico," then back to "They<br />
Passed This Way," now bobs up as "Four<br />
Faces West." At least it stays in character<br />
geographically.<br />
Making a bid for the rubber marquee championship<br />
is Abbott and Costello's current<br />
effort for Universal-International. Laimched<br />
as "The Brain of Frankenstein." it has been<br />
renamed "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein."<br />
Still to get billing in the title—but<br />
nonetheless hopeful—are the Wolf Man and<br />
Dracula, who will aid the Frankenstein monster—<br />
and A. & C—in contributing horror.<br />
has a 670-car capacity and is the fii-st installation<br />
to feature the Moonlight Movies system<br />
for the parking of cars. Tharp, who conceived<br />
the new system, has applied for a<br />
patent and has established headquarters in<br />
San Bernardino to lease the device to interested<br />
showmen. His general agent is Perry<br />
Rfttcliff.<br />
I,*<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
13, 1948<br />
61
: March<br />
^ondavt ^eftont<br />
TOURING THE COURSE of the negotiations<br />
over the ad valorem duty Tom O'Brien,<br />
the Labor leader, entered the picture with a<br />
reasoned appeal both to Ernest Bevin and<br />
to Eric Johnston. By the time this column<br />
is read the whole question should have been<br />
settled for good, one way or another, but<br />
O'Brien's letters should go on record to<br />
prove that some labor leaders can think of<br />
subjects other than wage increases. His letter<br />
to Bevin says:<br />
"It would be calamitous for the British<br />
film industry were the tax talks to fail. The<br />
last hope will be gone. If the British film<br />
industry were in a position to provide us<br />
with anything like the number of films that<br />
we previously relied on from America, the<br />
situation would not be so serious.<br />
"On the contrary, our own film industry<br />
was never at such a low ebb, and it will take<br />
years to provide even half the pictures that<br />
used to come from Hollywood and to keep<br />
our cinemas open. Dismissal of all classes of<br />
film studio employes continues and very<br />
soon the dismissals will spread to the cinemas<br />
that will be forced to close down if the deadlock<br />
persists."<br />
To Eric Johnston, Tom O'Brien wrote in<br />
similar strain. After telling him of the letter<br />
addressed to Bevin, the second letter<br />
continued:<br />
"Today, on behalf of over 100,000 men and<br />
women employed in British cinemas, distributing<br />
establishments and film studios, I<br />
appeal to you to do all you can to reach<br />
a settlement with our government. I know<br />
that you are a friend of Britain and that<br />
you are fully aware of our economic position<br />
and of our dollar problem. Both the British<br />
and American film industries will sustain<br />
a blow from which it will take years to recover<br />
if negotiations this week fail."<br />
Tom O'Brien is one trade union leader who<br />
is never afraid to do battle for his members.<br />
In common with the financiers of the industry<br />
Labor recognizes that a continuance<br />
of the ad valorem duty must mean the end<br />
of the British film industry.<br />
THE QUESTION of British film finance<br />
and the extravagant sums expended on pictures<br />
that are doomed from the start to<br />
lose money has been raised again this week.<br />
The chief fighter for the low-budget feature,<br />
Lou Jackson of British National, has<br />
decided that he will not make any more<br />
films for some months, but will rent his<br />
studio to Mauj'ice Ostrer who will make two<br />
features<br />
there.<br />
For some weeks past, Wardour Street has<br />
been buzzing with rumors that Lou Jackson<br />
has quarreled with his backer. Lady Yule,<br />
and that his resignation from the post of<br />
executive producer is due at any moment.<br />
Lou denies this strongly, but states that the<br />
cost of production has increased so enormously<br />
that they must call a halt to decide<br />
what their future policy is to be.<br />
By JOHN SUIUVAN<br />
Until recently British National films were<br />
distributed by the Anglo-American FUm Co.,<br />
but this latter firm was wound up when<br />
Jackson signed a contract to produce 30<br />
films over the next five years for distribution<br />
by the ABPC-Pathe combine. The top<br />
budget on any British National picture is<br />
reported to be a maximum of $400,000 with<br />
most of them coming in at nearer $250,000.<br />
Now Lou Jackson is complaining that even<br />
with his extremely efficient staff rising production<br />
costs mean that he cannot show a<br />
profit.<br />
If Jackson does leave British National it<br />
is safe to say that his policy will be tontinued<br />
there as Maurice Ostrer is tipped to succeed<br />
him at the Elstree studio and his views on<br />
production costs are similar to those of National's<br />
present chief.<br />
SIR ALEXANDER KORDA broke into<br />
news on his return to<br />
the<br />
England from the U.S.<br />
It was revealed that Sir Alex had brought<br />
back with him a check for $1,500,000 from<br />
20th-Fox as an advance payment on three of<br />
his productions which the latter company is<br />
distributing in America.<br />
The newspapers here have been criticizing<br />
the British film producers for the comparatively<br />
small dollar returns on their films<br />
and the news of this large sum being paid<br />
down on three features was given a big play<br />
in the daily press. According to a statement<br />
put out by the Korda office this is the largest<br />
single payment ever received by a British<br />
film company. The money already has been<br />
paid into the treasury and presumably came<br />
at an opportune time as the British store of<br />
dollars is at an all-time low.<br />
THE FIRST MAURICE OSTRER production<br />
to be shown to the public .since he left<br />
Gainsborough was unveiled last week when<br />
it opened at the Warner Theatre, Leicester<br />
Square.<br />
Ostrer himself, with R. J. Minney as producer<br />
and Leslie Arliss as director, was<br />
responsible for the phenomenally successful<br />
"The Wicked Lady" which holds the all-time<br />
boxoffice record for a British production and<br />
it is obvious that when the same team<br />
started on their latest picture, "Idol of Paris,"<br />
they were determined to work to the same<br />
formula and to aim unashamedly at commercial<br />
success, forgetting entirely the<br />
artistic aspects of film production. Perhaps<br />
because of that "Idol of Paris" is not only<br />
slipshod, but its chances of commercial success<br />
are extremely limited.<br />
"The Wicked Lady" had a plot worthy of<br />
a dime novel as has its successor, but the<br />
difference was that the former picture was<br />
at least made sincerely and that the producer<br />
and director believed in what they were<br />
making. "Idol of Paris" is made so obviously<br />
to appeal to the lowest intelligences, is so<br />
badly written and so over-acted that it is<br />
unlikely to appeal even to the public for<br />
which it is made. Any author who writes<br />
for the pulp mazagines will affirm that<br />
stories for this market must be written with<br />
sincerity. "Idol of Paris" is made for this<br />
class, but is made so obviously tongue-incheek<br />
that it is unlikely to bring in more<br />
than a moderate gross.<br />
The plot allegedly tells the story of the<br />
rise of Paiva, the queen of courtesans at the<br />
court of Napoleon III and the crowning improbability<br />
that one is expected to swallow<br />
is that a woman could assume this position<br />
and retain her virtue. As Paiva, the idol of<br />
Paris, Beryl Baxter is hopelessly inadequate.<br />
This young lady is one of Maurice Ostrer's<br />
discoveries and while she may, with considerable<br />
grooming, become a competent ingenue<br />
it is impossible to consider her seriously as<br />
a reigning beauty. As her rival for the favors<br />
of Napoleon, Christine Norden is better cast.<br />
Her study of a vicious, scheming woman is<br />
much more believable and she is considerably<br />
better photographed than in her last<br />
film.<br />
"Idol of Paris" may do business in this<br />
country, but its appeal in the United States<br />
is<br />
negligible.<br />
ANOTHER NEW FILM tradeshown this<br />
week which will open shortly is the longawaited<br />
"So Evil My Love," which Hal Wallis<br />
made at Denham for Paramount release.<br />
Ray Milland and Ann Todd star in this<br />
adaption of a Joseph Shearing story with<br />
Geraldine Fitzgerald in support. It is a slick,<br />
technically excellent job which is a tribute<br />
to the Anglo-American team which produced<br />
it. The story of illicit love told by the film<br />
will have a very strong appeal to the feminine<br />
trade and Ray Milland's name above the<br />
title will insure a big return both in England<br />
and overseas Good as his work is,<br />
however, there is little doubt that "So Evil<br />
My Love" is Ann Todd's picture and after her<br />
Hollywood film "The Paradine Case" with<br />
Gregory Peck this one should make her a<br />
big marquee name in the U.S.<br />
ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR radio<br />
serials in this country is known as "Dick<br />
Barton—Special Agent" and literally millions<br />
of children and adults listen to this each<br />
night. Now young James Carreras of Exclusive<br />
Films is cashing in on this radio public<br />
with a film version of a Dick Barton<br />
story under the same title. This is the first<br />
of a series of these films and there is no<br />
doubt that they will gross many times their<br />
small budget. In fact, one circuit booking<br />
already in hand for this first one covers the<br />
budget adequately.<br />
NAVED Will Hold Western<br />
Meeting March 25-26<br />
SAN FRANCISCO—The National Ass'n of<br />
Visual Education Dealers will hold its 1948<br />
western regional meeting at the Hotel Clift<br />
March 25. 26. The highlight of the first day's<br />
session will be an address on fair trade practices<br />
in the 16mm industry by Don White,<br />
executive secretary of NAVED. and an open<br />
forum debate on profits and sales of 16mm<br />
film and equipment.<br />
A second open forum discussion will be<br />
held the following day on expansion of present<br />
film and equipment markets.<br />
Fox Intermountain Cuts<br />
Prices in Trinidad, Colo<br />
TRINIDAD. COLO. — Fox Intermountain<br />
Theatres reduced theatre prices at the Fox<br />
and Rialto theatres here March 1. Balcony<br />
seats at the Fox now are 25 cents until<br />
6 p. m. and 35 cents after six on Monday<br />
through Friday. At the Rialto the prices were<br />
lowered to 25 cents until 6 p. m. and 35 cents<br />
thereafter. Harold McCormick is city manager.<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
13, 1948
. . "To<br />
'<br />
Premiere of 'Rocky'<br />
In Santa Rosa 17lh<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Monog ra m's boy - a nd -dog<br />
story, "Rocky." starring Roddy McDowall. is<br />
slated for its west coast premiere March 17<br />
at the California Theatre in Santa Rosa. Mc-<br />
Dowall will make a personal appearance at<br />
the opening of the film, which was directed<br />
by Phil Karlson and produced by Lindsley<br />
Parsons.<br />
RKO Radio's "I Remember Mama," starring<br />
Irene Dunne, was given world premiere<br />
treatment March 8 at the Music Hall in New<br />
York, and the company scheduled a March<br />
16 debut at the Rivoli there for "The Miracle<br />
of the Bells," the Jesse Lasky-WaUer Mac-<br />
Ewen production. Its Rivoli opening will be<br />
followed by bookings in more than 100 cities<br />
starting Maich 27.<br />
Republic booked two new releases. "Old<br />
Los Angeles" and "The Inside Story," as a<br />
world premiere package to open at Fox West<br />
Coast's Orpheum. Belmont, El Rey, Vogue<br />
and Culver theatres here the week of April<br />
7 or 14. The dual bookings will open subsequently<br />
in San Pi-ancisco, Oakland, Long<br />
Beach and San Diego. William Elliott and<br />
John Carroll star in "Old Los Angeles" and<br />
Marsha Hunt has the topline in "The Inside<br />
Story."<br />
PHOENIX<br />
Theatres in the Salt river valley are running<br />
into plenty of opposition these days. The<br />
annual rodeo at Chandler played to about<br />
8,000 last weekend and Glendale's annual<br />
rodeo and Gila Monster derby will climax<br />
a week of festivities this weekend. The following<br />
week will bring the big rodeo in<br />
Phoenix. Mesa's Rawhide Roundup will run<br />
the first weekend in April. The Phoenix Little<br />
Theatre opened with "Tons of Money"<br />
Monday night. The play will run through<br />
the 17th. The Phoenix college a capella choir<br />
started a series of public appearances Tuesday<br />
in Litchfield, ToUeson. and Glendale.<br />
The Phoenix Symphony orchestra presented<br />
its the third concert of inaugural season<br />
Monday night in Phoenix Union high school<br />
auditorium. The First Piano quartet appeared<br />
in the same auditorium Friday night.<br />
Russell E. Hoff, young former assistant<br />
manager of the Rialto. pleaded guilty to embezzling<br />
$1,057 from the theatre February 15.<br />
He will be sentenced later by Superior Judge<br />
M. T. Phelps . the Ends of the Earth"<br />
went into an extended run this week at the<br />
Palms, neighborhood de luxer.<br />
A man walking down the street in Flagstaff<br />
with a home-type motion picture projector<br />
told police he was just walking down the<br />
street when he suddenly discovered he was<br />
carrying the projector. The machine belongs<br />
to firemen in the city hall. Edward<br />
Gontarz, 26, Easthampton, Mass., was taken<br />
into custody to try to remember how he came<br />
to have the machine in<br />
his possession.<br />
Harvey Simmons, Nace manager in Mesa,<br />
was one of the men in charge of the erection<br />
of the Jaycee ticket booth and stockade in<br />
connection with the coming Rawhide Roundup.<br />
W. H. Thedford and Paramount Mark<br />
20 Years of Entertaining Public<br />
PORTLAND—Twenty years in show business<br />
is being celebrated by William H. Thedford,<br />
district manager<br />
tor Evergreen Theatres<br />
^H A-mii7n73nT7<br />
in the Portland area.<br />
Thedford shared honors<br />
this week with the<br />
Paramount Theatre,<br />
ace motion picture<br />
house in his district<br />
which also has been in<br />
service for two decades.<br />
It is managed by<br />
Frank Pratt.<br />
As a young man<br />
Thedford left his home<br />
Frank Pratt<br />
in Puyallup, Wash.,<br />
still lives, and went to<br />
I'here his mothe<br />
Hollywood. He started in the theatre business<br />
as an usher in Henry Duffy's El Capitan<br />
Theatre, was promot'd to door man and<br />
within a short period was advanced to treasurer<br />
in charge of reserved seat sales.<br />
When the Duffy Players went out of business<br />
following the stock market crash. Thedford<br />
became associated with the Fox West<br />
Coast circuit and National Theatres, of which<br />
Evergreen is a part. Eventually Thedford<br />
was placed in charge of the Los Angeles<br />
metropolitan district with 30 downtown theatres<br />
under his direction. Later he was transferred<br />
to Portland and Evergreen Theatres.<br />
Pratt, manager of the Paramomit. arranged<br />
numerous special events for anniversary<br />
week, including Charlie White's 10,000-photo<br />
layout on motion picture histoi-y. Congratulatory<br />
telegrams were received from many<br />
stars and theatre executives.<br />
On the screen the Paramount showed a<br />
special newsreel covering the big events of
. . Mary<br />
. . Rose<br />
. . Many<br />
. . His<br />
——<br />
: March<br />
Disney Spokesman<br />
Answers Sorrell<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Although on the whole the<br />
film colony was not following the current<br />
labor probe in Washington by Rep. Carroll<br />
D. Kearns with a great deal of interest, one<br />
recent phase of the hearings drew local fne<br />
when charges made against Walt Disney<br />
studios by Herbei-t K. Sorrell, president of<br />
the Conference of Studio Unions, brought<br />
forth a categorical denial by Disney spokesmen.<br />
Sorrell, testifying as to events in the studio<br />
labor picture which led up to the present<br />
stalemated strike, had charged "torpedoes or<br />
dynamiters" had been imported in an effort<br />
to break up the walkout called against the<br />
studio in 1941, and that several houses of<br />
non-strikers had been dynamited and the<br />
blame placed on striking workers.<br />
Gimther R. Lessing, vice-president and<br />
general coimsel for Disney, branded Sorrell's<br />
charges as absolutely without any foundation;<br />
said that, except for "minor flare-ups<br />
on the picket line," the strike was very peaceful;<br />
and alleged Sorrell was endeavoring at<br />
that time to "bring about a secondary boycott<br />
of Disney films by projectionists." Lessing<br />
also declared efforts to urge Sorrell to<br />
agree to a bargaining election were fruitless<br />
and contended the CSU leader told him<br />
that "imless you make a contract with us,<br />
I'll timi this studio into a dust bowl."<br />
Ray Milland Will Attend<br />
Theatre Opening in Peru<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Guest of honor at the gala<br />
opening of the new Tacna Theatre in Lima,<br />
Peru, April 1 will be Ray Milland, Paramount<br />
star. The showcase is the first to be constructed<br />
and operated by Paramount International<br />
Theatres Corp. Milland will plane<br />
out for Peru March 27.<br />
SAN FRANCISCO<br />
John Bowles, Paramount salesman, won the<br />
' Pontiac car in the Variety Club's heart<br />
fund drive. Just prior to winning it he had<br />
pm-chased a car—a Pontiac . of the<br />
downtown theatres installed wishing wells<br />
to help raise funds for Variety.<br />
Edward C. Gates is the new exploiteer for<br />
Blumenfeld Theatres in the East Bay section.<br />
He succeeds Terry Calleri, who shifted allegiance<br />
to the Oaks baseball team . . .<br />
Ted Galanteer, MGM exploiteer, who injui'ed<br />
a foot skiing recently at Sun Valley, is working<br />
in Portland .<br />
Yerman of the<br />
Paramount exchange is a bride.<br />
George Hickey, western division sales manager<br />
for MGM, was in town .<br />
assistant,<br />
S. J. Gardner, has returned from conferences<br />
in Los Angeles . Golick of Selznick<br />
Releasing Organization is studying Russian<br />
in her spare time . . . After long and diligent<br />
effort, Lilia Goodin, secretary to Butch Wingham,<br />
MGM branch manager, found an apartment.<br />
Bill Parker, U-I manager, has taken a leave<br />
to regain his health. Abe Swerdlow is acting<br />
manager of the exchange and ha^ turned<br />
over his duties as city salesman to R. Kniifin,<br />
who was transferred from Seattle . . . The<br />
body of a newborn baby girl, wrapped in a<br />
towel belonging to a Market street hotel,<br />
was found in the women's room of the Guild<br />
Theatre.<br />
Cashing in on the "best picture" publicity<br />
engendered by the forthcoming Academy<br />
awards, San Francisco Theatres, Inc., last<br />
week offered its patrons a chance to make<br />
their own choices. Lists of the 20 films which<br />
managers believed to be outstanding were<br />
posted at the Balboa, Alexandria, Coliseum,<br />
Harding, Metro and Vogue theatres and the<br />
patrons invited to vote on which they liked<br />
best.<br />
YOU'LL GET THE BEST<br />
RESULTS WITH OUR<br />
SPECIAL<br />
TRAILERS<br />
Let Us Fill Your Next Order !<br />
FILMACK TRAILER CO.<br />
Los Angeles Office Now Open<br />
1574 W. WASHINGTON BLVD.<br />
Los Angeles Spotty;<br />
'Saigon' Best Entry<br />
LOS ANGELES—Despite an avalanche of<br />
new first run bookings, business generally<br />
was spotty and only one newcomer, "Saigon,"<br />
could equal the top takes being registered by<br />
"Call Northside 777," which snagged a 150<br />
per cent estimate in its second stanza. Place<br />
and show money, respectively, went to "Three<br />
Daring Daughters" and "Intrigue." "Mourning<br />
Becomes Electra," playing at advanced admissions,<br />
moved closer to a long run record<br />
by completing its 11th continuous week.<br />
(Average is 100)<br />
El Belmont. Culver, Rey, Orpheum, Vogue-<br />
Panhandle (Mono); Louisiana (Mono) 100<br />
Carlhay, Chinese, Loyola, Stale, Uplown-Call<br />
Northside 777 (20th-Fox); Let's Live Again<br />
(20th-rox), 2iid wk 150<br />
Guild. Culver, Ins, Ritz, Studio City, United<br />
Artists—Black Bart (U-I), 2nd wk .100<br />
Downtown. Hollywood Paramounts Saigon<br />
(Para), Mr. Reckless (Para) 150<br />
Three Daring<br />
Egyptian, Los Angeles, Vi^ilshire<br />
Daughters (MGM) 140<br />
Four S'tar—Mourning Becomes Electra (RKO),<br />
-<br />
roadshow, Uth wk -. 90<br />
125<br />
Four Music Halls—Intrigue (UA)<br />
Pcntages, Hillstreet— li You Knew (RKO);<br />
Susie<br />
Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome (RKO) .100<br />
Warners Downtown, Hollywood. Wiltern—<br />
The Voice of the Turtle (WB), 3rd wk 90<br />
"Voice of Turtle' Brightens<br />
Ordinary Week in Seattle<br />
SEATTLE — A very ordinary week was<br />
brightened by the appearance of one newcomer<br />
that opened at 135. It was "The 'Voice<br />
of the Turtle" at the Orpheum. Meanwhile,<br />
"Cass Timberlane" finished up its fifth and<br />
final week with 140 at the Music Hall.<br />
Blue Mouse—T-Men (RKO); Pacific Adventure<br />
(Col), 2nd d. t. wk 75<br />
Fifth Avenue—Call Northside 777 (20th-Fox);<br />
The Lone Woli in London (Col), 2nd wk 100<br />
Liberty-To the Ends oi the Earth (Col);<br />
Blondie's Anniversary (Col), 3rd wk 140<br />
Music Box—Secret Beyond the Door (U-I);<br />
Killer at Large (EL) 50<br />
Music Hall—Cass Timberlane (MGM), 5th wk 135<br />
Paramount—Black Bart (U I), The Upturned<br />
Glass (U-1) 70<br />
Orpheum—The Voice ol the Turtle (WB),<br />
Always Together (WB) 135<br />
Palomar—High Wall (MGM), Blackmail (Rep) 120<br />
Roosevelt-Out oi the Blue (EL);<br />
The Trespasser (Rep), 2nd d. t. wk 80<br />
Big Week for 'Northside'<br />
At San Francisco Fox<br />
SAN FRANCISCO—"Call Northside 777"<br />
created a merrv boxoffice jingle in its opening<br />
week at the Fox Theatre. Second choice of<br />
the first run theatregoers was "A Double<br />
Life." in its second week.<br />
r;quirf--The Smugglers (EL);<br />
Blonde Savage (EL) 130<br />
Fi;,- Call Northside 777 (20th-Fox);<br />
Dangerous Years (20th-Fox) 180<br />
Gr.Hf.n Gat,— If You Knew Susie (RKO), 2nd wk...l20<br />
'in;- ">,!; Black Bart (U-I), 2nd wk 125<br />
P .r.rriount--Albuquerque (Para), 2nd wk 100<br />
?! 4th Fia.'.cis-T-Men (ED) wk 100<br />
St 3le—Betrayed (Mono); Wolf Call (Mono),<br />
reissues 120<br />
United Artists—A Double Life (M-I), 2nd wk 155<br />
United Nations—Gentleman's Agreement<br />
(20th-Fox), 6th v.k 100<br />
Warlield—The Voice of the Turtle (WB);<br />
Always Together (WB), 2nd wk 120<br />
^^C E N T U R Y"<br />
THE MODERN PROJECTOR<br />
187 Golden Gate Ave.,<br />
San Francisco 2. Calif.<br />
Phone UnderhiU 7571<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
13, 1948
: March<br />
. . . The<br />
. . . "Oklahoma"<br />
running<br />
. . Edgar<br />
. . Ross<br />
Always<br />
Daylight Time Starts<br />
In California Mar. 14<br />
LOS ANGELES—Old man weather caught<br />
California exhibitors in a fast squeeze play<br />
when Gov. Earl Warren signed an emergency<br />
daylight savings bill, passed by the legislature,<br />
to become effective at 2:01 a. m. March<br />
14 and remaining in operation until Jan.<br />
16, 1949, unless conditions permit its cancellation<br />
before that time. Clocks will be<br />
advanced one hour.<br />
Although showmen in the state, as in most<br />
other areas, have been consistent foes of the<br />
daylight savings theory, a combination of<br />
circumstances compelled them to accept<br />
the emergency legislation without protest,<br />
since the state has experienced the driest<br />
winter in weather-bureau history and drouth<br />
conditions have brought a serious shortage<br />
of electrical<br />
output.<br />
Consequently, the consensus among exhibitors<br />
was that to register complaints<br />
either privately or publicly could result only<br />
in serious damage to their public relations<br />
and would incur general ill-will. At the same<br />
time they were frank to admit the extra<br />
hour of light at the end of the day probably<br />
will contribute to a general lowering of boxoffice<br />
receipts, particularly with the approach<br />
of summer, and undoubtedly will be most<br />
felt during the first few weeks of daylight<br />
savings, before potential theatre patrons<br />
have been able to adjust themselves to the<br />
new time schedule.<br />
Cooper Stops Owl Shows<br />
In Colorado Springs<br />
COLORADO SPRINGS—Public commendation<br />
was expressed recently by the cit_'<br />
manager and chief of police when the Cooper<br />
Foundation announced it would discontinue<br />
all midnight shows here. The problem of<br />
children being on the streets after late shows<br />
had come up some time ago and in order to<br />
eliminate this situation the Cooper theatres<br />
first decided not to permit juvenile attendance<br />
at midnight shows. The action eliminating<br />
the shows altogether followed a short<br />
time later. "The action was taken voluntarily<br />
by the Cooper Foundation," said Police<br />
Chief I. B. Bruce, "and this department<br />
wishes to express its appreciation of the<br />
excellent attitude shown by the local manager<br />
and other representatives of the foundation."<br />
Ivan L. Hoig is manager of the Cooper houses<br />
locally.<br />
DENVER<br />
Uelen Gilmour, daughter of Charles R. Gilmour,<br />
president of Gibraltar Enterprise<br />
Theatres, will be married April 3 to Jo.seph<br />
P. McConaty . Woolridge, Alamada,<br />
Denver, has improved his booth with new<br />
Super Simplex projectors and lamphouses.<br />
bought from National Theatre Supply.<br />
Sam Siegel, Columbia exploiteer, was here<br />
coordinating publicity for "To the Ends of the<br />
Earth ' at the Denver, Esquire.<br />
Webber . Allen. 50, owner of two<br />
theatres in Lordsburg, N. M., died there after<br />
a long illness. He is survived by his wife,<br />
Valeria, and two sons, James and Richard<br />
mother of Al Hoffman, Metro salesman,<br />
died at the age of 94 at her home in<br />
Chicago.<br />
At the halfway mark, the local RKO exchange<br />
is in fourth place in the current sales<br />
and booking drive . . . Bernie Kanze, Film<br />
Classics vice-president in charge of sales, was<br />
here for a sales meeting with Tom Bailey,<br />
special representative; Bob Herrell, office<br />
manager: Dave McElhinney, Salt Lake City<br />
branch manager, and salesman Joe Clark, Bill<br />
Williams and H. E. Brooker. Herrell goes to<br />
Salt Lake City the first weekend each month<br />
as a convenience to exhibitors there.<br />
Frank Childs, Selected Pictures president,<br />
was taken to the hospital because of accident<br />
in his home, released from there, then taken<br />
back with high temperature. He still is in<br />
the hospital . . . E. V. Maloney, Paramount<br />
branch manager, and Jack Felix, salesman,<br />
went to Nebraska on a sales trip . . . Dave<br />
Warnock has installed new booth equipment,<br />
including a pair of Motiograph AA, with installation<br />
and sale made by Ted Knox.<br />
Larry Starsmore of Westland Theatres<br />
and Kenneth MacKaig, United Artists manager,<br />
was in Lincoln and Omaha on film<br />
deals.<br />
VV. E. Galloway, United Artists district<br />
manager, was here for a sales meeting attended<br />
by Kenneth MacKaig, branch manager;<br />
George McCool, office manager, and<br />
salesmen William Sombar and Robert Riddle<br />
packed the 3,500-seat auditorium<br />
for ten shows to a record figure for<br />
any similar attraction.<br />
Out-of-towners on Filmrow: Hugh Haines,<br />
Rocky Ford; Mr. and Mrs. Leon Coulter,<br />
Loveland: Eldon Menagh, Fort Lupton; J. R.<br />
Smith, Steamboat Springs: Mr. and Mrs<br />
Fred Hall, Akron, and Larry Starsmore, Colorado<br />
Springs.<br />
Portland Week Fair;<br />
'Senator' Leading<br />
PORTLAND - Busine.s,s becan a general<br />
leveling off this week in Portland with most<br />
first T\m houses rtmning a close to average<br />
book. "The Senator Was Indiscreet" was<br />
high with 130 in its<br />
third downtown week.<br />
I<br />
Broadway Sleep, My Love (U-I); Hoppy's Holiday<br />
(UA). 2iid d wlc 85<br />
Guild—The Senator Was lodiecreel (U-I),<br />
3rd d 1 wk, IJO<br />
United Art. sis—High 80<br />
Wall (MGM), Znd d, I. wk...<br />
Mayfair The Gangster (Mono),<br />
Blonde Savage (KL) 75<br />
Orpheum and Oriental The Voice o( the Turtle<br />
(WB), Whispering City (EL). 2nd<br />
-Call Northside<br />
Riil Rafl (Col), 2nd d i wk<br />
'layhouse— Lost Weekend (Pnra), To Each<br />
Denver Showcases Do Okay<br />
Despite Snow and Slush<br />
DENVER—Considerable snow, along with<br />
a lot of slush, wa.s not conducive to the best<br />
business. Nevertheless, most of the first run<br />
theatres had a profitable week.<br />
Aladdin—Private Uie oi Henry VIII (FC). reissue 130<br />
Denhcfm Albuquerque (Para), 2nd wk.;<br />
Caged ;aged Fury (l^ara)<br />
iver and Webber— Black Bart (U-<br />
4lh d 1. wk . Together (WB) 90<br />
Orpheum—Killer McCoy (MGM); Caravan (EL) 120<br />
Paramount—My Girl Tisa (WB);<br />
Hal Roach to Reissue<br />
32 Films for Video<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Latest among the film colony's<br />
picture-makers to effect a liaison with<br />
the television industry is Hal Roach, veteran<br />
producer, who has set a deal with Regal Television<br />
Pictures Corp. of New York for the<br />
distribution in video of 32 Roach pictures,<br />
with Roach to participate in the profits. Included<br />
in the transaction are 14 features and<br />
18 "streamliners," turned out by the producer<br />
for United Artists from 1937 through 1941.<br />
110<br />
JliowmdnslTp]<br />
fMIURI<br />
'Sn^PPf- lETTERIN(i-ANIMATION-BA(J((iROUNDS<br />
mOTIDn PICTURE SERVinC<br />
Empire Theairkal Consultants<br />
Exclusive distributors for Poblocki & Sons Predesigned<br />
Theatres, Fronts. <strong>Boxoffice</strong>s, Poster<br />
Cases, etc. 323 to 689 seat houses. Immediate<br />
construction<br />
925 21sl St. TAbor 4962 Denver, Colo.<br />
CA Sovmci Systems<br />
rt Projection Equipment ^<br />
Co. Cooling Equipment I<br />
vers and Exhausters I<br />
WESTERN SERVICE & SUPPLY. INC.<br />
COMPIETEIY NEW<br />
AND MODERN<br />
_<br />
-i^<br />
Ne» Stylwg, Nen ComfoTi and Durabilily<br />
NOW<br />
SHOWING<br />
HEYWOOD-WAKEFIELD THEATRE CHAIRS<br />
=_=__=——.- Pacific Coml Dhlribulon = ^,^„,„_„__<br />
B.F. SHEARER COMPANY<br />
2120 Broadway J<br />
Denver 2, Colo.l<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
13, 1948
.<br />
.<br />
. . Jimmy<br />
. . . Kenneth<br />
. . Other<br />
. .<br />
Named<br />
. . Dan<br />
. . Nat<br />
.<br />
. . . Frank<br />
:<br />
March<br />
. .<br />
LOS ANGELES<br />
the 1948 Ned Depinet drive reaching<br />
w<br />
the halfway mark. RKO's western division,<br />
under Walter Branson, retains a<br />
stranglehold on first place, with his Salt Lake<br />
City exchange leading the entire field .<br />
Cliff Harris checked out for San Diego on<br />
a selling junket for Republic. Also heading<br />
down that way was Jim Powell, who sells film<br />
for RKO.<br />
Del Goodman, Eagle Lion's western district<br />
chief, and Joe Rosenberg, salesman in the<br />
local office, both resigned, and Sam Milner,<br />
EL exchange manager in San Francisco,<br />
planed in for local conferences pertaining to<br />
the selection of replacements. Meantime Jack<br />
Schlaifer, assistant to William Heineman,<br />
new EL distribution chief, left for Salt Lake<br />
City after a brief stopover at the local office.<br />
Off to Portland, Seattle, Denver and San<br />
Francisco on business went Sam Siegel. Columbia<br />
exploiteer . . . Charles Rhodes, independent<br />
exchange operator in San Francisco,<br />
stopped here en route to New York after<br />
producing three .shorts as part of a new theatre<br />
giveaway package. He hopes to set a<br />
distribution deal in the east.<br />
RKO boosted Jerry Levin from the shipping<br />
I<br />
I<br />
FRANK PANERO — President,<br />
Panero Theatre Co., Inc., (14 theatres),<br />
Delano, Calif. — declares:<br />
"RCA Service has been my<br />
favorite for eighteen years<br />
because it insures top-quality<br />
sound at all times."<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
—write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Radio Corporation of America,<br />
(3amden, New Jersey.<br />
B3 gi CO n Jj e "r « aa BS) s<br />
Better Trailers at Lower Prices<br />
Service • Price • Quality<br />
1977 S. Vermont Avenue<br />
Los Angeles 7, California<br />
RE. 2-0621<br />
department to a berth as a booker . .<br />
Phil<br />
.<br />
Isley of the Isley-Griffith circuit, operating<br />
the Lankershim and Meralta in this area,<br />
dropped in for huddles with Earl Collins of<br />
Cooperative Theatres. Isley is the father of<br />
actress Jennifer Jones to (head<br />
.<br />
the upcoming Red Cross drive on the Row<br />
was Al Taylor, branch manager at Paramount.<br />
Formerly with RKO Theatres in an executive<br />
post, Mickey Gross is now associated with<br />
Social Guidance Enterprises, which has just<br />
completed production of an educational subject,<br />
"Bob and Sally" . . . Elmer Hollander of<br />
the Eagle Lion home office was a visitor . .<br />
Along the Row were Merle Mesher, district<br />
chief in San Diego for Fox West Coast; Dick<br />
Smith, FWC's Arizona manager; and Gerald<br />
Fowler, newly appointed manager of the circuit's<br />
Westlake Theatre.<br />
Chris Maffry has taken over operation of<br />
the Granada, subsequent run house . . .<br />
Booking<br />
and buying for their Franklin, Dale and<br />
Los Feliz theatres were Kiut and Max Laemmle<br />
booking visitors included Ben<br />
.<br />
Peskay, Downtown Theatre; Don Swickard<br />
of the Strand; Bill Knotts, in from Monrovia;<br />
and Vince Murphy and Harry Nace jr. of the<br />
Paramount-Nace circuit in Phoenix. Nace<br />
flies his own plane on these expeditions.<br />
Three members of Hygienic Pi'oductions'<br />
western staff, Bob Hicks Paige, southern<br />
California agent; Dick Currier, northern<br />
California agent, and Jean Gaston, local of-<br />
manager, flew to Wilmington, Ohio, for<br />
fice<br />
home office confabs. They were on hand for<br />
Kioger Babb's second annual Charity Review.<br />
Miss Gaston took time off from the<br />
business huddles long enough to visit her<br />
parents in Columbus, Ohio.<br />
SEATTLE<br />
rjick Gill has taken over as northwest exploitation<br />
representative for Eagle Lion<br />
Keefe, manager of the Orpheum,<br />
Spokane, hooked up with the Chronicle on<br />
a contest for "Out of the Past." Some 350<br />
entries were received on the question, "Do You<br />
Like the 'New Look' from 'Out of the Past?"<br />
Harold Murplry, shifted from the state<br />
capitol, Olympia, to Egyptian in Seattle's<br />
University district, has had his nickname<br />
changed from "Senator" to "Professor."<br />
Murry Lafayette, 20th-Fox exploiteer, has<br />
been busy with screenings on "Gentleman's<br />
Agreement," set to open at the Fifth Avenue<br />
the day before the Academy dinner ... A<br />
Puget Sound ferry strike and a threatened<br />
transit walkout is making exhibitors uneasy<br />
Hughes, manager of the Kiggins,<br />
Vancouver, Wash., is laying plans for a giant<br />
welcome to Gretchen Pi-aser, Olympic skiing<br />
champ, upon her return to lier home townT<br />
Willard Coghlan, UA exploiteer, has purchased<br />
a home and is about ready to move in<br />
with his wife and two children Redden,<br />
manager of the Paramount, blew up two<br />
.<br />
congratulatory telegrams from Alan Ladd and<br />
Veronica Lake for display purposes upon the<br />
celebration of his theatre's 20th anniversary.<br />
"Saigon" topped the program .<br />
Ltmd,<br />
Times drama editor, was the "brain" in a<br />
radio-stage program broadcast from the Blue<br />
Mouse. It was called "Beat the Brain." The<br />
audience asks questions of a different "brain"<br />
each week. Prizes are awarded by an electrical<br />
appliance company.<br />
PORTLAND<br />
•lyrrs. J. J. Parker hosted Herb Kaufmann,<br />
western district manager, and Max Hadfield,<br />
northwest branch manager of the Selznick<br />
Organization on their recent visit here<br />
Pratt hosted over 150 Daughters<br />
of the Nile organization at the Paramoimt<br />
Theatre this week. Pratt was off duty a few<br />
days witih virus X.<br />
Eagle Lion celebrated open house at its new<br />
offices this week. Over 150 persons attended<br />
and enjoyed cocktails and canapes. Among<br />
those present were Mr. Thedford of Evergreen<br />
Theatres, Mr. Brown of Gamble Theatres,<br />
Jack Matlack and Mr. Lake of the J. J.<br />
Parker chain and Mr. Lovett of the Oregon<br />
Theatre Corp.<br />
Archie Zarewski, manager of the Music<br />
Box Theatre, reported a boost to general<br />
downtown business a result of Portland's<br />
"Spring Opening" displays in downtown<br />
The "opening" attracted hundreds of<br />
stores.<br />
downtown window shoppers after closii^<br />
hours. Who followed the downtown tours with<br />
a movie nightcap.<br />
Jayne Moss, National Screen Service, weekended<br />
in Seattle . . . Columbia has a new<br />
employe, George Conrad, who is a biller . . .<br />
Mrs. Evelyn Bailey recently left her Filmrow<br />
job and moved to Depoe Bay, Ore., where She<br />
entered business with her husband . . . Margie<br />
Morgenthaler, Republic, also left town with<br />
her husband to set tip a business in UmitaUa,<br />
Ore. She was replaced by Allene Landrum.<br />
SALT LAKE CITY<br />
T\an Duryea and Pat Alpin brougiht hosts<br />
of customers to downtown department<br />
stores when they made personal appearances<br />
during opening of the city's spring fashion<br />
show this week. They also appeared at a<br />
special showing of Dan's latest picture, "Black<br />
Bart." at the Utah Theatre, after making<br />
five appearances at fashion shows . . . Ella<br />
Raines and her husband also visited the city,<br />
and went skiing at nearby Alta.<br />
Foster Blake, Universal-International district<br />
manager, was in town for a conference<br />
with C. R. "Buck" Wade, local manager .<br />
Al Kolitz, RKO district manager, was here<br />
from his Denver office. The local office is<br />
still being picketed by a private picketeer<br />
from Irving Gillman's United Intermountain<br />
Theatres. The picket was ill one day and<br />
was forced to cut down on the size of his<br />
sign When the wind carried it away.<br />
NOW<br />
VACUUM PACKED W 10-LB. CANS<br />
FOR<br />
LASTING TOP RESULTS<br />
MANLEY<br />
HYBRID lUMBO POPCORN<br />
TURPIE, Western Division Manager<br />
1914 So. Vermont. RE 7528 Los Angeles 7, Calif.<br />
i8^%^»<br />
I Count on U3 tor Quick AcUonl J HEAI Kt<br />
KTHEATRE EXCHANGE CO.j<br />
^ 201 nn. Arts Blip. fni^ni 5. Oregon 4<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
13. 1948
Fox Midwest Named<br />
In Antitrust Action<br />
MEMPHIS— Charging monopolistic practices<br />
in the release of films in Cape Girardeau,<br />
Mo., a Memphis concern has filed<br />
suit<br />
for $330,000 damages in federal court against<br />
a group of motion picture producers, distributors<br />
and exhibitors.<br />
Cape Pictures, Inc., headed by Barney<br />
Woolner and Harold Roth, brought the suit<br />
in Cape Girardeau against Warner Bros..<br />
Universal, United Artists, 20th-Fox, Republic.<br />
Fox Midwest Amusement Corp.. Fox Cape<br />
Theatre Corp., National Theatres Corp., Glenn<br />
Carroll, manager of two theatres at Cape<br />
Girardeau, and Elmer C. Rhoden of Kansas<br />
city, president, and Fred Souttar of St. Louis.<br />
district manager, of Fox Midwest.<br />
Cape Pictures operates the Esquire Theatre<br />
in Cape Girardeau. The bill charges the defendants<br />
have conspired to prevent the Esquire<br />
from getting first run product and have<br />
assigned pictures, instead, to theatres operated<br />
by Fox Midwest.<br />
In addition to the $330,000, plus court costs<br />
and attorneys' fees, the plaintiff asks that<br />
the defendants be restrained from continuing<br />
"unlawful trade practices." Abe D. Waldauer<br />
and Ben C. Adams jr. of Memphis, and<br />
Strom and Sprading of Cape Girardeau are<br />
attorneys who filed the suit.<br />
R. Guy Kneedler, 75, Dies<br />
Of Pneumonia in South<br />
COLLINSVILLE, ILL.—R. Guy Kneedler,<br />
75, who opened this city's first motion picture<br />
theatre in the early 1900s, died of pneumonia<br />
recently in a hospital at West Palm<br />
Beach, Fla. He was stricken while visiting<br />
a sister at Lake Worth, Fla.<br />
After operating the Kneedler Theatre here<br />
several years he sold it to the United Mine<br />
Workers district organization, who renamed<br />
it the Miner. He also was a partner of the<br />
late John Spaulding in operation of the<br />
Capitol in Effingham and the Mattoon, Illtheatre,<br />
but sold his interest to the Frisina<br />
interests of Springfield.<br />
He served as Collinsville mayor one term.<br />
Mother of Jonas Perlberg<br />
Passes Away in Chicago<br />
CHICAGO—Mrs. Rose Perlberg. mother of<br />
Jonas Perlberg. Chicago representative for<br />
BOXOFFICE, died March 4 following a long<br />
illness. She was born in Milwaukee June 21,<br />
1860, and came to Chicago in 1869. She was<br />
a survivor of the great Chicago fire. Surviving<br />
her besides her son Jonas are a daughter,<br />
Lillian Rosenbach of New York, and a son, J.<br />
Harold Perlberg: a sister. Elizabeth Drielsma,<br />
and three brothers, Solomon, Isaac and Simon<br />
Drielsma. She was a member of Esther<br />
lodge, Buena chapter, O.E.S.. Deborah and<br />
Isiah Women's clubs.<br />
Odin Doing Nicely<br />
ODIN. ILL.—The 300-seat Gem Theatre,<br />
recently opened here by I. D. Hawley. has<br />
complete Simplex projection and sound pui--<br />
chased through the National Theatre Supply,<br />
St. Louis. The house has been doing<br />
nicely since its opening.<br />
CHECK FOR SHOWM.AN-.lohn G.<br />
Kemtgen, IMihvaukee MGAI manager,<br />
presents a check to Russ Leddy (left),<br />
manager of the Orpheum, Green Bay,<br />
Wis., second prize winner in a national<br />
showmandiser contest sponsored, by MOM<br />
and Grosset & Dunlap, publishers. The<br />
girls in the photo are Metro exchange<br />
employes.<br />
Peoria Tax Repulsed<br />
On Eve oi Passage<br />
PEORIA. ILL.—An overnight change of<br />
heart by city aldermen brought an early<br />
death to a proposed 3 per cent amusement tax<br />
here.<br />
Meeting March 1 as a committee of the<br />
whole. 13 city council members ordered prepared<br />
an amusement tax ordinance which<br />
would provide funds to help meet municipal<br />
pay boost demands. At that time few objections<br />
to such a mea.sui-e were expressed.<br />
Only two aldermen voted for the measure<br />
when it was presented to the council the next<br />
day. The other 15 voiced their disfavor, killing<br />
the proposal. One alderman told the<br />
council that in sounding out sentiment of the<br />
people he had decided against any tax that<br />
would be unpopular.<br />
In amiouncing their votes in favor of the<br />
measure, the two aldermen that voted for it<br />
said, -The amusement tax seemed the least<br />
painful way to get money into the city treasury.<br />
Fire Bill Hearing March 15<br />
JEFFERSON CITY—The senate public<br />
health and welfare committee will hold a<br />
hearing the evening of March 15 on a bill<br />
which proposes to create the office of state<br />
fire marshal and require theatres with ^<br />
seating capacity of 500 or more, as well as<br />
hotels in cities of 100.000 and more, to employ<br />
practical firefighters to inspect and be<br />
on duty at times prescribed by the fire<br />
marshal.<br />
Engine Hits Fred Wehrenberg Car<br />
ST. LOUIS.—Fred Wehrenberg. local circuit<br />
owner and chairman of the Theatre<br />
Owners of America, had a narrow escape<br />
when a Missouri Pacific railroad engine hit<br />
his car at a crossing near the .southern city<br />
limits. He was en route from his home to<br />
the Lemay Theatre. He was not injured.<br />
St. Louis Papers to Up<br />
Theatre Ad Rates<br />
ST. LOUIS—The three local daily newspapers<br />
have notified theatre owners and<br />
managers they will increase their rates for<br />
amusement ads from IVi to 3 cents a line.<br />
The Star-Times, which issues only on<br />
week days, proposes to hike its rate from<br />
Mi 26 cents to 27 cents a line. The Post-<br />
Dispatch and Globe-Democrat are upping<br />
the weekday rate from 43 cents to 45 cents<br />
a line and the Sunday charge from 47 cents<br />
to 50 cents a line.<br />
The Star-Times and Post-Dispatch have<br />
been carrying advertising trailers in the<br />
theatres, which arrangement has reduced<br />
the theatres over-all net advertising costs.<br />
The Globe-Democrat, which eliminated<br />
the trailer ads several months ago, hasn't<br />
been receiving any advertising from the<br />
majority of the neighborhood and .suburban<br />
theatres but has been carrying a reader<br />
service plan that gives the names of all<br />
theatres and their picture bills each day,<br />
somewhat similar to news about radio programs.<br />
440-Seater in Wolcott, Ind..<br />
Opened by Arthur Herzog<br />
WOLCOTT. IND.—Arthur Herzog opened<br />
Wolcotfs first theatre, the Wolcott, March<br />
11. The 440-seat theatre, one of the finest<br />
in the state for a town of this size, was<br />
erected at a cost of $70,000. Wolcott has a<br />
population of 1,200.<br />
The front is finished in cream glazed tile<br />
and the lobby has a snack bar built into one<br />
side. The floor is cement.<br />
National Theatre Supply of Chicago furnished<br />
the equipment, except for the air conditioning,<br />
which was obtained from a Lafayette,<br />
Ind.. concern. The theatre is<br />
equipped with a stage 28 feet wide and 16<br />
feet deep. A four-room apartment is on the<br />
second floor.<br />
Charles Reed Sells Illinois<br />
To Wood River Banker<br />
NEWMAN. ILL—Mr. and Mrs. Ralph H.<br />
Welsh of Wood River. 111., new owners of the<br />
256-seat Illinois Theatre here, will take over<br />
management and operation of the house April<br />
1. They purchased it from Charles Reed,<br />
who had been associated with the theatre for<br />
30 years and who with Mrs. Reed, had been<br />
in "complete charge of the ownership and<br />
management for the past 14 years. Welsh<br />
has been assistant cashier of the First National<br />
bank of Wood River for the past 20<br />
years.<br />
Small Fire in Logan<br />
LOGANSPORT. IND.—A small fire in the<br />
Logan Theatre caused cancellation of one<br />
performance. The blaze was discovered by<br />
the manager at a time no one was in the<br />
house.<br />
Sam Oshry to Atlanta<br />
INDIANAPOLIS—Sam Oshry. U-I salesman<br />
here, has gone to Atlanta as sales manager<br />
under James Partlow. manager there.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: March 13, 1948<br />
67
. . Harry<br />
.<br />
. . Mary<br />
'<br />
March<br />
INDIANAPOLIS<br />
Dnicc Kixmiller, operator of the Colonial<br />
and Indiana theatres in Bicknell. has left<br />
for a month-long Caribbean trip . . . O. B.<br />
Smith and son. operator of the American<br />
Theatre. Sebree. Ky.. stopped in Indianapolis<br />
on their way to the Crawfordsville to visit<br />
his wife, confined in a hospital there. She<br />
was seriously injured in an auto accident<br />
several months ago and rushed to the Crawfordsville<br />
hospital.<br />
M. H. Sparks has acquired the Swan at<br />
Edmonton, Ky.. from Ray Coleman James<br />
. . .<br />
Bailey, operator of the Star at Winslow,<br />
visited Evansville on business Robert<br />
. . .<br />
Norton has opened his new Key Theatre<br />
at Red Key.<br />
Ronald Karst is the new assistant shipper<br />
Republic. He formerly was employed at<br />
at<br />
20th-Fox before joining the army corps . .<br />
The new Oxford Theatre, Oxford, Ind., is<br />
scheduled to be opened March 16 by Kenneth<br />
G. Barnard. Tlie seating capacity is 250<br />
Virginia Green, National Screen Service,<br />
has taken a week of her vacation to remain<br />
at home with her sister who is<br />
very ill.<br />
Florence E. Van Splinter of Republic has<br />
been promoted from the inspection room<br />
to a front office position. She attended a<br />
night school and won the<br />
business course at<br />
promotion Kornblum, operator<br />
of the Rosedale Theatre, Evansville, who<br />
recently was discharged from a hospital,<br />
will<br />
leave for Florida April 1 for a rest . . .<br />
Peter<br />
Fortune, RKO salesman, and Mary Neese,<br />
were married.<br />
Edwin Brauer, Republic manager and<br />
Charles Acton, salesman, visited Homer C<br />
Knox, now retired by Republic, at his home<br />
in Bloomfield, Ind. Homer, a film industry<br />
pioneer, ten years with Republic and 30<br />
in the business, keeps abreast with<br />
years<br />
happenings by reading BOXOPFICE from<br />
HOWARD K. PRIESS-Ge<br />
Manager, Highway Theatre, Chicago,<br />
Illinois— declares:<br />
"We have enjoyed the most<br />
dependable service for the<br />
past many years from RCA,<br />
and have always found their<br />
service to be tops."<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
—write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Radio Corporation of America,<br />
Camden, New Jersey.<br />
cover to cover each week. He was selling<br />
pictures long before the inception of Filmrow.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
Gordon C. Craddock, is the new manager<br />
at Eagle Lion. He formerly was connected<br />
with old Universal, but retired because of<br />
poor health Jane Larson, cashier<br />
W. Irwin.<br />
at Eagle Lion has resigned . . . E.<br />
EL home office representative, is at the local<br />
The wife of Eddie Ornstein,<br />
branch . . .<br />
operator of the Rialto in Marengo, is reported<br />
seriously James Keefe, 20th-<br />
ill . .<br />
Fox exploiteer at Cincinnati, visited the local<br />
exchange.<br />
Carl Kemp, has joined Republic as salesman<br />
to cover this city and the northern section<br />
of the state.<br />
Fire Prevention Captain<br />
Backs Madison Theatre<br />
MADISON—Fire lanes outside downtown<br />
theatres were given an official okay by Capt.<br />
Paul Gabbel of the fire prevention bureau<br />
following a recent snowstorm.<br />
Commenting on a picture in a local newspaper<br />
(Wisconsin State Journal. March 3)<br />
showing a snow-filled fire lane back of the<br />
Strand, Gabbel said all but 15 feet of the 100<br />
foot<br />
lane had been cleared when he made a<br />
routine check of all theatre fire lanes before<br />
the show houses opened for business the day<br />
of the storm.<br />
"No doors were blocked even before the<br />
shoveling was started as the snow was only<br />
about three inches deep in the vicinity of the<br />
exits," he said. "Anybody with two legs<br />
could have gotten out of the Strand exits<br />
even before the shoveling."<br />
Like Esther's Figure<br />
MADISON—Esther Williams was voted the<br />
shapeliest of the Hollywood actresses in a<br />
contest held at the Majestic Theatre here recently.<br />
Manager Wayne Berkeley said Miss<br />
Williams led in both the University of Wisconsin<br />
and the public polls to select "Miss<br />
Shape of 1948." She recently appeared here<br />
as a special attraction at the 20th anniversary<br />
observance of the Capitol Theatre.<br />
Deny Vincennes Request<br />
VINCENNES, IND.—The apphcation of<br />
Pantheon Tlieatres Co. for construction of<br />
a theatre at 1616 North Second street has<br />
been denied by the office of the housing<br />
expediter. The new house was to have been<br />
built to replace the one destroyed by fire in<br />
December 1944. An estimated expenditujp of<br />
$75,000 was to have been made on the 650-<br />
seat<br />
theatre.<br />
Cooper Thealre Bows;<br />
Named for Founder<br />
BRAZIL, IND.—The 800-seat Cooper Theatre,<br />
named in honor of the late Alexander<br />
B. Cooper, founder of the Citizens Theatre<br />
Corp., was put into operation here February<br />
29. It replaces the Sourwine Theatre, which<br />
went up in flames in February 1947. Stanley<br />
A. B. Cooper is managing.<br />
The theatre was erected in 153 calendar<br />
days. It is built in an L shape, having an<br />
80-foot frontage on Walnut street and a<br />
depth of 120 feet on the side alley. It was<br />
designed by Miller & Vrydah, Terre Haute<br />
architects.<br />
Front of the theatre is in tan face brick,<br />
set off with jade green tile. The marquee<br />
1<br />
is triangular and made of stainless steel.<br />
The outer lobby, with its rubber-tiled floor<br />
and gay decorative scheme, contains a candy<br />
bar in an alcove to the east, and space for<br />
storage and the custodian's office. Five solid<br />
oak panel doors separate the lobby from the<br />
16x58-foot foyer. Floors here are red marbleized<br />
rubber tile. The walls of the auditorium<br />
have a spray of brick red over the building<br />
blocks, which were left rough and porous to<br />
absorb sound. The walls taper toward the<br />
stage, giving the auditorium a horn shape.<br />
The floors have a reverse pitch. Seats are<br />
by Irwin.<br />
The second floor contains a cry room and<br />
spacious quarters for the manager, rest rooms,<br />
and a maintenance room and projection<br />
booth.<br />
Chicago Tax Yield Low<br />
CHICAGO — Unexpectedly low returns<br />
from the new amusement tax may upset the<br />
1948 budget, according to Controller<br />
city's<br />
Robert B. Upsham. January returns were<br />
$174,190, he .said, instead of the $250,000 anticipated<br />
when the budget was dratted. He<br />
offered no reason for the low figure other<br />
than "miscalculated estimates." Theatres<br />
yielded $130,027.03 in January, athletic events<br />
returned $69,962, bowling alleys $7,773.56 and<br />
miscellaneous $9,383.38.<br />
Renovate Wayne Theatre<br />
FORT WAYNE—The Wayne, downtown<br />
house of the Mailers circuit, has closed for<br />
extensive cleaning and overhauling. No reopening<br />
date for the theatre has been announced.<br />
Mrs. LaVera Conner Is Released<br />
MADISON—Mrs. LaVera B. Conner, 49, was<br />
released from the state women's home at<br />
Taycheedah last week, after serving 20 months<br />
and three days of a two-year term for the<br />
staying- of her husband Marlowe in February<br />
1946. Conner was manager of the Capitol<br />
Theatre here. Mrs. Conner's attorney said<br />
he would ask the governor for a full pardon<br />
for his client. She will live with two sons<br />
and her mother here.<br />
lATO Follows National Allied<br />
INDIANAPOLIS—Directors of the ATO<br />
at of Indiana, their monthly luncheon, decided<br />
to follow the policy of the national<br />
regarding the Motion Picture Foundation<br />
Allied<br />
and leave the matter up to the in-<br />
dividual members.<br />
BOXOFTICE<br />
:<br />
13, 1948
: March<br />
First Union of MPMO<br />
Marks 40lh Birthday<br />
ST. LOUIS—Five surviving charter members<br />
of the Moving Picture Machine Operators<br />
Local 143 of St. Louis, the first projectionist<br />
local to be chartered by the International<br />
Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes,<br />
were presented gold life membership cards<br />
March 11 at ceremonies that marked the<br />
40th anniversary of the founding of the local.<br />
Richard P. Walsh, international president,<br />
was guest speaker.<br />
FIVE PAY NO DUES<br />
The five members, survivors among 26<br />
who signed the charter, are George D. Rafferty,<br />
employed at Panchon & Marco's Pox;<br />
A. P. Petill and T. J. Brown, both of whom<br />
work at Loew's Orpheum; Fred Kessler, retired<br />
from active work, and E, C. Siegfried,<br />
who works at the St. Louis Amusement Co.'s<br />
Shenandoah Tlieatre.<br />
With their gold life memberships, the five<br />
are excused from paying future union dues,<br />
but if they continue to work regularly will<br />
pay the customary percentage on their earnings.<br />
The anniversary celebration, which was in<br />
the nature of a banquet and dance for the<br />
members and their ladies, started shortly<br />
after midnight March 10, since March 11 is<br />
the anniver-sary of the start of the union.<br />
The past-midnight start was to enable all of<br />
the members currently employed to attend.<br />
There were about 500 present.<br />
PRESIDENT WALSH ATTENDS<br />
Walsh came in by plane from New York<br />
City. Others in the delegation representing<br />
the international were William P. Raoul, general<br />
secretary and treasurer: Felix D. Snow<br />
of Kansas City. sLxth international vice-president<br />
and member of the general executive<br />
board, and Frank H. Stickling of Elgin. 111.,<br />
international representative in charge of the<br />
affairs of the St. Louis Theatrical Brotherhood<br />
Local 6. also an affiliate of the lATSE.<br />
Local unions in Springfield. Mo.. Alton. 111..<br />
East St. Louis. 111., and Gillespie. 111., also<br />
were represented.<br />
Lou Walter, the sole holder of a gold honorary<br />
membership card in the local, flew in<br />
from Dallas to attend. He currently is southwestern<br />
representative of Ampro.<br />
Leo Canavan is president of Local 143 and<br />
Harry A. Barco is the business agent.<br />
Erlse Quick's House Burns<br />
PIPER CITY, ILL.—Fire destroyed the Ace<br />
Theatre here recently. Erlse Quick, owner.<br />
said the loss was not fully covered by insurance.<br />
The American Legion hall, the<br />
second floor was damaged.<br />
Work for April Opening<br />
EQUALITY. ILL. — George W. Joyner of<br />
Shawneetown, 111., who is rebuilding the old<br />
Strand Theatre Bldg., hopes to have his<br />
new 300-seat theatre open by April 15 or<br />
May 1. It is his first venture into the motion<br />
picture business.<br />
Assures Riverside Theatre<br />
RIVERSIDE. ILL.—Harry L. Brundage assured<br />
the Chamber of Commerce at a recent<br />
meeting here that the contemplated new<br />
theatre in Riverside will built be as soon as<br />
government permission is given.<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
13, 1948<br />
NEW ALL-IN-ONE DRINK DISPENSER<br />
MAKES SERVING SOFT DRINKS EASY<br />
Tol-Pak dispensers are available as<br />
ice cooled or mechanically retrigerical<br />
ice cooled unit which features<br />
a handy bin for chipped ice.<br />
Anyone can install the Tol-Pak All-<br />
In-One soil drink dispenser. It's as<br />
easy as connecting any water fountain.<br />
All you have lo do is plug the<br />
unit to electricity and connect a water<br />
A Tol-Pak All-In-One soft drink<br />
is dispenser to<br />
line.<br />
ready operate when you<br />
IN<br />
MOVIE HOUSES<br />
The bottle bugaboo and the high cost<br />
of installing carbonating units has<br />
caused many theatre operators to<br />
abandon the idea of serving soft drinks<br />
in their houses. With the All-In-One<br />
drink dispenser, this problem is solved<br />
once and for all. It makes soft drink<br />
sales in theatres not only practical but<br />
profitable as well. All-In-One dispensers<br />
are available as ice cooled or mechanically<br />
refrigerated units. All units feature<br />
famous Multiplex faucets and<br />
Temprite carbonators.<br />
THIS IS THE NEW ALL-IN-<br />
ONE SOFT DRINK DISPENSER<br />
That promises to make serving soft drinks<br />
in theatres not only practical but profitable<br />
as well.<br />
It's a simple matter for movie operators<br />
to utilize this machine. So simple is its<br />
operation that any person can operate and<br />
maintain it. Its beautiful stainless steel<br />
cabinet adds to the attractiveness of any<br />
setting.<br />
CHECK THESE FEATURES<br />
JL. All-in one unit.<br />
JL.<br />
Has famous Multiplex faucets.<br />
^<br />
.X- Available as ice cooled or mechanically<br />
refrigerated units.<br />
Dispenses from one to<br />
your choice.<br />
three flavors of<br />
JL, Can be constructed to fill any space.<br />
JL. Unconditionally guaranteed for 1 year.<br />
Further information will be cheerfully sent . . .<br />
just write<br />
TOL-PAK COMPANY<br />
818 OLIVE STREET ST. LOUIS 1, MO.
. . Kerasotes<br />
. . . Barney<br />
ST.<br />
LOUIS<br />
Oeorge Kerasotes of Springfield, III., has<br />
gone to Los Angeles to attend the TOA<br />
gathering, as has Fred Wehrenberg of St.<br />
Louis, TOA board chairman .<br />
recently<br />
Joined the Variety Club of St. Louis,<br />
saying that it would be more convenient for<br />
him to attend the club gatherings here than<br />
those of the tent in Chicago.<br />
Albert Dezel, president of Albert Dezel Productions.<br />
Inc., was here last weelc, conferring<br />
with Johnny Walsh, manager of the Albert<br />
Dezel exchange. He came here from Kansas<br />
City, where the company also recently started<br />
operations. Dezel left here to visit his Chicago<br />
office prior to going on to his home<br />
base In Detroit . . . Hall Walsh, prairie district<br />
manager for Warner Bros., was in Kansas<br />
City last week.<br />
Exhibitors on Filmrow recently included<br />
Ben Adams of El Dorado, Kas., and Tildon<br />
Dickson, Crystal City, Mo., partners in operation<br />
of the Hiway in Crystal City, and<br />
Ozark in St. Clair, Mo.; Elvin H. Wiecks,<br />
Staunton, 111.: Bill Williams. Union, Mo.;<br />
Charley Beninati, Carlyle, 111.; Loren Cluster,<br />
Salem, 111.; Stewart Cluster, Johnston City,<br />
111.; Mrs. George Pitner, who with her husband<br />
Harry Pitner, operates the Strand and<br />
Uptown theatres in Fairfield, 111., and Bob<br />
Johnson, manager for the Pitner houses, Fairfield;<br />
Paul Horn, Edwardsville, 111.; E. W. Butler,<br />
Hillsboro, 111., head of the Butler circuit;<br />
Herman Tanner, Pana, HI.; Johnny Giachetto,<br />
short subjects booker for the Prisina<br />
Amusement Co., Springfield, and Frank Neilbauer,<br />
purchasing agent, Rodgers circuit,<br />
Cairo.<br />
Complete Service<br />
for You!<br />
From Building Plans<br />
to Operation<br />
Theatres— Drive-ln<br />
Theatres<br />
CINE THEATRE<br />
SUPPLY CO.<br />
Everything lor the Theatre"<br />
Independently Owned and Operated by<br />
ARCH H. HOSIER<br />
3310 Olive St. St. Louis 3, Mo.<br />
Telephones: Jelierson 7974-7975<br />
Other visitors F. J. Wenzel, president of<br />
the Wenzel Projector Co., Chicago; Bill Crystal,<br />
manager of the theatre sales division,<br />
U.S. Air Conditioning Co., Minneapolis; R. W.<br />
"Bill" Dassow, sales manager of the C. Bendsen<br />
Co., Decatur, 111.; Lou Pope, Fox Midwest,<br />
Kansas City, and Carl Johnson, manager<br />
of the RCA Service Co.<br />
Tommy Tobin, manager in East St. Louis<br />
for Fi-isina and a partner in the Goldman-<br />
Leventhal-Tobin circuit, left for a visit to<br />
Washington March 8 . . . Charley Goldman,<br />
another partner of Goldman-Leventhal-Tobin,<br />
is looking forward to eating good corn<br />
beef and cabbage March 17, St. Patrick's day,<br />
while on a train en route for California . . .<br />
D. B. Stout, head of the Stout circuit, with<br />
headquarters in the Uptown Theatre, Cairo,<br />
111., is visiting in New Orleans for a few<br />
weeks.<br />
Ray Colvin, president of the Motion Picture<br />
Equipment Dealers Protective Ass'n,<br />
plans to stop off in Hot Springs en route<br />
back to St. Louis from the Rio Grande valley<br />
of Texas. He is accompanied by Mrs. Colvin<br />
Rosenthal, manager of the Monogram<br />
exchange, expects to be back at his<br />
desk on regular schedule next week. He has<br />
made a fine comeback from his recent ill-<br />
Oscar Sanowsky has installed a complete<br />
Simplex dual sound system in his Fairy Theatre<br />
here. The booth equipment and a new<br />
Walker screen were purchased from National<br />
Theatre Supply . . . George Pliakos has put<br />
in new sound and lenses in his Criterion<br />
Theatre.<br />
'William H. Mooring, motion picture editor<br />
of Catholic Tidings, Los Angeles, spoke on<br />
"Hollywood in Focus" at the Te Deum forum<br />
in the Kiel auditorium March 7 . . . Adolphe<br />
Menjou, veteran screen star, was at a local<br />
department store March 8 autograpITlng<br />
copies of his recently published book, "It<br />
Gene Autry will present<br />
Took Nine Tailors" . . .<br />
a two-and-a-half hour show at a mat-<br />
inee and night performance March 28 at Kiel<br />
auditorium.<br />
'Killer McCoy' Is Big<br />
Despite Loop Snows<br />
CHICAGO—New attractions upped busi-<br />
.<br />
a big way at most Loop houses until<br />
ness in<br />
midweek when a severe snowstorm plus an<br />
icy blast caused grosses to sag.<br />
The Oriental got off to a great start with<br />
"Killer McCoy" plus an all-star stage bill<br />
headed by Yvonne De Carlo and the King<br />
Cole trio. The first four days were record<br />
breakers. "You Were Meant for Me" also<br />
opened very big at the United Artists. The<br />
State-Lake with "The Arnelo Affair" plus a<br />
stage show headed by Phil Regan and the<br />
Hoosier Hot Shots did okay. Another newcomer,<br />
"Black Bart," did only fair at the<br />
Palace.<br />
Among the holdovers "Shoe-Shine" at the<br />
World Playhouse was still a standout, with<br />
"The Voice of the Turtle" at the Roosevelt,<br />
and "Gentleman's Agreement" following close<br />
behind. "Desire Me" at Monroe, and "The<br />
Bishop's Wife" at the Woods held up well.<br />
(Average is 100)<br />
Apollo—Gentleman's Agreement (20th-Fox),<br />
16th wk -110<br />
Chicagc^Call 125<br />
Norlhside 777 (20th-Fox), 2nd wk<br />
Garrick—Captain From Castile (20th-rox),<br />
2nd run; Key Witness (Col), 2nd wk 90<br />
Grand—The House Across the Bay (UA);<br />
(UA), reissues Stand-in<br />
Monroe— Desie Me (MOM), 3rd wk<br />
85<br />
110<br />
Oriental—Killer McCoy (MOM), fIus stT^e shv.' 140<br />
Palace—Black Bart (U-I) 90<br />
Roosevelt—The Voice ol the Turtle (WB;,<br />
2nd wk 115<br />
State-Lake—The Amelo Ailair (MOM), plus<br />
stage show 115<br />
Studit^The Art ol Love (Dezel); Bedroom<br />
Diplomat (Dezel), 2nd wk 90<br />
United Artists—You Were Meant for Me (20th-<br />
Fox) ^ -<br />
Woods—The Bishop's Wife (RKO). 8th wk<br />
115<br />
110<br />
(Lopert), 4th 120<br />
World Playhouse—Shoe-Shine wk<br />
Indianapolis Grosses Climb<br />
With "Susie' in Forefront<br />
INDIANAPOLIS—There was some improve-<br />
The recent celebration of the 20th anniversary<br />
of the Majestic in East St. Louis<br />
ment the last week In boxoffice grosses. The<br />
Circle had the best week of all with "If You<br />
called attention to the fact that Blanche Underwood,<br />
Knew Susie."<br />
cashier, had been employed by the<br />
Circle—If You New Susie (RKO); Caged Fury<br />
theatre for 18 years. She said her "most<br />
thrilling time" was when she tricked a wouldbe<br />
holdup man and managed to sound the Loew's-Cass Timberlane (MOM), 2nd wk<br />
warning button as he came around to the<br />
Lyric—The Voice of the Turtle (WB);<br />
Perilous Waters (Mono), 2nd d- t. wk<br />
back of her cage where she had told him she<br />
would hand him the money. The man fled<br />
without the cash as the doorman and others<br />
came to the rescue. He was captured several<br />
blocks from the theatre. Brought back to the<br />
he growled under breath he<br />
For Greater Profits<br />
Majestic, his as<br />
passed Miss Underwood: "I'll get you for this."<br />
That took place four years ago, but nothing Manleq Supplies<br />
has happened to her yet.<br />
May Refrigerate Canteens<br />
MILWAUKEE—The Automatic Canteen<br />
Co. of America is developing refrigeration<br />
units for its automatic candy vending machines,<br />
according to Nathaniel L. Leverone,<br />
founder and chairman of the board of the<br />
firm, who was a visitor here last week.<br />
Manley's Supreme Popcorn<br />
$13.00 per Cwt.<br />
Manley's Cocoanut Oil<br />
40c per Lb.<br />
In 50-Pound Cans<br />
F. O. B. St. Louis Warehouse<br />
R. D. VON ENGELN<br />
Manley Representative<br />
Eastern Missouri -Southern Ulinois<br />
3138 OLIVE STREET<br />
ST. LOUIS 3, MO. NEwstead 7644<br />
BOXOFFICE :: March 13, 1948
. . Robert<br />
: March<br />
. . . Margaret<br />
. . Lou<br />
. . Helen<br />
. . Milwaukee<br />
. . Jack<br />
. . Wally<br />
. . Betty<br />
. .<br />
. .<br />
Milwaukee Holds Par<br />
In Adverse Weather<br />
MILWAUKEE—The weather was a handicap<br />
to theatre patronage last week but all<br />
of the first runs managed to come through<br />
with about average business. "The Bishop's<br />
Wife" was over average at the Alhambra,<br />
where it was in its second week after having<br />
played two weeks at the Riverside. Only new<br />
pictures in town were "The Sign of the Ram"<br />
at the Wisconsin, "My Girl Tisa" at the Warner<br />
and "Tenth Avenue Angel" at the Palace,<br />
and each came through with an average<br />
week.<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
110<br />
Palace—Tenth Avenue Angel (MGM), Alias a<br />
Gentleman (MGM)<br />
Riverside— If You Knew Susie IRKOI, The<br />
Gangster (Mono), ^nd wk<br />
Stand—Call Northside 777 UOth-Fox),<br />
Albuquerque (Para), 2nd d, t, wk<br />
New Towne—Ride the Pink Horse (U-1), Znd wk, ..<br />
Warner—My Girl Tisa (WB), A Woman's<br />
Vengeance (U-I)<br />
Wisconsin—The Sign of the Ram (Col); Mary Lou<br />
(Col)<br />
Clubwomen Seek Lift<br />
In Theatre Manners<br />
CHICAGO—All in the spirit of fun, but<br />
with hope that the public will take stock and<br />
improve its theatre manners, the Illinois Federation<br />
of Women's Clubs has a plan to let<br />
the heedless theatregoer see himself as others<br />
do.<br />
The popcorn cruncher, the woman who<br />
waxes indignant when requested to remove<br />
a. hat, the jittery head bobber, the volunteer<br />
commentator, the sprinter trampling over his<br />
neighbors' toes as he hurtles out to join the<br />
rush for a vacated seat—these are some of<br />
the "movie pests" who are in for a bit of goodnatured<br />
ribbing in a poster contest the federation's<br />
motion picture department is opening<br />
for seventh and eighth graders in public<br />
and parochial schools throughout the state.<br />
Cash prizes are to be given state winners<br />
and both word and picture posters are acceptable<br />
entries. In charge of the poster<br />
contest is Mrs. William C. Wilkinson of Elmwood<br />
Park, chairman of the group's motion<br />
picture department.<br />
Set Des Plaines Rate at 35c<br />
DES PLAINES. ILL.—After considering<br />
several other proposals, the city coimcil here<br />
established a license fee for the Des Plaines<br />
Theatre of 35 cents per seat. The house<br />
seats 950 and will pay $332 this year as compared<br />
with $100 in 1947.<br />
MADISON<br />
J^anager John Scharnberg of the Parkway<br />
Theatre received an editorial pat on the<br />
back from the Capitol Times for the outstanding<br />
stage shows being put on at his<br />
theatre . E. Gard, director of the<br />
University of Wisconsin Idea Theatre, has<br />
been named a member of the National Theatre<br />
Conference.<br />
The new Juno Theatre in Juneau gave its<br />
space to a soils and crops program for farmers<br />
recently. Films were included in the program<br />
. . . "Song of Norway" went over big<br />
at the Parkway . . . Films are now being used<br />
by the Parker Pen Co., Janesville, in a storewide<br />
training program.<br />
BOXOFnCE :<br />
13. 1948<br />
MILWAUKEE<br />
^^ally Hcim, Chicago RKO publicist, was<br />
around the territory . . . Friends here<br />
of Harold Wirthwein, Paramount manager,<br />
are happy about his recent boost to assistant<br />
western divisional manager . Sickles,<br />
assistant RKO shipper, bought a new Plymouth<br />
preparatory to a New Jersey jaunt.<br />
During the last snowstorm, George Edgerton,<br />
20th-Fox office manager, was returning<br />
from Racine. Heavy, blinding snow forced<br />
him into the ditch, but fortunately, no serious<br />
injury resulted and Edgerton was extricated<br />
from his difficulties by an obliging<br />
snowplow . Steltzer, former service<br />
man, is managing the Orpheum and Granada,<br />
operated by the Miner circuit of Menomonie<br />
. . . Alice Zwolska left RKO and<br />
Gloria Van Rizin joined the staff.<br />
Max Markowitz, State manager, is going<br />
around hatless again, indicating spring must<br />
be here . . . Bill Ainsworth, new Allied<br />
President, received the announcement while<br />
recovering from lumbago at Hot Springs,<br />
Ai-k. Now. fully recovered, he is knocking<br />
himself out with Allied affairs Jackie<br />
. .<br />
Cooper was at the Davidson in "Sleep It Off,"<br />
an entertaining legitimate piece . . . Charley<br />
Wellnitz, RKO shipper, oiling his fishing<br />
is<br />
equipment, prepping for the season's opening<br />
. . . Oliver Ti-ampe. Monogram booker, finally<br />
got away for that oft-proposed Florida<br />
vacation.<br />
Spencer Tracy, a Milwaukee product, was a<br />
stopover while doing a turn in Chicago .<br />
Lena Lora, RKO inspector, was nipped by the<br />
flu bug . Richcreek, secretary to<br />
Jesse T. McBride, Paramount manager, journeyed<br />
to Kentland. Ind., for a few days<br />
with her family.<br />
Marcella RoUman of MGM left for a Florida<br />
vacation . . . Mrs. Jack Frackman, wife<br />
of the Republic manager, also is vacationing<br />
in Florida . . . Harry Olshan, Columbia manager,<br />
was in Chicago for a meeting with Carl<br />
Shalitt, district manager . . . Johnny Bartelt,<br />
United Artists office manager, celebrated a<br />
birthday quietly . . . Mai Broder.son and<br />
Hildegard Albrecht, bookers, respectively, for<br />
Columbia and MGM, bowled in the women's<br />
state tourney at Appleton . Talbot<br />
of Paramount spent a week end with her<br />
family at Oconto . Frackman, Republic<br />
branch manager, attended a Chicago sales<br />
confab at which E. L. Walton, assistant general<br />
sales manager, presided.<br />
Benny Benjamin, Screen Guild manager,<br />
pm-chased new golf clubs and is sharpening<br />
his game for another shot at Ben Poblocki<br />
Mistle of Paramount was a<br />
Green Bay caller . . . Rosemary Fusso, secretary<br />
to John G. Kemptgen, MGM manager,<br />
was down with a cold ... All exchanges<br />
shuttered early the day of the big storm,<br />
facilitating rapid return to their homes .<br />
Marion Helms, MGM booker's secretary, was<br />
at 'Valparaiso, Ind., for a reunion with former<br />
classmates at Valparaiso university.<br />
.<br />
Louis Orlove, MGM exploiteer. dashed into<br />
town and left almost immediately to continue<br />
his pursuits in Minnesota and the<br />
Dakotas RKO staffers are<br />
still pitching for gold in the Ned Depinet<br />
drive. Current interest in bookings is centered<br />
on Herb Greenblatt week.<br />
Erna Gerholz, RKO staffer, journeyed to<br />
Merrill to sit at the family table . . . Lou<br />
Elman, RKO manager, distributed candy<br />
to commemorate his natal day.<br />
Booking un the Row: Barney Sherman, Racine;<br />
Erv. Koenigsreiter, Greendale: Lon<br />
Husten, East Troy: Eddie Moyle and Johimy<br />
Schuyler, Delft circuit. Marquette, Mich.;<br />
Nick Berg, Sheboygan; Nick Johnson, Manitowoc;<br />
Nick Michael, Racine; Larry Kelley,<br />
Cudahy; W. C. Fischer, Campbellsport; Sig<br />
Goldberg, Wausau; H. H. Otto, Clinton; Russ<br />
Leddy, Green Bay; Paul Nowatske, Mukwonago;<br />
Don Deakin. Wisconsin Dells; Floyd<br />
Albert, Mount Hoieb; Frank Eckhart, Jefferson;<br />
Richard Hamley, Harlland. and Mrs.<br />
Donna Borchert, Sturgeon Bay.<br />
Bill Mattingly, MGM salesman, left the<br />
firm and returned to other fields in Dallas,<br />
Tex. . . . Mike Chesnick, just back with his<br />
wife from a Florida jaunt, says they were<br />
shopping on the whole trip, but his wife<br />
is still buying spring clothes . . . Standard<br />
Outdoor Theatres has been incorporated by<br />
H. M. Rosenband, Joseph Baisch and A. C.<br />
Stolga . . . Fred Astaire is due here in April<br />
to open a Milwaukee branch of his new dancing<br />
schools . . . Walter Blaney, RKO office<br />
manager, is searching for the villain who<br />
dented the fender on his station wagon.<br />
Harry T. Loper. 87, Dies;<br />
Springfield. 111., Pioneer<br />
SPRINGFIELD, ILL.—Harry T. Loper, 87,<br />
pioneer motion picture theatre operator here,<br />
died here March 1. He had been retired<br />
since 1929. In 1909 Loper left the restaurant<br />
business to enter the exhibition field. He<br />
was operator of the Vaudette and Lyric<br />
theatres in downtown Springfield. In 1920<br />
he rebuilt the Lyric in the building now occupied<br />
by the Tivoli Theatre. From 1913 to<br />
1922 he owned a theatre in Chicago.<br />
EVKKKTT HACLUNO-Ceneral<br />
Manager, Oollos Theatre Circuit (9<br />
theatres), Chicago, Illinois— write.s:<br />
"FiCA Service is<br />
'Johnny on<br />
the spot.* It is a necessity just<br />
like<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
—write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Radio Corporation of America,<br />
Camden, New Jersey.
. . . B&K's<br />
. . . Warner<br />
. . Herman<br />
. . The<br />
. . Randall<br />
. . The<br />
: March<br />
CHICAGO<br />
SPRINGFIELD<br />
Holy week services will be held at the Lake<br />
daily March 22-27, sponsored by the Grace<br />
Lutheran church of River Forest and a group<br />
of four other churches of Oak Park. They<br />
Ceveral eastern houses expected to emulate have used the stage of the Lake annually for Oeorge Kerasotes left March 4 for Los Angeles,<br />
where he will attend the TOA con-<br />
the State-Lake with disk jockey stage this Lenten service . . . Students and teachers<br />
are being admitted at reduced prices to ference. Kerasotes recently made a speech be-<br />
show. The State-Lake's show should be a<br />
record grosser if business reflects the terrific<br />
exploitation campaign behind it. Besides "Henry V" at the Valencia . Fal-<br />
stressed the importance of drive-ins and<br />
all weekday afternoon performances of fore the Lions club of Onarga in which he<br />
radio plugging, picture stunts staged by Publicist<br />
Ed Seguin kept the jockeys in the papers and Norshore respectively, are participating<br />
vey and Julius Olive, staffers at the Uptown television in theatre operation.<br />
Dave Jones, Kerasotes ad man, managed to<br />
daily. All papers covered the troupe's visit to in the annual Sportsman show at Navy pier.<br />
get the local newspaper to run a contest on<br />
Vaughn hospital where Dave Garroway, Both are experts in canoeing.<br />
"To the Ends of the Earth." The contest,<br />
Ernie Simon, Linn Burton and Eddie Hubbard<br />
adopted the GI patient doing the disk Arthur Willi, RKO talent scout, was in<br />
which ran the entire length of the booking,<br />
gave prizes for the best photographs taken<br />
jockey show on the hospital's intercommunications<br />
hookup.<br />
"Serenade" . Oak Park headquarters<br />
town on the forthcoming production,<br />
at different parts of the globe . . . J. B. Giachetto,<br />
general manager of Frisina Amusement<br />
Co., and his wife left the latter part of<br />
of the Girl Scouts have made arrangements<br />
Charles Schlaifer, advertising and publicity<br />
with Len Lltecht, manager of the Lake, to<br />
chief of 20th-Fox, met the press respresentatives<br />
at a cocktail party in the Pump room<br />
They expect to be back about the end of this<br />
February to soak up some Florida sunshine.<br />
promote prizes for their annual cookie drive.<br />
For every 50 packages of cookies sold by<br />
Dave Arlean has acquired an<br />
week.<br />
a Scout, Len will issue two passes.<br />
Irish dialect from working on 'Variety Club<br />
Charles Murray, Fox Lincoln manager,<br />
bulletins for the club's St. Patrick's day party.<br />
screened "Call Northside 777" for the FBI,<br />
city and state pohce and local newspaper<br />
Claude Rubens, Great-States circuit maintenance<br />
chief, has gone to Cuba<br />
from fhe BOXOFFICE Tiles<br />
publishers. He played up the local angle in<br />
for a holiday<br />
his ads as the picture reaches its chmax in<br />
Bros, will send a camera crew<br />
(T-wenty Years Ago)<br />
Springfield at the state capitol and the Illinois<br />
State Journal-Register office . . . Dar-<br />
here to film special architectural backgrounds<br />
for "The Fountainhead." . . . Mrs.<br />
XirALTER LIGHT, for about 12 years with rell Presnell<br />
Walter Immerman,<br />
has joined the staff of the Fox<br />
wife of the general manager<br />
of B&K Fox sales organization in St. Louis, Lincoln as assistant manager to Charles Mur-<br />
the<br />
theatres, is seriously ill with<br />
a heart ailment<br />
has resigned to join Universal . . . William J. ray. Presnell formerly was manager of a<br />
. Jensen, with<br />
Horn, 76, was dangerously injured recently Fox theatre in Mount 'Vernon.<br />
the Essaness circuit since 1928 and recently<br />
manager<br />
by<br />
of the North<br />
a street car. For 56 years he has owned<br />
Center Theatre, has<br />
theatre properties in St. Louis . . . N. C. Parsons<br />
has purchased the Bethel Theatre,<br />
retired temporarily. Louis DeWolfe of the<br />
Buys Sound Bases<br />
Broadway Strand succeeds him. Steve Mc-<br />
Bethel, Mo., from Elton Com.stock.<br />
ADVANCE, MO.—Bill Sherman has installed<br />
new Simplex sound heads and bases<br />
Call, assistant at the Michigan, replaces De-<br />
Wolfe.<br />
"Pitfalls of Passion," a sex film, was in his 200-seat Sherman Tlieatre here. Purchase<br />
was made from National Theatre Sup-<br />
Dean Jones, manager of the State, is back banned in St. Louis by the police after being<br />
after three weeks leave due to illness . . .<br />
shown at the Capitol Theatre . musicians<br />
union of St. Louis temporarily deply<br />
in St. Louis.<br />
layed the premiere showing of "In Old San Key in Clarkton, Mo., Sold<br />
Francisco," a 'Vitaphone feature. The first<br />
CLARKTON, MO.—Harrison Keys has sold<br />
KE[P YOUR HOUSE 15 DEGREES COOLER IN SUMMER stand taken in St. Louis by the musicians<br />
the 200-seat Key Theatre. V. Warren will<br />
against the Vitaphone was more than a year<br />
Insulate with success, save up to<br />
remain as the manager.<br />
ago when the initial Vitaphone .show was<br />
40% on fuel, 30% of the cost of<br />
given at the Capitol. It is understood that<br />
electricity tor Cooling system.<br />
while the Grand Central operated without an Stage Children Are Older<br />
Arthur Benjamin Brenton, manager orchestra, the number of musicians at other MADISON—Because of a state law, two of<br />
of<br />
BRENTON Skouras Bros, theatres was increased to take Charlotte Greenwood's stage children were<br />
CO., INSULATION-ROOFING<br />
care of the number of men who would have slightly older than called for in the script,<br />
6525 S. Harvard Ave., Chicago 21, 111.<br />
been employed had the Grand Central used when "I Remember Mama" was presented<br />
Authorized Applicator of<br />
its quota of musicians.<br />
at the Parkway here March 5. In the play,<br />
Baldwin-Hill Mineral Wool<br />
the children are 9 and 11 years old, but substitutes<br />
took their places here because Wis-<br />
Natural water repellant, iireproof material<br />
For free estimate, phone: WENworth 4277<br />
the following to the office of<br />
a local newspaper and asked that it be published:<br />
"To Citizens of Madison, Wis., from<br />
the Youth of today. Men of tomorrow. We<br />
youths of today are to be real men of tomorrow<br />
by our parents' and our governments'<br />
WE PREFER<br />
three hours of sitting, eating and looking- is Too bad we have to make this suggestion.<br />
sort of a high price for us teen-agers. Please<br />
consider this important. Don't read it now<br />
and forget later. If we can get enough support<br />
of teen-agers we'll write to Washington,<br />
Max & Joe Berenson<br />
NATIONAL THEATRE ADVERTISING CO.<br />
for help."<br />
1325 S. Wabash Ave, Chicago 5, 111.<br />
15 Years of Successful Operation<br />
Soeed-O-Bikes * Radio Phonograph<br />
SAM CHERNOFI HARVARD THEATRE<br />
Combinations * 3-Pc. Luggage Sets<br />
Bicycles * Hobby Horses and Other<br />
Items at No Cost to the Exhibitor.<br />
MINDLIN FILM TRAILER CO.<br />
CANDY JOBBERS, INC.<br />
- 5,ni. Wnita ^an. PoAticiUa^U.<br />
That you investigate thoroughly the<br />
help. To get down to business, we are writing<br />
concerning the price of teen-agers for fering to solicit your neighborhood mer-<br />
character of any Premium Concern of-<br />
THEATRE OWNERS<br />
the movies.<br />
chants on giveavirays.<br />
Want Teen-Age Price<br />
consin law prohibits children under 12 from<br />
MADISON—Two youths recently brought<br />
appearing on the professional stage in the<br />
state.<br />
communication<br />
Fifty-five cents and 70 cents for<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
13. 1948
Fox Midwest Renews<br />
Du Quoin, III, Grand<br />
DU QUOIN. ILL.— Extensive improvements<br />
are under way at the Fox Midwest Grand<br />
Theatre here, including the replacement of<br />
the concrete main floor and the installation<br />
of 862 new seats.<br />
The floor construction is being undertaken<br />
by sections so as not to interfere with the<br />
operations of the theatre. Original plans<br />
were to close the house while the reconstruction<br />
work was in progress, but the contractor,<br />
was not certain how long the project<br />
would take and officials of the circuit he.sitated<br />
to deprive the community of the<br />
Grand's faculties for an indefinite period,<br />
Manager Albert Spargur explained.<br />
A small tunnelway is to be placed beneath<br />
the floor to carry steam pipes, electric wiring,<br />
etc. A new heating plant will be installed<br />
after the cold season is over. The<br />
new system will eliminate radiators now on<br />
the theatre walls.<br />
700-Seater, Charleston. 111..<br />
Undergoes Remodeling<br />
CHARLESTON. ILL.—An extensive remodeling<br />
program at the Lincoln Theatre.<br />
700-seater operated under Frisina Amusement<br />
Co. banner is nearing completition. The<br />
seats in the terraced balcony are to be rearranged<br />
to allow more knee room, which<br />
will mean a slight reduction in the seating<br />
capacity. New stairways are to be constructed<br />
and some changes will also be made in the<br />
arrangement of the rest rooms. The ticket<br />
booth, which has been at the rear of the<br />
lobby, is to be rebuilt farther forward and both<br />
the upstairs and downstairs sections are to<br />
be redecorated. The work has been scheduled<br />
so there will be httle interference with the<br />
show schedule. Ed Clark of Mattoon is a<br />
principal stockholder in the Charleston Theatre<br />
Co., which owns the theatre.<br />
Wisconsin U. Has Short<br />
For Commercial Theatres<br />
MADISON—The University of 'Wisconsin<br />
bureau of visual instruction has received five<br />
35mm prints of a state centennial film, "Wisconsin<br />
Makes Its Laws," for circulation<br />
among commercial theatres in the state, according<br />
to 'Walter A. 'Wittich. head of the<br />
bureau. The film runs 12 minutes, and shows<br />
how a bill is enacted into law in the state<br />
legislature. The bureau has also received 14<br />
prints of a 16mm version of the film running<br />
29 minutes, and has 11 more on order.<br />
These are for use by schools, colleges, PTA<br />
associations and historical societies. Wittich<br />
said the 16mm films had already been booked<br />
solidly through March, with more than half<br />
of the April dates also spoken for.<br />
Warners Whips Allied Five<br />
To Take Bowling Lead<br />
CHICAGO— Warner,s not only whipped<br />
Allied for three games in last week's session<br />
of the Chicago Motion Picture Bowling<br />
league, but their 2,756 was also the highest<br />
team total of the session. They also shot a<br />
high game of 997, and are now leading the<br />
league by one game over the second place<br />
Film Chauffeurs, who took a couple from<br />
National Screen. United Artists won a<br />
couple from Columbia and Universal copped<br />
two from Metro. Sweepstake winners were<br />
E. Berger, R. Otto, E.' Klass, H. Hebel, M.<br />
Canavan. F. Lingenfelser and O. Leman.<br />
Censor Rejects 'Furia'<br />
CHICAGO—Film Classics' Italian-made<br />
picture "Furia" was rejected by the Chicago<br />
motion picture censor board last month.<br />
Classed for adults only were Warners' "I<br />
Became a Criminal" and Tricolore's French<br />
picture, "Panic." The censors looked at<br />
425.000 feet of film during February, which<br />
represented 99 releases, and made six cuts.<br />
Television Network<br />
Ready by Autumn<br />
ST. LOUIS— Television network channels<br />
extending from Buffalo to St. Louis will be<br />
available In time for the 1948 football season,<br />
Bartlett Miller, a vice-president of the<br />
American Telephone & Telegraph Co., announced.<br />
Two channels, one in either direction, will<br />
be set early in October to connect St. Louis.<br />
Cleveland. Toledo and Chicago. One channel<br />
is to be set up to carry television program<br />
from this network to Buffalo, N. Y.<br />
Miller said the midwest network would be<br />
linked with the present east coast network<br />
by December, 1948, through a coaxial cable<br />
linking Cleveland and Philadelphia. The<br />
present two channels between New 'Vork<br />
and Washington are to be supplemented by<br />
two additional channels by June, in time for<br />
the national political conventions. A single<br />
channel will be opened to Richmond, 'Va.<br />
Curfew Law Liberalized<br />
CHICAGO—A liberalized c\ufe\v ordinance,<br />
dropping the age limit to 16 :ind giving<br />
"<br />
youths an extra hour "grace on Fridays and<br />
Saturdays, was passed unanimou.sly by the<br />
city council. Mayor Kennelly signed it immediately.<br />
The new ordinance sets 10.30 p. m.<br />
Sunday through Thursday and 11:30 p. m.<br />
on Friday and Saturday as the hours when<br />
all under 16 must be off the streets unless<br />
they are employed or accompanied by an<br />
adult.<br />
Fresh Air Via Truck<br />
HA'VANA. ILL.—A truck cra.shed into the<br />
alcove at the rear of the Lawford Theatre,<br />
which houses the ventilating ducts, giving the<br />
house "fresh air" ventilation until the damage<br />
could be repaired. No shows were missed,<br />
Manager Howie Young reported.<br />
Retail Sales on Upgrade<br />
In St. Louis Territory<br />
ST. LOUIS—Retail sales in the five leading<br />
department stores of St. Louis in the<br />
week and four-week periods ended February<br />
.28 showed increases of 33 per cent and 7 per<br />
cent, respectively, compared with the same<br />
periods in 1947, it was stated in a report issued<br />
by the Federal Reserve bank of St. Louis.<br />
Cumulative sales for the year to February 28<br />
were 8 per cent greater than in the same 1947<br />
period.<br />
Here we ore at 245 W. 55TH ST.<br />
Ready lo serve you with<br />
NEW finest special announcement trailers.<br />
YORK<br />
PHONE U you haven't tried nimack's<br />
PLA ZA quality and rapid service, send us<br />
7-3809 your next order and be agreeably<br />
I NEW YORK<br />
m 24S WEST<br />
^ 55 ST REET<br />
surprised.<br />
itjMhvtiijiia<br />
UNDERGROUND DRIVE-IN CABLE<br />
No. 14 Stranded — Nylon Inner Covering — Coded Markings<br />
J\/a€4A<br />
Neoprene Outer Covering — No Conduit Required<br />
Just Bury Cable in Trench in Ground<br />
REGULAR PRICE 15c PER FOOT<br />
SPECIALLY PRICED AT 10c PER FOOT<br />
We Have Complete Drive-In Theatre Equipment<br />
EXHIBITORS SUPPLY CO.<br />
Theatre Eguipynent and Supplies<br />
3227 Olive Street Telephone<br />
St. Louis 3, Missouri Jefferson 5913<br />
March 13, 1948
Just a simple idea<br />
hut see what it does I<br />
From Showmandiser section<br />
of BOXOFFICE of Jan. 17 issue.<br />
Business can be boosted by better showmanship .<br />
. .<br />
Scores of practical<br />
ideas are presented to help YOU earn<br />
more profits from your investment.<br />
Read BOXOFFICE- Your Business- Builder Friend<br />
BOXOFnCE :: March 13, 1948
: March<br />
Sedalia Defies Blizzard to Give<br />
Warm Welcome to<br />
By ROBERT COPLIN<br />
SEDALIA, MO.—Despite the worst Maich<br />
blizzard in the history of the local weather<br />
bureau. Wednesday here was "Scudda Ha> '"<br />
day. The world premiere of 20th-Fox s outdoor<br />
drama. "Scudda Hoo! Scudda Ha\<br />
had been slated as the main atti action foi<br />
this central Missouri town, but the se\eie<br />
snows and wind offered stiff competition<br />
The festivities began at 10 a. m with the<br />
arrival from Kansas City of Lon McCallistei<br />
star of the film, and Betty Ann Lynn CoUeen<br />
Townsend and Louanne Hogan 20th-Fox<br />
players.<br />
In near-zero weather and bundled to the<br />
hilt, the stars rode in open cars, leading a<br />
parade of nearly 50 mule and motor-drawn<br />
floats through the snow-covered streets. Exhibits<br />
included those from nearby schools,<br />
civic organizations, 4-H clubs and social<br />
groups. Three hundred contestants in an<br />
area-wide Queen of the Jeans contest filled<br />
out the procession. Parade bands left their<br />
instruments behind. It was too cold to play.<br />
Bunting and banners, erected nearly a week<br />
in advance, flew over the streets and the majority<br />
of the townsfolk were clad in plaid<br />
shirts, blue jeans or western togs.<br />
THOUSANDS SEE PARADE<br />
Nearly 7,000 spectators braved the elements<br />
to view the parade from the streetside. Several<br />
thousand others watched the procession<br />
from store and office windows.<br />
The snow came down full force for the rest<br />
of the day and during the afternoon mule<br />
show held at the State Fair park there were<br />
almost as many mules as spectators.<br />
The temperature had risen somewhat by<br />
nightfall but the snow and wind continued<br />
unabated. A large crowd greeted the celebrities<br />
outside the Fox Theatre and there was<br />
a packed house iiiside. Each of the starlets<br />
sang and made a short talk. McCallister, who<br />
received a shrieking ovation from the audience<br />
composed largely of teen-aged girls,<br />
made a brief talk and apologized for the absence<br />
of June Haver, who co-stars with him<br />
in the film and who was unable to attend<br />
because of an appendicitis operation. The<br />
Rhythm Riders from station KMBC in Kansas<br />
City furnished the musical accompaniment<br />
for the group. Following their initial<br />
appearance at the Fox. the troupe was on<br />
stage at the Liberty a block down the street<br />
and again they played to a capacity crowd.<br />
The group made four appearances in all.<br />
QUEEN OF JEANS CROWNED<br />
A feature of the stage events was crowning<br />
of Anna Rose Baker, local high school<br />
Student. Queen of the Jeans.<br />
In charge of arrangements at the two theatres<br />
here were Joe Ruddick, city manager,<br />
and LeRoy Nichols of the Liberty. Rodney<br />
Bush, chief of 20th-Fox exploitation, was in<br />
charge of the entire celebration. He was assisted<br />
by Sy Freedman, area explolteer. Bill<br />
Winter of the 20th-Fox studio accompanied<br />
the group from Hollywood.<br />
Fox Midwest representatives at the celebration<br />
were Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Rhoden,<br />
James Long, Senn Lawler, L. O. Honig, Chet<br />
Hylton and Roy Hill, manager in Springfield.<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
13. 1948<br />
'Scudda Hool'<br />
Lon McCallister shows the three starlets who accompanied him to Sfdalia thtmule-driving<br />
technique he learned while making "Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!" In the<br />
cart in front of the Fox Theatre there are, left to right, Betty Ann Lynn, Coleen Townsend<br />
and Louanne Hogan.<br />
Fox Midwest representatives are shown In the center panel<br />
with the stars. Left to right: Roy HUl, manager of the Jewell In Springfield; Miss<br />
Townsend; Chet Hylton, district booker; Joe Ruddick, city manager In Sedalia; Senn<br />
Lawler, pubUc relations; Miss Hogan, E. C. Rhoden, president; James J. Long, district<br />
manager; Miss Lynn, and McCallister.<br />
Anna, Baker is crowned Queen of the Jeans by McCallister in the bottom panel.<br />
Assisting in the ceremony are Miss Townsend, Miss Hogan^nd Miss Lynn.<br />
MW
. . . The<br />
. . Rex<br />
. . Ted<br />
. . Lloyd<br />
. . Mrs.<br />
. . Eddie<br />
. . Charles<br />
. . Commonwealth<br />
. . The<br />
:<br />
March<br />
KANSAS CITY<br />
J^obert Scott, son of Ward E. Scott, recently<br />
retired district chief for 20th-Fox, drove<br />
his father to Denver recently after a short<br />
visit here, his first in about two years. Young<br />
Scott recently completed "Shed No Tears,"<br />
his first leading role, for Eagle Lion. Bob<br />
continued on to Hollywood and Ward was<br />
to leave for New Orleans, whence he will<br />
depart for Haiti to visit his other son.<br />
W. G. Mihvain, sales engineer for National<br />
Theatre Supply, returned last week from a<br />
visit with his father, who operates the Milwain<br />
Theatre in Bard well, Ky. . . . Homer<br />
Strowig. flying president of KMTA and<br />
owner of two houses in Abilene, Kas., was<br />
marooned here last Friday due to the heavy<br />
snow in his home town. Strowig said it was<br />
the first time this winter that he has been<br />
unable to fly home.<br />
POP CORN BOXES<br />
10c Size<br />
ATTRACTIVE DESIGN<br />
IMMEDIATE SHIPMENT<br />
Paper Supply Co.<br />
505 Delawrare Street<br />
KANSAS CITY G, MO.<br />
SELL YOUR THEATRE PRIVATELY<br />
Your Deal Handled Personally!<br />
27 years experience<br />
We Cover the U. S. Market<br />
Arthur Leak<br />
Theatre Sales Exclusively<br />
3422 Kinmore Dallas 10, T(<br />
Phone T3-2026<br />
^ne ^ine<br />
The Drive-In Theatre Speaker and<br />
Junction Box is cast of a special<br />
alloy. Fully enclosed moistureproof<br />
transformer with adjustable<br />
taps to match any amplifier. A<br />
specially-designed speaker properly<br />
engineered for drive-ins.<br />
Complete Drive-In<br />
Equipment<br />
Commonwealth's King of the Sun contest<br />
will begin April 29 and. will continue for 15<br />
weeks. The campaign will be based on the<br />
same procedure and principles as last year<br />
circuit and the Republic exchange<br />
have opened a lunchroom in the basement of<br />
their building. Gretchen Brown of Commonwealth<br />
is in charge . Anderson, pay<br />
roll auditor at Commonwealth, married Nellie<br />
Schneider of Warner Bros.<br />
Clyde Bradley, manager of the Baxter in<br />
Mountain Home, Ark., had exploitation placards<br />
spotted on the town's new fire truck<br />
while the machine was on display in the<br />
town Barrett, Commonwealth<br />
partner in Columbia, fell and broke his left<br />
shouUier recently while entering his car. He<br />
has been in a hospital there . Lowell<br />
Nibbelink, wife of the manger of the Petit<br />
in LawTence, Kas., is back after an appendectomy<br />
. Irwin, pilot of the Royal and<br />
Barton in Hoisington, conducted a contest<br />
on whether March would come in like a lamb<br />
or a lion in that town. He who guessed what<br />
the temperature was at 11:50 the night of<br />
Febrauary 29 won a month's pass.<br />
Otis Cowan, former manager in Manhattan<br />
for TEI and now of Texas City, Tex., visited<br />
Mrs. Cowan's parents there recently. Cowan<br />
went on to Shawnee. Okla., to see his recently<br />
widowed mother.<br />
Proceeds from the advance ticket sale for<br />
"The Unfinished Dance" at the Wareham in<br />
Manhattan recently and sponsored by the<br />
Wesleyan Service Guild of the Methodist<br />
church there will go into a scholarship fund<br />
for the education of a foreign student at Kansas<br />
State college.<br />
Sneak previews seem the order of the day<br />
in first runs. The Midland screened "The<br />
Bride Goes Wild," the Tower, Uptown and<br />
Fairway combine featiu-ed "Sitting Pretty,"<br />
and the Paramount held a preview of "Tlie<br />
Voice of the Turtle" last week. The Roxy<br />
sneaked "The Man From Texas" Mondav<br />
night . Mansfield has done some<br />
pretty fast work, or some fancy guessing, this<br />
week. The Regent downtown this week<br />
played Jack Benny as "The Walking Man"<br />
in "The Meanest Man in the World."<br />
Allied Theatres of Kansas and Missouri<br />
held its first regional meeting at Webb City<br />
this week. Larry Larsen, vice-president of<br />
the organization, was host Liberty<br />
in Marysville has a new and interior<br />
roof<br />
decoration. A new heating system and outside<br />
painting are other features of the<br />
project. Jack Hastings is manager for Pox<br />
Midwest.<br />
The front office union's party at Warners<br />
Friday included the back office workers as<br />
well. Attending were Richard Walsh, president<br />
of the lATSE, and Felix Snow, vicepresident<br />
has reopened<br />
the Fulton Fulton following a week of<br />
in<br />
darkness for remodeling. Monroe Glenn is<br />
manager . . . Judge John F. Cook of the<br />
county circuit court dismissed the suit<br />
brought against the Tower Theatre by Mrs.<br />
Marion 'V. Gray of Springfield. Mrs. Gray<br />
had asserted she suffered back and internal<br />
injuries when she fell while descending<br />
stairs in the theatre. She had sought $15,000<br />
damages.<br />
Dick Biechele of KMTA was in Los Angeles<br />
for the Theatre Owners of America directors<br />
meeting March 9, 10 . . . George Harttmann,<br />
owner of the Armour in North Kansas City,<br />
was in from his home in Los Angeles . . . Jim<br />
Parks, formerly of RosweU, N. M., is assistant<br />
manager at the State in Garden City,<br />
Kas. Manager is Roy Holmes, who also<br />
handles the Ritz there.<br />
Lou Patz, district manager of National<br />
Screen Service, was to return the end of the<br />
week from Omaha and from Des Moines,<br />
where he looked in on remodeling in the NSS<br />
branch . Brenner jr. is the new<br />
NSS salesman for Kansas. He comes from<br />
Wichita and was at one time assistant manager<br />
of the State Theatre here.<br />
Jack Barnett, Movietone News cameraman<br />
in this area before the war, was a visitor . . .<br />
Al Brandon of Selected Pictures exchange in<br />
Denver was in the local office. Norris Cresswell<br />
is manager here . . . 'Visitors also included<br />
Walter Kahler and G. E. Dyer of the<br />
Butler in Butler: George Lehman, Plaza,<br />
St. Joseph: Mr. and Mrs. Ray Dunnuck,<br />
Madrid, Atchinson, Kas.: A. E. Jarboe, Ritz,<br />
Cameron: Ray Miner, Miner, Moran: Forrest<br />
White. Rex. Burlington Junction, and Joe<br />
Ghosen. Clinton and Sedalia.<br />
Other visitors were Mr. and Mrs. C. C.<br />
Rhodes of the CC in Cole Camp: Elmer Bills,<br />
Satisfaction — Always<br />
Missouri Theatre Supply Co.<br />
L. I. KIMBRIEL, Manager<br />
Phone GHond 2864<br />
— 115 W. 18th Kansas City 8. Mo. S<br />
Skreve THEATRE SUPPLY CO.<br />
217 West 18th Street Kansas City 8, Missouri<br />
TlntonjUones^<br />
THEATRE INSURANCE Spec/o/is<br />
76<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
13, 1948
io.i.li<br />
: March<br />
. . John<br />
Lyric, Salisbury: Paul Oetting. Lyric. Concordia:<br />
Don Shade. Tauy, Ottawa. Kas.; R.<br />
C. Davison, Binney, Pattonsburg; H. S. Evans,<br />
Royal, Burden. Kas.; Harold Porta. Community,<br />
Humansville; H. B. Doering, Peoples,<br />
Garnett, Kas., and Ralph Bartlett, Fox Midwest<br />
city manager in Wichita .<br />
Scott<br />
of Republic won the radio in El Zorros contest<br />
to rai.se money for the FMW social<br />
group.<br />
Nick Sonday, manager of the Uptown, is<br />
In Pi-ovidence hospital with sciatic neuritis.<br />
It is expected that he will return to the FMW<br />
showcase in about two weeks. Filling his<br />
place is Bob Collier, assistant at the house,<br />
who also subbed for Roy Cato at the Fairway<br />
when Cato was out with a fractured ankle.<br />
Richard Preston Acquires<br />
Lime Springs Theatre<br />
LIME SPRINGS. IOWA—Richard J. Preston<br />
of Excelsior. Minn., has bought the Lime<br />
Theatre here from Webb R. Raudenbush of<br />
Mimieapolis. Preston, an army air force<br />
\'eteran. is a sound engineer. He annoimced<br />
the theatre will continue mider the management<br />
of Mrs. Winnie Bowers and that he<br />
plans improvements to the building. Because<br />
of the housing shortage here. Preston will<br />
continue to<br />
live in Excelsior.<br />
Carl R. Swanson Sells<br />
Theatre in Revillo, S. D.<br />
REVILLO, S. D.— Carl R. Swanson, proprietor<br />
of the Revillo Theatre for the past 20<br />
years, has sold it to Wesley Struss. Swanson<br />
has also disposed of the Weekly Item<br />
newspaper, of which he was editor.<br />
Plan New Monett House<br />
MONETT. MO.—Commonwealth has plans<br />
to btiild a new 450-seat theatre here to replace<br />
the recently vacated Strand, C. A.<br />
Schultz. president of the circuit, said this<br />
week. The Strand, a 350-seater operated by<br />
the chain for the last ten years, was sold<br />
to a local shoe factory. Pi-operty in the center<br />
of town for the new house has been obtained<br />
and the theatre will be built as soon as building<br />
restrictions permit. Other Commonwealth<br />
house here is the 800-seat Gillioz.<br />
managed by Jack Kempton.<br />
Legion Plans Theatre<br />
' C f-<br />
THOMPSON, IOWA—The Johnson-Tapa-<br />
H Bills. ger American Legion post here is sponsoring<br />
I<br />
___-' solicitation of funds for the erection of a<br />
.-— modern theatre as a memorial to veterans.<br />
3 It is planned to begin building shortly so<br />
that the theatre will be ready by summer.<br />
, Plans call for a building 36x80 feet with a<br />
I<br />
LOi 250-person seating capacity. The building<br />
also will house Legion clubrooms and a<br />
lecture<br />
hall.<br />
rrl 'Dan Patch' Delayed<br />
MINNEAPOLIS — Weather uncertainties<br />
caused W. R. Frank, local circuit owner and<br />
Hollywood producer, to delay the start of<br />
shooting of "Dan Patch." story of the famous<br />
pacer, he said when he arrived here from<br />
California. Originally scheduled to go before<br />
the cameras in January, it will begin<br />
next May, he said.<br />
NO TIME OUT. BUT IN—Gabriel Burnett<br />
(leftl, head of the Barnett Film<br />
Service of Hollywood, stands beside Julian<br />
King of King Enterprises, who is signing<br />
a contract in King's Kansas City offices<br />
involving the distribution of Barnett's<br />
patented theatre clock in IWis-souri, Illinois,<br />
Arkansas and Iowa. A. Jules<br />
Benedie, named general sales manager<br />
for King Enterprises' clock division, looks<br />
on. Barnett was in Kansas City on his<br />
way to Havana for a visit at Cuban<br />
headquarters. He completed clock in-<br />
a<br />
stallation arrangement with Fox iVIidwest<br />
circuit while in Kansas City.<br />
Steel Delivered for Two<br />
Lincoln, Neb.. Drive-Ins<br />
LINCOLN—steel for two drive-in theatres,<br />
the first to be built here, arrived by rail and<br />
work assembling them will begin soon.<br />
One of the drive-ins will be built two miles<br />
west of town, on O street, and the other will<br />
be located two miles east. Each theatre will<br />
handle 500 cars and will be erected at a cost<br />
of $100,000. They will be completed this<br />
summer and will operate under the same<br />
curfew regulations as the downtown theatres.<br />
Builders of the drive-ins have not disclosed<br />
their<br />
identity.<br />
Buys Iris in Clifton<br />
CLIFTON. KAS.—Fred Eberwein has sold<br />
the local Iris to Frank Reising of Hays.<br />
Reising, a newcomer to exhibition, plans no<br />
change in policy for the house. Eberwein,<br />
who came here from New England, will return<br />
there to re-enter exhibition.<br />
IDEAL<br />
Slide -Back<br />
Theatr(» Chairs<br />
Your best buy.<br />
pre-war quality in<br />
STEBBINS THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO.<br />
1804 WyondottB St.. Eonaoa City 8, Mo.<br />
Clyde Badger, Manager<br />
Sex Picture Clipped<br />
By Omaha Censors<br />
OMAHA—A well-laundered version ut the<br />
film, "Let There Be Light," went on the<br />
.screen of the Epstein circuit's Roseland Theatre.<br />
One of the few instances of censorship<br />
here in recent years, the trimming resulted<br />
from an order by the city welfare board.<br />
The trouble began when South Omaha residents<br />
protested against "suggestive" placards<br />
advertising the picture on telephone<br />
poles. Acting Mayor Carl Jenson ordered<br />
them torn down. City Welfare Director Tom<br />
Knapp ordered a screening of the picture before<br />
the board. Ministers and South Omaha<br />
citizens also attended the .screening.<br />
The board ordered "sexy .scenes by sexy<br />
women" removed. The theatre also was told<br />
to do no more advertising of the picture and<br />
that a $1 booklet "The Facts of Life" could<br />
not be -sold in connection with it.<br />
Of the picture, Welfare Board Chairman<br />
John Samp.son said: "It stinks."<br />
Small Mystic. Iowa, Fire<br />
MYSTIC. IOWA—Patrons of the Strand<br />
Theatre here vacated the building in orderly<br />
fashion when a reel of film caught fire.<br />
Stanley Cooper, projectionist, was winding<br />
the film when it started to burn, destroying<br />
the entire reel and filling the house with<br />
smoke. There were no injuries and damage<br />
was said to be slight.<br />
Buy Olivia, Minn., House<br />
REDFIELD. S. D.—A. A. Staack. principal<br />
the Redfield high school, and O. R. Swope<br />
of<br />
have purchased the Olivia. Minn., theatre.<br />
They took possession March 3.<br />
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT<br />
TRAILERS<br />
IGmm — Motion Pictures — 35mm<br />
Sound Recording — Talkies<br />
HAL PARKER STUDIOS<br />
PALKING TRAILERS, LOBBY PAPER<br />
AND MATS<br />
Write, Wire or Phone<br />
PENNINGTON POSTER SERVICE<br />
130 West 18th Phone: GRand 8S26<br />
Kansas City 8. Mo.<br />
STAGE EQUIPMENT COMPANY<br />
iiiini<br />
niuiLiin,<br />
i),is«|<br />
BOXOmCE :<br />
13. 1948
. . Three<br />
. . Included<br />
D E S<br />
MOINES<br />
'prog:ress is being made on rebuilding the<br />
Tracy Theatre, Storm Lake. Manager<br />
Hill says he expects it to be one of the<br />
Bill<br />
best looking houses in this part of tlie state.<br />
The work should be completed this spring<br />
. . . H. S. "Doc" Twedt has changed his showschedule<br />
at his Princess in Britt. Two matinees<br />
will be given each Sunday, one at 1:15,<br />
the other at 3:30 and continuous showings<br />
on Sundays will be discontinued. Evening<br />
shows will be at 7:15 and 9:15.<br />
RKO screened "Fort Apache" at the Uptown<br />
here . Cedar Rapids groups<br />
heard Irvin Deer speak last week. They<br />
were the Executive Ass'n, the Lion's club and<br />
the Coe college student body.<br />
Excavation has begun for the basement of<br />
a new theatre building in Glidden ... A<br />
new sign has been installed on the Leo at<br />
Cumberland . in remodeling work<br />
at the Masonic Theatre in What Cheer are<br />
new sound equipment and new strong arcs<br />
in the projection booth ... On March 1, the<br />
Earl, Earlham, began showing pictures six<br />
nights a week. The house will be dark on<br />
Wednesday—chmxh night in Earlham. Shows<br />
will change Sunday and Thursday.<br />
COMPLETELY NEW
: March<br />
:-<br />
i<br />
'Timberlane' Is Great<br />
In Mill City Debut<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—Helped by a tremendous<br />
advertising and exploitation campaign. "Cass<br />
Timberlane" led the first run procession last<br />
week with a smash gross. "To the Ends of<br />
the Earth." another newcomer, also came<br />
through in fine style. It was the third week<br />
for "The Bishop's Wife" and "The Voice of<br />
the Turtle" and the second for "You Were<br />
Meant for Me" and "Daisy Kenyon."<br />
Aster Man With Nino Lives Man The<br />
Could Not Hang (SR) reis<br />
Century You Were Meant foi<br />
2nd d. t wk<br />
Gopher—Green Hell (Realart irt) Pittsburgh<br />
i\ari<br />
Lyceum—Rembrandt Beloved Enemy<br />
(SR). reissues<br />
Lyric—The Voice of the Turtle (WB), 3ri d<br />
Radio City—Cass Timberlane (MGM)<br />
RKO-Orpheum—To the Ends of the Earth<br />
RKO-Pan—The Bishop's Wife (RKO), 3rd «<br />
Stcfte—Pirates of Monterey (U-I)<br />
World—Daisy Kenyon l20th-Fox), 2nd wl<br />
Snow Cramps Kansas City St-yle;<br />
'Bishop,' 'Ends of Earth' Top<br />
KANSAS CITY—A heavy snow last Friday<br />
nipped big grosses in the bud and the resultant<br />
week was only slightly above par. Top<br />
newcomer was "To the Ends of the Earth"<br />
at the Midland, which scored 115 on the<br />
barometer clock. "The Bishop's Wife." top<br />
newcomer last week, again pulled down high<br />
score with 125 in its second stanza at the<br />
Orpheum. The picture was held over for a<br />
third frame.<br />
"I Walk Alone." in it.s second week at the<br />
Paramount, dropped to below average, but<br />
"Call Northside 777." which moved over to<br />
the Esquire for a second stanza, improved<br />
through its new location. "The Smugglers"<br />
was held for an extra day at the Roxy, winding<br />
up with business 10 per cent over par.<br />
Esquire— Call Northside 777 {20;h-Fox), moveover;<br />
Half Past Midnight (20th-Fox) 110<br />
Midland—To the Ends of the Eorlh (Col),<br />
Sweet Genevieve (Col) 115<br />
Orpheum—The Bishop's Wile RKO Desperate<br />
--.-::<br />
(RKO), 2Tii<br />
Paramount-I Walk .85<br />
Alone •<br />
125<br />
Roxy—The Smugglers L :". ,110<br />
Tower, Uptov.-r, Ft:-,'i.' Black Bart ._75<br />
''-Ii<br />
Frank Gullingsrud Marks<br />
50th Year as Stagehand<br />
DULUTH, MINN.—Frank Gullingsrud, stage<br />
manager of the Norshor Theatre here and<br />
for more than three<br />
decades propertyman<br />
at the Lyceum, can<br />
now write "50 years a<br />
stage hand."<br />
March 6 marked his<br />
golden anniversary as<br />
a member of local 32,<br />
lATSE. He has been<br />
president for the last<br />
20 years. Gullingsrud,<br />
dean of the stage<br />
L-y^^^^^H ^_\^|||m managers of the northwest,<br />
has one of the<br />
Frank Gnllingsrud finest collection of<br />
autographed photographs of the greats and<br />
near-greats of the theatrical world since the<br />
late 90's.<br />
Dan J. Hudson, general manager of the<br />
Norshor, and Gullingsrud first met in 1924<br />
when Dan, with his sister, appeared in a<br />
song and dance act on the Lyceum stage with<br />
the Duluth Kiddies, a footlight<br />
troupe.<br />
Ted Fitzgerald Transferred<br />
As TEI Juggles Managers<br />
MANHATTAN, KAS.—Resignations, promotions<br />
and transfers have caused several<br />
changes in the staff of the four TEI houses<br />
here.<br />
John Henderson, chief projectionist at the<br />
Sosna, has resigned to take a position with<br />
an oil company in Russell. He has been<br />
replaced by David Church, formerly of the<br />
Wareham.<br />
Another new face at the Sosna. TBI's<br />
campus showcase, is James Murphy, who was<br />
transferred here from the circuit's Chief In<br />
Hiawatha.<br />
Ted Fitzgerald. State manager, has been<br />
promoted to the managership of the Mozark<br />
in Springfield, Mo. Ralph Utermoehlen has<br />
been named the new State manager, replacing<br />
Fitzgerald.<br />
St. Paul Tax Beaten<br />
In Referendum Vote<br />
ST PAUL Votcis lure decisively defeated<br />
proposed 5 per cent city admission tax in<br />
a<br />
a referendum here Tuesday.<br />
The result was a big victory for theatre<br />
interests, which took the lead in the fight<br />
against it. Northwest Allied played a particularly<br />
active part in the campaign. Theatres<br />
distributed petitions calling for the referendum,<br />
ran trailers urging all voters to cast<br />
their ballots and had large newspaper ads<br />
urging the tax's defeat.<br />
St. Paul business interests generally were<br />
against the tax.<br />
LmtM<br />
O. F. SULLIVAN —Owner and General<br />
Manager, Sullivan, Independent<br />
Theatres, Wichita, Kansas— says:<br />
"Efficient service with sound<br />
equipment i.s a most important<br />
factor. For 15 year.s I have considered<br />
the punctual and efficient<br />
RCA Service a most important<br />
busine-ss insurance."<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
—write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Radio Corporation of America,<br />
Camden, New Jersey.<br />
Adv.<br />
Omaha Is Buried in Snow;<br />
Only 'Body' Reaches Par<br />
OMAHA—Record March snows that totaled<br />
more than 16 inches the first two days of<br />
the month took the edge off theatre business.<br />
Those houses that could hold their own were<br />
lucky. Matinee busine.ss was at a stand.still.<br />
Omaha—Captain From Castile Zjih-Fox),<br />
Trail of the Mounlies (SG) 2nd d, t wk 95<br />
;<br />
Orpheum—Body and Soul '_',".<br />
Smort Politics (Mcr. 100<br />
Paramount-Call Northside 777 r.-Fox) 95<br />
RKO-Brondeis-To the Ends ol Earth the Col);<br />
Always Together (WB; 90<br />
State—The Great Waltz (MfJl!<br />
Three on a Ticket (EL) 95<br />
Town—Jungle Flight (Para): The Corpse Came<br />
C.O.D. (Col), 2nd run; split with News<br />
(Mono); Blondie's Big Moment (Col), 2nd<br />
Wild West (EL)<br />
lb<br />
^<br />
USED CHAIRS<br />
BEST BUY!<br />
WRITE FOR PARTICULARS<br />
PHOTOS and PRICES<br />
HOW MANY DO YOU NEED?<br />
George Kappers Improves<br />
State in Hurley S. D.<br />
HURLEY, S. D.—George Kappers, who recently<br />
purchased the State Theatre, is making<br />
extensive improvements and repairs. New<br />
cold air pipes are being placed under the<br />
floor and the furnace room is being enlarged.<br />
The ceiling will be lowered several feet, and<br />
new seats will be installed.<br />
FENSIN SEATING COMPANY<br />
62 EAST 13th STREET CHICAGO 5<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
13, 1948
. . Jack<br />
. . RKO<br />
. . Red<br />
. . Joseph<br />
"<br />
. . Carl<br />
. . H.<br />
. .<br />
: March<br />
OMAHA<br />
Exhibitors through the territory say their<br />
business is off at least 25 per cent.<br />
They blame bad weather, particularly record<br />
snows: the fact that there is less<br />
money in the average man's pocketbook due<br />
to the high cost of living, and Lent, which<br />
seems to have slowed business more than<br />
usual in Catholic communities.<br />
Frances Campbell, stenographer at Columbia,<br />
resigned . Riggs, former Central<br />
City exhibitor, was in town on his return from<br />
Texas . . . Louise Cotter, RKO Brandeis public<br />
relations director, has been out due to the<br />
flu.<br />
Roy Syfert, owner of the Ainsworth Theatre,<br />
Ainsworth. Neb., is in Clarkson hospital<br />
here. He was to undergo a major operation<br />
during the week . . . Donald Shane, Paramount<br />
Theatre manager, staged a preview of<br />
••Sitting Pretty" .<br />
Brandeis employes<br />
and friends of Manager Will Singer<br />
are trying almost everything to get him to<br />
stay on the job. He had indicated he would resign<br />
at the first sign of spring, but already<br />
he has been persuaded to stay on at least<br />
until midsummer. Singer said he wants to<br />
do more fishing and spend future winters in<br />
a warmer climate.<br />
Milton Swift, Warner shipper, announced<br />
that Patrick John is the name of the newarrival<br />
in his family . Nash, owner<br />
of the Canton Theatre at Canton, S. D.,<br />
returned from a vacation in Florida.<br />
Even a film salesman can meet his equal.<br />
Proof in point is the case of Ed Cohn of<br />
Universal-International. He was ready to<br />
leave town on his weekly jaunt and couldn't<br />
spot his car out front. He called police. Police<br />
told him to look around. He did. He<br />
found the police had hauled his car into a<br />
snow bank. On it was a tag because it was<br />
in the way wTien the street department<br />
wanted to clean the street. Not only that, Ed<br />
also had to pay to have a garage haul his<br />
truck out of the bank.<br />
Planning a Drive-In?<br />
Use the<br />
MOONLIGHT<br />
MOVIES<br />
SYSTEM<br />
We furnish your construction plans with<br />
licensure under Patent App. 7179.<br />
MOONLIGHT MOVIES SYSTEM<br />
842 Bussey St.<br />
San Bernardino.<br />
Calil.<br />
Bad roads scared most exhibitors out of a<br />
Monday visit. Those who showed up included<br />
" Donald T. Campbell. Central City;<br />
Robert Bertram. Schleswig, Iowa; Harold<br />
Schnoonover, Aurora; Herman Fields, Clarinda,<br />
Iowa; Mrs. Francis Pace, Malvern, Iowa;<br />
and Frank and Woody Simek, Ashland.<br />
Quality Theatre Supply Co., after more<br />
than a year of trying to get remodeling work<br />
Walter Hoffman, 20th-Fox exploiteer from<br />
Minneapolis, was in town several days lining<br />
up the "Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!" premiere.<br />
It opened March 10 at the Paramount<br />
and 124 other Nebraska theatres . . . Mayor<br />
Leeman has been working for several montohs<br />
trying to get a world premiere of a coming<br />
picture for Omaha.<br />
Ken Seymour, formerly with KOAD, has<br />
joined the R. D. Goldberg Theatre Enterprises<br />
as public relations and advertising<br />
assistant . . . Wally Kemp, manager of the<br />
Capitol at Grand Island, acted as cupid for<br />
the girls. He had special souvenir tickets<br />
printed for a midnight leap year show, and<br />
the gals had to pay for them . . . Diana<br />
Barrymore wUl be here March 19. 20 in "Joan<br />
of<br />
Lorraine.<br />
From *he<br />
BOXOFFICE FILES<br />
(T-wenty Years Ago)<br />
lyjAX ME"^ER, veteran film man, is<br />
representing<br />
Tiffany in Kansas. He is the<br />
smallest person on the sales staff, weighing<br />
90 pounds . G. Howe is the new booker<br />
for Educational in Kansas City. Howe succeeds<br />
Wes Dunlap, who resigned . . . Jack<br />
Roth, well-known theatre manager, is back<br />
in Kansas City after 14 months in Memphis.<br />
Jack is now manager of the Madrid . , . T. D.<br />
Block, exhibitor from Odessa, Mo., was a<br />
Filmrow visitor, as was Lawrence Brueninger<br />
of Topeka.<br />
Baby Peggy, former juvenile star of the<br />
films, played at the Orpheum in Kansas<br />
City this week. Last week, Han-y Carey, famous<br />
in western roles, filled an engagement<br />
at the Orpheum . A. Jones, who has<br />
been manager of the Crane Theatre, Carth^<br />
age. Mo., has been transferred to the Kansas<br />
City office of the Midland circuit. Harry<br />
Wren of St. Joseph has succeeded Jones in<br />
Carthage . . . A. E. Weber of Hutchinson,<br />
Kas., and C. C. Haas of Great Bend have<br />
leased the La Crosse Theatre at La Crosse,<br />
Kas. .<br />
Paffin of Parker, Kas., has<br />
oijened the Rex at Bronson, Kas.<br />
Fox Midwest Named<br />
In Antitrust Action<br />
MEMPHIS—Charging monopolistic practices<br />
in the release of films in Cape Girardeau,<br />
Mo., a Memphis concern has filed suit for<br />
$330,000 damages in federal court against a<br />
group of motion picture producers, distributors<br />
and exhibitors.<br />
Cape Pictures, Inc., headed by Barney<br />
Woolner and Harold Roth, brought the suit<br />
in Cape Girardeau against Warner Bros.,<br />
done, has completed its move to quarters<br />
next door. This leaves Film Classics in the Universal, United Artists, 20th-Fox, Republic,<br />
old office—space it has been sharing since Fox Midwest Amusement Corp.. Fox Cape<br />
December with the equipment firm Theatre Corp., National Theatres Corp.;<br />
.<br />
Omaha's Aim Ronnell is writing the musical Glenn Carroll, manager of two theatres at<br />
Cape Girardeau; and Elmer C. Rhoden of<br />
score for "One Touch of Venus." Her husband,<br />
Lester Cowan, will produce the picture. Kansas City, president, and Fred Souttar of<br />
Dan Hudson Drive Major<br />
DULUTH—Dan J. Hudson, manager of the<br />
Norshor Theatre, is business division major<br />
for Duluth's Red Coss fund campaign.<br />
St. Louis, district manager of Fox Midwest.<br />
Cape Pictures operates the Esquire Theatre<br />
in Cape Girardeau. The bill charges the defendants<br />
have conspired to prevent the<br />
Esquire from getting first run product and<br />
have assigned pictures, instead, to theatres<br />
operated by Fox Midwest<br />
In addition to the $330,000, plus court costs<br />
and attorneys' fees, the plaintiff asks that<br />
the defendants be restrained from continuing<br />
•'unlawful trade practices." Abe D. Waldauer<br />
and Ben C. Adams jr., of Memphis, and Strom<br />
and Sprading of Cape Girardeau are attorneys<br />
who filed 'the suit.<br />
20th-Fox Rejects Frank<br />
Bid for Less Clearance<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—Efforts of W. R. Frank<br />
to obtain a shorter clearance for the Boulevard<br />
Theatre in Minneapolis and West Twins<br />
in St. Paul received a setback when 20th-Fox<br />
notififed him that it would take no action<br />
at this time, pending the company's experience<br />
along these lines in Cleveland and other<br />
cities. Other companies on which Frank<br />
made clearance demands several weeks ago<br />
have not yet replied. Other Twin city independents<br />
have planned similar action.<br />
HOMER F. STROWIG — Owner<br />
and Manager, Plaza and Lyric Theatres,<br />
Abilene, Kansas—says:<br />
"We attribute our excellent<br />
and unfailing sound quality<br />
to the efforts of RCA Service<br />
and top quality of RCA<br />
equipment."<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
—write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Radio Corporation of America,<br />
Camden, New Jersey.<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
13, 1948<br />
"
I<br />
I<br />
I<br />
. . Wedding<br />
: March<br />
. . M.<br />
. . Ruth<br />
. . Edward<br />
MINNEAPOLIS<br />
Dack from an Arizona and California vacation,<br />
Ev Seibel, Minnesota Amusement<br />
Co. advertising and publicity head, tells of<br />
running across Ben Ashe, former Berger<br />
cucuit general manager, now National Screen<br />
branch manager in Los Angeles. The meeting<br />
took place in Phoenix and Ben asked Ev<br />
to convey his regards to all his Mii-meapolis<br />
friends. While attending the "Northside<br />
777" premiere in Hollywood, he heard the<br />
doorman call out the arrival of William R.<br />
Frank, local circuit owner and Hollywood<br />
producer. Ev says the studio economy wave<br />
LeRoy J. Miller, Universal-International<br />
manager, went to Redwood Falls. Minn., to<br />
put on a special screening of "A Double Life"<br />
for Northwest Theatres managers. The occasion<br />
was the reopening of the redecorated<br />
Don Buckley Theatre . . . Cliff Gill, former<br />
Welworth circuit and 20th-Pox exploiteer<br />
here, now a freelance public relations and<br />
j<br />
publicity man in California, visited his<br />
parents and brother here.<br />
Jack Heywood, New Richmond, Wis., circuit<br />
owner, is back from a, several months'<br />
vacation in Arizona and California . . . Northwest<br />
Variety Club is discontmuing its Saturday<br />
night bingo parties . . . Gertrude Guimont,<br />
Warner Bros, head booker, returned<br />
to her post after a nine-week absence due<br />
to a fractured limb . . . Ben Marcus, Columbia<br />
district manager, was a visitor.<br />
Bernard R. Goodman, Warner Bros, .^^uper-<br />
for Anna Teener of the Paramount office<br />
staff. She announced her engagement to<br />
Jerome Lorberdaum of the Snyder drug<br />
stores.<br />
Don Swartz's Independent Film Distributors<br />
will open a branch at Sioux Falls. S. D..<br />
with Ernie Prace in charge. Swartz is now<br />
in New York for conferences with Biidd<br />
Rogers, Realart general sales manager . . .<br />
Film Classics' distribution now is being<br />
handled by National Screen in this territory<br />
. . Tire stage production of "I Remember<br />
Mama" just beats the pictures into the Twin<br />
cities.<br />
A shakeup by Morrie Steinman, Monogram<br />
manager, finds Clyde Cutter, formerly<br />
with United Artists, the new head booker,<br />
replacing Bob O'Rourke, who resigned, and<br />
I<br />
Mrs. Ruth Dickey promoted from secretary<br />
to cashier, replacing Helen Jelly, who quit<br />
after four years to go with Film Classics.<br />
The housing expeditor has under consideration<br />
another application from the Minne-<br />
sota Amusement Co. for a permit to remodel<br />
the Colonial Theatre, Watertown, S. D., to<br />
replace the State, recently destroyed by fire<br />
Heiber, Eagle Lion district manager,<br />
was a visitor.<br />
"Monsieur Verdoux" goes into Century<br />
here March 12, the St. Paul Riviera April<br />
2 and the Duluth Garrick April 22.<br />
Balman Drive-In Bid<br />
Stirs Up Twin Cites<br />
has employes in a panic and the feeling<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—The drive-in is<br />
theatre invasion<br />
that the drouth that has hit most parts of<br />
has taken the spotlight here again<br />
southern California will damage with<br />
theatre<br />
the<br />
business<br />
substantially.<br />
cense to build and operate one in suburban<br />
application of Sid Balman for a li-<br />
Brooklyn Center.<br />
Property owners and residents near the<br />
proposed theatre took a full-page newspaper<br />
ad to call on council members to keep the<br />
area free from "the nuisance." Volk Bros.,<br />
who have a theatre nearby, are among those<br />
fighting it.<br />
Balman is manager of the Bloomington<br />
Drive-In. the first in the area, which was<br />
opened last summer by Dave Plexer of Memphis.<br />
Mimresota Entertainment Enterprises<br />
was organized subsequently by a group of<br />
prominent Twin City independents to halt the<br />
invasion in this field by outside interests.<br />
MEE is building a drive-in in the midway district<br />
and has plans for several more.<br />
Ray Nichols Reopens Villa<br />
LO-VILIA. IOWA—The Villa Theatre was<br />
reopened last week by its new owners Mr.<br />
and Mrs. Ray Nichols of Fairfield. A new<br />
screen and projector have been purchased.<br />
Three changes of program will be made each<br />
week with matinees on Saturdays and Sim-<br />
Howard Clark to RKO<br />
OMAHA—Howard Clark, office manager<br />
for Film Classics and formerly with MGM<br />
here, has switched to RKO as office man-<br />
visor of exchanges, left for Chicago after a<br />
brief visit here . M. Krane sold his Loop<br />
Theatre, a subsequent run house to Max<br />
Elkins, a newcomer in the show business.<br />
Krane plans to buy a theatre elsewhere. days. Nichols recently purchased the theatre<br />
from Harold Sieverding.<br />
Harry Hirsch, veteran showman, had<br />
Cornelia Otis Skinner and Emmett Callahan,<br />
company manager of "Lady Windemere's<br />
Pan," in which Miss Skinner appeared at the<br />
Lyceum, as dinner guests at the Standard<br />
. . club J. B. McGovern, Paramount traveling<br />
auditor, was in town Juster,<br />
former Paramount biller, has become secretary<br />
ager. He succeeds Norm Nielsen, who is go-<br />
to Morrie Steinman, Monogram branch ing on the road as a salesman.*<br />
manager bells soon will ring<br />
Takes New Theatre Post<br />
OMAHA—Jack Schwiedelson. manager of<br />
the Cass Theatre, which was closed by fire<br />
department orders, now is managing the<br />
Benson Theatre for Sam Epstein.<br />
'BOXOFFICE :<br />
13, 1948
. March<br />
lOOO-Seater Planned<br />
In Walerlown, S. D.<br />
WATERTOWN, S. D.—Fred Larkin, Sioux<br />
Palls, S. D,, district manager of the Minnesota<br />
Amusement Co.. announced that the<br />
firm will build a 1.000-seat first run theatre<br />
here "as soon as possible" to replace the<br />
State, which was destroyed by fire in February.<br />
He said construction would start in<br />
three or four months if no hitches develop.<br />
The company, he added, has not yet decided<br />
whether to rebuild the 400-seat State.<br />
The circuit also operates the 600-seat Lyric<br />
here. A site for the new theatre has not been<br />
determined. There is a possibility it will<br />
be on the property of the old Colonial, which<br />
is leased to the Minnesota company. The<br />
theatre has been closed for a number of<br />
years.<br />
Plans were in the making for a new theatre<br />
here and destruction of the State<br />
prompted faster action on the project.<br />
Earl Kerr Takes Over<br />
Two in Knoxville, Iowa<br />
KNOXVILLE, IOWA—Earl Kerr, owner of<br />
a string of Iowa theatres, has taken over the<br />
Grand and Marion theatres here from Mrs.<br />
A. M. Black. Ken- appointed George D.<br />
Hart, formerly of Winterset, to be manager of<br />
the two houses. Hart is also district manager<br />
for Kerr. He has been with the Kerr<br />
organization for the last year and formerly<br />
managed the theatre at Lake View. Phil<br />
Miles, who has served as assistant manager<br />
of the Iowa, Winterset, has been promoted<br />
to manager.<br />
Two Theatres in Iowa<br />
Up Admission Prices<br />
DES MOINES—Two theatres in Iowa have<br />
announced admission price boosts within<br />
the last week. They are the Winthrop at<br />
Winthrop and the Princess at Britt. At the<br />
Winthrop. adult tickets have been advanced<br />
to 45 cents, but children's tickets remain at<br />
12. H. S. "Doc" Twedt of the Princess has<br />
raised adult admissions for evening performances<br />
to 50 cents. Children's admission will<br />
remain unchanged as will matinee prices,<br />
now 40 cents.<br />
One-Nighter in Eddyville<br />
EDDWILLE, IOWA—For the first time<br />
since the floods la.st spring, Eddyville has a<br />
The house was opened here last week<br />
theatre.<br />
by Mr. and Mrs. Carl Singer. It is in the<br />
Den Hartog building, east of the post office.<br />
The new owners are from Fairfield and<br />
operate a chain of theatres in small towns<br />
in this part of the state playing one night in<br />
each town, using portable projectors.<br />
> SPECIAL SHOWMANSHIP<br />
7<br />
mOTIOn PICTURE SERyiCECq<br />
lis HYDE ST. ••$anri«Khce(X)Cal*if.<br />
Storms Cripple Northwest;<br />
Many Programs Cancelled<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—The most brutal winter<br />
weather within recent memory, including<br />
blizzards, heavy snowfalls and subzero temperatures,<br />
has put a crimp in Northwestern<br />
show business, particularly in the rural<br />
areas. North Dakota has been particularly<br />
hard hit. according to reports on Pilmrow.<br />
Films couldn't be delivered on account of<br />
impassable roads and theatres frequently<br />
have had to cancel changes. Salesmen find<br />
themselves stuck in a town for days and have<br />
been navigating with difficulty in their efforts<br />
to cover their territory.<br />
Seek Truck Route<br />
For South Dakota<br />
SIOUX FALLS, S. D.—Two Sioux Falls<br />
men, Henry Schuette and Russell Hanneman,<br />
are seeking permission of the state Public<br />
Utilities commission for a class B truck permit<br />
to establish a film delivery service for<br />
theatres in approximately 60 towns and cities<br />
in an area bounded by Sioux Falls and<br />
Aberdeen. S. D.<br />
Rialto Theatre Destroyed<br />
In Siloam Springs Fire<br />
SILOAM SPRINGS, ARK.—Tlie Rialto<br />
Theatre, a 350-seater owned by Rex Killibrew,<br />
was destroyed with an estimated loss<br />
of $30,000 by a fire shortly before midnight<br />
March 3. The fire, which started near the<br />
theatre screen shortly after the final show,<br />
later spread to an adjoining business building.<br />
Damages to those buildings and their<br />
contents through fire, smoke and water was<br />
placed at $20,000, making the total fire loss<br />
$50,000. In addition to the Siloam Springs<br />
fire department, the fire was fought by fire<br />
fighters from John Brown university, Fayetteville,<br />
Gravette and Springdale.<br />
Takes Over in Queen City<br />
QUEEN CITY, MO.—R. L. Ti-essner is the<br />
new owner of the local 'Vogue. He obtained<br />
possession from Ralph Graham March 5. In<br />
the theatre business for some time, Ti-essner<br />
has moved here from Collinsville, Okla.,<br />
where he managed the Nusho Theatre for<br />
the Claude Thorpe circuit. Graham who<br />
had the Vogue since July 1946, is building a<br />
new house in the St. Louis exchange territory.<br />
He hopes to have it in operation by May 1.<br />
Sioux City Burglars Fail -^<br />
SIOUX CITY, IOWA—An attempt to force<br />
a door leading to the business office of the<br />
Orpheum here was unsuccessful last week.<br />
Milton Troehler, manager, said the would-be<br />
burglar had taken off the door hinges and<br />
had "jimmied" a lock. He said the Intruder<br />
was frightened away by a watchman.<br />
Joseph S. Connoll'y Rites<br />
DES MOINES—The funeral of Joseph S.<br />
Connolly. 89, who was in the theatrical business<br />
more than 40 years, was held here last<br />
week. He managed early day theatres in Des<br />
Moines.<br />
Big Turnout Is Seen<br />
For Allied Conclave<br />
MINNEAPOLIS— If advance indications<br />
are any criterion, the North Central Allied<br />
convention here March 22, 23 will set a record<br />
high in attendance. President Bennie Berger<br />
attributes the imusual interest to the fact<br />
that the convention will be devoted in considerable<br />
part to a discussion of ways to<br />
break down film costs. The fact that several<br />
national figures in independent exhibitor<br />
ranks will be present also makes the convention<br />
a magnet, he believes.<br />
Among those who will address the convention<br />
are William T. Ainsworth of Wisconsin,<br />
national Allied president; Col. H. A. Cole of<br />
Texas, national director and member of the<br />
Caravan committee, and Sidney Samuelson<br />
of eastern Pennsylvania, Caravan head.<br />
Gov. L. D. Youngdahl of Minnesota and<br />
Mayor H. H. Humphrey of Minneapolis will<br />
welcome the delegates. They also will be<br />
guests at the banquet on the closing night.<br />
Briefs Filed by Attorneys<br />
In Berger Ascap Case<br />
MINNEAPOLIS— S. P. Halpern and L. B.<br />
Schwartz, counsel for Bennie Berger and<br />
Mrs. J. L. Jenson, exhibitors being sued by<br />
Ascap for nonpayment of theatre fees, have<br />
filed their brief with Judge G. B. Nordbye<br />
in federal district court. Its expected that<br />
the plaintiff's brief will be forthcoming<br />
shortly and that a decision may be reached<br />
within several months.<br />
Berger and Mrs. Jenson, with North<br />
Central Allied backing, will carry their fight<br />
to knock out the Ascap theatre fee, which<br />
they contend is illegal, to the U.S. supreme<br />
court, if necessary.<br />
Robert Graham of Los Angeles, attorney<br />
for the Pacific Coast Conference of Independent<br />
Theatre Owners, has been granted<br />
the right to file an amicus curiae in the case.<br />
Circus Draws Heavily<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—Evidence of the fact that<br />
amusements still are booming here is the<br />
record-breaking $114,000 gross garnered by<br />
the annual Shriner's indoor circus. This was<br />
for six nights, a similar number of matinees<br />
and a Saturday morning show.<br />
Theatremen to Rescue<br />
CENTERVILLE, IOWA—Harold Johnson,<br />
manager of the Majestic and Ritz theatres<br />
here, played host to 30 students from the<br />
Moravia school the other morning. The students,<br />
accompanied by a teacher, had made<br />
the trip here to take in a trial at the courthouse,<br />
but the heavy snows detained the<br />
lawyers in the case until 1:30. How to spend<br />
several idle hoiu-s was quite a problem until<br />
Johnson was asked to put on a special show<br />
and he agreed.<br />
Woman Injured in Theatre Crowd<br />
SIOUX CITY, IOWA—Crowds were so<br />
great at the Fourth Street Theatre here the<br />
other day that a patron, Mrs. Ted Isom,<br />
suffered severe lacerations of her right hand<br />
and forearm when she was pushed through<br />
a glass door at the entrance. An emergency<br />
police squad member treated the woman at<br />
the<br />
theatre.<br />
82 BOXOFTICE ;<br />
13, 1948
: March<br />
SOME PENNSYLVANIA CITIES<br />
ABUSE NEW TAXING POWERS<br />
Borough Ass'n Head Sees<br />
Chaos Developing in<br />
Home Rule Plan<br />
HARRISBUKG—Thomas F. Chrostwaite,<br />
president of the State Boroughs Ass'n,<br />
charged that some Pennsylvania communities<br />
are killing the goose that laid the golden egg.<br />
He declared these certain communities are<br />
overstepping the powers granted them under<br />
the legislatm-e's home rule tax law, duplicating<br />
taxes and pegging others to a point where<br />
the levies are confiscatory, and some are even<br />
left-handed endorsements to lawbreakers by<br />
taxing gambling. He said that the 1949 legislature<br />
may well repeal the home rule law<br />
if these communities aren't careful.<br />
"We want to get some order out of chaos,"<br />
Chrostwaite explained in calling a meeting<br />
of borough solicitors. He assailed the tendency<br />
of many communities to pass "overlapping"<br />
and "copycat" taxes. He said some<br />
community fathers hold off to see what others<br />
are doing in the way of local taxes and then<br />
one type of tax becomes contagious, such as<br />
a tax on coal and amusement admissions.<br />
Community Ticket Levy<br />
Becomes 'Most Popular'<br />
PITTSBURGH—Dozens of Pennsylvania<br />
cities, boroughs and townships have found<br />
the amusement tax "the most popular" of<br />
the new local taxing powers granted by last<br />
year's session of the general assembly. This<br />
is the claim of Dr. H. F. Alderfer, director<br />
of the Pennsylvania internal affairs bureau.<br />
He reports that "one of the reasons for the<br />
interest in this type of tax is that it is equitable<br />
and easily administered." The amusement<br />
tax is not only collected from residents<br />
of the political subdivision in which the situated<br />
theatre acts as a tax collector but from<br />
persons who live outside the municipality and<br />
pay no other tax, he emphasized. The local<br />
government expert points out that the amusement<br />
levy is bringing in "a sizable chunk of<br />
revenue" for hard-pressed communities.<br />
Alderfer voiced a warning against communities<br />
passing ordinances imposing taxes<br />
indiscriminately. He said that the 10 per<br />
cent amusement tax at Meadville would bring<br />
in $40,000 and that the city of Reading expects<br />
to collect $260,000 a year from the<br />
amusement admission tax enacted there. The<br />
tax money also is rolling in at Harrisburg.<br />
Ten per cent amusement taxes have been<br />
enacted in more than a dozen communities<br />
in western Pennsylvania. Upwards of $117,-<br />
000 was collected during the first month<br />
(January) of its effectiveness in this city of<br />
Pittsburgh.<br />
Other comr.iunities where theatres are collecting<br />
a 10 per cent local amusement tax, in<br />
addition to a 20 per cent federal amusement<br />
levy: New Kensington, Lock Haven, Bolivar,<br />
Meadville, Ridgway, Clymer, Brownsville,<br />
Springdale, Vandergrift, Lewistown, Clarion,<br />
Altoona. At Butler the tax is 5 per cent;<br />
Harentum, 7 per cent; Seward, 4 per cent;<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
13, 1948<br />
Bill to Cut Ticket Tax<br />
Hoppered in Kentucky<br />
Louisville — Leonard W. Preston of<br />
Barren county introduced in the general<br />
assembly last week a bill to repeal amusement<br />
taxes on admLssions of less than 21<br />
cents and to reduce amusement taxes on<br />
admissions above that amount. Hearings<br />
were conducted in Frankfort last week<br />
on two censorship bills. One would establish<br />
a division of film censorship under<br />
the supervision of the department of<br />
business regulations and the other would<br />
set up a board to censor all motion pictures<br />
exhibited in the state. The Kentucky<br />
Ass'n of Theatre Owners has Guthrie<br />
Crowe, president, on hand to keep its<br />
eye on the legislation.<br />
one cent for each 25 cents or fraction thereof<br />
is collected at Uniontown and Monongahela;<br />
two cents for each 25 cents or fraction is collected<br />
at Rochester, Beaver Falls. Charleroi<br />
has a 2 per cent gross tax with children's<br />
tickets exempted.<br />
The Braddock school board was enacting an<br />
admission tax when a citizens' coinmittee intervened<br />
and called in the Taxpayers league<br />
to investigate. This has delayed further action<br />
on the matter. At West View, both the<br />
borough and the school board have been<br />
seeking to impose an amusement tax. Springdale<br />
has no announced financial difficulties,<br />
having a cash surplus, yet has passed a 10<br />
per cent amusement tax. The state enabling<br />
act was created for the emergency purpose<br />
only of assisting political subdivisions in<br />
meeting deficits and current expenses. The<br />
act was not devised for communities to pass<br />
ordinances creating new taxes to build reserve<br />
funds.<br />
Amusement taxes are being prepared or enacted<br />
in Clairton, Wilkinsburg, Punxsutawney,<br />
Blawnox, Bradford, Roscoe, Monessen,<br />
Donora, Blairsville.<br />
ROCHESTER, PA. — The council has<br />
passed on first reading an amusement tax<br />
which is scheduled to become effective May<br />
1. A 2-cent tax on every 25 cents admission<br />
or fraction thereof will be levied.<br />
BADEN, PA.—A 2-cent tax on every 25<br />
cents or fraction thereof spent for amusements<br />
has gone into effect here. The community's<br />
first theatre was opened only a few<br />
months ago.<br />
PITTSBURGH—A bill from the city law<br />
department was submitted to council which<br />
would amend the city's amusements tax law<br />
by exempting the tax on dues of social clubs.<br />
An amendment to the law was approved by<br />
council last week. This act provides that<br />
the tax need not be paid by children under<br />
12 years of age and disabled veterans who are<br />
admitted free of charge.<br />
ME<br />
79 Municipalities in Ohio<br />
To Raise $2,000,000 on<br />
Amusement Taxes<br />
COLUMBUS Scventy-iiine Ohio cities<br />
which have enacted admi.s.sions taxes expect<br />
to raise $2,000,000 a year, according to a survey<br />
made by Emory Glander, state tax commissioner.<br />
Glander said other Ohio cities<br />
were considering the admi.ssions levy field,<br />
which was opened to Buckeye state municipalities<br />
Oct. 1, 1947 when the state vacated<br />
the field.<br />
Only Coshocton, Delaware and Piqua of the<br />
79 cities have other than a 3 per cent levy.<br />
Piqua and Coshocton use varying rates and<br />
Delaware has the bracket system. Belmont,<br />
Erie, Fairfield, Knox, Lucas, Medina, Pickaway<br />
and Wood counties do not have ticket<br />
taxes. "It is presumed that their financial<br />
situation is such that the revenue was not<br />
required," observed Glander. "Apparently the<br />
income tax in Toledo has made it unnecessary<br />
for that city to seek other revenue<br />
sources."<br />
Glander said that no reports had been received<br />
from Sandusky and Painesville and it<br />
was possible that one or both of the.se cities<br />
had enacted admi-ssions taxes. Out of 38<br />
cities in the eight most populous counties, 24<br />
have enacted admissions taxes. Only Toledo<br />
and Norwood among the 26 cities having<br />
populations in excess of 25,000 failed to<br />
enact the admissions tax.<br />
Estimates of the annual yield ranged from<br />
$2,000 for Bellevue. Kent, Miamisburg and<br />
Reading to $660,000 for Cleveland.<br />
Cities that have enacted ordinances imposing<br />
an admissions tax are:<br />
Akron<br />
Ashland<br />
Ashtabula<br />
Athens<br />
Barberton<br />
Bedford<br />
Bellefontaine<br />
Bellevue<br />
i'l^^us<br />
Cambridge<br />
Canton<br />
Chillicothe<br />
Cincinnali<br />
Cleveland<br />
Cleveland Height;<br />
Columbus<br />
Conneout<br />
Coshocton<br />
Cuyahoga Falls<br />
Dayton<br />
Defiance<br />
Delcfwaie<br />
East Cleveland<br />
East Liverpool<br />
EuJl'id<br />
Fostoria<br />
Fremont<br />
Gallon<br />
Gallipolis<br />
Garfield Heights<br />
Greenville<br />
Hamilton<br />
Ironton<br />
Tackson<br />
Lakewood<br />
Mans?ield<br />
Marion<br />
Miamisburg<br />
Middletown<br />
New Philadelphi<<br />
Norwalk<br />
PKja°<br />
Portsmouth<br />
St. Bernard<br />
St. Marys<br />
Shaker Heights<br />
Shelby<br />
Sidney<br />
Springfield<br />
Uhrichsville<br />
University Heights<br />
Urbana<br />
Van Wert<br />
Warren<br />
Washington C. H.<br />
10 Per Cent Tax Passed<br />
CL'yMER, PA.—Against vigorous opposition<br />
of owners of this community's theatre,<br />
poolroom and bowling alley, the council<br />
passed a 10 per cent amusement tax, to become<br />
effective within 30 days.<br />
83
: March<br />
AT WOOD OPENING—Cutting the ribbon at the opening in Detroit of the Wood,<br />
new United Detroit Theatres' 2,500-seater, are, left to right: Edward L. Hyman, first<br />
vice-president Paramount Theatres Service Corp., New York; Max Fellerman, vicepresident;<br />
Hal Pereira; Alois Ghesquiere, president of the Grosse Point* Woods council,<br />
and Earl J. Hudson, president of United Detroit Theatres.<br />
Allied Continues to Lead<br />
Detroit Bowling League<br />
DETROIT—Allied retained the lead in the<br />
Film. Bowling league with 26 won and 14<br />
lost. Cooperative is second with 22 victories<br />
and 18 losses and Republic and Monogram<br />
are tied for third. Each has won 21 and lost<br />
19. RKO rolled the high three last week,<br />
2,633. High game was Theatrical's 968. High<br />
individual was J. Pavella with 657. W.<br />
Gorjl had 617 and Small 616. High single<br />
game was C. Sheran's 246. J. Pavella had<br />
245; Small 242; C. Sheran 246: D. Kaplan 211:<br />
R. Lamb 202: E. Loye 202; E. Clarrj' 200 and<br />
L. Metzger 200.<br />
National Theatre Supply retained the lead<br />
in the Nightingale Club bowling league, having<br />
won 43 and lost 19. Altec Sound Service<br />
is in second place and McArthur Theatre<br />
Equipment is third. High scores last week<br />
were rolled by Edgar Douville, 227-210-185—<br />
622; Francis Light, 225: William Swistak. 206;<br />
Roy Light, 201, and Joseph Michel 203.<br />
Gets New Furnace<br />
CARSON CITY. i^nCH.-The Lee Theatre<br />
closed for a day recently to permit installation<br />
of a new furnace, according to Phil<br />
Muzik, manager.<br />
I<br />
RKO Radio Pictures,<br />
Video Hearings Scheduled<br />
PITTSBURGH—The FCC will open hearings<br />
May 17 to allot thi-ee local television<br />
wave lengths on applications from six companies.<br />
FCC is inquiring into the ownership<br />
of Allen B. Du Mont Laboratories,<br />
which holds a permit to build a television<br />
station here. This project has been delayed<br />
due to a financial setup which hnks Paramount<br />
Pictures with Du Mont in a group<br />
of television grantees and applicants. At<br />
Greensburg, the FCC will consider a television<br />
application filed by the owners of<br />
WHJB. also owners of WJAS, Pittsburgh.<br />
To Build Coshocton Road<br />
COSHOCTON, OHIO—Frank Gilfillen of<br />
Grove City, Pa., has announced plans to<br />
construct an outdoor theatre to accommodate<br />
500 cars on the Canal Lewisville road<br />
near the tumoff to Coshocton Lake park<br />
within the next two months.<br />
Butterfield House Closes<br />
BATTLE CREEK, AHCH.-The Post Theatre,<br />
buUt in 1901 by a group of local business<br />
men led by Charles W. Post, was closed<br />
March 6 by the Butterfield circuit.<br />
Inc.<br />
NEW DATE FOR CLEVELAND TRADE SHOWING OF<br />
REMEMBER MAMA<br />
Shaker Theatre, Kinsman 6r Lee Rds., Shaker Heights<br />
FRIDAY, MARCH 19 AT 2 P. M.<br />
Indead of Thurs., March 18 as<br />
previously advertised<br />
Tax Spread Linked<br />
To <strong>Boxoffice</strong> Dip<br />
PITTSBURGH—Falling boxoffice receipts,<br />
public relations "never poorer than at present."<br />
and film product that is meager were<br />
reported by theatre owners at an Allied<br />
MPTO meeting here last Friday i5i in exhibitors<br />
assembly hall on Filmrow. Morris<br />
M. Finkel. president, presided in the absence<br />
of Fred A. Beedle. chairman of the board.<br />
The Allied exhibitors discussed means to<br />
intensify their campaign in behalf of a bill<br />
in Congress to amend the copyright law and<br />
prohibit payment by exhibitors of fees to<br />
Ascap. postponed taking action for participation<br />
in the Motion Picture Foundation and<br />
aired grievances against various companies<br />
and on various subjects.<br />
1947 ST.\TEMENT DUE<br />
Expanding amusement taxes definitely are<br />
affecting boxoffice receipts, the exhibitors reported.<br />
President Finkel reminded Pittsburgh<br />
exhibitors that they had to file a statement<br />
on their 1947 theatre and concession<br />
grosses at the city treasurer's office not later<br />
than March 15.<br />
The Allied group criticized distributors for<br />
alleged print shortages and distributing<br />
"poor and uninspected prints."<br />
Sidney Samuelson of Philadelphia will direct<br />
an Allied Caravan meeting here soon.<br />
A 24-page report on the recent national<br />
Allied board session in Washington was distributed.<br />
I<br />
LEGISLATIVE CONTACTS URGED<br />
Fred J. Herrington. in his report on legislative<br />
matters, urged exhibitors to "be alert<br />
and active . . . make contacts and tell your<br />
side of the story."<br />
Among those present were Bob Higgins, fl<br />
Billy Wheat III. Henry Schmitt, Guy. Frank<br />
and John Oglietti, John Nagj-, Tom Hickes,<br />
Bernard Buchheit, Ted Manos, F. E. Hasley,<br />
John Kobak. Tom Schrader. Harry Rachiele,<br />
Guy V. Ida, Bart Dattola. Harry and Norman<br />
Fleishman, Lou Kaufman. Bill Weiss, Rudy<br />
Navari. Joe and Gil Gellman. Abe Joseph.<br />
Bob McCalmont. George Corcoran. Warren<br />
Wurdock. Frank Panoplos, Joe Kosco. Speer<br />
Marousis. Marlin Way, Sam GoiUd. Max Arnold.<br />
Bill Blatt. Norman and Ray Mervis,<br />
Hymie Goldberg. Dr. C. E. Herman, Charles<br />
Herman, Carl Poke. Jake and Sid Soltz,<br />
Israel Roth. Morris M. Finkel. Fred J. Herrington.<br />
Laskey to 'Bells' Debut<br />
PITTSBURGH— Jesse L. Laskey. observ-i<br />
ing his 3&th anniversary in<br />
the industry,<br />
be here in connection with the opening of<br />
"The Miracle of the Bells" March 27. Ac<br />
companying him will be several film stars.j<br />
Terry Turner. RKO exploitation chief, -v<br />
here last week preparing for the event, and<br />
returned this week with assistant Hi<br />
Reiner. Morris E. Lefko. RKO manager, has:<br />
booked numerous Easter season openings<br />
the area for the excellent Laskey productio;<br />
Exhibitor a Councilman<br />
CONFLUENCE, PA.—Wendell Yeagley,. ex-j<br />
GI local theatre operator, has been appointed<br />
a new- member of the Confluence<br />
borough coimcil, succeeding Joseph Barkley<br />
resigned.<br />
84<br />
BOXOFTICE :<br />
13, 194)
. . Douglas<br />
Dream Girl Promotion<br />
Staged in Springfield<br />
SPRINGFIELD — Chakores-Wrtiuei- Theatres<br />
is one of the three sponsoring organizations<br />
in the Talent quest being conducted here<br />
for a month to find Springfield's "Dream<br />
Girl." Other sponsors are the Retail Merchants<br />
council and the Springfield Civic<br />
Theatre.<br />
The young woman selected will play the<br />
lead in "Dream Girl." to be staged by the<br />
Civic Theatre in May. She will receive a<br />
two-week trip to Hollywood and possible<br />
screen test. Selection of the .winner will be<br />
made on the stage of the Regent Theatre<br />
April 12.<br />
The Retail Merchants council will supply<br />
the winner with a wardrobe and pay the expenses<br />
of the trip to Hollywood. Chakeres-<br />
Warner Theatres arranged for her to visit<br />
Warner Bros, studios.<br />
Application blanks have been made available<br />
at all Chakeres-Warner Theatres and<br />
also stores of members of the Retail Merchants<br />
council.<br />
M. H. Chakeres. city manager of Chakeres-<br />
Warner Theatres, and David Sawyer, advertising<br />
director for the theatres, are on the<br />
committee conducting the Talent quest.<br />
THEATRES NEED SOMETHING NEW!<br />
Lccaz oi/aNY city, strte<br />
IISTM TO wir'<br />
Copyright 1947 by L.T.W. Co 336, Cambridge, Ohio. — It's a Game oi Skill.<br />
RADIO RATINGS HAVE PROVEN<br />
ITS TRUE AUDIENCE DEMAND<br />
An audience participation game that will leave your patrons searching<br />
for clues from one week to the next. While your Jack-Pot is Building to<br />
bigger grosses!<br />
Star Shooting One-Reeler<br />
Pete Smith's one-reeler at Metro called<br />
"Pest Control" will star Dave O'Brien and be<br />
megged by David Barclay. It already is<br />
under way.<br />
: SPRINGFIELD<br />
Toe Murphy, manager of the Murphy Theatre,<br />
Chakeres unit in Wilmington, is back<br />
on the job after a Florida vacation . . .<br />
John Edwards, assistant manager of the<br />
Fairborn in Fairfield; Jack Frazee, manager<br />
of the Gloria and Lyric in Urbana. and<br />
Grant Frazee, manager of the State in<br />
Greenville, visited the home office of Chakeres<br />
Theatres here last week.<br />
"Midwestern Hay Kide," from radio station<br />
WLW, has been booked for four performances<br />
on the Fairbanks Theatre stage Saturday,<br />
April 3. The group w'ill broadcast<br />
over WLW and a national network from the<br />
Fairbanks at 6:30 p. m.<br />
Sheldon Gunsberg, advance agent for<br />
"Henry V," was here supervising promotion<br />
for the two-day showing of the film at the<br />
Fairbanks. He visited Wilberforce. Antioch,<br />
Cedarville and Wittenberg colleges, and arranged<br />
a special price for students to see the<br />
show .<br />
Campbell, manager of the<br />
new Fairborn Theatre, Chakeres unit at Fairfield-Osborn,<br />
Ohio, resigned to join radio<br />
station WCAR in Pontiac, Mich., as sales<br />
manager. Campbell was with WJEL-WJEM<br />
in Springfield before taking the manager's<br />
job at the Fairborn.<br />
Previously he had served<br />
as manager of the Gloria, Chakeres unit in<br />
Urbana, Ohio. John T. Edwards, manager of<br />
the Midway Theatre, Chakeres unit in Fairfield,<br />
will serve as manager of both the Midway<br />
and Fairborn.<br />
Members of the Warner club held a mystery<br />
auction to raise money for the club's welfare<br />
fund. A birthday party was held for<br />
members whose birthdays are in March.<br />
Young and Old, Everyone Gets Into the Act<br />
No Cards, Pencils, Bookkeeping to Worry With in This New Game of<br />
Skill, Thrills and Laughs.<br />
'Wr'iie Today for the Day of the Week You Need<br />
Those Seats Dusted<br />
NOW OPERATING IN STATES WHERE OTHER GAMES<br />
HAVE BEEN RULED OUT<br />
With Your Contract You Get a Regular Monthly<br />
Service to Present "Listen to Win"<br />
• CONTACT THE FOLLOWING FRANCHISE AGENTS NOW •<br />
Ohio, Kentucky Territory:<br />
E. J. HAMMOND<br />
1225 E. 81st St.<br />
Cleveland 3, Ohio<br />
Maryland, Virginia, Florida,<br />
South and North Carolina<br />
FRED DODGE<br />
1702 St. Marys Street<br />
Raleigh, N. C.<br />
Illinois<br />
Territory<br />
CARL SALESKY<br />
24001 Lake Shore Blvd.<br />
Euclid 17. Ohio<br />
Home Office<br />
Listen To Win Co.<br />
Box 336, Cambridge, Ohio<br />
Texas. Louisiana. Alabama,<br />
Mississippi<br />
THE AUSLET CO.<br />
218 So. Liberty St.<br />
New Orleans 13, La.<br />
Michigan, Penn.. N. Y.,<br />
Wisconsin Territory<br />
Open for Agents<br />
Write<br />
March 13, 1948
. . Word<br />
. . H.<br />
C L E V E L AND<br />
lyjyer Fine, head of the Associated circuit,<br />
and wife have returned from a Florida<br />
vacation . . . Ditto the Henry Greenbergers<br />
of the Community circuit . . .<br />
Charles Fogle<br />
of the MGM home office maintenance department<br />
was a local visitor.<br />
Sam Galanty, Columbia district manager,<br />
and Oscar Ruby, local manager, had a conference<br />
date in Pittsburgh one day last week.<br />
But to make it. Galanty whose plane couldn't<br />
land in Pittsburgh on account of weather<br />
conditions, flew to Cleveland and took a<br />
train back to Pittsburgh to meet Ruby, whom<br />
he could just as well have met right here in<br />
Cleveland . . . Nat Wolf. Warner zone manager,<br />
was another weather casualty. In a<br />
rush to get back to his desk from Texas,<br />
where he was on vacation, he left by plane on<br />
Monday, and reached Cleveland two days<br />
later. His plane was grounded four times<br />
during the trip.<br />
Mrs. Milton Mooney, president of the newly<br />
organized group of Variety Club wives, and<br />
Mrs. Nat Baraoh. vice-president, will be<br />
"queens for a day" at the first luncheon<br />
meeting in the Variety clubhouse Tuesday<br />
(16). The plan is to hold these meeting semi-<br />
OLIVER THEATRE<br />
SUPPLY CO., INC.<br />
M. H. FHITCHLE<br />
Manager<br />
23id and Payn* ATenua<br />
Phone: FRospeet 6934<br />
CLKVELJIND<br />
Rickie Labowitch, secretary<br />
monthly . .<br />
of the Cleveland Motion Picture Exhibitors<br />
Ass'n. left Saturday to vacation in Tampa,<br />
Fla., several weeks . . . Bill Shartin's television<br />
equipment at the Variety Club is drawing<br />
crowds every Tuesday night. That's wtien<br />
the wrestling matches are projected.<br />
Visitors on the Kow were J. A. Beidler jr.<br />
Toledo; Walter Steuve of Findlay and<br />
of<br />
Doc" Haywood of Wellington . L. Tracy<br />
of the Temple Theatre, Willard, last week<br />
received his discharge from Lakeside hospital.<br />
He's home now and reportedly feeling<br />
fine.<br />
J. Knox Strachan, Warner Theatres publicity<br />
director here, was in New York for a<br />
meeting with home office officials on campaigns<br />
for forthcoming Warner product . . .<br />
The MGM exchange looks scrumptious, all<br />
dressed up with new paint and lighting fixtures<br />
. comes from Seattle that<br />
Frank Drew, 20th-Fox branch manager there,<br />
is making a slow but steady recovery from a<br />
recent stroke.<br />
Starting March 10, Keith's East 105th Street<br />
Theatre is presenting a stage show in addition<br />
to the screen attraction each Wednesday<br />
night. Sidney Andorn, KGAR commentator,<br />
is emcee and will present two weekly<br />
winners on his Auditions Ambition radio contest,<br />
plus four acts of vaudeville.<br />
Ray Schraertz, 20th-Pox city salesman, won<br />
the Variety Club Heart Fund Chrysler sedan.<br />
Door prizes of $50 each were won by Mrs.<br />
Jack Sogg, wife of the MGM branch manager;<br />
M. B. Horwitz, general manager of the<br />
Washington circuit, and Nat Marcus of the<br />
H&J Beverage Co.<br />
DRIVE-IN and THEATRE<br />
EQUIPMENT<br />
Drawings, specifications, blueprints to fit any expenditure<br />
for the simplest to the most complex theatre.<br />
(Drive-In Theatre construction done by the<br />
ROSDIT CONSTRUCTION CO..<br />
an atfiliale oi SHELDON THEATRE SUPPLIES)<br />
* The NEW "12,000" DeVry Projectors and<br />
Amplifiers<br />
* DeVRY "In-A-Car" Speakers<br />
* ALTEC LANSING Amplifiers and Speakers<br />
* STRONG Rectifiers * NATIONAL Carbons<br />
* NEUMADE Accessories * GOLDE Supplies<br />
* TIFFIN Draperies and Scenery<br />
* IRWIN Seats * STABILARC Generators<br />
GENERAL Register Machines<br />
"Before You Buy, See and Hear DeVry"<br />
Complete Booking Service • Complete Factory Service<br />
SHELDON THEATRE SUPPLIES<br />
Office Phone: ADams 9644<br />
1420 CANFIELD AVE.<br />
Nights and Sundays: TAylor 7511<br />
DAYTON, OfflO<br />
37ih Chakeres House<br />
Opens in Shelbyville<br />
SHELBYVILLE, KY.—The newly constructed<br />
Shelby Theatre, erected at a cost<br />
of $250,000 by Chakeres Theatres of Springfield,<br />
Ohio, opened here March 3 with special<br />
dedication ceremonies. The theatre<br />
stands on the site of the former Shelby Theatre,<br />
which was destroyed by fire.<br />
The Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce<br />
handled the dedication program. Talks from<br />
the stage were given by various CofC officials,<br />
and state and city executives besides<br />
theatre officials. On hand for the opening<br />
ceremonies were Gene Lutes, district manager<br />
for Chakeres in Kentucky, George<br />
Bauer of Springfield, in charge of theatre<br />
maintenance for Chakeres Theatres, and<br />
who planned final stages of construction and<br />
supervised all decorations for the Shelby: Joe<br />
Collinson, president of Lobby Shops, Inc.,<br />
and Frank Collins, general manager of<br />
Chakeres Theatres.<br />
Eric Hammel, former manager of the Winchester<br />
Theatre for Chakeres in Winchester,<br />
Ky., has been named manager of the Shelby.<br />
He also will supervise operations of the<br />
Burley, another Chakeres unit in Shelbyville.<br />
The Shelby will operate under a continuous<br />
policy, while the Burley will be open only on<br />
weekends. Previously the Burley was open<br />
daily.<br />
Special tribute was paid Phil Chakeres,<br />
president of the circuit, at the opening ceremonies.<br />
He now is in Florida and was unable<br />
to attend.<br />
The Shelby is the 37th theatre in the<br />
Chakeres chain. It is a two-story brick<br />
building and seats 1,000 persons, with balcony<br />
seating. The theatre is air conditioned,<br />
has International spring up seats, RCA<br />
sound and Motiograph mechanisms.<br />
^<br />
IIUIIIIAII^<br />
imincnisiniii'<br />
125 HYDE
. wk<br />
: March<br />
. . . Jerry<br />
. . Ben<br />
. . Sam<br />
. . John<br />
.<br />
Delroil Grosses Rise<br />
As New Films Bow<br />
DETROIT—Weekend trade showed a very<br />
lice pickup last week, accounting for a mild<br />
^tlmulus to the total figures. Some new fare.<br />
ilus good exploitation, helped the trade. Deil<br />
for week ending March 4:<br />
(Average is 100)<br />
3—Cass Timberlane (MGM), 2iid wk<br />
l^^'ay Capitol—Sundown (UA); Foreign<br />
135<br />
(UA), reissues Coirespondent<br />
-la—Midnight in Paris (French);<br />
90<br />
Revenge (Dislinguished Films) 9b<br />
n-own— Gone With the Wind (MGM), reissue,<br />
75<br />
Call Norlhside 777 Cdtl, Fixi 125<br />
ite—T-Men (EL); Lii<br />
The Fla 145<br />
Three Topflight Pictures<br />
Take Cream in Cleveland<br />
CLEVELAND — Three new pictures piled<br />
up big grosses in spite of a rainy opening<br />
day. They were "The Bishop's Wife" at the<br />
Allen, "Call Northside 777" at the Palace and<br />
"Gentleman's Agreement" at the Hippodrome.<br />
General lack of interest was revived with a<br />
bang with the showing of these pictures,<br />
proving that neither weather nor apathy<br />
will keep patrons away from good pictures.<br />
Allen—The Bishop's Wile iRKO) ._ 140<br />
Hippodromi^Gentleman's Agreement (20th-Fox),.13Q<br />
Lake—The Voice oi the Turtle (WB),<br />
d. t,<br />
V<br />
3rd wk 118<br />
Lower Mall—Henry 2nd run,<br />
roadshow 115<br />
Sland-In (M^. •-.:-. 100<br />
Palace—Call Northside 777 135<br />
State—High Wall \:'T: 75<br />
Stillman—Three Daring Daughters (MGM),<br />
d. t. 2nd wk 90<br />
All Cincinnati Programs<br />
Held for Another Week<br />
CINCINNATI—With two exceptions, downtown<br />
theatres enjoyed satisfactory business<br />
last week, with the over-all pictiu-e showing<br />
a general improvement. All of the new fare<br />
remained for additional playing time, with<br />
the exception of the two reissues at the Lyric.<br />
"Gentleman's Agreement" remained for a<br />
fourth week at the Giand<br />
1<br />
i<br />
'<br />
Albee—Call Northside 777<br />
Capitol—Three Darmg Daughters<br />
nth F<br />
"V<br />
170<br />
140<br />
Grand—Gentleman s Agreement ' F<br />
3rd d. wk no<br />
t.<br />
Keiths—Secret Beyond the Door ' l 65<br />
Lyric—The Black Cat ' Black Friday<br />
'Daughters' and T-Men' Tops;<br />
Holdovers Clutter Pittsburgh<br />
PITTSBURGH—"Three Daring Daughters"<br />
and "T-Men" were the best grossers in the<br />
Golden Triangle.<br />
Fulton-The Bishop's Wife (RKO), 3rd wk 110<br />
Harris-Relentless (Col) 90<br />
Penn—Three Daring Daughters (MGM)<br />
IIC<br />
Ritz—Cass Timberlane (MGM), 4th d t, wk 60<br />
Senator—A Slight Case oi Murder CiVB) I Am a<br />
Fugitive From a Chain Gang (WB), reissues . 85<br />
Stanley—T-Men (EL) - 105<br />
Warner—The Voice ol the Turtle (WB),<br />
3rd d t wk 75<br />
CJNCINNATI<br />
garto VV. Cook and Ed Payne of Dayton expect<br />
to open their new 450-car Moonlight<br />
Drive-In at Chillicothe in April . . . Lester<br />
Rosenfeld, Charleston. W. 'Va.. who has been<br />
vacationing in Florida and Cuba for seven<br />
weeks, expects to return home early in April.<br />
The activities committee of the Variety<br />
Club has arranged for Jules Sien of the Sien<br />
dancing studio to give free rumba lessons on<br />
Saturday nights following the gin rummy<br />
tournament. Saturday night guests of the<br />
club will also be entertained in the barroom<br />
by Lola Smith, who plays the piano and sings.<br />
J. J. Grady, former 20th Century-Fox district<br />
manager, has been appointed local manager.<br />
Walter Wiens will head the Denver<br />
branch.<br />
Mrs. E. Smith of Belle, W. Va., died after<br />
a short illness. She was the mother of Ethel<br />
Helwig, Charleston, and had been active with<br />
her husband in the operation of the Belle<br />
Theatre, which is part of the Mountain State<br />
circuit . . . Peter Rosian, U-I district manager,<br />
after spending several weeks in the Atlanta<br />
exchange, made a quick trip to Miami<br />
on business.<br />
West Virginia exhibitors making the rounds<br />
of the exchanges: Mannie and Louie Shor of<br />
War, Holden and Williamson; Don Keesling<br />
and Goode Homes, of the Newbold circuit, and<br />
Paul Hollen, Alpine circuit.<br />
Virgil Jackson, Columbus, was at the exchanges<br />
here for the first time in six years.<br />
Jackson served in the Far East during the<br />
last war . . . Irene Meek, former booker for<br />
Theatre Owners Corp., has assumed a similar<br />
position for Popular Pictures, of which<br />
Lee Goldberg is the head. Donald Duff, who<br />
had been handling the booking, will devote<br />
his time to selling on the road.<br />
Milton E. Cohen, district manager for RKO,<br />
was here for a day . Oshry. former<br />
Cincinnatian who had been salesman for<br />
U-I in Indianapolis, has been appointed as<br />
sales manager at Atlanta. Oshry. and his<br />
wife Pat dropped in to visit friends here on<br />
their way to their new home in Atlanta.<br />
G. C. "Spotsy" Porter, Beckley. W. Va., was<br />
on the Row the first time in many months<br />
Jackson jr.. of Williamsbuig, Ohio,<br />
expects to open his nejv Starlight Drive-In at<br />
Amelia in June . Fish of Samuel<br />
Goldwyn Productions conferred with Manager<br />
Stan Jacques at RKO . Hewitt,<br />
Bethel and West Union, Ohio, returned from<br />
a month's stay in Florida.<br />
Planning o Drive-In?<br />
Use the<br />
MOONLIGHT<br />
MOVIES<br />
SYSTEM<br />
We furnish your construction plans with<br />
licensure under Patent App. 7179.<br />
Write or Wire<br />
MOONLIGHT MOVIES SYSTEM<br />
342 Bussey St.<br />
San Bernardino,<br />
Calii.<br />
M. B. HORWITZ— President and<br />
General Manager,Washington Theatre<br />
Circuit, Cleveland, Ohio— says:<br />
"For more than 10 years RCA<br />
Service has greatly aided us<br />
in satisfying our patrons with<br />
good sound."<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
—write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Radio Corporation of America,<br />
Camden, New Jersey.<br />
COMPLETE EQUIPMENT for THEATRES and DRIVE-INS<br />
IMMEDIATE DELIVERY LOWEST PRICES<br />
IN-THE-CAB SPEAKER SYSTEMS<br />
New exclusive arrangement gua<br />
excellent reproduction<br />
STRONG PROIECTION LAMPS<br />
Includiiig the sensational n<<br />
7? Mogul<br />
Mother of M. B. Horwitz<br />
Dies as Result of Fall<br />
CLEVELAND—The mother of M. B. Horwitz,<br />
general manager of the Washington circuit,<br />
died recently as the result of a fall. She<br />
was about 80 years old. Also surviving are<br />
another son. Dr. S. L. Robbins, and two<br />
daughters, Mrs. Jeanette Friedbei-g and Mrs.<br />
CENTURY PROJECTORS and SOtWD IDEAL CHAJRS .<br />
SYSTEMS great new Slide-Back<br />
24-HOUR PROJECTION AND SOUND SERVICE<br />
TIIFATRE EQllPiftf fiiPi\V<br />
'^Mrj<br />
TOLEDO 2. OHIO; 109 Michigan Street<br />
Phone: ADams 8511<br />
CLEVELAND. OHIO; 9!<br />
Phone: SUperii<br />
Including<br />
the<br />
Bessie Finesilver.<br />
BOXOFHCE ;<br />
13, 1948<br />
87
. . . Sydney<br />
. . . Uniontown<br />
. . The.<br />
. . Filnu'ow<br />
. . . Fred<br />
. . . The<br />
Tom<br />
. . Ben<br />
. . George<br />
. . Sympathy<br />
. . David<br />
. . Milton<br />
. . Mrs.<br />
. .<br />
. .<br />
. .<br />
'<br />
PITTSBURGH<br />
lyjr. and Mrs. Charles Blatt of the Blatt<br />
circuit are vacationing at Sarasota, Fla.<br />
Here wc are at 245 W. 55TH ST.<br />
StoUer, Eagle Lion traveling auditor,<br />
has replaced Aaron "Twig" Rosensweig,<br />
Ready to serve you with<br />
mv/ finest special onnouncemcnt trailers.<br />
resigned, as salesman here. "Twig," a local<br />
rORK<br />
PHONE I' you haven't tried Tilmack s<br />
lawyer, entered the film business last year<br />
PLAZA quality and rapid service, send us to determine whether he desired a legal<br />
7-3809 your next order and be agreeably career or whether the motion pictui'e industry<br />
would be his futm-e field . . . Alan<br />
surprised.<br />
Wieder. RKO exploiteer, is bi:sy on Easter<br />
I 245 WIST IF II.M aCKy,„, season area premieres for "The Miracle of<br />
wwosh.l<br />
the Bells."<br />
John D. Nagy, Rural Valley, Pa., exhibitor,<br />
has been elected a borough councilman<br />
to serve a four-year term. For 17 years he<br />
has been operating a special bus to bring<br />
his patrons to and from the theatre. The<br />
bus covers three routes each evening, totaling<br />
56 miles daily. The service is free to theatre<br />
patrons.<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Herb Joseph of the Triangle,<br />
East Liberty, are vacationing in Miami.<br />
Herb's mother has been there for several<br />
weeks . "lit up" this week with<br />
installation of new fluorescent fixtures at the<br />
Superior and Atlas Theatre Supply, American<br />
Poster, Monogram office, and at the<br />
of foot the stairs to the Allied office ... A<br />
modern $150,000 recreation center with stadium,<br />
swimming pool, baseball field, etc.,<br />
on 22 acres of land, will be a special project<br />
at Windber.<br />
.<br />
Tom Bello, Nanty Glo, again is district<br />
chairman for the Red Cross drive . . . Burgettstown<br />
has imposed a 2-mill mercantile<br />
tax Al Marsicos were hosts at the<br />
March 5 family night party in the Variety<br />
Club. The committee for the socials include<br />
Bill Finkel. chairman; George Held, vicechairman;<br />
James Hendel, Norman Mervis,<br />
Wally Allen, Carl Dozer and Sammy Speranza.<br />
. .<br />
Raymond and Alex Showe are moving<br />
their Theatre Candy Company office<br />
from 1701 Blvd. of the Allies to the Screen<br />
Guild Bldg.. 415 Van Braam St. . Acme-<br />
Franklin office, 70 Van Braam. has doubled<br />
space, having rented the entire second floor<br />
council unanimously adopted<br />
daylight saving time for six months commencing<br />
March 28 and ending September 26.<br />
units, the Kayton and Orpheum, Franklin,<br />
have enrolled as members of Allied MPTO<br />
of 'Western Pennsylvania. These theatres<br />
are managed by Houghton's son-in-law, Ray<br />
Woodard . Fish, brother of Sam Goldwyn<br />
and a Goldwyn executive, was a visitor<br />
at the local RKO exchange . Samuels,<br />
former city exhibitor, now ha.s the<br />
checking concession at Mercur's music bar.<br />
Mr. and Mrs. William Weiss, McKeesport,<br />
returned from Miami and Bill's parents, the<br />
Joseph 'Weisses, are now on vacation there<br />
A. Beedle. Canonsburg, was unable<br />
to preside at the Allied meeting Friday afternoon<br />
last week, due to a death in Mrs. Beedle's<br />
fanrily . . . Bob McCalmont of the Rialto,<br />
Brownsville road, was bedded for nearly two<br />
weeks with the flu.<br />
Russ and Dotty Zebra are to be visited by<br />
the stork. Russ is the Monogram booker and<br />
Dotty is a former Filmrow employe .<br />
Meyersdale has clamped on a 10 p. m. curfew<br />
for youths under 16 . . . 'Warners' Harris,<br />
Donora, presented an amateur- stage Show<br />
March 9 . . . Menlo, Charleroi. offered the<br />
first chapter of a serial, an action feature<br />
and a western last weekend and presented a<br />
comic book to each child in attendance .<br />
The city of Butler will build a $150,000 municipal<br />
swimming pool on Miller street . . .<br />
Andly Askomies. Monessen, follows the radio<br />
soap operas during his afternoon rest period<br />
Michael Manoses, Greensburg, are enjoying<br />
a vacation m Florida.<br />
Louis E. Hanna jr., 4-year-old son of Lou<br />
and Roberta Hanna, is to have a brother or a<br />
sister . . . Lewis V. Hepinger, Clarion's pioneer<br />
showman, is departing for a vacation in Mexico<br />
.. . McCleary, RCA products district<br />
manager, was here on business .<br />
Mrs. Esther Com-ad was visiting a son in<br />
Johnstown and had stopped at the top of a<br />
flight of stairs when a grandchild called to<br />
her. She turned and tumbled down the stairs,<br />
suffering a broken arm and other painful<br />
injuries. The wife of Lee M. Conrad, Meaciville<br />
manager, she is recuperating in the Lee<br />
hospital, Johnstown , to Sam<br />
Fessina, projectionist at the Grand, McDonald,<br />
whose mother died Thursday morning<br />
last<br />
week.<br />
RINGOLD THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO.<br />
106 Michigan SI. N. W.<br />
GRAND RAPIDS 2, MICH,<br />
John "Cue Stick" Perry, Belle Vernon's<br />
fighting bm-gess, hotel proprietor and exhibitor,<br />
continues active in political and sports<br />
circles . . . Newt 'Williams, National Theatre<br />
Supply manager, was in the West Virginia<br />
territoi-y. The Mountain State was his sales<br />
field for a quarter of a centlU'y . . . C. 'W.<br />
Dickinson, BrownsvUle exhibitor, is back on<br />
the job after vacationing in Mexico.<br />
Len Houghton and Paul McKay's Ka^on<br />
Md Can Now Show You The<br />
NEW 1948 "£f^CO/ir & "AIRHO'<br />
HEYWOODWAKEFIELD THEATRE CHAIRS<br />
Call or Write<br />
14021 Greenviow Road<br />
Detroit 23. Mich.<br />
Phone: VEnnont 7-3165<br />
(Your H-W representative<br />
ior Michigan. Indiana<br />
and N. W. Ohio)<br />
Sam Fineberg of Alexander Theatre Supply<br />
flew to Phoenix to visit his wife Freda<br />
and sons Jay and Roimie, and to celebrate<br />
their 27th wedding anniversary March 6 . . .<br />
Nick Notopoulos is remodeling the State,<br />
Bellwood . C. Davis, tristate circuit<br />
exhibitor recently released from the hospital,<br />
was staying- at the Roosevelt hotel<br />
here while his wife was ill at Allegheny<br />
General hospital.<br />
Harold Tinker is observing his silver anniversary<br />
with RKO and its predecessor company,<br />
old Pathe. The RKO shipper is the<br />
father of nine children . Leff, UA<br />
manager here until recently, assumed UA<br />
sales duties this week at Buffalo, his former<br />
stamping ground. Left's manager is<br />
Jimmy Winn, his former district manager,<br />
who has regained his health after stiffering<br />
a breakdown several years ago . Prank<br />
Fairgraves, wife of the Erie exhibitor, has<br />
returned to her home from a hospital.<br />
Bill Nidetch, Claysbiu-g exhibitor, who with<br />
with members of his family was injured in<br />
an auto accident several months ago, was<br />
BOXOFFICE :: March 13, 1948
. . . Fred<br />
. . Stanley<br />
: March<br />
. . The<br />
. .<br />
. . . Mrs.<br />
in another collision in which his new car was<br />
Eddie Hileman jr., son of the former theatre<br />
manager in Clairton, and Joyce Ancarana<br />
were married Marcn 7 ... Eli Kaufman has<br />
withdrawn from the theatre premium-games<br />
sales field . . . R. O. Fredley has withdrawn<br />
from the management of the drive-ins operated<br />
by Dr. R. B. Herrick in New Castle and<br />
Butler. He will manage an outdoor theatre<br />
out of this area . . . Mr. and Mrs. Charles<br />
Anderson of the Alpine circuit are in Florida<br />
. . . John Wincek and Albert R. Tate's Super<br />
51 drive-in near Beaver, which will be ready<br />
for opening within two months, has been renamed<br />
Highway 51 drive-in.<br />
M. A. Rosenberg appeared on a better traffic<br />
radio program on KQV Saturday night<br />
last week and following an interview participated<br />
in a quiz competition. He was a winner,<br />
too, carrying out a pen set, $2.50 in cash<br />
and two tickets for the J. P. Harris Theatre.<br />
Mrs. Robert Lynch, wife of the Warner<br />
salesman, who underwent a major operation<br />
in Grove City hospital, has returned to her<br />
home in HarrisviUe . Bob Leibers,<br />
Braddock and Rankin exhibitors, returned<br />
from Miami . J. Kann and Harry<br />
Kodinsky wei'e hosts at the March 12 family<br />
night get-together in the Variety Club .<br />
Bob Hornick, managing the two theatres in<br />
South Pork; has closed the Palace on Monday<br />
and Tuesday.<br />
The Ted Laskeys are parents cf a second<br />
daughter, Elaine, born in Uniontown hospital<br />
February 29 ... J. S. Cangney, sales manager<br />
for Lima Speaker, Inc., was here this week<br />
from Lima, Ohio . . . Eagle Lion will produce<br />
a feature picture which will tell the story<br />
of the Steubenville vice crusade . . . Mrs.<br />
Tillie Garrity of the Warner exchange was<br />
. . . Sam<br />
.<br />
to undergo a major operation this week in St.<br />
John's hospital.<br />
A second daughter was born a week ago<br />
in MoMtefiore hospital to the Al Singers.<br />
Papa manages Warners' Plaza<br />
Shapin, in charge of exchange operations<br />
for Warners, was a local visitor . . Rabbi<br />
Sidney Akeslrad of Detroit, son of the former<br />
McKees Rocks exhibitor, will marry<br />
Catherine Cohen of Rochester, N. Y., in June<br />
LaBelle, Warner circuit's local<br />
persomiel manager, suffering with penicillin<br />
is poisoning, recuperating in West Penn<br />
hospital.<br />
Bob Gibson, who managed Cuppie's diivein<br />
theatre in Centerville last season, has been<br />
named manager of the Strand, Brownsville,<br />
owned by Mrs. Mary Laskey . . . Beatrice<br />
Corcoran, daughter of George J. Corcoran,<br />
Allied MPTO director, appeared in a leading<br />
role in the Uniontown high school operetta.<br />
COLUMBUS<br />
.<br />
. ,<br />
Alexander Theatre Supply has sold complete<br />
new RCA booth equipment to the<br />
Theatres here<br />
Alpine circuit for theatres in Berkeley<br />
have been victims in<br />
Springs,<br />
a crime<br />
Alderson and Salinesville . . Playhouses<br />
wave. Following the boxoffice holdup of<br />
April show will be "Years Ago" Columbia Neth's Eastern, in which gunmen escaped<br />
.<br />
staged a regional session here last week with<br />
with $170, the Avondale was burglarized by<br />
who Sam Galanty, district manager, Washington,<br />
thieves entered via a coal chute and<br />
escaped with $300. according to Manager<br />
presiding. Branch managers in<br />
ance were Allan Moritz, Cincinnati;<br />
attend-<br />
Oscar Ben Nichols. A prowler who attempted to<br />
Ruby, Cleveland, and Arthur H, Levy, Pittsburgh.<br />
break into Neth's Cameo was frightened awny<br />
John Kendrick, by special officer. Four<br />
suspects in the Eastern robbery have confes.sed.<br />
Harry Brown, pioneer showman, is vacationing<br />
in Florida. Brown, father of Cliff, the<br />
Kane exhibitor, first exhibited pictures in Resignation of Robert Little, manager nl<br />
Kane in 1905 . . Keith Chambers, Parsons, the Esquire, to join Hygienic Productions has<br />
.<br />
W. Va., exliibitor, is home recuperating after caused several managerial shifts in the<br />
an operation while his wife has gone to a<br />
pneumonia.<br />
Academy circuit. William Clifford, manager<br />
hospital with of the Westmont, has succeeded Little. Jack<br />
Houbler, manager of the Cleve. has shifted<br />
to the Westmont and Ralph DennLson has<br />
become manager of the Cleve.<br />
John Pekras, retired owner of the old<br />
Dreamland. High Street theatre landmark<br />
in the silent days, left an estate valued at<br />
$176,918, according to an inventory filed in<br />
probate court. Pekras died last December 1.<br />
Bulk of the estate was left to Mrs. Pekras.<br />
His son Theodore, local theatreman, was left<br />
$5,000.<br />
Little Jack Little subbed for Joe Howard,<br />
composer of "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her<br />
Now," who was unable to appear on the<br />
Palace stage due to illness ... J. Real Neth<br />
is back at his desk after a two-week illness<br />
John Hardgrove and her two<br />
youngsters, Gracie and Jamie, have been<br />
vacationing in California. Mrs. Hardgrove<br />
wrote her husband, supervisor of Academy<br />
theatres, that 6-year-old Gracie has become<br />
a confirmed Roy Rogers fan after meeting<br />
the cowboy star and wants chaps and guns<br />
for playthings instead of dolls. Two-yearold<br />
Jamie wanted to meet Donald Duck, so<br />
Daddy Hardgrove is getting a duck and will<br />
have it in the yard when Jamie comes home.<br />
P. J. Wood, secretary of the Independent<br />
Theatre Owners of Ohio, is recuperating in<br />
Florida from a recent illness ... An ordinance<br />
proposing a ban on smoking in retail<br />
stores, theatres, passenger elevators and<br />
places of assembly was held over for the<br />
third week for additional study in the city<br />
council at the request of Council Pi-esident<br />
Joseph R. Jones and Councilman Walter R.<br />
Snider. It is sponsored by the fire department.<br />
Smoking now is banned in theatre<br />
auditoriums by state law. Tlie new ordinance<br />
would prohibit smoking throughout theatres<br />
excepting smoking rooms.<br />
Theatres here have been placed in type C<br />
in the new rezoning ordinance amendment<br />
which establishes four types instead of the<br />
.single type in effect for the last 25 years.<br />
Theatres are classified with auto parks, barber<br />
and beauty shops, billboard and advertising<br />
signs, fish markets, ice houses, motor<br />
bus terminals and sanitariums.<br />
The Michigan Alumni Ass'n has temporarily<br />
into gone exhibition business. Public<br />
showing of color movies of the Rose Bowl<br />
game between Michigan and Southern California<br />
W'as held at the Southern hotel ballroom.<br />
The film also was shown to 2,100<br />
inmates of Ohio penitentiary . . . Col. Bob<br />
French, former Columbus radio and newspaperman,<br />
is back in town to work for the<br />
newly licensed Gustav Hirsch PM station,<br />
WVKO, here.<br />
Altec Installations<br />
DETROIT The following installations<br />
have been completed by Altec Service Corp.,<br />
according to F. C. Dickely, district manager:<br />
Mecca Theatre. Litchfield, universal base;<br />
Park Theatre, Montague, William Thleman,<br />
Motiograph sound equipment, and Woods<br />
Theatre, Grosse Polnte, Simplex sound system.<br />
WE PREFER<br />
SMART ENTERTAINMENT<br />
That you investigate thoroughly the<br />
character of any Premium Concern ofiering<br />
to solicit your neighborhood merchants<br />
on giveaways.<br />
Too bad we have to make this sugges-<br />
NATIONAL THEATRE ADVERTISING CO.<br />
Max U<br />
RAYMOND ALLISON — Uivoli<br />
and Hollywood theatre circuits, Central<br />
Pennsylvania—says:<br />
"Prior to installation of RCA<br />
equipment in all my theatres,<br />
headaches were plenty. RCA<br />
solved all my troubles. In<br />
our opinion RCA is tops in<br />
service."<br />
To get the benefits of RCA.Service<br />
—write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Camden, New Jersey.<br />
Adv.<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
13, 1948
==^ fLASH ==^<br />
THEATRE SEATS<br />
RECOVERED — REPAffiED ANYWHERE<br />
BEST WORKMANSHIP. POSITIVELY LOWEST PRICE.<br />
PROMPT SERVICE<br />
1<br />
JOHN HEIDT, 1507 W. Kcrby. Detroit 8. Mich.<br />
Phone: TYIer 7-8015<br />
Magazine Subscriptions<br />
The Ideal Gift<br />
For Sale or Lease — All or Part<br />
DRIVE-IN THEATRE<br />
Location includes bathing beach and ye<br />
JOEL<br />
Deti<br />
JOSEPHSON<br />
LONG SIGN CO.<br />
MARQUISE SIGNS<br />
MAINTENANCE SERVICE<br />
840 W. Baltimore, Detroit — TR 1-5477<br />
Looking For Film Row Contacts?<br />
Office or desk space available,<br />
personal representation.<br />
Box 1005<br />
1009 Fox BIdg., Detroit 1, Mich.<br />
ERNIE<br />
FORBES<br />
214 W. Montcalm<br />
Detroit 1, Mich.<br />
Phone CAdillac 1122
: March<br />
2nd<br />
;'''..'<br />
. . The<br />
. . The<br />
. .<br />
Four New Theatres<br />
Seen for Worcester<br />
WORCESTER. MASS.— If and when the<br />
federal government removes its postwar ban<br />
iin construction of theatres, four new ones<br />
iuc promised this city. That would give<br />
Worcester 16 film houses.<br />
E. M. Loew of Boston has blueprints<br />
drawn for the neighborhood theatre on<br />
Grafton Hill and only the building priorities<br />
are holding him back. Loew also is anxious<br />
to build a downtown theatre. He has bought<br />
land on High street for this purpose, but is<br />
reported anxious to purchase more before he<br />
goes ahead with his plans. This theatre<br />
would have an entrance on Main.<br />
A third pictui-e house would be in the<br />
building to be erected at Southbridge and<br />
Cambridge streets and a fourth in the development<br />
just started on upper Lincoln street.<br />
Eventually it is expected there will be 350<br />
new home units there.<br />
Southbridge and Pramingham are among<br />
the nearby commimities that expect erection<br />
of new theatres.<br />
Tony Boscardine Opens<br />
House in Dover Plains<br />
CANAAN. CONN. — Tony Boscardine,<br />
operator of the Colonial, Canaan, Conn., began<br />
interstate operations when he opened his<br />
725-seat Dover Theatre, Dover Plains, N. Y.,<br />
March 3. The Colonial-type building has a<br />
modern, attractive interior, with latest type<br />
equipment. National Theatre Supply Co. of<br />
New Haven, under the supervision of William<br />
Hutchins, installed carpet. Simplex projection<br />
and sound, the screen, and other<br />
equipment. The seats are Heywood-Wakefield.<br />
Frank Knickerbocker, son-in-law of<br />
Boscardine. will manage the house.<br />
Michael McAndrew to the<br />
Strand in Springfield<br />
HOLYOKE, MASS.—Michael McAndrew.<br />
assistant manager at the Suffolk Theatre<br />
here under Manager Paul Kessler, has been<br />
promoted to the position of manager of the<br />
Strand in Springfield. Both theatres are<br />
owned and operated by Herman Rifkin.<br />
McAndrew received his training at the Suffolk<br />
under the provisions of the G.I. bill of<br />
rights on-the-job training program.<br />
4 Arbitrator Selected<br />
NEW HAVEN—Fleming James, professor<br />
of the Yale law school, has been agreed upon<br />
as arbitrator of the clearance complaint<br />
against the major distributors of the State<br />
Theatre, Springfield, Conn. No date has been<br />
set for the hearing. Secretary OUver Bishop<br />
of the Connecticut AAA board reports a late<br />
March hearing may be held for the West<br />
Side Amusement Co.'s complaint against the<br />
majors, in which relief is sought for the<br />
Barnum, Bridgeport.<br />
Intermissions at Webb<br />
HARTFORD—Jim Farrell. manager of the<br />
suburban Webb Playhouse, has scheduled<br />
brief intermissions following the main feature<br />
nightly to enable patrons to visit restrooms<br />
or candy snack bar. according to Farrell.<br />
The Webb runs weekday evenings only,<br />
with matinees on Saturday and Sunday.<br />
New Haven Leaders Meet,<br />
Talk Over Foundation<br />
NEW HAVEN—The first organizational<br />
meeting of the general committee of the Motion<br />
Picture Foundation was scheduled here<br />
March 12, with Carl Goe, Warner manager,<br />
as chairman. Dr. J. B. Fishman, trustee,<br />
who has attended national meetings on the<br />
Foundation, will give his report. Other key<br />
men here included Harry L. Lavetes, alternate<br />
trustee, Lou Brown, publicity chief, and<br />
an area committee consisting of Max Salzburg,<br />
Ben Simon, Henry Germaine. Arthur<br />
Greenfield, Harry Rosenblatt, B. E. Hoffman,<br />
Harry Shaw, Jim Darby, Morris Jacobson,<br />
Barney Pitkin, Henry Needles, Maurice Bailey,<br />
Walter Murphy, John Scanlon, Peter Perakos,<br />
Leon Jakubson. Matthew Kennedy, Freda<br />
Swirsky, Samuel Zipkin, James Bracken, Russell<br />
Barrett, Daniel Pouzzner.<br />
Hub Snarled Again<br />
By Heavy Snowfall<br />
BOSTON—The worst blizzard of the season,<br />
bringing several more feet of snow, arrived<br />
March 2 and crippled transportation<br />
once more. The weekend before, however,<br />
was a good one, with nice returns at the boxoffice.<br />
"Call Northside 777" at the Metropolitan<br />
was the standout.<br />
(Av 0)<br />
Astor—The Bishop's Wile (RKO), 10th wk.<br />
Boston Green For Danger (EL), plus stage show<br />
Exeter Street—The Upturned Glass (U-!); One<br />
Our Aircraft Is Missing dlAV reissno 3rd wlc<br />
Kenn<br />
5pt,<br />
"ial—Night Song 1- , Fighting Ma(<br />
(Mono), 2n'i .-, k<br />
Melropolitar.— Call Northside 777 i_Uth-Fox)<br />
Paramount and Fenway—Saigon (Para);<br />
Let's Live Again (20th-Fox), 2nd d. t. wk.<br />
State and Orpheum Three Daring Daught<br />
(MGM); The Wreck of the Hesperus (Co<br />
"Body and Soul' Holds Over<br />
At the Roger Sherman<br />
NEW HAVEN— -Body and Soul," dualed<br />
with "Stork Bites Man," did fine business at<br />
the Roger Sherman and stayed on for a repeat<br />
week. The Loew Poll bill, "To the Ends<br />
of the Earth" and "Son of Rusty," moved<br />
over to the College. A week's vacation in the<br />
public schools helped midweek takes, but bad<br />
weather, with rain and sleet, halted business<br />
at the end of the week's runs. Detail for the<br />
week ended March 3:<br />
Bijou—Cass Timberlane (MGM); Campus Honeymoon<br />
(Rep) , d t wk 90<br />
College—Gentleman's Agreement (20th-Fox);<br />
Philo Vance's Secret Mission (EL), 3rd wk 96<br />
Loew Poll—To the Ends of the Earth (Col);<br />
The Son of Rusty (Col) 108<br />
Paramount—Saigon (Para), Gas House Kids<br />
in Hollywood (EL), 2nd wk 90<br />
" ady and Soul '""'<br />
Stork Man (UA) (Ua;<br />
"Gentleman's Agreement' Hits<br />
225 in Hartford Opener<br />
HARTFORD—Newcomers included "Gentleman's<br />
Agreement." "If You Knew Susie"<br />
and "Albuquerque."<br />
Allyn—Albuqueque (Para), The Flame iHejl lU<br />
E M. Loews—Relentless (Col Two Blondes and<br />
(Col), Redhead 3rd wk a UX<br />
Loew's Poll Gentleman's Agreement i.'Mthfjx)<br />
The Challenge<br />
^czlace—Cass Timberlane<br />
(20th-Fox)<br />
(MGM)<br />
wk. Devil Ship (Col). 3rd<br />
Regal—The Voice of the Turtle (WB), 3rd wk<br />
9(<br />
it<br />
of Stale—Docks New Orleans (Mono),<br />
plus<br />
Providence Empire<br />
To Wreckers Soon<br />
PROVIDEInv^c, R. I.— Providence's oldest<br />
theatre, the Empire, reached the end of a<br />
colorful career last week when the curtain<br />
came down on the final motion picture showing.<br />
The building at 260 Westminster St. Is to<br />
be razed to make way for a department<br />
store. Wreckers are scheduled to take over<br />
about April 1.<br />
The theatre was opened 70 years ago March<br />
4, 1878, as Loew's Grand Opera Hou.se. with<br />
"Uncle Tom's Cabin" as the first attraction.<br />
Since then it has been called the Gaiety.<br />
Keith's, the Victory and finally the Empire.<br />
About every type of theatrical entertainment<br />
has been presented in the old theatre.<br />
Once it scored a triumph over its chief competitor,<br />
the Opera House, by bringing Henry<br />
Irving, famoiLs British actor, to Providence.<br />
It also has housed such attractions as Bob<br />
Inger-soll's lectures, performances of the Boston<br />
Museum stock company, vaudeville, burlesque<br />
and a dime museum. The theatre was<br />
the first home of the Albee stock company,<br />
which was popular for many years and started<br />
many actors on the road to fame.<br />
The house has been admired through the<br />
years for its paintings and ornate decorations,<br />
but little remains today to indicate its<br />
long and colorful past.<br />
Just before the war t)he theatre was in the<br />
news when 26 children were injured in a<br />
stampede for the balcony exits after a false<br />
alarm of fire.<br />
FALL RIVER<br />
Deginning^ March 8 and for seven consecutive<br />
Monday nights, amateur shows will be<br />
featured at the Empire by William S. Canning,<br />
manager. The shows will be conducted<br />
in two series of seven Mondays, each<br />
with the later series open only to contestants<br />
in the first series. The performances will<br />
be in charge of Billy Jackson's Vaudeville<br />
Co.<br />
of<br />
Ernest Israel, assistant to Nathan Yamms<br />
at his Boston offiore, recently inspected<br />
Yamins houses here . . . Following a long<br />
established custom, all local theatres will<br />
close Good Friday . Capitol marquee<br />
was heavily damaged when struck by the<br />
roof of the van of a large truck.<br />
.<br />
•<br />
Work is progressing on the remodeling of<br />
the Strand, a Yamins house. All seats have<br />
been removed from the balcony and loges,<br />
Shows will be halted this spring for the<br />
major renovations in the auditorium<br />
William S. Canning spoke at the recent annual<br />
dinner of the Fall River Burns club.<br />
He also was master of ceremonies at the<br />
opening campaign dinner of the Fall River<br />
Music Assn .<br />
Royal, a suburban house,<br />
collected $104.14 in March of Dimes donations.<br />
Fisher Zeitz of the Zeitz Theatres drove<br />
back from Miami Beach to New Bedford<br />
after two weeks there . . . Nathan Yamins<br />
visited here upon his return from Miami<br />
Beach, where he was wintering with Mrs.<br />
Yamins. Following a visit with Speaker Joseph<br />
W. Martin jr., in Washington. Yamins<br />
returned to Miami Beach.<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
13, 1948<br />
NE<br />
91
. . John<br />
. . Jerry<br />
: March<br />
. .<br />
'<br />
BOSTON<br />
Three new student managers being trained<br />
under the G.I. bill of rights were assigned<br />
last week by Interstate Theatres. John A.<br />
Garsin jr. is training at the Randolph in<br />
Randolph under the direction of Mrs. Doris<br />
Brady, who is pinchhitting for her husband<br />
Ed Brady, confined at the Deaconess hospital.<br />
At the Colonial in Brackton, James<br />
H. Godsill is training under Manager Jack<br />
O'Leary, and at the State in Millford. Dick<br />
Phillips is a student under Manager Dick<br />
Phillips.<br />
The Boston Moving Picture Machine<br />
Operators union voted to purchase the threestory<br />
and basement property at 45 Winchester<br />
St. for offices and headquarters. The<br />
lease on the present quarters of the imion<br />
expires April 30. No structural changes or<br />
decorations need to be done on the new site,<br />
union officials said. The entire downstairs<br />
floor will for be the use of the members<br />
while the offices of the executive board and<br />
another office for Walter Diehl, business<br />
representative, will be on the second floor.<br />
At the present time no plans have been<br />
made for use of the third floor space.<br />
The Empire Theatre, Providence, operated<br />
by the Snider circuit, closed March 3. The<br />
be razed to make way for a<br />
property will<br />
new W. T. Grant store. Cola Giovana, manager,<br />
has gone over to the Strand in the<br />
same city, operated by Ed Reed . .<br />
Jack<br />
district Shea, manager of the Jamestown<br />
circuit, was in town for meetings with his<br />
managers from Manchester and Nashua, N.<br />
H., and Amherst and Westfield, Mass.<br />
Paul Blackmer is the new assistant manager<br />
at the Suffolk in Holyoke, operated by<br />
the Rifkin circuit. A graduate of Norwich<br />
university and Emanuel college, he will work<br />
under Paul Kessler, manager . . .<br />
Henry<br />
Needles, Hartford district manager for the<br />
Warner circuit, was in town . . .<br />
Frank Lydon<br />
of the Hamilton, Dorchester, is at home under<br />
the doctor's care for a rest.<br />
Robert Kurson, field manager of the<br />
Graphic circuit, will be married April 10<br />
at Shen-y's in New York City to Elyse Nussenfeld<br />
of Fairfield, Conn., who recently<br />
graduated from Jackson college, Medford.<br />
After a wedding trip to California, the young<br />
couple will reside in Boston, where Kurson<br />
will continue his duties with Graphic. He is<br />
the youngest of the three Kurson brothers.<br />
lumbia, was in town two weeks working with<br />
Joe DiPesa on "To the Ends of the Earth,"<br />
which opened at Loew's State and Orpheum<br />
. . . Bill Powell, well known figure in the district,<br />
is at the Home of Mercy hospital, Rttsfield.<br />
He has been connected with the<br />
Western Massachusetts circuit and the Rifkin<br />
circuit and is at present in the phono- -<br />
graph record tie-in business.<br />
Arthur Goldstein, Maine district manager<br />
for the Snider circuit, played a sneak preview<br />
at the Strand, Portland, which was<br />
literally a sneak preview. He obtained a<br />
print of "To the Ends of the Earth" from<br />
Columbia and locked it in his safe. Not even<br />
the manager of the theatre, Samuel Feldman,<br />
knew the title of the picture. The preview<br />
was held on the holiday eve of February<br />
22 and proved a great success.<br />
.<br />
Fred Astaire supervised the opening of<br />
his new dancing studio at Tremont and<br />
Bosworth streets. He signed a lease with<br />
Fred Lieberman, theatre and real estate<br />
operator Cooney, Union Square,<br />
Pittsfield, arrived in town for one of his<br />
rare visits, sporting a new coat of tan acquired<br />
on his annual vacation in Florida . . .<br />
Mrs. Doris Mollica, Opera House, Lebanon,<br />
N. H., was in town booking at Metro .<br />
Arthur Viano of the Somerville. Broadway<br />
and Teal Square theatres. Somerville, was<br />
due back from Florida . . . Mr. and Mrs.<br />
Louis Stern of Stern Enterprises have returned<br />
from the sunny south looking as<br />
brown as berries.<br />
Bill Shirley, field representative for Coit<br />
wiU p
. . . Samuel<br />
: March<br />
. . John<br />
. . Bushnell<br />
, . Mr.<br />
. . Meadow<br />
. . Dave<br />
, , Opera<br />
, , Meadow<br />
. . Molly<br />
, , A<br />
. .<br />
, , Bob<br />
. . For<br />
Graphic's Regal in Franklin. N. H.. where<br />
he came in under the G.I. training program<br />
Kurson. head of Graphic, and<br />
hi.s son Kemieth. in charge of concessions,<br />
were in Maine last fortnight on routine<br />
business.<br />
The first sneak preview ever held at the<br />
Metropolitan Theatre took place on March<br />
3 when the huge house was jammed to see<br />
20tht-Fox's "Sitting Pretty," which went on<br />
at 8:20, playing the same bill with "Call<br />
Northside 777." The crowds lined up at 6<br />
]i m. and there were nearly 400 customers<br />
u lio could not gain admission. Tliis is the<br />
second time in a week that there has been<br />
:i sneak preview in a downtown theatre,<br />
L.iew's State played "The Bride Goes Wild"<br />
on the previous Friday and drew large and<br />
. enthusiastic crowds Good, booker<br />
at Paramount, has called to jury duty<br />
been<br />
for six<br />
weeks.<br />
Contracts have been signed with Local<br />
182, MPMO, by all the major circuits covering<br />
the two year period from Sept. 1, 1947,<br />
to Sept, 1, 1949, These circuit contracts are<br />
in line with those made in December by the<br />
M&P Theatres, which granted wage increases<br />
to the booth men,<br />
'Expendable' Rusty Ryan<br />
Gets $3,000 From WB<br />
BOSTON—Damages of $3,000 were awarded<br />
to Cmdr, Robert B. Kelly by Judge Charles<br />
E, Wyzanski jr, in a $500,000 libel suit against<br />
Loew's. Inc., producers of "They Were Expendable."<br />
Kelly alleged he was held up to<br />
ridicule and his reputation was injured<br />
among his fellow officers by the portrayal<br />
given of him as Rusty Ryan in the picture.<br />
He is now an instructor at AnnapoUs Naval<br />
academy.<br />
Judge Wyzanski ruled that while the portrayal<br />
given Kelly did not injure his reputation<br />
among the general public, it did hurt<br />
him in his standing among naval officers and<br />
cau.sed him mental distress.<br />
"Viewed from the professional aspect," the<br />
judge wrote. "Rusty Ryan may be a hard<br />
fighter of noble character but he does not<br />
measure up to the "regulation' model of a<br />
good officer. Since the only elements of damage<br />
proved related to di loss of reputation<br />
among naval officers who attended showings<br />
of the film and (2) mental disturbance, the<br />
recovery cannot be of large proportions."<br />
Couple Feted in Boston<br />
In 'Turtle' Exploitation<br />
BOSTON—The winners of the "blind date"<br />
contest held in connection with the showing<br />
of "The 'Voice of the Turtle" in Lawrence,<br />
were the guests of the Hotel Touraine here<br />
for a busy weekend. The couple were Mr.<br />
and Mi-s, St, Hilaire of North Andover, Mass,<br />
Their picture was sketched by Mabry. famous<br />
caricaturist and they received countless gifts,<br />
including a firr coat and wristwatch for Mrs,<br />
St. Hilaire and a complete wardrobe for her<br />
husband. Their weekend included attendance<br />
at the Ice Follies and a guest appearance<br />
on Sherm Feller's Club Midnite program.<br />
NEW HAVEN<br />
Exchanges started shutting down Saturdays,<br />
except for a shipper and nonunion staff<br />
members, as of last Saturday, under the new<br />
union contracts . St. is buzzing with<br />
rumors that Dan Finn. Warner publicity<br />
chief for the zone here for more than 20 years,<br />
will go to Boston to join B&Q Theatres staff,<br />
and that Bert Jacocks resigned from his Boston<br />
post . . . Jack M. Warner, -son of Jack L.<br />
Warner, production executive, was in from<br />
New York on his personal survey of theatre<br />
operation and film distribution.<br />
Six Columbia pictures played New Haven<br />
first runs .simultaneously at the Shubert. Bijou<br />
and College during the week of March 4,<br />
Tim O'Toole proudly points out , charity<br />
project of the Variety Club is almost ready<br />
for announcement , tickets for "La<br />
Boheme" at the Poll March 30 at $3,60 to $7,20<br />
are selling fast and the event looks like a<br />
sellout well in advance , Street<br />
was pleased to see Mike Tomas of the Victory<br />
and White Way back in the groove after a<br />
serious back operation and many weeks of<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
13, 1948<br />
recuperation.<br />
Harold Rubin, head of Jolly Sales, dealing<br />
in popcorn boxes exclusively to theatre trade, Among: the friends celebrating the Harry<br />
has formed a new company called Globe Shaws' 24th wedding anniversary with them<br />
Premiums, which is handling an ovenware at the Waverly Inn last Sunday were the<br />
deal. The Globe Company is operating from Harry Rosenblatts and Lou Browns, and<br />
the same address as Jolly.<br />
many outside of film circles . Rosenthal,<br />
wife of Morris, of the Loew Poll here,<br />
has been confined to her home with a complicated<br />
flu germ. Bob Elliano, of Walnut<br />
Beach, is tan and rested after a short vacation<br />
in Miami . Kaufman, Loew Poll<br />
artist, is back from skiiing at Lake Placid<br />
with all limbs present and accounted for.<br />
Bill Vuono of the Vuono Stamford interests<br />
heads the Colonial league, a class B<br />
professional baseball loop embracing Stamford,<br />
Bridgeport, Waterbury. New London,<br />
Port Chester. Poughkeepsie. and New Brunswick<br />
, and Mrs. A, Murphy, new operators<br />
of Broadbrook Theatre, are newcomers<br />
to the business and to the town, where<br />
they are planning to build a home , , , The<br />
Hari-y Rosenblatts of Metro and Dave Kramers<br />
of Columbia are both lucky occupants of<br />
apartments at the Knickerbocker after many<br />
months of temporary hotel life.<br />
Ken Prickett, Metro advance man, is working<br />
in New Haven, Hartford, Springfield and<br />
Worcester on March 24 openings of "Three<br />
Daring Daughters." Managers on the Loew<br />
Poll circuit are going to town on pianist and<br />
vocalist contests in connection with the picture.<br />
The plan is to hold auditions and have<br />
finalists appear at the theatre opening night<br />
Memorial, Hartford, had two<br />
performances, afternoon and evening, March<br />
3, of Phil Spitalny's allgirl orchestra .<br />
John Michaelson. Eagle Lion auditor, was in<br />
town to make a routine check . . ,<br />
Phylis<br />
Shelling Lesser returned to her desk at 20th-<br />
Fox after a honeymoon trip to Bermuda.<br />
A patriotic tieup which landed their pictures<br />
in the paper was engineered by the<br />
Kleper-Levenson team at the College, They<br />
worked with the army recruiting service during<br />
the second week of "To the Ends of the<br />
"<br />
Earth, carrying army copy in the lobby and<br />
inviting e:ilistees to attend the show as<br />
guests of the management. They also promoted<br />
50 roses to give to the first 50 ladies<br />
on opening day. The audio-visual education<br />
department of the schools plugged the picture,<br />
too. as did a 5-day radio contest on WAVZ<br />
for the mo.st-traveled and least-traveled people<br />
in New Haven. Passes were prizes.<br />
The College rest rooms are undergoing extensive<br />
alterations, and all the theatre's seats<br />
are being reupholstered in maroon . . . For<br />
the springtime hits campaign, the amber<br />
lights in the interior have been changed to<br />
a low blue, with pleasing effects . . . Norman<br />
Levenson. who is responsible for the Easter<br />
morning show March 27. made a tieup with<br />
a children's clothing merchant . "Gentleman's<br />
Agreement" the College crew arranged<br />
attendance of a block of several hundred<br />
members of Yale's Westminster Foundation.<br />
The picture was used as a ba.sis for<br />
discussion by this Protestant group . , . Lou<br />
Anger of the Barnum, Bridgeport, is back at<br />
the theatre, after a long siege of illness which<br />
kept him at home,<br />
Harry Shaw, Loew Poll circuit chief, took<br />
a jaunt to Hartford, Springfield and Bridgeport<br />
last week , Kaufmann, 20th-<br />
Fox. went to New York to get some pointers<br />
on the radio campaign for "Scudda Hoo!<br />
Scudda Hay," due here in April. Bob is<br />
pushing the revised advertising code for motion<br />
pictures, the industry's advertising rules<br />
which were drawn up by a committee headed<br />
by Charles Schlaifer of 20th-Pox , . , The<br />
campaign is being publicized through local<br />
press and radio , . , The Commimity, Fairfield<br />
had "Brief Encounter" first run in the<br />
Bridgeport area March 3,<br />
Looks like the police ball at the Armory<br />
March 12 will have a good sprinkling of Elm<br />
City film personalities , . , Max Salzburg.<br />
Eagle Lion manager, and Maurice Bailey, of<br />
the Bailey circuit, celebrated the 16th birthdays<br />
of their respective daughters, Carol<br />
and Rhoda, at a formal dance at Racebrook<br />
Country club February 22.<br />
STEWART R, MARTIN— Treasurer<br />
and General Manager, Emba.ssy<br />
New.sreel Theatres, New York City,<br />
and Newark, N. J.—says:<br />
"Good sound is as important as<br />
a good news shot. We use RCA<br />
Service to keep our sound<br />
operating at peak efficiency."<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
-write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Camden, New Jersey.
I<br />
Foley<br />
. . . Mrs.<br />
Moriarty<br />
. . Francis<br />
. .<br />
. . . The<br />
. . The<br />
. . New<br />
. . Melvin<br />
. . Two<br />
. . The<br />
. .<br />
. . . Pauline<br />
. . . Max<br />
. . George<br />
. . Saul<br />
. .<br />
WORCESTER<br />
T^anager Leo Lajoie of the Capitol reports<br />
the appointment of Robert Cutler as<br />
Mrs. Mary<br />
I resigned as secretary to<br />
Harold Maloney, manager of Loew's Poll, and<br />
went to Florida to rejoin her husband, lately<br />
returned from overseas service.<br />
The Sunday Telegram referred to Herbert<br />
Asher as "manager of the Olympia, which,<br />
like Olympus, is upstairs" ... A total of<br />
$234.80 was collected for the March of Dimes<br />
campaign by the Cameo in Uxbridge, according<br />
. . . Town<br />
to Manager Ned Eisner elections, followed by a heavy snowstorm,<br />
caused light boxoffice trade last week in the<br />
smaller communities of central Massachusetts.<br />
.<br />
John Matthews, manager of the Warner,<br />
to points a great success with his "blind<br />
date" ticket stubs circulated in connection<br />
with a sneak preview of "The Voice of the<br />
Turtle" Carney resigned from<br />
the Capitol to prepare for entrance into<br />
Manager Bob Portle of<br />
Clark miiversity . . .<br />
the Elm Street reported a holdover on "Cass<br />
Timberlane."<br />
Traveling summer carnivals, which always<br />
are a headache to theatre managers, continue<br />
to meet growing opposition. The Athol<br />
Chamber of Commerce recently sent a communication<br />
to the selectmen, protesting<br />
against allowing the carnivals in the town<br />
. . . Ai-t Mooney, the band leader, was in<br />
Marlboro.<br />
Robert Bergin, newly appointed assistant<br />
manager of Loew's Poll, received a pen-andpencil<br />
set from the staff of the Elm Street<br />
when he concluded his services there .<br />
Bruce Brighton will rejoin the Playhouse<br />
Viola Home of Athol was removed<br />
to Heywood hospital in Gardner with a fracture<br />
of the wrist, which .she reported was<br />
suffered in a fall at the York in Athol.<br />
A new house telephone system has been<br />
installed in the Capitol ... A block containing<br />
eight stores will be constructed in Fitchburg<br />
adjacent to the Cumings . Garbose<br />
brothers have sent a check for $1,800<br />
to the Orange selectmen in settlement of a<br />
suit brought by that town for damages to the<br />
Orange town hall. Before they built, the<br />
Garbose brothers used the town hall for<br />
films. The selectmen alleged they caused<br />
damage to the hall when their lease was not<br />
renewed.<br />
The Strand in Westboro is being redecorated,<br />
with fire-resistant material on the<br />
walls and new drapes and curtain for the<br />
stage ... A noisy patron was arrested in<br />
a downtown theatre by a policeman in plain<br />
clothes but not until an offended theatregoer<br />
had punched the disturber. Managers are<br />
wondering if long-suffering customers are<br />
getting more belligerent.<br />
NEWHAMPSHIRE<br />
Touring its March safety campaign, the Business<br />
and Professional Women's club in<br />
Concord arranged to show trailers on highway<br />
safety in all the theatres in the capital city<br />
North Conway Theatre lifted its<br />
screen recently for the presentation of the<br />
second annual concert of the Bowdoin College<br />
Glee club. The theatre was filled.<br />
Joseph G. Kennedy, manager of the Key<br />
in Meredith, reports $28.74 was raised for<br />
the March of Dimes . chairs have been<br />
installed at the Plaza in Derry, closed three<br />
days for the change . Morrison,<br />
manager of the Strand in Dover, is recovering<br />
satisfactorily following a stay at Wentworth<br />
hospital In that city.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
Marisa Regules, Argentine-born pianist,<br />
who made her film debut in "The Life of<br />
Albeniz," presented a concert in the Dover<br />
City auditorium Dover Lions club<br />
recently featured a film program, including<br />
pictures of the Louis-Walcott heavyweight<br />
championship fight . . Leslie Paffrath, director<br />
of the New Hampshire information bureau<br />
office in New York City, has reported<br />
that a summer theatre group is seeking a<br />
building in this state seating from 200 to 250.<br />
HARTFORD<br />
Mew Simplex projectors have been installed<br />
at the E. M. Loew's . Ramsdell,<br />
formerly with the Graphic circuit here, has<br />
been named manager of the Modern Theatre<br />
of Marlboro, Mass., owned by Larry Laskey<br />
of E. M. Loew circuit, an E. M. Loew house<br />
in Brockton . . . Phyllis Selvin, secretary to<br />
Al Schuman of Hartford Theatres, retui-ned<br />
from a vacation. Al and assistant Ernie Grecula<br />
were buying and booking in New Haven.<br />
Ernie Grecula has been named coordinator<br />
for the Red Cross drive in the west side<br />
Sanborn, Colonial cashier, trekked<br />
to Lancaster, N. H., to visit her ailing mother<br />
Salzburg of EL was in town .<br />
Maurice Shulman's three youngsters were<br />
mentioned on WCCC's Kiddy Korner broadcast<br />
the other morning . Karp, student<br />
assistant at Loew's Poll, has been promoted<br />
to assistant at the Poll in Springfield,<br />
succeeding Tito Lazerri, w'ho has left the<br />
circuit.<br />
Josephine Paula, formerly on the Allyn<br />
staff, chatted with Walter Lloyd, Joe Mulvey,<br />
etc., prior to leaving for Germany and<br />
an Allied civilian employe's position . . . Joe<br />
Plorian is the new Allyn doorman . . . The<br />
Band Boosters club of Groton sponsored a<br />
theatre party to raise money to equip a color<br />
guard for the Fitch high school band.<br />
Loew's Poli and Palace theatres have installed<br />
emergency sound systems . . . Ben<br />
Backman, manager of the Commodore Hull,<br />
a Warner house in Derby, has been recovering<br />
after an operation. Vincent Capuano,<br />
manager of the Warner Capitol, Danbury,<br />
has been relieving.<br />
That FCC hearing on Hartford's television<br />
1, chanels. originally slated for March was<br />
postponed until April 19. There are three<br />
applicants for tlie two available channels.<br />
Previous applicants totaled six . . A. D.<br />
.<br />
Murphy, new to the trade, has purchased<br />
the Broadbrook Theatre from Joseph Shofet.<br />
Martin KeUeher of the Princess is busy on<br />
renovation plans . . . Matilda Nash, Palace<br />
secretary, is a busy person. When she's not<br />
aiding at hubby's parking lot, she's doing<br />
bookkeeping for brother.<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. Young, owner of<br />
the Strand in Farmington, have been enjoying<br />
a vacation in Florida . original<br />
Walt Disney films, "Eskimo Arts and<br />
Crafts" and "Pour Seasons," were featured<br />
at a Currier Gallery of Art program in Manchester<br />
. . . Motion pictures and dancmg are<br />
being combined to attract crowds to the Town<br />
Hall in New Boston. A recent program featured<br />
Gordon Leitch and his orchestra and<br />
the Yvonne De Carlo picture, "Frontier Gal."<br />
The Loew's Poli held a staff meeting last<br />
Sunday noon to discuss plans of furthering<br />
service to patrons. Manager Lou Cohen and<br />
assistant Sam Horwitz pointed out the everyday<br />
errors that pop up in daily theatre operation.<br />
A fire drill was held ..." A Double<br />
Life" was screened at the Avery Memorial<br />
for press and radio representatives and city<br />
officials.<br />
BENJAMIN GOLDFINE—<br />
Alden Theatre, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—writes:<br />
"15 years of service by RCA<br />
has insured me of continuous<br />
good sound in my theatre."<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
—write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Camden, New Jersey.<br />
.<br />
A recent film show at the Liberty in Asliland<br />
was sponsored by the Booster club<br />
Two sound films, "Zaccaeus" and "Great<br />
Southern Songs," were shown at the First<br />
Baptist church in Concord, with matinee<br />
a<br />
for school children and evening presentation<br />
for<br />
adults.<br />
New Hampshire teachers will "go to the<br />
movies" at the University of New Hampshire<br />
March 24. when the audio-visual center there<br />
will hold a film preview to familiarize the<br />
teachers with many new educational pictures.<br />
More than 35 new films, in addition<br />
to the big library list, will be brought to the<br />
university for the program.<br />
NEW<br />
YORK<br />
PHONE<br />
PLAZA<br />
7-3809<br />
I NtWYORK<br />
1<br />
IP<br />
24S WEST mj<br />
Here we are at 245 W. 55TH ST.<br />
Ready lo serve you with<br />
iinesi special announcement trailers.<br />
li you haven't tried rilmack's<br />
quality and rapid service, send us<br />
your neKl order and be agreeably<br />
surprised.<br />
^ 55STI>E[T ^ IMACKJ .!<br />
BOXOFnCE :: March 13, 1948
'<br />
ROSWELL,<br />
: March<br />
San Antonians Set Up<br />
Unofficial Censorship<br />
SAN ANTONIO — Msgr. A. F. Diozd is<br />
spearheading a group representing various<br />
religious, civic and women's organizations to<br />
censor motion pictures, other anuisements<br />
and magazines here.<br />
Such a censorship group would have no<br />
lijal standing, but Say South, fire and police<br />
(.Mimmissioner, said its opinions would be<br />
given consideration. There is no provision<br />
in the city budget for employment of a paid<br />
censor, he said.<br />
Monsignor Drozd was named temporary<br />
Lluurman at a meeting of club representatives<br />
in the Gunter hotel and was authorized<br />
tu appoint a committee that would effeti<br />
permanent organization of the censor board.<br />
Son Heads Gilmer Rotary<br />
Father Helped Organize<br />
GILMER, TEX.—The 43rd anniversary<br />
celebration of the Gilmer Rotary club was<br />
presided over by charter member Cranfill H.<br />
Cox, former exhibitor and newspaperman. He<br />
operated the local theatres for many years<br />
but has now turned them over to Cranfill Cox<br />
jr., who, oddly enough, was elected president<br />
of the club at this meeting.<br />
At the Crystal Theatre recently, young Cox<br />
put on a Leap Year festival for several days<br />
and gave prizes to the oldest bachelor and<br />
the oldest married couple entering the theatre.<br />
It has also been related here that Edgar<br />
Bergen, who recently appeared in Dallas,<br />
flew over Gilmer to look the town over from<br />
the air. Bergen. In his hard-sledding vaudeville<br />
days. 17 years ago. appeared at the<br />
Crystal. He formed an acquaintanceship<br />
with Rubin White, a Crystal employe, who<br />
since has moved to Dallas. White looked<br />
Bergen up when he was in that city last<br />
month. Bergen gave White some tickets to<br />
the broadcast and White, who owns his own<br />
plane, took Bergen for a spin over Gilmer.<br />
Start Work on Drive-In<br />
N. M.—Grading work has<br />
started on the Valley Drive-In Theatre<br />
which Theatre Enterprises, Inc., Is building<br />
just south of the city Umits on a new portion<br />
of U.S. highway 285. Louis Hlgdon,<br />
manager of TEI houses In this area, said the<br />
circuit hopes to open the theatre by June 1,<br />
ROW'S PRETTIEST—Camille Pisciotta,<br />
daughter of Mr, and Mrs. Mike Pisciotta,<br />
proprietors of the Filmrow grill<br />
at New Orleans, was voted the prettiest<br />
masquer on the Row during the recent<br />
Mardi Gras festivities.<br />
Joy Houck Purchases<br />
Four Dunlap Houses<br />
DALLAS Joy Houck of New Orleans has<br />
pincliaM'd four small town theatres from<br />
1(1111.1 Dunlap. The houses are the Palace<br />
,111(1 Ti xas in Cisco, the Star in Rising Star<br />
and the Plains In Cross Plains. Houck adds<br />
these to eight others he owns in Texas and<br />
will operate them under the company name<br />
of Joy Houck's Texas Theatres. A circuit<br />
office has been established in Temple, where<br />
Houck owns the Temple Theatre. His<br />
nephew. Corbin Houck, will be in charge.<br />
Houck owns a large number of theatres<br />
in the south and southeast, mcstly of the<br />
subsequent run and low admi.sslon price variety.<br />
He recently purchased the Strand and<br />
Queen In Dallas, double bill houses downtown.<br />
His further expansion In Texas is<br />
believed certain during coming months.<br />
Dunlap still owns two theatres in Whitney<br />
and one in Port Aransas. He sold five theatres<br />
in one week, which he calls a record,<br />
the four to Houck and the Palace in Greenwood,<br />
Ark., to a Minnesotan.<br />
Close Albuquerque Mesa,<br />
To Build Larger House<br />
ALBUQUERQUE. N. M.—Tlie Me.sa Theatre<br />
here has been closed preparatory to<br />
being razed to make room for a new and<br />
larger theatre. George Tucker of Albuquerque<br />
Theatres, Inc., said a federal permit is<br />
Top Supporting Role<br />
expected soon for the construction. The new<br />
Barry Sullivan has been added to the cast theatre will seat between 900 and 1,000 persons<br />
of "The Great Gatsby" at Paramount as top<br />
compared with the 350 accommodated<br />
featured player.<br />
in the old Mesa, he said.<br />
ANNOUNCEMENT<br />
United States Air Conditioning Corporation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, is pleased to<br />
announce that its large new 60,000-sq. ft. factory at Corsicana, Texas, now is in production.<br />
For the present, the Corsicana plant will<br />
manufacture USAirCo blowers, air washers,<br />
evaporative coolers and gas fired heating equipment, with operations soon to include<br />
its full line of refrigeration apparatus.<br />
Now, "Deep in the Heart of Texas," the better to serve the Southwestern exhibitor<br />
with time-tested USAirCo cooling equipment and engineering service.<br />
mOTIDnPICTIHIESEIimCq<br />
ARCHIE S. FEINBERG COMPANY<br />
2125 N. Harwood Street P. O. Box 1G13<br />
Dallas, Texas<br />
Westerns-Featurss-Serials<br />
Tower Pictures Co<br />
HAROLD SCHWAB?<br />
3021/1 S. Harwood SI. C—7357<br />
DALLAS 1. TEXAS<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
13, 1948<br />
THEATRE SEAT INSTALLATION<br />
years experience — Satisfaction guaranteed.<br />
Write or Phone 5327<br />
Johnnie Boutwell<br />
Temple, Texas<br />
95
]<br />
"DID YOU KNOW"<br />
. . . that we can rebuild your Simplex mechanisms completely and like new<br />
for approximately S250. This work is done by an A-1 mechanic, Mr. Otto<br />
Aiken, formerly with Interstate for 17 years. He knows his business! All<br />
work is guaranteed. We use Century, La Vezzi and Wenzel, not genuine<br />
Simplex parts—but we consider them better, and if they did not give satisfaction,<br />
we could not afford to guarantee them. We will furnish a loan<br />
mechanism, and handle the job on a contract basis, if desired.<br />
Write. Call or Telephone!<br />
HARDIN THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO.<br />
All Kinds of Theatre Equipment<br />
714 South Hampton Road M-2235 Dallas, Texas<br />
BUFFALO COOLIK6 EQUIPMENT<br />
10th FU 2nd Unit, Santa FeBldg. BUFFALO ENGINEERING COv INC. Dallas. Tax.<br />
DALLAS<br />
rohnny N. Stewart, who still lives in Kaufman<br />
though he sold his Plaza and Uptown<br />
theaties there last<br />
yeai to Buddy Harris,<br />
is beheved by friends<br />
to be out of show<br />
business just about as<br />
long as he can stand<br />
It He is pictured here<br />
as he relaxed in one<br />
of Filmrow's comfortable<br />
chairs looking at<br />
a film contract. He<br />
either has a deal in<br />
mind or just looked to<br />
J. N. Stewart ^ee if film seUing has<br />
changed. A World War I overseas veteran,<br />
Johnny has been taking it easy the past<br />
year, playing gin rummy at the Variety Club<br />
and staying in out of the weather at the<br />
stock markets. He has made several trips to<br />
New Orleans and to Hattiesburg. Miss.,<br />
where his 85-year-old mother still lives.<br />
He was a theatre operator for over 25 years.<br />
L. D. Brown of the Queen and Ritz in<br />
Brownwood was here in a new western outfit<br />
and a new booking book. Brown recently took<br />
over his buying and booking from Texas Consolidated<br />
Theatres, with whom he had an<br />
arrangement for several years. Brown now<br />
is using a late model hearing aid . . . Al<br />
Pickens and wife have moved back to their<br />
Um<br />
ROAD<br />
EQUIPMENT DISPLAY<br />
& SALES<br />
MR. CECIL DAVIS<br />
4020 MocArthur Road<br />
P. O. Bo 20<br />
Warr Acr<br />
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA.<br />
hffi. L. C. DUCKWORTH<br />
21S South Liberty St,<br />
NEW ORLEANS, LA<br />
MR. RAYMOND KING<br />
192C McDutlie Street<br />
HOUSTON, TEXAS<br />
WAREHOUSES<br />
HOUSTON<br />
P. O. Box 322<br />
102 San Jacinto S<br />
LUBBOCK<br />
702 Texas St.<br />
BEAUMONT<br />
550 Main St,<br />
TO RICHES<br />
... is easier to travel, if you<br />
have the help of quality merchandise.<br />
In the popcorn business<br />
the name "The Pop Com<br />
Man" is synonymous with quality.<br />
GOLDEN CREST POP CORN<br />
SEASONING heads the list<br />
of superior merchandise<br />
you get from "The Pop Corn<br />
Man." It's pure, premiumquality<br />
cocoanut oil that<br />
stays sweet! 5 gallons to<br />
full drums, available NOW!<br />
-.<br />
West Coaat Distributor<br />
Roy C. Garland<br />
P. O. Box 647, Oxnard, Calil.<br />
CHAS. E. OARDEN & CO, • 308 South Harwood • P. 0. Box 2207 • Dallas, Texas • Riverside-6134<br />
(<br />
March 13, 1948<br />
^:iotBa
. . Joe<br />
: March<br />
former home in Tulsa, where he has an advertising<br />
job with a furniture company. He<br />
formerly worked for newspapers and theatres<br />
there and moved here several years ago with<br />
the Isley theatres. In recent months he was<br />
with United Theatres Service Corp.<br />
Bob Montgomery, former owner of theatres<br />
in Wichita Palls, who was rushed from Corpus<br />
Christi to a Temple hospital a few days<br />
ago. was taken to his home in Wichita Falls<br />
last weekend. He was revived from a coma<br />
at Temple and remains a very sick man at<br />
home. Chas. E. Darden, close friend of Montgomery,<br />
visited him Sunday . . . Philip Preston<br />
and A. K. May, owners of the Sadler at<br />
Lawn, were here at Ind-Ex Booking Service,*<br />
which has done their buying and booking the<br />
last year. They stopped at this correspondent's<br />
office to leave a subscription to BOX-<br />
OFFICE.<br />
Now Successfully Playing<br />
Theatres in the Southwest!<br />
You, Too, Can Show a Proiiif<br />
This Card<br />
William Morrow was in from Longview in<br />
connection with the reopening of his Colonial<br />
Drive-In in the next few days. He<br />
also operates the Texas and Gregg theatres<br />
there . . . J. B. Underwood, Columbia division<br />
manager, and Irving Wormser of the home<br />
office visited the Jefferson Amusement Co.<br />
office in Beaumont, and returned via Houston.<br />
Jack said the Houston Variety club<br />
really did a great job on remodeling its quarters.<br />
He and Wormser left on a trip to Memphis.<br />
Ed Blumenthal jr., manager of the Kessler<br />
Theatre, is out of the hospital after an appendectomy.<br />
His father is co-owner of the<br />
Monogram exchange.<br />
J. H. Stagner of the new Van Theatre in<br />
Van made a hurry-up trip to the Row because<br />
of amplifier trouble and Dan Hulse of<br />
Herber Bros, fixed him up. It was the Van's<br />
first booth failure since it opened several<br />
months ago. No show time was lost. Because<br />
of the extremely bad weather lately, Stagner<br />
had remained at home for two months so he<br />
put in some time booking while waiting for<br />
his sound box to be repaired.<br />
B. R. and Gordon McLendon's radio station,<br />
KLIF, almost went out as the Ti-inity<br />
river rose after heavy rains up country. Had<br />
the water risen seven more inches the insulation<br />
at the base of the antenna would<br />
have been submerged and the station would<br />
have been off the air temporarily . . . Martin<br />
Lamour of the National in Graham, arrived<br />
on the Row just in time to see film star Rod<br />
Cameron alight from a police-escorted car.<br />
Lamour was a Hollywood visitor recently and<br />
saw many stars, but not Cameron, who was<br />
here for the premiere of "Panhandle."<br />
.<br />
Theatre Enterprises is moving its repair<br />
shop to 2021 Jackson St.. next to the Interstate<br />
circuit warehouse. Move was made from<br />
their location on the corner of Pearl and<br />
Jackson E. Brown, who appears on<br />
the Melba stage in "Harvey" starting at the<br />
end of March, will be in Hugo, Okla.. April<br />
1 for the annual circus roundup but will not<br />
miss a single Dallas performance.<br />
Roy Deviney of the Hawk Theatre in Hawkins<br />
stopped off here on his retiu-n from the<br />
Variety Club trip to Houston, and lost not a<br />
moment in trying to dig up a new theatre<br />
to add to the Hawk. Roy failed to get any<br />
dope on a blind theatre-for-sale ad in Oklahoma.<br />
The ad sounded so good he wrote to<br />
the BOXOFFICE number.<br />
. . . and the Questions<br />
are all you need to fill your theatre on that dull night each<br />
week! DR. CRANE has a ready-made audience of 20.000,-<br />
000 people daily.<br />
Cash in on Quiz Popuiarity!<br />
For details, write, wire or phone Riverside 2761<br />
"TEST YOUR HORSE SENSE<br />
Film Exchange Building<br />
308 South Harwood Street<br />
Dallas. Texas<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
13, 1948
WE PREFER<br />
That you investigate thoroughly the<br />
character of any Premium Concern offering<br />
to solicit your neighborhood merchants<br />
on giveaways.<br />
Too bad we have to make this suggestion.<br />
NATIONAL THEATRE ADVERTISING CO-<br />
Max & Joe Berenson<br />
1325 S. Wabash Ave. Chicago 5. 111.<br />
15 Years of Successful Operation<br />
Speed-O-Bikes * Radio-Phonograph<br />
Combinations * 3-Pc. Luggage Sets<br />
Bicycles *<br />
Hobby Horses and Other<br />
Items No Cost to the Exhibitor.<br />
at<br />
TiOnite. jjon.<br />
Pa>UiculaM.<br />
IS YOUR THEATRE FOR SALE?
Bob Warner Is Well Again;<br />
To Make Tour of Nation<br />
DALLAS—Bob Warner of Mauley, Inc.. is<br />
back on his feet and has returned from a<br />
fishing trip to Port<br />
Aransas. He was hospitalized<br />
by pneumonia<br />
during February.<br />
Bob is a Manley<br />
division manager,<br />
having charge of sales<br />
HI 23 states from<br />
Mame to Mexico City.<br />
Warner will leave soon<br />
iin another trip<br />
.iround the country,<br />
this time with Charles<br />
G. Manley, son of the<br />
Bob Warner jate founder of the<br />
company. After that it will be time to return<br />
to Port Aransas for more fisliing.<br />
Warner owns a half interest w^ith Forrest<br />
Dunlap in the Port Theatre in Port Aransas.<br />
Chas. Weisenburg Sells<br />
Two Theatres in Tulia<br />
TULIA, TEX.—Charles Weisenburg has<br />
sold his Grand and Gay here to D. Griffith,<br />
who recently opened the Griffith Theatre.<br />
Weisenburg will move to Dallas. He owns the<br />
Sylvia in Seagoville and is building a drivein<br />
theatre at Amarillo.<br />
John Blevins Buys Crest<br />
DUBLIN. TEX.—John Blevins. long-time<br />
owner and operator of the Majestic Theatre.<br />
has purchased the Crest. 400 seats, opened<br />
here several months ago by Ted Robbins.<br />
W. E. Latham Stricken<br />
DALLAS--W. E. Latham, veteran of the<br />
circus and ruadshowman several years, suffered<br />
a heart attack while vLsiting a local exchange<br />
and died while being rushed to a hospital.<br />
His home is in Beaumont where the<br />
body was sent for burial. His wife, who survives,<br />
is a sister of Harry James, the orchestra<br />
leader.<br />
With a MANLEY<br />
You Are in<br />
Business<br />
LONGER<br />
302 S. Harwood St.<br />
m Wo<br />
Divisional<br />
Eagle Theatre Will Open<br />
In West Dallas Suburb<br />
DALLAS—Ned Edwards and three assocites,<br />
all employes in the Theatre Enterprises<br />
repair shop, are building a 600-seat theatre<br />
in west Dallas on Singleton boulevard. The<br />
house will be named the Eagle. The community<br />
is known as Eagle Ford.<br />
'arner<br />
Manager<br />
And With<br />
More<br />
PROFITS<br />
Dallas, Texas Prospect 7-1685<br />
Griggs<br />
Seating<br />
Is<br />
Better!<br />
Illustrated is Model<br />
16MBW — n e west<br />
member of the<br />
Griggs line of<br />
fortable theatre seats. This chair may be<br />
had in any one of several color schemes<br />
and with a choice of end designs.<br />
There's a dealer near you.<br />
Write today for full details.<br />
GRIGGS (Equipment Compani^ BOX 630 BELTON, TEXAS<br />
MANUFACTURERS OF COMFORTABLE SEATING FOR ALL OCCASIONS<br />
BOXOFFICE :: March 13, 1948
1<br />
'^-^^«.C4crus,ia<br />
\rou§it<br />
Western Troupe Aids<br />
Dallas Trade Some<br />
DALLAS—First runs picked up a bit due<br />
to the presence of film stars at a premiere,<br />
but it was still that slack pre-Easter time.<br />
•'Panhandle," with a half dozen stars on the<br />
stage one day, was the top hit of the week.<br />
(Average is 100)<br />
Capitol—Betrayed (20th-Fox); The Woman oi the<br />
Town (UA)<br />
Cheyenne<br />
(EL); De Ship (Co<br />
c—Panhandle<br />
-Tycoon (RKO),^ .^'^^wk<br />
Hagen Gii' """'<br />
Riallo—The<br />
Mask (UA); International<br />
Lady (UA), rt<br />
tured of Don Coyote<br />
'Panhandle' Star Group<br />
Sparks Texas Openings<br />
DALLAS—The "Panhandle" star group that<br />
corraled the western scene in Amarillo at<br />
the Paramount and State theatres, when the<br />
film premiered there, made a one-day stand<br />
on the stage of the Majestic here when the<br />
film moved in for a week. Max Terhune,<br />
Roddy McDowall. Cathy Downs, Rod Cameron<br />
and Gail Storm were met at Union<br />
Terminal by Frank Starz, Bob Kelly and Forrest<br />
Thompson of Interstate circuit, and by<br />
Lloyd Rust of the Monogram exchange. A<br />
police escort whisked them uptown to the<br />
theatre.<br />
Cameron emceed three half-hour shows<br />
with the stars. A song, a skit and a ventriloquist<br />
routine and poetry by McDowall made<br />
up the act. The stars brought standout business<br />
to the theatre.<br />
Steve Broidy, president of Monogram: Co-<br />
Producer John Champion and Publicist Blake<br />
Edwards were here with the stars. From here<br />
they went south for similar stands in Hou.ston,<br />
San Antonio, Galveston and Au.stin.<br />
Sack Brothers Purchase<br />
Building Near Dallas Row<br />
DALLAS—The two-story 50x90 brick building<br />
on the northeast corner of Pearl and<br />
Jackson streets, a block from Filmrow, was<br />
purchased by Alfred N. and Lester J. Sack,<br />
owners of Sack Amusement Enterprises.<br />
The new building is located diagonally<br />
across the corner from the structure at 209-<br />
215 South Pearl St., which houses the Sack<br />
Dallas branch and which the Sack brothers<br />
bought two years ago.<br />
Bought an as investment, Alfred N. Sack,<br />
said that no immediate remodeling plans are<br />
contemplated. Two major film companies<br />
already have offered long-term leases if the<br />
building is remodeled for film exchange purposes,<br />
he added, declaring he may do so as<br />
soon as current leases expire.<br />
First Dallas Censor Dies<br />
DALLAS—This city had censorship threats<br />
as far back as 1912, it was retold here at the<br />
death of Mrs. Reed Finley, the city's first<br />
censor of motion pictures. Mrs. Finley died<br />
last week at the age of 78. The first president<br />
of a school Mothers club, which preceded<br />
the PTA here, was appointed a film<br />
censor, and in 1912 she established children's<br />
matinees in local theatres. Mrs. Finley was<br />
a member of the National Board of Review,<br />
Her son Jean was an Elm Street theatre manager<br />
and more recently was a publicist for<br />
film companies.<br />
75<br />
HENRY REEVE— Owner, Mission<br />
Theatre, Menard, Texas, and President<br />
of Texas Theatre Owners, Inc.<br />
— declares:<br />
"The name 'RCA' speaks for itself.<br />
Your equipment, your<br />
is service all any theatre man<br />
can ask for — period."<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
—write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Radio Corporation of America,<br />
Camden, New Jersey.<br />
UNUSUAL VALUE!<br />
Includes fireproof buildmg, relrigeratea.<br />
Parking lot. 500 seats. Fine booth. All<br />
under 2 years old. Controls large section<br />
best university city in Texas, Profitable.<br />
Exceptional potential. Easily<br />
operated. No conflict. Remarkable expansion<br />
possibilities. Closest check<br />
welcomed, $72,000, with $42,000 down.<br />
Building loan at 4% cheaper than rent.<br />
Really unusual value,<br />
EXCLUSIVELY LISTED FOR PRIVATE SALE<br />
WITH<br />
LEAK THEATRE SALES<br />
Phone T3-2026<br />
3422 Kinmore St. Dallas 10, Texas.<br />
H«re we are at 245 W. 55TH ST.<br />
Ready lo serve you with<br />
NEW iinesi special announcement trailers.<br />
YORK<br />
PHONE U you haven't tried Tilmack's<br />
PLAZA quality and rapid service, send us<br />
7-3809 your next order and beagreeably<br />
NtW YORK<br />
{ 245 WIST<br />
I 55 STREET<br />
surprised.<br />
|riLMACK i.-rr"i<br />
^a^^Woboij^hicoQ^ ,„aton St<br />
J<br />
BOXOFFICE :: March 13, 1948
. Eddie<br />
: March<br />
had<br />
. . COME<br />
Dallas Independents<br />
Hold Fourth Session<br />
DALLAS—The new Dallas Independent<br />
Motion Picture Theatre Owners Ass'n held<br />
life of their city.<br />
Don Dixon of the Haskell Theatre was<br />
named to head a committee to work out designs<br />
for an emblem to be used by the independent<br />
houses.<br />
Bob Euler of Ti-i-State Theatres was made<br />
chairman of a committee to work out a plan<br />
of cooperative newspaper advertising. Twenty<br />
exhibitors were present, including L. R. Ball<br />
of the Captain. Claude Kennell, California<br />
exhibitor, and son-in-law of P. G. Cameron,<br />
was a visitor.<br />
Ted Lewis of Gene Autry Theatres was<br />
named chairman for the next meeting April 6.<br />
HOUSTON<br />
Construction was recently completed on a<br />
quonset-hut style theatre on the Conroe<br />
highway, about 17 miles from Houston.<br />
A. W. Kleb. truck farmer and owner of the<br />
theatre, said it will be known as the Cascade.<br />
It is said to be the first theatre of<br />
this type in the area. The theatre has a<br />
seating capacity of 350 and was built at a<br />
cost of about $25,000.<br />
Myrtle Parker Transferred<br />
To Shreveport Majestic<br />
SHREVEPORT, LA. — Myrtle Parker of<br />
Louin, Miss., bcccime manager of the Majestic<br />
Theatre here February 26, succeeding Mrs.<br />
Lavelle Wright. Miss Parker had been man-<br />
its fourth monthly meeting Tuesday in the ager of the Empire in Mobile, Ala. The Majestic<br />
is a Paramount-Richards house. Mrs.<br />
Dallas Athletic club assembly hall. Lee<br />
Handley of the Arcadia Theatre, presided, Wright, manager of the Majestic for six<br />
and Mayor Hans Smith of Irvipg. that town's years has taken a position as manager of a<br />
lone exhibitor; Duke Clark, district manager,<br />
and Heywood Simmons, local manager<br />
millinery shop in Chattanooga, Tenn.<br />
for Paramount, were invited guests.<br />
Clark emphasized his interest in the fact Gets New Projectors<br />
this group operated independent houses with MELROSE, N. M.— New Simplex projectors<br />
have been installed in the Rialto The-<br />
a total of 29.400 seats, and asserted it was a<br />
healthy development when independents organize<br />
to take an active part in the theatre<br />
atre here. Simplex 4-Star sound was put in<br />
a year ago.<br />
MPF Thanks Texans<br />
For Exchange Gifts<br />
DALLAS- John Rowley, Texas chairman<br />
for the Motion Picture Foundation, received<br />
a letter from Barney Balaban, treasurer of<br />
the MPF, expressing thanks for the Texas<br />
contribution. Balaban wrote he had received<br />
from E. V. Richards of New Orleans the<br />
$1,143.29 which Rowley collected from Dallas<br />
exchanges. Balaban"s message said Rowley's<br />
cooperation has been invaluable and<br />
asked the latter personally to thank each<br />
contributor as It was impossible for national<br />
headquarters to acknowledge all cash<br />
gifts, even though they were greatly appreciated.<br />
JOSEPHINE THEATRE. San Antonio, Texas<br />
CINE PLAZA THEATRE (2,500 seats), Juarez, Mexico<br />
TOWER THEATRE, Itasca, Texas<br />
QUEEN THEATRE, Mart, Texas<br />
VILLAGE THEATRE, Greggton, Texas<br />
DRIVE-IN SAN PEDRO, San Antonio. Texas<br />
CHANGE OF OLD TO NEW<br />
MISSION THEATRE. Dalhart. Texas<br />
PALACE THEATRE. Childress. Texas<br />
MELBA THEATRE. Dallas. Texas<br />
PLAZA THEATRE. Boerne, Texas<br />
ALL OPEN WITH THE NEW<br />
Homer W. McCallon, manager of Loew's<br />
State, contributed birthday passes to be enclosed<br />
with official membership cards for<br />
the Leap Year Orphans club, sponsored by<br />
the Press . . . Lorraine Schulte, cashier for<br />
three years at the River Oaks Theatre, will<br />
be married to Bob Sutter, also an employe<br />
of the theatre, soon after Lent.<br />
Cope, publicity writer and former<br />
BOXOFFICE correspondent, has retui-ned to<br />
Houston after taking a ten-week show business<br />
refresher course at the American Theatre<br />
Wing training school in New York.<br />
The schooling consisted of surveys of the<br />
theatre, radio, television, motion picture and<br />
show business publicity fields.<br />
Seven film stars were here for the premiere<br />
of "Panhandle" at the Majestic Theatre.<br />
Except for the three stage appearances<br />
and a press and radio breakfast at<br />
the Rice hotel, no other festivities were<br />
scheduled for their one-day stay here. The<br />
group comprised Gale Storm, Cathy Downs,<br />
Max Terhune, Roddy McDowall, Freddie<br />
Steward, John Champion and Rod Cameron.<br />
The mainstay of the troupe was Terhune.<br />
Taylor and Miss Storm, who are former<br />
Houstonians, took time out to visit w'ith<br />
i<br />
relatives and friends. Mi.ss Storm Josephine<br />
Cottle 1 another baby since her<br />
last visit here. She visited her sisters, Mrs.<br />
C. C. Devine and Mrs. H. J. Milligan.<br />
MoTiOGRAPH A A Projectors<br />
AND<br />
MiRROPHONic Sound Systems<br />
Wafch This List Grow!<br />
YOU WILL KNOW THE ANSWER WHEN YOU SEE<br />
THIS REVOLUTIONARY COMPLETELY NEW PROJECTOR<br />
NOW ON DISPLAY ON OUR FLOOR . IN AND SEE<br />
DISTRIBUTED<br />
BY<br />
ODERn THEATRE<br />
m EQUIPmEIIT CO.<br />
214 South St. Paul Street Phone Riverside 5009 Dallas 1, Texas<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
13, 1948
. . Mrs.<br />
: March<br />
United fheatres<br />
S E II \ I 1<br />
308 S. Harwood St<br />
%<br />
O K P O R A T I O N<br />
Dallas, Tex.<br />
Seek Building Permit<br />
CARLSBAD. N. M.— R. I. Payne of Dallas,<br />
vice-president of Theatre Enterprises, Inc..<br />
was in Washington recently seeking government<br />
approval for construction of a<br />
1.200-seat theatre here, according to Bill<br />
Bartlett. manager here for TEI. He said the<br />
company planned to spend about $200,000 on<br />
the project. The building would include two<br />
stores be.sides the theatre.<br />
Take Presidential Poll<br />
DALLAS—A straw vote on the forthcoming<br />
presidential election will<br />
USED CHAIRS<br />
be taken by the Interstate<br />
circuit in 30 of its Texas theatres<br />
showing the current March of Time release<br />
dealing with presidential candidates. The<br />
BEST BUY!<br />
WRITE FOR PARTICULARS<br />
PHOTOS and PRICES<br />
HOW MANY DO YOU NEED?<br />
poll here will be held at the Palace.<br />
FENSIN SEATING COMPANY<br />
b1 EAST 13th STREET • CHICAGO 5<br />
SHORT ITEMS<br />
WIPES ^=='^<br />
1/4 H. P. MOTORS (Centnry) $18.18<br />
\<br />
BERBER<br />
While They Last!<br />
BROTHERS<br />
Most Anything for the Theatre<br />
"Fair Treatment and Ade quate Service for 25 Years"<br />
408 S. HARWOOD DALLAS 1, TEXAS<br />
East Texas to Build<br />
Six Drive-In Places<br />
BEAUMONT, TEX.—The first of six<br />
drive-in theatres to be built by East Texas<br />
Theatres, Inc., will be opened here March<br />
26, according to S. L. Oakley, vice-president<br />
and general manager of the circuit.<br />
Construction of a similar layout in Lufkin<br />
is scheduled to start soon and others will<br />
be built as rapidly as possible at Marshall,<br />
Longview, Kilgore and Nacogdoches. The<br />
site for the Lufkin Theatre has already been<br />
selected, according to Sam Tanner, district<br />
manager.<br />
East Texas Theatres is headed by Julius<br />
Gordon of Beaumont.<br />
NE\N ORLEANS<br />
pecord rainfall, which flooded the entire<br />
territory and flowed from eight to 24<br />
inches deep on downtown New Orleans<br />
streets, resulted in as much as a 50 per cent<br />
drop in boxoffice grosses throughout the area<br />
last week. All exchanges were forewarned<br />
of the flood conditions and shipments were<br />
made early enough to avoid missouts. Pi-actically<br />
wasted was an exceptionally good<br />
lineup in the downtown theatres. Heading<br />
list the was the Saenger with "Call Northside<br />
777." "A Double Life" was at Loew's<br />
State, the Joy featured "Pittsburgh," the<br />
RKO Orpheum "The Bishop's Wife," The<br />
Liberty "Badlands of Dakota," the Center<br />
"Time Out of Mind," the Tudor "I Walk<br />
Alone," the Globe "That Hagen Girl," the<br />
Strand "Saps at Sea" and "Cheyenne Takes<br />
Over," while the Poche presented Joe E.<br />
Brown in "Harvey" on the stage.<br />
The Gale, an 800-seat house at Raceland<br />
belonging to F. G. Pratt jr., was destroyed by<br />
fire at a loss estimated at $60,000. It was<br />
the second time since 1943 that Pratt lost a<br />
theatre by fire on this same spot.<br />
T. Guinan, Eagle Lion auditor, was here<br />
. . . Bob Kelly of Screen Guild was in southwest<br />
Louisiana . . . The Fun Theatre, Des<br />
Allemands, belonging to Felix Touchard jr.,<br />
was unable to operate March 5-6 because of<br />
high water . T. J. Kirkland sold her<br />
Lou Theatre in Magee, Miss.<br />
Mrs. Henry Lazarus of the Lazarus Theatres<br />
returned from a trip in Texas Visit-<br />
. . .<br />
ing exhibitors: P. E. Mayhall, manager of<br />
the Century, Mobile: Charlie Waterall, Pritchard,<br />
Ala.; E. I. Hawkins, Flora, Miss.<br />
Roland Hoffman, Paramount-Richards, left<br />
for Mobile, Ala., on business . . J. A. Schaffer<br />
of Schaffer & Kemp Popcorn Co., was a surprised<br />
fellow Monday morning. Schaffer<br />
was checking his trucks at about 9:30 a. m.<br />
when he discovered an abandoned Negro infant,<br />
about one-month old, lying in one of<br />
them. The police took the child to a local<br />
hospital ... Ed MacKenna, manager of the<br />
Joy Theatre, was confined to his home by influenza.<br />
Air Condition Roy<br />
ROY, N.<br />
M.—The Mesa Theatre here has<br />
been air conditioned and other improvements<br />
are planned in the spring months, according<br />
to Manager Anstey.<br />
102<br />
POXOFHCE<br />
:<br />
13, 1948
: March<br />
Columbia Transfers<br />
Roscoe to Atlanta<br />
NEW YORK—George Roscoe, Charlotte<br />
branch manager lor Columbia, has been<br />
named manager of the Atlanta exchange,<br />
with R. D. Williamson, Charlotte salesman,<br />
named to succeed him in Charlotte. They<br />
work under the supervision of R. J. Ingram,<br />
southeastern district manager.<br />
Roscoe joined Columbia in May 1933 as a<br />
salesman in Charlotte. He was named manager<br />
in February 1944. Williamson joined<br />
the company two years later as a sale.sman<br />
in<br />
Charlotte.<br />
Crestview Ticket Levy<br />
Lands in Courts Again<br />
CRESTVIEW, FLA. — Once more Crestview's<br />
city amusement tax ordinance has<br />
landed in the courts. Judge Stuart Gillis<br />
has issued a temporary injunction which requires<br />
the tax to be paid to the court until<br />
a final decision is reached. The ruling was<br />
handed down in a suit brought by Neal<br />
Robinson who asked a declaratory judgment<br />
to prevent the city from collecting the tax.<br />
Some six months ago Judge Gillis declared<br />
a similar ordinance to be illegal. Recently<br />
a new ordinance was passed.<br />
A final decision on the case will not be<br />
reached, said Judge Gillis, until a similar<br />
case now pending in the state supreme court<br />
is<br />
decided.<br />
mM^M<br />
Two Managers Shifted<br />
By Florida Theatres<br />
ORLANDO, FLA.—WUliam J. Wilson jr. is<br />
the new manager of the Beacham Theatre.<br />
He was transferred to Orlando from Winter<br />
Park where for the past few years he has<br />
been in charge of the Colony. Wilson has<br />
been connected with Florida State Theatres<br />
12 years, going to Winter Park from the<br />
Vogue Theatre in Orlando. Therefore his<br />
return to Orlando is somewhat in the nature<br />
of a home-coming. Ralph W. Saunders,<br />
who has been manager of the Vogue in Orlando,<br />
replaced Wilson as manager of the<br />
Colony in Winter Park. With him the<br />
change is also a homecoming, as at one<br />
time he was manager of the Colony.<br />
J. T. Lester Buys Ground<br />
For Parking in Memphis<br />
MEMPHIS— J.<br />
T. Lester, owiier of the new-<br />
Park Theatre here, has purcha.sed additional<br />
land to the east of his theatre to be used<br />
for parking space. The $12,000 land purchase<br />
will give the Park a much larger lot.<br />
Lester plans to blacktop the lot so it will<br />
be an all-weather affair. He already owned<br />
a 125xl50-foot lot for parking. The new lot<br />
is 114 by 200 feet.<br />
Plan Huntsville Drive-In<br />
HUNTSVILLE, ALA.—Plans are being completed<br />
for construction of a drive-in theatre<br />
on Whitesburg drive here. The project w-as<br />
announced by Walton Fleming, president of<br />
Acme Investments, Inc., which owns and<br />
operates the Center Theatre in West Huntsville.<br />
IjJ BOXOFFICE :<br />
13, 1948
. . Jim<br />
. . R.<br />
^<br />
m.<br />
ATLANTA<br />
. . .<br />
LJere booking and visiting were Nat William<br />
of Thomasville, Ga. Visitors<br />
included Rube Pearlman, Small's Productions,<br />
Charlotte, Tom Guinan, Eagle Lion<br />
home office. New York.<br />
"Mom and Dad" opened its fourth week<br />
at the Peachtree Art Theatre, playing to<br />
SRO" and Manager Mel Brown was pleased<br />
. . . E. C. Frew has acquired the Hanger Theatre,<br />
Hapeville, Ga., from J. N. Wells.<br />
. . . Gilbert Thomhill<br />
installations in Florida . . .<br />
Wil-Kin Supply notes: The Row welcomed<br />
Jimmy Wilson, salesman, back after an<br />
automobile accident<br />
has been added to the office force . . . Charlie<br />
McLean, sound engineer, back after sound<br />
Jay Soloman,<br />
booker for Independent Theatre, Chattanooga,<br />
was in.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
a baby girl . . . Charles<br />
Columbia news notes: Max Myers, auditor,<br />
departed McCormick appointed<br />
salesman for Tennessee J. "Bob"<br />
Ingram, southern district manager, returned<br />
Joe Scott, Republic<br />
from Charlotte . . .<br />
booker, is the father of<br />
sss<br />
ASTOR PICTURES CO.<br />
of Georgia<br />
163 Walton St. N. W.<br />
Main 9845 ATLANTA
: March<br />
. . Dorothy<br />
. , Mr.<br />
Jenkins Houses Give<br />
$27,15310 Polio Fund<br />
ATLANTA—William K. Jenkins, president<br />
of Georgia Tlieatres, has turned over to the<br />
Georgia chapter, National Foundation for<br />
Infantile Paralysis, a check for $27,153.05, the<br />
aggregate of funds collected by the circuit's<br />
theatres in the 1948 March of Dimes.<br />
In announcing total of collections, Jenkins<br />
stressed the fact that the March of Dimes is<br />
particularly dear to the hearts of Georgians,<br />
since it was at Warm Springs in Georgia<br />
that Fi-anklin D. Roosevelt conceived the<br />
Idea of the hospital and the establishment of<br />
the National Foundation for Infantile<br />
Paralysis.<br />
Jenkins has taken an active lead in the<br />
yearly March of Dimes. For two years, prior<br />
to the 1948 drive, he served as chairman of<br />
the state chapter of the foundation. At the<br />
close of his two-year chairmanship he received<br />
from the Georgia chapter citation<br />
meritorious<br />
service.<br />
for<br />
Uses Names in Ads<br />
BRUNDIDGE, ALA. — Passes are being<br />
awarded by the Brundidge Theatre to readers<br />
whose names appear interspersed with advertisements<br />
in the Sentinel. The stunt was<br />
used by Charlie Johnston, theatre manager.<br />
to call attention to a number of outstanding<br />
pictures he has booked for the next several<br />
weeks.<br />
Honor E. C. Fain<br />
WETUMPKA, ALA.—E. C. Fain, owner of<br />
the Fain Theatre, w'as honored at a surprise<br />
birthday party at the Community House<br />
February 28. A birthday cake with candles<br />
was the center decoration. A steak supper<br />
was served and Fain was given a gift by<br />
the park commission.<br />
Resume Sunday Shows<br />
CARROLLTON. GA.— Showing of pictures<br />
on Sunday has been resumed at the Carroll<br />
and Playhouse theatres here. The Duncan-<br />
Richards management announced that more<br />
than 1.000 persons petitioned for the reopening<br />
of the theatres on Sunday since<br />
the Sabbath performances were discontinued.<br />
WE PREFER<br />
That you investigate thoroughly the<br />
of character any Premium Concern offering<br />
to solicit your neighborhood merchants<br />
on giveaways.<br />
Too bad we have to make this suggestion.<br />
NATIONAL THEATRE ADVERTISING CO.<br />
Max & Joe Berenson<br />
1325 S. Wabash Ave. Chicago 5, HI.<br />
15 Years of Successful Operation<br />
Speed-O-Bikes * Radio-Phonogroph<br />
Combinations 3-Pc. Luggage Sets<br />
*<br />
Bicycles *<br />
Hobby Horses and Other<br />
Items at No Cost to the Exhibitor.<br />
lOlUe jjOt PatUculati.<br />
MIAMI<br />
p^erb Elisburg, managing director of the new<br />
Carl Fisher theatre project, will fly to New<br />
York to arrange for a schedule of Broadway<br />
productions for next season as soon as architects<br />
plans for the building have been approved.<br />
A board of directors group recently<br />
decided to erect a legitimate theatre in Miami<br />
Beach.<br />
Chief Barker George C. Hoover of<br />
the Variety<br />
Club of Greater Miami, was pictured in<br />
Sunday's paper turning over to Mitchell<br />
Wolfson, chairman of the heart committee,<br />
checks for $25,000 raised through the recent<br />
heart fund show. April 12-17 the Miami tent<br />
will be host to Variety Club International<br />
convention in Miami Beach.<br />
Localites think there will be quite a stir<br />
around here when Enterprise releases' the<br />
film on Carl Fisher, the story purchased from<br />
Jane Fisher. Bob Taplinger, who has been<br />
here in conference with the author of the<br />
book, "The Fabulous Hoosier," says the film<br />
will<br />
be named "The Miami Beach Story."<br />
Frank Saperstein predicts his Marathon<br />
Pictures' Dick KoUmar will reach star status<br />
as sooit as "Open Secret" is relea.sed. Saperstein<br />
has been in the Dominican Republic<br />
scouting locations for a pirate film . . . Lucille<br />
Ball's new coiffeur was designed by a<br />
local<br />
hairdresser.<br />
"The Jolson Story," which broke attendance<br />
and run records when it was shown here<br />
a year ago, returned to the Plaza. Mark Hellinger's<br />
"The Naked City" opened at the<br />
Miami and Lincoln, "The Voice of the Turtle"<br />
was show'ing at the Sheridan, Paramount and<br />
Beach, "Arch of Triimiph" was in its<br />
third week at the Colony, and "The Paradine<br />
Case" went into its fourth week at the<br />
Cameo.<br />
The Dade presented a special Saturday<br />
morning show consisting of a stage show,<br />
plus Bob Ellis and his "Hodge Podge of Hokus<br />
Pokus," an hom-'s entertainment of<br />
magic. This was followed by three color<br />
cartoons, free tricks and puzzles for all attending,<br />
and then the feature, "Main Street<br />
Kid," starring Al Pearce. Admission was<br />
25 cents.<br />
A press party, given by one of the owners<br />
of the Alcazar, was held in the Variety clubrooms<br />
atop the hotel . . . Producer George<br />
Danches returned from Hollywood where he<br />
helped put the finishing touches on "Harpoon."<br />
Danches and his brothers own and<br />
operate a club here Raymer<br />
.<br />
thinks ballad singer Phil Britto is a dead<br />
ringer for Tom Jefferson, Paramount publicity<br />
man here.<br />
George Bourke reports that John Beny.<br />
director of many Betty Hutton films and of<br />
Tony Martin's latest, "Casbah," got a look at<br />
Julie Wilson, appearing at a local club, a<br />
performer who took part in the Mark Hellinger<br />
show, with the result that her career<br />
may now take a Hellinger turn.<br />
The Shores, a Paramount neighborhood<br />
house, presented "The Stars of Tomorrow"<br />
on the stage and "Main Street Kid" on<br />
the screen ... A piece of metal found at the<br />
scene of a burglary at Wometco's Plaza fits<br />
the broken end of a crow bar found in the<br />
package of a man apprehended by Patrolman<br />
William Magill and his daughter Margaret, 5<br />
.years old. The two were walking to church<br />
when they saw a suspicious looking man with<br />
a bundle under his arm. The man struggled<br />
with Magill who had stopped to question him<br />
and Margaret screeched for help which<br />
quickly brought passerby to the rescue.<br />
Martha Raye, performing here, reported the<br />
loss of a valuable ring from her Beach hotel<br />
room . and Mrs. Mervyn Leroy have<br />
been seen occasionally at Hialeah this sea-<br />
For "Untamed Fury" Flynn Stubblefield,<br />
manager of Wometco's State, attracted huge<br />
crowds when he displayed three live alligators.<br />
The 'gators, obtained through the courtesy<br />
of Tropical Hobbyland, were reported to<br />
be very lively and fierce specimens, not the<br />
lazy, sluggish type, and there were plenty of<br />
ohs and ahs from spectators. A nice boxoffice<br />
resulted.<br />
Wometco employes who will celebrate their<br />
birthdays during the week of March 13 include<br />
Nelson McNair, Alfred Moss, Bernard<br />
Wolzer, Alfred Shootes, Elizabeth Atwater,<br />
Gadsden Lewis, Helen Dent, John McKinnon,<br />
Mary Thompson, Albert Rosilio, Fernando<br />
Crespo and James Saunders.<br />
Ruth Holoday, formerly of the Town, has<br />
joined Wometco's executive office pay roll<br />
department. She holds down the spot alongside<br />
Thelma Gruber. while Lorraine Friedberg,<br />
formerly at the Tower confection unit,<br />
has taken her place in executive office confection<br />
accounting. Wometco believes that<br />
the kind of experience gained "on the line"<br />
cannot be gotten any other way. The organization<br />
prides itself on its promotional opportunities.<br />
Unit Production Chore<br />
Metro has made Jay Marchant imit production<br />
manager for "The Story of Monty<br />
Stratton."<br />
CHARLES W. PICQUET-Owner,<br />
Carolina Theatre, Pinehurst, N, C.<br />
and Carolina Theatre, Southern<br />
Pines, N. C— says:<br />
"I am more than contented<br />
with the efficiency of RCA<br />
Service in my two select<br />
operations.<br />
With me RCA<br />
Service comes first."<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
—write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Radio Corporation of America.<br />
Camden, New Jerstv.<br />
BOXOFFICE ;<br />
13, 1948<br />
105
. . Another<br />
.<br />
.<br />
. . . Mrs.<br />
: March<br />
BIRMINGHAM<br />
C^ol. K. E.<br />
Orr, president of Amusement Enterprises,<br />
Albertville, Ala., was a visitor<br />
here. He said he hopes to have his new theatre<br />
at Attalla ready for opening in about<br />
60 days .<br />
visitor was Spence<br />
Pierce, 20th-Pox, who was here working on<br />
"Sitting Pi-etty" and "Captain from Castile,"<br />
both booked into the Alabama.<br />
John W. Geiger is recuperating at his home<br />
here from a recent illness. He's the husband<br />
of Mrs. Mildred Geiger, secretary to Frank<br />
V. Merritt. head of Acme Theatres .<br />
Robert McHoward has been appointed assistant<br />
manager of the Empire, succeeding<br />
Tommy Leopard, who resigned.<br />
R. M. Ware, Alabama-Tennessee sales representative<br />
for Southeastern Theatre Equipment<br />
Co., is in Charlotte. N. C, to serve as<br />
manager of the firm's branch there during<br />
the illness of the regular manager . . .<br />
Bud<br />
Chalmer's, Screen Guild, was another visitor,<br />
as was Mrs. H. E. Lester, wife of the manager<br />
of<br />
MAKE ACCURATE CHANGE<br />
NEW 1948 "711" COINOMETER<br />
MAKES COIN CHANGING<br />
SIMPLE • ACCURATE • FAST<br />
• Lowest in cost<br />
• Guaranteed 3 years<br />
• Large legible key buttons<br />
• Standard Counter-Level Keyboard<br />
• Large Capacity Removable 8-tube Com Tray<br />
• Fingertip Control Permits Tireless Opera-<br />
the Princess, Jacksonville.<br />
Stan Malotte, Alabama organist, drew a<br />
lot of comment and stopped shows with<br />
Lelt Hand Coin<br />
CHARLOTTE, N. C.<br />
ATLANTA, GA.<br />
s<br />
'Everything for the theatre except film"<br />
USED CHAIRS<br />
BEST BUY!<br />
WRITE FOR PAR'nCULARS<br />
PHOTOS and PRICES<br />
his parody on Gov. James E. Folsom. That<br />
was just after Folsom had been given national<br />
publicity on a paternity suit filed by<br />
a Hanceville, Ala., girl . . . Harry M. Curl,<br />
Melba manager, screened "The Smugglers"<br />
March 9.<br />
J. A. Jackson, Empire manager, had to<br />
relieve his doorman for lunch the other day.<br />
His day usher quit suddenly to join the navy<br />
Earl Bladorn, Empire cashier, has<br />
returned from a visit with her parents in<br />
Blue Creek, Ala. . . . Mrs. Louise Hovies is<br />
new relief cashier at the Empire. Her husband,<br />
Delmar Hovies. is assi.^tant manager<br />
at the Capitol.<br />
Elmer Dedels, Altec representative, has returned<br />
from trips through northern Alabama<br />
and Mississippi. He said many exhibitors<br />
who have been "singing the blues" since<br />
Chirstmas are more optimistic with the advent<br />
of warmer weather. Many situations,<br />
Dedels reported, lost money five weeks in a<br />
row . . . Irene McDanal, Capitol cashier, has<br />
been ill. She was relieved by Helen Pendleton.<br />
Warm weather, which necessitated turning<br />
on air conditioning equipment two weeks<br />
ago, was too good to last. The heat has<br />
been turned on again . . . "It Had to Be You"<br />
at the Melba, was the only holdover on<br />
downtown screens the week of March 4.<br />
Memphis Variety Plans<br />
For Hillbilly Jamboree<br />
MEMPHIS—The Variety Club met Monday<br />
to plan for the annual hillbilly jamboree<br />
at Ellis Auditorium March 28. It will star<br />
Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys.<br />
Two shows will be given—matinee and<br />
night. Proceeds will all go to the Variety<br />
Club's charities.<br />
Committees named are: Ben Bluestein,<br />
general chaii-man; Ed Williamson, tickets;<br />
Buster Hammond, program; Bill Kemp and<br />
Tommy Baldridge, publicity; Leonard Shea,<br />
promotion, and Earl Moreland and Harold<br />
Krelstein,<br />
radio.<br />
Maurice Wolf in Florida<br />
SANFORD, FLA.—Maurice N. Wolf, public<br />
relations representative of MGM, spoke at<br />
the weekly meeting of the Rotary club here<br />
on "Motion Pictures Are My Business." Wolf,<br />
after giving figures to show that the motion<br />
picture industry is the fourth or fifth largest<br />
in the U.S.. with an investment of more than<br />
$2,750,000,000 and an advertising budget<br />
calling for an expenditure of $70,000,000 a<br />
year, explained that most of the money and<br />
"most of the 206,000 persons employed is distributed<br />
among the 20,000 theatres located<br />
in 11.000 cities and towns throughout the<br />
cotmtry.<br />
Bob Harris, manager of the Ritz, introduced<br />
the speaker.<br />
HOW MANY DO YOU NEED?<br />
FENSIN SEATING COMPANY<br />
62 EAST 13th STREET • CHICAGO 5<br />
Building Shelby Drive-In<br />
SHELBY, N. C—A drive-in theatre accommodating<br />
400 automobiles is being erected<br />
south of Shelby on the Patterson Springs<br />
road. The project is being undertaken by<br />
Carl W. Queen of Hickory and Herman H.<br />
Kleppel of Newton, who are spending about<br />
$50,000 on the job.<br />
Opens New Theatre<br />
MOUNTAINBURG, ARK.—William Van<br />
Sandt opened the Jolly Theatre here February<br />
BOXOFHCE<br />
:<br />
13, 1948
Warns of Deadline Preacher Finds Morals in Hollywood<br />
NASHVILLE—Theatre T*eL .„
. . Fred<br />
. . The<br />
. .<br />
. . . The<br />
: March<br />
MEMPHIS<br />
pavid Flexer, president of Flexer Theatres,<br />
and his right-hand man, Al Avery, head<br />
of Flexer Drive-Ins, are in Chicago on business<br />
. . . The Palace Theatre. Greenwood,<br />
The Metro in Walnut Ridge, Ark., has been<br />
closed for a few weeks for repairs and redecorations.<br />
J. J. Sharum is the owner .<br />
The Community Theatre, Crowder, Miss., a<br />
new showhouse, has been opened by Wilson<br />
Edmondson . Wenzel of the Wenzel<br />
Projector Co, Chicago, was here on business<br />
. . . N. B. Blount, manager of Monarch Theatre<br />
Supply Co, was in Cleveland, Miss., on<br />
business . . . Mrs. Beulah Ward. Universal<br />
clerk, resigned to move to Cleveland, Ohio<br />
. . . Violet Campbell, clerk, is a new employe<br />
at MGM.<br />
R. V. Reagin, manager at RKO, has been<br />
in a series of business meetings at Nashville<br />
with officials of Crescent and Rockwood<br />
amusement companies.<br />
Midsouth exhibitors shopping on Filmrow<br />
included C. A. Gilliland, Steele; R. L. Morgan,<br />
Watson; Cliff Peck. Covington; J. Jackson<br />
Rhodes, West Memphis; Walter Lee, Heber<br />
Springs; Paul Flexer, Watertown; Robert<br />
Dunham, Newport; Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Rice,<br />
Reno; Horace Stanley. Beebe; T. J. James,<br />
Cotton Plant; Bruce Young, booker for the<br />
Mohrstadt circuit: Moses Sliman, Luxora;<br />
Lyle Richmond, Senath, and W. F. Sonneman<br />
of Fayetteville and Springdale.<br />
Filmrow visitors also included J. E. Singleton,<br />
Tyronza; C. W. Tipton, Manila; K. H.<br />
Kinney, Hughes; L. B. Bays, Grenada; J. F.<br />
and Joe Wofford, Eupora; Amelia Ellis,<br />
Mason; J. F. Adams, Coldwater; John Staples,<br />
Piggott; J. C. Bonds, Hernando; Roy BoUck,<br />
Kaiser; Alvin Tipton, Caroway, Manila and<br />
Monette, and S. D. McCree, Coffeeville.<br />
Miss., has been sold by Forrest Dunlap to<br />
Charles Nelson . . . The Rio Theatre, Malvern,<br />
McCarthy, manager Ark., has been bought by Robb & Theatre, held over "The Voice of the Turtle"<br />
J. H. of the Warner<br />
Rowley from W. L. Coffey Ritz in for a second week. First run business was<br />
Malvern expects to be open within a week reported much improved by all the showcases<br />
from this date, fully repaired from smoke<br />
Harlan Dunlap of the American<br />
and water damage which resulted from a . .<br />
Desk Co. theatre seating division was back<br />
fire next door, according to O. G. Wren, at his office after an extensive trip in Texas<br />
owner.<br />
at 20th-Fox. attended her uncle's funeral<br />
in<br />
Bolivar.<br />
The Joy Theatre, Blue Mountain, Miss.,<br />
owned by George P. Donnell, reopened March<br />
1 after extensive repairs as a result of a<br />
recent fire . . . The Morgan Theatre, Mountain<br />
Home, Ark., owned by Pauline Morgan,<br />
opened March 2. This is a 500-seat theatre<br />
Rex Theatre in Newport, Ark.,<br />
owned by Rex McQuiston, has been sold to<br />
James C. Fisher, and will open March 14<br />
under the "new ownership.<br />
C. A. McGowan is the new owner of Strand<br />
Theatre, Moorhead, Miss., formerly owned<br />
by E. F. Van Blake. The change in ownership<br />
was effective February 23 . . . Malco's<br />
public relations campaign is attracting attention.<br />
Every day, in the Malco newspaper<br />
advertisements, there is a catchline to "sell<br />
the movies to the people," in keeping with<br />
the plan of M. A. Lightman. For example:<br />
"Movies are Educational! Giving life to the<br />
finest books written by the best authors,"<br />
appeared in advertisements for "Ride the<br />
Pink Horse."<br />
Joe E. Brown, in "Harvey." had a packed<br />
house at all of last week's shows at Ellis<br />
auditoriimi . . . "Song of Norway," ha.s been<br />
booked for Ellis March 23-24 and "The Student<br />
Prince" for March 13, Charles A. Mc-<br />
Elravy. managing director, announced.<br />
Many friends from Filmrow and the Midsouth<br />
attended the opening of the new Luez<br />
Theatre in Bolivar March 3. Louise Mask,<br />
owner, who replaced the old Luez with this<br />
new building, served a dinner for out-of-town<br />
quests. Among those who attended from<br />
out-of-town points were Ed Williamson,<br />
Earl Hartzog, John Osborn, Bailey Prichard,<br />
Henry Hammond, Ed Sneed, Herman Crisman,<br />
Ed Doherty, Jimmy Pope, Tom Donahue,<br />
Tom Young, Frank Heard, John Carter,<br />
Cliff Wallace, Bob Bostick. Babe Rounsaville,<br />
Al Rothschild, R. V. Reagin, Grover<br />
Wray, Leonard Shea, and Red Myers, all of<br />
Filmrow; and the following exhibitors: Mr.<br />
and Mrs. W. A. Rush, Houston, Miss; Cliff<br />
Peck, Covington, Tenn.; Mr. and Mrs. W. F.<br />
Ruffin jr., Covington, Tenn.; Emma Cox,<br />
Osceola, Ark.; R. X. WilUams, Oxford, Miss.;<br />
Mrs. H. A. Fitch, Erin, Tenn.; Mr. and Mrs.<br />
N. F. Fair, Somerville, Tenn., and Mr. and<br />
Mrs. Wildred Bonds, Dyer, Tenn.<br />
Thomas Jefferson Foley jr., Memphis promoter,<br />
is back from New York, where he accompanied<br />
Barbara Walker, Miss America,<br />
on a round of shows before she took off for<br />
South Africa . . . Tom Bridge, acting branch<br />
manager of Paramount, is making the rounds<br />
on Filmrow, getting better acquainted. He<br />
took over for L. W. McClintock. who has<br />
taken a leave of absence because of ill health.<br />
W. J. Turnbull, New York, of the general<br />
office of National Theatre Supply Co., and<br />
John Bizzelle, Bizzelle Cinema Supply Co.,<br />
were visitors recently. Bob Bostic, Memphis<br />
manager, was host.<br />
Remodeling in Shelbyville<br />
SHELBYVILLE, TENN.—The Princess,<br />
Crescent Amusement Co. house here, is undergoing<br />
remodeling. Southeastern Theatre<br />
Equipment Co.. Atlanta, has supplied new<br />
RCA soimd and new International seats.<br />
SUPPLY<br />
1021 GRAND<br />
THEATRE<br />
COMPANY<br />
FORT SMITH, ARK.<br />
• PROJECTORS<br />
•SEATS<br />
•SCREENS<br />
TUBES<br />
MARQUEES<br />
TICKETS<br />
» ACOUSTICS<br />
•CARPETS<br />
• HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING<br />
Tri-State Theatre Service & Supply<br />
318 South Second Street<br />
MEMPHIS 3, TENN.<br />
EQUIPMENT — SUPPLIES<br />
REPAIRS<br />
^A^^Mv^ SHOWMANSHIP<br />
24-HOUR SERVICE<br />
NIGHTS, SUNDAYS, HOLIDAYS<br />
PHONE 7402<br />
PHONE 4910 - 21222 21348<br />
* SPffDY SERVICE* TOP QUALITY *<br />
mOTIOn PICTURE SERVICE [q<br />
I2S HYDE ST. SanFrdnciuotDCalif.<br />
CIRAIB L. KARtKI Qentnl mimiirr-<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
;<br />
13, 1948
: March<br />
Tax Survey Shows<br />
Fall in Grosses<br />
BIRMINGHAM—A survey based on sales<br />
tax receipts shows that theatre admissions<br />
continue to decline in Alabama.<br />
Tlie siu-vey, made by the University of<br />
Alabama's bureau of business research, shows<br />
that December receipts were off 11 per cent<br />
as compared with those for December 1946.<br />
All but two regions in the state figured<br />
In the decline, the survey shows. Jackson,<br />
Marshall and DeKalb counties in the northeast<br />
corner of the state showed a 3.2 per cent<br />
gain, while Franklin, Marion, Lamar and Fayette<br />
countries in the northwest section were<br />
up 15 per cent.<br />
Jeffer.son county 'Birmingham) receipts<br />
were off 7.9 per cent. Mobile coimty slumped<br />
6.6 per cent.<br />
Reidsville Shifts Amos,<br />
Promotes Olin Evans<br />
Shows Video Newsreel<br />
MIAMI—Robert H. Reid, manager of the<br />
television department of INS, demonstrated<br />
the INS-International News Photos newsreel,<br />
prepared for television broadcasts weekly, in<br />
the Miami Herald's photographic studio. He<br />
stated that television is coming into its own<br />
as a popular mediiun, with 33 stations planning<br />
to go on the air this year in addition<br />
to the 16 now in operation. A Miami station<br />
is expected to start television broadcasts<br />
next fall.<br />
John Johnson to Avon Park<br />
AVON PARK, FLA.—John Johnson has<br />
been named manager of the Avon Park Theater.<br />
He comes to Avon Park from Haines<br />
City where he was assistant manager of the<br />
Florida.<br />
Al F, Weiss Resists Modernization<br />
Of Miami Vaude-Film Institution<br />
MIAMI—Tliere has been talk of restyling<br />
Paramount's Olympia Theatre here In the<br />
modern manner, and AI F. 'Weiss jr, is "agin"<br />
It,<br />
As manager of this 2,100-seat house. 'Weiss<br />
has had no little part in making it a Miami<br />
institution; the largest theatre in the south<br />
with year-around vaudeville.<br />
"There is something homey about the<br />
place," he says when talk gets around to<br />
modernization. "People are used to it and<br />
they like it the way it is. I think it would<br />
lose its charm and atmosphere if they ever<br />
gave it the new look,"<br />
WAS MANAGER AT OPENING<br />
Weiss was around when the theatre opened<br />
22 years ago, and he has been there most<br />
of the time since, though Paramount moved<br />
him around some to theatres in West Palm<br />
Beach, Tampa, Bristol and Hartford, Conn.,<br />
and Springfield, Mass. He steered it through<br />
boom-and-bust days and has kept it on an<br />
even keel while the city grew up around it.<br />
He loves every inch of its masonry, includ-<br />
REIDSVILLE, N. C—J. W. "Joe" Amos sr.<br />
has been transferred from the Broadway to<br />
manage the Reid. He came to this city 11 ing the artificial stars that have been winking<br />
in ceiling these years.<br />
years ago to manage the Broadway. A showman<br />
its all<br />
of long standing. Amos entered the<br />
Al and the Olympia go together like ham<br />
and eggs. Apparently they understand each<br />
business at the age of six when he tore his<br />
first ticket as a theatre doomian. He has<br />
other very well. 'Y'ou can't laugh off the<br />
been associated with theatres in Kinston,<br />
fact that its policy of year-around vaudeville<br />
works C. and Danville, Va. He is a member of<br />
N.<br />
actually profitably, despite the<br />
the Rotary club and other civic organizations.<br />
fact that vaudeville has fallen flat on its<br />
face in whatever other local theatre it has<br />
Olin Evans, who came to this city six<br />
months ago as projectionist at the Reid, has been<br />
been transferred to the Broadway as manager.<br />
tried.<br />
appears to take a special kind of genius<br />
It<br />
He at one time was with Martin Theatres<br />
to keep on grinding out, week after week, a<br />
of Columbus, Ga. Diu-ing the war he<br />
live show that keeps the cash register jingling<br />
was with the army pictorial service in London<br />
at the boxoffice. Al makes a three-week trip<br />
and Paris.<br />
every fall to New "^ork and Chicago where<br />
The Rockingham, Reid and Broadway theatres<br />
he looks over the show world. He consults<br />
are operated by the Reidsville Amuse-<br />
ment Co.<br />
with agents and bookers and by the time<br />
he gets back he knows exactly what's going<br />
College Shows 'Enfants'<br />
MEMPHIS—Memphis State college showed<br />
the new French picture, "Les Enfants du<br />
Paradis," (Children of Paradise) March 1.<br />
The show w-as open to the public.<br />
New Face for Plaza<br />
HARRISON, ARK, — The front of the<br />
Plaza Theatre here, has been modernized.<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
13, 1948<br />
on.<br />
The Olympia took its 22nd birthday calmly,<br />
marking it with a new stage setting, a popular<br />
picture "Green Dolphin Street," and a bangup<br />
show headlined by Connee Boswell, with<br />
Hal LeRoy the extra added attraction. Lou<br />
Saxon, Arthur LeFleur, the Three Mervels,<br />
completed the week's fare.<br />
EARLY TO SPOT STARS<br />
An exceptionally good hand at spotting<br />
talent. 'Weiss played Ginger Rogers and Judy<br />
Canova when they were unknowns. Cass<br />
Daley, Hildegarde, Gil Lamb, Lorraine and<br />
Rognan, Alan Carney, and 'Wally Brown are<br />
others who have had an assist from the<br />
Olympia's manager. Paul 'Whiteman, Helen<br />
Morgan, Mischa Auer, Jack Haley, Eddie<br />
Cantor, and Dorothy Lamour are a few of<br />
the celebrities who have appeared on the<br />
Olympia's stage—one of the largest in the<br />
.south. It's 84 feel wide, J8 feel deep, with<br />
a procenium arch 39 feet high.<br />
A portrait of Weiss, in oils, hangs in his<br />
office. It was painted by Phil Crane, of Phil<br />
and Mildred, who played the theatre in '46,<br />
Though a singing act, Phil's hobby was<br />
painting and a stunt was cooked up with<br />
him to be shown working on the portrait.<br />
By the time the picture was finished and the<br />
act could be booked again, the Cranes had<br />
go into temporary eclipse due to the birth<br />
to<br />
of a child. The stunt never iso fan has<br />
seen the light of day, but the portrait hangs<br />
In Al's office where it looks as solid a part<br />
of the Olympia's walls as the cornerstone of<br />
the<br />
building.<br />
l.OOO-Seat Little Opened<br />
In Camden as First Run<br />
CAMDEN, S. C—T. Lee Little was scheduled<br />
to open his 1,000-seat Little Theatre<br />
here Monday i8i with civic leaders and film<br />
people from the Charlotte exchanges in attendance.<br />
The Little is a replacement for the Camden,<br />
first run outlet here for the last ten<br />
years. The Camden w'ill pass out of existence<br />
April 15 and the property will be converted<br />
into an office and store building. Little sold<br />
the property to a group of local businessmen<br />
who will do the remodeling.<br />
The new Little is said to be one of the<br />
finest in the territory. It stands on property<br />
that has been in the Little family for many<br />
years and was designed by Ralph Little,<br />
brother of the owner.<br />
Rotary Honors Gaylard<br />
TROY, ALA,—Jimmy Gaylard. Enzor Theatre<br />
manager, has been named vice-president<br />
of the Troy Rotary club for 1948.<br />
\\ K . I1'.M\ I.\S- I'r. Client, Georgia<br />
Theatre Company, Atlanta, Ga.<br />
—declares:<br />
"We consider RCA Service a<br />
vital factor in giving our<br />
people the finest motion picture<br />
entertainment."<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
—write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Camden, New Jersey.
: March<br />
$200,000 Negro House<br />
Set for Birmingham<br />
BIRMINGHAM—Work is scheduled to begin<br />
here within 90 days on the new $200,000<br />
theatre for Negroes which will replace the<br />
present Carver.<br />
The 1,300-seat house will take in the site<br />
of the present Carver, a 475-seater. Operating<br />
the new house will be Paul A. Engler,<br />
head of Jefferson Amusement Co Engler and<br />
his associates operate the other downtown<br />
Negro houses here.<br />
The theatre, which its backers say will be<br />
the most modern showplace of its type in<br />
the south, has been in the planning stage<br />
for two years, but untU now had been<br />
blocked by federal construction restrictions.<br />
Brotherhood at Work<br />
In St Patrick's Plans<br />
MEMPHIS—Variety Club of Memphis obviously<br />
believes that the Brotherhood movement<br />
starts at home. The philanthropic and<br />
social organization of the motion picture industi-y<br />
is planning a St. Patrick's party.<br />
Thomas Michael O'Ryan, assistant chief<br />
barker and a true son of Auld Erin, has been<br />
selected honoree for the evening. But the<br />
conunittee appointed to conduct the Irish<br />
holiday event is composed of Ben Bluesteln,<br />
chairman, and the following non-Hibernian<br />
quartet: David Rosenthal, Al Rothschild, David<br />
Lebovitz and David Groskind.<br />
A. A. Napier Resigns<br />
BOWLING GREEN, FLA.—A. A. Napier,<br />
manager of the Ritz, resigned and has returned<br />
to his home in Kentucky. Scott<br />
Rutherford, formerly connected with the<br />
theatre, has resumed the management. He<br />
plans to operate four days a week, two shows<br />
daily. The Ritz has been redecorated<br />
throughout and several pieces of new equipment<br />
installed.<br />
Phillip Turnipseed<br />
CARPET LAYING CONTRACTOR<br />
II you want it done right, let us sew and lay it tight<br />
530 t. Cambr'dge Ave. COLLEGE PARK. GEORGIA<br />
Phone CAlhoun 3642 (in suburban Atlanta)<br />
Atlanta Barkers Inspect<br />
Orphans Home They Aided<br />
ATLANTA—Members of Atlanta's Variety<br />
Club are congratulating themselves on another<br />
sound investment. This time it's the<br />
$3,333.33 the club gave last fall to the Jolley<br />
Home for Orphaned Children near Conyers,<br />
Ga. A delegation headed by Chief Barker<br />
E. E. Whitaker, made a trip recently to the<br />
home to spend the day with its director. Dr.<br />
George Gaines, and his large, happy brood.<br />
They wanted to see what their money has<br />
purchased, and what they found was most<br />
satisfying.<br />
At luncheon the yotmgsters entertamed<br />
with songs and instrumental music, and presented<br />
a skit depicting the visitors' journey<br />
over rough, muddy roads to the home. Their<br />
dancing eyes and smiling faces said "thank<br />
you" a million times to the club.<br />
The Variety Club came to Doctor Gaines'<br />
rescue last fall after he had fasted 24 days<br />
in an effort to raise $10,000 needed for the<br />
home. Through private contributions he<br />
had raised two-thirds of the amount. Then<br />
he appeared before the Variety Club and told<br />
his story. The other one-third was immediately<br />
forthcoming, when Charlie Durmayer,<br />
then chief barker told the club tihat the<br />
home must have the money and got it after<br />
his talk.<br />
Whitaker commented: "The miracles that<br />
Doctor Gaines and his associates have worked<br />
at the home are beyond description."<br />
Rialto Deslroyed<br />
In Siloam Springs<br />
SILOAM SPRINGS, ARK. - The Rialto<br />
Theatre, a 350-seater owned by Rex Killibrew,<br />
was destroyed with an estimated loss of $30,-<br />
000 by a fire shortly before midnight March<br />
3. The fire, which started near the theatre<br />
screen shortly after the final show, later<br />
spread to an adjoining business building.<br />
Damages to those buildings and their contents<br />
through fire, smoke and water was<br />
placed at $20,000, making the total fire loss<br />
$50,000. In addition to the Siloam Springs<br />
fire department, the fire was fought by fire<br />
fighters from John Brown university. Fayetteville,<br />
Gravette and Springdale.<br />
lean Lightman Is Named<br />
Carnival Lady in Waiting<br />
MEMPHIS—Jean Lightman, daughter of<br />
M. A. Lightman sr., president of Malco The-<br />
^^-^ ^^^ ^^^^ selected as lady in-wait-<br />
^^^^^<br />
j^^ .^^ ^^^ ^g^g Memphis Cotton carnival,<br />
^.^^ Lightman will represent the Better Films<br />
^^^^^^ ^^j. mother was one of the founders<br />
^^ ^^^ council and was a member of its<br />
board for ten years. She is still an associate<br />
j^^^^^^gj.<br />
^^^ carrington Jones, president of the<br />
council, announced the selection of Miss<br />
Lightman. Jean was graduated from Laus-<br />
'<br />
"T *1 'n«,,,Ul« T ifii' anne School for Girls and attended H. Sophie<br />
iUrtie, LfOUDie Lilie<br />
Newcomb Memorial college at New Orieans<br />
Tor»t5er
Canadians to Vote<br />
On Empire Oscars<br />
TORONTO—Canadian theatregoers will<br />
help select the best British Empire motion<br />
picture and players of the year for the first<br />
time since the competition was started by<br />
the London Daily Mail.<br />
All Canadian exhibitors have been asked<br />
to assist in the voting, which will take place<br />
from March 15 to April 3, for the Empire<br />
Silver Star awards. A Dominion award office<br />
has been set up at 67 Yonge St. here.<br />
Eagle Lion Films of Canada personnel will<br />
cooperate.<br />
The awards have been extended to other<br />
countries in the British empire.<br />
Awards also will be made for the best performance<br />
by an actor and the best performance<br />
by an actress in 1947.<br />
Canadian newspaper theatre critics picked<br />
four British pictures as among the ten best<br />
films on Canadian screens in 1947 in a poll<br />
just announced by the Canadian Film Weekly.<br />
They were "Great Expectations," "Odd Man<br />
Out," "Black Narcissus" and "Stairway to<br />
Heaven." RKO scored with two, "The Best<br />
Years of Our Lives," which was the first<br />
choice of the newspaper reviewers, and<br />
Other selections were "The Jolson<br />
"Crossfire."<br />
Story" from Columbia, "Life With<br />
Father" from Warner Bros., and "Body and<br />
Soul" and "Monsieur Verdoux" from United<br />
Artists, the last-named picture ranking tenth.<br />
The pick of boxoffice champions by the<br />
exhibitors was much different. Their first<br />
choice was "The Jolson Story," the only picture<br />
to figure among the ten selected by the<br />
newspapermen. The others were "The Yearling,"<br />
"Welcome Stranger." "Margie," "The<br />
Egg and I," "Till the Clouds Roll By," "Dear<br />
Ruth." "The Sea of Grass," "The Time, the<br />
Place and the Girl" and "I Wonder Who's<br />
Kissing Her Now." Ranged according to<br />
producers, three were from MGM, two each<br />
from Paramount and 20th Century-Fox, and<br />
one each from Universal. Columbia and Warner<br />
Bros. The critics picked James Mason<br />
as the top star of 1947, with Fredric March,<br />
later.<br />
Deborah Kerr, Ingrid Bergman and Gregory<br />
Peck next in that order. The exhibitors had<br />
Bing Crosby, Ingrid Bergman, Betty Grable<br />
and Bob Hope as the four best.<br />
J<br />
I. W. Blankstein Heads<br />
Winnipeg Board of Trade<br />
WINNIPEG — I. W. Blankstein has been<br />
elected president of the Winnipeg Film Board<br />
of Trade. Other officers are A. Feinstein,<br />
vice-president, S. Gunn, honorary secretary:<br />
F. Davis, fire marshal, and A. Levy, assistant<br />
fire marshal. The credit committee includes<br />
Gunn, M. Nachlmson and I. Levitt.<br />
Court Upholds Assessment<br />
KITCHENER, ONT.—The city assessor was<br />
sustained in his assessment on the Lyric Theatre<br />
property by County Judge E. W. Clement.<br />
The Lyric protested an increase of $35,140.<br />
The court of revision dismissed the appeal<br />
and the company further appealed to Judge<br />
Clement. The judge held that the suitability<br />
of the site on which the theatre is located<br />
for cinema purposes renders the assessment<br />
placed on it well in line with the other properties<br />
in the area. The assessment figures at<br />
$600 per front foot.<br />
BOXOFFICE : : March<br />
13, 1948<br />
Pat Dwyer Goes to Dogs;<br />
He Even Wears a Badge<br />
Halifax, N. S.—Pat Dwyer, manager of<br />
the local Family Theatre who lives in<br />
nearby Dartmouth, has finaJly gone to the<br />
dogs. He even wears a badge.<br />
It all began two years ago when Ivan<br />
Haley, manager of the Mayfair and<br />
Dundas here, was elected to the town<br />
council. Dwjer made his first bid as<br />
canine custodian then but was unsuccessful.<br />
This year Art Pettipas, who had<br />
been defeated for mayor two years ago,<br />
was victorious. Dwyer cornered the two<br />
men and again applied for the job.<br />
This time the mayor gave him a badge.<br />
It says: "Supreme Dog Catcher of the<br />
Town of Dartmouth."<br />
Report this week was that the two men<br />
are going to tie a can to Dwyer unless<br />
he produces a flea-toter within a week.<br />
And he can't qualify by grabbing a dog<br />
from around the Family or anywhere else<br />
on this side of the harbor.<br />
$150,000 Fire Wipes Out<br />
Rex in Flin Flon. Man.<br />
WINNIPEG — The Rex Theatre in Flin<br />
Flon, Manitoba town 400 miles northwest of<br />
Winnipeg, was destroyed In a Sunday night<br />
fire. Damage was unofficially estimated at<br />
$150,000.<br />
The fire, worst in the history of the town,<br />
threatened to spread to adjoining buildings<br />
before being brought under control.<br />
Sol Nathanson, manager, who occupied living<br />
quarters in the theatre building, said the<br />
fire broke out while he was having his dinner<br />
in a nearby restaurant. Nathanson .said<br />
everything was in perfect order when he left.<br />
When he returned to prepare for the midnight<br />
show, he was met by a blast of flame<br />
and smoke as he opened the theatre door.<br />
With every piece of firefighting equipment<br />
brought into play, firemen managed to get<br />
the flames under control about four hours<br />
A. Cowan Sets Up Office<br />
TORONTO—James A.<br />
Cowan, publicity director<br />
for the J. Arthur Rank companies in<br />
Canada the last two years, has established<br />
an office at 431 Yonge St., from where he<br />
will cooperate with representatives of Odeon<br />
Theatres of Canada, Queensway studios, Gaumont-Kalee,<br />
Eagle Lion Films of Canada and<br />
Hanson 16mm Movies. A. Laurie will contact<br />
exhibitors and managers on exploitation but<br />
Larry Graburn will continue as director of<br />
advertising for Odeon Theatres.<br />
Seeking New Homes<br />
VANCOUVER—The National Film Board<br />
and General Films. Ltd.. are seeking new<br />
quarters. The Randall Bldg., in which they<br />
now are located, will be converted into a<br />
medical chnic by a snydicate of local physicians.<br />
Garfield Cass Named<br />
TORONTO—The Film Board of Trade has<br />
elected Garfield Cass of MGM as chairman<br />
in succession to H. J. Bailey of 20th Century-<br />
Fox Corp. of Canada. The vice-chairman is<br />
Russell Simpson, local manager for Paramount.<br />
Vancouver Trade Up<br />
In Spring Weather<br />
VANCOUVER- Although no .sensational<br />
grosses were recorded, current offerings<br />
uro.ssed averase or better, with no minus signs<br />
in sight. The weather has been springlike.<br />
"My Wild Iri.sh Rose" finished its third and<br />
final week to excellent business at the Capitol.<br />
It was one of the best grossers there in<br />
the last two years. "Quiet Weekend," tJie<br />
British comedy, was doing nicely at the<br />
International-Cinema, and stayed for a<br />
third session. "Jassy." another EL release,<br />
also was above average in its second week.<br />
Capilol—My Wild Iri«h Rose IWB) 3rd wt Good<br />
Intemational-Cinema Quiot W««k*nd (EL)<br />
2nd wlc. Good<br />
Orpheum—Unsuspected (WB) Fair<br />
FaradisB-Each Dawn I Die (WB); Wild<br />
Bill Hicltolc Rides (WB), revivals Good<br />
Paik and Plaza—Whisperina City (UL) Moderate<br />
b'lra-nd—Albuquerque (Faa), Roses Are Red<br />
(20lh-Fox) , Average<br />
Vogue-Jassy (KL), 2nd wlc, Gooa<br />
"Swordsman' Has Big Week<br />
In Opener at Toronto<br />
TORONTO — "Gentleman's Agreement"<br />
continued to do very nicely in its second week<br />
at the Tivoli and Eghnton. "Captain From<br />
Castile" held for a third week at Shea's. All<br />
other Toronto first run houses had new programs.<br />
The Royal Alexander, normally a<br />
.stage theatre, presented the Italian feature,<br />
"Shoe-Shine," for one week with prices scaling<br />
to<br />
90 cents.<br />
(Average is 100)<br />
Capitol and Victoria—I Love Trouble (Col);<br />
The Son of Rusty (Col) 95<br />
Eglinton and Tivoli—Gentleman's Agreement<br />
(20th-Fox), 2nd wk 10b<br />
Fairlawn—Nicholas Nickleby 95<br />
(EL)<br />
Impericrl—The Swordsman (Col) 12C<br />
Loevirs-Cass Timberlane (MGM) 110<br />
Shea's—Captain From Castile (20th-Fox), 95<br />
3rd wk,..<br />
Uptov/n—A Double Liie (U-I) 110<br />
Blizzards Cripple Calgar'y;<br />
'Madre' Surmounts Storms<br />
CALGARY—A week of severe snowstorms<br />
and blizzards made a dent in boxoffice receipts<br />
last week. Snow was piled high in<br />
districts, residential street car service was<br />
disrupted, only the buses making the hills.<br />
"Treasure of Sierra Madre" was the only attraction<br />
to get worthwhile attendance at<br />
night performances.<br />
Capitol—Treasure of Sierra Madre (WBi<br />
Grand—The Brothers (EL)<br />
Palace Albuquerque (Para), Jungle Flight<br />
Good<br />
Claude A. Hunter Lines Up<br />
Prizes for Children's Club<br />
PETERBORO. ONT.— Manager Claude A.<br />
Hunter of the new Odeon has effected a tieup<br />
with Neill's shore store in a prize-award plan<br />
for his Odeon Movie club, for which the merchant<br />
has donated no less than $250 in merchandise<br />
prizes. Prize certificates are issued<br />
to the successful participants in staimts at<br />
the Saturday morning gatherings and the<br />
awards are exchanged for merchandise at<br />
the store through the parents.<br />
Vandalism Is Reduced<br />
ST. JOHN—Installation .of a water fountain<br />
for children in the lobby of the Regent<br />
here has reduced the trek to the rest rooms<br />
by half, and cut correspondingly the vandalism<br />
and disorder in the rest rooms.<br />
lU
. . Exhibitors<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
. .<br />
. . The<br />
. . . For<br />
. . . Jack<br />
. . The<br />
. . Floyd<br />
: March<br />
MONTREAL Check Safety Regulations TI H P D A/ T O<br />
Closely in Ontario Cities ^ l\ W fV f vx<br />
TUrontreal FUm Board of Trade has reelected<br />
the following officers: President, William<br />
Elman, manager of Columbia Pictures; vicepresident,<br />
H. Cass, manager of MGM, and<br />
secretary, Tom Dowbiggin, manager of Paramount.<br />
Owen Lightstone. manager of Empire-Universal,<br />
replaced Grattan Kiely, manager<br />
of Warner Bros., as fire marshal .<br />
Quebec Cinema Booking has moved from<br />
Sherbrooke street to Filmrow at 5965 Monkland<br />
Avenue. Mort Prevost is manager .<br />
Eddy Sci-ider, former salesman for Monogram,<br />
is now assistant to Mort Pi'evost, manager<br />
of Quebec Cinema Booking Co.<br />
An RKO staff party was given at the home<br />
of Mrs. Eileen Chalifour, booker-secretary, for<br />
Arnold Watson, salesman, who is leaving<br />
Montreal for the head office in Toronto.<br />
Among those attending were Murray Devaney,<br />
manager, and Mrs. Devaney; Adele<br />
Greene, June Gordon, Mary de Tremiolles,<br />
Johnny Bastien, Norman Ragesky and others<br />
Naomi Pollett, former secretary to Murray<br />
Devaney, will be married March 16 . . .<br />
Stella Larocque, stenographer, is a new addition<br />
to Empire-Universal staff.<br />
.<br />
A new theatre will be opened shortly in<br />
Ville St. Joseph, of suburb Drummondville,<br />
by Lamothe and Fortin, contractors. The<br />
700-seat is theatre fireproof. The building<br />
contains two stores and eight apartments.<br />
Perkins Electric installed the equipment<br />
Eloi Cormier, salesman for Peerless Film,<br />
went to the maritime section to attend the<br />
funeral of his father . . . Emmett Gallagher<br />
of Quebec Cinema Booking is mourning the<br />
death of his mother.<br />
John Ganetakos, manager of Confederation<br />
Amusement, is back at his desk following his<br />
illness . . . Harry Decker, RKO salesman, announced<br />
the approaching marriage of his<br />
daughter . . . Arthur Larente, manager of<br />
Peerless Film, was forced by a bad cold to<br />
absent himself from his office . . . E. W.<br />
Perry, Canadian general manager of Empire<br />
Universal, was here on a business visit from<br />
Toronto . in town included Jack<br />
Adel.son of Ste. Agathe; J. G. Kelly of Cap<br />
de la Madeleine, and his manager, Claude<br />
Charbonneau, and Georges Champagne of<br />
Shawinigan Falls.<br />
Red 'Iron Curtain' Charges<br />
Bring No Official Comment<br />
OTTAWA—The accusation from Moscow<br />
government had helped in every way, secret<br />
police guarded the film unit in Canada and<br />
the Department of Labor had provided cheap<br />
ohild labor for the film.<br />
"The Iron Curtain" is based on the Soviet<br />
spy trials at Ottawa and Montreal which<br />
resulted in the conviction and imprisonment<br />
of<br />
a number of Canadian collaborators.<br />
'<br />
TORON'iO—A f started late at night<br />
under the stage of the Ideal, independent<br />
theatre in the east end, driving occupants<br />
from an apartment above the theatre. Firemen<br />
were able to keep the blaze confined to<br />
the one section of the building and the loss<br />
was estimated at $1,500.<br />
Because of recent fires, the inspectors of<br />
the theatres branch in the Ontario government<br />
have been doing some close checking<br />
and a warning has been issued that penalties<br />
for violations of the provincial regulations are<br />
to be increased. Two theatres were recently<br />
ordered closed for short periods in the tightening<br />
process of the government.<br />
ST. JOHN<br />
"The broadening of a plan of local<br />
exhibitors<br />
to issue free tickets to student nurses of<br />
the General hospital, to include those of St.<br />
Joseph's and Evangeline hospitals, was due<br />
to the activity of Sam Babb, manager of the<br />
Mayfair . . . G. Eric Golding, MGM booker,<br />
handled the film program at an 11 p. m. show<br />
in the Capitol, St. John, for the local branch<br />
of the New Brimswick Fish & Game Ass'n<br />
Dartmouth is to have a third theatre,<br />
it is rumored here.<br />
Continued delays in construction have<br />
forced deferment in openings of the Paramount<br />
in St. John and Vogue and Paramount<br />
in Halifax. Indications are the local<br />
FPC house will not be ready for business<br />
until the early summer at the earliest, and<br />
possibly not tmtil midsummer. The same<br />
applies to the FPC house at Halifax. The<br />
Vogue, being built for Franklin & Huschorn,<br />
may not swing into action until' May. The<br />
original plans called for openings of the St.<br />
John Paramount and Halifax Vogue in early<br />
January, and the Hahfax Paramount by late<br />
January.<br />
W. L. Armstrong of Halifax has given up<br />
selling cigars and tobaccos on the road to<br />
operate the Hub Theatre, Hubbards, N. S.,<br />
formerly owned by Redden & Corkum of<br />
Chester, N. S. He is installing a new front<br />
for the theatre, and has completed a new<br />
fire-resistant booth and new Holmes projectors<br />
and speaker. He has also reseated<br />
to the tune of 140 chairs, installed a new<br />
and in the lobby has added a<br />
boxoffice,<br />
candy bar and soda fountain. He is considering<br />
a revival of golf, miniature with a<br />
layout next to the theatre, for summer op-<br />
Lead to Ottawa Girl<br />
OTTAWA—Miss Rona Anderson, former<br />
local resident, has been named feminine<br />
lead in the J. Arthur Rank production,<br />
"Sleeping Car to Venice." She was educated<br />
at Ottawa Ladies college and became an employe<br />
of the Bank of Canada, later going to<br />
the United Kingdom where she appeared in<br />
performances for the troops.<br />
pamcus Players Canadian Corp. finally has<br />
fixed definitely an April opening of the<br />
Nortown West on Eglinton avenue, which<br />
has been under construction many months.<br />
William Falls, former assistant to Manager<br />
Len Bishop at the downtown Tivoli, has taken<br />
charge of the Nortown. Succeeding Falls at<br />
is the Tivoli Malcolm McCammon.<br />
Three neighborhood houses have adopted<br />
a giveaway plan for the first half of each<br />
week, these being the Paramount and Doric<br />
on Bloor street and the Kent on upper Yonge<br />
street. The Kino has also initiated a coimtry<br />
store prize stimulant Ertle, who<br />
.<br />
has become manager of the Strand at Parry<br />
Sound, is rated the youngest theatre operator<br />
in Ontario. He is a live-wire member of the<br />
Lions club there.<br />
With the closing of one theatre at Kirkland<br />
Lake, Harry Bocknek. a visitor here, reported<br />
he is continuing to find good business with<br />
the Strand and LaSalle in the northern goldmining<br />
town Capitol at St. Thomas<br />
.<br />
is having good luck with a series of Saturday<br />
morning shows in which an amateur contest<br />
is staged for eight previously auditioned<br />
juveniles. Last Saturday "Joe Palooka,<br />
Champ" was its feature.<br />
Manager Sam Hebscher at the Savoy in<br />
Hamilton had the Leslie Bell singers of Toronto<br />
on the stage for one performance, the<br />
proceeds going to the British nurses reUef<br />
fund. Hebscher has also been doing well with<br />
an Odeon Movie club for Saturday mornings<br />
the engagement of "The Bachelor<br />
and the Bobby-Soxer," the Famous Players'<br />
Algoma at Sault Ste. Marie conducted a contest<br />
for local swains and bobby-soxers for<br />
which merchants had donated seven valuable<br />
prizes. At Sault Ste. Marie, too, the Pi'incess<br />
is staging a "Stage-O" game among patrons<br />
for prizes each Monday afternoon and night.<br />
The Canadian Liberty magazine has worked<br />
up an award stunt for the choosing of the<br />
best Canadian film and the best Canadian<br />
performer on the screen, the "Oscar" to be<br />
a feature featuring the Maple Leaf emblem<br />
Arthur, well-known district manager<br />
of Famous Players Canadian Corp., is<br />
just about recovered from severe injuries<br />
which he sustained when his car hit a parked<br />
vehicle at night when he was returning to Toronto<br />
from a business visit at Brantford.<br />
Theatre Fined and Closed<br />
For Having Blocked Exits<br />
TORONTO — The theatres inspection<br />
eration.<br />
that two Canadian cabinet ministers had assisted<br />
Thus far there has been no follow-up on<br />
20th-Pox in filming "The Iron Cur-<br />
tain" at Ottawa brought no official recognition<br />
the rumor of a new theatre in Yarmouth<br />
About 1,500 persons took the special train<br />
from government quarters in the Ca-<br />
nadian capital. J. L. Ilsley, minister of jus- from St. John to see the Ice Cycles show, in<br />
Monclon<br />
branch of the Ontario again showed its<br />
teeth in the enforcement of regulations governing<br />
tice, who was one of the two named in the Moncton. It played a week each at<br />
Soviet declaration, declined to make any com- and Halifax .<br />
brick walls of the burned<br />
the operation of cinemas in the case<br />
ment and there was also no word from Louis Capitol, Kentville, have been razed and the ^j ^^^ ^^^y jj^ Harriston<br />
A conviction was registered against the<br />
St. Laurent, minister of external affairs, the street partly roped off.<br />
other member.<br />
Roxy and a fine was imposed when an inspector<br />
The Moscow charge said the two ministers<br />
charged that the exits were blocked.<br />
had been "underpaid" by 20th-Fox, that the<br />
In addition, the department forced the<br />
closing of the theatre for three days by the<br />
suspension of its license for that period.<br />
Pi-eviously, the Capitol in Simcoe, operated<br />
by Robert Hambleton, had been closed<br />
for 24 hours when the theatre was found to<br />
be inadequately staffed during a performance.<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
13, 1948
. . The<br />
. . Local<br />
: March<br />
. . Clayton<br />
. .<br />
. .<br />
VANCOUVER<br />
Duss McTavish, former owner of the local<br />
Cambie, now an Odeon unit, Is now operating<br />
an auctioneer and appraiser business<br />
in Victoria. Ralph Calladine. old-time Victoria<br />
exhibitor who sold his Plaza and Rio<br />
theatres to Odeon, is now- the owner of one<br />
of Victoria's best apartment blocks. Both are<br />
still interested in show business and were<br />
guests at the opening of Odeon's new deluxer<br />
in the capital city . . . Henry Morton Odeon,<br />
partner from Winnipeg, was in Victoria for<br />
the new Odeon opening and the reception<br />
held at the Empress hotel.<br />
Edward Marshall has returned to<br />
the projection<br />
booth of tJie Capitol after suffering<br />
a heart attack. He is taking it easy for<br />
awhile ... A checkup shows comparatively<br />
few theatres here are using the radio to get<br />
their pictiu-es over. Exhibitors have been<br />
flooded by requests for ticket-giveaway tieups<br />
over the air, but are not sold on the<br />
idea. The Nabob Harmony House show,<br />
broadcast from the stage of the Orpheum<br />
weekly, now in its fifth year and is the only<br />
worthwhile radio-stage program. Ivan Ackery,<br />
Orpheum manager, reports it a business<br />
getter.<br />
Hymie Goldin, Gaiunont-Kalee's chief engineer,<br />
was in Victoria to supervise the installation<br />
of two new model G-K projectors<br />
and sound in the new Odeon there. They<br />
are the first in western Canada and the booth<br />
boys say they are tops. Marvin Tlioreau,<br />
British Coliunbia Gaumont-Kalee manager,<br />
and Shirley Wilson, sound engineer, equipped<br />
the new Odeon capital city showcase. Hearing<br />
aids also were installed.<br />
Ruth Holm, formerly at the Orpheum, is<br />
now head usherette at the Plaza . . . Helen<br />
Balaski of the Capitol has recovered from a<br />
severe leg injury . . . Elsie Krakonchuk, who<br />
was at the Plaza, is now head usherette at<br />
the Strand . theatres do not find<br />
cashiers, doormen and usherettes hard to<br />
get, but the difficulty is to get them to stay<br />
on the job. The turnover is more of a problem<br />
to the all-day houses than in the neighborhoods.<br />
The service union recently organized<br />
and may help keep theatre staifs on<br />
the job.<br />
Jack Randall, manager-. When Randall sought<br />
to question the man he made a dash for<br />
freedom. Randall collared him on the street<br />
and turned him over to the police, after<br />
which he was sentenced to a six-month Jail<br />
term. Sex crimes have been a problem here,<br />
and many complaints are made to theaU-e<br />
managers by parents of juvenile patrons attending<br />
matinee performances in the downtown<br />
theatres.<br />
Leo Downey, Canadian general manager<br />
for RKO was here briefly. He reported business<br />
acro.ss the Dominion has been very<br />
good ... A new theatre is planned by Harry<br />
Cohen, president of Rosedale Theatres, in<br />
the North Hill district of Calgary. The theatre<br />
will seat 900 and is expected to be finished<br />
by the end of 1948.<br />
No Letup Foreseen<br />
In Building Boom<br />
ST. JOHN--Dti.spite an economic slump,<br />
governmental building restrictions, material<br />
shortages, record labor costs, claims of overseating,<br />
etc., new theatre reports persist<br />
through the maritimes.<br />
Now being completed are the Paramount<br />
theatres in St. John and Halifax for Famous<br />
Players, and the Vogue in Halifax for Pi-anklin<br />
& Herschorn. The FPC-Spencer partnership<br />
will start a replacement for their burned<br />
Hector Ross, RKO Toronto salesman, is returning<br />
to Calgary as Alberta manager for<br />
Columbia . help problem in theatres<br />
would be solved if all the managers would<br />
handle tiheir help<br />
Capitol in Kentville in April,<br />
like David Borland, manager<br />
of the PPC Dominion. start in April<br />
and work also<br />
will<br />
It's a<br />
on a replacement for the<br />
pleasure<br />
to go into his house and<br />
destroyed Kent in Moncton<br />
receive<br />
for<br />
courteous<br />
Abe Garson.<br />
attention from all employes. Dave never Famous Players also will build in the west<br />
"bawls out" his staff in front of customers. end of Halifax, in Sydney, Glace Bay, Moncton<br />
and New Waterford. FPC-Spencer has<br />
He says an employe loses his self-respect if<br />
that occurs.<br />
a theatre planned for Charlottetown. This<br />
circuit opened the Capitol in Campbellton<br />
and Paramount in Amherst during the past<br />
few months. A site at Liverpool is also available.<br />
Odeon has a theatre site but still uncleared<br />
in St. John, and also has purchased sites in<br />
Halifax, Amherst, Charlottetown, Sydney,<br />
Fredericton and Campbellton.<br />
In Kentville, Maurice Joseph announced he<br />
will sponsor a quonset-type theatre, and, unofficially,<br />
he has been linked with a plan to<br />
build in Yarmouth. Art Fielding, St. John<br />
and East Riverside, N. B., is placing a second<br />
theatre in Bridgewater, where he now oper--<br />
ates the Capitol. A new theatre for Darthmouth,<br />
to be located in the north end, also<br />
is said to be in the offing. Walter Golding,<br />
who operates the Community in West St.<br />
John on a lease from the city is plamiing a<br />
building of his own close to the West St. John-<br />
Beaconsfield line.<br />
W. J. Fitzgerald, Georgetown, P.E.I. , sponsoring<br />
a new theatre there, and Frank and<br />
Myrtle Audas plan to establish a second house<br />
in Parrsboro.<br />
Producers, who sell Canadian rights for<br />
foreign-language pictures, may find themselves<br />
in trouble if their rights<br />
which they sell are not clear.<br />
to pictures<br />
The foreignlanguage<br />
St. Pierre House to Seat 250<br />
distributor who has misrepresented<br />
his product may be liable for damages<br />
ST. JOHN—A new concrete theatre now<br />
. . .<br />
Harry Page, Monogram manager, is the<br />
snappiest dresser on local FUmrow.<br />
being completed<br />
Miquelon Islands,<br />
at St. Pierre,<br />
will have 250<br />
St. Pierreseats<br />
and<br />
if it space for many more is found they are<br />
The current wave of sex crimes is causing<br />
great concern and local theatre mianagers<br />
needed. Emanuel Rault-Cazier, who is<br />
sponsoring the new theatre, and will manage<br />
are ever on the alert for molesters. One<br />
it, is starting with 16mm films, all French<br />
such character got more than he bargained language, obtained in Canada. If trouble<br />
for in the Strand last week when a 11 -yearold<br />
is experienced in getting a regular supply<br />
girl he offended reported the incident to of 16mm, a shift will be made to<br />
35mm.<br />
OTTAWA<br />
The fifth Ottawa theatre to turn to giveaways<br />
is the Mayfair. southside house operated<br />
by Fred Robertson. Table glassware<br />
is offered the first three days of each week.<br />
Others which have adopted the premium<br />
policy are the Nola and Rexy. operated by<br />
Odeon, and the Nelson and Linden.<br />
Michael Kirby, Canadian figure skating<br />
champion, was a visitor here before returning<br />
to Hollywood to start making a picture<br />
for MGM . . . T. R. Tubman, eastern Ontario<br />
district manager of Famous Players, returned<br />
after a lengthy vacation in Florida, his<br />
wife having required a real rest in the balmy<br />
climate.<br />
After a long delay, the Capitol is blossoming<br />
out with new carpets throughout .<br />
The Famous Players Cartier in Hull played<br />
a one-day engagement of "Henry V" at a<br />
$1.20 top. The engagement met with fair<br />
success . . . Morris Berlin, manager of the<br />
Nelson, was a visitor at the film offices in<br />
Toronto.<br />
The roof has been completed on the main<br />
portion of the new Odeon here but the front<br />
has not been touched, even after building<br />
operations of almost a year. The original<br />
business and apartment premises are still occupied<br />
by several tenants . Gamble<br />
of Richmond has the contract for the Skyview<br />
Drive-In Theatre, which is to be established<br />
this summer on a 14-acre plot west of Ottawa.<br />
Work also will be resumed on another<br />
drive-in to accommodate 500 cars, which<br />
was started late last fall . . . Earl Lawson,<br />
president of Odeon Theatres has become a<br />
grandfather.<br />
Manager J. McManus of the Odeon in<br />
Kingston announced the adoption of a greeting<br />
sign for members of the Odeon Movie<br />
club . . . Many of the large stores in Ottawa<br />
have declared a complete holiday for Good<br />
Friday, but theatres will be open, although<br />
some of them may not start performances<br />
until late in the afternoon because of religious<br />
observances. The theatres in Hull will<br />
not open until the evening on that day .<br />
The Capitol halted its screen performances<br />
of "Where There's Life" March 11 to present<br />
Mia Slavenska and her ballet company.<br />
When "T-Men" played the Elgin, a jeep<br />
snowplow was u.sed for a cooperative stimt<br />
in clearing snow from driveways of homes.<br />
The jeep carried a banner advertising the<br />
picture and the driver informed the householders<br />
that the work had been done with<br />
the compliments of the theatre . . . Crawley<br />
Films of Ottawa is constructing an addition<br />
to its studio at a cost of $3,200. The company<br />
makes pictures and trailers for the National<br />
Film board, the National Film society<br />
and commercial enterprises.<br />
British Columbians Vote<br />
67 Per Cent for Duals<br />
VANCOUVER— Slightly over 67 per cent of<br />
British Columbia film patrons prefer double<br />
bills, according to a survey recently completed.<br />
The poll covered 1947. Dual bills were<br />
given a preference in the grass root sections.<br />
However, most of the de luxe theatres in the<br />
urban centers are on a single bill policy.<br />
BOXOFTICE :<br />
13, 1948<br />
113
. . . Lorraine<br />
. . . The<br />
. . The<br />
. . Katherine<br />
. . The<br />
Canadian Productions Future Seen FORT WILLIAM<br />
In<br />
Educational-Documentary Field<br />
MONTREAL—Production of motion pictures<br />
in Canada seems likely to develop<br />
chiefly in the field of educational and documentary<br />
films, the Royal Bank of Canada<br />
indicates in a recent monthly newsletter.<br />
The letter goes at great length into the production<br />
possibilities in the country, past and<br />
present efforts, the volume of theatre business,<br />
and points out that production in Canada<br />
is economically impossible on regular<br />
features without great export business. The<br />
best features from Hollywood, the report<br />
notes, bring in gross Canadian rental revenues<br />
of about $200,000, and average features<br />
may gross $25,000 or less. By contrast, the<br />
cost of production runs from $250,000 into the<br />
millions.<br />
"Difficult problems have faced the movie<br />
industry in Canada. There are many financial<br />
hazards, besides pressure toy groups of<br />
one kind and another. Being an art, the<br />
motion picture is subject to all the criticism<br />
of artists, moralists and writers . . . and is<br />
as neglected In financial support for its production<br />
as is the artist.<br />
"Canada's entertainment movie making<br />
business is a study in red figures. Very few<br />
Cardinal Films Establishes<br />
Branch Office in St. John<br />
ST. JOHN—Cardinal Films of Toronto has<br />
opened an office in St. John, being located<br />
temporarily in the International Films exchange.<br />
Dave Brager, St. John, has been<br />
named maritime representative. He was formerly<br />
with B&L Theatres in the head office.<br />
Cardinal is handling Screen Guild, Goldwyn.<br />
Hopalong Cassidy and Laurel & Hardy reissues.<br />
Denies Charges<br />
MONTREAL—Ben Etison, motion picture<br />
operator, pleaded not guilty before Judge<br />
T. A. Fontaine to a charge of showing uncensored<br />
16mm films. He was released pending<br />
trial. He is accused of showing of two<br />
uncensored filrns, "Warsaw Rebuilt" and "We<br />
Survive," before a meeting of the Polish<br />
Democratic society.<br />
Gets Character Role<br />
In Metro's "Julia Misbehaves," Winifred<br />
Harris drew a character role. Greer Garson<br />
and Walter Pidgeon are the stars.<br />
WINNIPEG<br />
\xraync Kins and his orchestra will perform<br />
here March 18-20 at the auditorium in<br />
connection with the annual carnival sponsored<br />
by the Kinsmen club. Proceeds of the<br />
show will go towards a new children's hospital<br />
in the city.<br />
Donald Wolfit and his Shakespeare company<br />
will return here for a single performance<br />
of "The Merchant of Venice" at the<br />
Playhouse March 13. The Wolfit company<br />
previously played four nights and two matinees<br />
to excellent houses.<br />
of the more than 20 entertainment films<br />
made here with Canadian capital have returned<br />
their investment. One made so little<br />
money that not even the theatre ushers could<br />
be paid, according to an article by Hugh<br />
Kemp in Maclean's. Another lost about half<br />
a million dollars.<br />
"If a Canadian-made feature could return<br />
its original cost from theatre rentals in Canada<br />
there might be some hope for a permanent<br />
production industry here.<br />
"Despite forebodings, full-length feature<br />
pictures are being made in Canada. January<br />
21 this year saw the premiere of 'Whispering<br />
City.' produced in both English and<br />
French (La Porteressei by Quebec Productions<br />
Corp. in a studio at St. Hyacinthe,<br />
Que. Two others, 'Le Pere Chopin,' made oy<br />
Renaissance Films, Montreal, and 'Bush Pilot,'<br />
by Dominion Productions, Toronto, have been<br />
completed in the last two years.<br />
"The documentary film is well established<br />
in several countries, notably Canada, Great<br />
Britain, the U.S. and Russia. It is a practical<br />
way for even small population countries<br />
to enter movie production and make an<br />
individual contribution to world cinemas."<br />
CALGARY<br />
JJxceptionally heavy snow and blizzards continued<br />
all last week, keeping film salesmen<br />
close to town. A few had ventured out.<br />
With a seeming lift of the storm the previous<br />
weekend, and tales of landing in drifts and<br />
being held up at hamlets came in. Only<br />
main highways were being cleared off immediately<br />
and business was especially hard hit<br />
in small towns and country points.<br />
William Guss, MGM salesman, came in<br />
with a sad tale of delay. At the mountainside<br />
ten miles west of Fernie, B. C, a snow<br />
slide 30 feet high blocked the road. It<br />
took a crew of men with a rotary plow some<br />
ten hours to clear a one-way passage. As<br />
time passed, waiting cars lined up behind,<br />
the number increasing to 50 cars and trucks.<br />
Guss said it was interesting to watch the<br />
cavalcade slowly wind its way through the<br />
defile, then speed the last ten miles to<br />
warmth, shelter and comforting refreshment.<br />
Vernon Dixon of International Film Distributors,<br />
who has been roughing it modestly<br />
in the basement below the office of Eagle<br />
Lion Pictures, is now in possession of his<br />
modern offices in the newly constructed annex<br />
to the film exchange building, \5fith<br />
fluorescent lighting, light colored walls and<br />
natural finish wood furnishings, the offices<br />
have prodded majors in the original buildings<br />
to modernize their premises likewise<br />
...CM. Hoar has sold his Ritz Theatre in<br />
Saskatoon, to George Dealtry, who will continue<br />
the present policy of daily picture programs.<br />
Romantic Femme Lead<br />
Betty Ann Lynn has the romantic feminine<br />
lead in "Chicken Every Sunday," William<br />
Perlberg's production for 20th-Fox.<br />
Qne of the first stage shows seen here in<br />
the last 14 years will be at the Orpheum<br />
March 15, 16. The Donald Wolfit company of<br />
London, England, comprising of a cast of<br />
over 30, will present three Shakespearean<br />
plays, "Macbeth" at a matinee and "The<br />
Merchant of Venice" and "The Twelfth<br />
Night" at evening shows. Advance sales are<br />
very big and it looks like a sellout at $3 tops,<br />
according to P. Tickell, Famous Players<br />
resident manager.<br />
Business last week was off here, not only at<br />
the first runs but at the subsequents as well<br />
Lundberg resigned as cashier<br />
at the Fort and was replaced by Patricia<br />
Glover Gemmond, cashier at<br />
the Capitol, also left and was replaced by<br />
Joan Weibe, former usherette.<br />
Theatremen at the Lakehead are anxiously<br />
waiting the decision of the government on<br />
whether the 20 per cent tax will be taken off<br />
censorship branch of the Ontario<br />
government is strictly enforcing the regulation<br />
requiring all<br />
theatres to place the classification<br />
of "adult entertainment" in their<br />
ads also on hanging signs under their marquees<br />
and certain sizes of snipes on all posters<br />
used.<br />
A little incident happened at the Capitol<br />
that is worth repeating. A man who had not<br />
been to a show for years because he is hard<br />
of hearing was coaxed to go to the Capitol and<br />
try the hearing aids there. He was so pleased<br />
that the next day he went and bought his<br />
own aid . . . With spring just around the<br />
corner and vacation time near at hand theatre<br />
managers here soon will be welcoming visitors<br />
from across the line ... A recent visitor<br />
was E. A. Zorn, FPC division manager.<br />
The Lyceum in Port Arthur has installed a<br />
very attractive candy bar and popcorn machine.<br />
The Lake in Fort William installed<br />
a candy and popcorn bar about two weeks<br />
ago and is doing a good business . . . The<br />
Lakehead Exhibitors Ass'n has decided to invite<br />
all the assistants to at least four or<br />
more of its meetings each year. It was<br />
thought the attendance of assistants would<br />
broaden the meetings' viewpoint and encourage<br />
helpful suggestions . progress of<br />
the two theatres under construction in Port<br />
Arthur has been speeded because of better<br />
weather. It will not be long before steel<br />
beams for the roofs will be raised.<br />
Theatre business was a little better last<br />
week . Royal is doing well with its<br />
Saturday morning kiddy program. School of<br />
the Air, which is broadcast. Using local<br />
talent, this matinee has been going for several<br />
years and is popular with the kiddies,<br />
who line up nearly a half hour before the<br />
boxoffice opens . . . R. Tindall, doorman at<br />
the Capitol who has been in the hospital with<br />
pneumonia, is back on the job once again.<br />
Phone Bally for 'Kissing'<br />
YARMOUTH. N. S.—For the local showing<br />
of "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now," arrangements<br />
have been made by Franklin &<br />
Herschorn, owner, and Syd Wyman, manager<br />
of the Community, for a telephone greeting<br />
from Mark Stevens in Hollywood to his great<br />
grandmother, Mrs. Bower, on the Community<br />
stage. An amplifier will allow everybody in<br />
the Cormnunity to hear the conversation.<br />
Stevens appears in the film.<br />
114<br />
March 13, 1948
Bookin(ruide<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
FIRST RUN REPORTS<br />
This chart shows the records made by<br />
pictures in five or more of the 21 key cities<br />
checked. As new runs are reported ratings<br />
ore added and averages revised.<br />
BAROMETER<br />
TOP HIT OF THE WEEK<br />
Gentleman's Agreement-<br />
Philadelphia<br />
relation to normal grosses. With 100<br />
per cent as "normal," the figures<br />
show the percentage above or below<br />
that mark.
EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY<br />
ABOUT<br />
PICTURES<br />
Just as the Barometer page shows first run reports on current pictures, this<br />
department is devoted for the most part to reports on subsequent runs, made by<br />
exhibitors themselves. A one-star contributor is new, two stars mean the exhibitor<br />
has been writing in jor six months or longer, and a three-star contributor<br />
is a regular of one year or more, who receives a token of our appreciation. All<br />
exhibitors<br />
COLUMBIA<br />
Framed (Col)—Glenn Ford, Janis Carter,<br />
Barry Sullivan. I expected big business, due<br />
to Glenn Ford's past popularity here, but was<br />
sadly disappointed with a very poor run. A<br />
well made production and good acting but<br />
I thought it was a lot like "Dead Reckoning."<br />
Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Cold.—Carl E.<br />
Pehlman, Rio Theatre, Edinburg, 111. Rural<br />
and small town patronage. • * •<br />
Last of the Redmen (Col)—Jon Hall, Michael<br />
O'Shea, Evelyn Ankers. Don't pass this one<br />
up, brother small town exhibitors. If you do,<br />
you'll be sor-r-ryl It's a natural, packing them<br />
everywhere, though we did not break any<br />
in<br />
records, due to bad roads. Played Mon.,<br />
Tues. Weather: Below zero.—Harland Rankin,<br />
Joy Theatre, Bothwell, Ont. Small town patronage.<br />
• •<br />
EAGLE LION<br />
Law of the Lash (EL)—Al "Lash" La Rue, Al<br />
"<br />
"Fuzzy St. John, Lee Roberts. Al La Rue is<br />
new here as far as a western star goes and<br />
we didn't have any walkouts or comments<br />
so don't<br />
joyed<br />
know<br />
him<br />
what<br />
myself.<br />
say about<br />
Played<br />
him. I en-<br />
Wednesday.<br />
Weather: Cold.—D. W. Trisk., Ritz Theatre,<br />
Jerome, Ariz. Mining town patronage. * *<br />
Red Stallion, The (EL)—Ted Donaldson,<br />
Robert Paige, Noreen Nash. Don't pass this<br />
one up. If you do, you'll have missed the boat.<br />
It is worth playing, by all means. Weather;<br />
Cold.—Harland Rankin, Rankin Enterprises,<br />
Chatham, Ont. Small town patronage. * * *<br />
Song of Old Wyoming (EL)—Eddie Dean,<br />
Sarah Padden, Al La Rue. Here is our first<br />
western with Eddie Dean and he was liked<br />
very much as a cowboy but not as a singer.<br />
This was in Cinecolor and it is the same as<br />
;he rest—poor. Miracles happen every day,<br />
because this film did not break—why I don't<br />
know. It is a good western though and you<br />
.should buy it. Played Fri., Sat. Weather;<br />
Fair.—George MacKenzie, York Theatre,<br />
Hantsport, N. S. Small town patronage. *<br />
HLM CLASSICS<br />
Thief of Bagdad, The (FC)—Reissue. Conrad<br />
Viedt, Sabu, June Duprez. A Technicolor<br />
feature which has played out here the second<br />
lime in one year. The comment from children<br />
was great. Adults reported a change<br />
from the tragic films, and suggested more<br />
from time to time. Played in combination with<br />
"The Patient Vanishes." Played Thurs.<br />
through Sat. Weather: 'Very cold.—L. C.<br />
Utecht, Lake Theatre, Oak Park, 111. West<br />
Chicago patronage.<br />
*<br />
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER<br />
Fiesta (MGM) — Esther Williams, Akim<br />
Tamiroff, Ricardo Montalban. This was a very<br />
good picture. Color and story, location and<br />
music were tops. People made no bones about<br />
telling me that they liked it. The only thing<br />
wrong was the weather, which has been<br />
keeping them away all winter. Played Sat.,<br />
Sun.—Otto W. Chapek, Annex Theatre,<br />
Anamoose, N. D. Rural and small town<br />
patronage. * * •<br />
Glimpses of New Scotland (MGM)— Short.<br />
Here is my first comment on a short and it<br />
is about places around my town. It shows<br />
pictures of places where I have been and<br />
things I hove seen and that makes it all<br />
the more interesting. We had big crowds to<br />
this one and it was enjoyed by all. How about<br />
some more taken around my town, Metro?<br />
Played Mon., Tues. Weather: Fine.—George<br />
MacKenzie, York Theatre, Hantsport, N. S.<br />
*<br />
Small town patronage.<br />
Great Waltz, The (MGM)—Reissue. Luise<br />
Rainer, Fernand Gravet, Miliza Korjus. This<br />
picture can only be enjoyed by lovers ot<br />
Strauss music, who must also appreciate the<br />
operatic soprano ol Miliza Korjus. In a small<br />
town such as mine this picture's appeal is<br />
naturally limited to a very small group of<br />
people—or I might say two small groups, one<br />
on Sunday and the other on Monday. Weather:<br />
Cold and clear.—Carl E. Pehlman, Rio<br />
111. Theatre, Edinburg, Rural cmd small town<br />
patronage.<br />
Show-Off, The (MGM)—Red Skelton, Marilyn<br />
Maxwell, Marjorie Main. This is typical of<br />
Red Skelton and was full of laughs and funny<br />
situations. It should idraw in any town.<br />
Played Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather: Cold.—<br />
R. W. Burgess, Roxy Theatre, McClusky, N. D.<br />
Rural and small town patronage. * *<br />
Song of the Thin Man (MGM)—William<br />
Powell, Myrna Loy, Kennan Wynn. Part of<br />
a double bill, but people catered to this picture.<br />
William Powell and Myrna Loy still<br />
He 'Blames' His Success<br />
On 20th-Fox at Winnipeg<br />
JJERE'S an exhibitor who "blames" his<br />
success, rather than failure, onto one<br />
of the big companies. Fox, take a bow<br />
from S. N. Holmberg of the Regal Theatres,<br />
Ltd., Sturgis, Sask.:<br />
"Don't let anyone tell you 35mm is too<br />
expensive for a small town—all you need<br />
is to get good pictures and the public<br />
docs the rest.<br />
"When I came out of the RCAF in<br />
February of '45, I went to a nearby town<br />
as operator in a theatre but after four<br />
months, decided to be my own boss. I<br />
came back here and merchants of the<br />
town bought me a 16inin show which had<br />
operated here one night a week for years.<br />
Grosses at the door averaged from $12<br />
to $20, never more.<br />
"I had ideas of trying 35mm on a gamble<br />
after six months of this 16nun, and<br />
was told by everj'one I was crazy, as the<br />
town wasn't big enough for big machines.<br />
But I got two 35mm machines anyway,<br />
and at first, thought the people who<br />
warned me had been right. Then 20lh-<br />
Fox at Winnipeg came to my rescue,<br />
thanks to Manager Huber, and booked<br />
their big hits of two years. Business<br />
boomed and put us on our feet. We<br />
continually drew people from two neiglW<br />
boring towns.<br />
"For the past year and a half we have<br />
run four nights weekly, two changes a<br />
week. We paid up the machines in full<br />
last fall and now we start all over again<br />
in Steven, as we opened there on January<br />
30.<br />
"Our crowds built up from S15 houses<br />
to as high as $300. We also believe we<br />
are the only theatre in this part of the<br />
country to have a stage show. We had it<br />
with 'The Jolson Story,' having the stage<br />
show come up here from 90 miles away.<br />
The only thing that went wrong was that<br />
people enjoyed the stage show more than<br />
'The Jolson Story!'"<br />
Diiferent Kind of Gripe<br />
From "New Contributor<br />
JJERE is a Uttle different gripe. I wish<br />
the film houses would teach their<br />
exhibitors and operators to patch film.<br />
Every once in a while I find an improper<br />
patch and it slips and bingo goes a foot<br />
of film before a machine can be stopped.<br />
This happened to me tonight and has<br />
happened many times before.—Lewis<br />
Hickok, Dream Theatre, Effingham, Kas.<br />
hold boxoffice appeal at this theatre. In spite<br />
of bad weather, business was average and it<br />
played to family patronage. Second feature<br />
was "Her Husband's Affairs" (Col). Played<br />
Thurs. through Sat. Weather: Snow and cold.<br />
—L. C. Utecht, Lake Theatre, Oak Park, 111.<br />
*<br />
West suburban Chicago patronage.<br />
UYearling, The (MGM)—Gregory Peck, Jane<br />
Wyman, Claude Jarman jr. This is one of the<br />
best pictures ever to come out of Hollywood.<br />
Everyone enjoyed this picture and said so.<br />
The Technicolor was the best I ever saw.<br />
Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Cold.—James<br />
E. Davis, Rialto Theatre, Bennington, Okla.<br />
Rural and small town patronage. * *<br />
MONOGRAM<br />
Newshounds (Mono)—Leo Gorcey, Muntz<br />
Hall, Christine Mclntire. Leo Gorcey and his<br />
crew get by here and this one had some new<br />
stuff in it and we got by real well with it.<br />
Played Wednesday. Weather: Cold.—D. W.<br />
Trisko, Ritz Theatre, Jerome, Ariz. Mining town<br />
patronage. * *<br />
PARAMOUNT<br />
Desert Fury (Para)—John Hodiak, Lizabeth<br />
Scott, Burt Lancaster. Did better than we<br />
expected<br />
Lots of action<br />
as business<br />
and they<br />
was<br />
enjoyed<br />
above<br />
it.—Harland<br />
average.<br />
Rankin, Rankin Enterprises, Chatham, Ont.<br />
Small town patronage, « * •<br />
Easy Come, Easy Go (Para)—Sonny Tufts,<br />
Diana Lynn, Barry Fitzgerald. This was a<br />
comedy that was pretty weak. Played Tues.,<br />
Wed. Weather: Cold.—Otto W. Chapek,<br />
Annex Theatre, Anamoose, N. D. Rural and<br />
small town patronage. * * «<br />
Road to Rio (Para)—Bing Crosby, Bob Hope,<br />
Dorothy Lamour. The only way we can get<br />
a good crowd on Hope is to play him with<br />
Crosby and this one had what it took, althougii<br />
weather and sickness held us down.<br />
Played Fri., Sat. Weather; Cold.—D. W.<br />
Ritz Trisko, Theatre, Jerome, Ariz. Mining<br />
town patronage. * '<br />
Trouble With Women, The (Para)—Roy Milland,<br />
Teresa Wright, Brian Donlevy. Who<br />
doesn't have trouble with women, either<br />
blondes or brunettes? Now we have it on the<br />
marquee; and at the boxoffice, yes, we have<br />
trouble too, for business was poor. Played<br />
Thurs., Fri. Weather; Below zero.—Harland<br />
Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. Small<br />
town patronage. * * »<br />
RKO RADIO<br />
Crossfire (RKO) — Robert Young, Robert<br />
Mitchum, Gloria Grahame. This is a good<br />
show with an excellent cast. This is one of<br />
the shows that is different. In fact, the interest<br />
is<br />
held all the way through the feature<br />
and we had a lot of people stay over for the<br />
second show to see parts of it again and get<br />
straightened out with the story. Played Mon.,<br />
Tues. Weather: Cold and snow.—D. W.<br />
•<br />
Trisko, Ritz Theatre, Jerome, Ariz. Mining<br />
town patronage. * *<br />
Crossfire (RKO) — Robert Young, Robert<br />
Michura, Gloria Grahame. My patrons just<br />
won't take to good drama here and therefore<br />
a feature such as this is passed up by many<br />
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: Mar. 13, 1948
who really should see it. Business was a<br />
little below average. Played Sun., Men.<br />
Weather: Bad.—Ralph Raspa, State Theatre,<br />
Rivesville, W. Va. Rural patronage. * * *<br />
Nocturne (RKO) — George Raft, Virginia<br />
Huston, Lynn Bari. Here is another one ol<br />
George Raft's pictures and it is the best one<br />
to date but the other one ruined the boxoffice<br />
for this one. This should get a few of the<br />
music-lovers because of the title. There is<br />
very little piano music in this one but too<br />
much for my liking. Played Wed., Thurs.<br />
Weather: Fair.—George MacKenzie, York<br />
Theatre, Hantsport, N. S. Small town patronage.<br />
*<br />
Nocturne (RKO)—George Raft, Lynn Bari,<br />
Virginia Huston. They didn't go for this one.<br />
Adult entertainment is one strike against us<br />
before we play it. Played Mon., Tues., Wed.<br />
Weather: Cold.—Harland Rankin, Beau Theatre,<br />
Belle River, Ont. Small town patronage.<br />
* * *<br />
Riff-HoH (RKO)—Pat O'Brien, Walter Slezak,<br />
Anne Jeffreys. This is a good picture, bought<br />
so we could double bill it and patrons liked<br />
this picture very much. Pat O'Brien draws well<br />
here and is an actor who can draw and<br />
satisfy. It is worth a date, but not on your<br />
best time. Played<br />
—Mayme P.<br />
Fri., Sat.<br />
Musselman,<br />
Weather:<br />
Roach<br />
Cold.<br />
Theatre,<br />
Lincoln, Kas. Small town patronage. • * *<br />
They Won't Believe Mo (RKO)—Robert<br />
Young, Susan Hayward, Rita Johnson. This<br />
is a fairly good show that should do better<br />
in cities rather than small towns. The small<br />
towns want animal pictures, action, and things<br />
down to earth, where you don't have such<br />
morbid endings. Played Sun., Mon. 'Weather:<br />
Rain.—Terry Axley, New Theatre, England,<br />
Ark. Rural and small town patronage. * * *<br />
They Won't Believe Me (RKO)—Robert<br />
Young, Susan Hayward, Jane Greer. You<br />
if .'ouldn't believe us we told you how poor<br />
'jjusiness was. Not the picture for a small<br />
Played Mon., Tues. at both thea'res.<br />
Cold.—Harland Rankin, Plaza Theare,<br />
•own.<br />
'.'.'eather:<br />
Tilbury, Ont. (Also Joy Theatre at Both-<br />
v/ell). Small town patronage. * * *<br />
REPUBLIC<br />
Trail to San Antone (Rep)—Gent Autry,<br />
Peggy Stewart, Sterling HoUoway. This did<br />
mediocre business en a weekend double bill.<br />
Played Fri., Sat. 'Weather: Cold.—Harland<br />
Rankin, Joy Theatre, Bothwell, Ont. Small<br />
town patronage. * * *<br />
20th CENTURY-FOX<br />
Moss Rose (20th-Fox) — Peggy Cummins,<br />
Victor Mature, Ethel Barrymore. Nothing<br />
extra but got by okay on Sunday which is<br />
our silver dollar night. Played Sunday. 'Wea-<br />
'her: Cold for here.—D. 'W. Trisko, Ritz The-<br />
T re, Jerome, Ariz. Mining town pcrtron-<br />
Moss Rose (20th-Fox)—Peggy Cummins,<br />
'.'ictor Mature, Ethel Barrymore. 'We would<br />
:;e much happier if we never had to play<br />
hese English accent pictures—they bore us.<br />
Ethel Barrymore's acting was superb, as<br />
usual, and the story fair, you like murder<br />
mysteries—we don't.<br />
if<br />
Played Sun., Mon.<br />
Weather: Very cold.—R. W. Burgess, Roxy<br />
Theatre, McClusky, N. D. Rural and small<br />
own patronage.<br />
Three Little Girls in Blue (20th-Fox)—June<br />
Jlaver, George Montgomery, Vivian Blaine.<br />
To one can argue that this isn't as sweet a<br />
licture as you could wish, but keenos and<br />
lingos were too much for 'us. Played Mon.,<br />
'ues., 'Wed. 'Weather: Cold.—Harland Rankin,<br />
rie Theatre, 'Wheatley, Ont. Small town<br />
jtronage.<br />
Tobacco Road (20th-Fox)—Reissue. Gene<br />
ierney, Charles Grapewin, Marjorie Rameau.<br />
Doubled this with "Grapes of 'Wrath,"<br />
double bill which really paid off. A little<br />
}XOFFICE BookinGuide 13, 1948<br />
long but the filled-up seats compensated lor<br />
It. Played Mon., Tues. Weather: Okay.—D.<br />
W. Trisko, Ritz Theatre, Jerome. Ariz. Mining<br />
patronage. * *<br />
UNITED ARTISTS<br />
Bachelor's Daughters, The (UA)—Gail Russell,<br />
Claire Trevor, Ann Dvorak. 1 would call<br />
this a sleeper. I didn't expect much and<br />
neither did my patrons, but we were pleasantly<br />
surprised with a light and thoroughly<br />
entertaining comedy. Ann Dvorak and Claire<br />
Trevor can still acl and deserve much more<br />
than they are getting. Played Tues., 'Wed.<br />
Weather: Cold and rain.—Carl E. Pehlman,<br />
Rio Theatre, Edinburg, 111. Rural and small<br />
town patronage. * * *<br />
Breakfast in Hollywood (UA)—Tom Breneman,<br />
Bonita Granville, Eddie Ryan. We broke<br />
all house records with this one on a return<br />
date. It now holds the record for our all-time<br />
low. Cold weather and a blizzard should have<br />
kept us home, but opened up and had a<br />
screening. A very good picture that would<br />
have done it, with a break in the weather.<br />
Played Wed., Thurs,—Mayme P. Musselman,<br />
Roach Theatre, Lincoln, Kas. Small town patronage.<br />
* * *<br />
Fun on a Weekend (UA)—Eddie Bracken,<br />
Priscilla Lane, Tom Conway. Eddie Bracken<br />
is no big draw with us but we had a tieup<br />
v;ith merchants that helped. Weather: Cold.<br />
Rankin Enterprises, Chatham, Ont. Small<br />
town patronage. • •<br />
Heaven Only Knows (UA)—Robert Cummings,<br />
Brian Donlevy, Jorja Curtwright, Featured<br />
by a suspenseful shooting duel, this<br />
Ralph Raspa Praises<br />
The Warner Newsreels<br />
CAY, has anyone taken time out to congratulate<br />
Warners on the progress<br />
they've made with their newsrecl during<br />
the past two months?<br />
My walkouts on newsreels have been<br />
cut in half, sometliing I didn't think possible.<br />
Warners have a very fine trademark,<br />
excellent background music, and they seem<br />
to go out of their way to bring in laughs<br />
and the unusual. The ending of "Great<br />
Americans" is good also.<br />
If I could get my newsreel a week<br />
earlier, I'd really consider my newsreel<br />
an asset.—Ralph Raspa, State Theatre,<br />
Rivesville, W. Va.<br />
novel blend of western adventure slacks up<br />
as very good entertainment. Comments were<br />
very favorable—best boxoffice of the week.<br />
Played Tues., Wed., Thurs. Weather: Good.—<br />
R. W. Hailey, Lott Theatre, Lott, Tex. Rural<br />
patronage.<br />
UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL<br />
Magnificent Doll (U-I)—Ginger Rogers,<br />
David Niven, Burgess Meredith. This is a<br />
story about Dolly Madison who was the wife<br />
of one of the presidents of the United States,<br />
James Madison. Ginger Rogers as Mrs. Madison<br />
was very good and the acting of David<br />
Niven and Burgess Meredith was the best.<br />
Play this one, as it is very interesting. Played<br />
Mon., Tues. Weather: Fair.—George Mac-<br />
Kenzie, York Theatre, Hantsport, N. S. Small<br />
town patronage.<br />
Shadow of a Doubt (U-I)—Joseph Gotten,<br />
Teresa Wright. Very good, but it didn't go<br />
over. Competition strong and weather bad.<br />
I really didn't want to play it, but the film<br />
industry says an exhibitor can't tell whether<br />
or not a picture will go over. I say that he<br />
can. What do you think? Played Tues., Wed.<br />
Weather: Fair.—Ralph Raspa, State Theatre^,<br />
Rivesville, W. Va. Rural patronage.<br />
Louder Roars From Leo<br />
Rated on 'Rosy Ridge'<br />
KO.M.WCE OF ROSY RIDGE, THE<br />
IM(;M)—Van Johnson, Thomas Mitchell,<br />
Janet Leigh. This excellent picture reveals<br />
the fact that Van Johnson has a<br />
personality we didn't know about. After<br />
several years of Van in variou-s and sundry<br />
officers' unifomu, tuxedos, etc., we find<br />
him at his best in a down-to-earth picture<br />
about plain people down in the<br />
Ozark mountains of MLssouri. I think<br />
Leo should have roared a little louder<br />
about this than he did. Played Tuc-s.,<br />
Wed. Weather: Snow.—Carl E. Pehlman,<br />
Rio Theatre, Edinburg, III. Rural and<br />
small town patronage. • » •<br />
Something in the Wind (U-D—Deanna Durbin,<br />
Donald O'Connor, John Doll. A good little<br />
musical which failed to draw because our<br />
town just doesn't care lor Durbin. No walkouts<br />
and those who saw it liked it. Business.<br />
not so good. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather:<br />
Solid ice on all the streets and highways-<br />
New Years eve and New Years day show.<br />
jr., A. L. Burke Venita Theatre, Herculaneum<br />
Mo. Small town patronage. * *<br />
Swell Guy (U-I)- Sonny Tufts, Ann Blyth,<br />
Ruth Warrick. A lair picture which did good<br />
O'/erage business. One of the lew pictures<br />
from Universal that I've made a dollar on. If<br />
they like Sonny Tufts, play it. Played Thurs.,<br />
Fri. Weather: Cold and light snow.—Arthur<br />
E. Phifield, Park Theatre, South Berwick, Me.<br />
Small town patronage. * * *<br />
Vigilantes Return, The (U-D—Jon Hall, Margaret<br />
Lindsay, Paula Drew. This is okay for<br />
small towns. Played Thursday.—James C.<br />
Balkcom jr.. Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga. Small<br />
town patronage.<br />
Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap, The (U-D—<br />
Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Marjorie Main. We<br />
didn't do average with this one and it is<br />
in plenty funny spots. Lots of laughs and<br />
Marjorie was part of the draw so everyone<br />
was satisfied. 1 wish we had a lot more<br />
as good. This old racket would really boom.<br />
We ran "Fight of the Wild Stallions" with<br />
this, and if you need a short western with a<br />
long feature on the weekend, try this one.<br />
ft is about as good as most features and will<br />
satisfy more.—Mayme P. Musselman, Roach<br />
Theatre, Lincoln, Kas. Small town patronage.<br />
Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap, The (U-D—<br />
Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Marjorie Main.<br />
Abbott and Costello still hold much interest<br />
in the minds of children. Playe.d to a holdout<br />
business on Sunday, and catered to family<br />
trade during the run. Comment on the picture<br />
was good and everyone left with a smile.<br />
The second feature was "Christmas Eve"<br />
(UA). Played Sun. through Wed. Weather:<br />
Rain and cold.—L. C. Utecht, Lake Theatre,<br />
Oak Park, 111. West suburban Chicago patronage.<br />
WARNER BROS.<br />
Sea Hawk, The (WB)—Reissue. Errol Flynn,<br />
Claude Rains, Brenda Marshall. A reissue<br />
worthy ol reissuing. A bit too long, drags in<br />
spots, but the action scenes make up for it.<br />
Business was below average on a double with<br />
"Blind Spot" (Col). Played Thurs., Fri.<br />
Weather: Cold.—Carl E. Pehlman, Rio Theatre,<br />
Edinburg, 111. Rural and small town patronage.<br />
Unsuspected, The (WB)— Joan Caulfield,<br />
Claude Rains, Audrey Totter. A very well<br />
made and well cast mystery which drags up<br />
until the last reel, where you really get the<br />
business. New star Michael North appears to<br />
have possibilities. Business, slow. Played<br />
Tues., 'Wed. Weather: Moderately cold —Carl<br />
(Continued on page 14)
FEATURE CHART<br />
Feature productions, listed by company, in order ol release. Number in square is nati<br />
release date. Production number is at right. Number in parentheses is running lim<<br />
furnished by home oifice of distributor; checkup with local exchanges is recommer<br />
R—is review date. PG—is Picture Guide page number. Symbol "J indicates BOXOFFIC |<br />
Blue Ribbon Award Winner. Symbol © indicates color photography.<br />
MAY 24
i<br />
t<br />
I COVER<br />
CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES<br />
FEATURE CHART<br />
JULY 19<br />
J-bara Brittoi<br />
Jice Cabiit<br />
il-lme H—<br />
JULY 26<br />
po] (..I li..,ma 8<br />
©LAST OF THE<br />
REDMEN<br />
Michael OShe^i<br />
1!— Aug. 2— PG-844<br />
AUGUST 9<br />
THE SON OF RUSTY<br />
AUGUST 16<br />
155) Western<br />
RIDERS OF THE<br />
LONE STAR<br />
Cbarles Slarrcll<br />
inlley Rurntitle<br />
Irglnia lliuilor<br />
AUGUST 23<br />
y<br />
(67) MiLS-Wcst 851<br />
SMOKY RIVER<br />
SERENADE<br />
Iloosler llulahota<br />
AUGUST 30<br />
SEPTEMBER 6 [<br />
(05) Mystery 821<br />
]<br />
ILLDOG DRUMMOND<br />
STRIKES BACK<br />
Ron Kandcll<br />
Gloria Henry<br />
Auj. 23—Pa-8SD<br />
g<br />
(68) Western 754<br />
GHOST TOWN RENE-<br />
GADES<br />
u— Alia. !i— rc-S45<br />
lie] (81) Drama 107<br />
RED STALLION<br />
Robert Paiifo<br />
Norccn NiLsh<br />
R-^uly 26—P(i-841<br />
P^i] (631 Come.:<br />
GAS HOUSE Kl<br />
HOLLYWOOD<br />
(104) Miis-Dr 727<br />
•lESTA<br />
) Montalban<br />
7 Astor<br />
Ourlsse<br />
g<br />
(103) Musical 72<br />
THE GREAT WALTZ<br />
Luise Rliner<br />
Feniand Gravet<br />
(115) nrama<br />
THE HUCKSTERS<br />
Clark Gable<br />
Hebor.ib Kerr<br />
(68) Comedy 621<br />
LROV WAS HERE<br />
kle Cooper<br />
laeCoogan<br />
I McKay<br />
ily 6—rO-83o<br />
[T] (65) Drama 623<br />
ROBIN HOOD OF<br />
MONTEREY<br />
Gilbert Roland<br />
Evelyn Brent<br />
Chrls-Pln Martin<br />
(95) Comedy 4616<br />
U RUTH<br />
(>iuincld<br />
llUD Holden<br />
nrd Arnold<br />
y De Wolfe<br />
-May 31—PG-S24<br />
^<br />
(63) Drama 4624<br />
BIG TOWN<br />
Philip Reed<br />
Hillary Brooke<br />
Robert Lowery<br />
R—Mar. 1—PG-795<br />
06) nrama 4613 (95) Drama 4617<br />
(iU<br />
OWELCOME STRANGER ©DESERT FURY<br />
Bins Crosby<br />
Lizabeth Scott<br />
Barry Fitzgerald<br />
|22] (67) M'drama<br />
JUNGLE FLIGHT<br />
Group 6<br />
60) nrama 729 (60) Western 73<br />
i;K TRACY'S THUNDER MOUNTAIN<br />
)ILEMMA<br />
Tim Holt<br />
(ph Byrd<br />
Martha Hyer<br />
\< Oiplstophcr<br />
Richard Martin<br />
(Keith<br />
R—May 24—PG-S22<br />
S-May 24—PG-S2;<br />
(75) Western 646<br />
jPRINGTIME IN THE<br />
TilERRAS<br />
Rogers-Jane Fra:<br />
i<br />
R-Aug. 2— PG-843<br />
(711 Western<br />
^ (67) Drama 617<br />
BUCKMAIL<br />
William Marshall<br />
Adele Mara<br />
R—Aug. 16—PG-S47<br />
Group 6<br />
(S5) Mys-nr 726<br />
THEY WON'T BEL<br />
ME<br />
Robert Young<br />
Susan Hayward<br />
Jane Greer<br />
[T] (84) Outd'r-Pr 618<br />
WYOMING<br />
Vera Ralston<br />
William Elliott<br />
John Carroll<br />
R— Aug. 2—PG-843<br />
Group 1<br />
(Sni nrama 80<br />
RIFF-RAFF<br />
Pat O'Brien<br />
Anne Jeffreys<br />
R—June 14—rC-82!)<br />
Group 1<br />
(61) We-stern SC<br />
UNDER THE TONTO<br />
If—June<br />
14—PC-829<br />
|l3] (58) Western 667<br />
MARSHAL OF CRIPPLE<br />
CREEK<br />
Allan Lane-Bobby Bl<br />
R—Aug. 23—PG-84'<br />
[l6] (09) Drama 620<br />
THE PRETENDER<br />
R—Aug. 30—PG-!<br />
(68) Drama<br />
SEVEN KEYS TO<br />
BALDPATE<br />
Phillip Terry<br />
(86) Dram<br />
CROSSFIRE<br />
Robert Young<br />
Robert Mitcbum<br />
Robert Ryan<br />
Gloria Grabame<br />
Sam Levene<br />
R—June 28—PO-833<br />
[so] (64) Western 651<br />
©ALONG THE OREGO<br />
TRAIL<br />
.Monle Hale<br />
Adraln Booth<br />
R—Sept. 13— I'G-855<br />
Group 1<br />
(95) Comedy 801<br />
UBACHELOR AND THE<br />
BOBBY-SOXER<br />
Cary Grant<br />
.Myrna l-oy<br />
Shirley Temple<br />
R-June 7—Pa-826<br />
rilan B..yd<br />
|seU Hayden<br />
Brge Hayes<br />
(26] (40) Mys-Com 461S<br />
CASE OF THE BABY<br />
SITTER<br />
Tom Neal<br />
Allen Jenkins<br />
Pamela Blake<br />
Mark Stevens<br />
JIartha Stewart<br />
Reginald Gardiner<br />
R—June 21—PG-832<br />
(107) Musical 724<br />
©MOTHER WORE<br />
TIGHTS<br />
Betty Orable<br />
Dan Dalley<br />
Mona Freeman<br />
R—Aug. 30—Pa-852<br />
tnra Stan\y>ek<br />
lldNiven<br />
Apr. 12—PG-8in<br />
nil (60) Western<br />
HOPPY'S HOLIDAY<br />
William Boyd<br />
Andy Clyde<br />
R—May 24—PG-S31<br />
[Tl (133) Musical<br />
CARNEGIE HALL<br />
William Prince<br />
Marsha Hunt<br />
|o] (112) Comedies<br />
fsl (102) Drama<br />
©COMEDY CARNIVAL PERSONAL COLUMN<br />
Walter Abel<br />
(formerly<br />
Margot Grabame<br />
LURED)<br />
R— Aug 30—PG-851 George Sanders<br />
Lucille Ball<br />
(Carles Cobum<br />
R^Iuly 19—rO-83(l<br />
(98) nrama 62<br />
BRUTE FORCE<br />
Burt Lancaster<br />
Hume Cronyn<br />
R^Iune 28—rO-833<br />
Yvonne Tie Carlo<br />
George Brent<br />
R—July 26—PG.842<br />
(891 Musical 621<br />
SOMETHING IN THE<br />
WIND<br />
De,inn« Durbin<br />
|26] (108) Dr.-una 624<br />
POSSESSED<br />
Joan Crawford<br />
Van Henin<br />
Ra>Tnond M.assey<br />
Geraldine Brooks<br />
R—June 7—PG-825<br />
nri (81) nrama 62<br />
IVIARKEO WOMAN<br />
Ileitr n:ivi
FEATURE CHART<br />
SEPTEMBER 13 SEPTEMBER 20 SEPTEMBER 27<br />
|7| (68) Mus-Com 827<br />
WHEN A GIRL'S<br />
BEAUTIFUL<br />
Adele Jergens<br />
Marc Piatt<br />
Patrlca White<br />
Stephen Dunne<br />
R—Sept. 27—PG-8<br />
g<br />
(72) Drama 710<br />
RAILROADED<br />
John Ireland<br />
ll_Oct. 18—PG-866<br />
OCTOBER 4<br />
CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES<br />
OCTOBER II<br />
Trudy Marshall<br />
Jimmy Lloyd<br />
R—Sept. 6—PG-854<br />
[T| (93) Com-Myst 802 [n] (87) Comedy 801<br />
GREEN FOR DANGER OUT OF THE BLUE<br />
Sally Gray-Trevor Howard Brent-Mayo-Bey<br />
R—Aug. 16— PG-848 li—Sept. 6—PG-853<br />
\n\ (53) Western 755<br />
RETURN OF THE LASH<br />
Al "Lash" La Rue<br />
R—Nov. 15—PG-873<br />
OCTOBER 18<br />
\u\ (551 Western 961<br />
BUCKAROO FROM<br />
POWDER RIVER<br />
R—Nov. 15—PG-873<br />
^ (69) Comedy 911<br />
BLONDIE IN THE<br />
DOUGH<br />
R—Sept. 27—PG-859<br />
OCTOBER 25<br />
(101) Musical 930<br />
©DOWN TO EARTH<br />
K. Hayworth-L. Parks<br />
R—Aug. 8—PG-844<br />
m<br />
(68) Musical 918<br />
SWEET GENEVIEVE<br />
J. Porter-J. Lydon<br />
R—Sept. 20—PO-858<br />
[i|] (68) Drama 803 [25] (58) Western 530<br />
BURY ME DEAD CHEYENNE TAKES<br />
.Mark Daniels<br />
OVER<br />
R—Oct. 11—PG-864 Al "Lash" La Rue<br />
|l8] (61) Western 756 ^ (58) Western 851<br />
FIGHTING VIGILANTES BLACK HILLS<br />
Al "Lash" La Rue Eddie Dean<br />
R—Nov. 29—PG-877<br />
1<br />
NOVEMBER<br />
[T] (77) Western :<br />
LAST ROUNDUP<br />
Gene Autry<br />
"Champion"<br />
Jean Heather<br />
R—Oct. U—PQ-88J<br />
(T] (67) Outd"r-D*<br />
©RETURN OF Rim<br />
TIN<br />
R_Nov. 8—P0-8T1<br />
'<br />
\T\ (52) Western<br />
STAGE TO MESA CI<br />
L<br />
[19] (8") Mystery 803<br />
THE ARNELO AFFAIR<br />
John Hodlak<br />
George Murphy<br />
Frances Glftord<br />
li-Feb. 15—PG-790<br />
[3] (118) Drama 802 [10) (118) Drama 8<br />
©UNFINISHED DANCE SONG OF LOVE<br />
Margaret O'Brien<br />
Katharine Hepburn<br />
Cyd Cbarisse<br />
Paul Henreid<br />
Karin Booth<br />
Robert Walker<br />
R—Aug. 9—PG-846 R—July 26—PG-841<br />
[tt] (82) Comedy 8'<br />
MERTON OF THE<br />
MOVIES<br />
Red Skelton<br />
Virginia O'Brien<br />
R—July 19—PG-839<br />
^ (91) Drama<br />
DESIRE ME<br />
Greer Garson<br />
Robert Mitchum<br />
Richard Hart<br />
R—Sept. 27—PG-M<br />
Chirstlne Mclntyr<br />
Bnwery Boys<br />
R—June 21—PG-<br />
J ArtisU<br />
[4] (53) Western 6<br />
1^ (89) Ould'r-Dr AA2<br />
RIDIN' DOWN THE<br />
BLACK GOLD<br />
TRAIL<br />
\nthony Quinn<br />
Jimmy Wakely<br />
i!—June 28—PG-833<br />
Carnonbali" Taylor<br />
^ (69) Western 673<br />
Beverly Johns<br />
FLASHING GUNS<br />
It—Jan. 31—PG-895<br />
(92) Drama 4701<br />
WILD HARVEST<br />
Alan Lirtd<br />
liorothy Lamour<br />
Robert Preston<br />
Lloyd Nolan<br />
R—Aug. 9—PG-84B<br />
\n\ (72) Drama 4701<br />
HIGH TIDE<br />
Don Castle<br />
Anabel Shaw<br />
Lee Tracy<br />
R—Aug. 9—PG-845<br />
\m\ (67) M'drama 4702<br />
©ADVENTURE ISLAND<br />
Rory Calhoun<br />
Rhonda Fleming<br />
Paul Kelly<br />
R—Aug. 23—PG-850<br />
g<br />
(72) Comedy 4702<br />
JOE PALOOKA IN THE<br />
KNOCKOUT<br />
Joe Kirkwood jr<br />
Elyse Knox<br />
Leon Errol<br />
R—Aug. 30—PG-851<br />
(55) Drama 678<br />
H]<br />
PRAIRIE EXPRESS<br />
Johnny Mack Brown<br />
Virginia Belmont<br />
Raymond Hatton<br />
\T\ (85) Drama 4<br />
LOUISIANA<br />
Gov. Jimmie Davis<br />
Margaret Lindsay<br />
R—Aug. 16—PG-847<br />
||i| (95) Drama<br />
GOLDEN EARRINGS.<br />
Ray ^Ulland<br />
Mariene Dietrich n<br />
R—Aug. 30—PG-8gl<br />
Special<br />
(97) Drama 861<br />
THE LONG NIGHT<br />
Hmry I'-onda<br />
Barbara Bel Geddes<br />
Ann Dvorak<br />
Vincent Price<br />
R—June 7—PO-826<br />
^ (55) Drama<br />
RACKETEERS<br />
Preston Foster<br />
MelvjTi Douglaa<br />
^ (74) Drama<br />
CALL IT MURDER<br />
Humphrey Bogart<br />
Richard<br />
Wliorf<br />
(99) Drama 725<br />
KISS OF DEATH<br />
Victor Mature<br />
Brliin Donlevy<br />
Colecn r.ray<br />
11— Auk. 16—Pa-a47<br />
\^ (93) Comedy<br />
HEAVEN ONLY KNOVK<br />
Itoficrt Cummlngs<br />
lirlan Donlevy<br />
Marj{irie Reynolds<br />
I!— Aug 2— P(J-84;<br />
^<br />
(90) Drama 621<br />
DRIFTWOOD<br />
Ruth VVarrlck<br />
Waiter Brennan<br />
Dean Jagger<br />
It—Nov. 15—PG-784<br />
|20) (69) Mus-Com X-<br />
BOY, WHAT A GIRL!<br />
Blwood Smith<br />
Sheila Ouyse<br />
nuke Wmiam<br />
R—Feb. 15—PO-790<br />
(105) Comedy 851<br />
O0SECRET LIFE OF<br />
WALTER MITTV<br />
Danny Kaye<br />
Virginia Mayo<br />
R-^uly 19—PG-840<br />
118) 727 (90) Drama<br />
HOW GREEN WAS MY SWAMP WATER<br />
VALLEY<br />
Walter Brennan<br />
Walter Pidgcon<br />
Walter Huston<br />
(62) Drama<br />
Anne Baxter<br />
SECOND CHANCE nana Andrews<br />
R—July 26—PG-842<br />
[1] (59) Western 751<br />
THE WILD FRONTIER<br />
Allan "Rocky" Lane<br />
Eddie Waller<br />
Jack Hoit<br />
R—Oct. 11—PG-863<br />
Maureen O'Hara<br />
Richard Haydn<br />
Victor McLaglen<br />
Vanessa Brown<br />
R—Sept. 27—PG-859<br />
(89) Comedy<br />
MAD WEDNESDAY<br />
Harold Lloyd<br />
Prances Ramsden<br />
R—Feb, 22—PG-792<br />
3) Comedy 8<br />
©FUN AND FANCY<br />
FREE<br />
Edgar Bergen<br />
Dlnall Shore<br />
Luana Patten<br />
R—Aug. 23—PG-849<br />
[u] (78) Drama 4704<br />
THE BURNING CROSS<br />
Hank Daniels<br />
Virginia<br />
R—July<br />
Patton<br />
26—PO-842<br />
ra (93) Drama 740<br />
THE MARK OF ZORRO<br />
Power-Darnell<br />
lio] (103) Drama 741<br />
DRUMS ALONG THE<br />
MOHAWK<br />
Claudette Colbert<br />
(123) Comedy<br />
MONSIEUR VERDOUX<br />
Charles Chaplin<br />
Martha Raye<br />
R—Apr. 26—PO-813<br />
[i|] (75) Outd'r-Mus 648<br />
©ON THE OLD SPAN-<br />
ISH TRAIL<br />
Roy Rogers<br />
Tito Guizar<br />
Jane Frazee<br />
Andy Devine<br />
R—Nov. 1—PO-870<br />
Herald<br />
(Negro)<br />
[li] (70) Musical X<br />
SEPIA CINDERELLA<br />
BUly Daniels<br />
Sheila Guyse<br />
Tondalayo<br />
Ruble Blakey<br />
R—Aug. 9—PO-848<br />
[isj (73) Drama 732<br />
THE INVISIBLE WALL<br />
R—Oct. 16—PO-865<br />
|l8] (111) Drama 730<br />
(90) Drama<br />
CHRISTMAS EVE<br />
George Raft<br />
George Brent<br />
Joan Blondell<br />
Randolph Scott<br />
R—Oov. 8—PG-873<br />
Special<br />
(103) Comedy 8<br />
MAGIC TOWN<br />
James Stewart<br />
Jane Wyman<br />
R—Aug. 30—PO-851<br />
m<br />
(71) Mys-Dr 4703<br />
DRAGNET<br />
Henry Wilcoxon<br />
Mary Brian<br />
Vh-lgnla Dale<br />
Douglass Dumbrllle<br />
R—July 12—PG-838<br />
g<br />
Special<br />
(140) Drama 733<br />
©FOREVER AMBER<br />
Linda Darnell<br />
Cornel Wilde<br />
Richard Greene<br />
George Sanders<br />
R—Oct. 18—PG-866<br />
(104) Drama<br />
BODY AND SOUL<br />
John Garfield<br />
Lllll Palmer<br />
li—Aug. 16—PQ-8<br />
R—Aug,<br />
16—Pa-848<br />
(98) Drama 624<br />
FRIEDA<br />
David Farrar<br />
Olynls Johns<br />
Flora Holison<br />
R—Aug. 30—PG-852<br />
(101) Drama 625<br />
RIDE THE PINK HORSE<br />
Robert Montgomery<br />
Wanda Hendrlx<br />
R—Sept. 20—rG-857<br />
(78) Comedy 62<br />
WISTFUL WIDOW OF<br />
WAGON GAP<br />
Abbott & Costello<br />
Marjorie<br />
Audrey<br />
R—Oct.<br />
Main<br />
Young<br />
4—PG-862<br />
(92) Drama<br />
THE EXILE<br />
Douglas FalrbanlB<br />
Maria Montez<br />
I'aule Croset<br />
It—Oct. 25—PG-»<br />
(118) Comedy 702<br />
[JH<br />
©LIFE WITH FATHER<br />
William Powell<br />
Irene Dunne<br />
Kilzabi'lh Taylor<br />
ZaSu Pitts<br />
H— Aug. 23—rO-860<br />
l27l (106) Drama 703<br />
DARK PASSAGE<br />
Humphrey Bogart<br />
Lauren Bacall<br />
Bruce Bennett<br />
Moorehead<br />
Tom<br />
-PG-854<br />
Reissues<br />
[T] (71) Drama 704<br />
BAD MEN OF MISSOURI<br />
D, Morgan-J, Wyman<br />
IT] (84) Drama 705<br />
EACH DAWN I DIE<br />
(n] (103) Drama 70<br />
THE UNSUSPECTED<br />
Joan Caulfleld<br />
Claude Rains<br />
Audrey Totter<br />
Hurd Hatfield<br />
R—Sept. 20— PG-858<br />
[T] (83) Drama<br />
THAT HAGEN GIV<br />
Ronald Reagan<br />
Shirley Temple<br />
Rory Calhoun<br />
R_Oct. 25—pa-»<br />
(140) Drama<br />
_^ ODUEL IN THE SUN<br />
O Jennifer Jones<br />
K Gregory Peck<br />
to Joseph Col ten<br />
Lionel Barrymore<br />
R—Jan. 11—PC-780<br />
(18) (61)<br />
Bell PIct. Corp.<br />
GIRL ON THE CANAL CHILDREN ON TRIAL<br />
R— Nov. 29—PG-a77 R—Nov 29— PG-878<br />
(68) DncumDr<br />
(80) Musical<br />
Eng. Films<br />
Four Continents<br />
SCHOOL FOR DANGER SPRINGTIME<br />
R—Nov 29— PG-878 R—Feb. 14—PG-902<br />
(85) Drama<br />
Jewish Nat'l Fund<br />
MY FATHERS HOUSE<br />
R—Oct. 4—PG-861<br />
(701 Dramn Alexander<br />
THE FIGHT NEVER<br />
ENDS<br />
R—Mar. 6—PG-909<br />
Sept. (85) Western 1208 Oct. (71) Myst-Dl<br />
LADY IN A JAM BLACK FRIDAY<br />
Irene Dunne Boris Karloft<br />
Ralph Bellamy Bela Lugosi<br />
Sept, (89) Western 1121 Oct. (72) Myst-Dlj<br />
Robert Preston Basil Rathbone
I<br />
I<br />
FEATURE CHART<br />
I JANUARYS JANUARY 10<br />
John Hubbard<br />
11— Nov. 1—PC-8e9<br />
[9l (54) Western 9<br />
SIX-GUN LAW<br />
Slarrett-Burnette<br />
R—Jan. 10—PG-890<br />
(81) Drama 9<br />
©THE SWORDSMAN<br />
Larry Parks<br />
R—Oct. 25—PG-867<br />
[lo] (91) Drama S09<br />
T-MEN<br />
Dennis 0"Keere<br />
R—Dec. 20—PG-884<br />
JANUARY 17<br />
(68) Musical 907<br />
ID<br />
GLAMOUR GIRL<br />
V'irginia Grey<br />
Michael Duane<br />
Gene Krupa's Orch.<br />
R—Jan. 3—PO-88S<br />
[n] (71) Drama 810<br />
HEADING FOR HEAVEN<br />
Stuart Erwln<br />
Glenda Farrell<br />
JANUARY 24<br />
g<br />
(66) Mus-Dr 906<br />
MARY LOU<br />
Robert Lowery<br />
Joan Barton<br />
Glenda Farrell<br />
Frankle Carle<br />
B-^an. 31—PO-895<br />
^<br />
(55) Western 853<br />
CHECK YOUR GUNS<br />
Eddie Dean<br />
CHECK RUNNDIG TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES<br />
JANUARY 31<br />
(941 Drama 934<br />
LOVE TROUBLE<br />
F. Tone-J. Blair<br />
R—Feb. 28—PG-905<br />
p<br />
(72) Drama 933<br />
PRINCE OF THIEVES<br />
J. Hall-P. Morison<br />
R—Dec. 6—PG-879<br />
Hi] (85) Drama 811<br />
©THE SMUGGLERS<br />
Michael Redgrave<br />
R—Jan. 17—PG-892<br />
FEBRUARY 7<br />
[5] (68) Drama 802<br />
WRECK OF THE<br />
HESPERUS<br />
Willard Parker<br />
Edgar Buchanan<br />
Patr WTiit<br />
R—Feb. 14—PG-899<br />
[t] (83) Drama 812<br />
ADVENTURES OF<br />
CASANOVA<br />
Arturo de Cordova<br />
Turban Bey<br />
Lucille Bremer<br />
R—Feb. 28—PG-905<br />
FEBRUARY 14<br />
|I|] (66) Drama 910<br />
WOMAN FROM<br />
TANGIER<br />
Adele Jergens<br />
Stephen Dunne<br />
Michael Duane<br />
R—Feb. 28—PG-905<br />
FEBRUAR'i<br />
^ (93) Drams pnj<br />
©RELENTLESS<br />
Robert Young<br />
R—Jan. 17—PG-I<br />
R—Mar.<br />
813<br />
[h] (70) Drama Hi] (56) Drama<br />
OPEN SECRET TORNADO RANG<br />
.lohn Ireland<br />
Jane Randolph<br />
Eddie .Dean<br />
Roscoe Ates<br />
R—Mar. 6—PG-OI<br />
Roman Bohnen<br />
R—Jan. 24—PG-893<br />
m (119) Drama 813<br />
CASS TIMBERLANE<br />
Spencer Tracy<br />
Lana Turner<br />
Zachary Scott<br />
R_Nov. 8—PG-872<br />
g<br />
(98) Drama 814<br />
IF WINTER COMES<br />
Walter Pldgeon<br />
Deborah Kerr<br />
Angela Lansbury<br />
R— Dec. 27—PQ-885<br />
[i] (99) Drama 815<br />
HIGH WALL<br />
Robert Taylor<br />
Audrey Totter<br />
Herbert Marshall<br />
R_Dec. 20—PG-883<br />
Margaret O'Brien<br />
George Murphy<br />
Angela Lansbury<br />
R—Jan. 17—PG-8<br />
(68) Drama<br />
J^<br />
SMART POLITICS<br />
June Prels-wr<br />
r'reddie Stewart<br />
Noel Nelll<br />
\io\ (66) Comedy 4704<br />
JIGGS AND MAGGIE<br />
IN SOCIETY<br />
Joe Yule<br />
Renle Rlano<br />
E—Feb. 14—PO-900<br />
[it] (53) Musical 686<br />
SONG OF THE DRIFTER<br />
Jimmy Wakely<br />
|3i] (58) Western 4751<br />
OVERUND TRAIL<br />
Johnny Mack Brown<br />
Raymond Hatton<br />
Virginia Belmont<br />
[t] (75) Drama 4709<br />
FIGHTING MAD<br />
Joe Kirkwood jr.<br />
Elyse Knox<br />
Leon Errol<br />
R—Feb. r—PG-898<br />
[m] (66) Drama 4707<br />
PERILOUS WATERS<br />
Don Castle<br />
Audrey Long<br />
Peggy Knudson<br />
|2i] (76) Drama<br />
ROCKY<br />
Roddy McDowall<br />
Nita Hunter<br />
Gale Sherwood<br />
^<br />
(98) Drama 4708<br />
WALK ALONE<br />
Burt Lancaster<br />
Lizabcth Scott<br />
Wendell Corey<br />
Kirk Douglas<br />
R—Dec. 20—PG-883<br />
Randolph Scott<br />
Barbara Britton<br />
Gabby Hayes<br />
R—Jan. 24—PG-8!<br />
Group 2<br />
(114) Drama<br />
SO WELL<br />
REMEMBERED<br />
John MiUs<br />
Martha Scott<br />
Patricia Roc<br />
STREET KID<br />
A) Com-Dr 701<br />
M (72) Outd'r-Mus 644<br />
©GAY RANCHERO<br />
Uoy Rogers<br />
Tito Gulzar<br />
Andy Devlne<br />
R—Jan. 10—PG-889<br />
Group 2<br />
(102) Drama 8<br />
NIGHT SONG<br />
Merle Oberon<br />
Dana Andrews<br />
Ethel Barr>-more<br />
R—Nov. 16—PG-874<br />
ra (65) Drama 702<br />
SLIPPY McGEE<br />
Don Barry<br />
Dale Evans<br />
Tom Brown<br />
(60) Western<br />
LAWLESS VALLEY<br />
George O'Brien<br />
Kay Sutton<br />
Group 3<br />
(91) Comedy 811 (104) Drama 863<br />
FUGITIVE<br />
IF YOU KNEW SUSIE THE<br />
Eddie Cantor<br />
Henry Fcnda<br />
Dolores Del Rio<br />
Joan Davis<br />
R—Feb. 7—PG-897 R—Nov. 15—PG-874<br />
m (61) Comedy 703<br />
CAMPUS HONEYMOON<br />
Richard Crane<br />
Lyn Wilde<br />
Lee Wilde<br />
Hal Hackett<br />
R—Feb. 14—PQ-899<br />
(70) Drama 892<br />
©BAMBI<br />
I<br />
Reissue<br />
[J] (68) Western HC13<br />
PRIDE OF THE WEST<br />
William Boyd<br />
Gabby Hayes<br />
Russell Hayden<br />
Reissue<br />
[t] (70) Western HC14<br />
IN OLD MEXICO<br />
WUIlam Boyd<br />
Gabby Hayes<br />
Russell Hayden<br />
[21] (42) Outd'r Dr<br />
TRAIL OF THE<br />
MOUNTIES<br />
Russell Hayden<br />
Jennifer Holt<br />
(140) Drama I<br />
©CAPTAIN FROM<br />
CASTILE<br />
Tyrone Power<br />
Jean Peters<br />
Cesar Romero<br />
Lee J. Cobb<br />
John Sutton<br />
R—Dec. 6—PG-880<br />
(81) Drama 803<br />
THE TENDER YEARS<br />
Joe E. Brown<br />
Richard Lyon<br />
Noreen Nash<br />
Charles Drake<br />
R—Dec. 6—PG-880<br />
(90) Drama<br />
MAN OF EVIL<br />
James Mason<br />
PhylUs Calvert<br />
R—Feb. 7—PO-898<br />
(91) Musical 202<br />
YOU WERE MEANT<br />
FOR ME<br />
Jeanne Grain<br />
Dan Dalley<br />
Oscar Levant<br />
R—Jan. 24—PO-894<br />
(62) Drama 804<br />
DANGEROUS YEARS<br />
William Halop<br />
Scotty Beckett<br />
Richard Gaines '<br />
(107) Comedy<br />
A MIRACLE CAN<br />
HAPPEN<br />
All-Star Cast<br />
R—Feb. 7—PO-898<br />
(81) Drama<br />
THE SENATOR WAS<br />
INDISCREET<br />
William PoweU<br />
Ella Raines<br />
Arleen Wbelan<br />
II— Dec. 20—PO-883<br />
(93) Drama<br />
CAPTAIN BOYCOTT<br />
Stewart Granger<br />
Kathleen Ryan<br />
Cecil Parker<br />
R—Dec. 6—PG-880<br />
Dennis Price<br />
Hazel Court<br />
Jack Warner<br />
R—M.u. 6—PG-010<br />
[y]<br />
(96) Drama 634 ^ (99) Drami<br />
A WOMAN'S<br />
SECRET BEYONl<br />
VENGEANCE<br />
THE DOOR<br />
(Jiarles Buyer<br />
Joan Bennett<br />
Ann BIyth<br />
Michael Redgrave<br />
Jessica Tandy<br />
Natalie Schafer<br />
R—Dec. 27—PG-886 R-^an. 10—Ptf-I<br />
~"<br />
[io] (78) Drama 713<br />
ALWAYS TOGETHER<br />
Joyce Reynolds<br />
Robert Hutton<br />
R— Dec. 2(>—Pa-884<br />
|4] (126) Drama 714<br />
TREASURE OF<br />
SIERRA MADRE<br />
Humphrey Bogart<br />
Waller Huston<br />
Tim Holt<br />
Bruce Bennett<br />
It—Jan. 10—PG-890<br />
JT] (95) Drama 715<br />
MY GIRL TISA<br />
Lilll Palmer<br />
|2i| (103)<br />
VOICE OF THE'<br />
Ronald Reagan<br />
Eleanor Parker
REVIEW DIGEST<br />
and Alphabetical Picture Guide Index-<br />
905 Adventure? of Casanova (S3) EL..
I<br />
I<br />
cmd trade press reviews. The plus and minus signs indicate the degree<br />
al favor or dislavor of the review. This department serves also as an<br />
'<br />
ALPHABETICAL INDEX to feature releases. Numeral preceding title is<br />
Picture Guide Review page number. In parentheses after title is running<br />
M<br />
1 792 Mad Wednesday (94) UA<br />
2-22-47<br />
(Madonna of the Desert (60) Rep...<br />
851 Manic Town (103) RKO<br />
8-30-47<br />
S893Main Street Kid. Tlie (65) Reo.-- .1-24-48<br />
[ 867 Man About Town (S9) RKO<br />
10-25-47<br />
i 908 It3n From Texas. The (71) EL<br />
3- 6-48<br />
898 Man of Evil (90) UA<br />
2- 7-48<br />
839 Marauders. The (100) UA<br />
7-19-47<br />
849 Marshall of Cripple Creek (58)..<br />
895 Mary Lou (66) Col<br />
8)5 Merlon of the Movies (83) MGM .<br />
ISgMiracle Can Happen. A (107) UA..<br />
907 Miracle of the Bells (120) UA...<br />
9MMr. Reckless (66) Para<br />
J13 Monsieur Verdoux (120) UA<br />
JH Mother Wore Tigths (107) 20-Fox.<br />
879 Mourning Becomes Electra (173)<br />
RKO<br />
89) My Girl Tisa (95) WB<br />
882 My Wild Irish Rose (101) WB...<br />
N<br />
896 Naked City, The (96) U-l<br />
8311 (68)<br />
,876 Nicholas Nickleby (95) U-l-..<br />
874 Night Song (102) RKO<br />
865 Nightmare Alley (111) 20-Fox.<br />
860 North of the Border (40) SG.<br />
819 Northwest Outpost (91) Rep...<br />
8-23-47<br />
1-31-48<br />
7-19-47<br />
2- 7-48<br />
3- 6-48<br />
2-21-48<br />
4-26-47<br />
8-30-47<br />
12- 6-47 +<br />
1-24-4S -f<br />
12-13-47 ff<br />
1-31-48 H<br />
6-21-47 ±<br />
11-22-47 +<br />
11-15-47 +<br />
10-18-47 +<br />
9-27-47 ±<br />
5-17-47 +<br />
7-f 1-<br />
S07 Oklahoma<br />
Badlands<br />
(59)<br />
870 On the Old Spanish Trail (75) fl<br />
89) Open Secret (70) EL<br />
821 Oregon Trail Scouts (58) Reo. •<br />
810 Other Love, The (95) UA<br />
853 Out of the Blue (84) EL<br />
875 Out o( the Past (96) RKO<br />
. 5-24-47<br />
. 4-12-47<br />
. 9- 6-47<br />
.11-22-47<br />
834 Pacific Adventure (97) Col 6-28-47<br />
895 Panhandle (84) Allied Artists 1-31-48<br />
888Paradine Case. The (129) SRO... 1- 3-48<br />
903 Pearl. The (79) RKO 2-21-48<br />
Perilous Waters (64) Mono<br />
8J9 Personal Column (formerly Lured) (102)<br />
UA 7-19-47<br />
907 Phantom Valley (53) Col 3-6-48<br />
Philo Vance's Secret Mission (58) EL<br />
I 897 Piccadilly Incident (87) MGM , . . . 2- 7-48<br />
'836 Pioneer Justice (56) EL 7- 5-47<br />
876 Pirates of Monterey (78) U-l 11-22-47<br />
825 Possessed (108) WB 6- 7-47<br />
Prairie Express (55) Mono<br />
8S1 Pretender. The (69) Rep 8-30-47<br />
879 Prince of Thieves, The (72) Col... 12- 6-47<br />
-H-<br />
•H ff -H ff ++<br />
866 Railroaded (72) EL<br />
led Stalliofl, The C81) EL<br />
892 Relentless (92) Col<br />
(•turn of Rin Tin Tin. The (67) EL<br />
873 Return of the Lash (53) EL<br />
ieturn of the Whistler. The (63) Col<br />
857 Ride the Pink Horse (101) U-l...<br />
Riders of the Lone Star (54) Col....<br />
Ridin' Down the Trail (53) Mono..<br />
82SRitf-Ra(f (80) RKO<br />
871 Road to Rio (101) Para<br />
I Road to the Big House (74) SG-.<br />
Robin Hood of Monterey (55) Mon<br />
) Robin Hood of Texas (71) Rep<br />
836 Romance of Rosy Ridge. The<br />
(105) MGM<br />
8)7 Roosevelt Story. The (80) UA<br />
I Rose of Santa Rosa (65) Col<br />
872 Roses Are Red (67) 20-Fox<br />
8)7 Rustlers of Devil's Canyon (58) Rep.<br />
10-18-47<br />
7-26-47<br />
1-17-48<br />
11- 8-47<br />
11-15-47<br />
7- 5-47<br />
7-12-47<br />
1- 3-48<br />
1- 8-47<br />
7-12-47<br />
' Saigon (95) Para 2- 7-48<br />
i Sainted Sisters. The (89) Para... 3- 6-4S<br />
IScudda Hoo! Scudda Hay! (95)<br />
20th-Fox 3- 6-48<br />
: Second Chance (62) 20-Fox 7-26-47<br />
• Secret Beyond the Door (98) U-l.<br />
. 1-10-48<br />
I Secret Life of Walter Mitty, The<br />
(105) RKO 7-19-47<br />
I Senator Was Indiscreet. The (81) U-l 12-20-47<br />
I Seven Keys to Baldpate (68) RKO.. 6- 7-47
SHORTS CHART<br />
onon BUDjecia, uaiea uy v^ompony. in oraer oi release, nunning ume IOUOW8 n -.4<br />
title. First date is National release, second the date of review in BOXOFFICE. I<br />
-jf<br />
Symbol between dates is rating from the BOXOFFICE review: ++ Very Good. j^<br />
+ Good. — Fair. — Poor, = Very Poor. © Indicates color photography.<br />
Coltimbia<br />
Metro-Goldwyn-Moyer<br />
Prod. No. Title Rel. Date Ratino Rev'd<br />
ALL-STAR COMEDIES<br />
9401 Brideless Groom (Stooges)<br />
(I6I/2) 9-11 - 10-18<br />
9431 Rolllnj Down to Reno<br />
(Von Zell) (I6/2) .... 9- 4 ± 10-18<br />
9432 Hectic Honeymoon (Holloway)<br />
-f- (17) 9-18 11- 8<br />
9421WeddinB Belle (Schilling<br />
Lane) (17) & 10- 9 + 11-29<br />
9402 Sing a Song of Six Pants<br />
(Stooges) (17) 10-30 ± 11-29<br />
9433 Wife to Spare (A. Clyde)<br />
(16) 11-20 i: 12-20<br />
9403 All Gummed Ug<br />
(Stooges) (IS) 12-11 ± 12-20<br />
9434 Wedlock Deadlock (De Rita)<br />
(16) 12-18 + 2-14<br />
9435 Radio Romeo (Von Zell)<br />
(171/2) 12-25<br />
9404 Shivering Sherlocks (Stooges)<br />
(17) 1-8<br />
9436 Man or Mouse (Holloway)<br />
(IS) 1-15<br />
9405 Pardon My Clutch<br />
(Stooges) (15) 2-26<br />
9406 Squareheads of the Round<br />
Table (Stooges) (18) 3- 4<br />
. .<br />
ASSORTED TWO-REEL COMEDIES<br />
9422 Should Husbands Marry?<br />
(H. Herbert) (17) ... .11-13 + 12-27<br />
9423 Silly Billie (Billie Burke)<br />
(IS) 1-29<br />
Two Nuts 9424 in a Rut<br />
(Shilling & Lane) (18). 2-19<br />
9437 Eight-Ball Andy (Clyde)<br />
(IS) 3-11<br />
COLOR FAVORITES<br />
(Re- releases)<br />
9601 Dreams on Ice 16'A) . . . .10-30 ± 11- 8<br />
9602 Novelty Shoo (6I/2) ... .11-20 tt 12-27<br />
9603 Dr. Bluebird (S) 12-18 tt 12-20<br />
%04 In My Gondola (71/2) ... 1-22<br />
9605 Animal Cracker Circus (7) 2-19<br />
COLOR PHANTASIES<br />
9701 Kitty Caddy (6) 11-6 + 11-29<br />
9702 Topsy Turkey (61/2) 2-5<br />
COLOR RHAPSODIES<br />
9501 Swiss Tease (6) 9-11 + 10-18<br />
9502 Boston Beany (6) 12-4 d: 12-20<br />
9503 Flora (7) 3-18<br />
COMMUNITY SINGS<br />
8660 No. 10 Managua, Nicaragua<br />
(Baker) (91/2) 719 ± 8-2<br />
1947-48 SEASON<br />
9651 No. 1 Linda (Leibert)<br />
(10) 9-4 + 8-30<br />
9652 No. 2 April Showers (Baker)<br />
(9) 10- 2 -f 11- 1<br />
9653 No. 3 Peg 0' My Heart<br />
(Leibert) (9) 11-6 ± 2-14<br />
9654 No. 4 When You Were Sweet<br />
Sixteen (Leibert & Baker)<br />
(91/2) 12- 4 ± 2-14<br />
No. 5 Feudin' Fightin'<br />
9655 and<br />
(IOI/2) 1-8<br />
9656 No. 6 Civilization (10) . . . 2-12<br />
FILM NOVELTIES<br />
9901 Aren't We All? (Stoopnagle)<br />
(10'/2) 11-27 -f 2-14<br />
SCREEN SNAPSHOTS<br />
9851 Hollywood Cowboys (91/2) 9- 4 ± 8-30<br />
9852Laguna. U.S.A. (91/2) . .10- 9 + 12-27<br />
9853 Out of This World Series<br />
(9) 11-27 1-3<br />
9854 Off the Air (10) 12-18 + 2-14<br />
9855 Hawaii in Hollywood 1-22<br />
(10)<br />
SPECIAL MUSICAL FEATURETTE<br />
9451 A Voice Is Born (Miklos<br />
Grafni) (201/2) 1-15 ff 10-25<br />
THRILLS OF MUSIC<br />
9951 Boyd Raehurn & Orcli.<br />
(11) 9-18 -f 10-25<br />
9952 Claude Thornhrll & Orch.<br />
(U) 10-16 -f 11- 8<br />
9953 Lecuona Cuban Boys<br />
# (IO1/2) 11-13 11-29<br />
9954Skitch Henderson & Orch.<br />
(10) 12-11<br />
9955 Charlie Barnett i Orcli.<br />
(10) 1-15<br />
9956 Ted Weems & Orch. (lOVj;) 3-25<br />
WORLD OF SPORTS<br />
8S10Volley-Oop (8) 7-26 H 8-30<br />
9801 Cinderella Cagers (9'/2). . 9-25 -t- 10-25<br />
9804 Navy Crew Champions<br />
(10) 12-25 -f 2-14<br />
9805 Rodeo ThrlHs and Spills<br />
(10) 1-29<br />
9806 Net Marvels (10) 3-11<br />
SERIALS<br />
9120 The Sea Hound 9- 4 ++ 8-30<br />
15 Chapters<br />
+ 9140 Brick Bradford 12-18 1-3<br />
15 Chapters<br />
9160 Tex Granger 4-1<br />
15 Chapters
.<br />
2-28<br />
20th Century-Fox<br />
'rod. No. Title Rel. Date Rating Re><br />
DRIBBLE PUSS PARADE<br />
M 14. No. 2T-Men in Action<br />
•*•<br />
(iS) 10- 3 H 10-11<br />
202 The 3 Rs Go Modern (9) 11- 7 ± 9-27<br />
251 ©Holiday in South Africa<br />
(8) 8-22 + 9-27<br />
Horizons of Tomorrow (8) 9-12 -f 12-20<br />
of the (8) ©Home Danes 10-17 + 9-27<br />
©Jungle Closeups (S)... j+ 1253 12-12 3-6<br />
254 ©Copenhagen Pageant<br />
(8) .Jan.<br />
1203 Sky Thrills (9) Mar.<br />
MOVIETONE NEWS<br />
(Released Twice Weekly)<br />
SPORTS<br />
f3
SHORTS REVIEWS<br />
Opinions on the Current Short Subjects-<br />
Little Hiawatha Hidden Valley Days<br />
RKO (re-release)<br />
(Disney Cartoon)<br />
No More Relatives<br />
RKO (Edgar Kennedy Comedy) 18 Mins.<br />
Good. This is one of the best in the current<br />
Edgar Kennedy series. After his in-laws leave,<br />
Edgar and his wife .make an agreement that<br />
there is to be no more housing of relatives.<br />
Soon after they arrive at this decision his inlaws<br />
return. Both wife and in-laws work cut<br />
a scheme with which to deceive Edgar. The<br />
rest of the film is comprised of humorous incidents.<br />
Edgar finally gives consent to drop<br />
the pact, thus enabling the relatives to stay.<br />
Photo Frenzy<br />
Prairie Spooners<br />
RKO (re-release) 13 Minutes<br />
(Ray Whitley Western Musical)<br />
Fair. A plot that is simple and easy to follow.<br />
Ray Whitley and his Six Bar Cowboys<br />
attend a barbecue and there, between songs,<br />
are told a story by Pop Whitley. He tells of<br />
how he was once in love with the mother of<br />
Ray's girl, Lorraine, and of how distance and<br />
time had pulled them apart. Ray and Lorraine<br />
decide not to let this happen to them by taking<br />
up where Pop Whitley left off.<br />
Dick Stabile and His<br />
Orchestra<br />
RKO (re-release) (Jamboree) 8 Minutes<br />
Good. Several ever-popular songs are featured<br />
in this re-release. The first song is the<br />
World War 1 favorite "Pack Up Your Troubles<br />
in Your Old Kit Bag" and the second is<br />
Melody in F. Dick Stabile's style is very relaxing<br />
and his saxophone solos are smooth.<br />
Gracie Barrie of musical comedy fame provides<br />
the pleasing vocalizations. She sipgs<br />
the first and last number which is "You Go<br />
to My Head." Both playing and singing was<br />
very good.<br />
Brooklyn Makes Capital<br />
Univ-Int'l (Variety View) 10 Minutes<br />
Fair. Ted De Corsia, who handled the narration<br />
for "Brooklyn U.S.A.," also is heard<br />
here as a typical Brooklynite complete with<br />
Brooklyn accent. He gives his reactions to<br />
various scenes and activities in Washington,<br />
D. C. He interviews a lobbyist, a fake senator<br />
and member of the British embassy. He<br />
tries to crash the Russian embassy, but is<br />
vetoed.<br />
9 Minutes Univ-Int'l (Musical Western) 27 Minutes<br />
Fair. A three-reel film starring Red River<br />
Dave and the Texas Tophands. It is the first<br />
Excellent Both grownups and children will<br />
enjoy this Technicolor Disney cartoon. Trying<br />
to prove himself to be a great hunter,<br />
Little Hiawatha aims at every animal in the<br />
woodland, but fails to hit any of them. He<br />
finally corners a bunny, but turns softhearted<br />
and shoos it away. Soon afterward<br />
he breaks his bow and arrows in two and<br />
disposes of them. He then encounters a bear<br />
and is chased for miles. The other animals<br />
sparing the life<br />
in the forest, grateful for his<br />
of the bunny, help him to escape. Back in his The Children's Republic<br />
wigwam Little Hiawatha vows that he will<br />
Carroll Films (Documentary) 24 Minutes<br />
wait until he is bigger before becoming a<br />
mighty hunter.<br />
Interesting. Madeleine Carroll has produced<br />
a 35mm documentary account of an<br />
of a series about this group and was photographed<br />
in Texas. The camera work is good<br />
and the music pleasant, but the editing is<br />
poor. The picture tells how Red River Dave<br />
and his boys help an old rancher with his<br />
roundup. While they are on the ranch they<br />
capture a gang of bank robbers who have<br />
been using on airplane for their getaways<br />
institution called The Children's Republic in<br />
Sevres, France. The film describes the progress<br />
being made by the progressive school<br />
toward rehabilitating children who were left<br />
homeless during the occupation. It follows<br />
In the A/ewsree/s<br />
Movietone News, No. 18: President Truman<br />
visits Cuba; Belgium returns bed sheets to<br />
people of Bastogne; Parisian children eat<br />
Friendship food; Japanese police raid black<br />
Universal Nevra, No. 122: Tokyo police raid<br />
black market; Mrs. Taft is interviewed by<br />
Washington press; New Orleans presents<br />
latest Easter millinery; Talon wins Santa Anita<br />
handicap.<br />
Warner Pathe News, No. 57: Champs in the<br />
news; Czech red revolution; motorcyclists in<br />
endurance contest; potatoes exchanged for<br />
fur coat; Santa Anita handicap.<br />
Movietone News, No. 19: Vandenberg urges<br />
Marshall plan to stop another war; the Italian<br />
Pilgrims flock to site of miracle; Bowery derelicts<br />
get a chance to start life anew; along<br />
Broadway; Cincinnati Reds start training at<br />
Tampa, Fla.; N. Y. Giants practice in Arizona;<br />
Boston Red Socks drill in Florida; ski jumping<br />
Gene Wilson flies 288 feet in Iron Mountain,<br />
Mich.<br />
News of the Day, No. 253: Quick aid to evade<br />
war; Czech fate stirs world; Everglade Wonderlands<br />
explored by cameraman; King Michael<br />
reclaims throne; basketball sensation;<br />
must accept Boston and Cincinnati; Boston<br />
Red Socks get ready; Cincinnati Reds woim<br />
up for spring; most perilous ski jump. ""<br />
Paramount News, No. 5G: Notre Dame-N. Y.<br />
U; Washington Czech envoy quit; Junior Republicans<br />
name Stassen and Warren; Earl<br />
Long wins in Louisiana; ski jump in Michigan;<br />
N. Y. Giants at Sarasota, Fla.<br />
Universal News, No. 123; United Nations<br />
security conference ponders Palestine crisis;<br />
Czech envoy informer; Hungary premier prptests<br />
action of Reds; film premier aides heart<br />
fund; Irish top N. Y. U. in rough basketball<br />
upset; death mars ski jump in Iron Mountain<br />
tournament.<br />
Warner Pathe News, No. 58: Michael revokes<br />
abdication; Czech envoy defies Reds;<br />
rare scenes of Everglade light; science makes<br />
the experiences of a brother and sister, orphans,<br />
who are picked! up by the poHce for<br />
vagrancy and are sent to the institution.<br />
Pupils at the school are permitted to study<br />
the is courses they prefer. The school run on<br />
a democratic basis, with the children governing<br />
themselves. They are taught useful<br />
trades. The film will be used to aid the current<br />
campaign of the White House committee<br />
for the International Children's Emergency<br />
Fund. Narration by Miss Carroll. She appears<br />
briefly in the film.<br />
A Matter of Time<br />
Carroll Films (Documentary) 20 Minutes<br />
Fair. A documentary account of a French<br />
barge captain's struggles to meet a deadline<br />
hauling a shipment of cement to Belgium<br />
from Paris has some measure of suspense.<br />
It is hampered by an English commentary<br />
that strains for American slang expressions.<br />
Photography is adequate. The film has more<br />
merit for educational showing.<br />
the perfect pie; spring fashion in photo finish;]<br />
Notre Dome vs. N. Y. U. in basketball; U.S.:^<br />
Constitution. "i<br />
•<br />
market; navy jet displays new jet flyer; skiing<br />
All American News, Vol. G, No. 291: Mrs.<br />
in France; kid boxing in New York; skating<br />
E. C. Estell of Dallas is selected as<br />
RKO<br />
"Woman<br />
(This Is America) 16 Minutes Barbara Ann Scott.<br />
of the Year"; Wilberforce, Ohio, college students<br />
are initiated; George E. Curry, former<br />
Very good. A report on the development of News of the Day, No. 252: Japanese battle<br />
photography from the time of the box camera black market; schools closed by teacher strike; bishop, is a successful businessman in Jacksonville,<br />
Fla.; President Truman on trip; Joe<br />
to the present intricate apparatus used in the Truman ends tour; new jet plane; Paris acclaims<br />
Barbara Ann Scott; chess classic; mus-<br />
Walcott awarded championship belt.<br />
motion picture and other industries. Many<br />
types of pictures are shown, both those taken clemen on parade.<br />
•<br />
by professional photographers and amateurs<br />
It is a very informative film and should be of Paramount News, No. 55: Chess classic- Telenews Digest, No. 9: First films of Red<br />
interest to practically everyone.<br />
Greek army frontier; a soldier remembers a upheaval in Czechoslovakia; violence grows<br />
promise; first pictures from Czechoslovakia.<br />
in Palestine as UN talks; Dictator Franco of<br />
Spain takes royal power; Francisco France<br />
presides over the inauguration of his New<br />
Council of the Realm; U.S. military mission<br />
arrives in Athens; new 11,000-ton liner makes<br />
maiden voyage from Sweden; carnival in<br />
France features dancing in the streets; Wallace-Taylor<br />
forces attack Marshall plan; convicts<br />
used to fight flood tides in Mississippi;<br />
GI dream homes in New York turn to nightmares;<br />
Statue of Liberty wears "old look";<br />
miracle rescue saves seaman; teachers strike<br />
in Minneapolis for better schools; explosion<br />
rocks town; Reynolds takes off on new exploration;<br />
Europe's refugees find new home;<br />
gadgeteer builds new super auto; wheelchair<br />
vets play basketball; doughnut dunkers demonstrate<br />
techniques.<br />
Exhibitor Has His Say<br />
(Continued from page 3)<br />
E. Pehlman, Rio Theatre, Edinburg, 111. Rural<br />
and small town patronage. * * *<br />
Unsuspected, The (WB)— Joan Caulfield,<br />
Claude Rains, Audrey Totter. This film<br />
was tops in murder and mystery. My patrons<br />
don't go for these though and this hit the<br />
all-lime low for this winter in gross. Played<br />
Tues., Wed. Weather: Very cold.—Otto W.<br />
Chapek, Annex Theatre, Anamoose, N. D.<br />
Rural and small tovim patronage. * * *<br />
Verdict, The (WB) — Sydney Greenstreet,<br />
is Peter Lorre, Joan Loring. This a very good<br />
murder mystery but don't play it on a weekend<br />
like we did unless you want poor results<br />
like we got. We didn't even have a hundred<br />
at the matinee and that was something unusual<br />
for us. The ending was a great surprise<br />
for the people and was enjoyed by<br />
those who come. Played Fri., Sat. Weather:<br />
Fine. — George MacKenzie, York Theatre,<br />
Hantsport, N. S. Small tovm patronage. *<br />
14<br />
BOXOFHCE BookinGuide :: Mar. 13, 1948
Opinions on Current Productions; Expioitips for Selling to the Public<br />
FEATURE REVIEWS<br />
t<br />
Summer Holiday<br />
MGM (821) 92 Minutes<br />
p<br />
'<br />
Comedy<br />
With Music<br />
Rel. ApriL '48<br />
An outstanding assemblage of talent—both in the acting<br />
and production aepartments; a name cast headed by Mickey<br />
Rooney; Technicolor; some good singing and production<br />
numbers, and lively comedy oi the early '90s period ought<br />
to molce this one ol the money-makers of the season. It gets<br />
a confusing start, with Rooney, Walter Huston, Frank Morgan<br />
and others singing and talking in verse, but acquires<br />
reality as the boy-girl romance and family complications<br />
unfold. One scene virhere Rooney, a high school boy, is<br />
lured into a drunken stupor by a burlesque queen, is dragged<br />
out unnecessarily and may draw criticism from parents.<br />
Gloria De Haven, as the sweetheart of school age, outstandingly<br />
is<br />
attractive. Arthur Freed was the producer and<br />
Rouben Mamoulian directed from a script based on Eugene<br />
ONeil's "Ah, WildernessV<br />
Mickey Rooney, Gloria De Haven, Walter Huston, Frank<br />
Morgan, Butch Jenkins, Marilyn Maxwell, Agnes Moorehead<br />
Smart Woman<br />
Monogram-Allied Artists<br />
93 Minutes<br />
Rel.<br />
If any such remained, this should dispel all doubts that<br />
Monogram, under the banner of Allied Artists, its silk-clad<br />
running-mate company, is deserving of a big league status<br />
as concerns both production and bookings. There are plenty<br />
of showmen and reviewers who will appraise the film as the<br />
best to date to appear bearing the A-A seal; and, considering<br />
the financial returns recorded by some of its predecessors,<br />
such evaluation should assure profitable grosses<br />
wherever the feature is booked. A story of crooked politicians,<br />
urban corruption, smart lawyers and torrid love, the<br />
screenplay was skillfully contrived to accent the respective<br />
and collective talents of a name-heavy cast, which is highlighted<br />
by Constance Bennett's impressive comeback as an<br />
actress and her promising debut as a producer with Hal E.<br />
Chester. Skillfully directed by Edward A. Blatt.<br />
Brian Aheme, Constance Bennett, Barry Sullivan, Michael<br />
O'Shea, James Gleason, Otto Kruger, Isobel Elsom.<br />
The Return of the Whistler F<br />
Columbia (920) Minutes Rel. Mar. 18, '48<br />
An exciting mystery in which there is no corpse and bullets<br />
don't fly. Pretty Lenore Aubert plays the part of a young<br />
French widow of an American flyer whose nearest in-laws<br />
hate so much to see her inherit the family fortune that they<br />
conspire to cheat her out of it by making everyone believe<br />
she is insane. Michael Duane had fallen in love with her<br />
and was trying to marry her (not knowing her financial<br />
prospects) when this series of events started happening, and<br />
keeps up the interest until the last flicker. Private eye Richard<br />
Lane sleuths on both sides the fence, really exposing<br />
the racket when he discovers he has been working for crooks<br />
at first. Where there is a demand for these mystery-action<br />
pictures in double feature houses, this can be booked in<br />
any ot them to satisfaction. D. Ross Lederman directed.<br />
Michael Duane, Lenore Aubert, Richard Lane, James Cardwell,<br />
Ann Shoemaker, Sarah Padden, 'Wilton Gralf.<br />
Adventures in Silverado<br />
Columbia (902) — Minutes Rel. Mar. 25, '48<br />
Suggested by Robert Louis Stevenson's story, "Silverado<br />
Squatters," this is a western in entertainment value with<br />
more plot development and something better than the sterotyped<br />
sagebrush thriller. There are enough stagecoach<br />
races to please the most ardent action fans with acting a<br />
grade higher than typical horse operas. Also, the plot has<br />
an unusual twist at the end and there are social betterment<br />
ideas introduced which fit into present world reform movements.<br />
Of course good old Doc who looked after everbody<br />
on the "flats" turns out in the end to be "The Monk," dormg<br />
highwayman who has been robbing the mine owners of a<br />
lot of gold shipments by holding up stages. But, shucks.<br />
Doc was taking it from the rich to give to the poor, so that<br />
didn't make his crime so black, though he paid with his life.<br />
One of the better little pictures. Phil Karlson directed.<br />
William Bishop, Gloria Henry, Edgar Buchanan, Forrest<br />
Tucker, Edgar Barrier,<br />
F<br />
Irving Bacon, Joseph Crehan.<br />
^ ^<br />
/ Remember Mama<br />
RKO Radio (860) 138 Minutes Rel. April '48<br />
"Iss Gootl" Thai's the coverall phrases employed by<br />
"Mama" and her family and friends to describe a situation<br />
to their liking. But it is inadequate as an appraisal for the<br />
screen version of John Van Drutens popular stage play. In<br />
fact, "Iss excellent " is none too superlative. It's one ol those<br />
heart-warming, fundamentally-simple, all-too-rare films about<br />
the lives, loves, problems and tribulations ol a wholesome<br />
and lovable immigrant family— in this case Norwegian—millions<br />
of which comprise the backbone of our nation. As such<br />
it inescapably must strongly appeal to every picture patron,<br />
regardless of age, creed, color or film taste. Given the additional<br />
benefit of a thoioughly fine and masterfully-typed<br />
cast, whose performances throughout are line-grained and<br />
winning, the offering is predestined for record grosses. A<br />
sterling credit lor Producer-Director George Stevens.<br />
Irene Dunne, Barbara Bel Geddes. Oscar Homolka, Philip<br />
Dom, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Edgar Bergen, Rudy Vallee.<br />
Fort Apache<br />
RKO Radio 127 Minutes Rel.<br />
Those early-day ingredients of the time-honored western<br />
—cavalry and Indians—herein are given the benefit ol unstinting<br />
production and the mastery ol Producer-Director<br />
John Ford (Stagecoach) in blending touches of irony and<br />
philosophy with good, old-fashioned action. Resultagtly,<br />
the feature, second from Argosy Productions, in which<br />
Merian C. Cooper is Ford's co-producer and partner, easily<br />
earns rating as a super-western and in many facets transcends<br />
even that exalted classification because there is much<br />
in the story to appeal to the patrons who are not rabid<br />
sagebrush fans. For such there is a tender romance and a<br />
plethora of artistic touches, displayed mostly in backgrounds<br />
and photography. For the action lovers, there's<br />
of more: Spectacle, authenticity atmosphere and locale, suspense<br />
and thrills. The film looks like a sure winner.<br />
John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Shirley Temple, John Agar, Pedro<br />
Armendariz, Ward Bond, Irene Rich, George O'Brien<br />
Madonna of the Desert<br />
Republic (704) 60 Minutes Rel. Feb. 23, '48<br />
Adroitly plotted, capably enacted, and mounted productionwise<br />
so skillfully that its short budget doesn't burst out<br />
at the seams, here is a cops-and-robbers yarn tailored deftly<br />
to fit into the nether end of a dual booking, both as to running<br />
time and entertainment content. There is no pretense<br />
that it is anything other than program fare, but in that category<br />
the subject certainly should pay off. The story line<br />
moves along briskly, and there are a couple of chases and<br />
fist fights to keep the action addicts happy. At the same<br />
time the scenarists injected a spiritual note into the story<br />
of a fabulously valuable statuette of a madonna, owned by a<br />
simple rancher. Crooks attempt to muscle in and steal the<br />
antique, but the bauble's magical powers—and a few uriavoidable<br />
coincidences—work together to foil the plot. Directed<br />
by George Blair.<br />
Lynne Roberts, Donald Barry, Don Castle, Sheldon Leonard,<br />
Paul Hurst, Roy Barcroft, Frank Yaconelli, Paul E. Bums.<br />
The Hawk of Powder River F<br />
Eagle Lion (856) 54 Minutes Rel. Apr. 10. '48<br />
During the first five minutes of this Eddie Dean western,<br />
trigger-happy horsemen ride all over the range shooting<br />
everyone in sight and robbing mines, stage coaches and<br />
should please action fans and juveniles who<br />
banks. This<br />
will not mind or miss the absence of dialog in the opening<br />
sequence. Then along come Eddie Dean and his pal Roscoe<br />
Ates to cramp the style of this bandit gang, headed by<br />
the Hawk, who is a very unconventional western "badman"<br />
—lovely Jennifer Holt. She tries to kill her cousin, June<br />
Carlson, in order to get control ol the family ranch. Miss<br />
Carlson's father, who suspected the identity bf the Hawk,<br />
had been murdered. Dean sets a trap for the killers and<br />
he practically annihilates them single handed. Andy Parker<br />
and the Plainsmen provide background music lor Dean vocals.<br />
Ray Taylor directed.<br />
Eddie Dean, Roscoe Ates, Jennifer Holt, June Carlson, Andy<br />
Parker and the Plainsmen.<br />
F
. . Stepping<br />
. . Taking<br />
EXPLOITIPS Suggestions for Selling; Adiines for Newspaper and Prograt<br />
|<br />
SELLING ANGUES:<br />
"I Remember Mama-<br />
Try to persuade proclaim a "Remember<br />
city officials to<br />
Mama" day in conjunction with the opening. Hold a special<br />
screening for a selected group of mothers, designating it a<br />
"Mothers' Matinee." Promote llowers or candy to be sent<br />
to the inmates of maternity wards in local hospitals. The<br />
book, "Mama's Bank Account," on which the film is based,<br />
suggests tieups with local banks to stimulate savings activities.<br />
Don't neglect to exploit the pocket edition of the /'^j<br />
book, just issued by Bantam Books, Inc. ^<br />
CATCHl.INES:<br />
Here They Come . the Inside Track to Your<br />
Heart . Right Out of the Pages of Your Own<br />
Book of Life . . . Come the Most Wonderful People You'd Ever<br />
Care to Know ... in the Swellest Movie You'd Ever Care to<br />
See.<br />
At Last on the Screen ... the Tempests, Tears, Laughter<br />
and Love ... of the Family You'll Never Forget ... a Beloved<br />
Best-Seller ... a Two-Year Broadway Stage Hit . . .<br />
Becomes the Years' Film Sensation.
',<br />
lATES: 10c per word, minimum $1.00, cash with copy. Four insertions lor price of three.<br />
1l;L0SrNG DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy and answers to<br />
Box Numbers to BOXOFPICE. 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 1, Mo. •<br />
GENERAL EQUIPMENT-USED<br />
THEATRES FOR SALE<br />
THEATRES FOR SALE—(Cont'd)<br />
build<br />
day for us. Must move surplus inienimiroarc<br />
16mm outfits, $»95; drive-ins,<br />
2,1U2,T18, reissue No. 22,766<br />
duuuio purklii^ drive-Ui Itiealreji under<br />
.uahisc p.itent No.<br />
id mipruvements, pulerii<br />
\ry HI. .Arfsound complete outuu;,<br />
pending. Up to SUVo<br />
Oil' M.aiiig<br />
III :ind tj.") .inuiiie liii;li intensity Imperiai<br />
capacity »uh little idditloniil cost.<br />
oui. J II<br />
11 and. Architecl, 628 M & M Bldg.,<br />
CLfflfiinG<br />
HOUSE<br />
We<br />
h.ive<br />
:illy; Neumade 30<br />
in;; cushion chairs<br />
;iir slope floor, ex-<br />
S. Kinnickinnic Ave.,<br />
attention! For Sale Ford truck,<br />
motor. New canvas sidewall 8x150.<br />
bottomed folding benches, backrests,<br />
g. 8x10 screen. 100 ft. electric cx-<br />
,1 fits in truck. Box 229, South
!<br />
'm.<br />
Every Exhibitor<br />
KNOWS...that<br />
TRAILERS<br />
are your Best Buy<br />
in<br />
ADVERTISING!*<br />
-k Woman's Home Qoxnpxxnion<br />
PROVED that TRAILERS<br />
draw 31% of your Patrons...<br />
in authoritative--! 94 7 Survey<br />
of Motion Picture Preferences<br />
SCRVICC<br />
IIATIOnfll<br />
\J PH/lfBOBriofTMfmoasmr